Contemporary Fiction Books

Book Synopsis''Stylish and raw . . . seizes the reader''s sympathy and does not let go''Anne Enright, Booker Prize-winning author of The GatheringEast Anglia, 1645. Martha Hallybread, a midwife, healer and servant, has lived for more than four decades in her beloved coastal village of Cleftwater. Everyone knows Martha, but no one has ever heard her speak.One Autumn morning, the peaceful atmosphere of Cleftwater is shattered by a sinister arrival and Martha becomes a silent witness to a witch-hunt. As a trusted member of the community, she is enlisted to search the bodies of the accused women. But whilst Martha wants to help her friends, she also harbours a dark secret that could cost her own freedom. In desperation, she revives a wax witching doll that she inherited from her mother, in the hope that it will bring protection. But the doll''s true powers are unknowable, the tide is turning, and time is running out . . .An immersive and deeply movingTrade ReviewA beautiful, haunting and utterly transporting novel that takes the reader back to a terrifyingly real witching England: a paranoid society where women's lives are decided by gossip and grudges. Told from the perspective of a silent woman whose inner voice insistently pulls the reader along, The Witching Tide is atmospheric, moving and lyrical * Naomi Wood, author of MRS HEMINGWAY *I absolutely devoured The Witching Tide. Margaret Meyer evokes the uncanniness, the appalling cruelties of the witch trials in a way that is also thoroughly humane and shining. To read this book is to step inside time, to feel the bite of the sea air, to walk in the grime alongside Martha as she fights the tide of unspeakable cruelty and suspicion. It is a powerful, riveting read, each sentence pristine and haunting, and I can't wait to read what Margaret Meyer writes next * Elizabeth Macneal, author of THE DOLL FACTORY *A timely, visceral novel that hurls the reader into a claustrophobic rural community riddled with suspicion, fear and recrimination. Margaret Meyer expertly creates an atmosphere of creeping dread, where no one is safe, and women find themselves punished for their own misfortunes and those of their erstwhile friends and neighbours * Natalie Haynes, author of A Thousand Ships *A superb writer. The world Margaret Meyer conjures in The Witching Tide is elegant and haunting, utterly beguiling and so convincing of time and place. I was moved and gripped by Martha's plight, captivated by the gleaming details of the prose and horrified at the wider picture they revealed. As with all great historical fiction, The Witching Tide gives voice to the unspoken and brings light to dark places, drawing to the surface those stories that need to be told and need us to listen. I loved it * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters *The Witching Tide is a beautiful, haunting and utterly transporting novel that takes the reader back to a terrifyingly real witching England: a paranoiac society where women's lives are decided by gossip and grudges. Told from the perspective of a silent woman whose inner voice insistently pulls the reader along, The Witching Tide is atmospheric, moving and lyrical * Naomi Wood, author of Mrs Hemingway *Both thematically and in the power of its storytelling, The Witching Tide puts me in mind of the very best of Hilary Mantel. But this is very much its own thing - a stunning novel * Nicholas Pearson, Hilary Mantel’s long-time editor *One of this year's notable debuts * Daily Mail *Bewitching . . . one to watch * Evening Standard *Utterly haunting and entirely riveting; this is an unflinching account of the horrors of witch trials, told in a mesmerising voice from an extraordinarily talented author. It sent shivers down my spine and brought me to tears * Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne *The Witching Tide casts a spell that carries readers back to 17th century days of actual witch hunts, when fearmongers spread rumour and false accusations to wield power over women. In bewitching language, Margaret Meyer paints a portrait of a brave midwife determined to outwit the zealots who threaten her, and defeat a contagion of hysteria and violence * Kate Manning, author of Gilded Mountain *The Witching Tide is one of those rare novels that pulled me in and wouldn't let go. With diamond-cut prose, Meyer makes 17th century witch hunts feel vivid, new, and highly relevant to the current moment. The chaos, the twisted logic made me wonder if it was possible these historical events actually happened; the essential truths of human nature as seen in these characters made me worry they could happen again * Mary Beth Keane, author of The Half Moon *Bleak, beautiful and enraging, it's a haunting story of persecution and the abuse of power * Daily Mail *Admirably effective in thrusting readers into the midst of a community split by the accusation that it harbours witches * Sunday Times *Mesmerising and beautiful -- Daily MirrorA visceral, atmospheric addition to the witch genre * Good Housekeeping *An emotional and intensely immersive reading experience . . . haunting, harrowing and unflinching * Lancashire Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE ACTION-PACKED THRILLER THAT FUSES BRAWN AND BRAINS''A Bond-style thriller for the 21st century. . . Written with pace and great panache, it feels like a movie already'' Daily Mail''Brilliant. Incredibly immersive'' Tom Marcus_______''People sleep peacefully only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf . . .''For twenty years Leo Black was in the SAS. Now he lectures on violence instead of committing it, putting his soldiering days behind him in pursuit of a respectful academic life.But when a former comrade in arms is killed trying to prevent a scientist''s abduction, Black is faced with an unexpected choice.Be the upright citizen the university demands . . .Or avenge the dead man to whom he owes his life._______''This intelligent thriller is his best work yet'' Sun''A fast-paced global thriller''Trade ReviewThis intelligent thriller is his best work yet * The Sun *This is an ideal piece of escapism. I heartily recommend it * Shots Magazine *A Bond-style thriller for the 21st century. . . Written with pace and great panache, it feels like a movie already * The Daily Mail *Hall probes how a real-life Jack Reacher figure might cope with years of taking lives for the greater good, and Black's inner conflict gives the firefights and betrayals erupting around him unusual depth * The Times *A fast-paced global thriller * Mail on Sunday *Matthew Hall has crafted an action thriller with more texture than most * The Times *Praise for Matthew Hall * - *Breathlessly enjoyable * The Times *An edge-of-the-seat thriller . . . should come with a health warning * Irish Independent *Fasten your seatbelts for a quality thriller . . . * Independent on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDISCOVER THE ENCHANTING EPIC THAT WILL TRANSPORT YOU TO OTHER WORLDS . . .''AN INSTANT CLASSIC'' GUARDIAN''BEWITCHING'' THE TIMES''MIND-BLOWING'' LAINI TAYLOR''ASTOUNDING'' FRANCIS SPUFFORD''GORGEOUSLY WRITTEN'' DEBORAH HARKNESS_______Taryn Cornick barely remembers the family library. Since her sister was murdered, she''s forgotten so much.Now it''s all coming back. The fire. The thief. The scroll box. People are asking questions about the library. Questions that might relate to her sister''s murder.And something called The Absolute Book.A book in which secrets are written - and which everyone believes only she can find. They insist Taryn be the hunter. But she knows the truth.She is the hunted . . .The Absolute Book is a tale of sisters, ancient blood, a forgotten library, murder, revenge and a book that might just have the answer to eTrade ReviewAn INSTANT CLASSIC, a work to rank alongside other modern masterpieces of fantasy such as Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series or Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Everything fantasy should be: original, magical, well read, compelling * Guardian *Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, THE ABSOLUTE BOOK has something for everyone: the search for a mysterious book, talking ravens, police detectives and academics, gods and demons, a giant saltwater crocodile, the bucolic English countryside and magical gates to hidden worlds. Here is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful -- Deborah Harkness * author of A Discovery of Witches *An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book -- Francis SpuffordGripping and hugely ambitious, the broad narrative flood sweeps us on to an extraordinary conclusion * Daily Mail *Gorgeous. The payoffs and reveals are mind-blowing -- Laini Taylor * author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone *A marvellous argument for stories. There are Norse gods, references to Merlin, a tour through purgatory and a strange parallel world where magic is real and humans are bit players in the clash of supernatural realms. Bewitching * The Times *A magical book; doors between worlds; talking birds, vicious fairies and a trip to Purgatory. Stuffed with literary allusion and mythic echoes from the Norse legends to Alan Garner, straddling dimensions and hopping genres with ease, this is a one-of-a-kind fantasy novel that's worth getting lost in * Guardian, 50 Hottest Books *Epic, imaginative and exquisitely written, this is a feat of fantastical world-building * Daily Express *Reminded me of how I felt reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell or His Dark Materials - this is a masterpiece -- Dan Kois * Slate *A triumph. Book where the best hearts meet the best minds meet the best imaginations are few and far between -- Pip AdamAn enchanting weaving together of mythologies and a meeting of worlds, all bound up with the power of stories and the fate of the ultimate book. Far-reaching and profound, this is a novel to lose yourself in -- Alison Littlewood * bestselling author of A Cold Season and The Hidden People *Every page is a declaration of love for story, for literature, for libraries -- Maria McMillanSavour and absorb the world Knox conjures * Sunday Times *An ambitious, gripping, and multifaceted [novel], animated by a sharp imagination * SFX *A murder, a mysterious library and something called the Absolute Book feature in this fantastical new outing * The Times *A book about books, a psychological crime novel, a romance, a portal fantasy, a technothriller, a historical fantasy, and an allegory - this melding of modes and mixing of genres, this surfeit of stories, is The Absolute Book's greatest strength. Accomplished, exuberant, generous, original . . . readers will have few regrets -- Matthew Keeley * Tor.com *A tour de force. Ursula Le Guin would have loved this book -- Jane StaffordThe power is in the skill and pace of Knox's storytelling, the perfect spinning of the intricate plot, the sharp dialogue and luminous evocation of place -- Charlotte GrimshawA bibliophile's daydream * Scotland on Sunday *A propulsive parallel-worlds fantasy epic about the power of stories and storytelling * Guardian, 'What to look forward to this year' *Contains multitudes, spanning the geographies of Canada, Britain and New Zealand; the cosmologies of fairies, demons and angels; and the genres of thriller, domestic realism and epic fantasy. Reading the book is like holding folds of shot silk to the light, finding green flash in something that looks purple, and appreciating how thoughtfully the warp and weft embrace each other. I'm in awe of it * New York Times Review of Books *A mind-blowing optical illusion of a novel. This grand ode to Story itself is one that begs for a reread * Booklist *Full of intrigue, mystery, magic, and history, this is a fascinating read that is hard to put down * Buzzfeed *If you love a little supernatural magic and mystery, you will love this clever blend of myth, religion, folklore and reality, as the story draws the reader into the realm of faerie and demon, immersing us in a fantasy world where bliss can be found * Living Edge *One of those books which will never let you go. A beautiful, fantastic, ride that travels from one end of the earth to the other and beyond, Knox takes you on a journey that will amaze and astound you . . . The Absolute Book takes readers on a journey they won't soon forget. Fantastic and wondrous, it is a delight and will leave readers wistful for a world as magical as the one she's created * Blogcritics *Epic and exquisitely written, this is a feat of fantastical world-building * Sunday Express *The dream for any book lover - a story about the importance of stories and all the ways we pass them on * Foyles *Where better to get lost than a mighty, make-believe kingdom reminiscent of Swift * i *Enchanting . . . Knox hits the mark * Herald *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn unforgettable novel of mothers and daughters, wives and muses, secrets and outright lies ‘Freud is a modern literary rarity: a born storyteller’ THE TIMES 'Such a powerful book' RICHARD CURTIS 'Delivers an emotional punch that left me in tears' RACHEL JOYCE 'Utterly compelling' HANNAH ROTHSCHILD 'I couldn't love it more' POLLY SAMSON 'I loved this book' AMANDA CRAIG 'Completely, inspiringly wonderful' BARBARA TRAPIDO 'Breathtakingly beautiful' JULIET NICOLSON AN EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF 2021 Rosaleen is still a teenager, in the early Sixties, when she meets the famous sculptor Felix Lichtman. Felix is dangerous, bohemian, everything she dreamed of in the cold nights at her Catholic boarding school. And at first their life together is glitteringly romantic – drinking in Soho, journeying to Marseilles. But it’s not long before Rosaleen finds herself fearfully, unexpectedly alone. Desperate, she seeks help from the only source she knows, the local priest, and is directed across the sea to Ireland on a journey that will seal her fate. Kate lives in Nineties London, stumbling through her unhappy marriage. But something has begun to stir in her. Close to breaking point, she sets off on a journey of her own, not knowing what she hopes to find. Aoife sits at her husband’s bedside as he lies dying, and tells him the story of their marriage. But there is a crucial part of the story missing and time is running out. Aoife needs to know: what became of Rosaleen? Spanning three generations of women, I Couldn’t Love You More is an unforgettable novel about love, motherhood, secrets and betrayal – and how only the truth can set us free. Trade ReviewFreud’s book unpicks the promise of liberation - who enjoys it, who pays the price ...The sharp intimacy of the writing is ... full of compassion and a profound decency * SUNDAY TIMES *I devoured it in two sittings, hungrily and impatient for more ... A loving tale of motherhood through the ages while taking in how badly women have been treated simply for being women. You will weep with happiness and sadness -- EMMA BARNETTHits that tricky sweet spot between commercial and literary fiction … Freud’s darting, impressionistic prose is full of riches * THE TIMES *Heart-breaking … Shrewd yet tender, stirring as well as harrowing, it’s a tragic saga that nonetheless keeps the door ajar for redemption * DAILY MAIL *A tender portrait of three women carrying trauma, pain and the emotional weight of their respective relationships … Freud’s prose is bridled and poignant … Devastating * IRISH EXAMINER *I Couldn't Love You More is completely, inspiringly wonderful. I read it non-stop through the night, finding myself simultaneously uplifted and wrung out by the emotional power of the story and by its ambitious social and historical range. It couldn't be better -- BARBARA TRAPIDOThis is such a powerful book - it unravels a deep tragedy in three miraculously entwined stories, in three different times, mothers and daughters linked by sorrow and love. It’s a gently told story of harsh, harsh events - a mystery story of separation and sorrow that is finally resolved with truth and warmth, but with no punches pulled. It’s a book about shame and the evil men do, but also about strength and the possibility of salvation in the face of one of the great scandals of the last century -- RICHARD CURTISThis exquisite family saga reads as a love letter between four generations of women. Everything is here; family ghosts, the bond between mothers and daughters, cruelty, endurance, the difficulty of love, and a faith in the possibility of healing - even after years of separation. This tender, elegant book delivers an emotional punch that left me in tears -- RACHEL JOYCEA new Esther Freud novel is always such a treat and I couldn’t love this one more -- POLLY SAMSONBeautiful, moving, wonderful ... Let me be the first (but not the last) to say I couldn’t love it more -- SAM BAKERA memorable read with some lessons to be learned * SUNDAY INDEPENDENT *A beautiful and quietly powerful novel of cruelty, humanity and love * BUSINESS POST *In this fascinating novel, Freud interweaves the stories of a daughter, mother and grandmother to show how past hurts and dreams drip down through generations. The women's characters and circumstances are beautifully evoked as are their struggles not to be defined by men or convention. Freud knits their plights together to create an utterly readable and compelling narrative -- HANNAH ROTHSCHILDFreud is a consummate novelist. Her research is always thorough (in this one intensely imagined and vividly observed), her characters alive … her story page-turning, complex and emotionally satisfying * SPECTATOR *I love this book. It feels like the novel Esther Freud has been waiting to write her whole life. The tenderness of the mother-daughter bond, the cruelties and prejudice of old Ireland, the vitality of 1960s London all beautifully realised -- AMANDA CRAIGI hugely enjoyed it. She is such a compelling writer, so good at evoking atmosphere -- LYNN BARBERA breathtakingly beautiful book, a story of absolutely vivid originality but also one that addresses those fundamental complexities that ripple through human life, transcendent of time and of place and repeated through generations at whatever age -- JULIET NICOLSONI loved it. I loved its ambition and the dexterity with which it was done, it’s poignancy and truth. I hope it does brilliantly -- ELIZABETH BUCHANFreud is a modern literary rarity: a born storyteller, poetic but never overwrought; thoughtful but never showy * THE TIMES *As close to a perfect novel as anything I've read in a long time -- ANN PATCHETTFull of pitch-perfect observation, spiced with wry humour * OBSERVER *You know how it is when a writer draws into a place and you begin to feel it is more substantial than the one around you? That is how this book was for me. I truly loved it -- RACHEL JOYCEIn a culture which dins with brashness and self-advertisement, attending to Esther Freud's still, truthful voice becomes not only a pleasure but a necessity -- JONATHAN COEA highly talented writer * INDEPENDENT *A superbly gifted writer ... Freud creates relationships so fraught and delicate that at times the characters can hardly bear to examine them ... She explores them with a dazzling clarity that reveals her true, writer's calling * NEW YORK TIMES *A consummate novelist ... Intensely imagined and vividly observed ... Page-turning, complex and emotionally satisfying * SPECTATOR *Every bit as much as a whodunnit or a thriller, but with no genre clichés or conventions to obey, just the emotional logic of the book. Which is heart-rending and devastating and wonderful and uniquely gripping. And on the micro level, the quality of the writing - the words, the sentences - is flawlessly good -- HARRY RITCHIEA powerful meditation on love and betrayal, motherhood, human vulnerability and resilience, secrets, disappointment and loss * LADY *Freud takes a kaleidoscopic approach to storytelling, shifting time frames and points of view ... Freud brings empathy to the story, her own mother having escaped this fate -- Bridie Pritchard * The i *

Read more less

Book Synopsis* AN OBSERVER BEST NEW NOVELIST FOR 2024 * ‘A spellbinding achievement’ FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Poignant and often painfully comic’ OBSERVER ‘I gasped, laughed, and wept my way through it’ KHALED HOSSEINI ‘Hugely impressive’ NEW EUROPEAN ‘Novels like this might help light the way’ GUARDIAN Tbilisi’s littered with memories that await me like landmines. The dearly departed voices I silenced long ago have come back without my permission. The situation calls for someone with a plan. I didn’t even bring toothpaste. Saba’s father is missing, and the trail leads back to Tbilisi, Georgia. It’s been two decades since Irakli fled his war-torn homeland with two young sons, now grown men. Two decades since he saw their mother, who stayed so they could escape. At long last, Tbilisi has lured him home. But when Irakli’s phone calls stop, a mystery begins... Arriving in the city as escaped zoo animals prowl the streets, Saba picks up the trail of clues: strange graffiti, bewildering messages transmitted through the radio, pages from his father’s unpublished manuscript scattered like breadcrumbs. As the voices of those left behind pull at the edges of his world, Saba will discover that all roads lead back to the past, and to secrets swallowed up by the great forests of Georgia. In a winding pursuit through the magic and mystery of returning to a lost homeland, Hard by a Great Forest is a rare, searching tale of home, memory and sacrifice – of one family’s mission to rescue one another, and put the past to rest.Trade ReviewA compelling novel about war, family separation and ambivalent homecoming, its tale of sacrifice, guilt and betrayal is propelled by dark mysteries and offset by glorious shafts of humour ...Novels such as this might help light the way * Guardian *A family story in an unfamiliar setting, the journey affords us glimpses of Georgian history, swearing, wine, eyebrows and mordant humour ... An intriguing treasure hunt, self-consciously picaresque and peppered with references to magic, myths and miraclesA captivating star-burst of a novel ... An all-consuming, deeply affecting story of family, memory, courage, perseverance, and brutality, leavened with a little magic and a touch of madness ... I urge you to read it * Country & Townhouse *The stakes could barely be higher in Leo Vardiashvili’s propulsive page-turner Hard by a Great Forest ... Taking its title from a line in a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Vardiashvili’s sprawling narrative, part comic, part tragic, abounds in mysteries, monsters, magic and terrors. It’s a spellbinding achievement * Financial Times *War trumps most things, Leo Vardiashvili observes early on in his poignant and often painfully comic novel about the effect of violence and conflict on those who must live through them * Observer, 10 Best New Novelists for 2024 *It is a testament to Vardiashvili’s writing that he converts the grief and yearning of the forcibly displaced into such a pacy and frequently funny novel ... Vardiashvili’s hugely impressive debut might be about a place that many of us will not know well but its themes are representative of the wider story of our era ... In this wise, moving and instructive book Vardiashvili, with extraordinary maturity and lightness of touch, cuts through the deafening white noise of sloganeering arguments to present the intimate lives of traumatised people doing their best * New European *Vardiashvili has captured the winking, world-weary humor and magic-realist touches that mark a lot of literature from Europe’s war-torn corners ... Like the voices on the radio, people can keep speaking out their dreams of rescue. And the book persuades you that sometimes, a form of it might arrive * Los Angeles Times *This powerful debut draws on the legacy of the war in Georgia in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union ... A fairytale tone allows Vardiashvili to creep up on his theme of survivor’s guilt * Mail on Sunday *Hard by a Great Forest has the offbeat lucidity of a waking dream ... a novel that indeed resembles a walk through a dark forest, Vardiashvili’s imaginative powers render his timely subject matter at once strange, disorientating and – occasionally – even magical * Daily Mail *A stupendous debut, by turns nerve-shredding, heart-rending and hilarious * Saga *Vardiashvili pushes the story on at pace as Saba searches for clues in the colourful enclaves of Georgia ... This debut is a heartfelt, lively story * i (Press Association) *This debut novel captures both the long scars of collective trauma and the indomitable spirit of those determined to remember and survive * Oprah Daily, Most Anticipated Books of 2024 *A sensitive exploration of grief, memory, loss and the immigrant experience woven seamlessly into a propulsive narrative * Perspective magazine *Rich with irony and animated with astonishing humanity, this tale of a young Georgian refugee’s odyssey into his birthplace to rescue family left my heart bruised and battered and aching for more -- Khaled HosseiniA wildly charming debut – propulsive, funny, and profound -- Elif BatumanAstonishingly crafted with history, candour, beauty, grief and just a little magic. A book like no other, from an imagination like no other. Vardiashvili has written a triumph -- Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize winning author of LESS IS LOSTThis novel blows open the heart of the past. It's a mystery, it's a picaresque, it's a comedy, and it's an authentic song of belonging and unbelonging ... By turns political and philosophical, it introduces a fine new voice in contemporary fiction -- Colum McCannPropulsive, profoundly moving and rich with humour and heartbreak, Hard by a Great Forest mesmerised me from the very first page. Inspired by Vardiashvili's own family story, this novel will capture your heart -- Jean KwokA sweeping, ambitious, and almost unbelievably assured debut. Exploring the long shadow of trauma cast by any war, Vardiashvili’s novel pummels the reader with an emotional force that few can match * Booklist (starred review) *Hard By A Great Forest movingly evokes the complicated feelings of trying to recapture and redefine what home looks and feels like * Bookreporter *Lushly haunted debut * Shelf Awareness *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA remarkably accomplished, polished debut. - Malorie Blackman.'You can't stop birds from flying, can you, Sameer? They go where they will...' 1960s UGANDA. Hasan is struggling to run his family business following the sudden death of his wife. Just as he begins to see a way forward, a new regime seizes power, and a wave of rising prejudice threatens to sweep away everything he has built.Present-day LONDON. Sameer, a young high-flying lawyer, senses an emptiness in what he thought was the life of his dreams. Called back to his family home by an unexpected tragedy, Sameer begins to find the missing pieces of himself not in his future plans, but in a past he never knew.Trade ReviewRightfully tipped for greatness. * Sunday Times *Unflinchingly honest but tempered by its humanity, this is a novel for our times... * iPaper *An extremely readable and fascinating dual narrative about the expulsion of East African Ugandans under Idi Amin in the 70s and the journey taken by Sameer, born in modern day Leicester, to understand his familial legacy. * Pandora Sykes *[A] sprawling and epic dual narrative, spoke of her lived experience, but that which she'd seldom seen in the books she read: a story of cross-generational divides, and being both Black and South Asian ... It's woven together with gentle urgency; sensitive and with a rare perspective on how our mixed race backgrounds can help form feelings of both internal power and conflict.' * i-D Magazine *The issues and subjects it takes on are big ... All are explored with great intelligence and sensitivity ... Zayyan's writing finds the lightness and fluency of a much more experienced novelist ... It is an epic novel in terms of historical, geographic, and cultural scope. It has much to recommend it: the tone, the structure, the ambition, and the clarity that enables the story to cover so much ground without ever becoming confused or lost during its 360-pages. * BBC News *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom Elly Griffiths, bestselling crime author writing under her own name, comes a heart-warming tale of family rivalry and long-held secrets. Steeped in local Italian colour, it reveals a family at their worst - and best .'Witty and light as a tiramisu but with tart insight on sibling rivalry' Nottingham Evening PostGaby, the youngest of the de Angelis sisters, always knew she was her father Enzo's favourite; so when Enzo dies on the day her own daughter is born, her life is turned upside down. In the emotional aftermath of the funeral, it emerges that her father has asked that his ashes be taken back to his native city, Rome. Suddenly, Gaby and her new family are thrown headlong into the wider de Angelis clan with all of their conflicting ideas and opinions. As the family journeys to Rome to say a final goodbye to Enzo, emotions run high; but none higher than Gaby's, as she comes face to face with the man she once thought she would marry.

Read more less

Book SynopsisJohn Manuel Arias is a queer, Costa Rican American poet and writer. He has lived in Washington, DC; Brooklyn, New York; and in San José, Costa Rica, with his grandmother and four ghosts. Where There Was Fire is his first novel.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''This is just a delight! The lovable characters and Ruby''s charming and thrilling stories make this a book truly enjoyable and heartwarming read.'' - Amazon reviewer, 5****Everyone knows Ruby Devereaux's books. But no one knows her story... until now.From a teenager in wartime England to a veteran of modern-day London via 1950's New York, the Swinging Sixties, Cold War Berlin, Venice and Vietnam Ruby Devereaux has lived one hell of a life: parties, scandals and conflict zones, meeting men and adventure along the way. In a writing career spanning seven decades and more than twenty books, she's distilled everything into her work. Or has she?Now beyond her 90th year, Ruby's energy is ebbing and her beloved typewriter put away. Until a call from her publisher presents Ruby with an ultimatum, and the impetus to embark on one last book warts and all, as she says. Even in her dotage, Ruby M Devereaux has the power to surprise, becau

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf he suddenly found what surrounded him unbearable, it was because it was artificialEverything had been designed and manufactured, and he was trapped in itPhilip Notman, an acclaimed historian, attends a conference in Bergen, Norway. On his return to London, and to his wife and son, something unexpected and inexplicable happens to him, and he is unable to settle back into his normal life.Seeking answers, he flies to Cadiz to see Inés, a Spanish academic with whom he shared a connection at the conference, but his journey doesn''t end there. A chance encounter with a wealthy, elderly couple sends him to a house on the south coast of Crete. Is he thinking of leaving his wife, whom he claims he still loves, or is he trying to change a reality that has become impossible to bear? Is he on a quest for a simpler and more authenticexistence, or is he utterly self-deluded?As he tries to make sense of both his personal circumstances and the world

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping high-stakes thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, from Number One Bestselling author Kathy Reichs. EVEN ON AN ISLAND PARADISE, DANGER STILL LURKS Called in to examine what is left of a body struck by lightning, Tempe traces an unusual tattoo to its source and is soon embroiled in a much larger case. Young men – tourists – have been disappearing on the islands of Turks and Caicos for years. Seven years ago, the first victim was found with both hands cut off; the other visitors vanished without a trace. But recently, tantalizing leads have emerged and only Tempe can unravel them. Maddeningly, the victims seem to have nothing in common – other than the unusual locations where their bodies are eventually found, and the fact that the young men all seem to be the least likely to be involved in foul play. Do these attacks have something to do with the islands’ seething culture of gang violen

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Fizzing with fun, warmth, humour and wisdom, the perfect summer read!'' VERONICA HENRY''Compassionate and wise'' ERICA JAMES''Loved it. I couldn''t put it down!'' LUCY KENNEDY''Wise and sparkling and a perfect summer read!'' FAITH HOGAN''Full of Cathy''s trademark warmth, wit and wisdom'' RACHEL HORE''Wise, witty and absolutely wonderful'' MILLY JOHNSON Four sisters. Decades of secrets. One week they''ll never forget...For the first time in years, the beautiful Robicheaux sisters are returning to their childhood home. Decades after they first met, their parents are getting married again - to each other, in a week''s time!Indy is used to high-stress situations in her job as a midwife - but she knows that keeping the peace in her family of big personalities is a different matter entirely...Eden is on the brink of political success and a surpri

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of Quicksand, a brilliant, gut-wrenching story of childhood friends torn apart by gang violence and class differences. Dogge is from affluent Rönnviken in Stockholm. Billy lives in the concrete towers of Våringe, a few hundred yards across a highway but a world apart. They met as six-year-olds at Rönnviken’s playground and have been unlikely best friends ever since. From the outside, Dogge looks privileged: he lives in a large home and there is plenty of money—at first. But his parents are addicts whose negligence becomes a form of abuse. Meanwhile, Billy’s family are poor first-generation immigrants unable to escape the no-go zone where they live. But their cramped apartment is nonetheless a bastion of love. When gangs tighten their grip on Våringe, a ruthless small-time boss seeks recruits and both Dogge and Billy become runners by the time they’re twel

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Incredibly tender'' Marian Keyes''A total triumph'' Nina Stibbe''Beautiful, moving and so funny and well-observed'' Philippa PerryIt is summer on Magnolia Road when Juliet moves into her late mother''s house with her husband Liam and their young son, Charlie. Preoccupied by guilt, grief and the juggle of working motherhood, she can''t imagine finding time to get to know the neighbouring families, let alone fitting in with them. But for Liam, a writer, the morning coffees and after-school gatherings soon reveal the secret struggles, fears and rivalries playing out behind closed doors - all of which are going straight into his new novel . . .Juliet tries to bury her unease and leave Liam to forge these new friendships. But when the rupture of a marriage sends ripples through the group, painful home truths are brought to light. And then, one sun-drenched afternoon at a party, a single moment changes everything.The fiction debut fro

Read more less

Book Synopsis_____________________________* A BBC TWO BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK FOR 2023 ** WINNER OF THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 2024 *A shimmering slice of Trinidadian gothic' THE TIMESAn astonishing novel' BERNARDINE EVARISTODeeply impressive ' HILARY MANTELThe music was still playing when Dalton Changoor vanished into thin air... On a hill overlooking Bell Village sits the Changoor farm, where Dalton and Marlee Changoor live in luxury unrecognisable to those who reside in the farm's shadow. Down below is the barrack, a ramshackle building of wood and tin, divided into rooms occupied by whole families. Among these families are the Saroops Hans, Shweta, and their son, Krishna, who live hard lives of backbreaking work, grinding poverty and devotion to faith.When Dalton Changoor goes missing and Marlee's safety is compromised, farmhand Hans is lured by the

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe breathtaking new novel from the author of The Silent Treatment - for fans of Jojo Moyes, Joanna Cannon and Ruth Jones. 'A remarkable tale of love and loss and finding something different' KATIE FFORDE'Tender and intriguing, this page-turning story of loss and longing will twist your heart' RACHEL HORE'Mary and Jim's story will draw you in, keep you guessing and stir up every available emotion. A truly enthralling, moving read - I loved it' HOLLY MILLER_____________Mary O'Connor has been keeping a vigil for her first love for the past seven years. Every evening without fail, Mary arrives at Ealing Broadway station and sets herself up among the commuters. In her hands Mary holds a sign which bears the words: 'Come Home Jim.'Call her mad, call her a nuisance, call her a drain on society - Mary isn't going anywhere. That is, until an unexpected call turns her world on its head. In spite of all her efforts, Mary can no longer find the strength to hold herself together. She must fi

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Don''t miss Granny McCreedy''s brand-new adventure in Gone with the Penguins - available to pre-order now!**From the bestselling author of Richard & Judy''s pick Away with the Penguins comes this ''otterly'' delightful, heart-warming and feel-good story about the healing power of nature.''A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!'' Sally Page, bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories''This book was just amazing. It made me laugh and cry!'' *****''There is so much to love and treasure in this story'' *****''This book was a delight from start to finish!'' *****''Glorious dose of otter cuteness'' *****You loved Veronica McCreedy. Now meet Phoebe Featherstone . . ._____Down by the river, Phoebe Featherstone is about to make a life-changing discovery . . .Clever, nosy Phoebe is unable to get out much, but she has a talent for uncovering her neighbours'' se

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Fast moving and frothing with the fun kind of female fury'' JO BRANDWHEN THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU, IT''S TIME TO GET EVEN.Matilda, Jo, Penny and Cressy are all women at the top of their game; so imagine their surprise when they start to be personally overlooked and professionally pushed aside by less-qualified men. Only they''re not going down without a fight.Society might think the women have passed their amuse-by dates but the Revenge Club have other plans.After all, why go to bed angry when you could stay up and plot diabolical retribution? Let the games begin...PRAISE FOR KATHY LETTE:''Deliciously rude and darkly funny'' Nicole Kidman''Unputdownable'' Stephen Fry''The thinking lady''s hornbag'' Kath and Kim

Read more less

Book Synopsis*DON''T MISS OUT - STUNNING LIMITED FIRST EDITION WITH JIGSAW PIECE CUT-OUT AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!*THE INSTANT TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!''Utterly beautiful. I adored it'' JOANNA CANNON''Hugely uplifting and wonderful'' AJ PEARCE''Truly heartwarming'' THE TIMESSometimes finding your place in the world is the greatest puzzle of all...Clayton Stumper is an enigma.He might be twenty-five years old, but he dresses like your grandad and drinks sherry like your aunt.Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by the sharpest minds in the British Isles and finds himself amongst the last survivors of a fading institution. When the esteemed crossword compiler, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle to him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentag

Read more less

Book SynopsisA stunning new edition of the fourth novel in the bestselling Bone Season series with gorgeous new cover artwork and updated text, by the bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.Paige Mahoney has eluded death again. Snatched from the jaws of captivity and sent to a safe house in the Scion Citadel of Paris, she finds herself caught between factions that seek Scion's downfall and those who would kill to protect the puppet empire.The mysterious Domino Programme has plans for Paige, but she has ambitions of her own in this new citadel. With Arcturus Mesarthim at her side, she embarks on an adventure that will lead her from the catacombs of Paris to the glittering hallways of Versailles. As Scion widens its bounds and the free world trembles in its shadow, Paige strives to understand her bond with Arcturus, which grows stronger by the day. But just as the revolution began with them it could end with them too...

Read more less

Book SynopsisA stunning new edition of the third novel in the bestselling Bone Season series with gorgeous new cover artwork and updated text, by the bestselling author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.Following a fierce battle for the Rose Crown, Paige Mahoney has risen to the dangerous position of Underqueen, ruling over the clairvoyant syndicate of London. But with vengeful enemies still at large, the task of stabilising the fractured underworld has never seemed so challenging. As Paige rallies her army of criminals, she continues to meet in secret with her former enemy, Arcturus Mesarthim. Should they be discovered, the fragile alliance with the Ranthen will fail. But all bets are off when Scion introduces Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for clairvoyants. Now Paige must race against the clock to stop her reign from ending in blood.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere''s no such thing as the perfect murder. From the global No. 1 bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix drama Stay Close comes the unputdownable new Sunday Times bestselling Myron Bolitar thriller.''He never disappoints'' STEPHEN KING''Witty, tense, sharp, and paced like a racecar, this one hums'' GREGG HURWITZ''Had me hooked'' COSMOPOLITAN''Another gripping tale from the modern master of the impossible plot twist'' SUN''Deliciously complicated and compelling at every turn'' DAILY MAIL''Just as twisty as you would expect'' TELEGRAPHThis tense thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.' Woman Magazine, Best Books_________________How can a man who's already dead be wanted for murder?This is the question sports agent Myron Bolitar asks himself when two FBI agents visit him in New York.The man they are looking for is Myron's former client and rival, Greg Downing. Greg's DNA has been found at the scene of a high-profile double murder, and he is now the FBI's main suspect.But Greg died three years previously, Myron says. He went to his funeral and gave the eulogy.The FBI are disbelieving, and Myron knows he has to find some answers and quickly.Could Greg Downing still be alive?The more Myron and his close friend Win dig into what really happened, the more dangerous their world becomes . . .Secrets, lies and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past lie at the heart of Harlan Coben's blistering new thriller._________________Readers love Think Twice . . .''Great writing. Great dialogue''''Harlan Coben does it again!''''Highly recommend''''Loved, loved, loved''''The best one yet''_________________''HARLAN COBEN never ever lets you down'' LEE CHILD''HARLAN COBEN: simply one of the all-time greats'' GILLIAN FLYNN''HARLAN COBEN is the modern master of the hook and twist'' DAN BROWN''HARLAN COBEN is unbelievably brilliant'' RICHARD OSMAN''HARLAN COBEN is a GREAT writer'' JOHN GRISHAMHarlan Coben, Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024Think Twice was a top 5 Sunday Times bestseller 26/05/2024

Read more less

Book Synopsis**A BOOK OF 2023 IN IRISH TIMES, RTÉ GUIDE AND SUNDAY INDEPENDENT**An unforgettable and sweeping interwar love story, from the Costa-shortlisted and bestselling Irish author of Life Sentences''Gorgeous'' SARA BAUME''His most ambitious work to date'' JOHN BANVILLE''A beautiful, layered novel'' ELAINE FEENEY1980s Cork. Jack Shine discovers a shoe box full of love letters in his mother''s belongings. Rebekah came to Cork alone as a young Jewish refugee from Vienna when the Second World War broke out. She died soon after, and Jack never learned of his father''s identity. Why did she keep newspaper clippings about a famous footballer player? Who was ''The Paper Man''?As Jack uncovers his mother''s life, he is transported to 1930s Vienna, a bustling city on the brink of war. At the heart of the action is Matthias Sindelar, one of the most famous footballers in the world, known as ''The P

Read more less

Book Synopsis ***Out now: David Nicholls''s new novel YOU ARE HERE*** THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLER, NOW A MAJOR NETFLIX SERIES ''A wonderful, wonderful book'' THE TIMES ''Perfect'' NEW YORK TIMES ''A modern classic'' DAILY MIRROR ''You''d be hard pressed to find a sharper, sweeter romantic comedy'' INDEPENDENT ''Big, absorbing, smart, fantastically readable'' NICK HORNBYTWENTY YEARS, TWO PEOPLE, ONE DAY 15th July 1988. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows?ONE OF BRITAIN''S MOST ACCLAIMED WRITERS ''One of the most astute chroniclers of England as it is now'' FINANCIAL TIMESTrade ReviewOne Day is destined to be a modern classic * Daily Mirror *Big, absorbing, smart, fantastically readable -- Nick HornbyA wonderful, wonderful book * The Times *I finished it last night and I'm still quite wobbly and affected by it. It was BRILLIANT . . . the jealousy nearly made me puke. I wish I'd written this book -- Marian KeyesA genuine tear-jerker as well as laugh-out-loud funny -- Books of the Year * Independent on Sunday *This perfectly executed novel is a reminder that reading can be the finest entertainment there is * Guardian *The book I go back to time and time again is One Day by David Nicholls. I read it every couple of years. It's perfect -- Dolly Alderton, author of GHOSTSA modern classic * Prime *One of the most tear-jerking novels ever written * YOU Magazine *I couldn't think of anyone who wouldn't love this book -- Simon Mayo Books Panel, BBC Radio Five LiveRe-reading One Day by David Nicholls is another version of putting on a Nora Ephron movie. It never gets old because the pleasure and comfort is in the language and the observations and the characters -- Maggie Shipstead, author of GREAT CIRCLEOne Day changed my life -- Pandora Sykes, author of HOW DO WE KNOW WE'RE DOING IT RIGHTCaptivating * Hello *You'd be hard pressed to find a sharper, sweeter romantic comedy * Independent *David Nicholls portrays the bittersweet experience of being a young man so brilliantly * iNews *A total treat . . . by turns bittersweet, funny, touching and sad, but always Nicholls's wonderfully observant and wry touch shines through. A way-we-live-now parable about relationships, disappointments, friendship and expectations; a novel utterly comfortable in its own skin -- Kate Mosse * The Times *An off-kilter romantic comedy with charm to spare * Harper's Bazaar *It's rare to find a novel which ranges over the recent past with such authority, and even rarer to find one in which the two leading characters are drawn with such solidity, such painful fidelity to real life that you really do put the book down with the hallucinatory feeling that they've become as well known to you as your closest friends -- Jonathan Coe, Books of the Year * Guardian *Nicholls has a gimlet eye for period detail . . . A beguiling read * Observer *A totally brilliant book about the heartbreaking gap between the way we were and the way we are . . . the best weird love story since The Time Traveller's Wife. Every reader will fall in love with it. And every writer will wish they had written it -- Tony Parsons, author of THE PEOPLE NEXT DOORWho doesn't relish a love story with the right amount of heart-melting romance, disappointment, regret, and huge doses of disenchantment about growing up and growing old between quarrelling meant-to-be lovers? -- Top 10 Summer Books * Elle *As a study of what we once were and what we can become, it's masterfully realised * Esquire *A brilliantly funny and moving will-they, won't-they romance tracing a relationship on the same day each day for two decades * Heat *With a nod to When Harry Met Sally, this funny, emotionally engaging third novel from David Nicholls traces the unlikely relationship between Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew . . . Told with toe-curlingly accurate insight and touching observation * Daily Mail *Nicholls captures superbly the ennui of post graduation . . . The writing is almost faultless, there's a great feeling for the period and it's eminently readable * Herald *Nicholls has a gift for zeitgeist description and emotional empathy that's wholly his own . . . [A] light but surprisingly deep romance so thoroughly satisfying * Entertainment Weekly *David Nicholls's One Day needs a special mention for its perfect encapsulation of Edinburgh's university experience. The novel takes place mostly in London but its two main characters meet as students here and almost - but not quite - fall for each other. Therein lies the tale * New York Times *A pleasingly collaborative reading experience * Financial Times *The funniest, loveliest book I've read in ages. Most of all it is horribly, cringingly, absolutely 100% honest and true to life: I lived every page -- Jenny Colgan, author of DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME?The ultimate zeitgeist love story for anyone who ever wanted someone they couldn't have -- Adele Parks, author of ONE LAST SECRETWarm-hearted, funny, endearing * Sydney Morning Herald *Page by page, the funniest book of the year * Uncut *Perfect for the beach or summer in the city * In Style *A delicious love story * Sunday Herald *A smart comedy, packed with the mistakes, mismatches and meandering conversations that make up real life * Marie Claire *A modern fairy tale, slickly put together. A gifted story-teller with lots of technical savvy * Scottish Review of Books *A compulsive read you'll want to devour in one sitting * Woman *A cross between Jonathan Coe and Nick Hornby, this is romantic, sharp and very English * Scotsman *Nicholls' unmatchable gift for dialogue and romantic plotting * Evening Standard *An unputdownable romance for the 21st century * She *

