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There was once an emperor who was only interested in one thing, his clothes. He spent all his money on his outfits and had a different one for every time of day and every occasion. One day, two thieves arrived in town pretending to be weavers who knew how to make the most beautiful and sophisticated fabrics, which had the marvellous property of only being visible to those who did their job well.. It was the perfect offer for our king, who immediately placed an order.Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author, poet and artist. Celebrated for children’s literature, his most cherished fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Match Girl". His books have been translated into every living language, and today there is no child or adult that has not met Andersen's whimsical characters. His fairy tales have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with the animated films "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and "Frozen", which is loosely based on "The Snow Queen", in 2013. Thanks to Andersen's contribution to children's literature, his birth date, April 2, is celebrated as International Children's Book Day.

At the bottom of the ocean lived the sea king, his old mother and his six daughters. They lived in a beautiful castle, surrounded by a big garden, of which each daughter took care of a small corner. The little mermaid, the youngest and most beautiful of the princesses, liked nothing more than stories of men and in her garden she had a marble statue of a handsome youth, which had sunk below down after a shipwreck. On the day of their fifteenth birthday, the young mermaids had the right to swim to the surface to see the world above and the little mermaid listened with pleasure to the stories her sisters told when they came back from these visits. She waited impatiently for her turn to come.Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author, poet and artist. Celebrated for children’s literature, his most cherished fairy tales include "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Little Mermaid", "The Nightingale", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Snow Queen", "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Match Girl". His books have been translated into every living language, and today there is no child or adult that has not met Andersen's whimsical characters. His fairy tales have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with the animated films "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and "Frozen", which is loosely based on "The Snow Queen", in 2013. Thanks to Andersen's contribution to children's literature, his birth date, April 2, is celebrated as International Children's Book Day.

An intense novel of war at the Roman frontier.On the Empire's Northern border trouble is stirring. For decades the barbarians have been at the gates. Now, facing threats from within as well as outside, the Emperor is provoking war. When his friend Atius goes missing in Germania, Imperial Assassin Silus is sent into the heart of the battle-torn region. Plunged into a deadly intrigue and a brutal conflict, can Silus find out who is betraying Rome? Or will the legions start falling, one by bloody one?One of the standout new voices in historical fiction, bestseller Alex Gough is on riveting form in this brilliant novel set in Ancient Rome, perfect for readers of Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.Alex Gough is an author of historical fiction adventures set in Ancient Rome. The Carbo Chronicles, including "Watchmen of Rome" and "Bandits of Rome" are the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of the time.

The fate of Rome, and thousands of lives, rests on the shoulders of one man.After murdering his brother, and taking the position of Emperor for himself, Caracalla orders a brutal purge of the supporters of Geta. Meanwhile, Caracalla’s ally Marcellus is captured by Syrian warriors. They wish to use his son, Avitus, as a puppet emperor to affirm a new Eastern Empire. Caracalla orders Silus to track down and rescue Avitus, rumoured to be Caracalla’s child.As Rome buckles beneath the weight of internal slaughter and external threat, only Silus stands in the way of death and destruction on an incomparable scale.A brutal and blood-soaked thriller of Ancient Rome, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane.Alex Gough is an author of historical fiction adventures set in Ancient Rome. The Carbo Chronicles, including "Watchmen of Rome" and "Bandits of Rome" are the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of the time.

A desolate wasteland. A mission gone wrong. An impossible goal.Roman scout, Silus, is deep behind enemy lines in Caledonia. As he spies on a raiding party, he is abruptly discovered by an enemy chief and his son. Mounting a one-man ambush, everything quickly goes wrong and Silus must run for his life, the head of the enemy leader in his hands. Little does he know the price he will pay...As Silus is inducted into the Arcani, an elite faction of assassins and spies, he must return to Caledonia and risk everything in the service of his Caesar. The odds don’t look good. But failure is not an option.A blood-soaked and unputdownable thriller set in Ancient Rome, anchored in detailed historical research, perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden and Robert Fabbri.'Gritty and real, exciting and pacy, this is first-rate historical fiction, and Gough is clearly ready to take his place among the leading writers of the genre,' SJA Turney, author of the "Praetorian" series.Alex Gough is an author of historical fiction adventures set in Ancient Rome. The Carbo Chronicles, including "Watchmen of Rome" and "Bandits of Rome" are the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of the time.

Brothers. Emperors. Deadly enemies...An unputdownable novel of intrigue and combat in Ancient Rome. Emperor Severus is on his deathbed. His sons Geta and Caracalla, feuding in Britannia, are readying for a devastating power struggle. Silus, now a centurion in the Arcani, the secrete network of spies and assassins, is thrown into the maelstrom.Back in Ancient Rome, plots breed in the stinking alleys. Everyone might be an enemy. Everyone a traitor. As an Imperial Assassin, Silus’ loyalty will be tested to breaking point. And with the Empire starting to buckle under the strain, Silus must ask what matters: Rome or his own damned soul?From thundering races at the Circus Maximus to death in the Imperial palaces, this is a powerful and unputdownable novel that will transport to you Ancient Rome, perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Conn Iggulden.Alex Gough is an author of historical fiction adventures set in Ancient Rome. The Carbo Chronicles, including "Watchmen of Rome" and "Bandits of Rome" are the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of the time.

Angela is part Spanish and part English, having spent her youth in Spain. Thus a part of her protests to an arranged marriage to Don Felipe Martinez, as intriguing and charming as he may be. Torn between mixed feelings, she must decide: will she marry Don Felipe and surrender to her budding desires or choose differently? The 20th-century story was written under Susan Barrie, a pseudonym of the master of romance, Ida Pollock.A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate.Susan Barrie is a pseudonym of Ida Pollock (1908 – 2013), a highly successful British writer of over 125 romance novels translated into numerous languages and published across the world. Ida Pollock has sold millions of copies over her 90-year career. Pollock began writing when she was 10 years old. Ida has travelled widely, living in several different countries. She continues to be popular amongst both her devoted fan base and new readers alike. Pollock has been referred to as the "world's oldest novelist" who was still active at 105 and continued writing until her death. On the occasion of her 105th birthday, Pollock was appointed honorary vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association, having been one of its founding members.Ida Pollock wrote in a wide variety of pseudonyms: Joan M. Allen, Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Averil Ives, Anita Charles, Barbara Rowan, Jane Beaufort, Rose Burghley, Mary Whistler and Marguerite Bell.

When Toni Darcy was rescued from a bad employer and a poor situation by Kurt Antoine, she was grateful. She would now be working at his new hotel in Tyrol, Austria. Yet the attractive manageress of the hotel did not seem all that pleased with Toni’s presence. At least she had the protection of Kurt, whose attentions certainly stirred Toni’s feelings... The love tale dating back to the 20th century was written by Susan Barrie, one of the pseudonyms of the beloved romance writer Ida Pollock.A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate.Susan Barrie is a pseudonym of Ida Pollock (1908 – 2013), a highly successful British writer of over 125 romance novels translated into numerous languages and published across the world. Ida Pollock has sold millions of copies over her 90-year career. Pollock began writing when she was 10 years old. Ida has travelled widely, living in several different countries. She continues to be popular amongst both her devoted fan base and new readers alike. Pollock has been referred to as the "world's oldest novelist" who was still active at 105 and continued writing until her death. On the occasion of her 105th birthday, Pollock was appointed honorary vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association, having been one of its founding members.Ida Pollock wrote in a wide variety of pseudonyms: Joan M. Allen, Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Averil Ives, Anita Charles, Barbara Rowan, Jane Beaufort, Rose Burghley, Mary Whistler and Marguerite Bell.

Sparks and tempers fly when Ben comes to stay in Daisy’s holiday cottage.Daisy likes routine. She goes to work, makes dinner for her son, then loses herself for an hour or two in her sewing. She’s not looking for change, until Ben crashes – literally – into her life.Ben is training for a triathlon, working himself to the limit in an attempt to forget a recent trauma. Daisy wants to help, but even as they draw closer with every week that passes, he pushes her away whenever things threaten to get serious.Can Ben open himself up to love again? And with Daisy’s life in the Yorkshire Dales and Ben’s in New York, can they have a future together even if he does?For fans of Julie Houston, Victoria Walters and Trisha Ashley, this is a perfect and much-needed slice of summer escapism.Suzanne lives in Lancashire with her family and loves to read. Amongst her favourite books are historical crime fiction and writers' biographies. Suzanne enjoys cooking, walking, especially in the Lake District, and developing and planting gardens. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors.

A powerful, posthumous novel from bestselling author Mario Reading.Relegated to an isolated provincial town in France after years spent fighting on the Eastern Front, German commander Maximilian von Aschau finds unexpected distraction in the form of beautiful and reserved Lucie Léré.He’s seen every horror of the human experience. She’s never left her village. Opposites in every way, Max and Lucie manage to find common ground. But love is the most dangerous element of war. It makes you vulnerable... and careless.With the Allied invasion imminent and tensions high, Max and Lucie will have to turn their backs on everything they’ve known and anyone they once trusted in order to protect their secret – and their lives. A poignant, spellbinding historical novel of love and war, set against the backdrop of World War 2 Germany, that will appeal to fans of Anthony Doerr, Otto B Kraus, and Heather Morris.A multi-talented writer of both fiction and non-fiction, Mario's life included spells of selling rare books, teaching riding in Africa, studying dressage in Vienna, running a polo stable in Gloucestershire and maintaining a coffee plantation in Mexico. An expert on the prophecies of Nostradamus.The Nostradamus Prophecies, his debut thriller was sold in 38 countries. The Templar Prophecy, the first in the John Hart series was published in 2013 followed by the Templar Inheritance and the Templar Succession.

When Tona's husband dies at sea she is left alone to fend for both herself and her sons. She opens a tavern and attempts to live a normal life, even finding another handsome man to fall in love with. It seems that for Tona, however, it never just rains, but pours. She is soon faced with yet another cruel disappointment. 'Mayflower' and its vivid descriptions tell the tale of one woman's misfortune, her courage, and the strength of the human spirit. One of Vicente Blasco Ibanez's most famous novels for a reason, the true-to-life nature of his writing reflect his own experiences with a life of hardships. -

"e;Kenilworth"e; is a historical novel by Walter Scott that centres on the royal court romance, intrigue, and mystery between Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester. Once again, Scott talks a lot about historical places - here, the Kenilworth Castle, and describes them in perfect detail, adding to the overall air of authenticity of his narrative. A compelling storytelling and the enjoyable, often humorous and heroic adventures makes this novel a must for connoisseurs of historical romances and Walter Scott's works.-

'Cabbages and Kings' is one of renowned author William Sidney Porter's most famous collections of short stories. Better known by his literary pseudonym 'O. Henry', the collection was inspired by the time he spent hiding out from the US authorities in Honduras. The narrative focuses on the fictional Republic of Anchuria and is a collective tale of corruption and political intrigue. 'Cabbages and Kings' is also the source of the now famous and much-used term 'banana republic'. The title is in reference to the poem 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' from 'Through the Looking Glass' by well-known children's author Lewis Carroll. One of O. Henry's earliest short story collections, 'Cabbages and Kings' offers a fascinating introduction to this much-loved 20th century author. -

