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.
Contemporary Fiction Books
Tilted Axis Press No Edges: Swahili Stories
Book SynopsisThe first collection of Swahili fiction in English translation, No Edges introduces eight East African writers from Tanzania and Kenya as they share tales of sorcerers, Nairobi junkyards, cross-country bus rides, and spaceships that blast prisoners into eternity. Here we’re encouraged to explore the chaos of life on a crowded Earth, as well as the otherworldly realms lying just beyond our reach. Through language bursting with rhythm and vivid Africanfuturist visions, these writers summon the boundless future into being.
£10.80
HarperCollins Publishers A Sicilian Affair
Book SynopsisDon't miss the latest utterly emotional thriller, brimming with family drama from Sunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis!What happened to her was unforgivable. But what she did was worseA fresh start where no-one knows her name is exactly what jazz musician Catie Mac is looking for from her sunny Sicilian escape.When she meets the enigmatic Giancarlo, she has stumbled across a love that could last forever or can it?The scars of betrayal from her broken marriage and fragile family are only part of her story and she is certain Giancarlo is hiding something too.Some secrets are too devastating to shareSunday Times bestseller Susan Lewis returns with a pulse-pounding page-turner about fresh starts, family secrets, and the lengths we go to protect them. Discover the secret now!Readers LOVE Susan Lewis!I could not put this book down. It had me hooked from start to finish with a great storyline and many twists and turns along the way. What a rollercoaster!' Reader review, ?????Wow this book is amazing. I am a huge fan of Susan Lewis but this book had me up most of the night reading' Reader review, ?????Oh what a tangled tale, my suspicions moved from character to character as I read the book. A fantastic read' Reader review, ?????This one did not disappoint, I couldn''t put it down desperate to discover what was going to happen next. I would have given this more than 5 stars if I could' Reader review, ?????
£9.49
Parthian Books Women Who Blow on Knots
Book SynopsisThree young women and the extraordinary Madam Lilla embark on a road trip from Tunisia to Lebanon as the Arab Spring breaks around them. The novel’s title is taken from a sura in the Koran that warns to beware of those ‘women who blow on knots’ because they do witchcraft. The women all set out for different reasons but each holds a secret that drives them forward. It is only as they travel further across the desert that Madam Lilla’s dark intentions become clear and their quest begins hurtling towards an unimaginable end. Unique and controversial in its country of origin for its political rhetoric and atypical Muslim female characters, Ece Temelkuran weaves an empowering tale that challenges us to ponder not only the social questions of politics, religion and women in the Middle East, but also the universal bonds of sister- and motherhood.
£10.44
Cornerstone Lore Olympus Volume Six UK Edition
Book SynopsisWitness what the gods do after dark in the sixth volume of a stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of the best-known stories in Greek mythology, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content from creator Rachel Smythe.We have to make an example of her.Chaos reigns in Olympus as Zeus publicly declares Persephone a traitor and issues a warrant for her arrest. But Hades defies his brother''s decree, sheltering Persephone in the Underworld - and as the pair spend more time together, they are able to speak openly about their pasts. The goddess of spring admits the truth behind the bloody secret that led to Zeus''s ire, and the king of the Underworld shares the trauma he suffered at the hands of his power-hungry father, Kronos.But as Hades and Persephone''s relationship grows stronger, others begin to fall apart. The bond between Hades and Zeus is stretched to its limit, threatening to fracture the peace between their realms. Persephone and Arte
£18.70
HarperCollins Publishers The Cornish Wedding Murder
Book Synopsis ‘A sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader’s appetite’ Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay Mysteries
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd How to Hide in Plain Sight
Book SynopsisUNBREAKABLE BONDS OF FAMILY AND LOVE ARE EXPLORED IN THIS BRILLIANTLY TENDER STORY FROM THE AUTHOR OF GUY'S GIRL----On the day she arrives in Canada for her older brother's wedding, Eliot Beck hasn't seen her family in three years. Eliot adores her wacky collection of siblings and in-laws, but there's a reason she fled to Manhattan and buried herself in her work and she's not ready to share it with anyone.Eliot thinks she's prepared to survive the four-day wedding extravaganza until she sees her best friend, Manuel, looking as handsome as ever. When they met as children, she felt like she'd found the missing half of her soul. She tried so hard not to fall in love with him. . . but did anyway.Manuel's presence threatens to infiltrate the fortress Eliot has built around herself. If she isn't careful, by the end of this wedding, the whole castle might come crumbling down. . .----READE
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Memory Library
Book Synopsis‘A gorgeous story full of emotion and a very special library.’ – Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Lost Bookshop Some stories stay with us forever…Trade Review'A lovely story that celebrates books, family and kindness. Touching and beautiful.' – Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins 'The Memory Library is so joyful. Kate Storey writes from the heart and the gut about mistakes and how we can learn from them. Great characters and a truly heartwarming story – I loved it!' – Laura Pearson, author of #1 Kindle bestseller The Last List of Mabel Beaumont ‘A gorgeous novel that pairs my (and many people’s) perennial love for books about books with themes of family – and just how complex they can be.' – Platinum 'An utterly gorgeous page turner about the power of books, family and forgiveness.' – Phaedra Patrick, The Library of Lost and Found ‘The Memory Library is a magical story…It’s a magnificent celebration of the wonderful world of books and libraries – one to treasure and re-read over and over again!’ – Celia Anderson, author of USA Today bestseller 59 Memory Lane ‘A beautiful, poignant tale of family, friendship and the power of books. I was completely swept away.’ – Kindle bestseller Annie Lyons
