Books published by British Library Publishing

This eccentric Victorian book argues a strong case for the universal wearing of a beard - that essential symbol of manly distinction since ancient times.

Aunt Mildred declared that no good could come of the Melbury family Christmas gatherings at their country residence Flaxmere. So when Sir Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is discovered - by a guest dressed as Santa Klaus - with a bullet in his head on Christmas Day, the festivities are plunged into chaos.

As well as holding some of the world's most prized cultural treasures, the British Library is the repository of the nation's collective memory. In this highly illustrated book Michael Leapman tells the Library's story, highlighting the most significant and beautiful items in its care, as well as some of the lesser known.

In the seeming tranquility of Regency Square in Cheltenham live the diverse inhabitants of its ten houses. One summer's evening, the square's rivalries and allegiances are disrupted by a sudden and unusual death - an arrow to the head, shot through an open window at no. 6.

An eclectic mix of crime stories written over half a century. From a tale of poison-pen letters tearing apart a village community to a macabre mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle, the stories collected here reveal the dark truths hidden in an assortment of rural paradises.

Girija stumbles on a cache of arms hidden during the communist insurgency. Selling the arms will help Girija achieve his lifelong dream of founding a transport company. Two American tourists in the Far East find more adventure than they bargained for when they get entangled in Girija's plans.

This richly characterised and elegantly written crime novel from 1933 is a true forgotten classic.

Presents an hour-long recording that captures the magical awakening of bird-life at daybreak in the British countryside. This CD offers a selection of British woodland recordings taken from the collection of the wildlife section of the British Library sound archive.

This is a guide to all British birds whose sounds are likely to be encountered by the average birdwatcher. A total of 175 species are heard. English names are announced before each recording. As far as possible background species sounds are identified to prevent confusion.