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[[Category:New Reviews|Historical Fiction]]{{adsense2}}__NOTOC__<!-- Remove --> <!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Heaven and HellTananarive Due|authortitle=Jon Kalman StefanssonThe Reformatory|rating=45|genre=Literary Historical Fiction|summary=IcelandGracetown, Florida. June 1950. After a hundred years agoscuffle with a white boy, twelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, otherwise known as the Reformatory. From It's a place with a brutal and dark reputation. But the segregated reformatory is a chamber of horrors, haunted by the boys that is have died there. In order to survive the school governor and his Funhouse, Robert must enlist the very definition help of rural and remotethe school's ghosts – only they have their own motivations...|isbn=1803366532}} {{Frontpage|author=Katherine Howe|title=A True Account|rating=4.5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Hannah Masury is living in Boston, having been sent to live with a small fishing boat leaves for four hours' hard row family who run an inn, and being made to work there from a profitable bankyoung age. It carries six men on When she hears there is to be a hanging of some pirates in the way outtown, she decides to go and five on the way backwatch. The deceased is Enthralled and horrified in equal measure, Hannah finds herself embroiled in a young boy's death at the best friend – or perhaps only friend – hands of the main charactertwo vicious pirates. She hides away, so that they don't find and kill her too, who is still young enough and then to escape them completely she runs away to merely be known sea, dressing as a boy and joining the notorious Ned Low''s pirate ship as a cabin boy''. When he returns to port he enters an almost Camus-like semi-existence, wondering just how much life She soon finds herself in the thick of things when there is an answera mutiny on board, and for what, after from there we are caught up in her rip roaring tale of life on the tragedy he has witnessedocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1849164061</amazonuk>0861547438

{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=She RisesSarah Marsh|authortitle=Kate WorsleyA Sign of Her Own|rating=3.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=ImagineAfter a bout of scarlet fever as a child, if you canEllen Lark loses her hearing. Suddenly plunged into a world of silence, everything about her life changes. Living in a lifelike eighteenth-century seafaring epic (something along time when the lines use of Carsten Jensen's [[Wesign language was seen as something only savages do, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen|WeEllen is sent to a school where she is taught to lip read, the Drowned]] or Carol Birch's [[Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch|Jamrach's Menagerie]]) crossed with Sarah Waters's ''Fingersmith''but physically restrained from signing. If you then added From here, she ends up in touches of Charles Dickens's ''Bleak House'', plus shades of the rest of another school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has been teaching the homoerotic Waters oeuvre (especially ''Night Watch'' deaf and ''Tipping using a system called Visible Speech. At the Velvet'')same time, you would just about have Kate Worsley's debut novel, ''She Rises''Bell is working on other inventions and ideas, and Ellen finds herself unwittingly caught up in a nutshellcomplicated tangle of espionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1408835894</amazonuk>1035401614

The follow-up to the excellent ''Ithaca'' picks up a few months after where we left off. In the palace of Odysseus, with delicate care Queen Penelope continues to rule without her husband, who sailed to war at Troy and then by divine intervention never returned home. As ever she remains surrounded by suitors vying for the throne of the Western Isles. Having survived – politically and physical – the chaotic storm that Clytemnestra brought to Ithaca's shores, Queen Penelope is on the brink of a fragile peace. One that shatters however with the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra, seeking refuge.|isbn=0356516075}}{{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B0C7J9D21B|title=Mistress of the SeaA Captive in Algiers (Muhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=Jenny BardenA J Lewis|rating=4.5

|summary=When we first meet our hero, his name is Ettore and he lives at The House of Beautiful Swallows. Idyllic as this might sound, it's a bordello and Ettore'Mistress s mother died when he was born. He's not been short of the Sea'' is an epic adventure involving piratesmothers, starthough -crossed lovers and a lust but for gold and vengeancesomeone of his background in late-eighteenth-century Amalfi, it's difficult to obtain decent employment. The novel, set in Tudor times, is based on the real-life events in stint working with the life preparation of Francis Drake, notably the raid at Nombre de Dios anchovies didn't work out and the rout of the English fleet at San Juan de Uluabastards are considered bad luck on fishing boats. Barden weaves an exciting adventure/romance story against this backdrop, which results in an immersive narrative that excites the mind Ettore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined - and sensesit was not long before he had a successful business as a guide for visitors. He was even saving some money.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>009194922X</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Graham ThomasEssie Fox|title=Hats Off To Brandenburg (The Roxy Compendium)Fascination

|summary=It was London, 1815. George III was on the throne although it was his son who was Regent, but it would be quite The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a while before those facts bothered the Roxy Playhouse Irregularssetting for historical fiction (matched only, who livedperhaps, loved and had their being in by the old Roxy PlayhouseSecond World War) which has often led to more than a few writers mishandling it. Money had always been in short supply as it tends to be when life is lived as There's such a celebration, but they were glut of media set in debt the era that the hallmarks we've come to Richard Sheridan and eventually forced associate with it are familiar to strike a bargain with him: pay their debts within one month or he would take the Roxy Playhousepoint of being cliched, hackneyed even. The Irregulars took the challenge and put on a performance, only All this was no three-act play on a stage. Their performance was a tightly choreographed heist which is simply to illustrate that it would relieve members of the ton of some of their more valuable trinketsbe an easy thing to do poorly. If you're thinking of Robin Hood then forget But despite that, something about it - still grabs me – and something about this was going to be far more complex and bloody and it was obvious that there was more at stake than a decrepit playhousebook's description did as well.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0956742238</amazonuk>1914585526

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Burnt NortonNicole Jarvis|authortitle=Caroline SandonA Portrait in Shadow|rating=24.5

|summary=After the death ''I want all of his youngest son in a terrible accident, Sir William Keyt starts Florence to lose interest in life. It takes meeting young Molly Johnson, a bright and beautiful daughter of a local landlord, to rekindle a spark for him. He brings her into Norton House as a maidservant, where she quickly catches the eye of his bookish eldest son, Thomas. But Sir William wants Molly to be more than a maid to him, and as a rich man and an MP is used to having his own way.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781850674</amazonuk>}}know my name''

{{newreview|author=Bruce Macbain|title=The Bull Slayer|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Years after we left him Cast out from Rome, Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking an oasis in [[Roman Games (Plinius Secundus) by Bruce Macbain|Roman Games]]which her art can find a home and where her future can thrive rather than stagnate. But as some as she enters Florentine society she faces great opposition from the powerful Accademia, Pliny the Younger has become Roman Governor of Bithynia. Not the most hospitable self-proclaimed guardians of regions, its Greek residents regard the Romans with hatred; an emotion healing magics that, in many cases, is reciprocated by through paintings have the power to protect the Romanscity and its citizens from plagues and curses. No matter how bad this is though, The all-male Accademia has hoarded power over art and architecture for centuries and guard it gets worse when a high ranking official dies mysteriouslyabove all else. Could it have anything to do with the religious sect of Mithras? Possibly but it's not Pliny's only dilemma; at home his beloved To them, Artemisia – an ambitious young wife Calpurnia is acting somewhat oddlywoman who promises trouble and change – has no place amongst them and their society.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781850798</amazonuk>1803362340

{{newreview|author=James Heneage|title=The Walls of Byzantium (The Mistra Chronicles)|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Luke Magoris is heading for disgrace which means Set in the near-distant future, in a lot since he's world on the son verge of a Varangianclimate collapse, the Viking-originated elite guard of the Byzantine EmperorBritain is in great peril. Anna Lasaris daughter The British Isles desperately needs a hero (or several) to a Byzantine court official and, feisty but kind, is save the opposite of the Archon's daughter Zoe. As politically adept as her brother is inept, Zoe will do anything for status day and money… anythingrescue what little remains. As What no-one expected was that one of the 14th century Byzantine Empire starts to crumble due to the relentless struggle with the Islamic Turks and Mistra becomes Knights of the only province left for Round Table would answer the Turks to conquer, their paths will cross. They're all young but they'll soon discover that treachery can emanate from friendship as much as it can from warcall. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782061118</amazonuk>0356518523

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=Beautiful LiesG K Holloway|authortitle=Claire ClarkIn the Shadows of Castles

|summary=Clare ClarkWe begin after the momentous battle in 1066 and on the day of William of Normandy's coronation as King of England. William''Beautiful Lies'' takes in Royal jubilees, London riots, newspaper editors overstepping the bounds on personal vendettas s position is not secure and political sex scandals - all set in the late 1880s showing how little new king has changedmany challenges. There are even early instances and questions over photographic manipulationImposing authority through a coronation is important. Maribel, apparently a Chilean heiress and wife of radical, socialist politician Edward Campbell Lowe, has a past which she has tries And William is right to keep buriedworry. If it were to be revealedWhile the previous king, Harold, both her is dead and her husband would be ruined by the scandal. Making enemies likelihood of an unscrupulous more pitched battles is over, the rebels are stirring and hypocritical newspaper editor might much of the country does not be the best move thenwish to recognise a new overlord.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099570467</amazonuk>1800422466