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Abandoners
Book SynopsisThe best kind of book: the one you didn't know you were craving until it appeared . . . self-interrogative, intricately perceptive. I absolutely inhaled it' JIA TOLENTINOA very richly interesting exploration of a complex subject. Begoña Gómez Urzaiz tells the stories with such intelligence and wit and generosity' TESSA HADLEYFascinating I suspect there are many, many other mothers who are going to inhale The Abandoners'OBSERVERWhen it comes to children: a man leaves, a woman abandons Ingrid Bergman, Muriel Spark, Maria Montessori, Joni Mitchell what did they give up to become the women they were to the world?During the pandemic, trapped at home with young children and struggling to find creative space to write, journalist Begoña Gómez Urzaiz became fixated on artistic women who were able to overcome both society's judgement and their own maternal instincts in order to leave their children. More than anything, she was fascinated by her own prejudice towards these women, so clearly tie
£15.29
Little, Brown Book Group Where the Crawdads Sing Collectors Edition
Book Synopsis''Painfully beautiful'' The New York Times Book Review''Heart-wrenching... a compelling love story'' Entertainment Weekly''Astonishing'' PeopleFor years, rumours of the ''Marsh Girl'' have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life - until the unthinkable happens.Trade ReviewA painfully beautiful first novel that is at once a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative and a celebration of nature . . . Owens here surveys the desolate marshlands of the North Carolina coast through the eyes of an abandoned child. And in her isolation that child makes us open our own eyes to the secret wonders-and dangers-of her private world * New York Times Book Review *Part murder-mystery, part coming-of-age novel, its evocation of the marshland and its inhabitants is as unforgettable as Kya herself. A story of loneliness, survival and love that's as engrossing as it is moving * Daily Mail *For a debut the prose is impressively accomplished . . . A Hollywood film seems inevitable. Yet it will be hard to match on screen the delicacy of Owens's exploration of the natural world. Kya and her magical little world are a rare achievement * The Times *Kya is a compelling character, Owen's descriptive prose is lushly impressive, and the twist in the narrative's tail is neat * Sunday Times Culture *Owens combines high tension with precise detail about how people dress, sound, live and eat - the case studies in her book are both human and natural . . . Surprise bestsellers are often works that chime with the times. Though set in the 1950s and 60s, Where the Crawdads Sing is, in its treatment of racial and social division and the fragile complexities of nature, obviously relevant to contemporary politics and ecology. But these themes will reach a huge audience though the writer's old-fashioned talents for compelling character, plotting and landscape description * the Guardian *For sheer escapism pick up Where The Crawdads Sing . . . there is writing that takes your breath away * The Times (separate review) *All is not as it seems in this heartbreaking coming-of-age bestseller * The i newspaper *An Amazon Best Book of August 2018: This novel has a mystery at its core, but it can be read on a variety of levels. There is great nature writing; there is coming of age; and there is literature. Crawdads is a story lovingly told-one that takes its time in developing its characters and setting, and in developing the story. You'll want to relax and take your time as well, and when you're done you will want to talk about it with another reader. * Chris Schluep, Amazon Book Review *Unsettling and tinged with sadness, yet astonishingly fresh, powerful and mesmerising - with a surprising ending that will haunt you. I couldn't put it down * The Lady *The strength of the story comes from the sympathetic portrait of its heroine who cannot fail to captivate, right up until the surprising end * UK Press Association and Independent I *Steeped in the rhythms and shadows of the coastal marshes of North Carolina's Outer Banks, this fierce and hauntingly beautiful novel centers on...Kya's heartbreaking story of learning to trust human connections, intertwine[d] with a gripping murder mystery, revealing savage truths. An astonishing debut. * People *Unsettling and tinged with sadness, yet astonishingly fresh, powerful and mesmerising - with a surprising ending that will haunt you. I couldn't put it down * The Lady *This lush mystery is perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver * Bustle *A nature-infused romance with a killer twist * Refinery29 *Both a coming-of-age story and a mysterious account of a murder investigation told from the perspective of a young girl...Through Kya's story, Owens explores how isolation affects human behavior, and the deep effect that rejection can have on our lives * Vanity Fair *Heart-wrenching...A fresh exploration of isolation and nature from a female perspective along with a compelling love story. * Entertainment Weekly *A lush debut novel, Owens delivers her mystery wrapped in gorgeous, lyrical prose. It's clear she's from this place-the land of the southern coasts, but also the emotional terrain-you can feel it in the pages. A magnificent achievement, ambitious, credible and very timely * Alexandra Fuller, New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight *This is a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story, perfect for book clubs * Candis *A story that's evocative and sad and with a remarkable heroine * Image magazine *I didn't expect such a beautifully-written, gorgeously- immersive literary novel which is also a page-turner. I spun out the last few pages because I didn't want it to end
£17.00
Daunt Books Sagittarius
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£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Under a Summer Skye
Book Synopsis?A Scottish island. A stranger from the mainland. A summer of possibilitiesESCAPE TO THE ISLE OF SKYE THIS SUMMER WITH THE SUNDAY TIMES AND MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, AND LOSE YOURSELF IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE SKYE SISTERS TRILOGY.The perfect escapist read that will take you away from the real world and immerse you in its charm. Delightful.' VERONICA HENRY''A gorgeously warm and sunny book.' CATHY KELLYAn intriguing and uplifting story with a beautiful setting.' KATIE FFORDE''A delightful summer read!'' PHILLIPA ASHLEY________A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.As head gardener at Rothach Hall, life is exactly how she wants it, with her days spent working in the glorious clifftop garden and her evenings in the cosy loca
£8.54
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Sleepwalkers
Book SynopsisThe scintillating new novel from the author of The End of Mr YPatricia Highsmith meets White Lotus in this compulsive and brilliant gothic thrillerOne of the Daily Telegraph's '20 Best New Crime Thrillers to Read this Summer' ‘Clever, emotionally resonant, packed with startling twists and dark turns and very funny indeed, this is fiction roaring on all cylinders.’ Guardian “Gloriously dark and tangled . . . clever . . . I highly recommend it.” Observer 'A dark, twisty, savagely humorous plunge into a cauldron of toxic relationships . . . as well as a mystery loaded with menace, this is a smart, layered, stinging look at power and its abuse.' The Times ‘Through her bold storytelling, “The Sleepwalkers” becomes a work of peculiar,
£15.29
Bonnier Books Ltd The Dance Teacher of Paris
Book SynopsisOne brave woman will risk her life to save innocent Jewish children in occupied Paris. Paris, 1942. During the dark days of Nazi occupation, Adele Basset continues to teach in her dance studio, providing a beacon of light and hope amongst so much terror and suffering.When the Germans demand the names of her Jewish students, Adele realises they are in terrible danger. Only she can save them. Hiding her Jewish pupils in the school attic, Adele puts her life on the line to keep them safe.As the war rages, keeping her secret becomes more and more dangerous. Adele starts to question who she can trust and just how far she will need to go to protect the innocent children in her care.She must find a way for them to escape, if they have a chance of making it out of Paris alive... An absolutely heart-breaking and unforgettable novel about the strength of the human spirit and the courage of ordinary people in the d
£9.49
Pushkin Press Another Person
Book Synopsis'Dark Academia the way I like it. . . Smart, and full of suspense, it will keep you guessing until the end' Hanna Bervoets, author We Had to Remove This Post'Sharp societal commentary and amazing, complex female characters' Simon Campos, author of Nothing Can Hurt You Now'A confronting and timely book about consent' IndependentWho is Jina?The stupid woman who ruined a young man's career?The weird loner whose university boyfriend thinks that she has a victim complex?The naïve country girl who ignored a friend's cry for help?To understand who she really is, Jina must return to Anjin University, and to the toxic culture that destroyed the lives of many female students - including Ha Yuri, who died in mysterious circumstances not long before she left. Somewhere within Jina's memories lies the truth about what happened to them both all those years ago...
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers A Clock Stopped Dead
Book Synopsis''Satisfyingly intriguing'' Faith Martin ''J.M. Hall has mastered the warmth of a perfect modern cosy crime with all the twists and turns that go with it. I really enjoyed it!'' Hannah HendyRetired schoolteachers and amateur sleuths Liz, Pat and Thelma are giving up their coffee morning for a brand-new mystery.Retired teachers Pat, Liz and Thelma are happiest whiling away their hours over coffee, cake and chat at the Thirsk Garden Centre café.But when their good friend tells them about an unsettling experience she had in a sinister-feeling charity shop, they simply can't resist investigatingBecause the entire shop has vanished into thin air.Before long, our trio of unlikely sleuths find themselves embroiled in a race against the clock to get to the bottom of this mystery but who has a secret to hide and how far will they go to keep it concealed?Only time will tellPraise for A Clock Stopped Dead:''Satisfyingly intriguing'' Faith Martin, author of the Travelling Cook Mysteries seriesThis book feels just like a visit to old friends! The relationship between Liz, Pat and Thelma is so warm, funny and relatable that you could be forgiven for thinking that the plot is almost a secondary concern, but no there's proper twists and turns, and a very satisfying conclusion. This series just goes from strength to strength' Fiona Leitch, author of the Nosey Parker cosy mystery seriesHall writes with winning charm, wit and humour. This novel had me gripped and chuckling from the start, especially the warmth and tensions between the crime solving trio of former teachers. Three strong women, lots of hot tea, and a devlish clever plot. You'll love it.' Suk Pannu, author of Mrs Sidhu''s Dead and SconeJust what the doctor ordered, a perfect cosy mystery to snuggle up with. Highly entertaining and will have you laughing out loud, an absolute joy' NetGalley review, ?????''Liz, Pat and Thelma are my new favourite detective trio. I feel like I know all their quirky personalities. Get me in their gang!'' NetGalley review, ?????I absolutely loved this cosy mystery Keeps you turning the pages' NetGalley review, ?????''So glad I picked this up! I really enjoyed reading about older protagonists'' NetGalley review, ?????Absolutely loved this book!! I really enjoyed the characters! I was up all night reading and couldn''t put the book down! I highly recommend!!' NetGalley review?????Charming The plot is cozy and tricky, with just the right blend of Miss Marple, interesting and quirky characters, secrets, unexpected nuance, colourful cardigans, and of course, heaps of tea and warm companionship. I loved this book' NetGalley review ?????Gripping and addictive' NetGalley review ?????Oh how brilliant was this book?!I just couldn''t put it downHad great comical moments throughout. A really good murder mystery book' NetGalley review ?????A great cozy mystery Wonderful' NetGalley review ?????This book is a joy, I really, really loved itA five star read' NetGalley review ?????
