Search results for ""Author Alan"

'Unmissable: please read this extraordinary book.' - Daily Mail 'A triumph ... A worthy follow-up to The Boy on the Shed.' - Jeff Stelling 'All men should read this book - important and brilliantly written.' - Alan Shearer 'Genius... A difficult, deeply personal story beautifully told.' – George Caulkin, The Athletic ---- From the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Boy on the Shed, comes a powerful tale of grit and resilience, told with great humour, openness and profound bravery. Former Newcastle United winger Paul Ferris was 51. He had successfully forged a post-football career as a physio, barrister and then a CEO, and his award-winning memoir, The Boy on the Shed, was just about to be published. But then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This honest, sometimes brutal and frequently funny book tells the story of what happened next. Prostate cancer. It’s a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every man. It’s the most common male cancer, but treatable if it’s caught early enough. Paul doesn’t shy away from describing that treatment. And neither does he hold back on its life-changing consequences – from harrowing surgery, humiliating procedures and excruciating consultations – as he strives to become the man he once was again. The mental challenges and psychological impact of living with this acute condition are explored in Paul’s revealing and riveting narrative that represents rare male honesty, but this is never a ‘poor me’ book or not in any way self-pitying. Courageous, inspirational and beautifully written, The Magic in the Tin is a rare thing: deeply moving yet rich in humour, written by a true sportsman in every sense of the word. A brutal and poignant account of one man's journey through prostate cancer.

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The third and final novel in the delightful Top of the Dales series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn.'A worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.' - Alan TitchmarshChange is afoot in the usually sleepy village of Risingdale. Gerald Gaunt, headmaster of the primary school for over thirty years, is retiring. It is the end of an era and Gerald hopes that his replacement will work with him to secure a bright, happy future for the school. But Mr Smart has his own ideas about how things should be run, and things start to become fraught very quickly. On top of this, the teachers have plenty of other dramas to contend with. Still dealing with a class of children who seem to understand agriculture better than arithmetic, Tom Dwyer is pining over Janette, his one-that-got-away. Meanwhile, his colleague Joyce Tranter's new marital bliss is shattered by the arrival of her husband's avaricious, scheming nephew. And elsewhere in the village, Sir Hedley's long-cherished plans for his future are jeopardised by the arrival back in his life of his bitter, desperate ex-wife. Can the residents of Risingdale pull together and achieve happiness against the odds? With a lively cast of characters both old and new and countless laugh-out-loud moments, A Class Act is a warm, enchanting portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.Readers are loving the Top of the Dales series:'Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.' - 5 STARS'Brilliant!' - 5 STARS'Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.' - 5 STARS'Such a relaxing and calming read' - 5 STARS'I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn't disappoint.' - 5 STARS

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A dark, surreally funny novel from the bestselling Booker Prize-shortlisted author ‘Hilariously surreal. It's a bit like the Coen Brothers directing an Alan Bennett play... Fantastic' Daily Mirror ‘Understatedly surreal, deadpan gothic, Mills is a master of the uncanny ... Such a fresh fictional voice' Esquire It is the end of the summer. The tourists have already gone, and now the sun is abandoning the Lake District's damp valleys. Only a lone camper remains, enjoying the quiet. He plans to stay just long enough to prepare for a trip to the East. But then the owner of the campsite asks him to paint a fence and he innocently obliges. Soon other odd jobs pile up until little by little he becomes ensnared in the ominous ‘out-of-season'...

