A Lively Midwinter Murder

Katy Watson

IT was supposed to be a spectacular high society Christmas wedding at an ancient castle which stands proudly on a stretch of land between loch and sea in a remote corner of the wild and wonderful west coast of Scotland.

But trouble is brewing, snow is falling thick and fast, and dark secrets and family feuds fester beneath the surface of the celebrations. And when one of the guests is found dead in the snow outside the castle’s family chapel, it will need three amateur sleuths to track down the murderer.   

If you’re looking for that perfect wintertime read, pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and cuddle up with this delightful contemporary murder mystery which dishes up the vibes of the Christmas season and the va-va-voom of the much-loved Golden Age of crime writing. A Lively Midwinter Murder is the fourth wickedly clever book in Katy Watson’s (pictured below) entertaining Three Dahlias debut series which delivers vintage-style mysteries, and stars three rival actresses who have all played fictional 1930s detective Dahlia Lively on screen and are now making a name for themselves as the Three Dahlias and solving real-life murders.

So meet national treasure Rosalind King from the original movies, Caro Hooper, the TV Dahlia for thirteen seasons, and ex-child star Posy Starling who came fresh out of the fame wilderness and took on the Dahlia mantle for a brand new movie.

The three women and their partners have travelled north for what they hoped would be an exciting winter getaway at Dunwick Castle in the the Scottish Highlands where their friend, Libby McKinley, is to marry the new laird, Duncan Alexander, in a special service on Christmas Eve afternoon.

But all is not well at the castle... an unidentified body has washed up on a nearby beach and bride-to-be Libby is nervous after receiving an anonymous warning telling her to leave. And then there’s the long-standing feud between the Alexanders and the Blackwells, and the ‘invisible but inviolable’ line that is drawn between the neighbouring families. When a fierce snowstorm cuts off the castle from the mainland and tensions reach breaking point, the dead body of one of the guests is found in the snow outside the family chapel... a body wearing a wedding dress and a stolen diamond necklace.

The Dahlias had hoped for roaring fires and romance this Christmas but now they are on the trail of a murderer... and if their suspicions are correct, it looks like the wedding may be off. Can the three sleuths save the day, and ensure their friends get a happy ever after?

Watson, who spent her teenage holidays reading paperback Agatha Christies, always dreamt of writing her own crime novel and these delightful Three Dahlias tales – with their addictive mix of satirical humour, devilishly clever plotting and superbly drawn characters – are a dazzling celebration of the Golden Age crime she loved so dearly.

Add on the alluring and atmospheric backdrop of wintertime at a snowed-in castle – a formidable fortress perched uncertainly ‘between earth and water’ – and you have an exquisitely Christmassy setting for this festive feast of vintage-style mystery and murder with a delicious modern twist! Cosy crime with a glitzy, glamorous, seasonal glow!
(Constable, hardback, £16.99)

A Backstage Betrayal

Michael Ball

THERE'S no business like showbusiness especially when it comes to life in the theatre... but when there are dark secrets lurking behind the curtains, the drama isn’t always just on stage.

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 the second ‘act’ of 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 performance, The Empire series is turning out to be a theatrical treat that has won a multitude of hearts and plenty of reading encores. Top of the bill are 46-year-old Lady Lillian Lassiter, widowed co-owner of the Empire, her son Jack Treadwell, the manager and erstwhile proprietor, and his playwright wife Grace, and the year is 1926 when times are hard at the theatre in the Yorkshire town of Highbridge.

The post-war period has brought with it a lot of turbulence and Jack, Lillian, and Grace know they need to get things back on track. So what could be better than the annual pantomime and an all-singing all-dancing talent contest, showcasing the best performers around.

But could Lillian’s new admirer, Grand Duke Nikolai Kuznetsov of Marakovia, be bringing disaster in his wake, will the Empire get caught up in the scandal surrounding West End star Stella Stanmore, and what are their enemies in Highbridge planning? While Jack and Grace fight to ensure the show does go on, a high-ranking British royal visitor raises the stakes, and a young widow called Sally Blow dares to dream that the talent contest might be her big break. But as the contest draws closer, tragedy strikes... it seems that amid the sequins and sparkle there are strange goings-on, and a plot is afoot. Is everything Jack and Grace have worked so hard for about to come crashing down, and could this be curtains for the Empire?

The inner workings of the magical world of theatre spring to glorious life in this glitzy, glamorous but also gritty and down-to-earth tour of the majestic Empire and the many and varied people who work to keep the stage lights burning and the show alive and kicking. Ball certainly knows his stuff and it shines through in this mesmerising and authentic portrayal of theatre life as we peer into the backstage ups and downs, tread the boards with the actors, witness the cut-throat nature of theatre management, and follow the staff and players’ personal and professional dramas and dilemmas.

Stars of the show are undoubtedly Jack – whose blood fizzes and thrums to the beat of the theatre –and his feisty wife Grace, the Empire’s young stalwarts whose exuberance and addictive enthusiasm add extra zest to the performance and bring a welcome light to some of the darker corners of the story.

With secrets and scandals, intrigue, glamour and romance, and all the excitement and vibrancy of a theatre with its heroes and villains, there is never a dull moment from curtain rise to the final, action-packed showdown. Indeed, you might say that the Empire has everything a top-notch production requires… the next act can’t come a moment too soon!
(Zaffre, hardback, £20) 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: A feast of fantasy, dazzling sci-fi and the gift of love

Enjoy a master storyteller’s unforgettable adventure set in an epic world of fantasy and realism, inspire the imaginations of young sci-fi fans with a dazzling anthology of retold classic science fiction stories, enjoy an adorable novelty picture book just made for your loved ones, and take flight with a swallow who goes against the flock with a sparkling new selection 

Age 9 plus
Jed Greenleaf
Kieran Larwood and David Wyatt

A BATTLE for power in a magical kingdom becomes an unforgettable adventure in a thrilling standalone novel from master storyteller Kieran Larwood whose imagination is as boundless as the epic worlds he creates. With intriguing references to folklore, and real English history unearthed from the brief Tudor reign of doomed Lady Jane Grey, Larwood’s love affair with nature shines through every dark and delightful corner of this atmospheric story which is filled with fantastical characters and brought to life by the richly detailed illustrations of David Wyatt.

Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and strange magic is afoot as six power-hungry Guilds all compete to rule alongside the queen. But hidden plots and secret schemes make the contest unfair and the strongest guilds are about to wipe out the weakest. Although the Leaf Guild is the weakest of them all, no one has reckoned with young orphan Jed Greenleaf who has been adopted by the guild and found to have the extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark. He just needs to learn how to harness that power before he is thrown into battle for his guild’s survival. Could he be the hero that the Leaf Guild needs to win at the Punchbowl tournament? It just might be that this year Jed can turn over a new leaf in the history books, and bring glory to the decaying guild and peace to Albion.

The top team of Larwood and Wyatt – creators of the hugely popular The World of Podkin One-Ear rabbit world series – work their magic again on this spectacular blend of fantasy and realism as we follow Jed’s blossoming from bullied worrier to fearless warrior. It’s a truly breathtaking adventure, filled with magical oak forests, dastardly villains and sparkling dryads, and starring a hero who – against all odds – finds the courage and determination to right wrongs, fight evil, and win battles. A fabulous feast of fantasy!
(Faber Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 9 plus
Tales from Beyond the Stars: A Collection of Classic Science Fiction Stories
Adam Roberts and Evangeline Gallagher

INSPIRE the imaginations of young sci-fi fans with this dazzling anthology of classic science fiction stories, cleverly retold to make them accessible to children, and brought to life by rich and colourful artwork. Long before humans ventured into outer space, writers spun stories of what might lie in the unknown worlds beyond our planet and speculated about the future. Journey into the mysteries of the universe with striking retellings of seven classic science fiction stories and marvel at the boundless imagination of classic sci-fi writers like H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley. From tales of space exploration to time travellers and alien invaders, this striking anthology – written by award-winning British novelist Adam Roberts and spectacularly illustrated by Baltimore artist Evangeline Gallagher, is the perfect introduction to the world of science fiction. Tales from Beyond the Stars includes The Star by H.G. Wells, Micromegas by Voltaire, The Last Man by Mary Shelley, From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne, Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and Buck Rogers: Armageddon 2419 AD by Philip Francis Nowlan.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £20)

Age 8 plus
Disney Modern Classics: Lilo & Stitch
Sally Morgan

RELIVE the magic of the Academy Award-nominated Lilo & Stitch with this beautiful hardback gift book featuring an eye-catching foiled cover and a captivating retelling of the animated film. A family favourite, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is one of the best-loved films of contemporary times and now you can discover the paintings, sketches and concept art from the original Walt Disney Animation Studio artists. Also featured is a foreword by Fox F. Carney, Manager, Research at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and when readers turn to the back of the book, they can learn more about the artists who worked on this iconic animated film. Disney’s forty-second animated feature film, Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 and has gone on to become a huge commercial success. A dazzling deluxe gift book that will be treasured by Lilo & Stitch fans of all ages.
(Studio Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 7 plus
Disney Dreamlight Valley
The Official Guide
Stephanie Milton

GET creative with this colourful and invaluable official companion to the bestselling Disney Dreamlight Valley game which is a hybrid between a life-sim and an adventure game. It follows players as they decide to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and return to their old rural home, falling asleep in their old backyard play area and entering a dream world as their memories of childhood return. The game is rich with quests, exploration and engaging activities featuring Disney and Pixar friends, both old and new, and this guide is packed with information and tips to help players progress and make the most of their Valley. Learn how to gather resources, earn Star Coins and Dreamlight, work on your friendships, complete mysterious quests and get creative to build a magical Valley for everyone to enjoy. Section One explains everything you need to know about the Valley, its inhabitants, its resources and its secrets, and will show you where to look for rare resources, how to make meals, which gifts will earn you the most friendship points, tried and tested methods for befriending critters and the best ways to earn Star Coins. Section Two is where the fun really begins... it’s full of inspiration to help players landscape, design and decorate their Valley, as well as interior design ideas for the home, and instructions on how to use the Touch of Magic creative tool for clothing and furniture customisation. Including behind-the-scenes details from the game developers, and information about the paid expansion, A Rift In Time, this is the must-have guide for Dreamlight Valley fans.
(Studio Press, paperback, £10.99)

Age 7 plus
Disney Stitch: ´Ohana Means
Family: Musings on Everyday Life
Denise Shimabukuro

FIND comfort and calm on a journey of discovery with this beautiful book written by author Denise Shimabukuro who was inspired by cherished memories of a childhood spent in Hawai´i. With themes of friendship, family and togetherness, and with Disney film characters Stitch, Lilo and Nani at the centre of these musings on everyday life, the book celebrates being wrapped by the Aloha Spirit that unites all those living in the islands as one ´ohana. Sharp and sweet as only life can be, Lilo and Stitch’s messages hit hearts with the plainest of truths... let the simple things that really matter be the bond that unites us all. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations of Stitch, Lilo, Nani and their extended, one-of-a-kind ´Ohana, the book journey invites readers to find hope, calm and reassurance within each page. And it’s through the characters’ various attitudes and feelings that readers learn to rediscover the little things in life, the true relationships, the caring for others and the moments you can treasure and remember forever. The perfect gift for your loved ones.
(Studio Press, hardback, £9.99)

Age 6 plus
From The Heart
Samantha Sweeney and Ella Bailey

‘This book is jam-packed full of love – a treasure for us two. It shows how much you mean to me... a gift from me to you!’ 

HEARTS will be melting at this season of giving with an adorable novelty picture book just made for your loved ones from the top team of author Samantha Sweeney and illustrator Ella Bailey. With flaps to write under and pockets to store precious memories, photos and keepsakes, From The Heart can be personalised to create a unique keepsake for special family members or friends. Every page contains interactive elements such as decorative flaps, photo frames and envelopes where you can express your love to make a unique and treasured gift. Bailey’s cute, eye-catching illustrations blend perfectly with Sweeney’s lyrical, rhyming text to convey universal themes of love, friendship and shared memories all within one utterly heartwarming book.  The heartfelt gift of love!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn
Harriet Evans and Nic Jones

DISCOVER the wonders of nature at night in a spectacular lift-the-flap book full of colour, learning and fun. Young imaginations will be filled with enchantment and curiosity as they travel through the pages of this innovative and entertaining book from inventive publisher Little Tiger Press. Above and Below: Dusk till Dawn offers a stimulating approach to presenting facts and with colourful illustration full of split-page flaps to lift and amazing facts to discover. Journey from the woods at dusk to the lofty Himalayan Mountains and the sweltering deserts, and learn all about the natural world which thrives after the sun goes down. With its gently informative format, the book is full of fascinating facts about the animals and plants which exist in all kinds of climates and habitats, while the split pages allow readers to explore each landscape in a uniquely immersive way. See which night-time wildlife can be found in the open and which stay hidden within their shadowy habitats. Full of Harriet Evans’ bite-sized facts and all brought to vivid life by the enchanting, muted tones of Nic Jones’ beautiful illustrations, this is an exciting and child-friendly way to let youngsters see the world of wildlife at night, and the perfect book for bedtime reading.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
I’ll Love You Till the Crocodiles Smile
Kathryn Cristaldi and Kristyna Litten

‘I will love you till forever and forever and more, till my love shakes the jungle with a lion-size ROAR, as night blankets the forest near a soothing waterfall and the chimpanzees sleep in trees, two hundred feet tall….’ 

LOVE shines out from every page of this lyrical and lovely picture book from the creative pairing of author Kathryn Cristaldi and illustrator Kristyna Litten who brought young readers I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home. With its tender tone, gentle humour and bold and colourful illustrations, this story of unconditional love is the perfect cosy and comforting bedtime read... and destined to become a favourite with both adults and children.
(HarperCollins360, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Swallow Who Stayed
Philip Giordano and Arielle Aaronson

TAKE flight with a swallow who goes against the flock with this beautiful and emotive picture book which celebrates friendship through the four season and is the work of Tokyo-based illustrator and animator Philip Giordano. Translated by Arielle Aaronson, The Swallow Who Stayed stars a swallow called Iris who decides to chart her own path and makes friends along the way. Iris, a curious swallow, asked the other birds: ‘What happens to the forest when we leave?’ But nobody knows the answer because no swallow had ever stayed long enough to see. And when it’s time for the swallows to fly South for the winter, Iris, who has always wondered what the winter is like, decides to stay. One by one, the leaves fall from the trees and the cold begins to settle. Soon an icy wind blows and big snowflakes tumble from the sky. Maybe staying for the winter was a mistake… until everything changes when Iris stumbles into the home of a squirrel. Giordano’s colourful, geometric artwork perfectly captures the changing seasons and the different skyscapes of morning and at night throughout the year in this heartfelt story which explores the unexpected surprises that can happen when we dare to do something different, and celebrates a friendship that lasts from winter to spring.
(Greystone Kids, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Fifi & Friends: The Super Car Race
Tamara Ecclestone Rutland and Amy Zhing

AN exciting new series celebrating girls and motorsports in a Formula 1 inspired debut picture book series by TV personality and mother-of-two Tamara Ecclestone Rutland, daughter of Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of the Formula One Group. While everyone loves the idea of a race, Tamara is passionate about teaching the younger generation how everyone should be treated with love and respect no matter their background, ability, gender or hobby. Fifi is a little girl who LOVES nothing more than tinkering about in her go-kart, whether it's fitting a new engine, inflating the tyres or painting it a shiny new pink. With a Super Car Race in the afternoon, Fifi's knowledge is soon put to the test! Can she help her friends before it's too late? Join Fifi & Friends as they whizz around the track and discover what friendship is all about. An action and fun-packed picture book that stars a cast of relatable children, with typically different likes and dislikes, and champions curiosity and determination.
(New Frontier Publishing, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
The Duck Who Came for Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dredemy

YOUNGSTERS will love getting their teeth into the fifth tasty picture book in Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dreidemy’s heartwarming and hilarious The Lamb Who Came for Dinner series. The Duck Who Came for Dinner sizzles with Smallman’s wit and warmth and French illustrator Dreidemy’s striking and characterful artwork as we meet up again with Wolf, Hotpot the lamb and their pet crocodile Omelette one windy day when a little duck blows into Wolf’s backyard. Wolf and Hotpot call her Apple, and together they nurse her wonky wing back to health. But though she may be small, Apple is one plucky duck and it’s not long before she is flying to their rescue when Hotpot’s kite-flying adventure turns sky high. Smallman’s clever, comical and cautionary tale encourages young readers to challenge stereotypes and expectation and look beyond the surface. The perfect book to share with your own special family and friends!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Always and Only You

Fiona Lucas

GETTING married was supposed to be day one of Erin’s perfect life with long-time love Simon... so why is the wrong bridegroom waiting for her at the end of the church aisle?

Immerse yourself in a wonderfully offbeat and unforgettably romantic story as Fiona Lucas (pictured below) – the award-winning author of contemporary fiction who also writes as Fiona Harper – steals our hearts and lifts our spirits with this rollercoaster journey through a young couple’s troubled past and present.

With an intriguing plot that skips cleverly between two timelines – five years apart – and two principal narrators, Always and Only You explores time-honoured themes like love, loss, grief and second chances, and speaks loudly of the powerful emotions that form the bedrock of human life.

It’s Erin’s big day... the day she has long dreamed about when she marries Simon, the love of her life. Erin – who worked as a stewardess on motor yachts in the Mediterranean until she got engaged – and Simon have been together for eight years so it feels right that they are finally tying the knot.

But the run-up to the wedding day has been stressful as Erin has had to balance the demands of friends with similar demands from Simon’s large and sprawling family... and that’s without mentioning Simon’s close friend and difficult best man, Gil.

Erin finds Gil moody and rude but Anjali, Erin’s best friend and chief bridesmaid, reckons he’s just ‘brooding’ and ‘the strong and silent type.’ It doesn’t help that Erin recognises that her personal dislike for Gil is based on the fact that he sees the things she hates most about herself, ‘the petty, imperfect things,’ the things that she is desperately trying to erase.

Despite all the frustrations of the pre-wedding build-up, Erin couldn’t be happier... couldn’t be happier, that is, until she walks down the church aisle and finds the wrong man waiting for her. Is the universe playing a cruel trick on her, or could it be that her perfect life isn’t quite what she imagined? And could the wrong man be the right one for Erin after all?

Dark secrets bubble beneath the surface of this gripping and beautifully crafted tale which stars an exquisitely drawn cast of characters – from Erin and her scatterbrained but lovable best friend Anjali to Simon and his glowering long-time pal Gil – and transports us from unimaginable heartbreak to hope and a new chance of happiness.

Written with the insight and tenderness we have come to expect from this perceptive author, and touching on themes of family, friendship and building a new life after trauma, this is a story of love, written with love... and guaranteed to be loved by all true romantics!
(HQ, paperback, £9.99)

The stories behind famous style icons

Discover the fascinating histories behind some of the world’s most famous style brands – Dr. Martens boots, sports brand Nike, and luxury jeweller Bulgari – in three pocket-sized books full of stunning photographs and intriguing facts

Street Style: Dr. Martens
A visual history of the iconic brand
Jian DeLeon

DISCOVER the story of Dr. Martens, from its beginnings in 1901 as a producer of sturdy work boots to its position as a cultural icon synonymous with individuality and self-expression. Written by podcast host and author Jian DeLeon, and packed with photographs and information covering the company’s entire history, the book looks back at the cushioned designs and campaigns that made Dr. Martens the symbolic fashion statement they are today. Learn about Dr. Martens’ origins as a work boot worn by postmen and factory workers and how the iconic boot was picked up by the rebellious ska and punk movement as a symbol of working class pride. Find out how Dr. Martens became the go-to fashion piece for self-expression in the music industry, from 60s ska to 70s glam and goth to 90s grunge and 2000s emo. With an exploration of everything from Second World War German Army Dr. Klaus Maertens’ invention of the air-cushioned sole (created to ease his own foot injury after a skiing accident) to the brand’s 2003 partnerships with high fashion designers, this is the perfect gift for fans of the famous boot.

Street Style: Nike
A visual history of the iconic brand

Gerald Flores

GET in step with the story of Nike, best known for the trademark swoosh adorning the side of their sneakers and clothing, and discover its beginnings in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports to its current position as the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. Packed with photographs and information covering the company’s entire history, the book – written by sneakers culture connoisseur Gerald Flores – explores the ground-breaking designs and campaigns that made Nike such a significant player in the street style and sports industry. Learn about Nike’s Japanese origins and how founder Bill Bowerman created the popular Tiger Cortez shoe in 1967 and how the name Nike, after the Greek goddess of victory, and the iconic logo were born. Find out about the major moments in history that shaped Nike’s journey, including the phenomenal endorsement deal with Michael Jordan which spawned the line of Air Jordan sneakers... perhaps the world’s most well-known shoe! With an exploration of everything from the brand’s endorsements from high-profile athletes such as Serena Williams, Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo to its innovations in sports-technology, this intriguing book would be an ideal gift for sport and fashion lovers.

Bulgari: The Story Behind the Style
Rachael Taylor

AND eyes will sparkle at this stunning, handbag-sized visual history of Bulgari, one of the world’s most iconic jewellery designers. Packed with photographs and information covering the company’s entire history, the book – written by freelance jewellery journalist Rachael Taylor – explores how the luxury jeweller, best known for its gold products, was founded in Rome by a talented Greek silversmith, how the refurbishment of the flagship store in Rome resulted in a significant turning point for the brand and how it became a magnet for the stars. Marvel at the world-famous diamonds Bulgari has been custodian for, learn about the origins of iconic designs like the Serpenti and Giardinetto ranges, and explore the company's expansion into other lifestyle products like bags, sunglasses, perfumes... and even hotels. A glittering gift for jewellery lovers!
(Studio Press, hardback, £13.99 each)