Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
Dodo Press La Guerre Et La Paix Tome I Dodo Press 1
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£17.24
Trafford Publishing The Dove and the Devil
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£12.00
AuthorHouse Oh Those Sixties
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£12.80
AuthorHouse At the Age for Love
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£24.22
Broadstreet Publishing The Chosen Not My Will...
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£18.78
Xlibris In the Dragons Wake
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£21.85
Xlibris Incident at Heidelberg
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£14.00
Tokyopop Press Inc Sengoku Youko Volume 6
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£11.66
Tokyopop Press Inc My New Wifes Fake Smile Volume 1
£10.79
Tokyopop Press Inc My New Wifes Fake Smile Volume 2
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£10.44
Outskirts Press Schillingsburg Part 3
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£12.30
Union Square & Co. This Side of Paradise
Book SynopsisAmory Blaine, a young Midwesterner, is convinced that he has an exceptionally promising future. The reader follows Amory as he falls in love with Isabelle Borgé, a wealthy young debutante; a cruel and narcissistic flapper named Rosalind Connage; and Eleanor, a reckless eighteen-year-old atheist. An autobiographical novel and a portrait of the dawning Jazz Age, This Side of Paradise launched F. Scott Fitzgerald's career and turned him into an overnight literary sensation.
£8.99
Xlibris Treason
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£21.85
Xlibris A New Beginning
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£13.30
Hodder & Stoughton The Life of an Unknown Man
Book Synopsis''It is impossible to exaggerate the power of this short, unbearably poignant novel.'' Mail on Sunday''A bold and elegant novel'' Helen Dunmore, Guardian''A haunting story, beautifully told'' Viv Groskop, ObserverAn extraordinary story of love and endurance during the Siege of Leningrad lies at the heart of a magnificent novel about Russia past and present, and the human condition.One night in St Petersburg, two men meet, both adrift in the brash new Russia: Shutov, a writer visiting after years of exile in Paris, and Volsky, an elderly survivor of the Siege of Leningrad and Stalin''s purges. His life story - one of extreme suffering, courage and an extraordinary love - he considers unremarkable. To Shutov it is a revelation, the tale of an unsung hero that puts everything into perspective and suggests where true happiness lies.Trade ReviewIt is impossible to exaggerate the power of this short, unbearably poignant novel. It is both brutal and lyrical. Makine consciously invokes Chekhov but his grasp of history is positively Tolstoy-like in scale. I can't think of a writer who would be a more deserving recipient of the Nobel literature prize. * Mail on Sunday *Makine's laconic, sardonic portrait of the new Russia is laced with fury . . . a bold and eloquent novel. * Helen Dunmore, Guardian *Makine is a consummate literary artist, but he is teacher as well as storyteller and, best of all, enchanter. * Alan Massie, Scotsman *Like all his work, this novel has a wonderful flavour of a contemporary Checkhov with a splash of Proust...What starts out an intimate account bursts out into something more ambitious and universal. Ultimately it's a haunting story, beautifully told. * Viv Goskop, Observer *It is impossible to exaggerate the power of this short, unbearably poignant novel. It is both brutal and lyrical. Makine consciously invokes Chekhov but his grasp of history is positively Tolstoy-like in scale. I can't think of a writer who would be a more deserving recipient of the Nobel literature prize. * Mail on Sunday *Makine's laconic, sardonic portrait of the new Russia is laced with fury...a bold and eloquent novel * Helen Dunmore, Guardian *Like all his work, this novel has a wonderful flavour of a contemporary Checkhov with a splash of Proust...What starts out an intimate account bursts out into something more ambitious and universal. Ultimately it's a haunting story, beautifully told * Viv Groskop, Observer *Makine is a consummate literary artist, but he is teacher as well as storyteller and, best of all, enchanter * Allan Massie, Scotsman *'Thoughtful and humane' * Kate Saunders, The Times *Seamlessly translated by Geoffrey Strachan, Makine's novel explores the attempt of two 'ordinary' people to transcend suffering and find life's essential meaning. It is difficult to write without sentimentality about such a subject, but Makine's intelligence and truthfulness dismiss banality. * Pamela Norris, Literary Review *A powerful, thoughtful book about the reliability of memory and how time mutates the meaning of both literature and history. * Tina Jackson, Metro *His novels possess an eerie beauty invariably capable of surpassing the polemic...If he has an artistic kindred spirit it is most probably the South African Nobel laureate JM Coetzee * Eileen Battersby, Irish Times *Thrilling...Makine's most beautiful novel since Le Testament Français * Le Figaro *told with an intimacy made potent by Makine's lyrical, spare prose and Strachan's lucid translation... reconnects both the reader and the protagonist with Russia's blood soaked history, to startling effect * The Financial Times *deeply poignant * David Charter, The Times Saturday Book club *Pulls the reader's emotions tight... It is a beautiful story * Peter Lansley, The Times August 6 2011 *strikingly visual...there are numerous searing images: a ragged choir singing on the front line of a snow-covered battlefield as lives are snuffed out around them; the moment of clarity when Volsky realises that the siege has changed Mila beyond recognition; the brief glimpse of a red-headed boy running after the car bearing away the closest thing he has to parents. * Wendy Ide, Times *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Master and God
Book SynopsisAfflicted by classic paranoia, the self-styled Master and God sees enemies everywhere. As he vents his suspicions, no one is safe. A reluctant hero, Gaius Vinius Clodianus is hand-picked for high rank in the Praetorian Guard a brave man striving for decency in a world of corruption and deceit.Flavia Lucilla, tending the privileged women at court, hears the intimate secrets of a ruler who plays with the lives of his subjects as if he were indeed a careless god.In the dark shadow of Domitian''s reign, Clodianus and Lucilla play out their own complex tale of resilience, friendship and love.Unwilling witnesses to Domitian''s descent into insanity, these ordinary people must choose between their sworn duty to protect the Emperor and an act of courage that will change the future of Rome.Trade ReviewPraise for MASTER AND GOD:'The narrative is rapid and the story well told with much sharp-edged detail. You can open this book and step right into a convincing yet extraordinary past.' * Independent *'Davis's descriptions of Rome are vivid and lively...this is a great yarn' * Daily Mail *'While this book is a departure from her usual Falco novels, the trademark charm, piercing intelligence and ready wit are as abundant as ever... dramatic and enthralling, all the more so for being full of historical fact. The characters are intriguing and three-dimensional, and the whole is told with a humour and insight which means the reader will find the book impossible to put down.' * www.thebookbag.co.uk *'An intimate portrait of resilience, friendship and love' * Sunday Examiner, Australia *'Best known for her Falco mysteries, Davis stays in ancient Rome with this juicy novel about the emperor Domitian. The imperial city and it capricious elite prove much more enjoyable to visit than they ever would have been to inhabit.' * i, Independent *'Rome comes alive as a seething, beautiful, dangerous city in this brilliant and gripping thriller from the seasoned pen of Lindsey Davis.' * www.thegoodbookguide.com *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Valley of Horses
