Mavis Cheek
Yesterday's Houses

When sixteen-year-old Marianne Flowers is invited to a party in a genteel house she has no idea that the house and what she experiences there will change her life. Not to mention the boy who introduces her to red wine, sophisticated conversation and an apparently liberated future. But marriage to Charles turns out to be far from liberating and soon Marianne finds herself living in a basement flat, and with a way of life that is far from her hopes. But Charles's mother introduces her to fine literature, and Marianne realises that there is whole bright world unfolding before her. But how will this new, independently-minded Marianne find her place in this brand new world?

Paulo Coelho
The Zahir

One day a renowned author discovers that his wife, a war correspondent, has disappeared leaving no trace. Though time brings more success and new love, he remains mystified by her absence. Was she kidnapped, blackmailed or simply bored with their marriage? His search for her takes him from France to Spain, Croatia and, eventually, the bleakly beautiful landscape of Central Asia. More than that, it takes him from the safety of his world to a totally unknown path, searching for a new understanding of the nature of love and the power of destiny.

'Coelho has written an enlightening story of faith and the reclamation of pure love. Recommended for popular fction collections'- LIBRARY JOURNAL

Six victims. Same gun. No link. It started with the blind violinist-shot twice through the head at point-blank range in the alley outside his dingy restaurant. But it's only when the omelette lady gets shot with the same gun in the same way twenty-four hours later that the 87th Precinct really start to sit up and take notice. But Steve Carella and the boys at the 87th Precinct always seem to be one step behind the killer and can do nothing to prevent the death toll rising. The trouble is, while the gun is the same, none of the victims seem to be related in any way. And why is the killer heard to introduce himself as 'Chuck' before pumping two bullets into their bodies?

• Ed McBain's last novel.