Books with author Mary Rayner

In 1851 Lydia Mohun, the daughter of the famous actress, Lilith Lucas, comes to live in Soho Square. She dreams of the same success on the same stage and when Jonah Lackland's daughter Phoebe is introduced to Lydia, an exciting and glittering world is opened up to her. Freddy, her cousin feels very protective towards her and fears that Lydia poses a threat. Jonah, now widowed, anticipates an inevitable tragedy for them all.

Palestine, first century A.D.--the Jews have revolted against Roman occupation. The ten Greek cities of Palestine--the Decapolis--want only to continue their peaceful trading existence, but they find themselves caught in the middle of the uprisings. Apollodorus, a merchant of Philadelphia, takes a risk and rescues a man whom a Roman patrol has left to die in the desert. When Apollodorus is killed by robbers, his three sons are left almost penniless and must each find a way for themselves. Philo, the youngest, is befriended by Xenos, the man saved from the desert, who has lost his memory. From him the boy learns the art of the scribe, and together they try to find their identity--one from the past, the other for the future. A serious story of an important time in history.