Historical Fiction Books

Book Synopsis'Grisly, addictive fun . . . I devoured it in 24 hours' – Emilia Hart, author of WeywardIn deepest winter, beware the coldest hearts . . .London, 1850. Constance Horton has disappeared.Maude, her older sister, knows only that Constance abandoned the apothecary they call home, and, disguised as a boy, boarded a ship bound for the Arctic. She never returned. ‘A tragic accident’, the Admiralty called it. But Maude Horton knows something isn’t right.When she finds Constance’s journal, it becomes clear that the truth is being buried by sinister forces. To find answers – and deliver justice for her sister – Maude must step into London’s dark underbelly, and into the path of dangerous, powerful men. The kind of men who seek their fortune in the city’s horrors, from the hangings at Newgate to the ghoulish waxworks of Madame Tussaud’s.It is a perilous task. But Maude has dangerous skills of her own . . .'Brilliant! Stuffed with adventure' - Stuart Turton, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'A gripping adventure story' - Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters'Victorian gothic at its very very best' - Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of PandoraTrade ReviewThis is escapist fiction at its best. Grisly, addictive fun . . . I devoured it in 24 hours -- Emilia Hart, author of WeywardBrilliant! Every page is stuffed with adventure . . . A joyous, propulsive piece of writing from a truly talented writer -- Stuart Turton, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn HardcastleThrilling, heartfelt and utterly compulsive — a gripping adventure story and an intelligent, richly textured portrait of a moment in history . . . I loved it -- Emma Stonex, bestselling author The LamplightersAdventurous and beautifully written, I loved the clever, propulsive storytelling and the wealth of historical detail . . . so accomplished, I thoroughly enjoyed it -- Rosie Andrews, author of The LeviathanSpellbinding . . . this is Victorian gothic at its very very best. I was hooked from the first page! -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of PandoraA taut and riveting adventure . . . The jaw-dropping cliffhangers mean it’s hard not to read it in a single sitting -- StylistRip-roaring and guillotine-sharp - I couldn't tear myself away -- Ellery Lloyd, author of The ClubDark, thrilling & completely absorbing, MAUDE is glorious. Lizzie Pook taps into a centuries-long fascination with true crime taking us from the Arctic via gruesome hangings into Madame Tussaud’s. BRAVO! -- Nikki May, author of WahalaA riveting tale of a sister’s burning desire for revenge, the tension tightening like a hangman’s noose . . . atmospheric, gripping and beautiful - the execution of this novel is flawless -- Amy McCulloch, author BreathlessA captivating historical thriller . . . I loved this page turning story of two sisters, a heartbreaking mystery, and a life-or-death quest -- Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black CakeExquisite . . . this novel is subversive, surprising and gothically tense. I can't wait to read whatever Pook writes next -- Sophie Haydock, author of The FlamesBrilliant . . . Pook’s masterful pacing and meticulous attention to historical detail make this sing. Fans of Stuart Tarton’s high seas whodunits will be rapt * Publisher's Weekly *A spellbinding novel set in the frozen Arctic and in London during the height of murder mania…. Pook paints a macabre image of a time when death was often more valuable than life itself * Kirkus *Stellar . . . Pook once again weaves a rousing tale around the escapades of a bold, spirited, and cunning woman * Booklist *A lush murder mystery, Pook is a master of suspense . . . an unforgettable, atmospheric thrill ride -- Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left UndoneShowcases Victorian London in all its grisly, macabre glory - from the very first page this novel had me in its grip. First-class storytelling, simultaneously full of heart and dark as pitch -- Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of MarvelsDeliciously satisfying . . . a marvellous tonic of a novel, fizzing with adventure and brimming with darkness -- Polly Crosby, author of Vita and the BirdsA delicious slice of gothic Victoriana - sumptuously written and packed with ice, bones and bodies -- Freya Berry, author of The Dictator's WifeA gloriously ghoulish Victorian tale of Arctic adventure, icy revenge & diabolical anatomicals . . . A gothic treat! Superb! -- Kate Griffin, author of FyneshadeA beautifully written, meticulously researched gem of a book -- Bridget Walsh, author of The Tumbling GirlMaude Horton's Glorious Revenge had me gripped in the icy maws of the Arctic, captivated by the gruesome murder tours of the 19th Century, and desperate to find out Constance's fate. This is historical fiction fiction at its absolute glorious best -- Louise Morrish, author of Operation MoonlightTense and vividly atmospheric, with a determined, independent heroine intent on the truth. It’s beautifully written, unflinching and brimming with adventure. I loved the journey to a world I knew nothing about - it’s gloriously transporting -- Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne on Moonlight and the Pearler's DaughterGripping . . . an entertaining tale of adventure and dark goings-on * Good Housekeeping *A lively and engaging read * The Times *A rollicking historical adventure . . . a protagonist you’ll be rooting for from the first page to the last . . . terrific * Criminal Element *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exciting and pacey story of a quest for justice in the macabre world of Victorian London, with an intrepid heroine ready to risk it all for her missing sister.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInspired by true events and set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Melanie Levensohn’s A Jewish Girl in Paris is a powerful novel about forbidden love.'This beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love.' - Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies, in Platinum MagazineParis, 1940, a city under German occupation. A young Jewish girl, Judith, meets a young man, the son of a wealthy banker and Nazi sympathizer – his family will never approve of the girl he has fallen in love with. As the Germans impose more and more restrictions on Jewish Parisians, the couple secretly plan to flee the country. But before they can make their escape, Judith disappears . . .Montréal, 1982. Shortly before his death, Lica Grunberg confesses to his daughter, that she has an older half-sister, Judith. Lica escaped the Nazis but lost all contact with his first-born daughter. His daughter promises to find the sister she never knew. The search languishes for years, until Jacobina is spurred on by her young friend Béatrice.Soon the two women discover a dark family secret, stretching over two continents and six decades, that will change their lives forever . . .Adapted from a translation by Jamie Lee Searle, A Jewish Girl in Paris is a historical novel for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.'In this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate' - Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkTrade ReviewThis beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love. -- Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies in Platinum MagazineIn this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Melanie Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate. A Jewish Girl in Paris delivers romance and intrigue to spare, but the novel’s real power lies in its portrayal of how deeply and sometimes mysteriously we can find ourselves connected to the past, and to each other. -- Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkInspired in part by her own fascinating family story, author Melanie Levensohn has crafted an emotional tale of two women . . . desperately searching for answers . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris is a deeply researched, emotional roller coaster ride of love, fate, and second chances. -- Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost NamesAn elegantly drawn tale . . . [with] a pacy narrative, relatable heroines, and an eye for historical detail about life in occupied France. * The Jewish Chronicle, London *A beautiful and hard-hitting story -- Kate Furnivall, author of Sunday Times bestselling novel The BetrayalA Jewish Girl in Paris crafts a warm and intimate tale full of historical accuracy. Furnished with passion and intrigue, this historical romance is a powerful novel about forbidden love. * Hive *I was hooked from the very beginning because it is like a family history detective story . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris pays great attention to the accuracy of historic details and the depiction of the 1940s feels extremely authentic. The novel would appeal to anyone who is interested in the Second World War, and the plight of Jews who lived in France at this time. * Who do you think you are Magazine *Packed with extensive historical research, and written with warmth, insight, sensitivity, and a genuine empathy with the events of the Holocaust, this vivid, poignant tale of entwined destinies, unseen connections and enduring love is guaranteed to resonate long after the last page has turned. * Pam Norfolk Blog *Moving story on multiple levels of time and space. Extremely well researched. The book transported me into another world -- Freundin (major German women’s magazine)This novel is full of suspense and doesn’t let the reader go. A page turner. Must read! -- Christiane Krause-Dimmock, Badische Neueste NachrichtenLevensohn shows great sensitivity and empathy in her characters and the deep scars left by history and Nazi cruelty that reach all the way into the present * Stuttgarter Nachrichten *An intense read, depicting the time of World War II and the lifelong impact of those years, thoughtfully narrated with great depth -- Susanne Walsleben, Für Sie (major German women’s magazine)

Read more less

Book SynopsisInspired by true events and set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Melanie Levensohn’s A Jewish Girl in Paris is a powerful novel about forbidden love.'This beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love.' - Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies, in Platinum MagazineParis, 1940, a city under German occupation. A young Jewish girl, Judith, meets a young man, the son of a wealthy banker and Nazi sympathizer – his family will never approve of the girl he has fallen in love with. As the Germans impose more and more restrictions on Jewish Parisians, the couple secretly plan to flee the country. But before they can make their escape, Judith disappears . . .Montréal, 1982. Shortly before his death, Lica Grunberg confesses to his daughter, that she has an older half-sister, Judith. Lica escaped the Nazis but lost all contact with his first-born daughter. His daughter promises to find the sister she never knew. The search languishes for years, until Jacobina is spurred on by her young friend Béatrice.Soon the two women discover a dark family secret, stretching over two continents and six decades, that will change their lives forever . . .Adapted from a translation by Jamie Lee Searle, A Jewish Girl in Paris is a historical novel for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.'In this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate' – Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkTrade ReviewThis beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love. -- Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies in Platinum MagazineIn this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Melanie Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate. A Jewish Girl in Paris delivers romance and intrigue to spare, but the novel’s real power lies in its portrayal of how deeply and sometimes mysteriously we can find ourselves connected to the past, and to each other. -- Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkA beautiful and hard-hitting story -- Kate Furnivall, author of Sunday Times bestselling novel The BetrayalInspired in part by her own fascinating family story, author Melanie Levensohn has crafted an emotional tale of two women . . . desperately searching for answers . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris is a deeply researched, emotional roller coaster ride of love, fate, and second chances. -- Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost NamesAn elegantly drawn tale . . . [with] a pacy narrative, relatable heroines, and an eye for historical detail about life in occupied France. * The Jewish Chronicle, London *A Jewish Girl in Paris crafts a warm and intimate tale full of historical accuracy. Furnished with passion and intrigue, this historical romance is a powerful novel about forbidden love. * Hive *I was hooked from the very beginning because it is like a family history detective story . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris pays great attention to the accuracy of historic details and the depiction of the 1940s feels extremely authentic. The novel would appeal to anyone who is interested in the Second World War, and the plight of Jews who lived in France at this time. * Who do you think you are Magazine *The characters are wholly believable and the emotionally charged plot is fast moving. * Yorkshire Times *Packed with extensive historical research, and written with warmth, insight, sensitivity, and a genuine empathy with the events of the Holocaust, this vivid, poignant tale of entwined destinies, unseen connections and enduring love is guaranteed to resonate long after the last page has turned. * Pam Norfolk Blog *Moving story on multiple levels of time and space. Extremely well researched. The book transported me into another world -- Freundin (major German women’s magazine)This novel is full of suspense and doesn’t let the reader go. A page turner. Must read! -- Christiane Krause-Dimmock, Badische Neueste NachrichtenLevensohn shows great sensitivity and empathy in her characters and the deep scars left by history and Nazi cruelty that reach all the way into the present * Stuttgarter Nachrichten *An intense read, depicting the time of World War II and the lifelong impact of those years, thoughtfully narrated with great depth -- Susanne Walsleben, Für Sie (major German women’s magazine)

Read more less

Book SynopsisWartime Friends is a tale of unbreakable bonds in times of strife, by bestselling author of The Poacher's Daughter, Margaret Dickinson.It is 1940s coastal Lincolnshire and Carolyn Holmes is keen to do what she can for the war effort. Raised on the family farm, she is prevented by her mother from going to secretarial college.Phyllis Carter, a widow from the Great War, lives close by with her son, Peter, who works on the farm. Peter and Carolyn are great friends but do not see a future together, although it is the dearest wish of both mothers to see them marry.After their home town is caught in an air raid, Peter decides to volunteer – to the distress of his mother – and Carolyn leaves to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service – the 'women's branch' of the British Army – where she meets Beryl Morley, who will become a lifelong friend.Carolyn and Beryl are posted to Beaumanor Hall as ‘listeners’, the most difficult of signals intelligence gathering, intercepting enemy messages which are then sent to Bletchley Park for deciphering.As the war unfolds and their work becomes even more vital, Carolyn and Beryl’s friendship strengthens and, in the dangerous times that follow, they will both need the support of the other as they face personal troubles of their own and the lives of those they love are put at risk.Trade ReviewQueen of Saga * Daily Express *

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘I’m going to live in that house, Dad. One day I’ll be mistress of Thornsby Manor . . .’It is 1910 in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Young Rosie Waterhouse lives with her father, Sam, well known as the local poacher, in a cottage on the Thornsby estate. The land is owned by William Ramsey, a harsh and heartless man who is determined his only son, Byron, should marry well and produce an heir.Rosie is quick to learn the tricks of her father’s trade and it’s when she’s poaching fish from the estate’s stream that she meets Byron. They continue to meet in secret over the coming months and, as their friendship blossoms, they recognize that, despite their vastly different backgrounds, they are destined to be together. When William learns of their bond, he stops at nothing to ensure that they never meet again.As the years pass and the threat of war becomes a reality, Sam is involved in a tragic incident that will affect both his and Rosie’s lives more than they could ever have imagined. Life will never be the same in Thornsby, but will Rosie find the happiness she yearns for?Trade ReviewThe Queen of Saga * Daily Express *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Woolworth Girl’s Promise is the heart warming eighth novel in Elaine Everest’s bestselling Woolworths series that follows the turbulent life of a much-loved Woolworth girl.After losing her beloved fiancé at Ypres in 1917, seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Billington faces a lonely future estranged from her upper-class parents due to her association with Charlie Sayers and his working-class family. No longer able to live under her parent’s roof she is taken in by Charlie’s father, escaping the suffocating demands of her parents.Betty soon learns all too well about the realities of life after an accident at the Woolwich Arsenal munitions works. Spotting an advertisement for a nearby job at Woolworths, Betty starts on a new and thrilling journey starting at the bottom of the employment ladder in the well-known store.Her work journey leads her to Ramsgate in Kent to work in a newly built store and with it the chance of marriage, but can she ever forget Charlie and the promise she made to him . . . ?Read this exciting early chapter in the life of well-known Betty Billington and follow her journey before she arrives at the Erith store and meets fellow Woolworths Girls in 1938 as war is again on the horizon . . .'Another uplifting read from the master stpryteller.' - Lancaster PostTrade ReviewWonderfully nostalgic Woolies series . . . With its enchanting mix of drama, romance, friendship and family, and lots of twists and turns to enjoy along the way, this is an enthralling account of the early life of one of Everest’s best-loved Woolworths girls and another uplifting read from a master storyteller. * Lancaster Post *A warm, tender tale of friendship and love . . . sweet as a Woolies pick’n’mix -- Milly Johnson on The Woolworth GirlsA heart-warming story about finding strength in the hardest of times * Woman’s Own *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCelebrating Fifty Years of Picador Books Winner of the National Book Award 1990 The Apocalypse would definitely put a crimp in my career plans. Rutherford Calhoun, a puckish rogue and newly freed slave, spends his days loitering around the docks of New Orleans, dodging debt collectors, gangsters, and Isadora Bailey, a prim and frugal woman who seeks to marry him and curb his mischievous instincts. When the heat from these respective pursuers becomes too much to bear, he cons his way on to the next ship leaving the dock: the Republic. Upon boarding, to his horror he discovers that he is on an illegal slave ship embarking on the Middle Passage, the portion of the triangular trade route that saw slaves transported from Africa to the US. Staffed by a crew of criminals and degenerates, the Republic is on a mission to enslave members of the legendary Allmuseri tribe, while the sadistic yet philosophical Captain Falcon has a secondary objective: securing a mysterious cargo that possesses a terrifying and otherworldly power. What follows is a story of Rutherford’s battle for survival, as he finds himself juggling loyalties between the ship’s crew and the enslaved passengers, and is forced to use every ounce of the charm and cunning that he possesses to endure the desperate conditions and battle the myriad deadly forces on the high seas. A masterful blend of allegory, black comedy, naval adventure and supernatural horror, Charles Johnson's wildly inventive Middle Passage is a true modern classic.Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.Trade ReviewLong after we’d stopped believe in the great American novel, along comes a spellbinding adventure story that may be just that * Chicago Tribune *A novel in the honorable tradition of Billy Budd and Moby Dick... heroic in proportion...fiction that hooks into the mind * New York Times Book Review *A rousing adventure yarn that resonates with and echoes the spirit of early sea stories. . . Johnson has fashioned a tale of travel and tragedy, yearning and history, and done so from a different, rarely explored viewpoint. . . .Middle Passage is a story of slavery, often brilliant in its structure and riveting in the way it's told * San Francisco Chronicle *Middle Passage has it all - rich lyricism and erudition, apocalyptic storms, clumsy ships disintegrating beneath their sputtering sailors and perilous philosophical conflicts. * Independent *No American writer has returned to the past as effectively as this since Toni Morrison's Beloved...a brilliantly written, human, tragicomic odyssey. * Irish Times *History, philosophy and powerful story-telling converge and somehow Johnson gives this indictment of inhumanity grace and humour. * Observer *Stunningly good. . . and in its analysis of the black predicament in America, ranks with the classic Invisble Man * Time Out *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBridgerton meets Groundhog Day in The Redemption of Philip Thane, a rip-roaring regency rom-com for fans of Julia Quinn, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.‘One of the most exciting historical fiction writers in a long time’ – Julia Quinn, author of the Netflix series Bridgerton, on Lisa Berne.How many times can a rake get it wrong . . . before he becomes Mr Right?Philip Thane – rogue, rake, and scoundrel extraordinaire – hadn’t wanted to show up in the little town of Whittlesey to give a speech. He also didn’t expect to somehow find himself stuck in time, waking up every morning to live exactly the same day over, and over, and over again.On the plus side, it’s giving him time to further his acquaintance with the delightful Miss Margaret Allen, in town to research the book she’s writing. And Philip has no doubt she’ll fall starry-eyed into his arms, just like so many other ladies of the ton have done before.Yet Miss Allen stands firm against his wiles, day after day. How is it even possible? Why won’t she change her mind? What must he do to win her heart?Maybe, just maybe, it isn’t Margaret who needs to change. Rather, perhaps change needs to come for a certain rogue. One who – if only he knew it – is head over heels in love . . . and badly in need of redemption.Trade ReviewOne of the most exciting new historical writers in a long time -- Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton There’s no other way to describe this fizzy historical romance than enchanting. The wry humour and witty banter explode off the page from the start . . . It’s champagne in book form — bubbly, fun, and intoxicating far more quickly than one might anticipate . . . a breezy, fizzy read that will cut through even the darkest winter doldrums * Entertainment Weekly *[C]opious humour and heart . . . expertly crafted. * Publishers Weekly *Attention, Bridgerton fans: if you're ready to delve deeper into the world of historical romances . . . Lisa Berne is a fun place to start * PopSugar *A masterful Regency debut that explores pride and prejudices . . . A sheer delight -- Kirkus, starred reviewBerne’s Regency romance sparkles with dry, subtle wit . . . Berne smoothly works in social commentary . . . while championing the righteous rage and suppressed longings of mistreated women, updating Austenian sensibilities for the twenty-first-century reader -- Publishers Weekly on You May Kiss the BrideBerne’s exceptional romance debut . . . will dazzle readers with its irresistible mix of graceful writing tempered with just the right dash of crisp wit, splendidly captured Regency setting and atmosphere, and beautifully nuanced characters * Booklist *UNPUTDOWNABLE! This book consumed me. Truly one of the absolute best romances I’ve ever read! -- Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling authorJane Austen would approve. Strongly recommended -- The Historical Novels Review, Historical Novel SocietyWill delight Regency romance readers on the hunt for a new voice in the genre . . . Berne’s debut is a lingering homage to the heyday of the Regency historical romance – a lovingly crafted story of opposites forced together by Society’s censure, quirky side-characters and stolen kisses -- Sarah MacLean * Washington Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOpposites attract in this epic and spellbinding historical novel, which transports us from the untamed beauty of a remote Scottish island to the glamour and intrigues of high society in the 1930s. The Last Summer is the first book in The Wild Isle series by Sunday Times bestseller Karen Swan, inspired by the true history of St Kilda and its small island community.'The Last Summer is beautifully told . . . a wonderfully satisfying read.' - Santa MontefioreSummer on St Kilda – a wild, remote Scottish island.Two strangers from drastically different worlds meet . . .Wild-spirited Effie Gillies has lived all her life on the small island of St Kilda but when Lord Sholto, heir to the Earl of Dumfries, visits, the attraction between them is instant. For one glorious week she guides the handsome young visitor around the isle, falling in love for the first time – until a storm hits and her world falls apart.Three months later, St Kilda falls silent as the islanders are evacuated for a better life on the mainland. With her friends and family scattered, Effie is surprised to be offered a position working on the Earl’s estate. Sholto is back in her life but their differences now seem insurmountable, even as the simmering tension between them grows. And when a shocking discovery is made back on St Kilda, all her dreams for this bright new life are threatened by the dark secrets Effie and her friends thought they had left behind.'The most exciting, enchanting and evocative story of forbidden love I’ve ever read. I truly loved it and am waiting feverishly for the second instalment' - Cathy Bramley, author of The Summer That Changed Us'Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series!' - Jill Mansell, author of And Now You're Back'A delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer' - Rachel Hore, author of A Beautiful SpyTrade ReviewThis sweeping love story gripped us from the start, so we can’t wait for the next in the series. Best historical romance of 2022 * Independent *I so enjoyed The Last Summer by Karen Swan, which provides fascinating details about life on St Kilda prior to the evacuation of its inhabitants from the island. Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series! -- Jill MansellThe most exciting, enchanting and evocative story of forbidden love I’ve ever read. I truly loved it and am waiting feverishly for the second installment. -- Cathy BramleyA delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer -- Rachel HoreA dramatic start to a gripping new series set on the Scottish island of St Kilda. The Last Summer is meticulously researched and beautifully told by one of our most prolific and talented writers. It contains all the ingredients of a wonderfully satisfying read: love, passion, drama, violence, menace and peril, and characters you fall in love with - and some you hate! Happily, this is the start of a series so your longing for more will be fulfilled. * Santa Montefiore *The queen of destination books...exciting...beguiling...The first in a new series, we're already looking forward to meeting these characters again . . . * Woman and Home *A sweeping page-turner with an engrossing love story at its heart, this is an absolute treat for historical fiction fans. Swan is a superb storyteller. I loved it. -- Eve Chase author of The Glass House Vividly drawn and beautifully atmospheric, this is a book to savour. * Heat Magazine *Wonderfully romantic and epic in feel, this beautiful historical novel is a fascinating and deliciously escapist read -- Tasmina Perry, author of Guilty Pleasures and Perfect StrangersWhat a great adventure! The perfect way to tell the tale of the St Kilda's population in fiction form. History fans will love the fascinating St Kilda detail woven throughout this thrilling romance. Wonderful! -- Jennifer Ryan, author of The Chilbury Ladies Choir and The Kitchen FrontA promising new series from Swan . . . The vivid beauty and danger of St. Kilda only enhances Swan’s effortlessly intricate plotting. Toeing the line between romance and historical fiction, this gorgeous story and its unconventional heroine are sure to win hearts. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘A gripping new series . . . beautifully told by one of our most prolific and talented writers’ - Santa Montefiore on The Last SummerA reluctant bride. A forbidden romance. An island full of secrets . . .It’s the summer of 1929 and Mhairi MacKinnon is in need of a husband. As the eldest girl among nine children, her father has made it clear he can’t support her past the coming winter. On the small, Scottish island of St Kilda, her options are limited. But the MacKinnons’ neighbour, Donald, has a business acquaintance on distant Harris also in need of a spouse. A plan is hatched for Donald to chaperone Mhairi and make the introduction on his final crossing of the year, before the autumn seas close them off to the outside world.Mhairi returns as an engaged woman who has lost her heart – but not to her fiancé. In love with the wrong man yet knowing he can never be hers, she awaits the spring with growing dread, for the onset of calm waters will see her sent from home to become a stranger’s wife.When word comes that St Kilda is to be evacuated, the lovers are granted a few months’ reprieve, enjoying a summer of stolen hours together. Only, those last days on St Kilda will also bring trauma and heartache for Mhairi and her friends, Effie and Flora. And when a dead body is later found on the abandoned isle, all three have reason enough to find themselves under the shadow of suspicion . . .The Stolen Hours is Book Two in Karen Swan's bestselling Wild Isle Series. Praise for The Last Summer (Book One):'Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series!' - Jill Mansell, author of Should I Tell You?'The most exciting, enchanting and evocative story of forbidden love I’ve ever read. I truly loved it and am waiting feverishly for the second installment.' - Cathy Bramley, author of The Lemon Tree CaféTrade ReviewA lovely novel which I hugely enjoyed. I envy Karen Swan's skill to evoke a landscape and a very different past so effortlessly. The love story was all that one would wish and the characters are terrific. -- Elizabeth Buchan, author of Against Her NatureThis sweeping love story gripped us from the start, so we can’t wait for the next in the series. Best historical romance -- Independent on The Last SummerA dramatic start to a gripping new series set on the Scottish island of St Kilda. The Last Summer is meticulously researched and beautifully told by one of our most prolific and talented writers. It contains all the ingredients of a wonderfully satisfying read: love, passion, drama, violence, menace and peril, and characters you fall in love with - and some you hate! Happily, this is the start of a series so your longing for more will be fulfilled. -- Santa Montefiore, author of Flappy Investigates on The Last SummerI so enjoyed The Last Summer by Karen Swan, which provides fascinating details about life on St Kilda prior to the evacuation of its inhabitants from the island. Powerful writing and a wonderful premise make this a novel you’ll simultaneously want to savour and race through. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series! -- Jill Mansell, author of Should I Tell You?The most exciting, enchanting and evocative story of forbidden love I’ve ever read. I truly loved it and am waiting feverishly for the second instalment -- Cathy Bramley, author of The Summer That Changed UsA delicious romantic tale of wild 1930s Scotland . . . perfect for everyone dreaming of summer -- Rachel Hore, author of One Moonlit NightThe queen of destination books . . . exciting . . . beguiling . . . The first in a new series, we're already looking forward to meeting these characters again . . . * Woman and Home *A sweeping page-turner with an engrossing love story at its heart, this is an absolute treat for historical fiction fans. Swan is a superb storyteller. I loved it -- Eve Chase, author of The Glass HouseVividly drawn and beautifully atmospheric, this is a book to savour. * Heat Magazine *Wonderfully romantic and epic in feel, this beautiful historical novel is a fascinating and deliciously escapist read -- Tasmina Perry, author of Guilty Pleasures and Perfect StrangersWhat a great adventure! The perfect way to tell the tale of St Kilda’s population in fiction form. History fans will love the fascinating St Kilda detail woven throughout this thrilling romance. Wonderful! -- Jennifer Ryan, author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Kitchen FrontA promising new series from Swan . . . The vivid beauty and danger of St. Kilda only enhances Swan’s effortlessly intricate plotting. Toeing the line between romance and historical fiction, this gorgeous story and its unconventional heroine are sure to win hearts. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisKaren Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty-six books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year which are published in the summer and at Christmas. Previous summer titles include The Spanish Promise, The Hidden Beach and The Secret Path and, for winter, Together by Christmas, Midnight in the Snow and The Christmas Postcards.She lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.The Lost Lover is the third book in the historical Wild Isle series, based on the dramatic evacuation of the Scottish island St Kilda in the summer of 1930.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Librarian of Auschwitz is ideal for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Choice, this graphic novel is the story of the smallest library in the world – and the most dangerous. Based on a true story, it is an extraordinary novel of courage and hope by Antonio Iturbe and Loreto Aroca.‘It wasn’t an extensive library. In fact, it consisted of eight books and some of them were in poor condition. But they were books. In this incredibly dark place, they were a reminder of less sombre times, when words rang out more loudly than machine guns . . .’Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezín ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious books the prisoners have managed to smuggle past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the secret librarian of Auschwitz, responsible for the safekeeping of the small collection of titles, as well as the ‘living books’ – prisoners of Auschwitz who know certain books so well, they too can be ‘borrowed’ to educate the children in the camp.But books are extremely dangerous. They make people think. And nowhere are they more dangerous than in Block 31 of Auschwitz, the children’s block, where the slightest transgression can result in execution, no matter how young the transgressor . . .Based on the incredible and moving true story of Dita Kraus, holocaust survivor and secret librarian for the children’s block in Auschwitz.Trade ReviewAn unforgettable, heartbreaking novel * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Like Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, it’s a sophisticated novel with mature themes, delivering an emotionally searing reading experience. An important novel that will stand with other powerful testaments from the Holocaust era. * Booklist, starred review *Though no punches are pulled about the unimaginable atrocity of the death camps, a life-affirming history. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *this novel is one that could easily be recommended . . . alongside Elie Wiesel's Night and The Diary of Anne Frank . . . once read, will never be forgotten . . . A hauntingly authentic Holocaust retellingAn engrossing read, seamlessly translated from Iturbe's original Spanish. Iturbe retains the dignity and full horror of Dita's situation, while creating a narrative of hope and bravery in the face of fear. * Compass Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisElizabeth Macneal was born in Scotland and now lives in Twickenham. She is a writer and potter and works from a small studio at the bottom of her garden. The Doll Factory, Elizabeth's debut novel, was a Sunday Times bestseller, has been translated into twenty-nine languages and is now a major television series. Her second novel, Circus of Wonders, was also a Sunday Times bestseller.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA cat-and-mouse thriller set in Victorian London, The Burial Plot is the third novel from Sunday Times bestseller Elizabeth Macneal, about murder, manipulation, and a young woman wrestling power from the hands of a dangerous man.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe highly anticipated novel from the internationally bestselling author of The Pull of the Stars and Room'This is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best.' - Maggie O'Farrell, author of Hamnet'Combines pressure-cooker intensity and radical isolation, to stunning effect.' – Margaret Atwood via TwitterIn seventh-century Ireland, a scholar and priest called Artt has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Taking two monks – young Trian and old Cormac – he travels down the river Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a monastery. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. Their extraordinary landing spot is now known as Skellig Michael. But in such a place, far from all other humanity, what will survival mean?Haunting, moving and vividly told, Haven displays Emma Donoghue’s trademark world-building and psychological intensity – but this tale is like nothing she has ever written before . . .One of The Times Books of the Year 2022One of Easons 'Favourite Book of the Year 2022'.The Irish Times 'Books to Look Out For in 2022'.Pre-order Learned By Heart, the dazzling new love story from Emma Donoghue.Trade ReviewA remarkably engrossing tale * The Mail on Sunday *This book kept me up half the night - I was unable to put it down, and read it in one spellbound gulp. It is everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best. -- Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetBrooding, dreamlike . . . it’s in descriptions of the physical world that Donoghue’s prose soars . . . Likewise, among themes that include isolation and devotion, its ecological warnings are its most resonant. * The Observer *Quietly beautiful . . . And its subject, of course, is a universal one: we’re all stuck on this rock, trying to keep hold of simple moral truths while quietly losing our minds. As poor young Trian puts it, in one of his darkest moments: “Even this unbearable life is still sweet." * The Guardian *Donoghue excels in creating not just a world but a worldview that is far removed from our own . . . this is a bold, thoughtful novel. * Financial Times *A beautiful and timely novel about isolation, passion and the conflict between obedience and self-preservation. The island setting and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading -- Sarah Moss, author of Ghostwall and SummerwaterDonoghue wrings unlikely psychodrama from such everyday chores of monastic life as copying a manuscript or building a drystone wall. But if that doesn’t grab you, rest assured that the devastating denouement amply repays the reader’s patience — and has a thing or two to say about modern-day moral panics, too * Daily Mail *I am already an admirer of Emma Donoghue's writing and this novel had me in its grasp from the beginning. It was so bleak and brutal about the harshness and fanaticism of the monastic life; I was absolutely convinced by her depiction of scratching a life on the bare island and the power play between the trinity of monks, and their motivations and beliefs. I read it in a couple of sittings with a growing sense of foreboding and desperation to know their fates. A powerful story, brilliantly imagined. * Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures *Haven creates an eerie, meditative atmosphere that should resonate with anyone willing to think deeply about the blessings and costs of devoting one’s life to a transcendent cause. * The Washington Post *In 7th C, Ireland, three men set sail to a bird-thick island to find God. EmmaDonoghue combines pressure-cooker intensity + radical isolation, to stunning effect. What is Divine Grace? Purity of soul? Virtue? Not what they think. -- Margaret Atwood via TwitterSinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written. * The Times *A grim and grisly tale of monastic privation and isolation in seventh-century Ireland . . . [Donoghue] deftly captures the elemental nature of the relationship between her protagonists and the natural world; how it’s both their benefactor and their tormentor, a source of life, but also of death. -- Lucy Scholes * The Daily Telegraph *What a beautiful, intense, blazing, richly-woven yet spartan and unsparing book this is. I couldn’t put it down. Lyrical and then visceral, appearing at one moment tranquil and another so intense it’s like being bitten and clawed . . . it is both a story about three men of God surviving with almost nothing on an island, and another about dictatorship, isolation, true fraternity, love, the nature of faith and man’s place in the natural world . . . It’s utterly brilliant. -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryWritten in an admirably plain and lucid style, Haven is slow but ulitamately moving in its revalation of friendhsip and human decency . . . * The Times *A patient, thoughtful novel with much to say about spirituality, hope, and human failure, and about the miracle of mercy. -- Esi Edugyan, Booker-shortlisted author of Washington BlackA vivid fictional recreation of the first settlers on the Skellig rocks in the sixth century – the most westerly sacred site in Europe. The descriptions of Atlantic sea life are unforgettable -- Richard Kearney, author of The Wake of ImaginationHaven is a gentle book, a fascinating exploration of human nature and an immensely enjoyable read. -- RTÉ

Read more less

Book SynopsisA story of survival set in 600 AD Ireland; a parable of patriarchy, destruction and religion at sea, by Emma Donoghue, the bestselling author of Room.'Everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best.' - Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetIn seventh-century Ireland, a priest has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Taking two monks with him, he travels down the Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a new place of worship. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. But in such a place, far from all other humanity, what will survival mean?‘Haven is a beautiful, bold blaze of a book’ – Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry‘Beautiful and timely’ - Sarah Moss, author of Summerwater‘Sinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written’ – The Times‘Combines pressure-cooker intensity and radical isolation, to stunning effect’ – Margaret Atwood via Twitter‘Book of the Year’ pick in The Irish Times, The Guardian, The Irish Post, RTÉ and The Times.Trade ReviewA remarkably engrossing tale * The Mail on Sunday *This book kept me up half the night - I was unable to put it down, and read it in one spellbound gulp. It is everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best. -- Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetBrooding, dreamlike . . . it’s in descriptions of the physical world that Donoghue’s prose soars . . . Likewise, among themes that include isolation and devotion, its ecological warnings are its most resonant. * The Observer *Quietly beautiful . . . And its subject, of course, is a universal one: we’re all stuck on this rock, trying to keep hold of simple moral truths while quietly losing our minds. As poor young Trian puts it, in one of his darkest moments: “Even this unbearable life is still sweet." * The Guardian *Donoghue excels in creating not just a world but a worldview that is far removed from our own . . . this is a bold, thoughtful novel. * Financial Times *A beautiful and timely novel about isolation, passion and the conflict between obedience and self-preservation. The island setting and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading -- Sarah Moss, author of Ghostwall and SummerwaterDonoghue wrings unlikely psychodrama from such everyday chores of monastic life as copying a manuscript or building a drystone wall. But if that doesn’t grab you, rest assured that the devastating denouement amply repays the reader’s patience — and has a thing or two to say about modern-day moral panics, too * Daily Mail *A powerful story, brilliantly imagined. * Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures *Haven creates an eerie, meditative atmosphere that should resonate with anyone willing to think deeply about the blessings and costs of devoting one’s life to a transcendent cause. * The Washington Post *In 7th C, Ireland, three men set sail to a bird-thick island to find God. EmmaDonoghue combines pressure-cooker intensity + radical isolation, to stunning effect. What is Divine Grace? Purity of soul? Virtue? Not what they think. -- Margaret Atwood via TwitterSinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written. * The Times *A grim and grisly tale of monastic privation and isolation in seventh-century Ireland . . . [Donoghue] deftly captures the elemental nature of the relationship between her protagonists and the natural world; how it’s both their benefactor and their tormentor, a source of life, but also of death. -- Lucy Scholes * The Daily Telegraph *Both a story about three men of God surviving with almost nothing on an island, and another about dictatorship, isolation, true fraternity, love, the nature of faith and man’s place in the natural world . . . It’s utterly brilliant. -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryWritten in an admirably plain and lucid style, Haven is slow but ultimately moving in its revelation of friendhsip and human decency . . . * The Times *A patient, thoughtful novel with much to say about spirituality, hope, and human failure, and about the miracle of mercy. -- Esi Edugyan, Booker-shortlisted author of Washington BlackHaven is a gentle book, a fascinating exploration of human nature and an immensely enjoyable read. * RTÉ *Atmospheric and vividly told * Marie Claire *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Times bestseller and winner of the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect Award and the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year.'A masterpiece' – Janice Hallett, author of The AppealInspired by a real-life case, Kate Foster's The Maiden is a remarkable story with a feminist revisionist twist, giving a voice to women otherwise silenced by history.In the end, it did not matter what I said at my trial. No one believed me.Edinburgh, October 1679. Lady Christian is arrested and charged with the murder of her lover, James Forrester. News of her imprisonment and subsequent trial is splashed across the broadsides, with headlines that leave little room for doubt: Adulteress. Whore. Murderess. Only a year before, Lady Christian was newly married, leading a life of privilege and respectability. So, what led her to risk everything for an affair? And does that make her guilty of murder? She wasn't the only woman in Forrester's life, and certainly not the only one who might have had cause to wish him dead . . .'Exceptional – a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant' – Daily Mail'Riveting . . . the tension persists until the last page’ — The TimesTrade ReviewThe Maiden is a masterpiece. A thrilling historical murder tale but so much more. Vivid, evocative and full of humanity. -- Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal and The Twyford CodeThis riveting debut novel by Kate Foster takes the true story of the murder [of James Forrester] and spins it into a mystery full of twists . . . The tension persists until the last page. -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Kate Foster expands the slender facts of the case into something exceptional — a tense, thrilling investigation, with a decidedly feminist slant. * Daily Mail *Threat hangs over every page like the awaiting guillotine, but the women in this book gleam sharper. Witty, gritty and full of heart, their voices rise through the brutality and hardship of 17th century Edinburgh, battling to be heard -- Cari Thomas, bestselling author of ThreadneedleThe language and pace of The Maiden is fluent and driving . . . I was quickly gripped. Offers to film Foster’s novel should follow if there’s any sense in this world . . . This is an extremely promising debut by Foster. * The National *A gripping read with strong, compelling and unusual female characters - and a twisty plot that keeps the reader guessing. It cast a fresh light on a period of history when women have too often been seen merely as victims and brought them to life as protagonists in their own right -- Sally Hinchcliffe, author of Hare HouseInspired by a real-life case, this historical murder mystery fictionalises an infamous crime of passion. Kate Foster reimagines the lives of the women at the centre of the story and paints a vivid and fascinating picture of 17th century Edinburgh * Yours magazine *Page-turning, transportive, funny, and tremendously moving, The Maiden is a book to lose yourself in - just make sure you don't have any plans, because once you start reading, you won't want to stop -- Jenny Ashcroft, author of Under the Golden Sun and The Echoes of LoveBrave, bold and at times deliciously indecent with vivid characters that leap from the page and demand attention. Kate Foster has such a fresh, exhilarating voice -- Lizzie Pook, author of Moonlight and the Pearler's DaughterThe Maiden is historical fiction at its finest. A true-life murder tale told thrilingly through the eyes of two very different women, yet both are fighting for their futures in a patriarchal world riven by hypocrisy -- D. V. Bishop, author of City of VengeanceA fabulous book . . . The writing is exquisite and it felt like a rare treat – a story totally rooted in its time and place, but that speaks across the generations -- Claire Evans, author of The Fourteenth Letter and The Graves of WhitechapelAn engrossing, sometimes chilling, read as Kate Foster's imaginative retelling of an old tale takes her colourful characters on a complex ride through the intrigues and prejudices of seventeenth century Scotland -- Sarah Maine, author of The House Between Tides and The AwakeningsA pleasingly female-led re-imagining of true historical events, The Maiden brings 17th century Edinburgh vividly to life in all its colour and stink -- Mary Paulson-Ellis, author of The Other Mrs Walker and Emily Noble's DisgraceA brilliantly bawdy, fabulously feminist take on a real life tragedy. A beautifully written thriller full of all too human characters. I loved it! -- Tina Baker, author of Call Me Mummy and Nasty Little CutsHugely compelling and completely unputdownable. Every time you think you know where the book is going, Kate Foster surprises you. The characterisation and the narrative voice are both so assured -- Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood HallAn unforgettably vivid and very human story that had me glued to its twists and turns from the very first page. A strong contender for my top reads of 2023 already. A must read slice of historical fiction * 17 Degrees Magazine *This is a thrilling revenge tragedy, atmospheric, compelling and delivering everything a good historical novel should * Historical Novel Society *The Maiden triumphs in its portrayal of the fight to overcome not just class, gender, and society, but the wayward, and often dubious, inclinations of the heart. * The Saltire Society *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A masterpiece . . . I literally didn't look up from the first page to the last' – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The AppealThe King’s Witches by Kate Foster is a compelling and beautiful historical novel that gives voices to the women at the heart of the real-life witch trials in sixteenth-century Scotland. Women whisper secrets to each other; it is how we survive.1589. Princess Anna of Denmark is betrothed to King James VI of Scotland. Before they can wed, Anna must pass the trial period: one year of marriage to prove herself worthy of being Scotland's new Queen. Determined to fulfil her duties to King and country, Anna resolves to be the perfect royal bride. Until she meets Lord Henry . . .By her side is Kirsten Sorenson, her loyal and pious lady-in-waiting. But, whilst tending to Anna's every need, Kirsten has her own secret motives for the royal marriage to succeed .

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year'A stunning work of historical imagination . . . masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship' - The Observer'Sparrow [is] truly unforgettable' – Daily MailMeet Jacob – aka Sparrow – a boy slave in the Spanish city of New Carthage in the last years of pagan Rome. Raised in a brothel at the edge of a dying empire, a boy of no known origin creates his own identity. He is Sparrow, who sings without reason and can fly from trouble. His world is a kitchen, a herb-scented garden, a loud and dangerous tavern, and the mysterious upstairs where the ‘wolves’ – prostitutes and slaves from every corner of the empire – conduct their business.He spends his days listening to stories told by his beloved ‘mother’ Euterpe, running errands for her lover the cook, and dodging the blows of their brutal overseer and the machinations of the chief wolf, Melpomene. A hard fate awaits Sparrow, one that involves suffering, murder, mayhem, and the scattering of the women who have been his whole world . . .In Sparrow, James Hynes brings the entirety of the Roman city of Carthago Nova – its markets, temples, taverns of the lowly and mansions of the rich – to vivid, brutal life.'Hynes renders this hidden world so powerfully and vividly.' – The GuardianTrade ReviewA stunning work of historical imagination . . . Masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship * The Observer *Utterly engrossing, vivid, and honest, this coming of age story reaches across millennia to grab us by the throat.' -- Emma Donoghue, author of RoomAn unnerving, exhilarating, unflinching portrayal of sex, slavery and sisterhood . . . This is a novel of ancient times for our times. And it is splendid, a work of scorching distinction. -- Jim Crace, author of HarvestSparrow is a brilliantly written page-turner, a complex, vital, sometimes brutal story told with heartrending beauty. -- Kate Christensen, author of The Great ManHynes, using his pen like a cinematic overview, makes us see everything, the streets, the markets, the homes . . . everything is historically documented. * La Stampa *Sparrow feels like an entirely authentic portrait . . . James Hynes renders this hidden world so powerfully and vividly. * The Times *A bleak and brutal story, vividly told by Hynes, who has created a truly unforgettable character in the resilient Sparrow * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe New York Times Top Ten BestsellerFrom the author of Writers & Lovers, Euphoria is Lily King’s gripping novel inspired by the true story of a woman who changed the way we understand our world.‘Pretty much perfect’ – Curtis Sittenfeld, author of RodhamIn 1933 three young, gifted anthropologists are thrown together in the jungle of New Guinea. They are Nell Stone, fascinating, magnetic and famous for her controversial work; her intelligent but aggressive husband Fen, who is uneasy with her success; and Andrew Bankson, who stumbles into the lives of this strange couple and becomes totally enthralled by Nell. Within months the trio are producing their best ever work, but soon a firestorm of fierce love and jealousy begins to burn out of control, threatening their bonds, their careers and, ultimately, their lives . . .‘Lily King is one of our great literary treasures’ – Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles‘Dazzling’ – Emma Donoghue, author of Room‘Taut, witty, fiercely intelligent . . . a love triangle in extremis’ – The New York TimesTrade ReviewPretty much perfect. It's a novel about a Margaret Mead-like character in New Guinea in the 30s, and it's so smart and rich and alive. -- Curtis Sittenfeld, author of American Wife, Best Books of 2014This dazzling novel bites like a tropical insect, and makes anthropology seem more exciting than any other profession -- Emma Donogue, author of RoomA brilliant reimagining of Mead's pioneering exploits . . . the artfulness of her characterisation is so adept that her prose has the force of truth. * Daily Telegraph *Jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful -- Paula McLain, author of The Paris WifeA taut, witty, fiercely intelligent tale of competing egos and desires in a landscape of exotic menace . . . Exquisite * New York Times *Dramatic, insightful and absorbing . . . she captures the amber of one man's exquisite longing for a woman who changed the way we look at ourselves * Washington Post *Persuasive and evocative . . . Finely crafted . . . it shows a talented writer unwilling to settle for what she already does well and eager to give herself new challenges; her ambition is laudable * Los Angeles Times *From Conrad to Kingsolver, the misdeeds of Westerners have inspired their own literary subgenre, and in King's insightful, romantic addition, the work of novelist and anthropologist find resonant parallel: In the beauty and cruelty of others, we discover our own * Vogue *Thrilling . . . intense, seductive, sexual, and intellectual . . . It's grit-in-your-teeth sensuous * San Francisco Chronicle *Euphoria is simply one of the finest novels I've read in years -- Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and FogI have come to expect Lily King's nuanced explorations of the human heart, but in this novel she pulled me in to the exotic world of a woman anthropologist working with undiscovered tribes in 1930s New Guinea and I was totally captivated -- Karl Marlantes, author of MatterhornDazzling . . . in King's expert hands the three protagonists soon become richly rendered characters, each with her or his own suspenseful narrative . . . an exhilarating novel * Boston Globe *This impeccably researched story illuminates the state of the world as clearly as the passion of its characters . . . a thrilling read that, at its end, does indeed feel like 'the briefest, purest euphoria'' * Publishers Weekly *A small gem, disturbing and haunting * Kirkus *Atmospheric and sensual, with startling images throughout, Euphoria is an intellectually stimulating tour de force -- Jane Ciabattari, author of Stealing the FireAdventure and romance, danger and knowledge, desire and desolation . . . exquisitely braided, they form the core of Euphoria . . . I'm left breathless, excited, ready to wander and explore, a little afraid, enamored, enlightened -- Bill Roorbach, author of Life Among GiantsMasterful . . . A great novelist is like an anthropologist, examining what humans do by habit and custom . . . This is a riveting and provocative novel, absolutely first-rate * Seattle Times *Fresh, brilliantly structured, and fully imagined -- Andrea Barrett, author of Archangel and Ship FeverEuphoria is a brilliantly written book and entirely fascinating from start to finish -- Alice Greenway, author of The Bird SkinnerKing's novel turns an episode in the life of Margaret Mead into a taut tale of competing egos and desires in a landscape of exotic menace -- Notable Books of 2014 * New York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA major film from the makers of Normal People and Room, starring Florence Pugh and streaming on Netflix.'An old-school page turner with crackling intensity' Stephen King'Powerful, compulsively readable' Irish TimesEleven-year-old Anna O'Donnell stops eating, but remains miraculously alive and well. A nurse, sent to investigate whether she is a fraud, meets a journalist hungry for a story . . .Set in the Irish Midlands in the 1850s, Emma Donoghue's The Wonder – inspired by numerous European and North American cases of 'fasting girls' between the sixteenth century and the twentieth – is a psychological thriller about a child's murder threatening to happen in slow motion before our eyes.Trade ReviewEmma Donoghue's writing is superb alchemy, changing innocence into horror and horror into tenderness -- Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's WifeFascinating . . . Like The Turn of the Screw, the novel opens irresistibly, when a young woman with a troubled past gets an enigmatic posting in a remote place . . . Heartbreaking and transcendent and almost religious in itself -- Sarah Lyall * New York Times *A fine, fact-based historical novel, an old-school page turner . . . Donoghue has written, with crackling intensity, about [spirituality's] power to destroy -- Stephen King * New York Times Book Review *A riveting allegory about the trickle-down effect of trauma * Vogue *Donoghue mines material that on the face of it appears intractably bleak and surfaces with a powerful, compulsively readable work of fiction * Irish Times *Deliciously gothic * USA Today *Heartbreaking and transcendent * New York Times *Fans of Emma Donoghue's first novel Room will not be disappointed with The Wonder . . . a tale of claustrophobic suspense and the intense relationship between a woman and a child * Red Magazine *Like [Room], The Wonder explores a dark, insular, and rigidly controlled environment . . . there is more to this mystery than superstitions and local dialect. * The Oprah Magazine *Donoghue proves herself endlessly inventive . . . This is the kind of book that will keep you up at night and make you smarter -- Julie Buntin * Cosmopolitan *Ingenious * Wall Street Journal *Lib is a heroine the modern woman can admire * Time Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith imagination and authenticity Joan Aiken captures the customs and language of Austen’s England in this one of a kind sequel to Jane Austen's classic novel, Mansfield Park, revealing a subversive and unique heroine.Harriet Ward, know as Hatty to her sisters, is treated with utter contempt by most of her family. Lacking the beauty that her older sisters inherited she is left without a dowry to care for their ill mother once her sisters are married off.Sent to Portsmouth to live with her rumbustious uncle and cousins, Hatty turns her creative flair to poetry and believes she must become a governess. That is until handsome Lord Camber passes through town . . .Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park famously narrates the story of poor little Fanny Price sent to live with her mother's grander sisters - the Ward family. Written almost two centuries later, Joan Aiken’s powerful sequel reverses the story and introduces us to The Youngest Miss Ward, Hatty, sent to fend for herself with the poor relations.'Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come.' Philip PullmanTrade ReviewAiken forces us to see what Austen made her own heroines see: themselves from another perspective -- Lizzie Skurnick * New York Times Book Review *Shows a confident hand in reworking the various plots and philosophies for which Jane Austen is so admired -- Sarah Francis * Times Literary Supplement *Jane Austen herself might be pleased with Aiken's sequel to Mansfield Park . . . Intelligent, warm-hearted Hatty and the hardships she must endure before she can find true happiness will please Aiken’s loyal readers and satisfy Austen fans * Publisher's Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Kitchen Front, Jennifer Ryan, comes a novel inspired by true events in the Second World War.After renowned London fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. She arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business from a quaint country village.Her niece, Violet, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay – the village has been interminably dull with all the men off fighting. Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local sewing circle meeting, Grace asks for her help – but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves . . .The Great British Sewing Bee meets the Second World War in this warm, charming and nostalgic novel The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle.Trade ReviewJennifer Ryan’s wonderful ability to weave an atmospheric, wise and warm story makes The Kitchen Front entirely comforting and unputdownable. Like The Great British Bake Off set in World War Two, with redoubtable heroines you’ll cheer for, The Kitchen Front is an enchanting hug of a novel written with Jennifer Ryan’s usual skill -- Cathy Kelly on The Kitchen FrontWhat a dream of a book! Absolute perfection! Nostalgia, rivalry, friendship and fun – a real treat. Beautifully detailed – you will be right there with a cast of vivid characters, cooking their way to a new life. You will love it -- Veronica Henry on The Kitchen FrontA gorgeous novel about making the best of things during difficult times, whilst celebrating the importance of sisterhood and friendship -- Jill Mansell on The Kitchen FrontA delight! Jennifer Ryan cooks up a fresh take on the popularity of World War Two fiction and brings the battle into the heart of the wartime home. A charming blend of intriguing characters and a high-stakes cookery competition, served with the perfect amount of pathos and humour. Deserving of a historical Hollywood handshake! -- Hazel Gaynor, bestselling author of The Bird in the Bamboo Cage, on The Kitchen FrontEvocative, nostalgic and comforting with a wonderful story of female friendship. A delight -- Alex Brown, author of The Secret of Orchard Cottage, on The Kitchen FrontDelightful -- People magazine on The Chilbury Ladies’ ChoirDelightful . . . it manages to be sad and funny, exciting and heartwarming, all at the same time. Quite an achievement -- Barbara Erskine on The Chilbury Ladies’ ChoirThe writing glows with emotional intelligence. This atmospheric debut, based on the author’s own family history, had me sniffing copiously -- Daily Mail on The Chilbury Ladies’ ChoirI thoroughly enjoyed this novel . . . both fascinating and informative -- Jill Mansell, author of Should I Tell You?

Read more less

Book SynopsisJennifer Ryan lives in Ireland with her husband and two children. Originally from Kent and then London, Jennifer worked as a nonfiction book editor before she took up writing herself. She now writes historical fiction inspired by her grandmother's tales of the war in Britain. Her work has featured in Literary Hub, Moms Don't Have Time to Write, The Daily Mail, The Irish Times, The Express, BBC Online, YOU Magazine, The Simple Things Magazine, and Good Reading Magazine.

Read more less

Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards‘A profound meditation on forgiveness and forgetting . . . Dao’s extraordinary debut novel combines fiction and history to chronicle his Vietnamese grandparents’ traumatic life.’ – The ObserverMoving from 1930s Hanoi through wars and displacements to Saigon, Paris, Melbourne and Cambridge, a deeply moving novel of memory and inheritance, colonialism and belonging, exile and home.Born to a Vietnamese family based in Melbourne, the narrator is haunted by the story of his grandfather whose ten-year imprisonment by the Communist government in Vietnam’s notorious Chi Hoa prison looms large over his own place in the world and his choice to become a human rights lawyer. As he oscillates between identities of his Australian upbringing and his Vietnamese heritage, it is the death of his grandfather in a Parisian suburb and the birth of his daughter that cryst

Read more less

Book SynopsisInspired by real life stories of the Windrush Generation and her mother’s own experiences as a nurse coming to Britain from the Caribbean, Sarah Lee’s debut novel An Ocean Apart is a must for fans of Call the Midwife.It’s 1954 and, in Barbados, Ruby Haynes spots an advertisement for young women to train as nurses for the new National Health Service in Great Britain. Her sister, Connie, takes some persuading, but soon the sisters are on their way to a new country – and a whole new world of experiences.As they start their training in Hertfordshire, they discover England isn’t quite the promised land; for every door that’s opened to them, the sisters find many slammed in their faces. And though the girls find friendships with their fellow nurses, Connie struggles with being so far from home, and keeping secret the daughter she has left behind in search of a better life for the both of them . . .Trade ReviewThis is a really clever novel . A beautiful story of friendship, new beginnings and love, which entices you in with characters you immediately care about. It's a love letter to the women who left behind everything to help heal our country and establish the NHS. At its heart, it's a story of courage! I could not have loved this more and thought about it long after I turned the last page. -- Kate Thompson, author of The Little Wartime LibraryA glorious triumph of a book full of characters that feel like real friends, so atmospheric, compelling and nostalgic, I adored it. -- Alex Brown, author of A Postcard from ItalySarah Lee never shies away from weightier themes that add layers of depth. Identity and how we present ourselves to others, race, trauma, secrets and relationships of many kinds weave through the story too. With romance, realism and just a touch of humour, An Ocean Apart is billed as a must for fans of Call the Midwife. * My Weekly *An uplifting yet thought-provoking story of friendship, loyalty and care for others and a wonderful tribute to a group of people who brought so much to the UK. * WI Life *This topical book is beautifully written and has a gentle pace to it, which keeps the reader enthralled and eager to keep turning the page and is a wonderful debut novel. * Our Man On the Ground *An evocative tale of post-War London * History Revealed *an easy, enjoyable read that celebrates women working hard to succeed together. * Historical Novel Society *An Ocean Apart is a warm hug of a book - the charming story of the joys and struggles of a trio of young women in a foreign land . . . Above all, it’s an affectionate and nostalgic look back at the British NHS system at a specific moment in time. Enjoyable stuff. -- Kirstie Pelling, author of The Happiness Project

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author'It's hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal Secret'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction.Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.Ritual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin.Trade ReviewIt's hard to think of a better guide than D.V.Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence. Religion and lust? Money and politics? It's all here, combined into a murderous brew -- Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of Ashes of LondonHe is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris with his page-turning novels. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Society *A deft and engrossing historical thriller set in Renaissance Florence drawing on the fascinating and troubling legacy of Girolamo Savonarola. I thoroughly enjoyed the latest - and I think best - in DV Bishop's brilliant series -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork GirlIn Ritual of Fire, the third scintillating Cesare Aldo novel, D.V. Bishop once again immerses us in sixteenth-century Florence and the heady intrigues of Renaissance Italy. Aldo is a magnificent creation -- Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar HouseA blaze of a book, grabs you from the first flicker -- S W PerrySweltering tension and an explosive ending. Great stuff -- Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue WaterPlace and time are pinned with stiletto-precision while pacing and plot grip all the way to the exciting denouement. Absolutely superb -- Douglas Skelton, author of An Honourable ThiefAldo is a fascinating and charismatic character -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil and the MarshalseaD. V. Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing sixteenth-century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other -- S. G. MacLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker seriesA first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour de force -- David Baldacci, internationally bestselling author of the Aloysius Archer series, on City of Vengeance

Read more less

Book SynopsisD. V. Bishop is the pseudonym of award-winning writer David Bishop. His love for the city of Florence and the Renaissance period meant there could be only one setting for his historical thrillers. The first Cesare Aldo novel, City of Vengeance, won the Pitch Perfect competition at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival and the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book. Book two in the series, The Darkest Sin, won the prestigious Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger. He teaches creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University. A Divine Fury is the fourth Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTracy Rees's The Elopement is an elaborately imagined historical romance, full of delight and temptation, spanning the luxury and poverty of late Victorian England.'A beautiful book. Powerful and captivating, the story will transport you to another time and place, plunging you headlong into the lives of its characters' - Hazel Prior, author of Away with the PenguinsA wealthy heiress . . .1897. Rowena Blythe is wealthy, entitled and beautiful. As her twenty-fourth birthday approaches, she’s expected to marry – and to marry well.An unsuitable match . . .Her parents commission a portrait of Rowena to help cement her reputation as a great society beauty. However, Bartek, the artist’s young assistant, is unlike any man Rowena has met before – wild, romantic and Bohemian. While society at large awaits the announcement of Rowena’s engagement, it is Bartek who captures Rowena’s heart along with her likeness.A scandal in society . . .Rowena knows her parents would never approve of Bartek, who in their eyes is nothing but a penniless foreigner. As her feelings grow, she has no-one to turn to. Dare she risk everything for love?Praise for Tracy Rees:‘a natural storyteller . . .’ – Rachel Hore, author of One Moonlit Night‘Tracy has a rare gift for creating characters you are rooting for from the first page’ – Gill Paul, author of The Manhattan Girls‘Has such a talent for writing engaging characters who stay with you’ – Hazel Gaynor, author of The Girl Who Came Home‘Tracy Rees is at the height of her game’ – Rebecca Griffiths, author of The Girl at My DoorTrade ReviewI absolutely loved The Elopement. I can't praise it enough. The characters are warm and engaging and the story is wise and wonderful. Tracy has woven a rich tapestry of colourful characters so full of heart, against the fascinating and thought-provoking backdrop of late Victorian England. It was an absolute joy. -- Rosanna Ley, author of The Forever GardenIf you’re after a dose of escapist historical romance full of female empowerment, you won’t find anything better than The Elopement. * Culturefly *The Elopement is historical fiction at its best. Through a skilfully crafted plot and wonderful characters, the reader is plunged into a world that feels authentic, fascinating and totally entertaining. * My Weekly *The Elopement is a beautiful novel about taking wrong turnings on the path to love and happiness. The characters step from the pages in all their wilfulness and folly and make us care desperately what happens to them. Tracy Rees is a brilliant, immersive storyteller who truly understands the human heart. I adore all her novels, but this is my favourite so far. -- Gill Paul, Author of The Manhattan GirlsI've long been a huge fan of Tracy's sumptuous, immersive storytelling . . . The Elopement is another absolute beauty. -- Jenny Ashcroft, author of Beneath a Burning SkyAbsolutely loved this book about three kick ass women in Victorian London learning how to be true to themselves. Full of joy and wisdom - it left a big smile on my face. -- Caroline Bishop, author of The Lost ChapterI've long been a huge fan of Tracy's sumptuous, immersive storytelling, and with The Elopement she's swept me away yet again. She has such a talent for creating the most wonderful characters - within pages, I feel I know them, and that they've become friends - and is a master at spinning gripping, lose-yourself, forget about everything and everyone else, tales. Full of warmth and love, The Elopement is another absolute beauty. -- Jenny Ashcroft on The ElopementI absolutely loved this story . . . captivating . . . Tracy writes with such skill -- Ronali Collings, author of Love & Other DramasTracy is a very skilled storyteller who weaves the vivid strands of her story together against a rich historical background. -- Jane Johnson, author of The Salt RoadTracy Rees writes from the heart -- Kathryn Hughes, author of The Memory BoxIn this engrossing novel Tracy Rees takes the reader directly into the drama and action, her writing bringing every scene to sparkling vivid life. The rich use of language meant I was fully immersed in the Victorian world of the main women protagonists and didn’t want to leave. Written with empathy and revealing differing sides to even more minor characters, the roles and attitudes to women at the end of the Victorian period and the emerging ‘women’s movement were riveting. Totally unputdownable. -- Dinah Jefferies on The Rose GardenA rich, compelling and intricate tapestry of women’s lives . . . their wants, needs and dreams through the characters diverse lives. I couldn’t put it down. -- Liz Fenwick on The Rose GardenA rich historical drama that is both a subtle study of the treatment of women and an entertaining escape. Pure joy. -- Jo Spain on The Rose Garden

Read more less

Book SynopsisAll she wants is one last dance…Lily and Vincent have been dancing everything from the waltz to the foxtrot together since they were six-years-old. Now a teenager, Lily realises she has feelings for Vincent that she never knew were there. However, with Vincent off to war, Lily is evacuated to a mother and baby home with her younger siblings. It is there that she finds she has more in common with the fallen women than she once thought. But as the bombs begin to fall in Liverpool, will she ever see her sweetheart again?…A heart-warming saga for fans of Call The Midwife from the author of A Liverpool Girl.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWill she give in to temptation?When 18-year-old Eve runs away from her small village to start a new life in the city, she quickly discovers that Leeds is not everything she expected it to be. Wandering the cold streets in search of shelter, timid Eve can only find work as a barmaid at the Bluebell Inn - a place her strict parents would never approve of. Serving ale and cheap gin to the rowdy crowd, Eve eventually catches the eye of dashing Sergeant Joseph Oates – but his intentions are not honourable and he will leave her with more than just a broken heart…A gritty and heart-breaking saga set in Leeds from the author of The Girl from Pit Lane.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan she escape her past? After being orphaned as a child, Mary is taken in by her mother's friend Nell and raised as her own. But when Nell dies her step-father takes too much of an interest in Mary and she is forced to leave home, landing a job as a bar maid. Only Whitelocks is no spit and sawdust pub but a new gin palace in the centre of Leeds. Mary thinks she's landed on her feet. More so when she catches the eye of William Winn, the charming owner of a glamorous new hotel. But Mary is the daughter of a music hall singer and the adopted child of a prostitute. Will she ever be good enough for a man like William?

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan this East End girl find a better life? Born in a tenement on the Isle of Dogs, Jessie has higher hopes for her future. When she manages to land a job at the Telephone Exchange, her earnings allow her to join the choir at the People's Palace. There, she catches the eye of the charming James Medway who sweeps her off her feet.But married life isn't a bed of roses, and when Jessie falls pregnant it quickly becomes clear that James is far from the doting husband she'd hoped for. Can Jessie find a way to stay strong for her baby?A heart-warming and gripping East End Saga, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Maggie Hope.

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘The evening the men came I fled through the garden gate…’The Netherlands, World War IIWhen the Nazis invade the Netherlands in May 1940 it's clear that life is changing for the girl and her family. Step by step, the Nazis close in on the Dutch Jews. But when the authorities finally come to the family home a split decision will have devastating consequences.Marga Minco’s autobiographical novel Bitter Herbs is a Dutch classic that has been translated into more than fifteen languages. This deceptively simple and profoundly moving tale is now reissued with a new translation by Jeannette K Ringold.Trade ReviewThe family’s incorrigible optimism enhances the nightmarish effect of this impressive little book. Moving and memorable. * The Times Literary Supplement *The simplicity and complete naiveté of Marga Minco’s account sharpen the impression it makes. * The Jewish Chronicle *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDEATH PENALTY FOR ALL WHO GIVE AID TO A JEW.DEATH TO ALL WHO HARBOUR A JEW.DEATH TO ALL WHO FEED A JEW.DEATH TO ALL WHO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO A JEW.One knock at the door could be the death of them all…It is 1943, and sixteen-year-old Stefania Podgórska has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemsyl, Poland, for four years. She has even made a promise to one of their sons, Izio - an engagement they must keep secret since she is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish.But everything changes when the German army invades Przemsyl. The Diamants are forced into the ghetto, and Stefania is alone in an occupied city, the only one left to care for her six-year-old sister. And then comes the knock at the door. Max Diamant has jumped from the train headed to a death camp. Stefania and Helena make the extraordinary decision to hide Max, and eventually twelve more Jews. Then they must wait, every day, for the next knock at the door, the one that could destroy everything...A powerful novel from a New York Times Bestselling author, based on the remarkable true story of Stefania Podgórska, a Polish teenager who hid 13 Jews in her attic during World War Two.Trade ReviewHarrowing, heartbreaking, and yet so full of hope. * Jennifer Donnelly *Sharon Cameron wrote an exciting novel that weaves together the lightheartedness, sheer terror, and incredible inner strength of this young woman, my mom. This book exceeds all my expectations. * Ed Burzminski (Stefania’s son) *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Number One Sunday Times Bestseller**Charlie, drifting through life and dodging full-time employment, is in love with Miranda, a bright student who lives with a terrible secret.When Charlie comes into money, he buys Adam, one of the first batch of synthetic humans. With Miranda's assistance, he co-designs Adam's personality.This near-perfect human is beautiful, strong and clever - and soon a love triangle forms, which leads Charlie, Miranda and Adam to a profound moral dilemma. Can you design the perfect partner? What makes us human? Our outward deeds or our inner lives?Provocative and moving, Machines Like Me explores whether a machine can ever truly understand the human heart.'Funny, thought-provoking and politically acute...' Sunday Times'Dazzling' Guardian'An unsettling examination of the human condition. Bold, clever' Sunday TelegraphTrade ReviewMachines Like Me reminds us that McEwan is once-in-a-generation talent, offering readerly pleasure, cerebral incisiveness and an enticing imagination. * Spectator *[Machines Like Me] is right up there with his very best [novels]. Machines Like Me manages to combine the dark acidity of McEwan’s great early stories with the crowd-pleasing readability of his more recent work. A novel this smart oughtn’t to be such fun, but it is. * Observer *Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me is a dazzling account of our interaction with technology… He marries a gripping plot, handled with rarefied skill and dexterity, to a deep excavation of the narrowing gap between the canny and the uncanny, leaving the reader pleasurably dizzied, and marvelling at human existence. * Independent *Compelling… unforgettably strange… there are many pleasures and many moments of profound disquiet in this book, which reminds you of its author’s mastery of the underrated craft of storytelling… [Machines Like Me] is morally complex and very disturbing, animated by a spirit of sinister and intelligent mischief that feels unique to its author. * Guardian *[McEwan's] fierce intelligence [crackles] like a Jumping Jack on Bonfire Night… Arguably the finest English writer of his generation, the ideas he explores are important, now more that ever. * Daily Express *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThree generations of Taiwanese American women are haunted by the myths of their homeland in this blazing debut of one family's queer desires, violent impulses and buried secrets.One evening, Mother tells Daughter a story about a tiger spirit who lived in a woman's body. Her name was Hu Gu Po, and she hungered to eat children, especially their toes. Soon afterwards, Daughter awakes with a tiger tail. And more mysterious events follow: Holes in the backyard spit up letters penned by her estranged grandmother; a visiting aunt leaves red on everything she touches; a ghost bird shimmers in an ancient birdcage.All the while, Daughter is falling for a neighbourhood girl named Ben with mysterious stories of her own. As the two young lovers translate the grandmother's letters, Daughter begins to understand that each woman in her family embodies an old Taiwanese myth, and fears the power of the tiger spirit bristling within her to cause pain. She will have to bring her family's secrets to light in order to derail their destiny. 'What gives me fuel are other books - anything stylish and/or dirty. This year I loved reading K-Ming Chang's Bestiary' Raven Leilani, author of LusterTrade ReviewA powerful novel that will sit inside you for days after reading -- Lucy Knight * Sunday Times *A visceral, magical tale - every sentence is worth savouring. -- Kirsty Logan, author of Things We Say in the DarkFull of magic realism that reaches down your throat, grabs hold of your guts and forces a slow reckoning with what it means to be a foreigner, a native, a mother, a daughter * New York Times *Chang makes a spell rise from every wound, and I'm caught all the way up in this magic... one of the best emerging writers out there. -- Danez SmithK-Ming Chang's prose ravishes, ravages, rampages. This is an absolute lightning strike of a debut. The world grew brighter as I read it. -- Kelly Link, author of GET IN TROUBLE

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A hell of a read' Sunday Times'Triumphant, and beautifully told...one of the best novelists writing today' Sara Collins, GuardianAll must gamble with their fate. But not all can win...In the city of Bath, in the year 1865 Jane Adeane, renowned for her restorative skills, is convinced that some other destiny will one day show itself to her.But when she finds herself torn between a dangerous affair with a female lover and the promise of a conventional marriage to an apparently respectable doctor, her desires begin to lead her towards a future she had never imagined...Discover the ultimate historical read. 'Terrific' The Times'One of our most accomplished novelists' Observer'One of my favourite writers' Nina StibbeTrade ReviewA hell of a read - so emotionally sophisticated, so deft with shade and light, more absorbing than most fiction I've read this year -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Sunday Times *Terrific -- Louise Carpenter * The Times *Another gratifyingly well-put-together work... Tremain's long sentences brim with a poised positivity...[and] add lightness to her fond depictions of these imperfect strivers -- Francesca Carington * Sunday Telegraph, *Novel of the Week* *Subtle, illuminating and captivating -- Eithne Farry * Mail on Sunday *A moving exploration of love and the sacrifices we're willing to make in its name * Good Housekeeping *Over a distinguished literary career, Rose Tremain has traversed genres with her customary flair... in her portrayal of the ways in which individual longing and frustration unfold against the constraints of forces beyond our control, Tremain has long been one of our most accomplished novelists, and here is further confirmation -- Stephanie Merritt * The Observer *An exhilarating exploration of love, life, loss and death... A thrilling and seductive story... Vivid and beguiling -- Rowan Mantell * Eastern Daily Press *Rose Tremain gives Hilary Mantel a run for her money for the title of Britain's greatest living historical novelist... there are still few writers who can conjure up a version of the past that is so startlingly unfamiliar yet so convincing -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *An enjoyable page-turner -- Robert Douglas-Fairhurst * The Times *A new book from Rose Tremain is always a cause for celebration. Her exceptionally well-crafted and deeply humane historical novels are invariably a joy and Islands of Mercy is no exception... A rich, rewarding and highly satisfying novel from one of our finest novelists. * Daunt Books *

