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
Hodder & Stoughton Jessie
Book SynopsisAn enthralling saga set in nineteenth-century Yorkshire, by the author of LIKE NO OTHER.Trade ReviewAfter an action-packed start, this story develops into a well told, captivating story * Dorset Evening Echo on JESSIE *
£8.99
Little, Brown Book Group Before Lunch
Book SynopsisThe next instalment of Angela Thirkell's brilliantly satirical English comedies set in the fictional county of Barsetshire, which began with High Rising. Perfect for fans of Stella Gibbons, PG Wodehouse or EF Benson.Trade ReviewYou read her, laughing, and want to do your best to protect her characters from any reality but their own * New York Times *The novels are a delight, with touches of E. F. Benson, E. M. Delafield and P. G. Wodehouse -- Christopher Fowler * Independent on Sunday *Charming, very funny indeed. Angela Thirkell is perhaps the most Pym-like of any twentieth-century author, after Pym herself -- Alexander McCall Smith
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Brothers of Auschwitz A heartbreaking and
Book SynopsisThe USA Today BestsellerAn extraordinary novel of hope and heartbreak, this is a story about a family separated by the Holocaust and their harrowing journey back to each other.My brother's tears left a delicate, clean line on his face. I stroked his cheek, whispered, it's really youDov and Yitzhak live in a small village in the mountains of Hungary, isolated both from the world and from the horrors of the war.But one day in 1944, everything changes. The Nazis storm the homes of the Jewish villagers and inform them they have one hour. One hour before the train will take them to Auschwitz.Six decades later, from the safety of their living rooms at home in Israel, the brothers finally break their silence to a friend who will never let their stories be forgotten.Narrated in a poetic style reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Malka Adler has penned a visceral yet essential read for those who have found strength, solace and above all, hope, in books like The Choice by Edith Eger and The LibrarianTrade Review‘I am sitting here, stunned, after finishing this book. It was so incredibly harrowing, heartfelt and heartbreaking … I could never hope to give it the justice it truly deserves’ Netgalley reviewer ‘This book is so moving. It is harrowing and stunning, really well written and heartbreakingly raw. The author writes this book with such compassion’ Netgalley reviewer ‘I sat down and read this within a few hours, my wife is now reading it and it is bringing tears to her eyes’ Amazon reviewer ‘The story is so incredible and the author writes so beautifully that it is impossible to stay indifferent. I gave the book to my mom and she called me after she finished crying and telling me how much she loved it’ Amazon reviewer ‘It is a book we all must read, read in order to know … It is harsh, enthralling, earth-shattering, rattling – but we must. And nothing less’ Aliza Ziegler, Editor-in-Chief at Proza Books, Yedioth Ahronoth Publishing House ‘Great courage is needed to write as Adler does – without softening, without beautifying, without leaving any room to imagination’ Yehudith Rotem, Haaretz newspaper ‘This is a book we are not allowed not to read’ Leah Roditi, At Magazine
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group TheCoffee Trader by Liss David Author ON
Book SynopsisAmsterdam in the 1690s - a boom town with Europe''s biggest stock exchange and traders who will stop at nothing to get even richer. Lienzo, a Portugese Jew, stumbles across a new commodity - coffee - which, if he plays his cards right, will make him the richest man in Holland. But others stand in his way - rival traders who do all in their power to confuse the exchange and scupper his plans, his brother who is jealous of his financial wizardry and even his brother''s beautiful wife who both tempts and spurns him in equal measure.Trade ReviewLiss has again produced a compelling complex and well-constructed tale... David Liss is a writer to look out for. * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *This engrossing book isn't short but, even so, you'll be tempted to read it in one sitting. * MORNING STAR *There are twists and turns aplenty as the plot thickens and moves towards an unexpected conclusion. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *THE COFFEE TRADER is an absorbing and suspenseful tale of risk and revenge. As stimulating as its subject. * LIVERPOOL DAILY POST *
£10.44
Saqi Books An Unlasting Home
Book SynopsisSpanning the Arab world, India and the United States, this family saga tells of the heart-stopping triumphs and failures of three generations of Arab womenTrade Review"So fresh and unsettling that it will enchant you from the first page and linger for days after reading. ... Deftly written. ... Its epic family saga style echoes that of Hala Alyan's Salt Houses and The Arsonists' City, Ayad Akhtar's Homeland Elegies, and Min Jin Lee's Pachinko." Los Angeles Review of Books, "Grapples profoundly with the limits of individual choice and the hold exerted by a person's homeland...accomplished and searing." Publishers Weekly (starred review), "Mai Al-Nakib lyrically explores themes of homeland, tradition and agency as she relates the stories of generations of Arab women across Kuwait, the US, Iraq, India and Lebanon." Ms. Magazine "Deeply enchanting, at times suspenseful, and always engaging, An Unlasting Home is filled with tales of women's lives and their intersection with the often volatile and unpredictable currents of nations, war, and political history. Mai Al-Nakib's storyteller's voice is fresh and original-her book grabbed me from the outset and kept me entranced to the last page." Diana Abu-Jaber, author of Fencing with the King and Crescent, "An Unlasting Home is an unforgettable story of people making choices for love, family, freedom, and identity against the tidal forces of history in the Arab region. Shimmering with poetic prose, and as pressingly real as the white heat of August in Baghdad, this poignant debut will keep you in its thrall." Juhea Kim, author of Beasts of a Little Land, "An ambitious family epic with a historical sweep, an elegy to grandmothers and mothers who were forced from their original homes by personal or political circumstances in the Middle East to build nests elsewhere." World Literature Today "A spellbinding family history unfolds as a Kuwaiti woman goes on trial for blasphemy in a world gone mad. Deftly written, structurally brilliant, Mai Al-Nakib's An Unlasting Home is a lasting novel that splits open time, leaps across continents, and creates the sort of characters we carry forward into our hearts and lives. I absolutely loved this book." A. Manette Ansay, author of Vinegar Hill, "An author already confident in her craft and her ability to give voice to the emotions and yearnings of her characters." New Internationalist "A mesmerising saga of women’s resilience in the face of political turmoil." Buzz Magazine‘A smooth, fast-flowing narrative […] a testament to the eternal vibrancy of women in the Arab world.’ * Financial Times *
£13.49
Gallic Books The Bone Flower
Book SynopsisA deliciously Gothic and atmospheric novel, one for fans of Susan Hill and Andrew Michael Hurley 'A writer who never ceases to surprise' Jenny Offill, author of Weather On a November evening in Victorian London, the moneyed but listless Edward Monteith stokes the fire at his local gentlemen's club, listening to stories of supernatural experiences and theories of life after death. His curiosity leads him to a seance, where he falls under the spell of a beautiful flower seller. But Victorian society does not look kindly on love between a gentleman of means and a Romani girl, and when he faces being cut off by his family, Edward makes a decision with horrifying consequences. Two years later Edward is married and anticipating the birth of his first child, in a beautiful house lined with orange blossom trees. But the wrongs of the past are not so easily forgotten, and the boundary between the living and the dead begins to thin... A deliciously chilling Gothic novel, The Bone Flower is a deeply human story about guilt, betrayal and the cruelty of social expectations. A dark, uncanny love story from the author of Polari prize-shortlisted Prodigal and The Children's Home, The Bone Flower will delight fans of Edward Carey and Essie Fox.Trade Review'An exquisitely eerie and sophisticated Victorian ghost story, with echoes of Poe and M. R. James' Essie Fox, author of The Somnambulist Praise for Charles Lambert 'More delicate than Dickens and stranger than Snicket' Nuala O'Connor, author of Miss Emily 'Lambert is undoubtedly a very skilled writer and the reader is immediately engaged and drawn into this family's world' TripFiction 'A visceral novel about a family suffering under the weight of secrets, lies, and things left unsaid' Foreword Reviews 'Lambert is a writer full of wit and poignance, especially in portraying the toxicity of White middle-class British society' Kirkus Reviews 'A writer who never ceases to surprise' Jenny Offill, author of Weather 'Charles Lambert is a terrific, devious storyteller' Owen King, author of Double Feature 'Charles Lambert writes as if his life depends on it. He takes risks at every turn' Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief 'Honest, sharp and beautifully written - rare, truthful writing' Ann Cleeves, OBE
£12.74
Tyndale House Publishers Thief of Corinth
Book SynopsisFirst-century Corinth is a city teeming with commerce and charm. It's also filled with danger and corruptionthe perfect setting for Ariadne's greatest adventure.After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father's home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city's corrupt of their ill-gotten gains.Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father's apprentice. As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire. But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their futureand very liveshanging in the balance.When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message chal
£13.49
Amazon Publishing The Cypress Maze
Book SynopsisIn this haunting tale from the bestselling author of The Storyteller of Casablanca, Beatrice kept a wartime secret to protect the innocent. Now, could telling it set her free? Tuscany, 1943. Stranded in war-ravaged Italy, Beatrice’s dream of an escapist year teaching English is shattered. Granted shelter at the Villa delle Colombe, she seeks refuge in Francesca and Edoardo’s beautiful walled garden, hidden from the outside world, with an elaborate cypress maze at its heart. But Beatrice is not the only one seeking an escape here. Francesca has brought children to the safety of the house, as well as other adults, all of them seeking sanctuary on the estate with its mysterious maze. As the war closes in, the residents are forced to witness—and do—unthinkable things… 2015. Tess arrives at the villa raw from the agonising loss of her husband. Beatrice, now custodian, guides her to the solace of its gardens, where Tess begins to heal. But all hope of peace is shattered by the arrival of Marco, the estate’s absent owner, who wants nothing more than to hand it over to developers. Distraught, Beatrice realises she must finally reveal the villa’s painful past if she wants to save it. As the extraordinary story unfolds, Tess realises that Villa delle Colombe is not just a refuge, but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Can she convince Marco to give it a new lease of life—and find a way back to happiness herself?Trade Review“A poignant, luminous tale.” —Woman's Own “Valpy’s writing is beautiful, and she makes this villa, with its spectacular garden and, especially, the cypress maze at the heart of it, come to life.” —Historical Novels Review
£8.54
Dialogue Yellow Wife
Book SynopsisVirginia, 1850: ''Ain''t many choices for a slave woman. Just know everything I do is for you. You are meant to see freedom. I''s makin'' sure.''Pheby Delores Brown was born on the Bell Plantation in Charles City, Virginia. The daughter of the estate''s medicine woman, and cherished by the Master''s sister, her days as an enslaved girl are almost over... She has been promised freedom on her eighteenth birthday.But when she finally turns eighteen, the life she has dreamed of is tragically torn from her. Instead of being free, she is thrust into the bowels of slavery at the infamous Devil''s Half-Acre, a jail where slaves are broken, tortured and sold every day.Her life flashing before her eyes, Pheby is forced to become the mistress of the jailor, the brutal man who owns the prison. Yet even in hell, Pheby never loses sight of her freedom. But how much will she have to sacrifice? And in the face of such darkness, will she survive?Just as tran
£9.49
Headline Publishing Group Empire of the Moghul The Tainted Throne 2 Empire
Book SynopsisNow a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowThe brutal battle for power continues in the fourth book in the epic Empire of the Moghul series.''A totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next'' Wilbur SmithAgra, India, 1606. Jahangir, the triumphant Moghul Emperor and ruler of most of the Indian subcontinent, is doomed. No amount of wealth and ruthlessness can protect him from his sons'' desire for power. The glorious Moghul throne is worth any amount of bloodshed and betrayal; once Jahangir raised troops against his own father; now he faces a bloody battle with Khurram, the ablest of his warring sons.Worse is to come. Just as the heirs of Timur the Great share intellige
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Sword of Honour
Book SynopsisHonour, duty, vengeance... The way of the Samurai. The second Samurai adventure from David Kirk, perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden.Musashi Miyamoto''s reputation precedes him. He is known as the greatest warrior of all time. But all that must change, for Miyamoto and his men have been defeated in the great battle of Sekigahara. Tens of thousands of men lie slaughtered and the Armies of the East have claimed a glorious victory. And now, alone but alive, he must contemplate his future. Until this moment he has lived and fought as a Samurai, proud of its ancient tradition, following The Way with honour. But in defeat he must question everything, and what he once saw as honour he now sees as ignorance. But tradition is strong and he is just one man. But though he seeks to throw off the past, the past will not let him go. His name is on a list of those who have dishonoured the Yoshioka warriors, and a man has been sent to claim is head in their name. And so, though h
£9.49
Faber & Faber The Somme Stations
Book SynopsisOn the first day of the Somme enlisted railwayman Jim Stringer lies trapped in a shell hole, smoking cigarette after cigarette under the bullets and the blazing sun. He calculates his chances of survival - even before they departed for France, a member of Jim''s unit had been found dead. During the stand-off that follows, Jim and his comrades must operate by night the vitally important trains carrying munitions to the Front, through a ghostly landscape of shattered trees where high explosive and shrapnel shells rain down. Close co-operation and trust are vital. Yet proof piles up of an enemy within, and as a ferocious military policeman pursues his investigation into the original killing, the finger of accusation begins to point towards Jim himself . . .
£7.49
Headline Publishing Group The Story Keeper
Book SynopsisFrom the author of THE UNSEEING comes a sizzling, period novel of folk tales, disappearances and injustice set on the Isle of Skye, sure to appeal to readers of Hannah Kent''s BURIAL RITES or Beth Underdown''s THE WITCH FINDER''S SISTER.Longlisted for the 2018 Highland Book Prize''A wonderful combination of a thrilling mystery and a perfectly depicted period piece'' Sunday MirrorAudrey Hart is on the Isle of Skye to collect the folk and fairy tales of the people and communities around her. It is 1857 and the Highland Clearances have left devastation and poverty, and a community riven by fear. The crofters are suspicious and hostile to a stranger, claiming they no longer know their fireside stories. Then Audrey discovers the body of a young girl washed up on the beach and the crofters reveal that it is only a matter of weeks since another girl disappeared. They believe the girls are the victims of the restless dead: spirits Trade ReviewBleary-eyed this morning as I stayed up late to finish Anna Mazzola's The Story Keeper. Was it worth it? Hell yes -- James OswaldRich in character and description, this is a riveting Gothic flavoured story that is shaped by local folklore, myths and legends * Woman & Home *A twisty, atmospheric crime story * Daily Mail *An atmospheric and eerie read * Prima *Gripping Gothic thriller * BBC History Magazine *The book has the wonderfully creepy flavour of the work of Victorian suspense novelists like Sheridan Le Fanu and even some of the dark, mysterious magic of the folk stories Audrey loves * Sunday Express *Dripping in atmosphere, with powerful characters... this creepy tale of drowned maidens, shape-shifting spirits, changelings and bad fairies, casts its own powerful brand of dark magic * Sunday Mirror *Filled with narrative drive and energy * The Sunday Times *As eerie and atmospheric as it is enthralling and beautiful * Heat *Wonderfully eerie and atmospheric mystery that keeps the reader enthralled from the first page right to the very last...[Anna] weaves tales of suspense and intrigue that the story keepers in the title would be proud of * Daily Express *Chilling and atmospheric novel about the power of stories and survival * CultureFly *A chilling and refreshingly inventive Gothic novel that constantly subverts the reader's expectations -- Andrew TaylorFairies, folklore and a dose of historical realism - and one you'll want to get through in a single sitting * Image *A fierce and poignant novel, about superstitions & everything they conceal. For the last few chapters I was holding my breath... -- Beth Underdown, author of THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTERThe Story Keeper is brilliant. The imagery, the folklore, the sense of place, all of it combined is so intoxicating, creepy and compulsive. I loved it! -- Ali Land, author of GOOD ME, BAD MEA dark, mesmerising tale. This is a raw, unflinching portrait of nineteenth century Skye: brutal, bleak and beautiful. There is so much here to love - the beautiful prose, the sense of place, the exploration of the power of stories to warn and to comfort. But above all, this is a powerful, unputdownable story that had me turning the pages deep into the night. A beautiful and eerie page-turner -- Antonia Senior, author of TREASON'S DAUGHTERA beautifully written, and spellbinding story which took us back to the 19th century Isle of Skye, capturing the atmosphere, mystery - and menace - of an impoverished and divided island community, riddled with superstition and driven by fear. The raw measures taken to survive, and the beliefs held to make sense of a brutal and unforgiving landscape were woven magically into this extraordinary thriller -- Mary ChamberlainA deliciously Gothic read, Mazzola entwines sinister fairy tales with the dark side of Victorian history. Daphne Du Maurier fans will be hugging this to their chests. A compelling mystery drenched with atmosphere, The Story Keeper will sweep you away in a cloud of black birds * Laura Purcell, author THE SILENT COMPANIONS *I read The Story Keeper in a single sitting and am very glad it is still light because I have rarely encountered such a creepy and unsettling story. With echoes of The Wicker Man, the remote and desolate setting adds to the sense of threat but also gives it a timeless quality, like the folkloric stories it evokes -- Elizabeth FremantleA captivating, haunting mystery set in Skye that will keep you turning the pages through mist and sea spray. Loved this book -- Elisabeth GiffordWith The Story Keeper Anna Mazzola expertly weaves a chilling web of menace and intrigue that utterly ensnared and beguiled me. Beautifully written and compelling. I was glued to every page -- Rowan ColemanThe Story Keeper paints a beautiful but sinister picture of an isolated island community. Set against a complex and convincing historical backdrop, it is wonderfully dark, atmospheric and utterly captivating; at once a compelling tale of twisted secrets and superstitions, and a contemplation on the stories we all tell ourselves to survive -- Katherine ClementsStunning writing, steeped in folklore, brooding landscapes and whispering villagers, and a chilling mystery cloaked with a dark and creepy atmosphere -- Manda JenningsA stunningly unique tale. Intensely creepy and pulsating with atmosphere. A dark and deadly treat -- Angela ClarkeNothing is quite as it seems in this slippery Hebridean tale of a young woman's search for the truth in a shadowy world of lost rights, vanishing ritual, and hidden abuse. The Story Keeper is as provocative as it is evocative, and Anna Mazzola's enticing blend of historical record and gothic unease offers unpredictable insights into the nature of story-telling and power alike -- Lydia SysonSuch a beautiful, atmospheric book -- Sarah Day, author of MUSSOLINI'S ISLANDA hauntingly beautiful story of loss in all its forms -- Catherine HokinDarkly Gothic and soaked in atmosphere -- Rachel RhysA beautifully written, meticulously researched, atmospheric book that draws you into a brooding world of folklore and social conflict -- Adam HamdyLaced with murder, mystery and folklore. . . drenched in stormy Scottish atmosphere -- Jason HewittThe folklore of an isolated Scottish island is skilfully threaded through this chilling Victorian story of corruption and abuse. Anna Mazzola brings the landscape to vivid life -- Essie FoxAnna Mazzola is a brilliant writer and, with The Storykeeper, has crafted a Gothic mystery of superb spookiness. A novel to be savoured -- William Ryan
£10.44
Afsana Press Whispering Walls
Book SynopsisTorn between two countries and various life stories, the siblings find themselves dealing with complex life choices, and the mystery of their sister's suicide twenty-two years ago. Whispering Walls is a story of love, relationships, affection, and hope, with a cautious view of the future.Trade Review"Full of urgent resonance for our present moment, Choman Hardi's Whispering Walls is about a charismatic Kurdish family who confront their ghosts in the tense weeks leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The novel travels between London and Kurdistan, past and future, as each sibling grapples with a secret wound - a multilingual poet who loses her fluency in the face of love, a tender father who is haunted by the sister he failed, a journalist who must confront the truth in his own family. A book that is written with the same sharp observation, fresh language and moral imagination of Hardi's award-winning poetry, it asks a question we all must consider; how can we grapple with the tragedies of the past as we try to fashion a better future? Not only is Choman Hardi a brilliant poet, she is also a great novelist. I want everyone I know to read her book." Catherine Davidson, Poet and Novelist; "More than anything, Whispering Walls is a novel about siblings, and how, even though we grow up in the same family, our lives unfold in distinct narratives. Choman Hardi, with compassion and unflinching honesty, tells the story of five siblings in a choral narrative that succeeds in being both deeply intimate and a chronicle of the land and people who have shaped them. A compelling reminder that behind complex national stories are the complex dramas taking place on the level of the family." Shaun Levin, Artist and Author; "A rare and fascinating glimpse of the dangerous past as seen through the eyes of Lana, a young poet, and her two brothers juggling a life in London and a Kurdish dream." Romesh Gunesekera, Writer
£10.44
University of California Press Ithaca Forever Penelope Speaks A Novel
Book Synopsis
£16.14
Amazon Publishing Karitas Untitled
Book SynopsisA portrait of an artist trapped by convention and expectations but longing for the chaos that can set her free. Growing up on a farm in early twentieth-century rural Iceland, Karitas Jónsdóttir, one of six siblings, yearns for a new life. An artist, Karitas has a powerful calling and is determined to never let go of her true being, one unsuited for the conventional. But she is powerless against the fateful turns of real life and all its expectations of women. Pulled back time and again by design and by chance to the Icelandic countryside—as dutiful daughter, loving mother, and fisherman’s wife—she struggles to thrive, to be what she was meant to be. Spanning decades and set against a breathtaking historical canvas, Karitas Untitled, an award-winning classic of Icelandic literature, is a complex and immersive portrait of an artist’s conflict with love, family, nature, and a country unaccustomed to an untraditional woman—but most of all, with herself and the creative instincts she has no choice but to follow.Trade Review“The true heart of the book belongs not to its eponymous heroine but the strong-willed women of Iceland generally. Life here is hard, death swift and ubiquitous. Through every loss and setback, the brutal winters, the months the men spend at sea with the fishing fleet, the women endure…A convincing portrayal of the lives of Icelandic women during an important period in the country’s history.” —Kirkus Reviews “Karitas Untitled is a newly translated Icelandic novel peopled with unique, quirky, and well-defined characters. With the talent of a true artist, the author paints stunning descriptions…this is a rich novel that readers who enjoy international literature will appreciate.” —Historical Novels Review “Karitas Untitled is a sweeping tale as majestic and often as bleak and brutal as the Icelandic landscape and the seas that wash its shores. What really shines through is the faith Karitas and the women around her have in themselves and each other. Baldursdóttir has made a wonderful contribution to bringing Nordic literature to a wider audience.” —Authorlink “Although set in the twentieth century, Karitas’s story speaks to the trials of a modern woman as well—how to balance childcare and art, how to care for a home while your husband is absent, how to love a man who is bad for you but who says all the right things. No matter what time we live in, love and relationships and our calling in life are difficult, and her story reflects that of all women, past and present, Icelandic and beyond. It also reflects the female experience of bonding with other women in times of trouble to make it all work out, even if it means taking the long way around.” —San Francisco Book Review “Kristín Marja’s novel isn’t just a well-written story about the life of a female artist in the last century—it relates to today. Karitas Untitled is the story of a woman trapped in a tangible tug-of-war. And it’s powerfully told.” —Melkorka Óskarsdóttir, Fréttablaðið newspaper, Iceland “Karitas’s story is graced with precisely all the qualities you would expect to find in a great, award-winning book.” —Kristianstadsbladet newspaper, Sweden “A wonderful story that, like any great novel, grabs you for the duration of the story and then follows you long after the book, sadly, is over.” —Kathrine Lilleør, Berlingske newspaper, Denmark “Let it be said at once: Baldursdóttir’s novel about the fate of women at the beginning of the twentieth century is magnificent. One laps up the story as if it were the milk that is fundamental for survival in remote Iceland…Like the fat Icelandic herring that are salted into barrels, so the history of Icelandic women is set in layers—remembered, retold, sketched, and written by a dedicated descendant.” —Tine Maria Winther, Politiken newspaper, Denmark “Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir’s novel Karitas Untitled is not just the poignant story of a young woman but also a portrait of that transitional period in Icelandic history that led to modernization.” —Fríða Björk Ingvarsdóttir, Morgunblaðið newspaper, Iceland “A Brontë-ish saga about one family’s struggle against poverty, nature, and conventions.” —Lilja Sigurðardóttir, author of the award-winning Reykjavik Noir Trilogy
£8.54
Cornerstone A Mother’s Love: An unforgettable historical
Book SynopsisFROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, KATIE FLYNN‘Ellie’s a true Flynn heroine with her compassion and bravery. A fine Mother’s Day gift for fans’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph ‘Packed with romance and poignancy’ Woman'Romantic and poignant… Fans of historical fiction will love the details and warmth of Katie Flynn’s wartime tale’ Woman’s Own________________________________________Liverpool, 1940: There comes a moment in every child’s life when they must learn to stand on their own two feet.For fifteen-year-old Ellie Lancton, that time has come all too soon. The death of her mother and the increase in air raids leaves Ellie alone and in grave danger. It’s not long before she is forced to leave her beloved Liverpool behind and cross the Mersey to seek refuge in the countryside.But as the war takes comforts away, so too does it bring new opportunities; for work, new friendships, and perhaps a little love… It will take all of Ellie’s courage to find her way without her mother’s guidance. But if Ellie can soldier on with grace and dignity, there might just be light at the end of the tunnel.Trade ReviewEllie’s a true Flynn heroine with her compassion and bravery. A fine Mother’s Day gift for fans * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Packed with romance and poignancy * Woman *Romantic and poignant… Fans of historical fiction will love the details and warmth of Katie Flynn’s wartime tale * Woman’s Own *A Mother’s Love is another heart-warming wartime tale for historical fiction fans who enjoy plenty of nostalgic romance and struggle ... this book makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift. * Culture Fly *Celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday with this heart-warming read * Take a Break *
£13.19
Headline Publishing Group Empire of the Moghul Raiders From the North
Book SynopsisNow a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowThe first book in the Empire of the Moghul series: chronicling the rise and fall of the Moghul rulers of India, beginning with Babur who swept in from Central Asia to found one of the most powerful dynasties in history.''A totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next'' Wilbur Smith1494, and the new ruler of Ferghana, twelve-year-old Babur, faces a seemingly impossible challenge. Babur is determined to equal his great ancestor, Tamburlaine, whose conquests stretched from Delhi to the Mediterranean, from wealthy Persia to the wild Volga. But he is dangerously young to inherit a crown and treasonous plots, tribal rivalries, rampaging arTrade ReviewA totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next * Wilbur Smith *'Rutherford's glorious, broad-sweeping adventure in the wild lands of the Moghul sees the start of a wonderful series...In Babur, he has found a real-life hero, with all the flaws, mistakes and misadventures that spark true heroism... Breathtaking stuff' * Manda Scott * 'Alex Rutherford has set the bar high for his sequels' * Daily Mail *'Alex Rutherford brings the period and the history of the region alive. The characters are dynamic, and the deadly regional politics of alliances and treaties are reflected by the internal tensions at court' * US Historical Novel Society *
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group The Ugly Duchess Number 4 in series Happy Ever
Book Synopsis''Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than Eloisa James'' - Julia QuinnHow can she dare to imagine he loves her... when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke''s passion. Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months. Theo would have given it a lifetime . . . until she discovers that James desires not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry.Society was shocked by their wedding, but it''s scandalized by their separation. James heads to sea where he becomes a notorious pirate, and Theo builds their estate into a flourishing concern. Back from the seas, a scandalous tattoo of a poppy under one eye, James now faces the battle of his lifetime: convincing Theo that he loved the ducklTrade ReviewEloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love -- Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author[Eloisa James] expertly infuses her latest fairy-tale love story with just the right ratio of tart wit and sensuality to create a hopelessly and hopefully romantic tale that will have James's fans swooning with delight * Booklist *James's patented clever dialogue and complex characters make the unusual situation completely believable from setup to denouement * Publishers Weekly *With the latest in her fabulous fairy-tale series, James' twist on the Ugly Duckling sweeps readers into an uplifting love story with just the right amount of poignancy, tenderness, sensuality and pure romance to make readers sigh. . . Kudos to James for encouraging us all to be ourselves and grab what life has to offer * RT Book Reviews *Eloisa James blends cynical humour and passion in a beautiful story * Lancashire Evening Post *A unique, winning romance that explores universal themes through an uncommon plot and eccentric characters, leading to a hard-won yet satisfying happily-ever-after * Kirkus *Eloisa James's writing is absolutely exquisite * Teresa Medeiros *James's patented clever dialogue and complex characters make the unusual situation completely believable from setup to denouement * Publishers Weekly (starred) *Expertly infuses her latest fairy-tale love story with just the right ratio of tart wit and sensuality to create a hopelessly and hopefully romantic tale that will have James's fans swooning with delight * Booklist (starred) *With the latest in her fabulous fairy-tale series, James' twist on the Ugly Duckling sweeps readers into an uplifting love story with just the right amount of poignancy, tenderness, sensuality and pure romance to make readers sigh. . . Kudos to James for encouraging us all to be ourselves and grab what life has to offer * RT Book Reviews *The Ugly Duchess is a refreshing addition to the series. James always seems to write books that are 'unputdownable', but this book stood out . . . this book will stay on my shelf as I can always count on Eloisa James to deliver a nice warm read, that leaves you with the belief that there is a 'Happily Ever After' . . . * Book Chick City *
£8.99
Headline Publishing Group Empire of the Moghul Traitors in the Shadows
Book SynopsisNow a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowTRAITORS IN THE SHADOWS is the sixth gripping novel in the action-packed Empire of the Moghul series by Alex Rutherford, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Robyn Young. ''Totally absorbing... Authentic characters and sweeping action'' Wilbur SmithA dynasty at warA new emperor, Aurangzeb, sits on India''s glittering Peacock Throne - the throne he seized from his father while the old emperor still lived. He has paid for it with blood: during the brutal civil war he hunted down and killed his brothers. Now he must return the Moghul Empire to the true path and achieve new glory. But the exercise of great power is isolating. With enemies everywhere, who should he trust? Certainly not his sons. He must rely on himself and the knowledge that there are more ways to subdue a man than on the battlefield.But as the years pass memories haunt him - memoTrade ReviewThe prose is athletic, the action never lags ... Rutherford writes like a crack reporter covering war from the front lines. * Time Out, Mumbai *A compulsively readable epic * Good Book Guide *
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers The Aerialists New historical fiction from the
Book Synopsis*WATERSTONES WELSH BOOK OF THE MONTH* Paris, 1891 Laura is living on the streets, far from the American Prairies where she was born. When rescued by the entrancing aerialists, Ena and Auguste Gaudron, she soon finds herself ensconced in the family hot air balloon business, and offered the chance to learn how to fly.Trade Review‘A heady and stylish read that had me swept away from the first page. Munnik has captured a fascinating world of daring with both beauty and heart’ MAHSUDA SNAITH ‘Vivid and meticulous, Katie Munnik’s The Aerialists captures the tangled desires of people living on the thin air of their own daring – a glorious vision of a time, a place, a welter of human manipulations and hopes, and ultimately, their tragic effects. A really fine read’ JOAN BARFOOT ‘Based on a true story, this rich novel will capture your imagination’ BEST magazine ‘Munnik movingly conveys the fragility of the real Louisa’s life and afterlife’ Historical Novel Society ‘Exquisite’ Woman’s Own
£7.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Green Gauntlet
Book SynopsisThe third novel in The Horseman Riding By series that established Delderfield as one of the most popular and admired novelists of the 1960sTrade ReviewPraise for R F Delderfield:Mr Delderfield's manner is easy, modest, heartwarming * Evening Standard *R F Delderfield is a born storyteller * Sunday Mirror *Sheer, wonderful storytelling * Chicago Tribune *It is always a pleasure to read R F Delderfield, because he never seems to be ashamed of writing well . . . Today he is a bestseller wherever English language books are read * Books and Bookmen *Highly recommended. Combines tension with a splendid sense of atmosphere and vivid characterisation. An excellent read * Sunday Express *He built an imposing artistic social history that promises to join those of his great forebears in the long, noble line of the English novel. His narratives belong in a tradition that goes back to John Galsworthy and Arnold Bennett * Life Magazine *
£9.49
Penguin Random House Group Daughters of Bronze
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Orion Publishing Co Purity of Blood
Book SynopsisThe second 'Captain Alatriste' novel, from a series which has sold 4 million copies worldwideTrade ReviewThis tale of swaggering swordplay and derring-do...works both as a vivid, page-turning historical adventure and as a knowing pastiche of a genre that Perez-Reverte clearly loves. * SUNDAY TIMES (8.10.06) *
£9.99
Headline Publishing Group The Mallen Secret
Book SynopsisRosie Goodwin brings back Catherine Cookson's classic family in this fantastic sequel to the Mallen trilogyTrade ReviewPraise for Rosie's first novel, THE BAD APPLE: 'Rosie Goodwin is a born storyteller - she'll make you cry, she'll make you laugh, but most of all you'll care for her characters and lose yourself in her story. An author destined for the top * Jeannie Johnson, author of THE REST OF OUR DAYS *Rosie deserves all her success. She is a talented storyteller and will go all the way to the top * Dee Williams *The tearjerker of the season...[a] heart-rending tale * Western Mail *A promising and well-drawn debut * Lancashire Evening Post *A good tearjerker...compelling * Reading Evening Post *A gifted writer... Not only is Goodwin's characterisation and dialogue compelling, but her descriptive writing is a joy * Nottingham Evening Post *A heart-throbber of a story from Goodwin that puts many other so-called emotional blockbusters in the shade * Northern Echo *Goodwin is a fabulous writer...she reels the reader in surprisingly quickly and her style involves lots of twists and turns that are in no way predictable * Worcester Evening News *A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer * Bookseller *
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Photographer of the Lost
Book Synopsis‘This excellent debut is a melancholic reminder of the rippling after-effects of war’ The Times 'A touching novel of love and loss' Sunday TimesFor fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Where The Crawdads Sing comes a moving story, inspired by real events, about how hope and love will prevail against all odds. 1921 In the aftermath of war, everyone is searching for answers. Edie’s husband Francis never came home and was declared ‘missing, believed killed’. But when she receives a mysterious photograph of him in the post, hope flares and she begins to search. Harry photographs gravesites on the Western Front, hired by grieving families. Plagued by memories of his last conversation with Francis, he has never stopped searching for his brother. After years aparTrade Review'[An] impressive debut . . . a touching novel of love and loss' * The Sunday Times *'There's only one word for this novel . . . and that's epic . . . A beautifully written must-read' * heat *‘This excellent debut is a melancholic reminder of the rippling after-effects of war’ * The Times *‘A poignant hymn to those who gave up their lives for their country and to those who were left behind’ -- Fanny Blake, bestselling author of A Summer Reunion‘The pain of not knowing where a son, brother or husband lies, and the guilt and psychological dissonance that torment survivors, are movingly conveyed in this terrific first novel’ * Daily Mail *'I was utterly captivated by this novel, which swept me away, broke my heart, then shone wonderful light through all the pieces' -- Isabelle Broom, author of One Winter Morning‘Beautiful, unflinching, elegiac: The Photographer of the Lost is going to be on an awful lot of Best Books of the Year lists, mine included . . . it’s unforgettable’ -- Iona Grey, bestselling author of The Glittering Hour‘A beautiful, tender novel which explores the aftermath of the Great War, and the shattered lives left behind. Written with gorgeous prose and a cast of memorable characters, this is a stunning debut which had me spellbound from the first page to the last’ -- Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter‘What a stunningly beautiful book this is. Caroline Scott evokes the trenches of WWI and the heartache of the postwar period as vividly as if she had lived it herself . . . this is a powerful, redemptive novel, one that teaches us not only about history, but about our capacity for love. I could not put it down’ -- Abigail DeWitt, author of News of Our Loved Ones'A gripping, devastating novel about the lost and the ones they left behind' -- Sarra Manning * RED *‘Scott has done an amazing job of drawing on real stories to craft a powerful novel’ * Good Housekeeping *'An amazing debut. It captivated me from start to finish and I can't recommend it highly enough' * NB Magazine *‘A deeply poignant and immersive novel . . . told in beautiful, elevated prose. I was completely caught up in these characters’ stories.’ -- Rachel Hore, author of The Love ChildWhat a wonderful debut novel. So accomplished. It grabs you from page one with such immediacy, such urgency. With a mystery at its heart and a moving, but page turning hook, I couldn’t stop reading. -- Lorna Cook, author of The Forgotten Village'Momentous, revelatory and astonishing historical fiction!' * Historical Novel Society *'A profoundly moving story of love and loss. The Photographer of the Lost is a sublimely rendered portrait of the search for answers amidst the chaos and devastation left behind in the aftermath of World War 1' -- Fiona Valpy, author of The Dressmaker's Gift
£8.54
Zaffre Mothering Sunday: The most heart-rending saga
Book SynopsisIf you love Dilly Court, you'll love Sunday Times Bestseller Rosie Goodwin.1884, Nuneaton.Fourteen-year-old Sunday Small has never lived outside the Nuneaton workhouse. The regime is cruel, and if it weren't for Miss Beau - who comes in every week to teach the children their letters - and her young friend Daisy, Sunday's life wouldn't be worth living. And now she's attracted the unwelcome attention of the workhouse master.With no choice but to leave behind everything she knows, Sunday strikes out on her own to make her fortune and to fulfil her promise to come back for Daisy. And, secretly she dreams of finding the long-lost mother who gave her away.But she's about to discover that, try as she might to escape, the brutal world of the workhouse will not let her go without a fight . . .Mothering Sunday is the first book in Rosie Goodwin's Days of the Week Collection. Why not try the rest, The Little Angel, A Mother's Grace, The Blessed Child, A Maiden's Voyage, A Precious Gift and Time to Say Goodbye?Trade Review10 books you need to read in March - Rosie Goodwin, who's been hailed as the new Catherine Cookson, is the author of over 20 bestselling novels. This March, she returns with a moving, heart-warming new saga set in 1884...Mothering Sunday is an incredibly consuming, uplifting read that will have you rooting for its kind-hearted, good-natured characters within the first couple of pages. Sunday's life-affirming energy and kindness breathe life and joy into the story, making her splendid company for when you're feeling down in the dumps. * Readers' Digest *
£9.86
Scotland Street Press The Queen's Lender: If you liked The Marriage
Book Synopsis'Royal court intrigue at its finest.' – Historical Writers Association 'A stunning novel about the birth of the United Kingdom that demonstrates the scholarship of the author, as well as her imaginative power.' – Richard Holloway George Heriot, jeweller to King James VI and I, moves with the Court from Edinburgh to London to take over the English throne. It is 1603. Life is a Babel of languages and glittering new wealth. The Scottish court speaks Danish, German, Middle Scots, French and Latin. King James gives Shakespeare his first secure position, and to calm the perfidious religious tensions, he commissions his translation of the Bible.George becomes wealthier than the king as he creates a fashion for hat jewels and mingles with Drummond of Hawthornden, Ben Johnson, Inigo Jones and the mysterious ambassador Luca Von Modrich... However both king and courtier bow before the power invested in their wives.Trade ReviewIt’s rare that I have such an immediate response to, and impression made by, a work of fiction but occasionally a novel comes along which is that pleasurable you almost feel compelled to return immediately to the first page and begin again. That is the minimum level of praise that The Queen’s Lender warrants; in all honesty, it deserves a great deal more. If this novel does not win a major award in the next publishing cycle, it will be a travesty and a disservice to the talents and intelligence of the author. I’m effusive and unashamed in writing such a review. Meet George Heriot, the Queen’s Lender. Based in Edinburgh, Heriot is a goldsmith by trade, royal-appointed jeweller and subsequently a philanthropist. A detail which the author brings to attention is that the role of the goldsmith in the seventeenth century was not just to produce jewels and precious metals but also to fulfil a number of other financial services to the monarch, thus Heriot becomes the Queen’s Banker. Mr Heriot holds the ear of the Queen as well as the purse strings, and both provide him with sufficient information and strategic knowledge to ensure that his fortune is made, yet despite this he serves dutifully and ably. Discretion sits well with debt in this case and whilst Heriot is depicted as a loyal servant, the reader is in no way deluded that Heriot’s main priority is the preservation of himself and his family. Heriot ascends the ranks of the court, initially selling items to Anne of Denmark (Queen Consort) before his appointment to serve the Queen. Anne’s reputation for her love of jewellery is portrayed well, as is the lavish spending which was undertaken by her and James VI. What is significant about this portrayal of Heriot is the manner in which it illustrates how his philanthropic activity and considerations were borne out of concerns about the spendthrift and extravagant nature of the monarchy’s activities. He hears: ‘the Masque of Blackness … cost over £100,000 – enough to build a palace, or to educate the whole of Edinburgh.’ It is at this point Findlay is able to offer Heriot’s counterpoint to the significant wealth he accrues and benefits from due to such expenditure. Findlay is able to depict the tales of each critical member of the ruling family and their critical roles in the formation of the United Kingdom with a tenderness and humanity that is often markedly juxtaposed against the violence and brutality which characterised the court of James VI of Scotland. The young boy subjected to a brutal glossectomy for praying with a rosary is a harrowing but tender scene that sticks long in the memory. Anne’s lack of financial acumen, James’s paranoia about witchcraft and his subsequent purging of East Lothian, the appointment of the grandiloquent Shakespeare as Court Playwright and the broader commentary on the relationship between Europe and the United Kingdom gives this novel a timely resonance on the principles that history doesn’t repeat itself, it simply rhymes. As Ben Jonson is heard to say: ‘We English need separation, independence, none of your wet alliances with Spain … England has never liked Europe … We do not need them, we can fight the world alone.’ From the need to move away from one’s home in order to prosper to the political division and nepotism which dominates, this astute piece of fiction is both in and out of its time. The elegance of Findlay’s documenting this figure is enhanced by the laser-focused attention to his troubled private life as a father and husband who was often bereft of his wife and children by circumstances beyond his control, including death in childbirth and a childless marriage. At the point of Union and James I’s decision to move to London, we see Heriot’s concern as to the consequence of his wife’s travelling to London. This is a sequence where Findlay’s ability to bring the subject of her fiction to life, a touching and humane set of exchanges where the dialogue and scene-setting is delightful. She excels in conveying the environment and interrelationship between that and the emotions experienced by the characters, whether the reader is in the privacy of the Queen’s own chamber, a pungent fishmonger within the lively atmosphere of an Edinburgh street, an aromatic garden, or a claustrophobic and unsettled cabin in a ship sailing at the mercies of sea. There is much more that could be said about The Queen’s Lender but this will hopefully sufficiently whet the appetite for the sumptuous feast of fiction that lies ahead for curious readers. Mr Heriot’s legacy has lived on through Heriot’s Hospital, George Heriot’s School and Heriot-Watt University. I expect that reputation to be burnished by this marvellous account of his life and the circumstances in which he lived. -- Martyn Colebrook * 'The Queen's Lender' by Jean Findlay *In The Queen’s Lender Jean Findlay gives us a wonderful insight into life in 17th century Edinburgh and London, and in particular the extravagant, intrigue-ridden, courts of James Stuart and his Danish consort, Anna.The story begins in 1593, when both the King’s and George Heriot’s wives are pregnant. Queen Anna, who is just 17 years old, loves jewels, and James – desperate for an heir – is ready to indulge her every whim, so Heriot is a frequent visitor to the palace. He and his own wife, Christian, live above his workshop in Fishmarket Close.“It is past midnight and the Royal Mile is brisk with life. Shouts and laughter, the hum of warm and ribald talk in the tavern next door. A slice of fiddle music each time the door opens…Fishmarket Close, a smelly wynd but narrow and steep so the bones and guts from the fish shops will sluice downhill in the rain.” Findlay excels in conveying the nature of a place, be it the Queen’s own private chamber, an Edinburgh close, a fragrant garden, or a claustrophobic cabin in a ship at sea. We are there, we smell the flowers and the fish, we see the vomit. Heriot’s life will run in parallel with Anna’s; for he is not only an acclaimed jeweller, who loves precious stones for their beauty rather than their acquisition, but also a canny man of business. Through all the ups, and the many downs, of his working life he will keep meticulous accounts, and he is shrewd in his dealings with the court. No sooner has he made a new piece for Anna or James than every courtier wants one; fashion is all. At the palace clothes and jewellery convey not only rank and status; they send messages. Everything is symbolic. Ambitious courtiers compete to assert their importance; Heriot charges them in advance, and far more than he charges the King. His wealth increases. Anna gives his rings as gifts to visiting ambassadors; his work is seen all over Europe. Anna, meanwhile, has no idea about money, so Heriot lends it to her. It comes back to him as payment for his work, and he still owns the debt, carefully recorded in his ledgers. He becomes, in fact, her private banker. George may bear physical similarities to Anna’s James: “But (he is) a much gentler version, and one that listens.“ And there is one more glaring difference: Heriot balances his books, while the King and Queen spend with reckless abandon, which in the end cannot fail to lead to trouble. These are violent times and the King is permanently suspicious (as well he might be, given the fate of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots) and, especially after visiting his in-laws in Denmark, obsessed with the dangers of witchcraft. He sends ‘witch hunters’ out into East Lothian to track down these wicked females. He orders witch trials and tortures, and interrogates the accused women himself. He even writes a book about it, Daemonologie (which later provides material for Macbeth.) Later, at masques in London, armed guards protect him. He and his courtiers speak in riddles, never quite meaning what they say. When, on James’ accession to the English throne, the Scottish court (and the Heriots) move to London, William Shakespeare becomes Court Playwright, and we are made even more aware of the fashion – and the need – for elliptical, oblique, dialogue. This is the way business is done, and life is led, at court.“All is seen. All is known. They are all being watched.“Most of the characters in this story are real, from the King himself to Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones. A few have been invented for the good of the story, but so well imagined are they that they are every bit as convincing as the names with which we are familiar. Chief among them is Lady Marjorie Boswell, top rank manipulator and George’s wife’s sister-in-law. He handles her with extreme caution and keeps Christian away from her:“A queen bee must not only succeed herself, she must arrange that other women fall.” But perhaps Lady Marjorie is simply doing what she can with the hand she’s been dealt; she reminds me a little of Becky Sharp. For when Findlay looks at the position of women in the 17th century, very little of it is good. Queen Anna may live a privileged life, but in return she must churn out potential heirs at a rate of knots – for many will not survive. She has no privacy, even in childbirth – instead the room is full of courtiers (to make sure the baby is not a ‘switchling’) who sit around eating, drinking and chatting while she endures her labour. For them it is theatre. For Anna, it is agony. She thinks of the ‘witches’ she saw tortured and burned in her native Elsinore. Many women die in childbirth, many infants are stillborn or die in infancy. Midwives and other women who help women are frequently accused of witchcraft – Anna dreads this happening to her own midwife. And even if mother and child survive, a queen’s babies are not her own. They are immediately dispatched into the care of others. Anna’s Henry is sent to the Earl of Mar at Stirling Castle, partly for his education, partly for his protection. These are dangerous times. Politics, and especially political relations between European countries, must be considered, and improved, at all times to avoid war (James is all for peace) and protect trade. But, as is said over four centuries later, it’s complicated. Spain wants an allegiance with Scotland to put James on the English throne, and marry Prince Henry – James’s heir – off to a Spanish princess. But Spain is a Catholic country, and James has renounced his Catholic faith, partly to impress Elizabeth I, though he treads a fine line, and loathes Puritans. (Anna is less keen to give up the faith she was born to; James receives constant complaints about this, with the courtiers even saying that Anna’s favourite gentlewoman must be a Catholic ‘because her brother is a poet’…) Catholics are persecuted; an horrific incident on a journey from Edinburgh to to London illustrates all too well what vicious cruelty such persecution can take. In an effort at appeasement (for he sees himself as a version of Solomon, and takes his Divine Right to rule very seriously) James commissions his own translation of the Bible; needless to say, more arguments ensue. In the taverns, Ben Jonson hears talk that may ring more than a few modern bells: ‘We English need separation, independence, none of your wet alliances with Spain….England has never liked Europe….We do not need them, we can fight the world alone.’ When the court moves to London, relations between James and the English courtiers are not always smooth. They mistrust him and struggle with his Scots dialect; they automatically assume that England is more important and powerful than Scotland. Anna’s name must be changed to Anne. James, in turn, packs Ben Jonson off to walk to Scotland, and insists on having porridge for breakfast. As the court’s extravagance reaches new heights, Heriot – who profits greatly from the King and Queen’s excess – begins to question this flagrant waste; there are, he knows, much better uses to which money could be put; “Heriot hears that…the Masque of Blackness..cost over £100,000 – enough to build a palace, or to educate the whole of Edinburgh.” The seed of an idea is sown. And as Heriot’s eventful life draws to a close, he makes the plans that will lead to the foundation of a school and also a hospital: “The main school will be called a hospital to cure the faitherless bairns as well as teach them. They cannot learn if they are sick.” The Queen’s Lender may be set in the 1600s, but its themes still resonate today. It is about power, suspicion, religious strife, persecution and conspiracy, but it is above all a very human story, one of love, loss, suffering and endurance, and of a thoroughly good man, the benefits of whose philanthropy are still felt in 21st century Edinburgh. In the words of the King’s Fool: “Curtain rise, and curtain fall, but the story goes on, and nothing finishes. A most enjoyable book, fast-paced, informative, gripping and beautifully written, The Queen’s Lender by Jean Findlay will be published by Scotland Street Press on 14 February 2022. -- Rosemary Kaye * The Edinburgh Review *Jean Findlay’s The Queen’s Lender is a novel set in history, but fortunately for the lover of fiction, the book doesn’t read like a historical text. In fact, events unfold themselves in the most effortless way—as if the reader is witnessing a play instead of reading silent words. Findlay’s characters are serious, like King James; extravagant, like Queen Anne; loyal and generous, like the protagonist George Heriot; cunning and calculating, like Lady Marjorie; and quite often also funny, like The Fool. In other words, these characters are the real deal, and Lady Marjorie seems so authentic that readers will be surprised to find out she’s, in fact, Findlay’s invention, but only in the sense that it’s more probable for individuals with Marjorie’s temperament to have existed at court, rather than not; in this way, she is real, meaning the novel reads like good fiction should—it’s measured yet assertive, intellectually stimulating yet entertaining, and best of all funny without being grotesquely comical. From the very beginning, readers find themselves engrossed in the world of George Heriot: He’s Queen Anna’s favorite jewel maker, and in time becomes not only her confidante, but also the royal family’s money lender—hence the title of the book. Although readers will benefit from acquainting themselves beforehand with Elizabethan and Jacobean England, the novel can certainly be read without a minor historical background. Through her use of plot, dialogue, setting, and description, Findlay is able to situate the reader—and this very comfortably—right into the main action. The most wonderful thing about this book is that readers may not have intended to think historically, but they will invariably make discoveries, simply through the pleasure of reading the book alone. At the same time, those already quite familiar with the history of James VI of Scotland and I of England, will see things in a new light, precisely because of Findlay’s good sense to tell this story from the perspective of George Heriot—an asymmetrical but aesthetically appealing choice; and so, the best praise one can bestow on Findlay’s novel is that it’s like discovering the story of Beowulf through the eyes of Grendel, in the sense that while figures like James, Anna, Shakespeare, and Ben Johnson might already be very familiar to most, their story, like Beowulf’s, is rarely, if at all, told from a perspective other than their own. By using George Heriot as the eyes and ears of the court, Findlay uses her skills as a novelist to offer precisely this “new” perspective on a set of “familiar” historical events. In other words, what John Gardner did for Beowulf, Findlay has done for one of the most fascinating historical periods of the UK. The novel begins so in Edinburgh, 1593: “A pregnant woman is a fragile being, and George has two on his hands. His wife who keeps reminding him she is his queen and his Queen who is in fact his queen.” From this sentence alone, readers can already get a small glimpse of Findlay’s witty, yet straightforward prose style. As the plot progresses, we find ourselves in a domain of shifting alliances, the birth and death of children, along with elation and grief; in this respect it’s also important to mention that while Findlay is leading us through a world inhabited mostly by the aristocracy and gentry, the jubilations and troubles we encounter in this milieu very much resemble our own. The concern, for instance, many of us have faced—to remain safely at home or leave our places of comfort in search of greater opportunity—isn’t an existential burden restricted to the realm of the upper-class. It’s a question many of us will face at some point in our own lives. George Heriot now has to decide whether he will follow his king to London, and thereby become the official jeweler of the court, or remain in Edinburgh, the city he loves and cherishes. As we read on, a world much like our own reveals itself, full of divisions, rivalries, loyalty, and betrayal. In empires divided by religious affiliation, what will King James do? He can give in to the charms of his Bohemian ambassador and support a Protestant faction in a land ruled by the Hapsburgs, who are, in fact, supported by Spain—not only a Catholic country but also an ally to James. He can also remain loyal to Spain, but with this loyalty he will lose the support of not only the admired Bohemian ambassador, but also the entire Protest faction in that land, which he represents. While many of us will never have to undertake decisions that could influence the fate of entire nations, the existential burden of having to make difficult choices, where competing interests make it impossible not to offend those loyal to us, is something utterly and totally a part of our lives. Findlay, as a historically aware novelist, has managed to capture the essence of a fascinating moment in time, but she has also done more than that: She has taken this history and presented it in such a way that the people within it could be individuals of our own time—characters we’ve met ourselves. Take, for example, Lady Marjorie’s son. He’s an aristocrat, but one whose supposedly excellent breeding won’t allow for the politeness to take “no” for an answer. He attempts to sell George Heriot a horse the way a used car dealer won’t stop haggling a “customer” who has accidentally wandered onto the lot. Though Heriot says he does not want “nor need a horse,” the good aristocrat won’t quit until he receives a little compensation for the animal which that good jeweler once hired from the nobleman’s father. While we, ourselves, may not have been sold horses, and surely not that way, readers will nevertheless recognize the very same traits which cause our own contemporaries to sell us something with the same haughtiness—most likely a different, more efficient mode of transportation, such as the aforementioned car. And then there are characters like Lord Lennox and Lord Douglas—trendsetters, but not their own; they follow the trends of the most important people. When the former hears about “the buttons recently designed for the King’s jacket,” he naturally “wants some for himself,” naturally to wear them “only the day after the King wears them in public,” out of courtesy, of course; the latter meanwhile, also “wants buttons like the King’s,” but this time the trend has changed, and it has become “amethyst and