Antonia Hodgson


Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, Bersun the Brusque must end his reign. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders compete to replace him. They are exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer before the trials end. To do so, she must untangle a web of deadly secrets that stretches back generations, all while competing against six warriors with their own dark histories and fierce ambitions. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in.

If she succeeds, she will win the throne. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen.

We are the Raven, and we are magnificent.

The Raven Scholar

WINNER OF THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD 2014. Longlisted for the John Creasey Dagger Award for best debut crime novel of 2014. London, 1727 - and Tom Hawkins is about to fall from his heaven of card games, brothels and coffee-houses into the hell of a debtors' prison. The Marshalsea is a savage world of its own, with simple rules: those with family or friends who can lend them a little money may survive in relative comfort. Those with none will starve in squalor and disease. And those who try to escape will suffer a gruesome fate at the hands of the gaol's rutheless governor and his cronies. The trouble is, Tom Hawkins has never been good at following rules - even simple ones. And the recent grisly murder of a debtor, Captain Roberts, has brought further terror to the gaol. While the Captain's beautiful widow cries for justice, the finger of suspicion points only one way: to the sly, enigmatic figure of Samuel Fleet. Some call Fleet a devil, a man to avoid at all costs. But Tom Hawkins is sharing his cell. Soon, Tom's choice is clear: get to the truth of the murder - or be the next to die. A twisting mystery, a dazzling evocation of early 18th Century London, THE DEVIL IN THE MARSHALSEA is a thrilling debut novel full of intrigue and suspense.

The Devil in the Marshalsea

Angela Marsons

Clare Mackintosh

Mark Billingham

Harry Bingham

James Oswald

Jane Casey

C L Taylor

A woman reports a crime to the police, with unexpected results The grieving widow who finds that she's about to lose more than just her husband When a man attempts the perfect murder, it's not quite as easy as he thinks Two men in prison play a deadly game of Scrabble A young woman tries to trick an old man and gets more than she bargained for Sometimes crimes are solved in ways you can't explain A murderer about to be hanged finds that's not the worst thing that can happen You never know who's going to turn up at your door Original stories from Mark Billingham, Clare Mackintosh, James Oswald, Jane Casey, Angela Marsons, Harry Bingham, Antonia Hodgson and CL Taylor - specially written for Quick Reads.

Dead Simple

“A labyrinth of a book—vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps—with a deeply human heart at its center. It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed.” —Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House The Raven Scholar is a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy—in a stunning edition featuring French flaps and silver foiled cover effects! Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, the reign of Bersun the Brusque has come to an end. In the dizzying heat of midsummer, seven exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists compete to replace him. When one of them is murdered, it falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer and fight for the throne. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in. If she succeeds, we will win an empire. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen. We are the Raven, and we are magnificent. ★ "Sharply written and intricately plotted. A masterclass in storytelling!" —Ann Leckie, Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice ★ "Fiendishly charming and clever, this is a book you absolutely must devour." —Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne ★ "The Raven Scholar is as clever as its namesake—each beloved character, each twist and each turn, is a shiny new gift. It is magnificent." —C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken ★ "Epic fantasy at its finest—fiendish political intrigue, the ultimate trial for the throne and a shocking crime at the center. Simply glorious!" —Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust ★ "Engrossing and unputdownable...my favorite read of the year. A conflagration of court intrigue, religious folktale, and characters with deliciously murky motivations, The Raven Scholar is a pure delight." —Bethany Jacobs, Philip K. Dick Award-winning author of These Burning Stars

The next rip-roaring thriller from Antonia Hodgson, featuring Thomas Hawkins - more information coming soon! Praise for Antonia Hodgson 'In a tale that more than matches its predecessors for pace and atmosphere, Hawkins is forced into confrontation with a psychopathic killer . . . hugely enjoyable' - The Sunday Times 'One of the most impressive practitioners of the historical crime genre' - Independent

The Silver Collar

From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR 'The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'It [The Raven Scholar] is truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book is simply "Magnificent"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book One of the Eternal Path Triology

In a new Georgian-era mystery by Antonia Hodgson, a "truly spellbinding" (Guardian) author, Tom Hawkins prays for a royal pardon as he relives the espionage, underground dealings, and murder accusations that sent him to the gallows. London, 1728. Tom Hawkins is headed to the gallows, accused of murder. Gentlemen don't hang and Tom's damned if he'll be the first. He may not be much of a gentleman, but he is innocent. He just always finds his way into a spot of bad luck. It's hard to say when Tom's troubles began. He was happily living in sin with his beloved, Kitty Sparks -- though their neighbors were certainly less pleased about that. He probably shouldn't have told London's most cunning criminal mastermind that he was "bored and looking for adventure." Nor should he have offered to help the king's mistress in her desperate struggles with a brutal and vindictive husband. And he definitely shouldn't have trusted the calculating Queen Caroline. She's promised him a royal pardon if he holds his tongue, but then again, there is nothing more silent than a hanged man. Now Tom must scramble to save his life and protect those he loves. But as the noose tightens, his time is running out.

The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR 'The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book is simply "Magnificent"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Masterfully Woven and Breathtaking Epic Adult Fantasy of Cutthroat Competition and Imperial Deceit

C. L. Taylor

Claire Mackintosh

Thomas Hawkins Book 1

'In a tale that more than matches its predecessors for pace and atmosphere, Hawkins is forced into confrontation with a psychopathic killer...hugely enjoyable' The Sunday Times 'You will burn.' Late spring, 1728. Fresh from his escape from the gallows, Thomas Hawkins has arrived in Yorkshire with his ward, Sam Fleet. But death still has a hand upon his shoulder, even in such idyllic surroundings. John Aislabie, Tom's reluctant host, is being tormented by anonymous letters threatening murder. A disgraced politician, Aislabie certainly has plenty of enemies. But, trapped in a house haunted by old tragedies, Tom begins to suspect that the danger lies much closer to home. Someone is playing a subtle and deadly game of revenge, years in the planning. And now Tom is standing in their way...

Antonia Hodgson

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