Narrative theme: death, grief, loss

Book SynopsisIn 2019, Guvna B and Emma Borquaye had their first child, Ezra. As they began to navigate the word of parenthood, they soon realised the challenge of having to explain the concept of loss to their young son. After the award-winning rapper Guvna B lost his dad unexpectedly in 2017, Guvna B wanted Ezra to know about his grandad, even though he was no longer with them.Where Grandad Lives answers the call to help parents and children discuss grief and loss together. Featuring characters based on Ezra and his friends, Ezra shares that his Grandad lives somewhere really special. When his friend Zadie is unsure she knows where - and when all her ideas of special homes are exhausted - she has to ask Ezra to show her... And Ezra shares what it's like when someone you love lives in your heart: the good, the bad and the hard to explain. Where Grandad Lives is a powerful and important book about losing someone you love.'As we do life with our own son Ezra, we hope we can continue to have conversations with him about the loved ones we've lost. Though this can bring sadness, as well as happiness, we believe it's an important part of keeping their legacies alive and can help children understand more about who they are and the special people who came before them. We hope that this book is a helpful tool as you navigate life, grief and raising little ones. We have a firm hope that one day we will see our loved ones again, but in the meantime, cherishing those memories of Grandad helps to keep him "living in our hearts."' - Guvna B and Emma Borquaye

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Book SynopsisThe young and restless of Yop City just can't seem to catch a break.

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Book SynopsisTHE TIKTOK SENSATION!'This book has everything in it that one could want in a love story... grab a copy and curl up with it for a weekend! You won't be disappointed. The best love story ever!!' Reader review----Joshua Park never expected to be a widower at the age of thirty. Given his solitary job, small circle of friends and family, and the social awkwardness he's always suffered from, he has no idea how to negotiate this new, unwanted phase of life.But Lauren, his wife, had a plan to keep him moving forward. A plan hidden in the letters she leaves him, giving him a task for every month in the year after her death.It's a journey that will take Joshua from his first outing as a widower to buy groceries... to an attempted dinner party that becomes a comic disaster... to finding a new best friend while weeping in the dressing room of a clothing store.As his grief makes room for new friendships and experiences, Joshua learns Lauren's most valuable lesson: the path to happiness doesn't follow a straight line.Funny, sometimes heart-wrenching, and always uplifting, this novel from bestselling author Kristan Higgins illuminates how life's greatest joys are often hiding in plain sight.----Real readers have fallen in love with Pack up the Moon:'Perfect. Get your tissues and ice cream or comfort food of your choice. Absolutely perfect' 5 star reader review'I loved everything about this book!!!! It was so beautifully written' 5 star reader review'I cried throughout the entirety of this book. So emotional and so well written' 5 star reader review'This is the best book I have read so far this year!' 5 star reader review'This book is mesmerizing... couldn't put it down' 5 star reader review

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Book SynopsisA brilliant psychological thriller by bestselling author J.A. Baker...After spending her childhood in care, Eva is desperate to find her birth parents and to get some closure on her difficult past. And so she finishes her relationship with boyfriend Gareth, leaves her home in London, and heads to Whitby in search of the family she has never known.But Eva’s close friend, Celia is worried. Eva has stopped answering her calls and when Celia travels to London to speak to her she realises Eva has moved without telling anyone. Both women have been badly damaged by their childhoods, and Celia makes the decision to follow Eva to Whitby, concerned that Eva is unravelling....Gareth, furious that Eva ended things the way she did also decides to go in search of his missing girlfriend. But it is the start of a lethal situation.But who exactly is Eva and why is Celia so concerned about her friend?Some relationships are toxic. Others are deadly.**Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Valerie Keogh and K.L. Slater.What people are saying about J.A. Baker...**'Superbly written with a cast of crazy characters who will make you look differently at your co-workers from now on.’ Bestselling author Valerie Keogh'Fast-paced, riveting thriller. Gripped until the last page!' Bestselling author Diana Wilkinson'I read this story in a single day. Once you begin, it's difficult to put it down. 5 stars from me!' Bestselling author L.H. Stacey'A twisty, creepy story, expertly told. Perfect for reading on dark winter evenings…with the doors double-locked and bolted. Highly recommended!' Bestselling author Amanda JamesPlease note this book was previously published as Finding Eva

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Book SynopsisHeartbreaking and immersive, this powerful story of the strength of the human spirit will delight fans of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy and Rhys Bowen1944 - When an air raid strikes the hospital she’s been working in, Carrie’s life irrevocably changes. But as a nurse in the middle of wartime, she has no time to grieve, as she has too many people relying on her.For resistance fighter, Vito, nothing is more important than seeking vengeance for the atrocities his fellow comrades have suffered. But when he liberates a convent, finding a group of Jewish children in hiding, he suddenly has even more to fight for.Little Mimi is injured, scared and alone. Together Carrie and Vito vow to find her parents, a loving home. But under the shadow of war, is it wise to make promises you’re not sure you can keep?Praise for Siobhan Daiko'A beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down’ Ann Bennett’I was completely absorbed by … all the characters and intrigue’ Angela Petch

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARA BBC TWO BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK 1628. Embarking on a journey in search of her father, a young girl called Mayken boards the Batavia, the most impressive sea vessel of the age. During the long voyage, this curious and resourceful child must find her place in the ship's busy world, and she soon uncovers shadowy secrets above and below deck. As tensions spiral, the fate of the ship and all on board becomes increasingly uncertain.1989. Gil, a boy mourning the death of his mother, is placed in the care of his irritable and reclusive grandfather. Their home is a shack on a tiny fishing island off the Australian coast, notable only for its reefs and wrecked boats. This is no place for a child struggling with a dark past and Gil's actions soon get him noticed by the wrong people.The Night Ship is an enthralling tale of human brutality, providence and friendship, and of two children, hundreds of years apart, whose fates are inextricably bound together.Trade ReviewLyrical, haunting, a beautiful and elegant fictional interpretation of history, I loved it -- KATE MOSSEMajestic . . . Kidd packs the story with superb characters, high emotion and drama . . . this gripping story ebbs and bobs with surprises from Kidd's sparkling imagination * * Independent * *The ambition and execution of [Jess Kidd's] new book The Night Ship is breathtaking! Sweet and grim, epic and domestic - I loved it . . . readers are in for a treat -- GRAHAM NORTON[A] consistently gripping and impressively constructed novel . . . Kidd builds an immersive visual and olfactory world of the 17th century ship . . . since her first novel Himself [Kidd] has displayed a voracious talent for storytelling . . . [a] marvellous, spirited novel * * Financial Times * *Jess Kidd's extraordinary evocation of a place gruesome with ghosts and the stranglehold of the past is nothing short of brilliant. I loved it -- HANNAH KENTGripping . . . The Night Ship is immersive, vivid and immediate, teeming with sensory detail that could only have come from extensive and diligent research and told in beautifully assured prose * * Irish Times * *Fabulous . . . Beautifully pitched, and told in the present tense, there's a wonderful immediacy to the children's stories as they cope with the harsh reality of their worlds but yearn for the magical and mystical, in this briny, beguiling book * * Daily Mail * *Kidd's writing is beautiful, a seemingly effortless layering of small details to create a vivid sense of place and geography . . . wonderful . . . memorable * * Sunday Independent * *I absolutely loved it . . . Fantastic -- STEPHEN MANGANCompelling . . . [Possesses] great energy and originality * * Sunday Times, Historical Fiction Book of the Month * *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER, JUNE 2021''Annie Macmanus is a writer whose understanding and capturing of human nature comes as easily to her as breathing'' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS''A work of gilded melancholy that is going to take everyone by surprise'' UNA MULLALLY''Macmanus writes with flair and confidence rarely seen in a debut'' SINÉAD GLEESONOne Saturday morning, TJ McConnell wakes up to find his mother, Mary, gone. He doesn''t know where - or why - but he''s the only one who can help find her.Mary grew up longing for information about the mother she never knew. Her brother could barely remember her, and their father numbed his pain with drink.Now aged thirty-seven, Mary has lived in the same house her whole life. She''s never left Belfast. TJ, who''s about to turn eighteen, is itching to see more of the world.But when his mother disappears, TJ begins to realise what hTrade ReviewPrepare to fall in love with Mary, to want to reach right into the pages and hold her as a child and help her as an adult. MOTHER MOTHER is a brilliant book that takes you with it on a journey of struggle, friendship and forgiveness that explores the brutal legacy of addiction and the consequences of a deep grief left to stagnate -- Sara Cox, broadcaster and author of TILL THE COWS COME HOMEI loved it. Annie Macmanus is writer whose understanding and capturing of human nature comes as easily to her as breathing -- Candice Carty-Williams, author of QUEENIEMacmanus' immersive novel reminds us that the minutiae of daily struggles are always worth homing in on. Her meditative, considered writing constantly pulls us towards the messy experience of life itself, where there is hope to be found in the grind of intergenerational trauma, and beauty amongst the brokenness. This is a work of gilded melancholy that is going to take everyone by surprise -- Una Mullally, journalist and broadcasterA hugely entertaining and emotional story about intergenerational loss and love, trauma and acceptance. Macmanus writes with flair and confidence rarely seen in a debut -- Sinéad Gleeson, author of CONSTELLATIONSI adored it. I loved the characters and stories, and I became completely immersed in that world. It's so beautifully written... Moving and brilliant -- Emily Eavis, co-author of GLASTONBURY 50A brave and occasionally heartbreaking portrait of a family falling apart and the woman who's been holding them all together for far too long. Macmanus' debut novel is assured, evocative and, like her characters, full of gentle strength -- Jan Carson, author of THE FIRE STARTERSSuperb... [Macmanus is] brilliant at voice and motivation and the (historic and emotional) passage of time; at making households so vivid you know their smell. Can't recommend enough -- Laura Snapes, journalistI loved this book and felt powerfully connected to every character I met within its pages. Tender and deeply felt, it's a beautiful portrayal of the pain and beauty of normal life, told in hauntingly lyrical prose. Poignant and beautifully observed, it was a novel that stayed with me a long time, reminding me again and again of the secrets hidden within the most seemingly normal lives, and the awe-inspiring power and resilience of women everywhere -- Clover Stroud, author of MY WILD AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS'A brilliant debut novel from an exciting new voice in literature . . . Macmanus makes weaving a decades-spanning, multiple- perspective narrative look easy in this highly accomplished debut' * Sunday Business Post *Melancholy, beautifully unadorned prose * Mail on Sunday *A study of grief, addiction and what it means to be a mother * Stylist Magazine *An incredible debut * Daily Mirror *A page-turning exploration of grief, addiction, young motherhood and unbreakable family ties * British Vogue *MOTHER MOTHER is a tender, surprising, occasionally bleak, moving and delicate book * The Irish Times *Unflinching and unsparing but also beautifully written * Daily Mail *Macmanus writes with flair and confidence rarely seen in a debut * The New European *Written with a poet's ear for language * Waitrose Weekend *

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Book SynopsisThe winner of multiple Eisner Awards, author Taiyo Matsumoto explores the relationships between a manga editor, manga creators, art, and the rhythm of life these days.After 30 years as a manga editor, Kazuo Shiozawa suddenly quits. Although he feels early retirement is the only way to atone for his failures as an editor, the manga world isn’t done with him. Believing in the future of manga while never forgetting its past, Shiozawa accompanies manga creators once again through their agony to create an ultimate manga project. Is there ever joy in creation?

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Book SynopsisThe son of one of the greatest writers of our timeNobel Prize winner and internationally best-selling icon Gabriel García Márquezremembers his beloved father and mother in this tender memoir about love and loss.I find myself remembering that my father used to say that everyone has three lives: the public, the private, and the secret.On a weekday morning in March 2014, Gabriel García Márquez, one of the most acclaimed writers of the twentieth century, came down with a cold.In this intimate and honest account on grief and death, Rodrigo Garcia not only contemplates his father's mortality and remarkable humanity, but also his mother's tremendous charm and tenderness. Mercedes Barcha, Gabo's constant companion and creative muse, was one of the foremost influences on his life and art.A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes is a revelatory portrait of a family coping with loss and a rich depiction of a son's love.Trade Review‘a powerfully written memoir…García Márquez maintained that his novels were inspired not by magic but by reality. His son’s memoir shows that, when it comes to his father’s life, it is impossible to separate the two.’ Daniel Rey, Spectator ‘Rodrigo Garcia finds the words that cannot be said, the moments that signal all that is possible to know about the passage from life to death, from what love brings and the loss it leaves. With details as rich as any giant biography, you will find yourself grieving as you read, grateful for the profound art that remains a part of our cultural heritage’ Walter Mosley, New York Times bestselling author of Down the River Unto the Sea ‘You read this short memoir with a feeling of deep gratitude. Yes, it is a moving homage by a son to his extraordinary parents, but also much more: it is a revelation of the hidden corners of a fascinating life. A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes is generous, unsentimental and wise.’–Juan Gabriel Vásquez, author of The Sound of Things Falling ‘Garcia’s limpid prose gazes calmly at death, registering pain but not being overcome by it … the result is a moving eulogy that will captivate fans of the literary lion’ Publishers Weekly “A warm homage filled with both fond and painful memories.” Kirkus ‘This is a beautiful farewell to two extraordinary people. It enthralled and moved me, and it will move and enthrall anyone who has ever entered the glorious literary world of Gabriel García Márquez’ Salman Rushdie

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Book Synopsis Following the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man, who made his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy no. 15, published in August 1962, comes the web-slinger’s iconic first appearances as they have never been seen before This handsome book is perfect for both lifelong fans and the latest generation of Marvel enthusiasts, and is a must-have for every comic book collection. Spider-Man first swung onto the comic book pages in August 1962 with the publication of Amazing Fantasy no. 15, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and with cover art by Jack Kirby. Sixty years after the comic’s publication, award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd reimagines the iconic first story also told in The Amazing Spider-Man no. 1 from March 1963 using original vintage copies of both comic books to present these classic tales in a whole new way. The book also includes text by Chip Kidd, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, historian Peter Sander

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Book Synopsis When a young woman faces unimaginable heartache, she vows to make a difference... A moving saga of anguish, hope and never-ceasing fortitude, The Empty Cradle is a spell-binding and unforgettable tale from bestselling author of No One''s Girl, Mothering Sunday and The Little Angel, Rosie Goodwin. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.''Goodwin uses her deft touch, natural warmth and superb storytelling skills in a spellbinding story of love, loss and redemption'' - Lancashire Evening PostTo the outside world, Charlotte is the privileged daughter of the local vicar. Behind closed doors, however, she is the prisoner of her controlling father. As she grows up, Charlotte longs for freedom, but her captivating innocence leads her into trouble. Sent to Ireland to hide a shameful pregnancy, she discovers that once again her father has deceived her. She is forced into a convent''s harsh and humiliaTrade ReviewPraise for Rosie's first novel, THE BAD APPLE: 'Rosie Goodwin is a born storyteller - she'll make you cry, she'll make you laugh, but most of all you'll care for her characters and lose yourself in her story. An author destined for the top * Jeannie Johnson, author of THE REST OF OUR DAYS *Rosie deserves all her success. She is a talented storyteller and will go all the way to the top * Dee Williams *The tearjerker of the season...[a] heart-rending tale * Western Mail *A promising and well-drawn debut * Lancashire Evening Post *A good tearjerker...compelling * Reading Evening Post *A gifted writer... Not only is Goodwin's characterisation and dialogue compelling, but her descriptive writing is a joy * Nottingham Evening Post *A heart-throbber of a story from Goodwin that puts many other so-called emotional blockbusters in the shade * Northern Echo *Goodwin is a fabulous writer...she reels the reader in surprisingly quickly and her style involves lots of twists and turns that are in no way predictable * Worcester Evening News *A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisA classic story of finding love and creating family.Robin Masterson and her ten-year-old son, Jeff, have finally moved to their dream home. Now that they have their very own backyard, Jeff thinks he needs a dog more than anything in the world - and there just happens to be one right next door! But the friendly black Lab belongs to Cole Camden, the unfriendliest man in the neighborhood.Cole hasn''t always been so solitary, so aloof. The deaths of his wife and son have embittered him, something Robin can understand. Her own much-loved husband died when Jeff was just a baby.Still, Jeff persists . . .and soon his mom and Cole are looking at each other in a whole new way.This is a first-time regular print hardcover edition of a title previously available as a mass market paperback.

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Book SynopsisWhen her beloved grandmother is hospitalised, Jennifer returns to the lakeside home where she spent a magical childhood. There she finds a package of letters addressed to her that tell of passion, intrigue and desire. This is the real tale of her grandmother''s life. It''s a shocking family secret, concealed for decades, and the most moving love story Jennifer has ever heard.Then comes the biggest surprise of all. Jennifer lets her guard down for a moment and is overcome by exhilarating new emotions. It might come with an unbearable cost - but her grandmother''s letters make Jennifer think that love may help her find a way.Trade Review'The novel's structure works brilliantly, with Patterson as usual using brief chapters and simple prose to propel the reader onward... [A tale] that few if any will put down as Patterson again shows how it is done' Publishers Weekly, 7/6/04 * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2017 Edgar Award for Best NovelSelected by The Sunday Times as one of the top page-turners of summer 2017FROM THE CREATOR OF THE AWARD WINNING FARGO AND LEGION TV SERIES''Hawley''s sublime prose glows on every page in this literary thriller of the highest quality'' Daily MailTHE RICH ARE DIFFERENT. BUT FATE IS BLIND.A private jet plunges into the sea.The only survivors are down-on his luck artist Scott Burroughs and JJ Bateman, the four year old son of a super-rich TV executive.For saving the boy, Scott is suddenly a hero.And then, as the official investigation is rapidly overtaken by a media frenzy, it seems he may also be a villain. Why was he on the plane in the first place, and why did it crash?Trade ReviewHigh-class entertainment. -- John Williams * Mail on Sunday *As a pacey whodunit...this is the perfect summer read. * The Times *This is one of the year's best suspense novels, a mesmerizing, surprise-jammed mystery that works purely on its own, character-driven terms...Mr. Hawley has made it very, very easy to race through his book in a state of breathless suspense. * New York Times *I started and finished Before the Fall in one day. That begins to tell you what kind of smart, compellingly dramatic read it is. So read it. -- James PattersonThere are some books...that stay with you long after you've read them. The characters are so real and because of this their fates matter. Before The Fall by Noah Hawley is one of these books. * Irish Independent *Before the Fall is an astonishing, character-driven tour-de-force. The story is a multi-layered, immersive examination of truth, relationships, and our unquenchable thirst for the media's immediate explanation of unfathomable tragedy. -- Karin SlaughterAn addictive thriller whose thematic richness is reminiscent of Franzen. * The Sunday Times *A searingly told, multi-layered portrait of celebrity in the modern world with a tantalising mystery at its heart...Hawley's sublime prose glows on every page in this literary thriller of the highest quality, which never loses its grip. * Daily Mail *Hawley combines a thriller's tight structure and addictive narrative with characterisation and thematic richness reminiscent of Jonathan Franzen * The Sunday Times, Pick of the Paperbacks *[A] Literary thriller of genius. -- India Knight

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Book SynopsisTelling the story of the week following a fateful train journey, One Moment, One Morning by Sarah Rayner is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family and - above all - friendship. A stark reminder that, sometimes, one moment is all it takes . . .The Brighton to London line. The 07:44 train. Carriages packed with commuters. Then, abruptly, everything changes: a man has a heart attack, and can't be resuscitated; the train is stopped, an ambulance called. For at least three passengers on the 07:44 on that particular morning, life will never be the same again. Lou witnesses the man's final moments. Lou and Anna share a cab when they realize the train is going nowhere fast. Anna is Karen's best friend. And Karen? Karen's husband is the man who dies . . .

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Book SynopsisGory, brutal, devastating, utterly addictive and yet so finely written. This deserves to be huge and I think it will be. His best yet' Louise BeechThey were the perfect family. It was the perfect crime.The new gripping DCI Matilda Darke crime thriller about the dark secrets that lie within a perfect family. For fans of Patricia Gibney and Angela Marsons.It's the most disturbing crime scene DCI Matilda Darke has ever seenThe morning after a wedding reception at a beautiful suburban home in Sheffield, the bride's entire family are stabbed to death in a frenzied attack more violent than anything DCI Matilda Darke could have imagined.Forensics point to a burglar on the run across the country. But cracks are starting to appear in Matilda's team, someone is playing games with the evidence and the killer might be closer to home than they thoughtPraise for The Murder House:Matilda Darke is Sheffield's answer to Northumberland's Vera and Wood's stories are up there with the best. Fast-paced,Trade ReviewPraise for The Murder House: ‘Wood has created a fantastic lead character for his gritty South Yorkshire police procedurals. Matilda Darke is Sheffield’s answer to Northumberland’s Vera and Wood’s stories are up there with the best. Fast-paced, crisp writing and a thoroughly enjoyable read’ David Young Praise for Michael Wood: ‘A tense, nail-biting story with a truly twisted ending’ Katerina Diamond ‘Watch out for those twists – you won't see them coming!’ Stephen Booth ‘A gritty and atmospheric thriller with more twists and turns than a hangman's knot. I loved it’ Matt Hilton ‘Solid storytelling and great unravelling of plot. Michael Wood ups the pace as the noose tightens’ Rachel Sargeant ‘Taut, twisting and sharp as a blade, The Hangman’s Hold wrong-footed me at every, devious turn’ Chris Whitaker 'Wood hit the ground running with For Reasons Unknown, first in the DCI Matilda Darke series. In the fourth instalment, The Hangman's Hold, he picks up the pace again with a twisting plot that races to a nail-biting finish’ Chris Simms ‘Bites into you like the rough twine of a hangman’s noose and refuses to let go. Tautly plotted, brilliantly realised, this is further proof that Michael Wood is only going to get better and better. The Hangman’s Hold is going to be big…’ Neil Broadfoot ‘You can count on Michael Wood to deliver a deliciously twisted and intriguing plot, leading to a surprise ending by a likeable and very real protagonist, Matilda Darke’ Yrsa Sigurdardottir ‘She is the perfect heroine’ Elly Griffiths ‘A pitch-black concept, tightly delivered and played at exhilarating pace’ Paul Finch ‘Crackling dialogue, dark wit and an exciting ending. Recommended if you liked Happy Valley’ Mark Edwards ‘DCI Matilda Darke is going places’ James Oswald ‘A compelling, addictive read, it’s hard to put down. I really enjoyed getting to know DCI Matilda Darke. She's strong character with real depth’ Robert Bryndza

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Book SynopsisA powerful new novel about grief and mourning from the acclaimed and prize-winning author of The Old DriftA BARACK OBAMA BOOK OF THE YEAR and NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARI don't want to tell you what happened. I want to tell you how it felt.Cassandra is twelve; her little brother Wayne is seven. One day, when they're alone together, there's an accident and Wayne is lost forever. Though his body is never recovered, their mother can't stop searching.As Cassandra grows older, she sees her brother everywhere: in cafes, aeroplane aisles, subway cars. But it can't be, of course. Or can it? And then one day, there's another accident, and she meets a man both mysterious and familiar, a man who shares her brother's name and who is also searching for someone...'In Namwali Serpell's hands, grief is a kind of possession. The Furrows is a piercing, sharply written novel about the conjuring power of loss' - RAVEN LEILANI, author of LusterTrade ReviewSerpell is a terrific destabiliser, even at the level of the sentence... There are no tidy moral lessons at the end of her dissonant and time-contorting fable - no bones to bury, no truth to pin, no mysteries solved - only the inescapable rhythms of loss -- Beejay Silcox * The Guardian *A masterfully intelligent and many-sided book * The Telegraph *The Furrows...confirms Serpell's place as one of the most innovative and intelligent writers today * Financial Times *In Namwali Serpell's hands, grief is a kind of possession. The Furrows is a piercing, sharply written novel about the conjuring power of loss -- Raven Leilani, author of LusterMasterful: a blend of self-knowing, sincere and spry... Serpell's sentences are unhurried, yet detailed, smart and brisk * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'I didn't want this book to end... Beautiful' DAISY JOHNSON'A natural storyteller' PATRICK GALE'A gorgeous folkloric novel of water and love' ZOE GILBERT London, 1985. Joe, father to eleven-year-old Matty, has disappeared, and nobody will explain where he's gone, or why.In the long, hot summer that follows, Matty's hunt for Joe leads to the ponds at Hampstead Heath. Beneath the water, there is a new kind of freedom. Above the water, a welcoming community of men offer refuge from an increasingly rocky home life.Fourteen years later, a new revelation sees Matty set off alone in a campervan, driving westwards through Ireland, swimming its wild loughs and following the scant clues left behind about Joe. The trip takes a dangerous turn, and Matty is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. But safety comes at a price, and with desire and fear running high, the journey turns into an explosive, heart-rending reckoning with the past.*A 'BOOKS OF 2021' PICK IN i NEWSPAPER*'Artfully paced, with queer undercurrents, this novel is tender and totally enveloping' AttitudeTrade ReviewA gorgeous folkloric novel of water and love... You should read this and you should also read Kerry's Swansong. It's a rare thing to see folklore woven into beautiful, tender human reality with such delicacy and skills -- Zoe Gilbert, author of Folk and Mischief ActsKerry Andrew is that rare thing, a natural storyteller with one of those quietly confident voices that takes you by the cuff and leads you down unexpected passages. In the finest tradition of quest tales, Skin's protagonist sets out in search of one thing and ends by discovering quite another and both they and the reader grow a little as a result -- Patrick GaleAndrew's wonderful second novel is the deeply involving story of a difficult childhood, a search for a long-missing parent, how we view our bodies and the secrets we keep even from those who know us best. -- 75 Books for 2021 * i Newspaper *A sweeping coming-of-age narrative whose on-point themes of gender and sexuality are embedded in evocative descriptions of London during the 1980s, and of boomtime Ireland a decade later * Mail Online *This evocative and sensitive tale is grounded by the authentic complexity of its characters... Inspired. -- Stephanie Cross * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWhen sweet, healthy hearty Holly Fox dies suddenly in childbirth, the Surrey village whose pearl she was reverberates with shock. She leaves behind her a helpless, silent husband, and a tiny daughter, Faith. Everyone assumes Holly''s loving and capable mother Thomasina will look after Faith, but when she unaccountably deserts her newborn grandchild, the baby must be packed off to her father''s peculiar family in the North - ''the very strangest people you ever saw my dear''.With wisdom, generosity, and understanding, Jane Gardam takes as her subject the English heart in all its eccentric variety. FAITH FOX sheds a clear, true light on the pain of bereavement whilst always offering the joyous possibility of a new beginning.Trade ReviewFAITH FOX has quite as sharp a take on modern times as Trainspotting ... if you're too hip for Jane Gardam, then you're too hip * NEW STATESMAN *Funny & admirable ... she writes with a dark & buoyant energy which continually challenges & provokes * THE TIMES *Dazzling ... Funny, bleak & full of wisdom, it's a complete delight * MARIE CLAIRE *Terribly funny & clever ... the best thing she's done * Victoria Wood *She does fiction as it should be done, with confidence and insight -- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie * Observer *

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Book SynopsisReminiscent of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects Christina Kaye, award-winning author of Presumed DeadNow a USA Today besteller!A twenty-year-old local mystery that has never been solved.A bone-chilling VHS tape depicting a horrific crime.Neighbors with something to hide.And a sister who is missing.Emily has to find out the truth. But is her sister Madeline the victimor the one to blame?A creepy and chilling thriller that you won't be able to put down. MY SISTER IS MISSING is the most gripping read of 2019. Readers can't get enough of this book:An unnerving, creepy, hair-raising novel, one that will have readers sleeping with one eye open' David Bell, USA Today bestselling author of LAYOVERLynch has a knack for storytelling that not only captivates, but leaves one aching for the next page' Bradon Nave, USA Today bestselling authorA craftsman of the novel world. This book is a fine example of why reading is the perfect form of escapism. Edge of your seat thriller action' 5* Karen Whittard, Trade Review“Reminiscent of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects, MY SISTER IS MISSING is a beautifully haunting story that dives beneath the surface and tackles tough issues, all while weaving together a compelling tale of the disappearance of a loved one and returning home to face one’s demons." Christina Kaye, award-winning author of PRESUMED DEAD "Carissa Lynch's MY SISTER IS MISSING is the best kind of thriller. It peels back the layers of our everyday world and shows us the frightening truth beneath the surface. This is an unnerving, creepy, hair-raising novel, one that will have readers sleeping with one eye open and carefully watching their backs."–David Bell, USA Today bestselling author of LAYOVER ‘A craftsman of the novel world. This book is a fine example of why reading is the perfect form of escapism. Edge of your seat thriller action’ 5* Karen Whittard, Netgalley ‘Had me on the edge of my seat’ 5* Tracy Cavanah, Netgalley ‘The most gripping novel with the perfect amount of mystery and thrill…the ending is great!’ 5* Cloud of Thoughts Blog ‘A well-written, fast-paced thriller that is packed full of twists and turns, mystery and suspense. I was hooked from the very first page … Worth far more than five stars’ Nicki’s Life of Crime Blog ‘Takes a heavily used plot line and puts a fresh spin on it’ Rosemary Smith, Netgalley

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Book SynopsisEnthralling from the first page to the last. Devoured in one sitting. Noelle Holten has become one of my must-read authors' Angela Marsons, bestselling author of the Detective Kim Stone seriesPsychopaths can take root in the unlikeliest soilDC Maggie Jamieson crosses paths once again with Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood when a domestic violence survivor stumbles into her new refuge, unable to speak, desperate for help.Then another case hits Maggie's desk. A young man has been murdered, and a curious constellation of black dots has been inked onto his cheek.That's when DCI Hastings goes missing and Maggie uncovers a shocking connection that turns the case on its head.Every family may hide secrets, but not every family buries themTrade ReviewPraise for Noelle Holten: ‘An excellent read’ Martina Cole 'A brilliant debut – gritty, dark and chilling. Noelle Holten knows her stuff’ Mel Sherratt ‘Dark and gritty and kept me hooked until the very end. A Fantastic debut!’ Casey Kelleher ‘A hard-hitting, impressively authentic crime fiction debut … nuanced, highly readable, page turning, a definite cut above the rest. I urge you to read this book’ Howard Linskey ‘Extremely powerful, incredibly thought provoking and ringing with authenticity, this is an excellent debut’ M. W. Craven, author of the Washington Poe series ‘Noelle has conjured up a real page-turner here. The author's experience with damaged and damaging people really shines through bringing a great deal of grit to the drama. Add in some fascinating characters, relentless pace and a strong story and you have a winner on your hands’ Michael J Malone

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Book SynopsisA gripping new page-turning thriller from the USA Today bestseller!Best friend. Teenager. Murderer.A young girl found dead in a neighbor's field.A fourteen-year-old who confesses.Just a child herself, could Chrissy Cornwall really be a cold-blooded killer?Years later, the murderer is getting out and Natalie Bryers, unable to forget the night of Jenny's murder, still has questions.Did Chrissy lie then or is she lying now? Did she really kill Jenny? And if so, will she kill again?Readers can't get enough of SHE LIED SHE DIED:Literally blew me away A fantastic five stars and a MUST READ!!!!' PeggyWow. What on earth did I just read?! This book was OOZING with lies, and the ending was so full of twists my head spun' NatalieIt isn't very often that I get 3/4 of the way through a book and think OMG, WTH, but this book left me unable to set it down until I finished the very last page' MeredithWow great book I loved the way she writes' JudyCreepy and dark and very very good' JulieI couldn't putTrade Review“Reminiscent of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects, MY SISTER IS MISSING is a beautifully haunting story that dives beneath the surface and tackles tough issues, all while weaving together a compelling tale of the disappearance of a loved one and returning home to face one’s demons." Christina Kaye, award-winning author of PRESUMED DEAD ‘A craftsman of the novel world. This book is a fine example of why reading is the perfect form of escapism. Edge of your seat thriller action’ 5* Karen Whittard, Netgalley ‘Had me on the edge of my seat’ 5* Tracy Cavanah, Netgalley ‘The most gripping novel with the perfect amount of mystery and thrill…the ending is great!’ 5* Cloud of Thoughts Blog ‘A well-written, fast-paced thriller that is packed full of twists and turns, mystery and suspense. I was hooked from the very first page … Worth far more than five stars’ Nicki’s Life of Crime Blog ‘Takes a heavily used plot line and puts a fresh spin on it’ Rosemary Smith, Netgalley

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Book SynopsisWHAT DID I JUST READWhat a jaw dropping twist!' Reader Review, ?????Her child is missing. And she'd do anything to find herEvery Friday Mercy Hamilton goes to the same supermarket. She doesn't go to buy groceries, instead, she shows a fading photo of a little girl to anyone who'll look begging for help to find her daughter.One Friday, Erica Fielding comes across Mercy, and touched by her story, Erica agrees to help.As Erica is drawn deeper and deeper into Mercy's life, she discovers there is no record of Mercy's daughter. In fact, there's no record of a child at all.But who is the girl in the photo if not Mercy's missing daughter? And what danger will Erica find herself in by pursuing the truth?The pulse pounding psychological thriller that will leave you totally breathless. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena.Readers LOVE Sam Carrington:''YES SAM CARRINGTON, YES. This is how you write a thriller I read this in one three-hour sitting and I regret nothing.'' GooTrade Review PRAISE FOR SAM CARRINGTON The Girl in the Photo is an absolute page-turner. Erica and Mercy's stories stayed with me a long time after finishing this book. My favourite of Carrington's yet. Brilliant.Elisabeth Carpenter, author of The Family on Smith Street ‘Another belter from Sam Carrington. Beautifully written. Cleverly constructed… I couldn’t put it down.’ Amanda Robson, Sunday Times bestselling author ‘A claustrophobic, creepy tale of secrets, betrayal and deceit. Well-written and well-plotted. Very well done!’ Diane Jeffrey ‘Lacing everyday life with menace is Sam Carrington’s greatest strength as a storyteller.’ The Times ‘The premise grabbed me right away and the novel itself didn’t disappoint!… A creepy, compelling read, full of twists and turns with well-drawn, unreliable characters that kept me guessing!’ Sarah Pearse ‘A pacy read, packed with surprises. Will keep you on your toes.’ Jane Corry ‘I devoured this story in one sitting’ Louise Jensen ‘Expertly written … with plentiful twists and unforgettable characters.’ Caroline Mitchell ‘Keeps you guessing right to the end' Sue Fortin ‘A kick-ass page turner … I was knocked senseless by the awesome twist.’ John Marrs ‘A gripping read which moved at a head-spinning pace … I simply couldn't put this book down until I reached the dramatic and devastating conclusion.’ Claire Allan ‘Engrossing psychological suspense… Sam Carrington had me hooked!’ Emma Curtis ‘Utterly original and thought provoking … This cries out to be made into a TV series.’ Amanda Robson Psychologist Connie Summers is a fascinatingly flesh-and-blood guide through this twisty thriller.' Louise Candlish ‘Tense, convincing … kept me guessing’ Caz Frear ‘A claustrophobic psychological thriller that had me double checking my doors and windows were locked!’ Vicki Bradley

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Book SynopsisThe brand new thriller from USA Today bestselling author, Carissa Ann Lynch. Perfect for fans of John Hart, Jane Harper and Shirley Jackson. Incredibly powerful, riveting and emotionally charged, this thriller will stay with you long after the last page is turned'Ellie MidwoodBehind every family is a story.But some stories are darker than others.Norah Campbell was an addict. The loss of her fiancé drove her to despair; she lost custody of her daughter, Gemma, and control of her life.Now Norah is in recovery and she wants Gemma back. But to do so she must move in with her eccentric aunt and uncle, and they refuse to give up control without a fight. When strange occurrences keep happening at the farm and Norah makes a gruesome discovery, she soon realises she's living with a monster.As her mental health spirals out of control and she is tempted to relapse, she begins to wonder if she is also a monster.This is a novel about addiction and recovery, and the strength of a mother who must fig

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Book Synopsis''Seated at a café table, in the syrupy warmth of out-of-season Nice, he reviewed his life and found it to be alarmingly empty.''George Bland had planned to spend his retirement in leisurely travel and modest entertainment with his friend Putnam. When Putnam dies George is left attempting to impose some purpose on the solitary end of his life. Then Katy Gibb appears as a temporary resident, perhaps even squatter, in a neighbouring apartment. Greedy, selfish, sometimes alluring, often manipulative, Katy exerts a strange influence on George, forcing him to recognize that his own careful, fastidious life has shown a distinct lack of passion and daring. As the realization takes hold, George must decide how much - or how little - he can do to transform the status quo.Trade ReviewA beautiful book that one is impelled to read at one sitting * Evening Standard *Anita Brookner is our Henry James. She is as subtle as James at conveying emotional nuances by what is left unsaid, and by indirections finding directions out. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''DO NOT OPEN - DESTROY.''The words on the envelope he has found are written in Kath''s hand, but Glyn ignores his wife''s instruction and breaks the seal. His life unwinds. For he finds a photograph showing Kath holding hands with another man. Unable to forget this long-ago act of betrayal he recklessly excavates the past, seeking out who knew what, tearing apart other lives as he tries to dig up the roots of his wife''s infidelity. But what is the truth about Kath? What is the truth about their love? And can it survive this?''Remarkable'' Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisA major US debut novel in 2019Shortlisted for the Centre for Fiction First Novel PrizeA New York Times Book Review Editors'' ChoiceIn Chia-Chia Lin''s piercing debut novel, The Unpassing, we meet a Taiwanese immigrant family of six struggling to make ends meet on the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska. The father, hardworking but beaten down, is employed as a plumber and contractor, while the loving, strong-willed, unpredictably emotional mother holds the house together. When ten-year-old Gavin contracts meningitis at school, he falls into a deep, nearly fatal coma. He wakes a week later to learn that his younger sister, Ruby, was infected too. She did not survive.Routine takes over for the grieving family, with the siblings caring for one another as they befriend the neighbouring children and explore the surrounding woods, while distance grows between the parents as each deals with the loss alone. When the father, increTrade ReviewLike the landscape it inhabits, this brilliant novel is composed of equal parts mystery, menace, and ravishment. It's difficult to think of another recent book in which emotion mounts so steadily and inexorably, nearly imperceptibly, until the last pages arrive with almost unbearable force. Chia-Chia Lin is among the best new writers I've read in years -- Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to YouThe Unpassing is a breathtaking novel, full of characters as strong and as wild as the Alaskan landscape they inhabit. Sentence after gorgeous sentence, I was pulled into their eery and beautiful world. Chia-Chia Lin is a remarkable writer -- Yaa Gyasi, author of HomegoingIn this spare, deeply felt debut novel, Lin resists received wisdom about the American Dream to craft a family saga about the difficulty of grieving far from home * Esquire *A singularly vast and captivating novel, beautifully written in free-flowing prose that quietly disarms with its intermittent moments of poetic idiosyncrasy. But what makes Lin's novel such an important book is the extent to which it probes America's myth-making about itself, which can just as easily unmake as it can uplift * New York Times Book Review *I can't stop thinking about The Unpassing. Chia-Chia Lin captures the strangeness and beauty of childhood better than any writer in recent memory, and she is a brilliant observer of physical and emotional landscapes. Readers should be excited: this debut novel, a true work of art, displays the kind of clear and uniquely-angled vision that announces the beginning of a remarkable career -- Jamel Brinkley, author of A Lucky ManLin's attention to detail is startling, and though she keeps close to Gavin's childhood experience, she also allows us to read between the lines and intuit the depth of the family's grief, financial straits and fear of belittlement from their white neighbors and colleagues. Anyone who has ever grieved - be it the loss of a person, home, country or security - will feel a sense of recognition. The Unpassing is a remarkable, unflinching debut * Washington Post *An arresting portrait of an immigrant family's pivotal moment of crisis . . . a nuanced portrayal of the American frontier . . . Lin's spare, lyric prose sets an elemental stage, a place indifferent to human suffering, cycling through life and death on a larger scale . . . The Unpassing is a powerful debut from an author to watch * San Francisco Chronicle *[A] grim, breathtakingly beautiful debut novel . . . Lin excels when she gets small, with finely observed renderings of the family's surroundings . . . The way this chilling, captivating book concludes will delight as much as it challenges, offering as it does a blend of escape, tragedy, triumph, loss and what we've expected all along * Los Angeles Times *Harrowing . . . In lyrical, intimate prose, Lin reveals the harsh realities of working class life in 1980s Alaska and the failed promises of the American dream * Wall Street Journal Magazine *Stunning . . . With powerful and poetic prose, Lin captures the uncertainty and insight of childhood . . . Lin's majestic writing immerses the reader in the bodily experiences of her characters, who writhe, paw, dig, salivate, and draw readers into their world * Booklist (starred review) *A terrifying bout of meningitis takes the life of a little girl but spares her older brother, leaving their Taiwanese-American immigrant family reeling in 1980s Alaska, navigating heartbreak and uncertainty in an unfamiliar world * TIME (Best books of 2019) *Graceful and precise * TIME *A striking debut by an unforgettable new voice * Cosmopolitan *Chia-Chia Lin's The Unpassing is a searing, open wound of a book, marvelously alive and, quite simply, remarkable. Traversing the oftentimes brutal frontier of an isolated family living in an isolated environment, I can't think of another novel as of late that relentlessly tackles headlong our deepest struggles for a sense of place, of home, and belonging. How do we push through grief? How do we find peace with not only our loved ones but ourselves? What sacrifices must we endure for friendship and connection? This is a story for our times. And a story unlike any other -- Paul Yoon, author of The MountainIt's hard to believe that The Unpassing is a debut novel, so confident and pitch-perfect is Chia-Chia Lin's portrayal of animmigrant Taiwanese family trying to settle into their new Alaskan life. Lin conjures up a compelling mystery - a young daughter's sudden fatal illness - via a cast of quirky protagonists so believable and enchanting that they dance around the page from the first chapter. Debuts often suffer from being over-written, busy with too many unnecessary adjectives, too much exposition. Lin's novel has none of these traits; whether through constant discipline or sheer talent, the graceful sentences flow, the characters grow. Delightful notions arise without a hint of enforcement or sentimentality * Big Issue *Lin is a superb chronicler of the Alaska landscape and its '19-hour nights' and 'ghost forests', where spruce 'had guzzled salt water and died. Decades later, the silvery skeletons of those trees still stood'.This stark backdrop mirrors the immigrant experience of isolation. This is powerful family saga, written in lyrical prose * Spectator *A stormy, beautiful story about loss and isolation and family that resonated deeply -- C Pam Zhang * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis''A richly emotional portrait of a family that had me spellbound from page one'' Cheryl Strayed, bestselling author of WildThe night before Janie''s sister, Hannah, is born, her grandmother tells her a story: Since the Japanese occupation of Korea, their family has lost a daughter in every generation, and Janie is told to keep Hannah safe. Years later, when Hannah cuts all ties and disappears, Janie goes to find her. It is the start of a journey that will force her to confront her family''s painful silence, the truth behind her parents'' sudden move to America twenty years earlier, and her own conflicted feelings toward Hannah.Weaving Korean folklore with a modern narrative of immigration and identity, Forgotten Country is a gripping story of a family struggling to find its way out of silence and back to one another.Trade ReviewIn Forgotten Country, Catherine Chung tells an inexpressibly beautiful story about a Korean family with a complex history... The story builds quietly, meticulously, and Chung does a masterful job of weaving the past with the present, incorporating mythology and memory in ways that both captivate and haunt * Roxane Gay, at The Rumpus *Luminous and surprising.... Chung brings a gentle, special gravity to this Korean family's tale of endurance... Forgotten Country is an impressive, memorable debut * San Francisco Chronicle *In her gorgeous debut, Chung offers a heartbreaking story about sisters, family, and keeping traditions alive * People magazine *Catherine Chung's wonderful first novel is a moving and deeply personal story of a family caught between two very different countries and very different lives * Alison Lurie *It is a rare novel - debut or otherwise - that can sing at once with such tenderness and ferocity, with such intense feeling and exquisite restraint. Forgotten Country is just that book, poetically crafted, shimmering with hard-won emotion, and wholly absorbing. A superb performance * Chang-rae Lee *A heartbreaking debut novel that will leave you quietly shattered in its wake. Forgotten Country is an exquisitely rendered account of a Korean immigrant family divided by two sisters, two countries and a curse that spans generations. Catherine Chung has written a haunting meditation on family loyalty and the lingering legacy of war * Julie Otsuka, author of The Buddha in the Attic *Chung delves with aching honesty and beauty into large, difficult questions - the strength and limits of family, the definition of home, the boundaries (or lack thereof) between duty and love - within the context of a Korean experience. Chung's limpid prose matches her emotional intelligence. * Kirkus Reviews (starred) *In this beautiful debut novel...Woven with tender reflections, sharp renderings of isolation, and beautiful prose...Chung simultaneously shines light on the violence of Korean history, the chill of American xenophobia, and the impossibility of home in either country * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Chung indelibly portrays a Korea viciously divided but ever bound to history, myth, and hope * O, The Oprah Magazine *A] lovely, elegiac novel . . . both heartbreaking and redemptive * Boston Globe *Published in the UK for the first time, this debut novel by Catherine Chung, author of The Tenth Muse, weaves together folklore and family ties. When Janie is a child, her grandmother tells her a story: since the Japanese occupation of Korea, their family has lost a daughter every generation. Years later, her sister Hannah disappears. Janie is left to unpick the truth about the brooding resentment and unspoken sacrifices that have led to history repeating itself * Herald (30 best beach and holiday books) *

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Book SynopsisThis powerful graphic novel confirms Will Eisner as a master of the genre.

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Book SynopsisA.A. Dhand was raised in Bradford and spent his youth observing the city from behind the counter of a small convenience store. After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to Bradford to start his own business and begin writing. The history, diversity and darkness of the city have inspired his Harry Virdee novels.Trade ReviewA. A. Dhand has made a reputation for fast paced police procedurals that keep the pages turning. In his latest standalone offering, he stays true to form with a plot that fairly zips along. The book opens with a bang and continues with a thrill-a-minute adventure that moves from Britain to the dark underbelly of India. As Jack and Aisha search for the truth, secrets emerge from the shadows of India's past. This man knows how to keep me up into the early hours. Relentlessly thrilling! * Vaseem Khan, author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSE *Another thrilling page turner from A. A. Dhand. The Blood Divide deals with one of the most heartbreaking periods of history in a sensitive way, without letting the pace or action suffer. This might be his best yet! * Alex Caan, author of CUT TO THE BONE *Intense, gripping and impactful - The Blood Divide will be one of my favourite books of the year. I loved it. * James Delargy, author of 55 and VANISHED *The Blood Divide was an adrenaline-filled ride which took me from Bradford to Delhi to the Pakistan border, with unexpected twists and turns building to a touching climax. * Ajay Chowdhury, author of THE WAITER *A fast-paced, powerful, eye-opening novel. * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisA collection of folk tales, myths and legends from many cultures about death, dying and what might come after

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Book SynopsisLove can heal us, and it can tear us apart...Miles''s life is shattered when he loses his beloved wife to a hit-and-run driver. Struggling to hold things together for his son, Jonah, but obsessing over finding justice, a powerful new romance throws everything into uncertainty.As Jonah''s teacher, Sarah, discusses his struggling son with Miles, an attraction develops between them with bewildering intensity. But Sarah has a secret of her own, one that links her to Miles with a shocking force - and long-buried truths begin to unravel, putting the strength of their passion to the test.Trade Review'Definitely one to read with a box of tissues handy' THE TIMES 'A powerful tale of true love' BOOKLIST 'Sweet, accessible, uplifting' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'A Bend in the Road is a first-rate novel and Nicholas Sparks' finest book yet. Such well-turned books as The Rescue, and Message in a Bottle established him as a writer of skill and persuasiveness, with a particular knack for wry, well-rounded characterisations--qualities well in evidence in this book. Miles Ryan leads a relatively uneventful life in the small town in which he is sheriff--except for an incident two years previously that changed him irrevocably: the killing (by a hit-and-run driver) of his adored wife. Miles' obsession with uncovering the identity of the driver has led to problems with his nine-year-old son Jonah, who is having difficulties at school. And when Miles finds himself brought together with Jonah's teacher, the attractive Sarah, both of them are soon caught up in a relationship that will force them to re-examine what their lives mean--particularly as Sarah has a secret of her own. The secret of Sparks' success (here, as in his other books) is to carefully establish the problems of his main protagonists so that we come to be involved in their lives and care about them--before involving them with someone else, who we similarly come to know intimately. It's not an easy task, and many a novelist has come adrift by concentrating too much on the hero or heroine at the expense of those around them. Sparks is much too sure-footed for that, and we are utterly involved with the problems of both Miles and Sarah (not to mention the nine-year-old Jonah, who is handled without a trace of sentimentality, which is a refreshing touch). As the central characters' destinies intertwine, we are as keen for them to recognise each other's virtues as we are that they'll solve the problems that have been ruining their lives.' Barry Forshaw, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW 'Sparks' novels about small-town American life are designed to give you that Readybrek glow...You'll lap up the pure romance' MIRROR

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author of An Italian Girl in Brooklyn comes a captivating new novel of enduring love and devastating secrets, based on a true story.'Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore' JOJO MOYESRupert promised he was going to come back. All Florence had to do was wait. Cornwall, 1944 When Rupert Dash is declared missing, presumed dead during the Battle of Arnhem, his wife, Florence, is devastated. She can’t accept that he has gone from her life forever, and so when she finds a poem called ‘Wait for Me’ hidden in an old book, she believes it’s a sign from her husband. A promise that he will return to her. London, 1988 Since childhood Max has suffered from a recurring nightmare. Surrounded by the horrific chaos of World War Two, he has an urgent mission he knows he must complete. But time after time, the dream ends with hi

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Book Synopsis''I loved it. It''s such a warm-hearted, compassionate story, full emotional insight and hope for the future and so sensitively written'' JILL CHILDS''Rich, warm, humorous and tender'' ALI MERCER''Heart-warming, uplifting, inspiring . . . a compelling read'' GRAEME SIMSIONThree years after the death of their beloved brother, all Daniel''s sisters have left of him are their memories. They know he''s helped others by donating his organs, but as miracles come true for the recipients, his own family are struggling with their devastating loss. When Clare suggests that they find the people Daniel''s death saved, her sisters have their doubts. Will meeting them help to bring the sisters back together, or will old tensions and surfacing secrets splinter the fragile family ties forever?''A page turner from the first to the last - I fell in love with all the characters and was gripped by the plot. Everyone will be reading thiTrade ReviewHeartwarming, uplifting, inspiring . . . a compelling read * Graeme Simsion *A page turner from the first to the last - I fell in love with all the characters and was gripped by the plot. Everyone will be reading this fantastic, heart-warming book . . . This is Kylie Ladd at her very best * Sally Hepworth *Her characters step off the page and straight into your heart * Meredith Jaffe *Reading this book feels like eavesdropping on a lively family dinner. I love the O'Shea sisters and the journey of discovery that brings them closer to their brother, and to each other * Kerri Sackville *Move over Jodi Picoult. Kylie Ladd creates ethical complications, then shows us both sides with uncanny insight into human nature. I inhaled this book! * Fleur McDonald *I loved this book. It's funny, joyful and sharp. An entirely satisfying meal of a novel that doesn't shy away from what is hard about families, it also manages to capture how family can restore you to yourself * Maggie MacKellar *The author's background as a neuropsychologist really shines through in this important book about how an extraordinary act of generosity can unite a devastated family. Told with warmth, compassion and humanity, I'll Leave You With This drew me in from the first page. Ladd blends depth and pace in this thought-provokingnovel that is filled with hope and humour * Joanna Nell *I loved it. It's such a warm-hearted, compassionate story, full emotional insight and hope for the future and so sensitively written * Jill Childs *A perfect book club read. I want everyone I know to read it too so we can talk about the wonderfully drawn O'Shea family and their dilemmas. Highly recommended * Imogen Clark *Rich, warm, humorous and tender, this is a thoroughly satisfying tale of love - and tensions - between siblings, and the aftermath of a devastating loss. It's an unsentimental and touching portrait of a big family learning to live with grief and their differences, as they are drawn together by their shared past and then find they still have more to give each other than any of them could have imagined. * Ali Mercer *Poignant and heartwarming. Be prepared to take the O'Shea sisters to your heart * Emma Robinson *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewWashington's Gay General makes clear that queer people have always existed, even before the word "queer" existed. This book doesn't put Baron Von Steuben up on a pedestal, making clear that "America's founding daddy" is lying, self-aggrandizing, and brutal—in other words, a real person. Trujillo and Hastings gently weave their own insightful personal reflections on living as a gay people in America today into their quest to research the life of von Steuben, making clear that it's important to see queer people reflected in our history. * Sarah Shay Mirk, author of Guantanamo Voices *Trujillo and Hastings have created a gripping biography of one of the most flamboyant and fascinating of America’s founding fathers, all while grappling with the nature and importance of historical queerness. History, after all, isn’t only written by the winners, but also by those with the most fabulous stories to tell. * Justin Hall, editor of No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics *

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Book Synopsis A powerful graphic novel adaptation of the classic and genre-defining war novel The Red Badge of Courage, which has been continuously in print since 1894, available simultaneously in hardcover and paperback Steve Cuzor's stark yet detailed artwork perfectly capture the realistic prose of the original novel, presenting a lushly illustrated, unflinching depiction of war through the eyes of a young, inexperienced soldier. By illustrating the story, Cuzor pulls readers into the midst of the action, making Henry Fleming’s experience feel all the more visceral. Literary aficionados and students alike will find another layer of this classic story to appreciate in this new adaptation of Crane’s magnum opus. Written by Stephen Crane when he was just 24, The Red Badge of Courage is a Civil War story that captured the imaginations of readers worldwide and made its author an overnight literary icon. A groundbreaking and

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Book SynopsisShe may be 104 years old, but Ona Vitkus is on a mission and it''s all because of THE ONE-IN-A-MILLION-BOY...Monica Wood''s unforgettable novel about a boy in a million and the 104-year-old woman who saves his family is not to be missed by readers who loved THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, ELIZABETH IS MISSING or THE SHOCK OF THE FALL. ''A lovely, quirky novel about misfits across generations'' Daily Mail''A bittersweet story about finding friendship in the most unlikely of places'' Good Housekeeping. The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don''t they teach you anything at school?So says 104-year-old Ona to the 11-year-old boy who''s been sent to help her out every Saturday morning. As he refills the bird feeders and tidies the garden shed, Ona tells him about her long life, from first love to second chances. Soon she''s confessing secrets she has kept hidden for decades.OnTrade ReviewCurl up and enjoy this bewitching novel * Woman & Home *A lovely, quirky novel about misfits across generations * Daily Mail *Razor sharp while packing a heart-wrenchingly powerful emotional punch... Beautifully written, cleverly constructed, at times hilariously funny and ultimately deeply affecting - this should be a smash * Sunday Mirror *Delightful. It's a hugely engaging look at how lives can be remade in the most unexpected of ways * Sunday Express *A whimsical and bittersweet story about finding friendship in the most unlikely places * Good Housekeeping *Heartwarming... beautifully sketched characters... life-affirming ***** * Stylist *This inspirational tale of friendship, world records and following dreams is a stunner * Heat *Wise, witty and incredibly moving... magical and life-affirming. I was utterly charmed -- Polly SamsonA big, warm, winning treat of a novel, wholly believable but touched with magic... Sharply observed, deftly constructed and pithily told -- Alison MercerA beautifully told story * Sun *Wood's prose sparkles with lyrical descriptions and sharp observations about people and their motivations... But the over-arching theme running through it all concerns second chances. Even when you're older than a century, life still has the capacity to surprise you * Herald Glasgow *The boy is one of my favourite literary characters ever! I thought it was a gem of a novel, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Beautifully written, with characters that you want to keep by your side -- Adele ParksA magical, beautifully written story about the healing power of friendship, music, and unexpected, generation-spanning connections. As emotionally resonant as THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME -- Christina Baker KlineA beguiling, heart-wrenching and funny book... Absolutely gorgeous * Psychologies *It's a pleasure to linger with her elegant prose, keen eye, and grace of thought * Reader's Digest *

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Book SynopsisThe captivating fourth book in the beloved classic series from ''one of the nation''s favourite saga author'' (Lancashire Post) in the grand tradition of Katie Flynn, Dilly Court and Josephine Cox.Jennie''s heartwarming and heartrending sagas are richly praised!''Jennie Felton knows how to tell a cracking story and keep the reader gripped... if you enjoy reading books in the style of Catherine Cookson then this one is for you'' Books With Wine and Chocolate''Another superbly woven and character-rich story from a saga author who writes from the heart'' Peterborough Telegraph''Packed full of Jennie''s signature strong heroines, this book will keep you guessing'' MNR JournalShe''d do anything to keep her children safe...Carina Talbot''s life is shattered when her beloved husband Robert is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly she must takTrade ReviewFans of Katie Flynn will love this * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Enthralling . . . Jennie Felton . . . writes her stories straight from the heart . . . evokes time and place with compelling authenticity, and conjures up a feisty heroine and a cast of engaging characters * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book Synopsis Order Jodi Picoult''s stunning new novel about life, death, and missed opportunities. THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER''A writer the world should be reading right now.'' IndependentWho would you be, if you hadn''t turned out to be the person you are now? Dawn is a death doula, and spends her life helping people make the final transition peacefully. But when the plane she''s on plummets, she finds herself thinking not of the perfect life she has, but the life she was forced to abandon fifteen years ago - when she left behind a career in Egyptology, and a man she loved. Against the odds, she survives, and the airline offers her a ticket to wherever she needs to get to - but the answer to that question suddenly seems uncertain. As the path of her life forks in two very different directions, Dawn must confront questions she''s never truly askeTrade ReviewA writer the world should be reading right now * Independent *It is hard to exaggerate how well Picoult writes * Financial Times *A wise, cerebral, propulsive adventure . . . It eruditely spans the worlds of Egyptology, university physics and end-of-life care, while never losing sight of its high-stakes human story... a captivatingly immersive, multilayered, painstakingly researched and impressively realised exploration of deeply human geographies -- Patricia Nicol * Sunday Times *Ambitious * The Times *This complex, time-shifting romance combines moral hazard with Wuthering Heights echoes and degree-level Egyptology. And there aren't many books you can say that about. -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail *The pull of the well-drawn characters and powerful themes of regret and love make this head-spinning story a compelling read * Sunday Mirror *Literary powerhouse Jodi Picoult writes novels that make you think and her latest is no exception * Sunday Express *This brilliant Sliding Doors-style novel will really get you thinking * Sun, Fabulous Magazine *Riveting * Hello *A consummate storyteller * Saga *A thrilling adventure ... one that will lead readers to both learn a lot and also ask themselves key questions about how to create happy lives for themselves * Associated Press *Similar to Alice Hoffman's depiction of complex family ties, Picoult's latest stretches the importance of recognizing our bonds to those we love. Highly recommended for open-minded readers. * Library Journal, starred review *The Book of Two Ways is a return for Picoult to the themes of her earliest books -motherhood, complicated romantic love . . . Picoult, at this point in her career, could skilfully build tension in a broom closet, but the best part of this book is not the suspense; it's the look at the complexity of a woman as she enters middle age . . . [Picoult] always tells both sides of a story not with judgment, but with grace. * Washington Post *Picoult's fans will appreciate this multifaceted, high concept work. * Publishers Weekly *Picoult's fans will be more than ready for this puzzle of a novel . . .[they] will find heady themes to consider. * Booklist *Powerful and compelling * VIP Magazine *You're sure to be moved by the questions it poses about the meaning of life and death. Food for thought in these current crazy times * Heat *If you've ever wondered if you could have lived another life, you'll like this * Sun *Picoult's writing is insightful and richly descriptive * Press Association *A stunning Sliding Doors-style novel about life, death, and missed opportunities * East Anglian Daily Times, Top 10 of 2020 *How many of us have looked back on a decision that changed our lives and wondered: what if we had made a different choice? Picoult's novel The Book of Two Ways digs into this very question and the result is incredibly thought-provoking. Dawn Edelstein was once a young grad student working on a dig in Egypt, in love with a fellow Egyptologist, and getting ever closer to proving a radical new theory about ancient Egyptians' burial rituals for the road to the afterlife. Then a phone call from home changed everything. Fifteen years later, Dawn is married, with a teenage daughter, and working in Boston as a death doula, helping the dying prepare to leave this world in the best way possible. When Dawn has a near-death experience she is confronted with the question of whether the good life she has could have been a great one. Dawn doesn't just ponder the question-she returns to Egypt, and the man she once loved, to see if she can find the answer. Picoult incorporates fascinating details about Egyptology into her novel-the title comes from an ancient Egyptian tome of the same name-bringing history and a universal connection into the story. The Book of Two Ways is a provocative exploration into monumental questions: about the life we are living, who we want to be with when we die, and whether it's possible-and acceptable-to change our mind, return to the trailhead, and go another way. * Seira Wilson, Amazon Best Book of September 2020 *Picoult always tells both sides of a story not with judgment, but with grace * Washington Post *

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Book Synopsis'Deeply moving ... A triumph' Justin Webb 'What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising' Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday Ten seconds before my father’s death, I have a premonition - that the breath he is taking will be his last. William Leith’s childhood was marked by his father’s absences and as a consequence their relationship has always been a troubled one. Now, as his father lies dying, William reflects on the connections and ruptures that have marked their shared history. Can he ever really understand his father? Is there an explanation for the physical distance and emotional chasm that his father has maintained between them? And what was he running away from? Darkly comical and told with searing honesty, The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a moving memoir about the pain of abandonment, grief and regret.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE CUT THAT WOULDN'T HEAL: The Cut That Wouldn’t Heal should be depressing, but it is in fact weirdly exhilarating, largely because the author tracks his own feelings, however untoward, with a darkly comical precision … What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising. -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *Honest without oversharing, William Leith is such a perfect writer … The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a triumph and deeply moving. Wonderful. -- Justin WebbWilliam Leith is a very fine writer, defined by a compulsive honesty: not the heavily-curated oversharing of social media culture, but the real, uncomfortable thing. This book, which deals in the sometimes absurdist agonies of grief – and indeed of life – is his best yet. * Laura Thompson *A reckoning with the past by a writer whose past offers plenty to reckon with … Pacily written … satisfyingly structured -- Norma Clarke * Times Literary Supplement *An intensely readable study of love and regret. -- Ian JackAs mysterious and unsettling as a Cold War thriller – the search for self amidst the puzzle of a brilliant absentee father. -- Ed Needham * Strong Words Magazine *PRAISE FOR THE TRICK: The Trick takes all of Leith’s writing habits – his mazy streams of consciousness (few writers are quite so enamoured of, or good at, watching themselves think) and his love of axiom – and, if anything, ups the ante... Hugely enjoyable. * Observer *PRAISE FOR THE HUNGRY YEARS: Compulsively readable. I gulped it down in a couple of greedy bites ... It is a powerful memoir ... it has the unusual qualities of heart and daring. In the end, these are what stay inside you. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWorthy Opponents is a riveting and dynamic tale of family, wealth and success from the billion copy bestselling author, Danielle Steel.Spencer Brooke grew up knowing that one day she would inherit and run Brooke’s, one of New York’s most respected luxury department stores. Established by Spencer’s grandfather, it is in her blood to navigate its successful passage through twenty-first-century competition.But when the death of her grandfather comes, it leaves a terrible void in Spencer’s life. She strives to be a devoted wife and mother, as well as a successful CEO, but the pressure leads to the breakdown of her marriage.Devoting herself to her twin sons and her career, Spencer has little time for a social life. But when successful entrepreneur Mike Weston enters her life, offering investment at a time when the store most needs it, she knows she must take his offer seriously.Spencer faces a dilemma: can Mike Weston be who or what she needs, and can she trust him? Or should she remain independent, but risk the security of her inheritance?

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Book SynopsisThe Promise is a unforgettable story about finding love, hope and joy in even the darkest moments, by the Sunday Times bestseller Lucy Diamond, author of The Secrets of Happiness.'This is Lucy Diamond at her very best - a stunning novel that will break your heart into little pieces and then glue it back together again with joy' – Milly JohnsonWhen faced with the sudden death of his brother, Dan’s mission is clear. He puts together a project to help pick up the pieces and support his grieving sister-in-law Zoe, plus her young children. This is Dan’s promise – to ensure his family’s happiness, and to try and live up to the man his brother was. But tying up loose ends brings a shocking secret to light, and calls into question everything Dan knew about his older brother. With more than just his promise on the line, Dan is faced with an ultimatum: Should he tell the truth and risk his family’s fragile happiness, or will his brother’s secrets end up becoming his own?'A bittersweet, big-hearted take on family dynamics, grief, and how to make happiness a priority' – Woman and Home'I loved The Promise' – Libby Page, author of The 24-Hour Café'We couldn't put this down' – Bella'Family drama at its very best with characters that have you reaching out to them' – My WeeklyReal readers love The Promise:'I cried and laughed''It was a beautifully written book from start to finish. Each night I couldn't wait to read the next chapter.''I literally cannot put it down.'

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Book Synopsis'Fans of Elizabeth Strout and Anne Tyler will devour it.' - Daily MirrorDarkly witty, deeply moving – Jackie Polzin's Brood is a startlingly original debut novel about motherhood, marriage and grief, full of sorrow, joy and unrelenting hope.Over the course of a single year, our nameless narrator heroically tries to keep her small brood of four chickens alive despite the seemingly endless challenges that caring for another creature entails – and all the while struggling to confront her own recent loss. From the forty-below nights of a brutal Minnesota winter to a sweltering summer which brings a surprise tornado, she battles predators, bad luck, and the uncertainty of a future that may not look anything like the one she always imagined.'Full of surprise, humor, grief, and wisdom.' - Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves'The most vibrant and compelling slice of life I’ve been privy to in a great while.' - Claire Lombardo, author of The Most Fun We Ever Had'Splendidly unsentimental, quirky, witty, smart and a complete one-off.' - Clare Chambers, author of Small PleasuresTrade ReviewDarkly funny and poignant. -- Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the TrainFans of Elizabeth Strout and Anne Tyler will devour it. * Daily Mirror *Acutely observed . . . and the chickens provide metaphors for the world at large. * New Yorker *Some novelists floodlight the world; Polzin uses a penlight to beautifully illuminate the least glamorous corners of a quotidian life . . . Her observation of the fragility and loveliness of daily life is so sharp and her commentary so droll, trenchant and precise, that the modest world she describes becomes almost numinous. * Washington Post *Polzin writes beautifully about chickens; she is lovingly cleareyed about their “idiocy” and their dearness. She writes beautifully about everything: the sound of melting snow at the end of a Minnesota winter; a forgotten container of orange sherbet frosted over; private emotion. Her eye for physical detail is surprising, gimlet . . . It’s a pleasure to see what Polzin sees. -- Elizabeth McCracken * New York Times *Brood, which chronicles a year of grief subsumed through care, abounds in wit, charm, and the very mystery of being. -- Joy Williams, author of The Visiting PrivilegeOh, did I love this book and its magnificent cast of characters—human and avian alike. Brood is the most vibrant and compelling slice of life I’ve been privy to in a great while—it’s generous, original, and witty, an absolute treasure of a novel. -- Claire Lombardo, bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever HadA truly lovely book, and so perfectly balanced – it felt like a masterclass in how to tell a story through restraint. -- Jessie Greengrass, author of The High HouseI loved Polzin's philosophical way of writing and the narrator's stoicism in the face of one loss after another . . . Splendidly unsentimental, quirky, witty, smart and a complete one-off. -- Clare Chambers, author of Small PleasuresA beautiful book: sharp and funny and wonky in a way that only accentuates its depth of feeling, its clarity of thought, and its desperately human sadness. -- Lisa McInerney, author of The Glorious HeresiesThis is the most wonderful book! Acutely observed and flawlessly conveyed. Completely original, full of surprise, humor, grief, and wisdom and just the right amount of chickens. I am hugely on board with Brood. -- Karen Joy Fowler, author of We Are All Completely Beside OurselvesWritten with such wry charm, such lightness of touch, you don’t realise how far it’s got under your skin until it’s too late to stop reading. I read Brood in one go. Very funny, very sad, very wise. * Lucy Caldwell *A profound, uniquely enchanting big hearted novel. Unforgettable and deeply affecting. -- Irenosen Okojie, author of NudibranchI have never read a book like this one. Written with such delicacy, such elegance, the prose made me feel that the narrator has opened her heart to me, even as she withholds so much. This was a book about everything—joy and love and beauty and loss. Marriage and motherhood and friendship and grief. All brought to life through the story of a little backyard flock. I was surprised at every turn, moved to laughter and tears both—I could not put it down. -- Emily Ruskovich, author of IdahoA book about caretaking, about trauma and loss, about keeping others and one’s self alive, with sentences so confident and exact they continually took my breath away, Brood is that rare book that lives inside of you long after it’s over, that reminds you of the vast amounts of life that language is capable of conjuring. -- Lynn Steger Strong, author of WantBrood is beautifully written in a sparse, elegant style and is sharply observed. It’s a compassionate portrait of a grieving woman. I absolutely loved her connection with the chickens, and although it is heartbreaking in places, I was left with a hopeful feeling. For me Brood is about beauty in the small things, those ordinary moments that make up a life. It strikes the perfect balance of tender and wry. -- Haleh Agar, author of Out of TouchWitty and profound . . . Told in short vignettes studded with breath-catching wisdom, this novel feels both delicate and sustaining from beginning to end. * Publisher's Weekly *What pleasant alchemy is this novel? Polzin’s debut conjures humors and sadness in Minnesota, where the narrator ponders the potential of motherhood, a pending move, and the strangeness of raising animals who force us to consider the world in a new, slower, sideways perspective (which leads us to wonder: maybe the strangeness is us?). -- Most Anticipated 2021 Preview * The Millions *

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