You can tell a lot about a person from what they like to eat..

When Stella Douglas, author of a much-loved but not very successful biography of a forgotten cookery writer, is summoned to see her editor in London, she is dreading being told her writing career is over before it’s even started. But much to her surprise, she finds she is being commissioned to write another book - this time a history of food in England and how the English like to eat. It’s to be quintessentially English and will remind English housewives of the old ways, and English men the glory of their country. The only problem is - all English food is really from elsewhere.

So Stella sets about inviting recipes from all corners of England, in the hope of discovering a hidden culinary gem. But what she discovers is oatcakes and gravy and lots of lots of potatoes.

Longing for something more thrilling, she heads off to speak to the nation’s housewives. But when her car breaks down and the dashing and charismatic Freddie springs to her rescue, she is led in a very different direction…

Full of wit and life, Provenance is a story of discovery, of a modern England emerging from the past and one woman’s desire to make her own way as a modern woman.

Praise for Caroline Scott:

‘A page-turning literary gem about grief, loss and the impact of war on those left behind’ The Times, Best Books of 2020

‘A touching novel of love and loss’ Sunday Times

‘There’s only one word for this novel… and that’s epic… A beautifully written must-read’ heat

‘A gripping, devastating novel about the lost and the ones they left behind’ Sarra Manning, RED

‘Scott has done an amazing job of drawing on real stories to craft a powerful novel’ Good Housekeeping

‘A heartbreaking read… I highly recommend it’ Anita Frank

‘Breathtaking exploration of loss, love and precious memories’ My Weekly, Pick of the Month

‘Achingly moving and most beautifully written’ Rachel Hore

‘This beautiful book packs a huge emotional punch’ Fabulous

‘Drew me in from the first line and held me enthralled until the very end’ Fiona Valpy

‘Quietly devastating’ Daily Mail

‘A compulsive, heart-wrenching read’ Liz Trenow

‘Powerful’ Woman & Home

‘Page turning, mysterious, engrossing and compelling’ Lorna Cook

‘A carefully nuanced, complex story’ Woman’s Weekly

‘Caroline Scott evokes the damage and desolation of the Great War with aching authenticity’ Iona Grey

‘Poignant’ Best

‘Momentous, revelatory and astonishing historical fiction!’ Historical Novel Society

‘Wonderful and evocative’ Suzanne Goldring

‘Based on true events, this is a powerful story’ Bella

‘Immersive, poignant, intricately woven’ Judith Kinghorn

‘An evocative read’ heat

‘The story left me breathless. Powerful, heartrending, and oh so tender’ Kate Furnivall

‘Tense and compelling’ Lancashire Post

‘Scott litters her tale with clues and red herrings in the best mystery-writer way so we are kept guessing as to where the truth really lies’ The BookBag

‘A poignant hymn to those who gave up their lives for their country and to those who were left behind’ Fanny Blake, author of A Summer Reunion

‘I was utterly captivated by this novel, which swept me away, broke my heart, then shone wonderful light through all the pieces’ Isabelle Broom, author of One Winter Morning