Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisRun by Mandasue Heller is a gritty story of Manchester's criminal underworld.After being cheated on by her ex, Leanne Riley is trying her hardest to get her life back on track, which isn't easy without a job and living in a bedsit surrounded by a junkie and a mad woman.On a night out with her best friend she meets Jake, a face from her past who has changed beyond all recognition. Jake is charming, handsome and loaded, a far cry from the gawky teenager he used to be. Weary of men, Leanne isn't easy to please, but Jake tries his best to break through the wall she's built around herself.But good looks and money can hide a multitude of sins. Is that good-looking face just a mask? And what's more, what will it take to make it slip, and who will die in the process . . . ?'Heller doesn’t mince words, her gritty plots create a Manchester underworld to rival Martina Cole’s raw and rough East End' - PeTrade ReviewMandasue has played a real blinder with this fantastic novel -- Martina Cole on Forget Me NotCaptivating from first page to last -- Jeffery Deaver on Lost AngelThoroughly gripping * Guardian on Two-Faced *One of the bad girls of gritty crime, Heller has written a blinder * Daily Mirror *Heller doesn't mince words, her gritty plots create a Manchester underworld to rival Martina Cole's raw and rough East End * Evening Telegraph *A confident take on the serial murder genre * Irish News - Belfast *

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Book SynopsisSunshine, warmth, lemon blossom . . .Springtime in glorious Southern Italy can go to your head. Especially if you are escaping an overbearing husband, the embarrassingly public loss of your company, an interfering mother who still tries to run your life or the pain of a husband's affair with a girl young enough to be his daughter.As the Italian sun ripens the lemons in the groves that tumble down the hillsides and the Mediterranean dazzles beneath them, assertive Angela, extrovert Sylvie, unconfident Claire and mousy Monica find burgeoning friendship and begin to blossom in quite unexpected ways. Packed with memorable characters - from the acid-tongued Grand Old Man of Modern Art who lives next door - to the aspiring gigolo who thinks nothing of a forty year age gap, Maeve Haran's An Italian Holiday is a witty and entertaining reminder of why going a little mad in the sun can sometimes be exactly what you need. Trade ReviewMake sure of a happier holiday by packing this lovely novel in your suitcase. -- Jilly CooperFull of optimism and Italian sunshine this is a great summer read . . . Funny, wise, relaxing and full of lovely lifestyle detail * Daily Mail *As bubbly and enjoyable as a glass of Italian fizz. * Sunday Express *A sunny entertaining read * Woman & Home *The frank, funny tale of four women who strike up a friendship in sun-soaked southern Italy, all escaping their troubled pasts. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe aristocratic Duke de Richleau faces new, sinister challenges in this macabre tale of the dark arts. When his good friend Simon Aron's naïve curiosity is tested, the Duke, along with his ever-patient friends Rex Van Ryn, and Richard Eaton, must intricately plot a means of both physical and spiritual rescue. But with Van Ryn's affections for a beautiful woman caught in the web of Satanists, and Eaton's ongoing scepticism, they all risk being brought to the verge of madness through dabbling with the powers of evil. From London to the West Country, the slums of Paris to a Christian monastery, the action of this powerful occult thriller moves with fantastic, compelling force.Trade ReviewThe word thriller has never been more aptly bestowed -- Lionel Hale * The News Chronicle *He forcibly abducts the imagination -- Howard Spring * Evening Standard *There is a thrill for you in every chapter of this book -- Richard King * Tatler *

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Book SynopsisSchool is almost out for Audrey, but the panic attacks are just beginning. Because Audrey told a lie and now her classmate Ana, has wound up dead. Just as her world begins to spin out of control, Audrey meets the enigmatic Rad – the boy who could turn it all around. But will their ill-timed romance drive her closer to the edge?

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Book SynopsisThis stunning keepsakeperfect for fans of the mysterious and macabrecomprises three short stories by H. P. Lovecraft, including his Poesque masterpieces The Outsider and The Music of Erich Zann, as well as The Terrible Old Man.

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Book SynopsisHannah Tate can hardly believe her sleep-deprived eyes when she finds an engagement ring hidden in the closet. Killian, her super responsible, incredibly attractive boyfriendand the father of her new baby, Bowieis finally going to propose. But a romantic night out goes horribly wrong when Killian reveals he's dumping Hannah, not proposing. Furious and heartbroken, Hannah takes Bowie and moves in with her mama and stepdaddy in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Hannah realizes that her parents' cabin has vacation property gold written all over itand could save her mama from going broke. Again. Only problem? The cabin's décor is . . . mildly terrifying and it's in desperate need of renovation. Hannah hires the hot carpenter living in the treehouse next door to fix up the place. Not only does River respect Hannah's business acumen, he looks at her like she's a woman, not a hot mess. And Hannah can't deny that River awakens something new inside her. Can Hannah embrace a future

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Book SynopsisToo much sex in the city: a young woman goes into a self-destructive spiral after becoming obsessed with a downtown Montreal hipster.Reality, that speedy bitch, is catching up to me.In downtown Montreal, everyone is in a band or making a movie. Philomena Flynn and her best friend, Tania, are living fast and hard. There is sex when and where they want it, as well as drugs of all kinds. Not enough work, but lots of parties. Cute boys or nice boys, but rarely both at once. Philomena has no idea how to protect herself from her roaring feelings and goes into a spiral of self-destruction when her heart is broken. Too bad for Tania. Too bad for Philomena's dad. Too bad for boys who are too nice to her, and too bad, above all, for Philomena.Like Animals is a glimpse into the raucous, sex-filled lives infused with self-doubt and euphoria of young, creative people who are far more sensitive than their cool facades will admit.A RARE MTrade ReviewHard-hitting, violent, and raw, this gutsy novel must be read in one go... Without embellishment, yet with colourful and poetic writing, Lemieux tells with great insight of a generation for whom half measures do not seem an option. * La Presse *Eve Lemieux wrote a story that is heartbreaking...When Philly hits absolute rock bottom, the pain is felt so deeply within the pages that it is hard not to become emotional or empathetic to her. * Cloud Lake Literary *

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Book Synopsis*** THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR *** When are the boundaries of friendship pushed too far, and when is it time to stop flying over oceans for someone who wouldn't jump over a puddle for you? There comes a time when Hilary Hammond has to make that call. Hilary and Colette O'Mahony have been friends since childhood. But when irrepressible Jonathan Harpur breezes into Hilary's life and goes into business with her, Colette is not best pleased. After their first encounter, Colette thinks he's a 'pushy upstart' while he thinks she's 'a snobby little diva'. And so the battle lines are drawn, and Hilary is bang in the middle. But as the years roll by and each of them is faced with difficult times and tough decisions, one thing is clear...to have a friend you must be a friend. And that's when Hilary discovers that sometimes your best friend can be your greatest enemy....Warmth, wisdom and love on every page - if you treasured Maeve

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling author of Johnny Be Good “keeps you laughing and crying until the very last page” (Cosmopolitan) in this captivating sequel that proves the biggest secrets are the hardest to keep…“He’s not mine, is he?” That’s the question I fear the most. You see, I have a secret. My son is not fathered by my boyfriend, but by one of the most famous rock stars that ever lived. And he doesn’t even know it. One-time celebrity personal assistant to wild boy of rock Johnny Jefferson, Meg Stiles is now settled and living in the south of France with her doting boyfriend Christian and their son Barney. But they’re living a lie—a lie that will turn their lives upside down and inside out—because as Barney reaches his first birthday, Meg can no longer deny that her son is growing to look more and more like his rock star father every day, and leTrade ReviewPraise for Paige Toon ‘You’ll love it, cry buckets and be uplifted’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Tender, heartbreaking and magical’ GIOVANNA FLETCHER ‘Heart-warming, wistful and full of joy’ LINDSEY KELK ‘Poignant and lovely, warm and wise’ MILLY JOHNSON ‘Family secrets, new horizons and a gorgeous continent-crossing romance... prepare to be swept away!’ LUCY DIAMOND ‘Warm, inspiring, like a holiday mood in book form’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ‘For smart, romantic fiction, look no further than the new book from bestselling Paige Toon’ RED ‘Achingly romantic and brilliantly written... Five Stars!’ HEAT ‘Simply gorgeous’ SUN ‘You won’t be able to put down this emotional read’ CLOSER ‘Paige Toon is the queen of will-they/won't-they romance, setting up an ending that will leave you in bits’ SUNDAY EXPRESS ‘Full of living-in-the-moment and what-might-have-been contrasts, this tender read pulls at the heart strings’ FABULOUS

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Book SynopsisFROM THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR A priceless Titian masterpiece. A sumptuous French chateau with a deadly secret. And a mystery hidden in a Bordeaux village that will change their lives forever… When elegant Anouk, a dealer in American antiques, dies unexpectedly, she leaves the Metropolitan museum an uncatalogued, multimillion dollar painting by Titian. Her son, Mischa, had no idea she had even owned it and becomes determined to discover the story behind the painting. This mystery sends him on the trail of his own history, back to the French village of his childhood. There he hopes to uncover the origins of the Gypsy Madonna; he never expects to find himself. Lose yourself in this story of epic romance and dark mystery set against the backdrop of occupied France and post-war America.***PRAISE FOR SANTA MONTEFIORE***   ‘Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore’ JOJO MOYESTrade Review‘An engrossing, romantic mystery’ * Woman & Home on Gypsy Madonna *‘I have a tendresse for sweeping and epic romantic sagas set around huge houses and aristocratic families and Santa Montefiore hits the spot for me like few other writers. This is the second book in her Deverill Chronicles, which follows the fortunes of Irish sisters, Kitty, Bridie and Celia, starts in 1925 and focuses on Celia’s determination to restore Castle Deverill to its former glory. Lush, vivid storytelling’ -- Sarra Manning * Red magazine, on Daughters of Castle Deverill *‘This is Santa Montefiore at her best – an enchanting read overflowing with deliciously poignant moments. If you love a heartfelt, epic trilogy this is for you. I loved it and can’t wait for more’ -- Dinah Jefferies, author of The Tea Planter's Wife, on Songs of Love and War‘Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore. Everything she writes, she writes from the heart’ -- Jojo Moyes‘A multigenerational banquet of love: falling in, falling out, rediscovering,rekindling. The Beekeeper’s Daughter features sophisticated, irresistible backdrops and brilliantly drawn characters that made it one of the most engrossing reads of my year’ -- Elin Hilderbrand, author of The Matchmaker, on The Beekeeper's Daughter‘I raced through this feel-good romantic story, which spans continents and decades’ -- Fanny Blake * Woman & Home on The Beekeeper's Daughter *‘This deeply romantic saunter is an ideal summer read. Laced with secrets and forbidden liaisons, it is sure to keep you turning the pages’ * The Lady on The Beekeeper's Daughter *‘Santa Montefiore is the new Rosamunde Pilcher’ * Daily Mail *‘A superb storyteller of love and death in romantic places in fascinating times’ * Vogue *‘A gripping romance . . . it is as believable as the writing is beautiful’ * Daily Telegraph *‘Anyone who likes Joanne Harris or Mary Wesley will love Montefiore’ * Mail on Sunday *‘One of our personal favourites and bestselling authors, sweeping stories of love and families spanning continents and decades’ * The Times *‘Engaging and charming’ -- Penny Vincenzi

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of APPLE TREE YARD, now a major BBC drama starring Emily Watson The last thing anyone would expect in a small, rural village is murder - let alone the horrific double murder of a respectable middle-aged local couple. During one of the hottest summers England has ever seen, the two are brutally stabbed to death. Their teenage daughter is missing. Alison, a young local reporter, is asked to cover the murders. But it isn't long before it emerges that she has one or two dark secrets of her own - secrets in her past even she is not aware of...

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Book Synopsis''This is a special kitten. She has come to heal.'' Moments after she is born, tiny kitten Tallulah, with her bright eyes and silver and white fur edged with gold, is whisked away from her father Solomon and dumped in the hedge like rubbish. After a tough start to life, neglected and abandoned, Tallulah eventually finds a new home with the Lee family and forms a special bond with their daughter Tammy. But Tammy has a terrible secret and Tallulah must do all in her power to keep the family safe. Moving, uplifting and inspiring, Solomon''s Kittenis the story of a cat who heals a family, and explores the true gift an animal can bring to our lives.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 20161943, in the ruins of Blitzed London… Stella Thorne and Dan Rosinski meet by chance and fall in love by accident. Theirs is a reluctant, unstoppable affair in which all the odds are stacked against them: she is newly married, and he is an American bomber pilot whose chance of survival is just one in five.… He promised to love her forever Seventy years later Dan makes one final attempt to find the girl he has never forgotten, and sends a letter to the house where they shared a brief yet perfect happiness. But Stella has gone, and the letter is opened by Jess, a young girl hiding from problems of her own. And as Jess reads Dan's words, she is captivated by the story of a love affair that burned so bright and dimmed too soon. Can she help Dan find Stella before it is too late?Now forever is finally running out.

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Book SynopsisThey’re back and stronger than ever! Pre-order CITY GIRLS FOREVER, the new Patricia Scanlan novel, out Spring 2025.*** THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR *** The sequel to Patricia Scanlan's gripping saga City Girls; a sexy and savvy novel which captures the profound intimacy and drama of the loves of women. Devlin's flair and ambition ensure continued success for her City Girl health and leisure complex. Expansion is next on her agenda, But what of Luke Reilly, a man used to getting his own way? His interest is more than professional. Why does she keep running away from it? Soon Devlin is forced to make a decision that will have a huge impact on her life. Caroline, still coming to terms with her husband's revelations, has to do some serious thinking. For the first time in her life she is forced to face the consequences of her neediness. Can she face the future on her own or will

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Book Synopsis FIVE BRUTAL MURDERS IN TWO COUNTRIES.   ‘Hollywood blockbuster material…you’ll finish it in one gulp’ Metro  A WOMAN CONFESSES TO THE KILLINGS, THEN LEAPS OFF A BRIDGE TO HER DEATH.   'Kristina Ohlsson is a rising star of Scandinavian crime fiction’ Sunday Times  HER BROTHER INSISTS SHE WAS INNOCENT, AND WANTS THE CASE REOPENED.   ‘Expect Ohlsson to join Nesbo on most readers' can't-miss lists’ BooklistBUT HOW DO YOU VINDICATE A DECEASED, SELF-PROCLAIMED KILLER? ‘Superbly crafted’ Daily Mail

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Book Synopsis*** THE FEEL-GOOD NOVEL OF THE SUMMER AND A RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB 2018 SELECTION *** 'Wow. Just wow. If you liked Me Before You, you'll love You Me Everything'  Sunday Times bestseller Clare MackintoshSet in the French countryside over one hot summer, You Me Everything is a tender novel about finding joy and love even in the most unexpected places. Jess and her ten-year-old son William set off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, deep in the rich, sunlit hills of the Dordogne. There, Jess’s ex-boyfriend and William’s father, Adam, runs a beautiful hotel in a restored castle. Jess is bowled over by what Adam has accomplished, but she’s in France for a much more urgent reason: to make Adam connect with his own son. Jess can’t allow Adam to let their son down because she is tormented by a secret of her own, one that nobody - especially Willi

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Book Synopsis'Fabulous' Lesley PearseThe Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall? This epic novel is an unforgettably powerful story of love, loss and the long shadow of war.

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Book Synopsis *** THE TOP TEN BESTSELLER *** 'Superb storytelling – this intricate web of secrets and lies kept me guessing until the very end' Dinah JefferiesDiscover a brilliant story of love, danger, courage and betrayal, from the internationally bestselling author of The Liberation.Could you kill someone? Someone you love?Paris, 1938. Twin sisters are divided by fierce loyalties and by a terrible secret. The drums of war are beating and France is poised, ready to fall. One sister is an aviatrix, the other is a socialite and they both have something to prove and something to hide. The Betrayal is an unforgettably powerful, epic story of love, loss and the long shadow of war, perfect for readers of Santa Montefiore and Victoria Hislop. 'A real page-turner which puts you in France on the cusp of war from the very first page. Gripping

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a novel of family, secrets, love and redemption … and broken hearts mended and made all the stronger for it‘With mystery, romance and humour, every page of this enjoyable tale is glorious’  heatMarnie Salt has made so many mistakes in her life that she fears she will never get on the right track. But when she ‘meets’ an old lady on a baking chatroom and begins confiding in her, little does she know how her life will change. Arranging to see each other for lunch, Marnie finds discovers that Lilian is every bit as mad and delightful as she’d hoped – and that she owns a whole village in the Yorkshire Dales, which has been passed down through generations. And when Marnie needs a refuge after a crisis, she ups sticks and heads for Wychwell –&Trade Review‘An irresistibly warm and romantic read’ -- Sunday Express S Magazine on Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage‘Another gem from Milly Johnson’ * The Sun on Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage *

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Book Synopsis'Tender, heartbreaking and magical . . .  I went from feeling warm and fuzzy to shock, delight before, finally, well – you'll just have to read it!'GIOVANNA FLETCHERWhat if you met the right person at the wrong time?   Nell and Van meet as children when their parents fall in love, but soon they are forced worlds apart. Five years later, they find each other.  Their bond is rekindled and new feelings take hold, but once again they must separate.   For the next two decades, fate brings Nell and Van together every five years, as life and circumstance continue to divide them. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?  ‘One day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened…’  'Achingly romantic and brilliantly written, <Trade ReviewPraise for Paige Toon ‘You’ll love it, cry buckets and be uplifted’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Tender, heartbreaking and magical’ GIOVANNA FLETCHER ‘Heart-warming, wistful and full of joy’ LINDSEY KELK ‘Poignant and lovely, warm and wise’ MILLY JOHNSON ‘Family secrets, new horizons and a gorgeous continent-crossing romance... prepare to be swept away!’ LUCY DIAMOND ‘Warm, inspiring, like a holiday mood in book form’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE ‘For smart, romantic fiction, look no further than the new book from bestselling Paige Toon’ RED ‘Achingly romantic and brilliantly written... Five Stars!’ HEAT ‘Simply gorgeous’ SUN ‘You won’t be able to put down this emotional read’ CLOSER ‘Paige Toon is the queen of will-they/won't-they romance, setting up an ending that will leave you in bits’ SUNDAY EXPRESS ‘Full of living-in-the-moment and what-might-have-been contrasts, this tender read pulls at the heart strings’ FABULOUS

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Book SynopsisHow much is the smile from the person you love worth to you?   Brooke’s life has derailed. Her social life and career have evaporated, her daughter is desperately unhappy and being bullied at school, and, for a 43-year-old, she probably spends way too many weekends at her parent’s. But the reason for all this is no mystery. A year and a half ago, Brooke’s husband died.   But Brooke does have one secret. Her husband’s death, the worst thing that has ever happened to her, has made her unbelievably rich.   Despite her despair, Brooke suddenly realises she has the power to make her daughter’s life, and the world a little brighter.    

