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The #TFBook Club chooses “Prague Nights” by Benjamin Black

21st April 2017

Our first outing for the #TFBookClub was a resounding success, we had lots of lovely chat and input from our readers following Rosanna Ley’s characters to Dorset and to Sardinia, in search of The Little Theatre by the Sea. Following on from that, we have now chosen our next book to read together:

Prague Nights by Benjamin Black, published on 1 June 2017. Be one of the first to read this historical murder mystery!

Prague Nights by Benjamin Black

“The Emperor’s mistress has been murdered…. and the world turned on its head!”  

Set in PRAGUE in 1599, Christian Stern, a young doctor, has just arrived in the city looking to make his fortune. On his Blog panelfirst evening, he stumbles across the body of a beautiful young woman, half buried in the snow and with her throat slit. The dead woman is the emperor’s mistress, and there’s no shortage of suspects. Stern is employed by the emperor himself to investigate the murder… an intriguing and atmospheric 16th Century murder mystery that will thrill fans of C J Samsom’s Shardlake series and S J Parris’s Giordano Bruno series

It is doubtful that anyone can write as well as Black when it comes to a psychological mystery” (Washington Post)

Come and join us reading this book! To get the ball rolling, the publisher has kindly offered the #TFBookClub 12 paperback copies (UK only) and several digital copies (via Netgalley) for those who prefer digital, and for those who are outside the UK. If you would like to apply for a copy now to read along with us during May and early June, leave a comment below about your own Prague experiences, or why you’d like to visit (and telling us whether you prefer paper (UK only) or digital or either). The first names out of the hat on Monday 1st May 2017 will be sent copies by the publisher. After that we can all get stuck in and share our thoughts over the subsequent weeks.

We will be in touch at the beginning of May if you are one of our lucky readers!

A massive thank you to Sara D’Arcy at Penguin Random House for her support.

Andrew and Tina for the TripFiction Team

Catch up with Team TripFiction on Social Media: Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction)

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Comments

  1. User: Bev

    Posted on: 10/05/2017 at 2:56 pm

    Just about to start reading Prague Nights. A little different to the usual genre I select but need to be open to new experiences.

    Comment

  2. My copy arrived in the post this morning – all very exciting. Many thanks to TF and Viking. I didn’t realise until now that Benjamin Black is also John Banville.

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: JustRetiring

      Posted on: 09/05/2017 at 9:20 pm

      Yes, Benjamin Black is the one and only John Banville, a literary legend and winner of the Booker prize in 2005 with The Sea.

      Who has read any books by John Banville?

      It will certainly be interesting to get your thoughts on his writing style – as Benjamin Black – in Prague Nights, and to highlight the differences.

      I guess all writers need to be schizophrenics, on some level? Several, in the case of Mr. Banville!

      Enjoy Benjamin Black’s writing in Prague Nights.

      Comment

  3. User: andrewmorris51

    Posted on: 03/05/2017 at 10:50 am

    Really looking forward to reading Prague Nights along with the lucky winners of our latest #TFBookClub choice.

    You should be receiving your copy soon – whether print or digital – and will be transported to darkly mysterious Prague in 1599.

    The Emperor’s young mistress has just been brutally murdered and Christian Stern,newly arrived from Regensburg, is tasked with finding the culprit. But who to trust, when the court is full of ambitious schemers and cunning charlatans….?

    Hope you all enjoy reading this well-written historical murder mystery….and let’s get those comments flowing!

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Leila Benhamida

      Posted on: 09/05/2017 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you! I received my copy today.

      Comment

  4. User: Sue Dawson

    Posted on: 25/04/2017 at 9:17 am

    Never been to Prague but am always interested in other countries especially historically.
    Paperback please if I am lucky.

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  5. User: Harriet Steel

    Posted on: 24/04/2017 at 6:46 am

    My family visited Prague for the Xmas market a few years ago. Seeing this romantic city celebrate the season on bright, snowy days was a wonderful experience. I’d love to read the book and relive some of it. If I’m lucky in the draw, may I have a paperback please?

    Comment

  6. User: JustRetiring

    Posted on: 24/04/2017 at 12:56 am

    Wow, what great early interest in Prague Nights for #TFBookClub’s second outing. Thanks for all the feedback, and personal memories of the city.

    I am about 100 pages in and enjoying the writer’s vivid portrayal of a wintry Prague in 1599. The plot is bubbling along nicely too.

    Looking forward to reading it with all the lucky winners in May.

    Did you know Benjamin Black is the pen name of John Banville, by the way? He won the Booker prize in 2005 with his 14th novel, The Sea, so I think we’re assured of some quality writing and #literarywanderlust in Prague Nights.

    Andrew for TripFiction

    Comment

  7. User: Linda Rumsey

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 9:13 pm

    I haven’t visited Prague but would love to after reading A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom. Paper copy please.

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Elaine Guymer

      Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 11:14 pm

      Would love to visit Prague. Never been and so much history to see.
      Paper copy please if I am lucky.

      Comment

  8. User: Hazel Rea

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 7:41 pm

    I’d love to visit Prague – especially for the Christmas markets. I’d like a paper version if I am one of the lucky ones.

