Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
Simon & Schuster The Midwife of Venice
Book Synopsis
£17.09
Hodder & Stoughton The Playmaker
Book SynopsisIn 1789 in Sydney Cove, the remotest penal colony of the British Empire, a group of convicts and one of their captors unite to stage a play.Trade ReviewFormidably good . . . strong, subtle, echoing and profound * The Sunday Times *A magnificent and moving documentary, a tribute to his roots * Mail on Sunday *He seizes with stunning effect on an event far more bizarre than any fiction * New Statesman *An excellent novel * Independent *The literary joy here has more to do with how individual each characterisation is, each one tuned to another note of Keneally's rich, strong prose * Kirkus Reviews *This is Mr Keneally at his best * Daily Telegraph *Punchy, highly intelligent * Financial Times *Mingles meticulous research with lucid characterisation * Daily Mail *The best Australian writer alive * Auberon Waugh *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Altar of Blood Empire IX
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesThe Tungrians have no sooner returned to Rome than they find themselves tasked with a very different mission to their desperate exploits in Parthia. Ordered to cross the river Rhenus into barbarian Germany and capture a tribal priestess who may be the most dangerous person on the empire''s northern border, they are soon subject to the machinations of an old enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage their plans before they have even set foot on the river''s eastern bank. But after their Roman enemy is neutralised they face a challenge greater still. With two of the Bructeri tribe''s greatest treasures in their hands they must regain Roman territory by crossing the unforgiving wilderness that was the graveyard of Roman imperial strategy two hundred years before. And capture by the Bructeri''s vengeful chieftain and his warband can only end in one way - a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe''s altarTrade ReviewA master of the genre - The TimesThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. - Conn IgguldenA damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. - Ben KaneStands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. - Manda Scott
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Nunslinger The Complete Series
Book SynopsisThe Western as you've never seen it before!Trade ReviewNunslinger is more serious than its name would imply. It is an exceedingly fun read with good people, bad people, blazing guns, chases, jailbreaks, derring-do and all sorts of wildness. But it is also the sort of complex morality tale that harkens back to the best of the Western genre - when writers used the chaos of the uncivilised society and the bleakness of the landscape as a setting for discussions of what makes us human. Sister Josephine is part of that great tradition, and, indeed, Nunslinger already ranks amongst the best that the Western genre has to offer. -- PornokitschI have no idea who is behind the pseudonym of Stark Holborn but whoever it is has written a gripping tale filled with well fleshed-out characters. The story is told in the first person through Sister Josephine. The superb series title, Nunslinger, and the cartoonish cover illustration hints at this perhaps being a comedy western but this isn't the fact. The story is an action-packed traditional western with some hard-hitting scenes. Sister Josephine's struggles to see more than goodness in people adding intrigue to the tale. -- Western Fiction ReviewMore fun than a rattlesnake in a barn dance brantub. -- Reading AddictsI love a good western, and NUNSLINGER is a great one. Sharp writing, moral ambiguity, and a story-line that will rope you in and won't let you go. Addictive and original. * Sarah Lotz *Witty and atmospheric, with a cliffhanger every few chapters, NUNSLINGER is thrilling stuff, even if - as I used to think - westerns aren't really your thing. I galloped through the omnibus edition in one bumpy sitting. * The Observer *
£999.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Earthly Gods
Book SynopsisUnable to make any progress in locating the missing Indavara, a desperate Cassius has been given an unrewarding assignment in Antioch. But when an old ally''s daughter is kidnapped, he feels duty-bound to repay a long standing debt. Disillusioned with the tawdry demands of the Imperial Security Service, he disobeys his superiors and leaves Syria, determined to do some good.Accompanied by nomadic chieftain Kabir and a trio of warriors, Cassius soon finds himself in Greece hunting a vicious band of slave-traders trafficking women across the Empire. But these are no common criminals, and as Cassius sets out to bring them down, he finds himself up against ruthless, cunning men with powerful friends and a lot to lose.For the Agent of Rome, desperate times call for desperate measures.Trade ReviewA gripping addition to the [Agent of Rome] series. * The Times *This entertaining adventure thrills from the outset but it also has much to say on that living, breathing monster of the Roman Empire - slavery. * Sunday Express *It's hard to avoid a comparison with the Empress of Roman crime, Lindsey Davis, but for me, Nick Brown holds his own in such exalted company. * crimereview.co.uk *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE IMPERIAL BANNER:'THE IMPERIAL BANNER is Roman adventure at its best . . . brutal action leavened by a cynical brand of military humour, history, mystery, romance and an almost tangible sense of cohesion and camaraderie amongst Cassius and his cohorts. It's a formula that works well in so Brown's capable hands . . . Cassius's next assignment can't come too soon!' * Lancashire Evening Post *If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great stuff. * Falcata Times *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE SIEGE:'A masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era' * Manda Scott *Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down. * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *Perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation * Lancashire Evening Post *Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena. * Oxford Times *A thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure * Book Gazette *Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *Brown has given this Roman military/adventure story a great twist in having Cassius hail from the secret service ranks . . . THE SIEGE is also a character study and offers a rare glimpse into 3rd century Rome and her occupation of Syria. * Historical Novels Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Brethren
Book SynopsisThe epic first novel in the million-selling Brethren trilogy.Trade ReviewBRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment -- John ConnollyPacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, BRETHREN captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed -- Alison WeirEngaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair -- Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The CrossEl Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction * Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live *Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters . . . a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel * Publishers Weekly *BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment * John Connolly, author of THE BLACK ANGEL and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS *Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, BRETHREN captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed * Alison Weir *'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' * Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross *If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly * Sharon Penman, author *A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes! * Sarah Weinman (Baltimore Sun, Shots Magazine, Galleycat blog) *Wonderful... loaded with atmosphere, action, and intrigue. The Crusades come alive * Steve Berry, author of THE TEMPLAR LEGACY *Rich historical detail, clever plotting and engaging characters . . . a historical thriller that will have readers turning pages and envisioning the sequel * Publishers Weekly *Intricate, compelling, captivating and, above all, believable ... a brilliant piece of sustained imagination * David Boyle, author of BLONDEL'S SONG *Robyn Young's BRETHREN is a truly excellent novel. The thirteenth century is vividly and excitingly evoked ... I can't wait for the sequel! * Mark Philpott, Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, Oxford *'Stirring...carefully researched' * Publishing News *Richly worked and captivating...an epic story of war, intrigue and heroism * Good Book Guide *Tipped to be the next Da Vinci Code * Elle *El Cid meets The Da Vinci Code! Exciting, page-turning fiction * Simon Mayo's Book Panel, BBC Radio Five Live *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Requiem
Book SynopsisThe epic conclusion to the million-selling Brethren trilogy.Trade ReviewYoung writes with remarkable accuracy, action-packed efficiency and gut-wrenching violence * The Times *Satisfyingly complex * Sunday Telegraph *Compared to Bernard Cornwell's Azincourt, REQUIEM is 'More rollicking, even more fast moving and breathless...so pacy' * Heat's Boyd Hilton, speaking on Radio 5 Live Books Panel *Fantastic baddies! * Independent on Sunday's Suzi Feay, speaking on Radio 5 Live Books Panel *Praise for the Brethren trilogy * . . . *BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment * John Connolly *Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, Brethren captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed * Alison Weir *'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' * Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross *If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly * Sharon Penman on BRETHREN *A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes! * Sarah Weinman on BRETHREN *
£9.99
Cornerstone Innocent Traitor
Book Synopsis_____________________________________A wrenching novel about the life and death of Lady Jane Grey, one of the most complex and sympathetic figures in Tudor England, by popular historian Alison Weir: ideal for fans of Wolf HallLady Jane Grey was born into times of extreme danger. Child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother, for whom she was merely a pawn in a dynastic power game with the highest stakes, she lived a life in thrall to political machinations and lethal religious fervour. Jane''s astonishing and essentially tragic story was played out during one of the most momentous periods of English history. As a great-niece of Henry VIII, and the cousin of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, she grew up to realize that she could never throw off the chains of her destiny. Her honesty, intelligence and strength of character carry the reader through all the vicious twists of Tudor power politics, to her nine-day reign and its unbearably poignTrade ReviewAlison Weir's hugely popular history books are as gripping as novels, and now she has stepped effortlessly over the boundary... Weir's knowledge of the background is immaculate, and she revels in the freedom of fiction without sacrificing historical fact. Lady Jane is brave and intelligent, and if you don't cry at the end you have a heart of stone. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *Alison Weir is one of our greatest popular historians. In her first work of fiction, she sets out to trace the brief life of one of history's most tragic heroines... Weir manages her heroine's voice brilliantly, respecting the past's distance while conjuring a dignified and fiercely modern spirit. * Daily Mail *This is an impressive debut. Weir shows skill at plotting and maintaining tension, and she is clearly going to be a player in the overcrowded historical fiction game. We can look forward to seeing what subject she'll tackle next. -- Lesley McDowell * Independent on Sunday *The story is so compelling and horrible that even a reader well acquainted with it will be gripped...This is a novel that will grip readers and give great pleasure. -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *
£10.44
Pan Macmillan The Personal History of Rachel DuPree
Book SynopsisA stunning novel about love, loyalty and homeland
£8.54
Pan Macmillan Lionheart
Book SynopsisRichard I was crowned King in 1189 and set off almost immediately for the Third Crusade. This was a bloody campaign to regain the Holy Land, marked by warfare among the Christians and extraordinary campaigns against the Saracens. Men and women found themselves facing new sorts of challenges and facing an uncertain future. John, the youngest son, was left behind - and with Richard gone, he was free to conspire with the French king to steal his brother's throne. Overshadowing the battlefields that stretched to Jerusalem and beyond were the personalities of two great adversaries: Richard and Saladin. They quickly took the measure of each other in both war and diplomacy. The result was mutual admiration: a profound acknowledgement of a worthy opponent. In Lionheart, a gripping narrative of passion, intrigue, battle and deceit, Sharon Penman reveals a true and complex Richard - a man remarkable for his power and intelligence, his keen grasp of warfare and his cTrade ReviewThe great Crusader king Richard the Lionheart comes alive in all his complex splendor in this masterpiece of a medieval tapestry -- Margaret George, best selling author of Elizabeth I
£10.44
Pan Macmillan A Kings Ransom
Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author Sharon Penman comes A King's Ransom, the stunning sequel to Lionheart Travelling home from the bloody battlefields of the Holy Land, the Crusader King Richard the Lionheart is shipwrecked in the Mediterranean after an encounter with pirates. He should be protected by a papal decree, but he is betrayed and captured by the Duke of Austria - a man who has good reason to loathe him - and is immediately claimed by the Holy Roman Emperor, who also bears him a bitter grudge. Richard is to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, which few men ever left. Meanwhile, his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, is moving heaven and earth to raise a staggering ransom, travelling across Europe herself to buy the release of her favourite son. But her determination may not be enough. At the eleventh hour, the Duke announces that he has had a better offer from the French king, Trade ReviewMasterful . . . [Sharon Kay] Penman has absorbed herself so fully into the heart and mind of her protagonist that an undeniably flawed but refreshingly human Richard [the Lionheart] virtually walks off the pages * Booklist *A well-researched and impressively detailed narrative displaying a strong commitment to historical accuracy and richly drawn, sympathetic characters * Library Journal *Massively entertaining * Kirkus Reviews *Once you start reading you won’t want to stop * British Weekly *
£11.69
Pan Macmillan Odd Girl Out
Book SynopsisFrom the lauded, bestselling author of the Cazalet Chronicles, in Odd Girl Out, Elizabeth Jane Howard reveals with devastating accuracy a marriage put in a most destructive situation.Anna and Edmund Cornhill have a happy marriage and a lovely home. They are content, complete, absorbed in their private idyll.Arabella, who comes to stay one lazy summer, is rich, rootless and amoral – and, as they find out, beautiful and loving.In her elegant prose, Howard traces the web of love and desire that entangles these three and will, ultimately, leave one of them behind.'Her talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her' – Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf HallTrade ReviewHer talent seemed so effervescent, so unstoppable, that there was no predicting where it might take her -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall
£9.49
Cornerstone The Marriage Game
Book SynopsisBestselling historian Alison Weir brings Elizabeth I to vivid life in a novel of intrigue, sex, plots, mysteries and tragedies, amid all the colour and pageantry of the Tudor court.''[Weir] gets right inside the head of the Virgin Queen. The reader has a blissful sense of seeing history as it happens.'' - Kate Saunders, The TimesIt was an affair that shocked the world.Elizabeth I is the most sought-after bride in Europe. But though she is formidably intelligent, brave and tempestuous, she is desperately insecure. The tragic events in her past mean she cannot give herself to any man, and yet she relishes the thrill of the chase, the lure of forbidden fruit. And so, using sex and high-powered diplomacy, she plays what becomes known as the ''Marriage Game'', dangling suitors to keep them friendly to her kingdom, while holding them off indefinitely. But playing this tantalising game with the married Robert Dudley, the son and grandson ofTrade Review[Weir] gets right inside the head of the Virgin Queen. The reader has a blissful sense of seeing history as it happens. -- Kate Saunders * The Times *Politics, historical detail and unfulfilled love in Alison Weir's endlessly fascinating account of Elizabeth I's attempt reconcile her personal passions with public life . . . The sheer weight of Weir’s scholarship underpins the narrative, making it endlessly fascinating. * Sunday Express *The captivating, tempestuous, often hilarious and ultimately poignant story of the extraordinary love affair between Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley * Historical Novel Review *With the vogue for Tudor history at its height, this is a brilliant novel that focuses on the volatile relationship with Elizabeth I and the charismatic Lord Dudley. * Woman and Home *Based on in-depth knowledge of Elizabeth’s court, and the intrigues that swirled around it, the novel has the benefit of both verisimilitude and captivating story-telling. * Choice Magazine *
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Butlins Girls
Book SynopsisA comforting story set against the nation's favourite holiday camp, from bestselling author of The Woolworths Girls'Molly Missons gazed around in awe. So this was Butlin's. Whitewashed buildings, bordered by rhododendrons, gave a cheerful feeling to a world still recovering from six years of war. The Skegness holiday camp covered a vast area, much larger than Molly expected to see.'Molly Missons hasn't had the best of times recently. Having lost her parents, now some dubious long-lost family have darkened her door - attempting to steal her home and livelihood... After a horrendous ordeal, Molly applies for a job as a Butlin's Aunty. When she receives news that she has got the job, she immediately leaves her small home town - in search of a new life in Skegness.Molly finds true friendship in Freda, Bunty and Plum. But the biggest shock is discovering that star of the silver screen, Johnny JohnsTrade ReviewHeartwarming . . . a must-read -- Woman's Own on The Woolworths GirlsA warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick'n'mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworths GirlsA lovely read * Bella on The Woolworths Girls *Elaine brings the heyday of the iconic high-street giant to life in her charming novel * S Magazine on The Woolworths Girls *
£8.54
Headline Publishing Group Wildfire In His Arms
Book SynopsisA passionate new tale from No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey, featuring one of her most intriguing heroes: the dangerous and mysterious Degan Grant from One Heart to Win. Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton.A dangerous gunfighter. A beautiful outlaw. A thrilling pursuit.Degan Grant is heading to California, far away from the home he wants to forget, when a US Marshal calls in a favour. Degan has to apprehend three outlaws and turn them over to the law - easy enough for a man no one wants to tangle with. But one of the outlaws defies Degan''s every expectation. Maxine is sassy, spirited - and insists she is innocent. And, knowing that her capture will lead to her hanging, she''s determined to escape the handsome, enigmatic gunfighter. Forced into intimate proximity with his beguiling prisoner, Degan finds his desire for Maxine sparking into a wildfire of passion between tTrade ReviewIf readers need to remember why they are Lindsey fans, she delivers every reason in this spinoff of One Heart to Win. She incorporates her signature captive/captor plotline with sassy dialogue, plenty of verbal sparring, lots of heat and a bit of humor, all in perfect proportions * Romantic Times *Many wonderful heroes have been created by Johanna Lindsey, and those who live in the Old West are always a favorite. Wildfire In His Arms has one surprise after another, and the twists are inventively riveting * Single Titles *You could feel the sexual attraction between these two . . . Lindsey allowed their relationship to develop slowly increasing the tension and making unexpected kisses sizzle . . . If you are looking for strong characters and a slow burning romance wrapped in suspense and surrounded by tumbleweeds look no further than Wildfire In His Arms * Caffeinated Book Reviewer *There is action, romance and suspense which make for a perfect escape from reality . . . I enjoyed this book so much * My Nook, Books And More *This is a wonderful historical western romance with some twists that make this story totally unique. Ms Lindsey is known for her awesome historical novels . . . I was immediately hooked and stayed that way until the end of this story. I absolutely loved the characters, the settings and the interactions . . . Fantastic story from beginning to end that has Ms Lindsey's storytelling talent shining * Night Owl Romance *Saddle up for an opposites-attract meets knight-in-tarnished-armor romance * XOXO After Dark *Johanna Lindsey still has a knack of creating fun and unforgettable characters who remain in a reader's thoughts and heart years after finishing a book . . . Wildfire In His Arms is a walk in time, reminding me of the many reasons I adore Johanna Lindsey's brand of storytelling and her masterful ability to create memorable characters * Romance Junkies *One thing is for sure: Johanna Lindsey has a remarkable ability to pen characters who are at once dashing, dangerous, protective, intriguing, loving, admirable, eccentric, unusual, strong, determined and so much more, all at the same time! * Fallen Angel Reviews *
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Dark Serpent Hugh Corbett Mysteries Book 18
Book SynopsisPaul Doherty''s most popular series character returns. It is the Summer of 1311 and Hugh Corbett is about to take up a life of danger again in the eighteenth novel in his series, DARK SERPENT, the follow up to THE MYSTERIUM. If you love historical mysteries from Robin Hobb, Susanna Gregory, Michael Jecks, Peter Tremayne and Bernard Knight you will love this.After his recent unveiling of a devious assassin, Sir Hugh Corbett has returned to service as the Keeper of the Secret Seal, begrudgingly admitting that his appetite for adventure has once again been whetted. Summoned to meet the King to be congratulated on their work together, Corbett and Ranulf learn of the death of Corbett''s close friend, Ralph Grandison. Ralph, a leper, has been found dead in a rowing boat, a dagger thrust through his chest. But this murder is not the first of its kind. Other patients of the hospital in which Ralph was staying have similarly slaughtered and it seems as though the leper
£10.44
Headline Publishing Group Caught By The Scot Made To Marry 1
Book SynopsisCAUGHT BY THE SCOT is a fabulously witty and irresistibly sexy Scottish historical romance from New York Times bestseller Karen Hawkins. Fans of Julia Quinn, Monica McCarty and Julie Garwood will be won over by the spellbinding Made to Marry series.When the dark Duke of Hamilton loses his beloved wife, he heeds her dying wish that he make certain her three brothers marry well for she fears they are all headed to ruin. Heartsick, the Duke approaches the task with a heavy hand, ordering the three brothers to marry within three months or forego their inheritance.The middle brother, the dashing Conner Douglas, is not about to give up his independence, but he knows marriage doesn''t always mean one much change, does it? If anything, being married to a pliable sort of female would give him even more opportunity to seduce the married women of the ton. So he heads straight for the most pliable female he knows - a childhood acquaintance and now mousy spinster, Trade ReviewKaren Hawkins will capture your heart -- Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorKaren Hawkins writes fast, fun, and sexy stories that are the perfect read for a rainy day, a sunny day, or any day at all! -- Christina DoddKnown for her quick-moving, humorous and poignant stories... Readers will be delighted by the perfect pacing, the humorous dialogue and the sizzling sensual romance * Romantic Times, Top Pick *Always fun and sexy, a Karen Hawkins book is a sure delight -- Victoria Alexander, New York Times bestselling authorHawkins delivers a fast paced, robust historical novel filled with wit and romance! * Night Owl Reviews *
£9.99
Headline Publishing Group Jane Steele
Book Synopsis''Reader, I murdered him.'' JANE STEELE is a brilliant Gothic retelling of JANE EYRE from Edgar-nominated Lyndsay Faye, for fans of LONGBOURN and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES.''I loved it'' - Elly Griffiths ** JANE STEELE HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL 2017 **Like the heroine of the novel she adores, Jane Steele suffers cruelly at the hands of her aunt and schoolmaster. And like Jane Eyre, they call her wicked - but in her case, she fears the accusation is true. When she flees, she leaves behind the corpses of her tormentors. A fugitive navigating London''s underbelly, Jane rights wrongs on behalf of the have-nots whilst avoiding the noose. Until an advertisement catches her eye. Her aunt has died and the new master at Highgate House, Mr Thornfield, seeks a governess. Anxious to know if she is Highgate''s true heir, Jane takes the position and is soon caught up in the household''s strange spell. WhenTrade ReviewI loved it. What a clever, funny, gruesome, absorbing story! -- Elly GriffithsThis is a wonderfully wicked book. The deadly first chapter actually made me gasp. Jane Steele is a character you will not soon forget. Great evil fun! -- R.L. Stine, New York Times bestselling author of Goosebumps and Fear StreetLyndsay Faye pulls off the most elusive feat of historical fiction: to give us a book that reads as though it was unearthed from a perfectly preserved antique chest. Sneakily charming and wildly well written, like Faye's other novels Jane Steele demands attention -- Matthew Pearl, New York Times bestselling author of The Dante Club and The Last BookaneerA heady mix of pastiche and thriller . . . a delight from first to last * The Sunday Times *Jane Steele is lethal good fun! In Jane, Lyndsay Faye has created a heroine unwilling to suffer tyrants or fools. The result is a darkly-humorous, elegantly-crafted story of an "accidental" vigilante. A delicious read -- Suzanne Rindell, author of The Other TypistLet's be honest here. When I was sent an advanced readers' copy of Jane Steele, which was billed as an historical crime novel with a Jane-Eyre-style heroine who becomes a serial killer, I thought someone was pulling my leg. I decided to read ten pages, just to annoy myself as I'm often inclined to do. Also, to show what a good sport I am. I was hooked by page five and read my way through at a merry clip. I loved this book! The language rings true, the period details are correct. Jane Steele is a joy, both plucky and rueful in her assessment of her dark deeds. The plotting is solid and the pacing sublime. If this were a series, this would be the perfect introduction. As a stand-alone, I give it an A+ -- Sue Grafton, #1 New York Times bestselling authorEnchanting. Jane Steele is beautifully rendered and utterly captivating, from the first cry of "reader, I murdered him" to its final pages. Lyndsay Faye is a masterful storyteller, and this is her finest tale yet -- Maria Konnikova, New York Times bestselling author of Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock HolmesA witty, macabre reimagining of Jane Eyre * Stylist Magazine *From the gasp-inducing moment Jane Steele utters the words "reader, I murdered him", you know you are in for a rollicking romp of an adventure that recasts the Jane Eyre story in an entirely new light. But mixed in with the verve and vivacity is a story of real heart, exemplary, near-forgotten history, and an utterly unforgettable heroine. Brava to Lyndsay Faye for what's already one of my favorite thrillers of the year -- Sarah Weinman, editor of Women Crime Writers: Eight Suspense Novels of the 1940s & 50sYoung Jane Steele's favorite book, Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, mirrors her life both too little and too much . . . In an arresting tale of dark humor and sometimes gory imagination, Faye has produced a heroine worthy of the gothic literature canon but reminiscent of detective fiction * Library Journal, Starred Review *Add Jane Steele to that club of unforgettable antiheroes - Tom Ripley, Hannibal Lecter, and Dexter Morgan - who do dreadful things to bad people. Bold, inventive, and charmingly wicked, this instantly addictive novel pays homage to Jane Eyre while being wholly original. Lyndsay Faye has created a masterpiece -- Hilary DavidsonFaye's skill at historical mystery was evident in her nineteenth-century New York trilogy, but this slyly satiric stand-alone takes her prowess to new levels. A must for Brontë devotees; wickedly entertaining for all -- Michele LeberI love Lyndsay Faye's audaciousness in recasting Jane as a murder, and the Victorian Gothic atmosphere is superbly done -- Stephanie LamJane Eyre gets a dose of Dexter * Cosmopolitan *Jane Steele is a marvellous book and I loved every elegantly wrought sentence of it. No reader could wish for a more entertaining narrator than big-hearted, knife-wielding Jane, nor a more vivid and convincing portrait of nineteenth century England. A very worthy companion to its inspiration and template, Jane Eyre, but with a great deal more blood, swearing and general uproariousness. Wonderful -- Kate RiordanIt's amazing. Best book of 2016 so far -- Kirsty Logan"Reader, I murdered him." That's how Lyndsay Faye sets up her take on Jane Eyre. Like the classic heroine, Jane is a Victorian orphan, mistreated and sent off to school. Only she's a killer seeking vengeance in this clever thriller * US Weekly *Must Read * Marie Claire *Witty, exquisitely plotted, this is such a delectable treat 'tis a pity it has to end * People magazine *Reader, she murdered him. In Lyndsay Faye's darkly comic retelling of Jane Eyre, the heroine is a serial killer with justification for every bloody act * Wall Street Journal *The narrative is infused with humour and wit, is entertaining and engaging. This is exactly what good storytelling should be * Never Imitate Blog *A perfect read. A great plot with unexpected twists and turns, highly original * Biblio Maniac UK Blog *One for everyone. Possibly the best fun you'll have with a story this year . . . Highly recommended * Liz Loves Books Blog *Faye hasn't embarked on a retelling of Brontë's masterwork, or anyone else's, for that matter. Her novel pays homage to the greats, yet offers a heroine whose murky past and murderous present remind us that some female behavior in other eras never made it into print * National Public Radio *
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group Quicksilver
Book SynopsisFrom HRH Princess Michael of Kent, bestselling author of The Queen of Four Kingdoms, comes the eagerly-anticipated third volume in the Anjou trilogy.The final volume of the Anjou trilogy focuses on merchant Jacques Coeur, a man of humble beginnings but fiercely ambitious, who became one of the richest and most powerful men in fifteenth century France. HRH Princess Michael of Kent vividly re-enacts the life of Jacques Coeur as he becomes trusted confidante and champion of the Anjou royal family, particularly of his beloved patroness Yolande, Queen of the Four Kingdoms, and, of course, the beautiful and captivating Agnes Sorel who Jacques comes to know and understand as a friend.As Jacques''s star shines brighter and brighter, his story runs parallel to that of Yolande and Agnes Sorel until the three interlink in devastating fashion and Jacques''s ambition and generosity become his downfall. Meticulously researched and powerfully evoked, HTrade ReviewA great story, about a rough, colourful, semi-lawless time in France, told in the present tense, which gives the writing certain immediacy . . . It is very rewarding to find [this period] brought so vividly to life in these pages. - Julian Fellowes, MajestyPrincess Michael of Kent's enthusiasm and her dedication to historical research are evident - Philippa Scott, The Lady
£7.19
Headline Publishing Group The Art of Sinning Sinful Suitors 1
