Wolf Hall meets Demon Copperhead in a sharply ambitious brilliantly imagined and hugely
entertaining story of intrigue deceit revenge and ambition 'A bold and brilliant comedy of
royal intrigue' Guardian 'Funny moving filthy and original' The Times 'So alive I felt
Harkin might be a time traveller' Maggie Shipstead 'I read it with the dedicated fervour of a
kid discovering literature for the first time' Yael van der Wouden 'The most enjoyable
historical novel I've read in years' Spectator ________________________________________
Kill the pretender. Do not let it be known that there was a pretender to kill. The year is
1483 and England is in peril. The much-despised Richard III is not long for the throne and the
man who will become Henry VII stands poised to snatch the crown for himself. But for
twelve-year-old John Collan living in a remote village with his widowed father these matters
seem far away. But history has other plans for John. Stolen from his family exiled - first
to Oxford then to Burgundy and then Ireland - and apprenticed to a series of unscrupulous
political operators he finds himself groomed for power not as John Collan but as Edward
Plantagenet 17th Earl of Warwick - and rightful heir to the throne. Far from home at the
Irish court preparing for a war that will see him become king or die trying John has just his
wits - and the slippery counsel of his host's daughter the unconventional Joan - to navigate
the choppy waters ahead. Seething with revenge and machination sparkling with wit and
humanity and roaring with adventure and bravado The Pretender is the captivating true story
of a young man tossed into the chaos of history as it happens. **Praise for The Pretender **
'A brainy heartfelt delight' Guardian 50 hottest books to read now 'Witty poignant wildly
engaging and with a huge heart' Sarah Waters 'Touching and hilarious' The Times 80 best
books to take on holiday 'Like a Plantagenet Adrian Mole ' Jenny Colgan 'A rollicking
account of a befuddled boy's pillar-to-post existence as a political pawn' New York Times
'The real deal - nimble vibrant playful and daring' Kiran Millwood Hargrave 'Ambitious
mischievous and brilliantly written' Daily Mail 'I blazed through full of wonder and
admiration ' Emma Stonex
