"'A rich and almost gothic drama' Philip Pullman, Guardian; 'The different strands of the novel... come together in a thrillingly satisfying conclusion' Sunday Telegraph; 'Perhaps the richest, most beautifully-wrought historical novel written for a generation' Herald. 'Meticulously researched, this is a story of huge scope and detail' Observer; 'A rich, absorbing tale' The Times; 'A fabulous epic novel' Sunday Telegraph; 'Highly atmospheric adventure... a compelling read' Financial Times; 'There is much to admire in The Blood Stone' Independent."

Jamila Gavin was born in India in the foothills of the Himalayas and came to England for secondary school. 'My father was passionately Indian and my mother was passionately English'. Jamila studied music at Trinity College of Music, London. After studies in Paris and Berlin she joined the BBC, in radio, then crossed over to television. She began writing children's books when she had children, as she felt a need to reflect the multi-cultural world in which she and her children lived. The Wheel of Surya and The Eye of the Horse were shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award, and for the Smarties Prize. Grandpa Chatterji was televised for Channel 4. Coram Boy won the Whitbread Award 2000 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Blue Peter Book Award. It also enjoyed a successful season at the National Theatre. Jamila lives in Gloucestershire.