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<!-- INSERT NEW REVIEWS BELOW HERE-->{{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Web and the WingTananarive Due|authortitle=Teresa RafteryThe Reformatory|rating=3.5

|summary=I love Gracetown, Florida. June 1950. After a scuffle with a good family sagawhite boy, twelve year-old Robbie Stephens Jr is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, donotherwise known as the Reformatory. It't you? ''The Web s a place with a brutal and dark reputation. But the Wing'' begins at segregated reformatory is a chamber of horrors, haunted by the boys that have died there. In order to survive the school governor and his Funhouse, Robert must enlist the end help of World War Ithe school's ghosts – only they have their own motivations...|isbn=1803366532}} {{Frontpage|author=Katherine Howe|title=A True Account|rating=4. Claire returns 5|genre=General Fiction|summary=Hannah Masury is living in Boston, having been sent to her pre-war job as live with a maid at Ardleagh Hallfamily who run an inn, home and being made to work there from a young age. When she hears there is to be a hanging of some pirates in the Earl of Eglintontown, she decides to go and watch. But Claire wants more than Enthralled and horrified in equal measure, Hannah finds herself embroiled in a life in serviceyoung boy's death at the hands of two vicious pirates. She wants education and independence. And she wants hides away from Ardleagh for another reason too - rigid social rules mean , so that she can never declare they don't find and kill her love for Jamestoo, heir and then to escape them completely she runs away to sea, dressing as a boy and joining the Eglinton titlenotorious Ned Low's pirate ship as a cabin boy. James feels the same about Claire but he too has personal reasons for wanting to escape - his father will not countenance his musical ambitions. After She soon finds herself in the disastrous miners' strike thick of 1926, James leaves for Berlin to become things when there is a concert pianist. From heremutiny on board, he observes and from there we are caught up in her rip roaring tale of life on the rise of Hitler with mounting concernocean waves.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>178088561X</amazonuk>0861547438

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=ColossusSarah Marsh|authortitle=Alexander ColeA Sign of Her Own|rating=43.5|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=I would not want to be in the front line After a bout of any armyscarlet fever as a child, but one that is facing Ellen Lark loses her hearing. Suddenly plunged into a row world of battle worn elephants must be the worst These huge beastssilence, that don’t smell particularly nice, are charging towards you, their tusks tipped in armoureverything about her life changes. You’ll find me cowering somewhere near Living in a time when the baggage trainuse of sign language was seen as something only savages do, Ellen is sent to a school where she is taught to lip read, but physically restrained from signing. Not GajendraFrom here, he is an ambitious young man she ends up in Alexander’s all conquering armyanother school studying under Alexander Graham Bell who has been teaching the deaf and using a system called Visible Speech. He has a special relationship with At the largest elephant in Alex’s armysame time, Bell is working on other inventions and ideas, Colossus. This close relationship between man and beast will lead Gajendra to Ellen finds herself unwittingly caught up in a higher level than he could ever have imagined for a poor boy from Indiacomplicated tangle of espionage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0857891154</amazonuk>1035401614

{{newreview|title=The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls|author= Anton DiSclafani|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Theodora Atwell is torn away from her muchfollow-loved brother at up to the excellent ''Ithaca'' picks up a few months after where we left off. In the age palace of 15Odysseus, with delicate care Queen Penelope continues to be sent far from rule without her home in Florida to Yonahlosseehusband, where she's who sailed to have a fresh start after a mysterious event war at Troy and then by divine intervention never returned home. As ever she blames herself remains surrounded by suitors vying for. Set in the 1930s to the backdrop throne of the Depression, we follow Thea as she tries to navigate her new surroundings Western Isles. Having survived – politically and come physical – the chaotic storm that Clytemnestra brought to terms with the damage sheIthaca's caused to her family.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755395190</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Lionheart|author=Stewart Binns|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Richard shores, Queen Penelope is on the Firstbrink of a fragile peace. Richard One that shatters however with the Lionheart. Even those return of us who didn't pay attention much in history lessonsOrestes, those of us who are pretty dodgy on which King came when, will be familiar with some of them and be able to put them more or less in their time context. We know William the ConquerorMycenae, we know Henry the Eighth… … andhis sister Elektra, up to a point, we know about the Lionheartseeking refuge.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1405913606</amazonuk>0356516075

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=B0C7J9D21B|title=Black VenusA Captive in Algiers (Muhammed Amalfi Mysteries)|author=James MacManusA J Lewis|rating=24.5

|summary=Anyone familiar with the numerous biographies of Charles Baudelaire will know there When we first meet our hero, his name is an absence in the middle Ettore and he lives at The House of his life: Jeanne DuvalBeautiful Swallows. The facts about Idyllic as this mysterious woman are rather sparsemight sound, although it is commonly agreed that she was 's a Haitian cabaret singer - bordello and BaudelaireEttore's perennial musemother died when he was born. And it is Baudelaire He's fascination with Duval that continues to haunt the books published by not been short of mothers, though - but for someone of his critics and admirers alike: just whatbackground in late-eighteenth-century Amalfi, they ask themselves, was the great manit's obsession difficult to obtain decent employment. The stint working with the woman he dubbed his Black Venus? But if therepreparation of anchovies didn's little more to say t work out and bastards are considered bad luck on the biographical front, what about in the realms of fiction? What about using the scattered facts to build a threefishing boats. Ettore was nothing if not resourceful - and determined -dimensional Duval, one with and it was not long before he had a backstory, hopes, and feelings? If you think this is successful business as a bad idea, then you're too late, because this is the 'eureka!' moment that spawned James MacManus's exasperating new novel, ''Black Venus''guide for visitors. He was even saving some money.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0715647423</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Sebastian FaulksEssie Fox|title=Jeeves and the Wedding BellsThe Fascination

|summary=Bertie Wooster had The Victorian era is incredibly over-romanticised as a glorious time in Cannessetting for historical fiction (matched only, perhaps, not least because of by the presence of Georgiana MeadowesSecond World War) which has often led to more than a few writers mishandling it. He wondered if she should be allowed out at all, There's such a hazard did she pose to male shipping' - and glut of media set in the era that was before hethe hallmarks we'd experienced her driving. But, being a gentleman, Wooster's hands were tied: Georgiana is soon to become engaged ve come to another. The two would meet again before too long as Wooster, along associate with his gentleman's gentleman, were invited it are familiar to stay at the home point of Georgiana's uncle - butbeing cliched, for reasons which you'll need hackneyed even. All this is simply to illustrate that it would be an easy thing to read for yourselfdo poorly. But despite that, ''Jeeves'' was there as a member of the aristocracy something about it still grabs me – and Wooster was his gentlemansomething about this book's gentlemandescription did as well. Confused? Oh, excellent!|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0091954045</amazonuk>1914585526

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Linda SpaldingNicole Jarvis|title=The PurchaseA Portrait in Shadow|rating=4.5

|summary=1798: Daniel Dickinson moves his five children and 15-year-old second wife away from the Pennsylvanian Quaker community he used ''I want all of Florence to call home, towards Virginia. While on an equipment-buying trip he comes across a slave auction and decides to be true to his abolitionist beliefs in an unusual way. He buys Onesimus, a young slave boy, in order to change the ladknow my name''s life, intending to offer him a home and fairness in place of captivity. However, reality is more difficult and the Dickinsons find that their new servant will actually change their lives instead.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1908737514</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Kent Wascom|title=The Blood of Heaven|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=1799 Cast out from Rome, Artemisia Gentileschi arrives in Florence seeking an oasis in America which her art can find a home and Angel Woolsack is where her future can thrive rather than stagnate. But as some as she enters Florentine society she faces great opposition from the son of an itinerant preacherpowerful Accademia, travelling around Louisiana. Life isn't easy as Angel is torn between the puritanical fire and brimstone upbringing self-proclaimed guardians of Preacher-Father and his desire the healing magics that through paintings have the power to be a normal young man within protect the confines of a religious community. Eventually Angel's desire to express himself leads to tragedy city and its citizens from plagues and, with his only friend Samuel Kemper for company, he is cast out by those he lovescurses. Angel The all-male Accademia has hoarded power over art and Samuel decide to search architecture for Samuel's elder brother, Reuben, centuries and thus begins the adventure that will take guard it above all else. To them to Florida, bring Angel a feisty bride Artemisia – an ambitious young woman who promises trouble and provide a change – has no place in the history books for the Kemper brothers as they grapple for land against the Spanishamongst them and their society.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1611855713</amazonuk>1803362340

{{newreview|title=The IceSet in the near-Cold Heaven|author=Mirko Bonne|rating=4|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=They say that if you fall off a horse you should get back on one right awaydistant future, but even so… I don't think many people who had only just left their first love – in a shopgirl in their village – for their second – exploring the world on sailing cargo ships – would leap to a further voyage having been wrecked and stranded off the coast verge of South America for well over a weekclimate collapse, Britain is in great peril. But Merce here does – he wants to follow his best friend on to The British Isles desperately needs a ship called ''The Endurance'' and head with Shackleton hero (or several) to save the Antarcticday and rescue what little remains. But Merce is only seventeen, and is rejected – causing him to stow away onto What no-one expected was that one of the world's worst ever journeysKnights of the Round Table would answer the call.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0715645846</amazonuk>0356518523

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Reluctant BrideG K Holloway|authortitle=Beverly EikliIn the Shadows of Castles

|summary=Scarred soldier Major Angus McCartney cuts a lonely figure We begin after the momentous battle in 1066 and on the day of William of Normandy's coronation as he rides toward Micklen House bearing tragic newsKing of England. He knows that his presence will be unwelcome William's position is not secure and that the report he must deliver will devastate new king has many challenges. Imposing authority through a coronation is important. And William is right to worry. While the entire householdprevious king, especially Harold, is dead and the beautifullikelihood of more pitched battles is over, unobtainable daughter the rebels are stirring and much of the family whom he has secretly been in love with for many years. Surely she will forever associate him with the bombshell that brought her world crashing down. There seems no way that she could ever love him the way that he loves hercountry does not wish to recognise a new overlord.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1781890862</amazonuk>1800422466

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Conn Iggulden3949666079|title=Wars of the Roses: Stormbird (Wars of the Roses 1)Noema|author=Dael Akkerman

|genre=Historical General Fiction|summary=England in 1437: Henry VI is now old enough to take the throne after the untimely death of his father 15 years earlier. However 'The Lamb' (as young Henry This is known) doesn't take after his robust, dominant father as enemies and allies alike are wont a story about some things that happened to mention. Religiously devout, peace-loving and often ill, Henry VI relies on his right-hand men to take the load. While a privileged role for people like William de la Pole (Duke of Suffolk) and spymaster Derry Brewster, it's also very dangerousme about twelve thousand years ago. They're the final line of defence before the King can be toppled and not all the malevolent powers are beyond the English Channel. A lot of hope is pinned on Henry's marriage to Margaret of Anjou healing the rifts but unfortunately there are unforeseen effects.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0718159837</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|author=Elaine Neil Orr|title=A Different Sun: A Novel of Africa|rating=4.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Emma Davis, daughter of Maya is a young girl living in a Georgian plantation owner has never been happy about hunter gatherer village during the slave systemMesolithic era. People just shouldn't be owned like merchandise. Whenever possible she slinks away to hear African stories from elderly slave Uncle EliClimate change is occurring, sparking her imagination the Sea of Grass encroaches further and love for a far off continent about which shefurther into Maya's determined forest home, and food is becoming more and more scarce. What to do more than dream. Emma is going ? Can the law givers in the federation of villages muster peaceful ways to theological college and she ''will'' be a missionary out there. Her resolve pays off when she meets and marries Henrycope? Can the Traveller, clergyman and missionary to Yoruba. Once there Emma discovers a local culture richer and more rewarding than she imaginedspiritual figure who interprets the wisdom of All Life, but, then again, so is the cost.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0425261301</amazonuk>provide solutions?

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn=1529125898|title=Close to the WindGodmersham Park|author=Zana BellGill Hornby

|summary=Georgiana da Silva seems to have everything to look forward to; an engagement to her dashing cousin Jasper will finally allow her to escape ''If it were not for the clutches casual dereliction of her oppressive aunt and open up the opportunity for her to travel the world, broadening her horizons considerably. Unfortunatelyodd gentleman's duty, when she overhears a conversation between Jasper and the duplicitous Lord Walsingham, she realises that her engagement is a sham and that her brother’s life is in danger from a ruthless assassin. Can she reach her brother in New Zealand before the assassin has time there would no women to strike? The scene is set for an exciting crossteach well-continental race against time which will pitch Georgiana headlong into a world of deceit, intrigue and adventurebred daughters at all.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781890269</amazonuk>}}''

{{newreview|author=Bernard Cornwell|title=The Pagan Lord (Warrior Chronicles 7)|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Lord Uhtred is outlawed and evicted from his land as he continues Anne Sharpe was thirty-one years old when she arrived at Godmersham Park to niggle take up the Saxon clergyposition of governess to twelve-year-old Fanny Austen. However She had no experience of teaching but this time it's in was a big way: he murders an abbot while trying to reclaim his eldest soncase of necessity. As Until the death of her mother, Anne had a punishment he's evicted comfortable life and was loved by both parents although her father was frequently absent from his land so Uhtred does the only thing he can: he follows his destiny household. When her mother died, her father cast her off and travels north would have nothing more to reclaim Bebbanburg (Bamburgh) from his usurping uncle, Aelfricdo with her. There's No explanation was offered but she would receive an annuity of £35 a chasm between his dream and realityyear. Her maid, Agnes, would receive nothing but Uhtred is determined. Perhaps it's just as well because his choice of strategy will shape a nationwas fortunately taken in by some neighbours.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007331908</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=The Night FlowerMelissa Fu |authortitle=Sarah StovellPeach Blossom Spring |rating=43.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Fourteen-year-old Miriam Booth is a Romany gypsy from I loved the Newcastle slums whoprelude to Peach Blossom Spring, like the titular waif in [[:Category:Charles Dickens|Charles Dickens]]a short chapter entitled 's 'Origins'Oliver Twist'. Unfortunately it is the only truly poetic part of a book that I expected more from. Covering Chinese history from 1938 to 2005 as viewed through one family's perspective. When their home city is set ablaze during the war with Japan, is an orphan who lives by a young mother (Meilin) and her wits but becomes drawn into a ring of housefour-year-breaking crimeold son (Renshu) are among those who flee. In 1842 she is caught The story follows them on their journey across China, and sentenced to seven yearsin Renshu' transportation s case eventually to a convict colony in AustraliaAmerica. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1906994218</amazonuk>1472277538

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Colum McCann1916072038|title=TransAtlanticThe House in the Hollow (The Talbot Saga)|author=Allie Cresswell

|summary=In 1845 ex-slave, black American Frederick Douglass visits Ireland for a lecture tour about freedom and emancipation only to discover he's not preaching to We meet part of the converted after allTalbot family in Yorkshire in November 1811. In 1919 Alcock Twenty-seven-year-old Jocelyn Talbot and Brown climb into a rickety aircraft her mother have travelled in some discomfort from their home at Ecklington, to fly the Atlantic and land house in Limerickthe hollow. In 1994 Senator George Mitchell also travels to Ireland watched by a world thatThe two women are angry with each other and Jocelyn is well aware of her mother's about to see strengths and weaknesses: ''She is practiced at subterfuge, at concealing, beneath a miracle facade of negotiation. Meanwhile through it all Lily and her descendants are also thererespectability, not only watching history but living it on both sides of the Atlanticdeplorable truth''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408829371</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|title=Sisters of the East End|author=Helen Batten|rating=3.5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Katie Crisp had never intended Hester is furious about Jocelyn's refusal to become a nun. Raised by non-religious parents, her family frowned upon organised religion and when Katie started secretly going to church, they strongly disapproved. When Katie ran to the aid of a stroke victim, do as she had a vision that changed her life. She saw herself dressed as a nun with a large silver cross hanging from her neck. She decided to follow her calling and join the community of St John the Divinewas asked, a group of Anglican nuns dedicated to nursing and midwifery. She thus shed her old identity which has precipitated ''this violent and became known as Sister Catherine Maryunexpected removal''.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0091951771</amazonuk>}}

{{newreview|title=The Luminaries|author=Eleanor Catton|rating=5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Eleanor Catton's ''The Luminaries'' is set in Then we are told of the New Zealand gold rush birth of the late 1860s. It's a story about greed, power, gold, dreams, opium, secrets, betrayal child and identity, but most of allsoon after, it's a celebration of the art of story tellingHester Talbot departs, both leaving Jocelyn in terms of Catton's book and the stories her characters have to tell. It's the kind of book that is perfect escapism shame and which wraps you up in its world. If you like big, chunky books that you can get lost isolation in for hours, then this is one for youYorkshire.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1847084311</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Alison MacLeodAnnabel Abbs|title=UnexplodedThe Language of Food

|summary=Quaker girl Honor Bright Eliza Acton is seeking escape from a failed relationshippoet who has never had the slightest inclination to boil an egg. Leaving quiet Dorset for AmericaWhen tasked with writing a cookery book, a developing country about which she knows littlerecruits Ann Kirby, she hopes that accompanying her sister to the US will mean a new start within the American Quaker communitylocal woman with a troubled home life. But Honor soon discovers Together, they test, craft, refine and reshape the differences between America and England – not just in terms world of weather domestic cookery, reinventing the recipe book and landscape, but also in changing the American culture face of slave keepingcookery writing forever.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>000735035X</amazonuk>1398502227

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=A World ElsewhereFreya Marske|authortitle=Wayne JohnstonA Marvellous Light|rating=3.54

|summary=Landish Druken Robin Blyth is nudged into a great hulk of a man who lumbers through job in the Civil Service, much to his hometown of St John's, Newfoundlandchagrin. Although There he thinks meets Edwin Courcey and learns that the streets of himself as London are threaded with magic. Desperate to remove a writercurse that threatens to swallow him, he has never written a word he didn't feel compelled Robin follows Edwin to burn, and everyone knows him as the wayward son of accomplished sealing captain Abram Druken. Landish escaped to study literature at Princetoncountryside, where he met best friend Padgett 'Van' Vanderluyden, the 'dud' son of an industrial tycoon hedgegrows bristle with incantations and the people shimmer with power. There they uncover a rumoured homosexual, but he broke his promise to join his father's sealing empire on his return in 1893, and now sinister plot that threatens the lives of all magicians in poverty and disgracethe British Isles. |amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>0099572036</amazonuk>1529080886

 {{newreviewFrontpage|isbn= B09F4CTKJR|title=Stay Where You Are And Then LeaveFlights for Freedom|author=John BoyneSteven Burgauer

|genre=Confident ReadersHistorical Fiction|summary=Alfie is It's the later stages of World War I and the United States has just five years old when entered the Great War breaks out in 1914conflict. His father joins Petrol Petronus is a young American who has signed up straightawayand joined the 17 Aero Squadron. Cheerful letters come from Georgie for a while This company was the first US Aero Squadron to be trained in Canada, the first to be attached to the RAF and Alfie's mother reads them the first to him. But then be sent into the letters grow miserable and frightening. Alfie's mother stops reading them aloud and hides them away - but Alfie finds them anyway. And then skies to fight the letters stop altogetherGermans in active combat. Alfie is told But before that his father is on a secret mission and can't writehappen, but he sees through the lie immediately. And then, one day, a chance meeting tells Alfie exactly what Petrol has happened to his father. He's home from master flying the front notoriously difficult but he's in hospital, suffering from a condition nobody understood at the time: shell shockmajestic Sopwith Camel. |amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857532936</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author= Daniel WoodrellChristophe Medler|title=The Maid's VersionMadrigal: A Closely Guarded Secret|rating=54

|summary= Life may be tough Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, a secret plan (code-named Madrigal) is discovered by Sir Robert Douse in the Missouri town where Alma grew up but at least she has a jobsummer of 1642. She learns and experiences As a lot as maid to loyal servant of the wealthy Glencross familyKing, but many and Head of the experiences arenSecret Service, it is Robert't s duty to uncover the details of the plan and follow the sort she'd like clues to relive. To top it all off, uncover one of the most guarded secrets in 1929 history—especially since the Arbor, a local dance club, explodes into flames killing 42 people including Alma's younger sister Ruby. The cause remains a mystery as factions are blamed or viewed suspiciously. However Alma knows plot could affect the truth, a truth that remains secret until decades later during a visit from her grandsonKing.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1444732838</amazonuk>B095HY8SXQ

 {{newreviewFrontpage|authorisbn=Graham Thomas1471187179|title=The Other Woman (The Roxy Compendium)A Beautiful Spy|author=Rachel Hore

|summary=In Minnie is an 'ordinary' girl living an unexciting life in a leafy provincial suburb. The book is set in the first part of [[Hats Off To Brandenburg (The Roxy Compendium) by Graham Thomas|The Roxy Compendium]] we discovered that one of our heroes had had his heart broken by a lady called Abigail Hardwoode 1930s and there were hints that this ladyMinnie is expected to live up to her mother's history was rather unusualexpectations and find a nice young man to marry, produce children and spend the rest of her days looking after her husband and their home. Graham Thomas Unfortunately, this isn't one what she wants to leave us in suspense for ''too'' long do at all and he takes us back more than neither does she want to continue working as a quarter secretary. As a result of a century to chance meeting, she finds herself drawn into espionage, working for the time when Abigail first met her beloved Benjamin Ananas. What she could not know was that events in France involved secret service and effectively living a British Secret Agent when his family was kidnapped double life - and then Abigail's parents when they were tricked into undertaking a mission attempting to rescue them which was off infiltrate the booksCommunist Party of Great Britain. When they were captured only one man, agent Hilary Weaver, believed them to be innocent Minnie finds herself torn between what she perceives as her duty and Abigail, snatched from her peaceful, high society life, headed to France to find them the friends she has made - and broke her lover's heartlikes - whilst working for the Communist Party.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>B00E05A1J6</amazonuk>

 {{newreviewFrontpage|titleauthor=LongbournAfonso Cruz and Rahul Bery (translator)|authortitle=Jo BakerKokoschka's Doll|rating=2.5|genre=General Literary Fiction|summary=So we have had Jane Austen [[Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth GrahameWell, this looked very much like a book I could love from the get-Smith|meet zombies]]go, and now something perhaps even more reprehensible – social realism. This which is a world where people slip why I picked my review copy up in hogshit, where rain pisses it down, and if the weekly routine washday is bad, you should try flipped pages over several times before actually reading any of it when five Bennet daughters have their coinciding periods. Sarah is I found things to potentially delight me each time – a weird section in the middle of all this, trying to do her share of the housework with one hand at times, lest pus from her blisters get on the linen, or her callouses crack open. But why can she not get her feelings about Jamesdarker stock paper, a chapter whose number was in the new mysterious footman fresh from who-knows-where20, straight in her head000s, and why is her heart turned by the mulatto servant of the Bingleys up at Netherfield?|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857522019</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|author=Elisabeth Gifford|title=Secrets of the Sea House|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary= Ruth has been raised in children's homes after losing her mother letters used as a young child. Her mother always told her that she was a Selkienarrative form, one of the seal people and eventually her mother would return to the seaso on. Ruth prefers this version to It intrigued with the official death certificates: suicide by drowning. As an adultsubterranean voice a man hears in wartorn Dresden that what little I knew of it mentioned, Ruth returns with husband Michael to her mother's native Hebridestoo. This is a new start for them both in an old manse theyBut you're renovating. However during ve seen the works they make a gruesome discovery: the buried remains of a special child. This body has been there for over a centurystar rating that comes with this review, since Rev Alexander Ferguson's time andcan tell that if love was on these pages, as the years roll back to reveal its origins Ruth realises this isn't the only surprise awaiting herit was not actually caused by them. So what happened?|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1782391118</amazonuk>1529402697

