Contemporary Fiction Books

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Book SynopsisFrom literary icon Joyce Carol Oates, author of Blonde, now a major motion picture, comes a brand new collection of haunting and, at times, darkly humorous mystery and suspense stories. These are tales of psyches pushed to their limits by the expectations of everyday life – from a woman who gets lost on her drive back to her plush suburban home and ends up breaking into a stranger's house, to a first-person account of a cloned 1940s magazine pinup girl being sold at auction and embodying America's ideals of beauty and womanhood. Taken as a whole, the collection forms a poignant tapestry of regular people searching for their place in a social hierarchy, often with devastating and disastrous results. Rendered with stylish, fresh writing from an author who continues to push the envelope, the stories deftly weave in and out of a stream-of-consciousness to reflect the ways we process traumatic experiences and impart that uncertainty and uneasiness to the reader. The stories comprising Night, Neon showcase Oates' mastery of the suspense story and her relentless use of the form to conduct unapologetically honest explorations of American identity. 'Embracing the twists and turns of everyday American life, the author's latest short story collection is playful, gripping and disturbing.' Guardian Reviews for Joyce Carol Oates: 'Oates chillingly depicts the darkness lurking within the everyday.' Sunday Express 'Both haunting and sublime.' Literary Review 'Splendidly chilling.' Financial Times 'Visceral, psychologically involving, and socially astute.' BooklistTrade ReviewEmbracing the twists and turns of everyday American life, the author's latest short story collection is playful, gripping and disturbing * Guardian *[Oates] stylishly conveys the sweep of life; the consequences of experiences, however tiny * Observer *A disturbing collection of stories of psyches pushed to the limit * i Newspaper *PRAISE FOR JOYCE CAROL OATES: 'Both haunting and sublime' Literary Review. 'An unsettling read worth every resulting jump in the night... [Oates is a] literary goddess' Daily Mail. 'As usual with Oates, it is horribly readable, but driven by something disturbingly like genuine misanthropy' Sunday Times. 'Oates chillingly depicts the darkness lurking within the everyday' Sunday Express. 'A writer of extraordinary strengths' Guardian. 'Oates's brand of horror has never required the invocation of other worlds: This world is terrible enough for her. Everything she writes, in whatever genre, has an air of dread, because she deals in vulnerabilities and inevitabilities, in the desperate needs that drive people [...] to their fates. A sense of helplessness is the essence of horror, and Oates conveys that feeling as well as any writer around' * New York Times Book Review *

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Book Synopsis'This wove a spell on me' – Marian Keyes 'F***ing brilliant' – Daisy May Cooper ___________Meet Gosia.She's a sensitive soul with a filthy mind and problems with intimacy.Between shifts in a well-lit budget supermarket and nights in a badly lit Zone 3 flatshare, she spends hours inside her own head. That is, until a chance encounter snaps her out of her reverie.Propelled into a series of mediocre jobs, lousy dates and even worse sex, the prickly yet warm-hearted Gosia begins her excavation of the 'perfect' life so many dream of.After all, could there be more to it than she imagined?Raw, funny, mean and moving, Odd Hours is a razor-sharp social comedy about human connection, unexpected happiness, and the many forms of love. ___________'A hymn to normality and an absolute joy to read' – Sarah May 'Compelling, surprising, funny' – Kate Sawyer 'Bas writes so well about that state of being young and trying so hard to make connections' – Marianne Levy 'Dark, sharply funny and utterly rewarding ... Reminded me of the brilliant books by Kirsty Capes ... Highly recommended' – Liz HyderTrade Review'Dark, sharply funny and utterly rewarding ... Reminded me of the brilliant books by Kirsty Capes ... Highly recommended' -- Liz Hyder'This enigmatic and idiosyncratic gem is eccentric, quirky and utterly original' -- Kevin O'Sullivan (Irish Examiner Book of 2022)'Bas writes so well about that state of being young and trying so hard to make connections' -- Marianne Levy'Odd Hours is a brilliant satire on the struggles of life in the zero-hours sector ... An auspicious debut' -- Paul Mendez

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, SOON TO BE A MOVIE PRODUCED BY AND STARRING SHARON STONE A BUZZFEED MUST-READ FOR 2022 A young journalist embroiled in an international art scandal centred around a Nazi-looted masterpiece, forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth. After talking her way into a job in Chicago, young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual assignment: locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years ago. The painting? None other than legendary artist Ernst Engel's most famous work, Woman on Fire. A dying designer covets the portrait for deeply personal reasons. Jules doesn't have much time.Meanwhile, in Europe, Margaux de Laurent – powerful heir to her family's millions – also searches for the painting. A cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants, the only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet Jules has resources of her own, including the designer's grandson, Adam. A recovering addict and artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux's clutches, and he'll do anything to help Jules locate the painting first.Woman on Fire is a thrilling tale of secrets, love, sacrifice and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts and history. ___________PRAISE FOR WOMAN ON FIRE: 'Part-thriller, part-historical fiction, this book will have you gripping the pages until the very end' Buzzfeed'Addictively propulsive and laced with rapid-fire twists and turns, this sizzling tale crackles with tension' Kristin Harmel'Thick with history, scandal, romance and deceit... A truly compulsive read' Mary Kubica'An exuberant thriller laced with sex, art, and history' Alyson Richman'Had me on the edge of my seat' Fiona DavisTrade Review'Thick with history, scandal, romance and deceit ... A truly compulsive read' -- Mary Kubica, NYT-bestselling author of Local Woman Missing'Part thriller, part World War II epic, Woman on Fire is as vibrant as the searing work of art it revolves around' -- Kristin Harmel, NYT-bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars'Barr's vigorous prose complements her fully realized characters. Readers will be gripped' * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *'Woman on Fire is a sharp, propulsive page-turner that will keep readers in suspense' * Booklist *'Part-thriller, part-historical fiction, this book will have you gripping the pages until the very end' * Buzzfeed *'An exuberant thriller laced with sex, art, and history' -- Alyson Richman'Had me on the edge of my seat' -- Fiona Davis

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Book SynopsisHold My Girl picked as 'The best Canadian fiction of 2023' by CBC Books'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain '[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023'This tense and emotional novel follows the fallout after two women's eggs are switched during IVF. ___________TWO WOMEN. ONE BABY. A FIGHT LIKE NO OTHER.Katherine has everything under control. After years of struggling to conceive with her partner, Patrick, she finally gives birth to Rose, her IVF miracle child. But she's afraid that Rose may not be her daughter, her pale skin not matching Katherine's own.Tess never got her happy ending. Just like Katherine, she was also a hopeful IVF mother, but her daughter, Hanna, was stillborn. Now divorced, broke and stuck in a dead-end job, she's beginning to lose all hope.But when Rose is ten months old, both women get a call from the fertility clinic. There was a mistake: their eggs were switched.It will take a custody battle like no other to decide who will get to be Rose's mother - a battle that will push them both to the brink...This is a story about what it means to be a mother, and the lengths we go to for the people we love. ___________'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023''Thoughtful, tense and affecting' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page-turner' Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss, and motherhood' Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy.Trade Review'Raw and affecting ... This book really pulls at the heart-strings' * CultureFly *'Carr gracefully explores the moral dilemma and custody battle ... Fans of The Herd will love it!' * Grazia *'Complex, tender and compelling' * Platinum 'Book of the Month' 5 stars *'[A] tense, emotional story about racial identity, loss and betrayal' * Daily Mail 'Fiction books to watch in 2023' *'Thoughtful, tense and affecting' -- Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push'An absorbing and engaging novel that twists the heart' -- Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy'Breathtakingly taut, unflinching and poignant' -- Marissa Stapley, New York Times bestselling author of LUCKY'Compelling and thought-provoking ... A page turner' -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake'A tender exploration of secrets, loss and motherhood' -- Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black'A future classic' -- Leah Hazard, Sunday Times bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife's Story'Will break your heart' -- Julie Ma, author of Richard and Judy selected debut Happy Families'Beautiful and unflinching' -- Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures'Intensely propulsive ... I was spellbound' -- Heather Marshall, #1 bestselling author of Looking For Jane'An absolute triumph' -- Julianne Maclean, USA Today bestselling author'Tense and captivating ... Will set your heart racing' -- Ronali Collings, author of Love and Other Dramas'A breathtaking, gut-wrencher' -- Kerry Lonsdale, Washington Post and Kindle bestselling author'Holds nothing back' -- Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye'So many twists and turns' -- Christy Ann Conlin, author of The Speed of Mercy'I couldn't have loved it more' -- Joanne Gallant, author of A Womb in the Shape of a Heart'Unforgettable ... A storyteller at the top of her game' -- Barbara Joseelsohn, bestselling author of The Lilac House and The Cranberry Inn'A gripping, thorny premise that explores motherhood and its primal tug. It's twisty and forensic but also wise and moving' -- Beth Morrey, author of Em & Me and the Sunday Times bestseller Saving Missy

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Book SynopsisThe concluding novel in a trilogy that has become a landmark of Palestinian fiction.An Old Carriage with Curtains is the third and final book in a masterful trilogy of novels encompassing the history of the people of the Palestinian village of Zakariyya. The novels trace the wandering trajectories and inner lives of characters connected to this village across decades, as well as the vicissitudes of historical change and displacement in the land. Through the return of a middle-aged man to the site of an ancient monastery in the hills near Jericho that he once visited as a boy, the incredibly vivid and surprising stories of Hind, a stage actress and brilliant storyteller, the stories of tortuous routes of checkpoints and bureaucratic blockages, and decades of Occupation, Zaqtan creates a narrative of personal reckoning and reflection. The vectors of memory and historical reflection interweave in this dreamlike narrative, which delivers a singularly powerful depiction of subjective and collective experience in the face of devastating and sweeping historical change.Trade Review"A poignant piece of autofiction. . . It addresses the constricted past and present of Palestinian life in Area C of the West Bank, with its omnipresent permits and checkpoints, through storylines that channel the ghosts of Zaqtan’s family, friends, and lovers, acknowledged at the beginning of the novel as the narrator is walking in the 'valley of the shadow of death,' in the wadi on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho." * The Markaz Review *

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Book SynopsisAn intensely personal and profoundly moving review of Bonnefoy’s childhood memories. In December 2015, six months before his death at the age of 93, Yves Bonnefoy concluded what was to be his last major text in prose, L’écharpe rouge, translated here as The Red Scarf. In this unique book, described by the poet as "an anamnesis"—a formal act of commemoration—Bonnefoy undertakes, at the end of his life, a profoundly moving exegesis of some fragments written in 1964. These fragments lead him back to an unspoken, lifelong anxiety: “My most troubling memory, when I was between ten and twelve years old, concerns my father, and my anxiety about his silence.” Bonnefoy offers an anatomy of his father’s silence, and of the melancholy that seemed to take hold some years into his marriage to the poet’s mother. At the heart of this book is the ballad of Elie and Hélène, the poet’s parents. It is the story of their lives together in the Auvergne, and later in Tours, seen through the eyes of their son—the solitary boy’s intense but inchoate experience, reviewed through memories of the now elderly man. What makes The Red Scarf indispensable is the intensely personal nature of the material, casting its slant light, a setting sun, on all that has gone before. Trade Review“With The Red Scarf, Bonnefoy makes a breach in the past. But there is nothing merely nostalgic in this magisterial autobiographical essay.” * Le Monde *Table of ContentsThe Red Scarf An ‘Idea for a Story’ Ambeyrac Viazac Toulouse A Spelling Book A Painting by Max Ernst The Silent Third Danaë, the Hyacinth Girl, Balin, the Mask From New Guinea Pierre Jean JouveTwo Stages and Additional Notes Two Stages First Additional Note: An Aid to Understanding Second Additional Note Translator’s Note

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Book SynopsisA kiss, a touch. A smile and a beating heart. Love and sex and dreams, art and drugs and the madness of youth. Betrayal and heartbreak, regret and pain, the melancholy of age. Katerina, James Frey's explosive new novel, is a sweeping love story alternating between 1992 Paris and Los Angeles in 2017.At its centre are a young writer and a young model on the verge of fame, both reckless, impulsive, and deeply in love. Twenty-five years later, the writer is rich, famous and numb, and he wants to drive his car into a tree, when he receives an anonymous message that draws him back to the life, and possibly the love, he abandoned years prior. Written in the same percussive, propulsive, dazzling, breathtaking style as A Million Little Pieces, Katerina echoes and complements that most controversial of memoirs, and plays with the same issues of fiction and reality that created, nearly destroyed, and then recreated James Frey in the global imagination.