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of The Japanese Lover, Isabel Allende's Eva Luna is an unforgettable story of a lover, a writer, a revolutionary and above all, a storyteller.

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Book SynopsisIn the spirit of Station Eleven and Never Let Me Go, this is a dazzling and ambitious literary novel from the author of The History of Bees.

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Book Synopsis*** THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER *** In a beautiful southern Spanish town, where the sea sparkles and orange blossoms scent the air, the gates of a brand new apartment complex, La Joya de Andalucía, glide open to welcome the new owners.  Anna and Austen MacDonald, an Irish couple, are preparing to enjoy their retirement to the full. But the demands of family cause problems they have never foreseen and shake their marriage to the core. Sally-Ann Connolly Cooper, a feisty Texan mother of two young teenagers, is reeling from her husband's infidelity. La Joya becomes a place of solace for Sally-Ann, in more ways than one. Eduardo Sanchez, a haughty Madrileño, has set out with single-minded determination to become El Presidente of the complex's management committee. But pride comes before a fall. Jutta Sauer Perez, a sophisticated German who aspires to own her very own apartment in La Joya, works hard to reach her goa

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Book Synopsis'The World at My Feet brought me to tears. What a beautifully written and incredibly moving novel' Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare and The Switch 'A bittersweet, beautifully written novel with a very big heart. Perfect for readers who want a real page-turner that leaves them happier at the end' Eve Chase, author of The Glass HouseThe secrets that bind us can also tear us apart… 1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule.  2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life wTrade Review‘The World at my Feet is a profoundly moving, heart-filled story showing that, even in the darkest winter, new shoots of love, laughter and hope are waiting to burst through. Ellie is a wonderful character, whose daily acts of courage are an inspiration. As she nurtures her beloved garden, and reaches out to those beyond its walls, she finds her own way through to the sunlight. Catherine Isaac handles Ellie’s backstory with the kind of sensitivity and delicacy that’s the mark of an exceptionally accomplished writer. The World at my Feet is exactly the kind of story we all need right now. I adored it’ -- Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus‘A poignant and perceptive novel of love and courage in the face of terrible adversity’ -- Erica James, author of Letters From the Past'Such an interesting and beautifully written book – I loved it and would highly recommend adding it to your 2021 reading list. It is a wonderful story that I know readers are going to feel moved and uplifted by' -- Libby Page, author of The Lido'Beautifully written, thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting – The World At My Feet is Catherine Isaac's best book so far!' -- Debbie Johnson, author of Maybe One Day‘What a moving and uplifting story this is – Catherine Isaac writes with real humanity and kindness, which is exactly what we all need right now’ -- Lucy Diamond, author of An Almost Perfect Holiday'The World at My Feet brought me to tears. What a beautifully written and incredibly moving novel' -- Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare

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Book SynopsisFROM THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF LEGACY AND ACCIDENTAL AGENT After university and Sandhurst, Charles Thoroughgood has now joined the Assault Commandos and is on a four-month tour of duty in Armagh and Belfast. The thankless task facing him and his men -- to patrol the tension-filled streets through weeks of boredom punctuated by bursts of horror -- takes them through times of tragedy, madness, laughter and terror. Alan Judd tells Thoroughgood's tale with verve, compassion and humour. The result is an exceptionally fine novel which blends bitter human incident with army farce.'Quite simply one of the best novels of army life I've read' JACK HIGGINS'Entertaining and compulsively readable' MELVYN BRAGG'Human, sympathetic and engrossing' DAILY MIRROR

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Book SynopsisFor readers whose hearts were broken by The Tattooist of Auschwitz 'Correa’s prose is atmospheric, but what’s most fascinating about this novel is his portrayal of terrified yet strong female characters' New York TimesNew York City, 2015: Eighty-year-old Elise Duval is a French Catholic who arrived in New York after the Second World War. When a woman from Cuba visits with letters written in German to Elise from her mother during the war, her world is forever changed as she remembers a time and country she'd long since forgotten and seven decades of secret unravel.Berlin, 1939: Bookstore owner and recent widow Amanda Sternberg is fleeing Nazi Germany with her two young daughters. She heads towards unoccupied France, but with such a hard fight for freedom, a peaceful life of safety is hard to find. Based on true events, The Daughter’s Tale chronicles one of the most harrowing atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis during the Second World War: the 1944 massacre of all the inhabitants of a small, idyllic village in the south of France. Heartbreaking and immersive, The Daughter's Tale is a beautifully crafted family saga of love, survival, and hope against all odds.

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LAST ORDERS AND MOTHERING SUNDAY, reissued for the first time in Scribner In 1972, Robert Beech, First World War veteran and prominent figure in the arms industry, is killed by a car bomb. The event cuts short the career of his son Harry, a news photographer, and comes close to destroying his granddaughter Sophie. Ten years later, Harry, now working in aerial photography, and Sophie, visiting an analyst in New York, remain scarred and divided by the event. Around their broken relationship and Harry’s memories of his truncated career and his father, the novel builds a story that is acutely private yet sweepingly public, at the heart of which lies Harry’s lifelong dedication of the camera.Out of This World spans many of the twentieth century’s scenes of conflict, but also contains some of Graham Swift’s most achingly intimate scenes of personal confrontation—scenes that,

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Book Synopsis‘A quietly, devastating, magical novel’  Daily Telegraph'Beautiful, gentle, intricate... Here We Are smuggles within the pages of a seemingly commonplace tale depths of emotion and narrative complexity that take the breath away.' The Observer It is Brighton, 1959, and the theatre at the end of the pier is having its best summer season in years. Ronnie, a brilliant young magician, and Evie, his dazzling assistant, are top of the bill, drawing audiences each night. Meanwhile, Jack – Jack Robinson, as in ‘before you can say’ – is everyone’s favourite compère, a born entertainer, holding the whole show together.   As the summer progresses, the off-stage drama between the three begins to overshadow their theatrical success, and events unfold which will have lasting consequences for all their futures.   Rich, comic, alive and subtly dev

