Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisIf you loved The Haunting of Hill House, welcome to ThistlecrookIt's 1923 and at Thistlecrook House, a forbidding home on the Scottish border, the roaring twenties seem not to have arrived. But Simon Christie has a young man who can't believe his luck when he gets a job cataloguing the infamous art collection of the Mordrake family. Yet from the moment he gets off the train at the deserted village station he can't shift a headache and a sense that there's more to the House and its gruesome selection of pictures.Simon's host is glad of his company, but he gets the feeling the house is not so welcoming. As his questions about the Mordrakes grow, he finds answers in surprising places. But someone is not pleased that old secrets are stirring.As night falls each evening, and a growing sense of unease roils in the shifting shadows around him, Simon must decide what he can trust and ask if he can believe what he sees in the dusk or if his mind is poisoned by what has happened before in this Trade Review"I don't believe in reincarnation, but Mathew West seems the very spirit of M.R. James. With urbane wit and an ever-lurking dread, The House of Footsteps broods to an unsettling climax, choking with atmosphere." A.J. West, author of The Spirit Engineer

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1940 and for newlywed Daisy Turner, Kew Gardens is a haven away from the bombs that are falling nightly on her East End home. She grew up around plants - her parents met when they were gardeners at Kew in the last war. And her work on the Dig For Victory campaign at Kew keeps her occupied while her husband Rex, is away in the RAF.Beth Sanderson works with Daisy at the gardens, but she dreams of being a doctor while juggling her gardening job with nursing shifts. And there''s the added complication of her forbidden romance with her colleague, Gus Campbell. Gus is from Jamaica and it seems impossible for he and Beth to be together. But can they overcome the prejudice they''re facing and build a life together?Meanwhile Louisa Armitage, who worked at Kew Gardens during the First World War, is feeling old and useless, having retired to the countryside. So she jumps at the chance to work with Kew again and rally the WI to get them involved in growing plants for medic

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Book SynopsisThe Orphanage Girls is a gritty and moving historical saga set in London’s East End, from the bestselling author of The Jam Factory Girls, Mary Wood.Children deserve a family to call their own . . . Ruth dares to dream of another life – far away from the horrors within the walls of Bethnal Green’s infamous orphanage. Luckily she has her friends, Amy and Ellen – but she can’t keep them safe, and the suffering is only getting worse. Surely there must be a way out of here?But when Ruth breaks free from the shackles of confinement and sets out into East London, hoping to make a new life for herself, she finds that, for a girl with nowhere to turn, life can be just as tough on the outside.Bett keeps order in this unruly part of the East End – and takes Ruth under her wing alongside orphanage escapee Robbie. But it is Rebekah, a kindly woman, who offers Ruth and Robbie a home – something neither have ever known. Yet even these two stalwart women cannot protect them when the police learn of an orphan on the run. It is then that Ruth must do everything in her power to hide.Her life – and those of the friends she left behind at the orphanage – depend on it.Continue the emotional series with The Orphanage Girls Reunited.Trade ReviewWood is a born storyteller * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE STELLA PRIZE • ONE OF VOGUE'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEARThe lives of three women weave together across centuries in this dazzling and empowering portrait of their resilience through the ages.  Surging out of the sea, the Bass Rock has always borne witness to the lives that pass under its shadow on the Scottish mainland. And across the centuries, the fates of three women are inextricably linked to this place and to one another: Sarah, accused of being a witch, is fleeing for her life; Ruth, in the aftermath of the Second World War, is navigating a new marriage and the strange waters of the local community; and six decades later, Viv, still mourning the death of her father, is cataloging Ruth's belongings in the now-empty house.As each woman's story unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that their choices are circumscribed, in ways big and small, by the men who seek to control them. But in sisterhood there is also the possibility of survival and a new way of life. Intricately crafted and compulsively readable, The Bass Rock burns bright with love and fury—a devastating indictment of violence against women and an empowering portrait of their resilience through the ages.

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Book SynopsisIn the wild lands of Norway, Hunlaf must quell a violent revolt in Matthew Harffy's new historical adventure. Northumbria, AD 794. Those who rule the seas, rule the land. None know the truth of this more than the Vikings. To compete with the seafaring raiders, the king of Northumbria orders the construction of his own longships under the command of oath-sworn Norseman, Runolf. When the Vikings attack again, the king sends cleric turned warrior, Hunlaf, on a mission to persuade the king of Rogaland into an alliance. But Hunlaf and Runolf have other plans; kin to seek out, old scores to settle, and a heretical tome to find in the wild lands of the Norse. Their voyage takes them into the centre of a violent uprising. A slave has broken free of his captors and, with religious fervour, is leading his fanatical followers on a rampage – burning all in his path. Hunlaf must brave the Norse wilderness, and overcome deadly foes, to stop this madman. Can he prevent a night of flames and slaughter? Reviews for Matthew Harffy: 'Harffy is a master of the Dark Age thriller' Theodore Brun 'Absolutely gripping storytelling' Angus Donald 'Nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better' Jemahl EvansTrade ReviewA brilliant read from an author at the top of his game. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Review *PRAISE FOR MATTHEW HARFFY: 'A master of the Dark Age thriller' Theodore Brun. 'A Time for Swords is a bold opening to yet another enthralling series. It promises to be one heck of a ride' Theodore Brun. 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard (on A Time for Swords). 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society (on the Bernicia Chronicles). 'The gripping novel evokes the turbulence and violence of the first onslaught of the Vikings. I couldn't put it down!' -- Christian Cameron (on A Time for Swords)

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Book SynopsisIn the small hours of January 1st, 1919, the cruellest twist of fate changed at a stroke the lives of an entire community. Tormod Morrison was there that terrible night. He was on board HMY Iolaire when it smashed into rocks and sank, killing some 200 servicemen on the very last leg of their long journey home from war. For Tormod – a man unlike others, with artistry in his fingertips – the disaster would mark him indelibly. Two decades later, Alasdair and Rachel are sent to the windswept Isle of Lewis to live with Tormod in his traditional blackhouse home, a world away from the Glasgow of their earliest years. Their grandfather is kind, compassionate, but still deeply affected by the remarkable true story of the Iolaire shipwreck – by the selfless heroism and desperate tragedy he witnessed. A deeply moving novel about passion constrained, coping with loss and a changing world, As the Women Lay Dreaming explores how a single event can so dramatically impact communities, individuals and, indeed, our very souls.Trade Review“Passionate, atmospheric and evocative.”“A haunting, poignant, meticulously researched novel about the 1919 Iolaire ferry disaster and its effect on the local community. An extraordinary piece of storytelling.”“Atmospheric and evocative… masterful writing.”“A beautifully drawn novel. …Achingly well realised.” -- Roger Hutchinson * West Highland Free Press *"A poignant novel." -- Nicola Sturgeon“A searing poetic meditation on stoicism and loss.” -- Mariella Frostrup * BBC Radio 4 Open Book *“A powerful novel… A poignant exploration of love, loss and survivor’s guilt.” -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *“Triumphant… The writing is breath-taking, poignant and takes great pains to immerse the reader in ideas of trauma, suffering and the shared culture of a grieving generation. [A] rich and lyrical writing style.” Lochaber Life, Book of the Month;“Timely, clever, evocative… Murray has said that this novel took him around sixteen years to complete and on the strength of this poignant offering one hopes we will not have to wait so long for his second.”“A classic bildungsroman… It is that rarity: a work of imagination which reads like experienced truth. It’s the kind of book you want to read again as soon as you finish it, because you know there is so much that will be revealed on that second reading: the kind of novel which can enrich your life.” -- Allan Massie * Scotsman, Best Scottish Books of 2018 *“Murray is an evocative painter of landscapes and a deeply sympathetic writer… This diligently researched book exists principally as a space for forgotten voices to sound, bearing witness not just to this tragedy, but to the terrible cost of World War I itself.” -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *“Beautifully and sensitively told, by one of the great lyrical writers of our time, D S Murray ... [A] brutal reminder of how resilient and tangled are the tentacles of tragedy.” -- Cathy MacDonald[A] tightly structured, time-hopping memoir-but-not-a-memoir… A story spanning 74 years whittled meticulously into shape… Murray pulls off the perfect combination of fact and fiction… [His] assured journey through the disruption, trauma, love and loss threaded unspoken through one Lewis family, with barely a word of the shipwreck, is on every page a novel of the Iolaire disaster. “ -- Catriona Black * Herald and National *“A very special book… a poignant tale of family, love and relationships lived out in the hardest of places… Donald S Murray is superb in bringing his characters to life and making the incidents they encounter feel utterly real.”“Gave me an insight into the Iolaire disaster which no history book could manage… a powerful book…which reveals new layers with every reading. It is history brought to life through fiction, and when it is done in a manner as moving and beautiful as this it is invaluable.” -- Alistair Braidwood * Scots Whay Hae *

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Book Synopsis‘Original, adept and confident... What can I say, except that I wish I had written it myself?’ -Hilary Mantel May 1907. Young Stalin – poet, bank-robber, spy – is in London for the 5th Congress of the Russian Communist Party. As he builds his powerbase in the party, Stalin manipulates alliances with Lenin, Trotsky, and Rosa Luxemburg under the eyes of the Czar’s secret police. Meanwhile he is drawn to the fiery Finnish activist Elli Vuokko and risks everything in a relationship as complicated as it is dangerous.Trade ReviewElectrically-imagined, immersive and compulsively readable, Sell Us the Rope hums with the visceral energy of revolutionary fervourOriginal, adept and confident... What can I say, except that I wish I had written it myself?A fascinating and immersive imagining of real events that both challenges and illuminates history.Boldly conceived, precisely imagined, beautifully written.Stephen May’s writing is convincing and engaging in this brilliant tale of revolutionary shenanigans in London.A seething, febrile world of plots, schisms and revolution. * Daily Mail *Brilliant... A completely immersive historical novel that crackles with energy and revolutionary fervour. * The Bookseller *Brilliant and original — part historical novel, part romantic comedy, and part bildungsroman about a tyrant-in-waiting.Beautifully written, compelling and insightful, brimming with captivating characters and twisty intrigues. This book really got under my skin.Historical facts furnish May with a cast of legends to bring to life, and he does it with verve and humour. * The Times *A captivating thought-experiment that marks a consolidation of May’s powers as a writer. * The Telegraph *Takes dark delight in the dangerous world of revolutionary double-dealing. * The Daily Mail *‘Reveals the texture of history as an all too human bricolage of private resentments, sexual slights and mixed motives.’ * The Observer *A deeply satisfying novel. Incisive, inventive, frequently very funny. * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!"A powerful portrait of the courageous women who fought against ignorance, misogyny, and racial prejudice." -William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land and Lightning StrikeThe new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek!Bestselling historical fiction author Kim Michele Richardson is back with the perfect book club read following Honey Lovett, the daughter of the beloved Troublesome book woman, who must fight for her own independence with the help of the women who guide her and the books that set her free.In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life harder. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her mother and father are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.Picking up her mother's old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. Honey is looking to prove that she doesn't need anyone telling her how to survive. But the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren't as keen to let a woman pave her own way.If Honey wants to bring the freedom books provide to the families who need it most, she's going to have to fight for her place, and along the way, learn that the extraordinary women who run the hills and hollers can make all the difference in the world.Trade Review"In Kim Michele Richardson's beautifully and authentically rendered The Book Woman's Daughter she once again paints a stunning portrait of the raw, somber beauty of Appalachia, the strong resolve of remarkable women living in a world dominated by men, and the power of books and sisterhood to prevail in the harshest circumstances. A critical and profoundly important read for our time. Badassery womanhood at its best!" - Sara Gruen, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants"Fierce, beautiful and inspirational, Kim Michele Richardson has created a powerful tale about brave extraordinary heroines who are downright haunting and unforgettable." - Karen Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy

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Book SynopsisA festive house party takes a sinister turn...Victor Narraway and his wife, Lady Vespasia, are invited to spend Christmas at Cavendish Hall with a gathering of old acquaintances, but it is not the quiet, rather stiff house party they had expected. While there, Victor must undertake his final mission for Special Branch, reminiscent of another one in the past, at which he had tragically failed.When disaster strikes and one of the guests is left for dead, Victor fears that history is repeating itself. But which of them is intent on murder? And can Victor accept that he is not to blame...?A Christmas Gathering is the gripping new festive mystery from the pen of Anne Perry, the master of Victorian crime.Trade ReviewPraise for Anne Perry's Christmas novellas: 'A bite-sized mystery that could be fitted in after your Christmas lunch - Daily TelegraphIf Christmas puts you in the mood for a good Agatha Christie, try Perry - Glasgow Evening TimesDelightful...The perfect gift for a whodunit addict - Oxford TimesWith its powerful message of responsibility and redemption - 'We need both to forgive and to be forgiven' - it conveys a moral force in keeping with the season - Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisLover or leader? Weakling or warrior? Madwoman or misfit?Escape into the untold story of Shakespeare''s Ophelia . . . As a young girl, Ofelia stood frozen as her mother threw herself on her father''s funeral pyre. Such is the fate, she learned, of the devoted wife and in that moment, she swore never to belong to any man. Years later, she is a force to be reckoned with: right hand woman to the newly crowned Prince Hamlet, to whom she has sworn her sword and her undying loyalty, but refuses his true desire . . . her hand in marriage.When Hamlet''s jealous uncle plots against him, Ofelia will have to use every wile at her disposal to keep her prince safe from those who wish him harm. Yet in the end, it could be her unruly heart that is the greatest betrayer of all.A brand new Historical fiction series by the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest series, her new tr

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Book SynopsisIsmay Deagan has one wish in the world - to leave Ireland and join her brother, Bram, in Australia. But her father has other ideas and orders her to marry their vicious neighbour Rory Flynn - a man she loathes. One day, Rory brutally attacks her and Ismay realises she has no choice but to run away.Disguising herself as an impoverished young widow, she sets sail for Australia, hoping to be reunited with her brother. When she meets Adam Treagar on the ship, she finally starts to believe her dreams of future happiness may come true. But before they even reach their destination they are flung into adventures in Suez, Ceylon and Singapore . . .Can Ismay tell Adam the truth about who she really is? What secrets is Adam himself hiding? And will Ismay's past catch up with her and threaten her new life in Australia, before it has even begun?**************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S SISTER'I was hooked on this story right from the first page to the very end' - 5 stars'The Trader series are some of the best books I have read in many a year' - 5 stars'Another enthralling book . . . Fantastic!' - 5 stars'Can't put these books down' - 5 stars'Excellent as always from Anna Jacobs' - 5 stars

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Book SynopsisOscar Wilde’s emotionally raw manuscript details the inner turmoil surrounding his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas following his controversial arrest and conviction for gross indecency It’s an honest and intimate look at the author in his most vulnerable state. Oscar Wilde spent two years in prison from 1895 to 1897. It was during this time that he wrote a 50,000-word letter to his former lover and friend, Lord Alfred Douglas. Published under the title, De Profundis it’s an exploration of Wilde and Douglas’ relationship which was fueled by passion and disfunction. The writer criticizes Douglas’ vanity and lack of integrity, while revealing his growth and spiritual development. De Profundis is arguably one of Oscar Wilde’s most candid works. It was greatly affected by his physical and mental isolation during confinement. Despite his conditions, Wilde managed to produce a raw and unfiltered piece about love, loss and spiritual renewal. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of De Profundis is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisMother and Child by Sunday Times bestseller Annie Murray is a moving story of loss, friendship and hope over two generations . . .Jo and Ian’s marriage is hanging by a thread. One night almost two years ago, their only child, Paul, died in an accident that should never have happened. They have recently moved to a new area of Birmingham, to be near Ian’s mother Dorrie who is increasingly frail. As Jo spends more time with her mother-in-law, she suspects Dorrie wants to unburden herself of a secret that has cast a long shadow over her family. Haunted by the death of her son, Jo catches a glimpse of a young boy in a magazine who resembles Paul. Reading the article, she learns of a tragedy in India . . . But it moves her so deeply, she is inspired to embark on a trip where she will learn about unimaginable pain and suffering.As Jo learns more, she is determined to do her own small bit to help. With the help of new friends, Jo learns that from loss and grief, there is hope and healing in her future.'Humane, heartbreaking yet hopeful. Annie Murray at her absolute best.' - Kate Thompson, author of Secrets of the Homefront Girls

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Book SynopsisIn the shadow of Sicily's Mount Etna, a brutal rebellion is about to erupt . . .The scorching new historical thriller from Sunday Times bestseller and Ancient Rome expert, Harry Sidebottom.'What Bernard Cornwell is to the Napoleonic Wars, Harry Sidebottom is to Roman legions: unassailable' - THE TIMES______________________AD265 - Sicily, Ancient Rome: In the shadow of Mount Etna, slaves are rising up. As the rebel leader declares Sicily the new land of the free, men and women are slaughtered, and cities across the island are sacked and burned.When a ship is wrecked off the island's west coast, all but two survivors are cut down in the surf by the rebel slaves. Ballista, an experienced Roman soldier, has always found a way to survive against the odds - but his son Marcus is still just a boy.With the burning road stretching out ahead of them, father and son must cross the war-ravaged island in a race against time to save the rest of his family, and somehow find a way to extinguish the brutal rebellion, before it all goes up in flames.THE BURNING ROAD is the scorching new thriller from one of the world's best historical novelists - for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden, Ben Kane and Bernard Cornwell.____________________________Praise for Harry Sidebottom's historical thrillers:'A storming triumph' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'An extraordinarily vivid take on the ancient world' - EVENING STANDARD'Absorbing, rich in detail and brilliant' - THE TIMES'Relentless, brutal, brilliant' - BEN KANETrade ReviewWhat Bernard Cornwell is to the Napoleonic Wars, Harry Sidebottom is to Roman legions: unassailable . . . Utterly convincing. * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisFrom the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Ashes of London comes the next book in the phenomenally successful series following James Marwood and Cat Lovett.Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold!A dangerous secret lies beneath Whitehall PalaceBrother against brother. Father against son. Friends turned into enemies. No one in England wants a return to the bloody days of the Civil War. But Oliver Cromwell's son, Richard, has abandoned his exile and slipped back into England. The consequences could be catastrophic.James Marwood, a traitor's son turned government agent, is tasked with uncovering Cromwell's motives. But his assignment is complicated by his friend the regicide's daughter, Cat Lovett who knew the Cromwells as a child, and who now seems to be hiding a secret of her own about the family.Both Marwood and Cat know they are putting themselves in great danger. And when they find themselves on a top secret mission in the Palace of Whitehall, they realize they are riskiTrade Review‘Confirms his status as one of our finest writers of historical thrillers’ The Sunday Times ‘There is colour, violence, devotion, courage and fun here. What more could anyone ask of a crime novel?’ Literary Review ‘Taylor is on reliably good form in this fourth instalment of a series that effortlessly blends history and mystery.’ The Times ‘A teeming London (in the process of reconstruction after the Great Fire), political chicanery, duels, brothels, court manoeuvrings — all are grist to Taylor’s imaginative mill’ The Financial Times ‘A brilliant historical novel about Cromwell… Riveting’ Evening Standard ‘Superb… Cat, especially, remains one of the most compelling, multifaceted characters in contemporary historical fiction’. Observer ‘Taylor’s fourth Marwood tale is gripping and rich in detail – 4.5 stars’ The Sun ‘Boasting political intrigue and evocative period atmosphere, The Last Protector is crime writing at its most elegant and assured’ Waterstones blog ‘It’s been a good year for historical crime fiction, with another strong outing for Andrew Taylor’s Restoration sleuths James Marwood and Cat Lovett in The Last Protector’ Books of the Year, Guardian 'Full of intrigue, unforgettable characters and a plot which keeps you engaged until the last page.' Waterstones Praise for Andrew Taylor: ‘One of the best historical crime writers today’ The Times ‘If you like C. J. Sansom, or Hilary Mantel, you’ll love Andrew Taylor’ Peter James ‘Effortlessly authentic…gripping…moving and believable. An excellent work’ C. J. Sansom ‘This is historical crime fiction at its dazzling best’ Guardian ‘One of the best historical novelists around’ Sunday Times 'Taylor has long been the pre-eminent chronicler of beautifully atmospheric historical crime' The Times

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Book Synopsis‘So vivid and true . . . Lampedusa is a beautiful novel, lyrical and wise. Reading it made me feel both melancholy and uplifted.’ David Gilmour, Financial Times ‘Brimming with wise and lyrical insights that make it a worthy heir to its mighty predecessor.’ New York Times In the Sicily of the 1950s, still haunted by memories of Fascism and the war, the last Prince of Lampedusa, Giuseppe Tomasi, struggles to complete his only novel, The Leopard. Tomasi is a veteran of the previous war, while his wife Alessandra is living in exile after her native Latvia is absorbed into the Soviet Union. The childless couple are survivors of a vanishing world of European aristocracy, living in the present, yet nostalgic for the decadent past. Diagnosed with advanced emphysema and with a profound awareness of his doomed lineage, the prince begins working on a novel. When The Leopard is posthumously published, it is to much acclaim; it will come to be considered the greatest Italian novel of the century. Achingly haunting, Lampedusa tells the story of a man’s awakening to the possibilities of life as he nears its end. ‘In subtle and intelligent prose, Price invites us into the mind of a man striving to make sense of memory and mortality.’ Sunday Times SHORTLISTED FOR THE GILLER PRIZETrade ReviewSo vivid and true . . . Lampedusa is a beautiful novel, lyrical and wise. Reading it made me feel both melancholy and uplifted. -- David Gilmour, author of The Last Leopard, A Life of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa * Financial Times *Lampedusa is one of the most powerful depictions of the creative act, and its roots in the wounds of the soul, that a reader is likely to encounter . . . Lampedusa is a marvel, a strange, wonderful, and utterly unforgettable book. * Toronto Star *More striking than the biographical accuracy or even the intricate scaffolding of the story is the texture of images by Price, also a poet. Their beauty casts the same spell as his sensualist subject and the unhurried pleasure of experiencing them. * The Globe and Mail *Price powerfully imagines Tomasi’s final days as the ailing author struggles to complete and publish his treasured manuscript . . . A masterful storyteller, Price conjures Tomasi with language and images that evocatively fix him and his distant world indelibly in our minds. -- Jury Citation, Scotiabank Giller PrizeIn subtle and intelligent prose, Price invites us into the mind of a man striving to make sense of memory and mortality. * Sunday Times *Price’s dignified prose is reminiscent of the venerable classic. Lampedusa is a captivating look at life and legacy. * Irish Times *The prose is superbly controlled, richly textured, brimming with wise and lyrical insights that make it a worthy heir to its mighty predecessor. * New York Times *[Price traces] his protagonist’s path toward death and self-knowledge in an unsparing yet tender portrait that makes Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa as compelling as his great novel. * Washington Post *An ode to writing itself . . . The author’s poetic prose is infused with empathic warmth for the emotional travails of writing . . . An obviously, if quietly, ambitious novel. * Los Angeles Review of Books *

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Book Synopsis''Jodi Taylor is quite simply the Queen of Time. Her books are a swashbuckling joyride through History'' C. K. MCDONNELL''A great mix of British properness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun'' *****BOOK 12 IN THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING CHRONICLES OF ST MARY''S SERIESFor fans of Jasper Fforde, Doctor Who, Genevieve Cogman and Richard Osman''s Thursday Murder Club---''It''s time, Max.'' And so, a whole new chapter opens up...It''s long been known that if a thing can go wrong, it will. With knobs on, usually. Disasters start to pile up. A new colleague with no respect for the past and a great deal to prove. Historians lost in time. And - worst of all - Rosie Lee on her very first jump. Then there''s the small matter of Max''s dishonourable discharge.From Tudor England to the Tower of Babel - it''s all going horribly wrong.Jobless and homeless, Max receives

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Book SynopsisYou are cordially invited to the wedding of the year! London, 1938.As the festive season approaches at the luxurious Buckingham Hotel, romance is in the air. The hotel staffare preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime event - the marriage of chambermaid Nancy Nettleton to debonair demonstration dancer Raymond de Guise.As wreaths are hung and carols are sung, life at the hotel is busier than ever. Guests arrive from around the world, seeking comfort, relaxation and refuge as tensions build across Europe and whispered rumours of war grow louder.Behind the scenes, the staff work tirelessly, ensuring the smooth operation of the hotel, not only keeping theconfidences of their guests, but also protecting their own secrets . . .As Raymond takes Nancy in his arms for their first dance, one thing is certain - this will be a Christmas to remember.Be swept away by the new breath-taking romantic novel from Sunday Times bestselling author and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 EDWARD STANFORD ''FICTION WITH A SENSE OF PLACE'' AWARDPlaces remember us... ''An important, ambitious, and accomplished novel. Sudbanthad deftly sweeps us up in a tale that paints a twin portrait: of a megacity like those so many of us call home and of a world where sanctuary is increasingly hard to come by'' Mohsin HamidA missionary begs to be sent home. A jazz pianist is hired to perform for ghosts. An army colonel smells the food of home for the last time. A girl designs herself a new face. An old woman uploads her consciousness. Bangkok Wakes to Rain is an intricately plotted novel where characters and stories are linked by place, not time. As the novel builds to a futuristic crescendo, moments of intimacy serve to remind us that no matter what the ebb of time may change, we humans persevere.Praise for Bangkok WakTrade ReviewAn important, ambitious, and accomplished novel -- Mohsin HamidBeautifully textured and rich with a sense of place -- Karen Walker ThompsonBeautifully textured and rich with a sense of place, this is a big, ambitious book. I love the way Sudbanthad so compellingly captures not only the long arcs of these lives-but also the smallest moments, and how those moments linger in memory, how they haunt. -- Karen Thompson Walker, author of The Age of MiraclesThere's a simple, ingenious conceit to this book - the stories a house can contain, from Bangkok's colonial past to its antediluvian future. This is a bold and tender novel about the unforgivable and the unforgiven, and how to live past what you thought you could survive. Sudbanthad arrives to us already a masterful innovator of the form-a startlingly original debut. -- Alexander Chee, author of The Queen of the NightPitchaya Sudbanthad's beautiful, ambitious first novel Bangkok Wakes To Rain moves with an elegant restlessness that seems to match the city's own. Reading this book feels like waking to a singular and important new voice -- Rajesh Parameswaran, author of I Am An Executioner

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Book SynopsisA moving and dramatic World War II land girl saga by the author of Lily's War and Bobby's War, winner of the RNA romantic saga award. For readers of Nancy Revell and Annie Groves. It's 1942 and at nineteen years old Hannah Compton has the world at her feet. But with World War II raging, the country is in turmoil, and Hannah decides to do her bit for the War effort. Hannah's beloved grandfather taught her to grow vegetables in his market garden and inspires her to become one of over 200,000 women joining the Land Army. Posted to Salhouse Farm on the outskirts of Norwich, Hannah is excited for the adventure ahead of her. But soon reality hits. Hannah is a city girl at heart and life in the countryside is not what she imagined. It's cold, she hates the hard work, she misses her friends back in Manchester, and she has to share a double bed with a stranger. As Hannah gets used to the punishing farm work and makes some friends, she starts to settle in. But she simply can't get used to living side by side with the German prisoners of war. Then a young German doctor steps in to save Hannah's life and everything she thought she knew is brought into question. In a country at war, will Hannah be prepared to risk everything for the enemy? 'Another exciting, emotion-filled celebration of the role of women on the home front' Lancashire Evening Post- - - - - - Praise for Shirley Mann:'What a brilliant read . . . Bobby is a wonderful heroine.' Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Café at War on Bobby's War'Plucky and resourceful, Bobby is exactly the sort of person you'd want at your side in real life.' Kitty Danton, author of A Wartime Christmas on Bobby's War'[The story] read so true to me and I really didn't want to put it down. . .' Vera Morgan, wartime WAAF on Lily's War'An impeccably researched and uplifting story of love, loss and courage.' Clare Harvey, author of The Gunner Girl on Lily's WarTrade ReviewWhat a brilliant read! Shirley Mann has given such a well-researched and comprehensive picture of the lives of the courageous women of the ATA, and Bobby is a wonderful heroine. Brave, clever and opinionated, I absolutely loved spending time with her. * Ginny Bell, author of The Dover Cafe at War on Bobby's War *Shirley Mann has given us in Bobby Hollis an inspiration. Plucky and resourceful as she delivers her WW2 aircraft, Bobby is exactly the sort of person you'd want at your side in real life today. This is a perfect read when all you want to do is curl up to enjoy a lovely novel. Brava! * Kitty Danton, author of The Evacuee Christmas on Bobby's War *Rich in period detail, nostalgia, intrigue, romance and the realities of life in a perilous and unpredictable corner of the home front, Bobby's War is a saga full of history, heart and our proud national heritage. * Lancashire Evening Post on Bobby's War *Another exciting, emotion-filled celebration of the role of women on the home front * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisPagans tackle the Knights of St John with terrible consequences in the new medieval thriller by Queen of the Dark Ages, Karen Maitland. Set on the wilds of Dartmoor, this is a ghostly tale for fans of The Essex Serpent, C. J. Sansom''s Shardlake series and The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse. ''A dark read... fear and hysteria are portrayed with claustrophobic skill'' The Times on THE PLAGUE CHARMER1316. On the wilds of Dartmoor stands the isolated Priory of St Mary, home to the Sisters of the Knights of St John. People journey from afar in search of healing at the holy well that lies beneath its chapel.But the locals believe Dartmoor was theirs long before Christianity came to the land. And not all who visit seek miracles. When three strangers reach the moor, fear begins to stir as the well''s waters run with blood.What witchcraft have the young woman, the Knight of St John and the blind child brought with theTrade ReviewA brilliant writer, with a real sense of history -- Susanna GregoryRecommended both as a historical novel that shines a light on the harsh conditions endured by ordinary people in the 14th century, and also as a very well-crafted piece of folk horror * Irregular Fiction *Maitland excels at creating twists and turns, presenting conflicting viewpoints and unexpected outcomes * Bookbag *[Maitland's] trademark blend of history, fiction and supernatural is at its electrifying best * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisBestselling historical fiction author Molly Green is back with her most engrossing, heartfelt World War Two saga yet! Preorder The Wartime Librarian''s Secret now!Will helping the war effort help mend her broken heart?September, 1939.London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn't say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.Heartbroken, Dulcie is posted to Bletchley Park, where she must concentrate instead on cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first codeBut when a spiteful act of jealousy leads to Dulcie's brutal dismissal, her life is left in pieces once more. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep the job she loves? And will her heart ever truly heal if she doesn't hear from Glenn again?The first in an inspiring wartime series set at Bletchley Park from saga queen Molly Green, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.Praise for Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park:One hell of a journeya great curl up and read book' Reader Review ?????One of those can''t-put-down books' Reader Review ?????A journey for the readertantalizinginterestingtry this one!' Reader Review ?????A cracking good read!' Reader Review ?????Moments of being held spellboundKept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn''t put it down' Reader Review ?????My first book by this author and it won't be my last' Reader Review ?????Trade Review PRAISE FOR MOLLY GREEN: ‘Molly Green creates realistic characters and situations that keep you turning the pages’ Katie Fforde 'A moving, gripping story set during WW2, of a woman's dedication to the orphans in her care and her heart wrenching love’ Kitty Neale ‘Redolent of wartime Britain and brimming with heartfelt stories from several characters, Molly Green's sure-footed novel shows just how challenging it was to find love and a place to call home in the dark days of the war’ Terri Fleming ‘A lovely, heartfelt, warming slice of saga fiction … There is a gentleness to the writing as it walks some difficult paths, ensuring AN ORPHAN’S WAR is an engaging, generous read’ Liz Robinson, LoveReading ‘A gripping read’ My Weekly ‘Meticulously researched and brings into focus the sterling work of the women of the ATA … An engrossing story, with a strong, likeable female protagonist facing issues we still face today’ Historical Novel Society Magazine ‘Memorable characters, a well written, plausible plot and very good descriptions of the time and place. The scenes and details of Dr Barnardo’s are especially interesting as the plight of orphans is rarely considered when we think of World War Two … We often forget the ordinary people surviving day-to-day ‘back home’’ Discovering Diamonds Blog

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Book SynopsisThe enthralling Sunday Times bestselling gothic novel from the author of LABYRINTH and THE BURNING CHAMBERSThe clock strikes twelve. Beneath the wind and the remorseless tolling of the bell, no one can hear the scream . . .1912. A Sussex churchyard. Villagers gather on the night when the ghosts of those who will not survive the coming year are thought to walk. And in the shadows, a woman lies murdered. As the flood waters rise, Connie Gifford is marooned in a decaying house with her increasingly tormented father. He drinks to escape the past, but an accident has robbed her of her most significant childhood memories. Until the disturbance at the church awakens fragments of those vanished years . . .Trade ReviewGlossy as a crow's wing. Sure as a surgeon's scalpel. I bloody loved it. * JOANNE HARRIS - Author of CHOCOLAT *THE TAXIDERMIST'S DAUGHTER is amazing - atmospheric, gripping . . . I can't put it down * MARIAN KEYES - Author of THIS CHARMING MAN *I loved the atmosphere: the time, the place, the weather, the cold. An unholy collision of Daphne du Maurier and Agatha Christie * ANTHONY HOROWITZ - Creator and Writer of FOYLE'S WAR *[A] classic tale of marshland murder and madness ... The strength of this book likes as much in the startling imagery and atmospheric description as it does in the story ... A deliciously dark novel that races towards its grotesque conclusion * DAILY EXPRESS *It is a cleverly constructed thriller, keeping its secrets for a good two thirds of the book. Mosse excels at building up clammy, dank suspense while keeping her readers in the dark ... A seriously satisfying read * METRO *A new novel from Kate Mosse is always a treat. Set in a Sussex village where a grisly murder has taken place, The Taxidermist's Daughter is part ghost story, part psychological thriller and will send shivers down your spine. * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *This latest tale from the bestselling author of Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel (a mere 5 million in sales) is set in Sussex in 1912 and filled with grizzly murders, stuffed birds and suspicious villagers. It's a compulsive read reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier. * STYLIST *A beautifully told story of revenge, justice and secrets. If you haven't read any Kate Mosse then this is a gem to start with ... Cast with a Victorian darkness, filled with taxidermy, cemeteries and shifty types it is everything you could possibly want from this genre * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *This is magnificent. A gothic tale of murder, superstition and mystery that will really keep you glued to your seat ... The build is superbly done. The author is excellent on drawing out the tension, a real page-turner and a thrilling read * LOVEREADING *Nestled in among the feathers and flesh is a dark and mysterious tale, but one that is also touching and passionate. Mosse strikes a fine balance between character and concept, creating a thriller so unique that her talent is indisputable * THE LIST *A spine-tingling tale * SUN ON SUNDAY FABULOUS MAGAZINE *Mosse's rich prose will drag the reader from any sunny poolside to water logged West Sussex and - tellingly - they won't even mind * EASYJET TRAVELLER MAGAZINE *This haunting and atmospheric Gothic novel sweeps you along to its dramatic conclusion * HEAT MAGAZINE *Mosse is an engaging storyteller, deftly dealing with the intricacies of her involving, gruesome plot * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Fans of Mosse will love this haunting tale of murder and suspicion * ELLE *[A] creepy chiller of a novel * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Mosse grew up on the edge of Fishbourne's muddy estuary, and she writes beautifully about its flora and fauna and flowing tides. Against this lyrical background her complex plot moves at rocket speed. Unputdownable, romantic, this is sure to be a bestseller. * THE TIMES *This novel drips with Edgar Allen Poe-style gothic touches * METRO *A cleverly constructed thriller . . . Mosse excels at building up clammy, dank suspense while keeping her readers in the dark. A seriously satisfying read * METRO *Mosse throws one bravura scene after another. This is a book full of heart and superb twists, with an unforgettable heroine and a mystery that will have you thinking long after you've turned the last page * THE INDEPENDENT *MILL ON THE FLOSS meets PSYCHO * OBSERVER SERIES (CHICHESTER) *Laden with life, death and destruction, this novel oozes with a character that shows Mosse's passion for the place where she grew up * THE LIST *Cassie is a character you warm to very quickly and others are so brimming with personality they leap off the page * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Kate Moss may have been hitting the front pages as one of the stars of London Fashion Week, but it's the author Kate Mosse who's making headlines in the books world this week -- Stacey Bartlett * THE SUN - FABULOUS MAGAZINE *[Mosse] excels at horror, using language and imagery to create a truly original page-turner and is at her best when creating character * THE LIST *A superb, atmospheric thriller, its Gothic overtones commanding attention from the very first page, and the feathery motifs of the birds - crows, jackdaws, magpies - who fly through its pages growing more menacing with every turn * DAILY MAIL *The Taxidermist's Daughter is a jeu d'esprit in which ghosts and ghoulish patriarchal secrets, estranged female psyches and tumultuous bird-life coexist in a compulsively readable yarn with elements of folklore and beast fable ... Mosse's prose is often exceptionally lyrical in its description of the natural world * THE GUARDIAN *Difficult to put down . . . thrilling, mysterious * THE BOOK CLUB BLOG *From the first page, The Taxidermist's Daughter will have you looking over your shoulder, as Mosse draws you into her gothic, chilling world -- Stacey Bartlett * THE SUN - FABULOUS MAGAZINE *Fans of Mosse will not be disappointed - her ability to draw you in and keep you hooked until the very end makes this novel an addictive read, and the themes of strong women living in a man's world as well as pre-forensics murder investigations are fascinating. Read, but be warned - you may be seriously spooked... -- Stacey Bartlett * THE SUN - FABULOUS MAGAZINE *This spooky and enthralling gothic thriller focuses on a village murder mystery. When 17 year old Constantia, who lives in her fathers decaying house (once a world famous taxidermy museum), turns detective, she soon realises she's the one under suspicion. * GLAMOUR *this cleverly constructed and wonderfully atmospheric mystery won't disappoint * WOMAN *Kate Mosse's deliciously hokey new spinetingler ... anybody seeking a good, gothic spooker to snuggle into as the nights draw in need look no further ... The Taxidermist's Daughter is her best yet * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Murder, haunting, superstition and fear stalk the pages of this superior gothic thriller set in the Sussex salt marshes. An unputdownable read. * WOMAN & HOME *This eerie thriller centres around Connie, who lives in a house containing all that's left of the once world-famous museum of taxidermy. * MARIE CLAIRE *a serpentine yarn about blackmail, murder and dark secrets, told with brio * MAIL ON SUNDAY EVENT MAGAZINE *bridged the literary-commercial divide * THE OBSERVER *a heady sense of atmosphere throughout * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Mosse weaves some difficult themes into the narrative, such as the effects of sexual violence, murder and grief, and her descriptions of the marshlands of Fishbourne - where she herself grew up - are outstanding. Her writing in these passages comes alive and, in turn, breathes life into the setting. The dangers of the marshland - the wind has "teeth", and the water "pulses" - cleverly echo and magnify the suspenseful and precarious nature of its inhabitants' lives. * THE OBSERVER *

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Book SynopsisI was completely captivated' Barbara ErskineThe spellbinding new historical novel from the Sunday Times bestseller Anne O'Brien.England, 1444. Three women challenge the course of historyKing Henry VI's grip on the crown hangs by a thread as the Wars of the Roses starts to tear England apart. And from the ashes of war, the House of Paston begins its rise to power.Led by three visionary women, the Pastons are a family from humble peasant beginnings who rely upon cunning, raw ambition, and good fortune in order to survive.Their ability to plot and scheme sees them overcome imprisonment, violence and betrayal, to eventually secure for their family a castle and a place at the heart of the Yorkist Court. But success breeds jealousy and brings them dangerous enemiesAn inspirational story of courage and resilience,The Royal Game,charts the rise of three remarkable women from obscurity to the very heart of Court politics and intrigue.A wonderfully immersive and intriguing read, meticulously researched. I was completely captivated' Barbara ErskineTrade Review‘A gorgeously insightful, inspiring and courageous read’ Frost Magazine ‘An engrossing story of one family’s attempts to gain land and power in fifteenth century England … an eye-opening insight into how wealth was gained and lost in late medieval England as well as a pleasure to read’ Mick Finlay ‘Fast paced, immersive historical fiction that breathes life into the figures that populated our Medieval past – I thoroughly enjoyed it!’ Anita Frank ‘A gripping historical novel that captures the turbulent rise of one of the most influential families of the Middle Ages in rich and exciting detail’ Nicola Cornick ‘A wonderfully immersive and intriguing read, meticulously researched. I was completely captivated’ Barbara Erskine Praise for Anne O’Brien: ‘A compelling story of divided loyalties and family betrayals. Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman & Home ‘There are historical novels and then there are the works of Anne O’Brien – and this is another hit’ Sun ‘O'Brien manages to reinvent historical fiction’ My Weekly ‘Dramatic and highly evocative’ Woman’s Weekly ‘One of the best writers around … she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ Sun ‘O’Brien is a terrific story teller’ Daily Telegraph ‘O’Brien cleverly intertwines the personal and political in this enjoyable, gripping tale’ The Times ‘This thrilling historical novel has it all – high politics, drama, emotion, excellent writing … It's a rollercoaster of a read’ Carol McGrath ‘A deftly woven journey. Impeccable research shines through’ Matt Lewis ‘A gripping story of love, heartache and political intrigue’ Woman & Home ‘The characters are larger than life … and the author a compulsive storyteller’ Sunday Express ‘This book has everything – royalty, scandal, fascinating historical politics’ Cosmopolitan

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Book SynopsisReissue of Elizabeth Chadwick's classic tale of love and battle in medieval EnglandTrade ReviewElizabeth Chadwick is a disciplined and hugely talented storyteller...highly recommended. - HISTORICAL NOVEL REVIEWElizabeth Chadwick knows exactly how to write convincing and compelling historical fiction - Marina OliverThe author blends authentic period detail with a modern convnention for emotional drama. - MAIL ON SUNDAYAn author who makes history come gloriously alive. - THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisPages of a weathered original sonata manuscript - the gift of a Czech immigrant living in Queens - come into the hands of Meta Taverner, a young musicologist whose concert piano career was cut short by an injury. The gift comes with the request that Meta find the manuscript's true owner - a Prague friend the old woman has not heard from since the Second World War forced them apart - and to make the three-part sonata whole again. Leaving New York behind for the land of Dvorák and Kafka, Meta sets out on an unforgettable search to locate the remaining movements of the sonata and uncover a story that has influenced the course of many lives, even as it becomes clear that she isn't the only one seeking the music's secrets.Trade ReviewTwining music history with the political tumults of the 20th century, The Prague Sonata is a sophisticated, engrossing intellectual mystery... [Morrow's] captivating, hopeful book presents a vision of the broken past, restored. * Wall Street Journal *Bradford Morrow is an astonishing writer. -- Joyce Carol OatesA treasure of a novel, a deliciously enveloping musical mystery which I read with marvel and gusto. -- Diane AckermanBradford Morrow is remarkable. The Real Thing, which is rare on this earthly plane. -- Michael CunninghamThis rich, masterful novel brilliantly explores the complex tumble of history, the human capacity for good and for evil, the fragile but redeeming glory of art. Morrow has long been one of America's finest novelists. And this humanely epic tale is his finest book. -- Robert Olen ButlerBradford Morrow has written his masterpiece. The Prague Sonata is a rich, joyous, complex journey into the city of Prague, the claims made upon us by music, and several dark, dark corners of human experience. -- Peter StraubAn elegant foray into music and memory. * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisDrawing on her own experience, Anne Brontë exposes the isolated world of a nineteenth-century governess in her debut novel, Agnes Grey. Complete & Unabridged. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is introduced by historian and biographer, Juliet Barker.Agnes Grey is the youngest daughter of a clergyman. When the family falls on hard times, she insists on finding work as a governess in order to help her family and prove to them that she’s no longer a child. But her idealistic spirit is tested in her first position with the Bloomfield family and their unruly and spoilt children. Next she works for the even wealthier Murray family, whose scheming daughter Rosalie threatens to jeopardize the only bright spot in Agnes’s life: the young curate Edward Weston.Trade ReviewThe most perfect prose narrative in English letters -- George MooreAnne provided her heroine with a hero who was actually nice to women. This still feels revolutionary * Guardian *A compelling Victorian take on the iniquities of the wealth gap * Telegraph *For too long [Anne] has been undervalued as the third-best Brontë. But her fiction, exploring the lamentably still-current themes of addiction and domestic violence and the abuse of vulnerable women working away from home, has a vigour and bracing satirical intelligence which places her in the first rank of what is arguably the greatest ever generation of novelists in English -- Lucy Hughes-Hallett

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Book SynopsisIn Annie Murray’s bestselling Chocolate Girls, three very different women work together at Cadbury’s Bournville factory, where their lives become entwined by war and work – and a child called David.Edie marries young to escape her unhappy family home. Widowed at nineteen, and having lost her child from the marriage, she faces the war grieving and lonely. Then one night during the Blitz, an infant mysteriously abandoned during the bombing is handed into her care . . .Ruby, meanwhile, doesn’t want to be left behind in the wedding stakes, and settles for marriage with Frank.Finally there’s Janet, kind-hearted and susceptible to male charm, who is hurt desperately by an affair with a married man.David, the child who steals Edie’s heart as she brings him up through a time none of them will ever forget, is the love of all their lives. And when David is old enough to wonder who he really is, he leads Edie through struggle and heartache to a life and love she would never have dreamed of . . .Chocolate Girls is followed by the captivating sequel, The Bells of Bournville Green.

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Book SynopsisPrinces Kai, Bruno, Leonhard, and Licht have been making great strides thanks to an excellent education from Heine, the royal tutor. Even so, with the return of Prince Eins, the eldest of the brothers and heir apparent to the crown, the wall they must climb in the struggle to become the most qualified candidate for the throne looks more colossal than ever. Can the four younger princes stand up to their biggest rival?

