'A fiendishly clever tale of ambition, deception, and power' DERREN BROWN Belfast, 1914. Two years after the sinking of the Titanic, high society has become obsessed with spiritualism, attending seances in the hope they might reach their departed loved ones. William Jackson Crawford is a man of science and a sceptic, but one night with everyone sitting around the circle, voices come to him - seemingly from beyond the veil - placing doubt in his heart and a seed of obsession in his mind. Could the spirits truly be communicating with him or is this one of Kathleen's parlour tricks gone too far? Based on the true story of Professor William Jackson Crawford and famed medium Kathleen Goligher, and with a cast of characters including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini, The Spirit Engineer conjures a haunted, twisted tale of power, paranoia and one ultimate, inescapable truth... PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT ENGINEER 'I adored this book. Haunting, witty and deeply moving, The Spirit Engineer is surely set to become a gothic classic. I was instantly drawn into the mystery and swept along by the shocking twists and turns. A beautifully written novel' JODIE WHITTAKER, ACTOR 'A.J. West has history at his fingertips and writes brilliantly - so clever it makes your head spin! The Spirit Engineer is a work of true invention and drama that moves at a cracking pace from the very first page and keeps you guessing. A compelling and daring book' JEREMY VINE, BROADCASTER 'Set in a historical moment where science and spiritualism meet, The Spirit Engineer is an ingeniously plotted debut novel' SARAH BURTON, AUTHOR OF THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF H 'A marvellous and menacing gothic chiller, filled with secrets and soaked in atmosphere, in which the ghouls and fiends are not of the other world, but this one...' NEIL BLACKMORE, AUTHOR OF THE INTOXICATING MR LAVELLE 'A spooky tale of frustrated ambition, hidden loyalties, and desperation, told with wit, charm and devastating twists. A gothic novel that also manages to make you laugh, even if you shouldn't' JONATHAN HARVEY, PLAYWRIGHT 'With a skilful misdirection that any Edwardian spirit medium would be proud to demonstrate, A.J. West soon turns the screw in this fascinating novel... Obsession builds until the stunning climax of the final shocking seance and its awful repercussions. Was William rights to be convinced? Did he prove ghosts exist?' ESSIE FOX, AUTHOR OF THE SOMNAMBULIST 'A gripping, gothic story anchored in the political and spiritual chaos of Edwardian Belfast. Part horror, part history, The Spirit Engineer is a chilling and thought-provoking tale of exploitation, faith, deception, fraud, seances, hubris, and prejudice... accomplished and page-turning. Fans of Penny Dreadful and The Nevers will love it' GARETH RUSSELL, HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR OF THE SHIP OF DREAMS: THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC AND THE END OF EDWARDIAN BELFAST

From the bestselling, award-winning author of SKELLIG comes a vivid and moving story, beautifully illustrated, which commemorates the hundred-year anniversary of the end of the First World War.

"I am just a child," says John. "How can I be at war?"

It's 1918, and war is everywhere. John's dad is fighting in the trenches far away in France. His mum works in the munitions factory just along the road. His teacher says that John is fighting, too, that he is at war with enemy children in Germany.

One day, in the wild woods outside town, John has an impossible moment: a meeting with a German boy named Jan. John catches a glimpse of a better world, in which children like Jan and himself can come together, and scatter the seeds of peace.

Gorgeously illustrated by David Litchfield, this is a book to treasure.

Curl up with the perfect festive saga read! Can they deliver hope and friendship this Christmas? 1915. After the recent dramatic events at the Home Depot, Milly Woods is looking forward to spending as much time as possible with her Post Office girls, Nora and Beth - known as Liza to her friends. With Christmas fast approaching, their job of getting millions of letters and parcels to the troops on the front line is more important than ever. But when Milly is moved to a different department, she and the girls struggle to find time to spend together. Feeling more and more lonely, Milly finds company and common ground at her local suffragette group - as well as catching the eye of a wounded ex-soldier at the Home Depot. But soon, Milly discovers that her new friends might not be what they seem. As she is drawn into a deadly plan that could affect the outcome of the war, can her Post Office girls help her get back on track, and scupper the plan in time for Christmas? READERS LOVE THE POST OFFICE GIRLS! 'A superb debut novel' - 5 STARS 'Entertaining, enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable' - 5 STARS 'I absolutely loved this book and I am already eagerly awaiting book two in the series' - 5 STARS 'The book gave a wonderful in sight into postal-service life during the war. Well done, Poppy' - 5 STARS 'An excellent WW1 book' - 5 STARS

