Contemporary Fiction Books

Contemporary Fiction Books

Contemporary fiction titles are those which focus on the present or near past. Stories rooted in the current cultural, social, and political landscape which feature characters we can all recognise.

19442 products


  • Schindlers Ark

    Hodder & Stoughton Schindlers Ark

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis***Winner of the Booker Prize***''ONE OF THE WORLD''S GREATEST WRITERS'' Spectator''Extraordinary'' Graham Greene ''Powerful'' The Times ''Marvellous'' Sunday TimesThe acclaimed bestselling classic of Holocaust literature, adapted into the award-winning film Schindler''s ListIn the shadow of Auschwitz, as thousands faced death in Nazi-occupied Poland, an unlikely saviour emerged. Oskar Schindler was a heavy-drinking, womanising industrialist who defied and outwitted the SS to save more Jews from the gas chambers than any other single person during World War II.Based on a true story, Schindler''s Ark is an astonishing tale of huge risks and great courage in the face of unspeakable evil.PRAISE FOR THOMAS KENEALLY''A superb storyteller'' Alan Sillitoe''One of the historical novel''s most expert practitioners'' Guardian''A grTrade ReviewAn extraordinary achievement -- Graham Greene, author of BRIGHTON ROCKBrilliantly detailed, moving, powerful and gripping * The Times *Thomas Keneally has done marvellous justice to a marvellous story * Sunday Times *This remarkable book has the immediacy and the almost unbearable detail of a thousand eye witnesses who forgot nothing * New York Times Book Review *Keneally is a superb storyteller. With Schindler's Ark he has given us his best book yet, a magnificent novel which held me from the first page to the last -- Alan Sillitoe, author of SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNINGAn extraordinary tale . . .no summary can adequately convey the stratagems and reverses and sudden twists of fortune . . . A notable achievement * New York Review of Books *A magnificent book, powerful, harrowing and beautifully written * Sunday Express *A fine and moving story * Evening Standard *Fascinating, expertly told and impossible to put down * Bookseller *Magnificent . . . Beautifully written * Mail on Sunday *A masterful account of the growth of the human soul * Los Angeles Times *An astounding story . . . in this case the truth is far more powerful than anything the imagination could invent * Newsweek *

    2 in stock

    £10.39

  • The Bookshop Ladies

    Head of Zeus The Bookshop Ladies

    Book Synopsis''A captivating read, written with warmth and elegance, The Bookshop Ladies is the perfect escape!'' Evie Woods, author of The Lost Bookshop***From bestselling Irish writer, Faith Hogan, comes another gripping saga of friendship, betrayal and secrets in this story of a widow in search of answers to a shocking confession by her dying husband.Joy Blackwood has no idea why her French art dealer husband has left a valuable painting to a woman called Robyn Tessier in Ballycove, a small town on the west coast of Ireland, but she is determined to find out. She arrives in Ballycove to find that Robyn runs a rather chaotic and unprofitable bookshop. She is shy, suffering from unrequited love for dashing Kian, and badly in need of advice on how to make the bookshop successful.As Joy becomes entangled in the daily dramas of Ballycove, uncovering the secrets behind her husband''s painting grows increasingly challenging. When she finally musters the courage to confront the truth, her revelation sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community she''s grown to love.***PRAISE FOR FAITH HOGAN:''Utterly enchanting! I would wholeheartedly welcome a week or two being looked after by Esme in beautiful Ballycove'' Heidi Swain''Once again Faith pulls you into her world instantly and never lets you go, with such an incredibly real cast of characters who you feel actually exist. A Life affirming and unputdownable read'' Trisha Ashley''I LOVED it. There is a glow that comes from all of Faith''s books that warms every part of me'' Cathy Kelly''A beautiful and intriguing story celebrating self-discovery, friendship and family bonds'' Phaedra Patrick, bestselling author of The Library of Lost and Found''What a delight this book is. A gorgeous cast of characters, the perfect seaside setting and Faith Hogan's wonderful talent for dialogue all come together to make this a lovely feel-good story with an ending that will cheer your heart'' Imogen Clark, bestselling author of Impossible to Forget

    £14.24

  • The Angels Game

    Orion Publishing Co The Angels Game

    Book SynopsisFrom the author of the beloved classic The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel's Game takes us back to Barcelona in the turbulent 1920s and the Gothic universe of the Cemetery of the Forgotten BooksTrade ReviewThose who were hooked on Zafón's The Shadow of the Wind will be similarly entranced by The Angel's Game . . . Surprising and bittersweet, it's as potent as an Audrey Niffenegger novel, with a nod to a certain nineteenth-century romance * Psychologies *Starts off as an intelligent literary thriller, but morphs into action-packed adventure with a hefty body count * Daily Express *Draws with relish on all the conventions beloved of Wilkie Collins, Dickens . . . then weaves them into something entirely original and surprisingly moving * Observer *The prose is intelligent but unpretentious, and the author is clear in his intentions to provide a rollicking, fun read . . . the novel's themes address the power of narrative, and many sharp lines pertain to storytelling . . . hugely enjoyable * Daily Telegraph *In this book about books, Zafón writes about Spain's harrowing history with literary aplomb * The Times *Revisits some of Zafón's much loved urban landscapes in old Barcelona. Yet this novel stands alone, a complement or even an antagonist to its forerunner. If the previous book celebrated the ecstasies of reading then this one - no less in love with literature, and no less crammed with archetypal plots - explores the agonies of writing * Independent *Readers familiar with The Shadow of the Wind will find themselves back in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, the echo of Eco where, from a labyrinthine library, volumes seem to select their readers . . . rattling good gothic fun * Spectator *The tale is rich, evocative and literate, with Great Expectations and Faust among its more nakedly displayed influences. Zafón is a great describer, with a cinematic flair for murders and sexual encounters * Evening Standard *Sultry days are made for chunky pageturners such as The Angel's Game . . . It unfolds in Twenties Barcelona where a young man undertakes to write a book that will change people's lives. The task is daunting and the stakes perilously high * Daily Mail *The Angel's Game weaves the conventions of Wilkie Collins and Dickens into something original and surprisingly moving. -- Stephanie Merritt * OBSERVER *'Beyond plentiful shocks and thrills, Zafon niftily treads the fine line between a story of paranormal events and one of psychological delusion.' -- Boyd Tonkin * INDEPENDENT *This is a gothic, page-turning, supernatural thriller...there is plenty here to keep Zafon fans happy. * PRESS ASSOCIATION *

    £8.99

  • Brida

    HarperCollins Publishers Brida

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe spellbinding novel from one of the world''s best-loved authors, Paulo Coelho, recounting the story of Brida, and her pursuit of wisdom.This is the story of Brida, a young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. She has long been interested in various aspects of magic, and has taken courses in astrology, tarot, and numerology, but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom, who begin to teach her about the world.Her teachers sense that Brida has a gift, but cannot tell what that is. Meanwhile, Brida pursues her course ever deeper into the mysteries of life, seeking to answer questions about who she is. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest and teaches her about overcoming her fears and trusting in the goodness of the world and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world and how to pray to the moon. She seeks her destiny, as she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch.This enTrade ReviewPraise for Brida: ‘A wonderfully enjoyable tale which will provide you with an evocative and rewarding read’ Irish Post 'A beautiful storyteller, and he (Coelho) turns Brida's tale of self-discovery into a beautiful story' London Lite Praise for Paulo Coelho: ‘An exceptional writer.' USA Today ‘His books have had a life-enhancing impact on millions of people.’ Times ‘One of the few to deserve the term “Publishing Phenomenon”.’ Independent on Sunday ‘Coelho’s writing is beautifully poetic but his message is what counts…he gives me hope and puts a smile on my face.’ Daily Express ‘The Alchemist is a beautiful book about magic, dreams and the treasures we seek elsewhere and then find on our doorstep.‘ Madonna ‘It’s like music, really, the way he writes, it’s so beautiful. It’s a gift that I envy above all others.’ Julia Roberts

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Golden Notebook

    HarperCollins Publishers The Golden Notebook

    20 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe landmark novel of the Sixties a powerful account of a woman searching for her personal, political and professional identity while facing rejection and betrayal.In 1950s London, novelist Anna Wulf struggles with writer's block. Divorced with a young child, and fearful of going mad, Anna records her experiences in four coloured notebooks: black for her writing life, red for political views, yellow for emotions, blue for everyday events. But it is a fifth notebook the golden notebook that finally pulls these wayward strands of her life together.Widely regarded as Doris Lessing's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, The Golden Notebook' is wry and perceptive, bold and indispensable.Trade Review‘This ambitious novel has no equal.’ Guardian ‘At the beginning of the Sixties, this vast, frank, complicated novel helped to sustain our reputation for courageous, ambitious, experimental writing. Soon a worldwide bestseller, it is still Lessing’s finest work. “The Golden Notebook” captured the heady mix of the early Sixties, when not just novels but political certainties were dissolving. The rising feminist movement seized it as a Bible.’ Mail on Sunday ‘Her greatest work…Shows the power of the female imagination at full throttle. It doesn't bear a simple political message but it does rip off the masks that women were accustomed to wearing, and it shows up the dangers and difficulties that women encounter if they try to live a free life in a man's world…A landmark novel, a book that both changed and explained a generation…One of the finest writers of the century.’ Independent ‘Doris Lessing is a pioneer of feminist self-consciousness in its raw state…The truths contained in “The Golden Notebook” are indeed harsh. It can also be said that these particular truths have not been examined in so rigorous and exemplary a fashion since the first appearance of this extraordinary book. A seminal work.’ Anita Brookner, LRB ‘“The Golden Notebook” is the diary of a writer in shock, a young woman determined to forge a life as a “free woman”, as an “intellectual”. Doris Lessing is a writer of considerable power, someone who can close her eyes and “give” a situation by the sheer force of her emotional energy.’ Joan Didion, New York Times

