The Warm Hands of Ghosts

Discover the Sunday Times bestselling supernatural historical fantasy from the author of The Bear and the Nightingale, a spellbinding, sweeping novel set in the trenches of WW1.

WATERSTONES SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY BOOK OF THE MONTH

‘Darkly beautiful and deeply humane.’ Ava Reid, bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
‘One of the best historical fantasies I’ve ever read’ Emma Törzs, bestselling author of Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe
‘Wonderful storytelling. Inventive, haunting and deeply moving.’ Sarah Winman, bestselling author of Still Life

Amid the falling shells of Flanders Field, magic and mystery fills the air…

January 1918: Laura Iven, a Canadian nurse, returns home from the war, only to receive devastating news – her brother Freddie is dead. But something doesn’t quite make sense.

Determined to uncover the truth, Laura heads back to Belgium, volunteering at a private hospital. There, she encounters the eerie whispers of ghosts moving among those still living and a strange inn-keeper whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could this have happened to Freddie – but if so, where is he?

November 1917: Freddie Iven wakes after an explosion to find himself trapped with a wounded German soldier. Against all the odds, they form a bond and claw their way to an escape.

But in the chaos of No Man’s Land, neither know where to turn to avoid persecution. Amidst the atrocity, they encounter a fiddler with the power to make their hellscape vanish – but at what price?

With the power to both warm and break your heart, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a breathtaking and spellbinding tale of love, survival, and the supernatural.

Praise for The Warm Hands of Ghosts

‘Well-researched and beautifully written, this is a compelling, memorable novel**.’** The Guardian

‘A spectacular tour de force … I love this book so much and want everyone to read it!’ Naomi Novik, bestselling author of A Deadly Education

‘A wonderful clash of fire and ice … A book you won’t want to let go of.’ Diana Gabaldon, bestselling author of the Outlander series

‘An exquisite, brilliant gem of a story.’ Conn Iggulden, bestselling author of Nero

‘Arden is at the very height of her powers with this rich, heart-breaking and life-affirming supernatural journey through the darkest hours of WWI. I’ve never read anything like it.’ Laura Steven, author of Our Infinite Fates

‘Visionary, imaginative and brilliantly written.’ Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of The Power of Five

‘Mixing historical fiction with the paranormal, this haunting, atmospheric tale of separated siblings is a real gem of a book.’ Heat Magazine

‘A gripping tale of loss, mystery, ghosts and queer romance.’ BBC Culture Online

Sunday Times bestseller, March 2024