Historical Fiction Books

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Book SynopsisBetrayal, blood and battle - the epic story of the Zulu empire.

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Book Synopsis'Heart-pounding action' THE TIMES. Winter, 1361. After two decades of conflict, Edward III has finally agreed a treaty with the captive French King, John II. In return for his freedom, John has ceded vast tracts of territory to the English. But for five long years mercenary bands and belligerent lords have fought over the carcass of his kingdom. They will not give up their hard-won spoils to honour a defeated king's promises. If the English want their prize, they'll have to fight for it... Thomas Blackstone will have to fight for it. As he battles to enforce Edward's claim, Thomas Blackstone will see his name blackened, his men slaughtered, his family hunted. He will be betrayed and, once again, he'll face the might of the French army on the field. But this time there will be no English army at his back. He'll face the French alone.Trade ReviewGripping... The narrative is exceptionally pacey and atmospheric; it has heart. The historical background is fascinating, accurate and thoroughly researched. The novel's characterisation is thoroughly rounded and convincing. It is an exceptionally well-written book with such vivid prose it easily transports the reader back into the high medieval world' * Historical Novel Society *If you haven't read any of David's Master of War series, I can heartily recommend them, just great reading that keeps you engaged all the way through * Devonshire Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThis wild and entertaining novel expands on the true story of the West Indian slave Tituba, who was accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, arrested in 1692, and forgotten in jail until the general amnesty for witches two years later. Maryse Condé brings Tituba out of historical silence and turns her into ""a sort of female hero”.Trade ReviewIn less sure hands, this short, powerful novel, which won France’s Grand Prix Littéraire de la Femme in 1986, might well have become merely an extended denunciation of a perverted and evil society. What makes it larger and richer are Ms. Condé’s gift for storytelling and her unswerving focus on her characters, combined with her mordant sense of humor." —New York Times Book Review"At once playful and searing, Condé’s work critiques ostensibly white, male versions of history and literature by appropriating them." —Publishers Weekly"Condé is one of the most prolific writers of the Caribbean and perhaps the most powerful woman’s voice in contemporary literature of the Americas. Her interpretation of the Salem witch trials, recast from her own dreams, is a remarkable work of historical fiction that is a haunting and powerful reminder of the dangers of intolerance of differences." —Choice"Maryse Condé’s imaginative subversion of historical records forms a critique of contemporary American society and its ingrained racism and sexism that is as discomfiting as Arthur Miller’s critique, based on the same historical material, of McCarthyism and 1950s America in his play ‘The Crucible.’" —Boston Sunday Globe

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Book Synopsis'FAST-PACED, DETAILED AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN [FOR] FANS OF BERNARD CORNWELL, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN AND THEODORE BRUN' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. Not everyone will survive, but who will conquer all in Odin's game? AD 916. In the Orkney Isles, a young woman flees her home to save the life of her unborn child. Eighteen years later, a witch foretells that evil from her past is reaching out again to threaten her son. Outlawed from his home in Iceland, Einar Unnsson is thrown on the mercy of his Uncle, the infamous Jarl Thorfinn 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. He joins forces with a Norse-Irish princess and a company of wolfskin-clad warriors to become a player in a deadly game for control of the Irish sea, where warriors are the pawns of kings and Jarls and the powerful are themselves mere game pieces on the tafl board of the Gods. Together they embark on a quest where Einar must fight unimaginable foes, forge new friendships, and discover what it truly means to be a warrior. As the clouds of war gather, betrayal follows betrayal and Einar realises the only person he can really trust is himself. Praise for Tim Hodkinson: 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers Association. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' Melisende's Library.Trade ReviewFull of excellent action passages, great supporting characters and exciting twists * Grimdark Magazine *PRAISE FOR TIM HODKINSON: 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' The Historical Writers Association, for Lions of the Grail. 'Readers will be fascinated by the detailed descriptions of medieval life in all its filth and glory' Historical Novels Review Online. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' * Melisende's Library *

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Book Synopsis'FAST-PACED, DETAILED AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN [FOR] FANS OF BERNARD CORNWELL, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN AND THEODORE BRUN' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. Einar Unnsson will be a great warrior, whether he wants it or not. AD 935 - Late Winter, City of Jorvik. Einar Unnsson is destined to be a great Icelandic warrior. He has already defeated the men sent to kill him by his notorious father, Jarl Thorfinn, the 'Skull Cleaver' of Orkney. He has a gift that makes him lethal in battle. Yet he has cast it all off to be a bard. When three men attack him, Einar's poetry provides little protection. Luckily, the skilled archer and Norse-Irish princess Affreca saves him. She'd assumed Einar had left to raise an army, challenge Thorfinn and seize the Jarldom of Orkney. Now she's determined to set him back onto his rightful path. Einar soon finds himself entangled on Affreca's own mission. She's seeking the Raven Banner for King Eirik. Legend has it that the banner is imbued with powerful magic. That it was a gift from the Norse God Odin and any army that marches behind it will be victorious. The quest sets events in motion that are beyond Einar's control. Einar has no choice but to face his fate and swing his sword once more... Praise for Tim Hodkinson: 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers Association. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' Melisende's Library.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR TIM HODKINSON: 'A brilliantly written historical adventure which will appeal to fans of Bernard Cornwell, George R.R. Martin, and especially Theodore Brun' Historical Novel Society. 'An excellently written page-turner, with a feel for the period which invites you into the era and keeps you there' Historical Writers Association. 'A gripping action adventure like the sagas of old; and once finished, you just want to go back and read it all over again' * Melisende's Library *

