War, combat and military adventure fiction

Book Synopsis480 BC. Arimnestos of Plataea has already lived through several lifetimes'' worth of adventure, from being a rich man''s slave in Ephesus to winning glory at the battle of Marathon against the might of the Persian Empire. But the gods - and the Persians - aren''t finished with him yet. As an experienced sea captain - his enemies might say pirate - he has a part to play in the final epic confrontation of the Long War between the Greeks and Persians, the Battle of Salamis. It is a battle where many debts of blood will be repaid, ancient grudges settled, fame won and treachery exposed, where the Greeks must finally bury their differences and fight as one - for against them Xerxes, the Great King, has assembled the greatest fleet the world has ever known, his sworn purpose to brutally extinguish the flame of freedom and make every Greek his slave.Trade ReviewCameron's ability to conjure up what Homer called "the battle haze" might make the ancient bard proud - GLOBE AND MAIL[A] great page-turner - ANCIENT WARFAREThe minutiae of military logistics, the mediations in inter-tribe rivalries, and the casual contemporary scene-setting prove unexpectedly engrossing ... a sword-slash above the rest of its ilk - IRISH EXAMINERThe battles ... are described with enormous verve and power. The ruthless intrigue and politicking that dominate his court are also brilliantly evoked. And, as fate and his own insatiable desire for conquest and glory drive Alexander towards death in Babylon at the age of 32, a genuine sense of an extraordinary personality emerges - SUNDAY TIMES on God of WarA sweeping, deeply moving epic that takes the reader into the heart of a different time and culture - HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A master of the genre'' The TimesBritannia has been subdued - and an epic new chapter in Marcus Valerius Aquila''s life begins. The murderous Roman agents who nearly captured Marcus have been defeated by his friends. But in order to protect those very friends from the wrath of the emperor, he must leave the province which has been giving him shelter. As Marcus Tribulus Corvus, centurion of the second Tungrian auxiliary cohort, he leads his men from Hadrian''s Wall to the Tungrians'' original home in Germania Inferior. There he finds a very different world from the turbulent British frontier - but one with its own dangers. Tungrorum, the center of a once-prosperous farming province, a city already broght low by the ravages of the eastern plague that has swept through the empire, is now threatened by an outbreak of brutally violent robbery. A bandit chieftain called Obduro, his identity always hidden behind an iron cavalry helmet, is robbing Trade ReviewThis is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *'Muscular in prose and approach, the novel is riveting and direct.' * History Today on THE LEOPARD SWORD *'This is a fast-paced, action-packed read. Anthony Riches brings alive the harsh reality of the Roman world - the period, people, and culture - in a frenetic and exciting novel which is well researched and tinged with humour. The battle scenes are vivid and expertly told . . . Difficult to put down, this is a welcome addition to the genre . . . Recommended' * Historical Novels Review on THE LEOPARD SWORD *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Ollie Ollerton, James Deegan, Andy McNab and Mark 'Billy' Billingham, this is the first breathless, edge-of-your-seat thriller from Sunday Timesbestselling author and bomb disposal expert, Kim Hughes GC.

Read more less

Book Synopsis***A RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK***''Glorious and tender . . . I finished it with tears in my eyes'' JENNIFER SAINT''A stunning achievement'' CHRISTY LEFTERI''An immersive, expertly plotted and elegantly written novel '' SHARLENE TEOWith every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, until the end of time.China, 1938: Meilin and her four-year-old son, Renshu, flee their burning city as Japanese forces advance. In their perilous journey across the country seeking refuge, they find comfort and wisdom in their most treasured possession - a beautifully illustrated hand scroll, filled with ancient fables.Years later, separated from his mother by thousands of miles, Renshu now calls himself Henry Dao. His daughter, Lily, is desperate to understand her place in the world, but Henry refuses to share wiTrade ReviewI absolutely adored this novel about love and war, migration and belonging. I walked with the characters, felt what they felt. They took me with them on their incredible journey. During moments of deep sadness and loss, there is also beauty - the beauty of enduring love, of identity, of hope. Melissa Fu portrays the time, the culture, the place and the struggles of this family so vividly, with nuance and colour and life. Her writing is subtle and powerful, it stays with you, it follows you like the smell of the peach blossoms, it evokes emotions and questions and enlightens you. This is such a stunning achievement! -- Christy Lefteri, author of THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPOWhat an immersive, expertly plotted and elegantly written novel. In its sweep and scope, it would appeal to fans of Madeleine Thien and Min Jin Lee and its lyrical voice - championing the vitality and ingenuity of the immigrant experience across three settings - confirms Melissa Fu as a writer to watch. -- Sharlene Teo, author of PONTIUnputdownable. The settings are so vibrant and Meilin and her son Renshu so tenderly evoked it's as though we're enduring their extraordinary struggle for survival with them -- Rachel Hore, author of LAST LETTER HOMEThis intricately woven journey of four generations of a family buffeted by the complex tectonics of 20th century China and the US is so well told that I often paused to admire Fu's poetic magic in bringing her characters and real historical moments to life -- Helen Zia, author of LAST BOAT OUT OF SHANGHAI: THE EPIC STORY OF THE CHINESE WHO FLED MAO'S REVOLUTIONA rich, sprawling saga straddling continents, decades and fractured histories, Melissa Fu has written a gorgeous book of family love and loss. Fu braids together historical details with characters whose hopes and fears pull you along on every page, and leave you wanting more -- Te-Ping Chen, author of LAND OF BIG NUMBERSExpansive, atmospheric, and affecting. Peach Blossom Spring shows just how much the human heart can hold, and it left me breathless. -- Susie Yang, author of WHITE IVYIt's hard to believe this is a debut novel so accomplished is [Fu's] multi-generational family saga steeped in place and full of insightful political history. A new literary star dazzles in this stunning debut. -- Paul McVeighTender and graceful, this vivid historical novel shows the cost of war while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the life-affirming gifts of storytelling. -- Eithne Farry * The Mirror *A sweeping epic that transports the reader from war-torn China, where a mother consoles her son with ancient fables while they seek refuge, through to modern-day America, where a little girl searches for her identity and the secrets of her father's history. Melissa Fu effortlessly conjures a world rich in texture, taste and detail in this gentle, heartfelt and moving story. It's glorious and tender, exquisitely written and beautifully nuanced. I finished it with tears in my eyes and will be recommending it to everyone I know -- Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNEAccomplished and utterly gripping, Peach Blossom Spring had me hooked, and completely unable to put it down until I'd finished. Crossing multiple generations and continents, this is the story of a single family living through war, heartbreak and passion. The full political complexity of twentieth-century Chinese history is here, and Fu effortlessly transports the reader into the mind of Meilin, a young girl living through it. We see how her devotion and the trauma she undergoes echoes through the generations of her family. Her son, Henry, is caught between two worlds and longs to be able to leave his past behind. Fu imbues all her characters with real, complex personalities and desires, which makes this a compulsive read. One of my best books of the year -- Catherine Menon, author of FRAGILE MONSTERSA beautifully rendered meditation on the trials and triumphs of a family torn apart by war, Peach Blossom Spring left me pondering how the stories we choose to pass down have the power not only to define us, but to buoy us -- to help us persevere through the most challenging of times -- Georgia Hunter, author of WE WERE THE LUCKY ONESA brilliant multigenerational tale that stretches across the decades from pre-WWII China to post-Cold War America. A captivating debut, Fu's novel is full of dynamic characters whose lives fill the pages with beauty and tragedy that tug on our heartstrings as they flee an everchanging China into the precarious worlds of first Taiwan and then America. It's a timely story of displaced Chinese immigrants searching for home and identity after war and revolution ravage their homeland -- Mary Lynn Bracht, author of WHITE CRYSANTHEMUMMelissa Fu chronicles a tumultuous period in Chinese history with stunning grace, while also offering us a fresh and important take on the immigrant story. In Dao Renshu's family journey-fleeing from China during WWII, then finding and refinding himself in America-I recognized so many pieces of my own. Captivating from beginning to end -- Mira T Lee, author of EVERYTHING HERE IS BEAUTIFULMagical, and powerful, Peach Blossom Spring brings to life the costs of wars and conflicts while illuminating the spirit of human survival. Inspired by her father's real-life experiences and her determination to comprehend her family's past, Melissa Fu has gifted us with a timely, moving, and universal novel -- Nguyen Phan Que Mai, author of THE MOUNTAINS SINGUnputdownable. The settings are so vibrant and Meilin and her son Renshu so tenderly evoked it's as though we're enduring their extraordinary struggle for survival with them -- Rachel Hore, author of A BEAUTIFUL SPY

