<p>1950s Morocco: a country riotous at the end of the French Protectorate's rule. Welcome to <i>The Black Crescent</i>, a novel filled with romance, mystery and murder...</p><p>Hamou Badi is of the naughtiest boys in Tiziane – gangleader, fruit-stealer, catapult-maker and general promoter of chaos. His love of causing trouble is matched only by his hatred of the French soldiers who occupy his beloved Morocco.</p><p>Nineteen years on, and rebellious Hamou is now employed by the French police. Though he feels like a traitor, tensions have never been higher and the country feels balanced on a knife-edge. His presence in the force is more important than ever.</p><p>When Hamou finds evidence that links close friends to a violent rebel group, he is perplexed. His friends are peace-loving citizens – surely they can't be involved with the violent rebellion? And what on earth is he to do if they are?</p>
<p>Set in the mid-1950s against a backdrop of the violent end of the French protectorate, <i>The Black Crescent</i> sees Jane Johnson return to Morocco with a novel filled with romance, mystery and murder...</p>
<b>PRAISE FOR JANE JOHNSON</b>: <br />
'A beautifully written and intriguing story that stayed with me long after I had turned the last page' Santa Montefiore. <br />
'A wonderful blend of the past and the present day making an unputdownable, beautifully written novel' Katie Fforde. <br />
'I wanted to live in this story. Jane Johnson writes with such grace and ease' Carol Drinkwater. <br />
'<i>The Sea Gate</i> just blew me away. Utterly compelling and one of the few books for a long time that kept me reading deep into the night' Barbara Erskine. <br />
'Johnson weaves a passionate, lyrical story of family secrets, wartime Britain and modern-day Cornwall. Think <i>Arabian Nights</i> meets du Maurier's <i>Rebecca</i> – I loved it'
J.S. Monroe
<p>THE BLACK CRESCENT sees Jane Johnson return to Morocco, which she has a special connection to and where she lives for part of the year.</p>
<p>Interesting and engaging author who is very well connected; Jane is the UK editor for authors including George R.R. Martin and Robin Hobb.</p>
<p>THE TENTH GIFT was Jane's bestselling novel, also set in Morocco – Jane has carved out a real niche for writing in this area and we've done very well with her Morocco novels in the past.</p>
<p>MARKET: Victoria Hislop; Kate Morton; Sadie Jones; Santa Montefiore; Barbara Erskine; Harriet Evans; Liz Fenwick.</p>