Historical Fiction Books

Book SynopsisA brand new wartime saga, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Val WoodSummer, 1916 Despite the misery of war in the air, some things in the small hamlet of Strawbridge remain unchanged. The strawberry harvest is nearly ready and friends Leah, Alice and Dora still have each other. Before the war, the three women had found a tentative happiness but now war has torn their lives apart. Each woman must learn to live with their new life at war, dealing with the absence of their loved ones and finding courage in the hardest of times…

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Book SynopsisAmid the chaos of war, this spitfire girl will soar with courage and determination. But as she fights for her country, a secret threatens to bring her crashing down.

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Book SynopsisFrom Cairo 1939 on the eve of the war and then thirty years later to 1970s Beirut on the eve of yet another conflict A young archaeologist spends her life bringing the past to light - now she must dig through the secrets and lies about her own past to uncover the truth about her mother's life in wartime Cairo.

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Book Synopsis''Historical fiction with a fantastical twist, done with verve and skill'' IAN RANKIN''An atmospheric and constantly surprising thriller'' SUNDAY TIMES''Kept me guessing until the end. An absolute masterpiece'' JENNIFER SAINT''A deliciously dark historical novel of thrilling originality'' ESSIE FOX''Spellbinding, gripping, immersive and deliciously gothic'' ERIN KELLY''Evocative, chilling, compelling'' TAMMY COHEN''Breathtakingly good'' ABIR MUKHERJEEParis, 1750.In the midst of an icy winter, as birds fall frozen from the sky, chambermaid Madeleine Chastel arrives at the home of the city''s celebrated clockmaker and his clever, unworldly daughter.Madeleine is hiding a dark past, and a dangerous purpose: to discover the truth of the clockmaker''s experiments and record his every move, in exchange for her own chance of freedom.For as children quietly vanish fTrade ReviewIt's rarely I come across a book that astounds me. The Clockwork Girl byAnna Mazzola is one such book. Engrossing plot, vivid characters, attention to historical detail, and above all the beauty of its prose. It is breathtakingly good * Abir Mukherjee *This book has everything I love. A deliciously dark historical novel of thrilling originality. Immensely clever and entertaining, this is a dazzling gothic novel where science, sin and subterfuge are as intricately rendered as the workings of a clock * Essie Fox *Evocative, chilling, compelling. Anna Mazzola brings 18th Century Paris vividly to life in all its stinking, disease-ridden brutality. Tremendous * Rachel Rhys/Tammy Cohen *The Clockwork Girl instantly draws you in, immersing the reader in a Paris of filth and greed, money and sin. Madeleine is a clever, captivating guide to this world, her story dark and bewitching. I loved itRarely have I been so utterly swept away by the opening pages of a novel as I was with The Clockwork Girl by Anna Mazzola - this book hooked me in and didn't let go. 1750 Paris was exquisitely wrought, from the freezing and fetid underbelly of the back streets and brothels to the glittering decadence of Versailles. This intricate and twisting story kept me guessing until the end. An absolute masterpiece! * Jennifer Saint *Unbelievably immersive - from the first page you are plunged into 18th century Paris and you won't want to leave. It is a gripping, gothic tale... three unforgettable women caught in a web of intrigue and murders. You really won't want to miss this. * Elodie Harper *Deliciously creepy, alive with the rustling silks, rotten smells and lethal egos of a divided Paris. Loved it * Sarah Hilary *'Anna Mazzola's new novel is a macabre tale of social upheaval and aristocratic skullduggery set against a beautifully evoked 1750s Paris. Mazzola immerses us in the political intrigues of the period, weaving a dark tale of vanished children, an obsessive genius, and courtly machinations. Told through the voices of three very differing women this is another accomplished slice of historical noir from a sure-footed exponent of the genre * Vaseem Khan *A superb historical novel set in a brilliantly evoked 18th century Paris, The Clockwork Girl will delight and enthral and leave you wanting more * William Ryan *Drawing you into 18th century Paris from the very first page, this book is a dark delight. Anna is uniquely amazing at letting you into her characters' heads & hearts, so you carry on thinking about them long after you stop reading... A Gothic gem * Beth Underdown *A treat in store for lovers of historical fiction next March. The Clockwork Girl is vivid & meticulously detailed. From the filth of Paris to the surprisingly squalid salons of Versailles in 1750, Anna Mazzola has crafted this dark jewel of a novel with the precision of a watchmaker...Glittering macabre * Kate Griffin *Spellbinding, gripping, immersive and deliciously gothic, I was happy to lose a whole weekend to THE CLOCKWORK GIRL. Beautiful prose brings the smells of 18th century Paris to life so vividly that you almost read the book with a scented handkerchief under your nose. No one gets under history's skin like Anna Mazzola. * ERIN KELLY *A chilling tale * WOMAN & HOME *Chilling and compelling, this is a gothic masterpiece that fans of historical fiction will love * S MAGAZINE, SUNDAY EXPRESS *Conjuring up a world of sin and danger, this intoxicating historical mystery is brilliantly original * HEAT *An inventive historical mystery. Gloriously gothic. * BEST *Captivating * THE I *

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Book SynopsisTwo families - and their secrets . . . A superb Liverpool saga from bestselling author Maureen Lee''The queen of saga writing'' MY WEEKLY''Maureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authorswho writes great women for women readers. Her books don''t just have one heroine, they have several. But even by her popular standards, The September Girls is exceptional. ... a thumping multi-generational saga'' DAILY RECORDIn Liverpool, on a stormy September night in 1920, two women from very different backgrounds give birth to daughters in the same house. Enemies at first, they later become friends when separate troubles unite them. But friendship between their daughters, Cara and Sybil, is a different matter.Nineteen years later, at the beginning of the Second World War, Cara and Sybil find themselves thrown together when they enlist and are both stationed in Malta. It is a time of live-changing repercussions forTrade ReviewThe queen of saga writing * MY WEEKLY *Take two families, their loves, secrets, tragedies and triumphs, add wartime Malta and the defiant spirit of Liverpool as bombs fall, and you have the ingredients of a good dependable saga * CHOICE *Maureen Lee is one of those hugely talented authors who writes great women for women readers. Her books don't just have one heroine, they have several. But even by her popular standards, The September Girls is exceptional. ... [a] thumping multi-generational saga * DAILY RECORD *An engrossing tale - she explores with warmth and insight the intertwined lives and loves of two very different families * SAINSBURYS MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisFrom Sunday Times Bestselling author Ben Kane comes a collection of short stories:Sands of the ArenaCan a wet-behind-the-ears gladiator survive a bloody contest ordered by Emperor Caligula?The ShrineCenturion Tullus discovers that Fate will always hold him in her grip.The ArenaLegionary Piso''s much anticipated payday plays out very differently than he expected.Eagles in the EastCaught up in a bloody rebellion, Centurion Tullus battles to keep his men alive.Eagles in the WildernessBored with retirement, Centurion Tullus takes service with an amber merchant, voyaging to unknown, dangerous lands far beyond the empire.Hannibal: Good OmensHistory''s most famous general seeks the gods'' approval before his war with Rome.The MarchRomulus and Tarquinius travel to the ends of the earth, searching for their lost friend Brennus.

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Book SynopsisBy Royal invitation, join us to celebrate The Royal Show! Prodigal son and loyal daughter... The Forsyth Variety Company has been given the opportunity of a lifetime - to entertain Her Majesty at 1962's Royal Variety Performance. Keen to rehearse, the company heads to the Seagate Theatre under the tutelage of the company's owner, Ed Forsyth. This is Ed's last hoorah before retiring and he's keen to leave on a high. But his son, Cal, has absconded, leaving his twin sister, Evie, to help manage the company after their mother's death. Hoping to display her best trapeze performance ever, she's also desperate that the entire troupe should succeed. If only her father hadn't brought in another old-timer...  Billy Rich has come all the way from Hollywood, invited to be their main star. Billy is full of bluster and ego and his much younger wife, the mysterious Magdalene, doesn't help. Can this troupe of