Read more less

Book Synopsis*THE #3 IRISH BESTSELLER*'Momentous and epic' BERNARD MACLAVERTY'Superb and moving' JOHN BANVILLE'A lovely, piercing book' SEBASTIAN BARRYThree generations. More than a century of famine, war, violence and love. At sixteen Nancy, the only member of her family to survive the Great Famine, leaves her small island for the mainland. Finding work in a grand house on the edge of Cork City, she feels irrepressibly drawn to the charismatic gardener Michael Egan, sparking a love affair that soon throws her into a fight for her life. In 1920, Nancy's son Jer has lived through battles of his own as a soldier in the Great War. Now drunk in a jail cell, he struggles to piece together where he has come from, and who he wants to be. And in the early 1980s, Jer's youngest child Nellie is nearing the end of her life in a council house, moments away from her childhood home; remembering the night when she and her family stole back something that was rightfully theirs, she imagines what lies in store for those who will survive her.'Brilliantly immerses us in its respective time periods' SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewBilly O'Callaghan's writing is so good and true it feels almost magical; Life Sentences is a beautiful book, a small epic, a joy. -- Sadie JonesO'Callaghan is amongst the finest storytellers and wordsmiths in Ireland today. -- Anne GriffinA beautiful novel. -- Eithne Shortall * Sunday Times Culture *The strength of Life Sentences lies in its long range but intimate style . . . A reader could profitably finish the book and go straight back to its beginning -- John Self * Spectator *People who read Sebastian Barry, Donal Ryan, Liam O'Flaherty will really love [Life Sentences] . . . It's my book of the year so far. -- Ryan Tubridy * RTÉ Radio One *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An enchanting story about love, loss and the power of language' Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll FactorySometimes you have to start with what's lost to truly find yourself...Motherless and irrepressibly curious, Esme spends her childhood at her father's feet as he and his team gather words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary.One day, she sees a slip of paper containing a forgotten word flutter to the floor unclaimed.And so Esme begins to collect words for another dictionary in secret: The Dictionary of Lost Words. But to do so she must journey into a world on the cusp of change as the Great War looms and women fight for the vote. Can the power of lost words from the past finally help her make sense of her future?'A brilliant book about women and words - tender, moving and profound' Jacqueline WilsonReaders LOVE The Dictionary of Lost Words:'If you only read one book this year, let it be this one!''If you're a fan of The Binding and The Betrayals you will surely love this''A glorious combination of words, growing up, friendship, love, feminism and so much more''The best love letter to words and language''This book broke my heart ... I highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans ... it's one I will be reading again'Trade ReviewA brilliant book about women and words - tender, moving and profound -- Jacqueline WilsonAn extraordinary, charming novel... Williams pins a whole, rich life to the page * The Times *Poignant, perfectly paced... a beautifully nuanced work -- Eithne Farry * Mail on Sunday *I absolutely loved this book! Thought-provoking, touching and subtly romantic; I finished it in tears -- Katie FfordeWilliams's satisfying novel animates a fascinating history and imbues it with a feminist slant, asking how words mean different things to men and women -- Patricia Nicol * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE GUNS ARE SILENT. THE DEAD ARE NOT 'The world has been waiting for a worthy successor to Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong - now Philip Gray has delivered it' David Young, author of Stasi Child. 1919. On the battlefields of northern France, the guns of the Great War are silent. Special battalions now face the task of gathering up the dead for mass burial. Amy Vanneck's fiancé is one soldier lost amongst many. She heads to France, determined to discover what became of the man she loved. Meanwhile, Captain Mackenzie cannot bring himself to go home until his fallen comrades are laid to rest. His task is upended when a gruesome discovery is made beneath the ruins of a German strongpoint. It soon becomes clear that what Mackenzie has uncovered is a war crime of inhuman savagery. As the dark truth leaches out, both he and Amy are drawn into the hunt for a psychopath, one for whom the atrocity at Two Storm Wood is not an end, but a beginning.*Longlisted for the 2023 CWA Historical Dagger Award* 'An atmospheric portrayal of the pity of the war' The Times, Books of the YearTrade ReviewAlthough the novel is deftly plotted and the atmosphere all distorting fog and claustrophobic dugouts, its achievement lies in Gray's finely worked portraits of the pity of war - those damaged by conflict and those who have to deal with its mind-altering consequences. * The Times *Through a clever series of plot twists...Gray leads...his readers to the unexpected truth -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Two Storm Wood is an impressive achievement. It sheds a powerful light on a neglected aspect of World War One history. I can't recommend it enough. * Alan Parks, author of Bloody January *I couldn't put this down. A thriller and romance set amidst the post-Armistice battlefields and the damaged people trying to do right by the dead. Extraordinary setting, great characters, bursting with ideas. * Dominick Donald, author of Breathe *Two Storm Wood has the literary class, intellectual depth, and thriller pacing of Robert Harris at his best--with an added spine-tingling aura of menace worthy of Stephen King. It's the most chilling portrayal of a historical period since Philip Kerr's novels of Nazi Berlin, yet at its core Gray's masterpiece is a heart-rending story of sacrifice, love and loyalty overcoming the psychological tortures of the World War I battlefields. * Matt Rees, author of Mozart's Last Aria *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Dazzling' MARLON JAMES, BOOKER PRIZE WINNER'Original and thought-provoking' SPECTATOR'Electrifying' TESSA HADLEY Under a predawn sky, humming with starlight and the songs of birds, a group of determined women return to the cave where they have laid the body of their saviour. When they arrive, it is empty.Names of the Women tells the stories of fifteen women whose lives overlapped with the life of Christ. Women who stayed with Christ through the crucifixion, when his disciples had abandoned him, and who spread his radical message - one that made them equals and a profound threat to power within the church.Together, the voices of the women dare us to reimagine the story of the New Testament in a way it has never before been told.*A 'BOOKS OF 2021' PICK IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND NEW STATESMAN*Trade ReviewNames of the Women is an extraordinary work of restoration, playful invention, and stark beauty. -- Chris PowerBold and compelling. -- Rebecca Abrams * Financial Times *Theologically well-informed, imaginative and affecting . . . This is a fascinating and beautiful book. You most certainly do not have to be either a Christian or a feminist to appreciate it. -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *Achingly beautiful. Powerful, poetic and profoundly feminist. -- Jennifer CroftJeet Thayil's Names of the Women enacts a long-overdue reinstating of female voices in the story of Jesus . . . -- Emily Watkins * i *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brilliantly comic satire about a love affair from the visionary, world-class storyteller.Set in 1967, at the peak of the Mao cult, this is the tale of a forbidden love affair between Liu Lian - the bored wife of a military commander - and a young soldier, Wu Dawang.When Liu Lian establishes a rule that Wu Dawang must attend to her needs whenever the household's wooden 'Serve the People!' sign is removed from its usual place, he vows to obey. What follows is both an enthralling love story and a deliciously comic satire on the political and sexual taboos of Mao's regime.'Drips with the kind of satire that can only come from deep within the machinery of Chinese communism' Financial TimesTrade ReviewOne of China's greatest living authors and fiercest satirists * Guardian *Brilliantly exposes the emptiness of Maoist ideals and the fraudulent ends for which they were used, but also relates a sorrowful tale of compromised relationships and modest hopes left unfulfilled * Publishers Weekly *A scathing sendup of life in 1960s China during the chaos of the country's Cultural Revolution...a wonderfully biting sature, brimming with absurdity, humor and wit * Los Angeles Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLose yourself to the mystery and romance of Susan Stokes-Chapman's no.1 bestselling novel, which brings Greek myth to Georgian London. 'A gripping narrative in which secrets from the past are slowly and ingeniously revealed' Sunday Times'Romantic, suspenseful and beautifully written... a glorious treat' Daily MailSome doors are kept locked for a reason...London, 1799. Dora Blake lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents' famed shop of antiquities.When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora is intrigued by her uncle's suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar. For Edward, the ancient vase is the key to unlocking his professional future. For Dora, it's a chance to restore the shop to its former glory, and to escape her nefarious uncle.But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it...'Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne'An immersive, evocative story full of romance and intrigue' Red*SHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLDSBORO GLASS BELL AWARD, 2023*Readers love Pandora:'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance''Wonderfully atmospheric''A beautifully written piece of historical fiction''Crackles with danger and mystery... a joy to read''An utterly magical book full of secrets, love and hope''Beautifully written, gripping and evocative'*Susan Stokes-Chapman's new novel THE SHADOW KEY is available for pre-order now. Delve into the mysteries that haunt an isolated village in Georgian Wales. Out in April 2024.*Trade ReviewRomantic, suspenseful and beautifully written, this is a glorious treat -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *A richly textured and elegantly written first novel -- Christina Hardyment * The Times *This glorious debut is alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Georgian London as a daring duo delve into the secrets of an ancient Greek vase...wonderfully immersive...Lush, lyrical and pacy, this a brilliantly escapist read. * Daily Express *Pandora weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance, set against the brilliantly rendered background of Georgian London. This novel is lush, evocative and utterly irresistible. Susan Stokes-Chapman's prose is exquisite and the story effortlessly intriguing. This is an absolute treasure trove of a book. Perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Elizabeth Macneal. -- Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of AriadneThis is an immersive, evocative story full of romance and intrigue * Red *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom Sunday Times bestselling novelist Rose Tremain comes a gripping novel of murder and revenge set in Victorian England Nobody knows yet that she is a murderer... London, 1850. On a freezing winter's night, a baby is abandoned at the gates of a park only to be saved by a young policeman and taken to the Foundling Hospital.After suffering years of brutal hardship at the Hospital, Lily is released into the world of Victorian London. But she is hiding a dreadful secret...When Lily and the policeman meet again, Lily is convinced that he holds the key to her happiness. But might he also be the one to uncover her crime and so condemn her to death?'Enthralling... Tremain evokes Victorian London with visceral intensity in a gripping and deeply humane novel exploring themes of rejection, poverty, guilt and redemption' ObserverTrade ReviewLily, in addition to its pellucid prose, is shamelessly gripping -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *Tremain's latest novel more than lives up to its atmospheric, riveting beginning... It's consummate storytelling, and finds room for redemption as well as revenge -- Hephzibah Anderson * Mail on Sunday *Another memorable and engrossing read from Tremain, which brings Victorian London, and especially courageous Lily, to life on the page -- Joanne Finney * Good Housekeeping *A heartbreaking story set in Victorian England from the pitch-perfect pen of Rose Tremain -- Antonia Senior * The Times, *Books of the Year* *Tremain's gift is to create characters whose experiences span every walk of life, but who are grounded in their author's understanding of the world * Harper's Bazaar *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs London comes alive with the 1960s youth revolution, one woman makes a choice that defies all expectations.'So real and humane and utterly transporting' Meg MasonIt's 1967 and London is alive with the new youth revolution. In the suburbs, meanwhile, Phyllis Fischer inhabits a world of conventional stability. Married with two children, her life is both comfortable and predictable.But when Nicky - a twenty-something friend of the family - visits one hot summer evening and kisses Phyllis in the dark of the garden, something in her catches fire. Newly awake to the world, Phyllis makes a choice that defies all expectations . . .'Wonderful' Marian Keyes'My favourite author' Kate Atkinson'Achingly moving and real' Guardian 'Beguiling' Hilary Mantel'Compelling' Elizabeth Day'Will bring you to tears' Daily MailTrade ReviewSo real and humane and utterly transporting; fresh and yet, with the feeling of a beloved classic. -- Meg Mason, author of SORROW AND BLISSI utterly LOVED this book!!!!! Tessa Hadley might be my new favourite writer... she is wonderful. -- Marian KeyesA beguiling novel, deceptively easy to read; beneath the surface swim disturbing and age-old questions about freedom and fate. -- Hilary MantelTessa Hadley is my favourite author. -- Kate AtkinsonBeautifully structured and brilliantly paced. It displays Tessa Hadley's extraordinary skill at making both surface life and deep interiors come fully alive. -- Colm Tóibín

Read more less