Download or read book Prince Drakulya written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2013-06-06 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who was the man behind the legend? In Prince Drakulya, Paul Doherty traces the life of the infamous figure in a thrilling mystery. Perfect for fans of C.J Sansom and Ellis Peters. Dracula has always been a fascinating yet terrifying figure. But the legend of the human vampire is based on horrifying reality: Dracula (or more properly Drakulya) was a real person, a Prince of Wallachia (now part of Romania) who struggled for personal and political survival during the sinister intrigues of I5th century Europe. Discover him through Rhodros - the friend who knew him best. Rhodros accurately describes Drakulya's influences: his harsh imprisonment by the Ottoman Turks, his manipulation by the subtle and brilliant Ottoman court, and his lust for vengeance against the nobles responsible for the deaths of his father and brother. When Drakulya finally breaks free from his captors' influence he returns as ruler of his own country to wreak horrifying revenge... Don't miss the gripping sequel: The Lord Count Drakulya. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'Paul Doherty's books are a joy to read' 'The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of [Paul Doherty's] books' 'Mr. Doherty's research is only topped by his imagination'

Download or read book Corpse Candle Hugh Corbett Mysteries Book 13 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-10-30 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A phantom horseman. A murdered abbot. A locked door. Paul Doherty weaves an intricately plotted mystery in Corpse Candle, in which Sir Hugh's powers of deduction are tested by one of his most puzzling cases. Perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Michael Jecks. 'Paul Doherty has captured the atmosphere of an enclosed community where there is nowhere to hide from an assassin who appears not to have a motive. Well written... A thumping good read' - South Wales Argus The Brothers of the abbey of St Martin's-in-the-Marsh usually pay little heed to the tales of robber baron Sir Geoffrey Mandeville's ghost galloping through the Lincolnshire fens with a retinue of ghastly horsemen. They may hear the shrill blast of a phantom hunting horn, or see the corpse candles glowing in the dark, but none really accepts the peasants' belief that these flickering lights can forewarn men of their own deaths. The monks are protected by the monastery's high wall and their powerful abbot - a friend of King Edward I - and, although their leaders sometimes argue over the abbey's future, their lives are peaceful and comfortable. But then Abbot Stephen is found murdered in his chamber, with the door and windows locked from the inside, and Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the King's Seal, arrives to investigate. What readers are saying about Corpse Candle: 'This book [has] elegance, history and mystery that will make you scared but wanting to turn the page' 'Intrigue is maintained throughout with interesting twists' 'Another excellent book that just could not be put down!'

Download or read book Satan s Fire Hugh Corbett Mysteries Book 9 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-10-30 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An attempt on the King's life draws Hugh Corbett into a deadly investigation... In Satan's Fire, the ninth Hugh Corbett mystery from Paul Doherty, strange fires and gruesome murders test the sleuth's investigative ingenuity to the full. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Robin Hobb. 1303 and the Old Man of the Mountain remembers back to when he nearly killed Edward I thirty years before. He now decides to release an imprisoned leper knight to avenge old grievances and take the King's life. A few months later, two nuns are returning to their monastery in York, where they are confronted by the horrific sight of a man hungrily being consumed by fire, the sickly smell of burning flesh lingering in the air. News of the grisly death greets Edward as he arrives in York for secret negotiations with the leaders of the military Templar Order. His unease deepens when an attempt is made on his life. When the assassin, wearing Templar livery, is found dead - having been engulfed by a mysterious fire - Edward immediately turns to his Keeper of the Secret Seal, Hugh Corbett, to investigate. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'Good plots, clever twists and mostly impossible to work out' 'Paul Doherty's depictions of medieval England are truly outstanding' 'Another brilliant story in the excellent Hugh Corbett series by a superb historical author'

Download or read book The Poisoner of Ptah Amerotke Mysteries Book 6 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Judge Amerotke to pits his wits against a deadly enemy... Paul Doherty delves once again into the world of Ancient Egypt in The Poisoner of Ptah - a gripping murder mystery featuring his ever-popular sleuth, Judge Amerotke. Perfect for fans of Christian Jacqs and Wilbur Smith. 'This is another fine performance' - Publishers Weekly Pharaoh-Queen Hatusu's Egypt is in a new and glorious ascendancy. But for all its prosperity and power it is not without its weaknesses - or enemies. At a peace treaty signing between Egypt and Libya in Thebes, three of Egypt's leading scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt, the victims of poisoning. And when a prosperous merchant and his wife are found drowned rumours sweep the imperial city. The Poisoner of Ptah has returned. Pharaoh Hatusu orders Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to find the perpetrator of these abominations. His hunt for the Poisoner uncovers a seething mass of suspicion and danger. Now Amerotke must pit his wits against a cunning opponent intent on vengeance and survive the twilight world of Thebes where life can be so rich and yet death so swift and brutal... What readers are saying about The Poisoner of Ptah: 'A dazzling evocation of the past and a gripping mystery' 'Paul Doherty has the rare talent of making you feel as though you are there, be it Ancient Egypt, medieval England, or battling with Alexander. The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of his books' 'Spellbinding'

Download or read book The Death of the Red King written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2013-06-11 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1100, King William II died in a tragic accident... or was it murder? In The Death of the Red King, acclaimed historian Paul Doherty investigates the suspicious death of William II in a masterful 'faction' - a mix of both fact and fiction. Concentrating on both old and new evidence, Paul Doherty explores the highly suspicious elements surrounding the death of King William II of England, nicknamed "Rufus the Red King". Through the eyes of the great philosopher Anselm, a secret admirer of the Red King, a far more chilling interpretation of his death is put forward that challenges everything we think we know. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'An interesting look at a little known real-life mystery' 'The book is interesting, well written, fact and fiction coming easily together to form a well-argued case' 'Doherty proves that he is a scholar as well as a writer of novels'

Download or read book A Shrine of Murders Kathryn Swinbrooke Mysteries Book 1 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2013-06-06 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A series of poisoned pilgrims requires the services of Canterbury's most intrepid sleuth.. . Paul Doherty introduces his medieval sleuth Kathryn Swinbrooke for the first time in A Shrine of Murders, the first in a gripping mystery series from the acclaimed historical novelist. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Susanna Gregory. A serial killer haunts 15th-century Canterbury. Kathryn Swinbrooke is an independent practitioner of medicine, discovering the benefits of an apple-rich diet for teeth, and prescribing herbs and vinegar for almost every known malady. Canterbury's tourist trade, already jeopardized by the War of the Roses, is further imperilled by a spate of poisoned pilgrims, each corpse accompanied by the appearance of a line or two of rough verse, in style remarkably similar to Geoffrey Chaucer's soon-to-be famous work. Suspecting the murderer is a doctor, the Archbishop asks for Kathryn's help. In a fascinating hunt that pits her against the august town physicians, Kathryn is aided only by her wits, her foul-mouthed, warm-hearted servant Thomasina, and Colum Murtagh, a powerful Irish mercenary. What readers are saying about A Shrine of Murders: 'This is well researched, well written and a good story to curl up with on a dark winter's evening' 'Paul Doherty is a superb writer' 'Superb plot and characters. Kathryn is so interesting and insight into the history of the time is so well documented. You feel as if you were there and can even smell it!'

Download or read book The Anubis Slayings Amerotke Mysteries Book 3 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A double murder and a robbery threaten the tentative peace of Ancient Egypt... The third mystery to feature Paul Doherty's engaging Judge Amerotke, The Anubis Slayings is a thrilling novel of murder, intrigue and sleuthing. Perfect for fans of Christian Jacqs and Wilbur Smith. 'Doherty evokes atmospherically the sounds, smells and texture of ancient Egypt. But he does not simply rely on an apparently encyclopaedic familiarity with life along the Nile; he also creates a fiendish locked-room mystery and a solution as clever as the puzzle' - Scotsman Hatusu, the remarkable young widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, has forced Egyptian society to acknowledge her as Pharaoh, and her success in battle is spreading Egypt's glory well beyond its frontiers. In the Temple of Anubis, negotiations are taking place between Hatusu and the defeated King Tushratta of Mitanni for a peace treaty that will seal her greatest victory. But in one night, two hideous murders in the temple and the theft of the Glory of Anubis threaten the tentative truce. The respected Judge Amerotke must find the truth or Egypt's fragile peace could be destroyed for ever. What readers are saying about The Anubis Slayings: 'I couldn't put this book down, it was fantastic' 'He [paints] a vivid and colourful setting for the events of the book' 'Paul Doherty always manages to gives us thrillers that keep us turning the pages'

Download or read book The Amerotke Omnibus Ebook written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Amerotke Omnibus offers three journeys into the heart of Ancient Egypt, from acclaimed historical mystery writer, Paul Doherty. Featuring the enigmatic Judge Amerotke, the collection includes The Horus Killings, The Anubis Slayings and The Slayers of Seth. Perfect for fans of Christian Jacqs and Wilbur Smith. The Horus Killings: At the divine temple of Horus, a crowd gathers to celebrate the triumphant return of Hatusu, the widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, after her successful battle against the Mitanni. Hatusu is determined that Egypt will accept her as the first Pharaoh-Queen, but she needs to win the favour of the gods. When a spate of savage killings takes place in the Temple of Horus, the priests interpret this as a sign of celestial disapproval of Hatusu. Only one man, Amerotke, a respected judge, can be trusted to find the truth amidst the intrigue surrounding the deaths... The Anubis Slayings: Hatusu, the remarkable young widow of Pharaoh Tuthmosis II, has forced Egyptian society to acknowledge her as Pharaoh, and her success in battle is spreading Egypt's glory well beyond its frontiers. In the Temple of Anubis, negotiations are taking place between Hatusu and the defeated King Tushratta of Mitanni for a peace treaty that will seal her greatest victory. But, in one night, two hideous murders in the temple and the theft of the Glory of Anubis threaten the tentative truce. The respected judge Amerotke must find the truth or Egypt's fragile peace could be destroyed for ever... The Slayers of Seth: Lord Amerotke, Pharaoh's Chief Judge, is in the middle of a murder case. A young ambitious scribe, Ipumer, allegedly in love with the daughter of a powerful general, is dead. The prosecution has accused Lady Neshratta - apparently tired of the dalliance - of the crime. If found guilty, she will be buried alive in the desert sands of the Red Lands. When Amerotke is summoned to the Temple of Seth by Lord Senenmut, it seems there is another grave murder to investigate. One of Egypt's great heroes has been brutally killed and Pharaoh Hatusu herself has decided to intervene, and she calls on Judge Amerotke for help. There is more to link the deaths than originally meets the eye - but can Amerotke track down the killer before he strikes again?

Download or read book A Time for the Death of a King Nicholas Segalla series Book 1 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2013-06-11 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: She was a passionate lover. But was she also a murderess? In the first of Paul Doherty's series featuring the time travelling scholar Nicholas Segalla, the reader is transported to the 16th century Scottish court. Perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and C. J. Sansom. Edinburgh, 1567. Beautiful Mary, Queen of Scots, leaves her ill husband's bedside to attend the wedding festivities of her maid of honour. Hours later, the calm night is shattered by a devastating explosion. The King's body is found in a field with a cloak, a chair, a slipper and a dagger by his lifeless corpse. When stolen letters cast suspicion on the queen herself, she is accused of murder. Was the fiery Mary the perpetrator of the King's bloody murder, or the object of a ruthless plot of betrayal, crafted by England's most masterful assassin, the Raven Master? Only the shadowy scholar Nicholas Segalla can uncover the truth. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'A cracker, full of twists and turns, with an overarching mystery of who exactly is Segalla' 'Paul Doherty's books are a joy to read' 'The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of [Paul Doherty's] books'

Download or read book A Brood of Vipers Tudor Mysteries Book 4 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-11-27 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rodger embarks on a mission to Florence, in search of an elusive assassin... In his fourth journal, A Brood of Vipers, Roger Shallot encounters treacherous conspiracies and terrible murders as he journeys from Tudor London to Florence. Paul Doherty's Tudor mysteries are perfect for fans of Susannah Gregory and C. J. Sansom. Spring 1523. Benjamin Daunbey and his rapscallion servant, Roger Shallot, are summoned to London. A Florentine envoy, Lord Francesco Abrizzi, has been murdered and King Henry is determined to unmask the perpetrators of this outrage. In London, Shallot experiences King Henry's rage, the insults of the Abrizzis and a murderous attack. Shallot, a born coward, wants to crawl away and hide, but the King and Wolsey insist that he and Benjamin go to Florence, find Abrizzi's assassin, deliver a secret message, and bring back a Florentine painter. It sounds simple enough - but the reality is murderously different. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'Paul Doherty weaves a tangled web of murder and intrigue' 'These novels vividly bring the dirt, squalor and adventure of Henry VIII's reign to life' 'Excellent story. Always enjoyed the Shallot stories, he is a lovable rouge'

Download or read book The Mask of Ra Amerotke Mysteries Book 1 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Pharaoh is murdered... who can the city of Thebes trust to uncover the truth? The Mask of Ra, the first mystery in Paul Doherty's intriguing series set in Ancient Egypt, introduces readers to his enigmatic sleuth, Amerotke, for the first time. Perfect for fans of Brad Geagley and Wilbur Smith. 'The historical mystery genre is still thriving and Paul Doherty's The Mask of Ra is the best of its kind since the death of Ellis Peters. As ever, Doherty dazzles with his knowledge and intimate feel for ancient Egypt' - Time Out His great battles against the sea raiders in the Nile Delta have left Pharaoh Tuthmosis II frail, but he finds solace in victory and in the welcome he is sure to receive on his return to Thebes. Across the river from Thebes, however, there are those who do not relish his homecoming, and a group of assassins has taken a witch to pollute the Pharaoh's unfinished tomb. Reunited with his wife, Hatusu, and his people, Tuthmosis stands before the statue of Amun-Ra with the roar of the crowd and the fanfare of trumpets ringing in his ears. But within an hour he is dead and the people of Thebes cannot forget the omen of wounded doves flying overhead. Rumours run rife, speculation sweeps the royal city and Hatusu vows to uncover the truth. With the aid of Amerotke, a respected judge of Thebes, she embarks on a path destined to reveal the great secrets of Egypt. What readers are saying about The Mask of Ra: 'This is the best book I have ever read' 'A classic whodunit, it nevertheless manages to spring a few surprises on the way, and I certainly didn't manage to guess who the culprit was' 'Mr. Doherty takes time to establish the site and atmospheric setting of his story...I barged through the book in one night'

Download or read book The Queen of the Night Ancient Rome Mysteries Book 3 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-10-30 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The slightest mistake could cost her life... In the summer of 314AD, dark figures lurking in the twilight of Roman society are on the prowl, and Rome is shocked by a series of gruesome murders in Paul Doherty's third novel featuring imperial secret agent Claudia. Perfect for fans of Lindsey Davis and Steven Saylor. 'The master of historical whodunit' - Booklist Rome: August 314AD, and as the sun's insidious heat beats down, murderous forces lurk in the underbelly of the city. The normally cosseted world of Rome's rich and powerful is rocked by a series of violent abductions, as children of the elite are kidnapped and held for ransom. Meanwhile, veteran soldiers, men who served Constantine along the Great Wall in northern Britain are being barbarously murdered; the indignities inflicted on their corpses reminiscent of the gruesome practices of the Picts whom they fought so many years ago. The Empress Helena summons her secret agent, Claudia, in a bid to resolve these macabre occurrences. But Claudia has problems of her own. The perfectly preserved corpse of a young Christian woman has been disinterred in her uncle's garden and it falls to her to investigate this mystery too. Now she must track her way through a murky tangle of politics, religion and murderous violence, ever aware that the slightest mistake could cost her life. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'A good example of historical fact and fiction mixed together, the past comes to life in front of your eyes' 'Paul Doherty's books are a joy to read' 'The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of [Paul Doherty's] books'

Download or read book The Plague Lord written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A legendary explorer. A series of shocking murders. A secret society. Paul Doherty writes a dramatic historical novel about Marco Polo's life in 13th century China in The Plague Lord. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and C.J. Sansom. 'An enthralling historical detective novel which immerses the reader in an unknown and distant society far removed from medieval western civilisation, and brings to life some of the period's greatest characters. The mysterious East has never seemed either so deadly or so alien' - Brentwood Gazette Thirteenth-century China. In the streets of Cambaluc, seat of the great Mongol Lord, Kublai Khan, sinister events are unfolding. Members of the Guild of Pourers, the city cleaners, are being picked off one by one in a series of gut-wrenching murders. What is the link between these deaths and the reappearance of the Water Lily sect, a secret society dedicated to service of the Plague Lord, Wen Yi Kwei? With rumours of demonic forces at work, Kublai Khan summons his trusted advisor and friend, the Venetian Marco Polo, to discover the truth. But will he be able to stem the tide of evil before it's too late? And will the Water Lily sect succeed in unleashing the full fury of Wen Yi Kwei, the great baron of Hell...? What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'I picked it up and couldn't put it down' 'The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of [Paul Doherty's] books' 'Five stars'

Download or read book The Treason of the Ghosts Hugh Corbett Mysteries Book 12 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-10-30 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Can Hugh Corbett discover the identity of a killer determined to remain unknown? The Treason of the Ghosts is Paul Doherty's twelfth mystery featuring medieval sleuth Hugh Corbett is a thrilling mystery of revenge and murder. Perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory and Robin Hobb. 'The book is a pleasure to read and written in an uncompromising prose, the plot developed with intriguing twists and turns. Doherty's deep understanding of the period and the nitty-gritty of historical detail are to the fore without intruding on the rhythm of the plot. Superb entertainment' - Historical Novels Review Five years ago in the village of Melford, a local lord, Sir Roger Chapeley, was executed for a spate of vicious murders. But now other young girls have been violated and garrotted, and the dead lord's son, Maurice, insists that a miscarriage of justice has taken place. As if in support of his assertion, someone is exacting their own kind of justice as, one by one, the leaders of the jury which sent the lord to the gibbet are brutally murdered. Edward of England sends his chief clerk, Sir Hugh Corbett, to Melford to discover the truth. Seeking connections between the deaths, Corbett faces the difficult task of unveiling the secrets of a distrustful community who it seems increasingly likely are the victims of a serial murderer. But who then is killing the jurors? One thing is certain, whoever the killer, or killers, may be, they will do anything to stop their identity being revealed... What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'This story captured me from the moment I started until the very last sentence' 'Another great book from a great author. All his books transport you to another time and place' 'Paul Doherty's depictions of medieval England are truly outstanding'

Download or read book A Murder in Macedon Alexander the Great Mysteries Book 1 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2013-06-11 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alexander must fight for his throne, his father... and his life. Paul Doherty transports his readers to Ancient Greece in A Murder in Macedon - a gripping mystery featuring Alexander the Great. Perfect for fans of Gary Corby and Margaret Doody. 'If you want to know whodunit in ancient times, Doherty is your man' - Good Book Guide In the summer of 336 BC, Philip of Macedon is to celebrate his glorious reign. He has waded through a sea of blood to become master of Greece, but he also has troubles at home. He has divorced and rejected his first wife, the witch queen Olympias, while her son Alexander is the subject of a whispering campaign that he is not Philip's true heir. Philip summons all of Greece to attend his great celebration in the old capital of Aegae, but the Macedonian court is plunged into chaos and bloodshed when he is murdered by Pausanias. Alexander must fight for his rights against intrigue and treachery at home and abroad. In order to prove his own innocence, he also has to find out who was really responsible for Philip's death and why. Was Pausanias a lone assassin or acting on behalf of others? What readers are saying about A Murder in Macedon: 'A very enthralling story' 'An interesting twist' 'Paul Doherty - brilliant - nothing more to say'

Download or read book The Rose Demon written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-09-25 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A haunted, misunderstood outcast... or a murderer? Paul Doherty writes an epic, spine-chilling story of terror, mystery and black magic set in the Middle Ages in his spellbinding novel, The Rose Demon. Perfect for fans of Michael Jecks and Robin Hobb. Matthias Fitzosbert is the illegitimate son of the parish priest of the village of Sutton Courteny. Despite the recent spate of murders, each day he braves the dark woods to visit his friend, a mysterious hermit who shows him many strange and beautiful things. Though enthralled, the boy is always puzzled by his lessons with the hermit - never more so than the night the villagers hunt the hermit down, and burn him, believing him to be responsible for the many deaths. The Rose Demon explores Matthias's unique relationship with a spirit he strives to placate but ultimately flees from. His story is played out against the vivid panorama of medieval life; the fall and sack of Constantinople, the turbulent Wars of the Roses, the terror of witchcraft, the battlefields of Spain and finally the lush jungles of the Caribbean where the Rose Demon and Matthias have one final, dramatic confrontation. What readers are saying about Paul Doherty: 'Doherty weaves his spell on his readers bringing medieval England to life' 'A captivating read - I was thrilled' 'Pure brilliance'

Download or read book The Templar Magician Templars Book 2 written by Paul Doherty and published by Headline. This book was released on 2012-11-27 with total page 195 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One man's dangerous ambition undermines the Templar Order from within... The Templar Magician is the second novel in Paul Doherty's brilliant series featuring the mysterious Templar Order. Perfect for fans of Michael Jecks and Robin Hobb. The year is 1152, and Jerusalem is still in the hands of the Crusaders, although the lofty ideals of before have now been replaced by subtle power-play. Meanwhile, in England, King Stephen is waging bloody war against Henry Fitzempress. The Templar Order, now fifty years old, is a wealthy power, glittering with tempting riches. Against this background of bloodshed, Robert de Payens, grandson of Eleanor, one of the co-founders of the Temple, and Englishman Edward Sendal find themselves caught up in a murder mystery when Raymond, Count of Tripoli, is brutally assassinated. Who would have wanted to murder Raymond, and is it possible that the answer may lie within the hallowed ranks of the Templar order itself? What readers are saying about the Templar series: 'A masterful work of history-based fiction' 'A fun book and a good bit of light escapism' 'A page turner'