Harper, Elodie – The Bell Bookshop

Boudicca’s Daughter

Emma — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

'Boudicca’s Daughter is Elodie Harper’s masterpiece.' Costanza Casati, author of Babylonia
'One of the best books I have ever read.' Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
'Certainly my book of the year.' Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman
'One of my favourite reads of the year.' Rosie Hewlett, author of Medea
'Beautiful, breathtaking – I loved this novel.' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
'One of the most important writers of historical fiction today.' Nikita Gill, author of Hekate

Boudicca. The ferocious warrior queen whose rebellion against Rome still echoes through the ages.
But what of the daughter who grew up in her shadow?
Defeated by her enemy but unbroken, Solina’s bid for survival takes her from Britain’s sacred marshlands to the glittering façades of Nero’s court. But in an Empire built on violence and lies, Boudicca’s daughter will find both revenge and redemption have their price…
Born to a legend. Forced to fight. Determined to succeed.

Meet Solina.

Boudicca’s Daughter.

**Praise for BOUDICCA'S DAUGHTER**
‘Historical fiction of the highest quality’ Elizabeth Fremantle
‘Beautiful, poignant and gripping’ Hannah Kaner
‘Loved, loved this’ Buki Papillon
‘Precious and rare’ Harriet Constable
‘An absolute must-read’ Emily Hauser
‘Devastating, powerful and haunting’ Sue Lynn Tan
‘Expertly crafted’ Helen Carr
‘I devoured this’ Francesca de Tores
‘Wonderful… an author fully stepping into their power’ Venetia Constantine
‘Sophisticated’ The Times
‘Masterful . . . I was absolutely transported.’ Red
‘I throughly recommend this novel’ Historical Novels Review
‘Dazzl[ing] . . . there’s a raw energy to Harper’s storytelling’ Daily Mail
‘A masterful storyteller… rich and accomplished’ Press Association
‘Absolutely thrilling . . . incredibly powerful . . . fascinating’ BBC 4 Front Row

Elodie Harper’s book ‘Boudicca’s Daughter was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2025-09-01.

Boudicca’s Daughter

Emma — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

***PRE-ORDER THE EPIC NEW STANDALONE NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOLF DEN TRILOGY***

‘Boudicca’s Daughter is Elodie Harper’s masterpiece.’ Costanza Casati, bestselling author of Babylonia
‘A beautiful, breathtaking novel… pre-order it immediately!’ Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne
‘One of the best books I have ever read.’ Bea Fitzgerald, Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
‘Gives a voice to so many forgotten women from history…masterful.. I was absolutely transported.’ Red

Boudicca. Infamous warrior, queen of the British Iceni tribe and mastermind of one of history’s greatest revolts. Her defeat spelled ruin for her people, yet still her name is enough to strike fear into Roman hearts.

But what of the woman who grew up in her shadow?

The woman who has her mother’s looks and cunning but a spirit all of her own?

The woman whose desperate bid for survival will take her from Britain’s sacred marshlands to the glittering façades of Nero’s Roman Empire?

Born to a legend. Forced to fight. Determined to succeed.

Meet Solina.

Boudicca’s Daughter.

*CRITICS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*
‘Magnificent’ Observer
‘A triumph’ The Times
‘Dazzling’ Daily Mail
‘Gripping’ Independent
‘One-of-a-kind’ Red Magazine
‘Captivating’ Heat Magazine

*AUTHORS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*
‘Phenomenal’ Jennifer Saint
‘Extraordinary’ Costanza Casati
‘Beautiful’ Susan Stokes-Chapman
‘Tender? powerful’ Samantha Shannon
‘Richly imagined’ Louise O’Neill
‘Spellbinding’ Anna Mazzola

*READERS LOVE ELODIE HARPER*
‘Elodie’s writing style is a dream’
‘Enlightening? transports you back in time’
‘A work of art. I will read absolutely anything Elodie Harper writes’
‘I have loved every page of this wonderful story’
‘Essential reading for fans of historical fiction’

The Temple of Fortuna

Emma — Thu, 09 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The final instalment in Elodie Harper’s Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den Trilogy

A courtesan in Rome. Playing for power. Haunted by her past. Her name is Amara. How will her fortunes fall?

Amara’s journey has taken her far, from a lowly slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a high-powered courtesan in Rome. Yet she is still drawn back to her past. For while Amara is caught up in the political scheming of the Imperial palace, her daughter remains in Pompeii, raised by the only man she ever truly loved. And although she longs for her family, Amara knows they are safest while she is far away.

But the year is AD 79, and Mount Vesuvius is preparing to make itself known…

The Temple of Fortuna is the dramatic final instalment in Elodie Harper’s Sunday Times-bestselling Wolf Den trilogy, which reimagines the lives of women who have long been overlooked.

Praise for the Wolf Den Trilogy:

‘Captivating’ Jennifer Saint
‘Vibrant and thrilling’ Observer
‘Beautiful’ Susan Stokes-Chapman
‘Richly imagined’ Louise O’Neill
‘Spell-binding’ Anna Mazzola
‘One-of-a-kind’ Red Magazine
‘Triumphant’ Luna McNamara

The Temple of Fortuna

Emma — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The final instalment in Elodie Harper’s Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den TrilogyA courtesan in Rome. Playing for power. Haunted by her past. Her name is Amara. How will her fortunes fall?Amara’s journey has taken her far, from a lowly slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a high-powered courtesan in Rome. She is now a freedwoman with wealth and influence, yet she is still drawn back to her past. For while Amara is caught up in the political scheming of the Imperial palace, her daughter remains in Pompeii, raised by the only man she ever truly loved. Although she longs for her family, Amara knows they are safest while she is far away. Perhaps, with enough cunning and courage, she will manage to turn Fortuna’s wheel in their favour.But the year is ad 79, and Mount Vesuvius is preparing to make itself known…The Temple of Fortuna is the dramatic final instalment in Elodie Harper’s Sunday Times-bestselling Wolf Den trilogy, which reimagines the lives of women who have long been overlooked.Praise for the Wolf Den Trilogy: ‘Captivating’ Jennifer Saint‘Vibrant and thrilling’ Observer ‘Beautiful’ Susan Stokes-Chapman‘Richly imagined’ Louise O’Neill ‘Spell-binding’ Anna Mazzola ‘One-of-a-kind’ Red Magazine‘Triumphant’ Luna McNamara

The house with the golden door

Emma — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller

‘Brutal yet beautiful, heartfelt yet harrowing, this is one compulsive read’ Susan Stokes-Chapman

Amara has escaped her life as a slave in Pompeii’s most notorious brothel. She now has a house, fine clothes, servants – but all are gifts from her patron, hers for as long as she keeps her place in his affections.

As she adjusts to this new life, Amara is still haunted by her past. At night she dreams of the wolf den, and the women she left behind. By day, she is pursued by her former slavemaster.

In order to be truly free, Amara will need to be as ruthless as he is. She knows she can draw strength from Venus, the goddess of love. Yet falling in love herself may prove to be Amara’s downfall.

Praise for The House with the Golden Door:
‘Beautiful, moving, captivating… A brilliant sequel to The Wolf Den‘ Jennifer Saint
‘Vivid, unsentimental and compelling’ The Times
‘[A] gripping sequel… Harper’s recreation of this ancient world continues to thrill’ Observer
‘Gripping and richly imagined, this is spellbinding storytelling’ Louise O’Neill
‘A spell-binding novel that brings Pompeii back to life and explores enslavement in all its forms’ Anna Mazzola
‘Absolutely stunning and utterly gripping!’ Buki Papillon

The House With the Golden Door

Emma — Thu, 12 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

**The Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller**

Freed from Pompeii’s brothel. Owned as a courtesan. Determined to have revenge. Her name is Amara. What will she risk for power?

Amara has escaped her life as a slave in Pompeii’s most notorious brothel. She now has a house, fine clothes, servants – but all of these are gifts from her patron, hers for as long as she keeps her place in his affections.

As she adjusts to this new life, Amara is still haunted by her past. At night she dreams of the wolf den, and the women she left behind. By day, she is pursued by her former slavemaster. In order to be truly free, she will need to be as ruthless as he is.

Amara knows she can draw strength from Venus, the goddess of love. Yet falling in love herself may prove to be her downfall.

The House with the Golden Door is the stunning second novel in Elodie Harper’s celebrated Wolf Den Trilogy, which reimagines the lives of women who have long been overlooked.

Praise for The House with the Golden Door:

‘Beautiful, moving, captivating… A brilliant sequel to The Wolf Den‘ Jennifer Saint
‘Vivid, unsentimental and compelling’ The Times
‘[A] gripping sequel… Harper’s recreation of this ancient world continues to thrill’ Observer
‘Gripping and richly imagined, this is spellbinding storytelling’ Louise O’Neill
‘A spell-binding novel that brings Pompeii back to life and explores enslavement in all its forms’ Anna Mazzola
‘Absolutely stunning and utterly gripping!’ Buki Papillon

The Wolf Den

Emma — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Shortlisted for Pageturner of the Year at the British Book AwardsA Waterstones Book of the MonthWinner of the 2022 Glass Bell Award‘Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph’ The Times ‘I loved it’ Jennifer Saint ‘I couldn’t put it down’ Claire Douglas ‘Utterly spellbinding’ Woman & Home ‘Deeply moving’ William Ryan ‘Gripping’ Independent ‘One of a kind’ RedSold by her mother. Enslaved in Pompeii’s brothel. Determined to survive. Her name is Amara. Welcome to the Wolf Den… Amara was once a beloved daughter, until her father’s death plunged her family into penury. Now, she is owned by a man she despises and lives as a slave in Pompeii’s infamous brothel, her only value the desire she can stir in others.But Amara’s spirit is far from broken. Sharp, resourceful and surrounded by women whose humour and dreams she shares, Amara comes to realise that everything in this city has its price. But how much will her freedom cost?The Wolf Den is the first in a trilogy of novels reimagining the long overlooked lives of women in Pompeii’s lupanar. Perfect for fans of Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls and Madeline Miller’s Circe.Reviews for The Wolf Den: ‘This is a mesmerising, richly detailed tale of sisterhood and courage that fans of Circe will love’ Red ‘A deeply moving and stunningly realised start to one of the most original historical fiction trilogies of our time’ Dan Jones ‘A compelling story of survival, friendship and courage. Amara and her fellow she-wolves are vividly drawn in a fascinating depiction of women at the time. Utterly spellbinding’ Woman & Home ‘Rich in historical detail, beauty and brutality, The Wolf Den brings to vivid life the doomed city of Pompeii and the powerlessness of its women. I loved it’ Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman ‘A vivacious piece of work underpinned by a woman’s longing for freedom’ LoveReading ‘Utterly gripping’ Daisy Dunn, author of In the Shadow of Vesuvius ‘Unflinching… The best book I’ve read in ages’ Sophie van Llewyn, author of Bottled Goods ‘The best historical fiction holds a mirror up to the present and The Wolf Den is a triumph. Harper transports us thousands of years and thousands of miles and yet we see ourselves reflected there’ Claire McGlasson, author of The Rapture ‘A riveting tale of power, love, hate, privilege, female empowerment and female friendships found in the most unlikely situations’ Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder ‘It is a wonderfully clear-sighted tale seen from the viewpoint of its main protagonist, Amara, a doctor’s daughter, who was sold as a slave into prostitution when she and her mother became destitute after his death. You really live and feel Pompeii in this book. An amazing achievement’ Financial Times