120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Come visit us this weekend! Auckland Bookstore open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun 🎉

The Art Lovers

By Fiona McIntosh
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
The heart-stopping new historical adventure by the bestselling author of The Soldier's Daughter. While war rages across the city of Valletta, a local barkeeper's daughter, Valentina Camilleri, is on the cusp of womanhood when Flight Lieutenant Peter Fox falls out of the sky from his Spitfire... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3199
Elsewhere:
$3800
Pre-order
Releases 27th October 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Art Lovers" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

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 heart-stopping new historical adventure by the bestselling author of The Soldier's Daughter.

While war rages across the city of Valletta, a local barkeeper's daughter, Valentina Camilleri, is on the cusp of womanhood when Flight Lieutenant Peter Fox falls out of the sky from his Spitfire and into her world. In that fateful moment, he captures not just her imagination and her dreams, but also her young heart.

As he convalesces, Peter, an art historian, becomes captivated by Malta's spectacular cathedral and its treasure, the famed artwork of Caravaggio. His passion for the subject ignites Valentina's ambition and sparks the dream of a life far from her dreaded destiny.

A dozen years on, Peter returns to the island as an art expert for newly crowned Queen Elizabeth's forthcoming visit. When he reconnects with Valentina, now a woman, he is horrified to see what has become of her.

Facing a war of her own within her heart, Valentina must find the courage to fight for her son and her future - but will freedom come at a cost?

By the bestselling author of The Soldier's Daughter comes a moving and unforgettable story about the power of love and the beauty of art to illuminate the dark.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761349539

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 October 2026

Country: Australia

Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 1.0mm

Width: 1.0mm

Height: 1.0mm

Weight: 1g

Pages: 432

Collections

Coming Soon in Fiction Fiction Fiona McIntosh General Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin's 2026 Christmas Picks Pre-order Books Pre-order General Fiction Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date

About the Author

Fiona McIntosh is an internationally and million-copy bestselling author of novels for adults and children across several genres. Alongside her highly successful historical fiction titles, for which she has been nominated at the Australian Book Industry Awards for commercial fiction book of the year, her popular Detective Jack Hawksworth series has recently been released across the UK. Several of her historical titles as well as the 'world of Hawksworth' crime novels have been optioned for the screen. Her debut children's picture book, Harry and Gran Bake a Cake, was published in 2025. Fiona roams the world for her research and lives between Adelaide in South Australia and Wiltshire in England.

Also by Fiona McIntosh

View all
  • The Soldier's Daughter
    The heart-stopping new blockbuster by the bestselling author of The Fallen Woman. Violet Nash has grown up in the shadows of her father Charlie's shattered dreams. It's been years since he walked away from the battlefields of France, a WWI hero but his heart in tatters, only to see it broken all over again in the worst way possible. In...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dead Tide
    Jack's back. Down Under.The heart-stopping new DCI Jack Hawksworth crime thriller by the bestselling author of Mirror Man. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Newly promoted Detective Superintendent Jack Hawksworth has headed up three major serial operations in England and in each of these cases he has lost a part of himself. While on sabbatical as a guest lecturer in a London...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Blood and Memory
    A gripping and original epic fantasy from the million-copy bestselling author. General Wyl Thirsk of Morgravia has endured unimaginable loss at the hands of King Celimus—his best friend murdered, his sister imprisoned, and his mentor condemned to death. Now, Celimus has set his sights on the neighbouring realm of Briavel and its inexperienced Queen Valentyna, pressuring her into a doomed...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Bridge of Souls
    A gripping and original epic fantasy from the million-copy bestselling author. General Wyl Thirsk of Morgravia has died many times... But thanks to the miraculous gift bestowed upon him by the witch Myrren, Wyl lives on—though greatly altered and unrecognisable. Only by assuming the throne will he be freed from the dark spell that has both cursed and sustained him....
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Spy's Wife
    Embark on a captivating journey of love, espionage, and treacherous alliances, as a widow's relentless pursuit for truth takes her from the untamed landscapes of northern England to the heart of Nazi Germany, where trust is scarce and loyalties are tested in the face of ultimate sacrifices. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR "You'd be mad not to try her." The Age...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Scrivener's Tale
    A gripping and original fantasy in the world of the Quickening series from the million-copy bestselling author. In the bookshops and cafes of present-day Paris, ex-psychologist Gabe Figaret is trying to put his shattered life back together. When another doctor, Reynard, asks him to help with a delusional female patient, Gabe is reluctant—until he meets her. At first, Gabe thinks...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Fallen Woman
    The heart-stopping new historical adventure from the bestselling author of The Sugar Palace. Botanical artist Jane Saville is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else's honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame. Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune,...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • On Sale
    19% off
    The Champagne War
    From the killing fields of Ypres to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France, The Champagne War is a heart-stopping adventure about the true power of love and hope to light the way during war. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR In the summer of 1914, vigneron Jerome Mea heads off to war, certain he'll be home by Christmas. His new bride Sophie,...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2100
    Usually:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Last Dance
    From the rolling countryside of Kent to the colourful souks of Morocco, this is a heart-stopping novel of romance, intrigue and danger - and a passion to risk dying for. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Impoverished Stella Myles meets the enigmatic Montgomery in a Piccadilly ballroom and he orchestrates a job for her as governess with the wealthy, secretive Ainsworth family...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Chocolate Tin
    The sensuous blockbuster novel by the beloved, bestselling author of The Pearl Thief. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR 'Impossible to put down' – BETTER READING 'A sweeping wartime romantic thriller' – HERALD SUN Alexandra Frobisher dreams of a career in England's famous chocolate-making town of York. She has received several proposals of marriage, although none of them promises that elusive extra...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • Fields of Gold
    A gripping story of love and rivalry from the internationally bestselling author of The Lavender Keeper. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Charismatic womaniser Jack Bryant has the world at his feet, but when trouble catches up with him, he's forced to flee Penzance for good. Honest Ned Sinclair is on a family adventure in Rangoon when he is dealt a bitter...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Orphans
    The highly anticipated new historical adventure by the bestselling author of The Spy's Wife. Orphan Fleur Appleby is adopted by a loving undertaker and his wife, and she quickly develops a special gift for helping bereaved families. Her ambition to be the first female mortician in the country is fuelled by her plan to bring more women into the male-dominated...
    By Fiona McIntosh
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

More from General Fiction

View all
  • The Wedding People
    'BEST READ OF THE YEAR SO FAR' THE TIMES 'BOOKS AS FUN AS THIS ONE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN' GUARDIAN Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel in Rhode Island wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people — but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall...
    By Alison Espach
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Yesteryear
    A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...
    By Caro Claire Burke
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Fourth Wing
    THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NUMBER ONE GLOBAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON! DON'T MISS OUT ON THE SERIES THAT EVERYONE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT: 'This book contains an addictive, drug-like essence that will make you relinquish all responsibility until the very last word. Do not say I didn't warn you' Glamour 'I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, and when I finished, I...
    By Rebecca Yarros
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Iron Flame
    The instant number one Sunday Times bestseller and thrilling sequel to the global phenomenon, Fourth Wing! DON'T BE THE LAST TO DISCOVER THE SERIES THAT EVERYONE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT: 'Yarros is the true inheritor of Harry Potter and inspires Hunger Games levels of devotion' Guardian 'Fear not, levels of fighting, rebelliousness and all-round sexiness are still sky-high' Daily Mail...
    By Rebecca Yarros
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Carl's Doomsday Scenario
    Join Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut as they fight fantastical creatures and deadly mobs in the second book in the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl series -now with bonus material exclusive to the print edition Now on the third floor, Carl and Donut have to fight harder than ever. They've already proven that a Coast Guard vet and once-and-forever...
    By Matt Dinniman
    Hardback
    $4699
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dylan's Pick Dylan's Pick
    Theo of Golden
    THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...
    By Allen Levi
    Paperback
    $2899
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    (6)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses
    The first instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON and TikTok sensation, from multi-million selling and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan – Time Harry Potter magic, Taylor Swift sass, Fifty Shades-level athleticism – The Sunday Times With bits of Buffy, Game of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Gate of the Feral Gods
    The fourth book in the explosive LitRPG Dungeon Crawler Carl series New Achievement! Total, Utter Failure.You failed a quest less than five minutes after you received it. Now that's talent. Surviving in a multilevel dungeon that also happens to be the set of the galaxy's most watched game show has taught Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess...
    By Matt Dinniman
    Hardback
    $6000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook
    Carl and Princess Donut have to team up with other contestants to not just survive, but to solve a deadly puzzle in this third, mind-twisting novel in the addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series -now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition! Carl and Donut have survived so far, but this fourth level is unlike anything they could imagine. The...
    By Matt Dinniman
    Hardback
    $4700
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dungeon Crawler Carl
    The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman-now with bonus material exclusive to the print edition! You know what's worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what's worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction...
    By Matt Dinniman
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Carl's Doomsday Scenario
    New Release
    Carl's Doomsday Scenario
    Join Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut as they fight fantastical creatures and deadly mobs in the second book in the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to the print edition. Now on the third floor, Carl and Donut have to fight harder than ever. They've already proven that a Coast Guard vet and once-and-forever feline...
    By Matt Dinniman
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Court of Silver Flames
    The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - Time Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – Telegraph Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

General Fiction lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all