Second World War fiction

Book SynopsisA thrilling drama based on the true story of one of the Second World War’s most daring and successful rescue missions.Summer, 1944. Yugoslavia is locked in a war within a war. In addition to fighting the German occupation, warring factions battle each other. Hundreds of Allied airmen have been shot down over this volatile region, among them American Lieutenant Bill Bogdonavich. Though grateful to the locals who are risking their lives to shelter and protect him from German troops, Bogdonavich dreams of the impossible: escape.With three failed air missions behind him, Lieutenant Drew Carlton is desperate for redemption. From a Texas airbase he volunteers for a secretive and dangerous assignment, codenamed Operation Halyard, that will bring together American special operations officers, airmen, and local guerilla fighters in Yugoslavia’s green hills.This daring plan – to evacuate hundreds of stranded airmen while avoiding detection by the Germans – faces overwhelming odds. What follows is one of the greatest stories of military heroism, an elaborate rescue that required astonishing courage, sacrifice, and resilience.Red Burning Sky is a riveting and ultimately triumphant military thriller based on true events, all the more remarkable for being so little known – until now. Perfect for fans of Alistair MacLean, Jack Higgins and John Nichol.Praise for Tom Young‘One of the most exciting new thriller talents in years!’ Vince Flynn‘Gripping and impressively authentic’ Frederick Forsyth‘Courage and honor in the face of the enemy have not been so brilliantly portrayed since the great novels of the Second World War’ Jack Higgins‘A gutsy, gritty thriller told only as one who’s been there and done that could write it… a terrific new writer’ W.E.B. Griffin‘Young has a gift for allowing the reader to experience the emotional aspect of being a soldier… Military-thriller fans should make Young’s work an essential addition to their reading lists’ Booklist‘Like Tom Clancy, Young has an eye for detail about military equipment, operations, and thinking that will ring true with any veteran’ General Chuck Horner, USAF (RET.), former Commander, U.S. Central Command Air Forces

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Book SynopsisLike Aladdin, but with post-traumatic stress, Charlie Echo is a story about wishes – the last wishes of a dying soldier in Normandy in 1944. Verbal wills of this sort are valid if there are two witnesses and the first men on the scene are radio operator Charlie Goodman and his assistant, Sid Saunders. Unfortunately, in the confusion of events that follow, Charlie fails to ascertain the full identity of the dying officer and is invalided back to Blighty plagued by trauma and remorse. Once he has been demobbed also, it falls to Saunders to break the impasse by getting his comrade to repair a radio telephone, just like the one they were using in France. What he doesn't anticipate is that working on the set will prompt Charlie to not only hear the mystery soldier's voice again, but to see him too. If not quite the genie in the lamp, it seems like there’s a ghost in the machine and one that’s been transported to his workshop in Leeds. Dismayed to discover that his wishes have not been carried out, the ghost goads Charlie into journeying through post-war Britain in order to fulfil his battlefield promise. Jolting between humour and pathos, it’s a journey that transforms reclusive repair man into unlikely pantomime hero and propels Saunders off in pursuit to play his allotted role in the “show”.

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Book SynopsisIs their love strong enough to weather the storm?It’s 1945, the war is over and the soldiers are coming back to the bomb-ravaged East End. Tom Smith is one of the thousands who are returning home. He can’t wait to see his wife, Jessie, their son, Billy, and the new baby daughter he hasn’t even laid eyes on.But life back home wasn’t easy, especially once Jessie’s army pension was stopped after Tom deserted. So when she was told to put her infant daughter Emma-Rose into a home for her own good, she thought it was for the best. But how will Tom take the news? And how will he react when he learns that Jessie’s old boyfriend has been helping her during the war?A compelling family drama set in London, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Mary Collins.

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Book SynopsisThe war is drawing to a close, but life for the Caldwell sisters is far from peaceful…Still waiting for her fiancé, James, to return from fighting in North Africa, Imogen focuses her attention on driving for the Auxiliary Territorial Service General. Between work and looking out for her sisters, she soon finds she has very little time left over to worry.Meanwhile, Elsie continues to nurse her husband back to health, finally content with her quiet family life in Yorkshire. But she is nostalgic for happier times, before the war, and longs to be reunited with her sisters again.Daisy is also desperate for an end to the war – she fears for her love, Glenn, and longs to see him return home safely. In these uncertain times, she needs all the support Imogen and Elsie can give to her.When yet another tragedy befalls the Caldwell family, will the sisters be able to lift each other up to carry on?The captivating finale to the Second World War set Caldwell Sisters series, perfect for fans of Emma Hornby, Elaine Everest and Katie Flynn.

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Book SynopsisFrom an award-winning author - an epic novel of love, betrayal, and finding where you truly belong.1943Lidia De Angelis has kept a low profile since Mussolini’s laws wrenched her from her childhood sweetheart. But when the Germans occupy Venice, she must flee the city to save her life.Lidia joins the partisans in the Venetian mountains, where she meets David, an English soldier fighting for the same cause. As she grows closer to him, harsh German reprisals and her own ardent patriotic activities threaten to tear them apart.Years laterWhile sorting through her grandmother’s belongings after her death, Charlotte discovers a Jewish prayer book, unopened letters written in Italian, and a fading photograph of a group of young people in front of the Doge’s Palace.Intrigued by her grandmother’s refusal to talk about her time in Italy, Charlotte travels to Venice in search of her roots. There, she learns not only the devastating truth about her grandmother’s past, but also about her own...Perfect for readers of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy and Victoria Hislop.What real readers are saying:‘…a beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down.’ Ann Bennett, bestselling author of The Orphan House.‘Siobhan Daiko will tug at your heartstrings, and leave you desperate for more.’ The Coffee Pot Book Club.‘One of my absolute favourite books and a must read for those who love a great escape into historical fiction.’ Goodreads Reviewer.

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Book Synopsis Your future is within your grasp. How far are you willing to go? Your adopted child is in an orphanage. Only you can save her. But you need money, a lot of money, money you just don’t have. Gina Higgins is on a desperate journey across the country. To save her daughter she must find the Kiss River lighthouse that holds the answers she so urgently needs. But the lighthouse has been destroyed and now her only hope is to uncover the secrets hidden within an old diary, a Second World War love story that has the power to change her life forever… Praise for Diane Chamberlain ‘Fans of Jodi Picoult will delight in this finely tuned family drama, with beautifully drawn characters and a string of twists that will keep you guessing right up to the end.' - Stylist ‘A marvellously gifted author. Every book she writes is a gem’ - Literary Times ’Essential reading for Jodi Picoult fans’ Daily Mail ’So full of unexpected twists you'll find yourself wanting to finish it in one sitting. Fans of Jodi Picoult's style will love how Diane Chamberlain writes.’ - Candis

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Book SynopsisOctober 1941. Twenty-one-year-old Alan Mart is posted to India and taken under the wing of the dogmatic, overbearing Acting-Captin Sam Holl. Following the Japanese advance on Singapore, the men are deployed to Malaya. What follows is a quietly shattering and searingly authentic depiction of the claustrophobia of jungle warfare and the futility of war.Trade Review"A visceral depiction of the claustrophobia of jungle warfare." * Radio Times *"A tremendous rediscovery of a brilliant novel. Extremely well written, its effects are both sophisticated and visceral. Remarkable." -- William Boyd"One of the most absorbing and painful books about jungle warfare that I have read." -- V. S. Naipaul

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Book SynopsisA woman lies unconscious on the carpet of a smart Westminster apartment, one red high-heeled shoe has fallen off... A younger woman lies with her eyes closed, half-hidden under a drinks cabinet... Her fingers clutch an empty bottle... What happens when a mother withholds her love? When she has no love to withhold? When she sees her three daughters as obstacles to her own formidable career? This is the story of three sisters, Millie, Di and Cleo. They are the war babies. Growing up in a world still in turmoil, hungover from war, the sisters struggle to leave behind their mother and build their own lives. Each sister is lost in her own world where extreme need leads to extreme behaviour. Then a tragic event forces Cleo, the youngest and wildest, to become the catalyst to smash the pattern. Who will adapt and survive in this new world? Who will find peace? From London to New York and to Vietnam, the focus shifts from one sister to the next, putting human nature, its flaws and its virtues, under the spotlight. With elements of a psychological thriller, Rachel Billington observes her characters with clinical detachment, but also with wit and understanding. Yet there is hope at the heart of this story which will leave the reader wondering long after the final twist is revealed.Trade Review"This clever story of three clever sisters had me gripped from start to finish. ... Billington is a brilliantly sharp writer and this is an absolute tour de force." Daily Mail “I couldn’t put this book down until the last page. This book has a bit of everything love and hate, truth and lies, life and death, war and peace - a great read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” Lynda’s Book Reviews “I loved reading from each sisters perspective and their different relationships with each other and their parents. This book shows a fantastic insight into family dynamics.” Mrs Book Burnee “This is a brilliantly plotted book…Billington has used her skill at capturing a moment, a point in time, and making so much depend on it, while making sure that her characters also move on, change and develop. It is a balancing act which she achieves, setting out a significant incident, then moving her characters on.” Northern Reader “At its heart this is a book about human nature, warts and all. It is a story of survival and ultimately of hope.” Dems Book Den “a poignant look at family dynamics and how trauma can reverberate across the years. I found this book to be utterly fascinating as it weaves its way across three sisters lives, their loves intertwined but yet so separate and how their relationship with their mother shapes their destinies. I was hooked by this book from the prologue to the last page.” Books by Bindu “reminded me of a more modern version of little women” Rory Reads “This exceptional novel is a delectable, dark, dramatic delve into a family’s damaged dynamics, elegantly and excitingly written. …I admired and adored this book; its intimate intensity, its imaginative nuances, its intelligent intricacy all bound up in the characters of this story and their lives we experience vicariously.” The Fallen Librarian “It’s a book that I really got invested in. This family became addictive to read about. ... This is a story that shows there is always hope, no matter what circumstances there are.” Beyond the Book “I really enjoyed the way that this book is told from the alternative views of the three sisters – it felt like you could get to know each one quite well. The structure also made it quite addictive to read as each chapter is short and I kept thinking that I would read just one more. This is a great book that reads like a saga and covers a bit of everything – love, loss, marriage, war and the dynamic of families.” A Cottage Full of Books “The characters were excellent. I loved the three sisters and how we were taken on a journey through their ultimately tragic lives. …It was an emotional rollercoaster right through to the end.” Budget Tales Book Blog “The book starts with a fantastic prologue that draws you in … I really enjoyed it and I think anyone who enjoys books set after the Second World War and that cover family relationships and how society began to change then, will want this on their bookshelves.” Book n Banter “I found Millie frustrating but accepted that she was of her time, and loved defiant, independent Di and flawed, brilliant Cleo. The relationships were difficult, stemming from problematic relationships with their unloving mother and mainly absent father, and I liked that these reflected troubled families in real life with strained love.” We’ll All Become Stories

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Book SynopsisRecovering from injuries received in the desert, Luftwaffe fighter ace Jochen Murville dreams of playing the piano and living in Sweden with Gerda, the Jewish woman whose escape from Germany he engineered. However, his engagement to Lotte still stands no matter how much her Nazi beliefs horrify him.Germany is being bombed night and day and Hitler, when Jochen meets him, seems deluded. Where is the country going? With the Russians advancing on Berlin and the end approaching for the Nazi Reich, will Jochen escape the cataclysm?Following on from the events of The Best One There and inspired by the character of Hans-Joachim Marseille, The End of It is a powerful and gripping study of the downfall of the Third Reich and of the fate of a humane man as it collapses.

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Book SynopsisLondon,1999. Michael Keats is mourning the death of his wife, killed in a hit and run accident in Northern Italy. His discovery that she had been having an affair devastates him and he sets out to find the identity of her lover. That journey leads him to the villages of the Valtellina, where he becomes embroiled in a crime of treachery and revenge. The brutal repercussions of the war are still reverberating, and as Michael uncovers the truth of his wife's affair, he reveals five decades of duplicity and deception.Trade Review‘Kerr brings brilliantly to life a north Italian community in his debut crime title’. The Times Crime Club. ‘A well-paced novel that keeps the curiosity piqued throughout’ Glasgow Herald. ‘An enthralling story of love and betrayal’ Books Scotland. ‘Riveting. I absolutely loved the book’ Alan Giles, former MD, Waterstones

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Book Synopsis**************THE FIFTEENTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANCliffehaven, June 1944As the planes continue to circle over Cliffehaven, Peggy Reilly’s sister Doris must seek refuge after a V-1 blast destroys her home. Rita, Sarah and the other residents at Beach View Boarding House quickly find their peace disturbed and it’s not long before even Peggy loses her patience. But with more bad news to come, will Doris finally be forced to swallow her pride? Meanwhile Peggy’s father-in-law Ron Reilly is delighted when his sweetheart Rosie returns home. Until a heart-breaking confession suggests things may never be the same between them. With loved ones scattered far and wide across the globe, and tensions running high, the end of the war feels somehow further than ever. And yet with the long-awaited Allied invasion in sight, a glimmer of light is starting to break through…A fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean's bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called the Beach View Boarding House series).Trade ReviewWhat can I say, I love, love, love this series of books. * Goodreads reviewer *

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Book SynopsisHer beauty saved her life - and condemned her.In 1942 Cilka Klein is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival.After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator by the Russians and sent to a desolate, brutal prison camp in Siberia known as Vorkuta, inside the Arctic Circle. Innocent, imprisoned once again, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, each day a battle for survival. Cilka befriends a woman doctor, and learns to nurse the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under unimaginable conditions. And when she tends to a man called Alexandr, Cilka finds that despite everything, there is room in her heart for love.Based on what is known of Cilka Klein's time in Auschwitz, and on the experience of women in Siberian prison camps, Cilka's Journey is the breathtaking sequel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz. A powerful testament to the triumph of the human will, this novel will move you to tears, but it will also leave you astonished and uplifted by one woman's fierce determination to survive, against all odds. 'She was the bravest person I ever met'Lale Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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Book SynopsisBased on the incredible true story of the Meller sisters, as told to Heather Morris. 'Gripping, heartbreaking and uplifting.' Christy Lefteri, author of the million-copy bestseller The Beekeeper of Aleppo THEIR STORY WILL BREAK YOUR HEART THEIR JOURNEY WILL FILL YOU WITH HOPE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR NAMES When they are little girls, Cibi, Magda and Livia make a promise to their father - that they will stay together, no matter what. Years later, at just 15, Livia is ordered to Auschwitz by the Nazis. Cibi, only 19 herself, remembers their promise and follows Livia, determined to protect her sister, or die with her. Together, they fight to survive through unimaginable cruelty and hardship. Magda, only 17, stays with her mother and grandfather, hiding out in a neighbour's attic or in the forest when the Nazi militia come to round up friends, neighbours and family. She escapes for a time, but eventually she too is captured and transported to the death camp. In Auschwitz-Birkenau the three sisters are reunited and, remembering their father, they make a new promise, this time to each other: That they will survive. Three Sisters is a beautiful story of hope in the hardest of times and of finding love after loss. Two of the sisters are alive in Israel today, surrounded by friends and family. They have chosen Heather Morris to tell their story in Three Sisters. Heather Morris is the global bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey, which have sold eight million copies worldwide. Three Sisters is her third novel, and the final piece in the phenomenon that is the Tattooist of Auschwitz series.

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TITLE THE ORPHAN'S TALE OUT NOW! Forbidden love in the time of war, this is essential reading for fans of emotional historical romance, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee. August 1940 and 16-year-old refugee Addie escapes Fascist Italy to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlantic City. As WW2 breaks, she finds acceptance and love with Charlie Connally and his family. But war changes everything: secrets and passions abound, and when one brother’s destructive choices lead to the tragic death of another, the Connally family is decimated, and Addie along with them. Now 18, she flees, first to Washington and then to war-torn London where she is swept up with life as a correspondent. But when Charlie, now a paratrooper, re-appears, Addie discovers that the past is impossible to outrun. Now she must make one last desperate attempt to find within herself the answers that will lead the way home. Praise for Pam Jenoff: ‘[A] heartbreakingly romantic story of forbidden love during WW2’ – Heat ‘Must read’ – Daily ExpressTrade ReviewWonderfully compelling… The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing – you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.’ – Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife ‘Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…I read this novel in a headlong rush.’ – Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train ‘A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe’ – My Weekly ‘This is a book not to be missed’ – Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife ‘Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair…’–NPR ‘Jenoff’s prose is evocative and compelling’–The Globe and Mail “An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.” – Suzy Approved Book Reviews “Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns… as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.” – Romance Dish “THE ORPHAN’S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.” – Jennifer Blankfein

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Book SynopsisAn ingenious thriller in which young Detective Constable Trave uncovers a sophisticated plot at the heart of MI6 to assassinate Churchill and bring the Second World War and the whole Allied effort to an untimely end.It's 1940, and Bill Trave is a Detective Constable in his early thirties working in West London. France has fallen and the capital is being bombed both day and night it seems against all odds that Britain can survive the onslaught. Almost single-handedly Winston Churchill maintains the country's morale, with the German enemy convinced that his removal would win them the War.Albert Morrison, a rich widower forced into early retirement by failing eyesight, is stabbed to death in his Chelsea flat. His only daughter, Ava, tells Trave that she would read the newspapers to him every evening, and the night before his death he had become suddenly excited when she read him an obscure obituary notice.At Morrison's funeral, Ava learns from an old colleague that her father worked for MI6 before the War. The obituary notice was a coded message preparing for an assassination, although it does not specify the target. Trave realizes that there is a Nazi double agent within MI6, with a plan to assassinate Churchill and to set up another agent to take the blame. He is in a race against time to save Churchill, for if he fails, Britain's entire war effort could be at stakeTrade Review‘Tolkien’s writing is quietly impressive; his atmosphere of the blitzed capital superb.’ The Times ‘Jack Higgins fans will enjoy Tolkien’s exciting third suspense novel featuring Det. Insp. William Trave. Heartfelt evocations of the horrors of war, in particular the effects of the bombing raids on Londoners, show Tolkien has upped his game.’ Publishers Weekly REVIEWS FOR SIMON TOLKIEN: ‘Half Christie and half Grisham.’ Los Angeles Times ‘A fine novel. A thinking person’s Da Vinci Code.’ Chicago Tribune ‘A very British thriller … a page turner.’ Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisThe electrifying WWII bestseller from the master of the game.Trade ReviewAnother first rate page-turner from Jack Higgins, a writer at the peak of his power’Daily Express ‘Open a Jack Higgins novel and you’ll encounter a master craftsman at the peak of his powers … first-rate tales of intrigue, suspense and full-on action.’Sunday Express ‘Higgins is a master of his craft.’Daily Telegraph ‘A thriller writer in a class of his own.’Financial Times ‘The master craftsman of good, clean adventure.’Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisThe attack on Pearl Harbor swept America into the raging heart of the war. The stormy South Pacific presented a daring new challenge, and the men of the Corps were ready to fight. An elite fraternity united by a glorious tradition of courage and honor, the Marine Raiders were bound to a triumphant destiny. Now, the bestselling author of the acclaimed BROTHERHOOD OF WAR saga continues the epic story begun in Semper Fi. A story of lovers and fighters, leaders and heroes--the men of the United States Marine Corps...

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TITLE THE ORPHAN'S TALE OUT NOW Love will tear them apart… Helena and Ruth Nowak are like chalk and cheese: one staunchly outspoken and independent, the other gentle and caring. Caught up in the struggle of Nazi occupied Poland, the sisters have bound together and created an enviable bond that can’t be broken. Or so they thought… When Helena discovers a Jewish Allied paratrooper, wounded but alive, she risks the safety of herself and her family to hide him. As her feelings for the solider grow deeper, she finds her loyalties torn. Outraged at this impulsive choice that endangers them all, mild-mannered Ruth finds herself becoming increasingly jealous of Helena. As tensions are sparked, a singular act of betrayal unleashes a chain of events that will endanger them all and reverberate for decades to come. From hardship and heartbreak, this gut-wrenching tale puts to the test the ties of sisterhood in the shadow of WW2. Praise for Pam Jenoff: ‘[A] heartbreakingly romantic story of forbidden love during WW2’ – Heat ‘Must read’ – Daily ExpressTrade ReviewWonderfully compelling… The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing – you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.’ – Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife ‘Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…I read this novel in a headlong rush.’ – Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train ‘A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe’ – My Weekly ‘This is a book not to be missed’ – Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife ‘Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair…’–NPR ‘Jenoff’s prose is evocative and compelling’–The Globe and Mail “An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.” – Suzy Approved Book Reviews “Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns… as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.” – Romance Dish “THE ORPHAN’S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.” – Jennifer Blankfein

