A Sweeping Historical Saga of Love, Survival, and Heresy in 14th-Century France.
Pursued by the Crown’s spymaster and hunted by the Inquisition, two fugitives bound by a dangerous secret fight for love and truth in the chaos of 14th century France.
A Sweeping Historical Saga of Love, Survival, and Heresy in 14th-Century France.
Pursued by the Crown’s spymaster and hunted by the Inquisition, two fugitives bound by a dangerous secret fight for love and truth in the chaos of 14th century France.
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Enter the dangerous world of 14th-century France and Spain.
Meet G.F. Brookings
In his historical fiction G. F. Brookings explores the lives of people often overlooked by history—ordinary men and women caught in extraordinary times, struggling with many of the same hopes, fears, loves, and moral choices that shape our lives today.
A Boston native and longtime Washington, D.C. resident, Brookings holds a Ph.D. in Literature and has spent a lifetime fascinated by history, storytelling, and the forces that shape human destiny.
His debut novel, The Falcon and the Book, transports readers to 14th-century France and Spain, where religious persecution, political intrigue, love, and survival collide. He is currently at work on the sequel, which continues the journey into medieval Paris.
When he isn’t writing, he enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his family—and Harley, his devoted four-legged companion.
The Falcon and the Book
Amiel, a young apprentice bound to a harsh village miller, carries the searing memory of his parents’ execution for heresy. When the body of a local woman is discovered on the miller’s land, suspicion falls on Amiel, and he’s imprisoned for a murder he never committed. His desperate escape leads him to Rachel, the healer who lives at the forest’s edge. She shelters him, and the two forge a deep connection—one that endures even as fate drives them onto divergent roads across southern France and medieval Spain.
Amiel is swept into a world of rogues and rebels, eventually entangled in a conspiracy to topple a powerful bishop. Rachel, meanwhile, faces her own peril as whispers of witchcraft gather around her.
Set against the shadow of the Inquisition, this sweeping historical tale follows two souls fighting to survive a world ruled by fear, corruption, and zealotry. Yet amid betrayal, hidden truths, and unexpected allies, Amiel and Rachel cling to the hope that they might one day claim a life beyond persecution.
Featured Short Fiction
The Mountain
Originally published in the literary journal Copper Nickel, 2016
Osma’s wife, Nadine, approached silently in her sandaled feet and salmon-colored shift with a glass of fresh, iced lemonade in one hand. It was hot already. The heat had come early this year and the hills surrounding the city shimmered in the haze of midday. As he did most days, Osma dozed in a dusty armchair under the shade of the blue awning that fronted the brown brick house. The chair was always turned to face the eroded hips and shoulders of Jabal Sabir. READ MORE
Adam II
I often go back to that day in memory. My waking day is how I think of it. Although at the time, it made almost no impression on me. I saw, but drew no conclusions, nor did I form any immediate questions. In those first moments of awareness, after the blank that had preceded it, my mind behaved like a sponge, simply absorbing what I saw and heard. READ MORE
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Reviews & Praise
“A Gem…Loved it…I couldn’t put it down…”
This …deserves more recognition…I would give more stars if I could. The writing is so immersive and the characters feel so alive (it’s hard to find realistic dialogue and actions in fiction – it reminded me so much of Christopher Paolini’s work). Each character’s perspective offered a critical piece of the story and the history of the world – everything built so beautifully off of each other. …the best kind of heartbreaking amazing writing I live to read. The way the author demonstrated the power of the religious fear of the time period made it incredibly interesting and you’re constantly rooting for Amiel and the love story backing this incredible adventure that he is on. Just trust and read it!
Atmospheric, tense, and deeply moving!
An incredible journey through medieval France and Spain, masterfully balancing brutal political intrigue with the intimate bonds between Amiel and Rachel. A must-read for fans of Ken Follett or Umberto Eco!
A haunting, beautifully woven medieval epic.
A gripping exploration of survival and resilience. The intertwined journeys of Amiel and Rachel bring to life a world of danger and the relentless search for truth. This story lingers long after the final page.
Vivid, immersive, and hard to put down!
The historical setting feels alive, adding a layer of depth and intensity to the narrative. I found myself constantly wanting to read ‘just one more chapter.’ A compelling and fascinating read!
Contact G.F. Brookings
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