'Options' is a collection of 16 short stories from much-loved 20th century American author William Sidney Porter, better known as 'O. Henry'. Stories from the collection include brave and ambitious 'The Moment of Victory', a strange encounter with a homeless man in 'The Higher Pragmatism', and a North versus South clash in 'The Rose of Dixie'. O. Henry's realistic portrayal of the human condition, his focus on the strange and unexpected, and his witty plot twists make him a favourite with established O. Henry readers and those new to his work. Fans of authors such as Mark Twain, Guy de Maupassant and Kate Chopin will appreciate O. Henry's style.-

Published posthumously, William Sidney Porter's 'Sixes and Sevens' is a collection of 25 short stories from the popular author. Some of the most famous works included are 'Ulysses and the Dogman', where a dog walker meets an old acquaintance; 'The Church with an Overshot-Wheel' about a bereaved miller who turns his mill into a church, and classic detective story 'The Sleuths'. With a focus on the harshness but also the humour of everyday life, and tales stretching from New York to the Wild West, this is a remarkable collection of some of O. Henry's timeless tales.-

Howard Knox is a congressman who wants to expose local corruption. One of the men involved is a businessman called Anthony Starkweather - and he is ready to do anything to stop Knox from having his speech. Things get complicated, however, when Starkweather's daughter builds a friendship with Knox.'Theft: A Play in Four Acts' is a political play by Jack London, and its themes deal with capitalism. -

"e;Captains of Souls"e; is an atypical piece of detective crime fiction work from Edgar Wallace, one of the most prolific British writers of the 20th century. Centring around Ambrose Sault, who has managed to find a rather suspicious way to merge a soul with a body of another, the novel unfolds into a tragedy circling around criminals, financial fraud, blackmail as well as cold murder. The novel takes a turn around the sinister objectives of Salt, whose encounter with the other characters leaves their lives changed forever. Mystery crime drama, comedy of manners and melodrama all at once, "e;Captains of Souls"e; makes for a thrilling and well-written read full of suspense and will be enjoyed by fans of Netflix shows such as "e;Behind Her Eyes"e;.-

"e;Jack O'Judgment"e; is a classic thriller novel by the inimitable Edgar Wallace. The memorable crime story revolves around a masked vigilante, who wreaks havoc among a successful gang of organised London blackmailers, leaving only a Jack of Clubs as a trace that he was there. The star of the novel is a male protagonist that is both light-hearted and frivolous, as well as cruel towards injustice and the larger-than-life villains. Just like in "e;The Four Just Men"e;, Wallace arguably promotes vigilantism as the only solution to a feeble justice system. An excellent mystery that leaves the reader guessing in suspense about the identity of the elusive masked man, perfect for lovers of the likes of Sherlock Holmes.-

Prophetic and chilling at once, Edgar Wallace's alternate history crime novel "e;Private Selby"e; deals with the author's fear of a potential German invasion of Britain shortly before the outbreak of the Great War. Credited with being one of the writers who predicted the First World War, the novel follows the life of a young rascal Dick Selby, who enters the British military and whose life spins into unexpected disarray as a result of a sudden invasion. From that moment on, his life becomes an arena of conflicting feelings and emotions, reflecting his traumatic wartime experience. A true page-turner, the short novel combines the best of military fiction, love-filled drama and crime and is a must-read for fans of both classic crime fiction and military history.-

Elegant, trumpet-like lilies, she thought. But there was something off. Something not right. It was the colour. It was strange, sort of pale and flesh-coloured...In a sleepy seaside town outside Copenhagen, a strange light at the bottom of the harbour has the police call in a military diver with a speciality in wet crime scenes. Deep down in the dark water sits a car, with the dead body of a young woman in the driver's seat. The dead woman seems to have been the victim of a sadistic surgery.On some jagged cliffs off of a rural town in the south of Norway, a dog walker finds a partly skeletal corpse wearing a wetsuit. In their search for the identity of the victim, local police send out a black notice through Interpol, and before long another dead girl in a similar wetsuit is found all the way down in Holland.But when a woman bearing a scar similar to the others is found lifeless and icy cold in a forest lake, she could be the most important witness for the police - if only they are able to bring her back from the dead.Partly based on actual events, Black Notice is a thrilling Scandi Noir following the international hunt for a ruthless serial killer. Perfect for fans of Jo Nesbo, Samuel Bjork and Cara Hunter.-

What would you give for a conversation with Socrates? Vladimir Korolenko’s short story ‘The Shades’ is as close as it gets. It follows a conversation between Socrates and Eldipias as they discuss themes such as the truth, the nature of the one, true God, as well as the eternal topics of life and death. A masterful exploration of how the fear of changing one’s beliefs can lead to the loss of truth, this is an essential read for anyone interested in philosophy. Korolenko's intimate manner of discussing 'big topics' is similar to the lighthearted nature of NBC's 'The Good Place'.Vladimir Korolenko (1853-1921) was a Ukrainian-born Russian short-story writer, an open critic of the Tsarist regime, and later an anti-Bolshevik. His writing boasts harsh, hostile and powerful descriptions, as he investigates the simple lives of even simpler people. The most notable of his work is "The Blind Musician" (1886), alongside numerous short stories, mostly based upon his own experience of exile in Siberia.

"A Debt Discharged" is a gripping thriller novel about gangs and forgery by the acclaimed British author Edgar Wallace. The gifted Thomas Maple and his niece Verity live together on Crystal Palace Road in London, although she’s unaware of the details of his mysterious past. Working for bank engraving company, he becomes involved with a forgery scandal, gang violence and life-threatening complications with an American millionaire. Eventually, a detective smells a rat and sets on their trail, but will Verity get the full truth about her uncle? A perfect thriller mystery, "A Debt Discharged" is a classic must-read for fans of early crime fiction and for those, who enjoy shows including ‘Lupin’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’.Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific English mystery and crime writer with such an impressive output that one of his publishers claimed he was behind a quarter of all books sold in England at that time. An author, journalist and poet, Wallace wrote countless novels, short stories, screen plays, stage plays and historical non-fiction. Over 160 films inspired by his work have been made worldwide, more than any other author ever and over 50 million copies of his books were sold during his lifetime. He died suddenly in Hollywood in 1932, during the initial drafting stages of his most famous and enduring work, "King Kong".

The Blind Musician follows the lives of a young girl, a boy, and a professional musician. All of whom are blind. Korolenko paints a moving, sympathetic and careful psychological portrait of these three characters as he explores the different ways in which they experience blindness. As he attempts to explain the various actions and decisions of these characters, as inherently linked to their disability, Korolenko investigates the power of sight in both a literal and symbolic sense. His realistic, moralistic and mindful approach to such heavy themes is ideal for fans of Tolstoy and unmissable for fans of Russian literature.Vladimir Korolenko (1853-1921) was a Russian short-story writer, an open critic of the Tsarist regime, and later an anti-Bolshevik. His writing boasts harsh, hostile and powerful descriptions, as he investigates the simple lives of even simpler people. The most notable of his work is "The Blind Musician" (1886), alongside numerous short stories, mostly based upon his own experience of exile in Siberia.

First published in 1910, ‘The Two Women’ is a collection of two short stories from revered American author William Sidney Porter, better known by his pseudonym ‘O. Henry’. The two stories include ‘Fog in Santone’ and ‘A Medley of Moods’. Set in San Antonio, ‘Fog in Santone’ explores how the city has become a haven for tuberculosis patients and follows the experiences of a prostitute as one of the central characters. The second story draws on some of O. Henry’s own life experiences and follows the tale of a man in New Orleans accused of embezzlement. With his usual warm style, and focus on the outcasts and underdogs of society, this is an intriguing pair of classic O. Henry tales.William Sidney Porter (1862-1910) was an American writer best-known for his short stories. Born in North Carolina, Porter moved to Texas in his early twenties where he began his literary career contributing to newspapers and magazines such as ‘The Houston Post’. During this period he also began work at a bank where he was accused of embezzlement, lost his job and was arrested a year later. Growing fearful of his upcoming trial, Porter escaped to New Orleans and then Honduras while on bail, where he hid for several months. It was here that he was inspired to write one of his famous short story collections ‘Cabbages and Kings’. In 1897 Porter returned to the US and was sentenced to five years in prison. He continued to write and had several stories published from prison under various pseudonyms, the most famous of which was ‘O. Henry’ – a name by which he is better known. Upon release Porter moved to New York where his most intense period of writing began, authoring hundreds of short stories mostly for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His witty narration and plot twists made his stories a huge hit with readers, a legacy which endures to this day. Some of his most popular short stories include, ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Cop and the Anthem’ and ‘The Caballero’s Way’. 1952 film ‘O. Henry’s Full House’ featured five of his short stories and starred Marilyn Monroe and Charles Laughton. Annual American literary prize ‘The O. Henry Award’ was established in his honour in 1919.

In a hypnotizingly crazy daily routine, twenty-six men are locked in the production of kringles (a typical Scandinavian pastry) in a basement kitchen. Their only real connection with the life outside is Tanya, a sixteen-year-old girl who visits them for baked goods. One day, one of the bun bakers, who stand higher than the kringle bakers, tells them that he seduced Tanya, shattering their vision of the girl and the world. The idolization of innocence and beauty clashes with the harsh reality of life, reflecting the stillborn hopes and desires of the twenty-six men. A painful and terribly realistic story that deserves to be read by everyone.Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) has its place among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. A five-time Nobel Prize nominee, Gorky’s position in Russian literature is indisputable. He led a turbulent life of an exile, a dissenter, and a Bolshevik associate, which severely marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".

"Anathema" is a tragedy by Leonid Andreyev in seven scenes, often labelled as his most atheist one. It follows the dispute between the devil (called Anathema) and God about the limitations of reason and the secrets of the universe. At the same time, the Jewish protagonist David Leizer is suffering his ascent from rags to riches. For Andreyev, the human mind cannot comprehend a lot of things, such as the meaning of life, immortality, or love. The play explores the arrogance and restlessness of the characters, locked in often futile existential battles with their own selves. Definitely recommendable to fans of Andreyev – and not only.Leonid Andreyev (1871-1919) has a special place in Russian literature. Labeled by many as the father of Russian expressionism, Andreyev’s style is rich and diverse, blending literary traits from the schools of Symbolism, Naturalism, and Realism. The writer’s fame is mostly felt in his translations of H. P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, and through his stories, written in the vein of Edgar Allan Poe. His works, often haunting, dark, and controversial, reaching for the fantastic and the grotesque, include two novels, five novellas, and a number of short stories. The most well-known of them include the story "The Seven Who Were Hanged", the play "Tsar Hunger", and his novel "Sashka Zhegulev".

"Creatures that Once Were Men" is a short story by Maxim Gorky about the residents of a lodging house who start a conflict with their landlord, resulting in a rather inhumane outcome.Gorky is arguably one of the most celebrated literary characters of the 20th century. Painting a vivid image of the dark, grueling and cruel peasant life of 20th century Russia, "Creatures that One Were Men" is a daunting and comical commentary on social injustice that has touched people across the world.Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) has its place among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. A five-time Nobel Prize nominee, Gorky’s position in Russian literature is undisputable. He led a turbulent life of an exile, a dissenter, and a Bolshevik associate, which severely marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".

Fydor Lukitch Sysoev has been regarded as the best teacher for as long as he can remember, he cares about his students and never forgets an injustice or mistreatment. However, his confidence and patience are about to be tested by a series of difficult exam questions and an anniversary dinner. ‘The Schoolmaster’ is Anton Chekhov’s take on the value of a good teacher and the powerlessness of ageing. This masterful short story is essential for fans of Orwell, Tolstoy and JD Salinger.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860 -1904) is considered to be a master of the short story as a genre. His detailed and often miserable descriptions of everyday Russian life speak to his own experiences, and his characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition and death, no matter their storyline. In his plays, he tends to dramatize and explore social and existential problems, whilst his short stories focus more on the horror present in everyday life, and the mystery that cloaks monotony. The majority of his popular plays, such as ‘Uncle Vanya’, ‘The Seagull’, and ‘A Hunting Accident’ have been adapted into movies, giving fans of his literature a fresh avenue to explore his perspectives.

Published posthumously in 1920, ‘O. Henryanya’ is a collection of short stories and poetry from much-loved American author William Sidney Porter, better known as ‘O. Henry’. This collection features the poem ‘The Crucible’, as well as short stories including, ‘Bulgar’s Friend’, ‘A Professional Secret’ and ‘The Elusive Tenderloin’. Full of charismatic characters and surprises typical of Porter’s literary style, this collection of his work will delight established O. Henry fans as well as those new to his writing.William Sidney Porter (1862-1910) was an American writer best-known for his short stories. Born in North Carolina, Porter moved to Texas in his early twenties where he began his literary career contributing to newspapers and magazines such as ‘The Houston Post’. During this period he also began work at a bank where he was accused of embezzlement, lost his job and was arrested a year later. Growing fearful of his upcoming trial, Porter escaped to New Orleans and then Honduras while on bail, where he hid for several months. It was here that he was inspired to write one of his famous short story collections ‘Cabbages and Kings’. In 1897 Porter returned to the US and was sentenced to five years in prison. He continued to write and had several stories published from prison under various pseudonyms, the most famous of which was ‘O. Henry’ – a name by which he is better known. Upon release Porter moved to New York where his most intense period of writing began, authoring hundreds of short stories mostly for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His witty narration and plot twists made his stories a huge hit with readers, a legacy which endures to this day. Some of his most popular short stories include, ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Cop and the Anthem’ and ‘The Caballero’s Way’. 1952 film ‘O. Henry’s Full House’ featured five of his short stories and starred Marilyn Monroe and Charles Laughton. Annual American literary prize ‘The O. Henry Award’ was established in his honour in 1919.

A short story collection from much loved American author William Sidney Porter, better known as ‘O. Henry’, ‘The Gentle Grafter’ is a wonderful array of some of his classic short stories. Tales in the collection include, ‘The Octopus Marooned’, ‘A Midsummer Masquerade’ and ‘Innocents of Broadway’. As always, O. Henry’s focus on the outcasts of society, his warm characterisation, and humorous twists and turns make this a fascinating selection of the popular authors’ works - a joy for both established fans as well as those discovering his stories for the very first time.William Sidney Porter (1862-1910) was an American writer best-known for his short stories. Born in North Carolina, Porter moved to Texas in his early twenties where he began his literary career contributing to newspapers and magazines such as ‘The Houston Post’. During this period he also began work at a bank where he was accused of embezzlement, lost his job and was arrested a year later. Growing fearful of his upcoming trial, Porter escaped to New Orleans and then Honduras while on bail, where he hid for several months. It was here that he was inspired to write one of his famous short story collections ‘Cabbages and Kings’. In 1897 Porter returned to the US and was sentenced to five years in prison. He continued to write and had several stories published from prison under various pseudonyms, the most famous of which was ‘O. Henry’ – a name by which he is better known. Upon release Porter moved to New York where his most intense period of writing began, authoring hundreds of short stories mostly for the New York World Sunday Magazine. His witty narration and plot twists made his stories a huge hit with readers, a legacy which endures to this day. Some of his most popular short stories include, ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Cop and the Anthem’ and ‘The Caballero’s Way’. 1952 film ‘O. Henry’s Full House’ featured five of his short stories and starred Marilyn Monroe and Charles Laughton. Annual American literary prize ‘The O. Henry Award’ was established in his honour in 1919.