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Book SynopsisWith a new introduction by Lorraine Kelly, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE ISLAND SWIMMER''This is Binchy at her best'' MAIL ON SUNDAY''A brilliant storyteller'' GRAHAM NORTONRia and Marilyn have never met, but they''re about to switch lives for the summer... Ria Lynch lives in a big, warm, Victorian house in Tara Road, Dublin, where her life revolves around family and friends. Marilyn Vine lives thousands of miles away in a quiet, modern house in New England. After a terrible loss, she has closed herself off from the world. Two more unlikely friends would be hard to find, but when each needs a place to escape to, a house exchange seems the ideal solution. Along with the borrowed houses come neighbours and friends, gossip and speculation, and Ria and Marilyn soon realise that swapping lives won''t be the peaceful escape they''d been hoping for ... Though it might turn out toTrade ReviewAn irresistible tale * ELLE *What is Maeve Binchy's magic? Every time she publishes a novel the race is on to the armchair or the poolside seat, telephones fall eerily silent . . . Her great gift is to suck her reader into the drama of everyday lives without fuss . . . She relies on dialogue and on keeping up a cracking pace * DAILY MAIL *A tender novel of the pleasures and pitfalls of friendship, TARA ROAD is an ultra-modern love story for women, about women, between women that is sure to delight * NEWSDAY *Engrossing * WALL STREET JOURNAL *You can see why, for a legion of female readers, Maeve Binchy is a one-woman opiate of the people * EVENING STANDARD *She is one of the few writers who can pull at your heartstrings . . . The author's great skill is to draw you into the world she creates, so that reading her books is like gossiping with old friends * DAILY EXPRESS *Binchy is a consummate storyteller who involves the reader in the world she creates ... Binchy is a Dickens: she writes about the dilemmas of human beings with a backdrop which describes the manners and morals of a society * IRISH TIMES *Maeve Binchy's novels are just the kind of comforting companions so many women can't wait to take to bed ... Binchy's prose flows as naturally as conversation with a good friend * THE LADY *Two women, one from Dublin one from New England, end up on a house swap for the summer and find their lives changed for ever. Another tale with strong female characters and the importance of friendship. As always there are a host of characters to keep the interest going and plenty to make the reader question the nature of relationships * LOVE READING *She is the Queen of Fiction and one of the funniest and best-loved storytellers in the world...once you read Maeve you are hooked for life * IRISH TIMES *Maeve Binchy's work continues to inspire ... thought-provoking, warm and funny in equal measure * WOMAN *In TARA ROAD the extraordinary Maeve Binchy spins an irresistible tale of modern life, creating a world so packed with telling details and emotional perspicacity that you feel instantly connected to the heartbroken Ria Lynch and Marilyn Vine * ELLE *Absorbing and delightful * SUNDAY TIMES *Full of characteristic humour and warmth, a lovely read * SUNDAY MIRROR *Moving, original, funny and entertaining... It's the same skill shown in their craft by Irish writers such as Marian Keyes and Sally Rooney. A rare gift. -- Róisín Ingle * Irish Times *There is always a moment of mild astonishment when you turn the final page of a Maeve Binchy novel and look up, only to discover that the characters don't actually live in your house * Irish Times *TARA ROAD, even years later, is still everything you want in a Maeve Binchy book. It's moving, original, funny and entertaining...It's the same skill shown in their craft by Irish writers such as Marian Keyes and Sally Rooney. A rare gift -- Roisin Ingle * IRISH TIMES *

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Book SynopsisBRIDGERTON meets MOULIN ROUGE in this sexy, heartwarming and unputdownable opposites-attract Regency!''A gorgeous, captivating Regency romance'' SOPHIE IRWIN''A smart story, compelling writing and a big smile on any reader''s face when they finish, I''m sure'' JODI ELLEN MALPASA mistress cannot marry for love...As one of the famous Preece sisters, Kitty is the most sought-after courtesan in London. But with the vicious Duke of Gillingham scaring away any man who looks her way, securing a new arrangement with a wealthy gentleman will be no easy feat. Kitty''s only hope to find someone suitable is through her loyal and cherished friend, the Reverend Sidney Wakefield.Sidney has devoted his life to the church, but it was never by choice. He is a writer and Kitty his muse. As he is roped into Kitty''s plotting, he begins to realise that protecting her from the malevolent Duke comes at a price - Trade ReviewIn George's irresistibly sexy Regency, a fiery courtesan must outwit a devilish duke, and a tender-hearted clergyman stands ready to fight for his true love. Kitty and Sid break the mould - I adored every scintillating page * Jessica Bull *What a joy it was to read! I don't think I've ever rooted for a hero in a novel like I rooted for Sidney. And Kitty was just the right amount of feist and fire. Loved her! A smart story, compelling writing and a big smile on any reader's face when they finish, I'm sure. * Jodi Ellen Malpas *

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Book Synopsis''I couldn''t put the book down!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review ''A heartwarming story that brings the people who worked in the sewing machine factory to life.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review Like half of all the young women living in the Scottish town Clydebank in early 1911, Ellen works at the sewing machine factory. So does her big sister, Bridget, Bridget''s fiancé Malcolm, and her new friend Sadie, who has come to work at the factory after the death of her father... For Sadie, the factory is a way to make ends meet, but Ellen has sewing in her veins. She is even making Bridget''s wedding dress on her beloved sewing machine. But after the excitement of the wedding dies down, everything changes. Ellen discovers that the work of the cabinet polishers - her job - is to be reorganised, and they will be doing more work for less pay. Ellen feels betrayed - the sewing factory is her fa

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Book SynopsisTHE CAPTIVATING EIGHT NOVEL IN THE MULTI-MILLION BESTSELLING OUTLANDER SERIES - NOW ON AMAZON PRIME!''A series that will keep you turning the pages long into the night'' Rebecca Yarros***** ''Jamie & Claire fans should not be disappointed''''Epic, magical, and deeply romantic. A true gift to all readers'' Ali Hazelwood***** ''Of course I loved it! Did you have any doubt? I mean, it''s Diana mad skillz Gabaldon and it''s an OUTLANDER book! Could it be anything less than magical?''''Adventure. Drama. History. Time travel. Romance. An epic story that grabs you by the throat and doesn''t let go'' Kristin Hannah***** ''Diana Gabaldon poured her heart along with some of her own blood into this book!!''''Outlander remains a treasure to be enjoyed and shared'' Ian Rankin____________It is June 1778, and the world seems to be turning upside-down.The British Army is withdrawing from Philadelphia, with George Washington in pursuit, and for the first time, it looks as if the rebels might actually win. But for Claire Fraser and her family, there are even more tumultuous revolutions that have to be accommodated.Her former husband, Jamie, has returned from the dead, demanding to know why in his absence she married his best friend, Lord John Grey. Lord John''s son, the ninth Earl of Ellesmere, is no less shocked to discover that his real father is actually the newly resurrected Jamie Fraser, and Jamie''s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for the woman who has just agreed to marry him.And while Claire is terrified that one of her husbands may be about to murder the other, in the 20th century her descendants face even more desperate turns of events. Her daughter Brianna is trying to protect her son from a vicious criminal with murder on his mind, while her husband Roger has disappeared into the past . . .____________''An utter delight to experience. Open the pages and prepare to be swept away.'' Rebecca Ross''A stone-cold classic'' Katherine Arden''An unforgettable, unparalleled love story that will leave you craving more.'' Olivie Blake''An enchanting escape for new readers and destined for countless rereads.'' Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Book SynopsisTHE UNMISSABLE SEVENTH NOVEL IN THE MULTI-MILLION BESTSELLING OUTLANDER SERIES - NOW ON AMAZON PRIME!''A series that will keep you turning the pages long into the night'' Rebecca Yarros***** ''If you are new to these books then I envy you, you are in for such a treat''''Epic, magical, and deeply romantic. A true gift to all readers'' Ali Hazelwood***** ''LOVED it!!!''''Adventure. Drama. History. Time travel. Romance. The Outlander series is an epic story that grabs you by the throat and doesn''t let go'' Kristin Hannah***** ''Anyone thinking of reading these! JUST DO IT''''Outlander remains a treasure to be enjoyed and shared'' Ian Rankin____________North Carolina, 1777All loss is one, and one loss becomes all, a single death the key to the gate that bars memory.Until now, Highlander Jamie Fraser and his wife, Claire have shared the war for American independence as much as they''ve shared their lives. Jamie, always a warrior and now a soldier and an officer, fights the enemy with fire and sword; Claire, once a nurse and now a healer, fights death through every battle and sometimes wins.Nothing can divide them, save dire emergency. And emergency finds each of them bound by blood, by vows and obligations of the heart. To their family, as well as to comrades and each other.Claire''s battles aren''t limited to the battlefield, and she cannot deny an urgent call that only she can answer. Jamie is a reluctant rebel who knows the Americans will win, but he''d rather die than face his illegitimate son across the barrel of a gun.And Claire, with her 20th century knowledge, knows the Americans will win, but she''s not sure what the price will be - and can only hope it won''t be Jamie''s life . . .____________''An utter delight to experience. Open the pages and prepare to be swept away'' Rebecca Ross''A stone-cold classic'' Katherine Arden''An unforgettable, unparalleled love story that will leave you craving more'' Olivie Blake''An enchanting escape for new readers and destined for countless rereads'' Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Book Synopsis''A tour de force'' IRISH TIMES''Riveting and moving'' NINA STIBBE''Gripping'' THE TIMES''It had me by the throat'' EMMA DONOGHUELONDON, 1940. As enemy planes fly over the city, twenty-year-old Charlotte Richmond is trying to make the best of things. She has a dull but steady job at the Ministry of Information, a friend to share gin and secrets with, and an attic room of her own. All she has to do is keep her head down. She knows where her father will send her if she makes a nuisance of herself again.But amid the chaos of the Blitz, Charlotte''s grip on reality starts slipping. Is someone following her in the blackouts, or is her mind playing tricks on her? In a city where nothing is safe, it''s hard to know who to trust - until she meets the boy who feeds the birds . . .''A late-night page-turner that will keep you guessing till the end'' JOANNA QUINN''Glorious'' RED''Exquisite'' <Trade ReviewAn intriguing and thrilling read, believable in the tiniest details - I've read half a dozen novels set in the Blitz but this one is the most atmospheric and memorable. It had me by the throat * Emma Donoghue, author of Room *Deep and dark and wonderful: a marvel of storytelling wrested from the black night of the twentieth century. Your heart will be in your mouth as you read * Francis Spufford, author of Golden Hill *A riveting and moving novel that masterfully captures the reality of wartime in all its sorrow and uncertainty as well as the light that can still be found in the dark and the beauty of lasting friendship * Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina *The Midnight News approaches the story of the Blitz from a completely fresh angle. Both a captivating mystery and a moving insight into one woman's experience, this book is a deeply immersive read. Baker is a master at evoking place and time in an incredibly personal, intimate way. A novel you won't forget easily * Jan Carson, author of The Raptures *'A beautifully written and deeply evocative novel about love and war, defiance and acquiescence, threaded through with a satisfyingly knotty mystery. I adored it' * Eva Dolan, author of This Is How It Ends *Immediately immersive and utterly enthralling, The Midnight News is full of atmosphere and intrigue and tells a deeply moving story that is as surprising as it is satisfying * Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of Everyone Is Still Alive *Jo Baker is one of my absolute favourite writers working today. She is that rare and precious thing: a literary writer with a poet's eye for detail, an acute psychologist who creates characters who live, but also a brilliant storyteller who in The Midnight News tells both a love story and a mystery with increasing tension and dread. I read with a lump in my throat while the family dinner burnt * Natasha Solomons, author of Mr Rosenblum’s List *As ever, Jo Baker's writing gives us intellectual satisfaction and great narrative pleasure. I stayed up late reading and I was glad. * Sarah Moss, author of Ghost Wall *'Extremely well-researched and fearsomely well-written, The Midnight News takes us into the mind of Charlotte, a young woman striving to recover from loss while navigating her way through the hazards of the London Blitz. The bombing strikes close to Charlotte's fragile heart - and throws up a mystery she feels compelled to solve. Jo Baker's gripping storyline opens out into fascinating territory - the perception and treatment of mental illness in the 1940s - and ends with a truly touching love story. I have huge admiration for Jo Baker and what she has achieved in this novel' * Frances Liardet, author of We Must Be Brave *'I love Jo Baker's work - her writing is always so lyrical and delightful. The Midnight News is a beautiful, enthralling novel about a woman losing and finding herself again during World War II. I inhaled it feverishly' * Anna-Marie Crowhurst, author of The Illumination of Ursula Flight *A wonderful novel that immersed me in the terror and heartbreak of wartime London. Atmospheric and totally gripping, with a mystery that had me puzzled right until the last moment. Absolutely superb. * Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City *Second World War love story for fans of Sarah Waters and Kate Atkinson. * The Bookseller *Enthralling and very moving, it's fascinating to be thrown into Charlotte's war-torn world via this precisely imagined, suspenseful novel. The bonus is the sweet love story running through it. * Adele Parks , Platinum *Gripping, intriguing and evocative, The Midnight News is a darkly atmospheric story about a determined young woman trying to forge a life for herself in wartime London. When bombs start falling, Charlotte's grip on reality starts slipping. But is she losing her mind because people she loves are dying, or is the chaos of the Blitz providing a cover for something more sinister? In a city where nothing is safe, who can she trust?This clever and accomplished novel is simultaneously a vivid evocation of London life during the Blitz, where secretaries struggle into work after digging bodies out of rubble; a late-night page-turner that will keep you guessing till the end, and a fascinating exploration of identity - and one woman's fight to hang onto her own * Joanna Quinn, author of The Whalebone Theatre *A glorious novel set in the Blitz, which is part thriller, part mystery... clever and utterly compelling. * Red *Both a mystery and a love story, this novel stayed with me a long time after I'd finished it. * Good Housekeeping *A novel that succeeds both in creating pages that turn themselves, and in continually feeding the reader's sense of wonder. * John Self, Daily Telegraph *Tense and heart-rending . . . devastating . . . As historical fiction turns to mystery, then psychological thriller, Baker proves she is a master storyteller . . . the race towards the denouement is gripping . . . A cinematic adaptation of Longbourn is currently in development. If The Midnight News were to follow, it would be box-office dynamite. And if it doesn't, no matter: it is a blockbuster read already * Robert Epstein, i *Deftly written, an engrossing read * i *This is a tense and gripping psychological thriller by Jo Baker, the author of the bestselling Longbourn . . . Charlotte's battle with her demons and her tender relationship with Tom are beautifully done * The Times *A heroine to root for . . . As tense and elegantly plotted as a spy novel, Baker imbues her story with a deep well of tenderness as Charlotte battles her demons and allows her bruised heart to be healed by love * Eithne Farry, Mail on Sunday *She has accomplished something remarkable - offering a fresh perspective on a setting that would seem to have already been exhausted by countless other creative representations . . . a delicate psychological thriller that proves ultimately gripping . . . A slow burn of poignant social commentary, with deeply moving personal stakes, Baker offers an insightful dismantling of a myth . . . this novel is exhilarating - a tour-de-force with graceful nuance * Helen Cullen, Irish Times *Compelling and strange, utterly evocative - I loved this immersive novel * Jenny Colgan *Thoroughly absorbing . . . impresses on many levels. Like the war novels of Pat Barker and Sarah Waters, it brilliantly evokes the sustained horror and chaos of the times . . . she shrewdly examines madness and sanity, keeping her reader guessing . . . a love story and a tale of hope * Star Tribune *Jo Baker is a literary shapeshifter . . . a vivid historical novel about London during the Blitz, it is also at times, or in parts, a mystery, a spy novel, a romance and a Bildungsroman . . . By resisting the tidy but artificial satisfactions of plot Baker deftly returns us to metafictional questions . . . Jo Baker's meticulous prose makes us feel the full weight of these hard truths, but with characteristic rigour she tests and explores, rather than proclaims faith in, the compensatory power of the novelist's art * TLS *Baker's intriguing historical novel explores how the strain of wartime living can tip the balance between sanity and delusion, and how forging friendships can be a lifeline * Becky Meloan, Washington Post *Immersive, heartbreaking, and hard to put down, with an unforgettable heroine. Fans of Baker will enjoy the same compelling style the author is known for, and those who read World War II fiction will be delighted with her thorough research and fresh perspective on the period . . . Amid the tragedy, she leaves room for laughter, hope, and the comforts of chosen family * Cate Triola, Library Journal *Arresting . . . Baker vividly portrays the surreal sight of London ravaged by the Blitz . . . This stands above run-of-the-mill WWII fare * Publishers Weekly *Visceral . . . Powerfully evocative . . . Baker vividly depicts a young woman grappling with a mental-health crisis against the harrowing backdrop of the Blitz * Kristine Huntley, Booklist *

