Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisAngel is dark and plain, introverted and submissive, a spontaneous composer of childish verses, wholly consumed by the wild, seductive spell of her cousin Lara - a beautiful, irresponsible creature who expresses herself in free-form dance.What begins as a tender and intimate attachment between two young girls deepens in adulthood into something complex and perilous, as Lara''s life spins in increasingly erratic circles while Angel''s passionate devotion to her remains undiminished. It is a feverish and impenetrable relationship, of reckless master and willing slave, one forged to shield both Angel and Lara from the harshness of their surroundings, as well as from the far greater terrors of the self. It is a relationship that will end in terror for the young women, and for their families.Set against the vivid, dream-like landscape of of Manhattan in the recent past, Poet and Dancer is an altogether unforgettable novel, written with the subtlety, wry humour and Trade ReviewAll the vibrant, cosmopolitan buzz of roaring Manhattan pulses through this disturbing read * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs heard on BBC Radio 4 Book at BedtimeIt doesn't look like murder in a city full of death. A pandemic called 'The Sweats' is sweeping the globe. London is a city in crisis. Hospitals begin to fill with the dead and dying, but Stevie Flint is convinced that the sudden death of her boyfriend Dr Simon Sharkey was not from natural causes. As roads out of London become gridlocked with people fleeing infection, Stevie's search for Simon's killers takes her in the opposite direction, into the depths of the dying city and a race with death. A Lovely Way to Burn is the first outbreak in the Plague Times trilogy. Chilling, tense and completely compelling, it's Louise Welsh writing at the height of her powers.Trade ReviewAn unusual and fascinating take on a crime novel from the established and endlessly inventive Louise Welsh . . . With a strong central character and vivid depictions of the disorder that accompanies social breakdown, it's a gripping book that prepares the way nicely for the next volume * Guardian *An unusual and fascinating take on a crime novel from the established and endlessly inventive Louise Welsh . . . With a strong central character and vivid depictions of the disorder that accompanies social breakdown, it's a gripping book that prepares the way nicely for the next volume * Guardian *Don't start reading this if you have a long to-do list, it's a hypnotically readable thriller and you won't get much don't until you've finished it . . . What's gripping about this is the way the two stories, the crime thriller and the gathering apocalypse combine to create something tenser and scarier than either alone. The way that society gradually disintegrates is brilliantly done; it makes you feel just how fragile civilisation is * Independent on Sunday *Don't start reading this if you have a long to-do list, it's a hypnotically readable thriller and you won't get much don't until you've finished it . . . What's gripping about this is the way the two stories, the crime thriller and the gathering apocalypse combine to create something tenser and scarier than either alone. The way that society gradually disintegrates is brilliantly done; it makes you feel just how fragile civilisation is * Independent on Sunday *A tense, claustrophobic medical whodunit with an apocalyptic tone that cranks the stakes ever higher * Herald *A tense, claustrophobic medical whodunit with an apocalyptic tone that cranks the stakes ever higher * Herald *I was with Louise Welsh's gutsy gripping heroine Stevie Flint every terrifying step of the way * Kirsty Wark, author of The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle *I read it in two sittings, pausing only to sleep and dream about it. Gripping, perfectly paced and beautifully written * Erin Kelly, author of The Poison Tree *A terrifying journey into the possible, this is dystopia for today. Feral, frightening and fascinating, A Lovely Way to Burn gripped and chilled me in equal measure * Val McDermid *The first in a trilogy, and it should be huge * Bookseller *We've come to expect lots of good things from Welsh, including a brilliant sense of location. She doesn't disappoint with her images of London breaking down. As ever, the writing is fluid, the dynamic taut and through the control of such small telling moments, Welsh deftly breathes life into her characters. Only an accomplished writer knows exactly when to let the reader fill in the gaps. Stevie is a gusty, gripping protagonist, beautifully drawn . . . Welsh has taken our everyday lives, given them a twist, and no supernatural manifestation of our darkest hours is any match for what real human beings can do to each other when mankind loses its humanity. This is just first part of a trilogy. Scary, shocking and touching by turns, this apocalyptic thriller will enthral. I haven't been so buried in a book in a while * Irish Independent *I've felt for a while that we are in the mood for an intelligent slice of London-based dystopia, and I think Louise Welsh has cracked it with A Lovely Way to Burn . . . it kept me up all night nervously turning the pages * Cathy Rentzenbrink, Bookseller *Welsh constructs an intelligent mystery within the pages of A Lovely Way to Burn . . . It's close enough to what we know to be utterly terrifying and that was part of its hold on me. Welsh has taken our everyday lives, given them a twist, and put them in the background of an intriguing, addictive novel * Girlreporter *The book isn't out until the 20th March but a mixture of Welsh's writing style and the subject matter made it impossible to resist * Crimepieces *This is can't put down good * Candis *You know you're in for a seriously chilling read in this apocalyptic thriller when three very unlikely killers - an MP, a hedge fund manager and a vicar - go on a murderous rampage in the sweltering capital * Marie Claire *Louise Welsh writes elegantly and has visualised London in extremis with immense and detailed clarity. It is all very exciting, and there are two more volumes to come * Literary Review *A brilliantly imaginative mix of mystery and apocalypse . . . perfect pacing and [a] wonderfully compelling main protagonist . . . top notch descriptive prose . . . I almost guarantee that this one will leave you with haunted dreams and a slight sense of imbalance . . . brilliantly written, superbly described. There are two more novels to come and I for one cannot wait! * Liz Loves Books *Welsh skilfully presents London, initially as it is now, but rapidly descending into a plague-gripped dystopia . . . I appreciate a book that affects me . . . the relentlessly taut suspense of A Lovely Way to Burn still lingers on my psyche. Such an apocalyptic crisis does not seem improbable and here's hoping freakishly foul weather and tube strikes are not an omen of things to come * Stylist *A taut thriller so involving that I missed my bus stop! * Woman & Home *This is a novel rich in the kind of iridescent word painting that has long been Welsh's speciality, and the vulnerable, often maladroit Stevie is a wonderful protagonist . . . readers will be impatient for the second in the trilogy * Independent *The London of the novel at once recalls sci-fi dystopia, Dante's Inferno and accounts of the 1665 great plague . . . Welsh's plot is ably handled . . . She has in Stevie . . . an engaging, stroppy heroine for the trilogy this novel launches * Sunday Times *The writer [Louise Welsh] reminds me of most is Ian McEwan: both specialise in secrets, rather chilly sexuality, sudden reversals of fortune, and uneasy intimations of doom . . . A Lovely Way to Burn is superb popular fiction - a box-set waiting to happen. Roll on part two * Independent on Sunday *There are no daughters, no sisters, no mothers in this darkening world; as the city turns to chaos, men roam the streets and women become invisible. This comment on what catastrophe may actually do to society makes Welsh's take on the dystopia less conservative and Wells-like, recalling instead writers such as Doris Lessing or Margaret Atwood. The pace and thriller-style of the narrative pitch her tale towards the commercial end of the market but her lone female in a world dominated by men gives it the subversive edge of a more literary work * Scotland on Sunday *Welsh weaves thoughtful, emotional themes into a thriller plot - and does it very well . . . A Lovely Way to Burn is the first in a promised trilogy, and if Welsh can keep up the quality of writing and create an effective arc, future writers of apocalypse may indeed turn to her to see how it's done * Killing Time Crime *The descriptions of London and society unravelling into chaos are utterly compelling and scarily realistic . . . Great if you like tense thrillers - and as it's the first in a series called The Plague Times Trilogy, it bodes well for the next two * Heat *If you're looking for a novel that communicates thrills and paranoia to the extent that you forget anywhere else you're meant to be until you finish, look no further. I should add a caveat thought: you'll never again listen to a news item about a drug resistant 'super bug' without shivering, and that's even before Book 2 hits the bookshops. So, are you feeling brave? * Bookbag *Gripping new dystopian thriller . . . Welsh has already proven her prowess as a controlling mistress of creepily suspenseful fiction with acclaimed chillers such as The Cutting Room and The Girl on the Stairs. This is an ambitious departure, being the first in a proposed Plague Times trilogy. It succeeds on several counts. It is a propulsive read, written in lean sentences and snappy cliffhanging chapters . . . Most impressive of all is the Scottish writer's evocation of a London that, with a Dickensian swagger, emerges as a pulsating untameable beast in its own right * Metro *A chilling chronicle of an unravelling society and a true testament to an author at the height of her powers. Next instalments can't come soon enough * Upcoming4me *A brilliantly imaginative thriller with a compelling heroine and well-paced plot that keeps the tension high * Hello *A Lovely Way To Burn once more proves that there are few writers who can unsettle as Louise Welsh does * Scotswhayhae *This is the first in a trilogy from the award-winning short-story and thriller writer; a scary vision of London falling apart that's addictively readable * Saga *Chilling * Heat *[A] pacy murder mystery . . . [Louise Welsh's] plague is plausible and chilling. In a city of desperate people, even the most benign places become fraught with danger, and every step of Stevie's amateur investigation is palpably tense * List *[Louise] Welsh develops a fantastically written mystery which keeps you hanging on to every word. She creates excelling imagery of the struggle Stevie faces . . . A must read, which will leave you dreaming - or having nightmares - of apocalyptic London for weeks * Irish Examiner *A thrillingly dystopian mystery . . . It's a fine setup, and Stevie is a strong character, a forthright blend of sales sass and reporter brass. Welsh is particularly good at describing the institutional and social disorder that accompanies the outbreak of the sweats * Guardian *Suspenseful and intelligent dystopian fiction. Welsh writes snappily and with filmic precision . . . Her setting, vivid and initially familiar, grows increasingly alien as the crisis worsens. Welsh knows exactly how to build tension and momentum as her lone hero presses on with her quest. She also knows how to create a memorably sinister world in which nothing and no one is solid, and the shreds of comfort that remain are intangible or inanimate * Sunday Business Post *Louise Welsh delivers an absolute cracker of a crime thriller set against the backdrop of a country in the grip of a frightening plague . . . Welsh's picture of a rapidly-disintegrating society stands comparison of some of the best in this field, including John Wyndham's timeless classic, The Day of the Triffids, and the fact that A Lovely Way to Burn is the first in a trilogy set in the Plague Times is, for me and other disaster fans, very good news indeed * crimereview.co.uk *Louise Welsh rarely repeats herself, a quality to celebrate in a crime novelist. A Lovely Way to Burn is a dystopian thriller set in an all-too-plausible version of contemporary London. Welsh puts her own distinctive mark on it . . . this intelligent thriller creates an alarmingly convincing picture of London on the brink of disintegration; it reminds us how fragile we are * Andrew Taylor, The Spectator *Welsh plays brilliantly on our worst fears, and the pace never lets up. Seriously scary * The Times *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Great fun... the suspense slips its slow coils around you' Daily MailDaddy, there's a man in our room... This is the chilling announcement Alfie hears one night, when he wakes in his quiet, suburban house to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed. It's been nine months since Pippa - their mother - suddenly died and they've been unsettled ever since, so Alfie assumes they've probably had a nightmare. Still, he goes to check to reassure the girls. As expected he finds no man, but in the following days the girls begin to refer to someone called Black Mamba. What seemingly begins as an imaginary friend quickly develops into something darker, more obsessive, potentially violent. Alfie finds himself struggling to cope, and so he turns to Julia - Pippa's twin and a psychotherapist - for help. But as Black Mamba's coils tighten around the girls, Alfie and Julia must contend with their own unspoken sense of loss, their unacknowledged attraction to one another, and the true character of the presence poisoning the twins' minds... A darkling tale of tragedy, hauntings and sexual desire, Black Mamba is a novel of a father's love for his struggling daughters, and a widower's growing love for a woman after his wife's death. With smart, gothicky touches and a large and generous challenge to our assumptions of what and who constitutes a modern family, it explores both the limits we'll go to for our children and the sunken taboos of grief - of how erotics can still exist, and can even be life giving, after suffering loss.Trade ReviewGreat fun... the suspense slips its slow coils around you * Daily Mail *Fans of literary horror will be absolutely captivated... I found it almost impossible to put down * Horror Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisJanuary 1987. Alix Bowen has moved away from London to Yorkshire. There, she regularly visits a mass-murderer in a high-security prison. But has her natural curiosity in his motives and character crept into obsession? Meanwhile, Alix's life continues to cross and uncross with her old friends Liz and Esther, now all in their fifties. As the years pass, they increasingly