Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisTHE DELICIOUSLY TWISTY THRILLER FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REESE''S BOOK CLUB PICK WE WERE NEVER HERE''The best kind of up-all-night page-turner'' LUCY FOLEY''A twisty and seductive thriller'' NITA PROSE''A compulsive, easy, fun summer read'' Daily Mail__________Kelly''s engagement has fallen apart - and she needs to get away . . .So when old school friend Sabrina and husband Nathan offer a room in their luxurious mansion, Kelly seizes it.At first, Sabrina and Nathan give her much-needed space.But as the three grow ever closer, Kelly finds herselfwillingly, thrillingly, crossing lines.Until she discovers she''s not their first guest.Another woman had the spare room before her.And she disappeared without trace . . .What happened to the woman before?Why won''t Sabrina and Nathan talk about her?And what do thTrade ReviewA compulsive, easy, fun summer read * Daily Mail *A story that is equal parts steamy and thrilling, it will leave you guessing about what the couple's motives really are * Glamour US *The novel is delightfully salacious and rampant with suspense and sex, and there's a reason why Bartz is known as a hitmaker in the field * SHONDALAND *Andrea Bartz has returned to deliver. This suspense story set in a Virginia mansion features some eyebrow-raising twists, especially when protagonist Kelly finds herself charmed by her hosts-and welcomed into their bed * ELLE *A fresh and sexy ride, perfect for reading poolside * PEOPLE *Bartz always brings a healthy portion of social satire and incisive observation to her thrillers * CRIMEREADS *An enticing, twisty, and seductive thriller about obsession, desire, and revenge * NITA PROSE, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE MAID *Bartz's latest showstopper kept me up all night turning pages. Propulsive and sexy, The Spare Room left me gasping for air as I followed its main character into the fiery heart of a dark, complicated romance. Kelly Doyle must contend not only with two new lovers, but her own expectations surrounding relationships and sexuality. This is one visit you won't want to end * ANA REYES, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE HOUSE IN THE PINES *I love a story where a woman throws convention to the wind and has to deal with messy consequences, and The Spare Room does it brilliantly. I never knew what would happen next! This book offers a delicious mix of romance and mystery that I couldn't get enough of * MARIE RUTKOSKI, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of REAL EASY *With its dazzling prose, fascinating dynamics between characters, and dark, twisty plot, The Spare Room has all the trademarks of an Andrea Bartz novel - while being her sexiest and most exciting book yet. I couldn't stop turning the pages. Some of these scenes will be seared into my brain forever * MEGAN COLLINS, author of THE FAMILY PLOT, BEHIND THE RED DOOR and THE WINTER SISTER *Rife with tension, taut desire, and jaw-dropping twists, The Spare Room lures us into a moneyed world as gothic as it is glamorous, where the difference between romantic dreams - and murderous nightmares - quickly becomes impossible to decipher. . . . A sensuous, spine-tingling thriller that's impossible to put down! * LEAH KONEN, author of THE PERFECT ESCAPE, YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME and ALL THE BROKEN PEOPLE *

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Book SynopsisFallen Heir, the fourth in the #1 New York Times bestselling TikTok sensation The Royals series It''s time to fight for what they want - each other.Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn''t have to.Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She''s the one girl who''s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can''t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.Hartley doesn''t want him. She says he needs to grow up. She might be right.Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton''s life, wearing a Royal crown isn''t enough. When you start high, do you fall harder?

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Book SynopsisThe TikTok sensation Cracked Kingdom, book five and the last in the #1 New York Times bestselling The Royals series.A whirlwind romance. An unforgettable tragedy. Two teenagers face their cruelest test yet. Ever since Hartley Wright met Easton Royal, her life hasn''t been the same. There are enemies behind every corner and dangers beyond each door. When tragedy strikes and steals her memories, she can''t trust anyone, not even the blue-eyed boy who promises her that everything will be all right.Because while Hartley''s memory is full of gaps, her instincts tell her Easton is dangerous. She doesn''t know if he''s the snake in the garden or her chance at salvation. The chaos he brings wherever he goes is too much to handle, the intense feelings he evokes are too confusing to unravel.Easton wants her to remember. Hartley thinks it''s better to forget.Tragedy. Treachery. Trust. Hartley has to face the facts - in this world, you can''t escape the Royals. Either you live by their rules or you die by them.

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Book SynopsisShe''s written off more than she can chew... Romance author Sophie Lyon''s secret just went viral: she''s never been in love. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer''s block: reunite with her exes to learn why she''s never fallen in love. Luckily, Sophie''s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose - a former teen heartthrob with his own complicated history - has social media all figured out and is willing to help. As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals anything they''ve ever known. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships. So, she suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely this won''t cause any trouble...

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Book SynopsisGet ready for small towns stirred by mystery and desire in The Eden series, heart-pumping fifth story . . .Lyla Eden has spent the last few years sitting on the sidelines, watching her siblings fall in love. Meanwhile, she''s married to her job. It''s on her hundredth consecutive workday that her sister stages an intervention, kicking Lyla out of her own coffee shop. With nothing else to do, Lyla sets out on her favorite hiking trail.It''s there that she spots a man washing blood from his hands in a stream. One moment she''s staring at the jagged scar on his face. The next, his hand is around her throat. But by some miracle, he lets her go.Shaken to her core, Lyla reports the incident to the local police. Two days later, Vance Sutter arrives in town, armed with endless questions and a tarnished badge.Vance may be ruggedly handsome but he''s as mysterious as the man he''s hunting. And he''ll be gone from Quinc

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Book SynopsisA chilling geopolitical thriller and real-world cautionary tale presenting a dark yet very possible future of war between the US and China from two former military officers and award-winning authors THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A rippingly good read' Wired______________12 March 2034.In the South China Sea, US Navy Commodore Sarah Hunt is conducting routine freedom of navigation patrol while US Marine aviator Major Chris Wedge' Mitchell tests a new stealth technology near Iranian airspace.By the end of the day, Wedge will be an Iranian prisoner, and Hunt's destroyer will lie at the bottom of the ocean.And a new, terrifying era will be at hand.So begins a disturbingly plausible novel, co-authored by an award-winning novelist and decorated Marine veteran and the former commander of NATO, a legendary admiral.Everything in 2034 is an imaginative extrapolation from present-day fTrade ReviewIf you’re looking for a compelling beach read this summer, I recommend the novel 2034 -- Thomas L. Friedman * The New York Times *This crisply written and well-paced book reads like an all-caps warning for a world shackled to the machines we carry in our pockets and place on our laps, while only vaguely understanding how the information stored in and shared by those devices can be exploited. * The Washington Post *Consider this another vaccine against disaster. Fortunately, this dose won't cause a temporary fever—and it happens to be a rippingly good read. Turns out that even cautionary tales can be exciting, when the future we’re most excited about is the one where they never come true * Wired *There is conflict and catastrophe on a large scale, and it unfolds, as major conflicts tend to, with surprising twists and turns . . . This is not a pessimistic book about America’s potential, but the picture of the world it paints before the central conflict will be a difficult one for many to accept, albeit one well supported by facts * Wall Street Journal *I could not stop reading 2034. With sharply drawn, vibrant characters caught in an all too plausible future conflict, the novel left me fascinated, moved, thrilled and, ultimately, haunted -- Phil Klay, author of MissionariesAn unnerving and fascinating tale of a future . . . The book serves as a cautionary tale to our leaders and national security officials, while also speaking to a modern truth about arrogance and our lack of strategic foresight . . . The novel is an enjoyable and swiftly paced but important read * The Hill *Utterly engrossing . . . [2034] is incredibly well-written, deeply thought-provoking, and it makes for uncomfortable and sober reading—in the best of ways...Elliot Ackerman is one of the finest writers to come out of this generation of military veterans and officers -- Joshua Huminski * Diplomatic Courier *A frightening look at how a major-power showdown might race out of control. . . . This compelling thriller should be required reading for our national leaders and translated into Mandarin * Kirkus *Those seeking a realistic look at how a future world war might play out will be rewarded * Publishers Weekly *Chilling yet compulsively readable work of speculative fiction . . . Ackerman and Stavridis have created a brilliantly executed geopolitical tale that is impossible to put down and that serves as a dire, all-too-plausible warning that recent events could have catastrophic consequences * Booklist *War with China is the most dangerous scenario facing us and the world. Absent a strategic method to manage our differences, Jim Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman’s chilling novel presents a realistic series of miscalculations leading to the worst consequences. A sobering, cautionary tale for our time -- Jim Mattis, General, U.S. Marines (Ret.) and 26th Secretary of DefenseA brilliant thriller! Masterfully plotted and elegantly written, 2034 is a literary tour-de-force. Let’s just hope none of it comes true -- Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Near DarkA real page-turner, 2034 is a novel about a conflict we hope never happens. Drawing on their deep operational and diplomatic backgrounds, Admiral Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman have conjured a nightmare we desperately need to avoid. The novel is a cautionary tale for our times, and a reminder how quickly events can spin out of control—even before 2034 -- Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense 2006-20112034 is an exciting, interesting, and informative novel about a hypothetical future war with China that is largely determined by actual decisions already made...Anyone who is concerned about where today’s military technology decisions are taking us should read this book -- Karl Marlantes, author of Matterhorn and Deep River

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Book SynopsisTHERE''S A NEW COOK IN THE CASTLE. AND HE''S GOT A MAGIC TOUCH . . .A heartwarming blend of cosy fantasy and romance in this tale of a wayward house witch and his magical adventures in and out of the royal kitchen.-When Finlay Ashowan joins the kitchen of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he's an enigma. Which suits Fin just fine. He's satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly scrumptious meals.But Fin has secret, one that may not stay hidden for long . . .As his past begins to catch up with him, Fin must negotiate court politics and stay out of trouble, together with his familiar, Kraken his fluffy black kitten.But things become even more complicated when he catches the eye of a certain lady who just so happens to be part of the royal court.Can Fin successfully hide his secret and protect his heart? Or will the chaos of the castle and i

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Book SynopsisWhen Irene Spencer meets Vera Small at her daughter Lesley's wedding reception, they embark upon a correspondence that is quite unlike any other in the history of letter-writing. Both Irene and Vera are happily widowed and endowed with errant offspring. They live in a world of church fêtes and amateur dramatics, but love nothing more than dipping their pens in the vitriol pot while remaining the firmest of pen-pals. Feisty, naughty and endlessly funny, Ladies of Letters provides a hilarious insight into suburban friendships as they really are! Quite honestly as I laid the last letter aside I felt a better person for having glimpsed behind the net curtains of Mrs Small's and Mrs Spencer's life.' - Sue Townsend.1 CD. 1 hr 30 mins.Trade ReviewAn hilarious double act by Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge * Northern Echo *Beautifully scripted and perfectly acted * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThis is the story, based on fact, of a boy who couldn''t speak until the age of seven. Now twenty, he describes the events of his life.Four-year-old Shahaab has not started talking. The family doctor believes there is no cause for concern; nevertheless, Shahaab is ridiculed by others who call him ''dumb''. Young Shahaab doesn''t understand what the word means and thinks it is a compliment, until one day his cousin plays a trick on him to prove to everyone that the boy truly is the neighbourhood idiot.When his mother recounts the incident to her husband, Shahaab is crushed to learn that his father also thinks the boy''s speech impediment indicates that his son is an idiot and thus brings shame on the family. Shahaab soon recognizes that his father''s love and esteem is concentrated on his older brother, Arash, and his younger sister, Shadee. In his innocent and deeply hurt child''s mind, he begins to believe that the ''good'' and ''intelligent'' children like his older brTrade ReviewA fictive tale of an Iranian boy who is mute, it is also the story of women in Iran. Powerful, moving, and profoundly sad, it's a glimpse into a deeply foreign culture * Ottawa Magazine *The author's background can be sensed at every turn of the page, Saniee skilfully integrates concepts and theories about the psychology of the child and demonstrates how easy it is to cause, as parents, irremediable damages to a child, but also how easy it is not to cause them . . . it's a word of warning. Parinoush Saniee masters the art * The Cultural Supplement (Romania) *Gripping . . . an agonising childhood in the Iran of the ayatollahs, with its revolutionary committees and moral police always lurking * Stavanger Aftenblad (Norway) *A richly written novel with which Parinoush Saniee digs into the social texture of her country, Iran, and which, while telling the story of the struggles of a boy, portrays the life of women. Tight dialogue and a protagonist who becomes the symbol of hope in a better world * La Repubblica (Italy) *A deeply moving book * Dagbladet (Norway) *A new literary sensation. A child's untold words become a scream against heartlessness and indifference * Panorama (Italy) *A beautiful metaphor of the censorship that dominates her country * Culturas (Spain) *Finally, away from the roar and blare of heavily-hyped new publications, we find a low-key release which may well cause a ripple but deserves to make a splash. I Hid My Voice by the Iranian novelist Parinoush Saniee is a novel based on fact about a boy who couldn't speak until the age of seven. Now twenty, Shahaab looks back on his life and shares his ordeal. He is mocked by friends, shunned by his father and understood only by his grandmother who gradually helps him to find his voice again. Saniee's book shines a light on one child's helplessness and, by extension, everyday Iranians' inability to speak out. It is also proof that a book doesn't have to be a big-name blockbuster to be an immensely satisfying summer read * The National *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in Alexander McCall Smith''s new DETECTIVE VARG series . . . ''Reading the novel feels like a form of meditation . . . There is much to enjoy'' Scotsman''Wonderfully soothing and relaxing'' Telegraph''Heaven is in the detail with this sort of escapist writing. It''s like AA Milne meets Karl Ove Knausgaard'' Financial Times Spring is coming slowly to Sweden - though not quite as slowly as Detective Ulf Varg''s promised promotion at the Department of Sensitive Crimes. For Varg, referred by his psychoanalyst to group therapy at Malmö''s Wholeness Centre, life now seems mostly a circle of self-examination, something which may or may not be useful when it comes to the nature of his profession and the particularly sensitive cases that have recently come to light.All in a day''s work for Detective Varg, except that one of his new investigations Trade ReviewHighly enjoyable . . . [Alexander McCall Smith] has a supreme talent for sketching truly likeable characters. His novels are full of human quirks and the bizarre minutiae of everyday life * Independent *This offering is the second in Alexander McCall Smith's 'Scandi Blanc' series. The Edinburgh-based author created the genre not only as an antidote to the violent crime novels Scandinavia has become known for but also the sometimes terrifying realities of modern life * Sunday Post *Reading the novel feels like a form of meditation. That said, McCall Smith's deceptively sharp wit is ever-present. There is also a real sense of immediacy to the interactions between characters - at times, it is almost as if you are personally involved in the conversations between Varg and his colleague, Blomquist. There is much to enjoy in this book * Scotsman *

