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Kate Innes

Goodreads Author

Born

in London, The United Kingdom

Website

http://www.kateinneswriter.com

Genre

Historical Fiction, Children's, Poetry

Influences

Helen Dunmore, Barry Unsworth, David Mitchell, Ann Patchett, Mary Stew ...more

Member Since

December 2015

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/httpwwwgoodreadscomkate_innes

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I was born in London, of South African parents, and spent my early life in America. At eighteen, I returned to Britain and studied Archaeology and Teaching. Two years working in rural schools in Zimbabwe helped me to grow up very quickly!

When I returned to Britain, I worked as a Museum Education Officer around the Midlands, and began to write in earnest after the arrival of my three children.

I write about the deep past. My first historical novel- 'The Errant Hours' Book One of 'The Arrowsmith Trilogy' is based on real events in the 13th century Welsh Marches. It was inspired by the seductive art of illuminated manuscripts and the influential legends of the time. These themes weave together into a story of survival and courage, trickery an
I was born in London, of South African parents, and spent my early life in America. At eighteen, I returned to Britain and studied Archaeology and Teaching. Two years working in rural schools in Zimbabwe helped me to grow up very quickly!

When I returned to Britain, I worked as a Museum Education Officer around the Midlands, and began to write in earnest after the arrival of my three children.

I write about the deep past. My first historical novel- 'The Errant Hours' Book One of 'The Arrowsmith Trilogy' is based on real events in the 13th century Welsh Marches. It was inspired by the seductive art of illuminated manuscripts and the influential legends of the time. These themes weave together into a story of survival and courage, trickery and love.

“Kate Innes’s glorious first novel is a lyrical joy. Up there with the best of Pat Bracewell and Elizabeth Chadwick, it offers utter immersion in an intricate, plausible world.”
Manda Scott

'All the Winding World' Book Two of The Arrowsmith Trilogy interweaves old and new characters in a moving story about the savagery of war, the insistence of love and the power of illusion. 'Wild Labyrinth' completes the Trilogy following Lady Illesa on a journey into the heart of political and religious dangers.

My first children's book, 'Greencoats', is a historical fantasy set in WW2, exploring the forest folklore of Britain. It was shortlisted for the Rubery Book Award in 2022. In 2024 the first book in the Lily Ash Series was published - 'An Ancient Haunting’. It’s set mainly on Crete and explores the paranormal and ancient civilisations for readers age 10+.

Currently I mainly read history in order to get a proper frame of reference for my fiction. But I still enjoy novels when I am not working. Helen Dunmore, Barry Unsworth, Margaret Atwood, Anne Patchett and David Mitchell are profound recent influences, whereas my childhood was more in the fantasy realm, with Ursula Le Guin, Ann MacAffrey, Susan Cooper, Tolkien and CS Lewis.

I have been writing and performing poetry for many years, usually with a particular focus on animals, art or the natural world. These poems, associated research and thoughts are posted in my blog and through @kateinnes2. My poetry collection, 'Flocks of Words' contains poetry from 25 years of writing, and was shortlisted for The Rubery Book Award in 2018. The title poem won the 2016 Imagined Worlds Prize, from the Friends of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

I enjoy running writing workshops, collaborating with other artists, and undertaking commissions and residencies.
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Combine Editions
Kate Innes’s books

Average rating: 4.27 · 196 ratings · 56 reviews · 8 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Errant Hours 4.13 avg rating — 123 ratings — published 2015 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	All the Winding World: The Spellbinding Sequel to 'The Errant Hours' (Arrowsmith Trilogy Book 2) by Kate Innes (Goodreads Author), James Wade (Illustrator) 4.63 avg rating — 38 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wild Labyrinth (Arrowsmith Trilogy #3) 4.35 avg rating — 17 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Greencoats 4.33 avg rating — 12 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	An Ancient Haunting: A spine-tingling paranormal adventure on the mysterious island of Crete by Kate Innes (Goodreads Author), Anna Streetly (illustrator) 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Flocks of Words really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Matter 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Timmy Whoof 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Kate Innes's Blog

Egypt Postponed!

The last time some of you heard from me I was just about to set off for Egypt to research Book 2 of the Lily Ash Adventures. And indeed I did go to Egypt with my lovely assistant, and we had an incredible time. It was everything I’d hoped for – and more. I got back, thoroughly inspired, and set about writing Book 2. However, dear reader, I was in for a surprise!

My characters were not ready to

Kate is Currently Reading

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Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne

by Katherine Rundell

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Oct 19, 2022 11:07AM

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Traitor in the Ice (Daniel Pursglove #2)

by K.J. Maitland

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Oct 19, 2022 11:07AM

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The Flight of Sarah Battle

by Alix Nathan

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Oct 19, 2022 11:06AM

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Kate’s Recent Updates

Kate Innes wrote a new blog post Egypt Postponed! The last time some of you heard from me I was just about to set off for Egypt to research Book 2 of the Lily Ash Adventures. And indeed I did go to Eg Read more of this blog post »
May 19, 2026 04:03AM · like
Kate Innes rated a book really liked it The Search by Karen Howard (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A really intriguing central premise and a gripping plot. 'The Search’ takes the reader on a high speed, high stakes search for the truth. Lovely use of unique locations and a mystery that has the reader questioning everything. I’m looking forward to ...more
Apr 05, 2026 10:47AM · 1 like · like · see review
Kate Innes liked Peter Rogers's review of The Errant Hours (Arrowsmith): "A wonderfully crafted story with tension, emotion, action, loyalty ...and at times horror (as I guess you might expect from life in the 1200s!) You can't help but want Illesa to win out (though I daren't say more for risk of causing a spoiler). The d" Read more of this review »
Jan 14, 2026 12:21AM · see review
Kate Innes wants to read Transcription by Kate Atkinson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 12, 2025 11:26PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Transcription by Kate Atkinson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Transcription by Kate Atkinson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Kate Innes is now following Anne Goodwin's reviews
Nov 06, 2025 01:18PM · like
Kate Innes liked Catriona Mackay's review of The Errant Hours (Arrowsmith): "This book was rather fabulous. I am one of those terrible people who nitpick at historical inaccuracy, and I didn't find any. Or to put it more positively, 'The Errant Hours' is rooted well in its time and its place, grounded in excellent historical k" Read more of this review »
Nov 06, 2025 01:05PM · see review
Kate Innes made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians Group — This book is not mine, please move it (part 20) topic " There are five books which have mistakenly been added to my author page. They all have the same title and are by an author of the same name as me, Kat ...more "
Nov 06, 2025 03:42AM
Kate Innes joined the group Goodreads Librarians Group
Nov 06, 2025 03:32AM · like
Kate Innes liked Pippi's review of The Errant Hours (Arrowsmith): "Bought this on a whim as the author had a stall at Shrewsbury and thoroughly enjoyed it. Knowing many of the places added to my enjoyment and made me want to explore some that I am less familiar with. I hope to read the rest of the trilogy."
Aug 30, 2025 01:48PM · see review
Kate Innes is now following Karen Howard Author of The Search
Aug 05, 2025 10:34AM · like

More of Kate's books…

Kate’s Quotes

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
― Nelson Mandela

tags: change, education

6291 likes

“Good books don't give up all their secrets at once.”
― Stephen King

tags: books

6988 likes

“Hard writing makes easy reading.”
― Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety

tags: reading, writing

37 likes

“A childhood without books – that would be no childhood. That would be like being shut out from the enchanted place where you can go and find the rarest kind of joy.”
― Astrid Lindgren

tags: books, children, children-s-literature

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“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle