I’ve been reading some really great novels over the last few weeks which I’ll be posting about soon. In the meantime, I’ve some book news of my own. I’m joining Trapeze, an imprint of Orion, who will publish two historical thrillers of mine. The first called The Quickening, is the story of Louisa, photographer in the 1920s, who visits an infamous country house and is drawn into the impact of a seance which took place thirty years earlier. The hardback will be the shelves in February 2020.
The link to press release is here but I’m so excited about the new book and working with my new editor Katie Brown. My agent Kirsty McLachlan deserves a medal too.
Because they’re slightly different to my crime novels, I’m going to be using my middle name, Rhiannon, so the books will be published under Rhiannon Ward. I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
In the meantime, do tell me what your favourite historical novel is – I’m fascinated to hear what people like to read.
Sarah Ward & Rhiannon Ward 
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is a firm favourite. But usually I jump around various era’s.
I do enjoy Kate Ellis’s post ww1 series and I’ve adored both in the series so far. Absolutely cannot wait to read your new books, as I think this genre (as well as modern day crime) suits you perfectly!
Good luck & I will be reading as soon as they are released. ❤️📚
LikeLike
Thank you Anne. I really appreciate all your support and I can’t what to hear what you think x
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such great news, Sarah! I’m very happy for you, and I look forward to reading your new work.
LikeLike
Thanks Margot and for all your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! My favorite historical novel is Anya Seton’s Katherine. I can’t wait to read your forthcoming books!
LikeLike
Thank you, Jo and I must check out Anya Seton.
LikeLike
Congrats, Sarah . . . er, Rhiannon!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Hi Sarah,
I look forward to your new book and have put it on my wish list.
One historical novel that comes to mind is Cue For Treason, by Geoffrey Trease, an old children’s book (now YA ?) that I recall from school.
Like so many school related books I didn’t read it at the time, but found a copy many years later and in a fit of nostalgia decided to buy it and I loved it.
I seem to remember the book was given to my class by a drama teacher who at the time was a part-time radio announcer on Radio Derby. The book is about a travelling theatre troupe in Shakespeare’s days – hence the relevance to a drama class.
I still have the copy I bought although its probably been 40 years since I last read it.
A slightly more recent historical book was Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir, about Queen Jane (better known as Lady Jane Grey) a historical figure I’ve had a fascination with ever since I read something about her in an ancient Blue Peter annual. (more nostalgia)
Tim
LikeLike
Thanks, Tim. I haven’t heard of Cue for Treason but I’ll look it out. It’s amazing how books we love as teenagers can have a long lasting resonance. I remember reading a book called Leo Possessed and I loved it at the time – I think I must retrieve my battered copy from the loft!
LikeLike
Dear Sarah, I have already recommended it to the Edmonton Public Library (which has all three Sarah W books)! Hwyl, Tom
>
LikeLike
Thank you, Tom! I appreciate the support.
LikeLike
That’s so excited to learn about. Congratulations on all of the new events. Can’t wait to read the books. And so interested in learning your very Celtic middle name, Welsh and Irish.
I’m not too big on historical novels, but read some good ones recently: Pachinko about Koreans in Japan, very good, and The Widows about 1924 Ohio and coal miners. Also, The Widows of Malabar Hill, by Sujata Massey.
Look to your new books and best wishes for their success.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kathy and for all your ongoing support. Yes, it’s nice to finally use my middle name!
LikeLike
I would have said that I wasn’t a reader of historical fiction until the publication of last week’s long list for the Walter Scott Prize caught my eye and I realised I’d already read four of the titles. I’d just thought of them as extremely well written stories without classing them as historical. It sent me back through previous lists and I found that some years I’d read the entire short list. One of those on the back lists was Linda Grant’s The Dark Circle which I definitely wouldn’t have classed as history because it happened just in my life time. When did I become historic? If novels about the early 1950s count, then that is certainly one of my favourites.
LikeLike
The Walter Scott Prize loneliest looked wonderful, didn’t it? I’ve got a few of those on my list to read. I love The Dark Circle. I read it as a Bailey’s Prize shortlist and thought it really excellent. I love reading about medical history. It’s one of my interests 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Sarah! Amazing news! And your middle name is beautiful! Sending you lots of love from Iceland, cold here now……brrrrr Lilja
Virus-free. http://www.avast.com
þri., 12. mar. 2019 kl. 08:59 skrifaði Sarah Rhiannon Ward :
> Sarah posted: “I’ve been reading some really great novels over the last > few weeks which I’ll be posting about soon. In the meantime, I’ve some book > news of my own. I’m joining Trapeze, an imprint of Orion, who will publish > two historical thrillers of mine. The first ca” >
LikeLike
Thanks, Lilja for the good wishes. Sorry to hear it’s cold there. We had a beautiful February and I’m missing the sun!
LikeLike
Hello Sarah. What a lovely middle name you have. I wish my parents had been as thoughtful when they gave me mine 😏. Congratulations on the new book. I’ll definitely be getting that when it’s released. Is there a new DC Childs book in the offing btw?
My favourite historical novel is The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Then there are Philippa Gregory’s books about the Cousin’s War, and Ellis Peters Cadfael, and a few more as well.
LikeLike
Hi Kathy – I love Cadfael too. I read so many of those books when I was a teenager. Many thanks for the good wishes. Connie’s having a rest at the moment 🙂 but you never know x
LikeLike
I am so glad to hear this, Sarah. I will be there reading your new book when it is published too. I have too many historical novels to name a favorite, but when I think of one, I will come back and let you know.
LikeLike
Thanks for the good wishes, Tracy. I’d be fascinated to hear what historical books you like.
LikeLike
Well, not too surprising but when I checked, much of my favorite historical fiction is in the mystery genre. Olen Steinhauer wrote the Yalta Boulevard series of 5 books, starting with The Bridge of Sighs; set in Eastern Europe, they start out in the 1940’s and by the last book are in the 1980’s. There is also John Lawton’s Inspector Troy series. And I enjoyed Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther series, although with that series I have only read the first five books.
LikeLike
Hi – I really enjoyed John Lawton and Philip Kerr’s books. I must look up the Yalta Boulevard series. Thank you!
LikeLike
So delighted with the news Sarah, and look forward to reading it. And how nice to have another lovely name to use! I love Anya Seton’s Katherine, and also like Philippa Gregory’s books. Historical mysteries – the Ariana Franklin books, and CJ Sansom.
LikeLike
Hi Moira – thank you and for all your support. I love CJ Samson too. I must look up the Anya Seton book.
LikeLike