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  Ultor De Lacy: A Legend of...

  Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

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  "The shadows of Cappercullen hold more than just memories; they hold the restless spirits of those we betrayed."
  
  Returning to the rugged landscape of Munster, Le Fanu weaves a tale of the doomed De Lacy family. Ultor De Lacy, a man whose family was ruined by their loyalty to the lost Jacobite cause, lives a shadow of a life in the decaying Tower of Cappercullen. But the physical ruin of his estate is nothing compared to the spiritual rot within. When his daughters encounter a mysterious and beautiful stranger in the woods, they unknowingly reopen a door to a supernatural debt that has remained unpaid for generations. It is a story where political exile meets ghostly visitation, proving that for the De Lacys, the war never truly ended.
  
  History Haunted by Myth: Le Fanu brilliantly utilizes the real-world tension of the 18th-century Jacobite rebellions to ground his ghost story. The "legend" isn't just a campfire tale; it is a manifestation of the trauma of a defeated aristocracy. The ghosts of Cappercullen are symbols of a bygone era that refuses to die or stay silent.
  
  The "Stranger" in the Woods: A recurring theme in Le Fanu's work is the deceptive nature of the supernatural. The figure who haunts the periphery of the De Lacy estate is both alluring and terrifying, representing the "Otherworld" of Irish folklore. The story explores the vulnerability of innocence when faced with an ancient, calculating evil.
  
  Atmospheric Mastery: From the "death-tick" in the walls to the chilling descriptions of the secret chamber hidden within the tower, Le Fanu builds a sense of mounting dread. Ultor De Lacy is a masterclass in the "liminal" ghost story—where the horror is found in the transition between the historical world we know and the spectral world we fear.
  
  Step into the tower of shadows. Purchase "Ultor De Lacy: A Legend of Cappercullen" today.

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  Dr Heidigger's experiment - From...

  Nathaniel Hawthorne

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  Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4th July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, a town synonymous with the earlier Salem Witch Trials. It was instrumental in Hawthorne’s later use of American Gothic and dark romanticism in his writing. 
  He was a mere four years old when his father died and his mother took him and his two sisters to live with her family and then on to their own home in Raymond, Maine. The young Hawthorne had a passion for fiction and poetry and voraciously read the works of Ann Radcliffe, Henry Fielding and Lord Byron.  
  He was sent to college at his maternal uncle’s insistence. During these years he met and befriended Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and future U S president Franklin Pierce. These friendships were lifelong and to have a crucial impact on his writings and career.  
  At college Hawthorne had made attempts at writing short stories and essays but without opportunities to publish. It was only in 1828 that he finally published his novel ‘Franshawe’ to little success and so he began work as editor for the American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge.  
  Hawthorne’s short stories were first published in magazines but in 1837 were collected and published as ‘Twice-Told Tales’. A steady literary career still did not come his way and so he worked in a good position at Salem’s port and married the love of his life Sophia Peabody. They moved to live in ‘The Old Manse’ at Concord, Massachusetts.   
  Finally. in 1850 came spectacular literary and commercial success with ‘The Scarlet Letter’ followed by ‘The House of the Seven Gables’ the following year.  
  In 1852, Hawthorne published a biography of presidential candidate Franklin Pierce. After Pierce’s victory he was appointed consul in Liverpool, a position that offered prestige, money and fame. At the end of this appointment he returned several times to Europe before settling in Massachusetts and resuming writing and publication. 
  During the early 1860’s his health declined and on 19th May 1864 during a trip to Plymouth, New Hampshire. He was 59 and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts.

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  Bank Holiday

  Katherine Mansfield

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  "Bank Holiday" is a story by Katherine Mansfield: A stout man with a pink face wears dingy white flannel trousers, a blue coat with a pink handkerchief showing, and a straw hat much too small for him, perched at the back of his head.

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  Morality of the Profession of...

  Robert Louis Stevenson

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  Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Stevenson suffered from serious bronchial trouble for much of his life, but continued to write prolifically and travel widely in defiance of his poor health. As a young man, he mixed in London literary circles, receiving encouragement from Andrew Lang, Edmund Gosse, Leslie Stephen and W. E. Henley, the last of whom may have provided the model for Long John Silver in Treasure Island.
  THE MORALITY OF THE PROFESSION OF LETTERS: The profession of letters has been lately debated in the public prints; and it has been debated, to put the matter mildly, from a point of view that was calculated to surprise high-minded men, and bring a general contempt on books and reading.

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  At the Stroke of Midnight - A...

  Jenni Keer

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  ‘So many things to love about this book – stunning setting, fabulous characters, a murder mystery to solve, and all under a spellbinding timeslip twist. Absolutely devoured it.’ Jessica Redland, million-copy bestselling author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It’s an invitation that will change everything… 
  It’s 1923 when Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger. 
  Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a secret shared history with several of the guests. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their elusive host fails to even appear… 
  Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that culminates in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself. 
  But then… Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome? 
  A completely addictive and unforgettable 1920s mystery – with a timeslip twist – perfect for fans of Daphne du Maurier, Agatha Christie, and Lucinda Riley.  
  Readers are loving At the Stroke of Midnight: 
  ‘A fantastic read!… The puzzle, once solved, is staggering… Reminded me of Poirot… I’d recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a mystery and a dash of the unexplainable thrown in. Brilliant imagination!!!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘And Then There Were None meets Groundhog Day… The author does a great job of making you feel as if you’re in the 1920s; it’s a clever Christie-like whodunnit (and I didn’t guess!) but it’s more than that. It’s a coming-of-age story… a lovely romance; and magical realism with the timeloop… Thoroughly good.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘So many twists and surprises, it was a thrilling experience trying to work out what was going on and who was responsible for the murders. Definitely a little Agatha Christie like, with a sprinkling of Rebecca for good measure.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘A sumptuous, suspenseful and very satisfying read… Skilfully weaves drama, glamour, comedy, romance and coming of age in a time-twisty tale of suspense… Atmospheric… rich in period detail… perfectly paced.’ Nancy Peach, bestselling author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘To sum this book up in one word... Absobloodymazing!!!… I am in love with the way [the author] writes historical fiction, timeslips, mysteries and romance all in one book. She really is clever, the way she hides her clues throughout the book and gives her readers so many ‘aha’ moments throughout. The sheer amount of twists leaves you feeling seasick in the best possible way.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘What a creative fascinating story!… A unique intriguing mystery set in 1923 with a fascinating time loop… Reminded me of an Agatha Christie… Kept me intrigued from start to finish… I loved it.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
  ‘Kept me reading late into the night… Extraordinary “whodunnit” set in a different era… Reminded me of the film Groundhog Day… I loved this book.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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  Le Grand Meaulnes

  Alain Fournier

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  A new pupil, Augustin Meaulnes, arrives at a rural school, and his bravado and charisma make an immediate impact on all those around him, including the 15-year-old François Seurel. The newcomer suddenly disappears for several days, during which time he stumbles across a mysterious manor house, which is home to a beautiful girl, Yvonne de Galais. After returning, ‘Le Grand Meaulnes’ embarks on a search to find again the lost manor and the happiness he found there. His tortuous journey, observed by his devoted friend François, is a moving depiction of the pain of adolescent love and desperate friendship.
  Lauded for its powerful portrayal of adolescence, Le Grand Meaulnes found an immediate place in the canon of European literature from its first appearance in 1913. Alain-Fournier died in the year following its publication and it remains his only novel.

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