Great Gift Books

The first adult novel by J.K. RowlingWhen Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty facade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils... Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other.This is a wonderful novel. JK Rowling's skills as a storyteller are on a par with RL Stevenson, Conan Doyle and PD James. Here, they are combined with her ability to create memorable and moving characters to produce a state-of-England novel driven by tenderness and furyA needle-sharp and darkly comic expose of today's class-ridden society . . . A highly readable morality tale for our timesThe Casual Vacancy is a stunning, brilliant, outrageously gripping and entertaining evocation of British society today. [J.K. Rowling] has done a rather brave thing and pulled it off magnificentlyOne marvels at the skill with which Rowling weaves such vivid characters in and out of each other's livesHeartbreaking - turning the page seems unbearable, but not as much as putting down the book would beAn exquisite and occasionally moving black comedy . . . The acid test - I suspect it would do well even if its author's name weren't J.K. RowlingA big, ambitious, brilliant, profane, funny, deeply upsetting and magnificently eloquent novel of contemporary England . . . This is a deeply moving book by somebody who understands both human beings and novels very, very deeplyInsightful, meaningful, daring and resolutely challenging to tabloid assumptions regarding the moral worth of individualsThe action bowls along compellingly, most of the characters are vividly drawn and there are some sharp - often very sharp - observations about their social pretensions . . . a bold and distinctive effortThis is a novel of insight and skill, deftly drawn and, at the end, cleverly pulled together. It plays to her strengths as a storytellerThe Casual Vacancy is a brilliant novel, entertaining, intelligent, moving, passionate and hard-hitting; touching on familiar subjects but approaching them with great originality and skill. Moreover, it's unputdownable . . . The novel is a triumphRowling is a great storyteller with a clear eye and a warm heart, and The Casual Vacancy is a moving and immensely pleasurable novelJ.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories, translated into 73 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films. She has also written two small volumes, which appear as the titles of Harry's schoolbooks within the novels. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages were published by Bloomsbury Children's Books in March 2001 in aid of Comic Relief. In December 2008, The Tales of Beedle the Bard was published in aid of the Children's High Level Group, and quickly became the fastest selling book of the year.

As well as an OBE for services to children's literature, J.K. Rowling is the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees including the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord, France's Legion d'Honneur, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and she has been a Commencement Speaker at Harvard University USA. She supports a wide number of charitable causes through her charitable trust Volant, and is the founder of Lumos, a charity working to transform the lives of disadvantaged children.THE CASUAL VACANCY has sold over a million copies in its Little, Brown UK editions to dateIt was UK Number One on the Sunday Times chart for 12 weeksIt has been translated into over 40 languages and had been a bestseller around the worldIt was chosen by users of Goodreads as their favourite novel of 2012It is to be adapted into a BBC1 drama, which is planned for 2014

The frank, funny and intimate autobiography of Duran Duran's legendary bassist, John Taylor

With Duran Duran, John Taylor has created some of the greatest songs of our time. From the disco dazzle of debut single 'Planet Earth' right up to their latest number one album All You Need is Now, Duran Duran has always had the power to sweep the world onto its feet.

It's been a ride - and for John in particular, the ride has been wild, thrilling... and dangerous. Now, for the first time, he tells his incredible story - a tale of dreams fulfilled, lessons learned and demons conquered.

A shy only child, Nigel John Taylor wasn't an obvious candidate for pop stardom and frenzied girl panic. But when he ditched his first name and picked up a bass guitar, everything changed. John formed Duran Duran with his friend Nick Rhodes in the spring of 1978, and they were soon joined by Roger Taylor, then Andy Taylor and finally Simon Le Bon. Together they were an immediate, massive global success story, their pictures on millions of walls, every single a worldwide hit.

In his frank, compelling autobiography, John recounts the highs - hanging out with icons like Bowie, Warhol and even James Bond; dating Vogue models and driving fast cars - all the while playing hard with the band he loved. But he faced tough battles ahead - troubles that brought him to the brink of self-destruction - before turning his life around.

Told with humour, honesty and hard-won wisdom, and packed with exclusive pictures, In the Pleasure Groove is a fascinating, irresistible portrait of a man who danced into the fire... and came through the other side.

Wonderfully evocative ... an engaging read written with style, insight and, above all, charm ... he has quietly and inconspicuously become one of our greatest living EnglishmenAmusing, self-deprecating ... Taylor is a likeable and droll narrator, generous to band mates, loyal to loved ones and unfailingly hard on himselfThe real pleasure of the memoir is Taylor's voice - a disarming blend of candour, warmth and self-deprecating humourA captivating read

John Taylor is the bass player and a founding member of Duran Duran. To date the band has sold over eighty million records worldwide and been awarded six prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards, including ones from the BRITs and MTV. Their latest album, All You Need is Now, debuted at number one in fifteen countries.

John has also recorded and toured with members of Chic, The Sex Pistols and Guns N' Roses.

Born in Birmingham, John now lives between Wiltshire and Los Angeles. He is married with three children.

Duran Duran have sold over eighty million recordsDuran Duran's latest album went to number one in 15 countries and they headlining at a special Olympics gig in JulyAs compelling and frank as great rock memoir classics such as Scar Tissue and Bit of a Blur

Kay Scarpetta as you have never seen her before - a must-read for any fan of this series, or an ideal starting point for new readers

A woman has vanished while digging a dinosaur bone bed in the remote wilderness of Canada. Somehow, the only evidence has made its way to the inbox of Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, over two thousand miles away in Boston. She has no idea why.

But as events unfold with alarming speed, Scarpetta begins to suspect the paleontologist's disappearance is connected to a series of crimes much closer to home: a gruesome murder, inexplicable tortures, and trace evidence from the last living creatures of the dinosaur age.

When she turns to those around her, Scarpetta finds that the danger and suspicion have penetrated even her closest circles. Her niece Lucy speaks in riddles. Her lead investigator Pete Marino and FBI husband Benton Wesley have secrets of their own. Feeling alone and betrayed, Scarpetta is tempted by someone from her past as she tracks a killer both cunning and cruel.

Her genuine affection for, and interest in, her main character radiates through the novel, and her research for The Bone Bed is as thorough as ever. Where Cornwell excels is in her ability to transcend the clichés and deliver a good, old fashioned thriller that has enough CSI-style touches to draw in the forensics-obsessed fan while never taking her eye off her plotting and charactersPatricia Cornwell is one of the world's major international best-selling authors, translated into thirty-six languages across more than fifty countries. She is a founder of the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine, a founding member of the National Forensic Academy, a member of the New York OCME Forensic Sciences Training Program's Advisory Board, and a member of the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital's National Council, where she is an advocate for psychiatric research. In 2008 Cornwell won the Galaxy British Book Awards' Books Direct Crime Thriller of the Year - the first American ever to win this prestigious award. Her most recent bestsellers include Scarpetta, Book of the Dead and The Front. Her earlier works include Postmortem - the only novel to win five major crime awards in a single year - and Cruel and Unusual, which won the coveted Gold Dagger award in 1993. Dr. Kay Scarpetta herself won the 1999 Sherlock Award for the best detective created by an American writer.Red Mist improved on recent Scarpetta sales even further, selling over 170,000 copies in paperback and ebook alone to date

* Mma Ramotswe's thirteenth adventure; published in Little, Brown hardbackMma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi have always relied on the advice of the classic guide to their trade, The Principles of Private Detection. But who is the eminent author, Mr Clovis Andersen, and what if he were to come to Botswana? That seems a very unlikely possibility, and yet . . . When Mr Andersen visits Botswana on holiday, he is delighted and intrigued to stumble across a roadside sign that reveals the existence of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Professional courtesy suggests that he call and announce himself. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi and Phuti Radiphuti are embarking on married life and building a new house - a tricky business under any circumstances but especially hazardous when the name of the contractor is the Joy and Light Building Company.Following a distinguished career as a Professor of Medical Law, Alexander McCall Smith has turned to writing full-time. He is the author of over sixty books on a wide array of subjects, and his books have been translated into forty-six languages. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife.Unveiling a brand new look for everyone's favourite seriesTime to celebrate - the new Botswana paperback will be backed by his biggest marketing campaign everPR activity and online promotion around publicationThe Double Comfort Safari Club (Number 11) has sold 73,000 copies in HBEnglish language sales for McCall Smith's titles now exceed 20 million copies worldwideWinner of Author of the Year three times (BA, NIBBIES and Waterstone's)www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk

Deeply psychological and suspenseful, The Guilty One is already an international phenomenon and one of the most talked-about books of the year.A little boy was found dead in a children's playground...

Daniel Hunter has spent years defending lost causes as a solicitor in London. But his life changes when he is introduced to Sebastian, an eleven-year-old accused of murdering an innocent young boy.

As he plunges into the muddy depths of Sebastian's troubled home life, Daniel thinks back to his own childhood in foster care - and to Minnie, the woman whose love saved him, until she, too, betrayed him so badly that he cut her out of his life.

But what crime did Minnie commit that made Daniel disregard her for fifteen years? And will Daniel's identification with a child on trial for murder make him question everything he ever believed in?[a] moving, insightful debut . . . It's easy to see why this caused such a stir at Frankfurt last year. If it isn't this year's Before I Go To Sleep, I'll eat my laptopAn absorbing psychological debutIt's one of the best debuts I've ever encounteredLisa Ballantyne has written a first novel that is both moving and suspenseful; richly detailed, yet with the eerie simplicity of a parableThis is an outstanding work of fiction, and the real crime would have been if the talent of Lisa Ballantyne had never been discoveredThought provoking, brave and challenging, this book is an unsettling and compulsive readGripping stuffIt's a work of genuine substance about real human beings with real human flaws, in which nothing can be tied up neatly because life doesn't work like that. The Guilty One puts her firmly on the list of writers to watchThis is as assured debut novel that has 'bestseller' slapped all over itFast-paced and emotionally charged, we were tearing through it well into the night. Keep a tissue handy - you'll be a wreck by the endGets better as you read it . . . a novel that grips . . . engrossing the reader who will want to find out what happensOne of the most readable, emotionally intense novels of the year, and a debut one at that. Lisa Ballantyne pulls off the key writer's trick of getting us to care about the characters; by the end of the first chapter, you will be comprehensively on the hookWow! I finished this late yesterday afternoon at the beach...This is a really good legal thriller. I like the way the chapters alternated in time. This doesn't always work, sometimes confusing, but the author Lisa made it happen and did it very wellI couldn't get this book out of my head. It kept me up all night and guessing the whole way through, I loved itBallantyne paints such vivid portraits of her characters that it is impossible not to sympathise with the tolerant and loving Minnie, and this psychological drama will keep you wondering right to the final chapterA mature, gripping book you'll be desperate to tell your friends aboutOn one level, Lisa Ballantyne's The Guilty One delivers riveting courtroom drama that is unflinchingly true to its characters. At another level, its personal story resonates with love, forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. The Guilty One will touch your heart even as it leaves you unsettledThe Guilty One beautifully blends both past and present in a novel that will keep readers interestedLisa Ballantyne was born in Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland and was educated at Armadale Academy and University of St Andrews. She spent most of her twenties working and living in China, before returning to the UK in 2002, to work in Higher Education. She lives in Glasgow; this is her first novel.Piatkus's biggest debut launch since SISTERDealing with the emotional themes of foster care and juvenile delinquency, this is a curious blend of Maggie O'Farrell meets Lionel ShriverThe biggest book of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2011 - it has already sold into twenty territories world wide, including a massive six-figure deal in the USThe global reaction to Lisa's debut can only help set up what will be a really strong launch in our superlead slot.The Guilty One was selected for Richard & Judy's Autumn 2012 Book Club and was voted the favourite book of the selection by readersAn unprecedented print run of beautiful bound proofs and head office customised proof bins to maximise awareness

A story of unexpected, life-changing love, set in the autumn of 2008.Ireland . . .
America . . .
Family secrets . . .
Laughter . . .
Tragedy . . .
Swimming . . .
Dogs . . .
Big beaches . . .
Loneliness . . .

A story of unexpected,
life-changing loveIt's impossible to look away from this love story. Addie may be struggling when we meet her . . . but she's cool and funny and she carries this novel with the charisma of a classic heroine. It will leave you a weeping mess just as Em and Dex's story did. It will also leave you feeling utterly bereft to no longer be in its companyBe warned. MacMahon subtly - almost imperceptibly - weaves her readers so tightly into her story that when she rolls out her shattering ending it's best to be alone, far from prying eyes. Stave off the tears if you can: I was a wreckWhen you have long forgotten many other fictional lovers, there is something about Addie and Bruno, their past and their world, that will not go awayThis richly poetic first novel combines a strong contemporary feel with a sense of timelessness. MacMahon's prose fizzes from page one, capturing the imagination and holding the reader. As the title suggests this is a poignant book yet remarkably life-affirming thanks to the sheer quality of MacMahon's writing. Her characterisation is deft and believable. She has perfect control of tone and a gift for piercing metaphor. I predict a glittering future.It has 'future classic' written all over itAn exceptional novel . . . It is truly a story for our time. This is How it Ends signals the belated arrival of a new Irish commercial writer with an extraordinary gift and a voice that is entirely her ownThis is How it Ends is an unforgettable story of love and hope - a moving tale which touches the heartKathleen MacMahon's prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful . . . The twist in this tale is utterly unexpected and satisfyingly unpredictable . . . A bittersweet, engaging novel that will no doubt become a book-club darlingA tender love story. A book about love, family, children and that glorious sense of being aliveThe beginning of bank protests, alongside the American election and how crucial it seemed, send a tremor through the narrativeAn engaging and ultimately uplifting read. It's a well drawn love story, the characters are believable and the writing is elegant. This is a book with film rights written all over itThis is a love story like no otherAn all-consuming love story . . . that can't fail to enchant youI found myself relating to every character, charmed into enjoying their world and not wanting it to end . . .
a brilliantly drawn, empathetic and believable cast of charactersMoving and beautifully drawnA tender love storyThis wonderful new author is a force to be reckoned withThroughout the book, the narrative remains both beautiful and understated - and is perhaps all the more dramatic for itSometimes you read a book that takes your breath away - this was the book . . . This Is How It Ends grabs you very gently at the beginning and urges you to continue, it wraps you up in its charm and leaves you bereft (in a good way). An emotional rollercoaster of two people thrown together, at a strange time in a less than ordinary way, I defy you not to be movedFrom the atmospheric description of the wet and windy Dublin beach to the gentle drawing out of the thaw of Addie's thoughts and feelings, MacMahon proves herself to have a sensitive and heartfelt understanding of human emotions and an ability to transcribe it with fine delicacy and beautiful simple writing. This is an outstanding debut novel which will linger long in your mindGood writing and realistic characters will see this warm-hearted novel riding the bestsellers listsSummer 2012's One Day, this is a love story with an ominous feel that haunts from page oneEverybody in Addie's life, up to and including the dog, is given a full back-story, as her relationships with her dad and her married sister's family are explored with a winning mixture of thoughtfulness and warmth. And all that's before the crunchingly big finish which packs an undeniable punchMacMahon's enthralling debut novel features marvelous characters who will linger long in readers' hearts. Tissues will be neededKathleen MacMahon is an award-winning television journalist with Ireland's national broadcaster, RTE, where she reports on the major international stories. The grand-daughter of the distinguished short story writer Mary Lavin, Kathleen lives in Dublin with her husband and twin daughters. THIS IS HOW IT ENDS is her first novel. Visit www.kathleenmacmahon.comA huge super-lead title, one of Sphere's biggest books for 2012Sold to 22 countries (and counting) in massive dealsSphere pre-empted this novel within 48 hours, in a big six-figure deal, making the national news in Ireland; news of the deal broke in the Guardian in the UKWill appeal to readers of The Memory Keeper's Daughter; The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake; When God Was A RabbitBacked by a major joined-up international marketing and publicity programme including our biggest ever campaign with Reading Partners and reading groups

An exhilarating modern classic, now available in a beautiful new hardback edition as part of the VMC set for adult and young adult readers.'Piercing the shadows of the naked stage was a single shaft of rosy limelight, and in the centre of this was a girl: the most marvellous girl - I knew it at once! - that I had ever seen.'

A saucy, sensuous and multi-layered historical romance set in the 'roaring' 1890s, Tipping the Velvet follows the glittering career of Nan King on her journey from Whitstable oyster-girl to music-hall star to cross-dressing rentboy to East End 'tom'.The collection has been expertly put together to remind the reader that while the way we describe things has changed, the feelings behind them certainly haven't. Bold, beautiful ... everyone's appetites will be satisfied.Sarah Waters was born in Wales. She has won a Betty Trask Award and the Somerset Maugham Award, and her books have been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize. Tipping the Velvet, Affinity, Fingersmith and The Night Watch have been adapted for television. Sarah Waters has been named Author of the Year four times: by the British Book Awards, the Booksellers' Association, Waterstone's Booksellers and the Stonewall Awards. She lives in London.Beautiful, collectible hardback as part of the VMC Generation set of 6 coming-of-age classics for adult and young adult readers.Will be much admired and coveted by booksellers and readers as previous VMC hardback series have been.All of Sarah Waters' novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers and over half a million copies of her books have been sold in the UK.A cult classic, filmed for the BBC.www.sarahwaters.com

The future history of humanity: epic and believable SF from the bestselling and multiple award-winning author of Red Mars

The year is 2312. Scientific advances have opened gateways to an extraordinary future. Earth is no longer our only home; new habitats have been created throughout the solar system, on moons, planets, and in between. But in 2312, a sequence of events will force humanity to confront our past, present, and future.

The first event takes place on Mercury, in the city of Terminator, itself a miracle of engineering on an unprecedented scale. For Swan Er Hong, it will change her life. Once a designer of worlds, now Swan will be led into a plot to destroy them.

2312 is a bold vision of humanity's future and a compelling portrait of those individuals who will shape its events.

Robinson blends mystery and suspense with lyrical evocation of a complex futurePolymathic, visionary brillianceKim Stanley Robinson is one of science fiction's greats . . . fans of the Mars books will delight in this novel; new readers will be astonished by the depth, breadth and power of Robinson's inventionThe real energy and allure of this book comes from its often gobsmacking and always richly detailed epic vision of an extra-terrestrial future - of habitable asteroids, space elevators, a terraformed Venus and Mercury's magnificent mobile city, always on the run from the dawn and the broiling Sun. WonderfulGoes back to the roots of the sci-fi genre and puts at its centre utopian and dystopian visions of the social models our descendants might inhabit, with a flashy travelogue around the places they might live. It is a novel of ideas that also sets out to be tremendous funInherently epic . . . a wise and wondrous novelBeautifully written and with strong mental imageryA challenging, compelling masterpiece of science fictionA feast for the imagination and intellect - shockingly cleverKim Stanley Robinson has won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards. He is the author of over twenty previous books, including the bestselling Mars trilogy and the highly acclaimed FORTY SIGNS OF RAIN. He lives in Davis, California.Robinson's novels have won eleven major science fiction awards - including the Hugo, the Nebula, the World Fantasy Award and the John W. Campbell Memorial AwardTime magazine has hailed Robinson as one of 32 leaders and visionaries on the environment and has called him 'perhaps the foremost practitioner of literary utopias'The author was guest of honour at 2010's World Science Fiction convention in AustraliaPerfect for fans of Alastair Reynolds, Peter F. Hamilton and Arthur C. ClarkeKim Stanley Robinson wrote the award-winning Mars trilogy, a landmark epic in SFA worldwide Orbit release

A triumphant follow-up to the classic bestseller Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins - fascinating, witty and endlessly entertaining.Rupert Everett's first memoir - Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins - was an international bestseller and an instant classic on publication in 2006. Reviewers compared him to Evelyn Waugh, David Niven, Noel Coward and Lord Byron. But Rupert Everett is - of course - one of a kind.

Mischievous, touching and nothing less than brilliant, this new memoir is filled with brand-new stories, from childhood to the present. Astonishing encounters; tragedy and comedy; vivid portraits of friends and rivals; razor-sharp observations of the celebrity circus from LA to London and beyond... there is something extraordinary on every page.

A pilgrimage to Lourdes with his father is both hilarious and moving. A misguided step into reality TV goes horribly wrong. From New York to Moscow to Berlin to Phnom Penh, Vanished Years takes the reader on a wild and wonderful new journey with a charming (and rather disreputable) companion.Gorgeous ... Everett is fearless when gossiping about A-listers because he wants nothing from them ... most of all he is just a very good writer indeedAfter reading Vanished Years I didn't just want to buy the book but kidnap its author and gallivant about town with him for everA literary star ... Anyone who enjoys peeking behind the curtain of celebrity life will love it. However, what really sets this book apart ... is its unexpected subtlety[An] instant classicStands head and shoulders above the season's celeb memoirs ... With nobody left in Tinseltown to please, Everett unleashes himself as a hilarious, unsparingly bitchy chronicler of celebrity hell ... irresistibleRupert Everett was born in Norfolk in 1959. Educated at Ampleforth College, he was later expelled from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, but soon made a name for himself at the avant-garde Glasgow Citizens Theatre. In 1984 he found international fame following his lead role in Another Country, and has since appeared in many successful films, including Shakespeare in Love, An Ideal Husband, The Madness of King George III, The Importance of Being Earnest, Dance with a Stranger, Pr?t-?-Porter and My Best Friend's WeddingRED CARPETS was a Sunday Times bestseller and has sold 170,000 net copiesIt was also one of the best-reviewed memoirs of recent yearsHis new book is just as engaging, revealing and wickedly funny as Red CarpetsIt will establish Rupert Everett once and for all as a brilliant, hugely talented writer

The queen of historical fiction takes on 1920s Jazz Age New York - with a supernatural twistIt's 1920s New York City. It's flappers and Follies, jazz and gin. It's after the war but before the depression. And for certain group of bright young things it's the opportunity to party like never before.

For Evie O'Neill, it's escape. She's never fit in in small town Ohio and when she causes yet another scandal, she's shipped off to stay with an uncle in the big city. But far from being exile, this is exactly what she's always wanted: the chance to show how thoroughly modern and incredibly daring she can be.

But New York City isn't about just jazz babies and follies girls. It has a darker side. Young women are being murdered across the city. And these aren't crimes of passion. They're gruesome. They're planned. They bear a strange resemblance to an obscure group of tarot cards. And the New York City police can't solve them alone.

Evie wasn't just escaping the stifling life of Ohio, she was running from the knowledge of what she could do. She has a secret. A mysterious power that could help catch the killer - if he doesn't catch her first.1920s New York thrums with giddy life in this gripping first in a new trilogy from Printz winner Bray. . .the intricate plot and magnificently imagined details of character, dialogue and setting take hold and don't let go. Not to be missed.Here's your headline, boss: "Small-Town Dame Lands in Big Apple, Goes Wild, Tries to Stop Resurrection of Antichrist." It'll sell bundles! Indeed it will, as Bray continues her winning streak with this heedlessly sprawling series starter set in Prohibition-era New York. . .The book is big and wants to be the kind of thing you can lose yourself in. Does it succeed? It's jake, baby.The paranormal meets the roaring Twenties in the scary and posi-tute-ly amazing, The Diviners.One kick-ass setting, a cast of brilliant characters, a host of amazing supernatural powers and one creepy-as-hell killer on the loose . . . rich, complex and addictive - an elaborate web of stories, winding together to create one masterpiece tapestry of a book.Packed with hilarious 1920s slang, snappy one-liners and intriguing period detail, this is a beautifully-crafted novel with a complex, twisting plot and plenty of creepy moments that will keep readers right on the edge of their seats. Introducing us to an intriguing ensemble cast of characters as well as wonderfully bright and breezy heroine in Evie - and of course, a truly terrifying villain - The Diviners is a hugely entertaining adventure that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next instalment.READ . . . sequined-packed, serial-killer thriller with supernatural overtones, think the Jazz Age meets Twilight - AND it's the first part of a trilogy.Libba Bray is the acclaimed author of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy and is the 2010 Printz Award winner for her stand-alone novel Going Bovine. She lives in New York City.Libba Bray is the queen of historical YA fiction: her Gemma Doyle Trilogy has sold over 1.25 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 15 languagesGlamorous time-period and evocative storytelling makes this a series with great crossover potentialLibba's Going Bovine was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Printz Award which highlights works of literary excellence written for a young adult audiencePerfect for fans of John Green and Maureen JohnsonAges 14+

An inspiring self-help book from internationally renowned mentoring expert David C M Carter. BREAKTHROUGH will enable you to be the best version of yourself, and show you how to be fulfilled in every area of your life.In 1954, Roger Bannister decided he would break the four-minute-mile record. Not only did he do this, but within a year, his achievement empowered 37 others to do the same. He accomplished his own 'breakthrough' and inspired others to push themselves beyond what they thought they could achieve.

For the first time, the world's leading mentor David C. M. Carter shares his most effective 'breakthrough' secrets in this practical guide to becoming the best you can be. Previously only accessible to his handful of exclusive international clients, these strategies are the keys to a more successful and happier you. By following them, you will learn how to identify and clarify your goals - and then achieve them in every area of your life.

With simple, easy-to-action 'breakthroughs' outlined in each chapter, complete with 'how-to' tools, you'll have no excuse to live anything less than the life you were destined to live.If you buy only one self-help book this year, make it this oneDavid C M Carter is widely regarded as one of the world's leading mentors. He has an exclusive list of just 10 clients a year, ranging from CEO's of major companies, to entrepeneurs, celebrities and philanthropists.David is sharing the secrets of his mentoring programme previously only available to an exclusive fewDavid's 'breakthrough' strategies can be applied to both professional and personal lifeDavid has an international client base - and his book should have real overseas appealDavid has incredible endorsements from many of the world's top movers, shakers and shapers - his testimonials speak for themselvesDavid is due to be profiled in the 'Hollywood Reporter' in Sept 2012, and has been asked to appear on the Fox Business channel.

The fascinating full autobiography of Will Young - multi-talented singer, actor and the first winner of Pop IdolIn 2001 Will Young shot to fame as the first winner of Pop Idol. It was clear from the start that he would never be a typical pop star - and more than ten years later he has become one of our best-loved and most intriguing artists.

From his dramatic experiences on Pop Idol; to coming out in the glare of the media spotlight; to his valiant struggles against depression; to the crazy reality of being famous, Will is open about both the highs and lows of his life. He also provides sound and practical advice on dealing with the DVLA helpline - something that has been woefully neglected by all other celebrity memoirs.

If you have ever wondered what it's like to attend a fashion show (and find yourself accidentally waving at Anna Wintour); how it feels to sing in front of thousands while fighting a catastrophic bout of low self-esteem; or be subjected to the terror that is a This Morning 'makeover', then Funny Peculiar reveals all. It also reveals what not to say if you ever meet David Beckham.

Moving, witty and scrupulously honest, Funny Peculiar is a refreshingly different and fascinating autobiography by a true original.Hilarious and wonderfully self-deprecating . . . beautifully eloquentAs well as juicy stories . . . and behind-the-scenes gossip from Pop Idol days, Will is completely candid about the depression that's had him in its grip . . . as well as delving deeper the book manages to keep its levity through funny stories and sweet illustrationsEntertaining . . . Will Young is a man of many parts . . . and now he can say with some pride that he is an amusing writer, tooWill Young was born in 1979. He has sold nine million records and has been nominated for and won numerous awards including two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello. Will was the subject of a South Bank Show Special and has also appeared on Question Time twice. He is an established actor, having starred in Mrs Henderson Presents with Dame Judi Dench; he also appeared in Noel Coward's The Vortex at the Royal Exchange Theatre and was cast in a lead role in hit TV series Bedlam. More recently he was a co-producer for Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus. He lives in London.Will Young has sold nine million records - his debut record was the bestselling single of the decade and he has sold out Wembley arenaHis fifth album - Echoes - shot straight to number one in 2011 and was accompained by a major tour and TV specialHe will be starring in the West End this autumn as 'Emcee' in CabaretWritten in Will Young's distinctive voice - warm, emotionally honest and intimate. And very, very funny!

The start of a new epic fantasy series from Daniel Abraham, author of the hugely acclaimed Long Price QuartetThe dragons are gone, the powerful magics that broke the world diluted to little more than parlour tricks, but the kingdoms of men remain and the great game of thrones goes on. Lords deploy armies and merchant caravans as their weapons, manoeuvring for wealth and influence. But a darker power is rising - an unlikely leader with an ancient ally threatens to unleash again the madness that destroyed the world once already. Only one man knows the truth and, from the shadows, must champion humanity. The world's fate stands on the edge of a Dagger, its future on the toss of a Coin . . .Everything I look for in a fantasyTHE DRAGON'S PATH is a first superb installment in a series that has established itself already in my top level of current ongoing fantasy seriesTHE DRAGON'S PATH is a tremendous novel and Abraham deftly mixes the classic foundations of the genre with a sophistication expected of him and rarely found in the work of his compatriotsTHE DRAGON'S PATH is a winner. The characters are engaging and well-motivated, the plot intriguingAbraham weaves several characters into the story, each with their own flaws and ghosts that haunt them. Character development is quite deft and the author provides believable, fallible, and interesting players on his stage . . . THE DRAGON'S PATH is an enjoyable read that holds great expectations for the seriesDaniel Abraham is the author of the critically acclaimed Long Price Quartet. He has been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards, and won the International Horror Guild award. He also writes as MLN Hanover and (with Ty Franck) as James S. A. Corey. He lives in New Mexico.A big, immersive commercial fantasy in the vein of George R. R. Martin and Robin HobbDaniel Abraham is one of the most exciting new voices in fantasy fictionPublished by Orbit in the UK, US and Australia for full international impactWelcome to Daniel Abraham. If you are meeting him for the first time I envy you: you are in for a remarkable journey' Junot Diaz, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

The most charming shaggy dog story you'll ever read.Earlier this year, a dog danced his way into the history books as the first canine winner of Britain's Got Talent. En route to the title, Pudsey and his owner Ashleigh Butler won over Walliams, delighted Dixon, stole the heart of Holden, and utterly captivated Cowell. They charmed the nation, too - with millions of viewers tuning in to see them take the crown.

But what do we really know of Pudsey's journey to stardom? How did he get from being a depressed dog to the mutt of the moment? In this, the most unusual celebrity book of the year, he's finally ready to tell his tale.

As a young pup, Pudsey always knew he was somehow different to his dog-standard peers. While his brothers and sisters contented themselves with chasing their tails, he sat apart, yearning for something more. With the help of the menagerie of pets that fill the Butler household and despite some dastardly opposition threatening to stop him at every turn, Pudsey managed to achieve his dream. This Autobidography tells the story of his incredibly journey, straight from the dog's mouth.Pudsey is the six-year old Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested cross dog who won the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent. He lives with his owner Ashleigh Butler and her family in Northamptonshire.Pudsey and owner Ashleigh won Britain's Got Talent with an incredible 39% of the public vote. The performance was watched by 14.5 million viewers - nearly half the audience watching television at the time and over 2 million more than the previous series final. In fact, the average audience for the series was higher than that for the last series of the X Factor.In the vein of the 2010 Christmas smash-hit A SIMPLES LIFE (360k copies sold in hardback) this will be the perfect gift for all the family.Pudsey-mania is sweeping the nation and shows no sign of slowing: coverage of Pudsey's victory appeared across all major media outlets and there will be blanket coverage leading up to publication and Pudsey's appearance at the Royal Variety Performance this Christmas.A fun, heartwarming story that will appeal to viewers of BGT, fans of Disney Pixar movies, animal lovers, and pretty much anyone who enjoys a good shaggy dog story.Britain continues to live up to its reputation as a nation of dog lovers: heartwarming dog 'memoirs' have continued to perform well, with strong sales in 2011-12 from titles such as FINDING HARMONY (18k) and FOLLOWING ATTICUS (12.5k) as well as perennial favourites such as MARLEY AND ME (750k life sales).

* Standalone sequel to the much-loved and bestselling Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe
* Join Issy, Austin, Pearl and Caroline as they prepare for a very interesting Christmas . . .Issy Randall, proud owner of The Cupcake Cafe, is in love and couldn't be happier. Her new business is thriving and she is surrounded by close friends, even if her cupcake colleagues Pearl and Caroline don't seem quite as upbeat about the upcoming season of snow and merriment. But when her boyfriend Austin is scouted for a possible move to New York, Issy is forced to face up to the prospect of a long-distance romance. And when the Christmas rush at the cafe - with its increased demand for her delectable creations - begins to take its toll, Issy has to decide what she holds most dear.

This December, Issy will have to rely on all her reserves of courage, good nature and cinnamon, to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas, one way or another . . .

Indulge yourself and your sweet-toothed friends with Jenny Colgan's new novel, simply bursting with Christmas cupcake recipes and seasonal sugar-fuelled fun.The perfect escapeLight and fun read for the sweet-toothed, with a clutch of recipes as the icing on topThis tale is even sweeter than the first. Festive and charming, it's another triumph for Jenny ColganJenny Colgan is the author of twelve bestselling novels - most recently Sunday Times Top 5 bestseller Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams. Her first novel featuring cupcake baker Issy Randall, Meet Me at the Cupcake Caf?, was also a Top 10 bestseller, and won the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance 2012. She is married with three children and lives in London and France. For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter: @jennycolgan.The perfect Christmas present for any woman - fans of both seasonal and sweet-toothed fiction - this is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Meet Me at the Cupcake CafeMMATCC was a Top 10 bestseller, selling 107,000 copies in print plus 15,000 ebooks - Jenny's bestselling novel to dateWelcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams in the Top 10 bestseller chart for 3 weeks, with increased sales of 7% on Cupcake CafeExquisitely packaged with gorgeous finishes to make a very special Xmas present, in the tradition of Cecelia Ahern's The GiftTotal Jenny Colgan print sales are just under 1 million copies (UK bookscan)Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe Won the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance 2012

She was a daughter, a wife, a mother. She was my friend. But what secrets did Eloise take to her grave? Compulsively-readable and haunting, this is the Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from Book Club champion, Judy Finnigan.Yesterday I almost saw her.

I was standing on the sun deck, looking out to sea, revelling in the unexpected warmth of the February sun. A butterfly trembled on a nearby buddleia and suddenly I smelled her perfume.

She wasn't there, of course. How could she be when I had seen her lying in her coffin just two weeks ago, the day before she was buried, her casket surrounded by the scented candles she loved?

She lay in Cornish ground now...

Compulsively-readable and incredibly haunting, this is the Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from broadcaster, journalist and Book Club champion, Judy Finnigan.Exudes a deep and soulful sense of place. Romantic and rain-lashed, du Maurier's Cornwall haunts the pages of Eloise as powerfully as the spirit of the elusive heroine herself. A stirring and intriguing readJudy Finnigan's gripping d?but novel captures the mystery and menace of Cornwall in glorious gothic styleHighly readable, incredibly moving in parts, and with wonderful echoes of Daphne Du Maurier, Eloise had me turning pages late into the nightA moving meditation on grief, family bonds, motherhood and female friendshipa haunting, pacy page-turner, with a real ghostly feel - a must readImpressive debutA great first book from the Queen of the Book ClubA creepy ghost story . . . the real star of the book is Judy's beloved Cornwall - a wild beautiful backdrop to the tale that is almost a character in itself[Eloise] has a life of its own thanks to Finnigan's lack of pretension, light touch and obvious passion for the Cornish landscape, which is so lovingly described it's almost a character in its own right. A warm and promising debutHaving run a wildly successful book club, championing new fiction, it was perhaps inevitable that Judy Finnigan should turn her hand to novel-writing. Eloise has nods to Daphne du Maurier and Emily Bront? in its vividly evoked Cornwall setting and story of a woman haunted in her dreams by the best friend who died of cancer. No vanity project this, Judy deserves to be taken seriously as a writer of thoughtful, descriptive fictionAn absorbing read - the kind of book you shouldn't start in the evening if you don't want to stay up all nightHaunting thrillerAtmospheric, creepy and original, Judy has written a blinder of a first novelJudy Finnigan is an author, television presenter and columnist. In 2004, Judy's name became synonymous with discovering and sharing great fiction, through the Richard and Judy Book Club, where authors including Kate Mosse, Rosamund Lupton and Victoria Hislop were championed and brought to the attention of millions of readers. This is her first novel.The HB spent 2 weeks as a Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller. The fourth biggest selling HB debut of all of 2012 (after just 3 weeks' sales)Eloise is the fastest selling fiction debut HB of 2012In its first 3 weeks in HB, Eloise sold twice as many copies as any 2012 debut in HB (excluding The Casual Vacancy).Judy's name is synonymous with recommending compelling and entertaining fiction and this is what she has delivered with Eloise, a novel she has been working on for a number of years.Judy Finnigan's Book Club profile has never been higher, after ten years of the Richard & Judy Book Club.Set in Cornwall and filled with atmosphere and intrigue and with a strong commercial thriller element.Judy is hugely excited about the publication of her debut novel and will be promoting it at all opportunities.

The new festive winter-warmer from the wonderful Carole MatthewsCan the imperfect family really have the perfect Christmas?

Juliet Joyce adores Christmas. She loves the presents, the tree, the turkey, the tinsel, everything. Already the festive spirit is upon her, which is just as well as this Christmas things are starting to get out of hand.

Her son Tom is out of work and bringing home a slew of unsuitable partners; pregnant daughter Chloe and her little boy have moved back in; Juliet's father, Frank, is getting over a heartbreak of his own and Rita, her eccentric mother, is behaving more erratically each day. And has the chaos got too much for Juliet's husband Rick?