question the brutally prosperous and atrocity-hungry society they live in, and their complicity in it, as they navigate life in 1980s Britain. The second in a trilogy following on from The Radiant Way and finishing with The Gates of Ivory, A Natural Curiosity sees Margaret Drabble return with her brilliant and dark wit in this bold, generous and incisive portrait of the time.Trade ReviewI have learned so much from Margaret Drabble's work. Her prose is very beautiful, very funny, and at the same time very serious -- SALLY ROONEYEach of Margaret Drabble's novels has been an accurate, honest record of its time in the idiom of its time -- URSULA K. LE GUINAbsorbing and thought-provoking * * The Sunday Times * *A remarkable mixture of . . . compelling narrative, psychological insight, generous human portrayal, acute observation, humour, horror, beauty and disgust * * Times Literary Supplement * *Confident and marvellously accomplished new novel * * London Review of Books * *One of the most thought-provoking and intellectually challenging writers around * * Financial Times * *One of our foremost women writers * * Guardian * *One of the most versatile and accomplished authors of her generation * * New Yorker * *The novels brim with sharply observed life and the author's seemingly infinite sympathy for "ordinary women" -- JOYCE CAROL OATES * * New Yorker * *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSelected as a Best Book of 2021 by the Observer, Stylist, Cosmopolitan, Red and the Daily Mail Halfway through her PhD and already dreaming of running her own lab, computer scientist Asha has her future all mapped out. Then a chance meeting and whirlwind romance with her old high-school crush, Cyrus, changes everything.Dreaming big, together with their friend Jules they come up with a revolutionary idea: to build a social networking app that could bring meaning to millions of lives. While Asha creates an ingenious algorithm, Cyrus' charismatic appeal throws him into the spotlight. When the app explodes into the next big thing, Asha should be happy, shouldn't she? But why does she feel invisible in the boardroom of her own company? Why are decisions being made without her? Gripping, witty and razor-sharp, The Startup Wife is a blistering novel about big ambitions, speaking out and standing up for what you believe in.Trade ReviewPulses with up-to-the-minute topicality . . . as high-octane entertainment that hits notes poignant as well as savagely witty, it soars * * Observer * *Fresh, funny, brave, savage, smart - Tahmima Anam hits every note perfectly in this novel about our new reality and the age-old problems of men and women that no app can fix -- KAMILA SHAMSIEImpossibly timely and bewilderingly smart -- ELIF SHAFAKExcellent on the intricacies of sexism and racism (Asha is Bengali) and how migrant experiences differ . . . Anam's writing is stylish and funny . . . and she guides the reader deftly towards a satisfying conclusion * * Sunday Times * *A sparkling comedy about love, work and the search for meaning in our lives, that is funny, tender, sometimes raunchy, always smart. It satirises these crazy times, but with compassion and elegance. A rambunctious, radiant riot of a novel -- MONICA ALI[A] sparky satire of startup culture and the modern search for meaning . . . Smart and funny on culture clashes, male-female dynamics and the cult of wellness * * Guardian * *An extremely enjoyable, feminist rom-com - gloriously readable, irresistibly funny and even smarter than you realise until you turn the final, triumphant page. I loved this novel -- GILLIAN ANDERSONWell-observed and funny: Anam deftly skewers a world of polished concrete and exposed brick, deranged venture capitalists and apocalypse-obsessed entrepreneurs . . . zippy and smart * * Sunday Telegraph * *Brilliant . . . if you enjoyed Self Care by Leigh Stein or Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener you'll love this. A modern novel about love, start-ups, technology, ambition and the future, all wrapped up in one. It's very clever, but also subtle and very funny too. That sort of dry wit that makes you snort. [I] loved it . . . the perfect escapism -- EMMA GANNONI raced through this beautifully written, often hilarious and always thought-provoking book about big tech, love, faith and chasing dreams . . . fabulous * * Mail on Sunday * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Devil-may-care daring and biting humour . . . Think Rachel Cusk's autofiction on skunk and OxyContin and you're in the right ballpark' The Times 'Enjoyably mischievous and daring' Financial Times 'Ruthless, very funny' New York Times Mona is a Peruvian writer based on a Californian campus, open-eyed and sardonic, a connoisseur of marijuana and prescription pills. In the humanities she has discovered she is something of an anthropological curiosity - a female writer of colour treasured for the flourish of rarefied diversity that reflects so well upon her department. When she is nominated for 'the most important literary award in Europe', Mona sees a chance to escape her sunlit substance abuse and erotic distraction, and leaves for a small village in Sweden. Now she is stuck in the company of her competitors, who arrive from Japan, France, Armenia, Iran and Colombia. The writers do what writers do: exchange flattery, nurse envy and private resentments, stab rivals in the back and go to bed together. But all the while, Mona keeps stumbling across traces of violence on her body, the origins of which she can't - or won't - remember.Trade ReviewBoth a wicked satire of the literary élite and an exploration of art and violence ... The novel is the kind that Mona imagines writing: 'terrifying, brilliant, and dangerous.' * The New Yorker *Oloixarac's wit and ambition are evident on every page -- Hari Kunzru, author of White TearsSly, bitter, and smart, Mona is at once a satirical comedy, a harrowing psychological portrait of a woman's dissociation, and a philosophical indictment of the hubris of now -- Siri Hustvedt, author of Memories of the FutureIn a literary culture swamped by clenched, worthy fiction and the writer as activist, her satirist's misanthropy and taste for provocation are a tonic * Observer *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Exquisitely written and structurally bold ... a deeply impressive novel' Eva Dolan, author of This Is How It Ends Selected for TLS Summer Books 2023 Arthur and Gwen married young. Twenty years on, Gwen's got it all: wealth, beauty, a famous husband who's the founder of Britain's most successful tech company, stables full of horses, millions of followers on Instagram, an unstable lover, a wayward son, a hoard of secrets, an aching heart, and a cyberstalking blackmailer who calls himself The Invisible Knight. As the Wiltshire town of Abury prepares to celebrate the fortieth birthday of its favourite son, Morgan, Gwen's former best friend, is on her way back to Abury after two decades away, keen to expose Abury's long buried secrets and hellbent on revenge. An inventive, magisterial reworking of Britain's greatest myth, Bliss & Blunder is a heartrending novel of power, friendship and betrayal.Trade ReviewWhipsmart ... Gosling's prose is ironic, honest and humorous in a postmodern collage of myth and modernity * Guardian *A thrilling romp through contemporary Britain with an eye on its ancient past. Victoria Gosling's Bliss & Blunder manages to be simultaneously pacy, rich and formally adventurous -- Ben Fergusson, author of Tales from the FatherlandBliss and Blunder, like the questing beast of legend, is many things at once; epic, sprawling yet intricate, it's a novel of action and intimacy, an astute critique of our technological era, a fitting homage to Arthurian myth, and a moving, highly original story in its own right. -- Roisin Kiberd, author of The DisconnectJaw-droppingly brilliant writing -- Marian KeyesExquisitely written and structurally bold, this is a standout reimagining of the Arthurian cycle, where tech bros and hackers fight their battles and wield their powers with the same brutality as their mythic forebears. At once a driving revenge narrative, a meditation on love and a searing dissection of our ruling tech elite's troubling morals, Bliss & Blunder is a deeply impressive novel. -- Eva Dolan, author of This Is How It EndsThe vivid sensuality of a summer's day and the brutal compulsiveness of a battle march ... Playful, clever and romantic, like the best Arthurian myths, with something new and electrifying that is all Gosling's own. The women are wild, the tension is exhilarating, and the jokes are very, very funny. -- Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta, authors of The View Was ExhaustingPraise for Before the Ruins: 'Engrossing, beguiling, and with an undertow of menace, Before the Ruins is a masterly debut from a richly talented author.' -- Sarah WatersBefore the Ruins, Victoria Gosling's stunner of a debut novel, is rich with mystery and moral disorder. It put me in mind of Edward St. Aubyn and Donna Tart; dark, fierce, and totally addictive. -- Valerie MartinA clever retelling of the King Arthur story * Grazia *A retelling of the Arthurian myth might sound like hard work, but this modern take is funny and fresh. Throw in a love triangle, blackmail and someone hellbent on revenge and you have a gripping read * Good Housekeeping UK *This modern-day Arthurian retelling devoured me with its cleverness, great writing and sharp interpretation of the legend that felt both mythic and startlingly current. -- Sophie Keetch, author of Morgan is My NameSharp and timely ... With granular detail, this well-researched work combines elements from the old story and brings them into contemporary focus in witty, original and illuminating fashion. * Buzz books *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn an island in the shape of a teardrop live two sisters. One is admired far and wide, the other lives in her shadow. One is the Oracle, the other is destined for the Underworld.But what will happen when she returns to the island? Based on the Japanese myth of Izanami and Izanagi, The Goddess Chronicle is a fantastical tour de force about ferocious love and bitter revenge.The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.Trade ReviewKirino's retelling is a taut, disturbing and timeless tale, filled with rage and pathos for the battles that women have to fight every day, battles which have, apparently, existed from the moment of creation -- TAN TWAN ENG * * Guardian * *Daring and disturbing . . . [Kirino is] prepared to push the human limits of this world . . . Remarkable * * Los Angeles Times * *Lyrical, with an impelling storyline that demands attention . . . a compelling tale, with foundations in an allegory-rich fable that more than deserves its rejuvenation * * Independent on Sunday * *A dark and lovely feminist retelling of the Japanese creation myth * * NPR * *Enthralling . . . In telling Namima's story, the author reworks the ancient tale of Izanami and Izanaki into one of female solidarity and determined strength . . . Natsuo Kirino eloquently reveals that far from being the weaker sex, women shoulder responsibilities that men are not strong enough to bear * * Washington Independent Review of Books * *An eerie tale of joy and sorrow, light and darkness, love and vengeance . . . Dark and elemental, it's the perfect kind of tale for Kirino's pen . . . a tantalising introduction to an unfamiliar creation myth * * The Idle Woman * *In her wildly far-reaching tale of relations between gods and men, men and women, life and death, darkness and light, Natsuo Kirino tells a peripatetic, global, and truly satisfying love story of how it is to be human -- STELLA DUFFYIt is one of the most unexpected and playful novels to emerge from Japan in recent years . . . a triumph. In its boldness and originality, it broadens our sense of what modern Japanese fiction can be * * Telegraph on Real World * *Be prepared for a book utterly unlike anything we are used to in crime fiction * * Independent on Real World * *Got my heart beating * * Daily Telegraph on Out * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing, captivating story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .'Sparkling with magic' JENNIFER SAINT'A book to disappear into' JOANNE BURN'Filled with wonders' ESSIE FOX'Spellbinding' LOUISE HAREBristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle, Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .Praise for THE ILLUSIONS and Liz Hyder'After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance' Jennifer Saint'Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily' Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure'Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it' Essie Fox'With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness' Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily'Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable' Louise Hare'What a joy . . . It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it' Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall'Every bit as magical as the magic it describes' Sonia Velton'Utterly beguiling - brimful of wicked, wonderful, glorious characters and sprinkled with actual magic' Amanda Mason'Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies' Freya Berry, The Dictator's WifeTrade ReviewAfter her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance. * Jennifer Saint *Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable. * Louise Hare *For a truly immersive, can't-put-it-down read, The Illusions will whisk you to the late Victorian age with this story of two young women, Cecily, a con artist's assistant and Eadie, a photographer and early film maker trying to make it in a man's world. Cecily and Eadie's paths will soon collide in a kaleidoscope of magic, theatrics, illusion and love. * Red magazine *Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it. * Essie Fox *Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily. * Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure *With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily *Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies. * Freya Berry, The Dictator's Wife *Set in Victorian Bristol with a cast of characters that are a feast for the senses. It is in every way quite magical. * Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl *Captivating and fascinating . . . A fabulous second novel (for adults), firmly cementing Liz Hyder as an author to watch. Beautifully crafted, The Illusions steps into a world of trickery and deception, while shining a light on the importance of friendship and love. * Lovereading Star Book *An utter delight! The novel is an illusion in itself . . . it's such a page-turner and the building of the plot and the denouement is glorious. It is filled with light and optimism and joy and feels like a book we need right now. * Caryl Lewis *

Read more less

Book Synopsis An exhilarating dark comedy about two brothers confronting their father's fate in contemporary Ireland, from a critically acclaimed Irish author 'Brilliant. A hilarious, poetical black comedy... Do read it.' Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime It's 2008, and the Celtic Tiger has left devastation in its wake. Brothers Hart and Cormac Black are waking up to a very different Ireland – one that widens the chasm between them and brings their beloved father to his knees. Facing a devastating choice that will put their livelihood, even their lives, on the line, the brothers soon learn that their biggest danger comes when there is nothing to lose. A sharp snapshot of a family and a nation suddenly unmoored, this epic-in-miniature explores cowardice and sacrifice, faith rewarded and abandoned, the stories we tell ourselves and the ones we resist. Hilarious, poignant and utterly fresh, The Wild Laughter cements Caoilinn Hughes' position as one of Ireland's most audacious, nuanced and insightful young writers. 'A grand feat of comic ingenuity, mischievous and insightful, and full of resonance for the way we live now... So original and vibrant.' Encore Award Judges FINALIST FOR THE AN POST IRISH NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2020, THE RTÉ RADIO 1 LISTENERS' CHOICE AWARD 2020 & THE DALKEY EMERGING WRITER AWARD 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE & THE i COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE, 2021 AN IRISH TIMES, IRISH SUNDAY TIMES, IRISH INDEPENDENT & SUNDAY INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR, 2020 Trade Review‘A very funny novel. There’s a spiky levity to dialogue and narration alike, with liberal sprinklings of snark, gallows humour and word play.’ Financial Times'The Wild Laughter is a propulsive, raucous, funny and deeply moving novel with a magnetic narrative voice. I loved it.' David Nicholls, author of One Day'I loved this book. So funny and bleak. I loved the madness, the tone, the ending, the realisation, The Third Policeman charge of the whole thing.' Roddy Doyle, Booker Prize-winning author of The Commitments'[A] riotous dark comedy…with much to relish in the crunchy vernacular and ribald humour… Hughes captures a feverish moment of country-wide crisis in a first-rate tale of family debt that isn’t only financial.' Daily Mail'Powerful...darkly adventurous... An Irish Cain and Abel.' Guardian'A finely tuned symphony... Hughes's dark comedy reads like a post-boom Beckett, if he'd been let run riot on a heart-scald of a potato farm in Co Roscommon... Dazzling doesn't even come close.' Sunday Independent (Ireland)'A dark, epic family saga about rural Ireland… The end is as shocking as it is inevitable...delivering a gut punch that both holds a mirror to Ireland’s recent past and warns of the dangers of being too in thrall to ancient history.' i'The Wild Laughter is a glorious, tender, wounded and furiously funny book. It couldn't suit our times better if it tried.' A.L. Kennedy, author of Serious Sweet'A grand feat of comic ingenuity, mischievous and insightful, and full of resonance for the way we live now... So original and vibrant.' Encore Award Judges'Sharp, witty and full of gorgeous language.' Rick O'Shea, Best Books of 2020'After the widespread critical acclaim of her debut Orchid and the Wasp, Hughes' firecracker language and unruly wit returns with a bedraggled family saga set during the financial crash... A powerfully original voice in Irish fiction.' Irish Independent'What a profound, much needed, urgent novel. The Wild Laughter is dark and beautiful.' Fatima Bhutto, author of The Runaways'A razor-sharp snapshot of a family and a nation in trouble, in language that is vital and richly inventive... A remarkable achievement... An exhilarating and moving story of an Ireland in disarray.' Irish Times'A memorable, insightful portrait of a complex family in an equally complex economic and emotional situation... The Wild Laughter succeeds on all levels.' Patrick deWitt, author of French Exit

Read more less

Book SynopsisSunday Times Top 5 bestselling author Harriet Evans returns with an unputdownable tale of the infinite possibilities of families - how they can anchor you or unseat you - and why unconditional love holds the key to true freedom. ''A boldly sombre atmosphere haunts the latest novel by Harriet Evans, the doyenne of [commercial fiction]'' Observer''Immersive, engrossing and ultimately beautiful'' Marian Keyes''No one except Harriet Evans writes books like this anymore; The Stargazers is a work of genius and a future classic'' Jane Casey''Don''t you think there should be a name for people like us?'' he said. ''Who look up and who dream of more, who dream of escaping? Who never lose faith, no matter how hard it becomes?''''Stargazers,'' I said. ''That''s what we are''It''s the 1970s, and Sarah has spent a lifetime trying to bury memoriesTrade ReviewDelightfully romantic and deliciously escapist * Bookseller (Editor's Choice) *Immersive, engrossing and ultimately beautiful * Marian Keyes *A boldly sombre atmosphere haunts the latest novel by Harriet Evans, the doyenne of [commercial fiction] * Observer *The Stargazers is a gorgeously sweeping novel, so beautifully written, with characters - and an old stately home - that linger long after you turn the last page. I loved it * Eve Chase *A crumbling stately home named Fane is among the evocative settings conjured up in this intricate, darkly romantic novel * Mail on Sunday *The beguiling settings, the unforgettable characters and the thread of danger that runs through this brilliantly crafted plot sent it straight into my favourite books of all time. No one except Harriet Evans writes books like this anymore; The Stargazers is a work of genius and a future classic * Jane Casey *A book to get truly lost in. A book that will capture your heart. Magical and transporting - I didn't want it to end * Veronica Henry *Totally engaging, undeniably beautiful and unputdownable. With characters that will weave their way into your soul with a setting that captures the imagination, this is a story that is both heartbreaking and life-affirming in the best possible way * Becky Hunter *A gripping, atmospheric, multi-layered epic to get lost in * Good Housekeeping *An immersive, beautifully written family saga which already feels like a classic * Red magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA HEART-STOPPING, VISCERAL THRILLER FROM THE MASTER OF THE KILLER TWIST. A child claims his mother is an imposter - but only one person believes him.

Read more less

Book Synopsis***Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray''s bestselling Scottish detective series*** ***Don''t miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUESTIONS FOR A DEAD MAN, is out now and Book 21, OUT OF DARKNESS, is available to pre-order.***Whether you''ve read them all or whether this is your first Lorimer novel, SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD is perfect if you love Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves WHAT THEY''RE SAYING ABOUT THE LORIMER SERIES:''Warm-hearted, atmospheric'' ANN CLEEVES''Relentless and intriguing'' PETER MAY''Move over Rebus'' DAILY MAIL''Exciting, pacey, authentic'' ANGELA MARSONS''Superior writing'' THE TIMES''Immensely exciting and atmospheric'' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH_______________ No one rests in peace. There''s a hitman in Glasgow: unpaid and angry, he''s decided Trade ReviewGray's best book yet . . . A thoroughly impressive outing from a writer ready to join the top rank of crime authors. * DAILY EXPRESS *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'I enjoyed it SO much!' MARIAN KEYES'With glorious characters and a dreamy setting, I couldn't have loved this book more' THE SUN, ***** 5 STARSJess Bright, single mum and journalist, feels her life has stalled. So when she's offered a writing job in Paris for the summer, she leaps at the chance to go. Hasn't she always felt that she left a piece of her heart in the city years before?Her subject is the iconic artist Adelaide Fox, whose personal life has been steeped in scandal and intrigue. Now approaching eighty, she's ready to tell her side of the story - and serve up some scalding-hot revenge in the process.Amidst a stormy working relationship, Jess and Adelaide must face up to their pasts. As passionate affairs, terrible betrayals and life-changing secrets surface, there may be more surprises in store than either of them dared imagine . . .Set in the city of love, with two unforgettable protagonists, I REMEMBER PARIS is a glorious, life-affirming novel about second chances, unlikely friendships and finding your way back to yourself.'Escapist, romantic and a little bit scandalous, this is Lucy Diamond at her page-turning best' VERONICA HENRY'As multi-layered, rich and enjoyable as a giant mille-feuille. You will adore it' MILLY JOHNSON'Heartfelt and escapist' WOMAN & HOME'Lucy's best book yet' 5* READER REVIEW'I loved it!' KATIE FFORDE'Escapist, romantic and scandalous' SUNDAY POST'Such a treat' 5* READER REVIEW'Escapist, thoughtful' MY WEEKLYREADERS LOVE LUCY DIAMOND'I love all of Lucy's books' 5* reader review'Lucy writes with such warmth and sympathy' 5* reader review'Pure escapism' 5* reader review'So uplifting' 5* reader review'I can't put Lucy's books down' 5* reader reviewTrade ReviewA warm, extremely likeable, romantic book with plenty of substance and a lovely dog. I enjoyed it SO much * Marian Keyes *With glorious characters and a dreamy setting, I couldn't have loved this book more * The Sun *What a joy! Escapist, romantic and a little bit scandalous, this is Lucy Diamond at her page-turning best. A glorious Parisian adventure * Veronica Henry *This book shows how the past can impact on the present. It is intriguing and its setting is a joy in itself. I loved it! * Katie Fforde *As multi-layered, rich and enjoyable as a giant mille-feuille. You will adore it * Milly Johnson *There are few things more enjoyable than sitting down with a Lucy Diamond novel. Her stories of family, friendship and life are heartfelt and escapist * Woman & Home *Just the antidote for bleak February days, with its uplifting story about second chances and friendship, all set in the magical city of Paris * The Gloss *This heartwarming novel is a romantic read with a delightful ending * Candis *[A] gem of a novel. At once escapist, romantic and scandalous * The Sunday Post *Escapist, thoughtful * My Weekly *A heartfelt and escapist read * Woman's Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY CLAIRE LOWDONCharles Highway is every mother's worst nightmare. Precociously intelligent, mercilessly manipulative and highly sexed, Charles devotes the last of his teenage years to bedding girls and evading the half-arsed overtures of his distant parents. That is, until, he meets the aloof, wildly unattainable, Rachel.As Charles's twentieth birthday - and the Oxford entrance exams - loom, his plans for seducing Rachel will draw him into a private collection of obsessional notes and observations: the eponymous 'Rachel Papers'.WINNER OF THE SOMERSET MAUGHAM AWARD'Scurrilous, shameless and very funny' The Times Literary Supplement'Amis has brought off the feat of satirizing his contemporaries while making them both funny and, in a bizarre way, moving' Peter AckroydTrade ReviewAmis has brought off the feat of satirizing his contemporaries while making them both funny and, in a bizarre way, moving—Peter AckroydScurrilous, shameless and very funny—Time Literary SupplementExtravagantly sexual-highly enjoyable—Evening StandardAmis's arrogantly assured manner is a formidable weapon, spraying the target with disdainful wit, ingenious obscenity, astute literariness, loathing, lust, anxiety and an all-pervading hyper-self-consciousness—ObserverA magnificent novel, a masterpiece really, its prose energetic, angry, honest and so funny—Andrew Billen, The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisCardiff in 1878 is grimy, crowded and grey, and Ellen dreams of escaping her dreary life as a domestic for the sea. But when she falls in love with Samuel she is able to fulfil her destiny by running away with him. Life at sea is brutal and dangerous, and when circumstances bring her home the hardships of working class life and racism begin to poison their lives.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Magnificent . . . Lauren Groff is a virtuoso' Emily St John Mandel'A blistering collection . . . lyrical and oblique' Guardian'Not to be missed . . . deep and dark and resonant' Ann Patchett'It's beautiful. It's giving me rich, grand nightmares' ObserverIn these vigorous stories, Lauren Groff brings her electric storytelling to a world in which storms, snakes and sinkholes lurk at the edge of everyday life, but the greater threats are of a human, emotional and psychological nature. Among those navigating it all are a resourceful pair of abandoned sisters; a lonely boy, grown up; a restless, childless couple; a searching, homeless woman; and an unforgettable conflicted wife and mother.Florida is an exploration of the connections behind human pleasure and pain, hope and despair, love and fury.'Innovative and terrifyingly relevant. Any one of these stories is a bracing read; together they form a masterpiece' Stylist'Lushly evocative . . . mesmerising . . . a writer whose turn of phrase can stop you on your tracks' Financial TimesTrade ReviewFlorida is a magnificent collection, executed with tremendous depth and precision, unsettling in the best possible way. Lauren Groff is a virtuoso.Don’t tell yourself you don’t like short stories, because these are not to be missed. The book is deep and dark and resonant. Every story plays in some way on the others and in the end the total is worth even more than the sum of its beautiful parts.It’s beautiful. It’s giving me rich, grand nightmares. * Observer *Florida feels innovative and terribly relevant. Any one of its stories is a bracing read; together they form a masterpiece. * Stylist *This is what she shows in story after story: a heroic pushback against the way we live now, against waste, against the artificial environments in which we find ourselves maintained by corporations, but equally against the pressures on women to be flawless, effortlessly excellent mothers, wives, sisters, lovers, friends, within this dire state of affairs … Groff’s lyrical and oblique stories catch these women in the midst of becoming aware of their complicity in perpetuating these narratives – to which their response is to walk, flee, or conversely refuse to budge, as in the dazzlingly apocalyptic ‘Eyewall’ … The hot, humid Floridian atmosphere hangs over all the stories … Every woman, every snake, is fighting back against the laws of nature, and the human-made Eden that threatens to imprison, or end, them all. * Guardian *A lushly evocative collection of stories about the Sunshine State, its inhabitants and its history … Mesmerising … In her previous book, Fates and Furies — which was picked by Barack Obama as his favourite read of 2015 — Groff painted a psychologically rich portrait of a marriage as told from both sides. She brings the same attention to detail to Florida, in a multifaceted portrayal of both the state and its inhabitants … The Florida winter wraps itself around “camellias and peach trees and dogwoods and oranges”, but it is the summer she captures so well … She’s a writer whose turn of phrase can stop you in your tracks … Something untameable lurks restlessly beneath the surface of this book. Groff’s incomparable prose pulsates with peril; its beauty, like that of the titular state itself, lies in a certain wild lushness. * Financial Times *The collection testifies to Groff’s brilliance as a writer of both places and people. She grapples with interpersonal relations and the inner lives of others with perceptiveness, wit and emotional engagement. * Literary Review *Easily the year’s best story collection . . . these indelibly vivid tales read like inoculations against cynicism. * Vogue *She is an example of writers who can do everything – dialogue, structure, the throb and hum of inner life – so brilliantly. The result is so heady and evocative, you’ll be wafting away imaginary heat waves and checking your room for scaly threats as you read, while Florida’s cast of lost, sad and sometimes cruel characters will stick with you far longer. * Esquire UK *An unsettling, stinging collection that feeds on Florida’s paradoxes. * Sunday Times *She boldly explores conflicts and connections between everything from humans and their natural surroundings to pleasure and pain. * Time Magazine *These psychological stories, whose impeccable structures are at odds with the chaos they often describe, provide glimpses into a variety of lives under the same tempestuous sky. * Spectator *One of the most eagerly anticipated short story collections of the year. * Stylist *A connoisseur of the tension between appearance and depth. Her dazzling third novel, Fates and Furies, a portrait of a marriage built on secrets, was nominated for the National Book Award. Her new collection plunges into similarly murky terrain … There is more than a little of David Lynch in Ms Groff's Floridian landscape: exotic and bright, yet pulsing with hidden malevolence … Real and metaphorical storms proliferate, along with ghosts, alligators and snakes. Two menaces in particular slither through Ms Groff's work: the obliteration of women by marriage and motherhood, and looming environmental collapse … Against these threats Ms Groff sets the particularity of individual lives, love and above all language. Her own is alive to Florida's lush, beguiling beauty … Ms Groff's writing is marvellous, her insights keen, each story a glittering, encrusted treasure hauled from the deep. * Economist *Explores the contradictions of a maddening and seductive state … Female characters in the collection find themselves isolated and endangered, exposed and compelled to let the elements have their way with them. * Times Literary Supplement *A kaleidoscopic portrait of one state. * Observer *Though Groff moves adroitly through an impressive range of lives, times, and places, the stories often seem propelled more by a supercharged pathetic fallacy than by action and character . . . the landscape and fauna seem to make metaphor on a monumental scale. . . . The book stages an intriguing relationship between the individual and the collective . . . Climate change, though explicitly addressed only in glances, is a palpable threat, given a force still unusual in fiction by a treatment that makes it hard to distinguish from interior phenomena. * Harper's Magazine *the collection testifies to Groff’s brilliance as a writer of both places and people. She grapples with interpersonal relations and the inner lives of others with perceptiveness, wit and emotional engagement * Literary Review *The realism of Groff’s stories is matched by her lyricism: botanical details and evocations of weather give her prose an addictive quality * i newspaper *There are panthers, snakes and hurricanes heading in the direction of the angry, lonely characters in Lauren Groff's vivid stories, but the greatest threat comes from their own unwieldy feelings, as doubt, regret and dissatisfaction scupper all notions of emotional security. * Psychologies *Lush, and tinged with paranoia…[Groff] should be better known in Britain. * Sunday Times *My god, can Lauren Groff write or what?! ... This short story collection showcases a master craftswoman whose sentences reverberate with depth and power. * Victoria Sadler *[A] strikingly vivid Florida of the mind…an extraordinary trip for the reader. * Daily Mail *Groff's writing is clever, caustic yet with a mother's tender sensibility. And such powers of description!... I was blown away! * Saga *Superb stories. * RTE Online *Lyrical, lacerating collection. * Daily Mail *Groff's writing is superb and she captures her characters eccentricities or their bizarre situations perfectly. There are laugh out loud moments with some parts that were odd and some even creepy. Everyone who will read this collection will definitely get something out of it. * DeuceKindred Blog *Groff's mastery of language, plot and dialogue are on full display in a set of stories that linger long after you've closed the last page. * Esquire *[A] masterclass in writing about the edges of everyday life. This collection of short stories that all link to the Sunshine State captures loneliness, alienation, abandonment and inner resourcefulness in the most creative of tales.Fantastical tales ... You'll be swept up in a wild hurricane of a ride with this lyrical stories of fury and love, loss and hope. * Newsweek *Each story is perfectly formed, exquisite, often troubling but there is something so brilliantly humane about her work. * Kate Hamer, Wales Art Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWITH AN INTRODUCTION FROM THE AUTHOR'Impressive' The Times'Funny and pitch perfect' Sunday Express'I blink, bubble and boggle in amazed admiration' Stephen Fry'These stories are a hit' Financial Times A small-town newspaper columnist with old-fashioned views of the modern world. A World War II veteran grappling with his emotional and physical scars. A second-rate actor plunged into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket. Four friends travelling to the moon in a rocket ship built in the backyard. These are just some of the stories that Tom Hanks captures with great affection, humour and insight - the human condition in all its foibles.Trade ReviewMr. Hanks turns out to be as authentically genuine a Writer with a capital W as ever touched a typewriter key. The stories in Uncommon Type range from the hilarious to the deeply touching. They move in period, location and manner, but all demonstrate a joy in writing, a pleasure in communicating an intensely American sense of atmosphere, friendship, life and family that is every bit as smart, engaging and humane as the man himself. All with that extra quality of keenly observant and sympathetic intelligence that has always set Tom Hanks apart. I blink, bubble and boggle in amazed admiration. -- Stephen FryReading Tom Hanks’s Uncommon Type is like finding out that Alice Munro is also the greatest actress of our time. -- Ann PatchettAll American life is here ... Delightful ... Hanks’s prose is impressive, with a strong voice and stylistic flair ... so fluent, convincing and confident that you forget it belongs to Tom Hanks, movie star. He's just a writer. And he’s going to write a great novel one day. -- Melissa Katsoulis * The Times *On the page, as on screen, Hanks is, simply, a lovely person to be around ... Hanks captures the child’s-eye view of the world with pitch-perfect accuracy … and as a writing project it nails perhaps the hardest thing of all: a story in which nothing and everything happens. -- Emma Brockes * Guardian *The central quality to Tom’s writing is a kind of poignant playfulness. It’s exactly what you hope from him, except you wish he was sitting in your home, reading it aloud to you, one story at a time. -- Mindy Kaling[Tom Hanks's] first collection of stories reverses the trick, unveiling the inventive mind behind his regular-guy façade ... His characters, like the machines on which he creates them, are idiosyncratic, disconnected from the mainstream ... There’s darkness too: infidelity, war, Hollywood press junkets. Hanks’s voice is as direct and dry as the one we know from his films ... Hanks has played so many roles. Of course they will have rubbed off, on him and on us. His book reflects that variety. You never know what you’re gonna get next. * Sunday Telegraph *It turns out that Tom Hanks is also a wise and hilarious writer with an endlessly surprising mind. Damn it. -- Steve MartinUncommon Type is funny, wise, gloriously inventive and humane. Tom Hanks sees inside people - a wary divorcee, a billionaire trading desire for disaster, a boy witnessing his father’s infidelity, a motley crew shooting for the moon – with such acute empathy and good humour we’d follow him anywhere. The cumulative effect is of a world I didn’t want to leave. -- Anna FunderThe great strengths of this collection are decency and sentimentality. * Sunday Times *Wait – Tom Hanks can write, too? Funny, moving, deftly surprising stories? That's just swell. Maybe there's no crying in baseball, pal, but it's perfectly acceptable in the book business. That's how we drown envy. -- Carl HiaasenIt makes perfect sense that his first foray into fiction writing, with the short-story collection Uncommon Type, embodies the same all-American spirit … He can write engagingly … He has a particular aptitude for writing dialogue, perhaps unsurprisingly, and a wry turn of phrase that blooms at times into rollicking repartee … The past comes into play much more powerfully when Hanks asks implicit questions about how America has changed, particularly in the welcome it offers to immigrants … These are picaresque characters, enacting stories of friendship and adventure … There is life here, and humour, along with evocative moments of reflection on the state of the American dream. It is clear that Hanks is aiming for entertainment and whimsy over any attempt at high literary style. And on those terms, these stories are a hit. * Financial Times *Hanks can write. These pieces, some of which feature recurring characters and many of which explore the classic American short story territory of small-town life, have the authentic, worn-in feel of a favourite pair of jeans. * Metro *It’s impossible not to love Tom Hanks’ new book … each story is utterly charming and a delight to devour. * Heat *[P]layful, perceptive and rewarding. * Sunday Express *A book you’ll want to hug. * Grazia *He isn’t a competent writer, he’s an excellent writer. * Shortlist *Tom Hanks is as natural on paper as he is on the big screen …Tom Hanks is a natural born storyteller ... You can hear his voice and feel the warm glow of his genial personality in Uncommon Type … There is an ease in his writing and a pleasure in the reading. He is clearly someone who delights in the rhythm and pacing found in a finely crafted paragraph ... He belongs to a tradition of American storytellers that includes Mark Twain or O'Henry although there is a range of work in Uncommon Type that defies such a catch-all definition ... has echoes of HG Wells and Philip K Dick … Uncommon Type has tales of fractured families and broken hearts, faltering relationships and people who are happy being just the way they are … There is a dark side to some of the stories but the overriding impression is that Hanks is an incorrigible romantic and a cock-eyed optimist. * Herald *Entirely engaging. * Daily Mail *He’s a bona fide superstar in the acting world and now Tom Hanks is setting the literary world ablaze … Stephen Fry loved it, and so do we. * Irish Tatler *These stories are a hit. * Financial Times *There always comes a slight wariness when we discover that someone who is generally renowned for one thing turns out to be very good at something else … But what makes Uncommon Type even harder to dismiss is the silky-smooth momentum and unforced hum that Hanks' writing glides along with here. * Irish Examiner *Hanks can write the hell out of typing, and his dialogue is excellent, too…While these stories have the all-American sweetness, humour, and heart we associate with his screen roles, Hanks writes like a writer, not a movie star. * Kirkus *Funny and moving, with a wide spectrum of subjects, this is an engaging collection. * Woman and Home *Uncommon Type is actually, much like its author, a warm, gently funny and mostly engaging collection of seventeen stories * Red Online *It’s brilliant … A beautiful collection of short stories. * ES Magazine *They’re all beautifully written and full of heart. * Sunday Mirror *An entertaining collection. * Mail on Sunday *Pretty impressive. * The Sun *Sensitive, often witty and sometimes melancholic reflections. * Economia *Unveil[s] the inventive mind behind his regular-guy façade. * Daily Telegraph *Perfect for book lovers and cinephiles alike. * Elle *A pretty damn good writer. * OK! Magazine *Full of Hanks' winning charm. * Mr Hyde *Hanks’ measured storytelling makes the collection an addictive read. * Hindustan Times *Startlingly good… A spellbinding easygoing read, it is hard to find any fault, other than that Hanks is annoyingly talented and yet still somehow remains impossible to dislike. * Irish News *Startlingly good … each of these 17 stories leap out from the page in their authenticity and whimsicality … A spellbindingly easygoing read, it is hard to find fault. * Press Association *A wonderful collection. * Candis *Warm, gently funny and mostly engaging. * Red *Behind the collection is a warmth and humanity. * Sunday Sport *Unexpectedly brilliant. * Love It! *A spellbindingly easygoing read, it is hard to find fault. * The Universe *Rich range of subject matter and emotions. * Harrods Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY RACHEL CUSK'A fantastically tart and readable account of life in eastern Europe at the start of the war' Sarah Waters'Wonderfully entertaining' ObserverAutumn, 1939. Newly-weds Guy and Harriet Pringle step aboard the train to Bucharest. Guy's lecturing job awaits, alongside friends and the ever-ardent Sophie - but for Harriet, alone and naive, it's a strange new life. As Guy's world collides with that of his new bride, Harriet realises how little she knows the man she has married. Manning's masterpiece, alive with exhilarating characters, is a haunting evocation of young love and the uncertainty of war.Trade ReviewMagnificent...full of wit, sharp insight and vivid description. * The Times *Wonderfully entertaining * Observer *So glittering is the overall parade … and so entertaining the surface that the trilogy remains excitingly vivid; it amuses, it diverts and it informs, and to do these things so elegantly is no small achievement * Sunday Times *A fantastically tart and readable account of life in eastern Europe at the start of the war -- Sarah WatersA delicate, tough, mesmerising epic that grabs you by the hand and takes you straight into war, flight, and a complex and vulnerable young marriage -- Louisa Young

