Acting on behalf of his firm of solicitors, Jonathan Harker travels to the Carpathian Mountains to finalize the sale of England's Carfax Abbey to Transylvanian noble Count Dracula. Little does he realize that, in doing so, he endangers all that he loves. For Dracula is one of the Un-dead—a centuries-old vampire who sleeps by day and stalks by night, feasting on the blood of his helpless victims. Once on English soil, the count sets his sights on Jonathan's circle of associates, among them his beloved wife Mina. To thwart Dracula's evil designs, Jonathan and his friends will have to accept as truth the most preposterous superstitions concerning vampires, and in the company of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, embark on an unholy adventure for which even their worst nightmares have not prepared them.   First published in 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula established the ground rules for virtually all vampire fiction written in its wake. This volume is one of Barnes & Noble's Collectible Editions classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world's greatest authors in an exquisitely designed foil-stamped binding, with distinctive colored edging and an attractive ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensable cornerstone for any home library.

Horror hides behind an attractive face in The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde's tale of a notorious Victorian libertine and his life of evil excesses. Though Dorian's hedonistic indulgences leave no blemish on his ageless features, the painted portrait imbued with his soul proves a living catalogue of corruption, revealing in its every new line and lesion the manifold sins he has committed. Desperate to hide the physical evidence of his unregenerate spirit, Dorian will stop at nothing—not even murder—to keep his picture's existence a secret.   A scandalous story when it was first published in 1890, The Picture of Dorian Gray is acknowledged as a landmark of literature today and a tale emblematic of its time. This volume is one of Barnes & Noble's Collectible Editions classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world's greatest authors in an exquisitely designed foil-stamped binding, with distinctive colored edging and an attractive ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensable cornerstone for any home library.

'Spiky, clever, funny' – Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters 'Brilliant, propulsive . . . A riot'– Maddie Mortimer, author of Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies 'A delicious gallop through 90s tabloid London' – Sam McAlister, author of Scoops It’s peak 90s London. Shoulder pads are out, crimped hair is in, supermodels are known by their first names, and Becky Sharp will do anything to escape her past. From mingling with tabloid millionaires to trading favours and fortunes with royalty, she will stop at nothing to reach the top of the career ladder at the Mercury newspaper. Landing scoop after scoop, Becky ruthlessly carves a place for herself in a society determined to ignore her. These are the biggest stories and scandals of the decade, and she has something to do with every one of them. But Becky may have more in common with the people she writes about than she thinks – what takes a lifetime to build takes only a moment to destroy . . .

With his marriage on the rocks and his life in shambles, washed up crime writer Lucas Graham is desperate for a comeback. So when he's promised exclusive access to notorious cult leader and death row inmate Jeffrey Halcomb, the opportunity is too good to pass up. Lucas leaves New York for the scene of the crime-a split-level farmhouse on the gray-sanded beach of Washington State-a house whose foundation is steeped in the blood of Halcomb's diviners; runaways who, thirty years prior, were drawn to his message of family, unity, and unconditional love. Lucas wants to tell the real story of Halcomb's faithful departed, but when Halcomb goes back on his promise of granting Lucas exclusive information on the case, he's left to put the story together on his own. Except he is not alone. For Jeffrey Halcomb promised his devout eternal life…and within these walls, they're far from dead.

‘I physically could not stop reading! Thea Guanzon’s talent is limitless, and she is the kind of writer that comes around once in a generation. Mark my words: lives will be changed by The Hurricane Wars trilogy’ Ali Hazelwood, author of THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS ‘One of my favourite books of this year!’ Katee Robert, author of NEON GODS The Night Empire will rule all. Nothing can stand in the way of its might and power. Little by little, year by year, the Hurricane Wars take more and more from those who resists the empire’s supremacy. And yet, there is hope in the darkness. One lone light stands against the empire. Talasyn was left on the steps of a Sardovian orphanage as a baby. All she has ever known are the Hurricane Wars, as her people fight for freedom from the tyranny of the Night Emperor Gaheris. But are they her people? Talasyn dreams of one day finding where she comes from – her true place, family, and the source of the Lightweave magic that flows through her veins like sunlight. Alaric of House Ossinast, Master of the Shadowforged Legion and Gaheris’s only son and heir has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating the Sardovian Allford alliance with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, all Alaric can see is their goal: extinguish all threats to the empire. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. He tries and fails to kill her, his now greatest enemy slipping through his fingers. But a greater threat is coming. One that will overshadow the Hurricane Wars. Will these mortal enemies be able to come together to confront it or is everything that has been fought over for so long about to be destroyed? ‘Ambitious in the scope and cinematic in execution, The Hurricane Wars is a high-octane, high-stakes epic with an irresistible love story at its core. I have no doubt that this confident, vivid debut will capture the imaginations of fantasy readers as it did mine.’ Isabel Cañas, author of THE HACIENDA ‘Lethally sharp in both its cunning political intrigue and exquisite prose, The Hurricane Wars is a strategic marvel that holds your heart in a death grip. Romantic fantasy at its very best.’ Kylie Lee Baker, author of THE KEEPER OF THE NIGHT

