Rory Clements had a successful career in national newspapers, including stints as Associate Editor at Today and Good Health Editor at the Daily Mail. He now writes full-time in Norfolk, concentrating on his acclaimed series of historical thrillers set in the late 16th century.
His first book, Martyr, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger, and his second book, Revenger, won the prestigious CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award 2010.
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
Great stuff. I loved the idea of Kirrin Island and secret caves and lashings of adventure. I just wish we had had all the other wonderful children’s books...
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
I was offered a shilling (5p) to read this by my English teacher when I was ten. I could buy plenty of sweets with that, so I struggled...
The Lord of the Flies
William Golding
This is the book that really got me into reading. I found it both shocking and mesmerising. Sadly, you see the truth of it today – how easily...
Katherine
Anya Seton
My love for historical fiction began here. The exquisite tale of John of Gaunt’s passion for Katherine Swynford might seem a strange choice for a teenage boy, but...
Far from the Madding Crowd
Thomas Hardy
Now this really is the most romantic book ever written. What young man wouldn’t fall in love with Bathsheba Everdene? And how could she not see that Gabriel...
The Day of the Jackal
Frederick Forsyth
One of the best thrillers ever written (the others are The Thirty-Nine Steps and Rogue Male). All of them share one thing in common – a man being...
Of Human Bondage
William Somerset Maugham
I have only recently become beguiled by Somerset Maugham. This book is as fresh today as it must have been when it was written 96 years ago. Mildred...
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I also read Katherine by Anya Seton and have never met anyone else who has read it. I read it as a young teenager and it gave me a thirst for history as fact and any novel about history
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