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Book SynopsisA stunning feminist reimagining of the life of Joan of Arc - perfect for fans of Cecily, Ariadne and Matrix''It is as if the author has crept inside a statue and breathed a soul into it, re-creating Joan of Arc as a woman for our time'' Hilary Mantel, twice Booker Prize-winning author of The Mirror & the Light''A glorious, sweeping novel . . . Richly imagined, poignant and inspiring'' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne''Chen earns the comparison [to Mantel] thanks to her vivid, visceral and boldly immediate storytelling . . . a hypnotic heroine for our time'' Telegraph''Chen''s Joan roars off the page. If you liked Ariadne, then this has to be your next read'' Red Magazine''Brilliant . . . Chen [presents] Joan as a beguiling, fully human mix of wariness and confidence, and fiercely protective of those she loves'' GuardianTrade ReviewA glorious, sweeping novel . . . Richly imagined, poignant and inspiring -- Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of ARIADNEIt is as if the author has crept inside a statue and breathed a soul into it, re-creating Joan of Arc as a woman for our time -- Hilary Mantel, Booker-winning author of THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHTMeasured, austere, profoundly physical. I loved it -- Jo Baker, author of LONGBOURNIn Katherine J. Chen's capable hands, Joan becomes fully flesh and achingly real -- Lisa Wingate, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost FriendsAn epic novel with the mythic power of a fairytale -- Christina Baker Kline, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan TrainA wholly original novel that inspires one's mind and awakens one's soul. With Joan, Katherine J. Chen has created nothing short of a masterpiece -- Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost WifeBeautifully written and confidently told, this is a story of how feminine strength and will can change the world -- Megan Chance, bestselling author of A Splendid RuinThis Joan is of the earth - scrappy and strong, resilient and curious. An ambitious, thrilling novel -- Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia PalaceKatherine J. Chen has stunningly summoned another time and place -- M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of The Last TiaraWhen you look up the term 'historical fiction' in the dictionary it should say, simply, Read Katherine J. Chen -- Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Kaiser’s WebChen earns the comparison [to Mantel] thanks to her vivid, visceral and boldly immediate storytelling... But it's Joan herself who constantly bounds off the page, a proto-feminist genius born into the wrong age. Thanks to Chen's efforts, she is now a hypnotic heroine for our time * Telegraph *Katherine J Chen's Joan is a scrappy, determined and very real heroine who simply roars off the page. If you liked Ariadne, then this has to be your next read . -- Sarra Manning * Red Magazine *Inspired, lyrical . . . makes clear why Joan is still venerated * Woman & Home *A vivid and very real slice of historical fiction * Good Housekeeping *

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Book Synopsis''A fascinating read'' Sunday Independent''The best in the series so far'' Sunday Business PostHonor Guinness is rich, aristocratic, shy and awkward -- nothing like her glamorous cousins Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh.But when she marries charming and ambitious American, Henry ''Chips'' Channon, together they make the perfect couple at the heart of the most elite social circles -- including a close friendship with the Prince of Wales and Mrs Wallis Simpson. But within the marriage, all is less than perfect.Meanwhile, Honor''s best friend, the beautiful, enigmatic Doris, is set on establishing her place in London society. But, as tensions rise in 1930s Europe, Doris, born to a German-Jewish mother, hears troubling accounts from her cousins in Berlin. Will she be able to secure the right marriage to protect her family, and her future?Set against the rise of Nazism, the abdication of a king, and the slide into World War IITrade ReviewThe Other Guinness Girl is the best in the series so far. While still set in glittering high society, Hourican adjusts her lens to focus on the stain that created so much ghoulish sentiment in the lead-up to World War II * SUNDAY BUSINESS POST *Through the author's mix of meticulous research and imagination, we get behind the scenes of London's high society [...] It's a fascinating read * SUNDAY INDEPENDENT *The Other Guinness Girl: A Question of Honour is another splendid and highly enjoyable read from Emily Hourican. Using a mix of fact and fiction, it captures the essence of the 1930s and is immersive in its descriptions. All the individual characters are very much brought to life, encouraging readers to further explore the history of this extraordinary family * SWIRL AND THREAD *

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Book Synopsis''A gloriously good read'' Sunday Independent LIFESURROUNDED BY WEALTH, GLAMOUR AND EXCITEMENTLady Honor Guinness is a reluctant wallflower. But that all changes when she marries Henry ''Chips'' Channon, a charming and ambitious American. On his arm, she finds herself at the heart of 1930s London''s most elite social circles, mingling with aristocrats, politicians and royalty. But it''s not too long before Chips begins toprioritise his aspirations over all else, and Honor begins to wonder who exactly she has married.By her side is her best friend Doris, a young woman eager to establish her place in society. A social butterfly who keeps the details of her family background to herself, Doris is hopeful her beauty and charm will win her a suitable husband, but she has no interest in a romantic attachment. Until she is introduced to ''the most devastating man in London''.Inspired by true-life events, The Other Guinness Girl: A Question o

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Book Synopsis''Perfect for fans of The Crown and Downton Abbey '' Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Last Lifeboat''A breathtaking, glamorous and escapist read'' Irish TimesLondon 1938: Daughter of the US ambassador, Kathleen ''Kick'' Kennedy is a huge hit in society''s most elite circles, though she isn''t always sure she fits in. While Kick is falling for duke-in-waiting Billy Cavendish, a man her parents will never let her marry, across the city Lady Brigid Guinness has no interest in love or society connections. But her ambitious brother-in-law has other ideas and seems determined to engineer a match with a German prince.When they are invited to an exclusive gathering at a country estate, the young women soon form an unlikely friendship: the stuck-up aristocrat and the brash American. Then Billy and Prince Fritzi join the party, and tensions rise as Kick and Brigid discover that beneath the group''s façade of politeness,

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Book SynopsisA Most Anticipated Book of 2024 by Goodreads, CrimeReads, The Millions, StyleCaster, The EveryGirl, Sunset, Book Riot, and HipLatinaJanuary Recommended Reading by The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Book Riot, Nerd Daily, The Mary Sue, and Reading Between the SpinesMesmerizing...wildly entertaining...Gonzalez is a great storyteller, bringing both Texas and Mexico to the page with a mix of blood and magic...A must-read. -The Boston GlobeIn 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. He''s good with his gun and is drawn to trouble but he''s also out of money and out of options. A drought has ravaged the town of Dorado, Mexico, where he lives with his wife and children, and so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it-with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangTrade ReviewAn utterly original, wild ride rendered by Gonzalez James' masterful hand that turns the traditional redemption narrative on its head. In cracking open her own family legends, The Bullet Swallower brings to vibrant, three dimensional life the people and history of the Mexican and Texas border. Full of heart and humor, the magic in this book is not what is invented, but that it makes you wonder what it is, in all our histories, we may have forgotten? * Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming *One Hundred Years of Solitude meets Lonesome Dove. A gunslinging Western laced with magical realism that illuminates the complicated history between Texas and Mexico, and the impacts of colonialism and generational trauma. The Bullet Swallower is the historical novel of our time because it asks: "What do we owe for the crimes of our ancestors?" A masterpiece! * Mary Pauline Lowry, author of The Roxy Letters *The Bullet Swallower is a rollicking, inventive tour-de-force, a novel you don't so much read as fall into like a dream-vivid, violent, and magical. Part Western revenge narrative, part family epic, part study of colonialism and displacement, this is the Texas-Mexico novel I wish had existed decades ago. We're lucky to have it now. Elizabeth Gonzalez James is a force. * Katie Gutierrez, bestselling author of More Than You'll Ever Know *Mythic, epic and multigenerational in scale, this novel reclaims North American history through its grand story-a gritty and bloody, iconic and subversive, smart, heartbreaking, and often funny fireside tale. The Bullet Swallower contends with such big and necessary questions and will mark new edges on a far larger map of the American literary and historic West. * Robin McLean, author of Get ’em Young, Treat ’em Tough, Tell ’em Nothing *To the lineage of Saramago and Borges add Gonzalez James. Resplendent and magisterial, The Bullet Swallower is an exploration of great evil, desperate longing, and redemption. This is a triumph: one of those rare stories which dwells in this our world but is not of it. * Tom Lin, author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu *Elizabeth Gonzalez James has accomplished an astounding feat - a book that is as thrilling as it is beautiful, that challenges toxic masculinity as it envisions what manhood could be. Yet, my favorite part of The Bullet Swallower is the elegance with which it collapses boundaries between genres, crafting an entirely original text-a magical realism western that calls to mind Don Quixote? Sign me up, please. Gonzalez James is a master storyteller who has gifted us a wild, unexpected story. Bravo! * Cleyvis Natera, author of Neruda on the Park *James is a writer to watch * ADAM JOHNSON, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Orphan Master's Son *James makes such deft use of tropes from Westerns, Gothic literature, and magical realism that they don't feel like tropes at all . . . she gives them life with prose that's both spare and intensely rich. This novel is valuable for its gorgeous language and gripping story . . . Mesmerizing and important. * Kirkus Reviews *Readers will find this a refreshingly modern recasting of the classic western . . . Gonzalez laces magical realism into her vivid epic of the Texas-Mexico border and the violence that shapes a family for generations * Publishers Weekly *With a powerfully drawn setting and viscerally convincing characters, James's novel is a strong addition to any general fiction collection * Library Journal *The Bullet Swallower rarely pauses to catch its breath, though its readers might need to. Like the corridos it evokes, it somehow folds a landscape, a people, and a culture into its beguiling swirl of lyrical intensity and galloping cadences. * Garden & Gun *

