Ariel Lawhon

"A novel based on the real life story of socialite spy Nancy Wake, about the astonishing woman who killed a Nazi with her bare hands and went on to become one of the most decorated women in WWII"--

A Novel

Code Name Hélène

Ariel Lawhon, a rising star in historical suspense, unravels the extraordinary twists and turns in Anna Anderson's fifty-year battle to be recognized as Anastasia Romanov. Is she the beloved daughter, revered icon, and Russian grand duchess or is she an imposter, liar, and the thief of another woman's legacy? Countless others have rendered their verdict. Now it is your turn. Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia, where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed. Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled shivering and senseless from a canal. Refusing to explain her presence in the freezing water or even acknowledge her rescuers, she is taken to the hospital where an examination reveals that her body is riddled with countless, horrific scars. When she finally does speak, this frightened, mysterious young woman claims to be the Russian grand duchess. As rumors begin to circulate through European society that the youngest Romanov daughter has survived the massacre at Ekaterinburg, old enemies and new threats are awakened. With a narrative that is equal parts The Talented Mr. Ripley and Memento, Lawhon wades into the most psychologically complex and emotionally compelling territory: the nature of identity itself. The question of who Anna Anderson is and what actually happened to Anastasia Romanov creates a saga that spans fifty years and touches three continents. This thrilling saga is every bit as moving and momentous as it is harrowing and twisted.

I Was Anastasia

"A gripping historical mystery based on the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife who found herself at the center of a murder trial"--

The Frozen River

Ariel Lawhon and Jane Collingwood Sian Thomas

"At every page a guilty secret bobs up; at every page Lawhon keeps us guessing. Who will bring down the Hindenburg? And how?” -- New York Times Book Review On the evening of May 3rd, 1937, ninety-seven people board the Hindenburg for its final, doomed flight to Lakehurst, New Jersey. Among them are a frightened stewardess who is not what she seems; the steadfast navigator determined to win her heart; a naive cabin boy eager to earn a permanent spot on the world’s largest airship; an impetuous journalist who has been blacklisted in her native Germany; and an enigmatic American businessman with a score to settle. Over the course of three hazy, champagne-soaked days their lies, fears, agendas, and hopes for the future are revealed. Flight of Dreams is a fiercely intimate portrait of the real people on board the last flight of the Hindenburg. Behind them is the gathering storm in Europe and before them is looming disaster. But for the moment they float over the Atlantic, unaware of the inexorable, tragic fate that awaits them. Brilliantly exploring one of the most enduring mysteries of the twentieth century, Flight of Dreams is that rare novel with spellbinding plotting that keeps you guessing till the last page and breathtaking emotional intensity that stays with you long after.

Flight of Dreams

A steamy reimagining of the scandal-marked 1930 disappearance of Justice Joseph Crater explores events decades later from the perspectives of the three women who knew him best, including his Chanel-draped wife, his showgirl mistress and his dutiful housemaid.

The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress

Susan Meissner

Kristina McMorris

A Story of the Angels of Bataan

When We Had Wings

From three bestselling authors comes an interwoven tale about a trio of World War II nurses stationed in the South Pacific who wage their own battle for freedom and survival. The Philippines, 1941. When U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, they believe they’re living a paradise assignment. All three are seeking a way to escape their pasts, but soon the beauty and promise of their surroundings give way to the heavy mantle of war. Caught in the crosshairs of a fight between the U.S. military and the Imperial Japanese Army for control of the Philippine Islands, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and, ultimately, endure captivity as the first female prisoners of the Second World War. As their resiliency is tested in the face of squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy’s blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, the women strive to keep their hope— and their fellow inmates—alive, though not without great cost. In this sweeping story based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed “the Angels of Bataan,” three women shift in and out of each other’s lives through the darkest days of the war, buoyed by their unwavering friendship and distant dreams of liberation. “Three of the biggest powerhouses in historical fiction come together to pen this breathtaking story of three nurses serving in the Philippines during the Second World War.” —PAM JENOFF, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star World War II historical fiction Stand-alone novel Book length: approximately 128,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs

AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR • From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history. "Fans of Outlander’s Claire Fraser will enjoy Lawhon’s Martha, who is brave and outspoken when it comes to protecting the innocent. . . impressive."—The Washington Post "Once again, Lawhon works storytelling magic with a real-life heroine." —People Magazine Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie. Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

An inquisitive woman defies expectations to become the mother of forensic science in this absorbing short story by New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon.

You will have ninety minutes to solve the murder. A startling declaration by a new Harvard instructor: sixty-seven-year-old Frances Glessner Lee. It’s 1945. Before her, six wary male students given to assumptions—especially when it comes to women without a formal education—are challenged to solve a real-life whodunit using Mrs. Lee’s creation, the crime scene diorama. Every detail is accurate. And every detail matters when solving a crime with no survivors…

Ariel Lawhon’s Barriers to Entry is part of Blaze, a collection of short stories about incendiary women across the decades who dare to defy convention. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Barriers to Entry

Romanova

Un retrato cercano y apasionado de los verdaderos pasajeros del último vuelo del Hindenburg. Atrás dejaron una tormenta en ciernes en Europa y delante de ellos se vislumbraba un desastre. Pero, mientras tanto, sobrevolaron el Atlántico, ajenos al inexorable y trágico destino que les esperaba. En la tarde del 3 de mayo de 1937 noventa y siete personas se embarcaron en el Hindenburg para su vuelo con destino a Lakehurst, New Jersey. Entre ellas se encontraban la asustada azafata que no era lo que aparentaba, el resuelto piloto decidido a conquistar su corazón, el ingenuo ayudante de cabina deseoso de mantener el puesto en el mayor zepelín del mundo, el impetuoso periodista que figuraba en la lista negra en su Alemania natal y el enigmático hombre de negocios americano con afán de venganza. En el transcurso de tres días, confusos debido a la cantidad ingerida de champán, descubrimos sus mentiras, sus miedos, sus intenciones ocultas y sus esperanzas para el futuro. ¿Quién será capaz de destruir el Hindenburg? ¿Y cómo? Si te emocionaste con Titanic, prepárate para un viaje por las nubes repleto de intrigas, secretos, amor y un trágico final. Reseñas: «Esta novela sorprende con una extraordinaria e intensa intriga que deja al lector hipnotizado.» The New York Times Book Review «Un libro fascinante y emocionante...» People Magazine «Una gran novela al estilo de Agatha Christie.» Kirkus Reviews «El viaje de los sueños ha conseguido que nos acordemos de aquellos hombres y mujeres que murieron aquel funesto día de hace ochenta años o que lograron sobrevivir milagrosamente. De esta forma, la ficción de nuevo pone en valor lo que la historia dejó en segundo plano.» Blog Libros y literatura

El viaje de los sueños

Il romanzo dei Romanov «Molti hanno raccontato la mia storia. Adesso è il mio turno.» Era il 16 luglio del 1918 quando i tumulti che scuotono la Russia dopo la Rivoluzione d'Ottobre prendono forma in uno degli atti più violenti che la storia dell'impero ricordi: l'esecuzione a sangue freddo dell'intera famiglia dello zar Nicola II Romanov. Sua moglie e i suoi figli furono tutti freddati a colpi di fucile nei sotterranei della casa di Ekaterinburg dove erano agli arresti domiciliari. Nessuno sopravvisse, o almeno così si pensò. È il 17 febbraio del 1920 quando una giovane donna viene ritrovata a Berlino, in un canale, vicina alla morte per assideramento. In ospedale, ormai salva, i medici scoprono che il suo corpo è ricoperto di orrende cicatrici. E quando finalmente la donna apre bocca, sarà per dire il proprio nome: Anastasia. In molti non le credono: per loro è solo Anna Anderson, una polacca emigrata in Germania, a cui interessa soltanto la fortuna della famiglia zarista. Ma in Europa comincia a diffondersi, tra reali in esilio e circoli dell'alta società, la voce che la giovane Anastasia sia sopravvissuta. Che la figlia più piccola dello zar Nicola II e della zarina Alessandra, la spericolata bambina che tutti amavano, sia ancora viva. Tra speculazione, verità, inganni, Ariel Lawhon costruisce un romanzo ricco, sorprendente e prezioso come un uovo Fabergé, raccontandoci la storia incredibile di Anastasia Romanova e di Anna Anderson, la donna che sostenne sempre di essere la granduchessa russa, giocando in modo irresistibile con la Storia e i suoi misteri.

Il mio nome era Anastasia

From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia comes a “genuinely surprising whodunit” (USA Today) that tantalizingly reimagines a scandalous murder mystery that rocked the nation. One summer night in 1930, Judge Joseph Crater steps into a New York City cab and is never heard from again. Behind this great man are three women, each with her own tale to tell: Stella, his fashionable wife, the picture of propriety; Maria, their steadfast maid, indebted to the judge; and Ritzi, his showgirl mistress, willing to seize any chance to break out of the chorus line. As the twisted truth emerges, Ariel Lawhon’s wickedly entertaining debut mystery transports us into the smoky jazz clubs, the seedy backstage dressing rooms, and the shadowy streets beneath the Art Deco skyline.