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Book Synopsis'A wise and witty drama of small-town life . . . delivering the generous humour, keen ear for dialogue, and deep appreciation for humanity's foibles that have endeared the author to his readers for decades' Publishers WeeklyTen years after the death of the magnetic Donald 'Sully' Sullivan, the town of North Bath is going through a major transition as it is taken over by its much wealthier neighbour, Schuyler Springs. Peter, Sully's son, is still grappling with his father's tremendous legacy as well as his relationship to his own son, Thomas, wondering if he has been all that different a father than Sully was to him.Meanwhile, the towns' newly consolidated police department falls into the hands of Charice Bond following the resignation of Doug Raymer, the former North Bath police chief and Charice's ex-boyfriend. When a decomposing body turns up in the abandoned hotel situated between the two towns, Charice and Raymer are drawn together again and forced to address their complicated attraction to one another. Across town, Ruth, Sully's married ex-lover, struggles to understand her granddaughter, Tina, and her growing obsession with Peter's other son, Will. Amidst the turmoil, the town's residents speculate on the identity of the unidentified body and wonder who among their number could have disappeared unnoticed. Brimming with warmth, wisdom and Russo's signature wry humour, Somebody's Fool is another classic from a modern master of storytelling.Trade ReviewDeliver[s] another triumph about what it is to be deeply flawed and lovable in small-town, upstate New York...quite simply, a fantastic read * Irish Times *Sumptuous, spirited . . . [Russo] paints a shining fresco of a working-class community, warts and all, a 30-year project come to fruition in this last, best book * New York Times *Another instant classic, filled with Russo's witty dialogue and warm understanding of human foibles * People Magazine *A wise and witty drama of small-town life . . . delivering the generous humour, keen ear for dialogue and deep appreciation for humanity's foibles that have endeared the author to his readers for decades * Publishers Weekly *This is Russoville, where the pleasure lies in detail, stealth and inference and its harvest of a series of books that, you suspect, will still be read when more conventionally right-on talents are in the landfill -- D.J. Taylor * Spectator *[Russo] brings depths of pathos and wisdom to this Everyman microcosm by challenging its citizens in unlikely ways, only to have them emerge whole and even heroic. There have never been fools inRusso's world, just lovely, relatable people navigating foolish situations. * Booklist (starred review) *Russo's version of the good old-fashioned comic novel is the gold standard, full of heart and dexterous storytelling * Kirkus Reviews (starred) *Russo is a likeable, unfussy writer, who writes likeable characters, with a few villainous exceptions. The tone is comic or semi-comic and occupies a gentle middle-ground between satire and tragedy -- Benjamin Markovits * TLS *...has sharp observations to make about modern America...[and] uplifting things to say about the power of friendship and the allure of redemption * Independent *This tragicomic tale of small-town American heartbreak hits the spot for anyone left pining by the recent conclusion of Richard Ford's Frank Bascombe novels * Daily Mail *[T]he roguish, ragtag residents of North Bath, New York, still prove a diverting lot, even if you've not previously made their acquaintance...there's never a dull moment * Daily Mail on EVERYBODY'S FOOL *A delightful return . . . to a town where dishonesty abounds, everyone misapprehends everyone else and half the citizens are half-crazy. It's a great place for a reader to visit, and it seems to be Russo's spiritual home. * New York Times on EVERYBODY'S FOOL *The Fool books represent an enormous achievement, creating a world as richly detailed as the one we step into each day of our lives. . . . Sully in particular emerges as one of the most credible and engaging heroes in recent American fiction. -- T.C. Boyle * New York Times Book Review *A madcap romp, weaving mystery, suspense and comedy in a race to the final pages. * Wall Street Journal on EVERYBODY'S FOOL *Richard Russo can write like Edith Wharton leavened with a touch of David Lodge * Economist *A writer of great comedy and warmth, Russo's living proof that a book can be profound and wise without aiming straight into darkness. * USA Today *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE AKUTAGAWA PRIZE'Usami so successfully depicts the consequences of pure obsession' Guardian'Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what it is like to be a teenage girl' Catherine PrasifkaHigh-school student Akari has only one passion in her life: her oshi, her idol. His name is Masaki Ueno, best known as one-fifth of Japanese pop group Maza Maza. Akari's dedication to her oshi consumes her days completely - until he disgraces himself and Akari's world goes into a tailspin.Trade ReviewUsami so successfully depicts the consequences of pure obsession * * Guardian * *[Idol, Burning] cracked a door open into an intense world of obsession . . . essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what it is like to be a teenage girl, where priorities are skewed, emotions are high, and everything feels like it's life or death -- CATHERINE PRASIFKAA vivid depiction of the joys and despairs of teenage fan culture, Idol, Burning is urgent and all-consuming . . . In this passionate and compassionate novel, the voice of teenage desperation sings out -- KATIE HALEA short but mighty novel that sheds a light on the world of superfans, obsession and the dangers of building your identity around a phenomenon that can disappear in a second . . . Usami's novel lifts the lid on the unique world of fandom and 'stan' culture in Japan * * The Skinny * *Compelling and unsettling in equal measure, Idol, Burning is a pitch-perfect insight into how confusing and exhausting modern life can feel to young women today. * * Buzz Magazine * *Idol, Burning is a window into the world of teenage obsession and the dark places it can venture to . . . This is like nothing else I've read * * Red * *Praise for Rin Usami: Pure brilliance -- TOSHIYUKI HORIE, author of THE BEAR AND THE PAVING STONEPoignant -- YOKO OGAWA, author of THE MEMORY POLICE[Usami's] writing is extremely fresh and she has high literary ability -- Akutagawa Prize Judges

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Book Synopsis'A gleeful, page-flipping read . . . One you'll be glad to take a ringside seat for' Observer'A rollicking historical novel' Daily MailAnnie Perry is born beside the coal-muddied canals of the Black Country at the height of the industrial revolution. When her father dies, her Romi family can no longer afford to keep her, and at nine years old she is sold for six guineas to the famous and feared bare-knuckle boxer Bill Perry, the Tipton Slasher.Bill is starting to lose his strength but insists he has one last fight in him. In fear for his life, Annie steps into the ring, fists raised in his defence. From that moment on, she will fight - for Bill and for her future.A whole new world opens up for Annie, one of love, fortune, family and education, but also of danger. One wrong move, one misstep, and the course of her life will be changed for ever.Trade ReviewA punchy historical yarn . . . [Kitson] has a fine time with Annie and the Slasher - warm, memorable creations who come punching off the page . . . Featherweight transports the reader to the tough, rapidly industrialising world of the 19th-century Black Country, with its old canals and new railways, the soot of the forges and strikes at the nail factories, via lushly detailed, rhythmical descriptions . . . A gleeful, page-flipping read . . . A rollicking tale, one you'll be glad to take a ringside seat for * * Observer * *Annie is a lively, appealing character and there is plenty more to enjoy in Kitson's narrative * * Sunday Times, Best New Historical Fiction * *A no-holds-barred portrait of an English town despoiled by the Industrial Revolution * * New York Times * *A rollicking historical novel set in the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution . . . Offers plenty to enjoy * * Daily Mail * *Kitson creates a Dickensian flavour through Black Country dialogue, a strong sense of place (a smut-blackenedindustrial town), and colourful characterisation. Detailed descriptions of what goes on in the ring add suspense . . . Readers will love rooting for this great little fighter who easily punches above her weight . . . Compelling * * Booklist * *A wonderful novel . . . The themes of Kitson's plot also revolve around themes of rejection, lost hope, vulnerability. But in Annie it also shows us a strong woman, way ahead of her time who decides she can also turn her hand (or fists) to pugilism * * NB Magazine * *Praise for Sal: Kitson writes clearly and concisely . . . Sal is an ambitious and skilled novel. Literature needs more stories like this -- JENNI FAGAN * * Guardian * *Daring and original . . . Manages to feel both contemporary and timeless, both heart-rending and uplifting * * Observer * *Just wonderful. A breath of fresh air in a book. Sal is a story with incredible heart, told so beautifully and with such clarity and grace I can hardly believe it's a debut! I loved it -- JOANNA CANNON, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEPSal is an inspiring novel that feels honest and fastidious. It introduces the theme of redemption and fresh beginnings without shying from the awful truth * * Financial Times * *

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Book Synopsis'Both a work of lyrical imagination and a warning about the dangers we will face unless we take immediate action' New Yorker 'An artist's ardent plea for change' Kirkus This earth that we love is in grave danger because of us. Forests are becoming legends, rare as unicorns... If we continue to live as we do now, there will be no world left for us to fix, Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri argues in this evocative collection. He imagines messages – sent to us from beyond the end, from those who saw it coming – exhorting us to change now. Combining fiction, essay and poetry, Tiger Work displays Okri’s classic blend of storytelling, fantasy and magic.Trade ReviewAn artist's ardent plea for change * Kirkus *Approaches the potential cataclysm of climate change from many perspectives in this multi-genre collection, which is both a work of lyrical imagination and a warning about the dangers we will face unless we take immediate action. * New Yorker *PRAISE FOR BEN OKRI: 'Ben Okri is that rare thing, a literary and social visionary, a writer for whom all three – literature, culture and vision – are profoundly interwoven' Ali Smith. 'Where fiction's master of enchantments stares down a real horror, and without blinking or flinching, produces a work of beauty, grace and uncommon power' Marlon James on The Freedom Artist. 'Okri's rhythmic, folk tale-like prose is beguiling.' Sunday Times on The Freedom Artist. 'Okri's otherworldly literary approach has produced masterpieces.' Independent on Sunday. 'Okri's writing has a light-as-air elegance, yet its seriousness keeps the stories gravity-bound.' * New Statesman on The Magic Lamp *

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Book SynopsisA collection of twenty-two disturbing tales of crime and suspense from literary icon Joyce Carol Oates, author of Blonde and 'America's preeminent fiction writer' (New Yorker). Two hitmen in a depressed rust belt town struggle with a job gone wrong. A girl witnesses a horrifying accident and carries it with her for the rest of her life. Medical students bring a severed foot to a college party. Five-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Joyce Carol Oates has made a career of exploring the forbidden corners of human experience, and the stories collected here, spanning her first three decades as a writer, are among her most unsettling and unforgettable works to date. Originally published in long out-of-print volumes, these tales have not appeared in any form this century – until now. They show a writer boldly engaging with disturbing truths and terrifying possibilities, and deconstructing the tropes and expectations of traditional prose writing as she does so. But beyond their stylistic ingenuity, these are creepy, suspenseful stories that cut straight to the bone; their darkness will linger long after the final page is turned. A must-read for long-time fans of Joyce Carol Oates and an excellent introduction for the uninitiated. Reviews for Joyce Carol Oates: 'Oates chillingly depicts the darkness lurking within the everyday.' Sunday Express 'Both haunting and sublime.' Literary Review 'Splendidly chilling.' Financial Times 'Visceral, psychologically involving, and socially astute.' BooklistTrade ReviewThemed around crime and suspense, it veers towards the gothic * Vogue *PRAISE FOR JOYCE CAROL OATES: 'A writer of extraordinary strengths' Guardian. 'Oates chillingly depicts the darkness lurking within the everyday' Sunday Express. 'A sense of helplessness is the essence of horror, and Oates conveys that feeling as well as any writer around' New York Times. 'Oates is simply the most consistently inventive, brilliant, curious and creative writer going, as far as I'm concerned' -- Gillian Flynn

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Book SynopsisOn their final day at Oakwood Primary two talented pupils, Sam Martin, the best in school at sport, and Charlie Woods, its brightest academic prospect, go head to head in the Year 6 fifty metre dash. It is a day neither of them will forget. Afterwards, they go their separate ways to different schools. Charlie achieves her goal of gaining a place to read engineering at Imperial College London and Sam fulfils his dream of winning a professional rugby contract but struggles with the physical and mental pressures inherent in playing sport for a living. When life changing events bring the two together again, can the spark of friendship that Sam and Charlie felt when they were young be rekindled? A story of loss, love, frustrated ambitions and shattered hopes unfolds as they strive to overcome their emotional and physical challenges.

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Book SynopsisWhere would we be without our memories? And what memories would we have without our relationships? From the swinging 60s to the early 2000s, five friends explore life and love to the full. Once part of Alexander’s Relations, a short-lived pop group, the band reunites after decades to celebrate one member’s 60th birthday. Beginning in a nondescript suburb, onto swinging London and hedonistic getaways to the Costa Dorada and Provence, their outlooks on life and relationships with each other change and grow over the years. An achingly real, nostalgic tale of life, friendship and love that flows from the innocence of flower power to the era of the internet, Alexander’s Relations echoes the voices of a generation.

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Book SynopsisElisabeth’s autism never holds her back unless someone or something disturbs the natural order of her world. Alejandra doesn’t recognise how she has changed, nor had she considered that her husband was a narcissist until she can’t ignore it anymore. Mary Ann lives like a caged bird, through choice and circumstance. She is unable to see further than this but is finally beginning to question her life. Giuseppe longs to escape his homeland, but his health and his mother are holding him back, or is that just an excuse he uses not to change? Clayton is nearing the end of his life and decides he needs to right the wrongs in his family while he still thinks he has time. Annchi doesn’t know much about the wider world, she doesn’t even know the truth of her own world. She doesn’t know it yet but will find out more than she could ever conceive of. Then Covid hits. Six people in five countries are unknowingly and inextricably linked. Love, hate, life, and death. Relationships are put to the test, deceptions are revealed, secrets are kept, lies are constructed. Help is at hand from the least expected sources, but hope is what they all have. All they each wanted was the gift of time, but this wasn’t what they imagined.

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Book SynopsisOne year into the task of putting University London Central back on its feet, trouble-shooting Vice-Chancellor Professor Clifford Conquest is battling those who, ‘in dribs and drabs, defraud my students of the education they deserve’. His political star is in the ascendant and the ambition to be an important figure of the Centre Left in a reformed Labour party comes closer. But no! His aim is threatened by the forces of the Rising Left – not least on his governing body – bent on displacing the Centre Left. Both factions regard universities as their intellectual stronghold in danger of becoming a plaything of the Right. When a magnetic couple from the world of cinema attend Graduation Day, Conquest’s ambitions for The New University are given renewed impetus. Complications are rife. A student comes to a sticky end, raising questions about the university’s ability to assess risk. A literary endowment causes strife. The value of arcane research fields is called into question and professors revolt. Can Conquest fight off the doctrinaire forces of the Rising Left determined to derail his ambitions? Like any Public Sector samurai, he dons a fresh suit and takes the fight to his enemies. Will Higher Education be reborn? Can he out-connive the connivers? Do the polemical hardliners out-fox him? Even in his darkest hour there are glimpses of stardust; ideals to guide him onwards. For one driven by the highest motives success is truly glorious, even if threatened by the occasional fumble!

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Book SynopsisThe book contains six stories and a novella. The short stories vary from the falling in love by a miner thwarted by a terrible accident, to the criminal behaviour of a long distance lorry driver and how he seeks redemption. The novella, The Tip of the Iceberg, is about corruption and how it insinuates itself into the lives of families, friends and lovers. Set in contemporary London we follow a group of people brought together at a mediation to resolve a financial dispute. Ella, a well meaning and naive mediator, is sexually attracted to Jim who sees himself as the wronged party in the dispute. During the mediation, the defendant, Alexander, reveals a past link with Jim which leads to a shocking outcome. Ignoring the warning from her senior colleague Chas, Ella becomes increasingly drawn into the life of Jim and his family, their political and financial activities. When his father, an MP, disappears, missing a crucial planning meeting, Ella and Chas support Jim in his efforts to find him. Despite her gradual realization that Jim’s business activities are suspect, Ella becomes more involved and finds her own values challenged. His fiancée, Julia, is deeply hurt by his defection to Ella and works towards her revenge as she seeks to destroy her career as a mediator. The event which affected Jim and Alexander years ago continues to influence their lives as each of them struggle with new and painful relationships. An opportunity arises for Ella to help Jim, if she can face the challenge.

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Book SynopsisFor over forty years, former band members of Generation 27, a briefly successful band in the late seventies, have been haunted by the shadows of the group's collapse. Stephen is weighed down by guilt, Philip blames everyone else for his fall from stardom, while Martin battles addiction and illness. Only when strangely familiar figures emerge from those shadows is each of them forced to confront their loss and regret. The past really is a foreign country, but how will the three friends navigate their way from there to the future?

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She had everything she ever wanted – apart from love.As the wife of a wealthy but cruel businessman, Mona has all her heart desires: money, friends, social status… everything aside from freedom.Reconnecting with old friend, Meera, introduces her to a world of glamour, parties and covert affairs. And when she meets Ali, a young man whose beautiful exterior hides the pain of his humble roots and family tragedy, Mona feels alive for the very first time.Heady with love, Mona and Ali begin a delicate game of deceit that spirals out of control. But in a world where danger lurks on every corner, their forbidden love may not only destroy Mona’s marriage, but have tragic and long-lasting consequences.A captivating tale of love and loss, set against a backdrop of contemporary Pakistan that fans of Christy Lefteri and Lucinda Riley will love.Praise for Awais Khan:‘So powerful’ Heat magazine‘Deeply emotional’ Eastern Eye‘Beautifully rendered, moving and insightful' Neema Shah‘A stunningly written, immensely important book’ A. A. Chaudhuri‘Made me stop and think on so many occasions… A thought provoking and challenging read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Thought provoking, compelling and exquisitely beautiful, I’m not ashamed to say I cried more than once. Don’t miss it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I was captivated by the characters… The ending is both unexpected and satisfying.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Unutterably moving throughout… I was incredibly impressed with this book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A perfect balance of passion, humanity and scandal, I loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An absolute page turner! Beautifully written…What a story! I didn’t want the tale to end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'One of the most striking crime novels of the year.' Daily MailA murdered schoolteacher. A police force under attack. A teen hiding secrets beneath silence.When a body is discovered at an abandoned Suffolk farm, DS Rob Minshull and the squad believes it’s the latest casualty of the drugs war terrorising rural communities. But when the victim is identified as a well-respected local teacher, the case is thrown wide open.While they hunt the murderer, the South Suffolk CID team face a new threat. A brutal vigilante group dispensing their own twisted justice puts the investigation in grave danger, as well as the detectives.Educational psychologist, Dr Cora Lael, is called in to work with Lottie Arundel, a troubled teen who stopped speaking a year ago.As Cora enters Lottie’s world, it seems that the teen’s silence might hold the key to the case. But as Cora and Rob work together to find a vicious killer, it’s clear that uncovering Lottie’s secrets will take Cora and Rob into the most dangerous of places – where the price to pay for the truth might be death…A twisty, utterly unputdownable crime thriller - if you like James Oswald or LJ Ross, you'll love this.Praise for MJ White:‘Cora is a character you won’t forget.’ Steve Cavanagh, author of The Devil’s Advocate‘Had me gripped from the moment I started reading it! One of the best thrillers of 2022.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An unusual premise and an engaging cast of characters. I flew through it.’ Mari Hannah, author of Her Last Request and Without a Trace‘A corker of a debut with a brilliantly drawn main character.’ Simon Toyne, author of Solomon Creed‘Gripping, full of twists and unpredictability that had me guessing until the end. I couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I was well and truly hooked…The writing was well researched, the storyline gripping, and the characters were spot on!…This was fantastic! Would definitely recommend!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was excellent… There were many twists and I loved the plot development…I will pick up anything by this author in the future!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow! What a fantastic story…I read it in a day, just couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Suspense, intrigue, great police work and a great storyline! It definitely had my heart pumping!’ Reader Review‘Truly could not put this down… so many twists and turns… Great characters who are also believable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Touchingly compassionate, desperately exciting and achingly well-written…a superlative crime novel’ Rob Parker, author of Far From The Tree

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Book Synopsis'Grips from the first page. An emotive thriller which I couldn't put down.' Carys Jones, author of We Are All LiarsWhat would you hide to get everything you ever wanted?After years of infertility and heartbreak, Hannah and Charlie are finally going to get their dream family. Two-year-old Isabelle is a week away from being theirs; they just have to get through the final adoption approval process.But when a global popstar is found murdered at the celebrity members’ club in their sleepy Oxfordshire village, Hannah fears her past is finally catching up with her. Exposing the truth could see her lose everything… her husband, Isabelle – perhaps even her life.But Hannah doesn’t realise that Charlie has his own secrets, and, in trying to save her, has put them more at risk than she ever thought possible. As the couple get drawn in further to the murky world of celebrity and murder, they soon find themselves caught in a nightmare, forced to make terrible choices.How many bad things will a good person do to hold onto what they love?A twisty, utterly addictive psychological thriller that fans of Adele Parks and Lisa Jewell won't be able to put down. 'An irresistible setting, some truly killer secrets and a complex emotional heart.' Holly Seddon, author of The Woman on the Bridge'A pacy yet heartbreaking thriller...Fabulous read.' L.V. Matthews, author of The Twins'Beautifully written and brimming with secrets. I loved it.' Louise Jensen, author of All For You‘I thoroughly enjoyed this novel – Flynn has without a doubt cemented her place in this genre.’ Meera Shah, author of Her'A tense, emotional thriller with complex but relatable characters, and an agonising dilemma that grips from the first page.' Sarah Clarke, author of A Mother Never LiesReaders can't get enough of the secrets hidden in If They Knew:‘Honest, relatable and compelling. The plot unfolds perfectly…a must read! It truly is a book worthy of all the stars.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Kept me on my toes the entire time… trust me, this is one you're gonna want to pick up.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I guzzled this book up in 48 hours, absolutely loved it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Incredible and immensely enjoyable thriller. I could not stop reading.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A fantastically written psychological thriller…kept me hooked and guessing until the very end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘What a wild ride! I couldn't put this down…a rollercoaster of emotion and drama.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Incredible thriller that immediately pulls the reader into the plot.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewPraise for Sophie Flynn:‘A splendidly twisty psychological mystery’ Daily Mail‘Expertly paced and totally compelling…a bruising exploration of motherhood and family secrets.’ Anna Bailey, author of Tall Bones‘A terrifying, twisty thriller in which seemingly no one can be trusted. Very cleverly written - I raced through this. Highly recommended.’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet‘I sped through Keep Them Close…before being slammed by an ending I didn’t see coming. Nuanced and pacey, this is a must-read.’ Polly Phillips, author of The ReunionThe very definition of a page-turner, but also heartbreaking and relatable - a real rollercoaster of a read’ Charlotte Duckworth, author of The Perfect Father

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Book Synopsis'Layers of secrets are gradually peeled back in this brilliantly absorbing tale.' Marion Todd, author of Old Bones LieDarkness lies at the heart of this family…In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers – Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?A twisty, chilling and unputdownable page-turner about family secrets, perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas and Harriet Evans.Praise for The Shadows of Rutherford House:‘An absorbing tale of dark family secrets…It holds the reader in suspense with an intricately woven plot’ Heather Burnside, author of Guilt‘An absolutely riveting multi-generational drama with gasp-out-loud twists I never saw coming!’ J.M. Hewitt, author of The Life She Wants‘A gripping gothic thriller with a compelling cast of characters’ Stephanie Sowden, author of After Everything You Did'The secrets and twists of this intriguing tale kept me turning the pages well into the night.' Amanda Brittany, author of I’m Watching You‘I flew through this book, which hits the spot perfectly for the colder, darker nights. A moody Yorkshire mystery in which I pictured a lot of the men as modern day Heathcliffs and Rutherford House as a twentieth-century Wuthering Heights, I couldn’t put it down.’ Caroline Corcoran, author of What Happened on Floor 34?'Atmospheric, with a cast of creepy characters' Stephen Edger, author of The Prodigal Mother‘This book was so deliciously creepy! I devoured it in one sitting! It had me hooked from the first page.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'My jaw literally dropped at the ultimate twist!...Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read this year.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I was absolutely dumbfounded by the ending that was so freakin' satisfying and jaw-dropping!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'The twist at the end had me stunned' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'One of the best books I’ve read recently!...would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys mysteries and thrillers!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'If you want a story that has more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this is it.' Reader Review'I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. A gothic thriller with so many great twists' Reader Review

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Book SynopsisPenny is not living her best life.Her job is far from thrilling and her long-term boyfriend shows no sign of wanting to commit.She has just turned fifty and is going nowhere.Wanting a new start, Penny applies for a job as cabin crew, to find out if she can push herself out of her comfort zone.Her new job brings the adventure she craves, even if she does keep bumping into impossibly handsome but deeply annoying pilot, Matt Garcia.Stuck in Paris on an unscheduled stopover, the chemistry between them grows. But the path of love never did fly smooth, as Matt’s past threatens to come between them.Beside which, Penny is not looking for love. But what if love finds her?A romantic, uplifting and inspirational read all about taking chances later in life – fans of Milly Johnson and Sandy Barker will love this!Readers are falling in love with Fly Me to Paris:‘Romantic, hilarious, beautifully written…I did not want it to finish…My happy book!...I loved it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Delightful…relatable characters and issues. I loved the descriptions of Paris…made me feel like I was there. This was a brilliant, uplifting, light-hearted read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘What a wonderful book this is. Helga writes from the heart and this book is set in Paris, the city of romance. A lovely, light summery read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘It was a very engaging book to read, and this author did something different with romance. I would pick up another book by Helga in a heartbeat.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘What a lovely story about love, loss and finding yourself and never being too old to change anything. I loved how this story was about an older person … This is a special story and would love to see these characters again, I love them.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Loved this book’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was a real feel-good read… I loved it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘It had a beautiful setting and the characters were relatable…The story made you think that it’s not too late to make a fresh start, regardless of your age…I highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewPraise for Helga Jensen:‘I simply couldn’t put this down. I laughed out loud several times before I’d even finished the first chapter.’ Jules Wake‘A joyous tale of rediscovering your dreams, love and sense of self. Sheer fun and absolute UpLit!’ Pernille Hughes‘I love this book so much! All I wanted was for it not to end! It’s right there on my top romcoms list now.’ Natalie Normann‘A charming, funny story… Ideal sunshine reading.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘I loved every page and still think about the characters… lots of laugh-out-loud moments to be enjoyed’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A beautiful story…well worth 5 stars and I recommend this great summer read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow, just wow…It’s funny, cute and romantic and that twist…What more can you ask for?’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Such a cute read I read it in one sitting. This book had me smiling.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Whilst I’m feeling a bit lost now I’ve finished it, I’m left with a lovely warm feeling… I can’t recommend it highly enough’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘What a beautiful story…An absolute gem, I couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'An utterly compelling, atmospheric, twisty domestic suspense novel that packs a real emotional punch.' Alice HunterThe perfect life. The perfect home. But at what price?Introspective Ruth Parker is desperate for love and attention. Overlooked as a child by her cold and critical mother, her pain manifests in loneliness and a crippling lack of self-esteem. When glamorous actress ‘Aunt’ Vanessa, her mother’s childhood friend, shows an interest in her, Ruth basks in the blinding light of her attention.Once Ruth escapes to university in London, Aunt Vanessa invites her to Wilton Place, her stunning Belgravia residence. As she blossoms under Vanessa’s guidance, Ruth finds herself torn between student life and the hypnotic, luxurious confines of Wilton Place. Belgravia wins out, but when Ruth explores the gloomy attic of her new home and finds a hidden, locked door, she discovers that Vanessa is hiding the darkest of secrets from her childhood, secrets that threaten everything Ruth knew about her own mother.How far will Ruth go to find the truth - and how much does she really want to know?A twisty, Gothic-inspired chiller that fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas and Kathleen McGurl will love.Readers can't put down The Attic at Wilton Place:'I loved The Attic at Wilton Place. The wonderful writing and characterisation drew me in instantly, as did the hint of secrets soon to be revealed. A satisfying read - highly recommended!' Elisabeth Carpenter‘I loved it so much and couldn’t put it down. First class story, first class character development. Everything I relish in a novel.' Amanda Robson‘Brilliantly addictive and absorbing, with that perfect touch of darkness I have come to expect from this author. I devoured it in an evening!’ D.E. White‘This book was easily one of the best I’ve read in the last few years … the story kept me hooked ... I struggled to put it down … The twist at the end where her motives are revealed were not what I was expecting at all… ’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Another suspense-filled book by C E Rose. I literally could not put it down … I can definitely recommend this book, with it's Gothic feel.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Heart-pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I thoroughly loved this book. The characters were wonderful and very easy to identify with. I would definitely recommend … and I have bought several of this author’s books.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘C.E. Rose is a marvellous storyteller. With terrific characterization and a well drawn plot this is another well written, compelling read that I had trouble putting down. Highly recommended…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow! … It was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who has a mother.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This is a unique, different story which I love. The characters were well written … I was very Impressed with C E Rose’s storytelling … Definitely worth a read …’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A real page-turner full of dark secrets and mysteries to unravel.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Honestly, I’m at a loss for words … It was a whole thrilling entire experience. CE Rose got me hooked from the very start with this plot…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'An absolutely brilliant read with well crafted characters, a fabulous plot and the most wonderful happily every after!' Katie GingerA purrfect cure for lonely humans awaitsFive strangers meet at a cat sanctuary after each facing difficulties in their lives – leading them to the calming nature of the feline refuge.Sasha is struggling with the heartbreak of her past and is trying to forge a new life out of a difficult childhood.Paul has worked hard to break free from a controlling relationship and is ready to find real love.Luke is searching for his biological parents, desperate to discover the answers about his life he so fiercely needs.Anna finds solace from her troubled mind in animal therapy, and lastly, Mim, the social butterfly who no one expects is hiding a secret pain.Brought together by their love for cats, these very different people might just find friendship is in the last place any of them expected…Fans of Lindsey Kelk, Mike Gayle and Clare Pooley will love this uplifting story of how our feline friends can bring us together and banish loneliness.Readers are falling in love with The Cosy Cat Society:‘An adorable, cozy read full of kitties and a lovely happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed the sweetness!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I absolutely adored the characters in this book. The story line was absolutely amazing as well. I just loved this book all the way around!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was a delightful book - it warmed my heart, and I kept smiling as I was reading…This is definitely the type of book that I would choose on a day when I need cheering up.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘As a cat owner and a cat lover this book was right up my street…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A feel-good “tail”…I enjoyed the story of these human and feline characters…’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Fiction that captures all facets of life as so many of us live it. The sheer amount of topics that this book touches on all wrapped up in a theme of animal therapy is amazing.' Reader ReviewReaders love Charlie Lyndhurst’s gorgeously uplifting fiction:‘I’m in awe of how Charlie Lyndhurst manages to tease out the extraordinary from ordinary lives and make me like every single character.’ Sue Moorcroft, author of Summer at the French Café‘An often witty, thoroughly charming and touching page-turner that was an absolute delight from start to finish.’ Virginia Heath, author of Never Fall for Your Fiancée‘This was a truly beautiful book to read…full of emotion, hope and joy.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Touched my heart in the best possible way…I honestly cannot recommend The Lonely Hearts Lido Club enough. I AM SO IN LOVE.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Well written with layered and likable characters. So glad I found this gem. My favorite read of the year, I am recommending to everyone I know.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The writing is beautiful, the characters rich, and the storyline keeps you wanting to turn the pages long into the night.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Perfect meet cutes, great characters, a few laughs, and of course that HEA that checks all the feelgood boxes’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this enchanting novel…It is a fun, heartwarming novel and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisThe wolves of Odin escort a Norman noblewoman to her wedding in France, but there are plenty who object to the union, and will not hold their peace…AD 1044. All eyes are on the marriage of Beatrix de Hautville to Armand de Mortain. The union could calm a tense political situation in Normandy: a young, illegitimate nobleman called William is vying for the ducal throne, and making plenty of enemies along the way.One of these is Beatrix’s elder brother, Serlo, and it is hoped the joining of the two families will cool his anger.Halfdan and the wolves of Odin are bound for stormy political seas. Will they be able to navigate the currents, or will they be drawn into a brutal family feud?Packed with political machinations in the pursuit of power, this adventure is perfect for fans of Giles Kristian.

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Book SynopsisShe lives in their dreams. They die in hers.Nothing good can grow in the forgotten town of Bedford. After the closure of the paper mill, the town has become a wasteland. A decade of layoffs has caused a collective bitterness, leading many inhabitants to alcoholism, crime and abuse. The worst symptom, however, is the nightmare they all share every single night.Susan Marley haunts their dreams. The object of derision, lust and fear, she wanders the town barefoot, never saying a word. But when she dies, betrayed by life one final time, Bedford begins to suffer horrors far more terrifying than any vision.What dark secrets has Susan Marley been keeping?And why has she come back?For fans of A. M. Shine and Rebecca Netley, The Keeper is a chilling small-town horror from Bram Stoker Award winner Sarah Langan.'Inhabits the mind like a dark, lingering smoke' Jack Ketchum, author of Offspring'Sarah Langan combines a genuinely poetic sensibility with a taste for horror's most bravura excesses' Peter Straub, author of Ghost Story

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Book SynopsisOn his twelfth birthday, Billy Martinez implored his mother to gift him an Airedale. On the assurances of responsibilities made to her, she grants the wishes of her son. Billy named the puppy ''Henry''. When Henry came into Billy''s life, he gave all his attention and energy to him and as a result became an inseparable part of Billy''s life. The unconditional love that Henry had for Billy only grew as time passed. He showered love on him when he used to return from school, played with him at the park, chased jackrabbits in Sierra Nevada. It was during these chases Billy came to realise the hunting skills of Henry. Henry then helped Billy in overcoming the racist school bullying and by being a reliable partner in running treks. In this heart-warming account of Henry''s time with Billy, we come across many such occasions when the bond between a human and his best friend is experienced.

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Book SynopsisNessie learns to fly a Cessna before she has her car licence. After studying aeronautical engineering at Sydney University, with her best friend, Corinne, Nessie joins the Air Force and meets her future husband Phillip, the son of an English duke, while she is doing her officer training at Point Cook, an outer suburb of Melbourne. Throughout her teens and early adult life, Nessie discovers that for her, love is not confined to one person, or one gender. Nessie achieves her goal of flying Caribou aircraft at Richmond Air Base, west of Sydney, but her pleasant life with Phillip which culminates with the birth of their son, Andy, is imperilled by the arrival from England of Henry Boyd, Phillip''s childhood friend and Henry''s stunning wife, Maggie.

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Book SynopsisOut of characterOut of reachOut of touchOut of the blueWalking away from any smileWondering how to write the perfect Ode to youChildhood is like lightning in a bottle, stored in the depths of this empyrean cocoon of memory, destined to eventually, inevitably become this dusty, fading abstract, chimerical mirage.Martial Sillons and May Sissy Misniwill meet in Rocky Tank Town in 1968. Their stories move between those early days and 2012. They move away from each other, and back together. They feel the impact of their formidable mothers, Mindy, and Marcia. The book shows how their lives take drastic turns, including an encounter with a bear!Welcome To Rocky Tank Town is a poetic ballad-like coming-of-age love letter to childhood, motherhood, and nostalgia. 

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Book SynopsisThere is a profound lesson in the reality of death and our accursed capacity to forget. Leaving the past behind isn''t simply a strategy for coping with life. It is the inevitable course of nature. Save for the great library in the heart of every cell and the words of bards and poets mingled and confused in the glare of history, very little remains to testify of all that was. This forgetting is a kind of forgiveness, perhaps the most perfect of all. Matter lives and dies countless times but restlessly reincarnates through the food chain without complaint, a picture of unconditional love. We are taught to make as much of ourselves as we can. In truth, we find joy in gradually, painfully, getting over ourselves. Our greatest joys are not in a frozen moment but in transformation. We are all in the process of escaping ourselves, bargaining with ourselves, looking outside ourselves, growing despite ourselves, dying to others, dying to ourselves, and dying. 

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Book SynopsisWhen war breaks out in Britain, Nell Whitaker is sent to live with her aunt on a remote farm in Anglesey.She sorely misses thriving Liverpool but slowly begins to embrace country life. Nell even finds herself growing closer to Auntie Kath whose harsh attitude hides a kind heart.But when personal tragedy strikes, Nell's world crumbles around her.Can a blossoming friendship with Hywell, a boy from the neighbouring village, allow Nell to overcome her past and enjoy a brighter future?

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Book SynopsisWinner of the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction AwardBest Book of the Year - New York Public Library, Cosmopolitan, Independent Book Review'Pickhart's story is powerful, boldly imaginative, rich in history and feeling, charged with events that have occurred since it was written - and which summon up the same force of the history that compelled an American author to write about this "foreign land".' The Times2014 Kyiv, Ukraine. The city is poised on a knife-edge as tensions mount around a corrupt government's increasing ties to Russia. As protests erupt across the city, the fates of four individuals come together. Katya is a Ukrainian-American doctor stationed at a makeshift medical clinic treating wounded protesters; Misha is an engineer originally from Pripyat, near Chernobyl, grieving the death of his wife; Slava is a fiery young activist whose past hardships steel her determination; Aleksandr Ivanovich, a former KGB agent, climbs atop a burned-out bus at Independence Square and plays the piano.In this dazzling, inventive debut novel - set during the 'Revolution of Dignity' - Kalani Pickhart weaves together a rich tapestry of voices to create a moving story about beauty, love and survival during tumultuous times.Trade ReviewPowerful debut ... an impressive feat of empathy ... a rich, multilayered story [that] will resonate with a wide range of readers, and provide illuminating insight for those hoping to learn more about the current conflict. * Guardian *Pickhart's story is powerful, boldly imaginative, rich in history and feeling, charged with events that have occurred since it was written - and which summon up the same force of the history that compelled an American author to write about this "foreign land". * The Times *An innovative and compelling debut... I Will Die in a Foreign Land is an illuminating and worthwhile read. * The Irish Times *This bighearted novel generously portrays the unforgettable set of characters through their determination to face oppression. It's a stunner. * Publishers Weekly, Starred review *Simply breathtaking in its scope. Pickhart's storytelling is flawless with nothing gratuitous or superfluous. She has taken a large, complex subject and rendered it both tragic and tender by reminding the reader that in the end, the individual life touched by conflict is what really matters. * New York Journal of Books *

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Book SynopsisJohn and Adele have been together for over two decades and have a son. Their relationship has been on a downhill trajectory for many years. One evening, en route to their annual holiday destination, they run out of fuel in a remote location. To whom can they go for assistance? Suddenly, in the darkness, their lives take an unexpected turn. They meet three mysterious but benevolent strangers who offer to help them. In observing Adele and John, they pose to the couple an unusual challenge that seeks to address the core problems in their marriage. John and Adele find the proposal odd but intriguing. While it may have advantages, it could be risky and dangerous. But unresolved emotions and unhealed wounds, as well as long-buried memories can also have hazardous and unpredictable consequences. Will they dare to accept this challenge or not? This unique novel, while aimed at taking a fresh perspective on relationships, is uplifting, relaxing, and is meant to be enjoyed.

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Book SynopsisA young girl, anonymous and ignored, sits through a cold, hard west-country winter, scrounging for change and a warm place to sleep. Ghosts of Spring explores one girl's desire to transcend the limits of her environment and forge a new life against all the odds.Trade Review'In this carefully observed and deeply moving story about urban homelessness, Carrasco shows the daily challenge and terror of living on the streets. A powerful read - a story we should all empathise with.' Claire Fuller - author of Unsettled Ground & winner of the Costa Novel Award 2021. ; 'This harsh tale of an unnamed young woman living on the very edge of society is told so delicately and with such deftness it results in a very affecting read with a main character who lingers long after the story ends. It takes a lot of skill to be able to write a difficult subject in this way, and with moments of humour and of hope too. Luis Carrasco clearly has that skill - he is a wonderful writer.' Sharon Duggal - author of Should We Fall Behind.

