A...B...Sea

Rather than a natural frontier between natural enemies, this book approaches the English Channel as a shared space, which mediated the multiple relations between France and England in the long eighteenth century, in both a metaphorical and a material sense. Instead of arguing that Britain's insularity kept it spatially and intellectually segregated from the Continent, Renaud Morieux focuses on the Channel as a zone of contact. The 'narrow sea' was a shifting frontier between states and a space of exchange between populations. This richly textured history shows how the maritime border was imagined by cartographers and legal theorists, delimited by state administrators and transgressed by migrants. It approaches French and English fishermen, smugglers and merchants as transnational actors, whose everyday practices were entangled. The variation of scales of analysis enriches theoretical and empirical understandings of Anglo-French relations, and reassesses the question of Britain's deep h

The photos in this book are taken from an unpublished album belonged to a member of the crew of famous German Battleship Tirpitz. It is a little known fact that before the start of World War Two the ship went on a shakedown voyage into the Atlantic, travelling north into Arctic waters and south into the more tropical climbs of the Caribbean. There are superb photos of the officers and crew both above and below decks, including some unique shots of the crew during their stint on a magnificent sail training vessel.Other stunning shots show the vessels mighty weapons during gunnery practice during her sea trials. This unique collection gives a close up view of one of the most powerful ships of World War Two, a ship that proved to be a persistent thorn in the side of the Royal Navy until sunk in Norway towards the end of the war.

This 1937 work is framed as a maritime history as distinct from an economic history, and was highly acclaimed on first publication. Parkinson's focus is the activities of the East India Company in India and the East Indies between 1793 and 1815. Although a scholarly work, firmly founded on primary sources, it presents a potentially dry subject in a vivid and lively way which is extremely readable. Rather than narrating the history of the East India Company, Parkinson provides a series of descriptions of how it operated, the goods it traded, and the experiences of employees or passengers who sailed east. He reminds the modern reader of how fundamental the prevailing winds were to the trade routes, and the great discomforts of long sea voyages. This is a fascinating story of the realities of British economic involvement in India and the Far East during a key period of consolidation.

Teeming with merchants from all over Europe, medieval Bruges provides an early model of a great capitalist city. Bruges established a sophisticated money market and an elaborate network of agents and brokers. Moreover, it promoted co-operation between merchants of various nations. In this book James Murray explores how Bruges became the commercial capital of northern Europe in the late fourteenth century. He argues that a combination of fortuitous changes such as the shift to sea-borne commerce and the extraordinary efforts of the city's population served to shape a great commercial centre. Areas explored include the political history of Bruges, its position as a node and network, the wool, cloth and gold trade and the role of women in the market. This book serves not only as a case-study in medieval economic history, but also as a social and cultural history of medieval Bruges.

Horace is a central author in Latin literature. His work spans a wide range of genres, from iambus to satire, and odes to literary epistle, and he is just as much at home writing about love and wine as he is about philosophy and literary criticism. He also became a key literary figure in the regime of the Emperor Augustus. In this 2007 volume a superb international cast of contributors present a stimulating and accessible assessment of the poet, his work, its themes and its reception. This provides the orientation and coverage needed by non-specialists and students, but also suggests provoking perspectives from which specialists may benefit. Since the last general book on Horace was published half a century ago, there has been a sea-change in perceptions of his work and in the literary analysis of classical literature in general, and this territory is fully charted in this Companion.

Horace is a central author in Latin literature. His work spans a wide range of genres, from iambus to satire, and odes to literary epistle, and he is just as much at home writing about love and wine as he is about philosophy and literary criticism. He also became a key literary figure in the regime of the Emperor Augustus. In this 2007 volume a superb international cast of contributors present a stimulating and accessible assessment of the poet, his work, its themes and its reception. This provides the orientation and coverage needed by non-specialists and students, but also suggests provoking perspectives from which specialists may benefit. Since the last general book on Horace was published half a century ago, there has been a sea-change in perceptions of his work and in the literary analysis of classical literature in general, and this territory is fully charted in this Companion.

Learn all about water with Maisy in this new series celebrating our planet!Maisy is finding out about water – from what comes out of her tap, to rain, rivers and all the way to the sea! Why do we need water? Where does it come from? Join Maisy to find the answers to these questions and many more in this colourful board book. Open out the final scene to dive beneath the waves with Maisy!Maisy’s Planet books are perfect for little nature-lovers aged from 18 months. Each sturdy, toddler-friendly board book celebrates a different feature of the natural world with bright colours, simple language and a fun open-out spread.Love our planet with Maisy!

The Famous Five told as a graphic novel for the first time ever. Ideal for anyone who loves Enid Blyton, Tintin or Asterix.Brilliantly retold with all the fun, danger and excitement of the original books, in a fast-paced format for fans old and new. This superb new edition will capture the imagination of readers of any age. This superb new edition will capture the imagination of readers of any age.Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog are staying with their friends at Smuggler’s Top. But adventure follows the Famous Five everywhere they go, and they soon find secret tunnels and hiding places and see someone sending mysterious signals out to sea . . . Could there still be smugglers here?

This book examines the alliance between the Spanish Crown and Genoese merchant bankers in southern Italy throughout the early modern era, when Spain and Genoa developed a symbiotic economic relationship, undergirded by a cultural and spiritual alliance. Analyzing early modern imperialism, migration, and trade, this book shows that the spiritual entente between the two nations was mainly informed by the religious division of the Mediterranean Sea. The Turkish threat in the Mediterranean reinforced the commitment of both the Spanish Crown and the Genoese merchants to Christianity. Spain's imperial strategy was reinforced by its willingness to acculturate to southern Italy through organized beneficence, representation at civic ceremonies, and spiritual guidance during religious holidays.

Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles, first published in 2006, discusses the three main categories of high-speed marine vehicles - vessels supported by submerged hulls, air cushions or foils. The wave environment, resistance, propulsion, seakeeping, sea loads and manoeuvring are extensively covered based on rational and simplified methods. Links to automatic control and structural mechanics are emphasized. A detailed description of waterjet propulsion is given and the effect of water depth on wash, resistance, sinkage and trim is discussed. Chapter topics include resistance and wash; slamming; air cushion-supported vessels, including a detailed discussion of wave-excited resonant oscillations in air cushion; and hydrofoil vessels. The book contains numerous illustrations, examples and exercises.

Giants and Cannibals!Wonders and Witches!One Amazing Hero. Brave Odysseus is far from home, tossed by stormy seas, and cursed by an angry one-eyed giant. If he ever wants to see his family again, he will have to face hungry cannibals, outwit a beautiful witch, and sail past a six-headed serpent. His journey is the ultimate test of endurance and courage. In this exciting series, best-selling author Mary Pope Osborne retells Homer's Odyssey, one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time. This volume includes: Book One: The One-Eyed GiantBook Two: The Land of the DeadBook Three: Sirens and Sea Monsters

Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles, first published in 2006, discusses the three main categories of high-speed marine vehicles - vessels supported by submerged hulls, air cushions or foils. The wave environment, resistance, propulsion, seakeeping, sea loads and manoeuvring are extensively covered based on rational and simplified methods. Links to automatic control and structural mechanics are emphasized. A detailed description of waterjet propulsion is given and the effect of water depth on wash, resistance, sinkage and trim is discussed. Chapter topics include resistance and wash; slamming; air cushion-supported vessels, including a detailed discussion of wave-excited resonant oscillations in air cushion; and hydrofoil vessels. The book contains numerous illustrations, examples and exercises.

This book provides a structured account of the full range of environments in Antarctica and of the microbial communities that live within them. Environments examined include: snow and ice; benthic marine; sea ice; lakes and streams; marginal ice; soil; the open ocean; rock. In the more extreme habitats of this region microscopic life forms constitute the entire biology of the habitat, but in all antarctic environments the microbial communities play a major and often dominant role in the transfer of carbon, nutrients and energy throughout the ecosystem. The book examines the major features of the chemical and physical environment in each habitat, and the influence of these features on the population structure and dynamics of their microbiota.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe latest historical novel from New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China—perfect for fans of See’s classic Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Island of Sea Women.According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwi

Written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, The Hospital Dog is a big-hearted tale about a very special, very brave dog. This board book edition of the story is perfect for little ones. Here is a dog, a Dalmatian called Dot,Is she quite ordinary? NO, SHE'S NOT!After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital.Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they're always pleased to see her too; from a crying baby to a bored teenager - a pat, a stroke and a cuddle with Dot cheers everyone up. But the work of the hospital dog doesn't stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it's up to Dot to save the day!Winner of the Indie Book Awards 2021, this fantastic rhyming story comes from the bestselling partnership behind The Detective Dog.

