Showing results by author "Martin Booth" in All Categories

Known to mankind since prehistoric times, opium is arguably the oldest and most widely used narcotic. Opium: A History traces the drug's astounding impact on world culture - from its religious use by prehistoric peoples to its influence on the imaginations of the Romantic writers; from the earliest medical science to the Sino-British opium wars. 

The locals in the southern Italian town where he lives call him Signor Farfalla - Mr. Butterfly - for he is a discreet gentleman who paints rare butterflies. His life is inconspicuous: mornings are spent brushing at a canvas, afternoons idling in the cafés, and evenings talking with his friend, the town priest, over a glass of brandy. Yet there are other sides to this gentleman’s life.... Part thriller, part character study, part drama of deceit and self-betrayal, The American shows Martin Booth at the very height of his powers.

Well-trained and obedient, Jet is Fred Parry's perfect companion on his night-time poaching raids. But when Fred is caught and thrown into prison, nobody wants Jet. Nobody, that is, except an army officer. It is autumn 1939 and Britain is at war. Jet is taken to military kennels and given a number: D67. She is trained to run assault courses, track the enemy and rescue the injured. Then she is sent to France on active service. Will Jet survive - and will Fred Parry ever find his beloved dog again?

Sebastian, the alchemist's son, must face a new evil. An old enemy, a magician whose power lies in stealing souls, has reappeared in a new and cunning disguise. He is using an ancient spell book to bring about a terror beyond imagining. Once again, Pip and Tim brave sorcery and danger to help Sebastian as he pursues his enemies through the centuries.

When Pip and Tim move into an old manor house, they hear strange tapping noises at night that seem to be coming from behind the wall. They tap back, a hidden panel opens - and out comes Sebastian, a boy dressed in bizarre, old-fashioned clothes and claiming to have come from the 15th century!

The First World War, 1916: Ted Foley, ship's boy, is captured by the Germans after his destroyer, HMS Nomad, is sunk in the great naval Battle of Jutland. Nobody gets away from the PoW camp at Brandenburg, deep in the heart of Germany. Yet, as Ted watches men die in the freezing winters or be shot for attempting to escape, he is determined to make a run for home. He knows he'll need maps, money - and luck - but he thinks he's found a way out. Now he has to put it to the test.