Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
HarperCollins Publishers The Lucky Penny
Book SynopsisStep into the world of Dilly Court and uncover her utterly heartwarming and emotional historical romance!Clinging tightly to the penny in her palm, Flora's fortune was about to changeFlora is forever grateful for the day the Stewart family rescued her from her life of poverty on London's streets. Adopted as one of their own, she shed her rags and was finally given a place to call home.When a twist of fate calls her back to the cobbles, Flora's new life is torn apart.Flora must make her own way if she is ever to find where she truly belongsFrom the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rockwood Chronicles comes an emotional and captivating fireside read about finding home in the most unlikely places.Don''t miss Dilly Court''s next captivating novel, coming October 2024 available to pre-order now!Readers LOVE Dilly Court!''Another truly special book from Dilly. Warm and touching, with friendship and romance in the mix'' ?????''There is a great selection of characters, so vividly dTrade Review Praise for Dilly Court: ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph
£8.54
Canelo All Change at the Beach Hotel: A heartwarming and
Book SynopsisCan she choose between her duty and her heart?While World War One changes the country beyond measure, with food becoming scarce and Britain’s young men being called up to foreign battlefields, it is harder than ever to keep the grand Beach Hotel in Littlehampton running smoothly.Waitress Lili Probert, a young woman who escaped her demanding family in Wales in search of a new life in Sussex, has seen her hard work rewarded at the Beach Hotel, but hides heartbreak behind her sunny personality. Her sweetheart, Norman, is missing in action and has been presumed dead, but she cannot give up hope that he may be found.But when she meets injured soldier Rhodri, a fellow Welshman now living near Littlehampton, she fights hard to ignore her growing attraction for him, torn between her feelings for him and her loyalty to the man she thought she’d spend her life with.But her emotions run ever higher when she suddenly receives a call from home; her mother is gravely ill and Lili is needed for her care. Returning to Wales, Lili must make a difficult choice. Follow her dreams and make her own life, or return to the place she tried so hard to escape?Torn between her duty and her heart, Lili faces her own battle far from the conflicts in Europe…An emotional, gripping and heart-tugging romantic World War One saga that fans of Annemarie Brear, Pam Weaver and Rosie James will adore.Readers are loving their stay at the Beach Hotel:‘Brilliant storyline, brilliant book. Couldn’t put it down. Family saga at its best’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I loved this enchanting read…could not put it down…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Well, what a start to a new series! There are many secrets to be uncovered…I loved this book.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Charming…this book felt like an escape…The story was heartwarming’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I thoroughly enjoyed this book…I’m glad there is more to come from the Beach Hotel.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
£8.54
Atlantic Books The Cameraman
Book SynopsisFormer cinematographer Julius Sewell journeys across Europe with his family to his sister's wedding in Rome. But this will be an unusual road trip. For one thing, Julius has been in an institution and has only just been released to travel. And then there is his family. This is Easter 1934 and Julius' stepfather and mother are keen members of Oswald Mosley's new party, the British Union of Fascists. One of Julius' half-sisters is in studying in Munich, where she dreams of meeting her idol, Adolf Hitler. Another half-sister is a member of the British Communist Party, and is determined to wreck the approaching wedding, because the groom is a rising figure in Italy's Fascist regime. As the family motors south, to Paris, across Nazi Germany - taking in a bus tour to Dachau concentration camp - and through Mussolini's Italy to Rome, gathering relatives and a stray dog along the way, Julius' mental stability will be put sorely to the test, as will be the sanity of his relatives.Trade ReviewKneale is a master of complex narratives and this elegant, fast moving novel is one of his best. * Daily Mail *A madcap journey... flickers with cinematic energy * Sunday Times *Panoramic... written with cinematic precision * Observer *[A] tongue-in-cheek evocation of pernicious dogmas... a reminder that murderous ideologies often first appear in forms that feel like parodies of societal norms * TLS *An enthralling and wonderfully vivid novel from a master storyteller. * Joseph O'Connor on PILGRIMS *Matthew Kneale's new novel could hardly be a more welcome getaway... Humane outrage pulses through this novel along with comic ebullience. * Sunday Times on PILGRIMS *Humane, generous, enjoyable. * TLS on PILGRIMS *Comedy and tragedy lie uncomfortably but brilliantly close in this confident, cinematic novel. * Sunday Times, 100 Best Books for Summer 2023 *
£9.49
Random House Publishing Group Finding Margaret Fuller
Book Synopsis
£23.75
Allison & Busby Kirstys Vineyard
Book SynopsisAnna Jacobs was born in Lancashire at the beginning of the Second World War. She has lived in different parts of England as well as Australia and has enjoyed setting her modern and historical novels in both countries. She is addicted to telling stories and recently celebrated the publication of her one hundredth novel, as well as sixty years of marriage. Anna has sold over four million copies of her books to date.
£7.19
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Ballroom Girls Hit the Big Time
Book Synopsis''Live for the day'' is the motto for the times, and our girls plan to waltz their worries away...Ever-ambitious Sylvia wants more from her life, so starts planning a Dance Weekend at the Winter Gardens not easy in wartime when air raids could cancel an event at the last minute. What she doesn''t expect is for the competition to bring the dashing Vernon into her life too! Could everything finally fall into place for Sylvia?Joy''s life has entirely turned around in the last year. Newly married to her beloved Tommy and at the helm of her family''s business in Manchester, she can''t believe how far she''s come. But will the plight of her young employee Mildred throw things off course? Or will she and Tommy still be able to perfect their waltz in time for the competition?Pearl is still longing for her darling Bernie to return from the war. Dancing is the best way to distract herself from her worries, so she throws herself into rehearsing the jive w
£8.54
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial En media hora la muerte / Death In Half an Hour
Book Synopsis
£19.96
Footnote Press Ltd A Woman of Pleasure
Book Synopsis'Irrefutable and beautiful' New York Times'Only Kiyoko Murata can convey this world' YOKO OGAWA, author of The Memory Police, Yomiuri ShibunThe year is 1903, and tenacious and spirited Aoi Ichi is sold to the most exclusive brothel in Kumamoto, Japan, becoming the protégée of Shinonome, the oiran, or the highest-ranking courtesan.Through Shinonome's teachings, fifteen-year-old Ichi begins to understand the intertwined power of sex and money. Education for a courtesan extends beyond the art of seduction, and as Ichi is taught to read and write she develops a voice that refuses to be dampened by the brothel's rigid hierarchy.Outside the cloistered world of the red-light district, rumours of local worker strikes grow, and as the seasons change in Kumamoto, Ichi, Shinonome and their fellow courtesans begin to wonder how they might redistribute the power and wealth of the brothels among themselves.<
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers A Winter Wedding at Bletchley Park
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!With war raging on, there are still battles of the heart to be wonWhen Rosie Frost was jilted on her wedding day, she didn't think life could get any worse. But six years later in the throes of the Second World War, she is unceremoniously dismissed from her dream job after they discover her illegitimate child.Thankfully, top secret war office Bletchley Park recognises Rosie's talent and recruits her to decipher their Italian naval signals. Happy to be doing her bit for the war effort, Rosie settles into her new life.But when she spots a familiar face at the Park, Rosie's world threatens to come crashing down once more. Can she put her heartbreak behind her? And will wedding bells ring out across Bletchley Park before the year is out?The second in an heartwarming and hopeful wartime series set at Bletchley Park from the queen of saga, Molly Green, perfect for fans of Vicki Beeby Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.Readers are LOVING Molly Green's Bletchley Park series:A journey for the readertantalizinginterestingtry this one!' Reader Review ?????What can I sayI love it! Can't wait to read more' Reader Review ?????Outstandingly fabulous' Reader Review ?????A lovely story' Reader Review ?????One of those can''t-put-down books' 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 ?????A fantastic addition to what has been a fantastic series so far' Reader Review ?????Great story. Great characters. Wonderfully written and oozing wartime spirit. Couldn't ask for more!' 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
£7.59
HarperCollins Publishers The Water Child
Book SynopsisWhat the sea takes for its own can never returnPortugal, 1754. Cecilia Lamb knew being a sea captain's wife would mean a life of waiting and watching the horizon for her husband's ship. But John has been gone longer than any voyage should last. Everyone else has given up hope of his return. But she knows in her bones that he is not lost. Gone, but not lost.Barely able to tear her eyes from the shimmering sea, she feels drawn to the sun-baked shoreline, and amid the bustle of the docks she feels certain that her husband will come back to her. Though along with that feeling is another sense that something darker is coming. As she sickens, she doesn't know what the next tide will bring but she begins to fear as well as crave her husband's homecoming.Soon, even on dry land, Cecilia can feel the pull of the ocean at her feet, the movement of the tides within her. Warning, seduction or promise, she cannot tell, but one thing is certain the sea holds many secrets, and some of them are too Trade ReviewPraise for The House of Footsteps: ‘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 ‘Enthralling, unnerving and unsettling’ Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Wilderness Way
Book SynopsisInspired by the true events of the most notorious evictions in Irish history1861, Donegal, IrelandTen years ago Declan Conaghan's father died in the Great Famine, and since then, Declan has kept his promise to keep his family out of the workhouse. But all that is threatened with the arrival of new landlord, John Adair. Adair is quick to cause trouble and fear among his tenants. When he turns them off his land, Declan has no option but to break his promiseDeclan is in despair until he receives a letter from America offering him the chance of a new life and salvation for his family. But it would mean signing up to the US Army and fighting for Lincoln. Despite knowing nothing of war, or US politics, Declan leaves behind all he knows.Set against the wild landscapes of Ireland and the turbulent times of the American Civil War, this sweeping narrative takes us on an epic journey to understand the strength and endurance of the human spirit.Praise for Anne Madden:''The author seems to have put
£9.49
American University in Cairo Press A Stranger in Baghdad: A Novel
Book SynopsisNAMED ONE OF '51 FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2023' (WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF BOOKS)LONGLISTED FOR THE BRIDPORT NOVEL AWARDIn beautifully rendered prose, a mother and a daughter struggle as outsiders in Baghdad and London in this intergenerational drama set against a background of political tension and intrigue“Who would be charmed by tales of life in the beautiful old house on the banks of the Tigris—looted now no doubt, its shutters torn and the courtyard strewn with mattresses?”One night in 2003, Anglo-Iraqi psychiatrist Mona Haddad has a surprise visitor to her London office, an old acquaintance Duncan Claybourne. But why has he come? Will his confession finally lay bare what happened to her family before they escaped Iraq? Their stories begin in 1937, when Mona’s mother Diane, a lively Englishwoman newly married to Ibrahim, an ambitious Iraqi doctor, meets Duncan by chance. Diane is working as a nanny for the Iraqi royal family. Duncan is a young British Embassy officer in Baghdad. When the king dies in a mysterious accident, Ibrahim and his family suspect Diane of colluding with Duncan and the British.Summoning up the vanished world of mid-twentieth-century Baghdad, Elizabeth Loudon’s richly evocative story of one family calls into question British attitudes and policies in Iraq and offers up a penetrating reflection on cross-cultural marriage and the lives of women caught between different worlds.Trade Review"This intergenerational drama is deftly written with graceful prose and psychological acuity. . . . Loudon pens the history of Western involvement in Iraq, dating back to the 1930s, with stunning acumen and imagination."—The New Arab“An intimate, intricate portrait of how people’s lives are jostled and remade . . . an engrossing read.”—Washington Independent Review of Books“A stirring novel about a family—and their involvement in Iraqi and British politics—who resist difficult times in Iraq, including political changes that have defined and highlighted their lives.”—World Literature Today“[A] sweeping debut novel. . . . a meditation on the impact of colonialism”—Daily Hampshire Gazette"The mastery of this novel is that the author gives equal importance to all the intricacies that she writes."—Middle East Monitor“A crisis of family and identity . . . recommend[ed].”—Enterprise"A haunting, beautifully written book about twentieth century Baghdad and the long aftermath of colonialism. Full of subtle, empathetic details that ring like bells, intricately plotted with unforgettable twists, this book will stay with you long after you think you finished it."—Annia Ciezadlo, author of Day of Honey"A Stranger in Baghdad is vivid and fascinating. There is an elegance to the writing which makes every page distinctive. I found it completely enthralling."—Lissa Evans, author of Crooked Heart"Original, beautifully written and intriguing. Elizabeth Loudon is an exciting new voice."—Katie Fforde, author of Stately Pursuits"A page-turner that is also full of marvellous description and atmosphere. It feels beautifully true and of its time but with a contemporary sensibility. The conflict between Britain and Iraq at a political and a family level is brilliantly done, with the cross-cutting allegiances dividing and uniting in a web of love, ambition and lies."—Sofka Zinovieff, author Putney“An intriguing and thoughtfully worked examination of one family’s cross-cultural collisions between Britain and Iraq.”—Justin Marozzi, author Baghdad and Islamic Empires"The story of Diane and Ibrahim and their torn loyalties to family and nation, and how their children grow up in post-royalist police-state Iraq, is told with mesmerizing power. Elizabeth Loudon's mastery of the historical, cultural as well as psychological details of such a narrative is truly moving."—Rana Haddad, author of The Unexpected Love Objects of Dunya Noor"Intriguing and atmospheric"—Alice Jolly, author of Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile
£14.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc They Do It with Mirrors
Book SynopsisNow with a beautiful new series look, the indomitable Miss Marple investigates some rather deadly doings at a rehabilitation center for delinquents.Miss Marple senses danger when she visits a friend living in Stoneygates, a rehabilitation center for delinquents. Her fears are confirmed when someone shoots at the administrator. Although he is not injured, a mysterious visitor is less fortunate—shot dead simultaneously in another part of the building.Pure coincidence? Miss Marple thinks not, and must use all her cunning to solve the riddle of the stranger’s visit … and his murder.
