Melissa Bailey
Author of The Medici Mirror
and Beyond The Sea
Beyond the Sea
One summer's day, Freya's husband and son vanish at sea.
A year on, and struggling to cope, Freya returns to the lighthouse-keeper's cottage on a remote Hebridean island, where she and her family spent so many happy times.
Haunted by visions of her old life, Freya's dreams are dark and disturbed. And when a stranger, Daniel, is washed ashore during a storm, they turn even more menacing.
As dream and reality start to merge, Daniel seems to be following Freya's every move.
What does he want from her and is he everything he seems to be? Is her mind playing tricks? Or is the danger that she senses very real?
Available in Waterstones, Independent Bookshops and on Amazon
Reviews for Beyond The Sea
“A powerful tale of grief, hope, mystery and magic...Melissa [Bailey] is fast becoming a favourite author."
Lisa Reads Books
“Intriguing and haunting, with strong characters and a cleverly interwoven dual-time story."
Random Things Through My Letterbox
“A captivating and beautifully written book that I did not want to put down."
Bookbabblers
“Sensitively written and achingly real."
Being Anne
“A beautifully written book that will stay with me for some time."
Portobello Book Blog
“A strong and accomplished story of myths, folklore, legends. This book isn't [a dramatic tale of woe], it is in the subtleties that the beauty lies."
Reflections of a Reader
“Melissa Bailey has a highly intelligent approach, mixing well researched mythology with narrative to create a really entertaining story."
Linda's Book Bag
The Medici Mirror
published by Random House on 24 October 2013
'I have heard, but not believed, the spirits of the dead may walk again.'
A hidden room
When architect Johnny Carter is asked to redesign a long-abandoned Victorian shoe factory, he discovers a hidden room deep in the basement. A dark, sinister room, which contains a sixteenth-century Venetian mirror.
A love in danger
Johnny has a new love, Ophelia, in his life. But as the pair's relationship develops and they begin to explore the mystery surrounding the mirror, its malign influence threatens to envelop and destroy them.
A secret history
The mirror's heritage dates back to the sixteenth century, and the figure of Catherine de Medici - betrayed wife, practitioner of the occult, and known as the Black Queen.
The Medici Mirror is a haunting story of jealousy, obsession, and murder, perfect for fans of Kate Mosse and Barbara Erskine; a story about the ability of the past to influence the present and of love's power to defeat even the most powerful of curses.
Available from Waterstones, Independent Bookshops and on Amazon
Here's a podcast of me discussing my novel on Newstalk radio's, Talking History
Reviews for The Medici Mirror
“A wonderful piece of storytelling... with fantastic characters and a thrilling denouement. I highly recommend this to fans of the ghostly, the historical and the time-slip.”
lisareadsbooks.blogspot.ie
“This is a wonderful book that will haunt you long after you finish it.”
issuu.com
“The Medici Mirror is a dark book that explores the themes of revenge, jealousy, betrayal, death, yearning, vulnerability and love. As a debut novel it is a strong, well-rounded book and if you're a fan of ghost stories it's well worth a read”
www.culturefly.co.uk
“This is a brilliant novel and an impressive debut. I really look forward to reading Melissa Bailey's next book and would rate this as a five star read.”
www.bookbabblers.co.uk
“Melissa Bailey is a wonderful talent... the words flow and the story is beautifully crafted... For a magnificent and atmospheric blend of old and new, past and present, along with the odd death thrown in for good measure, The Medici Mirror will not disappoint.”
www.milorambles.com
“If you like spooky, sexy mysteries with a historical flavour then The Medici Mirror is for you. Melissa Bailey is undoubtedly a name we will all become familiar with.' www.bytethebook.com
Click here to read reviews of Der Spiegel der Medici (the German edition of The Medici Mirror).
About Me
I was born in Derbyshire in 1971 but grew up in Lancashire. I went to Lincoln College, Oxford, where I did a BA in English Language and Literature. Then I moved to London to study law and practised as a media lawyer for a number of years.
My first novel The Medici Mirror was published by Penguin Random House (Arrow) in 2013. My second novel, Beyond the Sea will also be published by Arrow on 16 July 2015.
I live in London with my partner, a human rights lawyer, and am currently working on my third novel.
Contact
If you have any feedback on either Beyond the Sea or The Medici Mirror, I'd love to hear from you.
Please get in touch with me at melissa.bailey@hotmail.co.uk
or feel free to post on my twitter feed twitter.com/mbaileywrites
Contact my agent
Luigi Bonomi
LBA
91 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3PS
Tel: 020 7637 1234
Fax: 020 7637 2111
For interviews, appearances or any other publicity, contact
Philippa Cotton
Press Officer
Penguin Random House
20 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 2SA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7840 8453