The Painted Chamber

by Katherine Clements

Genres: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

'The vibrant new voice of historical fiction' Suzannah Dunn THE PAINTED CHAMBER is a lyrical tale of love and longing, and HOW TO ROAST A PIG WITH THE HAIR ON, winner of the Jerwood Historical Short Story Competition 2012, a darkly vivid story of wifely revenge. Also included is an exclusive sample from Katherine Clements' highly acclaimed debut THE CRIMSON RIBBON.

Release date: August 28, 2014

Publisher: Headline

Print pages: 48

Sample

‘Marvellous’ Adele Geras

‘One of the most atmospheric and gripping historical novels I’ve ever read. The twists and turns kept me totally mesmerised . . . and the heroine, Ruth, is an utterly captivating character’ Karen Maitland

‘Begins at a cracking pace, plunging the reader into the turbulent Civil War period and the terror of witchcraft that came with it. Ruth grows in resilience and pride as she faces loss, tough choices in love, political confusion and intimate betrayal . . . A compelling novel’ Maria McCann

‘The Crimson Ribbon is an exceptional debut novel: literate, engaging, passionate, intelligent and thought-provoking, it offers insight into a part of Cromwell’s life about which I, at least, knew nothing at all, and it does so from an entirely unique angle’ Manda Scott

‘A beautifully written novel about an incredible time in England’s history, with a cast of intriguing and excellently drawn characters who seem entirely real’ www.theselittlewords.com

‘The writing is subtle, but wonderfully done . . . well written, well plotted and a fascinating fictional insight into a turbulent time’ www.ted-reader.blogspot.co.nz

‘Wonderfully, vividly alive’ www.fleurfisher.wordpress.com

‘A perfect book’ www.andthenireadabook.blogspot.co.uk

‘As a historian, I loved Katherine Clements’ debut novel . . . The book reminded me of Sarah Waters’ novel Affinity which is the highest praise I can award it . . . It definitely deserves to be up there amongst some of the historical fiction greats’ www.misschaptersreviews.blogspot.co.uk

‘Tautly constructed and beautifully written . . . The historical context is so well wrought, I could see, hear and smell my way through Civil War England’ www.rebeccamascull.tumblr.com

‘Its historical setting is vivid and rich . . . There is a lightness to the narrative that makes it dance along’ www.forwinternights.wordpress.com

‘An exciting new historical fiction debut . . . Lively, imaginative and very readable’ www.onemorepage.co.uk

‘The strength of this novel is in the portrayal of the ever-changing relationship between Ruth and Lizzie, and the writer’s ability to take you fully into the mindset of a nation which can try a King for treason against his own country’ www.deborahswift.blogspot.com

‘The Crimson Ribbon is a fascinating début novel . . . will hook your attention from the first page’ www.pamreader.wordpress.com

‘I would highly recommend’ www.shazsbookboudoir.blogspot.co.uk

‘Gripping’ www.stephaniejrothwell.booklikes.com

‘The Crimson Ribbon is a beautifully written debut novel and I look forward to reading the author’s next offering’ www.thewelshlibrarian.blogspot.co.uk

The first and only time I see her, she is lying in a pool of blood. Her newborn skin is pale and bluish as fresh milk. Her wide eyes, still and unseeing, like the painted face of a child’s poppet.

As Nettie takes up the shears and slices the twisted, fleshy thread, severing her body from mine, I feel a silent splintering inside. It is not right that she should leave me so soon – though I have learnt that those I love most always do – but if God must take her, then it is right that her tiny life should end here, in this room, where she was made. If her virgin eyes saw anything of this world, a. . .