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Matchstick Man: the story of a relationship

16 May 2018 - 06:05

Julia Kelly met a charismatic and successful artist, Charlie Whisker, while she was working on her first novel. He was twenty years older than her. Their relationship was passionate and extraordinary; each of them inspired the other. Their friends were writers, artists and rock stars; they lived a glamorous life of exhibitions, parties and concerts. They became parents to a daughter they adored.

But Charlie suddenly changed, becoming hopelessly forgetful, angry and confused. Matchstick Man is an unbearably honest, unsentimental and heartbreaking description of a brilliant man's mental disintegration and its effects on his family. Charlie's disturbing behaviour is described in a series of terrible, understated revelations.

An unforgettable telling of a story that will be familiar to many thousands of people in the UK and Ireland.

Two years and going strong!

15 May 2018 - 06:05

Hello all, we can’t quite believe that it has been a whole TWO years since we sprung up out of the ground and into the digital stratosphere… and what an amazing two years it has been.

Aria has published over one hundred books and sold more than two million units in this time – quite an achievement, if we do say so ourselves!

In case any of you aren’t quite sure on all the particulars of us… we are Aria, a dynamic digital-first fiction imprint from award-winning independent publishers Head of Zeus. At heart, we’re avid readers committed to publishing exactly the kind of books we love to read — from romance and sagas to crime, thrillers and historical adventures.

Beyond the abyss

14 May 2018 - 06:05

Laurie Canciani is the author of The Insomnia Museum.
I was only a few months through an MA in Creative Writing and I already wanted to quit. My partner was driving me to the train station at the time. I had the money in my hand ready to pay for the expensive journey that would get me all the way from South Wales to Bath and I’d read all the work necessary for the challenging seminars, but I decided it would be better, and easier, for me to quit. Luckily, my partner refused to take me back home and insisted I see the course through to the end, whatever the outcome. I was tired, overworked, and the minus sign next to my current account reflected the below-zero motivation I had to spend more money on something that I knew deep down wouldn’t work out. I went to the train station, got my ticket and forced myself to keep going. I didn’t know it then but quitting would’ve been the worst mistake I could’ve made. I went on to achieve a high grade, I won the coveted annual prize for the best work-in-progress of the year and I gained representation from a leading literary agency, which led to the publication of my debut novel The Insomnia Museum.

The truth behind the David Kelly affair

08 May 2018 - 06:05

The death of Dr David Kelly in 2003 is one of the strangest events in recent British history. This scrupulous scientist, an expert on weapons of mass destruction, was caught up in the rush to war in Iraq. He felt under pressure from those around Tony Blair to provide evidence that Saddam Hussein was producing weapons of mass destruction. Kelly seemed to have tipped into sudden depression when he was outed as a source for Andrew Gilligan.But the circumstances of his death are replete with disquieting questions – every detail, from his motives to the method of his death, his body’s discovery and the way in which the state investigated his demise, seems on close examination not to make sense. There was never a full coroner’s inquest into his death, which would have allowed medical and other evidence to be carefully interrogated.

In An Inconvenient Death, Miles Goslett shows why we should be deeply sceptical of the official narrative and reminds us of the desperate measures those in power resorted to in that feverish summer of 2003.

What changed in Paris in 1968?

30 Apr 2018 - 07:04

James Naughtie's novel Paris Spring follows a young spy caught up in the events of Paris in 1968.

Fifty years ago this week, Paris erupted. Student protesters filled the streets and for many nights they battled with police. Trade unions joined the fray and called a general strike. France was paralysed. For nearly a month, parts of the city resembled a war zone.

Diney Costeloe is back!

26 Apr 2018 - 12:04

Love Diney Costeloe?! So do we! Her newest book, Miss Mary's Daughter, will be published in hardback next week on May 3rd. So to celebrate, we're taking a look back at the eBook blog tour: thanks to all involved!

The tour ran from 15th February to 9th March and featured many exciting reviews, guest posts, and extracts. Please find some of the reviews below! To check out the rest of the tour, see the banner.

In the path of the Templars

24 Apr 2018 - 06:04

Dan Jones' international bestseller, The Templars, was published on 5th April and immediately shot to number 7 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list. Two weeks later it is continuing to rise steadily.

You've probably heard of the Knights Templar from the Da Vinci Code, Ivanhoe or even Assassins Creed, but the real story is so much more exciting than any myth.

Lesley Thomson joins World Book Night reading list

23 Apr 2018 - 10:04

Lesley Thomson's The Detective's Daughter is one of the titles being shared with those who don't read regularly as part of this year's World Book Night promotion.

A smoking gun

20 Apr 2018 - 06:04

When American mayors start a campaign to ban handguns, the CEO of Cogsworth International Arms worries about the effects on his company. He convinces congress to introduce the 'American Freedom from Fear Act' ruling that every American must own a gun.

Washington politicians and a cowardly President are caught between a mighty gun lobby and the absurdity of every American man, woman and child carrying a gun. What ensues is a hilarious indictment of American politics.

Chomp on this

10 Apr 2018 - 06:04

This August, something exciting is coming. Something big. Something... mega.

Starring Jason Statham, Steve Alten's classic story of boy meets shark is coming to cinemas everywhere this August.

Springtime bank holiday reads

29 Mar 2018 - 12:03

We've made it to the first bank holiday of the spring: hooray! Take advantage of the rare four-day weekend by grabbing some Easter chocolate (and your brolly!) and heading to the park with a good book. We've got just the things to spirit you away this Easter.

What's in a name?

28 Mar 2018 - 06:03

Emma Burstall is the author of the Tremarnock series of novels. The latest, Tremarnock Summer is out in paperback on 5th April.

Choosing a name for a book character can be almost as hard as naming a baby. When I was deciding what to call my children, I ummed and ahhed for ages because I wanted to get it just right, and so it is with the men and women in my novels. Often I’ll spend hours writing out different combinations of first names and surnames until I’m completely satisfied.

There are two sides to every love story...

27 Mar 2018 - 06:03

This spring we're welcoming two new novels from million-copy bestselling author Amanda Prowse, that tell the story of one couple from both sides... Theo's story is out on 5th April.

Theo Montgomery grew up in a rich family where he had all the toys and trinkets money could buy. But his childhood was full of neglect and he was bullied at school. Now he is an adult, he longs to find a soulmate. Someone who understands him. Someone who will love him unconditionally.