Reviews
The House with the Golden Door
‘The Wolf Den, the hard-hitting story of a brothel in Pompeii, is one of my standout novels of the past few years … The House with the Golden Door is as vivid, unsentimental and compelling’ - The Times
'The Wolf Den was one of last year’s most vivid and transporting books... Its gripping sequel ... depict(s) its protagonist Amara’s new and luxurious life as a courtesan... Harper’s recreation of this ancient world continues to thrill.' - The Observer
'Meticulously researched, it's another brilliant look at the inhabitants of this fascinating city' - Woman and Home
'Beautiful, moving, captivating... A brilliant sequel to The Wolf Den' - Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne and Elektra
'Gripping, and richly imagined, this is spellbinding storytelling' - Louise O'Neill, author of Idol
The Wolf Den
BEST BOOKS of 2021 - The Times
"Harper has that rare knack of making the reader believe she was there, stylus in hand, chronicling what she witnessed. Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph."
BEST BOOKS of 2021 - Woman and Home
'A compelling story of survival, friendship and courage. Amara and her fellow she-wolves are vividly drawn in a fascinating depiction of women at the time. Utterly spellbinding.'
"A one-of-a-kind historical novel ... It is a mesmerising, richly detailed tale of sisterhood and courage that fans of Circe will love." - Red Magazine
"Elodie Harper's vibrant and thrilling story is steeped in historical detail while remaining contemporary in its concerns." The Observer
"A gripping historical story" - The Independent
'I loved this stunning, gripping read. A heart-wrenching portrayal of female solidarity in male-dominated Pompeii. Beautiful, brutal & compelling' - Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman
'An utterly gripping story. It humanises the men and women who had their humanity taken away from them, and helps to remind us that the brothels of Pompeii were far more than seedy tourist attractions' - Daisy Dunn, author of In the Shadow of Vesuvius
'Hope and humour runs through this powerful, moving story – I loved it!' - Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
'Harper’s style is exhilaratingly direct, with images lingering long in the mind’s eye. You smell the oil lamps and temple incense, taste sticky figs, feel physical blows, and the dialogue packs a powerful punch too. It’s a vivacious piece of work, and all underpinned by a woman’s longing for freedom' LoveReading.co.uk
'Set in the seedy yet complex milieu of Pompeii's brothels, Harper's masterful first historical novel follows Amara and her fellow 'she-wolves' through a city where opportunity is rife for even the lowest born slave.' Waterstones
'What a book! Utterly compelling, unflinching in describing Amara’s life as a slave-prostitute in Pompeii and so incredibly transporting. Best book I read in ages' Sophie van Llewyn, author of Bottled Goods
'Rich with sly humor, wisdom, and sensory detail, and with an excellent plot that kept me turning the pages late into the night, The Wolf Den breathes life into the she-wolves, women working in ancient Pompeii's brothels whose place in history has traditionally been at the bottom of the rung, and gives them the humanity they deserve. If Circe by Madeline Miller met On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe, the result would be Elodie Harper’s stunning historical debut' Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder
The Binding Song
'A wonderful new arrival in the 'Norfolk Noir' genre, this deliciously gripping novel casts the familiar setting of Norwich and its surroundings in a grim and haunting new light.' - Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent
'A splendidly unsettling debut - a chilling mystery to be read with the lights on and your back to the wall.' - John Connolly, author of the Charlie Parker series
'Satisfying and thought-provoking in equal measure, and it stays in the mind long after the final page is turned. Harper, as Mr King so astutely realised, is definitely one to watch.' - i Paper
The Death Knock
'Chilling, intelligent, and highly addictive. Superb.' - Will Dean, author of The Last Thing to Burn
'Haunting and wonderfully written.' Woman
'The author's journalistic experience adds authenticity to a gruesome chiller with a killer so creepy you'll be double locking your door.' Sunday Mirror