My new novel, The Jesuits of Lisbon, has hit the stores in Germany. From the blurb: Antero Moreira de Mendonça, a young natural scientest, has long hated the Jesuits. In 1755, an earthquake of biblical proportions strikes Lisbon and the Jesuits use the destruction as an opportunity to preach about the wrath of God. The quake also provides Antero with a chance for avenging himself on the Order. But Gabriel Malagrida, the Jesuit leader revered as a prophet, proves to be a powerful enemy. With help from Leonor, a German merchant’s daughter, Antero succeeds in escaping from the dungeon and the hangman. But what Antero doesn’t know is that Leonor is among Malagrida’s followers. Who holds the keys to Leonor’s heart – Antero or her vicious fellow believers? There is a German trailer for the book on YouTube.

To Live from Happiness has just been published in Poland, translated by Marta Majorczyk. The Polish publishers have enhanced each text with lavish illustrations. Available in hard cover with a lilac ribbon to mark your place; yet Mały poradnik szczęśliwego życia only costs the equivalent of 6.50 euros. I’m quite impressed!

Following its appearance in Spain, The Spectacle Maker has been published in the Netherlands. The Dutch book has 510 pages, while the German edition only has 440. Is this due to size and layout? or the language? Whichever reason, it has a good effect on historical novels, because those readers love thick books.

The Mystery was awarded the 2008 Sir Walter Scott Prize as one of the three best historical novels of the last two years. The novel received the bronze medal. The other two novels to be distinguished were Simplon by Wolfgang Mock, which received the silver medal, and Andreas Iszquierdo’s The King of Albania, which won the gold. The authors received a total of 4,000 Euros in silver and gold coins. The prize is awarded every two years by the “Quo Vadis” group for authors of historical novels. In 2006, Markus Oths, Rebecca Gablé, and Peter Prange received the distinction.

The Spectacle Maker has been published in Spain. It’s a beautifully bound edition, of which I understand a word here and there. The publishing house, Espasa, is part of Grupo Planeta, one of the largest publishing enterprises in Spain and Latin America. Does anyone need a Christmas present for Spanish-speaking friends?