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Murder at the Book Festival
Book Synopsis''Wow, what a read! Great plot and characters. Everything you want in a mystery. This series gets better with every book'' NetGalley reviewer, ?????When a body is found at the Merrywell Book Festival, amateur sleuth Violet Brewster must leave no page unturned to solve the mysteryThe small and idyllic village of Merrywell is getting ready to host its first ever book festival, and Violet Brewster is delighted when she is asked to interview the star author.Leonie Stanwick, now a bestselling romance author, is the featured guest of the festival. She was born in Merrywell, but abruptly left when she was 18 years old and never came back.But the festival takes a dark turn when Leonie is found murdered; her return to the village had clearly shaken someone up. When a shocking secret about Leonie's past is revealed, Violet's suspicions must turn to her own neighbours. Who in the village was intent on making sure Leonie could never leave the village again?An utterly gripping and unputdownable Eng
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Zero Days
Book Synopsis ‘This is Ruth Ware like you’ve never read her before’ DAVID BALDACCI ‘She’s done it again!’ CLARE MACKINTOSH HER HUSBAND HAS BEEN MURDERED AND SHE'S THE ONLY SUSPECT. WHAT SHOULD SHE DO? Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband Gabe are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. It soon becomes clear that the police have only one suspect in mind – her. Jack must go on the run to try and clear her name and to find her husband’s real killer. But who can she trust when everyone she knows could be a suspect? And with the police and the killer after her, can Jack get to the truth before her time runs out?An adrenaline-fueled thriller from international bestseller and Richard
£9.87
Penguin Putnam Inc Better by Far
Book Synopsis
£12.34
Pan Macmillan The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle
Book SynopsisGhostalker Ropa Moyo and her rag-tag team of magicians are back in The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle, the third book in the spellbinding Edinburgh Nights series by T. L. Huchu.’Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in' – Olivie Blake, author on The Atlas Six on The Library of the DeadShe came for magic. She stayed to solve a murder . . .Ropa Moyo is no stranger to magic or mysteries. After all, she's a ghostalker – one who can talk to the dead. But she’s still stuck in an irksomely unpaid internship. So she’s thrilled to attend a magical convention at Dunvegan Castle, on the Isle of Skye, where she’ll rub elbows with eminent magicians.For Ropa, it’s the perfect opportunity to finally prove her worth. Then a librarian is murdered and a precious scroll stolen. Suddenly, every magician is a suspect, and Ropa and her allies investi
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd Close to Home
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ROONEY PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2023WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION 2023WINNER OF THE JOHN MCGAHERN PRIZE 2024WATERSTONES IRISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023Sean is back. Back in Belfast and back into old habits. Back on the mad all-nighters, the borrowed tenners and missing rent, the casual jobs that always fall through. Back in these scarred streets, where the promised prosperity of peacetime has never arrived. Back among his brothers, his ma, and all the things they never talk about. Until one night Sean finds himself at a party dog-tired, surrounded by jeering strangers, his back against the wall and he makes a big mistake.''Staggeringly humane, unfaltering, taut and tender... [It] feels like that rarest of things: a genuinely necessary book'' Guardian''Every detail rings true, every character is fleshy and real and heartbreaking... Michael Magee has a remarkable talent'' Sunday TimesSHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES YOUNG WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE EWART-BIGGS PRIZE 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS 2024LONGLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE FOR LITERATURE 2024ONE OF SARAH JESSICA PARKER'S BEST BOOKS OF 2023BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ACCORDING TO THE TIMES AND IRISH TIMES
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Happy Hour
Book SynopsisCan they fall in love, sixty minutes at a time?''Cressida''s characters are wonderful'' Sarah Morgan''Bursting with warmth'' Kirsty Greenwood''We couldn''t put this down!'' BELLA''You''ll devour this'' Woman''s WeeklyThe deliciously captivating new standalone novel from the bestselling author of The Staycation and The Cornish Cream Tea series.Jess is happy working in Greenwich market selling trinkets to well-heeled locals and excitable tourists.Then one Sunday, Jess is thrown together with handsome, funny Ash, as they chase a pickpocket through the market, and before long they are making a habit of running into each other at the same time each week.Jess starts to realize that their hour together is the brightest part of her life. But Ash isn't telling her everything can she discover the truth before it's too late?Readers LOVE The Happy Hour!''I fell hard for this book A summer must-read'' Reader review ?????''A gorgeous romance'' Reader review ?????''Absolutely beautiful heartwarming
£9.49
The New York Review of Books, Inc My Lesbian Novel
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£14.39
Kensington Publishing Animal 5: Executioner's Song
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£8.54
Kodansha America, Inc Blue Lock 14
Book SynopsisA mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. It''s a no-balls-barred battle to become Japan''s next top striker, in this Squid GamemeetsWorld Cup manga, now available in print! Anime airing now!After a disastrous defeat at the 2018 World Cup, Japan''s team struggles to regroup. But what''s mising? An absolute ace striker. The Football Union is hell-bent on creating a striker who hungers for goals and thirsts for victory, so Blue Lock -- a rigorous training ground for 300 of Japan''s best and brightest youth players -- is created. To survive this battle royale, the last striker standing will have to out-muscle and out-ego everyone who stands in his way!
