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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author

@threeswrite.bsky.social
289 followers 221 following 459 posts

📖 Avarice of Empire (Brindle Books, 2025) 🖋️ Where The River Meanders 🫆 Pen name of Iain Harper MA 📍 Stirling, Scotland 🔗 threeswrite.com

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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
My thanks to Wilson for having me on his brilliant Stirling Community Radio show this morning. We had fun talking about rabbit holes in #historicalfiction research, Avarice of Empire, my WIP novella set in #Stirling, and the importance of supporting independent local bookshops.
youtu.be
Avarice of Empire author C. Q. Turnstone, on Stirling Talks
YouTube video by Stirling Talks
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Avarice of Empire was published a year ago today! #historicalfiction #booksky
threeswrite.com
Captain Charles Agnew - Avarice of Empire - C.Q. Turnstone
Avarice of Empire is the untold true story of Captain Charles Agnew, immortalised by the hand of an assassin. Out now in paperback and ebook.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
It’s nearly 20 years since I last had the privilege of calling Stirling home, and I’m thrilled that from a week today I’ll be able to again! Emma and I are looking forward to new friendships and professional connections, and to contributing to the local and wider Scottish creative community.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
2025 was the year of my debut novel, my youngest son graduated as a zoologist, I completed a Masters in History, and my incredible partner gained her PhD. Now it’s time to look forward to new challenges and adventures in 2026. Happy New Year! 🎉
2026 fireworks
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
That’s a really interesting distinction. Thanks for expanding your reply. I’m learning lots.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
This came out of a recent conversation with a friend who works as a clinical psychologist and happens to be aphantasic. Visual metaphors are unhelpful for them, but it’s interesting to hear that’s not the case for you.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Thanks for sharing your perspective on this. It really helps to get a better sense of how varied the experience of aphantasia seems to be. Replying to your metaphor point below.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Do you have a visual imagination? For people who aren’t able to voluntarily create mental images — apparently a condition called #aphantasia — visual descriptions and metaphors have little or no utility. I’m fascinated by the implications the phenomenon has for writers and storytellers.
threeswrite.com
Visualising Narrative
For people who aren't able to voluntarily create mental images — aphantasia — visual descriptions and metaphors have little or no utility.
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Reposted by C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author
Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Don’t forget to watch this much needed and long overdue series on the British Empire. Remarkably, it’s not based on the opinions of a travelling ‘personality’, but on what historians who’ve actually researched it say! www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Two - Empire with David Olusoga, Series 1, Episode 1
David Olusoga tells the story of the beginnings of the British Empire under Elizabeth I.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
#Malta features a couple of times in Avarice of Empire, most importantly in chapters 31 & 32 after the HMS Serapis arrives at #Valletta in March 1873. This AI-colourised photograph from 1890 gives an impression of how the Grand Harbour would have looked. #historicalfiction #booksky
Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta in 1890. AI-colourised photo.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Thrilled to find Avarice of Empire gracing the fiction section beside Mark Twain at Waterstones in Taunton! #historicalfiction #booksky #histfic
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Lavelle Road in #Bengaluru is named after Micky Lavelle - the soldier turned #Kolar gold miner from County Mayo - who makes his first appearance in Avarice of Empire in chapter seven when Charles Agnew and Morgan Farrell attend his garden party with Dr John Orr. #historicalfiction #history
Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, India
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
I’m enjoying immersing myself in the writing of my second book, and very glad I don’t have to type it on one of these. An #historicalfiction novella this time, “Where The River Meanders” is set in and around #Stirling, Scotland, during the early twentieth century.
Smith & Corona typewriter
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Charles Agnew was #bornonthisday 189 years ago, 24th September 1836, in County #Antrim. Son of James and Catherine Agnew, and brother to William and Harriet. The family home until 1865 was Cairncastle Lodge on the #Carnfunnock Estate (now Carnfunnock Country Park) near #Larne. #history
AI-generated image of a birthday cake with the words happy birthday Charles Agnew. AI-rendering of a Harry Payne painting of the 16th Lancers in review order.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Chapter eighteen of Avarice of Empire recounts the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869 from the perspective of George West, the British Vice Consul in Suez, and how a ship of the British Navy jumped the queue to be the first vessel through the new waterway. #historicalfiction #history
AI-rendering of “La Tribune des Souverains” by Edouard Riou and Eugène Cicéri, illustrating the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal at Port Said in November 1869.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Heartfelt thanks to all the Avarice of Empire readers who’ve given the book 5-star reviews… #historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Launched in 1866, HMS Serapis was one of five Euphrates-class troopships used primarily to transport British troops and their families to and from India. In 1873 she played a prominent role in Charles Agnew’s story, as depicted in chapters 28-30 of Avarice of Empire. #history #historicalfiction
HMS Serapis (AI generated image)HMS Serapis (AI generated image)
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Charles Agnew and the 16th Lancers reached Madras on the Golden Fleece 160 years ago this month and taken ashore by masula boats. These generated images give an impression of the scene that greeted them. Read the full story of the voyage in Avarice of Empire. #history #historicalfiction
Madras from the Madras Roads (AI generated based on 1754 painting)Madras from the Madras Roads (AI generated based on 1754 painting)Masula boats landing at Madras (AI generated based on 1885 photo)Masula boats landing at Madras (AI generated based on 1885 photo)
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
The character of photographer Sophia Munro in Avarice of Empire was inspired, in part, by Lady Florence Caroline Dixie who was a Scottish feminist, writer, traveller and war correspondent. Read more about her here: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Fl... #history #feminism #nineteenthcentury
Lady Florence Caroline Dixie
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
From Ireland to India, and Newfoundland to Egypt and Malta, Avarice of Empire tells the story of many adventurous journeys, some overland by train or on horseback, others across oceans by steamship. Follow them in the paperback or Kindle edition: www.amazon.co.uk/Avarice-Empi... #historicalfiction
Map showing key story locations and steamship voyage routes that feature in Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Thank you!
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
After months of radio silence, last Friday I submitted my MA #History about 19C telegraphy and Malta’s role in British imperial comms. Like earlier essays, it was inspired by themes explored in ‘Avarice of Empire’. A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.
1870 sketch map of telegraph routes to India by Alfred Brasher
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
If you've read Avarice of Empire you'll remember an officer known as 'Carrin' Churchward. This carte de visite portrait was likely taken in Dover shortly before his leaving party at Kearnsey Abbey on 16th August 1865. #cartedevisite #photography #history #historicalfiction #booksky #histbookchat
threeswrite.com
Carte de Visite of Carrin Churchward
The carte de visite of Lieutenant Charles Carrington 'Carrin' Churchward of the 16th Lancers was likely made in Dover in 1865.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Very pleased to see the connection between Strathallan Castle, the Drummond family, and Charles Agnew’s story being highlighted by The Scotsman. #strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky
scotsman.com
Strathallan Castle link to assassination mystery uncovered in new book
How a member of the Drummond family, the former owners of Strathallan Castle, became involved in the story of a murder in Egypt is revealed in Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone (Brindle Books, March...
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Thanks Gareth, much appreciated!
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Many thanks to Anne and everyone in the Historical Novel Society’s author interviews team for doing this Q&A with me. #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky
historicalnovelsociety.org
Launch: C. Q. Turnstone’s Avarice of Empire - Historical Novel Society
INTERVIEW BY ANNE EASTER SMITH Before studying for a Master’s in Imperial and Global History at the University of Exeter, C.Q. Turnstone spent most of his career specialising in digital marketing and ...
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
#DoTheWriteThing and sign the @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training: www.change.org/p/protect-au...
#DoTheWriteThing
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Super little feature in the Belfast Newsletter about Charles Agnew’s family home on the estate that is now Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne. #historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky
newsletter.co.uk
Carnfunnock Country Park history brought to life in new book
Turning point in Carnfunnock and Larne history is setting for opening chapter of Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone (Brindle Books, March 2025)
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
In chapter 33 of Avarice of Empire, Alec Innes has an important task to perform in Canterbury and walks into town from the cavalry barracks. #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Love these reviews of Avarice of Empire! #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
Review of Avarice of Empire, titled “Brilliantly articulated and addictive reading!”Review of Avarice of Empire, titled “Extraordinary narrative of an extraordinary life.”
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Following the book signing there last week, Blackwell’s in Exeter now have Avarice of Empire in the ‘Great New Reads’ 3 for 2 promotion. It’s fantastic to see my book rubbing spines with work by authors for whom I have so much admiration. #historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells
Avarice of Empire among the great new reads at Blackwell’s bookshop in Exeter.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Reading from the prologue to Avarice of Empire, in which children from a local school visit Canterbury Cathedral and become intrigued by the memorial to Captain Charles Agnew of the 16th Lancers. #avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
After paying my respects to Charles Agnew today, I had the chance to present a copy of Avarice of Empire to Ian Osterloh of the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society, and to spend some time discussing the research behind the story. #historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky
Ian Osterloh and C.Q. Turnstone at Canterbury Cathedral
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Today is the 152nd anniversary of the death of Charles Agnew “by the hand of an assassin” in Egypt on 22nd March 1873, and I’ve been commemorating the day at Canterbury Cathedral where he’s memorialised in the south aisle. #history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Huge thanks to Blackwell’s Exeter for hosting the first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event today and to everyone who came along to show their support and buy copies of the book! There was laughter, great chat, surprise appearances and even Champagne. #historicalfiction #blackwells #booksky
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Some of the wonderful friends and colleagues who came along to Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter earlier today to support my first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event. #historicalfiction #booksky #hfchitchat #histbookchat #blackwells
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a very long time… signing copies of Avarice of Empire to send out to the many people who helped during the research process or offered feedback on the first full draft. #historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
Stacks of copies of Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Thank you!
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
This 20 para coin, equivalent to a halfpenny, was minted in Egypt in 1860/1 and in use during the period depicted in Avarice of Empire. A special ‘happy publication’ gift from the wonderful @emmalucycole.bsky.social Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.
Nineteenth-century Egyptian 20 para coin in front of a copy of Avarice of Empire.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Unashamedly proud and excited to see Avarice of Empire on a shelf in a bookshop for the first time! Here it is, in splendid company, at Blackwell’s in Exeter where I’ll be doing a book signing next Tuesday. #histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells
Avarice of Empire on display in the fiction section at Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
⭐️ BOOK SIGNING ⭐️ Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day. #historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk
Avarice of Empire book signing with C.Q. Turnstone at Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter. 11am to 1pm Tuesday 18th March. Blackwell’s University Bookshop storefront in the Great Hall building in Exeter. The Great Hall building on the University of Exeter’s Streatham campus.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Thank you!
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
🎉 PUBLICATION DAY! 🎉 After nearly 10 years since first becoming acquainted with the name Charles Agnew, today I’m excited and incredibly proud to finally be able to share his story and celebrate the publication of my debut novel. #historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat #hfchitchat #worldbookday
threeswrite.com
Avarice of Empire - Publication Day
Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone is published today by Brindle Books in paperback and ebook. Biographical historical fiction. The Charles Agnew story.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
In advance of publication day on Thursday, the @exeter.ac.uk press office has written an article about 'Avarice of Empire' and the background to the story. #booknews #historicalfiction
news.exeter.ac.uk
British captain killed by ‘assassin’ in Egypt brought to life in new book by Exeter historian
The mystery surrounding the death of a British Army captain at the hands of an ‘assassin’ in Egypt during the nineteenth century has been explored by a new piece of historical fiction, released this w...
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
In the last chapter of his memoirs published online, my grandfather Bill Hamilton spends a year in Iceland, where he's reunited with an old friend from 20 Squadron, before flying home to England, Thelma and demobilisation. #history #rafhistory #ww2history #icelandhistory
threeswrite.com
An Erk's Progress: 8. Iceland... And Home Again
The moment of parting came all too soon and I found myself billeted along with six other fellows in the dingy attic room of a boarding house near the North Pier in Blackpool. We were
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
With only a week to go until the release of Avarice of Empire in ebook and paperback on 6th March, I thought I’d share a recent interview with my publisher about the story and my approach to research and writing. #historicalfiction
threeswrite.com
C.Q. Turnstone In Conversation With Brindle Books
With only a week to go until the release of Avarice of Empire in ebook and paperback on 6th March, I thought I’d share a recent interview with my publisher about the story and my
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
In chapter 7 of his memoirs (1942-1943), my grandfather Bill Hamilton says farewell to India, sails to New York via Cape Town, and enjoys the good life at Fort Slocum before returning to England and falling in love with a W.A.A.F called Thelma. #history #rafhistory #waafhistory #fortslocum
threeswrite.com
An Erk's Progress: 7. Blighty... And Romance
So it was that in 1942 I travelled by rail to Bombay where together with eight other R.A.F. types I boarded the “Athlone Castle” which had been converted from a luxury liner to a troopship.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Enjoyed a fabulous lunch with @emmalucycole.bsky.social and fellow Brindle Books author @sophiamoseley.bsky.social today at The Lyme Bay Cafe overlooking the crashing sea at #LymeRegis. #fiction #historicalfiction
Sophia Moseley with One for Sorrow and C.Q. Turnstone with an author’s proof copy of Avarice of Empire. C.Q. Turnstone, EmmaLucy Cole and Sophia Moseley at The Lyme Bay Cafe in Lyme Regis.
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C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author @threeswrite.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Two weeks to go! Avarice of Empire will be released on Thursday 6th March. (Kindle edition available to preorder now.) #historicalfiction
Avarice of Empire front cover on Kindle and in paperback.
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