Rachel Willson-Broyles

Jonas Jonasson is back with another irresistible adventure, this time set in nineteenth century Sweden. After his father's death is caused by the greedy and cunning Count Bielkegren, Algot Olsson is left with nothing to his name, except for a potato field and a homemade still to make liquor. But Algot is smart, ambitious and resourceful, and it's not long before he masters the lucrative art of distilling spirits. When his schnapps become a sensation, he finds his success once again attracts the envy of the Count, who will do everything in his power to sabotage Algot's budding business. Thankfully, however, Algot isn't alone. With the support of his friend Helmut, a Bavarian printer with a flexible relationship to the truth, and Helmut's daughter Anna Stina, who is as strong-willed as she is charming, he might just have the creativity and the courage to outsmart the Count's schemes once and for all … and perhaps there's even time for romance along the way. Full of sharp humour, wonderfully absurd twists and memorable characters, Algot, Anna Stina and the Water of Life is an irresistible adventure of friendship, love and ingenuity.

When Hanna moves to Spain for an internship at the prestigious Prado gallery, she finds herself spending her days buried in the museum's stifling archives, and her nights alone in a tiny rented flat. Then one day she sees them; Tom, Samuel, and Leah. Glamorous and elegant, they are also foreigners in the city. But unlike her they are fabulously wealthy, their lives an endless whirl of creativity and hedonism. And when Hanna discovers an uncatalogued 17th century etching in the archive, she makes a decision which changes everything . . . Taking us from the sultry streets of Madrid to the gleaming world of Mediterranean luxury villas and exclusive art world parties, The Group is a timeless story of hidden identity and obsession. (Translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles).