Kate Furnivall
Kate Furnivall was born in Wales and studied English at London University. She worked first in publishing on a series of travel books and then in advertising, making television commercials all over the world. After taking time out to have children, it came as a shock when she learned from her mother that her grandmother was Russian and that she had lived in St Petersburg at the time of the Russian revolution. This prompted Kate to research her Russian ancestry and she developed a passion for the country and its history. It was this research and the story of her grandmother’s flight to China in 1917 that inspired her first book, THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE which became an international bestseller and spent three weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Kate’s books have been published in 20 languages.
In 2013 THE WHITE PEARL was shortlisted for the RoNA Award for Historical Novel of the Year.
THE JEWEL OF ST PETERSBURG was shortlisted for the 2011 RNA Awards for Romantic Novel of the Year and for the Historical Novel of the Year.
Latest book: CHILD OF THE RUINS To be published in UK by Hodder in November 2023
CHILD OF THE RUINS: Berlin 1948. The war is over and Berlin lies in ruins. Soviet Russia has cut off the city from all supplies to starve it into submission, but the Allies start an almost impossible Airlift of essentials to keep the inhabitants alive. Anna Wolff, a Berliner, is desperately searching for the child who was stolen from her, but she is being stalked - by whom and why? She is kidnapped - but escapes and becomes the hunter herself. Her path crosses with the Soviet officer who saved her life three years before and their love is rekindled. While working at the American airbase, Anna is befriended by a highwire circus performer, a young woman who draws her into the dangerous world of Soviet espionage as Anna fights for her freedom and for her life.
THE GUARDIAN OF LIES Published by Simon & Schuster UK 2018
1953 South of France. The fragile peace between the West and Soviet Russia hangs on a knife edge. Eloise Caussade must hunt down the person who betrayed her brother to the Soviets, but she is forced to look at those she loves with di8erent eyes. Who can she trust? A thrilling story of courage and desperation, of resilience and the refusal to accept defeat.
THE GUARDIAN OF LIES was selected for Sainsbury’s Book Club.
“A page-turning, Cold War historical thriller … a twisting engaging story.” (The Times)
“A stylish action-packed adventure with a great setting and a gutsy heroine.” (Sunday Mirror)
THE SURVIVORS Published by Simon & Schuster UK 2018
Germany 1945. Klara Janowska and her daughter Alicja have walked for weeks to reach Graufeld Displaced Persons camp. In the cramped, dirty, dangerous conditions they – along with 3,200 other refugees – are the lucky ones. They have survived. But when Klara recognises a man in the camp from her past, a deadly game of cat and mouse begins. He knows what she did during the war to save her daughter. She knows his real identity. What will be the price of silence? Will either make it out of the camp alive?
Praise for THE SURVIVORS
“A compelling edge-of-your-seat story full of twists and turns.” (Julie Cohen, bestselling author of Together.)
“A superb read, brilliantly crafted, exciting, very moving and researched meticulously.” (Lesley Pearse, bestselling author of The Woman in the Wood.)
“A gripping, raw story of love in the darkest of times.” (Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret Wife.)
THE BETRAYAL Published by Simon & Schuster UK
THE BETRAYAL has gone straight to #10 in the Bestseller Charts.
Paris 1938. Twin sisters are divided by fierce loyalties and by a terrible secret. Romaine is a pilot, reckless and passionate, while her sister Florence is a socialite who enjoys power and privilege. Both have something to prove and something to hide. Their worlds clash and fear stalks the city streets. The drums of WWII are beating and France is poised to fall. A story of love and danger, of courage and breathtaking betrayal.
THE BETRAYAL was chosen as PICK OF THE WEEK in THE TELEGRAPH.
THE BETRAYAL was the centre of a nationwide promotion by W.H.Smith.
Praise for THE BETRAYAL:-
"A colourful cocktail - pre-war Paris is vividly conveyed." (Daily Mail)
"Superb storytelling that kept me guessing until the very end." (Dinah Jefferies, bestselling author of The Teaplanter's Wife)
THE LIBERATION (Simon & Schuster 2016)
THE LIBERATION is set in Italy 1945. As British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country, Italy’s people fight to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is drawing them into danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life. Two Allied Intelligence officers accuse her father of treason, and violence follows in their wake. Who can Caterina trust and who is the real enemy now? Lies, past secrets and threats to her life pursue her until she risks everything to find the truth. A powerful story of love and Italian vengeance.
THE LIBERATION was chosen as PICK OF THE WEEK in THE TELEGRAPH and given a half page coverage.
THE LIBERATION was the centre of a nationwide promotion by W.H.Smith.
Praise for THE LIBERATION:-
"Fast moving, atmospheric and romantic, this is great escapism." (Sunday Mirror)
"A twisting story of love and violence set in post-war Naples." (The Telegraph)
Bibliography:
CHILD OF THE RUINS (Hodder 2023)
THE GUARDIAN OF LIES (Simon & Schuster UK 2019); foreign editions in Hungary, Czech Republic.
THE SURVIVORS (Simon & Schuster UK 2018); foreign edition in Hungary.
THE BETRAYAL (Simon & Schuster UK 2017); foreign editions in Greece, Italy.
THE LIBERATION (Simon & Schuster UK 2016); foreign editions in Greece, Hungary,Russia.
THE ITALIAN WIFE (Sphere/Little Brown UK 2015); US edition Berkley; foreign editions in Greece, Hungary.
THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN (Sphere/Little Brown UK 2014); US edition Berkley; foreign editions in Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands.
SHADOWS ON THE NILE (Sphere/Little Brown 2013); US edition Berkley; foreign editions in Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain.
THE WHITE PEARL (Sphere/Little,Brown 2011); US edition Berkley; foreign editions in Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland.
THE JEWEL OF ST PETERSBURG (Sphere/Little,Brown 2010); US edition Berkley; - foreign editions in Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Turkey.
THE CONCUBINE’S SECRET (Sphere/Little,Brown 2009); US edition Berkley (title:THE GIRL FROM JUNCHOW); - foreign editions in Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Turkey.
UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY (Sphere/Little,Brown 2008); US edition Berkley (title: THE RED SCARF); foreign editions in Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Turkey.
THE RUSSIAN CONCUBINE (Sphere/Little,Brown 2007); US edition Berkley; foreign editions in Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey