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Book SynopsisJersey, 1943. Once a warm and neighbourly community, now German soldiers patrol the cobbled streets, imposing a harsh rule on the people of the island. Grace La Mottée, the island''s only librarian, is ordered to destroy books which threaten the new regime. Instead, she hides the stories away in secret. Along with her headstrong best friend, postwoman Bea Rose, she wants to fight back. So she forms the wartime book club: a lifeline, offering fearful islanders the joy and escapism of reading. But as the occupation drags on, the women''s quiet acts of bravery become more perilous - and more important - than ever before. And, when tensions turn to violence, they are forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . . Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at warTrade ReviewOne of the very best books I've read in a long time. A gripping, emotional rollercoaster and a true hymn to the power and spirit of novels * Peter James *A beautiful wartime story of bravery and books * The Sun *A poignant masterpiece that paints a vivid picture of Nazi-occupied life on the isle of Jersey and illustrates how books can truly provide hope in the darkest of times . . . raw and real, this story will pull at your heart * Madeline Martin *An engaging, beautifully researched story of love, courage and resistance in time of war and danger * Rachel Hore *A beautiful novel about love, courage, hope and friendship in the darkest of times . . . A book to be savoured and remembered * Gill Thompson *At the core of the novel is the library, and a book group that met there, finding strength and solace in reading during the worst of times. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable page-turner * Gill Paul *Bravery, traitors, acts of defiance and compassion for others . . . with characters so real that I laughed and wept along with them * Pam Weaver *A story of bravery and the cost of small acts of defiance, and it will stay with me for a long time. Simply outstanding! * Andie Newton *A wonderful, poignant, heartwarming story of the power of books, the strength of the human spirit, and how selfless acts for the good of others is food for the soul * Louise Fein *The courage and daring of [Kate Thompson's] characters was breathtaking . . . a stunning novel' * Suzanne Goldring *This, for me, is historical fiction at its finest - a story of believable, vividly-drawn people trying to live in a world so very different from our own * Anna Stuart *Engrossing and well-researched . . . A compelling story of resilience and rebellion in the most testing of times * Jacquie Bloese *An absolute treasure of a read . . . it's a book about women first and foremost - their strength, their friendships, their profound courage - and it's also an extended love letter to books and libraries; the unique power stories have to unite people, to bring hope and comfort in the very darkest of times. By turns heartwrenching and harrowing, humorous and warm, it is completely absorbing and ultimately uplifting * Iona Grey *I was captivated by this propulsive, darkly beautiful novel about love, wartime occupation, and the power of reading. Kate Thompson is a master storyteller * Louise Treger *Kate Thompson delivers another heartfelt story with her signature impeccable research and cast of wonderfully endearing characters. She is the master at writing books about both the power of books and the power of women, a combination I adore * Natasha Lester *Gripping, emotional and uplifting * Gill Paul *A book to be savoured and remembered -- Gill ThompsonBoth heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable page-turner -- Gill Paul

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Book SynopsisApril 1814. Napoleon is deposed and exiled after defeat by a resurgent allied collation. Saddled with huge war debts, the British government has no choice but to place many of its naval ships in reserve. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is one of the lucky officers not to be put on half pay. Instead, in the realisation of his life''s ambition, he is offered an admiral''s flag, but the station is West Africa and with it comes anti-slavery operations set in fever-ridden swamps. Despite the obvious dangers and hardships, Kydd readies for sea with his beloved Thunderer as his flagship. But before he can set sail comes the electrifying news - the tyrant has escaped from Elba and is marching on Paris, the citizens flocking to join him. Napoleon''s invasion fleet is still in being and if the French navy declares for him they can sail from the ports now free of blockade and make the invasion of England a reality. What''s more, the entire Channel Fleet has been stood down, its ships in various stages of repair. There''s one man in active service who happens to be on the spot - Admiral Sir Thomas Kydd. With frantic haste he''s appointed temporary commander-in-chief to sail with all the men-o''-war that can be scraped together to stand athwart the French. Waterloo is coming but before then Kydd must use all his legendary subterfuge and daring to save England from her peril. Admiral is the twenty seventh and last of the adventures of Captain Sir Thomas Kydd whose story began in the year 1793 and tells for the first time in fiction how a pressed man through his bravery and ingenuity progresses to the quarterdeck of his own ship, and here, in the final book of the series, the command of a fleet with an admiral''s pennant.

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Book SynopsisWhen Kathleen ''Kick'' Kennedy left London four years ago, Europe was facing war and Billy Cavendish, the man she loved, had told her he could never marry her. Now, as London stands a shell of its former self, Kick returns to volunteer with the Red Cross, determined to do what she can for the city that holds a part of her heart, and to reconnect with Billy - despite what London society thinks of her.For Lady Brigid Guinness, life is unrecognisable. She has swapped dinner parties, social engagements and high fashion for long shifts as a nurse helping wounded soldiers. And the only person she can really talk to is a man shunned by her inner circle. When Sissy, a young Irish girl, arrives from Wicklow under the care of the Guinness family, she brings her own secrets and all three women begin to realise that in a time of war, friendship might be the only thing they can rely on. A Kennedy Affair is a story of forbidden love, family discord, and how in the w

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Book Synopsis''Kay is a genius. I''ve read him all my life and am always inspired by his work'' BRANDON SANDERSONA sweeping new novel of love and war that brilliantly evokes the drama and turbulence of medieval France from the internationally bestselling author of Tigana, All the Seas of the World, and A Brightness Long Ago. Thierry Villar is a well-known - even notorious - tavern poet, intimately familiar with the rogues and shadows of that world, but not at all with courts and power. He is an unlikely person, despite his quickness, to be swept into the deadly contests of ambitious royals, assassins, and invading armies.But he is indeed drawn into all these things on a savagely cold night in his beloved city of Orane. And so Thierry must use all the intelligence and charm he can muster as power struggles merge with a decades-long war to bring his country to the brink of destruction.As he does, he meets his poetic equal in an aristocratic woman and is drawn to more than one unsettling person with a connection to the world beyond this one. He also crosses paths with an extraordinary young woman driven by voices within to try to heal the ailing king - and help his forces in war. A wide and varied set of people from all walks of life take their places in the rich tapestry of this story.Both sweeping and intimate, Written on the Dark is an elegant tour de force about power and ambition playing out amid the equally intense human need for art and beauty, and memories to be left behind.?PRAISE FOR GUY GAVRIEL KAY''S NOVELS?''Tragic, stirring, romantic, meticulous, comic, rueful, worldly-wise, and written in the intimate, deceptively nonchalant voice of a storyteller offering up his great gift'' MICHAEL CHABON''Kay is a genius. I''ve read him all my life and am always inspired by his work'' BRANDON SANDERSON''A wonderful talent. He tells stories in an invented world that is so rich in historical echoes that I found myself smiling with pleasure as I heard the echoes, while engrossed in the story. Warmly recommended'' EDWARD RUTHERFORD''History and fantasy rarely come together as gracefully or readably as they do in the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay'' THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD''By making the familiar ever so slightly strange, Guy Gavriel Kay breathes new life into historical fantasy. Beautifully faceted, jewel-like scenes carry us beyond the doublets and daggers to create an emotionally charged, high-stakes world of love and hate, threat and reward'' DAILY MAIL''An immersive reading experience; readers will taste the dust in their mouths, see the high seas from the deck of a merchant ship, feel the bustle of the city market. What results is necessary sustenance for the starving reader. A masterpiece from a master of the craft'' BOOKLIST''Gorgeous, generous, humane and deeply aware of the intricacies of human desire and attachment, All the Seas of the World is another masterpiece from Kay'' JAMES BRADLEY''I came away from it with spirits lifted and a smile on my face, whilst feeling a wistful sense of regret that the reading experience was over. You can''t ask more from a book than that'' PARSEC

