This book describes the close friendship between a certain Jack Maguire, a politician, finally to become Prime Minister of Britain, and one Natalie Klein, who is a dishonest, thoroughly amoral, promiscuous hearse-driver. She gets up to endless mischief on the bier rack. The two protagonists come from different backgrounds. Maguire hails from the slums of Toxteth and Natalie comes from a wealthy newspaper family in London. Natalie has a perverse fascination for the dead. Maguire, on the other hand, is consumed by ambition and a desire to become Prime Minister. Maguire’s motto, “My face shall appear on the banknotes and my profile will be engraved on the coins” says it all. Natalie goes out of her way to help him become Prime Minister, in return for his kindness towards her, but only by devious means, which are an anathema to him. The story reaches a climax when their paths cross and they fall out. Eleanor Berry is the author of over 20 published books and says her first brush with literature was when she broke windows in Ian Fleming’s house at the age of eight. Of Welsh ancestry, she was born and bred in London. Eleanor specializes in black humour and the works of Gorki, Dostoevsky, Gogol, Edgar Allan Poe and James Hadley Chase have strongly influenced her writings. Two of her novels are available in Russian and a third, which she refrains from naming, is being made into a film. This is Eleanor Berry’s fifteenth book with The Book Guild. She resides in South-West London.

a "riveting historical novel based on true events ....vivid setting, compelling plot, and multifaceted characters." -- Kirkus Reviews The Great Scandal of British Calcutta IMary Pigot, daughter of a Scottish father and Eurasian mother, grew up in Calcutta. Through hard work, she became Lady Superintendent of the Female Mission. Sometimes she bent the rules to give a woman a second chance. Sometimes she lost her temper when the Scottish Mission Board or local mission leadership exerted control over the Female Mission. But she was dedicated to her students and staff, increased enrollment, worked hard at fundraising, and lived an independent life as a respected member of the Calcutta mission community. Mary had her detractors. Gossip said she spent too much time in the company of a married missionary. Gossip whispered she privately entertained an Indian barrister. Gossip testified Mary exerted cruel punishments over her students. Rev. William Hastie came to Calcutta in 1879 as the newly appointed Principal of Scottish College. Hastie expected everyone to treat him with deference. He expected to oversee every aspect of the Scottish mission. He demanded respect. When Mary stood her ground, Hastie listened to gossip. In 1882, Mary lost her position. The following spring, Mary sued Rev. Hastie for libel in the Calcutta High Court. A private quarrel became public. A woman claimed her rights under the law. It was the Great Calcutta Scandal. Based on actual events, Two Coins takes readers into Justice William Norris' steamy courtroom in the middle of monsoon season as the case takes on a life of its own.

Considers legislation to authorize sundry commemorative 50-cent pieces.