Read more less

Book Synopsis ''Next to impossible to put down . . . exciting, mysterious, and totally satisfying.'' STEPHEN KING *****The islands of Prospera lie in a vast ocean: in splendid isolation from the rest of humanity, or whatever remains of it. . .Surrounded by sun, and sea, and stars, their world is perfect. But every paradise comes at a price.When the truth behind theirs is revealed, it will end a way of life, and start a revolution that will change the course of humanity itself.And it will all begin with one person hearing these simple words:The world is not the world...*****PRAISE FOR THE FERRYMAN:''A mind-bending novel full of big ideas and a rollercoaster''s worth of twists and turns - so powerful and thrilling!'' ANDY WEIR, author of The Martian''All of my sky-high expectations were smashed... Fiction doesn''t get better than this.''<

Read more less

Book SynopsisA daring group of women risk it all in this irresistible heist drama. ''Delightfully mischievous'' THE TIMES ''A rip-roaring tale of revenge'' DAILY MAIL''Flawless, lawless fun'' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE---------- UPSTAIRS, MADAM IS PLANNING THE PARTY OF THE SEASON. All eyes are on the grandest house in Mayfair as the countdown to their lavish summer ball begins. Everything must be perfect. But with the chandeliers gleaming and the cellars stocked, loyal housekeeper Mrs King is suddenly dismissed. DOWNSTAIRS, THE SERVANTS ARE PLOTTING THE HEIST OF THE CENTURY. As the clock strikes twelve on the night of the ball, Mrs King will return to strip the house of its riches - right under the nose of her former employer. And she knows just who to recruit to pull off the impossible: a bold alliance of women with nothing left to lose and every reason for revenge.***READER

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnn Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV's Vera, BBC One's Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set.

Read more less

Book SynopsisColm Tóibín was born in Ireland in 1955. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Master, Brooklyn, and The Magician, and two collections of stories. He has been three times shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2021, he was awarded the David Cohen Prize for Literature. Tóibín was appointed the Laureate for Irish Fiction for 2022-2024. Long Island is his eleventh novel.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Many astute observations about loneliness [and] class attitudes... very funny on the tedium of office life.'' Irish Independent''Joyful, tender, and strangely relatable . . . With sharp, playful prose, Veldman tells a story in equal parts searing intelligence and madcap sweetness. Simply brilliant.'' Jenny MustardThis is a story of girl meets printer. A customer service assistant spends her long workdays printing letters. Her one friend is the printer and, in the dark confines of her office, she begins to open up to him, talking about her fears, her past, her hopes and dreams.To her, it seems like a beautiful friendship is blossoming. To her boss, it seems like she''s losing her mind.Diagnosed with burnout and placed on leave, she faces severance and worse separation from her beloved printer. But she''s not about to give up on her only friend without a fight. And, it turns out, neither is heWei

Read more less

Book SynopsisFeaturing a brand new introduction from bestselling author, Isabelle Broom, talking about what Jackie and her books mean to her!  ‘Here is a woman who not only wanted to entertain her readers, but also to teach them something; about the world and about themselves’ ISABELLE BROOM'Jackie Collins’s daring, unapologetic stroke of the pen, combined with her glorious wit, has single-handedly given creative license to new generations of authors and storytellers.' COLLEEN HOOVERAmerican Star is a compelling story of love, sex and murder, set against the glamorous backgrounds of New York and Hollywood. There have been many imitators, but only ever one Jackie Collins.  With millions of her books sold around the world, and thirty-one New York Times bestsellers, she is one of the world’s top-selling novelists. From glamorous Beverly Hills bedrooms to Hollywood

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the beloved New York Times bestselling author of the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery and the enduring magic of books. Sixteen-year-old Ivy is pregnant and alone. Cast out by her family, she runs away and finds safety in the arms of Joel Davis. He offers a simpler life than the one she had in Boston, a quiet, rural life of rules, peace and community. Little does she realise, Joel is the charismatic leader of a cult known as the Community, and all is not quite as it seems.   Daughter Mia has only known the claustrophobic life of the Community. While out serving the Community one weekend, she secretly commits a transgression – reading. Discovering a world beyond the edges of the Community’s property is intoxicating. But breaking rules carries serious consequences, and sends Mia on a path she could never have imagined.   With two fiercely wonde

Read more less

Book Synopsis''You like it darker? Fine, so do I'', writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life - both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King writes to feel ''the exhilaration of leaving ordinary day-to-day life behind'', and in You Like it Darker, readers will feel that exhilaration too, again and again. ''Two Talented Bastids'' explores the long-hidden secret of how the eponymous gentlemen got their skills. In ''Danny Coughlin''s Bad Dream'', a brief and unprecedented psychic flash upends dozens of lives, Danny''s most catastrophically. In ''Rattlesnakes'', a sequel to Cujo, a grieving widower travels to Florida for respite and instead receives