Set your Kindergarten or First Grade child on the path to reading success with this playful, full-color set of 10 readers (Guided Reading Levels A and B). This boxed set includes 10 brand-new stories written by Todd Parr and educational expert Liza Charlesworth. Using Todd’s signature silliness and bold colors, this boxed set has been carefully crafted to be the perfect learning tool for new readers. These books are so much fun that your child will delight in reading them with you and-–in short order—to you. This set maximizes reading growth and boosts early comprehension by featuring:-must-know sight words -repetitive, “predictable” text-short sentences-pictures clues-vibrant illustrations Includes:-5 Level A stories: Great Hair!, Be Kind to Animals, Pig and Dog, We Can Share, and See the Baby-5 Level B stories: Super Stars!, I Love Colors!, Good Night, Farm, Funny Foods, and Ocean Count-A parent guide with tips for before, during, and after reading-A sturdy case

Before Mac Barnett was an author, he was a kid. And while he was a kid, he was a spy. The precious Crown Jewels have been stolen, and there's only one person who can help the Queen of England: her newest secret agent, Mac B. Mac travels around the globe in search of the stolen treasure...but will he find it in time?From the esteemed New York Times bestselling and multi-award-winning author Mac Barnett comes a thrilling, hilarious fully-illustrated spy adventure series!Ravens have been stolen from the Tower of London! Mac B.'s top-secret mission? Travel to Iceland and retrieve the ravens... or Britain is ruined!In Iceland, Mac discovers:secret submarineshungry polar bearsmysterious blueprints...and his old archnemesis!Is the KGB man behind this birdnapping? Can Mac get the ravens to safety?It's time for an epic, top secret smackdown between these two secret agents! *historical facts masterfully woven throughout the plot*full-colour illustrations on every page*perfect for kids who love t

Emily and Pegasus face their greatest challenge yet when they venture back to Earth to save a friend in this sixth and final book of an exciting series that puts a modern thrill into ancient mythology.After the events in Hawaii, Emily is contending with diminished powers, a new body, and the fact that she has to teach the Titan Lorin how to use her own powers. To make matters worse, Joel has been acting strangely towards her ever since she changed, and it’s all become too much.However, Emily has one last promise to fulfill, one she made a long time ago: to save Agent B from the secret government agency called the CRU. But when Emily, Pegasus, Joel, and Paelen arrive in London, they discover that Agent B has been captured by the CRU and the only way to free him is for Emily and Lorin to surrender.As Emily and her friends delve deeper into the CRU’s history, horrible discoveries are made. Not only about the victims the powerful agency has been trapping and abusing for centuries, but abou

Learn all about letters with this BIG Alphablocks board book. Hop into Alphaland and meet Alphablocks A to Z! Practise recognising letter shapes and saying each Alphablocks’ sound. Start to understand letter formation and recognise each letter when used in a word.This official Alphablocks board book is perfect for fans of the popular Cbeebies show. It’s an ideal first step on every little learner’s reading journey. A, B, C… Let’s learn our letters!

Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones in this adorable chapter book series following Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girlin this eighth novel, Mindy learns to swim.Mindy Kim can't wait to learn how to swim with her best friend, Sally! But during her first swim lesson, Mindy isn't so sure she can keep up. With a little help from Sally and Theodore the Mutt, can Mindy learn how to make a splash?

Fresh off the Boat meets Junie B. Jones in this adorable chapter book series following Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girlin this seventh novel, Mindy's dad and Julie get married!It's time for a big celebration in Mindy Kim's family: Dad and Julie are getting married! Mindy can't wait to be the flower girl, wear her new hanbok, and officially welcome Julie into the family.

Contents: No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor * No. 2 in B-Flat Major * No. 3 in D Minor * No. 4 in D Major * No. 5 in G Minor * No. 6 in E-Flat Major * No. 7 in C Minor * No. 8 in A-Flat Major * No. 9 in E-Flat M

InvestiGators fans, rejoice! Get ready to dive into the third volume of Agents of S.U.I.T., featuring the weird and wacky coworkers of everyone's favorite sewer-sleuthing super-agents, Mango and Brash! With more than two million copies of InvestiGators in print, readers are primed for more GatorVerse action! The first two volumes of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., the long-awaited spinoff of John Green's smash-hit INVESTIGATORS series, turned the spotlight to eager rookie agent Cilantro and the un-B-lievably B-loved B-Team of Bongo and Marsha. Now, in the globetrotting third book, new recruit Zeb the sheep joins the flock to help crack the greatest mystery of all! But, uhh...just what is the greatest mystery of all? Pondering that conundrum is what has kept the dearly departed General Inspectre tethered to Earth long after he should have moved on to the great super-spy base in the sky. Having a ghost haunting the halls of S.U.I.T. wouldn't be so bad...except he's possessed Monocle to serve as his

This is a detailed analysis of how the United States intends to fight a war against the People's Republic of China and why it risks strategic defeat--based on its doctrine, force structure and general 'way of war'. Franz-Stefan Gady contends that the US military's current approach to a potential war over Taiwan is flawed, relying heavily both on achieving rapid information superiority and on a decisive victory. This is unlikely to succeed, and may increase the risk of nuclear escalation between the world's only genuine superpowers. A US-China war would more likely be characterized by prolonged attrition across multiple domains (cyber, space, air, sea and land)--a conflict for which America's military and society are ill-prepared. The US also lacks a viable blueprint, the military forces or the industrial capacity for a long war of attrition. This deficiency stems from a military culture prioritizing advanced technology over mass, and the lack of political will or public readiness for t

A Kids’ Indie Next List PickA 2026 ALSC Notable Book for ChildrenA 2025 Kirkus Best Picture Book​A 2025 SLJ Best Book A Horn Book’s 2025 Fanfare PickA Boston Globe Best Book of 2025Cuddle up with this celebration of winter and explore the wonders of nature's light with Moon Song from Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. On an island at the edge of a silvery sea, when the moon rises and night falls, a girl spins a story for her worried cousin to help him find comfort in the wintery dark. She invites him to see moonlight glittering in the forest, bioluminescence sparkling by the shore, and northern lights blazing in the sky. In the dark of the night, the whole world sings. Celebrated Tlingit creator Michaela Goade, who brought us a summer's celebration in the Caldecott Honor Award-winning Berry Song, invites us to discover the wonder and comfort of a winter's night through a magnificent Moon Song.

The second massive collection of comics based on Netflix’s 80’s-nostalgia-fueledStranger Things. Sci-fi horror at its best, including demonic creatures from other dimensions, mad scientists, secret agents, and so much more!Includes three complete series and three additional one-shot issues.The Voyagetells the story of Captain Jacoby, whose freighter ship is chartered by a group of Russians looking to get from Alaska back to Kamchatka. But when a ship mate gets butchered at sea, the captain and his crew must root out a monster while a vicious storm rages all around them.InKamchatka, a leading Soviet scientist is abducted to work on with the Kremlin’s new ultimate weapon—a Demogorgon! What the doctor’s captors didn’t count on was the resiliency of his children, who embark on a harrowing and perilous journey to find him. Their only hope of success is a retired but deadly KGB agent.Tomb of Ybwenis set in the aftermath of Bob Newby’s death. Will Byers, still grieving his friend, discovers a

*Winner of the 2023 Wainwright Prize for Children's Writing on Nature & Conservation!*'A captivating tale that glistens with wonder. Leila and Fox will always have a home in my heart' Sophie Anderson'This is an extraordinary book - wild and beautiful and perfect' Katya BalenCome with an Arctic fox on a breathtaking journey ... an enthralling story from the bestselling, award-winning creators of Julia and the Shark.With dazzling blue and black illustrations, this is a perfect gift for 9+ fans of The Last Bear and A Wolf Called Wander. Fox wakes, and begins to walk. She crosses ice and snow, over mountains and across frozen oceans, encountering bears and birds beneath the endless daylight of an Arctic summer, navigating a world that is vast, wild and wondrous.Meanwhile, Leila embarks on a journey of her own - finding her way to the mother who left her. On a breathtaking journey across the sea, Leila rediscovers herself and the mother she thought she'd lost, with help from a determine

