Search results for ""macmillan""

Susan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling fantasy series continues – with the story of Iseult, the Threadwitch.War has come to the Witchlands . . . and nothing will be the same again.Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before.Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia – rightful queen of Nubrevna –finds herself without a crown or home.As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie.Witchshadow is the fourth book in the Witchlands series by bestselling author Susan Dennard.‘Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is like a cake stuffed full of your favourite fantasy treats . . . this book will delight you’ – Robin Hobb, author of Assassin’s Apprentice

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The Great Blue Yonder by Alex Shearer is the quirky, gentle journey of a boy stuck between looking back, and moving on.'You'll be sorry when I'm dead.' That's what Harry said to his sister, before the incident with the lorry. And now he is just that – dead. And he wishes more than anything that he hadn't said it. He wishes he could say sorry. And say goodbye to everyone he left behind – his mum, his dad, his best friend Pete. . . even Jelly Donkins, the class bully. Now he's on the Other Side, waiting to move on to the Great Blue Yonder. But he doesn't know how to get there – until he meets Arthur, a small boy in a top hat who's been dead for years, who helps him say goodbye. . .

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Erudite and entertaining in equal measure, Somewhere Becoming Rain is a love letter from the much-loved writer Clive James to one of the world’s most cherished poets: Philip Larkin.'This is the finest critic of his generation on the best poet of his lifetime' – The TimesClive James was a life-long admirer of the work of Philip Larkin. Somewhere Becoming Rain gathers all of James's writing on this towering literary figure of the twentieth century, together with extra material now published for the first time.The greatness of Larkin's poetry continues to be obscured by the opprobrium attaching to his personal life and his private opinions. James writes about Larkin's poems, his novels, his jazz and literary criticism; he also considers the two major biographies, Larkin's letters and even his portrayal on stage in order to chart the extreme and, he argues, largely misguided equivocations about Larkin's reputation in the years since his death.Through this joyous and perceptive book, Larkin's genius is delineated and celebrated. James argues that Larkin's poems, adored by discriminating readers for over half a century, could only have been the product of his reticent, diffident, flawed, and all-too-human personality.'A collection to savour two-fold – for the genius of Larkin and the playful erudition of James' – Financial Times

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Erudite and entertaining in equal measure, Somewhere Becoming Rain is a love letter from the much-loved writer Clive James to one of the world’s most cherished poets: Philip Larkin.'This is the finest critic of his generation on the best poet of his lifetime' – The TimesClive James was a life-long admirer of the work of Philip Larkin. Somewhere Becoming Rain gathers all of James's writing on this towering literary figure of the twentieth century, together with extra material now published for the first time.The greatness of Larkin's poetry continues to be obscured by the opprobrium attaching to his personal life and his private opinions. James writes about Larkin's poems, his novels, his jazz and literary criticism; he also considers the two major biographies, Larkin's letters and even his portrayal on stage in order to chart the extreme and, he argues, largely misguided equivocations about Larkin's reputation in the years since his death.Through this joyous and perceptive book, Larkin's genius is delineated and celebrated. James argues that Larkin's poems, adored by discriminating readers for over half a century, could only have been the product of his reticent, diffident, flawed, and all-too-human personality.'A collection to savour two-fold – for the genius of Larkin and the playful erudition of James' – Financial Times

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** Featured on BBC Two's Between The Covers **'Irresistible' - Val McDermid, author of 1979'Breathtaking . . . This is crime writing of a striking calibre' - Daily MailNear the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community – disappearances, arson and mutilations – all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself.In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries – no matter the cost.Sixteen Horses is the debut literary thriller from an extraordinary talent, Greg Buchanan. For fans of Jane Harper’s The Dry.'Totally gripping' - Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient'Read it, read it, read it' - B. P. Walter, author of The Dinner Guest'Original' - Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They Grown

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Walking with Ghosts is the stunningly evocative memoir by Irish actor and Hollywood star, Gabriel Byrne.'Dreamy, lyrical and utterly unvarnished' – Colm TóibínAs a young boy growing up in the outskirts of Dublin, Gabriel Byrne sought refuge in a world of imagination among the fields and hills near his home, at the edge of a rapidly encroaching city. Born to working-class parents and the eldest of six children, he harboured a childhood desire to become a priest. When he was eleven years old, Byrne found himself crossing the Irish Sea to join a seminary in England. Four years later, Byrne had been expelled and he quickly returned to his native city. There he took odd jobs as a messenger boy and a factory labourer to get by. In his spare time he visited the cinema, where he could be alone and yet part of a crowd. It was here that he could begin to imagine a life beyond the grey world of ’60s Ireland.He revelled in the theatre and poetry of Dublin’s streets, populated by characters as eccentric and remarkable as any in fiction, those who spin a yarn with acuity and wit. It was a friend who suggested Byrne join an amateur drama group, a decision that would change his life forever and launch him on an extraordinary forty-year career in film and theatre. Moving between sensual recollection of childhood in a now almost vanished Ireland and reflections on stardom in Hollywood and on Broadway, Byrne also courageously recounts his battle with addiction and the ambivalence of fame.Walking with Ghosts is by turns hilarious and heartbreaking as well as a lyrical homage to the people and landscapes that ultimately shape our destinies.‘Make no mistake about it: this is a masterpiece . . . poetic, moving and very funny’ – Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin

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Meet The Googlies by Jo Lodge! In Let's Play, Cheetah, children will learn first words about playtime. Bold, googly eyes and a sliding mechanism bring this adorable cheetah to life, while children share the simple story and point at the bright pictures. An ideal book for babies, this title combines bright illustrations, a simple story and first words – a perfect introduction to playtime for little ones.Read more in the series: Time for Bed, Panda; It's Lunchtime, Monkey!; Let’s Go Out, Elephant

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Packed with make and do activities and over 200 stickers, The Snail and the Whale Make and Do book is a great gift for any child – ideal for rainy days and holidays.One little snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of an enormous whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and through sun, snow and stormy seas. Join in their adventures with this fun craft book – make a penguin pencil pot, create a tropical erupting volcano and find out how to turn an empty shoebox into your very own underwater world!Based on the bestselling picture book, The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

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Ambitious and addictive, Only Time Will Tell is the first novel in Jeffrey Archer’s The Clifton Chronicles, beginning the epic tale of Harry Clifton, a working-class boy from the docks of Bristol.It is 1920, and against the backdrop of a world ravaged by conflict, Harry’s story begins with the words ‘I was told that my father was killed in the war’. Harry’s existence is defined by the death of his father and he seems destined to a life on the docks until a remarkable gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys school and entry into a world he could never have envisaged.Over the course of twenty years, as the Second World War and the fight against Hitler draws nearer, Harry will learn the awful truth about his father’s death and of his own connections to a powerful shipping family, the Barringtons. And in doing so, he will change his destiny forever . . .Richly imagined and populated with remarkable characters, The Clifton Chronicles will take you on a powerful journey, bringing to life one hundred years of family history in a story neither you, nor Harry, could ever have dreamt of.Continue the bestselling series with The Sins of the Father and Best Kept Secret.

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Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was Children's Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.Lydia Monks is one of the most original and bestselling picture book artists working today. Lydia illustrates several bestselling series including the What the Ladybird Heard adventures and Princess Mirror-Belle, written by Julia Donaldson. Her distinctive use of colour and collage has won her critical acclaim and several awards

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Without a Trace is a moving tale of second chances and creating a life worth living from the Number One bestselling author, Danielle Steel.Charles Vincent feels trapped in his treadmill of a life. He’s wealthy and successful doing a job he doesn’t want to do, in a marriage to a woman where the romance died many years ago. All that interests Isabelle is his money to fund her extravagant lifestyle. The children have left home and there is nothing for him to look forward to.One evening Charlie leaves work, driving towards their Normandy chateau. He has been working late every night, he is tired and not concentrating. While driving, just an hour away from the chateau, his car veers off the road, down a cliff and into the sea. The accident should have killed him – he almost felt ready to die. But he escapes – and somehow finds the strength to climb to safety.The area is remote but, in the growing darkness, he sees a light on in a cottage in the woods. He knocks on the door and is greeted by Aude, an artist who is escaping her own demons . . .This fateful meeting will change Charlie’s and Aude’s lives forever.

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An extraordinary tale of family, difficult decisions and destiny, from the world's favourite storyteller, Danielle Steel.

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In Finding Ashley, a deeply moving novel from the number one bestseller Danielle Steel, two estranged sisters get the chance to reconnect and right the wrongs of the past. Melissa Henderson leads a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, her life was derailed by tragedy and she stopped writing. The house has given her new purpose. When her beloved home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her estranged sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, to find the child that Melissa was forced to give up when she was only a teenager in Ireland. . Finding Ashley is a powerful love story of two strong, brave women turning loss into reconnection, and a family reunited.

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Nine Lives is a thought-provoking story of lost love and new beginnings, by the number one bestseller Danielle Steel.After a carefree childhood, Maggie Kelly came of age in the shadow of grief. Her father, a daredevil pilot, died when she was nine. Maggie saw her mother struggle to put their lives back together. As the family moved from one city to the next, her mother warned her about daredevil men and avoid risk at all cost. Following her mother's advice, and forgoing the magic of first love with a high school boyfriend who she thought too wild, Maggie married a good, dependable man. Together they had a son and found happiness in a conventional suburban life - until tragedy struck again. Now on her own, feeling a sense of adventure for the first time, Maggie decides to face her fears, setting off on a whirlwind trip from the US to Rome, Paris, London and Monaco. But when her travels reconnect her with the irresistible, thrill-seeking man she's spent thirty years trying to forget, Maggie is terrified that rushing into love and sharing his life may end in disaster. But while Maggie tries to outrun her fears and painful memories, fate will surprise her in the most astounding of ways, as she walks the tightrope between danger and courage, and between wisdom and love.

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From Jill Murphy, creator of the classic Peace at Last, comes the long-awaited third story about the lovable Bear family comes a Top 10 bestselling picture book.It had been a long night . . . so Mr and Mrs Bear woke up late. When Mr and Mrs Bear wake up late, it's raining outside – and Baby Bear is late for nursery. Then Mrs Bear sits on her glasses at work and Mr Bear spills his coffee! Oh dear – it seems this is just going to be one of those days! But the lovable Bear family muddle through cheerfully, and there's even a surprise for Baby Bear when Mr Bear gets home from work.With all the hallmarks of an instant classic, Just One of Those Days is a gentle story about a family day, which parents and children everywhere will relate to – full of satisfying read-aloud repetition and rhythm – and with Jill Murphy's instantly recognizable, cosily-lit illustrations.

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Laughter is the best medicine, so give yourself a healthy dose of fun and silliness with Monster Doctor: Slime Crime. The third in a spectacularly slimy series of monster adventures written and illustrated by John Kelly that will have you roaring with laughter.Are you looking for the best monster medicine EVER?Then look no further! FIXITALL will heal tentacle pain, fix leaky noses and stop your limbs falling off – in fact, it will heal practically any common monster illness. (It must be true, because it says so right there on the packet.)When an annoying saleswoman called Ms Diagnosis arrives at the monster doctor surgery, she swears that her new wonder medicine can cure any monster malady. Ozzy and the monster doctor aren't so sure, and their suspicions are raised when the patients try the unusually slimy samples and strange things start happening . . .Enjoy more from this howlingly hilarious series with Revolting Rescue and Foul Play.

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A page-turning OMG love story, The Love of My Life is a bold, mysterious romance from Rosie Walsh, author of The Man Who Didn't Call.'Dazzling' - Lisa Jewell, author of The Family UpstairsI have held you every night for ten years and I didn’t even know your name. We have a child together. A dog, a house.Who are you?Emma loves her husband Leo and their young daughter Ruby: she’d do anything for them. But almost everything she's told them about herself is a lie.And she might just have got away with it, if it weren’t for her husband’s job. Leo is an obituary writer and Emma is a well-known marine biologist. So, when she suffers a serious illness, Leo copes by doing what he knows best: reading and writing about her life.But as he starts to unravel her past, he discovers the woman he loves doesn’t really exist. Even her name is made-up.When the very darkest moments of Emma’s past life finally emerge, she must somehow prove to Leo that she really is the woman he always thought she was. But first, she must tell him about the love of her other life . . .'Stunning' – Daily Mail'A winning combination of big emotions and didn't-see-that-coming twist' – Good Housekeeping'I couldn't put it down' - Jane Fallon, author of Worst Idea Ever'An absolute triumph' - Jill Mansell, author of Should I Tell You?'It made me cry, smile and hug my own loved ones a little tighter' - Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare

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From acclaimed author and Costa winner Hilary McKay comes The Time of Green Magic: a beautiful, spell-binding novel about family, magic, an old house and a mysterious visitor . . .Abi and her two step-brothers, Max and Louis, find that strange things happen when they are alone in their eerie, ivy-covered new house.Abi, reading alone, finds herself tumbling deep into books, while Louis summons a startling guest through his bedroom window. Even Max has started to see shapes in the shadows . . .Their busy parents see none of it – but Louis’ secret visitor is growing too alarming to keep secret, and he finds he cannot manage without Max and Abi’s help.Can they find out where the mysterious creature has come from – and how to get it back there?

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David Baldacci's First Family is the fourth gripping New York Times bestseller in the King and Maxwell series.The President’s niece is missing. Former secret service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return to the White House.Camp David, USA.A children’s birthday party at the presidential retreat turns into a nightmare when a child is snatched after the celebrations.First Lady.The FBI doesn’t want private investigators King and Maxwell anywhere near the case. Regardless, they are enlisted by the First Lady to bring the child home safely.A shared history.The First Lady trusts King, for years ago he saved her then-senator husband from political disaster. But is there a greater secret in their past?With Maxwell battling her own demons, and forces aligned on all sides against her and King, the two are pushed to the absolute limit. In the race to save an innocent victim, the line between friend and foe will become impossible to define . . . or defend.David Baldacci's smash-hit series continues with The Sixth Man and King and Maxwell.

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A Sunday Times Paperback of the Year 'I can’t tell you how refreshing it is in these polarised times to read a book on politics that doesn’t have an axe to grind . . . an essential read.' - The Sunday TimesJason Cowley, editor-in-chief of the New Statesman, examines contemporary England through a handful of the key news stories from recent times to reveal what they tell us about the state of the nation and to answer the question Who Are We Now?Spanning the years since the election of Tony Blair’s New Labour government to the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the book investigates how England has changed and how those changes have affected us. Cowley weaves together the seemingly disparate stories of the Chinese cockle-pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay, the East End Imam who was tested during a summer of terror, the pensioner who campaigned against the closure of her GP’s surgery and Gareth Southgate’s transformation of English football culture. And in doing so, Cowley shows the common threads that unite them, whether it is attitudes to class, nation, identity, belonging, immigration, or religion.He also examines the so-called Brexit murder in Harlow, the haunting repatriation of the fallen in the Iraq and Afghan wars through Wootton Bassett, the Lancashire woman who took on Gordon Brown, and the flight of the Bethnal Green girls to Islamic State, fleshing out the headlines with the very human stories behind them.Through these vivid and often moving stories, Cowley offers a clear and compassionate analysis of how and why England became so divided and the United Kingdom so fragmented, and how we got to this cultural and political crossroads. Most importantly, he also shows us the many ways in which there is genuine hope for the future.

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'A chilling read’ Oyinkan Braithwaite, author of My Sister, The Serial Killer'Gripping . . . wonderfully written' Guardian'Beautifully written and frighteningly honest' Sunday ExpressA mother moves to Geneva with her husband and their two young children. In their newly rented apartment, she is surrounded by everything she could possibly need to create a perfect family home. Her husband’s job means he is almost never present, and her entire world is caring for her children – making sure they are happy and fed and comfortable.But things aren’t perfect. Rather, they are unravelling, because the loneliness, the lack of sleep and the demands of two little ones are getting to this mother. She has never been so isolated, and once the children are in bed, the apartment itself begins to feel like a threat . . .Kyra Wilder’s Little Bandaged Days is a beautifully written, painfully claustrophobic story about a woman’s descent into madness. Unpredictable, frighteningly compelling and brutally honest, it grapples with the harsh conditions of motherhood and this mother’s own identity, and as the novel continues, we begin to wonder just what exactly she might be driven to do.

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Dragon-slayers don't expect to survive to retirement age, but Bershad has unexpectedly thrived. Yet this very notoriety may be his downfall. Sorcery of a Queen is book two in the adventurous Dragons of Terra trilogy by Brian Naslund.Change is coming – but will they survive the storm?The dragonslayer Bershad and Queen Ashlyn are facing the greatest challenge of their lives. Branded the Witch Queen and driven from her kingdom, Ashlyn flees to her mother’s people. Yet she won’t be beaten, resolving to master magical feats long thought impossible. But this could have unforeseen consequences. Meanwhile, Bershad has learnt why he seems invincible – and that he’s living on borrowed time. However, he remains determined to help Ashlyn regain her throne. They will face a foreign emperor, commanding an army equipped with terrifying new weaponry. This aggressor will do anything to crush Ashlyn’s land, and claim its prized dragons. So to save her kingdom, both queen and dragonslayer must attempt the impossible to prevail.'Part Game of Thrones, part super hero epic, Blood of an Exile is a cinematic fantasy whirlwind' - Sebastien de Castell'Exciting, epic and wonderfully told, full of subtle humour and laugh laugh-out-loud lines' - Angus Watson on Blood of an Exile

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Dragon-slayers don't expect to survive to retirement age, but Bershad has unexpectedly thrived. Yet this very notoriety may be his downfall. If you liked the Witcher, you'll love this.Change is coming - but will they survive the storm?The dragonslayer Bershad and Queen Ashlyn are facing the greatest challenge of their lives. Branded the Witch Queen and driven from her kingdom, Ashlyn flees to her mother’s people. Yet she won’t be beaten, resolving to master magical feats long thought impossible. But this could have unforeseen consequences. Meanwhile, Bershad has learnt why he seems invincible – and that he’s living on borrowed time. However, he remains determined to help Ashlyn regain her throne. They will face a foreign emperor, commanding an army equipped with terrifying new weaponry. This aggressor will do anything to crush Ashlyn’s land, and claim its prized dragons. So to save her kingdom, both queen and dragonslayer must attempt the impossible to prevail.'Part Game of Thrones, part super hero epic, Blood of an Exile is a cinematic fantasy whirlwind' - Sebastien de Castell'Exciting, epic and wonderfully told, full of subtle humour and laugh laugh-out-loud lines' - Angus Watson on Blood of an ExileSorcery of a Queen is book two in the adventurous Dragons of Terra trilogy by Brian Naslund.

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Welcome to Brian Naslund's spectacular, action-packed fantasy debut. The first book in the Dragons of Terra series, Blood of an Exile features a life-changing mission for a death-defying adventurer . . . If you liked The Witcher, you'll love this.'Dark and adventurous, brazenly cinematic . . . sure to win over dragon-loads of fantasy fans' - Sebastien de Castell, author of SpellslingerSentenced to die. Impossible to kill.Bershad was supposed to die. When he was caught attempting to assassinate a fellow noble, he was given the harshest sentence: a command to slay dragons, so his death might serve the kingdom. Yet for some reason he never lost a fight and is now the most successful dragon-slayer in history. However, as a doomed man Bershad is still shunned by his peers and his countrymen. But that could all change.The king who sentenced Bershad has just given him a way out: kill a foreign monarch and walk free forever. But Bershad couldn’t care less about the fates of kingdoms – until the dragon-slayer discovers he could save an innocent child in the process.His mission might also save every creature in Terra.'Fans of Joe Abercrombie’s First Law or Michael Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations will love Brian Naslund’s debut' - Django Wexler, author of the Shadow Campaigns series

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1939. After the sudden and tragic loss of her husband, Helen is returning home to her mother’s house in Biggin Hill, Kent – the one place she vowed she’d never go back to again.Alone and not knowing where to turn, Helen finds herself joining the local women’s sewing circle despite being hopeless with a needle and thread. These resourceful women can not only make do and mend clothes, quilts and woolly hats, but their friendship mends something deeper in Helen too. Lizzie is a natural leader, always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Effie has uprooted her life from London to keep her two little girls away from the bombing raids, and the sewing circle is a welcome distraction from worries about how to keep a roof over their heads and about her husband too, now serving in active duty overseas.When the reason for Helen's husband's death comes to light, her world is turned upside down yet again. The investigating officer on the case, Richard, will leave no stone unturned, but it’s not long before his interest in Helen goes beyond the professional. As she pieces together old fabrics into a beautiful quilt, will Helen patch up the rifts in her own life?The Patchwork Girls by Elaine Everest is a moving story about the ties of friends and family, set during the turbulence of World War II.

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Tender and heartwarming, Wedding Bells for Woolworths is the fifth instalment in Elaine Everest's much-loved WW2 saga. July 1947. Britain is still gripped by rationing, even as the excitement of Princess Elizabeth’s engagement sweeps the nation. In the Woolworths’ canteen, Freda is still dreaming of meeting her own Prince Charming. So far she’s been unlucky in love.When she has an accident on her motorbike, knocking a cyclist off his bicycle, it seems bad luck is still following her around. Anthony is not only a fellow Woolworths employee but was an Olympic hopeful. Will his injured leg heal in time for him to compete? Can he ever forgive Freda?Meanwhile, Sarah's idyllic family life is under threat with worries about her husband, Alan. Does he still love her?The friends must rally round to face some of the toughest challenges of their lives together. And although they experience loss, hardship and shocks along the way, love is on the horizon for the Woolworths girls . . .Wedding Bells for Woolworths is the fifth instalment in the Woolworths series. The series continues with the prequel story A Mother Forever, available now.

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What's the good in keeping secrets?Secret Friends is a heartbreaking story about friendship and bullying from the multi-award-winning Elizabeth Laird. Rafaella doesn't find it easy to make friends. She looks and feels different from the others at school. And Lucy is the first to tease, the first to call her 'Earwig', until they get to know one another and Lucy sees that Rafaella is full of hopes and ideas, just like she is. Lucy loves keeping her own secret friend, until tragedy strikes and secrets can't be kept any longer.Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Children's Book Award and reissued with gorgeous illustrations, more than twenty years after first publication, Elizabeth Laird's moving and unflinching novella brings home the crucial importance of cultivating empathy in young people.'[A] humane and honest story. It conveys so much, so simply and so well' Scotsman'[A] fine weepy with a moral, about the dangers of playground cliquishness and cruelty' The Sunday Times

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Set between two fateful summers, Jane Healey's The Ophelia Girls is a heady exploration of illicit desire, infatuation and the perils and power of being a young woman.'An immersive, intoxicating summer read with the long-lasting feel of a classic' - Molly Aitken, author of The Island ChildSummer, 1973. Teenage Ruth and her four friends spend the scorching summer days in the river, recreating tableaus of the drowning Ophelia and other tragic heroines. But as autumn draws nearer, real tragedy has found them.Summer, 1997. Ruth returns to her childhood home with her husband and three children, including her eldest daughter seventeen-year-old Maeve. However when Stuart, an old family friend comes to stay, the uneasy relationship between mother and daughter is pushed to its limit. For Stuart's arrival is a reminder of a death in Ruth's past, while Maeve is feeling more alive than ever . . .As the heat of the summer burns, how long can the family go before long-held secrets threaten to burst their banks and drown them all?'A vivid, sensuous novel . . . I can't recommend it enough' - Anna Bailey, bestselling author of Tall Bones

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'Hypnotic, delivering acute social commentary on everything from class and race to familial bonds and community . . . I devoured Saint X in a day.' — New York Times, Oyinkan Braithwaite (author of My Sister, The Serial Killer)Claire is only seven years old when her college-age sister Alison vanishes from the luxury resort on the Caribbean island of Saint X on the last night of her family’s vacation. Several days later Alison’s body is found in a remote spot on a nearby cay, and two local men are arrested. But the evidence is slim, the timeline against it, and the men are soon released.Years later, riding in a New York City taxicab, Claire recognizes the name on the cabbie’s licence, Clive Richardson – her driver is one of the men originally suspected of murdering her sister and the fateful encounter sets her on an obsessive pursuit of the truth. But as Claire doggedly shadows Clive, hoping to gain his trust, waiting for the slip that will uncover the truth, an unlikely intimacy develops between them, two people whose lives were forever marked by a tragedy.Alexis Schaitkin's Saint X is a flawlessly drawn and deeply moving story that hurtles to a devastating end.

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'Smart and funny' – Ruth Hogan, author of The Keeper of Lost ThingsThe first step was learning to read, but if she really wants to turn her life around, Maggsie is going to have to trust other people – and that might just be the hardest lesson she’s ever faced . . . Small and dyslexic, with a short fuse, bad teeth, a prison record and something to prove, Marguerite McNaughton – Maggsie – doesn't need anybody or anything, thank you very much. She's more than capable of looking after herself. She’s also about to discover that everyone needs someone, sometimes. Even her. The thing about trusting others, though, is that not everyone is trustworthy . . . It starts when a fellow inmate gives Maggsie reading lessons. Then she's offered a job in London as a kitchen assistant, together with supported accommodation and a colleague who seems determined to befriend Maggsie, no matter what.At first, Maggsie is convinced nothing will change. Especially her. But maybe this time can be different? Maybe Maggsie can be different – if she can just put her previous mistakes behind her and her trust in the right people. Maggsie McNaughton's Second Chance, by Frances Maynard, is an uplifting, heartwarming novel about the power of friendship and the written word, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Home, Three Things about Elsie and Elizabeth is Missing.

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A playful, warm and funny story following a boy with a wild imagination and his lively family, from exciting creative duo: Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola.Shhh. Beware. My dad is a grizzly bear. In this family, it's just possible that Dad is a grizzly bear . . . He has fuzzy fur, enormous paws and loves the outdoors. He sleeps a lot even in the cinema and when he's awake, he's always hungry, usually eating up all the honey. what else could Dad be? But sometimes, when it's scary at night, a lovely big bear hug is just what is needed.A hilarious debut picture book written by Swapna Haddow author of the Dave Pigeon series and illustrated by the brilliantly talented Dapo Adeola author of Look Up!

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A day in the life of a cat – told from the cat's point of view! A funny rhyming story from Peter Bently and Chris Chatterton, illustrator of the bestselling Ten Minutes to Bed series.I am Cat. Cat is me. A most superior thing to be.I am Cat. I need nap. Window? Cupboard? Dog Bed? Lap!Join one cheeky little cat for a busy day packed full of essential cat activities. From climbing and prowling, to playing and snoozing . . . Being head of the house is a full-time job!With a hilarious rhyming text and warm, funny illustrations, I am Cat is the perfect book for cat lovers of all ages. Just right for reading together, young children will love spotting all the little details and joining in with the rhythmic words.Also look out for I Am Dog!

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Join Hal and Uncle Nat as they plunge straight into an exciting mystery – this time while on Safari!All-aboard for the third amazing journey in the bestselling Adventures on Trains series, Murder on the Safari Star, from M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, illustrated throughout by Elisa Paganelli.Harrison Beck and his Uncle Nat are on the journey of a lifetime aboard the Safari Star – a luxurious steam train that will take them from Pretoria to the stunning Victoria Falls. Close encounters with the amazing animals and landscape of Southern Africa are adventure enough, but things get mysterious when a passenger is found dead inside a locked compartment. Is it just a terrible accident or is something more suspicious afoot? It’s up to train detective Hal and his new friend Winston to find out.Murder on the Safari Star can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series, with: The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet, Danger at Dead Man's Pass and Sabotage on the Solar Express.Praise for the Series:'Like Murder on the Orient Express but better!' – Frank Cottrell-Boyce on The Highland Falcon Thief'A thrilling and hugely entertaining adventure story' – David Walliams on The Highland Falcon Thief'A first class choo-choo-dunnit!' – David Solomons on Kidnap on the California Comet'A high-speed train journey worth catching . . .The best yet' – The Times on Murder on the Safari Star'This series just gets better and better' – Maz Evans on Danger at Dead Man's Pass

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A beautiful picture book with a textured cover and new colour illustrations, The Last Dragon in Moominvalley is the perfect gift for Moomin fans of all ages.When Moomintroll finds a tiny dragon, he puts it in a jam jar to keep it as a pet. He's so excited to have found the very last dragon in the world! But Moomintroll soon realises that the dragon wants to be free. And when the dragon seems to prefer Snufkin, will Moomintroll's heart be broken?This stunning picture book is a newly-illustrated retelling of Tove Jansson's classic Moomin short story The Last Dragon, originally published in Tales from Moominvalley 60 years ago and now reinterpreted for a new generation of Moomin fans.

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A laugh-out-loud funny picture book, starring the small but mighty Mouse!Mouse might be teeny-tiny-titchy-witchy, but she's determined to show the other animals that anyone can roar like a dinosaur. With the help of her trusty "How to Roar Like a Dinosaur" book, Mouse gets to work getting her dino-roar back, much to the bemusement of the chattering meerkat, the grunting warthog and the ruk-ruking chameleon . . .But what's that coming up behind them, with a really loud ROAR?! The follow-up to the hilarious I am a Tiger and I am not an Elephant, written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Amnesty CILIP Award winning artist, Ross Collins.

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A Year of Scottish Poems is a glorious collection of 366 poems to keep you company for every day of the year.Reflecting the changing seasons, landscape and history of Scotland and her people and marking key dates in the Scottish calendar – from Burns Night to Hogmanay – these poems are powerful, thoughtful and uplifting.Compiled by Gaby Morgan, with an introduction from the National Poet for Scotland, Makar Jackie Kay, this collection is bursting at the seams with the strongest voices in Scottish poetry including Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, George Mackay Brown, Sir Walter Scott, Liz Lochhead, Don Paterson, Nan Shepherd, Stewart Conn, Kathleen Jamie, Elma Mitchell, John Rice, Muriel Spark, Iain Crichton Smith, Julia Donaldson, Kate Clanchy, Carol Ann Duffy and many more to deliver magic on every page that lasts a whole year!

