Holy Fools

Holy Fools

a thrilling historical mystery from Joanne Harris, the bestselling author of Chocolat

Summary

By the bestselling author of Chocolat, international multi-million copy seller Joanne Harris, comes a passionate story of love, nuns and witches, set in 17th-century France. Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop, Fiona Valpy, Maggie O'Farrell and Rachel Joyce.

'Truly sensational... This is a wonderful novel. It draws you in from the very first page' -- SUNDAY EXPRESS
'Hugely enjoyable... Both consoling and wise' -- New Statesman
'With this bold, inventive book, Harris confirms her position as one of Britain's most popular novelists' -- DAILY MAIL
'Stunned, but in a good way' -- ***** Reader review
'Absorbing' -- ***** Reader review
'Keeps you hooked from the start' -- ***** Reader review
'Fabulous' -- ***** Reader review
'A great page-turner' -- ***** Reader review

*****

In seventeenth-century France against a backdrop of witch trials, regicide and religious frenzy, Juliette, one-time actress and rope-dancer, seeks refuge with her young daughter in a remote abbey and reinvents herself as Soeur Auguste.

Until a new Abbess is appointed, bringing with her a ghost from Juliette's past - a man she has every reason to fear.

Reviews

  • Truly sensational... This is a wonderful novel. It draws you in from the very first page
    Sunday Express

About the author

Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris is the internationally renowned and award-winning author of over twenty novels. Her Whitbread-shortlisted novel Chocolat was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is the author of several other bestsellers, including The Lollipop Shoes, Peaches for Monsieur Le Curé and The Strawberry Thief. She has also written acclaimed novels in such diverse genres as fantasy based on Norse myth (Runemarks, Runelight, The Gospel of Loki), and the Malbry cycle of dark psychological thrillers (Gentlemen & Players, Blueeyedboy, and Different Class).

Born in Barnsley, of an English father and a French mother, she spent fifteen years as a teacher before (somewhat reluctantly) becoming a full-time writer. In 2013, she was awarded an MBE, and in 2022 an OBE. She lives in Yorkshire, plays bass and flute in a band first formed when she was sixteen, and works in a shed in her garden. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, and served for four years as Chair of the Society of Authors. She also has a form of synaesthesia which enables her to smell colours. Red, she says, smells of chocolate.
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