An 18th century seafaring adventure with a great deal of nautical detail and 'on board' brutality. On land, there's romance, intrigue and tragedy and eventually the two strands collide to form one personality. Brilliantly descriptive of the port of Harwich. An atmospheric and intriguing debut.
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This is the story of the womenfolk of two families and in a roundabout way highlights the Armenian genocide of 1915. Strong on depicting the sights and sounds of a modern-day Istanbul, this book was not always easy to read, but I felt that my effort to stay with it was rewarded in the end.
View The Bastard of Istanbul
Set during a time when women had little or no agency, this story of an infamous scandal comes from the perspective of a woman who was involved. Jacobean London is vividly evoked in all its glitter and grime and Anne Turner, a compelling narrator, is portrayed without judgement. There's nothing like immersing yourself into another person's life, I was riveted from page one right to the bitter end.
View A Net for Small Fishes
London in the 1700s - what a romping good time was had by many a male (providing you were rich of course). Money just didn't buy you power - it also bought you prostitutes and mistresses aplenty. This story is a veritable mixture of delights - sex, indecent liaisons, lust, magic, ghosts, really likeable characters all topped off with a smattering of feminism well before its time. Catherine Cookson this isn't - but a fabulous read it is.
View An Almond for a Parrot
An intense claustrophobic and uneasy fascination surround the hook of this story - a kind of extreme English country house upstairs/downstairs narrative. Class struggle, power subversion and obsession stalk the floors of Moreham House. I found it a gripping read and ultimately quite devastating.
View The Warlow Experiment
This beautifully written, debut novel tells of Rene Decartes’ relationship with Helena. Atmospheric descriptions of the Netherlands allow the reader to share Helena's joy at being there. She is determined, resilient and brave and her relationship with her daughter, Francine, brings out her sense of fun. Descartes, on the other hand, appears arrogant and aloof except in relation to Francine. Why didn't they marry? Read the novel and find out.
Playing out against the growing tensions in Kashmir is the story of Faiz and Roohi; one of love and longing in a troubled time. Revealing itself to you through many layers and a cast of characters, moving fluidly between their stories, their episodes, this novel illustrates the challenge of living everyday life at a time of conflict.
View The Book of Gold Leaves
London 1611 and wealthy merchant Paul Pindar returns from Syria with a fortune, several secrets and a diamond which may be cursed! Told by Paul, his wife, her best friend and his estranged servant, this is a sumptuously written novel of which Wilkie Collins would have been proud. Set wonderfully in its period, this is the third in a trilogy, but can certainly be read as a stand alone. I did and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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A fascinating insight into early Renaissance Florence, this is an intensely imaginative novel, with a strong and captivating heroine.
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A gritty love story about two men who meet in war and engage in a struggle with themselves, society and each other. This book puts you right in the middle of the stink and terror of 17th century England. You may not like Jacob, he’s a frightening, violent man; but you suffer with him and track his painful attempts to change with understanding, frustration and sympathy. The sex scenes are brilliant - very erotic. The whole book is just a jewel.
View As Meat Loves SaltYou won’t find the biggest bestsellers on Whichbook as everyone knows about them already. But you can use your enjoyment of a current bestseller to see titles with a similar mood that you might try next.