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Book SynopsisIn Japanese-occupied Shanghai, two people from different cultures are drawn together by fate and the freedom of music… 1940. Aiyi Shao is a young heiress and the owner of a formerly popular and glamorous Shanghai nightclub. Ernest Reismann is a penniless Jewish refugee driven out of Germany, an outsider searching for shelter in a city wary of strangers. He loses nearly all hope until he crosses paths with Aiyi. When she hires Ernest to play piano at her club, her defiance of custom causes a sensation. His instant fame makes Aiyi’s club once again the hottest spot in Shanghai. Soon they realize they share more than a passion for jazz—but their differences seem insurmountable, and Aiyi is engaged to another man. As the war escalates, Aiyi and Ernest find themselves torn apart, and their choices between love and survival grow more desperate. In the face of overwhelming odds, a chain of events is set in motion that will change both their lives forever. From the electrifying jazz clubs to the impoverished streets of a city under siege, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a timeless, sweeping story of love and redemption.Trade ReviewPraise for The Last Rose of Shanghai “Fans of sweeping, dramatic WWII epics that are rich in historical detail, such as Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls or Paullina Simons’s The Bronze Horseman will be enthralled.” —Booklist “Weina Dai Randel’s novel deserves a place of distinction among WWII fiction.” —Historical Novel Society “The Last Rose of Shanghai is a powerful story of the relationship between a Shanghai heiress and a Jewish refugee, set against the backdrop of a nightclub in China on the eve of the Second World War. Weina Dai Randel skillfully shines a light on a little-known moment in history through the lens of two vividly drawn characters whose unique and unexpected relationship is one readers will never forget.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star “Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, this is an unforgettable, page-turning tale of an impossible affair between lovers from two cultures. Randel casts an unflinching eye at the horrors of wartime Shanghai, where refugees starve while the wealthy and privileged continue to drink and dance, and where daily threats of danger and death only serve to fan forbidden passions to a blazing climax.” —Janie Chang, bestselling author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends “The Last Rose of Shanghai vividly depicts the clash of East and West as Jewish refugees flee Hitler’s Berlin for faraway Shanghai, where they struggle to survive amid the uneasy coexistence of Chinese magnates and Japanese invaders. Sophisticated heiress Aiyi knows she is taking a risk when she hires Jewish pianist Ernest to play jazz in her nightclub, but she has no idea she will be risking her heart, her family, and everything she holds dear as forbidden love blossoms and Japan’s hold on her beloved home city tightens. Weina Dai Randel’s poignant, sweeping love story paints a vibrant portrait of a little-known slice of World War II history. Not to be missed!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Huntress “A sweeping novel that transports readers to 1940s Shanghai, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a must-read for historical fiction lovers. Filled with page-turning suspense and a poignant and unforgettable love story, Weina Dai Randel wholly immerses the reader in this richly detailed and powerfully drawn story.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author “Set against a panorama so vivid you can almost hear the jazz in Aiyi Shao’s nightclub, Weina Dai Randel brings to life fascinating WWII history new to me and, I imagine, countless other readers. The story of a well-born entrepreneur and the German-Jewish refugee she loves will stay with you long after The Last Rose of Shanghai ends.” —Sally Koslow, author of Another Side of Paradise “In a novel that spans time, space, and culture, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a riveting story of love, heartbreak, and redemption. The smoky night clubs, jazz bars, luxury hotels, family compounds, and refugee settlements of Japanese-occupied Shanghai provide a fascinating background to the lives of those caught in the crossfires of war. Weina Dai Randel is a skilled artist, giving the reader well drawn characters of great depth, complexity, and heart. In the WWII genre, within the genre of historical fiction, The Last Rose of Shanghai stands out for its boldness and originality.” —Erika Robuck, bestselling author of The Invisible Woman Praise for The Moon in the Palace “A must for historical fiction fans, especially those fascinated by China’s glorious past.” —Library Journal (starred review) “A very successful and transporting novel that beautifully captures the sounds, smells, and social mores of seventh-century China.” —Historical Novels Review (Editors’ Choice) “The Moon in the Palace depicts Empress Wu’s sharp, persistent spirit but does not neglect to make her believably naive and vulnerable, an untried girl among ruthless women. The intrigue and machinations of the imperial court come to life under her hand, a vast and dangerous engine with each piece moving for its own reasons.” —Shelf Awareness (starred review) “A full-immersion, compulsively readable tale that rivals both Anchee Min’s Empress Orchid (2004), about the dowager empress Cixi, and the multilayered biographical novel Empress (2006) by Shan Sa, which also features Empress Wu.” —Booklist (starred review)

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Book SynopsisAfter being driven from home by their brutal father, the Willett sisters find themselves facing greater heartache in the wider world. Nell, the middle daughter, has left home to be with her lover, Cliff, fearing what reprisals might come from marrying against her father''s wishes. The couple head for Lancashire, but Nell''s happiness is short-lived. A gypsy palm-reader tells her she will still find her destiny, under ''three big trees on a hill'' and her luck does seem to change when she meets Hugh, and farmer and a gentleman who she can''t help but feel drawn to. Could the trees on his land be a sign, or will Nell be too damaged by her past to let herself love again?Trade Review`Another heart-warming but tense story from Anna…[She] runs us through the gamut of every human emotion in this epic heart-string-puller. The characterisation is superb, the feel for the period is absolutely spot on, and the plot, though a little predictable, is terrific.’ Booksmonthly

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Book SynopsisThe Booker-shortlisted Royal Flying Corps classic, reissued for the 50th Anniversary of its first publicationWith an Introduction by James Holland and an Afterword by Mike Petty"Robinson is probably the best novelist ever to write about fighter combat: surprising, hyper-realistic and very, very dark" Spectator World War One pilots were the knights of the sky, and the press and public idolised them as gallant young heroes. At just twenty-three, Major Stanley Woolley is the old man and commanding officer of Goshawk Squadron. He abhors any notion of chivalry in the clouds and is determined to obliterate the decent, gentlemanly outlook of his young, public school-educated pilots - for their own good. But as the war goes on he is forced to throw greener and greener pilots into the meat grinder. Goshawk Squadron finds its gallows humour and black camaraderie no defence against a Spandau bullet to the back of the head.Trade ReviewFit to sit on the same shelf as Waugh and Heller... Robinson's recreation of the exhausted savagery of 1918 is truly shocking... the descriptions of flying are brilliantly vertiginous; nobody puts you in the cockpit like Robinson. -- Mike Petty * Slightly Foxed. *The most readable novel of the year . . . I laughed aloud, several times. And was, in the end, reduced to tears. -- Nina BawdenGoshawk Squadron has the authoritative ring of a little classic on the subject of war. -- Claire TomalinA bleak and savage book, full of the terror of warfare and shot through with grim humour; a sort of First-World-War Catch-22. -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian. *Robinson has a narrative gift that sets up the hackles of involvement. A rare quality. -- Paul Scott

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Book SynopsisThe Scottish Highlands, 1943 A family torn apart by the secrets of war. In a remote corner of Scotland something momentous is underway. When Effie's father receives a government notice to quit Kirk Farm, the lives of the Ross family and those of the whole community are utterly disrupted. But for Effie – irrepressible, beautiful, vital – wartime changes bring her close to Toni, an Italian prisoner of war sent to work on the farm. Before long, the young couple are planning a future together when the war is finally over. It’s a future that's under threat from the start. For there are those among them who cannot quite be trusted. Someone is determined to find out what lies behind the upheaval – and to pass those secrets into enemy hands. To stop them will create devastation beyond anything anyone could have imagined. Based on true events of the Second World War, this evocative novel captures the emotions, dangers and atmosphere of the days when the world faced its darkest hour.

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Book SynopsisConstance Kopp, America’s first female deputy sheriff, is back in another unforgettable romp by HWA-longlisted international bestseller Amy Stewart. While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate breaks free and tries to escape. In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But 1916 is a high-stakes US election year, and any move she makes could jeopardise Sheriff Heath’s future — and her own. Constance’s controversial career makes her the target of political attacks. With wit and verve, Amy Stewart brilliantly conjures the life and times of the real Constance Kopp and her feisty sisters.Trade Review‘Suspenseful … boasts a deeper emphasis on character, politics, and social issues. A must for Constance’s growing fan base.’ STARRED REVIEW * Booklist *‘Stewart's intrepid deputy sheriff is back, this time enmeshed in a 1916 local election with uncomfortable contemporary resonance … Constance may just have turned 40, but this tough-minded, generous-hearted believer in second chances and equal rights for women looks set for many more adventures. A welcome addition to this sui generis series, always fresh thanks to its vividly imagined characters firmly grounded in historical fact.’ STARRED REVIEW * Kirkus *‘This is becoming a terrific historical mystery series.’ -- Jon Wise * Weekend Sport *‘Highly engaging without sanitising the attitudes of the times.’ * The Herald *‘Historically fascinating and with truculent characters and intrigues, these books are a guilty pleasure for fans of Janet Plum or Maisie Dobbs and deserve a larger audience.’ -- Maxim Jakbowski * Crime Time *‘Stewart skillfully builds nail-biting suspense … The blend of practicality, forthrightness, and compassion in her first-person narration is sure to satisfy series fans and win new admirers.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit is everything I look for in solid historical fiction … Constance Kopp makes a fierce and lively heroine who stands out as a “strong female character” in all the best ways.’ -- Dee Carey * Half-deserted Streets *‘The talented author has made a well-researched, rollicking story out of the three of them and Sheriff Heath, so that the reader can experience a flavour of life for women in the early 1900s in New Jersey just before the war.’ -- Caitlln Hicks * New York Journal of Books *‘The books are based on actual events with characters and deeds embellished to create marvellous historical novels. The present book finds Constance as both deputy and matron of the female prisoners at the Hackensack county jail in the autumn of 1916. Though she often sleeps at the jail, she still lives on the farm with her sisters ... the novel excels in revisiting a vanished time, place and sensibility.’ -- Katherine A. Powers * The Washington Post *‘The fourth, funniest and best of the Miss Kopp books finds Constance Kopp at a crossroads … Kopp's first-person account is wry and un-self-pitying, despite the long odds she faces both at the job and at home, where her quirky sisters are after her to bring home more money and less notoriety. The novel is more interested in characters than plot but it's great fun — fans of the Maisie Dobbs series will love it — and a timely reminder that women have been fighting the equity battle for generations.’ -- Chris Hewitt * Minneapolis Star Tribune *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE 2022. An action-packed historical novel featuring Danish warrior Styrkar, and his journey through the violent Norman Conquest as he fights for vengeance. The champion of a dead king has nothing left to lose... And nothing more to fear. Hastings, 1066. Styrkar the Dane stumbles wounded and delirious from the corpse-strewn battlefield of Senlac Hill. He has watched his king butchered at the hands of foreign knights, seen his countrymen defeated in battle, and he will not stop until there is a reckoning. Styrkar embarks on a bloody quest to avenge his dead master, becoming an outlaw in the wilds and earning a fearsome reputation. When a Breton knight seeks to track down this fugitive and make his own name, he can little envisage the task he has set himself. For Styrkar, the Red Wolf, last surviving housecarl to King Harold Godwinson, will carve the story of his vengeance in Frankish flesh... or die in the attempt. Praise for Richard Cullen: 'Richard Cullen's writing is as sharp as the blade wielded by Styrkar, the series' protagonist, who cuts a bloody swathe through his Norman enemies on his quest for vengeance. Styrkar is a great heroic creation, and the Wolf of Kings series places Cullen in the top tier of historical action and adventure authors' Matthew Harffy 'Oath Bound is a terrific novel... It's a brutal yet compelling tale, and one that gripped me from the first page to the last' Paul Fraser Collard, author of FugItive 'A perfect example of tight, gritty, character-driven storytelling' Luke Scull, author of The Grim Company (on Herald of the Storm)Trade ReviewRichard Cullen's writing is as sharp as the blade wielded by Styrkar, the series' protagonist, who cuts a bloody swathe through his Norman enemies on his quest for vengeance. The books are fast-paced and packed with breathless action. Styrkar is a great heroic creation, and the Wolf of Kings series places Cullen in the top tier of historical action and adventure authors -- Matthew HarffyOath Bound is a terrific novel. Fast-paced and enthralling, the tale of Styrkar the Dane, the Red Wolf, charges along like a Frankish knight bearing down on a defenceless enemy. It's a brutal yet compelling tale, and one that gripped me from the first page to the last. The ending came far too quickly and I am looking forward to seeing what fate has in store for Styrkar as he heads towards an uncertain and dangerous future in the next book -- Paul Fraser Collard, author of FugitiveA perfect example of tight, gritty, character-driven storytelling -- Luke Scull, on Herald of the Storm

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Book SynopsisSoon to be a major television event from Pascal Pictures, starring Tom Holland. Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, the USA Today and #1 Amazon Charts bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours. Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. He’s a normal Italian teenager—obsessed with music, food, and girls—but his days of innocence are numbered. When his family home in Milan is destroyed by Allied bombs, Pino joins an underground railroad helping Jews escape over the Alps, and falls for Anna, a beautiful widow six years his senior. In an attempt to protect him, Pino’s parents force him to enlist as a German soldier—a move they think will keep him out of combat. But after Pino is injured, he is recruited at the tender age of eighteen to become the personal driver for Adolf Hitler’s left hand in Italy, General Hans Leyers, one of the Third Reich’s most mysterious and powerful commanders. Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share. Fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Unbroken will enjoy this riveting saga of history, suspense, and love.Trade ReviewA Goodreads Choice Award Finalist, Historical Fiction A 2017 Goodreads Top 20 Most-Read Book A Goodreads Best Book of the Month “Exciting…taut thriller…Beneath a Scarlet Sky tells the true story of one young Italian’s efforts to thwart the Nazis.” —Shelf Awareness “Meticulous research highlights this World War II novel of a youth growing into manhood…a captivating read…” —RT Book Reviews “An incredible story, beautifully written, and a fine and noble book.” —James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author “Sprawling, stirring, like the richest of stories, and played out on a canvas of heroism and tragedy, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is like one of those iconic World War II black and white photos: a face of hope and tears, the story of a small life that ended up mattering in a big way.” —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of The One Man “Action, adventure, love, war, and an epic hero—all set against the backdrop of one of history's darkest moment—Mark Sullivan's Beneath a Scarlet Sky has everything one can ask for in an exceptional World War II novel.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of Playing with Fire “This is full-force Mark Sullivan—muscular, soulful prose evincing an artist’s touch and a journalist’s eye. Beneath a Scarlet Sky conjures an era with a magician’s ease, weaving the rich tapestry of a wartime epic. World War II Italy has never been more alive to me.” —Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of The Nowhere Man “Beneath a Scarlet Sky has everything—heroism, courage, terror, true love, revenge, compassion in the face of the worst human evils. Sullivan shows us war as it really is, with all its complexities, conflicting loyalties, and unresolved questions, but most of all, he brings us the extraordinary figure of Pino Lella, whose determination to live con smania—with passion—saved him.” —Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Suspicion and The Switch

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Book Synopsis''Fans of The Crown will enjoy this poignant look behind the royal curtain'' GEORGIE BLALOCK''A tantalizing and poignant tale of the young royal princesses'' STEPHANIE BARRONA crown princess. Her childhood nanny.A shocking betrayal...Marion Crawford is just twenty-two years old when she becomes governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose in 1931. As their beloved ''Crawfie'', she is instantly confided in, trusted and immersed in the lives of the royal family.As World War II finally comes to an end, it''s clear that Princess Elizabeth has fallen in love. Now heiress presumptive to the British throne, no one believes that Prince Philip of Greece is a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one, that is, except for Crawfie. For Crawfie, too, has fallen in love - and has convinced her fiancé George that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive tTrade ReviewA tantalizing and poignant tale of the young royal princesses. Wise, loyal and fierce, Crawfie is a heroine for the ages. Arlen's storytelling should thrill anyone who loved The Crown. * Stephanie Barron, author of THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN *Fans of The Crown will enjoy this poignant look behind the royal curtain, and will celebrate and mourn with Marian Crawford, tutor to the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, as she is forced to choose between sharing the lives of the girls she loves or creating a life and family of her own. It's an emotional story of the struggle between duty to a sovereign and duty to one's heart. * Georgie Blalock, Author of THE LAST DEBUTANTES *

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Book SynopsisIt is the winter of 1915 and Iraq has been engulfed by the First World War. Hungry for independence from Ottoman rule, Ahmad leaves his peaceful family life on the banks of the Tigris to join the British-led revolt. Thousands of miles away, Welsh teenager Carwyn reluctantly enlists and is sent, via Gallipoli and Egypt, to the Mesopotamia campaign. Carwyn's and Ahmad’s paths cross, and their fates are bound together. Both are forever changed, not only by their experience of war, but also by the parallel discrimination and betrayal they face. Ruqaya Izzidien's evocative debut novel is rich with the heartbreak and passion that arise when personal loss and political zeal collide, and offers a powerful retelling of the history of British intervention in Iraq.Trade ReviewOffers a powerful retelling of the history of British intervention in Iraq. * Cambrian News *“A novel defined by love and moral conviction. . . Izzidien’s great triumph is to illustrate how nuanced and knotty history can be” * The National *There is a nuanced complexity in the characters, family dynamics, historical context, and sense of time and geographical location . . . . a beautifully rendered panoramic study of some of World War I’s secondary theaters of war. * Media Diversified *

