the bitter truth

2 March 1810 . . . Today, I fell in love. At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever. But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . . .

From the twice Booker-shortlisted author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Exit West, a story of love, loss, and rediscovery in a time of unsettling change One morning, Anders wakes to find that his skin has turned dark, his reflection a stranger to him. At first he tells only Oona, an old friend, newly a lover. Soon, reports of similar occurrences surface across the land. Some see in the transformations the long-dreaded overturning of an established order, to be resisted to a bitter end. In many, like Anders's father and Oona's mother, a sense of profound loss wars with profound love. As the bond between Anders and Oona deepens, change takes on a different shading: a chance to see one another, face to face, anew. 'A transformative tale . . . compellingly readable and strangely musical' Guardian 'With this big-hearted novel of ideas, Mohsin Hamid confronts challenging truths with insight, wisdom, and - above all else - limitless compassion' Tayari Jones, An American Marriage

A stunning new paperback edition of the supernatural horror cult classic of weird fiction that inspired H.P. Lovecraft and HBO's True Detective--featuring gorgeous sprayed edges and an art deco design. 4 unforgettably unsettling tales about a play that drives its audiences to madness as it explores themes of the supernatural, spirituality, and the potentially corrosive influence of belief in the afterlife. I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in the heavens; where the shadows of men's thoughts lengthen in the afternoon... I pray God will curse the writer, as the writer has cursed the world with this beautiful, stupendous creation, terrible in its simplicity, irresistible in its truth -- a world which now trembles before the King in Yellow. Uncanny, macabre, and unsettling, the 4 tales contained in this beautiful new edition of Robert W. Chambers's supernatural classic are arguably the greatest ever written in the weird fiction genre. They are linked together by a play, The King in Yellow, whose second act reveals truths so terrible and beautiful that it drives all who read it to bitter despair. Across each story, the book spreads like an infectious disease, from city to city, from continent to continent. Its wicked pages violate no definite principles, or doctrine. It cannot be judged by any known standard. Yet, although all acknowledge The King in Yellow as a supreme achievement of art, all feel that human nature cannot bear the strain, nor thrive, on words which in which the essence of purest poison lurks. Influencing generations of writers since their first publication in 1895, from the renowned master of cosmic horror H.P Lovecraft to the creators of HBO's True Detective, these stories are a rediscovered classic of weird fiction and supernatural horror.

From the twice Booker-shortlisted author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Exit West, a story of love, loss, and rediscovery in a time of unsettling change One morning, Anders wakes to find that his skin has turned dark, his reflection a stranger to him. At first he tells only Oona, an old friend, newly a lover. Soon, reports of similar occurrences surface across the land. Some see in the transformations the long-dreaded overturning of an established order, to be resisted to a bitter end. In many, like Anders's father and Oona's mother, a sense of profound loss wars with profound love. As the bond between Anders and Oona deepens, change takes on a different shading: a chance to see one another, face to face, anew. 'A transformative tale . . . compellingly readable and strangely musical' Guardian 'With this big-hearted novel of ideas, Mohsin Hamid confronts challenging truths with insight, wisdom, and - above all else - limitless compassion' Tayari Jones, An American Marriage

In the valley of Verdant Hollow, where ancient tea trees whisper secrets to the wind, magic flows as delicate and precious as the Eternal Brew. But a hairline fracture in the heart of their community, the centuries-old brewing kettle, threatens to shatter their tranquility. The Brew, once a source of life and joy, now twists into a corrupting force, turning whimsical sprites into desperate addicts and lush gardens into venomous traps. Elara Thistlewick, a young teapot mender haunted by a tragic past, understands the silent language of enchanted objects. With her constant companion, Pip, a timid snail carrying his apothecary ancestors' miniature greenhouse, she embarks on a perilous quest to find the legendary First Blend, the only remedy for the ailing kettle. Their journey begins in the Whispering Woods, where shadowy dream-drinkers feed on the villagers' anxieties and corrupted tea sprites hoard the last uncorrupted leaves. Elara, to gain their aid, must confront not only their addiction but also the lingering guilt that mirrors their own struggle. Their search leads them to a sentient tea garden, twisted by corrupted magic into a labyrinth of venomous thorns and hallucinogenic pollen. Here, Pip's fear of heights becomes his unexpected strength, propelling him to new heights of bravery. Next, they face the Squirrel Scribes, ancient guardians of tea lore, who demand not a display of tea-tasting skills, but a confrontation with Elara's buried grief. Through a poignant tea ceremony, she unearths the unspoken truths of a fateful day, finding a bittersweet acceptance of loss and a fragmented map leading to the final ingredient: the elusive Aurora Lily. Under the crimson glow of a blood moon, a desperate race against time ensues. Elara and Pip find themselves pursued by a shadowy cult, not just passively benefiting from the kettle's failing magic, but actively manipulating it for their own nefarious purposes. Pip, emboldened by his newfound courage, orchestrates a clever diversion as Elara, guided by fireflies, harvests the precious dewdrops of the Aurora Lily. As the First Blend steeps, Elara and Pip realize the true magic lies not just in rare ingredients, but in the bond forged through shared vulnerability and bitter truths. But the mended kettle is not the ending, but a prelude. The golden lines sealing the fracture reveal a chilling prophecy: the corruption has spread, tainting the very roots of the tea

"A beautifully written cozy mystery that paints with light and shadow." When small-town politics turn toxic, one artist discovers that beauty can't always hide the truth. When a local mayoral candidate's billboards are repeatedly slashed and defaced, artist and amateur sleuth Cassandra Fairweather can't help but notice the ugliness beneath Willow Hollow's picture-perfect charm. But when that same candidate—Dawn Smoulders, a woman both admired and despised—is found dead at her campaign headquarters, Cassandra's quiet Montana valley erupts with suspicion. As Sheriff Tom Archer investigates, whispers ripple through town: jealous rivals, betrayed lovers, bitter artists, even a troubled teen prodigy with a sketchbook full of eerie drawings. Each clue pulls Cassandra deeper into a tangled web of secrets, ambition, and revenge. Armed with intuition, compassion, and her artist's eye for hidden patterns, Cassandra begins to see what others miss—the truth concealed in color, shadow, and brushstroke. But when she discovers fingerprints linking a beloved student to the murder, she must confront her deepest fear: what if innocence can be manipulated as easily as paint on a canvas? Set against the sweeping beauty of Montana, Murder on the Campaign Trail is a story of art and empathy, redemption and ruin—a cozy mystery where every portrait hides a motive, and every heart carries a secret. MURDER ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL is the 7th book in the Cassandra Fairweather MONTANA COZY ART MYSTERIES series, where each mystery is painted in layers—light, shadow, and revelation. While it can easily be read as a standalone story, you'll likely enjoy reading the other books, too. Murder on the Canvas Murder in the Frame Murder in the Palette Murder on the Lake Murder at Brushwood Bluff Murder by Numbers Murder on the Campaign Trail

For too long the Emperor’s Children have been denied their birthright. Their once-glorious Legion has been fractured into disparate warbands, condemned to ravage world after futile world in the pursuit of ambition and excess. But no longer. Lord Fulgrim – ascended Primarch of the III Legion, the Perfect Son, the Emperor-in-Waiting – has issued a challenge to his scattered warriors: vanquish the Imperial world of Crucible, and bring him the head of the Black Templar charged with its defence. But Fulgrim’s plans go far beyond the conquest of a single planet, and what should have been a swift and bloody offensive turns into a gruelling siege. With success uncertain, a world in flames around them, and the Legion turning their weapons inwards as well as out, the would-be champions are forced to confront a bitter truth. What must they sacrifice for victory and the favour of their Primarch, and what will be left of them when the war is over?

