English

A classic whodunit crime story, "The Man Who Knew" is about the death of a rich South Africa magnate, dealing with diamonds. The actual man who knows so much is Saul Arthur Mann, a walking encyclopedia and the constant envy of Scotland Yard. Wallace’s narrative pace is slow at times, hectic at others, but the overall effect is one of a decent detective novel with a lot of irony and parallel mysteries all around the place. Resembling the style of Agatha Christie, the complicated situations and style of Wallace is a perfect read for any diehard fan of detective fiction.Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was an English writer so prolific, that one of his publishers claimed that he was behind a quarter of all books sold in England. An author, journalist and poet, he wrote countless novels, short stories, screen plays, stage plays, historical non-fiction, etc. Today, more than 160 films have been made from his work. He died suddenly in Hollywood in 1932, during the initial drafting of his most famous work, "King Kong".

A typical love story between Harry, the narrator, who comes to New York to work in the publishing business, and Eva, the daughter of a well-to-do financier on Wall Street. Excelling in narration and nostalgic feelings about the lost, nature-oriented American past, Stowe's novel focuses upon the importance of family, religion, and traditions. A nice and light reading, dealing with less harsh and painful topics than "e;Uncle Tom"e;, but indulging in some serious matters nonetheless. -

One of Dostoevsky’s shorter novels, "The Gambler" reflects the author’s own difficult and prolonged battles with gambling as one of his major addictions. It is the story of a young man with aspirations to see and go beyond the established order, but in reality only gets stuck deeper and deeper into addiction and degradation. Dostoevsky does a great job in painting the psychological portrait of the protagonist, Alexey, who is having difficulties finding meaning in life and himself. Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

"A Little Hero" is a short story that deals with the topic of pre-adolescence, maturity, the abandonment of pure childhood, and the resulting and inevitable discovery of the existence of sexual life. The protagonist is trying to understand the world of adults in every possible way, and faces problems at every turn. Interesting enough, this story lacks the trademark disaster and drama in the majority of Dostoevsky’s works, and is a light and humorous reading that does not even look written by him. It should be noted, of course, that Dostoevsky wrote it while he was in prison.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

E. A. Poe’s short story follows Prince Prospero and his friends’ futile attempt to outrun and outsmart a deadly plague, called the Red Death. The heart of the story is presented as a masquerade where the guests revel in mirth and intoxication, oblivious of the horrors that await them. The author’s narrative techniques revolve around symbolism (number seven, the clock, the black chamber) and provides an allegorical halo around the short story. Witnessing his wife’s suffering from tuberculosis and the ravages of cholera in Baltimore at the time, Poe imbues "The Mask" with an air of veracity, but the supernatural reigns supreme.Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American poet, author, and literary critic. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural, mysterious, and macabre, he is also regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).

"In the Wood" is a romantic and humorous story about two middle-aged lovers who decide to revisit the spot of their first acquaintance in order to rekindle their love life. Little do they know that a policeman is about to ruin their frivolous decision. Maupassant’s knowledge of the human soul and his elegant handling of natural surroundings create a vivid atmosphere where love and memories create a symphony that echoes in the hearts of everyone involved. A perfect light reading for relaxation and poetry-lovers.Guy de Maupassant was a famous French writer, best known as one of finest practitioners of the French short story. Master of style and dramatic narrative, Maupassant’s stories are mainly interested in the relationships between men and women, often found at the crossroads of life. One of his greatest influences was Gustave Flaubert, who introduced him to some of the central names of the time such as Emile Zola, Henry James, and Ivan Turgenev. Some of his best known works include the novels "Bel Ami" and "Une Vie", more than 300 short stories, travel books, and even an attempt at poetry.

Being Maupassant's second-published novel, "e;Bel Ami"e; follows the vile and corrupt rags-to-riches rise to power of Georges Duroy, a young man of endless opportunities, but easily corrupted by the shining facade of power. The protagonist's self-centred way of life involves his derogatory attitude towards women, sexual encounters, corrupt politicians, and money. The novel is a strong social critique of Maupassant against the egotistical urges in a money- and power-driven society. A Hollywood production came in 2012, starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman. -

"Beside Schopenhauer’s Corpse" is often labelled one of Maupassant’s "newspaper stories" that he indulged in between 1882 and 1887. The narrator meets a dying student of Schopenhauer’s who is reading the same book by his master over and over again. A haunting tale expressing the author’s own views on Schopenhauer’s pessimistic philosophy. What is more, the reminiscences of the dying disciple often verge on the grotesque and carnal, viewing death as an ugly end, not a poetic final stop.Guy de Maupassant was a famous French writer, best known as one of finest practitioners of the French short story. Master of style and dramatic narrative, Maupassant’s stories are mainly interested in the relationships between men and women, often found at the crossroads of life. One of his greatest influences was Gustave Flaubert, who introduced him to some of the central names of the time such as Emile Zola, Henry James, and Ivan Turgenev. Some of his best known works include the novels "Bel Ami" and "Une Vie", more than 300 short stories, travel books, and even an attempt at poetry.

Though he is best known for his realist and deep realistic and psychological novels, Dostoevsky’s literary life produced memorable short stories as well. "Polzunkov" is a story that should not be skipped by the author’s fans and the connoisseurs of short story writing in general. It is a tale about a joke that misfired on the protagonist Polzunkov, whose expectations crash down headlong in the end. Another narrative that explores the theme of financial difficulties and misunderstood actions that inevitably lead to terrible outcomes.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

"A Simple Soul" is a not so simple story about a French maid, who experiences the vicissitudes of life to its full extent. A story that serves as the inspiration behind Julian Barnes’ "Flaubert’s Parrot", the book excels in a perfect mixture of realism and psychological insights. Flaubert constructed a totally different protagonist compared to his earlier novels, teeming with corrupt and vile characters. The attention to detail, picturesque descriptions, and the loving attitude of Félicité makes this story a perfect read for any fan of beautiful prose and selfless acts of love and kindness.Gustave Flaubert has earned his rightful place among the greatest French and Western writers. His literary career is famous for extraordinary style, exact dictum, and remarkable proportions of the depicted situations. Gently navigating the delicate line between romanticism and realism, Flaubert’s influence is undeniable. His best known works include the scandalous and overtly realistic "Madam Bovary", the historical novel "Salammbo" and the painting-inspired "The Temptation of Saint Anthony".

"The Shot" is a story about a duel between two people, Sylvio and an unnamed Count. The narrative revolves around the shot that did not take place, one that goes on forever. The unfinished duel becomes something like a lifelong ambition for Sylvio, who is chasing the Count. Switching between different narrators, Pushkin is trying to piece together the line of events as they happened, but every time something new arises. A great story that keeps the reader on tenterhooks, wishing for a swift resolution of the ubiquitous duel business – one that ended Pushkin’s own life as well.Deservedly labelled "the best Russian poet", Pushkin’s short life did not prevent him from ushering Russian literature into its modern era. A master of the vernacular language and multifarious and vivid writing style, Pushkin’s oeuvre was of great influence to a whole legion of Russian writers and literary styles. Among his best-known works are the narrative poems "Ruslan and Ludmila" and "Eugene Onegin", the drama "Boris Godunov", several novels, short stories, and fairy tales.

The only novel Pushkin ever wrote, "The Captain’s Daughter" is a story written in the same vein as Walter Scott’s historical romances. Though his attempts at prose were not that warmly welcomed by the Russian audience as his poetic endeavours, the novel is a masterful and successful experiment with literary conventions and genres. A novel as real as life and portraying the consciousness of Russians at the time, "The Captain’s Daughter" is a romance of oppositions, revolutions, social criticism, and political turmoil, making it a milestone and major influence in Russian literature.Deservedly labelled "the best Russian poet", Pushkin’s short life did not prevent him from ushering Russian literature into its modern era. A master of the vernacular language and multifarious and vivid writing style, Pushkin’s oeuvre was of great influence to a whole legion of Russian writers and literary styles. Among his best-known works are the narrative poems "Ruslan and Ludmila" and "Eugene Onegin", the drama "Boris Godunov", several novels, short stories, and fairy tales.

The fantasy and science-fiction stories in this early collection by H. G. Wells deal in extraordinary sarcasm, vividness, and attention to detail. The fantastic go hand in hand with the humorous, the scientific is both dangerous and wondrous, while the protagonists meddle with bacteria, ostriches, or large bat-like creatures. An interesting and thought-provoking anthology, "The Stolen Bacillus and Other Stories" is a multifarious collection that can appeal to all tastes!H. G. Wells was an English writer, remembered mostly for his science fiction works. Often described as a futurist, H. G. Wells’s influence cannot be neglected for his works foresaw many technological innovations such as space travel, the atomic bomb, and the Internet. Four times Nobel Prize in Literature nominee, Wells explored a wide array of themes in his works, occupying one of the central seats in the canon of British literature. Some of his best works include the time-travel novel "The Time Machine", the sci-fi adventure novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau", the mankind-versus-aliens novel "The War of the Worlds" and more than seventy short stories.

Everybody hates the refreshment room at the junction, it's terrible. But the staff is convinced that they're running a great operation. When their boss returns from abroad to report that in French refreshment rooms they actually accommodate the guests as best they can, serve them edible food and are nice in general, the staff is shocked.And so unfolds The Boy at Mugby, one of eight short stories in Mugby Junction written by Charles Dickens and a handful of other authors. The collection also includes the famous ghost story The Signal-Man, which the ninth Doctor Who, played by Christopher Eccleston, called "e;The best short story ever written."e;-

"You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit."One day, the artist Basil Hallward is painting a picture of his muse Dorian Gray with his friend Lord Henry watching. Dorian listens as Lord Henry confidentially presents his hedonistic world view, saying beauty is the only thing in life that truly matters. It makes Dorian wish that his painting would age instead of him. Not long thereafter, Dorian sees his girl perform Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is so turned off by her bad performance that he rejects her. When he gets home, he notices a certain cruel sneer in his portrait.Told with flowery and snappy Jane Austen-like language, The Picture of Dorian Gray, about a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth, is Oscar Wilde’s most famous and popular work. It has been adapted for film and television many times, most recently in the 2009 film Dorian Gray starring Colin Firth and Ben Barnes.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet, famous for ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ to name a couple. He was believed to be a homosexual and met a lot of resistance in his life on that account. He died in Paris at the age of 46.

Della and James are a young married couple who want to delight each other with a surprise Christmas gift. It turns out easier said than done because both of them have very little money.Will they manage to buy something in time? What sort of sacrifices will they need to make to buy a gift that their beloved will appreciate? What if they already have it but are not aware of it?'The Gift of the Magi' is a magical tale brimming with comic irony but also a resounding and valuable moral lesson. The twist ending is bound to make you laugh and give you ample food for thought on what truly is important in life.American short story master O. Henry is best known for his pithy, witty scores and surprise endings. In doing so he made commonplace experiences extraordinary and memorable. His work has been immortalised in the popular 1952 film 'O. Henry's Full House' starring Fred Allen, Anne Baxter, Marilyn Monroe and Jeanne Crain.William Sidney Porter (1862-1919), known simply as O. Henry, was a prolific American author of humorous literary pieces. His fame came exceptionally quickly and he became a bestselling author of short story collections. Perhaps the most famous of these are, 'Cabbages and Kings,' 'The Voice of the City' and 'Strictly Business.' The immensity of O. Henry's impact on the American short story genre for time to come is evidenced by the fact an annual award in his name is given out each year in the United States. O. Henry's work is a must read for fans of Hemingway, Guy de Maupassant and Anton Chekhov.

The novel revolves around a man from the future whose brief afternoon nap is vividly tinged with the dream he has of a man from the past. Utopian in its entirety, the book touches upon various topics like ridiculing Victorian morals and beliefs, expressing optimism towards the future, and unquestioning trust in progress as the most important feature there is. "The Dream" reads as a dream that goes both ways – towards the future and the past alike, painting a satirical picture of mankind’s absurdity and naïve optimism.H. G. Wells was an English writer, remembered mostly for his science fiction works. Often described as a futurist, H. G. Wells’s influence cannot be neglected for his works foresaw many technological innovations such as space travel, the atomic bomb, and the Internet. Four times Nobel Prize in Literature nominee, Wells explored a wide array of themes in his works, occupying one of the central seats in the canon of British literature. Some of his best works include the time-travel novel "The Time Machine", the sci-fi adventure novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau", the mankind-versus-aliens novel "The War of the Worlds" and more than seventy short stories.

