Author: Julia Stuart
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
ISBN: 0385669682
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 320
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Book Description
When Balthazar Jones is tasked with setting up an elaborate menagerie within the Tower of London's walls to house the many exotic animals gifted to the Queen, life at the Tower gets all the more interesting. Penguins escape, giraffes are stolen, and the Komodo dragon sends innocent people running for their lives. Balthazar is in charge and things are not exactly running smoothly. Then his wife Hebe decides to leave him and his beloved tortoise "runs" away.--Résumé de l'éditeur.
Author: Julia Stuart
Publisher: Bond Street Books
ISBN: 0385676611
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 317
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Book Description
When Indian Princess Alexandrina is left penniless by the sudden death of her father, the Maharaja of Brindor, Queen Victoria grants her a grace-and-favor home in Hampton Court Palace. Though it is rumored to be haunted, Alexandrina and her lady's maid, Pooki, have no choice but to take the Queen up on her offer. Aside from the ghost sightings, Hampton Court doesn't seem so bad. The princess is soon befriended by three eccentric widows who invite her to a picnic with all the palace's inhabitants, for which Pooki bakes a pigeon pie. But when General-Major Bagshot dies after eating said pie, and the Coroner finds traces of arsenic in his body, Pooki becomes the #1 suspect in a murder investigation. Princess Alexandrina isn't about to let her faithful servant hang. She begins an investigation of her own, and discovers that Hampton Court isn't such a safe place to live after all. With her trademark wit and charm, Julia Stuart introduces us to an outstanding cast of lovable oddballs from the palace Maze Keeper to the unconventional Lady Beatrice (who likes to dress up as a toucan--don't ask) as she guides us through the many delightful twists and turns in this fun and quirky murder mystery. Everyone is hiding a secret of the heart, and even Alexandrina may not realize when she's caught in a maze of love.
Author: Julia Stuart
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
ISBN: 0007345232
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 15
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Book Description
A poignant, magical and completely original novel that you can't fail to love, for fans of Joanne Harris.
Author: Andrey Kurkov
Publisher: Melville House
ISBN: 1935554557
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 242
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Book Description
"No summary can do justice to the strange appeal of this unusual, short book, which is at once a crime novel, a comic novel and a serious political satire on contemporary Ukraine." —Anne Applebaum, The Wall Street Journal With the collapse of the Soviet Union, newly-free Ukraine is a shell-shocked land . . . In poverty-and-violence-wracked Kyiv, unemployed writer Viktor Zolotaryov leads a down-and-out life with his only friend, Misha, a penguin that he rescued when the local zoo started getting rid of animals it couldn't feed. Even more nerve-wracking for Victor: a local mobster has taken a shine to Misha and wants to borrow him for events. But Viktor thinks he’s finally caught a break when he lands a well-paying job at the Kyiv newspaper writing “living obituaries” of local dignitaries—articles to be filed for use when the time comes. The only thing is, the time always seems to come as soon as Viktor finishes writing the article. Slowly understanding that his own life may be in jeopardy, Viktor also realizes that the only thing that might be keeping him alive is his penguin.
Author: Katherine Reay
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 0785222014
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 337
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Book Description
Books. Love. Friendship. Second chances. All can be found at the Printed Letter Bookshop in the small, charming town of Winsome. One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care. While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than her outspoken colleague, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and has found a renewed sense of purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life falls apart, and a handsome gardener upends her life, she questions her plans and her future. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop? And even if she has, the women’s best efforts to save it may be too little, too late. Sweet contemporary romance for book lovers Stand-alone novel Book length: 98,000 words Includes discussion questions and a recommended reading list from the author
Author: Julia Stuart
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1407040677
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 384
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Book Description
A perpetual breeze blows through Amour-sur-Belle, a village so ugly that even the English refuse to live there. Guillaume Ladoucette the barber is forced to give up his business as the advancing age of his customers means many have gone bald. He decides to set himself up as a matchmaker instead, for, despite its name, love is the one thing that Amour-sur-Belle lacks. Some shun Denise Vigier because her grandmother was found guilty of horizontal collaboration during the war. The bar owner refuses to serve Madame Fournier, the mushroom poisoner. And Madame Ladoucette and Madame Moreau have been trading insults for so long they have become almost a form of greeting. 'Not everyone falls instantly head over heels,' the matchmaker counsels. 'Love is like a good cassoulet, it needs time and determination.' But how can a matchmaker make love simmer - when he has not yet solved the problem of his own troubled heart?
Author: Alan Bennett
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 1429934530
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 126
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Book Description
From one of England's most celebrated writers, a funny and superbly observed novella about the Queen of England and the subversive power of reading When her corgis stray into a mobile library parked near Buckingham Palace, the Queen feels duty-bound to borrow a book. Discovering the joy of reading widely (from J. R. Ackerley, Jean Genet, and Ivy Compton-Burnett to the classics) and intelligently, she finds that her view of the world changes dramatically. Abetted in her newfound obsession by Norman, a young man from the royal kitchens, the Queen comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with the routines of her role as monarch. Her new passion for reading initially alarms the palace staff and soon leads to surprising and very funny consequences for the country at large. With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England's best loved author Alan Bennett revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader's life.
Author: Julietta Henderson
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 1473578485
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 301
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Book Description
The inspiring, feel-good Richard & Judy Book Club pick about a small boy with a big heart - and even bigger dreams. 'One of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity' - Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey and bestselling author of Us Three It was a journey they would always remember . . . for a friend they'd never forget. Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can't wait, so he rewrites their plan: 1. Look after Mum | 2. Find Dad | 3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe Sadie knows she won't win Mother of the Year and she's not proud she doesn't know who her son's father is. But when she finds Norman's list, all she wants is to see her son smile again. So, enlisting the help of eccentric friend Leonard - an 84-year-old veteran with superior planning skills and a thirst for adventure! - they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman's dad along the way. - 'An uplifting tale of love, loss and the redemptive power of humour' - Mail on Sunday 'Charming, funny and cheering' - Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy 'As moving as it is funny. And it's very funny' - Romesh Ranganathan 'He's wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I'll have a Norman-shaped hole there forever' - Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity Project Readers are in love with Norman: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This has everything a feel good book should have. I loved it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Norman is one of the most lovable characters I have ever met' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A book to make you laugh and cry in the same moment, a bittersweet read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A charming, uplifting tale of love, family, friendship and hope' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A beautifully written novel about having the courage to hold on to and chase your dreams'
Author: Margaret Daley
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1426714289
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 365
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Book Description
Wyatt Sheridan, a Texas Ranger, is drawn into a case that will test his faith and investigative skills. As he searches for a missing teen, he uncovers a ring that lures young girls into a life of prostitution. The case becomes personal when his daughter and the woman he loves are threatened. Will he discover the mastermind behind the ring before evil tears them from his life?
Author: Dan Bar-el
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1534433457
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272
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Book Description
Duane the polar bear and the other animals of the very, very far north find their friendships deepening as they are challenged by the arrival of a contentious weasel and an unexpected departure.
