Historical Fiction Books

Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE 2019**15th century Oakham, in Somerset; a tiny village cut off by a big river with no bridge. When a man is swept away by the river in the early hours of Shrove Saturday, an explanation has to be found: accident, suicide or murder? The village priest, John Reve, is privy to many secrets in his role as confessor. But will he be able to unravel what happened to the victim, Thomas Newman, the wealthiest, most capable and industrious man in the village? And what will happen if he can’t?Moving back in time towards the moment of Thomas Newman’s death, the story is related by Reve – an extraordinary creation, a patient shepherd to his wayward flock, and a man with secrets of his own to keep. Through his eyes, and his indelible voice, Harvey creates a medieval world entirely tangible in its immediacy.Trade ReviewMy Ancient Mariner novel, the book I’m destined to traipse around fervently pressing into people’s hands . . . [The Western Wind is a] breathtaking exploration of guilt, communal and individual, secrecy and power . . . It made me gasp, and when I’d finished it, I started it again. -- Alex Clark * Times Literary Supplement **Books of the Year 2018** *Beautifully rendered, deeply affecting, thoroughly thoughtful * New York Times *A rich and sumptuous delight . . . Even the most glowing reviews of [Samantha Harvey's] work have tended to be accompanied by a rueful acknowledgement of how underrated she is. The Western Wind will surely mean that she’s not underrated anymore. -- James Walton * Daily Telegraph *A wonderful creation . . . less like reading a novel and more akin to time travel — something I’ve only previously encountered in the work of Hilary Mantel. -- Melissa Harrison * Financial Times *So ingenious in its plotting and characterisation that it begs to be read twice – the second reading a confirmation of what is slowly, tantalisingly revealed in the first. ***** -- Eithne Farry * Express *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction.Powerfully told from an all-female perspective, in A Thousand Ships, classicist and author of Divine Might, Natalie Haynes retells the story of the Trojan War – putting the women, girls and goddesses at the centre of the story.For fans of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles and Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls.'With her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism, Natalie Haynes gives much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War' – Madeline Miller, author of CirceThis was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all . . .In the middle of the night, a woman wakes to find her beloved city engulfed in flames. Ten seemingly endless years of conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans are over. Troy has fallen.From the Trojan women whose fates now lie in the hands of the Greeks, to the Amazon princess who fought Achilles on their behalf, to Penelope awaiting the return of Odysseus, to the three goddesses whose feud started it all, these are the stories of the women embroiled in the legendary war.'A gripping feminist masterpiece' – Deborah Frances-White, The Guilty FeministTrade ReviewA gripping feminist masterpiece -- Deborah Frances-White, The Guilty FeministWith her trademark passion, wit, and fierce feminism, Haynes gives much-needed voice to the silenced women of the Trojan War. Her thoughtful portraits will linger with you long after the book is finished -- Madeline Miller, author of CirceNatalie Haynes is swiftly becoming this generation’s Mary Renault; her retelling of the Trojan war from an all-female perspective, A Thousand Ships, is her best yet. * Observer *Haynes is master of her trade . . . She succeeds in breathing warm life into some of our oldest stories * Telegraph *Absorbing and fiercely feminist * Guardian *The forgotten women are vividly brought to life in this moving, intelligent and witty book -- Martha Kearney, BBC Radio 4Elegant, intelligent . . . Haynes combines a wide-ranging knowledge of the original myths with a gift for compelling narrative * The Times *A sparkling narrative . . . A Thousand Ships blows the dust off the classics * Washington Post *Haynes is the nation’s great muse, and her latest retelling of the story of Troy told from the perspective of Helen and the women of The Iliad is beautiful -- Adam Rutherford * The Week *If you are new to myths, then this is a learned, well-fashioned introduction, with many shining moments of subtle power * Spectator *A joy to read: fast paced, cracking with emotion and tension -- Professor Michael ScottHere, in this treat of a book, the women take centre stage - and how brilliantly . . . Natalie Haynes brings them to witty, lyrical, scintillating life . . . A book to both savour and devour -- Suzannah LipscombBreathtaking . . . Her writing isn’t merely clever, or elegant, or (at times) extremely funny - though it is all of those things. It’s also viscerally vivid. -- Catherine NixeyThis subversive reseeing of the classics is a many-layered delight * Guardian *Haynes takes the baton from Renault and runs with it. Her modern take on antiquity is exquisitely informed without ever being research-heavy . . . Glorious! -- Damian BarrHaynes expertly crafts an emotional and vivid historical tale with high stakes and female empowerment at its core * Woman's Own *

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Book SynopsisIan McEwan is the critically acclaimed author of seventeen books. His first published work, a collection of short stories, First Love, Last Rites, won the Somerset Maugham Award. His novels include The Child in Time, which won the 1987 Whitbread Novel of the Year Award; The Cement Garden; Enduring Love; Amsterdam, which won the 1998 Booker Prize; Atonement; Saturday; On Chesil Beach; Solar; Sweet Tooth; The Children Act; and Nutshell, which was a Number One bestseller. Atonement and Enduring Love have both been turned into award-winning films, The Children Act and On Chesil Beach are in production and set for release this year, and filming is currently underway for a BBC TV adaptation of The Child in Time.Trade ReviewHe is this country's unrivalled literary giant...a fascinatingly strange, unique and gripping novel * Independent on Sunday *Ian McEwan’s highly-charged story of sin and forgiveness is masterfully told. Tense, shocking and heart-breaking in equal turn. * Grazia *Atonement is a masterpiece...it is also an elegy to a time which, however volatile, still had certainties * The Times *A beautiful and majestic fictional panoramaA deft and brilliant exploration of guilt, family and the rippling repercussions of a single moment in life * Red *

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Book SynopsisShen Qiao is a devout Daoist priest who has spent his life honing his skills and spirit, leading his sect with martial talent, beauty beyond measure, and an earnest heart. His polar opposite, Yan Wushi, leads one of the most powerful demonic sects and is said to be unrivalled in his strength and cunning. Yan Wushi believes in the inherently selfish nature of all people—himself included—and that nobody is above committing dark deeds for their own benefit. When a fight leaves Shen Qiao injured, blind, and with hazy memories, Yan Wushi takes in the defeated sect leader with a dark plan: test the limits of the man’s patience and faith in others to lure him onto the demonic path. Little does he know that he is about to meet the first immovable force of his life, and that two hearts can connect in unexpected ways. With the passing of a thousand autumns, who can stay eternal? This Chinese historical fiction tale about powerful martial artists (wuxia) built around the desire between two men (danmei) inspired a beloved animated series (donghua). The Seven Seas English-language edition will include exclusive, all-new covers and interior illustrations.

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Book SynopsisSoon to be a major TV seriesThe Sunday Times bestsellerShortlisted for the Women's Prize for FictionLonglisted for the Booker PrizeIt is a book not read, but lived' TelegraphHer Cromwell novels are, for my money, the greatest English novels of this century' ObserverThe bestselling sequel to Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, the stunning conclusion to Hilary Mantel's Man Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall trilogy.If you cannot speak truth at a beheading, when can you speak it?'England, May 1536. Anne Boleyn is dead, decapitated in the space of a heartbeat by a hired French executioner. As her remains are bundled into oblivion, Thomas Cromwell breakfasts with the victors. The blacksmith's son from Putney emerges from the spring's bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry VIII, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.Cromwell is a man with only his wits to rely on; he has no great family to back him, no private army. Despite rebellion at home, traitors plotting abroad and the threat of invasion testing Henry's regime to breaking point, Cromwell's robust imagination sees a new country in the mirror of the future. But can a nation, or a person, shed the past like a skin? Do the dead continually unbury themselves? What will you do, the Spanish ambassador asks Cromwell, when the king turns on you, as sooner or later he turns on everyone close to him?With The Mirror and the Light, Hilary Mantel brings to a triumphant close the trilogy she began with Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. She traces the final years of Thomas Cromwell, the boy from nowhere who climbs to the heights of power, offering a defining portrait of predator and prey, of a ferocious contest between present and past, between royal will and a common man's vision: of a modern nation making itself through conflict, passion and courage.A Guardian Book of the Year A Times Book of the Year A Daily Telegraph Book of the Year A Sunday Times Book of the Year A New Statesman Book of the Year A Spectator Book of the Year Sunday Times Bestseller (08/03/2020)Trade Review‘Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall novels make 99 per cent of contemporary literary fiction feel utterly pale and bloodless by comparison’ The Times ‘Hilary Mantel has written an epic of English history that does what the Aeneid did for the Romans and War and Peace for the Russians. We are lucky to have it.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Very few writers manage not just to excavate the sedimented remains of the past, but bring them up again into the light and air so that they shine brightly once more before us. Hilary Mantel has done just that.’ Simon Schama, Financial Times ‘A masterpiece that will keep yielding its riches, changing as its readers change, going forward with us into the future’ Guardian ‘The most masterful story telling imaginable’ Graham Norton ‘The final book in the trilogy charts [Cromwell’s] inexorable downfall with the dark brilliance and profound humanity that makes it, like its forerunners, a masterpiece’ Daily Mail ‘Ambitious, compassionate, clear-eyed yet emotional, passionate and pragmatic, The Mirror & the Light lays down a marker for historical fiction that will set the standard for generations to come’ Independent ‘It’s the crowning glory of a towering achievement’ Mail on Sunday ‘This is a must-read’ Good Housekeeping ‘On closing the book I wept as I’ve not wept over a novel since I was a child . . . Mantel struck her spear against the flint of Thomas Cromwell, and lit such a candle in England as will never go out’Telegraph ‘A masterpiece . . . Mantel has redefined what the historical novel is capable of . . . Taken together, her Cromwell novels are, for my money, the greatest English novels of this century’ Observer

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Book SynopsisPainstakingly restored from Tolkien's manuscripts and presented for the first time as a continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of Beren and Luthien will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs and the rich landscape and creatures unique to Tolkien's Middle-earth.Trade ReviewPraise for The Children of Húrin:‘I hope that its universality and power will grant it a place in English mythology’Independent on Sunday ‘The darkest of all Tolkien’s tales. Alan Lee’s illustrations complement the writing splendidly’Times Literary Supplement

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Book Synopsis**OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD** **A 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION, FEATURING A NEW FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR** WINNER OF THE ORANGE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION THE INTERNATIONAL SENSATION A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'Captivating' DONNA TARTT 'I loved it' J K ROWLING 'Ravishingly vivid' EMMA DONOGHUE Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. 'A book I could not put down' ANN PATCHETT ‘An exciting, sexy, violent Superman version of The Iliad’ GUARDIAN ‘Sexy, dangerous, mystical’ BETTANY HUGHESTrade ReviewA captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity -- DONNA TARTT * The Times *This is a deeply affecting version of the Achilles story: a fully threedimensional man – a son, a father, husband and lover – now exists where a superhero previously stood and fought * Observer *Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find * Daily Mail *I loved it -- J K ROWLINGA remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature * The Times *Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories -- EMMA DONOGHUEOriginal, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read * Independent on Sunday *Sexy, dangerous, mystical -- BETTANY HUGHESIf I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent * A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest *Original, passionate, inventive and uplifting -- JOANNA TROLLOPEAn original page-turning homage to The Iliad … Miller’s prose is vividly atmospheric, retelling the siege of Troy in all its heroic devastation * Marie Claire *

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Book Synopsis**Now featuring an exclusive extract of part two in the duology, The Crownless Queen**1338: England has declared war on France, and Jeanette of Kent, cousin to King Edward III, says goodbye to her family and travels overseas with the royal court for the first time. Once in Antwerp, she is captivated by talented household knight Thomas Holland, just as he in turn is powerfully drawn to her.Although both know their romance is forbidden, their love for each other grows stronger than the danger they face, and they marry in secret. But before they can make their tryst known, Thomas has to leave for war, and in his absence, Jeanette is forced into a second marriage and locked away from the world.Then Thomas returns, and the real fight begins. As hostile family members battle to keep Jeanette and Thomas apart, the defiant lovers vow to be reunited - whatever the cost...From the award-winning and bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick, comes an epic love story set against the tumultuous backdrop of high chivalry, deadly warfare, devastating plague and savage rivalry in the fourteenth century - the first of two parts telling the remarkable story of a woman who rose from royal rebel to crownless queen.

