Contemporary Fiction Books

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Book Synopsis'Better than Sharpe... Napoleon’s Run deserves to be a runaway success’Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author of Lionheart One man against an armadaLondon, 1798. Late one night, a junior naval officer at the Admiralty intercepts a coded despatch, marked with blood: Napoleon Bonaparte is about to launch the largest invasion fleet in history. Target: unknown.England is vulnerable, bereft of allies, and the Sea Lords fear a direct assault on Britain. Admiralty Intelligence sounds the alarm and prepares to unleash Nelson and the Mediterranean squadron.But before they can, they need vital information. They need a special officer to infiltrate by land or by sea to uncover the destination of Napoleon’s armada – a man who never stops.Marine Lt William John Hazzard.But will he agree to help them?Betrayed by the Admiralty at the African Cape three years earlier, Hazzard has vowed never to trust them again. Bitter memories poisoned his return home, and his devoted fiancée Sarah, unable to bear his pain any longer, disappears in Naples – never to be seen again.But the Admiralty knows just how to get him back.They know where Sarah is, and her life is in danger…From pitched sea-battles to back-street duels in a covert war, this is the epic adventure of the new hero of Napoleonic fiction: Hazzard. Perfect for fans of Seth Hunter, Bernard Cornwell and C. S. Forester.Never give up the boat.Praise for Napoleon's Run ‘This is an outstanding novel, made even more remarkable by its début status. I loved it, from the first page to the end. Better than Sharpe, gripping and intense, Napoleon’s Run deserves to be a runaway success’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author of Lionheart'Hornblower meets Mission: Impossible. A thrilling, page-turning debut packed with rousing, rip-roaring action' J. D. Davies, author of the Matthew Quinton Journals'This book has it all. Combines great action with really good history, and an engaging and original character in Marine officer William Hazzard, who adds a satisfying dash of the swashbuckling Bombay Buccaneers to some solid scholarship. In many ways this captures the true – and surprisingly subversive nature – of early British imperialism' Seth Hunter, author of the Nathan Peake novels'Outstanding... Packed to the gunwales with action, this fast-paced story introduces us to William Hazzard, a Marine Lieutenant who takes on not just Napoleon, but also the espionage and machinations of the new French Republic during the reign of terror, Neapolitan high society, and even the British Admiralty itself. Leading a crew of wonderfully-drawn characters, Hazzard is not only a convincing action hero, but also one who offers a timeless insight into loyalty, trust and honesty. A thumping read' Chris Lloyd, author of The Unwanted Dead‘This book has a rich cast of characters who will delight, enthral and keep you turning the pages to the very end. A brilliant, thrilling read, with a new – and very believable – hero. This is my favourite historical novel of the year so far’ Michael Jecks, author of the Last Templar Mysteries'A strong, fast-moving story by an author with a deep knowledge of the period and the narrative skill of a fine story-teller' Andrew Swanston, author of Waterloo'A great read! Well-tempered and well-researched, with well-drawn characters who will, I am sure, be with us for a while' Rob Low, author of The Lion Wakes'Loads of action and plenty of plot twists, meticulously researched with a fine period feel' A.J. MacKenzie, author of The Ballad of John MacLea

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Book SynopsisPower, ambition, corruption – the British East India Company risesAn old empire at war with itself1744, Scotland. Young Nicholas Ballantyne’s life is turned upside down when his uncle, caught up in events far beyond his control, announces that, for his own safety, Nicholas is to set sail for India immediately to join the East India Company.A new power risingAfter decades of struggle, the Company is ready to expand. Nicholas and his new friend and colleague, the mercurial Robert Clive, rise quickly within the Company’s ranks, masterminding plans to counter French designs in India.A battle for survivalBut the fight for India will only be resolved in battle. On the fields of Plassey, the two armies draw up for the climactic encounter. For Robert and Nicholas, commanding the Company’s forces, this will be their making, or their end…Brilliantly crafted, and bringing to life the momentous events that shook India in the mid-eighteenth century, Fortune’s Soldier is an epic tale of a fascinating era by a master storyteller.

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Book SynopsisYou can’t turn your back on RomeIn the bloodied mountains of Pannonia, the Roman army struggles to put down a brutal rebellion.Corvus is now the standard bearer of the Eighth Legion, which has borne the brunt of the fighting. The famed soldier has lost one comrade after another, and now his oldest friend, Marcus, has betrayed him, shaking him to his core. Sick of the conflict, Corvus deserts his legion and rides for home to end his days in peace.But there is no escaping Rome, or its vengeance. Corvus might want a simple life, but when tragedy strikes, he is hauled back into the savage war. And this time, he won’t be fighting on the Roman side…The compelling second novel in the Raven and the Eagle series, perfect for fans of Ben Kane and Simon Scarrow.Praise for Geraint Jones‘Blood and guts, but also a clever exploration of the moral ambiguity of war and loyalty to a flag’ Mail on Sunday‘Brutal, audacious, and fast paced’ Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series.‘Historical fiction written by a real war veteran who knows all there is to know about blood and bonding in battle’ Weekend Sport

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Book Synopsis1270 AD. The Holy Land is in turmoil. As the Crusader knights desperately await the arrival of Edward Longshanks and his relieving army, Sultan Baibaars targets his Mamluk hordes against their greatest stronghold in Syria, the Krak des Chevaliers.A thousand miles away in Wales, fourteen-year-old Garyn learns a disturbing secret. It will drive him on a crusade of his own: a quest to avenge his family, save his brother and in the process recover the holiest relic in the history of Christendom.As the Crusades ignite around him, Garyn learns this is a time of brutality and chivalry; of strong men with stronger hearts, an era with no place for the weak.A searing and unforgettable novel of medieval warfare, Medieval – Blood of the Sword is perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and David Gilman.

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Book Synopsis1274 AD. War is brewing between Wales and England.Henry III is dead. His son, Edward Longshanks, is on his way back from the Crusades to claim the crown and impose his iron will on a weakened country.In South Wales, two young brothers, Garyn and Geraint, attempt to rebuild their lives after a terrifying ordeal in Acre. Desperate to heal old wounds and provide for their futures, the appearance of an old enemy tears them apart once more and forces them onto different paths.The nobles of North Wales, nervous and frustrated at the inaction of their leader, make a daring pact to replace him with a figurehead to unite the warring factions against the English prince.The compelling second novel in the Medieval Sagas, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron, David Gilman and Ben Kane.

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Book SynopsisDetective Inspector Silas Quinn investigates one of the strangest cases of his career...London, 1914. Called out to investigate the murder of an employee of the House of Brackley, an upmarket Kensington department store, Silas finds himself investigating one of the most bizarre cases of his career. For the chief murder suspect is a monkey.One of the store’s fashion models has been found dead on her bed, strangled with a red silk scarf. The room is locked from the inside, the only other occupant being a monkey in a red fez hat.While he is sceptical of the theory that the monkey is the killer, Quinn suspects it holds the key to the mystery. But where has it disappeared to? And how will he ever get to the truth when faced with the maelstrom of resentment and thwarted passion that is the mannequin house?A thrill-a-minute historical mystery full of intrigue, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, S. G. MacLean and Abir Mukherjee.Praise for R. N. Morris‘A classic whodunnit plot with emotion and psychological depth’ Publishers Weekly‘A challenging, utterly fascinating read’ Booklist‘His sense of the historical moment is strong’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe long-anticipated sequel to Fortune's Soldier, from the author of the Empire of the Moghul series.In his Himalayan retreat of Glenmire, Nicholas Ballantyne is determined his days of bloodshed and intrigue in the service of the British East India Company are over. Yet the Battle of Plassey, where he fought with Robert Clive, has delivered only a short-lived peace and the 1770s are precarious times in India.Martial Marathas, formidable Sikhs and wild Afghan Rohillas threaten not only each other, but the Company’s very existence. Most dangerous of all are the militarily astute Hyder Ali and his charismatic son Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who – with strong French support – are intent on driving the British into the sea.When Warren Hastings, the Company’s newly appointed Governor-General, beset by internal rivalries, seeks Nicholas’ help, he agrees. Though long-cynical about the Company, he foresees a bloodbath that could rip India apart, cause thousands of deaths and imperil his own family. A quiet life must wait.

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Book SynopsisBe careful who you let into your lifeArabella MacQueen had a tough start. Growing up surrounded by drugs and alcohol, getting into trouble as a teen, she’s now in her late-twenties and has turned her life around.Until the fateful night that sees her imprisoned for 10 months.She’s hit rock bottom … but unexpectedly forges a bond with cellmate Roxanne McPhail that lasts beyond the prison walls.Now both women are free, and Arabella is excited about the future with boyfriend Eddie, with Roxanne at her side.But Arabella doesn’t know the truth about her new best friend; about Roxanne’s reputation as the head of Glasgow gangland, about the violence in Roxanne’s past.She doesn’t know that Roxanne has plans for Arabella that might lead her into some very dangerous places.In this dirty game, Arabella is going to have to learn you can’t always trust those closest to you…A gritty, utterly addictive thriller set in Scottish gangland - fans of Roberta Kray and Jacqui Rose won't be able to put it down.Readers can't get enough of Alex Kane's gritty gangster thrillers:‘I read this book in one night and all I have is 3 words. Oh my god.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘What a fantastic book! Such an intense, fast paced read from the first page’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘What a rollercoaster ride…it grips you and you can't put it down. I loved it.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘What a page turner this is… you never want it to end… A great, gritty, UK gangland thriller’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A dark and gritty crime thriller that kept me hooked from the first page.' Casey Kelleher, author of No Fear and Mine'A gripping read that got under my skin. Alex Kane writes one hell of a villain.’ Gemma Rogers, author of Stalker and Reckless

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Book Synopsis'What a charming book. Charlie Lyndhurst observes society with a keen eye.' Sue Moorcroft, author of A Home in the SunEven wedding planners struggle to get it right…Jason is the best wedding planner around, known as the Fairy Godfather to the couples whose special days he plans. But coming up against workplace prejudice is taking a toll on his love for his job.His mother-in-law, Mel, has just discovered her husband has been cheating on her with a younger woman. Nearing fifty, jobless and struggling, she needs to work out who she is aside from a mum and a wife, and get her life back on track.Meanwhile, up-tight wedding planner Harriet is struggling to find her own true love – if such a thing exists. Between liars, married men, and disaster dates, she thinks she may never find the one. And her outdated attitude toward LGBT marriages make her even more bitter.When Jason starts Extra Weddings – helping people marry whoever they like, in whatever way they want – he, Mel and Harriet find themselves coming together to help couples make memories to last a lifetime. But can they bridge their gaps, and be a unit when others need them most?Fans of Casey McQuiston, Lindsey Kelk and Justin Myers are invited to the most heartwarming and extravagant wedding event of 2022.Readers are loving The Grooms Wore White:'A super cute read - you'll be laughing and crying.' Mandy Baggott, author of Staying Out for the Summer‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Reader Review‘I adored every character… I truly loved it.’ Reader Review‘I loved jumping between these three stories. I really fell in love with all of these characters.’ Reader Review‘The story was fantastic. An almost Love, Actually kind of vibe.’ Reader Review‘Had me laughing out loud. The writing is good, the storyline is adorable and the characters are lovable.’ Reader Review‘Didn't let me go until I read the final page…I became fully invested in their lives.’ Reader Review‘A heartwarming story of staying true to yourself charming and heartfelt.’ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis‘Hawker is a terrific creation’ Bernard CornwellAre they saving a prince, or unchaining a monster?December 1476. The infamous Vlad the Impaler – Dracula – is reported killed in a Turkish ambush: the brutal scourge of the Ottomans is no more…November 1485. Nine years later, mysterious Hungarian noblewoman Maria Hunyadi lays a quest at the feet of Sir John Hawker, loyal retainer to the fallen King Richard III and protector of Richard’s illegitimate son, Sir Giles Ellingham. The mission: to liberate her father from imprisonment in a remote Wallachian mountain fortress. The prisoner: Vlad Dracula.Indebted to Maria for saving his men’s lives in Venice, Hawker reluctantly accepts her story and agrees to come to her aid. But any rescue will be fraught with danger. There are powerful forces at work who would not want the great warlord found alive.But is Maria really who she says she is? Is she looking for more than just her father? And is the Impaler truly alive, after all this time – a lost prince?From the fringes of the Hungarian empire to the dark mountain forests of Saxon Transylvania, Hawker must contend with enemies on all sides, and those unseen within the company itself. The exciting sequel to Hawker and the King’s Jewel – described by Bernard Cornwell as ‘brilliant’ – perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and David Gilman.Praise for Hawker and the King’s Jewel ‘A brutal, brilliant tale, told with verve and pace. Hawker is a terrific creation’ Bernard Cornwell‘Bale takes the reader from the terror of battle where a crown is lost and won to the sparkling jewel that is Venice, teeming with intrigue and treachery. Great storytelling’ David Gilman, author of the Master of War series'An absolute gem of a novel. I was taken aback by Bale's skill and talent. Meticulously researched, with a totally authentic medieval feel, the novel fizzes with action, romance and intrigue. A gripping yarn' Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw series‘Hawker is an ageing, flawed character and it is in his description of the man's inner turmoil, his bursts of energy and, above all, loyalty that the author has created a living soul… Compelling, authentic characters, a tight narrative which drives the story with verve; dialogue which is neither mock Gothic nor anachronistic, all allow the reader to feel part of the sounds and sights of the late fifteenth century. The novel deserves high praise’ The RicardianWhat readers are saying about Hawker and the King's Jewel ‘I bought this to read on holiday on the back of a friend's recommendation. I don't normally read historical fiction like this but was blown away by the experience - it was a great story, told at a good clip with wonderful characters, action and lovely historical touches that made you really “feel” and appreciate the period but without weighing down the whole. I more than surprised myself by sneaking in the odd hour of reading here and there in ways that I never normally do. It was an absolute treat’‘The characterisation and period detail are superb and with plenty of action. The pace is just right, making it a really good and engaging read’‘A rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns’‘I can honestly say the book grabs the reader’s attention and draws them in from the opening pages. It opens your mind to all sorts of possibilities to where the narrative is heading, then suddenly switches track, leaving you grasping for answers. It certainly had me riveted and enthralled’‘You will be drawn into the political intrigues of15th century Europe. Very informative and not too heavy. I would thoroughly recommend it.’‘Beautifully researched; an exciting & gripping tale of what might have been’‘Breathless and rollicking… This reader could hardly bear to put it down’

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Book Synopsis''Hawker is a terrific creation' Bernard CornwellUnfinished business, and a soul in search of redemption.Europe, Spring 1486. Facing a grisly death if captured alive, veteran mercenary and Plantagenet henchman Sir John Hawker and his unlikely band of misfits return to Venice to attempt to free the woman he left behind there months before. Braving the spies and militia of the Serene Republic, Hawker must somehow reach his beloved Chiara, overcome her captors and spirit her off the island. Hope hangs by a slender thread.But his conscience already carries a heavy burden: the weight of a lifetime of dubious deeds, bad decisions, dead friends and lost loves. If he survives the coming days, can he make amends and start a new life? Or will his unwavering loyalty to the White Rose and his friend Sir Giles Ellingham illegitimate son of Richard III lead him back to England to join the new rebellion against Henry Tudor?The epic conclusio

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Book Synopsis Compelling to the last page, The Chef, the Bird and the Blessing is a story about the power of suppressed memory, of friendship, and of our relationship with the natural world. Set within vivid images of a backwater in an unnamed African country, the novel is both poignant and funny. Mozzy is a cook in a struggling safari business and dreams of escaping the perilous wilderness and his despised employer to become head chef in an upmarket restaurant in London. Spurred on by his wife, a member of a visionary religious sect, his fantasy becomes reality. But will his sanity and marriage survive in this new world? Can a small bird help him find his way? Mozzy’s path takes him from Africa to London and back, but it is the painful journey of the heart that ultimately fulfils Mozzy’s destiny.

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Book SynopsisA SIGNED HARDBACK EDITION  A highly evocative story set in Liverpool of the 1960’s. An exploration of what it was to be like to be young in the time and city of The Beatles. The joys of music and football in a golden age. At the start of the 1960’s Liverpool is an ordinary, northern city. Badly damaged by German bombs and still struggling to shake off the fall-out from the war. Tony and his teenage friends look at their dull, grey lives and dream of something better. Even their beloved football team, Liverpool FC, seem to be stuck in Division Two and going nowhere. Then The Beatles and Bill Shankly come along. And everything goes crazy. The city is the focus of world attention. And it isn’t just the music. Liverpool start to dominate English football, becoming one of the very best teams in Europe. Tony and his friends watch The Beatles, who they first saw playing at small local venues like The Casbah and Litherland Town Hall, go on to achieve worldwide fame. It is an astonishing time to be young and living in Liverpool. Tony writes songs and falls in love with a girl living in Penny Lane. He and his friends join the swaying crowd on the Kop at Anfield to watch Bill Shankly’s team and sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. The future looks bright. But life can be cruel. Nothing lasts forever. We all, in the end, have to grow up.

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Book SynopsisAfter months of hiding in the attic of the Mannerheim’s Berlin flat, the Caslav family knew the time had come for them to risk the dangers of escape. Deciding to split up in the hope that two smaller groups will attract less attention, Luke and Mary Caslav make the decision to entrust their eldest daughter, Ruth, to the safe keeping of Luke’s brother and his wife, whilst keeping their two younger children with them. Their decision leads to Ruth’s escape to a new life in England, while her parents and siblings suffer life in concentration camps. Now a woman of 27, Ruth lives in Hampstead. The untimely death of her boss on the eve of an important business meeting thrusts her into the position of temporary Head of Department. Sent to handle the meeting alone, she meets the impressive figure of Friedrich Mannerheim - the dynamic young German businessman whose company has made its first acquisition in the U.K. Ruth and Friedrich find themselves falling in love, but it is a love that causes family division; a love that uncovers the past. It’s a past she thought lost to her forever, but it could cost her everything.

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Book SynopsisMishka is a gay social media influencer and sex worker, who has made beauty his life mission.He sees beauty as more than a matter of looks, but as a philosophy, which determines all aspects of his life. As a result, Mishka obsesses over his looks, his power of attraction and on fulfilling his excessive materialistic needs.Yet, behind the strong façade, Mishka is an insecure young man, who lives to please whoever shows him a little attention or even false praise.The book provides a brutally honest depiction of the main character''s toxic relationship with his body, his social media followers, and his patrons.Who can be blamed for Mishka''s self-destructive behaviour? His desperate need to please his patrons? His patrons struggle with their sexual desires? Or the society that tends to discard every anomaly?

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Book SynopsisWhen Kirsten moves to a new city, she quickly falls in with a rich and sophisticated crowd, far more glamorous than anything she is used to. Her new life with best friend, Allison, and boyfriend Gabriel, seems almost too good to be true, but for a year she is living the dream. Eventually, as cracks slowly begin to appear in her relationships, she is forced to question whether all that glitters is truly gold.As pieces fall into place to paint a treacherous picture of crime and deception, Kirsten must figure out how she fits into the puzzle, all whilst keeping the truth about her own past buried deep...

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Book SynopsisHe has been given many names and lived in several places. Throughout his life he''s met a lot of folks - some kind and others not. To be considered useful, he''s expected to fulfill specific roles without fail. But one accident changes his life forever, branding him as defective, which has everyone questioning his worth in the world - even him.Although most people may not see it, he has much to offer. In return, all he wants is to be loved. He wishes for someone to see beyond his flaws and truly understand him. He often wonders, though, if such a thing is realistic to hope for. After all, he is just a horse.One day, he meets Kiyomi - a thirteen-year-old girl who seems to truly appreciate all that he is. They quickly bond and together form a relationship seemingly pre-destined in the stars. But the horse can''t help wondering, will this relationship last, or will history repeat itself and see him discarded once again?Horse Karma by Amber Zierath is a heart-warming story told from an unlikely point of view - a horse. It depicts the unbreakable bond between human and horse, with careful observation and extensive descriptions of equine behaviour. It will reaffirm the belief that the love you offer has ways of coming back, in a more profound way, of course. 

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Book Synopsis''Aquietly devastating novelabout our failings and how we cope'' Patrick GaleIt's Minneapolis in the 1970s, and two women meet in the Women''s Coffeehouse. Marge is a bus driver, and Peg is training to be a psychotherapist.Over the next twenty years, they stay together, through the challenges any couple faces and some that no one expects. Then one day things change, and Marge has to work out what she's left with and if she still belongs to the family she''s adopted as her own.Other People Manage is a novel about hard-earned but everyday love. It''s about family and it''s about loss. It''s the kind of novel that only someone who has lived enough of life could write - frequently funny, at times almost unbearably moving, but above all extraordinarily wise.

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Book Synopsis''Quietly magical... a book thatdraws you in and then refuses to let you go'' - Stephen May, author ofSell Us the RopeSummer Dawidowitz has spent the past year caring for her grandmother, Josie a lifelong Communist, a dedicated teacher, and the founder of an organization that tutors schoolchildren. When Josie dies, everything that seemed solid in Summer's life comes into question. What sort of relationship will she have with the mother who abandoned her? Will she meet with the brother Josie exiled from the family? Does she really want to go back to the non-monogamous household she was part of before she moved in to take care of Josie?Finally, does she still believe a small, committed group of citizens can change the world, and if so - how?Reader ReviewsA compassionate and well-observed exploration of troubled families and relationships perceptive and quietly moving'An intriguing family saga'Excellent, deep and very funny'

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Book Synopsis''A powerful, important, unforgettable book'' Cheryl Strayed, author of WildIn this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide.Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one's own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita's own past. While Meena's fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her.In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time.

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Book Synopsis'Curious and unflinching ... deftly executed and cringingly funny' Guardian 'Truly excellent' Brandon Taylor, author of Real Life, shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize Whether working in food service or in high-end retail, lit by a laptop in a sex chat or by the camera of an acclaimed film director, or sharing a flat in the city or a holiday rental in Mallorca, the protagonists of the ten stories comprising Paul Dalla Rosa's debut collection navigate the spaces between aspiration and delusion, ambition and aimlessness, the curated profile and the unreliable body. By turns unsparing and tender, Dalla Rosa explores our lives in late-stage Capitalism, where globalisation and its false promises of connectivity leave us further alienated and disenfranchised. Like the legendary Lucia Berlin and his contemporary Ottessa Moshfegh, Dalla Rosa is a masterful observer-and hilarious eviscerator-of our ugly, beautiful attempts at finding meaning in an ugly, beautiful world. 'Voyeuristically addictive, funny, and deceptively simple' Halle Butler, author of The New MeTrade ReviewWith caustic wit, Dalla Rosa performs a kind of surgery on his characters, splitting them wide open to reveal something exciting and vivid, ugly and depraved * Guardian *Truly excellent ... read it, both for Paul's sharp, dry wit and also the taut beauty of his lines -- Brandon Taylor, author of Real Life, shortlisted for the 2020 Booker PrizePitch perfect, with undercurrents of sorrow and angst -- Kit de Waal, Judge of the Sunday Times 2019 Short Story Prize Panel and author of The Trick to TimeDarkly funny ... Bitingly ironic and immensely original * Sunday Times *These are bold, acerbic stories that draw out the surreality of our disconnected, often brutal world. -- Seán HewittI love these voyeuristically addictive, funny, and deceptively simple stories. Paul Dalla Rosa has perfectly articulated the bizarreness of human isolation and human behaviour. -- Halle ButlerA precise and perfect depiction of a particularly current brand of emptiness and aloneness ... hilarious, brutal, warm and tender -- Abigail Ulman, the author of Hot Little HandsEngrossing, gleefully unsettling, curious but mercifully never whimsical, this is an eminently readable collection -- Lauren John Joseph, author of At Certain Points We TouchThe contemporary urgency of his stories is intoxicating.... This is such an exciting collection - writing this good is thrilling, exhilarating -- Christos Tsiolkas, author of The SlapHilarious and heartbreaking ... It's deliciously deadpan, often absurd, and painfully alive. -- Alice Ash, author of Paradise BlockPaul Dalla Rosa's writing is beautiful in its simplicity, awe-inspiring in its assessment of contemporary culture, and hilarious when you least expect it. Each story in An Exciting and Vivid Inner Life contains its own stunning world and its own cast of unforgettable characters playing out scenes that only Dalla Rosa could write. This book is a knockout. -- Chelsea Hodson, author of Tonight I'm Someone ElseStriking, singular -- Gurnaik Johal, author of We MoveA blisteringly brilliant and deliciously unsettling short-story collection * Attitude *What is remarkable about this collection is that Dalla Rosa harnesses the unique strengths of the short story form to achieve a myriad portrait of this particular crossroads in contemporary history, especially as it impinges on young gay people. -- Bobuq Sayed * Astra *Collected in An Exciting and Vivid Inner Life, the short stories of Melbourne writer Paul Dalla Rosa use minimalism to elevate the state of in-betweenness to an exercise of constraint. His stories eschew spectacle ... but their resonance is created by more subtle means, by the promises that these lonely and angst-ridden characters are learning about themselves, learning (through their failures) how to exist in a world with the odds stacked against them * Sydney Morning Herald *

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Book Synopsis'Sarai Walker has done it again ... upends the Gothic ghost story with a fiery feminist zeal.' Maria Semple, bestelling author of Where'd You Go Bernadette 'A riveting, gothic page-turner' the New York Times 'Wonderful... A book one doesn't want to put down... I highly recommend' Sarah Jessica Parker The reclusive Sylvia Wren, one of the most important American artists of the past century, has been running from her past for sixty years. Born Iris Chapel, of the Chapel munitions dynasty, second youngest of six sisters, she grew up in a palatial Victorian 'Wedding Cake House' in New England, neglected by her distant father and troubled, haunted mother. The sisters longed to escape, but the only way out was marriage. Not long after the first Chapel sister walks down the aisle, she dies of mysterious causes, a tragedy that repeats with the second sister, leaving the rest to navigate the wreckage, with heart-wrenching consequences. The Cherry Robbers is a wonderfully atmospheric, propulsive novel about sisterhood, mortality and forging one's own path.Trade ReviewWonderful ... I highly recommend ... a book one doesn't want to put down' -- Sarah Jessica ParkerA twisted take on the artist's coming-of-age story, The Cherry Robbers tackles deep questions about marriage, sexuality, familial loyalty, guns and the artist's life-a witty, delicious, demented joyride. -- Susan Scarf Merrell, author of ShirleyThis feminist Gothic thriller whisks readers from New Mexico in 2017 to Connecticut in 1950, straight into the bull's-eye of a firearms dynasty. * The New York Times 18 works of fiction to read this spring *Sarai Walker's debut novel does something few contemporary writers - whether green or seasoned - have managed to do well: Dietland is a searing feminist manifesto, a hardcore, politically-charged criticism of the unavoidable ills that plague women today. But, guess what? It's also fun. * Bustle *Hooray! Sarai Walker has done it again. With The Cherry Robbers she upends the Gothic ghost story with a fiery feminist zeal. -- Maria Semple, bestselling author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette and Today Will Be DifferentPraise for Dietland: 'If Amy Schumer turned her subversive feminist sketches into a novel, dark on the inside but coated with a glossy, palatable sheen, it would probably look a lot like Dietland - a thrilling, incendiary manifesto disguised as a beach read.' * Entertainment Weekly *Walker creates a dazzling world filled with the scents and colors of flowers that will later become the foundation for Sylvia's subversive paintings. Just as subversive is the swirl of voices of the women at the story's center: The Chapel women may be locked away in castles and sanitariums by a series of domineering men, but their unfulfilled longings haunt these pages as powerfully as any family curse -- Aamina Ahmad * The New York Times Book Review *Walker plays along with the feminist gothic form, with the idea of a family curse, and we cannot but play along, caught up in the suspense to the inevitable end * Saga magazine *A riveting, gothic page-turner... evocatively captures the tempo, languor and decadence of the ivory tower in which the sisters are trapped... a dazzling world... their unfulfilled longings haunt these pages as powerfully as any family curse * The New York Times *Walker's take on the classic Gothic tale fairly shimmers... a heady concoction of terror and desire... fever-pitched emotions... dark with smothering melancholy and macabre spectres * Booklist *Exquisitely tense and satisfyingly spooky... masterfully blends psychological and supernatural horror...a darkly erotic exploration of female desire, duty and destiny via an ensemble of nuanced female characters, each with distinct personalities and rich inner lives...will keep readers frantically flipping pages. The Cherry Robbers is not to be missed * BookPage *Delightfully eerie mix of bildungsroman and ghost story. This uncanny tale of dark origins shines brightly * Publishers Weekly *Gorgeously written and all-consuming, and left me more than a little heartbroken * BuzzFeed *Long-anticipated... spooky... speaks to the author's range * WBUR Boston *Earning comparisons to The Virgin Suicides for its singularly unlucky siblings and gothic mystery * Entertainment Weekly *Filled with incredible writing, deliciously dark and gothic themes and strong female characters, this new novel is not one to miss * The South African *Takes one interesting new turn after another... a heady mix of gothic fiction and incisive art thriller * CrimeReads *Sharp, gothic tale * PopSugar *Sarai Walker has done it again. She upends the Gothic ghost story with a fiery feminist zeal * Maria Semple, New York Times bestselling author of 'Where'd You Go Bernadette' *Thrums with violence, oppression, and blood. This fierce feminist tale hit me in the heart and hasn't let me go * Stacey Swann, author of 'Olympus, Texas' *Oh, I love Sarai Walker's The Cherry Robbers! The Cherry Robbers tackles deep questions about marriage, sexuality, familial loyalty, guns and the artist's life--a witty, delicious, demented joyride * Susan Scarf Merrell, author of 'Shirley' *

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Book Synopsis'The Long Answer is a triumph of human portraiture, as subtle as it is seething' Sunday Times 'A startling meditation on grief and family and betrayal and the stories we tell about ourselves ... introspective, psychologically astute, and engaging' Kirkus starred review 'There were other women, how many other women, who had felt and wanted what I'd felt and wanted, and felt and wanted differently too. Anywhere I've been and will go next, there they will be.' Twelve weeks pregnant for the first time, Anna speaks to her sister on the other side of the country and learns she has just miscarried her second child. As this loss strains their bond, and complications with Anna's own pregnancy emerge, her tenuous steps towards motherhood are shadowed and illuminated by the women she meets along the way, whose stories of the babies they have had, or longed for, or lost, crowd in. The Long Answer is a stunning novel of secrets kept and secrets shared. Deeply empathetic and hugely absorbing, it unravels the intimate dynamics of female friendship, sisterhood, motherhood and grief, and the ways in which women are bound together and pulled apart by their shared and contrasting experiences of pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage and infertility.Trade ReviewA breathtaking roundup of the many ways that women carry and lose babies and pregnancies, so many possible and impossible choices to be made, so many capitulations and coercions to be endured. All the narratives in the novel make clear that the only thing that makes any of it bearable is the agency each woman can claim...These stories are crucial. * The New York Times Book Review *A brilliant debut, both coolly empathetic and searingly personal, a powerful bridge between fiction's two current modes. Anna Hogeland writes beautifully, with unwavering passion and insight, about the complexities of motherhood and female relationships. -- Jess Walter, New York Times-bestselling author of The Cold MillionsThe Long Answer is truly brilliant. Anna Hogeland writes generously and astutely about motherhood, grief, fertility, and the relationship dynamics between mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, articulating with aching clarity the irresolution of loss, and the quiet power of love. I'm so happy that this beautiful book exists. -- Miranda Ward, author of AdriftAn introspective, psychologically astute, and engaging debut... a heart-rending tale that blurs the line between fiction and reality...A startling meditation on grief and family and betrayal and the stories we tell about ourselves. * Kirkus starred review *I loved this debut novel by Anna Hogeland about motherhood - so coolly and intricately constructed, so quietly intimate, and devastating at its heart. -- Lucy CaldwellThe Long Answer is a triumph of human portraiture, as subtle as it is seething * Sunday Times *In concentric circles of stories told and stories secreted away, The Long Answer is about women making life and losing life and about fertility itself - the promise and the more complicated truth. This beautiful novel tugs at friendship, marriage, family and women in moments of heartbreaking and miraculous transformation. -- Ramona Ausubel, author of Sons and Daughters of Ease and PlentyA brilliantly constructed novel about women, and about the power of love in the heart of one woman through whom these female souls are elucidated, their passions, their terrible losses, and their bravery. These characters breathe on the page, and their stories are moving and involving. Anna Hogeland is a wonderfully talented writer. -- Richard Bausch, PEN/Malamud and Dayton Literary Peace Prize-winning authorA subtle, honest, engaging novel about female friendships, sibling relationships and the joys and costs of motherhood -- Alice Jolly, author of Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile, shortlisted for the the 2019 Rathbones Folio PrizeIn her gorgeous debut, The Long Answer, Anna Hogeland expertly explores issues of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and the uncertainty and trauma that too often accompany these major events ... readers will feel heard and seen. -- Erika Krouse, author of Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private InvestigationA compelling, often-heartbreaking tale of belonging, loss, and rebirth. Looking beyond pregnancy's physical transformations, Hogeland explores what it means to feel parental, to choose a life bigger than your own, or to lose a precious gift ... a heartfelt, finely wrought journey for fans of Suzanne Finnamore, Erica Jong, and Marian Keyes. -- Stephanie Turza * Booklist *Anna Hogeland's The Long Answer is the novel that millions of parents, mothers in particular, have been waiting for. It breaks the silence that has prevailed for so long around pregnancy and its discontents, the anguish of losing a pregnancy, the wrenching decision to end one, the rage and envy that so many woman feel around the process of procreation. I've never read a book that speaks so bravely, and eloquently, about the burdens that women carry. Hogeland brings moments of darkness into the light. Astonishing. A masterpiece. -- Steve Almond, author of CandyfreakTold with tenderness and care, one woman's journey manages to encapsulate a whole chorus of voices sharing their private heartbreaks. The Long Answer is a subtle and deeply moving novel; I loved it. -- Ruth Gilligan, author of The Butchers and winner of the 2021 RSL Ondaatje PrizeProvocative * The Sunday Post *Hogeland invites us to feel things without prodding us hard to amplify the pain ... In The Long Answer each story is totally absorbing and vivid. Quite a feat! -- Lizzy Stewart, author of Alison

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Book Synopsis'The Long Answer is a triumph of human portraiture, as subtle as it is seething' Sunday Times 'There were other women, how many other women, who had felt and wanted what I'd felt and wanted, and felt and wanted differently too. Anywhere I've been and will go next, there they will be.' Twelve weeks pregnant for the first time, Anna speaks to her sister on the other side of the country and learns she has just miscarried her second child. As this loss strains their bond, and complications with Anna's own pregnancy emerge, her tenuous steps towards motherhood are shadowed and illuminated by the women she meets along the way, whose stories of the babies they have had, or longed for, or lost, crowd in. The Long Answer is a stunning novel of secrets kept and secrets shared. Deeply empathetic and hugely absorbing, it unravels the intimate dynamics of female friendship, sisterhood, motherhood and grief, and the ways in which women are bound together and pulled apart by their shared and contrasting experiences of pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage and infertility.Trade ReviewA breathtaking roundup of the many ways that women carry and lose babies and pregnancies, so many possible and impossible choices to be made, so many capitulations and coercions to be endured. All the narratives in the novel make clear that the only thing that makes any of it bearable is the agency each woman can claim...These stories are crucial. * The New York Times Book Review *A brilliant debut, both coolly empathetic and searingly personal, a powerful bridge between fiction's two current modes. Anna Hogeland writes beautifully, with unwavering passion and insight, about the complexities of motherhood and female relationships. -- Jess Walter, New York Times-bestselling author of The Cold MillionsThe Long Answer is truly brilliant. Anna Hogeland writes generously and astutely about motherhood, grief, fertility, and the relationship dynamics between mothers and daughters, sisters and friends, articulating with aching clarity the irresolution of loss, and the quiet power of love. I'm so happy that this beautiful book exists. -- Miranda Ward, author of AdriftAn introspective, psychologically astute, and engaging debut... a heart-rending tale that blurs the line between fiction and reality...A startling meditation on grief and family and betrayal and the stories we tell about ourselves. * Kirkus starred review *I loved this debut novel by Anna Hogeland about motherhood - so coolly and intricately constructed, so quietly intimate, and devastating at its heart. -- Lucy CaldwellThe Long Answer is a triumph of human portraiture, as subtle as it is seething * Sunday Times *In concentric circles of stories told and stories secreted away, The Long Answer is about women making life and losing life and about fertility itself - the promise and the more complicated truth. This beautiful novel tugs at friendship, marriage, family and women in moments of heartbreaking and miraculous transformation. -- Ramona Ausubel, author of Sons and Daughters of Ease and PlentyA brilliantly constructed novel about women, and about the power of love in the heart of one woman through whom these female souls are elucidated, their passions, their terrible losses, and their bravery. These characters breathe on the page, and their stories are moving and involving. Anna Hogeland is a wonderfully talented writer. -- Richard Bausch, PEN/Malamud and Dayton Literary Peace Prize-winning authorA subtle, honest, engaging novel about female friendships, sibling relationships and the joys and costs of motherhood -- Alice Jolly, author of Mary Ann Sate, Imbecile, shortlisted for the the 2019 Rathbones Folio PrizeIn her gorgeous debut, The Long Answer, Anna Hogeland expertly explores issues of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and the uncertainty and trauma that too often accompany these major events ... readers will feel heard and seen. -- Erika Krouse, author of Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private InvestigationA compelling, often-heartbreaking tale of belonging, loss, and rebirth. Looking beyond pregnancy's physical transformations, Hogeland explores what it means to feel parental, to choose a life bigger than your own, or to lose a precious gift ... a heartfelt, finely wrought journey for fans of Suzanne Finnamore, Erica Jong, and Marian Keyes. -- Stephanie Turza * Booklist *Anna Hogeland's The Long Answer is the novel that millions of parents, mothers in particular, have been waiting for. It breaks the silence that has prevailed for so long around pregnancy and its discontents, the anguish of losing a pregnancy, the wrenching decision to end one, the rage and envy that so many woman feel around the process of procreation. I've never read a book that speaks so bravely, and eloquently, about the burdens that women carry. Hogeland brings moments of darkness into the light. Astonishing. A masterpiece. -- Steve Almond, author of CandyfreakTold with tenderness and care, one woman's journey manages to encapsulate a whole chorus of voices sharing their private heartbreaks. The Long Answer is a subtle and deeply moving novel; I loved it. -- Ruth Gilligan, author of The Butchers and winner of the 2021 RSL Ondaatje PrizeProvocative * The Sunday Post *Hogeland invites us to feel things without prodding us hard to amplify the pain ... In The Long Answer each story is totally absorbing and vivid. Quite a feat! -- Lizzy Stewart, author of Alison

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Book Synopsis'A classy thriller that will appeal to fans of Leila Slimani's Lullaby... A hot holiday read' Sunday Times 'A superb debut novel... Anyone who enjoyed The White Lotus will love Thomas's scalpel-sharp skewering of the mores and idiocies of the idle rich' Observer 'A dark and brilliant read . . . our bet is that this is going to be on the small or big screen' Glamour On a balmy evening in late March, an oligarch's wife hosts a party on a superyacht moored in the Maldives. Tables cover the massive deck, adorned with orchids, champagne bottles, name cards of celebrities. This is what Kata has wanted for a long time: acceptance into the glittering world of high society. But there are those who aim to come between Kata and her goal, and they are closer to home than she could have imagined. Witness to the corruption and violence underneath the shiny surfaces is Mel, a young English woman employed to tutor Kata's precocious daughter and navigate her through the class codes of English privilege. Now the closest Mel gets to such privilege is as hired help to the wealthy, and she is deeply resentful. Exquisitely written and deliciously unreliable, Queen K takes the reader to some of the most luxurious places in the world. But a dark refrain sounds from the very beginning of the story and grows towards its operatic finale: a novel about insatiable material desire can only ever be a tragedy.Trade ReviewMelanie is an outsider keeping her wits in a world of wealth and privilege . . . Thomas evokes these complex lives with compelling insight -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *Neither of the two female characters are straightforward; the relationship between them is well-drawn and they successfully propel the plot at a rattling pace. Thomas has a flair for telling a good story with wit and candour * Daily Mail *Beautifully crafted and compelling. Thomas perfectly captures the textures of entitlement and the inner workings of Russian plutocratic life lived between Moscow and Europe's glamour resorts -- Caroline Knowles, author of Serious MoneyA wry, unsettling take on privilege, avarice and corruption. This book pulls back the curtain on the lives of the ultra-rich and reveals a world fatally distorted by greed and arrogance; it navigates questions of class and complicity with a rare deftness. -- Keiran Goddard, author of HourglassThrilling, revealing and disturbing, Queen K dives deep into the hidden lives of the mega-rich, the dark structures of privilege and power, and the lies we tell ourselves to keep the illusion afloat. Thomas knows her subject inside out and it shows - her dazzling debut is both a gripping mystery and a relevant treatise on the dangers of wealth without limits -- Emma Stonex, author of The LamplightersMeticulously crafted * i-D *An enjoyably voyeuristic drama of ambition, exploitation and betrayal, which illustrates how desire for acceptance can lead us to neglect others * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice, Pick of the Month *Thomas has created a world of butter-cream-beige luxury, brimming with toxicity and darkness, that pulls you in, and under * Calla Henkel, author of Other People's Clothes *Trust us and order this because you won't be disappointed, and our bet is that this is going to be on the small or big screen. A dark and brilliant take of a Russian oligarch and his family ... such an easy, brilliant read * Glamour Magazine, Best New Books of 2023 *What a compulsive read this was! A real eye-opener into a world I knew little about. * Prima *Tensely charged ... an intriguing and absorbing debut * Buzz Magazine *Echoes of The White Lotus ... A classy thriller that will appeal to fans of Leila Slimani's Lullaby ... A hot holiday read to brighten up the last few weeks of winter * Sunday Times *A superb debut novel... Anyone who enjoyed The White Lotus will love Thomas's scalpel-sharp skewering of the mores and idiocies of the idle rich * Observer *Balzac in Balenciaga... Queen K lures you in with escapist, beach-read vibes, then bares its teeth with a devastating portrait of the emotional cost of greed * Times *Patricia Highsmith-esque ... an untrustworthy narrator judging her employer's life of excess and desperate attempts to infiltrate a glittering world -- The Debuts You'll Love in 2023 * Evening Standard *A fascinating journey with lots to draw us in * Independent *Queen K is as compulsive as a Netflix binge, the bouncy prose propelling you forward, but it also asks timely questions about status and what constitutes a dignified life -- Sheena Patel, author of I'm A Fan * Guardian *Gripping * i Paper *Queen K lures you in with escapist, beach-read vibes, then bares its teeth with a devastating portrait of the emotional cost of greed * Times, Paperback of the Month July 2023 *

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Book Synopsis'Captivates you until the last page. Fast-paced, gripping, brilliant - a book with an accurate insight into this time filled with confusion' J. M. Lee, international bestselling author of The Investigation and Broken SummerOne evening in downtown Seoul, Jeong-su is smoking a cigarette outside when he sees something impossible: a huge black orb appears out of nowhere and sucks his neighbour inside.The orb soon begins consuming other people and no one knows how to stop it. Impervious to bullets and tanks, the orb splits and multiplies, chasing the hapless residents of Seoul out into the country and sparking a global crisis with widespread violence and looting. Jeong-su must rely upon his wits as he makes the arduous journey in search of his elderly parents. But the strangest phases of this ever-expanding disaster are yet to come and Jeong-su will be forced to question everything he has taken for granted.Dryly funny, propulsive and absurd, The Black Orb is terrifyingly prescient about the

