Cirrus@Austlit

'Two bodies are discovered bludgeoned to death in Kent woodland. Six ravens are feasting on the corpses.

'It is springtime in 1413 and Henry V is now on the throne of feudal England. The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 had begun the great shift towards democracy and the country is recovering from the ravages of the Black Death.

'Wat Baudin is a man on the up in this brave new world and is returning from his duties as an alderman at the assizes in Maidstone. He can sit in judgement on the lower classes but the noble families of the land remain a law unto themselves.

'When Wat and his colleagues happen upon the unfortunate murder victims, he is only too aware of the superstition that still surrounds the macabre presence of that posse of birds. They are a sign of more death to follow.

'Wat is glad to get back home where his wife Rosalind in expecting their second child. But his joy is short-lived as he is suddenly summoned by the Earl of Rochester, Lord John Ridley.

'It appears that the earl’s nephew, young Sir Hugh Montmorency, has mysteriously disappeared and Wat is tasked to get to the bottom of the matter.

'It is not long before Wat finds himself heading a murder investigation. Not one murder, but two… then three. The ravens’ augury seems to be true as a knight and a member of castle staff are added to the body count.

'Even Wat himself comes under attack as he works his way through the suspects within the walls of Rochester Castle. What part can the earl’s doe-eyed daughter, Lady Susanna, possibly have in these evil crimes? And where might the unflappable earl’s wife, the Lady Joan Ridley, fit into the equation? Can Wat trust the earl’s steward Ralph or his chaplain Father Anthony?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Unloved and publicly disgraced, an adulteress walks the streets of London to Ludgate prison. Her feet are bare; in her hands she carries a penitential candle.

'Her name is Jane Shore.'

'Philip Lindsay recounts Jane’s story – from her marriage as a child of fourteen to William Shore to her life at court as one of Edward IV’s lovers – with a masterful knowledge of this troubled period in history.'

'Through wars and betrayal, secrecy and discovery, he weaves a compelling tale of a child thrust into the life of a woman, pulling in the reader until they are entirely submerged in her tale of woe and wonder.'

'For Jane Shore was a woman like no other, unafraid of danger and cunning enough to work herself from the position of a simple mercer’s wife to one of the Queen’s most trusted ladies in waiting – and even into the heart of the King.'

Source: Publisher's blurb (Endeavour edition).

'A new life down under? It's not as perfect as you'd think.

'Katie and Tom's marriage is in trouble. As is their bank account. So, when Tom tells Katie that they need to talk, she knows it must be about one of two things, and neither are good. But when he blind-sides her saying that his boss is sending him to Australia – permanently – Katie realises it might just be what they need to save their marriage.

'Trouble is, she doesn't like the heat, can't swim and hates spiders. Not to mention the bouts of homesickness – and Tom's endless business trips. Katie is finding the hope of saving their marriage slowly slipping through her fingers.

'When all is said and done which side of the globe will she decide to call home?'

Source: Publisher's blurb (Aria ed.).

'It’s October 1974 and all is not well in the town of Elyora.

'First the clocks stop.

'And men in shiny suits turn up offering payment for the inconvenience.

'Then the phone lines stop working.

'And finally, the power goes out.

'The trouble is, no one comes to explain that.

'Dorothy Briggs, a local old lady, is disturbed by a blast of music and drawn towards the nearby river where she hears a voice - “You murdered my son, Dorothy Briggs” - and crumples to the floor.

'Fast forward to December 2012.

'Jo, Benny and Hal, members of the band Faunabate, have no idea what they’re in for when their car suddenly breaks down on the way to their first gig.

'Their nearest town?

'Elyora.

'Upon arrival it quickly becomes clear that this is not your normal town.

'Why are all the magazines dated at 1974?

'Why have all of their clocks stopped?

'And where exactly have all the people gone?

'There are some towns you don't ever want to visit.

'And Elyora is one of them.

'Because not everyone gets out alive...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.