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Book SynopsisFrom the Scottish Highlands and Spain, to South America and New York, The Moon Sister is the fifth epic story in the Seven Sisters series by the number one bestseller Lucinda Riley. A spellbinding story of love and loss, inspired by the mythology of the famous star constellation.Tiggy D’Aplièse, in her mid-twenties, learns that her father – Pa Salt, an elusive billionaire who adopted his six daughters from around the globe – has died. Trusting her instincts, Tiggy moves to the remote wilds of Scotland and takes a job doing what she loves: caring for animals. Working on the vast and isolated Kinnaird estate, she is employed by the enigmatic and troubled laird, Charlie Kinnaird.Her decision alters her future irrevocably when she meets Chilly, an elderly gypsy man who has lived for years on the estate. He tells her not only that she possesses a sixth sense, passed down from her ancestors, but that it was foretold long ago that he should send her back home to Granada, Spain . . .In the shadow of the magnificent Alhambra, Tiggy discovers her connection to the fabled gypsy community of Sacromonte, who were forced to flee their homes during the civil war, and to ‘La Candela’ – the greatest flamenco dancer of her generation.Tiggy follows the trail back to her own exciting but complex past. And, under the watchful eye of a gifted gypsy bruja, she begins to embrace her own talent for healing.But when fate takes a hand, Tiggy must decide whether to stay with her new-found family or return to Kinnaird, and Charlie . . . The epic, multi-million selling series continues with The Sun Sister.'Lucinda Riley at the top of her game: a magical storyteller who creates characters we fall in love with and who stay with us long after we finish reading.’ – Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Hunting PartyPraise for the Seven Sisters:'A masterclass in beautiful writing' – The Sun'A breathtaking adventure' – Lancashire Evening PostFive-Star Reader Reviews:'Absolutely incredible''Totally addictive''Ideal for when you need to escape'Trade ReviewA beautifully written series . . . A magical adventure. -- Woman's World Magazine, USAA breathtaking adventure brimming with cruelty, tragedy, passion, obsession and, most of all, the music, rhythm and spirit of Spain's gitano community... There is a real fire to this exciting new chapter in the captivating Seven Sisters odyssey, an extraordinary sense of drawing inexorably nearer to solving the intriguing conundrum of Pa Salt's death and the tantalizing mystery of the missing sister. -- Lancashire Evening PostA heartfelt, powerful, and spiritual saga. I don't know how she infuses her characters with so much humanity, passion, warmth and love, keeps the plot moving and brings the past alive so profoundly, but she does so beautifully. If you've ever wondered if writers are magicians, just read one of Lucinda Riley's novels and you'll have the answer. -- M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling authorThis family saga moves between past and present, and is an engrossing read. I've read all of the series so far . . . possibly the best one yet! -- North Norfolk LivingRiley's meticulous research and attention to detail immerse readers in historical background, bringing Tiggy and her Spanish birth family to life. Fans of Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, and Riley's previous novels will adore this anticipated series continuation. -- Booklist, USAThe tension, sweeping descriptions, and multiple subplots catch the reader early and don't let go. Touches of magical realism and musical culture add to the gorgeous descriptions and historical details. -- Historical Novel Society, USAIn each of her series novels, Riley draws magnetic and strong women, polar opposites in personality but all of them fearless and determined. This entry will delight followers of Riley's series, but also appeal to new readers -- Library Journal, USA

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Book SynopsisA timeless masterpiece that delves into the enigmatic abyss of human nature, exposing the shadows that lie within. Conrad's evocative prose transports you to an uncharted realm, where morality battles the allure of power. Prepare for a gripping exploration of the human psyche that transcends time. Often exploring the dark aspects of human nature, Conrad narrates the clash of cultures.An Enigmatic Journey Through the Layers of Humanity

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from the bestselling The Seven Sisters and The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister is the third book in Lucinda Riley's spellbinding series of love and loss, inspired by the mythology of the Seven Sisters constellation.Star D'Aplièse, in her late twenties, is at a crossroads in her life after the sudden death of her beloved father – the elusive billionaire, named Pa Salt by his six daughters, all adopted by him from the four corners of the world. He has left each of them a clue to their true heritage, but Star – the most enigmatic of the sisters – is hesitant to step out of the safety of the close relationship she shares with her sister CeCe. In desperation, she decides to follow the first clue she has been left, which leads her to an antiquarian bookshop in London, and the start of a whole new world . . .A hundred years earlier, headstrong and independent Flora MacNichol vows she will never marry. She is happy and secure in her home in the Lake District, living close to her idol, Beatrix Potter. But, when machinations outside of her control lead her to the London home of one of Edwardian society's most notorious players, Flora is pulled between passionate love and duty to her family. But she finds herself a pawn in a game – the rules of which are only known to others – until a meeting with a mysterious gentleman unveils the answers that Flora has been searching for her whole life . . .As Star learns more of Flora's incredible journey, she too goes on a voyage of discovery, finally stepping out of the shadow of her sister and opening herself up to the possibility of love.The epic, multi-million selling series continues with The Pearl Sister.'Absolutely impossible to put down! The Seven Sisters books just keep getting better and better' - Tracy Rees, author of Amy SnowPraise for the Seven Sisters:'A masterclass in beautiful writing' – The Sun'Heart-wrenching, uplifting and utterly enthralling' – Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party'A breathtaking adventure' – Lancashire Evening PostFive-Star Reader Reviews:'Absolutely incredible''Totally addictive''Ideal for when you need to escape'Trade ReviewWonderful! Absolutely impossible to put down! The Seven Sisters books just keep getting better and better -- Tracy Rees, author of Amy SnowA deliciously twisting plot with clues cleverly paced along the way. I could hardly wait to solve the mystery of Star's origins. Thoroughly addictive storytelling with a moving, emotional heart -- Dinah Jefferies, author of The Tea Planter’s WifeThe Shadow Sister really is Lucinda's best yet. The scope of this series is breathtaking and each book is more captivating than the last -- Iona Grey, author of Letters to the Lost[An] engaging and mesmerizing story of self-discovery and love * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALISTA dazzling epic of love, war and the joy of books' GuardianThere is magic in this place You just have to sit and breathe and wait and it will find you'Fifteenth-century Constantinople. Present day Idaho. The future, and humanity's last hope.Across time and space, five young dreamers are bound by a single ancient text. Together, they tell a story of a world in peril; of the power of words, of resilience, and of hope against all odds.The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See returns with a heart-breaking, magnificent epic of human connection and a love letter to storytelling itself.Wonderment and despair, love and destruction and hope all find their place in its sumptuously plotted pages' ObserverIngenious, hopeful and totally absorbing' Financial TimesThis engagingly written, big-hearted book is a must-read' Daily MirrorTrade Review Praise for Cloud Cuckoo Land: ‘Sets him comfortably alongside Tolkien, Rowling and David Mitchell, and he is a much more elegant writer than two of those … Cloud Cuckoo Land is an impressive achievement and a joy to read. Serious novels are rarely this fun.’ The Times ‘There is a kind of book a seasoned writer produces after a big success: large-hearted, wide in scope and joyous. Following his Pulitzer winner All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land is a deep lungful of fresh air – and a gift of a novel’ Guardian ‘A paean to stories as a source of sustenance and solace, and to the sweetness of our shared terrestrial home, Doerr’s narrative is buoyant with humanity and it’s author’s palpable pleasure in invention’ Daily Mail ‘A humane and uplifting book for adults that’s infused with the magic of childhood reading experiences. Cloud Cuckoo Land is ultimately a celebration of books, the power and possibilities of reading’ New York Times ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land is a fascinatingly ambitious tale that’s worth the seven year wait’ Stylist ‘Pulitzer Prize-winner Anthony Doerr’s new novel traverses time and space, unifying his characters through a text written by Diogenes in the first century AD. Cloud Cuckoo Land begins there and sweeps through the millennia in a huge, imaginative arc that celebrates the outsiders, the writers and the keepers of books. An ultimately hopeful and life-affirming novel about the essence of love, literature and art’ Irish Independent ‘This is a dazzling epic of love, war and the joy of books – one for David Mitchell fans’ Guardian ‘Wonderment and despair, love and destruction and hope – all find their place in its sumptuously plotted pages’ Observer

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Book SynopsisThe fourth novel in the Ashmore Castle series, perfect for fans of DOWNTON ABBEY, from the author of the hugely successful MORLAND DYNASTY novelsBehind the doors of the magnificent Ashmore Castle, secrets are waiting to be uncovered . . .