Book SynopsisIf you love Julia Quinn''s Bridgerton, you''ll be enchanted by Sabrina Jeffries'' Sinful Suitors!''Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!'' Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling authorThe Art of Sinning is the first novel in the Sinful Suitors series by New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries. Sabrina''s witty, sexy historicals will be loved by fans of Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.At St. George''s Club, guardians conspire to keep their unattached sisters and wards out of the clutches of sinful suitors. Which works fine...except when the sinful suitors are members...American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father''s business. He''d much rather sample bevvies of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he''s driven to paint
£9.99
Headline Publishing Group Cradle of Thorns
Book SynopsisCradle of Thorns by Josephine Cox, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lonely Girl and Whistledown Woman, is a classic spell-binding tale of escape, love and family, that will appeal to fans of Catherine Cookson and Rosie Goodwin. ''One of the country''s best-loved storytellers'' PrimaNell Reece has never known her mother, and her father''s burden of guilt about his wife has kept him cowed for years, working as a common labourer on his sister''s farm. But for all her aunt''s spiteful attempts to break Nell''s independent spirit, she has never succeeded. But now Nell, pregnant and alone, is forced to leave behind the men in her life, believing she might never be able to return. With little but the clothes she wears, she travels across the Bedfordshire countryside of 1890. When she encounters a scruffy urchin called Kit, a ten-year-old orphan who''s lived his whole life on the streets, she takes him und
£9.99
Headline Publishing Group A Time for Us
Book SynopsisA classic novel, heartbreaking and emotional, from Sunday Times bestselling writer Josephine Cox, ''hailed quite rightly as a gifted writer in the tradition of Catherine Cookson'' Manchester Evening News. A Time For Us is perfect for fans of Lesley Pearse and Rosie Goodwin. Lucy Nolan is the golden girl. The only daughter of local grocers, Sally and Mike Nolan, she''s grown up in a home of total love and security. The one thing her heart desires is that Jack Hanson might ask her to marry him, and when he does eventually propose, Lucy is prepared to give up everything to be with him - even though it means leaving her beloved parents to live abroad where Jack has been offered an exciting business opportunity.But then, almost on the eve of the marriage itself, tragedy strikes. And for the first time in her life, Lucy is forced to realise that Fate, which has been so kind to her, can also be just as cruel.
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co Julian Fellowess Belgravia
Book SynopsisFROM THE CREATOR OF DOWNTON ABBEY and THE GILDED AGE''A modern classic that will fill any Downton-shaped hole'' Daily Express It is the evening of 15 June 1815, and the Duchess of Richmond has thrown a magnificent ball in Brussels for the Duke of Wellington. The guests include James and Anne Trenchard - who have made their money in trade - along with their beautiful daughter Sophia.When the Trenchards move into the fashionable new area of Belgravia some twenty-five years later, they are surrounded by some of London society''s most influential families. But something happened that night of the ball, so long ago, that threatens their new status. Because behind Belgravia''s magnificent doors is a world of secrets, gossip and intrigue. ''Stunning'' Mail on Sunday''Written with brio, the novel races along with all the page-turning suspense of a thriller'' WomanTrade ReviewWritten with brio, the novel races along with all the page-turning suspense of a thriller . . . a clever, involving read that brilliantly summons up a bygone world -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *GH LOVES . . . DOWNTON ABBEY creator Julian Fellowes is bringing back the serialised novel . . . Set in the grand houses of 1840s London, this historical novel is full of secrets * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *It gets off to a cracking start, with a cross-class love affair . . . a 21st-century immersive experience, with its roots in the great literary tradition of serial publication . . . [a] stunning new story * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A story that is making publication history by appearing first, week by week, on a downloadable app . . . ground-breaking * TELEGRAPH *simply a wonderful read. Fellowes is as witty as ever, yet again capturing those discerning older, upper-class women perfectly... a modern classic that will fill any Downton-shaped hole. * DAILY EXPRESS *Belgravia is a jolly romp about Fellowes's favourite subject, class... it will probably cheer up quite a lot of people. * SUNDAY TIMES *
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Hamilton Affair
Book SynopsisLove Hamilton: An American Musical? You''ll adore The Hamilton Affair.THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERWar will bring them together. Peace will tear them apart. History will make them immortal . . .Born a bastard and raised an orphan in the stifling heat of the Caribbean, Alexander Hamilton must prove his worth on the bloody battlefields of the American Revolution. A wealthy child of privilege, Elizabeth Schuyler has never wanted for anything, yet she longs for a life of so much more. When fate brings them together, a passionate, life-long love affair begins. But to Alexander, burdened by his tragic origins, matters of honour can never be forgotten. As he risks everything for the future of his bold new country, this extraordinary marriage will be tested like no other - and become forever immortalised in hearts and minds.Praise for THE HAMILTON AFFAIR:''Trade ReviewIf you want the authoritative biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow is the place to go. If historical fiction is your preference, Elizabeth Cobbs has now written the Hamilton novel that immediately leaps to the top of the list. -- Joseph J. Ellis, author of Founding BrothersWith the expertise of an historian and the intimacy and immediacy of a gifted novelist, Elizabeth Cobbs plunges us into the cauldron of love, war, betrayal, slavery, blackmail, revolution, dueling, and banking in which our nation was brewedand delivers us into the conflicted heart of one of its most passionate and misunderstood heroes. -- Stephen Harrigan, author of the bestselling The Gates of the Alamo and A Friend of Mr. LincolnA juicy answer to Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton * Cosmopolitan *Can't get tickets to Hamilton, the megahit Broadway musical? Don't despair, check out Elizabeth Cobbs finely tuned fictional biography of one of America's most intriguing yet vastly underrated Founding Fathers . . . Cobbs paints a portrait of a love so deep it was able to survive betrayal and a devastatingly public scandal. The focus alternates between Alexander and Elizabeth as their tempestuous tale unfolds in all its triumph and tragedy. * Booklist (starred review) *Cobbs' depiction of Hamilton will endear him in the hearts of readers * Publishers Weekly *Historic scholarship and creative music have suddenly turned Alexander Hamilton into one of the hottest of the nation's Founding Fathers. THE HAMILTON AFFAIR promises to turn up the heat even further. Elizabeth Cobbs superb novel about the many lives and perils of Hamilton and his wife Eliza adds delights and insights that are as fascinating as they are fun. Think of it as a terrific and must-companion to all things Hamilton. -- Kurt Anderson, author of True Believers
£9.49
Vintage Espanol El amante japonés The Japanese Lover
Book Synopsis
£15.30
St Martin's Press Falls the Shadow
Book SynopsisSimon de Montfort was a man ahead of his time in the thirteenth century, a disinherited Frenchman who talked his way into an English earldom and marriage with a sister of the English king, Henry III. A charismatic, obstinate leader, Simon soon lost patience with the king''s incompetence and inability to keep his word, and found himself the champion of the common people.This is his story, and the story of Henry III, as weak and changeable as Simon was brash and unbending. It is a tale of opposing wills that would eventually clash in a storm of violence and betrayalan irresistible saga that brings the pages of history completely, provocatively, and magnificently alive.
£22.49
Griffin Publishing The Star Garden
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Picador USA Mason Dixon
Book SynopsisCharles Mason (1728-1786) and Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779) were the British surveyors best remembered for running the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland that we know today as the Mason-Dixon Line. Here is their story as re-imagined by Thomas Pynchon, featuring Native Americans and frontier folk, ripped bodices, naval warfare, conspiracies erotic and political, and major caffeine abuse. We follow the mismatched pair--one rollicking, the other depressive; one Gothic, the other pre-Romantic--from their first journey together to the Cape of Good Hope, to pre-Revolutionary America and back, through the strange yet redemptive turns of fortune in their later lives, on a grand tour of the Enlightenment''s dark hemisphere, as they observe and participate in the many opportunities for insanity presented them by the Age of Reason.
£21.60
Vintage Publishing Eco U Prague Cemetery
Book SynopsisNineteenth-century Europe abounds with conspiracy both ghastly and mysterious. Jesuits plot against Freemasons. Italian priests are strangled with their own intestines. French criminals plan bombings by day and celebrate black masses by night. Every nation has its own secret service, perpetrating forgeries, plots, and massacres. But what if, behind all of these conspiracies, lies just one man?Trade Review[This] magnificent new novel... marks a return to the heady mixture of absorbing ideas and down-and-dirty historical detail that made The Name of the Rose such an international bestseller in the 1980's -- Adam Lively * Sunday Times *This is a great mystery novel about paranoia, prejudice and forgery... We gain access to a world of city streets, strange anecdotes, gourmet menus, and conspiratorial minds... Eco’s best novel since The Name of the Rose * Independent *A smartly entertaining fin-de-siècle romp * Independent *An extremely readable narrative of betrayal, terrorism, murder and gourmadising... The great trick Eco pulls off here is to combine the most chilling of ideas - the origin of a hoax that led to genocide - with, elsewhere in the novel, an often funny lightness of touch... In other hands, this novel could have been grim. But you end up feeling, despite all the darkness, that Eco is one of literature's great optimists -- Sinclair Mckay * Daily Telegraph *Imagine Dan Brown adorned with a PhD: that's Umberto Eco * Observer *
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd The Betrothed I Promessi Sposi Penguin Classics
Book Synopsis“The great plague novel.” —The New YorkerSet in Lombardy during the Spanish occupation of the late 1620s, The Betrothed tells the story of two young lovers, Renzo and Lucia, prevented from marrying by the petty tyrant Don Rodrigo, who desires Lucia for himself. Forced to flee, they are then cruelly separated, and must face many dangers including plague, famine and imprisonment, and confront a variety of strange characters—the mysterious Nun of Monza, the fiery Father Cristoforo and the sinister Unnamed—in their struggle to be reunited. A vigorous portrayal of enduring passion, The Betrothed's exploration of love, power, and faith presents a whirling panorama of seventeenth-century Italian life and is one of the greatest European historical novels.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin ClassiTrade ReviewA gift to humanity -- Giuseppe Verdi
£12.34
Penguin Books Ltd Kenilworth
Book SynopsisIn the court of Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, is favoured above all the noblemen of England. It is rumoured that the Queen may chose him for her husband, but Leicester has secretly married the beautiful Amy Robsart. Fearing ruin if this were known, he keeps his lovely young wife a virtual prisoner in an old country house. Meanwhile Leicester''s manservant Varney has sinister designs on Amy, and enlists an alchemist to help him further his evil ambitions. Brilliantly recreating the splendour and pageantry of Elizabethan England, with Shakespeare, Walter Ralegh and Elizabeth herself among its characters, Kenilworth (1821) is a compelling depiction of intrigue, power struggles and superstition in a bygone age.
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd The Game Of Kings
Book SynopsisDiscover the compelling and addictive adventure from one of the nation''s favourite historical writers, perfect for fans of Game of Thrones ''A brilliant storyteller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night'' The Times Literary Supplement ________ ''I despised men who accepted their fate. I shaped mine twenty times and had it broken twenty times in my hands'' 1547. After five years imprisonment and exile far from his homeland, Francis Crawford of Lymond - scholar, soldier, rebel, nobleman, outlaw - returns to Edinburgh. But for many in an already divided Scotland, where conspiracies swarm around the infant Queen Mary, he is not welcome. Lymond is wanted for treason and murder, and he is accompanied by a band of killers and ruffians who will only bring further violence and strife. Is he back to foment rebellion? Does he seek revenge on those who banished him? Or has he returned to clear his name? No one but the enigmatic Lymond himself knows the truth - and no one will discover it until he is ready . . . ________ ''A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention'' New York Times ''Melodrama of the most magnificent kind'' Guardian VOTED ONE OF BRITAIN''S FAVOURITE HISTORICAL NOVELSTrade ReviewPraise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd The Ringed Castle
Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . PERFECT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementThe Ringed Castle is the fifth book in the series -----------------------------''Not to every young girl is it given to enter the harem of the Sultan of Turkey and return to her homeland a virgin . . .''Sixteen-year-old Philippa Somerville has left Constantinople intact. Returning to England as wife in name only to Francis Crawford of Lymond, she wastes no time in seeking the truth about her new spouse, even as she finds herself navigating the paranoid court of Queen Mary.Lymond, meanwhile, arrives in Moscow to assist its young Tsar Ivan to create a fledgling Russian army. But when he is tasked to visit London as Ivan''s envoy his path is bound to cross that of the wife he has sworn to divorce. Yet neither Lymond nor Philippa, caught up in their own scheming, can quite see the vast conspiracy enshrouding them . . . ''Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety'' The Times ''Melodrama of the most magnificent kind'' The GuardianTrade ReviewShe is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about. * The Times Literary Supplement *Melodrama of the most magnificent kind * The Guardian *Praise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *
£12.34
Penguin Books Ltd Checkmate The Lymond Chronicles Book Six The
Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . THE PERFECT GIFT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementCheckmate is the sixth and final book in the series -----------------------------''If they place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left and ask me to give up my mission, I will not give it up until the truth prevails or I myself perish in the attempt . . .''It is 1557 and legendary Scottish warrior Francis Crawford of Lymond is once more in France. There he is leading an army to rout the hated English from Calais. Yet while Lymond seeks victory on the battlefield he is haunted by his troubled past - chiefly the truth about his orTrade ReviewPraise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *
£12.34
Workman Publishing Orhan's Inheritance
Book SynopsisWhen Orhan’s brilliant and eccentric grandfather, Kemal Türkoglu, who built a dynasty out of making kilim rugs, is found dead, submerged in a vat of dye, Orhan inherits the decades-old business. But Kemal has left the family estate to a stranger thousands of miles away, an aging woman in a retirement home in Los Angeles. Intent on righting this injustice, Orhan unearths a story that, if told, has the power to undo the legacy upon which Orhan’s family is built, a story that could unravel his own future. “Breathtaking and expansive . . . Proof that the past can sometimes rewrite the future.” —Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train “Stunning . . . At turns both subtle and transcendent.” —Los Angeles Review of Books “To take the tumultuous history of Turks and Armenians in the early part of this century, and to tell the stories of families and lovers from the small everyday moments of life to the terrible journeys of death, to make a novel so engrossing and keep us awake—that is an accomplishment, and Aline Ohanesian’s first novel is such a wonderful accomplishment.” —Susan Straight, author of Highwire Moon “Rich, tragic, compelling, and realized with deep care and insight.” —Elle “A book with a mission, giving a voice to history’s silent victims.” —The New York Times Book Review “Orhan’s Inheritance illuminates human nature while portraying a devastating time in history . . . A remarkable debut novel that exhibits an impressive grasp of history as well as narrative intensity and vivid prose.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune “A remarkable debut from an important new voice. It tells us things we thought we knew and shows us we had no idea. Beautiful and terrible and, finally, indelible.” —Luis Alberto Urrea, author of Queen of America
£999.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Virgins Lover
Book SynopsisA sumptuous historical novel set in the court of Elizabeth I, from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl.Now I can be the queen that my mother intended me to be . . . the queen I was born to be.1558. After years of waiting, Princess Elizabeth accedes to the throne of England.But the country is divided, the restoration of the Protestant faith ignites opposition from the church and beyond, and court remains a treacherous place.Many believe that Elizabeth must marry if she is to survive. For Robert Dudley, Elizabeth's ascension is a glorious new dawn, and he quickly positions himself as the young queen's favourite. Dudley is a man of powerful lineage; his father had been a kingmaker at the court of Henry VIII. But Dudley has many enemies, amongst them William Cecil, the queen's most trusted advisor.As powerful families vie for stakes in the emerging kingdom, Elizabeth must secure her own future.Trade ReviewPraise for The Virgin’s Lover: ‘A book to lose yourself in…a simmering mixture of intrigue, lust and betrayal at the court of Elizabeth I, it breathes new life into the suspected love affair between the young queen and Robert Dudley’ Daily Mail ‘Convincing and entertaining’ Daily Telegraph ‘An enjoyable read, and Gregory’s energetic writing carries one along’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Gregory’s success lies in restoring humanity to her historical figures’ Daily Mail ‘Gregory is one of the best chroniclers of the ups and downs of the turbulent Tudors…This superbly plotted drama unfolds like an exquisitely embroidered Tudor ruff’ Sainsbury’s Magazine
£9.49
Shadow Mountain Blackmoore
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press Riptide
Book SynopsisWritten by 'a sublimely elegant historical novelist as addictive as crack' (Daily Telegraph), the Inspector Troy series is perfect for fans of Le Carré, Philip Kerr and Alan Furst.1941.After ten years spying for the Americans, Wolfgang Stahl disappears during a Berlin air raid. The Germans think he's dead. The British know he's not. But where is he? MI6 convince US Intelligence that Stahl will head for London, and so Captain Cal Cormack, a shy American 'aristocrat', is teamed with Chief Inspector Stilton of Stepney, fat, fifty and convivial. Between them they scour London, a city awash with spivs and refugees. When things start to go terribly wrong, ditched by MI6 and disowned by his embassy, Cal is introduced to his one last hope - Sergeant Troy of Scotland Yard...Trade ReviewOne of the most entertaining thrillers I have read. * Sunday Telegraph *Lawton evokes wartime London with an infectiously jaunty panache. * Sunday Times, Donna Leon *The sense of London during the Blitz is strong and the story, with its mix of real history and believable invention, is fast-paced, twisting and tense. * Observer *Troy is a character of real depth and subtlety. His brooding presence at the heart of the novel, at once enigmatic and vulnerable, makes Riptide not only a satisfying read, but... [a thriller] with a strong moral heartbeat. * Independent *
£9.99
HarperCollins Publishers Earthly Joys A gripping historical romance from
Book SynopsisAnother sweeping novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling authorA traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.Trade Review‘When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league’Daily Mail ‘A hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book’Daily Telegraph ‘Vivid and enthralling… good gripping stuff’ SundayTimes
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Virgin Earth
