Engelske bøger

There is a fictional island, entirely populated by penguins. A Christian missionary monk reaches the shores of the island and is enchanted by what he sees there. "e;Penguin Island"e; is a satirical novel that explores and severely criticizes human nature, politics, society, and contemporary morals. After the monk mistakenly baptizes them, the penguins are transformed into human beings by God, propelling them into an existential crisis. With moments of great philosophical and psychological insights, and religious questionings, this novel is a powerful allegory and reminiscent of Orwell's "e;Animal Farm"e;. The close parallels and outright mockery of contemporary events turn "e;Penguin Island"e; into a splendid and rich tale that all readers of fiction would enjoy.-

Following the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman Empire is ruled by Antony, Octavius Caesar and Lepidus. Antony resides in Egypt and it completely captivated by its Queen, Cleopatra. But circumstances beyond his control force him to return to Rome and marry Caesar's sister, Octavia. When Antony abandons his new wife and travels back Egypt, Caesar declares war on the star-crossed lovers.Anthony and Cleopatra is Shakespeare at his best. With a mix of politics and romance, this play is wonderfully complex and intellectually stimulating. The Royal Shakespeare Company has seen many productions of the play, starring Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren in 1982 and Patrick Stewart and Harriet Walter in 2006.-

"e;His Last Bow"e; is a collection of eight short-stories about the adventures of the detective Sherlock Holmes. Here are tales of murder, abductions, stolen information, and secrets. We follow Holmes as he endeavours to solve each of these mysteries. The collection includes: "e;The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge"e; (1908)"e;The Adventure of the Cardboard Box"e; (1892)"e;The Adventure of the Red Circle"e; (1911)"e;The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans"e; (1908)"e;The Adventure of the Dying Detective"e; (1913)"e;The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax"e; (1911)"e;The Adventure of the Devil's Foot"e; (1910)"e;His Last Bow. The War Service of Sherlock Holmes"e; (1917)-

"e;Once upon a time, and of course it was in the Golden Age, and I hope you may know when that was, for I am sure I don't, though I have tried hard to find out, there lived in a rich and fertile country, a powerful Prince whose name was Bull."e;Bull is one of the many characters you will meet in this wonderful Charles Dickens collection of sketches and short stories. The anthology includes sad must-reads like A Child's Dream of a Star and amusing satirical pieces like A Monument of French Folly. The stories originally appeared in his journal Household Words.-

"The Valley of Fear" is the last novel by Arthur Conan Doyle where the reader meets Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective. He and Doctor Watson arrive to a country manor to investigate a possible murder. After receiving a coded message, Holmes links the murder to the name in the message. Clue by clue, our friends get closer to Holmes’ arch enemy Professor Moriarty. It is a brilliantly executed mystery, riddled with sufficient evidence and compelling, plot-driven structure. Detective fiction enthusiasts will not be disappointed.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After his studies, he worked as a ship’s surgeon on various boats. During the Second Boer War, he was an army doctor in South Africa. When he came back to the United Kingdom, he opened his own practice and started writing crime books. He is best known for his thrilling stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He published four novels and more than 50 short-stories starring the detective and Dr Watson, and they play an important role in the history of crime fiction. Other than the Sherlock Holmes series, Doyle wrote around thirty more books, in genres such as science-fiction, fantasy, historical novels, but also poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

"The Sleeper Awakes" belongs to the genre of dystopian science fiction, the preferred working ground for Wells. A futuristic Rip-van-Winkle who has been sleeping for more than two hundred years, awakes one day to find himself the richest man alive. All his dreams and prayers have been answered. But his new life is not that peaceful and fortunate. Wells’ dystopian vision openly criticizes the march of progress, human greed, and urbanization. The future London in Graham’s post-sleeping world is not a paradise, but living hell. "The Sleeper Awakes" is a novel that readers might easily relate to Orwell’s "1984" or Fritz Lang’s cinematic masterpiece "Metropolis".H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was an English writer, remembered mostly for his science fiction works. Often described as a futurist, H. G. Wells’s influence cannot be neglected for his works foresaw many technological innovations such as space travel, the atomic bomb, and the Internet. Four times Nobel Prize in Literature nominee, Wells explored a wide array of themes in his works, occupying one of the central seats in the canon of British literature. Some of his best works include the time-travel novel "The Time Machine", the sci-fi adventure novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau", the mankind-versus-aliens novel "The War of the Worlds" and more than seventy short stories.

"The Revolt of the Angels" is one of the most successful and profound novels by Anatole France. It follows the life of Arcade, an angel that watches over Maurice d’Esparivieu. However, one day Arcade falls in love, gets recruited in the angelic rebellion, and begins his existential metamorphosis and his part in the overthrowing of God. The overtones of Milton’s "Paradise Lost" echo strongly here, with France’s emphasis on the satirical presentation of the world's affairs and problems. Government, war, religion, and human relationships are all the targets of the author’s poignant criticism. The novel is also a parody and a powerful allegory that reads as quite prophetic in the 21st century.Anatole France (1844-1924) was a French writer, poet, and journalist, who won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Literature. An important figure of literature and a political activist, France is often considered one of the most prominent French authors. Among his most popular works are "The Revolt of the Angels", "Penguin Island", and "Thaïs".

One man and his wife had seven children. However they were all so poor that the parents decided to leave their children in the forest. The smallest, Little Thumb, was the smartest and although he was often neglected, he managed to get his brothers out of trouble several times. Will he however succeed and save them when they end up in an ogre’s house or this will be beyond his power? Will they find their way home? Find out how the story ends in "Little Thumb".Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a French author. He is known for being a pioneer of the fairy tale genre, deriving his stories from traditional folk tales. His most famous stories include "Puss in Boots", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Sleeping Beauty", and "Cinderella". His stories have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with classic animated films like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella". His story "Puss in Boots" was the basis for the character from the animated films "Shrek 2" and "Puss in Boots".

The sly fox, the greedy wolf and the diligent ant are among the most iconic and loved characters from Aesop’s fables. Who doesn’t love discovering knowledge in the ancient tales? It doesn’t matter if you are just learning to read or you are picking up a good night story for your children: Aesop’s fables offers a piece of wisdom to everyone.Aesop's fables feature animals, legendary creatures, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature that speak, solve problems, and generally have human characteristics. All the stories story lead to a particular moral lesson.Aesop (620–564 BCE) was a storyteller that was believed to have lived in Ancient Greece. He is celebrated for a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. In the few scattered sources about his life, Aesop was described as a slave who by his cleverness acquires freedom and becomes an adviser to kings and city-states.Although Aesop's existence remains unclear, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day.

Arthur Conan Doyle’s second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes, "The Sign of Four" revolves around a blood pact between four convicts in India about a stolen treasure. Holmes is sitting in his armchair in a drug-induced monotony, and Dr. Watson prays for a miracle to get him out of the stupor. The answer to his prayers come in the face of a young woman, whose father goes missing. A complex plot, mysterious characters and even more mysterious happenings turn the novel into a pleasant read, perfect for Sherlock Holmes’ aficionados and detective fiction enthusiasts.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After his studies, he worked as a ship’s surgeon on various boats. During the Second Boer War, he was an army doctor in South Africa. When he came back to the United Kingdom, he opened his own practice and started writing crime books. He is best known for his thrilling stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He published four novels and more than 50 short-stories starring the detective and Dr Watson, and they play an important role in the history of crime fiction. Other than the Sherlock Holmes series, Doyle wrote around thirty more books, in genres such as science-fiction, fantasy, historical novels, but also poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

"With all my soul I longed to be in a position to join with the people in performing the rites of their faith, but I could not do it. I felt that I would be lying to myself, mocking what was sacred to me, if I were to go through with it."At the height of his fame, a Tolstoy in his mid-fifties went through an existential crisis. Despite an accomplished writing career and a good family life, Tolstoy was considering suicide. Instead, he wrote A Confession, which describes his search for the answer to the question, "What is the meaning of life?", making him one of the first to pose the problem it in a modern way.A Confession is an interesting and heart-wrenching essay for religious people and atheists alike.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

