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Stephen Taylor
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A Canopy of Stars: A dual-timeline courtroom drama set in Georgian England Kindle Edition

by Stephen Taylor (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 434 ratings
A powerful historical courtroom drama you won’t be able to put down! For fans of Freda Lightfoot, Anthony Doerr, Sebastian Faulks and Kate Atkinson.

It’s a race against time to overturn the death penalty…

1823, London

Twenty-two-year-old Julia Carmichael is determined to follow her father’s footsteps into the legal profession. But he is more concerned with marrying her off to an eligible gentleman.

She persuades him to let her watch his cases from the public gallery at the Old Bailey, and while waiting for him, she finds herself transfixed by the trial of a man facing the death penalty.

David Neander, a foreign Jewish man, instantly captivates her and Julia believes from his testimony that he is innocent of the theft he has been accused of.

So when the judge rules that he is to be sentenced to death by hanging, she vows to do all she can to overturn the charges.

As Julia questions David on his past she uncovers a remarkable story. But will it be enough to save his life?

A CANOPY OF STARS is a thrilling historical 19th-century saga stretching from the legal courts of Georgian London to the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt. It is a romantic survival story with a strong female lead who is determined to fight against the prejudice in her society.

‘an intricate story with many intriguing strands, the historical detail lending a depth and richness that kept me engaged from beginning to surprising end’ – Jo Field, author of Rogues and Rebels
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  1. Print length
    316 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    December 10, 2020
  5. File size
    2.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08CNGYV24
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 10, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800550902
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 434 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor

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Stephen Taylor was once a happy and reasonably well-adjusted person; that was until an urge to write invaded his psyche, this need to be a writer, to tell tales. He spent his days as a Tax Inspector (Now come on out from behind the sofa - they're a fine bunch of lads and lasses at the Tax office), and shuffling his daughter to and from school. But then these thoughts began to coalesce.

A Georgian trilogy was conceived. Three stories, set in London; a decadent time, a decadent place.

The first Novel – No Quarter Asked No Quarter Given was born (later long-listed for the BritWriters Award).

The second novel, A Canopy of Stars -. A Georgian courtroom drama,

The third novel - Ripples and Shadows - a historian uncovers the story of two amazing lives. Now winner of the Great Beeston Book Read.

A forth novel - Gospels. Also set in the late Georgian era but follows the adventures of Bible hunters and takes us to Egypt and the Ottoman empire.

And see also contemporary novels - In The Morning When I Leave, and Once Upon a Thatcher Time. Also a Children’s Novel - The King of Blognogpotin

Born in Yorkshire, brought up in Manchester; he now lives near Loughborough with his partner.

Contact details:

Website: www.stephentaylorauthor.com

Email: silverfox2777@outlook.com

Blog: stephentaylorauthor.blogspot.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
434 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • wanda l chernoff
    5.0 out of 5 stars immersive
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This a beautifully written piece. Transports you back into time. I was reluctant to put the book down. I recommend this book whole heartedly.
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  • GypsyWoman
    4.0 out of 5 stars I really liked the character "David"
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    After reading the author's bio, I felt a similarity between the author's character/personality and David's character/personality. They both sounded like gentle, authentic people. I will read this author again.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love this author. Such interesting,intelligent, fresh stories blended with historical information about topics of which I was unaware. So well written and I am grateful that I have found him. Thank you. Keep writing please. Your work is bloody brilliant.
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  • Dorayne DeMoore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read but spoiler alert
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    When I began this novel, I expected a typical Georgian romance - dark brooding hero, feisty or simpering heroine - but this story is so much more. Both of the main characters are misfits in their world, she because of her ambition to become a lawyer, a profession closed to women, he because he is Jewish, a survivor of a pogrom in Germany.
    They meet because she attends his trial - he has been unjustly accused of theft -and she decides to help him, with the assistance of her father, an attorney. Of course, as she works with the young man she is trying to help, she falls in love. She is attracted to his intelligence and sensitivity, as well as his looks.
    There is a transition after the first three chapters. In search of character witnesses when his case is appealed, she asks him about his previous life and a large section of the book is devoted to his European adventures. He is the son of a scholar. He is a poet who is forced to make his living as a boxer and most profitably, as a translator. His many experiences are exciting and interesting and are interspersed with scenes from the second of his trials, the appeal.
    Their story has a happy ending. If you are searching for an entertaining adventure, this book is recommended. I hope there will be a sequel because the characters are so appealing. The way is open for this, since the canopy of stars represents hope.
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  • June Ponder
    4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Time to Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2020
    The writing is very smooth so it flows quickly. The reason why I didnt give it 5 stars was due to the fact that the co-star's (David Neander) story (a little long) should have been told first to lead up to his arrival in London and meeting the Lawyer's daughter. His story was a little too long. There was less attention to the main character which left me wanting to know more about her. My main appreciation was the fact the author wrote about the persecution of the Jewish people...that part is not fiction. I plan to read more from this author so over all it is a good book, well worth reading.
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  • Di
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good historical novel
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
    I would have liked to have given this book four stars, because it is worth more than three, but I couldn't quite get there. I enjoyed David's story, but I found the courtroom sections a little slow, and I never really was engaged by Julia's character. The writing is good, but not exceptional, and I also thought that the last section was rather rushed. But as a historical novel, it is very good, with a good feeling of the times and the way people lived. I was interested to see that the story is based in some part on actual events. It's worth reading for that alone, rather than as the courtroom drama it purports to be. My thanks to Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this.
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  • Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book filled with timeless themes
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A Canopy of Stars by English author Stephen Taylor pulls you into a Georgian era court room through a semi-fictitious court case. The story will haunt you as the main character’s life is relived in his prison cell and trial. The prejudices against him as a Jew and a foreigner and a legal system biased against the poor and minorities, echoes across the centuries into our modern lives and are just as relevant today -- making this book timeless.

    Mr. Taylor’s writing is British English, and the novel has not been edited for standardized American English, as of the date of this review, so there will be a few phrases and spellings that could seem odd to an American ear. Do not let it affect your purchasing choice as it truly is a good story.
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  • Deborah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
    Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
    Such an interesting read! Of course, I love everything I have read by Stephen Taylor.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Bernie C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read in one day
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Because it was a page turner.Could not put it down. Very well written a beautiful story. Would recomend it to anyone.
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  • L. Stacey
    4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely story with a thoughtful heroine to draw you in
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is my first visit with Mr Taylor and a very enjoyable one it was. A young lady of impeccable upbringing and heritage attending her father’s court room in Georgian England! Whatever next! The scene is set in the late Georgina period rather later than most offerings in this genre, but is non the worse. It gave me an insight into the struggles the Jewish community’s of Europe were facing even then. Something I had not really thought of before. And a subject I will pursue again in more depth in the future. Still this is a wonderful love story, although like a previous reviewer the main characters did seem slightly one dimensional at times. Will most definitely look out fir more by Mr Taylor
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Stephen is a brilliant storyteller. I love all of his books which are extremely unputdownable. Looking forward to the next one.
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  • ginnyb53
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Canopy of Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book. A lot of historical detail. Would recommend as an interesting and easy read. A gripping tale of injustice and prejudice and how it was overcome by sheer determination.I
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  • Ronald Bruce
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Wasok
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