Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisOne of America''s greatest writers gives us his unique perspective on our fears of nuclear annihilationExperiment.Told with deadpan humour and bitter irony, Kurt Vonnegut''s cult tale of global destruction preys on our deepest fears of witnessing Armageddon and, worse still, surviving it.Solution.Dr Felix Hoenikker, one of the founding fathers of the atomic bomb, has left a deadly legacy to the world. For he is the inventor of ice-nine, a lethal chemical capable of freezing the entire planet. The search for its whereabouts leads to Hoenikker''s three eccentric children, to a crazed dictator in the Caribbean, to madness. Felix Hoenikker''s death-wish comes true when his last, fatal, gift to mankind brings about an end that, for all of us, is nigh.Trade ReviewA major novelist, and a major novel. - Sunday Telegraph.Resonate with our fears...very moving. - London Review of Books.In a line-up of literary originals, Kurt Vonnegut would have to start apart...He is brave, clever, honest, and wise beyond the gags. - Irish Times.

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Book Synopsis*THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*''VERY funny'' Jennie Godfrey''Smart, twisty, and original'' Heat''Terrific'' J. M. Hall''Superb'' Glamour ''Wildly original'' Elly Griffiths''Delightfully refreshing'' Daily MailFRANCES ALWAYS SAID SHE''D BE MURDERED. SHE WAS RIGHT. In 1965, Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that one day she''d be murdered. Frances spent the next sixty years trying to prevent the crime that would be her eventual demise. Of course, no one took her seriously - until she was dead. For Frances, being the village busybody was a form of insurance. She''d spent a lifetime compiling dirt on every person she met, just in case they might turn out to be her killer. In the heart of her sprawling country estate lies an eccentric library of detective work, where the right person could step in and use her findings to solve her murder. When her great-niece Annie arrives from London and discovers that Frances'' worst fear has come true, Annie is thrust into her great-aunt''s last act of revenge against her sceptical friends and family. Frances'' will stipulates that the person who solves her murder will inherit her millions. Can Annie unravel the mystery and find justice for Frances, or will digging up the past lead her into the path of the killer? *******************************Readers are loving How to Solve Your Own Murder*''FINALLY, the book I''ve been searching for . . . Without a doubt the best murder mystery book I''ve ever read'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''A cracking dual timeline read . . . I was totally engrossed in trying to solve the crime! Loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''This book is SO much more than just a clever hook. It''s a fantastic combination of wonderfully crafted prose, vivid characters and a plot that made me gallop through'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''An amazingly well written mystery with true Christie vibes . . . a rollercoaster I didn''t want to get off'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Just brilliant . . . A proper who done it with a very modern twist'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐*Praise for How to Solve Your Own Murder* ''A wonderful idea and, pun intended, brilliantly executed'' Ian Moore ''Plenty of twists and red herrings . . . entertaining'' Guardian ''Addictive . . . a devilishly clever plot'' Sunday Post ''I so enjoyed this smart, original murder mystery'' Beth O'' Leary ''A deliciously inventive new take on the classic murder mystery'' Bobby Palmer ''Ridiculously fun . . . unputdownable . . . One to savour for fans of Only Murders in The Building'' My Weekly ''Sharply observed . . . vivid characterisation and theatrical plotting'' Sunday Independent ''Intriguing . . . skilful storytelling . . . a compelling read'' Daily MirrorA New York Times bestseller April, 2025

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Book Synopsis Summer is in full swing when Kat drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to get married to. Coming home is just what she needs to heal her broken heart.   At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Kat’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him. They have been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden – and this could be just the thing Kat needs to take her mind off her worries.  With Kat settled into working the gardens during the day and working the bar at the local pub in the evenings, sparking up a potential fling with alluring newcomer Josh along the way, things are starting to look up. But when Josh turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark fizzle out? And with it the chances of this becoming

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR TV SERIES WITH PRIME VIDEOWINNER OF THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION''Electrifying'' Margaret Atwood''A big, page-turning, thought-provoking thriller'' Guardian----------------------------------All over the world women are discovering they have the power. With a flick of the fingers they can inflict terrible pain - even death. Suddenly, every man on the planet finds they''ve lost control.The Day of the Girls has arrived - but where will it end?----------------------------------''The Hunger Games crossed with The Handmaid''s Tale'' Cosmopolitan''I loved it; it was visceral, provocative and curiously pertinent . . . The story has stayed with me since'' Stylist, The Decade''s 15 Best Books by Remarkable Women''Superb. Insightful, thrilling, funny. Well-crafted, compelling, serious-minded'' Daily Telegraph''Fascinating, ingenious, rattles with a furious pace. Deserves to be read by every woman (and, for that matter, every man)'' The Times''Irresistible. Holds a mirror up to the here and now'' Mail on Sunday''Chilling, thrilling, a blast'' Financial TimesTrade ReviewElectrifying -- Margaret AtwoodA big, brash, page-turning, thought-provoking thriller * Guardian *A fascinating look at what the world might be like if millennia of sexism went the other way. Ingenious . . . deserves to be read by every woman (and, for that matter, every man) * The Times *It's magnificent. I'm agog. Really, I'm several gogs. So smart and scary and sad but true -- Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire SlayerThe Handmaid's Tale for the Gone Girl generation * Grazia *A stone cold genius -- Sarah PerryThe Hunger Games crossed with The Handmaid's Tale * Cosmopolitan *The Power is a subtly funny, lyrical and utterly subversive vision of an impossible future. As all the best visionaries do, Alderman shines a penetrating and yet merciful light on to our present and the so many cruelties in which we may be complicit -- A. L. KennedyElectrifying! Shocking! Will knock your socks off! Then you'll think twice, about everything -- Margaret AtwoodThe Power is a fascinating look at what the world might be like if millennia of sexism went the other way...as a whole the narrative feels ingenious...deserves to be read by every woman (and, for that matter, every man) * The Times *A feminist science-fiction story that's about to make waves * Red *If you enjoy Margaret Atwood's dystopian fiction, this strong, substantial novel is for you * Woman & Home *Alderman is a fluent and powerful writer * Sunday Times *Thought-provoking novel * Glamour *When we say that The Power is profoundly disturbing and you may well want to argue with it as you read, we mean that in a good way * SFX, Five Stars *I loved it; it was visceral, provocative and curiously pertinent . . . The story has stayed with me since * Stylist, the decade's 15 best books by remarkable women *As awesome as it is compulsive * Heat, 5 stars *What starts out as a fantasy of female empowerment deepens and darkens into an interrogation of power itself, its uses and abuses and what it does to the people who have it * Guardian *A raw, gutsy slice of speculative dystopia * Metro *Like the best science fiction, this dystopian feminist fantasy holds up a mirror to the here and now * Mail on Sunday *A gripping read and a reminder of the true joy of a truly engaging story * Stylist *Frenetic sci-fi novel * Daily Mail *Naomi's super-charged, subversive novel....forcing you to rethink everything * Psychologies *One of my favourite books of 2016 - clever, harrowing and thought-provoking -- Paula Hawkins, best-selling author of The Girl on the TrainElectrifying -- Margaret AtwoodIt's a feminist dystopian page-turner of a thriller and I'm IN LOVE with it -- Marian KeyesThis year's Baileys winner is simultaneously a high-concept thought experiment and a rollercoaster, action packed read * Guardian *The Power by Naomi Alderman is the feminist flipside to The Handmaid's Tale, asking what happens when women are suddenly the stronger sex * Evening Standard *An enthrallingly told Cassandra-like prophecy from the ever-inventive Naomi Alderman * Observer *This book sparks with such electric satire that you should read it wearing insulated gloves * Washington Post *The Power is at once as streamlined as a 90-minute action film and as weirdly resonant as one of Atwood's own early fictions * Boston Globe *In this fierce and unsettling novel, the ability to generate a dangerous electrical force from their bodies lets women take control, resulting in a vast, systemic upheaval of gender dynamics across the globe * New York Times Books of the Year *It's a riveting story, told in fittingly electric language, that explores how power corrupts everyone: those new to it and those resisting its loss' * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisIncluded in the BEST OF GRANTA series: a new edition of the bestselling Japanese novel, by the Akutagawa Prize-winning author

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Book SynopsisNot just a tale of suspense; it's also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss' evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge' ?????A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell***1859. Somerset, England.When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family's worldly goods and their freedom to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community's twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be savedSee what readers are saying:''The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby's sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It's a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish' ?????A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times' ?????An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining' ?????One of those books that you can''t put down' ?????''Reiss''s meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel a thought-provoking and powerful read' ????A gripping, dark, well written story' ????''A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable' ????''The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling' ????

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Book SynopsisThe most popular anthology of Jorge Luis Borges''s short stories, Fictions is a wildly original and influential collection of fantastic tales, translated from the Spanish with an afterword by Andrew Hurley in Penguin Modern Classics.Jorge Luis Borges''s Fictions introduced an entirely new voice into world literature. It is here that we find the astonishing accounts of ''Funes the Memorious'', the man who can forget nothing; ''Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote'', who recreates Miguel de Cervantes''s epic word-for-word; a society run on the basis of an all-encompassing game of chance in ''The Lottery in Babylon''; the mysterious world of ''Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius'' which seems to be supplanting our own ; and the ''Library of Babel'', which contains every possible book in the whole universe. Here too are the philosophical detective stories and the haunting tales of Irish revolutionaries, gaucho knife fights and dreams within dreams which proved

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Book SynopsisShimamura is tired of the bustling city. He takes the train through the snow to the mountains of the west coast of Japan, to meet with a geisha he believes he loves.Trade ReviewBeautifully economical . . . The haiku works entirely by implication; so, in this novel, using the same delicate, glancing technique, Mr. Kawabata probes a complicated human relationship * The Times Literary Supplement *Kawabata's novels are among the most affecting and original works of our time * The New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE MOST JOYFUL NOVEL OF THE YEAR NOW. DISCOVER A LAUGH-OUT-LOUD TALE OF REDEMPTION IN THIS INTERNATIONALLY-BESTSELLING FUR-NOMENONTHE PERFECT GIFT FOR FANS OF MATT HAIG, FREDRIK BACKMAN & TOSHIKAZU KAWAGUCHI---Meet Frankie the cat. He's a stray who belongs to no one, and that's just how he likes it. Until one day, everything changes. He crosses paths with Richard. Richard isn't doing so well. Grieving the loss of his partner, he's turned his back on hope and is ready to end it all. But his plans are halted when Frankie the cat is injured on his doorstep. Frankie needs help. But then, so does Richard. What Richard doesn't know is that Frankie is no ordinary cat. It's an unlikely partnership. But it might be exactly what they both need . . . ---Sometimes in our darkest hour, a pet companion is just what the doctor ordered. Narrated by Frankie the cat, discover this heart-warming and laugh-out-loud tale of hope, unlikely friendship, and the redemptive power of having someone that needs you. PRAISE FOR FRANKIE'I laughed and had moments of clarity tears. I loved every part of this beautiful book' - 5* Reader Review'What a little firecracker of a book. [...] I loved every second of this beautiful tale, it gave me hope.' - 5* Reader Review'[An] outstandingly hilarious, heartbreaking and surprisingly profound novel. I loved seeing the world through [Frankie's] eyes. It could so easily have been twee or sentimental - but I genuinely both laughed and cried. A unique and special book.' - 5* Reader Review

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Book SynopsisJacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children's Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children's Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk

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Book SynopsisGive me Harry Potter, and I shall leave the school untouched. Give me Harry Potter, and you will be rewarded' Lord VoldemortHarry Potter is preparing to leave the Dursleys and Privet Drive for the last time. But the future that awaits him is full of danger, not only for him, but for anyone close to him and Harry has already lost so much. Only by destroying Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes can Harry free himself and overcome the Dark Lord's forces of evil.In this dramatic conclusion to the Harry Potter series, Harry must leave his most loyal friends behind, and in a final perilous journey find the strength and the will to face his terrifying destiny: a deadly confrontation that is his alone to fight.These adult editions have been stylishly redesigned to showcase Andrew Davidson's beautiful woodcut cover artwork.Trade ReviewAnd you thought wizardry was for children. Harry Potter will make you think again. He casts his spells on grown-ups too * James Naughtie *Rowling has woven together clues, hints and characters from previous books into a prodigiously rewarding, suspenseful conclusion * Guardian *A nail-biting rollercoaster. A finale that ticks every box * Heat *An incredibly gifted novelist … The fact that Harry attracted adults as well as children has never surprised me. J.K. Rowling has set the standard: it’s a high one * Stephen King *Funny, imaginative, magical … In the 2020s, thirty-something book-lovers will know each other by smug references to Diagon Alley and Quidditch * The Times *One of the greatest literary adventures of modern times * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWill you, Severus, watch over my son Draco as he attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?' Narcissa MalfoySuspicion and fear blow through the wizarding world as news of the Dark Lord's attack on the Ministry of Magic spreads. Harry has not told anyone about the future predicted by the prophecy in the Department of Mysteries, nor how deeply what happened to Sirius Black affected him. He's desperate for Professor Dumbledore to arrive and take him away from the Dursley's but Hogwarts may not be the safe haven from Voldemort's Dark Forces that it once was.In his sixth year, the names Black, Malfoy, Lestrange and Snape will haunt Harry with shades of trust and treachery as he discovers the secret behind the mysterious Half-Blood Prince and Dumbledore prepares him to face his own terrifying destiny.These adult editions have been stylishly redesigned to showcase Andrew Davidson's beautiful woodcut cover artwork.Trade ReviewAnd you thought wizardry was for children. Harry Potter will make you think again. He casts his spells on grown-ups too * James Naughtie *A gripping story with its clues trailed through the text, chills, spills and some excellent, new comic characters. There is a measure of sadness too … one of the elements of Rowling’s writing that I think entitles her to a seat in the pantheon * Julian Fellowes, Sunday Telegraph *Funny, imaginative, magical … In the 2020s, thirty-something book-lovers will know each other by smug references to Diagon Alley and Quidditch * The Times *One of the greatest literary adventures of modern times * Sunday Telegraph *Spellbinding, enchanting, bewitching stuff * Mirror *