From the bestselling author of Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community. Maine, 1789: When a man is found entombed in the frozen Kennebec River, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As the local midwife and healer, Martha is good at keeping secrets. Her diary is a record of every birth, death and debacle that unfolds in the town of Hallowell. In that diary she has also documented the details of an alleged rape committed by one of the town’s most esteemed gentlemen – the same man who has now been found dead in the ice. While certain townspeople are eager to put both matters to rest, Martha suspects that the two crimes are linked, and that there is more to both cases than meets the eye. Over the course of one long, hard winter, whispers and prejudices mount, and Martha’s diary lands at the centre of the scandal, threatening to tear both her family and her community apart. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense and tender story of an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice on behalf of those no one else would protect. 'The Frozen River is so vivid, so textured and multi-layered that I felt I'd opened a door and entered post-revolutionary America ... This novel was unlike anything I'd read before, and it left me awe-struck.' Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author

From the bestselling author of Code Name Hélène

On the evening of 3 May 1937, Emilie Imhoff boards the Hindenburg. As the much-celebrated only female crew member, Emilie has access to the entire airship and hears everything, including rumours of bomb threats. But Emilie is more focused on hiding a secret she can't afford to share with anyone. Her life depends on it. What Emilie can't see is that everyone on board seems to be hiding something. From Max the navigator who is madly in love with her to the enigmatic German officer with everything to lose. Gertrud, a feisty journalist blacklisted in her native Germany, has stumbled onto the scoop of her life, and a suspicious American businessman and an inquisitive cabin boy are not the only ones who want to discover what she's found. A dazzling flight of imagination, romance, betrayal and suspense, Flight of Dreams will keep you guessing as the story counts down to the last gripping page.

On the evening of May 3rd, 1937, Emilie Imhoff boards the Hindenburg. The much celebrated only female crew member, Emilie has access to the entire airship and hears everything, including rumours of bomb threats. But Emilie is focused on hiding a secret she can't afford to share with anyone. Her life depends on it. Everyone on board seems to be hiding something, from handsome navigator Max who is madly in love with Emilie to the enigmatic German officer with everything to lose. Gertrud, a feisty journalist blacklisted in her native Germany, has stumbled onto the scoop of a lifetime, and a brash American and an enterprising cabin boy are not the only ones racing to discover what she's found before it's too late.

Ariel Lawhon lenyűgöző, igaz történeten alapuló történelmi regénye a társasági hölgyből kémmé avanzsált Nancy Wake életéről. Már készül belőle a sorozat Elizabeth Debicki (Tenet, The Night Manager) főszereplésével! Nancy Wake 1936-ban Párizsban él, és a Hearst konglomerátum újságírójaként dolgozik. Itt ismeri meg a dúsgazdag francia iparmágnást, Henri Fioccát, akinek hamar elcsavarja a fejét, és ráveszi, hogy vegye őt feleségül. Nem sokkal később a németek megszállják Franciaországot, és az újdonsült Mrs. Fiocca kénytelen máris egy újabb nevet felvenni: egy háborús fedőnevet. A Fedőneve Hélène Nancy Wake második világháborús krónikája, akinek a nevét a világon mindenkinek ismerni kellene. Megtudjuk, hogyan csempészett iratokat a Vichy szabad zónában, hogy az üldözöttek Spanyolországon át menekülhessenek a nácik elől. Végigkövethetjük a saját menekülését a Pireneusokon át, miután a Gestapo ötmillió frankos vérdíjat tűzött ki a fejére. Megismerhetjük az angol SOE (Különleges Hadműveletek Végrehajtó Egysége) soraiba való csatlakozásának körülményeit, és hogy hogyan lett ezután a francia ellenállás egyik legbefolyásosabb vezére. A Fedőneve Hélène fordulatokban gazdag, izgalmas kémregény a második világháború idejéről. Ariel Lawhon a történelmi hűséget betartva, de az ismeretlen részekben a képzeletére hagyatkozva mutatja be Nancy Wake lebilincselő és mozgalmas történetét szerelemről, önfeláldozásról és megingathatatlan eltökéltségről. A könyvről mondták: "Ariel Lawhon ugyanúgy rabul ejti a II. világháború korát kedvelő, történelmi regény olvasókat és azokat, akik szeretik a vad, szókimondó, független nőalakokat. A Fedőneve Hélène mélységeiben mutatja be, hogy egyetlen, a félelemmel farkasszemet néző ember is micsoda jelentős változásokat érhet el viharos időkben." Lisa Wingate "Lebilincselő történelmi regény... Ráadásul ez a nő tényleg létezett, és ez az egész tényleg megtörtént – szól a mantra az olvasó fejében, ahogy oldalról oldalra nem tér magához az ámulatából." Bookpage "Parádés... Lawhon a francia ellenállás legbelső berkeibe repít bennünket, azon belül is egy mindenre elszánt és rendkívüli ösztönökkel megáldott hősnő elméjébe, hogy láthassuk, milyen szokatlan bravúrral szállt szembe a nácikkal és a férfiak arrogáns szexizmusával..." Booklist "Lawhon az események kellős közepébe repíti az olvasót, az életteli, lendületes stílus pedig letehetetlenné teszi a könyvet. A végén ráadásul a részletes utószóból kiderül, hogy a Fedőneve Hélène milyen nagy mértékben tiszteli a tényeket. Ez a regény igazi főhajtás hősnője előtt, aki rendkívüli emberként élte életét." Publishers Weekly

Ariel Lawhon

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