PREVIOUS BOOKS BY L M SHAKESPEARE
Malice, 2006
Malice is set in the 17th Century court of Louis XIV in Versailles. Madame, the second wife of the King’s brother, Philippe Duke of Orleans, attracts the jealous hatred of her husband’s favourites. Orleans’ first wife Minette, was thought to have been poisoned by them. How can the second escape the same fate?
“A witty, finely researched feat of the imagination. Compulsive reading, enchanting and original.” Colin Thubron
“A stylish and highly readable novel… told with wit and boldness.” Isabel Quigley, The Times
“Malice is not so much an historical novel as a novelised history. The fictional parts bind together a fascinating and detailed account of life in the court of the Sun King. Laclos himself could not have invented such seething intrigue and wicked plotting.” Kate Saunders, The Times
“this story… with its vivid characters and authentic detail, had me racing through the pages… Intense and compelling.” ‘Book Club Book of the Month’, Woman’s Own
“Ms Shakespeare has previously been noted for financial thrillers. This historic pageant is a departure – and a brilliant one. My book of the year so far.” ‘JB’, Nottingham Evening Post
“… feel the very nap and texture of 17th century France under your hand.” Jonathan Keates, ‘Best Books of the Year’, Sunday Telegraph
“This is THE BEST historical fiction novel I’ve ever read about Louis XIV’s court! I could hardly put it down. The characters are so real and you feel like you’re there. This book is a keeper; I can’t wait to read it again…” US Amazon review
“In this beautifully detailed novel you are transported directly to the court of Louis XIV where intrigue and deception are around every corner and evil ambition meets loyalty and the best of the human spirit head on. Monsieur De Brisse is our unlikely champion in a world of unreality and ambition. Follow him in the shadows, passages and nooks of Versailles and cloak yourself in the drama of this age. A magnificent read. Researched deeply and wonderfully readable. Historical novels don’t come much better.” UK Amazon review
Financial Thrillers - republished in paperback 2012
Utmost Good Faith (Macdonald, 1987), republished as Lodestar, 2012; The Gentlemen’s Mafia (Macdonald, 1989); Poisoning the Angels (St Martins Press, 1993), republished as Death Valley, 2012
Reviews
“A dizzy-makingly clever scam in which an over-tired and emotional underwriter is taken to the cleaners by some powerful shipping magnates.” The Spectator
“Utmost Good Faith has done for Lloyd’s what Dick Francis has done for the turf.” Mail on Sunday
“A thriller that ignites from page one… Compelling.” Publisher’s Weekly
“L M Shakespeare… is a smooth and even elegant stylist.” Lloyd’s List
“A remarkable achievement.” New York Times
“Shakespeare deftly weaves arcane insurance lore with psychological insights… a top-notch mystery thriller.” The Times (on The Gentlemen’s Mafia)
“A thriller that goes on moving briskly and compellingly, like a rocket, against the background of the Lloyd’s insurance market.” Publisher’s Weekly
“A well written exciting thriller from an author who not only writes well but knows his subject inside out. One of the best financial thrillers I have read this year. An absolutely first-class book.” UK Amazon review
LM Shakespeare Full Bibliography
