The Pretender by Jo Harkin

Experience a sharply ambitious, brilliantly imagined, and hugely entertaining story of intrigue, deceit, revenge, and ambition set against the perilous backdrop of 1483 England. Follow peasant boy and pretender John Collan as he navigates a life where the only options are to become king or die trying. This captivating narrative, lauded by critics, roars with adventure and bravado while remaining sparkling with wit and humanity.

Critical Acclaim & Recognition

• THE TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER
• WATERSTONES FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
• NAMED AS BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE SUNDAY TIMES
• PICKED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025 BY THE GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY MAIL, AND THE I
• SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE
• SHORTLISTED FOR THE WINSTON GRAHAM HISTORICAL PRIZE

Key Features & Content

• Genre: Historical Fiction (Renaissance)
• Engaging narrative blending comedy of royal intrigue with themes of revenge and machination.
• Features the true story of a young man tossed into the chaos of history.
• Author: Jo Harkin

Specifications

Dive into this witty, poignant, and wildly engaging historical novel that critics are calling "the real deal"—a must-read for fans of ambitious historical fiction.