Second World War fiction

Book Synopsis***SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION***From the bestselling author of Asylum, Trauma and Spider'Ghosts of the theatre and the spectre of fascism haunt cold and grimy London in this atmospheric tale from a master of the grotesque.' GuardianJANUARY 1947.London is in ruins, there’s nothing to eat, and it’s the coldest winter in living memory. To make matters worse, Charlie Grice, one of the great stage actors of the day, has suddenly died. His widow Joan, the wardrobe mistress, is beside herself with grief.Then one night she discovers Gricey’s secret. Plunged into a dark new world, Joan realises that though fascism might hide, it never dies. Her war isn’t over after all. 'McGrath is one of the age's most elegantly accomplished divers into the human psyche . . . a master writer.' John Banville‘McGrath is that rare yet essential thing, a writer who can expose our darkest fears without making us run away from them.' New Statesman'Wonderfully sinister … a delight … you are in for a thrilling ride.' Spectator'A brilliant evocation of the theatrical world’s seedy glamour, The Wardrobe Mistress is also a moving portrait of a woman struggling to make sense of her past and imagine a future for herself.' Sunday Times'[A] rich and highly spiced feast of a novel, even before it reaches its classically gothic McGrath climax.' Reader's DigestTrade ReviewThe Wardrobe Mistress isn’t just an entertaining ghost story, assembled by a master-manipulator to be full of narrative trapdoors, tantalising at one moment and agreeably grotesque the next: it’s also an exploration of the deep mythology of theatre . . . McGrath himself seems ambivalent about the sentimentality he depicts. But there’s no political ambivalence here: by the end of the novel, the icy postwar alleys, the shattered theatres and public houses are under the malign enchantment of a quietly resurgent politics. The plentiful mirrorings, the doppelgangers and dybbuks both real and false, make that plain, and make plain that fascism is also a kind of theatre – always already a re-enactment of itself. * Guardian *A brilliant evocation of the theatrical world’s seedy glamour, The Wardrobe Mistress is also a moving portrait of a woman struggling to make sense of her past and imagine a future for herself. * Sunday Times *McGrath is so adept at creating a sense of foreboding that one is never sure whether there will be a rational, a psychiatric or a supernatural explanation . . . wonderfully sinister . . . a delight . . . you are in for a thrilling ride. * Spectator *A chilling novel of grief, passion and unfulfilled longing, where secrets lurk in every dark alley . . . McGrath takes us backstage in the London theatre — and you can just about smell the greasepaint. But he also opens out his story to embrace the zeitgeist of the time, the misery and deprivation of post-war Britain, the persistent running sore of fascism and the feeling that life after victory isn’t what it was supposed to be. * Daily Mail *A rich and highly spiced feast of a novel, even before it reaches its classically gothic McGrath climax * Reader’s Digest *

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Book SynopsisThe first novel in the Liberty Girls series will be loved by fans of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Mr Selfridge.‘A wonderful, uplifting story of friendship and courage. Characters that you can't help falling in love with! This new saga series will surely touch the hearts of saga readers everywhere’ Nancy Revell, author of the Shipyard Girls series'A Liberty treasure chest of silks, satin, lace and ribbons with gritty wartime passion at its very core. A gem!' - Daisy Styles, author of the Bomb Girls series'I loved the warmth of the friendship between Mary and her friends and the wonderful world of Liberty’s. It’s a page turner of a book with twists and turns than make you keep on reading to find out what happens next.' - Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series___________________September, 1941: Mary arrives in war-torn London nursing a broken heart and a painful secret.When she is offered her dream post as an assistant in the fabric department at Liberty store, she knows this is the fresh start she needs. Amid the store’s vibrant prints and sumptuous interiors, Mary finds a new family who can help her to heal.But not everyone will give Mary such a warm welcome, and the trauma of her past will soon catch up with her.As Mary and the Liberty Girls endure the heartache and uncertainty of war, it will take a steady heart to keep the magic of Christmas alive.___________________It's only the first book in the Liberty Girls series, but fans are already falling in love:'By far one of the best books I've read in a long time''The perfect story for historical and saga fiction fans... I cannot wait for the next book in this exciting new series!''Utterly brilliant... I was so impressed by this and felt completely involved in the story and characters!''heartwarming and inspiring... I look forward to reading more''I really enjoyed this story... this was a real festive treat for me! ... The author really transports you back to London during World War II in the book and you feel at times as though you are there with the characters.''Joyous. Charming. Uplifting... a wonderful new series that is packed with charm and warmth... these women lift their chins, put on a brave face and put the show on the road.''a wonderful, magical book that I absolutely loved... The staff are a wonderful team... the lovely sense of togetherness that the staff had was fabulous to read about''Christmas At Liberty's is a must-read for all who love the saga genre and for all who are looking to be part of something that is special and something that just glows with goodness and integrity''The story develops at a great pace that allows the reader to understand more about the characters and their lives so that they start to feel like old friends''The girls from Liberty’s had plenty of ups and downs before Christmas arrived, but I felt every emotional moment with them.'Trade Review‘A wonderful, uplifting story of friendship and courage. Characters that you can't help falling in love with! This new saga series will surely touch the hearts of saga readers everywhere’ -- Nancy Revell, author of the Shipyard Girls seriesA Liberty treasure chest of silks, satin, lace and ribbons with gritty wartime passion at its very core. A gem! -- Daisy Styles, author of the Bomb Girls seriesI loved the warmth of the friendship between Mary and her friends and the wonderful world of Liberty’s. It’s a page turner of a book with twists and turns than make you keep on reading to find out what happens next. I’m going to visit Liberty’s next time I go to London as I want to be able to see where the girls worked. Looking forward to find out what happens next in The Liberty Girls. -- Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series

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Book Synopsis***THE SECOND NOVEL IN THE COMPELLING LIBERTY GIRLS SERIES. Perfect for fans of Nancy Revell, Elaine Everest, Nadine Dorries and Mr Selfridge.***March, 1942: new mother Alice Milwood is itching to return to her job as a shop assistant at Liberty’s.Despite her husband still being missing in action, Alice is determined to give baby Arthur the best possible start. She soon settles back into the rhythm of life on the shop floor, and the Liberty Girls rally to help keep everything on an even keel.But when the American GIs start swarming into London, there are more complications to come. And each of the Liberty Girls has their own impossible storm to weather.As they each fight their battles on the home front, only their close friendship will give them the strength they need to carry on.

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Book Synopsis***A HEARTWARMING WARTIME TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, ROMANCE AND WINTER WEDDING BELLS FOR FANS OF DILLY COURT, ELAINE EVEREST AND NANCY REVELL***______________________________London, 1943: Dot Hanson has never forgotten the thrill of seeing the beautiful Christmas displays at Liberty’s department store as a young girl.Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would one day work there, or that she would fall in love with the store’s manager, her childhood sweetheart Edwin Button.But in spite of the life Dot has built for herself, and the tight-knit community around her, she lives in the shadow of a terrible secret. And as the bombs continue to fall across Britain there is more heartache still to come.All Dot wants is a family of her own with the man she loves by her side.Will her dreams come true in time for Christmas?

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Book Synopsis**THE NINTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES**'Emotional and gripping' Take a Break______________________________Sunderland, 1943: As Christmas approaches in the shipyards, everyone is hoping for a little magic... Helen would love to find the courage to tell the dashing Dr Parker of her true feelings for him. But how can she when he clearly has eyes for someone else?More than a year has passed since Bel's wedding to sweetheart Joe. She knows she has much to feel thankful for and yet there is still one burning desire which she cannot ignore.And as Polly grows with child, she hopes against hope for a safe delivery - and that her husband Tommy can soon return from the front line to meet their new arrival.There will be storms to weather, but guided by their strength and friendship there is still hope for each of the shipyard girls that their Christmas wishes will come true.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'The author is one to watch' Sun'Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages' Woman

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Book SynopsisThe brand new novel from bestselling author Evie Grace, set amongst the Napoleonic Wars in the 1800s. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Poldark. _______________________KENT 1815 Her heart led her to him, but will loyalty be enough to make her stay . . .When the beautiful but naïve Grace Lennicker falls for Isaiah Feasey, son of a rival smuggling family and owner of a local tavern, her sisters try to intervene. But as tensions grow, there is another suitor also hoping to win her hand in marriage, the dashing and more favourable Albert Enderby, a young lieutenant in the Revenue.Grace is unwittingly drawn back into the world of smuggling that her sisters fought hard to leave behind, and as violence erupts, she finds herself unable to stand by, knowing the rival gangs will kill anyone who stands in their way. When her husband becomes involved, Grace is forced to make a difficult decision - turn him in and risk her life, or stay loyal and risk the lives of those she loves . . .Praise for Evie Grace'Intriguing' Val Wood'A charming historical read that hits all the right notes' Woman's Weekly'Heart-tugging saga of which Catherine Cookson would've approved' Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewThere's a swashbuckling adventure quality that makes this trilogy finale stand out in the saga market. Grace has a flair for creating feisty women and rugged heroes . . . * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'Heartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson' Eastern Daily Press___________________Manchester, 1941Christmas is the season for family and friends, and this year the railway girls will need each other more than ever.Cordelia appears to have the perfect life. When her daughter Emily arrives home unexpectedly, she can't wait to introduce her to her friends. But when things don't go to plan, Cordelia must decide where her loyalty lies.Things aren't going too smoothly for Alison either. Her beloved boyfriend has yet to propose, but there's a charity fundraiser dance and she's dressed up specially. Surely, tonight must be the night.Colette's friends are envious of her devoted husband; he meets her after every shift on the railway, and accompanies her around town. But Colette has a secret, one that will change her life - if only she knew who to confide in.With the festive season fast approaching, the railway girls are hoping for some Christmas magic... ___________________ Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:'Make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy spot on the sofa because you are not going to be able to put this down''I simply cannot wait for the next one - I am hooked!''Gives a vivid picture of women's lives in wartime Manchester''Dramatic, intriguing and sprinkled with plenty of wit and heart''It's just like catching up with old friends'Trade ReviewHeartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell and Margaret Dickinson. * Eastern Daily Press *

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction of a high order' The Times Germany, October 1944: Dozens of cities lie in ruins. Enemy armies are at the gates. For the Thousand Year Reich, time is running out. Desperate to avoid the humiliation of unconditional surrender, German intelligence launch Operation Finisterre – a last-ditch plan to enable Hitler to deny the savage logic of a war on two fronts and bluff his way to the negotiating table. Success depends on two individuals: Stefan Portisch, a German naval officer washed ashore on the coast of Spain after the loss of his U-boat, and Hector Gomez, an ex-FBI detective, planted by Director J. Edgar Hoover in the middle of the most secret place on earth: the American atomic bomb complex. Both men will find themselves fighting for survival as Operation Finisterre plays itself out. Finisterre is part of the SPOILS OF WAR Collection, a thrilling, beguiling blend of fact and fiction born of some of the most tragic, suspenseful, and action-packed events of World War II. From the mind of highly acclaimed thriller author GRAHAM HURLEY, this blockbuster non-chronological collection allows the reader to explore Hurley's masterful storytelling in any order, with compelling recurring characters whose fragmented lives mirror the war that shattered the globe.Trade ReviewHurley is now firmly at the top, with few rivals in this genre * Sunday Telegraph *An accomplished author of stand-alone thrillers, and this is one of his finest. Beautifully constructed * Daily Mail *Hurley has written a cracking thriller * The Times *Hurley brings an almost noirlike sensibility to the surprising finale * Booklist *An excellent writer * Sunday Express *The plot is a marvel of efficiency * Saga Magazine *An entertaining and engaging read * New Books Magazine *Tense, absorbing and faultlessly plotted, this thoughtful thriller weaves it all together * Sunday Times Crime Club *

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Book SynopsisJane Hadley has nothing to lose when she runs away to join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Whatever faces her in war-torn London can't be any worse than staying at home with her abusive father... The city is nothing like she could have imagined, but she's soon on the move, travelling from base to base for her top-secret training. Making plenty of new friends along the way, it doesn't take long for Jane to embrace her growing confidence – especially under the attentive eye of dashing Officer Oscar Stanton. Life as an independent woman is as rewarding as it is exciting, until Jane's father tracks her down and it crashes to a halt. Jane will need all her new-found strength to find her way back to the frontline – and to the man she's fallen for...

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Book SynopsisBook Three in the gorgeous Girls in Blue series by bestselling author Fenella J. Miller London, 1942: Charlotte Fenimore is back home on a week's leave from the Women's Auxiliary Airforce. She had planned for a week of rest and recuperation. She hadn't planned to fall deeply in love with an irascible detective called Dan Chalmers, a severely wounded hero of Dunkirk who believed no woman would ever look at him again. DI Chalmers is in London to arrest a gang of dangerous East End criminals and root out corrupt police detectives at the Met – and his involvement with Charlotte brings her into serious danger. And then the plane flying Charlotte to the wilds of Scotland comes down in a storm... In a time of war, with danger around every corner, how can their relationship survive? READERS LOVE FENELLA J. MILLER! 'I loved this book from beginning to end' 5* Review 'A brilliant story that got you gripped to every page' 5* Review 'I can't wait for the next installment' 5* Review 'I have loved all three of these books, I do hope there wil be more' 5* Review 'A great read – I couldn't put it down' 5* ReviewTrade ReviewThe perfect ingredients for a cracking good read. Well recommended -- Jean Fullerton, on The Spitfire Girls

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Book SynopsisA hunt that will decide the victor of the Second World War...Throughout the summer of 1944, southern England was transformed into one huge armed camp as the allied forces made their final preparations for D-Day. It was at this crucial moment in history that the Fox emerged from his lair.The Fox had many names and many disguises, but behind them all lay the resource and ingenuity of a dedicated German agent. His very existence was not suspected until a totally unexpected E-Boat attack on a landing resulting in hundreds of casualties, and the loss of a set of top-secret plans detailing the invasion.Desperate to stop them falling into enemy hands, two officers are tasked with recovering the plans and taking out the Fox. Failure would mean the total defeat of the allied forces. Failure is not an option…A gripping, action-packed D-Day thriller from a master of the war story, perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth, John le Carré and Alistair MacLean.

