Other books that might interest you

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  The Secrets of Folder 42

  Abdelmajid Sebbata

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  In this thriller-cum-jigsaw puzzle, two storylines play out across continents and true historical events as American novelist Christine McMillan and student Rachid Bennacer aim to solve The Secrets of Folder 42, while chess champion Zouhair Belkacem, shunted off to medical school in Moscow, returns to Morocco in time for a spectacular crunch day.

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  When the Tamarind Tree Blooms

  Elaine Russell

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  Geneviève (Vivi) Dubois, a métisse, half-Lao/half-French, turns eighteen and leaves the French orphanage in Vientiane where she has been trapped for fourteen unhappy years. With only a distant memory of being torn from her mother’s arms at age four, she is determined to uncover what happened to her parents and locate her missing twin brother. But where to start? Orphanage and government officials refuse to reveal her origins. She leaves her strict, Catholic upbringing behind and emerges into the deeply divided world of 1931 French colonial Laos. Neither French colons nor native Lao readily accept her mixed heritage. Where does she fit in as she navigates her way, one foot stuck in each world? She is grateful for the kindness of her former French teacher, who offers her shelter and support. But she meets with prejudice, mistreatment, and rejection at every turn. Even falling in love is fraught with the cultural restrictions of two dissonant societies. A long circuitous route leads her to the past and a way forward to a better future, one where she is proud of who she is and rightfully claims her life as her own.

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  The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay -...

  Flora Johnston

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  'A captivating blend of fact and fiction. This fascinating story transports the reader back in time' People's Friend
  1927. Transatlantic flight fever grips the globe.
  The Honourable Miss Elsie Mackay, glamorous ex-film star turned bold aviator, sets her sights on becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. Her friend Stella Campbell once felt at the heart of world events, but post-war hopes are frayed and marriage and motherhood have worn away her sense of self. Meanwhile, Stella's sister Corran, a determinedly single academic, or so it seems, keeps her emotions tightly guarded - until hidden truths begin to surface.
  For these intertwined lives, a daring journey and an uncertain future lies ahead in the landscape of a rapidly changing world.
  'Utterly captivating' Sue Lawrence
  'I was drawn into the lives of the characters and got caught up in Elsie's transatlantic challenge' Caroline Scott

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  A Witch's Den - A look into the...

  Helena Blavatsky

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  Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, often known as Madame Blavatsky, was born on 12th August 1831 into an aristocratic family in present day Dnipro in Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire.  She was the younger sister of the writer Vera Zhelikhovsky. 
   
  Much of Blavatsky’s life story relies on her own memories which changed much during her lifetime and therefore parts of it are unreliable.  What appears to be certain is that much of her life was lived first on family travels and postings and then on her journeys in an effort to further her own self-education and quest for knowledge. 
   
  As a teenager she developed an interest in Western esotericism and from there she claimed many travels including a trip to India where she encountered a group of spiritual adepts, the ‘Masters of the Ancient Wisdom’, who sent her to Shigatse, Tibet, where they trained her to develop a deeper understanding of the synthesis of religion, philosophy, and science.  
   
  By the early 1870s, Blavatsky was involved in the Spiritualist movement, which was then popular both in Britain and abroad, even though she argued against its main tenet that those ‘contacted’ were the spirits of the dead.  
   
  She moved to the United States in 1873 and became close to the journalist Henry Steel Olcott who helped her gain public attention as a spirit medium and then also became an adherent to her principles.   
   
  In 1875 in New York City she co-founded the Theosophical Society and two years later published ‘Isis Unveiled’, a book outlining her Theosophical world-view from its ancient roots to the modern day.  Her work was even more popular in Asia than elsewhere and is said to have influenced both Ghandi and Nehru amongst many others.  
   
  In 1880, she and Olcott moved to India, where the Society was allied to a Hindu reform movement.  That same year she converted to Buddhism.  However, she was often plagued with accusations of fraudulent paranormal phenomena.  
   
  With her health failing she returned to London and published ‘The Secret Doctrine’, her commentary on claimed ancient Tibetan manuscripts, and other books.  
   
  Helena Blavatsky died in London of influenza during the global pandemic on 8th May 1891.  She was 59.

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  The Lost World

  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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  The Lost World is the original classic Dinosaur adventure story! Written by Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this story set the standard for globe-trotting archaeological and anthropological heroes. Join Professor Challenger and his team as they follow the writings of a diary filled with stories of giant lizards and flying reptiles. Their search takes them to South America, and a plateau separate from world evolution by millions of years. Join them as they try to explore - and escape - The Lost World!

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  His Maddening Matchmaker

  Virginia Heath

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  Sparks fly in this witty Regency romanceThey say opposites attract…But do they wed?Ned Parker has spent years restoring his family’s fortunes, leaving no time for courting. Now childhood friend and self-appointed matchmaker Isobel has decided to transform this “scruffy brute” into an eligible gentleman. Though he has no interest in rejoining society, Ned senses Izzy needs the distraction and reluctantly goes along with her plans. Despite their differing views, a surprising new attraction grows…but Ned’s doing his best to avoid it! From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.A Very Village ScandalBook 1: The Earl's Inconvenient HouseguestBook 2: His Maddening Matchmaker

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