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Book Synopsis''An exquisitely written work of Caledonian gothic'' Francine Toon, author of Pine''A darkly sparkling jewel of a book'' Kirsty Logan, author of Now She is WitchEdinburgh, 1923.Evelyn Hazard is a young woman living a comfortable and unremarkable middle-class life. One day, her quiet existence is shattered when her steady, reliable husband Robert makes a startling announcement: he can communicate with the dead.As the couple are pulled into the spiritualist movement that emerged following the mass deaths caused by the First World War and the Spanish Flu, Evelyn''s life becomes increasingly unsettled as dark secrets from her past threaten to surface.Faced with the prospect of losing all that is dear to her, Evelyn finds herself asking: is the man she loves a fraud, a madman or - most frighteningly - is he telling the truth?A gothic literary mystery, written in sparkling prose, Hazardous SpiritsTrade ReviewWith the literary lyricism and precise historical detail of a Sarah Waters novel . . . Salam injects a wry humour into this tale of secrets, lies, and the power of the ghosts of our pasts * Entertainment Weekly *Ghosts, gaslighting and the eerie allure of the afterlife meet in this Edinburgh-set gothic novel * Daily Mail *A modern gothic masterpiece . . . with stunning prose and a thrilling plot, Hazardous Spirits is a thoroughly captivating read * Scots Magazine *Elegantly wrought in crystalline prose, Hazardous Spirits is masterful in its navigation of its subject matter - death - deftly dealing with the lugubrious but without succumbing to it * Sunday Post *A compelling portrait of a woman spiralling down into an irresolvable crisis * Glasgow Herald *Hazardous Spirits weaves something of a tenebrous spell over 1920s Edinburgh . . . Both a domestic thriller and a powerful historical evocation . . . this is a slow burner with an icy grip * Crime Time *Densely atmospheric . . . Salam crafts a believable portrait of the 1920s spiritualism scene. Historical fiction fans will savour this * Publisher’s Weekly *Hazardous Spirits is a dark delight, perfect winter reading * Locus Magazine *Salam calls attention to family, loyalty, love, and trust . . . I enjoyed this take on the between-wars era and the author's comforting humour, which beautifully captures the spirit of the times * Historical Novel Society *This darkly atmospheric tale asks where the line between charity and deceit lies in a society haunted by those gone too soon * Booklist *Charming, evocative, and very well-researched * Crimereads *[A] glittering historical novel * Foreword *This will keep you guessing * Best Magazine *A darkly sumptuous love letter to the ghosts of 1920s Edinburgh, guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Under its veneer of eccentric frivolity and acerbic wit, Hazardous Spirits is a heartbreaking exploration of collective grief and personal trauma. An exquisitely written work of Caledonian gothic -- Francine Toon, author of PINELush, atmospheric and completely captivating . . . It's the ultimate fireside read, combining Mitford levels of glamour with a haunting edge -- Daisy Buchanan, author of LIMELIGHTA darkly sparkling jewel of a book: haunting, vivid and stuffed full of secrets -- Kirsty Logan, author of NOW SHE IS WITCHEqual parts lush Gothic mystery and delicately-wrought 1920s domestic melodrama, Hazardous Spirits is a riveting exploration of the unknowable - whether it's ghosts, spirits, or the people we love most -- Tara Isabella Burton, author of SOCIAL CREATUREUnnerving, dark and rich, Hazardous Spirits is a novel full of heart and strangeness -- Nell Stevens, author of BRIEFLY, A DELICIOUS LIFEPerfectly eerie . . . 1920s Edinburgh comes alive as its bohemian post-war players commingle with the dead -- J.M. Varese, author of THE COMPANY

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Book Synopsis''An exquisitely written work of Caledonian gothic'' Francine Toon, author of Pine''A darkly sparkling jewel of a book'' Kirsty Logan, author of Now She is WitchEdinburgh, 1923.Evelyn Hazard is a young woman living a comfortable and unremarkable middle-class life. One day, her quiet existence is shattered when her steady, reliable husband Robert makes a startling announcement: he can communicate with the dead.As the couple are pulled into the spiritualist movement that emerged following the mass deaths caused by the First World War and the Spanish Flu, Evelyn''s life becomes increasingly unsettled as dark secrets from her past threaten to surface.Faced with the prospect of losing all that is dear to her, Evelyn finds herself asking: is the man she loves a fraud, a madman or - most frighteningly - is he telling the truth?A gothic literary mystery, written in sparkling prose, Hazardous Spirits evokes the sp

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Book Synopsis'So I will write in English, pressing new words from this beautiful plain language spoken by all. Not courtly French to introduce God politely. Not church Latin to construct arguments. English to show it as it is. Even though it is not safe to do so.' From the author of Miles to Go before I Sleep comes I, Julian,the account of a medieval woman who dares to tell her own story, battling grief, plague, the church and societal expectations to do so. Compelled by the powerful visions she had when close to death, Julian finds a way to live a life of freedom - as an anchoress, bricked up in a small room on the side of a church - and to write of what she has seen. The result, passed from hand to hand, is the first book to be written by a woman in English. Tender, luminous,

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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 SynopsisBestselling author Katherine Reay returns with an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a CIA code breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison.From the time she was a young girl, Luisa Voekler has loved solving puzzles and cracking codes. Brilliant and logical, she’s expected to quickly climb the career ladder at the CIA. But while her coworkers have moved on to thrilling Cold War assignments—especially in the exhilarating era of the late 1980s—Luisa’s work remains stuck in the past decoding messages from World War II.Journalist Haris Voekler grew up a proud East Berliner. But as his eyes open to the realities of postwar East Germany, he realizes that the Soviet promises of a better future are not coming to fruition. After the Berlin Wall goes up, Haris finds himself separated from his young daughter and all alone after his wife dies. There’s only one way to reach his family—by sending

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Book SynopsisExperience the Bible come to life before your eyes as New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin uses his storyteller''s imagination to present the life of Jesus in a way that will engage your faith in new ways. This collection of more than twenty short stories, compiled from Martin''s books What If It''s True? and They Turned the World Upside Down, draws you into a deeper understanding and love for the Savior.Son of Man presents key moments from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and explores the lives of His followers in descriptive, novelistic words. This unique collection: Fosters a stronger appreciation, love, and respect for Jesus Covers themes including rejection, service, unconditional love, and forgiveness Uses the lives of the disciples as inspiration to be the light in a dark world Shows how the disciples'' sa

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Book SynopsisFollowing the acclaimed Queen''s Gambit, Elizabeth Fremantle brings us a new novel of intrigue and menace at the Tudor Court. . .1554: Lady Jane Grey is executed by her cousin Queen Mary... Now Lady Jane''s younger sisters Katherine and Mary, cursed with the Tudor blood that saw their sister killed, face the perils of the royal court alone. Lady Katherine - young and spirited - makes dangerous romantic liaisons. While Lady Mary - crook-backed and vulnerable - becomes the Queen''s reluctant companion, yet yearns to escape court intrigue. And both girls fear their proximity to the Queen might be their undoing. For the childless Queen is ill. If she should die Katherine may be pushed to power, but the Queen''s half-sister Elizabeth casts a long shadow and if she gains the throne the court will become a terrifying maze of treachery and suspicion - where holding royal blood could be a death warrant for the two sisters...This sumptuous Trade ReviewAn endlessly fascinating era, and Fremantle manages to combine pacey storytelling with superb background. . .terrifically entertaining. * The Times *Fremantle is surely a major new voice in historical fiction (...) what Hilary Mantel fans should read while waiting for the final part of her trilogy * The Bookseller *A sumptuous epic * Metro *Gripping * Woman & Home *A great read. Sisters of Treason totally transports the reader to the Tudor court, with all its tensions and games * Katherine Webb, author of The Misbegotten *Electric * Good Housekeeping *Rich and enticing * Stylist *Elizabeth Fremantle brings the decadent, conniving, back-stabbing world of the 16th-century British court to brilliant life here, revealing what one woman can teach us all about the timeless art of survival * Andrea Walker, Oprah.com *