{{newreview|title=All Woman and Springtime|author=B W Jones|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Gyong-Ho Maya is a seamstress. That's not young girl living in a euphemismhunter gatherer village during the Mesolithic era. She works at a machine in a garment factoryClimate change is occurring, with a bullying supervisor, invalided out the Sea of the glorious Chochun armyGrass encroaches further and further into Maya's forest home, limping around and terrifying food is becoming more and more scarce. What to do? Can the girls only slightly more than law givers in the picture federation of Kim Jong-il on villages muster peaceful ways to cope? Can the walls. GiTraveller, a nickname she'll acquire because spiritual figure who interprets the wisdom of her stammering attempts to get her own name out (Gi-Gi-Gyong) strives truly hard to be worthy of the Dear Leader. She has learned the hard wayAll Life, what happens if someone somewhere for some obscure reason decides that you're not.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780222912</amazonuk>provide solutions?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1529125898|title=The AsylumGodmersham Park|author=John HarwoodGill Hornby|rating=3.5

|summary=A woman wakes up in an unfamiliar room. She doesn’t know where she is''If it were not for the casual dereliction of the odd gentleman's duty, or how she got there, but would no women to teach well-bred daughters at least she knows who she is: her name is Georgina Ferrars and she lives with her uncle in Gresham’s Yard, Londonall.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0224097415</amazonuk>}}''

{{newreview|author=Edward Rutherfurd|title=Paris|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Taking four families, from different social positions, Edward Rutherfurd weaves these family histories into Anne Sharpe was thirty-one years old when she arrived at Godmersham Park to take up the history position of governess to twelve-year-old Fanny Austen. She had no experience of teaching but this was a case of Paris and Francenecessity. We encounter Until the noble de Cygnesdeath of her mother, Anne had a comfortable life and was loved by both parents although her father was frequently absent from the bourgeois Blanchardshousehold. When her mother died, the lower class Gascons her father cast her off and the revolutionary Le Sourdswould have nothing more to do with her. Their lives cross paths through the years in often unexpected ways and while ''Paris'' is No explanation was offered but she would receive an historical fiction novelannuity of £35 a year. Her maid, this is as much an epic story of families as it is about the historyAgnes, would receive nothing but was fortunately taken in by some neighbours.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1444736795</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Emma StraubMelissa Fu |title=Laura Lamont's Life in PicturesPeach Blossom Spring

|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Small town girl Ella Emerson loves acting - her father runs I loved the Cherry County Playhouseprelude to Peach Blossom Spring, and shea short chapter entitled ''Origins''s always been captivated by the stage. She loves watching Unfortunately it is the actors perform, and getting involved in shows where she canonly truly poetic part of a book that I expected more from. Following a family tragedy, though, she moves Covering Chinese history from 1938 to Hollywood to marry an actor and reinvents herself 2005 as Laura Lamontviewed through one family's perspective. Quickly, she outshines her new husband. Can her success, and When their relationship, last?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1447203208</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Nick Rennison|title=Carver's Quest|rating=3|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=The year is 1870 and Adam Carver is at home in his lodgings in London’s Doughty Street when he city is interrupted by an unexpected caller. This distraught set ablaze during the war with Japan, a young mother (Meilin) and enigmatic young woman, Miss Emily Maitland, requests Carver’s help but disappears mysteriously before he can ascertain the details of her predicamentfour-year-old son (Renshu) are among those who flee. The days story follows them on their journey across China, and weeks that follow her visit prove in Renshu's case eventually to be most eventful, pitching Carver and his assistant Quint into an investigation involving murder, a missing manuscript and a hidden treasureAmerica. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1848871791</amazonuk>1472277538

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Michael Ridpath1916072038|title=Traitor's GateThe House in the Hollow (The Talbot Saga)|author=Allie Cresswell

|summary= Oxford-educated Englishman Conrad de Lancey is haunted by the brutality We meet part of the Spanish Civil War, his ideals laying Talbot family in Yorkshire in the dust along with the cause for which he foughtNovember 1811. Therefore, on a visit to his Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and her mother's German homelandhave travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, Conrad shies away from involvement in any resistance to the rise of house in the National Socialist Partyhollow. However, he will soon have little choice as tragic events drag him into a world The two women are angry with each other and Jocelyn is well aware of espionage, brutality her mother's strengths and fear, culminating in a conspiracy to kill Hitler himself.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781851808</amazonuk>}}weaknesses:

{{newreview|author=A L Berridge|title=Into The Valley of Death|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Master Harry-sahib saunters up the path of the family bungalow in some unnamed Indian 'British town'She is practiced at subterfuge, puzzled to see the pathway choked with weedsat concealing, surprised by the absence beneath a facade of servants and disgusted by the swarming ants. There is worse inside. His fatherrespectability, the colonel, is dead on the floor. deplorable truth''The money was gone, obviously, but it would take more than that to make a devoted soldier to blow his brains out. What had it done to him, this army he'd given his whole life to?'

What indeed? Hester is furious about Jocelyn'Into the Valley of Deaths refusal to do as she was asked, which has precipitated ''this violent and unexpected removal' isn't the novel that will tell us.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>024195410X</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Tim Willocks|title=The Religion|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=To Then we are told of the Maltese and Sicilians, Mattias Tannhauser is a successfully blooded infantry captain. To Ottoman Turks he's Ibrahim the Red, having been kidnapped from Hungary and raised as a Muslim. Dual nationality comes in handy once he's met the beautiful Contessa Carla de la Penantier and is commissioned to find and return her 12 year old bastard son. As always with these missions there's birth of a catch. The boy (whom Carla hasn't seen since the day of his birth) is rumoured to be on Malta, an island currently being threatened by 30,000 Turks child and defended by a tenth of that number, even if you count the Knights Hospitaller. The Turks call themselves the Hounds of Hellsoon after, the Knights are known as the ReligionHester Talbot departs, but it's immaterial to Mattias. He just needs to find the lad leaving Jocelyn in shame and get out aliveisolation in Yorkshire.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099581299</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Elizabeth FremantleAnnabel Abbs|title=The Queen's GambitLanguage of Food

|summary= The recently widowed Lady Katherine Latymer falls in love Eliza Acton is a poet who has never had the slightest inclination to boil an egg. When tasked with aristocratic Thomas Seymourwriting a cookery book, she recruits Ann Kirby, a man more local woman with a stranger to fidelity than to a lady's bedtroubled home life. It's not a good ideaTogether, they test, craft, especially when Henry VIII announces he'd like to make use of her renowned nursing skills by marrying her. As Katherine navigates refine and reshape the seas world of palace survival there's a lot that can sink her: Katherine's wish for Henry to return to the original protestant faith as he perceived itdomestic cookery, her desire to bring reinventing the King's children together under one roof recipe book and changing the plotting face of those who would like to see her head disconnected at the neck to name but three. Meanwhile the shadow of Snape Castle hangs over Katherine's step-daughter Meg, haunting her hopes, her dreams and her everyday life to a degree that only the maid Dot understandscookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0718177061</amazonuk>1398502227

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Amy BrillFreya Marske|title=The Movement of StarsA Marvellous Light|rating=4.5

|summary= Hannah Gardner Price lives Robin Blyth is nudged into a job in Nantucket, a small New England island with fortunes based on the whaling trade. As it's 1845Civil Service, Hannah's life is based on what her father feels is best for hermuch to his chagrin. This is unfortunately reinforced by the fact There he meets Edwin Courcey and learns that Nantucket is not just an island geographically but also insular in outlook and expectations as the claustrophobic, small community revolves around the weekly Friends' Meeting streets of its Quaker faithLondon are threaded with magic. Why unfortunately? Hannah is highly intelligentDesperate to remove a curse that threatens to swallow him, in her mid-20s, unmarried, practically runs her family's navigational instrument business since her twin brother dashed off Robin follows Edwin to sea and has a scientific passion for astronomythe countryside, all of which are at odds where the hedgegrows bristle with societal normality. However, this is just incantations and the beginningpeople shimmer with power. When Isaac Martin, a ship's black second mate, brings Hannah There they uncover a chronometer to repair he becomes a presence sinister plot that will shake her community as it shakes her worldthreatens the lives of all magicians in the British Isles.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0718159926</amazonuk>1529080886

