This month Owen Kelly discusses Arlene Goldbard’s new book, a novel titled The Intercessor, and asks why she chose to write this unusual kind of novel at this particular time.

The novel offers a linked series of short stories, each foregrounding one character from a group whose stories eventually interlock. All of the characters have political, social or spiritual issues which come to seem less like categories than like different coloured lenses through which we can approach the world.

The novel explores the Jewish Renewal movement, among other themes, without wanting its audience limited to Jews or even less to Jews with an interest in the Jewish Renewal movement.

Arlene explains how this specific writing began, how the novel grew from the initial writing, and what she hopes the published book might achieve.



The Intercessor

Encore...But with Murder | Episode 3

This audiobook features an exciting exclusive interview with Philippa Gregory and narrator Gemma Whelan, star of Game of Thrones 

 She ​survives four queens. Will she fall to a tyrant?

Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court. Where nothing is more powerful than a secret – or more deadly.

As the Boleyns rise, Jane rises with them. But the king’s love is a fickle thing. And when the royal gaze turns elsewhere, Jane uses the only weapon she has: her voice.

To survive in this dazzling, dangerous world she has mastered many masks: loving wife, devoted sister, and obedient spy. Now she must step out of the shadows.

She might outlive her rivals. She might know the court’s darkest secrets. But power rests on the edge of a tyrant king’s sword. Where will it fall next?

Philippa Gregory brings the Boleyn traitor into the light in an explosive story of one woman’s survival in the treacherous heart of the Tudor court.

‘Beautifully written, meticulously researched … utterly compelling and unputdownable’ SANTA MONTEFIORE

A stunning tour de force: compelling, thrilling, mesmerising, completely engrossing’ BARBARA ERSKINE

‘An enthralling historical thriller and a mirror on contemporary politics … rich and compelling’ C J COOKE

‘A propulsive, emotional, thrill ride through the Tudor court’ LUCY CLARKE

'A thrilling story about ambition, power struggles … and dark side of the Tudor court' ADELE PARKS

'[A] tense portrait of survival under a king whose love can mean death’ i paper

'As perilous as it is thrilling’ Mail on Sunday

'Gregory masterfully explores Jane’s guilt, ambition and survival […] you can feel the power, danger and allure of the Tudor dynasty on every page' Woman & Home

‘An immersive visit to the Court of Henry VIII with its magnificence and machinations, its pageantry and plotting' Saga

'Gregory’s research is impeccable, but she wears it lightly when transporting you to the Tudor court in all its pomp, glory [and] drama' High Life

‘Written with the world of modern politics in mind, where decisions and policy can spin on a whim, and bursting with […] intrigue, subterfuge, and authentic period detail’ Northern Echo

'Richly atmospheric, Gregory’s novel delivers a riveting portrait of Jane and drama of the cunning stakes involved in trying to survive Henry’s reign' Booklist

​Book 10 in the Tudor and Plantagenet Novels series

Boleyn Traitor, By Philippa Gregory, Read by Gemma Whelan

The new Hercule Poirot mystery by Sophie Hannah, follow-up to the bestselling Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night. 

 New Year's Eve, 1932. 

Hercule Poirot and his good friend Inspector Edward Catchpool arrive on the Greek island of Lamperos for a little holiday…or is it? 

Catchpool suspects Poirot has a different reason for being there — one he won't reveal. As the clock ticks towards the New Year and a festive guessing game takes a sinister turn, can Poirot stop a murderer who is determined to strike before midnight?

The Last Death of the Year, By Sophie Hannah, Created by Agatha Christie, Read by Julian Rhind-Tutt

A short, sweet story of how various creatures come together and celebrate Christmas as one happy family.

Secret Santa

Welcome to December! As we approach the holiday season, Reading Adviser Sally (our resident horror expert) wants to revive the Victorian tradition of sharing spooky stories around the Christmas season. In today's podcast, she offers a few of her favourite "holiday horrors": 

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1880171 

The Twelve Deaths of Christmas by Marian Babson
https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1833620

Christmas and Other Horrors
https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1915114 


Holiday Horrors

Averred

King Of My Heart

Pale Flesh

Nyarlathotep

What We Get Is What We Get

Unholy

All Or Nothing

Garden For The Thieves

Shadow Walk {ft.ѪȺℛłⱠұи Ѫⱥ₦₴Øи}

Uncontrollable

Each Thing I Show You Is A Piece Of My D34TH

Fleurwatcher {ft.ѪȺЯłⱠұи Ѫⱥ₦₴Øи}

A fictional murder mystery podcast series

A prød⊎¢∄r rʌpt øn ʌvʌnʇ-gʌrdᶒ, gøtɧi¢, drᶒʌms¢ʌp∄s.

In collaboration with my drummer JԱÐ ᏨҐªИÐªl_.

Publishers of award-winning fiction and non-fiction audiobooks for adults and children. Listen to exclusive clips from our books and free audioook extracts here on Soundcloud.

Are you looking for something good to read? Or watch? Or listen to? Tune in to Fraser Valley Regional Library’s ReadRadio podcast for some great recommendations. In each episode we will highlight some of the library’s books, movies and TV shows that you might not know about. All reviewed materials are available for loan in the FVRL catalogue. 

Fraser Valley Regional Library is the largest public library system in British Columbia, with 25 community libraries serving nearly 680,000 people in its service area.

New tracks tagged #Fiction