Early Fiction

This collection of over 50 stories brings together three of Enid Blyton's earliest and most imaginative story collections - The Book of Fairies (1924), The Book of Brownies (1926) and The Book of Pixies (1989) - and shows Blyton at her most imaginative and playful.

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the world’s first airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, establishing the Wright Brothers as world-renowned pioneers of flight. Known to far fewer people was their whip-smart and well-educated sister Katharine, a suffragette and early feminist.

Dave Brandstetter's afternoon does not begin well: His ex-boyfriend picks him up at the airport, and the ride home - in bumper-to-bumper Los Angeles traffic - is one long argument between them. The insurance investigator's day gets worse when he finds a man - bloody, rain-soaked, and ice cold - lying on his porch, killed by a stab wound while Dave was out of town. There is a serial killer loose in Los Angeles, and this man is his sixth victim. Like the others, he had already been marked for death - by the unforgiving plague known as AIDS.

Nancy absolutely must have her first tooth fall out at school. That way she will be sure to receive the special tooth-holder necklace from the school nurse. But when Nancy's tooth starts wiggling at home, she is worried she might lose it before class. How can Nancy make sure her loose tooth falls out at school?

Rich with unforgettable characters and history, intricately plotted and utterly absorbing, City of Dreams is a stirring saga of early Manhattan and the beginnings of medical science told by a master storyteller.

A Mystery Thriller Set in Post-War London During the Early 1920s Step into the shadowy corridors of post-war London, where secrets whisper through every alley, and danger lurks just beyond the gaslit streets. "Poison in the Shadows" is a masterfully crafted English murder mystery that weaves a tale of deception, high society scandals, and an unforgiving quest for the truth. When Dr. Billings, an earnest assistant to the famed poison specialist Sir Ernest Lambert, receives an urgent call in the chill of an early 1920s night, he is thrust into a labyrinthine mystery. A masked dancer has been ...

For new girl Darrell Rivers, there are friends to be made, pranks to be played and fun to be had at Malory Towers in Enid Blyton's best-loved boarding school series. In audiobook eight, someone has stolen Julie's horse. And there's money missing, too. Can Felicity and the girls find out who would do such a terrible thing? Expect more drama at Malory Towers!

Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton's most popular series. In book 11, the Famous Five are on an adventurous holiday in horse-drawn caravans. They discover a ruined castle that looks deserted. But is that a face at the window? Or is it a trick of the light? Just who is hiding in the castle?

In the waning years of Queen Victoria’s reign, a brilliant daughter is born to an aristocratic, military family in Prussia. A quirk of inheritance law allows Margarethe von Stahle to inherit her family’s titles. Her elders collaborate to educate her to take on her future duties, which include administering her family estates and supporting an order of nuns.Margarethe’s curiosity and precocity delight and perplex her teachers as they try to mold her. Her father trains her with his military cadets. A retired opera singer teaches her how to sing. Her grandaunt, headmistress of the ...

A horror novel set in Meirion, Wales, during the summer of 1915. As the world teeters on the brink of destruction in 1915, Meirion, a quiet district in Wales, finds itself gripped by a wave of terror. Amid the chaos of World War I, the town’s residents confront an inexplicable horror as nature itself seems to rise against humanity. With a series of grisly deaths igniting panic and superstition, the chilling question looms—what truly lies beneath the madness? The fabric of the community begins to fray as the death toll rises, starting with a missing child, then escalates to a horrific ...

A literary fiction book set in New York and the South Seas during the early 1900s. The story unravels the inner world of Bellair, a man disillusioned by his mundane life, who discovers a transformative experience that alters his destiny. Bellair starts his novel journey in an old boarding house on a drowsy Sunday in New York. Entangled in his disenchanted reality, he wanders east to Brooklyn's waterfront, where he stumbles upon the ship "Jade of Adelaide." Captivated by the ship’s beauty and the promise of adventure it symbolizes, Bellair feels a surge of emotions—a longing for escape ...

Death in Central Park by Harper Stanwick, Sr. is a gripping mystery novel set in New York City during the early 20th century. When a young woman is found dead on a park bench, two high society individuals, Stephanie Orton and Carlos Collins, find themselves entangled in a complex web of intrigue and secrets. Stephanie Orton, a practical and independent heiress, refuses to marry the charming yet idle Steve Collins until he proves himself capable of achieving something meaningful. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they discover the lifeless body of a beautiful, unidentified girl in ...

For new girl Darrell Rivers, there are friends to be made, pranks to be played and fun to be had at Malory Towers in Enid Blyton's best-loved boarding school series. In audiobook seven, Darrell has left Malory Towers, and her sister Felicity takes over as head girl. But the other girls are determined to cause trouble. Will Freddie and June ever stop playing tricks? And what's Amy's strange family secret? Expect more drama at Malory Towers!

More parodies have been written targeting Sherlock Holmes than anyone else dead or alive, fictional or real. James M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, started it all back in the early 1890's and Sherlockian parody has been coming out regularly ever since, right into the age of the internet. While Sherlock's creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lived, close to 400 appeared in Britain and America.

A historical adventure book set in the Canadian wilderness during the early 20th century. "Silver Frost"Unfolding in the remote expanse of the Canadian wilderness during the early 1900s, "Silver Frost" is a tale imbued with adventure, the primal beauty of untamed landscapes, and the raw struggle for survival. At the heart of this story lie themes of loyalty, bravery, and the enduring connection to one's heritage.As the book opens, a young Native American named Wabi and his companion Roderick Drew find themselves on a perilous journey, trying to evade a relentless wolf pack during a ...

Dive into a magical underwater adventure that teaches children about friendship, cooperation, and cultural diversity! Join Imani, Tommy, and Maya in their latest enchanting adventure from the beloved "What Shall We Do Today?" series. When mysterious feathers start falling from the sky and Maya discovers a magical pie pan, the three friends are whisked away to the spectacular Coral Kitchen Islands for the adventure of a lifetime. Perfect for young readers ages 6-9, this engaging chapter book combines: • Educational content about marine conservation and the precious Coral Triangle ecosystem...

A historical fiction book set in the English countryside during the early 20th century. “The Lost Drifter” follows the story of Peter, a young artist and former convict, who has taken to living life as a wandering piper after being released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. Initially sentenced for forgery and embezzlement, Peter had taken the fall to protect a friend. Set against the backdrop of idyllic rural England, the narrative delves deep into Peter's internal and external journey as he navigates life post-incarceration, blending moments of introspection with encounters ...

In this second book of the Camillus series Marcus is pitted against enemies old and new. Publius Postumius is the hero of the hour, sacking the city of Bolae with its incredible treasures. Sent with a relief force to support his old enemy Marcus falls foul of an assassination attempt before his credibility is tested by the scheming of his old commander and he must choose between friendship and duty. Back in Rome tensions are rising as Postumius’s schemes grow and his soldiers rage against their former Tribune as the plebeians and patricians come to bloody conflict. Marcus is given his ...

Shipwrecked Dreamsby Harper Stanwick, Sr. is a gripping historical fiction adventure set in the early 20th century North Pacific. Follow the perilous journey of Jimmy Farquhar, a young and ambitious second mate, as he navigates the treacherous waters of the North Pacific in search of fortune and redemption. As Jimmy embarks on a challenging voyage aboard a mail steamboat, he encounters a series of unforeseen challenges that test his resolve and courage. From battling fierce storms to confronting the harsh realities of maritime life, Jimmy's journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty. ...

A delightful and salacious debut novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application - and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up. Tiger mothers, eat your hearts out. Anne the "application whisperer" is the golden ticket to success. Working one-on-one with burned-out, helicopter-parented kids, she can make Harvard a reality. Her phone number is a national secret. Her students end up at the best of the best.