Carolyn Kirby – författare

Short-listed for the Crimefest/Specsavers Debut Crime Fiction Award 2020Longlisted for the Historical Writers Association (HWA) Debut Crown award 2019To believe in her future, she must uncover her past...Birmingham, 1885. Born in a gaol and raised in a workhouse, Cora Burns has always struggled to control the violence inside her.Haunted by memories of a terrible crime, she seeks a new life working as a servant in the house of scientist Thomas Jerwood. Here, Cora befriends a young girl, Violet, who seems to be the subject of a living experiment. But is Jerwood also secretly studying Cora...?With the power and intrigue of Laura Purcell'sThe Silent Companionsand Sarah Schmidt'sSee What I Have Done, Carolyn Kirby's stunning debut takes the reader on a heart-breaking journey through Victorian Birmingham and questions where we first learn violence: from our scars or from our hearts.

Short-listed for the Crimefest/Specsavers Debut Crime Fiction Award 2020Longlisted for the Historical Writers Association (HWA) Debut Crown award 2019 To believe in her future, she must uncover her past...Birmingham, 1885. Born in a gaol and raised in a workhouse, Cora Burns has always struggled to control the violence inside her.Haunted by memories of a terrible crime, she seeks a new life working as a servant in the house of scientist Thomas Jerwood. Here, Cora befriends a young girl, Violet, who seems to be the subject of a living experiment. But is Jerwood also secretly studying Cora...?With the power and intrigue of Laura Purcell's The Silent Companions and Sarah Schmidt's See What I Have Done, Carolyn Kirby's stunning debut takes the reader on a heart-breaking journey through Victorian Birmingham and questions where we first learn violence: from our scars or from our hearts.

England, 1943 Lost in fog, pilot Vee Katchatourian is forced to make an emergency landing where she meets enigmatic RAF airman Stefan Bergel, and then can't get him out of her mind.In occupied Poland, Ewa Hartman hosts German officers in her father's guest house, while secretly gathering intelligence for the Polish resistance. Mourning her lover, Stefan, who was captured by the Soviets at the start of the war, Ewa is shocked to see him on the street one day.Haunted by a terrible choice he made in captivity, Stefan asks Vee and Ewa to help him expose one of the darkest secrets of the war. But it is not clear where everyone's loyalties lie until they are tested.Published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day and based on WWII atrocity the Katyn Massacre, When We Fall is a moving story of three lives forever altered by one fatal choice.

England, 1943 Lost in fog, pilot Vee Katchatourian is forced to make an emergency landing where she meets enigmatic RAF airman Stefan Bergel, and then can't get him out of her mind.In occupied Poland, Ewa Hartman hosts German officers in her father's guest house, while secretly gathering intelligence for the Polish resistance. Mourning her lover, Stefan, who was captured by the Soviets at the start of the war, Ewa is shocked to see him on the street one day.Haunted by a terrible choice he made in captivity, Stefan asks Vee and Ewa to help him expose one of the darkest secrets of the war. But it is not clear where everyone's loyalties lie until they are tested.Published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day and based on WWII atrocity the Katyn Massacre, When We Fall is a moving story of three lives forever altered by one fatal choice.

England, 1943 Lost in fog, pilot Vee Katchatourian is forced to make an emergency landing where she meets enigmatic RAF airman Stefan Bergel, and then can't get him out of her mind.In occupied Poland, Ewa Hartman hosts German officers in her father's guest house, while secretly gathering intelligence for the Polish resistance. Mourning her lover, Stefan, who was captured by the Soviets at the start of the war, Ewa is shocked to see him on the street one day.Haunted by a terrible choice he made in captivity, Stefan asks Vee and Ewa to help him expose one of the darkest secrets of the war. But it is not clear where everyone's loyalties lie until they are tested.Based on WWII atrocity the Katyn Massacre, When We Fall is a moving story of three lives forever altered by one fatal choice.

In 18th century Whitehaven, Kit Ravenglass grows up in a house of secrets. A shameful mystery surrounds his mother's death, and his formidable, newly rich father is gambling everything on shipping ventures. Kit takes solace in his beloved sister Fliss, and her sumptuous silks, although he knows better than to reveal his delight in feminine fashion. As the family's debts mount, Kit's father turns to the transatlantic slave trade - a ruthless and bloody traffic to which more than a fortune might be lost. Adventures will see Kit turn fugitive and begin living as 'Stella,' before being swept into the heady violence of Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebellion. Driven by love, revenge and a desire to live truly and freely, Kit must find a way to survive these turbulent times - and to unravel the tragic secrets of the Ravenglass family.Praise for Ravenglass:'A sweeping Gothic tale of love and betrayal' - My Weekly'Set in 18th century Scotland and northern England, this epic novel also touches on contemporary themes, like queer history' - Sunday Post'A lavish and fully realised story in a living and breathing Georgian Cumbria' - Cumbria Life'This big and lusty historical tale explores a theme of gender fluidity that chimes with society today, but was a dangerous secret in the 18th century. 9/10' - Peterborough Evening Telegraph'Brave, honest and free, touching multiple themes from the bottom to the top of society, across race, religion, politics, gender and sexuality... immersing the reader in an extraordinarily vivid portrait of early Georgian life, love, work and war" - Fiona Erskine, author of The Chemical Detective series'It will appeal to anyone interested in 18th -century history, the slave trade and the fitting out of the ships, the Jacobite Rebellion, attitudes towards sexuality or anyone enjoying an adventure story. I would recommend it highly.'- Historical Novel Society review 'I am knee deep in this marvellous book and do not want to stop. Do my children really need feeding? Do I? Do I need to sleep? All currently up for debate.' - Reader review from @Victoriapunch_, via Instagram'Utterly spellbinding, this is one of those books that will linger with you for a long time. I loved it.' - Reader review from @brownflopsy, via Instagram'I was so moved by Kit as a character, and without giving any spoilers, the resolution just worked so beautifully well for me as a reader. I know this story will stay with me for a long time...The family backstory is dark and full of secrets, adding another layer to the narrative. There's so much going on here, but it's all held in perfect balance, which is the sign of an author working at the peak of her powers.' - Reader review from @elspells13, via Instagram'An absolute must for lovers of historical fiction.' - Reader review from @bookphace, via Instagram'...what a wonderful character. The writing really immersed me in the period, and place.Brava!' - Sarah Hilary, author of Someone Else's Skin, winner of the Theakston's CrimeNovel of the Year 2015'...the writing is pacy and vivid. I raced through it...' - Gaynor Arnold, author of Girl in a Blue Dress, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2008'Richly researched and sweeping in historical scope, Ravenglass is a hugely engaging tale of family secrets and the desire to be true to oneself, whatever the cost' - Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones