The Gallows Curse

A ripping tale set in the year of 1210. Full of colour and detail

Maitland's richest yet: a breathless romp through an England rendered spiritually desolate. Bubbles over with the exploits of desperate priests, scheming herbalists, torturous conspirators, a dwarf-sized madam and a plot of treason against the King

A gem of a story. Meticulously researched and told with blood-curdling relish, this is a tale that will keep you awake at night

A richly evocative page-turner which brings to life a lost and terrible period of British history, with a disturbing final twist worthy of a master of the spine-tingler, such as Henry James

Karen Maitland neatly catches the spirit of primitive superstition

Karen Maitland travelled and worked in many parts of the United Kingdom before finally settling in the beautiful medieval city of Lincoln. She is the author of The White Room, Company of Liars, The Owl Killers and The Gallows Curse. The latter three titles are available as Penguin paperbacks.

The thirteenth-century is just begun and King John has fallen out with the Pope, leaving babies to lie unbaptized in their cradles and corpses in unconsecrated ground. Across a fear-ravaged England, the people are dying in sin. 
 
In the village of Gastmere, this has shocking consequences for servant girl Elena. Unwittingly drawn into a macabre scheme to absolve dying Lord Gerard of his crimes, death and betrayal haunt her dreams like a curse. 
 
And when Elena is threatened with hanging for a murder she did not commit, it is certain that unnatural conspiracy lies behind these dark deeds. But where can she turn? For in every face lies wickedness and in every shadow lurks treachery . . .

The Owl Killers

Karen Maitland lives in Lincolnshire and is the author of Company of Liars.

Another sensational slice of Dark Ages Gothic from the author of the triumphant seller Company of Liars 
 
England, 1321 
Welcome to the Dark Ages 
 
In the heart of the countryside lies an isolated village, where pagan Owl Masters rule through fear, superstition and murder. 
 
When a group of religious women ill-advisedly settles outside the village, they awaken dangerous jealousies. Why do their crops succeed? How do their cattle survive the plague? Are they concealing a holy relic which protects them from harm? 
 
The Owl Masters cry 'Witchcraft' and sharpen their talons. As torment and hellfire rain down, the women must look to their faith to save them from the darkness spreading across the land. 
 
Fear is a question of what you believe. 
And death alone the answer. 
 
 
 Karen Maitland lives in Lincolnshire and is the author of The White Room, which won an Author's Club Best First Novel Award, and Company of Liars, published to outstanding critical acclaim in 2008.

Company of Liars

Karen Maitland lives in Lincolnshire and is the author of The White Room, which won an Author's Club Best First Novel Award.

The year is 1348 and the first plague victim has reached English shores. Panic erupts around the country and a small band of travellers comes together to outrun the deadly disease, unaware that something far more deadly is - in fact - travelling with them. 
 
The ill-assorted company - a scarred trader in holy relics, a conjurer, two musicians, a healer and a deformed storyteller - are all concealing secrets and lies. And at their heart is the strange, cold child - Narigorm - who reads the runes. 
 
But as law and order breaks down across the country and the battle for survival becomes ever more fierce, Narigorm mercilessly compels each of her fellow travellers to reveal the truth ... and each in turn is driven to a cruel and unnatural death.

Karen Maitland

1564, Lisbon. The Inquisition displays its power and spreads fear. 
 
Heretics are tortured and burned. For those who oppose the Church, silence is preferable to a slow, agonizing death. 
 
Isabela, daughter of the Royal Falconer, is caught in a terrifying Church scheme. 
Two of the King's precious white falcons are slaughtered; her father is arrested. He and his family will be killed unless the birds are replaced. 
 
Isabela, young and headstrong, must travel into strange lands to find these impossibly rare birds and save her father. It is a journey into a dark and dangerous world, filled with menacing people driven by fearful beliefs. 
 
And the Church has sent a companion to ensure she never returns . . .

Karen Maitland

The Falcons of Fire and Ice

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