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Stargrave supplement of exploration and adventure, full of strange and wonderful alien worlds, species, and technologies.Just beyond the rim of what was once civilized space' lies the vast, colourful expanse of the Crokoan Nebula. Seeking their fortunes, bold independent crews press deep into this largely unexplored sector. But the Ravaged Galaxy is a dangerous place, and the threats that crews face are not limited to those found on a planet's surface. In fact, more independent crews meet their ends in the dark void of space than are wiped out in gunfights. Black holes, asteroid fields, and even the legendary space kraken can all destroy a ship and its crew. It takes a deft hand on the controls, a sharp eye on navigation, and a bit of wizardry with the engines to fly between the stars.This supplement for Stargrave focuses on the ships that serve as the crews' transports, strategic headquarters, and homes, including new upgrades, a damage system, and rules for cre

Read more less

Book Synopsis1938: While Hitler sets his sights on the Sudetenland, not everyone in Britain is willing to appease him. Convinced that the Fuhrer''s land-hunger is insatiable, the head of the SIS recruits Cal Jardine to help him prove that Czechoslovakia is threatened with invasion. As jealousy and mutual suspicions within secret service ranks make it impossible for Jardine to tell friend from foe, he rediscovers old friends of dubious loyalty and makes new enemies of untested ruthlessness. This is the final installment in Ludlow''s sweeping series set in the pre-WWII European powder-keg.

Read more less

Book Synopsis1033, on the NormanFrench border: It is thirty years before William Duke of Normandy sails to England and does battle at Hastings, but the events leading up to that epic moment are already taking shape. The twelve sons of Tancred de Hauteville are following in their father's footsteps. As knights, they have but one true purpose: to fight. But denied service with their duke, they are forced to take employment as mercenaries. Their unequalled battle skills are for hire to the highest bidder.Victory and defeat, betrayal and revenge combine as the desperation to rule becomes an intense battle, testing even the strongest of ties. But through it all shines the loyalty of blood that binds familiesand warriorstogether. This is the epic story of a true band of brothers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEleventh-century Italy: The Byzantine Empire rules much of Europe, but in the Italian states to the south it does so in the face of constant revolt from its unwilling subjectsa strife that extends from the great trading ports to the rich agricultural lands of Apulia. The Lombards, heirs to a northern tribe, are no exception and their leader, Arduin of Fassano, feels the time may have come to rejoin his brethren and rise up in revolt against their Eastern rulers. And so he brings into the conflict the fearsome mercenary brothers, the de Hautevilles, to help him in his quest to destroy the power of Constantinople.Will the might of the Byzantine Empire crush Arduin''s revolt? Can his ambitious plan succeed, or will the treachery that stalks the land play into the hands of the Normans?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Vietnam War was a tragedy for Americaand for Vietnam. But for the Vietnamese, it was also a victory: they defeated the world's wealthiest country and most powerful military.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNumber one New York Times bestselling author Jocko Willink’s fast-paced and exciting thriller Final Spin is a story of love, brotherhood, suffering, happiness and sacrifice – a story about life.Johnny . . .Shouldn’t be in a dead-end job.Shouldn’t be in a dead-end bar.Shouldn’t be in a dead-end life.But he is.It’s a hamster-wheel existence. Stocking warehouse store shelves by day, drinking too much whisky and beer by night. In between, Johnny lives in his childhood home, making sure his alcoholic mother hasn’t drunk herself to death, and looking after his idiosyncratic older brother Arty, whose world revolves around his laundromat job.Rinse and repeat.Then Johnny’s monotonous life takes a tumble. The laundromat where Arty works, and the one thing that gives him happiness, is about to be sold. Johnny doesn’t want that to happen, so he takes measures into his own hands. Johnny, along with his friend Goat, come up with a plan to get the money to buy the laundromat.But things don’t always go as planned . . .Trade ReviewWillink tells his story in quick blasts of haiku-like writing, with dialogue reminiscent of early David Mamet. Told with a gritty simplicity, this retains a hold on the reader right through to the inevitable tragic climax * Publishers Weekly *A crackerjack thriller . . . You've read this book before, and you've seen the movie, but Willink gives it a nice spin, a reminder of why the theme is timeless -- Booklist