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Rhidian BrookB09F4CTKJR|title=The AftermathFlights for Freedom|author= Steven Burgauer

|summary=It''The Aftermath'' is set amongst s the later stages of World War I and the devastated ruins in United States has just entered the fire-bombed city of Hamburg in 1946conflict. The British have occupied the ruined city and Colonel Lewis Morgan, an officer Petrol Petronus is a young American who has signed up and a gentleman, is charged with overseeing joined the restoration of order17 Aero Squadron. HoweverThis company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, Colonel Morgan must the first deal with to be attached to the human cost of RAF and the bombing including remnants of fanatic Nazis, first to be sent into the ''trummerkind'' - children of skies to fight the rubble, and the starving civil populaceGermans in active combat. He also, in 1943But before that can happen, lost a child due Petrol has to a Luftwaffe bomb and he must support his deeply grieving wife, Rachel, when she arrives after months of separation with their surviving twelve year old boy, master flying the impressionable Edmundnotoriously difficult but majestic Sopwith Camel.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0670921122</amazonuk>

 {{newreview|author=Diana Souhami|title=Coconut Chaos|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Our anonymous narrator has a chaos-theory-theory about the mutiny on the Bounty. It can all be traced back to Fletcher Christian stealing a coconut. Armed with this thought and the intrepid spirit of many Britons before her, she sets off for Pitcairn Island, the isolated home of Christian and his band of dissenters 3,000 miles from New Zealand. She leaves behind a beloved but delusional mother, her partner and all the comforts of civilisation as she travels with hope and the inimitable Lady Myre. Meanwhile we listen to true stories about the mutiny, the aftermath and the fact that there weren't really many heroes, just a group of flawed individuals fighting for survival.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780878745</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Robert Wilton|title=Traitor's Field|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=It's 1648 and the embers of Charles I's reign start to fade as Britain slowly turns the monotone colour of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. However, Royalist passion still exists and it's up to Sir Mortimer Shay, the Comptrollerate-General for Scrutiny and Survey, to gather the intelligence, maintain his spy network and fan the embers towards the Royalist victory for which he longs. He's a wily veteran so not easily stopped but among the confusion and brutality that tears Britain in half, former lawyer Cromwell's spymaster John Thurloe is the man charged with the task.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848878192</amazonuk>}} {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Paul LynchChristophe Medler|title=Red Sky In MorningMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret

|summary=It’s 1832 and Coll Coyle and his humble family are to be turfed out Set against the backdrop of their home the English Civil War, a secret plan (code-named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in Donegal and Coll is just angry enough to confront the landowner’s son who is responsiblesummer of 1642. The repercussions As a loyal servant of Coll’s actions are huge the King, and Coll Head of the Secret Service, it is forced Robert's duty to go on uncover the run. He attempts to escape across the unforgiving and desolate landscape details of North West Ireland, the brutal Atlantic Ocean plan and follow the plains clues to uncover one of North America, all the while stalked by most guarded secrets in history—especially since the plot could affect the incredibly dangerous and violent John Faller. Red Sky in Morning is Paul Lynch’s debut novel and it is a real hitKing.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780879164</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Patricia Watkins1471187179|title=Trick of Fate: Connell O'Keeffe and The Pen Caer LegacyA Beautiful Spy|author=Rachel Hore

|summary=Connell OMinnie is an 'Keeffe was ordinary' girl living an unexciting life in a gentleman actor leafy provincial suburb. The book is set in the 1930s and on 23 February 1797 he was on his way from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire Minnie is expected to live up to her mother's expectations and find a nice young man to catch marry, produce children and spend the ferry rest of her days looking after her husband and their home to Ireland. Unable Unfortunately, this isn't what she wants to speak Welsh he was unaware that the French had invaded Pen Caer do at all and rode into neither does she want to continue working as a situation which would change his life foreversecretary. The man who had set off to make his leisurely way homeAs a result of a chance meeting, she finds herself drawn into espionage, taking in some of working for the local landmarks suffered secret service and effectively living a double life-threatening injury, was unjustly accused attempting to infiltrate the Communist Party of a foul murder and became a fugitiveGreat Britain. It was difficult to see that he could survive his current situation Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her duty and the friends she has made - fitter men than he were dying and likes - and if he did, what was whilst working for the point? What was there that he could do when his chosen profession would no longer be open to him?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0957210450</amazonuk>Communist Party.

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Michael EnnisAfonso Cruz and Rahul Bery (translator)|title=The Malice of FortuneKokoschka's Doll|rating=32.5|genre=Historical Literary Fiction|summary=Michael Ennis sets his ''The Malice of Fortune'' in Italy in Well, this looked very much like a book I could love from the early part of the 1500s. Ennis is a history lecturer so unsurprisinglyget-go, his book which is full of evidence of detailed research why I picked my review copy up and understanding flipped pages over several times before actually reading any of the timesit. And what fascinating times they were. With I found things to potentially delight me each time – a weird section in the Borgia family dominating both the papacy and several political regions, fighting for power and landmiddle on darker stock paper, a chapter whose number of family led mercenary armieswas in the 20, and several great figures who would leave a lasting legacy000s, notably Leonardo Da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelliletters used as narrative form, the latter of whom narrates a very large part of this novel. The real life political wrangling of the times would stretch the imagination of most novelists and Ennis bases his tale so on a huge number of real, documented happenings. What he seeks to add to It intrigued with the party is an insight into why and how these events occurred and certainly there are some unexplained gaps subterranean voice a man hears in the relationships wartorn Dresden that what little I knew of the key players. The core story is an attempt to discover the identity of the murderer of the pope's son, Juan Borgiait mentioned, Duke of Gandiatoo. Candidates range from his brother, Cesare Borgia, Juan But you's courtesan, Damiata to ve seen the heads of various powerful, mercenary families. It's historical fiction meets crime fiction.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780890974</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Tim Leach|title=The Last King of Lydia|star rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Ancient mythology seems to be enjoying a surge in popularity of late, that comes with a plethora of booksthis review, movies and games based can tell that if love was on these ancient legends and fabled heroes. There is something in the collective consciousness that enables these stories to resonate with each subsequent generation, allowing ancient wisdom to put out new roots in fresh soil.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857899171</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=James Benmore|title=Dodger|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=That loveable roguepages, the Artful Dodger, is one of the most memorable and amusing characters in all of English literature. ''Oliver Twist'' ended with Dodger Jack Dawkins arrested for the theft of a silver snuff box and transported to Australiait was not actually caused by them. But So what happened next? James Benmore explores that idea in ''Dodger'', which takes up the story six years after the events of ''Oliver Twist''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1780874650</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Elizabeth Gill|title=Miss Appleby's Academy|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=After forsaking her own chance of happiness to care for her aging father, Emma Appleby’s life is thrown into turmoil when he dies suddenly, leaving her fate entirely in the hands of her callous brother Laurence. Laurence and his wife view the middle-aged spinster as a burden and are keen to marry her off to an elderly neighbour to free themselves of responsibility. With seemingly nowhere to turn, Emma flees America to make a new life for herself in her childhood home of County Durham.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1780878478</amazonuk>1529402697

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Jenny MandevilleChristina Hammonds Reed|title=A Crown of DespairThe Black Kids

|genre=Historical FictionTeens |summary=By Christina Hammonds Reed's debut novel is set against the age backdrop of 31 Katherinethe 1992 Los Angeles riots, Lady Latimer, had been married and widowed twice. Her first match a reaction to an elderly, sickening baron ended at the age absolution of 16four police officers for beating a black man, Rodney King, as miserably as it had started two years earliernearly to death. Her second marriage to John Neville, Lord LatimerTold from the perspective of Ashley Bennett, had been more comfortable. On his death she found love for the first time in novel follows her lifeevolution from a silent bystander when confronted with matters of race, but to no avail. The monarch had seen Katherine a woman finding her voice and would claim her for himself no matter what her wishes may be. This forced marriage would make her famous, for down the centuries history would recount the story of Lady Latimer using embracing her other name: Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIIIheritage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>071980857X</amazonuk>1471188191

{{newreview|author=Anne O'Brien|title=The Forbidden Queen|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Katherine de Valois is the young and innocent girl betrothed Move on to Henry V of England. While Henry doesn't love her, she thinks she can be happy with him. Unfortunately, though, she quickly finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, then finds an even worse fate in store as Henry is killed and she is left a lonely young widow. With political machinations dogging her every step as men like Edmund Beaufort and Owen Tudor catch her eye. Can she be happy with one of them, or will those people at court who don't want to see any man gain the power that would come with marrying the mother of the young king foil her hopes?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1848452152</amazonuk>}}[[Newest History Reviews]]