An eerie, windswept island off the coast of Maine becomes the site of a double murder and a disappearance in this new thriller in Paul Doiron's bestselling Mike Bowditch series.On a sea kayaking trip, Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch and his girlfriend Stacey Stevens visit a remote archipelago that has been turned into a research center and sanctuary for endangered seabirds. The researchers on the island have been plagued by misfortune, including the suicide of an intern, and the mood is uneasy. A lone lobsterman has been silently spying on the three female biologists, and they suspect he might even be sneaking ashore to prowl among their tents.Camped on a nearby islet for the night, Mike and Stacey hear a single gunshot. When they return at dawn, their fears are confirmed: two of the researchers have been brutally murdered and the third is missing, along with the island skiff. Mike’s search for the missing woman and the official murder investigation reveals a host of suspe

豪豬和穿山甲看似毫無交集，卻都是自然界的防禦高手。這本圖文並茂的科普書，透過真實照片與精緻插圖，深入介紹牠們的身體構造與生活習性，還會讓讀者猜猜——如果牠們對決，誰會勝出？What if a porcupine and a pangolin had a fight? Who do you think would win?This nonfiction reader compares and contrasts two unlikely animals: a porcupine and a pangolin! Readers will learn about each animal's anatomy, behavior, and more. Then, compare and contrast the battling pair before finally discovering the winner!This nonfiction series is full of facts, photos, and realistic illustrations, and it includes a range of mammals, sea creatures, insects, and dinosaurs to satisfy all kinds of animal fans.

Water, water, everywhere! From rain in the sky to waves under the sea, this colorful board book in the Maisy's Planet series introduces the youngest explorers to a natural resource. We all need water for drinking, washing, growing--and jumping in puddles, like Maisy! But where does it come from, and where does it go? Join the curious mouse as she explores wildlife living in ponds, drops a stick in a stream to watch it float away, and follows a stream all the way to the ocean, where she and her friends can play, swim, and snorkel. There's so much to see under the water! In the Maisy's Planet series, each sturdy board book celebrates a different feature of the natural world, with bold colors, clear language, and a fun spread to open out at the end. Kids love to love our planet with Maisy!

James Silk Buckingham (1786–1855) was a writer who travelled extensively and published accounts of his adventures in places such as India, Persia, Egypt, and Palestine. He first went to sea as a boy, and spent a period as a Spanish prisoner-of-war. He was expelled from India in 1823 for criticising the East India Company and the Bengal government. Back in London, he was a supporter of political, social and military reform, and served as the first MP for Sheffield, from 1832 to 1837. He founded several journals, including The Athenaeum, a weekly London periodical. On retiring from Parliament, he left for North America, where he spent nearly four years, and was highly critical of America's economic dependence on slavery. This autobiography, which remained incomplete at his death, was published in 1855, and shows the range of his interests, his energy, and his desire for social and political reform.

On 27 August 1883, the island of Krakatau was destroyed in one of the most violent volcanic events ever recorded. This caused the 'year without a summer', thousands of deaths (mainly from tsunamis), fabulous sunsets and a measurable cooling of the oceans over nearly a century. Krakatau also provided evolutionary biologists with a unique opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of plant dispersal. This had been the subject of laborious research for Charles Darwin, who had speculated upon and, it seems, accurately postulated how an 'unstocked island' might be recolonised. In this 1908 volume, Alfred Ernst analysed the effects of wind, birds and sea currents in the transport not only of seeds but also of trees, branches and even of substantial animals. Krakatau's ecosystem, at a more primitive stage than that Darwin had seen on the Galapagos Islands, demonstrated how simple but continuous natural forces might re-establish a complex ecology.

Help the baby sea animals find their way home in this fun sliding counter board book series!Meet baby turtle, baby dolphin, baby clownfish and baby whale - four adorable animals who are lost in the waves!With easy-to-use moving parts and four unique tracks to develop hand-eye coordination and concentration, babies and toddlers will enjoy taking the baby animals home in this robust board book.Includes a FREE Nosy Crow Stories Aloud® audiobook! Scan the code, hear the story.Other titles in the Let's Go Home series include:*Baby Tiger*Baby Shark*Baby T-Rex*Let's Go Home, Baby Panda

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob Comics: Tales from the Haunted Pineapple is the third collection of previously published material specially curated by SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg. Tales from the Haunted Pineapple includes more than 15 short, self-contained stories by some of the biggest comics creators in the industry. These original stories feature all the fan favorites—from Patrick and Squidward to Sandy and Mr. Krabs—in original adventures you won’t see on television. Best of all, this book includes stories with spooky themes just in time for Halloween.

