Publisher: Bu Classics Books
A simple-minded young man and his talking raven are swept into the chaotic violence of the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots. Intertwined with this historical anarchy is a gripping murder mystery that threatens to destroy innocent lives. A dark and suspenseful look at how the vulnerable become pawns in the madness of mob rule.
"His to Fly" by Richard Howells Watkins is a short story published in the late 1920s, where the characters navigate the challenges of early aviation. The narrative revolves around two pilots, Beak Becket and Jerry Tabor, as they grapple with their complicated partnership while flying a biplane. Central to the story is the theme of ambition and the tension between experience and inexperience in pursuit of flight. The plot unfolds as Jerry and Beak prepare for a flight, highlighting their contentious relationship. Beak, a seasoned pilot, often belittles Jerry, who is eager to prove himself. Tensions rise during their journey, particularly when the realities of aerial navigation become perilous amid fog and dwindling fuel. As the story climaxes with a malfunction and impending disaster, Jerry's decisive moment comes when he must choose between saving himself by jumping with a parachute or taking control of the plane that he partly owns. In a courageous act of determination, Jerry takes over the cockpit, demonstrating growth and asserting his newfound identity as a pilot, ultimately leading to their precarious landing.Show book
'Out of the ashes of the Great Fire of London comes an unforgettable tale … T.L. Mogford has excelled himself' Michael Morpurgo ‘I swallowed up The Saffron Thief in 36 hours. It’s a tremendous piece of work … Truly superb’ William Boyd In 1666, England's saffron industry is booming, with the spice fetching a staggering £4 per pound—rivalling gold. Fabian Smith, the sensible second son of a Holborn poulterer, has sacrificed his dreams of adventure for family duty. But when the Great Fire claims his father and his reckless brother plunges them into debt with a ruthless conman, their home—and freedom—hang in the balance. Desperate to save his family, Fabian hatches a daring plan: steal the fortune they need. His target? The wealthiest saffron grower in Saffron Walden. Disguised and determined, he arrives just in time for the harvest, only to discover that the townsfolk are far more cunning than he expected. As danger closes in, Fabian must navigate treachery and his own heart, racing against time to save everything he holds dear. nanShow book
The year is 1714. Two years have passed since Ruth Hanover vanished into the wilderness of the New Jersey colony without a trace, leaving behind her husband, William, and their daughter, Sarah. Though William and Sarah have never stopped hoping that Ruth will return, as time goes by it becomes less and less likely they will ever see her again.Now William is acting strangely. He won’t tell Sarah why he’s conducting business with a mysterious stranger in the middle of the night, he won’t explain the sudden increase in his income, and he won’t share with her what people in town aresaying about her mother’s disappearance. When the time comes for Sarah to face her father’s secrets and figure out why her mother never came home that December day in 1712, what she learns will shock her tiny community on the New Jersey cape and leave her fighting for her life.Show book
Step into the lush, dangerous world of the Amazon in this sweeping historical novel brought vividly to life by acclaimed narrator Caroline Hewitt, whose captivating performances include The Rhino Keeper, The Porcelain Menagerie, and The Choir. In 1928, industrial titan Henry Ford launched an audacious experiment deep in the Brazilian rainforest: Fordlandia, a company town meant to produce rubber for the Ford Motor Company and prove that American industry could tame the jungle. Instead, the dream spiraled into cultural conflict, ecological disaster, and human tragedy. Seventeen-year-old Joanna Rogge arrives in the Amazon after her father accepts a management position at the ambitious plantation. Far from the rigid expectations of her life in Michigan, Joanna is captivated by the beauty and danger of the rainforest—and by Rafael Caetano, a talented Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own. As Fordlandia begins to unravel—crops fail, fevers spread, and tensions rise between American managers and Brazilian workers—Joanna and Rafael are drawn into a forbidden romance that challenges the rigid rules of class, culture, and corporate control. When unrest and revolution threaten everything around them, they must decide what they are willing to risk for truth, survival, and love. With Caroline Hewitt’s immersive narration guiding listeners through the sights, sounds, and dangers of the Amazon, Jungle of Ashes becomes an unforgettable listening experience. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this powerful novel explores the cost of empire, the clash of cultures, and the enduring strength of the human heart.Show book
A RAGS TO RICHES NOVELNuneaton, 1904Abandoned on the steps of the workhouse shortly after her birth, little Annie never felt the love of a family. When she's taken from the only world she has known to a smart home on Swan Lane, she dares to hope her life might be changing for the better. But hope is fragile. Grieving the loss of her own child, Maggie Lilburn didn't adopt Annie out of kindness - she wants her as a servant, not a daughter. Despite Maggie's coldness, Annie finds flickers of warmth elsewhere: in the bond with her adopted brothers and in the quiet kindness of Maggie's husband Levi, the local rag-and-bone man. He sees Annie's potential and takes her under his wing and into his trade. As Maggie crumbles beneath the weight of her sorrow, Annie is determined to hold the fractured family together - and carve out a place of her own.Through all of this one question remains for Annie: who were her parents and why did they abandon her at the workhouse all those years ago?The Rag Princess is an emotional tale of resilience, heartbreak and the power of family and the first book in the brand-new Rags to Riches Trilogy from bestselling author, Rosie Goodwin.Show book
The bookshelves of American literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors. From this continent their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure. Among them is the talented but obscure authoress Louise Pond Jewell.Show book