"The Lady with the Dog" is one of Chekhov’s most popular short stories, following the adulterous relationship between two married people. Dmitri is unhappy in his marriage and curses the monotony of his life. Anna’s marriage does not offer her the happiness she seeks, and the two form a strange pair, held together by their misfortune. After the vacation, things go back to normal. Or do they really? A story of suppressed desires, hidden love, and anger, "The Lady with the Dog" is a bittersweet tale of charming adventures, unbearable life, and the pursuit of happiness. It is definitely well worth reading.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays "Uncle Vanya", "The Seagull", and "The Cherry Orchard", where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Once lived an ugly prince who had a kindhearted godmother. The godmother gave the prince the power to confer wit upon the ones he loved the most. He headed out to a far kingdom where two princesses lived. The one was intelligent but ugly. The other one was a real beauty but was unwise. Which one will the prince choose? Will there be a wedding in the end of the tale? Find out in "Riquet of the Tuft".Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a French author. He is known for being a pioneer of the fairy tale genre, deriving his stories from traditional folk tales. His most famous stories include "Puss in Boots", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Sleeping Beauty", and "Cinderella". His stories have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with classic animated films like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella". His story "Puss in Boots" was the basis for the character from the animated films "Shrek 2" and "Puss in Boots".

Mr. Percy Phelps, a Foreign Office employee, is desperate. An important naval treaty disappeared while he was working with it during one late night in the office. Phelps reaches out to his old schoolmate, Holmes, and asks for his help. A long and exhausting investigation begins. But it is a matter of time for the treaty to be divulged to a foreign government. Will Holmes solve the case in time? Will Phelps win his good reputation back?"The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" is a part of "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes".Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After his studies, he worked as a ship’s surgeon on various boats. During the Second Boer War, he was an army doctor in South Africa. When he came back to the United Kingdom, he opened his own practice and started writing crime books. He is best known for his thrilling stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He published four novels and more than 50 short-stories starring the detective and Dr Watson, and they play an important role in the history of crime fiction. Other than the Sherlock Holmes series, Doyle wrote around thirty more books, in genres such as science-fiction, fantasy, historical novels, but also poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

A group of rich Russians gather one night for hospitality and conversation, all admitting that they aren’t happy and aren’t optimistic that their children will ever find happiness either. They agree that the ideal of spirituality is one thing, but that it’s easier said than done. Here follows a story about the lives of a couple of ordinary men who convert from paganism to Christianity.Walk in the Light While There is Light is an inspiring and uplifting Christian short story.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

Dr. Watson is still in mourning, when his best friend, presumed dead till now, appears in his office. And thank God he is back – for there is work to be done, and Scotland Yard is in dire need of a helping hand. "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" comprises 13 detective stories where our characters have to solve difficult puzzles, outsmart intelligent criminals, or find the missing piece in complicated mysteries. It is a strongly emotional collection of fast-paced narration and breathtaking escapades. Recommended to fans of the genre.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After his studies, he worked as a ship’s surgeon on various boats. During the Second Boer War, he was an army doctor in South Africa. When he came back to the United Kingdom, he opened his own practice and started writing crime books. He is best known for his thrilling stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He published four novels and more than 50 short-stories starring the detective and Dr Watson, and they play an important role in the history of crime fiction. Other than the Sherlock Holmes series, Doyle wrote around thirty more books, in genres such as science-fiction, fantasy, historical novels, but also poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

"She would not hear a word. She has made her plans for living abroad, as if she were well. But if I should tell her what her real condition is, it would kill her."A sick noblewoman and her maid are riding in a carriage that soon makes a brief stop at a posting-station. When the noblewoman’s husband and a doctor come around to check on her and realize that she is close to dying, the husband suggests they postpone their journey and go back home. But the noblewoman refuses. At home there is nothing for her to do but die.Tolstoy himself called the noblewoman pathetic and disgusting. In this powerful short story he explores the inevitable death that awaits every living being, and how different social classes respond to it.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

Once lived a powerful and rich man called Blue Beard. Can you guess why? Well of course because of his beard that was strangely blue. The man himself was also a bit strange, even frightening. He married several times but each time his wife disappeared into thin air. He decided to remarry again and he chose one of his neighbor’s daughters. Some time passed by and the rich man was about to leave the country. He left his wife a magical key which opened every door in the castle but one. The girl was not allowed to try to enter it. However her curiosity prevailed and she opened the door. What did she see there and will her husband find out that she disobeyed? "Blue Beard" holds the answers.Charles Perrault (1628-1703) was a French author. He is known for being a pioneer of the fairy tale genre, deriving his stories from traditional folk tales. His most famous stories include "Puss in Boots", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Sleeping Beauty", and "Cinderella". His stories have been adapted to stage and screen countless times, most notably by Disney with classic animated films like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella". His story "Puss in Boots" was the basis for the character from the animated films "Shrek 2" and "Puss in Boots".

