THE POWDER OF DEATH BY JULIAN STOCKWIN PUBLISHED TODAY

Julian Stockwin’s latest historical fiction novel THE POWDER OF DEATH is published August 18 2016 by Allison & Busby. THE POWDER OF DEATH is Julian’s newest addition to the MOMENTS IN HISTORY series, historical action-adventure novels which examine and reimagine the turning points of the past.

1261. Oxford, England. An envoy returns from the land of the Tartars to meet with an English scholar and share a deadly secret that touches on the future of Christianity itself. The two men vow that the knowledge of gunpowder must die with them as the consequences are otherwise too fatal to contemplate.

1290. Hurnwych Green, England. After his quiet life is shattered by tragedy, local blacksmith Jared begins a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Aboard a ship to Venice, he meets Sir Nicholas Gayne who invites him to join the Knights Hospitallers as their blacksmith on a holy crusade for King Edward.

The adventure that follows sees Jared encounter men from distant Cathay who harbour the secret of huo yao, and so begins one man’s obsession with the powder of death and a king’s determination to change the very nature of warfare…

Praise for Julian Stockwin and the MOMENTS IN HISTORY series

‘Historical fiction is a tricky beast. As a writer you have to keep your history in proper shape while combining it with a narrative that someone actually wants to read. Score two out of two for Julian Stockwin.’ – Daily Mail.

‘Julian Stockwin, a master of the historic novel, writes with a zeal, recreating ancient times, with fast-paced prose, vivid characters, and matchless authenticity. Powder smoke and the stench of brimstone waft off the pages.’ – Quarterdeck magazine.

About Julian Stockwin

At 14 Stockwin joined a tough sea-training school, followed by the Royal Navy, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated.  He saw active service in the Far East, the Antarctic, the South Seas and Vietnam, and was on board the Melbourne at the time of its disastrous peace time collision with the Voyager.  Later he worked for NATO on the strategic deployment of merchant shipping.

Find out more about Julian on the Blake Friedmann or Julian’s website.

Read an excerpt of THE POWDER OF DEATH online. 

THE BLUE POOL BY SIOBHÁN MACDONALD PUBLISHED TODAY

Siobhán MacDonald’s ingenious and unpredictable psychological thriller THE BLUE POOL will be published by Canelo 15 August 2016.

Following her acclaimed debut TWISTED RIVER - 'Evocative and richly detailed... a page-turning mystery' –  THE BLUE POOL is alive with unpredictable twists and MacDonald’s trademark ingenuity.  THE BLUE POOL is a mesmerising exploration of loyalty, friendship, and the corrosive effects of guilt that will appeal to readers of Clare Mackintosh, Paula Hawkins, and B A Paris.

Published to acclaim by Piper in Germany in 2015, THE BLUE POOL is further proof that MacDonald is a master of her craft.

For foreign rights information, please see here.

Praise for Siobhán MacDonald and TWISTED RIVER

‘TWISTED RIVER is a superb thriller – gripping, surprising, and terrifically rewarding.’ – Chris Pavone, author of THE EXPATS

‘MacDonald toys with the reader, leading right then feinting left with plot twists that genuinely surprise. Infidelity, deception, revenge, and murder all come into play, but the big thrill here is the constant undermining of assumptions.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘Macdonald does an exquisite job of leading her readers by the noses and then throwing grand twists into the plot to catch them completely off guard. She plays off stereotypes to successfully muddy the plot waters and enhance the mystery… The suspense is well-developed to maintain intrigue and an eerie atmosphere consistently throughout the book.’ – Jen Forbus, Jen’s Book Thoughts

About Siobhán MacDonald

Siobhán MacDonald grew up in Bishopstown, Cork and her family later moved to Limerick. She studied electronic engineering in Galway and has worked as a technical writer in Scotland and France. She lives with her family in Limerick and has written three novels.

Find out more about Siobhán through Blake Friedmann, or visit her website.

Follow Siobhán on Twitter.

THE LAST HORSEMAN BY DAVID GILMAN PUBLISHED TODAY

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.

LUNGDON BY EDWARD CAREY PUBLISHED TOMORROW

LUNGDON by Edward Carey will be published by Hot Key Books on 11 August 2016. LUNGDON is the gloriously ghastly climax to Carey’s gothic IREMONGER TRILOGY. The first book of the trilogy, HEAP HOUSE, was a Kirkus Reviews ‘Best Teen Book of 2014’ and a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice.

The Iremongers are a sinister family dynasty who have made a fortune from a city’s junk. Now they are at large in London, the ruins of Foulsham left burning behind them. They need a new home and they intend to find one. Londoners are beginning to notice bizarre happenings in their city – loved ones disappearing, strange objects appearing and a creeping darkness that seems to swallow up the daylight. The Police have summoned help, but is their cure more deadly than the feared Iremongers? What role will our hero Clod play: returning son or rebel? What of the flame-haired orphan Lucy Pennant? And where are all the rats coming from…?

