The Thief and the Traitor Bride
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The Thief and the Traitor Bride
A ruthless spy. A deadly mission. A thief who could ruin it all. The Thief and the Traitor Bride is a standalone romantic fantasy set in the world of the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling novel The Second Death of Locke.
Nore Gordon is a woman of many talents: she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.
Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.
As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit—and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.
Praise for The Hand and the Heart books:
'With unique magic, a rich and war-torn world, and a retinue of characters I would pledge my life to defend, The Second Death of Locke is an epic quest for belonging and a romance for the ages. The yearning is off the charts and I'm here for it' — Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
'This is how you do chemistry! The Second Death of Locke is a masterful epic that combines classic fantasy worldbuilding with an addictive love story. Alternately charming and hauntingly dark, this one will stay with you long after the last page' — Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
'Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke will grip your heart and never let go' — Tasha Suri
'A rich exploration of the way the ties of love and friendship can be complicated, the way the sacrifices we make can be easier to accept than the sacrifices others make for us. Impressive and transporting' — Megan Whalen Turner, author of The Thief
'This book has it all: Arthurian themes of devotion and betrayal, the carnage of courtly politics and combat, every manner of unadulterated yearning. Glorious' — Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas Six
'A gloriously haunting story, with a searing chivalric romance that burns bright and bittersweet, The Second Death of Locke will hold your heart in its fist until the very'
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780356524917
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 29 September 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Orbit
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 560
About the Author
V. L. Bovalino is the pseudonym of Tori Bovalino, the author of three YA horror novels, including My Throat an Open Grave, and editor of the Indie-bestselling anthology, The Gathering Dark. She is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK with her partner, cat and puppy. Tori loves scary stories, obscure academic book facts and impractical oversized sweaters. She can be found on Instagram @toribovalino.
Also by V.L. Bovalino
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