Showing titles in Historical

Suffolk, England, 1936. The Reverend Alwyn Jones has made several enemies since becoming Rector of Addenham Magna. But nobody expected he would be so unpopular as to be bludgeoned to death in his own vestry during a church fete. And nobody noticed the disappearance of an old painting from the church on the same day as the murder.

Evoking the golden age of crime, and for fans of Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie, comes A Gambling Man, from one of the world’s bestselling thriller writers, David Baldacci. A lucky roll of the dice California, 1949. Aloysius Archer is on his way to start a new job with a renowned Private...

Prague, 1588 The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, wants to expand the boundaries of human knowledge and his court is a haven for scientists, astrologers and alchemists. His abiding passion is the elusive hunt for the philosopher’s stone and thus immortality. The Catholic Church fears he has pushed too far – into the forbidden realm of heresy – while the greatest powers in Christendom are concerned about the imperial line of succession. 

I was just a freelance hero doing his best in a hard world.' The spirit of adventure calls Falco on a new spying mission for the Emperor Vespasian to the untamed East. He's picking up extra fees from his old friend Thalia the snake dancer as he searches for Sophrona, her lost water organist. With the Chief Spy Anacrites paying his fare, Falco knows anything can go wrong. A dangerous brush with the Brother, the sinister ruler of Nabataean Petra, sends Falco and his girlfriend Helena on a fast camel-ride to Syria.

Librarian Sylvia Ashe knows nothing about her past, having grown up without a father and a mother who refused to discuss him. When she stumbles upon a diary that suggests she's descended from magicians, she's skeptical. After all, magicians are special, and she's just an ordinary woman who loves books. She seeks answers from a member of the most prominent family of magicians, but she quickly learns that finding the truth won't be easy, especially when he turns out to be as artless as her, and more compelling and dangerous than books.

Sheriff Zachariah Fitch doesn't believe in pirate stories like the ones his daughter's nursemaid, Nairnie spins so well. But his beliefs change quickly when Nairnie's ex-pirate husband, Bear, and his crew arrive at his door one night. After solving several murders with the help of his good friend (and love interest), Lady Vivienne Harlowe, Zachariah wants nothing more than time to unwind. However, when Bear suggests a day of high seas adventure aboard his ship, Vivienne accepts the invitation for all of them. Against the sheriff's will, of course.

1957 - Young Queen Elizabeth II is finding her way in a challenging world as the United Kingdom must adjust to having neither an empire nor a set place in post-war Europe. As she travels the world to try and build bridges, the Queen is advised by the 'men in moustaches', as Philip calls them -...

Romulus and Fabiola are twins, born into slavery after their mother is raped by a drunken nobleman on his way home from a good night out. At 13 years old, they and their mother are sold: Romulus to gladiator school, Fabiola into prostitution, where she will catch the eye of one of the most powerful men in Rome, and their mother into obscurity and death in the salt mines. Tarquinius is an Etruscan, a warrior and soothsayer, born enemy of Rome, but doomed to fight for the Republic in the Forgotten Legion.

Murder is no occupation for a lady... or is it? 1929: Miss Clara Vale is a woman ahead of her time. Rather than attending Oxford to bag an eligible Duke (as her mother, Lady Vale, so desperately hoped), she threw herself into a degree in chemistry, with aspirations to become a scientist in her...

This audiobook is read by Justin Avoth and Sophie Roberts, and includes an Historical Note read by the author, Laura Shepherd-Robinson. This edition also features an audio-exclusive Q&A between Laura and Justin. 'An absolute treat of an historical crime novel. Sheer perfection' – Janice...

September, 1940. The sun is shining, and in the midst of the good weather Londoners could be mistaken for forgetting their country was at war - until the familiar wail of the air-raid sirens heralds an enemy attack. The Blitz has started, and normal life has abruptly ended - but crime has not. That night a man's body is discovered in an unmarked van in the back streets of West Ham. When Detective Inspector John Jago is called to the scene, he recognises the victim: local justice of the peace Charles Villiers. The death looks suspicious, but then a German bomb obliterates all evidence.

Ela Longespée, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, sets out to find the killer of a man found dead inside the nearby circle of ancient stones. Except that the victim is later seen walking in Salisbury and claims to have risen from the dead. He ingratiates himself with the people of Salisbury, and even the bishop, but Ela suspects the man is a charlatan and a murderer. Can she learn the truth when even the jury thinks he's a living saint?

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Survivor, Lesley Pearse's stunning new novel in the bestselling and enthralling Belle series. read by the actress Alison Dowling. London, 1939 Eighteen-year-old Mari is defiant, strong-willed and selfish. She has craved...

Elizabeth's reign is reaching its winter and England's old adversaries are fading. But in a world on the brink of change, showing any weakness can be fatal. 1598. Nicholas Shelby, physician and reluctant spy for Robert Cecil, has brought his wife and their child home from exile. But he has returned to a dangerous world. Two old enemies are approaching their final reckoning. England and Spain are exhausted by war. In London, Elizabeth is entering the twilight of her reign. In Madrid, King Philip of Spain is dying. Perhaps now is the time for one last throw of the dice.

For the women in London, the "chance of a lifetime" may prove to be their last. Hidden among the romantic rendezvous and secret messages in The Times of London's Personal Column, a peculiar ad offers one young woman the opportunity of escape: travel, adventure, and a new life—no questions...

In her best-selling Amelia Peabody mysteries, author Elizabeth Peters has created an award-winning mixture of vivid archeological detail, finely-tuned suspense, and witty romance. This, the 12th Amelia Peabody mystery, opens in 1914. As the tides of war rise, Egypt is threatened by attacks. Espionage abounds, pulling in several members of the Peabody Emerson household even as they embark on a new archeological season.

BOOK 5 IN THE BESTSELLING CANON CLEMENT MYSTERY SERIES 'Another clever, twisty read' i Paper 'You'll want to take a front row pew in Champton while this delicious series unfolds' Janice Hallett It's spring 1990, and in Champton the whole village is aflutter as a glamorous Hollywood movie has...

Marcus was hoping for a relaxed visit to Britannia. But things turn serious at the scene of a murder. King Togidubnus has been stuffed down a bar-room well - leading to a diplomatic situation which Marcus must resolve.

Julius Caesar has taken his legions north into mighty battles with the Gallic tribes. But as his successes mount, overwhelming ambition and new alliances begin to threaten his friendship with Marcus Brutus, brother-in-arms and fellow warrior. Although the conquest of Gaul has made Caesar a hero all over again, his victories on the battlefield cause still more rivalries at home. And ultimately Caesar and Brutus will have to choose whether to cross the Rubicon - together or singly - and to take the fight to Rome itself.

Summer. A dark, brooding season of oppressive heat and thunderstorms, and Flotsam yearns for fresh air and a sea breeze. But business is brisk in Baker Street and becomes even brisker when a lady who purports to be a spiritualist brings Sherlock Holmes a mysterious message from the dead. The...