Pearly Kings and Queens are one of the quintessential icons of 'old London', originally invented to imitate and parody wealthy West End society but also to raise money for charities and good causes. Alf Dole lived his life in this tradition and was the grandson of the very first Pearly King of St Pancras. Born in 1930, Alf grew up in a close-knit family of costermongers - fruit and veg sellers - and his heartwarming memoir recounts London life in the city in a time of horses and trams, pub...

A captivating story of two young women, bound together by the tragedy of two very different wars. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee.With the end of the First World War, Rose is looking forward to welcoming home her beloved husband, Alfie, from the battlefields. But his return is not what Rose had expected. Traumatised by what he has seen, the Alfie who comes home is a different man to the one Rose married. As he struggles to cope with life in peacetime, Rose wrestles ...

William McInnes' bestselling memoir, A Man's Got To Have A Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and 70s, and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William writes with humour and affection about his family, and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay.William McInnes is a talented writer and a natural storyteller. A tail-end baby boomer, he recalls summer holidays that seeme...

'Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around' - Historical Novels Reviews'Anna Jacobs' books have an impressive grasp of human emotions' - Sunday Times'Catherine Cookson fans will cheer!' - Peterborough Evening Telegraph***************The heartwarming third instalment of the Rivenshaw series from bes...

'Walters's book . . . has moments of Alan Bennett warmth' SUNDAY TIMES'Humorous and . . . moving' WOMAN AND HOME'I was enthralled by her memoirs' A. N. Wilson, READER'S DIGESTHer mum wanted her to be a nurse so that is what Julie did.But in her heart she had always wanted to be an actress and soon she was on stage at the local theatre in Liverpool. Her career snowballed with highli...

The third instalment in an occasional series of short stories covering the elapsed time between the books in The Falconer Files series. An insanely gripping village detective series with a delightful slice of humour. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lillian Jackson Braun and ***M***idsomer Murders._____________This story covers events th...

DI Charlie Priest was a newly promoted sergeant on the Leeds force when he was called to the scene of a tragic fire. Twenty years on, a new lead emerges and he has the chance to reopen the investigation but meanwhile he’s got trouble with a cheeky gang of burglars. By a combination of luck and good detective work, Charlie and his team are soon closing in on the perpetrators of both crimes. But a cornered villain with everything to lose can be dangerous for a copper who’ll take every kind...

When it comes to corruption and murder there's no easy way out...Jockey Archie Best gets caught up in a web of corruption in John Francome's exhilarating racing thriller Rough Ride. The perfect read for fans of Lynden Stacey and Felix Francis' Pulse and Triple Crown.'The racing feel is authentic and it's a pacy, entertaining read' - Evening StandardWhen amateur jockey Archie Best receives a surpri...

Award-winning author Connie Willis returns with a stunning, enormously entertaining novel of time travel, war, and the deeds - great and small - of ordinary people who shape history.

'A wonderful slice-of-life autobiography' Daily Express'I've turned boys into men and policemen into coppers,' said the Sergeant. 'Policemen have got brains, but coppers, they've got brains and common sense.'No two days were ever the same for bobby-on-the-beat Martyn Johnson. Come rain or come shine, he patrolled his patch with a sharp eye for troublemakers and a kind word for those in need of a friend. Whether he was purs...

'Gardam's prose is so economical that no moment she describes is either gratuitous or wasted' The New YorkerIt is a wet day in Dorset, and walking to a luncheon party is Sir Edward Feathers QC, followed by two elderly friends: his scruffy neighbour and sparring partner, Veneering, and Fiscal-Smith, the meanest lawyer ever to make a fortune at the Bar.Fans of Jane Gardam's bestselling novel, Old Filth, will be delighted to encounter Filth, ...

Following the death of his father, the owner of East Yarmouth Animal Sanctuary, Kit Lavery returns to Britain from Australia to sort out his father's affairs. His visit is intended to be brief, but on arrival at the down-at-heel animal sanctuary, Kit finds it staffed by two very determined women. Elizabeth Punch and Jess Wetherby.Elizabeth is a woman with a mission - to save animals from inconsiderate man. And Jess Supple has one burning desire - to keep alive the work of the old m...