Jean M. Auel
The Plains of Passage

The fourth novel in jean M. Auel's magnificent epic. Ayla the orphan and Jondalar the traveller leave the safety of the land of the mammoth hunters by the Black Sea and embark on a seemingly impossible journey across a continent. Their goal is the Atlantic coastal settlement from which jondalar set out years before as a young man.

Ian Fleming
Casino Royale

This, the first of Fleming's tales of agent 007, finds Bond on a mission to neutralise a lethal Russian operative called 'Le Chiffre' - by ruining him at the baccarat table and forcing his Soviet spymasters to 'retire' him. It seems that lady luck is taken with James - Le Chiffre has hit a losing streak. But some people just refuse to play by the rules.

Agatha Christie
The Labours of Hercules

A dinner guest compares the labours of Poirot to those of his mythological namesake, Hercules, the Greek hero, and the great detective is not amused. Poirot has already decided to retire but, as a suitable farewell, he will take on twelve monumental cases that correspond to the twelve Labours of Hercules.

C.S. Forester
Lord Hornblower

The Admiral's face was grim as he gave Commodore Hornblower his orders. The situation was critical: mutiny was an infection that could spread through the fleet like the plague and, furthermore, the defiant crew of the Flame were threatening to go over to the French. St Vincent has put his faith in Hornblower and Hornblower knows he must not fail.