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICKTHE PANDORA BOOK CLUB PICKA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA hottest book for THE TIMES, DAILY MAIL, THE INDEPENDENT, VOGUE, STYLIST, TIME MAGAZINE, EVENING STANDARD, THE I and THE IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY.''It''s impossible not to be moved'' Stephen King, New York Times ''Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching...I was so invested in the future of this mother and son, and I can''t wait to hear what you think of this deeply suspenseful story!'' Reese Witherspoon (Reese''s Book Club October ''22 Pick)From the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes one of the most anticipated books of the year - the inspiring new novel about a mother''s unbreakable love in a world consumed by fear.Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving but broken father, a former linguist who now shelves books in Harvard''s library. He knows Trade ReviewA stunning story of injustice and resistance...Lyrical, intricate, unsparing: this novel will break your heart and fire up your courage * Mail on Sunday *A lyrical and touching testimony to maternal love, it's also a salutary reminder of how easily freedoms can be lost and of the power of words to change lives * Daily Mail *One of the biggest books of the year...deeply moving * Stylist *Beautifully stirring and heart-wrenching, this powerful novel from the author of Little Fires Everywhere is a homage to love and will tug at your heartstrings * Heat, Book of the Month *A beautiful, thoughtful book...Brilliant and moving * Hello magazine *Ng's compelling writing paints a picture of a world so real you can almost touch it. Despite the darkness of the story, the love of a family stands out. * Independent *[A] feat of meaty storytelling...Ng effortlessly combines a character-led family story with a detective tale, a tribute to books and storytelling and a confrontation with history...a story that is exceptionally powerful and scaldingly relevant * Observer *Remarkable and deeply moving... as moving as it is gripping. [Ng] is an astute writer...her writing feels gorgeously supple * The i *Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching...I was so invested in the future of this mother and son, and I can't wait to hear what you think of this deeply suspenseful story! * Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club October ’22 Pick) *On another level, Our Missing Hearts is a meditation on the sometimes accidental power of words... I won't give away the splendid conclusion of Ng's book; suffice it to say the climax deals with the power of words, the power of stories and the persistence of memory. It's impossible not to be moved by Margaret Miu's courage, or to applaud her craftiness * Stephen King, New York Times *Powerful and brilliant * Vogue *Thought-provoking... My heart broke and was remade several times over by this book * Good Housekeeping *Ng, whose previous novels subtly probed tensions surrounding race,class, and gender, boldly tacklesanti-Asian racism head-on * Time magazine, 100 Must-Read Books of 2022 *Shot through with vivid color and rising hope, an unflinching yet life-affirming drama about the power of art and love to push back in dangerous times...Ng's brilliance lies in leaving the reader with an unshakable belief that against all odds, people will find the courage to resist, revolt, and defend . . . remarkable * Oprah Daily *[Ng] has really hit her authorial stride in her eagerly anticipated third novel, Our Missing Hearts... It's her masterful weaving huge themes of race, class, privilege and identity with the simplicity of everyday lives that has made her a deserved international phenomenon * Daily Mirror *Ng's third novel is eagerly awaited and does not disappoint...Our Missing Hearts deftly weaves together a coming-of-age story with a threatening vision of a heavily censored future * Daily Express *Little Fires Everywhere became a global phenomenon and now author Celeste Ng is back with another gripping tale * Irish Mail on Sunday *Tense, poignant and chilling * Grazia *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDISCOVER YOUR BOOK OF THE SUMMER FROM TASHA GHOURI, LOVE ISLAND STAR AND DISABILITY CAMPAIGNER! Cassie needs a change.She's in a job she hates, dating a guy who couldn't care less about her, and secretly dreaming of making her dance ambitions a reality. But that's all they are, dreams. Because no way could she actually do it . . . right? But then an opportunity to dance on tour with a global superstar presents itself and Cassie decides to give it a shot. Jetting off for a hot summer in Ibiza, her dreams seem closer than ever, and so does real love. Levi, the guy she keeps bumping into, sees and uplifts her in a way no one else ever has. If only Cassie could believe in herself like he does, she might find that life hits different when you learn to love yourself first . . . A sizzling summer romance from Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and Lizzie Huxley-Jones, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and T

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Living with him was like living at the centre of the universe. It was electrifying and humbling, blissful and destructive, all at the same time.''Paris, 1936. When Dora Maar, a talented French photographer, painter and poet, is introduced to Pablo Picasso, she is mesmerized by his dark and intense stare. Drawn to his volcanic creativity, it isn''t long before she embarks on a passionate relationship with the Spanish artist that sometimes includes sadism and masochism, and ultimately pushes her to the edge.The Paris Muse is the fictionalized retelling of this disturbing love story, as we follow Dora on her journey of self-discovery and expression. Set in Paris and the French Riviera, where Dora and Pablo spent their holidays with their glamorous artist friends, it provides a fascinating insight into how Picasso was a genius who side-stepped the rules in his human relationships as he did in his art. Much to Dora''s torment, he refused to divorce his wif

Read more less

Book SynopsisA smart, savage and hilarious debut exploring love, sexuality, purpose and the delicious absurdities of online lifeFor fans of Patricia Lockwood and Alexandra Tanner A tale of internet longing and obsession that leads to self-discovery' OurCulture________________________________________________Elsa is struggling. Her formative, exhilarating relationship with an older couple has abruptly ended, leaving her depressed and directionless in her childhood bedroom. In the relationship's wake, Elsa scrolls aimlessly through the internet in search of meaning.Faithfully, her screen provides a new obsession: a charismatic young actor whose latest feature is a gay love story that illuminates Elsa's crisis. And then, as if she had conjured him, the actor arrives in her hometown, with an entourage of fellow actors, writers, and directors, for the annual theatre festival. When she is hired at the one upscale restaurant in town, Elsa finds he

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSuspicious goings-on at a retirement home lead to an intriguing investigation in Date with Malice, the second cosy crime novel in Julia Chapman's Dales Detective series. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club and M.C. Beaton.'A Yorkshire Agatha Raisin' – DalesmanIt’s dark in the Dales this winter . . .When Mrs Shepherd arrives at the Dales Detective Agency, quite convinced that someone is trying to kill her, Samson O’Brien dismisses her fears as the ramblings of a confused elderly lady. But, after a series of disturbing incidents at Fellside Court retirement home, he begins to wonder if there is something to her claims after all . . .With Christmas around the corner, Samson is thrown into a complex investigation – one that will require him to regain the trust of the Dales community. Faced with no choice, he enlists the help of a local: the tempestuous DeliTrade ReviewBags of Yorkshire charm and wit * The Northern Echo *A Yorkshire Agatha Raisin * The Dalesman *This second in the Dales Detective Series has Chapman well into her stride. With her eye for detail, we feel the chill of a Yorkshire deep midwinter, while taking comfort from the warmth of a close-knit community * Daily Mail *Chapman delivers on every level in this intriguing murder mystery . . . a big helping of recognizable small-town life, a suitably menacing air of malevolence, an undercurrent of suspense, lashings of Yorkshire wit and a seductively simmering relationship between handsome Sansom and the delightful Delilah * Lancashire Evening Post *Great fun * Carol Drinkwater *An engaging cast of characters and a cleverly clued puzzle move Chapman’s debut to the top of the English village murder list * Kirkus *As village murder mysteries go, this clever, witty and realistic series is quite out of the ordinary and strongly recommended * Crime Review *A classic whodunnit featuring two very likeable characters . . . A satisfying read riddled with dry Yorkshire humour (and dry-stone walls) -- Cath Staincliffe, author of Blue MurderNicely told and rather charming, so it should give traditionalists hours of innocent delight * Literary Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA special edition of Jane Austen’s elegant novel of family, society and manners with illustrations by Hugh Thomson and bonus material by Jane Austen expert Sophie Reynolds.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter a Dance is the compiled collection of short stories from acclaimed writer Bridget O''Connor, with an exclusive preface from the author''s daughter, Constance Straughan.''These are some of the wildest, arresting, just plain brilliant short stories I''ve read in a long time.'' - Roddy Doyle, author of The Woman Who Walked Into DoorsBridget O''Connor was one of the great short story writers of her generation. She had a voice that was viscerally funny and an eye for both the glaring reality and the absurdity of the everyday.In After A Dance, we meet a selection of O''Connor''s most memorable characters often living on the margin of their own lives: from the anonymous thief set on an unusual prize to the hungover best man clinging to what he''s lost, to the unrepentant gold-digger who always comes out on top. From unravelling narcissists to melancholy romantics all human life is here - at its best and at its delightful worsTrade ReviewTo call [these stories] characterful is to undersell these Technicolor prose screams, these screeching narrative sprints, this filthy feast of stories. Think Irvine Welsh meets Edna O’Brien . . . pure, delicious naughty fun. * The Times *These are some of the wildest, arresting, just plain brilliant short stories I've read in a long time. -- Roddy DoyleA storytelling genius before her time * The Irish Times *Wickedly funny, stylishly written, I relished each and every one of these stories * Patrick McCable *Every O’Connor story is a performance, a live fight with time and decay, disgust and the human body. She wrote intensely from her time and place; to read her now is to be catapulted back to 1990s London. Yet the voice, the themes are more relevant than ever. No wonder she was so preoccupied with temporality: she was before her time. -- Martina Evans * The Irish Times *'[Bridget O'Connor] was an incredible short story writer . . . hilarious, tragic, shuddering -- Laura Hackett * The Times *'Mostly brief, sometimes brutal, always funny . . . a master of the [short story]. The results are both vivacious and vicious. But even at their most painful, they sing * The Herald *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo rivals. One holiday. A trip they will never forget.''This book is really one of the best books I''ve read this year. This is a masterpiece! I loved it.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''This was the perfect summer read! It was a quick read and I absolutely loved the enemies to friends to lovers storyline.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Jo Watson never disappoints. This is yet another hilarious book, but with a serious note that makes us think about our finitude and how we should live our best lives.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Gosh, this was one hilarious book. I felt like I hadn''t laughed like this for so long. Margaret & Jagger''s banter was to die for.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''If you are looking for a book by the pool this is

