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
Simon & Schuster Ltd We Were Girls Once
Book SynopsisFrom Aiwanose Odafen, the author of Tomorrow I Become a Woman, an ambitious, moving novel that charts three women's shifting relationships against a modernising, volatile Nigeria in the 1990s and beyond.‘We were three: complete, as we were meant to be…’ Ego, Zina and Eriife were always destined to be best friends, ever since their grandmothers sat next to each other on a dusty bus to Lagos in the late 1940s, forging a bond that would last generations. But over half a century later, Nigeria is a new and modern country. As the three young women navigate the incessant strikes and political turmoil that surrounds them, their connection is shattered by a terrible assault. In the aftermath, nothing will remain the same as life takes them down separate paths. For Ego, now a high-powered London lawyer, success can’t mask her loneliness and feelings of being an outsider. Desperate to feel
£17.00
ACA Publishing Limited Longevity Park
Book SynopsisChina is ageing. Its shrinking households, overworked and overstretched, struggle to carry the burden of care for their elderly. Retired Beijing judge Uncle Xiao is one among millions of old-timers who face a hopeless choice: accept a lonely decline, or chase dubious 'miracle cures'. Then into his life steps Miss Zhong, a young rural nurse with her own share of problems. The two have little in common, but as time delivers tragedies they learn that family can take many forms. Will this unlikely pair weather life's storms together, and will Xiao find warmth in his sunset years?
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group Days of Wonder
Book Synopsis''A story of life, love and hope - the perfect antidote to today''s world. Phenomenal''CLARE MACKINTOSHThe incredible, life-affirming new novel by the author of the Richard & Judy Book Club Bestseller A Boy Made of Blocks for fans of Matt Haig and Jojo Moyes.Tom, devoted single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On each of her birthdays, its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for her - a day of wonder. However hard life gets, all Tom wants to do is make every moment magical for her. Now, as Hannah begins to spread her wings, the theatre comes under threat of closure and the two could lose one another. But maybe, just maybe, one final day of magic might just save them both.A story about finding joy in everyday life, Days of Wonder is the most beautiful and uplifting novel you''ll read all year.Trade ReviewA story of life, love and hope - the perfect antidote to today's world. Phenomenal. - Clare MackintoshSo powerful, yet incredibly gentle and poignant. Utterly and completely beautiful - Joanna Cannon (author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep)Utterly enchanting . . . a truly beautiful story. - Ruth Hogan (author of The Keeper of Lost Things)The publishing sensation of the year: a compelling, uplifting and heart-rending debut novel - Mail on Sunday (on A Boy Made of Blocks)Written with enormous heart - I loved it - Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project (on A Boy Made of Blocks)One of those wonderful books that makes you laugh and cry at the same time - Good HousekeepingI shed a few tears but was left with a warm glow - Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love (on A Boy Made of Blocks)A great plot, with a rare sense of honesty - Guardian (on a Boy Made of Blocks)
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Rouge
Book SynopsisFrom the critically acclaimed author of Bunny comes a horror-tinted, gothic fairy tale about a lonely dress shop clerk whose mother’s unexpected death sends her down a treacherous path in pursuit of youth and beauty. Can she escape her mother’s fate and find a connection that is more than skin deep?A Most Anticipated Book of 2023 in The Guardian, i newspaper, The New York Times, Time, Globe and Mail, Bustle, The Millions, LitHub, TOR, Good Housekeeping, Our Culture Mag, and more! 'You think, “She’s not going to go there…yes, she is.' Margaret Atwood 'The trancelike, rhapsodic language and deepening atmosphere of unreality make for a narrative that oozes with unease.' The Guardian &lsq
£15.29
Faber & Faber The Book of Not
Book SynopsisFROM THE BOOKER PRIZE SHORTLISTED AUTHOR OF THIS MOURNABLE BODY and NERVOUS CONDITIONSONE OF THE BBC''S 100 WOMEN FOR 2020As Zimbabwe emerges into independence, Tambudzai Sigauke embarks on her second year at the Young Ladies'' College of the Sacred Heart. Determined to excel, Tambu exhausts herself with her efforts to climb to the top of the school''s honour rolls. The further she pushes herself, however, the farther she feels from any reward; and the roots of colonialism threaten to trip her at every step. The sequel to Nervous Conditions is as moving, darkly witty, and riveting as its predecessor.Trade Review'The whole novel is an examination of Tambu's increasingly warped perspective,achieved through a focused, almost claustrophobic first-person point of view and a masterly deployment of flashbacks. We inhabit Tambu's mind so totally that we often have to pull back to remind ourselves that this is not reality, but the world as Tambu sees it.'- Helon Habila, Guardian'From these novels we not only learnt of but lived through [Tambu's] formative years: being sidelined in favour of her brother; her reaction to his death; and the violence she experienced at school.' - John Self, The Times
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group there are more things
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize & the Orwell Prize for FictionA Sunday Times Fiction Book of the Year ''a serious accomplishment'' Sunday Times''vivid and expansive'' Sophie Mackintosh''a lyrical celebration'' TLS''a glorious, poetic feat'' Bolu BabalolaThis is a novel about two women - Melissa and Catarina.Catarina is born to a well-known political family in Brazil. Melissa, a South London native, is brought up by her mum and a crew of rebellious grandmothers. In 2016, they meet for the first time.Their story takes us across continents and generations. In it we see sisterhood and queerness, and, perhaps, glimpse a better way to live.Trade Review'there are more things is a vivid and expansive novel of sisterhood, love and connection. Reading it is a true experience of joy, and of hope' -- Sophie Mackintosh, author of THE WATER CURE'A serious accomplishment from a talented writer with a gloriously untethered style' * Sunday Times *there are more things builds on the formal innovation of Yara Rodrigues Fowler's first novel in a blistering collage of revolution, sisterhood and joy. Set between contemporary Britain and Brazil's military dictatorship, this book explores the forces outside of ourselves that bind us together and wrench us apart. Her work is honest about political and personal losses, yet strung with light and hope. She reminds us of the power we hold in our individual bodies and the potency of collective strength. there are more things illuminates the societal structures that ensnare us and captures the exuberance and heartache in longing for a better world -- Jessica Andrews, author of SALTWATERA lyrical celebration, and mourning, of women driven to and empowered by activism and community engagement . . . Yara Rodrigues Fowler depicts agitation and revolution as a combination of personal and shared moments, filled with hope, loss, loneliness and love * TLS *Gripping. Yara writes about London like no other and she made me fall in love with the city all over again. A lyrical, relatable and fiercely intelligent tale of first loves, friendships, family and politics told with generosity, skill and compassion.' -- Zeba Talkhani, author of MY PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRYtypically magnificent from a unique writer -- Musa OkwongaAn empowering, lyrical and radical book about friendship, protest movements, community and the power of standing up for what you believe in. Yara once again rips up what we consider to be a novel and pushes the form forward in an exciting and readable way -- Nikesh Shuklathere are more things is it's own thing. Situated closely and confidently in the idioms of people navigating a politics that feel true and nuanced, with it's own theory of translating experience, intergenerational histories, place and language.There is a wit too to this book that feels like a wink of familiarity in a pub, discussing the next best thing over a sticking counter. In a crisp and astute poetics, Yara makes music of the warm breath between people -- Tice Cin, author of KEEPING THE HOUSEthere are more things is a book about freedom and solidarity and joy. It will make you yearn for freedom and believe in more and deeper possibilities than you ever thought possible. Yara Rodrigues Fowler brilliantly brings to life lives lived freely and fully. I couldn't put it down -- Amelia Horgan, author of LOST IN WORKA novel as a stack of polaroids, whose every day moments are saturated with the love, pain and grief women carry across generations and political movements, there are more things is a beautiful, unusual and vital novel, seeking and forging powerful connections across time -- Preti TanejaAn ambitious and important novel from one of the UK's most talented young writers. The book gathers so much into its complex strands, from the nature of exile and uprootedness to friendship it takes us to Brazil and circles us back to the precarity of London living experienced by so many today. It gives us a window into lives so often dismissed and ignored. Fowler's female characters are so sensitively drawn... This is a talented writer who has written something both moving and complex -- Mona ArshiWritten with a painful tenderness, Yara's book pours generously like honey and sticks uncomfortably around questions of home, family, and love. A beautiful and heart aching testament of sisterhood and collectivity, Yara's second novel is a gift to spend time with, a book to tread delicately through -- Liv WynterYara Rodrigues Fowler is an urgently important and captivating voice. there are more things kept me enchanted from the first page -- Vincent Bevinsa phenomenal story of two women, revolution, and finding a place in the world. A book of epic scope & intricate detail. Stunning -- Katie Hale, author of MY NAME IS MONSTERfull of the emancipatory and radical potential of joy -- Keiran Goddardthere are more things is an exquisite story of love and revolution, friendship and heartbreak, language and history, beautifully told and so powerfully felt. This is a transportative and captivating novel - I truly felt as though I lived and breathed among its pages and will be thinking about it for a very long time. Yara Rodrigues Fowler is an outstanding writer and this is a truly brilliant literary and political achievement -- Lucia Osbourne-CrowleyA stirring portrait of the legacy of violence . . . experimental and evocative . . . While the themes that this novel tackles are harrowing, they are handled with the most delicate and deft touch. Issues like queerness, casual racism, the anxiety of being in a foreign land and the pressure of being grateful for being allowed the same opportunities as a white person are sensitively depicted in Fowler's vivid prose * Irish Times *A large-hearted novel of sisterhood and resistance -- Tom Gatti * New Statesman *Reignited my mind and my passion. It is a glorious, poetic, expansive feat that traverses sisterhood, and love, and revolution and home, and the bravery it takes to question what oppresses -- Bolu BabalolaThis is a vibrant, sensual, olfactory modern novel that celebrates kinship, food, music, mixed heritage, the rhythms of the city, political and sexual awakenings. Formally experimental, but never forbiddingly so, it is a seductive, propulsive read * The Times *A political novel rooted in power and cemented in hope * The Skinny, Books of the Year 2022 *
£9.49
Transworld Publishers Ltd Transcription
Book Synopsis______________THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER BY AWARD WINNER KATE ATKINSON''An unapologetic novel of ideas which is also wise, funny and paced like a thriller'' ObserverIn 1940, eighteen-year old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past for ever. Ten years later, now a producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realize that there is no action without consequence.Transcription is a work of rare depTrade ReviewNo other contemporary novelist has such supreme mastery of that sweet spot between high and low, literary and compulsively readable as Kate Atkinson. I look forward to a new Atkinson book like I look forward to Christmas…what lends the novel enchantment is that patented Atkinson double whammy: gravity and levity. Tragedy and comedy as so skilfully entwined that you find yourself snorting with mirth…brimming with dark wit that reminds you how deeply satisfying good fiction can be. -- Allison Pearson * Sunday Telegraph *Transcription stands alongside its immediate predecessors as a fine example of Kate Atkinson's mature work, an unapologetic novel of ideas which is also wise, funny and paced like a thriller. -- Stephanie Merritt * Observer *Kate Atkinson is a wonderful writer. I want to write like her when I grow up. Transcription shows she's at the peak of her powers. Full of beautiful, delicate, sharp sentences and characterisations. A spy novel that dismantles the whole genre. A class act, as ever. -- Matt HaigSuperb...Transcription is the sort of book that reminds you how profound and satisfying and moving and exhilarating good fiction can be. It’s the best novel I’ve read all year. I can’t praise it enough. * Irish Times *Never loses its sense of absurdity of human beings even in their most tragic or noble moments...How vehemently most novelists will wish to produce a masterpiece as good. -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *On a graph plotting the literary qualities versus saleability of contemporary British novelists, Kate Atkinson would surely occupy the highest point where the two meet...There are plenty of twists and turns in this terrific page-turner, some shocking moments, and a narrator whom the author encourages us to love. -- Claire Harman * Evening Standard *Atkinson handles her mazy, Le Carre-style plot with complete authority. But there’s a lot more to the novel than its page-turning thrills. The increasingly sceptical Juliet makes for a very appealing heroine and the darker material is interspersed with some neat comedy. Above all, Atkinson recreates the atmosphere of both wartime and post-war London with utter conviction. -- James Walton * Reader's Digest *[A] superb story of wartime espionage...Hilary Mantel once said of Atkinson's ground-breaking first novel that she had a "game-plan more sophisticated than Dickens", and that skill is more than evident in this latest offering...remarkable...Transcription is a fine course in the art of deception. The sheer bravura of Atkinson's storytelling is such that you will find it impossible not to want to revisit those clues so cleverly placed, as you shake your head in disbelief at how effortlessly you have been taken in. -- Gerri Kimber * Times Literary Supplement *A new Kate Atkinson novel is always a reason to rejoice and Transcription was everything I was hoping for and more…The truly surprising denouement makes for one of the best conclusions of a novel I’ve ever read.I immediately wanted to read it all over again. * Red *Kate Atkinson’s fluid identity as a novelist has long marked her out as one of Britain’s most interesting – and often underrated – writers…the playful always stands shoulder to shoulder with the painful, the grandiose with the grubby…Atkinson’s depiction of espionage and counter-espionage on the Home Front is nimble and convincing…But there is an immensely serious book here too, waiting in the wings to reveal itself on the very last pages; a book that asks us to question the entertainment we’ve just gobbled up, and to reckon with what lies beneath it. -- Alex Clark * New Statesman *A treat - cerebral and suspenseful, playful and empathetic. * Mail on Sunday *This is a novel about identity in which no one and nothing is exactly as they seem - a spy novel, in short... Terms such as "postmodern" and "metafiction" seem far too heavy for novels as enjoyable as Atkinson's, but from Behind the Scenes onwards she has been chipping away at the fourth wall, and mischievously drawing attention to her craft. What elevates her fiction above mere playfulness is the emotional integrity of her characters... Atkinson always puts on a damn good show. -- Lisa Allardice * Guardian *A triumph...inventive, atmospheric and witty. * Good Housekeeping *Full of intrigue...sublimely suspenseful - droll,devious and deadly, beautifully serious. * Sunday Express *In Transcription, Kate Atkinson recasts the bildungsroman within the fertile genre of the spy thriller… …As the plot of this accomplished novel hurtles towards its astonishing denouement, even the canniest reader may feel wrong-footed. -- Pamela Norris * Literary Review *I loved Kate Atkinson's Transcription - you don't know if it's farce about spies, or a spy story about farce. -- Hanya YanagiharaThis intricate and captivating novel is a treat. Our advice? Cancel your plans and get lost in its pages. * Heat *Intricate, compelling, unpredictable…a gripping spy story …filled with the mystery, humour, and Britishness we have come to expect. * Stylist *Murky, mysterious and with double bluffs,divided loyalties and untrustworthy narratives aplenty, Atkinson explores the nature of truth in this vibrant piece of historical fiction. * Psychologies *Atkinson’s poker-faced narration perfectly serves a twisty tale of innocence lost amid a fog of geopolitical double-dealing, framed with a deadly tragedy. * Metro *Glorious... beautiful and smart and everything you have ever loved about Kate Atkinson. -- Joanna CannonTotally gripping and extremely funny, with an excellent joke on practically every page...There won't be a better or more enjoyable book published this year. -- Cressida Connolly * The Oldie *
£9.49
Cornerstone The Balkan Trilogy
Book Synopsis'Her gallery of personages is huge, her scene painting superb, her pathos controlled, her humour quiet and civilised' Anthony Burgess'So glittering is the overall parade - and so entertaining the surface - that the trilogy remains excitingly vivid; it amuses, it diverts and it informs, and to do these things so elegantly is no small achievement' Sunday Times'A fantastically tart and readable account of life in eastern Europe at the start of the war' Sarah WatersThe Balkan Trilogy is the story of a marriage and of a war, a vast, teeming, and complex masterpiece in which Olivia Manning brings the uncertainty and adventure of civilian existence under political and military siege to vibrant life.At the heart of the trilogy are newly-weds Guy and Harriet Pringle, who arrive in Bucharest - the so-called Paris of the East - in the autumn of 1939, just weeks after the German invasion of Poland. Guy's lecturing job awaits, alongside friends and the ever-ardent Sophie - but for Harriet, alone and naive, it's a strange new life. Other surprises follow: Romania joins the Axis, and before long German soldiers overrun the capital. The Pringles flee south to Greece, part of a group of refugees made up of White Russians, journalists, con artists, and dignitaries. In Athens, however, the couple will face a new challenge of their own...Trade ReviewMagnificent ... full of wit, sharp insight and vivid description. * The Times *A fantastically tart and readable account of life in eastern Europe at the start of war -- Sarah WatersSo glittering is the overall parade- and so entertaining the surface that the trilogy remains excitingly vivid; it amuses, it diverts and it informs, and to do these things so elegantly is no small achievement. * Sunday Times *Wonderfully entertaining * Observer *One must salute the brilliance ... the exactness of sights and sounds, the precise touches of light and scent, the gestures and entrances * Guardian *
£17.09
Little, Brown Book Group Someone Like Me
Book Synopsis''A TAUT, CLEVER THRILLER THAT LEFT ME UTTERLY BEREFT WHEN I''D FINISHED. IT''S A MASTERPIECE'' Louise Jensen, bestselling author of The SisterFrom the author of the million-copy bestseller The Girl With All the Gifts comes a heart-stopping psychological thriller with a twist you won''t see coming and a heroine you can''t trust . . . THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. Liz Kendall wouldn''t hurt a fly. Even when times get tough, she''s devoted to bringing up her kids in a loving home.But there''s another side to Liz, one that''s dark and malicious. She will do anything to get her way - no matter how extreme.And when her alter-ego takes control, the consequences are devastating.Someone Like Me is the intoxicating new thriller from the phenomenal M. R. Carey. A modern take on the Jekyll and Hyde tale, think Gone Girl meets Stephen King - but you won''t have read anything quite like thisTrade ReviewA taut, clever thriller that left me utterly bereft when I'd finished. It's a masterpiece * Louise Jensen, bestselling author of THE SISTER *Carey['s] boundless imagination is in fine form . . . A thrilling, genre-defying treat * KIRKUS *A taut and haunting psychological thriller which you won't want to put down * SUNDAY POST *This quirky story from the author of The Girl With All the Gifts is off the scale in terms of imagination and really rather brilliant * SUNDAY MIRROR *A first-rate, superbly paced paranormal thriller * NEW YORK TIMES *An intense read perfect for Gillian Flynn fans * BOOKLIST *An outstanding piece of popular fiction * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Bold and unpredictable . . . The first half of the book continually finds ways to wrongfoot the reader. Just when you think you know what kind of story Carey is telling, he shifts gears and forces you to start your deductions from scratch. It's scary and incredibly tense * SCIFINOW *A dark, supernatural thriller that blurs the edges of the world we know * LIBRARY JOURNAL *An accomplished page-turner * STARBURST *A suspenseful, disturbing, and emotionally honest read * BARNES AND NOBLE SCIFI & FANTASY BLOG *A mind-blowing psychological thriller . . . Highly recommended for all horror and psychological thriller collections * SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL *An intense, haunting thriller with heart. You will not want to put this down * Laini Taylor, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author on FELLSIDE *A fantastic, twist-upon-twist, shape-shifting novel. Gripping, deeply affecting and arrestingly beautiful, it is a haunting tale of raw horror and extraordinary redemption. I adored every page * Miranda Dickinson, SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author on FELLSIDE *A dark, intriguing read * Martina Cole on FELLSIDE *[A] grand piece of storytelling * SUNDAY EXPRESS on FELLSIDE *Incredibly creepy * HEAT on FELLSIDE *A twisty crime thriller as well as an exotic ghost story, Carey's second novel is as hard to categorize as it is to put down * BARNES AND NOBLE on FELLSIDE *Combines a fast-paced plot with a supernatural storyline that's very believable. Gripping stuff * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING on FELLSIDE *As brilliant as it is dark and devious * Jonathan Maberry, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author on FELLSIDE *This eerie tale is sure to hook crime fiction and horror lovers * LIBRARY JOURNAL on FELLSIDE *FELLSIDE builds to a climax that's both satisfyingly worked out and shockingly emotionally intense * RT BOOK REVIEWS on FELLSIDE *Bold and hauntingly evocative * BIBLIOSANCTUM on FELLSIDE *The next fantastic novel from M.R. Carey * I09.COM on FELLSIDE *Dark [and] suspenseful * BOOKLIST on FELLSIDE *I read [FELLSIDE] in a couple of days... I was absolutely nuts about it * BOOK RIOT on FELLSIDE *As fresh as it is terrifying . . . A jewel * Joss Whedon on THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS *Original, thrilling and powerful * GUARDIAN on THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS *Takes hold of you and doesn't let go * John Ajvide Lindqvist, author of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN on THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS *
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Someone I Used to Know
Book SynopsisA beautiful story of love and second chances, with a remarkable family at its heart, from the Sunday Times bestselling author.So much can change in half a lifetime… Then At fifteen, George is the foster brother Leah never asked for. As the angry, troubled boy struggles to come to terms with his circumstances, Leah finds herself getting drawn closer to him. Theo’s wealthy family have mysteriously pulled him out of boarding school and he’s now enrolled at the local state school with Leah and George. When their worlds collide that summer, the three teenagers form a bond they believe will be unbreakable. But life doesn’t always go to plan... Now Shocking news brings Leah back to Yorkshire, baby daughter in tow. But Emilie’s father Theo isn’t with them, and George has unexpectedly returned. After half a lifetimTrade ReviewPraise for Paige Toon 'You'll love it, cry buckets and be uplifted' MARIAN KEYES 'Tender, heartbreaking and magical' GIOVANNA FLETCHER 'Heart-warming, wistful and full of joy' LINDSEY KELK ‘Poignant and lovely, warm and wise’ MILLY JOHNSON 'Family secrets, new horizons and a gorgeous continent-crossing romance... prepare to be swept away!' LUCY DIAMOND ‘Warm, inspiring, like a holiday mood in book form’ MHAIRI MCFARLANE 'For smart, romantic fiction, look no further than the new book from bestselling Paige Toon' RED 'Achingly romantic and brilliantly written... Five Stars!' HEAT 'Simply gorgeous' SUN 'You won't be able to put down this emotional read' CLOSER 'Paige Toon is the queen of will-they/won't-they romance, setting up an ending that will leave you in bits' SUNDAY EXPRESS 'Full of living-in-the-moment and what-might-have-been contrasts, this tender read pulls at the heart strings' FABULOUS
£8.54
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Yorkshire Pudding Club
Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestseller comes a heartwarming and uplifting story of how three women find themselves empowered by unexpected pregnancies'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it’s like finding a pot of gold' heat Three South Yorkshire friends, all on the cusp of 40, fall pregnant at the same time following a visit to an ancient fertility symbol. For Helen, it's a dream come true, although her husband is not as thrilled about it as she had hoped. Not only wrestling with painful ghosts of the past, Helen has to deal with the fact that her outwardly perfect marriage is crumbling before her eyes. For Janey, it is an unmitigated disaster as she has just been offered the career break of a life-time. And she has no idea either how it could possibly have happened, seeing as she and her ecstatic husband George were always so careful over contraception. For El
£7.59
Pushkin Press The Extra Man
Book SynopsisMeet Louis Ives: well-groomed, romantic, and as captivating as an F. Scott Fitzgerald hero. Only this hero has a penchant for ladies' clothes, and he's just lost his teaching job after an unfortunate incident involving a colleague's brassiere. Meet Henry Harrison: former actor, brilliant but failed playwright, and a well-seasoned escort for New York City's women of means. What can this ageless Don Quixote of the Upper East Side have to offer a young gentleman such as Louis? What, indeed... The Extra Man is a story of friendship and frustration, of cocktails and cross-dressing, a hilarious tale for our times from America's most versatile wit.
£8.54
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Pisces
Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2019''Of all the books that I read this summer I think this was my absolute favourite. It really blew me away'' DOLLY ALDERTON''Frank, provocative and brilliant'' INDEPENDENT''Utterly mesmerising'' TATLER''Hilarious, poignant, sexy. A brilliant story about why we crave connection and how to find ourselves'' ELLE''Laugh-out-loud funny'' iCHOSEN AS A SUMMER READ BY TATLER, THE TIMES, ELLE AND YOU MAGAZINELucy has been writing her dissertation for nine years when she and her boyfriend have a dramatic break up. After she hits rock bottom, her sister in Los Angeles insists that Lucy dog-sit for the summer.Staying in a gorgeous house on Venice Beach, Lucy can find little relief from her anxiety not in the Greek chorus of women in her love addiction therapy group, not in her frequent Tinder excursions, not even in Dominic the dogTrade ReviewOf all the books that I read this summer I think this was my absolute favourite. It really blew me away. Phenomenally written. [Broder's] writing is so creative and can be so abstract and so unexpected while also being so universal and earthy and funny. It was raw and powerful and it made me cry -- Dolly Alderton, The High LowBizarrely brilliant. What should you be reading this summer? A tragi-comic interspecies love story with undertones of ancient Greek philosophy and sex-positive feminism. Obviously * The Times *A novel that has such depth, and so many layers. If it doesn’t make its way onto your list of books to read, then you’re probably doing summer wrong * Erotic Review *One of the must-reads of the season -- Elle, Ultimate Summer Books Round-UpWitty, sharp and painfully insightful. Looking for a smart summer read? This is it * The Pool *A frank, provocative, and brilliant debut that blends fantasy with realism as Broder examines just how unusual a shape love can take -- The debut novelists to know this year * Independent *Strangely, almost uncomfortably, addictive. This book appeals to the Bridget Jones in all of us, searching for true love and unhealthily influenced by fairytales. It’s a fusion of the fantastical and the real with a sprinkling of the erotic, and is both beautifully written and darkly comic * Stylist *Literary erotica merges with magical realism and black humour in this extraordinary debut novel about a dejected young woman’s night-time liaisons with a merman. Strong stuff, but it’s spreading quickly through word of mouth, making it summer’s cool read to be spotted with * You Magazine *In Broder’s charmingly kooky debut novel, a depressed Ph.D. student chances upon her dream date – and he’s half fish. Broder approaches the great existential subjects as if they were a collection of bad habits. That’s what makes her writing so funny, and so sad -- Editors' Choice Picks, New York Times Book ReviewIn this dark, physical tale, an academic writing her dissertation on Sappho moves to Venice Beach, where, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, she falls in love with a merman. Broder's novel is a feverish - and often quite graphic - exploration of fantasy and desire, and the extremes to which they can take us. (And how, ultimately, nothing can match a dog's love.) It's simultaneously hilarious, sinister and utterly mesmerising * Tatler *Blazes with vibrancy … The book’s power lies in its ability to be many things at once: a howl of anguish and existential despair, a psychological drama, a fairytale, fish porn … Resembles the new wave of female authors taking a much needed swing at the societal myths surrounding conformity and normativity, from Chris Kraus to Leila Slimani * Financial Times *An incisive look at modern love. Just brilliant. We absolutely loved it! -- Pandora Sykes, The High LowThis is love in the age of consumer capitalism, and Broder is pin-sharp on its disillusionments … In a culture like this, who could resist the siren call of a non-human creature who is fulfilled and complete in himself? ... It's a knife-tip dissection of 21st-century anomie, and its clear-sighted depiction of muddy-headed people makes for bracing reading – like a dip in the freezing, salty sea * Guardian *What makes The Pisces an experimental, exciting work is that Ms. Broder manages to knead together the genres of magical realism – Theo, the merman, is always presumed to be real; no apparitions here – and literary erotica, all with a bemused, wry detachment … In recounting one woman’s star-crossed relationship with a folkloric beau, Ms. Broder has crafted a modern-day mythology for women on the verge – if everything on the surface stops making sense, all you need to do is dive deeper * New York Times *The Pisces convincingly romances the void * NewYorker.com *Broder deftly catches the victims of victimhood in her satirical glance, but she also recognises frailty when she sees it … The book has great momentum, like waves hitting the rocks … Part satire, part fairy tale and, sometimes jarringly, part meditation on addiction * New York Times Book Review *Bizarre, erotic and mordantly funny, this is the story of a heartbroken student’s romantic obsession with a merman. This explosive fantasy is one of the most original debuts to come out this year * Book Riot *Broder may be master of the awkward sexual encounter but it turns out she's a dab hand at proper erotica, too ... The Pisces is so much more than fantasy; it's an unflinching exploration of one woman's fragile mental health * Refinery 29 *Broder is just as hilarious as she is wrenchingly honest * Elle Book Club *A peerless combination of heartbreak and horniness, this novel's journey through the surreal throes of desire is a trip you'll want to take again and again -- Alissa Nutting, author of 'Made for Love'No one writes about love like Melissa Broder ... This is a book for every smart person who has made very bad decisions -- Melissa Febos, author of 'Abandon Me'The characters in The Pisces are so finely drawn and palpably real. These are some of the most real, relatable merman sex scenes I have ever read in any book -- Megan Amram, comedian and writer of Parks & Recreation, Silicon Valley and The Good PlaceThis book has my number so hard, I’m waiting for its midnight texts -- Amelia Gray, author of 'Isadora'Broder wraps timeless questions of existence – those that gods and stars have been beseeched to answer for millennia – in the weirdest, sexiest, and most appealing of modern packaging. Brilliant and delightful -- Starred Review * Booklist *Melissa Broder has officially written the modern myth -- Molly Prentiss, author of 'Tuesday Nights in 1980'Honestly, read this book and you’ll be totally swept up in its brilliant writing and bizarre premise. You’ll never look at the beach in quite the same way -- Unmissable Books to Read This Spring * Stylist *Sappho and Tinder, mermaid porn and nervous breakdowns, the banal and the bananas gloriously litter this uncanny marvel that is pretty impossible to put down -- Porochista Khakpour, author of 'Sick: A Memoir'Fearless writing, merrily mixing Sappho and bikini waxes, Greek myths and self-help, and with the most brutally honest sex scenes I've read in a long time -- Kerry Andrew, composer and author of 'Swansong'This book is for anyone that’s wondered where their longing will take them next -- Chelsea Hodson, author of 'Tonight I’m Someone Else'Bold, virtuosic, addictive, erotic – there is nothing like The Pisces. Between a broken-up Sappho academic and a Venice-beach merman, Melissa Broder miraculously captures everything absurd and pure about falling in love. I have no idea how Broder does it, but I loved every dark and sublime page of it -- Stephanie Danler, author of BittersweetFunny and dark, vicious and tender, The Pisces is a sexy and moving portrait of a woman longing for connection and pleasure in our strange and alienating world. I can’t stop thinking about it -- Edan Lepucki, author of Woman No. 17The Pisces has everything - devastating honesty about love, intimacy and loneliness, tonally perfect writing, propulsive plotting, laugh out loud hilarity, and genuinely hot sex with a merman -- Emily Gould, author of ‘Friendship’Fearless and perverted, full of desolation and of hope, The Pisces is a novel that delves head on into the many dark, absurd facets of human connection and coping in search of meaning and comes back bearing fantastic flashes of a twisted rom-com surreality only Melissa Broder's gemstone-studded brain could conjure up -- Blake Butler, author of 'There Is No Year'It's hot, it's fantastical, and it's snort-inducingly funny. I can't get enough of this book * Whimn *Melissa Broder lays herself bare but she does so with strength, savvy, and style. Above all, these essays are sad and uncomfortable and their own kind of gorgeous. They reveal so much about what it is to live in this world, right now -- Praise for 'So Sad Today', Roxane GayIf Melissa Broder weren’t so fucking funny I would have wept through this entire book. Love, sex, addiction, mental illness and childhood trauma all join hands and dance in a circle, to the tune of Melissa’s unmatched wit and dementedly perfect take on this terrifying orb we call home -- Praise for 'So Sad Today', Lena DunhamA triumph of unsettlingly relatable prose -- Praise for 'So Sad Today' * Vanity Fair *Her writing is deeply personal, sophisticated in its wit, and at the same time, devastating ... A portrait of modern day existence told with provocative, irreverent honesty -- Praise for 'So Sad Today' * Nylon *What separates Broder from her confessional cohort, as “filthy” (her word) as her pieces are, is that she doesn’t seem to be out to shock, but to survive -- Praise for 'So Sad Today' * Elle *Witty and observant ... [Broder] is unflinchingly honest about the privileges and problems facing adults today * Jewish Chronicle *If you haven’t yet read something by Melissa Broder, you are truly missing out * Shondaland *
£9.49
Orenda Books Trap
Book SynopsisWhen Sonja’s son is kidnapped by her ruthless ex-husband, she’s thrust back into the world of cocaine smuggling, but this time she’s got a plan of her own… High-stakes jeopardy presides in book two of the dark and original, nail-bitingly fast-paced Reykjavik Noir trilogy… ‘Tense, edgy and delivering more than a few unexpected twists and turns’ Sunday Times ‘Tough, uncompromising and unsettling’ Val McDermid ‘Tense and pacey, this intriguing mix of white-collar and white-powder crime could certainly be enjoyed as a standalone, but I would suggest reading its excellent predecessor, Snare, first’ Guardian –––––––––––––––––––––––– Happily settled in Florida, Sonja believes she’s finally escaped the trap set by unscrupulous drug lords. But when her son Tomas is taken, she’s back to square one … and Iceland. Her lover, Agla, is awaiting sentencing for financial misconduct after the banking crash, and Sonja refuses to see her. And that’s not all … Agla owes money to some extremely powerful men, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it back. With her former nemesis, customs officer Bragi, on her side, Sonja puts her own plan into motion, to bring down the drug barons and her scheming ex-husband, and get Tomas back safely. But things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and Sonja finds herself caught in the centre of a trap that will put all of their lives at risk… Set in Reykjavik – still covered in the dust of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption and the aftermath of the banking crisis – Trap is an award-winning, deliciously dark and outstandingly original slice of Nordic Noir, from one of Iceland’s finest crime writers. –––––––––––––––––––––––– Praise for the Reykjavik Noir Trilogy ‘A tense thriller with a highly unusual plot and interesting characters’ Marcel Berlins, The Times ‘With characters you can’t help sympathising with against your better judgement, Sigurdardottir takes the reader on a breathtaking ride … Stylish, taut and compelling’ Jon Coates, Daily Express ‘Pacey and tense, Trap is full of delicious carnage that could translate well to the screen’ New Zealand Listener ‘This is a searing portrait of the less salubrious parts of the Icelandic psyche as well as a riveting thriller’ Sunday Express 'Sharp shocks of chapters hit with increasing energy ... a towering powerhouse of read and I gobbled it up in one intense sitting’ LoveReading ‘The intricate plot is breathtakingly original, with many twists and turns you never see coming. Thriller of the year’ New York Journal of Books ‘Sigurdardottir provides a skilful combination of Nordic noir, hardboiled financial thriller and high-octane narco drama, filled with sympathetic characters that you can’t help identifying with even as they break the law’ Crime Fiction Lover ‘The action is fast, helped by the short chapters switching us from one set of characters to another, the villains ruthless, and the undercover world of Iceland vividly evoked. A treat for fans’ Promoting Crime ‘Smart, ambitious and hugely satisfying’ Eva Dolan ‘Zips along with tension building and building’ James Oswald 'An emotional suspense rollercoaster on a par with The Firm’ Alexandra Sokoloff ‘Compelling … this is prime binge-reading’ Booklist ‘The suspenseful Trap takes full advantage of its fresh setting and is a worthy addition to the icy-cold crime genre popularized by Scandinavian noir novels’ Foreword ReviewsTrade Review"fans of Nordic noir will find plenty to like." --Publishers Weekly "Trap is brutally real, the terse writing keeps the pace lively. . . . Lilja Sigurdardottir is the real deal, one of the reasons Icelandic crime fiction punches well above its weight. There is also a pronunciation guide at the front of the novel should you feel brave enough to give it a go. Superbly translated by Quentin Bates, who knows the language, people and crime writing intimately." --Nudge Books "Icelandic author Lilja Sigurdardottir weaves another complex web of tension. . . . A skillful combination of Nordic noir, hardboiled financial thriller and high-octane narco drama." --Crime Fiction Lover "Pacy and tense, Trap is full of delicious carnage that could translate well to the screen." --New Zealand Listener "The intricate plot is breathtakingly original, with many twists and turns you never see coming. Thriller of the year." --New York Journal of Books on Snare "With its clever plot and brisk, tight pace, this hard-to-put-down Nordic thriller will be a treat for crime fiction fans." --Library Journal Online on Snare "A taut, gritty, thoroughly absorbing journey into Reykjavik's underworld." --Booklist on Snare "Tense and pacey, this intriguing mix of white-collar and white-powder crime could certainly be enjoyed as a standalone, but I would suggest reading its excellent predecessor, Snare, first." --Guardian
£8.54
Little, Brown Book Group Summer at Buttercup Beach A gorgeously uplifting
Book SynopsisThis summer everything is about to change on Hope Island. The sand is warm, the sea is sparkling and a second chance for romance is in the air . . .For two years Freya Greene has hidden the fact that she''s totally and utterly in love with her best friend Rome Lancaster. It''s not been easy - they work together in his glasswork business, she lives above his workshop and, he''s completely gorgeous. But Rome has never shown any sign of returning those feelings. Until now...Lately they''ve shared affectionate moments and words heavy with meaning. Yet Freya knows Rome has a damaged heart. After losing his fiancée in a tragic accident, he''s not allowed himself to fall in love. Freya has already had her heart broken by a man who couldn''t let go of a past love. Can she risk it happening again? Rome and Freya have a friendship that could blossom into something more. Are they both brave enough to take that chance?Fall in love on Hope
£7.64
Little, Brown Book Group Vanity Fair
Book SynopsisThe official tie-in edition to William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel, soon to be a major new ITV series from the producers of Poldark, Victoria and And Then There Were None.
£7.19
Pan Macmillan A Dog's Way Home: The Heartwarming Story of the
Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING ASHLEY JUDDFrom W. Bruce Cameron, the author of A Dog’s Purpose, the number one New York Times bestseller and major film comes a completely unforgettable adventure as one devoted dog makes her way home.When Lucas Ray rescued his puppy Bella he knew his life would change forever.Smuggling her into his building isn't easy, particularly with his prying neighbours, and Lucas decides to risk taking her to work. The joy on the faces of the veterans in his hospital as Bella distributes her unique brand of comfort makes it all worth it.But then Bella is picked up by animal control and Lucas makes the heartbreaking decision to send her away. Lucas hasn't understood Bella's feelings, though. There might be hundreds of miles separating them but Bella wants her master and she is coming to find him . . .A Dog's Way Home is a heartwarming story perfect for fans of Marley & Me, A Street Cat Named Bob and The Art of Racing in the Rain.
£8.54
Simon & Schuster Ltd Independence Square
Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM MARTIN CRUZ SMITH, COMING 2025! ‘Martin Cruz Smith does more on a page than most writers manage in a chapter. He is unique and irreplaceable’ MICK HERRON, author of Slow Horses ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . . Confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way, Arkady Renko is more disillusioned with the general state of Russia than ever. But, despite everything, he has hope. People want change, and politician Leonid Lebedev could be the man to do it. Tasked by a father with finding his missing daughter, a staunch Lebedev supporter and member of the Forum, Renko is thrown into the heart of a dangerous conspiracy when another member of the Forum is found murdered – Alex, a close friend of his own son. The night before his murder, Alex sent Arkady a cryptic message, simply containing three pictures of Russian writers.
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Probably Nothing
Book Synopsis'Without doubt, a future classic' DAISY BUCHANAN 'Funny and charming' HOLLY GRAMAZIO Bryony doesn't actually mind being single. So she doesn't understand why she keeps seeing (ok, sleeping with) Ed, who is perfectly fine, but also only okay. After developing the ick on their fifth date, she resolves to end things – only to receive a call the next day telling her Ed has died. Worse yet, he seems to have represented her to his family and friends as his great love. Obviously, it would be cruel to correct them. Then she's invited to the funeral. It would be equally rude to refuse . . . right? Before she knows it, Bryony has been drawn in by the charisma and chaos of Ed's eccentric family and tangled in a web of her own lies. She's been guilted into signing up to his sister's pyramid scheme, she's in far too deep with several of his nearest and
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd Independence Square
Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM MARTIN CRUZ SMITH, COMING 2025!‘The later Renko novels are stark, spare and beautiful, like trees in winter. Martin Cruz Smith does more on a page than most writers manage in a chapter. He is unique and irreplaceable’ MICK HERRON ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . . Renko has been confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way. Although he’s more disillusioned with policing and the general state of Russia than ever, he feels an odd sense of hope. A rebellion is bubbling in the country, with new values butting heads against old-school regimes. People want change and politician Leonid Lebedev could be the man to do it. When Karina, a staunch supporter of Lebedev and member of the Forum, goes missing, Renko is asked by her father to find her. Soon after his investigation begins, Alex, a close friend of Arkady’s son, is found dead. He was aTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH: ‘Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist. With characters you know instantly and care deeply about – never more than now – he creates a world that is both brilliantly contemporary in its understanding of world politics, and timeless in its grasp of people and human nature. Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age. I loved it’ Charlotte Philby ‘Arkady Renko, one of the most iconic detective creations of the last half century is back in another nail biting, hotly topical adventure, that once more cements Cruz Smith’s place as the undisputed master of the political crime thriller’ Abir Mukherjee ‘Renko, never far from trouble, is enmeshed in the cesspit of Russian politics and corruption and Putin’s bellicose intentions toward Ukraine. Lured by his compulsion for the truth behind a disappearance and an assassination, Renko steps directly into the firing line. This is Renko’s most zeitgeisty investigation and definitely Cruz Smith’s most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park’ Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM ‘Martin Cruz Smith makes tension rise through the page like a shark's fin’ Independent ‘Smith not only constructs grittily realistic plots, he also has a gift for characterisation of which most thriller writers can only dream’ Mail on Sunday ‘Brilliantly worked, marvellously written . . . an imaginative triumph’ Sunday Times ‘Drips with atmosphere and authenticity – a literary triumph’ David Young ‘Forty years ago, Gorky Park established a new high-water mark for the thriller. It has yet to be surpassed’ Mick Herron ‘When first published Gorky Park was an instant classic; and its reputation has only grown since 1981’ Adrian McKinty
£17.09
HarperCollins Publishers We Are Not Like Them the most thought provoking
Book SynopsisTHE MOST IMPORTANT NOVEL YOU'LL READ THIS YEARHarrowing and heartening in equal measure, this book is a breathtaking tale of racial fissures, fury and friendship' David Lammy, MP and author of TribesA powerful story about friendship, race, love, forgiveness, and justice and the stunning ways they intersectEmpathetic, riveting, and authentic' Laura Dave, bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told MeA painfully amazing read teaching us that sometimes, when it comes to race, the real enemy is ignorance' Rhys Stephenson, actor and TV presenter Provides a starting point for conversations which are crucial, at times uncomfortable, but long overdue' Ruth Hogan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things* * *Not every story is black and white.Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children, and they thought their bond was unbreakable. It never mattered to them that Riley is black and Jen is white. And then Jen''s husband, a Philadelphia police officer, is invTrade Review‘A tough but necessary read as it seeks to find meaning for all affected by the tragedy it depicts…a powerful debut’ Andi Osho, actress and author of Asking for a Friend ‘We Are Not Like Them is the best kind of book, one that manages to educate readers as it entertains them. Riveting, timely and honest, this powerful page-turner explores the complexity of friendship and race – and will stay with you long after its stunning conclusion’ Greer Hendricks, Sunday Times bestselling co-author of The Wife Between Us ‘A timely, evocative read about what tests us as friends, as partners, and ultimately, as humans, and will have you rethinking your own perspectives and experiences. A perfect read for 2021’ Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing ‘Books have the power to make changes, start conversations – this is one of those books. Powerful, authentic and relevant, this brilliantly written story will stay with me, always’Louise Jensen, bestselling author of The Family ‘Pacy and immersive, We Are Not Like Them skillfully merges the personal and political in this truly illuminating read’ Kia Abdullah, author of Take It Back ‘This is one of those books that is guaranteed to get people talking’ Joanne Finney, Good Housekeeping ‘A powerful story race, compassion, friendship and justice[…] a challenging and important read’ Daily Mail ‘I rarely say this, but I think everyone should read this’ Platinum ‘Don’t miss this powerful read’ Fabulous, Sun on Sunday ‘A powerful book’ Bella ‘Powerful, accessible and wholly relatable’ Stylist ‘A powerful and thought-provoking emotional rollercoaster of a novel’ My Weekly 'An absolute must-read' The Upcoming ‘[A] propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship’People magazine
£9.49
Shambhala Publications Inc Siddhartha
Book SynopsisThis classic of twentieth-century literature chronicles the spiritual evolution of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha—a tale that has inspired generations of readers. We are invited along on Siddhartha’s journey, experiencing his highs, lows, loves, and disappointments along with the beauty and intricacies of the mind, the natural world, and everything he encounters on the path to enlightenment. Sherab Chödzin Kohn’s flowing, poetic translation conveys the philosophical and spiritual nuances of Hesse’s text, paying special attention to the meditative experience. The introduction to this edition explores Hesse’s own spiritual journey as evidenced in his journals and personal letters and the wide-ranging impact Siddhartha has had, and continues to have, on American culture.This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
£9.49
Amazon Publishing Quicksilver
Book Synopsis#1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz takes a surprising and exhilarating road trip with a man in pursuit of his strange past—mile by frightening mile. Quinn Quicksilver was born a mystery—abandoned at three days old on a desert highway in Arizona. Raised in an orphanage, never knowing his parents, Quinn had a happy if unexceptional life. Until the day of “strange magnetism.” It compelled him to drive out to the middle of nowhere. It helped him find a coin worth a lot of money. And it practically saved his life when two government agents showed up in the diner in pursuit of him. Now Quinn is on the run from those agents and who knows what else, fleeing for his life. During a shoot-out at a forlorn dude ranch, he finally meets his destined companions: Bridget Rainking, a beauty as gifted in foresight as she is with firearms, and her grandpa Sparky, a romance novelist with an unusual past. Bridget knows what it’s like to be Quinn. She’s hunted, too. The only way to stay alive is to keep moving. Barreling through the Sonoran Desert, the formidable trio is impelled by that same inexplicable magnetism toward the inevitable. With every deeply disturbing mile, something sinister is in the rearview—an enemy that is more than a match for Quinn. Even as he discovers within himself resources that are every bit as scary.Trade Review“Sit back and enjoy what turns out to be quite a ride.” —Kirkus Reviews “Positively twitching with suspense. Another sure-fire hit from a thriller master.” —Booklist (starred review) “Quicksilver is Dean Koontz stepping back in time and having a lot of fun doing it.” —Bookreporter
£13.42
Penguin Books Ltd Child of Fortune
Book Synopsis''A terrific novel'' Angela CarterKoko won''t do what is expected of her. Defying her family''s wishes, she has brought up her eleven-year-old daughter alone in her apartment. And now, after a casual affair, she is unexpectedly pregnant again. What will this mean for her already troubled relationship with her daughter? As she faces the future, memories of her own childhood loss flood into her consciousness, threatening to overwhelm her.Combining the beauty and unease of a dream, this haunting novel is an unflinching portrayal of a woman''s innermost fears and desires.''As relevant today as when it was published ... at once powerfully uplifting and achingly sad'' Japan Times
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Wife Between Us: A Richard & Judy Book Club
Book SynopsisA Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller, The Wife Between Us is a shocking romantic thriller with twists you won't see coming. From Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekannen, the duo behind The Golden Couple.'A fiendishly clever thriller . . . This one will keep you guessing' – Anita Shreve, bestselling author of The Stars are FireMarrying a man with a past was always going to come with problems – but you never expect to become the focus of another woman’s obsession.Nellie just wanted to live the life she’d always dreamed about with Richard. But who is his ex-wife, Vanessa? Nellie thinks she knows everything about his previous marriage. That it was a disaster, plain and simple. But, as secrets are unearthed, she starts to think that maybe there is more to the wife before her . . .Only one thing is certain. She is not who you think she is.'Gobsmacking' – Daily Mail'Buckle up, because you won't be able to put this one down' – GlamourTrade ReviewIt's easy to see why Steven Spielberg has snapped up the film rights to this book, which is an original take on a winning formula . . . The small twists and turns of the plot are riveting but the pivotal surprise is gobsmacking. * Daily Mail *A clever thriller with masterful twists -- Karin Slaughter, author of Pretty GirlsA twisty, mind-bending novel about marriage and betrayal. A gripping plot and fascinating characters; this book will keep you turning the pages and guessing until the very end. A must-read! -- Lauren Weisberger, New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears PradaFans of Gone Girl and The Girl On The Train will adore this classy domestic noir set in New York . . . it has a humdinger of a twist which I didn't see coming . . . the result is a fast-paced and hugely enjoyable thriller * Sunday Express *Buckle up, because you won't be able to put this one down * Glamour *The Wife Between Us delivers a whipsmart, twisty plot in a taut, pacy narrative. It's terrific and troubling. This is one scary love triangle where you won't know who to trust. I loved it -- Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of What She KnewA fiendishly clever thriller in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train. This one will keep you guessing. -- Anita Shreve, author of The Stars are FireIn this twisty fast-paced thriller nothing is quite as it seems. Brilliant * Sunday Mirror *With shocking twists, this intricate thriller proves all is not what it seems for the discarded first wife and the woman about to marry her ex. Addictive * Woman & Home *A scorned woman obsesses over her younger replacement . . . you may think you've heard this one before, there are surprises in store . . . fabulously twisty * Good Housekeeping *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Accidental Further Adventures of the
Book SynopsisThe sequel to Jonas Jonasson's international bestseller The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and DisappearedIt all begins with a hot air balloon trip and three bottles of champagne. Allan and Julius are ready for some spectacular views, but they're not expecting to land in the sea and be rescued by a North Korean ship, and they could never have imagined that the captain of the ship would be harbouring a suitcase full of contraband uranium, on a nuclear weapons mission for Kim Jong-un Soon Allan and Julius are at the centre of a complex diplomatic crisis involving world figures from the Swedish foreign minister to Angela Merkel and President Trump. Things are about to get very complicated Praise for The Hundred-Year-Old Man:A mordantly funny and loopily freewheeling debut novel about ageing disgracefully' Sunday TimesImaginative, laugh-out-loud . . . a brilliant satire on the foibles of mankind' Daily TelegraphFast-moving and relentlessly sunny' GuardianTrade ReviewPraise for The Hundred-Year-Old Man: ‘A mordantly funny and loopily freewheeling debut novel about ageing disgracefully’ Sunday Times ‘Imaginative, laugh-out-loud . . . a brilliant satire on the foibles of mankind’ Daily Telegraph ‘Fast-moving and relentlessly sunny’ Guardian
£8.54
Simon & Schuster Ltd Hollywood Wives The New Generation
Book SynopsisIncludes a brilliant new introduction to this scintillating novel from Jade Beer! 'Get ready to meet a thrilling new generation of Hollywood wives - much like their creator and the novel itself, they are pretty balls out from the beginning' JADE BEER'Jackie Collins’s daring, unapologetic stroke of the pen, combined with her glorious wit, has single-handedly given creative license to new generations of authors and storytellers.' COLLEEN HOOVER Power! Sex! Money! Fame! – the new Hollywood wives are back with a vengeance. Ambitious, young, smart and lethal. Whatever they don't have, they want – and whatever these women want, they get. There have been many imitators, but only ever one Jackie Collins. With millions of her books sold around the world, and thirty-one New York Times bestsellers, she is one of the world’s top-selling novelis
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Wanderers
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WINSTON GRAHAM HISTORICAL PRIZE 2018The beautiful, questing second novel in Tim Pears'' acclaimed West Country trilogy. Two teenagers, bound by love yet divided by fate, forge separate paths in pre-First World War Devon and Cornwall Lonely and grieving for her exiled best friend, thirteen-year-old Lottie feels a prisoner. Her only solace is her study of the natural world around her father's estate: the strange profusion of its plants, the beauty and brutality of its predators, its mysterious dances of life, death and survival.Grazing on berries and sleeping in copses, Leo travels alone through the wild, strange tapestry of the West Country towards Penzance. But a wanderer is never alone for long and when the gypsy waggons rattle into view, Leo is drawn into a colourful and dangerous world far beyond his imagination.Trade ReviewGoodness, Tim Pears writes beautifully … The descriptions of rural life, executed with painterly exactness, are a constant delight. The prose really sings * Mail on Sunday *Pears is an exemplary historical novelist with a Romantic eye for nature, and this heady walk through the forgotten lanes of England thrums with life ... Pears takes his place alongside Flora Thompson and Ronald Blythe – even Hardy – as one who teaches us the real nature of country as it used to be -- Melissa Katsoulis * The Times *A novel loud with brilliantly captured voices and vividly drawn characters ... With hypnotic lyricism, Pears describes this bucolic Devon world and the people who inhabit it * Daily Mail *A gorgeously hypnotic paean to rural England ... Pears seems to owe a debt to Cormac McCarthy. The Wanderers is peppered with moments of awestruck wonder at the natural world … In both this book and its forerunner, the care that has been taken with historical research is obvious; but it is this deeper, subtler layer of reconstruction that sets these moving novels apart -- Melissa Harrison * Guardian *His lyrical but unsentimental portrait of a long-lost rural world, and the characters who are shaped by it, is affecting -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Pears’s sumptuous but scrupulous descriptions of the countryside are as evocative as Robert Macfarlane’s nature writing and as delicious to savour. The final part of this moving, absorbing odyssey cannot arrive quickly enough * Metro *A classic, knotty and nuanced … Leo and Lottie step out into the world, and twentieth century rushes up to greet them * Times Literary Supplement *Hypnotic … Rural living is conjured up exquisitely, the reader sinking into the rhythms of the land. Pears describes a way of life that’s infused with an unspoken nostalgia -- Lucy Scholes * BBC Countryfile *Pears’s painterly style should keep the reader engrossed. He creates clear-eyed portraits of a lost way of life, and of a people whose traditions were disregarded throughout most of the 20th century. Pears’s book is a triumph: a novel for those who – in the words of that old folk song – ain’t got no home in this world any more * Sunday Herald *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Hold
Book SynopsisMoving between Ghana and London, Hold is an intimate coming-of-age novel. It's a story of friendship and family, shame and forgiveness; of learning what we should cling to, and when we need to let go.An unpredictable and generous-hearted novel' Sarah WinmanA powerful and important work of fiction' Courttia NewlandMichael Donkor is the freshest new voice in Black British literature, and Hold crosses borders and brings Ghanaian culture to life in Britain' Derek Owusu, author of SafeTwo girls, two different worlds, one unexpected friendship.Belinda is everything a good Ghanaian housegirl should be. Diligent and uncomplaining, she knows exactly how to follow the rules.Amma has never been a great one for rule-keeping. And when her parents meet Belinda on a visit from England they suspect she might be just the shining example their wayward teenager daughter needs.So Belinda must leave behind her old life and travel to London to befriend a girl who shows no desire for her company. But in thisTrade ReviewAt times, there are flashes of Jane Eyre in Belinda’s role as a “governess” of sorts, but there is no Mr Rochester to save her from her life, nor a sugary ending. The focus is on the love that flows between women and the need for Belinda to find a place that feels like home … Their lives are hard, yet a profound sense of hope resonates from within Donkor’s warm and accomplished novel. Arifa Akbar, Observer ‘Donkor’s principal achievement is the dignity and generosity of spirit with which he imbues a central character from a largely invisible seam of African society’ Guardian ‘Donkor’s debut novel concerns itself with those who don’t traditionally get much of a look-in when it comes to fiction: two Ghanaian house girls… A warm and intelligent story, offering full-bodied characters and a fortifying examination of courage’ Mail on Sunday ‘Hold is refreshing in its tender focus: the interior life of Belinda, and the relationship she forges with Amma … Donkor’s empathetic rendering of Belinda’s interiority is perhaps the greatest strength of a novel that is impressive both in form and in scope. Though fictional, Hold affords domestic workers, especially immigrant women, a far more nuanced emotional landscape than a significant number of nonfiction narratives’ Atlantic ‘Michael Donkor is a real talent, and Hold is a brave, unpredictable and generous-hearted novel’ Sarah Winman, author of Tin Man ‘There’s much to love in Michael Donkor’s debut novel. But it’s the emotional truths he unearths from the inner lives of three disparate women that make the novel stand up and sing. Hold is a powerful and important work of fiction’ Courttia Newland, author of The Gospel According to Cane ‘A beautiful novel. A deeply engrossing, elegant tapestry of family and friendship from a stirring new voice’ Irenosen Okojie, author of Butterfly Fish
£8.54
Tyndale House Publishers Sunrise
Book Synopsis
£14.24
Simon & Schuster Ltd White Wedding
Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS’ Debbie JohnsonIt's the day they've always dreamed about. But will it turn out to be a nightmare?Bel is in the midst of planning her perfect wedding when disaster strikes and everything she thought she knew is turned on its head. Can she hold it all together and, with the help of her friends, and a mysterious man she meets unexpectedly, turn disaster into triumph? Bel's friend, ice-cream parlour owner Violet, is engaged to Glyn, who is besotted by her although Violet fell out of love with him long ago. But however trapped she feels in the relationship, she can't quite say the words, 'I don't want to marry you anymore.' Then, just when she's about to give up and resign herself to married life, she finds Trade Review‘Another gem from Milly Johnson’ * The Sun on Sunshine Over Wildflower Cottage *
£8.54
Myriad Editions The Day I Fell Off My Island
Book Synopsis
£8.54
September Publishing The Dragonfly Sea
Book SynopsisA magical novel of love, exploration and home, spanning the East African coast, China, Turkey and the seas in between, from one of Kenya's leading writers. The Dragonfly Sea follows the unforgettable Ayaana's journey to adulthood after her small-island childhood is interrupted. Targeted first by religious fundamentalists and second by Chinese emissaries, Ayaana is sent on a container ship to study in China, where she is forced to grow up fast. With its epic scope and lush lyricism, Owuor evokes a fascinating kind of beauty in this dangerous, chaotic world and its ever-shifting oceans and trade. A transcendent story of love and adventure, and of the inexorable need for shelter in a dangerous world. 'The Dragonfly Sea transported me at a time I really wanted to be transported. Lyrical, compassionate, and deeply original, it has stayed with me, and is the novel I have most enjoyed this year.' Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland 'This novel from one of Africa's most exciting voices in fiction delivers on expectations ... a continent-hopping novel of epic proportions.' Refinery29 'A daring and compelling novel, evocative and lavishly detailed.' Abdulrazak Gurnah, Nobel prize-winning author of Afterlives 'Moving, epic and transcendent, The Dragonfly Sea is a glorious tale that spans two continents, multiple cultures and the lives of endearing characters.' Bad Form Review 'Owuor writes in heart-stopping bursts of imagery and retooled language ... gloriously unique.' Vanity FairTrade Review'The Dragonfly Sea transported me at a time I really wanted to be transported. Lyrical, compassionate, and deeply original, it has stayed with me, and is the novel I have most enjoyed this year.' - Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland 'Moving, epic and transcendent, The Dragonfly Sea is a glorious tale that spans two continents, multiple cultures and the lives of endearing characters.' - Bad Form Review 'One of the most unforgettable books I have read in the last few years ... What a writer! What a thinker! What a woman!' - Fiammetta Rocco 'Owuor's rich prose makes a pointed commentary in this novel about interconnectedness, however unlikely it may seem.' - C.A. Davids, Guardian 'One of Africa's most exciting voices . . . The Dragonfly Sea is a continent-hopping novel of epic proportions.' - Refinery29
