Sea stories

Book SynopsisAs addictive as morphine' THE TIMESFrom the author of the classic Farseer trilogy, SHIP OF MAGIC is the first part of the Liveship Traders. Set in a land bordering the Six Duchies, Robin Hobb begins her epic tale of pirates, talking ships, magic, sea serpents, slave revolts, dashing heroes and bloody battles.Wizardwood, the most precious commodity in the world, comes only from the Rain Wilds. But only a liveship can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain Wild River, and liveships are hard to come by. They quicken only when three family members from successive generations have died upon their deck.The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening: Althea Vestrit waits for the ship that she loves more than anything in the world to awaken. But her dream of taking her father's place at Vivacia's helm is not to be, for her family have other plans. . .And the dark, charming pirate Kennit also lusts after such a ship: he well knows the power of wizardwood and has plans of his own . . .Trade Review‘Hobb is superb’ CONN IGGULDEN ‘Hobb is a remarkable storyteller’ GUARDIAN 'Even better than the Assassin books. I didn't think that was possible' GEORGE RR MARTIN

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Book SynopsisErnest Hemingway was born in Chicago in 1899, the second of six children. In 1917, he joined the Kansas City Star as a cub reporter. The following year, he volunteered as an ambulance driver on the Italian front, where he was badly wounded but decorated for his services. He returned to America in 1919, and married in 1921. In 1922, he reported on the Greco-Turkish war before resigning from journalism to devote himself to fiction. He settled in Paris, associating with other expatriates like Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. He was passionately involved with bullfighting, big-game hunting and deep-sea fishing. Recognition of his position in contemporary literature came in 1954 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, following the publication of The Old Man and the Sea. He died in 1961.Trade ReviewIt is unsurpassed in Hemingway's oeuvre. Every word tells and there is not a word too manyA quite wonderful example of narrative art. The writing is as taut, and at the same time as lithe and cunningly played out, as the line on which the old man plays the fish * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisEven better than the Farseer books. I didn't think that was possible' GEORGE RR MARTINThe triumphant conclusion to the magnificent Liveship Traders series.The dragon, Tintaglia, released from her wizardwood coffin, flies high over the Rain Wild River. Below her, Reyn and Selden have been left to drown, while Malta and the Satrap attempt to navigate the acid flow of the river in a decomposing boat.Althea and Brashen are sailing the liveship Paragon into pirate waters in a last-ditch attempt to rescue the Vestrit family liveship, Vivacia, who was stolen by the pirate king, Kennit; but there is mutiny brewing amongst their ragtag crew, and in the mind of the mad ship itself.And all the while the waters around the Vivacia are seething with giant serpents, following the liveship as she sails to her destiny . . .Trade Review'Hobb is a remarkable storyteller'GUARDIAN ‘Hobb is superb’ CONN IGGULDEN 'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers… what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics'THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisHobb is a remarkable storyteller' GUARDIANThe second volume in this superb trilogy from the author of The Farseer trilogy continues the dramatic tale of piracy, serpents, love and magic.The Vestrit family's liveship, Vivacia, has been taken by the pirate king, Kennit. Held captive on board, Wintrow Vestrit finds himself competing with Kennit for Vivacia's love as the ship slowly acquires her own bloodlust.Leagues away, Althea Vestrit has found a new home aboard the liveship Ophelia, but she lives only to reclaim the Vivacia and with her friend, Brashen, she plans a dangerous rescue.Meanwhile in Bingtown, the fading fortunes of the Vestrit family lead Malta deeper into the magical secrets of the Rain Wild Traders. And just outside Bingtown, Amber dreams of relaunching Paragon, the mad liveship . . .Trade Review‘Fantasy as it ought to be written’ George R.R. Martin ‘Hobb is superb’ GUARDIAN 'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers… what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics'THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisYoung Jim Hawkins has no reason to suspect that Billy Bones, the pensioner who has taken up residence in his father's inn, is anything other than an aging former mariner. But when violent altercations with visitors to the inn leave Billy on death's doorstep, Jim discovers that they all are members of the crew of the notorious pirate Captain Flint, and that Billy has a map that shows the whereabouts of Flint's buried treasure. . . First serialized in a children's magazine between 1881 and 1882 as a coming-of-age story for young readers, Treasure Island has transcended its time and intended audience. Robert Louis Stevenson's novel forged the template for the tale of pirate adventure, and many of its dramatic elementsincluding buried treasure, treasure maps, and pirate oaths, among othershave become iconic parts of virtually every pirate adventure story written in its wake.

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Book SynopsisAll kinds of secrets get lost at sea...Ella loves the nomadic lifestyle of working on a luxury superyacht. She can leave her past behind and over the years she's found a new family to return to every summer – the crew of the Ananke.Now she's returning to work on the Ananke following a tragedy the previous summer, when one of the deckhands died in an accident. Newcomer Ashley was confident, capable and beloved by everyone.But everything Ashley told them was a lie. And if nobody knows who you really are, then can someone get away with your murder? As the Ananke sets sail again, it becomes clear that nothing about last summer was as it seemed...A tense and unputdownable thriller perfect for fans of Below Deck, Catherine Cooper and Cameron Ward.Praise for The Crew 'With all the upstairs-downstairs glamour and resentments of a super yacht, and absolute must-read for Below Deck fans. Loved it' Catherine Cooper'Fantastic and so gripping' Cass Green‘Sun, sea and secrets aplenty in this thrilling novel set in the world of luxury sailing. There’s a darkness that intensified with every page and a richness to the characters that makes The Crew utterly compelling’ Marion Todd‘Below Deck meets GW Shaw in this superb psychological thriller. The Crew is a brilliantly twisted tale of secrets and revenge, set in the weird and wonderful world of the super yachting community. With its great cast of characters and a truly shocking twist, this will keep you reading late into the night’ Sheila Bugler‘The thriller of the year. Great plot and a twist I didn’t see coming. Highly recommend.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Could not put it down. This was like Below Deck but with a mysterious criminal side, and I’m here for it! I absolutely loved this book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I was addicted from the prologue. It ebbs and flows very nicely between past and present and has a very very good ending. An idyllic Greek setting makes it the perfect five-star holiday read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘What a book! Wow! This book had a bit of everything … suspense, intrigue, action, murder, revenge and some crazy twists and turns. The storyline was so interesting and had me glued to my Kindle!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I could not put this fantastic thriller down … definitely one of my favourites this year.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Packed full of intrigue and full of complicated characters – twisty, clever and SOOO good! The setting is incredible … It's a pacy book that will keep you absolutely hooked … you will not see the final twist coming!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘If you love thrillers and Below Deck, this is for you! Very fast-paced and I loved the ending. I will not be able to stop thinking about this book for a while!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN! ADVICE: don’t start reading it in the evening if you want to sleep!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisPoems of the Sea is an anthology of classic poetry that celebrates the sea; from the power of a stormy ocean to ships and sailors and beaches strewn with shells. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics with ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an introduction by author Adam Nicolson.For generations, poets have taken inspiration from ocean mists and rugged coastlines to conjure up adventures on the high seas and joyous days at the seaside. From Emily Dickinson’s morning dog walks by the shore, to the river running through Sara Teasdale’s sunny valley, and from Walt Whitman’s fish-filled forests, to the silent ships passing in Paul Laurence Dunbar’s dark ocean, there are poems here for every reader to enjoy.

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF THE WALES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023****WATERSTONES WELSH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022**'Truly beautiful and haunting, and an incredible feat of storytelling' DONAL RYAN'A tender, unusual and gorgeously wrought love story' RACHEL JOYCE'In times of war, Lewis finds resilience, redemption and hope...DRIFT feels perfectly judged' OBSERVER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEBUT FROM THREE-TIME WINNER OF WALES BOOK OF THE YEAR CARYL LEWIS: A STORY OF LOVE, MAGIC AND THE IRRESISTIBLE LURE OF THE SEA.Nefyn has always been an enigma, even to her brother Joseph with whom she lives in a small cottage above a blustery cove.Hamza is a Syrian mapmaker, incarcerated in a military base a few miles up the coast.A violent storm will bring these two lost souls together - but other forces will soon try to tear them apart...Moving between the wild Welsh coast and war-torn Syria, Drift is a love story with a difference, a hypnotic tale of lost identity, the quest for home and the wondrous resilience of the human spirit.'A truly magical and transformative novel. I loved it.' KIRSTY CAPES, author of CARELESS Trade ReviewA truly beautiful and haunting novel, and an incredible feat of storytelling * DONAL RYAN *A tender, unusual and gorgeously wrought love story that weaves the magic of folk lore, the wonder of the sea, and the depths of human cruelty. It moves between the worlds it inhabits like the finest piece of driftwood. * RACHEL JOYCE *In times of war, Lewis finds resilience, redemption and hope...DRIFT feels perfectly judged * OBSERVER *Captivating from the off * Huw Stephens, BBC Front Row *A truly magical and transformative novel. I loved it. * Kirsty Capes *

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Book SynopsisThe novel that launched the astonishing career of one of the 20th century's greatest writers of action and suspense an acclaimed classic of heroism and the sea in World War II.Constant patrols have pushed the crew of the HMS Ulysses beyond the limits of endurance. And now they must be put to sea again, to escort a vital supply convoy heading for Murmansk.As they head deep into the frozen waters they are faced not only with the fierce arctic weather, but a swarm of airborne attacks, German ships, then the feared U-boats, all hellbent on destroying the convoy.With each day threatening another sudden attack, and increasing hardships aboard the frozen ship, Ulysses suffers greater damage trying to protect the other vessels. And soon the journey becomes a tense and deadly game of cat and mouse between the crippled cruiser and her silent pursuers.Trade Review‘The most successful British novelist of his time’Jack Higgins ‘A brilliant, overwhelming piece of descriptive writing.’Observer ‘A story of exceptional courage which grips the imagination.’Daily Telegraph ‘It deserves an honourable place among 20th-century war books.’Daily Mail ‘HMS Ulysses is in the same class as The Cruel Sea.’Evening Standard

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Book SynopsisA tender and poignant debut of the redemptive power of unexpected friendship. In an old-fashioned fishing community on Morecambe Bay, change is imperceptibly slow. Treacherous tides sweep the quicksands, claiming everything in their path. As a boy, Arthur had followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footprints, learning to read the currents and shifting sands. Now retired and widowed, though, he feels invisible, redundant. His daughter wants him in a retirement home. No one listens to his rants about the newcomers striking out nightly onto the bay for cockles, seemingly oblivious to the danger. When Arthur’s path crosses Suling’s, both are running out of options. Barely yet an adult, Suling’s hopes for a better life have given way to fear: she’s without papers or money, speaks no English, and chased by ruthless debt collectors. Her only next step is to trust the old man. Combining warmth and suspense and recalling a true incident, The Bay tells a tender story about loneliness, confronting prejudice, and the comfort of friendship, however unlikely—as well as exposing one of the most pressing social ills of our age. Trade Review'Careful and compassionate … subtle, human and meaningful, but also full of humour, and precise and beautiful description.' -- Emma Healey, author of Elizabeth Is Missing

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Book SynopsisEnthralling tales of the sea, rivers and lakes from around the globe. Folklore of the seas and rivers has a resonance in cultures all over the world. Watery hopes, fears and dreams are shared by all peoples where rivers flow and waves crash. This fascinating book covers English sailor superstitions and shape-shifting pink dolphins of the Amazon, Scylla and Charybdis, the many guises of Mami Wata, the tale of the Yoruba River spirit, the water horses of the Scottish lochs, the infamous mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, and much more. Accompanied by stunning woodcut illustrations, popular authors Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham explore the deep history and enduring significance of water folklore the world over, from mermaids, selkies and sirens to ghostly ships and the fountains of youth. With this book, Folklore Thursday aims to encourage a sense of belonging across all cultures by showing how much we all have in common.Trade Review‘From selkies and sirens to the mysterious monsters of Scottish lochs, there is much to enlighten and entertain in this splendid collection of watery folklore’ -- The Countryman'A broad-brush and culturally diverse overview of the many facets of watery folklore, this Treasury of Folklore is a welcome addition to the literature, and one that is sure to please and inform a wide audience’ -- Folklore‘Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham prove their own deserved place within the folklore world with these enchanting books.' * Fortean Times *

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Book SynopsisCarsten Jensen was born in 1952. He first made his name as a columnist and literary critic. As a journalist he has reported from many regions of conflict, including the Balkans and most recently, Afghanistan. His essays, novels and travel books have won numerous literary awards, including the coveted Golden Laurels and the Danish Bank Literary Prize. In 2010 he received the prestigious Olof Palme Prize, awarded for his contribution to the defence of human rights. We, the Drowned has sold more than 300,000 copies in Scandinavia alone and was voted best Danish novel of the past 25 years.Trade ReviewA magnificent addition to the canon of seafaring writing, a brilliant new reworking of the ancient theme...the pages glow with wonderfully imagined pictures... The language is all you could hope for in a sea novel: sinewy and simple, often surprisingly beautiful -- Vanora Bennett * The Times *Carsten Jensen is unquestionably one of the most exciting authors writing in Scandinavia today. I always look forward hugely to his books. He is, in my opinion, an utterly unique story-teller -- Henning MankellAn epic tale * Independent *A novel of immense authority and ambition and beauty, by a master storyteller at the height of his powers. This is a book to sail into, to explore, to get lost in, but it is also a book that brings the reader, dazzled by wonders, home to the heart from which great stories come. Meet Carsten Jensen halfway and you're spellbound -- Joseph O'ConnorImpressive... one of the more engrossing literary voyages of recent years... rich, powerful and rewarding * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisThe adventure continues . . . At the time of his death, Patrick O''Brian had begun to write the twenty-first book in his famous and much-loved AubreyMaturin series. The chapters he left behind are presented here, both in printed version and a facsimile of his manuscript, which goes several pages beyond the end of the typescript and includes O'Brian's own marginal notes.The story picks up from the end of Blue at the Mizzen when Jack Aubrey receives the news, in Chile, of his elevation to flag rank: Rear Admiral of the Blue Squadron, with orders to sail to the South Africa station.This fragment is both delightful and tantalising, with hints of a plot that might have involved Jack and Stephen with St Helena or Napoleon himself.'Literary ReviewTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisWhen the young Ishmael gets on board Captain Ahab’s whaling ship, little does he suspect that the mission on which he is about to embark is the fulfilment of his master’s obsessive desire for revenge on Moby Dick, a white whale who has already claimed countless human victims and destroyed many fleets. With some sinister crew members in their midst and the hazardous conditions of the sea to contend with, the expedition becomes increasingly dangerous the closer it gets to its quarry. One of the great American novels, if not the greatest, Moby Dick epically combines rip-roaring adventure, a meticulously realistic portrayal of the whaling trade and a profound philosophical disquisition on the nature of good and evil.Trade ReviewStrange, original and gripping. -- William Somerset MaughamOne of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world. -- D.H. Lawrence

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An evocative love story layered with heroism and intrigue — the film ‘Casablanca’ if Rick had an artsy bent … powerful.” — San Francisco Chronicle "A sweeping tale of perseverance and courage set against the backdrop of Nazi-era Europe, The Postmistress of Paris is the very best kind of historical fiction: a complex and intriguing story that both highlights a little-known moment in the past and resonates powerfully in the present, reminding us that bigotry can only be vanquished when people are willing to take a stand.” — Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train "I loved The Postmistress of Paris, a novel of so many layers - a suspense story, a love story, and a story about the purpose of art. Meg Waite Clayton is a brilliant and deft writer, and I rooted for her strong, witty and brave heroine on her pulse-pounding mission to save Jewish painters, intellectuals, and a motherless child from Vichy France." — Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal "Widely esteemed for her previous World War II novels, Meg Waite Clayton triumphantly returns with The Postmistress of Paris, a story of one woman’s heroic quest to help the forgotten in Occupied France. Clayton’s immaculately researched and beautifully written tale of passage and courage and heart is her best work yet." — Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Woman With The Blue Star “The work of an unsung heroine rises from the pages of The Postmistress of Paris. Meg Waite Clayton draws a vivid contrast between the beauty of art and the brutality of war, the power of humanity and the human cost of cruelty, greed, and prejudice. With a heart-stopping flight across war-torn Europe, this is a story readers of historical fiction and strong female characters will devour.” — Lisa Wingate, # 1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Before We Were Yours “Clayton expertly renders the story of a courageous American woman’s role in the French Resistance during WWII. . . . Clayton’s lyrical, thought-provoking prose breathes life into her characters. This sterling portrait of a complex woman stands head and shoulders above most contemporary WWII fiction.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “This gripping historical love story from Clayton brings readers into the courageous lives of those struggling just to stay alive and those risking everything to help.” — Booklist "Fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Hannah will want to dive right into The Postmistress of Paris." — BookPage “A true gem . . . and a testament to the power of good.” — Portia Kapraun, Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisOn the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook's successful navigation to the coast of Australia, this is Alistair MacLean's absorbing story of one of Britain's great national heroes, from his obscure beginnings to his sudden and violent death at the age of fifty-one.When James Cook was hacked to death by Hawaiian islanders on 14 February 1779, he was already considered the greatest explorer of his age. Born in obscurity but gripped by a boundless passion for new horizons, he became the greatest combination of seaman, explorer, navigator, and cartographer that the world had ever known. He still is. He had driven himself mercilessly, and his men likewise, and yet the surgeon's mate on the Resolution was able to write: In every situation he stood unrivalled and alone; on him all eyes were turned; he was our leading star, which at its setting left us involved in darkness and despair'.Between 1768 and 1779, Captain Cook circumnavigated the globe three times in voyages of discovery that broke recTrade Review‘The words on Palliser’s monument to Cook – “the ablest and greatest navigator this or any country has produced” – will not seem extravagant after reading Mr MacLean’s book.’Times Educational Supplement

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Book SynopsisAn irresistible tale of swashbuckling pirates in the New World from master storyteller Michael Crichton now in paperbackJamaica, in 1665 a lone outpost of British power amid Spanish waters in the sunbaked Caribbean. Its capital, Port Royal, a cuthroat town of taverns, grog shops and bawdy houses the last place imaginable from which to launch an unthinkable attack on a nearby Spanish stronghold. Yet that is exactly what renowned privateer Captain Charles Hunter plans to do, with the connivance of Charles II''s ruling governor, Sir James Almont.The target is Matanceros, guarded by the bloodthirsty Cazalla, and considered impregnable with its gun emplacements and sheer cliffs. Hunter''s crew of buccaneers must battle not only the Spanish fleet but other deadly perils raging hurricanes, cannibal tribes, even sea monsters. But if his ragtag crew succeeds, they will make not only history but a fortune in gold.Trade Review‘Fast-moving and gripping, this is a read-it-in-one-go adventure’ Daily Mail Praise for Michael Crichton: 'A gripping, impeccably researched thriller…we don't get much politically engaged fiction these days. Here is a fine example' Evening Standard 'Exciting…a master storyteller' Sunday Telegraph 'Terrific fun. The pages whip by' Independent 'Intelligent, readable and guaranteed to get the grey matter going' Mirror 'One of the most ingenious, inventive thriller writers around… another high-concept treat…written in consummate page-turning style…fascinating' Observer 'Mixing cutting-edge science with thrills and spills, this is classic Crichton' Daily Mirror

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Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed master of action and suspense. The all time classicTrade Review‘Almost perfect MacLean’ Lee Child ‘Keeps up its high-wire tension all the way. Not to be missed’ Guardian ‘A cracker-jack opening. Insistently readable’ Evening Standard ‘Breathless action…and a sterling plot’Financial Times

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Book SynopsisTHE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES #6 'An absolute master of pace, plotting and character' ELLY GRIFFITHS REVENGE DI Ben Kitto made many enemies in his time working as an undercover officer for the Met police, none more ruthless and calculating than gang leader Craig Travis.IS WORTH Travis has longed to make Kitto pay for his role in getting him convicted – and that day has finally arrived. Now, a dark and twisted killer is heading for the Scilly Isles, one who has waited a long time for revenge.WAITING FOR . . . With Kitto busy investigating the discovery of a body on the islands and distracted by the imminent arrival of his first child, his defences are down. He has so much to lose.And Travis will stop at nothing to take it all from him.  PRAISE FOR KATE RHODES:  ‘Gripping, clever and impossible

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Book SynopsisExquisite a clear head and shoulders above the rest' Sunday IndependentCompelling I can't recommend this one highly enough.' Gill PaulThis exquisite, thoroughly researched book places (Gaynor) a clear head and shoulders above the rest. Sunday IndependentA splendid read Not to be missed.' Kate Quinn ( New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network)1838: when a terrible storm blows up off the Northumberland coast, Grace Darling, the lighthouse-keeper's daughter, knows there is little chance of survival for the passengers on the small ship battling the waves. But her actions set in motion an incredible feat of bravery that echoes down the century.1938: when nineteen-year-old Matilda Emmerson sails across the Atlantic to New England, she faces an uncertain future. Staying with her reclusive relative, Harriet Flaherty, a lighthouse keeper on Rhode Island, Matilda discovers a discarded portrait that opens a window on to a secret that will change her life forever.Trade Review‘Atmospheric’ My Weekly ‘Shines a brilliant light on female courage and endurance…A splendid read’ Kate Quinn, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network ‘This exquisite, thoroughly researched book places her a clear head and shoulders above the rest.’ Sunday Independent ‘Beautiful, heart-wrenching yet life affirming – I loved it.’ Fionnuala Kearney author of You, Me and Other People ‘A compelling read, the best kind of historical fiction.’ Portobello Book Blog ‘So absorbing, I couldn’t put it down.’ Book Chat ‘Hazel delivers a cast of strong, courageous women for readers to fall in love with.’ writing.ie Praise for Hazel Gaynor: ‘This is a gorgeous, uplifting, magical book that will have you hooked from the start.’ Gill Paul author of The Secret Wife ‘Peopled with unforgettable characters…Once begun, I dare you to put it down.’ Kathleen Tessaro, author of The Perfume Collector ‘Beautiful, heart-wrenching yet life affirming – I loved it.’ Fionnuala Kearney, author of You, Me and Other People ‘Hazel delivers a cast of strong, courageous women for readers to fall in love with.’ writing.ie ‘Her pages pulse with luxurious language and fine detail… an emotive and accessible read' Gloss Magazine ‘Gorgeously written’ Irish Independent

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Book SynopsisA story of survival set in 600 AD Ireland; a parable of patriarchy, destruction and religion at sea, by Emma Donoghue, the bestselling author of Room.'Everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best.' - Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetIn seventh-century Ireland, a priest has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Taking two monks with him, he travels down the Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a new place of worship. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. But in such a place, far from all other humanity, what will survival mean?‘Haven is a beautiful, bold blaze of a book’ – Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry‘Beautiful and timely’ - Sarah Moss, author of Summerwater‘Sinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written’ – The Times‘Combines pressure-cooker intensity and radical isolation, to stunning effect’ – Margaret Atwood via Twitter‘Book of the Year’ pick in The Irish Times, The Guardian, The Irish Post, RTÉ and The Times.Trade ReviewA remarkably engrossing tale * The Mail on Sunday *This book kept me up half the night - I was unable to put it down, and read it in one spellbound gulp. It is everything a novel should be: compassionate, unpredictable, and questioning. Haven is Donoghue at her strange, unsettling best. -- Maggie O'Farrell, author of HamnetBrooding, dreamlike . . . it’s in descriptions of the physical world that Donoghue’s prose soars . . . Likewise, among themes that include isolation and devotion, its ecological warnings are its most resonant. * The Observer *Quietly beautiful . . . And its subject, of course, is a universal one: we’re all stuck on this rock, trying to keep hold of simple moral truths while quietly losing our minds. As poor young Trian puts it, in one of his darkest moments: “Even this unbearable life is still sweet." * The Guardian *Donoghue excels in creating not just a world but a worldview that is far removed from our own . . . this is a bold, thoughtful novel. * Financial Times *A beautiful and timely novel about isolation, passion and the conflict between obedience and self-preservation. The island setting and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading -- Sarah Moss, author of Ghostwall and SummerwaterDonoghue wrings unlikely psychodrama from such everyday chores of monastic life as copying a manuscript or building a drystone wall. But if that doesn’t grab you, rest assured that the devastating denouement amply repays the reader’s patience — and has a thing or two to say about modern-day moral panics, too * Daily Mail *A powerful story, brilliantly imagined. * Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures *Haven creates an eerie, meditative atmosphere that should resonate with anyone willing to think deeply about the blessings and costs of devoting one’s life to a transcendent cause. * The Washington Post *In 7th C, Ireland, three men set sail to a bird-thick island to find God. EmmaDonoghue combines pressure-cooker intensity + radical isolation, to stunning effect. What is Divine Grace? Purity of soul? Virtue? Not what they think. -- Margaret Atwood via TwitterSinister, heart-wrenching and beautifully written. * The Times *A grim and grisly tale of monastic privation and isolation in seventh-century Ireland . . . [Donoghue] deftly captures the elemental nature of the relationship between her protagonists and the natural world; how it’s both their benefactor and their tormentor, a source of life, but also of death. -- Lucy Scholes * The Daily Telegraph *Both a story about three men of God surviving with almost nothing on an island, and another about dictatorship, isolation, true fraternity, love, the nature of faith and man’s place in the natural world . . . It’s utterly brilliant. -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryWritten in an admirably plain and lucid style, Haven is slow but ultimately moving in its revelation of friendhsip and human decency . . . * The Times *A patient, thoughtful novel with much to say about spirituality, hope, and human failure, and about the miracle of mercy. -- Esi Edugyan, Booker-shortlisted author of Washington BlackHaven is a gentle book, a fascinating exploration of human nature and an immensely enjoyable read. * RTÉ *Atmospheric and vividly told * Marie Claire *

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Book SynopsisBook three of The Riftwar LegacyThe final instalment of Feist's spellbinding Krondor adventure. Now in a brilliant new livery.Feist writes fantasy of epic scope, fast-moving action and vivid imagination' Washington PostA drop in the ocean?A raid upon the high seas signals an attack of unprecedented magnitude by the forces of darkness. For the holiest of holies, the Tear of the Gods has been lost to the Temple of Ishap. After a raid planned by Bear, one of the most brutal pirates to sail the Bitter Sea, goes dramatically wrong, the colossal gems sink below the waves.So begins a story of the Tear of the Gods, the most powerful artifact known to the Temples of Midkemia. For it allows the temples to speak with their gods. Without it, they are lost for a decade, until another gem is formed in the distant mountains.Squire James, William, and Jazhara, new court magician, must seek out the location of this gem, with Brother Solon, a warrior priest of Ishap, and Kendaric, the sole member of the Wreckers' Guild with the power to raise the ship. They are opposed by the minions of Sidi, servant of the Dark God, who seeks to possess the Tear for his own ends, or to destroy it, denying it to the forces of light.This third tale in The Riftwar Legacy is a breathless race for a priceless treasure. It's a race against time, against the myriad sinister and competing evil forces desperate for the all-powerful prize, and ultimately against the fundamentals of nature, which in Midkemia can be as formidable as the Gods themselvesTrade ReviewPraise for Raymond E. Feist: 'File under guilty pleasure'Guardian 'Get in at the start of a master's new series'Daily Sport 'Well-written and distinctly above average… intelligent… intriguing.'Publishers Weekly ' Epic scope…vivid imagination…a significant contribution to the growth of the field of fantasy.'Washington Post

