{"title":"Books by Alis Hawkins","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781800328594","title":"The Skeleton Army","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhy should the devil have all the best tunes?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Themes of inequality, forbidden love and personal responsibility weave through a fast-paced narrative in which the location plays a key part. \u003ci\u003eNation Cymru\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Salvation Army has come prancing and singing from the slums of London to the poorest quarters of Oxford, but along with its red hot gospel preaching and music hall songs it brings a prohibition message which sparks immediate opposition and violence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn Army soldier  an ex-drunk  is brutally killed and a note suggests that the Salvation Army's shadowy enemy, the Skeleton Army, is responsible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the police unwilling to come between the two forces, \u003cb\u003eNon Vaughan\u003c\/b\u003e, aspiring journalist and great hope of the Oxford women's college movement, and \u003cb\u003eBasil Rice\u003c\/b\u003e, Jesus College fellow and union-sanctioned guardian of the dead man's family, are compelled to investigate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut as the threats from both sides escalate, resulting in a second death, Non and Basil realise that they must stop the fighting before it results in an outright war. For with the University's annual commemoration week fast approaching, the entire city could be engulfed in fire and blood\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn utterly compelling historical mystery, and a fascinating portrait of Victorian Oxford, perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor, C. J. Sansom and Antonia Hodgson.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56306982388085,"sku":"9781800328594","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781800328594_ffbfef1a-04f8-4f77-9a2e-44e2ff74d2af.jpg?v=1786027285"},{"product_id":"9781800322714","title":"Those Who Know","description":"\u003cp\u003eBeset on all sides, time is running out: to solve the case, and to save his future...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHarry Probert-Lloyd \u003c\/b\u003ehas inherited the estate of Glanteifi and appointed his assistant \u003cb\u003eJohn\u003c\/b\u003e as under-steward. But his true vocation, to be coroner, is under threat. Against his natural instincts, Harry must campaign if he is to be voted as coroner permanently.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the hustings, Harry and John are called to examine the body of\u003cb\u003e Nicholas Rowland\u003c\/b\u003e, a pioneering schoolteacher whose death may not be the accident it first appeared. What was Rowland's real relationship with his eccentric patron, \u003cb\u003eMiss Gwatkyn\u003c\/b\u003e? And why does Harry's rival for the post of coroner deny knowing him?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarry's determination to uncover the truth threatens to undermine both his campaign and his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn unputdownable Victorian historical crime thriller, perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop, Andrew Taylor and Ambrose Parry.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for Alis Hawkins\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Beautifully written, cunningly plotted, with one of the most interesting central characters' E. S. Thomson\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'The most interesting crime creation of the year' Phil Rickman\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56307264881013,"sku":"9781800322714","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781800322714_44577e6e-bff9-4488-9ea8-7ff975bead71.jpg?v=1786034709"},{"product_id":"9781804364543","title":"A Bitter Remedy","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmongst the scholars, secrets and soporifics of Victorian Oxford, the truth can be a bitter pill to swallow\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJesus College, Oxford, 1881. An undergraduate is found dead at his lodgings and the medical examination reveals some shocking findings. When the young man's guardian blames the college for his death and threatens a scandal, \u003cb\u003eBasil Rice\u003c\/b\u003e, a Jesus College fellow with a secret to hide, is forced to act and finds himself drawn into \u003cb\u003eSidney Parker's\u003c\/b\u003e sad life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mystery soon attracts the attention of \u003cb\u003eRhiannon 'Non' Vaughan\u003c\/b\u003e, a young Welsh polymath and one of the young women newly admitted to university lectures. But when neither the college principal nor the powerful ladies behind Oxford's new female halls will allow her to become involved, Non's fierce intelligence and determination to prove herself drive her on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth misfits at the university, Non and Basil form an unlikely partnership, and it soon falls to them to investigate the mysterious circumstances of Parker's death. But between corporate malfeasance and snake-oil salesmen, they soon find the dreaming spires of Oxford are not quite what they seem\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn intriguing first installment of The Oxford Mysteries series by master crime writer, Alis Hawkins. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, S.G. MacLean and Kaite Welsh.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eA Bitter Remedy\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Her inventiveness is prodigal' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' \u003cb\u003eVaseem Khan\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eMidnight at Malabar House\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003ci\u003eA Bitter Remedy\u003c\/i\u003e is a perfect tonic for our times.' \u003cb\u003eS. G. MacLean\u003c\/b\u003e author of \u003ci\u003eThe Seeker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Absolutely brilliant! Thoughtful, complex and engrossing' \u003cb\u003eChris Lloyd\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Unwanted Dead\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A superb atmospheric mystery to the last page' \u003cb\u003eRachel Lynch\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eDark Game\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'I can't wait for Non and Basil's next case!' \u003cb\u003eKatherine Stansfield\u003c\/b\u003e author of \u003ci\u003eFalling Creatures\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56307648004469,"sku":"9781804364543","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781804364543_fec26e02-66f8-4069-8bb2-0bca07e80fa4.jpg?v=1786026980"},{"product_id":"9781804366936","title":"The Hunters Club","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you're not with them you're against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOxford, 1883. Young men are being found bound, gagged and hooded at the gates of their colleges in the small hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBasil Rice\u003c\/b\u003e, Jesus College fellow, is asked by the senior proctor to investigate. But matters of sexual purity are dangerous, as it lays Basil open to unwelcome scrutiny of his own private life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, the University Vice Chancellor's Court has wrongly imprisoned a young shopgirl from the town, and she seeks the services of young academic and budding journalist, \u003cb\u003eNon Vaughan\u003c\/b\u003e, to clear her name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe uncovering by Basil of a secret society, The Venatores, and the murder of a student, cause Non and Basil to join forces. But is justice possible in a world so unjust and dangerous?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA scintillating historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted \u003ci\u003eA Bitter Remedy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePraise for the Oxford Mysteries series\u003cp\u003e'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Real figures from history rub shoulders with those invented by Hawkins  and her inventiveness is prodigal' \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' \u003cb\u003eVaseem Khan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Brilliantly researched, rich in atmosphere and with two likeable and intriguing protagonists at the centre' \u003cb\u003ePhilip Gwynne Jones\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56369213669749,"sku":"9781804366936","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781804366936_e63a29a9-910f-4b64-9bc6-24703745b511.jpg?v=1786027074"},{"product_id":"non-basil-4","title":"Non \u0026 Basil 4","description":"The Dreaming Spires, 1885. Dark secrets come to light…The Easter vacation theatre season brings a dramatic clash to the university city. Two competing theatre companies are vying for residency at the new theatre. While one boasts a flawless reputation, the other – run by husband and wife Maxim and Daphne Cargill – is new, radical and bound to stir up controversy.   When rumours circulate that Max Cargill murdered his own brother, Jesus College don and the University’s resident investigator Basil Rice is called to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Oxford Mirror chief reporter Non Vaughan is assigned to cover the theatrical rivalry’s fireworks.   But then opening night culminates in a brutal murder in the dressing rooms. With protests escalating over the radical performances and a star actress on the run, Non and Basil must unite once more to unmask a killer – putting their own demons to rest along the way – before the final curtain falls.   Another gripping historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted A Bitter Remedy.   Praise for the Oxford Mysteries series'An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England' The Times'Real figures from history rub shoulders with those invented by Hawkins and her inventiveness is prodigal' Financial Times'Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!' Vaseem Khan'Brilliantly researched, rich in atmosphere and with two likeable and intriguing protagonists at the centre' Philip Gwynne Jones","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":57507884532085,"sku":"9781835981436","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":57682877874549,"sku":"9781835981481","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-alis-hawkins.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}