    20 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Shell Seekers

    Hodder & Stoughton The Shell Seekers

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Took me to the sun-kissed beaches and wildness of Cornwall. A beautiful story of love lost, interwoven with family dramas and lasting friendships. I have lived the book with each page turned and was sorry to say goodbye to all of the characters at the end'' Reader review ????? Rosamunde Pilcher''s phenomenal and heart-warming bestseller exploring the nuances of family dramaArtist''s daughter Penelope Keeling can look back on a full and varied life: a Bohemian childhood in London and Cornwall, an unhappy wartime marriage, and the one man she truly loved. She has brought up three children - and learned to accept them as they are.Yet she is far too energetic and independent to settle sweetly into pensioned-off old-age. And when she discovers that her most treasured possession, her father''s painting, The Shell Seekers, is now worth a small fortune, it is Penelope who must make the decisions that will determine whether her family caTrade ReviewA huge warm saga . . . A deeply satisfying story written with love and confidence * Maeve Binchy in The New York Times Book Review *A beautiful, haunting story . . . that will tug at your heart strings * Prima *Her genius is to create characters you really care about * Daily Express *A long, beguiling saga, typically English . . . Splendid * Mail on Sunday *

    1 in stock

    £8.79

  • The Lord of the Rings

    HarperCollins Publishers The Lord of the Rings

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisSumptuous slipcased edition of Tolkien's classic epic tale of adventure, fully illustrated in colour for the first time by the author himself. This deluxe volume is quarterbound and includes many special features unique to this edition.Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 100 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors' editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.This one-volume deluxe slipcased edition contains the complete text, fully corrected and reset, which is printed in red and black and features, for the very first time, thirty colour illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, marvellous facsimiles created by Tolkien to accompany the famous Bridge of Khazad-dum' chapter. Also appearing are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Middle-earth.This very special deluxe edition is quarterbound with raised ribs on the spine and stamped in two foils. The pages are edged in gold and contained within are special features unique to this edition.Trade Review‘Among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the 20th century.’Sunday Telegraph ‘The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and those who are going to read them’Sunday Times ‘Masterpiece? Oh yes, I’ve no doubt about that.’Evening Standard

    15 in stock

    £112.50

  • A Little Life: The Million-Copy Bestseller

    Pan Macmillan A Little Life: The Million-Copy Bestseller

    5 in stock

    Book Synopsis'I'm not exaggerating when I say this novel challenged everything I thought I knew about love and friendship. It's one of those books that stays with you forever.' - Dua LipaThe million copy bestseller, Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life, by the author of To Paradise and The People in the Trees, is an immensely powerful and heartbreaking novel of brotherly love and the limits of human endurance.Winner of Fiction of the Year at the British Book AwardsShortlisted for the Booker PrizeShortlisted for the Women's PrizeFinalist for the US National Book Award for FictionWhen four graduates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their centre of gravity. Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he'll not only be unable to overcome – but that will define his life forever.'Yanagihara takes you so deeply into the lives and minds of these characters that you struggle to leave them behind.' – The TimesTrade ReviewA singularly profound and moving work . . . It's not often that you read a book of this length and find yourself thinking "I wish it was longer" but Yanagihara takes you so deeply into the lives and minds of these characters that you struggle to leave them behind. -- Fiona Wilson * The Times *A Little Life makes for near-hypnotically compelling reading, a vivid, hyperreal portrait of human existence that demands intense emotional investment . . . An astonishing achievement: a novel of grand drama and sentiment, but it's a canvas Yanagihara has painted with delicate, subtle brushstrokes. * Independent *One of the pleasures of fiction is how suddenly a brilliant writer can alter the literary landscape . . . Ms. Yanagihara's immense new book . . . announces her, as decisively as a second work can, as a major American novelist. Here is an epic study of trauma and friendship written with such intelligence and depth of perception that it will be one of the benchmarks against which all other novels that broach those subjects (and they are legion) will be measured. * Wall Street Journal *How often is a novel so deeply disturbing that you might find yourself weeping, and yet so revelatory about human kindness that you might also feel touched by grace? Yanagihara's astonishing and unsettling second novel . . . plumbs the rich inner lives of all of her characters... You don't just care deeply about all these lives. Thanks to the author's exquisite skill, you feel as if you are living them . . . A Little Life is about the unimaginable cruelty of human beings, the savage things done to a child and his lifelong struggle to overcome the damage. Its pages are soaked with grief, but it's also about the bottomless human capacity for love and endurance . . . It's not hyperbole to call this novel a masterwork - if anything that word is simply just too little for it * San Francisco Chronicle *Martin Amis once asked, "Who else but Tolstoy has made happiness really swing on the page?" And the surprising answer is that Hanya Yanagihara has: counterintuitively, the most moving parts of "A Little Life" are not its most brutal but its tenderest ones, moments when Jude receives kindness and support from his friends . . . "A Little Life" feels elemental, irreducible-and, dark and disturbing though it is, there is beauty in it -- Jon Michaud * New Yorker *Hanya Yanagihara's no-holds-barred second novel A Little Life has established her as a major new voice in US fiction. -- Tim Adams * Observer *Utterly compelling . . . quite an extraordinary novel. It is impossible to put down . . . And it is almost impossible to forget. -- Mernie Gilmore * Daily Express *[The] spring's must-read novel . . . Her debut . . . put her on the literary map, her massive new novel . . . signals the arrival of a major new voice in fiction . . . Her achievement has less to do with size than with her powerful evocation of the fragility of self . . . the pained beauty that suffuses this novel, an American epic that eloquently counters our culture's fixation with redemptive narratives. * Vogue US *[A] wholly immersive unforgettable read . . . You won't stop reading. And it's a novel that changes you. * Evening Standard *The triumph of A Little Life's many pages is significant: It wraps us so thoroughly in a character's life that his trauma, his struggles, his griefs come to seem as familiar and inescapable as our own. There's no one way to experience loss, abuse, or the effects of trauma, of course, but the vividness of Jude's character and experiences makes the pain almost tangible, the fall-out more comprehensible. It's a monument of empathy, and that alone makes this novel wondrous * Huffington Post *Often painful but thoroughly brilliant . . . Yanagihara's massive new novel . . . is hurtful. That's because, among other things, it is the enthralling and completely immersive story of one man's unyielding pain. It also asks a compelling question: Can friends save us? Even from ourselves? . . . Yanagihara's close study of [her characters'] lives and Jude's trauma makes for a stunning work of fiction * New York Daily News *This spellbinding, feverish novel sucks you in . . . One of the most compassionate, moving stories of our time . . . An exquisitely written, complex triumph * Oprah.com *A darkly beautiful tale of love and friendship... I've read a lot of emotionally taxing books in my time, but A Little Life . . . is the only one I've read as an adult that's left me sobbing. I became so invested in the characters and their lives that I almost felt unqualified to review this book objectively . . . There are truths here that are almost too much to bear - that hope is a qualified thing, that even love, no matter how pure and freely given, is not always enough. This book made me realize how merciful most fiction really is, even at its darkest, and it's a testament to Yanagihara's ability that she can take such ugly material and make it beautiful * Los Angeles Times *Capacious and consuming . . . Boast[s] a scale and immersive power to rival the recent epics of Donna Tartt and Elizabeth Gilbert . . . Alternately devastating and draining, A Little Life floats all sorts of troubling questions about the responsibility of the individual to those nearest and dearest and the sometime futility of playing brother's keeper. Those questions, accompanied by Yanagihara's exquisitely imagined characters, will shadow your dreamscapes * Boston Globe *An extraordinary book . . . A Little Life is quite deliberately a fable, not social realism . . . and all the more powerful for it. The truths it tells are wrenching, permanent. -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *This is an impressive and moving novel. -- Hannah Rosefield * Literary Review *A Little Life is Jude's story and it's his sorrow that colours this devastating, exhausting, strangely exhilarating novel. It's not in any way consoling but it is vitally compelling. -- Eithne Farry * Daily Express *How many times a year are you blown away by a book? That feeling that you can't stop reading, that your life might be a little bit changed? . . . I felt in the presence of genius, and 14 sleepless hours later I inhaled the last few sentences knowing I had found a masterpiece . . . Objectively, parts of this are a gruelling read, but such is the author's skill that the pages do seem to turn themselves as we race towards finding out the terrible secrets of Jude's dark trauma... I will be heading to the barricades if this doesn't win prizes galore -- Cathy Rentzenbrink * The Bookseller *Has so much richness in it - great big passages of beautiful prose, unforgettable characters, and shrewd insights into art and ambition and friendship and forgiveness * Entertainment Weekly *Astonishing . . . tender, torturous and achingly alive to the undeniable pain that can scar a life. * Psychologies *The clarity of Yanagihara's prose is perfect for dissecting blind ambition, the consolations of work and money, and how these paper over the cracks of fragile, fractured individuals . . . A Little Life is unlike anything else out there . . . Quite simply unforgettable. -- James Kidd * Independent on Sunday *This new book is long, page-turny, deeply moving, sometimes excessive, but always packed with the weight of a genuine experience. As I was reading, I literally dreamed about it every night . . . The book's driven obsessiveness is inseparable from the emotional force that will leave countless readers weeping . . . A wrenching portrait of the enduring grace of friendship. With her sensitivity to everything from the emotional nuance to the play of light inside a subway car, Yanagihara is superb at capturing the radiant moments of beauty, warmth and kindness that help redeem the bad stuff. In A Little Life, it's life's evanescent blessings that maybe, but only maybe, can save you * National Public Radio *Once she has you, Yanagihara is not going to let you go . . . Yanagihara . . . contains multitudes. She seems able to imagine anything . . . A Little Life . . . is, in its own dark way, a miracle * Newsday *At its heart A Little Life is a fairy tale that pits good against evil, love against viciousness, hope against hopelessness. The cruelty of the life Ms Yanagihara describes is trumped only by the tenacity with which she searches for an answer. * The Economist *The reader is pulled along by its express-train pace . . . it's certainly a great book. -- John Harding * Daily Mail *The first must-read novel of the year . . . The way to describe a novel you like, maybe the quickest way, is to say that you can't put it down. People say that all the time. There are also novels that compel trickier, but no less passionate, emotions. They are books that confront you and make you wrestle with them. You might feel protective of the characters and their fates; maybe you feel like the writer is talking directly to, or about, you and you are delighted but spooked about what the writer might reveal. There is no shorthand phrase for a novel that seduces you even as it frightens, guts, exhausts, and disgusts you. A Little Life is the most devastating but satisfying novel published so far this year . . . Finishing its 720 pages is like finishing one of the doorstop novels of 19th-century Russia: you feel worn out but wide awake -- (Cover Story) * Kirkus *Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life is the thinking person's big book of the year so far, a long, complex and pretty dark look at the intertwined lives of four college friends. It reminds me of The Corrections, or a starker The Interestings, or a more linear work by David Foster Wallace. Really. It's that huge and important * Amazon.com *Set to become one of the year's most talked-about novels . . . The narrative is transporting. -- Alex Clarke * ES Magazine *A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, will be one of those books people ask you if you've read yet. Beat 'em to the punch * South Coast Today *Utterly enthralling . . . The phrase "tour de force" could have been invented for this audacious novel * Kirkus (Starred Review) *Emerging from horror, persistent and enduring, is a touching, eternal, unconventional love story. -- Maria Crawford * Financial Times *A Little Life asks serious questions about humanism and euthanasia and psychiatry and any number of the partis pris of modern western life. It's Entourage directed by Bergman; it's the great 90s novel a quarter of a century too late; it's a devastating read that will leave your heart, like the Grinch's, a few sizes larger. -- Alex Preston * Observer *Transporting . . . A Little Life is not to be missed. -- Alex Clark * Evening Standard *Deeply moving . . . A Little Life interrogates notions of value and happiness as espoused by the 21st century American dream . . . Extraordinarily rich. * The National *A book that demands to be read. -- James Daunt * Wall Street Journal *A remarkable tale of love, friendship and the difficulties of embracing life when everything conspires against your right to happiness. * Sunday Herald *

    5 in stock

    £21.25

  • The Invisible Library

    Pan Macmillan The Invisible Library

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisOne spy. One dangerous book. One deadly mission. Discover the first book in this gripping fantasy mystery series – The Invisible Library is the astounding debut from bestselling author Genevieve Cogman.Perfect for fans of Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair or Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London.'I absolutely loved this' – N.K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth SeasonIrene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, whose staff are sent to different realities to harvest dangerous and mystical fiction.Irene has been posted to an alternative steampunk London along with her enigmatic new assistant, Kai. Their mission: to retrieve a dangerous edition of Grimms' Fairy Tales. But it has already been stolen.In London's underground, the laws of nature have been bent – supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic Trade ReviewI absolutely loved this ... flavored with truly unique mythology and a dash of the eldritch. Such clever, creepy, elaborate worldbuilding and snarky, sexy-smart characters * N.K. Jemisin, author of the Broken Earth series, including The Fifth Season *A dazzling bibliophilic debut -- Charles Stross, author of the Laundry Files, including The Atrocity ArchivesIt's a breath of fresh air ... with a companionable heroine in Irene, and a satisfyingly complex plot, The Invisible Library - the first of a series - is a book in which to wallow * Guardian *Written in a similar vein to Deborah Harkness's All Souls trilogy ... Contemporary meets fairy-take in this novel * Big Issue *Cogman writes with a vivacity and wittiness that breathes new life into the genre . . . Reminiscent of the works of Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman, Cogman's novel is a true treat to read * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Surrender to the sheer volume of fun that appears on every page...thoroughly entertaining * Starburst Magazine *Fantasy doesn't get much better ... If you're looking for a swift, clever and witty read, look no further * Fantasy-Faction.com *This witty and spirited adventure sets up a potential gold mine of lore for the writer to plunder in future sequels ... a fun and original page-turner * SciFiNow.co.uk *Highly entertaining ... It reminded me a lot of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series * TheBookPlank blog *The Invisible Library is everything I could ever want out of a book . . . a stunning work of art that has me absolutely begging for more * FantasyBookReview.co.uk *Hits the spot straight from the opening page ... one of the most pleasurable debuts of the year * Upcoming4.me *An adventure story to delight the heart . . . The characters of Irene, her companion and those they encounter are vividly drawn, and the story moves along at breakneck speed to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion * ScifiBulletin.com *A book that was a sheer joy to spend time with ... solid prose alongside great pace * FalcataTimes blog *Cogman's dialogue is clever and funny, and her characters delightfully flawed. With this book she has crafted an exciting, fast-paced introduction to a world you will yearn to revisit ... Books such as The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games series are paving the way for stories like this * Geekchocolate.co.uk *A mix of Doctor Who, Fringe and The Librarians . . . Genevieve Cogman has crafted a well-paced, smart and fun novel that will certainly be a quick read for most people * TheFictionalHangout blog *The Invisible Library is currently at the top of my list of favourite books read this year . . . so much fun * Fantasybookcafe.com *Cogman's debut is a tremendously fun, rip-roaring adventure with protagonists that are easy to love and a setting that couldn't have suited my tastes better ... I can't wait for the second instalment * AFantasticalLibrarian.com *I've seen it compared to Doctor Who, I'm sure it'll be compared to Harry Potter, and it'll probably get compared to every Anglophile novel full of vim and fun that's ever been written. These comparisons will all be well-earned * BastianBalthasarbooks.co.uk *

    4 in stock

    £8.09

  • Under Your Spell

    Simon & Schuster Ltd Under Your Spell

    15 in stock

    Book Synopsis‘I absolutely adored Under Your Spell the sweetest, sexiest, funniest romance. It was such a treat!’ Marian Keyes 'So witty and smart. I am thoroughly under Laura Wood’s spell' Hannah Grace 'For any fans of Emily Henry, this is a romantic read supreme' Stylist 'A fizzy, magical romcom featuring a heroine to root for and a hero to swoon over. Fans of Emily Henry will adore this sexy, tender and funny story' Sarra Manning, Red MagazineShe only wants three things. He isn't one of them...  Dumped by her cheating ex, fired from her dream job, about to lose her flat: Clementine Monroe is not having a good day. So when her sisters get her drunk and suggest reviving a childhood ritual called the breakup spell, she doesn’t see the harm in it.   But now Clemmie has accidentally ruin

    15 in stock

    £8.54

  • We Are All Guilty Here

    HarperCollins Publishers We Are All Guilty Here

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe instant No.1 Sunday Times bestseller! The gripping and exciting first book in a brand new crime thriller series from the international sensation Karin Slaughter.*Special Collector's Edition available to the first UK print run only! Featuring a beautiful foil on board design beneath the dust jacket, make sure to order your copy. Available while stocks last.*''A thriller of breadth and deptha powerful and gripping read'' Shari Lapena''Explosive from the very start'' Cara Hunter''This is a huge novel with an even bigger heart'' Jane Casey''Karin Slaughter is always a must read'' Harlan CobenA dark, shocking and visceral story Absolutely brilliant' Janice Hallett''Powerful, beautiful, brimming with heart and grit an astonishing novel. I adored it'' Andrea Mara***Welcome to North Falls. A small town where everyone knows everyone. But nobody knows the truth.Emmy Clifton has lived here all her life. She thinks she knows her neighbours. She''s wrong.She thinks it's just another hot summer night: a night like any other. She''s wrong.When her best friend''s daughter asks for help, she thinks it's just some teenage drama. She thinks it can wait. She's never been more wrong in her life.As the town ignites in the wake of the girl''s disappearance, Emmy throws herself into the search. But then she realises: You never really know a town until you know its secrets.Is Emmy ready for the truth?***''Karin absolutely nails small town America with complex family lives filled with secrets and paranoia'' ????? reader review''Brilliant, heart-breaking, tense, disturbing and another impossible to put down'' ????? reader review''A compelling and intricately woven thriller that will keep readers hooked from start to finish'' ????? reader review

    15 in stock

    £18.70

  • The Queens Gambit

    Orion Publishing Co The Queens Gambit

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING NETFLIX SERIES''Superb'' Time Out ''Mesmerizing'' Newsweek''Gripping'' Financial Times''Sheer entertainment. It is a book I reread every few years - for the pure pleasure and skill of it'' Michael Ondaatje ''Don''t pick this up if you want a night''s sleep'' Scotsman When she is sent to an orphanage at the age of eight, Beth Harmon soon discovers two ways to escape her surroundings, albeit fleetingly: playing chess and taking the little green pills given to her and the other children to keep them subdued. Before long, it becomes apparent that hers is a prodigious talent, and as she progresses to the top of the US chess rankings she is able to forge a new life for herself. But she can never quite overcome her urge to self-destruct. For Beth, there''s more at stake than merely winning and losing.''I loved it. I just loved it, it reall

    10 in stock

    £8.83

  • The Butcher and the Wren

    Penguin Books Ltd The Butcher and the Wren

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE CHILLING SERIAL KILLER THRILLER FROM THE CO-HOST OF CHART-TOPPING PODCAST MORBID''AMAZING TWISTS. UNPUTDOWNABLE'' SAMANTHA DOWNING''CAPTIVATING. The reader might want to shut their eyes, but the joust between the killer and the pathologist makes that impossible'' DAILY MAILWren was never afraid of the dark. Until she learned that some monsters are real . . ._________In deep Louisiana, a serial killer with a taste for medical experimentation is completing his most ambitious project yet. The media call him ''The Butcher'' - and, so far, he''s proved impossible to catch.With her encyclopaedic knowledge of humanity''s darkest minds, and years of experience examining their victims, forensic pathologist Dr Wren Muller is the best there is. The longer the Butcher''s killing spree continues, the more determined she is to bring him to justice.And yet, he continues to elude her.Trade ReviewAlaina Urquhart's debut novel is incredibly accomplished. Set deep in Louisiana, you can almost feel the heat and humidity. A grisly serial killer, a tenacious medical examiner, and a few amazing twists make this a searing, unputdownable book -- Samantha Downing, Sunday Times Bestselling AuthorCan a medical examiner outsmart a serial killer? The Butcher and the Wren will keep you waiting for an answer until the last bloody page. Prepare to be disturbed. A deliciously dark debut -- REA FREY, bestselling author for Not Her Daughter and Secrets of Our HouseImpressively detailed in its analysis . . . Captivating, with lacings of the occult. There may be moments when the reader might want to shut their eyes, but the joust between the killer and the pathologist makes that impossible * Daily Mail *A chilling page-turner with a massive twist in the middle that's sure to give you goosebumps * Woman's Weekly *The Butcher and the Wren is perfect for fans of Dexter. Pitting a brutal serial killer against a determined medical examiner, the story is a pulsepounding race against time. And the details the author weaves in due to her unique background as an autopsy tech heighten the realism and the suspense. Fans of Morbid will love the host's debut novel -- KAIRA ROUDAUrquhart paints a tense and dangerous world for us right from the start and delivers it all with a skilled and evocative hand -- AARON MAHNKE, creator of the Lore podcast and author of The World of Lore seriesDark and twisted, The Butcher And The Wren is a gripping game of cat and mouse in the Louisiana bayou that will leave you wanting for more! Alaina Urquhart is a fresh new voice in crime fiction and I can't wait to read what she writes next -- LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of Nobody But UsNot for the faint-hearted * Heat *A read-in-one-sitting kind of book -- Sarah Gelman * CBS Mornings *Looking for the perfect way to kick off your spooky season? Well, you can end your search now as the co-host of the wildly popular true-crime podcast Morbid, who is also an autopsy technician, is offering up a twisted tale of a serial killer terrorizing the Louisiana bayou. Told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious murderer and the medical examiner who is desperate to catch him, this cat-and-mouse thriller will give your goosebumps chills -- Tierney Bricker * E! News *True-crime podcast co-host Alaina Urquhart showcases her propensity for the macabre in chilling cat-and-mouse thriller -- Sabienna Bowman * Popsugar *Another true crime podcaster brings their flair for the macabre to the page with The Butcher and the Wren. Co-host of the chart-topping Morbid podcast, Alaina Urquhart treats fans of pulse-pounding novels to a thrill ride pitting a notorious serial killer in a battle of wits against the medical examiner determined to bring him down -- Books-A-Million, “Our Favorite Debut Authors” * - *A psychic thriller that will have readers on edge from the first page to the last . . . Perfect for those who love: watching Silence of the Lambs -- Ashley McLellan * Louisiana Life *Set in the ever-moody and hauntingly beautiful city of New Orleans, The Butcher and the Wren tells the story of a meticulous serial killer and the distinguished forensic pathologist, Dr. Wren Muller, set out to stop him. After researching countless horrific true crime cases over the last several years, we have no doubt Urquhart will knock it out of the park with this one. This is the perfect book to pick up if you want to 'Keep it weird.' -- Brett Nicole Hayden, The Everygirl * - *A serial killer novel like none you have ever read, The Butcher and the Wren takes a cat-and-mouse chase between two instantly memorable antagonists and turns all the conventions of the genre upside down. Dark, twisty, full of authentic detail, it'll have you listening to the night in an entirely different way -- Neil Nyren, Booktrib * - *If you've ever wanted to actually get inside the mind of a serial killer, look no further * Paste Magazine *

    10 in stock

    £9.49

  • Dial A For Aunties

    HarperCollins Publishers Dial A For Aunties

    4 in stock

    Book SynopsisWinner of the Comedy Women In Print Prize 2021Whip-smart, original and so funny. I found it impossible to put down and lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud' Beth O'Leary, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Road TripYour family would kill to see you happyARE YOUDEAD?'OH MY GOD. I THINK HE IS.When Meddy Chan accidentally kills her blind date, she turns to her aunties for help. Their meddling set her up on the date so they kind of owe her.WELL, THAT DIDN'T QUITE GO TO PLAN.Although hiding this goddamn dead body is going to be harder than they thought especially when her family's wedding business has THE biggest wedding of the year happening right now.IT'S PRETTY BAD TIMING REALLY.It turns out the wedding venue just happens to be managed by Meddy's ex, aka the one who got away. It's the worst time to see him again, oris it? Can Meddy finally find love and make her overbearing family happy?Readers LOVE Dial A For Aunties!Its dark humour and hilarious family dynamics had Trade Review‘A deliciously frantic comedy caper, filled with absurd situations, hilarious dialogue, wonderful family dynamics and crackling with comic energy’ Joanne Harris, CWIP Prize ‘Had me laughing aloud within its first five pages. Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, Beach Read ‘A dazzling debut full of humour and love. A comedy caper, doused in black humour, comical references, mixed with romance – fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly ‘Brilliant, wicked and dead, dead funny’ Andi Osho, Asking For A Friend ‘A gloriously screwball crime caper (with a dusting of romance) which will have you snort-laughing’ Red ‘Dial A For Aunties is one of the funniest, smartest, most compelling books I’ve read in a long time and I couldn’t put it down’ Lucy Vine, Hot Mess ‘Rejoice over Dial A For Aunties’ Elle ‘This smart, funny charming novel has all the right ingredients to make you laugh out loud… A heartfelt rom-com’ Platinum ‘A tightly-plotted, highly comic romp, Dial A For Aunties keeps you guessing till the very last twist’ Lauren Ho, Last Tang Standing ‘Has redefined what “page-turner” means with laugh-out-loud humour and delightful twists and turns at every corner’ Buzzfeed ‘A rip-roaring treat! Dark comedy at its finest and a set of catastrophes that had me roaring’ Abigail Mann, The Lonely Fajita ‘This laugh-out-loud read is a real breath of fresh air’ Fabulous ‘Dark humour at its best. We had such a laugh reading through’ Magic Radio Bookclub ‘The comedy jackpot! Fresh, funny and fabulous’ Kirsty Eyre, Cow Girl ‘A laugh-out-loud read’ Bella ‘Genuine laugh-out-loud funny’ Frost ’A comedy of errors, by turns macabre and romantic, hilarious and affectionate’ Saga

    4 in stock

    £8.54

  • In the Distance

    Daunt Books In the Distance

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £9.49

  • Jerusalem

    Knockabout Comics Jerusalem

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    4 in stock

    £15.29

  • Small Great Things

    Hodder & Stoughton Small Great Things

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisA RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB 2017 PICK A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe best books make you see differently. This is one of them. The eye-opening new novel from Jodi Picoult, with the biggest of themes: birth, death, and responsibility.When a newborn baby dies after a routine hospital procedure, there is no doubt about who will be held responsible: the nurse who had been banned from looking after him by his father. What the nurse, her lawyer and the father of the child cannot know is how this death will irrevocably change all of their lives, in ways both expected and not.Small Great Things is about prejudice and power; it is about that which divides and unites us.It is about opening your eyes. SOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM STARRING VIOLA DAVIS AND JULIA ROBERTSMAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseTrade ReviewThere is a fire raging, and we have two choices: we can turn our backs, or we can try to fight it * (from the author's afterword) *The most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written * Washington Post *A thought-provoking and unputdownable novel about race and prejudice that shows Picoult at her very best. * Woman & Home *No book could be more timely in its message than Small Great Things . . . The story prodded me to take a good, hard look at my own biases and preconceptions * Metro *The book makes for a harrowing and at times heartbreaking read but is absolutely brilliant. It deserves to be read by everyone -- ***** * Sun *The narrative rips along at a great pace, she writes dialogue like a pro, and her suspenseful control of the courtroom scenes is masterfully done. * Independent *[Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book. * Booklist, starred review *

    15 in stock

    £8.49

  • The Book of Longings

    Headline Publishing Group The Book of Longings

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisTHE New York Times BESTSELLERThe stunning bestseller about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings''Transporting, life-affirming, gripping. It is simply brilliant'' Mel Giedroyc''Fascinating . . . Clever, rebellious Ana is a memorable character'' The Times''Brilliant . . . Brava! The Daily MailAna is born in Galilee at a time when women are seen as possessions, only leaving their fathers'' homes to marry. Ana longs to control her destiny. Taught to read despite her mother''s misgivings, she wants to be a writer and to find her own voice. A voice that will speak for the silenced women around her.Betrothed to an elderly widower, Ana almost despairs. But an encounter with a charismatic young carpenter in Nazareth awakens new longings in her, and a difTrade ReviewThis author is one of my favourites . . . A challenging and sensitive subject, but beautifully written * Santa Montefiore *Unleashes the reader's imagination with glorious evocations of extraordinary times and places, allowing our minds to roam... Original, challenging, beautiful -- Adele Parks * Platinum *I kept having to close this novel and breathe deeply, again and again. A radical re-imagining of the New Testament that reflects on women's longing and silencing and awakening, it is a true masterpiece. * Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed *Compelling ... Ana is a truly wonderful character, strong and inspiring, and her life story so captivating that it swept me along * Good Housekeeping *A bold, imaginative reworking of the Christian tale from a female perspective * Sunday Times *Brilliant ... the familiar characters brought to vivid life * Daily Mail *"This novel has an intriguing premise . . . The novel's evocation of life in Galilee is fascinating, and clever, rebellious Ana is a memorable character." * —The Times (UK) *This is not Jesus' story, but Ana's. [...] The Book of Longings is the testament of a bold woman, and the story of many stolen female voices. * Irish Times *Superlative . . . from a writer at the top of her game . . . A practically perfect historical novel * New York Journal of Books *Kidd uses her unexpected narrator to reveal new perspectives on an endlessly parsed era. * The Washington Post *Riveting . . . Telling the story of an extraordinary life in one of the most startling pieces of historical fiction you're likely to set eyes on this year * Sunday Business Post *Imaginative . . . Charts a young woman's struggle to confront the ways in which society dictates what she can and cannot do. * TIME *'A wonderfully researched novel ... reimagining the past through the eyes of a creative, curious and defiant woman' * Culturefly *'A testament to the author's talent for creating both compelling characters and intriguing story lines ... The intensity, bravery, and strength of character of Ana ... will inspire readers ... to live authentically and remain true to oneself' * Library Journal *An inspiring story of a strong woman living in a society bent on her silence * Good Housekeeping (US) *Kidd's bold narrative revisionism allows her protagonist to be in every respect the equal of her husband while posing this question: How would Western culture be different if men and women had grown in appreciation of each other's spirit? * O, The Oprah Magazine *This is Ana's story . . . Well-researched and a cracking good read * Church Times *Ana's ambition and strong sense of justice make her a sympathetic character for modern readers ... A vibrant portrait of a woman striving to preserve and celebrate women's stories - her own and countless others * Publishers Weekly *Kidd describes a first-century world full of political and religious tensions, which feels simultaneously ancient and freshly awake with spiritual possibility. [...]The message about the importance of kindness and the power of women's voices should resonate strongly with today's readers' * Booklist *· A master of literary women's fiction, Kidd always strikes a chord with her strong, feisty female protagonists . . . [The Book of Longings] is an engaging story about a young woman defying the odds to make her voice heard, a story that remains relevant today . . . [and] underscore[s] what's lost when one group - be it one gender, race or religion - gets to write the history for all. * The Atlanta Journal-Constitution *No other writer has fleshed out a partner who can stand on her own, who is intellectually and spiritually well matched with Jesus . . . Kidd's research into first-century Jewish life, along with her vivid descriptions of the villages and terrain, make Ana's story come alive * Christian Science Monitor *Praise for Sue Monk Kidd's earlier novels'Exhilarating. . . powerful' * Washington Post *'Moving, original, and accomplished . . . It is wonderfully written, powerful, poignant, and humorous' * Joanna Trollope *'The tale of one motherless daughter's discovery of what family really means - and of the strange and wondrous places we love' * Washington Post *'Wonderful - well-written, moving and engaging by turns, and always compelling' * Daily Mail *'A resonant, illuminating novel' * Observer *This year's The Help - but even better * Fabulous *'A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman - slave or free . . . a conversation changer' - Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine * Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine *'The stunning metaphors and realistic characters are so poignant they will bring tears to your eyes' * Library Journal *

    1 in stock

    £7.99

  • T'choupi: T'choupi ne veut pas preter

    Fernand Nathan T'choupi: T'choupi ne veut pas preter

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £10.05

  • The Burning Page

    Pan Macmillan The Burning Page

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn an alternate St. Petersburg, librarian-spy Irene faces unimaginable dangers – as her arch-nemesis returns. The Burning Page is the third instalment in the Invisible Library series from bestselling author Genevieve Cogman.Librarian-spy Irene is on probation – and absconding from a mission doesn't look good. But when her escape route home goes up in flames, what's a spy to do?It turns out, Irene's home, the trans-dimensional library, is under siege. Across dozens of worlds, its once-reliable Gates back to the library are malfunctioning. Irene's nemesis, Alberich, is responsible – with plans to annihilate the library itself.To face the threat, Irene and assistant Kai are posted to St Petersburg. Here, Irene stumbles upon an incredibly dangerous – yet alluring – opportunity. It's a chance to save the library. Saving herself would be a bonus . . .Brace yourself for an action-filled ride witTrade ReviewBrilliant and so much fun. Skulduggery, Librarians, and Dragons – Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series! -- Charles Stross, author of the Laundry Files, including The Atrocity ArchivesThe Burning Page does not disappoint. It’s a fun, adventure-filled romp . . .If you haven’t picked up this series and you like magic, adventure, Sherlock Holmes, a dash of steampunk, lots of mystery, and books, then definitely pick up The Invisible Library! If you’ve read the first two and liked them, you’ll certainly enjoy The Burning Page * SFF World *It’s fun. It’s packed with chaotic and dramatic adventures and is witty to boot * Speculative Herald *The author writes with a speed and verve that keeps you on the edge of your seat through a rollicking good adventure . . . The Burning Page is not only hard to put down, it’s hard to walk away from * Fantasy Book Review *The Burning Page is action packed from start to finish, so that even Irene and you the reader hardly get the chance to catch your breath * The Book Plank *This excellent series has traces of the satire of Terry Pratchett, the breadth of imagination of Jasper Fforde, and the wonderful ability of Neil Gaiman to mix reality and fantasy in one satisfying whole, but make no mistake: it feels in all senses original and engrossing * The Book Bag *A gripping addition to the mythos Cogman has already built * RT Book Reviews *The Invisible Library series is tailor-made for bibliophiles . . . It’s immensely entertaining, and I continue to love Irene and her third person narrative voice: she’s practical, analytical, and competent, and she handles the absurd situations in which she constantly finds herself with aplomb * Fantasy Book Cafe *Cogman’s writing is fresh, with a rich tonality ranging from the whimsical and witty to the suspenseful . . . the story is buoyed by the fast action scenes, and readers will be fascinated by the ever-growing complexities of Cogman’s world * Publishers Weekly *

    3 in stock

    £8.49

  • A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse

    HarperCollins Publishers A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFull of warmth, fun and feel-good factor' Sunday Times Bestseller Katie FfordeLove Heart Lane where friends are there for you no matter what When Bea Fernsby discovers her fiancé's eyes have been wandering, she calls off the wedding and hits the road. The village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands is about as far away from home as she can get, and when she stumbles into the ideal summer job at The Little Blue Boathouse and meets gorgeous vacationer Nolan Hemingway, things finally start looking up.Now, as an old mystery surfaces and Bea and Nolan band together to find out what happened to his late grandfather's one true love, fate throws Bea some unexpected curveballsand promising opportunities.Bea's stay is only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but as the old saying goes: Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave'Trade Review‘Christie Barlow is one of the best writers in this genre’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café ‘Christie is an immensely talented author with the ability to spin words into heart-warming comedy gold’ Caroline Mitchell #1 bestselling author ‘Well-observed, highly-relatable and wickedly-funny’ Sunday Times bestseller Cathy Bramley ‘There’s always love, laughter and a happy-ever-after with Christie Barlow’s books!’ Mandy Baggot ‘What I absolutely love about the authors books is her attention to her characters, they are a joy to read about. they are so well developed by the end of the book you really do feel you are saying “goodbye” to old friends’ Lorraine Rugman – The Book Review Café

    2 in stock

    £8.99

  • Bad Habit

    HarperCollins Publishers Bad Habit

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisI urge you to read Bad Habit'' PEDRO ALMODÓVARAn engulfing novel' AVNI DOSHIBelieve the hype!'' OKECHUKWU NZELUThe book that everyone is reading'NEW YORK TIMESBeautifully written and told in an irresistible voice, Bad Habit is a powerfully moving coming-of-age novel following a young trans woman in 1980s Madrid.An unnamed young trans woman grows up in a working-class suburb that has no place for her. She discovers community and kinship in downtown Madrid, amid a dazzling party scene animated by charming junkies, glamorous pop divas, and fallen angels. With each step she takes forward in the city, she finds herself confronted by an antagonism she does not yet know how to counter. In this thrilling and yet often frightening place each decision can have the highest of stakes and yet she knows that only she can forge a path forward to the life she truly wants to live.Beautiful and deeply moving, Bad Habit by Alana S Portero is translated by Mara Faye Lethem, and deftly illuminates the sear

    15 in stock

    £15.29

  • Orphia And Eurydicius

    HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd Orphia And Eurydicius

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe stunning, gender-flipped novel about love, creativity and the power of speaking out - perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker. 'Poetic and evocative ... this story will thrill readers' PIP WILLIAMS, bestselling author of The Dictionary of Lost Words Their love transcends every boundary. Can it cheat death?Orphia dreams of something more than the warrior crafts she's been forced to learn. Hidden away on a far-flung island, her blood sings with poetry and her words can move flowers to bloom and forests to grow ... but her father, the sun god Apollo, has forbidden her this art. A chance meeting with a young shield-maker, Eurydicius, gives her the courage to use her voice. After wielding all her gifts to defeat one final champion, Orphia draws the scrutiny of the gods. Performing her poetry, she wins the protection of the goddesses of the arts: the powerful Muses, who welcome her to their sanctuary on Mount Parnassus. Orphia learns to hone her talents, crafting words of

    10 in stock

    £9.49

  • Alien - Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by

    Titan Books Ltd Alien - Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWilliam Gibson's never-before-adapted screenplay for the direct sequel to Aliens, revealing the fates of Ripley, Newt, the synthetic Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. When the Colonial Marines vessel Sulaco docks with space station and military installation Anchorpoint, a new form of Xenomorph appears. Written by Hugo Award-winning novelist and "Queen of Cyberpunk" Pat Cadigan, based on Gibson's never-produced first draft. The Sulaco-on its return journey from LV-426-enters a sector controlled by the "Union of Progressive Peoples," a nation-state engaged in an ongoing cold war and arms race. U.P.P. personnel board the Sulaco and find hypersleep tubes with Ripley, Newt, and an injured Hicks. A Facehugger attacks the lead commando, and the others narrowly escape, taking what remains of Bishop with them. The Sulaco continues to Anchorpoint, a space station and military installation the size of a small moon, where it falls under control of the military's Weapons Division. Boarding the Sulaco, a team of Colonial Marines and scientists is assaulted by a pair of Xenomorph drones. In the fight Ripley's cryotube is badly damaged. It's taken aboard Anchorpoint, where Ripley is kept comatose. Newt and an injured Corporal Hicks are awakened, and Newt is sent to Gateway Station on the way to Earth. The U.P.P. sends Bishop to Anchorpoint, where Hicks begins to hear rumors of experimentation-the cloning and genetic modification of Xenomorphs. The kind of experimentation that could yield a monstrous hybrid, and perhaps even a Queen. ALIEN 3 TM & (c) Twentieth Century Films. All rights reserved.Trade Review“Ambitious, brilliantly executed… Cadigan is a major talent.”—William Gibson on Synners“Dynamic in setting and possibility, Cadigan sustains the narrative through a variety of mind-bending technologies in emotional, mental, and physical contexts.”—Speculiction on Mindplayers“Fools was an incredibly fun book. I loved the humor, the flashy, grungy, world, and the characters with strong, vibrant personalities.”—Worlds Without End“Cadigan's third collection of short stories shows once again her astonishing range, economy of language, perceptiveness, and uncommon emotional power.”—Publishers Weekly on Patterns“For fans of Harley Quinn and comics in general, I can’t stress enough how much you need this book in your life.”—The BiblioSanctum on Mad Love“A perfect example of a prequel that boasts a tight connectivity to the film.”—Movie Nooz on Alita” Battle Angel—Iron City"A solid entry in the Aliens tie-in series that expandsthe fictional universe in a meaningful way and offers readers a chance to reacquaint themselveswith some favorite characters." - BOOKLIST

    1 in stock

    £16.19

  • The Unmaking of June Farrow

    Quercus Publishing The Unmaking of June Farrow

    Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER''Beautiful, atmospheric . . . you must read this book'' 5* reader review In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm - and the mysterious curse that has haunted them for generations.The madness that led to Susanna Farrow''s disappearance left her daughter, June, to be raised by her grandmother. Everyone in Jasper is certain it''s only a matter of time before she finds the same end, but June has kept secret that her unravelling has already begun.After her grandmother''s death, June follows a series of clues that link her mother''s disappearance to the town''s dark history, leading finally to a mysterious door.Behind it may lay the answer to the mysteries that have always lingered like a dark shadow. Upon crossing the threshold, June embarks on a journey that

    £9.49

  • MotherDaughter Murder Night

    HarperCollins Publishers Inc MotherDaughter Murder Night

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £9.49

  • Termination Shock The thrilling new novel about

    HarperCollins Publishers Termination Shock The thrilling new novel about

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe #1 New York Times bestselling author returns with a visionary technothriller about climate changeStephenson's reputation as a sci-fi titan is deserved' Sunday TimesHis most visionary, and timely, book yet' Chicago Review of BooksAbsorbing speculative fiction' GuardianBrilliantly entertaining at science fiction's cutting edge' SFXIngenious and sometimes prophetic' TelegraphNeal Stephenson's sweeping, prescient new novel transports readers to a near-future world where the greenhouse effect has inexorably resulted in a whirling-dervish troposphere of superstorms, rising sea levels, global flooding, merciless heat waves, and virulent, deadly pandemics.One man has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as elemental. But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied?As only Stephenson can, Termination Shock sounds a clarion alarm, ponders potential solutions and dire risks, andTrade Review‘Absorbing speculative fiction’ Guardian ‘Neal Stephenson has never been afraid of engaging with big ideas within genre forms, and Termination Shock might be his most visionary, and timely, book yet’ Chicago Review of Books ‘Brilliantly entertaining… at science fiction’s cutting edge’ SFX ‘Wonderfully human… ingenious and sometimes prophetic… Stephenson has become a totemic figure for 21st century scientific writers’ Daily Telegraph ‘Stephenson’s reputation as a sci-fi titan is deserved’ Sunday Times

    5 in stock

    £9.49

  • Laurus: The International Bestseller

    Oneworld Publications Laurus: The International Bestseller

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis WINNER OF THE BIG BOOK AWARD, THE LEO TOLSTOY YASNAYA POLYANA AWARD & THE READ RUSSIA AWARD 'THE MOST IMPORTANT LIVING RUSSIAN WRITER' New Yorker *A NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016* Fifteenth-century Russia It is a time of plague and pestilence, and a young healer, skilled in the art of herbs and remedies, finds himself overcome with grief and guilt when he fails to save the one he holds closest to his heart. Leaving behind his village, his possessions and his name, he sets out on a quest for redemption, penniless and alone. But this is no ordinary journey: wandering across plague-ridden Europe, offering his healing powers to all in need, he travels through ages and countries, encountering a rich tapestry of wayfarers along the way. Accosted by highwaymen, lynched in Yugoslavia and washed overboard at sea, he eventually reaches Jerusalem, only to find his greatest challenge is yet to come. Winner of two of the biggest literary prizes in Russia, Laurus is a remarkably rich novel about the eternal themes of love, loss, self-sacrifice and faith, from one of the country’s most experimental and critically acclaimed novelists.Trade Review'At once stylistically ornate and compulsively readable...delivered with great aplomb and narrative charm... Many readers are likely to find the book enchanting.' * TLS *‘A remarkable novel… Russia’s answer to The Name of the Rose.’ * Atticus Lish, author of Preparation for the Next Life *'Interweaving an impressive array of images, stories, parables and superstitions, Vodolazkin builds a convincing portrait of 15th-century Europe... Laurus cannot be faulted for its ambition or for its poignant humanity. It is a profound, sometimes challenging, meditation on faith, love and life's mysteries.' * Financial Times *‘In Laurus, Vodolazkin aims directly at the heart of the Russian religious experience and perhaps even at that maddeningly elusive concept that is cherished to the point of cliché: the Russian soul.’ * The New Yorker *'A treasure house of Russian medieval lore and customs…a very clever, self-aware contemporary novel…a quirky, ambitious book.' * Los Angeles Review of Books *‘Vodolazkin’s spiritual odyssey transcends history, fusing archaism and slang to convey the idea that "time is a sort of misunderstanding"… Vodolazkin explores multifaceted questions of ‘Russianness’ and concludes, like the 19th-century poet Fyodor Tyutchev that Russia cannot be rationally understood. This is what leads him, with a gradual, but unstoppable momentum, to place faith and the transcendent human spirit at the center of his powerful worldview.’ * Washington Post *‘Laurus is not at all a typical historical novel. It uses conscious and outrageous anachronisms; it is funny, subversive and vivid in its evocation of medieval life in Russia and the Middle East; and it plants questions about faith, irony, self-deception and integrity in the style of the greatest Russian fictions.’ * Rowan Williams, New Statesman, Books of the Year 2016 *‘Love, faith and a quest for atonement are the driving themes of [this] epic, prize-winning Russian novel… With flavours of Umberto Eco and The Canterbury Tales, this affecting, idiosyncratic novel…is an impressive achievement.’ * Kirkus *‘Laurus is in one breath, a timeless epic, trekking the well-trodden fields of faith, love and the infinite depth of loss and search for meaning. In another, it is pointed, touching, and at times humorous, unpredictably straying from the path and leading readers along a wild chase through time, language and medieval Europe…Vodolazkin has found a subtle balance and uses it to impressive effect.’ * Asymptote *'Vodolazkin’s expertise in the medieval world rounds out this tale that defies the restrictions of this long-ago time and place in its treatment of universal human pains and regrets.’ * World Literature Today *'A masterpiece by any standards...the novel flows in the spirit of the invincible Russian literary tradition of pathos and Dostoevskian depth; and at yet other times, it is a pure philological triumph... Vodolazkin's archaic seasoning is complemented by his sublime sense of humour... As Zachar Prileptin said before me, I am simply filled with an unending sense of happiness that such a novel exists. You open it and close it, something has happened to your soul.' * The Huffington Post UK *‘Vodolazkin, an expert in medieval folklore, transforms the dreadful past into a familiar stage on which to explore love, loss, and fervent perseverance… In a stroke of brilliant storytelling, Vodolazkin forgoes historical accuracy and instead conjures a cyclical, eternal time by combining biblical quotes, Soviet bureaucratese, and linguistic conventions of the Middle Ages (in this translation, rendered into Old English). The result is a uniquely lavish, multilayered work that blends an invented hagiography with the rapturous energy of Dostoevsky’s spiritual obsessions.’ * Booklist *‘Winner of Russia's National Big Book Prize, this saga of 15th-century Russia captures both its harshness and its radiant faith in a narrative touched by the miraculous.’ * Library Journal *‘A fine balance between the ancient and archaic...the ironic and the tragic.' * Time Out *'There are books that are necessary. Start with this one.' * Orthodox Life Magazine *'Simply magic' * Aleteia *'Always rich in ideas. Vodolazkin explores multifaceted questions of "Russianness" and concludes...that Russia cannot be rationally understood. This is what leads him, with a gradual, but unstoppable momentum, to place faith and the transcendent human spirit at the centre of his powerful world view.' * Russia Beyond the Headlines *’Vodolazkin is a beautiful storyteller...an epic journey novel in all the best traditions. There are countless colourful characters, exciting twists of fate and profound truths in the protagonist’s words and deeds… The Idiot meets The Canterbury Tales meets The Odyssey.’ * Russian Life *'Bold, rich and complex, Laurus deals with large issues: the concept of time, love and death, love and guilt.’ * Historical Novel Society Review *‘A gripping, weirdly fascinating read.’ * Complete Review *'Not at all a typical historical novel. It uses conscious and outrageous anachronisms; it is funny, subversive and vivid in its evocation of medieval life in Russia and the Middle East; and it plants questions about faith, irony, self-deception and integrity in the style of the greatest Russian fictions.' -- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

    10 in stock

    £9.99

  • The Anonymous Venetian

    Pan Macmillan The Anonymous Venetian

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Italian detective Commissario Brunetti has to cut short his holiday as he takes on another tantalizing case in Donna Leon's The Anonymous Venetian, an atmospheric murder mystery filled with the sights and sounds of Venice.Commissario Brunetti's hopes of a refreshing family holiday in the mountains are once again dashed when a gruesome discovery is made in Marghera – a body so badly beaten the face is unrecognizable.Brunetti searches Venice for someone who can identify the dead man. But he is met with a wall of silence.Then he receives a telephone call from a contact who promises some intriguing information. And before the night is out Brunetti is confronting yet another appalling and apparently senseless death . . .The third novel in the Commissario Brunetti Venetian crime series, which also includes Acqua Alta and So Shall You Reap.'A splendid series . . . with a backdrop of the cityTrade ReviewA splendid series . . . with a backdrop of the city so vivid you can almost smell it * Sunday Telegraph *

    3 in stock

    £9.49

  • This Perfect Day

    Little, Brown Book Group This Perfect Day

    Book Synopsis''Marvellously entertaining. A cross between Brave New World and Doctor Who'' Look MagazineConsidered one of the great dystopian thrillers - alongside A Clockwork Orange and Brave New World- Ira Levin''s terrifying glimpse into the future continues to fascinate readers even forty years after publication.Set in a seemingly perfect global society, where uniformity is the defining feature, one man leads the resistance against UniComp - a central computer that has been programmed to keep every single human on the surface of the earth in check. All ethnic groups have been eugenically merged into a single race called ''The Family'', and citizens are continually drugged so that they can never realise their potential as human beings, but will remain pliant and cooperative... With a vision as frightening as any in the history of the science fiction genre, This Perfect Day is one of Levin''s most haunting novels.Trade ReviewIra Levin's Brave New World * New York Times Book Review *Ira Levin should be remembered for his dystopian novel This Perfect Day, which ranks alongside Brave New World and 1984...Ira Levin...was known for his bestselling novels Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives and The Boys From Brazil, all of which became successful movies. But another of his novels, This Perfect Day, deserves to be better known than it is * Guardian *Ira Levin's Brave New World. * New York Times Book Review *Marvelously entertaining. A cross between Brave New World and Doctor No. * Look Magazine *Ira Levin's brave new world is populated by eight billion members of The Family. Life is planned and programmed from birth through death by UniComp, the supercomputer down inside the earth. * New York Times Book Review *

    £9.49

  • The Sisters

    HarperCollins Publishers The Sisters

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of The Girls Who DisappearedOne of them lied. One of them died.When one sister dies, the other must go to desperate lengths to survive Haunted by her twin sister''s death, Abi is making a fresh start in Bath. But when she meets siblings Bea and Ben, quickly moving into the townhouse they share with a a group of lodgers, strange things start to happen.Abi''s precious letters go missing, threatening messages are left in her room Is this the work of the beautiful and capricious Bea? Or is Abi hiding something of her own?Is it a dark secret one she thought had died with her sister?Trade Review‘Grippingly claustrophobic and unpredictable on every page: perfect for fans of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN’ MARIE CLAIRE ‘Humming with anxiety and friction, The Sisters keep readers guessing as to who is doing what to whom until the very end…[A] gripping psychological debut’ SHELF AWARENESS ‘Tension oozes from every page… [an] addictive read that will leave you on the edge of your seat’ THE SUN ‘Unforgettably dark and complex’ WOMAN AND HOME ‘As soon as I finished the first page, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put this down … I thoroughly enjoyed it’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING ‘Written with such skill you don’t know who to believe’ SAGA ‘Get drawn into a tangled web of secrets … A dark and complex novel’ HELLO ‘A powerful emotional charge to this examination of grief’ SUNDAY MIRROR ‘The twists and turns in this outstanding psychological thriller will have you questioning what’s going on in every chapter’ FABULOUS ‘A very addictive read’ IRISH EXAMINER ‘A must-read!’ CLOSER

    15 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Emperors Exile Eagles of the Empire 19

    Headline Publishing Group The Emperors Exile Eagles of the Empire 19

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe gripping and action-packed new Roman army adventure in the Eagles of the Empire series by Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Scarrow. The perfect read for readers of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell. Tribune Cato and Centurion Macro, hardened veterans of the Roman army, have faced the Empire''s enemies from Britannia to Parthia, from Hispania to Judea. Now once again they are on a mission that will imperil their lives and those of all who serve with them. Loyal to the last to their comrades in battle, fearless in the face of the most brutal or barbaric opponents, they are the finest men the Emperor can call on in the service of Rome. IF YOU DON''T KNOW SIMON SCARROW, YOU DON''T KNOW ROME!Praise for Simon''s novels:''Scarrow''s [novels] rank with the best'' Independent''Blood, gore, political intrigue'' Daily Sport ''Always a joy'' The TimesTrade ReviewPraise for Simon Scarrow's novels: 'Gripping... ferocious and compelling * Daily Express *A new book in Simon Scarrow's long-running series about the Roman army is always a joy * The Times *Scarrow's [novels] rank with the best * Independent *I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read -- Bernard Cornwell

    3 in stock

    £10.44

  • Neverwhere

    Headline Publishing Group Neverwhere

    20 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe extraordinary first novel by the master of storytelling.Trade ReviewA very fine and imaginative writer * The Times *'Gaiman has a rich imagination...and an ability to tackle large themes' * Philip Pullman *

    20 in stock

    £8.49

  • The Tenth Man

    Vintage Publishing The Tenth Man

    Book SynopsisWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHORIn a prison in Occupied France during the Second World War, the order is given that every tenth inmate is to be executed. Louis Chavel, a rich lawyer, draws the short straw and barters everything he owns to exchange places with another man and survive. Destitute but free, Chavel later returns to the house that he sold for his life, where he must face the consequences of his cowardice and seek redemption.Trade ReviewGreene was a past master of the psychological thriller and this was no exception * Observer *A masterpiece - tapped out in the lean, sharp prose that film work taught Greene to perfect * Sunday Times *All of the Greene hallmarks are there: pace, ingenuity, a sense of profundities suggested but never insisted upon -- Penelope Lively * Sunday Telegraph *Typically full of psychological obsession and tricks of perspective, this short story plays games with the concepts of identity and freedom. Threaded through with paranoiac attempts to be sure of time, life, and death, the story ends with impenetrable paradox; with a tragedy and a travesty, a revenge and a redressal, truth and the ultimate lie * The Times *

    £7.49

  • Loving Romeo

    HarperCollins Publishers Loving Romeo

    20 in stock

    Book SynopsisHating her was my end game, loving her was just the beginning A grumpy small-town boxer meets a sunshine girl as sweet as pumpkin spice. Welcome to Magnolia Falls, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and B.K. Borison!***Demi Crawford is Magnolia Falls royalty. I''m the boxer from the wrong side of the tracks. We couldn''t be more different.Her family is enemy number one, and it made her guilty by association. I despised her before I even knew her. It was easier that way.But now she''s moved in next door to me, and she''s everywhere I turn. She is beautiful and honest and sweet. Everything I know I shouldn''t want.They say there''s a fine line between love and hate, and I don''t know when I crossed over. She is the right hook I never saw coming. But the secrets between us will threaten to tear us apart.Lucky for her I''m a born fighter. And she is definitely worth the fight Readers have fallen for LOVING ROMEO, will you?''A delicious slow burn with all the feels'' ?????''I laughed, I cried, I blushed and kicked my feet like crazy, this book was EVERYTHING!'' ?????''The spice in this book was top tier'' ?????''I loved Romeo''s friends cannot wait to read their stories'' ?????''A perfect small town, enemies-to-lovers romance'' ?????Tropes:??Grumpy x sunshine??Small town??Opposites attract??Found family

    20 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Time of the Hero

    Faber & Faber The Time of the Hero

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Time of the Hero has been acclaimed by critics around the world as one of the outstanding Spanish novels of recent decades. In the author''s native Peru, this powerful social satire so outraged the authorities that a thousand copies were publicly burned.The novel is set in Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima, where a group of cadets attempt to break out of the vicious round of sadistic ragging, military discipline, confinement and boredom. But their pranks set off a cycle of betrayal, murder and revenge which jeopardizes the entire military hierarchy.''A work of undeniable power and skill.'' Sunday Telegraph

    1 in stock

    £9.49

  • That Hideous Strength

    HarperCollins Publishers That Hideous Strength

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe third novel in the science-fiction trilogy by C.S. Lewis. This final story is set on Earth, and tells of a terrifying conspiracy against humanity.The story surrounds Mark and Jane Studdock, a newly married couple. Mark is a Sociologist who is enticed to join an organisation called N.I.C.E. which aims to control all human life. His wife, meanwhile, has bizarre prophetic dreams about a decapitated scientist, Alcasan. As Mark is drawn inextricably into the sinister organisation, he discovers the truth of his wife's dreams when he meets the literal head of Alcasan which is being kept alive by infusions of blood.Jane seeks help concerning her dreams at a community called St Anne's, where she meets their leader Dr Ransom (the main character of the previous two titles in the trilogy). The story ends in a final spectacular scene at the N.I.C.E. headquarters where Merlin appears to confront the powers of Hell.Trade Review‘An extravagant mingling of dream and realism… excellent and thrilling reading’ Daily Telegraph

    15 in stock

    £11.69

  • The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

    Little, Brown Book Group The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisFROM THE MASTER STORYTELLER WHOSE BOOKS HAVE TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF OVER 40 MILLION READERS''Mitch Albom sees the magical in the ordinary'' Cecilia Ahern__________At nine years old, Frankie Presto is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings.But Frankie''s talent is unique, and his amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the twentieth century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll, with his stunning talent affecting numerous stars along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King and even KISS.Frankie becomes a pop star himself. He makes records. He is adored. But his gift is also his burden as he realises, through his music, he can affect the course of a listener''s life.At the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later does he reappear, to change the fate of one last person . . .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 *

    15 in stock

    £8.49

  • The Thirteenth Tale

    Orion Publishing Co The Thirteenth Tale

    4 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Simply brilliant'' Kate Mosse, international bestselling author of Labyrinth***Everybody has a story...Angelfield House stands abandoned and forgotten. It was once home to the March family: fascinating, manipulative Isabelle; brutal, dangerous Charlie; and the wild, untamed twins, Emmeline and Adeline. But the house hides a chilling secret which strikes at the very heart of each of them, tearing their lives apart...Now Margaret Lea is investigating Angelfield''s past, and its mysterious connection to the enigmatic writer Vida Winter. Vida''s history is mesmering - a tale of ghosts, governesses, and gothic strangeness. But as Margaret succumbs to the power of her storytelling, two parallel stories begin to unfold... What has Angelfield been hiding? What is the secret that strikes at the heart of Margaret''s own, troubled life? And can both women ever confront the ghosts that haunt them...? The ThirteTrade ReviewCleverly plotted, beautifully written homage to the classic romance mystery novel...It is a remarkable first novel, a book about the joy of books, a riveting multi-layered mystery that twists and turns, and weaves a quite magical spell * INDEPENDENT *Beautifully written and highly intelligent. Blissful escapism for literate (and literary) females who love an old-fashioned story * THE TIMES *A real treat...Like all the best first novels, this one seems to bulge with a lifetime's hoarded inspirations. Setterfield litters the book with references to nineteenth-century gothic literature and other meta-textual winks and nudges. The effect is of a lit-crit parlour game, which only adds to the fun * TIME OUT *Whimsical, moving and consciously nostalgic, Diane Setterfield knows the limits of enchantment, even as she tries to break them * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *This bold, unusual debut is, as a Jane Austen character might have said, a vastly entertaining fiction * DAILY MAIL *Setterfield proves a mistress of the craft of storytelling and her musings about the pleasures of reading are beguiling * GUARDIAN *Guiltily enjoyable * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A witty, entertaining and very satisfying read * SPECTATOR *Make yourself a mug of cocoa and shut the curtains tight - a generous helping of gothic delight is about to be served * DAILY EXPRESS *A remarkably compelling debut...This is an extraordinary, unusual and atmospheric story with a sense of timelessness about it. It is rare to be able to smell a book as well as read it, but this one is steeped in the aroma of old houses in remote places with strange faded furnishings and little natural light. It will appeal to anybody with a love of literature and a passion for the feel and smell of old books * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *Brilliantly written - recommended * EASY LIVING *A dark mystery in the vein of Daphne du Maurier about family secrets and the potency of storytelling * THE LIST *Compelling page-turner * WOMAN & HOME *A page-turner of a Gothic mystery * SHE *Setterfield establishes, from the very first page, one of those narrative voices which you trust implicitly, warming to its calm understated authority * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *THE THIRTEENTH TALE is the sort of novel they don't write any more, which makes it all the more welcome. Add to this Setterfield's remarkable imagination coupled with her literate style and you have the makings of a modern classic * YORKSHIRE EVENING POST *This is an excellent emotional mystery which I found harder to put down every night! * WOMAN'S OWN *Setterfield writes evocatively and assuredly * LITERARY REVIEW *Setterfield is a master of pacing * THE SCOTSMAN *The moorland romances of the Brontes and Daphne du Maurier are never far away from our vision of a perfect Christmas read. Draw up a chair, then, for debut novelist Diane Setterfield. It's a windswept feast of abandoned babies, incestuous siblings and feral twins * INDEPENDENT *Simply brilliant - I haven't enjoyed a first novel so much for absolutely ages -- Kate MosseStart reading this on the bus and, I swear, you won't only miss your stop, you might even lose the whole day * COSMOPOLITAN *Vastly entertaining * DAILY MAIL *

    4 in stock

    £8.99

  • The Prophet and the Idiot

    HarperCollins Publishers The Prophet and the Idiot

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe brand-new, hilarious, feel-good adventure from the internationally bestselling author of The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and DisappearedSweden, late summer of 2011. Self-taught astrophysicist Petra has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on the 21st of September that year, around 21.20 to be more precise, bringing about the end of times.Armed with this terrible knowledge, Petra meets Johan, a domesday prophet, and Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made bank living a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe as they plan to make the most out of the time they have left, in more ways than one.But of course, things rarely go to plan, even the end of the world

    3 in stock

    £8.54

  • The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee

    Little, Brown Book Group The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisBook 17 in the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street series by worldwide bestselling author Alexander McCall SmithGlasgow for Bertie is the promised land. The city of pies and Irn Bru, far from his controlling mother, Irene - his place of escape. But how will he respond to the news of the proposed merging of Edinburgh and Glasgow? A new member of Bertie''s class at school is causing ripples in his social circle. She is called Galactica MacFee and is going to be a match for Olive and her lieutenant, Pansy. And, an incredible new discovery: a Pictish stone, that is said to have the first-know written poem carved into it is the talk of the town. But, when the poem is eventually translated, it is thought it is best to keep it under wraps. In this new instalment in the perennially popular 44 Scotland Street series, we are back in the world of Angus and Domenico, Bruce, Matthew and Elspeth, and, of course, Bertie and his friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson.P

    7 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Bookshop on the Corner

    Little, Brown Book Group The Bookshop on the Corner

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe ever-popular novels of Sunday Times bestselling sensation, Jenny Colgan, are given a beautiful contemporary new look in this re-issue series.Trade ReviewGreat for Mother's Day! A charming and witty read. * My Weekly *Charming and genuinely fun tale * Heat *Cheery and heartwarming escapism * Sunday Mirror *an absolute dream of a read...Funny, heartwarming and compulsively readable, The Little Shop of Happy Ever After is perfect * Novelicious *A delightful story about the love of books and reading * Stylist *

    15 in stock

    £9.49

  • The Golden Notebook

    HarperCollins Publishers The Golden Notebook

    20 in stock

    Book SynopsisIntroducing the Collins Modern Classics, a series featuring some of the most significant books of recent times, books that shed light on the human experience classics which will endure for generations to come.In 1950s London, novelist Anna Wulf struggles with writer's block. Divorced with a young child, and fearful of going mad, Anna records her experiences in four coloured notebooks: black for her writing life, red for political views, yellow for emotions, blue for everyday events. But it is a fifth notebook the golden notebook that finally pulls these wayward strands of her life together.Widely regarded as Doris Lessing's masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, The Golden Notebook' is wry and perceptive, bold and indispensable.Trade Review‘This ambitious novel has no equal.’ Guardian ‘At the beginning of the Sixties, this vast, frank, complicated novel helped to sustain our reputation for courageous, ambitious, experimental writing. Soon a worldwide bestseller, it is still Lessing’s finest work. “The Golden Notebook” captured the heady mix of the early Sixties, when not just novels but political certainties were dissolving. The rising feminist movement seized it as a Bible.’ Mail on Sunday ‘Her greatest work…Shows the power of the female imagination at full throttle. It doesn't bear a simple political message but it does rip off the masks that women were accustomed to wearing, and it shows up the dangers and difficulties that women encounter if they try to live a free life in a man's world…A landmark novel, a book that both changed and explained a generation…One of the finest writers of the century.’ Independent ‘Doris Lessing is a pioneer of feminist self-consciousness in its raw state…The truths contained in “The Golden Notebook” are indeed harsh. It can also be said that these particular truths have not been examined in so rigorous and exemplary a fashion since the first appearance of this extraordinary book. A seminal work.’ Anita Brookner, LRB ‘“The Golden Notebook” is the diary of a writer in shock, a young woman determined to forge a life as a “free woman”, as an “intellectual”. Doris Lessing is a writer of considerable power, someone who can close her eyes and “give” a situation by the sheer force of her emotional energy.’ Joan Didion, New York Times

    20 in stock

    £10.44

  • Last Night

    HarperCollins Publishers Last Night

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisPreorder Mhairi''s new novel YOU BELONG WITH ME coming soon!Two best friends.One missed chance.And a night that changes everything.Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their 30s, the four are still as close as ever, Thursday pub quiz night is still sacred, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed.Maybe Eve should have moved on by now, but she can't stop thinking about what could have been. And she knows Ed sometimes thinks about it too.Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. And, as Eve learns she didn't know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn't the only person keeping secrets''Brilliant on relationships, friendships and emotions I loved, loved, loved this book' MARIAN KEYESGorgeously romantic, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end' BETH O'LEARYA luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship' JOSIE SILVERDon't miss this hilarious and heaTrade Review‘LAST NIGHT manages to be both genuinely heartbreaking and hilarious – that's how good Mhairi McFarlane is. It's a gorgeously romantic novel, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end’ Beth O’Leary, #1 bestselling author of The Flat Share 'It's a long time since I loved any book as much. She's so BRILLIANT on relationships, friendships and emotions. Her characters are nuanced, convincing and loveable…she deserves massive praise and recognition. I loved, loved, loved this book’ Marian Keyes, #1 bestselling author of Grown-Ups ‘I cannot remember the last book I loved as much! It reminded me of Ralph’s Party, and also felt reminiscent of the friendship group in Bridget Jones. What a luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship’ Josie Silver, #1 bestselling author of One Day in December ‘Mhairi writes absolutely brilliant romantic comedies, I just love her’ Jenny Colgan 'A glorious, heartwrenching story and a beautiful love letter to female friendship' bestselling author Laura Kemp ‘This mixes the author’s trademark humour with gut-punching emotion to create her best book yet’ Fabulous ‘Deliciously barbed banter is what we’ve come to expect from Mhairi McFarlane, but this story also centres on grief and loss with a thoughtful and deceptively light touch’ Red ‘Mhairi McFarlane’s whip-smart romantic comedy is a compelling tale with real emotional depth, moving seamlessly from witty one-liners to serious issues’ Sunday Express ‘An emotional character driven novel that will take you to places you never expected – McFarlane has done it again!’ Woman ‘A real page-turner’ Bella ‘Really rather brilliant’ Best ‘Perfect weekend reading’ New

    10 in stock

    £8.54

  • Embassytown

    Pan Macmillan Embassytown

    10 in stock

    Book SynopsisChina Miéville lives and works in London. He is three-time winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award (Perdido Street Station, Iron Council and The City & The City) and has also won the British Fantasy Award twice (Perdido Street Station and The Scar). The City & The City, an existential thriller, was published to dazzling critical acclaim and drew comparison with the works of Kafka and Orwell (The Times) and Philip K. Dick (Guardian).

    10 in stock

    £10.44

  • The End of the World as We Know It

    Hodder & Stoughton The End of the World as We Know It

    20 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    20 in stock

    £21.25

  • With Love from the Morisaki Bookshop

    Bonnier Books Ltd With Love from the Morisaki Bookshop

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisA beautiful, collectable hardback that brings together Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop in one volume.A young woman, lost and heartbroken. Her eccentric, optimist uncle. His wife, with a mysterious secret. Here, in this ramshackle bookshop in the Jimbocho area of Tokyo, these three people will heal their hearts, find connection and overcome loneliness.Hidden away, the Morisaki Bookshop is a booklover's paradise. On a quiet corner in an old wooden building, the shop is filled with hundreds of second-hand books. Here is where Takako comes to nurse a broken heart, finding within its crowded shelves books to soothe and uplift her flagging spirits. Over the course of two novels, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Takako and her uncle Satoru discover their similarities and differences, and learn all about life, love and the healing power of books.

    Out of stock

    £999.99

  • Nothing To See Here

    Text Publishing Nothing To See Here

    Book Synopsis

    £8.54

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