Julie Walters
Maggie's Tree

Julie Walters is 'arguably the nation's best-loved actress' (Sunday Times). Born in 1950, she originally trained as a nurse before studying English and Drama at Manchester Metropolitan University and embarking on a career as a performer, much to the dismay of her mother, who is quoted as saying 'She'll be in the gutter before she's 20'.

She first came to public attention alongside Victoria Wood in the television series and Wood WaIters, before becoming well-known in her own right after her performance in Educating Rita. The role gained her a BAFTA Award and an Oscar nomination, and since then she has starred in Billy EIliot and Calendar Girls. She also plays Mrs Weasley in the Harry Potter films. Her television roles range from Mrs Overall in Acorn Antiques and as Chrissie's wife in Alan Bleasdale's Boys From the Blackstuff, to the sexy Wife of Bath in the BBC's adaptation of The Canterbury Tales, and she has recently been seen in Driving Lessons, with Harry Potter co-star Rupert Grint and The Ruby in the Smoke, playing alongside Doctor Who star Billie Piper. In 1999, she was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for services to Drama. She lives in Sussex with her husband, an organic farmer, and her daughter Maisie.

Maggie's Tree is Julie Walters' dark and very funny first novel.

Alexander McCall Smith
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

Precious Ramotswe, the ample and good-natured owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is experiencing staffing difficulties. Her relationship with her assistant, Mma Makutsi, is strained. Mr J. L. B. Matekoni becomes involved in the agency's work when he investigates an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters as competently as one of the ladies? Mma Ramotswe has her doubts. One thing, though, that she does not doubt is the good nature of Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, who stands for all that is solid and true in a shifting world.

An idyllic Cornish holiday in the summer of 1958. An aristocratic family, blessed with wealth and promise. But death stalks paradise, and when catastrophe strikes, the tragedy breaks Celestria Montague's young heart - then shatters her every illusion. Celestria sets out to unravel the deadly riddle, and amongst the orange groves of Italy's ruggedly beautiful southern coast, she finds a bewildering maze of masquerades and mirrors. In this labyrinth of deception, which threatens to destroy all her faith in family and affection, she meets a man who teaches her that truth is the heart of love.