Sara Sheridan – författare

A disgraced woman. A faraway land. A forbidden love… An unforgettable tale set in Victorian London and 1840s China from a shining, young historical talent.Desperate to shield her from scandal, Mary's brother-in-law, the ambitious botanist Robert Fortune, forces her to accompany him on a mission to China to steal tea plants for the East India Company. But Robert conceals his secret motives - to spy for the British forces, newly victorious in the recent Opium War.His task is both difficult and dangerous - the British are still regarded as enemies by the Chinese and exporting tea bushes carries the death sentence. In these harsh conditions Mary grieves for her London life and the baby she has been forced to leave behind, while her fury at Robert intensifies.As their quest becomes increasingly treacherous, Robert and Mary disguise themselves as a mandarin and man-servant. Thousands of miles from everything familiar, Mary revels in her new freedom and the Chinese way of life - and when danger strikes, finds unexpected reserves of courage.The Secret Mandarin is an unforgettable story of love, fortitude and recklessness - of a strong woman determined to make it in a man's world and a man who will stop at nothing to fulfil his desires.

The second tie-in to ITV drama Victoria unveils the complex, passionate relationship of Victoria and Albert.What happened after the Queen married her handsome prince? Did they live happily ever after, or did their marriage, like so many royal marriages past and present fizzle into a loveless bond of duty? Victoria and Albert were the royal couple that broke the mould – it may have been an arranged match, yet their union was a passionate, tempestuous relationship between two extremely strong-willed individuals. Despite the fact that they were first cousins they could not have been more different people – she was impulsive, emotional, capricious, while he was cautious, self-controlled, and logical. But together they became the most successful royal couple there had ever been, and this book reveals the private and the public face of Victoria and Albert’s marriage. Using their letters and diaries, Victoria and Albert charts the constant ebb and flow of power between the couple, and presents a picture of a very modern marriage.This companion book, full of rich historical detail, takes fans deeper into that period than ever before. Discover the inner workings behind the scenes, with profiles of all the major characters, interviews with the actors and fascinating, in-depth information on the production, the costumes and the props.

The second tie-in to ITV drama Victoria unveils the complex, passionate relationship of Victoria and Albert.What happened after the Queen married her handsome prince? Did they live happily ever after, or did their marriage, like so many royal marriages past and present fizzle into a loveless bond of duty? Victoria and Albert were the royal couple that broke the mould – it may have been an arranged match, yet their union was a passionate, tempestuous relationship between two extremely strong-willed individuals. Despite the fact that they were first cousins they could not have been more different people – she was impulsive, emotional, capricious, while he was cautious, self-controlled, and logical. But together they became the most successful royal couple there had ever been, and this book reveals the private and the public face of Victoria and Albert’s marriage. Using their letters and diaries, Victoria and Albert charts the constant ebb and flow of power between the couple, and presents a picture of a very modern marriage.This companion book, full of rich historical detail, takes fans deeper into that period than ever before. Discover the inner workings behind the scenes, with profiles of all the major characters, interviews with the actors and fascinating, in-depth information on the production, the costumes and the props.

A disgraced woman. A faraway land. A forbidden love…An unforgettable tale set in Victorian London and 1840s China from a shining, young historical talent.Desperate to shield her from scandal, Mary''s brother-in-law, the ambitious botanist Robert Fortune, forces her to accompany him on a mission to China to steal tea plants for the East India Company. But Robert conceals his secret motives – to spy for the British forces, newly victorious in the recent Opium War.His task is both difficult and dangerous – the British are still regarded as enemies by the Chinese and exporting tea bushes carries the death sentence. In these harsh conditions Mary grieves for her London life and the baby she has been forced to leave behind, while her fury at Robert intensifies.As their quest becomes increasingly treacherous, Robert and Mary disguise themselves as a mandarin and man-servant. Thousands of miles from everything familiar, Mary revels in her new freedom and the Chinese way of life – and when danger strikes, finds unexpected reserves of courage.The Secret Mandarin is an unforgettable story of love, fortitude and recklessness – of a strong woman determined to make it in a man''s world and a man who will stop at nothing to fulfil his desires.

LONGLISTED FOR SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2024.THE ENCHANTING NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2022 WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE FAIR BOTANISTS.'Gripping' Good Housekeeping'Secrets discovered, ruinous rumours scotched, happiness regained and friendships founded' Daily Mail'A novel of feeling and intellect which will surely and deservedly be a great success' Allan Massie, The ScotsmanYou wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square...1846. Glasgow is a city on the cusp of great social change, but behind the curtains, neighbours are watching, and rumours of improper behaviour spread like wildfire on the respectable Blythswood Square. When Charlotte Nicholl discovers that the fortune she has been bequeathed by her father is tied up in a secret collection of erotic art, she is faced with a terrible dilemma: sell it and risk shaming her family's good name or lose her home.An encounter with Ellory Mann, a talented working-class photographer newly arrived in Glasgow, leads Charlotte to hope she has found not only someone who might help her, but also a friend. Yet Ellory is hiding secrets of her own - secrets that become harder to conceal as she finds herself drawn into Charlotte's world. As the truth begins to catch up with both women, will it destroy everything they've fought to build - or set them both free? Readers love Sara Sheridan's storytelling!'I absolutely love Sara Sheridan's books. They're so easy to get into and so hard to put down. The Secrets of Bythwood Square is no exception. It's a great story populated with excellent, believable characters and woven with rich historical detail' 5* reader review, NetGalley'A fascinating, atmospheric story which I greatly enjoyed' 5* reader review, NetGalley'I absolutely loved it, finished it within 2 days' 5* reader review, NetGalley'Wonderful characters and a beautifully interwoven story.' 4* reader review, NetGalley PRAISE FOR THE FAIR BOTANISTS:'Sheridan creates an evocative, enjoyable portrait of two women determined to lead independent lives' SUNDAY TIMES'Completely enchanting and fascinating . . . a rollicking and immensely readable tale' SCOTSMAN'Lush, seductive and scandalous, this is a gorgeous read' DAILY MAIL'A cracking good read' VAL MCDERMID'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' KATIE FFORDE'What a beautiful, immersive gem of historical fiction' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' RED

THE ENCHANTING NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2022 WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE FAIR BOTANISTS.'Gripping' Good Housekeeping'Secrets discovered, ruinous rumours scotched, happiness regained and friendships founded' Daily Mail'A veteran storyteller' Sunday TimesYou wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square...1846. Glasgow is a city on the cusp of great social change, but behind the curtains, neighbours are watching, and rumours of improper behaviour spread like wildfire on the respectable Blythswood Square.When Charlotte Nicholl discovers that the fortune she has been bequeathed by her father is tied up in a secret collection of erotic art, she is faced with a terrible dilemma: sell it and risk shaming her family's good name or lose her home.An encounter with Ellory McHale, a talented working-class photographer newly arrived in Glasgow, leads Charlotte to hope she has found not only someone who might help her, but also a friend. Yet Ellory is hiding secrets of her own - secrets that become harder to conceal as she finds herself drawn into Charlotte's world.As the truth begins to catch up with both women, will it destroy everything they've fought to build - or set them both free?Readers love Sara Sheridan's storytelling!'I absolutely love Sara Sheridan's books. They're so easy to get into and so hard to put down. The Secrets of Bythwood Square is no exception. It's a great story populated with excellent, believable characters and woven with rich historical detail' 5* reader review, NetGalley'A fascinating, atmospheric story which I greatly enjoyed' 5* reader review, NetGalley'I absolutely loved it, finished it within 2 days' 5* reader review, NetGalley'Wonderful characters and a beautifully interwoven story.' 4* reader review, NetGalleyPRAISE FOR THE FAIR BOTANISTS:'Sheridan creates an evocative, enjoyable portrait of two women determined to lead independent lives' SUNDAY TIMES'Completely enchanting and fascinating . . . a rollicking and immensely readable tale' SCOTSMAN'Lush, seductive and scandalous, this is a gorgeous read' DAILY MAIL'A cracking good read' VAL MCDERMID'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' KATIE FFORDE'What a beautiful, immersive gem of historical fiction' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' RED

