A Quiet Contagion

A Quiet Contagion
Author: Jane Jesmond
Publisher: Oldacastle Books
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2023-11-07
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0857308505
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Six decades. Seven people. One unspeakable secret. 1957. A catastrophe occurs at the pharmaceutical lab in Coventry where sixteen-year-old Wilf is working for the summer. A catastrophe that needs to be covered up at all costs. 2017. Phiney is shocked by the death of her grandfather, Wilf, who has jumped from a railway bridge at a Coventry station. Journalist Mat Torrington is the only witness. Left with a swarm of unanswered questions, Phiney, Mat and Wilf's wife, Dora, begin their own enquiries into Wilf's death. It is soon clear that these two events, sixty years apart, are connected - and that Wilf is not the only casualty. But what is the link? And can they find out before any more lives are lost? A Quiet Contagion is a powerfully disquieting mystery for modern times, inspired by the 1957 Coventry polio epidemic and the 1955 Cutter Incident (one of the worst pharmaceutical disasters in US history - which saw thousands of American children mistakenly infected with a live polio vaccine) as well as the more recent global coronavirus pandemic. PRAISE FOR JANE JESMOND 'An original voice in crime fiction' - Sunday Times on Cut Adrift (A Best Crime Novel of 2023) 'Jesmond's delineation of her characters as people with plausible flaws and hot tempers adds depth and complexity to a story that might wear its sentiments on its sleeves, yet which is trimly steered and freighted with contemporary resonance' - Times on Cut Adrift (Thriller Book of the Month) 'In an over-saturated market, finding a new voice with something compelling to say in the crime writing field can be difficult. Thankfully there are people out there trying to deliver a twist on the genre, and Jane Jesmond is one of them' - On Yorkshire Magazine on Cut Adrift 'This amazing debut novel from Jane Jesmond will give you all the thrills you've been looking for and keep you gripped from the get-go' - Female First on On The Edge 'Evocative, compelling and pulse-pounding' - Philippa East on On The Edge

Contagion

Contagion
Author: Teri Terry
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Total Pages: 420
Release: 2019-07-09
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1580899897
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The first book in the spine-tingling Dark Matter trilogy about the frightening effects of a biological experiment gone wrong. An epidemic is sweeping the country. It spreads fast, mercilessly. Everyone will be infected. . . . It is only a matter of time. You are now under quarantine. Young teen Callie might have been one of the first to survive the disease, but unfortunately she didn't survive the so-called treatment. She was kidnapped and experimented upon at a secret lab, one that works with antimatter. When she breaks free of her prison, she unleashes a wave of destruction. Meanwhile her older brother Kai is looking for her, along with his smart new friend Shay, who was the last to see Callie alive. Amid the chaos of the spreading epidemic, the teens must find the source of disease. Could Callie have been part of an experiment in biological warfare? Who is behind the research? And more importantly, is there a cure?

On the Edge

On the Edge
Author: Jane Jesmond
Publisher: CMC Verve
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2021-10-26
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0857308173
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A FAST-PACED, TWISTY THRILLER WITH ECHOES OF DAPHNE DU MAURIER Jen Shaw has climbed all her life: daring ascents of sheer rock faces, crumbling buildings, cranes - the riskier the better. Both her work and personal life revolved around climbing, and the adrenaline high it gave her. Until she went too far and hurt the people she cares about. So she's given it all up now. Honestly, she has. And she's checked herself into a rehab centre to prove it. Yet, when Jen awakens to find herself drugged and dangling off the local lighthouse during a wild storm less than twenty-four hours after a 'family emergency' takes her home to Cornwall, she needs all her skill to battle her way to safety. Has Jen fallen back into her old risky ways, or is there a more sinister explanation hidden in her hometown? Only when she has navigated her fragmented memories and faced her troubled past will she be able to piece together what happened - and trust herself to fix it. PRAISE FOR ON THE EDGE ’Gritty, gripping, knotty, intense – this is going to be HUGE' – Fiona Erskine, author of The Chemical Detective and The Chemical Reaction ’Evocative, compelling and pulse-pounding, with cliff-edge suspense, riveting action and a plot as tricksy as a dare-devil free-climb' – Philippa East, author of CWA Dagger-shortlisted Little White Lies ‘Thoroughly original - hooks you in from the start and keeps you guessing’ – Frances Quinn, bestselling author of The Smallest Man 'In Jane Jesmond, the thriller world has gained a compelling and seriously talented voice. On the Edge is a truly surprising, original, and twisted story that will not only take your breath away but which also does exactly what it announces loud and proud: keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn’t — and didn’t want to — put it down' – Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of Sister Dear and You Will Remember Me 'It literally had me on the edge from the word go. Tense, taut and thrilling' – Lisa Hall, bestselling author of Between You and Me and The Party ‘A proper nerve-shredder of a tale. Literary Cornwall has rarely been so magnificently menacing. Hold on tight. You won't be able to let go until the very last page!’ – Helen Fields, internationally bestselling author of the DI Callanach series ‘Complex characters and a setting so vivid I could almost smell the sea air – an astonishing debut’ – Marion Todd, author of the DI Clare Mackay series ‘A beautifully atmospheric story that grips you from the start! Jesmond cleverly weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense – a talented new crime fiction writer. One to watch!’ – Louise Mumford, bestselling author of Sleepless ‘On The Edge is an exceptional debut. Skilfully written, tightly plotted and compulsive reading. Highly recommended' – Maddie Please, author of The Summer of Second Chances and The Year of New Adventures Perfect for fans of Jane Harper and Sharon Bolton

Contagion

Contagion
Author: Amanda Milo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 150
Release: 2020-09-03
Genre:
ISBN:
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One OCD neat freak alien.One human woman.Both are abducted and held captive in a very unsterile environment.What more could go wrong? Simmi: I've broken free and I've also freed the human who was held captive with me. But I don't know where we are, and I don't know where my home is. The local wildlife may be smaller than I am, and maybe they don't have fangs near as large as mine, but I'm still terrified. My issues with germs--and my uncompromising avoidance of all the things that I'm afraid of coming into contact with--is going to get me killed in this wilderness.Thankfully, Aurora lets me follow her.Thankfully, she seems to know the way out of this endless and inhospitable woodland and desert biome.But by the end of our journey, she'll suspect she's harboring a contagion. I have no way to know it, but she's afraid to tell me. Afraid of how I'll react once I find out what she's carrying.***Note: This 40K, Standalone story is intended for readers 18+ due to romantic elements and adult themes. There is no cheating. There is one really germphobic alien. Thankfully, there's also a really understanding woman who is starting to fall for him. Spoiler: They're totally gonna have a Happily Ever After... just as soon as they can get off this planet that's trying to kill them.

Contagion

Contagion
Author: Erin Bowman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Total Pages: 319
Release: 2018-07-24
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 0062574183
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Edgar Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Mystery Perfect for fans of Madeleine Roux, Jonathan Maberry, and horror films like 28 Days Later and Resident Evil, this pulse-pounding, hair-raising, utterly terrifying novel is the first in a duology from the critically acclaimed author of the Taken trilogy. After receiving a distress call from a drill team on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is sent into deep space to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission. When they arrive, they find the planet littered with the remains of the project—including its members’ dead bodies. As they try to piece together what could have possibly decimated an entire project, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken. ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CONTAGION: “Gripping, thrilling and terrifying in equal measures, Contagion is the perfect intersection of science fiction and horror—I couldn’t look away.”—Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae and Unearthed “Few understand the true horror that lies in the empty unknown of space, but Erin Bowman nails it in Contagion. Read this one with the lights on!”—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe series and Star Wars: Rebel Rising “Erin Bowman’s Contagion is everything I want in my science fiction: a cast of smart characters on a desperate rescue mission forced to confront an elusive and unstoppable enemy. I absolutely loved this layered and thrilling adventure and can’t wait to dive back into this world again.”—Veronica Rossi, New York Times bestselling author of the Under the Never Sky series

The Rules of Contagion

The Rules of Contagion
Author: Adam Kucharski
Publisher: Profile Books
Total Pages: 302
Release: 2020-02-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1782834303
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An Observer Book of the Year A Times Science Book of the Year A New Statesman Book of the Year A Financial Times Science Book of the Year 'Astonishingly bold' Daily Mail 'It is hard to imagine a more timely book ... much of the modern world will make more sense having read it.' The Times We live in a world that's more interconnected than ever before. Our lives are shaped by outbreaks - of disease, of misinformation, even of violence - that appear, spread and fade away with bewildering speed. To understand them, we need to learn the hidden laws that govern them. From 'superspreaders' who might spark a pandemic or bring down a financial system to the social dynamics that make loneliness catch on, The Rules of Contagion offers compelling insights into human behaviour and explains how we can get better at predicting what happens next. Along the way, Adam Kucharski explores how innovations spread through friendship networks, what links computer viruses with folk stories - and why the most useful predictions aren't necessarily the ones that come true. Now revised and updated with content on Covid-19.

Gone to Earth

Gone to Earth
Author: Jane Jesmond
Publisher: CMC Verve
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2025-01-09
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0857308726
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** From the acclaimed author of On the Edge and Cut Adrift comes the third and final instalment in the action-packed, 'pulse-pounding' Jen Shaw series ** Still reeling from a life-threatening experience on the coast of Calais, daredevil climber Jen Shaw finds herself in Glasgow for a funeral, devastated with grief and in search of answers. As her dogged determination propels her closer to the criminal underworld than ever before, Jen and her family become the target of some dangerous and powerful people with links to the heart of Glasgow's Police Force. In the absence of anyone she can truly trust, Jen has no option but to rely on her own instincts and everything she's learnt from her close bond with police officer Nick Crawford for survival. Even if it means going undercover herself and disappearing into the city's dark underbelly. Gone to Earth is a fast-paced, atmospheric read with an utterly compelling, morally complex life-or-death plot. Perfect for fans of Jane Harper, Sharon Bolton and Ann Cleeves. 'Climber Jen is once again a very relatable, strong protagonist, and the novel moves swiftly, with tight storyline and clever plotting. Captivated me from the first page. A fast-moving, clever book with wicked twists I never saw coming. Highly recommend!' - D.E. WHITE, author of Blindsided 'In Jen Shaw, the thrill-seeking climber, Jane has created a truly compelling character that draws you inexorably into the story. Jane's writing is full of tension, twists and surprises, and she tackles the murky theme of people-trafficking with courage and sensitivity' - SUSANNA BEARD, author of The Perfect Neighbour 'Gone to Earth explores contemporary issues with compassion and empathy. A thriller full of twists and turns and a climbing detective, with her feet on the ground, steering the reader to a gripping conclusion' - NICKY DOWNES, author of Her Perfect Girl 'An exciting, at times terrifying, conclusion to Jesmond's Jen Shaw trilogy. Fast-paced, perfectly plotted and agonisingly pertinent to our times' - ANNE COATES, author of the Hannah Weybridge series PRAISE FOR JANE JESMOND 'An original voice in crime fiction' - SUNDAY TIMES 'Jesmond's thriller incorporates a very likeable protagonist and a really twisty plot with a thought-provoking moral dilemma' - MAIL ON SUNDAY 'A poignant, heart-rending read' - WOMAN'S OWN 'Jesmond's delineation of her characters as people with plausible flaws and hot tempers adds depth and complexity to a story that might wear its sentiments on its sleeves, yet which is trimly steered and freighted with contemporary resonance' - TIMES 'A well-crafted thriller that keeps you hooked from the start. Fans of The Girl On The Train will love it' - LOVE READING

Placeholders

Placeholders
Author: James Roseman
Publisher: CMC Verve
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2024-09-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0857308580
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** 'For anyone who's ever experienced homesickness, loss or that type of love that you can't bear to be without, this is the novel for you. Tender, bittersweet and beautifully written' - BELFAST TELEGRAPH ** In the five years following his brother's death, Aaron has built himself a life of solitary routines. After moving from Dublin to Boston, and illegally overstaying her visa, Róisín has done the same. When the two meet on a night out, they each find in the other something missing in their lives. A semblance of home. Their relationship is complicated by their disparate religious backgrounds - Aaron is Jewish; Roísín is atheist - and by the harsh realities of everyday life. Just as they're pushed to their breaking point, Roísín realises she is pregnant. Placeholders is a poignant story of loneliness corrected and the transformative power of love. The next fix for fans of Sally Rooney, Nick Hornby, David Nicholls, Louise Kennedy and Coco Mellors. 'This bittersweet debut explores liminal times, places and relationships... It's a subtle depiction of the blurring of lines between religion and community, between love and obligation, rich with the sort of present-moment nostalgia that there's almost certainly a German word for' - GQ (Best Books of 2024) 'Humane, heartfelt and beautifully observed. Roseman raises huge questions about identity, belonging and family, excelling in his depiction of the small, everyday exchanges which make or break a relationship. A quietly, powerful novel, from a writer I'm keen to keep my eye on' - JAN CARSON, author of Quickly, While They Still Have Horses 'There's no way around it: James Roseman writes beautifully. Confident, complex, moving, funny, Placeholders is a novel that makes a beeline to the heart. Time and again, I didn't want it to end' - DECLAN TOOHEY, author of Perpetual Comedown 'An intimate, unflinching, and, above all, heartfelt novel, the best debut I've read this year. Buy your Roseman stock early. I loved this' - RONAN RYAN, author of The Fractured Life of Jimmy Dice 'Placeholders is a beautiful debut. A quietly moving reminder that people, not ideas, are what make or break a home or a heart' - SHEILA ARMSTRONG, author of Falling Animals 'Poignant and lyrical, James Roseman's debut explores loss, faith, family and homesickness with care and warmth... Roseman does what the best authors do, and illuminates how one human relates to another' - BONNIE BURKE-PATEL, author of I Died at Fallow Hall 'A subtle, beautifully written story of two young people trying to make a life – together and as individuals – under the pressures of late capitalism... written with an unflinching tenderness' - LARISSA PHAM, author of Pop Song This novel contains a depiction of sexual assault.

A Kind of Madness

A Kind of Madness
Author: Uche Okonkwo
Publisher: CMC Verve
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2024-08-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0857309021
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** Includes the 2024 shortlisted Caine Prize story, 'Animals' ** **An Oprah Daily and Brittle Paper Most Anticipated Book of 2024** A searing, unflinching collection of stories set in Nigeria that explores community expectations, familial strife and the struggle for survival. A one-eyed chicken, a chimpanzee forgotten in a cage, a tormented daughter searching for a link to past lives. Everday madness and monsters are explored against the backdrop of an indifferent Lagos in Uche Okonkwo's dynamic debut collection. Across ten evocative stories, A Kind of Madness dips in and out of the lives of Nigerians, weaving through their lunacy and longing, unravelling the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings and more. Brimming with vitality, these bites of mundane madness mark the arrival of an extraordinary new talent in fiction and will leave you hungering for more. Perfect for fans of Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri and Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad by Damilare Kuku. 'Crackling with energy and alive to our whole kaleidoscope of feeling, these stories will rip you open and light up your insides' - Saba Sams, author of Send Nudes 'Steady-handed and gut-punching. I'm in awe of this mad collection, this necessary writer' - NoViolet Bulawayo, author of Glory 'Uche Okonkwo's voice is absorbing. I was immersed in the familiar world of these tender, playfully haunting, darkly funny stories. Okonkwo is a writer to watch' - Chinelo Okparanta, author of Under the Udala Trees 'To read A Kind of Madness is to have an experience: of complex characters grappling with life's many troubles, of a robust culture, of history, of the battle between the domestic and the public, and all the big themes of life woven together. Like Jhumpa Lahiri, Okonkwo's mastery of the form is as rich as some of the short story's best practitioners and deserves every recognition it is sure to get' - Chigozie Obioma, author of An Orchestra of Minorities 'Touched my heart. Uche Okonkwo's stories are among the very best' - Sidik Fofana, author of Stories from the Tenants Downstairs 'Hilarious and heartbreaking... A delightful debut' - Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, author of A Girl is a Body of Water 'Okonkwo has a Chekhovian eye for the tangle of internal motivations and assumptions that steer her characters... Readers will be eager for more of Okonkwo's artful writing' - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) 'This collection explores how relationships, traditions and hardships can drive us to different kinds of madness. Be it mental illness, broken promises or unmet expectations, life's complexities are the main characters in these striking and insightful stories' - Ms Magazine 'Intense and masterfully evocative... In delicately chiselled prose, Okonkwo successfully reveals the intricate contours of humanity and the Nigerian life. Using this collection to nail her name to the wall of blazingly promising literary talents, Okonkwo has given us stories that settle in the pits of our stomachs like they belong there. How gorgeously absorbing' - Republic 'Surprising, illuminating, and deeply human' - Booklist 'Vivid... Striking a perfect balance between humor and heartbreak, A Kind of Madness shows incredible wiseness on the complexity and at times maddening nature of loving our family, our friends, and our home' - Chicago Review of Books