Verlag: idb
Manfred laid down the Heraldo di Madrid, removed his eyeglass, rubbed it with a spotless handkerchief, and laughed quietly. “These Russians are droll,” he commented. Poiccart frowned and reached for the newspaper. “Who is it—this time?” “A Governor of one of the Southern Provinces.” “Killed?” Manfred’s moustache curled in scornful derision ...
Step back in time to the era of the American Revolution with Washington Irving's classic tale, "Rip Van Winkle," brought to life by the engaging narration of Anthony Pica. This timeless story follows the adventures of Rip Van Winkle, a kind but idle man who escapes the troubles of his nagging wife by wandering into the mountains. There, he encounters mysterious figures who offer him a drink that leads to an extraordinary slumber. Rip awakens twenty years later to find that everything has changed—the world he knew is gone, and the United States of America has emerged as a new nation. As he navigates this strange new world, Rip's story becomes a poignant reflection on change, time, and the enduring human spirit. Anthony Pica’s captivating narration draws listeners into the enchanting world of Irving’s imagination, making this audiobook an immersive experience for all ages. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or discovering this story for the first time, "Rip Van Winkle" is an essential addition to your audiobook collection. Perfect for those who love historical fiction, folklore, and tales of adventure, this audiobook offers a unique window into the past while exploring themes that resonate with modern listeners.Zum Buch
‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell *** 1859. Somerset, England. When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter. Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners. When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…See what readers are saying: 'The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby’s sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It’s a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of those books that you can't put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Reiss's meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping, dark, well written story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ As suspense builds, the mystery at the heart of these stories exposes how a mother’s love and a wife’s vulnerability can be exploited by those who claim salvation. Ruby’s detective resolve keeps the tension razor-sharp, delivering the claustrophobic momentum of thrillers right to the final reckoning. For fans of Fiona Mcintosh (The Pearl Thief), Victoria Scott (The Storyteller's Daughter), Madalyn Morgan (Redemption), Jojo Moyes (The Giver of Stars), and Chris Whitaker (All the Colours of the Dark). HarperCollins 2025Zum Buch
In Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, the holidays are anything but merry when a family reunion is marred by murder—and the notoriously fastidious investigator is quickly on the case. Christmas Eve, and the Lee family’s reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture and a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed. When Hercule Poirot offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old man. . . .Zum Buch
If you tell a story oft enough So it become true As the nineteenth century draws towards a close, Mary Ann Sate, an elderly maidservant, sets out to write her truth. She writes of the Valleys that she loves, of the poisonous rivalry between her employer's two sons and of a terrible choice which tore her world apart. Her haunting and poignant story brings to life a period of strife and rapid social change, and evokes the struggles of those who lived in poverty and have been forgotten by history. In this fictional found memoir, novelist Alice Jolly uses the astonishing voice of Mary Ann to recreate history as seen from a woman's perspective and to give joyful, poetic voice to the silenced women of the past.Zum Buch
Author Edna Ferber described the story of SO BIG as being about a "material man, son of his earth-grubbing, idealistic mother." Left an orphan at 19 years old in the late 1880s, Selina Peake needs to support herself. She leaves the city life she has known to become a teacher in the farming community of High Prairie, IL. Her father had told her that life is an adventure, and one should make the most of it. Selina sees beauty everywhere, including in the fields of cabbages. She has a natural curiosity about farming and oversteps the woman's traditional role by having the audacity to ask the men questions. She soon marries Pervus DeJong, a farmer. Selina eagerly offers suggestions for operational improvements, but Pervus ignores her, preferring to use the unprofitable farming methods employed by his father. Though she suffers many hardships, Selina always remembers the importance of beauty, and she admires those who exercise their creative talents. She tries to instill these views in her son Dirk and fights with her husband over the need for their child to get a full education. Once Dirk finishes college and starts work, will he retain Selina's values? SO BIG was the first book to have the rare distinction of being the best-selling book of the year and win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.Zum Buch
Valeria Brinton marries Eustace Woodville despite objections from Woodville's family leading to disquiet for Valeria's own family and friends.Just a few days after the wedding, various incidents lead Valeria to suspect her husband is hiding a dark secret in his past and she discovers that he has been using a false name. He refuses to discuss it leading them to curtail their honeymoon and return to London where Valeria learns that he was on trial for his first wife's murder by arsenic. He was tried in a Scottish court and the verdict was 'Not Proven' rather than 'not guilty' implying his guilt but without enough proof for a jury to convict him.Valeria sets out to save their happiness by proving her husband innocent of the crime. In her quest, she comes across the disabled character Miserrimus Dexter, a fascinating but mentally unstable genius, and his devoted female cousin, Ariel. Dexter will prove crucial to uncovering the disturbing truth behind the mysterious death. (Introduction by wikipedia)Zum Buch
