A review by Nalini Haynes Elizabeth Zott is a chemist determined to research abiogenesis, the chemistry version of researching the big bang. However, as a …
Historical fiction
Bridget Hodder: The things we share unite us and our differences should excite us
This year’s International Women’s Day podcast is an interview with Bridget Hodder who co-wrote a cross-cultural novel with Fawzia Gilani Williams. Cross-cultural novel Bridget Hodder …
Unworthy Duke by Charlotte Anne
A review by Nalini Haynes Ellen flees a domestic violence situation with her brother to pose as a Miss Smith, lady’s companion. When arriving in …
Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis
A review by Nalini Haynes The Lights of Prague is a historical fantasy novel. Set in gaslight era Prague where monsters roam freely, with a …
Fading Fame: Women of a Certain Age in Hollywood by Pam Munter
A review by Nalini Haynes Fading Fame is a shocking historical fiction collection of stories told in different media – short stories, poems, plays – …
Lovebirds by Amanda Hampson
A review by Nalini Haynes Lovebirds as a title may be a little misleading; it certainly didn’t align my expectations with the novel. However, the …
Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood
A review by Nalini Haynes Trigger warning: rape Eleanor is a servant in a Victorian household where maids are dismissed after evidence of the master …
Cuckoo’s Flight by Wendy Orr
A review by Nalini Haynes Clio lives in ancient Mesopotamia Crete (I am geographically ignorant) on a Mediterranean island with her family. When returning from …
Dragon and Her Boy by Penny Chrimes
A review by Nalini Haynes TRIGGER WARNINGS: SUICIDE, DISABLED ABUSE WARNING: SPOILERS. This is a children’s book. I feel very strongly about some of the …
Witch by Finbar Hawkins
A review by Nalini Haynes Evey and Dill, two sisters, watch as a group of men murder their mother. They flee to their mother’s coven …
Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
A review by Nalini Haynes Nix Song lives on a time travelling tall ship (hence the title, the Girl From Everywhere) with her father and …
The Forest of Moon and Sword by Amy Raphael
A review by Nalini Haynes Art hides in the attic with several women but escapes through a trapdoor into a room above the attic. There …
Code Name Bananas by David Walliams
A review by Nalini Haynes This is the story of a spy mission with the code name bananas. It all begins with Eric, who loves …
The German Midwife by Mandy Robotham
A review by Emma Streeton The German Midwife is a heartbreaking yet poignantly beautiful “what if” story. Anke is a German midwife who is in …
Fire Star by A L Tait
A review by Nalini Haynes Reeve is a squire. His former mistress, the Airl’s (Iord’s) wife, placed him in a vassal’s (Sir Garrick’s) household. (Everyone …