    Comment

  9. User: Amy Rodriguez

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 6:02 pm

    I would love to see Prague because of its beautiful architecture. I’d love to learn more about the city. Digital since I’m in the USA.

    Comment

  10. User: Mary Lucking

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 3:32 pm

    I went to Prague last November and really enjoyed the city. Everywhere is in walking distance so this makes it easy to see all the sights. I prefer paperbacks

    Comment

  11. User: Rose Stephenson

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 1:59 pm

    My favourite time to visit Prague is just before Christmas. We browsed the markets, gazed at the fantastic Christmas tree and then went to Cafe Mozart for a hot chocolate. I prefer to read a paperback.

    Comment

  12. User: Rose Stephenson

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 1:58 pm

    My favourite time to visit Prague is just before Christmas. We browsed the markets, gazed at the fantastic Christmas tree and then went to Cafe Mozart for a hot chocolate.

    Comment

  13. User: Sheree

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 12:55 pm

    I could not find this book on Amazon. Can it be pre-ordered?

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: tripfiction

      Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 2:15 pm

      Sheree

      We have checked this out… The book can be pre-ordered on amazon.co.uk – but it doesn’t yet feature on the amazon.com site… Hope this explains

      Comment

  14. User: Helen James

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 12:49 pm

    Prague is definitely on my list! Paper copy please ☺️

    Comment

  15. User: Irene Wright

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 11:06 am

    Haven’t been to Prague – yet. It is on my ‘places to visit’ list. Would love to win a paper copy of the book, please

    Comment

  16. User: SU williams

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 11:03 am

    I love Prague it’s a magical city and my daughter has just returned from a few days break there and experienced so many new things, that I’d love to go back and re-discover myself. She had a tour of the astronomical clock on the hour when the figures begin to move in the clock tower,followed by a tour of the underground tunnels beneath, and an alchemie tour of torture chambers. I love the history of the place and she tells me that the city has been built up a level because it always used to flood and that is why so many bars etc., are underground. I can’t believe how deep some of the underground stations go, not too mention how bad the flood was in 2002 when you see the markers on the wall of the flood line. It’s an exceptionally magical city with so much history. I know everyone in my family would love to read this book.

    Comment

  17. User: Sue Harrison

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 10:52 am

    Never physically been to Prague but travelled there via my reading.Would love a paper copy but happy to receive either

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  18. User: Ruth Anne Sahin

    Posted on: 23/04/2017 at 9:17 am

    Did a day trip to Prague a few years ago A wonderful atmospheric city. Hope to visit again soon

    If lucky a paperback please

    Comment

  19. User: Emily Goode

    Posted on: 22/04/2017 at 1:04 am

    I am traveling around the world via books but haven’t been to Prague yet. I would love a digital copy. Thanks!

    Comment

  20. User: RachelB75

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 11:04 pm

    I have never been to Prague but it is high up on my list of places to visit! In the meantime the pages of books suffice . Thank you for considering me for either paperback or ebook

    Comment

  21. User: Emily Goode

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 10:03 pm

    I am reading my way around the world. I am hoping to read a book from every country and track them using Instagram and a digital world map. I would love to visit Prague!

    Comment

  22. User: Leila Benhamida

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 9:38 pm

    I love a good psychological mystery. Something intriguing which keep me reading is always great. I never actually visited Prague but will love to discover this beautiful city through this new book. Will love a paperback copy if I am selected.

    Comment

  23. User: Marie Maher

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 3:45 pm

    Have never been to Prague other than in the world of reading. I would love a digital copy of the book if I were to be so fortunate.

    Comment

  24. User: Deborah Small

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 2:57 pm

    Am loving the sound of this, two of my favourite genres in one, historical and crime. Would love the digital please.

    Comment

  25. User: Anne Allen

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 2:05 pm

    I’ve never been to Prague, but it sounds well worth a visit – so much history! Am happy with either a PB or ebook if allowed a copy.

    Comment

    1 Comment

    • User: Sara Hill

      Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 2:39 pm

      I have never been to Prague but would like to visit to see the Old Town Square and discover the city’s charm and charisma. The 13th-century houses sound wonderful and I would also like to see the Estates Theatre and Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock which blows a fanfare when the clock strikes the hour. I would love to receive a paperback copy of the book which sounds interesting.

      Comment

  26. User: Julie Ryan

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 1:51 pm

    Would love a copy please – either format – loved the last read btw

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  27. User: Claire Harris

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 1:37 pm

    I would love to visit Prague as I’ve never been to Eastern Europe at all & Prague is so full of history!
    I would prefer a paper copy of selected, thank you! 🙂

    Comment

  28. User: Jane Willis

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 1:31 pm

    PS I’m happy with either the print or electronic version if picked

    Comment

  29. User: Jane Willis

    Posted on: 21/04/2017 at 1:30 pm

    My tip for really seeing Prague is to keep an eye open for tiny lanes and alleyways leading off the main streets – most people walk straight past them and yet thee you will find beautiful buildings, magical gardens and almost deserted restaurants

    Comment