Alchemy and Rose

A beautiful and sweeping historical novel that takes the reader from the west coast of New Zealand, to Scotland and Melbourne in the 1870s

'Its portrayal of life in a gold-rush town is vivid, and Rose's story is absorbing' The Times

'Worth reading for its occasional streaks of brilliance and insight' Telegraph India

'A epic read . . . a beautifully written, evocative novel that I anticipate you reading and re-reading for years to come' Woman's Way

'A gripping page-turner' Woman

1866. Will Stewart is one of many who have left their old lives behind to seek their fortunes in New Zealand's last great gold rush. The conditions are hostile and the outlook bleak, but he must push on in his uncertain search for the elusive buried treasure.

Rose is about to arrive on the shores of South Island when a storm hits and her ship is wrecked. Just when all seems lost she is snatched from the jaws of death by Will, who risks his life to save her. Drawn together by circumstance, they stay together by choice and for a while it seems that their stars have finally aligned.

But after a terrible misunderstanding they are cruelly separated, and their new-found happiness is shattered. As Will chases Rose across oceans and continents, he must come to terms with the possibility that he might never see her again. And if he does, he will have to face the man who took her . . .

Readers love Alchemy and Rose:

'A real rollercoaster of emotions' 5* reader review

'One of her best yet' 5* reader review

'Both gripping and romantic (quite a combination!) and keeps you hooked right up to the end' 5* reader review

'One of those books that you need to find out what happened, but at the same time you don't want it to finish' 5* reader review

'Couldn't put it down, a real page turner' 5* reader review


About the Author
Sarah Maine was born in England but grew up partly in Canada before returning to England for university. She studied archaeology and for many years worked in the profession but is now a freelance writer and researcher. Sarah'sdebut novel The House Between Tides (previously Bhalla Strand 2014) was re-published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2018. Beyond the Wild River (2017) was her second novel and Women of the Dunes (2018) was her third. Alchemy and Rose, her fourth novel, will be published in 2020.