Discover the lives of some of the most fascinating and unconventional characters of recent times, with 85 obituaries carefully curated from The Times archive. Be they dons, pop stars, vicars, MPs, rugby players or aristocrats, each has marched to the beat of their own drum and led a life far from ordinary. The Times obituaries have given readers throughout the world an instant picture of a life for more than 150 years. Meet the mavericks, rogues and eccentrics from recent history, including: Baroness Trumpington, the codebreaking, chainsmoking, two-finger-flicking grande dame of British politics ‘Magic Alex’ Mardas, inventor who was the Beatles’ ‘scientific guru’ Zsa Zsa Gábor, Hungarian socialite and actress who made a success out of celebrity and was best known for having married nine times John Lucas, influential philosopher who argued against determinism and had a reputation for being the most eccentric don in Oxford Brigadier Jack Thomas, military police commander who survived a landmine, bullet, rhino and faulty parachute and liked to watch TV with an owl on his head April Ashley, model, socialite and transgender rights campaigner whose reassignment surgery was part of a rollercoaster life of lovers and high drama Jordan Mooney, punk muse known as ‘the original Sex Pistol’ who appeared on stage with them, guided their ‘look’ and then became a veterinary nurse Authoritative, insightful and endlessly engaging, this book is a must for anyone with an interest in the eccentrics and unique characters of recent times.

Set against the backdrop of the Berlin Olympics and the political turmoil of 1930s London, The Dictator's Muse is a novel about misdirected love, buried guilt, and how the truths and lies of the past reveal themselves.

Kim Newlands is an English athlete 'sponsored' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. His dream is to win gold at the Berlin Olympics but to do that, he must hide elements of his past.

Alun Pryce is a Welsh communist who also has a great deal to hide. Having infiltrated the Blackshirts and befriended Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core.

Leni Riefenstahl is the pioneering, sexually-liberated, film director who has been personally chosen by Hitler to film the Olympics, thereby adding to the glory of the Reich. But as Hitler's maniacal ascent continues, even those closest to him have much to fear.

The fates of all three become entwined at the Olympics. For however much each one may have tried to shape the 'director's cut' of their life, the truth never stays buried for long...

'Richly evocative' The Times 'Fascinating' The Observer 'Riveting ... fast-paced, brilliantly constructed' Spectator 'Profound and moving... a beautifully written evocation of turbulent times' Daily Express It is the early 1930s, and Europe is holding its breath. As Hitler's grip on power tightens, preparations are being made for the Berlin Olympics. Leni Riefenstahl is the pioneering, sexually-liberated star film-maker of the Third Reich. She has been chosen by Hitler to capture the Olympics on celluloid but is about to find that even his closest friends have much to fear. Kim Newlands is the English athlete 'sponsored' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. He is driven by a desire to win an Olympic gold but to do that he must first pretend to be someone he is not. Alun Pryce is the Welsh communist sent to infiltrate the Blackshirts. When he befriends Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core. Through her camera lens and memoirs, Leni is able to manipulate the truth about what happens when their fates collide at the Olympics. But while some scenes from her life end up on the cutting room floor, this does not mean they are lost forever... 'A masterly exploration of conflicting loyalties ... Sharply characterised, richly atmospheric and completely engrossing' John Preston, author of The Dig

'[A] riveting novel... a fast-paced, brilliantly constructed thriller, in which the fates of the three young British protagonists hang in the balance at the end of every chapter' A. N. Wilson, SPECTATOR It is the early 1930s, and Europe is holding its breath. As Hitler's grip on power tightens, preparations are being made for the Berlin Olympics. Leni Riefenstahl is the pioneering, sexually-liberated star film-maker of the Third Reich. She has been chosen by Hitler to capture the Olympics on celluloid but is about to find that even his closest friends have much to fear. Kim Newlands is the English athlete 'sponsored' by the Blackshirts and devoted to his mercurial, socialite girlfriend Connie. He is driven by a desire to win an Olympic gold but to do that he must first pretend to be someone he is not. Alun Pryce is the Welsh communist sent to infiltrate the Blackshirts. When he befriends Kim and Connie, his belief that the end justifies the means will be tested to the core. Through her camera lens and memoirs, Leni is able to manipulate the truth about what happens when their fates collide at the Olympics. But while some scenes from her life end up on the cutting room floor, this does not mean they are lost forever... 'Profound and moving... a beautifully written evocation of turbulent times' Daily Express 'A novel rich in historical detail, but wearing its research lightly, and the story is told in a French Lieutenant's Woman kind of way, veering from the present to the past with superb flair... this novel has an uncomfortable prescience, with a plot twist at the end which is ingenious. - IRISH INDEPENDENT 'A masterly exploration of conflicting loyalties ... Sharply characterised, richly atmospheric and completely engrossing' John Preston, author of The Dig ------------------ Readers love The Dictator's Muse: ***** 'An addictive, all-consuming read' ***** 'Flows beautifully with love, hopes, desires and propaganda of the time. Fascinating, engaging and terrifying' ***** 'Thoughtful, well researched and atmospheric with engaging characters' ***** 'I can't recommend this book highly enough'

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA NOVEL AWARD & A RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK He had always been scared of flying. Now, the fear is real. A plane crash. The water is rising over his mouth. In his nostrils. Lungs. As Daniel gasps, he swallows; and punches at his seat-belt. Nancy, the woman he loves, is trapped in her seat. He clambers over her, pushing her face into the headrest. It is a reflex, visceral action made without rational thought... But Daniel Kennedy did it. And already we have judged him from the comfort of our own lives. Almost a hundred years earlier, Daniel's great-grandfather goes over the top at Passchendaele.A shell explodes, and he wakes up alone and lost in the hell of no-man's-land. Where are the others? Has he been left behind? And if he doesn't find his unit, is he a deserter? Love; cowardice; trust; forgiveness.How will any of us behave when we are pushed to extremes? 'A great achievement...To take on the First World War as so very many have done and make it fresh is remarkable.' MELVYN BRAGG 'A book that won't leave your fingernails intact...a terrifically exciting and thought-provoking must-read' DAILY MAIL