£11.69
HarperCollins Publishers The Mystery Guest
Book Synopsis*Molly the Maid returns in THE MAID''S SECRET available to buy now!*________DO NOT DISTURB. WHODUNNIT IN PROGRESSMolly the maid sees everything at The Regency Grand Hotel.So when a renowned guest drops very dead on the tearoom floor, sullying the hotel's five-star reputation, it falls to Molly to sweep up the clues.An unfortunate accident? Or a murderous mess?The answers to the mystery lie behind one guest's door and only the maid holds the key_________________________________________________________________Over a MILLION READERS have been swept away by Nita Prose''s delightful mysteries:Excellent and totally entertaining the most interesting (and endearing) main character in a long time' STEPHEN KINGThis is phenomenal thriller. Maid or murderer or victim? Find out in the book' READER REVIEW ?????Gripping, deftly written, and led by a truly unforgettable protagonist in Molly. I''m recommending it to everyone I know'' EMMA STONEXI loved everything about this book' READER REVIEW ?????I didn't think I could love a character any more than I loved Eleanor Oliphant but along comes Molly the Maid. God, I love her' READER REVIEW ?????Fresh, fiendish and darkly beguiling. The Maid is so thrillingly original, and clever, and joyous. I just adored every page' CHRIS WHITAKERFelt like a modern day homage to Agatha Christie' READER REVIEW ?????Lots of twists and turns and highly gripping' READER REVIEW ?????The Maid was a Sunday Times bestseller for w/c 08/05/2023
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers A Skye Full of Stars
Book SynopsisEscape to the snow-covered mountains of the Isle of Skye this winter, where romance, new adventures and unexpected surprises are just waiting to be foundI love all of Sue Moorcroft's books!' KATIE FFORDEUnder the winter stars, anything is possibleEzzie Wynter can't wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larsson family the owners of Rothach Hall are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise.Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larsson turns up. The owners' handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list.Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it's sometimes those we least expect who come to our aidA beautiful, escapist festive tale to curl up with by the fire this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
£8.54
Headline Publishing Group Banners of Hell
Book SynopsisSummer 1312. The brutal murder of King Edward II''s favourite, Peter Gaveston, unleashes a horde of demons . . .Sir Hugh Corbett, Keeper of the Secret Seal, hastens to the Dominican Priory at Blackfriars where Gaveston''s corpse awaits burial. But, on arrival, Corbett discovers that a series of macabre murders has turned the priory into a mansion of death, and a killer is roaming free.Meanwhile, rumours spread that the pirate ships of the Black Banner Fleet are intent on entering the River Thames and, if the Sea Beggars succeed in their mission, they will weaken the king''s power throughout the city.Once again, Corbett must employ his wit and ingenuity to navigate the dangerous and deadly challenges ahead and bring the culprits to justice before matters turn grave indeed.What readers say about Paul Doherty:''Paul Doherty''s depictions of medieval England are truly outstanding''''Another brilliant story in the excellent Hugh Corbett series by a superb historical author''''Good plots, clever twists and mostly impossible to work out''
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ltd Silken Gazelles
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Bonnier Books Ltd Our Dear Daisy
Book SynopsisNuneaton, 1880Twenty year old Daisy Armstrong lives a happy life with her loving father, Jed. They have a special bond, particularly after losing her beloved Irish mother and younger brother. But when Jed falls in love with a local widow, everything is set to change for them both.With expensive tastes and a lavish lifestyle, moving into Daisy and Jed's humble forge is not what the widow or her spoiled son, Gilbert, expected - and they make that very clear. Worked to the bone trying to look after their busy home, Daisy is exhausted. But the one glimmer of hope is Lewis, the widow's other son, a gentle and hard-working young man.When one fateful day something terrible happens to Daisy, she finds herself sent away from home and the chance at love slips through her fingers. After unbearable suffering, but finding incredible strength within, Daisy might finally have a chance at the life she wants. But can she ever find her way back to Nuneato
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Burnt Shadows
Book Synopsis_______________''A formidable arching tale about loss and foreignness'' - Financial Times''Powerful, epic yet skilfully controlled Shamsie''s voice is clear and compelling, with a welcome sparseness'' - Guardian''Completely authentic, complex, and breath-stopping'' - Emma Thompson_______________SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORANGE PRIZEBY THE ACCLAIMED WINNER OF THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTIONAugust 9th, 1945, Nagasaki. Hiroko Tanaka steps out onto her veranda, taking in the view of the terraced slopes leading up to the sky. She is twenty-one and on the verge of marrying Konrad Weiss. In a split second, the world turns whiteIn the numbing aftermath of a bomb that obliterates everything she has known, all that remains are the bird-shaped burns on her back, an indelible reminder of the world she has lost. In search of new beginnings, Hiroko travels to Delhi to find Konrad's relatives and falls in love with their employee, Sajjad Ashraf. As the years unravel, new homes replace those left behind and old wars are seamlessly usurped by new conflicts. But the shadows of history personal, political are cast over the entwined worlds of different families as they are transported from Pakistan to New York, and in the novel''s astonishing climax, to Afghanistan in the immediate wake of 9/11._______________''Shamsie achieves the near impossibility of a truly intimate epic tale I challenge anyone to put this book down lightly'' - Shami Chakrabarti, Observer, Books of the Year''A giant of novel Beautifully realised'' - Independent
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Present Past
Book SynopsisGhosts are not born by themselves. They are born of a silent conscience. They are as real as the ignored knowledge of crimes and the refusal to accept real responsibility. They are the distorted voice of the dead turned into mystical images. The voice of unwanted witnesses.A Present Past is a collection of short stories that brings to vivid life a post-Soviet world haunted by the secrets and crimes of its past. It features a judge overcome by the weight of his ruling, the stories within the old Soviet cemeteries, discovered objects that transport us to another time and the documents of the KGB. Seamlessly blending history with fiction, politics with individualism, reality with magic, the eleven tales explore the unacknowledged crimes of the Soviet Union and Russian State, and show how the devastating sins of the past pervade the present.