 {{newreviewFrontpage|author=Rosemary GoringChristina Hammonds Reed|title=After FloddenThe Black Kids

|genre=Historical FictionTeens |summary= Scotland 1513: Louise Brenier believes her family Christina Hammonds Reed's debut novel is set against the backdrop of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a reaction to be cursed. Her father dead, her elder sister dying during childbirth as the result absolution of an affair with four police officers for beating a black man, Rodney King James IV and now her brother Benoit missing after , nearly to death. Told from the Battle perspective of Flodden. It would be easy to believe Benoit dead tooAshley Bennett, but, whatever state he's in, Louise must know what happened. This is what drives the novel follows her on evolution from a journey across silent bystander when confronted with matters of race, to a land ravaged by war, providing more challenges than answers woman finding her voice and encounters with those for whom Flodden remains a recurring nightmareembracing her heritage.|amazonukisbn=<amazonuk>1846972728</amazonuk>1471188191

{{newreview|author=David Gilman|title=Master of War|rating=5|genre=Historical Fiction|summary= Young Richard Blackstone is accused of the rape and murder of a village girl and sentenced to hang. Protestations of innocence Move on his behalf mean nothing and the fact he's a deaf/mute means even less. His elder brother Thomas has protected him as much as possible throughout their lives but can do nothing this time. However, help is at hand; Sir Gilbert Killbere ensures that the judge changes his mind and Richard is released but not completely. Richard and Thomas are excellent archers so they're rescued in order to join the army that the King is amassing. It's not an easy option: the year is 1346 and the conflict that history will call 'The Hundred Years War' is about to begin.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1781850100</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=The Sorrow of Angels|author=Jon Kalman Stefansson|rating=3.5|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Our decidedly unheroic main character has been at the café for three weeks now, so we are following on very closely from [[Heaven and Hell by Jon Kalman Stefansson|Heaven and Hell]]. After the tragedy and soul-searching of that first book, he seems settled in the ridiculous family that has formed around him there, finding employment, enjoying the literature, yet being very intrigued by the female body. The man who is still young enough to be known only as ''the boy'' might have latched on to stability for once, and replaced the family and best friend he had lost. But everything is restless in this environment, and once again he might just be tempted to go on a journey, with another male companion, despite the harshness of the surrounds.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0857051652</amazonuk>}} {{newreview|title=Heaven and Hell|author=Jon Kalman Stefansson|rating=4|genre=Literary Fiction|summary=Iceland, a hundred years ago. From a place that is the very definition of rural and remote, a small fishing boat leaves for four hours' hard row to a profitable bank. It carries six men on the way out, and five on the way back. The deceased is the best friend – or perhaps only friend – of the main character, who is still young enough to merely be known as ''boy''. When he returns to port he enters an almost Camus-like semi-existence, wondering just how much life is an answer, and for what, after the tragedy he has witnessed.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1849164061</amazonuk>}}{{newreview|title=She Rises|author=Kate Worsley|rating=3|genre=Historical Fiction|summary=Imagine, if you can, a lifelike eighteenth-century seafaring epic (something along the lines of Carsten Jensen's [[We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen|We, the Drowned]] or Carol Birch's [[Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch|Jamrach's MenagerieNewest History Reviews]]) crossed with Sarah Waters's ''Fingersmith''. If you then added in touches of Charles Dickens's ''Bleak House'', plus shades of the rest of the homoerotic Waters oeuvre (especially ''Night Watch'' and ''Tipping the Velvet''), you would just about have Kate Worsley's debut novel, ''She Rises'', in a nutshell.|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1408835894</amazonuk>}}