Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisRediscover a classic gem with Pamela Hansford Johnson's THIS BED THY CENTRE, the explosive, defining novel about sex in 1930s London.Trade ReviewAs her work reappears, another missing jigsaw piece is replaced * Independent *Witty, satirical and deftly malicious -- Anthony BurgessSharply observed, artfully constructed and always enlivened by the freshness of an imagery that derives from [Johnson's] poetic beginnings * TLS *A remarkable craftswoman -- A.S. Byatt, author of POSSESSIONHansford Johnson at her wittiest is Waugh mingled with Malcolm Bradbury -- Ruth RendellMiss Johnson is one of the most accomplished of the English women writers * Kirkus *A writer whose memory fully deserves to be kept alive -- Jonathan Coe, author of THE HOUSE OF SLEEP

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Trade Review“Spunky, clever Princess Louise is on the case in [Dickinson’s] nifty thriller about an imaginary British royal family.” —The New York Times “A superb stylist, the author evokes empathy for the ruling family, especially HRH and her commoner spouse—righteous, regal, and human as any real-life exponent of the arduous royal life.” —Publishers Weekly “Dickinson is one of the most versatile and inventive writers of mysteries.” —Los Angeles Times “Great fun . . . fast paced and enthralling as a good detective thriller should be but also a study of extraordinary social and psychological perception.” —The New York Times Book Review “Peter Dickinson is wonderful. . . . A book that should win the heart of the stoutest anti-monarchist.” —Financial Times

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Book SynopsisSynopsis coming soon.......Trade Review"Chris Belden's Shriver is as hilarious and smart as Michael Malone's Foolscap, as wise and sympathetic as Stoner. Academic farces don't come any better." -- Richard Russo, Pulitzer-prize winning author of Empire Falls"A send-up of academia and literary pretension, as well as a poignant exploration of writerly insecurity." -- Dani Shapiro, author of Slow Motion and Family History“In Shriver Chris Belden has written a fast-paced, wildly inventive novel that is somehow both hilarious and thought-provoking. In fact, I couldn’t stop wondering when I last read a book so enjoyable.” -- Philip Schultz, Pulitzer-prize winning poet and founder and director of The Writers Studio"A hoot, a farce about mistaken identity set at a writers’ conference where facile poets and pompous novelists declaim, carouse and, possibly, commit murder. In a style somewhere between Evelyn Waugh and Mel Brooks, Belden’s satire lampoons all things literary but also, amazingly, convinces us to care about the fools that these mortals be." -- Alan Davis, author of So Bravely Vegetative and Rumors from the Lost World"Enjoyable...Shriver’s fear of being outed as an impostor rings true for any writer—wannabe or bona fide—who’s ever doubted their abilities." * BookPage *"This picaresque and piquant satire of writers, academics, their quirky characters, and content-lacking conferences is reminiscent of David Lodge’s satiric spins on academe. Darkly comic, Shriver also reminded me of Martin Scorsese’s inversion of The Wizard of Oz in the movie After Hours—the obstacles, the quirky characters, the plot turns and pivots. Despite its ability to laugh at the writing world and its daffy denizens, Shriver nonetheless ultimately affirms the essential importance of the word." -- Joan Connor, author of History Lessons and The World Before Mirrors"A man afflicted with a strange ocular disability and a decidedly quirky response to the smell of books falls prey to a case of mistaken identity (or is it imposter syndrome?) that hauls him well out of his comfort zone, delivering him to a world that is as odd as it is authentic. Chris Belden’s Shriver delivers intrigue, a cast of bizarre characters who are also somehow bizarrely believable, and moments of slapstick comedy that are laugh-out-loud funny—all the while exploring the deeply human need for meaning and connection. Read this book!" -- Elizabeth Hilts, author of Getting In Touch With Your Inner Bitch and Every Freaking! Day with Rachell Ray“Oneof the most fun books I’ve read this year…With a cast of quirkycharacters, funny situations and clever writing, you’ll enjoy Shriver fromstart to finish.” * Red Carpet Crash.com *“Shriver, to bereissued later this month by Touchstone Books, manages to be witty withoutpretense, absurd without hopelessness, a literary romp roiling with characterswho are simple yet evolved, endearing and funny. Best of all, they are fun tobe around.” -- Ben East, blogger at BenOnBooks

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Book SynopsisAn ex-Scotland Yard superintendent is caught up in an international mystery: “The most original crime novelist to appear for a long, long time.” —The Guardian The West Indies island of Hog’s Cay is soon to open for tourism, but the money behind the deal comes from the Mafia, which is ready to turn the island into the next Vegas. And the politicos in charge have given Greek tycoon Thanassi Thanatos the contract. That’s where James Pibble comes in. The former Scotland Yard superintendent has come to Thanatos’s hideaway on the Ionian island of Hyos to protect the Greek tycoon from the Mob, which doesn’t like anyone muscling in on its territory. Rumor has it the crooks are eyeing Hyos for their booming drug-smuggling trade. Throw in British intelligence and a clandestine American operation, and you’ve got an international free-for-all. The mystery deepens when Pibble uncovers a monastery led by Fathers Polydore and Chrysostom, who may be the richest men on the island. And why is an English artist named Nancy living in a primitive hut? The answers may lie in a myth about a lizard called the samimithi, a harbinger of violent death. With superstition and distrust running rampant, Pibble races to stop a conspiracy set in motion by an obsessive love with the power to kill. The Lizard in the Cup is the 5th book in the James Pibble Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.Trade Review“[Dickinson’s] best yet.” —The Times (London) “The most original crime novelist to appear for a long, long time.” —The Guardian “Coruscating.” —Books and Bookmen “Peter Dickinson’s crime novels are streets ahead of others for interest and ingenuity.” —The Sunday Telegraph “The story is, as might be expected from Peter Dickinson, a beautiful and bewildering set of complications taut with breathtaking suspense.” —Louis Untermeyer “Among the authors who can be relied upon to hit the jackpot time and time again Peter Dickinson’s place is secure.” —The Times (London) “Your wits are needed. . . . This study of trust is his best yet.” —The Times (London)

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