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The third and final novel in the delightful Top of the Dales series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn.'A worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.' - Alan TitchmarshChange is afoot in the usually sleepy village of Risingdale. Gerald Gaunt, headmaster of the primary school for over thirty years, is retiring. It is the end of an era and Gerald hopes that his replacement will work with him to secure a bright, happy future for the school. But Mr Smart has his own ideas about how things should be run, and things start to become fraught very quickly. On top of this, the teachers have plenty of other dramas to contend with. Still dealing with a class of children who seem to understand agriculture better than arithmetic, Tom Dwyer is pining over Janette, his one-that-got-away. Meanwhile, his colleague Joyce Tranter's new marital bliss is shattered by the arrival of her husband's avaricious, scheming nephew. And elsewhere in the village, Sir Hedley's long-cherished plans for his future are jeopardised by the arrival back in his life of his bitter, desperate ex-wife. Can the residents of Risingdale pull together and achieve happiness against the odds? With a lively cast of characters both old and new and countless laugh-out-loud moments, A Class Act is a warm, enchanting portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.Readers are loving the Top of the Dales series:'Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.' - 5 STARS'Brilliant!' - 5 STARS'Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.' - 5 STARS'Such a relaxing and calming read' - 5 STARS'I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn't disappoint.' - 5 STARS

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'[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as endearing.' - bestselling author Alan TitchmarshNewly qualified teacher Tom Dwyer has been given his first post in Risingdale, a sleepy little village at the very top of the Yorkshire Dales. Unsure if he'll ever fit into this close-knit community, Tom joins a motley staff at the village school. With pupils who know more about sheep than they do arithmetic, Tom has his work cut out for him. Add to that an altercation with the beautiful but stand-offish Miss Janette Fairborn and an argument with the local squire's son, and Tom's first term proves a baptism of fire. But Tom soon finds himself growing fond of Risingdale, and with a class of lively and demanding pupils, an end-of-term show to put on, and a jewellery thief at large, he will find himself at the centre of drama, secrets revealed, and plenty of love, laughter and new friendships. Full of colourful characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, The School at the Top of the Dale is a warm and humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.Readers are loving TROUBLE AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL:'Well written and highly entertaining - exactly what I hope for from this author. ' - 5 STARS'Another good read.' - 5 STARS'A well written story about a small community full of interesting characters.' - 5 STARS'Another gem.' - 5 STARS'Again, a most enjoyable story. I cannot put the book down.' - 5 STARS

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'The procedural details in this gripping murder story have the ring of truth — but then the author is a detective in the Metropolitan Police' SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUBThere were only ever two choices - your life or mine. Alana Loxton was part of the all-female team to take down Barratt, a notorious serial killer. He is safely behind bars when one of the detectives goes missing. Her disappearance, and the connection to the killer, could be a coincidence – but when her body is discovered days later, a link begins to form. Then another detective from the team goes missing and the situation becomes horrifically clear. Someone is picking them off one by one – and Alana’s name is next on the list . . .From the author of Before I Say I Do comes a gripping psychological drama that has the twists of a psych-thriller with the layers of a police procedural. Praise for Before I Say I Do 'A twisty thriller about the happiest day of your life descending into a nightmare' Claire McGowan, author of The Other Wife ‘As pacy as it is puzzling, you’ll change your mind endlessly about what you think has happened’ Heat ​ 'A deliciously dark and twisted read' Woman magazine 'Will take you on a frantic ride' Sun 'An intense thriller' Bella ‘Such a joy to read – the authentic police-procedural aspects of this debut were a real plus and I loved the detective duo! If you enjoy a tightly woven plot which oozes suspense and delivers plenty of twists, then this is for you . . . She's definitely an author to watch!’ Sam Carrington, author of I Dare You 'Tense, layered and atmospheric, Bradley’s debut blends expert police procedural elements with a gripping psychological thriller heart and I couldn’t put it down' Fran Dorricott, author of After the Eclipse

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'[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.' - bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh'A shining light in our dark days' - 5 STAR reader reviewAfter an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job. But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions. With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.Readers are loving TALES OUT OF SCHOOL:'Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.' - 5 STARS'Brilliant!' - 5 STARS'Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.' - 5 STARS'Such a relaxing and calming read' - 5 STARS'I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn't disappoint.' - 5 STARS

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'[Gervase Phinn is] a worthy successor to James Herriot, and every bit as endearing.' - bestselling author Alan Titchmarsh'A shining light in our dark days' - 5 STAR reader reviewAfter an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job. But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions. With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.Readers are loving TALES OUT OF SCHOOL:'Loved it. So easy to read, lovely story, unforgettable characters.' - 5 STARS'Brilliant!' - 5 STARS'Could not put the book down. Gervase Phinn is an expert story teller.' - 5 STARS'Such a relaxing and calming read' - 5 STARS'I have been waiting for this sequel and it didn't disappoint.' - 5 STARS

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It's never too late for the adventure of a lifetime . . .Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement . . . Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables.When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off. From her old life, from her marriage - from Alan. Alone in beautiful Greece, Heather embarks on her very own odyssey - complete with peak experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But what if coming home is the biggest adventure yet? ***Readers love MRS WINTERBOTTOM TAKES A GAP YEAR!'Moving and laugh-out-loud funny' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A wonderful read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Gently humorous and heart-warming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A lovely coming-of-age (retirement) novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Thought-provoking, heart-warming and uplifting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review***More praise for Joanna Nell:'Takes readers on a sweet journey. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists' The Australian'Tender and funny' Woman's Weekly'Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm . . . highly addictive' Sun Herald'The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace' AMANDA HAMPSON'Another funny, warm-hearted read' Herald Sun'Lively and whimsical' Sydney Morning Herald

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'Sensationally good ... A riveting story, the real-life spooks and spies far more compelling than anything you will see on the screen ... history doesn't come more fascinating than this' Evening StandardFor over 100 years, the agents of MI5 have defended Britain against enemy subversion. Their work has remained shrouded in secrecy - until now.This first-ever authorized account reveals the British Security Service as never before: its inner workings, its clandestine operations, its failures and its triumphs. 'Definitive and fascinating ... whether reporting on Hitler in the 1930s, the Double-Cross System of the second world war, Zionist terrorism, the atom spies, the Cambridge spies, the so-called Wilson plot or the 1988 shooting of the IRA bombers in Gibraltar, this book is essential reading' Alan Judd, Spectator'The British Secret Service has opened its archives - and even 'insiders' may be in for a surprise ... magisterial ... extremely readable' Oleg Gordievsky, The Times'Compelling ... a feast' Max Hastings, Sunday Times'A superb account ... He has captured every important detail of the Service ... unlikely to be surpassed for another 100 years' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph

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For almost three thousand years, Egypt and Mesopotamia were each ruled by the single sacred office of kingship. Though geographically near, these ancient civilizations were culturally distinct, and scholars have historically contrasted their respective conceptualizations of the ultimate authority, imagining Egyptian kings as invested with cosmic power and Mesopotamian kings as primarily political leaders. In fact, both kingdoms depended on religious ideals and political resources to legitimate and exercise their authority. Cross-cultural comparison reveals the sophisticated and varied strategies that ancient kings used to unify and govern their growing kingdoms. Experiencing Power, Generating Authority draws on rich material records left behind by both kingdoms, from royal monuments and icons to the written deeds and commissions of kings. Thirteen essays provocatively juxtapose the relationships Egyptian and Mesopotamian kings had with their gods and religious mediators, as well as their subjects and court officials. They also explore the ideological significance of landscape in each kingdom, since the natural and built environment influenced the economy, security, and cosmology of these lands. The interplay of religion, politics, and territory is dramatized by the everyday details of economy, trade, and governance, as well as the social crises of war or the death of a king. Reexamining established notions of cosmic and political rule, Experiencing Power, Generating Authority challenges and deepens scholarly approaches to rulership in the ancient world. Contributors: Mehmet-Ali Ataç, Miroslav Bárta, Dominique Charpin, D. Bruce Dickson, Eckart Frahm, Alan B. Lloyd, Juan Carlos Moreno Garcia, Ludwig D. Morenz, Ellen Morris, Beate Pongratz-Leisten, Michael Roaf, Walther Sallaberger, JoAnn Scurlock. PMIRC, volume 6

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