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Welcome to the website of Martine Bailey, author of historical mysteries.
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Thank you for visiting!
THE PROPHET
Destiny, prophecy and murder weave an intricate web in this beguiling historical mystery. Could a dark prophecy spell danger for Tabitha De Vallory and her unborn child?
Cheshire. May Day, 1753. Tabitha De Vallory believes her life is perfect: she has an imposing home with all the comforts she has ever desired, and is expecting her first child with doting husband Nat. But Tabitha's happiness is shaken when a girl is slaughtered beneath the Mondrem Oak on the family's forest estate. Recognizing the victim from her former scandalous life, Tabitha vows to find the killer.
Nearby, enigmatic Baptist Gunn and his followers are convinced that a second messiah will be born, amid blood and strife, close to the oak on Midsummer's Day. Could the girl's murder be linked to Gunn's cryptic prophecy? Do his wild claims of a second saviour spell danger for Tabitha and her unborn child?
As Midsummer's Day draws closer, Tabitha soon learns the destiny that threatens her and those she holds most dear...
'A fabulous brew of sin and science, predictions and superstitions, with a murder mystery at its heart. You won't be able to put it down.' - Deborah Swift, author of The Pepys Trilogy and A Divided Inheritance
Cheshire. May Day, 1753. Tabitha De Vallory believes her life is perfect: she has an imposing home with all the comforts she has ever desired, and is expecting her first child with doting husband Nat. But Tabitha's happiness is shaken when a girl is slaughtered beneath the Mondrem Oak on the family's forest estate. Recognizing the victim from her former scandalous life, Tabitha vows to find the killer.
Nearby, enigmatic Baptist Gunn and his followers are convinced that a second messiah will be born, amid blood and strife, close to the oak on Midsummer's Day. Could the girl's murder be linked to Gunn's cryptic prophecy? Do his wild claims of a second saviour spell danger for Tabitha and her unborn child?
As Midsummer's Day draws closer, Tabitha soon learns the destiny that threatens her and those she holds most dear...
'A fabulous brew of sin and science, predictions and superstitions, with a murder mystery at its heart. You won't be able to put it down.' - Deborah Swift, author of The Pepys Trilogy and A Divided Inheritance
Buy a copy here
THE ALMANACK
The stars, riddles and murder align in The Almanack.
1752, Midsummer. Following a desperate summons from her mother, Tabitha Hart departs London for her home village of Netherlea – only to discover that her mother has allegedly drowned. Determined to discover the truth about the Widow Hart’s death, Tabitha consults her mother’s almanack and uncovers a series of cryptic notes describing her terror of someone she names only as ‘D’.
Joining forces with philosphical young writer Nat Starling, Tabitha begins a race against the calendar to unmask ‘D’. But as the sun retreats and snow cuts off Netherlea from the outside world, Tabitha and Nat face the darkest hours of their lives.
'I was enthralled by the riddles and puzzles, twists and surrises.' - Paula Brackston, author of The Witch's Daughter
Find out more about The Almanack here.
1752, Midsummer. Following a desperate summons from her mother, Tabitha Hart departs London for her home village of Netherlea – only to discover that her mother has allegedly drowned. Determined to discover the truth about the Widow Hart’s death, Tabitha consults her mother’s almanack and uncovers a series of cryptic notes describing her terror of someone she names only as ‘D’.
Joining forces with philosphical young writer Nat Starling, Tabitha begins a race against the calendar to unmask ‘D’. But as the sun retreats and snow cuts off Netherlea from the outside world, Tabitha and Nat face the darkest hours of their lives.
'I was enthralled by the riddles and puzzles, twists and surrises.' - Paula Brackston, author of The Witch's Daughter
Find out more about The Almanack here.
Buy a copy here
AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS
Martine's historical crime debut An Appetite for Violets is the tale of sharp-witted cook, Biddy Leigh, taken on a mysterious journey to Italy. Unwittingly swept up into a world of scheming, secrets, and lies she documents her adventures in an old household book of recipes. When she finds herself embroiled in a murderous conspiracy, Biddy realises that the secrets she holds could be the key to her survival – or her downfall . . .
Inspired by historic recipes and set at the time of the invention of the first restaurants, An Appetite for Violets is a literary feast for lovers of historical fiction.
'Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre – best described as Culinary Gothic. I was hooked and enraptured.' - Fay Weldon
Find out more about An Appetite for Violets here.
Inspired by historic recipes and set at the time of the invention of the first restaurants, An Appetite for Violets is a literary feast for lovers of historical fiction.
'Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre – best described as Culinary Gothic. I was hooked and enraptured.' - Fay Weldon
Find out more about An Appetite for Violets here.
Buy a copy here
THE PENNY HEART
The Penny Heart (titled A Taste for Nightshade in the US) continues Martine's exploration of culinary crime, in a dark tale of two very different women entangled by love and revenge. Sentenced to death for a simple confidence trick, Mary Jebb escapes the gallows...but her reprieve is harsh: transportation to 'the ends of the earth'. Yet Mary is determined not to be forgotten, sending two pennies engraved with a sinister promise, to the two men who sealed her fate. But when timid new wife Grace Moore takes on a new cook, the penny heart love tokens reveal she is tied to a world she didn't know existed...A world of deceit, double-crossing, and murder.