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Book SynopsisThe instant Sunday Times bestseller, Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel is a story of parallel worlds and possibilities that plays with the very line along which time should run. 'So wise, so graceful, so rich' - Naomi Alderman, author of The Power'Ingenious' - GuardianLives separated by time and space have collided, and an exiled Englishman, a writer trapped far from home, and a girl destined to die too young, have each glimpsed a world that is not their own. Travelling through the centuries, between colonies on the moon and an ever-changing Earth, together their lives will solve a mystery that will make you question everything you thought you knew to be true.From the award-winning author of Station Eleven.A Best Book of the Year - Guardian, Oprah Daily, Barack Obama'Brilliant and fiercely original' - Observer'One of her finest novels' - New York Times'Transcendent' - Wall Street JournalTrade ReviewBrilliant . . . a fiercely original creation * Observer *It is heaven to be immersed in the waters of Mandel's imagination . . . so wise, so graceful, so rich . . . I loved Sea of Tranquility -- Naomi Alderman, Women's Prize-winning author of The PowerA spiralling, transportive triumph of storytelling - sci-fi with soul -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The MerciesA cunning time-travel narrative . . . unputdownable . . . distinctive, remarkable work from one of the genre’s major voices * Guardian, Best Books of the Year *One of her finest novels and one of her most satisfying forays into speculative fiction yet * New York Times *A time travel epic: a soaring story of connections through the ages . . . profound and life-affirming * Vogue *Even more boldly imagined than Station Eleven. Exciting to read, relevant, and satisfying. * Kirkus *Ingenious, hugely ambitious . . . graceful and beguiling * Guardian *Bold and exciting . . . Sea of Tranquility is Mandel’s most ambitious novel yet. Inventing and mind-bending * The Economist *Destabilizing, extraordinary, and blood-boiling . . . a speculative epic * New Yorker *Extraordinary . . . An expertly crafted time-travel tale . . . supremely satisfying and moving . . . You won’t be able to shut up about this book * Irish Times *Readers of Mandel’s Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel will not be disappointed, a generous and elegant novel about art and family and time travel * LitHub *The feeling of something lovely glimpsed and lost is everywhere in these pages * New York Times *Mind-blowing * Washington Post *Mandel remains an instant-buy writer * Glamour *Wonderfully inventive . . . genuinely impressive, subtle and nuanced . . . a story with love and longing for connection at its heart, moving and thought-provoking in equal measure * Big Issue *An ambitious time-travelling panorama of pandemics and parallel worlds * Guardian *A story like a tone poem, uncannily lovely and profound * EW *A trippy, wistful story * Wired *An inventive, haunting, and tender time-travel story that underscores the importance and resilience of art * Vulture *Poignant, ingeniously constructed and deeply absorbing * NPR *Sensational . . . masterfully plotted and deeply moving * Esquire *Emily St. John Mandel, who, like an ingenious origami artist, seems determined with each new work to add yet another fold to our perception of what is real and one further twist to what we think of as time . . . Transcendent * Wall Street Journal *Mandel illustrates how hope and humanity are flames that can never be fully extinguished * Elle *World builder is a phrase that's rightly used to describe Emily Mandel's immersive powers as a novelist. I didn't just read Station Eleven, The Glass Hotel or Sea of Tranquility. I lived in those novels -- Maureen Corrigan * NPR *

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Book SynopsisThe exciting third instalment in the ALL SOULS series following the No.1 internationally bestselling A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES and SHADOW OF NIGHT.Trade ReviewWhat a rich, thrilling and educational tale is... A captivating and romantic ripping yarn -- E L James * Guardian *Intelligent and off-the-wall...irresistible to Twilight fans * The Sunday Times *Spellbinding... Unputdownable * Woman & Home *This is a glorious, finely-wrought gem of a book: intelligent, thoughtful, intricate... I could lose myself in here and never want to come out: what better accolade can there be? ...Utterly enchanting on every level -- Manda ScottA bubbling cauldron of illicit desire...all the ingredients for an assured saga that blends romance with fantasy * Daily Mail *A vast, sexy, historical romp of a novel. There's no doubting Harkness's vivid imagination * Daily Mirror *An inventive addition to the supernatural craze...has exciting amounts of spells, kisses and battles, and is recounted with enchanting, page-turning panache * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisThe global bestseller that inspired the hit musical phenomenon.Trade Review'Gregory Maguire's Wicked falls into a fascinating sub-genre of novels that revisit well-known stories as much in the spirit of criticism as homage. Maguire...makes sense of Baum's whims, creating a credible Oz for grown-ups, with religion, politics, racial tensions, an economy, mythology, humour and sex... As moving and tragic as it is refreshing and scurrilous... This outstanding novel.' * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisA scathingly funny, wildly erotic and fiercely imaginative story about food, sex and god from the Women''s Prize longlisted author of The Pisces A STYLIST, INDEPENDENT, THE WEEK AND RED HIGHLIGHT FOR 2021 ''Sexy and fun and a little weird ... This riot of carnal pleasure will make you laugh as well as gasp'' The Times''A revelation ... Melissa Broder has produced one of the strangest and sexiest novels of the new year ... Exhilarating'' Entertainment Weekly''A luscious, heartbreaking story of self-discovery through the relentless pursuit of desire. I couldn't get enough of this devastating and extremely sexy book'' Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other PartiesRachel is twenty-four, a lapsed Jew who has made calorie restriction her religion. By day, she maintains an illusion of control by way of obsessive food rituals. At night, she pedals nowhere on the elliptical machine. TheTrade ReviewEvery encounter is written with sumptuous detail, from glutting on nachos to intimate sex scenes (real and imagined), making for a simultaneously uncomfortable and revelatory read * Evening Standard *Melissa Broder’s exhilarating, bleakly funny Milk Fed is another study of female appetite … The most eroticised, tender and romanticised writing in this singular novel is of food’ * Sunday Times *Milk Fed is a rich, sensual comedy about the joys rather than the privations of the flesh, and with a large number of extremely filthy sex scenes… A funny, sexy, romance about transgressive desire and whipped cream * Daily Mail *Melissa Border's imagination, which gave us the story of a woman falling in love with a merman in The Pisces, returns with another wonderfully strange story * Esquire *[An] imaginative story about food, sex and God (yes, all three of those) * Red *Weird, funny and filthy … Milk, motherhood, food, faith, sex and desire are all tangled in a mess of archetypes, delivered with a sarky millennial spin. Milk Fed will be too much for some – too list-y, too vulgar, too solipsistic – but others will delight in its excesses * Sunday Telegraph *Deeply hilarious and embarrassingly relatable -- Samantha Irby, author of 'Wow, No Thank You'Milk Fed hits that sweet spot where pleasure and tension intersect, where the sumptuous exploration of sexuality and spirit meets the rigidities of culture and society. Strange and surreal, Broder's writing is a marvel of wit, heart, and thoughtful curiosity about the body and mind and how these things can overflow their boundaries to become utterly new -- Alexandra Kleeman, author of 'You Too Could Have a Body Like Mine'Sin as self-discovery, appetite as insight, transgression as transformation, Milk Fed is at once hilarious and heartbreaking; watching Broder's characters try to love themselves might just make you love yourself.... or at least hate yourself a little less -- Shalom Auslander, author of 'Mother for Dinner'Smart, funny, sexy, and hard to put down. In this fast-moving, deeply compelling novel, Melissa Broder combines an unexpected (and very hot) love story with a sharp-edged examination of body image, religion, and cultural identity -- Tom Perrotta, author of 'Mrs. Fletcher'Melissa Broder goes there and goes there again. Milk Fed is a hilarious and painfully accurate excavation of the female self-gaze, an erotic romp, a hyper witty satire of certain corridors of contemporary American culture and an unstoppable, wickedly seductive read -- Dana SpiottaPhysical hunger, sexual desire and spiritual longing merge in Broder’s funny meditation on appetites * Country & Town House *

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Book SynopsisYukio Mishima was born into a samurai family and imbued with the code of complete control over mind and body, and loyalty to the Emperor - the same code that produced the austerity and self-sacrifice of Zen. He wrote countless stories and thirty-three plays, in some of which he performed. Several films have been made from his novels, including The Sound of Waves, Enjo which was based on The Temple of the Golden Pavilion and The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea. Among his other works are the novels Confessions of a Mask and Thirst for Love and the short story collections Death in Midsummer and Acts of Worship. The Sea of Fertility tetralogy, however, is his masterpiece. After Mishima conceived the idea of The Sea of Fertility in 1964, he frequently said he would die when it was completed. On 25 November 1970, the day he completed The Decay of the Angel, the last novel of the cycle, Mishima committTrade Review[a] beautiful and austere tale… written in lush, languid prose, filled with beautiful sentences and turns of phrase, this is one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year * Reading Matters *Romantic obsession and sexual intrigue meet in the sumptuous historical melodrama * Variety *An austere love story, probably my favourite of his novels -- David Mitchell * Independent on Sunday *Mishima is the Japanese Hemingway * Life magazine *This tetralogy is considered one of Yukio Mishima's greatest works. It could also be considered a catalogue of Mishima's obsessions with death, sexuality and the samurai ethic. Spanning much of the 20th century, the tetralogy begins in 1912 when Shigekuni Honda is a young man and ends in the 1960s with Honda old and unable to distinguish reality from illusion. En route, the books chronicle the changes in Japan that meant the devaluation of the samurai tradition and the waning of the aristocracy. * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that is captivating readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances! No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree!''Mariana Zapata''s storytelling is incredible. I love the way she develops her characters and we get to watch all the goodness unfold. I never wanted this story to end'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I would give it more than 5 stars if it was an option'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Such a beautiful book and I literally do not know what to do with myself now that I''ve finished it'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I''m honestly convinced that Mariana Zapata has no idea how to write anything other than a masterpiece. Because just like all of he

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Book SynopsisDon't miss this transporting novel full of family secrets, a disputed inheritance, and a century-old unsolved mystery A gritty and whip-smart read. Strong friendships, powerful women, mighty lives. I utterly devoured it, was swept to Sicily, loved the denouement' Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight HouseAs much a feminist adventure as a redemptive family mystery I was gripped and entertained from start to finish' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The PushStrong women, rich history and page-turning suspense make for a rich and satisfying read' Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author* * *A century-old unsolved murderA disputed inheritanceA family secret that some will kill to protect When Sara Marsala's beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, she leaves Sara a valuable piece of land in Sicily, but there's a catch: if Sara wants the land, she must first uncover the truth about what happened to her great-grandmother, Serafina Marsala. Because Rosie believed Serafina was murdered, and she wants Sara to prove it.Serafina was a headstrong young woman who fought for a better life for all the women of her small village. Yet a woman who challenges the status quo is never safe, and as Sara discovers more about the matriarch, she comes up against the same menacing forces that took down Serafina.And now they want to destroy Sara too* * *Praise for The Sicilian Inheritance:Equal parts rich historical fiction, gripping murder mystery, and a moving exploration of identity, grief, and the long shadow of the past' Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here

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Book SynopsisJulio Cortazar's crazed masterpiece, the forbearer of the Latin Boom in the 1960s - published in Vintage Classics for the first time'Cortazar's masterpiece. This is the first great novel of Spanish America... A powerful anti-novel but, like deeply understood moments in life itself, rich with many kinds of potential meanings and intimations' Times Literary SupplementDazed by the disappearance of his muse, Argentinian writer Horatio Oliveira wanders the bridges of Paris, the sounds of jazz and the talk of literature, life and art echoing around him. But a chance encounter with a literary idol and his new work – a novel that can be read in random order – sends Horatio’s mind into further confusion. As a return to Buenos Aires beckons, Horatio’s friend and fellow artist, Traveler, awaits his arrival with dread –the lives of these two young writers now ready to play out in an inexhaustible game of indeterminacy.Trade ReviewCortazar's masterpiece. This is the first great novel of Spanish America * Times Literary Supplement *One of the great existentialist novels, worthy to stand alongside the efforts of Sartre and Camus * LA Review of Books *Marks the true possibility of encounter between the Latin–American imagination and the contemporary worldAnyone who doesn't read Cortázar is doomed -- Pablo NerudaI'm permanently indebted to the work of Cortázar -- Roberto Bolaño

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Book SynopsisONE OF BARACK OBAMA''S BEST BOOKS OF 2017From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling and Booker long-listed author of My Name is Lucy Barton Recalling Olive Kitteridge in its richness, structure, and complexity, Anything Is Possible explores the whole range of human emotion through the intimate dramas of people struggling to understand themselves and others. Anything is Possible tells the story of the inhabitants of rural, dusty Amgash, Illinois, the hometown of Lucy Barton, a successful New York writer who finally returns, after seventeen years of absence, to visit the siblings she left behind.Reverberating with the deep bonds of family, and the hope that comes with reconciliation, Anything Is Possible again underscores Elizabeth Strout''s place as one of America''s most respected and cherished authors.Lucy''s story continues in Oh William! and Lucy by the Sea, available to read now!***''A terrific writer'' Zadie Smith''A superbly gifted storyteller and a craftswoman in a league of her own'' Hilary MantelElizabeth Strout''s new novel Tell Me Everything is out now!Trade ReviewIt's hard to believe that a year after the astonishing My Name Is Lucy Barton Elizabeth Strout could bring us another book that is by every measure its equal, but what Strout proves to us again and again is that where she's concerned, anything is possible. This book, this writer, are magnificent. -- Ann Patchett, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of 'Commonwealth'This is a shimmering masterpiece of a book...Strout is a brilliant chronicler of the ambiguity and delicacy of the human condition. Anything is Possible is a wise, stunning novel * Observer *The words appear on the page as if breathed there * Sunday Telegraph *Anything is Possible is wonderfully readable because Strout really can write you into a world until you feel you are there with her, in that house, that life, that little Podunk of a place * The Times *Strout's compassion for her fellow creatures, as these anguished, lean stories prove, is as keen as a whip and all the more painful for it * Guardian *The work of Elizabeth Strout suggests that she pays a similar quality of unseparate attention to life, which she - not passively, but actively - takes in, listening to, looking into it, reflecting up on and freeing it once more, remade, in beautifully placed words, onto the page to live again for us, her fortunate readers * Daily Telegraph *Anything is Possible is absolutely wonderful. Here is a writer at the peak of her powers: compassionate, profoundly observant, laser-cut diamond brilliant * Literary Review *Anything Is Possible confirms Strout as one of our most grace-filled, and graceful, writers * Boston Globe *There is immense humanity in Strout's writing....her masterful economy of prose creates a rich tapestry infused with emotional wisdom...Anything is Possible is a masterpiece * Sunday Express *A quietly gripping deception of some of the ordinary, messy, interwoven lives that Lucy and her mother discussed in the earlier book * Radio Times *Strout, always good, just keeps getting better * Vogue US *In her latest work, Strout achieves new levels of masterful storytelling. * Publisher's Weekly *[F]ull of searing insight into the darkest corners of the human spirit... 'Anything Is Possible' is both sweeping in scope and incredibly introspective. That delicate balance is what makes its content so sharp and compulsively readable... With assuredness, compassion and utmost grace, her words and characters remind us that in life anything is actually possible * San Francisco Chronicle *The epic scope within seemingly modest confines recalls Strout's Pulitzer Prize winner, Olive Kitteridge, and her ability to discern vulnerabilities buried beneath bad behavior is as acute as ever. Another powerful examination of painfully human ambiguities and ambivalences-this gifted writer just keeps getting better. * Kirkus Reviews *If you miss the charmingly eccentric and completely relatable characters from Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout's best-selling My Name is Lucy Barton, you'll be happily reunited with them in Strout's smart and soulful Anything is Possible * Elle US *Strout once again shows her talent for adroitly uncovering what makes ordinary people tick * Booklist *Strout pierces the inner worlds of these characters' most private behaviors, illuminating the emotional conflicts and pure joy of being human, of finding oneself in the search for the American dream * Nylon *Amgash, Illinois, will be familiar to Elizabeth Strout fans as the hometown of the protagonist of her 2016 novel, My Name is Lucy Barton. In Anything is Possible... Lucy's legend looms large... but no prior reading is required to enjoy Strout's powerful writing and empathy * Real Simple *We devoured Strout's last novel, My Name Is Lucy Barton, and her latest-which is loosely linked to Lucy Barton-is no different. Told from multiple points of view, it's about residents of a small town in Illinois struggling with the most relatable and quotidian problems... you'll swear you know these characters. (In fact, it reminds us a bit of another of Strout's masterpieces, the excellent Olive Kitteridge.) * PureWow *Elizabeth Strout's prose is like words doing jazz -- Rachel JoyceI am deeply impressed. Writing of this quality comes from a commitment to listening, from a perfect attunement to the human condition, from an attention to reality so exact that it goes beyond a skill and becomes a virtue. -- Hilary Mantel on 'My Name is Lucy Barton'A powerful storyteller immersed in the nuances of human relationships -- Observer on 'My Name is Lucy Barton'Tender, elegiac, this is the story of a single life that also manages to tell the story of many -- Independent on 'My Name is Lucy Barton'The writing is wrenchingly lovely. It almost always is with Strout, whether she's knitting metaphors or summarizing, with agonizing economy, whole episodes. * New York Times *There are not many novelists out there producing writing as good as this * Daily Mail *Down to every sentence, it's wise, touching and quietly powerful * Grazia *As always, Strout treats even the most difficult characters with rare understanding. "It made me feel much less alone," says on reader of Lucy's memoir. The same will surely be said of Anything Is Possible * People (Book of the Week) *Gorgeous... Strout is in that special company of writers like Richard Ford, Stewart O'Nan and Richard Russo, who write simply about ordinary lives and, in so doing, make us readers see the beauty of both their worn and rough surfaces and what lies beneath -- Maureen Corrigan, NPR / Fresh AirHighly enjoyable * Sunday Times *A subtle, disturbing and touching book that is a miracle of wisdom and perception * Mail on Sunday *A beautifully told story of small-town Americans dealing with big life issues * Good Housekeeping *Utterly beautiful in the way that these characters were flawed to their core yet brimful of keeping it together no matter what...I loved it, there wasn't a moment when I didn't believe it. -- Barb Jungr * BBC Radio 4 Saturday Review *In all her novels, including this one, "the kindness of strangers is a fierce sun than can pierce the cloud" * The Week *Every chapter has depth, nuances, restrained descriptions and luminous characterisation. A wonder of a book * i Newspaper *Elizabeth Strout is a novelist in whose hands anything really is possible, and if you've yet to discover her, make this holiday the one you do * Daily Mail *This glimmering, profound, beautiful novel is modern American writing at its best' -- Clare AllfreeJust as understated and as full of horrifyingly elisions and surprising epiphanies as its predecessor * TLS Books of the Year *This audacious novel is about small-town characters struggling to make sense of past family traumas * New York Times Books of the Year *Strout turns her clear, incisive gaze on the intricacies and betrayals of small town life -- Maggie O'FarrellAnything is Possible is predictably great because it's written by Elizabeth Strout, and brilliantly unpredictable - because it is written by Elizabeth Strout -- Roddy Doyle

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Book Synopsis''I was in the story, feeling everything. I cared about every character . . . She writes beautifully. It was a total pleasure'' Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had ReadSusie Boyt writes with a mordant wit and vivid style which are at their best in Loved and Missed.When your beloved daughter is lost in the fog of addiction and you make off with her baby in order to save the day, can willpower and a daring creative zeal carry you through ?Examining the limits, disappointments and excesses of love in all its forms, this marvellously absorbing novel, full of insight and compassion, delights as much as it disturbs.''She takes the study of love into uncharted territory and every sentence has its depth and pleasure'' Linda Grant''I am so moved: it carries a huge emotional power... I ache for them all. Poignant, witty, lyrical and perceptive'' Joan BakewellTrade ReviewI was in the story, feeling everything. I cared about every character . . . She writes beautifully. It was a total pleasure -- Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had ReadAlways surprising - unexpected, particular, the thing you didn't know you wanted, but needed more than anything. A tender study of unrequited maternal love redeemed ultimately by the quiet glory of not giving up -- Tamsin GreigShe takes the study of love into uncharted territory and every sentence has its depths and pleasures -- Linda GrantHer writing has a Keatsian belief in the holiness of the Heart's affections . . . a beautiful work of art, a page-turning narrative with wise and funny observations and dialogue . . . both heart-breaking and consoling -- Shena MackayI am so moved: it carries a huge emotional power . . . I ached for them all. Poignant, witty, lyrical and perceptive -- Joan BakewellA novel of profound courage and consideration; every page a kaleidoscope of thoughtful insight into human frailty and complexity . . . one of the greatest visceral studies of love I have ever experienced -- Lisa DwanThis beautiful tale of love, courage and compassion...captures the pain of estrangement in penetrating, haunting language... Loved and Missed is a complex, deeply moving novel about frailty and suffering. Despite all the sadness, hope remains -- Martin Chilton * Independent *It's an arresting premise for Susie Boyt's thoughtprovoking seventh novel...Boyt's novel is compelling - and invites our compassion for those who may not always earn it, but still deserve it. -- Marianka Swain * The Sunday Telegraph, Novel of the Week *Boyt is both funny...and poignant...but never less than impeccably truthful, with a broad, oft breathtaking wisdom -- Emily Hourican * Irish Independent *Loved and Missed deftly sidesteps the clichés that often plague stories involving drug abuse, and it conveys the complexities of loving someone who can't love you back with remarkable delicacy. -- Mia Levitin * Financial Times *An acute, enormously moving study of familial love, and how the bonds between a mother and child can rupture, sometimes inexplicably. -- Fiona Sturges * i *Boyt's novel is compelling-and invites our compassion for those who may not always earn it, but still deserve it -- Marianka Swain * Daily Telegraph *To wrest exquisite prose and engaging narrative out of a tale of pain and sorrow is the achievement of a serious novelist who has blossomed into originality and who deserves a wide audience * Spectator *Boyt's writing is perceptive and emotionally powerful * MSN *I adored Susie Boyt's novel Loved And Missed, which explores what can happen when, out of the blue, addiction and dereliction arrive to wreck a family. And how goodwill, determination and encouragement can ultimately put things back together again. -- Rev Richard Coles * Daily Mail *Regret and joy are an indivisible duo for any mother or father, and Boyt wisely mixes them into a beautifully humane chronicle. With this exquisite devotional of a novel, she has turned the ability to find contentment in the muck of parenthood into a courageous art form * Atlantic *

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Book SynopsisFoyle's War meets Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime, with a smidgeon of Robert Thorogood.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING RICHARD & JUDY SUMMER PICK AND THIS SUMMER''S MOST COMPULSIVE NOVEL''Incredibly tense and gripping'' ADELE PARKS''Kept me guessing and kept me fooled. Clever, pacy and so gripping that my heart raced'' C.L. TAYOR''This absolutely blew me away. Properly unputdownable'' 5***** READER REVIEW''Another unputdownable what-would-you-do thriller, rich with McAllister''s trademark twists and emotional depth'' ERIN KELLY________What would you do to protect your family?ANYTHING.During a family holiday in Italy, you get an urgent call from your sister.There''s been an accident: she hit a man with her car and he''s dead.She''s overcome with terror - fearing years in a foreign jail away from her child.She asks for your help. It wasn''t her fault, not really. She''d cover for you, so will you do the same for her?But when the polTrade ReviewBeautifully written and incredibly gripping, THAT NIGHT asks us a terrifying question: would you bury a body to protect your family? There is a breathless, almost claustrophobic tension to the story - it gave me genuine shivers. Gillian writes human emotion with immense skill, and the dynamic between the three siblings in this book is just masterfully done. I can't wait to see what Gillian writes next -- Beth O'LearyVividly written, furiously tense, impossible to put down. I zoomed through it, desperate to know what happens -- B P Walter, author of The Dinner GuestIncredibly tense and gripping * Adele Parks *That Night was like watching a gripping, tense and claustrophobic box set! My heart was in my mouth the whole time. Her best yet -- Claire DouglasIncluded in 'Top Ten Bestselling Books for Summer 2021' * You Magazine *From its propulsive opening to its devastating finale, That Night explores the terrible cost of family loyalty and the lines all of us might cross for those we love. Her best yet -- TM Logan, author of The Holiday and Trust MeSo slippery, you will struggle to catch your breath. With That Night, Gillian McAllister has secured her throne as the queen of the moral dilemma -- Holly SeddonA cracking what-would-you-do thriller * Fabulous Magazine *Gillian McAllister just gets better and better. I loved this tautly plotted and beautifully written look at siblings and secrets -- Clare MackintoshThat Night is exactly the type of book to be read poolside, cocktail in hand, in roughly two or three sittings * Refinery29 *It's a rare book that outfoxes me but That Night kept me guessing and kept me fooled. Clever, pacy and so gripping that my heart raced -- C.L. TaylorA propulsive, compelling thriller with a killer premise that will have you asking, 'What would I do?' -- Lucy ClarkeThat Night is yet another triumph, intricately plotted and beautifully written, it's going to be huge -- Jill MansellAnother unputdownable what-would-you-do thriller, rich with McAllister's trademark twists and emotional depth -- Erin KellyI absolutely loved That Night . . . A fantastic read. It's my kind of page turner - perfectly calibrated psychological suspense -- Shari LapenaOH MY GOD! Had me absolutely gripped. It's such a stressful read (in a really good way). Claustrophobic and tense and completely absorbing. Just brilliant -- Jane FallonI inhaled the entire thing in one day and I DO NOT know how she does it. What an absolute corker * Lindsey Kelk *That Night crept into my every waking thought. A claustrophobic, twisty novel that will have you asking "what would I do?" -- Lia LouisBrilliantly addictive and dark -- Russell KanePraise for Gillian McAllister * - *I read it in a breathless day and a half. I loved every pageAs tense as a piano string * Sunday Times *An exceptional thriller with a thumping, emotional heart * Heat *Addictive, clever, twisty * Sun *I loved this gripping and thought-provoking readTense, compelling, with a clever grand reveal * Daily Mail *One of the best courtroom dramas I've ever readKept me glued to every page * Good Housekeeping *Gripping, cleverly-constructed, and heart-wrenching. Truly originalIntelligent. Compulsive. Heart-wrenching. UnforgettableBrilliantly writtenA thrilling mystery with a strong emotional heart * Woman & Home *Ingeniously constructed, with real flesh-and-blood characters and cliff-hanging suspense

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Book SynopsisThere is nothing as powerful as a mother’s love. But will Ellen’s put her whole family in danger?‘I didn’t read The Heights, I inhaled it’ LISA JEWELL Ellen Saint is just your average mum. Devoted to her family, she’s no different from any other mother who wants the best for her kids. But when her teenage son Lucas brings a new friend home, cracks start to appear in Ellen’s perfect family life. Kieran Watts isn’t like Lucas. He’s rude, obnoxious and reckless, and Ellen can only watch in despair as her son falls deeper under his influence. Then Ellen’s whole world implodes and she embarks on an obsessive need to get revenge. There is nothing you won’t do for your children – even murder . . .'Compelling, unexpected and beautifully written' JANE FALLON‘Tense, provocative and devastatingTrade Review'It twists and it turns and it twists again. The Heights by Louise Candlish is the very definition of a “just one more chapter” novel. I devoured it. And it’s full of such great writing about the ferocity of maternal love' -- Hannah Beckerman, author of If Only I Could Tell You‘Impossible to resist, impossible to predict, impossible to put down… this is an author at the top of her game’ -- Erin Kelly, author of Watch Her Fall'There’s nothing quite so chilling as the roar of mother tiger love. Louise Candlish had my heart in my throat. Dizzily dark. Dangerous. Deadly' -- Jane Corry, author of The Lies We Tell'No one creates middle-class characters we love to hate quite like Louise Candlish. I’d expected her to do this, and to provide a great sense of place, and twists that would have been rifling through the book to see how they’d been done. What I wasn’t expecting was that this thriller of obsessive revenge and intense parental grief would tug at my heartstrings. Smart, addictive, twisting, surprising. Highly recommended' -- Sarah Vaughan, author of Little Disasters‘This psychological thriller that is a perfect example of its type’ * Times Crime Club *‘Candlish’s latest, thoroughly compelling thriller shows off her trademark mix of smartly observed London life, crafty twists and unreliable, but all-too-believable characters’ * Mail on Sunday *‘A woman glimpses a man on a roof terrace. Strange thing is, she knows he’s dead. And she knows because she killed him… From the award-winning author of Our House' * The I *‘The Heights explores maternal love and how ferocious it can be, as well as dealing with grief and revenge, showing how these emotions can become blurred. Admittedly, Ellen is a hard character to like, but writer Louise Candlish skilfully makes the reader empathise with her feelings. Stylish and sinister, this is a dark tale with a punch to the ending’ * Sunday Express *‘When Ellen’s son Lucas befriends troubled teen Kieran, her instinct to keep her child safe intensifies. But within months, Lucas’s life has been destroyed. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between Ellen and Kieran, as she strives for revenge. But we soon wonder if there’s another side to the story' * Woman’s Weekly *‘A dizzying read with some wicked plot twists, this is a story you won’t put down!’ * My Weekly *'The Heights has everything you could possibly wish for - tragedy, obsession, revenge and, yes, love. Another finely-crafted masterpiece from Louise Candlish' -- BA Paris‘Tense, provocative and devastatingly powerful. I loved Our House but I think The Heights might be even better’ -- TM Logan'A beautifully written tale of destructive obsession and revenge, with Louise’s trademark killer twist' -- Mark Edwards'Compelling, unexpected and beautifully written' -- Jane Fallon'Another very clever corker of a book from Candlish . . . As with her recent hits, Candlish uses architecture as a thrilling backdrop and skewers the vanities and vulnerabilities of complacent middle-class types and what they are capable of when faced with protecting their territory. We all know people like these characters – she couldn’t possibly be talking about us. Could she?' Daily Mail ‘Dangerously dark and grippingly tense, this will keep you guessing with its brilliant twists and turns’ Heat 'Stylish and sinister, this is a dark tale with a punch to the ending' S Magazine ‘An edge of the seat read' Closer ‘A roller-coaster read’ Bella ‘When Ellen’s son Lucas befriends troubled teen Kieran, her instinct to keep her child safe intensifies. Ellen’s gut feeling is right as, within months, Lucas’s life has been destroyed. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between Ellen and Kieran, as she strives for revenge. Told through Ellen’s own heart-breaking account, you soon wonder whether her point of view is accurate, or if there’s another side to the story. A real nail-biter' Woman & Home 'This story of revenge, love and fear – and what justice really means – is a sure-fire hit' Fabulous ‘A gripping read!’ Yours 'This multi-layered thriller has everythign you want in a great read: tension - you're never sure who is telling the truth - emotion - as you put yourself in Ellen's shoes - and an unravelling of the plot that is both satisfying and scary. Wonderful' Belfast Telegraph 'Another helping of twisted suburban noir at its fiendishly finest' Lancashire Evening News 'A vertigo-inducing plot to make your head spin… a devilish chiller' Saga 'Another great read from the bestselling author Louise Candlish… Twists and turns that will leave you breathless until the final page' Hello ‘Quite breathtakingly brilliant, this slow-burning thriller about the power of a mother’s love will keep you hooked' Real People

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Book SynopsisMike Gayle: emotions you''ll never forget, stories you''ll want to shareHelen and Ben parted as heartbroken 18-year-olds and went their very separate ways.Twenty years later, mother-of-two-teenagers Helen is still in Manchester, a part-time primary teacher, stunned by the behaviour of her love-rat husband. In an old T shirt and scruffy jeans, she feels at the lowest point in her life.And suddenly, impossibly, Ben is standing on her doorstep. Tired maybe, lonely even, but clearly still the world-famous, LA-based multi-millionaire rockstar he has become.Can you ever go back?For Helen and Ben, so much has happened in the years between. But just to sit in the kitchen for a while and talk - that would be nice.Before the world comes crashing in.Friendship, love, heartache and hope collide in this unforgettable emotional journey, from the author of Half A World Away.

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Book Synopsis*From the author of The Last Children of Tokyo* A mind-expanding, cheerfully dystopian novel about friendship, difference and what it means to belong, by a National Book Award-winning novelist. Welcome to the not-too-distant future. Japan, having vanished into the sea, is now remembered as 'the land of sushi'. Hiruko, a former citizen and a climate refugee herself, has a job teaching immigrant children in Denmark with her invented language Panska (Pan-Scandinavian): 'homemade language. no country to stay in. three countries I experienced. no time to learn three different languages. might mix up. insufficient space in brain. so made new language. homemade language most Scandinavian people understand'. Hiruko soon makes new friends to join her in her travels searching for anyone who can still speak her mother tongue: Knut, a graduate student in linguistics, who is fascinated by her Panska; Akash, an Indian man who lives as a woman, wearing a red sari; Nanook, an Eskimo from Greenland, first mistaken as another refugee from the land of sushi; and Nora, who works at the Karl Marx House in Trier. All these characters take turns narrating chapters, which feature an umami cooking competition; a dead whale; an ultra- nationalist named Breivik; Kakuzo robots; uranium; and an Andalusian bull fight. Episodic, vividly imagined and mesmerising, Scattered All Over the Earth is another sui generis masterwork by Yoko Tawada.Trade ReviewTawada writes beautifully about unbearable things -- Sara Baume, author of Spill Simmer Falter WitherMagnificently strange -- RIVKA GALCHEN * NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE *Every Yoko Tawada novel pulls the ground out from under us, but gives us new senses in return. Scattered All Over the Earth, a novel of created, found, remembered and possible languages - of what lies at the very heart of listening - is that rare work of art: something entirely new in the world -- Madeleine Thien, author of Do Not Say We Have NothingTawada writes lightly about serious matters in this memorable, magical tale -- Books of the Month * Guardian *Tawada has certainly achieved the goal of highlighting the arbitrariness or even meaninglessness of borders, nations and fixed identities, and of holding up the inequalities of western immigration policies to scrutiny. The craftmanship of Scattered All Over the Earth is impeccable and every bit as inventive as fans of Yoko Tawada's work have come to expect * TLS *

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Book SynopsisFrom her apartment window, Doreen Durand witnesses a horrific accident. The police want to know what she saw. Doreen doesn’t want to tell them – or anyone. But when she runs away it’s straight into the fantastic world of the wealthy and mysterious Violet Cascade. With one rogue police officer in pursuit, and life becoming more bizarre by the day, Doreen is caught up in a surreal game of cat and mouse. Trade ReviewI read this genre-exploding, original debut in a single day, and was hooked by its vivid images, its spiky strangeness, and its profound understanding of the disembodying effects of surviving trauma and living under capitalism.A fast-paced and original debut. * The New European *Genuinely original and stylishly written. The Disassembly of Doreen Durand is a surreal flight of fancy but also a poignant and thought provoking look at a woman collapsing in on herself. An empathetic and magical tale. * NB Magazine *This tantalising, highly readable story defies neat categorisation, and is all the more enjoyable for it. * Lunate *‘Weird, engrossing... The style of writing is excellent.’ * NetGalley *‘A magical mystery tour. A beautiful story and one which I will treasure forever.’‘The prose was observant and compelling, and the plot was strange and millennial. ’ * NetGalley *

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Book SynopsisTHE #2 SUNDAY TIMES AND #1 NYT BESTSELLEROne for Philip Pullman fans'THE TIMESThis one is an automatic buy'GLAMOURAmbitious, sweeping and epic'EVENING STANDARDRazor-sharp'DAILY MAILAn ingenious fantasy about empire'GUARDIANTraduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.Oxford, 1836.The city of dreaming spires.It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world.And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows.Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift.Until it became a prisonBut can a student stand against an empire?An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance.''A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a rivetingTrade ReviewBLACKWELL’S BOOK OF THE YEAR A WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST DAILY MAIL BEST BOOK OF 2022 ‘Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out’Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of THE EMPIRE OF GOLD ‘A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE ‘A masterpiece. Through a meticulously researched and a wholly impressive deep dive into linguistics and the politics of language and translation, Kuang weaves a story that is part love-hate letter to academia, part scathing indictment of the colonial enterprise, and all fiery revolution’Rebecca Roanhorse, NYT bestselling author of BLACK SUN ‘Kuang has outdone herself. BABEL is brilliant, vicious, sensitive, epic, and intimate; it's both a love letter and a declaration of war. It's a perfect book’Alix E. Harrow, bestselling author of A THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY ‘A book that confirms Kuang as a major talent’SFX ‘Brainy, brilliant, and fuelled by righteous anger, Babel is a towering tour-de-force of fantasy’DAILY MAIL ‘BABEL has earned tremendous praise and deserves all of it. It’s Philip Pullman’s THE GOLDEN COMPASS by way of N.K. Jemisin’s THE FIFTH SEASON: inventive and engaging, passionate and precise’NEW YORK TIMES

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Book SynopsisWinner of The Diverse Adult Book Award 2022Abdullah's legal thrillers make John Grisham seem like a maiden aunt' Sunday Times Crime ClubAn enthralling, heartbreaking and thrilling courtroom drama that had me shouting out loud and gripped until the last page' Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw ManBrilliantly tense, this is another clever page turner from Kia Abdullah that I couldn't put down. Just superb' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely CityTwists and turns aplenty . . . The author's greatest strength lies in her sensitive and relatable description of the relationship between sisters Leila and Max's mother Yasmin' iA tense, brilliant read' Bella* * * *ON AN ORDINARY WORKING DAYLeila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law's voice is filled with panic. His son's nursery has called to ask where little Max is.YOUR WORST NIGHTMARELeila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot.Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has doTrade Review Praise for Next of Kin ‘An enthralling, heartbreaking and thrilling courtroom drama that had me shouting out loud and gripped until the last page’Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man ‘Brilliantly tense, this is another clever page turner from Kia Abdullah. A nightmare scenario evolves into an engrossing human drama that I couldn’t put down. Just superb’ Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City ‘A tense, brilliant read’ Bella ‘Amid the requisite revelations of resentments and secrets, Abdullah draws out the truth with compassion, charting with notable understanding the ever-changing currents in human relations’ The Times ‘Twists and turns aplenty . . . The author’s greatest strength lies in her sensitive and relatable description of the relationship between sisters Leila and Max’s mother Yasmin’ i ‘Abdullah has handed us another gripping, brave and tense courtroom drama. Next of Kin is precisely observed, tense and guaranteed to enthral until the final, heart-stopping page’ Platinum ‘A book with a gripping storyline’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A stunning courtroom drama, taut, tantalising, deftly paced, with a denouement that will leave you reeling’ Saga magazine ‘This is Kia Abdullah’s third novel, and I am continually impressed with how she deftly handles important social issues’ Belfast Telegrah

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Book SynopsisOriginally written in French and translated into English by Beckett, Endgame was given its first London performance at the Royal Court Theatre in 1957.HAMM: Clov!CLOV: Yes.HAMM: Nature has forgotten us.CLOV: There''s no more nature.HAMM: No more nature! You exaggerate.CLOV: In the vicinity.HAMM: But we breathe, we change! We lose our hair our teeth! Our bloom! Our ideals!CLOV: Then she hasn''t forgotten us.

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Book SynopsisA poignant tale of a hotel and its guests - and also the story of modern Cyprus and its civil war

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Book SynopsisOn her way home after an overnight shift, DI Jan Talantire hears the control room relaying an emergency. Someone has fallen to their death from one of the highest cliffs in Devon. Jan is nearby so she agrees to hold the fort until uniformed cops arrive.At the scene, a small knot of people have gathered, all of whom have some connection to the victim, Joanne Dexter. Could one of them have been involved in her death?When the Commissioner personally asks Jan to take charge of the case, she is taken aback such a small incident would usually be beneath a DI. But Jan soon realises there's far more to this case than first meets the eye. This fall was no accident. Joanne's work forced her into close contact with some dangerous people. Could she have gotten on their bad side? Or was her killer someone closer to home?An unputdownable British crime thriller. Perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Kate Ellis and Sally Rigby.

