Books published by Hodder & Stoughton

No one would ever have guessed that Paulina Paine was deaf, and that her ability to lip-read was astonishing. So the two men who met one day during the showing of a new art exhibition did not realise until too late that the middle-aged tweedy figure sitting out of earshot could understand every word they said. And it had been no ordinary conversation. In fact, Paulina was so shaken by its implications that she went to see Miss Silver straight away. As the violence escalates, Miss Silver finds herself at a very tense house party where all the guests are linked in some way to Paulina. And one of them is a killer ...

In Cook's relatively short and adventurous life (1728-79) he voyaged to the eastern and western seaboards of North America, the North and South Pacific and the Arctic and Antarctic bringing about a new comprehension of the world's geography and its people's. He was the linking figure between the grey specualtion of the early eighteenth century and the industrial age of the first half of the nineteenth century.Richard Hough's biography is full of new insights and interpretations of one of the world's greatest mariners.Image National Maritime Museum, London

Miner's son David Powlett-Jones returns from the carnage of the Western Front in 1918, shell-shocked and bitterly hardened by the violence of war. He begins life again as a master at a remote Devon school, controlling the destiny of boys barely his junior.As the years pass David becomes a teacher of rare talent, begins to find peace, and is able to adjust to the changes which are overwhelming society. But soon he will have to face up to the prospect of another terrible war...

From priceless eighteenth-century dining tables hidden away in decaying farm sheds to tattooed travellers with a penchant for Wedgewood china, professional auctioneer Philip Serrell has seen it all. In An Auctioneer's Lot he brings to life a world in which the most valuable antiques frequently turn up in the most unlikely places - and accompanied by the most unlikely people. For over twenty years he has uncovered a huge range of priceless (and occasionally worthless) antiques, and he has met, done business with and befriended people from some odd corners of English life. Funny, startling and sometimes poignant, these stories of ordinary people with extraordinary possessions are also the perfect inspiration for anyone who's ever wondered whether they might just be sitting on a fortune . . .

This is the book that budding entrepreneurs everywhere have been waiting for. Dragon's Den star Peter Jones will demonstrate how anyone can become successful - you just need guts, determination and ideas. In Tycoon, Peter offers his personal insight into the qualities and skills he believes every successful entrepreneur possesses. His Ten Golden Rules provide key building blocks for turning your ideas into successful businesses. He shows how to road test your ideas, create momentum behind a project, inject investors with enthusiasm for your ideas, and how to have the courage to risk failing in order to see your vision become a money-spinning reality. A hugely inspiring book - it's the ultimate guide to thinking like a millionaire and becoming one.

Dusty Springfield made her name in the 60s with a string of top ten hits. Her unique singing style and distinctive bouffant blonde look made her famous throughout the world. Despite a period in the wilderness during the 70s and 80s, she was back at the top in the 90s until her death from cancer in March l999.Born an Irish Catholic in l939, her background set her almost schizophrenically at odds with herself as she realised her sexuality and moved further into the rock world. Both Penny Valentine and Vicki Wickham knew Dusty well, as friend and manager for much of her career. As well as charting her gay relationships, this book also looks candidly at the period of her greatest self-destruction while living in Los Angeles in the 80s. Covering every area of her career with honesty and affection, Dusty is brought vividly to life.

There were times when Rachel Treherne fervently wished that her beloved father had left his fortune to somebody else, so overburdened did she feel with the administration of her estate. And never more so than now for, although she was surrounded by relatives who depended on her, whom she loved and who must surely love her, there was no doubt in her mind that somebody was trying to kill her. Threatening letters could be ignored, odd tasting chocolates can be rejected, but when snakes are left in her bed, Rachel is convinced that someone means her terrible harm. Her only chance of a future life lay with Miss Silver, and Miss Silver was well on the way to unmasking the murderer when they struck again.

To the innocent visitor the picturesque village of Greenings would appear to be a haven of tranquility. But every place has its secrets and beneath the calm surface lurk hidden resentments and dangerous passions. When a man is found lying face down in a nearby watersplash, the verdict is death by misadventure. But Miss Silver happens to be in the neighbourhood and she suspects foul play ...

CLASSIC GOLDEN AGE MYSTERY PERFECT FOR FANS OF AGATHA CHRISTIEMiss Silver must foil a plot to murder a beautiful young heiress'Ranks with the best of the golden-age detectives' Daily MailFurious at being jilted at the altar by his once-fianc Margaret Langton, Charles Moray left England behind him. Now, four years later, he returns to his family home, only to find it unlocked and with a light burning in one of its abandoned rooms. Eavesdropping, Charles soon discovers that a criminal gang has been using his house to plan a vicious crime. The target is the beautiful Margot Standing, who is due to inherit a considerable fortune. And what's more he recognises the voices of one of the conspirators - his lost love Margaret Langton.How did Margaret come to be involved? And who is the terrifying masked man who has her in his thrall? Charles contacts Miss Silver to unravel the mysteries of the case and, if she can, save Margot Standings life. 'A first-rate storyteller' Daily Telegraph'You can't go wrong with Miss Maud Silver' Observer'Miss Silver is marvellous' Daily Mail'Better than Miss Marple' Mary Stewart'A particular favourite' Andrew Taylor 'Miss Wentworth's plot is ingenious, her characterization acute, her solution satisfying' Scotsman'Miss Silver has her place in detective fiction as surely as Lord Peter Wimsey or Hercule Poirot' Manchester Evening News

New Year's Eve, 1940, is unusual for the Paradine family. Departing from tradition, James Paradine makes a speech that changes the course of many lives. Valuable documents have disappeared. A member of the family has taken them. The culprit has until midnight to confess and return the papers. A few minutes after twelve James Paradine is dead. It is left to Miss Silver to disentangle the threads that bind the Paradine family in a strange web of dislike, hatred and fear.

This is the inspiring account of a family's struggle to break into their son's autistic world - and how a beautiful retreiver dog made the real difference.Dale was still a baby when his parents realised that something wasn't right. Worried, his mother Nuala took him to see several doctors, before finally hearing the word 'autism' for the first time. Scared but determined that Dale should live a fulfilling life, Nuala describes her despair at her son's condition, her struggle to prevent Dale being excluded from a 'normal' education and her sense of hopeless isolation. Dale's autism was severe and violent and family life was a daily battleground.But the Gardner's lives were transformed when they welcomed a gorgeous Golden Retriever into the family. The special bond between Dale and his dog Henry helped them to produce the breakthrough in Dale they had long sought. From taking a bath to saying 'I love you', Henry helped introduce Dale to all the normal activities most parents take for granted, and set him on the road to being the charming and well-adjusted young man he is today.This is a heartrending and fascinating account of how one devoted and talented dog helped a little boy conquer his autism.

Opulence. Invasion. Terror. And forbidden passion in 1930s Singapore.'They were the golden days, when Singapore was as rich as its climate was steamy, its future as assured as it was busy. And those days were made even better when, as was inevitable, I fell in love with the Chinese beauty of Julie Soong and, against all unwritten canons of Singapore life, we became lovers.'

Son and daughter of diplomats in Cairo, the gentle Serena Pasha and Mark Holt are good-looking and privileged, growing up in a magical world of champagne breakfasts and midnight picnics at the pyramids. Their lives entwined since childhood, they grow ever closer as adults. Yet Serena's hand has been promised not to Mark, but to his brother, Greg.However, as the Second World War speeds closer to Cairo, a terrible accident gives these young lovers a second chance - and with this chance comes terrible dangers. Egypt is threatened not only by the German army but by nationalist forces within Cairo determined to end the British occupation at any cost. The country torn apart, and with enemies on all sides, Mark and Serena's love is tested to the limit.

At the end of the 13th century, Scotland was a blood-torn country suffering under the harsh domination of a tyrant usurper, the hated Plantagenet, Edward Longshanks. During the appalling violence of those unsettled days, one man rose to become leader of the Scots. That man was William Wallace.Motivated at first by revenge for the slaughter of his father, Wallace vowed to cleanse his country of the English and set the rightful king, Robert the Bruce, upon the Scottish throne.Though Wallace was a heroic figure, he was but a man - and his chosen path was to lead him through grievous danger and personal tragedy before the final outcome . . .Praise for Nigel Tranter:'One of Scotland's most prolific and respected writers' Times'Through his imaginative dialogue, he provides a voice for Scotland's heroes' Scotland on Sunday

Nothing has frightened or fascinated us more than the experience that we call 'death'. Now, in what very well could be the most profound of all his CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD books, bestselling Mobius author Neale Donald Walsch asks the questions that we have all wanted to ask, and receives answers we have all been waiting for, in this deeply moving and highly personal dialogue with Deity. HOME WITH GOD is the definitive spiritual work on death and dying, offering new insights, deep wisdom and peace of mind, for the terminally ill, family members of the dying, hospital and medical professionals, members of the clergy, and everyone encountering death. HOME WITH GOD logically completes Neale Donald Walsch's dialogue with God, exploring the process by which we end our lives here on earth and begin our so-called After Life experience. A book of comfort, hope and surprising revelation, HOME WITH GOD is an astonishing, deeply healing, and reassuring spiritual classic.

The way the human race acts now will shape - or break - all our futures. Neale Donald Walsch's dialogue with God continues, with a look forward to the New Spirituality that we all need to embrace right now - and how exactly we can apply this new way of thought to our lives.Humankind persists in believing that we are simply immune to self-destruction. In fact our behaviour threatens the whole of life as we know it. This challenging new book asks us to change the way we think about our faith and question our very beliefs, and shows us how we can do this within the framework of our everyday lives. This new spirituality will have an impact on the way we think about areas from TV and other mass media, to fashion, health and diet, and parenting and social mores. This book addresses age-old taboos, the mysteries of life, and ingrained ways of behaving, and provides us with the tools we need to redirect ourselves onto a new and infinitely better path.Powerful, inspiring and sometimes controversial, this book will help us to think again about all that we believe in, and to change our world for the better through changing our beliefs.

"e;What God Wants"e; addresses humanity's most important question. For centuries - indeed, for millennia - our species has been trying to determine what it is that puts us in good standing with God, earning us a place in God's kingdom after our death, bringing us a good life while here on earth. Now, in a startlingly clear, direct and simple text, Neale Donald Walsch provides an answer that fits all religions and, ultimately, transcends them.

Bono is one of the most influential musicians at work today. Over the past twenty-five years his band, U2, have sold a staggering 130 million albums and collected 14 Grammys. Their success has made Bono one of the most recognisable faces in the world.Here, in a series of conversations with his friend, the music journalist, Michka Assayas, Bono reflects on his transformation from extrovert singer of a small, Irish, post-punk band into an international rock star. Along the way he speaks candidly about his childhood, about his mother's death, about his Christian faith and about his difficult relationship with his father, who died recently. Bono also speaks passionately about how he has used his fame as a platform to campaign fervently on a range of global issues, and why these issues - which include the IRA ceasefire, Third World debt and, most recently, the growing AIDS crisis in Africa - are so important to each of us.Intimate, humorous, and fiercely opinionated, BONO ON BONO is Bono's story in his own words. It will fascinate and challenge fans of U2 and general readers alike.

When we think of great events in the history of the world, we tend to think of war, revolution, political upheaval or natural catastrophe. But throughout history there have been moments of vital importance that have taken place not on the battlefield, or in the palaces of power, or even in the violence of nature, but between the pages of a book. In our digitised age of instant information it is easy to underestimate the power of the printed word. In his fascinating book, Melvyn Bragg presents a vivid reminder of the book as agent of social, political and personal revolution. 12 Books that Changed the World presents a rich variety of human endeavour and a great diversity of characters. There are also surprises. Here are famous books by Darwin, Newton and Shakespeare - but we also discover the stories behind some less well-known works, such as Marie Stopes' Married Love, the original radical feminist Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman - and even the rules to an obscure ball game that became the most popular sport in the world . . .

'Very funny and frank' Independent'Reads like Scrubs: The Blog ... funny and awful in equal measure' Observer* * * * * * *The bestselling real life story of a hapless junior doctor, based on his columns written anonymously for the Telegraph. IF YOU'RE GOING to be ill, it's best to avoid the first Wednesday in August. This is the day when junior doctors graduate to their first placements and begin to face having to put into practice what they have spent the last six years learning. Starting on the evening before he begins work as a doctor, this book charts Max Pemberton's touching and funny journey through his first year in the NHS. Progressing from youthful idealism to frank bewilderment, Max realises how little his job is about 'saving people' and how much of his time is taken up by signing forms and trying to figure out all the important things no one has explained yet -- for example, the crucial question of how to tell whether someone is dead or not. Along the way, Max and his fellow fledgling doctors grapple with the complicated questions of life, love, mental health and how on earth to make time to do your laundry. All Creatures Great and Small meets Bridget Jones's Diary, this is a humorous and accessible peek into a world which you'd normally need a medical degree to witness.If you enjoy Trust Me, I'm a (Junior) Doctor, don't miss the follow-up titles Where Does It Hurt? and The Doctor Will See You Now.

Nothing much ever seemed to happen in the sleepy village of Hazel Green apart from the occasional tea-party, spiced with local gossip. Until Maggie Bell went out one evening for a breath of fresh air and never came back. Could Maggie's disappearance be linked to security leaks at the nearby Air Ministry? Or is a sinister scheme being hatched closer to home? Miss Silver is called in to solve the mystery just as a second person goes missing ...

Martin Brand's relatives are furious that he's left his large estate to his niece, Marion, whom he had only met once. And Marion is upset that she has to share her new home with Martin's family. Then a body is found on the beach wearing her coat. Fortunately Miss Silver is on the scene.

It's nearing the end of WWII, and Michael Harsh has been working for the government on a secret project for years. Finally he is ready to hand over the formula. But the next morning he is dead. It looks like suicide. Only Miss Silver knows it's murder.

Mary Ann Winkowski is a happily married mum just like any other, except for one thing: she talks to dead people. Mary Ann realised she had a gift when she was a little girl, when earthbound spirits began communicating with her. Thus began a lifetime of helping the departed make peace with whatever kept them from crossing over into the next realm -- a loved one, unresolved emotions, a home they couldn't leave. In this incredible book, Mary Ann shares fascinating stories of her many paranormal encounters, as well as advice on how to recognise when you're not alone, and what to do if you find yourself in the presence of a ghost.

Time is what our lives are made of. Failure to use it properly is disastrous. Yet most books on time management don't work because they take little account of human psychology or the unexpected. This book, written for everyone who has to juggle different demands in a busy schedule, includes lots of help and advice in finding a system that works effectively and leads to more enjoyment of work and leisure.'I left Mark Forster's time management workshop a changed woman. Yesterday I used his system for a whole day. It was stress-free and fun. I felt energised and satisfied at the end of it.'Sarah Litvinoff

Mark Forster's book "e;Get Everything Done and Still Have Time to Play"e; took an entirely new approach to time management. One of his most important points was that once we have taken on a commitment, prioritising does not work because we need to do everything relating to that commitment. In the six years since he wrote the book as he has reached thousands of people through writing, seminars and coaching, he has continued to develop and refine his methods . He has now perfected even more effective methods of getting everything done through the introduction of some radical new ideas, including closed lists, the manyana principle and the "e;will do"e; list. He is brilliant at helping people to use new forms of communication effectively so that they do not become a tyrant. The result is a complete system which will enable almost anyone to complete one day's work in one day.

Two girls on different sides of the class divide, living on one streetAs a child, fiery and ambitious Josie Ford sees from a distance the affluent lifestyle of young Georgina Hawkins, and is filled with envy. But Georgina is lonely, and longs to experience the warmth of working-class family life. Beneath the shadow of Georgina's domineering father, the two girls meet in secret. From this forbidden friendship grows a bond so strong nothing can break it.And then the men enter their lives. Josie falls unwillingly in love with Nick: as a market trader, surely he can't offer her the lifestyle she now craves? Georgina, an incurable romantic, falls in love with the first man she meets, but the mysterious Dominic breaks her heart.And now both girls need their friendship more than they ever have before.***********Praise for Friends and Families'The story pulls you in and doesn't let you go till the end, a sign of how much warmth this book holds'Kilkenny People'The author brings to life with great skill the emotions of young girls growing up in the 1950s. . . This is a compelling love story, set firmly in the Potteries, and Margaret Kaine moves with ease between the two different worlds. . . It's a feel-good book'Historical Novel Society

Life begins at fifty . . . Well, it certainly does for Hope, though not at all as she had planned. She reluctantly hits her half-century on New Year s Day and six months later she has lost her job, her husband and her mother. But Hope has guts and a sense of humour. By the time she reaches fifty-one, she has acquired a taste for designer underwear, a Labrador puppy and the memory of one perfect night in Paris. Who says fifty is over the hill?

There are gods in Alabama. I know because I killed one.When Lena Fleet goes to college, she makes three promises to God: she will stop sleeping with every boy she meets; she will never tell another lie; and she will never, ever go back to her hometown in Alabama. All she wants from God in return is that He makes sure the body is never found . . .But ten years later, it looks like God's going back on His deal. Lena's high school archenemy appears on her doorstep, looking for the golden haired football god who disappeared during their senior year. To make matters worse, her African American boyfriend has issued her with an ultimatum - introduce him to her lily-white family or he's gone.While she would rather burn in a fire than let him meet her steel magnolia Aunt Florence, her half-mad Mama, her sweet-as-pie cousin Clarice and the rest of her eccentric and racist family, Lena realises it is time to go home to Alabama and confront the past once and for all.As she digs through guilt and deception, she discovers how far she will go for love and a chance at redemption.*************Praise for GODS IN ALABAMA:'A plucky heroine with a sense of humour, a gripping tale and a mysterious dead body that needs explanation. [Jackson] takes the reader on a wild ride of despair, hope and redemption that no reader is likely to ever forget. What a storyteller!' - Adriana Trigiani, author of Lucia, Lucia'A startling page turner. This is a beautifully crafted, sassy novel, where nothing is quite as it seems. The way the final pieces of the jigsaw slot together . . . should surprise even the most jaded of readers' - GlamourThis winning novel is the kind that readers crave: you can't stop turning the pages, but you wish it would never end' - Christina Schwarz, author of Drowning Ruth'I couldn't put this book down. From the first chapter, the plot leaps forward and it doesn't stop twisting and turning until the last page' - Melanie Sumner, author of The School of Beauty

Taking the fire that destroyed the Fenice theatre in 1996 as his starting point, John Berendt creates a unique and unforgettable portrait of Venice and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beneath the exquisite facade of the world's most beautiful historic city, scandal, corruption and venality are rampant, and John Berendt is a master at seeking them out. Ezra Pound and his mistress, Olga; poet Mario Stefani; the Rat Man of Treviso; or Mario Moro - self-styled carabiniere, fireman, soldier or airman, depending on the day of the week. With his background in journalism, Berendt is perfectly poised to gain access to private and unapproachable people, and persuade them to talk frankly to him. The result is mischievous, witty, compelling - and destined to be the non-fiction succes d'estime of the year.