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Book SynopsisSet in a lethal waterworld where sudden death is a way of life, The Skinner is the first novel in the far-future Spatterjay series by Neal Asher.The savage ocean planet of Spatterjay draws visitors with very different agendas. Erlin is immortal and seeks a reason to keep living. Janer hosts a hive mind, which paid him to find this planet. And Keech is an agent of Earth who’s been dead for seven hundred years – but still hunts a notorious criminal.On Spatterjay’s vast waterscapes, only the Old Captains risk the native life forms and their voracious appetites. However, they are now barely human. And somewhere out there Keech’s target – the Skinner – runs wild. Keech pursues the Skinner for atrocities committed in a centuries-past war, fought with the alien Prador. But one of these Prador is fast approaching Spatterjay to exterminate witnesses to his own war crimes. And he won’t spare its visitors.Continue the science fiction adventure with The Voyage of Sable Keech and Orbus.Trade ReviewHis easy style and intriguing plot make for a great story that treats the reader as an adult -- The TimesCrammed full of inventive technology, organic and artificial intelligence, horrible monsters, and a thick mesh of story lines -- SFXAn exhilarating tour through one of the most ingeniously, elaborately deadly worlds since Harry Harrison invented Death World -- LocusHurtles along at a high-octane clip . . . In sum: a blast -- Kirkus

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Book SynopsisOn the high seas of the Caribbean, a family of English children is set loose - sent by their parents from their home in Jamaica to receive the civilising effects of England. When their ship is captured by pirates, the thrilling cruise continues as the children transfer their affections from one batch of sailors to another. Innocence is their protection, but as life in the care of pirates reveals its dangers, the events which unfold begin to take on a savagely detached quality.Writers'' reviews for A High Wind in Jamaica:''One of my all time favourite books'' Ann Patchett''I wouldn''t let a 14-year-old near it'' Meg Rosoff''I read the whole thing in one gulp. It was remarkable. Tiny. Crazy. I felt just like I did as a kid.'' Andrew Sean Greer''When I really like a book I''ll sometimes read a passage or two aloud to whoever''s nearby; this one I''d happily recite cover-to-cover'' Imogen Hermes GowarTrade ReviewI read Richard Hughes’ A High Wind in Jamaica this year and felt breathless with shock and awe… Appallingly dark story…dreadfully funny. * Independent *A High Wind in Jamaica is like those books you used to read under the covers with a flashlight - only infinitely more delicious ... and macabre -- Andrew Sean Greer * NPR *Wow. Just....wow. This is a nasty, wicked little book. It's wonderful -- Lydia Kiesling * The Millions *

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Book SynopsisFrom one of Britain's best-loved literary novelists comes a magical, lyrical tale of the young orphan Silver, taken in by the ancient lighthousekeeper Mr. Pew, who reveals to her a world of myth and mystery through the art of storytelling.Motherless and anchorless, Silver is taken in by the timeless Mr. Pew, keeper of the Cape Wrath lighthouse. Pew tells Silver ancient tales of longing and rootlessness, of the slippages that occur throughout every life. One life, Babel Dark's, a nineteenth-century clergyman, opens like a map that Silver must follow, and the intertwining of myth and reality, of storytelling and experience, lead her through her own particular darkness.A story of mutability, talking birds and stolen books, of Darwin and Stevenson and of the Jekyll and Hyde in all of us, Lighthousekeeping is a way into the most secret recesses of our own hearts and minds. Jeanette Winterson is one of the most extraordinary and original writers of her generation, and this shows her at her lyrical best.Trade Review‘The importance of stories, the urge to create ourselves through stories, is one of Winterson’s abiding themes, along with the supremacy, the redemptive power of love.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A marvelously skilful juggling act of ideas and emotion … Winterson’s prodigious talent brings the book alive.’ Evening Standard ‘The power of Lighthousekeeping is in … the pared-down precision of its language, each word smoothed into a finely polished pebble.’ Observer

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Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the fourth Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.THE BODY THAT CAME FROM NOWHEREOff the coast of Burry Port in south Wales, two fishermen discover a shipping crate and manage to haul it ashore. Inside is the decomposing body of a brutally murdered man. With nothing to indicate who he is or where it came from, the local police decide to call in Scotland Yard. Fortunately Inspector Joseph French does not believe in insoluble cases there are always clues to be found if you know what to look for. Testing his theories with his accustomed thoroughness, French's ingenuity sets him off on another investigation . . .Trade Review‘Inspector French is as near the real thing as any sleuth in fiction.’ SUNDAY TIMES “A detective novel by Mr. Wills Crofts is always an event to those who know … Mr. Crofts is among the few muscular writers of detective fiction. He has never let me down.”HAROLD NICOLSON, DAILY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisOrbus continues the adventure of Captain Orbus in Neal Asher's high-octane, science fiction Spatterjay series.A cold war is turning white hot.Old Captain Orbus commandeered a ship to flee Spatterjay, desperate to escape the violent planet. Orbus’s alien enemy, the Prador Vrell, is also moving on. The Spatterjay virus mutated him into something even more dangerous. And he’s hunting the Prador King himself – who sought to kill him, to bury the secret of their similar transformations.Orbus and Vrell clash in the Graveyard, a lawless zone where the Prador have seized a key space station. Official action by humanity or Prador would end peace, as a centuries-long cold war simmers. So Earth commands Orbus to destroy the station, even as the King recruits a monster to exterminate Vrell. But their actions will awaken an intelligence that annihilated civilizations, as it stirs after five million years . . .Trade ReviewAsher delivers a satisfying space opera full of adrenaline highs . . . Fast-paced fun -- SFXRail-guns rattle off, pulse rifles fire out shots and explosions ring out. This is what Asher does best -- SciFiNowIt is, like all of Asher’s work, brilliant fun -- DeathrayOrbus hits every nail on the head, every time. Neal has not only delivered an excellent, enthralling and action-packed story, but probably his most accomplished and enjoyable novel to date. I honestly can't recommend this one highly enough -- Walker of Worlds

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Book Synopsis'It's like a big hug in a book' - Janice Hallett, author of The AppealSometimes the end is only the beginning . . . Annie is single, unemployed and just a bit stuck when her beloved father dies unexpectedly. Furious at his partner’s plans to scatter his ashes somewhere of no emotional significance, Annie seizes the urn and, on a whim, decides to take it on a tour of the thirty-one sea areas that make up the shipping forecast, which her father loved listening to, despite living in landlocked St Albans. Travelling around the coastline of Britain searching for the perfect place to say goodbye, she starts to wonder if it might be time to rethink some of the relationships in her life – but is it too late for second chances?A novel about love, loss and the importance of living life to the full, Annie Stanley, All at Sea by Sue Teddern is proof that it’s often the most difficult moments in life that show us what really matters.'Witty, wise with wonderful characters. I absolutely loved this book' - Katie Fforde, author of A Springtime AffairTrade ReviewA funny, warm, wry writer -- David Nicholls, bestselling author of One Day and Sweet SorrowThis charming, well-judged debut novel balances seaside kitsch and mordant humour. Deckchair optional -- ObserverWitty, wise with wonderful characters. I absolutely loved this book -- Katie Fforde, author of A Springtime Affair and Highland FlingThis bittersweet story about grief has just the right balance of poignancy and humour * Good Housekeeping *This is a brilliantly funny, heartwarming celebration of life, love, grief and the Shipping Forecast -- Georgia Pritchett, author of My Mess Is a Bit of a LifeI loved Annie Stanley: she's a gloriously imperfect heroine who takes you on a stormy journey of grief, love and Britain's brilliant coastline. I was swept away -- Eva Carter, author of How To Save a LifeA journey to rediscover that life really is worth living * OK Magazine *Poignant, funny and full of emotional resonance. You cannot help but root for Annie Stanley as she embarks on a journey that is both stormy and strangely reassuring -- Elizabeth Enfield, author of Ivy and AbeFunny and moving and the perfect read for grey days -- Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest ManDevoured this funny, tender book and fell in love with chaotic bumbler Annie Stanley along the way. Can’t wait to see her again -- Jenny Landreth, author of Swell and Break A LegThis book is packed with heart and wit. I was moved and laughed out loud so many times. I truly love Annie. Her journey and the people in her world are completely real to me -- Jo Clegg, author of The Summer HolidayIt's like a big hug in a book -- Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal

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Book SynopsisIf you love adventure, tight plotting, excellent characterization and vivid writing, set your course for this compelling and captivating naval adventure from multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent. Fans of Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester will not be disappointed. Do not miss out!''One of our foremost writers of naval fiction'' -- Sunday Times''Fans of the Hornblower stories have a treat in THE FLAG CAPTAIN...The book is full of action - and character.'' -- Sunday Mirror''Engrossing'' -- ***** Reader review''An emotional tour de force'' -- ***** Reader review''Typical Alexander Kent Bolitho novel - every book in the series has kept me enthralled. I struggle to put them down until the end'' -- ***** Reader review''Superb with unexpected twists and turns, fascinating plot lines and gripping descriptions of naval battles'' -- ***** Reader review************************Trade ReviewOne of our foremost writers of naval fiction. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisPre-order THE STALKER, a new standalone cat-and-mouse thriller from Kate Rhodes, coming Autumn 2024!THE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES #7 ‘An absolute master of pace, plotting and character’ ELLY GRIFFITHSON A REMOTE ISLAND When Jez Cardew’s boat is found drifting empty on the Atlantic Ocean, DI Ben Kitto and his fellow lifeboat crew members immediately fear the worst. After an extensive search yields no results, the team are forced to retreat to dry land as darkness sets in.  THE OCEAN IS MERCILESS But Kitto can’t let it go. Why would Jez – an experienced sailor – get into difficulty when the sea has been calm for weeks? Unless his disappearance was no accident.  BUT SO ARE THE PEOPLE . . . The gruesome discovery of a hand washed ashore on the beach confirms his hunch. Because a medal is attached to thTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR KATE RHODES ‘Clever, atmospheric and compelling’ WOMAN'S WEEKLY ‘Expertly weaves a sense of place and character into a tense and intriguing story’ METRO ‘Rhodes does a superb job of balancing a portrayal of a tiny community oppressed by secrets with an uplifting evocation of setting’ JAKE KERRIDGE, SUNDAY EXPRESS ‘A vividly realised protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline’ SOPHIE HANNAH, DAILY EXPRESS ‘Rhodes is a published poet and every one of her sentences sings’ FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down . . . The claustrophobia and paranoia of the island are so brilliantly evoked, I could almost feel the tide encroaching as time ran out to find the killer’ ERIN KELLY ‘The whole book tingles with tension. I hope it does for the Scilly Isles what Ann Cleeves did for Shetland’ MEL MCGRATH ‘Evocative, immersive, twisty’ SARAH VAUGHAN ‘One of the most absorbing books I’ve read in a long time’ MEL SHERRATT

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Book Synopsis'Another meticulously researched and stunningly written novel by a much-loved and highly accomplished author. I adored it!' - Santa MontefiorePiracy. Romance. Revenge. Across the seas of the seventeenth century, two seafarers are forced to fight for their lives. The sequel to The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship is the third novel in the Joubert Family Chronicles from bestselling author Kate Mosse. The Barbary Coast, 1621. A mysterious vessel floats silently on the water – its hull splintered and its sails tattered and burnt. For months the Ghost Ship has hunted pirates to liberate enslaved prisoners. Now it – too – finds itself hunted.But the ship’s crew hides a secret, and the stakes could not be higher. The bravest among them are not who they seem: if arrested, they will hang for their alleged crimes. Can they survive their journey and escape their fate?A sweeping and epic love story, The Ghost Ship is a tale of adventure and buccaneering, love and revenge, stolen fortunes, piracy and hidden secrets on the high seas.Trade ReviewMosse can tell a story . . . plunge relentlessly and breathlessly in alongside Louise and Gilles in their maritime adventure * The Times *Beautifully written and engaging from the first page, keeping you guessing until the end * Independent *A gripping, thrilling page-turner, richly imagined and impeccably told * Toronto Star *Another meticulously researched and stunningly written novel by a much-loved and highly accomplished author. I adored it! -- Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of An Italian Girl in BrooklynThe Ghost Ship is utterly absorbing. I couldn’t put it down and fell in love with her two main characters, and felt bereft when it ended -- Louise Minchin, BBC journalist, host of the Her Spirit podcast and author of FearlessGripping, thrilling, a spectacular work of scholarly reimagining, The Ghost Ship is a beautiful book about two women, about love, courage, suffering, and a world in which everything was on a knife edge. A stunning novel, a whole world recreated -- Kate Williams, historian and author of Rival QueensAppositely placed in the past – this compelling tale of women on a mission to be seen and heard is a tale for today. Page turning -- Helen Lederer, comedian and author of Losing ItTransporting, intelligent, heartwarming and intriguing, this is historical fiction at its finest -- Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie LaneWonderful, rip roaringly adventurous and full of indelible characters. Mosse is a conjurer -- Irenosen Okojie, author of NudibranchA gorgeously written, utterly absorbing epic and, despite being set in the sixteenth century, has some very pertinent messages for our time about the evils of religious persecution and the transcendent power of love and family. In case it’s not clear enough yet, I absolutely LOVED it -- Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Hunting Party and The Paris Apartment, on The City of Tears[A] dramatic, immersive tale of secrets, conspiracies, fanaticism and loss -- Daily Mail on The City of Tears

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Book SynopsisLittle treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. American writer Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in 1851 but it took decades before it was finally regarded as a great American novel, and worthy of its place among the greatest texts of humankind. A tale of imagination and adventure, it recounts the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of a whaling ship seeking vengeance on Moby Dick, the white whale that had bitten off his leg on a previous voyage.

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Book SynopsisThe beacons are lit – the Armada is sighted off the English coast. The thrilling final instalment of the Navy Royal trilogy.1588: The greatest naval force of its age bears down upon England. As a devastating battle looms, a nation holds its breath.Jack Stannard, grandson of the original Jack, is stationed on Drake’s warship Revenge. His father, Tom, commands his own vessel and even his grandfather is close by. Each must be ready for the greatest battle of their lives.Everything is at stake: the fleet, the Queen, England and behind it all something even more binding. Family. On every front they must triumph...A brilliant and intricate portrait of one of the world's most important sea battles and its aftermath, Armada's Wake is a masterpiece of historical adventure, perfect for fans of Patrick O’Brian, C. S. Forester and Bernard Cornwell.

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Book SynopsisAmerican writer Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in 1851 but it took decades before finally it was regarded as a great American novel, and worthy of its place amongst the greatest texts of humankind. It recounts the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of a whaling ship seeking vengeance on Moby Dick, the white whale that had bitten off Ahab's leg on a previous voyage. Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisAnne is a headstrong young girl growing up in the frontier colony of Carolina in the early eighteenth century. With the death of her mother, and others she holds dear, Anne discovers that life is uncertain, so best live it to the full. She rejects the confines of conventional society and runs away to sea, finding herself in The Bahamas, which has become a nest for pirates plaguing the West Indies. Increasingly dissatisfied with her life, Anne meets a charismatic former pirate, John 'Calico Jack' Rackham, and persuades him to take up pirating again, and she won't be left onshore. The Golden Age of Piracy is a period when frontiers were being explored and boundaries pushed. Wayward Voyage creates a vivid and gritty picture of colonial life in the Americas and at sea. "Anna is a natural storyteller and a gifted writer with colourful language that makes the reader so absorbed that they feel they are part of the adventure." The Bahamas Historical Society "Holmes’s depiction of the rough lingo and harsh conditions on tall ships at sea and dimly lit establishments ashore demonstrates both historical fidelity and rich imagination." A Woman’s Write

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Book SynopsisEdward Marston has written well over a hundred books, including some non-fiction. He is best known for his hugely successful Railway Detective series and he also writes the Bow Street Rivals series featuring twin detectives set during the Regency; the Home Front Detective novels set during the First World War; and the Ocean Liner mysteries.

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Book SynopsisSet off for another rip-roaring, all-action naval adventure courtesy of multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent. You''ll be able to smell the whiff of the gunpowder and hear the scream of the cannon balls as our hero fights another battle against the enemies of England. Guaranteed to have you engrossed from page one, fans of Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester will not be disappointed.''One of our foremost writers of naval fiction'' -- Sunday Times''His dashing character Richard Bolitho is one of the best things to happen to the sea yarn since Hornblower'' -- Daily Express''The storytelling has an easy mastery, how well Kent knows the psychology of naval men'' -- Sunday Telegraph''Just as well I am an insomniac as it is almost impossible to put it down'' -- ***** Reader review''Another stirring yarn from the grand master of naval fiction'' -- ***** Reader reviewTrade ReviewOne of our foremost writers of naval fiction. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAn anthology of 17th and 18th century travel writing that inspired the hugely popular Aubrey/Maturin series, collected and introduced by Patrick O'Brian, beautifully repackaged to mark the centenary of his birth.Patrick O'Brian has unearthed from obscurity the most dynamic travel writing of the seventeenth and eighteenth century. With his scholarly mind, editor's eye, and traveller's heart he brings together a series of thrilling seaward tales.Expertly chosen by O'Brian and prefaced with details that bring these extracts to vivid life, A Book of Voyages is a broad yet intimate portrait of what life was like at sea during a time of discovery.This rare collection sheds a glorious light onto these accounts of seaward adventure. From why eating rats is necessary and how to powder your hair in France to how to truly face fear and distress during a terrifying sea passage, this collection is rich in travellers' experiences.A Book of Voyages is a unique opportunity to not only accompany an adoTrade Review‘A more exhilarating series of snapshots into marine adventures in an age of exploration would be hard to imagine’DAILY MAIL ‘This anthology of salty yarns laid the foundations for the… Aubrey-Maturin cycle. Splendidly transporting’INDEPENDENT

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Book SynopsisA landmark selection of the works one of the greatest Greek writers of the twentieth centuryStripped of their ancestral lands and persecuted by other proud dynasties, the once illustrious Eumorphopoulos family have been brought low. But when their rivals begin to falter, two Eumorphopoulos brothers, Aristodemus and Dimitrakis, resolve to restore their line''s ancient glory. Yet they disagree about the best path forward: do they look to the ancient past - to long-lost language and culture - or to the ideology and technology of the present. . . The Archeologist, Andreas Karkavitsas'' masterpiece, is at once a powerful allegory for the questions facing Greek nationalism at the turn of the century, as well as a vision of Europe that, conceived on the precipice of the First World War, now resounds with tragedy.Also included in this edition are a selection of ''sea tales'' - folk stories told to Karakvitas by sailors, fishermen and sponge-divers during his travels in the Mediterranean. Staples of Greek literature, these four sea stories are considered some of Karakvitsas'' greatest achievements.

