GATE OF THE DEAD is the third heart-pounding instalment of David Gilman’s thrilling MASTER OF WAR series, historical fiction centred on the Hundred Years’ War. Published in paperback 8 September by Head of Zeus, GATE OF THE DEAD follows MASTER OF WAR and DEFIANT UNTIL DEATH in the gripping series the Daily Mail called ‘page-turning and gritty’.

GATE OF THE DEAD is sold in the UK, Germany and Brazil, and the MASTER OF WAR series across a total of six countries. The next in the series will be VIPER’S BLOOD, available in the UK in January 2017, and David is currently completing the fifth book. Alongside the MASTER OF WAR series, David’s superb standalone novel THE LAST HORSEMAN was released this August and has already received rave reviews, The Times writing: 'THE LAST HORSEMAN is gripping and full of action, but is also smart and subtle about questions of loyalty and guilt in a war with few good guys.'

Tuscany, 1358: Thomas Blackstone has built a formidable reputation in exile, fighting as a mercenary amid the ceaseless internecine warring of Italy's City States. But success has bred many enemies, and when a dying man delivers a message recalling him to England, it seems almost certain to be a trap. Yet Blackstone cannot disobey – the summons is at the Queen's demand.

On his journey, Blackstone will brave the terrors of the High Alps in winter, face the Black Prince in tournament, confront the bloody anarchy of a popular revolt and submit to trial by combat.

And every step of the way, he will be shadowed by a notorious assassin with orders to inflict the maximum pain on his target before he despatches him to hell.

Praise for David Gilman’s MASTER OF WAR series

‘A thrilling, fast-moving, engaging tale, with unexpected twists, beautiful prose, excellent characterisation and dialogue, human sentiment and motivation, and graphic descriptions of war… Historical fiction at its best’. – Historical Novel Society

‘If you only read one historical debut this year, make it this one. The prose is sharper than a bodkin arrow, the pace faster than thought and to be honest it was a book that I just couldn’t put down without being left to wonder what was next for the lead hero… A title that not only launched over a thousand arrows but I’m sure will launch David Gilman to a ravenous reading public to sate their historical fiction action needs. Great stuff.’ – Gareth Wilson, Falcata Times

‘Gilman's MASTER OF WAR stands up well against its heavyweight predecessors… The writing is taut and the story fast-paced… All lovers of this type of historical fiction will enjoy MASTER OF WAR and look forward to the next instalment’. – Greg Waite, Ontago Daily Times

About David Gilman

David Gilman has had many careers, including firefighter, soldier and photographer, before turning to writing full time. He is an award-winning author and screenwriter.

Find out more about David Gilman on Blake Friedmann’s website or David’s own website.

Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

David Gilman’s epic standalone THE LAST HORSEMAN is published in hardback on 11 August 2016 by Head of Zeus. David Gilman is the bestselling author of the MASTER OF WAR series, set during the 100 Years War, and his new historical novel is already receiving plaudits from readers. Bestselling adventure and thriller writer Tony Park has said: 'Gritty, compelling - an exciting yet moving tale of love, war and Africa.'

Dublin, 1899. On a foul night in a troubled city, lawyer Joseph Radcliffe watches the execution of a young Irish rebel. Radcliffe, together with his black American comrade Benjamin Pierce, has made a living defending the toughest cases in Dublin, but is haunted by the spectre of his defeats, the loss of his wife and child and his difficult relationship with his surviving son, Edward. While Ireland smoulders with rebellion, war breaks out in South Africa and when, after an argument with his father, Edward runs away to join the Irish forces fighting there, Radcliffe, accompanied by Pierce, sets out to find him and bring him home.

South Africa, 1900. Both Radcliffe and Pierce have known war. Former cavalrymen in the US army, they have seen enough killing to last them a lifetime. But eight hundred miles north of Cape Town, amid the trackless veld, they experience the bloody brutality of a conflict that the British generals are shocked to discover they are losing. Under fire from Boer snipers and artillery, distrusted by the British forces, the two old soldiers will find their survival skills tested to the hilt as they search for the missing boy in this epic tale of heroism and treachery, love and loyalty.

The MASTER OF WAR series is sold in Brazil, Spain, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The paperback for the third title in the series, GATE OF THE DEAD, will be out in September 2016, with the fourth book VIPER’S BLOOD out in hardback in January 2017.

Praise for David Gilman, the MASTER OF WAR series and THE LAST HORSEMAN

‘Once again Mr Gilman demonstrates why he's a superlative talent in his field and why historical fiction fans like me will continue to hang onto his every breath-taking, shock-ridden, plot-twisting word.' - The Book Bag.

'THE LAST HORSEMAN is gripping and full of action, but is also smart and subtle about questions of loyalty and guilt in a war with few good guys.' - The Times.

‘THE LAST HORSEMAN is a book I highly recommend, for the stand-alone story, for the sympathetic way it’s told, and for the simply excellent writing that drags you from rain-soaked Ireland to the dusty plains of South Africa, making you experience every step and emotion along the way.’ – Robin Carter, Parmenion Books.

‘Takes no hostages, this fast-paced story never lets up.' - The Independent.

‘Gilman is a master author. His books are meticulously researched and historically accurate whilst at the same time being thrilling and suspenseful, he is an author in the same class as Bernard Cornwell, and if you like that author's books, then you will be delighted with this author.’ - Army Rumour Service.

About David Gilman

David Gilman has had many careers, including firefighter, soldier and photographer, before turning to writing full time. He is an award-winning author and screenwriter.

Find out more about David Gilman on Blake Friedmann’s or David’s own website.

Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.