Dope-Darling is a story of sex, drugs, and music set just before the outbreak of the First World War. Claire is the talk of the town when she meets Roy at a London nightclub. Leaving his fiancee Beatrice, Roy marries the bohemian starlet in only three weeks, entering a world of excess and excitement beyond his wildest dreams. As the cocaine and booze begin to wear him down, and as Britain prepares for war with Germany, he begins to wonder if enlistment could provide him a means of escape. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of David Garnett's Dope-Darling is a classic 1918 work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' - Jeffrey Archer 'A story to get the heart racing' - Daily Express 'An enthralling tale' - Daily Mirror 'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller' - Lorraine Kelly CBE ___________LOVE GAVE THEM STRENGTH. LOVING EACH OTHER GAVE THEM COURAGE. Britain and her allies are engaged in a long war with Germany. Grace is the daughter of landed gentry, volunteering as a nurse on the Western Front. Will is the son of a dockworker, driven to enlist by a sense of patriotism and the thrill of adventure. When their lives collide in a field hospital in France, they form a passionate connection. This is a sweeping and sumptuous WW1 drama and historical epic, perfect for fans of Ken Follett, Kate Mosse and Jeffrey Archer.

First published privately in 1929 as The Middle Parts of Fortune, Her Privates We is the novel of the Battle of the Somme told from the perspective of Bourne, an ordinary private. A raw and shockingly honest portrait of men engaged in war, 'that peculiarly human activity', the original edition was subject to 'prunings and excisions' because the bluntness of language was thought to make the book unfit for public distribution. This edition restores them. An undisputed classic of war writing and a lasting tribute to all who participated in the war, Her Privates We was originally published as written by 'Private 19022'. Championed by Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, TS Eliot and TE Lawrence, it has become recognised as a classic in the seventy years since its first publication. Now republished, with an introduction by William Boyd, it will again amaze a new generation of readers with its depiction of the horror, the ordinariness and the humanity of war.

A mysterious song in the forest . . . A discovery in war-torn France . . . A journey toward hope. The trenches of the Great War are a shadowed place. Though Platoon Sergeant Matthew Petticrew arrived there with a past long marked by shadow, the realities of battle bring new wounds--carving within him a longing for light, and a resolve to fight for it. One night, Matthew and his comrades are enraptured by a sound so pure, a voice so ethereal, it offers reprieve--even if only for a moment. Soon, rumors sweep the trenches from others who have heard the lullaby too. "The Angel of Argonne," they call the voice: a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves. Raised in the wild depths of the Forest of Argonne, Mireilles finds her reclusive world rocked when war crashes into her idyllic home, taking much from her. When Matthew and his two unlikely companions discover Mireilles, they must embark on a journey that will change each of them forever . . . and perhaps, at long last, spark light into the dark. On the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier comes an emotive tale inspired by the courageous soldiers of World War I.

'Beautiful and heartbreaking ... I absolutely loved it' Monica Ali, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Love Marriage 'The whole, biographically inspired family drama tells of the greatest feelings we have: Love, anger, envy and grief' Meike Schnitzler, Brigitte Maria and Josef live with their children in a valley in westernmost Austria. When the First World War breaks out and Josef is drafted into the army, Maria is left to provide for her family alone. Every day is a struggle against starvation, the harsh alpine climate and the hostile nearby villagers who see Maria as little more than a beautiful temptress out for the men left behind. But when a red-haired stranger arrives in the village, Maria feels happiness seep back into her life and she faces a choice whose consequences will affect the lives of her family for generations to come. Based on the internationally bestselling and award-winning Austrian novelist Monika Helfer's own family history, Last House Before the Mountain is a propulsive, haunting, multi-layered saga about love, family, and the hidden wages of war.

From the bestselling author of The Lioness of Morocco and The Elephant Keeper's Daughter, the story of an ambitious young woman discovering friendship, love, and her own identity on the eve of World War I. Christmas 1889. A baby is born in the early hours at Vienna General Hospital, only to be abandoned by her unwed mother and entrusted to a foundling home and its loving caretaker. Fanny Schindler grows from a precocious girl into a strong-willed young woman. Undeterred by the rules of her station, she's determined to rise above her humble origins and pursue her dreams at all costs, becoming an apprentice to one of the most glamorous fashion houses in Austria-Hungary. All the while, as Fanny searches for a sense of belonging, her path crosses with those of three people who will change her future. To one, she is a cherished friend. To another, a confidant. And to a handsome career soldier, something more. When hostilities in Europe burst into flame as a brutal world war, the future of the dual monarchy is at stake, friendships are strained, loyalties are tested, and everything is at risk. And when long-buried secrets about Fanny's past come to light, she must decide what truly matters-and what is worth fighting for in a new world of infinite possibilities.

THE SIX LOVES OF BILLY BINNS is a deeply moving debut set in London against the backdrop of the changing 20th century. it is reading group fiction perfect for those who loved the quirky pathos of Gail Honeyman's ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE and the warmth and humour of Rachel Joyce's THE PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY. At 117 years old, Billy Binns is the oldest man in Europe and he knows his time is almost up. But Billy has a final wish: he wants to remember what love feels like one last time. As he looks back at the relationships that have shaped his life - and the events that shaped the century - he recalls a life full of hope, heartbreak and, above all, love.

From bestselling author Diney Costeloe, a young woman fights to save a treasured war memorial and uncovers a tragic story that reverberates from World War I to the present day. 'This is our secret, pet. You mustn't tell anyone about us planting this tree for dad. It's our secret.' 1921. In the sleepy village of Charlton Ambrose, eight ash trees stand as a timeless memorial to the men killed in the Great War. On a dark and chilly night, a ninth tree appears. Who planted it and why? And who was 'the unknown soldier' for whom it is marked? 2001. Eighty years later, the memorial is under threat from developers. Local reporter, Rachel Elliott, is determined to save it, and to solve the mystery of the ninth tree. The trail will take her into the dark heart of her own family history; to a great, but tragic, love; and to a secret that has been kept since the war to end all wars. Published in ebook as THE NURSES OF ST CROIX. What readers are saying about THE LOST SOLDIER: 'I didn't want it to end. It is beautifully written and pulls on every emotional string in our bodies' 'I loved reading this ... Diney Costeloe is a fabulous author ... I really felt as though I was living the story with the characters. I definitely recommend this book!' 'Diney Costeloe is an awesome writer, all her books are just wonderful and unputdownable'.

WINNER OF THE PRIX LANDERNEAU DES LECTEURS 2018 Described as 'eerie and sensual' by The Guardian, Wild Dog tells the story of a young couple who discover dark secrets in the remote French countryside. 'Reads like a modern fairy tale' New York Journal of Books Franck and Lise, a French couple in the film industry, rent a cottage in the quiet hills of the French Lot to get away from the stresses of modern life. In this remote corner of the world, there is no phone signal. A mysterious dog emerges, looking for a new master. Ghosts of a dark past run wild in these hills, where a German lion tamer took refuge in the First World War ... Franck and Lise are confronted with nature at its most brutal. And they are about to discover that man and beast have more in common than they think. A literary sensation in France, Wild Dog is a dark, menacing tale of isolation, human nature and the infinite savagery of the wild.

A DEVASTATING WAR. A LOVE THAT WON'T DIE. A sweeping and sumptuous historical epic from Hilary Jones. The 1918 armistice has ended the war in Europe. But as the 1920's roars to life, it is an age of social change, excess, shellshock and ghosts. Having shown courage and strength on the battlefield, Will and Grace are back in the UK and working at the cutting edge of modern medicine. At every turn they see a country in flux. Many of their contemporaries are following serious paths, committing to causes of the day - workers' rights, votes for women, an independent Ireland. Others seek refuge in more earthly and bohemian pleasures. But as young parents and practising medics, they have - more than anything - duties of care and compassion that cannot be ignored. The follow-up to Hilary Jones's acclaimed debut novel, Frontline, perfect for fans of Ken Follett, Kate Mosse and Jeffrey Archer. ___________ PRAISE FOR DR HILARY JONES 'The doctor hits the spot and deserves to be read' - Jeffrey Archer 'A story to get the heart racing' - Daily Express 'An enthralling tale' - Daily Mirror 'Dr Hilary is a master storyteller' - Lorraine Kelly CBE

'Part mystery, part war story, part romance, The Winter Soldier is a dream of a novel' - Anthony Doerr, author of All The Light We Cannot See.

