PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Inspired by eighteenth-century household books of recipes, writing historical fiction has allowed Martine to indulge in her obsessions with food, history and travel. As an amateur cook, Martine won the Merchant Gourmet Recipe Challenge and was a former UK Dessert Champion, cooking at Le Meurice in Paris. In pursuit of authenticity she has studied with food historian Ivan Day and experienced Georgian food and fashion at first-hand with an historic re-enactment society. Martine lives in Cheshire, England and Auckland, New Zealand. She is married with one son and is currently writing a second historical novel.
Martine Bailey has invented her own niche - gothic horror meeting culinary thriller - and THE PENNY HEART is her second helping... There is much to admire in this sprawling tale of lies, secrets and puddings. Bailey's prose sparkles.' The Times An ingenious exercise in pastiche gothic, this is a richly rewarding read. Sunday Times An exciting novel in the Gothic tradition The Lady Magazine Praise for Martine Bailey's debut novel, AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS : THE PENNY HEART is a compelling and haunting story, brimming with malice and darkness, and powerfully alive to the harsh realities of 18th century life, but it also an invigorating account of the indomitability of the human spirit in the face of terrible hardship. Lancashire Evening Post Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre - best described as culinary gothic. I was hooked and enraptured. -- Fay Weldon 'Irresistible. Full of mystery and intrigue, above and below stairs shenanigans and cookery. The Arts Show, BBC Radio 2 Part social history, part exploration of 18th century cuisine and part action-packed, dark-edged mystery, this is probably the most delicious - and inventive - story you will read this year. Lancashire Evening Post A charming debut and a genuinely original and insightful novel. Good Housekeeping A beautifully written 18th century servant story ... An impressive debut. Daily Mail I adored this novel: a delicious addictive mix of confectionery, skulduggery and crime, sprinkled with dark secrets. -- Maria McCann, bestselling author of As Meat Loves Salt and The Wilding An absolutely delicious novel; I savoured every page. -- Imogen Robertson, author of Instruments of Darkness
