Contemporary Fiction Books

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Book SynopsisText in Arabic. Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, a friendship grows between Mariam and a local teenager, Laila, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism. The sense of longing evoked in Khaled Hosseinis novel is compelling and universal: the passionate search for love, family, home, acceptance, a healthy society, and a promising future, regardless of the obstacles. This novel transcends boundaries and illuminates the people and culture of a region that has been reluctantly thrust into the international spotlight.Trade ReviewSpectacular...Hosseini's writing makes our hearts ache, our stomachs clench and our emotions reel... Hosseini mixes the experiences of these women with imagined scenarios to create a fascinating microcosm of Afghan family life...Hosseini writes in gorgeous and stirring language of the natural beauty and colorful cultural heritage of his native Afghanistan... Hosseini tells this saddest of stories in achingly beautiful prose through stunningly heroic characters whose spirits somehow grasp the dimmest rays of hope USA Today Hosseini's illuminating book [is] a worthy sequel to The Kite Runner Los Angeles Times Hosseini's bewitching narrative captures the intimate details of life in a world where it's a struggle to survive, skillfully inserting this human story into the larger backdrop of recent history San Francisco Chronicle A masterful narrative... He is a storyteller of dizzying power Evening Standard Only the hardest of hearts could fail to be as moved Glamour In case you're wondering whether A Thousand Splendid Suns is as good as The Kite Runner, here's the answer: No. It's better Washington Post

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Book SynopsisFROM THE WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATUREKatharina Blum is pretty, bright, hard-working and at the centre of a big city scandal when she falls in love with a young radical on the run from the police. Portrayed by the city''s leading newspaper as a whore, a communist and an atheist, she becomes the target of anonymous phone calls and sexual threats. Blum's life is systematically undone by the distortions of a corrupt press, concerned only with presenting the most salacious story. This is a chilling and unforgettable novel from a Nobel Prize-winning writer.Trade ReviewBoll sustains a masterly and insidious tension to the end. He is detached, angry and totally in control * The Times *Such is the force of Boll's conviction, the clarity of his vision and the icy economy of his unemotive prose that within this short space he has distilled a spirit that burns into the palate the unmistakeable and lasting tang of truth * Sunday Times *A marvel of compression and irony * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe second volume in the ground-breaking Library Trilogy, following THE BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN. We fight for the people we love. We fight for the ideas we want to be true.

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Book Synopsis‘Joe Goldberg is my guilty pleasure, my strange addiction. If loving him is wrong, I don’t want to be right’ Erin KellyJOE GOLDBERG IS BACK, AND THIS TIME HE'S WRITING HIS OWN HAPPILY EVER AFTER . . .    Joe Goldberg is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he’s writing them. And he’s off to a good start.    Invited to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard, Joe thinks he’s finally found a place where talent matters more than pedigree. Where anything is possible, even happy endings. At least until he meets his uber-privileged, already-published, already-distinguished peers. Thankfully, Wonder enters the picture. They have so much in common: no college degrees, no pretensions, just a love for literature. They could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. If only Wonder could just commit

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Book SynopsisThere is nothing to distract her from the questions pinging around her brain—questions about college, love, and life in general.Relief comes when David invites Stevie and her friends to join him for study abroad, and his new friend Izzy introduces her to a double-murder cold case.Trade Review"The exploration of the importance of friendship adds emotional vulnerability to this book, which has a well-developed sense of place and features the series’ signature humor and layered mystery elements. Immersive and genre-savvy." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A scintillating mystery. Johnson delivers a meticulously crafted fair-play mystery that gratifies as a standalone while also forwarding the richly textured characters’ arcs, a treat for fans of the series. Distinctly written flashbacks to 1995 pepper the present-day narrative, creating resonance and investing readers in Stevie’s case. Stevie cues as white; the supporting cast is intersectionally diverse." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Now that we've read the fifth novel, we're tempted to buy the rest of the series. We had to admit it: we had not idea who the killer was until Stevie figured it out. The author gives us just enough information to draw conclusions and multiple plot twists take us for a spin. Even when we thought we know what to expect, we didn't." — The Honey Pop "Johnson delivers another satisfying mystery, with diverse characters, authentic depictions of mental health, and friends holding one another accountable for their actions in loving, supportive ways." — School Library Journal Bestselling author Maureen Johnson employs the hallmarks of classical Agatha Christie-style mysteries...while cleverly subverting others. Stevie still gathers the suspects together to reveal the solution, but she does so in a fresh and unexpected way, and Johnson replaces Christie’s stock characters with Stevie’s diverse and emotionally nuanced friends. — BookPage Praise for THE BOX IN THE WOODS: "Johnson’s hallmark charming humor and lovable characters provide a robust foundation for another cracking mystery, this time ingeniously working with summer camp and locked room mystery tropes. Stevie’s relationship with her lifelong anxiety is particularly well portrayed. A fantastic stand-alone mystery companion revisits a much-loved sleuth." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "While fans of Johnson's Truly Devious trilogy (and there are many) will undoubtedly be eager for this spinoff, Stevie's summertime exploit both stands alone and adds compelling layers to the established characters—an impressive feat. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Johnson builds on the success of her NYT-bestselling Truly Devious series with this standalone spinoff that blends mystery and horror conventions in a summer-camp setting—perfectly timed for summertime campfires." — Booklist (starred review) "Johnson gleefully takes a stab at the slasher movie trope by sending her teen detective on a cold case at a summer camp. This satisfying standalone mystery will delight fans of teen horror flicks and true-crime documentaries, as well as those who prefer their mysteries wrapped up after one volume. Here’s hoping this highly entertaining volume isn’t the last we hear from Stevie Bell." — Horn Book Magazine "Sardonic sleuth Stevie Bell returns in this engaging stand-alone sleepaway camp thriller, a follow-up to Johnson’s Truly Devious trilogy. Johnson’s kinetic descriptions join towering cliffhangers as chapters switch between 1978 and the present day, and Stevie’s search turns deadly. Johnson includes a winning crew of returning characters . . . the friend group sustains entertaining rapport as Stevie navigates personal and public histories." — Publishers Weekly "It’s always a pleasure to watch smart, resourceful Stevie piece together a puzzle. Mystery fans will relish this standalone novel in the 'Truly Devious' ­universe." — School Library Journal "The Box in the Woods is an excellent, cleverly braided, no punches pulled story leavened with humor. It’s worth reading for the great rapport between the fully-fleshed characters of Stevie, queer black crafts-mad Janelle, and the sardonic uber-nerd Nate alone. A great summer read!” — AuthorLink "If the beginning of the storyline reads like a Scooby Doo script it’s done in honest homage, and is just as much fun, if admittedly darker and more complex than anything Shaggy and team would have tackled. That there’s also a deep emotional current running through the book as Bell’s finely developed sense of empathy for the friends of the dead is revealed sets the story apart. A challenging and satisfying mystery, this is one you’ll be shaking the sand out of come September." — Mountain Times Praise for TRULY DEVIOUS: “Be still, my Agatha-Christie-loving beating heart.” — Bustle “Jumping between past and present, Johnson’s novel is deliciously atmospheric, with a sprawling cast of complex suspects/potential victims, surprising twists, and a dash of romance. As in her Shades of London books, Johnson remains a master at combining jittery tension with sharp, laugh-out-loud observations.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was something special? There’s that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell. Parallel mysteries unfold with cleverly written dialogue, page-turning brilliance and a young sleuth just as captivating as Hercule Poirot.” — USA Today (four stars) “The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story.” — New York Times Book Review “A suspenseful, attention-grabbing mystery with no clear solution. The versatile Johnson is no stranger to suspense, and this twisty thriller will leave plenty of readers anxious for more.” — Booklist Praise for THE VANISHING STAIR: “In this second . . . installment, Johnson gives and she takes away: a few major mysteries are satisfying solved, but other long-standing riddles remain tantalizingly indecipherable, and several new ones come into play by the enigmatic end. Readers, hang tight: there’s one more round to come, and if the signs are right, it’ll be to die for.” — Booklist "Ramps up the intrigue. Throughout this volume, Johnson's compelling would-be Sherlock proves to be as bad at personal relationships as she is adept at solving mysteries. Teen angst soars as Johnson delightfully conjures up more nefarious deeds from the mountain mist." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Take it from the world’s most impatient reader: If the Truly Devious series is basically one long mystery book, The Vanishing Stair is a middle part so enjoyable you won’t even want to skip to the end.” — Entertainment Weekly “In this second installment of her marvelous Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson offers thrilling suspense, sly wit, a memorable cast of characters and more pieces of her deliciously intricate puzzle.” — Buffalo News “Waiting for the next installment of Maureen Johnson’s Agatha Christie-Sherlock Holmes-classic mystery homage series was torture, but The Vanishing Stair is oh so worth it.” — Bustle Praise for THE HAND ON THE WALL: "The final, riveting chapter of the Truly Devious murder series. Throughout this intricately woven, fast-paced whodunit, Johnson demonstrates how proximity to wealth and power can mold and bend one's behavior, whether with good or—here largely—devious intent. The brainy secondary characters' quirky talents and interests complement Stevie's sleuthing skills; . . . they include diversity in socioeconomic background, mental health challenges, physical disability, and sexual orientation. A richly satisfying, Poirot-like ending for Johnson's inspired and inspiring teen sleuth." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this hotly anticipated trilogy finale, Johnson pulls out all the stops, filling the thrillingly nimble narrative with classic mystery conventions. A striking foray into an examination of what mysteries can ever truly be solved, and a satisfying send-off for a series that will be missed." — Booklist “Maureen Johnson brings her delectable ‘Truly Devious’ murder mystery trilogy to a thrilling conclusion, neatly tying together her dueling narrative threads, one set in 1936 and the other in the present day, with an action-packed finale during a blizzard at Ellingham Academy in the mountains of Vermont.” — Buffalo News "This will be essential reading for the many fans of the first two books. This trilogy ender is fun, satisfying, and a genuine treat for teens and adult mystery fans." — School Library Journal “Readers will be eager to know the novel’s conclusion but will never want the book to end. Replete with intrigue, thoughtfulness, and depth, The Hand on the Wall is a mystery of the moment and for the ages.” — San Francisco Book Review "This inclusive, inventive, and vastly entertaining series has been a boon to YA literature. As a layered, complex character who solves crime while also battling anxiety, Stevie Bell reads like the redoubtable love child of Jessica Fletcher and Adrian Monk. There will hopefully be more Stevie Bell mysteries to come." — Horn Book Magazine

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Book SynopsisFor the first time ever, a beautiful slipcased edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colours and with many bonus features unique to this edition.Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey there and back again'. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragonWritten for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937. With a beautiful cover design, a handful of black & white drawings and two maps by the author himself, the book became an instant success and was reprinted shortly afterwards with five colour plates.Tolkien's own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than 85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkien's creative process, and many additional sketches, coloured drawings and maps although exhibited and published elsewhere have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit.In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkien's enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure there and back again'.Unique to this edition are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Thror's Map and Wilderland, an illustrated 88-page booklet, and a printed art card reproducing Tolkien's original dustjacket painting.It is additionally quarterbound, with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase. The pages are edged in gold and include a ribbon marker.Trade Review‘One of the most influential books of our generation’The Times ‘Finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls … an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax’The Observer ‘The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them’Sunday Times ‘One of the best loved characters in English fiction … a marvellous fantasy adventure’Daily Mail ‘A flawless masterpiece’The Times

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Book Synopsis''No one does funny, emotional, life-affirming love stories quite like Abby Jimenez. She just keeps outdoing herself'' EMILY HENRY''Funny and poignant, relatable and aspirational, heart-tugging and satisfying. It is, in a word, perfect'' CHRISTINA LAUREN''Abby Jimenez''s words . . . sprinkle humour and warmth all over my life'' ALI HAZELWOOD''The sort of emotionally resonant love story I adore - I was captivated from the very first page'' PAIGE TOON.........................When Vanessa Price quit her job to pursue her dream of traveling the globe, she wasn''t expecting to gain millions of YouTube followers who shared her joy of seizing every moment. For her, living each day to its fullest isn''t just a motto. Her mother and sister never saw the age of 30, and Vanessa doesn''t want to take anything for granted.But after her half-sister suddenly leaves Vanessa in custody of her baby daughter, life goes from ''daily adventure'' to ''hourly nappy change''. The last person Vanessa expects to show up offering help is the hot lawyer next door, Adrian Copeland. After all, she barely knows him. No one warned her that he was the Secret Baby Tamer or that she''d be spending a whole lot of time with him and his geriatric Chihuahua.Now she''s feeling things she''s vowed not to feel. Because the only thing worse than falling for Adrian is finding a little hope for a future she may never see...........................?? DISCOVER WHY READERS LOVE ABBY JIMENEZ . . . ??''Sweet and achingly romantic - a truly wonderful love story'' BETH O''LEARY''Full of fierce humour and fiercer heart'' CASEY MCQUISTON''A deliciously hot, sweet debut. This book is an absolute treat'' L. J. SHEN''This book deserves all the stars in the universe'' READER REVIEW''Things I loved about this book . . . I mean it''s literally everything. Not a single flaw'' READER REVIEW''Wow. wow. WOW. Every book I''ve read of Abby''s just gets better and better'' READER REVIEWTrade ReviewThis is the kind of novel that leaves you a little better than when it found you. Jimenez is a true talent -- Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach ReadAbby Jimenez's knack for tackling heavy subjects with humour and care shines through in this exquisitely written story about love, difficult family relationships, and living life to its fullest -- Farrah Rochon, USA Today bestselling author of The Boyfriend ProjectWith refreshingly real characters and compulsively readable prose, Abby Jimenez captures the thrill of falling in love without shying away from deeper themes. Clear your schedule because you won't be able to put this delicious book down! -- Katherine St. John, author of The SirenJimenez masterfully blends heavy issues and humour * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFrom Colleen Hoover, the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us, comes a moving and haunting novel of family, love, and the power of the truth.Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness. The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit. Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavai

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Daisy Jones & The Six in which a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

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Book SynopsisYet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants.Trade Review“A romantic comedy delight. If you loved Schitt’s Creek, It Happened One Summer will be your absolute jam.” — Christina Lauren "I put my entire life on hold the moment I opened IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER. I read it in one long, luxurious sitting, reading each page twice, not wanting to miss a moment, and dreading The End. I knew I was reading one of my new favorite books, and I will reread it for years to come, whenever I need a dose of small-town coziness and hard-bodied sea captains. Tessa disarms you with a laugh, heats things up past boiling, and then puts a squeeze inside your heart. The tenderness, vulnerability and heat I am always guaranteed with a Tessa Bailey book are the reasons she is one of my all-time favorite authors." — Sally Thorne "Tessa Bailey writes pure magic! It Happened One Summer has everything you could want in a rom-com—heartwarming romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching hot chemistry between the lovable socialite and sexy ship captain. I absolutely loved it!" — Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola "With her singular talent for writing romantic chemistry that is both sparkling sweet and explosively sexy, Tessa Bailey once again delivers—It Happened One Summer is everything I want in a modern romance, with two complicated, appealing leads, a setting that feels lived-in and also fresh, and storytelling you want to sink into even as you can’t stop turning pages. The total package from one of the genre’s very best." — Kate Clayborn, author of Love at First "Fans of 'Schitt’s Creek' will love the premise of Bailey’s latest work... [a] sexy, drama-filled love story. 'It Happened One Summer' is another great beach read. Plus, laying out in the sun is a perfect excuse for the blush-inducing scenes scattered throughout." — USA Today "Schitt's Creek fans, this is the romance read for you." — PopSugar (Best Books of July) "Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com... Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory." — Entertainment Weekly "Bailey strikes rom-com gold in this outstanding tale... [She] is bound to earn new followers with love scenes hot enough to boil water and a hilariously naïve Schitt’s Creek-inspired protagonist who is clearly out of her depth." — Booklist (starred review) "Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan... Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “When you read a book by Bailey, there are two things you can always count on: sexy, rapid-fire dialogue and scorching love scenes...” — BookPage.com "This fish-out-of-water story features quirky characters in a charming working-class small town and a steamy, feel-good romance between opposites. Schitt’s Creek fans who just wanted to see Alexis get her happy ending will flock to this title." — Library Journal "Steamy, sexy and fun, you’ll want to soar through these pages." — New York Post

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Book SynopsisA dark and powerful goddess hunts for three jewels: fallen stars that will give her endless power. To save the world, six friends have joined forces to stop her. Now, on the beautiful island of Capri, their battle continues...Mermaid Annika is proud to have been chosen for such an important quest. But now that her identity has been revealed, her time is running out. She knows that soon she must return to her people. But she also knows that she is in love with Sawyer King - the brave and loyal adventurer with secrets of his own. As Annika, Sawyer and their four friends hunt for the mysterious ''star of water'', the goddess Nerezza sends a terrifying foe to destroy them. It seems there is no place for love and desire at such a dark time. And so Sawyer tries to protect Annika by pushing her away. But true love cannot be denied. And in a battle between the dark and the light - it might be the only thing that can save them from a terrible fate.

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Book SynopsisThird in stunning reissues of Raymond Feist & Janny Wurts classic trilogy one of the most successful fantasy collaborations of all time.THE EMPIRE TRILOGY: BOOK IIIThe final play of the game. Surrounded on all sides by warring factions, assassins and spies, Mara of the Acoma must draw on her deepest resources to secure her position once and for all.Trade Review‘A gripping tale’THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisThe highly anticipated sequel to the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling EMPIRE OF THE VAMPIRE ''Bloody brilliant''V.E. SchwabA ripping read'Joe AbercrombieGabriel de León has saved the Holy Grail from death, but his chance to end the endless night is lost.After turning his back on his silversaint brothers once and for all, Gabriel and the Grail set out to learn the truth of how Daysdeath might finally be undone.But the last silversaint faces peril, within and without. Pursued by children of the Forever King, drawn into wars and webs centuries in the weaving, and ravaged by his own rising bloodlust, Gabriel may not survive to see the truth of the Grail revealed.A truth that may be too awful for any to imagine.

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Book Synopsis*** PRE-ORDER THE NEXT THRILLING INSTALMENT IN THE SERIES BEHIND THE HIT NETFLIX SHOW – FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU IS OUT IN PAPERBACK SPRING 2024 ***‘Crazy, sexy, cool: Caroline Kepnes gets better – and Joe Goldberg gets worse – with every book’ ERIN KELLY'Caroline Kepnes writes with such malevolent energy, such dark grace and such ink-black humour. An utterly unique character and an utterly unique writer, in a marriage made somewhere between heaven and hell’ RICHARD OSMAN 'Fiendish, fast-paced, and very funny' PAULA HAWKINS'Another dark, thrilling, and blackly hilarious adventure from everyone's favourite murderer' CLAIRE MCGOWAN  'I absolutely loved it. It’s completely addictive, razor-sharp writing from Kepnes. Internet creeping at its most darkly humorous. Joe’s back, and this time itTrade Review‘The latest in the thriller series behind Netflix stalker blockbuster You’ Guardian ‘Crazy, sexy, cool: Caroline Kepnes gets better – and Joe Goldberg gets worse – with every book’ Erin Kelly ‘Caroline Kepnes writes with such malevolent energy, such dark grace and such ink-black humour. An utterly unique character and an utterly unique writer, in a marriage made somewhere between heaven and hell’ Richard Osman ‘Fiendish, fast-paced and very funny’ Paula Hawkins ‘Another dark, thrilling and blackly hilarious adventure from everyone’s favourite murderer’ Claire McGowan ‘I absolutely loved it. It’s completely addictive, razor-sharp writing from Kepnes. Internet creeping at its most darkly humorous. Joe’s back, and this time it’s definitely real love’ Catherine Steadman ‘Caroline Kepnes must be some kind of storytelling sorcerer. How else can Joe Goldberg — stalker, creep, multiple-murderer, blamer of everyone else but himself, a “long overdue book, the one you never thought was coming” — be such an entertaining narrator? . . . brilliant’ New York Times ‘The highly anticipated new thriller from the author of the hit You series – we couldn’t put it down’ Closer ‘Of course, it’s never easy with Joe, who instantly finds a connection with librarian Mary Kay DiMarco – and we all know what that means . . . We can’t wait to see where he ends up next’ Metro ‘One of the smartest, most insightful writers out there with a true gift for crafting flawed, complicated characters that force us to reckon with our own flaws and complications. Joe’s back (and so are all the reasons you love to hate him)’ Nicola Yoon ‘Caroline Kepnes is that peerless author who makes me laugh and glance over my shoulder on the very same page. Thank the reading gods that Joe Goldberg is back and just as seductive, dangerous and witty as ever’ Jessica Knoll ‘Caroline Kepnes’s original magic trick was getting readers to root for the murderous Joe Goldberg; now, in You Love Me, her mastery deepens in making readers love him. Filled with her signature wit, incisive social commentary and pathos, this is Kepnes’s best yet’ Andrea Dunlop ‘A strange delight . . . Series fans will eat this up’ Publishers Weekly ‘Compulsively readable . . . There's never been a better time to get acquainted with Kepnes’s dangerously appealing leading man’ Booklist ‘Kepnes’s savage takedowns of pretentious blowhards continue to make Joe a more culturally aware Dexter, or perhaps a more romantic and humorous Hannibal, as he pillories the bad taste of his rivals and victims’ LitHub

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Book Synopsis*A brand new companion to the Last Kingdom series, Uhtred's Feast, is available to pre-order now*The sixth novel in Bernard Cornwell's epic and bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.As seen on Netflix and BBC around the world.Alfred, the great king, is said to be dying. Rivals for his succession are poised to tear the kingdom apart. The country Alfred has worked thirty years to build is about to disintegrate.Uhtred, the King's warrior, Viking born but Saxon bred, wants more than anything else to go and fight to reclaim his stolen Northumbrian inheritance. But he knows that if he deserts the King's cause, Alfred's dream and indeed the very future of the English nation will very likely vanish.Death of Kings is an outstanding novel by a master storyteller of how England was made and very nearly lost.Trade ReviewPraise for THE BURNING LAND: ‘Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed’The Times Praise for AZINCOURT: 'This is a magnificent and gory work' Daily Mail 'The historical blockbuster of the year' Evening Standard ‘If Bernard Cornwell was born to write one book, this is it. No other historical novelist has acquired such a mastery of the minutiae of warfare in centuries past’ Daily Telegraph ‘A runaway success’ Observer Praise for Bernard Cornwell: ‘The characterisation, as ever, is excellent…And one can only admire the little touches that bring the period to life. He can also claim to be a true poet of both the horror and the glory of war’ Sunday Telegraph This is typical Cornwell, meticulously researched, massive in scope, brilliant in execution’ News of the World ‘He’s called a master story-teller. Really he’s cleverer than that’ Telegraph

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Book SynopsisSecond in a series of hardback boxed sets celebrating the literary achievement of Christopher Tolkien, featuring double-sided dustjackets. Includes THE LAYS OF BELERIAND, THE SHAPING OF MIDDLE-EARTH and THE LOST ROAD, which contain the early myths and legends that led to the writings of THE SILMARILLION.The Lays of Beleriand gives us a privileged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien's world those of Túrin and of Beren and Lúthien. Accompanying the poems are commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days, together with the notable criticism of The Lay of Leithian by C.S. Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.InThe Shaping of Middle-earththe chronological and geographical structure of the legends of Middle-earth and Valinor is spread before us. We are introduced to the hitherto unknown Ambarkanta or Shape of the World', the only account ever given of the nature of the imag

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Book Synopsis ''In the top flight of crime writing'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPHIn the dead of winter, even brothers become strangers... A CHILLING WINTER THRILLER PERFECT FOR FANS OF FARGO*FROM AN AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER*Running from a troubled childhood, Jack Devereaux left home as soon as he could and never looked back - until the day a stranger calls, begging him to return to his hometown of Jasperville, Quebec.Jack''s brother Calvis - the little boy he left behind more than twenty years ago - has viciously attacked a man and left him for dead. Nobody knows why he did it, though Jack suspects it has something to do with the Jasperville girls who were lost all those years ago.But as he begins the long journey home through the frozen, unforgiving landscape, Jack isn''t wondering why his little brother lost his mind. He''s wondering why it took so long . . .''The master of the genre'' CLIVE CUSSLERTrade ReviewA uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer * ALAN FURST *The master of the genre * CLIVE CUSSLER *A powerful talent * INDEPENDENT *

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Book Synopsis''A burst of warmth and wit, twists and turns'' MARIAN KEYES''This is Cathy Kelly on top form writing about warm, believable women with real, messy lives'' RACHEL HORE''Other Women captures the stories of three modern women... A real feel-good read'' HEAT''The brilliant storyteller is back with another perfectly concocted tale'' OK!---Three women. Three secrets. Three tangled lives...Sid wears her independence like armour. So when she strikes up a rare connection with unlucky-in-love Finn, they are both determined to prove that men and women can just be friends. Can''t they?Marin has the perfect home, attentive husband, two beloved children - and a secret addiction to designer clothes. She knows she has it all, so why can''t she stop comparing herself to other women?Bea believes that we all have one love story - and she''s had hers. Now her life centres arTrade ReviewGripping from the first page, Other Women captures the stories of three modern women... A real feel-good read, you'll pick up many pearls of female wisdom along the way. -- Isabel Coleman * HEAT MAGAZINE *We know and love Cathy Kelly for the heart, humour and strong female characters she writes about. And Other Women is no exception... It's another joyous, heartfelt read from the bestselling Irish storyteller. -- Zoe West * WOMAN'S WEEKLY *The brilliant storyteller is back with another perfectly concocted tale about three women whose lives and secrets are entangled. * OK! Magazine *We love Cathy Kelly for the heart, humour and strong female characters in her novels. A joyous and heartfelt read. * WOMAN'S OWN *

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Book SynopsisThe Return of the King is the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure, The Lord of the Rings.Trade Review‘The story moves on with a tremendous narrative rush to its climax… extraordinary imaginative work, part saga, part allegory, and wholly exciting.’The Times ‘A triumphant close… a grand piece of work, grand in both conception and execution. An astonishing imaginative tour de force.’Sunday Telegraph ‘His astonishing inventiveness remains to the end and is continued in a series of appendices.;The Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe definitive English language translation of the internationally bestselling Russian novel a brilliant dark fantasy combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way.A book that has the potential to become a modern classic.' Lev Grossman, bestselling author of The MagiciansOur life is brief . . .Sasha Samokhina has just met Farit Kozhenikov and her life will never be the same again.Whilst on holiday, Sasha is asked by the mysterious Farit to undertake a strange task for him. Reluctantly, she obliges, and is rewarded with a shining golden coin. The more tasks she performs, the more coins Sasha receives until Farit instructs her against the wishes of her family to travel to a remote village and use her gold to gain entrance to the Institute of Special Technologies.Sasha quickly discovers this is no ordinary school. The books are impossible to read, the lessons obscure to the point of maddening, and the knTrade Review‘A dazzling display of Russian magical realism’Daily Mail ‘I first encountered VITA NOSTRA in 2009, and then, as now, I was stunned by what I read – not just by the story, which was a revelation to me in itself, but also by the vividness and fluency and power of Hersey's translation. VITA NOSTRA has become a powerful influence on my own writing. It's a book that has the potential to become a modern classic of its genre, and I couldn’t be more excited to see it get the global audience in English it so richly deserves’Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author of THE MAGICIANS

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Book Synopsis“Perceptive and witty—like a Sally Rooney novel set in Southern California.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis) “It’s this author’s best work yet. A Sapphic roller-coaster ride.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A controversial LA author attempts to revive her career and finally find true love in this hilarious nod to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction.Having recently moved both herself and her formidable perfume bottle collection into a tiny bungalow in Los Angeles, mid-list author Astrid Dahl finds herself back in the Zoom writer’s group she cofounded, Sapphic Scribes, after an incident that leaves her and her career lightly canceled. But she temporarily forgets all that by throwing herself into a few sexy distractions—like Ivy, a grad student researching 1950s lesbian pulp who smells like metallic orchids, or her new neighbor, Penelope, who smells like

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Book SynopsisA glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment' Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Curse for True LoveIn the darkness of night, magic awaitsNottingham, 1906Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but, as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered she must marry and take up her place in society in the New Year. But, when a mysterious toymaker, Dr Drosselmeier, purchases a neighbouring townhouse, it heralds the arrival of magic and wonder in Marietta's life.After Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate theatrical set for her final ballet performance on Christmas Eve, Marietta discovers it carries a magic all of its own a magic darker than anyone could imagine. As the clock chimes midnight, Marietta finds herself transported from her family's ballroom to a frozen sugar palace, silent with secrets, in a forest of snow-topped fir trees. She must find a way to return home before she's trapped in Everwood's enchanting grip forever.In the darkness of night, magic awaits and you will never forget what you find hereTropes:?? Finding the magic of Christmas?? True love?? Festive fun!Your favourite authors have fallen under the magical spell of Midnight in Everwood:The perfect winter fairy tale' Sarah Morgan, The Christmas EscapeA deliciously dark retelling of The Nutcracker' Jennifer Saint, AtalantaSumptuous and spellbinding' Heidi Swain, Underneath the Christmas TreeBeautifully spun and wildly imagined' Cari Thomas, ThreadneedleEnchanting! The perfect Christmas treat' Veronica Henry, Christmas at the Beach HutReaders LOVE Midnight in Everwood:Transported me to a magical world' ??????????A great winter read' ??????????A story in which you can lose yourself' ??????????I was drawn into this book from the very first page' ??????????A must-read for the Christmas season' ??????????Enchanting and full of wonderful adventure' ??????????Will sweep you off your feet' ??????????A fairy tale for grown-ups and absolutely perfect for Christmas' ??????????Trade Review Praise for Midnight in Everwood: ‘Perfect autumnal reading in this enchanting and fantastical retelling of The Nutcracker. A show-stopping book’ Woman & Home ‘A glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment laced with sparkling prose and bewitching storytelling. Beware of entering this magnificent world; Everwood will dazzle and seduce you and then steal you away’ Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart ‘An absolute dream of a read. A magical, enchanting retelling of The Nutcracker’ LoveReading, Book of the Month ‘Magical and evocative, the perfect winter fairy tale’ Sarah Morgan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Christmas Escape ‘This retelling of The Nutcracker will transport you to a fairy tale world where magic happens’ Good Housekeeping ‘The perfect Christmas treat, with every word a jewel. You will fall under its spell from the first page to the last. Enchanting’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author of Christmas at the Beach Hut ‘A sumptuous and spellbinding read’ Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author of Underneath the Christmas Tree ‘Deliciously dangerous and darkly enchanting’ Sophie Anderson, The Girl Who Speaks Bear ‘I ADORED this adult retelling of The Nutcracker. A lyrical winter fairy tale full of snow, magic and whimsy. So beautifully written – every page was a delight’ Alex Bell, The Winter Garden ‘Whisks us away in its sugar spun dance of enchantment. For fans of The Night Circus, as delicious as its sweetest confection, it’s a real delight’ Nydia Hetherington, A Girl Made of Air ‘A magical and dark story told like a beautiful fairy tale’ Fabulous ‘A quintessential Christmas read’ Culturefly