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Canary Girls
Book Synopsis
£10.44
Simon & Schuster The Sunforge
Book SynopsisSascha Stronach’s queer, Maori-inspired Endsong trilogy reopens on a city in flames, where a magic-wielding pirate crew uncovers an age-old fight between the gods that threatens their world. The steel city of Radovan is consumed by fire between. Stranded in its harbor is the crew of the Kopek, the survivors of a bioterror attack overseas. But they bear scars: their captain, Sibbi, has gone missing; Yat, their newest Weaver, is fighting for control of her own mind; and their Weaving powers are in a badly weakened state. To disable the technology that prevents the group from escaping, Sen and Kiada must plot their way through the ruins of the foreign capital, which is patrolled by a hostile militia, using wits alone. But to navigate through Radovan, Kiada will have to rely on her own history with the city—one she shares with a band of misfits dubbed Fort Tomorrow and their leader, Ari, a charismatic thief. Ari may hold the key not
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Last Light over Oslo
Book SynopsisBased on true events, this gripping historical novel set in Norway and Sweden in 1940, follows one of the first female US Ministers, Daisy Harriman, and her niece as the two are unexpectedly caught up in the German invasion of Norway.Cleo Jaffray was an American. A war in Europe had nothing to do with her. She told herself that right up until the man she loved went missing in Poland and Cleo was forced to turn to the only person who might be able to help?her aunt Daisy, the US Minister to Norway.Daisy Harriman has never shied away from a challenge, be it canvassing for women?s suffrage or driving Red Cross ambulances in WWI, so as only the second woman ambassador, she is determined to prove the naysayers wrong and succeed in her post. When her disgraced niece Cleo lands on her doorstep, penniless and demanding help to find her lost lover, Daisy must balance her responsibilities as a diplomat with her desire to help her family.Their search for answers is interrupted when Germany invades Norway and the pair find themselves on the run in a countryside that is quickly becoming a battleground. Then as Daisy is given the task of escorting the Norwegian Crown Princess and her young children to America, Cleo?s lover resurfaces with a story that doesn?t add up and dangerous enemies on his trail.This riveting historical novel, based on the astounding life of Daisy Harriman and a real-life royal rescue, vividly captures a desperate time and a fearless heroine.
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Third Wife of Faraday House
Book Synopsis
£10.44
Seven Seas Entertainment, LLC Reborn as a Space Mercenary I Woke Up Piloting
Book Synopsis
£13.49
HarperCollins Publishers Daddys Girl
Book SynopsisThe brand new epic family drama from the nation's favourite storyteller.Where can a daughter turn when her father's love is stolen away?When heart-broken Sarah Quinn is left to care for her father and siblings when her mother dies, it's hard to watch their loving dad, Fred, drift into drink and despair. With money tight, Sarah is determined to keep the family together.But they receive a shock when Fred Quinn announces he is to marry Mavis Swindel, the landlady of a boarding house on the edge of the moors. Mavis seems to offer the answer to the family's problems, and soon they are all moving into her shabby lodgings.It quickly becomes clear that their stepmother has plans for her new family, and slowly but surely, Mavis takes over their lives. As her father becomes a stranger to his children, Sarah becomes convinced that Mavis has something to hide. But as her doubts turn into an obsession, does Sarah risk destroying everything she loves in her search for the truth?
