Sonia Purnell

Sonia Purnell is the New York Times bestselling biographer, journalist and public speaker whose new book is Kingmaker: Pamela Churchill Harriman’s astonishing life of seduction, intrigue & power. Branded a “triumph” by William Boyd, chosen as a Must Read by Town & Country and Harpers’ magazines and a book of the month by Apple Books, Kingmaker is one of the most anticipated books this autumn for, among others, Hatchards and the Guardian. It combines top-level geopolitics during WWII and the Cold War with fashion, fast cars, fabulous palaces and the erotic adventures of the “seductress of the century”. Details of the forthcoming events on Kingmaker can be found on Sonia's website.

Her previous book 'A Woman of No Importance' about the heroic American one-legged spy Virginia Hall was a major bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic. Acclaimed as 'one of the most breath-taking stories yet told of female courage behind enemy lines', it was optioned by two major Hollywood directors. As The Economist noted, 'As tales of wartime derring-do go, it would be hard to beat' and Sonia won the Plutarch Prize for Best Biography in 2020.

The bestselling First Lady: the Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill also received fulsome praise on both sides of the Atlantic and was shortlisted for the Plutarch prize. Critics hailed it as 'eye-opening', 'scrupulous' 'enthralling' and 'full of surprises' and First Lady has been credited with changing attitudes to Clementine and her on-screen portrayal including in the TV series, The Crown.

Sonia's first work 'Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition' was long-listed for the Orwell prize for best political writing and was variously described as 'brilliant' 'rollicking' and 'devastating' - and changed the national debate about one of Britain’s most controversial public figures, Boris Johnson.

Sonia has now sold a million books and is translated into 23 languages. A distinguished journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and commentator, she lives in London with her husband.