£14.39
Atlantic Books The Legacy
Book SynopsisA death in the family rarely brings out the best in people - even the deceased Jonathan Coulter planned for his death meticulously, leaving nothing to chance. His will states that his three adult children must decide between them how to dispose of his estate. If they cannot come together over their inheritance, then they risk losing it. But Liv, Noah and Chloe never agree on anything. And now, with only one weekend to overcome their rivalry, tensions begin to rise. Why has Jonathan left the decision to them? And why has he made no mention of his new partner, Megan, or the children's mother, Eloise? If he wanted to teach them a lesson from beyond the grave, what is it? And can the siblings put their differences aside for long enough to learn it? A powerful novel about love and loss, and what we truly pass on to our children.Trade ReviewThere is a raw realism to all of Caroline Bond's novels. This latest, The Legacy, reminds us that sometimes it's the loss of a loved one that gives us newfound appreciation for family, and for choices we previously couldn't understand. Redemptive and satisfying. * Carol Mason *What an astute and thoughtful writer Caroline Bond is. Exposing the dynamics of a family struggling to regroup after bereavement rings blisteringly true. * Elizabeth Buchan *A beautifully crafted exploration of family resentments and vulnerability. Caroline Bond writes with a keen eye for human frailty, bringing her characters vividly to life, flaws and all. * Charity Norman *A powerful, character-led story, ideal for book groups * Woman's Own *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. Would I have made the same choices? -- 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'Caroline Bond takes a complex situation and has written a thoughtful, wrenching and, at times, tear-jerking novel. -- Elizabeth Buchan on 'The Second Child'
£8.54
Sourcebooks, Inc The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel
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.Praise for The Book Woman's Daughter:"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."-Abbott Kahler, New York Times bestselling author (as Karen Abbott) of The Ghosts of Eden ParkTrade 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." - Abbott Kahler, New York Times bestselling author (as Karen Abbott) of The Ghosts of Eden Park"A mesmerizing and beautifully rendered Appalachian tale of strong women, bravery, and resilience, told through the eyes of a new heroine reminiscent of Harper Lee's own Scout Finch." - Ron Rash, New York Times bestselling author of One Foot in Eden and Serena
£12.34
Cipher Press Nettleblack
Book Synopsis"To be blunt: I must escape." 1893. Henry Nettleblack has to act fast or she'll be married off by her elder sister. But leaving the safety of her wealthy life isn't as simple as she thought. Ambushed, robbed, and then saved by a mysterious organisation - part detective agency, part neighbourhood watch - a desperate Henry disguises herself and enlists. Sent out to investigate a string of crimes, she soon realises that she is living in a small rural town with surprisingly big problems. When the net starts to close around Henry, and sinister forces threaten to expose her as the missing Nettleblack sister, the new people in her life seem to offer her a way out, and a way forward. Is the world she's lost in also a place she can find herself? Told through journal entries and letters, Nettleblack is a subversive and playful ride through the perils and joys of finding your place in the world, challenging myths about queerness - particularly transness - as a modern phenomenon, while exploring the practicalities of articulating queer perspectives when you're struggling for words.Trade Review'A joy to be invited into the raucous, charming, conniving world of Nettleblack. Nat Reeve's novel presents a vivid, entirely engrossing story where subterfuge, scurrilousness, skullduggery and sincerity zip through the pages. All told with wit, flair and heart: a true delight.” – Eley Williams, author of The Liar’s Dictionary and Attrib. & Other Stories “Fresh, witty, and wildly original, Nettleblack is an unforgettable debut that brings a world of subversive characters to brilliant life, and announces the arrival of a unique new voice.” – Preti Taneja, author of Aftermath and We That Are Young "Nettleblack arrives breathlessly, wholly itself, yet also winding down the strange and brilliant bent lanes previously ridden by Sylvia Townsend Warner and Robert Aickman. It’s a gorgeous bicycle basket of a novel wherein there are many things that delight my big gay heart, including bicycles and the divided skirts in which to ride them; ferrets and novelty rat pyjamas; surprising cravats and haircuts; full tilt journalling for justice (and love); scandalous novels; self-naming; swooning; sisters, and running away from – and towards – them; and a cornucopia of true love, of every kind and queerness. A heart tonic in a dark time, Nettleblack