Description
Dora Blake's life has been confined to her family's antiquities shop in Georgian London until a mysterious Greek treasure threatens to expose deadly secrets.
When an unusual ancient Greek vase arrives at her overbearing uncle's antiquities business, Dora joins forces with Edward Lawrence, a young antiquarian scholar to investigate it. Together, they uncover family secrets that have Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life and the world as she knows it.
Blending Georgian historical fiction with Gothic mystery and the myth of Pandora's box, Pandora unfolds across winter streets, docklands, and Mayfair drawing rooms as Dora fights to reclaim her future.
'A gripping narrative in which secrets from the past are slowly and ingeniously revealed' Sunday Times
'Romantic, suspenseful and beautifully written... a glorious treat' Daily Mail
'Weaves together Ancient Greek myth with suspenseful mystery and beguiling romance...utterly irresistible' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
'An immersive, evocative story full of romance and intrigue' Red
About the Author
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 and the Glass Bell Award and became an instant Sunday Times number-one bestseller. Her most recent novel is the gothic mystery, The Shadow Key.
Reviews
Romantic, suspenseful and beautifully written, this is a glorious treat -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *
A richly textured and elegantly written first novel -- Christina Hardyment * The Times *
This 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. * Daily Express *
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. -- Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne
This is an immersive, evocative story full of romance and intrigue * Red *
A richly evocative and hugely enjoyable read, bubbling with mysteries, secrets and pleasures. -- Joseph O'Connor
Perfect for fans of The Hourglass Factory by Lucy Ribchester or The Binding by Bridget Collins, this is a compelling historical novel that will tempt you to keep lifting the lid and read just one more chapter ... * The List *
An utterly compelling, convincing piece of historical fiction, threaded through with a dash of mythology. Readers will be rooting for Dora from the start, and spellbound as the story unfolds. I loved it. -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women
Brimming with authentic Georgian detail and richly imagined characters, Pandora is a dazzling page-turner of a debut! Enticing, surprising and full of mystery, if you're a fan of The Binding or Daughters of Night, then you'll love Pandora. -- Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure
Beautifully written with a gripping story and characters who are well drawn and complex, I absolutely loved this. -- Katie Fforde
Book Information
ISBN 9781529114744
Author Susan Stokes-Chapman
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Vintage
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 292g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 28mm
