Conjuror's Bird

Martin Davies grew up in North West England. He has travelled widely, including in the Middle East and India, and his plan for THE CONJUROR'S BIRD was put together on a trekking holiday in Greenland. He lives in South West London and works for the BBC as a producer.

'In this novel, Davies has created two gripping, intercut narratives! Davies writes with a lyricism that captures the joy of the natural world! [his] first novel is a highly successful and informative entertainment...This is fiction, yet underlines the extent of the damage humanity has inflicted on the world -- and the treasures we have lost since Banks first gazed upon the wonders of the South Seas' -- Jane Jakeman, Independent 20051110 'A pacy confection of history, mystery and romance! Davies interweaves his complex narrative with energy and authority!a most engaging and unusual first novel.' -- Jane Shilling, The Times 20051110 'This book haunts me: I was moved, intrigued and entertained and, with each page turned, I wanted, very much, to know what was going to happen. Economically and beautifully drawn, the enigmatic delicacy of the characters and the way the stories of the past and the present intersect so teasingly, so elegantly, makes THE CONJUROR'S BIRD a deeply satisfying novel. And, best of all, the layers of the story take one deeper and deeper into the worlds of the past and the present until, in the end, there seems nothing more to discover in the lives of these characters; yet I wanted more. I heartily recommend this book!' -- Posie Graeme-Evans, author of THE INNOCENT and THE EXILED 20050228 'Davies' novel, blending fact and fiction, switches between the present and the past: a search for the remains of the one specimen of a bird found on Cook's expedition to the South Seas, no other specimen alive or dead ever having been seen. I can safely predict that when this comes into paperback it will be big news -- ideal for book clubs, ideal too for any lover of commercial literary fiction. An exciting and absorbing debut novel from Davies.' -- Publishing News 20050228 '[A] gripping book of literary suspense... Davies indulges in clever speculation about the bird's whereabouts and adds an appealing strain of romance surrounding the identity of Banks's mistress... A captivating novel.' -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) 20050228 'Suspenseful, intriguing, and romantic, this is great entertainment and an excellent choice for book discussion groups; highly recommended.'-- -- Library Journal (starred review) 20050228 'This book haunts me: I was moved, intrigued and entertained and, with each page turned, I wanted, very much, to know what was going to happen. Economically and beautifully drawn, the enigmatic delicacy of the characters and the way the stories of the past and the present intersect so teasingly, so elegantly, makes THE CONJUROR'S BIRD a deeply satisfying novel. And, best of all, the layers of the story take one deeper and deeper into the worlds of the past and the present until, in the end, there seems nothing more to discover in the lives of these characters; yet I wanted more. I heartily recommend this book!' -- Posie Graeme-Evans, author of THE INNOCENT and THE EXILED 20050228 'Davies has created two gripping, intercut narratives! a lyricism that captures the joy of the natural world! [his] first novel is a highly successful and informative entertainment.' -- Independent 20051110 'A pacy confection of history, mystery and romance! Davies interweaves his complex narrative with energy and authority!a most engaging and unusual first novel.' -- The Times 20051110