Head-spinning historical fiction out this month: The Art Of A Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Lion Hearts by Dan Jones, Love, Sex & Frankenstein by Caroline Lea
Bluffs, double bluffs, twists, turns and emotional upheaval are the disorder of the day in Shepherd-Robinson's deftly plotted fourth novel.
Set in the mid-18th century in an upmarket, but financially precarious, confectionery shop in fashionable Piccadilly, it unspools the entwined stories of recently widowed sweet-maker Hannah Cole, who's nursing a dark secret, and the dashing, moneyed gentleman William Devereux, who's not all he seems.
The truth is revealed in tantalising snippets as the brilliantly drawn main characters recount their version of events, which include a brutal murder, an inherited fortune in jeopardy, the investigation of magistrate, Henry Fielding, who's on the case of the killer, and the introduction of the sensation of the season – 'iced cream'.
This deliciously devious tale of skulduggery, questionable motives and untrustworthy appearances will keep you gripped.
Lion Hearts by Dan Jones (Head of Zeus £18.99, 384pp)
It's 1350 and the ten comrades in arms from Jones's bold, bloody Essex Dogs and the Wolves of Winter have been winnowed down to a surviving few.
Battle scarred, older but not necessarily wiser, they're attempting to find peace, especially leader Loveday, who once made his living 'with his fists, his wits and his short sword' and who's now attempting to keep a failing Winchelsea tavern afloat.
But with the Castilians on the horizon, a population devastated by the Black Death and old debts to pay, it's not long before the band are reunited and once again pressed into action.
Lion Hearts is a fitting conclusion to this trilogy; a salty, action-packed saga that sees old friends head into the fray.
Love, Sex & Frankenstein by Caroline Lea (Michael Joseph £18.99, 400pp)
Thrumming with emotion, Lea's retelling of Mary Shelley's dark night of the soul in the summer of 1816 is brimful of love, lust, hate and a strange kind of happiness as she comes up with the idea for her gothic classic Frankenstein.
Sequestered in Villa Diodati, by Lake Geneva, the weather is foreboding, the company complicated – Mary is there with her baby son Willmouse, her lover, the feckless poet Shelley, her troubled stepsister Claire Clairmont, the quietly observant Dr Polidori and Lord Byron. In the middle of the mayhem is Mary, who's finding it hard to rein in her feelings, which are as tumultuous as the weather outside.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Three stunning locations to escape bustling Edinburgh Fringe and Oasis crowds
With Oasis gigs and the Fringe festival filling the city, Edinburgh is lively - but the capital also offers quiet options nearby Edinburgh is set to become the centre of the arts world once again, as festival season begins and the city welcomes millions of visitors. With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the International Festival in full swing throughout August, the capital will be bursting with performers, tourists and energy. Adding to the buzz, three major Oasis gigs are also scheduled over the coming week or so, ensuring the city will be packed throughout the month. While the festivals bring a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere, the constant crowds can feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, the city is full of hidden corners where calm can still be found. For those looking to take a break from the hustle of the Royal Mile and the crowded venues, there are peaceful retreats tucked just beyond the city centre, Scottish Daily Express reports.. Here are three of the best escapes to explore during Edinburgh's busiest season. Dean Village Just a short walk from Princes Street lies one of Edinburgh's most picturesque and peaceful areas. Dean Village, described by VisitScotland as 'one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets', sits along the Water of Leith. Once a separate village centred around grain milling, Dean Village was home to 11 mills, the remnants of which are still visible. It feels far removed from the bustle of the city, despite being less than a mile away. Though now part of Edinburgh, the area retains its old-world charm and is known for its distinctive architecture. At the heart of the village is Well Court, a striking building constructed in the 1880s to house mill workers. Above it all is Dean Bridge, a 30-metre-high structure built by famed engineer Thomas Telford in 1831 to link the growing city from east to west. With leafy paths, riverside walks and plenty of photo opportunities, Dean Village is a tranquil escape just minutes from the festival crowds. Duddingston and Dr Neil's Garden Hidden behind Holyrood Park, the historic village of Duddingston is another peaceful retreat that few tourists ever find. Dating back to the 12th century, the village boasts a loch, nature reserve and a blend of traditional cottages, Georgian villas, and one of the oldest churches in Scotland; Duddingston Kirk. One of the highlights of the area is Dr Neil's Garden, a quiet sanctuary tucked at the foot of Arthur's Seat. Free to enter from 10am until dusk, the garden offers colourful plantings of alpines, primulas, rhododendrons and azaleas, all laid out with care in a space ideal for relaxation and reflection. With Arthur's Seat rising behind it, this spot offers both seclusion and beauty. The nearby Sheep Heid Inn is thought to be one of the oldest pubs in the country, and Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have once been a guest. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Craigmillar Castle While Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and draws in huge crowds, few visitors venture just four miles southeast to explore its lesser-known counterpart. Craigmillar Castle, steeped in royal history, offers a quieter but equally dramatic experience. This 15th-century fortress is where Mary, Queen of Scots, took refuge after the murder of her secretary, David Rizzio. It is also linked to the alleged plot to kill her husband, Lord Darnley. The grounds include a unique fishpond shaped like the letter P, and the tower house provides some of the best views of Edinburgh Castle itself. Entry to Craigmillar Castle is £7.50 if booked in advance or £8.50 on the day, a bargain compared to central city prices, and a chance to step into history away from the crowds. See the Historic Environment Scotland website for more information.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
British model Chloe Ayling asks 'Why did no one believe me?' after kidnapping
Model Chloe Ayling was lured to a fake photo shoot, drugged and kidnapped, ready to be sold as a sex slave... but everyone thought she invented the ordeal. A BBC documentary tonight sheds light on the bizarre story In a gripping documentary starting tonight, Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping ( BBC Three, 9pm), victim Chloe speaks out for the first time since her kidnappers were imprisoned. In the summer of 2017, twenty-year-old glamour model Chloe was kidnapped in Italy by an international criminal gang known as Black Death. Turning up for what she believed to be a photoshoot in Milan, Chloe was grabbed from behind, drugged, and bundled into a bag before being taken to a remote farmhouse and handcuffed to a chest of drawers. She was told she had six days before being auctioned on the dark web and sold as a sex slave. Despite the terrifying circumstances, Chloe was able to remain calm and convince her captors to let her walk free and into the hands of the local authorities. But in the immediate aftermath, Chloe became the subject of global media speculation with both the press and public questioning her motives. Were her abductors really part of a sinister sex slavery ring? How did she persuade them to let her go? And why did Chloe seem so unaffected by what she'd been through? Then, ahead of the court case, as the perpetrators' own version of events was reported, the public were left questioning whether the crime was in fact a publicity stunt to further Chloe's modelling career. Her kidnapper, Lukasz Herba and his brother Michal Herba were subsequently found guilty by an Italian court and jailed. But even though she was vindicated, the rumour mill still swirls. This is Chloe's first documentary interview since her abductors' convictions, as she recounts what happened to her, how it changed her life and asks why, eight years later, so many people still don't believe her. Chloe now wants to challenge any remaining doubters and finally put the past behind her. Through probing interviews with those involved, the series separates fact from perception and looks at the press coverage of this extraordinary case, the public reaction and asks how a survivor became a suspect. Chloe says: 'What is it about me and the story that makes it so hard to believe?' The three-part series features unseen archive and unheard testimony from those closest to the story, including her former agent, the Italian detectives and British police, and the judge who never doubted Chloe's account. Filmed over a year, this is a fascinating series that asks how the survivor of a violent kidnapping could be turned into a suspect. Chloe says: "I'm delighted BBC Studios are telling my story - not only in my own words, but also through the voices of those directly involved. For years, people have doubted me, often because they don't understand what really happened - or who I am. "I think this documentary truly unravels and dives deep into who I am, the events of the kidnapping, as well as the intense media aftermath that tried to define me. I think people will finally see through the headlines." Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping airs tonight (Aug 4) on BBC Three at 9pm.
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
ITV AND HERA PICTURES REVEAL FIRST LOOK IMAGES FROM I FOUGHT THE LAW STARRING BAFTA WINNER SHERIDAN SMITH AND DANIEL YORK LOH
***NEW DOCUMENTARY ALSO PLANNED FOCUSING UPON ANN MING'S HISTORIC CAMPAIGN*** DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE ITV and Hera Pictures have today released first look images from I Fought The Law, a brand-new drama starring BAFTA winning actor Sheridan Smith. Sheridan portrays Ann Ming in the heart breaking and inspiring real-life story of a mother who, driven by unimaginable grief, finds strength to challenge the centuries-old Double Jeopardy Law to see her daughter's murderer finally brought to justice after a 15-year battle. Produced by Hera Pictures (What It Feels Like For A Girl, Mary & George, Hamnet, Temple, Honour) the four-part series is written by Jamie Crichton (All Creatures Great and Small, The Last Kingdom, Grantchester) and is based on Ann Ming's book 'For The Love of Julie'. The series will launch the autumn season for ITV and STV and will be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player. The drama follows the tragic, moving, and deeply inspiring journey of the Ming family after the murder of their beloved 22-year-old daughter, Julie. In the wake of multiple police failings, Ann relentlessly pressures the authorities to uncover the truth and ensure the man responsible is brought to justice - despite initially seeming he will get away with murder. Driven by love, grief, and extraordinary determination, Ann and her family campaign tirelessly in Julie's name. In her steadfast and indomitable style, Ann takes on the entire justice system - challenging the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Commission, prominent defence barristers in television debates, the Government, the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney General, and two Home Secretaries - as she bravely 'fought the law.' As a consultant throughout the production process, Ann Ming commented on the television adaptation: 'I am very pleased that ITV and Hera Pictures will tell the story of my campaign to overturn the Double Jeopardy Law. My daughter's killer was wrongfully acquitted, and I wasn't going to let this law stand in my way of getting justice for Julie. I'm overwhelmed that Sheridan Smith will be playing me. Having such an iconic and talented actress portray me is truly wonderful.' On her role, playing Ann, Sheridan Smith commented: 'I am so honoured to have been asked to play the role of Ann Ming, a mother so determined to fight for justice for her murdered daughter that she spent 15 years campaigning for the Double Jeopardy Law to be changed. She is a truly courageous and remarkable woman to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.' Commissioned by ITV's Director of Drama Polly Hill, I Fought The Law also features Daniel York Loh (Scarborough) as Ann's husband, Charlie Ming, and Enzo Cilenti (The Crown) as DS Mark Braithwaite. The series also features Marlowe Chan-Reeves (Doctor Who), Olivia Ng (Phoenix Rise), Jake Davies (Grace), Victoria Wyant, Kent Riley (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office), Jack James Ryan (Passenger, Vera), Andrew Lancel (Unforgotten) and Rufus Jones (Hijack). Hera Pictures produced the series in association with All3Media International. The Executive Producers for Hera Pictures are Liza Marshall and Charlotte Webber. The series is directed by Erik Richter Strand (The Crown) and produced by Mark Hedges (Time). I Fought The Law will air on ITV and STV and be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player this autumn, followed by I Fought The Law: The Ann Ming Story documentary. Produced by MultiStory Media the documentary, which is narrated by Sheridan Smith, takes a detailed look at the case from Julie's disappearance in 1989 until the murderer was retried and jailed for life in 2006, becoming the first person convicted under the changed law. Featuring exclusive interviews with Ann, her family and friends, retired police officers, and other key individuals close to the story, the documentary will also include rare archive and images that tell the story of one mother's unwavering resolve to get justice for her daughter. The documentary shows Ann's extraordinary campaign, her unshakable determination, and how her fight for justice has since helped secure other landmark convictions, including those of Stephen Lawrence's killers.
