"Kate Atkinson's dazzling Life After Life explored the possibility of infinite chances and the power of choices, following Ursula Todd as she lived through the turbulent events of the last century over and over again. A GOD IN RUINS tells the dramatic story of the 20th Century through Ursula's beloved younger brother Teddy--would-be poet, heroic pilot, husband, father, and grandfather-as he navigates the perils and progress of a rapidly changing world....

"1952. Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasers and Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany after Dunkirk. As the long German war against Russia rages on in the east, the British people find themselves under dark authoritarian rule: the press, radio and television are controlled; the streets patrolled by violent auxiliary police and British Jews face ever greater constraints." -- provided by publisher.

When the queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, learns Ursula is to visit her relatives in Devon, he asks her to find out what has happened to two of his local agents, who have been strangely silent. On arrival in Devon, Ursula learns both men have met with mysterious, and fatal, accidents.

Having sunk the first man-of-war under his command within weeks, Matthew Quinton is determined to complete his second mission without loss of life or honor. His suspicion grows that the previous captain of the "Jupiter" was murdered and many among his crew have something to hide.

A journalist in 1956 Britain takes on the story of a young actress' suicide attempt, only to find she might be his sister.

The only thing I felt was a strong hand around my neck, another around my waist, and -- before I could cry out -- I smelled the thick, sweet scent of a mandrake-soaked cloth. Unforgiving hands clapped it against my face, and all went dark. Alaïs, the king of France's sister, is abducted while on her mission for the wily Eleanor of Aquitaine, the former Queen of England, to retrieve hidden letters that, in the wrong hands, could bring down the English...

When the clues in a hit-and-run investigation lead him to two families famous for producing and selling the world's best Madeira wine, Scotland Yard's Ian Rutledge is pitted against his new supervisor who, dismissing the evidence, has his own suspect.

"As 1271 draws to a close in East Anglia, Crowner Ralf discovers a corpse and sets about investigating the dead soldier's murder. Meanwhile tensions at the Tyndal Priory arise over the decision to purchase a relic."--from NoveList.

Nurse Bess Crawford finds herself involved in the search for a devious and dangerous killer in 1917 London after a woman she recognized from a wounded soldier's photo is found murdered.

"In Elizabethan England, the queen's chief spymaster, Francis Walsingham, and his team of agents must maintain the highest levels of vigilance to ward off Catholic plots and an ever-present threat of invasion from Spain. One agent in particular - a young Cambridge undergraduate of humble origins, controversial beliefs, and literary genius who goes by the name of Kit Marlowe - is relentless in his pursuit of intelligence for the Crown. When he is killed...