From the bestselling author of The Piano Tuner, comes Daniel Mason's The Winter Soldier, a story of love and medicine through the devastation of the First World War.

Vienna, 1914. Lucius is a twenty-two-year-old medical student when World War I explodes across Europe. Enraptured by romantic tales of battlefield surgery, he enlists, only to find himself posted to a remote field-hospital ravaged by typhus. Supplies have all but run out, the other doctors have fled, and only a single nurse remains, from whom he must learn a brutal, makeshift medicine.

Then one day, an unconscious soldier is brought in from the snow, his uniform stuffed with strange drawings. He seems beyond rescue, until Lucius makes a fateful decision that will change the course of his life.

From the gilded ballrooms of Imperial Vienna to the frozen forests of the Eastern Front, The Winter Soldier is the story of finding love in the sweeping tides of history, and of the mistakes we make and the precious opportunities to atone.

Can Edie find the courage to choose her own future? June 1914. Edie Moore is a Governess for Lord and Lady Moreland, living in comfort at the grand Downland House in Sussex. But, wanting more from life, she flees in secret to Littlehampton, the place where she spent many idyllic childhood holidays. Desperate for work, Edie begins working as a chambermaid at the prestigious Beach Hotel, even if the menial tasks are a far cry from her previous job. While the days are long and gruelling, Edie works hard and soon is in favour with Helen Bygrove, the manager's wife, who sees that Edie is destined for bigger things - which leads to tension with some of the other chambermaids. But as she navigates her new life and finds friendship with fellow maid Lili Probert, she also grows closer to charming, cheerful porter, Charlie Cobbett, and finally finds the happiness she has been searching for. However, what none of her new friends know is that Edie is hiding a secret from her past, one that would change the way they view her, forever. When the truth comes out, will Edie be able to keep her new life and remain in the place she loves so much? A captivating, romantic and moving World War 1 saga that fans of Elaine Roberts and Pam Howes won't be able to put down. Readers love Francesca Capaldi's historical romances: 'Heart-wrenching, highly emotional and hard to put down...saga writing at its mesmerizing best.' Reader Review 'Lovely and romantic...This was such an emotional book.' Reader Review 'This is such a warm-hearted book...I would ask all readers to read this book. I loved it' Reader Review 'This is a really emotional book...I really enjoyed this book and fully recommend it. Worth all the stars' Reader Review 'A story of friends, love, hate and forgiveness...A story of the war and those lost. I did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it.' Reader Review

A deserting soldier treks through the torn-up countryside and abandoned villages, trying to distance himself from the atrocities of war. An elderly man sits beneath lime trees, remembering his first sexual encounter one summer night with a female stranger who whispered another man's name. A young woman takes up a job in a care home, spending monotonous days scrubbing floors and yearning to dance at the local nightclub. The artist Franz Marc lives on in an imagined life as a patient at an asylum, before falling victim to Hitler's policy of Gnadentod. Finally, a young Jewish girl, the life she once knew destroyed, holds her memories close as she finds refuge in wreckage of her homeland. And throughout there is the shadowy presence of Viktor - one man or many? A looming figure in Germany's own reckoning with its past. Through these five interconnected stories, Philippe Claudel reflects on Germany's complex history and the experiences of its people, dismantling the idea of "a nation" or "a people" and exploring the malleability of memory.

**Pre-order your copy of the brand new novel from highly acclaimed, BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick author Caroline Scott, The Visitors, a tale of a young war window and one life-changing, sun-drenched visit to Cornwall in the summer of 1923, now!' 'A page-turning literary gem' THE TIMES, BEST BOOKS OF 2020 From the highly acclaimed author of The Photographer of the Lost, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, comes a beautiful and compelling story based on true events, perfect for fans of Maggie O'Farrell and Helen Dunmore. One Great War soldier with no memory. Three women who claim him as their own. 1918. A soldier is arrested in Durham Cathedral in the last week of the First World War, but he has no memory of who he is or how he came to be there. He is given the name Adam and transferred to a rehabilitation institution in the Lake District where Doctor James Haworth is determined to uncover his identity. But, unwilling to relive the trauma of war, Adam has locked his memory away, seemingly for good. Then a newspaper publishes a feature about Adam, and three women come forward, each claiming that he is someone she lost in the war. But without memory, how do you know who to believe? Based on true events, When I Come Home Again is a beautiful and compelling story about love, loss and longing in the aftermath of war, perfect for fans of Maggie O'Farrell and Helen Dunmore. Praise for When I Come Home Again: 'A superb and quietly devastating novel about grief, hope and the horrific aftershocks of war' The Times, Book of the Month 'Scott unravels her haunting tale in unpretentious but persuasive prose' Sunday Times 'When I Come Home Again is a heartbreaking read which reveals the far-reaching tragedies of war. My heart ached for the three women and for Adam... I highly recommend it - and I very much look forward to Caroline Scott's next novel' Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones 'Atmospheric descriptions of the Lake District contrast with the horrors of war in this poignant and breathtaking exploration of loss, love and precious memories' My Weekly, Pick of the Month 'A powerful story that's achingly moving and most beautifully written. Readers of Maggie O'Farrell and Helen Dunmore are likely to enjoy' Rachel Hore, author of The Love Child 'This beautiful book packs a huge emotional punch' Fabulous 'Captivating, heartbreaking and uplifting. This beautiful and moving book drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end' Fiona Valpy, author of The Dressmaker's Gift 'Caroline Scott's quietly devastating second novel insightfully explores the impact of the Great War on returning soldiers and the families that waited... Scott skillfully unspools their heartbreaking stories while uncovering the source of Adam's fear' Daily Mail 'A compulsive, heart-wrenching read, beautifully and painfully evoking the toxic mix of grief and guilt suffered by survivors and the bereaved following WWI' Liz Trenow, author of Under a Wartime Sky 'In this powerful psychological novel, Scott explores the mental health of everyone involved in the soldier's life. A carefully, nuanced, complex story' Woman & Home 'I absolutely loved it. It was page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling. I thought so many times I had it all figured out and I was wrong every time. I couldn't get to the end fast enough and finished it at 1 am feeling bereft' Lorna Cook, author of The Forbidden Promise 'A carefully nuanced, complex story' Woman's Weekly 'A haunting novel with loss at its heart - the loss of self, loved ones and the lives that should have been. Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity, and her writing is exquisite' Iona Grey, author of The Glittering Hour 'A poignant story about love and loss' Best 'Wonderful and evocative . . . it is so much more subtle and complex than being just the journey to discover who Adam really is. It is not only about memory and identity, it's about the repercussions and tragedy of war, reaching out across vast swathes of society' Suzanne Goldring, author of Burning Island 'Based on true events, this is a powerful story' Bella 'A beautifully written novel - immersive, poignant, intricately woven' Judith Kinghorn, author of The Echo of Twilight 'An evocative read' heat 'Outstanding... The story left me breathless. Powerful, heartrending, and oh so tender. A whirlwind of emotions that will not allow us to forget' Kate Furnivall, author of The Guardian of Lies 'Scott's tense and compelling mystery - with so many broken lives at its centre - is a timely reminder that the repercussions of war are lasting, painful and tragic' Lancashire Post 'Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies' The BookBag

Hope's Highway: A Novel (1918) is a historical novel by Sarah Lee Brown Fleming. Published during the Harlem Renaissance, Fleming's novel is a powerful work of fiction exploring the lives of formerly enslaved Black people living in the South during Reconstruction. Recognized as a leading advocate for the advancement of Black girls and women throughout her life, Fleming is a writer whose voice never falters from the task at hand: telling the story of her people. In the aftermath of the Civil War, the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation is fulfilled to with varying results throughout the South. On John Vance's plantation, many of his former slaves have remained to work in their new capacity as wage laborers, fearful of change and confident in the relative kindness of their former master. Among them, Enoch receives financial support and an education, eventually rising to the role of first Black teacher in the Reconstruction South. When John Vance dies, his land and belongings are divided among his former slaves, including the influential Institute, now left for Enoch to run. As much as their situation promises some hope for the future, the specter of enslavement and prejudice lurks around every corner, forcing them to use caution when dealing with those who would sooner have them back in chains than treat them as fellow humans. Hope's Highway: A Novel is a story of tragedy and redemption set in the South during the period of Reconstruction, a time of immense change and even greater promise in a nation only just emerged from the shadows of war. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sara Lee Brown Fleming's Hope's Highway: A Novel is a classic work of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

Pre order the next beautiful historical romance 'Good Taste' from Caroline Scott now. From the highly acclaimed author of The Photographer of the Lost, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, comes a tale of a young war widow and one life-changing, sun-drenched visit to Cornwall in the summer of 1923... 1923. Esme Nicholls is to spend the summer in Cornwall. Her late husband Alec, who died fighting in WWI, grew up in Penzance, and she's hoping to learn more about the man she loved and lost. While there, she will stay with Gilbert, in his rambling seaside house, where he lives with his former brothers in arms. Esme is nervous at first to be the only woman in this community of eccentric artists and former soldiers. But as she gets to know the men and their stories, she begins to feel this summer might be exactly what she needs. But everything is not as idyllic as it seems - a mysterious new arrival later in the summer will turn Esme's world upside down, and make her question everything she thought she knew about her life, and the people in it. Full of light, laughter and larger-than-life characters, The Visitors is a novel of one woman finally finding her voice and choosing her own path forwards. Praise for Caroline Scott: 'A page-turning literary gem about grief, loss and the impact of war on those left behind' The Times, Best Books of 2020 'A touching novel of love and loss' Sunday Times 'There's only one word for this novel... and that's epic... A beautifully written must-read' heat 'A gripping, devastating novel about the lost and the ones they left behind' Sarra Manning, RED 'Scott has done an amazing job of drawing on real stories to craft a powerful novel' Good Housekeeping 'A heartbreaking read... I highly recommend it' Anita Frank 'Breathtaking exploration of loss, love and precious memories' My Weekly, Pick of the Month 'Achingly moving and most beautifully written' Rachel Hore 'This beautiful book packs a huge emotional punch' Fabulous 'Drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end' Fiona Valpy 'Quietly devastating' Daily Mail 'A compulsive, heart-wrenching read' Liz Trenow 'Powerful' Woman & Home 'Page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling' Lorna Cook 'A carefully nuanced, complex story' Woman's Weekly 'Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity' Iona Grey 'Poignant' Best 'Momentous, revelatory and astonishing historical fiction!' Historical Novel Society 'Wonderful and evocative' Suzanne Goldring 'Based on true events, this is a powerful story' Bella 'Immersive, poignant, intricately woven' Judith Kinghorn 'An evocative read' heat 'The story left me breathless. Powerful, heartrending, and oh so tender' Kate Furnivall 'Tense and compelling' Lancashire Post 'Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies' The BookBag 'A poignant hymn to those who gave up their lives for their country and to those who were left behind' Fanny Blake, author of A Summer Reunion 'I was utterly captivated by this novel, which swept me away, broke my heart, then shone wonderful light through all the pieces' Isabelle Broom, author of One Winter Morning

From The Times bestselling author of The Other Mrs Walker - Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2017 - comes Mary Paulson-Ellis's second stunning historical mystery, The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing. Solomon knew that he had one advantage. A pawn ticket belonging to a dead man tucked into his top pocket - the only clue to the truth . . . An old soldier dies alone in his Edinburgh nursing home. No known relatives, and no Will to enact. Just a pawn ticket found amongst his belongings, and fifty thousand pounds in used notes sewn into the lining of his burial suit . . . Heir Hunter, Solomon Farthing - down on his luck, until, perhaps, now - is tipped off on this unexplained fortune. Armed with only the deceased's name and the crumpled pawn ticket, he must find the dead man's closest living relative if he is to get a cut of this much-needed cash. But in trawling through the deceased's family tree, Solomon uncovers a mystery that goes back to 1918 and a group of eleven soldiers abandoned in a farmhouse billet in France in the weeks leading up to the armistice. Set between contemporary Edinburgh and the final brutal days of the First World War as the soldiers await their orders, The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing shows us how the debts of the present can never be settled unless those of the past have been paid first . . .