A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this breathtaking saga, an epic story of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam“A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history.”—Jodi Picoult, author of By Any Other Name“What a gift this novel is: vast, lush, feminist, and brilliantly crafted. Allegra Goodman is one of our finest writers.”—Ann Napolitano, author of Hello BeautifulHeir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished and abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue.Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival*This audiobook contains a PDF with a map and recommendations for further reading from the book.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

This program is read by Ben Miles, who played Thomas Cromwell in the Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.Winner of the 2009 Man Booker PrizeWinner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for FictionA New York Times best sellerEngland in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of 20 years and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?In inimitable style, Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall is "a darkly brilliant reimagining of life under Henry VIII.... Magnificent." (The Boston Globe)A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and CompanyPLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

2012 Washington Post Best Books of the Year 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer's Best Books of the Year 2012 NPR Best Book of the Year 2012 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year 2012 USA Today Best Books of the Year 2012 New Yorker Best Books of the Year 2012 Entertainment Weekly Best Books of the Year 2013 Women's Prize for Fiction - Shortlist 2012 Costa Book Award - Winner 2012 New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year 2012 Man Booker Award - Winner 2012 Time Magazine Top 10 Books of the Year 2012 The Independent (UK) Best Books of the Year 2013 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction Shortlist 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year 2013 Audie Award Winner 2012 Time Magazine Best Books of the YearThis program is read by Ben Miles, who played Thomas Cromwell in the Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.Winner of the 2012 Man Booker PrizeThe sequel to Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel's 2009 Man Booker Prize winner and New York Times best seller, Bring Up the Bodies delves into the heart of Tudor history with the downfall of Anne Boleyn.Though he battled for seven years to marry her, Henry is disenchanted with Anne Boleyn. She has failed to give him a son, and her sharp intelligence and audacious will alienate his old friends and the noble families of England. When the discarded Katherine dies in exile from the court, Anne stands starkly exposed, the focus of gossip and malice.At a word from Henry, Thomas Cromwell is ready to bring her down. Over three terrifying weeks, Anne is ensnared in a web of conspiracy, while the demure Jane Seymour stands waiting her turn for the poisoned wedding ring. But Anne and her powerful family will not yield without a ferocious struggle. Hilary Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies follows the dramatic trial of the queen and her suitors for adultery and treason. To defeat the Boleyns, Cromwell must ally with his natural enemies, the papist aristocracy. What price will he pay for Anne's head?Bring Up the Bodies is one of The New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2012, one of Publishers Weekly's Top 10 Best Books of 2012, and one of The Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2012.PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2024Long-listed, NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2024Long-listed, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2024Long-listed, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2024Long-listed, NPR Best Book of the Year, 2024Long-listed, Barnes and Noble Best New Books of the Year, 2024#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER * #1 INDIE BESTSELLER * NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“An immersive, sensual experience.”—The New York Times"Essential."—The Washington Post"Narrator Lauren Fortgang channels the currents of magic and intrigue running throughout Bardugo’s layered historical fantasy...Skillful narration combined with an enchanting storyline makes for great listening."—AudioFileFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo comes a spellbinding novel set in the Spanish Golden Age.“A must-read for those who are seeking a little magic in their lives.”—Deborah Harkness, #1 bestselling author of A Discovery of WitchesIn a shabby house, on a shabby street, in the new capital of Madrid, Luzia Cotado uses scraps of magic to get through her days of endless toil as a scullion. But when her scheming mistress discovers the lump of a servant cowering in the kitchen is actually hiding a talent for little miracles, she demands Luzia use those gifts to improve the family's social position.What begins as simple amusement for the nobility takes a perilous turn when Luzia garners the notice of Antonio Pérez, the disgraced secretary to Spain's king. Still reeling from the defeat of his armada, the king is desperate for any advantage in the war against England's heretic queen—and Pérez will stop at nothing to regain the king's favor.Determined to seize this one chance to better her fortunes, Luzia plunges into a world of seers and alchemists, holy men and hucksters, where the lines between magic, science, and fraud are never certain. But as her notoriety grows, so does the danger that her Jewish blood will doom her to the Inquisition's wrath. She will have to use every bit of her wit and will to survive—even if that means enlisting the help of Guillén Santángel, an embittered immortal familiar whose own secrets could prove deadly for them both.A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books. Read more

Venice is alive with the magic and bustle of Carnevale. A city of mysterious masks and gorgeous palaces, of riches, patricians, intellectuals and artists. And amidst it all, something new is being born: magnificent voices are soaring above the spires, astonishing costumes are being crafted, and audiences are being transported, for the first time, by the power of the Opera. And beneath it all: espionage, organised crime, and murder. Swordsman Richard Hughes has arrived on the banks of the Grand Canal looking for a simpler life, only to be plunged—alongside Phillip de Chambray, a remarkable woman unable to show her true self—into the thick of the murkiest, most dangerous European politics, at a moment when someone is trying to destroy the opera, and Venice itself. Rich with authentic detail, this is the story of a complex world not so different from our own, and Christian Cameron, the modern master of historical fiction, brings real history to life in a way no other author can. Read more

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The brilliant #1 New York Times bestsellerNamed a best book of 2020 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME, The Guardian, and many more With The Mirror & the Light, Hilary Mantel brings to a triumphant close the trilogy she began with her peerless, Booker Prize-winning novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. She traces the final years of Thomas Cromwell, the boy from nowhere who climbs to the heights of power, offering a defining portrait of predator and prey, of a ferocious contest between present and past, between royal will and a common man’s vision: of a modern nation making itself through conflict, passion and courage. The story begins in May 1536: Anne Boleyn is dead, decapitated in the space of a heartbeat by a hired French executioner. As her remains are bundled into oblivion, Cromwell breakfasts with the victors. The blacksmith’s son from Putney emerges from the spring’s bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry VIII, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour. Cromwell, a man with only his wits to rely on, has no great family to back him, no private army. Despite rebellion at home, traitors plotting abroad and the threat of invasion testing Henry’s regime to the breaking point, Cromwell’s robust imagination sees a new country in the mirror of the future. All of England lies at his feet, ripe for innovation and religious reform. But as fortune’s wheel turns, Cromwell’s enemies are gathering in the shadows. The inevitable question remains: how long can anyone survive under Henry’s cruel and capricious gaze?Eagerly awaited and eight years in the making, The Mirror & the Light completes Cromwell’s journey from self-made man to one of the most feared, influential figures of his time. Portrayed by Mantel with pathos and terrific energy, Cromwell is as complex as he is unforgettable: a politician and a fixer, a husband and a father, a man who both defied and defined his age. Read more

In this “immersive tale of Tudor intrigue” (Publishers Weekly), the New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose explores the rise of Thomas Wolsey, who was Henry VIII’s chief adviser—until the king accused him of treason.“Henry VIII’s beloved cardinal leaps from the page in all his brilliance, complexity, and humanity. Fans of Wolf Hall have a treat in store.”—Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth ICardinal Thomas Wolsey enjoyed one of the most meteoric careers in history. His rise from humble beginnings coincided with young Henry VIII’s ascension to the throne in 1509. The two grew to be cherished friends, and by 1515 Wolsey, now a cardinal, had become the controlling figure in all matters of church and state.Wolsey operated on an international stage and worked hard to broker universal peace. All was going dazzlingly well until Henry fell in love with Anne Boleyn—the woman whom Wolsey would one day call “the night crow”—and sought to end his marriage to his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Swept up in the maelstrom of “the Divorce,” Wolsey, who had successfully given his master everything he wanted, found himself in an impossible situation. As he drew the ire of the future queen, the cardinal found his privileged life and his relationship with Henry crumbling around him.Alison Weir’s poignant novel tells the story of Wolsey the man—his incredible rise to power and his tragic fall. She delves beyond the splendor and political machinations of the Tudor court to reveal the secrets of Wolsey’s private life, the mistress and children he was devoted to, and the tragedy that overtook them. It is a tale of two women, one who loved him and one who hated him—and also a tale of two men, king and commoner, the special, deep-rooted bonds that brought them together and the forces that drove them apart. Read more

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Is that which is worth dying for precisely what makes life worth living?After Anne Boleyn catches the eye of King Henry VIII, her dearest friend, Meg Wyatt, accompanies her to the thrilling court of Tudor England. But as Anne and Henry’s affections grow, Meg faces heartbreak; the man she loves commits himself to God rather than her. Meg makes her own vow: to ensure Anne’s well-being as they navigate the intricate web of power and politics.As the court crawls with climbers, both women find themselves caught in a world filled with ambition, betrayal, and danger, with only each other to rely on. Anne falls out of favor and is sentenced to die, and Meg expects a bleak future. Then, a glimmer of hope sparks from an unexpected source, reigniting a long-held ember in her heart. Fanning that into flame, though, comes at a cost.A masterful tale of steadfast friendship and unquenchable love set in the thrilling court of Henry VIII, To Die For plunges readers into the life of Anne Boleyn through the eyes of her best friend, Meg Wyatt.~~~A discussion of potentially sensitive content may be found on the author’s webpage for this book for those who would like to preview it before reading. Read more

A PBS Great American Read Top 100 PickEdith Grossman's definitive English translation of the Spanish masterpiece, in an expanded P.S. editionWidely regarded as one of the funniest and most tragic books ever written, Don Quixote chronicles the adventures of the self-created knight-errant Don Quixote of La Mancha and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, as they travel through sixteenth-century Spain. You haven't experienced Don Quixote in English until you've read this masterful translation.This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more. Read more

A page-turning adventure in Tudor England! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.Two sisters plot to change the fate of their family…England, 1558Sixteen-year-old Catherine Seymour has always idolised her elder sister Jane. As a child was groomed to be queen, to marry her cousin King Edward, and since his death she has been determined to restore her family’s claim to throne.After spending time at Queen Mary’s court, Jane has now returned home to Hanworth Park to the delight of Catherine and their brother Ned.To their surprise, Jane brings with her Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Jane Grey, the ill-fated nine-day queen, and heiress to the throne after Princess Elizabeth.Jane confides in Catherine that she aims to bring about a betrothal between Lady Grey and Ned, so that their brother and his children have a chance to lay claim to the throne.But everything changes when Mary suddenly dies, and Elizabeth succeeds as queen. Now the sisters must seek favour with a new monarch.Luckily, Elizabeth’s succession proves advantageous for the Seymour family. Jane is chosen as a lady in waiting and immediately becomes a favourite.Can Jane still bring her plan to fruition? Will it mean betraying the new queen?Or will rumours of a romance between Queen Elizabeth and one of her courtiers change everything for the Seymour sisters…?THE QUEEN’S FAVOURITE is a biographical historical novel of the Seymour sisters, Lady Jane Seymour and Lady Catherine Seymour, set during the Tudor period at Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth’s court. Read more

Discover bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.Readers love Nicola Cornick:‘I so enjoy Nicola Cornick's masterful weaving of history and imagination, creating vivid stories that one remembers long after the last pages are turned. The author brings history to life in such an exciting and vivid way.’‘I read everything this author writes as I love, love LOVE her books! This is one of the best I’ve read. Some fascinating history (from a neglected period), fabulous characters on a journey of discovery, a hint of spookiness and a whole carriageful of rollicking romance.’‘Triumph as always from Nicola Cornick. no one creates such relatable characters and Intricate plots. I couldn't put this down and highly recommend it.’‘Nicola Cornick's novels are always a real treat. Her history is always accurate, but her research doesn't show - instead, you feel as if you're right there in the time period she's writing about… Loved the characters, the two timelines were woven together well, there was plenty of historical colour and lots of dramatic tension. Definite five stars from me.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Praise for Nicola Cornick:'Wow! I have no other word for this story which has totally blown me away – it is a master-class in timeslip writing and I loved it!' Christina Courtenay'I ended this book with tears in my eyes, so invested was I in the story of Rose Gwyn and her heroic Captain Forster. The 17th century is so alive on the page I could taste and smell it. A really wonderful read.' Jane Dunn‘What a fascinating story. I enjoyed every moment of it. Intriguing and with a lovely time-slippery twist’ Barbara Erskine on The Last Daughter Read more

A gripping new novel set during the reign of the Tudors ! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.With the Tudor succession in turmoil, could Lady Margaret have a claim to the throne…?England, 1553As she is seventh in line to the throne, sixteen-year-old Lady Margaret Clifford knows her marriage should be an important one. Which is why she is shocked to learn her father has agreed to entertain a proposal from a mere knight.Sir Andrew Dudley is a court favourite and joins the ranks of the Duke of Northumberland’s family who are attempting to secure politically advantageous marriages. His nephew, Guildford Dudley is recently married to Margaret’s cousin, Lady Jane Grey, and with the boy-king Edward VI failing to secure a marriage of his own and produce an heir, it is clear the Dudleys are plotting a path to the throne.All is flung into turmoil when the king dies and the attempt to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne is foiled. Instead, Catholic Queen Mary takes the throne and Margaret is sent to court as one of her ladies-in-waiting.With the Dudleys’ fall from grace, Margaret is relieved that Sir Andrew’s proposal is off the cards, though she is still keen to secure herself a match befitting her royal heritage.But first she must win the favour of the new queen. And with Queen Mary fearing rivals to her throne, that is not an easy task…Can Margaret steer clear of the political machinations at Court? Will she strengthen her ties to the English throne through marriage?Or will she meet the same fate as her poor cousin, Lady Jane?THE QUEEN’S RIVAL is a biographical historical novel of Lady Margaret Clifford, set during the Tudor period as a young woman of royal heritage struggles to gain power and influence at Queen Mary’s court. Read more

The BRAND NEW novel - let bestseller Alexandra Walsh magic you into the Tudor Court. Perfect for all fans of Barbara Erskine, Rachel Burton and Philippa Gregory.'A superb novel, tightly crafted and beautifully written. Highly recommended.' Carol McGrathHampton Court Palace 1530s‘The Brandon blood is dark with lies and treachery and as it flows through my heart, my vow is this: they will all pay.’Anne Brandon has always understood the power of a king’s patronage and, though the court of Henry VIII is a dangerous place for women, as the daughter of the king’s best friend, Anne feels safer than most. But Anne’s husband Lord Powis is tiring of her childlessness and when Henry VIII begins plotting to rid himself of a queen in his quest for an heir, suddenly Anne’s life is in danger. And as whispers of the name of her friend Anne Boleyn get ever louder, there is peril in every loose word, every forbidden conversation.Pembrokshire Present DayCaroline Harvey has spent years helping her grandfather, the reclusive bestselling novelist Dexter Blake, hide from his legions of fans in his home on the Pembrokshire coast. After his death, the vultures begin to circle Dexter’s fortune. When Caroline’s ownership of the house she has inherited is called into question, her research into its history reveals it was once owned by Anne Brandon who had sought refuge there. Intrigued, Caroline is determined to discover why Anne fled the court of Henry VIII.Two women divided by centuries but joined by secrets and courage. And when a twist in their histories threatens them both with the same fate – losing the man they love – their revenge will be the same too. Because there’s no one mightier than a woman underestimated or more powerful than the need to save those they love.Bestseller Alexandra Walsh is back with a compelling, captivating insight into the Tudor court through the eyes of a woman who had only her guile to keep her alive. Perfect for all fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory, Anne O’Brien and Elena Collins.Readers love Alexandra Walsh:‘I had to keep reading, way past my bedtime. Loved every bit of this story, didn't want it to end.’‘From start to finish I did not want to put this book down. The history in it was a brilliant story of love lost and new beginnings.’‘Absolutely loved reading this, following all the twists and turns both in the past and present. Anyone who loves Tudor history will thoroughly enjoy this.’‘This book is really easy to read, the writer’s style approachable and engaging and will delight fans of historical fiction. I absolutely loved it.’‘All of Alexandra Walsh’s books are wonderful. This one was no exception. I enjoyed all the bits of history and can’t wait for the next book.’Praise for Alexandra Walsh:'Walsh weaves a fabulously intricate tapestry of a story, rich in historical detail.' Eva Glyn'Alexandra Walsh weaves a perfectly crafted dual timeline tale that will enthral and delight the reader from the first words until the very last sparkling moment.' Elena Collins'Alexandra Walsh is a master storyteller and does historical time hops so well... The plot, mixed with the Greek mythology, and characters make her latest fiction another masterpiece and one that stays with you a long time after you turn the last page.’ Michelle Rawlins Read more

The highly anticipated third book in the Blade of Shadows Series...They can’t escape the relentless, ruthless darkness. Olivia and her sister are running for their lives, hunted by the evil man who murdered their mother. With her dearest love, Roman, lost somewhere in time, only one man can help Olivia. Eyan Malik. Darkness, power, and dominance swirl around the mysterious man, igniting a sizzling, dangerous awareness in Olivia. Why is she so drawn to him? Will her irresistible attraction to Malik lead her to betray Roman?Malik is a man of many secrets. When Olivia discovers a journal that belonged to her dead mother, it may hold the key she needs to find a weapon to defeat the darkness, the powerful Blade of Shadows. To find the blades, they travel through time to 16th century Italy. But as Olivia learns more secrets from the past, the pursuing darkness isn’t the only danger she faces. She’s become a target for the Timehunters, a secret society that hunts and kills time travelers.As shocking, horrifying truths are revealed, everything Olivia thought she knew will be upended. Will Olivia find Roman before she succumbs to the strange pull Malik has on her heart? As the darkness closes in on them, and with her life and love teetering on the brink, everything hangs in the balance and Olivia’s life will be forever changed.Continue your adventure with Timebound, the third book in the Blade of Shadowsseries!The Blade of Shadows series is an intricate and interconnected time travel saga that must be read in order to unravel the mysteries within. It's intricate plot twists and turns are mesmerizing and unpredictable, with every book bringing readers closer to a shocking conclusion. Read more

What she sees in secret, she must not tell.Sir Thomas Seymour, brother of the late Queen Jane, returns to his home in Wiltshire and chances upon Juliana St. John, daughter of his late friend, reading as lector in the local church. He sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves and wants most to please, Kateryn Parr. Juliana’s mother agrees to have her placed with Parr for a season, and Juliana goes, though reluctantly. For she keeps a secret.Juliana soon finds a welcoming household and a deep, most unexpected love. Court is a dangerous place, though, as enemies of Henry’s devout sixth queen raise deadly stakes for all reformers, including the queen herself, Kateryn Parr. Juliana has the gift of prophetic dreams and “sees” terrible events visited upon the highborn. If her prophetic gift is discovered, she will face trial for heresy or, worse, witchcraft.The risks could not be higher as Juliana must choose between love and honor, personal fulfillment and sacrifice. Ultimately, her course is driven by a final kept secret, one that undoes everything she thought she knew.Threading historical fact through gripping fiction, Byrd creates a rich tapestry of one woman’s battle to protect those she loves from harm.~~~A discussion of potentially sensitive content may be found on the author’s webpage for this book for those who would like to preview it before reading. Read more

International bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay's latest work is set in a world evoking early Renaissance Italy and offers an extraordinary cast of characters whose lives come together through destiny, love, and ambition. In a chamber overlooking the nighttime waterways of a maritime city, a man looks back on his youth and the people who shaped his life. Danio Cerra's intelligence won him entry to a renowned school even though he was only the son of a tailor. He took service at the court of a ruling count—and soon learned why that man was known  as the Beast. Danio's fate changed the moment he saw and recognized Adria Ripoli as she entered the count's chambers one autumn night—intending to kill. Born to power, Adria had chosen, instead of a life of comfort, one of danger—and freedom. Which is how she encounters Danio in a perilous time and place.Vivid figures share the unfolding story. Among them: a healer determined to defy her expected lot; a charming, frivolous son of immense wealth; a powerful religious leader more decadent than devout; and, affecting all these lives and many more, two larger-than-life mercenary commanders, lifelong adversaries, whose rivalry puts a world in the balance.A Brightness Long Ago offers both compelling drama and deeply moving reflections on the nature of memory, the choices we make in life, and the role played by the turning of Fortune's wheel. Read more

A woman in Tudor England fends for herself after Henry VIII closes her abbey in this historical novel perfect for fans of Wolf Hall and Philippa Gregory. In 1535, England is hardly a wellspring of gender equality; it is a grim and oppressive age where women―even the privileged few who can read and write―have little independence. In The Butcher’s Daughter, it is this milieu that mandates Agnes Peppin, daughter of a simple country butcher, to leave her family home in disgrace and live out her days cloistered behind the walls of the Shaftesbury Abbey. But with her great intellect, she becomes the assistant to the Abbess and as a result integrates herself into the unstable royal landscape of King Henry VIII. As Agnes grapples with the complex rules and hierarchies of her new life, King Henry VIII has proclaimed himself the new head of the Church. Religious houses are being formally subjugated, monasteries dissolved, and the great Abbey is no exception to the purge. The cosseted world in which Agnes has carved out for herself a sliver of liberty is shattered. Now, free at last to be the master of her own fate, she descends into a world she knows little about, using her wits and testing her moral convictions against her need to survive by any means necessary . . .The Butcher’s Daughter is the riveting story of a young woman facing head-on the obstacles carefully constructed against her sex. This dark and affecting novel by award-winning author Victoria Glendinning intricately depicts the lives of women in the sixteenth century in a world dominated by men.“A fresh perspective [of the Tudor Era]. . . . Glendinning’s research convincingly depicts the bustling and frequently ruthless world of Henry VIII’s England.” —Library Journal “Psychologically astute . . . and evincing deep knowledge of Tudor-era society. Glendinning thoughtfully explores womanhood’s many facets.” —Booklist “Unabashedly feminist . . . elegant, intelligent, compulsively entertaining. . . . [The Butcher’s Daughter] demonstrates the power of individuals with inner strength and determination to work for change when able to choose a life of their own design.” —Foreword Reviews (starred review) Read more

The delightfully irreverent eldest daughter of the not-so-ill-fated Romeo and Juliet returns to sleuth another day in fair Verona, in this hugely entertaining historical mystery series with a refreshingly bold premise.“Woe, for I am the bug that meets the windshield's might,No longer the speeding glass, smooth, clean and bright . . .”You’re right. I, Rosie Montague of Verona, am lousy at iambic pentameter and Shakespeare speak, but you get the point: Sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug. I, who for my whole life, have cruised along, unruffled by life’s trials, am suddenly smashed flat and speeding recklessly up the WhattheHellHappened Highway. Why? you ask . . .I’m 20-years-old and by my own design, never been wed, free as no married woman ever is. I’m beautiful, but without conceit, for Juliet, my legendary Mamma is the most gorgeous creature to ever walk the earth. Just ask Romeo, my legendary Papà. (Rumors of their deaths were premature.) I was heartwhole until I fell (literally) in love with Lysander of the House of Beautiful. But our love was not to be, for I was thwarted by Escalus, the Prince of Verona . . . who had designs on me. I’m trapped. Then! I’m presented with a solution. Escalus’s father, Prince Escalus the Elder, appears to me. He tasks that I find his killer. Did I mention Elder is a ghost?Given that I only recently dispatched Verona’s first serial killer, I’m less than pleased. Yet Elder promises to unite me with my One True Love, so I gather clues. Meanwhile, revolution threatens, for beneath Verona society’s glittering surface lurk dark shadows—and an enemy eager to make me a tragic heroine in my own right . . . Read more