There's no mistaking the allegorical intent. The message here is that we're all, in a sense, little people oppressed by those in power - and so it's no wonder that we get our kicks whenever and wherever we can

Welsh writes with a skill, wit and compassion that amounts to genius. He is the best thing that has happened to British writing for decades

Plaidy excels at blending history with romance and drama

Jean Plaidy, by the skilful blending of superb storytelling and meticulous attention to authenticiy of detail and depth of charaterization has become one of the country's most widely read novelists

Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting

One of England's foremost historical novelists

An excellent story

A penetrating and thoughtful study of Catherine de'Medici

'Irrestistably engaging'

'Witty and intelligent...just the thing for a lazy summer day'

Genuine wit and charm

Witty novel about life and love after divorce, Hollywood-style.

A bitchy and entertaining look at life in La-La Land

A perfect poolside read