Sean Lusk – författare

From the bestselling author of The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley, discover the illuminating historical novel about the extraordinary life of pioneering writer, poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu. ‘Witty, insightful and moving’ Sunday Times'This book is a triumph - vivid, exquisite, enthralling and revealing' Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade'Lusk conjures prose of a spell-binding elegance and charm - as charismatic as the woman who he brings so vividly into life upon the page' Essie Fox, author of The Fascination---'I shall be a thousand different Marys and, in such manner, shall find the one I wish to be...'Lady Mary Wortley Montagu longs for adventure, freedom and love, believing that only by truly living can she ever escape the stalking crow of Death...An aristocratic woman in 18th century England is expected to act in certain ways. But Mary has never let society's expectations stifle her: she writes celebrated poetry and articles advocating for equality, as well as endless, often scandalous, letters to her many powerful friends.However, Mary wants more from the world. Using her charm and connections, she engineers a job offer for her husband as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Travelling to Constantinople, Mary finally discovers the autonomous life she dreams of. And when she observes Turkish women 'engrafting' children against smallpox, she resolves to bring the miracle cure back to England.Despite this, Mary's reputation becomes increasingly tainted. Her inability to abide by the rules, her outspoken opinions on women's rights, and her search for love and desire at all costs gains her powerful enemies. While Mary tries to ensure her name will live on by arranging the publication of her diaries after her death, her own daughter works against her, afraid of what they might contain...An illuminating and beautiful novel, A Woman of Opinion gives a voice to the tragically unremembered yet extraordinary life of pioneering poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu.---Praise for The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley:'One of the best books I've read this year . . . completely unforgettable' Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry'Inventive, fantastical . . . memorable' The Times'So powerful . . . like the love child of Charles Dickens and Isabel Allende' Ruth Jones, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Untold‘Beautifully written, ingeniously crafted . . . absolutely enthralling’ Sunday Express

Strategy is vital to effective and efficient public service delivery as well as successful governance and leadership. This new text provides a concise yet systematic overview of the achievements, downfalls and complexities of public strategy in today's globalized and often market-driven world. It describes the place of strategy in civic societies whose citizens are more interconnected and vocal than ever. It shows that successful strategic planning goes well beyond problem-solving to developing adaptable plans that can evolve as requirements and circumstances change. And it explains why muddling through simply won't work. Emphasizing the importance of applying a variety of techniques to the process of strategy-creation, Rethinking Public Strategy reassesses the key factors that can deliver significant improvements in public services and build public value. It looks at why public strategy is distinctive, as well as the principles it has in common with the corporate domain.This text includes numerous case studies from around the globe – from South Africa to Singapore, the USA to Germany, and from China to the Czech Republic – that ground the exposition in real experience. Based on state-of-the-art research by two expert practitioners in the field, it offers an essential guide to the art of strategy in the contemporary public sector, and encourages readers to evaluate critically the various approaches to strategy.

Strategy is vital to effective and efficient public service delivery as well as successful governance and leadership. This new text provides a concise yet systematic overview of the achievements, downfalls and complexities of public strategy in today's globalized and often market-driven world. It describes the place of strategy in civic societies whose citizens are more interconnected and vocal than ever. It shows that successful strategic planning goes well beyond problem-solving to developing adaptable plans that can evolve as requirements and circumstances change. And it explains why muddling through simply won't work. Emphasizing the importance of applying a variety of techniques to the process of strategy-creation, Rethinking Public Strategy reassesses the key factors that can deliver significant improvements in public services and build public value. It looks at why public strategy is distinctive, as well as the principles it has in common with the corporate domain.This text includes numerous case studies from around the globe – from South Africa to Singapore, the USA to Germany, and from China to the Czech Republic – that ground the exposition in real experience. Based on state-of-the-art research by two expert practitioners in the field, it offers an essential guide to the art of strategy in the contemporary public sector, and encourages readers to evaluate critically the various approaches to strategy.

What price must a man pay to stand up to a tyrant?Humberto Barbetti, secretary to Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, is ordered to cover up the massacre of thousands of Haitians. But he harbours a dangerous secret—three orphaned children hidden from the regime. When Trujillo hatches a plan to ‘whiten’ the Dominican Republic by inviting Jewish refugees, Barbetti fears exposure, especially after one of the children vanishes.Meanwhile, Jewish magician Chaim Levy and his brother Sol flee Nazi Germany. In Paris, Chaim’s nightclub act draws the attention of American journalist Patricia Kellerman, who entangles them in a world of espionage. As war looms, they escape to Lisbon, where Barbetti, now in exile, helps them reach the Dominican Republic.Chaim’s magic earns him an audience with Trujillo, but a careless revelation puts them all at risk, exposing Barbetti’s secrets and the shocking truth about the missing child. As rebellion brews and loyalties are tested, betrayal and sacrifice push Barbetti to the edge. A decade later, still under Trujillo’s grip, he seeks redemption in a final act of defiance…

A BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick and Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month, for fans of PANDORA, THE ESSEX SERPENT and THE NIGHT CIRCUS.Longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2023 and the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2023.'I just fell in love with it within the first two sentences . . .' - Ruth Jones'One of the best books I've read this year . . . completely unforgettable' - Bonnie Garmus------Zachary Cloudesley is gifted in a remarkable way. But not all gifts are a blessing...Leadenhall Street, London, 1754.Raised amongst the cogs and springs of his father's workshop, Zachary Cloudesley has grown up surrounded by strange and enchanting clockwork automata. He is a happy child, beloved by his father Abel and the workmen who help bring his father's creations to life.He is also the bearer of an extraordinary gift; at the touch of a hand, Zachary can see into the hearts and minds of the people he meets.But then a near-fatal accident will take Zachary away from the workshop and his family. His father will have to make a journey that he will never return from. And, years later, only Zachary can find out what happened.A beautifully crafted historical mystery of love and hope, and the adventure of finding your place in the world.READ SEAN LUSK'S EXCITING NEW NOVEL, A WOMAN OF OPINION, OUT NOW!------'Packed with intrigue, vividly drawn characters and heartstopping emotion, this beautifully written, ingeniously crafted debut is absolutely enthralling' - Sunday Express'Really transports you to a different time and place' - Sara Cox, Radio Times'A dashing, magical debut . . . intricately plotted, and peopled with intriguing characters' - Daily MailWhat readers are saying:'an excellent historical, magical realist novel''beautifully written''full of love and humour''original and rich in historical detail''my best book of 2022''totally engrossing . . . unforgettable'