A mind-bending, thrilling journey into 20th-century history and outer space - 'a brightly coloured portrait of our times that is alternatively intimate and epic . . . brilliant' (Independent on Sunday).

In 1941, Larry Zagorski was a naive young writer of science-fiction. Seven decades on, he looks back on that crucial year and traces his place in a mysterious web - one that connects the Second World War with the Space Age, stretches from London to Cuba and Southern California, and links Ian Fleming with Rudolf Hess in a conspiracy that reverberates in the present.

Could this be the secret history of the 20th century? In a mesmerising novel peopled by spies and propagandists, the conned and the heartbroken, dreamers and fanatics, the question is: who will you believe?

From the author of the cult hit The Long Firm, a mind-bending, thrilling journey into 20th-century history and outer space.

About the Author
Born in 1961, Jake Arnott lives in London. His first novel, The Long Firm, was a major critical and popular success. It was subsequently made into a BBC TV series, which was nominated for two BAFTA awards. His second novel, He Kills Coppers, was also made into a series by Channel 4. He has since published the novels truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and, most recently, The Fatal Tree.

Reviews
It may be the ideal holiday read for those who like to take their brains with them on vacation. * Mark Lawson, Guardian *
Highly entertaining and perhaps even mind-expanding, Arnott's high-class conjuring act shows that truth really is stranger than fiction. * Phil Baker, The Sunday Times *
A supremely intelligent book as well as a surprisingly warm one. * Roz Kaveney, Independent *
Arnott offers a brightly coloured portrait of our times that is alternatively intimate and epic...The House of Rumour is a brilliant achievement that invites repeated readings * James Kidd, Independent on Sunday *
If this is that dark Prince Arnott's Jonbar Hinge, the future looks bright. * Andrew Anthony, Observer *
A potent mix of fact and fiction that takes on 20th-century history but remains a page-turner * Elle *
The House of Rumour is a page-turner with exceptional style, depth, thought, camp, counter-history and intrigue. It's both sci-fi/fantasy pulp and an ambitiously epic work of cosmic proportions: a welcome paradox of a novel that boldly toys with the boundaries between high and low-brow art. * Kirkus Review *
It isn't a book, it's a revelation. * Geek Syndicate blog *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340922736
Author Jake Arnott
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 291g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 32mm