The Penny Heart - Readings

Description

A historical novel of suspense, seasoned with recipes and remedies for broken hearts, THE PENNY HEART draws on age-old themes of cooking, trickery and revenge. Manchester 1809. Would-be industrialist Michael Croxon chases young street hawker Mary Jebb into a wretched warren after she cons his brother out of his money. In an unguarded moment he develops a suppressed attraction to the girl. After he bears witness in court against her, Mary sends him a Penny Heart token from the prison hulks bearing a strange verse, the reverse announcing that she will be transported for 7 years. Two years later, in order to build a manufactory, Michael has married awkward Jane Moore, who is overjoyed at her luck, but soon disappointed to learn it was only to gain her land. Meanwhile, Mary escapes from Botany Bay to be shipwrecked on the wild coast of New Zealand, where she loses her lover and the last of her scruples. Using her conning skills, Mary returns home and adopts the identity of 'Peg', the Croxon's cook at their lonely Hall. After Mary helps Jane compile a book of husband-pleasing recipes, Jane's new womanly wiles seem to earn Michael's affection.But when Jane discovers two matching Penny Heart love tokens that tell of banishment to the ends of the earth, she enters a world of deceit and double-crossing, and uncovers a tale of revenge that culminates in murder.

About the Author

Martine is a writer and keen reader who enjoys crime, mysteries and the gothic. After writing four acclaimed historical novels she has created a chilling new crime series beginning with Sharp Scratch set in the northern England in the 1980s.After studying English Literature while playing in bands on the Manchester music scene she worked as a hospital personnel officer and qualified in psychometric testing. Over her career she assessed staff for Ashworth top security psychiatric hospital and completed an MSc on the ‘Psychic Prisons’ that can trap psychiatric staff in negative behaviours.Martine’s debut, An Appetite for Violets, takes sharp-witted cook Biddy Leigh on a murderous trip to Italy. Fay Weldon described its mix of crime, gastronomy and history, as a new genre, the ‘culinary gothic’. It was a Booklist top ten crime fiction debut of the year. The Penny Heart (A Taste for Nightshade in the US) is a Sunday Times Best Summer Read that draws on cooking, trickery and revenge. The stars, riddles and murder align in The Almanack, a historical mystery featuring fifty authentic riddles. In its sequel, The Prophet, destiny and murder weave an intricate web around Tabitha’s new life.Martine’s novels explore the psychological pressures of crime with an interest in social class and the north/south divide in Britain. Her influences are Ruth Rendell, Sarah Waters and the gothic tradition. She is married with one son and lives in Chester, UK.Follow Martine at:http://www.martinebailey.comhttps://twitter.com/MartineBaileyhttps://www.facebook.com/MartineBaile...

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