Where did the real Jack the Ripper live?Which pub in London has been used more than any other by serial killers picking up their victims?Where was the capital's Gladiators Arena?Where in London did Anders Breivik, the Norwegian mass murderer, live as a child?Jack The Ripper (and 15 other London serial killers!), the Krays, Aleister Crowley, Ruth Ellis, Doctor John Dee, Sach and Walters the baby farmers all these characters and more are covered in Bloody L...

Henry David Thoreau’s Walking is a profound meditation on nature, freedom, and self-discovery. Originally published in 1862, this classic essay explores the philosophy of walking as both a physical and spiritual act, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself in the wild, untamed beauty of the natural world. Thoreau argues that walking is not merely a pastime but a way to achieve a deeper connection with the land, free from societal constraints and distractions.Narrat...

Merry Christmas by Stephen Leacock is a delightful and humorous holiday classic that captures the essence of Christmas with wit, charm, and heartfelt nostalgia. In this collection of tales and reflections, Leacock masterfully weaves together lighthearted humor and tender moments, offering a festive celebration of the joys and quirks of the holiday season. From amusing family gatherings to reflections on the true spirit of Christmas, this timeless work reminds us why the season is ...

The Vampyre by John Polidori, narrated by Declan McHugh, is one of the earliest and most influential vampire tales in literary history. This dark and atmospheric story follows the mysterious and sinister Lord Ruthven, an aristocratic figure whose charm hides a terrifying secret. As Lord Ruthven lures his unsuspecting victims, the chilling truth about his nature is slowly revealed, drawing listeners into a world of gothic suspense and supernatural horror.Narrator Declan McH...

"Excursions" is a collection of essays by Henry David Thoreau that encapsulates his profound engagement with nature, philosophy, and thought. This anthology takes readers on a journey through the natural landscapes that inspired Thoreau's reflections on human life and our place in the cosmos. From meandering riverbanks to the solemn stillness of woods, "Excursions" offers insights into the importance of connecting with the natural world. Thoreau's lyrical prose and deep observations invite...

Humanity's relationship with black holes began in 1783 in a small English village, when clergyman John Michell posed a startling question: What if there are objects in space that are so large and heavy that not even light can escape them? Almost 250 years later, in April 2019, scientists presented the first picture of a black hole. Physicist Jonas Enander has traveled the world to investigate how our understanding of these elusive celestial objects has evolved since the days of Michell.

A classic California noir with a feminist twist, this prescient 1947 novel exposed misogyny in post-World War II American society, making it far ahead of its time.Los Angeles in the late 1940s is a city of promise and prosperity, but not for former fighter pilot Dix Steele. To his mind nothing has come close to matching "that feeling of power and exhilaration and freedom that came with loneness in the sky." He prowls the foggy city night—bus stops and stretches of ...

England, 1979. Vincent, Lawrence and William are the last remaining residents of a secluded New Forest home, part of the government's Sycamore Scheme. Every day, the triplets do their chores, play their games and take their medicine, under the watchful eyes of three mothers: Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night.Their nightmares are recorded in The Book of Dreams.Their lessons are taken from The Book of Knowledge.And their sins are reported in The Book of ...

Enter the mysterious world of sixteenth-century science, where astronomers and alchemists shared laboratories.In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus declared the earth revolved around the Sun, overturning centuries of scholastic presumption. A new age was coming into view—one guided by observation, technology and logic.But omens and elixirs did not disappear from the sixteenth-century laboratory. Charms and potions could still be found nestled between glistening bras...

INTRODUCED BY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER STEPHEN KINGA STUNNING COLLECTION OF DAPHNE DU MAURIER'S THIRTEEN DARKEST STORIES - INCLUDING 'THE BIRDS' AND 'DON'T LOOK NOW'Amid the reflections and twisting alleyways of Venice, a grieving couple are haunted by the past. On a sharp December day, the wind changes - and the birds begin to gather. A group of wartime scientists attempt to capture the power of death, an eye operation reveals a monstrous reality, and a woman returns home ...

The streets of London flourish like possibly no other city on earth, with stories from its rich history, stories of death - fire - disease, of riots, and grisly murders, but also of tales of happiness, determination and success. Behind every story and every street however, are the people who lived, worked, played, and even murdered there.Everyone thinks they know of the legend of Dick Turpin, the gentleman highway robber, but Turpin was far from being the gentleman he was portrayed...

From Roman burial rites to the horrors of the plague, from the founding of the great Victorian cemeteries to the development of cremation and the current approach of metropolitan society towards death and bereavement -- including more recent trends to displays of collective grief and the cult of mourning, such as that surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales -- NECROPOLIS: LONDON AND ITS DEAD offers a vivid historical narrative of this great city's attitude to going the way of all...