Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAn enchanting, deeply-felt portrait of three women searching for freedom, from the three-times Orange Prize longlisted, Scottish Book Award and Caine Prize winner Leila Aboulela.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book of the moment Sunday TimesHighly entertaining . . . subtle and complex GuardianDespentes at her very best New EuropeanBrilliant - funny, wise and completely addictive VICTORIA HISLOPFull of energy and blistering rationality LISA McINERNEYDear Dickhead,I read the piece you posted on Insta. You''re like a pigeon shitting on my shoulder as you flap past. It''s shitty and unpleasant. Congratulations: you''ve had your fifteen minutes of fame! You want proof? Here I am writing to you.Rebecca Latté is a famous actress in her fifties, perhaps past the peak of her career.Oscar Jayack is a middle-aged, moderately successful author who, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, has been accused of sexual harassment by his former publicist-turned-feminist blogger Zoé Katana.When Oscar insults Rebecca''s appearance on Instagram, she sends a scorching reply and the pair fall into a spiral of mutual antipathy. In back-and-forth emails, they vie for the last word, finding common ground in their experiences of addiction, assessing the changing world around them as Covid locks down Paris, and reluctantly beginning to lean on one another.A novel of rage, irreverence and vulnerability, exploring ageing, gender, privilege, addiction and consent, Dear Dickhead is an excoriating encapsulation of our times and of the broken human beings trying to make sense of it.Translated from the French by Frank Wynne

Read more less

Book SynopsisTim Winton is widely considered one of the greatest living Australian writers. Since his first novel, An Open Swimmer, won the Australian/Vogel Award in 1981, he has won the Miles Franklin Award four times (for Shallows, Cloudstreet, Dirt Music and Breath) and twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize (for The Riders and Dirt Music). He lives in Western Australia.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMalcolm Bradbury was a well-known novelist, critic and academic, and founder of the creative writing department at the University of East Anglia. He was the author of seven novels, including The History Man and Rates of Exchange, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He was awarded a knighthood in 2000 and died the same year.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMalcolm Bradbury was a well-known novelist, critic and academic, and founder of the creative writing department at the University of East Anglia. He was the author of seven novels, including The History Man and Rates of Exchange, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He was awarded a knighthood in 2000 and died the same year.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, just one more page.'' J.D. Barker, New York Times bestselling authorEVIL HAS MANY FACESChilling murders terrorize a town and bring together two detectives to face the hardest tasks of their lives. Jack Ludlum, who relies on his brawn to get things done, is now paired with his archenemy, Jill Jarred, a brilliant investigator with keen intuition. As they delve into the secret world of incels and white supremacists, and conflict between local authorities and the FBI rages, a media frenzy further complicates the mission.Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or something entirely different? Will the detectives'' clashing personalities be their undoing, or can they unite to stop the killer before they kill each other?What Goes Around is a dynamic thriller that examines the intricacies of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds that transcend time. With its pulse-pounding pace, captivating characters, and a revelatory twist that challenges the boundaries of life and death, this novel will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, and thinking long afterwards.''Starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn''t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.'' Lisa Black, New York Times bestselling author of the Locard Institute thrillers''An adrenaline-fueled novel, the action breathlessly driven by two detectives relentlessly pursuing the bloody trails left by a serial killer with a dark sense of justice, deadly groups of white supremacists, and one lonely, alienated boy caught up in the violence.'' Kathleen Kent, New York Times bestselling author''Fast-paced propulsive thriller that doesn''t let up - highly recommended!'' Lori Brand, author

Read more less

Book Synopsis''I adored this magical heartwarming family story with my two favourite ingredients at Christmas - movies and the Cotswolds!'' Helen RolfeOne small town. A Christmas film festival. Can this be their second shot at happily-ever-after?Every December, Sarah and James run a festive film festival in their struggling indie cinema. But this year, Hollywood comes Plumdale when a film crew shoots a movie in the village!Close to her breaking point, Sarah jumps at the exciting opportunity to work with the handsome and charming director on the script. Screenwriting had been her dream until she put it aside to help run the cinema and raise her children in the Cotswolds.Worried that he took his wife for granted, James decides to put the festival together on his own, choosing films to remind her of everything they''ve shared and how much he cares. But with the community and Sarah enthralled by the movie production, James is going to need a Christmas miracle to save both his marriage and the cinema...

Read more less

Book SynopsisDon''t miss the delightfully festive read from Sunday Times bestselling author Veronica Henry!''Full of hope and magic!'' CATHY BRAMLEY''The perfect cosy read'' SARAH MORGAN All she wants for Christmas...It''s meant to be the most wonderful time of the year - but Lizzy Kingham is fed up. It''s just days until Christmas and, as usual, the family''s present-buying, tree decorating and festive food shopping have all been left to her!So, Lizzy decides to pack up and head to her favourite place: the beach hut on the golden sands of Everdene. She''s surprised to meet an unlikely collection of new friends, all running away from something. But with the fairy lights twinkling overhead and the scent of mulled wine in the air, Lizzy soon finds herself being swept up in the magic of Christmas - even by the seaside.Back at Pepperpot Cottage, her family are desperate to find her. Because Christmas isn''t Christmas without Lizzy. Can they track her down in time and convince her she means the world to them, every day of the year?Your favourite authors love Veronica Henry!''A blissful escape'' SARAH MORGAN''The most uplifting getaway'' LUCY DIAMOND''Veronica Henry writes like a dream'' JILL MANSELL''Irresistibly romantic. I adored it'' PHILLIPA ASHLEY''A delicious, dreamy, joy of a book'' LIBBY PAGE''The perfect weekend read'' FANNY BLAKE

Read more less

Book SynopsisCan she finally put herself first, in order to find love?Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job - a secret one. She works as a handywoman - an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need. When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife. READERS ARE ALREADY LOVING THE IRISH MIDWIFE . . .''A gripping story, I couldn''t put this one down and read it in one day!''''A brilliant book that keeps you hooked''''An excellent story . . . a most interesting insight into the lives and work of midwives throughout the 1930s''''I read it in a matter of hours. The writing was excellent''''A lovely read. Very interesting and as it was set in Ireland made it different. Gave me an insight into how things worked in this era''

Read more less

Book Synopsis*PRE-ORDER NOW! THE TWIST-A-MINUTE NEW THRILLER FROM LIA MIDDLETON THAT ASKS HOW WELL YOU REALLY KNOW THE PERSON YOU''RE MARRIED TO...*FRANK has been found not guilty of a terrible crime. But, moments after arriving home from the trial, he is killed.HARRY was Frank's defence lawyer. He knew everything about his client. Or at least, he thought he did. So how did he react when he found out the truth?ANNA is Harry's wife. Harry doesn't know about her connection to Frank. But could it have driven her to murder?ONE MARRIAGE. ONE LIE. TWO SIDES TO THE STORY

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of A Home of Her Own comes a gripping historical saga full of love, loss and hope, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs and Ellie Dean.1909, NorthumberlandWhen Shona Hardy''s husband is lost at sea, she finds herself alone in a village which has always seen her as an outsider.A world away, Harry Darling has achieved wealth and respectability, but he has never forgotten the poverty and hardship that he grew up in or the girl who saved his life.When tragedy strikes again and Shona''s father passes away on Harry''s doorstep, Harry finally has a chance to pay Shona back for her kindness. But as their pasts and presents collide, will their lives be altered for ever?''Elizabeth writes such strong female characters, who never fail to succeed in the face of adversity'' - Trisha Ashley''Elizabeth reminds us that there is always hope in the face of darkness'' - Katie Fforde

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe perfect stocking stuffer: All seven of O. Henry’s classic holiday stories, including The Gift of the Magi, collected in one volumeComplete with helpful notes about the stories' biographical and cultural contexts“There are just as many real Christmas stories as ever, if we would only dig ’em up,” wrote William Sydney Porter. The first short story he published under the pen name O. Henry was a holiday tale (“Whistling Dick’s Christmas Stocking”), while his best-known work, “The Gift of the Magi,” has inspired countless Yuletide movies and television episodes. Library of America presents all seven of his seasonal offerings—including two about Thanksgiving, the “one day that is purely American.” You’ll meet characters only O. Henry could have imagined: Maida, a shop clerk who scrimps and saves for a new dress to wear to the employee holiday party. Stuffy Pete, a homeless man who suffers through the generosity of back-to-back Thanksgiving dinners. The Frio Kid, a murderous outlaw who unexpectedly commits a single act of generosity. Whistling Dick, a “visiting gentleman” (or, some might say, a tramp) who stumbles upon Boston Harry’s gang planning to execute a potentially lethal act of arson and robbery. Cherokee, a gold prospector who strikes it rich and, dressed as Santa Claus, brings gifts for the children he thought would be living in a rough-and-tumble mining town. And Fuzzy, an alcoholic “soldier of misfortune,” who stumbles upon the lost rag doll belonging to a millionaire’s five-year-old daughter. Always witty, often outrageously funny, and filled with O. Henry’s famous plot twists, these stories take readers from New Mexico and Texas, through New Orleans, and to New York City to find the holiday spirit all across America.

Read more less