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Book SynopsisTHE QUEEN''S GODDAUGHTER. HER MOST TRUSTED MAID.ADULTRESS.ENEMY OF THE STATE.WHO IS THE REAL PENELOPE DEVEREUX?Penelope Devereux is a legendary beauty in the court of Elizabeth I, with a smile that would light up the shadows of hell. But it''s not just her looks which have won her favour with the Queen wing; her canny instinct for being in the right place at the right time, and her skilled political manoeuvrings under the guise of diplomacy, have rendered her a formidable adversary to anyone who stands in her path. Including Elizabeth. For Penelope must secure the future of the Devereux dynasty at whatever cost. Even treason. And the Queen, a woman she holds responsible for the death of her father, the exile of her mother and her failure to marry the one man she ever truly loved, is just one more pawn in a deadly game.Walking the knife-edge of court, whilst ensuring that her reckless brother Essex remainsTrade ReviewThe research and historical detail are impeccable . . . and fans will enjoy this evocation of Elizabeth's tumultuous court * Times *A glamourous tale peopled by warrior poets, flamboyant courtiers and shameless loves, it is also sharp, perceptive and dramatic * Sunday Express *Be transported to the court of Elizabeth I, where Penelope Devereux is prepared to do anything in the scramble for power. Watch The Lady by Elizabeth Fremantle combines fast-paced storytelling with rich period detail * Good Housekeeping *If you want an immersive read then this is it. The remarkable story of the beautiful Penelope Devereux comes vividly alive, bursting with colour and detail. The reader is transported to the perilous Elizabethan court, with all its plots, treachery and heartbreak, and gains fascinating insights into some of the most important figures of the time. Yet again Elizabeth Fremantle has produced a pacey, powerful narrative that kept this reader riveted throughout * Jane Thynne *Penelope Devereux, perspicacious, beautiful and muse of Sir Philip Sidney, will stop at nothing for the sake of her family. I was gripped by the tale of risky political and sexual shenanigans in the court of Elizabeth l * Woman and Home *Penelope is a fascinating character and beautifully drawn in this enthralling, moving and immaculately written novel... Fremantle handles the intriguing with aplomb and it's impossible to read the books without feeling you are living events alongside the characters -- Imogen Robertson * Historia *Telling the story of the Elizabethan court, with all it's plots and intrigues * Woman Magazine *Fascinating . . . it's a delight to keep Penelope company as she plunges into the intrigues of Elizabeth's court * The History Girls *Ever since Queen's Gambit took the world of historical fiction by storm 3 years ago, Liz Fremantle's books have been the ones to watch in the world of Tudor fiction. The combination of depth, intelligence and real historical imagination that she brings to bear on the lesser-known (but immensely powerful) women of the Tudor era is unmatched in contemporary writing and gets better with each book. Not that either of the previous ones were sub par - far from it, they were exceptional - but, as with all good writers, the apprenticeship of each book sees its realisation in the one that comes after it and there's a steady rise in the textures and depths and many-layered plot threads. The Lady we watch here is Penelope, sister of the notorious Essex, wife of a man who doesn't want to bed her, lover of those who do - though never the most important one: that love is unrequited and all the more powerful for it. The machinations of Elizabeth's court were never easy, but became positively frenetic as she edged towards death and refused to name a successor and the way the ageing monarch plays Cecil against Essex, as seen through the eyes of the woman who has to navigate a clear path through the chaos is brilliant. In fact, the shift of viewpoint from Penelope to Cecil and back again is the core strength of this book. Neither is an entirely reliable narrator, even to themselves, but taken together, they mesh to make a hologram of a time in history that is endlessly fascinating, but never fully understood. This book is glorious. It will delight fans of Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory alike, but will also garner a whole new audience from those who just love good writing, whatever the genre, whatever the era * Manda Scott *A wonderful, totally transporting novel that folds you into its world, word by word, page by page, and remains with you long after the last. I absolutely loved this book. Fremantle is a brilliant novelist * Eve Chase, author of Black Rabbit Hall *

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Book SynopsisAsk for It is a daring, lusty tale of a young woman''s resistance and surrender to a man she jilted . . . England, 1770. As an agent to the Crown, Marcus Ashford has fought numerous sword fights and dodged bullets and cannon fire. But nothing arouses him more than his hunger for former fiance, Elizabeth . . .Years ago, she''d abandoned him for the boyishly charming Lord Hawthorne. But now Marcus has been ordered to defend Elizabeth from her husband''s killers, and he has sworn to do so while tending to her other, more carnal needs. He will be at her service, in every sense. Fans of E L James will love this erotic romance from the multimillion bestselling author, Sylvia Day. Praise for Sylvia Day:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve reTrade ReviewPraise for Sylvia Day * - *Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you've read before * Reveal *Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day * Amuse *A master storyteller * RT Book Reviews *Steamy sex scenes and intriguing plot twists will have readers clamouring for more * Library Journal *Lots of sex and gripping story lines * Sun *Full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, and a compelling storyline * Dear Author *They are powerful, sexy and unputdownable * Victoria Loves Books *Boldly passionate, scorchingly sexy * Booklist *Sophisticated, engaging, clever and sweet * Irish Independent *Indulgent fantasy at its most enjoyable * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisA captivating trio of sensual romances, linking the tales of wicked rakes and the flawless aristocratic young women whose hearts - and bodies - they melt. . . In Stolen Pleasures, Olivia Merrick, a merchant''s daughter, finds out that her new husband, Sebastian Blake, is actually high-seas pirate Captain Phoenix, but will she make him walk the plank, or enjoy this newly discovered dangerous side?In Lucien''s Gamble sparks fly when Lucien Remington, a debauched libertine, finds the untouchable Lady Julienne La Coeur dressed as a man in his gentleman''s club. And in Her Mad Grace Hugh La Coeur, the Earl of Montrose, shelters from a snowstorm in an eerie mansion owned by a mad duchess. But her companion, fiercely independent Charlotte, might just keep him warm in the night . . . Praise for Sylvia Day, bestselling author of the sensational Crossfire series:''Move over Danielle SteelTrade ReviewPraise for Sylvia Day * - *Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you've read before * Reveal *Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day * Amuse *Shades of Grey eclipsed by new novel * Evening Standard *A master storyteller * RT Book Reviews *Steamy sex scenes and intriguing plot twists will have readers clamouring for more * Library Journal *Lots of sex and gripping story lines * Sun *Full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, and a compelling storyline * Dear Author *They are powerful, sexy and unputdownable * Victoria Loves Books *Boldly passionate, scorchingly sexy * Booklist *Sophisticated, engaging, clever and sweet * Irish Independent *Indulgent fantasy at its most enjoyable * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisBe captivated by this romantic tale of deception, lust and deadly desire in Georgian England, perfect for fans of E L James. Maria, Lady Winter, is coerced into using her searing beauty and siren body to find out why dangerous pirate Christopher St. John has been let out of jail. But the pirates only chance of avoiding the hangman is to use his renowned seduction skills to melt Lady Winter''s icy heart and discover her secrets. Entangled in a twisted game of deception and desire, Maria and Christopher are each determined to be the one to win this lusty battle of wits . . .Praise for Sylvia Day, bestselling author of the sensational Crossfire series:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve read before'' RevealTrade ReviewPraise for Sylvia Day * - *Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you've read before * Reveal *Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day * Amuse *A master storyteller * RT Book Reviews *Steamy sex scenes and intriguing plot twists will have readers clamouring for more * Library Journal *Lots of sex and gripping story lines * Sun *Full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, and a compelling storyline * Dear Author *They are powerful, sexy and unputdownable * Victoria Loves Books *Boldly passionate, scorchingly sexy * Booklist *Sophisticated, engaging, clever and sweet * Irish Independent *Indulgent fantasy at its most enjoyable * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisThe Stranger I Married is an erotic tale of love and awakened desire in Victorian England . . . perfect for fans of E. L. James . . . They are London''s most scandalous couple. Isabel, Lady Pelham, and Gerard Faulkner, Marquess of Grayson, are well matched in all things - lusty appetites, constant paramours, provocative reputations, and their absolute refusal to ruin a marriage of convenience by falling in love. It is a most agreeable sham - until a shocking event sends Gerard from her side. When, four years later, Gerard returns, the boyish rogue is now a powerful, irresistible man determined to seduce Isabel. He is not the man she married - but is he the one to finally steal her heart?Praise for Sylvia Day:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve read before'' RevealTrade ReviewShades of Grey eclipsed by new novel [Bared to You] * Evening Standard *Several shades sexier and a hundred degrees hotter * Woman *

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Book SynopsisFans of E L James will love this erotic romance by the multimillion copy bestselling author of the Crossfire series. A tale of ambition, love and lust . . . Pursued by fortune hunters, heiress Eliza Martin is the victim of diabolical scheming to get her to the altar. She won''t be bullied, however, and she will get to the bottom of this plot. She needs a man to infiltrate her suitors and find the villain. Jasper Bond is entirely too devilish and too dangerous - who''d believe Eliza would be seduced by a man like him? But client satisfaction is a point of pride with Jasper and it''s his pleasure to prove he''s just the man - for all her needs . . .Praise for Sylvia Day:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve read before'' RevealTrade ReviewPraise for Sylvia Day * - *Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you've read before * Reveal *Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day * Amuse *A master storyteller * RT Book Reviews *Steamy sex scenes and intriguing plot twists will have readers clamouring for more * Library Journal *Lots of sex and gripping story lines * Sun *Full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, and a compelling storyline * Dear Author *They are powerful, sexy and unputdownable * Victoria Loves Books *Boldly passionate, scorchingly sexy * Booklist *Sophisticated, engaging, clever and sweet * Irish Independent *Indulgent fantasy at its most enjoyable * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisSeven Years to Sin is the smart, sensual story of a young woman''s sexual awakening at the hands of a handsome rogue in Regency England . . . Perfect for fans of E. L. James. Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, young Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a scandalous seduction by the roguish Alistair Caulfield. But after years of serene and comfortable marriage, the widowed Jessica still cannot free her dreams of Alistair and that long ago night . . .Praise for Sylvia Day, bestselling author of the sensational Crossfire series:''Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day'' Amuse ''Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you''ve read before'' RevealTrade ReviewPraise for Sylvia Day * - *Several shades darker and a hundred degrees hotter than anything you've read before * Reveal *Move over Danielle Steel and Jackie Collins, this is the dawn of a new Day * Amuse *A master storyteller * RT Book Reviews *Steamy sex scenes and intriguing plot twists will have readers clamouring for more * Library Journal *Lots of sex and gripping story lines * Sun *Full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, and a compelling storyline * Dear Author *They are powerful, sexy and unputdownable * Victoria Loves Books *Boldly passionate, scorchingly sexy * Booklist *Sophisticated, engaging, clever and sweet * Irish Independent *Indulgent fantasy at its most enjoyable * Shelf Awareness *

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Kate Mosse and Kate Morton comes a haunting novel about two women separated by decades but entwined by fate.When Alice Eveleigh arrives at Fiercombe Manor during the long, languid summer of 1933, she finds a house steeped in mystery and brimming with secrets. Sadness permeates its empty rooms and the isolated valley seems crowded with ghosts, none more alluring than Elizabeth Stanton whose only traces remain in a few tantalisingly blurred photographs. Why will no one speak of her? What happened a generation ago to make her vanish?As the sun beats down relentlessly, Alice becomes ever more determined to unearth the truth about the girl in the photograph - and stop her own life from becoming an eerie echo of Elizabeth''s . . .Lifelong fans of Daphne du Maurier''s Rebecca will adore Kate Riordan''s exquisite novel, The Girl in the Photograph.Praise for The Girl in the Photograph:Trade ReviewBeautifully written, with intrigue and mystery. I was itching for answers as the two narratives unfolded -- Dinah JefferiesA sweeping saga of secrets and ghosts * Good Housekeeping *Intelligent, poignant and highly recommended -- Louise CandlishFull of slow-burning tension * Essentials *Rich and atmospheric -- Rachel HoreWell-executed and brooding, with a creepy atmosphere * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisA Queen and a peasant - this stunning new saga is the story of a young woman who must find a way to support her family and stay true to herself in the face of adversity.Just seventeen years old, Lily Rose scratches out a meagre living making lace in Devon, responsible for her siblings following the death of their parents.But opportunity beckons. Hundreds of miles away, in London, Queen Victoria is preparing for her wedding. She will wear the most exquisite wedding dress in history, bearing the famous Honiton lace. When Lily is selected as one of the few to work on this top-secret commission it is the answer to her prayers.Lily quickly makes an impression, both as an expert lacemaker and a natural leader of the women working day and night. But there are others who want to see Lily fail, including Squire Clinsden who issues her with a terrible ultimatum - work for him, and be subject to his unwanted advances, or put her loved ones at risk.Torn be

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Book SynopsisDiscover the spellbinding mystery from the Richard & Judy bestselling author of THE GLASS HOUSE''An enthralling story of secrets, sisters and an unsolved mystery'' KATE MORTON''One of the most enthralling novelists of the moment'' LISA JEWELL______When four sisters arrive at Applecote Manor to spend the summer, all is clearly not well.They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?As the sisters are lured into the mystery of their missing cousin, the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn.One which will leave blood on their hands, and put another girl in danger decades later . . .______ ''Evocative and filled with intrigue'' Clare Mackintosh''One of the most enthralling novelists of the momenTrade ReviewAn enthralling story of secrets, sisters and an unsolved mystery * Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lake House *Every now and then you read a special book and this is one. I can't tell you how much I loved it * Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of The Tea Planter’s Wife *Eve Chase deserves to be lauded as one of the most enthralling novelists of the moment. This is the most beautiful book you will read this year * Sunday Times bestselling author of I Found You *Evocative and filled with subtle intrigue. I so enjoyed it * Sunday Times bestselling author of I See You *An enticing, chilling plot, captivating characters and prose beautiful enough to totally lose yourself in. This book is the dream * Heat *Chase summons up an enchanted and enchanting environment - reminiscent of classic British literature * Belfast Telegraph *A long hot summer, a Cotswolds manor house fallen into ruin, a dark secret hidden since the 1950s . . . all perfect ingredients for an addictive read, and The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde delivers atmosphere in spades * Good Housekeeping *What happens at Applecote Manor has repercussions that stretch tentacles into the present day . . . A mystery of nail-biting suspense * Woman & Home *I'm really in awe of Chase's power of description. It is magical and she sharpens every sense * Daily Express *The bonds of sisterhood will tested and an unthinkable choice will have a decades-long legacy . . . step back in time for a mystery of breathtaking suspense * No. 1 Magazine *An engrossing story of fractured families, secrets, lies and misunderstandings * Sunday Express *Beautifully written with a gripping plot, I couldn't stop reading this * Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of A Secret Garden *This little beauty absorbed me completely. Fabulous * Sunday Times bestselling author of My Sweet Revenge *Mitford sisters meet Hideous Kinky by way of Kate Morton. Just wonderful * Daily Mail *Infused with tension and suspicion as lies are uncovered, I was gripped by the dark mystery that surrounds Audrey's disappearance and desperate to know who might be responsible. This is one novel I won't be able to stop thinking about for a very long time. I really loved it * Sunday Times bestselling author of Local Girl Missing *The writing is beautiful - characteristically exquisite and evocative - and the pace and suspense handled expertly. This is an assured novel: richly poetic, immersive, affective. It even made me cry at the end * author of Anatomy of a Scandal *Beautifully written with superb characters, this is a deeply satisfying novel which glows with texture and emotion * Sunday Times bestselling author of The New Mrs Clifton *I'm really in awe of Eve Chase's writing. There is something magical about it: she sharpens every sense. And underlying the lyrical description is a masterful suspense - like a strong current in a river, it pulls you along to the very end. The book was utter bliss. Lyrical, magical, enchanting, bewitching * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Forever House *Utterly engrossing and beguiling from the first page, a beautifully written, exquisitely paced, dark dream of a book * The Summer of Impossible Things *I devoured it. What an exquisite, intriguing, evocative novel. I already know it's a novel I will reread and talk about to everyone I can * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Stranger in My Home *A haunting mystery about the secrets of the past, the bonds within families, and the hidden ties that connect people across time. A story to be savored, The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is a book I'll be recommending to everyone I know * New York Times bestselling author of All the Missing Girls *As poetic and intricate as it is a page-turner . . . a delicious, utterly satisfying novel that needs to be savoured * author of The Story of You *From the strange, almost dream-like opening pages, I was transfixed by this novel . . . I was especially moved by the depiction of the relationship between the sisters - both tender and strained, and the utterly evocative sense of place. A beautiful and compelling story * author of The Wild Other *A richly evocative mystery * Gransnet, Best Summer Reads *Critical acclaim for Black Rabbit Hall * - *Beautifully, poetically written and reminiscent of everything from I Capture The Castle to Hansel And Gretel. Eve Chase is a name to watch * Daily Mail *Black Rabbit Hall's beautifully crafted mystery is a delight I want to experience again and again . . . make Chase's debut the one to pack in your suitcase ***** * Stylist *Atmospheric, with echoes of du Maurier, this haunting novel enchanted me * Woman & Home *There's something about tales of mysterious old buildings that have the ability to set hairs on end. In this one, two intertwining stories explore the magnificence of Black Rabbit Hall and the dark secrets behind its walls. Perfect sunlounger fodder * Red Online *Black Rabbit Hall pulls you like a sleepwalker into a beautiful, hazy story about a grand Cornish home full of character and thunderclap memories, we found ourselves breathless with anticipation. Eve Chase's debut novel is like a prolonged and beautiful daydream, celebrating the enduring power of place in our lives * iBooks Books of the Month *A cracking pool-side saga * Good Housekeeping *Black Rabbit Hall is a seductive wonder of a novel; with echoes of Daphne du Maurier and Dodie Smith, it pulls you irresistibly into its world where nothing is quite as it first appearsBlack Rabbit Hall completely swept me away. Glorious, beautifully written. I absolutely loved itExpertly crafted, dark, beautiful and utterly enthrallingA deliciously intriguing novel whose rich sense of time and place bear more than a few echoes of du Maurier's best * Edgar Award-winning author of The Wicked Girls *A stunning new writer has arrived - gripping and heart rending, this novel is full of original characters which don't let you forget themFamily secrets, forbidden lust, and a family of four extraordinary children who'll stick with you long after they've scattered off the page. Eve Chase kept me up with her gorgeous descriptions of a crumbling Cornwall estate and the unruly brood who meets tragedy within its walls * New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet *

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