Holden, Wendy – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk Henley-on-Thames Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:31:56 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-Bell-Background-Blue-32x32.png Holden, Wendy – The Bell Bookshop https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk 32 32 The Queen’s Painter https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-queens-painter/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=56450 'I am in awe of Wendy Holden' Heather Morris

In her dazzling new novel, No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Wendy Holden presents a new take on the Anne Boleyn story. The Queen's Painter traces her stellar rise and tragic fall as seen by Tudor court artist Hans Holbein. Close friend of the ill-fated queen, did he use his genius in a stunning act of revenge?

When the brilliant young Holbein arrives at the Tudor court, Anne Boleyn is among his first patrons. As she rises to the top, Hans rises with her. Courtiers clamour for his portraits of life-like accuracy; pictures which tell the truth about their subjects.

When his beloved Anne is beheaded on false evidence, Hans is heartbroken and enraged. And he's not alone. Poet and diplomat Thomas Wyatt is agonised at his own unwitting part in her tragedy. He and Hans join forces and vow revenge on the person they blame for Anne's downfall: Thomas Cromwell, the king's ruthless chief minister.

But what can a poet and painter do against the most powerful man in England? The answer comes when Henry VIII seeks a fourth wife. Cromwell turns to Holbein and Wyatt, his trusted artist and envoy, to travel across Europe to find and paint a new bride. Cromwell's position depends on a portrait of someone young and beautiful, painted with Hans' trademark truth. Anything less could bring the whole court crashing down.

It's the opportunity they've been waiting for…

Praise for The Queen's Painter:

'As exquisitely-rendered as a Holbein masterpiece, this vivid and compelling novel breathes new life into one of the most dramatic stories in English history' Tracy Borman

'A thrilling tale of danger and revenge' Literary Review

'InThe Queen's Painter, Wendy Holden brings a well-known piece of history to life with a fresh and vivid perspective. Utterly gripping and portrayed in exquisite detail, this is a story to lose yourself in entirely.' Elizabeth Lee

'Brimful of sumptuous details… a fresh and engaging takeon familiar Tudor political shenanigans' Daily Mail

'Genius, vivid, compelling' Platinum Magazine

]]> The princess https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-princess/ Thu, 17 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=34676 The Princess, the final novel in Wendy Holden's trilogy about royal outsiders, fictionalises Princess Diana's little-known early years.

]]> ‘Touching and distinctive . . . getting beneath the fairytale pomp and glamour’ – Rachel Hore
‘Fabulous behind-the-scenes royal drama . . . Riveting, revealing, an absolute must-read’ – Imogen Edwards-Jones
‘This delicate, sometimes wistful story will delight fans of historical fiction and British royalty’ – Booklist
‘A fresh perspective on a woman whom many people feel they already know’ – Library Journal
‘Diana is depicted as warm, empathetic and mischievous’ – Mail on Sunday, Best New Fiction
‘Fascinating’ – Woman’s Weekly
‘Fictionalises Diana’s life in riveting and tender detail’ – Platinum
‘Perfect for fans of The Crown‘ – Bella
‘A compelling read’ – Prima
‘Scurrilous, funny, sharp, shot through with pathos’ – Saga magazine, Pick of the Month
‘A super-romantic royal wedding that was nothing like it seemed. Wendy delves beneath the glamour and public persona. Fascinating’ – Woman magazine
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The moving new novel about the young Diana.

Diana believes in love. Growing up amid the fallout of her parents’ bitter divorce, she takes refuge in romantic novels. She dreams of being rescued by a handsome prince.

Prince Charles loves his freedom. He’s in no rush to wed, but his family have other ideas. Charles must marry for the future of the Crown.

The right girl needs to be found, and fast. She must be young, aristocratic and free of past liaisons.

The teenage Diana Spencer is just about the only candidate. Her desperation to be loved dovetails with royal desperation for a bride.

But the route to the altar is full of hidden obstacles and people with their own agendas.

When she steps from the golden carriage on her wedding day, has Diana’s romantic dream come true?

Or is it already over?

]]> The Duchess https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-duchess-2/ Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=23461 The Duchess, the second novel in Wendy Holden's trilogy about royal outsiders, fictionalises the unknown London life of Wallis Simpson.

]]> ‘Enthralling’ – Daily Mail’Fizzing with gossip, intrigue and wit’ – Mail on SundayIf you love The Crown, you will love this fictional look inside the life of Wallis Simpson… ___________Love can change the course of history… Arriving in 1928, Wallis was a divorced, penniless, middle-aged foreigner with average looks and no connections. Yet, just eight years later, a king renounced his throne for her.How did a woman from nowhere capture the heart of the world’s most glamorous bachelor? Wendy Holden tells the amazing story… ___________What readers are saying about The Duchess: ????? ‘A great read, fabulous story line and such a different perspective. Massive fun’????? ‘A powerful read. Perhaps we all got Wallis Simpson wrong’????? ‘Superb and powerful writing! I loved it’????? ‘A great read and I’d highly recommend to anyone who wants a less stilted piece of history’????? ‘A fascinating tale, well told’????? ‘An amazing, fictionalised retelling of the story of Edward and Mrs Simpson’

]]> The Duchess https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-duchess/ Thu, 19 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=15095 The Duchess, the second novel in Wendy Holden's trilogy about royal outsiders, fictionalises the unknown London life of Wallis Simpson.

]]> ‘Enthralling’ – Daily Mail’Fizzing with gossip, intrigue and wit’ – Mail on SundayIf you love The Crown, you will love this fictional look inside the life of Wallis Simpson… ___________Love can change the course of history… Arriving in 1928, Wallis was a divorced, penniless, middle-aged foreigner with average looks and no connections. Yet, just eight years later, a king renounced his throne for her.How did a woman from nowhere capture the heart of the world’s most glamorous bachelor? Wendy Holden tells the amazing story… ___________What readers are saying about The Duchess: ????? ‘A great read, fabulous story line and such a different perspective. Massive fun’????? ‘A powerful read. Perhaps we all got Wallis Simpson wrong’????? ‘Superb and powerful writing! I loved it’????? ‘A great read and I’d highly recommend to anyone who wants a less stilted piece of history’????? ‘A fascinating tale, well told’????? ‘An amazing, fictionalised retelling of the story of Edward and Mrs Simpson’

]]> The Governess https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-governess/ Thu, 10 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.bellbookshop.co.uk/product/the-governess/ The fictionalised story of Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford, the progressive young working-class woman who, as royal governess for seventeen years, lived on the most intimate terms with Princess Margaret and the future Queen Elizabeth II.

]]> ‘A beautifully woven and exquisitely detailed story’ HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

‘A hugely entertaining, emotionally satisfying story of love and loyalty’DAILY MAIL

‘A poignant, fictional reimagining of a woman condemned by history, with plenty of modern-day echoes’MAIL ON SUNDAY
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She Came From Nothing . . . and Raised a Queen

The drama of the Abdication, the glamour of the Coronation, the trauma of World War II – Marion Crawford, affectionately known as Crawfie, stood by the side of the royal family through it all.

In 1933, a progressive young teacher became governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Determined to give her pupils a fun and normal childhood, she took them on buses, swimming at public baths and Christmas shopping at Woolworths.

For seventeen years she served at the heart of the royal family. But her devotion and loyalty counted for nothing when a perceived betrayal brought everything crashing down.

This sweeping, sumptuous novel brings her long-buried story to life and shines a completely new and captivating light into the world’s most famous family.
___________

‘Brilliantly researched . . . I was completely absorbed and transported’ ADELE PARKS, author of Just My Luck

‘Compelling characters and a wonderful blend of historical accuracy and real narrative drive . . . a heart-breaking study of loyalty and love’ SALLY MORRIS, Daily Mail

‘[A] beautifully researched and captivating novel . . . Wendy Holden’s tender and intimate portrait of Lilibet, the future Queen Elizabeth II, is masterly’ RACHEL HORE

‘I adored this wonderful book. What a great story Wendy Holden has told’ JILLY COOPER

‘A great book for escaping into . . . I loved this!’ KATIE FFORDE

‘Sensitive, funny and fascinating – this masterful novel gives the reader fly-on-the-wall privileges into the early life of the Queen’ FREYA NORTH

‘A brilliantly imagined and poignant novel . . . of sacrifice, deep affection, strained loyalties and divided English society in the post-Downton Abbey era’ ELIZABETH BUCHAN

‘An intimate view of the royal family at a time of great uncertainty and change . . . Marion Crawford’s dedication to her charges, as well as her passion for education and reform, shines through the pages’ CHANEL CLEETON

‘Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history . . . Lovers of The Crown series on Netflix will adore this!’ SUSAN MEISSNER

‘I loved, loved, LOVED this book and if it isn’t adapted for the screen, I’ll eat my crown!’ ERICA JAMES

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