A spellbinding novel of love and courage set in the England, Italy and Florence Nightingale's Crimea.
A Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller - includes a fascinating and moving brand new final chapter.

Russia, 1854. As the Crimean War grinds on, Rosa Barr - young, headstrong and beautiful - travels to the battlefields, determined to join Florence Nightingale and save as many of the wounded as she can.

For Mariella, Rosa's cousin, the war is contained within the pages of her scrapbook, her sewing circle, and the letters she receives from Henry, her fiance, a celebrated surgeon who has also volunteered to work within the shadow of the guns. But when Henry falls ill, and Rosa's communications cease, Mariella finds herself drawn inexorably towards the war.

Following the trail of her elusive and captivating cousin, Mariella's epic journey takes her from the domestic restraint of Victorian England to the ravaged landscape of the Crimea. As she ventures deeper into the dark heart of the conflict, Mariella discovers her own strengths and passions through Rosa's tough lessons of concealment, faithfulness and love.

About the Author
Katharine McMahon is the author of ten novels, including The Alchemist's Daughter and The Crimson Rooms, that focus on astonishing women and their ability to find a voice and make a mark, even at times and in societies when they are risking everything. The Rose of Sebastopol was a Richard & Judy pick and a Sunday Times bestseller. http://www.katharinemcmahon.com

Reviews
This is the best kind of historical fiction with a searing climax and characters you really believe in * DAILY MAIL *
A heart-stopping tale of love and war during Queen Victoria's reign * WOMAN & HOME *
Absorbing * MY WEEKLY *
In her novel written with great attention to detail and obvious affection for her characters and the time period, Katharine McMahon has penned a deeply affecting piece of historical fiction. * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *
McMahon is a talented writer whose twists will keep you turning pages * THE LADY *
Katharine McMahon is a great storyteller
McMahon combines a thriller writer's grip, pace and punch with the true novelist's depth and warmth of feeling * GUARDIAN *
Its themes of medicine, contagious disease and the control of medicine speak to us as we battle with a global pandemic ... But it is not all war and medicine. There is a strong storyline, centred around the relationship between Rosa and Mariella, and the men who complicate their lives ... an enjoyable and thought-provoking read -- Karen Warren
a heart-stopping tale of love and war during Queen Victoria's reign * WOMAN & HOME *
absorbing * MY WEEKLY *
In her novel written with great attention to detail and obvious affection for her characters and the time period, Katharine McMahon has penned a deeply affecting piece of historical fiction. * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *


Awards
Short-listed for Galaxy Book Awards 2008 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781474616843
Author Katharine McMahon
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 300g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 36mm