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Book Synopsis*Now available as a full-length novel! Originally published in five ebook parts*The epic story of Caratacus: a barbarian king who led the tribes of Britannia against mighty Rome . . . AD 18, Britannia.The Roman Empire rules much of the known world. Beyond the northern frontier lies Britannia, where ceaseless feuding amongst the Celts leaves the island vulnerable to Rome''s ambitions.Caratacus, son of a powerful king, has no premonition of destiny when he is dispatched to train with the Druids. A brutal regime transforms the young prince into a warrior with unparalleled military skills - and the strategic cunning essential to outwit a stronger enemy.Nothing can prepare a man for the vicious reality of war. When Caratacus''s father takes a stand against aggressive neighbouring tribes, the combat exercises are over; this is a fight to the death. Only the most ruthless of tactics offer any hope of victory. But Caratacus, and the loya

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Book SynopsisSome stories are universal. They play out across human history. And time is the river which will flow through them.It starts with a family, a family which will mutate. For now, it is a father, mother and two sons. One with his father’s violence in his blood. One who lives his mother’s artistry. One leaves. One stays. They will be joined by others whose deeds will change their fate. It is a beginning.Their stories will intertwine and evolve over the course of two thousand years – they will meet again and again at different times and in different places. From distant Palestine at the dawn of the first millennium to a life amongst the stars in the third. While the world will change around them, their destinies will remain the same. It must play out as foretold. It is written.A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom is the extraordinary new novel from acclaimed writer John Boyne. Ambitious, far-reaching and mythic, it introduces a group of characters whose lives we will come to know and will follow through time and space until they reach their natural conclusion.Trade ReviewAn ambitious, epic sweep of a book...John Boyne brilliantly and economically creates a sense of history and place... an enthralling read * S: The Sunday Express Magazine *This novel combines the pleasures of good old-fashioned storytelling with the excitement of finding a writer who makes you look at the world anew * Daily Express *Throbs with enduring love, warmth and passion. * The Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisFlorence, 1466. A lust for life, a passion for power and a taste for adventure...Trade ReviewThis intense, sprawling and addictive page-turner filled with often sensuous prose engages all the senses and is a triumph of energy and colour which brings medieval Italy to life. If you like an intelligent, engaging and exquisitely written story as a change from the drab brutality of modern crime, settle down with a good bottle of wine and enter Nino's world. * CRIME REVIEW UK *A celebration of the senses: what Patrick Suskind's Perfume did for scents, this does for flavours. A love story which will also appeal to fans of Joanne Harris' CHOCOLAT . . . The ultimate foodie version of Perfume, this is an addictive page-turner filled with lavish literary gastro-porn. -- Viv Groskop * RED *Kazan's rich, sensuous prose is always a pleasure. * SUNDAY TIMES *APPETITE by Philip Kazan has had me salivating. Yes Kazan writes good food . . . [Florence] is wonderfully evoked . . . Delicious stuff. * BIG ISSUE *Ambitious and engrossing . . . a novel of exceptional energy and colour * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *Kazan brings medieval Italy to life with an astonishing degree of historical detail. Appetite has the vivid colours of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl Earring and the sharp odours of Patrick Süskind's Perfume . . . Readers will certainly come away with an appetite for more. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Intense, sprawling and most convincing * SYDNEY MORNING HERALD *A delicious and mouth-watering read, this is a novel which engages all the senses. * NEW BOOKS MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisA brilliant wartime drama following three young women who sign up for the ATS during The Blitz

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewQueen of raw family romances * Telegraph *Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory * Helen Dunmore, The Times *Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''A rich jewel of a story, full of desire and danger'' - Julie Cohen. A dark tale of love and obsession, perfect for fans of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock and The Wicked Cometh. London, 1853. Annie Stride has nothing left to live for - she is a penniless prostitute, newly evicted from her home and pregnant. On the night she plans to cast herself from Waterloo Bridge into the icy waters of the Thames, her life is saved by Francis Maybrick Gill, a talented pre-Raphaelite painter - and her world is changed forever.Francis takes Annie as his artist''s muse, elevating her from fallen woman to society''s darling. With her otherworldly beauty now the toast of London, her dark past is left far behind. But Annie''s lavish new life is not all it seems - and there are some who won''t let her forget where she came from...''A thrilling tale of love, lust and revenge'' The Lady''A captivating gothic blend of mysteTrade ReviewA captivating Gothic blend of mystery and romance * Sunday Mirror *A thrilling tale of love, lust, and revenge * The Lady *Marina Fiorato's latest novel will delight her ever increasing number of fans -- Dilly Court, bestselling author'A rich jewel of a story, full of colour, desire and danger. I was transfixed.' -- Julie Cohen, author of Dear ThingA beautifully-crafted novel..., by turns opulent and visceral. The encroaching sense of menace was perfectly paced, as was the slow reveal of the shocking truth underpinning the story. I adored it. -- Clare Harvey, author of The Gunner Girl'An exquisite read...will keep you engaged from the first page to the last. This is historical fiction at its best.' -- Book Literarti ReviewsJack the Ripper meets Pygmalion... very creepy * Best *Captured in every character and locale is Fiorato's artistic flourish: a true chiaroscurist, she renders her models not only with radiant colour but rich meaning -- To the End of Her DaysA great summer read, I would highly recommend it if you enjoy tense, romantic thrillers, and have an interest in the Victorian art world. * Sixty Surfers *

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Book SynopsisTo solve this case, only an outsider will do… Ingo Finch faces his biggest challenge yet.New York, 1904 – over a thousand are dead after the sinking of the General Slocum, a pleasure steamer full of German immigrants out for a day on the East River. The community is devastated, broken, in uproar.With a populist senator preying on their grievances, a new political force is unleashed, pushing America to ally with Germany in any coming war.Nine months later, Ingo Finch arrives in Manhattan, now an official British agent. Tasked with exposing this new movement, he is caught in a deadly game between Whitehall, Washington, Berlin… and the Mob.Not everything in the Big Apple is as it seems. For Finch, completing the mission is one thing; surviving it quite another…An unputdownable story of anarchists, Feds, gangs and Gilded Age mystery, the third thrilling instalment of the Ingo Finch crime series is perfect for fans of Abir Mukherjee, Philip Kerr and C J Sansom.Praise for Hell Gate 'Riveting and beautifully written' Alex Gerlis, author of the Richard Prince Thrillers'A well-written and compelling thriller ... The pace never lets up. A very strong spy story' Sarah Ward, author of the DC Childs Mysteries'A fantastic writer' Making the Cut podcast

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Book SynopsisThe final installment in Mary Stewart's classic Arthurian Saga, a story of love, betrayal and enchantment by the bestselling author of The Crystal Cave.Trade ReviewMary Stewart's skilful reinterpretation of the Arthurian legend is charming and surprising - a seamless bit of work. * Mail on Sunday *Praise for THE CRYSTAL CAVE:'Vivid, enthralling, absolutely first-class' * Daily Mail *Mary Stewart brilliantly recreates the Britain of the fifth century * Books And Bookmen *Her style is simple yet vivid, displaying a love of words and the sounds they make, and her story is poetically imaginative * Daily Telegraph *A deft colourful . . . re-creation of Merlin's early life * Sunday Times *A fascinating story which lays a firm hold on the imagination * The Scotsman *'Mary Stewart lightens the Dark Ages with legend, pure invention and a lively sense of history. * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisOne dismal day in 1857, Maria Mundy arrives at Hatter''s Hall, the local mental asylum, not as an inmate but as a worker. Here, she is ordered to care for Isabelle Montgomery, the daughter of an influential land-owner. But Isabelle is not insane. She, like many other young women confined within the walls, has been banished here by her family. Hatter''s Hall serves to hide unmarried women, in the family way, from prying eyes As the women's lives become entwined, they realise the dangers they face. But there is only one way out of Hatter''s Hall. The women must escape and there is one man who can help, Isabelle's brother Joshua who can barely keep his eyes off Maria. Otherwise, there's every chance they might never leaveTrade ReviewGoodwin is a master of her craft: she excels in writing about the complexity of relationships, the hardships of life, the ties of family and the joys of love and friendship * Lancashire Evening Post *Rosie is a talented storyteller * Dee Williams *

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Book Synopsis'You lay hands on a princess of the realm? It is treason.''But this princess disobeys her King. Treason indeed.' 'Fascinating . . . Brings to life one of the most determined and remarkable queens of the medieval world' K. J. MAITLAND, author of The Drowned City 'Completely engrossed me from the start . . . A wonderful read' NICOLA CORNICK, author of The Forgotten Sister1266. Eleanor of Castile, adored wife of the Crown Prince of England, is still only a princess when she is held hostage in the brutal Baron's Rebellion, and her baby daughter dies. Scarred by privation, a bitter Eleanor swears revenge on those who would harm her family - and vows never to let herself be vulnerable again. As she rises to become Queen, Eleanor keeps Olwen - a trusted herbalist, who tried to save her daughter - by her side. But it is dangerous to be friendless in a royal household, and as the court sets out on crusade, Olwen and Eleanor discover that the true battle for Europe may not be a matter of swords and lances, but one fanned by whispers and spies . . .'Vibrant, enticing and with fascinating detail. . . . It held me gripped from beginning to end' ALEXANDRA WALSH, author of The Marquess House Trilogy'Excels at sweeping the reader away on an engrossing journey . . . Great storytelling and superb research' JANE JOHNSON, author of Court of Lions'Shines a true light on the gripping tale of Eleanor of Castile, the love of Edward I's life' SARA COCKERILL, author of Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires'Pulls from the pages of history Eleanor of Castile: queen, business woman and true partner to one of England's most forceful kings' CRYSSA BAZOS, author of Severed KnotTrade Review'A rich tapestry of a book, transporting readers to the thirteenth century and dropping them deep into the fascinating life of Eleanor of Castile. Brilliantly researched and cleverly brought to life with fascinating characters and fantastic period detail . . . Wonderful.' * Joanna Courtney *'Vibrant, enticing and with fascinating detail, the descriptions of the gardens were so vivid, you felt you could smell the damask roses' * Alexandra Walsh *Completely engrossed me from the start. I loved Olwen's story as well as Eleanor's, and the glorious descriptions of the herbs and flowers as a contrast to the high politics of the era. It felt incredibly rich and vividly told. * Nicola Cornick *Beautifully narrated. . . Carol McGrath expertly brings to life one of the most determined and remarkable queens of the medieval world . . . The reader can easily understand how this enchanting rose was adored by some and regarded as a vicious thorn by her enemies * K. J. Maitland *'Shines a true light on the gripping tale of the life of Eleanor of Castile, the love of Edward I's life' * Sara Cockerill *'Excels at sweeping the reader away on an engrossing journey through history . . . The perfect balance between great storytelling and superb research, and she brings her characters vividly to life' * Jane Johnson *'Pulls from the pages of history Eleanor of Castile: queen, business woman and true partner to one of England's most forceful kings. Exquisitely researched . . . Breathes life into a complex, dynamic woman' * Cryssa Bazos *

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Book SynopsisTangled Threads is a gripping romantic saga from Margaret Dickinson.For Eveleen Hardcastle life gets no better than growing up on Pear Tree Farm in the Lincolnshire countryside. Her family works hard for the Dunsmore estate and Eveleen finds it impossible to resist the charms of their employer's son, Stephen Dunsmore. But Jimmy, ever quick to antagonize, ensures that his sister's clandestine trysts do not remain so for long.Mary Hardcastle reacts to the news of her daughter's affair with a shocking ferocity, which seems to be born more of bitterness than maternal protectiveness. But what is it that fuels Mary's resentment towards her daughter? Unable to ignore her own feelings, Eveleen continues to meet Stephen in secret. But deception has a cruel price to pay when her beloved father is found dead from a heart attack. And worse yet, Stephen, far from providing Eveleen with the comfort she craves, deserts her in her hour of need and calloTrade ReviewLincolnshire's answer to Catherine Cookson * Grimsby Telegraph *Her novels bring to life her love of the Lincolnshire landscape * Lincolnshire Echo *Full of inspirational characters and a storyline that will have you hooked . . . Yet another triumph * Lincolnshire Focus *Heartwarming and gritty, the story is compulsive reading * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN 'It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme' - Daisy Goodwin Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina 1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run. Cheating death at every turn, she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp, she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed, Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire. With nothing but wits, courage and formidable ambition, Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.Trade ReviewAlpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career * Sunday Times *With its sprawling canvas and huge cast...it's an entertaining romp through the endless intrigue, violence and debauchery of court life.' * Mail on Sunday *The extraordinary life of Catherine I of Russia is brought to life in Alpsten's colourful novel. * Sunday Times, Summer Picks *This is the ultimate Cinderella story of an illiterate peasant girl who becomes the empress of Russia. It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme. * Daisy Goodwin *As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Faberge...[a] crisp, elegant fictional account of history, woven with emotion and brio.' * Adriana Trigiani *Luscious...Alpsten has clearly done some brilliant research. It reads like Game of Thrones without the dragons. * Natasha Pulley *[Alpsten] recounts this remarkable woman's colourful life and times. * Count Nikolai Tolstoy *

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Book SynopsisInspired by true events, this story of strength, family, and culture shares the awe-inspiring resilience of Elder Betty Ross.Abandoned as a young child, Betsy is adopted into a loving family. A few short years later, at the age of 8, everything changes. Betsy is taken away to a residential school. There she is forced to endure abuse and indignity, but Betsy recalls the words her father spoke to her at Sugar Falls—words that give her the resilience, strength, and determination to survive.Sugar Falls is based on the true story of Betty Ross, Elder from Cross Lake First Nation. We wish to acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, Betty’s generosity in sharing her story. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Sugar Falls goes to support the bursary program for The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation.This 10th-anniversary edition brings David A. Robertson’s national bestseller to life in full colour, with a foreword by The Hon. Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and a touching afterword from Elder Betty Ross herself.Trade ReviewShortlisted for the SOLS First Nation Communities READ Award * Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) *For those Canadians who know little about the residential school system, Sugar Falls is a crucial text in their education about a truly shameful episode in the history of Canada. Highly Recommended. * CM Association *Among CBC Books' 21 Canadian comics to watch for in spring 2021 * CBC Books *A powerful graphic novel. * CBC *[Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story] was still able to shock me. The truths this novel is able to portray so clearly through the use of illustrations is amazing, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to read it. -- Bella Crysler * Ottawa Public Library *Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story is a wonderfully illustrated...graphic novel that through images and words, portrays the emotions and experiences of Betty. Its impact on young readers, including university students, provides grounds for discussion and a visual connection to a human experience. It is a definite must-read that is both accessible and engaging, while offering a lesson about the past and engaging with the present. -- Karl Hele * Anishinabek News *

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Book SynopsisIn 1944, 21-year-old Private Ewen Morrison joins the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry in Sussex and meets his new platoon, including Reggie Johnson, an Indigenous soldier from Ontario’s Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. His new friend supplements the army’s training with some of his own, helping to prepare Ewen for scouting missions against the enemy. Landing on Juno Beach, the men confront the brutal reality of war as they advance across northern Europe with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Reggie’s bravery, skill and authority soon earn him a field promotion, but not necessarily the respect of all the men in his platoon. Based on war diaries and official regimental records, The Hawk and the Hare is inspired by the real-life experience of the author’s father.

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