Series 7 of Candy Jar Books’ Lethbridge-Stewart novels launches this September, and comprises a 5-book sequence called Bloodlines.
Bloodlines begins with Home Fires Burn by Gareth Madgwick, which sees the return of real-life World War II hero, Eileen Younghusband. Set during the Second World War, the novel reunites Eileen and Professor Edward Travers. They are joined in this adventure by Matthew Lethbridge-Stewart, the Brigadier’s uncle, who first appeared in the Lineage anthology.
Fittingly, this will tie-in with the 80th anniversary of World War II.
Shaun Russell, Head of Publishing at Candy Jar Books, explains:
“With the 80th anniversary of the start of the war, we felt that we really wanted to acknowledge the contribution the greatest generation made to all our lives. In 1941 Eileen signed the official secrets act, and wasn’t able to talk about her work in the top secret Filter Room. In 2017 she was featured in The Flaming Soldier and we’ve had so many requests to bring her back. So, here she is launching the new series of books, and this time round her contribution to this story will have major affect on Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart’s life.”
Author, Gareth Madgwick adds:
“I’ve really enjoyed writing this book. The Second World War is an era that has always fascinated me, including the bravery and steadfastness of those like Eileen Le Croissette (later Candy Jar author Eileen Younghusband). Setting it in the beautiful Peak District and also the nearby Sheffield steelworks gave me an opportunity to look into areas of the war effort that aren’t always explored elsewhere, and the sacrifices made.”
The second book in Bloodlines is The Shadow Man, written by popular author, Sharon Bidwell. It’s her second novel for the series. In The Shadow Man, the Bloodlines connection is expanded upon, focussing in on Anne Travers and Bill Bishop as they head to France to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Sharon Bidwell says:
“When asked to write a novel focusing on Anne and Bill, I welcomed the chance to explore their relationship a little more than the series has hereto allowed for. What better way to add to this universe, than working with a quintessential strong female, one known for speaking her mind, for her intelligence, for her independence, as well as being a mother, and a woman in love?”
This is followed by An Ordinary Man by Andy Frankham-Allen. In this book, the Bloodlines sequence starts to come together – exploring an alternative timeline in which Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart never went into military service”
Andy Frankham-Allen says:
“This was originally planned as the opening book in the sequence, but we reshuffled to tie in the Eileen book with the World War II anniversary. As a result, this is a wonderful mid-season (as it were) cliffhanger book, that brings to the fore the hints of the mystery littered throughout the previous two titles. It’ll end on quite the cliffhanger, setting the stage for the next two titles due out early 2020.”
Details on the final two titles in the Bloodlines sequence and the sixth title in the batch will be announced later in the year.
Here are the blurbs:
Home Fires Burn: The War is in full swing for Professor Travers, Section Officer Le Croissette and the Fourth Operational Corps. But beneath the farms and factories of the Home Front, another conflict threatens to erupt.
The Shadow Man: A private laboratory. A secret experiment. A lethal mistake. Anne and Bill are about to stumble into one man’s obsession, causing someone to pay a deadly price.
An Ordinary Man: Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart lives a simple but fulfilling life as a teacher in Liskeard Grammar School. Owain Vine, former student of Mr Lethbridge-Stewart, also lives an ordinary life. An only child, he is happily settled in his home village of Bledoe. But then strange things begin to happen in February 1969. He starts hearing voices, getting visions of a London covered in web! What connects these visions to his old school teacher? And just who is the strange old woman seen in Bledoe, who claims to know everything about Owain and Mr Lethbridge-Stewart?
Bloodlines is available as either a three-book or a six-book bundle. It’s also covered by subscriptions.
If you purchase Home Fires Burn, you are entitled to 10% off the following Eileen Younghusband titles: One Woman’s War, Men I Have Known, and Eileen’s War (proof of purchase required.)
