C.Q. Turnstone | Historian | Historical Fiction Author
@threeswrite.bsky.social
🎓 MA Imperial & Global History
📖 Avarice of Empire (Brindle Books, 2025)
🖋️ Where The River Meanders
Pen name of Iain Harper
🔗 https://threeswrite.com
📖 Avarice of Empire (Brindle Books, 2025)
🖋️ Where The River Meanders
Pen name of Iain Harper
🔗 https://threeswrite.com
#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.
#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...
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
Reading from the prologue to Avarice of Empire, in which children from a local school visit Canterbury Cathedral and become intrigued by the memorial to Captain Charles Agnew of the 16th Lancers.
#avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky
#avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky
March 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reading from the prologue to Avarice of Empire, in which children from a local school visit Canterbury Cathedral and become intrigued by the memorial to Captain Charles Agnew of the 16th Lancers.
#avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky
#avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky
After paying my respects to Charles Agnew today, I had the chance to present a copy of Avarice of Empire to Ian Osterloh of the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society, and to spend some time discussing the research behind the story.
#historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky
#historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky
March 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
After paying my respects to Charles Agnew today, I had the chance to present a copy of Avarice of Empire to Ian Osterloh of the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society, and to spend some time discussing the research behind the story.
#historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky
#historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky
Today is the 152nd anniversary of the death of Charles Agnew “by the hand of an assassin” in Egypt on 22nd March 1873, and I’ve been commemorating the day at Canterbury Cathedral where he’s memorialised in the south aisle.
#history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
March 22, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Today is the 152nd anniversary of the death of Charles Agnew “by the hand of an assassin” in Egypt on 22nd March 1873, and I’ve been commemorating the day at Canterbury Cathedral where he’s memorialised in the south aisle.
#history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
Huge thanks to Blackwell’s Exeter for hosting the first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event today and to everyone who came along to show their support and buy copies of the book! There was laughter, great chat, surprise appearances and even Champagne. #historicalfiction #blackwells #booksky
March 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Huge thanks to Blackwell’s Exeter for hosting the first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event today and to everyone who came along to show their support and buy copies of the book! There was laughter, great chat, surprise appearances and even Champagne. #historicalfiction #blackwells #booksky
Some of the wonderful friends and colleagues who came along to Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter earlier today to support my first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event. #historicalfiction #booksky #hfchitchat #histbookchat #blackwells
March 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Some of the wonderful friends and colleagues who came along to Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter earlier today to support my first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event. #historicalfiction #booksky #hfchitchat #histbookchat #blackwells
I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a very long time… signing copies of Avarice of Empire to send out to the many people who helped during the research process or offered feedback on the first full draft.
#historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
March 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a very long time… signing copies of Avarice of Empire to send out to the many people who helped during the research process or offered feedback on the first full draft.
#historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
#historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky
This 20 para coin, equivalent to a halfpenny, was minted in Egypt in 1860/1 and in use during the period depicted in Avarice of Empire. A special ‘happy publication’ gift from the wonderful @emmalucycole.bsky.social
Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.
Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.
March 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This 20 para coin, equivalent to a halfpenny, was minted in Egypt in 1860/1 and in use during the period depicted in Avarice of Empire. A special ‘happy publication’ gift from the wonderful @emmalucycole.bsky.social
Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.
Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.
Unashamedly proud and excited to see Avarice of Empire on a shelf in a bookshop for the first time! Here it is, in splendid company, at Blackwell’s in Exeter where I’ll be doing a book signing next Tuesday.
#histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells
#histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells
March 12, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Unashamedly proud and excited to see Avarice of Empire on a shelf in a bookshop for the first time! Here it is, in splendid company, at Blackwell’s in Exeter where I’ll be doing a book signing next Tuesday.
#histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells
#histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells
⭐️ BOOK SIGNING ⭐️
Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day.
#historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk
Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day.
#historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk
March 11, 2025 at 8:36 AM
⭐️ BOOK SIGNING ⭐️
Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day.
#historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk
Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day.
#historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk