The Marionette
Bestselling and beloved author Terry Fallis' tenth novel, The Marionette, introduces readers to a new hero, James Norval: a world-famous thriller writer whose life takes an unexpected turn from the pages of his novels into the perilous world of espionage. James Norval has built a successful career crafting the thrilling adventures of his fictional hero, Hunter Chase, a character admired by readers and movie-goers worldwide. But despite his fame and fortune, Norval has always harboured a secret dream of living the life he only writes about--a life as a field operative for CSIS, Canada's Security Intelligence Service. In fact, nearly thirty years earlier, he washed out of the CSIS recruitment program, and it's haunted him ever since. But that long-held dream becomes a reality when a series of unfortunate events lands Norval in a foreign prison. Rescued by CSIS, he is given an unexpected opportunity: to use his unique position as the favourite writer of Mali's newly installed president to assist in a delicate and dangerous mission. With the help of agent Lauren Cooper, Norval must infiltrate the Malian government and execute a daring plan to exfiltrate fifteen Canadian nationals before the corrupt powers that control the country uncover their true intentions. The Marionette is a comic thriller by a master of the craft. Full of Terry Fallis' signature wit and combined with an exhilarating high-stakes plot, this is a must-read for fans of espionage and intrigue.
Titus and Roni
Two parents who, in facing death, face life. Perhaps for the first time. Titus, as well as being a father, is a grandfather. He has been kidnapped by his son in Colombia; Roni is a Glaswegian mother whose son, in twenty-four hours, will be executed by lethal injection. They are two novellas which, whilst they could exist separately, also complement each other. They are stories of doom, but not of gloom; stories, certainly of tragedy, but ingrained with both comedy and optimism. Their two principal characters surrender in order to fight on and traverse despair to find hope. They are two unremarkable people who, in finally accepting death, triumph over life, and become thereby remarkable indeed. Certainly, you will cry with Titus and with Roni, but also you will laugh with them. You will despair with them, and clutch at the same straws. Written with Dark's customary elegance, Titus and Roni is as mellifluous in its telling as it is compulsive in its tale.
Charming!
IT'S THE STORY THEY DIDN'T WANT YOU TO HEAR! FINALLY PRINCE CHARMING TALKS! In his time, the man was a cross between James Bond and Nelson Mandela. And yet what do we know about him? That his name is Prince Charming and that he fits a mean glass slipper! That's it. For generations Prince Charming has been Dr Watson to the Holmes of Cinderella and maybe even Charles to Diana. He was an amalgam of Jack Kennedy and Tom Sawyer, Spartacus and Jim Hawkins, John Lennon and Mr D'Arcy. Far from being the anodyne and lifeless character of legend, the Prince was a wild and fascinating man, whose often paradoxical character was forged in a youth crammed with intrigue and adventure. And love? Well, yes, there was some love; even (shock, horror!) some other girlfriends before Cinderella. But the romance of Charming!' is one in the broader sense of the word: a romantic novel set in times considerably less romantic than they have been portrayed.
Will There Ever Be Another You
From the Booker Prize finalist and "formidably gifted writer" (The New York Times), a vertiginous novel about a woman's descent into illness and insanity. Amid a global pandemic, one young woman is trying to keep the pieces together - of her family, stunned by a devastating loss, and of her mind, left mangled and misfiring from a mystifying disease. She's afraid of her own floorboards, and "WHAT IS LOVE? BABY DON'T HURT ME" plays over and over in her ears. She hates her friends, or more accurately, she doesn't know who they are. Has the illness stolen her old mind and given her a new one? Does it mean she'll get to start over from scratch, a chance afforded to very few people? The very weave of herself seems to have loosened: time and memories pass straight through her body. "I'm sorry not to respond to your email," she writes, "but I live completely in the presentnow." Will There Ever Be Another You is the brain-shredding, phosphorescent story of one woman's dissolution and her attempt to create a new way of thinking, as well as a profound investigation into what keeps us alive in times of unprecedented disorientation and loss, from one of our most original writers.
Ms. Mia and Murder at the Desert Sunrise Resort
A Stolen Treasure, a Glamorous Resort, and a Whirlwind of Clever Sleuthing...Embark on a Southwestern adventure full of fun, secrets, and suspense with Ms. Mia, a modern-day Miss Marple with a humorous twist. The charming amateur sleuth never misses a chance to discover secrets and rearrange lives at Spinel Resorts, the boutique hotel chain founded by her late husband. When an ancient flute is unearthed at The Desert Sunrise Resort, Ms. Mia seizes the chance to host a dazzling exhibit, roping in charismatic archaeologist Kyle Lee to star in a documentary. But when the priceless artifact vanishes in the dead of night, the grand opening teeters on the brink of disaster-along with Ms. Mia's reputation.Armed with wit, champagne, and aid from her prankster nephew and the resort's brilliant concierge, Ms. Mia dives into the investigation. At her hotels, no thief-or murderer-escapes unchecked!Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow, and Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson, this delightful whodunit overflows with charm, humor, and clever twists.Check in to a lighthearted, thrilling getaway where mystery meets glamour with Ms. Mia and Murder at the Desert Sunrise Resort!
Holy Cow
A rollicking, globe-trotting adventure with a twist: a four-legged heroine you won't soon forget. Elsie Bovary is a cow, and a pretty happy one at that--her long, lazy days are spent eating, napping, and chatting with her best friend, Mallory. One night, Elsie and Mallory sneak out of their pasture; but while Mallory is interested in flirting with the neighboring bulls, Elsie finds herself drawn to the farmhouse. Through the window, she sees the farmer's family gathered around a bright Box God--and what the Box God reveals about something called an "industrial meat farm" shakes Elsie's understanding of her world to its core. There's only one solution: escape to a better, safer world. And so a motley crew is formed: Elsie; Jerry--excuse me, Shalom--a cranky, Torah-reading pig who's recently converted to Judaism; and Tom, a suave (in his own mind, at least) turkey who can't fly, but who can work an iPhone with his beak. Toting stolen passports and slapdash human disguises, they head for the airport. Elsie is our wisecracking, pop-culture-reference-dropping, slyly witty narrator; Tom--who does eventually learn to fly (sort of)--dispenses psychiatric advice in a fake German accent; and Shalom, rejected by his adopted people in Jerusalem, ends up unexpectedly uniting Israelis and Palestinians. In Holy Cow, David Duchovny's charismatic creatures point the way toward a mutual understanding and acceptance that the world desperately needs.
Happy Holidays?
My book is about holidays I have taken with immediate family, friends from school or my school career as a senior teacher all over the world, including most of the UK, nearly all Europe, Australia, South Africa, Canada and the USA. It has serious stories in it, but is mostly about things that perhaps didn't perhaps go quite as they should, and there were many little disasters. It is basically a poor man's Bill Bryson's travel around the Gordon holidays.
Peter Pan
Peter Pan, the timeless classic by J. M. Barrie, invites readers into the magical world of Neverland, where adventure, wonder, and imagination reign supreme. This enchanting tale explores the joys and challenges of childhood, the inevitability of growing up, and the enduring power of belief in magic. The Story of Neverland When Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up, flies into the lives of Wendy Darling and her brothers, they embark on an unforgettable journey to Neverland. Alongside the mischievous Tinker Bell, the daring Lost Boys, and their fierce nemesis Captain Hook, the Darling children experience thrilling adventures filled with pirates, mermaids, and the magic of flight. Key Themes: Childhood and Imagination: A celebration of the innocence and boundless creativity of youth. Adventure and Freedom: Exploring the joys of escapism and the yearning for freedom from adult responsibilities. Friendship and Loyalty: The bonds formed in times of challenge and wonder. Why Read Peter Pan? This beloved classic is more than just a children's story-it is a profound meditation on the fleeting nature of childhood and the enduring need for dreams and adventure. Whether you're revisiting it as an adult or discovering it for the first time, Peter Pan is a magical tale that continues to inspire and delight readers of all ages.
Seashells, Gator Bones, and the Church of Everlasting Liability
In the 1930s, the fictional town of Toad Springs, Florida, is filled with the adventures and daily whatnots of worthy, down-to-earth folk such as Flavey Stroudamore, owner of a three-legged gator named Precious who also just happens to have a birthmark of Jesus on his side. Joining Flavey are Buck Blander, pastor of the Church of Everlasting Liability, who honed his preaching skills in prison but doesn't tell his parishioners, and Sweetie Mooney, whose attempt to run a beauty shop in her aunt's home fails after tragedies with head lice and henna hair dye. This lively, heartwarming collection of tales from the Sunshine State will inspire you to smile!
The fantastic, boozy 5
The Fantastic, boozy 5 tells the story of the adventurous experiences of a colorful group: Lisa, Melinda, Ella, Michelle, whom everyone calls "Princess", and Max. Their stories are marked by friendship, heartbreak, and unforgettable adventures. Together, they navigate the ups and downs of life with humor and a glass in hand!
Mad Dreams
Step into the world of Mad Dreams by Rohit Ramachandran, where corporate cubicles are just the beginning. What starts as a razor-sharp satire of office politics quickly erupts into a wild, unflinching exploration of the world we live in. With biting black humour, the book takes aim at majority politics, herd mentality, and rigid middle-class prejudices-forcing readers to laugh, think, and sometimes squirm.Perfect for fans of dark comedy, social satire, and stories that challenge the status quo, Mad Dreams isn't just a book-it's a mirror held up to society, reflecting the absurd, the ridiculous, and the dangerously familiar.Corporate Satire Meets Social Commentary: Laugh at the absurdity of office politics, then question the world beyond the cubicle.Dark Humour at Its Finest: Sharp, witty, and fearless-this book takes aim at majority politics, herd mentality, and middle-class prejudices.Bigger Questions, Wilder Ride: From office walls to societal norms, the story challenges readers to think differently.Unpredictable & Thrilling: Every page offers a twist, a laugh, or a moment of reflection.Perfect for Fans of Satire & Black Comedy: A must-read for anyone who loves to laugh while confronting uncomfortable truths.Dare to question, dare to laugh, and dare to dream madly.