£8.99
Simon & Schuster Not Forever But For Now
Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Fight Club comes a hilarious horror satire “equal parts saccharine caricature and startling raunch” (Kirkus Reviews) about a family of professional killers responsible for the most atrocious events in history and the young brothers that are destined to take over.Meet Otto and Cecil. Two brothers who grew up privileged in the Welsh countryside. They enjoyed watching nature shows, playing with their pet pony, impersonating their Grandfather…and killing the help. Murder is the family business after all. Downton Abbey, this is not. However, it’s not so easy to continue the family legacy with the constant stream of threats and distractions seemingly leaping from the hedgerow. First, there is the matter of the veritable cavalcade of escaped convicts that keep showing up at their door. Not to mention the debaucherous new tutor who has a penchant for speaking Greek and dismembering sex dolls. Then ther
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Cornish Castle Murder
Book SynopsisThe brand new Jodie Nosey' Parker cozy mystery to escape with in 2025. Available to pre-order now!As former Met police officer Jodie Nosey' Parker and her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers arrive at a gorgeous Cornish castle ahead of their wedding, they're excited for what the future holds.With the party in full swing, the guests are enjoying a weekend of dancing, activities and relaxation. So nothing shocks them more than when Nathan's friend shoots a straight bullseye on the archery field. Just a shame it goes straight into a young woman on the other side of the targetYet not everything is as it looks and on closer inspection it appears the woman was already dead. As suspicions turn to the guests, Jodie and Nathan must set aside their celebrations to investigate the mystery before the killer strikes again.Readers love Fiona Leitch:As twisty-turny as a Cornish lane in high summer' J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appet
£9.49
Sort of Books Ladies' Lunch: a novella & other stories
Book Synopsis'These ladies are perfect company' The Times 'Lore Segal has the sharp analytic eye of a born writer' The New York Times Book Review 'There is humour even in the most heart-breaking of her stories' Telegraph Five close friends in their 90s meet - as they have for decades - for their monthly 'ladies lunch', to puzzle, and laugh at, the enigmas and affronts of ageing. When one of their number is placed unhappily in a home the others conspire to spring her. Lore Segal's witty, yet poignant, short story, Ladies' Lunch, appeared in the New Yorker in 2017, when she herself turned ninety. It was followed by four New Yorker sequels. For this sparkling collection, Segal returns to her group of erudite, sharp-minded nonagenarians in Upper Manhattan offering startling insights into friendship and mortality. In the book's Other Stories, Segal includes tales from her acclaimed and prizewinning oeuvre to illuminate the hinterland of her characters - one of whom, like her, was a Kindertransport refugee. Beautifully crafted and profound, these stories distil the spirit of one of America's great authors to show us what a long life might bring.Trade ReviewThe everyday stuff of ageing, delivered with spark ... The writing is spare and short, telling us only what is needed, like snatches of conversation heard over the clinking of glasses. These ladies are perfect company -- John Self * Times *Segal has the dazzling ability to merge the mundane details of life with the arc of human emotions * The Washington Post *I always feel in her work such a sense of toughness and humor.... Her writing is sad and funny, and that makes it more of both -- Jennifer EganIf America had anything resembling a wise elder, or cared to, it would be Lore Segal -- Shalom AuslanderThere is humour even in the most heart-breaking of her stories -- Nicole Lampert * Telegraph *Deft, delicious stories that follow the lives of a group of long-standing friends... and perfectly pitched memoirist musings -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail *Lore Segal has the sharp analytic eye of a born writer * The New York Times Book Review *Friends die, we grow old, but stories survive ... we are lucky to have this piercing collection from a writer who has known for so long how to tell them * Times Literary Supplement *A spare moving portrait ... tracing the rhythms and bittersweet comedy of aging * Spectator *Moving and powerful -- Brian Maye * Irish Times *
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Big TwoHearted River
Book SynopsisA gorgeous new centennial edition of Ernest Hemingway’s landmark short story of returning veteran Nick Adams’s solo fishing trip in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, illustrated with specially commissioned artwork by master engraver Chris Wormell and featuring a revelatory foreword by John N.Trade Review"The finest story of the outdoors in American literature." — Sports Illustrated "'Big Two-Hearted River' may be the finest piece of fiction ever written about the experience of the veteran." — The Guardian "Matchlessly eloquent in its evocation of the pleasures of the senses and of the feeling of place. ... In 'Big Two-Hearted River,' there are moments that are not just constructed like a Cézanne painting; they look like a Cézanne painting." — Adam Gopnick, The New Yorker "Some of the best English prose of the twentieth century." — Larry McMurtry, The New York Review of Books "In Hemingway, fishing was always and infinitely metaphorical; Nick Adams plumbs the depths of his soul as he dangles a line." — Jay Parini, New York Times Book Review “A masterpiece, one of those rare instances when a superb writer reaches a level reserved only for those extraordinary talents with a nose for what is fundamental but not entirely clear and rational in human existence.” — Claremont Review of Books “Ernest Hemingway’s ‘Big Two-Hearted River’ retains its hold on me, some 40 years after my first reading. It is a story that can be recited and revealed—like currents in a beloved stream—as fresh as each spring day.” — James F. Vesely, Seattle Times
£17.09
HarperCollins Publishers Tilt
Book SynopsisPicked as a most anticipated book of 2025 by Goodreads, Vogue, LitHub and TIME 'Heralds the arrival of a powerful new literary voice' VOGUE 'Pacy, immaculately modulated' OBSERVER 'Had me turning the pages well into the night' JESSICA KNOLL, author of BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN Annie is nine months pregnant. She's shopping for a crib at IKEA. That's when the massive earthquake hits. There's nothing to do but walk. Annie is 37 weeks pregnant, standing in IKEA, finally about to take home the crib she should have bought months ago. That's when it happens the long-anticipated Cascadia Earthquake, dismantling the East Coast of America in a matter of minutes. Propulsive, disruptive, funny, terrifying, Tilt is a novel about how the foundations of our lives are built and shaken. About a woman trying to walk back to the husband she's long been pushing away. About put-off dreams and inevitability and what makes us keep moving forward. 'A compulsive read' LUAN GOLDIE, author of NIGHTINGALE POINT 'I was so mesmerized that I blew off all my responsibilities, threw all other reading aside, and blistered through the whole thing in one sitting' ANGIE KIM, author of HAPPINESS FALLS 'The Road meets Nightbitch meets What to Expect When You're Expecting. I loved this novel' LYDIA KIESLING, author of The Golden State 'This riveting book made me laugh, cry, and think. I couldn't put it down' HELEN PHILLIPS, author of Hum
£999.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Christmas at Hogwarts
Book Synopsis
£15.29
Llewellyn Publications,U.S. Accidental Christ An
Book SynopsisLon Milo DuQuette uses extensive research and his knowledge of esoteric topics to create a thrilling, humorous, and thought-provoking novel. Presents a compelling argument for why the Jesus myth may have become distorted and provides an alternative explanation of his resurrection.
£14.39
Europa Editions (UK) Ltd. The Silence of the Choir
Book SynopsisSeventy-two men arrive in theSicilian countryside. They are immigrants, refugees or migrants. But in Altino, they are called the ragazzi, the guys' that the Santa Marta Association have taken responsibility for. And their presence changes the course of life in this small Sicilian town.While they await their fate, the ragazzi encounter all kinds of people: a strange vicar who rewrites their pasts, a woman committed to offering them asylum, a man determined to refuse it, an older ragazzo who has become an interpreter, and a reclusive poet who no longer writes.Each character, wherever they may come from, is forced to reflect on what it means to meet people they know nothing about. As each brings a different view, a cacophony of discordant voices resonates to the end, when the final one reduces the choir to silence.
£13.49
Canelo Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop: A
Book Synopsis‘Kiley's writing is delightful and so easy to cosy down with…Best book of the year!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader ReviewA fairytale ending isn’t just for fiction…The Borrow-a-Bookshop is recovering, seven months on from the winter flood that destroyed all its stock, and the latest temporary bookseller, Joy Foley, arrives in Clove Lore with her daughter, five-year-old Radia Pearl. As a tech expert, she’ll be working on dragging the Bookshop into the twenty-first century.But what no one knows is that Joy is running from Radia Pearl’s father. She can’t settle down here or anywhere … moving on is how she stays safe. So when Radia befriends Monty Bickleigh, ex-fisherman and the new cook at The Siren’s Tail pub, despite herself, Joy finds herself growing closer to him, and the quirky community of Clove Lore.While Joy settles in to the bookshop, Araminta Clove-Congreve, local lady of the Manor, is finding running her new wedding business harder than anticipated. She needs to hire a chief wedding planner, and fast - and Joy’s family may have the answer.As Joy finds her heart softening by the magic of Clove Lore, can her new friends – and Monty – be enough to convince Joy to stop running and find a new life?An uplifting, gorgeously romantic read that will warm your heart; fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley won't be able to put this down. Bookworms everywhere, escape to the magic of Clove Lore today...Readers are loving Something New at the Borrow a Bookshop:‘I couldn't get enough of this story and was reading it every second I had over the course of a day. Just simply fabulous.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘What a heart-warming, feel good story! A perfect weekend read…Loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘Charming, cozy, heartbreaking, and heart-warming. It was truly a delight to read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A wonderful read which made me feel warm and gooey inside. Perfect for a pick-me-up!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘An absolutely wonderful read. Kiley never disappoints and this book was no exception…some deep themes all wrapped up in a warm hug.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘The Borrow-a-Bookshop series is like a gentle hug from a friend… Before you know it, you are caught up in the lives of the characters and want to join them.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A lovely and emotional (in a good way) romance, with a wonderful sense of community.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘These books are uplifting, heart-warming and heart-breaking’. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A book series to rely on, one that has me longing to visit again, enjoying the escape and the warmth inside.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A quaint seaside village, interesting characters, a cozy bookshop, and the sweetest love story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A cute, heart-warming, cosy read…I have fallen in love with Clove Lore and their residents.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘I think this is the best book in the series to date… A story of community and friendships and family.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘I adore this series, so, so much! I read them much too fast because they are so darn cute.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘These books are a real treat and pure escapism not to be missed.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘A truly satisfying read with a wonderful ensemble cast.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review‘The author packs this book with lovable characters…A heart-warming trip to a fictional gem of the Devon seaside.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reader Review
£8.54
Amazon Publishing The Last Party
Book SynopsisA loving mother. A notorious murderer. They both have reasons to hide their secrets in a novel of escalating shock and suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.Perla Wultz lives with her husband, Grant, and their precious daughter, Sophie, in a gated Pasadena community. Affluent, sociable, and accomplished, Perla plays the part of loving wife and mother to perfection. It seems an ideal life, if not for a decades-old crime that has become Perla’s dark and consuming secret obsession.Twenty-three years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murdering two young girls during a birthday party. Though he’s been condemned to a life sentence, his crime is not forgotten. Not by Perla, nor by an inquisitive doctoral student interviewing Folcrum for his dissertation. He’s getting the killer to open up—about his motives, his confession, and the truth of what really happened on that horrible night.As the past and the present e
£8.54
Amazon Publishing Played
Book SynopsisUSA Today bestselling author Naima Simone heats up the page with intensity and wit in this romance between a pro hockey player and a firefighter, both struggling to move on from the past.Being a firefighter isn’t easy. Especially for a Black woman. Working with family helps a little. But when somebody from your company doesn’t come back from a call, it’s brutal—as in, “How’m I supposed to go on?” brutal.And one death took me to a really dark place.A year later, I’m at the Pirates’ hockey training facility. Just another day on the job. Until I find a charred journal. I look inside for the owner’s name, but the words on the page punch me in the gut. It’s like reading my own thoughts. Reliving my own pain.The journal belongs to Solomon Young, left-winger for the Pirates—a father and widower. When I return it, I’m racked with guilt for the invasion of privacy. The look
£8.54