Book SynopsisThe second novel in the Earth''s Children series, Jean M. Auel''s internationally bestselling reconstruction of pre-historic life, when two kinds of human beings, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon, shared the earth.Forced to leave the Clan and her young son, Ayla sets out alone to travel the frigid steppes until she comes across the valley of horses. Unable to find people like herself, the Cro-Magnons, she settles there and seeks friendship elsewhere. First she adopts a young filly, then a wounded lion cub.But far to the west, two young Cro-Magnon brothers have begun a journey. One of them is Jondalar, whose destiny is bound inextricably with Ayla''s.Set 25,000 years in the past, yet utterly relatable today, The Valley of Horses is an epic tale of love, identity and the struggle to survive, rich in detail of language, culture, myth and ritual.Praise for Jean M. Auel''Beautiful, exciting, imaginative'' NTrade ReviewIt has magic * Daily Telegraph *A panorama of human culture in its infancy . . . THE VALLEY OF HORSES is great fun. * New York Times Book Review *Holds the reader in a powerful spell. * Publishers Weekly *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton The Leopard Sword Empire IV
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesBritannia has been subdued - and an epic new chapter in Marcus Valerius Aquila''s life begins. The murderous Roman agents who nearly captured Marcus have been defeated by his friends. But in order to protect those very friends from the wrath of the emperor, he must leave the province which has been giving him shelter. As Marcus Tribulus Corvus, centurion of the second Tungrian auxiliary cohort, he leads his men from Hadrian''s Wall to the Tungrians'' original home in Germania Inferior. There he finds a very different world from the turbulent British frontier - but one with its own dangers. Tungrorum, the center of a once-prosperous farming province, a city already broght low by the ravages of the eastern plague that has swept through the empire, is now threatened by an outbreak of brutally violent robbery. A bandit chieftain called Obduro, his identity always hidden behind an iron cavalry helmet, is robbing Trade ReviewThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *'Muscular in prose and approach, the novel is riveting and direct.' * History Today on THE LEOPARD SWORD *'This is a fast-paced, action-packed read. Anthony Riches brings alive the harsh reality of the Roman world - the period, people, and culture - in a frenetic and exciting novel which is well researched and tinged with humour. The battle scenes are vivid and expertly told . . . Difficult to put down, this is a welcome addition to the genre . . . Recommended' * Historical Novels Review on THE LEOPARD SWORD *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Wolfs Gold Empire V
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesFresh from their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians have been sent to Dacia, on the north-eastern edge of the Roman Empire, with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power. The mines of Alburnus Major contain enough gold to pave the road to Rome. They would make a mighty prize for the marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who threaten the province, and the outnumbered auxiliaries are entrusted with their safety in the face of a barbarian invasion. Beset by both the Sarmatian horde and more subtle threats offered by men who should be their comrades, the Tungrians must also come to terms with the danger posed by a new and unexpected enemy. They will have to fight to the death to save the honour of the empire - and their own skins.Trade ReviewThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *'Muscular in prose and approach, the novel is riveting and direct.' * History Today on THE LEOPARD SWORD *'This is a fast-paced, action-packed read. Anthony Riches brings alive the harsh reality of the Roman world - the period, people, and culture - in a frenetic and exciting novel which is well researched and tinged with humour. The battle scenes are vivid and expertly told . . . Difficult to put down, this is a welcome addition to the genre . . . Recommended' * Historical Novels Review on THE LEOPARD SWORD *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Eagles Vengeance Empire VI
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesThe Tungrian auxiliary cohorts return to Hadrian''s Wall after their successful Dacian campaign, only to find Britannia in chaos. The legions are overstretched, struggling to man the forts of the northern frontier in the face of increasing barbarian resistance.The Tungrians are the only soldiers who can be sent into the northern wastes, far beyond the long abandoned wall built by Antoninus, where a lost symbol of imperial power of the Sixth Victorious Legion is reputed to await them. Protected by an impassable swamp and hidden in a fortress atop a high mountain, the eagle of the Sixth legion must be recovered if the legion is to survive.Marcus and his men must penetrate the heart of the enemy''s strength, ghosting through a deadly wilderness patrolled by vicious huntresses before breaching the walls of the Fang, an all-but-impregnable fort, if they are to rescue the legion''s venerated standard. If successful t
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Betrayal
Book Synopsis''Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line'' - Daily ExpressCape Colony is proving a tiresome assignment for Captain Kydd''s daring commander-in-chief Commodore Popham. Rumours that South America''s Spanish colonies are in a ferment of popular unrest and of a treasure hoard of silver spur him to assemble a makeshift invasion fleet and launch a bold attack on the capital of the Viceroyalty of the River Plate, Buenos Aires.Navigating the treacherous bars and mud flats of the river, the British invasion force lands and wins a battle against improbable odds, taking the capital and the silver. But nothing is as simple as it seems in this region of the world: the uprising that will see the end of Spanish rule never arrives and the locals begin to see dark conspiracies behind the invader''s actions. Soon the tiny British force finds itself surrounded by an ever more hostile population. The city beginsTrade ReviewPraise for BETRAYAL:'Stockwin, who based this tale on a factual debacle easily overlooked by history, is a master of Napoleonic-era atmosphere and rich descriptions of the military, politics, and society. With the last two books, Stockwin's series is approaching the level of C.S. Forester's Hornblower books.' * Publishers Weekly *'Stockwin assembles an exciting and suspenseful historical loaded with action, intrigue, treachery, and the bloody gore of 1805 warfare' * Publishers Weekly on CONQUEST *More historically accurate than the Patrick O'Brian series * Royal Navy Sailing Association journal on the KYDD series *Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould * Peterborough Evening Telegraph on TREACHERY *This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail. * Nautical Magazine on VICTORY *Paints a vivid picture * Daily Express on KYDD *Stockwin's descriptions of the bloody reality of naval combat 200 years ago are memorably vivid * Yorkshire Evening Post on VICTORY *I was turning the pages almost indecently fast * Independent on KYDD *A born storyteller and a man with a vivid imagination . . . his research is accurate and first class. * Flagship on TREACHERY *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Caribbee
Book SynopsisThe fourteenth novel in Julian Stockwin's acclaimed Captain Kydd series.Trade ReviewFans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book. * Historical Naval Society on The Admiral's Daughter *Stockwin's writing is enriched by his own experiences in the Royal Navy, whcih gives scenes of fighting and tempest an authenticity to delight anyone who shares his passion for the sea. * Daily Telegraph *Paints a vivid picture of life aborad the mighty ship-of-the-line * Daily Express *'More historically accurate than the Patrick O'Brian series' * Royal Navy Sailing Association journal on the KYDD series *'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail.' * Nautical Magazine on VICTORY *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Siege
