The Book of Luce

Anyone who enjoyed David Mitchell's CLOUD ATLAS or was gripped by the film Inception will love this bravura and mind-bending novel in which we are taken deep into the mystery of who killed the enigmatic rock star Luce - if, indeed she really died . . .

The story begins at a secret gig by the most famous unknown band in the world, and follows its unnamed narrator across decades and continents from psychedelic London to the wild deserts of Nevada, from the back streets of Haight-Ashbury to the snowy wastes of the Himalayas, from a secluded English country house to New York, Paris and Japan, pursued by unknown forces. Are they demons or the police? Agents of mysterious powers or figments of a powerful imagination? Who is pawn and who is player? Murderer or victim? Betrayer or saviour?

And now, forty years later, who sits alone in a room with only memories and strange echoes of the past - prisoner, inmate or guest? Nothing is certain, except that the quest for the truth about Luce will leave no one in its path untouched.

“A richly ambitious debut novel . . . one cannot help but be swept away by Fredericks' bold intentions-- Financial Times”

Reviews for FATE:

Fredericks brilliantly absorbs the detail of eighteenth-century cities, country, clothes, food, theatre, music and architecture. This fast-paced fiction transcends the genre - Historical Novels Review

This is very special . . . An epic historical novel with magical undertones as a man searches across Europe for the elixir of life. It's 18th-century drama full of science, adventure and mystery on a grand scale. Wonderful stuff, highly recommended. - The Bookseller - Ones to Watch

A sublimely enjoyable book that will leave you filled with wonder -

A vivid, exciting portrait of the eighteenth-century world . . . beautifully written -

Funny, enthralling, action-packed... Lord Damory is a kind, generous scientist and polymath, but most of all, Ms Fredericks has blessed him with an excellent sardonic, sarcastic wit and sense of irony -

A love story, an adventure, bringing historical fiction and fantasy together... it's something a little bit special. -

Science, magic and history all combine seamlessly to make this novel a genuine thing of beauty. It's utterly unique. Add to this Fredericks' impressive elegance of narrative, and you've got a real winner. Can't recommend it highly enough -

Praise for Farundell, L. R. Fredericks' first novel:

Farundell is a marvellously dark and intricate literary gothic novel. The style is elegant and engaging and the storyline compelling. This is an author to watch.

L. R. Fredericks lives in Somerset. She is the author of two novels in the loosely linked Time and Light sequence, Farundell, which was shortlisted for the Authors' Club First Novel Award, and Fate. Both are available in paperback from Hodder.

Praise for Farundell 'Marvellously dark and intricate.' Joanne Harris 'Richly ambitious . . . one cannot help but be swept away by Fredericks' bold intentions.' Financial Times 'Descriptively, conceptually and emotionally captivating.' Easy Living 'Beautifully written . . . I am sure it will appeal to many people.' Daily Mail 'Fredericks has written an epic novel that will no doubt have a cult following .' The Fringe Magazine 'Reminiscent of John Fowles' The Magus and The Chymical Wedding by Lindsay Clarke . . . unusual and accomplished.' The Big Reader

Anyone who enjoyed David Mitchell's CLOUD ATLAS or was gripped by the film Inception will love this bravura and mind-bending novel in which we are taken deep into the mystery of who killed the enigmatic rock star Luce - if, indeed she really died . . . The story begins at a secret gig by the most famous unknown band in the world, and follows its unnamed narrator across decades and continents from psychedelic London to the wild deserts of Nevada, from the back streets of Haight-Ashbury to the snowy wastes of the Himalayas, from a secluded English country house to New York, Paris and Japan, pursued by unknown forces. Are they demons or the police? Agents of mysterious powers or figments of a powerful imagination? Who is pawn and who is player? Murderer or victim? Betrayer or saviour? And now, forty years later, who sits alone in a room with only memories and strange echoes of the past - prisoner, inmate or guest? Nothing is certain, except that the quest for the truth about Luce will leave no one in its path untouched.

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