Whether your passion is The Ancient Greeks, The Wars of The Roses or The Russian Revolution, you'll find stories of life during these eras and every other, often using factual accounts to build a fictional narrative.
Historical Fiction Books
Hodder & Stoughton The Dressmaker of Paris: 'A story of loss and
Book Synopsis'Involving, immersive and unputdownable' - bestselling author Jill MansellI need to tell you a story, ma chère. My story.Rosa Kusstatscher has built a global fashion empire upon her ability to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. But tonight, as she prepares for the most important meeting of her life, her usual certainty eludes her.What brought her to this moment? As she struggles to select her dress and choose the right shade of lipstick, Rosa begins to tell her incredible story. The story of a poor country girl from a village high in the mountains of Italy. Of Nazi occupation and fleeing in the night. Of hope and heartbreak in Switzerland; glamour and love in Paris. Of ambition and devastation in Rio de Janeiro; success and self-discovery in New York.A life spent running, she sees now. But she will run no longer.Breathtaking and utterly enthralling, The Dressmaker of Paris is perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.'The Dressmaker of Paris is a delicious book: elegantly structured, beautifully written and with a fascinating protagonist. Georgia Kaufmann has created a beautiful and compelling novel that had me hooked until the very last page. And that ending: wow!' - Gill Thompson, bestselling author of The Oceans Between Us'Sensuous, sweeping and utterly engrossing, The Dressmaker of Paris is as dazzling and finely crafted as a Dior gown' - Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing'The story of a remarkable woman . . . A book you will lose yourself in' - Gill Paul, bestselling author of THE LOST DAUGHTERTrade ReviewInvolving, immersive and unputdownable, I raced through it! * Bestselling author Jill Mansell *A beautifully written novel that sweeps the readers across the globe and through the decades . . . Fans of Lucinda Riley will adore it * Sunday Express S Magazine *The Dressmaker of Paris is glorious. It really reminded me of the great blockbusters of Judith Krantz, Shirley Conran and Barbara Taylor Bradford - the books that captured my heart and my imagination as a teenager and made me fall in love with reading. An epic, absorbing story spanning the lifetime of one extraordinary woman through hardship, heartbreak and survival. It swept me away. I'll be recommending it far and wide, and I'm already looking forward to whatever Georgia writes next. * Iona Grey, author of THE GLITTERING HOUR *The Dressmaker of Paris by Georgia Kaufmann is a delicious book: elegantly structured, beautifully written and with a fascinating protagonist. I was completely absorbed in Rosa's story and rooting for her throughout her long journey from teenage victim to world famous businesswoman. Georgia Kaufmann has created a beautiful and compelling novel that had me hooked until the very last page. And that ending: wow! * Gill Thompson, bestselling author of THE OCEANS BETWEEN US *Sensuous, sweeping and utterly engrossing, the Dressmaker of Paris is as dazzling and finely crafted as a Dior gown. * Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of DANGEROUS CROSSING *The story of a remarkable woman. A book you will lose yourself in. * Gill Paul, bestselling author of THE LOST DAUGHTER *I raced through this beautifully written, elegantly structured book . . . [I was] totally absorbed * On Magazine *I absolutely loved it and devoured it in a couple of days. I found it a brilliant read - funny, touching, clever - and Rosa was such a unique and wonderful central character. The glorious descriptions of the Alps, Paris, Rio and New York just cry out to be made into a film and I can't wait to see it on screen. * Ajay Chowdhury, author of The Waiter *A historical novel with a difference. Delicious descriptions of Chanel perfume bottles and cultural references combine to add sparkle. * My Weekly *The story plays out in the most satisfying way * Saga Magazine *An enthralling and sweeping journey through one woman's inspirational life. * My Weekly *In a few pages I was hooked and read it to the end as quickly as life allowed. An outstanding debut. * Historical Novels Society *
£17.09
Hodder & Stoughton The Fair Botanists: The bewitching and
Book Synopsis*SELECTED AS THE WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*'Compelling, fascinating . . . A cracking good read' Val McDermid'An evocative, enjoyable portrait of 1820s Edinburgh' Sunday Times'Lush, seductive' Daily Mail'Completely enchanting' Scotsman'A beautiful tale of scandal and intrigue' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora***Could one rare plant hold the key to a thousand riches?It's the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is abuzz with rumours of King George IV's impending visit. In botanical circles, however, a different kind of excitement has gripped the city. In the newly-installed Botanic Garden, the Agave Americana plant looks set to flower - an event that only occurs once every few decades. When newly widowed Elizabeth arrives in Edinburgh to live with her late husband's aunt Clementina, she's determined to put her unhappy past in London behind her. As she settles into her new home, she becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden which borders the grand house and offers her services as an artist to record the rare plant's impending bloom. In this pursuit, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative, dark art of perfume creation. Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city . . . And when they are revealed, they can carry the greatest of consequences . . .***'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' Katie Fforde'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' Red Magzine'Lively and generous-hearted, with an array of utterly engaging characters, this enchanting novel reads like a warm tonic for the soul' Mary Paulson-Ellis'As rare and lush as the Agave flower itself, The Fair Botanists is a richly realised, transportive delight' Rachel Rhys'Beautiful . . . Every sentence is a gift. If you love The Doll Factory or The Binding, you'll love this' Miranda Dickinson'Delightfully original, sensuous historical fiction, led by a charge of female characters as captivating and complex as the brightest of botanical flowers' Cari ThomasTrade ReviewSheridan creates an evocative, enjoyable portrait of 1820s Edinburgh and of two women determined to lead independent lives. * Sunday Times *Completely enchanting and fascinating . . . a rollicking and immensely readable tale . . . Sheridan succeeds in what very few have attempted before; in imagining early 19th century Edinburgh as a genuine if imperfect city of enlightenment, a thrilling, optimistic and romantic landscape where science flourishes, beauty is created, wrongs are righted, possibilities are infinite, and women can begin to dream, at last, of how it might feel to be free. * Scotsman *A novel which challenges literary expectations about the perspectives from which major events and authors might be seen and interpreted. It knocks predictable conventions of perspective off kilter. It refocuses attention to priorities that are often neglected or oppressed - the experiences, perspectives and judgements of women. It's engagingly written, compelling, lucid and surprising, with a memorable cast of characters and a social vision of an Edinburgh caught up in the Hanoverian ascendancy, which it has never completely left behind. * The National, Scotland *Lush, seductive and scandalous, this is a gorgeous read. * Daily Mail *Compelling, fascinating and incisive about its social context. A cracking good read -- Val McDermidWhat a beautiful, immersive gem of historical fiction this is! * Good Housekeeping *An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling. * Red Magazine *A vibrant mix of history, romance and mystery * I Paper *Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters and so interesting! Anyone who's ever looked at a flower will love it as much as I do. -- Katie FfordeJoyously seductive prose with evocatively-drawn characters, The Fair Botanists is a beautiful tale of scandal and intrigue firmly rooted in the capital of 1820s Scotland. -- Susan Stokes-ChapmanBeautiful . . . Every sentence is a gift. If you love The Doll Factory or The Binding, you'll love this -- Miranda DickinsonI loved this vivid evocation of Enlightenment Edinburgh - a city in the throes of tumultuous change - filled with a cast of fascinating characters, both real and imagined. Highly recommended. -- Fiona ValpyA charm of a book. A spirited tale of female empowerment set amongst the blossoms of enlightenment Edinburgh, it is suffused with the rich perfume of its historical era. Lively and generous-hearted, with an array of utterly engaging characters, this enchanting novel reads like a warm tonic for the soul -- Mary Paulson-EllisAs rare and lush as the Agave flower itself, The Fair Botanists is a richly realised, transportive delight -- Rachel RhysDelightfully original, sensuous historical fiction, led by a charge of female characters as captivating and complex as the brightest of botanical flowers -- Cari ThomasEnchanting and absorbing . . . [I enjoyed it] because it's about women and women's lives, people I know and talk to, and am -- Anstey HarrisSara Sheridan weaves a vivid, bewitching tale of scandal and female empowerment. * Woman's Own *Pacy and beautifully realised historical fiction. * Best *Lush, seductive and scandalous, this is a romantic tale of two intriguing women and their evolving friendship. * Psychologies *With a cast of colourful characters, there's much to enjoy here. * Choice *The storyline is compelling, the pace perfect, and the characters consistently engaging, but what made this a stand-out book for me was the quality and quantity of the research, and the skilful way that this is interwoven throughout the narrative. * Buzz Magazine *A seductive, sensory romp through Georgian Edinburgh. Hugely enjoyable. Highly recommended -- Ambrose ParryThere's no enlightenment without enlightening women, and Sara Sheridan gives us two great ones to reckon with in Belle and Elizabeth. The Fair Botanists gives us a glimpse into the complex life of Edinburgh in the 1820's with joyous female characters at the heart of the story -- Annie GarthwaiteImpressively researched, The Fair Botanists weaves incredible fact - the transfer of the Botanic Gardens to a new site and the incredible journey of the trees across the city, and the much-anticipated flowering of the century aloe - with the intricately-plotted loves and fortunes of Belle, a forward-thinking courtesan and perfume maker, and Elizabeth, a widow who steps out of the shadows of her unhappy marriage to learn her own worth. -- Claire GradidgeThe Fair Botanists beguiles all the senses in this tale of intrigue in Enlightenment Edinburgh. An entertaining read -- Sarah MaineA cleverly crafted novel offering a heady mix of secrets, intrigue, skulduggery and romance. Immersive and engaging, I couldn't put it down! -- Anita FrankThe Fair Botanists is a ravishing tale of nature, love and secrets, told with lush prose and eloquent style. A historical, feminist masterpiece -- T.A. WillbergThe Fair Botanists brings 1820s Edinburgh to life in glorious, meticulously researched detail. I loved watching these characters blossom, as the flowering or a rare plant has repercussions for them all. Sara Sheridan has created a captivating, utterly convincing world and a wonderfully heartwarming story. -- Elizabeth LeeAtmospheric, absorbing and completely immersive - I lost myself in this brilliant book -- Rachael LucasA stunning, stylish book, packed to the brim with delicious and deeply sensual experiences. The setting, the brilliantly drawn cast of passionate characters and the vivid descriptions of the burgeoning plants and flowers will stay with me for a very long time. This is a gem to savour and read over and over again. -- Celia AndersonA fascinating and beautiful evocation of Edinburgh. I adored this wonderful book and didn't want it to end -- Elisabeth GiffordHistorical fiction at its best, full of atmosphere, with beautifully drawn characters and a thoroughly intriguing story -- Frances QuinnI enjoyed it so much! Such a gorgeous story full intrigue, plants and gorgeous imagery that utterly swept me away from the very first page. Glorious! -- Lily GrahamSheridan brings the Scottish Enlightenment brilliantly to life in this vibrant, evocative novel about female friendship, empowerment and transformation -- Nikki MarmeryWhat a setting and cast of characters! This seductive and sensual novel comes from a writer at the height of her powers. Captured my senses, and my heart -- Essie FoxA beautifully written, enchanting escapist delight, peopled with wonderful characters. I really enjoyed the exploration of growing female independence in a male world - Belle and Elizabeth will stay with me for a long time. -- Caroline LeaThe cinematic prologue had me instantly hooked, as did the world of botany, perfume, potions and intrigue. Sara's characters are wonderfully drawn, the writing is so evocative, and sumptuously imagined. Not since Patrick Suskind's Perfume has a book had such a strong sensory impact on me. I was intoxicated! A feast for the senses... The Fair Botanists is dazzling. -- Celia ReynoldsPerfectly paced, romantic and full of intrigue, The Fair Botanists is a truly wonderful story where women take centre stage. The writing is exquisite. -- Vikki PatisRich with period detail, this novel transported me to early nineteenth century Edinburgh. I loved the bold brave women at its heart and was captured by the sense of their historical moment when different futures were becoming possible for those who dared to reach for them. -- LM DillsworthSumptuous and atmospheric. A beautifully described jaunt through Georgian Edinburgh, with romance and intrigue. -- Clare WhitfieldSprinkled with deliciously tantalising scandal and intrigue, and colourful, engaging characters. A sheer joy to read -- Sue LawrenceIn The Fair Botanists, Sheridan has expertly woven multiple strands of machinations, a heady mix of sex, intrigue, scent, and flora. -- Ever DundasLike the Agave plant itself, this is a story full of sensual detail. I learnt new and surprising things about my city, its people and Botanic gardens -- Jemma NevilleThis wonderful dip into life in historical Edinburgh is both enlightening and entertaining and by using historically documented characters and places is sure to delight readers interested in both history and botany. * The Wee Review *This is a great book. An immersive read and a heartfelt, human story of science and botany * The Book Trail *Sara Sheridan, already one of the Scotland's finest historical fiction writers, excels herself in The Fair Botanists. A glorious and jaunty journey through 1820s Edinburgh, I fell in love with this book, its feisty women and luscious plants from the very first page. -- E.S. Thomson
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton She Came to Stay: The debut novel from the author
Book SynopsisSHE CAME TO STAY is the stunning debut novel from the author of THE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS OF ZINA PAVLOU, now a feature title on BBC2's Between the Covers, and also named one of Woman & Home's Best Historical Fiction Reads of 2020.'Secrets and lies, poverty and elegance, old loyalties and new friendships all combine to make Eleni Kyriacou's debut novel a compelling page-turner' - Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker's GiftIn a city of strangers, who can you trust?London, 1952. Dina Demetriou has travelled from Cyprus for a better life. She's certain that excitement, adventure and opportunity are out there, waiting - if only she knew where to look.Her passion for clothes and flair for sewing land her a job repairing the glittering costumes at the notorious Pelican Revue. It's here that she befriends the mysterious and beautiful Bebba.With her bleached-blonde hair and an appetite for mischief, Bebba is like no Greek Dina has ever met before. She guides Dina around the fashionable shops, bars and clubs of Soho, and Dina finally feels life has begun.But Bebba has a secret. And as thick smog brings the city to a standstill, the truth emerges with devastating results. Dina's new life now hangs by a thread. What will be left when the fog finally clears? And will Dina be willing to risk everything to protect her future?Further praise for SHE CAME TO STAY:'An atmospheric page-turner perfectly set in the smoke and glitter of a vanished world . . . gripping' - Erin Kelly, bestselling author of He Said/She Said'Compelling and beautifully observed. Kyriacou brilliantly evokes the violence and the grime beneath the sequins and surface glamour of 1950s Soho' - Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing 'I absolutely loved it. A gripping, enthralling story . . . I was completely engrossed' - Laura Marshall, bestselling author of Friend Request 'An absorbing story of friendship, betrayal and resilience' - Sarah Maine, bestselling author of Beyond the Wild River 'A gripping, evocative story . . . well researched and utterly convincing. A real gem of a book' - Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Lost Daughter'An evocative page-turner full of memorable characters. A wonderful debut' - Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlReaders are loving SHE CAME TO STAY!'I can highly recommend this book. You will be hooked from start to finish.' 5 STARS'A cracking storyline packed with secrets, as well as unexpected twists and turns make this, cliche or no, a proper page-turner.' 5 STARS'A brilliant read.' 5 STARS'The plot moves quickly and is gripping. I didn't want to put the book down but then was sorry to leave the characters and their London haunts behind when I got to the end.' 5 STARS'A really enjoyable read.' 5 STARSTrade ReviewShe Came To Stay is a gripping story about friendship, family and the meaning of home. An atmospheric page-turner perfectly set in the smoke and glitter of a vanished world. -- Erin KellySet in the dazzling world of 1950s Soho, She Came to Stay is an evocative page-turner full of memorable characters who stayed inside my head long after I had finished reading. Eleni Kyriacou has written a wonderful debut -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlSecrets and lies, poverty and elegance, old loyalties and new friendships all combine to make Eleni Kyriacou's debut novel a compelling page-turner, following Dina as she struggles to escape her past in rural Cyprus and make a better life for herself in 1950s Soho. * Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift *Compelling and beautifully observed. Kyriacou brilliantly evokes the violence and the grime beneath the sequins and surface glamour of 1950s Soho * Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing *An absorbing story of friendship, betrayal and resilience amongst the immigrant community where the struggle for survival brings out the best - and the worst - in characters who choose conflicting, often dangerous, ways to get ahead in a post war London. * Sarah Maine, bestselling author of Beyond the Wild River *I absolutely loved it - a gripping, enthralling story with characters I loved (and hated!), and so atmospheric, I was completely engrossed in the world of 1950s SohoA gripping, evocative story of the dangers facing a young Cypriot girl in 1950s Soho. Even breathing the air is a risk as the great smog descends. The descriptions of the louche world of cafés and strip clubs are well researched and utterly convincing. It's a real gem of a book. * Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Lost Daughter *An intriguing tale that is supported by wonderful characterisation * Woman's Own *
£8.54
Hodder & Stoughton The Black Swan of Paris: The heart-breaking,
Book SynopsisA world at war. A beautiful young star. A mission no one expected.'A truly outstanding novel, brilliantly written, that captured me and held me in its grip from page one. The Black Swan of Paris reminds us of the power of love, hope and courage'Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzParis, 1944Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, her position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve is shaken. She knows it won't be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary - including assassination.But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected - and in time to save Lillian's life.For fans of Danielle Steele's The Spy, Jane Thynne's Black Roses and Heather Morris' The Tattooist of Auschwitz, this exquisite novel illuminates three women's strength, courage and capacity for unconditional love.PRAISE FOR THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS'Emotional and powerful'Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris'Beautifully written and completely absorbing. 'Noelle Salazar, bestselling author of The Flight Girls'An extraordinarily suspenseful, emotional read'Kelly Rimmer, bestselling author of The Things We Cannot SayReader Reviews:'Perfect! This novel was the first I've read by this author but I will definitely be reading more of her work. It was pacy, exciting, heart-breaking in places, with a truly believable romance sub-plot that was centred around characters I cared about.''A high octane read which is a real page turner and captures the heightened tension of the war perfectly. A brilliant read that I would recommend.''This is an excellent WWII historical fiction novel and it is for anyone that loves a good plot, suspense, and anyone that loves to read about the impressive underdog of the Resistance in France during the Occupation.'Robards paints a beautiful capture of the true Parisian Paris during WWII. Her first historical fiction should be praised for the attention to detail, emotional and action packed novel.'Trade ReviewWWII history buffs will appreciate the accurate depictions and backdrop, while romantic-suspense lovers will eagerly follow Genevieve from the seashores of France to the hilltops of Germany * Booklist *Robards blends commendable attention to historical detail with intense realism and deep feeling. Historical fiction fans will be enthralled with this richly hewn novel and the romance and danger lurking around its every corner * Publishers Weekly *the latest page-turner from Karen Robards * Choice *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Girl from Guernica: a gripping WWII
Book Synopsis'One of the most reliable thriller writers in the world' Daily MailTo do what is right, she risks losing everything...1937Sibil Hellinger is enjoying market day in the small Spanish town of Guernica when clouds of German planes suddenly fill the sky. As the bombs rain down, Sibil escapes with her sister but her mother is tragically killed.1944The world is at war and Sibil has grown into a beautiful young woman fuelled by a dark rage. Working with her father, a scientist and member of the undercover German resistance, she is the perfect spy to fight back against those responsible for her mother's death - the Nazis. To avenge the family she lost and protect those she loves, she must risk everything.From the bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris, Fire in the Sky comes an absorbing novel of bravery, danger, love and women's unbelievable reserves of strength.PRAISE FOR THE BLACK SWAN OF PARIS'A truly outstanding novel, brilliantly written, that captured me and held me in its grip from page one. The Black Swan of Paris reminds us of the power of love, hope and courage'Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz'Emotional and powerful'Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris'Beautifully written and completely absorbing. 'Noelle Salazar, bestselling author of The Flight Girls'An extraordinarily suspenseful, emotional read'Kelly Rimmer, bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say
£9.49
John Murray Press Privilege
'Tightly plotted and hugely readable' Jane Rogers, author of PROMISED LANDS'Marvellous . . . fans of immersive historical fiction, the 18th century, all things French and a dash of peril, this one's for you' Emily Brand, author of THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF BYRON'Glasfurd deftly, elegantly captures this volatile world of impoverished attic rooms and gilded literary salons' DAILY MAILThe King knows the true power and privilege of books. When every book is cause for suspicion, you risk execution for possessing the wrong ones.1766, PARIS. Ten years have passed since Delphine Vimond last saw her father. After his violent arrest, his library of books is burned. Young Delphine, bereft and fatherless, is forced to seek refuge in the city.Now working as a housekeeper for the radical Monsieur Diderot, her settled life is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of Chancery Smith. A printer's apprentice, he has been sent from London to hunt down the mysterious author of revolutionary papers marked only with the initial D - the possession of which could prove fatal.Pursued by the brutal French censor, Henri Gilbert, Delphine and Chancery set off on a frantic and deadly search that will take them across the country.But can they catch up with D before Gilbert catches up with them? 'Among historical novelists, Glasfurd rides high' FINANCIAL TIMES
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Blue Fox: Winner of the Swedish Academy's
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY'S NORDIC PRIZE 2023Winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize 'Enchantingly poetic . . . spellbinding . . . magical . . . exceptional' Independent On a stark Icelandic mountainside, the imposing Reverend Baldur Skuggason hunts an elusive blue vixen for her near-mythical pelt. The treacherous journey across snow and ice will push his physical and mental endurance to the limit.In Baldur Skuggason's parish, a young woman with Down's Syndrome is buried. After being found shackled to the timbers of a shipwreck in 1868, she was rescued by the naturalist Fridrik B. Fridjonsson. Now he will open the package she always carried with her, hoping to solve the puzzle of her origins.As the ice begins to melt, the mystery surrounding the trio's connected fates is unravelled in this spellbinding fable, an exquisite tale of metamorphosis by one of Iceland's most acclaimed writers.'A magical novel' Björk'Describes its world with brilliant, precise, concrete colour and detail... Comic and lyrical.'AS Byatt, The TimesTrade Review'Enchantingly poetic . . . spellbinding . . . magical . . . exceptional' * Independent *'A magical novel' * Björk *'Describes its world with brilliant, precise, concrete colour and detail... Comic and lyrical.' * A.S. Byatt, The Times *'A taut, poetic and beautifully judged fable.' * TLS *'Wondrous . . . with a strange black humour at its core.' * Dazed & Confused *
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton From the Mouth of the Whale: Winner of the
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY'S NORDIC PRIZE 2023Shortlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award'A terrific read...an extraordinarily accomplished novel' Independent'Kaleidoscopic and mesmerising, comic and poignant' TLSIn this magical evocation of a vanished age, a poet and self-taught healer is banished in 1635 to a barren island off Iceland - a place darkened by superstition, poverty and cruelty. With only a purple sandpiper for company, Jónas Pálmason retraces his path to exile, recalling his exorcism of a walking corpse, the massacre of innocent Basque whalers at the hands of local villagers and the deaths of three of his children. But amid the cacophony of Copenhagen he will find hope and, finally, recognition of his enlightened ideas.Trade Review'A terrific read...an extraordinarily accomplished novel' * Independent *'Kaleidoscopic and mesmerising, comic and poignant' * TLS *'An extraordinary and original writer' * AS Byatt, Guardian *Hallucinatory, lyrical and by turn comic and tragic-an extraordinary novel. * Hari Kunzru *Sjón's novels are brilliant collisions of history and fable, psychology and fantasy. * Chris Power, Guardian *Wildly comic and incandescent, elegant and brittle. * Keith Donohue, Washington Post *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Dickens Boy
Book SynopsisBy the Booker-winning author of Schindler's Ark, a vibrant novel about Charles Dickens' son and his little-known adventures in the Australian Outback.In 1868, Charles Dickens dispatches his youngest child, sixteen-year-old Edward, to Australia. Posted to a remote sheep station in New South Wales, Edward discovers that his father's fame has reached even there, as has the gossip about his father's scandalous liaison with an actress. Amid colonists, ex-convicts, local tribespeople and a handful of eligible young women, Edward strives to be his own man - and keep secret the fact that he's read none of his father's novels.Conjuring up a life of sheep-droving, horse-racing and cricket tournaments in a community riven with tensions and prejudice, the story of Edward's adventures also affords an intimate portrait of Dickens' himself. This vivacious novel is classic Keneally: historical figures and events re-imagined with verve, humour and compassion.Trade ReviewAn engrossing and transporting read -- Nathan Brooker * Financial Times *[A] genial, wry recreation of [Edward Dickens'] time in remote New South Wales * Daily Mail *A bustling picaresque tale . . . there are some unforgettably vivid scenes in this rompy but emotive story of bruised youth. -- Anthony Cummins * Mail on Sunday *[An] absorbing novel . . . Plorn himself is a joy -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Keneally has brought off a notable double: a delightful and continuously interesting portrayal of mid-19th century life in the rolling sheep pastures of New South Wales and an acute and persuasive examination of the mystery that Charles Dickens still presents, and of the enduring fascination he exerts over us today. -- Alan Massie * Scotsman *The Dickens Boy . . . is energetic, even exuberant. It is in love with the abundance of life it negotiates. * The Sydney Morning Herald *An ingenious, hilarious novel . . . Keneally does what he does so well: he plucks people from the pages of history and gives them emotional lives * The Australian *A dashing, crisply written book * Saturday Paper *Keneally is a master at weaving historical figures and events into compelling works of fiction and so he does with his new book * Brisbane News *Rewarding terrain for a much-loved novelist * Gleaner *Tender and wry as the novel is, it has a tough-minded postcolonial core . . . Keneally's other life as a historian informs every page; his is an antique footnote swelled up to life-size * Australian Book Review *A vibrant novel * Woman & Home *
£9.49
John Murray Press Music in the Dark
Book Synopsis''Wonderful and moving'' Clare Chambers''Utterly absorbing'' Sunday PostSHORTLISTED FOR THE WINSTON GRAHAM HISTORICAL PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZEJamesina Ross is long finished with men. But one night a stranger seeking lodgings knocks on the door of her tenement flat. He doesn''t recognise her, but she remembers him at once. Not that she plans to mention it. She has no intention of trusting anyone enough to let herself be vulnerable again. A lifetime ago, growing up in a Highland glen, Jamesina Ross wrote songs about the land and the kin who had worked it for generations. But her music was no match for the violence her community faced in the Highland Clearances. Jamesina has borne the disfigurements of that day ever since, on her face and inside her head. Her lodger thinks that if she would only dare to open the past, she might have the chance of a future. This is a story about resilience, memor
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Infernal Riddle of Thomas Peach: a gothic
Book Synopsis'Treadwell's book is a magnificent pastiche of 18th-century fiction'The Sunday Times'Tristram Shandy meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in a novel that addresses dark disturbing themes with tremendous wit, charm and elegance'Daily Express'Part historical pastiche, part gothic horror, this is an ambitious and stylistically bold 18th-century adventure with shades of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'SFX'Treadwell's book entertains and impresses . . . He must be heartily congratulated both for performing an extraordinary feat of literary ventriloquism and also for reminding us what historical fiction does best: create an entirely convincing vanished world while also using that world as a lens through which to view the present day'GuardianWHO IS THOMAS PEACH?Ah, reader! -- if you would have us answer THAT question -- What mysteries you shall compel us to expose!It is the year 1785, and a gentleman of modest means has left London for the countryside, to look after his ailing wife.Among his new neighbours, tongues begin to wag. Why does he keep a locked chest under the stairs? Is it really full of forbidden books? And what exactly is the matter with his wife?For the most part, though, the couple live in peace -- until a letter arrives, threatening to cut off their livelihood and expel them from their home.Faced with the prospect of penury -- and perhaps worse -- the gentleman rides out in search of some means to save himself.But fate has other plans for Thomas Peach.A bizarre request brings an encounter with a mysterious young woman, raised from infancy as a rich man's ward, now condemned to the madhouse. As their paths become disturbingly entangled, Mr Peach begins to suspect that in her past lies a dreadful secret . . .Dreadful indeed! -- Yet however fearful the poor child's history -- can her secret be darker, than HIS OWN?Trade ReviewAn extraordinary novel . . . a tour de force * Andrew Taylor *Treadwell's book is a magnificent pastiche of 18th-century fiction * The Sunday Times *Tristram Shandy meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in a novel that addresses dark disturbing themes with tremendous wit, charm and elegance * Daily Express and Daily Mirror *Part historical pastiche, part gothic horror, this is an ambitious and stylistically bold 18th-century adventure with shades of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell * SFX *This novel is a virtuoso performance . . . he must be heartily congratulated both for performing an extraordinary feat of literary ventriloquism and also for reminding us what historical fiction does best: create an entirely convincing vanished world while also using that world as a lens through which to view the present day * Guardian *A clever, playful mystery * Daily Express, Books of the Year *Entertaining, often amusing and definitely intriguing. I particularly liked the way I became totally immersed in this 18th century world - the author's attention to tone and detail is impressive * Concatenation *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton A Fire Beneath the World
Book SynopsisA masterful historical crime from an author praised by the Sunday Times and the Guardian for The Infernal Riddle of Thomas Peach. This is the equally unique, witty, absorbing follow up.
£10.44
Hodder & Stoughton The Little Wartime Library: A gripping,
Book Synopsis'A splendid warm-hearted novel' - Rachel HoreLondon, 1944.Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While the world remains at war, in East London Clara has created the country's only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station. Down here a secret community thrives: with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café and a theatre offering shelter, solace and escape from the bombs that fall above. Along with her glamorous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it seems it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive. Based on true events, The Little Wartime Library is a gripping and heart-wrenching page-turner that remembers one of the greatest resistance stories of the war.Trade ReviewA heartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times. Based on a little-known true story, Kate Thompson's meticulous research and love of libraries shine through. Perfect for fans of Dear Mrs. Bird. * Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library *Gripping, emotional and uplifting * Gill Paul *A captivating tale about the power of libraries and how they connect us . . . Meticulously researched, readers will be entranced by this fascinating slice of history * Andie Newton, USA Today bestselling author of The Girls from the Beach *I was totally immersed in The Little Wartime Library. Kate has such a talent for bringing history to vivid life. Utterly transporting, vivid and fresh. * Iona Grey, bestselling author of Letters to the Lost *Books help win the day in this splendid warm-hearted novel of wartime resilience and romance, based on a true story * Rachel Hore, bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy *Remarkable . . . Heartbreaking and inspiring, this brilliantly researched book also captures the essence of the story through its evocative words and thoughtfully written characters * My Weekly *A perfect wartime tale of hope against the odds * My Weekly *A compulsive read . . . enthralling * Bishops Stortford Independent *Libraries create writers! And here's a book as wrapped up in libraries as it could be . . . * The Library Campaigner *Fascinating and heartwarming * Mail on Sunday *The almost furtive joy of being able to borrow books to read for free, and the emotional liberation and adventure this ability confers, suffuses every chapter of this novel. Thompson's research is full of love and levity, showing how reading provides succour and sustenance even in the darkest of times * Daily Express *An ode to books, libraries and the resilience of women. Uplifting and heartwarming. The strength of the human spirit shines through * Louise Fein *A fascinating forgotten underground library * East London Advertiser *Riveting * Prima *Remarkable * People’s Friend *My best book of the year. I loved the feeling this book gave me. The fact that this community, this love of books realty did exist and really did make a difference, was a wonderful thing to discover * The Book Trail *Warm and uplifting historical fiction, all made to feel so real because of the historical details seamlessly woven into the story * Portybelle Book Blogger *This is just the story we need right now - a tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep hope alive and to give a community adrift in wartime a sense of home. The Bethnal Green underground library might be the beating heart of the book's subterranean village, but Clara is the soul of this novel. She's the kind of character you cheer for, cry for, and dream for. Kate Thompson's passion, meticulous research and brilliant storytelling make The Little Wartime Library an utter delight to read * Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House *Such a heart-warming story of camaraderie * Bishops Stortford Independent *A powerful, earth-shattering read * Woman's Own *The Little Wartime Library was such an immensely heartwarming read. I laughed and cried through the entire thing, completely enraptured. People who love books about books must read this gem! * Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London *Captivating and remarkable, it reminds us that stories soothe and help us make sense of the chaos in our lives * The Toronto Star *
£8.54
Hachette Books Ireland The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal
Book Synopsis'An utterly captivating insight into these fascinating women and the times they lived in ... it's an absolute page-turner' Irish Independent'Masterfully and glamorously told ... essential reading for history and gossip lovers alike' Sunday Business Post'An enthralling tale that will dazzle and delight ... If you loved the drama of The Crown, then you will adore The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal' Swirl and Thread'Engrossing and page-turning ... I loved it' Louise O'NeillAs Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh - the three privileged Guinness sisters, darlings of 1930s society - settle into becoming wives and mothers, they quickly discover that their gilded upbringing has not prepared them for the realities of married life.At Dublin's Luttrellstown Castle, practical Aileen has already run out of things to say to her husband. Outspoken Maureen is very much in love but feels isolated at the crumbling Clandeboye estate in Northern Ireland. And, as romantic Oonagh's dreams of happiness in London are crushed by her husband's lies, she seeks comfort in her friends - but can they be trusted?As the sisters deal with desire and betrayal amidst vicious society gossip, their close friends, the Mitfords, find themselves under the media glare - and the Guinness women are forced to examine their place in this quickly-changing world.Inspired by true-life events, The Guinness Girls: A Hint of Scandal is a dazzling, page-turning novel about Ireland and Britain in the grip of change, and a story of how three women who wanted for nothing were about to learn that they couldn't have everything.
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton A Valley Dream: Book 1 in the uplifting new
Book SynopsisIn her heart-warming new Backshaw Moss series, Anna Jacobs takes us through the joys and the trials of life in 1930s Lancashire.1935. At thirty-six, Bella Porter is dependent on her abusive cousin, acting as an unpaid servant. When a kind relative leaves her a house in the village of Backshaw Moss, Thomas tries to take it from her, but she defies him and grasps this chance of a new start in Lancashire.It is not going to be easy, though. The house is on the edge of a slum and in a state of disrepair, let out as flats. As kind people help her find her feet, however, her confidence grows and when she meets struggling, widowed father-of-three Ryan, she begins to hope she may find the happy family she's always dreamed of.She's offered partial help with her renovations by the local council who are planning to clear up the slums, but other landlords will do anything to avoid costly improvements and protect their profits. And when Thomas follows her, still after the inheritance, not only is Bella's newfound happiness threatened but also her life. Can her new friends help her rid herself of her tormenter once and for all and finally achieve her valley dream?The perfect heart-warming read for fans of Dilly Court, Lyn Andrews and Maureen Lee.Readers love Anna Jacobs' Birch End Series!'Amazing' - 5 STARS'Thank you, Anna, for the pleasure you give in all your books' - 5 STARS'Another brilliant, hard-to-put-down book' - 5 STARS'Can't wait for the next instalment' - 5 STARS'A real page turner, I can't wait to read the next one' - 5 STARS'Another triumph for Anna Jacobs' - 5 STARS'BRILLIANT READ' - 5 STARSTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR ANNA JACOBS:This is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *
£17.84
Hodder & Stoughton A Valley Dream: Book 1 in the uplifting new
Book SynopsisThe new heartwrenching story from the Queen of the Rural Saga, million-copy bestseller Anna JacobsCan she find happiness in her new home? 1935. At thirty-six, Bella Porter is dependent on her abusive cousin, acting as an unpaid servant. When a kind relative leaves her a house in the village of Backshaw Moss, Thomas tries to take it from her, but she defies him and grasps this chance of a new start in Lancashire.It is not going to be easy, though. The house is on the edge of a slum and in a state of disrepair, let out as flats. As kind people help her find her feet, however, her confidence grows and when she meets struggling, widowed father-of-three Ryan, she begins to hope she may find the happy family she's always dreamed of.She's offered partial help with her renovations by the local council who are planning to clear up the slums, but other landlords will do anything to avoid costly improvements and protect their profits. And when Thomas follows her, still after the inheritance, not only is Bella's newfound happiness threatened but also her life. Can her new friends help her rid herself of her tormenter once and for all and finally achieve her valley dream?Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Katie Flynn and Kitty NealeReaders love Anna Jacobs' Birch End Series!'Amazing' - 5 STARS'Thank you, Anna, for the pleasure you give in all your books' - 5 STARS'Another brilliant, hard-to-put-down book' - 5 STARS'Can't wait for the next instalment' - 5 STARS'A real page turner, I can't wait to read the next one' - 5 STARS'Another triumph for Anna Jacobs' - 5 STARS'BRILLIANT READ' - 5 STARSTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR ANNA JACOBS:This is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around * Historical Novels Review *[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions * The Sunday Times *
£9.25
Hodder & Stoughton Red Milk: Winner of the Swedish Academy's Nordic
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY'S NORDIC PRIZE 2023'A book like a blade of light, searching out and illuminating the darkest corners of history . . . It's vivid, unputdownable, alive, and written with unerring artfulness and subtlety.' Neel MukherjeeGunnar Kampen grows up in Reykjavík during the Second World War in a household fiercely opposed to Hitler and Nazism. A caring brother and son, at nineteen he seems set to lead a conventional life. Yet in the spring of 1958, he founds a covert, anti-Semitic nationalist party with ties to a burgeoning international network of neo-Nazis - a cause that will take him on a clandestine mission to England from which he never returns.In this striking novel, inspired by one of the ringleaders of an Icelandic neo-Nazi group formed in the late 1950s, Sjón masterfully constructs the portrait of an ordinary young man who becomes a right-wing zealot. Exposing the roots of the far-right movements of today, Red Milk is a timely reminder that the seeds of extremism can be hard to detect and the allure of fascism remains dangerously potent.Trade ReviewSjón's policy of omission-of drama, psychology, violence, grandeur of any kind-results in a delicious tension. He tempts us to expect so much of the novel, and though he never provides the relief of clean culminations, he manages to keep the reader wanting. * Asymptote Journal *A slim forensic novel to strike a chill. * Saga *Sjón's prose is appropriately sharp and precise, illuminating the murky corners of his topic. -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *This is a landscape proper to a child's imagination, dreamlike but solid, with all the pronounced lucidity and wild agency that objects and colors assume . . . Sjón makes us think again about what empathy can - and frequently enough simply can't - achieve. -- Erica Banks * 4Columns *Like Iceland itself, Sjón's books are simultaneously tiny and huge, weird and normal, ancient and modern. Reading them feels like listening to that story of the beached whale: a wild invention that is actually a straight-faced confession. His books dance - with light, quick steps, never breaking eye contact - all over the line between the mythic and the mundane. -- Sam Anderson * New York Times *What Sjón leaves out of his work is as powerful as what he puts in. His fiction never seems to break into a sweat, yet it takes you a long, long way. * David Mitchell *The chapters move like the prose equivalent of flip-book images, quick and evocative . . . Sjón's story, based on research into a real-life band of Icelandic neo-Nazis, dovetails nicely with current preoccupations about the resurgence of fascism . . . By tarrying for a while with the everyday - the ultimate site of real politics - Sjón gets at how endlessly interesting it can be, and how much it can contain and conceal. -- Peter C. Baker * New York Times Book Review *
£8.54
Hodder & Stoughton The Silent Child: The gripping, heart-breaking
Book Synopsis'Deeply moving and beautifully written' ANN CLEEVES'Heart-breaking, beautiful and thrilling - a book that will stay with you for a very long time' ELLY GRIFFITHS'A tale of devastating secrets, brilliantly told' RORY CLEMENTSSHE CAN'T HAVE A FUTURE UNTIL SHE HAS A PAST.1944LEO STERN arrives at the Nazi camp at Borek with his wife Irena and his two daughters. The Sterns are spared from the gas chamber when they witness a murder. But in a place that humanity has deserted, Leo is forced to make unimaginable choices to try to keep his family alive. 1961 For seventeen years, Hanna has been unable to remember her identity and how she was separated from her family at the end of the war, until the discovery of a letter among her late uncle's possessions reveals her real name - HANNA STERN - and leads her to Berlin in search of her lost past.Helped by former lover Peter, Hanna begins to piece together the shocking final days of Borek. But Hanna isn't the only one with an interest in the camp, and lurking in the shadows is someone who would prefer Hanna's history to remain silent. Based on in-depth research and beautifully written, this a novel of memory and identity, and the long shadow of war.'Taking the reader from the atmospheric Fenlands of Cambridgeshire to the ghost-filled forests of wartime Poland and finally into Cold War-era Berlin, The Silent Child is a thought-provoking and compelling novel about the long-lasting aftershocks of war. This is great storytelling, full of mysteries and twists, epic in its sweep, but precise and respectful in its historical details. J. G. Kelly's vividly evoked scenes will stay with me for a long time' CAROLINE SCOTT'Outstanding. Heartstopping. Brilliant. A story that scorches the page, searing in its honesty and profoundly moving in its emotional impact. The characters reach out to you and challenge your preconceptions in this testament to a tragic chapter of history that moved me to tears. It holds up a dark and shocking mirror to our world, yet ultimately it is a triumphant tale of light within darkness. This is an important, powerful novel that everyone should read' KATE FURNIVALL'This book was such a beautifully written book that will stay with me for a long time. The storyline was emotive and heart wrenching and the characters were well developed and have a special place in my heart. I didn't want this book to end. Nothing I could say would do this book justice, I cannot recommend this book enough' Reader review'It's beautifully written with a story that draws you in so quickly, it's very well researched and heartbreakingly realistic. A book I wanted and needed to finish. The sort of book everyone should read. The most compelling book I've read this year' Reader review'Utterly impossible for me to put down. A heartbreaking story... I found I had devoured the entire book in just one sitting... I have loved this book so much, I wish I could give it five hundred stars. All I can say is "WOW - read it. You won't be disappointed' Reader review 'I was engrossed in the story. The author has done tremendous research about the war and did a good job of drawing the reader into the story' Reader reviewTrade ReviewOutstanding. Heartstopping. Brilliant. A story that scorches the page, searing in its honesty and profoundly moving in its emotional impact. The characters reach out to you and challenge your preconceptions in this testament to a tragic chapter of history that moved me to tears. It holds up a dark and shocking mirror to our world, yet ultimately it is a triumphant tale of light within darkness. Of love surviving hate. Impressively researched and superbly told, this is an important powerful novel that everyone should read -- Kate Furnivall, author of top ten bestseller The LiberationTaking the reader from the atmospheric Fenlands of Cambridgeshire to the ghost-filled forests of wartime Poland and finally into Cold War-era Berlin, The Silent Child is a thought-provoking and compelling novel about the long-lasting aftershocks of war. This is great storytelling, full of mysteries and twists, epic in its sweep, but precise and respectful in its historical details. J. G. Kelly's vividly evoked scenes will stay with me for a long time -- Caroline Scott
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The White Lie: The gripping and heart-breaking
Book SynopsisDiscover the gripping and immersive historical thriller based on the legend of Captain Scott'Kelly is that rare combination, a brilliant storyteller, a sure-footed adventurer into the past and a really marvellous writer. With its new take on one of the most compelling episodes in our nation's narrative, The White Lie brings history to life without disturbing its delicate fabric' CHRISTOBEL KENT__________THE LEGEND1913. Captain Scott and his four companions reach the South Pole to find their Norwegian rival Roald Amundsen has won the race. Defeated, they set out on the 850-mile journey to their ship. Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the explorer sent out to meet them at One Ton depot, peering South through thick spectacles, sees only an infinity of white, and turns back. A year later Scott's pitched tent is found, just ten miles from the depot, and the bodies within speak of hunger, the unbearable strain of hauling the sledge, and the brutal winter cold. They lie in a tomb of ice. Cherry is left forever tormented by thoughts of what might have been.THE TRUTH? . . .1969. Ten years after Cherry's death, Falcon Grey - who as an orphan of the Blitz was brought up at the explorer's country estate - receives a bequest: a small red notebook that was found in Scott's tent. It is a diary: and it states that they were not victims of the cold, or hunger, but murder, in the coldest of blood. Suspects range from envious foreign powers - such as the Kaiser's Germany - to revolutionaries and even Scott's own men. Vital clues lie in the tent, so Falcon goes South to the ice to see it for himself, but someone is desperate to conceal the truth and will kill to keep the secrets under the ice.__________'Polar aficionados will enjoy this. It suggests alternative endings to legendary stories, casting fresh light on characters we think we know pretty well. An imaginative and compelling recasting, and a fine polar thriller to boot' SARA WHEELERPRAISE FOR J.G. KELLY'Deeply moving and beautifully written' ANN CLEEVES'Heart-breaking, beautiful and thrilling - a book that will stay with you for a very long time' ELLY GRIFFITHS'A tale of devastating secrets, brilliantly told' RORY CLEMENTS'Outstanding. Heartstopping. Brilliant.' KATE FURNIVALL'Thought-provoking and compelling' CAROLINE SCOTTTrade ReviewJim Kelly is that rare combination, a brilliant storyteller, a sure-footed adventurer into the past and a really marvellous writer. With its new take on one of the most compelling episodes in our nation's narrative, The White Lie brings history to life without disturbing its delicate fabric -- CHRISTOBEL KENTPraise for The Silent ChildOutstanding. Heartstopping. Brilliant. A story that scorches the page, searing in its honesty and profoundly moving in its emotional impact. The characters reach out to you and challenge your preconceptions in this testament to a tragic chapter of history that moved me to tears. It holds up a dark and shocking mirror to our world, yet ultimately it is a triumphant tale of light within darkness. Of love surviving hate. Impressively researched and superbly told, this is an important powerful novel that everyone should read -- Kate Furnivall, author of top ten bestseller The Liberation
£18.70
John Murray Press The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven
Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Center for Fiction's 2021 First Novel Prize'A striking first novel . . . unusual and surprisingly witty' Sunday Times Culture'Inspired by a real man, this modern-day Call of the Wild is funny, moving and ceaselessly compelling' People MagazineIn 1916, Sven Ormson leaves Stockholm to seek adventure in Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago where darkness reigns four months of the year, and where he might witness the splendour of the Northern Lights one night or be attacked by a polar bear the next. After a devastating accident while digging for coal, Sven heads north again and ends up on an uninhabited fjord living in a hut he builds, alone except for the company of a loyal dog, testing himself against the elements. Years into his routine isolation, the arrival of an unlikely visitor sparks a chain of events that brings Sven into a family of fellow outsiders and determines the course of the rest of his life. Inspired by a real person and written with wry humour, in prose as beautiful as the stark landscape it evokes, The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven is a testament to the strength of human bonds, reminding us that even in the most inhospitable conditions, we are not beyond the reach of love.Trade ReviewA striking first novel . . . an unusual, surprisingly witty tale, with a memorable central character * Sunday Times Culture *Picaresque, gentle and slyly humorous; the glacial beauty of the northern landscape is the backdrop to arresting horrors, concealed passions, and a lifetime of kindnesses - all superbly rendered by Miller: a joy to read * Oisin Fagan, author of Nobber *A kind of Odyssey, complete with dogs worthy of Argos and a few precious human companions, this spare and unusual novel plumbs the dark side of polar narratives * Andrea Barrett, National Book Award–winning author of The Voyage of the Narwhal and Ship Fever *Both a polar adventure and a consideration of what makes our lives worth living * Caitlin Horrocks, author of The Vexations *The magic of The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven is in its defiance of dark expectations . . . some of the most convincing portrayals I've seen of human beings creating connection and kindnesses despite their brutal circumstances and unhealed wounds * David James Duncan, author of the national bestsellers The River Why and The Brothers K *In attempting to inhabit the uninhabitable, one man shows us that no place is inhospitable to the human heart, and in delivering this searing portrait, Nathaniel Ian Miller ascends to the firmament of today's most exciting young novelists * Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Orphan Master’s Son *This novel's hard-won wisdom, droll humor, and offhanded insights about human nature will pierce you to the core * Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles *Miller's prose is lit by sparks of Sven's somber humor and descriptive elegance . . . Miller's characterization is exceptional and thoroughly engaging . . . vividly portrayed * Booklist, starred review *Captivating ... Miller offers a marvelously detailed look at a way of life and a profession practiced in an extreme environment, and though purportedly based on a historical figure, the character's colorfully rendered experiences are the stuff of powerful dramatic fiction * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Readers will love the beauty and depth of his story... A Swedish trapper relates his unique life with insights about friendship, hardship, and solitude * Kirkus, starred review *Transporting and wholly original . . . Inspired by a real man, this modern-day Call of the Wild is funny, moving and ceaselessly compelling * People Magazine *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Looking For Jane
Book Synopsis*THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER IN CANADA*'A fascinating and compelling story peopled with strong, brave women who had me cheering them on and moved to tears' Tracy Rees, bestselling author of The Rose Garden'Just tell them you're looking for Jane...'2017 When Angela discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession in a stack of forgotten letters, she begins to look for the intended recipient. Her search takes her to the 1970s and 80s, when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network known only by its whispered code name: Jane . . .1971As a teenager, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was forced to give her baby up for adoption. Swearing she'll do everything she can to make sure other women have the right to choose, she joins the Jane Network to provide safe but illegal abortions. There, she crosses paths with Nancy, who was told that if she ever found herself 'in a position', she should ask for Jane. Nancy soon becomes the Network's newest volunteer, desperately trying to help others while family secrets threaten everything she knows to be true.Over the years, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela's lives intertwine to reveal the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice, and the buried secrets that will always find a way to the surface . . . Spanning decades, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela's lives intertwine to reveal the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice, and the buried truths that will always find a way to the surface...'A compelling, courageous must-read about motherhood and choice' Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child'A beautifully written meditation on the lengths mothers will go to for their children as well as an eye-opening history of women' Janet Skeslien Charles, bestselling author of The Paris LibraryTrade ReviewA fascinating and compelling story peopled with strong, brave women who had me cheering them on and moved to tears -- Tracy Rees, author of The Rose GardenLooking for Jane is a beautifully written meditation on the lengths mothers will go to for their children as well as an eye-opening history of women. It is an ode to the doctors, nurses, and volunteers who fought for the rights of future generations to have a say over their bodies. This gracefully entwined story of three generations of women, societal mores, and mothers and daughters stole my heart -- Janet Skeslien Charles, bestselling author of The Paris LibraryHeather Marshall shines a spotlight on the unsettling truths and heartbreaking realities faced by women of every generation. Looking for Jane is a compelling, courageous must-read about motherhood and choice -- Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home ChildAn original and poignant story that holds a mirror to the ongoing fight for women's rights. In reflecting on a dark spot in Canadian history, Heather Marshall speaks to the power of solidarity and of brave women who dare to take a stand -- Ellen Keith, bestselling author of The Dutch Wife
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Looking For Jane
Book Synopsis*THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER IN CANADA*'A fascinating and compelling story peopled with strong, brave women who had me cheering them on and moved to tears' Tracy Rees, bestselling author of The Rose Garden'Just tell them you're looking for Jane...'2017 When Angela discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession in a stack of forgotten letters, she begins to look for the intended recipient. Her search takes her to the 1970s and 80s, when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network known only by its whispered code name: Jane . . .1971As a teenager, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was forced to give her baby up for adoption. Swearing she'll do everything she can to make sure other women have the right to choose, she joins the Jane Network to provide safe but illegal abortions. There, she crosses paths with Nancy, who was told that if she ever found herself 'in a position', she should ask for Jane. Nancy soon becomes the Network's newest volunteer, desperately trying to help others while family secrets threaten everything she knows to be true.Over the years, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela's lives intertwine to reveal the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice, and the buried secrets that will always find a way to the surface . . . Spanning decades, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela's lives intertwine to reveal the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice, and the buried truths that will always find a way to the surface...'A compelling, courageous must-read about motherhood and choice' Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child'A beautifully written meditation on the lengths mothers will go to for their children as well as an eye-opening history of women' Janet Skeslien Charles, bestselling author of The Paris LibraryTrade ReviewA fascinating and compelling story peopled with strong, brave women who had me cheering them on and moved to tears -- Tracy Rees, author of The Rose GardenLooking for Jane is a beautifully written meditation on the lengths mothers will go to for their children as well as an eye-opening history of women. It is an ode to the doctors, nurses, and volunteers who fought for the rights of future generations to have a say over their bodies. This gracefully entwined story of three generations of women, societal mores, and mothers and daughters stole my heart -- Janet Skeslien Charles, bestselling author of The Paris LibraryHeather Marshall shines a spotlight on the unsettling truths and heartbreaking realities faced by women of every generation. Looking for Jane is a compelling, courageous must-read about motherhood and choice -- Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home ChildAn original and poignant story that holds a mirror to the ongoing fight for women's rights. In reflecting on a dark spot in Canadian history, Heather Marshall speaks to the power of solidarity and of brave women who dare to take a stand -- Ellen Keith, bestselling author of The Dutch Wife
£13.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Secret History of Audrey James
Book SynopsisSometimes the best place to hide is the last place anyone would look.Berlin, 1938Against the backdrop of pre-WWII Berlin, British pianist Audrey James and her best friend Isle face the imminent threat of Nazi oppression. When Ilse''s family disappears and Nazi officers confiscate their home, Audrey becomes their housekeeper and Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic-a prisoner in her own home. As borders close and rumours of death camps swirl, Audrey makes the life-changing decision to join the covert resistance and risk everything to protect her loved ones. Alnwick, 2010After a tragic accident, Kate Mercer packs her things and moves to work at a guest house near the Scottish border. Instead of finding solace, Kate becomes entangled in the secrets of her mysterious elderly proprietor...Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during WWII, this is a captivating story about the unbreakable b
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Warlock Effect: A highly entertaining, twisty
Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH**A THE TIMES BEST THRILLER FOR APRIL**OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION IN A SEVEN-WAY AUCTION*'Delightful' THE TIMES'Enthralling' THE SUNDAY TIMES'A serpentine thriller' SPECTATOR'A pure delight' NEIL GAIMAN'All the hallmarks of a modern classic' ADAM KAY'Two great masters join forces to explosive effect' RICHARD OSMAN'Huge fun - gripping and very clever. I didn't want it to end' PETER JAMES'A beautiful magic trick in itself - wonderful' DERREN BROWN'I absolutely loved every twist, every turn, every blockbusting cliffhanger' STEVEN MOFFATMeet Louis Warlock.Man about town, denizen of Soho's nightclubs and cabaret bars - and the most skilled magician of his time . . .As a boy, Ludvik Weinschenk fled Nazi Germany to England with a pack of playing cards and three tricks to his name. Twelve years later, in 1950s London, having risen through the ranks of concert parties, night clubs and variety theatres, Ludvik - or Louis Warlock as he is now known - is the most famous magician in Britain. But after his talent for deception attracts the attention of the British secret service, Louis is thrown into the perilous world of espionage and finds himself sent across Europe with a dangerous mission to fulfil. When he comes face to face with a nemesis whose cunning rivals his own, Louis will need to use every trick in the book - or risk the most terrible consequences, both for the country and for himself.A highly entertaining, fiendishly clever thriller, The Warlock Effect offers a twist-filled, rollicking adventure - and a glimpse into the phenomenal mind of an extraordinary magician.MORE PRAISE FOR THE WARLOCK EFFECT:'A delicious confection from a pair of devilishly clever minds' STEVE PEMBERTON'A superb story of espionage and human endurance which casts its own vivid spell. In the stage magician Louis Warlock, Nyman and Dyson have created one of fiction's most complex and beguiling heroes' JAY RAYNER'Intriguing and completely original, this Cold War spy novel is just what every bookshelf needs' W.C. RYAN'The period atmosphere and the Cold War detail feel like a Le Carré but it's the characters you really care about. Exactly like some of the magic it describes, the odd sleight of hand or false deception wrapped around a terrific mystery.' IAN MOORE'Edge-of-your-seat stuff . . . Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure, The Warlock Effect is a fiendish mix of history, humour and horror' SJ BENNETT'A thrilling and ingenious work of wonder. Twisting, evocative and hugely entertaining, The Warlock Effect delivers on every level' CHRIS WHITAKER'Spellbinding. Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman skillfully depict a shadowy world of magic and espionage in this gripping tale that is entertaining, heartfelt and as twisty as any artful stage magician's signature trick.' ADAM HAMDY'An adventure told with skill and wit and quite a lot up its sleeve. Sharp and scary and full of twists and turns.' DAVID QUANTICKTrade ReviewSheer delight . . . This enthralling, playful thriller can be enjoyed for its virtuosic recreation of the period and for its cheeky depiction of Cold War spooks as closer to Derren Brown than George Smiley. Perhaps its chief pleasure, though, is simply the magic it contains, from the beginner's card tricks . . . to grand illusion * The Sunday Times *The affection of Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, an actor and magician, for the period and its magicians, among them Tommy Cooper, shines through in this delightful thriller. * The Times *Two great masters join forces to explosive effect -- Richard OsmanA gripping book that evokes the reality of working magicians . . . A pure delight -- Neil Gaiman[A] serpentine thriller . . . Like Sherlock Holmes, Warlock has a network of useful contacts, including magic shop proprietors, coppers and keenly observant barmaids. But unlike Holmes, he is . . . touchingly vulnerable . . . The theme of magic [is elevated] into something more universal - a matter of survival itself; it also becomes deeply moving. * Spectator *Bond's manipulative trickery - at least with cards - is echoed in The Warlock Effect * Observer *This book is huge fun - gripping, informative and very clever. I didn't want it to end! -- Peter JamesAll the hallmarks of a modern classic, with more twists and turns than the intestinal tract -- Adam KayA delightful historical espionage thriller, packed with arcane secrets of stage magicians and illusionists, peopled with real denizens of the period * Irish Independent *Absolutely joyous, with twists and reveals I never saw coming. This book is in itself a beautiful magic trick. Wonderful. -- Derren BrownIt could have been grown in a vat especially for me . . . Magic tricks and spies . . . I absolutely loved every twist, every turn, every blockbusting cliffhanger -- Steven MoffatI just adored this compulsive, fun, unpredictable and surprisingly tender book -- Jenny ColganA rattling good yarn with humour, action, and the chance to learn a few magicians' secrets. * Peterborough Telegraph *A delicious confection from a pair of devilishly clever minds. -- Steve PembertonThis book is exactly like some of the magic it describes, the odd sleight of hand or false deception wrapped around a terrific mystery. The period atmosphere and the Cold War detail feel like a Le Carré but it's the characters that you really care about. I hope we see a lot more of Louis Warlock -- Ian MooreEdge-of-your-seat stuff . . . Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure, The Warlock Effect is a fiendish mix of history, humour and horror with a unique combination of Cold War and magic methodology -- SJ BennettA thrilling and ingenious work of wonder. Twisting, evocative and hugely entertaining, The Warlock Effect delivers on every level -- Chris WhitakerA superb story of espionage and human endurance which casts its own vivid spell. In the stage magician Louis Warlock, Nyman and Dyson have created one of fiction's most complex and beguiling heroes -- Jay RaynerThe Warlock Effect is spellbinding. Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman skillfully depict a shadowy world of magic and espionage in this gripping tale that is entertaining, heartfelt and as twisty as any artful stage magician's signature trick. Highly recommended -- Adam HamdyThrilling . . . Both Nyman and Dyson manage to bring the attributes that made them famous to the table, making for a book that blends history, comedy and suspense to exceptionally good effect. Simply billing The Warlock Effect as an espionage thriller would be doing it a disservice: there's far more to take from it than that, as the action takes us across Europe and back, introducing a series of fascinating and complex characters along the way. The plot seems straightforward at first, but then turns on its head, and some clever writing guarantees you'll never see it coming. * Buzz *Prepare to ooh and aah as you are terrified, entertained and bamboozled by this mind-bending, compulsive novel from the co-creators of Ghost Stories. * Saga *
£18.00
John Murray Press Daisy Chain: a novel of The Glasgow Girls
Book Synopsis'A wholly delightful novel' Allan Massie, Scotsman'An excellent homage to The Glasgow Girls... both heart-breaking and hopeful' - Amy Jefferies, Scots MagazineLily Crawford and Jeanie Taylor, from very different backgrounds, are firm friends from their childhoods in Kirkcudbright. They share their ambitions for their futures, Lily to be an artist, Jeanie to be a dancer.The two women's eventful lives are intertwined. In the years before the First World War, the girls lose touch when Jeanie runs away from home and joins a dance company, while Lily attends The Mack, Glasgow's famous school of art designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. A chance meeting reunites them and together they discover a Glasgow at the height of its wealth and power as the Second City of the Empire - and a city of poverty and overcrowding. Separated once again after the war, Lily and Jeanie find themselves on opposite sides of the world. Lily follows her husband to Shanghai while Jeanie's dance career brings her international fame. But the glamour and dissolution of 1920s Shanghai finally lead Lily into peril. Her only hope of survival lies with her old friend Jeanie, as the two women turn to desperate measures to free Lily from danger.Inspired by the eventful and colourful lives of the pioneering women artists The Glasgow Girls, particularly that of Eleanor Allen Moore, Daisy Chain is a story of independence, women's art, resilience and female friendship, set against the turbulent background of the early years of the 20th century.Trade ReviewEvocative and highly readable * The Herald *Evocative and intelligent. A wholly delightful novel [that] celebrates friendship, love, kindness and devotion to creative work. * The Scotsman *An excellent homage to The Glasgow Girls... a very readable novel - both heart-breaking and hopeful. -- Amy Jefferies * Scots Magazine *Daisy Chain is a novel George Eliot, Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters would have penned had they been born in 20th century Glasgow, brought up listening to the Bay City Rollers, and The Clash... the award-winning author takes readers on a dark, mysterious, and cruel journey at times, with an unexpected twisted narrative. * Shine *A thrilling, twisting adventure about female friendship, independence and the determination to fulfil ambitions. * Sunday Mail *
£15.29
John Murray Press Hear No Evil: Shortlisted for the CWA Historical
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2022'Beautifully written and a real page turner -a wonderful insight into the early quest to understand and give a voice to people who cannot hear. ' Elisabeth Gifford 'A fascinating exploration of deafness and human value amid the sights, sounds of smells of 1817 urban Scotland.' Sally Magnusson 'told with great empathy and heart' Guinevere Glasfurd'A striking and stylish literary page-turner that breathes life into the past' Zoë Strachan'skilfully combines crime fiction with a woman's struggle to speak the truth' The TimesIn the burgeoning industrial city of Glasgow in 1817 Jean Campbell - a young, Deaf woman - is witnessed throwing a child into the River Clyde from the Old Bridge.No evidence is yielded from the river. Unable to communicate with their silent prisoner, the authorities move Jean to the decaying Edinburgh Tolbooth in order to prise the story from her. The High Court calls in Robert Kinniburgh, a talented teacher from the Deaf & Dumb Institution, in the hope that he will interpret for them and determine if Jean is fit for trial. If found guilty she faces one of two fates; death by hanging or incarceration in an insane asylum.Through a process of trial and error, Robert and Jean manage to find a rudimentary way of communicating with each other. As Robert gains her trust, Jean confides in him, and Robert begins to uncover the truth, moving uneasily from interpreter to investigator, determined to clear her name before it is too late.Based on a landmark case in Scottish legal history Hear No Evil is a richly atmospheric exploration of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and Glasgow at a time when progress was only on the horizon. A time that for some who were silenced could mean paying the greatest price. Trade ReviewA striking and stylish literary page-turner that breathes life into the past, illuminating a fascinating corner of history by revealing its lost voices and contemporary resonance. Smith's evocative storytelling and willingness to probe the murkier reaches of the human psyche make her a talent to watch! * Zoë Strachan *A fascinating exploration of deafness and human value amid the sights, sounds and smells of urban Scotland in 1817. * Sally Magnusson *I loved Hear No Evil, beautifully written and a real page turner with characters whose company I enjoyed greatly. It evoked the Edinburgh of that time brilliantly and vividly and gave such a wonderful insight into the early quest to understand and give a voice to people who cannot hear. The historical evocation of Edinburgh and the dramatic murder story were both so well done and so rewarding. * Elisabeth Gifford *A compelling and thoughtful exploration of a deaf woman's struggle for justice in Regency-era Scotland * Rebecca Netley, author of THE WHISTLING *'Fascinating... gripped me from start to finish' * Westender Magazine *A richly evocative telling. You can almost smell the reek of the old Edinburgh streets. Feel the brutality and inhumanity of it all... A gentle read that belies its power. A stylish murder mystery illuminating a fascinating corner of history. * C&B News *In Sarah Smith's debut, Hear No Evil, Robert Kinniburgh, a teacher at Edinburgh's Deaf and Dumb Institution, is summoned to one of the city's jails, where an unusual prisoner awaits interrogation. Jean Campbell, a deaf woman, is accused of drowning her child, but communication with her has been impossible. Kinniburgh, who employs a form of sign language, becomes the means by which she can tell her story, and slowly the complex reality of what happened emerges. Based on a case from Scottish legal history, Smith's novel skilfully combines crime fiction with a woman's struggle to speak the truth. * The Times *Dramatic and evocative . . . a stunning debut * Dumfries & Galloway Life *
£15.29
John Murray Press Hear No Evil: Shortlisted for the CWA Historical
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN 2022Glasgow, 1817: Jean Campbell - a young, Deaf woman - is witnessed throwing a child into the River Clyde from the Old Bridge. If found guilty she faces one of two fates; death by hanging or incarceration in an asylum. But Jean's deafness leaves her isolated and unable to defend herself, until the authorities call in Robert Kinniburgh, a talented teacher from the Deaf & Dumb Institution.Through a difficult process of trial and error, Robert and Jean manage to find a rudimentary way of communicating with each other. As Jean grows to trust Robert, she reveals what really happened on that bridge over the river Clyde. And Robert, now embroiled in this dark case, must act quickly to ensure justice is served, before it is too late. 'Based on a case from Scottish legal history, Smith's novel skilfully combines crime fiction with a woman's struggle to speak the truth' The Times'Fascinating' Sally MagnussonTrade ReviewA striking and stylish literary page-turner that breathes life into the past, illuminating a fascinating corner of history by revealing its lost voices and contemporary resonance. Smith's evocative storytelling and willingness to probe the murkier reaches of the human psyche make her a talent to watch! * Zoë Strachan *A fascinating exploration of deafness and human value amid the sights, sounds and smells of urban Scotland in 1817. * Sally Magnusson *I loved Hear No Evil, beautifully written and a real page turner with characters whose company I enjoyed greatly. It evoked the Edinburgh of that time brilliantly and vividly and gave such a wonderful insight into the early quest to understand and give a voice to people who cannot hear. The historical evocation of Edinburgh and the dramatic murder story were both so well done and so rewarding. * Elisabeth Gifford *A compelling and thoughtful exploration of a deaf woman's struggle for justice in Regency-era Scotland * Rebecca Netley, author of THE WHISTLING *'Fascinating... gripped me from start to finish' * Westender Magazine *A richly evocative telling. You can almost smell the reek of the old Edinburgh streets. Feel the brutality and inhumanity of it all... A gentle read that belies its power. A stylish murder mystery illuminating a fascinating corner of history. * C&B News *In Sarah Smith's debut, Hear No Evil, Robert Kinniburgh, a teacher at Edinburgh's Deaf and Dumb Institution, is summoned to one of the city's jails, where an unusual prisoner awaits interrogation. Jean Campbell, a deaf woman, is accused of drowning her child, but communication with her has been impossible. Kinniburgh, who employs a form of sign language, becomes the means by which she can tell her story, and slowly the complex reality of what happened emerges. Based on a case from Scottish legal history, Smith's novel skilfully combines crime fiction with a woman's struggle to speak the truth. * The Times *Dramatic and evocative . . . a stunning debut * Dumfries & Galloway Life *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton A Daughter's Hope: A gripping story of
Book SynopsisWhen her loving but strict parents pass away, twenty-one-year-old Megan is left penniless and alone. However, for the first time in her life, she finally has the freedom to explore who she really is.She begins to come out of her shell, trying daring new things such as wearing makeup, buying modern clothes and going out dancing. Soon, she starts stepping out with a solid, dependable local man. And when she is taken under the wing of the wealthy Celia Bevington, she discovers that there is so much more to life than working as a paintress in the local pottery factory. But as she gets to know Nathan, a dashing American visitor, she starts to question whether she should be wanting more from life. On top of that, a mysterious silver hairbrush left to her by her late mother is about to lead to revelations that will turn her world upside down . . . When the chance comes to fulfil her every hope, will she find the courage to follow her heart? Readers are already being swept away by A DAUGHTER'S HOPE:'The story will tug at your heartstrings . . . a page turner. Read it!''Margaret has a gift of captivating her readers' and holding their attention. Beautifully told with humour and sadness in equal measure. A brilliant read!''Beautifully written and captivating, I can highly recommend.''This is a beautifully told tale and there's a great feeling of time and place. Margaret Kaine has that storyteller's gift of grabbing the reader's attention and holding on.' 'Margaret Kaine writes with supreme skill. Thank you for a wonderful story, Margaret.''I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end'A Daughter's Hope was previously published as Song for a ButterflyTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MARGARET KAINEIt's an absorbing read, so well crafted that your heart will beat just a little faster as you're drawn into the riveting battle between heartbreak and hope * Daily Record *If your heart doesn't bear a little faster whilst reading this, regardless of whether romantic novels are your thing or not, then you just couldn't be human * Irish World *A touching and genuinely moving novel with a cast of brilliant characters * Maureen Lee, RNA award-winning author of Dancing in the Dark *A sensitive and well crafted portrayal of a young, unmarried girl . . . How true to life it seemed * Historical Novels Association *
£9.49
John Murray Press The Berliners
Book Synopsis'Sometimes I get fanciful and think the buildings speak. That all their history is locked into the walls and if you listened closely enough, you could hear all the people who'd once been there.'Sigi lived upstairs from Sara at Friedrichstrasse 19 yet before they met, Sara had no idea that Berlin could be so thrillingly irreverent or that sex could be so intoxicatingly wonderful. But then came the war, and hunger, loneliness and barbed wire. It was just as a young girl, a protegee of The Academy of Magical Arts situated in Friedrichstrasse at the start of the century, had predicted.Battered and divided, Berlin, like its people, endured. Hans yearns to be part of the boundary-breaking spirit of the age but he's haunted by his mother's part in the war and the absence of a father. Ilse, who escaped from the East, wants nothing more than the freedom she risked her life for. In 1989 in a wild act of spontaneous joy, Heike leapt from the Wall into the arms of a stranger from the West. Thirty years later, she recognises that what she'd willed to be destiny was nothing more than naivety. Recently divorced, she moves into Friedrichstrasse, to begin a new life. But it's impossible not to hear the echoes of the secrets and lies, visions and misunderstandings, lost loves and fatal mistakes, that have come before her.Time-travelling between decades, through the interlocking lives of six people, Friedrichstrasse 19 relives the tumultuous experience of a city on the frontline of history.Trade ReviewAn ingenious and ambitious debut, formally inventive, rich with character and incident * Daily Telegraph *
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Castle on the Hill
Book SynopsisAmid the chaos of the Second World War comes a charming story of courage and friendship, from the author of Green Dolphin Country and A City of Bells.In the summer of 1940, as the darkest days of the Second World War approach, a chance encounter on a train leads Miss Brown to become housekeeper at the Castle.Hidden in a quiet, rural corner of England, the crumbling castle is home to lonely historian Mr Birley and his nephews, fighter pilot Richard and fair, peace-loving Stephen. With young evacuees Moppet and Poppet, and mysterious violinist Jo Isaacson, this unexpected family of strangers come to rely on each other as the devastations of war rage on.Trade ReviewMiss Goudge is an artist of very considerable ability - Oxford MailAbout the novels of Elizabeth Goudge there is always something of the fairy-tale - The ScotsmanElizabeth Goudge's novels, long or short, have always been distinguished by a quality of lyrical joyousness more usually associated with poetry than with prose and, perhaps, with music than with writing. - New York TimesMiss Goudge has the art of presenting men and women, to say nothing of children, as genuinely convincing persons, too human to be either wholly good or wholly bad - The Scotsman
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Hodder & Stoughton The Girl With No Name: The most gripping,
Book SynopsisHeartbreaking. Gripping. Terribly captivating.'Read it in one sitting!' ***** Madeleine, Amazon reviewerShe may not remember her name,but her body knows.1940. When a French family is forced to house a German soldier in their spare room, young Noemie finds herself drawn to the enemy living under the family roof. A forbidden romance unfolds with life-changing consequences.1946. In the aftermath of the war, a little girl is found sitting on a bench with no memory of who she is - not even her own name. Justin, a young gendarme, takes her under his wing. He is desperate to unravel the mystery surrounding her sudden appearance.Who is the little girl?And what happened to her family?The truth he discovers is spine-chilling.
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton All the Seas of the World: International bestseller
'Kay is a genius' Brandon SandersonReturning to the near-Renaissance world of A Brightness Long Ago and Children of Earth and Sky, international bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay tells a story of vengeance, power, and love.On a dark night along a lonely stretch of coast, a small ship, the Silver Wake, sends two people ashore to a stony strand. Their purpose is assassination. They have been hired to do this by two of the most dangerous men alive. The consequences will affect so many lives both great and small, and possibly alter the balance of power in the world.One of those arriving on that night strand is a woman abducted by corsairs from her home as a child, escaping that fate, that destiny, years after, now trying to chart her own course - and bent upon revenge. Another figure, on the boat, bringing it to meet the secretive landing party at the city where they are going, is a merchant who still remembers being exiled as a child with his family from their home, for their faith.Returning triumphantly to the brilliantly evoked near-Renaissance world of his most recent novels, international bestseller Guy Gavriel Kay deploys his signature 'quarter turn to the fantastic' to offer readers a wide-ranging, vividly memorable set of characters in a story of vengeance, power, and love, built around profoundly contemporary themes of exile, loss, and memory.In a narrative of page-turning drama, All the Seas of the World also offers moving reflections on choices, fate, and the random events that can shape our lives.
£9.49
John Murray Press The Snow Hare
Book Synopsis'Wonderful . . . a vivid and endearing pictures of family life' The Times'Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is an esquisite, compelling study of survival and emotional resilience' Daily MailSeptember 1939. The Soviets advance into Poland. Young officer's wife Lena has one chance to flee the country with her daughter. Instead she chooses to return to her childhood home. When the Russian army reach their village, Lena and her family are denounced as enemies of the state and exiled to the freezing hell of Siberia.Amid the hunger and back-breaking work in deep snow, she discovers something remarkable: even while you're fighting to survive, it is possible to fall in love. What she can't imagine are the consequences of love. And the choice that must be made.Trade Review'Wonderful . . . a vivid and endearing picture of family life' * The Times *Written in richly impressive prose, The Snow Hare celebrates the human ability to survive in even the worst circumstances * Sunday Times *Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure, this is an exquisite, compelling study of survival and emotional resilience * Daily Mail *Paula Lichtarowicz's profound and beautifully written third novel brings her back to her roots . . . [she] mesmerises us with the honesty of her characterisations and the light-handedness with which she treats the expression of those characters' feelings * Sunday Independent Review *The Snow Hare is a well-written, compelling account of a devastating period of history, and one which provides a different perspective to the usual Nazi-focused World War II novel of survival * Business Post *I loved this book, though it left a huge crack in my heart. A beautifully written, enthralling story of an unforgettable family caught up in a conflict that takes them all the way to a Siberian work camp. The main character, Lena, is determined and compelling, and the novel a brilliant study of what it means to survive both the best and worst of times -- JOANNA QUINN, author of The Whalebone TheatreLove and loss, and courage and compassion, collide in this brilliantly told story of survival against the odds. Based on the true story of her grandmother, Paula Lichtarowicz's exquisite novel takes readers on a family journey full of passion, longing, regret, and eventual acceptance of choices made a lifetime ago. In these riveting, heartfelt, and brutally honest pages, Lena keeps a lifetime of secrets and dreams from her loved ones, but never allows them to stop her from loving in return -- Heather Morris, New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of AuschwitzLichtarowicz is a writer of great talent, with the ability to portray hardship and grief shot through with humour and hope. The gorgeous prose, compelling storyline, and emotional depth ensure that The Snow Hare remains in the reader's mind long after the last page -- Frances Liardet, New York Times bestselling author of We Must Be BraveThe Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz is an extraordinary novel of fate, hope, love and determination. Lichtarowicz' beautifully drawn story, set against a backdrop of real historical events, is every bit as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring. The Snow Hare brings the past to life in a vivid, evocative way - reminding us that history echoes through time, and hope can sustain us even through the most difficult of circumstances. This is one of the finest historical fiction novels I've read in years -- Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Warsaw Orphan
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Trader's Dream
Book SynopsisBram Deagan dreams of bringing his family from Ireland to join him in Australia, where he now runs a successful trading business. But when a typhus epidemic strikes Ireland, it leaves the Deagan family decimated. And, with other family members scattered round the world, it is left to Maura Deagan to look after her orphaned nieces and nephew. Forced to abandon her own ambitions, and unsure whether she is ready to become a mother to three young children, Maura makes a drastic decision: to join Bram in far-away Australia.They set sail on the SS Delta, anxious for their futures. It is only when a storm throws Maura and fellow passenger Hugh Beaufort together that she realises this journey may also give her a chance to pursue a dream she set aside long ago: to have a family of her own. That is, until someone from Hugh's past threatens to jeopardise everything . . .****************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S DREAM'Anna Jacobs is the best storyteller bar none!' - 5 stars'A wonderful book . . . Very engaging and engrossing' - 5 stars'Another must-read' - 5 stars'Yet again couldn't put this book down' - 5 stars'Excellent read from start to finish, couldn't put it down' - 5 stars
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Trader's Gift
Book Synopsis'This is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff!' Daily MailHappy and content with a beautiful wife and thriving family, successful trader Bram is determined to help his two friends Mitchell and Dougal find wives.In England, Eleanor Prescott has not forgotten the ship's captain who was a true friend to her. Dougal McBride told her to come to him when she was ready. When her ailing husband dies, she wonders if she dare return to Western Australia. Will Dougal still want her after nearly a year?Mitchell Nash, Bram Deagan's friend in Australia, has asked his cousin in England whether he knows of any lady who might be suitable for him to marry. Though what sort of woman would make such an arduous voyage to marry someone she's never met? For one widow, however, desperate to keep her young son from a cruel relative's clutches, Mitchell's invitation is a lifeline she will grasp with both hands.Clutching their courage in both hands, Eleanor and Jacinta take a huge risk on the chance of happiness and set off for Australia. But the troubles of their old lives can't be easily left behind . . .**********************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S GIFT'A wonderfully written, enjoyable story' - 5 stars'No surprise that this is yet another fantastic read from Anna Jacobs' - 5 stars'Anna Jacobs is an amazing story teller, she never disappoints and you are hooked from the first page' - 5 stars'Loved this book and all the other books in the Traders Series. I couldn't put it down' - 5 stars'Extremely good reading - Anna Jacobs is a top-of-the-range author' - 5 starsTrade ReviewThis is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff! * Daily Mail *
£8.99
Hodder & Stoughton The Trader's Reward: gripping and unforgettable
Book Synopsis1871. When Fergus Deagan's wife dies in childbirth, she makes him promise to take their family from Ireland to Western Australia to join his brother Bram, and also to marry again to make sure their children don't miss out on a mother's love.Disowned by her father for becoming pregnant, Cara Payton bears a stillborn baby. She struggles on in deep despair, until a plea to wet-nurse a motherless baby gives her life new purpose. When Fergus proposes marriage, she accepts. She respects him and is happy to stay with the baby she now loves. During the voyage to Australia, she and Fergus draw closer, until her past rears its ugly head and they face a terrible crisis . . .When they finally get to Fremantle, Fergus and Bram, always rivals, struggle to get along. To make matters worse, Bram has financial problems and there is no railway where Fergus can find engineering work. Can the two brothers solve their problems? And will the newcomers find a way to build a new life?**************What readers are saying about THE TRADER'S REWARD'An excellent book, and series, that I couldn't put down. Definitely worth reading' - 5 stars'A great end to a wonderful series' - 5 stars'Fantastic reading' - 5 stars'Brilliant as always' - 5 stars'I loved this one as much as the rest of the Trader Saga' - 5 stars
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton The Sun Walks Down: 'Steinbeckian majesty' -
Book Synopsis'A blazing mystery . . . tremendous' Guardian'Moving and masterful' Daily Mail'Masterful storytelling' Washington Post'Brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable. It is marvellous' Ann Patchett'Remarkable' Harper'sA MASTERFUL NOVEL BY THE PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE NIGHT GUEST AND THE HIGH PLACES, AN EPIC TALE OF UNSETTLEMENT, HISTORY, MYTH, LOVE AND ART.In September 1883, a small town in the South Australian outback huddles under strange, vivid sunsets. Six-year-old Denny Wallace has gone missing during a dust storm, and the entire community is caught up in the search for him. As they scour the desert and mountains for the lost child, the residents of Fairly - newlyweds, landowners, farmers, mothers, artists, Indigenous trackers, cameleers, children, schoolteachers, widows, maids, policemen - confront their relationships with each other and with the ancient landscape they inhabit. The colonial Australia of The Sun Walks Down is unfamiliar, multicultural, and noisy with opinions, arguments, longings and terrors. It's haunted by many gods - the sun among them, rising and falling on each day in which Denny could be found, or lost forever.'McFarlane's treatment of the dust storm has a simple Steinbeckian majesty . . . Her prose is full of detail, comparable to Claire Keegan's keen-eyed novellas, Foster and Small Things Like These' Sunday Times'A thrilling success . . . full of mystery and wonder' Wall Street Journal'Fiona McFarlane's last book was scintillating. The Sun Walks Down is even better' Sarah Moss'Gorgeous storytelling and superb characters . . . magnificent' Michelle de Kretser'I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more' Kevin Powers'Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic in the Victorian tradition, as much a portrait of a community as Middlemarch . . . McFarlane knows what she's doing, and she does it exceptionally well' Irish TimesTrade ReviewA blazing mystery set in the colonial outback . . . The writing is tremendous . . . This is a beguiling novel, not just of ideas about history and place but of fiercely beautiful translations -- Elizabeth Lowry * Guardian *A sensitive, slow-burn panorama of society in colonial Australia. Moving persuasively between a vast, impressively diverse array of characters, young and old, incoming and indigenous, privileged and deprived, she lets us listen in on their private (often competing) hopes and desires as the community pulls together to hunt for the boy. The result is moving and masterful - rich slices of life made vivid by the old-fashioned nitty-gritty of flesh-and blood character-making -- Anthony Cummins * Daily Mail *Ambitious . . . McFarlane amplifies her theme in ways that are often touching and ingenious . . . its style is at once spare and attentive to detail, and Fiona McFarlane has a sharp eye for historical injustices -- Andrew Motion * Times Literary Supplement *A thrilling success . . . A novel full of mystery and wonder * Wall Street Journal *Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic . . . This book earns its place by the simultaneous seriousness and playfulness of its commitment to all the voices in the contested times and spaces of its setting. McFarlane knows what she's doing, and she does it exceptionally well -- Sarah Moss * Irish Times *This novel is also made hypnotic by its wonderfully atmospheric dreaminess -- Andrew Martin * Mail on Sunday *McFarlane's treatment of the dust storm has a simple Steinbeckian majesty . . . Her prose is full of detail, comparable to Claire Keegan's keen-eyed novellas, Foster and Small Things Like These -- Claire Lowdon * Sunday Times *Ambitious . . . McFarlane's figures emerge in intricate detail, defined by their petty desires, their moral imperfections, and their relationship both to the cataclysm of colonization and to the grandiosity of the landscape and the sun * New Yorker *In precise, often glorious prose, the novel affords each character, including little Denny, a rich interiority, even as the landscape itself - a terrain layered with significance and myth for aboriginal peoples, while for Europeans "civilization" there appears thin - provokes awe . . . With this remarkable novel, McFarlane establishes her place in the firmament of Australian letters, reworking and expanding the imaginary of its early years -- Claire Messud * Harper's *Fiona McFarlane's last book was scintillating. The Sun Walks Down is even better. It's compelling: old-fashioned in all the best ways, historically sensitive, generous in storytelling and yet modern and sharp -- Sarah Moss, author of SUMMERWATERThe Sun Walks Down is the book I'm always longing to find: brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable. It is marvellous. I loved it from start to finish -- Ann Patchett, author of THE DUTCH HOUSEGorgeous storytelling and superb characters are among the glories of The Sun Walks Down. Fiona McFarlane is an extraordinary writer, one of the best working today. Her magnificent reworking of the lost child story showcases the profound understanding she brings to people, places and the past. I lived in this wise, majestic novel for days and never wanted it to end -- Michelle de Kretser, author of SCARY MONSTERSAn exceptional, multi-layered historical novel with a beautifully styled plot. The power with which Fiona McFarlane evokes the place and time is extraordinary - a gorgeously written book -- Evie Wyld, author of THE BASS ROCKQuite simply, the best novel I've ever read about 19th-century Australia. A tense search for a lost child unfolds with rising dread against a landscape of harsh and radiant beauty, amid lives as tangled as barbed wire -- Geraldine Brooks, author of HORSEThe Sun Walks Down is a revelation. McFarlane places her lens first over the disappearance of a small boy in the Australian Outback and zooms out, weaving the stories of the people involved in the search for him into a tapestry as richly imagined and fully realized as anything I've read in recent memory. Her sentences fit together with the beauty of fine carpentry, and with them she's constructed a novel that calls to my mind no less than Patrick White's The Tree of Man. I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more -- Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDSMesmerising . . . It's a story with the quality of a myth or fable, that somehow manages to seem both restrained and infinite at once. And if that's all sounding a bit hoity-toity, be assured it's an engrossing mystery * Sydney Morning Herald *An extraordinary work of fiction that I have no doubt will become a classic of Australian literature -- Emily Bitto, author of THE STRAYSThis tale of a farming community's search for a missing child offers intimate human drama, ruminations on the intersections of art and life, and a sweeping, still relevant view of race and class in Australia . . . A masterpiece of riveting storytelling * Kirkus *Taut, rich, intelligent and mesmerizing * ABC News *The Sun Walks Down is a brilliant, intimate epic, a book about a family and also about history that is full of heart and heat. Fiona McFarlane's ear for the gurgles and clamor and hidden symphonies of her characters' souls is flawless; the way their lives intertwine is propulsive, heartbreaking. She is, simply, one of the best writers around -- Elizabeth McCracken, author of THE HERO OF THIS BOOKWith a child missing in remote Australia, this may sound like any recent 'outback noir' thriller - but McFarlane's beautifully written second novel has much more in common with Lanny by Max Porter or Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor: all vibrant, otherworldly stories of a small community in flux, discombobulated by a singular tragedy * Guardian Australia *The Sun Walks Down is that rare kind of novel, where there is something to enjoy and admire on every page. McFarlane's elegant, sharply observed prose beautifully conjures an unforgettable time and place -- Carys Davies, author of THE MISSION HOUSEMasterful storytelling . . . Tension mounts every time tragedy looms or disaster strikes. We read on with queasy dread when the spotlight falls on frightened and exhausted Denny . . . But we also read on captivated by the novel's beautiful prose and polyphonic voices, and marveling at both its epic scope and rare intimacy * Washington Post *
£17.09
Hodder & Stoughton The Sun Walks Down: 'Steinbeckian majesty' -
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE 'Brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable' ANN PATCHETT 'A blazing mystery . . . tremendous' GUARDIAN 'Masterful storytelling' WASHINGTON POST 'Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic'IRISH TIMES 'A thrilling success' WALL STREET JOURNALAn epic tale of unsettlement, history, myth, art and love - and of a small boy lost in the Australian desert from the prize-winning author of The Night Guest and The High Places.In September 1883, in a small town in the South Australian outback, six-year-old Denny Wallace goes missing.As a dust storm sweeps across the landscape, the entire community is caught up in the search. Scouring the desert and mountains, the residents of Fairly - newlyweds, farmers, mothers, artists, Indigenous trackers, cameleers, policemen - confront their relationships with each other and with the ancient land they inhabit. A land haunted by many gods - the sun among them, rising and falling on each day in which Denny could be found, or lost forever.PRAISE FOR FIONA MCFARLANE 'I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more' KEVIN POWERS, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE YELLOW BIRDS'An extraordinary writer'MICHELLE DE KRETSER, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF SCARY MONSTERS 'McFarlane has a gift for cutting into a story at precisely the right angle'THE TIMES'An intelligent and distinctive voice . . . a marvel'SYDNEY MORNING HERALD'An exceptionally fine writer'PUBLISHERS WEEKLYTrade ReviewA blazing mystery set in the colonial outback . . . The writing is tremendous . . . This is a beguiling novel, not just of ideas about history and place but of fiercely beautiful translations -- Elizabeth Lowry * Guardian *A sensitive, slow-burn panorama of society in colonial Australia. Moving persuasively between a vast, impressively diverse array of characters, young and old, incoming and indigenous, privileged and deprived, she lets us listen in on their private (often competing) hopes and desires as the community pulls together to hunt for the boy. The result is moving and masterful - rich slices of life made vivid by the old-fashioned nitty-gritty of flesh-and blood character-making -- Anthony Cummins * Daily Mail *Ambitious . . . McFarlane amplifies her theme in ways that are often touching and ingenious . . . its style is at once spare and attentive to detail, and Fiona McFarlane has a sharp eye for historical injustices -- Andrew Motion * Times Literary Supplement *A thrilling success . . . A novel full of mystery and wonder * Wall Street Journal *Gloriously orchestrated . . . kaleidoscopic . . . This book earns its place by the simultaneous seriousness and playfulness of its commitment to all the voices in the contested times and spaces of its setting. McFarlane knows what she's doing, and she does it exceptionally well -- Sarah Moss * Irish Times *This novel is also made hypnotic by its wonderfully atmospheric dreaminess -- Andrew Martin * Mail on Sunday *McFarlane's treatment of the dust storm has a simple Steinbeckian majesty . . . Her prose is full of detail, comparable to Claire Keegan's keen-eyed novellas, Foster and Small Things Like These -- Claire Lowdon * Sunday Times *Ambitious . . . McFarlane's figures emerge in intricate detail, defined by their petty desires, their moral imperfections, and their relationship both to the cataclysm of colonization and to the grandiosity of the landscape and the sun * New Yorker *Masterful storytelling . . . Tension mounts every time tragedy looms or disaster strikes. We read on with queasy dread when the spotlight falls on frightened and exhausted Denny . . . But we also read on captivated by the novel's beautiful prose and polyphonic voices, and marveling at both its epic scope and rare intimacy * Washington Post *In precise, often glorious prose, the novel affords each character, including little Denny, a rich interiority, even as the landscape itself - a terrain layered with significance and myth for aboriginal peoples, while for Europeans "civilization" there appears thin - provokes awe . . . With this remarkable novel, McFarlane establishes her place in the firmament of Australian letters, reworking and expanding the imaginary of its early years -- Claire Messud * Harper's *Fiona McFarlane's last book was scintillating. The Sun Walks Down is even better. It's compelling: old-fashioned in all the best ways, historically sensitive, generous in storytelling and yet modern and sharp -- Sarah Moss, author of SUMMERWATERThe Sun Walks Down is the book I'm always longing to find: brilliant, fresh and compulsively readable. It is marvellous. I loved it from start to finish -- Ann Patchett, author of THE DUTCH HOUSEGorgeous storytelling and superb characters are among the glories of The Sun Walks Down. Fiona McFarlane is an extraordinary writer, one of the best working today. Her magnificent reworking of the lost child story showcases the profound understanding she brings to people, places and the past. I lived in this wise, majestic novel for days and never wanted it to end -- Michelle de Kretser, author of SCARY MONSTERSAn exceptional, multi-layered historical novel with a beautifully styled plot. The power with which Fiona McFarlane evokes the place and time is extraordinary - a gorgeously written book -- Evie Wyld, author of THE BASS ROCKQuite simply, the best novel I've ever read about 19th-century Australia. A tense search for a lost child unfolds with rising dread against a landscape of harsh and radiant beauty, amid lives as tangled as barbed wire -- Geraldine Brooks, author of HORSEThe Sun Walks Down is a revelation. McFarlane places her lens first over the disappearance of a small boy in the Australian Outback and zooms out, weaving the stories of the people involved in the search for him into a tapestry as richly imagined and fully realized as anything I've read in recent memory. Her sentences fit together with the beauty of fine carpentry, and with them she's constructed a novel that calls to my mind no less than Patrick White's The Tree of Man. I can't think of another writer working today who I admire more -- Kevin Powers, author of THE YELLOW BIRDSMesmerising . . . It's a story with the quality of a myth or fable, that somehow manages to seem both restrained and infinite at once. And if that's all sounding a bit hoity-toity, be assured it's an engrossing mystery * Sydney Morning Herald *An extraordinary work of fiction that I have no doubt will become a classic of Australian literature -- Emily Bitto, author of THE STRAYSThis tale of a farming community's search for a missing child offers intimate human drama, ruminations on the intersections of art and life, and a sweeping, still relevant view of race and class in Australia . . . A masterpiece of riveting storytelling * Kirkus *Taut, rich, intelligent and mesmerizing * ABC News *The Sun Walks Down is a brilliant, intimate epic, a book about a family and also about history that is full of heart and heat. Fiona McFarlane's ear for the gurgles and clamor and hidden symphonies of her characters' souls is flawless; the way their lives intertwine is propulsive, heartbreaking. She is, simply, one of the best writers around -- Elizabeth McCracken, author of THE HERO OF THIS BOOKWith a child missing in remote Australia, this may sound like any recent 'outback noir' thriller - but McFarlane's beautifully written second novel has much more in common with Lanny by Max Porter or Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor: all vibrant, otherworldly stories of a small community in flux, discombobulated by a singular tragedy * Guardian Australia *The Sun Walks Down is that rare kind of novel, where there is something to enjoy and admire on every page. McFarlane's elegant, sharply observed prose beautifully conjures an unforgettable time and place -- Carys Davies, author of THE MISSION HOUSE
£9.49
Hodder & Stoughton Bonny & Read: The beautiful and page-turning
Book SynopsisThe stunning new feminist retelling of the real-life female pirates of the Caribbean *One of The Times' Best Historical Fiction Novels of August* 'This swashbuckling debut is great fun'THE TIMES'Wonderfully drawn characters and a terrific pace'JESS KIDD, bestselling author of THE NIGHT SHIP''A poignant depiction of true female friendship, and a really good adventure story, beautifully told'FRANCES QUINN, author of THE SMALLEST MAN 'A cracking read. . . Fascinating, complex characters and a real page-turner!'LIZ HYDER, author of THE GIFTS 'Bonny and Read has it all. Adventure, atmosphere, sizzling suspense and unforgettable characters. Such a brilliant debut!'SD SYKES, author of THE GOOD DEATH'A deftly told tale of the complexities of friendship, female identity & freedom, featuring two remarkable women determined to define their own destinies . . . the pages turn themselves'ANITA FRANK, author of THE LOST ONES'What a debut! A fabulous, dangerous sea-shanty of a story' KATIE MUNNIK, author of THE AERIALISTS'A wonderful story, so beautifully told and absolutely gripping to the very end'EMMA CARROLL'Walker's book is a warm and wonderful tribute to these timeless women, with intriguing detail of the period and the pirate life.' LISA REDMOND, Historical Novel Society***Rebels. Pirates. Women. Caribbean, 1720. Two extraordinary women are on the run - from their pasts, from the British Navy and the threat of execution, and from the destiny that fate has written for them.Plantation owner's daughter, runaway wife, pirate - Anne Bonny has forged her own story in a man's world. But when she is involved in the capture of a British merchant ship, she is amazed to find another woman amongst the crew, with a history as unconventional as her own. Dressed as a boy from childhood, Mary Read has been a soldier, a sailor, a widow - but never a woman in charge of her own destiny.As their exhilarating, tumultuous exploits find fame, the ballad of Bonny and Read is sung from shore to shore - but when you swim against the tide of history, freedom is a dangerous thing...An exuberant reimagining of the extraordinary story of Bonny & Read - trailblazing, boundary-defying, swashbuckling heroines whose story deserves to be known. Perfect for fans of Ariadne, The Mercies and The Familiars.
£9.49
Quercus Publishing The Workhouse Waif: A heartwarming tale, perfect
Book SynopsisDestined to a life of poverty, this little girl has bigger plans in life...After the death of her father in a mining accident, Megan and her family had no choice but to move to the local workhouse. Separated from her mother and five siblings, young Megan must learn how to stand on her own two feet. But one day she meets a young boy who's stealing apples from the local market and together, they set out on a path to find a better life for themselves...A heartwarming saga, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Katie Flynn and Nadine DorriesPlease note: this edition contains editorial revisions
£8.99
Quercus Publishing The Matchgirl: Will this factory girl have her
Book SynopsisA heartwarming saga, from the ebook bestselling author of THE WORKHOUSE WAIFSixteen-year-old Lottie Perkins has an important decision to make...Conditions at the match factory she works at are dire. The girls get treated badly by the management and there is a severe risk to their health. But then a young journalist, Annie Besant, begins asking questions. Will Lottie and the other girls welcome her help, even when it could cost them their jobs - and their livelihoods...?Please note: this edition contains editorial revisions
£8.54
Quercus Publishing Mexican Gothic: The extraordinary international
Book Synopsis'You don't read this book so much as surrender to it. A dark and heady swoon' - Guardian He is trying to poison me. You must come for me, Noemí. You have to save me.When glamorous socialite Noemí Taboada receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging to be rescued from a mysterious doom, it's clear something is desperately amiss. Catalina has always had a flair for the dramatic, but her claims that her husband is poisoning her and her visions of restless ghosts seem remarkable, even for her.Noemí's chic gowns and perfect lipstick are more suited to cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing, but she immediately heads to High Place, a remote mansion in the Mexican countryside, determined to discover what is so affecting her cousin.Tough and smart, she possesses an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin's new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi's dreams with visions of blood and doom.Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family's youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family's past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family's once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.And Noemí, mesmerised by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to leave this enigmatic house behind . . .'This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight' - HeatPRAISE FOR MEXICAN GOTHIC'The subversive, seductive, satisfying haunted house story I didn't know I needed' - Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January'Moreno-Garcia's gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous' - A. J. Hackwith, author of The Library of the Unwritten'Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure.' - Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling'Darkly brilliant and captivating . . . Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal' - Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride'Moreno-Garcia is a master who writes with a deft hand and a flare for beautifully evocative details' - Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of KingsTrade ReviewClever, wicked and winning. Moreno-Garcia well and truly hits the mark with Mexican Gothic * Angela Slatter, author of the World Fantasy Award-winning The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings *Blends chilling scenes of all-out horror with elements of traditional gothic . . . It's Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America * Guardian *With peculiar characters, a family curse and enough suspense to hold the reader's attention, it is the perfect summer read * The Lady *This pitch-perfect Gothic tale is a delicious, delicious delight * Heat *Masterful . . . a gloriously moody adventure. Spooky, smart, and wry. Chic, no-nonsense Noemí Taboada is one hell of a tour guide through this world of mystery, scandal and spirits * Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling *Darkly brilliant and captivating. Readers who love old houses and family secrets will devour this book (as I did!). The setting itself - High Place, with its reputation for devouring the dreams of young women - is a character in this marvelously fantastical novel. From 1950s glamorous Mexican high society to the crumbling pride of an abandoned silver mine, Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal * Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and The Ghost Bride *Tense, atmospheric and beautifully written, Mexican Gothic will carry readers back in time to 1950s Mexico where a dark secret looms large, insidiously winding its way through the pages. A spellbinding, suspenseful, immersive read! * Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Last Train to Key West *A gorgeous piece of work . . . absolutely terrifying, and it has stayed with me in a powerful way * Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award-winning author of Magic for Liars *So powerful I sometimes had to look away . . . plays all the classic Gothic tropes with deft confidence while weaving in a much more modern and visceral strain of horror * Vivian Shaw, author of the Dr Greta Helsing series *Stylish and sinister . . . a gothic masterpiece * Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds *A fitting example of a new American Gothic novel, as Moreno-Garcia re-imagines this classic genre. You'll certainly find yourself caught between gasps of horror as you start to unravel this mysterious story, just remember to leave the light on as you sit down for a good read * Starburst *When it comes to the horror, though, Moreno-Garcia gets it absolutely right... it's enormously fun * Telegraph *Moreno-Garcia is having a blast playing with the conventions of Gothic literature * Locus *Moreno-Garcia writes with heated abandon . . . Mexican Gothic's fearsome storytelling can't be contained * Shelf Awareness *Moreno-Garcia weaves elements of Mexican folklore with themes of decay, sacrifice, and rebirth, casting a dark spell all the way to the visceral and heart-pounding finalé. Fans of gothic classics like Rebecca will be enthralled * Kirkus *Mexican Gothic terrified and fascinated me. Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves once again that she's a genre-jumping wizard, one of the most exciting and necessary authors writing today * Charlie Jane Anders, award-winning author of The City in the Middle of the Night *A shiver-inducing tale combining touches of Northanger Abbey with bits of the Gormenghast trilogy thrown in for good measure . . . a fascinating atmosphere of dark dreams and intrigue * Booklist *Moreno-Garcia's energetic romp through the gothic genre is delightfully bonkers . . . [getting] wilder and stranger with every chapter * Publishers Weekly *[An] original, well-paced novel . . . great gothic elements with a little VanderMeer creativity thrown in * Library Journal *An inspiring and totally original homage to Gothic stories of yore, Moreno-Garcia introduces readers to an awesomely creepy place and extremely evil family whose grip on power relies upon their ability to trap others in their venomous web . . . this is not your mother's Gothic tale * Becky Spratford, RA for All *Heart-thumping thriller-chiller * Lancashire Evening Post *This twisty horror fantasy is engrossing and wonderfully repulsive * Buzzfeed *A gothic chiller, set in 1950s Mexico, that will clamp you in its icy embrace and linger like a nightmare * Daily Mail *A gripping read and, despite the horror and violence of the story, it's a strangely beautiful one. This is an impressive chiller-thriller; the writing is steeped in the spirit of the Victorian gothic tale and it's as well done as any recent homage * Barry Forshaw on Crime Time *Immersive and suspenseful, Mexican Gothic is up there with this year's best novels * Culturefly *Intriguing and disturbing, what starts as a slow burn ends up an unsettling edge-of-the-seat page-turner * The Skinny *There are echoes of Mary Stewart and Daphne du Maurier, but Moreno-Garcia has plenty of satisfying twists of her own * i news *A superb fireside evening read * NB magazine *A pitch-perfect Gothic novel . . . You will be left unsettled, unsteady, and uncertain. You will also be left satisfied * NPR *The genre's palette is typically limited, but it doesn't necessarily have to be-as Mexican Gothic amply, deliriously, and gloriously demonstrates. No lazy afternoon spent reading it will ever feel wasted * Slate *It's as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic * The Washington Post *A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush '50s atmosphere * Entertainment Weekly *The books starts off with a mystery and slowly descends into horror that grips you to the page * Uptown Oracle *I love a good gothic horror novel and Mexican Gothic didn't disappoint * The Indian Express *Gripping, terrifying, atmospheric and suspenseful * Big Issue North’s best books of 2020 *A deeply, creepy read...builds to a strange, pulsing, psychedelic ending * SFX Magazine *This novel gives classic tropes a fresh and thrilling take * Big Issue: Top 5 books if you're into Gothic tales *
£9.49
Quercus Publishing The Revolt
It is with a soft voice, full of menace, that our mother commands us to overthrow our father . . .Richard Lionheart tells the story of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. In 1173, she and three of her sons instigate a rebellion to overthrow the English king, her husband Henry Plantagenet. What prompts this revolt? How does a great queen persuade her children to rise up against their father? And how does a son cope with this crushing conflict of loyalties?Replete with poetry and cruelty, this story takes us to the heart of the relationship between a mother and her favourite son - two individuals sustained by literature, unspoken love, honour and terrible violence.
£9.49
Quercus Publishing The Standardization of Demoralization Procedures:
Book Synopsis'The best novel I've encountered this year, brilliant and funny and profound, producing some of the most complex, fascinating characters I've ever known. As far as I'm concerned, the novel is an instant classic' Jaroslav Kalfar, author of Spaceman of Bohemia'This is art of the highest order, a masterpiece of restraint, insight and style' Matthew Thomas, author of We Are Not Ourselves9th November 1989, East Berlin, the day the Berlin Wall will fall - Bernd Zeiger, a Stasi agent whose life's work, a manual on the demoralisation of political opponents, once made him renowned now faces an ailing psyche and the fading twilight of his career. His whole life has been reduced to a preoccupation with the disappearance of Lara, a young waitress at his local café. Twenty-five years earlier, during the Cold War, a physicist Johannes Held had been sent by the East Germans to infiltrate a US military operation in the Arizona desert, where teleportation and other paranormal activities were being investigated. On his return to Germany he refused to divulge what he had learned there and Zeiger was summoned to obtain his confession. The torturer and the tortured strangely became friends. But Zeiger soon betrayed Held - a treachery that haunts him to this day and one that will prove to be connected to Lara's disappearance. Darkly comic and hauntingly surreal, The Standardization of Demoralization Procedures examines obsession, Cold War paranoia and the dwindling career of a Stasi operative. Set against the brutal backdrop of communist East Germany, Hofmann's debut captures the fate of humanist fantasies under an extreme surveillance state. Trade ReviewThe Standardization of Demoralization Procedures is a must-read for anyone looking for serious fiction that engages with the biggest issues of our times as well as a hilarious, humanist, gorgeously written treatise on the currents that stir the human soul under the direst circumstances. I read this book in almost a single breath, and it is easily the best novel I've encountered this year, brilliant and funny and profound, producing some of the most complex, fascinating characters I've ever known. As far as I'm concerned, the novel is an instant classic.Reading this gorgeous, dark, and haunted book, one is astonished time and again at Jennifer Hofmann's prodigious gifts ... This is art of the highest order, a masterpiece of restraint, insight, and style. It is a singular feat for a book about subject matter this chilling to make the reader feel so deeply; and yet that is part of the work of timeless literature. * We Are Not Ourselves *A beautiful and haunting novel that will linger in the minds of its readers... The Standardization of Demoralization Procedures challenges the reader to separate the fantastical from the merely bizarre. Is it the state or its citizens who are losing their minds? And how much repression can the human heart and soul withstand? * The Betrayers *Intelligent and thought-provoking but also deeply funny * NB Magazine *[C]lever and constantly surprising...This is a novel in which nothing much appears to happen, yet the gradual accumulation of facts gives it a powerful fascination * The Times *
£8.54
Quercus Publishing A Daughter's Promise: A gritty saga from the
Book SynopsisA heartwarming saga, from the ebook bestselling author of The Workhouse Waif.Eighteen-year-old seamstress Kathryn Flynn lives in Whitechapel, London, struggling to support her widowed mother and younger siblings. But when her work starts drying up and her mother falls ill, she is forced to consider desperate measures . . .Then she meets 'Squire', an older city gentleman, who falls instantly in love with her and offers to take her under his wing. 'Squire' could give Kathryn the life she's always wanted . . . but is there something darker lurking beneath his kindness? What readers are saying about Lynette Rees:'The best read I have had in a long time' Amazon reviewer *****'Another brilliant read from this amazing author' Amazon reviewer *****'Absolutely enthralled ... Would highly recommend for anyone that enjoys a good drama' Amazon reviewer *****'A beautiful story that I couldn't put down' Amazon reviewer *****
£8.54
Quercus Publishing The Cobbler's Wife: A gritty saga from the
Book SynopsisA HEARTWARMING SAGA FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WORKHOUSE WAIFSeren James longs for a child, to fill the emptiness left by a husband who has little care for her. But as the years go by, Seren begins to fear that she is almost out of time to have the one thing she wants most.But when Seren meets Anwen, a local woman who offers help, there is a problem: Anwen is suspected by the locals of witchcraft. Is the cost of association too high for Seren to pay, or can her problems be solved another way?Finding herself growing closer to the handsome local minister, Seren must ask how far she is willing to go for her own happiness...PERFECT FOR FANS OF DILLY COURT AND SHEILA NEWBERRYWhat readers are saying about Lynette Rees:'The best read I have had in a long time' Amazon reviewer *****'Another brilliant read from this amazing author' Amazon reviewer *****'Absolutely enthralled ... Would highly recommend for anyone that enjoys a good drama' Amazon reviewer *****'A beautiful story that I couldn't put down' Amazon reviewer *****
£8.54
Quercus Publishing I'll Be Seeing You: Picture House Girls 2
Book SynopsisA World War 2 saga to warm the heart. Three women become friends when working in their local picture house. When life is so tough for everyone, a trip to the pictures is the perfect way to escape, to dream of romance and hope for the good things peace will bring.It is 1943 on England's war-weary south coast where the conflict seems never-ending. After the heartache of the previous year, Connie Baxter now appears to have everything a girl could want. There is Ace, a man who loves her. She enjoys an enviable lifestyle despite the deprivations of war. She has friends and a job she adores as an usherette at the Criterion cinema. But appearances can be deceptive and Connie is struggling in more ways than one.Then, to compound Connie's problem, her nemesis, Cousin Marlene, returns home. Secrets come to light, revealing jealousies that could shatter Connie's world once more, and Connie realizes that Ace isn't the man she thought he was. In the darkest days of war, the glamour of movies and their stars can lift the bleakest of moods, while friends make the good times better and the bad times bearable.
£6.99
Quercus Publishing Tell Me How It Ends
Book SynopsisA gripping drama of past secrets revealed, of manipulation and revenge, for fans of Daphne du Maurier and noir movies like All About Eve and A Star is Born
£13.49