Book SynopsisSequel to the outstanding historical novel Earthly Joys, and written by the bestselling Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover.John Tradescant the Younger has inherited his father's unique collection of plants along with his unerring ability to nurture them. But as gardener to Charles I, he confronts an unbearable dilemma when England descends into Civil War. Fleeing from the chaos, John travels to the Royalist colony of Virginia in America. But the virgin land is not uninhabited. John's plant hunting brings him to live with the native people, and he learns to love and respect their way of life just as it is threatened by the colonial settlers.In the new world and the old, the established order is breaking down and every family has to find its own way of surviving. For the Tradescants, through the upheavals of the Commonwealth and the Restoration, this means consolidating their reputations as the greatest gardeners in the country.Trade ReviewPraise for Philppa Gregory: ‘Subtle and exciting.’ Daily Express ‘Written from instinct, not out of calculation, and it shows.’Peter Ackroyd, The Times ‘For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating.’ Sunday Times ‘One of Gregory's great strengths as a novelist is her ability to take familiar historical figures and flesh them into living breathing human beings. The Constant Princess is a worthy successor to her previous novels about the Tudors.’ Daily Express
£9.89
HarperCollins Publishers The Devils Queen
Book SynopsisA compelling tale of love, lust and murder which traces the evolution of Catherine de Medici – the great-granddaughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent – from an unloved, timid orphan to France's most cunning monarchTrade ReviewPraise for Jeanne Kalogridis: The Borgia Bride: ‘Love, lust, incest and murder: this historical romance has it all’Mail on Sunday 'From sexual passion to mortal danger, the dramatic shift of real historical events will keep the reader turning the pages'Philippa Gregory 'Corset-busting escapism'The Sunday Times
£12.34
HarperCollins Publishers THE SECOND MRS DARCY
Book SynopsisRomance and scandal abound in this warm and witty tale of the young widow Octavia Darcy, whose attempts to secure her fortune and clear her name lead her through all manner of difficulties.Trade Review‘Those who enjoy Austen will certainly enjoy Aston’s work, as will historical readers who want an engaging plot and characters.’ Library Journal ‘Delightful.’ Publishers Weekly ‘In the mode of Heyer and Austen, Elizabeth Aston…comments on the period with affection, respect and a ready wit.’ Good Book Guide ‘This novel is written with grace, charm and wit…It is an entertaining, engaging and engrossing romp through Regency London that sparkles like the champagne which is opened at the end of the novel’ Historical Novels Review
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Element of Fire
Book SynopsisRich and epic Historical Fiction set against the backdrop of the Great Famine. Perfect for fans of Winston Graham and Ken Follett.Trade ReviewReviews for The Whitest Flower: ‘Irish history is like a gold seam for historical novelists. Occasionally a nugget is produced and Graham’s is one of those.’ Ireland on Sunday ‘This huge sweep of a novel will whisk you from Ireland to Australia and Canada.’ Woman’s Realm
£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers Treasons Harbour Book 9 AubreyMaturin
Book SynopsisMalta, in 1813, is ostensibly a safe harbour, yet the island is a nest of French spies, and even those in authority are not to be trusted.As Captain Jack Aubrey cools his heels in a Maltese harbour, awaiting repairs to his ship, war rages on. Fearing that hostilities will end before he has any further opportunities for fame and fortune, Aubrey accepts several secret missions, but all is not as it seems.Will a double agent be the undoing of both Jack Aubrey and his friend, ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin?This is O'Brian at his brilliant entertaining best. When he is on this form the rest of us who write of the Napoleonic conflict might as well give up and try a new career.'BERNARD CORNWELLCaptain Aubrey and his surgeon, Stephen Maturin, compose one of those complex and fascinating pairs of characters which have inspired thrilling stories of all kinds since the Iliad.'IRIS MURDOCH & JOHN BAYLEYTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Desolation Island Book 5 AubreyMaturin
Book SynopsisOn Desolation Island, with the known world out of reach, uneasy alliances are sometimes forgedCaptain Bligh, of Bounty fame, is now governor of New South Wales and facing mutiny anew, having lost the support of local settlers. Jack Aubrey is commissioned to come to his rescue. With a beautiful but dangerous spy on board, along with an unwelcome hold full of convicts, and war with America brewing, can Captain Jack Aubrey reach Australia in one piece?Outmanned and outgunned in a thrilling chase through an Antarctic storm, the crew of HMS Leopard discover they have become the quarry not the hunter.What is so gripping about O'Brian's novels is the completeness with which he invents a world which is our own and not our own . . . O'Brian is a brilliant observer.'A. S. BYATT, Evening StandardI fell in love with his writing straightaway. It wasn't primarily the Nelson and Napoleonic period, more the human relationships . . . It's about friendship, camaraderie. Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin aTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Commodore AubreyMaturin Series Book 17
Book SynopsisTo whom does one's true allegiance lie?Jack Aubrey's long service has at last been rewarded with promotion to the rank of commodore, and a squadron of ships to command. His new commission is twofold first, inhibit the slave trade off the coast of West Africa, and then, on his return, intercept a French fleet loaded with weapons intended for the disaffected Irish.But will the conflict of loyalties be insurmountable for his friend, and Irishman, Stephen Maturin?His novels are . . . as delicately perceptive about the human condition as the Jane Austen novels that O'Brian himself so much admired.'CHRISTINA HARDYMENT, IndependentOne of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.'JAMES TEACHER, SpectatorTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Human Voices
Book SynopsisFrom the Booker Prizewinning author of Offshore' and The Blue Flower'; a funny, touching, authentic story of life at Broadcasting House during the Blitz.The human voices of Penelope Fitzgerald's novel are those of the BBC in the first years of the World War II, the time when the Concert Hall was turned into a dormitory for both sexes, the whole building became a target for enemy bombers, and in the BBC as elsewhere some had to fail and some had to die, but where the Nine O'Clock News was always delivered, in impeccable accents, to the waiting nation.Trade Review‘Reading a Penelope Fitzgerald novel is like being taken for a ride in a peculiar kind of car. Everything is of top quality – the engine, the coachwork and the interior all fill you with confidence. Then, after a mile or so, someone throws the steering-wheel out of the window.’ Sebastian Faulks ‘Wise and ironic, funny and humane, Fitzgerald is a wonderful, wonderful writer.’ David Nicholls ‘Of all the novelists of the last quarter-century, she has the most unarguable claim on greatness. [It has been] a career we, as readers, can only count ourselves lucky to have lived through.’ Philip Hensher, Spectator ‘One of the pleasures of reading Penelope Fitzgerald is the unpredictability of her intelligence, which never loses its quality, but springs constant surprises, and if you make the mistake of reading her fast because she is so readable, you will miss some of the best jokes. This is a very funny novel.’ The Times ‘Comic, and sometimes extraordinarily sad.’ A.S. Byatt, TLS
£9.49
The New York Review of Books, Inc Summer Will Show
Book SynopsisSophia Willoughby, a young Englishwoman from an aristocratic family and a person of strong opinions and even stronger will, has packed her cheating husband off to Paris. He can have his tawdry mistress. She intends to devote herself to the serious business of raising her two children in proper Tory fashion. Then tragedy strikes: the children die, and Sophia, in despair, finds her way to Paris, arriving just in time for the revolution of 1848. Before long she has formed the unlikeliest of close relations with Minna, her husband’s sometime mistress, whose dramatic recitations, based on her hair-raising childhood in czarist Russia, electrify audiences in drawing rooms and on the street alike. Minna, “magnanimous and unscrupulous, fickle, ardent, and interfering,” leads Sophia on a wild adventure through bohemian and revolutionary Paris, in a story that reaches an unforgettable conclusion amidst the bullets, bloodshed, and hope of the barricades. Sylvia Townsend Warner was one of the most original and inventive of twentieth-century English novelists. At once an adventure story, a love story, and a novel of ideas, Summer Will Show is a brilliant reimagining of the possibilities of historical fiction.
£999.99