gold.” Heriot, of course, like a good businessman, charges everyone upfront, except the royal family. It’s, hence, the seemingly “minor” situations in the novel which show us a world much like our own—a world full of greed, conformism, nepotism, but also of joy, family, and loyalty. Findlay’s attention to detail is what really allows the story to come alive within the grand scheme of the history she situates her work in. Everything in this novel, as the late Harold Pinter used to say about good drama, has been “cut to the bone.” There’s no superfluous description or tedious dialogue that would make the reader stop and ask: Why? What purpose does this serve in helping me understand the larger aspects of the work? Her previous experience of working in theater is most likely what allowed Findlay to approach her fiction audience with a theater mentality. Just like one cannot expect someone to endure a tedious performance lasting one or two hours, it’s even more unreasonable to expect such patience when the effort is more solitary and lasts some days. Suffice it to say, with this novel Findlay has certainly earned the reader’s days. -- David Garyan * International Literary Quarterly *‘The Queen’s Lender’, Jean Findlay’s latest novel, is a page-turner. I recommend it to all those interested in the turbulent years of the reign of James 6th of Scotland and 1st of England. The cover design by Antonia Shack is inspired by a portrait of Anne of Denmark by an unknown artist. Within its 201 pages, the world of Queen Anne and her husband King James is brought vividly to life. The story illuminates the life George Heriot through a host of characters, many of them speaking in the Broad Scots tongue in dramatic contrast to those speaking English. Jean Findlay is a master wordsmith and the novel’s storyline is revealed at breakneck speed. The text ascends to the condition of poetry and enabling me to see ‘Jingling Geordie’ not so much as a moneylender but as a gifted craftsman. Also, I can now see him in relation to the world of William Shakespeare, Ben Johnson and William of Hawthornden, all inhabiting a world where death stalks in the form of plague, brutal execution and the perils of childbirth. The chapter entitled ‘Sea Voyage’ dramatically reveals the terrors of the sea as George Heriot’s first wife Christian Heriot sails from Edinburgh to London in unimaginable pain and discomfort in which she endures agony of losing her two children, drowned in the tempestuous North Sea waters. Every politician in Scotland’s Parliament should read this unforgettable novel. It should be required reading for every Scottish schoolchild. -- Richard Demarco, CBE * Letter *I love the character of George Heriot and felt a real ache at the end when he hopes for death and he longs to head to the woods... so lyrical and poetic! That, coupled with the setting of the royal court... the feeling that I am learning something of James V1’s reign and character and the sheer poverty and cruelty of that era.. the appalling scene for example when George comes across the boy whose tongue has been cut out for praying with a rosary. I love the way Fraser pops in characters like Shakespeare and imagine exchanges..: The dialogue is especially good - Findlay has a real ear for language. And I have discovered a huge amount about jewellery too. A triumph and highly recommended. -- Rachel Kelly * Amazon Review *It’s rare that I have such an immediate response to, and impression made by, a work of fiction but occasionally a novel comes along which is that pleasurable you almost feel compelled to return immediately to the first page and begin again. That is the minimum level of praise that The Queen’s Lender warrants; in all honesty, it deserves a great deal more. If this novel does not win a major award in the next publishing cycle, it will be a travesty and a disservice to the talents and intelligence of the author. I’m effusive and unashamed in writing such a review. Meet George Heriot, the Queen’s Lender. Based in Edinburgh, Heriot is a goldsmith by trade, royal-appointed jeweller and subsequently a philanthropist. A detail which the author brings to attention is that the role of the goldsmith in the seventeenth century was not just to produce jewels and precious metals but also to fulfil a number of other financial services to the monarch, thus Heriot becomes the Queen’s Banker. Mr Heriot holds the ear of the Queen as well as the purse strings, and both provide him with sufficient information and strategic knowledge to ensure that his fortune is made, yet despite this he serves dutifully and ably. Discretion sits well with debt in this case and whilst Heriot is depicted as a loyal servant, the reader is in no way deluded that Heriot’s main priority is the preservation of himself and his family. Heriot ascends the ranks of the court, initially selling items to Anne of Denmark (Queen Consort) before his appointment to serve the Queen. Anne’s reputation for her love of jewellery is portrayed well, as is the lavish spending which was undertaken by her and James VI. What is significant about this portrayal of Heriot is the manner in which it illustrates how his philanthropic activity and considerations were borne out of concerns about the spendthrift and extravagant nature of the monarchy’s activities. He hears: ‘the Masque of Blackness … cost over £100,000 – enough to build a palace, or to educate the whole of Edinburgh.’ It is at this point Findlay is able to offer Heriot’s counterpoint to the significant wealth he accrues and benefits from due to such expenditure. Findlay is able to depict the tales of each critical member of the ruling family and their critical roles in the formation of the United Kingdom with a tenderness and humanity that is often markedly juxtaposed against the violence and brutality which characterised the court of James VI of Scotland. The young boy subjected to a brutal glossectomy for praying with a rosary is a harrowing but tender scene that sticks long in the memory. Anne’s lack of financial acumen, James’s paranoia about witchcraft and his subsequent purging of East Lothian, the appointment of the grandiloquent Shakespeare as Court Playwright and the broader commentary on the relationship between Europe and the United Kingdom gives this novel a timely resonance on the principles that history doesn’t repeat itself, it simply rhymes. As Ben Jonson is heard to say: ‘We English need separation, independence, none of your wet alliances with Spain … England has never liked Europe … We do not need them, we can fight the world alone.’ From the need to move away from one’s home in order to prosper to the political division and nepotism which dominates, this astute piece of fiction is both in and out of its time. The elegance of Findlay’s documenting this figure is enhanced by the laser-focused attention to his troubled private life as a father and husband who was often bereft of his wife and children by circumstances beyond his control, including death in childbirth and a childless marriage. At the point of Union and James I’s decision to move to London, we see Heriot’s concern as to the consequence of his wife’s travelling to London. This is a sequence where Findlay’s ability to bring the subject of her fiction to life, a touching and humane set of exchanges where the dialogue and scene-setting is delightful. She excels in conveying the environment and interrelationship between that and the emotions experienced by the characters, whether the reader is in the privacy of the Queen’s own chamber, a pungent fishmonger within the lively atmosphere of an Edinburgh street, an aromatic garden, or a claustrophobic and unsettled cabin in a ship sailing at the mercies of sea. There is much more that could be said about The Queen’s Lender but this will hopefully sufficiently whet the appetite for the sumptuous feast of fiction that lies ahead for curious readers. Mr Heriot’s legacy has lived on through Heriot’s Hospital, George Heriot’s School and Heriot-Watt University. I expect that reputation to be burnished by this marvellous account of his life and the circumstances in which he lived. -- Martyn Colebrook * The Bottle Imp *The most surprising thing about Findlay’s fictionalized history of the court of King James Vl is its length. Historical novels tend to be colossal in size, laden—and sometimes weighed down—with facts and descriptions. But Findlay’s nimble work clocks in at less than 200 pages without losing any of its appeal...She leaves the reader wishing for more which is really all a writer can hope for. * Kirkus *
£12.34
Arrow Gate Publishing Ltd A NAME IN HISTORY: 2023
Book SynopsisIn the heart of London, Ella's life turns upside down when she discovers a broken shell fragment hidden among her late uncle's possessions. This simple artefact thrusts her into a journey of heartbreaking revelations and family secrets, defying the wishes of her formidable aunties. From the vibrant streets of London to the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean, Ella uncovers a history intertwined with slavery, challenging everything she thought she knew about herself. A Name in History by Hillery Baptiste is a gripping historical fiction where a single shell unlocks Pandora's box of identity, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman seeking truth.Table of ContentsUnless caught from the right angle, Jamaica could be missed. 1 The plantation air was filled with the sound of screaming 23 The past was present yet hidden in fear. 97 A time capsule of secrets and pain 275 About the author 311
£12.34
Pan Macmillan Best Kept Secret
Book SynopsisCaptivating and suspenseful, Best Kept Secret is the third novel in international bestseller Jeffrey Archer’s outstanding Clifton Chronicles. It sees our hero Harry Clifton and Giles Barrington, brother of Harry’s beloved wife Emma, become entwined in the fate of the Barrington family fortune.It is 1945 and the House of Lords’ vote on who should inherit the Barrington estate ends in a tie, casting a long shadow on the lives of those involved.Author Harry begins to promote his novel, whilst Emma, after her father’s mysterious death, searches for the girl found abandoned in his office on the night he died.Politician Giles defends his seat in the House of Commons and finds not only his future but his family’s fortune at stake. Ultimately his fate is dictated by Harry’s son Sebastian, even as Sebastian himself becomes embroiled in an international art fraud.As they move out of the shadows of war, a new generation of Cliftons and Barringtons comes to the fore, and a thrilling new episode of Jeffrey Archer’s captivating family saga begins.Continue the bestselling series with Be Careful What You Wish For and Mightier than the Sword.Trade ReviewProbably the greatest storyteller of our age * Mail on Sunday *If there was a Nobel Prize for storytelling, Archer would win * Daily Telegraph *
£8.99
Penguin Putnam Inc Passing
Book SynopsisA NETFLIX BOOK CLUB PICKThe powerful, thrilling, and tragic tale about the fluidity of racial identity that continues to resonate today, with an introduction by Emily Bernard. Now a major motion picture starring Tessa Thompson and Alexander SkarsgårdA Penguin Vitae EditionClare Kendry is living on the edge. Light-skinned, elegant, and ambitious, she is married to a racist white man unaware of her African American heritage, and has severed all ties to her past after deciding to pass as a white woman. Clare''s childhood friend, Irene Redfield, just as light-skinned, has chosen to remain within the African American community, and is simultaneously allured and repelled by Clare''s risky decision to engage in racial masquerade for personal and societal gain. After frequenting African American-centric gatherings together in Harlem, Clare''s interest in Irene turns into a homoerotic longing for Irene''s black identity that she abandoned and can never embrace again, and she is forced to grapple with her decision to pass for white in a way that is both tragic and telling.Penguin Classics launches a new hardcover series with five American classics that are relevant and timeless in their power, and part of a dynamic and diverse landscape of classic fiction and nonfiction from almost seventy-five years of classics publishing. Penguin Vitae provides readers with beautifully designed classics that have shaped the course of their lives, and welcomes new readers to discover these literary gifts of personal inspiration, intellectual engagement, and creative originality.