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Book SynopsisA stunning and utterly captivating debut about war, love and betrayal in 1940s Hong Kong''Gripping and moving ... Francesca Brill is a very good writer indeed and I was sucked into the story until I was no longer aware of things going on around me, only of what was going on to the characters I had grown to love'' Simon Sebag Montefiore''A powerful novel of depth and intensity'' Sunday Times_________________Hong Kong, 1940. For the reckless young journalist Stevie Steiber, days at the Happy Valley racecourse slip into dangerous, hedonistic nights. Meanwhile Major Harry Field, a British Intelligence Officer, is investigating the recent arrival of Wu Jishang, a sophisticated publisher who owns a controversial political magazine. But it is Stevie, Jishang's close colleague and lover, who really fascinates Harry. As the British community continues to party despite the looming threat of war, the two are obsessively drawn into a dark passion. And whenTrade ReviewThis is a powerful novel of depth and intensity, and one that subtly changes mood from cocktail- and opium-fuelled larks to despair and degradation * Sunday Times *Gripping and moving ... Francesca Brill is a very good writer indeed and I was sucked into the story until I was no longer aware of things going on around me, only of what was going on to the characters I had grown to love, and an era I knew very little about but which was instantly fascinating. High quality story-telling * Simon Sebag Montefiore *With shocking vividness Brill describes the violence of the occupation and sensitively explores the compromises, both moral and emotional, of people caught up in desperate situations. It is a romantic novel, but it's tough and tragic too, a gritty tale of passion and wartime endurance -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *A wonderfully sage and gripping novel * Spectator Books of the Year *A haunting tale of love's struggle to survive against all odds. A bold and beautifully written debut * Mark Mills, author of The Savage Garden *A tumultuous, passionate, fierce story of wartime love * Daily Express *A fiercely imagined and deeply felt story of complicated wartime love. I could see every scene * Rosie Alison, author of The Very Thought of You *The Harbour is an exceptional first novel: an intelligent romance immersed in its historical setting, and with a thread of steel running through it. Layers of race, role, sex, politics and sexual politics meld to make a much tougher, more interesting novel than a casual glance might suggest. We need more love stories like this * Louisa Young *

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TITLE THE ORPHAN'S TALE OUT NOW Paris, 1919 The nations’ leaders have gathered to rebuild the world from the ashes of the Great War. But for one woman, the City of Light harbours dark secrets and dangerous liaisons. Brought to the peace conference by her German diplomat father, Margot resents being trapped in Paris where she is still looked upon as the enemy. Yet returning to Berlin means a life with the wounded fiancé she barely knows. Torn between duty and the desire to be free, Margot strikes up unlikely alliances: with Krysia, a musician who protects a secret; and with Georg, the handsome, damaged naval officer who makes Margot question where her true loyalties should lie. Against the backdrop of one of the most significant events of the century, a delicate web of lies obscures the line between the casualties of war and of the heart, making trust a luxury that no one can afford. The stunning prequel to the bestselling novel Kommandant’s Girl, heralded a ‘breathtaking debut’ by Publishers Weekly Praise for Pam Jenoff: ‘[A] heartbreakingly romantic story of forbidden love during WW2’ – Heat ‘Must read’ – Daily ExpressTrade ReviewWonderfully compelling… The story grips from the very first page, and the atmosphere of the circus is entrancing – you feel all the terror and thrill of the flying trapeze.’ – Margaret Leroy, author of The Soldier’s Wife ‘Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…I read this novel in a headlong rush.’ – Christina Barker Kline, #1 bestselling author of Orphan Train ‘A thrilling, yet heart-breaking story of life and love, heroism and sacrifice in wartime Europe’ – My Weekly ‘This is a book not to be missed’ – Melanie Benjamin, bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and The Aviator’s Wife ‘Jenoff has written a tribute to the human spirit that soars in the midst of epic despair…’–NPR ‘Jenoff’s prose is evocative and compelling’–The Globe and Mail “An emotional tale of survival and courage during a difficult time in Europe.” – Suzy Approved Book Reviews “Jenoff keeps readers on their toes with the numerous twists and turns… as well as the emotional peaks and valleys that had me reaching for tissues more than once.” – Romance Dish “THE ORPHAN’S TALE takes us on a heartbreaking, hopeful, touching and emotional journey; one that is not to be missed.” – Jennifer Blankfein

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Book SynopsisGerman intelligence officer Captain Gregor Reinhardt has just been reassigned to the Feldjaegerkorps - a new branch of the military police with far-reaching powers. His position separates him from the friends and allies he has made in the last two years, including a circle of fellow dissenting Germans who formed a rough resistance cell against the Nazis. And he needs them now more than ever. While retreating through Yugoslavia with the rest of the army, Reinhardt witnesses a massacre of civilians by the dreaded Ustaše - only to discover there is more to the incident than anyone believes. When five mutilated bodies turn up, Reinhardt knows the stakes are growing more important - and more dangerous. As his investigation begins to draw the attention of those in power, Reinhardt's friends and associates are made to suffer. But as he desperately tries to uncover the truth, his own past with the Ustaše threatens his efforts. Because when it comes to death and betrayal, some people have long memories. And they remember Reinhardt all too well. And now, Reinhardt will have to fight them once more.Trade ReviewVery well written and wonderfully descriptive -- Tricia Chappell * Mystery People *a multilayered tale of war, political upheaval and fragile hope * Kirkus Reviews *In March 1945 Captain Gregor Reinhardt finds himself back in Sarajevo after a two year gap -- Maryom * Our Book Reviews *the tale creates...a complex, exceptional character in action -- Chris Roberts * Crime Review UK *A wonderfully accomplished war-time thriller * Crime Time *

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Book SynopsisBe whisked away in this sunny, heartwarming read' Woman's OwnI adored it' Milly JohnsonEnchanting and wonderfully romantic' Cathy BramleyI adored it. The perfect summer read!' Lesley PearseGrace Quinn loves her job at Cohen's Convenient Storage Company, finding occasional treasure in the forgotten units that customers have abandoned. Her inquisitive nature is piqued when a valuable art collection and a bundle of letters and diaries are found that date back to the 1930s.Delving deeper, Grace uncovers the story of a young English woman, Connie Levine, who follows her heart to Italy at the end of the Second World war. The contents also offer up the hope of a new beginning for Grace, battling a broken heart and caring for her controlling mother.Embarking on her own voyage of discovery, Grace's search takes her to a powder pink villa on the cliff tops overlooking the Italian Riviera, but will she unravel the family secrets and betrayals that Connie tried so hard to overcome, and find love fTrade ReviewPraise for Alex Brown: ‘A really lovely read' Sarah Morgan ‘Very lovely’ Jill Mansell ‘Lose yourself in this gorgeous, captivating romance’ Carmel Harrington ‘An intriguing and heart-warming story you will love’ Katie Fforde ‘Warm and cosy’ Lucy Diamond 'Poignant and moving, the cleverly entwined stories kept me turning the pages.’ Trisha Ashley ‘Alex Brown at her very best – charming, witty, heartwarming and full of absorbing characters' Carmel Harrington 'A lovely, warm-hearted and compassionate tale’ LoveReading ‘This was genuinely one of the most special books I've read this year.’ Bookish Escapes A lovely book to curl up and unwind with, as sweet and charming as home made apple pie’ Milly Johnson 'Warm, wonderful characters – a really lovely read.' Sarah Morgan, author of Sleigh Bells in the Snow

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Book SynopsisKonflikt ''47 is set in a world very much like ours--that is, until 1943. With the development of atomic weapons, the world changed. The testing of a prototype nuclear device by the Manhattan Project opened a rift in the fabric of space. When the Fat Boy atomic bomb was dropped on Dresden in March 1944, it created a second rift. German scientists set to work studying it with far more speed than their U.S. counterparts. Both nations began to receive radio signals through the rifts, though often undecipherable. Soon it became apparent that these signals were messages from unknown originators wanting to help each nation''s war efforts. As the messages were pieced together, discoveries were made that allowed each nation to make huge leaps in industrial and scientific research. Despite repeated pleas and demands from their allies, both the United States and Germany were reluctant to share the messages coming through the rifts. Stalin then declared the United States an enemTable of ContentsIntroduction/ Basic Rules/ Advanced Rules/ Scenarios/ Army Lists/ Quick Reference Sheets

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times No.1 bestseller delivers a scorching read' (John Grisham). One of the great unsolved mysteries of World War II is to some people a secret worth killing forThe greatest remaining mystery of World War II will be solvedWest Berlin, 1987: Spandau Prison is being torn down. Amongst the rubble, the diary of enigmatic Nazi Rudolph Hess is found, and the secrets it reveals plunge the world into chaos.The Spandau Diary- what was in it? Why did the secret intelligence agencies of every major power want it? Why was a brave and beautiful woman kidnapped and assaulted to get to it? And why did a chain of deception and violent death lash out across the globe, from survivors of the Nazi past to warriors in the new conflict now about to explode?Trade ReviewPraise for Greg Iles: ‘A scorching read’ John Grisham ‘Iles is a phenomenal thriller writer’ Independent on Sunday ‘An engrossing page-turning ride’ Jeffery Deaver ‘A rarity. A thriller that really thrills’ Stephen King ‘Alarming, believable, and utterly consuming’ Dan Brown ‘Splendidly creepy … compulsive’ Daily Telegraph ‘An incredible web of intrigue and suspense, an avalanche of action from first page to last’ Clive Cussler

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Book SynopsisThe USA TODAY bestseller!Inspired by the brave women of WWII, this is a moving and powerful novel of friendship, love and resilience for fans of My Name is Eva, The Alice Network and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.A story of love not a story of a warA daring WWII pilot who grew up among the clouds, Juliet Caron's life was one of courage, adventure and a love torn apart by war. Every nook of her Cornish cottage is alive with memories just waiting to be discovered.Katherine Henderson has escaped to Cornwall for Christmas, but she soon finds there is more to her holiday cottage than meets the eye. And on the eve of Juliet's 100th birthday, Katherine is enlisted to make an old lady's final Christmas wish come trueMe Before You meets The English Patient in this stunning romantic historical novelI loved it' Jill MansellReaders love The Last Letter from JulietOK. I've finished the book. Holy ******I had to keep taking breaks in the last 15% just so I didn't break down in a flood of tears' Zoe HaTrade Review Readers ADORE Dear Rosie Hughes… ‘This book is going to be spoken about everywhere…I really really loved it’ Karen Whittard, Reviewer ‘I loved this story of friendship…emotional and memorable’ Jessica Bryson, Reviewer ‘Definitely a book I would read over and over again…Highly recommend’ 5 stars, Ginger Book Geek Blog

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Book SynopsisEllie Dean lives in a tiny hamlet set deep in the heart of the South Downs in Sussex, which has been her home for many years and where she raised her three children. She is the author of the The Cliffehaven Series. To find out more visit www.ellie-dean.co.ukTrade ReviewTHE FIRST CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANWhen sixteen-year-old Sally is evacuated to the English south coast, she is terrified by what lies ahead of her. All she knows are the sights and sounds of London's East End - but Sally swallows her tears as they leave the familiar landmarks behind. * From the publisher's description *THE FIRST CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANWhen sixteen-year-old Sally is evacuated to the English south coast, she is terrified by what lies ahead of her. All she knows are the sights and sounds of London's East End - but Sally swallows her tears as they leave the familiar landmarks behind. * From the publisher's description *Saga lovers will devour this wartime story * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Friendship, family and true love, as well as heartache, are all encountered in this enjoyable read. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE VONDEL PRIZE 2017 LONGLISTED FOR THE 2017 MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE Selected as a Book of the Year 2016 in The Times, Sunday Times and The Economist, and one of the 10 Best Books of 2016 in the New York TimesShortly before his death, Stefan Hertmans'' grandfather Urbain Martien gave his grandson a set of notebooks containing the detailed memories of his life. He grew up in poverty around 1900, the son of a struggling church painter who died young, and went to work in an iron foundry at only 13. Afternoons spent with his father at work on a church fresco were Urbain's heaven; the iron foundry an inferno.During the First World War, Urbain was on the front line confronting the invading Germans, and ever after he is haunted by events he can never forget. The war ends and he marries his great love, Maria Emelia, but she dies tragically in the 1919 flu epidemic. Urbain mourns her bitterly fTrade Review"War and Turpentine is the astonishing result of Hertmans' reckoning with his grandfather's diaries. It is a book that lies at the crossroads of novel, biography, autobiography and history... It seems aching to be called 'Sebaldian', and earns the epithet glowingly... In McKay's lyrical translation, every detail has the heightened luminosity of poetry... War and Turpentine has all the marking of a future classic." -- Neel Mukherjee Guardian "Masterpiece, an accolade often casually bestowed, really does describe this magnificent book... A haunting blend of fact and fiction... Page after page holds you rapt with admiration for both Hertmans' writing and his hero." -- Peter Kemp Sunday Times, Book of the Year "Hertmans writes with an eloquence reminiscent of W.G. Sebald... a masterly book about memory, art, love and war." New York Times 10 Best Books of 2016 "A lovingly reimagined life of an ordinary man whose life was for ever marked by the First World War. Fine prose." The Economist, Book of the Year "Wonderful, full of astonishingly vivid moments of powerful imagery... Hertmans's book is something else again: it has a quietly resonant personal epic quality that dwarfs all around it." -- David Mills Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisJack married her, and shared his life with her, but in time she slipped from his grasp.A heart-breaking portrait of one man's life - of his demons and his lost love - The Temporary Gentleman is, ultimately, a novel about Jack's last bid for freedom, from the savage realities of the past and from himself.

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

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.Trade ReviewIf I needed a reminder why I am such a fan of Sara Gruen's books, her latest novel provides plenty. Unique in its setting and scope, this impeccably researched historical fiction is full of the gorgeous prose I've come to expect from this author.And even after finishing, its message still resonates with me: the monsters we seek may be right in front of us. In fact, the only fault I can find with this book is that I've already finished it * Jodi Picoult *I devoured this book. Sara Gruen has proven herself, once again, to be one of America's most compelling storytellers...You might be tempted to rush to get to the answers at the end - but don't - or you'll miss the delectable journey that is Gruen's prose * Kathryn Stockett, bestselling author of THE HELP *At the Water's Edge skillfully transports us to a small, tenacious Scottish village in the grip of war, and into the heart of Madeline Hyde, a woman who is a stranger to herself until forces convene to rock her awake. Sara Gruen is a wizard at capturing the essence of her historical setting, and does so here in spades, but it's Maddie's unexpected transformation that grounds and drives the novel. As her husband and best friend search the surface of the Loch, desperate for a sign of the elusive creature, Maddie learns to plumb her own depths, and comes fully alive to the world around her. Magical * Paula McLain, author of THE PARIS WIFE *Superbly researched and far too easily devoured, this is a truly enthralling love story * Scotsman *Just as colourful as Water For Elephants * Good Housekeeping (Summer Reading) *Gruen explores class politics and unlikely friendships in a war-torn environment as the real monsters of the novel are revealed * Daily Record *Terrific characters and attention to detail made this moving, suspenseful novel by the author of Water for Elephants stand out * Woman & Home *lively, colourful and gritty * Sainsbury's Magazine *I just could not put this book down... Sara Gruen is a wonder at building the atmosphere and her attention to detail really brings the Scottish Highlands to life. I loved the way she weaved in tales of folklore and monsters into this touching and haunting love story. * Emma, Waterstones bookseller *An intoxicating blend of history and legend set against the thrilling backdrop of a hunt for the world's most famous monster. Sara Gruen has an exquisite eye for detail, and she evokes the haunted - and haunting - landscape with her signature passion, freshness and scope. Atmospheric and gritty, the compelling tale of Madeline's struggle to redefine herself in a world gone mad will linger long after you turn the final page... I love this marvelous, marvelous book * Joshilyn Jackson, bestselling author of SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVE STORY *powerfully evocative * USA Today *Gruen is a master at the period piece - and her latest novel is just another stunning example of that craft * Glamour US *A daring story of adventure, friendship, and love in the shadow of WWII * Harper’s Bazaar *A gripping, compelling story... wholly diverting and well written. I read it in one sitting * Boston Globe *Riveting... Gruen's beautiful setting and deeply sympathetic characters ensure a memorable read for new and returning fans alike * Publisher's Weekly *A rich, beautiful novel. Elegantly written and compulsively readable. A gripping love story, a profound examination of the effects of war on ordinary women, and a compelling portrait of female friendship. This story...will keep you riveted until the very last page. * Kristin Hannah, author of THE NIGHTINGALE *Another beautifully told, unmissable read from Water for Elephants's Sara Gruen... Sara keeps the wonderful sense of time and place... bewitches us with a melding of the war, Celtic superstition and myth, cleverly layering diverse episodes that entrance and often surprise... by the last page, I was blubbing and wanted to read it all over again immediately. That makes it a 5* from where I'm sitting. * Bookbag *The reader is drawn into this tumultuous time of tragedy as page by page the real monsters of the novel are revealed through Gruen's compelling storytelling * Press Association *In her stunning new novel, Gruen returns to the kind of storytelling she excelled at in Water for Elephants: a historical timeframe in an unusual setting with a moving love story. Think Scottish Downton Abbey... Gruen's impeccable historical research brings the plot down to earth and grounds the larger-than-life characters. Her narrative speaks directly to the reader and is without fuss or ceremony. Intriguing and, at times, suspenseful, At the Water's Edge is a compelling tale of love, loss and the resilience of the human spirit * The Mitford Society *

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Book SynopsisThirty-something Parisian artist Billie is working towards her next exhibition when she receives the news that her mother, with whom she has had no contact for years, has drowned in the river near her nursing home. In an attempt to understand the circumstances of her death, she returns to V, the village where she grew up in the parched, sun-drenched hills above the Mediterranean. When she arrives there, Billie finds herself reliving memories of another river drowning, 20 years earlier, memories she had tried to obliterate. What happened to Billie's dear friend Lila back then, at the age of 16, and why is Billie stalked by guilt? Sunlight Hours paints a picture of three generations of women, united by the secrets of a river.Trade ReviewA paticularly well-done opus which marries sharp writing, narrative depth and an original subject - L'Express (France)The book's strings are pulled one by one to unfurl untold secrets, and, like a thriller, the book becomes impossible to put down - Femmes Magazine (Luxembourg)

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction of a high order' The Times To avoid war across Europe, a killing strike is needed. 1937. Flying for the infamous Condor Legion over the battlefields of Spain's civil war, Merz has been able to unleash the fearsome potential of the Luftwaffe's newest weapon against his opponents. In Dieter's hands, the Messerschmitt Bf-109 is as graceful as a matador's killing strike: la estocada. Scotsman and ex-marine Tam Moncrieff is recruited by a nameless intelligence agency in London to go to Germany and sound out Hitler's resolve. Does he really intend to invade Czechoslovakia? Do his generals support him? Can the march to war be stopped? As duty collides with conscience, fate will bring both men together. In a world wedded to violence and ambition, desperate steps must be taken. To avoid war a killing strike is needed. The question is, who is the matador, who is the bull? A gripping historical thriller based on real events, Estocada 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 critically acclaimed thriller author GRAHAM HURLEY, the 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 ReviewGraham Hurley is one of Britain's most under-appreciated thriller writers... [Estocada is] an engrossing read' * Crime Time *Hurley weaves fact and fiction seamlessly together in another excellent work of suspense and intrigue * Soldier Magazine *With a strong plot, the author brings alive this period of intense political and social drama. The main characters are well-written, with the use of actual historical characters – Ribbentrop, Hitler, Churchill, etc., giving structure and support * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction of a high order' The Times Spring, 1941. The war in the West is as good as won. Nation after nation has fallen before the Reich's armies. Only Britain endures, her cities under nightly bombardment from the Luftwaffe. Berlin would happily call off the bombers in exchange for a peace treaty. Hitler would like to persuade Britain to turn her back on Europe, to attend to her precious Empire instead, to allow Germany a free hand to deal with the real enemy in the East. Peace, perhaps, but at what cost? For Churchill the price is too high; but for others within the British establishment, it is a price worth paying. On both sides of the channel, advocates of total war or peace-at-all-costs are at each others' throats – all unaware that Rudolf Hess, Hitler's quiet, contemplative deputy, has already taken radical steps to change the fortunes of the war... Raid 42 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 ReviewPRAISE FOR GRAHAM HURLEY: 'Tense, absorbing and faultlessly plotted, this thoughtful thriller weaves it all together' Sunday Times Crime Club (Star Pick). 'Liked this. Went someway to plugging the ginormous hole that Philip Kerr sad passing has left in my life' Dermot O'Leary. 'Hurley brings an almost noirlike sensibility to the surprising finale' Booklist. 'So well-written you can smell the sweat and taste the fear' Peter May. 'Beautifully constructed, the result is compelling and richly entertaining' * Daily Mail *

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