This 2007 book reviews the history of geomorphological studies of the Great Barrier Reef and assesses the influences of sea-level change and oceanographic processes on the development of reefs over the last 10,000 years. It presents analyses of recently attained data from the Great Barrier Reef and reconstructions of the sequence of events which have led to its more recent geomorphology. The authors emphasise the importance of the geomorphological time span and its applications for present management applications. This is a valuable reference for academic researchers in geomorphology and oceanography, and will also appeal to graduate students in related fields.

This 2007 book reviews the history of geomorphological studies of the Great Barrier Reef and assesses the influences of sea-level change and oceanographic processes on the development of reefs over the last 10,000 years. It presents analyses of recently attained data from the Great Barrier Reef and reconstructions of the sequence of events which have led to its more recent geomorphology. The authors emphasise the importance of the geomorphological time span and its applications for present management applications. This is a valuable reference for academic researchers in geomorphology and oceanography, and will also appeal to graduate students in related fields.

This 1997 book is about those animals found on the sea floor that live by filtering microscopic particles carried to them by water currents. Its purpose is to review what is known about the biology of suspension feeders in relation to their flow environment. The book includes the larval biology, physiology, ethology and ecology of suspension feeders interacting with water flow. It will be of value to marine scientists beginning research in the interdisciplinary field of hydrodynamics and benthic biology, and it is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of this synthesis from the biological viewpoint.

From the bestselling author of He Sees You When You're Sleeping comes a dark romance about a murder-sober retired serial killer and his murder-curious prot嶲? Perfect for fans of Brynne Weaver, this twisted romance inspired by the Bluebeard folktale is filled with dark humor, sizzling chemistry, and spice. Murder is their love language... Five years ago, Saylor Mitchell's father was brutally murdered in front of her, shattering her world. Now his killers have tracked her down to finish the job. She is unexpectedly saved by her father's closest friend, the enigmatic Blue. Saylor's savior--and captor-- is a reformed, murder-sober assassin struggling to escape the clutches of his own violent history.Blue's gothic mansion, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a stormy sea in the town of Grimlock, is a labyrinth of secrets. And so is Grimlock, a small town whose residents all seem to have a penchant for murder that they've managed--mostly-- to overcome.Saylor soon realizes that Blue ho

From Jarvis, author-illustrator of the award-winning The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, comes a picture book that explores joyful, pure and wind-swept memories on a pebble beach between a grandad and grandson.A gorgeous book for children to share with grandad, Jarvis captures the kind of golden childhood memory that you carry with you, as comforting as holding a warm, smooth pebble in your hand. And when life changes, and people change, these pebbles stay with you always.With sweets stuffed in their pockets, a boy and his grandad take the trip down to the beach: through the wonky woods, across the railway track – stopping for a chat with the spotty dogs! – over the stile, and there ... peeking out beyond the dunes, the sea and "their" beach. They pick pebbles, wash them clean in the waves and paint their memories from the day, placing them in a special place – a secret place.

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SNOW‘A marvellous and rewarding novelist . . . He is a magician, really.’ THE SCOTSMAN‘Banville has a grim gift of seeing people’s souls.’ DON DeLILLO‘The most eminent innovator in Irish fiction of the last 50 years.’ IRISH TIMES‘One of my favourite writers alive.’ REBECCA F. KUANG‘Banville writes prose of such luscious elegance.’ NEW YORK TIMESEverything was a puzzle, everything a trap set to mystify and hinder me. . .1899. As the new century approaches, English hack-writer Evelyn Dolman marries Laura Rensselaer, the daughter of a wealthy American plutocrat. But in the midst of a mysterious rift between Laura and her father, Evelyn’s plans of a substantial inheritance are thrown into doubt.As the unhappy newlyweds travel to Venice at Palazzo Dioscuri – the ancestral home of the charming but treacherous Count Barbarigo – a series of seemingly otherworldly occurrences exacerbate Evelyn’s already frayed nerves: is it just the sea mist blanketing the floatin