Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisThe captivating new novel from Diney Costeloe, bestselling author of The Throwaway Children and The Girl With No Name. In London in 1912, Mabel Oakley and her family are typical of their time. Her father Andrew is a solicitor, her mother Alice keeps the home fires burning and her brothers plan to become skilled apprentices. Mabel would rather die than go into domestic service like her cousin, and is determined to train as a secretary. But one February morning, a terrible tragedy strikes Andrew on the way to work and the lives of the Oakley family are forever changed. Swallowing her pride, Mabel takes on a position as a maid and finds it every bit as unpleasant as she expected. But when help comes from an unexpected direction, Mabel finds her dreams might not be lost after all… Praise for The Girl Who Dared to Dream: 'Fans of historical fiction will love how Costeloe paints pre-war London... You won't be able to put it down!' Chat Passions 'Diney Costeloe delivers an inspiring, heart-rending read with a wonderfully strong female protagonist.' Woman's Own 'A fascinating insight into the lives of women at the turn of the century.' Yours 'Beautifully crafted... Diney Costeloe has written over 20 novels, and this is one of her best.' Historical Novel Society 'A brilliantly written, tender and compelling page-turner – I LOVED it!' Faith Hogan Praise for Diney Costeloe: 'Truly captivating.' Woman & Home 'A treat from the very first page. I could not put it down!' Historical Novel Society 'Historical fiction heaven... Anyone who feels that women's hist fict is a simplified genre sub-set would definitely need a rethink after this.' The BookbagTrade ReviewFans of historical fiction will love how Costeloe paints pre-war London... You won't be able to put it down! * Chat Passions *Diney Costeloe delivers an inspiring, heart-rending read with a wonderfully strong female protagonist * Woman's Own *A fascinating insight into the lives of women at the turn of the century * Yours *Beautifully crafted. Costeloe vividly portrays the relentless, servile drudgery in the lower levels of domestic service in a rich household... Diney Costeloe has written over 20 novels, and this is one of her best * Historical Novel Society *PRAISE FOR DINEY COSTELOE: 'Truly captivating'Woman & Home on The French Wife. 'A treat from the very first page. I could not put it down!' Historical Novel Society on The Sisters of St Croix. 'Wonderful characters, with storytelling that pulls you from page to page, this lovely novel about a girl's search to fulfil her dreams is set in the City of London just before the First World War' Rosie de Courcy, publisher. 'Historical fiction heaven... Anyone who feels that women's hist fict is a simplified genre sub-set would definitely need a rethink after this' * Bookbag on The Children of the Siege *

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Book SynopsisElaine Everest, author of bestselling novels The Woolworths Girls, The Butlins Girls, Christmas at Woolworths and The Teashop Girls, was born and brought up in north-west Kent, where many of her books are set. She has been a freelance writer for twenty-seven years and has written widely for women's magazines and national newspapers, both short stories and features. Her non-fiction books for dog owners have been very popular and led to her broadcasting on radio about our four-legged friends. Elaine has been heard discussing many topics on radio, from canine subjects to living with a husband under her feet when redundancy looms.

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' LIZ HYDER author of The Gifts'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' - RED Magazine'A Violent, disturbing gothic tale compellingly told.' - The Guardian‘If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.’ - Diva magazineIn the slums of 19th-century New York.A tattooed mystic fights for her life.Her survival hangs on the turn of a tarot card.Powerful, intoxicating and full of suspense. The Knowing is a darkly spellbinding novel about a girl fighting for her survival in the decaying criminal underworlds.Whilst working as a living canvas for an abusive tattoo artist, Flora meets Minnie, an enigmatic circus performer who offers her love and refuge in an opulent townhouse, home to the menacing Mr Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests whilst struggling to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead. Caught in a dark love triangle between Minnie and Chester, Flora begins to unravel the secrets inside their house.The Knowing is a stunning debut inspired by real historical characters including Maud Wagner, one of the first known female tattoo artists, New York gang the Dead Rabbits, and characters from PT Barnum's circus.Trade Review'Dark, atmospheric and compulsive, The Knowing is a bewitching book that kept me up reading late into the night' -- Sophie Keetch'If you love Sarah Waters and dark historical fiction, you will no doubt be hooked.' * Diva Magazine *'Vivid, visceral and utterly immersive. Extraordinary' -- Liz Hyder'You can smell the spit and sawdust rising from the pages of this atmospheric gothic novel.' * Red Magazine *‘I adored this atmospheric, gripping, dark-as-night tale about a tattooed mystic trying to survive the slums and glittering facades of 19th century New York, I compel you ALL to read it’ -- Sophie Keetch

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Book SynopsisSong of the Sun God spans three continents and three generations of a family that remains dedicated to its homeland, whilst learning to embrace its new home. Nala and Rajan, a young couple, begin their married life in 1946, on the eve of Ceylon’s independence from Britain. Arranged in marriage, they learn to love each other and protect their growing family, against the backdrop of increasing ethnic tension. Funny, warm and tender, we see Nala and Rajan’s family navigate war, migration, old loyalties and new beginnings, relying on the philosophy of their religion, their ancestors and each other. As the country descends into a bloody civil war, Nala and Rajan must decide which path is best for their family; and live with the consequences of their mistakes. Over time, Nala and Rajan teach their family why some parts of their history and heritage are worth holding onto; and why some parts and people have to be left behind. Song of the Sun God is about the wisdom, mistakes and sacrifices of our past that enable us to live more freely in the future. PRAISE FOR SONG OF THE SUN GOD ‘an emotive and insightful read.’ – The Saturday Paper ‘a book that doesn’t look away from the brutality of the Sri Lankan conflict – torture, forced displacements and disappearances, cultural destruction and worse – but it also balances horror with humour, and indeed love.’ – Sydney Morning Herald ‘[Chandran] does not shy from the horror of war yet holds hope for mankind.’ – The Weekend Australian ‘a rich heritage tapestry to embrace’ The Australian Women's Weekly ‘a sweeping tale of love, duty and migration’ – The West WeekendTrade Review‘moving’ * The Age & The Sun Herald *‘mighty’ * The Weekend Australian *‘a book that doesn’t look away from the brutality of the Sri Lankan conflict – torture, forced displacements and disappearances, cultural destruction and worse – but it also balances horror with humour, and indeed love.’ * Sydney Morning Herald *‘an emotive and insightful read.’ * The Saturday Paper *

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Book SynopsisTracing the Great War through the Millennium Bug, 1999 through 1900, Dadaism through Scientology through Sierra Leonean bicycle riding and back, award-winning Czech author Patrik Ourednik explores the horror and absurdity of the twentieth century in an explosive deconstruction of historical memory.Europeana: A Brief History of the Twentieth Century opens on the beaches of Normandy in 1944, comparing the heights of different forces’ soldiers and considering how tall, long, or good at fertilizing fields the men’s bodies will be. Probing the depths of humanity and inhumanity, this is an account of history as it has never been told: “engaging, even frightening.” At once recreating and uncreating the twentieth century, Ourednik explores the connections across the decades between the disparate figures, events, and politics we thought we knew.Patrik Ourednik’s Europeana merits the author’s reputation as a giant of post-1989 Czech literature. Now translated into 33 languages, the book is a masterwork of cubism, a polymorphic monologue of statistics and movements and fine print and discoveries that evokes the deadpan absurdity of Kafka and the gallows humor of Hašek. Ourednik has created a mesmerizing, maddening account of the past, and his interrogation of “truth” and objectivity resonates now more than ever.

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Book Synopsis'Thrilling, haunting and darkly beautiful' Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the EndTHREE WOMEN. AN ISOLATED TOWN. A DECADES-OLD MYSTERY . . . 1933. Cornelia Stover is not the kind of woman the men of Boldville, New Mexico, expect her to be. But, one day, she stumbles upon a secret hidden out in the hills . . . 1970. Decades later, Joanna Riley, a former cop, packs up her car in the middle of the night and drives west, fleeing an abusive marriage and a life she can no longer bear. Eventually, she runs out of gas and finds herself in Boldville.Joanna was looking for somewhere to hide, but something is off about this place. In a commune on the outskirts a young man has been found dead and Joanna knows a cover up when she sees it. Soon, she and Glitter, a young, disaffected hippie, find themselves caught up in a dark mystery that goes to the very heart of Boldville. A mystery that leads them all the way back to the unexplained disappearance of Glitter's grandmother Cornelia forty years before . . . A captivating, atmospheric new mystery from the lauded author of The Long, Long Afternoon, This Wild Wild Country simmers with secrets, lies and terrible betrayal, unravelling the lives of three women at the mercy of their times.Praise for Inga Vesper'Remarkably assured. A tale of inequality, broken dreams and quiet desperation behind a picture-perfect facade' Guardian'A clever and absorbing debut' The Times'Beguiling and evocative. This vivid and atmospheric pageturner will keep readers guessing all the way to its satisfying finale' Sunday Express'Beautifully crafted, claustrophobic and compelling. As delicious as a long drink on a hot day' Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars and The Foundling'Such a vivid atmosphere of stifling LA heat and stifling 50s domesticity' Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures'Breathtakingly stylish, hypnotic and masterfully gripping' Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End, Waterstones Thriller of the Month'A triumph. What a pleasure to read something fresh and original. For once the hype is justified and Inga Vesper's gripping page turner must surely now be bound for Netflix' Evening Standard'A tasty, tense, page-turning combo of James Ellroy and Kate Atkinson with a bit of Mad Men thrown in'Liz Hyder'An atmospheric tale of repression and style at the heart of the American Dream' StylistTrade ReviewInga Vesper's debut, The Long, Long Afternoon, was an atmospheric crime story set in 1950s American suburbia. In this second outing, she returns to the theme of the American dream souring . . . Vesper is immensely readable on the three women's different lives, and the constraints put upon them by society. Glitter is particularly well drawn; the idea of free love is abused by the men around her, yet she persists in her belief in hippy ideals. * Sunday Times *A thrilling, haunting and darkly beautiful story. This Wild, Wild Country enchants as mysteries deepen and secrets echo over the harsh realities of the American Dream. * Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End *Just as compelling and beautifully written as The Long, Long Afternoon. I simply could not put it down! * Alex Gray *

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Book SynopsisInspired by the true story of mountaineer George Mallory, Paths of Glory bring to life one of history's enduringly enigmatic figures in a stunning novel from bestselling author Jeffrey Archer.Some people have dreams that are so outrageous that if they were to achieve them, their place in history would be guaranteed. Francis Drake, Robert Scott, Amy Johnson, and Neil Armstrong are among such individuals. But what if one man had such a dream, and when he'd fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition?Paths of Glory is the story of such a man. But not until you've turned the last page of Jeffrey Archer's extraordinary novel, will you be able to decide if mountaineer George Mallory should be added to this list of legends, because if he were, another name would have to be removed.

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Book SynopsisThe Lake House by Kate Morton is the mysterious and enchanting fifth novel from the number one bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Secret Keeper.June 1933, and the Edevane family’s country house, Loeanneth, is polished and gleaming, ready for the much-anticipated Midsummer Eve party. Alice Edevane, sixteen years old and a budding writer, is especially excited. Not only has she worked out the perfect twist for her novel, she’s also fallen helplessly in love with someone she shouldn’t. But by the time midnight strikes and fireworks light up the night skies, the Edevane family will have suffered a loss so great that they leave Loeanneth forever.Seventy years later, after a particularly troubling case, DC Sadie Sparrow is sent on an enforced break from her job with the Metropolitan Police. She retreats to her beloved grandfather’s cottage in Cornwall, but soon finds herself at a loose end. Until one day, Sadie stumbles upon an abandoned house surrounded by overgrown gardens and dense woods, and learns the story of a baby boy who disappeared without a trace.Meanwhile, in the attic writing room of her elegant Hampstead home, the formidable Alice Edevane, now an old lady, leads a life as neatly plotted as the bestselling detective novels she writes. That is, until a young police detective starts asking questions about her family’s past, seeking to resurrect the complex tangle of secrets Alice has spent her life trying to escape . . .

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Book SynopsisThe heroic story of the only female Argonaut, told by Jennifer Saint, the bestselling author of ATALANTA (UK, Sunday Times, April 2023) ELEKTRA (UK, Sunday Times, May 2022) and ARIADNE (UK, Sunday Times, April 2021).''Brilliantly evocative'' Women & Home ''A spirited retelling'' Times ''Beautiful and absorbing'' Fabulous ''A vivid reimagining of Greek mythology'' Harper''s Bazaar ''Jennifer Saint has done it again'' Red ''Jennifer Saint can do no wrong'' GlamourWhen a daughter is born to the King of Arcadia, she brings only disappointment.Left exposed on a mountainside, the defenceless infant Atalanta, is left to the mercy of a passing mother bear and raised alongside the cubs under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis.Swearing that she will prove her worth alongside the famed heroes of Greece, Atalanta leaves her forTrade ReviewA stunning retelling filled with breathtaking adventure, Atalanta brings to life a heroine who stands tall among the ancient gods and heroes of legend. -- Sue Lynn Tan, Sunday Times bestselling author of DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESSJennifer Saint deftly draws the reader into the legends of Atalanta, swift huntress and favorite of Artemis, bringing the world of ancient Greece alive. The detail and description is lush: you can hear the rustle of the green leaves and taste the salty spray of the sea as the Argo rides forth on its quest. A story of adventure and love against all odds, this is an ancient tale limned with gold. -- Luna McNamara, author of PSYCHE AND EROSAbsolutely beautiful. This is a retelling that fully inhabits the magical realm of myth while losing none of its human heart. The way Jennifer Saint dealt with the ending was absolutely inspired - staying true to the mythology yet giving it an emotional twist that felt completely true to the heroine she had created. Atalanta is a lyrical, exciting and deeply poignant tale of one woman's remarkable life - and I cannot wait to read it again. -- Elodie Harper, author of THE WOLF DEN and THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN DOORThrough the eyes of a strong and unbending heroine, Atalanta weaves together some of the most exciting myths: the Argonauts' quest, Hypsipyle and the women of Lemnos, Hippomenes's footrace. Beautifully written and crafted with magic, this is an unforgettable retelling. -- Costanza Casati, author of CLYTEMNESTRAAtalanta is an absolute joy of a novel. As always Saint brings Ancient Greece to life with deft story-telling and lyrical imagery, but with her third outing we are drawn into a truly empowering story - a novel of strength and resilience, love and friendship, skillfully enthused with the addictive magic of timeless myth. A beautifully written retelling. -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of PANDORA

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Book Synopsis1794: The Mediterranean is proving dangerous waters for John Pearce and his Pelicans. Having left his lover, Emily, the wife of his mortal enemy Ralph Barclay, in the Tuscan port of Leghorn, Pearce is detained in Naples. When he unknowingly delivers a letter promoting the shady and incompetent Admiral Hotham, Pearce finds himself entangled in a political plot that soon puts those closest to him at peril.When reunited with Emily, John Pearce faces a losing battle to maintain her reputation. Emily sees no future for herself with Pearce and leaves while he is conveying private letters for Horatio Nelson to the British Ambassador, Sir William Hamilton. Learning of her departure, Pearce sets off in pursuit. At the same time, he takes on a superior Barbary corsairs force that has targeted the merchant ship on which Emily is traveling, the Sandown Castle.Outgunned by a barbaric opponent, John Pearce's chances of survivaland those of Emily and Pearce's creware dubious. And eve

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Beyond the Moonlit Sea comes an atmospheric tale of how one woman’s search for the truth uncovers long-hidden secrets and rocks the very foundation of her world. Scarlett Fontaine is a true Hollywood legend—a singer, actress, and beloved fashion icon. But Scarlett dies tragically at just thirty-six years old, leaving behind no children. Or so the story goes… Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator at a museum dedicated to Scarlett’s life. She’s also sole heir to Scarlett’s fortune as a descendant of the star. But all is not well in Gwen’s world. She’s dealing with a messy marital separation and is struggling to move forward. So when Peter Miller, a biographer and photojournalist, comes to the museum with shocking claims about Scarlett—a life of exile in Alaska, a baby born in secret—Gwen’s whole world is turned upside down. Again. Determined to uncover the truth, Gwen and Peter set out for Alaska together but soon find themselves on a path toward something far deeper and more meaningful than either of them ever expected. A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes readers on a breathtaking journey from a lush vineyard in Nova Scotia to a rustic lodge in Alaska where old family secrets are revealed and the quest for true happiness begins.Trade Review“Told using two equally captivating timelines and with elements of romance, this is a gripping and addictive read.” —Library Journal (starred review) “MacLean’s masterful storytelling captures the essence of resilience, love, and the power of revealing hidden truths, leaving readers captivated and yearning for more. With evocative descriptions and deeply resonating characters, this novel showcases MacLean’s prowess as a writer, delivering a compelling tribute to the human spirit.” —Booklist “Novelist and master storyteller Julianne MacLean offers her readers a truly fascinating and entertaining journey…Deftly crafted, [and] impressively original…” —Midwest Book Review “The reader is swept along on a tide of sadness and grief in both time periods that is then followed by a sense of hope and beauty unfolding in the lives of both Gwen and Valerie. The beauty of the physical landscape after a disaster becomes a metaphor for the sense of beauty that can emerge after grief.” —Historical Novels Review “A perfect storm of betrayals and secrets set in motion by an earth-shattering event in history leads to a heartwarming and beautiful journey of self-discovery and unexpected love.” —Genevieve Graham, USA Today and Toronto Star bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child and Bluebird “Captivating. With intrigue and tenderness, A Storm of Infinite Beauty unravels secrets of the past in this heartrending story about love, loss, and friendship. MacLean takes you on a journey through the stark landscape of Alaska’s snow-covered mountains, jagged walls of ice, and awe-inspiring wildlife while weaving a gut-wrenching tale that highlights the tragic beauty of life.” —Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl

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Book SynopsisAlan Hollinghurst is the author of several novels including The Swimming-Pool Library, The Folding Star, The Spell, The Line of Beauty, The Stranger's Child and The Sparsholt Affair. He has received the Somerset Maugham Award, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction and the 2004 Man Booker Prize. He lives in London.Trade ReviewWith The Stranger’s Child, an already remarkable talent unfurls into something spectacular * Sunday Times *I would compare the novel to Middlemarch . . . a remarkable, unmissable achievement * Independent *Elegant, seductive and extremely enjoyable . . . one of the best novels published this year * Guardian *Magnificent . . . universally acclaimed as the best novel of the year -- Philip HensherHollinghurst is a master storyteller . . . The Stranger’s Child is to be cherished -- John BanvilleDaring . . . Fresh and vital * New York Times Book Review *Brilliant . . . Hollinghurst [has] a truly Jamesian fineness of perception . . . [He is] one of the best novelists at work today * Wall Street Journal *Part social history, part social comedy and wholly absorbing, The Stranger’s Child does everything a novel should do and makes it look easy * Washington Post *Beautifully written, ambitious in its scope and structure, confident in its execution, The Stranger’s Child is a masterclass in the art of the novel * TLS *The Stranger’s Child is a comedy of manners, exuberantly funny, as well as a literary mystery * Esquire *Highly entertaining and, as always with Hollinghurst, the dialogue is immaculate and the characterization first class. . . . Every Alan Hollinghurst novel is a cause for celebration, and this spacious, elegant satire is no exception * Sunday Telegraph *Fabulously involving and rich. It’s also very funny . . . An extraordinary achievement * Spectator *Elegant . . . affecting, erudite [and written] with tenderness and sensuous immediacy * Observer *Delightful . . . Tremendously readable and engrossing * Daily Mail *Perfect . . . Elegant people partying on the edge of the abyss * Financial Times *Intricate, witty, playful . . . Comedy of manners, investigation of class, changing political and social landscape—all the reliable pleasures that Hollinghurst’s fiction offers are here * Times *Ambitious, epic and satisfying * Elle *

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Book SynopsisHITLER IS DEAD. A NEW THREAT IS BORN.In the gripping new 2023 spy thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Man in the Bunker, a retired spy must uncover a deadly plot as Britain counts the cost of war. But who is the English Führer?'MASTER OF THE WARTIME SPY THRILLER' - FINANCIAL TIMES________________Autumn 1945 - Off the east coast of England, a Japanese sub surfaces, unloads its mysterious cargo, then blows itself to pieces.Former spy Professor Tom Wilde is enjoying peacetime in Cambridge, settling back into teaching and family life. Until a call from senior MI5 boss Lord Templeman brings him out of retirement.A nearby village has been locked down by the military, its residents blighted by a deadly illness. No one is allowed in or out.There are rumours the Nazi machine is still operational, with links to Unit 731, a notorious Japanese biological warfare research laboratory. But how could they possibly be plotting on British soil - and why?What's more, Wilde and Templeman's names are discovered on a Gestapo kill list. And after a series of assassinations an unthinkable question emerges: could an Englishman be behind the plot?Thrilling, intelligent, and brilliantly compelling, The English Führer cements Rory's position as the 'master of the wartime thriller' (FT) - perfect for readers of Robert Harris, C J Sansom, Mick Herron and Joseph Kanon.

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Book SynopsisEverything is changing at the Quality Street factory, can the plucky girls in the line make this a Christmas to remember?The Quality Street girls are gearing up for Christmas, but with the factory now making gas masks, as well as the nation's favourite chocolate sweets, it's anything but normal.They're having to make other adjustments too. Reenie is in the doldrums after being demoted at work, while Mary has got her hands full getting used to married life and a ready-made family. New girl, Ada, isn't sure she fits into factory life at all.Then, just as the Christmas party season gets into full swing, Toffee town gets a shock, and soon it isn't just Christmas cheer that's in short supply.Can the Quality Street girls save Christmas once again?Trade ReviewPraise for Penny Thorpe: ‘This novel will give you a craving for toffee pennies’ Sunday Express ‘A lovely nostalgic read’ My Weekly

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Book SynopsisSOMETIMES THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN SOLVE YOUR MURDER IS YOU.''Startling and original, My Murder is a gripping speculative twist on the crime novel.'' - Paula Hawkins bestselling author of The Girl on the Train''Completely absorbing. A smart, speculative twist on domestic suspense.'' - Ashley Audrain''One of the most original, smart, funny and thought-provoking books you''ll read this year'' - Daily MailLou has been murdered.She was the fifth victim of the serial killer Edward Early. A young wife and new mother, Lou''s death outraged a public breathlessly following the story of the serial murders. Lou has been cloned.Along with Early''s other four victims, Lou has been brought back to life by the government-funded replication commission. The women gather at a weekly support group, helping each other to navigate a society obsessed with their very existence. Trade ReviewStartling and original, My Murder is a gripping speculative twist on the crime novel. * Paula Hawkins, bestselling author of The Girl on the Train *Completely absorbing. A smart, speculative twist on domestic suspense. * Ashley Audrain, bestselling author of The Push *When did I last read a thriller this cool, this confident? This clever? A novel so hard-charging yet light on its feet? But best and most of all, this book is F-U-N. * A. J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window *One of the most original, smart, funny and thought-provoking books you'll read this year * Daily Mail *My Murder is one of those rare emotionally intelligent books that are also fun reads, and it even manages to perform two or three plot turns that are so masterly that they would make Ira Levin blush. It's a book that's going to keep readers turning pages late into the night. * New York Times *So imaginative, so twisty - and so ORIGINAL - I am blown away by it. * R. L. Stine *I couldn't have inhaled My Murder more ravenously. Beautifully written, eerie, and darkly comic, with an irresistible premise flawlessly executed . . . My Murder is a revelation. * Katie Gutierrez, author of More Than You'll Ever Know *Katie Williams' My Murder is a sly, captivating twister of a novel. Darkly funny, deeply scary and utterly original, it will keep you guessing until its final, haunting pages. * Megan Abbott, bestselling author of The Turnout *Captivating and provocative, My Murder is at once a tense mystery and a bracing take on the realities of early motherhood. It's a sinister, daring thriller, with an absolute corker of an ending that I never saw coming. * Flynn Berry, bestselling author of Northern Spy *An intelligent murder mystery. Acerbic and disturbing in equal measure. * Publishers Weekly *Fans of feminist, speculative fiction will devour My Murder * Bustle, Most Anticipated Books of Spring & Summer 2023 *Ingenious ... Williams deftly swirls science fiction and domestic suspense plotlines into this fresh and unpredictable tale. Imbued with a sharp feminist consciousness, "My Murder" cheekily invokes and subverts the conventional serial-killer-stalking-terrified-women plot. * Washington Post *With this suspenseful, smart sophomore effort-a briskly paced story with charming characters at its core-Williams has delivered an intelligent, insightful murder mystery that illuminates her imagined world and our own. * Kirkus *You've never read a thriller like My Murder. With this murder mystery in the style of Kazuo Ishiguro...Williams offers deft commentary on the commercialization of true crime, trauma, motherhood, and fame, with the pacing of a breathless thriller. It's a twist on the genre you won't be able to stop reading. * Glamour *For all its twists and turns, My Murder is grounded in character development, and Lou's uneasy, complicated feelings about motherhood and domesticity shine through. * Chicago Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisAll''s fair in love and war... but what happens when the war is over?After the heartbreak of World War Two, newlywed midwife Cathy hoped Liverpool life would offer some joy. But a terrible miscarriage and the escape of her abusive stepfather Jack from prison make happiness hard to find.Meanwhile, Cathy''s beloved granny is ailing. Whilst at the hospital, Cathy sees her midwifery friends, who are planning to open a home for unmarried mothers. After losing a baby of her own Cathy would love to help, but for now, she must take care of her grandmother.As her granny''s health worsens, she writes Cathy a letter. The day her grandmother dies, Cathy goes home and opens the envelope: Thank you for giving me a reason to live. Everything I have in the world is yours now, my darling. Cathy is devastated but determined to honour her granny''s memory, hoping the maternity home can be her legacy.Just as Cathy and her friends are about to open their d

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Book Synopsis**Named One of the Best Chinese Romance Novels by Lifestyle Asia**The greatest novel of physical love which China has produced. Pearl S. BuckA saga of ruthless ambition, murder, and lust, The Golden Lotus (Jin Ping Mei) has been called the fifth Great Classical Novel in Chinese literature, joining the Four Great Classics: Journey to the West, The Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Dream of the Red Chamber (also known as The Story of the Stone), and is recognized as one of the Four Masterworks of the Ming novel. Golden Lotus tells the story of Ximen Qing, a wealthy, unscrupulous merchant who takes the beautiful and ambitious widow Pan Jinlian as his fifth wife. Jinlian is not content to accept her position and schemes to dominate her husband and improve her standing in society by using sex as her weapon. As the story unfolds, Ximen Qing embarks on a series sexual conquests and Pan Jinlian exploits her husband's lust, ultimately causing the downfall of the entire famiTrade Review"[Golden Lotus is] a landmark in the development of the narrative art form--not only from a specifically Chinese perspective but in a world-historical contex….noted for its surprisingly modern technique and with the possible exception of The Tale of Genji (c. 1010) and Don Quixote (1605, 1615), there is no earlier work of prose fiction of equal sophistication in world literature." --David Tod Roy, Scholar of Chinese literature"[Golden Lotus is] the most famous of the novels of manners of the Ming dynasty [and is] in effect a condemnation of the whole ruling class." --Lu Xun, Chinese writer, essayist and poet"Golden Lotus was without precedent in China and was not to be equaled in sophistication…for another two centuries." --Robert Hegel, Scholar of Chinese literature

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Book SynopsisSparrow is the Sunday Times bestselling historical epic by James Hynes. An incredibly moving story of one boy’s journey to freedom in the harsh world of the Roman Empire.Raised in a brothel at the edge of a dying empire, a boy of no known origin creates his own identity. He is Sparrow.Sparrow’s world consists of a kitchen and herb-scented garden, a loud and dangerous tavern, and the mysterious upstairs where the wolves, the women who have shaped his world, conduct their business. Where freedom is only for a privileged few, Sparrow’s life is hard-edged and violent.But change is coming. The world outside his garden is about to be reshaped, and as an empire crumbles, murder and mayhem will come to Sparrow’s door. As the only family he’s ever known scatters, will Sparrow fall – or fly?'Unforgettable' - Daily Mail'Utterly engrossing . . . this coming of age story reac

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ATWOOD GIBSON WRITERS' TRUST FICTION PRIZE 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 AMAZON CANADA FIRST NOVEL AWARD COSMOPOLITAN'S 10 BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS OF 2023'Fresh and propulsive . . . a veneration of those whose tales are often forgotten' New York Times'A mesmerizing, lyrical testament to the power of storytelling' Atwood Gibson Writer's Trust Fiction Prize judgesFreedom, you can't get and bury, and keep it and keep it so it won't ever go away. No, child.You got to swing your freedom like a club.In 1859, deep in the forests of Canada, an elderly woman sits behind bars. She came to Dunmore via the Underground Railroad to escape enslavement, but an American bounty hunter tracked her down. Now she's in jail for killing him, and the fragile peace of Dunmore, a town settled by people fleeing the American south, hangs by a thread. Lensinda Martin, a smart young reporter, wants to gather the woman's testimony before she can be condemned, but the old woman has no time for confessions. Instead she proposes a barter: a story for a story. As the women swap stories - of family and first loves, of survival and freedom against all odds - Lensinda must face her past. And it seems the old woman may carry a secret that could shape Lensinda's destiny. Travelling along the path of the Underground Railroad from the American South to British Canada, from the Indigenous nations around the Great Lakes, to the Black refugee communities of Canada, In the Upper Country is an unforgettable debut about the interwoven history of peoples in North America, slavery and resistance, and two women reckoning with the stories they've been given, and the ones they want to tell. Trade ReviewThe harshly real and the fantastic mingle in ways that recall Ta-Nehisi Coates's The Water Dancer and Esi Edugyan's Washington Black. What's most impressive is Thomas's imaginative power; sure-handed, often lyrical prose; and strong, complex, resilient women. An exceptional work that mines a rich historical vein * Kirkus, starred review *In the Upper Country is not only fiction alive with history; it is historic. This masterful novel is the first to narrate the forging of the Afro-Métis - or Black & Indigenous - people out of European (or Indigenous) enslavement . . . practically every page turns up a sentence or a phrase that could have been penned by Toni Morrison or James Baldwin -- George Elliot Clarke, critically acclaimed poet and novelistA sweeping epic that imagines all the ways our ancestors tried to get free. This is an exciting voice in fiction, as interested in the complexities of land and belonging as in the vagaries of human love and connection -- Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of LibertieTremendous . . . In the Upper Country enlightens and empowers in a way few other literary sagas can, by humanizing people who have long been historical footnotes and bringing their stories to the centre. Kai Thomas is a visionary, an advocate, and overall a groundbreaking storytelling voice who has now contributed a classic to this country's canon. This novel will resonate for generations to come -- Waubgeshig Rice, bestselling author of Moon of the Crusted SnowStories within stories; until I read them, I hadn't realised these are ones I'd long been wanting, needing even. In this remarkable debut, Kai Thomas fills out the picture of a place, a time, peoples and their relationships, all previously neglected in the day-to-day unfolding of the nations. His immensely compelling details, and a host of voices so well-wrought you can see and hear the speakers long after you've finished reading, will leave you eager to see what he'll do next -- Shani Mootoo, author of Polar VortexMesmerizing . . . at once intimate and majestic, Thomas's ambitious work heralds a bright new voice * Publishers Weekly, starred review *The old woman will tell her story, if Lensinda shares one of her own. Thus begins an incredible exchange that reveals an interconnected history of love and survival for the Black and Indigenous peoples of North America. * Book Riot *A Gothic-tinged puzzle box of a novel . . . there's undeniable force to the embedded stories and the historical truths they bring to vivid life * Toronto Star *Groundbreaking . . . This fascinating series of stories within stories reflects the fragmentary history of African and Indigenous people experiencing the effects of enslavement. Engrossing and intensely readable, this book represents just the beginning of a larger narrative, with many chapters yet to be told; very highly recommended * Library Journal *Exceptional . . . Kai Thomas deftly and compassionately braids deeply engrossing stories within stories that explore a little-known aspect of Canadian history. In the Upper Country is a mesmerizing, lyrical testament to the power of storytelling, as this is among the protagonists' tools for survival in a harsh reality rife with violence and dehumanization. -- 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize Jury (francescaekwuyasi, Alix Hawley, MG Vassanji)

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Book SynopsisCeremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction . . .'Religion and lust? Money and politics? It's all here, combined into a murderous brew' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal SecretRitual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin. The series continues with A Divine Fury.The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning AuthorTrade ReviewHe is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris with his page-turning novels. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Society *In Ritual of Fire, the third scintillating Cesare Aldo novel, D.V. Bishop once again immerses us in sixteenth-century Florence and the heady intrigues of Renaissance Italy. Aldo is a magnificent creation -- Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar HouseA blaze of a book, grabs you from the first flicker -- S W Perry, author of The Angel's MarkSweltering tension and an explosive ending. Great stuff -- Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue WaterPlace and time are pinned with stiletto precision, while pacing and plot grip all the way to the exciting denouement. Absolutely superb -- Douglas Skelton, author of An Honourable ThiefAldo is a fascinating and charismatic character -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Silver CollarD. V. Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing sixteenth-century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other -- S. G. MacLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker seriesA first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour de force -- David Baldacci, internationally bestselling author of the Aloysius Archer series, on City of Vengeance

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Book Synopsis'An excellent read, a page-turner of real quality. Raise your drinking horns in a toast! Theodore Brun has earned his place in the mead hall' BEN KANE'A fever dream of dark lusts and an ancient evil. A Savage Moon drips with passion, betrayal, loyalty and loss. A wonderful book!' MATTHEW HARFFY 'A heart pounding mix of action, adventure and historical detail. The prose is riveting and the battle scenes thrilling!' PETER GIBBONSAn epic, spellbinding Viking fantasy of blood and battle, weaving together history, fantasy and ancient myth. Perfect for fans of The Northman and Game of Thrones. Byzantium, 718ADThe great siege is over.Crippled warrior, Erlan Aurvandil, is weary of war. But he must rally his strength to lead a band of misfit adventurers back to the North, to reclaim the stolen kingdom of his lover, Lilla Sviggarsdottir. For this, they need an army. To raise an army, they need gold.Together they plot a daring heist to steal the Emperor's tribute to his ally. Barely escaping with their lives, they voyage north, ready for the fight. But when fate strands them in a foreign land already riven by war, Erlan and Lilla are drawn inexorably into the web of a dark and gruesome foe.As blades fall and shadows close in, only one thing for them is certain: a savage moon is rising. And it demands an ocean of blood.Praise for Theodore Brun:'A masterly debut... If Bernard Cornwall and George R.R. Martin had a lovechild, it would look like A Mighty Dawn. I devoured it late into the night, and eagerly await the sequel' THE TIMES'Gripping. Gut-wrenching' ERIC SCHUMACHERTrade ReviewA Savage Moon is a full-blooded and superbly descriptive novel, bringing to vivid life the Byzantine empire and the Viking world. Along with its rich themes of treachery and intrigue, love and sacrifice, loyalty and honour, there is plenty of bloodshed for Viking fans. It is an excellent read, a page-turner of real quality. Raise your drinking horns in a toast! Theodore Brun has earned his place in the mead hall. -- Ben Kane, bestselling author of the Spartacus seriesA heart pounding mix of action, adventure and historical detail. The prose is riveting and the battle scenes thrilling! -- Peter Gibbons, author of the Blood and Blade trilogy on A Savage MoonA thrilling read filled with dark twists and strange fates -- Donovan Cook, author of the Ormstunga Saga series on A Savage MoonA fever dream of dark lusts and an ancient evil. A Savage Moon drips with passion, betrayal, loyalty and loss. A wonderful book! -- Matthew Harffy, author of the Bernicia Chronicles on A Savage MoonA Savage Moon is vast in scope, but the ending is personal and climactic, a tale of friendship, love, trust and, for one of the characters, renewal, set against a backdrop of almost indescribable savagery. It's sure to appeal to fans of historical fiction and historical fantasy. -- M J Porter, author of Eagle of Mercia, on A Savage MoonSuperb. A Burning Sea is another vivid, enthralling read, yet again proving that Theodore Brun is a force to be reckoned with in both historical fiction and historical fantasy. * Giles Kristian on A Burning Sea *Brilliant. Theodore Brun might just be historical fiction's next big thing. * Adam Lofthouse on A Burning Sea *Gripping. Gut-wrenching. Visceral. Highly recommended * Eric Schumacher on A Burning Sea *A masterly debut. ... If Bernard Cornwell and George RR Martin had a lovechild, it would look like A Mighty Dawn. I devoured it late into the night, and eagerly await the sequel. * Antonia Senior on A Mighty Dawn *Evocative prose and the brutality of the Viking world, it's all here, woven with a deft touch into a tremendous tale. * Giles Kristian on A Mighty Dawn *

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Book SynopsisAlice, Kate and Naomi want to keep the magic of Christmas alive in their village of Churchwood but a thief in the area and a new family that shuns the local community are only the first of the problems they face.Naomi is fighting to free herself from Alexander - the man who married her for her money, then kept a secret family behind her back. But will she be able to achieve the independence she craves?Alice's dreams came true when she married sweetheart Daniel. Now he has returned to the fighting, but Alice is delighted to discover that she's carrying his child. Will the family make it through the war unscathed?While Kate's life on Brimbles Farm has never been easy, she now has help from land girls Pearl and Ruby. But what will it mean for them all when Kate's brother returns from the war with terrible injuries? And why has pilot Leo, the man she loves, stopped writing?As ever, the Wartime Bookshop is a source of community and comfort. But disaster is about to strike...Christmas at the Wartime Bookshop is the third novel in the uplifting Wartime Bookshop series, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.**The fourth novel, Evacuees at the Wartime Bookshop, is available to pre-order now!**----------------------------Real readers are LOVING The Wartime Bookshop series:'BRILLIANT''Oh I loved this book... please carry on the good writing''Wow what a brilliant start to a new series''Outstandingly fabulous, warm and inviting... so glad there is going to be a follow-on''I was only two pages in when I knew this would be a 5 star read... I honestly can't put my excitement into words at the thought of reading the next one!'Trade ReviewPraise for the Wartime Bookshop series * :- *A cosy winter read if ever there was one... a refreshingly comforting book telling the story of a little village, with some wonderful character developments in the process * Anything Goes Lifestyle Magazine, Book of the Month *A delightful wartime saga about a young girl making a difference in her new village... Beautiful book and I loved it * Rosie Clarke, author of the Mulberry Lane series *If you enjoy wartime dramas such as Home Fires you'll love The Wartime Bookshop * Yours Magazine *Written by Lesley Eames, an author with romance at heart, The Wartime Bookshop is a wholesome novel questioning how friendship can be the answer. Snuggle up and experience her storytelling for yourself * Chat Magazine, Book of the Month *A pleasure to read for anyone who enjoys a good wartime saga * Lizzie Lane, author of The Tobacco Girls *A real cosy novel of women and friendship. I'm looking forward to seeing what this threesome gets up to next * Bishop's Stortford Independent *Heartwarming... an uplifting tale with well-drawn characters * Candis Magazine *A delight from start to finish - the perfect comfort read! * Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls series *I could spend hours in the company of Alice, Kate and Naomi who by the end felt like firm friends. The Wartime Bookshop is a must-read for all saga fans * Fiona Ford, author of The Liberty Girls series *Well written, well researched and likeable... It was uplifting to see Kate, Alice and Naomi slowly change and, through the bookshop, reach their potential * Fenella J. Miller, author of Duty Calls at Goodwill House *

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Book Synopsis'Oh, you're not crazy, Denise. I think this is probably the sanest you've ever been...'Two women. An open road. The trip of a lifetime.Thea is confident, sorted, determined to have fun, but there are sorrows beneath the surface of her life.Denise is struggling under the weight of her many commitments and in desperate need of some excitement.When these polar opposites meet, and unexpectedly become friends, they realise they're both looking to escape.So begins a road trip that leads them far from home and yet closer to their true selves.But they can't outrun their pasts forever and when things start to become complicated, both women have an important decision to make. Do they give up or keep going? Turn around or drive on?Trade ReviewSharply observed and empathetic, many women will see themselves in this excellent novel * Elizabeth Buchan *Compassionate, wry and packed with acute observations on human behaviour. Like wrapping yourself in a warm shawl. -- Charity NormanAbsolutely captures the challenges of being a certain age - the characters jump off the page! * Sam Blake *There is a raw realism to all of Caroline Bond's novels ... Redemptive and satisfying -- Carol Mason on 'The Legacy'Caroline Bond has a gift for weaving heart-rending tales of impossible decisions and The Forgotten Sister is no exception. A beautifully written story that will stay with me for quite some time. -- Amanda Brooke on 'The Forgotten Sister'A deftly written novel [and] a moving exploration of love between sisters and the tangled, often complex emotions that exist in families. -- Madeleine Reiss on 'The Forgotten Sister'

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Book SynopsisIn the fourth rip-roaring thriller in the award-winning Malabar House series, Persis and Archie travel to the old colonial capital of Calcutta, where they collide head-on with the prejudices and bloody politics of an era engulfed in flame.Can a white man receive justice in post-colonial India?Bombay, 1950 James Whitby, sentenced to death for the murder of prominent lawyer and former Quit India activist Fareed Mazumdar, is less than two weeks from a date with the gallows. In a last-ditch attempt to save his son, Whitby's father, arch-colonialist, Charles Whitby,  forces a new investigation into the killing. The investigation leads Inspector Persis Wadia of the Bombay Police to the old colonial capital of Calcutta, where, with the help of Scotland Yard criminalist Archie Blackfinch, she uncovers a possible link to a second case, the brutal murder of an African-American G.I. during the Calcutta Killings of 1946.Trade ReviewBeautifully written and a fascinating insight into the turbulence of post independence India * Peter May *

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Book SynopsisLADY PRESIDENT

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERTHE ENCHANTING NEW NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE LOST APOTHECARY''GLORIOUSLY GOTHIC, DELIGHTFULLY ATMOSPHERIC SLICE OF VICTORIANA'' DAILY MAIL''PENNER HAS CRAFTED ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER NOVEL THAT IS MAGICALLY EVEN BETTER THAN HER DEBUT'' NATALIE JENNERFrom the author of the intoxicating bestseller The Lost Apothecary comes an entrancing exploration of the blurred lines between truth and illusion and the grave risks women take to avenge the ones they love.May mercy be upon the man who finds himself the enemy of a vengeful medium1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D'Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister's death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London's exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselvesA Most Anticipated title by: Good Housekeeping, Washington Post, E! News, Bookpage, CrimeReads, Readers Digest, Popsugar, The EveryGirl, Sunset Magazine and more.''A great choice for fans of historical European settings, the power of women, and the fringes of the paranormal'' Booklist Starred Review''Steeped in suspense, mystery, and illusion'' Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestseller of The Maid''Breathtaking'' Pam Jenoff''Smart and seductive'' Fiona Davis''An explosive, immersive, time-bomb of a novel'' Laurie Lico Albanese''Mesmerizing, seductive and absolutely irresistible'' Hank Phillippi Ryan''An evocative and delicious read with a mystery that will have you turning pages late into the night'' Madeline Martin''A Victorian whodunit crackling with tension and lavished with ambiance'' Heather WebbA New York Times Bestseller March 2023

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Book SynopsisJoseph O'Connor's fiction has been published in forty languages. His twenty books include eleven novels, among them the million-selling Star of the Sea, Ghost Light, Shadowplay and My Father's House, a Washington Post Book of the Year. His work has been shortlisted for the LA Times Book Award, twice for the Whitbread/Costa and twice for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction and has won the Nielsen Bookscan Golden Book Award, France's Prix Millepages, Italy's Premio Acerbi and Premio Napoli, an American Library Association Award, the American Ireland Fund Literary Award, the Hennessy Writer of the Year and Hall of Fame Awards, the Eason/An Post Novel of the Year Award, a Cullman Fellowship at the New York Public Library, the Irish Pen Award for Outstanding Achievement and the Prix Madeline Zepter for European Novel of the Year. He is Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.www.josephoconnorauthor.com

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Book SynopsisA thrilling, darkly delicious Tudor novel - ''A stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read'' Alison WeirFOR SECRETS THIS DEADLY, BLOOD WILL DYE THE THRONE OF A NATION... London, May 1537. As those closest to the throne are locked in a fierce fight against those desperate to save England''s monasteries from destruction, young Joanna Stafford faces a far more personal battle. When Joanna learns her cousin is about to be burned at the stake for rebelling against Henry VIII, she makes a decision that will change not only her life, but quite possibly the fate of a nation. It will mean turning her back on everything she knows, for Joanna is a novice at Dartford Priory - and to save her family, she must break the sacred rule of enclosure. But running away is only the first transgression. From the Tower of London, to secret assignations and from Stonehenge to the royal court - Joanna becomes entangled with a secret whose deadlyTrade ReviewA stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read -- Alison WeirNancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid storytelling . . . In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who is prepared to risk her life to save what she most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans -- Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of WitchesA gripping treasure-hunt-like romp through one of the bloodiest periods in British history * Good Housekeeping *With a strong protagonist and some well-drawn characters, there are political intrigues, power struggles and deadly encounters in this novel of mystery and suspense * Choice magazine *An amazing first novel, filled with excitement, intrigue, espionage, and set against the background of one of the bloodiest periods of British history; the schism between Church and State. It's an action-packed tale of one nun's dangerous quest to discover the secrets of an ancient relic that dates back to the time of Christ -- Katherine Neville, author of The EightBilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy and betrayal * O, the Oprah Magazine *Will appeal to fans of Dan Brown and Philippa Gregory * Library Journal *Strong character development, realistic historical detail, and an atmosphere of pervasive tension coupled to a fast-placed plot make it compulsively readable * Booklist *The events of the period come to life in Nancy Bilyeau's dazzling and heart-wrenching novel. THE CROWN is is evocative, provocative, and full of intriguing characters - a gorgeously written novel that has mystery and history, pathos and depth. This is a stunning debut about a woman whose spirit shines through and deeply moves the reader -- M J RoseThis fast-paced debut delivers Tudor intrigue and mystical thrills in one satisfying package - and leaves room for a sequel * Kirkus *Joanna Stafford is a young novice caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Mantel and CJ Sansom, but with the elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate Mosse * Mslexia *A stunning debut. One of the best historical novels I have ever read -- Alison WeirFabulous debut thriller * inStyle UK *A gripping treasure-hunt-like romp through one of the bloodiest periods in British history. * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy and betrayal. * O, The Oprah Magazine *Strong character development, realistic historical detail, and an atmosphere of pervasive tension coupled to a fast-placed plot make it compulsively readable. * BOOKLIST *This fast-paced debut delivers Tudor intrigue and mystical thrills in one satisfying package - and leaves room for a sequel. * KIRKUS *Will appeal to fans of Dan Brown and Philippa Gregory * LIBRARY JOURNAL *Nancy Bilyeau's polished, inventive debut has all the ingredients of the best historical fiction: a broad cast of characters, well-imagined settings, and vivid story-telling...In Joanna Stafford, Bilyeau has given us a memorable character who us prepared to risk her life to save what she must most values, while Stafford's desperate search for a lost religious relic will satisfy even the most ardent mystery fans -- Deborah Harkness, author of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHESThe events of the period come to life in Nancy Bilyeau's dazzling and heart-wrenching novel. The Crown is is evocative, provocative, and full of intriguing characters - a gorgeously written novel that has mystery and history, pathos and depth. This is a stunning debut about a woman whose spirit shines through and deeply moves the reader -- M J RoseWith a strong protagonist and some well-drawn characters, there are political intrigues, power struggles and deadly encounters in this novel of mystery and suspense. * CHOICE MAGAZINE *A Historical Fiction title that not only brought together the elements of the historical beautifully but also wove a mystery within that kept me glued from start to finish...a cracking read. * FALCATA TIMES *Joanna Stafford is a young novice caught up in power struggles familiar to readers of Mantel and CJ Sansom, but with the elements of magic that echo the historical thrillers of Kate Mosse. * MSLEXIA *

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Book SynopsisThe residents of Churchwood have never needed their bookshop, or its community, more. But when the bookshop comes under threat at the worst possible time, can Alice, Kate and Naomi pull together to keep spirits high?Kate has always found life on Brimbles Farm difficult, but now she is struggling more than ever to find time for the things that matter to her - particularly helping to save the village bookshop and seeing handsome pilot Leo Kinsella. Can two Land Girls help? Or will they be more trouble than they're worth?Naomi has found new friends and purpose through the bookshop and is devastated when its future is threatened. But when she begins to suspect her husband of being unfaithful, she finds her attention divided. With old insecurities rearing up, she needs to uncover the truth.Alice has a lot on her plate. Can she fight to save the bookshop while also looking for a job and worrying about her fiancé Daniel away fighting in the war?Land Girls at the Wartime Bookshop is the second novel in the uplifting Wartime Bookshop series, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.-------------------------------**Real readers are LOVING The Wartime Bookshop series**'BRILLIANT''Oh I loved this book... please carry on the good writing''Wow what a brilliant start to a new series''Outstandingly fabulous, warm and inviting... so glad there is going to be a follow-on''I was only two pages in when I knew this would be a 5 star read... I honestly can't put my excitement into words at the thought of reading the next one'Trade Review‘The ultimate feel good book … A must read for the summer' * Female First *'Heart-warming story of friendship, resilience and community in wartime Britain' * People's Friend magazine *Praise for The Wartime Bookshop series * :- *'A cosy winter read if ever there was one... a refreshingly comforting book telling the story of a little village, with some wonderful character developments in the process' * Anything Goes Lifestyle Magazine, Book of the Month *'A delightful wartime saga about a young girl making a difference in her new village... a story that illustrates how kindness and refusing to give up can change so much. It is also a sweet love story... Beautiful book and I loved it' * Rosie Clarke, author of the Mulberry Lane series *'If you enjoy wartime dramas such as Home Fires you'll love The Wartime Bookshop' * Yours Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA poacher's daughter meets the heir to a country estate – as their destinies intertwine, their lives will never be the same. The Poacher's Daughter is a story of love and fate from bestselling historical saga author Margaret Dickinson.It is 1910 in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Young Rosie Waterhouse lives with her father, Sam, well known as the local poacher, in a cottage on the Thornsby estate. The land is owned by a harsh and heartless man who is determined his only son, Byron, should marry well and produce an heir.Rosie is quick to learn the tricks of her father’s trade and it’s when she’s poaching fish from the estate’s stream that she meets Byron. They continue to meet in secret over the coming months and, as their friendship blossoms, they recognize that, despite their vastly different backgrounds, they are destined to be together. When Byron's father learns of their bond, he stops at nothing to ensure that they never meet again.As the years pass, the threat of war becomes a reality, Sam is involved in a tragic incident that will affect both his and Rosie’s lives more than they could ever have imagined. Life will never be the same in Thornsby, but will Rosie find the happiness she yearns for?Trade ReviewThe Queen of Saga * Daily Express *

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