£8.99
Transworld Publishers Ltd The World of Poo
Book SynopsisTerry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any.www.terrypratchettbooks.comTrade ReviewA gloriously old-fashioned and funny story...Pratchett includes plenty of jokes. His prose is suberb which, combinted with Peter Dennis's engaging illustrations, makes this a brilliant choice for reading aloud. * Evening Standard *
£15.29
Transworld Publishers Ltd One Shot
Book SynopsisWhat could connect the noble Reacher to this psychopathic killer?_________Although the Jack Reacher can be read in any order, One Shot is the 9th in the series.And be sure not to miss Reacher's newest adventure, no.26, Better off Dead!Trade ReviewJack Reacher is irresistible * Observer *Hot, indomitable... knockout * New York Times *The thing about Lee Child's books is that you can't put the damn things down * Independent on Sunday *Child's strengths are fast-moving dialogue and gripping action sequences ... The excitement lasts from the first to the final page * Evening Standard *The Jack Reacher series of thrillers...are all hugely exciting, and knowledgeable about weapons and technology. They exude a powerful sense of right and wrong ... We've seen him as a right of wrongs and always as God's gift to women * Literary Review *
£9.49
Mage Publishers Savushun
Book Synopsis
£18.46
HarperCollins Publishers Red Tigress
Book SynopsisFans of Children of Blood and Bone will love the sequel to Blood Heir. The second book in an epic fantasy series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to liberate her empire from a dark reign.Ana Mikhailov is the only surviving member of the royal family of Cyrilia. She has no army, no title, and no allies, and now she must find a way to take back the throne or risk the brutal retribution of the empress. Morganya is determined to establish a new world order on the spilled blood of non-Affinites. Ana is certain that Morganya won''t stop until she kills them all.Ana''s only chance at navigating the dangerous world of her homeland means partnering with Ramson Quicktongue again. But the cunning crime lord has schemes of his own. For Ana to find an army, they must cross the Whitewaves to the impenetrable stone forts of Bregon. Only, no one can be certain what they will find there.A dark power has risen. Will revolution bring peace or will it only paint the stTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR BLOOD HEIR: ‘Zhao shines in the fast-paced and vivid combat scenes, which lend a cinematic quality that pulls readers in’NYT Book Review ‘BLOOD HEIR is cinematic storytelling at its best. A stunning new voice in YA, Amélie Wen Zhao has drawn characters who are as complex and captivating as the fantastical world she’s built. Get ready for a retelling like you’ve never seen before’Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP and THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK ‘Sure to keep readers turning pages…Perfect for fans of Amy Tintera or Sarah J. Maas, but readers should prepare for plenty of heartbreak’Booklist ‘[A] pointed exploration into the consequences of exploitation and the defining nature of choices’Publishers Weekly ‘Ana is not the typical damsel in distress’Kirkus ‘So rich and beautifully written, the plot is riveting, and I was utterly taken with the magic system’Mary Watson, author of The Wren Hunt
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Good Wife of Bath
Book SynopsisTrade Review"So damned readable and fun…This is the story of a woman fighting for her rights; it breaches the walls of history.” — The Australian “In The Good Wife of Bath, the author’s diligent work sorting fact from poetry creates a fictional but believable character who lives and breathes in every word of this satisfying, page-turning novel. Karen Brooks defiantly rewrites history into herstory. Cue the chorus: kudos!” — New York Journal of Books “The daughter of a merchant flouts 15th-century English convention to start a brewery in Brooks’s illuminating epic....Brooks’s attention to historical detail instills the novel with authenticity by including many historical figures and events, while Anneke’s lively voice keeps a strong grip on the reader as she works to overcome social prohibitions against women in business and find happiness and contentment. Brooks’s immersive page-turner does not disappoint.” — Publishers Weekly on The Lady Brewer of London “Richly atmospheric, romantic, and chock-full of period details, this fast-paced tale and its many plot twists and turns are likely to keep historical fiction fans riveted.” — Booklist on The Lady Brewer of London “Historian and novelist [Karen] Brooks shows her research and imaginative chops in a luscious and astonishingly affecting chronicle of family scandal, political unrest, and redemptive hope in 1660s London.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Chocolate Maker’s Wife “A sweeping tale brimming with historical details and figures…[this] sumptuous novel covers five eventful years that include a dreadful plague and the Great Fire of London.” — Booklist on The Chocolate Maker’s Wife
£9.49
Little, Brown Book Group Its Better This Way
Book SynopsisThe joyful and escapist new novel from New York Times bestselling author Debbie MacomberIt''s been nearly six years since Julia Jones had her heart broken. After her husband fell in love with another woman, Julia fought to keep her family together, but now, recalling the words of her beloved father, she realises it''s time to move on: it''s better this way.Desperate for a fresh start, Julia sells the family home and moves into an apartment complex, and she''s delighted to discover that her new abode comes with a gorgeous new neighbour. Heath is a welcome change from the men Julia usually dates, and as a divorcé himself he understands the difficulties of a fractured family all too well.As a relationship between Julia and Heath blossoms, Julia dares to dream that her life is looking up - until a dramatic revelation threatens their newfound happiness. Will Julia, Heath find a way through - and will it be together?Trade ReviewIf there's a star in the romance and women's fiction firmament, chances are high it's Debbie Macomber * Publisher's Weekly *No one tugs at readers' heartstrings quite as effectively as Macomber * Chicago Tribune *The reigning queen of women's fiction * The Sacramento Bee *It's impossible not to cheer for Macomber's characters . . . When it comes to creating a special place and memorable, honorable characters, nobody does it better than Macomber * BookPage *Warm-hearted fiction . . . Debbie Macomber knows how to write an absorbing novel * People’s Friend *Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy * Candis *
£15.74
Little, Brown Book Group Speed Of Dark Winner of the Nebula Award Tom
Book SynopsisLou has been told he is different to ''normal'' people. He interacts with the world in a way they do not understand. He might not see the things they see, however, but he also sees many things they do not. Lou is autistic.One of his skills is an ability to find patterns in data: extraordinary, complex, beautiful patterns that not even the most powerful computers can comprehend. The company he works for has made considerable sums of money from Lou''s work. But now they want Lou to change - to become ''normal'' like themselves. And he must face the greatest challenge of his life. To understand the speed of dark.SPEED OF DARK is a powerful near-future thriller, the theme of which is both universal and intensely personal. It is dedicated to the author''s own autistic son, and to other parents of autistic children, ''in the hope that they also find that delight in difference''.
£9.49
Orenda Books No Honour
Book SynopsisA young woman defies convention in a small Pakistani village, with devastating results for her and her family. A stunning, immense beautiful novel about courage, family and the meaning of love, when everything seems lost… ‘A compelling and compassionate story’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Story Keeper ‘A shocking portrait of lives lived under the shadow of threat and prejudice. A brave book’ Vaseem Khan, author of the Inspector Chopra series 'A bold, gifted storyteller, dealing with a gritty, thorny issue of female honour. Compulsive reading' Qaisra Shahraz MBE, author of The Holy Woman ‘Beautifully written and immersive, No Honour starts with a powerful opening that propels you into the shocking themes. A must-read’ Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium _______________ In sixteen-year-old Abida’s small Pakistani village, there are age-old rules to live by, and her family’s honour to protect. And, yet, her spirit is defiant and she yearns to make a home with the man she loves. When the unthinkable happens, Abida faces the same fate as other young girls who have chosen unacceptable alliances – certain, public death. Fired by a fierce determination to resist everything she knows to be wrong about the society into which she was born, and aided by her devoted father, Jamil, who puts his own life on the line to help her, she escapes to Lahore and then disappears. Jamil goes to Lahore in search of Abida – a city where the prejudices that dominate their village take on a new and horrifying form – and father and daughter are caught in a world from which they may never escape. Moving from the depths of rural Pakistan, riddled with poverty and religious fervour, to the dangerous streets of over-populated Lahore, No Honour is a story of family, of the indomitable spirit of love in its many forms … a story of courage and resilience, when all seems lost, and the inextinguishable fire that lights one young woman’s battle for change. _______________ ‘So powerful’ Heat magazine ‘Addictive, brave and powerful’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us ‘Deeply emotional’ Eastern Eye ‘A stunningly written, immensely important book’ A. A. Chaudhuri ‘Perfectly paced story structure and eloquent dialogue … shocking, deeply moving and hugely important’ Carol Lovekin ‘A truly heart-wrenching tale of the human spirit’s quest for love, freedom and survival’ Tim Glister ‘It will shake you, anger and sadden you, but also restore hope in the power of love to triumph over evil, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles’ Tony Frobisher,Daily Times ‘Soul deep, mind-blowing and heart-wrenching … you are left reeling’ Faiqa Mansab ‘Khan is a masterful storyteller’ Aliya Ali-Afzal ‘Beautiful, striking and eye-opening’ Louise Beech ‘Khan writes about the dance between fathers and daughters, men and women, authority and no authority, and No Honour is a page-turner’ Soniah Kamal ‘Tense and gripping’ Polly Crosby ‘Beautifully rendered, moving and insightful … this book is not always an easy read but it is a compelling and rewarding one’ Neema Shah ‘Spectacular… a joy from start to finish’ Charlie Carroll ‘Hypnotic, atmospheric and by the end, so hopeful’ Sarah Sultoon ‘This book is devastating, vitally important and beautifully written. Astonishing’ Rob Parker ‘Insightful and sympathetic to the unique experiences of women, whilst evoking the atmosphere of Lahore … hard to put down’ Alex Morrall ‘An epic, gut-wrenching story of love and survival in the face of barbaric oppression’ Heleen Kist ‘A gripping, horrifying, compulsive read’ Jennie Godfrey ‘This is a book that will stay with me for a long time … I was horrified by what I was reading but literally couldn't put this book down’ Madeleine Black ‘A compelling, brave and uplifting read for our time’ Eve Smith ‘Compelling main characters make it memorable and the heavy subject matter in handled the way it should have been – with empathy’ Mashable
£8.54
Orenda Books The Beresford
Book SynopsisEverything stays the same for the tenants of The Beresford, a grand old apartment building just outside the city … until the doorbell rings… Will Carver returns with an eerie, deliciously and uncomfortably dark standalone thriller. ‘A gripping novel laced with humour and cutting character insight … a thrill from start to finish. Expect the unexpected!' Sarah Pinborough ‘Equally enthralling and appalling … unlike anything I’ve read in a very long while’ James Oswald ‘Ridiculously addictive’ S J Watson _______________ Just outside the city – any city, every city – is a grand, spacious but affordable apartment building called The Beresford. There’s a routine at The Beresford. For Mrs May, every day’s the same: a cup of cold, black coffee in the morning, pruning roses, checking on her tenants, wine, prayer and an afternoon nap. She never leaves the building. Abe Schwartz also lives at The Beresford. His housemate, Sythe, no longer does. Because Abe just killed him. In exactly sixty seconds, Blair Conroy will ring the doorbell to her new home and Abe will answer the door. They will become friends. Perhaps lovers. And, when the time comes for one of them to die, as is always the case at The Beresford, there will be sixty seconds to move the body before the next unknowing soul arrives at the door. Because nothing changes at The Beresford, until the doorbell rings… Eerie, dark, superbly twisted and majestically plotted, The Beresford is the stunning standalone thriller from one of crime fiction’s most exciting names. _______________ ‘Creepy and brilliant’ Khurrum Rahman ‘Reminiscent of The Shining … a creeping and perfectly crafted novel tinged with dark humour and malice’ Victoria Selman ‘A masterfully macabre tale’ Louise Mumford ‘I stepped into the imagination of Will Carver and it swallowed me whole’ Matt Wesolowski ‘Magnificently, compulsively chilling’ Margaret Kirk ‘Fans of Chuck Palahniuk will adore Carver … he is utterly brilliant’ Christopher Hooley ‘Devilishly dark and maniacally brilliant" Raven Crime Reads ‘Slick, stylish ... a sharply crafted and delectable slice of entertaining darkness’ The Tattooed Book Geek ‘Intense, brilliant, horrific, humorous and everything in between’ Liz Loves Books
£8.54
Columbia University Press Who Ate Up All the Shinga
Book SynopsisPark Wan-suh’s Who Ate Up All the Shinga? is an extraordinary account of growing up during the Japanese occupation of Korea and the Korean War, a time of great oppression, deprivation, and social and political instability. With acerbic wit and brilliant insight, Park describes the characters and events that came to shape her young life.Trade ReviewLyrical in its descriptions of village life, this gripping book is written with a confessional chattiness that contrasts with the hardships it describes. * Financial Times *Who Ate Up All the Shinga? is essential reading. -- Joanna K. Elfving-Hwang * List: Books from Korea *Who Ate Up All the Shinga? is clearly a volume that should be added to the growing staple of works taughts in Korean literature, culture, and history courses. * Journal of Asian Studies *Though it feels rather like a memoir, the novel is an entertaining and sometimes heart-wrenching read as Park's brilliant use of language, as well as genuine depiction of its characters shine from the beginning to the end. * Korea Herald *Who Ate Up All the Shinga? is a pleasure not only to read but to behold. Let us hope that although the author is no longer with us physically, her spiritual presence will be maintained through other excellent translations of her works. -- Bruce Fulton * Korean Quarterly *A deeply moving, warm personal tale. * Korea.net *Table of ContentsIntroduction1. Days in the Wild2. Seoul, So Far Away3. Beyond the Gates4. Friendless Child5. The Triangle-Yard House6. Grandmother and Grandfather7. Mother and Brother8. Spring in My Hometown9. The Hurled Nameplate10. Groping in the Dark11. The Eve Before the Storm12. Epiphany
£16.14
Hachette Books Ireland One Summer
Book SynopsisFans of Maeve Binchy will love the NO.1 BESTSELLER Roisin Meaney and this heart-warming story of love, friendship and fate set on Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland ... Nell Mulcahy grew up on the island so when the old stone cottage by the edge of the sea went up for sale, the decision to move back from Dublin was easy. But when Nell decides to rent out her cottage for the summer to help raise money her forthcoming wedding to Tim, she''s unprepared for what''s about to happen ... As she welcomes holiday-makers to her cottage, Nell must face some truths: about her upcoming wedding to Tim, and her friendship with his brother, James. And, meanwhile, her father delivers some astounding news which leaves Nell, her mother and the island reeling ... But will Nell make it down the aisle? One thing''s for sure, it''s a summer on the island that nobody will ever forget.Trade Review'A book to bring some sunshine into your life' * Woman's Way *'If you like Maeve Binchy, this will be a treat' * Stellar magazine *Praise for Roisin Meaney * : *'This is a feelgood book you won't be able to put down' * Irish Independent *'This book is like chatting with a friend over a cup of tea - full of gossip and speculation, and all the things that make life interesting. * The Irish Mail on Sunday *'A warm, engaging read' * Woman's Way *Meaney weaves wonderful, feelgood tales of a consistently high standard. And that standard rises with each book she writes. * Irish Examiner *'Highly engaging and heartwarming (...) I truly adored the book and devoured it within a few short hours.' * Melissa Hill *The plot will draw you in; and there is both laughter and tears along the way. Meaney is an accomplished storyteller. * Books Ireland *A heart-warming story . . . that readers are bound to devour * Irish Independent *
£9.25
Hodder & Stoughton Christine
Book SynopsisWith a stunning new cover look, King''s bestselling supernatural tale about a boy, his girlfriend and a possessed ''58 Plymouth Fury called Christine.This is the story of a lover''s triangle . . . It was bad from the start. And it got worse in a hurry.Christine is eating into his mind, burrowing into his unconscious.Christine, blood-red, fat, and finned, is twenty. Her promise lies all in her past. Greedy and big, she is Arnie''s obsession, a ''58 Plymouth Fury. Broken down but not finished.There is still power in her - a frightening power that leaks like sump oil, staining and corrupting. A malign power that corrodes the mind and turns ownership into Possession.Trade ReviewKing can make the flesh creep half a world away * The Times *King can make the flesh creep half a world away * The Times *King has no equal * Guardian *King has no equal * Guardian *Stephen King is one of America's finest writers * Scotsman *As a storyteller King is unbeatable * Mirror *
£11.69
Hodder & Stoughton The Coffin Dancer
Book SynopsisAn ingenious killer who constantly eludes capture and a quadriplegic ex-cop determined to stop him - the race is on. The second instalment in the bestselling Lincoln Rhyme thriller series. Now a NBC TV series.Trade ReviewThe best psychological thriller writer around * The Times *The most creative, skilled and intriguing thriller writer in the world . . . [Deaver] has produced a stunning series of bestsellers with unique characterisation, intelligent characters, beguiling plots and double-barrelled and sometimes triple-barrelled solutions. * Daily Telegraph *The twists and turns from devilish Deaver will have you burning the midnight oil, then using it to set fire to the candle you'll be burning at both ends until you finish . . . the perfect accompaniment on a winter's night, curled up on the sofa with a glass of your favourite tipple. * Sun *One of the finest crime writers in the world . . . grabs the reader by the throat from the beginning . . . Superb. * Independent on Sunday *The pace is terrific, the suspense inexorable, and there is an excellent climax . . . If you want thrills, Deaver is your man. * Guardian *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Bergdorf Blondes
Book SynopsisThe no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling satire of New York high society from the wickedly funny Plum Sykes''Perfectly pitched playful, funny, satirical and sweet. I laughed out loud many times'' Anna Wintour, Vogue''Sykes has a distinctive, wily and well-deployed comic voice Into the blender go Bridget Jones, Anita Loos, Sex and the City and Clueless; out comes a diabolically amusing concoction'' New York Times''A masterpiece: never has intelligence been so wickedly dark, on-point and outright funny ... I'm full of awe and admiration'' Alain de Botton on Party Girls Die in PearlsMeet moi, a champagne bubble of a girl about town working at being a princess by day and by night on the prowl for that elusive, must-have accessory every girl simply demands: an impossibly rich fiancé''. It shouldn't be too tricky. After all, her BFF is Julie Bergdorf, department store heiress, Trade ReviewA masterpiece: never has intelligence been so wickedly dark, on-point and outright funny ... I’m full of awe and admiration * Alain de Botton on Party Girls Die in Pearls *Highly entertaining and intelligent … Whips along at an exhilarating speed * Mail on Sunday *Sparkling, bliss, glitteringly honest … A delicious bubble of a book. I haven’t had so much fun since re-reading the Mitford novels -- Rachel Johnson * Spectator *Plum Sykes channels Nancy Mitford and Holly Golightly with great charm and sweetness -- Jane GreenRiveting, the sparkiest kind of fable * The Times *Perfectly pitched – playful, funny, satirical and sweet. I laughed out loud many times -- Anna Wintour * Vogue *Bright, funny … Haute couture chick lit -- Candace BushnellSykes has a distinctive, wily and well-deployed comic voice … Into the blender go Bridget Jones, Anita Loos, Sex and the City and Clueless; out comes a diabolically amusing concoction -- Janet Maslin * New York Times *Mishaps and misadventures, fabulously accessorized, très romantic. A comedy of social mores in Manhattan * Daily Mail *Explosive … Lifts the lid on the swirling social world of New York’s fashion industry * Daily Express *Savagely funny * Observer *Fun, bubbly, riveting * Daily Telegraph *Hilarious, witty and clever, it’s the story of a New York society girl about town with a wardrobe to die for and loads of charm * Woman & Home *Sykes has an upbeat, breathy style … Sharp observations * New Statesman *Playfully witty … A deft, sparky, sharply observed comedy * Metro *Fizzes like a lychee bellini * In Style *Sharply observed, frothy * Tatler *If dreaming how the other half lives appeals, you’ll be delighted by this tale of an English girl let loose among the platinum blondes, peach bellinis and Park Avenue mansions of New York’s high fliers * Red *
£9.49
And Other Stories Sweet Days of Discipline
Book SynopsisSet in post-war Switzerland, Fleur Jaeggy's novel begins simply and innocently enough: `At fourteen I was a boarder in a school in the Appenzell'. But there is nothing truly simple or innocent here. With the offhanded knowingness of a remorseless young Eve, the narrator describes life as a captive of the school and her designs to win the affections of the seemingly perfect new girl, Frederique. As she broods over her schemes as well as on the nature of control and madness, the novel gathers a suspended, unsettling energy.Trade Review`A wonderful, brilliant, savage writer.' Susan Sontag ---------- `Fleur Jaeggy's pen is an engraver's needle depicting roots, twigs, and branches of the tree of madness - extraordinary.' Joseph Brodsky ---------- `She has the enviable first glance for people and things, she harbors a mixture of distracted levity and authoritative wisdom.' Ingeborg Bachmann ---------- `Small-scale, intense, and impeccably focused.' New Yorker ----------'Nothing rivals its intensity.' Los Angeles Times ---------- 'How a novel could be so chilly and so passionate at the same time is a puzzle, but that icy-hot quality is only one of the distinctions of Sweet Days of Discipline.' Newsday ----------- 'Startling and original-so disturbing and so haunting.' The New York Review of Books----'Thank the gods and tip the devil for Fleur Jaeggy!'Claire-Louise Bennett, author of Pond
£8.54