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Book SynopsisCelebrating Fifty Years of Picador Books Winner of the National Book Award 1990 The Apocalypse would definitely put a crimp in my career plans. Rutherford Calhoun, a puckish rogue and newly freed slave, spends his days loitering around the docks of New Orleans, dodging debt collectors, gangsters, and Isadora Bailey, a prim and frugal woman who seeks to marry him and curb his mischievous instincts. When the heat from these respective pursuers becomes too much to bear, he cons his way on to the next ship leaving the dock: the Republic. Upon boarding, to his horror he discovers that he is on an illegal slave ship embarking on the Middle Passage, the portion of the triangular trade route that saw slaves transported from Africa to the US. Staffed by a crew of criminals and degenerates, the Republic is on a mission to enslave members of the legendary Allmuseri tribe, while the sadistic yet philosophical Captain Falcon has a secondary objective: securing a mysterious cargo that possesses a terrifying and otherworldly power. What follows is a story of Rutherford’s battle for survival, as he finds himself juggling loyalties between the ship’s crew and the enslaved passengers, and is forced to use every ounce of the charm and cunning that he possesses to endure the desperate conditions and battle the myriad deadly forces on the high seas. A masterful blend of allegory, black comedy, naval adventure and supernatural horror, Charles Johnson's wildly inventive Middle Passage is a true modern classic.Part of the Picador Collection, a series showcasing the best of modern literature.Trade ReviewLong after we’d stopped believe in the great American novel, along comes a spellbinding adventure story that may be just that * Chicago Tribune *A novel in the honorable tradition of Billy Budd and Moby Dick... heroic in proportion...fiction that hooks into the mind * New York Times Book Review *A rousing adventure yarn that resonates with and echoes the spirit of early sea stories. . . Johnson has fashioned a tale of travel and tragedy, yearning and history, and done so from a different, rarely explored viewpoint. . . .Middle Passage is a story of slavery, often brilliant in its structure and riveting in the way it's told * San Francisco Chronicle *Middle Passage has it all - rich lyricism and erudition, apocalyptic storms, clumsy ships disintegrating beneath their sputtering sailors and perilous philosophical conflicts. * Independent *No American writer has returned to the past as effectively as this since Toni Morrison's Beloved...a brilliantly written, human, tragicomic odyssey. * Irish Times *History, philosophy and powerful story-telling converge and somehow Johnson gives this indictment of inhumanity grace and humour. * Observer *Stunningly good. . . and in its analysis of the black predicament in America, ranks with the classic Invisble Man * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisThe stunning new feminist retelling of the real-life female pirates of the Caribbean *One of The Times' Best Historical Fiction Novels of August* 'This swashbuckling debut is great fun'THE TIMES'Wonderfully drawn characters and a terrific pace'JESS KIDD, bestselling author of THE NIGHT SHIP''A poignant depiction of true female friendship, and a really good adventure story, beautifully told'FRANCES QUINN, author of THE SMALLEST MAN 'A cracking read. . . Fascinating, complex characters and a real page-turner!'LIZ HYDER, author of THE GIFTS 'Bonny and Read has it all. Adventure, atmosphere, sizzling suspense and unforgettable characters. Such a brilliant debut!'SD SYKES, author of THE GOOD DEATH'A deftly told tale of the complexities of friendship, female identity & freedom, featuring two remarkable women determined to define their own destinies . . . the pages turn themselves'ANITA FRANK, author of THE LOST ONES'What a debut! A fabulous, dangerous sea-shanty of a story' KATIE MUNNIK, author of THE AERIALISTS'A wonderful story, so beautifully told and absolutely gripping to the very end'EMMA CARROLL'Walker's book is a warm and wonderful tribute to these timeless women, with intriguing detail of the period and the pirate life.' LISA REDMOND, Historical Novel Society***Rebels. Pirates. Women. Caribbean, 1720. Two extraordinary women are on the run - from their pasts, from the British Navy and the threat of execution, and from the destiny that fate has written for them.Plantation owner's daughter, runaway wife, pirate - Anne Bonny has forged her own story in a man's world. But when she is involved in the capture of a British merchant ship, she is amazed to find another woman amongst the crew, with a history as unconventional as her own. Dressed as a boy from childhood, Mary Read has been a soldier, a sailor, a widow - but never a woman in charge of her own destiny.As their exhilarating, tumultuous exploits find fame, the ballad of Bonny and Read is sung from shore to shore - but when you swim against the tide of history, freedom is a dangerous thing...An exuberant reimagining of the extraordinary story of Bonny & Read - trailblazing, boundary-defying, swashbuckling heroines whose story deserves to be known. Perfect for fans of Ariadne, The Mercies and The Familiars.

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Book SynopsisReaders of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith will love this gripping, spell-binding and unputdownable WW2 historical adventure full of vivid battle scenes and masterful characterisation from multi-million copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman. Guaranteed to have you hooked from page one...'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' -- Sunday Times'A wonderfully entertaining book' -- ***** Reader review'Another brilliant story from the master of sea battles, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review'Well-paced & difficult to put down' -- ***** Reader review'Highly rated indeed. Excellent!' -- ***** Reader review*****************************************************************************1941: the S.S. Benbecula is already old when she is turned into an armed merchant cruiser,.Yet even she is needed to protect the vital Atlantic sea lanes.Commander Lindsay, her new captain, has to work desperately to mould the ship's company - raw recruits and old timers - into a fighting force.And better than anyone, Lindsay knows this could be his last command, his last chance...

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Book SynopsisFight for your country. Fight for your king. Fight for your life... Gripping adventure in the Tudor Navy. Jack Stannard has spent his whole life at sea, enduring savage beatings from his father and the furious aggression of whip-cracking storms. But a more cruel and dangerous foe is on the horizon. When Henry VIII dissolves the monasteries and wages war against France and Scotland simultaneously, Jack must take up his family destiny at the head of the Dunwich fleet.But enemy blades may be the least of his problems. Aging ships, treacherous rivals and ghosts from the past all threaten to interfere with the war effort. The only man he can trust is Thomas Ryman, a former warrior turned monk. As the English fleet descends on Edinburgh, the dangerous game of politics and war reaches a shattering climax aboard the pride of Henry’s navy – the Mary Rose. Stannard and Ryman know that it is not just their lives that are at stake, but the future of England herself...Stuffed to the gunwales with gripping naval combat and adventure, Destiny’s Tide is the first in a thrilling new series set amidst the rise of the Tudor Navy, perfect for fans of Julian Stockwin, C. S. Forester’s Hornblower, and Patrick O’Brian

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Book SynopsisIn these three sea stories, based on his own experience, Conrad invests his portraits of mundane steamers and their crews with epic qualities of fortitude and courage in the face of overwhelming natural odds. At the same time, he probes the psychological condition of men together and under pressure with the greatest delicacy, raising the adventure story to the level of high art. The supreme poet of the sailor's life, Conrad here establishes his reputation as a master storyteller.

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Book SynopsisThe Voyage of the Sable Keech returns to Neal Asher's water-bound world of Spatterjay, teeming with bizarre characters and gruesome monsters.Taylor Bloc is a walking dead man, determined to live again. He also wants adulation, power and control – and will do anything to get them. Of Bloc’s kind, Sable Keech alone has achieved resurrection. So Bloc will retrace Keech’s journey across Spatterjay’s wild seas, with his crew of killers, to grasp his secret.Erlin wanted solitude to understand her eternal life, until an attack prompts her own strange journey. And Janer returns, with forbidden weaponry. He must stop an agent controlled by a hive mind with a death fixation. But a wider crisis will overshadow personal missions. In the deeps, an alien Prador is stirring, horribly transformed by Spatterjay’s immortality virus. And an enemy ship would destroy the planet to keep this secret.Continue the science fiction adventure series with Orbus, or start at the beginning with The Skinner.Trade ReviewAs always, Asher is unparalleled at creating this unique and dangerous environment . . . as exhilarating as his previous books -- Good Book GuideHighly entertaining and brilliantly imagined -- SF RevuIdeas, jokes and puns splatter his pages -- GuardianGleeful use of technology... there is much to enjoy' -- SFFWorld

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Book SynopsisThe master storyteller of the sea, multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent, has penned another gripping, swashbuckling and emotionally charged naval adventure full of vividly depicted military action - perfect for fans of Patrick O''Brian and C. S. Forester.''One of our foremost writers of naval fiction'' -- Sunday Times''Shipwreck, survival ... a spirited battle ... a splendid yarn'''' -- The Times''Another great story, gripping to the end''-- ***** Reader review''Once you start it''s hard to put down'' -- ***** Reader review''Kept me enthralled'' -- ***** Reader review''Great read from start to finish'' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************************1806: The frigate carrying Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho drops anchor off the shores of southeTrade ReviewOne of our foremost writers of naval fiction * Sunday Times *Shipwreck, survival ... a spirited battle ... a splendid yarn * The Times *

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