LONGLISTED FOR SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2024.THE ENCHANTING NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2022 WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE FAIR BOTANISTS.'Gripping' Good Housekeeping'Secrets discovered, ruinous rumours scotched, happiness regained and friendships founded' Daily Mail'A novel of feeling and intellect which will surely and deservedly be a great success' Allan Massie, The ScotsmanYou wouldn't suspect it, but scandalous secrets are being kept on Blythswood Square...1846. Glasgow is a city on the cusp of great social change, but behind the curtains, neighbours are watching, and rumours of improper behaviour spread like wildfire on the respectable Blythswood Square. When Charlotte Nicholl discovers that the fortune she has been bequeathed by her father is tied up in a secret collection of erotic art, she is faced with a terrible dilemma: sell it and risk shaming her family's good name or lose her home.An encounter with Ellory Mann, a talented working-class photographer newly arrived in Glasgow, leads Charlotte to hope she has found not only someone who might help her, but also a friend. Yet Ellory is hiding secrets of her own - secrets that become harder to conceal as she finds herself drawn into Charlotte's world. As the truth begins to catch up with both women, will it destroy everything they've fought to build - or set them both free? Readers love Sara Sheridan's storytelling!'I absolutely love Sara Sheridan's books. They're so easy to get into and so hard to put down. The Secrets of Bythwood Square is no exception. It's a great story populated with excellent, believable characters and woven with rich historical detail' 5* reader review, NetGalley'A fascinating, atmospheric story which I greatly enjoyed' 5* reader review, NetGalley'I absolutely loved it, finished it within 2 days' 5* reader review, NetGalley'Wonderful characters and a beautifully interwoven story.' 4* reader review, NetGalley PRAISE FOR THE FAIR BOTANISTS:'Sheridan creates an evocative, enjoyable portrait of two women determined to lead independent lives' SUNDAY TIMES'Completely enchanting and fascinating . . . a rollicking and immensely readable tale' SCOTSMAN'Lush, seductive and scandalous, this is a gorgeous read' DAILY MAIL'A cracking good read' VAL MCDERMID'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' KATIE FFORDE'What a beautiful, immersive gem of historical fiction' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' RED

Readers love Sara Sheridan's evocative historical novels . . .'I loved this book from start to finish. So interesting to read about women back in the 1800s being independent and finding their own way in what was mostly a man's domain!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Did not want to put this down but did not want it to end. Another fabulous read transporting you back in time, bring on the next one quickly please!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I was totally floored by this! SO interesting at every point!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Celebrated writer and historian Maria Graham must make the treacherous voyage from Brazil to London to deliver her latest book to her publisher. Having come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband, Maria is now determined to live her life as she pleases, free from the smothering constraints of Georgian society.For a woman travelling alone it's a journey fraught with danger, and as civil war rages around her, the only ship prepared to take Maria belongs to roguish smuggler Captain James Henderson. Onboard, all is well until Maria makes two shocking discoveries - the first a deadly secret, the second an irresistible attraction to the enigmatic captain.With Henderson on a journey of his own and determined to finally put his life of crime behind him, he and Maria grow ever closer. But can Henderson escape his illicit past or will the scandalous secret he's hiding ruin them both?

Men would kill for this treasure.The McKenzie women will guard it with their lives.London, 1837. When 25-year-old Araminta McKenzie-Moore is summoned from Richmond to her great aunt's deathbed in Edinburgh, it's the first time she's met her extended family. The McKenzie women, however, have been keeping a close eye on her. For they have a long, secret and dangerous history as Jewel Keepers to the Scottish Crown and they need Araminta to play her part to solve a puzzle which stretches back generations.But the McKenzies are not alone in this high-stakes treasure hunt though history. They're being pursued. The last of her line, if Araminta succeeds, she will uncover something more valuable than mere jewels - a secret that will change the lives of all women living on this, the cusp of the Queen Victoria's rule.Featuring real historical events and places amid its fiction, The Jewel Keepers is an immersive, evocative story tinged with romance and brimming with intrigue.Readers LOVE Sara Sheridan: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book is a thing of beauty. I wanted to climb inside it'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Clever and extremely entertaining'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An absolute delight'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A story that evokes all of the senses' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Riveting'

Men would kill for this treasure.The McKenzie women will guard it with their lives.London, 1837. When 25-year-old Araminta McKenzie-Moore is summoned from Richmond to her great aunt's deathbed in Edinburgh, it's the first time she's met her extended family. The McKenzie women, however, have been keeping a close eye on her. For they have a long, secret and dangerous history as Jewel Keepers to the Scottish Crown and they need Araminta to play her part to solve a puzzle which stretches back generations.But the McKenzies are not alone in this high-stakes treasure hunt though history. They're being pursued. The last of her line, if Araminta succeeds, she will uncover something more valuable than mere jewels - a secret that will change the lives of all women living on this, the cusp of the Queen Victoria's rule.Featuring real historical events and places amid its fiction, The Jewel Keepers is an immersive, evocative story tinged with romance and brimming with intrigue.Readers LOVE Sara Sheridan: 'This book is a thing of beauty. I wanted to climb inside it' 'Clever and extremely entertaining' 'An absolute delight' 'A story that evokes all of the senses' 'Riveting'

1951. Brighton. With the war over and the Nazis brought to justice at Nuremberg, Mirabelle Bevan (retired Whitehall secretary) thinks her skills are no longer required. After her lover's death she retires to the seaside to put the past behind her and takes a job at a debt collection agency run by the charismatic Big Ben McGuigan. But when the case of Romana Laszlo - a pregnant Hungarian refugee - comes in, Mirabelle soon discovers that her specialist knowledge is vital. With enthusiastic assistance from insurance clerk Vesta Churchill, they follow a mysterious trail of gold sovereigns and corpses that only they can unravel.

1952, Brighton and London. When seventeen-year-old debutante Rose Bellamy Gore goes missing in a seedy Soho jazz club the prime suspect is black saxophone player, Lindon Claremont, the last person seen talking to her. Under suspicion, Lindon heads straight for Brighton and his childhood friend, Vesta Churchill who works with ex-Whitehall backroom girl Mirabelle Bevan, now in charge of McGuigan & McGuigan debt recovery. When Lindon is taken into custody the two women dive into London's underworld of smoky night clubs, smart cars and lethal cocktails to establish the truth.

1954, Brighton, London and ParisWhen Mirabelle receives a bequest from a lately deceased wartime acquaintance she is mystified - she hardly knew the man but it is not long before she realises that he certainly knew her. She is drawn back to re-examine her memories of WWII and is shocked to find that other people's experiences do not chime with her own and more importantly, with what she knows of her erstwhile lover, Jack Duggan. Following the trail to the threads of what's left of the resistance movement in Paris, Mirabelle is forced to face secrets she didn't even know that she had.

*SELECTED AS THE WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022*'Compelling, fascinating . . . A cracking good read' Val McDermid'An evocative, enjoyable portrait of 1820s Edinburgh' Sunday Times'Lush, seductive' Daily Mail'Completely enchanting' Scotsman'A beautiful tale of scandal and intrigue' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora***Could one rare plant hold the key to a thousand riches?It's the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is abuzz with rumours of King George IV's impending visit. In botanical circles, however, a different kind of excitement has gripped the city. In the newly-installed Botanic Garden, the Agave Americana plant looks set to flower - an event that only occurs once every few decades.When newly widowed Elizabeth arrives in Edinburgh to live with her late husband's aunt Clementina, she's determined to put her unhappy past in London behind her. As she settles into her new home, she becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden which borders the grand house and offers her services as an artist to record the rare plant's impending bloom. In this pursuit, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative, dark art of perfume creation.Belle is determined to keep both her real identity and the reason for her interest the Garden secret from her new friend. But as Elizabeth and Belle are about to discover, secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city . . .And when they are revealed, they can carry the greatest of consequences . . .***'Dazzling, original, full of wonderful characters' Katie Fforde'An absolute treat for fans of historical fiction and rich storytelling' Red Magzine'Lively and generous-hearted, with an array of utterly engaging characters, this enchanting novel reads like a warm tonic for the soul' Mary Paulson-Ellis'As rare and lush as the Agave flower itself, The Fair Botanists is a richly realised, transportive delight' Rachel Rhys'Beautiful . . . Every sentence is a gift. If you love The Doll Factory or The Binding, you'll love this' Miranda Dickinson'Delightfully original, sensuous historical fiction, led by a charge of female characters as captivating and complex as the brightest of botanical flowers' Cari Thomas

Celebrated writer and historian Maria Graham must make the treacherous voyage from Brazil to London to deliver her latest book to her publisher. Having come to terms with the loss of her beloved husband, Maria now has renewed hope for the future and is determined to live her life as she pleases, free from the smothering constraints of Georgian society.For a woman travelling alone it''s a journey fraught with danger, and as civil war rages around her, the only ship prepared to take Maria belongs to roguish smuggler Captain James Henderson. Onboard, all is well until Maria makes two shocking discoveries - the first a deadly secret, the second an irresistible attraction to the enigmatic captain.With Henderson on a journey of his own and determined to finally put his life of crime behind him, he and Maria grow ever closer. But can Henderson escape his illicit past or will the scandalous secret he''s hiding ruin them both?On Starlit Seas is a breathtaking and compelling story of passion, secrets and escape."A story as rich and velvety as the chocolate at its heart... A joy to read."MARY CHAMBERLAIN (author of The Dressmaker of Dachau)"This is a novel to take one seamlessly from exotic places to shadowy underworlds and polite drawing rooms, in order to revel in an emotionally charged and socially challenged Victorian romance, coupled with the cliff-hanging jeopardy of Brazilian and London low-life... Five stars with extra phosphorescence!"JOANNA HICKSON (author of The Tudor Bride)

'Five engrossing, resonant stories here, with no weak links' ― The HeraldThe world’s first UNESCO city of literature, Edinburgh is steeped in literary history. It is the birthplace of a beloved cast of fictional characters from Sherlock Holmes to Harry Potter. It is the home of the Writer’s Museum, where quotes from writers of the past pave the steps leading up to it. A city whose beauty is matched only by the intrigue of its past, and where Robert Louis Stevenson said, ‘there are no stars so lovely as Edinburgh’s street-lamps’.  And to celebrate the city, its literature, and more importantly, its people, Polygon and the One City Trust have brought together writers – established and emerging – to write about the place they call home.Based around landmarks or significant links to Edinburgh each story transports the reader to a different decade in the city’s recent past. Through these stories each author reflects on the changes, both generational and physical, in the city in which we live.

A disgraced woman. A faraway land. A forbidden love… Desperate to shield her from scandal, Mary's brother-in-law, the ambitious botanist Robert Fortune, forces her to accompany him on a mission to China to steal tea plants for the East India Company. But Robert conceals his secret motives – to spy for the British forces, newly victorious in the recent Opium War.His task is both difficult and dangerous – the British are still regarded as enemies by the Chinese and exporting tea bushes carries the death sentence. In these harsh conditions Mary grieves for her London life and the baby she has been forced to leave behind, while her fury at Robert intensifies.As their quest becomes increasingly treacherous, Robert and Mary disguise themselves as a bureaucrat and man-servant. Thousands of miles from everything familiar, Mary revels in her new freedom and the Chinese way of life – and when danger strikes, finds unexpected reserves of courage. The Secret Mandarin is an unforgettable story of love, fortitude and recklessness – of a strong woman determined to make it in a man's world and a man who will stop at nothing to fulfil his desires.

This is not just another Nessie tale, it’s a MONSTER story… Best-selling author Sara Sheridan teams up with her daughter Molly to produce this fantastic and topical adventure about friendship and teamwork, and why discarding plastics and our waste in lochs, lakes and waterways is not good for us, the planet AND for all the monsters trying to visit their friends. The darkly quirky and fun illustrations are by first-time picture book illustrator Iain Carroll.

For most of recorded history, women have been sidelined, if not silenced, by men who named the built environment after themselves. Now is the time to look unflinchingly at Scotland's heritage and bring those women who have been ignored to light.Can you imagine a different Scotland, a Scotland where women are commemorated in statues and streets and buildings - even in the hills and valleys? This is a guidebook to that alternative nation, where the cave on Staffa is named after Malvina rather than Fingal, and Arthur's Seat isn't Arthur's, it belongs to St Triduana. You arrive into Dundee at Slessor Station and the Victorian monument on Stirling's Abbey Hill interprets national identity through the women who ran hospitals during the First World War. The West Highland Way ends at Fort Mary. The Old Lady of Hoy is a prominent Orkney landmark. And the plinths in central Glasgow proudly display statues of the suffragettes who fought until they won.In this guide, streets, buildings, statues and monuments are dedicated to real women, telling their often unknown stories.