Engelske bøger

Originally published under a pseudonym, 'Annabel' by famous 'Oz' author L. Frank Baum follows the story of young Will Carden, whose family has fallen on hard times. Will grows close to the beautiful local young heiress Annabel Williams, as the pair unite in their suspicions about Ezra Jordan - the man who is managing Annabel's fathers Mill and who is staying with the Carden family. The pair find themselves caught up in a tale of international espionage and intrigue as they team up to discover the truth about Ezra. -

First published in 1901 'American Fairy Tales' by L. Frank Baum is a collection of twelve short fantasy stories for children by the famous Oz author. Stories in the collection include, 'The Magic Bon-Bons', 'The Box of Robbers' and 'The Glass Dog'. Full of magic, excitement, and adventure, this is a wonderful collection of Baum's quirky and humorous fairy tales.-

First published in 1909 'Dick and Dolly' by Carolyn Wells is a short children's story about young twins Dick and Dolly. Orphaned when they were still infants, the pair lived happily with their Grandma and Aunt Helen. But now circumstances are changing, and the twins find themselves being sent to live with distant relations in Connecticut, where they must adjust to a new way of life.-

'Marjorie at Seacote' is the sixth and final book in the 'Marjorie Maynard' children's series by author Carolyn Wells. Marjorie and her family take a holiday to the seaside for the summer. Here they meet new friends, invent fun games, and get themselves into all sorts of mishaps. A wholesome end to the popular series. -

The third book in Carolyn Wells 'Marjorie Maynard' series continues from where the last book left off, and we join Marjorie and her family for a wonderful Christmas. There is danger to contend with too though, and Marjorie finds herself quarantining away from her family due to the increasing risk of diphtheria. Miss Hart, an inventive and cheery governess, is quarantining alongside Marjorie and manages to make this enforced isolation much more fun, as they come up with new games and still manage to get themselves into mischief.-

Pat Connington's employer, Pierre Larouche, was an aloof and complicated man, who made her terribly uncomfortable. Yet it was undeniable that she was in love with him, as much as she tried to fight it off. Even in as romantic a setting as the Swiss countryside did not change the fact that Pierre was far from interested in her. How can Pat get out of her seemingly hopeless situation? Could the answer be Leon Hoffmann, the other important man in her life? The love story dating back to the 20th century was written by Barbara Rowan, a pseudonym of the beloved English romance writer Ida Pollock.A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate.-

Robina Shaw travels from the countryside to Lord Nelson's funeral and stays with her cousin Henrietta, only to have her life changed for good. When the Earl of Rockhampton finds out that Robina is Henrietta's cousin, he is amused, to Robina's surprise. When she finds out that Henrietta has a gaming salon business, she understands his amusement. As she returns to her country parsonage home, Robina finds that the Earl has followed her there to get some country air. What follows is a series of even more astonishing and romance-filled events. The love story written by the beloved romance writer Ida Pollock dates back to the 20th century.A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate. -

Carolyn Avon inherited an impressive house in the Scottish Highlands and made her way there during Christmas time to claim it. It was evident that she did not have the means to maintain such an enormous house, let alone hire the required assistance. Why then, did she not sell the place? In Interlude in Snow by Jane Beaufort, a pseudonym of romance writer Ida Pollock, mystery and romance come together in a haunting way and things are not at all as they seem in 20th-century picturesque Scotland. -

Lou Morgan, the daughter of a wealthy American oil man had it all - now all she wanted was a husband to provide her with a notable title and comfortable life. She travels to Europe with her friend, the plain Valentine Brown, and meets the man of his dreams at an Austrian winter resort. Alex von Felden is a baron, no less, and perfect in every way. The problem is, he falls for Lou's friend instead of her. Can Lou still persuade Alex to marry her? The gripping love tale set in picturesque Europe is written by Jane Beaufort, a pseudonym of the beloved English romance writer Ida Pollock. A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate. -