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Book SynopsisBook 3 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.Peter Grant is learning magic fast. And it''s just as well - he''s already had run-ins with the deadly supernatural children of the Thames and a terrifying killer in Soho. Progression in the Police Force is less easy. Especially when you work in a department of two. A department that doesn''t even officially exist. A department that if you did describe it to most people would get you laughed at. And then there''s his love life. The last person he fell for ended up seriously dead. It wasn''t his fault, but still. Now something horrible is happening in the labyrinth of tunnels that make up the tube system that honeycombs the ancient foundations of London. And delays on the Northern line is the very least of it. Time to call in the Met''s Economic and Specialist Crime Unit 9, aka ''The Folly''. Time to call in PC Peter Grant, Britain''s Last WizardTrade ReviewHighly entertaining * Sunday Express *Funny and wildly inventive * Mail on Sunday *Masterfully crafted ... gives the late, great Terry Pratchett a run for his money * The Sun *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there even more than the real London * Nick Frost *Charming, witty, exciting * Independent *An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA thrilling epic of betrayal and magic set during the founding of Falador and the doomed Fremennik Great Invasion. Sure to delight RuneScape fans old and new, this stunning tale shows how the gift of magic changed the course of Gielinor forever.

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Book SynopsisNOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM!When a soldier with a troubled past and a struggling songwriter agree to a marriage of convenience for the military benefits, neither expects much after saying “I do.” Then tragedy strikes, and the line between what’s real and what’s pretend begins to blur in this smart and surprising romance perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jojo Moyes. Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldn’t be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassie’s bar changes the course of both their lives. Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: she’ll marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a “family.” When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesn’t know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one...Trade Review"When I laughed at loud at Tess Wakefield's wit on page three of PURPLE HEARTS, I knew this was a book I would love. With complex and compassionately drawn characters facing all-too-real problems, Wakefield has created a uniquely affecting love story about two people so deeply human you'd almost swear you know them." -- Bethany Chase, bestselling author of THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY"Wonderfully true and surprising, with modern, complex and fascinating characters." -- Sarah Pekkanen, internationally bestselling author of THE PERFECT NEIGHBORSBest Books of the Month * Liz & Lisa *"I found myself not wanting this novel to end. I would definitely recommend this novel to readers who enjoy Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes, and other contemporary romance novels." * The Blonde Bookworm *"A good, romantic take on some very modern challenges!" * A Bookish Affair *"Rec it? Yes! Even though I am desperate for an epilogue, I still would recommend this to anyone who loves their brooding military hero, especially one who has worked so hard to redeem himself." * The Book Hookup *"If you're looking for a book that will tug on your heartstrings and one that is filled with an unlikely romance which will have you swooning, definitely check out PURPLE HEARTS this summer. It would be the perfect read for a lazy summer day or a relaxing day at the beach." * Confessions of a Book Addict *"PURPLE HEARTS is every bit real and tangible. It's a story you can't walk away from, yet you're breaking into pieces the deeper you read. My only objection is that I wanted more. More of Cassie, more of Luke. More of their lives intertwined together. It's a slow burn, a sizzle, a spark, a big gush of wind threatening to blow you away." * G Reads *

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Book SynopsisTHE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE #1 BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON SERIESThere is a world hidden underneath this great city...The London Silver Vaults - for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up. Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace - only that''s what happened.The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London''s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn''t knowTrade ReviewThis gloriously eclectic mash-up of police investigation and supernatural insanity is as wise, witty and utterly absorbing as the rest of this glorious series. * Daily Mail *This might be Aaronovitch's greatest success yet. 5 stars! * The Sun *Aaronovitch has no peers [...] his plotting is still satisfyingly inventive and the continuing characters maintain their charm. * The Guardian *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London. * Nick Frost *Fresh and original and a wonderful read. I loved it. * Charlaine Harris *A charming, witty and exciting romp through a magical world not all that far from our own. * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisBook 6 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.Suspicious deaths are not usually the concern of PC Peter Grant or the Folly, even when they happen at an exclusive party in one of the most expensive apartment blocks in London. But Lady Ty''s daughter was there, and Peter owes Lady Ty a favour. Plunged into the alien world of the super-rich, where the basements are bigger than the house and dangerous, arcane items are bought and sold on the open market, a sensible young copper would keep his head down and his nose clean. But this is Peter Grant we''re talking about. He''s been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week...Praise for the Rivers of London novels:''Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mysteTrade ReviewHighly entertaining * Sunday Express *Funny and wildly inventive * Mail on Sunday *Masterfully crafted ... gives the late, great Terry Pratchett a run for his money * The Sun *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there even more than the real London * Nick Frost *Charming, witty, exciting * Independent *An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe astounding new novel from the master of science fictionPresident Barack Obama's summer reading choiceTHE EARTH WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB.To ensure the survival they had to look beyond its atmosphere.So they became pioneers.Five thousand years later and their progeny form seven distinct races and they must journey to an alien: Earth.A magnificent, visionary work of speculative fiction from a true visionary that will dazzle you with its depth, psychology and awesome imagination.Trade ReviewPraise for Seveneves: A Financial Times Summer read ‘The scope of Seveneves is breathtaking, the suspense tremendous, the execution faultless’ Financial Times Books of the Year So Far… ‘Remarkable’ Publishers Weekly Praise for Neal Stephenson: ‘Genius’ Time ‘He makes reading so much fun it feels like a deadly sin’ The New York Times ‘Fast-forward free-style mall mythology for the 21st century’William Gibson ‘[Stephenson is] the hacker Hemingway’ Newsweek

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Book SynopsisI was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day of January 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of l974.'So begins the breathtaking story of Calliope Stephanides and her truly unique family secret, born on the slopes of Mount Olympus and passed on through three generations.Growing up in 70s Michigan, Calliope's special inheritance will turn her into Cal, the narrator of this intersex, inter-generational epic of immigrant life in 20th century America.Middlesex won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.Trade Review‘A masterful dissection and reassembling of the American Dream into a shape you will not quite have seen anywhere before’ Daily Telegraph ‘Superb. Warm and beautifully written. Illuminates part of the human soul’ Sunday Times ‘Truly original and compelling’ Daily Mail ‘Eugenides is a big and a big-hearted talent’ Jonathan Franzen