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Book Synopsis''An intricate, moving novel... Quinn''s best book to date'' Observer ''Every sentence he produces is a joy'' Metro''Opens up timeless themes of family, success and love'' New Statesman''Truly magnificent... this is Quinn''s masterpiece'' The Tablet''Quinn is an intelligent analyst of the uncertainties of love and art'' Sunday TimesA celebrated artist of the Georgian era paints his two young daughters at the family home in Bath. The portrait, known as Molly &the Captain, becomes instantly famous, its fate destined to echo down the centuries, touching many lives.In the summer of 1889 a young man sits painting a line of elms in Kensington Gardens. One day he glimpses a mother at play with her two daughters and decides to include them in his picture. From that moment he is haunted by dreams that seem to foreshadow his doom.A century later, in Kentish Town, a painterTrade Review[A] beguiling new novel about the mysteries of creativity from master storyteller Anthony Quinn... Every sentence he produces is a joy * Metro *A gripping mystery... Sweeping across centuries in its three interlinked sections, it summons the past effortlessly, as a vehicle for a plot that is both intricate and immaculately constructed... Quinn's most ambitious book to date and decidedly his best -- Alex Preston * Observer *Quinn is an accomplished writer at ease with the idioms of the past... He is also a subtle creator of character... opens up timeless themes of family, success and love -- Michael Prodger * New Statesman *Quinn is an intelligent analyst of the uncertainties of love and art * Sunday Times *These women's lives are gently and perceptively explored -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Gripping historical fiction * Good Housekeeping *[A] stylish literary triptych... Quinn is a fine writer with an instinctive understanding of the pitfalls of the bohemian life * Mail on Sunday *A deft, century-hopping novel... delight[s] in the granular details of an era, as well as a thorough knowledge of its broad sweep -- Imogen Hermes Gowar * Guardian *There is a delicious mystery at the heart of this novel * Daily Mail *One of my favourite writers... a breathtakingly ambitious novel that nails the small personal triumphs and tragedies of each woman's life -- Sarra Manning * Red *So versatile - Quinn seems to reinvent himself with every book * Jonathan Coe *A witty and affecting saga... It delights in exploring tiny, unexpected quirks of character and broad brushstrokes of greater emotion alike, and never fails to entertain -- Alexander Larman * Spectator *Quinn displays an impressive range of expression: the mannered, epistolary style of the early chapters gives way to touches of Victorian gothic, and then to crisp contemporary prose -- Kimberley Long * Financial Times *Truly magnificent... each part is separate and distinct, involving and compassionate, yet all are mysteriously connected... Period details sparkle in this elegant prose... This is Quinn's masterpiece -- Sue Gaisford * The Tablet *Quinn's books are unbeatable treats... His latest, a hall of mirrors across three centuries revolving around a single painting, is both about art and irresistibly artful * Dominic Dromgoole *Poignant, involving, beautiful and thoroughly entertaining... Quinn's best and most ambitious novel yet dances through three centuries, entwines the worlds of theatre and art in a thoroughly seductive embrace, and brings all his considerable gifts into play... This is a novel packed with pleasures -- Christobel Kent * Perspective Magazine *Pleasurable... The novel is a triptych, each part standing alone and quickly establishing its particular note and colour by means of language, carefully chosen detail and a sprinkling of familiar names * Times Literary Supplement *Quinn has an artist's eye and can mine drama from even the plainest parlour or afternoon in the park * Strong Words Magazine *

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Book Synopsis The awkward and lovable hero of Andrew Sean Greer''s bestselling and prize-winning novel Less returns in this unforgettable road trip across America. ''Wildly, painfully funny'' David Sedaris''Unforgettable'' Elizabeth Day''The joyfulness of this book is a balm'' Madeline Miller''What a joy'' Katie KitamuraFor Arthur Less, life is going surprisingly well: he is a moderately accomplished novelist in a steady relationship with his partner, Freddy Pelu. But nothing lasts: the death of an old lover and a sudden financial crisis has Less running away from his problems yet again as he accepts a series of literary gigs that send him on a zigzagging adventure across the US.Less roves across the ''Mild Mild West'', through the South and to his mid-Atlantic birthplace, with an ever-changing posse of writerly characters and his trusty duo - a human-like black pug, Dolly, and a rusty camper van nTrade ReviewSo funny, jokes and wit and joy packed into every page. It's beautiful and light and deceptively fun, and then stabs you through the heart. Wonderful Less, more, more! -- Russell T DaviesAffecting and funny - so hysterical at times you may find yourself laughing aloud. * Daily Mail *There is no better guide across America than Arthur Less, the "bad gay" whose engaging awkwardness and self-deprecation are tragically funny and hugely insightful. We should all be so lost -- Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in ChemistryAndrew Sean Greer's writing nails both the absurdity of the human condition and its wistful beauty. Arthur Less is an unforgettable literary creation and I was so happy to be back in his company as he continues his elegant muddle through life -- Elizabeth Day, author of MagpieDoes Andrew Greer think of himself as a comic novelist? Does a giraffe think of itself as a giraffe? Probably it doesn't matter. This book, though, is wildly, painfully funny. It sometimes hurts to read it -- David Sedaris, author of A Carnival of SnackeryIt is a deep pleasure to return to the adventures of Arthur Less and his beloved Freddy. Greer is a brilliant storyteller as always, and the joyfulness of this book is a balm. I loved reading it -- Madeline Miller, bestselling author of CirceGreer's whimsically Wodehousian metaphors are as delightful as ever * Financial Times *What a joy to be reunited with the beloved, hapless, utterly delightful Arthur Less. With tenderness, wit and his incomparably lovely prose, Greer probes that most profound and mysterious of subjects: love. -- Katie Kitamura, author of IntimaciesExcited to be reunited with our neurotic hero Arthur Less, I ripped through this sequel. It was a thrill to go on this odyssey with Less where even the most picayune comic encounters turn profound. Vulnerable and witty, Less is Lost is a joy -- Cathy Park Hong, author of Minor FeelingsFunny and uplifting * Grazia *A gift of a story in these muddling, hard times, and a love letter to accepting yourself for who you are. Arthur Less is the protagonist we all need right now' -- Araminta Hall, author of Hidden DepthsAn emotional and soul-searching sequel ... recalls the plaintive laconicism of the American humourist David Sedaris * Sunday Times *The hapless protagonist of Greer's prize-winning novel, Less, is now touring America's heartlands .... it's huge fun. Greer's delight in language and the comedy of incongruity is infectious. * Spectator *An enjoyable encore ... Read Less to fall in love and then pick up Less is Lost to rekindle a favourite old flame * Irish Times *An unexpected gift... [Arthur Less] cuts a sympathetic, melancholy figure with a capacity for kindness, hope and romance. It's this evidence of his inventor's sympathy for his creation that makes this very funny novel stand out from its peers like Venus's starlight * Big Issue *Brimming with wit and pathos and a thing of joy * Saga Magazine *Shimmering with wit, a passion for language and astonishing insight, Less is Lost revels in its affection for the absurdity of life. Smart, and profoundly uplifting. A joy! * Attitude *

