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Fiona McIntosh
Photo Credit: Anne Stropin 2015

Fiona McIntosh

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Fiona McIntosh is an internationally and million-copy bestselling author of novels for adults and children across several genres. Alongside her highly successful historical fiction titles, for which she has been nominated at the Australian Book Industry Awards for commercial fiction book of the year, her popular Detective Jack Hawksworth series will soon be released across the UK. Several of her historical titles as well as the ‘world of Hawksworth’ crime novels have been optioned for the screen. Her debut children’s picture book, Harry and Gran Bake a Cake, will be published in 2025. Fiona roams the world for her research and lives between Adelaide in South Australia and Wiltshire in England.

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The Fallen Woman book club questions

A heart-stopping historical adventure to read with your book club.

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The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh | OUT NOW

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.

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Staff recommends: What we're reading

Are you after a book to stop the slump? Why not try one of these books that our Penguin Random House NZ team loved!

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Foul Play book club questions

A heart-stopping Jack Hawksworth novel to read with your book club.

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Foul Play by Fiona McIntosh

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.

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The Penguin Summer Reading Club Chapter Sampler

Dive into our summer reading picks to decide which Penguin (or Penguins) you want to escape with this summer!

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The Sugar Palace book club questions

A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.

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The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh

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.

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Find your next thrill!

Thrill-seekers! After a fast-paced, chilling and unputdownable read?

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Dead Tide by Fiona McIntosh

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

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Scorching summer reads

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.

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The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh

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

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What you should read next based on your fave Netflix shows

Done binging the latest TV sensation? Pick up a book and keep the good times rolling. 

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Fiona McIntosh on writing a 'fish out of water' tale

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.

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The Spy's Wife book club notes

Much loved author Fiona McIntosh is back with an historical adventure to enjoy with your book club.

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Mirror Man book club notes

Ponder whether one life is worth more than another with Fiona McIntosh's latest thriller.

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Fiona McIntosh on DCI Jack Hawksworth

The bestselling author discusses tapping back into Jack's world, twisty-turny stories and her favourite crime dramas.

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The Champagne War by Fiona McIntosh

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

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The Champagne War book club notes

Sweep your book club off to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France.

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A Champagne sojourn

Fiona McIntosh shares five surprising facts she learned while researching The Champagne War.

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There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards | Read Aloud by Fiona McIntosh

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

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Interview with Fiona McIntosh author of The Diamond Hunter

‘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

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Researching The Pearl Thief

Fiona McIntosh on the jewels and journeys that sparked the idea for her latest novel.

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The Pearl Thief book club notes

A sweeping, epic story of love and betrayal from Fiona McIntosh; The Pearl Thief will leave a lasting impression on your book club.

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The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh

The thrilling new blockbuster by the bestselling author of THE TEA GARDENS. Learn more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-pearl-thief-9780143796626

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Hot chocolate sauce

Try this indulgent recipe from The Chocolate Tin author Fiona McIntosh.

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Capturing the flavour

Fiona McIntosh’s enviable research trip behind her book The Chocolate Tin.

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Researching The Tea Gardens

Fiona McIntosh on studying 1930’s Britain and India in pursuit of the perfect setting for her latest novel.

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Free Fiona McIntosh eBook

Download McIntosh’s story behind her novel, The Perfumer’s Secret.

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The Chocolate Tin book club notes

Change things up with a chocolate themed book club selection.

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The Tea Gardens book club notes

Absorb the heroism, heartache and healing of The Tea Gardens with your book club.