Second World War fiction

Book SynopsisIrène Némirovsky was born in Kiev in 1903, the daughter of a successful Jewish banker. In 1918 her family fled the Russian Revolution for France where she became a bestselling novelist, author of David Golder, Le Bal and other works published in her lifetime or soon after, as well as the posthumous Suite Française and Fire in the Blood. In July 1942 she was arrested by the French police and interned in Pithiviers concentration camp, and from there immediately deported to Auschwitz where she died in August 1942.Trade ReviewA masterpiece * Sunday Times *Quite outstanding, full of beauty, pain and truth -- Anne Chisholm * Sunday Telegraph *An irresistible work. Suite Francaise clutches the heart -- Carmen Callil * The Times *The work of a genuine artist -- Julian Barnes * Guardian *Magnificent * The Times *

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Book SynopsisBehind the Moon Gate lies a mystery... The most mesmerising story of family secrets, sweeping from wartime London to Ireland to Australia. From the author of the beloved Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Midnight House.''A rich, sweeping mystery . . . beautifully written, atmospheric and intriguing'' TRACY REES''Magnificent. Cleverly woven plots, storylines and heartbreak . . . I loved it'' LORNA COOK''Divine. I relished every single word of this heartrending story, full of love and sacrifice'' JENNY ASHCROFT-----A faded photograph. An abandoned house. A wartime mystery. . .1939: On the eve of war, young English heiress Grace Grey travels from London to the wilderness of Tasmania. Coaxed out of her shell by the attentions of her Irish neighbour, Daniel - Grace finally learns to live. But when Australian forces are called to the frontline, and Trade Review'A fabulous, immersive read! Right from the start [the] beautifully written, evocative settings swept me away, and wonderful characters, seamless interweave of timelines & layers of mystery kept me enthralled' -- Zoe Miller, author of The House in the WoodsGreat storytelling . . . The Moon Gate is a richly layered atmospheric story that transports the reader from 00s London to 1970s Tasmania and beyond . . . I was drawn in from the first page -- Jacquie Bloese, author of The French HouseA rich, sweeping mystery . . . beautifully written, atmospheric and intriguing -- Tracy Rees, author of The ElopementMagnificent! Cleverly woven plots, storylines and heartbreak . . . I loved it -- Lorna Cook, bestselling author of The Forgotten VillageDivine . . . I relished every single word of this heart-rending story, full of love and sacrifice . . . I'm highly, highly recommending everyone puts it straight to the top of their summer reading list! -- Jenny AshcroftReminiscent of Lucinda Riley . . . twisty, emotional and absorbing * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, KATIE FLYNN‘Ellie’s a true Flynn heroine with her compassion and bravery. A fine Mother’s Day gift for fans’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph ‘Packed with romance and poignancy’ Woman''Romantic and poignant… Fans of historical fiction will love the details and warmth of Katie Flynn’s wartime tale’ Woman’s Own________________________________________Liverpool, 1940: There comes a moment in every child’s life when they must learn to stand on their own two feet.For fifteen-year-old Ellie Lancton, that time has come all too soon. The death of her mother and the increase in air raids leaves Ellie alone and in grave danger. It’s not long before she is forced to leave her beloved Liverpool behind and cross the Mersey to seek refuge in the countryside.But as the w

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Book SynopsisTHE BRAND-NEW NOVEL FROM MAGGIE MASON, AUTHOR OF THE HALFPENNY GIRLS AND THE FORTUNE TELLERSShe''ll do anything to protect her family from war . . .BLACKPOOL, 1914Seventeen-year-old Maddie has grown up in a boarding house on one of Blackpool''s poorest streets. Life is busy, but happy, as she works alongside her mother taking care of their visitors. But when war breaks out, her happiness is shattered as her fiancé is called up to fight for his country, and suddenly Maddie''s future is filled with uncertainty.As Blackpool becomes a training ground for the army, the guesthouse is used as a billet for soldiers, and Maddie soon finds herself drawn to one in particular: Arnie. As the pair grow close and his departure date nears, their feelings for one another intensify. Little does she know, the short six weeks she''s known and loved Arnie will impact the rest of her life . . .As Maddie comes to terms with

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Book Synopsis*BASED ON A TRUE STORY, CONTAINS 50+ PAGES OF EXTRA CONTENT ON THE REAL PEOPLE THE BOOK IS INSPIRED BY*Jersey, 1943. When the German Army invades the tranquil island, librarian Grace La Motée is determined to keep her services running. Ordered to destroy books which threaten the Nazi regime, she refuses, instead hiding them away and fighting back by forming a book club: a lifeline to help islanders escape the terror of war, one chapter at a time.But soon Grace''s quiet acts of bravery become even more perilous. She''s harbouring dangerous secrets - ones that put her life in danger - and when tensions turn to violence, she is forced to face the true, terrible cost of resistance . . .Based on astonishing real events, The Wartime Book Club is a love letter to the power of books in the darkest of times - as well as a moving page-turner that brings to life the remarkable, untold story of an island at war.EVERYONE LOVES THE