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''Just so incredibly sweet that it reaches into your soul . . . Thank you, MZ, for sharing such an incredible gift'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''There is nothing Mariana will put out that I wouldn''t put on a pedestal. Ahhhhh. This book was so good I don''t want it to end. I swooned. I cried. I laughed. And I enjoyed every bit of it'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''As always Mariana brings us a story that we can get lost in . . . we have amazing characters . . . a second chance romance . . . the slow burn as always . . . but so much banter and emotional you cant help but know you are in a Zapata book!'' &

Read more less

Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss Ruby''s story in Dear Aaron! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''I swooned, I laughed and I loved!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Zapata''s books get better each time I read one!!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''OMG I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars I absolutely LOVED this story'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Sweet, funny and adorable'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Wow! I couldn''t put this book down, yet I never wanted it to end . . . This really is a truly fantastic friends to lovers book, you MUST read it!!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''So well written and uplifting! Definite

Read more less

Book Synopsis⭐ THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ⭐''Finlay Donovan is irresistible!'' JANET EVANOVICH''I adore everything about it . . . the perfect blend of mystery and romcom'' ALI HAZELWOODFinlay Donovan is ready to bite the bullet. She''s done with her accidental life of crime.But first, there''s the small matter of her debt to the Russian mob.Her task should be simple: locate a rogue hitman before the cops do. The catch? This killer might be a cop himself. From inside the citizens'' police academy, run by distractingly hot Detective Nicholas Anthony, Finlay needs to sleuth out her target - and some fresh ideas for her new crime novel. Can she get to her edits and the hitman in time? She''ll give it her best shot.With more dating, diapers and dodging bullets, the third book in the hilarious, irresistibly lovable Finlay Donovan series is perfect for fans of Dial A for AunTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE FINLAY DONOVAN SERIES: Fresh, heartfelt and witty . . . relatable heroine Finlay Donovan is irresistible! -- Janet EvanovichThis series is magical! The premise is absolutely brilliant, the writing is tight, sharp, hilarious, and heartfelt. I'm in awe of Elle Cosimano. Every book lover in the world should be reading Finlay Donovan -- Christina LaurenIt would be next to impossible to find another author who writes stories that are as thrilling as they are hilarious. By now, I love Finlay Donovan so much I would 100% hide a dead body for her -- Jesse Q. SutantoFunny and smart, twisty and surprising - Finlay Donovan is a character to root for -- Megan MirandaCosimano skillfully combines suspense and laughs in the manner of Janet Evanovich's early (and best) novels, finished off with a metafictional twist * New York Times *The best kind of escapist fiction . . . laugh out loud funny -- Julie ClarkHired guns, the Russian mob, and a love triangle for the ages? Yes, please! . . . clever, dark, and laugh-out-loud funny. I'm a fan for life -- Heather GudenkaufThe Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight. Like her creation, Elle Cosimano knocks 'em dead -- Gwenda BondFinlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine - I adore her -- Sophie CousensFunny, fast-paced . . . part rom-com, part mystery, pure joy! -- Chantel GuertinA delightfully fun surprise . . . bright and hilarious * PopSugar *Clever, perfectly plotted, and laugh out loud funny -- Wendy WalkerRead in a single night, applauding along the way. For anyone who's ever wished to turn her life around, Finlay Donovan is the master. * Lisa Gardner *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSisters Ellie and Meg Christie share a love of books, reading, and the Book Chalet - their family''s historic bookshop tucked midway up a scenic Colorado mountain. But romance? That''s another story.So when their cousin signs them up for her newest business venture - matchmaking based on bookish tastes - the sisters approach their blind double dates with foot-dragging dread. And while Ellie''s date meets her low expectations, Meg''s match, a book-loving romantic straight out of classic literature, is a charming surprise . . .. . . until he turns up murdered the next morning. As the last known person to have seen the victim alive, Meg becomes a prime suspect in his death and soon the sisters must sift through secrets deeper than the February snowfall and once again summon their inner Miss Marple to sleuth out the truth before it''s too late.The Christie sisters are back and this time they''re flirting with cold-hearted crime when bo

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A MIRACULOUS NOVEL'' MEGHA MAJUMDAR ''PLAYFUL AND PROFOUND . . . USING WRY HUMOUR TO DELIVER A DEAD SERIOUS MESSAGE'' MELISSA FU''A BONKERS STORY THAT READS LIKE A FINE TEN-COURSE MEAL'' GARY SHTEYNGARTA young cinephile leaves his rural village in India with big dreams, only to find himself trapped in menial jobs and forced to work off a debt he may never repay. In a small farming village in Punjab, India, a boy crouches over his brother''s phone in a rapeseed field watching clips of Godard''s Bande à part on YouTube. His name is Happy Singh Soni and when he''s not sleeping among the cabbages and eating sugary rotis, Happy dreams of becoming an actor, one who plays the melancholy roles; the sad, pretty boys, rare in Indian cinema. He plans a clandestine journey to Europe, where he''ll finally land a breakout role. After a nightmarish passage to Italy, Happy still manages to find relief in food and fantasyTrade ReviewPlayful, funny, and wildly free, Happy inhabits the seam between beauty and tragedy. A miraculous novel. -- MEGHA MAJUMDAR, author of A BurningA bonkers story that reads like a fine ten-course meal. -- GARY SHTEYNGART, author of Our Country FriendsWith an innovative form that is simultaneously playful and profound, Celina Baljeet Basra's HAPPY is outstanding! From the first to the final pages, I was completely charmed by Happy and his crew as they made their treacherous journey towards dreams of a better life. Using wry humour to deliver a dead serious message with laser-sharp lightness, Basra gives depth and definition to the unjust and inhumane conditions facing many migrants and undocumented workers. Read this book. -- MELISSA FU, author of Peach Blossom SpringRevealed in short snippets of imagined dialogue and interspersed with the perspectives of other characters and even inanimate objects, Happy's view of the world starts off as quirky and charming, but gains increasing pathos as the divide between his starry-eyed hopes and his increasingly hopeless reality grows. Happy's singular voice echoes long after the close to this striking story. * Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *First-time novelist Basra delivers a damning indictment of capitalism, a system that swallows the global poor whole and spits out wasted humans. At the same time, Basra maintains a light touch; the novel wears its burdens with good humor. -- Poornima Apte * Booklist (Starred Review) *Happy presents: his world. A fragmented, kaleidoscopic whiz in-keeping with his dreamy, ever-optimistic outlook. Hardships are presented starkly but with humour, the worst of which we are spared in the moment by his glancing away, taking refuge in his own fantasies of superstardom. Immigration, drug abuse, gentrification, racism and death, Happy lives them fully until the book's surprising denoument. A fantastic little gem of a book. -- CHIKODILI EMELUMADU, author of Dazzling

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming story about the choices we make and the love we let into our lives . . .''Jill Shalvis'' books are funny, warm, charming and unforgettable'' RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author''Shalvis hits the perfect blend of sweet and spicy'' Publishers Weekly____________________The perfect family can be the one that you choose . . . Luna Wright is many things, but sweet and trusting aren''t on the list. However, she is a sucker for an underdog story. Adopted at birth, she''s created her own makeshift family to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm. With a farm-to-table café and a menagerie of rescued animals - complete with a mischievous baby goat - it''s the best home she''s ever known. But when the farm''s grumpy owner Silas passes away, Luna discovers that it''s now

Read more less