Paula Brackston Books

City of Time and Magic sees Xanthe face her greatest challenges yet. She must choose from three treasures that sing to her; a beautiful writing slope, a mourning brooch of heartbreaking detail, and a gorgeous gem-set hat pin. All call her, but the wrong one could take her on a mission other than that which she must address first, and the stakes could not be higher. While her earlier mission to Regency England had been a success, the journey home resulted in Liam being taken from her, spirited away to another time and place. Xanthe must follow the treasure that will take her to him if he is not to be lost forever. Xanthe is certain that Mistress Flyte has Liam and determined to find them both. But when she discovers Lydia Flyte has been tracking the actions of the Visionary Society, a group of ruthless and unscrupulous Spinners who have been selling their talents to a club of wealthy clients, Xanthe realizes her work as a Spinner must come before her personal wishes. The Visionary Society is highly dangerous and directly opposed to the creed of the Spinners. Their actions could have disastrous consequences as they alter the authentic order of things and change the future. Xanthe knows she must take on the Society. It will require the skills of all her friends, old and new, to attempt such a thing, and not all of them will survive the confrontation that follows.

Gretel has never had any time for sorcerers, considering them nothing more than show-offs with questionable fashion sense. It is with some reluctance and a deal of grumpiness, then, that she agrees to look into the matter of a murdered magician. All that is left of him is a grisly remnant, which the police quack confirms is the murdered man’s appendix. What has become of the rest of him is baffling the local constabulary, the Sorcerers’ Society, and, not least, the hapless trickster’s widow.As Gretel delves into the facts behind his disappearance she discovers no shortage of suspects. In fact, just about everyone she meets had reason for wanting the odious man dead. Her only clue points in one disturbing direction: the deep dark forest. So it is that Gretel, with a reluctant Hans as porter, must trek into the woods of her childhood trauma, braving all manner of discomforts and dangers—not least of which is a terrifying reminder of her past.

New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston's return to her trademark blend of magic and romance is guaranteed to enchant.

As the bustle of the winter holidays in the Little Shop of Found Things gives way to spring, Xanthe is left to reflect on the strange events of the past year. While she's tried to keep her time-traveling talents a secret from those close to her, she is forced to take responsibility for having inadvertently transported the dangerous Benedict Fairfax to her own time. Xanthe comes to see that she must use her skills as a Spinner if she and Flora are ever to be safe, and turns to the Spinners book for help. It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815, as if she has stepped into a Jane Austen story. Now in Xanthe's time, Fairfax is threatening Xanthe into helping him with his evil doings, and demonstrates all too clearly how much damage he is capable of causing. With Fairfax growing ever more powerful, Xanthe enlists the help of her boyfriend Liam, taking him back in time with her. It is a decision that might just ensure she prevails over her foe, but only by putting her lifeand hison the line.

The second novel in a bewitching series "brimming with charm and charisma" that will make "fans of Outlander rejoice!" (Woman's World Magazine) New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston’s The Little Shop of Found Things was called “a page-turner that will no doubt leave readers eager for future series installments” (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with its sequel, Secrets of the Chocolate House. After her adventures in the seventeenth century, Xanthe does her best to settle back into the rhythm of life in Marlborough. She tells herself she must forget about Samuel and leave him in the past where he belongs. With the help of her new friends, she does her best to move on, focusing instead on the success of her and Flora’s antique shop. But there are still things waiting to be found, still injustices needing to be put right, still voices whispering to Xanthe from long ago about secrets wanting to be shared. While looking for new stock for the shop, Xanthe hears the song of a copper chocolate pot. Soon after, she has an upsetting vision of Samuel in great danger, compelling her to make another journey to the past. This time she'll meet her most dangerous adversary. This time her ability to travel to the past will be tested. This time she will discover her true destiny. Will that destiny allow her to return home? And will she be able to save Samuel when his own fate seems to be sealed?

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter comes the story of Gretel, all grown up and investigating a series of mysterious disappearances off the coast of Bavaria. Gretel—yes, that Gretel—is now all grown up and working as a private investigator in 18th century Bavaria. Her professional interest is piqued when she begins to hear whispers of of mysterious goings-on off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein: sailors are disappearing, and there are rumors of mermaids and sea creatures and all manner of slippery, sea-based happenings. Ordinarily, Gretel’s interest in sea-life does not extend beyond that which is edible, doused in butter and garlic, and already on the plate before her. However, funds are low, and the captain of the ship Arabella makes a tempting offer of good pay and a free cruise in return for her detective services. With a splendid new wig packed, Hans as her bodyguard on the journey north, and the promise of two weeks of fine dining and erudite company whilst sailing around the picturesque Friesian islands, what could possibly go wrong?

The Silver Witch is an enchanting tale of love and ancient magic set in the glorious Welsh landscape, past and present.

Bavaria, 1776. When Albrecht Durer the Much Much Younger's frog prints go missing, he knows exactly where to turn for help. Gretel (yes, that Gretel), now 35 and still living with her gluttonous brother Hans, is the country's most famous private investigator, and she leaps at the opportunity to travel to cosmopolitan Nuremberg to take on the case. But amid the hubbub of the city's annual sausage festival, Gretel struggles to find any clues that point toward the elusive thief. Even with the aid of the chatty mice living under her bed, the absent prints remain stubbornly out of view, and Gretel is forced to get creative in her search for the truth

Paula Brackston's long-awaited sequel to the bestselling book The Witch's Daughter, The Return of the Witch is another bewitching tale of love and magic, featuring her signature blend of gorgeous writing, a fabulous and intriguing historical backdrop, and a headstrong and relatable heroine readers will cheer for.

Fantasy fiction. In her small Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She has not spoken a word out loud since she was a child, and her silence-as well as the magic she can't quite control - makes her an oddity, taunted by rumour and mystery. Concerned for her safety, her mother arranges for Morgana to marry Cai Jenkins, the widower from the far hills who knows nothing of the nasty things folk say about her daughter. After a swift wedding, Cai takes his new wife to his farm. Initially heartbroken to leave her home, Morgana soon begins to falls in love with the place, and the rugged mountains that surround it - just as Cai slowly begins to win her heart. But it isn't long before her strangeness begins to be remarked upon. A dark force is at work - a person who will stop at nothing to turn the townspeople against Morgana, even at the expense of those closest to her. Forced to defend her home, her lover, and herself from all comers, Morgana must learn to harness her power.

In the spring of 1628, young Bess Hawksmith watches her mother's body swing limp from the Hanging Tree. She knows that only one man can save her from the same fate - Gideon Masters, the Warlock. She knows, too, that his help comes at a steep price. In present-day England, Elizabeth has built a quiet life for herself. She has spent the centuries in solitude, moving from place to place, surviving plagues, wars and the heartbreak that comes with immortality. Her loneliness comes to an abrupt end when she is befriended by a teenage girl called Tegan. Against her better judgment, Elizabeth opens her heart to Tegan and begins teaching her the ways of the Hedge Witch. But Gideon is hunting her still. He will stop at nothing, determined even after centuries to claim her soul. And now, Bess is not fighting to save herself alone: now, she must protect the girl she has grown to love like a daughter.

'The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen. I have been listening to the dead all my life.' Lady Lilith Montgomery is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch. When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes on his title. But it is Lilith who inherits their father's role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven. And it is Lilith who must face the threat of the Sentinels, a powerful group of dark sorcerers . . . Lilith knows the Lazarus creed: secrecy and silence. She has spent her life honouring the code. But then she meets Bram. With him, she must not be secret nor silent. Despite her loyalty to the coven and duty to her family, Lilith cannot keep her life as a witch hidden from the man she loves - yet, to tell him will risk everything.

From New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston, Lamp Black, Wolf Grey is an enchanting tale of love and magic featuring her signature blend of gorgeous writing, an intriguing historical backdrop, and a relatable heroine that readers are sure to fall in love with. Artist Laura Matthews finds her new home in the Welsh mountains to be a place so charged with tales and legends that she is able to reach through the gossamer-fine veil that separates her own world from that of myth and fable. She and her husband Dan have given up their city life and moved to Blaencwm, an ancient longhouse high in the hills. Here she hopes that the wild beauty will inspire her to produce her best art and will give her the baby they have longed for. But this high valley is also home to others, such as Rhys the charismatic loner who pursues Laura with fervor. And Anwen, the wise old woman from the neighboring farm who seems to know so much but talks in riddles. And then there is Merlin. Lamp Black, Wolf Grey tells both Laura's story and Merlin's. For once he too walked these hills, with his faithful grey wolf at his heel. It was here he fell in love with Megan, nurse-maid to the children of the hated local noble, Lord Geraint. Merlin was young, at the start of his renowned career as a magician, but when he refuses to help Lord Geraint it is Megan who may pay the price.

Gretel hat sich nie viel aus Zauberern gemacht. Alles Schaumschläger, zudem ausgestattet mit einem ziemlich fragwürdigen Modegeschmack. Also stimmt sie nur widerwillig zu, den Mord an einem Magier aufzuklären, von dem allein ein ... Blinddarm übriggeblieben ist. So gut wie jeder, der dem miesen Zeitgenossen begegnet ist, scheint einen guten Grund gehabt zu haben, ihn um die Ecke zu bringen. Daher macht Gretel sich bei ihren Nachforschungen nicht eben beliebt, und manch einer wünscht sich rasch, sie möge dem verschwundenen Magier schnurstracks folgen - ob mit oder ohne Blinddarm ...

Gesternstadt, Bayern, 1776. Katzendame Floribunda, heiss geliebt von ihrer Besitzerin Frau Habsburg, ist verschwunden. In ihrer Verzweiflung engagiert Frau Habsburg eine Detektivin. Ihr Name: Gretel. Ja - DIE Gretel. Da Gretel nicht nur gegen ihr Übergewicht, sondern auch gegen ständige Geldnot kämpfen und ihren alkoholkranken Bruder Hänsel versorgen muss, nimmt sie den Auftrag an, obwohl sie Katzen hasst. Doch bei ihren Ermittlungen stösst sie bald auf eine grossangelegte Verschwörung - und eine erste Leiche.

Für alle Fans von Terry Pratchett! Im Jahr 1776 in Gesternstadt, Bayern, kämpft Gretel (ja, DIE Gretel) nicht nur gegen Übergewicht, sondern auch gegen Geldnot, um sich und ihren alkoholkranken Bruder Hans zu versorgen, der unter dem Hexentrauma leidet. Um über die Runden zu kommen, nimmt sie die seltsamsten Aufträge als Detektivin an und gerät dabei in gefährliche Abenteuer mit magischen Katzenentführern, mordenden Zwergen und anderen märchenhaften Gestalten. In "Es war einmal ein Mord" verschwinden die geliebten Katzen von Frau Hapsburg, und in ihrer Verzweiflung engagiert sie Gretel, die trotz ihrer Abneigung gegen Katzen den Auftrag annimmt, um ihren Lebensunterhalt zu sichern. Doch die Ermittlungen führen sie zu einer großangelegten Verschwörung und einer ersten Leiche. Im zweiten Teil, "Nürnberger Frösche", wird Gretel von Albrecht Dürer der Viel Viel Jüngere um Hilfe gebeten, da wertvolle Bilder, die er von seinem Vorfahren geerbt hat, gestohlen wurden. Verdächtige gibt es viele, darunter sein Sohn Leopold, ein zwielichtiger Hotelmanager und eine freundliche Pflegerin. Die mysteriöse "Gesellschaft der Betenden Hände" spielt ebenfalls eine Rolle, und bald geschieht ein Mord ...