That rare thing, a novel with vast scope and ambition, brilliantly achieved, but also deeply personal, finely detailed and nuanced. I was utterly immersed in this spell-binding story

But the bravest among them are not who they seem. The stakes could not be higher. If arrested, they will be hanged for their crimes. Can they survive the journey and escape their fate? A gorgeously written, utterly absorbing epic and, despite being set in the sixteenth century, has some very pertinent messages for our time about the evils of religious persecution and the transcendent power of love and family. In case it’s not clear enough yet, I absolutely LOVED it - Lucy Foley on The City of Tears I so love Kate Mosse! She knows how to create realer than life characters that you grow to love like family. Details: https://www.mainstreetbooks.co.uk/events/kate-mosse-author-event/#:~:text=Her%20ten%20novels%20and%20short,the%20real%2Dlife%20historical%20characters Saturday 30 September But the ship’s crew hides a secret, and the stakes could not be higher. The bravest among them are not who they seem: if arrested, they will hang for their alleged crimes. Can they survive their journey and escape their fate?

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Feeling every one of her sixty-eight years, she raised herself on one elbow, and gazed at Piet sleeping beside her. His beloved features, grown white with age, were as familiar to her as her own. Against all odds, they had been by one another’s side for nearly fifty years. Together they had faced grief and despair, they had lost their way and been reconciled once more. Blessed with three children and three grandchildren, they had suffered, but kept going. Companions-in-arms, they had stood firm against the vicissitudes of life, the evils of war and the deaths of those they loved. They were old, but they had somehow kept living when those around them stumbled and fell. They had survived. The Ghost Ship is book #3 in the Burning Chambers series, and I have not read the first two novels. I’m quite certain that this is part of the story before this book, that leads to what happens in this one; however, this can absolutely be read as a standalone. As with the previous stories in the series which I loved, The Ghost Ship features a strong central female character. Louise Reydon-Joubert, grand daughter of Minou and Piet has always wanted to be commander of her own ship. No easy task for a woman In such a male dominated world.

Event: Cheltenham Literature Festival - in conversation with Emma O’Donoghue, chaired by Sarah Shaffi To begin, I should preface with the fact that I have not read the first two novels in this series by Kate Mosse. I am sure there was a lot of story before this one that lead to what happens in The Ghost Ship. Having said that, if you are like me and haven't read the others, you definitely won't be disappointed or have a hard time reading this. In fact, this can absolutely be read as a standalone. People don’t want to read a book about the refugee crisis, but they can fall in love with characters and feel their hearts broken when they have to flee their homes and have nowhere to live Fifty Shades of Feminism (essay – edited by Lisa Appignanesi, Rachel Holmes & Susie Orbach, Virago, 2013)

Featured Reviews

When the worst happened and Louise found herself cornered by those who despised her, her life in danger, the loyal Giles stepped up.

Kate Mosse’s writing is as beautiful and engrossing as ever and you really feel like you are there on breathtaking adventures with Louise and her crew. You can feel the wind in your hair, smell the salty seas and hear the roar of the waves so vividly creating such magnificent imagery. The historical research is meticulously done surrounding this fascinating time period.Mosse said: “I’m delighted that Mantle will be publishing my gender-swapping story of love and adventure at sea. The Ghost Ship has been a delight to work on from start to finish.” This felt nothing like the first 2 books in the series. The whole atmosphere was entirely different. Infact, I'd say this was a different genre. The first books were historical dramas, where as this was an adventure-romance. I like both genres, but I was caught off-guard by the mid-series change. The plot also didn't have much reliance on the first two stories. Other than following the same family (but a different generation), it seemed fairly unrelated; more like whole other companion series than a direct sequel. This starts with the assassin François Ravaillac killing the King Henri IV thus set in motion once again the Huguenots hunt. Rosamund Lupton on The City of Tears A gorgeously written, utterly absorbing epic and, despite being set in the sixteenth century, has some very pertinent messages for our time about the evils of religious persecution and the transcendent power of love and family. In case it’s not clear enough yet, I absolutely LOVED it