Search results for ""Author M."

Offered as a collection for the first time ever, Scott Cunningham's essays, spells, and rituals - originally published in the first editions of "Llewellyn's Magical Almanac" - grace this book of magical writings penned in the early 1990s. New and long-time fans of Cunningham will delight in the author's timeless wisdom on perennially popular topics such as the sabbats, Hawaiian magic, magical gardening, protection magic, bird charms, moon spells, yule trees, herbal remedies, and ancient Greek oracles. Nearly two decades after his passing, Scott Cunningham is still an iconic and revered figure in the magical community. His classic writings continue to inspire those on the path.

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Pru is on her own. But then, so are plenty of other people. And while the loneliness can be overwhelming, surely she'll find a party somewhere?'Moggach is at the height of her powers' Sunday TimesPru's husband has walked out, leaving her alone to contemplate her future. She's missing not so much him, but the life they once had - picnicking on the beach with small children, laughing together, nestling up like spoons in the cutlery drawer as they sleep. Now there's just a dip on one side of the bed and no-one to fill it. In a daze, Pru goes off to a friend's funeral. Usual old hymns, words of praise and a eulogy but...it doesn't sound like the friend Pru knew. And it isn't. She's gone to the wrong service. Everyone was very welcoming, it was - oddly - a laugh, and more excitement than she's had for ages. So she buys a little black dress in a charity shop and thinks, now I'm all set, why not go to another? I mean, people don't want to make a scene at a funeral, do they? No-one will challenge her - and what harm can it do?'Full of warmth and humour, as well as blistering truths' Daily Mirror

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When lies are everywhere, how far will you go for the truth? A tense eco-drama with an explosive twist from the million-copy selling author of Girl, Missing.Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists who are campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste. Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions, but doesn't know that her grandmother's business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever.In this edge-of-your-seat drama exploring the line between truth and lies, join millions of readers in discovering bestselling teen thrillers from Sophie McKenzie.'Sophie’s thrillers are in a league of their own – nobody does it better' Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls

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'So immersive, atmospheric and compelling' Marian Keyes'Kept me glued to the page' Alex Marwood'Achingly poignant . . . An absolutely brilliant read' Sunday Mirror_____________Beginnings, middles and ends; Peggy, Serena, Natasha and Bel. This is the room that binds them, this is how consequences work . . .In deepest Cornwall, the mansion Kittiwake has seen many pass through its doors since it was bought by American heiress Peggy Carmichael seventy years ago.Over the decades, the keys have been handed down through the family, and now it belongs to Bel's adoptive brother, Lance. It's where he'll be celebrating his fiftieth birthday, and Bel is invited.But Bel barely feels like she's holding it together as it is, and in going back to Kittiwake, she will be returning to the place where it all began - where, following the death of a child, a sequence of events was set in motion, the consequences of which are still rippling down through the generations . . .From Sunday Times bestselling author Jenny Eclair comes an utterly compelling new novel of family secrets that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.______________PRAISE FOR JENNY ECLAIR:'Wonderfully written, insightful and riveting' Daily Mail'Compelling, compassionate and keenly observed' Independent'Both heart-rending and compelling' Clare Mackintosh'I loved it SO MUCH' Marian Keyes'Witty, moving, dark and absorbing' Jo Brand'An elegant, gripping and mesmeric read' Helen Lederer'An absolute page-turner of a story' Judy Finnigan

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From the internationally bestselling author of Netflix's hottest new show, One of Us is Lying, comes a new, page-turning thriller . . .True crime can leave a false trail.Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she's sure that the three kids who found Mr. Larkin's body know more than they're telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He's definitely hiding something.When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds.Four years ago someone got away with murder. Now it's time to uncover the truth . . .'Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it's easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic' - Observer

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Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction . . .'Religion and lust? Money and politics? It's all here, combined into a murderous brew' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal SecretRitual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin. The series continues with A Divine Fury.The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author

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A terrifying 1930s ghost story set in the haunting wilderness of the far north. January 1937. Clouds of war are gathering over a fogbound London. Twenty-eight year old Jack is poor, lonely and desperate to change his life. So when he's offered the chance to join an Arctic expedition, he jumps at it. Spirits are high as the ship leaves Norway: five men and eight huskies, crossing the Barents Sea by the light of the midnight sun. At last they reach the remote, uninhabited bay where they will camp for the next year. Gruhuken.But the Arctic summer is brief. As night returns to claim the land, Jack feels a creeping unease. One by one, his companions are forced to leave. He faces a stark choice. Stay or go. Soon he will see the last of the sun, as the polar night engulfs the camp in months of darkness. Soon he will reach the point of no return - when the sea will freeze, making escape impossible. And Gruhuken is not uninhabited. Jack is not alone. Something walks there in the dark...

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‘Shockingly original’ The Times ‘A literary freestyler with brio to burn…scabrous and very funny’ Guardian ‘A no-holds-barred comedic romp’ Junot Diaz After creating the perfect beat, DJ Darky goes in search of Charles Stone, aka the Schwa, a little known avant-garde jazzman, to play over his sonic masterpiece. His quest brings him to a recently unified Berlin, where he stumbles through the city's dreamy streets ruminating about race, sex, love, Teutonic gods and the Berlin Wall in search of his artistic – and spiritual – other. Ferocious, bombastic and laugh-out-loud funny, Slumberland is the second novel from Man Booker-winner Paul Beatty, a comic genius at the top of his game.

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Second star to the right and straight on to mourning...A fairy tale retelling like no other from the imagination of Jessa Hastings.*Never . . . is an awfully long time.Growing up, Daphne always knew Peter Pan would come for her. The way he'd come for her mother, and her grandmother Wendy before that. The Darling girls. Their stories are all the same: the forever-young boy at their window after their thirteenth birthday, and the shimmering, magical land behind a star.When Peter doesn't show for Daphne until she's seventeen, inexplicably full-grown and with no excuse for his tardiness, Daphne doesn't know what to think. Still, she has always been told that Peter Pan is her destiny. It's beyond choice to take his hand and leap into the stars, no matter what comes next.But in Neverland, Peter's true colours begin to show. One moment, he's making Daphne's heart flutter, and the next, he's forgotten her entirely. So when Daphne stumbles into the path of Jamison Hook, the pirate son of Peter's nemesis, she lets herself get swept up in his vulgar charm, despite the warning signs.Both boys are trouble, and both have dangerous secrets about this strange fantasy land they call home and if she loses her heart to either one, Daphne might just lose herself, too.

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Second star to the right and straight on to mourning...A fairy tale retelling like no other from the imagination of Jessa Hastings.*Never . . . is an awfully long time.Growing up, Daphne always knew Peter Pan would come for her. The way he'd come for her mother, and her grandmother Wendy before that. The Darling girls. Their stories are all the same: the forever-young boy at their window after their thirteenth birthday, and the shimmering, magical land behind a star.When Peter doesn't show for Daphne until she's seventeen, inexplicably full-grown and with no excuse for his tardiness, Daphne doesn't know what to think. Still, she has always been told that Peter Pan is her destiny. It's beyond choice to take his hand and leap into the stars, no matter what comes next.But in Neverland, Peter's true colours begin to show. One moment, he's making Daphne's heart flutter, and the next, he's forgotten her entirely. So when Daphne stumbles into the path of Jamison Hook, the pirate son of Peter's nemesis, she lets herself get swept up in his vulgar charm, despite the warning signs.Both boys are trouble, and both have dangerous secrets about this strange fantasy land they call home and if she loses her heart to either one, Daphne might just lose herself, too.

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'Terrific - terrifying, amazing' STEPHEN KING 'Completely, indescribably magnificent' MARIAN KEYES ----- A DISAPPEARANCE. A SMALL TOWN. A QUESTION THAT NEEDS ANSWERING... Cal Hooper thought a fixer-upper in a remote Irish village would be the perfect escape. After twenty-five years in the Chicago police force, and a bruising divorce, he just wants to build a new life in a pretty spot with a good pub where nothing much happens. But then a local kid comes looking for his help. His brother has gone missing, and no one, least of all the police, seems to care. Cal wants nothing to do with any kind of investigation, but somehow he can't make himself walk away. Soon Cal will discover that even in the most idyllic small town, secrets lie hidden, people aren't always what they seem, and trouble can come calling at his door. A gripping tale of breath-taking beauty and suspense that asks how we decide what's right and wrong in a world where neither is simple, and what we risk if we fail. WINTER RICHARD AND JUDY BOOKCLUB PICK THE SUNDAY TIMES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2021 THE TIMES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2021 FT BEST BOOK OF 2020 THE GUARDIAN BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF 2020 THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR 2020 ----- 'I'm a big fan of Tana French' IAN RANKIN 'I didn't want it to end' HARRIET TYCE 'To say Tana French is one of the great thriller writers is really too limiting. Rather she's simply this: a truly great writer' GILLIAN FLYNN 'Immersive and atmospheric ... Cal and Trey could very well be the new sort of heroes we need in this strange world' ARAMINTA HALL 'This is a tour de force of suspense and storytelling. Comes closer to perfection than anything I've read in the last decade' SARAH HILARY 'The Searcher is its own kind of masterpiece' WASHINGTON POST 'One of the most compulsive psychological mysteries since Donna Tartt's The Secret History' THE TIMES 'French offers a masterclass in unreliability' SUNDAY TIMES '[Crime fiction's] biggest contemporary star' GUARDIAN 'One of the finest writers of contemporary crime fiction' THE DAILY MAIL 'An audacious departure for this immensely talented author . . . not to be missed' THE NEW YORK TIMES 'Nuanced and compelling' THE NEW YORKER

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A brilliant, moving book . . . Reminiscent of one of this century’s great elegies, Denise Riley’s A Part Song, The M Pages is similarly probing, hurt, skeptical and smarting . . . in a book packed with good poems.' Irish TimesThe reader might be justified in thinking that the ‘M’ in the title of Colette Bryce’s new collection could stand for ‘mortality’, ‘mourning’, or the spontaneous and cathartic practice of the writer’s ‘morning pages’ – until they reach the book’s arresting central sequence. Addressed to a named ‘M’ who has suddenly died, this fourteen-part poem depicts the experience of unexpected bereavement, and the altering effect such events have on the living. It does so unflinchingly, gracefully and honestly, as Bryce harnesses her characteristic insight, forensic eye and tightly woven music to deeply moving ends – while demonstrating again why she is regarded as one of the leading Irish poets of the age. As the book unfolds, it becomes clear that her other subjects – of family, travel, history and ageing – all orbit the gravitational centre of The M Pages. What emerges is an important book about love, fear, self-censorship and the limits of our knowledge, and what we can and cannot say about some of the most profound events we face.

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The Sunday Times Top Ten BestsellerLonglisted for the Booker Prize'Books this good don't come along very often.' Maggie O'Farrell'A magically beguiling work, a triumph.' Financial Times 'A thing of total joy . . . thrums with rhythm and life.' ObserverNot far from London, there is a village. This village belongs to the people who live in it and to those who lived in it hundreds of years ago. It belongs to England's mysterious past and its confounding present. It belongs to families dead for generations, and to those who have only recently moved here, such as the boy Lanny, and his mum and dad.But it also belongs to Dead Papa Toothwort, who has woken from his slumber in the woods. Dead Papa Toothwort, who is listening to them all.'Startling, moving and overwhelming . . . Wonderful.' Daily Telegraph'A devastating, disquieting and exhilarating book.' Psychologies'Stunning and deeply affecting.' Nathan Filer'A remarkable feat of literary virtuosity.' Sunday Times

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‘Achingly moving, delightfully funny, and thoroughly uplifting.’ M L STEDMAN, author of THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS‘This book BLEW ME AWAY' JODI PICOULT ‘Rowdy and joyous, with flashes of wit and insight, and ultimately moving’ TIMES ___ Our mother was dead. Our father had fledFive Dunbar brothers are living – fighting, loving, grieving – in the perfect chaos of a house without grown-ups. This is a family rocked by tragedy and long buried secrets. To understand his family’s story, Matthew Dunbar must travel to find three things. A lost typewriter -- A dead dog -- The bones of the snake that killed it.He will learn of a mother who crosses continents for a new home; of a father searching for love in the keys of an old piano; and, finally, of a brother named Clay, who will make the most challenging journey of them all, and change their lives for ever.___Readers love Bridge of Clay:***** ‘Page upon glorious page left my heart bruised, but gratefully beating’***** ‘A book rarely touches me so emotionally’***** ‘Original, compelling and richly resonant’ 'One of those monumental books that can draw you across space and time' WASHINGTON POST'This book blew me away' JODI PICOULT'Devastating, demanding, deeply moving' WALL STREET JOURNAL'Moving and epic' STYLIST

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As Nicolas Picard rides home from Exeter he is attacked by a snarling wildcat. Yet, when his body is discovered, there are lacerations on his neck that could only have come from human hands. When royal commissioners of William the Conqueror, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, arrive in the city to preside over local land disputes, their proceedings are immediately hampered by the death of a key participant: Picard. With Picard's wife and mistress, as well as the wife of the former owner of the estate, staking their claim to the land, Delchard and Bret wonder whose greed has driven them to kill. But the root of the mystery lies far deeper than mere avarice.

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WINNER OF THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2023'Mesmerising, macabre and murderously funny. The Botanist is M.W. Craven at his sinister best. I couldn't love this series more' Chris Whitaker'Another classy thriller from the king of Cumbrian crime' Paul Finch'I swear I'm one bad mood away from calling it black magic and going home . . .'Detective Sergeant Washington Poe can count on one hand the number of friends he has. And he'd still have his thumb left. There's the insanely brilliant, guilelessly innocent civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw of course. He's known his beleaguered boss, Detective Inspector Stephanie Flynn for years as he has his nearest neighbour, full-time shepherd/part-time dog sitter, Victoria. And then there's Estelle Doyle. It's true the caustic pathologist has never walked down the sunny side of the street but this time has she gone too far? Shot twice in the head, her father's murder appears to be an open and shut case. Estelle has firearms discharge residue on her hands, and, in a house surrounded by fresh snow, hers are the only footprints going in. Since her arrest she's only said three words: 'Tell Washington Poe.'Meanwhile, a poisoner the press have dubbed the Botanist is sending high profile celebrities poems and pressed flowers. The killer seems to be able to walk through walls and, despite the advance notice he gives his victims, and regardless of the security measures the police take, he seems to be able to kill with impunity.For a man who hates locked room mysteries, this is going to be the longest week of Washington Poe's life . . .Praise for The Botanist: 'Unputdownable, gripping, clever and with a rich seam of trademark Craven humour running through it' Imran Mahmood'A sinful treat' Vaseem Khan'Fast, furious, and utterly enjoyable.' Keith NixonPraise for M W Craven:'Heart-pounding, hilarious, sharp and shocking, Dead Ground is further proof that M.W. Craven never disappoints. Miss this series at your peril.' Chris Whitaker'Dark and entertaining, this is top rank crime fiction.' Vaseem Khan, Author of the Malabar House series and the Baby Ganesh Agency series'M. W. Craven is one of the best crime writers working today. Dead Ground is a cracking puzzle, beautifully written, with characters you'll be behind every step of the way. It's his best yet.' Stuart Turton'Fantastic' Martina Cole'Dark, sharp and compelling' Peter James'I've been following M.W. Craven's Poe/Tilly series from the very beginning, and it just gets better and better. Dead Ground is a fast-paced crime novel with as many twists and turns as a country lane. I can't wait for the next one.' Peter Robinson'Dead Ground is both entertaining and engaging with great characters and storyline. I loved this first dip into the world of Tilly and Poe!' BA Paris'A brutal and thrilling page turner' Natasha Harding, The Sun'A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series' Mick Herron'A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint hearted!'David Mark'A gripping start to a much anticipated new series' Vaseem Khan'Satisfyingly twisty and clever and the flashes of humour work well to offer the reader respite from the thrill of the read.' Michael J. Malone'Nothing you've ever read will prepare you for the utterly unique Washington Poe' Keith Nixon

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'Funny, sweet and relatable, this is a real gem of a read' HeatSome old love letters. A lonely teenager. A new beginning . . .Asta Fung is sixteen and sulky. Her parents have moved the whole family to take over the Yau Sum takeaway in another town so Grandpa Charlie can be closer to the big hospital. She's had to give up her dog, her friends, her familiar teenage life. All too soon, she has to give up Grandpa Charlie too. What was the point?When the builder's son, Josh, hands her a bundle of love letters he found under the floorboards, Asta realises they were hidden there by Grandpa Charlie as a young man. Desperate to keep the memory of her grandfather alive, she determines to track down the mysterious Ela Hennessy who wrote them, but as the new girl in town, Asta will have to do it on her own.Or so she thinks . . .FROM THE AUTHOR OF HAPPY FAMILIES: WINNER OF THE RICHARD & JUDY 'SEARCH FOR A BESTSELLER'PRAISE FOR HAPPY FAMILIES:'A rare find' Richard Madeley'Fabulously witty and warm' Milly Johnson'You'll want to devour this in seconds' Heat'A take-away success of a novel' My Weekly'Funny, sparky and heart-warming' Sun'Heartening and down-to-earth' Culturefly

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A dysfunctional family reunites for the Christmas holiday from hell in this rediscovered festive classic with fangs for fans of Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Taylor and Stella Gibbons.'Literary comfort and joy. It got me out of mourning for the Cazelet Chronicles.' Meg Mason (author of Sorrow and Bliss)'A stylish and penetrating comedy of manners. My favourite Christmas book by far - and you can read it all year round.' Rachel Joyce (author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry)'A horribly delicious snapshot of post-war family life, in which tensions ensnare the reader in tinsel-covered barbed wire.' Janice Hallett (author of The Appeal) The fire is on, sherry poured, presents wrapped, and claws are being sharpened. In a seaside cottage perched on a cliff, one family reunites for Christmas. While snow falls, a tyrannical widowed matriarch presides over her unruly brood. Her niece tends to her whims, but fantasises about eloping; and as more guests arrive, each bringing their secret truths and dreams, the Christmas tree explodes, a brawl erupts, an escape occurs - and their 'midwinter madness' climaxes ...

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Six days to stop a deadly attack. And no one else believes it's real.'Ingenious and turbocharged with suspense. A writer to surely put on your reading list.' David Baldacci 'Very well done - tight action and a smart central character.' Anthony Horowitz'Utterly engrossing' The Sun 'A nail-biter of a thriller that will keep your heart in your throat all the way through' Lisa Regan'As propulsive as a Bourne movie, Committed is a first-class blend of intrigue, suspense, and action.' Charles Cumming'One of the best thrillers I've read this year.' Imran Mahmood Former CIA undercover operative Ellen McGinley is battling to overcome PTSD when she stumbles upon a domestic terror plot. The deadly attack is due to take place in six days and will strike at the very heart of her homeland.For Ellen, it's a chance to find redemption for her greatest mistake - one she will never allow herself to forget. But no sooner than she alerts the authorities, she finds herself diagnosed as delusional and locked in a psychiatric ward. No one believes her story. She's the only one who thinks the danger is real, which means she's the only one who can stop it. Ellen must draw on all her old skills to escape, stay alive, protect her family, and find those responsible - before all hell breaks loose. Committed is the propulsive thriller you won't want to miss this summer. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci, JB Turner and Robert Dugoni.'A standout mix of high-octane action and sinister conspiracy... first-class.' Financial Times'A blistering, heart-pounding, edge-of-the-seat, adrenaline rush of a read. Absolutely outstanding and without doubt the best book I have read this year.' Carol Wyer'Heart-pounding suspense until the very last page. I absolutely loved it!' Ava Glass'A fast-paced thriller to rival the best. Full of unexpected twist and turns, with impeccable research and insights, this is a must-read for all crime fans.' Matt Brolly'Committed is a smart, of-the-moment action thriller that will have you turning the pages past bedtime.' Mason Cross'Committed is a tight, compelling thriller that never misses a beat. Digging into both sides of a planned terror attack adds fascinating dimension and depth to a story that is so very timely.' Lou Berney

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Sisters Mattie, Nell and Renie have all managed to escape their oppressive and bullying father, but now separated, the girls must draw upon their strength and courage to build new lives for themselves. Renie, the youngest sister, is living with the newly married Nell, happy in her waitressing job at the King's Head Hotel. But a shadow falls over her the day Mr Judson arrives as assistant manager. Feeling increasingly harassed by him and also eager to escape from Nell's unpleasant husband, Renie is delighted when she is offered a new job in London. Although she at first finds the city a huge and bewildering place, soon she is settling in and making friends. And yet she still worries about her sister Nell, and the way her husband Cliff treats her. When tragedy strikes Nell and her family, Renie is left feeling horrified and helpless. Her only comfort is her growing friendship with the injured Gil, towards whom she has felt an instant trust and affection. But can their relationship progress from friendship to something more? And how will the return of the threatening Judson affect their future?

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Wiltshire, 1910. With her stepfather threatening her with a forced marriage, Mattie Willitt flees home in search of a better life. She is soon lost and at the mercy of the elements - until her life is saved by Jacob, a widower who takes her in and nurses her back to health. Finding consolation in each other's troubled pasts, the pair soon grow close. But when pressure is put upon them to marry, and Mattie's stepfather discovers her whereabouts, they must face their fears and stand up to those who threaten their future happiness.

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The houses in Saffron Lane are being filled with artists thanks to the efforts of Nell and Angus. Ginger doesn't win a place there, but gets a job running the small café/art gallery, taking refuge there from her abusive bully of a son. When she meets Iain, sparks fly between them, the first time she's felt attracted to anyone for years. But will her son spoil it? Emil is in town to open the small museum in Saffron Lane and run his father's business. This throws new opportunities in his path, and new problems too. Will the newcomers manage to build new lives or will selfish people destroy their attempts to find happiness?

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Walter Tevis is the acclaimed author of The Hustler, The Man Who Fell to Earth and The Queen's Gambit.'A moral tale that has elements of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Superman and Star Wars' LA TIMES'A moving examination of people discovering the wonders of human thought and human love' PUBLISHERS WEEKLYThe future is a grim place in which the declining human population wanders, drugged and lulled by electronic bliss. It's a world without art, reading and children, a world where people would rather burn themselves alive than endure.Even Spofforth, the most perfect machine ever created, cannot bear it and seeks only that which he cannot have - to cease to be. But there is hope for the future in the passion and joy that a man and woman discover in love and in books, hope even for Spofforth.A haunting novel, reverberating with anguish but also celebrating love and the magic of a dream.

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The sequel to Bernice L. McFadden's incredible classic debut and the Richard and Judy 2021 Book Club pick, SugarIn This Bitter Earth, Sugar Lacey is on her way out of Bigelow, Arkansas, where she'd come to break with the past. With her worn leopard-print suitcase and her head held high, she walks past the prying eyes of its small-minded, cruel-hearted townsfolk, praying for the strength to keep going. She doesn't stop until she arrives at her childhood home in Short Junction. Here she learns the truth about her parentage: a terrible tale of unrequited love, of one man's enduring hatred, and of the black magic that has cursed generations of Lacey women. A powerfully realised novel that brings back the unforgettable characters from Sugar, McFadden's bestselling debut, This Bitter Earth is a testament to the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.Reader reviews for Sugar'Such an enjoyable read... beautifully written, raw and impactful''Riveting, heart-breaking''Very powerful, poignant''Beautifully written... brutal and moving... a must read book''Well-written with rich characters and many twists and turns''So descriptive yet easy to read, and it made me fall in love with all the characters'

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The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author'It's hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal Secret'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction.Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.Ritual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin.

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The complete omnibus of the ten-part novella serialisation AERA: The Return of the Ancient Gods, from the internationally bestselling author of The Dwarves. The gods are back, the world is in uproar - and only one man has the strength to seek the truth.I've never believed in any kind of god.But that's a problem when they start manifesting.It was a problem for everyone else too, especially those whose gods did not appear. We are divided, a fractured globe, because you'd start to question everything you'd believed, wouldn't you?Or would you fight?Because I don't think these really are the gods we've worshipped. Zeus, The Mórrígan, Thor - they can go to hell. We're in the middle of an invasion, and I'm the only one who believes in that reality.My name is Malleus Bourreau. I'm an atheist and an investigator - and I will find the answers.

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'This book is just special' COLLEEN HOOVER'A must read author. Her voice is wise, tender and refreshing' TAYLOR JENKINS REIDWhat if you had a second chance at first love?Annika Rose likes being alone. She feels lost in social situations - she says the wrong thing or acts the wrong way. And it's not her fault, she just can't read people. So instead she prefers the solitude of her books or playing chess to avoid people!Other Jonathan, of course. Annika liked being around him, but she hasn't seen him for ten years. Until now, that is. And she's not sure that he'll want to see her again after what happened all those years ago... Annika Rose likes being alone. Except that now, actually, she's beginning to wonder if she likes being alone that much after all.The Girl He Used to Know is an uplifting novel full of surprising revelations that keep you turning the page. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Gail Honeyman, Jill Santopolo and Sliding Doors.*******'I adore Tracey Garvis Graves' work.' - Sarah Pekkanen, bestselling coauthor of The Wife Between Us'The most riveting, rewarding, refreshing novel I've read in years' - Barbara Delinsky, bestselling author

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An uplifting, unforgettable story of two women in two different times from the Sunday Times bestselling author of After the Party, The Making of Us and The Family Upstairs._____________London, 1920. Arlette works in Liberty by day, and by night is caught up in a glamorous whirl of parties, clubs, cocktails and jazz. But when tragedy strikes she flees the city, never to return.Over half a century later, in the grungy mid-90s, her granddaughter Betty arrives in London.She can't wait to begin her new life. But before she can do so, she must find the mysterious woman named in her grandmother's will.What she doesn't know is that her search will uncover the heart-breaking secret that changed her grandmother's life, and might also change hers forever . . ._____________Readers love Before I Met You . . .***** 'LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!'***** 'This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel and one that I can easily recommend.'***** 'If I say it reminded me of the best of JoJo Moyes, I mean it as a real compliment.'***** 'A marvellously written novel. Lisa Jewell is one of the best women writers.'***** 'It is an underrated book and definitely needs more attention.'

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Pre-order Andrew Hunter Murray's brilliantly entertaining new thriller A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering coming May 2024!There's no way back from paradise. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Day, this high-concept thriller will provoke and grip you from the very first page . . .'Sucks you in and doesn't let you leave until the very last page' Anthony Horowitz'Smoothly written, thought provoking ... with an effective shocker of an ending' Guardian'Absolutely brilliant. I'm thinking it needs to be made into a movie!' Zoe Ball___________________Sanctuary Rock is a perfect place.A remote island, owned by a wealthy philanthropist who is building a brand-new world on the ruins of the old one.Ben only came to the island to bring his fiancée Cara home. But when he arrives, he is rapidly seduced by the vision of a better way of life, as described by the charismatic and mysterious Sir John.Before long, he decides to stay.But the island holds darker secrets than he could ever have suspected.Then he learns the only route back to the mainland is about to close for good.And his own life may be in terrible danger . . .___________________'The considerable pleasure of this novel is in the getting from here to there' The Times'Gripping, unsettling and original. Andrew Hunter Murray is a fabulous storyteller.' Tim Harford'Rich in imagination and stylishly written ... Totally absorbing.' Paul Burke, Crime Time FM___________________Readers can't get enough of The Sanctuary . . .***** 'A thoughtful, impressive science fiction thriller.'***** 'I hope AHM keeps writing books because they are *chef's kiss* perfection.'***** 'Some great twists, turns and surprises! Thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking.'***** 'I like Andrew Hunter Murray's style ... It was a brilliant read.'***** 'This book took a totally different turn to what I was expecting! Really enjoyable, stayed up late to finish it as the story was so tense towards the end.'

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M is for Malice is the thirteenth in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton.'M' is for Malek Construction, the $40 million company that grew out of modest soil to become one of the big three in California. 'M' is for Malek family: four sons now nearing middle age who stand to inherit a fortune – four men with very different temperaments and needs, linked only by blood and money. Eighteen years ago, one of them – angry, troubled and in trouble – went missing. 'M' is for Millhone, now hired to trace that missing black sheep brother. And, in brutal consequence, 'M' is for murder . . .

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The ordered calm of Gloucester Abbey is shattered by the murder of one of its monks. The Abbot, ill-equipped to deal with such a heinous crime, is stunned by the Sheriff's belief that one of the monks is guilty. This is the confusion that that greets the two Domesday Comminisioners, Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret, as they are welcomed into the town. Eager to resolve the mystery, they begin their own investigations but find the killing is merely a sign of a sinister presence which threatens the whole community and which must be stopped.

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Donovan James enjoys his routine. Wake up. Catch the El. Teach high school English. Run the track. Return home on the train. Repeat. In a turbulent Chicago, this routine keeps his mind from wandering. Well, from wandering into the less-immediate world anyway. You see, Donovan can’t seem to stop watching the people who frequent his morning commute, or from dissecting their lives based on these regular but limited encounters. He believes that he knows them well. That is until one morning, he runs late, and by a series of minuscule events he runs into her, the lady in the blue coat, a passenger on his train car whom he has seldom paid attention. The moment is fleeting, but now everything has changed. The routine is disrupted. Lives are not what they seem. Soon Donovan will be caught up in the investigations of Detective Lesley Powell as well as a train full of other lives and their lies, careening toward something mysterious and sinister. Donovan knows where he got on this train, but where will he get off? In M-theory, Tiffany Cates meticulously layers America’s societal, spiritual, and moral tensions in a plot that travels through the streets and elevated tracks of Chicago, creating a riveting thriller with an endearing love story at its beating heart. As inventive and intelligent as it is entertaining, M-theory marks Tiffany Cates as an important voice in American fiction.

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Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and soon to be back on Broadway in a revival directed by the Lion King's Julie Taymor, starring Clive Owen"A brilliant play of ideas… a visionary work that bridges the history and culture of two worlds."—Frank Rich, New York TimesBased on a true story that stunned the world, and inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, M. Butterfly was an immediate sensation when it premiered in 1988. It opens in the cramped prison cell where diplomat Rene Gallimard is being held captive by the French government—and by his own illusions. He recalls a time when Song Liling, the beautiful Chinese diva, touched him with a love as vivid, as seductive—and as elusive—as a butterfly.How could he have known that his true love was, in fact, a spy for the Chinese government—and a man disguised as a woman? The diplomat relives the twenty-year affair from the temptation to the seduction, from its consummation to the scandal that ultimately consumed them both.M. Butterfly is one of the most compelling, explosive, and slyly humorous dramas ever to light the Broadway stage, a work of unrivaled brilliance, illuminating the conflict between men and women, the differences between East and West, racial stereotypes—and the shadows we cast around our most cherished illusions.The original cast included John Lithgow as Gallimard and BD Wong as Song Liling. During the show's 777-performance run, David Dukes, Anthony Hopkins, Tony Randall, and John Rubinstein were also cast as Gallimard. Hwang adapted the play for a 1993 film directed by David Cronenberg, starring Jeremy Irons and John Lone.TEXT OF THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION

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Stranger things have happened . . .When aromatherapist Sukie Ambrose starts using her cottage garden as inspiration - and for raw ingredients in her products - she thinks she's on track to save money while offering her clients a way of de-stressing and relaxing.However, Sukie lives in a village where strange things have been known to happen. She discovers that her new improved lotions and potions are making her massages distinctly magical - and producing more star-crossed lovers than Shakespeare could ever dream of . . . Praise for Christina Jones:'Magical' Heat'Fabulous The Times'A wonderful writer' Jill Mansell, author of AND NOW YOU'RE BACK'H.E. Bates for the 21st Century' Katie Fforde'Christina is simply THE BEST . . . I don't think she is capable of writing anything which isn't excellent' Reader review

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'An ambitious, cinematic thriller' Observer'A talented storyteller' The Times'A cinematic epic' Daily MailWhat if the only hope for survival becomes the greatest threat? From the brilliant, bestselling author of Child 44 comes a suspenseful and fast-paced novel about a colony of global apocalypse survivors seeking to reinvent civilisation under the most extreme conditions imaginable. The world has fallen. Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own. There are no negotiations, no demands, no reasons given for their actions. All they have is a message: humanity has thirty days to reach the one place on Earth where they will be allowed to exist… Antarctica.Cold People follows the journeys of a handful of those who endure the frantic exodus to the most extreme environment on the planet. But their goal is not merely to survive the present. Because as they cling to life on the ice, the remnants of their past swept away, they must also confront the urgent challenge: can they change and evolve rapidly enough to ensure humanity’s future? Can they build a new society in the sub-zero cold?Original and imaginative, as profoundly intimate as it is grand in scope, Cold People is a masterful and unforgettable epic.Praise for Tom Rob Smith ‘A remarkable achievement’ Jeffery Deaver‘Amazing’ Lee Child‘Chilling, hypnotic and thoroughly compelling’ Mark Billingham‘Truly original and chilling’ Jojo Moyes‘Tom Rob Smith’s mastery of suspense will make any reader’s heart pound’ Financial Times‘A thrilling, intense piece of fiction’ Observer‘Ingeniously plotted... a high voltage story’ New York Times‘Perfectly plotted, utterly terrifying’ Daily Mail‘A mind-blowing, addictive plot that will have you on the edge of your seat’ Stylist‘A powerful page-turner’ GQ‘Taut and atmospheric’ Irish Independent‘Masterly... read this and shiver’ Telegraph

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'An ambitious, cinematic thriller' Observer'A talented storyteller' The Times'A cinematic epic' Daily MailWhat if the only hope for survival becomes the greatest threat? From the brilliant, bestselling author of Child 44 comes a suspenseful and fast-paced novel about a colony of global apocalypse survivors seeking to reinvent civilisation under the most extreme conditions imaginable. The world has fallen. Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own. There are no negotiations, no demands, no reasons given for their actions. All they have is a message: humanity has thirty days to reach the one place on Earth where they will be allowed to exist… Antarctica.Cold People follows the journeys of a handful of those who endure the frantic exodus to the most extreme environment on the planet. But their goal is not merely to survive the present. Because as they cling to life on the ice, the remnants of their past swept away, they must also confront the urgent challenge: can they change and evolve rapidly enough to ensure humanity’s future? Can they build a new society in the sub-zero cold?Original and imaginative, as profoundly intimate as it is grand in scope, Cold People is a masterful and unforgettable epic.Praise for Tom Rob Smith ‘A remarkable achievement’ Jeffery Deaver‘Amazing’ Lee Child‘Chilling, hypnotic and thoroughly compelling’ Mark Billingham‘Truly original and chilling’ Jojo Moyes‘Tom Rob Smith’s mastery of suspense will make any reader’s heart pound’ Financial Times‘A thrilling, intense piece of fiction’ Observer‘Ingeniously plotted... a high voltage story’ New York Times‘Perfectly plotted, utterly terrifying’ Daily Mail‘A mind-blowing, addictive plot that will have you on the edge of your seat’ Stylist‘A powerful page-turner’ GQ‘Taut and atmospheric’ Irish Independent‘Masterly... read this and shiver’ Telegraph

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'One of the most vivid, memorable and menacing characters I've ever read' C.L. Taylor, author of The Fear As high-flying TV presenter and historian Olivia Sweetman stands before an adoring crowd at the launch of her new bestseller she can barely pretend to smile. Her life has spiralled into lies and if the truth comes out she'll lose everything.Only one person knows what Olivia has done. Vivian Tester is the socially awkward housekeeper of a Sussex manor who has become Olivia's unofficial research assistant. But Vivian has secrets too, and as the relationship between the women grows more and more tangled, a bizarre act of violence changes everything . . .Perfect for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and He Said She Said.PRAISE FOR THE NIGHT VISITOR:'WONDERFUL' - Clare Mackintosh, author of Let Me Lie'INSIDIOUS' - Guardian 'BRILLIANT' - Fiona Barton, author of The Child'PROPULSIVE' - Metro'INGENIOUS' - Sabine Durrant, author of Lie With Me'SINISTER' - Red'MENACING' - C.L. Taylor, author of The Fear 'FANTASTIC' - Sunday Mirror'ELEGANT' - Joanna Cannon, author of Three Things about Elsie'GRIPPING' - The Literary Review'UNRELENTING' - Mick Herron, author of Spook Street 'ENTHRALLING' - Heat'FASCINATING' - Linda Green, author of When My Eyes Were Closed'INTELLIGENT' - Good Housekeeping

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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING NOVELA BARRACK OBAMA READING PICKA lone astronaut.An impossible mission.An ally he never imagined.'The most enjoyable hard SF I have read in years' GUARDIAN'Weir's finest work to date. . . This is the one book I read last year that I am certain I can recommend to anyone, no matter who, and know they'll love it.' BRANDON SANDERSON'If you like a lot of science in your science fiction, Andy Weir is the writer for you. . . This one has everything fans of old school SF (like me) love.' GEORGE R.R. MARTIN'Brilliantly funny and enjoyable. One of the most plausible science fiction books I've ever read' TIM PEAKE, astronaut________________________________________Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery-and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone.Or does he?An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could imagine it, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian -- while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.________________________________________'One of the most original, compelling, and fun voyages I've ever taken.' ERNEST CLINE, author of Ready Player One and Ready Player Two'Undisputedly the best book I've read in a very, very long time. Mark my words: Project Hail Mary is destined to become a classic.' BLAKE CROUCH'Andy Weir's brilliant Project Hail Mary...is one of those stirring sci-fi novels about every government on Earth banding together, through science, to save civilisation from collapse. I loved it.' THE TIMES'A suspenseful portrait of human ingenuity and resilience [that] builds to an unexpectedly moving ending. A winner.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'Weir returns with gusto . . . his writing flows naturally, and his characters and dialogue crackle with energy. With this novel, he takes his place as a genuine star in the mainstream SF world.' BOOKLIST

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Eva Kennedy is in a rut. Whatever happened to the Eva who was going to be someone? Hoping to shake things up and find inspiration, Eva ventures to Melbourne, Australia, to visit an old friend who, for fun, gives Eva an exciting new identity. Eva is now exotic and adventurous and . . . not herself.Joseph Wheeler is a successful London designer. Unfortunately, his firm is thriving so he doesn't have time to actually design anymore. And his love life is non-existent. In Australia on business, Joseph meets Eva, and the sparks fly - even as Eva is stuck pretending to be someone she's not. Little does she know that Joseph has some secrets of his own . . .As a holiday fling quickly blossoms into something more, Joseph and Eva discover that romance can turn life upside down and inside out at the bottom of the world.Praise for Monica McInerney:'Monica McInerney is at the very top of her game . . . If you've yet to read her books, treat yourselves IMMEDIATELY!' Patricia Scanlan, bestselling author of A Time For Friends'You'll be laughing out loud one minute and crying the next' Cosmopolitan'Heart-warming . . . A lovely read' Hello! Magazine'McInerney is a must-read author for women's fiction fans around the world' Huffington Post'McInerney's bewitching multigenerational saga lavishly and lovingly explores the resiliency and fragility of family bonds' Booklist

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FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF A MAN CALLED OVE, NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING TOM HANKSThe number one bestseller: a funny, poignant and uplifting tale of love, community, and second chancesFor as long as anyone can remember, Britt-Marie has been an acquired taste. It's not that she's judgemental, or fussy, or difficult - she just expects things to be done in a certain way. A cutlery drawer should be arranged in the right order, for example (forks, knives, then spoons). We're not animals, are we? But behind the passive-aggressive, socially awkward, absurdly pedantic busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams and a warmer heart than anyone around her realizes.So when Britt-Marie finds herself unemployed, separated from her husband of 20 years, left to fend for herself in the miserable provincial backwater that is Borg - of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it - and somehow tasked with running the local football team, she is a little unprepared. But she will learn that life may have more to offer her that she's ever realised, and love might be found in the most unexpected of places.'Impressive and heart-warming . . . there are unexpected delights to being stuck with Britt-Marie' Literary Review

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