A beautifully packaged collector's edition of the celebrated Bronte Sisters' beloved works: Anne Bronte's Agnes Grey, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. The three novels in this collectible edition explore themes of love, struggle and survival, coming of age, and personal freedom and independence as they pertained to women in the nineteenth century.

The new action-packed thriller from Richard & Judy and Zoe Ball Book Club pick, TONY KENT.

'A delectable jewel of a tale, shimmering with dark, beautiful prose' Tori Bovalino, author of The Devil Makes Three, on A Dowry of Blood Love is sacrifice. One of us was always going to bleed for the other. Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua's College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold. On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla. But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge. Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from Sunday Times bestselling author S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood. Praise for A Dowry of Blood: 'Stunningly gorgeous and devastatingly romantic, you won't want to miss this one!' Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods 'A thrilling and seductive Gothic rife with spine-tingling tension and dark romance. A Dowry of Blood left me breathless' Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching 'Dark, lush and heartrendingly romantic' Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge 'A Dowry of Blood is an intoxicating perfume that lingers - an undying love story where beauty and horror clasp hands' Rachel Gillig, author of One Dark Window 'A powerful tale of possession and liberation. This is a Dracula retelling unlike any other - undeniable and unforgettable' Rose Szabo, author of What Big Teeth 'A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful' Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf 'Atmospheric and lush. . . it will haunt you in the best possible way' Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart 'A dark seductive tale. . . intermingling love, pain, fear and anger in mesmerizing prose' Publishers Weekly 'Seductive, lyrical and rich with period detail . . . a dark triumph' Mary McMyne, author of The Book of Gothel 'Mesmerizing prose. Thorny, fast-paced and unabashedly queer' Publishers Weekly

'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' KARIN SLAUGHTER   Everybody has a story to tell...Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has moved up the ranks, fighting every step of the way to break through Scotland Yard's glass ceiling. Now, on her first day as the head of the Vice Squad, a high-profile case threatens to destroy everything she has worked for. When Tennison's latest investigation reveals an influential public figure as her prime suspect - a man with connections to politicians, judges, and Scotland Yard - she's given a very clear message about the direction her investigation should take.  In a case defined by murky details, one fact becomes indisputably clear - that for Tennison, going after the truth will mean risking her happiness and maybe her career. Based on the award-winning TV series starring Helen Mirren.  Praise for Lynda La Plante 'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' Karin Slaughter 'Classic Lynda - a fabulous read' Martina Cole 'Satisfyingly full of twists and turns' The Independent 'A rare ring of authenticity' Sunday Telegraph 'An absorbingly twisty plot' Guardian  

[A WOMAN ALWAYS LANDS ON HER FEET] THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER Get ready for CAT LADY, the brilliantly bold and joyful new novel from Dawn O’Porter ‘Even speaking as a dog man, I thought Cat Lady was an absolute joy to read’ MATT HAIG _______________________________________________________________ CAT LADY [n.] Single, independent, crazy, aloof, on-the-shelf, lives alone . . . It’s safer for Mia to play the part that people expect. She’s a good wife to her husband Tristan, a doting stepmother, she slips on her suit for work each morning like a new skin. But beneath the surface, there’s another woman just clawing to get out . . . When a shocking event shatters the conventional life she’s been so careful to build, Mia is faced with a choice. Does she live for a society that’s all too quick to judge, or does she live for herself? And if that’s as an independent woman with a cat, then the world better get ready . . . Fresh, funny and for anyone who’s ever felt astray, CAT LADY will help you belong – because a woman always lands on her feet. PRAISE FOR CAT LADY: ‘My book of the year’ Reader review ����� ‘A reminder to live your life your way. Cat or no cat’ Fearne Cotton ‘Really gets the reader to think about what matters in life Unputdownable and completely wonderful!’ Reader review ����� ‘Witty, thought-provoking and hilarious, Cat Lady is a triumph’ The Unmumsy Mum ‘Dawn O’Porter challenges the stereotypes of the typical ‘cat lady’ with this beautiful and emotional read’ Reader review����� ‘An ode to finding your people and a celebration of the small things that bring us together’ Emma Gannon ‘I absolutely adored this book!’ Reader review����� ‘Funny, heart-wrenching and full of warmth’ Sarah Morgan ‘A beautifully written book that I'd recommend to anyone’ Reader review����� ‘A lovely onion of a book, layered with humour and emotion’ Daisy Haggard ‘A joyous, touching, funny, sharp story – I cannot praise it enough. Purr-fection’ Milly Johnson A Sunday Times No.10 bestseller for w/c 31/10/2022

Six friends. One college reunion. One unsolved murder.

Ten years after graduation, Jessica Miller has planned her triumphant return to her southern, elite Duquette University, down to the envious whispers that are sure to follow in her wake. Everyone is going to see the girl she wants them to see—confident, beautiful, indifferent. Not the girl she was when she left campus, back when Heather Shelby's murder fractured everything, including the tight bond linking the six friends she'd been closest to since freshman year.

But not everyone is ready to move on. Not everyone left Duquette ten years ago, and not everyone can let Heather's murder go unsolved. Someone is determined to trap the real killer, to make the guilty pay. When the six friends are reunited, they will be forced to confront what happened that night—and the years' worth of secrets each of them would do anything to keep hidden.

Told in racing dual timelines, with a dark campus setting and a darker look at friendship, love, obsession, and ambition, In My Dreams I Hold A Knife is an addictive, propulsive read you won't be able to put down.

Years ago he had comrades in arms and a cause to believe in, but now the man who calls himself Nomad knows only a life on the run. Forced to hop from world to world in the Cosmere whenever the relentless Night Brigade gets too close, Nomad lands on a new planet and is instantly caught up in the struggle between a tyrant and the rebels who want only to escape being turned into mindless slaves-all under the constant threat of a sunrise whose heat will melt the very stones. Unable to understand the language, can he navigate the conflict and gain enough power to leap offworld before his mind or body pay the ultimate price? From his record-breaking Kickstarter, The Sunlit Man is one of four incredible new novels by one of the world's biggest fantasy writers. ****** Praise for Brandon Sanderson "Epic in every sense" -The Guardian on The Way of Kings "Brandon Sanderson's reputation is finally as big as his novels" -The New York Times on Words of Radiance "If you're a fan of fantasy and haven't read the Mistborn trilogy yet, you have no excuses" -Forbes on Mistborn "A fresh view of how a world can grow, building new dimensions into the best of the old. Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre" -Library Journal (starred review) on The Alloy of Law "Sanderson's fresh ideas on the source and employment of magic are both arresting and original [...] Think brisk. Think fun. Enjoy" -Kirkus, on The Alloy of Law "Mystery, magic, romance, political wrangling, religious conflict, fights for equality, sharp writing and wonderful, robust characters...Sanderson is a writer to watch" -Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Elantris

She felt their eyes, all those executioners... Enter a world where, watched by millions, prisoners fight like gladiators for the ultimate prize: their freedom. 'The new maestro of dystopian lit has arrived' WIRED 'A pure fire page turner' MAX PORTER 'Electrifying' GEORGE SAUNDERS Welcome to Chain-Gang All-Stars, the popular and highly controversial programme inside America's private prison system. In packed arenas, live-streamed by millions, prisoners compete as gladiators for the ultimate prize: their freedom. Fan favourites Loretta Thurwar and Hamara 'Hurricane Staxxx' Stacker are teammates and lovers. Thurwar is nearing the end of her time on the circuit, free in just a few matches, a fact she carries as heavily as her lethal hammer. As she prepares for her final encounters, as protestors gather at the gates, and as the programme's corporate owners stack the odds against her - will the price be simply too high? --------- READERS CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT THE BOOK OF SUMMER 2023 'I've waited my whole life for a sapphic Hunger Games!' 'An explosive page-turner that's also a chilling social commentary.' 'This novel is alive and glorious. Give it all the awards.' 'Had me cheering and weeping, unable to tear my eyes from the page.' 'A masterpiece that packs a mighty punch.'

A century before A GAME OF THRONES, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals – in stature if not experience. Tagging along with him is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg – whose true identity must be hidden from all he and Dunk encounter: for in reality he is Aegon Targaryen, and one day he will be king. Improbable heroes though they be, great destinies lie ahead for Dunk and Egg; as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, and featuring more than 160 illustrations by Gary Gianni, one of the finest fantasy artists of our time, this beautiful volume will transport readers to the world of the Seven Kingdoms in an age of bygone chivalry.

'For fans of Margaret Atwood' Elle 'Thoughtful...wry, magical' Guardian 'brimming with wonder' Raven Leilani, author of Luster Josephine Thomas has heard every conceivable theory about her mother's disappearance. That she was kidnapped. Murdered. That she took on a new identity to start a new family. That she was a witch. This is the most worrying charge because in a world where witches are real, peculiar behaviour raises suspicions and a woman - especially a Black woman - can find herself on trial for witchcraft. Finally ready to let go of the past, Jo’s future is in doubt. The State mandates that all women marry by the age of 30 - or forfeit their autonomy by registering to be monitored. At 28, Jo is ambivalent about marriage, feeling she has never understood her mother more. When offered the opportunity to honour one last request from her mother's will, Jo leaves her regular life to feel connected to her one last time. Reminiscent of the works of Margaret Atwood, Deborah Harkness, and Octavia E. Butler, The Women Could Fly is a feminist speculative novel that speaks to our times – a piercing dystopian tale, set in a world in which magic is real and single women are closely monitored in case they are shown to be witches . . .

1992. Two strangers bring a hospital patient a list of names. They ask him for one more, but it's a question the patient can't answer. Minutes later he is dispatched through the 12th floor window. His death generates some unexpected attention. That attention comes from the Secretary of Defence, who brings in an inter-agency task force to investigate. Jack Reacher, recently demoted from Major to Captain, is assigned as the Army's representative. Reacher may be an exceptional soldier, but sweeping other people's secrets under the carpet isn't part of his skill set. As he races to find the killer, he must navigate around the ulterior motives of his new 'partners'. And all while moving into the sight line of some of the most dangerous people he has ever encountered. His mission is to uncover the truth. Fast. The question is: will Reacher bring the bad guys to justice the official way . . . or his way? PRAISE FOR THE JACK REACHER SERIES 'There's only one Jack Reacher. Accept no substitutes.' MICK HERRON 'Jack Reacher is today's James Bond, a thriller hero we can't get enough of.' KEN FOLLETT 'Everyone needs to kick some butt sometimes, even if it's just imaginary.' JOJO MOYES Although the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, The Secret is the 28th book in the internationally bestselling series. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW And be sure not to miss Reacher's newest adventure, no.27, No Plan B! ***OUT NOW***

A gorgeous illustrated edition of the bestselling dark academia thriller where tragedy strikes at an elite Shakespeare conservatory - complete with a brand-new cover, original illustrations and deluxe finishes. Oliver Marks has just served ten years for the murder of one of his closest friends - a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he's released, he's greeted by the detective who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what really happened ten years ago. As a young actor studying Shakespeare at an elite arts conservatory, Oliver noticed that his talented classmates seem to play the same roles onstage and off - villain, hero, tyrant, temptress - though Oliver felt doomed to always be a secondary character in someone else's story. But when the teachers change up the casting, a good-natured rivalry turns ugly, and the plays spill dangerously over into life. When tragedy strikes, one of the seven friends is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.

Losing the love of your life once is tragic. TWICE looks like carelessness . . .

Rachel Walsh is a survivor: she survived rehab and the loss of her greatest love.

These days everything in her life is good - good job, good dog, very good boyfriend. Then Luke - her ex of six years - shows up.

Suddenly she's fragile and falling.

They ended badly and neither can speak of the secret hurt which drove them apart.

But is it fear of what happened? Or what might happen next?

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves. It should have been enough. And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack . . . and won. Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them. But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within. Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken. Set in the dreamy backwoods of Oregon, Ravensong is the second book in bestselling author TJ Klune’s beloved Green Creek series. Continue the journey with Heartsong. Praise for TJ Klune: 'Like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket' – V. E. Schwab 'A whimsical, warm-hearted fantasy'– The Guardian 'A radiant treat' – Locus Magazine

** FEATURED ON BBC TWO'S BETWEEN THE COVERS ** 'Unlike anything else you'll read this year, Sixteen Horses is a deeply disconcerting ride. Irresistible' - Val McDermid, author of Still Life 'Totally gripping from start to finish' - Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient 'Original, beautifully written, terrifying and haunting' - Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They Grown Near the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community – disappearances, arson and mutilations – all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself. In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries – no matter the cost. Sixteen Horses is the debut literary thriller from an extraordinary talent, Greg Buchanan. A story of enduring guilt, trauma and punishment, set in a small seaside community the rest of the world has left behind . . .

Fragile is absolutely STUNNING' - Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups 'Sarah Hilary has always known how to chill her readers – Fragile dials the chill factor up to 11' - Val McDermid, author of The Wire in the Blood Fragile is a modern Gothic psychological thriller with a contemporary twist on the classic novel Rebecca from award-winning and critically acclaimed writer Sarah Hilary. Everything she touches breaks . . . Nell Ballard is a runaway. A former foster child with a dark secret she is desperately trying to keep, all Nell wants is to find a place she can belong. So when a job comes up at Starling Villas, home to the enigmatic Robin Wilder, she seizes the opportunity with both hands. But her new lodgings may not be the safe haven that she was hoping for. Her employer lives by a set of rigid rules and she soon sees he is hiding secrets of his own. But is Nell's arrival at the Villas really the coincidence it seems? After all, she knows more than most how fragile people can be – and how easily they can be to break . . . Further praise for Fragile: 'Fragile is absolutely STUNNING, the dreamy atmosphere couples with Nell's carnal love for Joe put me in mind of Barbara Vine . . . [Sarah Hilary is] an astonishingly gifted writer, with an almost scalpel-like ability to dissect human motivation and convey it deliciously devoid of sentimentality. I was GRIPPED by Fragile, it took me into a whole other world and I was sorry to leave it' - Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups 'Perfectly plotted, beautifully written modern Gothic. Timeless, tense and tender, Fragile will worm it's way deep into your heart, just as the characters insinuate themselves into each other's lives. I absolutely loved it' - Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said 'Beautifully crafted, smart and unsettling – a dark river of a book, with a chilling undertow' - Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses 'A dark, mesmeric fever-dream of a book' - Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10 'Beautifully written modern gothic. I took my time with this, savouring it – the tone of Sarah Hilary's writing is unique to her: exploring society and human nature in a sensitive, engrossing way. Ingenious, original and brilliant' - Will Dean, author of Red Snow 'Extraordinary . . . an immersive psychological thriller that plunges us into an underworld of emotional and physical exploitation. There are shades of Highsmith . . . Brilliant stuff' - Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy and The Ashes of London 'Fragile is a fever dream. A nightmarish slant on the world delivered expertly and with heart. Tension like cold steel. Characters you won't forget. Sarah Hilary is a modern-day Highsmith.' - Steve Cavanagh, author of The Thirteen 'A beguiling thriller of considerable ambition and ingenuity, Fragile marks Sarah Hilary as a twenty-first century du Maurier, a writer who plunges the depths of human nature, finding the darkest, most deviant corners, but also the fleeting hopes and brittle aspirations. This is a truly outstanding work of modern gothic.' - Eva Dolan, author of Between Two Evils 'Highly original, beautifully written' - Sharon Bolton, author of Now You See Me 'Sarah Hilary has created a beautifully written modern Gothic masterpiece, so full of intrigue and mysteries layered upon mysteries that the unravelling may well shred your nerves, in the best way possible' - Liz Nugent, author of Skin Deep 'The writing is so elegant, so restrained, that it brings to mind Patricia Highsmith. Fragile is a very fine, and very creepy psychological thriller.' - Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane 'A gorgeously written, tense and atmospheric novel. Sarah Hilary peels back the layers of mystery so skillfully that it was impossible to look away for a moment.' - Gytha Lodge, author of She Lies in Wait

Victorian Dress in Contemporary Historical Fiction is the first full-length study to investigate and attend to the deeply suggestive and highly symbolic iterations of Victorian women’s dress in the contemporary cultural imagination. Drawing upon a range of popular and less well-studied neo-Victorian novels published between 1990 and 2014, as well as their Victorian counterparts, 19th-century illustrative material, and extant Victorian garments, Danielle Dove explores the creative possibilities afforded by dress and fashion as gendered sites of agency and affect. Focusing on the relationship between texts and textiles, she demonstrates how dress is central to the narrativization, re-formulation, and re-fashioning of the material past in the present. In its examination of the narrative trajectories, lively vitalities, and material entanglements that accrue to, and originate from, dress in the neo-Victorian novel, this study brings a fresh approach to reading Victorian sartorial culture. For researchers and students of Victorian and neo-Victorian studies, dress history, material culture, and gender studies, this volume offers a rich resource with which to illuminate the power of fashion in fiction.