Macmillan Publishers

ick Sharratt’s trademark bold illustrations and sense of humour make this the really fun way for kids to learn about counting, patterns, colours and opposites. The slipcase contains four colourful and sturdy board books which will keep children entertained for hours! And best of all the handy pocket size means it’s small enough to take with you everywhere!

The year is 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. His life is that of a perfectly ordinary army officer's son: boarding school, good manners, a classical education — the backbone of the British Empire. But all that is about to change. With his father suddenly posted to India, and his mother mysteriously 'unwell', Sherlock is sent to stay with his eccentric uncle and aunt in their vast house in Hampshire. So begins a summer that leads Sherlock to uncover his first murder, a kidnap, corruption and a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent ...»The Death Cloud» is the first in a series of novels in which the iconic detective is reimagined as a brilliant, troubled and engaging teenager — creating unputdownable detective adventures that remain true to the spirit of the original books.

The Macmillan Collocations Dictionary is designed for upper-intermediate to advanced students to help them write more natural and idiomatic English. The brand-new two-colour dictionary of collocations is the only fully corpus-based collocations dictionary which incorporates semantic groupings with definitions and examples. KEY FEATURES •Collocations presented for over 4,500 carefully selected words •Within each entry, collocations are grouped in semantic sets •Special focus on collocations frequent in academic and professional writing •Usage boxes with grammatical notes, synonyms and other ways of saying a similar thing

English World is an integrated print and digital English course for primary schools. Written by the authors of the best-selling Way Ahead and Macmillan English, the course aims to give learners confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Thorough grammar and skills work is applied in natural contexts in the real world through dialogues and cross-curricular material. Independent learning is promoted through portfolios, projects and the use of the dictionaries. The visually stunning printed resources are complemented by electronic materials for use with an Interactive Whiteboard and videos of all dialogues using native-speaker students in context, together with a complete teacher training package with video masterclasses. Other features include a testbuilder, animated listening stories, interactive spelling activities and singalong versions of songs. In Levels 5 and 6 of English World, the reading text is the vehicle for the target grammar and structure and there is a greater focus on cross-curricular themes and content. Level 5 is for students who are developing a greater awareness of the world around them and can use all four skills in a flexible and appropriate manner.

It's been more than thirty years since New York City medical examiner Jack Stapleton's college graduation and almost as long since he's been in touch with former classmates Shawn Doherty and Kevin Murray. Once a highly regarded ophthalmologist, Jack's career took a dramatic turn after a tragic accident that destroyed his family. But that, too, is very much in the past: Jack has remarried — to long-time colleague and fellow medical examiner Laurie Montgomery — and is the father of a young child. A post-mortem on a young college student who had recently been treated by a chiropractor, leads Jack to investigate alternative medicine. What makes some people step outside the medical establishment to seek care from practitioners of Eastern philosophies and even faith healers? Jack's classmate Shawn Doherty is now a renowned archaeologist and biblical scholar at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. He has recently obtained permission for a final dig beneath Saint Peter's in Rome — despite a long-standing grudge against the Catholic Church — and has made a startling discovery with huge ecclesiastical and medical implications. When Kevin Murray, now Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, gets wind of Shawn's findings, he's desperate to keep them from the public. Kevin has strong political ambitions within the Church, but his association with Shawn threatens to undermine them. Kevin turns to his old friend Jack to help protect an explosive secret — one with the power to change live forever.

Lenin is a colossal figure whose influence on twentieth-century history cannot be underestimated. Robert Service has written a calmly authoritative biography on this seemingly unknowable figure. Making use of recently opened archives, he has been able to piece together the private as well as the public life, giving the first complete picture of Lenin. This biography simultaneously provides an account of one of the greatest turning points in modern history. Through the prism of Lenin's career, Service examines events such as the October Revolution and the ideas of Marxism-Leninism, the one-party state, economic modernisation, dictatorship, and the politics of inter-war Europe. In discovering the origins of the USSR, he casts light on the nature of the state and society which Lenin left behind and which have not entirely disappeared after the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1991. 'Immensely scholarly but also vivid and readable. This is a splendid book, much the best that I have ever read about Lenin... I was overwhelmed by the power and vividness of this portrait' — Dominic Lieven, «Sunday Telegraph». 'He has managed skilfully to depict the surreal life of an obsessive, brilliant and stubborn individual' — «Guardian». 'Lenin's life was politics, but Service has succeeded in keeping Lenin the man in focus throughout...This book deserves a place among the best studies of one of the most fascinating figures in modern history' — Harold Shukman, «The Times».

In consequence of a number of stunning catastrophes, Arthur Dent is surprised to find himself living in a hideously miserable cave on prehistoric Earth. And then, just as he thinks things cannot possibly get any worse, they suddenly do. Discover the origins of life on Earth — and don't be shocked if it's not what they taught you at school.

In «The Making of Modern Britain», Andrew Marr paints a fascinating portrait of life in Britain during the first half of the twentieth century as the country recovered from the grand wreckage of the British Empire. Between the death of Queen Victoria and the end of the Second World War, the nation was shaken by war and peace. The two wars were the worst we had ever known and the episodes of peace among the most turbulent and surprising. As the political forum moved from Edwardian smoking rooms to an increasingly democratic Westminster, the people of Britain experimented with extreme ideas as they struggled to answer the question 'How should we live?' Socialism? Fascism? Feminism? Meanwhile, fads such as eugenics, vegetarianism and nudism were gripping the nation, while the popularity of the music hall soared. It was also a time that witnessed the birth of the media as we know it today and the beginnings of the welfare state. Beyond trenches, flappers and Spitfires, this is a story of strange cults and economic madness, of revolutionaries and heroic inventors, sexual experiments and raucous stage heroines. From organic food to drugs, nightclubs and celebrities to package holidays, crooked bankers to sleazy politicians, the echoes of today's Britain ring from almost every page.

Meet Susannah Simon: she's a typical teenage girl, who just happens to be a ghost-hunter... oh, and she's also dead-over-heels for Jesse — the sexiest spook ever! But can this girl get her ghost? In «Love You to Death», Suze arrives in California and has barely unpacked when her mediator skills are put to the test. A vicious spirit in her new school is hell-bent on making her life a complete nightmare, but Suze is more than ready to kick some serious ghost butt if she has to. In «High Stakes», Suze's new life is looking up — cool friends, pool parties and getting to know Jesse (swoon), but then a desperate spirit asks for her help. Suddenly she's on the trail of a creepy local businessman, who just might be a vampire. Life just got dead complicated. Again.

Meet Susannah Simon: she's a typical teenage girl who just happens to be a ghost-hunter... oh, and she's also dead-over-heels for Jesse — the sexiest spook ever! But can this girl get her ghost? In «Mean Spirits», Suze is all set to spend a relaxing summer on the beach, until she runs into the vengeful ghosts of four high-school students. She must use her mediating skills to guide these ghouls through the afterlife and stop them wreaking havoc in the present. In «Young Blood», Suze is heartbroken when gorgeous ghost Jesse doesn't seem to love her back. When his 150-year-old grave is unearthed in her backyard, she is determined to discover how and why he died. But one thing's for sure — digging up the past can be a deadly business...

Meet Susannah Simon: she's a typical teenage girl who just happens to be a ghost-hunter... oh, and she's also dead-over-heels for Jesse — the sexiest spook ever! But can this girl get her ghost? In «Grave Doubts», Suze has to contend with fellow ghost-hunter, Paul Slater, who gives her a deadly ultimatum. Unless she dates him, he'll send Jesse into the afterlife — for good. Paul may be totally hot, but Susannah Simon will not be bossed around. Let the games begin... In «Heaven Sent», all Suze's dreams have come true — she's finally dating the most gorgeous ghost of all time, Jesse! But when her creepy admirer threatens to travel back in time and stop Jesse from dying, Suze is distraught. Will her new boyfriend choose life or love?

Written with complete access to the Queen Mother's personal letters and diaries, William Shawcross' riveting biography is the truly definitive account of this remarkable woman, whose life spanned the twentieth century. Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born on 4 August 1900. Drawing on her private correspondence and other unpublished material from the Royal Archives, William Shawcross vividly reveals the witty girl who endeared herself to soldiers convalescing at Glamis in the First World War; the assured young Duchess of York; the Queen, at last feeling able to look the East End in the face at the height of the Blitz; the Queen Mother, representing the nation at home and abroad throughout her long widowhood. 'This splendid biography captures something of the warm glow that she brought to every event and encounter. It also reveals a deeper and more interesting character, forged by good sense, love of country, duty, humour and an instinct for what is right. This is a wonderful book, authoritative, frank and entertaining' — «Daily Telegraph».

Almost one million people follow Mr Justin Halpern's philosophical musings every day on Twitter. This book features his sayings.

'Oink!' said the cats... With all the MOOing and HISSing and BAAAing and CLUCKing, the farmyard is full of noise. But when Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len hatch a plot to steal the fine prize cow, it's the quietest animal of all who saves the day! Spot the glittery ladybird on every page of this wonderful rhyming tale from the creators of the bestselling «The Princess And The Wizard» and «Sharing A Shell».

William Shatner has experienced all the ups (the awards and acclaim) and the down (having to live for a time in the truck bed of his camper when he couldn't get work) that are a part of the actor's world. This title tells us about his life, from training as a Shakespearan actor to his time on Broadway, his movie career and, his tv series.

In an upmarket apartment block in Knightsbridge called Barrington House, the door to apartment 16 is always locked. For the last twenty years it has been empty. No one goes in. No one comes out. One evening a night security guard hears noises from inside. What he sees through the letterbox of apartment 16 changes his life forever... Shortly after a young American woman, Apryl, arrives at Barrington House. She's been left another apartment in the block by her Aunt Lillian — an aunt she never knew, who died in mysterious circumstances. Touched by her aunt's story Apryl delves into the history of Barrington House. Something bad happened — something dark... something terrible, and the only way to stop it is to confront whatever lies behind the door of apartment 16 the gateway to something altogether more terrifying...