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In this traditional tale, discovered in Kenya, a young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to end the dreadful drought that has come to the beautiful Kapiti Plain and save the animals that live there.Authored by Verna Aardema, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain is a delightful rhyming story full of bright and vivid illustrations by Beatriz Vidal. The cumulative rhyme is a joy to read aloud and a wonderful way to engage young children.

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Discover delicious, creative and affordable meals in Vegan (ish), a collection of plant-based recipes from bestselling writer and campaigner Jack Monroe.'My theory is, if all of us adopted a few more plant-based meals into our diets on a weekly basis, not only would our food bills go down, but so would our environmental impact'This full-colour collection of one hundred simple, low-cost recipes is perfect for committed vegans or anyone who wants to give vegan cooking a try. From Breakfast Muckmuffins to Beet Wellington, and Kinda-Carbonara to Bakewell Tart, Jack's easy, vibrant home cooking is tasty, tempting and surprisingly uncomplicated.Packed with inventive, easy and 100% vegan dishes, this gorgeous book is sure to appeal – whether you are looking to take the leap, want to be a little kinder to the planet, need ideas to cook for a vegan friend, or simply want to put some more plant power in your everyday cooking.'Jack Monroe is both cookery writer and tenacious campaigner . . . she understands first hand what it's like to be skint and have the desire to put something delicious on the table' – Nigel Slater

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'This is a life-changing book. Read it three times and then give a copy to anyone you care about. It will make things better' – Seth Godin, author of This is Marketing'All you need is Buster Benson. His methods are instantly actionable, [and] his writing is funny and relatable' – Adam Grant, author of OriginalsWhy Are We Yelling is Buster Benson's essential guide to having more honest and constructive arguments.The way we argue is broken. Whether it’s about Brexit, the existence of ghosts, the best burger in the city or who’s allowed to sit in your favourite chair, we end up digging our heels in and yelling at one another or choosing to avoid heated topics entirely. There has to be a better way.Buster Benson, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur with two decades of experience facilitating hard conversations at some of the biggest tech companies in the world, recommends eight things to try in order to make disagreements more productive. By applying these eight new habits, we can flip frustrating, unproductive disagreements into ones that bear fruit and bring people closer together.In this book you'll master practical skills to make your disagreements more productive by:- Understanding four ways of disagreeing that are more valuable than simply ‘winning’ the argument- Identifying the kind of argument you’re having so you know how best to negotiate it- Articulating the best possible version of your opponent’s argument before attacking itWith this toolkit we can explore more possibilities and perspectives in the world, simply because we’ll no longer be afraid to wade into scary topics of conversation.

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'A glorious green adventure story.' Ann Treneman, The Times 'Books of the Year''The most enthralling historical book I’ve read this year.' Claire Tomalin, New Statesman 'Books of the year' Daringly innovative when it opened in 1848, the Palm House in Kew Gardens remains one of the most beautiful glass buildings in the world today. Seemingly weightless, vast and yet light, the Palm House floats free from architectural convention, at once monumental and ethereal. From a distance, the crowns of the palms within are silhouetted in the central dome; close to, banana leaves thrust themselves against the glass. To enter it is to enter a tropical fantasy. The body is assaulted by heat, light and the smell of damp vegetation. In Palace of Palms, Kate Teltscher tells the extraordinary story of its creation and of the Victorians’ obsession with the palms that filled it. It is a story of breathtaking ambition, of scientific discovery and, crucially, of the remarkable men whose vision it was. The Palm House was commissioned by the charismatic first Director of Kew, Sir William Hooker, designed by the audacious Irish engineer, Richard Turner, and managed by Kew’s forthright curator, John Smith, who battled with boilers and floods to ensure the survival of the rare and wondrous plants it housed.

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We're Nature Girls! We must explore. We pack our bags, we're out the door . . .The bold Nature Girls are ready for whatever nature throws at them! Join them as they pack their bags and start their journey, exploring natural habitats around the world. They swim in the sea, explore the desert, discover the harsh arctic tundra and more. There's so much to discover about the natural world, when you join this bright group of girls.The Nature Girls is an adorable rhyming picture book with stunning illustrations and a summary spread of fun nature facts at the back, from author/illustrator, Aki.

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The Big Steps series is designed to help little ones (and their parents or carers) with everyday experiences in their lives. In We're Going to the Dentist, meet Nancy and Teddy, who go for a dental check-up for the first time. Explore the waiting room, sit in the dentist's chair and learn about how to brush your teeth in this sweet story, brought to life with fun flaps and mechanisms. Each page has really helpful tips for parents and carers that are endorsed by The Good Play Guide and leading Early Years Consultant, Dr Amanda Gummer. With delightful illustrations from Marion Cocklico, We're Going to the Dentist is a brilliant way to prepare children for a dental check-up in a fun and relatable way.For more toddler tips, read Can You Say Please?, We're Going to the Doctor and I Can Get Dressed.

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Something Certain, Maybe is a powerful novel about first love, friendships and embracing the uncertainty of an unknowable future, from Sara Barnard, winner of the YA Book Prize.Rosie is ready for her life to begin, because nothing says new life like going to university. After years of waiting and working hard, she's finally on the road that will secure her future. Except university turns out to be not what she hoped or imagined, and although she's not exactly unhappy – really – she might be a little bit worried that she doesn't really like her course much. Or her flatmates. Or, really . . . anything? But it's normal to be homesick (right?) and everything will have settled in a month or two, and it's totally fine that her friends seem so much happier than she is, and that the doctors don’t seem to know what’s wrong with her mother. And then she meets Jade, and everything starts to look a little brighter. At least, it does if she’s only looking at Jade. But is first love enough when everything else is falling apart?

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From the Sunday Times number one bestselling author, David Baldacci, The Escape is the third title in this fast-paced, breathtaking series. CID investigator, John Puller, has returned from his latest case in Florida to learn that his brother, Bobby, on death row at Leavenworth Prison for national security crimes, has escaped. Preliminary investigations show that he may have had help in his breakout. Now he's on the run, and in disguise, and he's the US government's number one target. John Puller has a dilemma. Which comes first, loyalty to his country or to his brother? Bobby has state secrets that certain people will literally kill for. But blood is thicker than water, and the brothers are close although even John does not know for sure what Bobby really did for the government, nor if he's even guilty of his crimes. It becomes swiftly apparent, however, that Bobby's role was powerful and far-reaching.With the help of John's long-time friend and colleague, General Julie Carson, both brothers move closer to the truth from their opposing directions. And this case puts John Puller in a place he thought he'd never be, on the other side of the law, where even his skills as an investigator, and his strength as a fighter, might not be enough to save him. And his brother.

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Discover why the secrets are escaping in this fun, magical adventure by Sibéal Pounder, beautifully illustrated by Beatriz Castro. Beyond Platform 13 is inspired by characters from Eva Ibbotson's classic, The Secret of Platform 13.The Island of Mist is under siege and Odge Gribble and Prince Ben are in hiding. Desperate to find out why the mist is disappearing, Odge travels through the gump to Vienna, to find a mistmaker expert. But in yet another case of mistaken identity, Odge finds Lina, a nine-year-old girl looking for adventure. With the help of friends old and new, and some very interesting magic, Odge and Lina must discover the secret of the mist, before they lose their beloved island completely.Sibéal Pounder is the author of Witch Wars and is Eva Ibbotson's biggest fan. Her magical story celebrates twenty-five years of Eva's original, with an updated illustrated edition of The Secret of Platform 13 also available.

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Rediscover the magical secrets at King's Cross station in a 25th anniversary illustrated edition of Eva Ibbotson's classic, The Secret of Platform 13.Under Platform 13 at King's Cross Station there is a secret door that leads to a magical island . . .It appears only once every nine years. And when it opens, four mysterious figures step into the streets of London. A wizard, an ogre, a fey and a young hag have come to find the prince of their kingdom, stolen as a baby nine years before.But the prince has become a horrible rich boy called Raymond Trottle, who doesn't understand magic and is determined not to be rescued.The Secret of Platform 13 is an exciting magical adventure from Eva Ibbotson, the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, in a special edition illustrated by Beatriz Castro. Discover more of the magical world with Sibéal Pounder's exciting adventure sequel, Beyond Platform 13, based on characters from Eva's original.'This kind of fun will never fail to delight' Philip Pullman

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Discover the instant Sunday Times bestseller from the author of the Shadowhunter Chronicles! *This edition includes an exclusive extract of The Ragpicker King, the spellbinding sequel to Sword Catcher*Two outcasts find themselves at the centre of world-altering change in Sword Catcher, the start of a riveting epic fantasy series by Cassandra Clare.‘Everything I look for in fantasy’ – George R. R. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Game of ThronesOne was raised to rule. One was trained to die . . . In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, Kel is an orphan, stolen from his old impoverished life to become Prince Conor Aurelian’s body-double. As his ‘Sword Catcher’, he and Conor will become as close as brothers. Yet Kel lives for one purpose: to die for Conor.Lin Caster is an Ashkar physician, part of a community ostr

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Welcome to a world in the shadow of our own, a fairytale land where the dangers are real . . . In The Ever After, the final book in the Omte Origins trilogy, Amanda Hocking creates an epic adventure in her much-loved Trylle universe. Ulla Tulin has lost a month of memories. Her journey to uncover her past led her to a mysterious sect – and a man claiming to be her father. But Ulla’s forgotten their reunion, and fears something terrible happened. Determined to recall the truth, Ulla risks her life to battle the enchantments that bind her. And she finally opens the bridge to Alfheim, the lost First City.Ulla knows this will unleash a tide of monstrous creatures upon the Earth. But she also knows she has no choice – and must gather a Trylle army in time to face them. Or could her own buried heritage be the key to victory?‘Addictive’ Guardian‘Drew me in and kept me hooked’ Sunday Express

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