Author:Harry Sidebottom

Discover explosive action and white-knuckle drama in the spectacular second instalment in Harry Sidebottom's vivid five-part series, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell
Mesopotamia, AD 260
Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, the Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the white sun, as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Shapur, King of Kings.
Ballista vows to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery.
One day, maybe not soon, but one day, I will kill you . . .
But first he must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom. Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending.
Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet . . .
Praise for Harry Sidebottom
'Sidebottom's prose blazes with searing scholarship' Times
'The best sort of red-blooded historical fiction' Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy
A funny, intelligent and superbly placed social comedy
—— The New York TimesA work of immense intelligence, informative, disturbing and diverting
—— ObserverAs a comedy of society and class misunderstandings, Lodge has never observed more sharply... A very nice work indeed
—— The TimesRich in reserves of humour and irony...the book is a delight
—— Mail on SundayGripping . . . splendidly conjures up the sounds, sights, and smells of Dark Age Britain
—— HARRY SIDEBOTTOM, author of the "Warrior of Rome" seriesA magnificent portrayal of how a beautiful young girl might become the first woman ever to win the Grand National
—— SpectatorClassic Cooper: either the perfect beach read or else something to curl up on the sofa with to keep out the encroaching autumn chill
—— Sunday ExpressJilly has given more pleasure to more girls and women than anyone else alive today... Cooper's familiar warmth and irrepressible humour
—— The LadyWarmed by the tender characterisation that has made Jilly Cooper a national treasure
—— CountrylifeJust the thing for a wet winter weekend
—— IndependentUnrivalled joy
—— TatlerA classic romp through the world of horse racing. Guilty pleasures rarely come as delicious as this
—— ElleJilly's descriptions of the glorious Cotswold countryside are some of the most lyrical ever written and her comedies of manners rival Nancy Mitford, if not Jane Austen
—— Daily MailAs plots go you can't get more charming than this
—— Daily ExpressThe narrative zips along, pierced with her characteristically brilliant ear for dialogue and empathy for human relationships of all kinds... You won't be able to put it down once you get going
—— Daily MailA rollicking fantasy
—— Horse and HoundI loved it
—— Rosie BoycottSit back and enjoy the ride as the queen of the bonkbuster, Jilly Cooper, delivers another fabulously entertaining saga
—— Good HousekeepingSharp, funny and touching
—— Times Literary SupplementThe Spoiler - set in the halcyon days before phone hacking - was one of the funniest and sharpest fleet street novels in years.
—— David Robson , Sunday Telegraph SevenMcAfee - herself a former journalist - evokes two distinct eras and styles of journalism, that of fearless frontline reportage and that of its successor: style-oriented, celebrity-obsessed features coverage... This is a pacy read that leaves little doubt in the reader's mind that one school of journalism deserves more mourning than the other
—— Alex Clark , GuardianMarvellous satire...the novel is cunningly plotted and satisfyingly nuanced
—— Independent on SundayIf the peek into the world of newspaper journalism afforded by the Leveson inquiry has you gasping for more, then this timely paperback release is perfect...a fiendishly funny (and frighteningly plausible) world of fiddled expenses and suspect tactics
—— ShortlistThoroughly enjoyable behind-the-scenes expose of an ambitious celebrity journalist's attempt to nail the scoop of her life
—— MetroThis is the paperback edition. The hardback appeared before the News Corporation bosses were dragged into the Commons. McAfee was either very prescient or close to the action, holding her fictional hacks to account for printing false stories gleaned from disreputable sources
—— Julia Fernandez , Time Out