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The China Trilogy: Escape to China with these three utterly captivating and unputdownable historical novels
Follow the highs and lows of three remarkable women through China’s most turbulent years in these three extraordinary historical novels.
‘Well-researched . . . Evocative descriptions of scenery and edifices, and exact period dialogue.’ Historical Novels Society
‘His backgrounds are vivid and the characters authentic . . . A robust tale, vigorously told.’ Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
Full of courage, adventure and rebellion, this historical box set is perfect for fans of James Clavell, Dinah Jefferies, Pearl S. Buck or Lisa See.
In this great-value three-book box set you’ll
Book 1: THE CRIMSON PAGODA
1890. When young American bride Constance Baird joins her missionary husband in China, nothing could prepare her for the Celestial Empire — its beauty, its danger and its simmering hatred of foreigners. Her husband rules their mission with cold certainty, but Constance sees what he will rebellion is spreading, and the fragile peace around them is about to shatter. As violent tensions mount, Constance must navigate treacherous loyalties, forbidden desires and a land on the brink of revolt . . .
Book 2: THE SCARLET PRINCESS
1911. Half-Manchu, half-English, Adela Wynne has spent four long years in exile. Heir to a fallen dynasty, she returns to China longing only for home, but her journey ends in violence when rebels ambush her train. Torn from her foster mother, Adela is dragged into the clutches of warlords, revolutionaries and princes who know exactly who she is — and what she is worth. As rival powers vie to claim her as a pawn, a prize or a threat, Adela must decide whether she will run from her destiny — or seize it.
Book 3: RED DAWN
1927. Travel writer Joan Carter sails into China determined to rebuild her life and uncover the truth behind the legendary Empress Dowager Tz’u Hsi. But the country is exploding with revolution. What begins as a daring research trip thrusts Joan into a deadly game of politics, betrayal and survival. From the treacherous streets of Shanghai to the ruins of a fallen dynasty, she must decide who to trust — and how far she’ll go to save herself in a land where chaos rules . . .
Praise for Christopher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant.’ Grey reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Another great story by this author.’ Nigel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping read from start to finish.’ Kristin
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A well-written and well-researched piece of historical fiction.’ V. W.
‘Well-researched . . . Evocative descriptions of scenery and edifices, and exact period dialogue.’ Historical Novels Society
‘His backgrounds are vivid and the characters authentic . . . A robust tale, vigorously told.’ Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
Full of courage, adventure and rebellion, this historical box set is perfect for fans of James Clavell, Dinah Jefferies, Pearl S. Buck or Lisa See.
In this great-value three-book box set you’ll
Book 1: THE CRIMSON PAGODA
1890. When young American bride Constance Baird joins her missionary husband in China, nothing could prepare her for the Celestial Empire — its beauty, its danger and its simmering hatred of foreigners. Her husband rules their mission with cold certainty, but Constance sees what he will rebellion is spreading, and the fragile peace around them is about to shatter. As violent tensions mount, Constance must navigate treacherous loyalties, forbidden desires and a land on the brink of revolt . . .
Book 2: THE SCARLET PRINCESS
1911. Half-Manchu, half-English, Adela Wynne has spent four long years in exile. Heir to a fallen dynasty, she returns to China longing only for home, but her journey ends in violence when rebels ambush her train. Torn from her foster mother, Adela is dragged into the clutches of warlords, revolutionaries and princes who know exactly who she is — and what she is worth. As rival powers vie to claim her as a pawn, a prize or a threat, Adela must decide whether she will run from her destiny — or seize it.
Book 3: RED DAWN
1927. Travel writer Joan Carter sails into China determined to rebuild her life and uncover the truth behind the legendary Empress Dowager Tz’u Hsi. But the country is exploding with revolution. What begins as a daring research trip thrusts Joan into a deadly game of politics, betrayal and survival. From the treacherous streets of Shanghai to the ruins of a fallen dynasty, she must decide who to trust — and how far she’ll go to save herself in a land where chaos rules . . .
Praise for Christopher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant.’ Grey reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Another great story by this author.’ Nigel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping read from start to finish.’ Kristin
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A well-written and well-researched piece of historical fiction.’ V. W.
1363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
79 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Nicole
221 books58 followersChristopher Robin Nicole was born on 7 December 1930 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), where he was raised. He is the son of Jean Dorothy (Logan) and Jack Nicole, a police officer, both Scottish. He studied at Queen's College in Guyana and at Harrison College in Barbados. He was a fellow at the Canadian Bankers Association and a clerk for the Royal Bank of Canada in Georgetown and Nassau from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, he moved to Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, where he currently lives, but he also has a domicile in Spain.
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 12, 2026
First Two Books were Superb
The first 2 books were utterley fantastic, I couldn’t put them down. The third however I felt was just ‘more of the same’ but with a different female character who didn’t carry the weight of the first two women. I did finish the 3rd book on principle but would only recommend the first two .
The first 2 books were utterley fantastic, I couldn’t put them down. The third however I felt was just ‘more of the same’ but with a different female character who didn’t carry the weight of the first two women. I did finish the 3rd book on principle but would only recommend the first two .
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January 2, 2026Excellent
The history of these books is fascinating and powerful The experience very disruptive and compelling . It is the fact that so many people are remembered and gives a very good idea of what life was like .
The history of these books is fascinating and powerful The experience very disruptive and compelling . It is the fact that so many people are remembered and gives a very good idea of what life was like .
January 19, 2026
An amazing story
A most amazing story entwined with history. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. Look forward to the next read.
A most amazing story entwined with history. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you. Look forward to the next read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews