The Book of Fires
Jane Borodale
A stunning historical novel, ‘The Book of Fires’ is the unforgettable story of Agnes Trussel – and love, fireworks and redemption.Brought up in rural Sussex, seventeen-year-old Agnes Trussel is carrying an unwanted child. Taking advantage of the death of her elderly neighbour, Agnes steals her savings and runs away to London. On her way she encounters the intriguing Lettice Talbot who promises that she will help Agnes upon their arrival. But Agnes soon becomes lost in the dark, labyrinthine city. She ends up at the household of John Blacklock, laconic firework-maker, becoming his first female assistant.The months pass and it becomes increasingly difficult for Agnes to conceal her secret. Soon she meets Cornelius Soul, seller of gunpowder, and hatches a plan which could save her from ruin. Yet why does John Blacklock so vehemently disapprove of Mr Soul? And what exactly is he keeping from her? Could the housekeeper, Mrs Blight, with her thirst for accounts of hangings, suspect her crime or condition?Historical fiction at its very best, ‘The Book of Fires’ is utterly intriguing, completely compelling and impossible to put down.
JANE BORODALE
The Book of Fires
For Sean, Orlando and Louis
With thoughts spared for all those condemned to death by hanging at Tyburn.
Table of Contents
Part One - Fixed Suns (#ud76c5c0d-d096-5a92-a5a4-d1f05f841d91)
Chapter One (#ub189dc00-7826-5d31-8f2b-d1c7880b805b)
Chapter Two (#ub71f20f1-e61b-580e-a1f4-13b6f444421b)
Chapter Three (#uee57fb1d-056d-5bd3-9e3e-4ac5b30f6b4f)
Chapter Four (#uab696985-81b1-51c4-81a7-9793544da01d)
Chapter Five (#u312450a7-0592-5195-a9d3-37286758f8dc)
Chapter Six (#u980ddb31-e538-5f44-8069-69a3eb10e051)
Chapter Seven (#u9a1dec7a-cf9f-5f39-b4f9-03258822edd6)
Part Two - Dead Fire (#ueb831fd0-ee6e-57f2-99a5-5a1690e24ba6)
Chapter Eight (#u496db016-1901-5b10-8cd6-4fe361856219)
Chapter Nine (#u13facc23-e897-5fa9-a5c3-a1a791d962cf)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Part Three - Cyphers (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Part Four - Aurora (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Part Five - Girandole (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Part Six - Ancient Fire (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirty-Seven (#litres_trial_promo)