Reviews
A highly readable tale that beautifully evokes the chaos in the aftermath of the disastrous battle'
Scottish Field
A well-crafted tale which drives forward with unremitting pace'
Scotland on Sunday
'very good indeed, and hugely enjoyable'
The Scotsman
'A compelling story that weaves deftly amongst historical fact and fiction'
We Love This Book
A fast-paced adventure story that will delight fans of the genre' -
The Lady
An epic adventure on a grand scale ... by combining fact with fiction, the author has skilfully merged the thrill of conspiracy with a touch of romance ... the sights, sounds and smells of sixteenth century Scotland are impressively reproduced'
Newbooks
A swashbuckling tale in the best tradition of adventure fiction ... charged with melancholy and menace'
Times Literary Supplement
[A] beautiful and highly acclaimed debut novel'
Observer
Goring has a fine story to tell, a keen sense of place, and the ability to evoke mood. It's a compelling and gripping novel'
Scotsman
About the Book
Patrick Paniter was James IV's right-hand man, a diplomatic genius who was in charge of the guns at the disastrous battle of Flodden in September 1513 in which the English annihilated the Scots. After the death of his king he is tormented by guilt as he relives the events that led to war. When Louise Brenier, daughter of a rogue sea trader, asks his help in finding out if her brother Benoit was killed in action, it is the least he can do to salve his conscience. Not satisfied with the news he brings, Louise sets off to find out the truth herself, and swiftly falls foul of one of the lawless clans that rule the ungovernable borderlands. After Flodden is a novel about the consequences of the battle of Flodden, as seen through the eyes of several characters who either had a hand in bringing the country to war, or were profoundly affected by the outcome. There have been very few novels about Flodden, despite its significance,and none from this perspective.
It's a racy adventure, combining political intrigue and romance, and its readership will be anyone who loves historical fiction, or is interested in the history of Scotland and the turbulent, ungovernable borderlands between Scotland and England.
The Author
Rosemary Goring
Rosemary Goring was born in Dunbar and studied at the University of St Andrews. She worked at W&R Chambers as a reference editor before becoming literary editor of Scotland on Sunday. She was also the literary editor for The Herald and Sunday Herald, and is the author of two historical novels, After Flodden and Dacre's War.
