Ulverscroft

It's Christmas in Penstowan, and local amateur dramatics group the Penstowan Players are putting on their annual pantomime. This year it's 'Aladdin', and half the town have been drafted in to help, including Shirley Parker, who only has a small part in the chorus but will no doubt upstage everybody, and Tony Penhaligon, who's treading the boards as the baddie, Abanazar. Ex-Metropolitan police officer turned caterer Jodie Parker has managed to get away with not appearing, but only if she agrees to cater the opening night party. But it's not just terrible jokes, quick costume changes and backstage chaos that wait in the wings? When the Widow Twankey (otherwise known as Tim, the mayor's husband) trips over a corpse lying next to Aladdin's bloodstained magic lamp, it's time for Jodie and her partner, DCI Nathan Withers, to find the killer. Was it the genie of the lamp or an overly harsh theatre critic? Or does someone in the Penstowan Players have a dark secret they will do anything to protect?

The conclusion to Sunday Times bestselling author Evelyn Hood's The Paisley Women Scottish saga series of hope and overcoming adversity.Can an orphaned young woman find her way in a time of social upheaval? Paisley, Scotland 1828 Orphaned Elizabeth Cunningham is taken on as a companionto the lady of the Montgomery household at the age of fourteen.When the mistress dies, Elizabeth becomes housekeeper. and runs the fine household for domineering Rab Montgomery andhis sons Matthew and James, all who work for the family's shawl manufacturing business. Elizabeth is only seventeen on the fateful day when overseas naval surgeon Adam Montgomery, Rab's eldest son, briefly returns hometo his father's house after the death of his fiancee in India. From that day, Elizabeth's life is changed forever. As tensions grow, family loyalties are tested as cholera sweeps through the town of Paisley and illness ravages those close to Elizabeth. Elizabeth's position as housekeeper is under threat when Rab loses the respect of the town, and hard decisions have to be made about her future. A story of optimism and finding a beacon of light and hope through the harsh times. Storytelling at its best, Evelyn Hood is the original bestselling Scottish saga writer. Previously published in paperback as A Stranger to the Town PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD 'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine 'Hood is immaculate in her historical detail' - Scottish Herald 'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair 'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine 'Touching, romantic and unforgettable' - Reader Review 'Love all her books' - Reader Review 'Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories' - Reader Review 'I cannot put her books down' - Reader Review 'Love everything Evelyn Hood writes' - Reader Review 'Evelyn Hood is a fantastic writer, bringing the past to life and drawing you right into the story' - Reader Review

The penultimate book in Evelyn Hood's The Paisley Women Scottish family saga series.Will one defiant woman's grit and determination prevent her finding happiness? Paisley, Scotland 1784 Christian Knox dreams of a life beyond that of a Paisley housewife and at thirteen is determined to further her education. When her disobedience causes her father to withdraw his financial support, she resolves to pay for her education herself by working at her uncle's weaving business. Headstrong and enterprising Christian soon becomes the manager, representing the local weaver women. But as problems begin to mount at home and at work, has she taken on too much? When her hard work and savvy business acumen are recognised, Christian is further promoted but is pursued by her cousin Rab with an unwanted proposal of marriage. Years later, she succumbs to a cossetted marriage to an older husband and is forced to give up work and is torn over her attraction to younger, Benjamin Selbie. Meanwhile, spurned Rab is not prepared to let sleeping dogs lie as he causes further heartache and turmoil for Christian. When Christian finally gets a second shot at success and will her relentless drive to succeed stop her from finding love? The continuation of The Paisley Women saga series from Evelyn Hood, the original bestselling Scottish saga writer. Storytelling at its best. Previously published as The Damask Days PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD 'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine 'Hood is immaculate in her historical detail' - Scottish Herald 'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair 'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine 'Touching, romantic and unforgettable' - Reader Review 'Love all her books' - Reader Review 'Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories' - Reader Review 'I cannot put her books down' - Reader Review 'Love everything Evelyn Hood writes' - Reader Review

When life gives you heartbreak, sometimes it also gives you a second chance... Set against the sparkling shores of Cornwall, this BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting and gorgeously romantic tale of second chances is perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ?A second chance in the spotlight... When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn't seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play - a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow. The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she's thrown firmly back into Tom's path. As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together - and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it's time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself. Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it's never too late to take a chance on love. 'Romantic, lovely and moving, a book that left me with a heart full of hope and a face full of smiles.' Milly Johnson 'I absolutely adored it! Hopeful and heartwarming... A 5-star romantic read.' Sandy Barker 'I LOVED it! Gorgeously written with characters you can't help but adore...' Holly Martin 'What a sweet summery read and escape to a gorgeous community by the sea... An absolute reading treat.' Sue Moorcroft 'A lovely breath of Cornish air. Kim has created a wonderful community full of great characters that readers will want to visit again and again.' Sarah Bennett 'A wonderfully uplifting read ... full of humorous moments, secrets and surprises - a fun and totally engaging story that will spirit you away to beautiful Cornwall!' Lucy Coleman 'Gorgeous! I couldn't turn the pages quick enough!' Emma Cooper

The residents of Orkney can't sleep. Through 18-hour summer days, the islands are drenched in unrelenting sunshine. But a killer with a shadowy past is living undetected on the archipelago. As the heat rises, reporter Freya will not rest until she's brought the truth to light. Can she stop the murderer before they strike again?

Journalist Gordon Carver receives news that sends a chill down his spine. Rushing home from the pub, he frantically calls his police contact, DCI James Walker to share his discovery, only to be struck from behind, plunging him into darkness. James misses the call, and by the time he arrives at the crime scene, Gordon is dead. With his name as the last entry in Gordon's phone, James is thrust into a chilling investigation. What vital information was Gordon about to reveal, and who silenced him? With no witnesses and scant evidence, James races against time to uncover the truth. Can he uncover the mystery before the killer slips away?

The first autobiography from legendary Welsh rugby player George North George North is a true legend of Welsh rugby, an integral part of the national team for fourteen years. Recently retired from the international game, he is the third-most-capped player in Welsh history with 121 Test appearances, the youngest player ever to reach 100 caps, and the second-highest try scorer with 47. At club level, he has played for the Scarlets, Northampton and Ospreys, and latterly Provence in France. North is open, charismatic, thoughtful but hugely competitive, and this is the first time he has reflected on his extraordinary career. Co-written with the brilliant sportswriter Tom Fordyce, this autobiography is an utterly compelling and enthralling retrospective, taking in George's life growing up in Anglesey on the North Welsh coast, before he burst onto the scene when he became the youngest player ever to score a try on his debut aged just 18. Full of heart and passion, George's story is a uniquely inspirational insight into the art, mastery and sheer force of the game of rugby.

A single Christmas can change everything This Christmas Malcolm is determined to give his dearest friend Rev Ruth the perfect festive lunch - a heartfelt thank-you for her boundless generosity. But when Ruth's kind spirit turns their quiet meal into a community feast Malcolm's dreams - and nerves - begin to unravel. As snow begins to fall tensions rise with the arrival of more unexpected guests But new beginnings often come wrapped in chaos. If Malcolm can find the courage to open his heart he might find the most magical Christmas gift of all

Welcome to the Antarctic, where an intrepid bunch of explorers is making an in-depth study of penguins. Penguins. Penguins. Penguins. So many penguins... But one young explorer has discovered something different. Something totally wild, spectacularly cool and quite a lot ... EXTINCT. Alex Willmore's hilariously funny picture book brings the prehistoric woolly mammoth dancing, swimming and SKATEBOARDING back to life. But will anyone believe it?

Written with Gerald Durrell's usual sharp eye for observing humour in any situation, this comic novel about a man who inherits an alcoholic elephant will delight fans both old and new. At the age of thirty, Adrian Rookwhistle's life hasn't quite turned out the way he'd have hoped. Working an unfulfilling job as a clerk in the city and living under the tyranny of his fearsome landlady, he can?t help but think that there is more to life. However, all of this suddenly changes when he receives a curious letter from his dying uncle who has bequeathed him £500 and an elephant by the name of Rosy who has a seemingly unquenchable thirst for liquor. At a loss of what to do with his unexpectedly gargantuan - and rarely sober - inheritance, Adrian sets forth on a journey believing to have the answer to his dilemma: he'll give her away to the circus. Together Adrian and Rosy carve a trail of destruction through the peaceful countryside of southern England, meeting a curious cast of misfits along the way. Drunk or sober, Rosy spreads chaos in her wake, until the full weight of the law finally catches up with her...

Ruth is alone, unnoticed and at a loss: her marriage has ended, her daughter is leaving home and her job is leading nowhere. But luckily Sookie is back in her life - vivid, self-assured Sookie, who never spared the time for Ruth when they were teenagers, but who now seems to want to be friends. What could possibly go wrong? As Ruth is caught up in Sookie's life, she sees that everything is not as simple and Instagrammable as Sookie would have you believe. But what has that got to do with Ruth, and what can she do about it?