The richly atmospheric new historical thriller featuring John Gower, poet and trader of secrets. Set in the turbulent 14th Century, this is perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom.
London, 1386: young King Richard II faces the double threat of a French invasion and growing unrest amongst his barons – and now there's evil afoot in the City. Sixteen corpses have been discovered in a sewer, their wounds like none ever seen before. One thing is clear: whoever threw the bodies into the sewer knew they would be found – and was powerful enough not to care.
Enter John Gower, poet and intellectual whose 'peculiar vocation' is dealing in men's secrets. Against the backdrop of medieval London with its grand palaces and churches, dark alleys and mean backstreets, Gower pursues his dangerous quarry. Seeking insights from his friend Geoffrey Chaucer and using his network of contacts, Gower comes to the shocking belief that the men have been killed by a new and deadly weapon of war.
Known as 'the handgonne', it would put untold power into the hands of whoever perfected its design. But who has commissioned this weapon? A man who would stop at nothing to achieve his secret goal.
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‘Holsinger evokes the distant world of medieval London under King Richard II in all its gamey, gory, glory' Daily Mail
Praise for A BURNABLE BOOK:
‘The invention of handguns presages a radical change in warfare in Holsinger’s skillful and engrossing second medieval thriller... Holsinger is equally adept at depicting the machinations of the rich and powerful and the fears and hopes of the working class, 'desperate to hold on to their small scraps of ground in the face of the great events unfolding around them' Publishers Weekly, starred review
‘This excellent historical thriller is narrated in a gloriously earthly language that is, long before Shakespeare and the King James Bible, still in the process of taking shape’ Library Journal, starred review
‘A cautionary tales that argues powerfully against handgonnes and their modern descendants’ Kirkus Reviews
Praise for A BURNABLE BOOK:
‘An enjoyable story of murder and intrigue in 14th-century London’ Sunday Times
‘Holsinger carries the reader to Oxford, Italy and Spain, but the highlight is his description of medieval London with its murky, poverty-stricken streets...enjoyable and intelligent’ The Daily Mail
‘His profound knowledge of the 14th century provides a wonderfully convincing back-drop... his London feels like a real place, from St Paul’s churchyard to Southwark’s Gropecunt Lane. Comparisons with C.J. Sansom are inevitable, and justified’ Andrew Taylor, The Spectator
‘John Gower is the perfect narrator and amateur sleuth ...Holsinger's research, alongside the energetic vulgarity of a language in flux, delivers up a world where even the filth is colorful’ New York Times Book Review
‘A murder, a verse and a whore; the prologue of Bruce Holsinger`s A BURNABLE BOOK draws the reader in and does not let go. A deep understanding of the period combines with sophisticated writing to create a richly imagined world. Excellent historical fiction’ Harry Sidebottom, bestselling author of the WARRIOR OF ROME series
"Beautifully crafted. . . . Quite simply, medieval thrillers don't come better than this. I may have a new favourite author."-Edinburgh Evening News
London, 1386. A mass murder has taken place within the city walls. Sixteen corpses have been dumped where they are sure to be found, bearing wounds like none seen before.
John Gower, middling poet and expert trader in secrets, is summoned to investigate the killings even as the ruthless mayor of London seeks to thwart an open inquiry for reasons unknown. Gower learns that the men have fallen victim to handgonnes, new and terrifying weapons that threaten to change the future of war.
Challenged by deception and treachery on all sides, Gower struggles against his failing vision even as his inquiries take him from the city's labyrinthine slums to the port of Calais to the forests of Kent, where his friend Geoffrey Chaucer serves as justice of the peace. As Gower strives to discover the source of the new guns and the identity of those who wielded them, he must risk everything to reveal the truth-and prevent a more devastating massacre on London's crowded streets. . . .
"Holsinger's medieval mystery featuring two famous writers succeeds on every level and will have readers hoping for more."-Shelf Awareness
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. The Invention of Fire (John Gower 2) This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780007493333
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. Ex-Library Book. Has usual library markings and stamps inside. All orders are dispatched the following working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we have over 500,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006486711
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780007493333
Book Description Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages. Seller Inventory # M00007493339-V
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP87244808
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR006588977
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR012113889
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Good clean copy in dustwrapper. DW with some minor shelf wear. Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KTG0003590
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Good clean copy in dustwrapper. DW with some minor shelf wear. Seller Inventory # KTG0003590
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Fine condition used 2015 First Print Edition Hardback with intact Dust Jacket. Published by HarperCollins, London. Publication Print Number: 1. Author: Bruce Holsinger. ISBN: 9780007493333. Approx. dims: 240mm h x 160mm w x 41mm d. Intact clean condition unclipped pictorial dust jacket with slight creasing to edges, slight rubbing, slight signs of handling. Intact DJ spine. Dust Jacket over very good condition black boards with gilt title lettering to spine. 461 clean, slightly off white inside pages of English text, no inscriptions. Page ends slightly tanned. Image shown is actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # ABE-1617010284478