"Once upon a time, in a land not so far away . . . Will you dare to unearth the horrors lurking beneath these once-innocent stories?
This spine-chilling anthology weaves together real fairy tales from cultures across the globe, unmasking the eerie and unsettling narratives that have been whispered through generations. From the chilling depths of the Brothers Grimm's Germany to the haunting folklore of Japan, these stories were never meant for the faint of heart.
Discover the true terror of 'Little Red Cap,' where the woodsman may arrive too late to save the day, or 'Bluebeard,' a tale of matrimonial horror and secrets lurking in locked chambers. Encounter the chilling 'Baba Yaga,' a witch from Slavic folklore who feasts on those who dare to trespass, and the sinister 'Teke-Teke' from Japan, a vengeful spirit seeking her missing legs.
Perfect for lovers of history, culture, and the macabre, The Scary Book of Fairy Tales captivates with its blend of horror and enchantment. These authentic tales promise to thrill and haunt, inviting you to explore the shadowy corners of global folklore. Are you ready to uncover the terrifying truths behind these timeless stories?"
"Osaka, 1943: as the Second World War rages and American bombers rain death down upon the city, the once prosperous Omari family is already in decline, financially ruined by the terrible conflict. Then the household is struck by a series of gruesome murders. Can anyone solve the mystery of these baffling slayings before the Omari line is extinguished entirely? To do so, and unravel the killer's fiendish plot, they will have to delve into the family's past, where a dark and deadly secret has been festering for decades..."
"A historical saga of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.
“ … a true WW2 adventure …”—Nicholas Griffin, author of The Year of Dangerous Days
With the specter of the Great Depression behind him and the horrors of Nazi-occupied Europe ahead, Edward Hume leaves his Pennsylvania coal mining town to volunteer as one of the first US Army bomb demolition captains in the Second World War. Trained alongside the RAF in the English countryside, Hume takes command of an eclectic team of misfits, tasked with the perilous job of defusing unexploded bombs in the heart of Europe’s fiercest battlegrounds.
Their chances of survival are slim—most soldiers with this assignment don’t make it past ten weeks.
The group’s journey culminates at the ancient and mystical Mont Saint-Michel, left abandoned by the Nazis in the chaotic aftermath of D-Day. Hume and his squad face not only a deadly cache of jettisoned bombs but also treacherous tides, quicksand, and maritime mines. With each successful defusing they save countless lives and inch closer to victory. But the cost of failure looms large, as they witness the devastating consequences of explosives left unattended.
With the war intensifying, Edward and his men find themselves caught between their duty and their humanity, knowing that each mission could be their last.
Based on real events, Elaine Hume Peake and Don Keith deliver a gripping, cinematic tale of bravery and sacrifice, capturing the relentless perseverance of the men and women who answered the call to war. Perfect for fans of Lee Jackson’s After Dunkirk series and Mark Sullivan’s Beneath a Scarlet Sky."
"September, 1145. The body of a Templar knight is discovered in the Forest of Wyre on Worcestershire's northern border, and concealed upon his person is a bloodstained document that reveals the identity of a traitor. Undersherif Hugh Bradecote, Sergeant Catchpoll and Underserjeant Walkelin must discover who the dead man was and whether his death was personal, political or an outlaw killing. They are surprised to find that the locals believe the killer to be the Raven Woman, a shape-changer, who lurks in the woods, and when they discover the identity of the dead knight, Ivo de Mitton, long ago believed to have killed his own kin, there are more questions than answers. Does the tale of the Raven Woman contain a kernel of truth? Is the suspected traitor really guilty, and if not, who gains most by his fall from grace? Ultimately, can Bradecote, Catchpoll and Walkelin see the wood from the trees and bring a killer to justice?"
"April, 1867. A train departs King's Cross station bound for Lincoln. Among the passengers is a man attired in the garb of one in high ecclesiastical office. He is accompanied by a brawny man carefully carrying a large leather bag, who ensures that they are not joined by any other travellers in their first-class compartment. Back at Scotland Yard that evening, Detective Inspector Colbeck is alerted to news of a brutal murder and robbery on the train. The urgent request for help from the Bishop of Lincoln states that a man has been shot dead and something of great value, a silver model of Lincoln Cathedral, has been stolen. Colbeck is more and more intrigued by the case as he and Sergeant Leeming follow the lines of inquiry, and he is convinced that the killer and thief is still close at hand. But with the city bursting at the seams for the annual Horse Fair, the timing is far from ideal and further complicates a challenging case for the Railway Detective."
"An exciting new voice in Australian crime, A. L. Booth brings you a tale of secrets and deception, and one man’s search for the truth.
Two days before Jack O'Rourke's embarkment to the Western Front in 1916, he leaps into Sydney Harbour to save an elderly Russian man, named Samuel Lomond, from drowning. What happens when Jack returns from the front and discover Lomond's brutal murder, is at the heart of this thrilling historical fiction saga.
Suspicious of Constable Flood, the man leading the murder-investigation, Jack takes matters into his own hands. Assisted by the local doctor and his wife, Jack complies a list of townsfolk who might have killed Lomond, only to uncover a twisted web of deceit and corruption, and the involvement of Russia's secret police in Lomond's murder."
"An unforgettable story of survival, sisterhood, and the fight for a brighter future.
In 1970s Brazil, two teenage sisters are thrust into a chaotic world. Fear and hunger stalk them in a sugarcane town choked by a constant rain of ash, a testament to the ravaged environment in which they are trying to grow. With only each other for comfort, they set out to search for their missing mother and the father they’ve never known.
Every desolate road becomes a gauntlet, every stranger a potential threat. Yet, amidst the dangers, a fierce bond blossoms. Each sister clings to the other, a lifeline in a world teetering on the brink. Their dignity is their own quiet rebellion.
Burning Seasons lays bare the scars of a nation, the plight of marginalised people, and the silent suffering of women, girls, and the environment itself. It’s also a story of resilience and the power of love ? a journey in which innocence seems lost, but hope burns defiant."
"October 1502. As Cesare Borgia sets out to invade the Florentine Republic, Niccolò Machiavelli is sent to spy on him and to glean details of his nefarious plan. But when Borgia asks Machiavelli to write his life story, their bond gains complexity and nuance: ultimately, they both aspire to everlasting fame and to achieve it, they need each other, for the one's sword can only rule in eternity via the pen of the other.
Set against the backdrop of the Renaissance, rife with political intrigue and cultural flourishing, Bernini's richly imagined novel masterfully captures a society teetering on the brink of change and revolution, as one man takes his chance at greatness, navigating the treacherous corridors of power with guile and charisma.
The Throne is a captivating reflection on ambition, morality, and the pursuit of power and influence. As elucidating as Robert Caro's The Power Broker, as gripping and stylish as Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, and as atmospheric as Maggie O'Farrell's The Marriage Portrait, The Throne reveals one of the most impactful and controversial minds in political history, and questions and asks to what lengths can one justifiably go to achieve greatness."
"Disguised as a boy to guard herself from male attention during her voyage from England to America, Elizabeth Crane finds herself wishing that one man would see past breeches and shirtsleeves and recognize her as the woman she is.
Elizabeth was drawn to Malcolm Burns from the first moment she saw him loading cargo onto the ship that would take her to Boston. When she is made to share a room with him for the duration of their voyage, the breeches that protect her female identity do nothing to shield her heart against the growing attraction she feels for her handsome and mysterious cabin mate.
Malcolm Burns is running from a shady past. Determined to remain aloof from society, he keeps his secrets close but develops an unlikely friendship with Elijah Crane. Despite their camaraderie, Malcolm never discloses his dark history.
Once in Boston, Malcolm battles the delusion that his former partner is seeking revenge. Elizabeth, a trained healer, struggles against the superstition of a community that sorely needs her medical expertise. When Malcolm discovers Elijah is a woman, the deceit and secrecy between them threaten to destroy their relationship."
"Griff Roberts and the Desert Group find themselves the only British soldiers guarding a huge piece of Egyptian desert. When foreign powers begin to encroach on the land and to raid the caravans it is up to the beleaguered garrison of Fort Farafra to do something about it. Fighting ambush, nature and violent sandstorms the camel riding soldiers are tested to their very limit."
