Marcia Willett

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Maryland

A Novel

Marcia Willett's The Garden House is a charming and heartwarming novel about family, yearning, and long-buried secrets ...

Fresh out of university and right on the precipice of adulthood, El is trying her best to figure out what it is she really wants from life. This is complicated by the fact that she is also dealing with the loss of her father, Martin. After his sudden death, El inherits and moves into his home just outside Tavistock, in the Devon countryside. Her stepbrother and sort-of friend, Will, comes to help her through her grief and to go through her father's belongings. As El spends time in her father's home, she uncovers more about his life, and the secrets he had been keeping from her and her family. This includes mysterious messages on his phone from someone El suspects may have been more than just a friendly acquaintance.

Julia is also mourning Martin, but for many reasons, they thought best to keep their relationship a secret. So she must now grieve entirely on her own. All she has to remember of her love are the text messages they sent to each other in their secret code, and the memories of their time spent at The Garden House: a beautiful community garden and teashop nearby. It is where they met, fell in love, and where their secret affair will inevitably be uncovered one day.

As El and Will begin to decipher the messages on Martin's phone, and piece together her father's long-buried secrets, they are brought closer and closer to each other, to Julia, and to a truth that is difficult for all to face.

The Garden House

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#hardcover #ya #youngadult #historicalfiction #comingofage #teen #britishliterature

Louisiana

International award winner David Almond draws on memories of his early years in Tyneside, England, for a moving coming-of-age novel, masterfully told.

A gentle visionary coming of age in the shadow of the shipyards of northern England, Dominic Hall is torn between extremes. On the one hand, he craves the freedom he feels when he steals away with the eccentric girl artist next door, Holly Stroud--his first and abiding love--to balance above the earth on a makeshift tightrope. With Holly, Dom dreams of a life different in every way from his shipbuilder dad's, a life fashioned of words and images and story. On the other hand, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the brutal charms of Vincent McAlinden, a complex bully who awakens something wild and reckless and killing in Dom. In a raw and beautifully crafted bildungsroman, David Almond reveals the rich inner world of a boy teetering on the edge of manhood, a boy so curious and open to impulse that we fear for him and question his balance--and ultimately exult in his triumphs.

The Tightrope Walkers

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Michigan

While trying to deal with her mini-terror 2-year-old, financially strapped Becky Brandon attempts to plan a surprise party on a budget for her husband, Luke, and starts to come apart at the seams as she juggles the party, her precocious child and her faltering personal-shopping business. By the #1 best-selling author of Twenties Girl. 300,000 first printing.

Mini Shopaholic

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#historicalfiction #britishliterature #worldwar1 #war #romance #fiction #historical #newyorktimeabestseller #england 

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

Mississippi

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A novel to cure your Downton Abbey withdrawal . . . a delightful story about nontraditional romantic relationships, class snobbery and the everybody-knows-everybody complications of living in a small community.”—The Washington Post The bestselling author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand returns with a breathtaking novel of love on the eve of World War I that reaches far beyond the small English town in which it is set. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WASHINGTON POST AND NPR East Sussex, 1914. It is the end of England’s brief Edwardian summer, and everyone agrees that the weather has never been so beautiful. Hugh Grange, down from his medical studies, is visiting his Aunt Agatha, who lives with her husband in the small, idyllic coastal town of Rye. Agatha’s husband works in the Foreign Office, and she is certain he will ensure that the recent saber rattling over the Balkans won’t come to anything. And Agatha has more immediate concerns; she has just risked her carefully built reputation by pushing for the appointment of a woman to replace the Latin master. When Beatrice Nash arrives with one trunk and several large crates of books, it is clear she is significantly more freethinking—and attractive—than anyone believes a Latin teacher should be. For her part, mourning the death of her beloved father, who has left her penniless, Beatrice simply wants to be left alone to pursue her teaching and writing. But just as Beatrice comes alive to the beauty of the Sussex landscape and the colorful characters who populate Rye, the perfect summer is about to end. For despite Agatha’s reassurances, the unimaginable is coming. Soon the limits of progress, and the old ways, will be tested as this small Sussex town and its inhabitants go to war. Praise for The Summer Before the War “What begins as a study of a small-town society becomes a compelling account of war and its aftermath.”—Woman’s Day “This witty character study of how a small English town reacts to the 1914 arrival of its first female teacher offers gentle humor wrapped in a hauntingly detailed story.”—Good Housekeeping “Perfect for readers in a post–Downton Abbey slump . . . The gently teasing banter between two kindred spirits edging slowly into love is as delicately crafted as a bone-china teacup. . . . More than a high-toned romantic reverie for Anglophiles—though it serves the latter purpose, too.”—The Seattle Times

The Summer Before the War

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 P former library book has plastic cover on it 

Pennsylvania

Rachel Cusk

Florida

Stella Benson, anxious to leave London and begin a new life, journeys to rural Sussex to work as an au pair for a decidedly overwhelming family, leading to questions about the true motivations for her extreme actions. Tour.

The Country Life

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Peter Robinson

South Carolina

"Robinson is an author with amazing empathy, a snare-trap ear for dialogue, and a clear eye for the telling detail."--Michael Connelly One of the world's greatest suspense writers returns with the 27th novel featuring the legendary detective Alan Banks in the mystery series Stephen King calls "the best now on the market." When property developer Connor Clive Blaydon is found dead, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and his Yorkshire team dive into the investigation. As luck would have it, someone had installed a cache of spy-cams all around his luxurious home. The team hope that they'll find answers--and the culprit--among the video recordings. Instead of discovering Connor's murderer, however, the grainy and blurred footage reveals another crime: a brutal rape. If they can discover the woman's identity, it could lead to more than justice for the victim; it could change everything the police think they know about Connor and why anyone would want him dead. Meanwhile, tensions are rising between Banks and his friend, Zelda. A super recognizer--able to recognize faces significantly better than most people--Zelda is determined to bring the men who abused her to justice. But stirring up the murky waters of the past will put her in far greater danger than ever before, and Banks worries that he won't be able to stop her from plunging too deep before it's too late. --New York Times Book Review on Many Rivers to Cross

Not Dark Yet

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Elizabeth George

Book in excellent reading however, there’s some wear and tear on the paper cover. 

New York

When the vicar who has given her so much support is found dead, Deborah St. James begins a journey of personal discovery in order to find out who is responsible. 60,000 first printing. $60,000 ad/promo.

Missing Joseph

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Uncle Fred in the Spring Time

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Ian McEwan

In 1935 England, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses an event involving her sister Cecilia and her childhood friend Robbie Turner, and she becomes the victim of her own imagination, which leads her on a lifelong search for truth and absolution.

Atonement

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Never used/read #hardcover #historicalfiction #crime #mystery #race #britishliterature

Wisconsin

"Based on a true event, The Fortune Men tells the intimate, harrowing story of the last man in Britain to be sentenced to death"--

The Fortune Men

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Judith McNaught

The first in the Sequels series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author who “is in a class by herself” (USA TODAY) follows a young woman who travels across the ocean to claim her rightful inheritance—only to encounter a passionate and unforgettable romance. Victoria Seaton, a free-spirited American beauty left suddenly orphaned, is determined to lay claim to her long-lost heritage in Great Britain. When she arrives at Wakefield, the sumptuous estate of her distant cousin Lord Jason Fielding, she is overwhelmed by its astounding elegance. She is also bewildered by Jason—his arrogance, panther-like grace, and hidden depths. Unable to resist her spitfire charm, Jason is enraptured by Victoria and is determined to have her. Wed in desire, they are enfolded in a fierce, consuming joy, free at last from the past’s cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of blinding anguish, Victoria discovers the shocking treachery that lays at the heart of their love. Is it too much for their relationship or will their love last once and always?

Once and Always

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#paperback #fiction #historicalfiction #adult #romance ##paperback #britishliterature 

Indiana

An elderly Oxford woman reminisces about her childhood during World War II, during which she was evacuated from London during the Blitz and was separated from her sister. Includes reader's guide. By the author of A Fall of Marigolds. Original.

Secrets of a Charmed Life

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#downtonabbey #history #nonfiction #britishliterature #edwardian #society #biography 

How Life Was Really Lived in Stately Homes a Century Ago

Fans of Julian Fellowes' hit show can step back 100 years to the world of the pampered, privileged upper classes and take a look at exactly what goes on behind the magisterial doors of their favorite stately home
 
Using the characters and setting of the popular television show as a point of reference for the reader, this is a closer look at the Edwardian period. They were the super rich of their times, pampered beyond belief--the early 20th century Edwardian gentry, who lived like superstars, their every desire or need catered to by an army of butlers, servants, footmen, housekeepers, and grooms. Class, money, inheritance, luxury, and snobbery dominated every aspect of the lives of the upper crust Edwardian family. While below stairs the staff inhabited a completely different world, their very lives dependent on servicing the rich, pandering to their masters' every whim, and rubbing shoulders with wealth and privilege. While privy to the most intimate and darkest secrets of their masters, they faced ruin and shame if they ventured to make the smallest step outside the boundaries of their class-ridden world. From manners and morals to etiquette and style, this book opens the doors to the reality of the era behind TV's favorite stately home.

The Real Life Downton Abbey

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Light Hardcover (1 lb or less)

#paperback #fiction #adultfiction #booksaboutbooks #chicklit #britishliterature 

“Absolutely delightful.” —People The enchanting story of a bookshop, its grieving owner, a supportive literary community, and the extraordinary power of books to heal the heart Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers—a cozy haven and welcoming getaway for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father’s death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger. The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive. There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there’s a very specific reason for all those frequent visits. Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage—she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings. Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future—and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives she has touched, and the books they all cherish.

How to Find Love in a Bookshop

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Texas

Stranded in the wilderness, one of them could be a target Returning to his remote mountain cabin, Jason Sheffield finds a beautiful woman with total amnesia...and wicked martial arts skills. A blizzard soon deepens their enforced closeness. Though hardened by his time in war zones, photojournalist Jason finds himself opening up to "Lucy." But before he can help Lucy figure out her identity, a would-be assassin strikes. Is he after Lucy? Or has Jason's latest assignment marked him for death?

Snowbound Targets

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Slightly aged pages and cracked spine.  Nothing too bad but if you need more pictures I can add them, just let me know.

The stories in this volume were written before the First World War. But such was P.G. Wodehouse's amiable genius that they have aged not a jot. Like ancient crusted port they have matured with the years, and perhaps only now can their timeless humour be savoured with its full bouquet.

The Man Upstairs and Other Stories

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Cover has some wear and tear. See photos.

“[I, Richard] will leave you dizzy, dazzled and dying for more.”—People Hailed by The New York Times as “a master of the British mystery,” award-winning author Elizabeth George is one of our most distinguished writers, widely admired by readers on both sides of the Atlantic. Her first collection of short stories is an extraordinary offering that deftly explores the dark side of everyday people—and the lengths to which they will go to get what they want most. . . . In five tantalizing and original tales, George plumbs the depths of human nature—and human weakness—as only she can. From the chilling tale of a marriage built on an appalling set of lies that only death can reveal . . . to the story of a squabbling group of Anglophiles saved from a killer thanks to Inspector Thomas Lynley . . . to the final, title story about a penniless schoolteacher whose ambition turns murderous, I, Richard is filled with page-turning drama, danger, and unmatched suspense. Ironic, revealing, and undeniably entertaining, this imaginative collection proves once again why Elizabeth George is one of today’s best-loved authors. I, Richard belongs in the library of each and every mystery devotee. Praise for I, Richard “Suspenseful and chilling . . . a bonus for fans.”—Daily News, New York “Surprisingly light in tone, satirically skewering a variety of unpleasant types while paying homage to time-honored plot devices.”—Los Angeles Times “In her first story collection, eniment author George presents five nimbly written and gripping tales, each with a stunning conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly

I, Richard

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Agatha Christie

Illinois

Miss Marple discovers what makes a house a home-to murder... Gwenda Reed's new home, a charming Victorian villa, is giving the lovely new bride the strangest feeling of dŽjˆ vu-and an unnatural dread that's taking its toll. But how can her husband's aunt, Miss Marple, solve a mystery such as this when the only clues are those in Gwenda's vivid imagination?

Sleeping Murder

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Geraldine Brooks

Arizona

A Novel of the Plague

Eighteen-year-old Anna Frith tells the story of her remote English village, Eyam, which was infected by the plague in 1666 and where, persuaded by their vicar, the townspeople decided to quarantine themselves.

Year of Wonders

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#paperback #britishliterature #adultfiction #historical #historicalfiction #medieval #historicalromance #fiction #ShadowOnTheCrown box 43

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen


In 1002, fifteen#65533;-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the perfect antidote to Tudor fatigue, Shadow on the Crown is packed with nonstop action, romance, and plenty of deliciously creepy Gothic flavor.

Shadow on the Crown

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#fiction #hardcover #historical #adultfiction #BritishLiterature #HistoricalRomance #LiteraryFiction #romance #historicalfiction

Massachusetts

Award-winning author Iona Grey's next unforgettable historical about true love found and lost and the secrets we keep from one another Selina Lennox is a Bright Young Thing. Her life is a whirl of parties and drinking, pursued by the press and staying on just the right side of scandal, all while running from the life her parents would choose for her. Lawrence Weston is a penniless painter who stumbles into Selina's orbit one night and can never let her go even while knowing someone of her stature could never end up with someone of his. Except Selina falls hard for Lawrence, envisioning a life of true happiness. But when tragedy strikes, Selina finds herself choosing what's safe over what's right. Spanning two decades and a seismic shift in British history as World War II approaches, Iona Grey's The Glittering Hour is an epic novel of passion, heartache and loss. "An absorbing tale of love, loss, and the ties that bind... A sweeping historical saga that captures the desires and dilemmas of the heart." — Booklist

The Glittering Hour

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Jane Austen

Sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood set their sights on men to perfectly match their disparate personalities, with unexpected results.

Save this search

Marcia Willett

The Garden House

David Almond

The Tightrope Walkers

Sophie Kinsella

Mini Shopaholic

Helen Simonson

The Summer Before the War

Sophie Kinsella

Mini Shopaholic

Rachel Cusk

The Country Life

Peter Robinson

Not Dark Yet

Elizabeth George

Missing Joseph

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

Uncle Fred in the Spring Time

Ian McEwan

Atonement

Nadifa Mohamed

The Fortune Men

Judith McNaught

Once and Always

Susan Meissner

Secrets of a Charmed Life

Jacky Hyams

The Real Life Downton Abbey

Sophie Kinsella

Mini Shopaholic

Veronica Henry

How to Find Love in a Bookshop

Karen Whiddon

Snowbound Targets

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse

The Man Upstairs and Other Stories

Elizabeth George

I, Richard

Agatha Christie

Sleeping Murder

Geraldine Brooks

Year of Wonders

Patricia Bracewell

Shadow on the Crown

Iona Grey

The Glittering Hour

Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility (Collins Classics)