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The House With the Golden Door

the unmissable second novel in the Sunday Times bestselling trilogy set in ancient Pompeii
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The House With the Golden Door by Elodie Harper continues the story of Amara, a former slave, now a freedwoman in ancient Pompeii. Navigating her new life, she faces challenges as she struggles to secure her independence and protect those she loves amid the city's vibrant but volatile society. The novel vividly portrays themes of survival, resilience, and the complexities of power and love in a historical setting.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're drawn to tales set in the ancient world with powerful female protagonists, you might find this historical fiction compelling. The story vividly portrays life in ancient Pompeii, offering a rich tapestry of intrigue, love, and survival. Engaging for readers who enjoy exploring historical settings alongside complex character dynamics.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller

‘Brutal yet beautiful, heartfelt yet harrowing, this is one compulsive read’ – Susan Stokes-Chapman

Amara has escaped her life as a slave in Pompeii’s most notorious brothel. She now has a house, fine clothes, servants – but all are gifts from her patron, hers for as long as she keeps her place in his affections.

As she adjusts to this new life, Amara is still haunted by her past. At night she dreams of the wolf den, and the women she left behind. By day, she is pursued by her former slavemaster.

In order to be truly free, Amara will need to be as ruthless as he is. She knows she can draw strength from Venus, the goddess of love. Yet falling in love herself may prove to be Amara’s downfall.

Praise for The House with the Golden Door:

'Beautiful, moving, captivating... A brilliant sequel to The Wolf Den' – Jennifer Saint

'Vivid, unsentimental and compelling' – The Times

'[A] gripping sequel... Harper's recreation of this ancient world continues to thrill' – Observer

'Gripping and richly imagined, this is spellbinding storytelling' – Louise O'Neill

'A spell-binding novel that brings Pompeii back to life and explores enslavement in all its forms' – Anna Mazzola

'Absolutely stunning and utterly gripping!' – Buki Papillon

Series: The Wolf Den Trilogy

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  • The Temple of Fortuna
    The final instalment in Elodie Harper's Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den Trilogy 'Beautiful, moving, captivating.' Jennifer Saint 'Vivid, unsentimental and compelling.' The Times The Temple of Fortuna follows Amara's journey which has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii's wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome... though her story is not over yet. While Amara plays for power...
    Paperback
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  • The Wolf Den
    The first novel in a new historical trilogy set in Ancient Pompeii, The Wolf Den follows the story of Amara, a slave at the city's infamous brothel. But just because she's a slave now, doesn't mean she intends to remain a slave forever... A Waterstones Book of the Month 'Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph' The Times 'I...
    Paperback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    18% off
    The House With the Golden Door
    The Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller ‘Brutal yet beautiful, heartfelt yet harrowing, this is one compulsive read’ – Susan Stokes-Chapman Amara has escaped her life as a slave in Pompeii’s most notorious brothel. She now has a house, fine clothes, servants – but all are gifts from her patron, hers for as long as she keeps her place in his...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Usually:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Temple of Fortuna
    The final instalment in Elodie Harper's Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den Trilogy A courtesan in Rome. Playing for power. Haunted by her past. Her name is Amara. How will her fortunes fall? Amara’s journey has taken her far, from a lowly slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a high-powered courtesan in Rome. Yet she is still drawn back to her past....
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Wolf Den
    ELODIE HARPER'S FIRST STANDALONE NOVEL, BOUDICCA'S DAUGHTER, OUT NOW Shortlisted for Pageturner of the Year at the British Book Awards A Waterstones Book of the Month Winner of the 2022 Glass Bell Award 'Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph' The Times 'I loved it' Jennifer Saint 'I couldn't put it down' Claire Douglas 'Utterly spellbinding' Woman & Home...
    Paperback
    $4499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The book is widely praised for its vivid and captivating storytelling set in ancient Pompeii. Reviewers commend its gripping narrative, richly imagined world, and compelling exploration of themes such as enslavement. It's noted for both its emotional depth and meticulous research, making it a beautifully written and thrilling sequel in Harper's trilogy.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838933593

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Apollo

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 36.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 354g

Pages: 512

About the Author

Elodie Harper is a journalist and prize-winning short story writer. Her story 'Wild Swimming' won the 2016 Bazaar of Bad Dreams short story competition, which was judged by Stephen King. She is currently a reporter at ITV News Anglia, and before that worked as a producer for Channel 4 News. The House with the Golden Door is the second book in The Wolf Den trilogy. The first book in the trilogy, The Wolf Den, was a Waterstones Book of the Month for fiction and a Sunday Times Top 15 bestseller. elodieharper.com

Also by Elodie Harper

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  • Boudicca's Daughter
    PRE-ORDER THE EPIC NEW STANDALONE NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOLF DEN TRILOGY Boudicca’s Daughter is Elodie Harper’s masterpiece. — Costanza Casati, bestselling author of Babylonia A beautiful, breathtaking novel... pre-order it immediately! — Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne One of the best books I have ever read. — Bea Fitzgerald, Sunday Times bestselling author...
    Paperback
    $3699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Temple of Fortuna
    The final instalment in Elodie Harper's Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den Trilogy 'Beautiful, moving, captivating.' Jennifer Saint 'Vivid, unsentimental and compelling.' The Times The Temple of Fortuna follows Amara's journey which has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii's wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome... though her story is not over yet. While Amara plays for power...
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Wolf Den
    The first novel in a new historical trilogy set in Ancient Pompeii, The Wolf Den follows the story of Amara, a slave at the city's infamous brothel. But just because she's a slave now, doesn't mean she intends to remain a slave forever... A Waterstones Book of the Month 'Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph' The Times 'I...
    Paperback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Temple of Fortuna
    The final instalment in Elodie Harper's Sunday Times bestselling Wolf Den Trilogy A courtesan in Rome. Playing for power. Haunted by her past. Her name is Amara. How will her fortunes fall? Amara’s journey has taken her far, from a lowly slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a high-powered courtesan in Rome. Yet she is still drawn back to her past....
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Wolf Den
    ELODIE HARPER'S FIRST STANDALONE NOVEL, BOUDICCA'S DAUGHTER, OUT NOW Shortlisted for Pageturner of the Year at the British Book Awards A Waterstones Book of the Month Winner of the 2022 Glass Bell Award 'Vivid, wise and unflinching, this is a triumph' The Times 'I loved it' Jennifer Saint 'I couldn't put it down' Claire Douglas 'Utterly spellbinding' Woman & Home...
    Paperback
    $4499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pre-order
    Boudicca's Daughter
    Boudicca’s Daughter is Elodie Harper’s masterpiece. Costanza Casati, author of Babylonia One of the best books I have ever read. Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen Certainly my book of the year. Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman One of my favourite reads of the year. Rosie Hewlett, author of Medea Beautiful, breathtaking – I loved this novel....
    Paperback
    $2699
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Sep 2026

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