Contemporary Fiction Books

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Book Synopsis'A wild, sleazy, drug-filled odyssey ... Doyle’s maverick novel deserves the accolades coming its way' Independent 'The best work to date from a writer who gets better and better with each release' Irish Indepdendent 'A masterclass in what not to do' New Statesman 'His best book so far: riddling, irreverent, fearless' TLS Rob has spent most of his confusing adult life wandering, writing, and imbibing literature and narcotics in equally vast doses. Now, stranded between reckless youth and middle age, between exaltation and despair, his travels have acquired a de facto purpose: the immemorial quest for transcendent meaning. On a lurid pilgrimage for cheap thrills and universal truth, Doyle’s narrator takes us from the menacing peripheries of Paris to the drug-fuelled clubland of Berlin, from art festivals to sun-kissed islands, through metaphysical awakenings in Asia and the brink of destruction in Europe, into the shattering revelations brought on by the psychedelic DMT. A dazzling, intimate, and profound celebration of art and ageing, sex and desire, the limits of thought and the extremes of sensation, Threshold confirms Doyle as one of the most original writers in contemporary literature.Trade ReviewIf this blurb were a movie title it would go like this: Threshold, or, how I learned to stop worrying (about what sort of novel this is) and love the narrator, whose brilliance and humour on drugs and literature, sex and boredom and death, leave me in awe -- RACHEL KUSHNERThe funniest novel I’ve read since January. Narrated by a globe-trotting Irish philosophy graduate, who muses on art and literature while high on mind-altering drugs, it’s unashamedly navelgazing, slyly cosmopolitan and an absolute blast * DAILY MAIL *My favourite book so far this year is Threshold by Rob Doyle. A very modern take on memoir, there are scenes that made me think, please God, let him have made this up, let it not have happened. But most of it did. It made me laugh out loud, wince, take lengthy showers and feel that I’ve barely lived -- JOHN BOYNENot only the best work to date from a writer who gets better and better with each release, but also a unique, engrossing and strangely thrilling way to shake this new year into existence and make it tingle with promise * IRISH INDEPENDENT *Not many books manage to expand your mind, do your head in and set you laughing out loud. This one does, and Doyle’s words sing on the page * SPECTATOR *This sly tale told against its author takes the reader on a destabilising voyage of discovery and self-disgust … Each section of the book – cleverly masked as a tale told against its teller – blossoms critically in two or three directions … Whatever else it is, Threshold is surely the record of a voyage – a book of experience in some quite old-fashioned, powerful sense * GUARDIAN *A book that casually vaporises the boundaries between autobiography, travelogue and philosophical/pharmacological exploration … If you fancy some Terence McKenna adventures in consciousness expansion, or Isherwood-esque exile in the most decadent cellars of Berlin, or down and out sojourns in Paris and London, step right up * IRISH TIMES *Dead-pan satire – a cautionary tale of dissipation and drift; a masterclass in what not to do * NEW STATESMAN *His best book so far: riddling, irreverent and fearless ... Boundary-nudging fiction * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Threshold might be one of many things. It’s certainly an original piece of work * RTE GUIDE *A wild, sleazy, drug-filled odyssey ... Doyle’s maverick novel deserves the accolades coming its way * INDEPENDENT *Dark, misanthropic, provocative; Doyle’s writing really “goes there”, and emerges triumphant * IRISH TIMES *Threshold is dazzling. It confirms Rob Doyle's status as one of the most original and intelligent writers at work today -- DONAL RYANAn extremely funny book, a novel that sends itself up mercilessly even as it is created. His best work to date -- KEVIN BARRYThreshold is extraordinary, quite unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s intimate, a revelation in the literal sense of that world, and yet it’s full of curiosity ... It’s fearless and challenging, inventive and compulsive, unique and utterly heartfelt. A book that will stay with me for a very long time. Masterful -- JOHN BOYNE, author of The Heart's Invisible FuriesEcce homo! A highly original attempt to engage, formally, with Nietzsche’s dangerous question: "how much truth can one mind [or novel] bear?” -- GEOFF DYERThreshold is Rob Doyle's best book yet, a thrilling mutation somewhere between novel, essay collection, report, travelogue and confession. Doyle is a Romantic wandering in the post-sublime, a zealot without a cause, and his is a journey you don't want to miss * CHRIS POWER *Rob Doyle has outdone himself. I was buzzing after reading Threshold: it's the kind of work you have to come down from – playful, potent, lurid, moving and fearless. I'm sure it'll be bouncing around my head for a long time yet -- LISA McINERNEY, Baileys Women’s prize-winning author of The Glorious HeresiesThis is the type of brilliant, maverick achievement that sets a (young) writer apart. Wonderfully readable and with a skein of black comedy running through it that serves to highlight the seriousness of Doyle’s intent -- MIKE McCORMACK, author of the Booker Prize-longlisted, Goldsmiths Prize-winning Solar BonesA portrait of the artist as a youngish man, filtered through a sieve of refined prose … A modern-day odyssey of the roving mind -- TEDDY WAYNEPRAISE FOR ROB DOYLE: ‘I’m quite overwhelmed ... tremendous … there’s a formidable quality to the writing ... the ability to generate the shock that rare work gives the reader, not only in the pleasure and gratitude it engenders, but the serious business of the lines and engines of your own life finding answer and echo in another’s art -- SEBASTIAN BARRYThese bleak, brilliant stories maintain the tradition of Swift and Joyce... Compelling * SUNDAY TIMES *I’m tempted to quote Nietzsche back at Rob Doyle: he’s not a writer – he is dynamite! Except – like Nietzsche – he’s a tremendous writer too. And I have a suspicion that the author of this provocative and thrilling collection is going to get even better * GEOFF DYER *Doyle plumbs the bleaker aspects of literary life with startling precision and candour * NEW YORK TIMES *A tremendous talent. Every page fizzes with vitality -- KEVIN BARRYFull of booze, books, sex and despair yet, despite the bleakness of its stories, skewered as they are on broken hearts and broken artistic dreams, Doyle’s cocky passion proves irresistible. He writes with the confidence of a literary giant … A series of heartening and humane interior struggles. Doyle is as good as everyone – from John Boyne to Colm Toibin – says he is * DAILY MAIL *Doyle’s fiction deals with life’s major themes: sex, death, guilt, shame, the meaning of existence … Doyle’s storytelling is compelling and engaging, suffused with wit, honesty and emotional intelligence * IRISH TIMES *The mutinous fragments of Rob Doyle’s fictions are bilious, provocative and unnervingly compelling -- COLIN BARRETTA world-class writer -- JOANNA WALSHDoyle displays a ludic sensibility … The stories are gleefully nihilistic … He has a gift for evoking the base and unpleasant aspects of life in vivid and visceral detail … It creates an almost hypnotic effect; a miasmic fictional space into which the reader slips * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *A compelling read -- TARA FLYNN * IRISH TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR *A fine debut. A rollicking good read. God may be dead, but a new literary star is born * SUNDAY TIMES *For sheer bravery and for style, for its integrity of vision and for its uncompromising tone -- COLM TOIBINA powerful, passionate and electrifying novel. Many writers try to recreate the traumas and anxieties of teenage years in fiction but very few manage it with as much conviction as Rob Doyle. The language is unflinching, the story uncompromising ... easily the most honest account of young Irish people for many years -- JOHN BOYNEA lament for the blank generation, the literary equivalent of the song from which it takes its name, Joy Division’s Decades. A powerful debut, maybe the first novel since Kevin Power’s Bad Day in Blackrock to interrogate the dark side of the young Irish male’s psyche * IRISH TIMES *A portrait of a jilted generation … a brilliant Dublin novel and an exercise in honesty * IRISH SUNDAY TIMES *Narrated with an appealing blend of wide-eyed curiosity and no-bullshit scepticism * OBSERVER *

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Book SynopsisA killer is out to make sure someone gets his just desserts...Stephanie Plum has a lot on her plate as she goes undercover in an ice-cream factory in Turbo Twenty-Three, the laugh-out-loud adventure by No. 1 bestselling author Janet Evanovich. The Stephanie Plum series is perfect for fans of Sue Grafton and Lee Child. Raves for the Stephanie Plum series: ''Plum is not just a smart private eye but a heroine with a sense of humour'' (Daily Mail); ''Utterly delightful'' (Cosmopolitan); ''As smart and sassy as high-gloss wet paint'' (Time Out). Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has been on countless crime scenes, but this is definitely a first. Her fleeing target has left behind a truck loaded with ice cream and a dead body - frozen solid and covered in chocolate.As fate would have it, Stephanie''s mentor Ranger needs her to go undercover at the ice cream factory to find out who''s killing employees. It''s goingTrade ReviewPraise for Janet Evanovich: 'Among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction' * GQ *A laugh-out-loud page-turner * Heat *Making trouble and winning hearts * USA Today *Romantic and gripping... An absolute tonic * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisEscape to the bright Caribbean sunshine one last time in this satisfying and page-turning conclusion to the bestselling Paradise trilogy.After uprooting her life, Irene Steele has just settled in at the villa on St. John where her husband Russ had been living a double life. But a visit from the FBI shakes her foundations, and Irene once again learns just how little she knew about the man she loved.Meanwhile, as Irene and her sons try to get on with setting up their new lives, evidence mounts that the helicopter crash that killed Russ may not have been an accident.As a storm gathers strength in the Atlantic, all will be revealed about the secrets and lies that brought Irene and her sons to St. John at last.Praise for the Paradise Series: ''What do you do once you''ve become Queen of the Summer Novel and mastered the art of the Christmas novel? You start a new series, of course! This Fall, the incomparable ElinTrade ReviewA holiday package filled with humor, romance, and realism[Her] straightforward style pulls the reader into the minds of her characters, and all the secrets and sorrows that create the universal messiness of major family events. - Publisher's WeeklyThe holidays wouldn't be complete without a little family dysfunction, and Hilderbrand writes it well - Library JournalA page-turner - Coastal LivingHilderbrand juggles an ensemble cast and successfully weaves together many bittersweet story threads, tying up just enough of them to keep readers anticipating another sequel. - Shelf AwarenessA series only works when the characters are worth following over the long haul, and Hilderbrand is a master, making for a satisfying conclusion to her Christmas at the Inn story. - Kirkus[Hilderbrand] expertly meshes everything together so that peace exists within each character and within the family dynamic...The queen of the romance novel is on top of her game, and she won't let you down. - Book ReporterWinter Street...[will] get you in the holiday mood - Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE 2017 It's 1970, and in the People's Republic of Congo a Marxist-Leninist revolution is ushering in a new age. But over at the orphanage on the outskirts of Pointe-Noire where young Moses has grown up, the revolution has only strengthened the reign of terror of Dieudonné Ngoulmoumako, the institution's corrupt director. So Moses escapes to Pointe-Noire, where he finds a home with a larcenous band of Congolese Merry Men and among the Zairian prostitutes of the Trois-Cents quarter. But the authorities won't leave Moses in peace, and intervene to chase both the Merry Men and the Trois-Cents girls out of town. All this injustice pushes poor Moses over the edge. Could he really be the Robin Hood of the Congo? Or is he just losing his marbles? Black Moses is a larger-than-life comic tale of a young man obsessed with helping the helpless in an unjust world. It is also a vital new extension of Mabanckou's extraordinary, interlinked body of work dedicated to his native Congo, and confirms his status as one of our great storytellers.Trade ReviewHeartbreaking... Black Moses abounds with moments of black humor but the levity is balanced by Mabanckou's portrait of a dysfunctional society rent by corruption * The New York Times *Black Moses exhibits all the charm, warmth and verbal brio that have won the author of Broken Glass and African Psycho so many admirers - and the informal title of Africa's Samuel Beckett. Helen Stevenson, his translator, again shakes Mr Mabanckou's cocktail of sophistication and simplicity into richly idiomatic English * Economist *Alain Mabanckou addresses the reader with exuberant inventiveness in novels that are brilliantly imaginative in their forms of storytelling. His voice is vividly colloquial, mischievous and often outrageous as he explores, from multiple angles, the country where he grew up, drawing on its political conflicts and compromises, disappointments and hopes. He acts the jester, but with serious intent and lacerating effect. -- Man Booker International Prize 2015, judges’ citationAfrica's Samuel Beckett ... one of the continent's greatest living writers * Guardian *A Congolese rewriting and reimagining of Dickens * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW NEIGHBOURS was previously published as DARTMOUTH CIRCLE. A gripping contemporary drama from the bestselling author of The Throwaway Children. When one of the houses in an exclusive cul-de-sac is sold to students, dramas begin to unfold and secrets long hidden come to the surface. Local battle-axe Sheila Colby is appalled when Ned Short sells his house as student accommodation. The residents of Dartmouth Circle look on themselves as an exclusive little club, where everyone knows each other and privacy is respected. But now that is about to end and all kinds of things long hidden will come out into the light of day, with dramatic consequences. 'Brilliant novel! Excellent characters. A very enjoyable read' 'Funny, sensitive, sad. Good holiday read' 'A great read, loved it' 'Diney Costeloe never fails to keep you entertained'

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Book SynopsisSuncranes and Other Stories showcases a range of powerful voices from Mongolia’s modern literary traditions. Spanning the years following the socialist revolution of 1921 through the early twenty-first century, these stories offer vivid portraits of nomads, revolution, and the endless steppe.Trade ReviewSimon Wickhamsmith’s masterful translations provide a unique window on how Mongolian writers have responded to events shaping the country over the last century—ranging from extreme communism to extreme capitalism—while also retaining a strong sense for enduring Mongolian traditions shaped by pastoral nomadism and a magnificent countryside. -- Jonathan S. Addleton, former U.S. ambassador to MongoliaSuncranes and Other Stories is an important collection of modern Mongolian writing. Deftly translated, it opens a door on a body of literature that reflects the lives and realities of Mongolia in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. -- Mark Bender, editor of The Borderlands of Asia: Culture, Place, PoetryThis excellent first collection of modern Mongolian stories offers a view of traditional concerns of nature and herding, as well as the dramatic changes wrought by communism, the pure market economy, and urbanization. Wickhamsmith’s translations provide readers with wondrous fiction as well as exposure to Mongolian customs and landscapes. -- Morris Rossabi, author of Modern Mongolia: From Khans to Commissars to CapitalistsCan one book aptly sum up an entire nation’s fiction over the course of a century? This one gives it an impressive try. As the stories move forward in time, it’s fascinating to see how different literary movements become prominent, then fall by the wayside. * Words Without Borders *Suncranes and Other Stories: Modern Mongolian Short Fiction makes for an original and delightful introduction to Mongolian culture and recent history for those unfamiliar with the land of the nomads. As someone who has studied the Mongolian language for many years, I am awed at Simon Wickhamsmith’s ability to artfully craft the translations in this volume. -- Sarah Köksal * Cha: An Asian Literary Journal *A fascinating introduction to Mongolia’s literature. -- Tony Malone * Tony's Reading List *Table of ContentsIntroductionA Note on Mongolian Names1. Something Wonderful, by S. Buyannemeh2. The Shelducks, by D. Chimid3. Dark Cliffs, by D. Natsagdorj4. Things That Had Never Been Seen, by D. Natsagdorj5. The Young Couple, by M. Yadamsüren6. What Changed Soli, by Ts. Damdinsüren7. Two White Things, by Ts. Damdinsüren8. The Morning of the First, by Ts. Ulambayar9. The Saiga, by Ch. Lodoidamba10. A Great Mystery, by O. Tsend11. Bunia Takes Wing, by B. Rinchen12. Waiting for What He Has Lost, by D. Namdag13. The Green-painted Car, by Ts. Ulambayar14. Images from a Single Day, by B. Baast15. Blue as Water, by P. Luvsantseren16. He Came with a Spare Horse, by S. Udval17. Suncranes, by S. Erdene18. The Cricket, by S. Dashdoorov19. The Wolf’s Lair, by D. Garmaa20. The Ballad of the Unweaned Camel, by G. Mend-Ooyo21. Hulan, by S. Erdene22. Heaven’s Daughter, by Ch. Galsan23. Raul and Raul, by L. Ölziitögs24. Everything, by S. Anudar25. Room for Rent, by H. Bolor-Erdene26. Wings, by P. Bathuyag27. The Composer, by M. UyansühGlossaryNotes on the StoriesAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisThe debut novel from National Book Award winner and Booker nominee Colum McCann 'Colum McCann conjures a hugely inventive debut' Observer ‘McCann writes equally well about Ireland, America and Mexico, and he links past and present in a finely woven narrative: Songdogs is a vivid, beautifully measured book’ Sunday Times __________________ Colum McCann's first novel goes back to the years before the Spanish Civil War, following the adventures of a peripatetic Irish photographer from the war-strewn shores of Europe to the exotic plains of Mexico. The story is told in the words of the photographer's only son, a wanderer himself, who uses his father's unreliable memories and the fading remnants of his art to piece together his family history and explain the mystery surrounding his mother - a Mexican beauty brought back by his father to Ireland.Trade ReviewColum McCann conjures a hugely inventive debut * Observer *McCann writes intense, gripping prose full of sharp and telling details. He can draw a complete psychological portrait from the most minor situations … Songdogs is an exciting book, because it vibrates with the energy of a new writer finding his voice * Times Literary Supplement *A true work of art * Sunday Tribune *Potent, sometimes astonishing, fuelled by a unique descriptive vision – the simplicity and power of the final two pages of Songdogs form one of the most technically and lyrically accomplished conclusions to a novel, debut or otherwise, I have ever read * Sunday Independent *Songdogs is an event in Irish writing * Irish Independent *An arresting new voice from out of Ireland, at once deep and dazzling -- Edna O’BrienPowerful ... wistful and gracefully shadowed ... The author has a keen eye and ear; his language is full of sparkling poetry and images * New York Times Book Review *Positively vibrates ... consistently engaging ... remarkably beautiful * Sunday Globe *McCann has unusual control over his material ... McCann’s take on the New World is fresh and often amusing, but what we remember most is the poignancy * Los Angeles Times Book Review *

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Book Synopsis'Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore' JOJO MOYESPure escapism on every page, The Distant Shores tells the story of a family torn apart, and the woman who will bring them back together.   Margot Hart travels to Ireland to write a biography of the famous Deverill family. She knows she must speak to the current Lord Deverill – JP – if she is to uncover the secrets of the past. A notorious recluse, JP won’t be an easy man to crack. But Margot is determined – and she is not a woman who is easily put off.   What she never expected was to form a close bond with JP and be drawn into his family disputes. Shouldering the blame for running up debts that forced him to sell the family castle, JP is isolated and vulnerable. With help from his handsome son Colm, it seems as though Margot might be the only one who can restore JP’s f

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Book Synopsis'Anappara creates an endearing and highly engaging narrator to navigate us through the dark underbelly of modern India' Observer 'I love this book...I just fell into it' Tayari Jones We children are not just stories. We live. Come and see. Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality cop shows, thinks he's smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of Police Patrol to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the sprawling Indian city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth 'A heartrending tale' The Times 'Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best' Anne EnrightTrade ReviewIt’s not hard to see why Djinn Patrol is one of the most eagerly awaited debut novels this spring. It feels like a reckoning with modern India and its many complex problems… Anappara cleverly filters a uniquely Indian horror story through a chirpy, Famous Five-esque narrative and the voice of a witty, young, have-a-go hero -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * The Times *Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best. The prose is not just sympathetic, vivid, and beautifully detailed, but also completely assured and deft. We care about these characters from the first page and our concern for them is richly repaid -- Anne Enright, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The GatheringIn Jai, Anappara has created a boy vivid in his humanity, one whose voice somersaults on the page. Rich with easy joy, Anappara’s writing announces the arrival of a literary supernova... (Warning: If you begin reading the book in the morning, don’t expect to get anything done for the rest of the day.) -- Lorraine Adams * New York Times Book Review *Anappara's characters brim with swagger and spirit and she creates a world of wit, warmth and heart -- Nina Stibbe * i *A captivating literary style... A dazzling, wonderful book -- Elif Shafak * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisONE OF THE BBC''S 100 WOMEN FOR 2020SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 BOOKER PRIZE''MAGNIFICENT.'' Guardian ''A MASTERPIECE.'' New York Times ''MARVELLOUS.'' Sara Collins ''EXTRAORDINARY.'' Madeleine Thien ''HYPNOTIC.'' Daily Telegraph ''SEARING.'' Sefi Atta ''A MAVERICK VOICE.'' A Igoni Barrett ''A MUST READ.'' Helon Habila ''SUBTLE AND INTELLIGENT.'' TLS ''A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT.'' Literary Review ''DAZZLING.'' FTHere we meet Tambudzai, living in a youth hostel in downtown Harare after leaving a stagnant job. Proud, and yearning for success, Tambu attempts to make a new life for herself but at every turn, she is faced with a fresh humiliation, until the contrast between the future she imagined and her daily reality ultimately drives her to a breaking point.In this tense and psychologically charged novel, Tsitsi Dangarembga channels the hope and potential of one young girl and a fledgling nation to lead us on a journey to discover where lives go after hope has departed.