£18.00
WW Norton & Co The Sound and the Fury
Book Synopsis“A man is the sum of his misfortunes.” —William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury
£14.99
Amazon Publishing Above the Bay of Angels: A Novel
Book Synopsis“…Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful, historical mystery by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and The Victory Garden. Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings. Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies. Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down—if it doesn’t send her to the gallows.Trade Review“This delightful mystery neatly blends historical details of late Victorian life, from rich foods to royalty, into a story spiced with humor and romance. Bowen’s depiction of Bella as a modern Victorian woman, skillfully navigating class differences while struggling with the choice between a safe life and her ambitions, rings true.” —Library Journal (starred review) “A treasure trove of Victoriana…A truly delightful read.” —Kirkus Reviews “Bowen serves up a vivid picture of turn-of-the-century London with its strict class distinctions, crowded streets, and devotion to the Queen…Fans of Bowen and Victorian cozies will enjoy this inside-the-palace romp.” —Booklist “[Bowen] recreates her landscapes of ‘Palace’ and ‘Kitchen’ with great skill, and readers are drawn into the lives of the characters, as much is revealed even in the close quarters of the kitchen…A delightful way to learn more about food, its preparation and its presentation; and a tender love story.” —Historical Novel Society “Rhys Bowen is a gift to all who love great writing, rich and complex characters and a plot that grabs from first words. I dare you to put it down once you’ve read [the] opening sentence. Set in Nice, Bowen brings to life a little known and riveting episode in history—the annual visit of Queen Victoria to the French seaside town and the tumult that ensues. She takes us inside the royal court, inside the kitchens, through the eye of a junior chef, and into the towns and villages of the French Riviera. It is sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. Above the Bay of Angels is a wonderful read that will stay with you long after the book is finished. I loved it!” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels
£8.54
Amazon Publishing The Storyteller of Casablanca
Book SynopsisIn this evocative tale from the bestselling author of The Dressmaker’s Gift, a strange new city offers a young girl hope. Can it also offer a lost soul a second chance? Morocco, 1941. With France having fallen to Nazi occupation, twelve-year-old Josie has fled with her family to Casablanca, where they await safe passage to America. Life here is as intense as the sun, every sight, smell and sound overwhelming to the senses in a city filled with extraordinary characters. It’s a world away from the trouble back home—and Josie loves it. Seventy years later, another new arrival in the intoxicating port city, Zoe, is struggling—with her marriage, her baby daughter and her new life as an expat in an unfamiliar place. But when she discovers a small wooden box and a diary from the 1940s beneath the floorboards of her daughter’s bedroom, Zoe enters the inner world of young Josie, who once looked out on the same view of the Atlantic Ocean, but who knew a very different Casablanca. It’s not long before Zoe begins to see her adopted city through Josie’s eyes. But can a new perspective help her turn tragedy into hope, and find the comfort she needs to heal her broken heart?Trade Review“A novel that will whisk you to another time and place, The Storyteller of Casablanca is a tender tale of hope, resilience, and new beginnings.” —Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Postcards From a Stranger “Fiona Valpy has an exquisite talent for creating characters so rounded and delightful that they almost feel like family, and this makes what happens to them feel very personal.” —Louise Douglas, bestselling author of The House by the Sea
£13.18
Cornerstone Her Mother's Daughter: Agnes’ Story
Book SynopsisTHE SECOND SAGA IN EVIE GRACE'S MAIDS OF KENT TRILOGY. 'One of the most gifted saga writers writing today’ Bookish Jottings ***Will she break free and change her future? Canterbury, 1853 Agnes Berry-Clay might have been born into rags but she is growing up with riches. Given away as a baby by her real mother, she was rescued and raised by her darling Papa and distant Mama. Agnes wants for nothing, except perhaps a little freedom. But as times goes on, her life at Windmarsh Court changes. New arrivals and old resentments push Agnes to the peripheries, and finally the consequences of one fateful day shatter her dreams for the future. Heartbroken and surrounded by the threat of scandal, Agnes is faced with a terrible choice: stay and surrender, or flee and fight to keep her freedom. Praise for Her Mother’s Daughter‘I was completely HOOKED’ Anne Bonny Book Reviews‘Unputdownable … Once I started reading, the world around me didn’t exist’ As the Page Turns Reviews‘I totally and utterly LOVED reading the second episode of the ‘Maids Of Kent’ trilogy and I can’t wait for the concluding instalment’ Ginger Book Geek‘An enthralling and emotional tale that I simply couldn’t bear to put down’ Bookish Jottings‘An enjoyable read’ Shaz’s Book BlogTrade ReviewCanterbury, 1853Agnes Berry-Clay might have been born into rags but she is growing up with riches. Given away as a baby by her real mother, she was rescued and raised by her darling Papa and distant Mama. Agnes wants for nothing, except perhaps a little freedom. But as times goes on, her life at Windmarsh Court changes. New arrivals and old resentments push Agnes to the peripheries, and finally the consequences of one fateful day shatter her dreams for the future. Heartbroken and surrounded by the threat of scandal, Agnes is faced with a terrible choice: stay and surrender, or flee and fight to keep her freedom. * from the publisher's description *I was completely HOOKED * Anne Bonny Book Reviews *I totally and utterly LOVED reading the second episode of the ‘Maids Of Kent’ trilogy and I can’t wait for the concluding instalment * Ginger Book Geek *An enthralling and emotional tale that I simply couldn’t bear to put down * Bookish Jottings *Another great story from this author * Mojo Mums *
£11.53
HarperCollins Publishers The Royal Succession
Book SynopsisThis is the original Game of Thrones. George R.R. Martin.''No woman shall succeed in Salique land''Louis X is dead, poisoned, murdered, by the hand of Mahaut d'Artois. Her plan is simple to clear the path to the throne for her son-in-law Philippe. However, there is the small matter of Queen Clemence and her unborn child.As the country is thrown into turmoil, Philippe of Poitiers must use any means necessary to save his country from anarchy. However, how far is he willing to go to clear his path to the throne and become King in his own right?Trade Review‘Iron kings and strangled queens, battles and betrayals, lies and lust, the curse of the Templars, the doom of a great dynasty – and all of it (well, most of it) straight from the pages of history, and believe me, the Starks and the Lannisters have nothing on the Capets and Plantagenets. Whether you are a history buff or a fantasy fan, Druon's epic will keep you turning pages. This was the original game of thrones’GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ‘Blood-curdling tale of intrigue, murder, corruption and sexual passion’SUNDAY TIMES ‘Barbaric, sensual, teeming with life, based in wide reading and sound scholarship…among the best historical novels’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Cavendon Hall Book 1 Cavendon Chronicles
Book SynopsisA sweeping saga set around the aristocratic Ingham family of Cavendon Hall and the Swanns who serve them, set on the eve of World War 1.Two entwined families: the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. One stately home: Cavendon Hall, a grand imposing house nestled in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. And a society beauty: Lady Daphne Ingham is the most beautiful of the Earl's daughters, a glittering marriage her destiny.But in the summer of 1913, a devastating event changes her future forever, and puts the House of Ingham at risk. Life as the families of Cavendon Hall know it Royal Ascot, supper dances, grouse season feasts is about to alter beyond recognition as the storm clouds of war gather.Trade Review‘Barbara Taylor Bradford returns to her roots with this classic saga of loyalty, secrets, passion and intrigue…if you’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from Downton, this is for you’ Daily Mail ‘A stately home, a dangerous secret and two families whose fates have been intertwined for generations…a gripping period piece set on the brink of the Great War. Exquisite escapism of the highest order’ The Lady ‘A glorious family saga for Downton Abbey fans…This is Barbara Taylor Bradford in her element, terrific stuff full of drama, passion, romance and danger.’ Sarah Broadhurst, Lovereading.co.uk ‘Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world’s best at spinning yarns’Guardian
£8.99
Penguin Putnam Inc McGlue
Book Synopsis
£10.35
Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi
Book SynopsisWei Wuxian was once one of the most powerful men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek more power through demonic cultivation, the world’s respect for his abilities turned to fear, and his death was celebrated throughout the land. Years later, he awakens in the body of an aggrieved young man who sacrifices his soul so that Wei Wuxian can exact revenge on his behalf. Though granted a second life, Wei Wuxian is not free from his first, nor the mysteries that appear before him now. Yet this time, he’ll face it all with the righteous and esteemed Lan Wangji at his side, another powerful cultivator whose unwavering dedication and shared memories of their past will help shine a light on the dark truths that surround them. This Chinese xianxia fantasy novel series built around the romanticized love between two men (danmei) has been translated into numerous languages and spawned a multimedia franchise that has taken the globe by storm, including the massively popular live-action series The Untamed available now on Netflix, YouTube, and more. The Seven Seas English-language edition will include exclusive, all-new covers from Jin Fang (jinzillaa), interior illustrations from Marina Privalova (BaoshanKaro), and a translation by Suika (yummysuika) with editor Pengie (pengiesama).
£15.29
Amazon Publishing Where Waters Meet
Book SynopsisA daughter discovers the dramatic history that shaped her mother’s secret life in an emotional and immersive novel by Zhang Ling, the bestselling author of A Single Swallow. There was rarely a time when Phoenix Yuan-Whyller’s mother, Rain, didn’t live with her. Even when Phoenix got married, Rain, who followed her from China to Toronto, came to share Phoenix’s life. Now at the age of eighty-three, Rain’s unexpected death ushers in a heartrending separation. Struggling with the loss, Phoenix comes across her mother’s suitcase—a memory box Rain had brought from home. Inside, Phoenix finds two old photographs and a decorative bottle holding a crystallized powder. Her auntie Mei tells her these missing pieces of her mother’s early life can only be explained when they meet, and so, clutching her mother’s ashes, Phoenix boards a plane for China. What at first seems like a daughter’s quest to uncover a mother’s secrets becomes a startling journey of self-discovery. Told across decades and continents, Zhang Ling’s exquisite novel is a tale of extraordinary courage and survival. It illuminates the resilience of humanity, the brutalities of life, the secrets we keep and those we share, and the driving forces it takes to survive.Trade Review“Zhang’s strengths in Where Waters Meet are her intriguing interwoven plot; vivid, surprising characters; and evocation of the political crises during Chunyu’s lifetime.” —Historical Novels Review “This emotional and heartbreaking novel is a tale of courage, survival, and human resilience in the face of war and repression.” —Booklist “A stunning, gorgeous novel. Zhang Ling’s Where Waters Meet is haunting and heartbreaking as it navigates mother-daughter relationships in the face of war and famine. I simply couldn’t put it down.” —Devi S. Laskar, author of The Atlas of Reds and Blues and Circa “Where Waters Meet brings us back to the turbulent decades in China where people fought one war after another, suffered famine, and endured political persecutions. However, instead of focusing on misery, Zhang Ling introduces us to those who defy their fates. They are brave enough to try sneaking across the border, determined enough to adopt a foreign tongue, and kind enough to care for their families no matter what. A true masterpiece filled with idiosyncratic yet admirable characters, suspenseful mystery, historical complexity, and ironic humor.” —Jianan Qian, O. Henry Prize winner and staff writer at The Millions
£8.54
University of California Press China Coup
Book SynopsisAn expert's take on how a coup in China could launch a transition to democracy. This short book predictscontrary to the prevailing consensusthat China's leader Xi Jinping will very soon be removed from office in a coup d'état mounted by rivals in the top leadership. The leaders of the coup will then end China's one-party dictatorship and launch a transition to democracy and the rule of law. Long-time diplomat and development banker Roger Garside draws on his deep knowledge of Chinese politics and economics first to develop a detailed scenario of how these events may unfold, and thenin the main body of the bookto explain why.Hisgripping, persuasive account of how Chinese leaders plot and plan away from the public eye is unique in published literature. Garside argues that under Xi's overconfident leadership, China is on a collision course with an America that is newly awakened out of complacency. As Xi's rivals look abroad, they are alarmed that he is blind to the reactions that ChinaTrade Review"I just finished reading China Coup and loved it. . . . By posing a provocative ‘what if,’ Mr. Garside expands the terms of our debate on China." * CHINADebate *"A compelling read and a convincing one. At the very least, if Canadians are worried about growing Chinese Communist influence in the free world, they can find in this book a key to unlock a twenty-first-century riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." * Literary Review of Canada *"I decided to treat China Coup as a kind of Orwellian-but-with-a-happy-ending foray into speculative fiction. I knew I would need to take Garside’s claims with a grain of salt, as he would focus as intently on finding cracks in seemingly smooth facades as CCP propagandists, who create ‘semi-fictional’ texts of their own, strive to present those surfaces as flawless." -- Jeffrey Wasserstrom * Mekong Review *"The credentials of the author are burnished by a lifetime of close scrutiny of the People’s Republic, so in a field of many self-proclaimed experts, but fewer genuine authorities, Garside demands attention." * The Tablet *"Garside has had an illustrious career in the financial sector and as a diplomat, including two stints at the British embassy in Beijing. In China Coup he applies his extensive experience to map out a plausible scenario for Xi’s ouster. . . . Garside’s book serves as a timely reminder that there are deep divisions within the CCP, that many of Xi’s policies are vastly unpopular, and that he has powerful enemies among the party’s top leaders. Most importantly, Garside reminds us that the outcome of the 2022 party congress is not a done deal." * The Strategist *"Thought-provoking but not fanciful." * CHOICE *Table of ContentsPreface 1 · The Coup 1 The Coup 2 · Why a Coup? 2 Totalitarian China: Outwardly Strong, Inwardly Weak 3 The Looming Economic Crisis 4 No Trust, No Truth 5 Who Rules: God or the Party? 6 An Environmental Catastrophe 7 Coronavirus: Cover-up and Costs 8 America and the Fate of Xi 9 The Great Unfinished Business 3 · After the Coup, a Revolution 10 Launching the Revolution Afterword: One Life, Two Questions Acknowledgments Notes Select Bibliography Index
£18.00
University of Nebraska Press Waterlily
Book SynopsisWhen Blue Bird and her grandmother leave their family's camp to gather beans for the long, threatening winter, they inadvertently avoid the horrible fate that befalls the rest of the family. Luckily, the two women are adopted by a nearby Dakota community and are eventually integrated into their kinship circles.Trade Review“Exquisite evocation, in novelistic form, of the life of a female Dakota (Sioux) in the mid-nineteenth century, before whites settled the plains. . . . An unself-conscious and never precious or quaint pairing of scholarship and fiction.”—Kirkus“[Deloria’s] novel is a distinguished work of literature at the same time that it is an important exercise in historical reconstruction, based on her wide and deep study of Dakota texts.”—World Literature Today“Waterlily is by one who knows the culture from within, and in its instruction about Dakota ethnography the book strikes me . . . as wonderfully fine. Day to day life of the traditional Dakota is rendered in sympathetic detail.”—Arnold Krupat, The Nation"Deloria tells universal truths cast in an authentic framework of early nineteenth-century Plains Indian society. . . . The feminine point of view is genius."—Journal of the West“No one is better qualified than Deloria to draw together a series of Sioux female characters such as the ones central to this novel. . . . Deloria was bilingual as well as bicultural. Through her work we see the value of the insider’s perspective as a bridge of understanding for those outside the culture.”—Ines Talamantez, Los Angeles TimesTable of ContentsIntroductionPublisher's PrefaceWaterlilyBiographical Sketch of the AuthorAfterwordIndex
£14.24
University of Nebraska Press The Forsaken and the Dead
Book SynopsisSet in the 1890s, The Forsaken and the Dead follows Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves as he moves through the valleys and shadows of Indian and Oklahoma Territories as the modern world implodes around him.Trade Review"Thompson pens this historical fiction in such a way as to make it as readable and entertaining as a dog-eared Louis L'Amour paperback. . . . As engaging as any Larry McMurtry tale."—Jimmy Henderson, Jackson Clarion-Ledger“Sidney Thompson is a master of craft. Full stop. Each sentence compels us onward with lean, restrained prose. I was completely pulled into the vortex of Bass’s world. I couldn’t put this book down. Thompson is not just a good storyteller, thank goodness, but a great one.”—Daniel Peña, author of Bang“Finally, the fictional treatment that Bass Reeves deserves! This is historical fiction of the highest order: an unwavering allegiance to the historical record combined with vivid, lyrical writing and deeply drawn characters. Sidney Thompson skillfully weaves together historical elements in this compelling story of one of the greatest lawmen to put on a badge, a sweeping saga reminiscent of Lonesome Dove or The Son. Thompson’s trilogy should be required reading for anyone who loves American historical fiction, Westerns, or just a finely told story about real-life heroes.”—Matt Bondurant, author of Oleander City and The Wettest County in the World, basis for the movie Lawless“With the spellbinding conclusion to his magnificent trilogy, Sidney Thompson has finally corrected a shameful wrong. Invisible to history and literature for far too long, Bass Reeves is risen, resurrected. In sonorous prose, with the mastery of a singular storyteller, Thompson has turned the word into flesh and has rescued Bass from the enclave of the forsaken and the dead.”—Miroslav Penkov, author of East of the West
£15.19
Michael O'Mara Books Ltd Medieval Woman: Village Life in the Middle Ages
Book SynopsisA year in the life of a peasant woman in medieval England is vividly evoked in this extraordinary portrait of Marion, a carpenter’s wife, and her extended family. Based on years of research, Ann Baer brings to life the reality of a world that has been lost.Rising before dawn in a tiny village to a day of gruelling hard work, Marion and her husband face the daily struggle for survival. Starvation is never far away and travel to the next village is virtually unheard of. Existing without soap, paper or glass and with only the most basic of tools, sickness, fire and natural disaster ever threaten to engulf the small, tightly knit community.At the mercy of the weather and the Lord of the Manor, each equally unpredictable and inescapable, Marion’s life is burdensome but also displays an admirable dignity and fortitude in the face of adversity.The little village is at one with the natural world around it and each member has a role to play and a place in the hierarchy.Simple people, living unrecorded lives in remote villages not on the way to anywhere are brought back into focus in Medieval Woman. Ann Baer defines and celebrates the woman at the heart of the community.This is a unique approach to history, compressing decades of in-depth research on the Middle Ages into one single, immersive, compelling narrative.Trade Review[A] month-by-month account of a medieval woman's life, completely persuasive and ringing with truth. If a medieval peasant woman had ever written a diary it would be like this. -- Philippa Gregory * The Times *It is history at its readable best * Yorkshire Gazette & Herald *
£8.99
Aderyn Press Sandstone City, The
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Cornerstone As the Sun Breaks Through
Book Synopsis**************THE FIFTEENTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANCliffehaven, June 1944As the planes continue to circle over Cliffehaven, Peggy Reilly’s sister Doris must seek refuge after a V-1 blast destroys her home. Rita, Sarah and the other residents at Beach View Boarding House quickly find their peace disturbed and it’s not long before even Peggy loses her patience. But with more bad news to come, will Doris finally be forced to swallow her pride? Meanwhile Peggy’s father-in-law Ron Reilly is delighted when his sweetheart Rosie returns home. Until a heart-breaking confession suggests things may never be the same between them. With loved ones scattered far and wide across the globe, and tensions running high, the end of the war feels somehow further than ever. And yet with the long-awaited Allied invasion in sight, a glimmer of light is starting to break through…A fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean's bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called the Beach View Boarding House series).Trade ReviewWhat can I say, I love, love, love this series of books. * Goodreads reviewer *
£14.70
Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC My Dear Detective Mitsukos Case Files Vol. 1
Book SynopsisGet ready to solve the case with Japan's first woman detective and her assistant in this Showa-era manga!
£11.69
MP-OKL Uni of Oklahoma Voices in the Drum
Book SynopsisIn this engaging narrative, acclaimed historian R. David Edmunds combines careful research with creative storytelling to give voice to indigenous individuals and families and to illustrate the impact of pivotal events on their lives. A nonfiction account accompanies each narrative to provide necessary historical and cultural context.
£23.70