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Paul Yoon comes a beautiful, aching novel about three kids orphaned in 1960s Laos—and how their destinies are entwined across decades, anointed by Hernan Diaz as, “one of those rare novels that stays with us to become a standard with which we measure other books.” Alisak, Prany, and Noi—three orphans united by devastating loss—must do what is necessary to survive the perilous landscape of 1960s Laos. When they take shelter in a bombed out field hospital, they meet Vang, a doctor dedicated to helping the wounded at all costs. Soon the teens are serving as motorcycle couriers, delicately navigating their bikes across the fields filled with unexploded bombs, beneath the indiscriminate barrage from the sky. In a world where the landscape and the roads have turned into an ocean of bombs, we follow their grueling days of rescuing civilians and searching for medical supplies, until Vang secures their evacuaTrade Review‘Haunting . . . Run Me to Earth is a beautiful, understated novel which jumps backwards and forwards in time and perspective. Told by a range of narrators, some of whom stand at a slight angle to the main characters, it has a fractured, abstracted feel which mirrors the dissociation caused by early trauma . . . His writing may be restrained, but it is not lacking in lyricism or insight’ * The Big Issue *‘Yoon’s style is spare and subtle; some of his most powerful descriptions are of absences . . . There is no melodrama here, despite the intensity of the trauma . . . a humane corrective to those murderous abstractions’ * Times Literary Supplement *'Richly layered . . . Throughout the novel, beauty and vio­lence coexist in a universe that seems by turns cruel and won­drous. . . .Yoon has stitched an intense meditation on the devas­tating nature of war and displacement' * New York Times Book Review *'Spellbinding . . . With his panoramic vision of the displacements of war, Yoon reminds us of the people never considered or ac­counted for in the halls of power' * The Washington Post *'Yoon’s greatest skill lies in crafting subtle moments that un­derline the strange and specific sadness inherent to trauma . . . As children around the world continue to grow up surrounded by violence and war, authors like Yoon seek to understand how experiencing those horrors shapes the adults they eventually be­come. And in Run Me to Earth, those horrors are scattered like unexploded bombs, waiting to go off at any time' * Time magazine *'If you truly believe in the transformative power of literature then you must read this book. Run Me to Earth is a genuine mas­terpiece: fierce, tender, wise, earth-shattering, pulsating with love and hope' -- Miriam Toews, author of Women Talking'With Run Me to Earth, Paul Yoon proves, yet again, that he is a master at finding depth of emotion in formal restraint and dis­covering the timeless core in the most urgent issues of our day. This is one of those rare novels that stays with us to become, over the years, a standard with which we measure other books' -- Hernan Diaz, author of In the Distance, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize'[A] gorgeous book about the bonds of friendship and the ruptures of war. Even more significantly, in telling the sto­ries of a trio of Laotian teens, it inverts and reorients the American war story . . . Yoon is a master of subtle storytell­ing often leaving powerful emotions unexpressed, violent acts undetailed' * Los Angeles Times *'Engrossing and luminous . . . Yoon crafts an exceptionally human and poignant story' * Newsweek *'This story of three Laotian orphans making their way through their war-torn world in the 1960s asks important questions about what it means to feel safe, and to call a place home' * Vogue *'Yoon again exemplifies his unparalleled ability to create a qui­etly spectacular narrative that reveals the unfathomable worst and unwavering best of humanity; the result here provides mes­merizing gratification' * Booklist *'In another life, Yoon (The Mountain, 2017, etc.) might have been a sculptor, carving the excess off his creations until they’re perfect. In this decades-spanning examination of the survival of three orphans with the bad luck to have been born into the ruins of a battlefield, he’s stretching his abilities while still writing with deliberate, almost vigilant care . . . Yoon’s imaginative prose and affection for his characters make the story larger than a look at the ways people survive . . . Another masterpiece in miniature about the unpredictable directions a life can take' * Kirkus Reviews *'Yoon displays uncanny range, imagination, and originality' * The Millions *'[A] sparely written gem . . . Yoon masterfully weaves their divergent story lines, unveiling the different trajectories of their lives. . . . [A] finely wrought tale about courage and endurance' * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSometimes love is exactly like it is in the movies . . . With captivating views of the sparkling Cornish sea, the local picture house once thrived – and not only because it’s home to the best ice-cream shop for miles. But the cinema is long since past its heyday, and when former resident Gina returns and realises her fond memories are just that, she sets about restoring the picture house to its former glory. But as Gina reconnects with local renovator Ben, with whom she shares a past, old feelings begin to resurface. And when the pair learn the cinema’s future is under threat from a developer, they realise it’ll take more than a lick of paint to save The Picture House by the Sea. . . .The heart-warming and uplifting summer novel from the bestselling author of A Year at the Star and Sixpence. Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain! PRAISE FOR HOLLY HEPBURN:

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Book SynopsisFrom the million-copy Sunday Times bestseller comes a gripping story of family secrets, all-consuming love and the chaos of war.2011. When Lucy’s troubled father Tom passes away, she travels to Cornwall to visit his childhood home – the once-beautiful Carlyon Manor. Before he died, Tom had been researching an uncle she never knew he had. Determined to find out why, Lucy tracks down Beatrice Ashton, a local woman who seems to know more than she lets on, and has an extraordinary story to tell . . . 1935. Growing up in Cornwall, Beatrice plays with the children of Carlyon Manor – especially pretty, blonde Angelina Wincanton. Then, one summer at the age of fifteen, she falls in love with a young visitor to the town: Rafe, whom she rescues from a storm-tossed sea. On the surface, her life seems idyllic. But the dark clouds of war are gathering, and no

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Book SynopsisLucas Davenport investigates an anonymous threat to the children of US politicians in this edge-of-your-seat thriller from the internationally bestselling author John Sandford.   The daughter of a US Senator is monitoring her social media presence when she finds a picture of herself on a strange blog. And there are other pictures . . . children of other influential Washington politicians, walking or standing outside their schools, each identified by name. Surrounding the photos are vicious political rants from a variety of radical groups.   It's obviously alarming – is there an unstable extremist tracking the loved ones of powerful politicians with deadly intent? But when the FBI is called in, there isn't much they can do. The anonymous photographer can't be pinned down to one location or IP address and, more importantly, no crime has actually been committed. Yet.  There’s only one person who has a hop