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Book SynopsisComing soon to Netflix 'Comic, tragic, topical and entertaining in equal measure' - Bernardine Evaristo To the dismay of her ambitious mother, Bolanle marries into a polygamous family, where she is the fourth wife of a rich, rotund patriarch, Baba Segi. She is a graduate and therefore considered a great prize in Nigeria, but even graduates must produce children and her husband's persistent bellyache is a sign that things are not as they should be. She only wants to escape to a quiet life, but the others disapprove of the newest, youngest, cleverest addition to the family. Treated with respect by her husband, she is viewed with suspicion by her seniors - who fear she may unlock their well-guarded secret. Through the voices of Baba Segi and his four wives, Lola Shoneyin weaves a vibrant story of love, secrets and a family like every other - happy and unhappy, truthful and not, sometimes kind, sometimes competitive, always bound by blood, and the past.Trade ReviewComic, tragic, topical and entertaining in equal measure -- Bernardine EvaristoHeavy issues, but her touch is so skillful that she finds redeeming features in even her wickedest characters, and comedy even in violence and cruelty * Guardian *A funny and moving story told with love and compassion ... a jewel of a novel -- Petina GappahA Rabelaisian picture of polygamous marriage, comically capturing the physical realities of ordinary Nigerian life. -- Giles FodenThis deft, lightly spun story packs quite a punch. Shoneyin's unravelling of a family is rooted in and flavoured by Nigeria, but speaks more widely. It is a book you'll want to eat in a sitting - and then start again -- Diran AdebayoRiotous... this debut novel is a real eye-opener: a deft, compelling and unsettling tale. -- Ailin Quinlan * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisLAURA PURCELL''S THRILLING NEW NOVEL THE WHISPERING MUSE IS OUT NOW Winner of the W H Smith Thumping Good Read AwardAs featured on the Radio 2 Book Club and the Zoe Ball ITV Book Club[An] extraordinary, memorable and truly haunting book' Jojo Moyes[It] shone, for originality for the sheer quality of the writing, the characters and some masterly chills' Peter JamesSome doors are locked for a reason...Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband's crumbling country estate, The Bridge.With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband's awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. For inside her new home lies a locked room, and beyond that door lies a two-hundred-year-old diary and a deeply unsettling painted wooden figure a Silent Companion that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie herself...Trade ReviewGhost stories are for Christmas. Some recent ones haven't quite got it right but this is terrific. Perfect setting, great build-up, chilling. What more could you want ? * Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black *Layering on the dark and creepy, this intriguingly plotted novel is the full-blown Gothic, maintaining throughout an unsettling claustrophobic atmosphere mixed with some unusual historical detail * Daily Mail *A deliciously creepy ghost story * Sunday Express *Laura Purcell has nailed it with a story that conjures up Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black, Henry James’s The Turn Of The Screw and a little bit of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier * Emerald Street *A perfect read for a winter night … Intriguing, nuanced and genuinely eerie * Guardian *A creepy, unsettling tale that I had to finish reading in broad daylight * Stylist, 'Must-Read Books' *A sinister slice of Victorian gothic... creepy and page-turning * The Times *Really tense and unnerving, it still won't let me go * Woman & Home *A true page-turner...neatly crafted and compelling...with a spine-tingling revelation every few pages * Times Literary Supplement *Irresistibly creepy, this romps along, Purcell turning her screws with skill. It's what crumpets and dismal afternoons were made for * Glamour *Writing in the tradition of country house ghost stories, Laura Purcell has created a book that is unnerving and compelling in equal measure. The Silent Companions is an atmospheric gothic tale which chills the blood * Sophia Tobin, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Silversmith’s Wife and The Widow’s Confession *Not since The Little Stranger has a book so entranced and haunted me. Compelling, bewitching and beautifully written. Read it if you dare * Anna Mazzola, author of The Unseeing *A superbly atmospheric, tense novel full of creeping dread. I could only read it during daylight hours! * Red *A brilliant, unsettling debut. Don’t read just before bedtime! * Prima *If The Silent Companions lands on your night table, don't plan on leaving your bed anytime soon. Immersive, meticulous, and reminiscent of the masters of gothic fiction – not only a compulsively readable ghost story, but a skillful, loving ode to the entire genre * Lyndsay Faye, author of The Gods of Gotham *Frighteningly atmospheric, genuinely haunting and psychologically astute, the horror of The Silent Companions lingers like truth in the darkest corners of the human mind * Helen Sedgwick, author of The Comet Seekers *This incredibly creepy ghost story plays out in the very best tradition against a backdrop of a crumbling house … Superb * Saga *Things begin to go bump in broad daylight as well as the night. Compulsively creepy * Sunday Mirror *Menacing and unsettling * Psychologies *Compelling and claustrophobic. The pages all but turn by themselves * Essie Fox, author of The Last Days of Leda Grey *Magnificently creepy … I really wished it were longer * Natasha Pulley, author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street *You may want to leave the light on once you put down this intensely spooky Gothic chiller ... Irresistibly creepy * The People *

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Book SynopsisThe international bestseller from the author of the Booker-shortlisted novel, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World, The Forty Rules of Love is part of our Penguin Essentials series which spotlights the very best of our modern classics*One of the BBC''s ''100 Novels That Shaped the World''*Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven''t loved enough...Ella Rubinstein has a husband, three teenage children, and a pleasant home. Everything that should make her confident and fulfilled. Yet there is an emptiness at the heart of Ella''s life - an emptiness once filled by love. So when Ella reads a manuscript about the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and his mentor Shams of Tabriz, and his forty rules of life and love, she is ready to look at her life anew. Compelled to embrace change, she embarks on a journey to meet the mysterious author. It is a quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verse, taking Ella and us into a faraway world where faith and doubt are heartbreakingly explored. The Forty Rules of Love is a mesmerising tale of discovery, language, truth and, of course, love itself.''The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself'' The Times''Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent'' Daily Telegraph*** ELIF SHAFAK''S NEW NOVEL, THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY, IS AVAILABLE NOW ***Trade ReviewA gorgeous, jeweled, luxurious book * The Times *With its timely, thought-provoking message . . . The Forty Rules of Love deserves to be a global publishing phenomenon * Independent *Enlightening, enthralling. An affecting paean to faith and love * Metro *Colourfully woven and beguilingly intelligent * Daily Telegraph *The past and present fit together beautifully in a passionate defence of passion itself * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewMishima is lucid in the midst of emotional confusion, funny in the midst of despair -- Christopher IsherwoodNever has a "confession" been freer from self-pity and emotional over-indulgence * Sunday Times *A writer of immense energy and ability * Time Out *A terrific and astringent work of beauty... a work of art * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, heart-warming yet sometimes heart-wrenching book Beautiful I was left with a smile on my face' Goodreads reviewer, ?????Can a second chance heal their broken family?Since their mother walked out on them as children, Izzie's taken responsibility for her younger sister, Linda. And when their father's temper flares up, Izzie knows the girls are better off on their own.But when a handsome Italian chef moves to Worthing and offers Izzie a job in his cafe, she is forced to choose between her responsibilities and her desires. Then her mother resurfaces, and Izzie discovers there's more to her abandonment than meets the eye.Will Izzie be able to come to terms with the past in order to pursue the future she deserves?A gripping and emotional family drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Rosie Clarke.Readers love At Home by the Sea:Such a remarkable book from start to finish It will touch your heart Loved it' Goodreads reviewer,?????I coulTrade Review PRAISE FOR PAM WEAVER: ‘A heartrending story about mothers and daughters’ Kitty Neale ‘What a terrific read – saga fans everywhere will love it and be asking for more from this talented author.’ Annie Groves ‘The characters are so richly drawn and authentic that they pull the reader along through the story effortlessly. This book is a real page turner, which I enjoyed very much.’ Anne Bennett

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