Macmillan Publishers

Two friends fall under the spell of a New York beauty — with an unexpected outcome. A casual remark is taken seriously by a Chinese sculptor, and the British Ambassador becomes the owner of a priceless work of art... An insurance claims adviser has a most surprising encounter on the train home to Sevenoaks. The openings to three of this marvellous collection of stories that ends with a hauntingly written, atmospheric account of two undergraduates at Oxford in the 1930s, a tale of bitter rivalry that ends in a memorable love story.

6 days, 13 hours and 37 minutes to go... At the end of The Prodigal Daughter, Florentyna Kane is elected President — the first woman President of the United States. At 7.30 one evening the FBI learn of a plot to kill her — the 1572nd such threat of the year. At 8.30 five people know all the details. By 9.30 four of them are dead. FBI agent Mark Andrews alone knows when. He also knows that a senator is involved. He has six days to learn where — and how. Six days to prevent certain death of the President.

The Business 2.0 continues to offer Business English students the confidence, language and fundamentals skills they need to succeed in the competitive international business environment. The eWorkbook includes extra language practice, tests, wordlists and downloadable audio/video for on-the-go learning. It makes the most of new media.

Dead Water is the fifth book in Ann Cleeves' Shetland series — which is now the major BBC1 drama starring Douglas Henshall, SHETLAND. When the body of journalist Jerry Markham is found in a traditional Shetland boat, outside the house of the Fiscal, down at the Marina, young Detective Inspector Willow Reeves is drafted in to head up the investigation. Since the death of his fiancee, Inspector Jimmy Perez has been out of the loop, but his interest in this new case is stirred and he decides to help the inquiry. Markham — originally a Shetlander but who had made a name for himself in London — had left the islands years before. In his wake, he left a scandal involving a young girl, Evie Watt, who is now engaged to a seaman. He had few friends in Shetland, so why was he back? Willow and Jimmy are led to Sullum Voe, the heart of Shetland's North Sea oil and gas industry. It soon emerges from their investigation that Markham was chasing a story in his final days. One that must have been significant enough to warrant his death... Also available in the Shetland series are Raven Black, White Nights, Red Bones and Blue Lightning. Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series (ITV television drama VERA) contains five titles, of which The Glass Room is the most recent.

When attending a Newcastle murder scene, Detective Sidney Hurst finds a dead North family clone. Yet none have been reported missing. And in 2122, twenty years ago, a North clone billionaire was horrifically murdered in the same manner on the tropical planet of St Libra. So, if the murderer is still at large, was Angela Tramelo wrongly convicted? She never wavered under interrogation, claiming she alone survived an alien attack. Investigating this potential alien threat now becomes the Human Defence Agency's top priority. St Libran bio-fuel is the lifeblood of Earth's economy and must be secured. A vast expedition is mounted via the Newcastle gateway, and experts are dispatched to the planet — with Angela Tramelo, grudgingly released from prison. But the expedition is cut off deep within St Libra's rainforests, and the murders begin. Angela insists it's the alien, but her new colleagues aren't sure. Did she see an alien, or does she have other reasons for being on St Libra? Praise for Peter F Hamilton: 'The most powerful imagination in science fiction' Ken Follett, 'Novels that combine fantastic speculation with incredible detailed imagining of the lives we will lead' Guardian, 'This is thrilling stuff; compulsively readable and abundantly full of ideas' The Times, 'Reaches another level of excellence... Brilliant' Locus.

Epic in scope, intimate in detail, heartbreaking in its human drama, this is the first book to recount the history of the nobility caught up the maelstrom of the Bolshevik Revolution and the creation of Stalin's Russia. It is a book filled with chilling tales of looted palaces, burning estates, of desperate flights from marauding thugs and Red Army soldiers, of imprisonment, exile, and execution. It is the story of how a centuries'-old elite famous for its glittering wealth, its service to the Tsar and Empire, was dispossessed and destroyed along with the rest of old Russia. Drawing on the private archives of two great families — the Sheremetovs and the Golitsyns — Former People is also a story of survival, of how many of the tsarist ruling class, so-called former people and class enemies, abandoned, displaced, and repressed, overcame the loss of their world and struggled to find a place for themselves and their families in the new, hostile world of the Soviet Union. It reveals how even at the darkest depths of the terror, daily life went on — men and women fell in love, children were born and educated, friends gathered, simple pleasures were cherished. Ultimately, Former People is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

When she fell pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent at Roscrea in Co. Tipperary to be looked after as a fallen woman. She cared for her baby for three years until the Church took him from her and sold him, like countless others, to America for adoption. Coerced into signing a document promising never to attempt to see her child again, she nonetheless spent the next fifty years secretly searching for him, unaware that he was searching for her from across the Atlantic. Philomena's son, renamed Michael Hess, grew up to be a top Washington lawyer and a leading Republican official in the Reagan and Bush administrations. But he was a gay man in a homophobic party where he had to conceal not only his sexuality but, eventually, the fact that he had AIDs. With little time left, he returned to Ireland and the convent where he was born: his desperate quest to find his mother before he died left a legacy that was to unfold with unexpected consequences for all involved. Philomena is the tale of a mother and a son whose lives were scarred by the forces of hypocrisy on both sides of the Atlantic and of the secrets they were forced to keep. A compelling narrative of human love and loss, Martin Sixsmith's moving account is both heartbreaking yet ultimately redemptive.

The Counsellor is now a major motion picture directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy's original screenplay is the story of a lawyer who is so seduced by the desire to get rich, to impress his fiancee, that he becomes involved in a risky drug-smuggling venture. His contacts in this high-stakes cocaine trade are the mysterious and probably corrupt Reiner and the seductive Malkina, so exotic her pets of choice are two cheetahs. As the action crosses the Mexican border, things become darker, more violent and more sexually disturbing than he could ever have imagined. Deft, shocking and unforgettable, this gripping tale about risk, consequence and the treacherous balance between the two reveals Cormac McCarthy at his finest.

The story of the most successful espionage coup — and best-kept secret — of this century. It is 1968. Israeli intelligence has learned that Egypt, with Soviet help, will develop atomic bombs within months — an untimely end for the young nation unless a source of uranium for Israeli bombs can be had in complete secrecy. Impossible, of course, unless someone as improbable as the plan can be found to steal it. Working alone, Israeli agent Nat Dickstein concocts an ingenious scenario for the biggest, and quietest, hijacking in history. Against him are the Russian KGB, Egyptian Intelligence and the Arab extremist Fedayeen. With him is a half-English, half-Arab young woman of uncertain allegiance, who discovers Dickstein's Achilles heel ...

The fifth volume of memoirs from the author who inspired the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small During his decades spent as a country vet in Yorkshire, James Herriot has seen huge advances in medical science, technological leaps, and a world irrevocably changed by war. Yet some things have always stayed the same -- gruff farmers, hypochondriac pet owners, and animals that never do quite what you expect them to. From a green young man in his first job in the 1930s, to an experienced veterinary surgeon, married with two children, James has spent his entire career among the people and animals of Darrowby. And there's nowhere else he'd rather be. Since they were first published, James Herriot's memoirs have sold millions of copies and entranced generations of animal lovers. Charming, funny and touching, Every Living Thing is a heart-warming story of determination, love and companionship from one of Britain's best-loved authors.

Launched just over a year ago on Facebook, 'Off The Leash' has developed a regular daily following of over 150,000 dog lovers from around the world. Now the best of Rupert Fawcett's brilliantly observed, touchingly true cartoons come together in book form for the first time. Featuring the secret thoughts and conversations of dogs of every size, shape and breed, this gorgeous book is a celebration of our favourite belly-scratching, tail-chasing, bed-stealing canine friends.

New York Times bestseller Jeffrey Archer continues his beloved Clifton Chronicle series as Harry and Emma finally begin building a happy life — but a dangerous family enemy is about to resurface. Best Kept Secret opens a moment after the end of The Sins of the Father, with the resolution of the trial and the triumphant marriage of Harry Clifton and Elizabeth Barrington, finally uniting their family. Harry, now a bestselling novelist, Emma, their son Sebastian, and orphaned Jessica make a new life for themselves, but all is not as happy and secure as it could be. Emma's brother, Giles, is engaged to a woman who may be more interested in Barrington's fortune and title than in a long and happy marriage. And Sebastian, though he is bright, isn't quite the hard worker that his father was at school, and finds a hard time resisting the temptations that his somewhat unsavory friends provide. It all comes to a head when a new villain is uncovered, a face from the past with grudges against both Harry and Giles — Fisher, who tortured Harry at school and later took credit for Giles' heroics during the war. Fisher teams up with Giles' now ex-wife to wreak havoc on Giles' latest election as well as meddle with affairs inside Barringtons, while Harry and Emma must deal with a new scheme that Sebastian has unwittingly fallen into with a supposed friend. The drama continues for Harry Clifton and his family, bringing this mesmerizing saga into the 1960s.

The debut appearance of everyone's favorite pest, Little My! «Another classic Moomin story reworked in full color, with a kid-proof but kid-friendly size, price, and format.» After Mymble's family comes to visit the Moomins, her littlest and most badly behaved sister, Little My, is left behind. She promises to behave if she is given Moomin's bedroom; Moomin, tired of being forced out of his room, decides to build a house where all the rooms will belong to him. With Little My helping out, things are sure to go awry, but in the end, Moomin's house-building misadventures teach him the value of a home. Tove Jansson's flawless cartooning is brought to life in a whole new way within these pages. A delight for the whole family!

With Moominvalley underwater, will Moomin's romantic tendencies get him in trouble? Another classic Moomin story reworked in full color, with a kid-proof but kid-friendly size, price, and format. Moominvalley is flooded, so Snorkmaiden and Moomin head out to rescue anyone stranded in the deluge. They bring home Miss La Goona, the leading lady of the visiting circus, who turns out to be quite a demanding houseguest. Nonetheless, Moomin, having read a few too many romantic novels, falls head over heels in love with her, and chaos ensues. Tove Jansson's flawless cartooning is brought to life in a whole new way within these pages. A delight for the whole family!

A moving and memorable book about the very special relationship between an elderly grandfather and his adoring grandson, this unique look at old age through the eyes of a young bear is big-hearted, poignant and beautifully observed. A stunning picture book debut from Marta Altes, an exciting new writing and illustrating talent.

EVE DUNCAN IS BACK. THE HUNT IS ON.The latest in Iris Johansen's pulse-pounding series that «Kirkus Reviews» calls filled with intriguing twists and characters and an overarching mystery that will keep fans coming back. She was taken for a reason. Chosen for her skills as a forensic sculptor. Abducted by the deranged father of a serial killer and forced to reconstruct his dead son's skull from bone fragments. Now Eve Duncan has escaped her captor — and she's running for her life. Alone. Unarmed. In the mountains of Colorado, Eve must use all of her strength, courage, and wits to survive this madman's obsession. But Jim Doane is not the only player in the game. While Joe Quinn, Jane MacGuire, and Kendra Michaels search for Eve in the abandoned mining town that could be her ultimate refuge — or her grave — a stranger with ties to her long-ago past is closing in, circling like a wolf, and HUNTING EVE.

From an award-winning historian, this is a break-out book in the tradition of «Agent Zig Zag». In the immediate aftermath of the Revolution, the Western powers were anxious to prevent the spread of Bolshevism across Europe. Lenin and Trotsky were equally anxious that the Communist vision they were busy introducing in Russia should do just that. But neither side knew anything about the other. The revolution and Russia's withdrawal from the First World War had ensured a diplomatic exodus from Moscow and the usual routes to vital information had been closed off. Into this void stepped an extraordinary collection of opportunists, journalists and spies — sometimes indeed journalists who were spies and vice versa: in Moscow Britain's Arthur Ransome, the American John Reed and Sidney Reilly — 'Ace of Spies' — all traded information and brokered deals between Russia and the West; in Berlin, Paris and London, the likes of Maxim Litvinov, Adolf Ioffe and Kamenev tried to infiltrate the political elite and influence foreign policy to the Bolsheviks' advantage. Robert Service, acclaimed historian and one of our finest commentators on matters Soviet, turns his meticulous eye to this ragtag group of people and, with narrative flair and impeccable research, reveals one of the great untold stories of the twentieth century.

Owl Hall is the story of Janet, a single mother, who goes to stay in an old farmhouse with her children, Kara and Martin. But there’s something strange about Kara’s relationship with her mother and brother. As the story develops, we discover that everyone at Owl Hall has a secret – even the house itself!

Owl Hall is an original story written specifically for the Macmillan Readers series. It is the story of Kara, who goes to stay at Owl Hall. But there is something strange about Kara’s relationship with her family. As the story develops, we discover that everyone at Owl Hall has a secret – even the house itself!

The year is 1740. George II is on the throne but England's remoter provinces remain largely a law unto themselves. In Lancashire a grim discovery has been made: a Squire's wife, Dolores Brockletower, lies in the woods above her home, Garlick Hall, her throat brutally slashed. Called to the scene, Coroner Titus Cragg finds the Brockletower household awash with rumour and suspicion. He enlists the help of his astute young friend, doctor Luke Fidelis, to throw light on the case. But this is a world in which forensic science is in its infancy, and policing hardly exists. Embarking on their first gripping investigation, Cragg and Fidelis are faced with the superstition of witnesses, obstruction by local officials, and denunciations from the Squire himself. 'This is rollicking stuff. Cragg and Fidelis are an engaging duo' Financial Times 'Cragg and Fidelis make a fine pair of detectives' Literary Review.

'Part road movie, part joyful, nostalgic confession. A masterpiece' Daily Telegraph First published in Spanish in 1998, The Savage Detectives was immediately hailed as a critical success, wining the Herralde Prize and the Romulo Gallegos Prize. But with the 2007 English-language translation the book became more than a bestseller it began the global sensation of Bolanomania. New Year's Eve 1975, Mexico City. Two hunted men leave town in a hurry, on the desert-bound trail of a vanished poet. Spanning two decades and crossing continents, this remarkable quest is a journey told and shared by a generation of lovers, rebels and readers, whose testimonies are woven together into one of the most dazzling Latin American novels of the twentieth century. In 2012 Picador celebrate our 40th anniversary. During that time we have published many prize-winning and bestselling authors including Bret Easton Ellis and Cormac McCarthy, Alice Sebold and Helen Fielding, Graham Swift and Alan Hollinghurst. Years later, Picador continue to bring readers the very best contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry from across the globe.

Last Orders is a much-loved classic of English literature. It won both the 1996 Booker Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. In 2001, it was adapted into an award-winning film starring Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins. Four men once close to Jack Dodds, a London butcher, meet to carry out his peculiar last wish: to have his ashes scattered into the sea. For reasons best known to herself, Jack's widow, Amy, declines to join them. On the surface the tale of a simple if increasingly bizarre day's outing, Last Orders is Graham Swift's most poignant exploration of the complexity and courage of ordinary lives. In 2012 Picador celebrates its 40th anniversary. During that time we have published many prize-winning and bestselling authors including Bret Easton Ellis and Cormac McCarthy, Alice Sebold and Helen Fielding, Graham Swift and Alan Hollinghurst. Years later, Picador continue to bring readers the very best contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry from across the globe.

Jack is now five and, like any little boy, excited at the prospect of presents and cake. But although Jack is a normal child in many ways, his upbringing is far from ordinary: Jack's entire life has been spent in a room that measures just 12 square feet; as far as he's concerned, Room is the entire world. He shares this world with his mother, with Plant, and TV and his friends the cartoon characters — but Jack knows that nothing else he sees on the screen is real. Old Nick, on the other hand, is all too real, but only visits at night — when Jack is meant to be asleep in Wardrobe. And only Old Nick has the code to Door, which is otherwise locked... Told in Jack's voice, 'Room' is the story of a mother's love for her son, and of a young boy's innocence.

Living the high life in LA cocktail parties, exotic restaurants and a cosmopolitan boyfriend Ree Drummond thinks she's got it all figured out. But, try as she might, she can't shake the feeling that something is missing. Returning to her hometown to get her life in order, Ree is struck by a bolt of lightning — a blue-eyed, strong-jawed, enigmatic cowboy. She calls him Marlboro Man, and though he's a million miles away from anything she's ever known before, their attraction is undeniable. But with her family coming apart at the seams, her ex-boyfriend still on the scene, and a new career waiting for her in the city, their courtship is far from simple. As life on the ranch beckons (complete with cows, horses, prairie fires and lots of manure), is she really ready to trade in her high heels for Wranglers? Heartwarming, funny and passionate, Pioneer Woman is a story of romance against the odds, and of how love can find you in the most unexpected places.