Sunday Simmons and Charlie Brick came to Hollywood to make a movie. They live off their looks and rely on their agents. Today they're stars, so why worry about tomorrow? They've got money, success and adoring fans. Fans like Herbert Lincoln Jefferson, a Hollywood chauffeur with perverse sexual fantasies — whose biggest dream is meeting Sunday Simmons... Sinners peels away the glittering facade of Tinseltown like never before.

What's your poison? Fethering residents, Jude and Carole, get more than they bargained for when a lunchtime meal in their local pub leaves everyone with food poisoning. The landlord is horrified and when a series of disasters start to befall his business, it looks like it could be the end of the road for the Crown and Anchor. Left with a bad taste in their mouths — and not just from the food — the two amateur lady detectives wonder if it might just be more than a run of bad luck, which is forcing their favourite pub into bankruptcy. When Ray, a young man with the mental age of a five year old, is found in the kitchen of the pub with a knife through his heart — Carole and Jude swing into action. There's a killer on the loose in Fethering and Carole and Jude need to uncover who it is before it's last orders for the pub — and themselves.

Deep in the research wing of the Natural History Museum is a prize specimen, something that comes along much less often than once in a lifetime: a perfect, and perfectly preserved, giant squid. But what does it mean when the creature suddenly and impossibly disappears? For curator Billy Harrow it's the start of a headlong pitch into a London of warring cults, surreal magic, apostates and assassins. It might just be that the creature he's been preserving is more than a biological rarity: there are those who are sure it's a god — A god that someone is hoping will end the world.

'Find what you were looking for, Inspector'? Every day the same question. A different uniform but the same question. They thought Lucia enjoyed being here. They thought that was why she kept coming back. But they were asking the wrong thing. She had found what she was looking for — she had found what she had been sent to discover — but she had found out more besides. The question was what to do about it. The question was whether to do anything at all. In the depths of a sweltering summer, teacher Samuel Szajkowski walks into his school assembly and opens fire. He kills three pupils and a colleague before turning the gun on himself. Lucia May, the young policewoman who is assigned the case, is expected to wrap up things quickly and without fuss. The incident is a tragedy that could not have been predicted and Szajkowski, it seems clear, was a psychopath beyond help. Soon, however, Lucia becomes preoccupied with the question no one else seems to want to ask: what drove a mild-mannered, diffident school teacher to commit such a despicable crime? Piecing together the testimonies of the teachers and children at the school, Lucia discovers an uglier, more complex picture of the months leading up to the shooting. She realises too that she has more in common with Szajkowski than she could have imagined. As the pressure to bury the case builds, she becomes determined to tell the truth about what happened, whatever the consequences.

Don't imagine for one moment that I'm not watching you... The Metropole Hotel, Brighton. After a heady New Year's Eve ball, a woman is brutally raped as she returns to her room. A week later, another woman is attacked. Both victims' shoes are taken by the offender... Detective Superintendent Roy Grace soon realises that these new cases bear remarkable similarities to an unsolved series of crimes in the city back in 1997. The perpetrator had been dubbed 'Shoe Man' and was believed to have raped five women before murdering his sixth victim and vanishing. Could this be a copycat, or has Shoe Man resurfaced? When more women are assaulted, Grace becomes increasingly certain that they are dealing with the same man. And that by delving back into the past — a time in which we see Grace and his missing wife Sandy still apparently happy together — he may find the key to unlocking the current mystery. Soon Grace and his team will find themselves in a desperate race against the clock to identify and save the life of the new sixth victim...

Ever and Damen have travelled through countless past lives — and fought off the world's darkest enemies — in search of each other. But just when their destiny seems finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon them. A single touch of their hands, a soft brush of their lips will mean death for Damen — cast into the darkness of the Shadowland. But as she seeks to break the curse, Ever meets Jude — a green-eyed, golden surfer boy who understands magick, and understands Ever better than she realises. And she begins to ask a terrifying question: even if you're immortal, can true love really last forever?

Millions of readers around the world have relished Jeffrey Archer's short stories. Taking inspiration from his favourite short story writers — F. Scott Fitzgerald, Maupassant, H. H. Munro, W. Somerset Maugham and O. Henry — Jeffrey Archer has written five bestselling collections over the years and Macmillan are proud to announce the publication of a sixth volume of stories in May 2010. Jeffrey has a natural aptitude for short stories which are stylish, witty and entertaining. His mastery of characterisation and suspense, combined with a gift for the unexpected, jaw-dropping plot twist, show him at the height of his powers and demonstrate why he is one of Britain's bestselling authors. All of Jeffrey's collections of short stories have been top ten bestsellers and he is undoubtedly the bestselling English-language short story writer of our times.

Once it seemed being immortal was a gift to Ever Bloom — now it's a curse. And she's a danger to herself. Ever has been dabbling in Magyck — seeking to explore her own powers, hoping to find a future for her relationship with Damen. But she's not in control — in fact, the magyck has bound her eternally to her immortal enemy, Roman. Whenever he's near, she feels his heartbeat, his breath, his blood racing in her veins. Ever is in deep — and the one person who might be able to help her must never find out what she's done.