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Book Synopsis'A compelling read with a dramatic sense of place and a caring community at its heart' Heidi Swain, bestselling author of A Taste of Home‘A wonderfully wise and beautifully written story about finding the courage to start over … I loved it!’ Isabelle BroomA remote yet beautiful village. A tiny kitchen lunch club. The perfect place to start again.   Anna moves to Crovie, a tiny fishing village on the Moray Firth, for a fresh start. But when she arrives, she realises her new home is really no more than a shed, and the village itself sits beneath a cliff right on the edge of the sea, in constant danger of storms and landslides. Has she made a terrible mistake? Yet as she begins to learn about the Scottish coast and its people, something she thought she’d lost reawakens in her. She rediscovers her love of cooking, and turns her kitchen into a pop-up lunch club. But not all Trade Review'A compelling read with a dramatic sense of place and a caring community at its heart' -- Heidi Swain, author of A Taste of Home‘A gorgeously remote and romantic great escape, brimming with foodie passion, friendship and heart’ -- Laura Kemp, author of A Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness'A magical story set in Scotland...An inspiring book of second chances' * Woman's Own *'A story to make you long to visit our glorious coastlines' * Prima *'With a romance that gently simmers, a plot that flows as fast as the North Sea tides, and some gentle reminders of the need to protect our oceans, The House Beneath the Cliffs provides the perfect holiday getaway' * Lancashire Post *'Thrilling & romantic' * The People's Friend *‘An inspiring book of second chances' * Woman *'Packed full of warmth' * Cumbria Life *

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Book SynopsisMireille Duval Jameson is living a fairy tale. The strong-willed youngest daughter of one of Haiti's richest sons, she has an adoring husband, a precocious infant son, by all appearances a perfect life. The fairy tale ends one day when Mireille is kidnapped in broad daylight by a gang of heavily armed men, in front of her father's Port au Prince estate. Held captive by a man who calls himself The Commander, Mireille waits for her father to pay her ransom. As it becomes clear her father intends to resist the kidnappers, Mireille must endure the torments of a man who resents everything she represents. An Untamed State is a novel of privilege in the face of crushing poverty, and of the lawless anger that corrupt governments produce. It is the story of a wilful woman attempting to find her way back to the person she once was, and of how redemption is found in the most unexpected of places. An Untamed State establishes Roxane Gay as a writer of prodigious, arresting

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Book SynopsisAnonymous is back with the intoxicating, darkly dangerous, and wildly addictive sequel to his New York Times bestselling debut novel Diary of an Oxygen Thief.Picking up the story where it left off, the controversial protagonist of cult classic Diary of an Oxygen Thief retools his advertising skills to seduce women online. It''s a pursuit that quickly becomes a dangerous fixation, often requiring even more creativity and deception than his award-winning ad campaigns. Dazzling, daunting, and darkly hilarious, this spellbinding sequel is a spectacular indictment of a modern love twisted beyond recognition.This title was previously published as Chameleon on a Kaleidoscope.Trade ReviewLively and colourful . . . will make you laugh even as you wince. * Emerald Street *Enthralling . . . the cult tale of a misogynist's ruin * the Guardian on Diary of an Oxygen Thief *A massively enjoyable, very quick read that's as hipster as a three pound bowl of Rice Krispies on Shoreditch High Street, but less of a rip-off * The Pool on Diary of an Oxygen Thief *A cinematic dream-capsule; somebody is going snap this up and make a movie out of it. * Barry Alexander Brown, Oscar-nominated Filmmaker, Writer and Editor *

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Book SynopsisJill Mansell''s YOU AND ME, ALWAYS is a deliciously romantic and poignant read about love, loss and how nothing can stay hidden for ever... If you love the novels of Milly Johnson and Lucy Diamond, you won''t want to miss Jill Mansell. ''Achingly romantic... we loved it!'' HeatLily''s always been surrounded by love.Ever since her mother died, she''s been cared for by friends who are as close as any family. Coral, her mum''s best friend; Patsy, her old babysitter - and even Dan, Patsy''s incorrigible younger brother - have always been there for her. But when the chance comes to meet the man who was the love of her mother''s life, Lily knows she has to take it. Getting to know him could change everything, and not just for Lily...What readers are saying about You And Me, Always: ''Fabulous, fun, flirty characters and a story that cracks along at a delicious pace. Another wiTrade ReviewAchingly romantic... we loved it! * Heat *Fans of PS, I LOVE YOU will enjoy this funny and heart-warming read * Bella *A glorious, heartwarming, romantic read * Woman & Home *A lovely uplifting read * Good Housekeeping *The sweetest love story of the year * Fabulous *Another warm and funny romance from one of Britain's most popular authors. * Reader's Digest *Jill Mansell is the queen of witty, heart-warming, feel-good love stories. * Red *Reliably heart-warming and funny * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisIn WAITING FOR DOGGO, it seems that Dan has needed someone to put his life in order...No-one ever called Dan a pushover. But then no-one ever called him fast-track either. He''s been with Clara for four years and he''s been perfectly happy; but now she''s left him, leaving nothing but a long letter filled with incriminations and a small, white, almost hairless dog, named Doggo. So now Dan is single, a man without any kind of partner whether working or in love. He''s just one reluctant dog owner. Find a new home for him, that''s the plan. But Doggo proves to be just as reluctant to go...Trade ReviewA wonderful, life-affirming classic-in-waiting -- Sophie Hannah'Mark B Mills' new novel could well catch a new zeitgeist by recasting the lonely singleton of Bridget Jones infamy as a man' * Grazia *It will take you about two sentences to fall in love with Doggo - and Dan won't be far behind. You'll be rooting for both of them... A heartwarming, funny and truly unique tale - don't miss it! ***** * Heat *'A funny and heart-warming journey of self-discovery' * Sun on Sunday, Fabulous Magazine *'A witty and inspiring tale' **** * Closer *'Fans of Marley & Me and One Day will love Mark B Mills' new novel' * Sunday Express, S Magazine *A sweet, funny tale of love and friendship * Cosmopolitan *'I wolfed it down ... please say there's a sequel' -- Jill Mansell'There's more than a hint of One Day in Mills's naturalistic snapshot of modern love and loss' * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully comic and feel-good read * Image Magazine *

