C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author
@threeswrite.bsky.social
📖 Avarice of Empire (Brindle Books, 2025)
🖋️ Where The River Meanders
Pen name of Iain Harper MA
📍 Stirling, Scotland
🔗 https://threeswrite.com
🖋️ Where The River Meanders
Pen name of Iain Harper MA
📍 Stirling, Scotland
🔗 https://threeswrite.com
Pinned
Heartfelt thanks to all the Avarice of Empire readers who’ve given the book 5-star reviews…
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
It’s nearly 20 years since I last had the privilege of calling Stirling home, and I’m thrilled that from a week today I’ll be able to again!
Emma and I are looking forward to new friendships and professional connections, and to contributing to the local and wider Scottish creative community.
Emma and I are looking forward to new friendships and professional connections, and to contributing to the local and wider Scottish creative community.
January 24, 2026 at 9:18 PM
It’s nearly 20 years since I last had the privilege of calling Stirling home, and I’m thrilled that from a week today I’ll be able to again!
Emma and I are looking forward to new friendships and professional connections, and to contributing to the local and wider Scottish creative community.
Emma and I are looking forward to new friendships and professional connections, and to contributing to the local and wider Scottish creative community.
2025 was the year of my debut novel, my youngest son graduated as a zoologist, I completed a Masters in History, and my incredible partner gained her PhD. Now it’s time to look forward to new challenges and adventures in 2026. Happy New Year! 🎉
December 31, 2025 at 11:53 PM
2025 was the year of my debut novel, my youngest son graduated as a zoologist, I completed a Masters in History, and my incredible partner gained her PhD. Now it’s time to look forward to new challenges and adventures in 2026. Happy New Year! 🎉
Do you have a visual imagination? For people who aren’t able to voluntarily create mental images — apparently a condition called #aphantasia — visual descriptions and metaphors have little or no utility. I’m fascinated by the implications the phenomenon has for writers and storytellers.
Visualising Narrative
For people who aren't able to voluntarily create mental images — aphantasia — visual descriptions and metaphors have little or no utility.
threeswrite.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Do you have a visual imagination? For people who aren’t able to voluntarily create mental images — apparently a condition called #aphantasia — visual descriptions and metaphors have little or no utility. I’m fascinated by the implications the phenomenon has for writers and storytellers.
Reposted by C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author
Don’t forget to watch this much needed and long overdue series on the British Empire. Remarkably, it’s not based on the opinions of a travelling ‘personality’, but on what historians who’ve actually researched it say!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Two - Empire with David Olusoga, Series 1, Episode 1
David Olusoga tells the story of the beginnings of the British Empire under Elizabeth I.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Don’t forget to watch this much needed and long overdue series on the British Empire. Remarkably, it’s not based on the opinions of a travelling ‘personality’, but on what historians who’ve actually researched it say!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#Malta features a couple of times in Avarice of Empire, most importantly in chapters 31 & 32 after the HMS Serapis arrives at #Valletta in March 1873.
This AI-colourised photograph from 1890 gives an impression of how the Grand Harbour would have looked.
#historicalfiction #booksky
This AI-colourised photograph from 1890 gives an impression of how the Grand Harbour would have looked.
#historicalfiction #booksky
October 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
#Malta features a couple of times in Avarice of Empire, most importantly in chapters 31 & 32 after the HMS Serapis arrives at #Valletta in March 1873.
This AI-colourised photograph from 1890 gives an impression of how the Grand Harbour would have looked.
#historicalfiction #booksky
This AI-colourised photograph from 1890 gives an impression of how the Grand Harbour would have looked.
#historicalfiction #booksky
Thrilled to find Avarice of Empire gracing the fiction section beside Mark Twain at Waterstones in Taunton!
#historicalfiction #booksky #histfic
#historicalfiction #booksky #histfic
September 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Thrilled to find Avarice of Empire gracing the fiction section beside Mark Twain at Waterstones in Taunton!
#historicalfiction #booksky #histfic
#historicalfiction #booksky #histfic
Lavelle Road in #Bengaluru is named after Micky Lavelle - the soldier turned #Kolar gold miner from County Mayo - who makes his first appearance in Avarice of Empire in chapter seven when Charles Agnew and Morgan Farrell attend his garden party with Dr John Orr.
#historicalfiction #history
#historicalfiction #history
September 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Lavelle Road in #Bengaluru is named after Micky Lavelle - the soldier turned #Kolar gold miner from County Mayo - who makes his first appearance in Avarice of Empire in chapter seven when Charles Agnew and Morgan Farrell attend his garden party with Dr John Orr.
#historicalfiction #history
#historicalfiction #history
I’m enjoying immersing myself in the writing of my second book, and very glad I don’t have to type it on one of these. An #historicalfiction novella this time, “Where The River Meanders” is set in and around #Stirling, Scotland, during the early twentieth century.
September 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I’m enjoying immersing myself in the writing of my second book, and very glad I don’t have to type it on one of these. An #historicalfiction novella this time, “Where The River Meanders” is set in and around #Stirling, Scotland, during the early twentieth century.
Charles Agnew was #bornonthisday 189 years ago, 24th September 1836, in County #Antrim. Son of James and Catherine Agnew, and brother to William and Harriet. The family home until 1865 was Cairncastle Lodge on the #Carnfunnock Estate (now Carnfunnock Country Park) near #Larne. #history
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Charles Agnew was #bornonthisday 189 years ago, 24th September 1836, in County #Antrim. Son of James and Catherine Agnew, and brother to William and Harriet. The family home until 1865 was Cairncastle Lodge on the #Carnfunnock Estate (now Carnfunnock Country Park) near #Larne. #history
Chapter eighteen of Avarice of Empire recounts the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869 from the perspective of George West, the British Vice Consul in Suez, and how a ship of the British Navy jumped the queue to be the first vessel through the new waterway.
#historicalfiction #history
#historicalfiction #history
September 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Chapter eighteen of Avarice of Empire recounts the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869 from the perspective of George West, the British Vice Consul in Suez, and how a ship of the British Navy jumped the queue to be the first vessel through the new waterway.
#historicalfiction #history
#historicalfiction #history
Heartfelt thanks to all the Avarice of Empire readers who’ve given the book 5-star reviews…
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
September 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Heartfelt thanks to all the Avarice of Empire readers who’ve given the book 5-star reviews…
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #booksky
Launched in 1866, HMS Serapis was one of five Euphrates-class troopships used primarily to transport British troops and their families to and from India. In 1873 she played a prominent role in Charles Agnew’s story, as depicted in chapters 28-30 of Avarice of Empire.
#history #historicalfiction
#history #historicalfiction
September 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Launched in 1866, HMS Serapis was one of five Euphrates-class troopships used primarily to transport British troops and their families to and from India. In 1873 she played a prominent role in Charles Agnew’s story, as depicted in chapters 28-30 of Avarice of Empire.
#history #historicalfiction
#history #historicalfiction
Charles Agnew and the 16th Lancers reached Madras on the Golden Fleece 160 years ago this month and taken ashore by masula boats. These generated images give an impression of the scene that greeted them. Read the full story of the voyage in Avarice of Empire.
#history #historicalfiction
#history #historicalfiction
September 15, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Charles Agnew and the 16th Lancers reached Madras on the Golden Fleece 160 years ago this month and taken ashore by masula boats. These generated images give an impression of the scene that greeted them. Read the full story of the voyage in Avarice of Empire.
#history #historicalfiction
#history #historicalfiction
The character of photographer Sophia Munro in Avarice of Empire was inspired, in part, by Lady Florence Caroline Dixie who was a Scottish feminist, writer, traveller and war correspondent. Read more about her here: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Fl...
#history #feminism #nineteenthcentury
#history #feminism #nineteenthcentury
September 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The character of photographer Sophia Munro in Avarice of Empire was inspired, in part, by Lady Florence Caroline Dixie who was a Scottish feminist, writer, traveller and war correspondent. Read more about her here: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Fl...
#history #feminism #nineteenthcentury
#history #feminism #nineteenthcentury
From Ireland to India, and Newfoundland to Egypt and Malta, Avarice of Empire tells the story of many adventurous journeys, some overland by train or on horseback, others across oceans by steamship. Follow them in the paperback or Kindle edition: www.amazon.co.uk/Avarice-Empi... #historicalfiction
August 31, 2025 at 11:20 AM
From Ireland to India, and Newfoundland to Egypt and Malta, Avarice of Empire tells the story of many adventurous journeys, some overland by train or on horseback, others across oceans by steamship. Follow them in the paperback or Kindle edition: www.amazon.co.uk/Avarice-Empi... #historicalfiction
After months of radio silence, last Friday I submitted my MA #History about 19C telegraphy and Malta’s role in British imperial comms. Like earlier essays, it was inspired by themes explored in ‘Avarice of Empire’.
A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.
A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.
August 25, 2025 at 7:48 AM
After months of radio silence, last Friday I submitted my MA #History about 19C telegraphy and Malta’s role in British imperial comms. Like earlier essays, it was inspired by themes explored in ‘Avarice of Empire’.
A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.
A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.
If you've read Avarice of Empire you'll remember an officer known as 'Carrin' Churchward. This carte de visite portrait was likely taken in Dover shortly before his leaving party at Kearnsey Abbey on 16th August 1865. #cartedevisite #photography #history #historicalfiction #booksky #histbookchat
Carte de Visite of Carrin Churchward
The carte de visite of Lieutenant Charles Carrington 'Carrin' Churchward of the 16th Lancers was likely made in Dover in 1865.
threeswrite.com
May 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
If you've read Avarice of Empire you'll remember an officer known as 'Carrin' Churchward. This carte de visite portrait was likely taken in Dover shortly before his leaving party at Kearnsey Abbey on 16th August 1865. #cartedevisite #photography #history #historicalfiction #booksky #histbookchat
Very pleased to see the connection between Strathallan Castle, the Drummond family, and Charles Agnew’s story being highlighted by The Scotsman.
#strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky
#strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky
Strathallan Castle link to assassination mystery uncovered in new book
How a member of the Drummond family, the former owners of Strathallan Castle, became involved in the story of a murder in Egypt is revealed in Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone (Brindle Books, March...
www.scotsman.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Very pleased to see the connection between Strathallan Castle, the Drummond family, and Charles Agnew’s story being highlighted by The Scotsman.
#strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky
#strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky
Many thanks to Anne and everyone in the Historical Novel Society’s author interviews team for doing this Q&A with me.
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky
Launch: C. Q. Turnstone’s Avarice of Empire - Historical Novel Society
INTERVIEW BY ANNE EASTER SMITH Before studying for a Master’s in Imperial and Global History at the University of Exeter, C.Q. Turnstone spent most of his career specialising in digital marketing and ...
historicalnovelsociety.org
April 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Many thanks to Anne and everyone in the Historical Novel Society’s author interviews team for doing this Q&A with me.
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky
#DoTheWriteThing and sign the @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training: www.change.org/p/protect-au...
April 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
#DoTheWriteThing and sign the @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training: www.change.org/p/protect-au...
Super little feature in the Belfast Newsletter about Charles Agnew’s family home on the estate that is now Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne.
#historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky
#historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky
Carnfunnock Country Park history brought to life in new book
Turning point in Carnfunnock and Larne history is setting for opening chapter of Avarice of Empire by C.Q. Turnstone (Brindle Books, March 2025)
www.newsletter.co.uk
April 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Super little feature in the Belfast Newsletter about Charles Agnew’s family home on the estate that is now Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne.
#historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky
#historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky
In chapter 33 of Avarice of Empire, Alec Innes has an important task to perform in Canterbury and walks into town from the cavalry barracks.
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury
April 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
In chapter 33 of Avarice of Empire, Alec Innes has an important task to perform in Canterbury and walks into town from the cavalry barracks.
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury
Love these reviews of Avarice of Empire!
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
March 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Love these reviews of Avarice of Empire!
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
Following the book signing there last week, Blackwell’s in Exeter now have Avarice of Empire in the ‘Great New Reads’ 3 for 2 promotion. It’s fantastic to see my book rubbing spines with work by authors for whom I have so much admiration.
#historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells
#historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells
March 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Following the book signing there last week, Blackwell’s in Exeter now have Avarice of Empire in the ‘Great New Reads’ 3 for 2 promotion. It’s fantastic to see my book rubbing spines with work by authors for whom I have so much admiration.
#historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells
#historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells