Quinn, Frances – The Bell Bookshop

The Lost Passenger

Emma — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface?

Trapped in an unhappy aristocratic marriage, Elinor Coombes sees only lonely days ahead of her. So a present from her father – tickets for the maiden voyage of a huge, luxurious new ship called the Titanic – offers a welcome escape from the cold, controlling atmosphere of her husband’s ancestral home, and some precious time with her little son, Teddy.

When the ship goes down, Elinor realises the disaster has given her a chance to take Teddy and start a new life – but only if they can disappear completely, listed as among the dead. Penniless and using another woman’s name, she has to learn to survive in a world that couldn’t be more different from her own, and keep their secret safe.

An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are.

The lost passenger

Emma — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the chaos of that terrible night, her secret went down with the Titanic. But secrets have a way of floating to the surface?

An uplifting story about grabbing your chances with both hands, and being brave enough to find out who you really are.

‘A thoroughly enjoyable novel about being brave enough to grab hold of a second chance and make the most of it’ Louise Hare

‘An acutely observed account of one woman’s struggle to escape the shackles of an aristocratic marriage, and the desperate decisions she has to make after the sinking of the Titanic. You’ll be rooting for Elinor Coombes all the way in this compelling, heart-warming novel’ Gill Paul

‘A brilliant, big-hearted book with a brave and complex heroine struggling to make a new life for herself and her son after the wreckage of the Titanic. A powerful and inspiring story about finding strength in the face of insurmountable odds’ Anna Mazzola

‘Excoriates the British aristocracy who put dynastic ambitions above love and happiness. A beautifully written page-turner of the highest order. We are with Elinor on her riches to rags adventure every step of the way’ Lila Cain

‘I was swept away by this story of bravery and resilience in a life of changing fortunes. Utterly compelling’ Essie Fox

‘Through her wonderfully imagined character of Elinor Coombes, Frances Quinn shapes a powerful, immersive and intriguing narrative of the Titanic tragedy. I walked every step of that journey with Elinor and Teddy, and still think about them long after turning the final page. Brilliant historical drama’ Hazel Gaynor

‘A vivid, compelling and immaculately researched story with a protagonist in Elinor you can’t help but root for’ Lucy Barker

‘I absolutely loved The Lost Passenger. I adored the writing style, the characterization and the gripping storyline to the extent that I couldn’t wait to get to the end whilst really not wanting it to end. Bliss!’ Jill Mansell

That bonesetter woman

Emma — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

‘What a heroine Endurance Proudfoot is! I loved her from the start. An unconventional woman who takes us on a fascinating – if bumpy – ride through a man’s world. I laughed, cried and most of all cheered! Can’t stop thinking about it? an absolute cruncher of a tale’ Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal

‘A complete joy of a novel that, like it’s wonderful protagonist’s namesake, is a story of endurance against all odds. Full of heart and so eloquently written, THAT BONESETTER WOMAN had me cheering Durie on from start to finish – I absolutely loved it’ Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora

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It’s usual, they say, for a young person coming to London for the first time to arrive with a head full of dreams. Well, Endurance Proudfoot did not. When she stepped off the coach from Sussex, on a warm and sticky afternoon in the summer of 1757, it never occurred to her that the city would be the place where she’d make her fortune; she was just very annoyed to be arriving there at all.

Meet Endurance Proudfoot: clumsy as a carthorse, strong as an ox, with a tactless tongue and a face she’s sure only a mother could love. Durie wants one thing in life: to become a bonesetter like her father. It’s physically demanding work, requiring nerves of steel, and he’s adamant it’s not a job for a woman.

Strong-willed and stubborn, Durie’s certain that in bonesetting, her big, usually clumsy hands have found their natural calling. So when she’s bundled off to London with her beautiful sister, she won’t let it stop her realising her dream. As her sister finds fame on the stage, Durie becomes England’s most celebrated bonesetter – but what goes up must come down, and her success may become her undoing.

Inspired by the true stories of two of Georgian England’s most famous celebrities, That Bonesetter Woman is an uplifting tale about finding the courage to go your own way, when everyone says you can’t – and about realising that what makes you different can also make you strong.

Praise for That Bonesetter Woman:

‘Durie Proudfoot is a brilliant heroine: stubborn, flawed and so entertaining to spend time with. I loved every step of her journey, and Frances Quinn is fast becoming one of my favourite historical novelists’ Louise Hare

‘I adored every second of this book – historical fiction at its finest, and Quinn is a natural storyteller. Quirky, funny and original. Durie and her lions will stay with me’ Ericka Waller

‘I feel as if I left a little bit of my heart between the pages of this extraordinary book’ Nicola Gill

‘Filled with hope and humour, That Bonesetter Woman is a novel that truly champions the underdog. I devoured it with as much gusto as the inimitable heroine sets people’s bones’ Polly Crosby

‘That Bonesetter Woman is a wonderfully uplifting, charming, addictive and unusual story. Quinn delivers astute and acutely observed aspects of human behaviour delivered with great humour and compassion. Replace the coffee houses and newspaper scribblers with Twitter and YouTube and I’d say, not so much has changed!’ Louise Fein

‘Frances Quinn has done it again! Georgian London is vividly brought to life in a fast-paced story full of quirky characters, wry wit, warmth and wisdom. I was completely charmed!’ Anita Frank

That Bonesetter Woman

Emma — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Praise for That Bonesetter Woman:

The Smallest Man

Emma — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’

An uplifting, feel-good story perfect for fans of Mrs England The Doll Factory and The Devil and the Dark Water

My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.

The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.

They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend, when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.

Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England for ever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.

Praise for The Smallest Man:

‘An enchanting tale about a small man with a big heart. Nat Davy is so charming that I couldn’t bear to put this book down. I loved it’ Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

‘A perfect fusion of history and invention. It’s so purposefully written, cuts right to the chase, galloping along. Nat’s wit and humour makes the poignancy of his story all the more powerful – The Smallest Man has the biggest heart’ Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy

‘What a page-turner! A timely tale celebrating courage, determination and friendship, it serves as a warning against prejudice and superficial judgements’ Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones

‘I absolutely loved it. It’s a rare thing to get a historical fiction that is wonderfully researched, pitch-perfectly voiced and unputdownable, but this is the real deal. A perfectly formed masterpiece. I raced through it’ C.S. Quinn, author of The Bastille Spy

‘I loved this book – a fascinating tale of extraordinary accomplishment, and a story about how anything is possible and how love has always been a beacon of hope’ Phillip Schofield

‘I adored Nat Davy’s witty narrative as his personal struggles and triumphs unfolded alongside the compelling events of a troubled court and a Queen in jeopardy. I found myself rooting for the Smallest Man in England from the very first page’ Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose

‘Great memorable books are made by great, memorable characters. Frances Quinn’s Nat Davy is such a character. The Smallest Man is a beautiful, heartwarming tale, weaving history and fiction intricately and seamlessly. I was routing for Nat from the first page. Quinn shows us how a big heart and strength of character can lead anyone, perceived disability or not, to achieve great things, and that kindness and compassion are the most important of human qualities. I loved this book’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us

‘This book took me on an epic journey with a character that will always have a special place in my heart, I shall miss Nat Davy immensely!’ Emma Cooper, author of If I Could Say Goodbye

‘Written with a wonderful lightness of touch, full of humour and humanity… An engaging, compelling, thought-provoking story of a life less ordinary’ Caroline Scott, author of The Photographer of the Lost

‘A beguiling and well-written tale, whose mysterious protagonist is plucked from a famous painting; the carefully crafted historic context uncannily reflects contemporary politics’ Ellen Alpsten, author of Tsarina

‘What a wonderful romp through such a turbulent period of history. I absolutely fell for the book’s narrator: an ebullient character whose voice and world view I adored’ Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child

‘A captivating story, part fact, part fiction – always a tricky balancing act, but Quinn pulls it off with pretty much perfect poise’ Hilary Spurling, Spectator Best Books of the Year

The Smallest Man

Emma — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’

A compelling story perfect for fans of The Doll Factory, The Illumination of Ursula Flight and The Familiars.

My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.

The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.

They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend, when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.

Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England for ever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.

Praise for The Smallest Man:
‘Not your ordinary historical fiction, centring on a special relationship between two unique souls set against the English civil war’ Stylist, Best New Fiction of 2021

‘Remarkable’?The Independent, Best Books of Jan

‘I haven’t come across a character I’ve loved as much as Nat Davy for a long time?. it’s Nat’s journey to overcome perceptions and achieve big things that makes this debut so good’ Good Housekeeping

‘Davy is based on Sir Jeffrey Hudson, Henrietta Maria’s dwarf who was immortalised in paint by Van Dyck. His tale is extraordinary, and Frances Quinn has used it well in this fascinating debut’ The Times

‘It’s an unforgettable story about being different, brave and hopeful in diversity’ Woman’s Weekly

‘Full of vim and vigour, this is winningly warm-hearted’? Daily Mail

‘An enchanting tale about a small man with a big heart. Nat Davy is so charming that I couldn’t bear to put this book down. I loved it’ Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

‘What a page-turner! A timely tale celebrating courage, determination and friendship, it serves as a warning against prejudice and superficial judgements’ Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones

‘I loved this book – a fascinating tale of extraordinary accomplishment, and a story about how anything is possible and how love has always been a beacon of hope’ Phillip Schofield

‘Great memorable books are made by great, memorable characters. Frances Quinn’s Nat Davy is such a character. The Smallest Man is a beautiful, heartwarming tale, weaving history and fiction intricately and seamlessly. I was rooting for Nat from the first page. Quinn shows us how a big heart and strength of character can lead anyone, perceived disability or not, to achieve great things, and that kindness and compassion are the most important of human qualities. I loved this book’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us

‘This book took me on an epic journey with a character that will always have a special place in my heart, I shall miss Nat Davy immensely!’ Emma Cooper, author of If I Could Say Goodbye

‘A wonderful character in a compelling story’ Choice

‘The author vividly depicts life in 17th-century England, from the small village of Nat’s childhood, through to the splendours of court and the horrors of a country at war. Nat is an entertaining and joyous narrator, whose determination and courage shine through the pages of the book. His love for his friends and family is the anchor which enables him to cling to hope and bravery, despite a backdrop of cruelty, war and treachery. It is a truly delightful novel. Highly recommended’ Historical Novel Society

‘An unlikely friendship blossoms between the two as they navigate the scary world of the Civil Wars. The Smallest Man is inspired by the true story of the court dwarf Jeffrey Hudson, who could be found in the court of Charles I’ History Extra