'Intelligent and engrossing reading ... An ingenious exercise in gothic pastiche, this is a richly rewarding read.'
- The Sunday Times 'Best Summer Reads'
Find out more about The Penny Heart here.
'Intelligent and engrossing reading ... An ingenious exercise in gothic pastiche, this is a richly rewarding read.'
- The Sunday Times 'Best Summer Reads'
Find out more about The Penny Heart here.
Buy a copy here
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THE ALMANACK ON AUDIO
read by Fiona Boylan
The Almanack is now out on audiobook and audible (both UK and US)
I am over the moon about this gorgeous cover design for The Almanack – it catches the atmosphere I was trying to create perfectly.
The audio book is read by young actress Fiona Boylan, who you may have seen playing a police constable in the excellent BBC TV series Line of Duty. As soon as I heard Fiona’s voice I felt she had the right northern English accent and mix of femininity and feistiness.
I am over the moon about this gorgeous cover design for The Almanack – it catches the atmosphere I was trying to create perfectly.
The audio book is read by young actress Fiona Boylan, who you may have seen playing a police constable in the excellent BBC TV series Line of Duty. As soon as I heard Fiona’s voice I felt she had the right northern English accent and mix of femininity and feistiness.
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IN THE PRESS
Reviews are coming in for The Prophet and The Almanack:
'Spooky historical detail enlivens a mystery thronged with suspects.' - Kirkus Reviews, US on The Prophet
'The author is adept at dropping little red herrings all around the forest where they nestle amidst the leaf litter to emerge mystifyingly when I least expected it. This ravishing read is atmospheric and exciting, the perfect escape from modern day life.' - Jan Lambert, book blogger, on The Prophet, BeadyJansBooks
More than anything The Prophet is a gripping mystery building to a compelling climax, which had me under its spell from start to finish. -Alison Layland, author of Riverflow and Someone Else’s Conflict
'The Prophet is another example of Martine Bailey's spell-binding story telling - tied to the land and the superstitions that grow out of it. Lush and atmospheric and thick with suspicion. I revelled in it.' - Catherine Hokin, Historia magazine
"Engrossing whodunit set in 1752 England ... Historical fans are in for a treat." - Publishers Weekly, US
"Puzzle solvers and historians will love this mystery, and Bailey's richly detailed story is perfect for fans of Ariana Franklin and Rhys Bowen." - Booklist, US
“A beautifully constructed, deeply satisfying read that plays with the reader, demanding that you keep your eyes on the shadows as much as on the main stage. And it has riddles that are even better than Gollum’s: 50 of them to read with the story or save for a treat – what more really does anyone need?” -
"A beguiling historical novel set in the Georgian era. Witty, wily, and great fun.” – Essie Fox, author of The Somnambulist and The Last Days of Leda Grey
"Ingeniously plotted. A hauntingly atmospheric murder mystery that satisfied on multiple levels and left me begging for more." - Deborah Swift, author of A Divided Inheritance and The Pepys Trilogy
"Vivid, sinister and enthralling with a stunning twist – The Almanack gripped me from the first page and did not let go." - Louisa Treger, author of The Lodger and The Dragon Lady.
“The Almanack will have you in its grip until you breathlessly turn the last page to solve the final riddle." - Tessa Arlen author of The Lady Montfort and The Poppy Redfern series
'Spooky historical detail enlivens a mystery thronged with suspects.' - Kirkus Reviews, US on The Prophet
'The author is adept at dropping little red herrings all around the forest where they nestle amidst the leaf litter to emerge mystifyingly when I least expected it. This ravishing read is atmospheric and exciting, the perfect escape from modern day life.' - Jan Lambert, book blogger, on The Prophet, BeadyJansBooks
More than anything The Prophet is a gripping mystery building to a compelling climax, which had me under its spell from start to finish. -Alison Layland, author of Riverflow and Someone Else’s Conflict
'The Prophet is another example of Martine Bailey's spell-binding story telling - tied to the land and the superstitions that grow out of it. Lush and atmospheric and thick with suspicion. I revelled in it.' - Catherine Hokin, Historia magazine
"Engrossing whodunit set in 1752 England ... Historical fans are in for a treat." - Publishers Weekly, US
"Puzzle solvers and historians will love this mystery, and Bailey's richly detailed story is perfect for fans of Ariana Franklin and Rhys Bowen." - Booklist, US
“A beautifully constructed, deeply satisfying read that plays with the reader, demanding that you keep your eyes on the shadows as much as on the main stage. And it has riddles that are even better than Gollum’s: 50 of them to read with the story or save for a treat – what more really does anyone need?” -
"A beguiling historical novel set in the Georgian era. Witty, wily, and great fun.” – Essie Fox, author of The Somnambulist and The Last Days of Leda Grey
"Ingeniously plotted. A hauntingly atmospheric murder mystery that satisfied on multiple levels and left me begging for more." - Deborah Swift, author of A Divided Inheritance and The Pepys Trilogy
"Vivid, sinister and enthralling with a stunning twist – The Almanack gripped me from the first page and did not let go." - Louisa Treger, author of The Lodger and The Dragon Lady.
“The Almanack will have you in its grip until you breathlessly turn the last page to solve the final riddle." - Tessa Arlen author of The Lady Montfort and The Poppy Redfern series