Amid food shortages and grumbling, Barsetshire is unsettled by the arrival of a pretty war widow in this “delicately humorous [and] entertaining” novel (The New York Times). World War II may be over, but its effects linger in the English countryside as the local ladies trade ration coupons for a paltry selection of provisions. It’s feeling like a bleak summer—but it won’t be a boring one, now that flirtatious young widow Peggy Arbuthnot and her sister-in-law, Effie, are on the scene. Peggy has quite a few admirers—including Noel Merton, which is rather unfortunate for his wife. Suspense reigns over who might win Peggy’s hand—and whether the Merton marriage will survive . . . “Where Trollope would have been content to arouse a chuckle, [Thirkell] is constantly provoking us to hilarious laughter. . . . To read her is to get the feeling of knowing Barsetshire folk as well as if one had been born and bred in the county.” —Kirkus Reviews

Secrets should stay buried. Passion, betrayal, and murder in the Russian Revolution When the remains of a child are found beneath the rose bed in Jean Loftus’s garden, the police struggle to identify the victim – and to find out if Jean has any links with the killing. Then Xenia, a mysterious Russian student, arrives. Can she be a link to Jean’s own secrets, to her childhood in Russia during the Revolution, to her life in Latvia between the wars, and the competing passions of two lost lovers? What secret is Xenia herself concealing? Lawyer Zita Daunsey gradually uncovers the truth, or thinks she does. But how far should she go to unearth old crimes? And what would the price be in letting them them lie, when doing so will make her an accomplice to murder? Praise for Elizabeth Ironside ‘Excellent local colour and culture, good adventure and an admirable denouement’ Marcel Berlins ‘She joins those few mystery writers you unreservedly look forward to reading ... a thoroughly satisfying psychological thriller’ Harriet Waugh, Spectator ‘A fine, stylish book to be savoured’ James Melville ‘Superbly handled ... a masterly example of classic crime fiction’ Birmingham Post ‘A spell-binding story of love, murder and deception’ Coventry Evening Telegraph ‘Enticing murder mystery’ Manchester Evening News

The most complete handbook on boards for small to midsize private and family businesses. Shows how an active board of directors made up of seasoned business owners and executives can provide the objective feedback and business acumen that will help private firms face new competitive challenges while addressing such key concerns as succession and long-range planning.

Reviews national policy regarding private industry participation in the development of atomic power for military and commercial use.

The re-emergence of private enterprises is one of the most important factors in China's recent economic development. They will play a key role in maintaining China's high growth rate and honouring its commitments to the WTO. Despite this they face obstacles to growth, including borrowing restrictions, high taxes, ineffective legal protection and lack of technical and information support. The authors in this book discuss these obstacles and propose measures for improving private enterprise development. They consider how private enterprises can help China mitigate its macroeconomic problems, such as unemployment, income inequality, financial disintermediation and cyclical boom and bust. Finally they examine the lessons to be learnt from other countries in promoting privatization.