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Book SynopsisThe sixth thrilling instalment of the Nicholas Everard thrillers.1942. As Japanese invasion fleets sweep across the Pacific, a handful of Allied ships prepare for a last-ditch battle at Surabaya in the Java Sea. Not only is the Allied force doomed to defeat: any surviving ships will be trapped, since escape routes are blocked by the enemy.Nick Everard, commanding the cruiser Defiant, is badly wounded in the battle. His ship is heavily damaged and to make matters worse, he has a battered US destroyer under his protection. But unless Everard can find some way out of the trap, both ships and crews face destruction… All the Drowning Seas presents compelling action at sea, and establishes Alexander Fullerton as one of the premier novelists of naval warfare. Praise for Alexander Fullerton‘The prose has a real sense of urgency, and so has the theme. The tension rarely slackens.’ Times Literary Supplement

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Book Synopsis**Winner of the RNA Saga Award 2023**Are these newly trained Wrens ready to protect Britain’s coastline?Following a humiliating experience involving the man she thought she’d marry, Iris Tredwick signs up to the Wrens in order to escape and find ‘the right sort’ of man to please her mother. After a bumpy start, Iris manages to befriend outspoken Mary and dreamer Sally as they are sent to their first posting – in Orkney. There she meets mechanic Rob, whose flirtatious nature both charms and confounds straight-laced Iris. Much more appropriate for her is local doctor Stewart, if only she felt the same spark for him as she does for Rob…As Iris, Mary and Sally work to interpret signals from incoming ships, they realise the enemy is somehow one step ahead of their manoeuvres, dropping sea mines under the cover of darkness. Could there be a spy on the island? And can the Wrens prevent disaster striking before it’s too late?A thrilling and lively Second World War saga for fans of Kate Thompson and Daisy Styles.Praise for A New Start for the Wrens 'This book is absolutely brilliant. I felt like I was one of the girls and was joining them in their adventure. I really cant wait to read more in this series' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review'This book entertained and warmed the cockles of your heart. Being on duty with the Wrens and contributing to the war effort was a great way to spend the afternoon reading and I seriously loved it!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review'Loved this book! I binge read it as I wanted to know what would happen. The three main female characters Iris, Mary and Sally are all so easy to relate to and care about. Love the glimpses of Orkney and the poignant history.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review'A really thoughtful look at the work of the wrens in WWII and a brilliant new trio of girls to get to know. I cannot wait for the next one.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review 'Another number one for Vicki Beeby. Loved this WWII story, highly recommended read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisA novel set in a mining valley in south Wales during World War II. First friendships among a group of boys are seen from the perspective of the youngest, Jac. Describing their escapades and the coaldust-filled places they explore, it paints a picture of growing up during this fraught period.

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Book SynopsisThe USA Today bestseller 'A compelling and powerful read' – Gill Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of The Child on Platform One 'A powerful and thoughtful novel' – Louise Fein, author of Daughter of the Reich 'A gripping tale of wartime sacrifice and innocence lost in the cause of freedom' – Jina Bacarr, author of Her Lost Love She's done running. Now she fights. 1942. With the war raging in Europe, Adèle Ambeh dreams of a France that is free from the clutches of the Nazis. As the date of her marriage to a ruthless man draws closer, she only has one choice: she must run. Adèle flees to Lyon and seeks refuge at the Sisters of Notre Dame de la Compassion. From the outside this is a simple nunnery, but the sisters are secretly aiding the French Resistance, hiding and supplying the fighters with weapons. Adèle quickly finds herself part of the efforts to take down the regime. As each day fills with a different danger and she begins to fall for another man, Adèle's entire world could come crashing down around her. She must fight for her family, her country – and her own destiny. Praise for The Girl from Vichy: 'A beautiful story' NetGalley Reviewer 'A great historical read' NetGalley Reviewer 'This book is a wonderful book' NetGalley Reviewer 'Andie Newton's realistic, well-researched, and seamlessly delivered story-writing, immediately engages the reader in The Girl from Vichy' NetGalley Reviewer 'The Girl from Vichy offers the reader fully formed characters, a heart-pounding plot, and an ending that brought a tear to my eye' NetGalley Reviewer Praise for Andie Newton: 'A powerful debut!' Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife 'A captivating story with a twist of romance threaded throughout' Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan 'A heart-clenching emotionally evocative debut!' Terry Lynn Thomas, author of The Silent Woman 'A compelling tale of friendship, courage and espionage in a frightening and uncertain world' Charlotte Betts, author of The Dressmaker's Secret 'The Girl I Left Behind made me cry and left me wanting more, which to me are signs of a truly wonderful book, one that will stay with me long after I've finished reading' Lana Kortchik, author of The Story of Us 'Wonderful story where it has you on the edge of your seat but have the tissues with you!' NetGalley Reviewer 'The author has a gift for creating a sense of place whether the setting was on a snowy mountain or the streets of Germany in the early 1940s' NetGalley Reviewer 'Excellent story. Strong characters' NetGalley Reviewer

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Book Synopsis'A gripping story of the unravelling of a mother's secrets as her daughter searches for answers to a decades-old mystery of a local girl's disappearance. Evocative, suspenseful and beautifully written. I couldn't put it down.' Adrienne Chinn 'I was hooked from the very first page. The emotional layers of this beautifully written book are woven together seamlessly. Absolutely superb!' Clare Marchant 'An absolutely fascinating tale of a fractured family, and the hurts and secrets that they carry. McCarron's observations and characterizations are sublime.' Jenni Keer A gripping and emotional story of family and the secrets we keep from the ones we love. For fans of Kristin Hannah and Delia Owens. When you're lost sometimes the only way to look forward is to look back... Three women. Two generations apart. One secret they share. Maine, 1997. As the people of Fort Meadow Beach celebrate the Fourth of July, four-year-old Daisy Wright disappears and is never seen again. Maine, Present Day. Fired from her job and heart-broken, Peyton Winchester moves back home for the summer. Bored and aimless, she finds a renewed sense of purpose when an ad for a journalism course reminds her of a path not taken. Returning to life in her hometown brings back all kinds of memories – including Daisy's vanishing when she was a young girl herself. As Peyton begins her search for the truth, new discoveries begin to intertwine Daisy's past and her present with irreversible consequences. Readers love The Shimmer on the Water: 'Magic... I felt like gnawing on my arm to get to the end! And what an ending it was. Loved it... Arresting book. Marina McCarron's writing has me absolutely hooked!' Goodreads 5* Review 'Wow what a fantastic read... A great story which will keep you gripped from the beginning. I really loved it and highly recommend this book.' NetGalley 5* Review 'Mesmerizing... Tons of family drama, and the disappearance of a little girl. Highly recommend!' Tara Leigh Books, 5* Review 'Riveting... A young girl who vanished, but it was also about a family with so many secrets... Captured my attention and reeled me in until the end... Amazing... Took me down a path with twist, turns, and unbelievable things happening.' NetGalley 5* Review 'An incredible, dual timeline family saga. It kept me gripped the whole time... Eualla's story really pulled at my heart... I thoroughly enjoyed this book.' @thesapphiccelticbookworm, 5* Review 'Absolutely loved this book... A great read with strong characters and a fabulous story.' NetGalley 5* Review 'Intriguing... Great characters... Brilliantly interwoven. Highly recommended.' NetGalley 5* Review 'Loved it and will strongly recommend!' Goodreads 5* ReviewTrade ReviewA gripping story of the unravelling of a mother's secrets as her daughter searches for answers to a decades-old mystery of a local girl's disappearance. Evocative, suspenseful and beautifully written. I couldn't put it down -- Adrienne ChinnI was hooked from the very first page. The emotional layers of this beautifully written book are woven together seamlessly. Absolutely superb! -- Clare MarchantAn absolutely fascinating tale of a fractured family, and the hurts and secrets that they carry. McCarron's observations and characterizations are sublime -- Jenni Keer

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Book SynopsisWhen everything you hold dear is torn apart by war, can love put you back together again? It's 1943, and the Second World War is raging. Ruby Mottram works for her local newspaper, the Bartonford Herald, typing up adverts and obituaries, whilst dreaming of a more exciting life. Between her shifts as an ARP warden and caring for her ailing father, the chance for escape doesn't come often to Devon. Meanwhile, in America's deep south, Sam Archer is hatching a plan to raise enough money to get his mother and sister away from his abusive stepfather. Using falsified documents to hide his age, he enlists with the U.S. Army. Two chance encounters bring Ruby and Sam together from opposite sides of the Atlantic, giving them the chance of love, hope and freedom from their troubled lives. But fate, in the shape of D-Day and Omaha Beach, has other ideas. When their very lives are at risk, will their promise to wait for one another be what keeps them alive? For fans of Suzanne Kelman, Ellie Midwood and Catherine Hokin. Readers love Before the Dawn! 'An absolutely stunning book... I adored everything about this. I would definitely watch this if it were a movie! I already can't wait to re-read this' NetGalley 5* Review 'OH MY GODDESS this book has become a new favourite... Ruby and Sam's love is addicting and heart-warming, leaving me feel the same emotions alongside them through every bump in the road. Their love was so enchanting and strong' @haleyyneal, 5* Review 'What a gorgeous book!!... It would make an exquisite movie. The chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts. This book kept me up late into the night turning page by page like it was on fire to see what happened next' NetGalley 5* Review 'I need this to be a movie!... A beautiful story of love and the dual perspective was perfect! I am adding this to my historical fiction favourites' NetGalley 5* Review 'I couldn't put this down! Beautiful writing kept me turning the pages!' NetGalley 5* Review 'Lovely, raw WWII romance... Quite heart-breaking... Definitely a rocky and emotional one... A really great WWII historical romance' Wayfaring_reader, 5* Review 'Wonderful book... If you are a fan of World War novels of history and romance, then you need to read this... A stunning book I couldn't put down. At the end I was overwhelmed with the story and replayed it in my mind for several days. A read not to be missed' Goodreads 5* Review 'I read this over a rainy stormy weekend... Just what I needed to curl up with... This was an immersive, historically well researched story of WW2... All that one might want from this genre: romance, historical fact and some sense of suspense... 5 stars from me!' NetGalley 5* ReviewTrade ReviewEmma Pass is excellent in exploring the impact of a large American camp on a small Devonshire town and the excitement, the attraction and the antipathy caused * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisWith scenes inspired by real events, Matt Graydon's Leaving Fatherland follows book-loving protagonist Oskar from his childhood in pre-war Germany to New York City and beyond, as he struggles to come to terms with his father's abuse.

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Book SynopsisWhen her life is thrown into disarray, can she remember what matters most?Beth Brandon and her twin sister, Sarah, are polar opposites in every way, except in their love of their home, Larkrigg Hall. Beth is the romantic one, with dreams of an idyllic life in rural Lakeland, while Sarah is willing to take risks to achieve the lifestyle she craves.When tragedy strikes, and both sisters are thrown into chaos, they are forced to come to terms with an entirely new situation. Sarah flees to Italy while Beth loses the man she loves and throws herself into an unplanned marriage. Facing emotional turmoil and financial ruin, Beth must learn to fight for, or lose, the things that matter most to her.An unputdownable saga of love and resilience, perfect for fans of Anna Jacobs and Ruth Hamilton.

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Book SynopsisHer desire for love will have disastrous consequences…Lissa Turner has everything a girl could wish for. She’s beautiful, intelligent and has a wonderful family in the picturesque Lake District. But despite her good fortune, Lissa is unhappy. Her mother abandoned her as a baby, and ever since, she’s been wracked with insecurity, fearing everyone else will leave her too.As soon as she is old enough, she takes up a job in Carreckwater, a lively village in the heart of Lakeland. She makes many friends, but Lissa’s need to be loved and cherished leads her to rush into marriage. Can she make the relationship work, or will she live to regret her decision?An enchanting saga set in the Lake District, perfect for fans of Ruth Hamilton and Rosie Goodwin.

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Book SynopsisCan she overcome her family’s doubts to achieve her dream?Meg Turner has a hard life. She lives on a lonely farm in the Lake District and her only company is her bully of a father and her brother, who resents her. They want to keep her at home, but Meg is desperate for more. She finds comfort in her best friend, Kath, and Lanky Lawson, who is more of a father figure to her than her own. Her true source of hope though, is Lanky’s son, Jack, who she loves and hopes to marry one day. However as war looms on the horizon and the world is thrown into chaos, Meg realises that the only thing she can really count on is the land she loves. She throws herself into tending the farm, but when a stranger arrives in the dale, her world will change forever.A vivid and enchanting saga of Lakeland life in the Second World War, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Anna Jacobs.

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Book SynopsisCan sisterhood pull them through the darkest days?Imogen Caldwell and her sisters, Daisy and Elsie, are fighting to save their childhood home and stay in Bristol. After times became hard their father sold the family business – now all they have left is each other.When tragedy tears the Caldwell girls apart, they begin to forge their own futures. But the Second World War looms, and their lives will change more dramatically than they could have ever imagined.Through love and heartbreak, fear and loss, can they make it through the war unscathed?This inspiring wartime, coming of age story is perfect for fans of Rosie Clarke, Michelle Rawlins and Elaine Everest.

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Book SynopsisBY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AND 2022 WOMEN'S FICTION PRIZE-SHORTLISTED GREAT CIRCLE'The same chilling brilliance of Daphne du Maurier's most unsettling short fiction' FINANCIAL TIMES'Has an innate charm of its own. Beautifully realised' DAILY MAIL'It's a rare writer who can create a world as convincingly over a few pages as in a 600-page novel; Shipstead's fluency in both forms is testament to the skill she modestly casts as a work in progress' Stephanie Merritt, GUARDIAN'Maggie Shipstead combines cinematic scope with a poet's attention to detail' THE TIMESA collection of sparkling award-winning stories from Maggie Shipstead, epic storyteller and astonishing chronicler of the daring and the damaged. Diving into eclectic and vivid settings, from an Olympic village to a deathbed in Paris to a Pacific atoll, and illuminating a cast of unforgettable characters, Shipstead traverses the ordinary and extraordinary with cunning, compassion, and wit.Meet the silent cowgirl and horse wrangler escaping an ugly home life, only to fall into a decade-long triangle of unrequited love; a male novelist who is just reckoning with his own pretentiousness as his debut novel goes to print; a honeymoon couple's time in the hills of Romania builds into a moment of shattering tragedy. In the title story, a famous child actress breaks away from a religious cult, as she tells - with brittle candour - her tale of childhood damage and the dark side of fame.Exuding both tenderness and bite, Shipstead exposes complicated truths in this dazzling collection sealing her reputation as an astonishingly versatile master of fiction.---------------------'Shipstead is a writer who can vividly summon whatever she chooses, taking the reader deep inside the world she creates' FINANCIAL TIMES'Shipstead observes people beautifully' THE TIMESTrade ReviewThe same chilling brilliance of Daphne du Maurier's most unsettling short fiction * FINANCIAL TIMES *It's a rare writer who can create a world as convincingly over a few pages as in a 600-page novel; Shipstead's fluency in both forms is testament to the skill she modestly casts as a work in progress * Stephanie Merritt, GUARDIAN *Shipstead observes people beautifully * THE TIMES *Has an innate charm of its own. Beautifully realised * DAILY MAIL *Shipstead's prose is lovely. Precise, vivid, vital * DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book SynopsisSet against the Blitz in London, a young woman's extraordinary journey of self-discovery and an intimate meditation on what it takes to find our place in the world.A March Best Book in Red'NOTE PERFECT' East Riding Magazine'AN EXTRAORDINARY NEW WRITER' Nina StibbeI used to believe the world had been created for me; every stone and grain of sand. As I grew older, I began to think of myself as something tacked on to the edge. 1939, London: From McPhail's Passage to Kensington's Grand Palace Hotel, Rose Dunbar is evacuated from her humble home on the Rock of Gibraltar and dropped into a chaotic city of falling bombs, perplexing class rules and bad weather. Despite being 'flagrantly foreign' to the locals, she becomes an efficient go-between for the upper-class ladies helping out with the war effort and her own tribe of noisy displaced families.It is only when she is shifted to the countryside to become secretary to the plain-speaking and sightless Major Inchbold that Rose's dizzying journey to womanhood will become more surreal than ever, as she drinks tea at the vicarage and stands up for the lower orders. But Rose's greatest dilemma is yet to come, as she must decide where her home - and her heart - really lies.In Anne Youngson's wry and sublimely understated prose, this unique and beautiful story of love, class and belonging is also a profound and intimate meditation on what it takes to find our place in the world.*******************************Praise for ANNE YOUNGSON: 'Tender, wise and moving, Meet Me at the Museum is a novel to cherish.' JOHN BOYNE'Insightful, emotionally acute and absorbing' DAILY EXPRESS'Beautiful and affecting' NINA STIBBEReaders love Anne Youngson's novels:'I was utterly gripped and felt bereft when I'd finished it' *****'I could not put this book down. An inspired approach to writing about life and love' *****'One of my top ten best reads of the year'*****Trade ReviewA tender, often wry novel, rendered with impressive period authenticity * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Skilful, understated. Comes compellingly to life * HARPER'S BAZAAR *Note-perfect. Like a forgotten classic republished by Persephone Books or Virago * East Riding magazine *A touching story full of love and humanity * YOURS magazine *A beautiful story of love and belonging * WOMAN'S WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisWHAT IF HITLER HAD SURVIVED?In the gripping new spy thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Hitler's Secret, a Cambridge spy must find the truth behind Hitler's death. But exactly who is the man in the bunker?'MASTER OF THE WARTIME SPY THRILLER' - FINANCIAL TIMES________________Germany, late summer 1945 - The war is over but the country is in ruins. Millions of refugees and holocaust survivors strive to rebuild their lives in displaced persons camps. Millions of German soldiers and SS men are held captive in primitive conditions in open-air detention centres. Everywhere, civilians are desperate for food and shelter. No one admits to having voted Nazi, yet many are unrepentant.Adolf Hitler is said to have killed himself in his Berlin bunker. But no body was found - and many people believe he is alive. Newspapers are full of stories reporting sightings and theories. Even Stalin, whose own troops captured the bunker, has told President Truman he believes the former Führer is not dead. Day by day, American and British intelligence officers subject senior members of the Nazi regime to gruelling interrogation in their quest for their truth.Enter Tom Wilde - the Cambridge professor and spy sent in to find out the truth...Dramatic, intelligent, and brilliantly compelling, THE MAN IN THE BUNKER is Rory's best WWII thriller yet - perfect for readers of Robert Harris, C J Sansom and Joseph Kanon.

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Book SynopsisThe new blockbuster thriller from Graham Hurley set against the final stages of the Second World War. Confidant of Goebbels. Instrument of Stalin. What's the worst that could happen? January 1945. Wherever you look on the map, the Thousand Year Reich is shrinking. Even Goebbels has run out of lies to sweeten the reckoning to come. An Allied victory is inevitable, but who will reap the spoils of war? Two years ago, Werner Nehmann's war came to an abrupt end in Stalingrad. With the city in ruins, the remains of General Paulus' Sixth Army surrendered to the Soviets, and Nehmann was taken captive. But now he's riding on the back of one of Marshal Zhukov's T-34 tanks, heading home with a message for the man who consigned him to the Stalingrad Cauldron. With the Red Army about to fall on Berlin, Stalin fears his sometime allies are conspiring to deny him his prize. He needs to speak to Goebbels – and who better to broker the contact than Nehmann, Goebbels' one-time confidant? Having swapped the ruins of Stalingrad for the wreckage of Berlin, the influence of Goebbels for the machinations of Stalin, and Gulag rags for a Red Army uniform, Nehmann's war has taken a turn for the worse. The Germans have a word for it: Katastrophe. Katastrophe is part of the SPOILS OF WAR Collection, a thrilling, beguiling blend of fact and fiction born of some of the most tragic, suspenseful, and action-packed events of World War II. From the mind of highly acclaimed thriller author GRAHAM HURLEY, this blockbuster non-chronological collection allows the reader to explore Hurley's masterful storytelling in any order, with compelling recurring characters whose fragmented lives mirror the war that shattered the globe. Reviewers on Katastrophe: 'A taut, detailed and compelling read' The Sun 'A penetrating, compelling, and skilfully vivid slice of historical fiction' LoveReading Expert Review 'An immaculately researched historical thriller... This series cannot be recommended too highly' Mike Ripley 'Inventive and thought provoking' Crime Time Reviewers on Graham Hurley: 'Historical fiction of a high order' The Times 'Tense, absorbing and faultlessly plotted' Sunday Times 'Beautifully constructed... This is one of Hurley's finest' Daily Mail 'Hurley's capable and understated characterization makes his lead's story plausible and engaging' Publishers WeeklyTrade ReviewA penetrating, compelling, and skilfully vivid slice of historical fiction set as the war-torn fight for survival and their future. Fascinating yet thrilling, stimulating yet shattering, this riveting read opens a path into the very nature of humankind. As the Second World War nears its end the defeated, vultures, and peace brokers continue using intelligence gathered by three very different men. The Spoils of War series is one of my favourites, its epic scale from the intimacy of the chosen few highlights the searing and hidden tragedy of conflict. If you've not yet met these books, do introduce yourself as this is a series not to be missed... Katastrophe hits with immense impact, it is a true powerhouse of a novel and comes as highly recommended by me * LoveReading Expert Review *To anyone who likes an immaculately researched historical thriller (and the depth of Hurley's research is breath-taking) which seamlessly blends fact and fiction, this series cannot be recommended too highly -- Mike RipleyA taut, detailed and compelling read * The Sun (4.5 stars) *Hurley's mastery of historical detail allows him to fashion a portrait of Germany on the verge of Götterdämmerung that bears comparison to Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series. Very highly recommended * The Times *Richly textured... A smart, original read * Financial Times *This novel is inventive and thought provoking, it offers an original take on familiar events. The true nature of war, its grim reality and the hardship of life in the gulag are all vividly portrayed * Crime Time FM *

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Book Synopsis'Myles Foley gripped my soaked jumper. Before his ship sank he was a Nazi: now he's a drowning sailor. Out here, we are all sailors. Your father and grandfather understood that. Are you going to disgrace their memory?' Part historical fiction, part extraordinary coming-of-age tale, The Lonely Sea and Sky charts the maiden voyage of fourteen-year-old Jack Roche aboard a tiny Wexford ship, the Kerlogue, on a treacherous wartime journey to Portugal. After his father's ship is sunk on this same route, Jack must go to sea to support his family swapping Wexford's small streets for Lisbon's vibrant boulevards: where every foreigner seems to be a refugee or a spy, and where he falls under the spell of Katerina, a Czech girl surviving on her wits. Bolger's new novel is based on a real-life rescue in 1943, when the Kerlogue's crew risked their lives to save 168 drowning German sailors - members of the navy that had killed Jack's father. Forced to choose who to save and who to leave behind, the Kerlogue grows so dangerously overloaded that no one knows if they will survive amid the massive Biscay waves. A brilliant portrayal of those unarmed Irish ships that sailed alone through hazardous waters; of young romance and a boy encountering a world where every experience is intense and dangerous, this is Bolger's most spellbinding novel, and the work of a master storyteller who is one of Ireland's best-known novelists, playwrights and poets.

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Book Synopsis From Sunday Times bestselling author, Freda Lightfoot. 1943, when hundreds of US Marines arrive at a quiet Cornish town, two lives will never be the same again. Trapped in a small town resistant to change, Bette can’t resist handsome GI, Chad. But when reality draws in, Bette realises that their love was based on empty promises… Meanwhile Bette’s sister Sarah, is tormented by her possessive husband, but even his jealous attempts to keep her out of temptation can't prevent Sarah falling for officer Charlie. Caught in the very worst of times with the turmoil and upheaval of war all around them, can these sisters find a brighter future for tomorrow? A compelling family drama for fans for Maureen Lee and Katie Flynn. Praise for Freda Lightfoot ’Freda's book was a joy to read for her characters were so believable and richly drawn I really cared what happened to them and interspersed with the story was the arrival of the Americans, who caused such a furore in that small Cornish town as D Day approaches, And when World War 2 grinds to a halt, people's lives are changed for ever. It was a real page turner with a very satisfying end.’ - Anne Bennettt

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling, eventful WW2 saga from the popular writer of the Daisy Lane novels - perfect for fans of Daisy Styles. 1943, Gosport, Hampshire. Pixie Saunders is 19 and employed in the local armaments factory. Not for the first time, her mother has run off with a dodgy-looking bloke, leaving Pixie to pay the rent and fend for herself. Pixie, along with her best friend Rita, Em, the factory overseer, and the rest of the girls are making the most of the war while trying to stay alive. The work is dangerous and the hours long, but in the evenings they take off their overalls and go to the pub or, better still, go dancing. Pixie meets American serviceman Cal and falls in love. But then Cal rejoins his ship. When Pixie falls pregnant, her life changes dramatically. Alone and unable to work, she has to rely on the kindness of friends to help her survive. Happiness seems like a thing of the past. Little does she know that there are plenty of surprises waiting for her - good ones at that. Love may be closer than she thinks.

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Book SynopsisCatch-22 meets The Brothers Karamazov in the last great satire of the Soviet EraThe Great Patriotic War is stumbling to a close, but a new darkness has fallen over Soviet Russia. And for a disparate, disconnected clutch of wanderers - many thousands of miles apart but linked by a common goal - four parallel journeys are just beginning.Gorych and his driver, rolling through water, sand and snow on an empty petrol tank; the occupant of a black airship, looking down benevolently as he floats above his Fatherland; young Andrey, who leaves his religious community in search of a new life; and Kharitonov, who trudges from the Sea of Japan to Leningrad, carrying a fuse that, when lit, could blow all and sundry to smithereens.Written in the final years of Communism, The Bickford Fuse is a satirical epic of the Soviet soul, exploring the origins and dead-ends of the Russian mentality from the end of World War Two to the Union's collapse. Blending allegory and fable with real events, and as deliriously absurd as anything Kurkov has written, it is both an elegy for lost years and a song of hope for a future not yet set in stone.Translated from the Russian by Boris DralyukTrade ReviewKurkov's style is spare and effective, drawing us with deceptive ease into a dense, complex world full of wonderful characters. -- Michael Palin.Kurkov is the real thing . . . Comparisons with Bulgakov's zany Moscow are not far-fetched. -- Kapka Kassabova * Guardian. *Some people see him as a latter-day Bulgakov; to others he's a Ukrainian Murakami. -- Phoebe Taplin * Guardian. *His bestselling novels are known for their surreal touches, but Andrey Kurkov, the Ukrainian novelist hailed as a post-Soviet Kafka, also has an uncanny ability to predict events in the real world around him. * Daily Telegraph. *Beguiling ... frequently funny ... completely its own thing. it may even be a little bit of a masterpiece -- Sam Leith * Financial Times *A kind of Ukrainian Kurt Vonnegut . . . If you want to read about the Soviet Union but can't face reading, say, Robert Service, and you have a penchant for the strange and surreal, you could do worse than reading Kurkov. -- Ian Samson * Spectator. *A sharp and funny examination of the Russian soul -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisA graceful story of love across an insuperable gulf and a powerful allegory for the conflict that has beset the Middle East for the last half century.To call your son Ossyane is like calling him Rebellion. For Ossyane’s father it is a gesture of protest by an excited Ottoman prince, for Ossyane himself it is a burdensome responsibility. At eighteen he leaves Beirut to study in Montpellier, far away from his father’s revolutionary aspirations for him. But it is 1938, and when war breaks out in Europe, Ossyane is drawn into the Resistance. His return to Beirut is a rebel hero’s welcome after all, and a joyful reunion with Clara, whom he first met in France. But if one war has brought the Jewish-Muslim couple together, another, much closer to home, is destined to separate Ossyane from the people and the world that he loves.Trade ReviewMaalouf is a master storyteller -- David Robinson * Sunday Telegraph *A simple and touching love story...limpid and delicate in the telling * Times Literary Supplement *A beautiful work of fiction -- Pierre Robert Leclerco * Le Monde *Maalouf's novels recreate the thrill of childhood reading, that primitive mixture of learning about something unknown or unimagined and forgetting utterly about oneself. His is a voice which Europe cannot afford to ignore -- Claire Messud * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe fifth in the Martin Bora WWII mystery series. In May 1941, Wehrmacht officer Bora is sent to Crete, recently occupied by the German army, and must investigate the brutal murder of a Red Cross representative befriended by SS-Chief Himmler. All the clues lead to a platoon of trigger-happy German paratroopers, but is this the truth?Bora takes to the mountains of Crete to solve the case, navigating his way between local bandits and foreign resistance fighters. With echoes of Claus von Stauffenberg, Bora is torn between his duty as an officer and his integrity as a human being.Trade ReviewPraise for the series: TIN SKY is the best crime novel of the month. Terror and suspicion on the Eastern Front. We hail a bold series set in the Second World War. This fine novel is packed with tense moments and moral ambiguity. Times In TIN SKY Pastor effectively melds a well-constructed whodunit with a grim portrayal of the Eastern front. PW Starred Review A DARK SONG OF BLOOD is historical crime fiction at its best, vividly re-creating the atmosphere of a city occupied by an increasingly desperate army. Sunday Times The historical milieu of these books is grim, but Pastor s character examinations are precise and engrossing. Kirkus The tone of LIAR MOON has a flu-like grimness, appropriate the 1943 setting. Pastor is excellent at providing details (silk stockings, movie magazines, cigarettes) that light up the setting. Booklist Pastor succeeds at painting a memorable picture of Fascist Italy through the lens of ordinary police procedure carried out under extraordinary circumstances. Publishers Weekly An impressive and intelligent novel. The Times LUMEN s plot is well crafted, her prose sharp a disturbing mix of detection and reflection. Publisher s Weekly And don t miss LUMEN by Ben Pastor. An interesting, original and melancholy tale. Literary Review "

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Book SynopsisIn Nazi-occupied Poland, Rosa Dunovich faces a terrifying reality: to save her daughter, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her again - if they survive - is her medallion. A tale of courage, sacrifice and survival, inspired by true events of Poland's darkest days and brightest heroes.

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Book SynopsisBook Two of the Inspector Frank Stave Investigations, a German detective trilogy set in post-WWII Hamburg. More than 150,000 copies sold.Hamburg, 1948It is a year of extremes. After a bitterly cold winter of starvation, the bombed city groans under excruciating heat. And Chief Inspector Frank Stave is confronted with a new case.In the ruins of a shipyard, the corpse of a boy is found and Stave's hunt for the killer leads him into the world of "wolf children" - orphaned children who have fled from the Occupied Eastern Territories and are now united in gangs.When two more bodies are discovered Stave is under even increasing pressure as he struggles to keep his personal life together too . . .Praise for the Frank Stave Investigations'Undoubtedly the most powerful work of crime fiction I have read this year' Independent'Vivid and harrowing' Sunday Times'Police procedural, romance, thriller The Murderer in Ruins has a bit of everything and it's one hell of a read.' BücherReader reviews for The Wolf Children'This is writing at its best. A well crafted murder hunt set in haunting landscape of post war Hamburg. Cay Rademacher has again written a book that will stay in my memory for a long time' *****'Another atmospheric, well-researched novel from Rademacher. He has a remarkable ability to bring characters to life in the space of a paragraph' *****'A bit of a goldilocks book. Not too heavy, not too light, not too long, not too short. Just about right' *****Translated from the German by Peter MillarTrade Review'Undoubtedly the most powerful work of crime fiction I have read this year' Independent; 'Vivid and harrowing' Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER AWARD 2019 Hamburg, 1948In a routine operation, Chief Inspector Frank Stave is shot down. He survives, but transfers from the murder commission to the office combatting the black market. There, Stave is confronted with an enigmatic case: Trummerfrau, women helping to clear rubble from Hamburg's bombed streets, discover works of art from the Weimar period - right next to a unidentified corpse. Shortly afterwards, mysterious banknotes whose existence disturbs the Allies' secret plans begin to pop up on the black market. The Supervisor soon discovers strange parallels between the two cases. With the introduction of a new currency, Stave thinks he is on the brink of a solution. But the truth is dangerous, and not just for him.Praise for the Frank Stave Investigations'Undoubtedly the most powerful work of crime fiction I have read this year' Independent'Vivid and harrowing' Sunday Times'Police procedural, romance, thriller The Murderer in Ruins has a bit of everything and it's one hell of a read.' BücherReader Reviews for The Forger'An excellent series based in Hamburg just after World War II. Interesting characters and story lines - a view from defeated Germany we wouldn't normally hear' *****'Characters were good, plot good and it really highlights post war Germany and the inequalities among both sides. The only really disappointing thing is there is not a fourth one to read' *****'I could not put it down. Brilliant' *****Translated from the German by Peter MillarTrade ReviewRademacher understands how to draw a living picture of the post-war period. The Wolf Children allows its readers to embrace history without an instructive tone, and thrillingly packaged in a thriller.--HESSISCHE ALLGEMEINE "With his follow up to The Rubble Murderer, Rademacher has once again captured an intriguing view into a not so distant world in which everyone is fighting for survival." BRIGITTE "Rademacher succeeds in linking history with tension." NEUE PRESSE "Impressively, Rademacher describes life in 1947 with all the hardships and hopes. A piece of history comes alive and touches the reader immensely. " HAMBURGER MORGENPOST "Once again, Rademacher combines an exciting crime story with a detailed description of Hamburg in the post-war period." AACHENER NACHRICHTEN "The name Cay Rademacher stands for historical competence. [...] In addition to the thrilling crime plot, The Wolf Children also provides a lively presentation of the oppressive black market conditions in the post-war years." GEISLINGER ZEITUNG / SUDWEST PRESSE "The book sheds a light on a world out of joint. [...] A crime thriller with level and depth. Highly Recommended." BUCH-MAGAZIN "This is not just a vivid historical lesson, The Wolf Children is a nerve-racking hunt for a murderer and a great crime novel. " NDR HORFUNK

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully-written, and highly evocative of the remote Lincolnshire landscape, the Second World War and the two people whose loneliness brings them together for a life-changing time... Full of quiet drama and sorrow at loss, cruelty and mortality' Amanda Craig 'Compelling and beautifully intimate. A classic piece of storytelling' Toby Litt 'A haunting and lyrical novel' Maggie Brookes, author of The Prisoner's Wife In the depths of wartime, a friendship takes wing Freda is a twelve-year-old evacuee from the East End, sent to live with a farming family deep in the lonely landscape of the Fens. Philip is an artist and a conscientious objector, living in a remote lighthouse on the shores of the Wash. The two outcasts come together amid the wild beauty of the wetlands, beneath skies filled with migrating birds and crisscrossed by Nazi bombers. As the world is consumed by war, they form a friendship that will change the course of both their lives.Trade Review''Flatlands is a haunting and lyrical novel about loneliness and the compensations of the natural world, art and unlikely friendships. The characters of an unhappy evacuee from the East End and a conscientious objector will draw you in as they search for some kind of peace in the wide open landscapes of the fens and the story moves them to their own inevitable crises.'' - Maggie Brookes'Praise for Sue Hubbard's previous work:' - .'Beautifully written and wholly knowledgeable... A triumph of literary and artistic understanding, a tour de force: masterly, moving' - Fay Weldon'A writer of genuine talent' - Elaine Feinstein'Lyrical, highly visual and beautifully observed' - John Burnside

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1942. Flight-Lieutenant David Heron, home in London on convalescent leave, awakes to the news that a murder victim has been discovered in the garden of his boarding house. With a week until his service resumes, David Sets out to solve the murder. Drawn into a world of mystery and double dealing, can he solve the mystery before his return to the skies?Trade Review"An Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery set on the home front." * Radio Times *"Takes you straight back to blitzed London . . . boasts everything a great whodunit should have, and more." -- Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny

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Book SynopsisIt is 1943, and a month into their service as Land Girls, Bee, Anne and Pauline are dispatched to a remote farm in rural Scotland. Here they are introduced to the realities of 'lending a hand on the land', as back-breaking work and inhospitable weather mean they struggle to keep their spirits high. Soon one of the girls falters, and Bee and Pauline receive a new posting to a Northumberland dairy farm. Detailing their friendship, daily struggles and romantic intrigues with a lightness of touch, Barbara Whitton's autobiographical novel paints a sometimes funny, sometimes bleak picture of time spent in the Women's Land Army during the Second World War.Trade Review"Terrific." * Daily Mail (UK) *“Charming and evocative. . . . It offers a light-hearted snapshot into [Whitton’s] experiences, including the friendships and romances, as the story follows three young and inexperienced Land Girls. The author’s evident enjoyment of this period in her life shines through but those less rosy aspects are also confronted, including the back-breaking nature of the work and the sexism many women faced as they took on a variety of roles, traditionally performed by men." * Militaria & History *"Witty, warm and hugely endearing, Barbara Whitton's Green Hands is full of engaging characters, burgeoning friendships and pure hard-graft. A lovely novel for anyone interested in wartime Britain, it leaves the reader with renewed admiration for the indefatigable work of the Women's Land Army." -- AJ Pearce, author of Dear Mrs Bird"Tales from the home front are always more authentic when written from personal experience, as is the case here. Barbara Whitton evokes the highs and lows, joys and agonies of being a Land Girl in the Second World War." -- Julie Summers, author of Jambusters

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Book SynopsisUsing first-hand accounts from IWM's unparalleled archives, HMS Belfast at D-Day tells the extraordinary story of this remarkable ship, her crew, and the contribution they made in the summer of 1944.

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Book Synopsis"requite (verb): to return love and affection or, on the other side of the coin, to retaliate for injuries inflicted. MALTA 1941. Eleven-year-old Joe Zarb's life is about to change. The war has created a rubble-strewn, dogfight-watching, soldier-saluting adventure, until a telegram arrives with news of his papa, Victor, that will shatter everything. Twenty years later, with Malta seeking independence from the British Empire, a nurse and a former RAF pilot travel to the island. Beth is looking for Joe, the son of her wartime husband, Victor. Her companion, Stuart, is seeking revenge for the horrific burns he suffered in the war. When they find Joe and a man purporting to be his papa, a chain of events is set in motion that sheds new light on what happened two decades before... Praise for 'Man At Sea': "Intimate and expansive, this tantalising thriller pulses with mysteries, secrets, and surprises. Man at Sea is both timely and historical, at once rich in implication and action. Like the sea itself the story is swift, deep, exhilarating, and ultimately unpredictable." - Kevin MacNeil, Award-winning novelist and Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Stirling"Trade ReviewIntimate and expansive, this tantalising thriller pulses with mysteries, secrets, and surprises. Man at Sea is both timely and historical, at once rich in implication and action. Like the sea itself the story is swift, deep, exhilarating, and ultimately unpredictable.- Kevin MacNeil, author of The Brilliant and Forever; "A rich exploration of identity, war and sacrifice. Poignant and beautifully written." - Rachelle Atalla, author of The Pharmacist; "In this beguiling book, Liam Bell deftly brings together two parallel worlds. In one, the scars of war are healing. In the other, revenge waits, patiently, ticking like a bomb." - Dr Mandy Haggith,author of the Stone Stories Trilogy

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Book SynopsisAt the end of the Malayan Emergency Jason Rance visits the orang asli hill tribes in Malaya and only the skill of a Gurkha saves him from being killed by four poisoned blowpipe darts.

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Book SynopsisYoung Paul Goetz loves aeroplanes and so joins the Luftwaffe as soon as he can. Like so many, he’s taken in, swept along in the unquestioning tide of excitement, keen to be airborne as a fighter pilot. His first posting sees him sent to Leningrad in December 1941. His squadron shoot down huge numbers of enemy aeroplanes and victory seems certain, but the war drags on for a second winter, becoming increasingly difficult. Comrades are lost or reported ‘Vermisst’ – missing – and he learns of terrible German activities across the east. Then, Paul’s nightmare becomes reality, when his engine fails behind enemy lines, and he is captured… Vermisst: Missing in Russia is a rarity; an English-language novel written from a German viewpoint. Rich in historical details and packed with exciting aerial combat scenes, it is a gripping war story of extreme conditions, and survival in the harshest captivity.

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Book SynopsisTHE BRAND NEW SAGA SERIES BY ROSIE HENDRY - meet the Women on the Home Front . . .Can the Women on the Home Front protect their community in times of war?Norfolk, 1940. As war rages on, sisters Prue and Thea, along with the wider community of Great Plumstead, are doing all they can to help the war effort, from running the mobile canteen for the Women''s Voluntary Service to organising clothing drives and collecting salvage.When, Anna, a young German girl who fled her country, seeks refuge at the local hall, Thea opens up her home, Rookery House, and invites Anna into their growing family. But while many in the village welcome Anna with open arms, others are suspicious of the new arrival . . .As the war intensifies and panic sweeps the country, Anna is taken by the government who fear she''s a spy. The women of Great Plumstead are already fighting their own battles on the Home Front, but will they come together

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