Touching upon the legends surrounding the infamous captain William Kid, Washington Irving’s short story deals in feats of adventures, pirates, and buried treasure. The tempestuous life of William Kid and his return "laden with booty" gives vent to the rise of treasure-seekers, chasing wild rumours. Superstition, devilry, and magic intertwine in this short story that forms the backbone of American folklore tales about pirates and hidden, stolen goods. But do not hasten to grab the shovel – the aforesaid treasure is often guarded by the Devil himself.Versatile as the subject matter of his literary oeuvre, the name of Washington Irving still echoes in the corridors of the American literary canon. Having earned special status as a man of letters in America and Europe alike, Irving’s fame stems primarily from his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". An avid biographer and historian, his influence can be felt within a vast group of American and British authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, E. A. Poe, Charles Dickens, and Sir Walter Scott.

After her alcoholic husband dies in an accident Mrs. Lirriper starts taking in lodgers to make ends meet. A wide cast of delightful characters breathe new life into the house, but not everything runs smoothly. And some leave behind more than Mrs. Lirriper bargained for.Mrs. Lirriper's Lodgings is a kind and sweet story; a light read that will satisfy any reader with a taste for the classics. Though not set during Christmas like A Christmas Carol (1843) before it, it is considered a holiday story and first appeared it the extra Christmas edition of the All The Year Round literary magazine.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

After beating up a little boy on Christmas Eve – as you do – Gabriel Grub, a grumpy and mean-spirited gravedigger, goes to dig a grave in the churchyard. His work is interrupted when goblins come by to show him what a nasty and spiteful fellow he is.The Goblins Who Stole a Sexton is a quick and festive read which appeared in Charles Dickens’ first novel, The Pickwick Papers, Britain’s first publishing phenomenon. It’s a haunting and imaginative short story and readers familiar with Dickens will find many parallels to A Christmas Carol.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

"How do you do, ma'am?" said the captain. "I am very glad to see you. I have come a long way to see you."Who hasn’t dreamt of finding an old bottle between rocks on a beach somewhere, and seeing it has a rolled-up letter inside it? A Message from the Sea is a fairy tale by Charles Dickens and it tells the story of an American captain who travels a long way to deliver a message he found in at bottle to a family in a small English fishing village. It’s a refreshing and happy read in which the impossible happens.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

When Mr. Julius Slinkton walks into Mr. Sampson’s insurance office to fetch some forms for his friend, Sampson has a strange suspicion that something isn’t quite right. And when Slinkton continues to pop up in his life at random it’s starts to dawn on Sampson that a gruesome crime is about to be committed. Before long, Sampson’s entangled in a mess that might cost him his life.Told in the first person, Hunted Down is similar to the writing of Dickens’ friend, author Wilkie Collins, whose novel The Moonstone (1868) is considered the first modern English detective novel. With a masterful portrayal of character, intriguing mystery and insightful description, Dickens certainly excels in the detective genre.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

"e;Tales of Space and Time"e; is a collection of three short stories and two novellas that can easily be classified as a mixture of science fiction and fantasy. The author's vivid mind takes you to the very end of the universe and at the same time - to the very beginning of time. This constant oscillation between past, present, and future cements Wells' belief, often seasoned with some humour and satire, that human kind is much the same across different eras. The last story, for example, "e;The Man Who Could Work Miracles"e; shows how man's sloppiness can easily ruin even miracles.-

"It is a grand thing to be mad"A rich, self-confessed madman meets a poor girl and, wishing to marry her, he puts on a "normal" persona and a fake smile. The girl’s family pushes her into his arms, but when the madman finds out that she is in love with someone else his true colours start to show.Similar to Joker (2019) starring Joaquin Phoenix, A Madman's Manuscript gives us an understanding of the inner workings of a seriously delusional and mentally ill person. Unnerving but very fascinating.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

"The silence was unbroken. I looked round, and the five couriers were gone: so noiselessly that the ghostly mountains might have absorbed them into its eternal snows."Thought recently married, the honeymoon fase of a young English couple is disrupted by the bride’s haunting dreams. Every time she closes her eyes, the vision of a dark and remarkable-looking man with a mysterious air appears before her. He says nothing. He does nothing. He just looks at her. One day the bride’s husband brings home a new acquaintance, an Italian man named Dellombra. And he looks precisely as the man of the bride’s nightmares.To Be Read at Dusk is an excellent and atmospheric ghost story, written by the best in the business.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was an English author, social critic, and philanthropist. Much of his writing first appeared in small instalments in magazines and was widely popular. Among his most famous novels are Oliver Twist (1839), David Copperfield (1850), and Great Expectations (1861).

