Eye of the Storm

Hilary Jones

THE war might be over but the painful legacies live on as a young couple – both medics and both driven by a desire to help others ­– return home to England from the killing fields of France in 1919.

The instant connection that was forged between the dedicated nurse and the handsome and sensitive young soldier in the carnage and chaos of a field hospital has set in motion a family dynasty that will be at the forefront of medical advances in the 20^th century, from dealing with the aftermath of war right through to the discovery of penicillin and the birth of the NHS.

Doctor Hilary Jones (pictured below), a GP and regular contributor to newspapers and television shows, has dug deep into his medical experience, knowledge and imagination for this epic series charting the rise of a prominent medical family through decades of war, unrest and great change. With fascinating facts on caring for the sick, the special treatments and inventions devised specifically for healing the mental and physical scars of warfare, and some of the last century’s life-saving developments in medicine, Eye of the Storm is the second book in the series and comes packed with drama, high emotion and real history.

When the Great War broke out in 1914, Grace Tustin-Pennington, who was born into the landed gentry in rural Gloucestershire, was the first of her family to volunteer, joining the mounted First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) and heading off to France with the British Expeditionary Force. And it was there that she met and fell in love with Will Burnett, the studious teenage son of a London dockworker who was an apprentice porter at a local hospital but dreamed of studying medicine and who was now serving as a stretcher bearer with the Royal Medical Corps.

Despite Grace being seriously injured by a German shell and Will’s almost daily sorties amidst the bullets and bombs of the battlefield, their love survived the conflict and they married and honeymooned in northern France at the end of the war. But as the 1920s roar into life, it quickly turns into an age of social change, excess, shellshock and ghosts. In London, we find Grace is now pregnant, and both her and Will are working at the cutting edge of modern medicine.

Will is training to be a doctor and spends a few days a week at a rehabilitation hospital where the work ‘was about restoring men back to some sense of purpose, even joy’ and Grace is making a

The Empire

Michael Ball

‘It’s a corker, a paradigm, a diamond of the first
 water! There’s not a finer theatre north of London.’

TAKE your seats, dim the lights and enjoy the show as singer, actor, presenter, and now author, Michael Ball (pictured below) brings his thirty years of musical theatre wit and wisdom to an exhilarating series played out against the fascinating back and front stage life of a Yorkshire theatre in the Twenties.

Packed with insider knowledge, a dazzling cast of diverse characters and a plot that would be worthy of any stage drama, The Empire is a theatrical treat guaranteed to win a multitude of hearts and plenty of reading encores.

Top of the bill are Jack Treadwell, a former army captain newly returned to Yorkshire after serving in the trenches of First World War France, and Grace Hawkins, the indispensable assistant to the manager of the Empire Theatre in the Yorkshire town of Highbridge. When ex-army officer Jack arrives at The Empire in 1922, he walks into the middle of a rehearsal and is instantly mesmerised. Both his parents died in the flu epidemic that swept through the world and after lingering in Paris for a few years, he has returned to his Yorkshire roots.

And after proving himself a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ as well as an inventive doorman, the young ex-army captain earns himself a pivotal role in helping to keep the wheels of the Empire turning. But amid the glitz and glamour, Jack soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies principally in its cast of characters... both on stage and behind the scenes.

There’s stunning starlet Stella Stanmore, Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake and Ruby Rowntree who keeps the music playing. And determined to take on a bigger role is former showgirl Lady Lillian Lassiter who is co-owner of the Empire along with Sir Edmund Lassiter, her late husband’s son from his first marriage.

And then there’s cool, competent Grace Hawkins, the Empire’s steely assistant manager, without whom the show would never go on and who might just be the leading lady Jack is looking for. But when long-held rivalries threaten the Empire’s future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A climate call to arms, zombie capers and poetic precision

Join a group of youngsters as they fight to save the future, enjoy fun-filled antics with an accidental time traveller, immerse yourself in a dazzling debut collection of verse, inspire youngsters to find the right career and laugh your socks off with a super new picture book series as a new selection of  books hit the shelves

Age 9 plus
The Rescue of Ravenwood
Natasha Farrant

WHEN you read a novel that has everything in it to make your heart swell, your spine tingle and your childhood memories shine, then you know you’ve found a book that is destined to be a classic! So grab a copy of The Rescue of Ravenwood and escape into a thrilling and epic adventure that puts the climate crisis at centre stage but has fun, family, friendship, beauty and hope as its best supporting players. What started out as Costa Award-winning author Natasha Farrant’s ambitious plan ‘to write a sort of blueprint for how to navigate the modern world’ morphed into an exciting, empowering tale featuring three extraordinary children who are determined to save the place and the wildlife they love, and to take control of their own future.

Billed as a call to arms, a reminder that we must fight to save the most treasured things on our planet, this outstanding adventure sweeps us away to the top of the hill, overlooking the sea because that is where you'll find a magical place. To Bea and Raffy, Ravenwood is home. To Noa, it’s a welcome refuge. In its own way, the house rescued them, even if it did have a fallen-down tree taking up most of the kitchen. So the idea that they could lose it because it could now be sold – demolished even – well, that’s unthinkable. Then again, it’s not like the children get a choice. But the truth is, we can all make our own choices, especially if we care enough. Ben can stow away across Europe on a train, Raffy can keep climbing the tree, and Noa can find out who started the fire.

Farrant excels at scene setting and the house called Ravenwood, with its 400-year-old magical ash tree and its long history dating back to the Viking invaders, forms the life and soul of this exciting and atmospheric story about holding on to what’s precious, and guarding the extraordinary nature that surrounds us. Written with the lightest of touches despite its big ecological themes, and packed with secrets, danger and intrigue, The Rescue of Ravenwood is one of the most moving, gripping and utterly charming novels you will read this year.
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Stickleback Catchers
Lisette Auton

CALLING all puzzle fans and adventure seekers... there’s a mystery just waiting to be solved! Join a gang of three friends – Mimi, Titch and Nusrat – on an exciting journey that’s full of talking crows and secrets, magical constellations and memories. So sit back and enjoy the ride as Lisette Auton, a northern disabled writer, activist and award-winning poet who specialises in novels featuring and celebrating disabled characters, delivers a moving and hope-filled story about friendship, family and acceptance. Mimi, who has to walk with crutches, adores her wild, fun, full-of-life gran. Then Gran starts forgetting things. Suddenly there are cracks appearing all around their home, plus a mysterious black crow, both of which only Mimi seems able to see. Mimi is determined to solve the mystery. Luckily she has new friends to help...Titch and Nusrat. Together, they are the Stickleback Catchers, solvers of puzzles and seekers of adventure. Down by the river, where the gang meet and the silvery sticklebacks swim, they discover a mysterious stone, speckled with stars. But this is no ordinary stone – it’s the doorway to another world, a world of talking crows and secrets, magical constellations and memories – and maybe, just maybe, Mimi’s chance to bring back her Gran forever. With its diverse cast of lovable characters, adventures based on Auton’s own experiences, and child-friendly exploration of dementia and family illness, The Stickleback Catchers is a magical tale sure to cast a spell over young readers.
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Sleeping Stones
Beatrice Wallbank

TUCK into the distinctive Welsh flavour of this intriguing, warmhearted debut fantasy novel, inspired by mythology and Welsh mermaids called morgens, and which flowed from the pen of Welsh sea historian Beatrice Wallbank. With magic all the way, and set against the atmospheric backdrop of a small island off the Welsh coast, The Sleeping Stones is a thrilling, compelling adventure which explores what it means to truly belong. Gruff and his new friend Matylda (Mat) live on a very special island where legends are beginning to stir. Islanders find themselves irresistibly drawn to the Sleeping Stones, a line of six dark rocks like stepping stones out to the shining sea, but legend has it that they are the stepping stones of giants and if you step on the final stone, the Sleepers tempt you to leap into the waves and the current sweeps you away. Soon Gruff and Mat will find themselves risking everything to save each other and their community from a terrifying storm driven by an ancient, magic anger. Wallbank paints an alluring portrait of a small, close-knit, rural community living in a place where nature is all-powerful, and myths and legends abide deep inside the green fields and coastal bays. Rich in Welsh mythology and culture, and with a vibrant cast of well-drawn characters, The Sleeping Stones is awash in magic, adventure and mystery.
(Firefly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Song Walker
Zillah Bethell

FORGET the chills of February and head off to the heat and dazzling backdrop of the Australian Outback in a thrilling story of friendship, discovery and courage from Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller which won the Wales Book of the Year and the Edward Stanford Children’s Travel Book of the Year 2022. Bethell was born in the shadow of the volcano Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea and has used her amazing childhood experiences for exotic and exciting stories set in lands on the other side of the world. And this beautiful and moving new adventure is full of the masterful storytelling, beauty and descriptive power that we have come to expect from this talented author. ‘There are three questions that I need to find the answers to: Where am I? What am I doing here? And... Who am I?’ When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She’s wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she is carrying a strange, heavy case. She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both of them are also hiding secrets... Brimming with emotion and beautiful imagery, The Song Walker explores the disorienting experience of memory loss and the healing strength of friendship whilst delivering an all-action adventure in a dazzling landscape. Tailor-made for middle-grade readers!
(Usborne, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Bob vs the Selfie Zombies
Andy Jones and Robin Boyden

IF laughs on every page, zany zombie escapades and banana bread tickle your reading taste buds, then fasten your seatbelts and head for the future with Bob, an accidental time traveller who is tasked with saving the world! Bob vs the Selfie Zombies is the first of a brilliant new action-packed series – perfect for reluctant readers – and straight from the imagination of Lollies Award shortlisted author Andy Jones. Packed with adventure, humour and excitement, and illustrated throughout by Robin Boyden, there’s fun all the way to the future and back. For Bob and his best friend Malcolm, winning the school talent competition with their band, The Tentacles of Time, is really important. And that’s before they realise the future of the world depends on it. Bob doesn’t know why he can time travel but he does know that it always happens at the worst possible moments... like when he’s in the bath. Awkward! But when Bob comes face to face with his future self in the midst of a disastrous alternative reality, he’s got no choice but to try to do something. In this future, an evil genius has created a smile-operated selfie camera that turns people into zombies and the world as Bob knows it has completely collapsed. There’s not even anywhere to get a pizza... things are seriously bad! Now it’s up to Bob to change the course of the present to save himself, future Malcolm AND the whole world. If only he could figure out how... Jumping forward twenty years in time proves to be just the starting point for this brilliantly entertaining new series as Jones lets loose his imagination on madcap escapades cleverly created for young readers who like long laughs and short chapters. Fizzing with energy, comedy and some important real-life issues, Bob’s time-travelling adventures are set to span far into the future... 
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Time Tider
Sinéad O’Hart

After winning praise and plaudits for her stunning novels, The Eye of the North and The Star-Spun Web, master storyteller Sinéad O’Hart is back to weave her special brand of magic in a cracking, science-based novel with an extraordinary, time-bending heroine. The Time Tider is a dark, thrilling and atmospheric fantasy adventure starring a girl with a gift that lets her step in and out of time... an ability that brings with it great danger. Irish girl Mara and her dad Gabriel have lived in their shabby van for as long as she can remember. Whatever her father does to scrape a living has kept them constantly on the run and Mara has never questioned what he does. But then she uncovers a collection of notes addressed to ‘the Tider,’ an individual responsible for harvesting lost time from people whose lives were cut short, and making sure that it doesn’t form dangerous Warps. But before Mara can question her father about it, he is kidnapped by a dangerous group who want to use his power for evil. With the very fabric of time and space at stake, it’s down to Mara and her new friend Jan to find him before it’s too late. But to find the Tider, will Mara have to step into his shoes? O’Hart has a real gift for character development and conjuring up thrilling fantasy worlds in which youngsters are pitted against evil forces and must use all their ingenuity, bravery and determination to save both themselves and the places and people they hold dear. With its atmospheric backdrop, and a story brimming with action, excitement, wisdom and ethical conundrums, The Time Tider is adventure with a big heart and prodigious imaginative power.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
Rivet Boy
Barbara Henderson

WHATEVER you do, don’t look down! The story of one Victorian boy’s role in the building of the iconic Forth Bridge – Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder – takes centre stage in truly riveting new book from Inverness-based author Barbara Henderson. This is an author who specialises in taking fragments of real history and using them as inspiration for her novels and here she sweeps us away on an enthralling adventure which blends fact and fiction in perfect harmony. When 12-year-old John Nicol gets a job at the Forth Bridge construction site in 1889, he knows it’s dangerous. Four boys have already fallen from the bridge into the water below. But John has no choice... with his father gone, he must provide an income for his family, even if he is terrified of heights. John finds comfort in the new Carnegie library, his friend Cora and his squirrel companion, Rusty. But when he is sent to work in Cain Murdoch’s Rivet Gang, John must find the courage to climb, to face his fears, and to stand up to his evil boss. Based on real people and events, Rivet Boy harnesses the life and death stakes involved in the building of the famous bridge for an adventure full of vivid characters, gripping action and eye-opening real history. Authentic, atmospheric, and totally captivating!
(Pokey Hat, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
A Passing On of Shells: 50 Fifty-Word Poems
Simon Lamb and Chris Riddell

‘I’m fascinated by the sheer possibility of poetry, where a whole
universe can be offered to the reader in a precisely chosen
packet of words – in this case, exactly fifty!’

THE inspirational words of poet, performer and storyteller Simon Lamb ring out loud and clear in this dazzling debut collection of verse which features fifty luminous poems, each written in exactly fifty words, and superbly illustrated in black and white throughout by former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell. With a background in teaching, Lamb works extensively in schools to ignite and inspire young learners by sharing his passion for poetry and, with the help of pioneering Scallywag Press, he has joyfully grabbed his chance to shine with this sparkling and beautifully reflective anthology. Offering up his poems as small nuggets of wisdom, warmth and wit to help readers of all ages navigate their lives, each one features a stunning visual interpretation and invites readers, young and old, to lose themselves in both the words and pictures. And what an exciting new voice Lamb is with his incisive and playful poetry covering everything from family, identity and growing up, to the need for hope, the wonder of nature, and the very concept of poetry itself. And to complement Lamb’s ever present three-dimensional sense of drama and interaction with the reader, every poem is given its own double-page spread, each one exquisitely illustrated with Riddell’s distinctive insight and flair, and adding new layers of meaning, humour and joy to the already magical poems. Brimming with heartfelt emotion, and covering thought-provoking topics ranging from mysterious and fantastical to the downright prosaic, A Passing On of Shells comes in a creatively produced hardback gift edition with a textured, de-bossed cover and thick paper pages, and is a book to read, to love, to inspire and to treasure.
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £10.99)

Age 5 plus
The Bear and the Wildcat
Kazumi Yumoto and Komako Sakai

HELP your little ones to find a way through the paralysing grief of a close family bereavement with this beautiful and sensitively created picture book from the talented Japanese team of author Kazumi Yumoto and illustrator Komako Sakai. The timeless classic, The Bear and the Wildcat, is back in print by popular demand and with its outstanding monochrome illustrations and uplifting ending, stills stands as one of the best picture books to guide children through the dark days of loss and grief. When the little bird dies, his friend the bear is inconsolable. He cuts a tree from the forest and makes a little box. He stains it with berry juice and lines it with petals. Then he gently lays his friend inside. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures out again only when the smell of young spring grass blows through his window. He always carries the box which he opens for no one. Then he meets a wildcat who understands his need to carry the box. As the wildcat plays on her violin, the bear remembers all the beauty he experienced with the little bird. Now he can bury his friend, keeping him alive in his memories and feelings. Yumoto’s moving tale of the pain and loneliness of loss, complete with its positive and consoling reminder of hope and new beginnings, springs to life through Sakai’s exquisitely atmospheric charcoal illustrations.  Picture book perfection.
(Gecko Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 5 plus
When I Grow Up, I Want To Help People
When I Grow Up, I Want To Look After The Planet
Sarah Walden and Flavio Remontti

IT'S never too early to start thinking about what the future might bring! So inspire your youngsters to find the right career ...and a job that will not just help the world work but also help people. When I Grow Up, I Want To... is a sparkling series from Noodle Juice, the tasty new children’s publisher which is on a mission to make young brains ‘fizz’ with a selection of vibrant books that aim to amaze, amuse and surprise, as well as disrupt and challenge conventions, and help little people answer big questions in an increasingly confusing world. 

Using simple language to explain different jobs, these charming books demonstrate to young children how different careers can help people, and look after the planet. When I Grow Up, I Want To Help People introduces roles like a translator, charity worker, sports coach, care worker and yoga teacher, as well as school teacher, doctor, nurse and police officer.

And When I Grow Up, I Want To Look After The Planet includes roles such as zookeeper, food scientist and planet engineer as well as forester, conservationist and journalist. Children can read all about the jobs and then see which one they would like to try when they grow up. The series comprises four books, each containing thirteen different jobs that are involved in helping people, looking after the planet, the creative industries, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning. Packed with ideas and Flavio Remontti’s colourful, inclusive illustrations, these books are ideal for schools, nurseries and home reading.
(Noodle Juice, hardback, £9.99 each)

Age 3 plus
NOT Just Another... ABC and 123
Illustrated by Jack Viant

WHAT parent or carer could resist a book that bills itself as ‘boredom-free guaranteed!’ So these sturdy first alphabet and counting board books are the first of what is not just another first concept series. Packed with learning, fun, and a fine line in wit which will appeal to adults as well as children, these brilliant books offer entertainment all the way.

This brand-new approach will ensure toddlers and parents giggle together as they find out just how funny learning the alphabet (and counting up to ten) can be! 

So as little ones travel their way through alphabet, will the alligator go before the crocodile, will the pirate queen ever finish her recycling, and will the sheep find the shark that took his underpants? 

And as little ones count from one to ten, will the four funny foxes make it to the party, will the six shaky sheep ever perfect their yoga poses, and will the eight octopuses ever manage to complete the hokey cokey? 

With a joke to enjoy on every page and the enchanting illustrations of Jack Viant adding extra colour to learning time, these books are a must-have for all pre-schoolers.

(Noodle Juice, board books, £6.99 each) 

Age 3 plus
High Top: The Sneaker That Just Can’t Stop
Tom Lacey

KIDS will be laughing their socks off when they get their hands on the first book in a simply shoeper new comedy series! High Top is the brainchild of Tom Lacey, the pseudonym of a group of creative ‘sole’ mates who, between them, have written and illustrated numerous bestselling books on both sides of the Atlantic. So welcome to Shoe Town where the residents are all footloose, and meet High Top, the sneaker who’s fresh out the box, ready to run and has an irrepressible lust for life. Where’s the harm in that? But when High Top gets carried away and his enthusiasm threatens to trample all over his friends, can he find the balance he needs to make things right with everyone and still be the life and sole of the party? Giggles and guffaws are guaranteed as High Top’s hilarious antics land him in a knot with his new footwear friends. With an irrepressibly energetic hero striding out on a series of madcap adventures, and a gallery of colourful slippers, sandals, wellies and boots keeping young readers on their toes, this is a series that is destined to run and run! 
(Stripes Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Mums Are Magnificent
Simon Philip and Dawn Lo

AS Mother’s Day approaches, celebrate your own special mum with this warm, witty and wonderful rhyming romp from award-winning author Simon Philip and Hong Kong-born illustrator Dawn Lo. Featuring a diverse and inclusive range of marvellous mums, Philip lets loose both his imagination and his sense of fun on a rollicking journey involving mums everywhere and of every variety! Mums are special. Mums are unique. They can play let’s pretend and be your best friend. They can be pilots of planes or drivers of trains. All mums are different, magic... and magnificent! With its tender but exuberant exploration of the love between mother and child, Lo’s gallery of colourful, expressive and eye-catching illustrations, and a rhyming text full of humour, joy and love, Mums Are Magnificent is the perfect gift to mark the arrival of a new baby, or to give to your own very special mum on Mother’s Day!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Amazing Mum
Alison Brown

AND mums also take centre stage in a super-cute picture book from author and illustrator Alison Brown. Every mum is unique, and every mum is special... so celebrate your own wonderful mum with a book that says it all! With its fun-filled rhyme and heart-melting illustrations, Amazing Mum pays a warmhearted tribute to every kind of mum and features pictures of a caring and inclusive range of loving animal families. Amazing mums are all around! They are chatty, practical, funny, sporty... and everything between. Mums find your lost treasures, they celebrate your achievements, they never let you down, they give the best hugs, and they love you no matter what. The perfect picture book to share on Mother’s Day... and any day you just want to celebrate your mum!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Outside
Bee Chuck

THE joys of the great outdoors spring to green and glorious life in a warm and inclusive picture book from non-binary artist Bee Chuck. Inspired by a desire to make the world a better place through art, Chuck brings us a tale of our times with important messages about slowing down, taking notice of what’s around us and discovering a slower, kinder, friendlier and more beautiful world. Outside is a place that nobody thinks much about. It’s somewhere to go for a walk in the park or a trip to the duck pond, or simply to get from one place to another. Inside is much more important... until suddenly, no one is allowed to go outside and everything changes. In our post-Covid lockdowns world, Outside speaks loudly to young readers and demonstrates, through words and accessible pictures, just how important outside work can be in our day-to-day lives.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
How to Make a Story
Naomi Jones and Ana Gomez

TELL us a story! Help your children to take the first steps to being a storyteller in their own right with this fun and inspirational picture book from Naomi Jones and Ana Gomez, the top author and illustrator team behind the much-loved How to Catch a Rainbow. When Milo decides he’s going to tell a story, it seems like a great idea... a story of his very own, made up by him! The only problem is that he’s not sure how to start it, what to put in the middle... or how to end it. With a little help from his family and a lot of real-life inspiration, Milo’s story is soon off to a flying start. If only his little brother and sister weren’t getting in the way. But then Milo learns the most important lesson of all about stories... that they are made to be shared. How to Make a Story is a creative delight... a lovely, lively, vibrant picture book that captures perfectly all the enthusiasm of youth and cleverly demonstrates how, through teamwork and sharing, you can put your ideas into action. Brimming with colour, gorgeous illustrations and creative charm, How to Make a Story is the ideal way to introduce the youngest children to the whole concept of storytelling.
(Oxford University Press Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Kind Crocodile
Leo Timmers

A KIND crocodile leaves his pond to see the world and gets more than he bargained for in a fresh and funny new board book from Belgian author and illustrator Leo Timmers.  Winner of the New York Times Illustrated Book Award, Timmers has a magical touch with both words and pictures, and there are many layers of discovery and fun to enjoy in his playful story packed full of wit, warmth and richly detailed illustrations. The animals are in danger and they need the help of the kind crocodile! And here they come... a terrified mouse, a frightened hog, an antelope and even a rhinoceros. One by one they find shelter on Crocodile’s long green back, while his big teeth scare their enemies away. Grrr! In a fun game of chase, the kind crocodile gives shelter to one animal... until the load becomes too heavy and the crocodile doesn’t feel so kind any more. He turns on his friends... grrr. But, in a trademark Timmers twist, it’s not for long. ‘Just kidding!’ says Crocodile. ‘Not kind!’ reply his friends. Translated from the Dutch edition by Bill Nagelkerke and published in a larger format, Kind Crocodile is perfect for reading aloud with toddlers and pre-schoolers who will love the use of repetition and the lively game of chase whilst subtly taking on board the advantages that come from teamwork.
(Gecko Press, cased board book, £9.99)

Never Go Back

Jessie Keane

WHEN Jessie Keane’s explosive debut novel, Dirty Game, was published fifteen years ago, it introduced enthralled readers to ruthless gangland matriarch Annie Carter... and a writer who has since earned the title Queen of the Underworld. 

And after a career that has seen Keane (pictured below) sell 6.5million UK copies of her books – including the Annie Carter and Ruby Darke series – this top-notch crime author plunges us back into the turbulent lives of the notorious Carter family and their shady East End world of danger, double dealing and death.

So buckle up tight for a rollercoaster ride as we are swept through the decades and various family histories to catch up with Annie and her ex-husband Max Carter, and discover how events in the past have rippled down the years to create a poisonous threat in the present.  Gangster Max Carter and his ex-wife Annie are leading separate lives – Annie is in New York and Max is in London. Their tempestuous relationship, past hurts and broken promises that cannot be resolved are now too much to bear. But then a summons to Majorca and a tragic death makes Max question all that has happened to him over many years, and forces both himself and Annie to question everything they know about each other and their colourful life.

Max had two brothers, Jonjo and Eddie, but both are now dead, and his closest friend has been found hanging from a London bridge. As the police wrestle with a seemingly unsolvable case, Max must revisit his painful past to find answers to a mystery that seems to make no sense at all. Who is targeting his family and why?

Meanwhile, Annie is at a crossroads in life. She has a luxurious lifestyle but no one to share it with, and Max clearly thinks she is now in danger. Her daughter, Layla, has left her mafia lover Alberto Barolli and is back in London, stumbling into the police investigation and making waves.

You should never go back, so the old saying goes, but the Carter women don’t follow the rules, they make them. And when the truth of what has been happening is finally revealed, will the Carter family stand together... or will it finish them for good?

Keane, who was born into Romany gypsy stock and has herself lived at both ends of the social spectrum, has a wicked eye for the ruthless, fiercely factional criminal underworld and this bone-crunching new chapter for the Carter clan packs a powerful punch. Every story that Keane writes transports her readers into the heart of a terrifying but addictive underworld, and into the lives of people of every human shade… from loving, loyal and devoted to fearsome, merciless, treacherous and downright evil.

And in her trademark style, Keane once again brings us a long line of strong, determined women and a cast of larger-than-life characters... each superbly fleshed out and each inhabiting a world so palpably real that we can feel the menace, see the darkness lurking in the shadows, and sense the fear, the loathing and the breathtaking brutality that is only ever a heartbeat away.

At the centre of the action is the tenacious gangland matriarch Annie – complete with the intensely human and emotional credibility that mark out her character – and this time she faces fresh challenges posed by old family secrets, unforgiven sins and revenge-filled gang warfare. Brimming with drama, suspense, cruelty and the kind of gobsmacking violence that has made Keane one of the most powerful writers in contemporary crime fiction, this is full-on, eye-watering (of every kind!) entertainment from start to finish.
(Hodder & Stoughton, hardback, £16.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A Roman thriller, big feelings and Winnie-the-Pooh returns

Enjoy the thrills and spills of Ancient Rome alongside a daring gladiator girl, take a step into the Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends, explore big emotions with your youngest children, and join a team of school detectives for some special super sleuthing with a sparkling selection of February children’s books

Age 9 plus

Vita and the Gladiator
Ally Sherrick

JOIN an unlikely but inspirational young Roman girl as she dares to enter a terrifying gladiator arena in Roman London in a thrilling adventure set in in a dark underworld of intrigue, danger and revolt. The thrills of a bygone age beckon again in the dazzling new standalone historical story from Historical Association Young Quills Award-winning author Ally Sherrick who has made the past spring to glorious life in a series of novels which include Black Powder, The Buried Crown and The Queen’s Fool. And this rip-roaring Roman mystery sees Sherrick at her very best as she blends fascinating facts with all-action fiction and outstanding storytelling whilst also exploring themes of fighting for justice and the importance of forging your own destiny. Fourteen-year-old Vita – nicknamed ‘Little Owl’ by her father – longs to write poetry as well as the plays which she steals off to watch at the Forum... but as the daughter of a high-ranking official in Roman Londinium, her fate is sealed and she must soon marry her father’s former Roman army comrade Gaius Cassius Agrippa who is years older than herself. But when her father – the only person in her family who really understands her – is murdered, and her mother and brother disappear, everything changes. 

Vita escapes with her life from a shadowy enemy... only to end up a slave and sharing a cell with a native and fierce British gladiatrix, Brea, and her wolf. But when Vita and Brea discover they have a common enemy, they know they must stand together for truth and justice, and they resolve to bring the killer to justice before Vita’s identity is revealed. Sherrick does a superb job of evoking the rich detail and atmosphere of everyday life in this turbulent period of ancient British history when the revolt in 60-61AD by the legendary Boudicca, the fearsome queen of the Iceni tribe, still had the power to send shockwaves through the conquering Romans. Set against the thrills and spills of the terrifying gladiator arena in Londinium, and with a brave heroine to cheer for, expect action and danger at every turn, and enjoy Sherrick’s gift for making learning both fun and fascinating!
(Chicken House, paperback, £7.99)

Age 8 plus
The Mystery in the Marshes
The After School Detective Club
Mark Dawson and Ben Mantle

THEY might not be the ‘famous five,’ but the four members (and a dog called Sherlock!) of the After School Detective Club are certainly sleuthing in the footsteps of Enid Blyton’s eternally popular adventurers. Welcome back to the third thrilling case for a crime-cracking gang of youngsters who are doing for Suffolk what the Famous Five did for Cornwall. The After School Detective Club is the brainchild of bestselling author Mark Dawson and award-winning illustrator Ben Mantle, and features a delightful modern twist on a classic favourite. The series stars four friends, Lucy, Max, Charlie (plus her faithful dog Sherlock) and Joe, and in this new adventure, Max is distraught when he receives a letter from the school telling him he has to go on a weekend of cycling and camping for the Duke of Wellington awards scheme. But things vastly improve when his friends agree to come with him and it isn’t long before they find adventure – or maybe adventure finds them! It starts when they make a friend called Byron and set up camp in a forest near to his home. That night they wake to see strange lights and a fierce wind blowing through the trees. Moments later Byron arrives, running and screaming that ‘they’ are after him. When the gang follow him, they find his rucksack but no sign of the boy. It looks like Byron has been abducted by a UFO! But surely that's not possible... is it? Dawson, who has co-written the series with children’s author Allan Boroughs, brings to life the glorious coastal charms of Southwold for these fast-paced sleuthing stories which come steeped in a heady mix of danger, daring, detective work, friendship and fun. Another thrill-a-minute adventure with a charismatic cast of characters! 
(Welbeck Flame, paperback, £6.99)

Age 3 plus
Winnie-the-Pooh and Me
Jeanne Willis and Mark Burgess

TAKE a step into the Hundred Acre Wood and introduce a new generation to the charms of Winnie-the-Pooh! For the very first time, A.A. Milne’s classic poem Us Two, from the Now We Are Six collection, has been revisited and formed the inspiration for bestselling author Jeanne Willis’ gentle rhyming story celebrating the joys and warmth of friendship. Featuring the best-loved characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, this new, fun-filled story is brought to life by Mark Burgess’ gorgeous colour illustrations capture all the warmth, charm, style and childhood joie-de-vivre of E.H. Shepard’s original artwork.

'Whatever we do, there’s always two, there’s Winnie-the-Pooh plus Me. And Pooh said, ‘That is very true.’ But sort of wondered if I knew, it was two once, but then it grew…’

Youngsters will love following Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin as they set off on an adventure to discover which of their friends is following them. Join the two pals as they realise that it can’t be Kanga and Roo – they’re sailing a boat – and it can’t be Owl because he’s at home. Could it be Heffalumps who want to eat Pooh’s beloved honey? As they journey further into the Hundred Acre Wood to solve the mystery, Christopher Robin and Pooh make time for fun activities together, from flying a kite to watching the sunset. And when they finally meet Eeyore, he reveals exactly who is accompanying them! This beautiful hardback book, which comes complete with a foiled jacket and dazzling illustrations, makes the perfect gift for new readers or anyone who loves the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. A joyful, heartwarming story to treasure forever!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4
Big Feelings
Rebekah Ballagh

LITTLE people have big feelings too! It’s Children’s Mental Health Week and there could be no better way to help young children discuss their emotions than with this brilliant illustrated picture book from bestselling author and qualified counsellor, Rebekah Ballagh. After the success of adult books like Note to Self, Note to Self Journal and Words of Comfort, Ballagh turns her attention to helping children – along with their parents, carers and teachers – to understand their emotions, how they make them feel and how to manage them. Big Feelings helps children to explore different emotions so they can learn how to identify and manage them. Packed with plenty of useful tips, this delightful rhyming story creates the perfect space to discuss feelings, both big and small. So meet a group of typical children – Mikah feels so sad, Chloe’s feeling angry, Charlie feels anxious –and start to understand that feelings are messages from the heart! Ballagh’s strong counselling background combines perfectly with the empathy of her accessible rhyming story and a gallery of adorable large-scale illustrations featuring diverse characters, making the book an essential guide. Add on helpful strategies and excellent resources for grown-ups, and you have an invaluable addition for bookshelves at home, school and nursery.
(Allen & Unwin Children’s Books, paperback, £11.99)

Age 8 plus
The Lost Whale
Hannah Gold and Levi Pinfold

PREPARE to shed tears as you dive into the second soaraway adventure from outstanding new author Hannah Gold whose bestselling 2021 debut, The Last Bear, was The Times Children’s Book of the Week, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the British Book Awards 2022, and winner of the Blue Peter Award. Inspired by a fascination with whales dating back to her early twenties when she first saw a grey whale in Baja, Mexico, Gold harnesses the wonder and magnificence of these sea creatures for a heart-rending story about the connection between a boy and a whale, and the bond that sets them both free. What if you could communicate with a whale? Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows at her wooden chalet at the edge of the Pacific in California while his musician mum is in hospital back home. Angry, alone and adrift, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad’s whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea, changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum. Gold dons her trademark eco-warrior armour and sets her rich imagination in motion to bring us this magical, mesmerising story, set against a stunning backdrop and guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and make you look anew at how you too can help to save the grey whale which is imperilled by warming seas, plastic pollution and over-fishing. Kate Greenaway Medal-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold provides the finishing touches to this unforgettable journey of heart, hardship and hope with a gallery of truly evocative black and white illustrations that are guaranteed to take your breath away.
(HarperCollins Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
There’s a Beast in the Basement!
Pamela Butchart and Thomas Flintham

PAMELA Butchart’s vivid imagination moves into its extraordinary overdrive for a weird, wild and wonderful new adventure set in the extraordinarily beastly basement of what should be a very ordinary school! There are giggles galore and lashings of laughs in this exhilarating escapade, the amazing thirteenth book in the much-loved Baby Aliens series which is the perfect choice for youngsters becoming confident readers, and a guaranteed winner for reading aloud to groups or school classes. Teacher-cum-author Butchart and illustrator Thomas Flintham’s fun-filled Baby Aliens series blends anarchy and adventure with important life messages. Using her ‘insider’ knowledge of schools, she delivers all-action, knockabout, child-friendly stories which can’t fail to tickle the funny bones of young readers. So get ready to laugh your socks off as Izzy and her friends overhear their head teacher talking about ‘missing treasure’ and ‘running out of time.’ They know this means there’s treasure buried in the school somewhere and that Mr Graves wants it all for himself. So Jodi says they’ve got to find it first and they should start by searching the staff room. After seeing things they will never forget, they head to the basement. Gary Petrie’s dad is working down there and he’s seen something shiny! So they send Zach’s cat down with a camera strapped to her head and study the footage carefully. What they see is shocking and changes everything. It’s not treasure in the basement, it’s a beast with shining eyes and it wants to eat them all. Run! Blue Peter Best Story Award winners Butchart and Flintham can’t put a (beastly!) footprint wrong in this brilliantly entertaining series. Expect chaotic, comedy capers full of mischief and mayhem, and a dizzying, dazzling gallery of Flintham’s high-energy black-and-white illustrations, as Izzy’s intrepid gang get to grips with some truly anarchic antics. Seriously – and scarily – funny!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
Liz Flanagan and Joe Todd-Stanton

FEEL the magic, get lost in a fantastical world, and love turning the pages of this enchanting new series from Yorkshire author and teacher Liz Flanagan. Best known for her popular Dragon Daughter books, Flanagan has teamed up with award-winning illustrator Joe Todd-Stanton to deliver thrilling and imaginative adventures that combine the favourite, child-friendly ingredients of magical creatures, friendship and fun. When war threatens her beloved city, Rowan and her mother must flee to the Dark Forest, meeting Grandpa and his white wolf Arto for the first time. Though she misses her father, Rowan makes new friends... including a trio of powerful witches. When she rescues a baby dragon from poachers, she discovers the secret of her own identity... Rowan is a wildsmith! Fostering a whole clutch of dragons, the summer speeds by. But when danger threatens, Rowan and her grandpa must call on all their friends for help. Get ready for thrilling adventures, Todd-Stanton’s dream-like illustrations, themes of family and friendship, and a magical cast of characters that includes baby dragons and white winged stallions known as pegasi, and the Wildsmith series looks set to be a totally wild winner!
(UCLan Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
The Broken Dragon
Karen McCombie and Anneli Bray

KAREN McCombie, bestselling author of over 90 books for children and teenagers, takes inspiration from the ancient Japanese art of ‘kintsugi’ in this touching tale of a young girl struggling to fit in at her new school. The Broken Dragon sees McCombie at her storytelling best as we meet ten-year-old Tyra who has moved in with her nan and gets off to a tough start at her new school. Tyra is loud and different and nobody seems to be particularly friendly. So when her nan gives her a beautiful china snow dragon, Tyra decides to take it to school, hoping that people will think it’s interesting and talk to her. But disaster strikes and the beautiful dragon is smashed. Can Tyra find a way to repair her treasure and perhaps make some new friends along the way? And could repairing the broken dragon through the ancient art of kintsugi – the Japanese tradition of restoring broken pottery with gold – help her in more ways than one? Featuring the sensitive and inclusive black and white illustrations of Anneli Bray, and published in Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly format, this warmhearted tale reminds young readers that sometimes people need help to mend, and being perfect doesn’t always make people – or things – special.
(Barrington Stoke, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Blanksy the Street Cat
Gavin Puckett and Allen Fatimaharan

ENJOY a Robin Hood-style story starring a cat with a talent for murals in a warm and funny cautionary tale from award-winning author Gavin Puckett and award-winning illustrator Allen Fatimaharan. This top team certainly strum on our heartstrings with this delightful rhyming story which has fabulous black and white illustrations on every page, and a dyslexia-friendly font and layout specially designed for children starting out on their reading journey. ‘Seascapes and landscapes, snowy-capped hills. Colourful tulips and gold daffodils. His art was incredible, vibrant and loud. Enough to make Pablo Picasso feel proud!’ When Blanksy the cat discovers a talent for painting murals, he uses it to draw bigger and bigger crowds to help his friend Pete the busker become rich. But will money really make Pete happy? Ideal for reading out loud either at home or at school, Blanksy the Street Cat entertains from start to finish as Puckett and Fatimaharan seduce us with their wit, charm and addictive sense of fun. Simply purrfect!
(Faber Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)

Age 6 plus
Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door
and the Magic Puppy
Lola Morayo and Cory Reid

STEP back into the magical world of adventure created by Lola Morayo and Cory Reid in the fifth book of a fun-filled, heartwarming series for younger readers. Lola Morayo is the pen name for the creative partnership of writers Tólá Okogwu and Jasmine Richards who are both passionate about telling stories that are inclusive and joyful, and were inspired to write this entertaining series by fairies and creatures from world mythology. Here we find Aziza’s brother Otis pestering their parents for a dog again, even though they are not allowed pets in their flat. Aziza is sympathetic but soon forgets about all that when she enters her room to find the fairy door making a ticking noise – almost like a clock – and spring flowers all around it. Soon she is stepping through the fairy door with Otis. The pair arrive in time for the spring fete and are set to unveil the town clock marking the arrival of spring and growth... but the clock is broken. Otis and the naughty fairies, the Gigglers, haven’t noticed and are too busy playing fetch with their new and friendly dog. So it’s up to Aziza, Otis, Peri and Tiko to find help to fix the clock before it’s too late. Gorgeously illustrated throughout by Cory Reid’s vibrant black and white illustrations, this fun-filled story is the perfect first chapter book for your own young adventurers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £6.99)

Age 6 plus
Secret Beast Club
The Unicorns of Silver Street
Robin Birch and Jobe Anderson

JOIN the club and find the magic in the first book in an exciting and inclusive new series created by Jasmine Richards, founder of Storymix fiction studio, and Robin Birch, pen name of writer Rachael Davis. Brimming with all those ingredients that children love – adventure, friendship and an amazing array of magical creatures – Secret Beast Club is set to be an all-round winner. Feisty and fearless Aisha and shy, bookish Jayden from London are definitely not fans of Outside. Aisha would rather be home playing on her tablet or messaging her friends. Jayden thinks the worlds inside his books are much more exciting than the real one beyond his window. But when they discover they both have the rare ability of ‘magic sight’ and are asked to join the Secret Beast Club, a centuries-old secret group headed up by a ghost named Pablo Fanque and which protects mythological creatures, Aisha and Jayden discover that real magic could be closer than they think... you just have to know where to look. And their first mission is to rescue a unicorn foal that has disappeared on Hackney Marshes. Inspired by the real life story of Pablo Fanque – the first Black circus owner – and featuring fun facts about the magical creatures within each story, this warm and enchanting new series is guaranteed to cast a spell over adventure-loving youngsters!
(Puffin, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Who Ate all the Bugs?
Matty Long

FEAST your eyes and ears on the gloriously gory story of the food chain! Matty Long, the fun-loving author and illustrator of the bestselling Super Happy Magic Forest picture book series dines out on bugs in a nature-inspired story full of flies, flowers, food and fistfuls of facts. In gardens everywhere, bugs are dropping like... well, flies, actually. And now Snail is on a mission to stop the bugs being eaten and is determined to hunt down the culprit. But is it a lost cause? After all, as Glow-worm explains, ‘You can't fight the food chain.’ Join Snail – if you dare! – as she goes on an amazing bug hunt. It will be difficult, it will be dangerous... and you have been warned! Long brings his trademark talents of deadpan comedy and hilarious, cartoon-style illustration to this wonderful walk on the wild side which explores the real-life, deadly facts of the food chain, and the animals, plants and ecosystems that are found in the natural world around us. With a bug hunt activity to enjoy at the end of the book, Long’s witty commentary, and fun, eye-catching artwork to win every child’s heart, young readers will need little encouragement to join nature’s chain gang on their journey of discovery!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Two Places to Call Home
Phil Earle and Jess Rose

SEPARATION and divorce in a family can be an anxious time for children who fear having to divide their life between two camps. To help bridge the gap between a child’s old life and the new one, award-winning author Phil Earle uses his own experiences as a father, and his natural warmth and sensitivity, in an uplifting and empowering picture book. Little Florrie has two of everything. Two lovely brothers, two smashing parents and two very cuddly pets. But two isn’t always a magic number as Florrie now has to live in two different houses... one with her mum and one with her dad. She doesn’t feel brave enough to live in two different places and wants things to be like before. But her mum and dad take her on two very special journeys which prove that happiness is where your heart is. Earle’s sensitive story, matched with Jess Rose’s beautifully emotive illustrations, is ideal for helping young readers to discuss their feelings around divorce, and to embrace the inevitable changes that lie ahead.
(Ladybird, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3
Don’t Be Silly!
Padmacandra

HAVING fun is all part of being human! Youngsters will be skipping and giggling through the pages of this truly fun-filled picture book from Padmacandra, illustrator of the critically acclaimed The Tale of a Whale. Packed with irreverent mischief and high-energy antics, Don’t Be Silly! is a joy from start to finish, perfectly capturing all the joie-de-vivre and playfulness of youth in a world that can sometimes seem dark and dreary. Bouncy Bo and Little Smudge live in a sombre castle with their serious father Mr Judge. They are full of laughter and mischief, and love to dance, jump and run, but it seems as if all the grown-ups – and particularly their father – have forgotten how to smile and have fun. All they seem to say is ‘Don’t be silly, don’t be silly!’ – until an eye-opening visit to their leaping, cartwheeling, high-kicking, juggling, fun-loving grandparents proves that not all adults like to be serious! Klaus Flugge Prize shortlisted poet, author and artist Padmacandra’s romping rhyme, use of repetition and stunning illustrations, full of texture, depth and rich detail, deliver an addictive exuberance that ensure all the family will be joining in the fun and games!
(Scallywag Press, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
Take a Leap, Sheep!
Squeeze In, Squirrel!
Illustrated by Tony Neal

LEARNING maths is fun (particularly when those crafty grown-ups don’t even let you know it’s a lesson!) There will be miles of smiles all round when children get stuck into this brilliant new picture books series from the book boffins at Oxford University which offers a hilarious introduction to some early maths concepts like position and capacity. With helpful tips for adults about sharing and reading the books, the colourful and charismatic artwork of Tony Neal and fun activities at the back to explore the topics further, these comedy-packed stories will have youngsters laughing and learning from start to finish. 

In Take a Leap, Sheep!, the animals all want to go on the Ferris wheel... but there’s a fence in the way! Sheep can’t climb over it, he can’t go under it, he can’t fit through it... what's he going to do? It’s time for Sheep to get on top of the problem in this clever introduction to the concept of position. And in Squeeze In, Squirrel!, we meet  Squirrel and Mouse who are off on holiday but quite a lot of the other animals want to come too. Will the car be big enough to hold everyone? It's looking like a bit of a squeeze for Squirrel! With simple language to give meaning to big concepts, and a cast of animal cartoon characters to love and share adventures with, this series adds up to mathematical genius!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)

Age 2 plus
I Want to Be a Duck
I Want to Be a Bunny
Illustrated by Pintachan

WE'RE on the move! Get your little ones waddling, hopping, flapping and leaping with Move and Play, an all-action new series which has been specially created by Oxford University Press.
Featuring everyone’s much-loved favourite animals, these bright, beautiful and busy picture books support the development of children’s motor skills and imagination. 

Each book features a cut-out mask, song and animation, and the gorgeous, child-friendly illustrations of Spanish artist Pintachan. So get moving and playing with a little duck who will show you the way to enjoy action fun! Wear the special cut-out duck mask and copy the actions as Duck waddles, flaps and paddles around the pond. And when you’ve finished moving and playing with the book, scan the QR code to view the song and animation.And in I Want to Be a Bunny, little ones can wear the special cut-out bunny mask and copy the actions as Bunny hops, nibbles and leaps around the meadow. You’d be hopping mad to miss the playtime fun!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)

Age 2 plus
Planes Planes Planes!
Donna David and Nina Pirhonen

FASTEN your seatbelts, fire up the engines and head for the skies! Youngsters will love the thrill ride as they follow fifty colourful planes racing through the air – soaring, swooping and loop-the-looping on a busy rhyming adventure. Planes Planes Planes! is the third book in a super, interactive picture book series that began with Trains Trains Trains! and Cars Cars Cars! and is now speeding down the runway with little readers in the cockpit. There are fifty planes to follow... long planes, short planes, stuck at the airport planes, rescue planes, go-planes and flashing-light planes. Which do you like best and can you find your favourite? Full of spotting and counting fun, with different planes to follow on each page and an exciting fold-out race at the end, these pre-school picture books have been specially developed to encourage pre-reading skills, and expand language and vocabulary. And with a Did You Spot? challenge at the end of the book, reading tips for parents and carers, a super-shiny foil cover, David’s fun, read-aloud text, and Pirhonen’s busy, colourful illustrations, Planes Planes Planes! is the perfect, high-flying ride for your toddlers!
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, £7.99)