From tales of Ancient Greece to epics set in the Second World War, these are the historical novels at the top of our reading piles this year.
Fiona McIntosh's explosive new Jack Hawksworth thriller, perfect to read with your book club.
See the book: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/harry-and-gran-bake-a-cake-9781761346941 From the adored bestselling author, Fiona McIntosh, comes this picture book celebration of family, food and fun! Harry and Gran are going to bake a cake. What could possibly go wrong? A funny and charming story of a gran and her grandchild sharing the joy of baking together . . . and embracing the hilarious mishaps that occur along the way.
The explosive new thriller in the bestselling international Jack Hawksworth series. Find out more – https://www.penguin.com.au/books/blood-pact-9781761343605
Want some insider intel on the best books to gift this Christmas? Read on for what the Penguin Random House New Zealand team are ACTUALLY gifting!
A heart-stopping historical adventure to read with your book club.
Read more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-fallen-woman-9781761049309 The heart-stopping new historical adventure from the bestselling author of The Sugar Palace. Botanical artist Jane Saville is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else’s honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame. Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune, but prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family’s business empire. He sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated George V. When the paths of these people from two very different worlds collide, Jane begins to hope for a different future, but their new friendship is shattered by jealousy, misunderstanding, duty and treachery. A young boy will inspire Jane to defy the powers working against her and prove she is no woman to be outcast. Set in the picturesque English countryside, in a forgotten orchard and beneath the ancient spire of Salisbury Cathedral, this is a heart-wrenching story about a woman who finds that in her darkest hour she can harness her greatest strength.
Are you after a book to stop the slump? Why not try one of these books that our Penguin Random House NZ team loved!
A heart-stopping Jack Hawksworth novel to read with your book club.
OUT NOW! Read more here: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/foul-play-9781761048012 The heart-stopping new crime thriller in the Detective Jack Hawksworth series by blockbuster author Fiona McIntosh. Superstar footballer Luca Bruni is being blackmailed for a night of lust he swears he didn’t participate in...except the ransom photo denies that. A media darling on and off the field, he has powerful charisma, a perfect home life he’ll do anything to protect, and more money than he knows what to do with. He’s determined to defy the extortion racket. When Detective Superintendent Jack Hawksworth learns that the cunning mastermind behind this crime has already swindled a dozen of the world’s most highly prized male athletes, he is instructed to keep the situation from escalating and prevent a media frenzy. Intrigued by the creativity of the crime and the shockwaves it is creating through the global sporting fraternity, Jack begins a journey into a case that has tentacles far more wide-reaching that he ever imagined – and far more deadly. The explosive new blockbuster from an internationally bestselling author.
Dive into our summer reading picks to decide which Penguin (or Penguins) you want to escape with this summer!
A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.
READ MORE: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-sugar-palace-9781761047015 The heart-stopping new historical romantic adventure from the bestselling author of The Orphans. 'The Sugar Palace is a gripping read for fans of Kate Furnivall and Natasha Lester, with skilful storytelling and compelling characters that leap from the page.' Books+Publishing Under the clamour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge being built nearby, Grace Fairweather is working in her father’s grocery shop in The Rocks when she begins making her own confectionery. Her colourful creations of toffees, lollies and chocolates soon become crowd favourites, and Grace begins to dream of one day opening her own sweetshop. When the roguish but irresistible Londoner Alfie Sweeting comes to work for the Fairweathers, his ambition for her success thrills her – so much so that she begins to question her engagement to Norman. Perhaps the ‘safe’ option in life isn’t the right thing for her after all. Alfie encourages her to open not just a sweetshop, but a delightful destination for young and old – a sugar palace! With Grace’s natural business acumen and Alfie’s creative sales skills, it seems like they could be the perfect pairing – in work and in love – but when Alfie’s criminal past catches up with him, both their lives come under threat and Grace is forced to make the most difficult decision of all. Moving between the colourful world of a carnival-like confectionery store and Sydney’s organised crime world of brothel madams, gambling dens and cocaine dealers, this is a thrilling romantic adventure that shows not everyone is to be trusted, and life isn’t always as sweet as it seems.
Jack's back. Down Under. The heart-stopping new DCI Jack Hawksworth crime thriller by the bestselling author of Mirror Man. Get your copy here: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/dead-tide-9781761046476
Whether you’re chasing shade on the beach, or sheltering in a bach during a surprise rainstorm, a good book is a summer holiday essential. On this list you’ll find some 2022 scorchers that you may have missed the first time around, and some awesome new releases which we highly recommend.
The highly anticipated new historical adventure by the bestselling author of The Spy's Wife. At once tragic and triumphant, The Orphans is an unforgettable story about a unique bond between two children that will echo down the years, and teach them both about the real meaning of life, of loss, and of love. Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-orphans-9781761041563
Done binging the latest TV sensation? Pick up a book and keep the good times rolling.
The much-loved author chats to us about researching The Spy's Wife on the cusp of the pandemic starting, studying 1930s German history and baking cherry cakes.
Much loved author Fiona McIntosh is back with an historical adventure to enjoy with your book club.
Ponder whether one life is worth more than another with Fiona McIntosh's latest thriller.
The bestselling author discusses tapping back into Jack's world, twisty-turny stories and her favourite crime dramas.
From the killing fields of Ypres to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France, The Champagne War is a heart-stopping adventure about the true power of love and hope to light the way during war. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-champagne-war-9780143795452
Sweep your book club off to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France.
Fiona McIntosh shares five surprising facts she learned while researching The Champagne War.
The 40th anniversary edition of THERE'S A HIPPOPOTAMUS ON OUR ROOF EATING CAKE by Hazel Edwards with illustrations by Deborah Niland, read aloud by author of THE PEARL THIEF and THE DIAMOND HUNTER, Fiona McIntosh. Find out more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/theres-a-hippopotamus-on-our-roof-eating-cake-40th-anniversary-edition-9781760896270 #TheresAHippopotamusOnOurRoofEatingCake #HazelEdwards #FionaMcInTosh #DeborahNiland
‘It won’t matter how many diamonds you find if you lose the love of your child.’ The Diamond Hunter is the new historical blockbuster from the bestselling author of The Pearl Thief, Fiona McIntosh. Learn More: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/diamond-hunter-the-9780143787792
Fiona McIntosh on the jewels and journeys that sparked the idea for her latest novel.
A sweeping, epic story of love and betrayal from Fiona McIntosh; The Pearl Thief will leave a lasting impression on your book club.
The thrilling new blockbuster by the bestselling author of THE TEA GARDENS. Learn more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-pearl-thief-9780143796626
Fiona McIntosh’s enviable research trip behind her book The Chocolate Tin.
Fiona McIntosh on studying 1930’s Britain and India in pursuit of the perfect setting for her latest novel.
Download McIntosh’s story behind her novel, The Perfumer’s Secret.
Change things up with a chocolate themed book club selection.
Absorb the heroism, heartache and healing of The Tea Gardens with your book club.