Peacock

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Sparrow comes another spellbinding historical epic set in the last days of a dying Roman empire . . .

Sparrow has flown from the confines of the Roman brothel where he was raised. Now older and smarter, and having learned the arts of deception and enticement from the women who raised him, he vies to become a player in the internal politics at Arcadia, the home of his new master, a man who is himself playing with political fire. Sparrow soon realizes that the key to survival in this turbulent place is information, and he must gather it at any cost.

As the dangers mount for Sparrow, he is forced to choose where his loyalties lie and which of these powerful Romans is most likely to ensure his survival.

Epic and intimate, spectacularly vivid, Peacock is the story of a boy becoming a man as an empire falters in the face of the rise of Christianity. On his journey this boy will learn what it is to be in love, and what it is to be hated, but he is also perfecting his own manipulative powers . . .

Listeners love Peacock: ***** ‘So vivid that you feel you are there experiencing Sparrow's life with him’ ***** ‘A five star read for me: fantastic writing, immaculately researched’ ***** ‘Impeccable, the book reads almost like a thriller’ ***** ‘A perfect piece of historical fiction’ ***** ‘Anyone who likes a good, fast-paced historical adventure will enjoy it’

Praise for James Hynes and Sparrow: ‘Unforgettable’ – Daily Mail ‘Utterly engrossing’ – Emma Donoghue ‘Masterful in its portrayal of love, sex and friendship’ – The Observer

© 2026 Picador (Audiobook): 9781035063475

Release date

Audiobook: 25 June 2026