Elsie Palmer is a restless suburban girl with a sharp eye for the small cruelties and vanities of domestic life. Trapped in a shabby boarding house with her strict mother, sickly sister Geraldine, and the ever-watchful lodger Mr. Roberts, she longs for excitement, romance, and escape. When Roberts invites her to the cinema, Elsie slips out by way of an alibi, delighted by the secrecy and by the first stirrings of her power over men, even as she remains uncertain about sex, selfhood, and wh...

E. M. Delafield's Humbug is a sharp, ironic novel about the damage done when sentiment, duty, and "goodness" are used to excuse cruelty. The Stellenthorpe family seems warm and respectable, but beneath its polished surface Eleanor and Philip's well-meaning blindness creates a household of denial, favoritism, and emotional harm, especially for their daughters: brilliant, fiery Lily and frail, peace-loving Yvonne. Lily grows up ashamed of her own anger because she keeps trying to defend Vonn...

The 'Murder Mystery - Boxed Set: 800+ Whodunit Mysteries, True Crime Stories & Action Thrillers' stands as a monumental anthology that spans a broad spectrum of the genre, encapsulating the evolution and diversity of mystery writing from the classic detective tales of the 19th century to the intricate plots of the early 20th century. This collection showcases a rich variety of literary styles and thematic undertakings, bringing together some of the genre's most compelling narratives withou...

THE MURDER CASE—Ultimate Mystery Collection surveys the murder mystery from its formative nineteenth-century experiments to the polished puzzles, police investigations, sensation narratives, and thriller-inflected tales of the early twentieth century. Its varied modes encompass deductive ratiocination, locked-room enigmas, courtroom and criminal-underworld fiction, espionage, psychological suspense, and the unsettling domestic mystery. Foundational detective stories sit beside less familia...

Throughout the long centuries of human history is the want, and the need, to share information, to exchange ideas and for that knowledge and experience, for curiosity and learning, to be the basis of a civil society.In literature the ambition is much narrower. In order to be known, to be popular, you had to be published. And for that people had to know you existed and your ideas worth reading. Obviously for most of humanity’s time people couldn’t read and texts couldn’t be publishe...

In "Messalina of the Suburbs," Delafield likely presents a witty and incisive portrayal of suburban life, poking fun at the conventions, pretensions, and social mores of the middle-class suburbs. The title suggests that the novel may feature a protagonist who, like the infamous Roman empress Messalina, engages in scandalous or unconventional behavior within the seemingly mundane confines of suburban society.As with much of Delafield's work, "Messalina of the Suburbs" is likely to offer sha...

"The War-Workers" focuses on the experiences of women during World War I who volunteered for various war efforts on the home front. The novel explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the changing roles of women in society as they take on new responsibilities traditionally held by men. Delafield's writing style often combines humor with social commentary, providing a nuanced portrayal of the challenges and triumphs faced by women during wartime.The novel is notable for its depiction of...

Throughout the long centuries of human history is the want, and the need, to share information, to exchange ideas and for that knowledge and experience, for curiosity and learning, to be the basis of a civil society.In literature the ambition is much narrower. In order to be known, to be popular, you had to be published. And for that people had to know you existed and your ideas worth reading. Obviously for most of humanity’s time people couldn’t read and texts couldn’t be publishe...

Throughout the long centuries of human history is the want, and the need, to share information, to exchange ideas and for that knowledge and experience, for curiosity and learning, to be the basis of a civil society.In literature the ambition is much narrower. In order to be known, to be popular, you had to be published. And for that people had to know you existed and your ideas worth reading. Obviously for most of humanity’s time people couldn’t read and texts couldn’t be publishe...

"Consequences" tells the story of Alex Clare, a young woman from a wealthy family who rebels against the expectations placed upon her by society and her family. The novel follows Alex's struggles to find fulfillment and independence in a world that is determined to confine her to the roles of wife and mother.Delafield's writing style in "Consequences" is characterized by its sharp wit, incisive social commentary, and keen observation of human behavior. Through Alex's experiences, Delafield...

Unearth ancient secrets with Ailsa, a young Druid grappling with destiny, love, and adventure. Journey through time with Edie, an archaeologist uncovering truths hidden in stone. A tale of magic, history, and heart.Wheel of the Year: The Age of Stone is the first captivating installment in a trilogy by archaeologist and author, LEL Delafield. Set in 1800 BC, the narrative follows Ailsa, a 17-year-old Druid, as she navigates her path as the future leader of...

Unearth ancient secrets with Ailsa, a young Druid grappling with destiny, love, and adventure. Journey through time with Edie, an archaeologist uncovering truths hidden in stone. A tale of magic, history, and heart.Wheel of the Year: The Age of Stone is the first captivating installment in a trilogy by archaeologist and author, LEL Delafield. Set in 1800 BC, the narrative follows Ailsa, a 17-year-old Druid, as she navigates her path as the future leader of...