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Book SynopsisShe may be 104 years old, but Ona Vitkus is on a mission and it''s all because of THE ONE-IN-A-MILLION-BOY...Monica Wood''s unforgettable novel about a boy in a million and the 104-year-old woman who saves his family is not to be missed by readers who loved THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, ELIZABETH IS MISSING or THE SHOCK OF THE FALL. ''A lovely, quirky novel about misfits across generations'' Daily Mail''A bittersweet story about finding friendship in the most unlikely of places'' Good Housekeeping. The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don''t they teach you anything at school?So says 104-year-old Ona to the 11-year-old boy who''s been sent to help her out every Saturday morning. As he refills the bird feeders and tidies the garden shed, Ona tells him about her long life, from first love to second chances. Soon she''s confessing secrets she has kept hidden for decades.OnTrade ReviewCurl up and enjoy this bewitching novel * Woman & Home *A lovely, quirky novel about misfits across generations * Daily Mail *Razor sharp while packing a heart-wrenchingly powerful emotional punch... Beautifully written, cleverly constructed, at times hilariously funny and ultimately deeply affecting - this should be a smash * Sunday Mirror *Delightful. It's a hugely engaging look at how lives can be remade in the most unexpected of ways * Sunday Express *A whimsical and bittersweet story about finding friendship in the most unlikely places * Good Housekeeping *Heartwarming... beautifully sketched characters... life-affirming ***** * Stylist *This inspirational tale of friendship, world records and following dreams is a stunner * Heat *Wise, witty and incredibly moving... magical and life-affirming. I was utterly charmed -- Polly SamsonA big, warm, winning treat of a novel, wholly believable but touched with magic... Sharply observed, deftly constructed and pithily told -- Alison MercerA beautifully told story * Sun *Wood's prose sparkles with lyrical descriptions and sharp observations about people and their motivations... But the over-arching theme running through it all concerns second chances. Even when you're older than a century, life still has the capacity to surprise you * Herald Glasgow *The boy is one of my favourite literary characters ever! I thought it was a gem of a novel, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Beautifully written, with characters that you want to keep by your side -- Adele ParksA magical, beautifully written story about the healing power of friendship, music, and unexpected, generation-spanning connections. As emotionally resonant as THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME -- Christina Baker KlineA beguiling, heart-wrenching and funny book... Absolutely gorgeous * Psychologies *It's a pleasure to linger with her elegant prose, keen eye, and grace of thought * Reader's Digest *

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Book SynopsisTHE TIES THAT BIND is a powerful, moving saga from bestselling author Lyn Andrews. Not to be missed by readers of Kate Thompson and Donna Douglas.Tessa O''Leary is the only daughter of a family of fatherless boys. When her mother dies she''s her brothers'' lifeline to survival. So for Tessa the privations of war are just another battle to be fought for a young woman who was born fighting...Elizabeth Harrison is oppressed by her shopkeeper mother''s snobbish expectations and it seems that the coming war could offer her an escape from her family''s emotional ties - but at what cost?Trade ReviewPraise for Lyn Andrews: 'An outstanding storyteller' - Woman's WeeklyA vivid portrayal of life - BestA compelling read - Woman's OwnThe Catherine Cookson of Liverpool - Northern EchoGutsy...a vivid picture of a hard-up, hard-working community...will keep the pages turning - Daily Express

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Book SynopsisBittersweet and startling, A SWEET OBSCURITY is a novel of childhood, love and the consequences of how lives are lived. ''Intriguing and impressive. A memorable study of a child forced cruelly, even tragically, to grow up too soon'' Sunday TimesSince her mother''s death, nine year old Dido has been living with her eccentric aunt, acting as peacekeeper between Eliza, her estranged husband Giles and his girlfriend. They are each cruelly burdened in different ways. Chance draws them down to Cornwall, where a country idyll offers to lighten their urban cares. Eliza falls in love with local farmer, Pearce, an event that causes the four adults to re-assess their lives, with some painful and unforeseen consequences for adults and child alike.Trade ReviewIntriguing and impressive. A memorable study of a child forced cruelly, even tragically, to grow up too soon * Sunday Times *Flawless * TLS *A rich comedy of sexual and familial confusions...a rare and welcome fictional voice * The Times *It amuses, startles and occasionally bewilders. A Sweet Obscurity is worth every minute of your time * Independent *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of A PLACE CALLED WINTER, Patrick Gale''s THE WHOLE DAY THROUGH is the beautiful structured story of the choices we make when we come face to face with our past.''Wry, clever, faultlessly crafted'' Guardian''Poignant and acutely observed'' Daily ExpressLaura Lewis has left her life in Paris and returned home to Winchester to care for her aging, but still sharp mother. Ben has moved away from his beautiful and loyal wife to support his brother, living alone since their mother''s death. A chance encounter reminds them both of the relationship - and the spark - they once shared. In the course of a single summer''s day, they come face to face with the feelings of love and regret they share, and the choices they must make; whether to be true to themselves, or to what they believe is the right thing to do.Trade ReviewPoignant and acutely observed * Daily Express *This is a wry, clever, fautlessly crafted mini-soap threaded with sadness ... beautifully written, precisely nuanced and assured * Guardian *A bittersweet tale of what happens when you're torn between duty and desire * She *[Gale's] fluid telescoping of past and present adds to the mood of quiet poignancy * She *

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Book Synopsis''A delicious, diverse, genre-bending gothic, as smart as it is spooky'' Chloe Benjamin During your three years at Catherine House you will have no contact with those in the outside world.Each of our students has been selected as someone who belongs here. You will give to Catherine and Catherine will give to you.We will not let each other down.Catherine House is a university like no other. Into its celebrated world steps Ines, a young woman who welcomes the school''s isolation rather than its illustrious past. As the gates close and Ines finds herself start to be inevitably seduced by its magnetic power, she begins to realise the question isn''t why she chose to come to Catherine House; but why Catherine House chose her.''A brilliantly observed tale brimming with subtle malevolence'' Irenosen Okojie''Echoes of The Secret History and Never Let Me Go''Trade ReviewA delicious, diverse, genre-bending gothic, as smart as it is spooky -- Chloe BenjaminCatherine House is a deliciously sinister novel that bristles with an unsettling glamour. It's almost impossible not to be seduced by Elisabeth Thomas's beautiful writing and the intoxicating world she has created * Louise O'Neill *[A] delicious literary gothic debut * New York Times *Echoes of Donna Tartt's The Secret History and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go contribute an intriguing undercurrent to this unsettling gothic concoction * Daily Mail *This has to be one of the most gripping books I've read this year... The read feels claustrophobic, decadent, extreme and sad in equal measure, and I was amazed by the plot * Woman's Way *This suspenseful read is a terrific debut * Woman's Weekly *Gothic horror provides the architecture for an arrestingly strange melange of speculative fiction and teen trauma in this atmospheric debut novel . . . nibbling menace spurs the plot onwards * Observer *A brilliantly observed tale brimming with subtle malevolence. An atmospheric, hypnotic delight * Irenosen Okojie *Thomas's debut novel is a dark, delicious gothic read that hits all the right spots in the best way. If you want a book you can't put down for even a second, this is it * Forbes, 10 most anticipated books of 2020 *Spellbinding... Surreal imagery, spare characterization, and artful, hypnotic prose lend Thomas's tale a delirious air, but at the book's core lies a profound portrait of depression and adolescent turmoil. Fans of Donna Tartt's The Secret History will devour this philosophical fever dream * Publisher's Weekly *Moody and evocative as a fever dream, CATHERINE HOUSE is the sort of book that wraps itself around your brain, drawing you closer with each hypnotic step * Washington Post *Catherine House is a haunting, atmospheric reflection on the discovery of self and others. At times terrifying, always gorgeously captivating, Thomas' debut is one not to be missed, and perhaps to be revisited frequently * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the 100,000+ copy-selling rom-com, Love to Hate You! No one makes you laugh like Jo Watson!''If you want a book to make you feel better, to make you laugh and smile, go read this'' NetGalley reviewerIf you love Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Paige Toon, you''ll LOVE Jo Watson!''Funny, relatable and a good read'' 5* reader review''Like a hug in the shape of a book'' 5* reader review''Definitely one everyone should read'' 5* reader review''Loved this book! Entertaining and well written, I couldn''t put it down'' 5* reader review.................................................................................There''s a fine line between love and hate...Poppy Peterson is about to be evicted if she doesn''t pay her rent. She used to be an actress on a telenovela until her character, RamonTrade ReviewI love a good original love story and Jo Watson managed to surprise me over and over again. Her snappy writing style is refreshing, her main characters are endearing and dazzling and her book sparkles from beginning to end * With Love For Books *The perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies * Gina's Bookshelf *It was amazing, it was hilarious' * Rachel's Random Reads *A brilliant read from beginning to end' * Hopeless Romantics *

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Book Synopsis''Full of tension and danger... powerfully atmospheric'' JENNIFER SAINT''A beautifully crafted thriller... Breathtaking and bone-chilling'' MANDA SCOTT''Maitland is a superlative historical novelist'' REBECCA MASCULL---Whispers haunt the walls and treachery darkens the shadows in this captivating historical novel for readers of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor''s Ashes of London and Kate Mosse.Winter, 1607. A man is struck down in the grounds of Battle Abbey, Sussex. Before dawn breaks, he is dead.Home to the Montagues, Battle has caught the paranoid eye of King James. The Catholic household is rumoured to shelter those loyal to the Pope, disguising them as servants within the abbey walls. And the last man sent to expose them was silenced before his report could reach London.Daniel Pursglove is summoned to infiltrate Battle and find proof of treachery. He soon discovers that nearly everyone aTrade ReviewA dark and enthralling historical novel with a powerful narrative. The mysterious Daniel Pursglove has all the qualifications for a memorable series hero -- Andrew TaylorSpies, thieves, murderers and King James I? Brilliant. Wonderful, exciting story -- Conn Iggulden

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Book SynopsisONE OF THE OBSERVER''S 10 MUST-READ DEBUT NOVELISTS OF 2022A GUARDIAN NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2022WINNER: HAWTHORNDEN PRIZE 2023; SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD 2023;SOHO HOUSE BREAKTHROUGH WRITER AWARD 2022SHORTLISTED: THE WRITERS'' GUILD BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2023''Luminous prose, rendered with sensitivity and without sentimentalism. An astonishing debut'' Cherie Jones, author of HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSESayon Hughes, a young Black man from Bristol, dreams of a world far removed from the one in which he was raised. Far removed from the torn slips outside the bookie''s, the burnt spoons and the crooked solutions his community embraces; most of all, removed from the Christianity of his uncaring parents and the prejudice of law-makers.Growing up, Sayon found respite from the chaos of his environment in the love and loyalty of his brother-in-arms, Cuba; in the example of his cousin HTrade ReviewWhat struck me most forcibly about An Olive Grove in Ends was the poetic strength and majesty of its prose - as the author himself might have it, 'like clarified honey'. From an author of such tender years - he is yet but twenty-two - this consummately crafted work can only be a harbinger of a stellar and truly significant career. I urge you to read it -- Patrick McCabe, author of THE BUTCHER BOY[An Olive Grove in Ends] is magnificent. Moses' talent is off the scale. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately and it's a long time since a novel gripped me so tightly . . . This is a phenomenally good novel, tense and thrilling and complex, with breath-stealing moments on every page. And the language. Oh, man. -- Donal Ryan, author of THE SPINNING HEARTAn Olive Grove in Ends chronicles the hard graft and grit of ghetto life in a poignant coming-of-age story rendered in the crackling song of a multi-ethnic UK street. McKenzie offers a rare glimpse into the harsh realities of street life and love in luminous prose, rendered with sensitivity and without sentimentalism. An astonishing debut novel about which I'll be talking to everyone! -- Cherie Jones, author of HOW THE ONE-ARMED SISTER SWEEPS HER HOUSEHis engrossing first-person narrative, lyrical and slangy by turns, is the vehicle for a tough yet tender story of faith and friendship, as well as money, knife crime and the failings of the British education system * Observer New Review, 10 Best Debut Novelists of 2022 *A remarkable debut, bristling with sharp prose and daring originality. Moses McKenzie offers us a fascinating glimpse into the vibrant world of Ends, whose colourful inhabitants - Sayon in particular - will linger with readers long after the novel comes to a close. -- Nathan Harris, author of THE SWEETNESS OF WATERIncredible. The story is completely gripping and expertly paced, the characterisation is rounded and complex, especially the different relationships between characters. I'm in awe of how fully the nuances of the relationships come through in such small details that speak large. And the language - oh my - what an impressive range of registers Moses hits with such beauty in the lyrical bits, such music in the dialogue, and such efficiency throughout. Zero fluff. -- Melissa Fu, author of PEACH BLOSSOM SPRINGA remarkable debut full of wisdom. -- Ian Parker * iPaper *

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