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Book Synopsis''Original, tender, thoughtful and true. Can''t wait for people to read!'' Reese Witherspoon ''Part tender coming of age story, part electrifying tale of political awakening, part heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, True Biz is a wholly a wonder'' Celeste NgA transporting novel that follows a year of seismic romantic, political, and familial shifts for a teacher and her students at a boarding school for the deaf, from the acclaimed author of Girl at War.ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022 - Oprah Daily, The Millions, Lit Hub, BookPageTrue biz (adj./exclamation; American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, real-talkTrue biz? The students at the River Valley School for the Deaf just want to hook up, pass their history finals, and have politicians, doctors, and their parents stop telling them what to doTrade ReviewGoodness, I can't even begin to put into words all the feelings this book provoked!...An eye-opening and heartfelt story about human connection and the beauty and adversity woven into the deaf community and culture. It is both an educational and electrifying peek into a family's life as they fight to forge connections even as the outside world threatens to close the door on them. I loved this story so much, it is not one to miss * Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club April ’22 Pick) *Tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged...True Biz is moving, fast-paced and spirited... Novic, who is deaf and spent time at deaf schools researching the novel, makes an urgent and heartfelt case for the schools' importance in providing language access, and in nurturing community and a sense of self. Great stories create empathy and awareness more effectively than facts do, and this important novel should - true biz - change minds and transform the conversation. * Maile Meloy, New York Times Book Review *For those who loved the Oscar-winning film CODA, a boarding school for deaf students is the setting for a kaleidoscope of experience * Washington Post *Part tender coming of age story, part electrifying tale of political awakening, part heartfelt love letter to Deaf culture, True Biz is a wholly a wonder. Sara Novic examines the ways language can include, exclude, or help forge an identity - as well as what it means to carve out a place for yourself in a world that sees you as other * Celeste Ng *I fell in love with Sara Novic's True Biz from the first page: delicate, nuanced, playful, and at the same time sweeping in its ideas and reach, this book is a literary novel that is a page turner with a vision which will speak to many a reader in our times and beyond. Sara Novic is one of the best writers of my generation - not just *the* novelist of Deaf culture, but of human nature writ large. Do yourself a favor and get this book- it is inimitable * Ilya Kaminsky, author of Deaf Republic and Dancing in Odessa *I loved True Biz, it's warm, complex and compelling. Of course I love the way it provides a window into a culture that will be unfamiliar to many of us, but what really marks it out is its humanity and intelligence - the threads of coming-of-age, birth, death, and all the rites of passage are interwoven brilliantly, surrounding a core of passion for justice and equality.' * Bridget Collins *This is my favorite kind of novel, fascinating and smart and brimming with contrasts. It's a coming-of-age story but also one of anarchy and protest. It's about the ways communities are bound but also the ways they bind. It's about belonging versus conforming, individual strength alongside solidarity. I laughed. I learned. I entered a world I knew too little about, at once different from mine and of course the same. I will be recommending this book to absolutely everyone * Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is and One Two Three *Reading True Biz was a transformative experience - it's as important a book as I've read in years. I was in awe of the care and love and hard-won wisdom that went into the writing of it. Sara Novic is the real deal * Jami Attenberg, author of All This Could Be Yours *True Biz is exquisitely crafted and absolutely riveting * Vendela Vida, author of We Run the Tides *Sara Novic's gifts for character, story, and language are evident from the first page. True Biz feels like the discovery of a new written form, a love letter to language itself * Liz Moore, New York Times bestselling author of Long Bright River *Rollicking, immersive, and boldly, exquisitely felt, True Biz delves into the deepest questions about community, communication, and collective action, inviting the reader into a world of language made new * Alexandra Kleeman, author of Something New Under the Sun *An electrifying narrativeset at a present-day boarding school for Deaf high school students, where they find love and friendship and battle a series of injustices...With complex characters seething with rage against the injustices they face, and an immersive and novel treatment of Charlie's experience learning ASL, Novic offers an unforgettable homage to resilience. This is brilliant * Publishers Weekly starred review *Tender, beautiful and radiantly outraged...True Biz is moving, fast-paced and spirited - we have vivid access to all of the main characters' points of view - but also skillfully educational: The lessons Charlie learns about A.S.L. and deaf culture are interspersed in the text and illustrated by Brittany Castle. Novic, who is deaf and spent time at deaf schools researching the novel, makes an urgent and heartfelt case for the schools' importance in providing language access, and in nurturing community and a sense of self. Great stories create empathy and awareness more effectively than facts do, and this important novel should - true biz - change minds and transform the conversation. -- Maile Meloy * New York Times *

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Book Synopsis''Clémence Michallon has written a classic... Daring and completely satisfying'' James Patterson''Beautifully written, entirely convincing and relentlessly gripping ... so brilliantly told, with characters so plausible and compelling, that I was hooked until the last word'' Sophie Hannah''From the first page, you can say farewell to sleep...a brilliant, breathtaking thriller with characters you love - and love to hate. I didn''t know whether to tear to the end or savour every page'' Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A''An absorbing and addictive psychological thriller - I couldn''t put it down'' Edel Coffey''I was pulled in from the very first page... The plot was masterful, the many threads honed and pulled taut kept me turning pages'' Jane ShemiltHe took you and you have been his for five years. But you have been careful. Waiting for him to mess up. It has to Trade ReviewA beautifully written, entirely convincing and relentlessly gripping novel, featuring a protagonist in captivity. She's been kidnapped and taking prisoner by a serial killer, and her only mission is to stay alive long enough to find a way to escape. This isn't a mystery puzzle novel, so I'm surprised that I loved it as much as I did, because usually I like to be able to solve a mystery (or cheer on the solving of one) when I'm reading crime fiction, but this tale is so brilliantly told, with characters so plausible and compelling, that I was hooked until the last word * Sophie Hannah *Dark and juicy...like Emma Donohue's Room, the novel takes this creepy and claustrophobic premise and spins a paradoxically expansive plot from it, told from the perspective of his victim, his daughter, and a local restaurant owner * Vogue *A nail-biting terror of a read, slowly revealing how Rachel, already a little bit broken, ended up where she did....And then following as her courage incrementally ratchets up, as brainwashed and terrified, she starts to eye, and then discard, her opportunities to escape. I finished it at very high speed, heart pounding, absolutely loving it * Observer, Best Crime and Thrillers of the month *An expertly paced psychological thriller...with a white-knuckle climax * New York Times Book Review *A gripping psychological suspense novel.. Michallon's riveting tale shows a killer through the eyes of the women in his life * Washington Post *In a small American town, single dad Aidan is regarded as a good guy, but he is hiding a secret - he is a serial killer and kidnapper, and is holding a woman captive in his shed. A chilling depiction of evil * Best magazine, Best Books for June *I can recommend The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon. The story of a male serial killer called Aidan Thomas is told from multiple perspectives, in a way that centres the female voices of his victims. It's a pacy thriller and a sharp study of survival * The Independent, Biggest New Reads for June *The tension in The Quiet Tenant grips from the very first page. The novel's emotional intensity never lets go, keeping hold until the very last page...Wonderful * Rob Gold, author of Eleven Liars *This slow-burning but gripping novel stands out in the overcrowded "women held prisoner" genre * Daily Express *Cleverly constructed, well written and harrowing in the extreme from the very first page, this is an unforgettable debut. If this is a first novel, what's the next going to be like? I dread to think - literally. Congratulations to Clémence Michallon, queen of the psychological thriller. We'll be waiting * Shots magazine *From the first page, you can say farewell to sleep, conversation, Netflix. This is Room meets Notes on an Execution, a brilliant, breathtaking thriller with characters you love - and love to hate. I didn't know whether to tear to the end or savour every page * Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A *Clémence Michallon has written a classic on her first try. The Quiet Tenant is a daring and completely satisfying mystery; a one-of-a-kind; a bravura feat of storytelling * James Patterson *I was pulled in from the very first page. The plot was masterful, the many threads honed and pulled taut kept me turning pages. I loved the dynamic between the protagonist and victims, which is very truthful and powerfully told...Extraordinarily accomplished * Jane Shemilt, bestselling author of The Patient *I am in awe of Clémence Michallon's talent. The Quiet Tenant is a heart-racing thriller but also a beautiful work about survival, sacrifice and the responsibility we bear to others...Breathtaking * Jane Casey *Breathtakingly brilliant. I tore through it and was absolutely hooked from the first chapter. It tells us so much about how gender works in our society, about power dynamics in relationships and what can lie behind the illusion of a good husband, father and neighbour. An absorbing and addictive psychological thriller - I couldn't put it down * Edel Coffey, bestselling author of Breaking Point *This impressive debut follows the escape plan of a woman held captive in plain sight by an outwardly respectable serial killer * Janice Hallett, Crime Reads *Immersive from page one, thrilling, at times unbearably tense, intelligent, electrifying and moving. I loved it * Catherine Ryan Howard, bestselling author of Run Time *Extraordinary and utterly original... Michallon has created a modern masterpiece. I can't wait to read what she does next! * Victoria Selman, bestselling author of Truly, Darkly, Deeply *I loved this book so much. So disturbing but so beautifully written. Clemence Michallon is an author to watch out for...Truly outstanding * Khurrum Rahman, author of the Jay Qasim trilogy *Clemence Michallon has managed to re-imagine the serial killer novel, delivering all (and frankly, more) of the expected suspense and psychological tension, but offering a story about women - the ones who didn't know the evil that lurked within, the ones who tried to placate or fight but still perished, the ones who might actually survive. Haunting but never prurient, The Quiet Tenant is truly unforgettable. Read it * Alafair Burke *Clémence Michallon's The Quiet Tenant is a spell-binding Trojan horse of a novel, bracing and beguiling. A dangerous man and his unforgivable crimes are its seeming center but, in Michallon's nimble hands, the novel soon reveals itself to be a story of female strength, cunning, depth and power * Megan Abbott *Stunning. Terrifying. Impossible to put down. A remarkable achievement * Lisa Ballantyne, author of Richard and Judy bestseller The Guilty One *The Quiet Tenant seethes with male anger and aggression and yet its beating heart is about the strength of women and our ability to survive. I was desperate to find out what happened to Rachel and all the characters because I was so invested. Beautifully written and observed * Araminta Hall *A mystery that is at once riveting and heartrending, The Quiet Tenant is a sharply insightful look at what it means to live and love as a woman in this harrowing world. It is truly extraordinary * Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of Friends Like These *The Quiet Tenant is a humane thriller, one that doesn't shy from asking the most difficult questions of its characters and its readers, and dares, ultimately, hopeful answers. Intelligent and suspenseful, I couldn't stop turning the pages * Paul Tremblay, bestselling author of The Cabin at the End of the World *The Quiet Tenant is an absolutely brilliant, incredibly delicious, edge-of-your-set thriller. Imagine Jodi Picoult meets Jeffery Deaver and then watch as Clémence Michallon exceeds every one of your expectations. She's that good. The book is that good. And the ending is a killer! * Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Fall *In this dazzling debut thriller from journalist Michallon, handsome Hudson Valley family man Aidan Thomas has a ghastly secret in his shed - and even worse ones hidden elsewhere...The ensuing match of wits and wills between Rachel and Aidan becomes almost excruciating in Michallon's skillful hands, and as challenging as the going can get, it's impossible to look away from. This is a smart, female-focused inversion of the serial killer thriller perfect for readers who otherwise wouldn't give the genre a second look * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *While a widowed man falls for a bartender, the woman he's held hostage for years plots her escape in this fast-paced thriller . . . A twisted premise that raises unexpected moral questions * Kirkus Reviews *Nightmarish, nerve-jangling, and horrifying, this one is not for the fainthearted, but it's an explosive, utterly gripping read * Booklist *A brutal, sad, heartbreaking story focused on resilience and survival. Recommended for fans of true crime stories, Gillian Flynn, or Jessica Knoll * Library Journal *

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Book Synopsis Five friends. Five lives. Countless hopes. Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli and Conor grew up together. They played together, skipped school together, and dreamt of everything they''d do with their lives.Now they are thirty, and only Rian has made it out of the estate and moved away to another city, but his money doesn''t stop him clinging to a vision of the past that is quickly slipping away. Oli is fading by the day, drinking and snorting his way through the endless boredom, while Conor has a baby on the way and a business plan he hopes will change everything. Patrick and Shiv are as in love as ever, but even they are rocked when an old secret opens up new wounds...Bold, ambitious and stylistically striking, I See Buildings Fall like Lightning asks what happens when all the things we expect from our lives end up ... not happening. It lays bare the ways that place and circumstance shape us, explores the redeeming and transforming beauty of frTrade ReviewA virtuosic and devastating exploration of the relationships that bind us, and the places that always call us back. Tender and fierce in turn, Goddard writes about class and friendship with the deftest of touches -- Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water CureOne of the most beautiful novels I've read in a very long time, full of rare elegance, sorrow, wit and warmth, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning tells the story of what's left when dreaming feels impossible -- Ali Millar, author of The Last DaysWhat does it mean to claim one another, and to let one another go? Intimate with its surprises, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning has an honesty that shows us how to love one another and hold onto what matters most -- Tice Cin, author of Keeping the HouseThis is a novel full of hard material but infused with dignity and originality. The language is swaggering, the character development deeply subtle ... genuinely beautiful -- Niamh Campbell, author of We Were YoungA very affecting novel about working class love, friendship and grief. Bound by kinship and place, Goddard's multiple narrators create a story that is truly communal, demonstrating our interconnectedness and bravely rejecting the idea that the novel form is built to tell the stories of individuals only -- Yara Rodrigues Fowler, author of There Are More ThingsAn enraging, enthralling and ultimately heart-breaking novel. Written in a bold and inventive style which invokes the panoptic nature of entrenched friendships, it is a story about the ways such friendships can make you whole or can tear you in half -- Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, author of The End of NightworkI found these characters and landscapes so achingly real, relatable and deftly, compassionately drawn. Keiran Goddard's is a mind-blowing talent, his writing so beautiful. I can't wait to read everything he ever publishes. -- Lauren Brown, author of HandsThe thing about Keiran Goddard is he'll make you laugh and weep in the same paragraph. This is such a humane, beautiful novel about being from a place you can neither leave nor stay in -- Heather Parry, author of Orpheus Builds a GirlThis heartfelt, gut-wrenching novel confirms Goddard as one of the best writers of our time. It's as poignant as it is artful, and once you read it, it will never leave you ... an astonishing achievement -- Lucia Osborne-Crowley, author of My Body Keeps Your SecretsAs painful as a punch and as tender as the bruise that follows, this is a moving and deftly drawn world of friendship, hardship, grief and love. Goddard writes beautifully about dead-end jobs, wild nights out and corrosive regrets, but he's also utterly convincing on the deep joys of friendship, parenthood and holding close the ones you love. A fresh and searing novel for our times -- Victoria MacKenzie, author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little PainExtraordinary writing about ordinary people * Kirkus *Tender, violent, affecting ... this book takes real pleasure in language * ipaper *

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Book SynopsisThis good girl is naked on the internet... By day, Frankie lives an ordinary life: doting daughter, supportive sister, adoring aunt and (mostly) capable colleague. The only trouble is that she also feels invisible. So by night, Frankie creates her alter ego, uploading risqué photos to a small community of online fans. She becomes sexy, confident and, most importantly, anonymous. That is, until Frankie''s two worlds collide and she finds herself thrust into the limelight, along with her secret. Overnight, she becomes both a feminist icon and a target; wanted and worthless; powerful and petrified. Suddenly all eyes are on her. ...but is she ready to bare it all? Limelight is a funny, touching and provocative tale of sisterhood, sexuality and self-esteem. What would you gain - and lose - by being yourself, instead of who everyone wants you to be?

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Book Synopsis THE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF READERS WORLDWIDE. NOW, THE COFFEE SHOP DOORS WELCOME YOU HOME ONE LAST TIME...Kabul, August 2021 Sunny Tedder is back in her beloved coffee shop. After eight years away, she''s thrilled to reunite with her Kabul ''family'': Yazmina now runs a pair of women''s shelters from the old cafe, and dreams of a bright future for her two young daughters. Her sister Layla has become an outspoken women''s rights activist and, thanks to social media, is quite the celebrity. Kat, Sunny''s friend from America, is wrapping up her year-long stay in the land of her birth, but is facing some unfinished business. And finally there''s elderly den mother Halajan, whose secret new hobby is itself an act of rebellion. Then the US troops begin to withdraw - and the women watch in horror as the Taliban advance on the capital at

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Book SynopsisShe lay so still, blue eyes shining, blonde hair fanned out, her mouth stuck forever open in a soundless scream...When Rachel Mullen is found dead by her only sister Beth, her body twisted in an arc of pain, Detective Lottie Parker knows that she has been murdered the minute she enters the bedroom. Lottie''s heart aches for Beth, all alone in the world, whose last memory of her sister will forever be the brutal way she was taken. And when Lottie finds a shard of glass placed in the young girl''s throat, she fears that Rachel may be just the first victim.The night before, Rachel had attended a party at a luxurious new restaurant in Ragmullin, and Lottie wastes no time in tracking down the other guests. But there are several things troubling her: Rachel''s handbag and keys are nowhere to be found, and no one at the party seems to have seen her leave.Just as Lottie thinks she''s onto something, her worst fears are confirmed: another woman isTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE LOTTIE PARKER SERIES * - *Lottie Parker is one of the most compelling characters in Irish detective fiction -- Liz NugentThere is nobody quite like Patricia Gibney - her Lottie Parker books are pacy, tense, dark and gripping with a hugely compelling, sympathetic character in Lottie. Page-turners with heart. A stunningly addictive series, Patricia Gibney's books go from strength to strength. Engrossing crime fiction with real heart. -- Andrea MaraAn addictive crime series . . . Her skilfully plotted narrative is driven by the brilliantly complex, utterly relatable Lottie Parker who is the beating heart of all Gibney's novels * Irish Independent *An action-packed, twisty tale of murder * Sunday Independent *Gibney expertly ratchets up the tension, making this exceptionally hard to put down . . . You won't be able to help rooting for our flawed heroine * Heat *An atmospheric page-turner * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisShe lifted up her granddaughter from the cot, clutched her to her chest and, without looking at her beautiful daughter lying dead on the floor of her bedroom, ran from the house. Only when she was outside did she let a wail escape her lips, frightening the baby who joined in her screams.When Isabel Gallagher is found murdered on the floor of her baby''s nursery by her mother, it''s a gruelling case for Detective Lottie Parker. Isabel''s pyjamas have been ripped, her throat cut and an old-fashioned razor blade placed in her hand. As Lottie looks at the round blue eyes and perfect chubby cheeks of Isabel''s baby daughter, she can''t understand who would want to hurt this innocent family.That very same day she receives a call with devastating news. Another young mother, Joyce Breslin, has gone missing, and her four-year-old son Evan has been abducted from daycare. Lottie is sure that the missing mother and son are linked to Isabel''s death, and when

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Book Synopsis''Lottie Parker is one of the most compelling characters in Irish detective fiction'' Liz Nugent''A stunningly addictive series, Patricia Gibney''s books go from strength to strength. Engrossing crime fiction with real heart'' Andrea Mara__________She lay so still, blue eyes shining, blonde hair fanned out, her mouth stuck forever open in a soundless scream...When Rachel Mullen is found dead, her body twisted in pain, Detective Lottie Parker knows instantly that she was murdered. And when Lottie finds a shard of glass placed in the young girl''s throat, she fears that Rachel may only be the first victim.The night before, Rachel had attended a party at a luxurious new restaurant in Ragmullin, and Lottie wastes no time in tracking down the other guests. But as Lottie investigates, her worst fears are confirmed: a brilliant, young doctor is found murdered . . . with glass in her throat.Desperate to find prooTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE LOTTIE PARKER SERIES * - *Lottie Parker is one of the most compelling characters in Irish detective fiction -- Liz NugentThere is nobody quite like Patricia Gibney - her Lottie Parker books are pacy, tense, dark and gripping with a hugely compelling, sympathetic character in Lottie. Page-turners with heart. A stunningly addictive series, Patricia Gibney's books go from strength to strength. Engrossing crime fiction with real heart. -- Andrea MaraAn addictive crime series . . . Her skilfully plotted narrative is driven by the brilliantly complex, utterly relatable Lottie Parker who is the beating heart of all Gibney's novels * Irish Independent *An action-packed, twisty tale of murder * Sunday Independent *Gibney expertly ratchets up the tension, making this exceptionally hard to put down . . . You won't be able to help rooting for our flawed heroine * Heat *An atmospheric page-turner * Irish Examiner *

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Book Synopsis''A poignant read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments'' HEAT magazine''A great holiday read whether you''re escaping to sunnier climes or curled up in front of a log fire'' DAILY EXPRESS''I Must Stand Up for Myself More'', promises Maggie Storm, who spends her days cleaning houses for people who often have more money than manners. Married to a man with as much sex appeal as Mr Blobby, she dreams of a life straight from the pages of a romantic novel. ''My Head Must Rule Over My Heart'', promises Ella Moore, who, determined never to let her heart get the better of her again, is recovering from seven wasted years of failing to win over the daughter of the man with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life. ''No More Women'', promises Ethan Edwards, who, to distract himself from the depressing sham of his marriage, is a repeat offender when it comes to turning to other women for sexual consolation. But when Ella appears uTrade ReviewPROMISES, PROMISES has an extraordinary deftness of touch, coupled with some searing insights into both how relationships fail, and can work * DAILY MIRROR *A poignant read with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments * HEAT magazine *A great holiday read whether you're escaping to sunnier climes or curled up in front of a log fire * DAILY EXPRESS *Another delightful delivery for [Erica James's] ever-growing number of fans. With consummate skill she stirs up a cocktail of passion * EVENING TELEGRAPH *A great holiday read and a real page turner. * SANDBACH CHRONICLE *Three lives collide with unexpected consequences in this heart-warming, affectionate and witty story. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisThe Richard & Judy-selected author returns with a touching and hilarious new novel.Trade ReviewA very well-observed tale of modern family strife ... fabulously entertaining -- Matthew Syed * TIMES *I rattled through it, fascinated and appalled. -- Patrick Kidd * TIMES *

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Book Synopsis''Heart-felt stories of life and love'' Woman & Home from the No. 1 bestselling author''Maeve Binchy''s work continues to inspire . . . thought-provoking, warm and funny in equal measure'' WomanA pair of star-crossed travellers pick up each other''s bags, and then learn that when you unlock a stranger''s suitcase, you enter a stranger''s life. An unspoken office passion meets the acid test on a business trip. A man and a woman''s mutual disdain at first sight shows how deceptive appearances can be. And an insecure wife clings to the illusion of order, only to discover chaos at the hands of a house-sitter who opens the wrong doors.These and many more poignant, often humorous, unforgettable slices of life show why Maeve Binchy is one of the world''s favourite storytellers.Trade ReviewThe perfect poolside read that will take you from desire to devastation in the turn of a few pages. * Daily Express *Heart-felt stories of life and love * Woman & Home *She is one of the few writers who can pull at your heartstrings . . . The author's great skill is to draw you into the world she creates, so that reading her books is like gossiping with old friends * DAILY EXPRESS *She is the Queen of Fiction and one of the funniest and best-loved storytellers in the world . . . once you read Maeve you are hooked for life * IRISH TIMES *An unsurpassed grasp of what makes a good story -- Anne EnrightThe warmest, funniest and most inspiring author . . . I've read everything she ever wrote -- Dame Jennie MurrayA brilliant storyteller who wrote from her heart -- Lorraine KellyMaeve Binchy's work continues to inspire . . . thought-provoking, warm and funny in equal measure * WOMAN *I love her stories! -- Tom HanksMaeve is a storyteller, she has an ear for dialogue and an eye for character and she's employed these gifts to their full potential * IRISH INDEPENDENT *Fourteen heart-felt stories of life and love * WOMAN & HOME *The perfect poolside read that will take you from desire to devastation in the turn of a few pages. * DAILY EXPRESS *Binchy fans will be delighted with this. -- Natasha Harding * THE SUN *

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In the glittering world of international diamond dealing, all is not beautiful, polished and perfect... Tilly Bagshawe is back with another smart and sexy round-the-world romp.Set in the glittering world of international diamond dealing, FLAWLESS follows the fortunes of idealistic young designer Scarlett Drummond Murray as she battles her way through the snake pits of greed and corruption in the jewellery business. From London to Beverly Hills, New York to Cape Town, Scarlett finds herself plunged into a world of ruthless mine owners, shady diamond dealers, and the stunningly beautiful women for whom they all compete, in business and in bed. All of them, in their different ways, are prepared to sell their souls and sacrifice everything in pursuit of that one, elusive, perfect stone, no matter what the cost. But is Scarlett also destined to be blinded by the brilliance of the temptation that surrounds her? Or can she keep her nerve - and her principles - and make it to the top with her heart and her business still intact?

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Book SynopsisAt Everdene, setting for THE BEACH HUT, two people meet, both with secrets to hide . . .Written specially for the World Book Day Quick Reads promotionJenna is known as The Ice Cream Girl. She doesn''t mind the name one bit. After all, it''s a happy name, and there are far worse jobs than selling ice creams on Everdene beach. Craig spends as much time as he can at the beach hut in Everdene he rents with a few of his mates. As a policeman, it is a restful change from his daily life, and he''s surfing mad. One weekend he''s down there on his own when he notices a girl on the beach. He''s young, free and single and she catches his eye.But on this particular summer weekend, both Jenna and Craig''s lives are about to change . . .

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Book SynopsisThe third highly acclaimed novel in the Dave Robicheaux series, and winner of the Edgar award.Trade ReviewJames Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed. * Michael Connelly *A gorgeous prose stylist. * Stephen King *Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced. * Daily Mail *The gentle giant of US crime writers, Burke always ensures that his Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux grapples with hot topics as much as with his own inner demons. * i newspaper *There are not many crime writers about whom one might invoke the name of Zola for comparison, but Burke is very much in that territory. His stamping ground is the Gulf coast, and one of the great strengths of his work has always been the atmospheric background of New Orleans and the bayous. His big, baggy novels are always about much more than the mechanics of the detective plot; his real subject, like the French master, is the human condition, seen in every situation of society. * Independent *The king of Southern noir. * Daily Mirror *His lyrical prose, his deep understanding of what makes people behave as they do, and his control of plot and pace are masterly. * Sunday Telegraph *One of the finest American writers. * Guardian *When it comes to literate, pungently characterised American crime writing, James Lee Burke has few peers. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe second Dave Robicheaux novel from the award-winning crime writer.Trade ReviewJames Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed. * Michael Connelly *A gorgeous prose stylist. * Stephen King *The gentle giant of US crime writers, Burke always ensures that his Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux grapples with hot topics as much as with his own inner demons. * i newspaper *Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced. * Daily Mail *There are not many crime writers about whom one might invoke the name of Zola for comparison, but Burke is very much in that territory. His stamping ground is the Gulf coast, and one of the great strengths of his work has always been the atmospheric background of New Orleans and the bayous. His big, baggy novels are always about much more than the mechanics of the detective plot; his real subject, like the French master, is the human condition, seen in every situation of society. * Independent *The king of Southern noir. * Daily Mirror *His lyrical prose, his deep understanding of what makes people behave as they do, and his control of plot and pace are masterly. * Sunday Telegraph *One of the finest American writers. * Guardian *When it comes to literate, pungently characterised American crime writing, James Lee Burke has few peers. * Daily Express *

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Two sisters. One heartbreaking secret. And a past that cannot stay buried.In the depths of a harsh winter, Erica and Beth Calcott return to the house where they spent idyllic summers as children. As Erica sorts through her late grandmother's belongings, strange fragments of family history and vivid memories break from the surface of the present day...Memories of their cousin, Henry, who disappeared one summer long ago, and of their grandmother, a bitter woman, full of a deep, dark hatred. As Erica sifts through remnants of the past, a secret emerges, reaching all the way back to a beautiful heiress in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma. As past and present converge, Erica and Beth must come to terms with two terrible acts of betrayal and the heartbreaking legacy left behind.Your favourite authors love Katherine Webb's sweeping historical dramas:'An enormously talented writer' Santa Montefiore'Webb have a true gift for uncovering the mysteries of the human heart and exploring the truth of love' Kate Williams'Katherine Webb's writing is beautiful' Elizabeth Fremantle'A truly gifted writer of historical fiction' Lucinda Riley'Katherine's writing is rich, vivid and evocative' Iona Grey

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Book SynopsisA powerful First World War story of a woman's quest for justice, from the bestselling author of NOTHING LASTS FOREVER and THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL.Trade ReviewA powerful and heart-wrenching story by a saga writer at the height of her powers. * EVENING TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisTwo newcomers arrive in Turnham Malpas, creating drama and upheaval. Another warm, witty and lively tale of village life from bestselling author Rebecca Shaw.Ford and Mercedes Barclay have decided to spend their twilight years in the lovely village of Turnham Malpas - but will these two newcomers be made welcome? Ford, a former businessman who made his fortune in scrap metal, has ambitious plans for the village. But not everyone in Turnham Malpas welcomes the newcomers with open arms...Meanwhile, a letter arrives at the village rectory that causes consternation. The rector''s twin children have never had contact with their birth mother. But now, finally, she wishes to build a relationship with them. After so many years of estrangement, what should they do...?Trade ReviewA quirky escapist read * BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *A humorous, engaging look at village life as seen from several different perspectives. * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

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On Everdene Sands, a row of beach huts holds the secrets of the families who own them - secrets of unrequited love, plain old-fashioned lust, childhood dreams and long-forgotten hopes...'FOR SALE: a rare opportunity to purchase a beach hut on the spectacular Everdene Sands. "The Shack" has been in the family for fifty years, and was the first to be built on this renowned stretch of golden sand...'Jane Milton doesn't want to sell her beloved beach hut, which has been the heart of so many family holidays and holds so many happy memories. But when her husband dies, leaving her with an overwhelming string of debts, she has no choice but to sell.THE BEACH HUT follows the stories of the people who own the beach huts, families who come to Everdene each year, people who fall in - or out of - love, remembering their pasts, or trying to forget them...Veronica Henry has brilliantly drawn together the comings and goings of life at the beach huts over one long, hot, lazy summer...

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Book SynopsisThe stars are coming out to play ... The brilliant novel from the author of THE BEACH HUT.Secrets, rivalry, glamour - it''s time for the party of the year... Delilah has lived out her tempestuous marriage to hell-raiser Raf in the glare of the media spotlight. Now planning a milestone birthday, she has more on her mind than invitations.Raf has been offered a part in a movie he can''t refuse. But will he succumb to the temptations he''s struggled to resist for the last ten years? Delilah''s three daughters are building careers of their own, only too aware that the press are waiting for them to slip up. For the Rafferty girls might look like angels, but they are only human.It''s the perfect recipe for a party like no other...Trade ReviewThis is great fun and I raced through it ... nicely written, with an interestingly flamboyant family of well-observed characters at the centre of a pacy narrative ... it's entertaining and very readable. * DAILY MAIL *Dramatic, addictive and rather steamy! * CLOSER *Glam yet emotionally astute ... a sparky absorbing read which fizzes with life and and zip. * MSLEXIA *An exciting tale 4 stars. * STAR *Deliciously frothy * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *A fast-paced gossipy read, set in glamorous locations, with sumptuous descriptions and lively dialogue. * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

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Book SynopsisPassions run high in Turnham Malpas as one man finds love - and another tragedy.When Harry Dickenson arrives in Turnham Malpas, the warm welcome he receives convinces him to stay. Handsome and charming, Harry quickly earns his place in rural life. But despite his outward friendliness, Harry is a troubled man, hiding memories of a tragic past from which he is desperate to escape. Just as Harry finds some measure of peace, he encounters the one woman in the village likely to turn any man''s head. Soon, Harry is caught in an obsessive love that threatens to ruin everything that he has accomplished - and reveal his shocking secret to all.But Harry isn''t the only man in the village to fall head-over-heels. Paddy Cleary, the shy gardener, is smitten. But will Paddy find the confidence to reveal his true feelings? And will the young lady return his affections? The villagers must watch and wait, hoping the burgeoning friendship will lead to something more...Trade ReviewThe stage is set for conflict, romance and revelations in this affectionate and beguiling tale of rural community love and losses * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisRivalries flare and scandal abounds in bestselling author Rebecca Shaw''s sparkling tale of love, loyalty and village life.The villagers of Turnham Malpas are in for a shock. With Sir Ralph now dead, his fortune and title go to newcomer, Johnny Templeton. Johnny could not be more different from his well-loved predecessor, and he soon finds himself in conflict with the long-standing members of Turnham Malpas.Meanwhile, there are two other villagers in crises, but theirs is a much more private issue. Marcus and Alice March have longed for a child for years. But when Alice finally becomes pregnant, there are those in the village who question the child''s paternity. After all, Alice has grown very close to Johnny... As gossip begins to circulate, Alice must make the most difficult of decisions - whether to follow her heart or her morals.

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Book SynopsisTwo Christmas novels from Miss Read - the perfect festive treat!CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACREFrom an unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve in ''The Christmas Mouse'' to an unwelcome change of plan in ''No Holly for Miss Quinn'', Miss Read recounts some of the traditional Christmas events where often, despite the most careful planning, things do not always go as expected. In his charming collection of Christmas stories Miss Read describes the season''s events with great tenderness and nostalgia.A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS From the poignant story of ''The White Robin'' and the intriguing tale of ''The Fairacre Ghost'' to the rural festivities recounted in ''Tales from a Village School'', Miss Read''s wry wit and light touch is the perfect antidote to long winter evenings.

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Book SynopsisThe second thriller in the Oak Knoll series featuring FBI Profiler Vince Leone from Sunday Times bestselling author Tami HoagTrade ReviewHoag delivers a pacy narrative and knows how to write convincing characters. -- Simon Shaw * MAIL ON SUNDAY *

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Book SynopsisGet ready for the journey of a lifetime. The wonderful award-winning novel from the bestselling author of THE LONG WEEKEND.The Orient Express. Luxury. Mystery. Romance. For one group of passengers settling in to their seats and taking their first sips of champagne, the journey from London to Venice is more than the trip of a lifetime. A mysterious errand; a promise made to a dying friend; an unexpected proposal; a secret reaching back a lifetime...As the train sweeps on, revelations, confessions and assignations unfold against the most romantic and infamous setting in the world.Trade ReviewIt's a glamorous and absorbing read, a well-written romp with a cast of believable, empathetic characters whom you'll be fascinated by from the start * DAILY MAIL *For one group of passengers, there's more at stake than the trip of a lifetime. Compulsive reading. * WOMAN & HOME *The perfect summer read, full of glamour and intrigue * NOVELICIOUS *[A] tale packed with warmly-painted characters...Not only does Veronica...keep the intirgue and pace moving, she offers glorious descriptions of the ever-changing landscapes, and particularly of the romantic environs of their final destination - Venice * WESTERN MORNING NEWS (Devon) *

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Book SynopsisA secret that changed everything...''A great big romantic, emotional and involving read'' Woman & Home''With marvellous writing, eccentric characters and a great plot, this has it all'' Closer''This will make you giggle and weep in equal measure'' WomanKatie Lavender has always thought she was pretty unshockable, until a year after her mother''s death she receives a letter from a solicitor telling her that the man she thought was her father, in fact wasn''t. Her real father, a man named Stirling Nightingale, has for years been building a trust fund for her. And now she''s of an age to collect it. But Katie''s not interested in the money. She wants to know about the man instead. So decides to do some snooping. She tracks him down to a beautiful riverside home on the night he''s hosting a birthday party for his ninety-year-old mother. And as she''s hovering outside, Katie is mistaken for a Trade ReviewThis will make you giggle and weep in equal measure * WOMAN *With marvellous writing, eccentric characters and a great plot, this has it all * CLOSER *With the turn of every absorbing page, you'll find yourself caught in the rapture and despair of each character as they find their way through this beguiling drama * CANDIS *A great big romantic, emotional and involving read * WOMAN & HOME *She writes with a wry sense of humour and this story quickly reels you in... * EVENING TELEGRAPH *An extraordinary deftness of touch, coupled with some searing insights into both how relationships fail, and can work * DAILY MIRROR *This will make you giggle and weep in equal measure. * WOMAN (Special) *With marvellous writing, eccentric characters and a great plot, this has it all. * CLOSER *With the turn of every absorbing page, you'll find yourself caught in the rapture and despair of each character as they find their way through this beguiling drama. * CANDIS *A great big romantic, emotional and involving read. -- Fanny Blake * WOMAN & HOME *She writes with a wry sense of humour and this story quickly reels you in... * EVENING TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisA powerful and moving tale of family, love and loyalty from the author of the million-copy bestseller THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD and A FLOWER THAT''S FREE.''A secret from the past casts its shadow across all four generations of the family. This saga completes the Flowers Trilogy that began with million-copy bestseller THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD followed by A FLOWER THAT''S FREE'' CANDIS MAGAZINEAll families have secrets and many are taken to the grave. But those that aren''t can return with devastating consequences...For Kate Drake, now a great-grandmother, marriage and family brought peace after years of restless uncertainty. Now, watching her own grown-up children, it seems the world is a no less complicated place. Stella, her fiercely independent daughter, and Will, her handsome, self-indulgent son, have challenges of their own to face, while her granddaughter, Evie, is bringing up a son on her own.But when a secret from the past cTrade ReviewHer highly-detailed perspicacious style, full of insight and gentle humour, was a revelation -- Wendy Holden * DAILY MAIL *A secret from the past casts its shadow across all four generations of the family. This saga completes the Flowers Trilogy that began with million-copy bestseller The Flowers of the Field followed by A Flower That's Free. * CANDIS MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisA short break can become the holiday of a lifetime . . .From the bestselling author of THE BEACH HUTIn a gorgeous quay-side hotel in Cornwall, the long weekend is just beginning . . .Claire Marlowe owns ''The Townhouse by the Sea'' with Luca, the hotel''s charismatic chef. She ensures everything runs smoothly - until an unexpected arrival checks in and turns her whole world upside down.And the rest of the guests arrive with their own baggage. There''s a couple looking for distraction from a family tragedy; a man trying to make amends for an affair he bitterly regrets . . . and the young woman who thinks the Cornish village might hold the key to her past.Here are affairs of the heart, secrets, lies and scandal - all wrapped up in one long, hot weekend.Trade ReviewA host of different personalities fill this fun summer read - the talented Veronica Henry's tenth book * STAR magazine *Fast-paced and full of guilty secrets The Long Weekend is a great summer read. Veronica Henry's creation of a clever web of characters, each with their own story to tell, makes this a real page-turner. * CORNWALL TODAY *Beautifully written and dreamily descriptive, this delightful read will make you laugh, sob ... and pack up the car for a trip to the Cornish Coast. * CLOSER *This story is fun and fast-paced and you are bound to find yourself rooting for the main character Claire as well as wishing you could spend your weekend at the beautiful Townhouse on Sea. * NO 1 magazine *So many things happen over the couple of days and Henry has woven the events around each other in a fascinating, highly believable and highly enjoyable way. * CORNWALL LIFE *

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Book SynopsisJames Bond has a price on his head - and is up against the world's greatest assassin. Ian Fleming's 007 returns in an original, authorised Bond thriller from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

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Book SynopsisOfficial, original James Bond from a writer described by Len Deighton as a ''master storyteller''When M receives word that a known terrorist organisation is planning to infiltrate and destroy a top-secret British Royal Navy aircraft carrier-based summit of world leaders, James Bond is returned to active duty in the Royal Navy. Promoted from Commander to Captain, Bond is expected to infiltrate the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible and identify potential sleeper agents.As he struggles to complete his mission, a massive war game is being carried out between the American, British, and Soviet Navies. And when Bond gets caught up in a murder investigation the safety of the most powerful leaders on the planet hangs in the balance ...

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Book SynopsisDouble agents and honey traps - all in a day's work for James Bond. Ian Fleming's 007 returns in an original, authorised Bond thriller from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

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Book SynopsisJames Bond and the KGB - working together. Ian Fleming's 007 returns in an original, authorised James Bond thriller from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

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Book SynopsisFour assassination in less than a week - M needs James Bond. Ian Fleming's 007 returns in an original, authorised James Bond thriller from a writer described by Len Deighton as a 'master storyteller'.

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