Set amongst the snow-covered mountains of the Austrian Alps, Midnight in the Snow is the story of a forbidden attraction that will reveal long-buried secrets, f rom Sunday Times bestselling author of Christmas at Tiffany's, Karen Swan. Award-winning director Clover Phillips is riding high when she encounters Kit Foley; a surfer and snowboarder as well-known for controversy as he is for winning championships. Involved in an accident that had devastating consequences for a bitter rival, Kit has never spoken about what really happened that day. Determined to find out the truth, Clover heads to the snowy wilderness of the Austrian Alps, sharing a romantic winter wonderland with a man who can't stand her. But as she delves deeper, Clover finds herself both drawn to Kit, and even more convinced he's hiding something. Is Kit Foley really as cold as he seems? *** What readers are saying about Midnight in the Snow: 'Heartwarming, romantic, uplifting. Great writing that wraps you like a blanket' 'Real and wonderfully, subtly painted so that, yet again, her novel makes you stay up until silly o'clock' 'An amazing gift for taking you to fabulous locations & gradually unwrapping secrets about her characters' 'Glamorous, thrilling and unashamedly romantic'

For too long the Emperor’s Children have been denied their birthright. Their once-glorious Legion has been fractured into disparate warbands, condemned to ravage world after futile world in the pursuit of ambition and excess. But no longer. Lord Fulgrim – ascended Primarch of the III Legion, the Perfect Son, the Emperor-in-Waiting – has issued a challenge to his scattered warriors: vanquish the Imperial world of Crucible, and bring him the head of the Black Templar charged with its defence. But Fulgrim’s plans go far beyond the conquest of a single planet, and what should have been a swift and bloody offensive turns into a gruelling siege. With success uncertain, a world in flames around them, and the Legion turning their weapons inwards as well as out, the would-be champions are forced to confront a bitter truth. What must they sacrifice for victory and the favour of their Primarch, and what will be left of them when the war is over?

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace in this Asian fantasy is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. In a journey filled with political intrigue and shifting alliances, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

From the twice Booker-shortlisted author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Exit West, a story of love, loss, and rediscovery in a time of unsettling change One morning, Anders wakes to find that his skin has turned dark, his reflection a stranger to him. At first he tells only Oona, an old friend, newly a lover. Soon, reports of similar occurrences surface across the land. Some see in the transformations the long-dreaded overturning of an established order, to be resisted to a bitter end. In many, like Anders's father and Oona's mother, a sense of profound loss wars with profound love. As the bond between Anders and Oona deepens, change takes on a different shading: a chance to see one another, face to face, anew. 'A transformative tale . . . compellingly readable and strangely musical' Guardian 'With this big-hearted novel of ideas, Mohsin Hamid confronts challenging truths with insight, wisdom, and - above all else - limitless compassion' Tayari Jones, An American Marriage

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace in this Asian fantasy is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. In a journey filled with political intrigue and shifting alliances, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DESTINATION...If there’s one immutable truth in which our Wandering Witch can take comfort, it’s that each new destination promises a one-of-a-kind experience. Nostalgic flavors of the past mingle with the refreshing taste of the present, and as with a loaf of bread hot out of the oven, Elaina is ever ready to sink her teeth in. This time, however, Elaina may have bitten off a little more than she can chew. When she at last crosses paths with a certain dark-haired girl, a pivotal chapter in her life will see its conclusion...or perhaps its beginning?

Shy rabbit Wisp must leave her forest home in search of the missing pieces of her best friend's soul. Along the way, she restores hope and discovers her own deeper truths. Wisp, a small white rabbit with a shy disposition, has lived in the Northern Wood her entire life. She's quite content working at her local apothecary and spending her days strolling down mossy forest paths. Her life would be just about perfect if it weren't for the curse that has befallen her friend. Zephyr, an old, grumpy squirrel, has become increasingly reclusive and bitter as a result of a mysterious illness. When Zephyr suddenly disappears, Wisp fears that her friend has gone to seek a cure in the Wild Wild, a sinister place from which most creatures never return. Soon after, a peculiar visitor arrives at the apothecary, warning Wisp that her friend is in desperate need of help. In order to save her, she must go on a quest to recover the missing pieces of Zephyr's soul. Facing her fear of the unknown, Wisp sets off on a journey to discover the truth behind the curse and find what has been lost. The Woods and Wisp is a tale about facing the hidden layers of ourselves and the importance of holding hope within our hearts, even when we feel our inner light has grown dim. A great read for middle-grade kids seeking a cozy, low-stakes, non-stressful reading experience with themes of hope, environmental anxiety, and managing mental health challenges.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish' Stephanie Garber The stunning conclusion to the Celestial Kingdom Duology Those forged through fire form the strongest blades. After winning her mother's freedom from the Emperor, Xingyin lives peacefully at home on the moon. But that fragile peace is threatened by a strange new magic -Xingyin is determined to keep clear of danger, but the discovery of a shocking truth forces her to flee her home once more. Xingyin and her companions venture across the Immortal Realm, encountering cunning monarchs, legendary creatures, beloved friends and bitter foes on their travels. As an unspeakable terror sweeps the realm - Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and all she has grown to love... Inspired by the legend of Chang'e the Moon Goddess, this is the sequel to Sue Lynn Tan's captivating debut, DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS. In the second book in the Celestial Kingdom Duology, Tan weaves Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of love and family, immortals and magic - penning a modern classic sure to enchant.

A stunning new paperback edition of the supernatural horror cult classic of weird fiction that inspired H.P. Lovecraft and HBO's True Detective--featuring gorgeous sprayed edges and an art deco design. 4 unforgettably unsettling tales about a play that drives its audiences to madness as it explores themes of the supernatural, spirituality, and the potentially corrosive influence of belief in the afterlife. I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in the heavens; where the shadows of men's thoughts lengthen in the afternoon... I pray God will curse the writer, as the writer has cursed the world with this beautiful, stupendous creation, terrible in its simplicity, irresistible in its truth -- a world which now trembles before the King in Yellow. Uncanny, macabre, and unsettling, the 4 tales contained in this beautiful new edition of Robert W. Chambers's supernatural classic are arguably the greatest ever written in the weird fiction genre. They are linked together by a play, The King in Yellow, whose second act reveals truths so terrible and beautiful that it drives all who read it to bitter despair. Across each story, the book spreads like an infectious disease, from city to city, from continent to continent. Its wicked pages violate no definite principles, or doctrine. It cannot be judged by any known standard. Yet, although all acknowledge The King in Yellow as a supreme achievement of art, all feel that human nature cannot bear the strain, nor thrive, on words which in which the essence of purest poison lurks. Influencing generations of writers since their first publication in 1895, from the renowned master of cosmic horror H.P Lovecraft to the creators of HBO's True Detective, these stories are a rediscovered classic of weird fiction and supernatural horror.

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang'e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. After winning her mother's freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

Shy rabbit Wisp must leave her forest home in search of the missing pieces of her best friend's soul. Along the way, she restores hope and discovers her own deeper truths. Wisp, a small white rabbit with a shy disposition, has lived in the Northern Wood her entire life. She's quite content working at her local apothecary and spending her days strolling down mossy forest paths. Her life would be just about perfect if it weren't for the curse that has befallen her friend. Zephyr, an old, grumpy squirrel, has become increasingly reclusive and bitter as a result of a mysterious illness. When Zephyr suddenly disappears, Wisp fears that her friend has gone to seek a cure in the Wild Wild, a sinister place from which most creatures never return. Soon after, a peculiar visitor arrives at the apothecary, warning Wisp that her friend is in desperate need of help. In order to save her, she must go on a quest to recover the missing pieces of Zephyr's soul. Facing her fear of the unknown, Wisp sets off on a journey to discover the truth behind the curse and find what has been lost. The Woods and Wisp is a tale about facing the hidden layers of ourselves and the importance of holding hope within our hearts, even when we feel our inner light has grown dim. A great read for middle-grade kids seeking a cozy, low-stakes, non-stressful reading experience with themes of hope, environmental anxiety, and managing mental health challenges.

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish' Stephanie Garber The stunning conclusion to the Celestial Kingdom Duology Those forged through fire form the strongest blades. After winning her mother's freedom from the Emperor, Xingyin lives peacefully at home on the moon. But that fragile peace is threatened by a strange new magic -Xingyin is determined to keep clear of danger, but the discovery of a shocking truth forces her to flee her home once more. Xingyin and her companions venture across the Immortal Realm, encountering cunning monarchs, legendary creatures, beloved friends and bitter foes on their travels. As an unspeakable terror sweeps the realm - Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and all she has grown to love... Inspired by the legend of Chang'e the Moon Goddess, this is the sequel to Sue Lynn Tan's captivating debut, DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS. In the second book in the Celestial Kingdom Duology, Tan weaves Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of love and family, immortals and magic - penning a modern classic sure to enchant.

Lady Emily investigates the murder of a glamorous debutante in the next irresistible mystery of Tasha Alexander's New York Times bestselling series. London, 1907: When the Season's most accomplished and elegant debutante, Victoria Goldsborough, collapses and dies at her engagement ball, the great and good of London Society prepare to mourn the tragic loss of an upstanding young woman. But all is not what it seems, and after a toxic beverage is revealed to be the cause of death, the king himself instructs Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves to unearth the truth. Who would want to harm one of the most popular women of the year? Is it her fiancé with whom she had an unusually brief courtship; a rival for his affections bitter at being cast aside; her best friend who is almost certainly hiding a secret from Colin and Emily; a disappointed suitor with a hidden gambling habit; or a notorious jewel thief who has taken a priceless tiara from the Goldsborough home? When a second debutante succumbs to poison, the race is on to find a ruthless killer. Emily and Colin's investigation leads to a centuries old tomb in the center of London with a mysterious link to another death dating back to Roman times and the violent reign of Boudica, ancient Britain's fearsome warrior queen. As the stakes rise and the clock ticks down, Emily must find the killer before they strike again.

A lyrical and suspenseful debut novel about a mysteriously gifted Korean family confronting the brutality of the Japanese empire, Honey in the Wound is an epic tale of survival and the reclamation of power. A sister disappears and returns as a tiger. A mother's voice compels the truth from any tongue. A granddaughter divines secrets in others' dreams. These women are all of one lineage—a Korean family split across decades and borders by Japanese imperialism. At this saga's heart is Young-Ja, a girl who infuses food with her emotions. She revels in her gift for cooking, nourishing the people she loves with her cheerfulness. But her sunny childhood comes to an end in 1931 when Japanese soldiers crush her family's defiance against the Empire. Young-Ja is cast adrift, her food turning increasingly bitter with grief. When a Korean rebel fighter notices her talents, however, she is whisked off to Manchuria to join a secretive sisterhood of beautiful teahouse spies. There, Young-Ja finds a new sense of belonging and starts using her abilities for the resistance. But the Imperial Army is not yet finished with her… Decades later, Young-Ja lives alone in Seoul, withdrawn from the world until her Tokyo-born granddaughter Rinako bursts into her life with the ability to see into dreams. In cultivating a tentative bond, they confront the long-buried past in a stunning emotional climax. As an unforgettable family perseveres in the long shadow of colonialism, Honey in the Wound transports readers to mountain forests where tiger-girls stalk, to Manchurian teahouses and opium dens where charming smiles veil secrets, and to the modern metropolises of Tokyo and Seoul where restless ghosts stir. This debut novel is a tender yet powerful multi-generational drama that shines light onto the twentieth century's darkest corners and gives voice to those who bore witness.

_______________ 'In a literary age of diet and dearth, Tartt invites us to feast ... the opening tragedy strikes a note of rich, flamboyant Southern Gothic that resonates throughout' - Independent 'You will rarely have read better ... Because of Tartt's mastery of suspense, this book will grip readers all the way through to its bitter end' - Guardian 'Destined to become a special kind of classic - a book that precocious young readers pluck from their parents' shelves and devour with surreptitious eagerness, thrilled to discover a writer who seems at once to read their minds and to offer up the sweet-and-sour fruits of exotic, forbidden knowledge' - New York Times Book Review _______________ Donna Tartt's huge selling second novel, follow up to the worldwide bestseller The Secret History The sunlit rails gleamed like dark mercury, arteries branching out silver from the switch points; the old telegraph poles were shaggy with kudzu and Virginia creeper and, above them, rose the water tower, its surface all washed out by the sun. Harriet, cautiously, stepped towards it in the weedy clearing. Around and around it she walked, around the rusted metal legs. One day is never, ever discussed by the Cleve family. The day that nine-year-old Robin was found hanging by the neck from a tree in their front garden. Twelve years later the family are no nearer to uncovering the truth of what happened to him. Inspired by Houdini and Robert Louis Stevenson, twelve-year-old Harriet sets out to find her brother's murderer - and punish him. But what starts out as a child's game soon becomes a dangerous journey into the menacing underworld of a small Mississippi town.