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride!' Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series'Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller?' Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The 9th Man and the Cotton Malone seriesIsrael, late 1973. As the Yom Kippur War flares into life, a state-of-the-art Soviet MIG fighter is racing at breakneck speed over the arid scrublands below . . . and promptly disappears.NASA Flight Controller and former US Navy test pilot Kaz Zemeckis watches the scene from the ground - and is quickly pulled into a dizzying, high-stakes game of spies, lies and a possible high-level defection that plays out across three continents. The prize is beyond value: the secrets of the Soviets' mythical 'Foxbat' MiG-25, the fastest, highest-flying fighter plane in the world and the key to Cold War air supremacy. But every defection is double-edged with risk, and Kaz must tread a careful line between trust and suspicion. Ultimately, he must invite the fox into the henhouse - bringing the defector into the heart of the United States' most secret test site - and hope that, with skill and cunning, the game plays out his way. For Chris Hadfield's second heart-stopping thriller, we move from Space to another rich and exciting part of Chris's CV: his time as a top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and as an RCAF fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in North American airspace. Full of insider detail, excitement and political intrigue drawn from real events, The Defector brings us the nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat, as told by one of the world's best fighter pilots.Praise for The Apollo Murders'A nail-biting Cold War thriller' James Cameron'An exciting journey to an alternate past' Andy Weir 'Not to be missed' Frederick Forsyth 'Explosive' Gregg Hurwitz 'Exciting, authentic' Linwood BarclayTrade ReviewTom Clancy-style fighter jets and a sprinkling of reality from Hadfield's time as a test pilot . . . It is a thriller in every sense * New Scientist *He controls the story with a fighter pilot's verve and confidence, bringing real insider expertise to a fast-paced cold war tale * Financial Times *As a writer, his strength is his ability to draw on his specialist knowledge to add verisimilitude . . . while his high-octane depiction of aerial dogfights stirs memories of Top Gun and Craig Thomas's Firefox. Afterburners on! * The Times *Chris Hadfield uses his experiences to great effect in this thrilling story about a defecting Russian pilot . . . [The Defector] moves at great speed and contains mesmerising descriptions of flying under supreme pressure * Literary Review *Nail-bitingly exciting . . . Hadfield is clearly destined to inherit the late Tom Clancy's mantle as master of the techno-thriller genre * Irish Independent *Action-packed, cleverly plotted and rich with the kind of satisfyingly authentic detail and keen insights that only a writer with Hadfield's extraordinary resume can provide, The Defector delivers on every level. Wondering what to do until Top Gun 3 arrives? Don't worry, Chris Hadfield's got it covered * Rowland White *Packed with the kind of insider knowledge you simply don't get in thrillers these days, The Defector is not just an intelligent book, it's an exciting book. Expertly paced with breathtaking set pieces, I raced through it in a couple of sittings. It reminded me of Frederick Forsyth in his pomp - highly recommended * M.W. Craven, Sunday Times bestselling author of Dead Ground and The Botanist *An extraordinary novel, brimming with detail and realism and full of pulse-pounding action * Mark Greaney, bestselling author of Burner, a Gray Man novel *Real-life figures collide with fictional espionage in former astronaut Hadfield's gripping sequel to The Apollo Murders . . . Hadfield keeps the suspense steady before delivering a knockout air battle that brings everything to a white-knuckle close. Kaz's adventures continue to electrify * Publishers Weekly *Ideal exciting escapist reading * Aerospace *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLaura travels the world before returning to Sydney, where she works for a publisher of travel guides. Ravi dreams of being a tourist until he is driven from Sri Lanka by devastating events. An enthralling array of people, places and stories surround these superbly drawn characters - from Theo, whose life plays out in the long shadow of the past, to Hana, an Ethiopian woman determined to reinvent herself. Michelle de Kretser illuminates travel, work and modern dreams in this brilliant evocation of the way we live now. Questions of Travel is infused with wit, imagination, uncanny common sense and a deep understanding of what makes us tick.Trade ReviewThis is a novel unlike any other I have read... It is not really possible to describe, in a short space, the originality and depth of this long and beautifully crafted book. -- A.S. Byatt * The Guardian *Ambitious and entertaining... Questions of Travel should ensure her place as a serious international novelist of the first rank. * The Economist *Sweeping and virtuosic... An outstanding novel. -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *Novel by novel, the Sri Lankan-born Australian has emerged as one of the most fiercely intelligent voices in fiction today. This new work, her most ambitious yet, makes globalisation and its discontents the focus of a multi-faceted story that unites grandeur and intimacy. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent *An artful meditation on movement and migration. * The Times Literary Supplement *Man Booker-longlisted de Kretser's precisely written novel is concerned with tourists, refugees and the complexities of immigration... a nuanced and ambivalent look at the crassness of tourism. * The Sunday Times *This truly is a book for our times. * Irish Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Wonderfully imaginative' Bernard Cornwell, author of The Last Kingdom. The thrilling second instalment in the series. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell.The Iberian Peninsula, 1809. French troops led by one of Napoleon's best generals are massing on the border. Wellington's outnumbered force needs to pick off the smaller French units if they are to stand their ground. For that they need information, which is where Captain James Keane and his company of reformed scouting officers come in. But it soon becomes apparent that someone high up in Wellington's headquarters is a spy for the French...and Keane's enemies within the army are quick to point the finger. Keane must defend his crew against their accusers - or root out the traitor himself.Keane's Challenge draws a fascinating picture of a disparate group of men brought together in a Peninsular War adventure that sees maverick hero Keane ride again.Trade ReviewRichard Sharpe would be delighted to have James Keane on his side! Iain Gale's creation is a wonderfully imaginative addition to the fascinating tales of Britain's defiance of Bonaparte - Bernard CornwellThis exciting military adventure is ideal for any fans of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books - The Good Book Guide

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘An epic adventure story set against the most awful war in history. Ridiculously good’ Dan Snow'The black earth was already baking and the sun was just rising when they mounted their horses and rode across the grasslands towards the horizon on fire …’Imprisoned in the Gulags for a crime he did not commit, Benya Golden joins a penal battalion made up of Cossacks and convicts to fight the Nazis. He enrols in the Russian cavalry, and on a hot summer day in July 1942, he and his band of brothers are sent on a desperate mission behind enemy lines.Switching between Benya's war in the grasslands of Southern Russia, and Stalin's plans in the Kremlin, between Benya's intense affair with an Italian nurse and a romance between Stalin's daughter and a journalist also on the Eastern Front, this is a sweeping story of passion, bravery and human survival where personal betrayal is a constant companion, and death just a heartbeat away.Praise for Red Sky at Noon'Red Sky at Noon is an epic adventure story set against the backdrop of the most awful war in human history. The master historian shape-shifting into the brilliant novelist. Ridiculously good’. Dan Snow'Mythic and murderous violence in Russia…there are power-drunk Nazis and Soviet traitors, including a particularly memorable villain …Written with brio & deep knowledge of its fascinating subject matter… a deeply satisfying pageturner.' - Book of the Month, The Times'In this third volume of The Moscow Trilogy, the fate of combatants and civilians is often harsh. With his feel for vivid and immediate drama and impressive research, the author evokes the extreme turbulence and violence impacting on individuals. Writing with passion, Montefiore makes the point that, up against the huge forces of war, the struggle for personal resolution can be tragic - but never wasted.' - Daily Mail'The final instalment of Montefiore's loosely connected Moscow Trilogy: amidst the killing and the chaos, a group of prisoners are offered a chance of redemption on a secret mission behind enemy lines on horseback. Montefiore has a keen sense of place and an eye of unexpected details. Switching between the frontline on the Russian steppes and Stalin in the Kremlin, this is an EXCITING FAST-PACED ADVENTURE AND A LAMENT FOR LOVE IN DARK AND BRUTAL TIMES.' - Mail on Sunday'I devoured Red Sky at Noon. A heartstopping, heartbreaking, technicolour epic. A grand homage to the Russian masters Babel & Grossman, echoes of Hemingway & Dostoevsky, and a propulsive delight that is entirely Montefiore's own. Gripping storytelling allied with intimate, unsqueamish knowledge of Russian history - a special combination.' - AD Miller, author of Snowdrops'The gripping final instalment of the Moscow Trilogy tells of a man wrongly imprisoned in the Gulags and his fight for redemption. Love in dark times, meticulously researched... In this searing tale of love and war, most moving is the redemptive relationship between a soldier and a nurse that blooms amid the brutality. An homage to the author's favourite Russian writers and the Western masterpieces of Larry McMurtry, Cormac McCarthy and Elmore Leonard, such influences pervade this atmospheric tale told in the author's distinct own voice.' - ObserverTrade ReviewThe black earth was already baking and the sun was just rising when they mounted their horses and rode across the grasslands towards the horizon on fire …’Imprisoned in the Gulags for a crime he did not commit, Benya Golden joins a penal battalion made up of Cossacks and convicts to fight the Nazis. He joins the Russian cavalry, and on a hot summer day in July 1942, he and his band of brothers are sent on a desperate mission behind enemy lines.Switching between Benya's war in the grasslands of Southern Russia, and Stalin's plans in the Kremlin, between Benya's intense affair with an Italian nurse and a romance between Stalin's daughter and a journalist also on the Eastern Front, this is a sweeping story of passion, bravery and human survival where personal betrayal is a constant companion, and death just a heartbeat away. * from the publisher's description *Mythic and murderous violence in Russia…there are power-drunk Nazis and Soviet traitors, including a particularly memorable villain …Written with brio & deep knowledge of its fascinating subject matter… a deeply satisfying pageturner. * Book of Month, The Times *A gripping historical novel with a panoramic sweep * The Mail on Sunday *In this third volume of The Moscow Trilogy, the fate of combatants and civilians is often harsh. With his feel for vivid and immediate drama and impressive research, the author evokes the extreme turbulence and violence impacting on individuals. Writing with passion, Montefiore makes the point that, up against the huge forces of war, the struggle for personal resolution can be tragic — but never wasted. * Daily Mail *The final instalment of Montefiore's loosely connected Moscow Trilogy: amidst the killing and the chaos, a group of prisoners are offered a chance of redemption on a secret mission behind enemy lines on horseback. Montefiore has a keen sense of place and an eye of unexpected details. Switching between the frontline on the Russian steppes and Stalin in the Kremlin, this is an EXCITING FAST-PACED ADVENTURE AND A LAMENT FOR LOVE IN DARK AND BRUTAL TIMES. * Mail on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIN EAST GERMANY, SOLVING A MURDER CAN GET YOU KILLED . . .A gripping and intelligent thriller set in East Germany, during the worst winter in one-hundred years. Perfect for fans of Tom Rob Smith, Phillip Kerr and Joseph Kanon.____________________________________In 1978 East Germany, nothing is as it seems. The state's power is absolute, history is re-written, and the 'truth' is whatever the Stasi say it is.So when a woman's murder is officially labelled 'accidental death', Major Karin Müller of the People's Police is faced with a dilemma. To solve the crime, she must disregard the official version of events. But defying the Stasi means putting her own life - and the lives of her young family - in danger.As the worst winter in living memory holds Germany in its freeze, Müller must untangle a web of state secrets and make a choice: between truth and lies, justice and injustice, and, ultimately, life and death.Stunningly authentic and brimming with moral ambiguity, Stasi Winter is the thrilling new novel from the award-winning author of Stasi Child.____________________________________Praise for David Young:'Excellent' The Times'Thrilling' William Ryan'Masterful' Daily Express'Fast-paced' The Sun'Superb. Reminded me of Robert Harris at his best' Mason Cross'Up there with Martin Cruz Smith and the other greats of the field' Abir MukherjeeTrade Reviewan adventure on the ice with plenty of twists and turns...At the centre, Karin Muller makes a great protagonist, achieving great results notwithstanding the vice-like grip of the state * CrimeReview *This, without doubt, is a page-turner made engaging thanks to the author's outstanding descriptive powers and the evocations of his locations in terms of both time and place. A good, lively read. * Historical Novel Society *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe beacons are lit – the Armada is sighted off the English coast. The thrilling final instalment of the Navy Royal trilogy.1588: The greatest naval force of its age bears down upon England. As a devastating battle looms, a nation holds its breath.Jack Stannard, grandson of the original Jack, is stationed on Drake’s warship Revenge. His father, Tom, commands his own vessel and even his grandfather is close by. Each must be ready for the greatest battle of their lives.Everything is at stake: the fleet, the Queen, England and behind it all something even more binding. Family. On every front they must triumph...A brilliant and intricate portrait of one of the world's most important sea battles and its aftermath, Armada's Wake is a masterpiece of historical adventure, perfect for fans of Patrick O’Brian, C. S. Forester and Bernard Cornwell.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE NEW THRILLER FROM THE NUMBER 1 BESTSELLING AUTHORRevenge is a game you can't afford to lose...He turns the groaning Abbott over, puts the barrel of the gun to the back of his head.'We're doing him a favour,' he says. 'I know a guy with a death-wish when I see one.'He pulls the trigger.They say blood is thicker than water. They never mention alcohol. Ex-special forces soldier Alex Abbott has a lead on the killer of his dead brother, if only he can stay off the booze long enough to hunt it down. But the skeletons in Abbott's closet are mounting up faster than the bodies in their bags, and Abbott needs to get his focus back if he's going to get his revenge.His pursuit takes him to the North of England, where Abbott infiltrates a local gang, forced to carry out jobs to maintain his cover. As he gains their trust he ventures deeper into the organisation uncovering a long-established international network of rich, depraved thrill-seekers, with a sadistic side-hustle in child trafficking.Can Abbott stay ahead of his quarry and keep those who matter to him safe? The answer will take Abbott into Eastern Europe and a deadly game of cat and mouse, where he will face a terrible choice between his past and his future; it's winner takes all and Abbott has everything to lose.Praise for the Alex Abbott Series:'Crisp, brisk and powerful'- Financial Times'Enough to put Bond and Bourne to shame'- The Sun'Authentic and gritty'- Heat Magazine'An adrenaline-fuelled thriller with a flawed, relatable hero'- Culturefly