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Book SynopsisThe No. 1Sunday Timesbestselling series set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy and Netflix's The CrownGripping' Sunday TimesFast-paced and entertaining' Mail on SundayA TREASONOUS PLOTEngland, 1586. Giordano Bruno, heretic turned spy, passes on vital information to spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham. A band of Catholic Englishmen are plotting to kill Queen Elizabeth and install Mary, Queen of Scots, on the English throne.A DEADLY TRAPWalsingham, already aware of the plot, is allowing it to progress. He hopes that Mary will put her support in writing and condemn herself to a traitor''s death.A QUEEN IN DANGER Bruno must go undercover, join the conspirators and stop them. A queen is destined to die; Bruno must make sure it is the right onePraise for ExecutionA brilliantly realised fictionalisation of the Babington plot against Elizabeth 1' ObserverExecution has an atmospheric sense of place. The plot twists and turns' The TimesImmaTrade Review‘A brilliantly realised fictionalisation of the Babington plot against Elizabeth 1…Nimbly braiding history with suspense, this is a classy mystery’ Observer ‘Execution has an atmospheric sense of place. The plot twists and turns’ The Times ‘Immaculate… the depth of period detail, the all-enveloping sense of time and place, and the sheer gory drama’ Metro ‘Sumptuous’ New York Times ‘Parris’s attention to the details of Elizabethan life and her ability to create characters of depth are again on display in a gripping narrative’ The Sunday Times ‘Fast-paced and entertaining, it’s a well-researched and authentically claustrophobic romp through the Elizabethan underworld’ Mail on Sunday ‘Parris is one of the stars of historical crime fiction and this, her sixth Giordano Bruno novel, is among her best’ i ‘Excellent’ The Times ‘Superbly plotted, shimmeringly written, it will have you on the edge of your seat’ Kate Williams, author of The Storms of War ‘An impressive feat. The plot, one of exhilarating complexity, was handled with aplomb’ 'Marisa Haetzman, also writes as Ambrose Parry Praise for S. J. Parris: ‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times ‘A tight plot combines with subtly-realised characters and an omnipresent sense of danger … My pleasure in the vividly textured backdrop and a cracking story was accompanied by an uneasy shudder’ Daily Mail ‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death’ Sunday Times ‘S. J. Parris is one of my favourite authors – and unquestionably our greatest living writer of historical thrillers’ A.J. Finn ‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times ‘Successful historical thrillers need three elements: a killer plot that weaves seamlessly into the history; an engaging protagonist; and an atmospheric sense of place. Parris nails all three’ The Times

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Book SynopsisA dazzling family saga, brimming with poetry and passion, that skillfully weaves together the private lives of individuals and major historical events in South America and Europe.  The house on Calle Santo Domingo in Santiago de Chile, with its lush lemon trees, has sheltered three generations of the Lonsonier family. Having arrived from the harsh hills of France’s Jura region with a single grape vine in one pocket and a handful of change in the other, the patriarch put down roots there in the late nineteenth century. His son, Lazare, back from World War I’s hellish trenches, would live there with his wife and build in their garden the most beautiful aviary in the Andes.    That’s where their daughter Margot, a pioneering aviator, would first dream of flying, and where she would raise her son, the revolutionary Ilario Da. Like Lazare before them, they will bravely face the conflicts of their day, fighting against dictatorship on both sides of the Atlantic.    In this captivating saga, Miguel Bonnefoy paints the portrait of an endearing, uprooted family whose terrible dilemmas, caused by the blows of history, reveal their deep humanity.

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Book SynopsisThe new novel from a master of the Cold War thriller . . .''This is Robert Harris storytelling territory'' Daily Mail''Outstanding'' Sunday Times''Tense, exciting and authentic'' Charles Cumming, author of Judas 62''Stunning'' The Times''Brilliantly plotted'' John Sweeney, author of Killer in the Kremlin''A standout thriller'' Financial Times1963. In a desolate Russian penal colony, a radio broadcasts news of the killing of President John F. Kennedy . . .Alexander Vasin''s new posting as director of a brutal gulag camp is far from a promotion. This is where disgraced KGB officers are sent to disappear, quietly, and forgotten.But when a violent revolt breaks out, Vasin must decide: run or die. So he runs. With him goes a mysterious prisoner an individual who might hold the key to an extraordinarily dangerous secret: the identity of who really ordered Kennedy's assassination.Racing from bleak Siberian wastelands to the grey streets of Soviet Moscow, Vasin needs to stay one step ahead of the most ruthless intelligence organization in the world in order to keep the most wanted man in Russia alive. And with his loyalty, morality and patriotic duty tested to the limits, he will face the ultimate choice: fall in line, or die fighting the system . . .Weaving together a critical moment in history with the cut-throat machinations of Soviet politics, this tautly told, nail-bitingly atmospheric novel is a superb Cold War thriller.

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Stacey Halls' captivating new novel THE HOUSEHOLD - available to pre-order now!*WINNER of the WOMEN'S PRIZE FUTURES AWARD*A Waterstones Best Book of the YearLonglisted for the Walter Scott PrizeLonglisted for the Portico Prize'Highly atmospheric and tense' Richard Osman From the bestselling author of The Familiars and The Foundling comes Stacey Halls' most compelling and ambitious novel to date.'Something's not right here. In the house. With the family.'West Yorkshire, 1904. When newly-graduated nurse Ruby May takes a position looking after the children of Charles and Lilian England, a wealthy couple form a powerful dynasty of mill owners, she hopes it will be the fresh start she needs. But as she adapts to life at the isolated Hardcastle House, it becomes clear there's something not quite right about the beautiful, mysterious Mrs England. Ostracised by the other servants and feeling increasingly uneasy, soon a series of strange events will force Ruby to question everything she thought she knew . . .Simmering with slow-burning menace, Mrs England is a portrait of an Edwardian marriage, weaving an enthralling story of men and women, power and control, courage, truth and the very darkest deception. Set against the atmospheric West Yorkshire landscape, Stacey Halls' third novel proves her one of the most exciting and compelling new storytellers of our times.Praise for MRS ENGLAND:'Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again' Kate Mosse'As treacherous and invigorating as the moors. I didn't want it to end' Laura Purcell 'Enticing and beautifully written' Sunday Express'The new Hilary Mantel' Cosmopolitan'Utterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller' Daily Mail'Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric' Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters'Mesmerising, entrancing, a spellbinding novel of emotion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns and lies. Gripping to the very last page' Kate Williams'Full of gothic menace, this Edwardian mystery is convincing and absolutely enthralling' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City'A captivating, sensuous novel' Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon'I was gripped from start to finish' Joanna Glen, Costa shortlisted author of The Other Half of Augusta Hope'Jaw-droppingly brilliant. Exquisitely written, incredibly atmospheric, a masterclass in rising tension. The deliciously addictive love-child of Daphne Du Maurier and Henry James' Liz Hyder'Brilliant. An utterly gripping exploration of female fortitude in adversity, with a propulsive, atmospheric plot. Ruby is a wonderful protagonist' Caroline Lea**THE HOUSEHOLD, the brand new novel from Stacey Halls, is available to pre-order now***Sunday Times bestseller June 2021 and January 2022**Winner of Women's Prize for Fiction x Good Housekeeping Futures award - Good Housekeeping 14 Oct 2022*Trade ReviewUtterly compelling. Menacing and marvellously written, this is a hugely accomplished Edwardian chiller. * Daily Mail *Outstanding. Haunting, compelling, atmospheric. * Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters *Stacey Halls is a writer of great originality, great imagination and great sense of place. Atmospheric, intelligent, accessible, every novel is worth reading, then reading again and again. * Kate Mosse *With a desolate setting that shimmers with menace, Stacey Halls' tense novel masterfully tackles issues such as the abuse of power. This enticing and beautifully written story should delight those fans of historical fiction. * Sunday Express *Hugely readable with a palpable sense of dread, this is a truly brilliant book. * The Sun *The Familiars author has fast become the queen of historical lit and this new offering, set in 1904, might be her best yet... Evocative and captivating. * Heat Magazine *Halls hits the sweet spot between commercial and literary historical fiction and this feminist gothic thriller is a lovely stealth read, simmering with tension. * Metro *Mesmerising, entrancing, a spellbinding novel of emotion and mystery, a heroine caught in an impossible world of twists, turns and lies. Gripping to the very last page. * Kate Williams *Halls shows genuine skill in building the sense of menace within the England household and in the unfolding of its secrets. * Sunday Times *This enthralling read is a powerful examination of an Edwardian marriage, and the underlying currents of control, courage and power. * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisIn the tradition of Herman Wouk, author of Winds of War and War and Remembrance, the novel Sins of the Fathers is the thoroughly researched historical sequel to Wolf. History hinged on a call as the German high command waited for Hitler’s order to invade Czechoslovakia. That was the signal that would launch their revolt to bring down the Reich. Every detail of the coup was in place. Access roads to Berlin would be blocked. The city sealed. Communication centers taken. A commando squad―sixty hand-picked men―were ready to storm the Chancellery and seize Hitler. The only open question: to try Hitler as a traitor or execute him on the spot.Sins of the Fathers is the eye-opening novel―based on historical facts―of the efforts of German military leaders, career civil servants, and clergy to solicit England’s assistance to bring down the tyrant in 1938. When Prime Minster Neville Chamberlain refused to meet with them, they turned to Winston Churchill, who secretly supported their cause. Armed with a strongly worded letter from the future prime minister, they waited for Hitler’s telephone call ordering German troops to invade Czechoslovakia―the signal for their uprising. But the call did not come. Instead, Prime Minister Chamberlain went to Hitler’s apartment in Munich only to bow to the dictator’s will. The invasion was over before it began―and with that, so was the coup. Flying home, Chamberlain announced he had obtained “peace for our times.”Sins of the Fathers―the sequel to Wolf about Hitler’s rise to power―tells the dramatic true story of the foolish prime minister that undermined the coup to topple the regime, delivered Czechoslovakia to Hitler, saved the Führer’s life, and paved the road to World War II.

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Book SynopsisCity of Vengeance is an explosive debut novel by D. V. Bishop set in Renaissance Florence, the first in a historical thriller series which continues with The Darkest Sin, winner of the CWA Historical Dagger Award 2023.'He is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Winter, 1536. A prominent Jewish moneylender is murdered in his home, a death with wide implications in a city powered by immense wealth.Cesare Aldo, a former soldier and now an officer of the Renaissance city’s most feared criminal court, is given four days to solve the murder: catch the killer before the feast of Epiphany – or suffer the consequences.During his investigations Aldo uncovers a plot to overthrow the volatile ruler of Florence, Alessandro de’ Medici. If the Duke falls, it will endanger the whole city. But a rival officer of the court is determined to expose details about Aldo’s private life that could lead to his ruin. Can Aldo stop the conspiracy before anyone else dies, or will his own secrets destroy him first?'A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force' – David Baldacci'An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence' – Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in Marshalsea'Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place' – Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All FleshTrade ReviewAn impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence. Investigator Cesare Aldo is a fascinating and charismatic protagonist. Highly recommended -- Antonia Hodgson, author of A Death at Fountains AbbeyA first-class historical thriller with echoes of The Name of the Rose . . . a tour-de-force and clearly demonstrates the sixteenth century was as full of thrills and mysteries as the twenty-first, perhaps even a shade more -- David Baldacci, author of the Amos Decker seriesRichly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place -- Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All FleshSo fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves . . . Aldo is a great creation, resourceful, driven and forced to hide who he really is, but nevertheless is compelled to find justice for those who deserve it -- James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector McLean seriesCross-dressing, torture, oodles of violence — this pungent example of historical noir has the lot * The Times *Brings to life the 16th century Italian city, from the rankest taverns in its darkest alleys to the corridors of power showing a city of art and literature that is also riddled with corruption, anti-Semitism and violence * Evening Standard *Written with a finesse and authenticity which augurs well for a series with all the hallmarks of historical fiction masters like CJ Sansom and Ken Follett, City of Vengeance delivers a trip to Florence that you won’t forget! * Lancashire Evening Post *A complex, intriguing plot which weaves its way through the treacherous streets of sixteenth century Florence, encountering danger at every dark corner -- Sarah Maine, author of The House Between TidesIn Cesare Aldo, Bishop has created a character with the cunning, bravery and balls of steel to take on the twisty, toxic politics of the Medicis with panache. I can't wait for his next outing -- Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo ThiefThis atmospheric murder mystery is packed with political intrigue and questionable morality. Secrets and conspiracies abound, danger is ever present and tension rises within the complex plotting * Choice *Rich in period detail - a compelling journey into Florence’s dark past -- Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the Nathan Sutherland Venetian mysteriesCompelling and assured. Does not miss a step through the dark intrigues of sixteenth century Florence, but convinces to the last. Aldo is a man as fitting for our times as for the bloody streets he takes us to. And D. V. Bishop makes it all seem effortless -- Shirley McKayDramatic and compelling, a great example of quality historical crime fiction . . . But the crowning glory of the book has to be the character of Cesare Aldo: bold, disquieting and complex; beautifully crafted with a deep and sensitive understanding of human frailty. An exciting, engaging story, masterfully told -- Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked ComethThis dramatic and compelling book, with the larger than life, complex, charismatic and enduring and towering figure of Aldo holding it all together, is for all who enjoy well-written and enthralling historical mysteries * Crime Review *D. V. Bishop has hit the ground running by introducing us to Cesare Aldo, a “hero” we can all root for as he continues to seek justice in this beautiful, rich but corrupt medieval city . . . A terrific historical thriller that held me gripped from start to finish * Historical Novel Society *Rich in atmosphere, and chilling in its authenticity, Bishops paints a vivid image of 16th-century Italy * Scottish Field *Bishop has an impressive command of Florence’s history, its beauty, ambition, and taste for violence. Readers will eagerly await the sequel * Publishers Weekly *A thrilling historical crime novel, with more twists and turns than the river Arno, and a fantastic cast of characters both fictional and factual -- Bookliterati

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Book SynopsisThe multi-million-copy bestseller that blends truth and fiction in a “devastating indictment of American policy” (New York Times Book Review).Trade Review"Slashing.… Draw[s] the reader into a vital subject rarely treated by fiction." -- Time"A powerful, searching book." -- Los Angeles Times

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Book SynopsisSoul Sisters by Lesley Lokko is a rich, intergenerational tale of love, race, power and secrets which centres on the lifelong friendship between two women: Scottish Jen McFadden and South African-born Kemisa Mashabane, known to her friends as Kemi.Since childhood, Jen and Kemi have lived like sisters in the McFadden family home in Edinburgh, brought together by a shared family history which stretches back generations. Kemi was educated in Britain alongside Jen and the girls could not be closer; nor could they be more different in the paths they take in life. But the ties that bind them are strong and complicated, and a dark family secret exists in their joint history.Solam Rhoyi is from South Africa’s black political elite. Handsome, charismatic, charming, and a successful young banker, he meets both Kemi and Jen on a trip to London and sweeps them off their feet. Partly influenced by her interest in Solam, and partly on a journey of self-discovery, Kemi, now 31, decides to return to the country of her birth for the first time. Jen, seeking an escape from her father’s overbearing presence, decides to go with her.In Johannesburg, it becomes clear that Solam is looking for the perfect wife to facilitate his soaring political ambitions. But who will he choose? All the while, the real story behind the two families’ connection threatens to reveal itself – with devastating consequences . . .Trade ReviewThe period is wonderfully evoked and the characters are skillfully drawn * Daily Mail *Lesley Lokko's rich, poignant novel simmers with the potent consequences of race, power and love. * Woman's Own *A brilliant read. * Bella *Praise for Little White Lies: [A] hugely enjoyable page-turner * Woman & Home *Praise for A Private Affair: Exciting from start to finish. It's well-written, engaging and fast-paced, with a plot you'll be gripped by . . . I couldn't put it down * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis________________Set in a 5th century Britain besieged by invading bands of Saxons and Franks, Irish and Picts, Giles Kristian's epic novel tells - in Lancelot's own words - the story of the most revered yet reviled of all Arthur's knights, the warrior who fought at his lord's side - yet stole his wife.Trade ReviewIt is a masterpiece in the true sense of the word. -- CONN IGGULDEN, author of The Falcon of SpartaSome of us grew up with T H White’s Once and Future King as our touchstone for authenticity in the Arthurian myths; others found that Rosemary Sutcliff, Bernard Cornwell or Mary Stewart filled that role. Giles Kristian pulls together the best of the best and infuses it with his own utterly transformative understanding of myth, magic – and the many faces of love . . . There are so many modern retellings of the Arthurian myth, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest, in the company of true greatness. -- MANDA SCOTT, author of BoudicaWithout doubt this is Giles Kristian’s finest novel to date. Glorious. Tragic. Lyrical. Totally gripping. I loved it. -- BEN KANE, author of Clash of EmpiresThis most fascinating character from Arthurian legend has been plucked from the 14th-century romances and positioned firmly back in the early medieval environment he belongs in. Giles is an extraordinary writer, able to capture sounds, smells, sensations in a sentence. No other writer thinks and feels his way back to the medieval past the way he does . . . Lancelot is an exceptional book and does what only great historical fiction can do: transport you back through time to feast, fight and feel alongside fascinating characters from the past. No one does this better than Giles Kristian. -- DR JANINA RAMIREZA gorgeous, rich retelling of the Arthurian tale. -- Antonia Senior * THE TIMES *I loved the post Roman chaos of Giles’ vision, just as I imagine it would have been but with the life of that vision breathed into it to render it in stark and bloody tones. But what I enjoyed most was the sheer glorious brutality of the age, delivered by a writer with the heart of a warrior and the soul of a poet. It’s really, really good. -- ANTHONY RICHES, author of The Centurions seriesHis Lancelot is no airy tale of magic and romance, but a muscular telling of warriors and survival, beautifully rendered in a prose that is both visceral and lyrical. This is historical fiction at its very best. -- ELIZABETH FREMANTLE, author of The Girl in the Glass TowerIntense and powerful . . . written with deep expression and enormous feeling. It is a marvellous historical adventure. * Sunday Express *Kristian is a writer with rare power to grab you at the opening of the story and to keep the pace going. Lancelot is a powerful reworking of the King Arthur myths. The pages turn by themselves. -- JUSTIN HILL, author of Viking FireMy impression as I was reading Lancelot was of a flare being held up in the gloom of this peculiarly dark passage of history. Every detail illuminated, every motive believable, every heart laid bare. A bright intensity but passing away, guttering, about to go out. And, by the time his tale comes to its conclusion, that seems to be his point. A gentle lament at the onrushing of a dark and inexorable tide which comes to extinguish a bright and golden age of Britain forever. Lancelot is a gem of a book. If there were six stars, it could have them all. Or, to use the words of Spinal Tap, “This one goes to eleven.” Loved it. -- THEODORE BRUN, author of The Wanderer ChroniclesTruly magical . . . reads with the authority and gravitas of Manda Scott's Boudica books, such that I found it utterly believable throughout . . . it was a stroke of genius to retell this legend through Lancelot's POV, the betrayer rather than the betrayed. -- ANNA STEPHENS, author of GodblindGiles Kristian’s brilliant take on the Arthurian love-triangle is impressively fresh and original . . . the language is arrestingly beautiful, poetic and poignant; the fights are satisfyingly bloody; the background is a believably muddy, pagan and benighted post-Roman Britain, against which Giles unfolds a tender and tragic love story. We know it will end badly, but reading this enchanting and elegiac novel, you can’t help rooting for Lancelot and his love and hoping it will all work out somehow by the final page. -- ANGUS DONALD, author of OutlawAuthentic, epic, and wonderfully Arthurian. -- CHRISTIAN CAMERON, author of The Ill-Made KnightKristian is one of the finest storytellers in the genre . . . this is a novel that you feel as much as you read. What we end up with is utterly staggering . . . Giles has surpassed the Cornwell trilogy in a single title. -- ROBIN CARTER * Parmenion Books *Fiercely beautiful and gripping. -- ANNA SMITH-SPARK, author of The Court of Broken KnivesIt’s difficult to think of any author more gifted to retell Lancelot’s story than Giles Kristian . . . [he] writes so beautifully. He brings these post-Roman years so vividly to life. I love the way in which the recent Roman past haunts this landscape. There is myth here, there is the Druid Merlin, and we’re reminded of many of the famous Arthurian legends, such as Excalibur, but Giles Kristian evokes a time rooted in history and in the land around us even now . . . his writing comes closest to the feeling, mood and beauty of the Old and Middle English verse that I love so much . . . there is power here, deep expression and enormous feeling. I cried and cried as the story ended in the only way it could. -- KATE ATHERTON * For Winter Nights *

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Book SynopsisThe Number One Sunday Times BestsellerAn immersive historical fantasy, She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a queer retelling of one legendary Chinese ruler's rise to power.'Magnificent in every way. War, desire, vengeance, politics – Shelley Parker-Chan has perfectly measured each ingredient' – Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange TreeIn a famine-stricken village on a dusty plain, a seer shows two children their fates. For a family’s eighth-born son, there’s greatness. For the second daughter, nothing.In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule. And when a bandit raid wipes out their home, the two children must somehow survive. Zhu Chongba despairs and gives in. But the girl resolves to overcome her destiny. So she takes her dead brother’s identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Or can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise, ruthlessly, to take the dragon throne?This is a glorious tale of love, loss, betrayal and triumph by a powerful new voice.She Who Became the Sun is a reimagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.‘Epic, tragic and gorgeous’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryTrade ReviewMagnificent in every way. War, desire, vengeance, politics – Shelley Parker-Chan has perfectly measured each ingredient of this queer historical epic. Glinting with bright rays of wit and tenderness, yet unafraid to delve into the deep shadows of human ambition, She Who Became the Sun, like Zhu, is unquestionably destined for greatness -- Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange TreeShe Who Became the Sun is epic, tragic, and gorgeous. It will wreck you, and you will be grateful -- Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryA thoroughly engrossing read with a fabulous, tragic-trickster protagonist. The exploration of gender and personhood was totally absorbing . . . I've been waiting for a book like this -- Megan Campisi, author of Sin EaterEpic, sublime and emotionally devastating, She Who Became the Sun is as brilliant as Circe, and a deft and dazzling triumph -- Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine ThroneParker-Chan unrolls the painted scroll of her epic tale with the control of a master storyteller, revealing a dazzling new world of fate, war, love and betrayal -- Zen Cho, author of Black Water SisterA gripping tale of rise to power, fate, betrayals and the bloody beginnings and endings of dynasties. Heartbreaking, stirring, haunting -- Aliette de Bodard, author of The House of Shattered WingsEvocative and heart-rending, Parker-Chan’s debut is a poetic masterpiece about war, love and identity -- S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of BrassStunning, powerful and complex -- Anna Stephens, author of GodblindShe Who Became the Sun is an intense and sweeping epic that blurs the lines between rebellion and revenge, between fate and ambition, exposing the inherent violence of gendered ideologies and the traumas they create in ourselves and the world -- Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis LearZhu is a hero unlike any other – her propulsive desire to survive at any cost powers a glorious novel that encompasses grand betrayal, love, loss and triumph. An unforgettable debut -- A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken NameShe Who Became the Sun is just amazingly, blindingly good -- Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat and A Narrow DoorA cinematic tour de force that feels classic and yet utterly fresh -- C. S. Pacat, author of Captive PrinceInstantly enthralling. Zhu is canny, charming, and ruthless as she claims her own fate in a richly detailed world, challenging dynasties and gender in the process -- Malinda Lo, author of LegendThis audacious, brilliant debut is a vivid, original reimagining . . . Peopled by flawed, fearless characters and with a dramatically violent storyline, this is immersive storytelling at its finest -- Daily MailShe Who Became the Sun is an emotional rollercoaster. Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the sequel! -- Sara Rees Brennan, author of the Lynburn Legacy series

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Book SynopsisAn ailing mother forces Nuannuan to abandon her cherished metropolitan life and return to Chu Wang. Once there, she finds her birthplace fragmented and forgotten by modernity. Despite warnings, she quickly reconnects with Kaitian, a childhood sweetheart.The village is centred around Red Lake, whose misty shores once provided solace to ancient kings and their entourages. The couple unearth forgotten treasures left behind from this royal past and are quick to capitalise, setting off a boom in tourism.Word of the lake’s beauty spreads, attracting rampant outsider investment and infecting the sleepy village with dark tastes and unsettling appetites. Drunk on power, the newly elected mayor quickly starts to reshape Chu Wang to his own corrupt ends. Determined to share in this new abundance, will the villagers swap one type of poverty for another?

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Book SynopsisBe whisked away in this sunny, heartwarming read' Woman's OwnI adored it' Milly JohnsonEnchanting and wonderfully romantic' Cathy BramleyI adored it. The perfect summer read!' Lesley PearseGrace Quinn loves her job at Cohen's Convenient Storage Company, finding occasional treasure in the forgotten units that customers have abandoned. Her inquisitive nature is piqued when a valuable art collection and a bundle of letters and diaries are found that date back to the 1930s.Delving deeper, Grace uncovers the story of a young English woman, Connie Levine, who follows her heart to Italy at the end of the Second World war. The contents also offer up the hope of a new beginning for Grace, battling a broken heart and caring for her controlling mother.Embarking on her own voyage of discovery, Grace's search takes her to a powder pink villa on the cliff tops overlooking the Italian Riviera, but will she unravel the family secrets and betrayals that Connie tried so hard to overcome, and find love fTrade ReviewPraise for Alex Brown: ‘A really lovely read' Sarah Morgan ‘Very lovely’ Jill Mansell ‘Lose yourself in this gorgeous, captivating romance’ Carmel Harrington ‘An intriguing and heart-warming story you will love’ Katie Fforde ‘Warm and cosy’ Lucy Diamond 'Poignant and moving, the cleverly entwined stories kept me turning the pages.’ Trisha Ashley ‘Alex Brown at her very best – charming, witty, heartwarming and full of absorbing characters' Carmel Harrington 'A lovely, warm-hearted and compassionate tale’ LoveReading ‘This was genuinely one of the most special books I've read this year.’ Bookish Escapes A lovely book to curl up and unwind with, as sweet and charming as home made apple pie’ Milly Johnson 'Warm, wonderful characters – a really lovely read.' Sarah Morgan, author of Sleigh Bells in the Snow

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Book SynopsisAmidst the glamour of high society, a tawdry secret will change Lily’s life forever…1958. The last year debutantes will be presented at court to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society. To appease her traditional mother, aspiring university student Lily Nicholls agrees to debut and do the Season – a glittering and gruelling string of endless balls and cocktail parties.There she befriends two women: aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career after helping her parents find their place among the elite.But the sparkle of the Season dims when Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family. Faced with a murky past, what will she choose for her future: her family legacy, or her own, uncertain happiness?A fast-paced and compelling historical novel for fans of Kate Morton and The Crown.Praise for The Last Dance of the Debutante "Between the crinkling of crinolines and the popping of champagne corks, Last Dance of the Debutante leads us on a glorious dance through the traditional glamour and suffocating expectations of a bygone era." Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of Letters across the Sea"Julia Kelly elegantly brings to life the last official presentation of debutantes at court with her exquisitely researched and beautiful written detail. This story was so decadent, I wanted to don silk and crinoline and read it with a glass of champagne." Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London"Refreshing, intriguing, oozing with elegance, and with three female leads who will keep you thoroughly engrossed, a charming gem of a novel which will delight fans of The Crown." Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter"An insightful and engaging look at this neglected subject … an unforgettable journey of a young woman's liberation." Piper Huguley, author of By Design: the story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best-Kept Secret"Peels back layers of lush glamour and the extraordinary expectations of the London Season to give us a glimpse into a world teetering on the brink of change and the choices facing those who navigated it. Woven with heartfelt emotion, this novel is a captivating, unforgettable story of one woman's journey to find love, truth, and, most importantly, herself." Kelly Bowen, author of The Paris Apartment"Kelly's descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time." Booklist"The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace... Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life." Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisJust one man can make all the difference . . .1931, Lancashire:When Finn Carlisle loses his wife and unborn child, he spends a few years travelling to keep the sad memories at bay. Just as he''s ready to settle down again, his great-uncle dies and leaves everything to him. This includes Heythorpe House in Ellindale just down the road from Leah Willcox and her little fizzy drink factory.Finn finds a village of people in dire need of jobs, a house that hasn''t been cleaned or lived in for thirty years and Reggie, an eleven-year-old who''s run away from the nearby orphanage and its brutal Director Buddle. When Finn sees the marks left by regular beatings, he decides Reggie will never go back there.But Buddle has other plans for the child, and will stop at nothing to get Reggie back in his cruel grasp. Finn''s new neighbours help him save Reggie but other surprises throw his new plans into turmoil.***********Trade ReviewPraise for the Ellindale series * :- *One of the most lovely and heartwarming books I have ever read! ***** * Between the Pages *A book of family, love, friendship and loyalty. ***** * Stardust Book Reviews *I was gripped from the very first word on the very first page and I wasn't released until the last word on the last page . . . When I finished I felt like I had been through an emotional wringer. ***** * Ginger Book Geek *Praise for Anna Jacobs * :- *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Insanely gripping' - India Knight'A mystery, a love story and a ghost story, all at once' - SJ WatsonCornwall, 1972. Three keepers vanish from a remote lighthouse, miles from the shore. The entrance door is locked from the inside. The clocks have stopped. The Principal Keeper’s weather log describes a mighty storm, but the skies have been clear all week.What happened to those three men, out on the tower? The heavy sea whispers their names. The tide shifts beneath the swell, drowning ghosts. Can their secrets ever be recovered from the waves?Twenty years later, the women they left behind are still struggling to move on. Helen, Jenny and Michelle should have been united by the tragedy, but instead it drove them apart. And then a writer approaches them. He wants to give them a chance to tell their side of the story. But only in confronting their darkest fears can the truth begin to surface . . .The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex is an intoxicating and suspenseful mystery, an unforgettable story of love and grief that explores the way our fears blur the line between the real and the imagined.‘Gripping’ – Guardian‘Riveting’ – Independent‘Excellent’ – Observer‘A triumph’ – Daily MailTrade ReviewI loved The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex – lighthouse keepers, ghosts, warring widows. It’s a wonderfully smart and atmospheric story. * Observer *Outstanding. Literary and insanely gripping. -- India KnightSuperbly accomplished . . . The Lamplighters is a whodunnit, horror novel, ghost story and fantastically gripping psychological investigation rolled into one. It is also a pitch-perfect piece of writing * Guardian *Atmospheric and suspenseful . . . Part psychological drama, part mystery, part ghost story, The Lamplighters is a triumph * Daily Mail *A remarkable book, through every page, every character, the writing resonates with the dark, powerful presence of the sea -- Raynor Winn, author of The Salt PathAn intoxicating and beautifully written mystery about love and loss, as moving as it is suspenseful -- C.L. Taylor, Sunday Times bestselling author of The MissingFull of atmosphere and dread, it’s the perfect way to escape right now * Stylist *Beautifully written and evocative, this is a mystery, a love story and a ghost story, all at once. It kept me gripped throughout, and I didn’t want it to end. Wonderful. -- S J Watson, bestselling author of Before I Go to SleepRiveting . . . Stonex’s clever slow reveal is as much keen psychological drama as it is an intriguing thriller * Independent *A true pager-turner fashion, a mystery told through vivid prose that had me completely absorbed from start to finish. Haunting, harrowing and heartbreaking, this is a novel that will stay with you -- Ashley Audrain, author of The PushThe Lamplighters draws you in and keeps you utterly gripped, with Stonex's writing particularly excelling in her gorgeous and evocative descriptions of the sea. A haunting, hugely atmospheric book * Heat *Beautiful, absorbing and utterly riveting . . . I treasured every moment of this dazzlingly accomplished and completely unforgettable novel -- Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn't CallA really enjoyable literary mystery. Stonex's descriptions of the storms and the sea are wonderful -- Claire Fuller * author of Unsettled Ground *A gorgeous page-turner that is at once a mystery and a novel about mysteries -- Charlotte Rogan, author of The LifeboatWise, beautiful and quietly devastating, The Lamplighters gets under the skin in a way that few books do. Weeks on from reading the last page, it still makes my heart ache -- Kate Riordan, author of The Heat WaveA deeply atmospheric and utterly gripping mystery . . . Superb -- Wyl Menmuir, Man Booker Prize longlisted author of The ManyCompulsive, taut, and unforgettable. The Lamplighters is that rare book which is as exquisitely written as it is page-turning. I'm already telling everyone I know to read it. -- Lucy Clarke, author of The Sea SistersA beautifully written, utterly compelling tale. -- Jenny Colgan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Meet Me at the Cupcake CaféThe Lamplighters took my breath away. A cracking mystery, perfectly plotted, and oh-so-beautifully written. -- Lucy DiamondBeautifully written, gripping and haunting . . . This genre-defying, literary mystery has it all, including a haunting look at love, loss and guilt. We loved it * Woman and Home *One of the most magical books I’ve ever read. The writing is dazzlingly good. The mystery is uniquely crafted and utterly beguiling. I loved it with all my heart -- Emylia Hall, author of The Book of SummersI can't remember when I last enjoyed a book this much. A compulsive, bewitching read . . . Deftly written and atmospheric, I didn't want it to end. Brilliant -- Tor Udall, author of A Thousand Paper BirdsA brilliant page-turner, a compelling mystery laced with the most haunting descriptions of the ocean and life on a remote lighthouse -- Hannah Richell, author of Secrets of the TidesA beautifully written but totally gripping page-turner * Fabulous Magazine *Gorgeously written * The i *Stonex's spectacular debut wraps a haunting mystery in precise, starkly beautiful prose * Publishers Weekly *Stonex’s story has the mesmerism of a churned winter sea * Sunday Times *Immersive, chilling, atmospheric and beautifully written -- Harriet Tyce, author of Blood OrangeLyrical, poetical and intensely gripping . . . A compelling mystery, where sinister shadows cast intrigue over the lives of each of the three men who keep the light -- Fiona Valpy, author of The Beekeeper's PromiseA compelling, deeply evocative mystery * iNews *Excellent . . . [with] a satisfying, surprising conclusion . . . An elegant novel that is as interested in the notion of hope and acceptance as it is in murder and revenge * Observer *Gripping . . . A haunting mystery in the tradition of Wilkie Collins * Sunday Express *

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Book Synopsis'Atmospheric, wise and warm . . . comforting and unputdownable . . . an enchanting hug of a novel' - Cathy Kelly on The Kitchen FrontTo have. To hold. To sew. Jennifer Ryan’s The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle is ‘A Great British Sewing Bee’ set in the Second World War, and inspired by true events.After fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both everything she owns in the Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago.Cressida is at a loss as to how to rebuild her business from a small country village. The answer comes from an unlikely source: the local sewing circle. With clothes rationed, wartime brides are left with no choice but to 'make do and mend' and after helping local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, repair her mother’s dress, Cressida finds herself inundated with similar requests.Before long, the sewing circle find themselves mending wedding dresses for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might also find it for themselves . . .Trade ReviewJennifer Ryan’s wonderful ability to weave an atmospheric, wise and warm story makes The Kitchen Front entirely comforting and unputdownable. . . an enchanting hug of a novel -- Cathy Kelly on The Kitchen FrontAbsolute perfection! Nostalgia, rivalry, friendship and fun – a real treat. Beautifully detailed – you will be right there with a cast of vivid characters, cooking their way to a new life. You will love it -- Veronica Henry on The Kitchen FrontA gorgeous novel about making the best of things during difficult times, whilst celebrating the importance of sisterhood and friendship -- Jill Mansell on The Kitchen FrontA delight! A charming blend of intriguing characters and a high-stakes cookery competition, served with the perfect amount of pathos and humour. -- Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Bird in the Bamboo Cage, on The Kitchen FrontEvocative, nostalgic and comforting with a wonderful story of female friendship. A delight -- Alex Brown, author of The Secret of Orchard Cottage, on The Kitchen FrontDelightful . . . it manages to be sad and funny, exciting and heartwarming, all at the same time. Quite an achievement -- Barbara Erskine on The Chilbury Ladies’ ChoirThe writing glows with emotional intelligence. This atmospheric debut, based on the author’s own family history, had me sniffing copiously -- Daily Mail on The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir

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Book SynopsisThe Roman Empire is on the brink of civil war... Only Maxentius, tyrant of Rome, stands between the emperor Constantine and supreme power in the west. Aurelius Castus is now a tribune in Constantine's army. But great honour brings new challenges: Castus is tormented by suspicions that his young wife has been unfaithful. And as Constantine becomes increasingly devoted to Christianity, he is forced to ask himself whether he is backing the wrong man. The coming war will decide the fate of empire. But Castus's own battle will carry him much further...Trade ReviewA thumping good read, well-crafted, atmospheric and thoroughly enjoyable. Where's the next volume, please? -- Ben KaneThis is up there with Harry Sidebottom and Ben Kane -- MC ScottHugely enjoyable. The author winds up tension into an explosion of fast-paced events -- Conn IgguldenIan imbues any situation with some wonderful twists, reinforcing that nothing in life (and therefore within these pages) is as simple as it seems... a writing masterclass in adding research and factoids that help rather than hinder the pace' * The Bookbag *

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe debut novel from the bestselling author of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight and Leaving Before the Rains Come.   “Awe inspiring . . . An ardent, original, and beautifully wrought book.” —The New York Times Book ReviewLakota Oglala Sioux Nation, South Dakota.Two Native American cousins, Rick Overlooking Horse and You Choose Watson, are pitted against each other as their tribe is torn apart by infighting. Rick chooses the path of peace and stays; You Choose, violent and unpredictable, strikes out on his own. When he returns, after three decades behind bars, he disrupts the fragile peace and threatens the lives of the entire reservation.A complex tale that spans generations and geography, Quiet Until the Thaw conjures, with the implications of an oppressed history, how we are bound not just to immediate family but to all who have come before and will come after us, and, most of

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