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Book SynopsisNearly 10,000 young people in Scotland are homeless. Some we see on the streets, thousands more are 'hidden' - sofa surfing, in B&Bs and living in unsafe homes. Every one of them has their own story to tell. For 30 years Rock Trust has been listening to their stories and helping them find a home. In All the Way Home, some of Scotland's leading authors have come together with young people to mark this anniversary of Rock Trust's urgent, ongoing work. Across first-hand accounts, poetry and fiction, this anthology brings to life the visible and invisible realities of home and homelessness, of family and belonging.

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Book SynopsisSharing stories of myths, legends and ancient bogs, a deaf child and her grandmother experiment with the lyrical beauty of sign language. Learning to communicate through their shared love of trees they find solace in the shapes and susurrations of leaves in the wind. A poignant tale of family bonding and the quiet acceptance of change.Trade Review'Evocative, carefully crafted and full of heart, What Willow Says explores a very special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Weaving together myth, magic and beautiful depictions of the natural world Buckle takes you on a captivating journey through a very private world.';(Jan Carson - author of The Fire Starters and winner of the EU Prize for Literature); 'This is a beautiful, lyrical love story between a grandmother and granddaughter - between the human and the other than human - between the known and the unknown. Birds and echoes, loss and language - trees and bog, myth and memory - family and folklore, existence and elegy; this quiet story is as exquisitely sculpted as bog oak, and will - like the storms it tells of - leave traces deep inside of you. A moving, delicate book for this moment.';(Kerri ni Dochartaigh - author of Thin Places); 'A powerful, moving book...Every sentence, phrase and word is worth savouring.';(Estelle Birdy - The Irish Independent)

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Book Synopsis"Ultimately we're all alone ... I have a lot of friends but there are some things no friend can share" Solitude can mean freedom. Or it can mean being in a crowd and knowing how impossible it is to truly share another's thoughts. Original and compelling, this is an intimate study of the human experience of isolation. Unforgettable fiction from TV and radio scriptwriter Michael Bartlett (The Archers, BBC Radio Drama)

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Book SynopsisFreedom of movement wasn't always an alien concept to the British. Flower Factory tells of an English seasonal worker going to live and work in the Netherlands at the turn of the millennium. These psyched-out remembrances are set in the Bollenstreek of South Holland, an area that produces flower bulbs by the billion. Casual workers from all over Europe created their own ecosystem of squats, parties and alternative living practices around the working seasons, raving hard and living for the weekly pay packet. In the year 2000 it seemed nothing would change in this free-and-easy land, but the narrator witnessed the last beating of the 24 Hour Party drum. Featuring original line illustrations by the author, this surreally comic and immersive novel is a dreamlike snapshot of life in Europe just two decades ago: the book shines a lurid light on a world that's difficult to recognise today.Trade Review'This book is an important slice of social and cultural history ... Richard Foster is the greatest thing to come out of Accrington since the construction of the M66.' JOHN DORAN - THE QUIETUS; 'England's least conformist culture writer serves up an anti-memoir of a brief - previously untold - moment in Great Britain's shared double Dutch history. Millennium, immigration, utopia, work, weirdness - and barely a tulip in sight.' FERGAL KINNEY - THE GUARDIAN, THE FACE; 'A crucial text to understand Europe's hidden reverse.' LOUD AND QUIET

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Book SynopsisAda is haunted by her yearning for Istanbul and by the scars of a nightlong interrogation following her arrest at the Gezi Park protests. Now in London temping at an art fair, she meets Lucian, an eccentric, charming but burnt-out gallerist. Since his divorce, Lucian has been relying on drugs and alcohol to mend his broken heart. Ada, meanwhile, dreads the verdict of her forthcoming trial in Istanbul. Day-by-day, as their passion deepens, they reassess their past choices, and their futures rapidly take shape. Sensual, perceptive and at times bitingly funny, The Fugitive of Gezi Park explores the nature of trauma and struggle, asking what it takes of us to start all over again. In 2013, police brutality against a peaceful group protesting the destruction of Gezi Park - one of the few public green spaces in Istanbul - prompted an unprecedented wave of demonstrations which spread rapidly across Turkey, lasting several weeks. The Gezi Park Protests are a pivotal moment in the country's volatile recent history, and continue to carry huge sentimental value for the dissidents of the 'New Turkey.'Trade ReviewA gripping, sometimes comic and more often tragic portrayal of two complex, flawed characters and cities. Without ever mentioning Erdogan's name, it offers a finely grained study of how Turkey's descent into dictatorship has torn through human lives. THE TLS; Beautifully captures the endless possibilities that the city offers its inhabitants – chance meetings, unlikely romances and an opportunity to rebirth yourself, over and over. NB. MAGAZINE; A sensitive account of how our lives are shaped, on both individual and societal levels, by accident as much as willpower, and by how we deal with the consequent moments of trauma: fight, flight or, most often, neither. ARTREVIEW; A bitingly funny satire of the shallow art world, and a reflection on exile, trauma, displacement, desire - and the direction of Erdogan's Turkey. SAGA MAGAZINE; Set in the dreamscape of the contemporary art world and combining crisp, affectionate class satire with a cinematic storyline and exquisitely observed characters, The Fugitive of Gezi Park is an intense meditation on love, fealty, trauma, exile, politics, and art. An elegant and incisive novel from an incandescent talent. MAY-LAN TAN, AUTHOR OF THINGS TO MAKE AND BREAK; A young woman, bearing the aching wound of her country, realises the deep connection between the freedom she seeks for her homeland and that of her own body and soul. Through powerful language Deniz Goran brings together two cities, and two people oscillating on the pendulum between hope and despair, preparing them for a new life. BURHAN SONMEZ, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR AND PRESIDENT OF PEN INTERNATIONAL; Fabulous. MARIELLA FROSTRUP

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Book SynopsisTake a pig, a fat-headed earl, a country house, several pairs of frustrated lovers, some scheming outsiders, and all sorts of people who aren’t who they say they are. Mix thoroughly and apply the Wodehouse magic. The result is the lightest of literary soufflées, another instalment in the long-running saga of the Threepwood family, including the head of the clan, Lord Emsworth, his virago sister, Lady Constance, and his debonair brother, the Honourable Galahad Threepwood, ex-boulevardier and solver of romantic problems.

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Book SynopsisJ. Wellington Gedge seems to have everything a man could desire: a rich wife, a chateau, a life of ease in the south of France. But all he really wants is to return to California, not least because Mrs Gedge, who holds the purse-strings, is scheming to have him appointed as American ambassador in Paris, which means he will have to wear a sissy uniform. Fortunately, her plans are thwarted by a complicated series of events which involves French aristocrats, American crooks, an English novelist and the appalling Senator Opal, whose daughter, Jane, has a mind of her own.

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Book SynopsisIt all starts with an umbrella, the best to be found in the Drones Club. From such an innocent beginning Wodehouse weaves a comic tale of suspense and romance involving one of his most distinctive early heroes, Ronald Eustace Psmith, monocled wit and devil-may-care boulevardier. Unusually for Wodehouse, this is not only a light comedy but also an adventure story in which crime and even gun-play drive the plot.

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Book SynopsisAlways to be found in the bar-parlour of the Angler's Rest where he is a favourite with the accomplished barmaid, Miss Postlethwaite, Mr Mulliner, the narrator of Meet Mr Mulliner, returns for another series of stories about his extraordinary relations, including Lancelot, Adrian, Cyril, Sacheverell, Eustace, Egbert and Augustine Mulliner. In a text teeming with tipsy bishops, angry baronets, lady novelists and haughty dowagers, the Mulliner boys always manage to come out on top.

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