Penguin Group

Set in Victorian London-where magic is real and Elemental Masters control the powers of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth-the fourth novel in this best-selling series tells the story of Lord Alderscroft, Master of the British Elemental Masters Council-the most powerful Fire Master ever to lead the Council. Loosely based on The Snow Queen, The Wizard of London delves into Lord Alderscroft's youth, when he was bespelled by an evil Elemental Master who hoped to use him for political gain.

This autobiography is about growing up in Egypt. It is also an investigation into childhood perception in which the author uses herself and her memories as an insight into how children see and know. It is a look at Egypt up to, and including, World War II from a small girl's point of view, which is also, ultimately, a moving and rather sad picture of an isolated and lonely little girl.

With Cuba as a sizzling setting and a provocative murder that hits close to home, New York Times bestselling author Barbara Parker delivers her most unpredictable novel to date. Married Miami lawyers Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana travel to Cuba to see the island that still captures Anthony's heart. But the trip is anything but nostalgic as Gail and Anthony face violence, murder, a terrorist threat, and a past love that could tear them apart.

»Androcles and the Lion» is a 1912 play written by George Bernard Shaw. «Androcles and the Lion» is Shaw's retelling of the tale of Androcles, a slave who is saved by the requited mercy of a lion. In the play, Shaw makes Androcles out to be one of many Christians being led to the Colosseum for torture. Characters in the play exemplify several themes and takes on both modern and supposed early Christianity, including cultural clash between Jesus' teachings and traditional Roman values.

One of the greatest of all horror writers, Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) also composed pioneering tales that seized upon the scientific developments of an era marked by staggering change. In this collection of sixteen stories, he explores such wide-ranging contemporary themes as galvanism, time travel and resurrection of the dead. «The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfall» relates a man's balloon journey to the moon with a combination of scientific precision and astonishing fantasy. Elsewhere, the boundaries between horror and science are elegantly blurred in stories such as «The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar», while the great essay «Eureka» outlines Poe's own interpretation of the universe. Powerfully influential on later authors including Jules Verne, these works are essential reading for anyone wishing to trace the genealogy of science fiction, or to understand the complexity of Poe's own creative vision.

Albinus — rich, married middle-aged and respectable — is an art critic and aspiring filmmaker who lusts after the coquettish young cinema usherette Margot. Gradually he seduces her and convinces himself he is irresistible to her, but Margot has other plans. She wants to be a film star, and when Albinus introduces her to the American movie producer Axel Rex, she sees her chance — and plotting, duplicity and tragedy ensue.

A born-again computer whiz kid bent on proving the existence of God on his computer meets a middle-aged divinity professor, Roger Lambert, who'd just as soon leave faith a mystery. Soon the computer hacker begins an affair with professor Lambert's wife and Roger finds himself experiencing deep longings for a trashy teenage girl.

Clive Cussler debuted his new series, The Oregon Files, with the incredible adventure of Golden Buddha. Now he follows that triumph with Sacred Stone, a rollicking new tale featuring the enigmatic captain of The Oregon, Juan Cabrillo. In the remote wastes of Greenland, an ancient artifact possessing catastrophic radioactive power is unearthed. But the astounding find puts the world at risk. Caught between two militant factions bent on wholesale slaughter, Juan Cabrillo and his network of spies known as The Corporation must fight to protect the stone-and prevent the outbreak of World War III.

Jessica Fletcher travels to Boston to help her friend, noted criminal attorney Malcolm McLoon, defend a wealthy client accused of murdering his older brother. But when a key defense witness in the case is slain, it's up to Jessica to uncover the truth — and keep an innocent man out of prison.

It all begins with a sidewalk Santa staring at Jessica with fear and recognition. Behind the beard is Waldo Morse, former drug smuggler and the most notorious citizen of Cabot Cove, Maine. Jessica hasn't a clue as to how he ended up as a street corner Saint Nick, but she agrees to meet him at two o'clock the next day. Jessica shows up with her camera, but in no time at all Santa is dead — a totally unexpected murder in progress. While the police are strangely slow on their feet, and the dead man's wife uncommonly fast on the run, Jessica, in her no-nonsense way, decides to do what she does best: strategically snoop around and graciously outwit the pros on both sides of the law... doing whatever it takes to stop a murderer from striking again...

While visiting an old friend's ranch in Colorado, bestselling mystery author Jessica Fletcher is caught in a fiendish plot of revenge when one of the guests is found stabbed to death. Soon after, the victim's wife is also discovered murdered in a gruesome fashion. With the police at a loss, and the rest of the ranch guests on edge, Jessica decides to do some research into the past of some of the less than cordial guests. What she discovers may help her crack the case... if it doesn't get her killed first!

Childers' lone masterpiece, The Riddle of the Sands, considered the first modern spy thriller, is recognisable as the brilliant forerunner of the realism of Graham Greene and John le Carre. Its unique flavour comes from its fine characterization, richly authentic background of inshore sailing and vivid evocation of the late 1890s — an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and intrigue that was soon to lead to war.

The plot twists ingeniously... chilling.

The classic tale of adventure and romanceain a vibrant new package.

The portrait of an evangelist who rises to power within his church.

Mark Twain's classic tale of two boys, identical in appearance but not in class in English society, who switch identities was both a scathing attack upon social hypocrisy and injustice, and an irresistible comedy imbued with the sense of high-spirited play that appeared during his happiest creative period. Features a new Afterword.

From the Bible, the Iliad, and the Republic to Civil Disobedience, Das Kapital, and Silent Spring, this revised and greatly expanded edition is a monument to the power of the printed word-an informative discussion of many of the most important works ever created.

Mystery writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher visits Moscow as part of a United States publishing group to help Russia succeed as a democracy' But the poisoning of a Pussies publisher, who possessed information which could topple the government in power, places her in a dangerous situation, Jess furns to the American Embassy for help, only to discover that the United States government is involved...

From horse to crocodile to giraffe, no one wants to be the little mouse's friend, until he meets up with a friendly, familiar face — and not a moment too soon! Full color.

This is the latest Kurt Austin adventure: the hero of Fire Ice is back in a breathtaking new adventure. A confrontation between a radical environmentalist group and a Danish cruiser has forced Austin and colleague Joe Zavala to come to the rescue of a shipful of trapped men. But when the two of them investigate further, they discover that something far more sinister is at work. A shadowy multinational corporation is attempting to wrest control of the very seas themselves, no matter what havoc results, and killing anyone who attempts to stop them. When Austin's boat blows up and he only barely survives, it seems certain that he is the next in line to die, but he cannot stop now. For the environmental disaster has only just begun, and only he and Nume stand in the way...

Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth — four 'little women' enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England. The charming story of the March sisters, Little Women has been adored by generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over little Beth's death, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple, enthralling tale, both parts of which are included here, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women.

When Dorian Grays portrait is painted it reveals him to be a man of outer beauty. He realizes then that he cannot possibly stay as young as that time. He makes a shocking wish, which comes true. No matter how he behaved, he stayed youthful and his portrait became older and older. Read the tales stunning conclusion in this striking graphic novel adaptation. Graphic Planet is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Group. Grades 5-8.

Famously characterized as the story of two Dashwood sisters who embody the conflict between the oppressive nature of civilized society and the human desire for romantic passion, there is far more to this story of two daughters made homeless by the death of their father. Elinor, 19, and Marianne, 17, initially project the opposing roles with Elinor cautious and unassuming about romantic matters, while Marianne is wild and passionate when she falls hopelessly in love with the libertine Mr. Willoughby. But the lessons in love and life see the two characters develop and change with sense and sensibility needing to be compromised as a matter of survival. Written when Austen was just 19, this story has been read as a biographical reflection of her relationship with her own sister Cassandra, with the younger Jane being the victim of sensibility. However, the novel is far more than a simple case of passion versus manners, and depicts the romantic complications of two women made highly vulnerable by the loss of their father and estate.

It is Christmas Eve and the party is over. Clara creeps downstairs to find Nutcracker, a wooden doll given to her by her mysterious godfather Drosselmeier — a creator of fabulous mechanical toys, has come to life. Through her godfather's strange powers, Clara is caught up in a thrilling battle in which she and Nutcracker — in reality a prince transformed by an evil spell — overcome the Mouse King and his army. Clara's bravery is rewarded by a trip to the magical Land of Sweets, and in the end it is her love and loyalty that lift the curse, transforming Nutcracker back into his true self, and making Clara's dreams come true.This classic love story, which inspired the popular ballet that is danced to one of Tchaikovsky's most magical scores, is wonderfully retold by David Walser, in a direct translation from the original German story. Jan Pie kowski, master of illustration, brings the story vividly to life adding his own magic with exquisite illustrations on sparkling backgrounds. The finale is a multi-layered tableau of intricate laser-cut silhouettes, created in the style of traditional German papercraft. This beautiful and sumptuous novelty book is the ultimate Christmas gift.