Book SynopsisOne Hundred Men Stand Between Empire and Annihilation.Trade ReviewAgent of Rome is a masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era; the writing is deft, the action swift and bloody and the characters believable and engaging. I look forward greatly to the next one. * Manda Scott *Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down. * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *'Brown's intelligent and exhilarating story excels in its perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation. The Siege delivers a thrilling coming-of-age adventure with an unlikely but likeable hero whose exploits are set to win an army of fans' * Lancashire Evening Post *'Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena. In this, his debut, his principal is a 19-year-old fresh-faced officer commanding 100 men in defence of a Syrian stronghold against a vastly superior force. There are echoes of Beau Geste in this death-or-glory stand.' * The Oxford Times *'The Siege is an excellent debut novel and delivers a thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure' * Book Gazette *Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Imperial Banner
Book SynopsisDark forces threaten a fragile peace.Trade ReviewPraise for AGENT OF ROME: THE IMPERIAL BANNER:'The Imperial Banner is Roman adventure at its best... brutal action leavened by a cynical brand of military humour, history, mystery, romance and an almost tangible sense of cohesion and camaraderie amongst Cassius and his cohorts... Cassius's next assignment can't come too soon!' * Lancashire Evening Post *'If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great Stuff.' * Falcata Times *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE SIEGE'A masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era' * Manda Scott *Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down. * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *'Perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation' * Lancashire Evening Post *'Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena.' * The Oxford Times *'A thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure' * Book Gazette *'Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read' * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *'Brown has given this Roman military/adventure story a great twist in having Cassius hail from the secret service ranks ...The Siege is also a character study and offers a rare glimpse into 3rd century Rome and her occupation of Syria.' * Historical Novels Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Far Shore
Book SynopsisTreason waits at the furthest reaches of Empire.Trade ReviewPraise for AGENT OF ROME: THE IMPERIAL BANNER:'The Imperial Banner is Roman adventure at its best... brutal action leavened by a cynical brand of military humour, history, mystery, romance and an almost tangible sense of cohesion and camaraderie amongst Cassius and his cohorts. It's a formula that works well in so Brown's capable hands... Cassius's next assignment can't come too soon!' * Lancashire Evening Post *'If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great stuff.' * Falcata Times *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE SIEGE:'A masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era' * Manda Scott *'Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down.' * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *'Perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation' * Lancashire Evening Post *'Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena.' * The Oxford Times *'A thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure' * Book Gazette *'Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read' * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *'Brown has given this Roman military/adventure story a great twist in having Cassius hail from the secret service ranks ...The Siege is also a character study and offers a rare glimpse into 3rd century Rome and her occupation of Syria.' * Historical Novels Review *A fast-paced, action-packed novel tinged with humour which brings alive the harsh reality of the period, the people and the culture. * Historical Novels Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Tudor Conspiracy
Book SynopsisDeath and double-crossing in Tudor times - the new ELIZABETH'S SPYMASTER novel from the acclaimed author of THE LAST QUEEN and THE CONFESSIONS OF CATHERINE DE MEDICI, writing here as Christopher Gortner.Trade ReviewCompelling... a riveting blend of passion, power and betrayal. * Inside Soap on THE LAST QUEEN *Disturbing royal secrets and court manipulations wickedly twist this enthralling story, brilliantly told. * Publishers Weekly on THE LAST QUEEN *Gortner has again produced a richly detailed book that is hard to put down. * Historical Novels Review on The Queen's Vow *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Pure
Book Synopsis***Pre-order Andrew Miller''s new novel THE LAND IN WINTER now - coming October 2024***''ANDREW MILLER''S WRITING IS A SOURCE OF WONDER AND DELIGHT'' Hilary Mantel ''ONE OF OUR MOST SKILFUL CHRONICLERS OF THE HUMAN HEART AND MIND'' Sunday Times***Winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award*** ''Irresistibly compelling'' Sunday Telegraph * ''Dazzling'' Guardian * ''A work of beauty'' The Times An enthralling tale of an extraordinary year in pre-revolutionary Paris from the critically acclaimed author of Oxygen and The Slowworm''s Song Deep in the heart of Paris, its oldest cemetery is, by 1785, overflowing, tainting the very breath of those who live nearby. Into their midst comes Jean-Baptiste Baratte, a young, provincial engineer charged by the king with demolishing it. At first Baratte sees this as a chance to clear the burden of history, a fittinTrade ReviewHis recreation of pre-Revolutionary Paris is extraordinarily vivid and imaginative, and his story is so gripping that you'll put your life on hold to finish it * The Times *Vivid and compelling * Times Literary Supplement *Enthralling . . . superbly researched, brilliantly narrated and movingly resolved * Observer *Elegant * Independent *Quietly powerful, consistently surprising, Pure is a fine addition to substantial body of work * Financial Times *Almost dreamlike, a realistic fantasy, a violent fairytale for adults * Irish Times *Every so often a historical novel comes along that is so natural, so far from pastiche, so modern, that it thrills and expands the mind. Pure is one . . . Exquisite inside and out, Pure is a near-faultless thing: detailed, symbolic and richly evocative of a time, place and man in dangerous flux. It is brilliance distilled, with very few impurities * Sunday Telegraph *It draws you in with hallucinatory power to seething Paris on the brink of revolution . . . images remain in your mind long after you reach the last page * Daily Mail *Superb . . . The writing throughout is crystalline, uncontrived, striking and intelligent. You could call it pure * Literary Review *Miller writes like a poet, with a deceptive simplicity - his sentences and images are intense distillations, conjuring the fleeting details of existence with clarity. He is also a very humane writer, whose philosophy is tempered always with an understanding of the flaws and failings of ordinary people . . . Pure defies the ordinary conventions of storytelling, slipping dream-like between lucidity and a kind of abstracted elusiveness . . . As Miller proves with this dazzling novel, it is not certainty we need but courage * Guardian *A work of beauty embroidered by Miller's exquisite gift for poetic description . . . it is a delight. And though a historical novel with decay its running theme, the writing is dazzlingly fresh and modern * The Times *A pacey, well-constructed narrative in which rape, suicide, love and unexplained deaths all play a part. Miller wears his learning lightly and infuses his story with humanity and warmth * Mail on Sunday *The book pulls off an ambitious project: to evoke a complex historical period through a tissue of deftly selected details * Sunday Times *Very atmospheric . . . Although the theme may sound macabre, Miller's eloquent novel overflows with vitality and colour. It is packed with personal and physical details that evoke 18th-century Paris with startling immediacy . . . If you enjoyed Patrick Süskind's Perfume, you'll love this * Daily Express *Alive to the dramatic possibilities offered by late-18th-century Paris, a fetid and intoxicating city on the brink of revolution . . . Miller intimately and pacily imagines how it might have felt to witness it * Daily Telegraph *Miller generates dynamic comedy and drama from juxtaposing the earthy, bodily realities of the Enlightenment against lofty aspirations of reason and progress. It's engrossing historical fiction * The Age *Some stories are too wonderful - too filled with wonders - to set in the present. They can't really be called historical fiction because they don't serve history so much as plunder it to invent what might have been. Such is the case with Pure * New York Times Book Review *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Lost Wife
Book SynopsisSeparated by war and each believing the other dead, a couple meet again decades later...Trade ReviewThis beautifully written, heart-rending, evocative novel explores the power of first love and the resilience of the human spirit. * Life & Living *'The reader is taken back to an age of innocence in pre-war Prague as the young couple fall in love. In Richman's fourth novel, the use of language is highly imaginative.' * The Daily Telegraph *The Sophie's Choice of this generation. * John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author *'If you're a fan of Paulina Simon's The Bronze Horseman trilogy, this is right up your alley. Have the tissues near as the story of how they come to find one another again unfolds.' * GRAZIA *A lyrical tale of the ravages of war, lost and the human quest for redemption. * The Good Book Guide *Tragedy and hope, love and loss, and the strength to endure are expressed through Richman's graceful writing and powerful characters, many based on actual Holocaust victims and survivors. * Booklist *Heart-wrenching . . . a genuinely moving portrait. * Publisher's Weekly *Daringly constructed . . . Richman writes with the clarity and softness of freshly-fallen snow. * Loring Mandel, Emmy winning playwright *Begins with a chilling revelation and had me hooked throughout. A love story wrapped in tragedy and survival, I read THE LOST WIFE in one sitting. Tense, emotional and fulfilling: a great achievement by Alyson Richman. * Martin Fletcher, Special Correspondent NBC News, Winner of the Jewish National Book Award *This is one of those rare books that will stay in my imagination for a long time. * New Books *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Marlowe Papers
Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE*''Sharp, concise, stunningly visual'' Sunday TimesOn 30th May, 1593, a celebrated young playwright was killed in a tavern brawl in London. That, at least, was the official version. Now Christopher Marlowe reveals the truth: that his ''death'' was an elaborate ruse to avoid being convicted of heresy; that he was spirited across the Channel to live on in lonely exile; that he continued to write plays and poetry, hiding behind the name of a colourless man from Stratford - one William Shakespeare. With the grip of a thriller and the emotional force of a sonnet, this remarkable novel in verse gives voice to a man who was brilliant, passionate and mercurial. Memoir, love letter, confession, settling of accounts and a cry for recognition as the creator of some of the most sublime works in the English language, The Marlowe Papers brings Christopher Marlowe and his era to vivid life. ''Trade ReviewA big, clever, vividly wrought work of conspiracy fiction, filled with impeccable but lightly worn research. Elizabethan England, in all its stifling atmosphere of repression - writers were regularly being imprisoned and having their hands cut off - is brought to life by Barber's faultless poet's ear...[she]cannily uses the poetry to do just what any prose narrative aspires to: it's sharp, concise, stunningly visual. -- Robert Collins * Sunday Times *This rich and charmingly playful work avoids the potential for whimsy inherent in such an undertaking. The thrill at reimagining the events and era comes through wave after wave in Barber's blank verse. * Adam O'Riordan, Sunday Telegraph *The Marlowe Papers grips. * John Sutherland, The Times *This is effortlessly better stuff than many far more trumpeted poets can produce, even on a good day...The Marlowe Papers is the best read, so far, this year. * Martin Newell, Sunday Express *this highly ambitious debut makes for an engrossing read...brought to life by smatterings of exquisitely poetic descriptions and turns of phrase worthy of the Bard himself, whoever he was. * Time Out *This terrifically accomplished and enjoyable novel/play/poem, call it what you like, restores one's faith in English fiction. * Fay Weldon *Lush, inspired and provocative, this spellbinding dossier conjures up a bewitching Marlowe. * Kirkus *Barber ingeniously weaves the action of the plays and sonnets into her story...The verse is subtle and varied enough never to disturb the ear, and in fact you forget that you're reading poetry at all. This is no bawdy cod-Shakespearean romp. * Suzi Feay, Financial Times *The best book I've read for a long time. Truly innovative, truly original, and a powerful poetic journey to another truth. Ros Barber has told a great story, in a fascinating way, so fascinating that she had someone like me gripped to the very end. This really is a joy to read and a true work of art. * Benjamin Zephaniah *now that I've reached the end I want to go back and read it all again...Written in Marlowe's voice the reader doesn't need to know his work or that of Shakespeare to enjoy the book and relish the accomplishment of the author...The proof copy I read is already battered with rereading. I will be buying myself a hardback copy when it comes out. Don't buy it on an e-reader, buy a proper copy and hold it lovingly as you read. * Newbooksmag.com *What a pleasure it was to discover that the book is not only packed with the kind of upper-echelon phrase-making that one expects from a poet of Barber's standing ('snow is falling like small promises', 'I'd make world in words, I'd show it things/you'd only see in mirrored glass, and then/scratch off the silver, let the truth go through') but it is also as excitingly plotted as any thriller... The Marlowe Papers thunders along like an episode of some Elizabethan 24 * Jonathan Barnes, Literary Review *Themes of identity and self-esteem, of truth and loyalty, give substance to Barber's enthralling plot in a work that combines historical erudition with a sharply satisfying read. Marlowe's passion infects the page; Barber's skill draws the fever. * James Urquhart, Independent *A magnificently original novel...this is a marvellous reconstruction of a life, told beautifully...A truly superb achievement. * Lesley Mc Dowell, Glasgow Herald *
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Hodder & Stoughton The Emperors Knives Empire VII
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesThe seventh novel in Anthony Riches'' acclaimed Empire sequence brings Marcus Aquila back to Rome, hunting the men who destroyed his family. But the revenge he craves may cost him and those around him dearly.The young centurion''s urge to exact his own brutal justice upon the shadowy cabal of assassins who butchered his family means that he must face them on their own ground, risking his own death at their hands.A senator, a gang boss, a praetorian officer and, deadliest of all, champion gladiator Mortiferum - the Death Bringer - lie in wait. The knives are unsheathed, and ready for blood . . .Trade ReviewThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Thunder of the Gods Empire VIII
Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesThe eighth book in the Empire sequence takes Centurion Marcus Aquila and his Tungrian legion on a dangerous mission to the heart of the Parthian empire.With Rome no longer safe Marcus and the Tungrians are ordered east, to the desolate border lands where Rome and Parthia have vied for supremacy for centuries.Ordered to relieve the siege of an isolated fortress, their task is doomed to bloody failure unless they can turn the disaffected Third Legion into a fighting force capable of resisting the terrifying Parthian cataphracts.And Marcus must travel to the enemy capital Ctesiphon on a desperate mission, the only man who can persuade the King of Kings to halt a war that threatens the humiliation of the empire and the slaughter of his friends.
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton War God Nights of the Witch
Book SynopsisA young girl called Tozi stands at the bottom of a pyramid, waiting to be led to the top where her heart will be cut out...Pepillo, a Spanish orphan who serves a sadistic Dominican friar, is aboard the Spanish fleet as it sails towards Mexico...This is the epic story of the clash of two empires, two armies and two gods of war. Five hundred desperate adventurers are about to pit themselves against the most brutal armies of the ancient Americas, armies hundreds of thousands strong. This is a war of gods and men. Dark powers that work behind the scenes of history show their hand as the prophecy of the return of Quetzalcoatl is fulfilled with the arrival of Cortes. The Aztec ruler Moctezuma fights to maintain the demands of the war god Huitzilopochtli for human sacrifice. The Spanish Inquisition is planning an even greater blood-letting. Caught up in the headlong collision between two gods of war are Tozi, Pepillo and the beautiful Malinal whose hatred ofTrade ReviewReviews for War God * Various *...part historical fact, part fantasy, the effect is as intense as the events themselves. It's a fascinating read that will have you booking a flight to Mexico long before you finish the book. * Evening Standard *Interweaving historical fact and vivid fiction, Graham Hancock's War God is packed full of blood, guts, conflict, sacrifice and witchcraft in the last days of the Aztec empire. The story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the downfall of Moctezuma is the perfect (if very gory) distraction from modern life. * Wanderlust *Five hundred years ago the old Mexican prophecy which announced the return of Quetzalcoatl came true. In an era dominated by human sacrifices and the decadence of a great culture, bearded men, white-faced, from beyond the sea, arrived to impose their law. In this fast-moving highly reccomended novel, Graham Hancock masterfully reconstructs the biggest clash of civilizations ever, revealing aspects that only a genius author could unveil. * Javier Sierra New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Supper and The Lost Angel *The book offers up a heady mix of action, politics, spirituality and the supernatural and we learn a lot...Convincing fantasy elements and viscerally recreated details keep the narrative charging forward. * Daily Mail *It will have you hyperventilating within minutes... Meets all the "thriller" criteria with gusto. * Newcastle Journal. *Graham Hancock has, once again, produced a book that entertains as well as educates...War God is a rich and deeply involving novel that grips you from the very first page. If you can handle the gruesome detail, then you will devour every page and the end will come too soon, leaving you desperate for book two... * Sir Read-A-Lot Blog *Reviews for Fingerprint of the Gods * Various *Intriguing * Sunday Times *...his sweep through the ancient world is arresting and audacious. * Daily Mail *...one of the intellectual landmarks of this decade. * Literary Review *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Paris
Book SynopsisCity of love. City of splendour. City of terror. City of dreams.Inspired by the haunting, passionate story of the city of lights, this epic novel weaves a gripping tale of four families across the centuries: from the lies that spawn the noble line of de Cygne to the revolutionary Le Sourds who seek their destruction; from the Blanchards whose bourgeois respectability offers scant protection against scandal to the hard-working Gascons and their soaring ambitions. Over hundreds of years, these four families are bound by forbidden loves and marriages of convenience; dogged by vengeance and murderous secrets; torn apart by the irreconcilable differences of birth and faith, and brought together by the tumultuous history of their city. Paris bursts to life in the intrigue, corruption and glory of its people. Beloved author of Sarum, London and New York, Edward Rutherfurd illuminates Paris as only he can: capturing the romance and everyday dramaTrade Review'From the ice-age to the present day, Rutherfurd's scope is vast. Both historical novel and adventure epic, this is a work of universal appeal.' * Kirkus UK, on SARUM *'Hold your breath suspense, buccaneering adventure, and passionate tales of love and war.' * The Times, on LONDON *'Remarkable ... grand.' * The New York Times, on LONDON *'Not all good things come in small packages. If you like books that are big, Edward Rutherfurd is your man. He writes wonderful sagas, tales that cover centuries, always keeping these long stories lively by telling us about the events and conflicts of people's lives. Rutherfurd does the painstaking research; the reader has all the fun.' * The Seattle Times, on IRELAND *'Incredible storytelling . . . Readers will fall in love with the iconic city.' * Post and Courier, on NEW YORK *
£11.69
Hodder & Stoughton The Hollow Hills
Book SynopsisBorn on Christmas Eve, Arthur Pendragon is the illegitimate son of the married duchess Ygraine and Uther Pendragon, brother of a great king: a union Merlin arranged. But Arthur''s birth is not welcomed by everyone: his father demands he be hidden until a legitimate son can be born, and Merlin is forced to give the babe to his own childhood nurse for safekeeping and go into hiding. In a dream, Merlin learns of a sword of unparalleled beauty and extraordinary craftsmanship, hidden in a long-deserted Roman temple. Merlin retrieves the sword and hides it in a cave on an island in the centre of a lake, where it remains for years.But what is hidden must be revealed. For it is foretold that the irrepressible young man named Arthur will find a sword and claim his birthright: as heir to Uther Pendragon and king of the Britons.Trade ReviewA real spell-binder * Sunday Telegraph *Compulsive reading . . . chases, battles, thrills and entertainment all the way * Daily Mirror *A fascinating re-creation of the King Arthur legend * Newsweek *It goes without saying that Mrs Stewart tells a marvellous story. * The Times *Superb and lyrical. * Washington Times *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Vatican Princess
Book SynopsisInfamy is no accident. It is a poison in our blood. It is the price of being a Borgia.Glamorous and predatory, the Borgias became Italy''s most ruthless and powerful family, electrifying and terrorizing their 15th-century Renaissance world. To this day, Lucrezia Borgia, the Pope''s beautiful daughter, is known as one of history''s most notorious villainesses, accused of incest and luring men to doom with her arsenal of poison. Was she the heartless seductress of legend? Or was she an unsuspecting pawn in a familial web, forced to choose between loyalty and her own survival? From her pampered childhood in the palaces of Rome to her ill-fated, scandalous marriages and complex relationship with her adored father and her brothers, this is the dramatic, untold story of a papal princess whose courage led her to overcome the fate imposed on her by her Borgia blood.Trade ReviewGortner's novel is one of character: Borgia pater, of course, but also Lucrezia, intelligent and poised...a sympathetic character, conversant in literature and philosophy, with every Borgia evil laid at the feet of her father, ambitious and calculating, or Cesare, a brilliant and amoral psychopath with a lifelong near-incestuous love for his sister. In a literary exploration riven with Shakespearean quantities of murder, lies, deceptions, and treachery, Gortner's narrative gains veracity with his atmospheric exploration of fashion, architecture, and art on the stage of 'loud, filthy, and dangerous' Rome. Gortner has imagined Lucrezia Borgia's life from a feminist perspective. * Kirkus *This unholy plunge into Rome's darkest dynasty is wholly engrossing. * Allison Pataki: author of Sisi: Empress on Her Own *Disturbing royal secrets and court manipulations wickedly twist this enthralling story, brilliantly told. * Publishers Weekly on The Last Queen *Compelling... a riveting blend of passion, power and betrayal. * Inside Soap on The Last Queen *The world of Renaissance Italy is vividly brought to life - I'm captivated by this knowledgeable author's take on the controversial Borgias. * Alison Weir *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Ides of April
Book SynopsisChosen by The Times as one of the Top Ten Crime Novels Written by Women since 2000Flavia Albia is the adopted daughter of a famous investigating family. In defiance of tradition, she lives alone on the colourful Aventine Hill, and battles out a solo career in a male-dominated world. As a woman and an outsider, Albia has special insight into the best, and worst, of life in ancient Rome.A female client dies in mysterious circumstances. Albia investigates and discovers there have been many other strange deaths all over the city, yet she is warned off by the authorities. The vigils are incompetent. The local magistrate is otherwise engaged, organising the Games of Ceres, notorious for its ancient fox-burning ritual. Even Albia herself is preoccupied with a new love affair: Andronicus, an attractive archivist, offers all that a love-starved young widow can want, even though she knows better than to take him home to meet the parents...As the festivalTrade ReviewPraise for MASTER AND GOD:'The narrative is rapid and the story well told with much sharp-edged detail. You can open this book and step right into a convincing yet extraordinary past.' * Independent *'Davis's descriptions of Rome are vivid and lively...this is a great yarn' * Daily Mail *'While this book is a departure from her usual Falco novels, the trademark charm, piercing intelligence and ready wit are as abundant as ever... dramatic and enthralling, all the more so for being full of historical fact. The characters are intriguing and three-dimensional, and the whole is told with a humour and insight which means the reader will find the book impossible to put down.' * www.thebookbag.co.uk *'An intimate portrait of resilience, friendship and love' * Sunday Examiner, Australia *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton Softly Grow the Poppies
Book SynopsisSet against the background of World War I, and two stately homes that became hospitals for the wounded, Audrey Howard's novel is an epic saga of love and war.Trade ReviewA joy to read . . . . This saga is, like all of Audrey Howard's books, compelling and memorable. * Historical Novels Review *Her thousands of fans recognise the artistry of a true storyteller. * Lancashire Life *Among the dross that constitutes the Liverpool saga market for women, Howard's enjoyable 19th-century historical romance of crossed love shines out. * Daily Mail *Poignant and well plotted, this is the book to curl up with to shut out troubles. * Woman's Realm *
£9.49
John Murray Press Z A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING NOVEL OF THE JAZZ AGE AND TRUE STORY OF ZELDA FITZGERALD, 'THE FIRST FLAPPER', WIFE AND MUSE TO F. SCOTT FITZGERALD: THE GOLDEN COUPLE OF THE ROARING TWENTIESTrade ReviewIf ever a couple ... became an era, it was F Scott Fitzgerald and his glamorous "flapper" wife, Zelda. They were the Jazz Age. * Independent *An utterly engrossing portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald and the legendary circles in which she moved. In the spirit of Loving Frank and The Paris Wife, Therese Anne Fowler shines a light on Zelda instead of her more famous husband, providing both justice and the voice she struggled to have heard in her lifetime. * Sara Gruen, author of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS *Finely researched, entertaining and very plausible. * Vogue UK *A brilliant example of what biographical fiction can be. Read it, read it, read it. * Daily Mail *An often superb novel. * Independent on Sunday *A must-read . . . Fowler's take on Zelda Fitzgerald is both empowering and desperately sad as she strips away the rumour and damnation to reveal a portrait of a vulnerable young woman with so much to give who's destroyed by her husband and an era which promised women freedom - but only on men's terms * Stylist *Fowler articulates the story of Zelda in the first person, encapsulating her struggle exquisitely. She amplifies Zelda's whisper into a lion's roar. Our girl finally gets the justice, autonomy, and recognition she so desperately craved in her lifetime. The era is projected in full technicolour and makes for utterly compulsive reading. * Stylist *A treat. * Sunday Times Style *In her new novel Z, Fowler draws a compellingly complete portrait of that other Paris (and New York and St. Paul and Long Island) wife: mother, painter, writer, flapper, feminist Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald. * USA Today *A thrilling read. * Stylist.co.uk *Zips along addictively and exposes the dark side of artistic ambition. * Entertainment Weekly *A gorgeously rendered piece of literary entertainment, not a biography but rather a love story set in the Jazz Age. * New York Daily News *A must-read. * Marie Claire *Beautifully and powerfully drawn . . . crackles with energy. * Irish Times *Captures the playful, deeply loving, sexy relationship between the young Fitzgeralds. * Huffington Post *Z is a fictional account of Zelda Fitzgerald's life - giving voice to the determined, intelligent and vibrant woman who struggled to find her identity in the shadow of her husband, whose demons challenged them both with heartbreaking consequences. An unforgettable read. * Australian Woman's Weekly *Thoughtful and emotionally charged, Z is a mesmerising piece of fiction that brings to life an era and the set of people who defined it. Faithfully researched, written with brio and style, it is a must-read for Fitzgerald obsessives but should also captivate readers coming new to the legend. * New Zealand Herald *Sassy, witty and compulsively readable, Z is destined to put Fowler on the literary map. * Weekend Herald (NZ) *Narrated by Fowler's imagined voice of Zelda Fitzgerald, this is the touching and ultimately tragic love story of Zelda and her husband, F Scott Fitzgerald. Like much of their life, reality played like an F Scott Fitzgerald novel - full of glamour, alcohol and bad behaviour. This is an engrossing read of celebrity life. In some ways the story is specific to the between the war years and that fascinating creative group of writers and artists. In particular the opportunities for women beyond the role of home-maker drew Zelda and frustrated Scott. In other ways, perhaps things haven't changed that much as bright starts shine and burn out. Amy Winehouse anyone? * Bookbag *Fowler's Zelda is all we would expect and more... Fowler has given us a lovely, sad and compulsively readable book. * Kirkus (starred review) *What Fowler so masterfully achieves in Z is a thoughtful portrait of a woman who might not have been as 'crazy' as we all had been led to believe, but one who was constantly disregarded by a jealous and narcissistic husband. * Book Reporter *Though there are many biographies of the Fitzgeralds, Fowler's well-researched fictional account provides a tender, intimate exploration of a complicated and captivating woman ... Fowler's detailed prose will certainly spark fresh interest in the most famous couple of the Roaring Twenties. * Library Journal *Fowler portrays a softer, more anxious Zelda, but loveable nonetheless, whose world is one of textured sensuality. * Publishers Weekly *From her youth as the belle of Montgomery to the heady early days of marriage to the inevitable breakdowns, Fowler chronicles Zelda's incredible life with sympathy and compassion. * Bookpage *Fowler renders rich period detail in this portrayal of a fascinating woman both blessed - and cursed - by fame. * Booklist *Fowler's richly imagined portrait of the Jazz Age's literary royalty is a wonderfully engaging read. With crisp dialogue and vivid descriptions, Z delivers both a compelling love story and a poignant tale of a woman coming into her own as an artist. * Heidi W. Durrow, author of THE GIRL WHO FELL FROM THE SKY *A novel that is as hearbreaking as it is mesmerizing. Just magnificent. * Caroline Leavitt, author of PICTURES OF YOU *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton All Over the Town
Book SynopsisNat Hearn came back from the War to be assistant editor and can carrier in chief of the Sandcome Clarion.R.F. Delderfield takes the lid off small town life with a relish born of experience and reveals the politicking and doubtful but only too human motives that swirl round and through the sieve of a small local paper.Trade ReviewMr Delderfield's manner is easy, modest, heartwarming * Evening Standard *R F Delderfield is a born storyteller * Sunday Mirror *Sheer, wonderful storytelling * Chicago Tribune *It is always a pleasure to read R F Delderfield, because he never seems to be ashamed of writing well * Books and Bookmen *'He built an imposing artistic social history that promises to join those of his great forebears in the long, noble line of the English novel. His narratives belong in a tradition that goes back to John Galsworthy and Arnold Bennett' Life Magazine * Life Magazine *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton A Cruel Fate
Book SynopsisMartin Watts, a bookseller, is captured by Royalists. Jane Afton''s brother Nat is taken too. They suffer inhumane treatment as prisoners-of-war. In Oxford Castle jailor William Smith tortures, beats, starves and deprives his helpless victims. Can Jane rescue her sick brother before he dies of neglect? Will Martin dare to escape? Based on real events in the English Civil War, Lindsey Davis retells the grim tale of Captain Smith''s abuse of power in Oxford prison - where many died in misery though a lucky few survived.Trade ReviewPraise for MASTER AND GOD:'The narrative is rapid and the story well told with much sharp-edged detail. You can open this book and step right into a convincing yet extraordinary past.' * Independent *'Davis's descriptions of Rome are vivid and lively...this is a great yarn' * Daily Mail *'While this book is a departure from her usual Falco novels, the trademark charm, piercing intelligence and ready wit are as abundant as ever... dramatic and enthralling, all the more so for being full of historical fact. The characters are intriguing and three-dimensional, and the whole is told with a humour and insight which means the reader will find the book impossible to put down.' * www.thebookbag.co.uk *'An intimate portrait of resilience, friendship and love' * Sunday Examiner, Australia *
£9.86
Hodder & Stoughton Enemies at Home
Book SynopsisWe first met Flavia Albia, Falco''s feisty adopted daughter, in The Ides of April.Albia is a remarkable woman in what is very much a man''s world: young, widowed and fiercely independent, she lives alone on the Aventine Hill in Rome and makes a good living as a hired investigator. An outsider in more ways than one, Albia has unique insight into life in ancient Rome, and she puts it to good use going places no man could go, and asking questions no man could ask.Even as the dust settles from her last case, Albia finds herself once again drawn into a web of lies and intrigue. Two mysterious deaths at a local villa may be murder and, as the household slaves are implicated, Albia is once again forced to involve herself. Her fight is not just for truth and justice, however; this time, she''s also battling for the very lives of people who can''t fight for themselves.Enemies at Home presents Ancient RTrade ReviewThis is a welcome return to the familiar territory of ancient Rome. - Literary Review on THE IDES OF APRILDavis was primus and still has no pares... The auguries promise a long, successful series. - Telegraph on THE IDES OF APRILEnter the feisty, savvy and attractive Flavia Albia ... Davis continues her wonderful portrayal of the city and its inhabitants, and the delightful Flavia Alba adds an important element - the complicated status of working women. - The Times on THE IDES OF APRILMarcus Didius Falco's adopted daughter, Flavia Albia, is a wonderful creation, rendered with a surprising tenderness ... Just as closely researched and yet light-hearted as the Falco novels, THE IDES OF APRIL is more touching. - Bookoxygen on THE IDES OF APRIL
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Maggie
Book SynopsisA haunting and compelling family saga spanning four decades and four generations, MAGGIE is the life story of a resilient Cockney woman.Trade ReviewSo real it feels as if someone you love is telling her own story * Sun *A story-telling tour de force. Sentimental, romantic and very saleable, this will appeal to every reader who adored The Thorn Birds * Publishers Weekly *A remarkable story and a remarkable book * Daily Express *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Autumn Alley
Book SynopsisGas lights and horse drawn buses, gin-soaked night clubs and fluttering lace curtains: the world of AUTUMN ALLEY.Trade ReviewLena Kennedy is the genuine article * Sunday Express *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Crusade
Book SynopsisThe epic second novel in the million-selling Brethren trilogy.Trade ReviewCrusade is a sweeping historical adventure as well as a cracking sequel * Financial Times *If you like your history with plenty of action, and the minimum of tricksiness, then this second part of a proposed trilogy is for you. All this is stitched together into a narrative whose attention to historical detail is offset by its pacey dialogue. * The Times *Praise for the Brethren trilogy * . . . *BRETHREN is one of the best historical debuts in recent memory. Exciting and enthralling, it gripped me from the first page and left me waiting anxiously for the next instalment * John Connolly *Pacy and well-written, with vivid, convincing characters, Brethren captures your interest until the last page. I eagerly anticipate the sequel, knowing I will not be disappointed * Alison Weir *'Engaging and enjoyable - Robyn Young brings the tumultuous medieval world to life with pace and flair' * Tom Harper, author, Knights Of The Cross *If you love the Templars, the Crusades, and the Middle Ages, this is the book for you. Robyn Young is an exciting new voice that speaks loudly * Sharon Penman on BRETHREN *A sweeping historical adventure with strong characters and serious verve...hits all the big emotional points...Can't wait for the next two volumes! * Sarah Weinman on BRETHREN *
£9.99
Hodder & Stoughton An Appetite for Violets
Book SynopsisA compelling tale of obsession and mystery, introducing a brilliant new voice in historical fiction.Trade ReviewPart social history, part exploration of 18th century cuisine and part action-packed, dark-edged mystery, this is probably the most delicious - and inventive - story you will read this year. * Lancashire Evening Post *If you enjoyed Jo Baker's Longbourn you'll enjoy this. It's another beautifully written 18th century servant story, sad in the same sort of way and similarly rich . . . An impressive debut. * Daily Mail *Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre - best described as culinary gothic. I was hooked and enraptured. * Fay Weldon *I adored this novel: a delicious addictive mix of confectionery, skulduggery and crime, sprinkled with dark secrets and sauced with piquant comedy. -- Maria McCann, bestselling author of AS MEAT LOVES SALT and THE WILDINGAn absolutely delicious novel; I savoured every page. -- Imogen Robertson, author of Instruments of DarknessBiddy's irrepressible nature is apparent from the very start . . . she is one of the most likeable protagonists I have encountered in a long time . . . It's rare to encounter descriptive skills as good as this. At every point I felt I could see, hear, smell and taste what was going on . . . This novel takes in historical, Gothic and crime ficiton in a clean, easy sweep and manages to pack in cultural and culinary observations without once disrupting flow or timing . . . There's a great sense of the book being a complicated and daring recipe; both the timing and the proportions of each ingredient needed to be exactly right to produce the best result. Bailey's recipe has worked perfectly. I was cheering for the heroes, booing for the villains and feeling disappointed as the end of the book crept up on me. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a terrific novel . . . a must-read for anyone who enjoys a full, flavoursome and hearty story. * The Bookbag *A tour de force . . . This novel is about rulers and the ruled, cookery and the emergence of restaurants, sugar-craft, slavery, all kinds of love and companionship and also a great mystery story. The writing itself is beautifully fluent and quirky in its use of eighteenth-century parlance, yet this latter element was used charmingly and never overdone. It's full of twists and turns with marvellous moments of drama and some super revelations I never saw coming! I'd recommend this novel to anyone wanting an insight into the period and a jolly good read with satisfying and very real depths. -- Rebecca Mascull, author of THE VISITORSIt's not often that I read a book as voraciously as this. The last was THE GOLDFINCH by DonnaTartt, so Martine is in excellent company. I just had to know how this story of deception, intrigue and passion ended. -- S D Sykes, author of PLAGUE LANDA hugely evocative novel that transported me right back to 18th Century Europe. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is filled with sensuous food writing and Biddy has such a distinctive voice. -- Sarah Vaughan, author of THE ART OF BAKING BLINDI really, really loved AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS and you caught Biddy's voice so beautifully I could hear her in my head. I read the proof while I was stuck on a few train journeys and I was racing through it while never wanting it to stop. The recipes, the voices, the places, the atmosphere and tension - it was all so high-coloured and vivid I felt it was playing out in front of my eyes. At points I even forgot I was on a FGW train . . . It's so accomplished and confident for a debut novel. -- Lucy Dillon, author of A HUNDRED PIECES OF METhe recipes [Bailey] includes throughout the book give her novel a wonderful flavour . . . Bailey has chosen her language cleverly, choosing foodie adjectives when possible to create a full sensory experience . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is part Gothic mystery melodrama, part romance, part social commentary, part history of cuisine. * For Books' Sake *AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a feast of unique characters, suspense, passion and delicious storytelling. Martine Bailey has served up a beautifully rendered, haunting tale told by an unforgettable heroine. A novel to devour yet savor. -- Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's GovernessIrresistible. Full of mystery and intrigue, above and below stairs shenanigans and cookery. Gastro-porn at its best. * The Arts Show on BBC Radio 2 *There are mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover, plots to unravel . . . The story is both light and intriguing with twists and turns aplenty . . . It is a cleverly woven tale, yet for all the depth and detail the book remains an easy and enjoyable read. Just as the lightest of dishes can contain a host of complimentary tastes and textures, so this book offers up a complex, thought provoking story that is easily digested. * Jackie Law's Book Blog *Biddy has to be one of my favourite heroines to appear for a long time . . . I have never seen language so lightly and skillfully interwoven into a historical character . . . You do not have to be a foodie to love this book (although you will adore it if you are one!). Bailey's descriptions and Biddy's enthusiasm soon give you an appetite for a fascinating culinary world . . . It is a historical novel with mystery, crime, romance, comedy and gothic elements. Whilst parts of the story are dark, the book has an overall cheerful feel to it. It is easy to read and never feels cumbersome. I suppose at the end of the day, it is like one of Biddy's recipes. There are many ingredients, some of which you would hesitate to blend together, but when all is mixed and cooked, the finished dish is a triumph. -- Laura Purcell, author of Queen of BedlamA deliciously inventive story . . . Biddy Leigh, our heroine, is one of the most engaging characters I've come across in a long time . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS was inspired by recipe books from the 18th century which are matched with a love of food, history and travel. A perfect combination and, like Biddy's cooking, mixed in just such a way to meld together all the flavors creating a most delicious story. * Shiny New Books *A charming debut and a genuinely original and insightful novel. * Good Housekeeping *The first half of the novel whets the reader's appetite for more. There are charming recipes that kick off each of Biddy's chapters. And then there is the central mystery of what happened in Tuscany . . . The pace bustles with subplots . . . If you are looking for a food-related light read, this fits the bill quite nicely. * Straits Times, Singapore *A delectable dish that will appeal to readers with a taste for historical mysteries as well as fiction about food. * Booklist Starred Review *Debut novelist (and award winning amateur cook) Bailey whips up a tasty confection of history, mystery, and intrigue. Fans of 18th-century writers as James Boswell, Tobias Smollett, Henry Fielding, and Samuel Richardson will savor this delicious read. * Library Journal Starred Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Devil in the Marshalsea
Book SynopsisA murderer on the loose . . . in prison.Trade ReviewA splendid debut ... this is a truly spellbinding tale. * Guardian *Hodgson's utterly compelling debut is fiendishly plotted and dripping with atmosphere. I cannot wait for Tom Hawkin's next adventure. -- Mark BillinghamIt is the mesh of lies and duplicity that draws you into this brilliant first novel ...a blood-drenched investigation that twists and turns in the vortex of Georgian society * The Times *Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this. Magnificent! -- Jeffery DeaverThe pace is relentless ...an absolutely superb debut novel * Crime Review *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Glory
Book SynopsisThe sequel to The Hope, the epic novel of Israel's turbulent coming-of-age.Trade ReviewA sprawling action-packed novel...assiduously researched, The Glory is gripping historical fiction. Herman Wouk's portraits of historical figures are altogether convincing * Philidelphia Inquirer *As in previous sagas of Woukian dimensions, The Winds of War to name one of a dozen, ordinary people become heroic figures against a turbulent backdrop of war, death, and love * Booklist *
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton Inside Outside
Book SynopsisThe Great Novel of the Jewish American Dream.Trade ReviewExtremely funny * Wall Street Journal *A truly enjoyable reading experience.... Wouk reaffirms his position as one of the nation's eminent storytellers * New York Newsday *
£10.44
