Kate Saunders – författare

Celebrate The Best Bear in all the World with this 100th Anniversary hardback edition of the official sequel to the beloved classic children's stories by A.A.Milne. ‘There you are,’ said Pooh to Piglet, ‘didn’t I say all along there was nothing to worry about?' Join Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and the rest of the beloved friends for adventures across the seasons in the Hundred Acre Wood, in this stunning 100th anniversary range’s hardback edition.Four highly acclaimed authors – Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Kate Saunders and Jeanne Willis – transport you to the Hundred Acre Wood where you will meet mythical creatures, mysterious new friends (and foes), and a peculiar type of sauce. They’re the kind of adventures that just seem to happen in the Hundred Acre Wood.This special 100th Anniversary range's hardback edition features gorgeous illustrations by Mark Burgess, in the style of the cherished decorations by E.H.Shepard.This book will delight fans of the classic originals old and new. The short stories are perfect for bedtime reading with ages five and up.Do you own all the classic Pooh titles?Winnie-the-PoohThe House at Pooh CornerWhen We Were Very YoungNow We Are SixReturn to the Hundred Acre WoodThe Best Bear in All the WorldOnce There Was a BearThe nation’s favourite teddy bear has been delighting generations of children for over 95 years. Milne’s classic children’s stories – featuring Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin and, of course, Pooh himself – are gently humorous while teaching lessons about friendship and kindness.Pooh ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage. Whether you’re 5 or 55, Pooh is the bear for all ages.

Celebrate The Best Bear in all the World with this 100th Anniversary range’s paperback edition of the official sequel to the beloved classic children's stories by A.A.Milne. ‘There you are,’ said Pooh to Piglet, ‘didn’t I say all along there was nothing to worry about?' Join Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and the rest of the beloved friends for adventures across the seasons in the Hundred Acre Wood, in this stunning 100th anniversary range’s hardback edition.Four highly acclaimed authors – Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Kate Saunders and Jeanne Willis – transport you to the Hundred Acre Wood where you will meet mythical creatures, mysterious new friends (and foes), and a peculiar type of sauce. They’re the kind of adventures that just seem to happen in the Hundred Acre Wood.This 100th anniversary range’s paperback edition features gorgeous illustrations by Mark Burgess, in the style of the cherished decorations by E.H.Shepard.This book will delight fans of the classic originals old and new. The short stories are perfect for bedtime reading with ages five and up.Do you own all the classic Pooh titles?Winnie-the-PoohThe House at Pooh CornerWhen We Were Very YoungNow We Are SixReturn to the Hundred Acre WoodThe Best Bear in All the WorldOnce There Was a BearThe nation’s favourite teddy bear has been delighting generations of children for over 95 years. Milne’s classic children’s stories – featuring Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin and, of course, Pooh himself – are gently humorous while teaching lessons about friendship and kindness.Pooh ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage. Whether you’re 5 or 55, Pooh is the bear for all ages.

Celebrate The Best Bear in all the World with this 100th Anniversary hardback edition of the official sequel to the beloved classic children's stories by A.A.Milne. ‘There you are,’ said Pooh to Piglet, ‘didn’t I say all along there was nothing to worry about?' Join Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and the rest of the beloved friends for adventures across the seasons in the Hundred Acre Wood, in this stunning 100th anniversary range’s hardback edition.Four highly acclaimed authors – Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Kate Saunders and Jeanne Willis – transport you to the Hundred Acre Wood where you will meet mythical creatures, mysterious new friends (and foes), and a peculiar type of sauce. They’re the kind of adventures that just seem to happen in the Hundred Acre Wood.This special 100th Anniversary range's hardback edition features gorgeous illustrations by Mark Burgess, in the style of the cherished decorations by E.H.Shepard.This book will delight fans of the classic originals old and new. The short stories are perfect for bedtime reading with ages five and up.Do you own all the classic Pooh titles?Winnie-the-PoohThe House at Pooh CornerWhen We Were Very YoungNow We Are SixReturn to the Hundred Acre WoodThe Best Bear in All the WorldOnce There Was a BearThe nation’s favourite teddy bear has been delighting generations of children for over 95 years. Milne’s classic children’s stories – featuring Piglet, Eeyore, Christopher Robin and, of course, Pooh himself – are gently humorous while teaching lessons about friendship and kindness.Pooh ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage. Whether you’re 5 or 55, Pooh is the bear for all ages.

A magic spell has spun Flora into the past. She''s mysteriously swapped lives with a schoolgirl in 1935! No iPod? No cell phone? No hair products? How will she survive? Now Flora''s a new girl at St. Winifred''s, where she has to speak French at breakfast, wear hideous baggy bloomers, and sleep in a freezing dormitory. But lots of adventures in the past are amazing even if they are not forever. How will she find her way back to the 21st century?From the Hardcover edition.

Tom is in shock. He''s just discovered that his dad is an escaped fairy on the run. And that he must trust his life to three dangerous fairy godmothers he''s never met. Two of them are hardened criminals, and one falls out of the window when she tries to fly . . . Will their mad magic be enough to help Tom rescue his dad from the clutches of some killer fairies?

A beautiful and heartbreaking novel from an award-winning author about a girl who gets swept up into an adventure involving forgotten toys, perfect for fans of Lauren Wolk and Kelly Barnhill.Emily and her sister, Holly, were as close as sisters could be. They did everything together. But Holly died three months ago, and Emily''s world is shattered.Amid a sea of changes--her best friend is acting distant, she''s just started at a new school, and she''s been cast as the lead in the school play--Emily is surprised to find that she misses Holly''s teddy bear, Bluey, almost as much as she misses Holly herself. But Bluey was buried with Holly, and there''s no getting either of them back.Then one night, Emily dreams of talking toys, who tell her they have come from the toy world with a message from Bluey. Emily is convinced she can be reunited with him. But there''s something strange about the barrier between the toy world and the real world. Not just strange, but dangerous--magic is spilling out, and it''s wreaking havoc on Emily''s world. Now she must decide whether finding Bluey is worth risking the lives of those she loves.Praise for the books of Kate Saunders:"Skillful and deeply moving." --The Guardian (UK)"An irresistible read." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"[Children] will love this action-packed adventure, brimming with sly humor and clever asides." --School Library Journal, Starred Review"A wholly engaging and enjoyable read." --Booklist, Starred Review

In this incredible, heart-wrenching story reminiscent of E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It, Kate Saunders illustrates the power of war but the even greater power of family, and the love that carries us out of the darkness of despair into the light of hope.  The sand fairy, also known as the Psammead, is merely a creature from stories Lamb and Edith have heard their older brothers and sisters tell . . . until he suddenly reappears. Lamb and Edith are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead’s magic might have a serious purpose.Before their adventure ends, all will be changed, and the Lamb and Edith will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint—that of factory workers, soldiers and sailors, and nurses. But most of all, the war’s impact will be felt by those left behind, at the very heart of their family."Saunders (The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop) doesn’t shy from the tragedies of WWI, but handles them with a tender sadness, eschewing any hints of sentimentality or melodrama."-Publisher''s Weekly, Starred Strong portrayals of individual characters bring life and warmth to the story. With the four oldest siblings now actively engaged in the war effort, an entirely happy ending would have been unrealistic, but the novel offers a satisfying conclusion and a rewarding experience."--Booklist  "Saunders strikes a surprisingly successful balance between the mis- chievous magic of the sand fairy and the harsh realities of wartime England."--The Bulletin From the Hardcover edition.

An epic, heart-wrenching follow-on from E. Nesbit's Five Children and It stories. The five children have grown up and World War I has begun in earnest. Cyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until, for the first time in 10 years, he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose. Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint - factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and ambulance drivers, and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.

The cat flap opened. Emily thought a wild animal was coming into the house. But the muddy creature that climbed through had four little wheels and a tail. It spoke in a voice like rough sandpaper. 'Come on, you two - it's nice and warm in here.'What if there exists a world powered by imagination?A world of silliness, where humans and their toys live on long after they've left the Hard World . . . and what if the door between that world and this one was broken?Welcome to the Land of Neverendings.Moving, raw and funny in all the right ways, The Land of Neverendings is a rip-roaring adventure, but it also gives an honest portrayal of grief for young readers, and shows us that whilst sadness does exist in the world, it doesn't have to cancel out happiness, or silliness, even when you lose someone you love.

It's 1973 and Jenny has been cast in a major motion picture. Her ordinary life is about to become extraordinary! From the Costa-winning author of Five Children on the Western Front.12-year-old Jenny is in shock. She's just been cast as one of the lead roles in a feature film. She's going to be a child actor! Soon she must jet off to France, to the idyllic Château Mouchotte, where she will join her film family: three other children and two renowned actors.The glitz and glamour of being on set is a million miles away from Jenny's normal life, but showbiz is never straightforward and there's one fierce and famous actor that threatens the whole shoot. It's up to Jenny and her friends to keep the peace and save the film. Jenny is about to experience a life-changing summer in the spotlight!'Joyous... Soaked in sunshine and the warmth of friendship.' The Sunday Times - Book of the Week'As warm and welcoming as its title, it's sure to be a hit.' Guardian'Generous and life-affirming. Tender and glorious to the end.' The Times - Book of the Week

As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, another future classic from Costa Winner Kate Saunders (Five Children on the Western Front).Emily watched, in a trance of astonishment, as the bear opened the picnic basket, took out a tartan rug and spread it on Holly's bed. And then the penguin spoke. Actually spoke. 'What's going on? This isn't Pointed End!'The bear said, 'It looks like a human bedroom. We must've come through the wrong door.''But there aren't any doors to the hard world in Deep Smockeroon! And we don't have a human bedroom any more. We're in a box in the attic.'What if there exists a world powered by imagination?A world of silliness, where humans and their toys live on long after they've left the Hard World . . . and what if the door between that world and this one was broken?Welcome to the Land of Neverendings.Moving, raw and funny in all the right ways, The Land of Neverendings is a rip-roaring adventure, but it also gives an honest portrayal of grief for young readers, and shows us that whilst sadness does exist in the world, it doesn't have to cancel out happiness, or silliness, even when you lose someone you love.'This is written from the heart and can't fail to make yours sing.' The Times'Imagination, memories and new beginnings triumph.' The Sunday Times'A beautiful and often very funny book about imagination, family and love.' BookTrust'Funny and tender, heartbreaking and life-affirming.' Bookseller

WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK AWARDThe award-winning sequel to E. Nesbit's Five Children and It. The five children have grown up - war will change their lives for ever.'Magnificent.' The Times'Outstanding.' Independent'Deeply moving.' Guardian'Simply brilliant.' Daily Mail'One of the best books of the year.' Sunday Express'The perfect gift both for readers of the original E. Nesbit stories and children coming to the grumpy Psammead for the first time.' TelegraphCyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint - factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, smelly poo and bum!You can wait for Christmas but it's never going to come!When a miniature reindeer named Percy falls down the chimney of the Trubshaws' holiday cottage, the last thing they expect is to be whisked away to the distant planet of Yule-1 - the REAL home of Father Christmas, the elves, and his intrepid reindeer delivery teams. And what an amazing place it is - nobody minds being stuck there until the computer system has been mended.But the festive season is in danger! One rogue reindeer has teamed up with the evil Krampus to sabotage everything. Unless Percy and his new friends can track them down, there will be no Christmas this year - or EVER AGAIN!Illustrated in black and white by Neal Layton, this is destined to become a holiday favourite.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, smelly poo and bum!You can wait for Christmas but it's never going to come!When a miniature reindeer named Percy falls down the chimney of the Trubshaws' holiday cottage, the last thing they expect is to be whisked away to the distant planet of Yule-1 - the REAL home of Father Christmas, the elves, and his intrepid reindeer delivery teams. And what an amazing place it is - nobody minds being stuck there until the computer system has been mended.But the festive season is in danger! One rogue reindeer has teamed up with the evil Krampus to sabotage everything. Unless Percy and his new friends can track them down, there will be no Christmas this year - or EVER AGAIN!Illustrated in black and white by Neal Layton, this is destined to become a holiday favourite.

There's trouble on the planet of Yule-1, the real home of Father Christmas...The Trubshaw family are flown back from Earth to help out! Once again Jake and Sadie are transported to a place where elves and reindeer are their friends and everything is about getting ready for Christmas, the best holiday of the year. Hysterically funny, wonderfully bonkers, it's Christmas like you've never seen it before. With knock-out illustrations throughout from Super Star, Neal Layton.

WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDALSHORTLISTED FOR THE GUARDIAN CHILDREN'S FICTION PRIZE'Magnificent.' The Times'Outstanding.' Independent'Deeply moving.' Guardian'Simply brilliant.' Daily Mail'One of the best books of the year.' Sunday ExpressCyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint - factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.An epic, heart-wrenching follow-on from E. Nesbit's Five Children and It stories.

From the bestselling, award-winning novelist Kate Saunders comes the first in ‘The Laetitia Rodd Mysteries’, six novels featuring a Victorian lady detective, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M. C. Beaton and Grantchester'A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable’ James Runcie, author of 'The Grantchester Mysteries'Mrs Laetitia Rodd is the impoverished widow of an Archdeacon, living modestly in Hampstead with her landlady Mrs Bentley. She is also a private detective of the utmost discretion. In winter 1850, her brother Frederick, a criminal barrister, introduces her to Sir James Calderstone, a wealthy and powerful industrialist who asks Mrs Rodd to investigate the background of an ‘unsuitable’ woman his son intends to marry – a match he is determined to prevent. In the guise of governess, she travels to the family seat, Wishtide, deep in the frozen Lincolnshire countryside, where she soon discovers that the Calderstones have more to hide than most. As their secrets unfold, the case takes an unpleasant turn when a man is found dead outside a tavern. Mrs Rodd’s keen eyes and astute wits are taxed as never before in her search for the truth – which carries her from elite drawing rooms to London’s notorious inns and its steaming laundry houses. Dickensian in its scope and characters, The Secrets of Wishtide brings nineteenth-century society vividly to life and illuminates the effect of Victorian morality on women’s lives. Introducing an irresistible new detective, the first book in the Laetitia Rodd Mystery series will enthral and delight.