Edith Wharton’s acclaimed novel of love, duty, and half-known truths in Gilded Age New York society, with a foreword by bestselling author Elif Batuman. A Penguin Vitae Edition Dutiful Newland Archer, an eligible young man from New York high society, is about to announce his engagement to May Welland, a suitable match from a good family, when May’s cousin, the beautiful and exotic Countess Ellen Olenska, is introduced into their circle. The Countess brings with her an aura of European sophistication and a hint of perceived scandal, having left her husband and claimed her independence. Her worldliness, disregard for society’s rules, and air of unapproachability attract the sensitive Newland, despite his enthusiasm about a marriage to May and the societal advantages it would bring. Almost against their will, Newland and Ellen develop a passionate bond, and a classic love triangle takes shape as the three young people find themselves drawn into a poignant and bitter conflict between love and duty. Written in 1920, Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a time and place long gone by—1870s New York City—beautifully captures the complexities of passion, independence, and fulfillment, and how painfully hard it can be for individuals to truly see one another and their place in the world. Penguin Classics presents Penguin Vitae, loosely translated as “Penguin of one’s life;” a deluxe hardcover series featuring a dynamic landscape of classic fiction and nonfiction that has shaped the course of our readers' lives. Penguin Vitae invites readers to find themselves in a diverse world of storytellers, with beautifully designed classic editions of personal inspiration, intellectual engagement, and creative originality.

A secret from the past. A storm in the present. A killer with an invitation. Thirty years ago, two children found a pirate's map hidden in a damp Visby prison tower, swearing a blood oath to find a shipwreck looter's treasure on the desolate island of Gotska Sandön. But secrets that begin in the dark rarely stay there. Now, just before Christmas, one of those children, Erik Hansson, is found frozen to death in his car. The official ruling is suicide by rare plant poison - but the truth is far more sinister. Detective Inspector Maria Wern is at her breaking point. Caught in a bitter divorce and facing death threats for her testimony against a criminal kingpin, she needs to disappear. When an opportunity arises to join a getaway to the remote Gotska Sandön, she takes it - unaware she is walking into a trap designed decades ago. As a winter storm cuts the island off from the world and the electricity fails, Maria's sanctuary becomes a slaughterhouse. Trapped with six other women - including her own distraught best friend - Maria realizes with horrific clarity that they haven't been brought here to heal. They have been brought here to die. In this chilling ninth installment of the Maria Wern series, Anna Jansson delivers a masterful 'And Then There Were None' for the modern age. On Gotska Sandön, the only thing more dangerous than the storm is the person standing next to you. 'If you dare to risk your night's sleep, 'Not Even the Past' is highly recommended.' - Hallands Posten Sweden

Fans of S. J. Parris, Donna Leon, Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom will love this enthralling and expertly written mystery from multimillion-copy bestselling author Lindsey Davis. Bringing Ancient Rome to life with its vivid description and characterisation, you'll feel like you are right there! 'Surely the best historical detective in the business' -- Daily Telegraph 'If only all bestsellers were this satisfying' -- Time Out 'Davis's writing zings with fun' -- Daily Mail 'Quite brilliant' -- ***** Reader review 'A laugh a minute as always' -- ***** Reader review 'Remarkable' -- ***** Reader review 'Vastly entertaining' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************ FIGHTING FOR TRUTH IN NORTH AFRICA Lumbered with working alongside reptilian Chief Spy Anacrites , Marcus Didius Falco has the perfect plan to make money - he will assist Vespasian in the Emperor's 'Great Census' of AD73 . His potential fee could finally allow him to join the middle ranks and be worthy of long-suffering Helena Justina . Unexpectedly confronted with the murder of a man-eating lion , Falco is distracted from his original task, uncovering a bitter rivalry between the gladiators' trainers . With one star gladiator dead, Falco is forced to investigate and the trail leads from Rome to the blood-soaked sand of the arena in North Africa . But what lies in store...?

In this influential novella, regarded as one of Balzac’s greatest works, a dissolute aristocrat competes with a shadowy rival for the love of an enigmatic golden-eyed woman—a crazed and annihilating conflict that plays out in the most darkly decadent corners of Parisian high society. A handsome, brilliant, consummate hedonist, Henri de Marsay believes in neither man nor woman, neither God nor the devil. He believes in Paris, a city of decadence and sin, a city where every passion is resolved into gold or pleasure. From the first moment Henri catches sight of the girl, he is infatuated. And so is she. Though closely guarded by a stern chaperone, she manages to brush against him in the street and squeeze his hand. Desperate for another glimpse of this "woman of fire," Henri returns every day to where he last saw her until he learns her name, Paquita Valdes, and her address, a forbidding mansion on the Rue Saint-Lazare protected by vicious dogs. Penetrating this palace becomes Henri's obsession. He makes elaborate plans and enlists the help of a secret society, the Devorants, but when at last he enters, he learns a bitter truth not only about the girl but about his own half-sister. His erotic quest ends in bloodshed. The Girl with the Golden Eyes is one of the most memorable and fantastic episodes in Balzac's Human Comedy—its dark vision of Paris and human sexuality an inspiration to Oscar Wilde in Salomé and to Marcel Proust, whose Baron de Charlus praises its author for his knowledge "even of those passions which the rest of the world ignores, or studies only to castigate them."

Set amongst the snow-covered mountains of the Austrian Alps, Midnight in the Snow is the story of a forbidden attraction that will reveal long-buried secrets, f rom Sunday Times bestselling author of Christmas at Tiffany's, Karen Swan. Award-winning director Clover Phillips is riding high when she encounters Kit Foley; a surfer and snowboarder as well-known for controversy as he is for winning championships. Involved in an accident that had devastating consequences for a bitter rival, Kit has never spoken about what really happened that day. Determined to find out the truth, Clover heads to the snowy wilderness of the Austrian Alps, sharing a romantic winter wonderland with a man who can't stand her. But as she delves deeper, Clover finds herself both drawn to Kit, and even more convinced he's hiding something. Is Kit Foley really as cold as he seems? *** What readers are saying about Midnight in the Snow: 'Heartwarming, romantic, uplifting. Great writing that wraps you like a blanket' 'Real and wonderfully, subtly painted so that, yet again, her novel makes you stay up until silly o'clock' 'An amazing gift for taking you to fabulous locations & gradually unwrapping secrets about her characters' 'Glamorous, thrilling and unashamedly romantic'

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DESTINATION...If there’s one immutable truth in which our Wandering Witch can take comfort, it’s that each new destination promises a one-of-a-kind experience. Nostalgic flavors of the past mingle with the refreshing taste of the present, and as with a loaf of bread hot out of the oven, Elaina is ever ready to sink her teeth in. This time, however, Elaina may have bitten off a little more than she can chew. When she at last crosses paths with a certain dark-haired girl, a pivotal chapter in her life will see its conclusion...or perhaps its beginning?

2 March 1810 . . . Today, I fell in love. At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever. But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . . .

In this influential novella, regarded as one of Balzac’s greatest works, a dissolute aristocrat competes with a shadowy rival for the love of an enigmatic golden-eyed woman—a crazed and annihilating conflict that plays out in the most darkly decadent corners of Parisian high society. A handsome, brilliant, consummate hedonist, Henri de Marsay believes in neither man nor woman, neither God nor the devil. He believes in Paris, a city of decadence and sin, a city where every passion is resolved into gold or pleasure. From the first moment Henri catches sight of the girl, he is infatuated. And so is she. Though closely guarded by a stern chaperone, she manages to brush against him in the street and squeeze his hand. Desperate for another glimpse of this "woman of fire," Henri returns every day to where he last saw her until he learns her name, Paquita Valdes, and her address, a forbidding mansion on the Rue Saint-Lazare protected by vicious dogs. Penetrating this palace becomes Henri's obsession. He makes elaborate plans and enlists the help of a secret society, the Devorants, but when at last he enters, he learns a bitter truth not only about the girl but about his own half-sister. His erotic quest ends in bloodshed. The Girl with the Golden Eyes is one of the most memorable and fantastic episodes in Balzac's Human Comedy—its dark vision of Paris and human sexuality an inspiration to Oscar Wilde in Salomé and to Marcel Proust, whose Baron de Charlus praises its author for his knowledge "even of those passions which the rest of the world ignores, or studies only to castigate them."