Read an extract from The Saint-Florentin Murders by Jean-François Parot

The fifth exciting adventure for Nicolas Le Floch, to be published in October, has it all: serial crimes and a bizarre murder weapon, as well as debauchery, espionage, and the follies of a young court where ancient rivalries and grudges still linger. Read the prologue and first chapter exclusively here on Bookhugger…

Genre roundup: Historical fiction and non-fiction

Bookhugger’s publishers present a broad-range of fiction and non-fiction, from a lesser-known Conan Doyle hero, a study of Russia’s ravaged history, visiting the ladies and gentlemen of the court of Kensington Palace during the reign of George II, to the ultimate question in English literature: who did write Shakespeare’s plays?

Read an extract from the fifth Victor Legris Mystery, The Predator of Batignolles

In the turbulent Parisian summer of 1893, Victor Legris has vowed to give up the dangerous hobby of amateur sleuthing to concentrate on selling books. But a murderer is at large in Paris, intent on revenge for events that took place many years before during the Commune.

Philippa Gregory on The Red Queen

To celebrate today’s publication of The Red Queen, Philippa Gregory talks about the book’s central character, Margaret Beaufort, the Mother of the Tudors.

Read an extract from The Baker Street Phantom

Read on for an enticing extract from Fabrice Bourland’s first fantasy crime novel…

The Gathering Night: author’s afterword

The following is a section from the afterword to Margaret Elphinstone’s The Gathering Night: Between Grandmother Mountain and the cold sea, Alaia and her family live off the land. But when her brother goes hunting and never returns, the fragile balance of life is upset. Half-starved and maddened with grief, Alaia’s mother follows her visions and goes in search of her lost son.

July crime round-up

Modern day Hollywood and Los Angeles, the desolation of Greenland in 1067, an England torn apart by conflict in 1326, London in 1903 and the gulags of Russia. This month’s releases takes the willing reader on sinister travels through time and place.

Reader reactions to The Crimson Petal and the White

Michel Faber explores the reactions of readers to his famous novel set in 1870s London.

Read an extract from The Breath of the Rose by Andrea Japp

Alencon, September 1304. Imprisoned by the Inquisition, Agnes de Souarcy faces interrogation and torture. At the same time, the religious community of Clairets Abbey is shaken to the core when a nun is horrifically poisoned by a murderer hidden in its midst.

Monique Roffey talks about The White Woman on the Green Bicycle

Monique Roffey talks about the genesis of her novel, what it’s like to be shortlisted for the Orange Prize, and about her writing routine and her influences as a writer.

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Barbara Kingsolver wins the Orange Prize for Fiction

With her novel The Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver won this year’s Orange Prize, the result of which was announced on Wednesday night. Read the first chapter here on Bookhugger.

Maria McCann talks about The Wildling

In her second novel Maria McCann returns to 17th-century England, where life is struggling to return to normal after the horrific tumult of the Civil War. Here, she talks to George Miller about the book.

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May Reading Groups Round-Up

Looking for inspiration for books to read with your book group or reading circle? Here we present a selection of titles for which reading groups are available.

Twelve copies of David Mitchell’s new novel to be won [closed]

We’ve already brought you a trailer and the first chapter of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet, now we have a chance for twelve lucky Bookhuggers to win a copy.

Read the first chapter of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet

Ahead of its publication on the 13th May, read the first chapter of David Mitchell’s long-awaited new novel.

Watch a trailer for David Mitchell’s long-awaited new novel

David Mitchell’s novels have captivated critics and readers alike, as his Man Booker shortlistings and Richard & Judy Book of the Year award attest. Now he has written a masterpiece. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the kind of book that comes along once in a decade…

April Reading Groups Round-up

Looking for a new title for your bookgroup or reading circle? Look no further – here are four very different titles that have reading group resources available right here on Bookhugger.

Stardust reading group guide

This reading group guide for Stardust includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club, and a Q&A with author Joseph Kanon. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

Mr Rosenblum’s List – watch and win [closed]

Jack Rosenblum is five foot three and a half inches of sheer tenacity. Through study and application he intends to become a Very English Gentleman. Watch the video trailer and you could win one of 12 copies of Natasha Solomon’s debut novel.

Joseph Kanon’s Tour of Hollywood

Follow author Joseph Kanon on a tour of Hollywood as he takes us to the Hollywood of decades past and talks about the role it plays in his new book, Stardust

Read the first chapter of The Very Thought of You, by Rosie Alison

Fresh from its shortlisting for the Orange Prize for fiction, enjoy the first chapter of this haunting coming-of-age novel.

The Book of Love reading group guide

Cultures throughout Europe believed there was once a gospel written in Christ’s own hand, a treasure of almost unimaginable magnitude. It was referred to by the Cathar culture in France, who claimed to be direct descendants of Christ, as The Book of Love.