"Mother had the gripe and clutch of poverty upon her face, upon her figure, and not least of all upon her voice."After a traumatic childhood spent locked in a cellar, the orphaned George Silverman embarks on adolescence with the belief that he is completely worthless and that the people he cares about are better off without him. Not even when he falls in love with his beautiful student does he allow himself the luxury of happiness. And people like George are easy to take advantage of...One of Dickens’ last writings, George Silverman's Explanation is one of his finest psychological achievements. A dark and fascinating story.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

One of James’ most popular novellas, "The Aspern Papers" is based on the letters exchanged between the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife’s stepsister Claire Clermont. An unnamed narrator sets on a journey to discover some long-lost letters, reaches Venice, and then has to decide what to do with his mission and life at the same time. A philosophically and psychologically engaging tale, "The Aspern Papers" can be read as a detective novel, romance, and a tragedy. The author pays special attention to the characters’ inner worlds, creating a compelling and intriguing tale, suitable for readers of James and short fiction alike.Henry James (1843 – 1916) is regarded one of the greatest novelists in the English language. Born in the United States, but mainly living and working in Europe, he was largely occupied with the clash of personalities and cultures between the Old World and the New World. He explored this topic in his famous novels 'The Portrait of a Lady' and 'The Wings of the Dove'. James was thrice nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Can children be even crueller than adults?Left without a father, Simon is being tortured by his peеrs to the point when he attempts a suicide. Luckily enough, the local blacksmith, Phillip Remy, takes him under his wing. In this heartbreaking drama, Guy de Maupassant, touches the readers’ feelings by exploring human cruelty and challenging societal stereotypes.Guy de Maupassant (1850 –1893) was a French author considered a father of the modern short story. During his prolific work life, he wrote 300 short stories, verse, travel books and novels. One of his most famous works, the novel Bel-Ami, inspired the 2012 movie with the same name, starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman.

"The Iron Heel" is a dystopian novel by Jack London, thought by some to be one of the earliest examples in the genre. Set in the United States, it deals with possible future changes in social and political terms. It is a prophetic tale, warning against the horrors of authoritarian power, awaiting classics like "1984" and "Brave New World". It is also a story of love, sacrifice, and downfall. The exploration of the class system with all its inequalities and inadequacies turn the novel into a rather political read, perfect for fans of social science fiction and dystopian literature in general.Jack London (1876-1916) was an American writer and social activist. He grew up in the working class, but became a worldwide celebrity and one of the highest paid authors of his time. He wrote several novels, which are considered classics today, among these 'Call of the Wild', 'Sea Wolf' and 'White Fang'.

"The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is a collection of 12 short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, the final one being the tragic and tearful "The Final Problem". Offering pretty good mysteries and fast-paced action, the collection poses baffling problems and highly sophisticated situations where Holmes has to harness his full deductive potential to solve the puzzle. Doyle has done a great job painting a pretty realistic and humane portrait of Holmes as a person of flesh and blood, not some detective demigod. Definitely recommendable to fans of Arthur Conan Doyle and genre aficionados.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Scotland and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. After his studies, he worked as a ship’s surgeon on various boats. During the Second Boer War, he was an army doctor in South Africa. When he came back to the United Kingdom, he opened his own practice and started writing crime books. He is best known for his thrilling stories about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. He published four novels and more than 50 short-stories starring the detective and Dr Watson, and they play an important role in the history of crime fiction. Other than the Sherlock Holmes series, Doyle wrote around thirty more books, in genres such as science-fiction, fantasy, historical novels, but also poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

Do you want to find out what happens with a frog when it gets kissed by a beautiful princess? Or how could a young girl drive away a perky rabbit which was eating all the cabbage the family had? Are you curious to read about the poor seven goslings and the dangerous wolf which was trying to eat them? What about the little brother and sister who lost their way home? Will Little Red Riding Hood save her grandmother or the wolf will outwit them both?"Animal Stories" is a magnificent collection of thirteen stories by Brothers Grimm which will set you in a magical world where the unthinkable becomes possible.The collection includes the following tales:"The Rabbit’s Bride""The Death of the Hen""The Raven""The Frog Prince""The Cat and the Mouse, Partners""The Wolf and the Seven Goslings""The Wonderful Musician""The Vagabonds""The Brother and Sister""The Golden Goose""The Gallant Tailor""The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausage""Little Red Riding Hood"Children and adults alike, immerse yourselves into Grimm’s world of folktales and legends! Come, discover the little-known tales and treasured classics in this collection of animal stories which will grasp your attention from the first page.Brothers Grimm are probably the best-known storytellers in the world. Some of their most popular fairy tales are "Cinderella", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Little Red Riding Hood" and there is hardly anybody who has not grown up with the adventures of Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Snow White.Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s exceptional literature legacy consists of recorded German and European folktales and legends. Their collections have been translated into all European languages in their lifetime and into every living language today.