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Book SynopsisAt the outbreak of the Second World War, a mismatched group of passengers flee across the Atlantic to escape Britain and – thousands of feet in the air – find themselves facing grave danger. Night Over Water is a masterful historical thriller from Ken Follett.The Eve of WarBritain has just declared war against Nazi Germany. In Southampton, the world’s most luxurious airliner, the Pan American Clipper, takes off on its final flight to neutral New York – a haven for those fleeing the conflict.A Disparate Group FleesThe passengers aboard the plane each have their own reasons for leaving Britain. Amongst them are an English aristocrat fleeing with his family and a fortune in jewels; a German scientist running away from the Nazis; a murderer returning under FBI escort; a wife escaping her controlling husband; and a devious thief determined to keep his spoils.A Journey into DangerTrapped on the plane, with only their fellow passengers for company, their journey over the Atlantic becomes increasingly fraught. Especially when it becomes apparent a plot is unfolding that may endanger all of their lives . . .Trade ReviewMaster storyteller * The Times *Master of the romantic thriller * Daily Telegraph *The opulent interior of the first airliner on a transatlantic flight from England to New York in war-darkened 1939 is the setting for Follett's high-flying caper, guaranteed to hold the reader in their seat . . . the master of epic suspense spins an excruciatingly taut drama, a whirlwind of romance and intrigue . . . His best since Eye of the Needle * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An evocative love story layered with heroism and intrigue — the film ‘Casablanca’ if Rick had an artsy bent … powerful.” — San Francisco Chronicle "A sweeping tale of perseverance and courage set against the backdrop of Nazi-era Europe, The Postmistress of Paris is the very best kind of historical fiction: a complex and intriguing story that both highlights a little-known moment in the past and resonates powerfully in the present, reminding us that bigotry can only be vanquished when people are willing to take a stand.” — Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train "I loved The Postmistress of Paris, a novel of so many layers - a suspense story, a love story, and a story about the purpose of art. Meg Waite Clayton is a brilliant and deft writer, and I rooted for her strong, witty and brave heroine on her pulse-pounding mission to save Jewish painters, intellectuals, and a motherless child from Vichy France." — Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal "Widely esteemed for her previous World War II novels, Meg Waite Clayton triumphantly returns with The Postmistress of Paris, a story of one woman’s heroic quest to help the forgotten in Occupied France. Clayton’s immaculately researched and beautifully written tale of passage and courage and heart is her best work yet." — Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Woman With The Blue Star “The work of an unsung heroine rises from the pages of The Postmistress of Paris. Meg Waite Clayton draws a vivid contrast between the beauty of art and the brutality of war, the power of humanity and the human cost of cruelty, greed, and prejudice. With a heart-stopping flight across war-torn Europe, this is a story readers of historical fiction and strong female characters will devour.” — Lisa Wingate, # 1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Before We Were Yours “Clayton expertly renders the story of a courageous American woman’s role in the French Resistance during WWII. . . . Clayton’s lyrical, thought-provoking prose breathes life into her characters. This sterling portrait of a complex woman stands head and shoulders above most contemporary WWII fiction.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “This gripping historical love story from Clayton brings readers into the courageous lives of those struggling just to stay alive and those risking everything to help.” — Booklist "Fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Hannah will want to dive right into The Postmistress of Paris." — BookPage “A true gem . . . and a testament to the power of good.” — Portia Kapraun, Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisYona has used her knowledge of the wilderness to help hundreds of Jews escape the Nazis. But what happens when a secret from her past emerges and threatens everything? After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies.Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what's happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest – and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation.But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.Praise for Kristin Harmel: 'A powerful story of survival and resilience. I couldn't put it down' - Heather Morris'A cracking story and characters that zing from the page. Totally immersive' - Liz TrenowTrade Review'A cracking story and characters that zing from the page. Totally immersive' -- Liz Trenow

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Book Synopsis'Gripping, heartbreaking and uplifting.' Christy Lefteri, author of the million-copy bestseller The Beekeeper of AleppoTHEIR STORY WILL BREAK YOUR HEARTTHEIR JOURNEY WILL FILL YOU WITH HOPEYOU WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR NAMESWhen 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. 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.Trade ReviewAt the heart of this unbearably sad, but ultimately uplifting novel is the unbreakable bond shared between three sisters . . . A gruelling read, but the vivid resilience of the girls, their constant care and affection for each other, is immeasurably comforting * Daily Mail *Offers a fascinating glimpse into life after the horrors of Auschwitz. And that's what makes this book stand out . . . A story of hope, spirit and sheer human resilience * Sunday Express *Emotionally affecting storytelling * Top page-turners selection for Daily Telegraph *Another heart-wrenching, deftly told tale . . . it is hard not to be moved by such a chronicle * Mail on Sunday *Heartbreaking yet inspiring, this is a moving tale of bravery, the power of love and survival against the odds * My Weekly *A stunning novel * People Magazine *Morris skillfully chronicles the lives of the sisters from childhood to old age, balancing fictional invention with extensive research and immersion into the Mellers' lives. Readers will be greatly inspired by this story of resilience * Publishers Weekly starred review *Readers of historical and World War II fiction will be gripped by the conclusion to Morris's trilogy * Library Journal *Emotional and inspiring * Platinum Magazine *This book! I loved it. The fact that this is a true story means a lot, but the author is so skilled that you really live through the experiences of these girls. Each of them comes to life and is very much her own person. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. * 5* Netgalley review *I really enjoyed this book because it was very different to the others as this was about the bond of three sisters and not giving up on the others, about sticking together no matter what and getting through the war and staying safe. There is a lot to be taken from these incredible women stories. I highly recommend this book to everyone!! * Steph Reads Blog *Heather Morris's books are written with such care and feeling. This is the story of three sisters and how they coped with the horrors they witnessed in the camps during WW2 and their fight and determination to survive. Excellent book and very emotional. * 5* Netgalley review *This novel is testament to the power that love and devotion can get you through everything. Just like Heather Morris' other works this is also well-written, you get sucked in and before you know it you have read 50 pages in an afternoon! It is interesting that this book doesn't just end with the sister's release from Auschwitz like most other WWII memoirs but carries on and explains how the sisters slowly heal and move on with the rest of their lives. * 5* Netgalley review *An incredible book from start to finish, so emotional and so powerful, every chapter left me desperate to read on. I felt so invested in the lives of the three sisters, and as a reader you become so connected to them, especially as this book spans more than just their lives in Auschwitz, looking at both before and after, meaning they become the three-dimensional people they deserve to be. This was just as excellent as Heather Morris' previous books! * Emma is Reading a Book blog *I absolutely adored Heather's two previous novels - The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey - so I was more than excited to see she'd written another book. I love that these stories are real, and Heather has been chosen as the guardian of them. She manages to portray the joy amongst the pain, fear, and desperation. What they went through was terrible, but she's managed to ensure we don't forget the beauty the sisters experienced too. * Books by my Bedside blog *I was deeply moved and an emotional wreck for great chunks of this book. If you have read and been moved by Heather Morris's previous books, this is a must read. If you've never read anything in this genre, this is a must read. A dark and bleak but ultimately life-affirming journey, with hope in the darkest days, a determination to survive and to care for those that you love. A vitally important book to never forget, and a reminder of the depth of human hope, love, and the will to survive. * Avid Reader blog *I am not normally one for historical reads, however, this has completely changed my perspective! I loved it! Incredibly gripping and heart-wrenching, would definitely recommend it. * Partridge Pages Blog *This book! I loved it. It was one of those that I was so sorry when I was finished it. The author is so skilled that you really live through the experiences of these girls. And each of them comes to life and is very much her own person. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. * 5* Review from Netgalley *Having read Heather Morris' previous two books, I could not wait to read Three Sisters and it really did not disappoint. Incredibly well written and atmospheric. Everything was handled sensitively and in an inspiring way. I would happily read more from Heather Morris in the future, and I can't wait to see what she does next. * 5* Review from Netgalley *The book is an honest, powerful, at times hard hitting recollection of what the Meller family went through. Once again Heather has taken the dreadful memories of Auschwitz survivors and created an amazing book. The way Heather writes these stories you feel like you have been on a journey and as you read you are almost an eyewitness to the atrocities survivors had to endure. * 5* Review from Netgalley *Prior to reading this book, I had read Heather Morris' The Tattooist of Auschwitz and found it incredibly moving. Three Sisters unveils a different, yet equally brutal side to the concentration camps, through the eyes of three fiercely loyal and brave sisters. Morris does such a wonderful job with such harrowing subject matter. Instead of highlighting or lingering on the horrors that occurred, she focuses on the sisters and their mother and grandfather. Their bond, courage and will to survive is astounding to read about and this is made all the more poignant by the strength of Morris' craft. The authors care for the real sisters' stories is evident throughout; her respect for them filters through the pages. It is no easy task to take someone's life story, particularly one so tragic, and craft it into a book like this. It takes a special person to do it. * 5* Netgalley review *My words are really not going to do this book justice. Heather Morris has (not surprisingly) delivered yet another deeply moving story of bravery, loyalty, survival and love, in defiance of the inconceivable horror and brutality faced at Auschwitz-Birkenau. A complete emotional rollercoaster, we follow sisters Cibi, Magda and Livi; their harrowing, eye opening story of resilience and strength shown throughout their journey and the story of their survival together. * 5* Netgalley review *Wow. I'm absolutely blown away. An extremely heart-breaking but wonderfully written book. What I say here will not do this book justice. Having read both The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey; I had to of course read Three Sisters too. I think this is possibly my favourite book of the three. I loved how there was so much detail into their lives afterwards, survival, love and family. I would highly recommend that if you do read this book, to read the authors note at the end along with the afterwords. * 5* Netgalley review *Wow, this is such an incredible read. Ciba, Magda and Livia have an indescribable story to tell. They live through so much and Morris gives them a voice and retells everything they endured; good and bad. The three sisters are such strong women and I loved getting to know them, reading about their life and seeing what happened to them and those around them. Three Sisters is an absolute must read. It is powerful, moving and thought-provoking. * 4* review on Netgalley *A heart wrenching, emotional, sad and poignant read. I think the author has captured her characters feelings, thoughts and emotions very eloquently and as a reader you can't help but be affected by their story which had me in tears a few times. A very powerful and poignant read that will stay on my mind for a while. * 4* Netgalley review *If you enjoyed the first two books (`The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka's Journey), then I think you'll equally enjoy this book. The three sisters fill the pages with bravery, family love and the ability to endure. At the end of the book, I had a lump in my throat as you see the large legacy that the three sisters grew: they endured, survived, and thrived which makes for a rewarding and inspiring read. * Between my Lines Blog *

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

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Book SynopsisNo. 1 international bestseller and Swedish crime sensation Camilla Lackberg's chilling psychological thriller featuring Detective Patrick Hedstrom and Erica Falck irresistible for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover an old Nazi medal among her late mother''s belongings. Inspired to dig deep into her past, she visits a retired history teacher for answers. Two days later, he's dead.Detective Patrik Hedström is on paternity leave. But his wife's enquiries appear to have set off a chain of murders and he's finding it hard to keep out of the investigation.A terrible secret from the darkest days of World War II is coming to light and their families' histories are right at the heart of it.Trade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘A top-class Scandinavian crime writer’ The Times ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘A warmth that cuts right through the Nordic chill’ Independent ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun

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Book SynopsisA brilliantly evocative, atmospheric novel about the delusion and indecision of a wealthy family in the last days of the Third Reich as the Russians advance from the east In January 1945, the German army is retreating from the Russian advance. Germans are fleeing the occupied territories in their thousands, in cars and carts and on foot. But in a rural East Prussian manor house, the wealthy von Globig family seals itself off from the world. Protected from the deprivation and chaos around them, they make no preparations to leave until a decision to harbour a stranger for the night begins their undoing. Finally joining the great trek west, the remaining members of the family face at last the catastrophic consequences of the war. Profoundly evocative of the period, sympathetic yet painfully honest about the motivations of its characters, All for Nothing is a devastating portrait of the complicities and denials of the German people as the Third Reich comes to an end.Trade ReviewIt is brilliant, vivid, unsentimental, fast moving, cinematic and, for all its apparent ease of telling, scrupulously well-structured. The distinguished translator Anthea Bell has conveyed Kempowski's wry tone... Kempowski's late masterwork is a universal tract which suggests that history can only present the facts; it is crafted stories such as this which enable us to grasp a sense of the vicious reality of war -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *A beautiful, forgiving and compassionate book... It reaches its last devastating line with poetic sensibility and the grace of a classical tragedy, confirming Kempowski as a truly great writer... Completely gripping * Guardian *Seethes with human drama, contradiction and complexity... An astonishing literary achievement * Daily Telegraph *With restraint and subtlety, Kempowski explores the ordinariness of complicity with evil... heartbreaking and illuminating -- Antonia Senior * The Times *One of the best books I've ever read -- Jenny Erpenbeck, author * The End of Days *I love this book. It is Kempowski's crowning achievement: his last, and lasting work of fiction -- Rachel SeiffertA novel of profound depth and originality * Sunday Times *Turns a clear-eyed, compassionate gaze on an aristocratic family in East Prussia * Sunday Times *This is a brilliant, deceptively simple exploration of everyday complicity with evil * The Times *An epic of exodus, timely for our days * Jewish Chronicle *[A] stunning final novel by German author Walter Kempowski... Beneath its apparently serene façade, the book seethes with human drama and complexity. The tone is wryly reductive; a fable that becomes a nightmare. * Sunday Telegraph *[A] narrative of profound depth and originality... Kempowski tells his story of individuals caught up in history's sweep with a dispassionate simplicity that adds to its power. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Gripping and dark... I read [it] with huge admiration and yes, a bit of envy for the author's skill, imagination and daring -- Margaret McMillan, Best Books of 2016 * New Statesman *Kempowski tells his story of individuals caught up in history's wider sweep with a dispassionate simplicity -- 100 Modern Novels to Love * Sunday Times *

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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 SynopsisBestselling historical fiction author Molly Green is back with her most engrossing, heartfelt World War Two saga yet! Preorder The Wartime Librarian''s Secret now!Will helping the war effort help mend her broken heart?September, 1939.London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn't say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.Heartbroken, Dulcie is posted to Bletchley Park, where she must concentrate instead on cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first codeBut when a spiteful act of jealousy leads to Dulcie's brutal dismissal, her life is left in pieces once more. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep the job she loves? And will her heart ever truly heal if she doesn't hear from Glenn again?The first in an inspiring wartime series set at Bletchley Park from saga queen Molly Green, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas.Praise for Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park:One hell of a journeya great curl up and read book' Reader Review ?????One of those can''t-put-down books' Reader Review ?????A journey for the readertantalizinginterestingtry this one!' Reader Review ?????A cracking good read!' Reader Review ?????Moments of being held spellboundKept me on the edge of my seat. Couldn''t put it down' Reader Review ?????My first book by this author and it won't be my last' Reader Review ?????Trade Review PRAISE FOR MOLLY GREEN: ‘Molly Green creates realistic characters and situations that keep you turning the pages’ Katie Fforde 'A moving, gripping story set during WW2, of a woman's dedication to the orphans in her care and her heart wrenching love’ Kitty Neale ‘Redolent of wartime Britain and brimming with heartfelt stories from several characters, Molly Green's sure-footed novel shows just how challenging it was to find love and a place to call home in the dark days of the war’ Terri Fleming ‘A lovely, heartfelt, warming slice of saga fiction … There is a gentleness to the writing as it walks some difficult paths, ensuring AN ORPHAN’S WAR is an engaging, generous read’ Liz Robinson, LoveReading ‘A gripping read’ My Weekly ‘Meticulously researched and brings into focus the sterling work of the women of the ATA … An engrossing story, with a strong, likeable female protagonist facing issues we still face today’ Historical Novel Society Magazine ‘Memorable characters, a well written, plausible plot and very good descriptions of the time and place. The scenes and details of Dr Barnardo’s are especially interesting as the plight of orphans is rarely considered when we think of World War Two … We often forget the ordinary people surviving day-to-day ‘back home’’ Discovering Diamonds Blog

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Book SynopsisBehind the large house, the fragrant camomile lawn stretches down to the Cornish cliffs. Here, in the dizzying heat of August 1939, five cousins have gathered at their aunt''s house for their annual ritual of a holiday. For most of them it is the last summer of their youth, with the heady exhilarations and freedoms of lost innocence, as well as the fears of the coming war.The Camomile Lawn moves from Cornwall to London and back again, over the years, telling the stories of the cousins, their family and their friends, united by shared losses and lovers, by family ties and the absurd conditions imposed by war as their paths cross and recross over the years. Mary Wesley presents an extraordinarily vivid and lively picture of wartime London: the rationing, imaginatively circumvented; the fallen houses; the parties, the new-found comforts of sex, the desperate humour of survival - all of it evoked with warmth, clarity and stunning wit. And through it all, the cousins and tTrade ReviewProvides equal does of sex and repression in war-torn Britain with panache and pace * The Times *A very good book indeed...rich in detail, careful and subtle in observation, mature in judgement -- Susan HillExtraordinarily accomplished and fast-moving * Financial Times *It's hard to overpraise Mary Wesley's novel...so tingling and spry with life that put a mirror to the book and I'll almost swear it will mist over with the breath of the five young cousins * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe second volume of Waugh''s masterful trilogy, Sword of HonourGuy Crouchback is now attached to a commando unit undergoing training on the Hebridean isle of Mugg, where the whisky flows freely and HM forces have to show respect for the laird. But the comedy of Mugg is followed by the bitterness of Crete.Trade ReviewA maverick historian * The Atlantic *Waugh's unsparing bitterness is one of the things that makes his writing so good * Daily Mail *To know as Waugh knows that there are no more great journeys and possibly no more great vows and still to trouble to write a novel at all exhibits precisely that fine hardness of mind most characteristic of him -- Joan Didion

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Book Synopsis''A beautifully crafted and hugely uplifting tale of friendship, history and love. A real gem'' HEAT magazine''A captivating tale of love and loss'' SUNDAY EXPRESS magazine''A stunning book, brilliantly written ... THE SONG OF THE SKYLARK will totally captivate you and your emotions, impossible to put down'' Kaye ThorneLizzie has an unfortunate knack for attracting bad luck, but this time she''s hit the jackpot. Losing her heart to her boss at the radio station where she works leads directly to losing her job, and with no money in the bank she''s forced to swallow her pride and return home to her parents. As if that wasn''t bad enough, her mother finds her work at the local care home for the elderly, and it''s there that Lizzie meets Mrs Dallimore. In her nineties, Mrs Dallimore also finds herself in a situation which she''s reluctantly coming to terms with. Old age has finally caught up with her, and with her life Trade ReviewA thoroughly enjoyable feel-good read -- FANNY BLAKE * WOMAN AND HOME *A stunning book, brilliantly written, poignantly capturing the lives of both women. The Song of the Skylark will totally captivate you and your emotions, impossible to put down! Highly Recommended! -- Kaye Thorne * HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES *A beautifully crafted and hugely uplifting tale of friendship, history and love. A real gem. -- Isabelle Broom * HEAT MAGAZINE *A captivating tale of love and loss -- Kerry Hiatt * SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE *Written with tenderness and genuine affection, Song of the Skylark grabs you by the heartstrings and won't let go. Poignant, moving and totally captivating, this is a stunning story to savour from first page to last. -- Pam Norfolk * LANCASHIRE EVENING POST *Inter-generational friendship takes centre stage in this upbeat and heartwarming novel * THE LADY *Absorbing and uplifting -- Karen Byrom * MY WEEKLY *

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Book SynopsisPre-order Victory for Ambridge, the brilliant new novel in The Archers series, coming in paperback in 2025. ‘Intriguing, comforting and endearingly familiar’ Katie Fforde‘The BBC’s most downloaded radio show’ The Guardian‘Incredible legacy’ ​The BBC‘Longest running drama in the world’ The i News'Wonderfully nostalgic and comforting' Culture FlyIn celebration of the 70th anniversary of The Archers hitting the radio waves.  It’s 1940 and war has broken out. It is midnight at the turn of the year, and Walter Gabriel speaks the same line that opened the very first radio episode –  'And a Happy New Year to you all!' For Ambridge, a village in the heart of the English countryside, this year will bring change in ways no one was expecting.  <Trade Review‘Intriguing, comforting and endearingly familiar’ Katie Fforde ‘The opening words of the first radio episode of The Archers 70 years ago set the scene for a novel that takes readers back to before the much-loved “everyday story of country folk” began . . . Nostalgia for avid listeners with long memories’ Choice ‘In this new novel celebrating the 70th anniversary of the beloved radio show, we follow the lives of the families of Ambridge before it all began . . . families that listeners have known and loved for generations face an uphill battle to keep their secrets hidden’ Countryside ‘An inventive cosy crime prequel to the “everyday story of country folk”, first aired 70 years ago . . . a good novel tautly constructed and often laugh-aloud funny’ The Times ‘You don’t need to be a fan of The Archers to enjoy this . . . It’s a comfort blanket of a book with a rich vein of spicy intrigue’ Woman

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER ‘Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!’ The Northern Echo ***********Sunderland, 1941With a brief break in air raids providing some much-needed respite from the war, things are looking up for head welder Rosie, who has fallen head over heels for Detective Sergeant Miller. But how long can their romance last in such uncertain times?Life remains full of challenges for Gloria, who must face her abusive ex-husband and confront her own guilty conscience about baby Hope’s real father. The secret is tearing her apart but if she admits the truth, she will risk losing everything. Both women are determined that their love and faith will be enough to keep the most difficult of promises, but nothing is as simple as it seems…Praise for The Shipyard Girls series:‘This author is one to watch!’ Sun‘A brilliant read’ Take a Break‘Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages’Woman

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Book SynopsisWinner of the HWA Sharpe Gold Crown for Best Historical Novel.An international bestseller, To Die in Spring is a beautiful and devastating novel of a friendship tragically interrupted by war, by German author Ralf Rothmann.Walter Urban and Friedrich 'Fiete' Caroli work side by side as hands on a dairy farm in northern Germany. By 1945, it seems the War's worst atrocities are over. When they are forced to 'volunteer' for the SS, they find themselves embroiled in a conflict which is drawing to a desperate, bloody close. Walter is put to work as a driver for a supply unit of the Waffen-SS, while Fiete is sent to the front. When the senseless bloodshed leads Fiete to desert, only to be captured and sentenced to death, the friends are reunited under catastrophic circumstances.In a few days the war will be over, millions of innocents will be dead, and the survivors must find a way to live with its legacy.'To Die in Spring holds its own against Günter Grass and Erich Maria Remarque; it is an excellent work, and one deserving of its wide readership' – GuardianTrade ReviewTo Die in Spring holds its own against Günter Grass and Erich Maria Remarque; it is an excellent work, and one deserving of its wide readership. -- Rachel Seiffert * Guardian *A Bosch-like vision of hell... The horror of war and the deep damage it does to people... is not always handled as well, or as powerfully, as this. * Sunday Times *A wonderful, precise, very moving novel. -- Roddy DoyleA remarkable and memorable book, about the nastiness, fear, dirt and brutality of war . . . Few novels, in any language, have conveyed them better. -- Caroline Moorehead * Times Literary Supplement *Yes, you’ve already read Remarque, but you should read this one because it’s not just the story of wartime trauma, but also the story of how that trauma affects the future. Walter Urban and his friend Friedrich Caroli are just 17 years old when they’re drafted from their dairy-farm duties into the trenches. Today, right now, we all need to read the chilling section in which very young men are hectored into military service. * LitHub *Rothmann's work [is] one of the most substantial of contemporary German literature. * Tagesspiegel *In this masterpiece, Ralf Rothmann manages the seemingly impossible. He describes the guilt of their fathers' generation from the viewpoint of the post-War generation without betraying it to a moralising know-it-all attitude. * Badische Zeitung *In contemporary German literature, there is nothing that can be compared to this book. * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *Searing, haunting, incandescent: Rothmann’s new novel is a vital addition to the trove of wartime fiction. * Kirkus (starred review) *A sublime novel of damaged lives - and of fathers and sons. * Der Spiegel *With his powerful poetics, Ralf Rothmann belongs to the most important German authors, and as a narrator, he is possibly the most sensitive of his generation. He visualises thoughts, gestures and noises masterfully. * Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *As a critic, one should use superlatives cautiously, but this novel is a sensation, a literary and political event. Rothmann's scenes and imagery are so impressive that readers experience the sensation of standing on the battlefield themselves. The author always finds the appropriate words for the horror, for this life damaged by war . . . Rothmann poses the question of guilt, without moralising . . . Apart from the prizes that this powerful and smart novel will receive, one wishes the text one thing first and foremost: many readers. From all generations, in Germany and abroad, because in belligerent times like these, the sad story of Walter and Friedrich is a strong, timeless beacon against war. * SWR *He imagines the characters, landscapes, dialogues with hallucinatory precision, doesn't spare the reader any detail of the brutality . . . [He] lets objects - a footstool, a coat, the hem of a dress - speak. * Süddeutsche Zeitung *One can justifiably say that To Die in Spring heralds the post-Grass era with force. * Die ZEIT *Rothmann tells a story which, without resorting to a hyper-realistic description of catastrophe, narrates the destruction of human beings who seek to remain untouched by evil, who strive with very different intensities to preserve the traces of their humanity . . . Moving, with exquisite prose, suffused with a sense of poetry, in the face of human and collective desolation. * Diario Vasco *To Die in Spring by Ralf Rothmann, is the best novel about the end of the Second World War in years, and a beautiful anti-war tale of universal importance . . . With its lyrical realism, the text reaches new heights. Not a word is out of place. * El País *The war is almost over, the Russians are getting nearer and two young men join the SS. A bad career move, but To Die in Spring is a wonderful, precise, very moving novel by German author Ralf Rothmann. -- Roddy Doyle * Guardian *In To Die in Spring Ralf Rothmann finds a way to describe German suffering without succumbing to self-pity or overlooking guilt. An extraordinary novel. * La Nueva España *Brilliant . . . Spare and elegant, [To Die in Spring] paints a quietly harrowing picture of the lasting effects of human violence . . . Directly confronting issues of responsibility, accountability, and legacy, this is an undeniably powerful work. * Publishers' Weekly (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisDon''t miss USA Today bestseller Lana Kortchik''s upcoming WWII historical novel. Pre-order now!The Philippines, 1941. When Rose Williams is sent to Manila for her first assignment as a US Navy nurse, she thinks she has entered a paradise. Taking midnight dips in a warm sea, exploring secret corners of the island, and socialising with the local US soldier camp makes war seem like a distant and unlikely threat.But after Pearl Harbour is attacked, Rose and the other nurses' lives change. They retreat from Manila and their idyllic lifestyle, instead working 24-hour shifts in the jungle.Rose faces constant threat, not only to her life, but from those around her she thought she could trust

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Book SynopsisDesigned to meet the requirements for students at IGCSE and A level, this accessible educational edition offers the complete text of Spies with a comprehensive study guide. Highlights of Andrew Bruff''s guide include:- detailed analyses of character, setting and theme;- close examination of the novel''s plot, structure and narrative techniques;- key quotations and activities both for the student working alone and in the classroom.In the quiet cul-de-sac where Keith and Stephen live the only immediate signs of the Second World War are the blackout at night and a single random bomb site. But the two boys start to suspect all is not as it seems when one day Keith announces a disconcerting discovery: the Germans have infiltrated his own family. And when the secret underground world they have dreamed up emerges from the shadows they find themselves engulfed in mysteries far deeper and more painful than they had bargained for.

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming wartime story of love and friendship, from the author of the award-winning THE MOTHER''S DAY CLUBNorfolk, 1944Land Girls, Phylly and Gracie, have become the best of friends - but war work is never easy at Catchetts Farm . . .Poor Gracie wakes each morning worrying about whether she''ll ever get to see her airman husband again. And Phylly is trying - and failing - to encourage Jimmy, an evacuee from London, to open up about his heartbreaking past.When they meet Edwin, a handsome airman from the American Airforce, it soon becomes clear that Jimmy isn''t the only one playing his cards close to his chest. But what could Edwin wish to hide from the girls?Being a Land Girl means back-breaking work in all weathers, and the girls are determined want to do their bit to support the war effort. As their hardship grows, will the friendship between Phylly and Gracie be strong enough to see them through?A H

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Book SynopsisA gripping saga evoking the spirit of the 1970s East End, from the author of Room for a Lodger and Banished from Bow.Sandy Brent''s life is blown apart the day her husband offers to drive her to work. On the way he tells her that their marriage is over and that he''s seeing someone else. Sandy''s refusal to believe that it''s finished sends Roy into a frenzy - and the car into a head-on collision. When she wakes in hospital, Sandy is alone, and must start her life over from scratch. She decides to head back to her roots in the colourful East End and set up her own boutique. But someone is set on bringing her down: her own sister, Ruth. Deeply angry towards Sandy because of a childhood secret, Ruth is determined to see her sister run aground. Gathering her new friends and neighbours around to combat Ruth''s warped machinations, Sandy needs to draw on strength she never knew she had. Then disaster strikes again...Trade ReviewShe brings the East End to life -- Barbara WindsorUnbridled passions run riot * Daily Mail *Sizzles with passion * Guardian on WILD HOPS *A rich, vivid, three-dimensional, gutsy and sexy narrative which has you turning the pages into the early hours * Eastern Daily Press on WILD HOPS *

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Book SynopsisLife and Fate is an epic tale of twentieth-century Russia told through the fate of a single family, the Shaposhnikovs, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Stalingrad.As the battle of Stalingrad looms, Grossman's characters must work out their destinies in a world torn by ideological tyranny and war.Completed in 1960 and then confiscated by the KGB, this sweeping panorama of Soviet Society remained unpublished until it was smuggled into the West in 1980, where it was hailed as a masterpiece.'One of the finest Russian novels of the 20th century' Daily Telegraph'Compelling... Grossman's portrait is timelessly relevant... Life and Fate is worth all the audience it can find' The TimesVINTAGE CLASSICS RUSSIAN SERIES - sumptuous editions of the greatest books to come out of Russia during the most tumultuous period in its history.Trade ReviewOne of the greatest masterpieces of the twentieth century * Times Literary Supplement *It is only a matter of time before Grossman is acknowledged as one of the great writers of the 20th century... Life and Fate is a book that demands to be talked about * Guardian *One of the finest Russian novels of the 20th century * Daily Telegraph *Vasily Grossman's novel is burnt in my memory, not only by its huge canvas, its meditation on tyranny, and its dazzling description of war, but also because this is the novel that made me cry - not just a few leaked tears, but a full-scale sobbing episode - in Montpellier airport... Grossman lost his mother in a concentration camp. In Life and Fate, he writes with tenderness, and pain, not only of that experience but of what it is like to survive tyranny. A classic indeed -- Gillian Slovo * Independent *One of the great writers of the last century * Observer *

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Book SynopsisJanuary 1944, the south coast of England. The Fifth Battalion, Wessex Regiment wait patiently and nervously for the order to embark. There is boredom and fear, comedy and pathos as the men - all drawn from different walks of life - await the order to move. From The City, From The Plough is a vivid and moving account of the fate of these men as they set off for Normandy and advance into France.Trade Review"In pages of lean prose, Stoke Newington-raised Baron conjures the boredom and fear as a British regiment embarks for the Normandy beaches. An unqualified masterpiece." * Evening Standard's best books of 2019 *"Undoubtedly one of the very greatest British novels of the Second World War." -- Sir Antony Beevor"Offers the portrait of a military unit in human terms, as day to day incidents reveal the characters assigned to the Normandy Invasion." * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisZeno is the pseudonym of Gerald Lamarque, born in London in 1920, who served with the Pathfinders of the First Airborne Division in the Second World War, in Africa, the Central Mediterranean and, most notably, at the Battle of Arnhem, the experience of which he memorably describes in The Cauldron. He was the author of three other novels and died in 1978.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the new Penguin Crime and Espionage seriesA First World War battlefield hides a deadly secret - one that some are willing to kill forPaul Mitchell is a young military historian whose life is changed forever when two men, Dr Audley and Colonel Butler of the MOD, visit him with a fragment of a German trench map - and a lot of questions. Then somebody tries to kill him. Paul, his life now in danger, agrees to go underground on a mission to solve a dangerous mystery: what really happened during the battle of the Somme in 1916? And why does somebody want to keep it secret?Trade ReviewThriller-writing at its most intelligent and subtle. * Daily Telegraph *Price unbeatably blends scholarship with wordliness, flattering us to bits. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisCounter-intelligence agent Jacob Welker is on a special mission to find a group of scientists who could change the course of World War II in this smartly written historical espionage thriller.September 1939. Germany has declared war on Poland, and in German Pomerania, Professor Josef Brun is on the run from the SS, carrying secret documents that could change the course of the war. If he can make it to France or Britain. If he can survive . . . In America, counter-intelligence agent Captain Jacob Welker is handed a special assignment from President Roosevelt. Einstein believes the Nazis are aware of a new super weapon made possible by advances in atomic science, and only a small group of scientists can stop them winning the race to develop it. Enlisting the help of his British friends, Lord Geoffrey and Patricia Saboy, Welker must find the scientists and get them out of Germany from under the Nazi''s noses. As a dangerous new world of physics gath

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Book SynopsisSeptember 1940: the height of the Blitz. When The Savoy advertises its very safe series underground shelters it is discovered after one night of raids that one of the hotel's guests is dead, stabbed through the heart...

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Book SynopsisA stunning and heartbreaking new novel from Jamila Gavin MBE, the bestselling and award-winning author of Coram Boy and The Wheel of Surya.England, 1937.Gwen, Noor, Dodo and Vera are four very different teenage girls, with something in common. Their parents are all abroad, leaving them in their English boarding school, where they soon form an intense friendship. The four friends think that no matter what, they will always have each other. Then the war comes.The girls find themselves flung to different corners of the war, from the flying planes in the Air Transport Auxiliary to going undercover in the French Resistance. Each journey brings danger and uncertainty as each of them wonders if they can make it through and what will be left of the world. But at the same time, this is what shows them who they really are and against this impossible backdrop, they find new connections and the possibility of love.Will the four friends ever see each other again? And when the war is over, who wilTrade Review The Times Children’s Book of the Year 2022 One of the Daily Mail’s best children’s books of 2022 “Jamila Gavin is one of our greatest writers” – S.F. Said “If there are any prizes left for children’s books by the end of the year . . . then this thoughtful, engrossing new novel from Jamila Gavin should clean up . . . Gavin draws her characters with such care and detail that we root with all our might for each one as they use their free will to choose their own futures. Never Forget You is a novel to remember” – The Times “We never lose our sense of engagement with the many characters and events, and quotations add to the rich debate about whether war is justified. An exceptionally well-told and compelling account of friendship, courage and love” – The Sunday Times “Based on the true story of a World War II British agent in France, this thrilling novel follows four very different teenage girls thrown together at boarding school in 1937. As fascism rises in Germany, each girl makes life-changing decisions about her role in the conflict as the romantic dreams and hopes of adolescence are crushed by hatred and violence. Unmissable.” Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisA moving and nostalgic saga about post office girls in wartime London. Perfect for readers of Katie Flynn, Kitty Neale and Dilly Court.It is autumn 1940 and, as the bombs rain down on London, a close-knit community struggles to survive. Working at the local post office, Bessie Green does her best to keep her customers'' spirits up, but when she receives a telegram addressed to her parents, there''s nothing she can do to prevent the heartache that lies ahead. Then Bessie hears that eleven-year-old Daisy Mason has been orphaned in a blast, and she''s sure that taking Daisy into their home is just what her parents need to help them overcome their grief. At first, Daisy won''t settle, then her handsome brother Josh comes back on leave and things look up for all of them. But the war brings further challenges for Bessie and her friends - with more hearts broken and loved-ones lost - before they can dare to dream of a brighter future...Readers Trade ReviewPraise for Pam Evans' well-loved family sagas:A touching novel * Daily Express *An unforgettable tale of life during the war * Our Time *Nostalgia, heartbreak, danger and war: all the ingredients of an engrossing novel * Bolton News *There's a special kind of warmth that shines through the characters * Lancashire Evening Post *This book touched me very, very much. It's lovely * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisA rediscovered W&N classic, with a new introduction by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieTrade ReviewDense, lyrical and deeply unsettling... Szczypiorski creates in these pages a kaleidoscopic portrait of life in Nazi-occupied Warsaw... By focusing on a couple of weeks in the lives of a dozen Warsaw residents Szczypiorski is able to delineate the consequences of World War II on a group of ordinary citizens, and the place of that war within the arc of Polish history... As Szczypiorski sees it, good and evil, heroism and cowardice, are not the stuff of high tragedy; they are simply elements of daily life, occasionally thrown into relief by events like war and persecution. Thanks to the trickery of luck and grace, innocence may be redeemed by a mercenary act, as easily as it may be saved through genuine charity and compassion; injustice may result from carelessness and bad timing, as easily as it may proceed from bigotry and hatred. * Michiko Kakutani, New York Times *With a fine balance between poetic tenderness and an unflinching account of the brutal realities of the day, Szczypiorski shows us the intertwining lives of the few Poles, Jews, and Germans who risk everything to save her. * Guardian *There are accidental heroes and inadvertent villains, surprising and unexpected switches that lend the book its extraordinary originality. * Los Angeles Times *What happens to the beautiful Mrs. Seidenman is wholly believable, and carries the full impact of historic truth. * New York Review of Books *Brilliantly choreographed . . . blunt and hauntingly moving. * Newsweek *The prose is stunning, thanks to a masterful translation by Klara Glowczewska, and the characters are so fully fleshed that they seem to step off the page in order to communicate with the reader. * NPR *Complex and convincing. * Philadelphia Inquirer *A rare find... An exceptional storyteller, Szczypiorski passionately re-creates the tumultuous war years for us, also providing insight into the current resurgence of Polish nationalism and Solidarity. * Publishers Weekly *The authorial voice here - now gentle, now sardonic, but always piercingly omniscient - takes unique advantage of its eighties' perspective to create an unforgettable group portrait. * Kirkus Reviews *A masterpiece of modern prose which grips the reader with the power of a high-class thriller. * Frankfurter Rundschau *Szczypiorski recounts the eternal calvary of a Poland drunk with independence, but always enslaved and always crushed, in a sparse language as classical as that of Thomas Mann. Superb. * Le Figaro *A masterful accomplishment, written with the kind of suspense that makes it impossible to put down. * Neue Zürcher Zeitung *

