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.

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...

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...

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.

There have been many books written on good business practice. All eminently sensible. All based on logic, common sense and good manners. It is essential if you want to be a supermarket manager. But for those wishing to break new ground, it is not enough. Logic and common sense have a habit of leading us to the same conclusions. If you are going to make your mark on the world you have to start thinking differently. To think differently, you have to think illogically. Whatever You Think Think The Opposite looks at life the wrong way in a bid to explain the benefits of making wrong decisions.

Set in an exotic Eastern landscape peopled by magicians and fantastic talking animals, Salman Rushdie's classic children's novel Haroun and the Sea of Stories inhabits the same imaginative space as Gulliver's Travels, Alice in Wonderland, and The Wizard of Oz. In this captivating adaptation for the stage, Haroun sets out on an adventure to restore the poisoned source of the sea of stories. On the way, he encounters many foes, all intent on draining the sea of all its storytelling powers.

Lord Copper, newspaper magnate and proprietor of the Daily Beast, has always prided himself on his intuitive flair for spotting ace reporters. That is not to say he has not made the odd blunder, however, and may in a moment of weakness make another. Acting on a dinner-party tip from Mrs Algernon Smith, he feels convinced that he has hit on just the chap to cover a promising little war in the African Republic of Ishmaelia. One of Waugh's most exuberant comedies, Scoop is a brilliantly irreverent satire of Fleet Street and its hectic pursuit of hot news.

When his buddy Hawk is beaten within an inch of his life, Spenser infiltrates a ruthless mob in the name of friendship — and revenge.

'I live on Brazzaville Beach... I am here because two sets of strange and extraordinary events happened to me... One in England, first, and then one in Africa.' On Brazzaville Beach, on the edge of Africa, Hope Clearwater examines the complex circumstances that brought her there. Sifting the details for evidence of her own innocence or guilt, she tells her engrossing story with a blunt and beguiling honesty that not only intrigues and disturbs but is also completely enthralling.

A desperate father hires Alatriste to rescue his daughter from a convent where a powerful priest is said to be using the girl as his personal concubine. Soon Alatriste discovers that he has become part of a religious and political conspiracy that leads all the way to the highest levels of the Inquisition.