Read more less

Book SynopsisBattle, plunder, and glory awaitThe eagerly anticipated prequel series to Blood Forest (Ambush) and Siege.AD 6: The greatest army assembled in a generation prepares to march.But not Legionary Corvus. He and half his legion are to be left behind to garrison the province of Pannonia: a wild place where the mountains are as deadly as any foe.Corvus despairs as he watches his closest friend Marcus march to war, not knowing that his own eager thirst for battle is about to be quenched. A huge rebel army has revolted against the Empire, and Corvus and his few comrades are all that stand against them…A gritty historical adventure, perfect for fans of Ben Kane and Simon Scarrow.Praise for Geraint Jones‘Outstanding… Geraint’s own military service has helped create a realistic and gritty vision of what it was like to be a soldier in Roman times. Bold, violent, but also deeply introspective, this book offers insight not only into history, but also the mind of the soldier. I couldn’t put it down’ Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire‘Blood and guts, but also a clever exploration of the moral ambiguity of war and loyalty to a flag’ Mail on Sunday‘Brutal, audacious, and fast paced’ Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series.‘Historical fiction written by a real war veteran who knows all there is to know about blood and bonding in battle’ Weekend Sport

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A rollicking adventure [with] the inventive twists and turns of a satisfyingly bustling plot.' New York Times 'Fantastic... Gerard Fox could be Jack Reacher's ancestor, 700 years ago. Highly recommended!' Lee Child First in a fast-paced historical adventure series from New York Times bestselling author Boyd Morrison and expert medievalist Beth Morrison. Live by the sword. Die for the truth. England, 1351. The Pestilence has ravaged the land. Villages lie abandoned but for crows and corpses. Highways are patrolled by marauders and murderers. In these dark and dangerous times, the wise keep to themselves. But Gerard Fox cannot afford to be wise. The young knight has been robbed of his ancestral home, his family name tarnished. To regain his lands and reputation, he sets forth to petition the one man who can restore them. Fate places Fox on the wrong road at the wrong time as he hurtles towards a chance encounter. It will entangle him with an enigmatic woman, a relic of incalculable value, and a dark family secret. It will lead him far from home and set him on a collision course with one of the most ambitious and dangerous men in Europe – a man on the cusp of seizing Christendom's highest office. And now, Fox is the only one standing in his way... 'A novel full of both authenticity and thrills, and readers are sure to clamor for more from this writing duo.' Mark Greaney 'A hugely entertaining historical novel!' Eric Jager, author of The Last Duel 'Combines the rich historical tapestry of Umberto Eco and the relentless pace and adventure of Clive Cussler.' J.T. Ellison 'Boyd and Beth Morrison bring the Middle Ages to life in vivid detail with historical authenticity and a sense of fun.' Graham Brown '[An] exceptional series launch.' Publishers Weekly 'A winning combination of author and expert medievalist... Thoroughly enjoyable.' Historical Novel Society 'A simply riveting action/adventure novel... The stuff of which blockbuster movies are made.' Midwest Book ReviewTrade ReviewFantastic – suspenseful and historically fascinating... Gerard Fox could be Jack Reacher's ancestor, 700 years ago. Highly recommended!' -- Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling authorThe authors make splendid use of such medieval-plot standbys as a castle with secret tunnels, plague-riddled vagabonds, a grand tournament, a priceless manuscript, and duplicitous churchmen as the action ranges from Canterbury to Paris and elsewhere in France and finally Italy. But the novel's real strength is its antagonists: Isabel's ruthless fiancé, the Earl of Tonbridge; the power-hungry Cardinal Dominic Molyneux; and, best of all, the cardinal's sociopathic son, Basquin... Historical fiction fans will eagerly await the couple's further adventures * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Fourteenth-century Europe, devastated by the plague and beset by the warring armies of England and France, offers another turbulent fictional setting. But the knight-errant at the center of Boyd and Beth Morrison's rollicking adventure is a fittingly valiant paragon of chivalric virtue. Early on, while rescuing a damsel very much in distress, Gerard Fox explains that his personal story is "full of murder, intrigue and treachery of the worst sort." As well as the occasional jolt of inappropriately modern chat ("I'm not the only one who is on to you") that's best ignored while surrendering to the inventive twists and turns of a satisfyingly bustling plot. Fox is a medieval action hero, tussling with not one but three villains, along with platoons of knights and hangers-on * New York Times *A compulsively readable, immersive tale of chivalric adventure and dangerous romance in a war-torn, plague-stricken Europe. Readers will relish the twists and turns of the plot, thrilling to a chase that gallops across lawless lands, winds through treacherous labyrinths, and risks all in mortal combat as the daring hero and heroine strive to save themselves and their imperiled world. A hugely entertaining historical novel! -- Eric Jager, New York Times bestselling author of The Last DuelA simply riveting action/adventure novel... The stuff of which blockbuster movies are made, The Lawless Land will leave its enthusiastic readers looking eagerly toward the next installment in this entertaining saga of knight Gerard Fox * Midwest Book Review *A winning combination of author and expert medievalist... Thoroughly enjoyable * Historical Novel Society *A fantastic start to a brilliant new adventure series that you won't want to miss. The brother/sister team of Boyd and Beth Morrison brings the Middle Ages to life in vivid detail with historical authenticity and a sense of fun. Packed with murder, love, betrayal, twists, epic battles, secret passages, and duels to the death, this thriller has it all! -- Graham Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fast IceA thoroughly entertaining tale that I found to be exceedingly well told. In their first collaboration, they have crafted a novel full of both authenticity and thrills, and readers are sure to clamor for more from this writing duo -- Mark Greaney, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Gray ManA gallant knight, a witty heroine, a quest for the ages... The Morrisons have created a thrilling medieval adventure packed with fascinating historical detail. The Lawless Land combines the rich historical tapestry of Umberto Eco and the relentless pace and adventure of Clive Cussler into a brilliant new series. I can't wait to see where Fox goes next! -- J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Her Dark LiesA love story that grips you right from the start... Absolutely fascinating and it really epitomises the violence, chivalry and, of course, the power of the elite * Bishop's Stortford Independent *Absolutely fascinating and it really epitomises the violence, chivalry and of course the power of the elite of those times * Annabel & Grace *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWarrior and combat medic of the Twenty Second Legion, Titus Cervianus, must fight the armies of the fabled Warrior Queen in this blistering new Roman adventure from Simon Turney. Egypt, 25 BC. Titus Cervianus is no ordinary soldier. And the Twenty Second is no ordinary legion. Formed from the personal guard of a conquered king, the Twenty Second's ways are strange to soldiers of the Empire - yet the legion has proved itself in the blistering heat of the desert. Cervianus and his comrades march into the unknown as he and the Twenty Second Legion contend with the armies of the Bellatrix: the Warrior Queen of Kush. The Kushites and the Egyptians are united against the Roman presence in their lands – but there are complex political and military forces at work. Deep in the deserts, Cervianus and his comrades must brace themselves for a furious onslaught as they take on the might of the Bellatrix. Reviews for Simon Turney's Legion XXII series 'If you want gritty and utterly authentic edge of the seat Roman action, you should be reading Simon Turney.' Anthony Riches 'Brings a whole new dimension to the genre... Recommended.' Historical Novel Society 'A blistering desert epic, brimming with tension, mystery and adventure!' Gordon Doherty Reviews for Simon Turney 'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read.' Ben Kane 'First-rate Roman fiction.' Matthew HarffyTrade Review[A] confidently told, well-informed page turner for those who love ancient history * Yorkshire Life *'Bellatrix is another completely immersive journey back in time for fans of action-packed, richly detailed and fast-paced historical fiction.' * What Cathy Read Next *REVIEWS FOR SIMON TURNEY: 'A blistering desert epic, brimming with tension, mystery and adventure!' Gordon Doherty, on Legion XXII. 'Brings a whole new dimension to the genre... Recommended' Historical Novel Society. 'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times, on Commodus. 'First-rate Roman fiction' Matthew Harffy, on Sons of Rome

Read more less

Book SynopsisBOOK 19 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM GLOBAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH. BOOK 3 IN THE TIGER'S PREY SEQUENCE.The Courtney family is torn apart as three generations fight on opposing sides of a terrible war that will change the face of the world forever, set against the backdrop of the American revolution. 'Best historical novelist' Stephen King 'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' The TimesTHREE GENERATIONS. A DEVASTATING WAR.1774. Rob Courtney has spent his whole life in a quiet trading outpost on the east coast of Africa, dreaming of a life of adventure at sea. When his grandfather Jim Courtney dies, and the mysterious Captain Cornish calls into the fort, Rob takes his chance and stows away on Marston's ship as it sails to England. Arriving in London, Rob is seduced by the charms of the big city and soon finds himself desperate and penniless. That is until the navy comes calling. Rob enlists and is sent across the Atlantic on a ship to join the war against the rebellious American colonists. But on the other side of the Atlantic, unbeknownst to Rob, his distant cousins Cal and Aidan Courtney are leading a campaign against the British in a quest for American Independence. When Aidan is killed in a fierce battle with British troops, Cal vows he will not rest until he has avenged his brother's death, by driving the British out of America - by whatever means necessary . . . A powerful new historical thriller by the master of adventure fiction, Wilbur Smith, of families divided and a country on the brink of revolution. Book 20 in the Courtney family series, Nemesis, is available April 2023. Pre-order now.'Storm Tide' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 17-04-2022.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the end of the Great War, Andreas Pum has lost a leg but at least he has a medal and a barrel-organ which he plays on the streets of Vienna. At first the simple-minded veteran is satisfied with his lot, and he even finds an ample widow to marry. But then a public quarrel with a respectable citizen on a tram turns Andreas's life onto a rapid downward trajectory. As he loses first his beggar's permit, then his new wife, and even his freedom, he is finally provoked into rejecting his blind faith in the benevolence of both government and God.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDulce Chacón's book has had an immense success in Spain, no doubt because the novelist speaks with a just and powerful voice, and because she has allowed women - the most anonymous, the most suppressed, the most silenced - to speak out" Le MondeIt is 1939. In the Ventas prison in Madrid a group of women have been incarcerated. Their crime is to have supported or fought on the Republican side in Spain's cruel and devastating Civil War. Chief among them are Hortensia, who fought with the militia and is pregnant by her husband Felipe - a man still at large and fighting against Franco's dictatorship - and who lives with the knowledge that she will be shot after she gives birth; sixteen-year-old Elvira, who tried to leave Spain with her mother, but was arrested by the Falangists while she was boarding their ship; Tomasa, whose husband, four sons and daughter-in-law were thrown off a bridge; and Pepita, Hortensia's sister, who from outside the prison acts as messenger between her and her husband.Dulce Chacón's deeply moving novel is based on the actual testimonies of a number of women who survived the Spanish Civil War, and suffered imprisonment under the France regime, as well as on accounts of others who died fighting for freedom. A bestseller in Spain, where it was voted 'Book of the year', The Sleeping Voice is remarkable for its combination of dramatic intensity and historical authenticity.Trade Review'Dulce Chacón's book has had an immense success in Spain, no doubtbecause the novelist speaks with a just and powerful voice, and becauseshe has allowed women - the most anonymous, the most suppressed, themost silenced - to speak out.' Martine Silber, Le Monde

Read more less

Book Synopsis1927. CHINA IS IN TURMOIL.The Communist Party and the Kuomintang government, long at each others’ throats, are now locked into a conflict set to claim the lives of millions. History remembers the bodies and battlefields, but for some, fate was decided between the ciphers.Ji Zhenren’s mind is the Red Army’s prize asset. His task: to break the enemy’s near-impenetrable codes. With Ji’s genius at the helm the retreating Red Army might just be able to turn the tables, but only if forbidden romance and political controversy don’t bring him crashing down first.From the dark alleys of Shanghai to hidden paths carved through snowclad mountains, an invisible war rages. In the silent world of the codebreaker, cracking the cipher means breaking the enemy. Anything less spells certain death.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing the assassination of a British Colonel in a guerrilla ambush by communist terrorists during the Malayan Emergency in 1954, Jason Rance, an English company commander in a Gurkha battalion and jungle expert, is tasked with tracking down the bandits.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Open the cinema of your mind and grab the popcorn―the blockbuster you''ve been waiting for has just arrived.” ―John Scalzi, author of The Kaiju Preservation SocietyIn the near future, Earth has been conquered by a race of brutal alien machines known as the Mek, and an entire generation has grown up under their oppressive rule.When Dakota Bregman, a rebellious young woman imprisoned in a Mek labor camp stumbles across a mysterious map that may hold the secret to humanity’s liberation, she escapes and embarks on a dangerous odyssey across an alien-occupied America that leads her to an amazing discovery — a long-lost prototype war machine known as a Gundog. Created by the last defenders of Earth, it has lain dormant for decades, hidden away. Waiting for someone to wake it up.Now Dakota must confront a legacy she never knew she had, and embrace the warrior she was meant to be, facing down impossible odds an

Read more less

Book SynopsisAgainst a deadly alliance of Japanese smarts and KGB savagery, they were striking backwith everything they had!In the arms race against Russia, the United States has eked ahead with their superior advancements in computer technology. All that changes when Russia recruits some of Japan's finest scientific minds to build their greatest weapon yet: a supercomputer capable of annihilating the US's formidable Star Wars defense system.Destined for the land of the Samurai, the Black Berets know just how much is riding on this latest mission. If Russia succeeds in its quest for world domination, the future of the warriors' countrymenand their loved onesis bleak indeed.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHE'D DO ANYTHING TO GET A STORY. When journalist Lex Falk gets himself chipped into the brain of a combat soldier, he thinks he has the ultimate scoop - a report from the forbidden front line of a distant planetary war, live to the living rooms of Earth. When the soldier is killed, however, Lex has to take over the body and somehow get himself back to safety once more... broadcasting all the way.Heart-stopping combat science fiction from the million-selling Warhammer 40,000 author.File Under: Science Fiction [ Future Warefare Chipped-In Anything For a Story  Get Out Alive! ]Trade Review"Abnett takes an ingenious idea and produces a nail-biting tale that has serious things to say about war and the news media." - Eric Brown, The Guardian"Dan Abnett makes war so real you want to duck." - SciFi.com"The cinematic scope and dizzying vision we're shown puts most recent SF movie epics into deep shade." - SF Site"Abnett delivers the kind of pulsating military sci-fi that we all know he can" - Graeme's Fantasy Book Review

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first of a major new Feist acquisition, returning to his best-loved series. Written with Bill Forstchen, acclaimed writer of great military fantasy novels in the US.FREEDOM AT ANY PRICE?Hartraft's Marauders, a crack band of Kingdom raiders, are a special unit designed to infiltrate and fight behind enemy lines. They are currently heading for a frontier garrison, after a disastrous encounter with the Tsurani.Meanwhile, a Tsurani patrol is sent to support an assault on the same garrison. Both sides arrive at the same time and discover the garrison has been overrun by a migrating horde of moredhel (dark elves) and they are forced by circumstances to band together and fight as one unit to survive.The only problem is, who do they hate the most their mutual enemy, or each other? As they make their way across the unknown Northlands to freedom, they have to struggle not only with the elements and their enemies, but also their conscience. For what is more important one's life or one's hon

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Thriller of the Month'Stunning . . . one of the most compelling reads of the year' – Daily ExpressExpertly researched and visionary in scale, international number one bestseller Ken Follett’s Never is more than a thriller. It imagines a scenario we all hope never comes true, one which will keep you transfixed until the final page . . .A stolen US army drone.A shrinking oasis in the Sahara Desert.A secret stash of deadly chemicals.Each is a threat to global stability. Each can be overcome with only the highest levels of diplomacy. But when those in charge disagree and refuse to back down, an international chain reaction kicks off with potentially catastrophic consequences: a world edging closer to war . . .Now three people must work with the utmost skill to stop that from happening:A spy working undercover with jihadis.A brilliant Chinese spymaster.A US president beleaguered by a populist rival for the next election.The only question is – in a game of brinksmanship, can the inevitable ever be stopped?'Bold in scale and meticulously researched' – Sunday Times'His best yet' - Stephen KingUrgent and fiercely compelling’ – The Washington PostMore than 175 million copies sold worldwide. Published in over 80 territories and 37 languages. The international no.1 bestselling phenomenon returns.Trade ReviewKen Follett has never been short of ambition. And it’s the global scope and vast multinational cast that chiefly impress in Never, his return to contemporary storytelling . . . Bold in scale and meticulously researched, Never makes other international spy novels appear timid, lazy and parochial -- Sunday Times Thriller of the Month November 2021I couldn't put it down . . . terrifying read . . . masterful detail . . . It's a stunning thriller and one of the most compelling reads of the year. It's not quite The Godfather, but it comes pretty close -- Daily ExpressA master storyteller, Follett has created a tale vast in scale, yet richly detailed, exploring the consequences of international power plays and the chilling imminence of global catastrophe. * The i *An ambitious and compelling narrative, exploring the consequences of international power plays and the chilling imminence of global catastrophe -- Press Association syndicated reviewUrgent and fiercely compelling . . . Never is first-rate entertainment that has something important to say. It deserves the popular success it will almost certainly achieve -- Washington PostSuperstar novelist Ken Follett’s what-if political thriller . . . is so exciting – and so plausible – you won’t want to look away -- Apple Books Best Book of the MonthSettle in for a thrilling ride -- CNN.comFollett’s story captivates -- Christian Science MonitorA complex, scary thriller that feels too plausible for comfort. You’ll be so absorbed in the story threads that you’ll follow them anywhere – and you’ll suddenly realize you’ve read hundreds of pages . . . On one level, it’s great entertainment; on another, a window into a sobering possibility -- Kirkus Reviews starred reviewAbsolutely compelling . . . A smart, scary, and all-too-plausible thriller -- BooklistTerrific . . . A powerful, commanding performance from one of the top writers in the genre -- Publishers Weekly starred review[Follett] weaves a web of intrigue . . . Shocking to the very last page * Sunday Express *Taking readers on a thrilling, rollercoaster ride through 800 pages of dazzling storytelling, Follett brings his extraordinary visionary talents to this powerful and far-reaching novel. * Lancashire Evening Post *A pacey, character-driven thriller set against the backdrop of an imminent Third World War * Choice Magazine *Told in Follett's hallmark widescreen style, the blockbuster thriller is packed with memorable characters and global politics, it's a nail-biting ride! * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe thrilling next instalment in the epic LIONHEART series from Sunday Times Bestselling author, Ben Kane.WarleaderAutumn 1192. With Jerusalem still in the Saracens'' hands, and a peace treaty agreed with their leader Saladin, Richard the Lionheart is free at last to travel back to his strife-ridden kingdom. By his side at every turn is the loyal knight Ferdia, also known as Rufus. Together they will face not just Richard''s archenemy Philippe Capet of France, but also the king''s treacherous younger brother, John.CaptiveShipwrecked on the Italian coast, the king and his small group of companions are forced into a perilous journey through lands controlled by their enemies. Shortly before Christmas 1192, Richard is taken prisoner near Vienna by Duke Leopold of Austria. Kept prisoner for several months, the king is then handed over to Henry VI, the Holy Roman Emperor. His captivity lasts for another year, fanning the flames of unrest in his

