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GENERAL FICTION

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The Echo

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

Boy Minette Walters

"The Echo" by Boy Minette Walter is a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of past actions. The story follows a group of individuals bound together by a shared secret that resurfaces years later, threatening to shatter their lives once again. As the tension mounts and hidden truths come to light, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey of betrayal, redemption, and the haunting power of the past. With expertly crafted prose and a masterful command of suspense, Boy Minette Walter delivers a riveting tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page."

Jove Books, 1998, 338 pages

Force of Nature

USED BOOK-MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By Jane Harper

Five women reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking along the muddy track. Only four come out the other side.

The hike through the rugged Giralang Ranges is meant to take the office colleagues out of their air-conditioned comfort zone and teach resilience and team building. At least that is what the corporate retreat website advertises.

Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a particularly keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing bushwalker. Alice Russell is the whistleblower in his latest case - and Alice knew secrets. About the company she worked for and the people she worked with.

Far from the hike encouraging teamwork, the women tell Falk a tale of suspicion, violence and disintegrating trust. And as he delves into the disappearance, it seems some dangers may run far deeper than anyone knew.

Pan Macmillan Australia, Sep 26, 2017, 377 pages

ENGLISH, AUGUST: An Indian Story

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By Upamanyu Chatterjee

English, August: An Indian Story is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the life and experiences of Agastya Sen, a young Indian civil servant posted in a small town. As Agastya navigates the complexities of his new surroundings, he grapples with issues of identity, culture clash, and personal growth. Through a blend of humor, introspection, and sharp social commentary, the book offers a unique insight into contemporary India and the inner world of its protagonist. A classic in Indian literature, English, August is a compelling exploration of tradition, modernity, and the quest for self-discovery.

Rupa. Faber and Faber. 1990. 305p.

The Eleventh Commandment

By JEFFREY ARCHER

In Jeffrey Archer's gripping novel, "The Eleventh Commandment," the reader is thrust into a world of espionage, betrayal, and high-stakes political intrigue. As CIA agent Connor Fitzgerald navigates the treacherous waters of international espionage, he finds himself caught between duty and conscience, forced to make impossible choices that will shape the fate of nations.

Archer weaves a complex and suspenseful tale, drawing readers into a web of conspiracy that spans continents. With twists and turns at every corner, "The Eleventh Commandment" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning loyalties and unraveling mysteries until the final, shocking revelation.

A master of suspense, Archer delivers a fast-paced thriller that explores the morality of espionage and the cost of loyalty. "The Eleventh Commandment" is a riveting journey into the shadows of power, where nothing is as it seems and trust is a luxury few can afford.

NY. Melbourne. Harper Colins. 1998. 345p.

The Brisbane - Line

By J.P. Powell

"The Brisbane Line" by J.P. Powell is a captivating historical fiction novel that delves into the untold story of the controversial defense strategy during World War II. Set in Australia, the novel follows the lives of ordinary individuals caught in extraordinary circumstances as they navigate loyalty, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. Powell masterfully weaves together personal narratives and political intrigue against the backdrop of war-torn landscapes, offering readers a thought-provoking insight into a lesser-known aspect of history. With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, "The Brisbane Line" is a compelling read that sheds light on the complexities of human nature in times of crisis.

Sydney. Brio. 2020. 293p.

Smokehouse

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Melissa Manning

"Smokehouse" is a gripping tale that follows the lives of three individuals brought together by a mysterious fire that engulfs a small town. As they navigate through loss, guilt, and secrets buried in the ashes, their paths intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing dark truths and igniting buried desires. Set against the backdrop of a hauntingly beautiful landscape, this novel weaves together elements of suspense, romance, and redemption, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. "Smokehouse" is a compelling exploration of human nature and the intricate ways in which our past can shape our present.

Brisbane. University of Queensland Press. 2021. 248p.

The Fortress

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By S. A. Jones

"The Fortress" by S.A. Jones is a compelling novel that delves into the complexities of power, desire, and relationships. Set against the backdrop of a secluded estate, the story follows the enigmatic Juliet, a woman who exudes strength and mystery in equal measure. As secrets unravel and tensions rise within the fortress walls, readers are drawn into a world where control and submission blur the lines between love and manipulation. Jones weaves a mesmerizing tale that challenges societal norms and explores the depths of human connection, leaving readers questioning where the true power lies in the dynamics of relationships. "The Fortress" is a thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Richmond, Australia. Bonnier Publishing. 2018. 286p.

Portrait of a Lady

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By Henry James

"Portrait of a Lady" is a timeless classic written by Henry James that delves into the complexities of societal expectations and personal freedom in the 19th century. The novel follows the journey of Isabel Archer, a spirited and independent young American woman, as she navigates the intricacies of wealth, love, and betrayal while living in Europe. James masterfully crafts a narrative that explores the innermost thoughts and desires of his characters, making "Portrait of a Lady" a compelling exploration of self-discovery and the consequences of one's choices. This novel continues to captivate readers with its insightful commentary on the social norms of the era and the timeless question of what it means to truly be free.

Gutenberg Project. 1881. 340p.

THE TURN OF THE SCREW

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By Henry James

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is a classic gothic novella that delves into the realms of psychological horror and suspense. The story follows a governess who is hired to care for two orphaned children at a remote estate in the English countryside. As she begins her duties, she starts to experience strange and eerie occurrences, convinced that the children are under the influence of malevolent spirits.

James masterfully weaves a tale of ambiguity, leaving readers questioning the governess's sanity and the true nature of the entities haunting the children. With its chilling atmosphere, subtle psychological tension, and unsettling ambiguity, The Turn of the Screw is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its haunting narrative and enigmatic characters.

NY. Macmillan. Gutenberg Project. 1898. 107p.

Round the Camp Fire

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

By E. E. Reynolds

FROM THE PREFACE: “The yarns in this book are all narratives of actual experiences. It is not usually difficult to get the books written by famous explorers, such as Livingstone, and their achievements are also recorded in biographies; but there have been a great many men who have travelled in the lesser known parts of the world without becoming famous. Many of the stories that follow are drawn from the adventures ofsuch minor explorers. One group. of the yarns is about early settlers in the Dominions; these men and women had to endure much hardship while creating new homes, but unfortunately few of themrecorded their experiences.

Oxford University Press. 1953. 160p.

The Jungle Book

By Rudyard Kipling

PUBLISHER PREFACE: The book you are about to read is composed of stories written by Rudyard Kipling. Originally, these stories were in two volumes entitled "The Jungle Book." * and " The Second Jungle Book." The present volume combines all of the Mowgli Stories under one cover. In addition, "Rikki Tikki Tavi," "The Elephant Boy," * and "The Miracle of Purun Bhagat" have been included. Certain other stories that appeared in the original books have been omitted due to limitations of space. The stories that do appear in this book are unabridged, exactly as Kipling originally published them.

London. Classic Press and Ottenhelmer publishers. 1968, 1979. 225p. UNSED BOOK CONTAINS MARK-UP

Just So Stories For Little Children

By Rudyard Kipling

FROM THE COVER: "Once upon a Time O Best Beloved," and so begins one of the best loved and most respected collections of stories for children, Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. This edition includes the author's own unique illustrations. Kipling's bold linear fantasies, in the style of art nouveau, as well as his attention to realistic detail, create an intriguing and strikingly different interpretation. The first tale, "How the Whale Got Its Throat," a tall tale of a big whale, sets the tone for these wild "venturesome adventures," to use Kipling's words. One glance at the table of contents will reveal that the Just So Stories appeal most to inquisitive and fantasy-loving minds. These are stories which tell us of the Time of Very Beginnings;…”

London. Crown Publishers.. 1978. Originally published 1937. 211p. USED BOOK

The Young Fur Traders

By R. M. Ballantyne

"The Young Fur Traders" is a children's adventure novel by Scottish author R. M. Ballantyne, first published in 1856. Set in the American Old West, this exciting tale is full of action and daring-do, making it ideal for children with an interest in the Wild West and American history. .

Melbourne. Australia. A Herald Classic. Colorgravure Publications. Originally published 1851. 1950. 223p

Ficciones

By Jorge Luis Borges

From the cover: ". unquestionably the most brilliant South American writing today. . .one of the genuine prose talents of our pe- riod. Written with a classical economy of means and under the control of a mind of wide culture and deep sensitivity, his stories will continue echoing in the minds of his readers as do those of Franz Kafka." -Herald Tribune Books

NY. Grove Press. 1962. 164p. USED BOOK. CONTAINS MARK-UP.

The History Man

By Malcolm Bradbury

FROM THE COVER: Howard Kirk is the trendiest ofradical tutors at a fashionable campus university. Timid Vice- Chancellors pale before his threats of disruption; reactionary colleagues are crushed beneath his merciless Marxist logic; women are drawn by his progressive promiscuity. A self-appointed revolutionary hero, Howard always comes out on top. And Malcolm Bradbury dissects him in this savagely funny novel that has been universally acclaimed as a comic masterpiece. 'Malcolm Bradbury has come up with a novel that simply must be read' — THE TIMES.

London Arrow Books. 1975. 233p. USED BOOK. COMNGAINS MARK-UP

Labyrinths: Selected Stories And Other Writings

By Jorge Luis Borges. Edited by Donald A. Yates and James E. Irby

FROM THE PREFACE: Jorge Luis Borges is a great writer who has composed only little essays or short narratives. Yet they suffice for us to call him great because of their wonderful intelligence, their wealth of invention and their tight, almost mathematical, style. Argentine by birth and temperament, but nurtured on univer- sal literature, Borges has no spiritual homeland. He creates, outside time and space, imaginary and symbolic worlds. It is a sign of his importance that, in placing him, only strange and perfect works can be called to mind. He is akin to Kafka, Poe, sometimes to Henry James and Wells, always to Valéry by the abrupt projection of his paradoxes in what has been called 'his private metaphysics'.

London. Penguin. 1964. 276p. USED BOOK. CONTAINS MARK-UP

Moby Dick

By Herman Melville

From Wikipedia: Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is an 1851 novel by American writer Herman Melville. The book is the sailor Ishmael's narrative of the maniacal quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for vengeance against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whalethat bit off his leg on the ship's previous voyage. A contribution to the literature of the American Renaissance, Moby-Dick was published to mixed reviews, was a commercial failure, and was out of print at the time of the author's death in 1891. Its reputation as a Great American Novel was established only in the 20th century, after the 1919 centennial of its author's birth. William Faulkner said he wished he had written the book himself,[1] and D. H. Lawrence called it "one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world" and "the greatest book of the sea ever written".[2] Its opening sentence, "Call me Ishmael", is among world literature's most famous.[3]

London. Richard Bentley . 1851. 632p.

Prime Minister

By Anthony Trollope

From Wikipedia: When neither the Whigs nor the Tories are able to form a government on their own, a fragile compromise coalition government is formed, with Plantagenet Palliser, the wealthy and hard-working Duke of Omnium, installed as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Duchess, formerly Lady Glencora Palliser, attempts to support her husband by hosting lavish parties at Gatherum Castle in Barsetshire, the family's largest country house, barely used until now. Palliser, initially unsure that he is fit to lead, grows to enjoy his high office, but becomes increasingly distressed when his government proves to be too weak and divided to accomplish anything. His own inflexible nature does not help.

London. Chapman & Hall. 1876. 807p.

Phineas Finn: The Irish Member

By Anthony Trollope

Fron Wikipedia: “Phineas Finn is a novel by Anthony Trollope and the name of its leading character. The novel was first published as a monthly serial from October 1867 to May 1868 in St Paul's Magazine.[1] It is the second of the "Palliser" series of novels. Its sequel, Phineas Redux, is the fourth novel in the series. The character of Phineas Finn is said to have been partly inspired by Sir John Pope Hennessy (grandfather of the museum director of the same name),[2] a Roman Catholic from Cork, who was elected as an "Irish Nationalist Conservative" Member of Parliament for King's County in 1859.[3] It deals with both British parliamentary politics of the 1860s, including voting reform (secret ballot and eliminating rotten boroughs and Irish tenant-right) and Finn's romances with women of fortune, which would secure his financial future.

London. George Virtue. 1869. 751p.

Barchester Towers

By Anthony Trollope

Barchester Towers is a novel by English author Anthony Trollope published by Longmans in 1857. It is the second book in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, preceded by The Warden and followed by Doctor Thorne. Among other things it satirises the antipathy in the Church of England between High Church and Evangelicaladherents. Trollope began writing this book in 1855. He wrote constantly and made himself a writing-desk so he could continue writing while travelling by train. "Pray know that when a man begins writing a book he never gives over", he wrote in a letter during this period. "The evil with which he is beset is as inveterate as drinking – as exciting as gambling". In his autobiography, Trollope observed "In the writing of Barchester Towers I took great delight. The bishop and Mrs. Proudie were very real to me, as were also the troubles of the archdeacon and the loves of Mr. Slope". When he submitted his finished work, his publisher, William Longman, initially turned it down, finding much of it to be full of "vulgarity and exaggeration".[1

London. Longmans. 1857. 559p.