A tale of love, heroism and resistance set against the stunning backdrop of 1930s Florence, In Love and War weaves fact and fiction to create a sweeping portrait of a city under siege. The novel is told through the eyes, letters and journals of Esmond Lowndes, who comes to Italy a lonely young man in the shadow of his politician father. On the cobbles of Florence’s many-storied streets, he deepens his appreciation of art and literature, and falls in love.

With the coming of war, Esmond finds himself drawn into the Tuscan Resistance, hunted by the malevolent Mario Carità, head of the Fascist secret police. With his lover, Ada, at his side, he is at the centre of assassination plots, shoot-outs and car chases, culminating in a final mission of extraordinary daring.

In Love and War is a novel that will take you deep into the secret heart of history. It is a novel of art and letters, of bawdy raconteurs and dashing spies. With Esmond Lowndes you will see the beauty of Florence and the horror of war as it sweeps over the city’s terracotta rooftops. In Love and War is both epic and intimate, harrowing and heartwarming.

In Love and War – Reviews

April 14, 2014

Daily Mail, 3rd July 2014 The Lady, 4th July 2014 Literary Review, 4th July 2014 Lovereading Blog, 5th July, 2014 The Observer, 13th July, 2014 Empty Mirror Books, 14th July, 2014 Financial Times, 18th July, 2014 GQ, 21 July, 2014 We Love This Book, 22nd July, 2014 Country Life, 23rd July 2014 The Telegraph, 23rd … Read More

In Love and War – The Critical Response

April 14, 2014

“It’s a title befitting an epic, and Preston emphatically delivers in this, his third novel but his first foray into historical fiction. That he’s a natural at it is clear… Vividly imagined and richly atmospheric, Preston’s dramatic tale propels the reader towards a tense and tragic final showdown.” Stephanie Cross, Daily Mail “Rich in period detail … Read More