Making Steven Famous
After twenty years of chasing dreams, Donny Love returns to his gritty hometown of Hamilton with his wife Allison, whose patience is wearing thin. They're expecting their first child, so the pressure's on to grow up. He takes a job writing an entertainment column for The Hamilton Gazette, the steeltown's daily paper. In a desperate moment, he writes a series of columns with ludicrous tales about long-lost friend Steven Dundee. These articles take on a life of their own, as the public goes crazy for this fictitious hero. Soon, Donny's fabrications begin to haunt him in unexpected and madcap ways, as his lies spread like wildfire across North America. Even Hollywood latches onto the story, with ridiculous results! But in the midst of the fiasco, Donny rediscovers the power of old friendships and the beauty of the life that's right in front of him. Filled with hilarious, outrageous characters, genuine steel town colour, wild plot twists, and heart-warming relationships, this addictive read will keep you turning pages to the very end!
Tony Needs Speed
In the fourth and final installment of the Steeltown Chronicles, Tony Valentini's past as a Micro Sprint race phenom comes back to haunt him. At his daughter's big go kart race, the sinister Doughboy throws sand in her gas tank, and his dad's mob cronies Beppe Santucci and Uncle Toto call in Frank Valentini's old gambling debt. They'll let Frank off the hook if Tony helps Beppe's son Giorgio, a sweet-natured man-child, win The Special. Despite his long-standing bitterness toward his father, Tony knows he has no choice. He has to step up, for his mother's sake.Things get even worse when he's forced to work with Randy Rocket, the legendary Nascar mechanic who's now "two fries short of a Happy Meal". And on top of that, a crazy figure from his past is spying on him! Even with the support of John, Norb, and Donny, Tony is starting to lose his marbles.At the gripping climax, Tony's faced with a real shocker. And, for the first time in twenty years, he can't fight it anymore--Tony has a serious need for speed!Full of plot twists, insane characters, and madcap humour, Tony Needs Speed will pull your heartstrings. The engines are running, so buckle up!
Satire State
Satire State: Dispatches from the Obedient Republic by Christina di PensareWhat if democracy didn't die in darkness-but in daylight, with polite applause and a standing ovation? In this searing collection of satirical fables, Christina di Pensare takes aim at the absurdities of authoritarianism disguised as order, obedience, and patriotic performance.With sharp wit and dark hilarity, di Pensare issues a series of dispatches from the Obedient Republic -each more chilling, absurd, and uncomfortably familiar than the last-that chart the bureaucratic banality of modern authoritarianism. In the Obedient Republic, citizens nod hourly, perform thrice-daily nationally-mandated splits, and wear matching crutches in solidarity with their Supreme Leader's stubbed toe.No feeling is safe. No metaphor is approved. No citizen is taller than the President.From ministries that ban cutlery and metaphors, to trials for teenagers who dared to moon the Presidential motorcade, Satire State conjures a nation teetering on the edge of madness-one bureaucratic decree at a time. Reminiscent of the dark irony of Jonathan Swift, the gallows humor of George Saunders, and the prophetic sting of George Orwell, these dispatches read like parody-until they don't. These aren't warnings from the future. They're funhouse reflections of the present. Satire State is laugh-out-loud funny-until it isn't.
There's a PIG in the Sky
When a Curious girl and her Pig named Pickels visit a hot air Balloon Festival - an unexpected visit begins-proving that even the smallest friends can reach great heights.
Pavlov's Dog
The only acting credit on the back of Stan Pavlov's headshot is "appeared in court". But one day, his life takes an unexpected change - for the worse - when his beloved Dog inadvertently gets cast in the commercial Stan was auditioning for. Pavlov's Dog moves to L.A. and ascends to stardom: The Royal Shakespeare Company, an animated series, a late-night talk show. Stan quits. He has flushed acting out of his system, until...The Dog, sick and broke, needs money for an operation (having blown all his on chew toys and bitches). To raise cash, Stan grudgingly agrees to become a prime-time game-show host.Stan finds that everything he ever wanted - money, fame, attention - is not actually what he really wanted. Trashing hotel rooms, robbing banks, punching fans who don't want to take his picture can't erase the simple truth: there is no loneliness quite as profound as a man separated from his dog. David Kurman's brilliant social satire is a hilarious look at the absurdity and fickleness of modern fame.
The Day Aunt Gina Came to Town
Reality and delusion collide in this hilariously tragic story about one family's absurd secrets and the dreams they hide. The Day Aunt Gina Came to Town is a literary black comedy that puts a playful spin on the idea that 'we are what we pretend to be.' Taking its cue from surrealist notions of a reality substantially conjured by the unconscious, this novel examines the private and separate ways we construct and experience our lives among those closest to us.
