An arresting historical novel where fact and fiction blend together until one fascinating story emerges. Set between 1068 and 1100, travelling between France and England, with an occasional foray into Scotland, this is a tale that looks beyond the known. Visiting the reign of William the Conqueror and focusing on the time surrounding his sons, we are introduced to a host of characters, however it is King William II and Ralph des Aix who take centre stage. Valerie Anand stamps the date and marks history throughout this novel, however I was completely sucked into the compelling story. We grow up with William and Ralph, watch as events unfold and shape the two men, as their lives intertwine, as they make mistakes, fall in love and affect the lives of those around them. Delving deeply into hidden mysteries, ’King of the Wood’ is a darkly satisfying and engaging tale.
Popular British historical fiction and mystery writer Valerie Anand brings past times and conundrums to life with fascinating characters, abundant detail and meticulous research in her twenty-one novels. In the United States she’s been known under her pen name Fiona Buckley for her historical mystery series set in the early years of Elizabeth I’s reign featuring Ursula Blanchard.
Valerie Anand was born in London and knew at the age of six that she wanted to be an author. At the age of fifteen, she saw MGM’s film Ivanhoe. She walked into the cinema knowing that she wanted to be a novelist and walked out of it knowing that historical novels were the kind she most wanted to write.
Over the course of her long and distinguished writing career, Valerie has written many works of historical fiction and is well known for the Ursula Blanchard series of Elizabethan mysteries written under the pen name of Fiona Buckley.
Still living in London, Valerie Anand is a frequent visitor to Exmoor which she loves and is the setting featured in The House of Lanyon.