With the big day fast approaching, Juliet hopes that she can stop everything spiralling out of control, because the only thing she wants is her family all around her and her home to be filled
WITH LOVE AT CHRISTMAS.

'There's something about a Carole Matthews' book that makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside' - Heat

'Perfect Christmas read! Highly recommended' - Hot Brands, Cool Places

'Right - when's the next Carole Matthews book out?' - Chick Lit Reviews

'Matthews is one of the few writers who can rival Marian Keye's gift for telling heart-warming tales with buckets of charm and laughs' - Daily Record

'Unique, fun and cosy' - Chicklitaholic

'This stunningly written novel will have you constantly hooked' - London Confidential

'A warm treat for winter' - Chick Lit CentralThe perfect escape when your own lot get a bit too much!Carole Matthews was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy RoNA for 2012 and inducted into the Reader Hall of Fame by the inaugural Festival of Romance. Her novels dazzle and delight readers all over the world. Carole is the Sunday Times bestselling author of twenty-one novels, is published in more than thirty countries and her books have sold to Hollywood. For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.carolematthews.com, follow Carole on Twitter or join the thousands of readers who have become Carole's friend on Facebook.The new Christmas-themed novel from established favourite Carole MatthewsCombined life sales of all Carole Matthews titles are over one million copies on BookscanStrong online presence already in place: fantastic author website, plus active Twitter and Facebook profilesAs well as being shortlisted for the 2012 RoNA Award for Romantic Comedy, Carole was presented with a Hall of Fame Award for outstanding achievement by the Festival of Romance in 2011.Funny, romantic, heartwarming fiction at its best

A compelling new urban fantasy series based in Camden, featuring Alex Verus - a mage with a dark past who can see the future . . .Camden, North London. A tangled, mangled junction of train lines, roads and waterways. Where minor celebrities hang out with minor criminals and where tourists and moody teenagers mingle.

In the heart of Camden, where rail meets road meets leyline, you might find the Arcana Emporium, run by one Alex Verus. He won't sell you a wand or mix you a potion, but if you know what you're looking for, he might just be able to help. That's if he's not too busy avoiding his would-be apprentice, foiling the Dark, outwitting the Light, and investigating a mysterious relic that has just turned up at the British Museum.Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously - and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list. FATED is an excellent novel, a gorgeously realized world with a uniquely powerful, vulnerable protagonist. Books this good remind me why I got into the storytelling business in the first placeFilled with tense and compelling writingJacka writes a deft thrill-ride of an urban fantasy - a stay-up-all-night read. Alex Verus is a very smart man surviving in a very dangerous world.London's hidden wizardly community spell-blast each other entertainingly in this urban fantasy romp. Fated is highly enjoyableFated is an excellent example of not just great urban fantasy but also of brilliant story-telling. There is a near perfect mix of everything and it has been masterfully crafted with a meticulous eye for those pieces of humanity that make a great protagonist and a fantastic storyA novel with a very good plotline, and fascinating charactersBenedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and began writing in the back of an exercise book. Since then he has worked for the civil service and studied philosophy at Cambridge, but has always found the time to keep writing.First book in a new series from the UK publishers of Jim Butcher's bestselling Dresden Files seriesA British urban fantasy in a setting as charismatic and chaotic as the characters themselvesA courageous and wryly cynical lead character who can see the future and knows trouble is always just around the corner

From a debut author comes the start of a fast-paced and irresistibly sexy urban fantasy series, perfect for fans of Kelley Armstrong and Rachel VincentBorn the only female in an all-male werewolf race, Jessica McClain isn't just different - she's feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she's in the middle of a storm. Now that she's become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamouring to take a bite out of her. Now her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. There are certain superstitious werewolves who think Jessica means an end to their race - and they're not about to go down without a fight.Amanda Carlson's Full Blooded is full of all good things: danger, excitement, an original, LIKEABLE heroine and some great mythological mayhem. Bring on book 2!Family dynamics, werewolf politics and dire prophecy combine to great effect in this fast-paced adventureAmanda Carlson's debut novel is a fast paced tale with a cliffhanger ending that left me panting for more. Full Blooded left me on the edge of my seat from cover to coverA wild, wolfy ride that will have you howling for more!Sleek, edgy and action-packed urban fantasy, and I breezed through it in a matter of hoursAn amazing start to a new urban fantasy series . . . Full Blooded has everything you could want from an urban fantasy. Great characters, plenty of action with some fantastic fight scenes, a little bit of mystery and a dash of romance. Basically this is a great read all roundAmanda Carlson started writing stories about teenage girls and their social missteps when she was in high school - and still has the handwritten spiral notebooks to prove it. She worked as a sign language interpreter, and often dreams of Hawaii. She lives in Minneapolis with her family.The debut novel from a brand new urban fantasy talentA great plot hook: Jessica is the only female werewolf born to a race of males. And a prophecy claims that her birth will signal the end of their race. Who said it was easy being a girl?FULL BLOODED draws immediate comparisons with bestselling author Kelley Armstrong - and with Kelley's Women of the Otherworld coming to a close in 2012, this is what her fans should read nextThis book has everything you'd ask for in an urban fantasy: action, humor, heaps of sexual tension, but most importantly, it has incredible, heart-thumping paceAlso perfect for fans of Rachel Vincent, Cassandra Clare, Charlaine Harris and Patricia BriggsAn international Orbit title for worldwide coordinated promotion