GATE OF THE DEAD is the third heart-pounding instalment of David Gilman’s thrilling MASTER OF WAR series, historical fiction centred on the Hundred Years’ War. Published in paperback 8 September by Head of Zeus, GATE OF THE DEAD follows MASTER OF WAR and DEFIANT UNTIL DEATH in the gripping series the Daily Mail called ‘page-turning and gritty’.
GATE OF THE DEAD is sold in the UK, Germany and Brazil, and the MASTER OF WAR series across a total of six countries. The next in the series will be VIPER’S BLOOD, available in the UK in January 2017, and David is currently completing the fifth book. Alongside the MASTER OF WAR series, David’s superb standalone novel THE LAST HORSEMAN was released this August and has already received rave reviews, The Times writing: 'THE LAST HORSEMAN is gripping and full of action, but is also smart and subtle about questions of loyalty and guilt in a war with few good guys.'
Tuscany, 1358: Thomas Blackstone has built a formidable reputation in exile, fighting as a mercenary amid the ceaseless internecine warring of Italy's City States. But success has bred many enemies, and when a dying man delivers a message recalling him to England, it seems almost certain to be a trap. Yet Blackstone cannot disobey – the summons is at the Queen's demand.
On his journey, Blackstone will brave the terrors of the High Alps in winter, face the Black Prince in tournament, confront the bloody anarchy of a popular revolt and submit to trial by combat.
And every step of the way, he will be shadowed by a notorious assassin with orders to inflict the maximum pain on his target before he despatches him to hell.
Praise for David Gilman’s MASTER OF WAR series
‘A thrilling, fast-moving, engaging tale, with unexpected twists, beautiful prose, excellent characterisation and dialogue, human sentiment and motivation, and graphic descriptions of war… Historical fiction at its best’. – Historical Novel Society
‘If you only read one historical debut this year, make it this one. The prose is sharper than a bodkin arrow, the pace faster than thought and to be honest it was a book that I just couldn’t put down without being left to wonder what was next for the lead hero… A title that not only launched over a thousand arrows but I’m sure will launch David Gilman to a ravenous reading public to sate their historical fiction action needs. Great stuff.’ – Gareth Wilson, Falcata Times
‘Gilman's MASTER OF WAR stands up well against its heavyweight predecessors… The writing is taut and the story fast-paced… All lovers of this type of historical fiction will enjoy MASTER OF WAR and look forward to the next instalment’. – Greg Waite, Ontago Daily Times
About David Gilman
David Gilman has had many careers, including firefighter, soldier and photographer, before turning to writing full time. He is an award-winning author and screenwriter.
Find out more about David Gilman on Blake Friedmann’s website or David’s own website.
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