''A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable'' James Runcie, author of ''The Grantchester Mysteries''''Saunders''s prose is precise and a pleasure to read. The plot twists and turns, and Laetitia is a warm and engaging heroine'' The TimesThe first in the delightfully cosy and clever mystery series featuring private detective, Laetitia Rodd.Winter, 1850. Mrs Laetitia Rodd is the impoverished widow of an Archdeacon, living modestly in Hampstead with her landlady Mrs Bentley. She is also a private detective of the utmost discretion. When her brother Frederick, a criminal barrister, introduces her to Sir James Calderstone, a wealthy and powerful industrialist, she is tasked to investigate the background of an ''unsuitable'' woman his son intends to marry – a match he is determined to prevent. In the guise of governess, she travels to the family seat, Wishtide, deep in the frozen Lincolnshire countryside, where she soon discovers that the Calderstones have more to hide than most. As their secrets unfold, the case takes an unpleasant turn when a man is found dead outside a tavern, and Mrs Rodd''s search for the truth takes her from elite drawing rooms to London''s notorious inns and its steaming laundry houses. Perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, M.C. Beaton, Jessica Fellowes and James Runcie.

M.C. Beaton meets Miss Marple in the second book in the charming Laetitia Rodd Mysteries, which sees Kate Saunders’ Victorian lady detective on the hunt for a missing Oxford scholar who is soon to be the heir to a fortuneIt is 1851 and Laetitia Rodd is enjoying a well-earned holiday when she receives an urgent request for her services.Wealthy businessman Jacob Welland implores Mrs. Rodd to find his beloved brother, a brilliant Oxford scholar who took to wandering the countryside and one day simply failed to return. The last sighting was in a gypsy camp ten years before – where it was rumoured he was learning great secrets that would one day astound the world.Mrs. Rodd travels to Oxford and begins her search for the wandering scholar. But as the investigation unfolds, she discovers something sinister is lurking in this peaceful landscape.

''A witty, genteel tale of secrets, lies and hidden gold... Enormous fun'' The Times

''With a well-crafted plot, an engaging protagonist, and astute nods to the literature and theological squabbles of the period, this is a perfect novel for a summer afternoon'' Guardian

The second novel in the Laetitia Rodd Mystery series, The Case of the Wandering Scholar is perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, M.C. Beaton, Jessica Fellowes and James Runcie.It is 1851 and Mrs Rodd has received an unusual commission: wealthy businessman Jacob Welland is dying of consumption and implores our redoubtable detective to find his beloved brother, whom he has not seen for fifteen years. Joshua Welland was an Oxford scholar; brilliant, eccentric and desperately poor. Nobody can say exactly when he disappeared from his college, but he had taken to wandering the countryside and one day simply failed to return. Since then, there have been several sightings of his lonely, ragged figure.Mrs Rodd uses her search as an opportunity to reconnect with a couple from her past, but then a violent murder is committed and Scotland Yard are called to investigate. Can Mrs Rodd solve the case before the killer strikes again?The first book in the series, The Secrets of Wishtide, is available in ebook now.

'Laetitia Rodd is a warm and engaging heroine' The TimesFor readers of The Thursday Murder Club, M.C. Beaton and James Runcie, The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden is the charming third mystery in Kate Saunder’s series about Laetitia Rodd, the indomitable Victorian lady detective.In the spring of 1853, private detective Laetitia Rodd receives a delicate request from a retired actor, whose days on the stage were ended by a theatre fire ten years before. His great friend, and the man he rescued from the fire, Thomas Transome, has decided to leave his wife, who now needs assistance in securing a worthy settlement. Though Mrs Rodd is reluctant to get involved with the scandalous world of the theatre, she cannot turn away the woman in need. She agrees to take the case. But what starts out as a simple matter of negotiation becomes complicated when a body is discovered in the burnt husk of the old theatre. Soon Mrs Rodd finds herself embroiled in family politics, rivalries that put the Capulets and Montagues to shame, and betrayals on a Shakespearean scale. Mrs Rodd will need all her investigative powers, not to mention her famous discretion, to solve the case before tragedy strikes once more.Praise for the Laetitia Rodd Mystery series:'A witty, genteel tale of secrets, lies and hidden gold... Enormous fun' The Times'With a well-crafted plot, an engaging protagonist, and astute nods to the literature and theological squabbles of the period, this is a perfect novel for a summer afternoon' Guardian'A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable' James Runcie, author of the 'Grantchester Mysteries''Pure delight' Sunday Times

''Laetitia Rodd is a warm and engaging heroine'' The TimesFor readers of The Thursday Murder Club, M.C. Beaton and James Runcie, The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden is the charming third mystery in Kate Saunders''s series about Laetitia Rodd, the indomitable Victorian lady detective. In the spring of 1853, private detective Laetitia Rodd receives a delicate request from a retired actor, whose days on the stage were ended by a theatre fire ten years before. His great friend, and the man he rescued from the fire, Thomas Transome, has decided to leave his wife, who now needs assistance in securing a worthy settlement. Though Mrs Rodd is reluctant to get involved with the scandalous world of the theatre, she cannot turn away the woman in need. She agrees to take the case. But what starts out as a simple matter of negotiation becomes complicated when a body is discovered in the burnt husk of the old theatre. Soon Mrs Rodd finds herself embroiled in family politics, rivalries that put the Capulets and Montagues to shame, and betrayals on a Shakespearean scale. Mrs Rodd will need all her investigative powers, not to mention her famous discretion, to solve the case before tragedy strikes once more. Praise for the Laetitia Rodd Mystery series:''A witty, genteel tale of secrets, lies and hidden gold... Enormous fun'' The Times''With a well-crafted plot, an engaging protagonist, and astute nods to the literature and theological squabbles of the period, this is a perfect novel for a summer afternoon'' Guardian''A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable'' James Runcie, author of the ''Grantchester Mysteries''''Pure delight'' Sunday Times

Cassie is nothing if not organised. A successful journalist, she's ticked almost all the boxes: attentive boyfriend, own flat, good job, great friends - it's all fallen into place. In theory, at least. There's one part of Cassie's life, however, which is anything but organised, and that's her love for the Darling family. As the only child of ambitious parents, Cassie spent her childhood abandoned to the somewhat peremptory care of a series of nannies until one day, peeping over the garden wall, she met her next-door neighbours: Fritz and Ben, the boys who became her inseparable childhood friends, Gudrun, their father, and Phoebe Darling, the woman who took Cassie in and transformed her life. But now Phoebe is ill, and when she summons Cassie to ask of her the only favour she's ever requested, Cassie knows she can't say no. But what Phoebe asks is an impossibility: concerned about what will happen to Fritz and Ben after her death, she wants to see them safely married off. Yet entertaining as they were as children, they're terrible as adults. They're utterly charming, ridiculously sexy and completely irresistible, but they're also totally unemployable, hopelessly messy and irretrievably useless. Surely no intelligent woman could be persuaded, once they see past the enticing veneer, to take one of them on for life? But Cassie's determined to grant Phoebe's last wish...

Nobody marries for money any more. Or do they? The aristocratic Hasty sisters are astonishingly beautiful, irresistibly sexy and startlingly intelligent. They are also, unfortunately, extremely poor. On the death of their charming, autocratic father, they discover that their sole inheritance is their ravishing good looks. Even worse, Melismate, home of their ancestors for nearly a thousand years, is to be sold, leaving them homeless. Rufa, the eldest and most beautiful of the Hastys, is also the most fiercely proud of her heritage. Determined to save Melismate no matter what the cost to herself - and her three sisters - she invents The Marrying Game. If their faces are to be their only fortune, then the Hasty girls must put all thoughts of love out of their minds and marry for money. Ignoring her mother's warnings, Rufa sells her battered old blue Volvo to finance their entry into high society and, together with her outrageously sexy and voluptuous sister Nancy, sets off for London to seek a fortune or two. The Marrying Game has begun -

Melissa Lamb and her cousin Ernestine are at the centre of the Wild Young Bohemians, an exclusive dining club at Oxford for the beautiful and ambitious. Melissa is in the grip of an obsession. Ernestine, however, mild and practical, does not see through Melissa's ruthless determination to restore her derelict family mansion - a Gothic legacy of lust, greed and death, with a spectacular secret that has slept for a hundred years.Melissa will let nothing stand in her way - until a vengeful stranger enters their magic circle. But he is only a catalyst: the seed of evil is already sown.