Gut-wrenching, ingenious, absolutely hilarious, this is the rediscovered story of woman's desperate quest for freedom. 'I'm thirty, and I'm stuck' Arabella is on an increasingly desperate quest for freedom from her overbearing father and her conspicuously absent brother. But her desire for self-actualisation only ends up leading her into the orbit of a happily married man. A spiky, self-conscious love affair begins, complete with awful dinner dates, devastating kisses and agonising introspection. Can Arabella realise what she wants? Can she escape the trap of being sexy, good and likable? Back in print after many decades, this is an outstanding novel by an extraordinary and little-known writer, the inimitable Rosemary Tonks. 'Salted with wit and peppered with clever images' Guardian ‘Writing like this...is far too beautiful and accomplished to be kept off the shelf. It catches like nothing else the smogs, the rodentine genes, the murky post-War grays, the lurking sexual violence of London’ Michael Hoffman, Poetry Foundation

Michael Turner is still fighting the demons of his childhood. He grew up alone; an orphan lost in a maze of institutions and foster homes, surviving on dreams of success, and of finding a place where he was wanted and could belong. Now, in his early twenties, he is at last beginning to escape his past. He has a loving fiancee and is taking the first steps in a promising legal career. And when, unexpectedly, a powerful father figure enters his life, it seems that all Michael's childhood dreams are being realised. But dreams come with a price. Michael has allowed a dangerous cuckoo to enter the nest. One who is plagued by his own demons, who can manipulate the needs and vulnerabilities of others to dreadful effect . . .

An anthology of witty, real-life stories of female bonding celebrate the lively, fun-filled side of women's friendships, from Fergie's and Diana's night on the town during Prince Andrew's bachelor party to La Bella Mafia, a gang devoted to diva-dom, righting wrongs, and overdressing. Original. 30,000 first printing.

The second Hector Cross thriller The second Hector Cross thriller 'The stench of death follows you, Hector Cross. You are as loathsome as the black hyena. I curse you to your grave, and I shall spit upon it when at last they lay you in it" It's like a nightmare but he's wide awake... When Hector Cross' pregnant wife is shot, he believes the terrorists who nearly destroyed his life have returned to finish the job when he now has so much more to lose. But as he follows the trail across the globe and right back home to London, a new more terrifying battle begins. For there are worse things in Cross' world than terrorist kidnappers, and those evils are set on obliterating everything Cross holds most dear. Can he save those he loves -- or will he pay the ultimate price for someone else's mistakes?

INTRODUCTORY.—NUMBER ONE. I would that it were possible so to tell a story that a reader should beforehand know every detail of it up to a certain point, or be so circumstanced that he might be supposed to know. In telling the little novelettes of our life, we commence our narrations with the presumption that these details are borne in mind, and though they be all forgotten, the stories come out intelligible at last. "You remember Mary Walker. Oh yes, you do;—that pretty girl, but such a queer temper! And how she was engaged to marry Harry Jones, and said she wouldn't at the church-door, till her father threatened her with bread and water; and how they have been living ever since as happy as two turtle-doves down in Devonshire,—till that scoundrel, Lieutenant Smith, went to Bideford! Smith has been found dead at the bottom of a saw-pit. Nobody's sorry for him. She's in a madhouse at Exeter; and Jones has disappeared, and couldn't have had more than thirty shillings in his pocket." This is quite as much as anybody ought to want to know previous to the unravelling of the tragedy of the Jones's. But such stories as those I have to tell cannot be written after that fashion. We novelists are constantly twitted with being long; and to the gentlemen who condescend to review us, and who take up our volumes with a view to business rather than pleasure, we must be infinite in length and tedium. But the story must be made intelligible from the beginning, or the real novel readers will not like it. The plan of jumping at once into the middle has been often tried, and sometimes seductively enough for a chapter or two; but the writer still has to hark back, and to begin again from the beginning,—not always very comfortably after the abnormal brightness of his few opening pages; and the reader who is then involved in some ancient family history, or long local explanation, feels himself to have been defrauded. It is as though one were asked to eat boiled mutton after woodcocks, caviare, or maccaroni cheese. I hold that it is better to have the boiled mutton first, if boiled mutton there must be.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Victorian society with "The Way We Live Now, Vol. 2 of 2" by Anthony Trollope, a masterful exploration of greed, ambition, and moral decay in 19th-century England. With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and incisive social commentary, Trollope's novel offers readers a mesmerizing glimpse into the complexities of human nature and the foibles of society. Continue the journey alongside Trollope's vividly depicted characters as they navigate the tumultuous waters of love, money, and power in Victorian England. From the aristocratic salons of London to the bustling streets of the city, readers are swept up in a whirlwind of scandal, intrigue, and ambition that unfolds across the pages of this gripping novel. Experience the highs and lows of life in Victorian society as Trollope delves into the lives of his diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own desires, aspirations, and moral dilemmas. From the ruthless financier Augustus Melmotte to the idealistic journalist Paul Montague, readers are drawn into a world where ambition knows no bounds and the pursuit of wealth and status comes at a steep price. Explore the timeless themes of love, betrayal, and redemption as Trollope weaves together the intricate threads of his narrative, drawing readers into a web of relationships that span the social spectrum. From romantic entanglements to familial conflicts, the novel is a rich tapestry of human emotions and experiences that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Delve into the moral complexities and ethical dilemmas that confront Trollope's characters as they grapple with questions of integrity, honor, and social responsibility. Through his nuanced portrayal of human nature, Trollope invites readers to reflect on the choices we make and the consequences they entail, offering profound insights into the human condition. The overall tone of the novel is one of incisive social commentary, as Trollope shines a spotlight on the hypocrisies and injustices of Victorian society while offering a compassionate portrayal of its flawed and fallible inhabitants. With its keen observations and sharp wit, "The Way We Live Now" remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published, offering readers a compelling mirror to reflect on the complexities of their own lives and times. Since its publication, "The Way We Live Now" has earned widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative, vivid characters, and insightful social commentary. It has become a classic of Victorian literature, beloved by readers for its timeless themes and enduring relevance to the human experience. Designed for readers who appreciate richly detailed storytelling and incisive social commentary, "The Way We Live Now, Vol. 2 of 2" offers a captivating portrait of Victorian society that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or simply seeking a thought-provoking read, this novel is sure to captivate and enthrall. In conclusion, "The Way We Live Now, Vol. 2 of 2" is more than just a novel—it's a timeless exploration of human nature, society, and the moral complexities of life in Victorian England. Join Anthony Trollope on this unforgettable journey through the heart of a bygone era, and discover the enduring truths that lie at the heart of the human experience. Don't miss your chance to immerse yourself in the captivating world of "The Way We Live Now" by Anthony Trollope. Grab your copy now and experience the timeless allure of one of literature's greatest novels.

A seemingly straightforward domestic tragedy leads to something deeper and darker for DCI Vogel and his team in this gripping police procedural. A man lies dead on the kitchen floor of his comfortable North Devon home, his body punctured by multiple stab wounds. Beside him sits his silent, traumatised wife. DCI David Vogel reckons he’s seen it all before. A domestic tragedy: an abused wife snaps after years of suffering within a deeply tormented marriage. Then again, as a police officer of long experience, Vogel knows it’s dangerous to rely on assumptions. As his investigations lead him in all sorts of unexpected directions, uncovering a number of shocking secrets in the dead man’s past, Vogel comes to realize that nothing about this case is as straightforward as it seems. What really happened inside No.11 St Anne’s Avenue? And if Thomas Quinn’s wife didn’t kill him, who did . . . and why? Vogel is about to embark on the most unusual case of his career.