Read more less

Book Synopsis'So glittering is the overall parade - and so entertaining the surface - that the trilogy remains excitingly vivid' - Sunday Times'Wonderfully entertaining' - ObserverAthens, 1941. Harriet Pringle feverishly awaits news of her husband, trapped in the spoilt city of Bucharest. Yet when the young couple are reunited, Guy once again becomes absorbed in his work, leading Harriet to seek the attention of a handsome young officer. But when Greece is defeated and Europe starts to crumble around them, Guy and Harriet are forced to find a new strength amidst the devastation. Manning's exquisite observations on love, marriage and friendship during wartime are brought vibrantly to life.Trade ReviewMagnificent ... full of wit, sharp insight and vivid description. * The Times *Wonderfully entertaining * Observer *A fantastically tart and readable account of life in eastern Europe at the start of the war -- Sarah WatersSo glittering is the overall parade ... and so entertaining the surface that the trilogy remains excitingly vivid; it amuses, it diverts and it informs, and to do these things so elegantly is no small achievement' * Sunday Times *One most salute the brilliance ... the exactness of sights and sounds, the precise touches of light and scent, the gestures and entrances. * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this magical, bewitching debut, Molly and Gene Myers' marriage is on the brink of collapse. Then a child arrives, with a remarkable appearance. Will he bring them together, or tear their whole world apart?Molly and Gene Myers were happy, until tragedy blighted their hopes of children. During the years of darkness and despair, they each put their marriage in jeopardy, but now they are starting to rebuild their fragile bond. Then the Meteor crashes into Amber Grove, devastating the small New England town - and changing their lives for ever. Molly, a nurse, caught up in the thick of the disaster, is given care of a desperately ill patient rescued from the wreckage: a sick boy with a remarkable appearance, an orphan who needs a mother. And soon the whole world will be looking for him. Cory's arrival has changed everything. And the Myers will do anything to keep him safe.'Part ET, part Wonder, part Snow Child, it has the same combination of science fiction and heart-tugging tenderness that Stephen King does so well' Grazia'Strong and generous' Daily Mail'Big-hearted' Financial Times'Wholly fresh and intensely gripping' Juliet McKennaTrade ReviewThis strong and generous first novel wears its heart on its sleeve and embeds all the thrills and chills in credible human, and non-human, emotions * Daily Mail *A pleasing, big-hearted read, its late-1960s setting well evoked * Financial Times *Sympathetic characterisation and fine storytelling . . . What makes this such a satisfying read, apart from the thrillingly rendered chase (and the refreshing notion that not all aliens are bent on inimical invasion), is the characterisation of Molly and Gene, a childless couple given this one miraculous chance to show love for an adopted son. This is an optimistic take on the ET theme, done without the schmaltz of the film * Guardian *Part ET, part Wonder, part Snow Child, it has the same combination of science fiction and heart-tugging tenderness that Stephen King does so well * Grazia *An endearing story well told and I would recommend it as an uplifting tale to read on a dark and stormy winter night -- Barbara Beaton * My Weekly *Cox takes a straightforward SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. A tightly personal story draws readers deep into a couple's struggle to protect an innocent caught up in (literally) world-shaking events. By looking back to the '60s space race, and what might have been, Cox invites us to muse on events and ideas that have shaped the societies we live in today, and asks us where we might want humanity to go * Juliet McKenna, author of the No.1 bestselling The Green Man's Heir *A powerful combination of warm-hearted hope and steely-eyed realism . . . Idealism collides with harsh reality, hope battles violence and a family desperately tries to hold on . . . A heartfelt, richly imaginative and gripping story * SciFiNow *I dare anyone not to fall in love with the Meyers family . . . I could gush about this book forever, so I am just simply going to say, go read it. Read this beautiful, wonderful book * Angie Groves, Waterstones Blackpool *Dark and compelling reading * Irish Examiner *I loved this book. It was one of those I couldn't put down but didn't want to end. It is beautifully written and certainly stirs the emotions. It is a tale of love, loss, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing * Sue Tingey, author of the Soulseer Trilogy *An uplifting tale of love and kindness * Candis *Rich layers of depth and superbly drawn characters that are a joy to read . . . a finely crafted adventure with pacing that expertly ramps up throughout . . . I tore through it * Dominic Dulley, author of Shattermoon *Cox takes a classic SF idea and turns it into something wholly fresh and intensely gripping. Highly recommended reading -- Juliet McKenna * Interzone *A hybrid of more than one genre, a thrilling sci-fi tale that also poses the question of how far a mother will go to keep her precious son safe -- Kate Goodman * Mature Times *A gripping, remarkable story that will stay with you days after you've read it. Stephen Cox is the new big name in fantasy * Pulped Machina *A great SF story, a great story of humanity, full of action but also of heart. Strongly recommended * Blue Book Balloon *An emotional story that is filled with tension and one that has an underlying intensity to it. It is a quietly impactful enchanting story, a poignant portrait of a family life . . . Arevelation. It is something unexpected and something wonderful. I highly recommend it * Tattooed Book Geek *An amazing debut * Rea's Book Review *I got through this in a matter of hours and was hooked . . . Gripping . . . 5 stars * Just Katherine *A story that will touch your heart . . . This heartwarming story reminds you of the lengths parents will go to to protect their children * Amanda J Evans *A gentle science fiction tale that is more about the depth of human compassion than it is whizzy alien technology and laser swords. You don't have to be a science fiction fan enjoy this book . . . Set against the backdrop of a small, decent, American town, Our Child of the Stars celebrates diversity, togetherness and the incomparable depths of human compassion * GeekDad *An out of this world winner * Weekend Sport *A book about flawed, complex people who can do good things . . . If you need some positive science fiction in your life to make you feel less hopeless about the fate of humanity then go read this book * Red Train Blog *A heart-warming read and a book that I believe will appeal to many people who are fans of Sci-Fi and family-oriented fiction in general * Sammy's Shelf *A standout debut . . . I got lost in it and I think you will too * Books and Lovely Things *A captivating tale * BookPhace *This glorious, enchanting novel spellbound me . . . All-powerful and astonishing . . . A very special novel indeed and, even though it's just January, this is a clear favourite for my book of the year * For Winter Nights *An exciting, heart-warming read to brighten up these cold winter months -- Kelly Pells * Epping Forest Guardian *A wonderfully emotional, heart-warming journey of what it really means to be a parent and a reminder that at times it feels like society as a whole hasn't really become any more accepting of those who are different since the 1960s * LA Times *An emotional rollercoaster from start to finish . . .Stephen Cox's writing style is effortless and totally compelling * Storgy *A good story, that packs danger, curiosity and most of all what it means to be family * Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell *Like a Jodi Picoult novel in a Halloween costume. (In fact, Picoult fans trying out their comfort with speculative fiction might well enjoy starting here, with an author who shares Picoult's craft for producing story from domestic emotional strain.) Appealing to readers of mainstream commercial fiction who might not ordinarily pick up a science fiction novel . . . a creative achievement of its own * Strange Horizons *Beautifully written . . . wonderfully realised * British Fantasy Society *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover this beautiful winter gem of a novella that makes the perfect stocking filler this Christmas.'I may have been gone a long time, but I'm no stranger...' Manfred walks alone through a snowy valley, surrounded by his memories, on a pilgrimage of sorts to his childhood home. He's been estranged from his brother Sebastian for decades, ever since their bitter feud over the love of a woman and the inheritance of the family farm.Twelve Nights transports us to the wintry depths of Europe's Black Forest, through the stillness of the snow-covered hills, the dense woods, the cold and mist, in those dark, wild days between Christmas and Epiphany. These nights are a time of tradition and superstition, of tales told around the local innkeeper's table of marauding spirits, as tangible as the ghosts of Manfred's past. But the twelfth night, Epiphany, promises new beginnings, and a hope of reconciliation at last.Twelve Nights is a hymn to the winter landscape and the power of storytelling, a beautiful novella of the natural world and our place in it.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEven saints need second chances...Discover the new heartwarming Christmas adventure with the Sisters of Saint Philomena, about friendship, family, and forgiveness. Perfect for fans of AJ Pearce, Katie Fforde and Call the Midwife.Everyone loves Sister Bridget. The cheerful Mother Superior of St Philomena's convent is friend to many in the town of Fairbridge and the irrepressible caller at the weekly Parish Bingo. There is nothing she can't sort out with a kind word, a cup of tea and a slice of her amazing chocolate cake.But as the Christmas tree goes up and festive cheer rises, a visitor arrives at the convent who doesn't like Sister Bridget one bit. Sister Bridget soon learns that secrets are bubbling to the surface back home in Ireland - especially for her younger sister Mary. She will need to face up to past deeds, however well-intended.With the help of her friends, and the power of love and forgiveness, maybe she can finally make things right.Sweet Mercies reminds us that none of us is perfect, and everybody deserves another chance at finding peace and happiness.Praise for Anne Booth:'Charming, witty and warm, Small Miracles is a gentle gem of a novel, a cheery balm in troubling times.' AJ Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird'With gentle humour, and surprising twists and turns, this is just the book we need in these difficult times. I didn't want it to end' Katie FfordeReaders adore Sweet Mercies:‘A lovely feel good story…I raced through this’‘The whole book left me smiling’‘This book is like receiving the best Christmas present all wrapped up with a bow!’‘This book was a joy to read, full of community and kindness’‘What a lovely hug of a book!’Trade ReviewAlthough this charming book is indeed heartwarming, it has the spice of reality which prevents it from becoming too sweet. I really enjoyed it -- Katie FfordeA wonderful, cheering Christmassy book about forgiveness and faith of all kinds. A perfect gift! -- Julie Mae CohenI absolutely adored Sweet Mercies, which is if possible, even better than its predecessor, Small Miracles. Beautifully drawn characters, full of a resounding zest for life, mingle with others not so lucky. The result is uplifting, joyful and bursting with hope.... A triumph! -- Celia Anderson, author of 59 Memory LaneOn one level, Sweet Mercies is an accessible, light read, ideal to curl up with at Christmas. There's lots of laughter - the havoc unwound by two playful kittens; Sister Bridget's shenanigans with the bingo balls; the tragi-comic decapitation of a statue. But like its predecessor, the book touches on deeper themes... When the folk of Fairbridge experience divine tenderness and forgiveness through people of faith they are encountering for themselves the sweet mercies of God * Inverness Courier *Charming, witty and warm, Small Miracles is a gentle gem of a novel, a cheery balm in troubling times -- AJ Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs Bird, on Small Miracles

Read more less

'Maeve Binchy! I love her stories and have since Light a Penny Candle.' TOM HANKS_____________________A FRIENDSHIP NOTHING COULD DESTROY.Evacuated from Blitz-battered London, the shy Elizabeth White is sent to stay with the O'Connor family in Kilgarret, Ireland, where she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the lively, boisterous Aisling O'Connor.Neither of them were to know it would become the most important friendship of their lives. Their bond is unshakeable, enduring over turbulent years of change and chaos, joy and sorrow, soaring dreams - and searing betrayals . . . With warmth, wit and great compassion, Maeve Binchy tells a magnificent story of two women, bound together in a friendship that nothing could tear apart - not even the man who threatened to come between them forever._____________________'What better books to raise the spirits than the gentle, insightful Irish tales of Maeve Binchy?' HELLO! Magazine'Wonderfully warm and involving' KATIE FFORDE'If any author can help you survive lockdown, it's Binchy' DAILY MAIL'I find myself yearning for the rain-soaked watercolour writing of Maeve Binchy' JENNY COLGAN, GUARDIAN Best Comfort Reads'Binchy's novels are never less than entertaining' SUNDAY TIMES

Read more less

Book SynopsisCory is the child of two worlds: when his birth-people come, they will break his mother's heart . . . but they may also be this world's only salvation.Molly and Gene Myers rescued Cory and kept him safe from those who wanted to use his remarkable knowledge and power for their own ends . . . and in doing so, they rediscovered themselves and fell in love with a remarkable child.'Part ET, part Wonder, part Snow Child, Our Child of the Stars has the same combination of science fiction and heart-tugging tenderness that Stephen King does so well' GraziaIn this gripping sequel to Our Child of the Stars, Cory and his new family are having to deal with the consequences of fame - but Molly is more concerned about the future, for Cory's people are on their way.'This strong and generous first novel wears its heart on its sleeve and embeds all the thrills and chills in credible human, and non-human, emotions' Daily MailThis is the time of Woodstock and the moon landings; war is raging in Vietnam and the superpowers are threatening each other with annihilation - but the Myers know there is a far greater threat approaching from the stars, and only Cory's people possess the knowledge to fight off the invaders.'Our Child of the Stars: an out of this world winner' Weekend SportOur Child of Two Worlds is a remarkable story of family and the power of love, set against the backdrop of a fast-changing, terrifying decade and an interstellar threat almost beyond imagining.Trade ReviewOur Child of Two Worlds is a beautiful novel about family and all its uncertainties . . . This wonderful story is as warm as it is honest. It is about destructiveness and forgiveness, about embracing differences and accepting imperfection. It is science fiction with a very human heart and a celebration of love in all its many shapes. I loved it. * CAROLINE DAY, Sunday Times bestselling author of HOPE NICELY'S LESSONS FOR LIFE *Possessing a more complex and nuanced worldview than its predecessor, Our Child Of Two Worlds is modern, emotionally sophisticated science fiction. Stephen Cox's tale of the charming but lost alien child Cory shows us that humanity, for all its flaws, is worth saving, and that the power of the human heart stretches from this world to the next * DAN JONES, author of Man O’War and host of Chronscast. *Our Child of Two Worlds is a stirring novel about family and home. Rich with humanity, it explores our species' tendency to damage ourselves, our relationships and Planet Earth. A powerful, sad but satisfying sequel. * SUE HAMPTON, climate and peace activist and author of Intact and The Waterhouse Girl *Another beautiful book that is so much more than a defining genre * KATHRYN DAWSON, Tea Leaves and Reads *Full of heart * BIRMINGHAM SCIENCE FICTION GROUP *[Our Child of Two Worlds] is a more uplifting form of dystopian science fiction as it shows that there is a way out. Like in The Day the Earth Stood Still, humans are still given the chance to save themselves if they can learn humility and co-operation. The setting of the early 70s is perfect as the characters reflect the clash between the peaceful New Age movement and Conservatives. We are asked to believe more in the characters who see the best in people, but Cox does not forget to give the book tension and threat. There is a lot of menace and fear that must be gone through until you are rewarded with the light. * SFBOOK REVIEWS *Part ET, part Wonder, part Snow Child, Our Child of the Stars has the same combination of science fiction and heart-tugging tenderness that Stephen King does so well * Grazia on Our Child of the Stars *A pleasing, big-hearted read, its late-1960s setting well evoked * Financial Times on Our Child of the Stars *Sympathetic characterisation and fine storytelling . . . What makes this such a satisfying read, apart from the thrillingly rendered chase (and the refreshing notion that not all aliens are bent on inimical invasion), is the characterisation of Molly and Gene, a childless couple given this one miraculous chance to show love for an adopted son. This is an optimistic take on the ET theme, done without the schmaltz of the film * Guardian *Our Child of the Stars: an out of this world winner * Weekend Sport on Our Child of the Stars *This strong and generous first novel wears its heart on its sleeve and embeds all the thrills and chills in credible human, and non-human, emotions * Daily Mail on Our Child of the Stars *Cox's eminently readable writing is insightful and unsentimental, humane and emotionally honest * JULIET E. McKENNA in PARSEC Magazine *The first book was an offering unlike anything I had read before. It was science fiction, yes, but it didn't concern itself with spaceships and far-flung planets; the action all occurred much closer to home. It was a story about family love, loyalty, and small-town sensibilities. Once again, Stephen Cox has created a novel that strikes at the heart of family. Add into this some social commentary on the importance of accepting those who are different from us, the dangers of bigotry, and an over-reliance on unreliable media sources, and you end up with a wonderful conclusion to a very special duology * GEEK DAD on OUR CHILD OF TWO WORLDS *Wholly fresh and intensely gripping * JULIET E. McKENNA, No. 1 bestselling author of The Green Man’s Heir *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt the age of five, a blind African-American boy is handed over to a brutal state home. Here Ludlow Washington will suffer for eleven years, until his prodigious musical talent provides him an unlikely ticket back into the world.The property of a band, playing for down-and-outs in a southern dive, Ludlow's pioneering flair will take him to New York and the very top of the jazz scene - where his personal demons will threaten to drag him back down to the bottom.A Drop of Patience is the story of a gifted and damaged man entirely set apart - by blindness, by race, by talent - who must wrestle with adversity and ambition to generate the acceptance and self-worth that have always eluded him.Trade ReviewKelley is as good on disability as he is on race, and life for a blind person is skillfully depicted in his novel . . . There is plenty to recommend in its moving, honest account of a young black man trying to find his way in a hostile world . . . A thoughtful, inventive writer who was well before his time. -- Irish Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisBorn of bright-white wishing and black-edged desire, the Grimm girls each command a single element and wield it with great power. But a child born of a Grimm and a fallen star will have command over every element . . . and wield infinite power.At twenty-one, Goldie gave birth to a daughter by her dead lover. Now Goldie is nearly thirty and Luna almost nine. Conceived in the realm between life and death, Luna is part star-soldier, part Grimm and now those opposing forces are waging war within her.Terrified of losing her increasingly volatile child, Goldie goes on the run. Then an act of violence forces her to return and Luna is taken into care. Mother and child can still meet - in the haunted otherworld that is Everwhere.Desperate to reclaim her daughter, Goldie must also confront whatever is corrupting Everwhere. For fresh leaves are falling, and Grimm girls are dying. Fearing the return of her father, Goldie knows she cannot succeed alone and summons her sisters.But can the bonds of sisterhood bear the terrible price that will be paid . . .

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies.' Sophie Ward When Julia flees her unhappy marriage for the handsome tailor Eve Perret, she expects her life from now on will be a challenge, not least because the year is 1911. They leave everything behind to settle in Vienna, but their happiness is increasingly diminished by Julia's longing for a child. Ada Bauer's wealthy industrialist family have sent her to Dr Freud in the hope that he can fix her mutism and do so without a scandal. But help will soon come for Ada from an unexpected quarter and change many lives irrevocably. All of You Every Single One is an epic novel about family, freedom and how true love might survive impossible odds.Trade ReviewA gorgeous trip across time and identity, through war and fascism, to show how people make new families and find ways to love each other. * Kate Pullinger *For all its big themes, this novel never stops being tender. Hitchman has beautifully captured the ebb and flow of long-term relationships, from first lust, to the pathos of familiarity ... gorgeously written on every single page. -- Katie Ward, author of Girl ReadingThe story flows with epic majesty... a rich and dynamic narrative expertly told; authentic characters skilfully shaped with genuine empathy; and beautifully crafted historical descriptions written with superb grace. -- Laura Carlin, author of Requiem for a KnaveWith the delicacy and beauty of Flaubert, Hitchman tells the exquisite story of two women trying to make a life together in wartime Austria, and all the love, friendship and danger that implies. -- Sophie WardPraise for Petite Mort: 'Sumptuously set, elegantly written, evocative and quietly subversive' -- Stella DuffyThe atmosphere is rich with sumptuous details ... striking ... This clever debut indicates a bright future for its author. -- Max Liu * Independent *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An astonishingly assured debut novel ... an expertly crafted story.' * The Irish Times *There's a touch of Angela Carter about Beatrice Hitchman's beguiling debut - a sly, erotic thriller concerned with doubleness and duplicity. * Guardian *Praise for Petite Mort: 'An impressive and enjoyable debut: nimble, deft and wrapped luxuriously in the velveteen glamour of the movies.' * FT *Compelling ... Hitchman's confident debut is a story about relationships and the risks we take to get what we want. Universal themes, beautifully explored. * Diva *Sumptuous ... part Moulin Rouge, part Alfred Hitchcock * Grazia *Vienna is described in richly atmospheric, beautifully evocative language ... Hitchman's characters are engaging, despite their many flaws, and her storytelling engrossing. * A Life in Books *An intertwined and ever-weaving story about queer people living - or surviving - in 1900s Vienna . . .It's a novel about found family, the consequences of decisions, and how far we'll go for love - especially in an age of oppression. * Buzzfeed *A gorgeous and deeply moving novel... Hitchman takes readers on an atmospheric and unforgettable journey. * Daily Hive Must-Read Books Roundup *A touching and atmospheric ode to queer characters and their struggles during such a poignant time in history...we can guarantee you won't put this one down until it's finished. * Women.com *With a masterful eye for historical detail, Beatrice Hitchman's ambitious new novel plunges us headfirst into the bohemian world of Vienna's early 20th century golden age .... All of You Every Single One shines as a beautiful, poignant, and deeply felt tale of holding on to the love of the chosen families we create, even in the most adverse of historical circumstances. * Vogue Best Books of 2022 *Engrossing ... Hitchman excels at capturing both the liberating permissiveness of turn-of-the-century Vienna and the city's paralyzing fear after Hitler's 1938 annexation of Austria. * Kirkus *Populated with rich and vibrant characters, All of You Every Single One is a stellar work that blends the best of history and fiction. * Historical Novel Society *Beatrice Hitchman's writing is beautiful from the start... The little community that built up around them caught me by the heart at once, * Manhattan Book Review *An absorbing novel of love and lust and found family * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA young revolutionary plants a bomb in a factory on the outskirts of Algiers during the Algerian War. The bomb is timed to explode after work hours, so no one will be hurt. But the authorities have been watching. He is caught, the bomb is defused, and he is tortured, tried in a day and sentenced to death by guillotine. A routine event, perhaps, in a brutal conflict that ended the lives of more than a million Muslim Algerians.But what if the militant is a "pied-noir"? What if his lover is a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust? What happens to a "European" who chooses the side of anti-colonialism? By turns lyrical, meditative, and heart-stoppingly suspenseful, this debut novel by Joseph Andras, based on a true story, was a literary and political sensation in France, winning the Prix Goncourt for First Novel and being acclaimed by Le Monde as "vibrantly lyrical and somber" and by the journal La Croix as a "masterpiece".Trade ReviewVibrantly lyrical and somber...strikingly powerful * Le Monde *A masterpiece * La Croix *Lyrical, precise, and rhythmic * L'Humanité *Empathic, nerve-wracking, and inspired * France Info *A great book even before being a first book * Phillipe Claudel, Goncourt judge *A clear-eyed recreation of postwar Communism and the armed battle against tyranny, shot through with intense prose and insight into the characters' inner lives. * Publishers Weekly *A promising debut ... Andras revives a lost moment in history * Kirkus Reviews *Deeply affecting ... A remarkable book. * Morning Star *Pithy ... in Leser's translation, Andras's prose is like the films of Jean-Pierre Melville, by turns raw and atmospheric, philosophical and hard-boiled. -- Matt Hartman * Protean Magazine *As cogent as it is compelling. -- Jeremy Garber * PowellsBooks.Blog *Remarkable and original ... a short book that leaves a deep impression * New Internationalist *Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us subverts colonial morality and interrogates a philosophical dilemma that is still very much alive in our contemporary consciousness: how can Western powers torture, incarcerate, and execute "terrorists" without first reckoning with their own relentless, centuries-long terrorism? And who is to determine which side serves justice and which perishes? -- Brady Brickner-Wood * Ploughshares *Tightly coiled ... Andras is fastidious about adhering to the known facts. His restraint is commendable * Literary Review *Vivid ... Iveton not only becomes a historical symbol, but reanimated as a flesh-and-blood man who loved and was loved back -- Rebecca Liu * Prospect *Electrifying. ... Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us insists on plumbing the thorniest details of history's scandal, suggesting - convincingly - that certain truths are best revealed in fiction. -- Kaiama L. Glover * New York Times *Andras delivers a brisk, angry slap of outraged idealism . Powerful -- Boyd Tonkin * Spectator *A stunning book * Lucy Writers *Andras brings the story [of Fernand Iveton] back to life with painful immediacy and palpable urgency. * The Arts Desk *Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us is a compact narrative with an elevated pulse and a singular purpose - to show how an unexceptional person may act exceptionally when oppression is too threatening to one's community to ignore. ... [Andras'] prose is lucid, unsparing but also animated by a certain poised affection for its oppressed characters. [His] unfussy, vivid phrasing may evoke the style of another Algeria-based novel - namely Camus' L'etranger. -- Ron Slate * On the Seawall *An intense portrait of a moment in history ... in an equally intense and lyrical translation by Simon Leser ... a powerful book * Lunate Fiction *[Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us] is just 137 pages long, but every one of them is taut and fraught, a nightmare of noble intentions gone horribly wrong. -- James Tarmy * Bloomberg Businessweek (The 14 Books to Put on Your Reading List This Spring) *Short, intense, the best book I've read this month -- David Mills * Sunday Times *Editors' Choice * New York Times Book Review *A modern J'Accuse that puts the state in the dock ... condemnatory and heartfelt -- Sanjay Sipahimalani * Money Control *Tomorrow They Won't Dare to Murder Us is a lean, mean slab of righteous radicalism and unjust retribution. A consummate novelist, Joseph Andras is a talent not to be ignored. * Bookshop.org *Subtle, concise, evocative, and poetic. -- Ron Jacobs * CounterPunch *Structured around the events of a few bleak months, the circumstances, both personal and political, that led Iveton to his predicament are revealed in flashbacks that are seamlessly inserted into the text. -- Mark Rappolt * ArtReview *Compelling -- Declan O'Driscoll * Irish Times *An austerely compelling account of the capture, trial and execution ... Andras's bleak account is leavened by passages of vibrant lyricism -- Laura Garmeson * Times Literary Supplement *Like the love child of Camus' The Stranger and Gillo Pontecorvo's The Battle of Algiers: elemental, brutal and calm all at the same time. -- Ryne Clos * Spectrum Culture *Tender and beautiful -- Sean Sheehan * The Prisma *A short, very simply but beautifully written book * Irish Marxist Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisRaised in chaos. Forced to rule. Abandoned by the gods.Rome, AD 52. The Julio-Claudian dynasty is in its death throes. Over the next twenty years, chaos descends as Claudius then Nero are killed. The whole empire bucks and heaves with conspiracy, rebellion and civil war.Out of the ashes and discord, a new imperial family emerges: the Flavians. Vespasian is crowned emperor, with his sons, Titus and Domitian, next in line.Domitian, still only a teenager, has known only fear, death and treachery for as long as he has been alive. Suspicious of the senate as a breeding ground for treachery, and fiercely protective of his surviving family members, he uses a network of spies to stay one step ahead of any would-be conspirators.When Titus unexpectedly falls gravely ill, the throne beckons for Domitian, something he never wanted or prepared for. As in all his darkest moments, Domitian’s childhood guardian, Nerva, is the man he turns to with his fears, and his secrets…An insightful and arresting novel, packed with intrigue and betrayal, perfect for fans of Harry Sidebottom and Conn Iggulden.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs a teenager, Lee Agazzi’s life is blighted by his father’s bullying when he does not shine at school. This culminates in him being forced from the house by his angry father when he fails most of his O Levels. Thanks to the kindness of friends, Lee finds somewhere to live and employment as an apprentice joiner. He also meets Anna, who sees beyond the traumatised teenager to the fine man he will one day become. Far from being the abject failure his father predicted Lee is actually a happily married man of substance. When his much-loved daughter encounters the same difficulties at school, Lee finds himself in danger of responding in the same manner as his father. Her difficulties are attributed to dyslexia and Lee finally begins to understand the condition that has shaped his life. But is it too late for him to forge a reconciliation with his father? A novel of hope and redemption – as one man struggles to overcome the many problems and issues of his life. He comes to realise that many of these stem from his own dyslexia and the misconceptions and attitudes of others which surround it.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPreceded by the events of No-Name Roundabout: Part One, the second book opens on one apparently disastrous night. Tragedy, however, once averted evolves into comedy, after which the tangled skein woven in Part One, begins to be teased apart. We finally meet the travelling showman’s van that takes its perplexed dinner guests on a trip back through time. But as rapidly as its conundrum is resolved fresh hazards arise to confound our voyagers. Consider the problem of the burned man under the hill. In what way will an ancient shaman’s coat aid his escape from the labyrinth? Where will his fate intersect with the fortunes of the No-Name family and what precisely is orchestrating this drama of time, space and resolution? How does the siege of Ryazan in the 13th century, by the Mongol Armies of the Great Khan, come to play its part? What will be discovered about that awful day? Only now will the baleful forces that have haunted the companions finally be understood, resolving themselves into the very nightmare figure that spurred Alice’s original escape into that fateful slice of unused history. With this demi-human player now on the board, the chess game of fate, that will solve the crisis of a kink in the fabric of the planet’s weave, can be played out. Chthonic forces have been unleashed that threaten the very balance of the earth and how likely is it that mere human bungling can mollify them?

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘A compelling, passionate and captivating must read!... I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautiful book’ Dash Fan Book ReviewsWould you tell the truth, if it meant losing your one true love?Soma is a shy young woman adrift in a strange new country. After moving from Sri Lanka to Yorkshire to become a nanny to baby Louis, Soma tries to settle into life in the U.K., even if every day presents her with a new challenge, from trying new food or getting to grips with the language.But the one thing Soma never counted on was falling in love. When she meets Sahan, a Sri Lankan student at the local university, the two feel an instant attraction. Meeting in secret so that Sahan can teach Soma English, their friendship quickly blooms into something more. But their differing backgrounds – Soma is from poverty, while Sahan is the son of a wealthy family and cousin to Soma’s employer – means they have to hide their love from the world.While they bare their souls to each other, Sahan has no idea that Soma is hiding a huge secret from him – but as her lies come crashing down, Soma is faced with an impossible choice. Should she tell the truth – even if means losing Sahan?A moving, unique and utterly engrossing love story, previously published as This Stolen Life, about how well we really know the person we fall in love with – readers of Amanda Prowse, Jojo Moyes and Diane Chamberlain will be captivated.Readers are loving When Soma Met Sahan:‘When Soma Met Sahan is a journey that is not to be missed...this story moved me beyond measure…I just know it will be one book that will stay with me in the coming months.’ Stacy is Reading‘I loved this book... Jeevani Charika has created such soulful characters that they make reading this book an absolute pleasure… This is a heart-warming 5 star read.’ (5 stars) Jan’s Book Buzz‘truly engaging characters that are believable and a story that is applicable the world over. I found myself not wanting to put the book down.’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews‘filled with emotional turmoil and love, this is a story that took me completely by surprise. A gorgeous and memorable gem of a book with well written and likeable characters who will stay with me for some time to come.’ Cal Turner Reviews‘The story is gripping, emotional and really unique… I loved it and I heartily recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer‘From the very first few pages I was hooked… This was just beautiful in many ways. Perfect for a holiday read.’ (5 stars) Goodreads reviewer‘It was a simple story with plenty of twists to keep a reader hooked, and the added dash of culture that may be unfamiliar to some, but gives it the spice to make you savour it.’ (5 stars) Goodreads reviewerI really enjoyed reading about these two women, Soma and Yamuna…The opening was tense and exciting, and there was a definite pageturner aspect to the story as I waited for Soma’s past to catch up with her.’ Goodreads reviewer‘What a captivating story…it pulled me instantly with its heart wrenching emotion’ Netgalley reviewer‘The story was not complex, it was not simple, it was just perfect. The characters were relatable and real.’ A Soccer Mom’s Book Blog

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A devilishly dark and compulsive read with a blinding twist and killer ending that sent shivers through me!' A.A. Chaudhuri12 girls gone. Can she save The 13th Girl?After decades in a mental health hospital, Dee knows that people find her creepy – because they tell her so. Once the reluctant star of an infamous documentary, she is trying to blend back into the outside world. But when a string of local girls disappear, only to be found dead days later, she becomes fixated on the case and decides to film her own True Crime documentary.There is a serial killer on the loose - The Righteous Wraith. Girls are being found one by one, their bodies gruesomely staged in the most innocent public spaces. With the killer taunting the police and public fear mounting, the armchair detectives begin pointing fingers at one suspect. But for Dee, something isn’t adding up.She knows what it’s like to be accused of something that you didn’t do.She resolves to prove his innocence, unmask the real killer, and save The 13th Girl.But who will believe her?A dark, inventive thriller perfect for fans of Chris Carter, Alice Feeney and C.J. Skuse.Readers are finding The 13th Girl unputdownable:‘A twisty thriller which kept my attention throughout, The 13th Girl is perfect for fans of The Maid and Strange Sally Diamond.’ J.M. Hewitt‘A dark, twisty and complicated thriller with a compelling and original central character...A really original take on the serial killer genre.’ Sheila Bugler‘Wow, what a book … I could not put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Left me speechless... a fab read which I just could not put down.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An authentic thriller ... This is definitely one hell of a book… with all those plot twists and turns.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The conclusion left me utterly speechless …a fabulous read that had me glued to the pages.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Claustrophobic and intense… exactly what you want from this flavour of thriller. I’ve never read anything quite like it - I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This book is downright thrilling and I have finally caught my breath after concluding...This book has bestseller written all over it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A chilling and inventive thriller that… will keep readers on the edge of their seats.’ Reader Review‘Twists and turns I did not see coming. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a night.’ Reader Review‘Kept me guessing from start to finish.’ Reader ReviewPraise for N V Peacock:‘A twisty-turny original take on the serial killer thriller. A truly captivating and, at times, chilling read.’ C.J. Skuse, author of Sweetpea‘A twisted, chilling journey to the darkest side of human nature. I burned through Little Bones in a day.’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End‘An exciting new voice in thriller fiction.’ Sarah Pinborough, author of Behind Her Eyes‘Wow – this deftly plotted, twisty – and twisted – thriller got under my skin and chilled me to the bone! Excellent from the first page until the last...’ Sam Carrington, author of The Open House‘Darkly addictive and creepy as hell… lingers long after the last page.’ Jane Isaac, author of Hush Little Baby

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaya is navigating life after a turbulent time. From living in care, to surviving on the streets, to moving in with her grandparents, then away to college and finding a home with her friend Deena; Maya is still young but she has lived many lives. As she relives memories, going over the people she knew and the places she moved through, it is clear the past cannot simply be left behind; its lasting effects shape us all, and Maya must work through them in her own way. In this book that combines prose and poetry, these memories are configured and organised into fragments that allow Maya''s experiences to be processed creatively, and viewed from her own unique perspective. Now, she has the chance to start again with a new baby, and a renewed motivation to construct her own life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Ambitious and beautifully crafted' THE TIMES'Faulks writes with great emotional authority' SUNDAY TIMESAmidst the letters of the alphabet, a life reveals itself. Flashing backwards and forwards through time, we meet Pietro Russell. As a photographer in Sri Lanka, a schoolboy in Fulham and even before he was born to his wounded English father and young Italian mother. The extraordinary moments of Pietro's life are navigated with unique imagination, giving the reader a chance to view a life from a new and moving vantage point.A Fool's Alphabet is a novel of true invention from a master storyteller that sees life in all of its compelling, poignant glory.Trade Review“A Fool’s Alphabet is a poignant and highly readable novel that runs the gamut of experience from well, from A to Z.”–Herald“Sebastian Faulks’s third and most magnificent novel is a feel-good experience from cover to cover. At a time when writers seem obliged to present the seedy or the wicked as reflections of the dirty, real world, we have here something that goes deeper than greed and explores our emotional rather than material being.”–Daily Mail

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences.'Absolutely MAGNIFICENT: dark, witty, charming. I LOVED it.' MARIAN KEYES 'Utterly absorbing' LISA MCINERNEY'Heart-rending, hilarious . . . it's a belter' LOUISE KENNEDY'Blistering...glorious...written from the guts and from the heart.' LUCY CALDWELL'An original and exciting work that's equal parts terrifying, hilarious and memorable.' SUNDAY TIMESIt is late June in Ballylack. Hannah Adger anticipates eight long weeks' reprieve from school, but when her classmate Ross succumbs to a violent and mysterious illness, it marks the beginning of a summer like no other.As others fall ill, questions about what - or who - is responsible pitch the village into conflict and fearful disarray. Hannah is haunted by guilt as she remains healthy while her friends are struck down. Isolated and afraid, she prays for help.Elsewhere in the village, tempers simmer, panic escalates and long-buried secrets threaten to emerge.Bursting with Carson's trademark wit, profound empathy and soaring imagination, The Raptures explores how tragedy can unite a small community - and tear it apart. At its heart is the extraordinary resilience of one young girl. As the world crumbles around her, she must find the courage to be different in a place where conforming feels like the only option available.Darkly funny, highly inventive and deeply moving, The Raptures is an unmissable novel of 2022.Trade ReviewAbsolutely MAGNIFICENT: dark, witty, charming. I LOVED it * MARIAN KEYES *Heart-rending, hilarious . . . It's a belter. * LOUISE KENNEDY *An Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit, a dark supernatural mystery and an account of mass trauma. Carson forges these parts into a tragicomedy in which fantastic elements slot almost seamlessly alongside kitchen-sink realism...compassionate and meticulously observed.' * GUARDIAN *Original and vivid, The Raptures is its own beautiful, unique thing * IRISH TIMES *The book's beauty comes from its hilarious depiction of claustrophobic small-town life * Sunday Times *An utterly compulsive and gripping portrayal of the brilliance of children, the power of intergenerational relationships, and the certainty of our human desire to belong. An utterly engrossing read - one that confronts the trauma of loss and the dangers of religious zealotry through powerful narrative, compelling characters and sharp wit. Jan Carson is a true original. An absolute must read. Outstanding. * ELAINE FEENEY *The Raptures is a wonderful piece of fiction. It engages the reader with a clever plot and with its perfect portrayal of parochial life in Northern Ireland imploded by tragedy told in prose that shimmers with empathy, warmth and humanity. * IRISH INDEPENDENT *A fascinating tale of trauma, fury and panic. * INDEPENDENT *I gobbled up The Raptures. It's a delightful read - sharp, packed with wit and heart, and always utterly absorbing. And it's got that perfectly Irish mix of darkness and humour, the smartarsed wink into the void. * LISA MCINERNEY *A blistering account of small-town Ulster life, The Raptures is unflinching in its exploration of the corrosive effects of fear and small-mindedness on a community, and the trauma wreaked by uncompromising religious fundamentalism on a young and tender soul. Rich in a glorious colloquial idiom, rich with Jan Carson's sharp, sardonic wit, it is ultimately a hopeful read, too, about the ways - whether we like it or not - we are all connected. This is a book written from the guts and from the heart. * LUCY CALDWELL *An original and exciting work that's equal parts terrifying, hilarious and memorable... It is truly one of those books in which every piece fits together like the cogs of a watch. * SUNDAY TIMES IRELAND *Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, The Raptures is a very special novel. Jan Carson is a writer of astounding empathy, giving every character - alive or dead - a voice that rings brilliantly true. A real gem. * RUTH GILLIGAN *This superb book deserves all the plaudits and praise going. * SUNDAY INDEPENDENT, IRELAND *I laughed, cried, was enraptured. * SAGA, BOOK OF THE MONTH *Jan has such a singular voice; she is somehow able to write gently and playfully about the largest, most timely and tragic of topics. Here she has conjured a scenario that feels both very true and very mysterious. I adored it. * SARA BAUME *The Raptures is perfect and generous and beautifully crafted and everything I demand from a book. And Hannah, brave and brilliant Hannah -- I've made up a room for her in my heart forever. I'll be putting it in every hand this Christmas. * KARL GEARY *An instantly compelling and novel take on a fractured society, The Raptures is a captivating, clever book by a truly original writer * Sarah Gilmartin *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'One for Sally Rooney fans' Sunday Telegraph'Compelling, raw and thrillingly strange' MONA AWAD, author of Bunny'Cinematic and confessional . . . electric' The New York Times-----*FOR FANS OF CLEOPATRA AND FRANKENSTEIN, MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION and EXCITING TIMES*When Daphne Ferber arrives in Berlin for a fresh start in a thrilling new city, the last thing she expects is to run into more drama than she left behind.Of course, she knew she'd need to do the usual: make friends, acquire lovers, grapple with German and a whole new way of life. She even expected the long nights gorging alone on family-sized jars of Nutella, and the pitfalls of online dating in another language. The paranoia, the second-guessing of her every choice, the covert behaviours? Probably come with the territory.But one night, something strange, dangerous and entirely unexpected intervenes, and life in bohemian Kreuzberg suddenly doesn't seem so cool.Just how much trouble is Daphne in, and who - or what - is out to get her?Channelling the modern female experience with razor-sharp observation and witty flair, Berlin announces Bea Setton as an electrifying literary voice for her generation.'Scintillating . . . wonderfully funny' Financial Times'Terrific . . . [an] unsettling and compelling read' Observer'I was completely absorbed' FRANCESCA REECE, author of Voyeur'Cinematically vivid, and refreshingly honest' LISA HALLIDAY, author of AsymmetryTrade ReviewScintillating . . . Berlin is wonderfully funny, and Daphne's observations about modern life, men and the challenges facing young women always hit the nail * FINANCIAL TIMES *Uncommonly funny, cinematically vivid, and refreshingly honest about how we deceive others and ourselves. * Lisa Halliday, author of ASYMMETRY *Anyone who's started over in a new city -- let alone a new country -- will relate . . . One for Sally Rooney fans * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *A compelling, raw, and thrillingly strange outsider tale of loneliness and deception. Setton is a wonderful writer who, with this sharp debut, adds to the great canon of contemporary anti-heroines. * Mona Awad, author of BUNNY *Combining the darkness of a thriller with humour, Bea Setton's debut is a fresh and deeply honest take on the modern female experience * STYLIST *Setton builds her growing paranoia and sense of dread to terrific effect in this unsettling, compelling read. * OBSERVER *Enjoyable and astutue . . . Daphne's impressions are rendered in precise, lively prose -- Rob Doyle * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Cinematic and confessional . . . Berlin is a Woolfian mirror: Red herrings and cliffhangers stoke interest by conforming to expectations, until the novel undercuts them with digressions and anticlimaxes, reveling in its own formal impunity. . . electric. * THE NEW YORK TIMES *[An] engagingly self-conscious debut . . . our attention is firmly held by the wry wit of Daphne's voice, as well as regular hints that she's something of an unreliable narrator . . . the book's success lies chiefly in its line by-line charm * DAILY MAIL *Weird, compelling and unique: I was completely absorbed by BERLIN, with its slippery, unsettling narrator, its vivid evocation of a city seen through the troubling lens of disorientation, and by the writing itself, which gleamed. * Francesca Reece, author of VOYEUR *Intimate, confessional . . . Rich and rewarding . . . readers will leave eager to hear more from Bea Setton. * CultureFly *Berlin made me laugh aloud, and then became strangely and compellingly dark. I loved it. * Louisa Reid, author of THE POET *I loved this novel with its complex, flawed and fascinating heroine. Bea Setton presents us with a vivid and youthful depiction of one of my favourite cities in the world. A wonderful achievement. * Nick Bradley, author of THE CAT AND THE CITY *In this dark and twisty debut, Setton crafts a clever thriller-cum-expat narrative for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation . . . Setton expertly portrays the wily, seductive nature of addictions and dysfunctions . . . Daphne's youthful despair and loneliness are horror stories in and of themselves-ones from which it is hard to look away, especially when coupled with the evocative German setting. . . Raw thriller meets darkly funny coming-of-age for an enjoyable, unsettling debut. * KIRKUS *A moving and rollicking tale of self-delusion...Setton proves herself a masterful and hilarious chronicler of contemporary life...Well-plotted while still capturing the meandering feeling of Daphne's unbound life, and with deliciously handled foreshadowing, Setton's sharp novel of stunted plans is compulsively readable and ultimately devastating. This isn't one to miss. * Publishers Weekly *Written in funny, punchy vignettes perfect for consumption between U-Bahn stops, and a few hours in the presence of Daphne Ferber pay generous spiritual dividends. * WASHINGTON POST *Bea Setton's luminous drama will keep you on your toes with razor-sharp wit * WOMAN'S OWN *Shines an unsparing light on the murky grey space of a woman's mid-twenties with a narrative voice that's sharp, wry, and unexpectedly tender * Isabel Kaplan, author of NOT SAFE FOR WORK *Bea Setton's narrator Daphne, full of quirky observations, incisive humour, and a winning vulnerability, is a delight to chase through Berlin. Although I couldn't always decide whether I wanted to scold her, shake her, or join her, I know I'll never forget her. * Beth Ann Fennelly, author of THE TILTED WORLD *It's uncomfortable, it's telling, it's interesting, it's thought-provoking, just everything . . . it really delivered * The Quick Book Review Podcast *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A slice of scary, escapist fun' Observer'The twists and turns are never-ending' Daily Mail'An unnervingly plausible and scintillatingly paced thriller' Radio Times'A phenomenal thriller, meticulously plotted and brilliantly realised' Clare Mackintosh, Books of the Year_______________________________If you can hear it, your time is running out.Teacher Kit Chaplin can't understand why some students at his north London school are experiencing an extreme ticking noise in their ears. Perhaps it's just a severe form of tinnitus? But only days later, it spreads to more students - and starts leaving bodies in its wake.Eminent vaccinologist Lilly Slater has never seen anything like this before. She must race against the clock to work out what is happening - and to find a cure.But their investigation throws up more questions than answers until they realise the mystery behind the illness is even bigger than they could have imagined...Will the truth behind this catastrophe become clear before it's too late?_______________________________Readers are loving Tick Tock'Well, BBC Radio presenter Simon Mayo sure can write a darned good thriller!''An excellent conspiracy theory thriller, it's exciting, full of danger... it's riveting and hard to put down''I was utterly gripped and read this in one sitting! I could feel the tension and fear in every page - loved it!''Never has there been a more timely thriller! I was gripped from the first page. I was so immersed, I read it in one night.'Trade ReviewTick Tock is an unnervingly plausible and scintillatingly paced thriller * Radio Times *Thrilling * Shots Magazine *Cracking * Peterborough Telegraph *The characters are well observed, the dialogue effortless and the twists and turns never-ending * Daily Mail *Mayo spools out his many twists and turns skillfully. A slice of scary, escapist fun * Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFinalist of the 2023 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction'Told in a rich array of voices, this gorgeously written debut explores the myriad syncopations of love and desire' Celeste Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere'Beautifully and cleverly written...The novel's tender, sensual, enchanting prose entices you into a world of deep longing' Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church LadiesLove is messy. Love can make us feel alive. It can also bring us down. Sometimes we look for it in all the wrong places. This is a novel about longing, desire and dreams; about passion and risk and all the places in between.Maggie is pregnant with Circus Palmer's child. This may be her last chance, but she craves her freedom.Pia is Circus's ex-wife, still in love with the fantasy of the man who conjured jazz tunes for her into the night, but who left many years before.Koko, Circus's daughter, is lost in the maelstrom of teenage years, the confusion of awakening desire and yearning for the father she barely knows.Peach is a barmaid who just wants someone to see the person she is inside.Odessa is on the run from a mistake that can't be undone.And then there's Circus, Circus Palmer, a jazz trumpeter whose moment of glory is fading. Selfish, damaged, scared, perhaps the only person Circus is fooling is himself.Delivered in a lush orchestration of diverse female voices, Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm is a provocative and gripping novel about the desire to be loved, and the need to belong.*****'An exceptional debut...This story is an example of how love, in all of its polyrhythms, can sometimes sound like song, and other times like noise. And this book is an example of how a great story can become a bass drum, kicking and thumping in your belly far after it's over. A modern masterpiece.' Jason Reynolds, author of Look Both Ways'Soulful... Elegant, unexpected and wrenching as the "fierce" sounds that emerge from Circus's trumpet . . . Unforgettable' New York Times Book Review'[An] emerging literary superstar . . . This sensual and sensuous debut is a kaleidoscopic character study, a polyphonic riff on the modern-day Casanova from the perspectives of the myriad women in his wake' Oprah Daily'A sultry and subversive debut. Laura Warrell's prose sparkles, but it's what she's got to say about sex and love and being a woman that will take your breath away. This book is a love song, and Warrell knows how to hold all the right notes.' Rachel Beanland, author of Florence Adler Swims Forever'Jazz music is to be played sweet, soft, plenty rhythm,' proclaimed Jelly Roll Morton, and Warrell plays her exceptional first novel with plenty of rhythm and tenderness, delivered in brisk, mordantly gorgeous language' Library Journal'A book about desire and about love, about where these emotions meet and part and sometimes interlace in inescapable ways...a classic in the making.' Brian Castleberry, author of Nine Shiny ObjectsTrade ReviewLaura Warrell makes a striking debut with the musical Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm, weaving together women's voices like a jam session . . . Warrell's sentences are sinuous, her characters fully formed, as they perform a dance of seduction and rebuttal, pursuit and withdrawal, yearning and regret. Using an elegant structure with echoes of Bernardine Evaristo's Girl, Woman, Other, she weaves a lushly textured tale of real emotional depth, conjuring a world of voices moving in concert. * TELEGRAPH *Set to be one of 2023's biggest books with plaudits from Celeste Ng and Oprah, this multi-narrative story is all about the power of being a woman, destructive love and hopeful endurance. * STYLIST *Soulful . . . Structured like a jam session, the novel favors a series of riffs over any one melodic theme. Warrell gives a supporting cast of women their own solos, through close-third-person chapters that detail their entanglements with the elusive Circus . . . Elegant, unexpected and wrenching as the "fierce" sounds that emerge from Circus's trumpet . . . Unforgettable. -- Lauren Christensen * NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW *[An] emerging literary superstar . . . Warrell writes a mean bad boy! This sensual and sensuous debut is a kaleidoscopic character study, a polyphonic riff on the modern-day Casanova from the perspectives of the myriad women in his wake. Both visceral and finely observed, the novel captures social nuance and emotional wreckage with precision and compassion. * OPRAH DAILY, 30 of the Best Fall Fiction Books of 2022 *Told in a rich array of voices, this gorgeously written debut explores the myriad syncopations of love and desire. Laura Warrell writes with an enormous understanding of human nature, a boundless sympathy for life's complications, and a keen eye for life's unexpected joys. * Celeste Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''...a portrait of the real Essex: sexy, funny, cultured, close to Europe, wild and fond of skulduggery in the dark''A L Kennedy, author''A spectacular anthology to showcase one of my favourite art forms - the short story.A phrase used by Alice Violett in OPEN BOOK: 1995, 2009,2021 is "anthology housekeeping" which evokes somethingintentional, clean and heartfelt; emotions that shine throughin this collection, demonstrating how writing under one ''house'' can produce something strong and cohesive'' Jo Coldwell, Red Lion Books ''Witty, experimental, clever, thought-provoking andsometimes plain laugh-out-loud, this collection of shortworks is testament to the excellent Colchester WriteNightgroup. Between these covers lies a world of surprises: Jesussitting on a park bench, a pair of modern-day grave robbers,a middle-aged woman determined to shock her daughter, as well as plenty else to inspire and entertain'' Liz Trenow, New York Times best-selling author of TheSecrets of the Lake and seven other historical novels ''A sparkling collection of carefully crafted stories that fizzwith energy and reflect the diversity and talent of this groupof writers. As a collection the work offers both a braveconfrontation with the darkness of Covid and a beautifulescapism to other worlds and places. It tackles important social themes and gives us plenty to laugh about'' Nicola Werenowska, playwrightThe stories are as brilliant as they are varied. A collection of voices which are superb on their own - together they make a glorious literary choir''Nik Perring, author

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is pig stealing time in Shropshire. After winning the Fat Pig competition for two years in a row with Empress of Blandings, Lord Emsworth's ascendancy at the Agricultural Show is threathened by Sir Gregory Parsloe's new sow, Queen of Matchingham. Always keen to help, Lord Emsworth's brother Galahad plots the theft of the Parsloe pig. In retaliation, Sir Gregory's pigman, George Cyril Wellbeloved, snaffles the Empress. While these momentous events are under way, a romantic comedy unfolds at Blandings Castle whither Jerry Vail her pursued Penny Donaldson. But Penny is engaged to Orlo Vosper who pines for Gloria Salt who is engaged to Sir Gregory who rediscovers Maudje Stubbs who has charmed Lord Emsworth, who is Jerry's employer.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA humorous novel in which an Earl and his aristocratic family are divided by what is seen as a socially unsuitable marriage.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA stalwart of the Angler's Rest, where he is usually to be found in company with Miss Postlethwaite the barmaid, Mr Mulliner has an endless supply of brothers, nephews and cousins who feature in the tales with which he entertains the regulars in his favourite pub. There is George, the stammerer, who finds the courage to propose only after being chased by a mob; Wilfred, the chemist, who muddles his cosmetic potions with dire results; Lancelot, the film star; William, the lover of Myrtle Banks; Clarence, the society photographer; and Augustine, the curate, who saves his bishop from disgrace at the school reunion. All win through to love and success, but only after enough farcical mishaps to supply a dozen ordinary comic novelists.

Read more less