Set in a world made familiar to readers through Kate Mosse's great bestseller, Labyrinth, this beautiful historical novel is a saga of heroism and heartbreak, as a young Cathar believer loses his aristocratic inheritance and becomes a fugitive from the Inquisition. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the Cathars in southwest France posed such a threat to Roman Catholicism, that the Inquisition was tasked to destroy every single one of them. Francois de Beaufort will lose the castle which is his inheritance, be horribly maimed in battle, see the woman he loves imprisoned and tortured for her faith. But he vows to fight back, to survive - and to rescue her.

A brilliant and moving novel set in 13th Century Cathar France.

About the Author
Christopher Bland is a former Chairman of the BBC, BT and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is Anglo-Irish and married with a son and four stepchildren. His first novel, ASHES IN THE WIND, was published by Head of Zeus in 2014.

Reviews
Bland skilfully blends history with the engrossing story... The novel is rich in meticulous historical detail and background but it never interferes with the emotional pull of the story... This is one of the very best historical novels I've read this year' * For Winters Nights *
Beautifully descriptive and fast-paced, the story keeps a vice-like grip on readers * France Magazine *
A fascinating period... Bland has crafted a page-turning tale' * The Times *
This harrowing and moving novel spares the reader none of the horror and tragedy of events and captures this violent, tireless and merciless crusade * Sunday Express *
Moving and compelling historical fiction * The Bookseller *
The talent of some people never fails to amaze me... Christopher Bland has produced a splendid historical novel that has managed to enthral me for all of its 338 pages' * newbooks, 5 stars *
A fast-moving, well-told, and honest novel * Historical Novels Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9781784976064
Author Christopher Bland
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Head of Zeus
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC