Fiction Books

Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Best of Friends comes a heart-stopping psychological thriller about the shades of truth and the power of lies in the wake of one mother’s unspeakable loss. Therapist turned stay-at-home mom Jules Hart’s idyllic suburban life shatters when she crashes her car into an icy lake. Her son and another teenage boy plunge into the water with her, but Jules can only manage to save one—the wrong one. Reeling from the death of her son, Jules spirals into a violent and unstable mental state. Ten months after the accident, she’s still trying to reckon with the fact that she rescued Isaac Greer, another woman’s child, when Isaac suddenly vanishes. Jules finds herself at the center of a massive police investigation. While she harbors her own dangerous secrets, Jules is adamant that she didn’t take Isaac. But then who did? Is Isaac the victim of a dangerous killer who’s been targeting boys in the Midwest? Or is someone else pulling the strings in this deadly game?Trade Review“As usual, Berry tightens the screws smartly in the opening pages and never lets up, and as usual, her ending is more intent on deepening the nightmare than providing a plausible explanation for it. Warning: the title applies as much to the audience as to the characters.” —Kirkus Reviews “As the suspense mounts, the action drives to a harrowing conclusion. Berry delivers the goods.” —Publishers Weekly “A well-done mystery with a plausible yet surprising ending.” —Library Journal UNDER HER CARE “The action never wavers, and the surprises are unending. Berry is writing at the top of her game.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “[It’s] a humdinger…Perfect for suspense fans.” —Kirkus Reviews “Lucinda delivers every time. Unputdownable.” —Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author “Lucinda Berry’s latest, Under Her Care, is her best thriller yet! A dark, riveting read that will keep you up late, racing to the chilling end.” —Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Wife and Somebody’s Home “Lucinda Berry’s Under Her Care is stunning, diabolical, and gripping, with one of the best and most gasp-worthy twists I have read in a very long time. Fast paced, fabulous, and enthralling, the pages practically turn themselves. Absolutely captivating.” —Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author “Creepy and chilling, Under Her Care is a tense page-turner that leaves you questioning everything you ever knew about motherhood and the family bond.” —Tara Laskowski, award-winning author of The Mother Next Door THE SECRETS OF US “Those looking for an emotional roller-coaster ride will be rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly “Combine Lucinda Berry’s deep understanding of the complexities of the human mind with her immense talent for storytelling and you have The Secrets of Us, an intense psychological thriller that kept my heart racing until the shocking, jaw-dropping conclusion. Bravo!” —T. R. Ragan, New York Times bestselling author “The Secrets of Us is an unputdownable page-turner with two compelling female protagonists that will keep readers on their toes. Fantastic!” —Cate Holahan, USA Today bestselling author of One Little Secret “Lucinda Berry’s The Secrets of Us is a tense psychological thriller that explores the dark corners of the mind and turns a mind can take when it harbors secret guilt. The interplay between sisters Krystal and Nichole and their hidden past is gradually revealed, and in the end, the plot twists keep coming. Right and wrong can be ambivalent, and this story explores all shades of gray, from their dysfunctional family to an old childhood friend to a husband who may or may not be too good to be true. Berry’s background as a clinical psychologist shines in this novel with a character so disturbed they spend time in seclusion lockdown at a psychiatric ward. Don’t miss this one!” —Debbie Herbert, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author “The Secrets of Us is an utterly gripping, raw, and heartbreaking story of two sisters. Berry’s flawlessly placed clues and psychological expertise grab you from the first word, not letting go until the last. Compelling, intricate, and shocking, this inventive thriller cleverly weaves from past to present with stunning precision. I was absolutely enthralled.” —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge “The past and present collide with explosive consequences in this addictive, twisty thriller from an author at the top of her game. The Secrets of Us grips from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final shocking twist.” —Lisa Gray, bestselling author of Dark Highway THE BEST OF FRIENDS “A mother’s worst nightmare on the page. For those who dare.” —Kirkus Reviews “The Best of Friends gripped me from the stunning opening to the emotional, explosive ending. In this moving novel, Berry creates a beautifully crafted study of secrets and grief among a tight-knit group of friends and of how far a mother will go to discover the truth and protect her children.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and This Is How I Lied “In The Best of Friends, Berry starts with a heart-stopping bang—the dreaded middle-of-the-night phone call—and then delivers a dark and gritty tale that unfolds twist by devastating twist. Intense, terrifying, and at times utterly heartbreaking. Absolutely unputdownable.” —Kimberly Belle, international bestselling author of Dear Wife and Stranger in the Lake THE PERFECT CHILD “I am a compulsive reader of literary novels…but there was one book that kept me reading, the sort of novel I can’t put down…The Perfect Child, by Lucinda Berry. It speaks to the fear of every parent: What if your child was a psychopath? This novel takes it a step further. A couple, desperate for a child, has the chance to adopt a beautiful little girl who, they are told, has been abused. They’re told it might take a while for her to learn to behave and trust people. She can be sweet and loving, and in public she is adorable. But in private—well, I won’t give away what happens. But needless to say, it’s chilling.” —Gina Kolata, New York Times “A mesmerizing, unbearably tense thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open. This creepy, serpentine tale explores the darkest corners of parenthood and the profoundly unsettling lengths one will go to, to keep a family together—no matter the consequences. Electrifying and atmospheric, this dark gem of a novel is one I couldn’t put down.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author “A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!” —Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author

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Book SynopsisA lawyer is found murdered on the eve of a landmark trial at the foot of Angels Flight in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The superb sixth Harry Bosch novel from the award-winning No. 1 bestselling author. BOSCH TV STARTS FEBRUARY 2015.Harry Bosch finds himself yet again in charge of a case that no one else will touch. This time his job is to nail the killer of hot shot black lawyer Howard Elias. Elias has been found murdered on the eve of going to court on behalf of Michael Harris, a man the LAPD believes guilty of the rape and murder of a twelve-year-old girl. Elias had let it be known that the aim of his civil case was not only to reveal the real killer but to target and bring down the racist cops who beat up his client during a violent interrogation. Now it''s all down to Bosch - and he''s got to take a long, hard look at some of his colleagues in a police department that is rife with suspicion and hatred.

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Book SynopsisKevin Barry's story collection, There Are Little Kingdoms, won the Rooney Prize in 2007. His short fiction has appeared widely on both sides of the Atlantic, most recently in The New Yorker. City of Bohane is his first novel.Trade ReviewThe most arresting and original writer to emerge from these islands in years * Irvine Welsh *Hilarious and unpredictable - and always brilliant * Roddy Doyle *Astonishing.This marks him out as a writer of great promise * Guardian *Beautiful, arresting, precise...a compelling creation * Irish Times *An electrifying masterpiece * Joseph O'Connor *

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Book SynopsisThis is an all new version of the popular PARALLEL TEXT series, containing eight pieces of contemporary fiction in the original Italian and in English translation. Including stories by Calvino, Benni, Sciascia and Levi, this volume gives a fascinating insight into Italian culture and literature as well as providing an invaluable educational tool.Table of ContentsShort Stories in ItalianIntroductionThe Long CrossingLeonardo Siascia (1921-89)Translated by Avril BardoniItalyGoffredo Parise (1929-86)Translated by Nick RobertsThe Girl with the PlaitDacia Maraini (1936- )Translated by Sharon WoodThe Last Channel Italo Calvino (1923-87)Translated by Tim ParksLilithPrimo Levi (1919-87)Translated by Ruth FeldmanThe Island of KomodoSusanna Tamaro (1957- )Translated by Charles Caroe and Chris RobertsWomen by the PoolSandra Petrignani (1952- )Translated by Sharon WoodA Naughty SchoolboyStefano Benni (1947- )Translated by Nick RobertsSaturday AfternoonsAntonio Tabucchi (1943- )Translated by Edward WilliamsNotes on Italian textsAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisOne of the best-known experimental novels of the 1960s, this uninhibited tale centres on the hapless members of a love triangle, and their sexual obsession and shared fascination with a mythic saint.Revolving around four central and intrinsically flawed characters, Beautiful Losers' is the frank and humorous story of a nameless narrator, his wife Edith, their domineering friend and mentor F' and Catherine Tekakwitha, a mythic 17th-century Mohawk virgin saint. The complexities of this three-way love, pain and lust are sent spiralling by the death of Edith and F' at the novel's start, leading the damaged narrator to question the nature of love, sexuality and spirituality in a series of explicit flashbacks.The extraordinary and inimitable singer-songwriter's classic novel, this is Leonard Cohen's most critically acclaimed literary work, echoing the dark poetry and wry humour of his timeless songs of loss, love, sex and religion.Not just an extremely funny novel, but an incredibly original and explicit examination of friendship, sex and spirituality.Trade Review‘A fantasied eroticism which is wildly funny…An exciting book.’ Sunday Times ‘The literary counterpart of “Hair” on the stage and “Easy Rider” on the screen.’ Daily Telegraph ‘The most vivid, fascinating and brave modern novel I have read.’ Michael Ondaatje ‘Gorgeously written…one comes out of it having seen terrible and beautiful visions.’ New York Times ‘Brilliant, explosive, a fountain of talent…James Joyce is not dead…he lives under the name of Cohen…writing from the point of view of Henry Miller.’ Boston Herald ‘Fuses sexuality with spirituality…mystical and profane, poetic and obscene…an invitation to play Russian roulette with a phallic pistol.’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Cohen assaults the reader with words, images, pyrotechnics and love. It’s a raging, poetic, highly personal and eminently readable book.’ Toronto Star

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Book SynopsisDrew me in like a whirlpool' NICOLA DINAN 'A beautiful fever dream' KRISTEN ARNETT 'Highly seductive and fun as hell!' TONY TULATHIMUTTE 'A ghostly, feverish love story' ANOTHER MAGAZINE 'Hugely enjoyable dreamlike and erotic' THE TIMES 'Incredible romantic, dangerous and sexy' KATIE BUCKLEY A hottest book of 2025 in Sunday Times Style, Dazed, AnOther and Stylist A blazing novel following a young woman on a wild, hallucinogenic quest for love and selfhood in San Francisco's seedy underground. Baby is a dancer at a strip club and at the age of 27, she's feeling lost. It seems that only Dino, her sweet, cross-dressing, drug-dealing ex-boyfriend can keep her afloat. So, when Dino disappears without so much as a kiss goodbye, she plunges headfirst into San Francisco's shady erotic underground to find him. Baby searches through dive bars and old haunts, at the club and at the sex dungeon where she has a part-time dominatrix gig. She encounters clients like Simon, a recluse paying her for increasingly bizarre 'favours' and a philosophizing suicide fetishist named Nobody', as well as co-workers like Emeline, the balletic new hire who seems to want to steal Baby's whole identity, starting with her underwear. It's not long before she starts to find cryptic notes hidden in her belongings and realises her search is attracting the wrong kind of attention. With her grip on reality loosening and the clock ticking, will Baby manage to put together the pieces and find the only man she's ever loved? Or might her past catch up with her first? Manically smart, brutally funny and deeply sexy, Soft Core is a book about desire, fantasy and true love like no other. 'For the generation whose life is an endless stream of dead-end Hinge dates' Sunday Times Style A hugely enjoyable exploration of all the strange things people desire' The Times 'A profound look at sex work and lives unusually lived'Dazed The more you learn about Baby, the more you like her Great fun' Daily Mail Moving beautifully frank a wonderful portrait of San Francisco filled with fantastic imagery' Observer 'Incredible the best book I've read this year romantic, dangerous and sexy. It made me cry' Katie Buckley, author of Hero in Stylist 'Soft Core is not just a book but a fully realized and highly seductive way of life louche, fleshy, and freestyle Deeply impressive and fun as hell!' Tony Tulathimutte, author of Rejection

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Book SynopsisThe Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories 1896-1904 is an enchanting collection of tales which showcase Anton Chekhov at the height of his power as a writer. This Penguin Classics edition is translated by Ronald Wilks with an introduction by Paul Debreczeny.In the final years of his life, Chekhov produced some of the stories that rank among his masterpieces, and some of the most highly-regarded works in Russian literature. The poignant ''The Lady with the Little Dog'' and ''About Love'' examine the nature of love outside of marriage - its romantic idealism and the fear of disillusionment. And in stories such as ''Peasants'', ''The House with the Mezzanine'' and ''My Life'' Chekhov paints a vivid picture of the conditions of the poor and of their powerlessness in the face of exploitation and hardship. With the works collected here, Chekhov moved away from the realism of his earlier tales - developing a broader range of characters and subject matter, while forging Table of ContentsThe Lady with the Little Dog and Other Stories, 1896-1904IntroductionFurther ReadingChronologyNote on TextPatronymicsThe House with the MezzaninePeasantsMan in a CaseGooseberriesAbout LoveA Visit to FriendsIonychMy LifeThe Lady with the Little DogIn the RavineDisturbing the BalanceThe BishopThe BridePublishing History and Notes

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Book SynopsisRingil, the hero of the bloody slaughter at Gallows Gap is a legend to all who don''t know him and a twisted degenerate to those that do. A veteran of the wars against the lizards he makes a living from telling credulous travellers of his exploits. Until one day he is pulled away from his life and into the depths of the Empire''s slave trade. Where he will discover a secret infinitely more frightening than the trade in lives.Archeth - pragmatist, cynic and engineer, the last of her race - is called from her work at the whim of the most powerful man in the Empire and sent to its farthest reaches to investigate a demonic incursion against the Empire''s borders.Egar Dragonbane, steppe-nomad, one-time fighter for the Empire finds himself entangled in a small-town battle between common sense and religious fervour. But out in the wider world there is something on the move far more alien than any of his tribe''s petty gods. Anti-social, anti-heroic, and decidedly ir

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Book SynopsisComplete and unabridged.A towering classic of Russian literature, Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is a compelling story of a brutal double murder and its aftermath. An impoverished ex-student, Rodion Raskolnikov, kills a pawnbroker and her sister, apparently for financial gain. But as he encounters friends and family, strangers and adversaries, Raskolnikov is compelled to face the true forces that have led him to murder. His struggle with himself and those around him becomes a battle of the individual against society, radicalism against tradition, and ultimately the will of man against the mysteries of divine providence. A sensation in its day, Crime and Punishment has left an indelible stamp on the world of literature. This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of Crime and Punishment is translated from the Russian by Constance Garnett, with an afterword by Oliver Francis.Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the Lightbringer series, the blockbuster fantasy epic from international bestseller Brent Weeks. Perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie.Gavin Guile is dying.He''d thought he had five years left - now he''s got less than one. With fifty thousand refugees, a bastard son and an ex-fiancée who may have learned his darkest secret, Gavin''s got problems on every side. As he loses control, the world''s magic runs wild, threatening to destroy the Seven Satrapies. The old gods are being reborn and their army of colour wights is unstoppable.The only salvation may be the brother whose freedom and life Gavin stole sixteen years ago.''Weeks has a style of immediacy and detail that pulls the reader relentlessly into the story. He doesn''t allow you to look away'' Robin Hobb''Weeks writes in an inescapably engaging style'' Andrea Stewart''Weeks is a giant of the genre'' Nicholas Eames''Brent Weeks is so good it''s beginning to tick me off'' Peter V. Brett''I was mesmerised from start to finish. Unforgettable characters, a plot that kept me guessing, non-stop action and the kind of in-depth storytelling that makes me admire a writers'' work'' Terry Brooks''Weeks has truly cemented his place among the great epic fantasy writers of our time'' British Fantasy Society Books by Brent WeeksLightbringerThe Black PrismThe Blinding KnifeThe Broken EyeThe Blood MirrorThe Burning WhiteNight AngelThe Way of ShadowsShadow''s EdgeBeyond the ShadowsThe Kylar ChroniclesNight Angel NemesisPerfect Shadow: A Night Angel NovellaThe Way of Shadows: The Graphic NovelTrade ReviewWeeks has truly cemented his place among the great epic fantasy writers of our time * British Fantasy Society *Brent Weeks is so good it's starting to tick me off * Peter V. Brett *One of the best examples of modern fantasy that I've read * FANTASY FACTION on THE BLACK PRISM *Places Brent Weeks on comfortable footing beside contemporaries like Brandon Sanderson and Joe Abercrombie, if not a step above * A DRIBBLE OF INK on THE BLINDING KNIFE *

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Book SynopsisAddictively compelling' The TimesA joy to read' Maggie O'FarrellHonor Bright is a sheltered Quaker who has rarely ventured out of 1850s Dorset when she impulsively emigrates to America. Opposed to the slavery that defines and divides the country, she finds her principles tested to the limit when a runaway slave appears at the farm of her new family. In this tough, unsentimental place, where whisky bottles sit alongside quilts, Honor befriends two spirited women who will teach her how to turn ideas into action.Trade ReviewPraise for The Last Runaway: ‘I have always admired Tracy Chevalier's un-showy brilliance, and this moving story of a young English Quaker girl trapped between duty and conscience in 1850s Ohio is the best thing she's written since Girl with a Pearl Earring’ Rose Tremain The Last Runaway is a joy to read. Chevalier handles the intersection of two stories – those of pioneering Quakers and escaping slaves – with verve, imagination and, above all, compassion’ Maggie O’Farrell ‘A brave, warm-hearted, moving book; the characters are well-drawn and credible; the local colour meticulously detailed’ Joanne Harris ‘By far her best book since Girl With A Pearl Earring if not better’ Amanda Craig ‘Chevalier places her heroine at the heart, constructing a synergy between character and plot that makes this novel exquisitely complete… addictively compelling… Honor Bright deserves a sequel’ THE TIMES ‘Her best since Girl With a Pearl Earring… as a serious novel about a genuine moral dilemma, it is highly recommended’ THE INDEPENDENT ‘Chevalier immerses herself in period and place. Her research, as always, is meticulous and lightly worn… an entertaining read’ THE GUARDIAN ‘Chevalier’s eye for the telling detail brings it vividly to life. As simple and plain as a Quaker bonnet, but, like a Quaker soul, it contains a hidden light’ LITERARY REVIEW ‘A gripping and potent novel which shows Chevalier at the height of her powers’ THE EXPRESS ‘Tracy Chevalier has found a subject that both fascinates and moves her and the result is this quietly powerful and gripping novel’ THE MAIL ‘An accomplished historical novelist, and she successfully evokes the texture of life in the antebellum Midwest’ INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

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Book SynopsisAt moments when reality shows itself to be unstable or uncanny, we experience a form of vertigo. This experience is further complicated when we try to transform experience into writing, and fact clashes with memory. Sebald's novel, part fiction, part travelogue explores this theme.Trade ReviewNothing like Vertigo is likely to be encountered in the course of one's regular reading. One emerges from it shaken, seduced, and deeply impressed * Spectator *Where has one heard in English a voice of such confidence and precision, so direct in its expression of feeling, yet so respectfully devoted to "the real"? * Times Literary Supplement *Possessed of a richness and strangeness that would put most other writers to shame. Sebald's journey into himself and his past is compelling, puzzling, unique * The Times *As a reader, you find his prose wrapping itself, wraith-like, round your imagination, casting a baffling and indefinable spell.it works triumphantly well. The fact that W.G. Sebald chooses to tease, dazzle and mystify should not blind us to the fact that he does the one thing that every novelist should do: he entertains, provokes, stimulates and inspires * Observer *

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Book Synopsis'Vital... [Erpenbeck] is asking a compelling and timely question' Sally Rooney, Irish Times Richard has spent his life as a university professor, immersed in the world of books and ideas. Recently retired, he steps into the streets of his city, Berlin, and discovers a new community. A tent city has grown up on Oranienplatz, established by African asylum seekers. Hesitantly getting to know the people there, Richard finds his life changing, as he begins to question his own sense of belonging in a city that once divided its citizens into them and us. At once a passionate contribution to the debate on race, and a beautifully written examination of an ageing man's quest for meaning, Go, Went, Gone showcases one of the great contemporary European novelists at the height of her powers. 'Profound, beautiful and deeply affecting... [An] extraordinary novel, bearing unflinching testament to history as it unfolds' Neel Mukherjee, New Statesman 'One of Europe's most highly regarded writers... Erpenbeck's most significant work to date' Financial TimesTrade ReviewErpenbeck is becoming one of Europe's most highly regarded writers, perpetually striving to create an artistic prism through which to interpret history's arc... Superbly translated by her usual collaborator Susan Bernofsky [...] there is a melancholic undertone to the novel, murmuring beneath its condensed, liquid prose. Deceptively unhurried, yet undeniably urgent, this is Erpenbeck's most significant work to date -- Catherine Taylor * Financial Times *Europe's outstanding literary seer, Jenny Erpenbeck's new novel resonates with an unexpected simplicity that is profound, unsettling and subtle. Astutely translated by Susan Bernofsky [...] Erpenbeck's powerful tale, delivered in a wonderfully plain, candid tone, is both real and true. It will alert readers, make us more aware and, it is to be hoped, more human -- Eileen Battersby * Guardian *A remarkable novel which questions our understanding of borders and identity and which calls above all for compassion -- Annie Rutherford * Skinny *Susan Bernofsky's finely crafted translation [...] reaches Anglophone readers at an opportune moment... Erpenbeck binds the upheavals of past and present, Europe and Africa. Lyrical and satirical by turns, she shows that fearful isolation, emotional or political, hurts wall-builders and wall-jumpers alike * Economist *Vital... [Erpenbeck] is asking a compelling and timely question -- Sally Rooney * Irish Times *Acclaimed novelist Jenny Erpenbeck has gone further than most in examining the ephemeral nature of human life... An immensely ambitious novel, tackling a wide, complex range of themes, it is about the arbitrariness of borders, both literal and metaphorical, and the notion of foreignness as opposed to belonging. It is about the complex nature of comprehension and compassion, and the places genuine empathy between foreign bodies might be achieved... It is also a clarion call, a righteous protest against dehumanising government systems [...] Ultimately Erpenbeck - wise, caring and profound - triumphs in this heart-rending plea for universal tolerance and respect -- Jane Graham * Big Issue *[In] this wise, moving novel [...] Erpenbeck demands that her fellow countrymen show compassion to those whose lives have been "cut off, as if with a knife"' -- Paul Connolly * Metro *At once urgent and contemporary [...] the brilliant German novelist, Jenny Erpenbeck, has taken on the churn of the great issues of refugees, illegal immigration and asylum in her latest novel, Go, Went, Gone and created something profound, beautiful and deeply affecting... It is a mark of Erpenbeck's compassion and her complex, nuanced understanding of the human motivations of sympathy that she can make [a] (white, liberal) weakness of Richard a tender, even humorous seam in her book... [An] extraordinary novel, bearing unflinching testament to history as it unfolds -- Neel Mukherjee * New Statesman *Jenny Erpenbeck shows us that we are involved already, whether we want to be or not -- Maren Meinhardt * TLS *Not only timely but masterful -- Michael Pollan * Guardian *Very moving -- Carol Morley * Observer *Lyrical, absorbing -- Julia Alvarez * International New York Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAn intelligent, provocative whodunit with a killer twist * Ian Rankin *Superb * 100 Best Crime Novels since 1945, The Times *Icelandic detective Hulda Hermannsdottir is the best tragic heroine our reviewer has read for years * The Times, Must Read List *A superb thriller * Summer Reads, The Sunday Times *A complex, fascinating mix of Icelandic community and alienation, atmospheric tension, and timely issues (immigrant exploitation and vigilante justice), Jonasson's latest series is another must-read for crime fans who follow the work of Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir * Booklist *I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Anthony Horowitz * Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For *If you have ever doubted the appropriateness of the phrase 'Nordic noir', The Darkness will dispel any hesitation . . . in what way this happens (and how badly) is the strength of the book. There are ever-darker surprises, culminating in a finish that leaves one with a highly disturbing image. -- BOOK OF THE WEEK * The Press *The wait was worthwhile and The Darkness first in the new trilogy, is a very efficient piece of work. Jonasson has the full measure of the Nordic noir genre, and pushes all the requisite buttons * Barry Forshaw, Financial Times *To read Ragnar Jonasson is to plunge into snowy Iceland . . . much of its atmosphere and subtle pacing to the traditional 'golden age' detective fiction as the mystery unfolds and builds to a startling climax, elegantly handled. * The Witness *Superb . . . Chilling . . . and establishes her as a great tragic heroine of modern detective fiction -- Joan Smith * Crime Book of the Month, Sunday Times *Outstanding series debut . . . builds to its stunning conclusion, one of the more remarkable in recent crime fiction * Publishers Weekly *The Darkness melds an insightful character study with a solid plot for an outstanding novel * Washington Post *The perfect territory for mystery [writers] * New York Times *Extraordinary, the three books in that series are all amazing . . . very moving all the way through -- Ian RankinIt's shockingly sinister and has an ending that will leave you, literally, gasping for breath * Crimesquad *The ending really took my breath away and that's hard for writers to do to me these days . . . It was a complete surprise and I should have seen it coming and I didn't. [Hulda] is a fantastic, complex 3D character and I want to see more of her, so hurray, this is the first of a three book series * Ian Rankin on the Simon Mayo Podcast *The Darkness will have you burning the midnight oil till 2:00am. It's a gloriously compelling yarn, whose spell continues to hold even when you've turned its final page thanks to its unexpected ending. I can't wait for his next * Reader review *Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * Book of the Month, Guardian *Chilling - a must-read * Peter James *Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! * James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad *Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending * Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow *A true masterpiece . . . a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air * Yrsa Sigurðardóttir *As chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air * Choice Magazine *Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year * Bolo Books Review *Breathtaking. Read it in two sittings. Yet another instant Ragnar Jonasson classic * Thomas Enger, bestselling author of the Henning Juul series *The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked. * Gregg Hurwitz *The Darkness is Ragnar Jonasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down * William Ryan, author of The Holy Thief *It had an intense, visceral sense of place and the connection between the emotional lives of the character and the landscape was evoked beautifully * Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy *It will get your pulse racing, and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series *Magnificently dark and twisted and that ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man *Praise for Ragnar Jónasson * - *Jónasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working todayAs chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air * Choice Magazine *Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month *Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian *Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man *A sympathetic yet entirely unsentimental portrait of a flawed but decent detective seeking justice for a murdered Russian asylum seeker * Sunday Times Crime Club *It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series *Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review *The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked -- Gregg Hurwitz * Sunday Times bestselling author of Orphan X *Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending * Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow *The Darkness is Ragnar Jónasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down -- William Ryan * author of The Holy Thief *Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! * James Swallow *Another masterpiece from the King of Icelandic Noir -- Thomas Enger * bestselling author of the Henning Juul series *Unbearably sinister * Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy *The Darkness is a true masterpiece of a crime novel, introducing an original protagonist, a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air -- Yrsa Sigurðardóttir * author of the bestselling Thora Gudmundsdottir crime series *Praise for Ragnar Jónasson * - *No country associated with the label Nordic noir is as bleak, cold, snowy and empty as Iceland. And no crime writer portrays those elements as evocatively and scarily as Ragnar Jonasson * The Times *A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens... first rate and highly recommended -- Lee Child, on * Snowblind *A modern take on Agatha Christie-­-style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . . -- Ian Rankin, on * Snowblind *Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir -- Peter JamesDistinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction...atmospheric...economical and evocative prose * The Guardian on Nightblind *Seductive ... an old-fashioned murder mystery with a strong central character and the fascinating background of a small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully -- Ann CleevesThe ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach * FRÉTTATIMINN **** *Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir ...all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone * Sunday Express *Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Fréttablaðið **** *Out of all of Ragnar's books, this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie * Kiljan, on The Island *The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect á la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid (Icelandic newspaper) *A very good book, gripping and interesting, with all the threads carefully managed. Hopefully the author will publish as many books as possible with lead character Hulda * Vikan Magazine, on The Island *

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller A deeply moving, gorgeously illustrated short story for people of all ages from the international bestselling author of The Kite Runner, brought to life by Dan Williams's beautiful illustrations 'The book may be brief, but it is beautiful, poetic – a distillation of his strengths' Sunday Times On a moonlit beach a father cradles his sleeping son as they wait for dawn to break and a boat to arrive. He speaks to his boy of the long summers of his childhood, recalling his grandfather’s house in Syria, the stirring of olive trees in the breeze, the bleating of his grandmother’s goat, the clanking of her cooking pots. And he remembers, too, the bustling city of Homs with its crowded lanes, its mosque and grand souk, in the days before the sky spat bombs and they had to flee. When the sun rises they and those around them will gather their possessions and embark on a perilous sea journey in search of a new home. Proceeds from the sale of Sea Prayer will go to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency to help fund life-saving support and build better futures for refugees around the world.Trade ReviewAs moving as any of his novels … For all its brevity packs a powerful punch * i *Dan Williams’s watercolours are a haunting companion to the contemplative and poetic story … Opens up many powerful emotions about family, survival and childhood * Observer *The book may be brief, but it is beautiful, poetic – a distillation of his strengths * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisTo accompany Eliot's poems, Christopher Ricks and Jim McCue have provided a commentary that illuminates the creative activity that came to constitute each poem, calling upon drafts, correspondence and other original materials to provide a vivid account of the poet's working processes, his reading, his influences and his revisions.

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Book SynopsisA BRAND NEW COSY MYSTERY SERIES SET IN THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF YORK. FOR FANS OF FAITH MARTIN, BETTY ROWLANDS AND LJ ROSS.Meet Kitt Hartley: librarian, trilby-wearer, Lady Grey tea-drinker, taker of no nonsense... detective?It's a perfectly normal day for Kitt Hartley at her job at the University of the Vale of York library, until Detective Inspector Halloran arrives at her desk to tell her that her best friend, Evie Bowes, is under suspicion of murder. Evie's ex-boyfriend Owen has been found dead - with a fountain pen stabbed through his heart - and all the evidence points to her.Kitt knows there is no way Evie could murder anyone - let alone Owen, who she adored. Horrified that the police could have got it so wrong, Kitt decides there's only one thing to do: she's going to investigate Owen's murder herself. She's read hundreds of mystery novels - how hard can it be?With the help of her assistant Grace, and the occasional hindrance of the library's eccentric regulars, Kitt summons up all her investigative powers (absorbed over years of reading everything from Agatha Christie to Ian Rankin) and gets to work. She soon discovers that down the quaint streets and snickelways of York lie darker doings than she'd ever dreamed, but she needs to watch her step: the murderer is watching her. And they haven't finished killing yet...Trade ReviewBrilliantly funny and charming * Northern Life *A great read with smart characters and a clever plot * Candis *With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series set in York is one to get your teeth into * Candis *Cosy and amusing * Irish Independent *This cosy thriller, set in the historic city of York has a unique atmospheric charm * Woman Magazine *A good, well-written holiday read * York Times *

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Book SynopsisMOTHER. LIAR. MURDERER?When Genevieve''s seven-year-old son is found bleeding to death in his own home, she''s horrified when the police turn to her for answers. There''s no evidence of a break-in, and parts of Genevieve''s story don''t seem to make sense. But could a mother really kill her own child?Twenty-four hours later, teenager Nora Florette is reported missing - and panic begins to spread. Someone is preying on the local children - and the police are caught in a race against time to catch the killer. Detective Nick Fourcade and his partner Annie Broussard must uncover the truth about Genevieve''s past before it''s too late. Is she simply a grieving mother? Or is she a danger to them all?The Sunday Times bestseller is back in a nail-biting thriller, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben.Praise for Tami Hoag:''Authentic, dark and intense'' Tess Gerritson ''Deviously plotTrade ReviewHoag ensures that her pair have a very individual quality, encapsulated in their razor-sharp dialogue. * THE GUARDIAN *

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Book SynopsisWith peace reigning in the Magic Kingdom at last, Ben Holiday is finally free to lie back and enjoy the finer things in life - like watching his daughter grow, which she does by leaps and bounds. Born a seedling and nourished by soil from Landover, Earth and the fairy mists, Mistaya is a unique child, fully as dazzling as her mother, the sylph, Willow - but fiery and impatient with those who can't keep up with her lightning-fast development. But Ben's idyll is not to last. The dark and pitiless Rydall, king of lands beyond the fairy mists, arrives at the gates of Sterling Silver. His armies are ready to invade if Ben will not accept his challenge: to face and defeat seven different champions of Rydall's choice. And accept he must, for Mistaya has been snatched from her guardians by foul magic and only Rydall holds the key to her fate...Trade ReviewA marvellous fantasy trip Frank Herbert If Harry Potter has given you a thirst for fantasy and you have not discovered the magic of Terry Brooks, you are in for a treat ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS Confirms Terry's place at the head of the fantasy world Philip Pullman

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Book SynopsisNow available in trade paper from the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis: Megs Devonshire sets out to fulfill her younger brother George’s last wish by uncovering the truth behind his favorite story. The answer provides hope and healing and a magical journey for anyone whose life has ever been changed by a book.Trade Review''Once Upon a Wardrobe' is a beautiful follow-up to 'Becoming Mrs. Lewis.' It's a love letter to books and stories with a meaningful message. Megs and her family learn that fantastical tales are more than mere ways to appease young children. Stories are nourishment for the souls that need joy the most, and sometimes they're the only thing that can help us understand life.' * The Washington Post *'Full of magic, nostalgia and a sister's love, Coben calls this novel 'a love letter to those of us obsessed with C.S. Lewis's Narnia series.'' * TODAY *'Patti Callahan's powerful and captivating new novel ponders how the events in C.S. Lewis' life, particularly his childhood, inspired him to create the magical and mythical world of Narnia and the cast of characters inhabiting it . . . Readers will reach for it again and again, eager to be reminded that love will prevail and imagination leads people down fantastical paths. Some books are read and forgotten soon after; others linger forever in one's mind, popping up from time to time when something relevant sparks the memory. ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is certainly the latter and will be cherished by anyone who reads it.' * BookReporter.com *'This beautiful and soul-touching book is about death and dying, but it also reminds us that new chapters remain for those of us who are left behind.' * Historical Novel Society *'Once Upon a Wardrobe is a poignant meditation on the lengths we will go to for our loved ones as well as a fascinating glimpse into the early life of C. S. Lewis. Patti Callahan's beautiful, life-affirming novel is a reminder that literature lives inside us, and that when we read someone else's story, we understand so much more about our own. A gorgeous, compelling book.' --Janet Skeslien Charles, award-winning author of The Paris Library'Exquisitely heartfelt, Once Upon a Wardrobe is a love letter to the magic of stories. I call it the Callahan Effect--from the first page to the last, Patti Callahan's wise and beautiful prose draws you in and doesn't let you go.' --Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of First Frost and Lost Lake'I advise you to read this book, then wait for a while and then read it again. For while it may not be Narnia, there is magic in it.' --Douglas Gresham, C. S. Lewis's stepson'In this powerful, enchanting tale for all ages, readers uncover the inspiration for Lewis's famous books, while at the same time discovering the way in which stories--and myths--weave through our existences, subtly transforming us in immeasurable ways. Stunning.' --Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie'With a touch of fairy-tale magic, Once Upon a Wardrobe will take you behind the legend and deep into the English and Irish countryside, where you'll encounter not only the inspirations for one of the 20th century's most beloved works but also a tale of heartache, hope, and discovery that will forever change the Narnia you thought you knew.' --Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing StarsFrom Patti Callahan, the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, comes another enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis. * The Nerd Daily *More than just a clever way to tell the story of Lewis' life, the book explores the power of story and the importance of imagination. * The Atlanta Journal-Constitution *

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Book SynopsisBest Kept Secret is the third spellbinding novel in the epic Clifton Chronicles series, from master storyteller Jeffrey Archer.Trade ReviewProbably the greatest storyteller of our age * The Mail on Sunday *If there was a Nobel Prize for storytelling, Archer would win * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisAs Anne and the other candy crafters race to finish their sugar candy in time for the First Holy Festival, the unthinkable happens. Lafalle, a beautiful but dangerous fairy with a strange attachment to Challe, attacks the Paige Workshop and kidnaps Anne and her fairy companion. But even now, when she is being held prisoner, all Anne can think about is the approaching deadline...

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Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author of BOYFRIEND MATERIAL and HUSBAND MATERIAL comes a deeply emotional romance about finding love when (and where) you least expect it.Laurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the Scene is all played out. Six years from his last meaningful relationship, he's pushing forty and tired of pretending nothing has changed. Then he meets Toby Finch. Young. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable. Everything Laurie can't remember being.Toby doesn't know who he wants to be or what he wants to do, but he knows that he wants Laurie. The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won't surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they haveno matter how right it feelscan't last. It can't mean anything.It can't be real.This dynamic, emotional LGBTQIA+ romance contains never-before-seen content and exclusive bonus material.The World of SPIRES:Gl

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Book SynopsisThe epic story continues in Crush, the second in New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff''s lush, action-packed and romantic young adult paranormal fantasy series.''Fandom''s new favourite vampire romance obsession'' Hypable''This generation''s Twilight'' Lynn Rush ''I''m having the BEST book hangover. Filled with danger, humour, and heart, Crave proves that vampires are definitely back!'' J. Kenner''Beautifully descriptive with amazing pacing and wonderfully sinister settings'' Christine Feehan...................Everything feels off - especially me. I''ve returned to Katmere Academy, but I''m haunted by fragments of days I have no recollection of living and struggling to understand who, or what, I really am. Just when I start to feel safe again, Hudson is back with a vengeance. He insists there are secrets I don''t know about, threatening to drive a wedge between Jaxon and me forever. But far worse enemies are at our doorstep. The Circle is caught in a power play and the Vampire Court is trying to drag me out of my world and into theirs. The only thing Hudson and Jaxon agree on is that leaving Katmere would mean my certain death. And not only am I fighting for my life, but now everyone else''s is at stake - unless we can defeat an unspeakable evil. All I know is that saving the people I love is going to require sacrifice.Maybe more than I''m able to give...................Don''t miss a single book in the series that spawned a phenomenon! The Crave series is best enjoyed in order:CraveCrushCovetCourtCharmCherish''Suffice it to say: I have a new book boyfriend!'' Pintip Dunn''Intricately crafted, deeply romantic'' Victoria Scott''Funny, smart, and compelling'' Emily McKay

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Book SynopsisAn absorbing story of musical rivalry and ambition' SUNDAY TIMES, Best historical fictionEnthralling, passionate, vivid. The Instrumentalist is a marvel' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVEHistorical fiction as it should be written' MAIL ON SUNDAYA captivating narrative as tightly tuned as a thriller'' DAILY TELEGRAPHA compassionate coming-of-age tale Constable understands the power music has to sustain us' OBSERVER_________________________________________Anna Maria may have no name, no fortune, no family. But she has her ambition, and her talent.Her best hope lies in her teacher, Antonio Vivaldi. Soon she is his star pupil.But as Anna Maria's star rises, not everyone is happy. Because Anna Maria's shining light is threatening to eclipse that of her mentorShe will leave her mark, whatever it takes. And her story will be heard.________________________________________

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Book SynopsisReincarnated as a girl far in the future, former Hero-King Inglis has the chance to hone her fighting skills. Lacking a Rune, she was free to spend her days engrossed in training while her beauty grew alongside her expertise with the blade. Now fifteen years old, she sets off for the royal capital to enroll in the knights' academy with her childhood friend, Rafinha. But when their budget grows tight along the way, they might have to make a slight detour... What kind of mayhem is in store for them as mercenaries?

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Book SynopsisThe debut cosy culinary crime thriller from Suk Pannu, creator of BBC Radio 4's Mrs Sidhu Investigates and writer for Goodness, Gracious, Me and The Kumars at No. 42.Shortlisted for the 2024 McDermid AwardStuffed with warmth and wicked, cross-cultural observations, Dead and Scone is a dollop of cosy crime goodness' Vaseem Khan, author of The Malabar House seriesMrs Sidhu Slough''s answer to Miss Marple is a wonderful creation' S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor KnotA tale of dark shenanigans in a quintessential English village' J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderBake Off meets Face/Off. Devilish fun' Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl seriesThe perfect village. Mrs Sidhu, caterer and amateur sleuth, is delighted when she is offered a position as chef in a quiet corner of Berkshire. It's a far cry from her cramped kitchen, where she was used to making an endless parade of aubergine bhajis!The perfect fete. In no time, Mrs Sidhu starts throwing herself into local events lik

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Book SynopsisThe untold story of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest rival, Moriarty!Before he was Sherlock’s rival, Moriarty fought against the unfair class caste system in London by making sure corrupt nobility got their comeuppance. But even the most well-intentioned plans can spin out of control—will Moriarty’s dream of a more just and equal world turn him into a hero…or a monster?Three years after the fateful night when William and Sherlock disappeared under the waves of the Thames, MI6 takes on a covert mission to stop a leak of sensitive information that could disrupt the balance of power between Great Britain and Russia. One stray bullet winds up revealing the existence of someone unexpected hiding behind the scenes, however. As rumblings of a great world war begin, it may finally be time to repent for the crimes of the past…

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Book SynopsisThe Bram Stoker Prize-winner for Best Fiction Collection - four riveting, dark stories from Stephen King that will ''grab you and not let go'' (Washington Post), now with a stunning new cover look.At midnight comes the point of balance. Of danger. The instant of utter stillness when between two beats of the heart, an alternative reality can slip through, like a blade between the ribs, and switch you into a new and terrifying world.Featuring an introduction and prefaratory notes to each story by the author, this collection contains four heart-stopping accounts of that moment when the familiar world fractures beyond sense, the fragments spinning away from the desperate, clutching reach of sanity . . .One Past Midnight: ''The Langoliers'' takes a red-eye flight from LA to Boston into a most unfriendly sky.Two Past Midnight: ''Secret Window, Secret Garden'' enters the suddenly strange life of writer, alone on the shore of Tashmore LakeTrade ReviewAn incredibly gifted writer, whose writing, like Truman Capote's, is so fluid that you often forget that you're reading * Guardian *A writer of excellence...King is one of the most fertile storytellers of the modern novel...brilliantly done * The Sunday Times *Splendid entertainment...Stephen King is one of those natural storytellers...getting hooked is easy * Frances Fyfield, Express *

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Book SynopsisJinwoo’s received some amazing gifts from the system, but the latest one might proveto be the greatest one yet-a key to the double dungeon where it all started. Perhaps asecond visit might provide him with answers for once. He’s got some time to kill untilhe can use the item though, but before he can tackle another gate, unexpectedmovement from the shadow soldiers guarding Jinah sets his alarm bells ringing...

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Book Synopsis''The Stardust Thief will transport you, enchant you, and revive your belief in the magic of storytelling'' Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the SunInspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights, The Stardust Thief weaves the gripping tale of a legendary smuggler, a cowardly prince and a dangerous quest across the desert to find a magical lamp.Neither here nor there, but long ago...Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp.With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan''s oldest son to find the artefact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen and confront Trade ReviewYou'll be charmed immediately by the characters and pulled in by this exploration of how the stories we hear and the stories we tell ourselves - beautiful and heartbreaking alike - shape us. Perfect for fans of S.A. Chakraborty's City of Brass -- C.L. Clark, author of THE UNBROKENA thrilling adventure about found families, ancient magic and stories that linger -- S. A. Chakraborty, author of THE CITY OF BRASSThe Stardust Thief is a dream written upon a page - absorbing, lingering and poignantly told. Abdullah weaves a sweeping adventure of tales within tales, while laying bare the ways those we love can both uplift us and break our hearts -- Andrea Stewart, author of THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTERAbdullah has created a sumptuous feast of richly layered classic tales, and characters who will have you hungering to unravel their mysteries. The Stardust Thief will transport you, enchant you, and revive your belief in the magic of storytelling. -- Shelley Parker-Chan, author of SHE WHO BECAME THE SUNSizzling with action and secrets, The Stardust Thief is a grand adventure with unforgettable characters, enchanting magic, and plenty of heart -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGEThe sun-baked sands of Abdullah's imagination teem with colour, danger and excitement -- SFXAbdullah is a gifted storyteller. . . [bringing] to life a rich world, rife with magic, where anything that can be dreamed up can happen -- BOOKLISTThis powerful, intriguing adventure will leave readers eager for more -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLYA marvellous plunge into a beautifully crafted adventure -- KIRKUSAbdullah transports readers into this rich world and literary heritage -- LIBRARY JOURNAL

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Book SynopsisIn 2011, the peace of the Syrian city of Homs is disturbed by protests and shelling. A young girl, Nour, is forced to flee across the Levant and North Africa in search of safety. 800 years before, Rawiya, disguised as a boy and apprenticed to a famous map maker, set out on an epic quest to chart the globe, following the very same route. In The Map of Salt & Stars, the tales of these two heroines coming of age in perilous times interweave, and shine a light on a country in turmoil, human resilience and the power of stories.Trade ReviewFull of tension and love and danger. This is a beautifully told, magical novel about journeys and finding your way home. * STYLIST *The interweaving of the two stories is skilfully done... Joukhadar can be congratulated on an unusual first novel. * MAIL ON SUNDAY *A gorgeous and timely story * THE ARAB DAILY NEWS *Joukhadar's prose is like a dream, which is fitting for this pair of stories, one drawn from fantastical legend, the other from nightmarish current events from which Syria has yet to awaken. * SEATTLE TIMES *A spellbinding geography of family and hope. * SHELF AWARENESS *Scheherazade's "The Thousand and One Nights" meets Alan Gratz's "Refugee" in this important debut novel ...There are parts that will make your heart stop and parts that will make it beat again. It's an incredible force. * WILDLY READ *After the death of her beloved father, imaginative 11-year-old Nour leaves New York City, where she was born, and returns home with her cartographer mother and two older sisters to the family's native Syria, where bombs released by Assad's forces soon destroy their home and send them on a desperate flight across North Africa. More than 800 years earlier, Rawiya, the daughter of an impoverished widow, disguises herself as a boy and leaves medieval Ceuta-modern Spain's foothold on the African coast-and apprentices herself to a mapmaker, traveling with him throughout the Levant. The stories are deftly interwoven, for Nour's father has told her about Rawiya's fabulous, sometimes mythic adventures. Parallels abound, from the spunky, triumphant heroines to mapmaking as a key to finding oneself to the special stone Nour hunts, once the eye of a terrifying winged creature battled by Rawiya. Debut novelist Joukhadar gracefully balances the gritty, often horrific truth of the refugee's plight with the lyrical near-fairy tale she has created (in both time periods), layered with burnished hope and occasionally overplayed sentiment. VERDICT A wise, vibrantly told story for a wide range of readers, particularly relevant now. * Library Journal *The Map of Salt and Stars presents an Arab world in full possession of its immense historical and cultural biography, marred by its modern tragedies but not exclusively defined by them. * BOOK PAGE *This imaginative yet very real look into war-torn Syria is a must. * BOOK LIST ONLINE *A very good book, and an important, eye-opening one too. * INTERZONE *In this beautifully nuanced debut novel from Syrian American author, Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar, two parallel journeys alternate with and counter each other, highlighting the connections between the vital importance of the stories we tell and the psycho-geography of maps. * THE LONDON MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisA definitive annotated edition of one of the greatest of Terry Pratchett's multi-million-bestselling Discworld novels''A master storyteller'' A.S. ByattBoth comic and dark, blending high fantasy, twisted storytelling and all manner of wordplay ... a fine place to start reading Pratchett' The New York Times Book ReviewCommander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is in hot pursuit of a serial killer. The trouble is, a well-timed lightning strike has thrown both policeman and pursued into the city's past. Now Vimes must relive the history that made him: a cruel regime, a bloody revolution, a corrupt police force, and, most unnerving of all, a keen young recruit named Sam Vimes Night Watch, which draws on inspirations as far ranging as Victor Hugo and M*A*S*H, is a keen satire about the true nature of political power, and the sacrifices made in the name of the greater good; but also a profoundly empathetic novel about community, connection and the tenacity of the human spirit.This edition of Night Watch written at the height of Pratchett's imaginative powers includes a new foreword by Rob Wilkins and an introduction and annotations by Dr David Lloyd and Dr Darryl Jones, contextualising the novel and Pratchett's far-reaching legacy for new readers and current fans alike.

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Book SynopsisPrivilege, sex, scandal, and murder.The new novel from Sunday Times-bestselling author James Frey. AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER.Behind every great fortune, lies a great crime - Honoré de BalzacNew Bethlehem, Connecticut. Picture-perfect lawns, manicured hedges, multi-million dollar homes. But beneath the designer yoga gear and country club memberships lies a darker reality.In this world of excess, Devon and Belle have it all beauty, money, status. But they want something more. Something dangerous. Something that makes them feel alive. Their solution? A party a meticulously curated gathering of New Bethlehem's elite, from a desperate ex-NFL quarterback to a hockey coach with a penchant for married women, and a ruthless Wall Street closer' who wields his wealth like a weapon.One night. Multiple betrayals. And a murder that will shatter New Bethlehem's carefully constructed facade.Fans of The White Lotus and Big Little Lies will be drawn into the dark underbelly of the American Dream a world where money can buy anything, until it ruins everything.READERS ARE THRILLED, UNSETTLED AND SEDUCEDSharp, provocative Captivates with its blend of dark humour and social commentary'Dark, disturbing and funny'Transcends simple categorization - part thriller, part social satire, part moral fable - and the result is both entertaining and deeply unsettling'A mix of wit, mystery and dark undertone I couldn't put it down Perfect pool side reading'I deeply loved this book the ending slaps'Super fun and sexy summer read! Rich people behaving badly'

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Book Synopsis''Crackles with excitement and adventure on every page'' Fantasy Book ReviewEnter a war-torn world where gunpowder and magic collideThe nation of Fatrasta is a haven for criminals, rebels, adventurers and sorcerers seeking relics of the past. As insurrection grows, only the iron will of the Lady Chancellor holds the capital city of Landfall together.Yet an ancient power as old as time is rising, and the fate of this young nation now rests in the hands of a spy, a disgraced war hero and a mercenary general with a past as turbulent as Landfall''s present.Sins of Empire is the explosive new epic fantasy from Gemmell Award-winning author Brian McClellan. Look out for Wrath of Empire, book two in the Gods of Blood and Powder series, in May 2018.Praise for Brian McClellan:''Gunpowder and magic. An explosive combination'' Peter Brett''Brings a welcome breath of gunpowderTrade ReviewFurious, visceral, and relentlessly thrilling -- KIRKUSAn engaging mystery, terrifying possibilities, likable characters and an incredibly detailed world -- STARBURSTMagic and technology come together in the midst of complicated relationships and unsure alliances . . . [a] compelling adventure -- RT BOOK REVIEWSA fast paced story, set in a brilliantly realised world . . . One of the best fantasy novels of recent years -- BOOKBAGWonderful plotting that powerfully compels page turning -- SFFWORLDCrackles with excitement and adventure on every page -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEWUnexpected twists and game-changing surprises -- BIBLIOSANCTUMRich worldbuilding . . . Interesting politics and vibrant characters -- FANTASY FACTIONThrilling . . . A novel that is equal parts military adventure and spy tale, and succeeds wildly on both counts -- B&N SCIFI AND FANTASY BLOG

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Book SynopsisAn Oprah''s Book Club selection, this gripping and powerfully wrought novel from the bestselling author of The Weight of Water is a stunning meditation on grief, betrayal and ''the ultimate unknowability of those closest to us'' (Daily Telegraph) Who can guess what a woman will do when the unthinkable becomes her reality? Being married to a pilot has taught Kathryn Lyons to be ready for emergencies, but nothing has prepared her for the late-night knock on her door and the news of her husband''s fatal crash. As Kathryn struggles through her grief, she is forced to confront disturbing rumours about the man she loved and the life that she took for granted. Torn between her impulse to protect her husband''s memory and her desire to know the truth, Kathryn sets off to find out if she ever really knew the man who was her husband. In her determination to test the truth of her marriage, she faces shocking revelations about the secrets a man can keep and

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Book Synopsis*** LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD *** *** A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME PICK OF THE MONTH *** 'A scorchingly good novel' - MICHAEL ROBOTHAM 'Disher is the gold standard for rural noir' - CHRIS HAMMER 'An utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity' - DERVLA MCTIERNAN ________________________________________ AN ACT OF INEXPLICABLE CRUELTY. A FAMILY DESTROYED. Constable Paul Hirschhausen runs a one-cop station in the dry farming country south of the Flinders Ranges. He's still new in town but his community work - welfare checks and a light touch - is starting to pay off. Now Christmas is here and, apart from a grass fire, two boys stealing a vehicle, and Brenda Flann entering the front bar of the pub without exiting her car, Hirsch's life has been peaceful. Until he's called to an incident on Kitchener Street, a strange and vicious attack that sickens the community. And when the Sydney police ask him to look in on a family living on a forgotten back road, it doesn't look like a season of goodwill at all... A hugely atmospheric police procedural set in the dust of the Australian outback. Perfect for readers of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Dervla McTiernan. ________________________________________ 'In this brilliant novel, Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey' - JOCK SERONG 'An atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers' -THE TIMES 'Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer' - SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewAn atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers. He deserves to be far better known and far more widely read * The Times *Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape * Sunday Times *An uplifting book, an utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity. If you enjoyed Jane Harper's The Lost Man, this novel is for you -- Dervla McTiernanDisher is the gold standard for rural noir -- Chris HammerA scorchingly good novel -- Michael RobothamIn this brilliant novel Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey -- Jock SerongThe stories are complex without being complicated, the writing pared down yet run with rich seams of character and place. The Hirsch novels are Disher's finest work -- Dominic Nolan, author of AFTER DARKIn prose baked as hard as the sun-scorched outback, Disher summons up the muggy oppressiveness of a small town with years of buried secrets, a veteran crime writer who knows how to expertly tie together the disparate threads of his narrative * Herald *Peter Temple and Garry Disher will be identified as the crime writers who redefined Australian crime fiction * Sydney Morning Herald *Peace is a very impressive piece of crime fiction. There has been a lot of fuss about Australian rural noir in recent years, but few, if any, do it better than Disher * Canberra Weekly *Peace is rural noir at its best * Canberra Times *Relevant, fresh and exciting. Peace is a satisfying complex mystery that reflects on family, corruption, big city violence seeping into the country, deep rooted racism, rural isolation and decline. The story is vivid, brutal and fast paced * Crime Time *The great thing about these books is their sheer believability and attention to detail. Hirsch himself is a fine creation. [An] immersive and addictive book * Crime Fiction Lover *

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Book SynopsisA prowl through words reveals the unstable character of the cosmos. With entries as varied as elbow', Ophelia', progress', the painter Giorgio Morandi, chess', Eulalia' (a friend of the author's aunt), and unicorn', Ida Vitale constructs a dictionary of her long and passionately engaged artistic life. Taking the reader by the arm, she invites us to become her confidant, sharing her remarkable 20th century as a member of a storied generation of Latin American writers, of whom she is the last remaining alive. It's a compendium of friendship, travel, reading, and the endless opportunities she found for 'the joyful possibility of creation.' Like every dictionary, Lexicon of Affinities seeks to impose order on chaos, even if in its exuberant, whimsical profusion it lays bare the unstable character of the cosmos.

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Book SynopsisLondon,1837. Jack Maggs, raised and deported as a criminal, has returned from Australia, in secret and at great risk. What does he want after all these years, and why is he so interested in the comings and goings at a plush townhouse in Great Queen Street? And why is Jack himself an object of such interest to Tobias Oates, celebrated author, amateur hypnotist and fellow burglar - in this case of people''s minds, of their histories and inner phantoms? A thrilling story of mesmerism and possession, of dangerous bargains and illicit love against the backdrop of Victorian London.

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Book SynopsisA MORBID TASTE FOR BONES. In 1137 the head of Shrewsbury Abbey decided to acquire the remains of St Winifred. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales and they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines'' offer for the saint''s relics. Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn''t surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. ONE CORPSE TOO MANY. In 1138, war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud takes Brother Cadfael from the quiet world of his garden to the bloody battlefield. Not far from the safety of the Abbey walls, Shrewsbury Castle falls, leaving its ninety-four defenders loyal to the Empress to hang as traitors. With a heavy heart, Brother Cadfael agrees to bury the dead, but discovers ninety-five bodies awaiting his attention.MONK''S-HOOD. Brother Cadfael''s herb garden is flourishing under his care, then a local dignitary is poisoned with one of the herbalist''s own concoctions andTrade ReviewA pleasing, and unusual mixture of suspense and historical fiction. * EVENING STANDARD *Soothing, but no shortage of mayhem. * OBSERVER *A cult figure of crime fiction. * FINANCIAL TIMES *

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Book SynopsisTHE PRIZE-WINNING SATIRICAL BESTSELLER - MORE THAN 500,000 COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDETrade ReviewFirst-class satire . . .The Capital delivers, within a brilliant satirical fiction, thoughtful and instructive analysis of both the weaknesses in the EU that galvanise leavers and the strengths that motivate remainers. -- Mark Lawson * Guardian *A traditional novel, broadshouldered, omniscient, almost Balzac-ian, but with terrorism part of a plot centeredsatirically around an all-too-plausible Brussels idea. -- Steven Erlanger * New York Times *The Capital is a mischievous yet profound story about storytelling; about the art of shaping a narrative by finding resonances in the messy stuff of life . . . [An] unexpectedly delightful book about Brussels. * Economist *Menasse has a finely tuned satirical ear that easily criss-crosses borders . . . an intelligently written, pacy novel whose wide-ranging narratives ensure the momentum never wavers . . . Robert Menasse has produced an extraordinary piece of work -- Charlie Connelly * New European *A thoroughly entertaining fiction that serves both as a sort of campus satire and a novel of ideas . . . Menasse packs his Brussels with sharply-etched types . . . With its zest, pace and wit, Jamie Bulloch's translation serves him splendidly. -- Boyd Tonkin * Spectator *A deliciously vicious - and timely - satire about the E.U. and the meaning of Europe today -- Frederick Studemann * Financial Times *[An] ambitious panorama that arrives amid the throes of Brexit and the Chinese Year of the Pig. Intelligent, fun, sad, insightful - an exceptional work. * Kirkus Reviews *An elegantly written, brilliantly constructed novel, full of discussion points and ideas -- Andreas Isenschmid * Die Zeit *A sharply observed, witty novel, a character comedy . . . the best novel about European bureaucracy you'll read . . . a brave and funny book -- Charlie Connelly * New European Best Books of 2019 *A brutally funny and exhaustive tableau of both a continent in transition and the organisation straining to hold it together . . . a teeming epic -- Andrew R. Chow * Time Magazine *Rumbustious . . . deliciously witty -- Paul Connolly * Metro *The Capital could hardly be more topical . . . It is about Europe reconnecting with its ideals via a tragic past . . . It's a smart read, unlike anything being written in Britain today. -- David Herman * Jewish Chronicle *Robert Menasse's polyphonic EU satire juggles a multitude of wryly amusing storylines. -- Siobhan Murphy * The Times *This is above all the polyphonic novel in excelsis . . . I want to read much more from this major European writer -- David Nice * Arts Desk *Witty but humane. . . . The massive cast never becomes unwieldy thanks to Menasse's delightful prose. This epic, droll account of contemporary Europe will be catnip for fans of mosaic novels and comical political machinations. * Publishers Weekly (*****) *I enjoyed The Capital so much . . . A major book about coincidences, of linked and overlapping meanings . . . This is a deeply humane novel, a novel for adults. -- Dwight Garner * The New York Times *Menasse assembles his cast from the different member states . . . but he gives their inner lives a complexity that belies the satirical shorthand of simple labels . . . brilliantly comic . . . An important and timely book. -- Michael Cronin * Irish Times *A gripping novel with an urgent political purpose -- Fintan O'Toole * New York Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisFans of Robert E. Howard's legendary hero will devour this next instalment ofConan the Barbariancomics, filled with high adventure, savage combat, ancient gods, and rollicking sword-and-sorcery action!

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Book SynopsisAnne McCaffrey was one of the world's leading science fiction writers, and the first female science fiction writer to achieve New York Times bestseller status. She won both the Hugo and Nebula awards as well as the Margaret A. Edwards' Lifetime Literary Achievement Award. She was deeply honoured to have been made a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 2005, and was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006. Born and raised in the US and of Irish extraction, she moved to Ireland in 1970 where she lived in the Garden of Ireland', County Wicklow, until her death in 2011 at the age of eighty-five. She is the creator of the Dragonriders of Pern series.

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE KING'S MESSENGER, A STORY OF TREACHERY, BETRAYAL AND LOVE, COMING AUGUST 2024. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Sea and The Vanished Days When a woman brings a small wooden carving into the art dealership, claiming it once belonged to a Russian Empress, Nicola Marter’s boss believes it is worthless. But Nicola has an unwanted, if rare, psychic gift. Holding 'The Firebird' in her hands, she knows this woman is telling the truth. Compelled to uncover its true history, Nicola must put her own past behind her. She contacts an old flame who can access the past in a way no one else can. Together they can find the real story of 'The Firebird'… Following history from Scotland, to Belgium and to St Petersburg, The Firebird is a sweeping story of love, sacrifice, courage and redemption. A journey that spans centuries and lifetimes t

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Book SynopsisFamily secrets never stay buried

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Book Synopsis''Withered Hill is the ultimate nightmare destination'' Laird BarronInsideA year ago Sophie Wickham stumbled into the isolated Lancashire village of Withered Hill, naked, alone and with no memory of who she is.Surrounded by a thick ring of woodland, its inhabitants seem to be of another world, drenched in pagan, folklorish traditions.As Sophie struggles to regain the memories of her life from before, she quickly realises she is a prisoner after multiple failed escape attempts. But is it the locals who keep her trapped, with smiles on their faces, or something else, lurking in the woods?OutsideIn London, Sophie leads a chaotic life, with too many drunken nights, inappropriate men and boring temp jobs. But things take a turn as she starts to be targeted by strange messages warning her that someone, or something, is coming for her.With no idea who to trust, or where to turn for help, the messages become mo

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