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Book SynopsisA special 10th anniversary edition of the standalone bestseller, Winter in Madrid, by the author of the much-loved Shardlake series, C. J. Sansom.1940: The Spanish Civil War is over, and Madrid lies ruined, its people starving, while the Germans continue their relentless march through Europe. Britain now stands alone while General Franco considers whether to abandon neutrality and enter the war. Into this uncertain world comes Harry Brett: a traumatized veteran of Dunkirk turned reluctant spy for the British Secret Service. Sent to gain the confidence of old school friend Sandy Forsyth, now a shady Madrid businessman, Harry finds himself involved in a dangerous game – and surrounded by memories. Meanwhile Sandy's girlfriend, ex-Red Cross nurse Barbara Clare, is engaged in a secret mission of her own – to find her former lover Bernie Piper, a passionate Communist in the International Brigades, who vanished on the bloody battlefields of the Jarama. In a vivid and haunting depiction of wartime Spain, Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom is an intimate and compelling tale which offers a remarkable sense of history unfolding, and the profound impact of impossible choices.Trade ReviewSansom adroitly draws the disparate strands of his ambitious saga together. His non-pareil evocations of time and place anchor his characters with satisfying precision * Independent *An unsentimental and utterly fascinating portrait of Spain in 1940 . . . Sansom wears his research lightly and gets right under the skin of his characters. The result is a tense, literate page-turner, full of twists, authentic detail and real pathos, a superb achievement * Guardian *A convincing and moving historical novel, which is also an exciting thriller . . . Sansom has a good eye for detail that brings the time alive * Sunday Times *Thoroughly researched, convincingly evocative and solidly entertaining * Daily Telegraph *Sansom triumphs as he unravels the tissues of lies and deceptions . . . a gripping, readable story * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisThe spellbinding series continues in the icy beauty of Norway. Following the bestselling The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister is the second book in Lucinda Riley's epic saga of love and loss, inspired by the mythology of the Seven Sisters constellation.Ally D'Aplièse, in her early thirties, is about to compete in one of the world's most perilous yacht races when she hears the news of her adoptive father's sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father – an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt – has left each of them a tantalizing clue to their true heritage.Ally recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, leading to the icy beauty of Norway . . .There, Ally begins to discover her roots – and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over a hundred years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And she begins to wonder: why is their seventh sister missing?The epic, multi-million selling series continues with The Shadow Sister.'A brilliant page-turner just soaked in glamour and romance' – Daily MailPraise for the Seven Sisters:'A masterclass in beautiful writing' – The Sun'Heart-wrenching, uplifting and utterly enthralling' – Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party'A breathtaking adventure' – Lancashire Evening PostFive-Star Reader Reviews:'Absolutely incredible''Totally addictive''Ideal for when you need to escape'Trade Review[It] will keep you engaged until the very last page * Candis *A great page-turner, full of drama and romance * Daily Mail *The Storm Sister is like a literary musical score - crashing waves, staccato heartstopping moments and a crescendo waiting in the wings. * The Book Trail *

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Book SynopsisThe final book of the Lonesome Dove quartet, set in the American West.

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Book SynopsisTells the story of an orphan named Oliver, who runs away from the workhouse only to be taken in by a den of thieves.Trade Review"The power of [Dickens] is so amazing, that the reader at once becomes his captive, and must follow him whithersoever he leads."--William Makepeace Thackeray

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Book SynopsisThe phenominal million-copy bestselling novel by Martha Hall Kelly.'Harrowing ... Lilac illuminates.' People'A compelling, page-turning narrative ... It's smart, thoughtful and also just an old-fashioned good read.' Fort Worth Star, Telegram'A powerful story for readers everywhere ... A novel that brings to life what these women and many others suffered ... I was moved to tears.' San Francisco Book Review__________or three women living through World War II, the threat of war poses very separate issues - that is, until their lives become intertwined in the most tragic of circumstances.New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline's world is forever changed when Hitler's army invades Poland in September 1939-and then sets its sights on France.An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents-from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland-as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.__________'[A] compelling first novel . . . This is a page-turner demonstrating the tests and triumphs civilians faced during war, complemented by Kelly's vivid depiction of history and excellent characters.' Publishers Weekly'Kelly vividly re-creates the world of Ravensbrück.' Kirkus Reviews'Martha Hall Kelly has woven together the stories of three women during World War II that reveal the bravery, cowardice, and cruelty of those days.' Lisa See'Lilac Girls is the best book I've read all year. It will haunt you.' Jamie Ford'I can't remember the last time I read a novel that moved me so deeply.' Beatriz Williams

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Book SynopsisA powerfully poignant tale of one of the most turbulent moments in Scotland's history: the North Berwick Witch Trials. IT’S THE 4TH OF DECEMBER 1591. On this, the last night of her life, in a prison cell several floors below Edinburgh’s High Street, convicted witch Geillis Duncan receives a mysterious visitor – Iris, who says she comes from a future where women are still persecuted for who they are and what they believe. As the hours pass and dawn approaches, Geillis recounts the circumstances of her arrest, brutal torture, confession and trial, while Iris offers support, solace – and the tantalising prospect of escape. Hex is a visceral depiction of what happens when a society is consumed by fear and superstition, exploring how the terrible force of a king’s violent crusade against ordinary women can still be felt, right up to the present day. 'This series has already produced two works of note and distinction. It raises the question – if a country cannot re-tell its history, will it be stuck forever in aspic and condemned to be nothing more than a shortbread tin illustration? Hex and Rizzio are showing the way towards a reckoning, and about time too’ – Stuart Kelly, Scotland on SundayTrade Review'A rage-fuelled thunderbolt… but this punchy, painful novel is no sermon: Fagan cultivates the occult energy swirling around her themes, even as she explodes the myths that enables male violence' * Daily Mail *'Exceptional… I’m still reeling from it, it is devastating…"the purest light attracts the most impenetrable darkness” – that line just resonates and resonates… a stunning book, thank you for this' * BBC Radio Scotland *'This series has already produced two works of note and distinction. It raises the question – if a country cannot re-tell its history, will it be stuck forever in aspic and condemned to be nothing more than a shortbread tin illustration? Hex and Rizzio are showing the way towards a reckoning, and about time too' -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *'Hex, for a book about such trauma and agony, is a crisp, clear book… elegant and angry in equal measure' * The Scotsman *'Hex is a powerful, fictional retelling of the North Berwick witch trials from Jenni Fagan’ -- Lynsey May * The List *'Fagan’s writing is wild and exciting… [she] stirs up a powerful brew with her magical fable' -- Dani Garavelli * Herald *'One of the most stunning literary experiences I've had in years' -- Irvine Welsh'[an] exhilarating, humbling homage to Geillis Duncan' -- Sam Baker'[a] soulful, tender, powerfully moving retelling of the last days of Geillis Duncan' -- Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and trustee of the Booker Prize Foundation'Unsurprisingly brilliant, a feminist warcry from one century to another as we spend the night with a young woman about to be slowly hanged as a witch. Beautiful, moving writing' -- Sarah Pinborough, Sunday Times #1 and New York Times Bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes'A powerful and compelling short novel' * Undiscovered Scotland *'Hex is stunning, so powerful… Beautiful work!' -- Salena Godden, author of Mrs Death Misses Death'I devoured Hex and absolutely adored it. I mean, what a genuinely astonishing novel; gorgeous, heart-breaking' * Waterstones, West End Edinburgh *'the magical and the realism are always in perfect balance… Hex is both a timely and timeless publication' -- Alistair Braidwood * The Skinny *'A perfect encapsulation of everything I love about Jenni's work - brilliantly real characters, shot through with feminist anger, word choice to make you shiver, & that knack of taking the road least expected' -- Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen'Powerfully conjures a meeting across the centuries between Geillis Duncan, a young girl on the night before her execution for witchcraft in 1591, and Iris, a contemporary witch' -- Sally McDonald * Sunday Post *'this book is magnificent. I cannot think of a voice, or imagination, like Jenni Fagan’s' -- Terri White (journalist and author)'Really felt Jenni Fagan's anger coming off the page… brilliant' * Waterstones Leicester *'An ‘i’ Recommended Read' * i'News *'A fascinating and powerful book about the history and traumas of Scottish women' * Mainstreet Trading *'It's an exemplar of the form, a book that tells its story across space and time from a writer who is fully engaged with both subject and style' * Snack Magazine,10 Best Scottish Books of 2022 *'Stunning book. Read this in one sitting on a Sunday morning. It's 100 pages make such an impact. Sublime writing' * GoodReads FIVE STAR REVIEW *'This novel sent chills right through my bones' * Lizzy’s Literary Life, Blog *'A poignant new perspective on Scotland’s notorious North Berwick witch trials' * Product Magazine *'Hex is fantastic!' -- Denise Mina'Packs a mighty punch and has lots of important messages about misogyny, prejudice, abuse and inaction which was rife in the sixteenth century and still permeates modern lives' * Linger Longer with Books *'Hex is excellent and everyone should read it' * Kamila Shamsie *'Visceral, damning, shimmering with literal prowess and prose all under the heady guide of something much darker, this tremendous read shall stay with you forever' -- Daniel Bassett, Waterstones Bookseller'Small but mighty … the mere fact that this tale is based on real events gives the story a powerful, disturbing authenticity' * Scottish Field *'Fagan’s hypnotic narrative reveals the might of language which can bring its own kind of justice in one single sentence' -- Loretta Mulholland * Dundee Courier, Book of the Week 10/10 *'Written in lucid prose, no word is wasted in this taut story. Hex is an extraordinary prose poem to the brutality, abuse, and repression of women through centuries to the present’ * Historical Novel Society *'I love the idea — drinking in historical fiction as a series of shots' -- Katherine Faulkner, author of Greenwich Park and The Sunday Times’ head of news projects'Fagan’s prose could not be more suited to her subject – at times stripped back, at others almost incantatory' -- Grant Rintoul'Hex is an exceptional example of how to tell a story' -- Alistair Braidwood * SNACK Mag, EIBF Preview *'Her work gives glorious voice to ancient Edinburgh tenements, to the Devil’s daughter, to the care-home kids, to witches, to all us pariahs and cowgirls' -- Michael Pedersen * Electric Literature *'Witchcraft and feminism meet in one short novel that leaves a powerful impact on the reader' * Faber Blog, Indie Bookshop Recommendations *

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Book SynopsisBook of the Year 2023 according to New York Times, New Yorker, Guardian, Economist, Observer, The Spectator, Financial Times, Vogue, The Times, The Oldie, i Paper, The Standard, Washington Post, Independent, Daily ExpressSHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE WRITERS' PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024ONE OF SARAH JESSICA PARKER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023LONGLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2024A writer at the peak of her powers' The TelegraphTruth and fiction. Jamaica and Britain. Who gets to tell their story?In her first historical novel, Zadie Smith transports the reader to a Victorian England transfixed by the real-life trial of the Tichborne Claimant, in which a cockney butcher, recently returned from Australia, lays claim to the Tichborne baronetcy, with his former slave Andrew Bogle as star witness. Watching the proceedings, and with her own story to tell, is Eliza Touchet cousin, housekeeper and perhaps more to failing novelist William Harrison Ainsworth.From literary London to the Jamaica's sugar-cane plantations, Zadie Smith weaves an enthralling story linking the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved, and the comic and the tragic.It's difficult to give any idea of how extraordinary this book is. One of the great historical novels, certainly. But has any historical novel ever combined such brilliantly researched and detailed history with such intensely imagined fiction?'' Michael FraynAs always it is a pleasure to be in Zadie Smith's mind . . . Dickens may be dead, but Smith, thankfully, is alive' New York TimesZadie Smith's Victorian-set masterpiece holds a mirror up to Britain . . . The Fraud is the genuine article' IndependentSmith's dazzling historical novel combines deft writing and strenuous construction in a tale of literary London and the horrors of slavery' GuardianInstant Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023

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Book SynopsisA family torn apart. A daughter determined to stay together.When the parish guardians send Lydia, daughter of convict James Knowles, to be an apprentice in the cotton mill at Caton, she is distraught at being parted from her younger siblings and mother, Betty, but she has no choice.At the mill, Lydia is bullied by some of the other girls and things do not go well when she stands up to the ringleader. Fearing she has killed someone and with the word murderess ringing in her ears, Lydia runs for her life.Meanwhile, Betty and her children have been granted passage to Australia to join her husband, but Lydia cannot be found so Betty is forced to leave without her.When Lydia arrives home to find her family has gone she is determined to follow them, all the while avoiding the law who seek to return her to the mill.A dramatic and emotional family saga for fans of Emma Hornby, Joanne Clague and Kitty Neale.Praise for The Runaway Daughter ‘A definite page turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Absolutely brilliant read, fans of Catherine Cookson will love it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A dark and gritty read that I devoured, as I know all historical fiction lovers will. I laughed and cried but could not stop reading until I got to the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘An incredible story of a strong family bond, even as they struggle.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Well worth reading the series. Such a good read and well told.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Wow, what a brilliant book. So many emotions and some hard hitting moments. Family saga at its best!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA scandal will change the lives of two women forever...Veronica Hay is an acclaimed beauty but her downward spiral begins the moment she enters into a loveless marriage that removes her from her home in Edinburgh to Berwickshire. From there, she begins a luckless affair with Sire Alexander Renton which helps her to forget her longing for the fashions and energy of Edinburgh.Her husband seeks revenge, driving Veronica’s story to a tragic end. Veronica’s adultery causes a scandal, but it might be the making of her devoted friend and maidservant, Helen Cameron, who rises to become part of Edinburgh’s New Town story all on her own.A gripping Scottish saga based on true events, perfect for fans of Tessa Barclay and Dilly Court.