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Book SynopsisJackdaws by Ken Follett is an irresistible novel of the French Resistance, love, courage and revenge set in the Second War War.A Failed MissionTwo weeks before D-Day, the French Resistance try to destroy a telephone exchange vital to Nazi communications. Heavily defended, the mission fails disastrously.A Daring PlanWith invasion looming, Flick Clairet, a British secret agent, proposes a daring but perilous new plan. She, along with an all-female team – the Jackdaws – will infiltrate and neutralize the exchange before Allied Forces land in France.A Race Against TimeHowever, unbeknownst to Flick, Rommel has assigned a brilliant spy-catcher – Dieter Franck – to crush the French Resistance. And now Franck is closing in . . .Trade ReviewMaster storyteller * The Times *Compelling reading . . . great entertainment * Baltimore Sun *Suspenseful, gripping * New York Post *

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Book SynopsisIn his first novel, Werner Herzog tells a hypnotic tale inspired by the true story of a Japanese soldier who defended a small island for twenty-nine years after the end of WWII1944: Lubang Island, the Philippines. With Japanese troops about to withdraw, Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda was given orders by his superior officer: Hold the island until the Imperial army's return. You are to defend its territory by guerrilla tactics, at all costs.So began Onoda's long campaign. Soon weeks turned into months, months into years, and years into decades - until eventually time itself seemed to melt away. All the while Onoda continued to fight his fictitious war, at once surreal and tragic, at first with other soldiers, and then, finally, alone, a character in a novel of his own making. . .'An enthralling novel that explores the nature of time and warfare with great mastery' Mail on Sunday'Herzog. . .brilliantly blends fact and fiction in this fever dream of a novel' Daily Mail'A literary jewel set to sparkle against the backdrop of his monumental career in cinema' i Trade ReviewBeautiful... Nobody else could have written The Twilight World. It is pure Herzog * Sunday Times *Herzog's writing bristles with the same eerie and uncompromising energy as his films. His jungle pulses with hallucinatory life * Guardian *An enthralling novel that explores the nature of time and warfare with great mastery * Mail on Sunday *A mesmerising account * Financial Times *Herzog's skills as a filmmaker and dramatist serve the narrative well... In spare, elegant prose, he analyses how isolation effects Onoda... The Twilight World is an austere book, and a wise one * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisA heart-warming story of friendship and love, set during WW2. Perfect for fans of Pam Howes, Elaine Everest and Nancy Revell.

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Book Synopsis'A book to be treasured and returned to again and again' The Independent'Funny, moving and utterly life-enhancing' Daily Mail___SHORTLISTED FOR HWA Crown Awards 2021It's late 1944. Hitler's rockets are slamming down on London with vicious regularity and it's the coldest winter in living memory. Allied victory is on its way, but it's bloody well dragging its feet.In a large house next to Hampstead Heath, Vee Sedge is just about scraping by, with a herd of lodgers to feed, and her young charge Noel ( almost fifteen ) to clothe and educate. When she witnesses a road accident and finds herself in court, the repercussions are both unexpectedly marvellous and potentially disastrous - disastrous because Vee is not actually the person she's pretending to be, and neither is Noel.The end of the war won't just mean peace, but discovery...With caustic wit and artful storytelling, Lissa Evans elegantly summons a time when the world could finally hope to emerge from the chaos of war.___Readers love V for Victory:'The characters stay in the memory and heart.''It's pitch perfect - funny, sad, moving, compelling''Full of warmth, wit and wisdom, an absolute joy'Trade ReviewThis warm-hearted novel is a delightful celebration of love, loyalty and the quiet heroism of ordinary people in extraordinary times. * Daily Mail *This book is complete heaven, read solo or with its predecessors. Lissa Evans writes characters that are so vividly alive that they feel like old friends. A gorgeous, word-perfect, deeply pleasurable novel to lose yourself in. * India Knight *At once funny and moving: the brisk kindness of the wardens will bring a lump to your throat. I could not have loved it more. * Susie Steiner *V for Victory is an absolute balm for the soul, its characters felt so real...and Evans' writing is effortless * Red Magazine (Best Books of the Month) *What keeps you reading is what made Evans a successful scriptwriter...her remarkably vivid recreation of British life during the war, and her characters. * Spectator *

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Book Synopsis''An unmissable reading treat'' Lancashire Evening Post''Beautifully written and emotionally charged . . . impossible to put down'' HAZEL GAYNORA heartwrenching and evocative wartime novel, perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Rachel Hore and Lucinda Riley.Two mothers. Two daughters. Two families torn apart forever.Paris, 1939. Elise and Juliette are certain nothing can come between them. So, when war breaks out and Elise is forced to flee, she entrusts Juliette with her daughter, playmate to Juliette''s own little girl.More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend''s bookstore reduced to rubble - and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to Mathilde in those last terrible moments? Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise''s desperate search leads her to New York - and to Jul

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Book Synopsis** PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS THE ENEMY OF LOVE **Italy 1943The village trattoria, Casa Maria, is famed for its food and for Elena, the formidable matriarch who runs it. But now war has come to Umbria.Sophia di Luca cooks brilliantly and expects to take over the trattoria from Elena one day. But instead it is charismatic, unpredictable Giorgio Capaldi who has inherited it and now arrives from Rome to run it.While Sophia and Giorgio clash, the town falls under Nazi occupation. And when no one knows who to trust, it is Casa Maria that becomes the centre for secrets, dangerous passions and ultimately betrayal.''A wonderful, joyous book, which really spoke to me about the indomitability of the human spirit.'' Elizabeth Enfield***Praise for Annabelle Thorpe: ''Unputdownable!'' Claire Dyer, author of The Last Day ''A pacy, engaging tale of human weakness and

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