will sweep you up unawares and carry you along in its headlong plots and desires, just as the Dallyangle Division does to Henry – and like Henry, you may find that it changes, and even saves, you, or at the very least, makes you ecstatic." – So Mayer, author of A Nazi Word for a Nazi Thing “Nettleblack plunges the reader head-first into an immersive and absorbing world of Victorian demi-monde derring-do, told by a unforgettable narrator. Henry Nettleblack avoids a (married) fate worse than death by hiding amongst a band of intrepid thief-catchers, experiencing a thrilling (and queer) coming-of-age outside the boundaries of conventional society. Nat Reeves' debut sizzles and crackles with confidence, offering a timeless tale of LGBTQ people finding family wherever they can. A delight!” -Ally Wilkes, author of All the White Spaces
£12.99
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial La canción de los maoríes / The Maories Song
Book Synopsis
£15.10
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Song of Achilles: The 10th Anniversary
Book Synopsis**OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD** **A 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION, FEATURING A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR** WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Captivating' DONNA TARTT 'I loved it' J K ROWLING 'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. 'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT ‘An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad’ GUARDIAN ‘Sexy, dangerous, mystical’ BETTANY HUGHESTrade ReviewA captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity -- DONNA TARTT * The Times *This is a deeply affecting version of the Achilles story: a fully threedimensional man – a son, a father, husband and lover – now exists where a superhero previously stood and fought * Observer *Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find * Daily Mail *I loved it -- J K ROWLINGA remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature * The Times *Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories -- EMMA DONOGHUEOriginal, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read * Independent on Sunday *Sexy, dangerous, mystical -- BETTANY HUGHESIf I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent * A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest *Original, passionate, inventive and uplifting -- JOANNA TROLLOPEAn original page-turning homage to The Iliad … Miller’s prose is vividly atmospheric, retelling the siege of Troy in all its heroic devastation * Marie Claire *
£17.00
Faber & Faber Nights of Plague
Book Synopsis1901. Night draws in.With the stealth of a spy vessel, the royal ship Aziziye approaches the famous vistas of Mingheria. 'An emerald built of pink stone'. The 29th state of the ailing Ottoman Empire.The ship carries Princess Pakize, the daughter of a deposed sultan, her doctor husband, and the Royal Chemist, Bonkowski Pasha. Each of them holds a separate mission. Not all of them will survive the weeks ahead. Because Mingheria is on the cusp of catastrophe. There are rumours of plague - rumours some in power will try to suppress.But plague is not the only killer.Soon, the eyes of the world will turn to this ancient island, where the future of a fragile empire is at stake, in an epic and playful mystery of passion, fear, scandal and murder, from one of history's master storytellers.
£15.00
Little, Brown Book Group The Affairs of Ashmore Castle
Book SynopsisThe second novel in the Ashmore Castle series, perfect for fans of DOWNTON ABBEY, from the author of the hugely successful MORLAND DYNASTY novelsBehind the doors of the magnificent Ashmore Castle, secrets are waiting to be uncovered . . . England, 1903. Giles, the new Earl of Stainton, is struggling to bring his family's estate back to order after the death of his father, and he has little time to spare for his young pregnant wife, Kitty. She lives in fear of her mother-in-law, who won't give up the reins of the household. Will she ever truly be mistress of Ashmore Castle? Perhaps if her coming child is a boy, that will change the balance of power... Meanwhile, the Earl's younger sisters are having their first taste of romance, but not necessarily with the right people. Richard is pursuing his forbidden relationship with Molly, while Nina makes a lively new friend who leads her straight into trouble and pu
£12.13
William Morrow & Company The Mystery of the Blue Train
Book SynopsisIn this official authorized edition featuring exclusive content from the Queen of Mystery, robbery and brutal murder aboard a luxury transport ensnares the ever-attentive Hercule Poirot.When the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. But she will never wake again—for a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing.The prime suspect is Ruth’s estranged husband, Derek. Yet Hercule Poirot is not convinced, so he stages an eerie reenactment of the journey, complete with the murderer on board. . . .
£15.29
Parthian Books Hunting Midnight
Book SynopsisAt the dawn of the nineteenth century, John Stewart Zarco lives out an inquisitive, naive childhood in his idyllic Porto community. But societal prejudices against his family’s Jewish faith shatter his innocence and even come to threaten his life. Following the tragic death of his dearest friend, it is only his unlikely bond with Midnight, an African healer and freed slave, that restores a sense of safety. But this fragile, fleeting peace is destroyed when Napoleon’s armies invade Portugal and John suffers another devastating loss – one rooted in unspeakable betrayal and authored by those closest to him. The revelation sets John on course for antebellum America, in what might ultimately prove to be a doomed quest for hope amid unspeakable cruelty and sin. Rich in historical detail and mysticism, Hunting Midnight is Richard Zimler’s mesmerising tale of deception, guilt, forgiveness and devotion, played out against a backdrop of war, slavery and religious oppression.Trade Review‘Zimler’s writing is pacey and accessible without ever patronising the reader. Deeply moving.’ – The Observer; ‘A gripping adventure story, which can also be read at deeper levels’ – The Independent; ‘I defy anyone to put this book down. It is a wonderful novel; a big, bold-hearted love story that will sweep you up and take you, uncomplaining, on a journey full of heartbreak and light.’ – Nicholas Shakespeare; ‘Shocking, colorful and absorbing!’ – Publishers Weekly
£9.50
Headline Publishing Group Frontline: The sweeping WWI drama that 'deserves
Book Synopsis'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' - Jeffrey Archer 'A story to get the heart racing' - Daily Express 'An enthralling tale' - Daily Mirror 'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller' - Lorraine Kelly CBE ___________LOVE GAVE THEM STRENGTH. LOVING EACH OTHER GAVE THEM COURAGE. Britain and her allies are engaged in a long war with Germany.Grace is the daughter of landed gentry, volunteering as a nurse on the Western Front.Will is the son of a dockworker, driven to enlist by a sense of patriotism and the thrill of adventure.When their lives collide in a field hospital in France, they form a passionate connection.This is a sweeping and sumptuous WW1 drama and historical epic, perfect for fans of Ken Follett, Kate Mosse and Jeffrey Archer. Trade Review'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' -- Jeffrey Archer'My diagnosis is that Frontline is a story to get the heart racing' * Daily Express *'An enthralling tale and Jones' medical expertise never gets in the way of the action' * Daily Mirror *'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller, and Frontline is an utterly absorbing page-turner' -- Lorraine Kelly, CBE'Frontline succeeded where (Sebastian Faulks') Birdsong failed; in actually making me cry' * National Federation of Pensioners magazine. *'This is an ambitious, sweeping epic of a story, visceral in its descriptions, and written with great insight and empathy' * Historical Novel Society *
£8.54
Cornerstone The Daughter Of Time: A gripping historical
Book Synopsis'A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable' SUNDAY TIMES'As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays' OBSERVERScotland Yard inspector Alan Grant, recovering from a broken leg, becomes fascinated with a contemporary portrait of Richard III, believed to have brutally killed his brother's children - the Princes in the Tower - to make his crown secure. But is the hunchback with such a sensitive, noble face really one of the world's most heinous villains? Or was he the victim of one of the most insidious plots in history?'One of the best mysteries of all time' NEW YORK TIMES'Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing' SPECTATORTrade ReviewA detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable * Sunday Times *As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer *One of the best mysteries of all time * New York Times *First-rate mystery, ably plotted and beautifully written * Los Angeles Times *Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing * Spectator *Really first class . . . a continual delight * Times Literary Supplement *Josephine Tey enjoys a category to herself, as a virtuoso in the spurious . . . the nature of the deception on this occasion is too good to give away * New Statesman *Tey's style and her knack for creating bizarre characters are among the best in the field * New Yorker *Most people will find The Daughter Of Time as interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer *A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable * Sunday Times *Josephine Tey has always been absolutely reliable in producing original and mysterious plots with interesting characters and unguessable endings * Spectator *
£9.49
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Antica Madre (Spanish Edition)
Book Synopsis
£29.01
HarperCollins Publishers The House of Footsteps Even the night cant hide
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
£9.49
Orion Publishing Co The Kew Gardens Girls at War
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
£8.99
Pan Macmillan The Orphanage Girls: A moving historical saga
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 *
£7.59
Random House USA Inc The Bass Rock
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.
£14.45
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Night of Flames
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)
£9.49
Graphic Arts Books The Schoolmistress and Other Stories
Book SynopsisThe Schoolmistress and Other Stories (1920) is a collection of short stories by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. “The Schoolmistress” was written in 1897 and published in an issue of Moscow’s daily newspaper Russkiye Vedomosti. Even for Chekhov, whose work is characteristically bleak and noted for its unsparing realism, the title story of this collection is particularly hopeless. And yet, reading it alongside these other stories by a true icon of world and Russian literature, one cannot help but feel a sense of hope, reminded—as Chekhov’s readers almost invariably are—of the light one finds in even the darkest of places. “The Schoolmistress,” which Chekhov wrote in Nice, is a brief story that follows Maria Vasilyevna as she returns to the village where she lives and works after collecting her pay in town. On the way, her cart nearly overturns, and she is forced to get out in the middle of a freezing river. To dry off, she takes a break at a local tavern, where she meets the formerly handsome Khanov, a landlord of her acquaintance. As she continues on her journey, she muses on her lot in life. Beset with memories and regrets, she struggles to make it home to a life she can hardly bear. “A Nervous Breakdown,” originally published in 1889, is the story of a young law student who reluctantly agrees to accompany his friends on a night in Moscow’s red-light district. Overwhelmed with despair and guilt, he struggles to reconcile what he sees with his own idealistic sense of the world. These are only two of the twenty-one works collected in The Schoolmistress and Other Stories, which showcase the immense talents of Anton Chekhov, an icon of Russian literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anton Chekhov’s The Schoolmistress and Other Stories is a classic of Russian literature reimagined for modern readers.
£6.99
Saraband As the Women Lay Dreaming
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 *
£8.99
Sandstone Press Ltd Sell Us the Rope
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 *
£10.78
Vintage Publishing The Promise: WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2021
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2021One family. One promise. One chance to tell a new story.'A moving, brilliantly told family epic' Elizabeth DayTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLEROn a farm outside Pretoria, the Swarts are gathering for Ma's funeral. The younger generation, Anton and Amor, detest everything the family stand for - not least their treatment of the Black woman who has worked for them her whole life. Salome was to be given her own house, her own land...yet somehow, that vow is carefully ignored.As each decade passes, and the family assemble again, one question hovers over them. Can you ever escape the repercussions of a broken promise?'A tour de force... A spectacular demonstration of how the novel can make us see and think afresh' Booker Judges, 2021'Astonishing' Colm Tóibín'Utterly compelling' Patrick GaleTrade ReviewA superb novel; a nuanced, sad, hilarious portrait of a family and a country -- PAULA HAWKINSThis story was so powerful, the writing so strong and supple... What an achievement -- CLARE CHAMBERSA moving, brilliantly told family epic . . . darkly comic . . . phenomenally good -- ELIZABETH DAYLayered, clever...with a gripping story -- CLAIRE FULLER * Daily Mail, Books of the Year *A brilliant book told over four decades and four funerals . . . These are characters dancing on the edge of ruin . . . Intoxicating -- ANNA HOPEAstonishing . . . about fate and loss, about three siblings and land, a promise made a broken -- COLM TOIBINA remarkable tale of four generations of one South African family and of the country itself... No wonder it won the Booker * Observer, Books of the Year *Vivid and suggestive, moving and often very funny * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *Outstanding . . . Gripping . . . There is also plenty of unexpected comedy * BBC News *Brilliant... Rarely have I had such a strong sense, while reading a novel, that I myself was there, in the room with the characters * Financial Times *
£9.49
Sourcebooks, Inc The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel
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
£20.99
Headline Publishing Group A Christmas Gathering Christmas Novella 17
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
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group Fire Queen Shakespeares Ophelia as youve never
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
£7.19
Hodder & Stoughton The Trader's Sister
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
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Womens March
Book SynopsisTrade Review"On March 3, 1913, a day before President Wilson’s inauguration, suffragists marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, to advocate for a constitutional amendment. In her latest women-focused historical novel, Chiaverini offers an impassioned account that pulls readers in, making the details feel freshly alive. This politically aware novel about a historic quest for democratic justice compels readers to contemplate everything that has and hasn’t changed regarding voting rights and gender and racial equality." — Booklist “Undeniably valuable and timely, informative and insightful. Chiaverini's latest work of historical fiction weaves together the actions of three real women, advocating for social and legal change while also speaking to the tensions regarding race, class, and rhetorical arguments that prevent these groups from working together smoothly (if at all)." — Kirkus Reviews “Chiaverini never loses her focus on her four extraordinarily courageous, resourceful, yet relatable narrators. Chiaverini’s many fans and every historical fiction reader who enjoys strong female characters, will find much to love in this revealing WWII novel.” — Booklist on Resistance Women “Chiaverini offers an intimate and historically sound exploration of the years leading up to and through WWII . . . exceptionally insightful, making for a sweeping and memorable WWII novel.” — Publishers Weekly on Resistance Women “Chiaverini’s latest historical novel masterfully reimagines the real lives of Mildred Fish Harnack, Greta Lorke, Martha Dodd.… A riveting, complex tale of the courage of ordinary people.” — Kirkus Reviews on Resistance Women “Through meticulously researched historical detail and sympathetic portrayal of each character, including Mary herself, Chiaverini provides a fascinating glimpse into the women of an influential family on the front lines of some of the most important moments of that indelible time.” — Booklist on Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters "An engaging glimpse of women's privilege and anguish during the Civil War era." — Kirkus Reviews on Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters “Chiaverini has drawn a loving portrait of a complex and gifted woman. . . . Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker helps to illuminate the path on which her long and remarkable life led her.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker “Taking readers through times of war and peace as seen through the eyes of an extraordinary woman, the author brings Civil War Washington to vivid life through her meticulously researched authentic detail. Chiaverini’s characters are compelling and accurate; the reader truly feels drawn into the intimate scenes at the White House.” — Library Journal on Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker
£10.99
Graphic Arts Books De Profundis
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.
£6.04
Pan Macmillan Mother and Child
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
£5.99
Little, Brown Book Group The Way Home Bittersweet Legacy
Book SynopsisA heartwarming saga about war, love and duty by the bestselling author of The Street and East End Angel.North London, 1916. When Olivia Bone and Lieutenant Lucas Black shared a passionate kiss one summer''s evening, it seemed as if their love might finally have a chance to bloom.But their brief happiness is cut short when Lucas is sent to fight on the front line, leaving Livvie uncertain if she''ll ever see him again. And after a chance encounter with one of Lucas''s old flames, Livvie is left doubting whether an ex-factory girl like her will ever fit into his world - and wondering if she would be better off protecting her heart.While her friends in London busy themselves with marriage plans and dreams of babies, Livvie returns to France, throwing herself into her work as a war nurse on the Western Front. But when two German prisoners are admitted at the hospital, the dangers of war suddenly feel
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Audio Under Occupation
Book Synopsis
£22.49
Zaffre The Burning Road: The scorching new historical
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 *
£14.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Last Protector from the No 1 Sunday Times
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
£9.49
Pan Macmillan Lampedusa
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 *
£9.49
Graphic Arts Books Govinda Sámanta: Or The History of a Bengal
Book SynopsisGovinda Samanta: Or the History of a Bengal Raiyat (1874) is a novel by Lal Behari Dey. Inspired by a lifetime dedicated to serving the poor and oppressed, Lal Behari Dey wrote Govinda Samanta in order to portray the life of Bengali peasants in a positive, human light. Praised by Charles Darwin, awarded a substantial prize by a prominent Bengali zamindar, Lal Behari’s novel is a masterpiece of Bengali literature. “It was considerably past midnight one morning in the sultry month of April, when a human figure was seen moving in a street of Kánchanpur, a village about six miles to the north-east of the town of Vardahamána, or Burdwán. There was no moon in the heavens, as she had already disappeared behind the trees on the western skirts of the village…” After introducing his novel with a brief warning to readers, Lal Behari opens his story with a beautiful description of village life in Bengal. In episodic fashion, he follows one “human figure” after another, each of them enriching his description of his native land. Centered on the raiyat boy Govinda, the story follows the journey from innocence to experience of a youth shaped by the stories and traditions of his village. Opposed to flowery language and romanticism, he hopes to tell “a plain and unvarnished tale of a plain peasant, living in this plain country of Bengal.” Praised upon publication, Govinda Samanta: Or the History of a Bengal Raiyat is a compelling and understated narrative of working-class life from an author who dedicated his own life to serving the poor. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lal Behari Dey’s Govinda Samanta: Or the History of a Bengal Raiyat is a classic work of Bengali literature reimagined for modern readers.
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Another Time Another Place
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
£10.44