Bursting out of sunny, lush Californian meadows onto the porch of Walt and Madge Irvine, 'Wolf', the brown dog with the wild grace of a timber-wolf, instantly captures the hearts of his would-be owners. Despite the blissful living conditions and love lavished upon him, Wolf's trust proves hard-won,- he tirelessly attempts to return to the mirthless Klondike lands up North where his roots lie. When at last confronted with a ghost from his past, Wolf's canine conscience is compelled for the first time to deliberate upon the hearts of the humans that love him most. 'Brown' Wolf is a touching chronicle of a very special dog-wolf with a profound need to find his life's purpose in an irrevocably human way. It is joined by 11 other exciting and adventurous short stories in this collection penned by Jack London. -

A young woman escapes her dreary castle in Normandy to seek the sunshine of Cannes. As she encounters multiple misfortunes, she is plagued by memories of her unhappy marriage. She runs into an existential dilemma about which path to follow, influenced greatly by her unique experiences in Normandy. A tragic tale of misunderstandings, and the sacrifices that even the healthiest relationships demand, 'The First Snowfall' is perfect for fans of Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar'.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.

A dark comedy, threaded through with an unsettling plot twist, "The System" follows a bumbling narrator through a tour of a mental institution in southern France. The peculiar Monsieur Maillard, architect of this institution, hosts his visitor to a most peculiar evening with the most unusual guests. The Monsieur and his extraordinary host of friends, provide an evening of unsettling, haphazard and absurd company, full of strange happenings, beautifully described through Poe's eye for detail. Poe's flair for the absurd and hilariously satirical shines bright in this short story, as evidenced by the numerous adaptations that have followed, most notably 2014s "Stonehearst Asylum" starring Kate Beckinsale and Sir Michael Caine.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a titan of literature. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural and macabre, his body of work continues to resonate to this day. Poe is widely regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

The second in the ‘Fleming Stone’ series of mystery novels by popular author Carolyn Wells, ‘The Gold Bag’ centres on the mysterious murder of a wealthy businessman Joseph Crawford – killed in the comfort of his own home. Amateur young detective Herbert Burroughs is on the case, but finds himself increasingly baffled by the many clues he unearths. Matters are complicated when he realises he is growing romantically attached to one of the suspects, and so he calls on the famous investigator Fleming Stone for help.Fleming Stone is a private investigator with a flair for reading books and people. New York police department often resorts to her skills when a crime turns out to be too complicated for them to resolve. Carolyn Wells’ "Fleming Stone" series follow the eponymous character’s adventures as she solves crimes and mysteries.Carolyn Wells (1862-1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her children’s literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Born in New Jersey, following school Wells worked as a librarian where she developed her love of reading, and her first book ‘At the Sign of the Sphinx’ was published in 1896. From 1900 Wells dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the ‘Patty Fairfield’ and ‘Marjorie Maynard’ series for girls, as well as the ‘Fleming Stone’ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography ‘The Rest of my Life’ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.

A biting satirical piece, this short story takes aim at modern societies superiority complex. Through poking, prodding and mindless electrocution , a group of bumbling friends awaken a mummy from its slumber. After an evening of discourse, these men will begin to understand just how little they truly know about themselves and the world around them. Poking fun at the Egyptmania, and the casual attitudes towards scientific practice of the day, Poe delivers a scathing, humorous critique of his contemporaries. With witty dialogue, fascinating character development and an interesting twist, this short is perfect for anyone in the mood for a laugh with a dash of self reflection.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a titan of literature. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural and macabre, his body of work continues to resonate to this day. Poe is widely regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

Maitre Hauchecome spots a piece of string on the ground during his walk into town. As he bends down to pick it up, he could never have imagined the chaos that would soon ensue. His arch-nemesis Maitre Malandain is laying in wait. Hauchecome has walked straight into a trap intended to demolish his reputation in one blow. "The Piece of String" is an atmospheric revenge tale that portrays human nature, human cruelty, and malice that knows no limits.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.

Sir John Rowell's death is shrouded in mystery, and the judge who narrates his story essentially turns it into a scary campfire story. Elements of hunting, sea voyaging, and savagery make this story enticing for fans of R.M Ballantyne. "The Hand" is another example of Maupassant’s experiments with the supernatural and once again it proves fruitful and successful.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.

‘In the Graveyard’ is a tale that is at once both hopeful and hopeless in which Anton Chekhov explores the tragedies of life with a comic touch. The short story opens with friends wandering a graveyard discussing a man they once knew whose ‘digestion was fine’ but still died due to his nosiness. This mixture of the mundane and the mystical which is fundamental to much of Chekhov’s celebrated writing is on display in this black comedy.As the protagonists journey deeper into the graveyard the atmosphere grows more melancholic as they meet characters resigned to tragedy. But morbidity and mockery co-exist in equal measure in the graveyard as Chekhov’s signature satirical dialogue celebrates life while exploring death. Chekhov’s modernist style describes a familiar event with lyrical prose that creates a sense of wonderment in the ordinary. This short story displays Chekhov’s dark wit and is suitable for fans of writers such as Franz Kafka or Martin McDonagh.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.

‘In the Dark’ is a darkly humorous short story by Anton Chekhov about a couple awoken during the night by a sneezing fit. This absurdist scene quickly becomes terrifying as the wife attempts to convince her husband that a haunting figure has entered the house. Chekhov uses humour to cut the tension that rises both between the couple and for the reader.This dialogue-driven character study displays the blend of wit and morbidity that the author and playwright would later become celebrated for. The diverging thoughts of the couple are used to examine themes of marriage and feminism as the glib husband continually dismisses his wife’s fears as her overstimulated imagination. Subtle class commentary is also present as the wealthy couple and their valuable possessions are vulnerable to the possible terrors of the night. This unnerving and thrilling story by the master of short fiction is perfect to read in the dark.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.

First published in 1882 ‘The Giant of the North’ is an imaginative children’s adventure tale from prolific Scottish author R.M. Ballantyne. Captain Vane, along with his son Benjamin and nephews Leo and Alf are on an adventure, searching for the elusive North Pole. When their ship runs aground, the group must venture out across the icy expanse to find help, and along the way they find themselves caught up in a series of mishaps and escapades as they navigate this unfamiliar terrain. A thrilling tale from the much-loved author.R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894) was a Scottish artist and prolific author of mostly children’s fiction. Born in Edinburgh, Ballantyne was the ninth of ten children. At the age of 16 Ballantyne moved to Canada, where he worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company, travelling all over the country to trade for fur. He returned to Scotland in 1847 following the death of his father, and it was then that he began his literary career in earnest, writing over 100 children’s adventure books over the course of his life. Stories such as ‘The Coral Island’ and ‘The Young Fur Traders’ were hugely popular, and many of them drew on his own experiences of travelling throughout Canada. A stickler for detail, Ballantyne continued to travel widely to research the backgrounds and settings for his exciting stories. His tales became an inspiration for authors of the future, including ‘Treasure Island’ novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Ballantyne spent the latter period of his life living in London and Italy for the sake of his health. He died in Rome in 1894 at the age of 68.

A satirical story with a moral tint, "Never Bet the Devil Your Head" follows a narrator, fashioned after Poe himself, who is attacked by critics for his inability to produce a moral literary piece. To counter his critics, the narrator tells the story of a friend fond for rhetorically invoking the Devil, and his unusual end. A blend of supernatural and the bizarre, make the story a light-hearted, provocatively funny read that is doomed to be loved by anyone.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a titan of literature. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural and macabre, his body of work continues to resonate to this day. Poe is widely regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

Set during the reign of King Robert III of Scotland, ‘The Fair Maid of Perth’ is a historical romance novel by the internationally renowned Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott. Catherine Glover is the beautiful ‘fair maid’ of the title; sweet and enchanting, she has captured the hearts of many men, including a local blacksmith, a prince, a clansman, and a bonnet-maker. Torn between these men, and between love and honour, and set against the lawless backdrop of 14th century Scotland, ‘The Fair Maid of Perth’ is an epic tale from the much-loved author.Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a Scottish writer, poet, and historian. Born in Edinburgh, Scott suffered from childhood polio and was sent to live with his grandparents in the Scottish Borders to recover, where he first learnt to read. Fascinated by traditional storytelling, during the 1790s Scott dedicated himself to researching and collecting ballads, and published the epic collection ‘Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border’ in 1802. A prominent poet, Scott also wrote and published a range of poems, including the popular ‘The Lady of the Lake.’ His career as a novelist took off slowly – initially written in 1805, his first historical novel ‘Waverley’ wasn’t published til 1814, whereupon it was an immediate success, and his best-known work ‘Ivanhoe’ followed in 1820. The banking crisis of 1825 led to his bankruptcy, but he refused help and continued to write to work his way out his financially perilous situation. Now in ill health, Scott travelled abroad to get better, but had a stroke on the journey home and died in 1832 at the age of 61. He was commemorated after his death with monuments in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as New York. His literary works influenced and inspired many of his contemporaries and those who came after and are mentioned in titles as varied as ‘To the Lighthouse’ by Virginia Woolf, Anne Bronte’s ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’, and ‘The Bostonians’ by Henry James. Internationally renowned, Scott’s literary legacy continues to be felt all over the world.

"Bon-Bon", is a banterous, satirical tale synonymous of Poe's talents. It follows a famed chef and self-styled philosopher Pierre Bon-Bon, on a snowy winters night of solitary drinking, abruptly disturbed by the embodiment of evil itself, the Devil. A surprisingly pleasant house guest, Pierre invites the devil to a night of indulgent drinking in an attempt to extract some potent ethical statements he can publish as his own. This story is characterised by sharp satirical jabs at classical philosophers, genuinely witty exchanges and a healthy dose of euphemism, made all the more impactful by the absurdity of this chance encounter. This tale will leave readers with something to chew on.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a titan of literature. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural and macabre, his body of work continues to resonate to this day. Poe is widely regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

Fanny Templeton is a young widow and worried about her stepdaughter, who is about to marry the penniless Freddie March. Yet her own life is about to change, as she travels to France and then Brussels with her employer and encounters March’s older brother Lord Ordley. She falls madly in love, but nothing is simple when it is wartime. The pair manages to get back to England, but danger continues to follow the couple. The memorable story written in the early 21st century by Marguerite Bell, a pseudonym of Ida Pollock, provides a love tale set in romantic and tragic circumstances.A must-read for fans of literary romance and surprising twists of fate.Marguerite Bell 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.

‘An Anonymous Story’ follows an anonymous assassin, sent to infiltrate the home of Orlov, the wealthy son of a judge. Disguised as a servant, the revolutionary perfectly blends into the household and observes them from within. However, his soul is soon disturbed by the womanising Orlov’s attitude towards his wife, and the assassin’s mission takes a dramatic turn. ‘An Anonymous Story’ is a fast-paced novella that starts as a political thriller, before becoming a household drama teeming with intrigue and infatuation. Chekhov’s comic social commentary is present as he criticizes the deceptive façade of the upper classes and the divergence between men and women’s ability to express their true emotions. It is also a story of internal struggle as the anonymous assassin is torn between revolution and romance which displays Chekhov’s command of irony and tragedy at its finest. This tale of romance and deception is recommended for fans of Dostoevsky or ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’.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.

A political mystery from prolific author E. Phillips Oppenheim, ‘A Lost Leader’ follows the fortunes of former Liberal politician, Lawrence Mannering. Content with his retired life in the country, his former colleagues require his talent for the future good of the party. Blackmail proves to be the only way to bring Mannering back into the political fold in London. A story full of political intrigue, suspense and mystery, ‘A Lost Leader’ also provides a fascinating insight into the world of early 20th century British politics.E. Phillips Oppenheim (1866-1946) was a hugely prolific and highly popular British author of novels and short stories. Born in Tottenham, London, Oppenheim left school as a teenager and worked for his leather-merchant father for 20 years prior to launching his literary career. Oppenheim published five novels under the pseudonym ‘Anthony Partridge’ before establishing his reputation as a writer under his own name. An internationally successful author, Oppenheim’s stories revolved mainly around glamourous characters, luxurious settings, and themes of espionage, suspense, and crime. He is widely regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the thriller and spy-fiction genre as it is recognised today. Oppenheim’s incredible literary success meant that his own life soon began to mirror that of his opulent characters. He held lavish, Gatsby-style parties at his French Villa and was rumoured to have had frequent love affairs aboard his luxury yacht. Oppenheim’s success earned him the cover of Time magazine in 1927. Some of his most well-known novels include ‘The Great Impersonation’, ‘The Long Arm of Mannister’ and ‘The Moving Finger’.

When Hans Pfaal’s creditors begin to circle, there is only one thing he can do. Construct a magnificent, science defying balloon and escape to the moon! Hans records the details of this voyage with vivid otherworldly description, and impressive scientific knowhow. This fascinating, hallucinatory adventure, is regarded as one of the first examples of the modern science fiction genre, inspiring works by later writers such as Jules Verne and H.G Wells.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is a titan of literature. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural and macabre, his body of work continues to resonate to this day. Poe is widely regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

Graveyards are the calmest places on Earth – for the living and the dead. The Besiers cemetery is no exception. Until the keeper finds a young man digging up the grave of a recently deceased woman. He immediately calls the police. This chilling short story follows the young man as he attempts to explain his actions, avoid prison, and tell his story. Will anybody believe him?Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.

Dinner party conversation does not tend to include mysterious drownings which cost multiple people their lives. It is bound to turn even sourer when one attendee takes it upon himself to vividly describe his military career in an attempt to prove that there are worse ways to die than simply drowning. A dramatic short piece, "The Horrible" is a suspenseful dive into life, death, and conversation - perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.

Set in Madagascar during the reign of Queen Ranavalona I, ‘The Fugitives’ is an adventure novel by prolific author R.M. Ballantyne which is steeped in history. An unlikely trio consisting of a sailor, a ships cook, and a medical student find themselves washed up on the island following an attack on their ship. They must seek help, but encounter new dangers round every corner in this unfamiliar, yet awe-inspiring country.R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894) was a Scottish artist and prolific author of mostly children’s fiction. Born in Edinburgh, Ballantyne was the ninth of ten children. At the age of 16 Ballantyne moved to Canada, where he worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company, travelling all over the country to trade for fur. He returned to Scotland in 1847 following the death of his father, and it was then that he began his literary career in earnest, writing over 100 children’s adventure books over the course of his life. Stories such as ‘The Coral Island’ and ‘The Young Fur Traders’ were hugely popular, and many of them drew on his own experiences of travelling throughout Canada. A stickler for detail, Ballantyne continued to travel widely to research the backgrounds and settings for his exciting stories. His tales became an inspiration for authors of the future, including ‘Treasure Island’ novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Ballantyne spent the latter period of his life living in London and Italy for the sake of his health. He died in Rome in 1894 at the age of 68.

The beautiful, wealthy, and privileged Lady Wilhemina is the owner of the extensive estate of Thorpe, where countless people who depend on her live in substantially less comfort. When the idealistic young Victor Macheson requests the use of one of her properties to address the townspeople on the importance of social reform, she rejects him. Macheson will not take her rejection so easily though, and Lady Wilhelmina soon finds herself in Macheson’s thrall. In ‘The Missioner’ author E. Phillips Oppenheim has given us a fascinating study of the politics and social issues of the time.E. Phillips Oppenheim (1866-1946) was a hugely prolific and highly popular British author of novels and short stories. Born in Tottenham, London, Oppenheim left school as a teenager and worked for his leather-merchant father for 20 years prior to launching his literary career. Oppenheim published five novels under the pseudonym ‘Anthony Partridge’ before establishing his reputation as a writer under his own name. An internationally successful author, Oppenheim’s stories revolved mainly around glamourous characters, luxurious settings, and themes of espionage, suspense, and crime. He is widely regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the thriller and spy-fiction genre as it is recognised today. Oppenheim’s incredible literary success meant that his own life soon began to mirror that of his opulent characters. He held lavish, Gatsby-style parties at his French Villa and was rumoured to have had frequent love affairs aboard his luxury yacht. Oppenheim’s success earned him the cover of Time magazine in 1927. Some of his most well-known novels include ‘The Great Impersonation’, ‘The Long Arm of Mannister’ and ‘The Moving Finger’.