THE OWL KILLERS

England 1321: Deep in the heart of the countryside lies an isolated village governed by a sinister regime of Owl Masters.

Theirs is a pagan world of terror and blackmail, where neighbour denounces neighbour, and sin is punishable by murder.

This dark status quo is disturbed by the arrival of a house of religious women, who establish a community outside the village. Why do their crops succeed when village crops fail, their cattle survive despite the plague? But petty jealousy turns deadly when the women give refuge to a young martyr; for she dies a gruesome death after spitting the sacramental host into flames that can't burn it. What magic is this? Or is the martyr now a saint, and the host a holy relic?

Accusations of witchcraft and heresy run rife, while the Owl Masters rain down hellfire and torment on the women, who must look to their faith to save them from the lengthening shadow of evil... a shadow with predatory, terrifying talons.

Karen Maitland appeared on Woman's Hour, talking about the beguinages and the mysteries surrounding them; you can still listen to the interview online.

And she was interviewed at the Lowdham Festival by The Book Channel - you can watch the interview on YouTube - including Karen reading an extract from The Owl Killers.

The Owl Killers received an Honorable Mention from the ALA (American Library Association in the Historical Fiction cvategory of their 2010 Reading List.

Critic Bidisha, writing in The Guardian, chose The Owl Killers as one of her favourite books of 2009, saying: "Think Wicker Man meets The Handmaid's Tale with a whiff of Deliverance."

"This powerful, enthralling story of treachery and magic is multilayered, atmospheric, and complex."

Larry Cox, Shelf Life

"With exquisite and vivid descriptions, lyrical prose and complex characters, Maitland brings history to life. You can almost hear the pulsing of ritual drums and feel the branches lash at your face in the forest in the midst of a storm."

Katherine Petersen, Fresh Fiction

"Maitland has conjured up a medieval world startling in its brutality and unrivaled in its fury ... The suspense builds as multiple characters narrate this claustrophobic and atmospheric page-turner."

Margaret Flanagan, Booklist

"This book brings to life some of the hardships and horror of medieval England. The story is filled with terror, violence, suspense and supernatural beings as it portrays good versus evil. It is one of those stories that you hate to put down, yet you dread the ending, expecting that it can't possibly end well. It is creepy, suspenseful and fun."

Betty Lytle, The Oklahoman

"Whether you enjoy historical fiction or are looking for a story that empowers women, I highly recommend this novel.."

Danielle Bullen, MostlyFiction

"a kind of chorus of different voices, chiming in, one after another and in the process creating a beautifully nuanced story of hideous crime, poverty, ignorance, faith, ambition, greed and superstition... It's a terrific book for winter evenings by the fire."

Adèle Geras, An Awfully Big Blog Adventure

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• The Italian edition of the The Owl Killers is I Maestri Oscuri, published in July 2009 by Edizioni Piemme
• The Dutch edition, De Uilendoders, was published in January 2010 by De Vliegende Hollander.
• Editions Sonatine have bought the French translation rights.

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