Dette er ikke en kriminalroman - dette er en roman om en kriminalbetjent. Øjet der ser er første bind i serien om den unge mand William Warwick, der på trods af sin fars ønske, beslutter sig for at søge optagelse i Metropolitan Police, istedet for at blive føl i familiens advokatfirma. Han indleder sin karriere som ordensbetjent i starten af 1980'erne, men rykker snart videre i systemet. Under efterforskningen af sin første store sag, røveriet af et uvurderligt maleri af Rembrandt på Fitzmolean Museum, møder han Beth Rainsford, som er assistent på museet, og han forelsker sig hovedkulds i hende. Men Beth har en hemmelighed, som hun for alt i verden ikke vil have afsløret. Med Øjet der ser introduceres William Warwick, den sympatiske kriminalbetjent, som har sat sig som mål at bekæmpe kriminalitet alle steder i samfundet, koste hvad det vil. Jeffrey Archers nye serie er en værdig afløser for Clifton-krøniken - sublim underholdning til alle hans begejstrede læsere.

-Este audiolibro está narrado en castellano.Richard Hannay lleva tres meses aburriéndose en Londres. Antes vivía en Sudáfrica donde tenía una vida mucho más activa interesante. Cuando ya está planteando la posibilidad de irse algún otro sitio, un buen día, al volver a casa por la noche un vecino le está esperando y de forma un tanto misteriosa le comenta que tiene algo importante que contarle.El extraño le va a contar a Hannay toda una trama de espionaje y conspiración, muy enrevesada que supuestamente desembocará en una guerra que involucrará a Alemania y a Rusia.Dice que la conspiración es de tal calibre, que no le ha quedado más remedio que fingir su propia muerte para poder huir de sus perseguidores, que quieren evitar a toda costa que vaya desvelar o hacer pública la conspiración.John Buchan (1875-1940) fue un político y escritor escocés. Desarrolló una notable carrera política y diplomática que le llevo a ocupar el puesto de Gobernador general de Canadá en 1935. Miembro del Partido Unionista, se especializó en administración colonial y trabajó para el Departamento de Propaganda durante la Primera Guerra Mundial.En lo literario, Buchan comenzó pronto a escribir novelas, principalmente dentro del género de aventuras y espionaje, siendo 'Los 39 escalones' su obra más conocida tras la adaptación que realizó del libro Alfred Hitchcock en 1935.

Lord Waincliffe breaks his horse’s bridle out one day and calls at the nearest house for help so that he can ride home in safety. It belongs to Terence Stourton, a Professor of Literature, and he meets his daughter, Rosetta, who repairs the bridle for him. Not only does he think that Rosetta is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen, but he feels there is something unusual about her. Only when he returns home, does he realise that she bears an extraordinary resemblance to his sister, Dolina.Lord Waincliffe and his brother, Henry, are finding it very difficult to afford their house and estate and they have the idea that the Marquis of Millbrook, who lives nearby and is very rich, could help them to build a Racecourse on both theirestates that would solve all their financial woes. So they invite the Marquis, who is noted for his love of beautiful women, and they expect their lovely sister to help them persuade him, but Dolina insists on going to London for a ball instead. They enlist Rosetta to impersonate Dolina for the evening and the Marquis is so deeply impressed by her and her beauty that he agrees to fund the Racecourse.Then the problems for Rosetta really begin and when all seems impossible and her heart is forever broken, everything is resolved in this fascinating and intriguing tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.Barbara Cartland was the world’s most prolific novelist who wrote an amazing 723 books in her lifetime, of which no less than 644 were romantic novels with worldwide sales of over 1 billion copies and her books were translated into 36 different languages. As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, theatrical plays and books of advice on life, love, vitamins and cookery. She wrote her first book at the age of 21 and it was called Jigsaw. It became an immediate bestseller and sold 100,000 copies in hardback in England and all over Europe in translation. Between the ages of 77 and 97 she increased her output and wrote an incredible 400 romances as the demand for her romances was so strong all over the world. She wrote her last book at the age of 97 and it was entitled perhaps prophetically The Way to Heaven. Her books have always been immensely popular in the United States where in 1976 her current books were at numbers 1 & 2 in the B. Dalton bestsellers list, a feat never achieved before or since by any author. Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime and will be best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels so loved by her millions of readers throughout the world, who have always collected her books to read again and again, especially when they feel miserable or depressed. Her books will always be treasured for their moral message, her pure and innocent heroines, her handsome and dashing heroes, her blissful happy endings and above all for her belief that the power of love is more important than anything else in everyone’s life."

The Earl of Wentworth has a fiery and unpredictable temper and is about to fight a duel in Hyde Park with a Frenchman who has insulted him, when he is restrained by his friend, Sir Thomas Babbington, and a helpful Policeman. At the same time the beautiful Temia Brandon is returning home from her Finishing School in France and is longing to see her horse, Lightning, again. Temia discovers that her father has been hiding a dark secret for many years and is now being blackmailed by the odious Lord Alphonse who threatens to reveal the secret and ruin the family’s reputation.Lord Alphonse next proposes to Temia with her father’s approval and she has no alternative but to run away from her home in Northamptonshire to the bright lights of London. Through a strange set of coincidences Temia’s and the Earl of Wentworth’s paths cross and then Sir Thomas Babbington unexpectedly falls in love with her.Temia’s strong character and resolve are tested to the extreme and she is buffeted from pillar to post. How Temia helps defeat Lord Alphonse and despite endless dramas eventually find happiness with the one man she really loves and who loves her is told in this intriguing and fast-moving tale by BARBARA CARTLAND.Barbara Cartland was the world’s most prolific novelist who wrote an amazing 723 books in her lifetime, of which no less than 644 were romantic novels with worldwide sales of over 1 billion copies and her books were translated into 36 different languages. As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, theatrical plays and books of advice on life, love, vitamins and cookery. She wrote her first book at the age of 21 and it was called Jigsaw. It became an immediate bestseller and sold 100,000 copies in hardback in England and all over Europe in translation. Between the ages of 77 and 97 she increased her output and wrote an incredible 400 romances as the demand for her romances was so strong all over the world. She wrote her last book at the age of 97 and it was entitled perhaps prophetically The Way to Heaven. Her books have always been immensely popular in the United States where in 1976 her current books were at numbers 1 & 2 in the B. Dalton bestsellers list, a feat never achieved before or since by any author. Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime and will be best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels so loved by her millions of readers throughout the world, who have always collected her books to read again and again, especially when they feel miserable or depressed. Her books will always be treasured for their moral message, her pure and innocent heroines, her handsome and dashing heroes, her blissful happy endings and above all for her belief that the power of love is more important than anything else in everyone’s life."

William Shakespeare er velsagtens verdens mest anerkendte digter og forfatter. Hans værker har haft en ufatteligt stor indflydelse på litteratur, kultur og verdenssyn i de mange år, der er gået siden hans død. Forskere fra vidt forskellige områder har studeret hans værker på kryds og tværs, og arkitekturforsker og professor i kunsthistorie Christian Elling har da heller ikke kunnet dy sig for at undersøge et lille hjørne af den store bardes verden.Bind 1 fortæller om Shakespeares brug af landskaber og natur som virkemiddel i sine værker. Hvordan spiller årstiderne ind? Hvad har skoven, floden og marken gjort for hans værker? Og hvad beskriver de skønne bygningsværker, der er udsprunget af den legendariske digters fantasi?Christian Thorvald Elling (1901-1974) var en dansk professor, forfatter, kunsthistoriker og arkitekturforsker. Italiensk barokarkitektur var Christian Ellings primære forskningsområde, og i løbet af sit liv foretog han talrige lange rejser til Italien. Christian Elling udgav over 40 bøger om blandt andet italiensk kulturhistorie, klassisk litteratur, dansk kulturhistorie og danske herregårde.