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Book SynopsisWinner of a PEN Translates Award Named a Most Anticipated Book by Literary Hub When Anya is arrested at a Moscow anti-corruption rally under false pretences, she is given a 10-day sentence at a detention centre. Her cellmates are five other ordinary women arrested on petty charges. Ten listless days stretch before Anya and, as she appeals her sentence and recalls her progress from apolitical youth to informed citizen, she is troubled by strange, dreamlike visions, and wonders if her cellmates might somehow not be as ordinary as they seem. A brilliant exploration of what it means to be marginalized both as an independent woman and in an increasingly intolerant Russia in particular, The Incredible Events in Women's Cell Number Three introduces one of the most urgent and gripping new voices in international literature.Trade ReviewAn intimate look at political imprisonment -- Dwight Garner * the New York Times *Superb. I am happy that my past is being recognized: I myself sat in the cell next door (albeit at a different time), and I can confirm that all the characters are very realistic -- Alexey NavalnyAs timely as Maxim Gorky's Hours Spent in Prison, but a much livelier read! -- Boris AkuninBrilliantly camouflaged by the grubby banality of casual conversation and detention routines, Ms. Yarmysh creates a cumulative portrait of ingrained social evils and violent retribution ... As unpredictable as it is damning. -- Sam Sacks * Wall Street Journal *Yarmysh's debut is gripping. In using her own experiences she reveals not only the intolerance of the Russian state, but also the resilience of those subjected to its injustices -- Christiana Bishop * New Statesman *The whole world through a single cell: frightening and funny, absurd and all too real -- Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing EarthCatch-22 exchanges on the impossibility of fairness for women in Russian society ... the dialogue-heavy narrative keeps the pages turning. -- John Self * Guardian *A first novel that skillfully breaks the claustrophobia of life in a jail cell by cataloging Anya's life before her imprisonment . . . The familiar trials and tribulations that everyday Russians face stand out in dramatic effect as Yarmysh illuminates the subtly veiled political dissent within an oppressive society straining at the seams. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisAn Irish Times Book of the Year 2023 'An extraordinary achievement' Mary Gaitskill 'In the hands of a maestro, less can be so much more' Independent Cheri has been living with cancer for many years. Now, she is dying. As she navigates the final weeks of her life, and takes charge of the manner of her death, she is flooded with childhood memories, and returns to the present with a renewed appreciation for the brilliance of life around her: the autumn has never been so beautiful, her daughters never as radiant. Brave, incredibly strong and deeply loved, Cheri makes one last nerve-wracking journey across the country with her girls and her friends, knowing relief waits welcoming as a frozen lake on the other side. A masterpiece of fiction and memory, Cheri is a heart-breaking but glorious celebration of all the moments of beauty and pain that make an individual life, right up until its very last moments.Trade ReviewCheri is richly packed. The details are laid before the reader with a simplicity that feels like grace. Beard's vocabulary is luminous ... Beard combines the lapidary chill of Joan Didion with the sense of a proper, lived humanity that you get from a writer like Grace Paley or Sigrid Nunez. She is good company. She connects. You should read her and not look away -- Anne Enright * Guardian *Beard's writing is majestic and ultimately offers some hope, because the book is essentially less about death and more about what it is to be alive ... In the hands of a maestro, less can be so much more * Independent *Beard's wry voice and her clear-eyed compassion make her the best sort of company -- Jonathan Franzen * Guardian *Cheri is a masterpiece -- John Self * The Times *As controlled and convincing as art * Times Literary Supplement *Profoundly sad, poignant, and filled with the flabbergasting abundance of life ... an extraordinary achievement -- Mary GaitskillExtraordinary and powerful -- Mia Levitin * Irish Times *A gem of a book ... Beard communicates, quietly and almost plainly, a breathless desperation for life and all its terrible beauty -- Lizzy Stewart * Guardian *I was shocked by my emotional response to it. It's beautiful & sad & dignified -- Amy Key, author of Arrangements in BlueBeard honours the beautiful, the sacred, and the comic in life, and for life's inescapable cruelites and woes she offers the wisdom of a sage -- Sigrid NuñezJo Ann Beard is a formidable talent. Her writing is darkly moving, full of audacious narrative surprises, and, at times, unexpectedly - almost unbearably - suspenseful -- Geoff DyerA rare talent, and a magnificent writer ... She is extraordinary -- Francesca Segal, author of Mother ShipTaut and troubling ... rendered with exquisite restraint and precision ... as powerful as the close of The Death of Ivan Ilyich * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisFour old friends. Thrown back together after forty years apart. What could possibly go wrong? In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they're in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age. Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn. As the women confront their demons they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other? Praise for The Girls: 'This wonderful book made me laugh, made me cry and most of all made me hope that my own gang of girls will be there for me when I need them the most. I loved it!' – Sarah Bennett 'Book club fiction at its best. A wonderfully uplifting story, funny, fabulous and full of heart – utterly brilliant!' – Faith Hogan Readers love Bella Osborne's books! 'Such a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! A touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' – Jill Mansell 'A touching tale that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face' – Hazel Prior 'A story that was deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting... Definitely recommended – it was one of my best reads this year' – Janet Gover 'Heart-rending and inspiring in equal measures. A wonderful story. I adored it!' – Celia Anderson 'Beautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb!' – Sue Moorcroft 'Absolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel' – Christie Barlow 'The Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about' – Cressida McLaughlin 'I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' – Talli RolandTrade ReviewA fabulously fun and thoughtful exploration of female friendship in which age is just a number to be ignored * The People's Friend *PRAISE FOR BELLA OSBORNE: 'Such a heart-warming and thought provoking novel! The Library is a touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity [...] and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' Jill Mansell. 'I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' Talli Roland. 'Beautifully and sensitively written, the characterisation is superb' Sue Moorcroft. 'Absolutely LOVED IT! It's Bella's best book yet! A glorious heartfelt novel' Christie Barlow. 'The Library is a beautifully uplifting story full of wit, warmth and tender moments, with community at its heart and characters you truly care about' -- Cressida McLaughlin

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