A major acquisition and Vintage's divisional lead debut for 2022: a huge campaign to support.Perfect escapist, reading group fiction, flawlessly executed and paced. A unique setting and subject matter - Georgian London and the trade in ancient Greek antiquities. A Greek vase appears to bring a curse on those who encounter it.
Pandora was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Award and longlisted for the Bath Novel Award.For fans of Jessie Burton, Stacy Halls, Bridget Collins, Elizabeth Macneal, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Imogen Hermes Gowar.Susan Stokes-Chapman was born in 1985 and grew up in the historic Georgian city of Lichfield, Staffordshire. She studied for four years at Aberystwyth University, graduating with a BA in Education & English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Her debut novel,
Pandora, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction prize 2020 as well as longlisted for the Bath Novel Award that same year. You can find Susan on Instagram and Twitter under the handle @SStokesChapman. Her website is www.susanstokeschapman.com.
'Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
A pure pleasure of a novel set in Georgian London, where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations and romance.
Perfect for readers who loved The Binding and The Essex Serpent.
London, 1799. Dora Blake is an aspiring jewellery artist who lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents' famed shop of antiquities. When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered, Dora is intrigued by her uncle's suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar. Edward sees the ancient vase as key to unlocking his academic future. Dora sees it as a chance to restore the shop to its former glory, and to escape her nefarious uncle.
But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life, her family, and the world as she knows it. As Dora uncovers the truth she starts to realise that some mysteries are buried, and some doors are locked, for a reason.
Gorgeously atmospheric and deliciously page-turning, Pandora is a story of secrets and deception, love and fulfilment, fate and hope.
'A richly evocative and hugely enjoyable read, bubbling with mysteries, secrets and pleasures' Joseph O'Connor
Readers love Pandora:
'So addictive... the perfect mix of historical fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance'
'Wonderfully atmospheric'
'A beautifully written piece of historical fiction'
'Mysterious and stylish'
'I just loved it! Highly recommended'
Romantic, suspenseful and beautifully written, this is
a glorious treatThis
glorious debut is alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Georgian London as a daring duo delve into the secrets of an ancient Greek vase...wonderfully immersive...
Lush, lyrical and pacy, this a brilliantly escapist read.
Pandora weaves together Ancient Greek myth with
suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance, set against the brilliantly rendered background of Georgian London. This novel is
lush, evocative and utterly irresistible. Susan Stokes-Chapman's
prose is exquisite and the story effortlessly intriguing. This is an absolute treasure trove of a book. Perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Elizabeth Macneal.This is an
immersive, evocative story full of romance and intrigue
A richly evocative and hugely enjoyable read, bubbling with mysteries, secrets and pleasures.
