Showing results by narrator "Melanie Crawley" in All Categories

On a remote island in the Adriatic, the playboy son of a president (and ex-warlord) hosts a spectacular entertainment to satisfy the jaded appetites of the super-rich. And for one young family, the holiday of a lifetime is about to become a desperate battle for survival. As teenage parents, Sam and Jody managed to defy the odds once before, striving to raise their children in a settled home. But the years of struggle have taken their toll, and Sam's demons return to haunt him at the worst possible time.

When crusading journalist Lydia Wright is sent a video of an apparent murder on a London train, she thinks she’s found the story to revive her career. But she can’t find a victim, much less the killers, and the only witness has disappeared. Wary she’s fallen for fake news, she begins to doubt her instincts - until a sinister call suggests that she’s not the only one interested in the crime. Michael Stringer deals in information - and doesn’t care which side of the law he finds himself on.

Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia plays a geopolitical role far greater than its size would suggest. Its strategic location has been both a blessing and a curse, however. Once a battlefield of the Christian and Muslim worlds, today it is caught between its EU aspirations and its location in Russia’s backyard.

Huntington Valley was a haven for family and friends who lived and worked together for generations. A community that would be no longer, with the proposed highway coming through the heart of it, all in the name of so-called improvement. Maureen, like all the others, would have no choice but to move on.

At first sight, modern-day Egypt is an unruly and chaotic place: a cacophony of sounds, an overload of smells, and a swirling visual feast. Ancient church domes and medieval minarets share the same space with fast-food chains and chic air-conditioned cafes. Egyptian society has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, yet tradition and deeply conservative views prevail. Culture Smart! Egypt explores the codes and paradoxes of Egyptian life, outlines the country's history, and shows the forces that have shaped its sensibility.

From a distance, Saudi Arabia may seem a subdued, or even dull place; but for those who take a closer look it emerges as a fascinating country, not necessarily because of its political and economic importance, but because of its people. Reticent perhaps but, on closer acquaintance, charming and warm, the Saudis form a far less monolithic society than one might expect.

Legend has it that when Caesar’s general arrived on Portuguese soil in the first century CE, he claimed to have discovered a country blessed with a mild climate and a beautiful coastline, but whose inhabitants were ungoverned and ungovernable. Today, the Portuguese are still impulsive, set in their ways, and resistant to change, yet they are ever charming, romantic, and nostalgic, with an unshakable loyalty toward family and friends.

The Sultanate of Oman, long regarded as one of the more mysterious countries of the Arabian Peninsula, is finally getting more of the attention it so deserves. An ancient land with a rich history and dramatic landscapes, Oman was largely cut off from the modern world until the accession to the throne of Sultan Qaboos in 1970. Since then this peaceful country has developed slowly but deliberately, placing a strong emphasis on retaining its cultural heritage while moving into the hi-tech era.

Belgium has somehow acquired the reputation of being Europe's most boring country―a reputation that is entirely undeserved. But perhaps this bland image is a smokescreen, the conventional exterior hiding a subversive sense of humor, a surreal imagination, and a deep-rooted disdain for authority. Or perhaps it is a camouflage, a way in which Belgium, still overrun―however peacefully―by foreigners, can keep a few of its secrets to itself.

Culture Smart! Bulgaria provides a key to understanding the Bulgarian people. It outlines their long and complex history, shows you what everyday life is like there today, and offers advice on what to expect and how to navigate unfamiliar cultural terrain. This is a small country of proud and persevering people. Familiarize yourself with their traditions and way of life, and the warmth and hospitality you are shown in return will conquer your heart and bring you back time and again.

The second-largest country in South America, Argentina has been through great changes in recent years. Its journey from dictatorship to democracy has left many scars, but these are largely eclipsed by the pride and resilience of the Argentinian people, who have developed a style, a language, and a joie de vivre that are all their own. Embracing much more than gaucho, tango, and soccer, Argentina is very unlike its neighbors. And, due to the unique way in which it evolved, is quite different from the expectations many visitors have of a stereotypical Latin American destination.

For many people, Brazil conjures up images of football, Carnaval, and fine coffee, but it's much more than beaches and bossa nova. If we had to choose one word to describe the country, it would probably be diversity. The variety of lifestyles, ethnic groups, landscapes, and climates Brazil encompasses is quite simply enormous. This guide provides you with a comprehensive introduction to everything you need to know.

How will Lanya live through this war? The Germans are stationed outside the city walls, choking the city and expecting surrender. Her sister is killed, her brother is like a three year old, and all she wants to do is be singing on stage again. When she is on stage, there is no war, only music and applause. That is what she wants. But will it ever happen again?

What connects Teesside, England and Bhopal, India? A dead body? An outsourced IT desk? A tragic anniversary? Can DI Julie Cadell find the link before cyber-vengeance brings terror to Teesside? From the author of Phosphate Rocks – A Death in Ten Objects, a brand-new police procedural with a technological core.

Princess Ann of Middlemount is the last survivor of her royal household. Defeated by invading forces, her Wolfkind race faces extinction. Only a desperate quest can save her people, her god, and her world.

Heather accepted the fate of her terminal diagnosis long ago, but now the time is nearing, she arranges a huge farewell party for her nearest and dearest. She wants to say goodbye to everyone personally, but there’s another reason she wants the people in her life to gather. She knows who killed young Simon Eyre all those years ago, and she needs to tell. The boy deserves justice.

Cory never thought he would visit a magical land called Lythéa. He never expected to befriend a flying horse or see a three-headed dragon. But life with Mrs. Glimmer is always full of surprises. Cory Trivano has the kind of home life that he doesn’t really talk about. His favorite pastime is playing imaginary games with his little sister. However, once a peculiar old lady moves into the apartment next door, Cory’s sister forfeits their games in favor of time at the neighbor’s.

Among the cobblestone villages and towns of rural Bulgaria, a dedicated team of unsung heroes led by Emma and Anthony Smith works tirelessly to change the destiny of street dogs. These animals are abandoned and neglected, and sometimes in danger, until Street Hearts step in to provide them with a second chance. In this heartwarming and inspiring tale, we meet the remarkable dogs they rescue and learn how an army of volunteers goes about it.

The Happy Hartes Bookshop has been a part of bookworm Florrie Appleton’s life as far back as she can remember. From the evocative smell of the books to working alongside her beloved Mr. H and his black Labrador, Gerty, there’s no wonder she calls it her happy place. Living in a town she loves with her family and group of close-knit friends around her, life is sweet. Until one dreadful Monday morning, when everything is turned upside down and things are changed forever. Devastated, Florrie finds herself thrown into an unexpected situation with handsome stranger Ed Harte.

Jo Who Died is the funny and bittersweet telling of a mother's life story from the perspective of her recently deceased daughter. Jenny Knight never intended to call seven of her eight children Jo(e). It's funny how life turns out. At twenty-six years old, Jo 5 throws herself out of a window with no intention of dying. Nor did she plan for her siblings to be suspects in a murder investigation. Sometimes, that's just the way things go.