Read more less

Book Synopsis The chilling political thriller dangerously close to becoming reality ''This is key reading. Full of foresight, by General turned prophet.'' Dr. Peter Caddick-Adams''Make no mistake: if Russia marches into the Baltics it means nuclear war.'' Damian Whitworth, The Times''The authenticity of the high-level crisis talks within Nato which Shirreff attended in his past life, is so palpable that it lands this book like a 22lb bass. This and the foreword are reasons enough to buy a copy.'' The Express''The best piece of super power military fiction since Tom Clancy''s The Hunt for Red October. Enjoy this riot of a book. And be very afraid - it really could happen like this.'' Robert Fox, Evening Standard''This piece of faction is billed as an urgent warning - it''s also an act of near mutiny.'' Michael Burleigh, The Times''A must read...Shirreff''s Trade ReviewThe great strength of this tale is that it is told by an insider who really knows. The moral of this story is clear. The relentless hollowing out of the military and defence postures of the west have placed us all in danger. This is a parable with a real message about our general ineptitude in the new realities of hard power...The best piece of super power military fiction since Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October. Enjoy this riot of a book. And be very afraid - it really could happen like this. -- Robert Fox * Evening Standard *A must read...Shirreff's warnings - veiled as fiction - ring with authenticity, rich in technical details and insight. * General Wesley K. Clark, US Army, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe *We sit on our hands while busy fingers in the East boot up for cyber-war. -- Max Hastings * The Sunday Times *The evil gloating trope is much in evidence in General Sir Richard Shirreff's 2017: War With Russia...a pacy techno-thriller and a clarion call to the West. -- Shashank Joshi * Financial Times *This piece of "faction" is billed as an urgent warning - it's also an act of near mutiny. -- Michael Burleigh * The Times *Make no mistake: if Russia marches into the Baltics it means nuclear war. -- Damian Whitworth * The Times *On the brink of WW3? Top NATO official predicts massive global conflict NEXT YEAR. -- Tom Evans * Daily Star *West and Russia on course for war. -- Ewen MacAskill, Defence Correspondent * The Guardian *Is Britain headed for nuclear war with Russia NEXT YEAR? Former top Nato official predicts massive global conflict will break out in 2017. * The Sun *NATO must bolster its military presence in the Baltic states or risk nuclear war, a former general has warned. * Moscow Times *The authenticity of the high-level crisis talks withing Nato which Shirreff attended in his past life, is so palpable that it lands this book like a 22lb bass. This and the foreword are reasons enough to buy a copy. * The Express *Rarely has as a figure as senior as Sir Richard Shirreff, dared to put his name to as ominous a contingency history as one pictured in 2017 War With Russia. It can't happen? Just like the Anschluss of Crimea, or Brexit? Russia is again ruled by one man alone and President Putin has proved capable of gambling with the fate of his country and peace in Europe. In the guise of fast-paced novel, General Shirreff shows how it could actually be done: the disinformation, the subversion, the order of battle. And how woefully unprepared the free world would be to stand up to such a challenge. His warning should be read not only by anyone interested in fate of the West but, above all, by politicians whose decisions on defence determine our options in future emergencies. * Radoslaw Sikorski *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'An excellent new series by the consistently brilliant Robert Fabbri' Sunday Sport_____________________________Babylon, 323 BC: Alexander the Great is dead, leaving behind him the largest, and most fearsome, empire the world has ever seen. As his final breaths fade in a room of seven bodyguards, Alexander refuses to name a successor. But without a natural heir, who will take the reins?As the news of the king's sudden and unexpected death ripples across the land, leaving all in disbelief, the ruthless battle for the throne begins. What follows is a devious, tangled web of scheming and plotting, with alliances quickly made and easily broken, each rival with their own agenda.Let the battles begin...Trade ReviewFabbri does an admirable job of marshalling his characters and leavens the dark politics with wit and action * Antonia Senior, The Times *An excellent new series by the consistently brilliant Robert Fabbri. * Sunday Sport *A powerful retelling of one of the most dramatic events in ancient history. * Nick Rennison, BBC History, on Arminius *Powerfully chilling, detailed and dramatic. * Express Online on Arminius *Fabbri does an excellent job with this scintillating source material. * Antonia Senior, The Times, praise for the Vespasian series *An epic, brutal, and blood-thirsty journey. * Sunday Post on the Vespasian series *Stuffed with political deviousness. * Jon Wise, Sunday Sport, on the Vespasian Series *Gripping... incredibly well researched, detailed and historically accurate... As far as ancient history novels go this is one of the very best I have read recently. * New Books Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFilled with drama and battle, tragedy and romance, Sharon Penman’s The Land Beyond the Sea tells the epic tale of a clash of cultures that will resonate with readers today.1172. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, also known as Outremer - the land beyond the sea.A young realm, Outremer was baptized in blood when the men of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem from the Saracens in 1099. The crusaders who stayed have adapted to an utterly new world: a landscape of blazing heat, exotic customs and enemies who are also neighbours.Seeking retribution for the massacre in 1099, Saladin, leader of the vast Saracen army, launches a campaign to reclaim the sacred land from its current ruler, Baldwin IV. But while the young king proves to be intelligent, courageous and dedicated to the welfare and protection of his people, he lives his life under the terrible affliction of leprosy which has plagued him from an early age.While the scheming of rivTrade ReviewPenman brings the teeming—and scheming—world of the brief, blazing Crusader kingdom to vibrant life, with a cast of characters that includes the royal houses of Europe, the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, the lords of the Church, Crusader nobility, and the surrounding Saracens. With her shining gift of storytelling, she makes this tapestry a colorful one, one that weaves all the richness of its setting and striving personalities into a stunning and meaningful whole. Elegant, detailed, and panoramic—like the world it describes -- Margaret GeorgePenman has created a saga of epic proportions. She has given us insight into the inner workings of the minds of the great men and women of the time. There is a lot here to savor * Historical Novel Society *From fierce battle maneuvers to the emotional corridors of an unexpected love story, readers will feel intimately drawn into the characters’ dramatic lives in Penman's splendid historical novel * Booklist *A riveting page-turner, and Penman’s well-honed skill for weaving deeply researched details into epic tales is on full display. Fans of medieval historical fiction won’t want to miss this * Publishers Weekly *Penman excels at depicting medieval warfare and the unintended, often disastrous consequences of the best-laid strategies. She is equally adept at depicting the rivalries and internecine strife that roil Baldwin's court—peopled by characters who are mostly related to each other by some degree of kinship—finding credible motives for everyone's grudges * Kirkus *Praise for Time and Chance: Sharon Kay Penman is the strongest historical novelist working the medieval period at present -- George R. R. MartinShe manages to illuminate the alien shadowland of the Middle Ages and populate it with vital characters whose politics and passions are as vivid as our own * San Francisco Chronicle *As one of Ms. Penman's oldest and most ardent fans, I believe The Land Beyond the Sea ranks as one of her three most accomplished and compelling books. Her books should never be gulped, only savored, and readers will be thrilled to both read and reread her latest -- Priscilla Royal

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first book in Bernard Cornwell's bestselling series on the American Civil War.It is summer 1861. The armies of North and South stand on the brink of America's civil war.Nathanial Starbuck, jilted by his girl and estranged from his family, arrives in the capital of the Confederate South, where he enlists in an elite regiment being raised by rich, eccentric Washington Faulconer.Pledged to the Faulconer Legion, Starbuck becomes a northern boy fighting for the southern cause. But nothing can prepare him for the shocking violence to follow in the war which broke America in two.Trade ReviewPraise for REBEL: ‘A sure-fire bestseller’ Financial Times ‘His series of Sharpe novels earned him almost every accolade possible from British newspapers. This is even better’ Daily Mail ‘What Cornwell really likes is battles . . . you will be duly rewarded with the smell of quality cordite rising from the pages’ Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne man's greatest victory.Rome's greatest defeat.A.D. 9: In the depths of the Teutoburg Wald, in a landscape riven by ravines, darkened by ancient oak and bisected by fast-flowing streams, Arminius of the Cherusci led a confederation of six Germanic tribes in the annihilation of three Roman legions. Deep in the forest almost twenty thousand men were massacred without mercy; fewer than two hundred of them ever made it back across the Rhine. To Rome's shame, three sacred Eagles were lost that day.But Arminius wasn't brought up in Germania Magna - he had been raised as a Roman. This is the story of how Arminius came to turn his back on the people who raised him and went on to commit a betrayal so great and so deep, it echoed through the ages.______________________________________________Don't miss Robert Fabbri's epic new series Alexander's Legacy Trade ReviewFabbri presents a powerfully chilling, detailed and dramatic depiction of those terrible days in the forest. * Express *Fabbri does an excellent job with this scintillating source material. -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Robert Fabbri has a winner on his hands. * The BookPlank *A stonking read. * Classic FM *Fabbri's Vespasian novels have been creating quite a stir. * The History Girls *

Read more less

Book SynopsisClash By name, clash by nature!Italy, 1943. The United States Army have sent Captain Brad Clash to join a British platoon in order to learn from their experiences of fighting in WWII. .A former Hollywood stuntman and speedway driver, Clash is a man of action who likes to tackle the enemy head on. All guts and glory, he uses his superior driving skills and American-made weapons, like the Winchester trench Gun, to keep the German Army at bay.This collection also features several one-off Battle strips illustrated by the legendary Cam Kennedy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover explosive action and white-knuckle drama in the spectacular second instalment in Harry Sidebottom''s vivid five-part series, perfect for fans of Bernard CornwellAD256. The spectre of treachery hangs ominously over the Roman Empire.The sparks of Christian fervour have spread through the empire like wildfire, and the imperium is alive with the machinations of dangerous and powerful men.All the while, Sassanid forces press forward relentlessly along the eastern frontier.When battle-bloodied general Ballista returns to the imperial court from the fallen city of Arete, he discovers that there are those who would rather see him dead than alive.Soon caught in a sinister web of intrigue and religious fanaticism, Ballista''s courage and loyalty will be put to the ultimate test in the service of Rome and the Emperor . . .The Warrior of Rome is back.Praise for Harry Sidebottom''Sidebottom''s

Read more less

Book SynopsisOCTOBER 1789, NEW SOUTH WALESInto Sydney, capital of Britain's infant colony, sails the frigate Tempest.Trade ReviewPraise for Alexander Kent: 'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' Sunday Times'Shipwreck, survival ... a spirited battle ... a splendid yarn' The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisSet off for another rip-roaring, all-action naval adventure courtesy of multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent. You''ll be able to smell the whiff of the gunpowder and hear the scream of the cannon balls as our hero fights another battle against the enemies of England. Guaranteed to have you engrossed from page one, fans of Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester will not be disappointed.''One of our foremost writers of naval fiction'' -- Sunday Times''His dashing character Richard Bolitho is one of the best things to happen to the sea yarn since Hornblower'' -- Daily Express''The storytelling has an easy mastery, how well Kent knows the psychology of naval men'' -- Sunday Telegraph''Just as well I am an insomniac as it is almost impossible to put it down'' -- ***** Reader review''Another stirring yarn from the grand master of naval fiction'' -- ***** Reader reviewTrade ReviewOne of our foremost writers of naval fiction. * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMajor Eazy is a maverick soldier in a dirty war, caught up in the Allies' invasion of Italy in 1944 and determined to see justice done. Even when that means taking on villains on his own side, he doesn't pull any punches! More movie star than military, Eazy was the most laconic and indeed British officer ever to grace the pages of a comic. This volume starts from the very beginning of Eazy's story.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNow a major DisneyPlus Hotstar Special - THE EMPIRE is streaming nowThe brutal battle for power continues in the fourth book in the epic Empire of the Moghul series.''A totally absorbing narrative filled with authentic historical characters and sweeping action set in an age of horrifying but magnificent savagery. The writing is as compelling as the events described and kept me eagerly leaping from one page to the next'' Wilbur SmithAgra, India, 1606. Jahangir, the triumphant Moghul Emperor and ruler of most of the Indian subcontinent, is doomed. No amount of wealth and ruthlessness can protect him from his sons'' desire for power. The glorious Moghul throne is worth any amount of bloodshed and betrayal; once Jahangir raised troops against his own father; now he faces a bloody battle with Khurram, the ablest of his warring sons.Worse is to come. Just as the heirs of Timur the Great share intellige

Read more less

Book SynopsisEngland, 1311. In the dark of the North the devil lies in wait...Paul Doherty''s most popular series character returns in the gripping nineteenth mystery in the Hugh Corbett series.If you love the historical mysteries of C. J. Sansom, E. M. Powell and Bernard Cornwell you will love this.1296: King Edward I has led his army to Scotland, determined to take the country under his crown. But the fierce Scots have no intention of submitting to their oppressor and violent and bloody war breaks out. 1311: Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, finds himself back in Scotland and is revisited by the horrors he witnessed there fifteen years ago. An anonymous letter was delivered to the new king. It promised information about a fatal incident that could allow England to finally bow out of the war with the Scots. Tasked with finding out the truth about the murder, Corbett is forced to take risksTrade ReviewDeliciously suspenseful, gorgeously written and atmospheric * Historical Novels Review *Supremely evocative, scrupulously researched * Publishers Weekly *An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite * Northern Echo *Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history...evocative and lyrical descriptions * New Statesman *Teems with colour, energy and spills * Time Out *The Hugh Corbett series . . . continues its magnificent vein of form. Massively recommended -- Classic Mystery blog

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Gideon Crew in the first novel in a high-octane new thriller series from the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors.''Preston and Child have crafted an electrifying, riveting thriller on which I could continue to heap praise, but instead I will just offer this: Read the book!'' David BaldacciRevenge is sweet and Gideon Crew is about to get a taste.As a child, Gideon Crew witnessed the brutal murder of his father; a scientist wrongly framed by the US government, during a dramatic hostage crisis. Twenty years later, Gideon finally gets his revenge and fulfils the promise that he made to his mother on her death bed; to bring down the powerful and corrupt man who destroyed his father.The Crew family name is finally cleared, but Gideon''s story is only just beginning. His daredevil act of revenge has not gone unnoticed and he is soon approached by a shadowy figure who offers him the chance of a lifetime. The only catch? He might not have that much lifetime left and the clock is now ticking.Trade ReviewPreston and Child have crafted an electrifying, riveting thriller on which I could continue to heap praise, but instead I will just offer this: Read the book! -- David BaldacciFast-paced and action-packed...a clever, high velocity read -- Kathy ReichsFast-paced and action-packed...a clever, high velocity read -- Kathy Reichs

Read more less