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Book Synopsis''O''Dell could be Reacher''s long-lost twin'' LEE CHILDSpecial Agent Maggie O''Dell doesn''t need to set foot at a crime scene to catch a serial killer. From her small Quantico office, she''s profiled criminals using just Polaroids and faxed copies of evidence from homicide detectives across the country.Then comes Albert Stucky . . . and nothing will ever be the same.Stucky is a sadistic madman who places pieces of his victims in takeout containers and leaves them for innocent bystanders to find. He enjoys his twisted games as much as he enjoys the kill. And when Maggie is tasked with profiling his murders, Stucky is only too happy to rise to the challenge:''Let the chase begin.''New York Times bestselling author Alex Kava returns with a heart-stopping new thriller featuring special agent Maggie O''Dell, who will face one of the most terrifying serial killers of her career.''Rip-roaring action that only bui

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Book SynopsisTHE UNMISSABLE NEW THRILLER FROM THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GIRL IN THE ICE AND NINE ELMS ROBERT BRYNDZA__________''You can''t help turning the pages hungrily to see what happens next'' THE TIMES''Taut, atmospheric and spooky, Shadow Sands is truly chilling'' JP DELANEYWhen Kate Marshall finds the body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.But the details don''t add up: why was he there in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown? As Kate and her assistant Tristan Harper follow the evidence, they make a far darker discovery . . .This is only the latest victim in a series of bloody murders dating back decades. A mythic serial killer is said to hide in the rolling fog, abducting his victims like a phantom. And wheTrade ReviewYou can't help turning the pages hungrily to see what happens next * The Times *Taut, atmospheric and spooky, Shadow Sands is truly chilling * JP Delaney, author of THE PERFECT WIFE *A cracking thriller from a rising star in British crime fiction * Irish Independent *A spine-tingling thriller from the master of suspense * M. J. Arlidge, author of EENY MEENY *Sharply written and wonderfully wrought, this crime thriller sings with every twist and builds to a more-than-satisfying bang * Publishers Weekly *Bryndza is my type of author and Nine Elms is my type of book. Twisty, dark and layered with a protagonist you root for from page one, this is a superb start to what promises to be another stand out series * M. W. Craven on NINE ELMS *A narrative that is never less than throat-grabbing . . . Robert Bryndza knows how to keep the pages - and your stomach - turning * The Times on NINE ELMS *It is impossible not to root for the feisty, flawed Kate, who has to battle her old nemesis to save her reputation * Daily Mail on NINE ELMS *So chilling, with truly terrifying characters and a hard-hitting storyline that is gripping from start to finish. I will wait with bated breath for the next Kate Marshall thriller * Rachel Abbott on NINE ELMS *Fast-paced, full of well fleshed-out characters, this is a solid series debut and we look forward to seeing more of Kate Marshall * Crime Time on NINE ELMS *

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Book SynopsisWith extinction imminent, researchers visit an exclusive national park to observe one of the last troops of bonobo chimpanzees. Amid unusual behaviour and unexplained deaths, Shel Murray suspects her team is being hunted. Back at home, Shel's partner is attacked touring their new property. Amnesiac and quarantined, John is visited by an inscrutable doctor, tending to the still fresh wounds. As his memory returns, John questions not only the assault, but the renewed marks on his body, and the black fungus now growing on the walls.A sudden event changes everything. Shel is interrogated over the expedition in the park; John throws himself into work, developing new software. Together, with a greater understanding of how much they have to lose, they face a grave threat, something that promises to devour everything.Trade ReviewThe best experimentalist now working -- Simon Ings * The Times *Compelling, full of intriguing ideas, and yet retains an emotional sincerity and sensitivity... In terms of genre, MacInnes is gloriously promiscuous... covers everything from science-fiction to horror to dystopia, and manages to breeze through all this and more... It is written in a beautifully understated style - when you are dealing with big concepts, it's probably best to steer clear of too much flash prose - and will indubitably linger in my mind for a long time to come. -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *MacInnes's writing is rigorous in its abstraction, yet there is a beauty to it, a quiet compassion. For all his gathering of evidence, he offers scant conclusions and in this he is like every one of us, sharing our fear for the future even as he charts its progress in meticulous detail. This novel confirms MacInnes as a writer of serious ambition and an uncanny degree of talent. * Guardian *A ghost story, a novel of ideas whose allusiveness and vaguely defined foreboding gives it an unsettling power. * The Herald *This book is mooted to be one of the best of 2020, featuring bonobo crime and one man's head trauma in an extinguishing world. * New Scientist *Gathering Evidence makes a conspiracy theorist of the reader, sending them scavenging across the pages for clues and cyphers, for overlaps between strands which should be separate, for integrations and disintegrations. Gathering Evidence sits comfortably alongside peers such as Jeff VanderMeer's Annihilation and Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing's The Mushroom at the End of the World as a superbly current novel of 21st century pattern recognition, portraying a world where digital advancement and environmental devastation might be the same thing. * The List *Remarkably prescient. MacInnes illustrates earth on the verge of extinction with stunning creativity and verve. * Book Riot *MacInnes's intriguing second novel deserves to cement his reputation as a bold and curious writer * New Statesman *MacInnes has created a strangely prescient vision that fuses risks of ecological catastrophe, technological dependence, and social isolation. * Sydney Morning Herald *MacInnes's prose contains the novel's ratcheting urgency with an empiricist's precision. This is chaos in a specimen jar. * TLS *

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Book SynopsisThey say you should never go back. But this is exactly what ravishing Ronnie Ledwell does, twenty-five years after she scandalized the Cotswold village of Compton Magna by abandoning husband and children for her lover. But her father's famous stud farm has seen better days. Faithful Lester, the gifted stallion man, has guarded Ronnie's secrets for three decades, but can they both forgive and forget the past? Meanwhile, charismatic Kit Donne can't stand the sight of the woman who so reminds him of his beloved late wife. Greedily eyeing up the estate is sexy Bay Austen, a man who usually gets what he wants. Can Ronnie stand in his way? In a village riven with affairs, rivalries and scandals, Ronnie's unexpected return, with all its glamour and mystique, sets in motion a drama from which there will be no turning back. 'Fans of the sex-and-horses rural romp will feel right at home with this pleasing doorstop of a novel' Daily Mail. 'Filled with intrigue, romance and drama... This is a must-read' Cotswold Life. Trade ReviewWith feisty characters, sexy menfolk, long-buried secrets and a healthy dollop of sauce, this book is a total riot from start to end * Heat *Filled with intrigue, romance and drama... This is a must-read for cold winter nights by the Aga' * Cotswold Life *Fans of the sex-and-horses rural romp will feel right at home with this pleasing doorstep of a novel... Walker is an engaging writer with a sharp ear for dialogue and I raced through this beautifully plotted narrative' * Daily Mail *Ideal reading for dark winter nights... this is a feel-good romp complete with dashing heroes and engaging heroines. Perfect for some serious but light-hearted escapism' * Horse and Countryside *Even though there are many characters featured, you really get a sense of each personality. I loved learning about each person: their ups and downs, their secrets and desires, their pasts and their very interesting presents * Loubee Lou Blogs *No one does Jilly Cooper-style country shenanigans better than Walker, who is on top form with this gloriously over-stuffed story of daughters, village secrets and, of course, horses * i newspaper *

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and gripping'. Sunday MirrorWhen Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless. Soon she was feted as the most elegant woman in the city. A dancer who shocked and delighted audiences, as a confidante and courtesan she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men. But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917 she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees and accused of espionage. Told in Mata Hari's voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to break the conventions of her time, and paid the price.Trade ReviewThe fascinating story of her life is . . . beautifully written and gripping. * Sunday Mirror *Coelho, whose books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, has taken the Mata Hara story and fashioned it into a short dynamo of a novel. * Los Angeles Times *A striking novel. . . . By the end, readers will believe they've read [Mata Hari's] actual letters. * Publisher's Weekly *Spiritualists and wanderlusts will eagerly devour . . . [Coelho's] search for all things meaningful. * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisThe story of Trump's America' Daily MailTwo families.Two faces of America.One violent crime that will bitterly divide them and yet bind them together forever.A magnificent story of two broken families' IndependentPage-turning, gripping, full of unexpected twists' ObserverFrom its dramatic opening, with the killing of an abortionist, the book rockets forwards Ingenious, agile, dazzling' Literary Review Morally meaty and always readable' Sunday TimesA masterpiece' Washington PostTrade Review‘The story of Trump’s America’ Daily Mail ‘Page-turning, gripping, full of unexpected twists’ Observer ‘A magnificent story of two broken families, both steeped in grief’ Independent ‘Icily subtle … at its spine-tingling best when staring into the dark, a sliver away from the Gothic’ Spectator ‘Dramatic, dazzling, ingenious, agile … her uniquely sane, empathetic voice seems particularly vital and timely during Trump’s presidency’ Literary Review ‘The most relevant book of Oates’s half-century-long career . . . a masterpiece’ Washington Post ‘Oates's American saga captivates because it exists within an actual drama playing out across the country. A graceful and excruciating story of two families who do not live very far apart, but exist in different realities’ USA Today

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Book SynopsisPaek Nam-nyong’s Friend is a tale of marital intrigue, abuse, and divorce in North Korea. This groundbreaking translation of one of North Korea’s most popular writers offers English-language readers a page-turner full of psychological tension as well as a revealing portrait of a society that is typically seen as closed to the outside world.Trade ReviewNamed a Best Book of World Literature of 2020 * Library Journal *In its candid examination of domestic conflict and female ambition, Friend unsettles expectations of North Korean life . . . [it] offers a beguiling introduction to the everyday, with none of the rockets and military parades that the words “North Korea” often bring to mind. * New York Times Book Review *This tender, witty novel is indeed a page-turner. Neither a searing indictment of the regime nor a propaganda screed, Friend illuminates the personal rather than the political, the daily trials of workplace conflicts and marital woes. In doing so, it sharpens our ability to see the fragility and messy humanity in lives too often obscured by state agendas. * The Guardian *With still so little known about the North Korean people beyond mostly tortuous escapee narratives, Kim enables a rare, welcome glimpse into 'a messy world of human emotions and relationships that is at once entirely alien and eerily familiar.' * Booklist, Starred Review *Friend is both a good read and a rare inside look into North Korean culture. * Book Riot *A layered story of family obligations stretched to breaking point . . . Reading Friend is like sifting through a black box for clues into a sealed culture. * Times Literary Supplement *Paek weaves themes of greed, corruption, and self-sacrifice into a subtle, restrained narrative . . . A rare glimpse into an insular world. * Kirkus Reviews *Friend offers an astute psychological exploration of marriage, the work that goes into such a partnership, and the many ways it could fail us. * Minneapolis Star Tribune *Reading Friend is like meeting a new person when you’re blindfolded. You touch their face, tracing their features with your fingertips. You can’t quite picture them, but you feel the warmth and texture of their skin. * New York Review of Books *Paek's focus on individuals and family, and his willingness to acknowledge failings, make for a novel that manages to be engaging, and even quite moving, even beyond its context. * Complete Review *Friend offers a fascinating glimpse into the realities of North Korean life. It reminds us that the people of that country may face hardships, but they also experience the same domestic challenges that afflict humans everywhere. * New York Journal of Books *A North Korean version of Marriage Story. . .This novel is so fascinating. * Paperback Paris *The language in Friend is spare and unadorned and refreshingly clear. * CounterPunch *[This book] is fascinating for the demands it makes on readers. Friend is not a breezy work, though it’s extremely easy to read, and Kim’s translation is lucid and graceful. But not even the clarity of its narrative can make the workings of Paek Nam-nyong’s story seem close to the kind of novelistic story we are used to hearing and telling in English. . . Paek’s novel [is] the most “foreign” one to enter English in many years. * Mumbai Mirror *The American publication of Friend is a monumental achievement and the novel, quite literally, is beyond compare. * Asia Media International *Friend, in this able and very readable translation by Immanuel Kim, is a salutary antidote to the many tomes that purport to explain the DPRK. The North Korea of the novel is—like everywhere else—filled with real people . . . In North Korea, again like everywhere else, life can be a half-empty, half-full proposition. Of course, in our better moments, we know this, but it helps to be reminded. * Asian Review of Books *Friend depicts daily life in North Korean society. The psychology of human relationships evoked in this fascinating novel shows that North Koreans, far from being brainwashed robots, are as fragile as people everywhere—that they too simply want to be happy together, and suffer intensely when things go wrong. -- Brother Anthony, Sogang UniversityThe publication of Immanuel Kim’s painstaking translation of Paek Nam-nyong’s Friend is a significant event. It promises to shift the focus away from those texts that simply confirm our preconceived notions about the DPRK toward a subtler and more informed consideration of literary practices there. -- Travis Workman, University of MinnesotaThis publication is welcome both in its own right and for the brief but informative afterword by the translator that gives an overview of North Korean literature. * London Korean Links *A well-drawn study of a society that is shut-off from the Western world but whose emotional troubles are universal. * 24stories *An expert at storytelling and craft, Paek shows the family as a small unit that helps preserve the moral fabric of society. . .Readers may be surprised to see how much the characters and their preoccupations resemble novels from other countries, and throughout the book, the equality between genders is striking. * The Japan Times *This is a rare find; a full, contemporary North Korean novel. . . The story itself is clever, with current topics, and modern, colloquial-sounding dialogue. * Korean Quarterly *[This] story transcends politics, social strictures and unwritten codes with its universal appeal. It can be done, a tale from out of North Korea whose joys and sufferings are readily recognisable. It is to the enormous credit of the author that he can duck and dive what one assumes was censorship of however limited a kind and yet not spoil his tale. * RTÉ *[In] its portrait of everyday existence, we catch glimpses of life outside of surveillance—squabbles, gossip, divorce. These characters might be under suspicion, and might live in fear, but Friend captures something more—most notably, people who are subject to the boredoms, pleasures, and frustrations of life. * Bookforum *In reading Friend, one identifies with its characters and such empathy inoculates readers from ‘us versus them’ refrains. * S/N Korean Humanities *Paek Nam-nyong reminds us that the local and interpersonal elements of our lives are just as real as the ideological and political, and certainly tell more about what it means to be human. * Full Stop *Friend is an important novel for all of us outside of North Korea. It not only provides an insider glimpse into a country we have limited access to, but it also reminds us that everyone is human and that these people are deserving of our compassion. * Humankind Zine *A compassionate account of characters caught up in marital strife and disappointed by their spouses . . . this novel’s power is in its depiction of ordinary lives. * The Economist *Table of ContentsFriendAfterword

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LAST ORDERS AND MOTHERING SUNDAY, reissued for the first time in Scribner Prentis, employed in the police archives, is becoming confused. His obsession with the plight of his father, a wartime hero now the mute inmate of a mental hospital, is alienating him from his wife and children, while at work he feels under scrutiny from his intimidating boss, Quinn. Gradually, Prentis suspects that his father’s breakdown and Quinn’s menacing behaviour are related and that the connection is to be found in his father’s memoir: ‘Shuttlecock’.Shuttlecock is an intense psychological thriller and much more. With poignant force and sometimes dark comedy, it links the secrecies and quirks of domestic life with the enigmas and violence of crime and war.‘A small masterpiece’ The Guardian‘Excellent, profound’ Alan Hollingh

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WEEKEND''Savage: think Atwood in the outback''Paula Hawkins''An unforgettable reading experience''Liane Moriarty''Ferocious... recalls the early Elena Ferrante''NPR''A masterpiece''Guardian''Devastating'' EconomistShe hears her own thick voice deep inside her ears when she says, ''I need to know where I am.''The man stands there, tall and narrow, hand still on the doorknob, surprised.He says, almost in sympathy, ''Oh, sweetie. You need to know what you are.''Two women awaken from a drugged sleep to find themselves imprisoned in a brokendownproperty in the middle of a desert.Strangers to each other, they have no idea where they are or how they came to be therewith eight other girls, their heads shaved, guarded by Trade ReviewExposing the threads of misogyny, cowardice and abuses of power embedded in contemporary society, this is a confronting, sometimes deeply painful novel to read. With an unflinching eye and audacious imagination, Charlotte Wood carries us from a nightmare of helplessness and despair to a fantasy of revenge and reckoning. * Guardian *One of those unforgettable reading experiences. -- Liane Moriarity, author of Big Little Lies * The New York Times *Beautiful and savage - think Atwood in the outback. -- Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train * Guardian *A haunting parable of contemporary misogyny, The Natural Way of Things . . . is The Handmaid's Tale for our age . . . Ms Wood's writing is direct and spare, yet capable of bursting with unexpected beauty. * The Economist *A prescient feminist horror novel you need to read: The girls of Wood's novel are in no dystopia. Instead, they are imprisoned by present policing of their bodies, the corrosive discrimination of political and economic systems that turns women's bodies against them, rebuilding them as flesh and blood prisons. -- Stassa Edwards * Jezebel.com *You can't shake off this novel; it gets under your skin, fills your lungs, breaks your heart. As allegory, as a novel, as vision and as art it is stunning. -- Christos TsiolkasThe Natural Way of Things is a brave, brilliant book. I would defy anyone to read it and not come out a changed person. -- Malcolm Knox, author of The Wonder Lover and The LifeA fully imagined dystopian parable, vivid, insightful, the voices of young women echoing through the gum trees . . . -- Joan London, author of The Golden AgeThis is a stunning exploration of ambiguities - of power, of morality, of judgement . . . It will not leave you easily; it took my breath away. -- Ashley Hay, author of The Railwayman’s WifeFew other novels have captured the stain of misogyny quite like Charlotte Wood's The Natural Way of Things . . . Terrifying, remarkable and utterly unforgettable. -- Clementine FordThe Natural Way of Things is both harrowing and gorgeous. It feels, at times, like a nightmare; but one in which women make serious pacts, take serious pleasures, and reimagine what it might mean to live in the world. I feel as if I've been witness to the most terrible injustice, but also the most astonishing beauty. -- Fiona McFarlane, author of The Night Guest and The High PlacesAt once brutal and beautiful . . . Surreal yet intensely vivid, the novel is disturbing and enthralling . . . An absorbing plot, lyrical prose, and discomfiting imagery makes Wood's novel decidedly gripping. * Kirkus Reviews *A confronting and blazing read . . . A novel to provoke thought, conversation, disgust, anger and concern, a work that will haunt the reader with its poetry and the stark truths buried within Wood's brilliant exploration of a toxic culture in extremis. * Weekend Australian *A virtuoso performance, plotted deftly through a minefield of potential traps, weighted with allegory yet swift and sure in its narrative advance. -- Rosemary Sorensen * Sydney Review of Books *Wood's prose is beautiful, but it doesn't coddle. The Natural Way of Things is an unapologetic confrontation of misogyny and rape culture. It's a tough and necessary read. -- Jakob Vala, Tin House * The Portland Mercury *A dystopian fable, both gripping and lyrical. * Saturday Age *This is an extraordinary novel: inspired, powerful, at once coherent and dreamlike. -- Kerryn Goldsworthy * Sydney Morning Herald *A moving, mesmerising and brilliantly topical interrogation of misogyny that demands to be read at a sitting. * Adelaide Advertiser *Bold, provocative, startling and insightful. The Natural Way of Things is what fiction should be. * Newton Review of Books *The latest from Australian novelist Wood is allegory at its best, a phantasmagoric portrait of modern culture's sexual politics textured by psychological realism and sparing lyricism. * Publisher's Weekly *A ferocious new novel by the Australian Charlotte Wood whose writing recalls the early Elena Ferrante - it's tough, direct, and makes no attempt to be ingratiating . . . what keeps all this from seeming doctrinaire is the book's sheer imaginative intensity. Wood's writing crackles with vivid precision . . . Yolanda and Verla strip away the historical veneer of female subservience. They recreate themselves based on a deeper, more complicated vision of the natural order, one that grasps the bond between all living beings. I'd like to tell you that this is a happy ending, but Wood is too honest to offer anything so reassuringly easy. Even as her heroines begin a radical new way of living, Wood knows that the natural way of things is as risky and wild as it is free. -- John Powers * NPR Fresh Air *Vicious and prescient and astonishingly visceral. The Natural Way Of Things resonates with you long after you've read the final pages. A Handmaid's Tale for end times, this is an important book about contemporary femininity. * The Believer *What sets Wood's The Natural Way of Things apart, what makes it a truly urgent read is that it is not an allegory and it is not a dystopian novel: it is a reality. As such, The Natural Way of Things, a work that takes the reality of misogyny and toxic cultural notions about women's sexuality and very bluntly bulldozes those ideas, is exactly what we should be reading right now. * Full Stop *With echoes of Kafka and The Lord of the Flies . . . Wood's raw and complex story delves into themes of friendship as two of the imprisoned form a strong yet unconventional bond through their survival efforts. It also depicts the tyranny of misogyny with the same coarse grit and degradation that scours women around the globe, while simultaneously spotlighting their courage and fortitude. Uncomfortably bold, The Natural Way of Things is an everywoman's hero tale. * Shelf Awareness *It's like digesting a living creature, one with claws still intact . . . if Wood is concerned with investigating and condemning masculine violence, both in its overt manifestations and those encoded in the structure of contemporary culture, she is too much of an artist to reduce her critique to a simple binary . . . the final effect is stunning. * The Saturday Paper *

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Book Synopsis''A singular novel from the poetic and painterly mind of Rowan Hisayo Buchanan.'' Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti''An exquisite rendering of love, sadness, and misunderstanding . . . I want to share this book with everyone I know.'' The Paris Review ''A quiet triumph - tenderly and disarmingly exploring the responsibility of love, loneliness, what it is to feel lost'' Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water CureMina is staring over the edge of the George Washington Bridge when a patrol car drives up. She tries to convince the officers she''s not about to jump but they don''t believe her. Her husband, Oscar is called to pick her up.Oscar hopes that leaving New York for a few months will give Mina the space to heal. They travel to London, to an apartment wall-papered with indigo-eyed birds, to Oscars oldest friends, to a canal and blooming flower market. Mina, a classicistTrade ReviewA poetic, hypnotic exploration of mental health...It's a strangely mind-expanding read that's a must for anyone who's struggled with depression or loves someone who does. * Stylist *Unravelling the truth is one of the considerable pleasures of this beautifully written novel. * Spectator *The significant thing is that this is a novel that takes depression seriously . . . it is affecting and melancholy . . . Buchanan is a novelist of talent and grace. * Scotland on Sunday *An exquisite rendering of love, sadness, and misunderstanding . . . Starling Days is an exploration of depression without clear resolution, but it is all the more precious for that refusal. I want to share this book with everyone I know. * Paris Review *Tender * Daily Mail *A beautifully weird portrayal of being alone together, millennial ennui, bisexuality and hybrid identity. It captures the brilliance and isolation of big cities as well as the struggle and strength to keep on going. A singular novel from the poetic and painterly mind of Rowan Hisayo Buchanan. * Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti *Starling Days is a quiet triumph - tenderly and disarmingly exploring the responsibility of love, loneliness, what it is to feel lost, and whether another person, indeed whether any one person, is capable of making us feel found. It illuminates both the difficulties and joys of being with others, but also those of being inside our own skins. * Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water Cure *For readers looking for a 'relatable' tale of struggle and survival, the book offers consolation. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisOne first date. One not-so-little mistake. What happens now?''Completely hilarious'' ?????''Hugely funny, refreshingly honest, a total joy!'' ?????''You''ll cry with laughter, but real tears too'' ?????No question about it, there are two little purple lines. I'm pregnant.' After eight years together, Lil Bailey thought she'd already found the one' that is, until he dumped her for a blonde twenty-something colleague. So she does what any self-respecting singleton would do: swipes right, puts on her best bra and finds herself on a first date with a handsome mountaineer called Max. What's the worst that can happen?Well it's pretty bad actually. First Max ghosts her and then, after weeing on a stick (but mostly her hands), a few weeks later Lil discovers she's pregnant. She's single, thirty-one and living in a thimble-sized flat in London, it's hardly the happily-ever-after she was looking for.Lil's ready to do the baby-thing on her own it can't be that hard, right? But she should probably tell Max, if she can track him down. Surely he's not that Max, the highly eligible, headline-grabbing son of Lord and Lady Rushbrooke, currently trekking up a mountain in South Asia? Oh, maybe he wasn't ignoring Lil after allYour favourite authors LOVE Sophia Money-CouttsSo funny. And the sex is amazing makes me feel like a nun!' Jilly CooperLight, fizzy and as snort-inducing as a pint of Prosecco.' Evening Standard MagazineHilarious and compelling.' Daily MailPerfect summer reading for fans of Jilly Cooper and Bridget Jones.' HELLO!Bridget Jones trapped inside a Jilly Cooper novel. A beach cocktail in book form.' METROGloriously cheering.' Red MagazineHowlingly funny.' India Knight, Sunday Times MagazineThis saucy read is great sun-lounger fodder.' HeatSexy and very funnyperfect for fans of Jilly Cooper.' CloserCheerful, saucy and fun!' Sunday MirrorAs fun and fizzy as a chilled glass of proseccothis is the perfect read for your holiday.' Daily ExpressThis book has it all love, romance, sadness and sex a rare find that is funny at times and moving at others.' Marie ClaireTrade Review Praise for Sophia Money-Coutts: ‘So funny. And the sex is amazing!’ Jilly Cooper ‘Howlingly funny’ Sunday Times ‘Another wonderful – and wonderfully rude – romcom’ Red ‘Surprisingly saucy and distractingly funny’ Grazia ‘A laugh-a-minute page-turner, perfect for poolside reading’ HELLO! ‘A beach cocktail in book form’ Metro ‘Hilarious and uplifting’ Woman & Home ‘A thoroughly modern love story’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Perfect light summer reading’ Evening Standard ‘Fast and furious, funny and fresh’ Daily Mail ‘This saucy read is great sun-lounger fodder’ Heat ‘Sexy and very funny…perfect for fans of Jilly Cooper’ Closer ‘Cheerful, saucy and fun!’ The Sunday Mirror ‘As fun and fizzy as a chilled glass of prosecco…this is the perfect read for your holiday’ The Daily Express ‘Does it earn its place in your beach bag? Absolutely’ Evening Standard ‘Fizzes with joy’ Metro

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Book SynopsisIn Fay Weldon's 1983 classic, The Life and Loves of a She Devil, women fought men for power and won. But in 2018, the fight continues on a new front... Ruth Patchett, the original She Devil, is eighty-four and keen to retire. She has worked hard to make the world as she wants it: women triumphant, men submissive. Now she is tired. Her business is done. The mantle of power and influence is up for grabs. Who can take up the role? Valerie Valeria, hot-shot millennial and Ruth's PA, is ready and eager to inherit...Trade ReviewElegantly written, sharply perceptive and fantastically good fun * Daily Mail *She's a queen of words. A tribal elder -- Caitlin MoranFunny, waspish and acute... A fierce retrospective on the achievements of the women's movement - and its cost - and a defiant hurrah for grumpy old women' * The Times *One of our very best writers * The Sunday Times *A brilliant black comedy * Mail on Sunday Event magazine *Fay has been incredibly vocal about transgender issues, and her new book features her trademark black humour - and some shocking twists * Closer *A bawdy controversial read * Woman & Home *It's good to have Fay Weldon back, poking the hornet's nest of modern feminism with her sly eye * Daily Express *Weldon's amused defiance is irresistible * Mail on Sunday. *Scalpel-sharp and laceratingly funny * Good Housekeeping. *A delight to read. Each chapter has a hilarious heading, revealing Weldon's affinity with the pre-Romantic tradition of Sterne and Swift * Irish Times *Fay Weldon's new novel is certain to be a bestseller * Catholic Herald *I suspect Weldon couldn't care less about political correctness... for her, it's all literary mischief' * i newspaper *A kind of coda to a brilliant literary career... The satire is neat and very funny... A politically incorrect novel that is at the same time deliberately indecorous in a way that will make anyone feel like a prude if they object to a comedy as swaggering in its confidence and as subtle in its observation as this... Obviously the work of a genius' * Sydney Morning Herald *

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Book SynopsisWith an introduction by David MitchellIsserley spends most of her time driving. But why is she so interested in picking up hitchhikers? And why are they always male, well-built and alone?An utterly unpredictable and macabre mystery, Under the Skin is a genre-defying masterpiece.Trade ReviewA wonderful book - painful, lyrical, frightening, brilliant . . . I couldn't put it down -- Kate AtkinsonOne of the best-orchestrated reveals in modern British fiction . . . Michel Faber is a masterly writer -- David MitchellProfound and disturbing . . . Faber writes superbly * * Sunday Times * *This is a man who could give Conrad a run at writing the perfect sentence * * Guardian * *Teases and prods the reader up a plethora of literary blind alleys before hauling them screaming towards its final, thrilling destination * * Daily Telegraph * *Strange, adept, original . . . Would that more first novels were as adventurous or as funky and daring in their conception * * Independent on Sunday * *A brilliantly compressed drama of threat and ambiguity . . . Recalling writers such as Jim Crace and Russell Hoban, Under the Skin, like Faber's short stories, is an extremely assured and imaginative work * * Observer * *Astonishingly, this is Michel Faber's first novel. It is audacious, fascinating, repellent and quite unlike anything I have ever read * * Mail on Sunday * *Under the Skin is a shocking and fantastical take on modern humanity * * The Week * *The fantastic is so nicely played against the day-to-day that one feels the strangeness of both . . . A remarkable novel * * New York Times * *

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Book Synopsis 'My favourite book of all time' Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie A finalist for the New York Public Library Fiction Award A Grand Prix Littéraire of the Association of Caribbean Writers Selection Named a Best Book of 2016 by: New York Times, NPR, Buzzfeed, San Francisco Chronicle, The Root, Book Riot, Kirkus, Amazon, WBUR's 'On Point' and Barnes & Noble In this radiant, highly anticipated debut, a cast of unforgettable women battle for independence while a maelstrom of change threatens their Jamaican village. Capturing the distinct rhythms of Jamaican life and dialect, Nicole Dennis-Benn pens a tender hymn to a world hidden among pristine beaches and the wide expanse of turquoise seas. At an opulent resort in Montego Bay, Margot hustles to send her younger sister, Thandi, to school. Taught as a girl to trade her sexuality for survival, Margot is ruthlessly determined to shield Thandi from the same fate. When plans for a new hotel threaten the destruction of their community, each woman – fighting to balance the burdens she shoulders with the freedom she craves – must confront long-hidden scars. From a much-heralded new writer, Here Comes the Sun offers a dramatic glimpse into a vibrant, passionate world most outsiders see simply as paradise.Trade Review‘Stuns at every turn... It's about women pushed to the edge, Jamaica in all its beauty and fury and more than anything else, a story that was just waiting to be told.’ * Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings *‘An expertly timed examination of race, class, gender and sexuality, weaved seamlessly into an engaging narrative…brilliantly written.’ * Guardian *‘A vibrant debut.’ * Good Housekeeping *'I think Nicole Dennis-Benn has found the pressure points that nobody talks about, and is exploring those through the most gorgeous fulsome writing. It’s my favourite book of all time.' -- Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie‘Capturing the distinctive rhythms of Jamaican life, Here Comes the Sun sees a band of women battling for independence... As well as being a page-turner, the book left me with food for thought – there’s never been a more apt time to learn about women living realities so different from your own.’ * Grazia *‘A dazzling debut.’ * Guardian *‘Superb, insightful debut.’ * Sunday Herald *‘Vividly captures the fraught dynamics of familial and romantic relationships.’ * The New Yorker *‘Here Comes the Sun was the first Jamaica-set book I read. As a Jamaican woman, that was really exciting. It follows three women: two sisters and their mum. The older sister is navigating sexuality and being a queer woman, the younger is battling identity, being a darker-skinned girl, bleaching. It’s really addictive.’ * Liv Little, Observer *‘This buzzy novel dives under the shimmering surface of paradise to expose its dark secrets.’ * Elle *‘An indelible portrait of a woman in motion. Nicole Dennis-Benn has created in Margot a fierce and fearless striver. A fantastic debut.’ * Laila Lalami, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *‘Margot is one of the reasons to read this book. She is a startling, deeply memorable character. All of Ms. Dennis-Benn’s women are.’ * New York Times *‘Brave, clever and ambitious… Readers of this important debut will no doubt see Jamaica in a new and different light.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘I read it the way I read a thriller, holding my breath, waiting for the next new revelation. It’s Shakespearean-level drama and compulsively readable.’ * Bookriot *[An] engrossing tale... Here Comes The Sun explores the sinister side of tourism through the eyes of three brilliant local women, and Dennis-Benn captures the rhythm and beat of Jamaica with extraordinary skill.' * Red magazine *‘Her prose is lyrical and vibrant, but Dennis-Benn has a deeper purpose, and she takes the reader on a trip that is impossible to forget.’ * Brooklyn Magazine *‘Here Comes the Sun sheds much-needed light on the island’s disenfranchised, particularly on the hardships suffered by its L.G.B.T. community. [An] important debut.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘Haunting and superbly crafted, this is a magical book from a writer of immense talent and intelligence.’ * Kirkus *‘[A] striking portrayal of a vibrant community.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Dennis-Benn's writing is so assured, so gorgeous, that it's hard to believe Here Comes the Sun is a debut novel. There are no wasted words; every sentence is constructed with care and a clear eye […] Here Comes the Sun is tough, beautiful and necessary, and it feels like a miracle.’ * NPR *‘Here Comes the Sun is a powerful reflection on femininity and sexuality in Jamaican culture […] Dennis-Benn's stunning, multi-layered novel explores the implications of race, reputation, class and money – and how they can push people to trade on today for the promise of a better tomorrow.’ * Shelf Awareness *‘Intense, unapologetic and remarkably powerful, Here Comes the Sun is a startling and melodic experience.’ * Bookreporter *‘A compelling exploration of exploitation, sacrifice, tourism, poverty and the drive for freedom, Here Comes the Sun will transport your mind – and heart – this summer.’ * Buzzfeed *‘An essential read for anyone who has ever found themselves mulling over questions of the relationship between tourism and poverty.’ * HelloGiggles *‘Dennis-Benn reveals a sure hand, creating a world she knows well, while offering intimate portraits of characters readers will care deeply about […] An impressive debut.’ * Booklist *‘This beautiful cover belies the darker story it holds. Debut novelist Dennis-Benn captures the beautiful Jamaican setting in a novel of sacrifice and forbidden love that offers commentary on race, class, gender and sexuality without distracting from a gripping plot, eloquent and moving writing, and vivid characters.’ * Bookriot *‘A superbly realized tale of gender, class, race and sexuality in Jamaica. Nicole Dennis-Benn is a powerful and brave new voice in American literature.’ * The Root *‘Nicole Dennis-Benn has delivered a really special read with this one.’ * Bustle *‘[Nicole Dennis-Benn] conjures vivid and passionate characters […] The novel buzzes with eroticism.’ * Bookpage *‘Here Comes the Sun arrives in the season of the beach read, but with eloquent prose and unsentimental clarity, Dennis-Benn offers an excellent reason to look beyond the surface beauty of paradise. This novel is as bracing as a cold shower on a hot day, a reminder that sometimes we need to see things as they are, not as we wish they would be.’ * Miami Herald *‘There is a richness to the way the [Nicole Dennis-Benn] writes about Jamaican culture and identity, along with the New World colonialism that has cropped up along the nation's shores […] This book treads into brave territory. The struggle is not a beautiful one. But it is deeply powerful.’ * Refinery29 *‘[Nicole Dennis-Benn] deploys an art of an altogether different kind [in] language of cumulative, almost radiant beauty.’ * Bay Area Reporter *‘Nicole Dennis-Benn’s scorching debut is both desperately sad and impossible to forget.’ * Boston Globe *‘With Here Comes the Sun, Dennis-Benn announces her literary presence with a novel that conjures something transcendent from the darker corners of human nature.’ * Dallas Morning News *‘A talent to watch.’ * Newsday *‘In saturated paragraphs and rich patois, Here Comes The Sun lays out the stark realities of an island whose entire economy relies on natural beauty, cheap labor, and limited resources – and explores what it means to live in a place where, as one character says, ‘nobody love a black girl. Not even herself.’ * Entertainment Weekly * ‘[A] dazzling and gutting novel.’ * Lambda Literary *‘Here Comes the Sun is a vivid and intimate portrayal of lives woven together by adversity.’ * Politics & Prose *‘Here Comes the Sun is every bit as dazzling as its title suggests. Nicole Dennis-Benn draws us so deeply into the fates of her unforgettable characters that we can’t help but dream, suffer, celebrate, and grieve alongside them. Each page of this terrific debut vibrates with power, heart, and unflinching honesty – I couldn’t put it down, yet didn’t want it to end.’ * Mia Alvar, author of In The Country *‘Here Comes the Sun is a moving portrait of a Jamaican family and community wrestling with the great questions in life – how to live and love freely in a world filled with obstacles to both. Nicole Dennis-Benn's exploration of Caribbean women's desires for themselves and each other, is an important contribution to our literature.’ * Naomi Jackson, author of The Star Side of Bird Hill *‘In Here Comes the Sun, Nicole Dennis-Benn boldly takes on the emotional and psychosocial effects of colorism and classism, among other topics. Here is a story of love and betrayal within the parameters of friendships and families in one Jamaican community. Dennis-Benn has written a book that is full of culture and crackling with life.’ * Chinelo Okparanta, author of Under the Udala Trees *‘Remember this title: It'll likely be the buzzword in all upcoming literary awards competitions.’ * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisNight chills are seizing the men and women of Black River, driving them to terrible acts.Glenn drove the Land Rover into a stone wall at just over 100mph. Alice stuck a meat fork through her hand and pinned it to the chopping board. Brenda took off all her clothes. She did whatever she was told. They were compelled by a fear too great to be remembered, enslaved by a power no man should ever wield.Trade ReviewTumbling, hallucinogenic prose... "Serious" writers might do well to examine his technique. The story does not move so much as rocket up the gloomy highway with the reader in violent pursuit - New York TimesFast and furious...like a hospital trolley on a toboggan run - Mail on SundayScary. Koontz can really spook, and his dialogue and pacing rival the best - New York Post

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Book SynopsisTHE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES # 2 ‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down' ERIN KELLYTHE ISLAND OF TRESCO HOLDS A DARK SECRET SOMEONE WILL KILL TO PROTECT.Ben Kitto has become the Scilly Isles’ Deputy Chief of Police. As the island’s lazy summer takes hold, he finds himself missing the excitement of the murder squad in London. But when the body of professional diver Jude Trellon is discovered, anchored to the rocks of a nearby cave, his investigative skills are once again needed. At first it appears that the young woman’s death was a tragic accident, but when evidence is found that suggests otherwise, the islanders close ranks. With even those closest to the victim refusing to talk, it seems that plenty of people might have had reason to harm her. As the islanders remain guarded, Ben Kitto suspects a killer is on the loose in Tresco.Everyon

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Book SynopsisA murderer's confession devastating, unblinking, poignant, unforgettable which reveals a story of class, education and the inescapable workings of destiny.Ah Hock is an ordinary, uneducated man born in a Malaysian fishing village and now trying to make his way in a country that promises riches and security to everyone, but delivers them only to a chosen few. With Asian society changing around him, like many he remains trapped in a world of poorly paid jobs that just about allow him to keep his head above water but ultimately lead him to murder a migrant worker from Bangladesh.In the tradition of Camus and Houellebecq, Ah Hock's vivid and compelling description of the years building up to this appalling act of violence told over several days to a local journalist whose life has taken a different course is a portrait of an outsider like no other, an anti-nostalgic view of human life and the ravages of hope. It is the work of a writer at the peak of his powers.Trade Review‘Aw’s gripping and strangely moving book has brought us, if not to an understanding, then at least towards some appreciation of the social complexity and steady flow of injustices that have led to this absurd yet terrifying moment’ John Burnside, Guardian ‘Deeply atmospheric, this is a touching and beautifully written novel that questions the whole nature of authority’ Mail on Sunday ‘A political novel in the best sense … a gritty, humane, uncompromising picture of an honest man caught in a corrupt developing country’ Guardian ‘Aw’s tone is never moralizing or trite; he skilfully interweaves the personal and political, leaving no doubt that the two are inseparable, that the forces that act on us privately are refractions of wider powers which need global, rather than individual, action to be changed’ TLS ‘A sort of The Red and the Black of our times, radical and contemporary. We, The Survivors is one of the most beautiful and powerful books I’ve read in years’ Édouard Louis, author of Who Killed My Father ‘This is the tale of poor people—refugees, day laborers—whose lives are ruled by cruel circumstance and extreme poverty, whose struggles end in defeat, who are not meant to survive. What would be abstract in a report is here given burning, lacerated flesh. In the twenty-first century it is our Everyman, alas’ Edmund White, author of The Unpunished Vice ‘Prejudice and the refugee experience are examined in this taut novel set in Malaysia … Aw doesn’t rely on tub-thumping; his achievement is to make a global story personal. When he finally circles back to Ah Hock’s crime, the scene is managed briskly, in keeping with a tale that, however grim, is never solemn or overwrought. It even ends on a gentle note; still, the novel’s horrors can’t easily be pushed out of mind’ Observer

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times bestselling author and much-loved bookclub champion returns to Cornwall with a beautiful, character-driven mystery loosely inspired by du Maurier's Rebecca.Trade Review Utterly captivating and beautifully told. It is clear that not only does Judy, book club champion, know how to spot a compelling novel to read, but also how to write an utterly gorgeous one -- ADELE PARKS * Platinum Magazine *There's nothing not to love about this book with its elegance of storytelling and wonderful setting of Cornwall. I especially loved the reworking of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, one of my all time favourites. -- SUSAN LEWISEvocative, enthralling and full of human insight -- CELIA WALDEN, author of PaydayRoseland is a mysterious, emotional story set in a beautifully-imagined Cornish landscape. At times the writing has a dreamlike quality as we are drawn into the secrets of a family who are haunted by the past and anxious for the future. I was completely invested in the characters and sped through the pages, craving answers, delighting in the family frissons and mounting drama. A captivating read. -- HAZEL PRIOR, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINSHaunting, evocative and simmering with atmosphere, Roseland is a captivating novel about family, love and long-buried secrets. With suspense spun into every page, this epic mystery will transport you effortlessly to the Cornish coast, and keep you absolutely spellbound -- HOLLY MILLER, author of THE SIGHT OF YOU Brimming with secrets, scandal and surprises. A modern twist on Rebecca that will keep readers guessing until the very end. -- MARIANNE CRONIN, author of THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOTI devoured Judy Finnigan's Roseland. A most intriguing tale of revenge and love wrapped in an evocative Cornish setting. and I was completely captured by the intricate web woven between Roseland's cast of sparkling characters. -- AMANDA GEARD, author of THE MIDNIGHT HOUSEI loved this gloriously gripping family drama filled with resentment, vengeance, redemption and love. -- LIZ FENWICKSimmers with secrets. Roseland is a captivating and beautifully told gothic mystery with strong du Maurier vibes. -- VICTORIA SELMAN, author of TRULY, DARKLY, DEEPLYThis well-written story with themes of grief, friendship and motherhood is captivating * CANDIS MAGAZINE *[Roseland], reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, weaves a captivating narrative, exploring haunting legacies and uncertain futures. * YOURS MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisFamily begins with a capital eff.I'm wondering how many more f*cking phases' I have to endure before my children become civilised and functioning members of society? It seems like people have been telling me it's just a phase!' for the last fifteen bloody years. Not sleeping through the night is just a phase.' Potty training and the associated accidents is just a phase'. The tantrums of the terrible twos are just a phase'. The picky eating, the back chat, the obsessions. The toddler refusals to nap, the teenage inability to leave their beds before 1pm without a rocket being put up their arse. The endless singing of Frozen songs, the dabbing, the weeks where apparently making them wear pants was akin to child torture. All just phases!' When do the phases' end though? WHEN?Mummy dreams of a quirky rural cottage with roses around the door and chatty chickens in the garden. Life, as ever, is not going quite as she planned. Paxo, Oxo and Bisto turn out to be highly rambunctious, rather thanTrade Review“God, she’s funny” – Jilly Cooper “Honest and very funny – it’s a tale that mums will identify with” – The Sun “Sims’s latest offering is a hilarious follow-up to her bestselling debut… you’d be forgiven for thinking the blogger behind Peter and Jane couldn’t pull it off twice – but she has” – The Sunday Post “Witty, relevant and bitingly sarcastic… Gill Sims nails the aspects of modern family life that drive us crazy – but which also make us who we are” – Sunday Express Magazine “Many mums will identify with Ellen” – Love It! Magazine

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Book SynopsisNatasha Leonova's beauty saved her life. Discovered on a freezing Moscow street by a Russian billionaire, she has lived for seven years under his protection. Believing his generosity will always keep her safe, Natasha is careful not to dwell on Vladimir's ruthlessness or the deadly circles he moves in. Until she meets Theo Luca. The son of a famous and difficult artist, Theo and his mother own a restaurant filled with his late father's artwork. There, on a warm June evening, Theo first encounters Natasha, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. And there, Vladimir lays eyes on Luca's artwork. Two dangerous obsessions begin. Theo, a gifted artist in his own right, finds himself feverishly painting Natasha's image for weeks after their first meeting. Vladimir, enraged that the paintings are not for sale, is determined to secure one at any price. And Natasha, who knows that she cannot afford to make even one false move, nevertheless begins to think of the freedom sh

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Book SynopsisIt is just after nine o'clock in the morning. Gidza will die in exactly forty-three minutes and thirteen seconds.Rotten Row' is the Criminal Division of Harare, and the courts and the unfortunates who pass through them are the subjects of this mesmerising collection of stories. In these portraits of lives aching for meaning and redemption, Petina Gappah crosses the barriers of class, race, gender and sexual politics in contemporary Zimbabwe, to explore the causes and effects of crime and the nature of justice.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR'Before your mother died, she asked me to tell you something . . .' Amber was three when a car crash stole her mother's life. She doesn't remember the accident, but a stranger at the scene has been unable to forget. Now, almost thirty years later, they're trying to track Amber down. Meanwhile, Amber is married to Ned and living in London. When her father has a stroke, she flies straight home to Australia to be by his side. Away from her husband, Amber finds comfort in her old life and reconnects with Ethan, her charming former best friend who she was once in love with. As Ethan and Amber grow closer, old feelings begin to resurface and married life in London feels far away. But when Amber receives a letter about her mother, everything changes . . .If life gave you a second chance, would you take it?Your favourite authors LOVE PaigeTrade ReviewPraise for Paige Toon ‘You’ll love it, cry buckets and be uplifted’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Tender, heartbreaking and magical’ GIOVANNA FLETCHER ‘Heart-warming, wistful and full of joy’ LINDSEY KELK ‘Poignant and lovely, warm and wise’ MILLY JOHNSON ‘Family secrets, new horizons and a gorgeous continent-crossing romance... prepare to be swept away!’ LUCY DIAMOND ‘Warm, inspiring, like a holiday mood in book form’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ‘For smart, romantic fiction, look no further than the new book from bestselling Paige Toon’ RED ‘Achingly romantic and brilliantly written... Five Stars!’ HEAT ‘Simply gorgeous’ SUN ‘You won’t be able to put down this emotional read’ CLOSER ‘Paige Toon is the queen of will-they/won't-they romance, setting up an ending that will leave you in bits’ SUNDAY EXPRESS ‘Full of living-in-the-moment and what-might-have-been contrasts, this tender read pulls at the heart strings’ FABULOUS

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Book SynopsisFrom two time British Fantasy Award-winning author, Jen Williams, comes the epic conclusion to the Winnowing Flame trilogy. Exhilarating fantasy for fans of Robin Hobb.''One of the best fantasy novels of the year, if not the decade'' James Oswald''A fitting finale, triumphant and bittersweet in all the best ways'' SciFiNow All is chaos. All is confusion. The Jure''lia are weak, but the war is far from over.Ebora was once a glorious city, defended by legendary warriors and celebrated in song. Now refugees from every corner of Sarn seek shelter within its crumbling walls, and the enemy that has poisoned their land won''t lie dormant for long.The deep-rooted connection that Tormalin, Noon and the scholar Vintage share with their Eboran war-beasts has kept them alive so far. But with Tor distracted, and his sister Hestillion hell-bent on bringing ruthless order to the next Jure''lia attack, the people of Sarn neeTrade ReviewOne of the best fantasy novels of the year, if not the decade -- James OswaldWhen a trilogy has a set of characters that you fall in love with so entirely, it can be hard to reach the end and say goodbye. The Poison Song is a fitting finale, triumphant and bittersweet in all the best ways * SciFi Now *I was heartbroken by the ending, and yet the whole series has been utterly magnificent. Jen has created such a wonderful cast of characters for this adventure, I'm sorry to have to leave them now. The whole series has shown such amazing inventiveness, and all at a breakneck pace -- James OswaldA very strong and welcome conclusion to the exceptional Winnowing Flame trilogy... The Poison Song is much more than the sum of its parts. Well paced, tightly written, filled with compelling characters and some rather lovely prose, this final instalment brings it all together very well, making the whole experience rather worthwhile. Jen Williams is a genius, and we can't wait to see what she does next * Starburst *Worry ye not, fantasy fans, because we are in very safe hands here. Jen Williams wrote one of the best fantasy trilogies with her previous "Copper Cat" books, and they were always going to be a tough act to follow, but she's blown all expectations away with a very satisfying conclusion to "The Winnowing Flame" trilogy and set the bar awfully high for whatever she does next * Concatenation *

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Book SynopsisThe new novel from the award-winning writer, Ben Fergusson, author of The Spring of Kasper Meier and The Other Hoffmann Sister.Trade ReviewA compelling story of love and betrayal in the divided Berlin of the 1980s * Sunday Times Best Books of 2019 *A beautifully written, evocative literary thriller set in Berlin shortly before the fall of the Wall * Financial Times Best Books of 2019 *In An Honest Man, Ben Fergusson richly evokes West Berlin in 1989 through his narrator's nineteen-year-old self. Absorption in his own friendships and sexual self-discovery obscures from him his larger community's confusion of hopes and fears, though he is appealingly sensitive to Berlin's natural, geological realities * Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year 2019 *Love and loyalty in Cold War-era Berlin: an outstanding novel * Sunday Times Must Read *The divided Berlin of the Cold War era is brilliantly resurrected on the cusp of momentous change in Ben Fergusson's An Honest Man...the novel movingly recounts Ralf's painful discoveries about love and loyalty * Sunday Times *During the hot summer of 1989, a group of friends mooch about, fall in love, swim and party. All perfectly normal - except this is West Berlin which is still divided by the Wall and awash with spies and paranoia . . . The author won awards for his debut, The Spring of Kasper Meier. This is equally atmospheric and thought-provoking * Daily Mail *A genre-melding mix of coming of age and spy thriller...Fergusson's prose combines a reporter's eye for detail with poetic scene-setting...But the Cold War and greater forces are in play. The party will soon be over and a profound betrayal is about to turn Ralf's world upside down. A fine summer read * Financial Times *Subtle and intense...a morally complex tale...This is a beautifully written and engaging novel that comes from the heart * NB magazine *The stunning, powerful and addictive new novel by the prize-winning author of The Spring of Kasper Meier... * Attitude magazine *A powerful and moving love story by a writer at the top of his game * John Boyne *I quickly found myself hooked. The character of Ralf and his relationships with both his family and friends (particularly Oz) are beautifully drawn. Ralf's journey from innocence to adulthood is fascinating, surprising and poignant as the plot twists and turns and the reader, along with Ralf, has no idea who to trust. It is a compelling story that held me captive until the last page. And thank God it had a proper ending that left me smiling!' * Ruth Hogan *Profoundly moving - a deftly crafted story of love and loss, I believed every word of it * Jake Arnott *Fiercely beautiful, this tender, yet powerfully told story of love and discovery cradles the reader in the most pleasurable way. A lush, unforgettable read * Kate Mayfield, author of The Parentations *I was completely enthralled by the story of Ralf and the complex friendships and family ties that surround him in the last days of the Berlin Wall. Both a literary thriller and a moving love story, An Honest Man magically captures that strange hinterland between childhood and what lies ahead - and it will keep you guessing until the very last page * Sarah Day, author of Mussolini's Island *Ben Fergusson paints a vivid picture of a divided city . . . An Honest Man stays taut and claustrophobic . . . As well as a poignant love story, it's also a gripping, original thriller; a final twist I definitely didn't see coming sets a powerful climax in motion . . . But this is a novel as much about the end of innocence, the limits of ideology and the pain of realising the people we love are far from perfect - in this case very far indeed -- Jeff Robson * The i *Ben Fergusson's compelling story is as sensitive as it is moving. It vividly evokes Berlin in 1989 and perfectly captures the atmosphere and mood of what was then a tragic city. And his characters are all too believable, their flaws and attributes neatly defining the human condition * Daily Express *A love story at its heart, this unsettling and wonderfully atmospheric historical novel, set in West Berlin in 1989 (the year the wall was torn down), sizzle with suspense and intrigue . . . This is a beguiling read, crackling with tension, unease and anticipation, all of which builds slowly like a gathering summer storm * The Lady *

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Book SynopsisStart with Granddaddy Jake Santee, a cantankerous, ninety-nine-year-old coot with a taste for gambling and whiskey; add in Tiny, his gentle giant of an adopted grandson, whose passion for building well-crafted fences on land with no livestock borders on obsessive; then add Fup, a twenty-pound mallard with an iron will and a fondness for hooch and romantic movies. What do you get? You get Fup—a wildly eccentric modern classic that invites you to sit a spell and wet your whistle while it regales you with tales of teaching Fup to fly, the Sunday morning pig hunt, and the Great Checker Showdown of '78. First published in 1983, this hilarious, heartwarming, magical tale has sold over 100,000 copies since its debut. Fup is a contemporary fable that inspires an evangelical fervor in all who read it. As Granddaddy Jake says: &ldqou;It just ain't possible to explain some things, maybe even most things. It's interesting to wonder on them and do some speculation, but the main thing is you have to accept it—take it for what it is, and get on with your getting.” So, get on with your getting and read Fup—it's all it's quacked up to be!

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Book Synopsis"We architects must be idealists. We construct not just individual buildings, but whole cities. We plan cities, and in doing so, change lives." Plastic Emotions is a novel based on the true life story of Minnette de Silva -forgotten feminist icon and the first female Sri Lankan architect. In a gripping, elegant and lyrical story, Shiromi Pinto paints a complex picture of de Silva, charting her affair with infamous Swiss modernist Le Corbusier and her efforts to build a post-independence Sri Lanka that is heading towards political and religious turmoil. Moving between London, Chandigarh, Colombo, Paris and Kandy, at a time of communal violence in Sri Lanka, the rise of the civil war, and troubles with building a brand new city in north India, Plastic Emotions explores the life of a young, trailblazing south Asian woman at a time of great political turbulence across the globe.

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Aspen Literary Prize, 2019Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, 2018Longlisted for Elle's Big Book Award, 2018Evening Standard's Wander List Guide to 2019 Getaways How many lives can one person lead in a single lifetime? When Hero De Vera arrives in America, disowned by her parents in the Philippines, she's already on her third. Her uncle, Pol, who has offered her a fresh start and a place to stay in the Bay Area, knows not to ask about the first and second. And his younger wife, Paz, has learned enough about the might and secrecy of the De Vera family to keep her head down. Only their daughter Roni asks Hero why her hands seem to scream with hurt at the steering wheel of the car she drives to collect her from school, and only Rosalyn, the fierce but open-hearted beautician, has any hope of bringing Hero back from the dead.Trade ReviewBlazingly fearless... Castillo is hugely talented * Observer *Radical... I was startled at how moved I was -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan * Guardian *Critical and compelling * New York Times *This book is it: one of the best debut novels (and novels, period) of recent years * Elle *There is so much to love about this book * The Pool *Epic, soaring, brilliant * Sharlene Teo, author of Ponti *Entrancing and magnificent * NoViolet Bulawayo, author of 'We Need New Names' *A gorgeous saga... Wonderful * Stylist *Beautifully tender, and a powerfully crafted portrayal of intimacy and the rawness of human emotion that will linger with you long after you've finished reading it. * Otegha Uwagba, author of the Sunday Times bestseller 'Little Black Book' *Epic in its scale, sharp-as slam-poetry on the sentence level. Profound and mesmerising. * Meena Kandasamy, author of 'When I Hit You' *An intimate epic about immigrant women's losses, triumphs and desires. A bold, tender debut; its characters thrum with life. * Luiza Sauma, author of 'Flesh and Bone and Water' *Glorious... a sharp, bracing, often hilarious family epic about a young woman tormented by the relentless ghosts of her past while in search of an American Dream that is not always available to those who seek it. * Samantha Irby, New York Times Bestselling author of 'We Are Never Meeting in Real Life' *Wondrous. A nimble, vibrant, deeply moving feat, full of heart, humour and wisdom. * Irenosen Okojie, author of 'Speak Gigantular' *This is the book I didn't know I needed. This unexpected family, this history, this embrace of the sacred and the profane, this easy humour, this deeply felt human-ness, this messy, perfect love story. * Jade Chang, bestselling author of 'Wangs vs the World' *If peaches were the most tender fruit of 2017 thanks to Call Me By Your Name, this year prepare to have your heart melted by a persimmon. * AnOther Magazine *Elaine Castillo's full-throated debut, America is Not the Heart is quite simply one of the best first novels I've ever read. * John Freeman, Lit Hub *A fascinating portrait... Gracefully lyrical * The National *

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Book SynopsisBlood Heir is the first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the conman she must trust to clear her name of murder.Ana has lived her life in safety, hidden behind palace walls, but that wasn't just for her own protection.She is one of the Affinites, people reviled for their magical gifts, which allow them to control the world around them. And Ana, the crown princess of Cyrilia, has an Affinity to blood.After her father's brutal murder, all evidence points to Ana. If she's to have any hope of clearing her name she'll need help. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help her Ramson Quicktongue.A cunning, smooth-talking crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has his own sinister plans though he might have met his match in Ana.Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of them all.Trade Review‘Zhao shines in the fast-paced and vivid combat scenes, which lend a cinematic quality that pulls readers in’NYT Book Review ‘BLOOD HEIR is cinematic storytelling at its best. A stunning new voice in YA, Amélie Wen Zhao has drawn characters who are as complex and captivating as the fantastical world she’s built. Get ready for a retelling like you’ve never seen before’Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP and THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK ‘Sure to keep readers turning pages…Perfect for fans of Amy Tintera or Sarah J. Maas, but readers should prepare for plenty of heartbreak’Booklist ‘[A] pointed exploration into the consequences of exploitation and the defining nature of choices’Publishers Weekly ‘Ana is not the typical damsel in distress’Kirkus ‘So rich and beautifully written, the plot is riveting, and I was utterly taken with the magic system’Mary Watson, author of The Wren Hunt

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Book SynopsisFast-paced and highly topical, Theresia Enzensberger's story depicts a young woman in the throes of life: from brutal conflicts between right and left, to a pair of young lovers leaping into a river at night, almost one hundred years ago.Trade ReviewThis powerful novel tells a story of a time past that feels eerily reflective of the present * Sunday Times *A coming-of-age story about a female Bauhaus student in the 1920s, exploring themes of politics, expectation and ownership of art * Red *Bringing to life the Bauhaus movement (which is now in its 100th year), this book follows student Luise as she starts university in 1920s Germany. Full of dreams, she soon gets caught up in a cult-like spiritual group * Elle *

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Book SynopsisThe story takes place in the suffocating atmosphere of a social housing estate in the south of France. Sixteen-year-old Celine and her sister Jo, fifteen, dream of escaping to somewhere far from their daily routine, far from their surly, alcoholic father and uncaring mother, both struggling to make ends meet. That summer Celine falls pregnant, devastating news that reopens deep family wounds. Those of the mother Severine whose adolescence was destroyed by her early pregnancy and subsequent marriage with Manuel. Those of Manuel, grandson of Spanish immigrants, who takes refuge in alcoholism to escape the open disdain of his in-laws. Faced with Celine's refusal to name the father, Manuel needs a guilty party and Said, a childhood friend of the girls and conveniently Arab, seems to fit the role perfectly. In the suffocating heat of summer Manuel embarks on a drunken mission of revenge. A dark and upsetting account of an ailing society, filled with silent and murderous rage.Trade ReviewGUARDIAN: "There's an appalling, slow-motion car crash inevitability to this concise and beautifully written novel, not only about the disastrous consequences of Manuel's idee fixe, but also about the identity of the real father and the guilt and shame that follow." THE TIMES (London): "Summer of Reckoning is a powerful portrait of disaffected youth, stunted lives and insidious racism. It portrays a Provence that few tourists glimpse and will have its expats wondering just what lies beneath the swimming pool. Marion Brunet reminds us that noir is a French word; that "life's not like a fairytale for silly girls. Life hurts." This is the first of her award-winning books to be translated into English. More, please, au plus vite!" "With raw, chilling and incisive prose, Brunet takes us into a world of sectarian convictions dominated by the hatred of the rich, the bosses, the foreigners and the 'different'." --L'Express "With its intense rage, corrosive boredom and low-life scams, Brunet's South of France is saturated with broken dreams. And the last flickers of childhood are terrifying, proving that, even under the strong sun, social barriers remain implacable."--Paris Match "A story that is dark and luminous at the same time, dark following the slow unravelling of the crime story affecting Celine, and luminous in Joe's conviction that she will escape this sinister world. A novel that leaves you heart-stricken and seduced."--Le Monde "Dramatic tension is evident from the very beginning of this fierce and dark novel, well served by terse, direct and brilliant prose. The characters are strong, seemingly right beside us, nervous, anxious, overworked, and perspiring under the southern sun." -- Le Temps "Impresses with its mastery of rhythm and atmospheres, its acute powers of observation and the power of its writing, fierce, physical, and intense."- Telerama

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Book SynopsisRalph Loman works in an unsatisfying job, for a free London newspaper, when Francine Snaith, a temporary secretary for a corporate finance firm, unexpectedly crosses his path at a party. Her beauty ignites a blaze of excitement in his troubled heart. But Francine is ravenous for attention, driven by a thirst for conquest, and when Ralph tries politely to extricate himself, he finds he is bound by chains of consequence from which it seems there is no escape. The Temporary paints a merciless portrait of the cut and thrust of modern romance, work and life.

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Book SynopsisThe new hilariously funny romance from the bestselling author of SEVEN SUNNY DAYS, perfect for fans of Melissa Hill, Jenny Colgan and Holly Martin''Manby''s novels are made for holidays'' Glamour*****When a mini-break becomes make or break...Kathy Courage has never visited the famous Italian city of Florence before, so she''s thrilled when she and her boyfriend Neil are invited there for a wedding. Unfortunately, with Neil''s constant complaining and his teenage children in tow, it''s not exactly the romantic break Kathy was hoping for.But when a mix-up with her flights leaves Kathy stranded in the city, she decides to embrace the unexpected and stay on alone.What follows is a life-changing few days in the Tuscan sun, as Kathy begins to question the choices that have led her here. With the help of the colourful Innocenti family, who offer Kathy a place to stay, she gTrade ReviewA warm-hearted romance which will keep a smile on your face long after you finish reading * S Magazine *Praise for Chrissie Manby: This sassy and addictive read will make you laugh - a lot! * Closer *I've been a fan of Manby's writing for years and thoroughly enjoyed this * Daily Mail *Perfect, unputdownable summer adventures. -- Jenny ColganManby's novels are made for holidays. * Glamour *Nothing short of brilliant * Marie Clare *A gloriously delicious read! . . . Packed with warm characters and hilarious situations * www.handwrittengirl.com *[This novel] was funny and emotional, it was heartwarming, it was so genuine and realistic and it is a MUST READ this autumn. Highly recommended! * On My Bookshelf *Praise for The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club: This really is such a fabulous read. I dare you not to try and laugh, as I for one couldn't control it! Funny, heart-warming and engaging, The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club is this year's must-read -- By the Letter Book ReviewsThe perfect place to find a recipe for happiness. I adored this hilarious book... [it's] the perfect laugh-out-loud romantic paperback comedy -- I Read NovelsHeartwarming... truly funny -- The BookbagI loved everything about this book, it has a little romance, a little mystery, and great insights into family dynamics but most of all it's hilarious. It's Chrissie Manby at her absolute best and is the funniest book I've read all year -- That Thing She ReadsAn absolute joy to read...a gentle romantic comedy that ticks all of the right boxes. I highly recommend this book when you need a little pick me up. It's a lovely read. -- Brew and Book ReviewsChrissie Manby has cooked up a fine tale...the food is so lovingly described that I felt that I could cook the dishes mentioned -- Cultural WednesdayWhat a wonderfully lighthearted and uplifting novel -- Bloglovin

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Book SynopsisCaroline's Bikini is the tale of a classic love affair; a swirling cocktail of obsession and imagination.The moment that Evan Gordonstone a successful middle-aged financier meets Caroline Beresford a glamorous housewife, hostess and landlady he falls into unrequited love, a story as old as Western literature itself. Evan recounts the tale of his infatuation to his friend Emily, and thus begins a hypnotic series of conversations set against the backdrop of West London bars, fuelled in intensity by endless G&Ts. From the depths of midwinter to July's hot swelter, Evan's retelling of his passion for Caroline will take him to the brink of his own destruction.

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