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Book SynopsisThe first book in the epic and bestselling series that has gripped millions. A hero will be forged from this broken land. As seen on Netflix and BBC around the world.Trade Review'Cornwell is a virtuoso of historical fiction.' Sunday Telegraph 'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail 'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer

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Book SynopsisThe international bestseller from the author of the Booker-shortlisted novel, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World, The Forty Rules of Love is part of our Penguin Essentials series which spotlights the very best of our modern classics*One of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped the World''*Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven''t loved enough...Ella Rubinstein has a husband, three teenage children, and a pleasant home. Everything that should make her confident and fulfilled. Yet there is an emptiness at the heart of Ella''s life - an emptiness once filled by love. So when Ella reads a manuscript about the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and his mentor Shams of Tabriz, and his forty rules of life and love, she is ready to look at her life anew. Compelled to embrace change, she embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author. It is a quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verse, taking Ella and us into a faraway world where faith and doubt are heartbreakingly explored. The Forty Rules of Love is a mesmerising tale of discovery, language, truth and, of course, love itself.''The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself'' The Times''Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent'' Daily Telegraph*** ELIF SHAFAK''S NEW NOVEL, THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY, IS AVAILABLE NOW ***Trade ReviewA gorgeous, jeweled, luxurious book * The Times *With its timely, thought-provoking message . . . The Forty Rules of Love deserves to be a global publishing phenomenon * Independent *Enlightening, enthralling. An affecting paean to faith and love * Metro *Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent * Daily Telegraph *The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe multi-award-winning, million copy bestseller... 'the literary equivalent of a switch-back ride' - Sunday TimesTrade Review'A brilliantly deft and humane account of two ordinary couples in post-war London' Evening Standard * Evening Standard *Every scene is rich in implication, entrancing and disturbing at the same time; the literary equivalent of a switch-back ride * The Sunday Times *'Small Island is never less than finely-written, delicately and often comically observed, and impressively rich in detail and little nuggets of stories' Evening Standard, 2 February 2004 * Evening Standard *What makes Levy's writing so appealing is her even-handedness. All her characters can be weak, hopeless, brave, good, bad - whatever their colour. The writing is rigorous and the bittersweet ending, with its unexpected twist, touching... People can retain great dignity, however small their island * Independent on Sunday *'Small Island is as full of warmth and jokes and humanity as you could wish...Such a rich saga, stuffed full of interlocking narratives' Time Out, 2 February 2004 * Time Out *'A cracking good read' * Margaret Forster *'A great read...honest, skilful, thoughtful and important' * Guardian *'An involving saga about the changing face of Britain' Mirror, 6 February 2004 * Mirror *'It's an engrossing read - slyly funny, passionately angry and wholly involving' Daily Mail, 6 February 2004 * Daily Mail *'Explores the Caribbean experience of immigration to Britain with great sensitivity' * Independent *'Wonderful...seamless...a magnificent achievement' * Linda Grant *'I know it is a fiction, but I emerged from the book full of admiration for the patience and resilience of that generation...Levy has written one of those rare fictions that tells you things you didn't know but feel you should have known...the writing is deft and striking, without being pretentious' Sunday Herald, 8/2/04 * Sunday Herald *'With this funny, tender, intelligent fourth novel Andrea Levy looks set to become as commercially popular as she is critically acclaimed' Sainsbury's magazine, February 2004 * Sainsbury's magazine *'Never less than finely written, delicately and often comically observed, and impressively rich in detail and little nuggets of stories' * Evening Standard *'An engrossing read - slyly funny, passionately angry and wholly involving' * Daily Mail *'An impressive break-through novel' Publishing News, 23/1/04 * Publishing News *'It is a work of great imaginative power which ranks alongside Sam Selvon's THE LONELY LONDONERS, George Lamming's THE EMIGRANTS and Caryl Phillips' THE FINAL PASSAGE in dealing with the experience of migration' Linton Kwesi Johnson * Linton Kwesi Johnson *'A work of great imaginative power' * Linton Kwesi Johnson *'As full of warmth and jokes and humanity as you could wish' * Time Out *'What makes Levy's writing so appealing is her even-handedness. All her characters can be weak, hopeless, brave, good, bad - whatever their colour. The writing is rigorous and the bittersweet ending, with its unexpected twist, touching... People can retain great dignity, however small their island' Independent on Sunday, 25/1/04 * Independent on Sunday *'A bevy of luminaries have garlanded Andrea Levy's fourth novel with advance praise - and it's no surprise. Using elements of her own family background, Levy has vividly animated London in the immediate aftermath of World War II... She weaves a wonderfully detailed and vibrant story' Red magazine, February 2004 issue * Red magazine, February 2004 issue *'Gives us a new urgent take on our past' * Vogue *'A terrific book' Alan Plater * Alan Plater *'Wonderful...seamless...a magnificent achievement' Linda Grant * Linda Grant *'A cracking good read...I think what appealed to me most was the passion and anger in the writing all the way through, yet it was always leavened with a particularly wry sort of humour - the sort that, tho' you find yourself smiling, you at the same time realise you almost shouldn't be' Margaret Forster * Margaret Forster *'I enjoyed SMALL ISLAND enormously and wish it every success. It conjures up so vividly the era of the 1940's and expresses so vividly through the lives of its four protagonists the conflicts and racist attitudes that existed at that time. A wonderful insight into a little understood period' Joan Bakewell * Joan Bakewell *'A worthy winner of the 2004 Orange Prize for Fiction...Levy does not set out to preach, and her light touch, wry humour and down-to-earth, almost gossipy tone make this novel as readable as it is challenging' The Sunday Times, 19/9/04 * The Sunday Times *'Small Island is a brilliant picture of the dented dreams of Jamaicans in post-war Britain' Financial Times, Dec 04 * Financial Times *'Soon you will be enchanted. It is good enough to compete against anything written this year' Jasper Gerard, News Review, Sunday Times 13/6/04 * Jasper Gerard, News Review, Sunday Times *'Small Island is an astonishing tour de force by Andrea Levy. Juggling four voices, she illuminates a little known aspect of recent British history with wit and wisdom. A compassionate account of the problems of post war immigration, it cannot fail to have a strong modern resonance' Sandi Toksvig, Orange Prize judge, 8/6/04 * Sandi Toksvig, Orange Prize judge *'Levy offers her readers rich satisfaction from both story and character' The Times, 10/7/04 * The Times *'This won the Orange prize for its insight, compassion, wealth of historical details and its cracking plot' Independent on Sunday, 11/7/04 * Independent on Sunday *'Levy's trinity of voices gently refutes the idea that the story of West Indian immigration has anything to do with (free) teeth or glasses' Guardian, 9/10/04 * Guardian *'The small islands of Andrea Levy's title are not Britain, Jamaica or the outlying Caribbean islands - they are the blinkered mindsets of both the hopelessly optimistic West Indians and the reflexively racist Britons who have to learn to live together both during and after the war. But Levy's concern is not to browbeat but to educate and entertain. This deserving winner of the Orange Prize never loses its wit, energy or power' Observer, 30/10/04 * Observer *'A touching, eloquently written story...Andrea Levy expertly captures the turbulence of a time of momentous change' Sunday Telegraph, 17/10/04 * Sunday Telegraph *'It's more than a novel, it's a recreation of a largely unexplored episode of our history...the narrative voices seem so authentic that it is easy to become lost in their sometimes dark, sometimes joyous worlds' Daily Express, 15/10/04 * Daily Express *'Levy handles themes of empire, prejudice, war and love with a lightness of touch and an uplifting generosity of spirit' Age, Melbourne * Age, Melbourne *'Levy tactfully delves into her family history while tackling the heavy issues of prejudice, assimilation and love in the ordinary lives of Jamaican migrants' MX, Melbourne, 31/5/04 * MX, Melbourne *'Levy's book brings freshness and humour as well as indignation and pity to its survey of social and racial prejudice half a century ago' The Sunday Times, 28/11/04 * The Sunday Times *'A spellbinding story... An enthralling tour de force that animates a chapter in the history of empire' Kirkus Reviews * Kirkus Reviews *'Levy's must-read novel seems to gain stature with time' Sunday Express magazine, 12/6/05 * Sunday Express magazine *'What a deserved winner she is. It was a very good shortlist but in my opinion Small Island stood out at the longlist stage - for its writing, its wit and the impressively light touch she brought to the subject' Minette Walters, 15/6/04 * Minette Walters *'Small Island operates on a larger canvas than Levy's previous novels. It's neither splashy nor experimental, but for thoughtfulness & wry humour cannot be faulted' Telegraph 21/2/04 * Telegraph *'Small Island is a great read, delivering the sort of pleasure which has been the traditional stock-in-trade of a long line of English novelists. It's honest, skilful, thoughtful and important. This is Andrea Levy's big book' Guardian 14/2/04 * Guardian *'Andrea Levy gives us a new urgent take on our past' Vogue 13/2/04 * Vogue *'[A] moving, funny, honest novel' Elle 13/2/04 * Elle *'Every scene is rich in implication, entrancing and disturbing at the same time; the literary equivalent of a switch-back ride' The Sunday Times, 29/2/04 * The Sunday Times *'Here is the book I have been waiting for... an ample, sprawling story of nearly 450 pages, mirroring an expansive inner and outer landscape, spanning two islands and three continents, and incorporating a hybrid cast of humanly idiosyncratic characters; and above all, a book in which the author, Andrea Levy, never once forgets she is telling a story, delighting us, improbably, in this nasty tale of race, with the effervescent style of Dickens' Globe & Mail, Toronto, 12/6/04 * Globe & Mail, Toronto *'Very ambitious and beautifully written... in addition [it's] funny and fiercely satirical' Richard Eyre in the Guardian, 16/6/05 * Guardian *'Small Island is a slyly humorous, rich feast of a book' Mail on Sunday, 17/10/04 * Mail on Sunday *'A beautifully crafted, compassionate novel, well worth reading' Bulletin with Newsweek, 4/5/04 * Bulletin with Newsweek, Australia *'[Hortense] has guts and this portrait of her world is created with strong feeling that is subtly, and brilliantly, rendered' Sydney Morning Herald, 1/5/04 * Sydney Morning Herald *'Funny, poignant and profoundly moving...Small Island deals with the weighty themes of empire, prejudice, love and war with such humour and compassion that Levy has been praised for her even-handedness by some, condemned for it by others' West Australian, 1/5/04 * West Australian *'Levy's story is a triumph in perspective...a triumph of poise, organisation and deep, deep character - the sort of work that can only be achieved by an experienced novelist' Age, Melbourne 17/4/04 * Age, Melbourne *'Everything about the plot, characters and clever end twist of SMALL ISLAND [is] beautifully drawn... This is an epic book that brings the patois of Jamaicans alive, fills the world of war-torn London with amazing detail and is a great history lesson about the era when England changed forever as migrants braved bitter racism to flood her shores' Herald Sun (Melbourne), 10/4/04 * Herald Sun (Melbourne) *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, heart-warming yet sometimes heart-wrenching book Beautiful I was left with a smile on my face' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Can a second chance heal their broken family?Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie's taken responsibility for her younger sister, Linda. And when their father's temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls are better off on their own.But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there's more to her abandonment than meets the eye.Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?A gripping and emotional family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Rosie Clarke.Readers love At Home by the Sea:Such a remarkable book from start to finish It will touch your heart Loved it' Goodreads reviewer,?????I coulTrade Review PRAISE FOR PAM WEAVER: ‘A heartrending story about mothers and daughters’ Kitty Neale ‘What a terrific read – saga fans everywhere will love it and be asking for more from this talented author.’ Annie Groves ‘The characters are so richly drawn and authentic that they pull the reader along through the story effortlessly. This book is a real page turner, which I enjoyed very much.’ Anne Bennett

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Book SynopsisOne of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped Our World''A worldwide bestseller and the first part of Achebe''s African Trilogy, Things Fall Apart is the compelling story of one man''s battle to protect his community against the forces of changeOkonkwo is the greatest wrestler and warrior alive, and his fame spreads throughout West Africa like a bush-fire in the harmattan. But when he accidentally kills a clansman, things begin to fall apart. Then Okonkwo returns from exile to find missionaries and colonial governors have arrived in the village. With his world thrown radically off-balance he can only hurtle towards tragedy. First published in 1958, Chinua Achebe''s stark, coolly ironic novel reshaped both African and world literature, and has sold over ten million copies in forty-five languages. This arresting parable of a proud but powerless man witnessing the ruin of his people begins Achebe''s landmark trilogy of works chronicling the fate of one African community, continued in Arrow of God and No Longer at Ease.''His courage and generosity are made manifest in the work'' Toni Morrison''The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down'' Nelson Mandela''A great book, that bespeaks a great, brave, kind, human spirit'' John UpdikeWith an Introduction by Biyi BandeleTrade Review'The first novel in English which spoke from the interior of an African character, rather than portraying the African as exotic, as the white man would see him' Wole Soyinka "The Founding Father of the African novel in English" - The Guardian

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Book SynopsisOne candid photograph will change the lives of four people forever. While taking photographs at an exposition in Seattle in 1909, Camera Girl Eleanor Bennett snaps an image of a woman in widow''s clothes with deep sorrow etched in her expression and a young infant in her arms.Eleanor longs to study botany at the University of Washington and soon becomes fast friends with botanist Bill Reed, but she can''t stop thinking about the widow in the photograph. She is stunned to learn Bill recognizes the woman as the sister-in-law he believed lost in a shipwreck.As Eleanor and Bill hunt for Amelia Reed to reunite her with her grief-stricken husband, they must stand together to face the danger that follows and learn to trust that God will direct their paths.   

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully told and gripping from first page to last' Sunday Express'An incredible feat of storytelling... and an old-fashioned page-turner' Donal Ryan'Gripping and well-honed...consummately constructed, humming with tension' Guardian'You can't prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel' John Irving________________________________From the author of the globally bestselling, multi-million-copy classic, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, comes its astonishing and powerful sequel.Gretel Fernsby is a quiet woman leading a quiet life. She doesn't talk about her escape from Germany seventy years ago or the dark post-war years in France with her mother. Most of all, she doesn't talk about her father, the commandant of one of the most notorious Nazi concentration camps.But when a young family moves into the apartment below her, Gretel can't help but befriend their little boy, Henry, though his presence brings back painful memories. One night, she witnesses a violent argument between his parents, which threatens to disturb her hard-won peace.For the second time in her life, Gretel is given the chance to save a young boy. To do so would allay her guilt, grief and remorse, but it will also force her to reveal her true identity.Will she make a different choice this time, whatever the cost to herself?The new novel from John Boyne, WATER, is available for pre-order now._______________________________Praise for John Boyne'A master storyteller' Daily Express'One of the best novelists of Ireland' Sunday Express'Boyne offers writing of insight and beauty' Observer'John Boyne is a maestro of hisoritical fiction' John IrvingTrade ReviewGripping and well-honed...consummately constructed, humming with tension... a defence of literature's need to shine a light on the darkest aspects of human nature and it does so with a novelist's skill, precision and power * The Guardian *'What an incredible feat of storytelling. All the Broken Places is a stark confrontation of evil, an examination of guilt and deflection, and an old-fashioned page-turner. John treads the finest of narrative lines with skill and grace and proves himself yet again to be among the world's greatest storytellers. ' * Donal Ryan *An eloquent meditation on guilt, complicity and redemption.. a remarkable novel, with humanity at its core * Mail on Sunday *Beautifully told and gripping from first page to last * Sunday Express *This novel, this exceptional, layered and compelling story, is built on modern history and all of us people who live it. The protagonist, the elderly, forthright and mysterious Mrs. Fernsby, is more than memorable and every one of Boyne's characters, and every scene, dark or light, is limned in truth and insight. This book moves like a freight train,with force and consequence for the reader. * Amy Bloom *

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Book Synopsis''Intelligently written, meticulously researched and full of rich historical description'' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''I loved, loved, loved this book'' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''It''s a page turner & I''d give it 10 stars if I could!!!'' Reader Review, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Return to the enchanting world of All Souls for a love story like no other...Marcus Whitmore was made a vampire in the eighteenth century. Over two hundred years later, he finds himself in love with Phoebe Taylor, a human who decides to become a vampire herself. And with tradition enforcing separation from Marcus, Phoebe''s transformation will prove as challenging now as it was for Marcus when he first encountered Matthew de Clermont, his sire. Time''s Convert moves with epic sweep from the battlefields of the American RevolutTrade ReviewWhat a rich, thrilling and educational tale is... A captivating and romantic ripping yarn - GuardianIntelligent and off-the-wall...irresistible to Twilight fans - The Sunday TimesSpellbinding... Unputdownable - Woman & HomeThis is a glorious, finely-wrought gem of a book: intelligent, thoughtful, intricate... I could lose myself in here and never want to come out: what better accolade can there be? ...Utterly enchanting on every levelA bubbling cauldron of illicit desire...all the ingredients for an assured saga that blends romance with fantasy - Daily MailA vast, sexy, historical romp of a novel. There's no doubting Harkness's vivid imagination - Daily MirrorAn inventive addition to the supernatural craze...has exciting amounts of spells, kisses and battles, and is recounted with enchanting, page-turning panache - Marie Claire

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Book SynopsisRobert Harris is the author of fifteen bestselling novels: the Cicero Trilogy - Imperium, Lustrum and Dictator - Fatherland, Enigma, Archangel, Pompeii, The Ghost, The Fear Index, An Officer and a Spy, which won four prizes including the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, Conclave, Munich, The Second Sleep, V2 and Act of Oblivion. His work has been translated into forty languages and nine of his books have been adapted for cinema and television. He lives in West Berkshire with his wife, Gill Hornby.Trade ReviewHarris is the master. With Lustrum, [he] has surpassed himself. It is one of the most exciting thrillers I have ever read * Evening Standard *Harris communicates such a strong sense of imperial Rome - the book is awesomely well-informed about the minutiae of everyday life * Guardian *Thoroughly engaging ... The allure of power and the perils that attend it have seldom been so brilliantly anatomised in a thriller * Sunday Times *Harris never makes his comparisons between Rome and modern Britain explicit, but they are certainly there. And that's the principal charm of his ancient thrillers - their up-to-dateness * Sunday Telegraph *Magnificent ... Better than Robert Graves's Claudius novels * Standpoint *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF FIVE BAFTAS, TWO GOLDEN GLOBES, and NOMINATED FOR ELEVEN ACADEMY AWARDS. STARRING EMMA STONE, FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE FAVOURITE Winner of the Whitbread Novel Award and the Guardian Fiction Prize A life without freedom to choose is not worth having. Godwin Baxter's scientific ambition to create the perfect companion is realised when he finds the drowned body of the beautiful Bella, who he brings back to life in a Frankenstein-esque feat. But his dream is thwarted by Dr. Archibald McCandless's jealous love for his creation . . . But what does Bella think? This story of true love and scientific daring whirls the reader from the private operating-theatres of late-Victorian Glasgow through aristocratic casinos, low-life Alexandria and a Parisian bordello, reaching an interrupted climax in a Scottish church. ________________________ 'A magnificently brisk, funny, dirty, brainy book' London Review of Books 'Visionary, ornate and outrageous' The Independent 'Witty and delightfully written' New York Times 'A brilliant marriage of technique, intelligence, and art.' Kirkus Reviews 'The greatest Scottish novelist since Sir Walter Scott' Anthony Burgess 'Those who, like me, are unsure if they are Alasdair Gray fans or not, ought to fall on Poor Things with delight, and not just because of the almost excessive beauty of its appearance' Philip Hensher, Spectator

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