Buck Duane, a good young man, is forced into a gunfight which leads to him killing a man in self-defense. Buck goes through many internal struggles as he strives to keep himself out of trouble which he mostly succeeds. Later he becomes a Texas ranger and helps to apprehend cattle rustlers and outlaws with the only hope to clear his name in the eyes of the law.Will Buck Duane however manage to become a redeemed man and is the love the only power which is strong enough to fight the blood-lust? "The Lone Star Ranger" is a Western novel about life choices, love and redemption and it takes place in Texas, called also "The Lone Star State".Pearl Zane Grey was an American author born in 1872. He is best known with his adventure novels which idealize the American frontier and which largely created a new genre called western. The novel "Riders of the Purple Sage", published in 1912, earned Grey wide popularity. The book turned to the author’s all-time-best seller and also one of the most successful Western novels. Zane Grey wrote more than 80 books which later inspired many Western writers who followed in Zane Grey’s footsteps.

"He felt for the first time in his life that he—not his services, but he himself—was necessary to another human being."At 19, Alyosha’s father sends him off to work as a servant for a merchant family. Every day, Alyosha, a cheerful and obedient young man, does his job selflessly and without complaint while his father collects his pay. When Alyosha falls in love with the cook and wants to marry her his father makes the call as well. Will Alyosha ever get what he deserves?Alyosha the Pot is a powerful little masterpiece on resilience and obedience. A story that stays with you for a long time after you finish it.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

"e;Family Happiness"e; is a relationship novel which tells the story of the seventeen-year-old Mashechka and the thirty-six-year-old Sergey. Their passionate love leads to marriage but only after it, do they find out what the other one really desires in life. Sergey seeks the seclusion in the country while his wife is dreaming of excitement and movement in the pretentious upper class society. Is the intense love between them going to stand the test of time or it is going to turn into alienation and courteous friendship? The author of "e;Family Happiness"e; Leo Tolstoy paints a realistic psychological portrait of the emotional evolution in a relationship between two people with different visions of life. The novel is first published in 1859 and is also adapted to stage in Moscow. -

"e;It is because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would spare them from being wounded."e; In this wonderful compilation of classic Charles Dickens stories, the adventures surrounding children have been taken out of their contexts and presented on their own. Dickens' Stories About Children Every Child Can Read is therefore, as the title suggest, a great introduction for children or anyone new to Dickens. The book contains famous stories like The Christmas Carol, Great Expectations and Oliver Twist as well as a handful lesser known but equally great and informative.-

The famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, served as the major influence for this collection of essays and sketches by Washington Irving. Blending history, myth, and natural descriptions, Irving's book became an indispensable attribute of the city's newsstands and boutique shops. The truthful and picturesque account of the palace, the book is often deemed responsible for the revival of interest in this masonry of old. The pages are saturated with Irving's own personal account during his stay, turning this work into a magical adventure for readers and tourists alike.-

When a Scottish village is struck by grief, those left behind must help one another find hope.It is 1881, and when a violent storm devastates the Scottish fishing village of Eyemouth, few families escape unscathed. Newlywed Rosabelle Maltman loses her husband, and her mother-in-law Effie loses her husband and three sons. For these women and their neighbours in the close-knit community, life will never be the same again. Yet as the months pass, the women must learn to look to the future, to live and to love again.A dramatic and heart-breaking saga based on true events for fans of Ellie Dean, Anna Jacobs and the Netflix series Outlander.Elisabeth McNeill is a long-established freelance journalist and broadcaster who has written five non-fiction books and 26 novels. She now lives with a miniature dachshund, who thinks he is a Great Dane, in the oldest inhabited village on the Scottish borders, where she spent most of her school days.