The teasing title poem of this book is about weather. Rain falls, wind cracks its cheeks as in Macbeth; the noises are drops like kisses falling, 'fallen into birdsong on Mars'. What would it sound like, be like, to hear it? The poem wants to know what it can't yet know. But as the book proceeds, the poet - on a human heath, tormented by loss - hears something like it, unearthly sounds on a planet without atmosphere, sound making quite another kind of sense. Jon Glover wrote most of the po...

Featuring a fascination with the fragility of the body, this compilation is a philosophical and scientific exploration of "ways of seeing." Examining a variety of lenses, including that of the eye, the microscope, and the camera, the poet's accomplished lyricism weaves together themes of war, medicine, and vision.

“You wouldn’t expect a comic novel about a dictionary to be a thriller too, but this one is. In fact, [it] is also a mystery, love story (two of them) and cliffhanging melodrama.” —The New York Times Book ReviewAn exhilarating, clever, funny debut novel from a prize-winning talent, chronicling the misadventures of a lovelorn Victorian lexicographer and the young woman who decodes his trail of made-up words a century later. Will enthrall readers of ...

Five fantastical tales, each with a magical twistDiscover a lady with a taste for immortality, a man who becomes a dragon, a man-eating witch and a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Perfect for fans of fantasy, these epic tales are packed with magical elements, fantastical creatures, and heroic conflicts between good and evil.In Lady Faustus by Michael Payne, the town gossips have only one subject of conversation - the myst...

Bill Nighy stars as the suave thespian sleuth in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisationLife is good for Charles Paris. He's moved back in with his estranged wife, and has landed a plum stage role as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. But it can't last. First his attempts to woo Frances fall flat, then the play's director is taken ill with gastric trouble. His replacement, Romanian wunderkind Alex Radelescu, is determined to take the play i...

Five full-cast BBC radio dramatisations, starring Bill Nighy as Charles ParisThespian sleuth Charles Paris is his own worst enemy, a louche lush who can resist anything except temptation - especially in the form of women and alcohol. Estranged from his long-suffering wife, Frances, his personal life is shambolic, and as an actor, he's C-list at best. But he does have a talent for solving murders - which is just as well, because wherever he goes, someone seems to dr...

“Murder mysteries always work well… and Mr Punch’s Thriller Playhouse is particularly good… Atmospheric and Great Fun” Daily Express“To all concerned “Jolly good show, chaps.” The TimesBen Sees it ThroughA hat lost in the English Channel, a dagger buried in a toff’s back and an incriminating letter from an MP entice Ben into the world of arms dealers and smugglers as he battles to save Europe from ...

Ben, the chivalrous and perky non-descript little man, whose thumbs itch just before ‘something ‘orrible ‘appens’ played by Tony Robinson is joined by Leslie Phillips as the devilish Lovelace in J Jefferson Farjeon’s 1930’s thriller.A hat lost in the English Channel, a dagger buried in a toff’s back and an incriminating letter from an MP entice Ben into the world of arms dealers and smugglers as he battles to save Europe from another World War!...

Actor and sleuth Charles Paris is back in this full-cast BBC radio dramatisation of Simon Brett's novel, starring Bill NighyLocked down with his semi-detached wife Frances, Charles has thrown himself into a new career as a handyman, becoming quite the DIY expert. He's developed muscles, stopped smoking and even cut back on the booze.Then his agent, Maurice, offers him the chance to get back on stage - and in a West End play, no less. The st...

Bill Nighy stars as the lovably louche Charles Paris in these five BBC Radio dramatisationsCharles Paris - unsuccessful actor, bad husband, and dipsomaniac - is back, and getting into trouble once more. As he tries to woo back his semi-detached wife, Frances, and land a few half-decent roles, he finds himself embroiled in murder and mayhem and forced to turn detective. Luckily, his sleuthing is much better than his acting...Murder in the Title

Bill Nighy returns as the actor and amateur sleuth, Charles ParisBored, broke and reduced to baring all as a life model, Charles Paris is relieved to land a role in a new sitcom – even if it is woefully unfunny. But no sooner has filming begun than things start to go wrong. First a charmless PA dies in a freak accident, then the young, cocksure director bites the dust. Once again, Charles finds himself on the case, hunting for clues from a host of showbiz suspects ...

Brought to you by Penguin.Being strategic is a critical skill. It enables you to solve problems on a day-to-day basis while also keeping an eye on the long term, anticipating and mitigating opportunities and threats along the way.How to be Strategic is your accessible but comprehensive guide to strategic thinking in any situation. Fred Pelard distills 20 years' experience training executives at all levels from leading companies around the world int...