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Book SynopsisThe Number One Global Sensation*Foyle's Fiction Book of the Year**Amazon Book of the Year**Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year**Fiction Book of the Year 2024 British Book Awards*Addictive' GraziaHugely entertaining' ObserverProvocative' Mail on SundayTHIS IS ONE HELL OF A STORY. IT'S JUST NOT HERS TO TELL.When failed writer June Hayward witnesses her rival Athena Liu die in a freak accident, she sees her opportunity and takes it.So what if it means stealing Athena's final manuscript?So what if it means borrowing' her identity?And so what if the first lie is only the beginningFinally, June has the fame she always deserved. But someone is about to expose her What happens next is entirely everyone else''s fault. The book that everyone is talking about' GlamourIngenious, astute, hugely entertaining' David NichollsBreathtakingly clever on jealousy, talent, success, and who gets to tell which story' Elizabeth DayHard to put down. Harder to forget' Stephen KingR.F. Kuang's book YellTrade Review‘Propulsive’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Razor-sharp’ TIME ‘A clever, pacy tale’ SARA PASCOE 'Tense, modern… a brilliant exploration of the literary world' AISLING BEA ‘A riot’ PANDORA SYKES ‘Darkly comic’ GQ ‘A wild ride’ STYLIST ‘Pacy and provocative’ MAIL ON SUNDAY ‘A hugely entertaining account of a brazen literary heist’ OBSERVER ‘A wicked little satire of publishing, racial politics and icky internet culture’ THE TIMES ‘Intriguing’ ELLE ‘Strikingly topical’ GUARDIAN ‘Utterly diverting’ FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Blistering’ SCOTSMAN ‘Unforgettable’ WOMAN & HOME ‘A spiky, snarky, shady, smart, sinister take on white privilege’ NIKKI MAY ‘Incisive and compelling… sweeps the reader up on a thrilling ride, but leaves us thinking about the questions raised for days’ JENNIFER SAINT ‘A rollicking good read that you’ll struggle to put down’ WOMAN’S WEEKLY ‘Deeply, darkly hilarious’ MARIE CLAIRE ‘So addictive you could easily risk heatstroke if you read it on a sun lounger’ GRAZIA ‘This acute, fast-paced thriller will have literary insiders nodding in recognition and outsiders gasping in shock’ THE BOOKSELLER ‘A firecracker of a book’ i PAPER ‘Uncomfortable and addictive… a must-read’ INDEPENDENT ‘Not since Martin Amis’s The Information has the venality, self-regard and absurdity of the writing life been so gloriously skewered’ THE CRITIC ‘Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down’ HEAT ‘Scathing, spiky and full of laugh-out-loud moments’ GLAMOUR ‘Well-observed and alarmingly convincing’ DAILY MAIL ‘Sharp and funny… a superb insight into the publishing world’ PRIMA

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Book SynopsisA comically sinister tale of wicked spirits and suburban mediums from the Man Booker Prize-winning author of Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror & the Light.Alison Hart, a medium by trade, tours the dormitory towns of London's orbital ring road with her flint-hearted sidekick, Colette, passing on messages from beloved dead ancestors. But behind her plump, smiling persona hides a desperate woman: she knows the terrors the next life holds but must conceal them from her wide-eyed clients. At the same time she is plagued by spirits from her own past, who infiltrate her body and home, becoming stronger and nastier the more she resistsShortlisted for the Orange Prize, Hilary Mantel's supremely suspenseful novel is a masterpiece of dark humour and even darker secrets.Trade Review‘Magnificent…It’s one of the greatest ghost stories in the language, but it’s far more than just a ghost story – it’s a novel of desperate truthfulness – a majestic work, truly.’ Philip Pullman ‘Sparkling, sinister and supremely original.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘As black as a tar barrel and very, very funny.’ The Times ‘Laceratingly observant, a masterpiece of wit, heavy with atmosphere. It is also gloriously insolent and slyly funny: full of robust, uncluttered prose and searing moments.' Independent ‘Pins elusive Middle England to the page in all its creepiness: a place blank and disconnected, yet fatally self-absorbed.’ Rachel Cooke, Observer ‘An elegant, atmospheric tale and a nuanced portrait, full of ironies.’ Tatler 'Chilling, creepy and endlessly inventive.' Kate Saunders, The Times ‘Hilary Mantel has done something extraordinary. She has taken the ethereal halfway house between heaven and hell, between the living and the dead, and nailed it on the page.’ Fay Weldon, Guardian ‘Has the kind of gallows humour that makes you laugh out loud…A real page-turner, a darkly humorous take on the enduring effects of childhood trauma.’ Mslexia 'A deep, disturbing, violently amusing and subversive work.’ Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisUnwrap this gorgeous gift of a book for an escape to the snow-peaked caps of the Scottish Highlands and a romance that will melt your heartIzzy McBride had never in a million years expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle Bill but here she was, in the run up to Christmas, Monarch of her own Glen a very rundown glen in need of a lot of TLC if her dream of turning it into a boutique bed and breakfast was to come true.But when Izzy's eccentric mother rents a room to enigmatic thriller author Ross Adair and the Scottish snow starts to settle like the frosting on a Christmas cake, it's a race to get the castle ready before they're all snowed in for the holidays.Praise for Julie Caplin:One unputdownable story' Katie FfordeAn irresistible slice of escapism' Phillipa AshleyFive big fat stars' Sue MoorcroftTrade Review‘A fantastic, huggable, hilarious and addictive read’ The Writing Garnet ‘It’s all about the feels…I absolutely loved it’ The Cosiest Corner ‘Sweet, funny and deliciously heart-warming’ Frankly, My Dear… ‘I've already read it again since I finished it… a true sign of how much I enjoyed it’ Life Appears

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Book SynopsisNamed a Most Anticipated Book of 2025 by LitHub, Debutiful, and CrimeReads For readers of Jonathan Franzen and Nathan Hill comes a haymaker of an American novel about a missing teenage boy, cases of fluid and mistaken identity, and the transformative power of boxing.Austin, Texas: It’s the summer of 1998, and there’s a new face on the scene at Terry Tucker’s Boxing Gym. Sixteen-year-old Nathaniel Rothstein has never felt comfortable in his own skin, but under the tutelage of a swaggering, Haitian-born ex-fighter named David Dalice, he begins to come into his own. Even the boy’s slightly stoned uncle, Bob Alexander, who is supposed to be watching him for the summer, notices the change. Nathaniel is happier, more confident—tanner, even. Then one night he vanishes, leaving little trace behind. Across the city, Charles Rex, now going simply by “X,” has been undergoing a teenage transformation of his own, trolling the phone sex hotline that his mother works, seeking an outlet for everything that feels wrong about his body, looking for intimacy and acceptance in a culture that denies him both. As a surprising and unlikely romance blooms, X feels, for a moment, like he might have found the safety he’s been searching for. But it''s never that simple. More than a decade later, Nathaniel’s uncle Bob receives a shocking tip, propelling him to open his own investigation into his nephew’s disappearance. The resulting search involves gymgoers past and present, including a down-on-his-luck twin and his opportunistic brother; a rookie cop determined to prove herself; and Alexis Cepeda, a promising lightweight, who crossed the US-Mexico border when he was only fourteen, carrying with him a license bearing the wrong name and face. Bobbing and weaving across the ever-shifting canvas of a changing country, The Slip is an audacious, daring look at sex and race in America that builds to an unforgettable collision in the center of the ring.

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER''Incredibly thought-provoking SunAfter years of cruel bullying from his classmates, Peter Houghton snaps one morning, and in nineteen minutes, ten residents of the town of Sterling are dead. When the case goes to trial, the reeling town is determined to seek justice for the innocents Peter killed. But as the trial unfolds, Peter''s testimony casts light on the terrible role the residents of Sterling have played in turning a sweet, loving boy into a killer, and it isn''t long before Sterling''s illusions of innocence find themselves shattered forever. . .MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available nowTrade ReviewSuperb, many-stranded and grimly topical . . . Picoult binds together precarious alliances with sensitivity, giving depth to characters without losing pace. Inhabited by contradictory, flawed individuals, this intelligent novel draws suspense, moral complexity and a stunning final twist out of what initially seemed a monochrome situation * The Times *Superb, many-stranded and grimly topical . . . Picoult binds together precarious alliances with sensitivity, giving depth to characters without losing pace. Inhabited by contradictory, flawed individuals, this intelligent novel draws suspense, moral complexity and a stunning final twist out of what initially seemed a monochrome situation * The Times *A horrifying, close to real-life read, this novel is incredibly thought-provoking * Sun *A horrifying, close to real-life read, this novel is incredibly thought-provoking * Sun *

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Book SynopsisTen years after the publication of Annihilation, the surprise fourth volume in Jeff VanderMeer's blockbuster Southern Reach Trilogy.TOP SECRET: A clear and present threat exists. Open-ended. Existential. Confirmation via uncanny op. Nature of same: Unknown. Initiating entity: Unknown. Priority: High.Ten years after the publication of the bestselling Annihilation, Authority and Acceptance the first the basis of a now-classic film Jeff VanderMeer brings us back for a surprise fourth and final foray into Area X.Absolution opens decades before Area X forms, with a science expedition whose mysterious end suggests terrifying consequences for the future and marks the Forgotten Coast as a high-priority area of interest for Central, the shadowy government agency responsible for monitoring extraordinary threats.Many years later, the Forgotten Coast files wind up in the hands of a washed-up Central operative known as Old Jim. He starts pulling a thread that reveals a long and troubling record of government agents meddling with forces they clearly cannot comprehend. Soon, Old Jim is back out in the field, grappling with personal demons and now partnered with an unproven young agent, the two of them tasked with solving what may be an unsolvable mystery. With every turn, the stakes get higher: Central agents are being liquidated by an unknown rogue entity and Old Jim's life is on the line.Old Jim's investigation culminates in the first Central expedition into what has now been labelled Area X. A border has come down, and a full team well trained but eccentric has been assembled to find Area X's ''off switch'' somewhere in the volatile, dangerous terrain that has mysteriously defied all attempts to be explored, mapped or controlled. A landscape that, one way or another, seems to consume all who enter it.Sweeping in scope and rich with ideas, iconic characters and unpredictable adventure, Absolution converges the past, present and future in terrifying, ecstatic and mind-bending ways. It is the final word on one of the most provocative and popular speculative fiction series of our time.

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Book SynopsisHailed as a masterpiece from its first publication, Revolutionary Road is the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a bright young couple who are bored by the banalities of suburban life and long to be extraordinary.Trade ReviewHere is more than fine writing; here is what, added to fine writing, makes a book come immediately, intensely and brilliantly alive...a masterpiece -- Tennesse WilliamsThe literary discovery of the year... It's as brilliantly nuanced as Updike's Rabbit sequence, and as sad as anything by Fitzgerald -- Nick Hornby * Guardian Books of the Year *I hand out copies of Revolutionary Road to anyone who will take them...one of the most moving and exact portraits of suburbia in all of American literature -- David Hare * Observer *The Great Gatsby of my time... One of the best books by a member of my generation -- Kurt VonnegutThe best novel ever written about the death of the American dream -- Kate Atkinson * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis First ever publication of J.R.R. Tolkien’s final writings on Middle-earth, covering a wide range of subjects and perfect for those who have read and enjoyed The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, and want to learn more about Tolkien’s magnificent world. Trade Review ‘A continuation of the many previous volumes assembled by Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien, that allow readers to see the author “thinking… on paper”. For devotees, this will be a treasure.’ Publishers Weekly ‘How, given little over half a century, did one man become the creative equivalent of a people?’ Guardian

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Book Synopsis''Brilliantly audacious'' GUARDIAN''Stunning''DAZED''Her prose sparkles'' ELIZA CLARKHauntingly good' iNEWS'A must read' GLAMOUR''Brilliant, original' KALIANE BRADLEY''One of my favourite novels'' JEFF VANDERMEER''Elegant, evocative'' CLAIRE FULLER''Extraordinary, unsettling'' JACQUELINE WILSONFrom the bestselling author of Our Wives Under the Sea, a haunting, heart wrenching novel of three sisters navigating queer love and faith at the end of the world.There's no way to bury a body in earth which is floodedIt's been raining for a long time now, for so long that the lands have reshaped themselves. Old places have been lost. Arcane rituals and religions have crept back into practice.Sisters Isla, Irene and Agnes have not spoken in some time when their estranged father dies. A famous architect revered for making the new world navigable, he had long cut himself off from public life. They find themselves uncertain of how to grieve his passing when everything around them seems to be ending anyway.As the sisters come together to clear the grand glass house that is the pinnacle of his legacy, they begin to sense that the magnetic influence of their father lives on through it. Something sinister seems to be unfolding, something related to their mother's long-ago disappearance and the strangers who have always been unusually interested in their lives. Soon, it becomes clear that the sisters have been chosen for a very particular purpose, one with shattering implications for their family and their imperilled world.A Book of the Year in the Guardian and DazedArmfield writes so gracefully' THE TIMESEvocative yet grounded'OBSERVERA chilling vision of a future capital that I've found impossible to shake'INEWSBallard-ian in apocalyptic scope Deeply, passionately, messily human' PAUL TREMBLAYA signature cocktail of deadpan wit and staggering beauty' ALICE SLATEREvery page guillotines you with its wisdom' TOM BENNLonglisted for the 2024 Climate Fiction Prize

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Book SynopsisTHE INSPIRATION FOR HBO AND SKY TV'S EMMY NOMINATED HOUSE OF THE DRAGON.Centuries before A Game of Thrones, an even greater game began, one that set the skies alight with dragon flame and saw the Seven Kingdoms turned to ash.The thrilling history of the Targaryens comes to life in this masterly work by the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, the inspiration for HBO's Game of Thrones.With all the fire and fury fans have come to expect from internationally bestselling author George R.R. Martin, this is the first volume of the definitive two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros.Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire and Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynaTrade Review‘A masterpiece’SUNDAY TIMES ‘An epic take, viewed from soaring heights’DAILY MAIL ‘A feast of pure imagination’SFX ‘The sheer detail of the richly layered world [Martin] has created is astonishing, with narrative twists and turns aplenty’SUNDAY EXPRESS PRAISE FOR A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: ‘Of those who work in the grand epic fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best’TIME MAGAZINE ‘Colossal, staggering…Martin captures all the intoxicating complexity of the Wars of the Roses or Imperial Rome’SFX ‘Martin’s style is so vivid that you will be hooked within a few pages’THE TIMES ‘I always expect the best from George R.R. Martin and he always delivers’ROBERT JORDAN

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Book SynopsisIF YOU DON''T KNOW SIMON SCARROW, YOU DON''T KNOW ROME!UNDER THE EAGLE is the gripping first novel in Simon Scarrow''s bestselling EAGLES OF THE EMPIRE series. A must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Praise for Simon Scarrow''s compelling novels: ''Gripping and moving'' The TimesAD 42, Germany. Tough, brutal and unforgiving. That''s how new recruit Cato is finding life in the Roman Second Legion. He may have contacts in high places, but he could really use a friend amongst his fellow soldiers right now.Cato has been promoted above his comrades at the order of the Emperor and is deeply resented by the other men. But he quickly earns the respect of his Centurion, Macro, a battle-hardened veteran as rough and ready as Cato is quick-witted and well-educated. They are poles apart, but soon realise they have a lot to learn from one another.On a campaign to Britannia - a land of utter barbarity - an enduring fTrade ReviewPraise for Simon Scarrow: 'I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read' -- Bernard CornwellA satisfyingly bloodthirsty, bawdy romp...perfect for Bernard Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff * Good Book Guide *Scarrow's [novels] rank with the best * Independent *Gripping... ferocious and compelling, it is a story of blood, romance and sacrifice * Daily Express *Rollicking good fun * Mail on Sunday *[Simon Scarrow] blends together historical facts and characters to create a book that simply cannot be put down... Highly recommended * Historical Novels Review *

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Book Synopsis?????''A real winter warmer of a read'' ??????????''An absolute treat'' Sue Moorcroft, Sunday Times BestsellerIt''s been years since Anna has seen Leo Knight. And of all the apartments in all the cities in all the world, he just happens to walk in to her cosy new attic home as her new housemate.As the two walk the cobbled streets of Prague, taking in the sights and sounds from Wenceslas Square, frosted with snow, to the soft glow of candlelit Charles Bridge, the enchantment of the City of a Hundred Spires soon starts to work its magic on themPraise for Julie Caplin:One unputdownable story' Sunday Times Bestseller Katie FfordeAn irresistible slice of escapism' Sunday Times Bestseller Phillipa Ashley

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Book SynopsisIt's impossible to come away from this magical story unchanged' Sally PiperRichly immersive. A mysterious and magical journey through loss and grief' Fiona ValpyThe last time Esther Wilding's beloved older sister Aura was seen, she was walking along the shore towards the sea. In the wake of Aura's disappearance, Esther's family struggles to live with their loss.To seek the truth about her sister's death, Esther reluctantly travels from Tasmania to Copenhagen, and then to the Faroe Islands. On her journey, Esther is guided by the stories Aura left behind in her treasured journal; seven fairy tales about selkies, swans and women, alongside cryptic verses Aura wrote and had secretly tattooed on her body.The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding is about the far-reaches of sisterly love, the power of wearing your heart on your skin and the way life can transform when we find the courage to feel the fullness of both grief and joy.I was swept away by this triumphant and luminous story' Myfanwy JonesAstonishing in its scope, detail and sensitivity... tender, magical, epic, funny and devastating' Kate LeaverHolly Ringland creates expansive, magical worlds in her novels and packs them full of love' Victoria HannanRingland is a virtuoso of fairytale storytelling for adults' Sydney Morning HeraldVivid and soaring... a haunting story of trauma and redemption' Books+PublishingA beautiful story with shimmering layers of age-old stories and rituals from indigenous Australia and Scandinavia' The Yorkshire Times

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Book Synopsis*Discover The Secrets of Flowers, the brand new novel from Sally Page available to pre-order now*I absolutely loved it! So different, clever, funny and charming' Sunday Times bestseller Katie FfordeFunny, wise, moving and full of lovely momentsThe characters are endearing and unforgettable' Hazel Prior, author of the Richard & Judy Book Club Pick Away with the PenguinsJanice is a wonderful woman whose authenticity pulls you alongthe breadth and originality of supporting characters makes this debut an immersive delight' Dorset MagazineAbsolutely spellbindinga warm-hearted, thoughtful, funny and yet deeply poignant' Celia Anderson, author of 59 Memory LaneA treasure of a book. Beautiful, emotional and heartfelt with a cornucopia of characters you'll love spending time with' Phaedra Patrick, author of The Library of Lost and FoundShe can't recall what started her collection. Maybe it was in a fragment of conversation overheard as she cleaned a sink? Before long (as she dusted a sitting room or defrosted a fridge) she noticed people were telling her their stories. Perhaps they always had done, but now it is different, now the stories are reaching out to her and she gathers them to herWhen Janice starts cleaning for Mrs B a shrewd and tricksy woman in her nineties she meets someone who wants to hear her story. But Janice is clear: she is the keeper of stories, she doesn't have a story to tell. At least, not one she can share.Mrs B is no fool and knows there is more to Janice than meets the eye. What is she hiding? After all, doesn't everyone have a story to tell?Readers are loving Sally Page:Oh my giddy aunt what an amazing bookabsolutely adored it from start to finish' JeannieNot what I was expecting at allloved the way it ended' JulieAn absolutely wonderful, unputdownable book full of delightful characters' SueWhat a wonderful idea for a bookA joy to read' AngelaBeautiful storyI loved every minute of reading it!' RubieTrade Review‘Wow, what a fantastic book that kept me rooting for the main character, Janice…The book has so many interesting characters, each with their own story and I loved it’ ‘An interesting, enjoyable and quite engaging story…anyone who is fascinated in people's lives will love this book and be completely engrossed from start to finish’ ‘A lovely, delightful book filled with rich, wonderful characters, and an intriguing plot’

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Book SynopsisTHE LIFE-AFFIRMING FOLLOW UP TO THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN, FROM THE MASTER STORYTELLER WHOSE BOOKS HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF OVER 40 MILLION READERS''Mitch Albom sees the magical in the ordinary'' Cecilia Ahern__________No act done for someone else is ever wasted.The accident that killed Eddie left an indelible mark on Annie. Only a girl at the time, injured, scarred, and unable to remember why, Annie''s life is forever changed by the incident.Bullied by her peers and haunted by something she cannot recall, Annie struggles to find acceptance as she grows. When, as a young woman, she reconnects with Paulo, her childhood love, she believes she has finally found happiness.But when her wedding day ends in an unimaginable accident, Annie finds herself on her own heavenly journey. It will lead her to her very own five people, whose responsibility it falls on to teach her about the meaning of her life, and to her inevitable reunion with Eddie.__________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET IN HEAVEN''The story has your heart in a million pieces whilst you smile and simply can''t wait to read what happens next''''A master storyteller!''''A perfect end to an already perfect story. It is truly a gift for any reader''''Anyone who read the first book would expect this second book to be a work of art. It is just that''''Mitch Albom knows how to tug on the heartstrings!''Trade ReviewMitch Albom sees the magical in the ordinary -- Cecilia AhernPowerful . . . Albom has touched the lives of a lot of people he never even knew * Time *Compelling and uplifting * Independent *A writer with soul * Los Angeles Times *Albom breaks hearts with his stories * Mirror *Albom has done it again... FIVE PEOPLE is a powerful book, powerful enough to make one's inner snob feel a little uncomfortable...Albom has touched the lives of a lot of people he never even knew. If there is a heaven, he can expect to have around 5.7 million people waiting for him there * TIME *[Eddie] learns not only about his life but also about what his time on earth meant. It is simple, unaffected and written with great feeling * PUBLISHING NEWS *Simply told, sentimental and profoundly true, this is a contemporary American fable that will be cherished by a vast readership . . . this slim tale, like Charles Dickens's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, reminds us of what really matters here of earth, of what our lives are given to us for * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *Mitch Albom lifts us to a new level ... You'll find here echoes of the classics - The Odyssey for one - and that puts Albom's book in the best of company * Frank McCourt, author of ANGELA'S ASHES *

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