The Iremonger trilogy is published in thirteen countries. Edward Carey has recently visited the Auckland Festival in New Zealand and toured Italy to talk about his acclaimed trilogy. In Italy he has also had exhibitions of the Iremonger characters and at the Milanesiana Festival he was awarded the Fernanda Pivano Prize, previously won by Joyce Carol Oates, Michael Cunningham, and Michael Chabon, among others.  See some images here.

Praise for Edward Carey and the IREMONGER TRILOGY

‘If this were music, Carey would be Eric Satie. If it were film, he would be Tim Burton.’ – Newsday

‘Edward Carey is one of the strangest writers we are privileged to have in this country. There are echoes in his work of other great idiosyncratics from Angela Carter to Russell Hoban, but he supersedes even them in the downright oddity of his mind.’ – Observer

‘IREMONGER torques and tempers our memories of Dickensian London into a singularly jaunty and creepy tale of agreeable misfits. Read it by gas lamp, with a glass of absinthe at your wrist and a fireplace poker by your knee.’ – Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED.

‘Channels Dickens crossed with Lemony Snicket... a Gothic tale in turns witty, sweet, thoughtful and thrilling—but always off-kilter—and penned with gorgeous, loopy prose. Suspense and horror gradually accumulate into an avalanche of a climax… magnificently creepy.’ —Kirkus Reviews.

More Iremonger Accolades
A New York Times Notable Children’s Book of 2014
Selected in Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 2014
Selected by Kirkus as one of the Best Teen Books of 2014
On tor.com’s Best Books of 2014 – Reviewer’s Choice
Selected as one of Newsday’s Top Ten Children’s books 2014
Recommended on the Booktrust Christmas Gifts for Children List 2013
Listed by The Sunday Times as one of the Top Children’s Books of 2013
New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice

About Edward Carey

Edward is a novelist, visual artist and playwright. His debut novel OBSERVATORY MANSIONS (with his illustrations) is sold in 14 countries and was described by John Fowles as 'proving the potential brilliance of the novel form'. Born in England, he teaches at the University of Austin, Texas.

Find out more about Edward through Blake Friedmann or on Edward’s website.

Read an excerpt of LUNGDON.

Follow Edward on Twitter.

KNIGHTLEY & SON: 3 OF A KIND by Rohan Gavin out in US this week!

The latest addition to Rohan Gavin’s thrilling series KNIGHTLEY & SON has been published in the US by Bloomsbury this week. Kirkus have already given it a Starred Review, calling it 'a totally satisfying third round of bonding à la Knightley (you know, with kidnapping, sleuthing, disguises, and murder)' and with'more of a cinematic Fleming flavor than the earlier Conan Doyle–esque adventures: there are gadgets galore, action-filled brushes with death, and show-stopping settings.' Read the full review here.

The third title in the KNIGHTLEY AND SON series, 3 OF A KIND sees thirteen-year-old private eye Darkus Knightley embroiled deeper in mystery than he’s ever been before. 3 OF A KIND has already been published by Bloomsbury in the UK and Gallimard in France. Audible has just released the audiobook in the UK, narrated by Greg Wagland and Rohan Gavin will be on tour to US schools in October.

Despite trying to leave his detective ways behind to lead a normal teenage life, when his father's loyal housekeeper, Bogna, goes missing, Darkus Knightley must return to the family fold and follow the clues to America and the bright lights of Las Vegas. Alongside his father, Alan, and stepsister, Tilly, Darkus must once again face the deadly criminal organisation, the Combination - and this time, all bets are off. With danger at every turn, Knightley and Son will need an ace or two up their sleeves in order to win this game. Will the odds be in our detective duo's favour? Or will this be the Knightleys' final roll of the dice?

Start the KNIGHTLEY & SON series for just $1.99 with Bloomsbury’s ebook promo!

Check out Rohan Gavin’s new site and trailer and get some detective training under your belt with the Dark Files.

KNIGHTLEY & SON was a Kirkus Best Children's Book of the Year 2014, a Sunday Times Pick of the Week, as well as Guardian Best Kids’ Book and a Daily Mail Summer Book Choice. It was also shortlisted for the Stockton Children’s Book Awards 2014 and the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2014, longlisted for Fantastic Book Awards 2014, and received an honour from the International Literary Association Children’s and Young Adults' Book Awards. K-9 was chosen as one of Sunday Express Summer Picks for Older Children in 2014.

About Rohan Gavin

Rohan Gavin is a screenwriter and debut novelist. He lives in London and is writing the KNIGHTLEY & SON series, featuring a father-and-son detective duo.  

Praise for the KNIGHTLEY & SON series:

‘Full of suspense, intrigue and humour this is a modern day classic adventure story.’ – Louise Haines, The Guardian

'The perfect case for father-and-son detective team, Knightley & Son' — Sunday Express, Best Children’s Novels Summer 2014

'Young fans of Sherlock Holmes will be happy to see this' — The Bookbag

'A teeth-gnashing thriller... it will have readers howling for a third' – Kirkus

‘A hair-raising adventure… I would highly recommend the trilogy to anyone who loves to get stuck into a great mystery or an action-packed thriller.’ – Louise Haines, The Guardian