Najnovšie - Beletria strana 380 z 500

A murdered priest. A defendant with disassociative identity disorder. He might have killed the priest, and if he did, it will devastate Harper. Because he''s her uncle. Harper''s uncle, Jack Calhoun, has been charged with murdering a priest. Jack has no idea if he killed the priest or not. All that he knows is that he woke up in the rectory, holding a knife, with a priest covered in blood at his feet.It soon becomes apparent that Jack is not who he seems. He''s not the man who Harper grew up with. He''s become something else. Somebody else. It''s possible that he really killed Father Malone - Harper must come to terms with this reality.As Harper gets further into the case, she''s never quite sure exactly what happened. She doesn''t want to believe that her beloved uncle would be capable of such a crime.All signs point to Jack as the murderer.Did he do i? ith the twists and turns that you''ve come to expect from a Rachel Sinclair legal thriller, this tightly-paced story is not to be missed!Jackson County Legal ThrillersBad Faith (Harper Ross)Justice Denied (Harper Ross)Hidden Defendant (Harper Ross)Injustice for All (Harper Ross)L.A. Defense (Harper Ross)The Associate (Damien Harrington)The Alibi (Damien Harrington)Reasonable Doubt (Damien Harrington)The Hate Crime (Damien Harrington)The Accused (Harper Ross)Secrets and Lies (Damien Harrington)Until Proven Guilty (Damien Harrington) Emerson Justice Legal ThrillersDark Justice Southern California Legal ThrillersPresumption of GuiltTrial by Jury

'An emotional tale of persevering hope against all odds' FRANCES WHITE'Atmospheric, beautifully written, and achingly romantic' CLAIRE WINNA conscripted soldier must work with his captor when a mission strands them in enemy territory in this action-packed, queer romantic fantasy by the author of Lord of the Empty Isles. Don't make waves. Don't get attached. Don't let anyone see the tattoos. Those rules have kept Tory Arknett alive, alone, and on the run for years in a country eager to put his healing hands to work on the front lines of a brutal war. When a desperate display of magic outs him to the authorities, Tory flees - right into the hands of cold and competent Sena Vantaras. Caged in a cruel training facility and implanted with a magical tracker, Tory needs to get out before he gets dead. There's just one thing he has to do: make Sena pay. But Sena is already paying more than Tory knows, and when a mission strands them in enemy territory, they must cooperate to survive. As they learn the truth about each other and the myth behind the magic that connects them, Tory and Sena find belonging together. Their trackers will kill them in three days if they don't return. Soon, Tory and Sena face a desperate decision: their freedom, or their live? EADERS LOVE A CAGE OF STARLIGHT'Lord of the Empty Isles was one of my favourite books from last year, and as a result this was one of my most anticipated books for this year. It did not disappoint' ?'I wasn't prepared for the number of twists and turns it had, and it left me constantly gripped wondering what would happen next' ?'Arbeaux's writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the beauty and brutality of their world with equal skill' ?

Alice and Briar were best friends through high school, returning every year to the summer camp Briar’s mum ran. Until one summer - their last together - when Alice kisses Briar, then flees to England and cuts off all contact.Now, Briar’s mum has passed away, and it’s up to Briar to keep the summer camp running. Determined to ease her long-term guilt over how she treated Briar, Alice offers to help co-direct, and soon the two are sharing a cabin and managing chaotic campers and counsellors.The two constantly butt heads and rub each other the wrong way - but is all the friction they’re feeling purely down to past grievances, or is some of the heat due to rekindled attraction?

Bestselling author and poet Wren Paisley is a mess after the untimely death of her fiancée Lucy in a tragic car crash that left a young bystander paralysed. Unable to escape the media frenzy swarming her brownstone, Wren goes on a road trip with no destination in mind, until she hits Everston, Colorado. Everston is charming, the people are kind and, most importantly, no one knows who she is. It feels fortuitous - and a little dangerous - when she learns that the local library holds a weekly grief support group that reads, of all things, poetry. Hesitantly, she joins and slowly begins to build community with the other members, including Henry, a librarian mourning the loss of his brother, Emerson, a young woman recovering from a traumatic accident, and Olivia, a grieving reporter who gives her butterflies. Finally, she can breathe again. But not for long. As she grows closer to new friends and a possible new love, her past comes barreling back into focus. How long can she keep her old life in the rearview? Will she be able to build a new life in Everston, or will it all come crashing down when new truths come to light?

'The perfect antidote to dark nights and our current news cycle' Scotsman Germaine only accepted the job at the Kenmar allotments for a fresh start. Far from anyone who knows her history she can focus on work and tending to her own plot. Most of the other plot-holders keep to themselves and that suits her just fine. But when the local council announces plans to turn the allotments into luxury housing, Germaine finds herself leading a battle to save the place that has become a sanctuary for fractured souls. Amidst crumbling sheds and overgrown paths, the rag-tag band plan protests, forge alliances and uncover long-buried secrets. Soon they’ll learn that the allotments aren’t just plots of land but a place to belong. A love letter to community and the power of activism, from the author of Ginger and Me and Graffiti Girls. Praise for Common Ground ‘A warm and tender portrait of a community coming together in crisis – and learning to fight back. Humanity glows from every page’ Karen Campbell ‘Common Ground is a book like a warm hug. A comforting story of coming together, friendship and the strength of community. A book to reassure’ Catherine Simpson 'Common Ground is shot through with seriousness, warmth & wit, and confirms that Elissa Soave is one of the surest and clearest voices in Scottish fiction.' Andrew Meehan 'What a group of beautifully depicted, perfectly flawed and deeply engaging characters' Helen Paris 'A heartwarming, empowering neighbourhood adventure about growing ourselves and one another, nurturing our public spaces and being so much stronger together than we can ever be apart. I loved spending time with these characters' Emma Styles

PRAISE FOR CHRIS BRIDGES ‘Hugely gripping’ ABIGAIL DEAN ‘A unique new voice’ ERIN KELLY ‘Full of surprises’ LESLEY KARA –––––––––––––– She’s not there to save her friend. She’s there to silence her. When nurse Laura arrives at her old best friend’s death bed, it’s not out of compassion – it’s out of fear. Her enigmatic friend Sadie is dying, and with her last breath, she might destroy everything. Sixteen years ago, tragedy tore their group of nursing students apart. And Laura has spent every moment since then ensuring the truth never sees the light of day. But as Sadie fades, the past refuses to stay buried. And Laura is about to learn: The dying don’t always go quietly. And some confessions are worth killing for. ‘Chilling’ FORBES ‘Gripping’ SUNDAY POST –––––––––––––– AUTHORS LOVE THE DEATH BED 'Sinister and packed with twists' D S BUTLER 'The Death Bed kept me intrigued and hooked until the shocking end’ MARIE TIERNEY ‘Vivid, harrowing and utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA 'As slick as it is sick' JO FURNISS ‘Intriguing, atmospheric and unpredictably twisty’ CATHERINE KIRWAN 'Darkly atmospheric and gripping’ ASHLEY TATE ‘Sick, twisted and impossible to put down!’ NAOMI WILLIAMS ‘Intoxicating and riveting’ BONNIE BURKE-PATEL PRAISE FOR THE McDERMID DEBUT SHORTLISTED SICK TO DEATH ‘Emma is a force to be reckoned with…deliciously dark and twisted, and a lot of fun.’ OBSERVER ‘A hugely gripping and enjoyable debut… Clever and witty.’ ABIGAIL DEAN ‘A gripping debut from a unique new voice. Bridges writes with a stinging authenticity and tinder-dry humour.’ ERIN KELLY ‘A slick and exciting debut that had me devouring each page… A twist to rival Gone Girl left me gasping.’ KATY BRENT ‘A dazzling debut, skillfully crafted and full of surprises. Beautifully written, utterly original and shockingly dark.’ LESLEY KARA ‘Thrilling, moving and thought-provoking, with a brilliant central character. A skilful suspense novel.’ B. P. WALTER

Newly married and freshly returned to service, Rob Llewellyn is deployed at short notice to Afghanistan. As he adjusts to the brutal pace of combat operations, his wife Anne - still in Australia - is blindsided by a war crimes investigation into an incident she believed long buried. Separated by continents but united by pressure, Rob and Anne are forced to confront more than physical distance. Each faces battles they cannot share, in systems that demand silence and reward obedience. And as the true cost of service comes into focus, they begin to see that the greatest threat may not come from the Taliban - but from within. A story of love under fire, institutional betrayal, and the unseen injuries of war, A Wind of Bitter Tears is a powerful exploration of what happens when the uniform protects everything... except the people who wear it.

BOOK THREE IN THE CUMBRIAN TRILOGY'An uncommonly high talent'Guardian'An ambitious, panoramic novel'Daily TelegraphDouglas Tallentire has at last attained the freedom his father and grandfather before him fought so hard for. Educated and independent, he can carve out the career of his choice. But even amid the new-found security of city life in the late 1970s, happiness remains as elusive as ever. From rural Cumbria to the frenetic whirl of London and New York, Douglas, like all the Tallentires, must come to terms with pain and misfortune, as an old way of life is replaced with a new one.

RETURN TO THE WORLD OF THE SAMURAI DETECTIVES, THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLING SERIES OF THRILLING ADVENTURE AND INSCRUTABLE MYSTERYIn the months since their last perilous quest, a fragile calm has settled over Edo. Daijiro dedicates his days to training the first pupil of his quiet riverside dojo, while his father Kohei – a famed swordsman whose name still inspires awe – drifts through an uneasy retirement, his razor-sharp mind too restless for leisure. But such peace never lasts long in the shogunate. One chill autumn night, Kohei is set upon by a band of tsujigiri – lawless ‘street slashers’ who test their blades on the innocent. To his astonishment, the gang’s leader proves to be no mere rogue, but in fact one of the most important officials in the land. What begins as a chance encounter soon blooms into a deadly game of pursuit, vengeance and, finally, siege, as father and son are dragged into the city’s pitch-black heart. Other adventures soon follow, including the task of bringing to justice their most evil adversary yet, a villain of monstrous proportions . . . The second instalment in Shotaro Ikenami’s bestselling historical fiction series, The Samurai Detectives: The Killer on the Streets is a perfectly coiled mystery as well as a profound portrait of honour and justice in the twilight of the Shogun’s world.

** FROM THE NY TIMES and Costa shortlisted author, comes a NEW standalone thriller**The truth might set her free ... but will it be the death of her?When blood spatter expert Claudia O’Shiel finds herself on stage to talk about the most famous criminal case in recent history, she has a choice to make: explain how her evidence put away the man responsible for the brutal double murder? Or tell them the truth – that the real killer is still out there, and if she tries to expose this conspiracy, it won’t just be her life on the line.A taut, intelligent suspense novel for fans of Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths and Tana French, The Good Liar is about power, class, and the lengths we''re willing to go for family.Praise for Denise Mina''Crime-writing royalty'' IAN RANKIN''A delight'' ANN CLEEVES''Highly original'' THE TIMES ''Darkly brilliant'' OBSERVER

'Roberta Kray really is the queen of crime writing!' Reader Review ? ?'Roberta Kray continues to delight her fans with this new novel' Jessie Keane'Exciting and intriguing. Roberta is at the top of her game with this absolute banger!' Mandasue HellerSome secrets are worth killing for. Julia left London years ago, but now she's back - and so are the ghosts of her past. Angel Glover was her childhood best friend until the day everything changed. Now Angel is dead, and Julia is certain it wasn't just some tragic accident. Determined to uncover the truth, she starts asking questions. But the Mansfield estate hasn't changed. The same faces are there - Tom, Lindsey, Pauline, Frankie - the ones she and Angel used to roll with. And they know more than they're letting on. The deeper Julia digs, the more the warnings come. Even Inspector Vyse tells her to tread carefully. But Julia's not going anywhere. She owes Angel that much. And on these streets, loyalty is a dangerous thing - because some secrets are worth killing for... Readers agree, no one does crime like Kray!'Brilliant read as always. Loved the characters. Can't wait until the next book' Reader Review ? ?'So many complex characters in this one! Such a heart warming ending though. I highly recommend this book' Reader Review ? ?'This book was excellent from start to finish, Once you start to read it you will be turning your pages to find out what happens next especially as it full of great twists and turns that will have you gripped' Reader Review ? ?'Roberta Kray delivers another captivating story with this gangland novel. True to her usual high standards, the book presents an intriguing mystery featuring a mix of compelling characters' Reader Review ? ?'The writing style is tense, with the different storylines seamlessly intertwined and plenty of twists and turns. I couldn't put the book down. What a treat. This will keep you up until late at night but in a good way' Reader Review ? ?

From the bestselling author of The Bookseller of Inverness comes the unforgettable story of a Scottish town on the cusp of change and the group of townspeople whose lives will be irrevocably altered over the course of one tumultuous year. ----------------------------------------------------------'Rich, insightful . . . [an] impressive novel' Sunday Times'Shona MacLean's novels are smart, soulful and deeply engrossing. An exceptional, wise and compassionate storyteller, she can make any 'historical period sing with life' Antonia Hodgson'Superbly researched, entirely convincing, very clever and at times unbearably poignant. I loved it.' Andrew Taylor'Riveting' Daily MailCromarty, The Black Isle, 1831. As seagulls shriek and rise on the coastal winds, a circulating library in the bustling port town of Cromarty is meeting for the first time. Ostensibly united by a love of books, the demands of social convention have brought together a disparate group of people. Charlotte Mackenzie, the remote and fragile wife of the local laird, seeks an escape from a loveless marriage; her best friend, Rachel Mackay, a former governess who is ardently in love with her own older husband, the town's minister; the young schoolmaster, John Learmonth, newly arrived from Edinburgh with secrets in tow; and the gentle bank clerk, Ludovic Cameron who dreams of a new life across the ocean, far from his erstwhile schoolmate, the malevolent Farquhar Hossack. When the laird befriends a wounded officer, a chain of events is set into motion that threatens to upset the delicate equilibrium of the community. Against the backdrop of mass emigrations, an encroaching cholera epidemic, political unrest and the campaign to abolish chattel slavery in the British Caribbean, the people of Cromarty must negotiate their new world and each other, flitting in and out of each other's lives through one extraordinary year. The Cromarty Library Circle is a richly woven and immersive portrait of connected lives, changing fortunes and the often-unseen forces that shape our destinies. ----------------------------------------------------------Praise for Shona MacLean'MacLean can make any period sing with life' Antonia Hodgson'An excellent work of historical fiction' Literary Review'A wonderful storyteller' The Times'Well-researched and fascinating' Guardian

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2026SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2025WATERSTONES FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTHA moment is all it takes to shatter a family. The echoes last a lifetime... ‘Ferociously smart and full of surprises’ Eleanor Catton‘Engrossing... Full of brains and mystery’ TelegraphOne evening, ten-year-old Louisa and her father, Serk, take a walk out on the breakwater. They are spending the summer in a coastal Japanese town. Hours later, Louisa wakes on the beach, soaked to the skin. Her father is missing: presumably drowned. This sudden event shatters their small family. As Louisa and her American mother return to the US, Serk's disappearance reverberates across time and space, and the mystery of what really happened that night slowly unravels. A Book of the Year for the Guardian, Time, New Yorker, Esquire, Vanity Fair, FT and Barack Obama‘Big, bold and surprising’ Guardian‘Illuminates the buried secrets of the human heart’ Oprah Daily‘Gorgeous... Almost impossibly heartbreaking’ New York Magazine‘It will make your head spin in the best way’ Dakota Johnson‘Endlessly dazzling’ VogueREADERS LOVE FLASHLIGHT‘Compelling, fascinating, original. Read this book’‘Five stars. Heartbreaking’‘A beautifully written story of a family across decades’‘I loved it - the best read in years. Glorious’‘Absolutely brilliant’

Collected together for the first time: the first three volumes in the delightful Witches of Lychford cozy fantasy series. A trio of witches (local priest, local crank, local magic shop owner) work to save the sleepy hamlet of Lychford from supernatural forces bent on its destruction. Only they know the truth—that Lychford lies on the boundaries between worlds, and that the destruction of the border will open wide the gateways to malevolent beings beyond imagination. But what can three rural witches do to guard against the unknow? his volume includes:Witches of LychfordThe Lost Child of LychfordA Long Day in Lychford

David’s best mate died falling off a cliff – and he was the last to see him alive. Fifteen years later, he returns to Arbroath, where another death forces him to face the past. A darkly funny, gripping debut from one of Scotland’s finest writers – newly reissued. 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITIONINTRODUCTION BY CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE‘Very funny, with a touching and believable romance thrown in’ Kate Saunders,The Times‘[A] pacy debut thriller. . . Johnstone skilfully coaxes the reader into identifying with these difficult-to-love characters and maintains the tension and drama’Metro‘[Leads] to comparisons with the Scots writer Christopher Brookmyre … with a touch of romance [and] a gripping action sequence in the final chapters’ Scotsman________________Your best mate just fell off a cliff in mysterious circumstances. You were the last person to see him alive. What do you d? f you're David Lindsay from Arbroath, you leg it – and don’t go back. Not for fifteen years. Then Nicola Cruickshank – yes, that Nicola, the girl you always fancied but never had the guts to speak to – gets in touch. She wants you back for a school reunion. At the very place it happened. Of course you say yes. Not to lay ghosts to rest, but because you still fancy Nicola. The thing is, if you are David Lindsay, then returning to Arbroath isn’t going to bring closure. Because when someone else tumbles off the cliffs – an act the locals now call tombstoning – David has a choice: run away again, or finally find out why people around him keep dying…____‘Detailed and atmospheric descriptions … funny and sparky dialogue’ Sunday Herald‘Excellently written, intriguing storyline, and different from anything else around. A very impressive debut’ Allan Guthrie‘A brilliant new author … a rollicking tale of mystery set in Auld Reekie and the east coast town of Arbroath...’ The List‘A vibrant and engaging debut, by turns humorous, irreverent and poignant’ Bill Duncan ‘A seductive and thrilling evocation of what lurks beneath the surface of small-town Scotland – or, indeed, small-town anywhere’ Christopher BrookmyrePraise for Doug Johnstone‘Tense, funny and deeply moving’ Mark Billingham‘Nobody portrays modern Edinburgh better than Doug Johnstone … speaks volumes about the power of story’ Val McDermid ‘An engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertones’ Herald Scotland‘Wonderful characters: flawed, funny and brave’ Sunday Times‘Gripping and blackly humorous’ Observer ‘A must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists’ Publishers Weekly‘This enjoyable mystery is also a touching and often funny portrayal of grief ... more, please’ Guardian‘Some of the most unique characters in crime fiction’ Daily Express‘Underlines just how accomplished Johnstone has become’ Daily Mail‘Keeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader can’t ask anything more’ Sun ‘A thrilling, atmospheric book … Move over Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone is coming through!’ Kate Rhodes  ‘Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch’ Gytha Lodge  ‘One of the greats of Scottish crime fiction´ Luca Veste‘An unstoppable, thrilling, bullet train of a book … I totally loved it’ Helen Fields‘Expertly written, with poise, insight and compassion’ Mary Paulson-Ellis‘A terrific read with all of Johnston’s trademark warmth and wicked wit’ A K Turner  ‘Some of the best female characters in crime fiction. Pitch-perfect balance of dark and light … disturbing, compassionate and brilliantly funny’ Sarah Hilary'An absolute joy to read … full of such wonderful characters, brilliantly realised, with more peril and intrigue' James Oswald‘A unique brand of crime fiction boasting rare heart and depth’ Ambrose Parry

***Pre-order your copy of Faith Hogan’s gripping and poignant new novel, The Sisters of Hope Square, now!***'This is an absolute beauty of a book. I loved everything about it - the richness and depth of the characters; the poignant, intricately woven story and the beautiful descriptions of the house and island. It is a book that will stay with me for a very long time' - Sally PageFrom the author of the ebook bestseller, The Bookshop Ladies, comes a brand new novel guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings as three women, all with secrets waiting to be uncovered, meet on a beautiful island off the Irish Coast. Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her. Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future. Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back. Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean’s end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past. 'Another brilliant novel by one of my favourite authors - prepare to get lost in this beautiful story, masterfully told' - Amanda Prowse'So wonderfully life affirming... I always wish I could live in Faith's books' Dinah Jefferies*** Readers LOVE The Women at Ocean's End:'Simply perfection’ 5-star NetGalley review'A beautiful story which grabbed me right away... this was like a breath of fresh air' 5-star NetGalley review‘Intriguing and poignant, charming and enthralling' 5-star NetGalley review'Faith Hogan is an auto-buy author for me - I've loved everything she's written and this is no exception... it may even be her best book yet!' 5-star NetGalley review‘A truly touching read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional stories set against a beautifully evocative backdrop' 5-star NetGalley review

Damien is in serious trouble, as he has been accused of murdering his birth father, Josh Roland. Harper must defend him, as he fights for his life.Harper must defend Damien, who has been arrested for the murder of his birth father, Josh Roland. Harper knows that Damien didn''t do it. He couldn''t do it. Yet his past comes to haunt him, as Harper finds out things about Damien that she never knew.The victim, Josh Roland, was, for many years, a bastard. He sexually harassed most of his female employees and was a serial rapist. He was also involved with many shady and crooked financial deals that broke the many contractors who had the misfortune of dealing with him. In short, there were many, many people who wanted this man dead. So why was Damien made the prime target of the investigation? The answer to this question stuns Harper and causes her to question everything about what she thought she knew about her law partner.In the meantime, her tween daughters are giving her fits - even Abby has been acting out lately. They''re 13, at the most awkward age imaginable, and Harper is at the end of her rope with them. Throw in some romantic troubles with her longtime beau, Axel, and you have one seriously frazzled lawyer. She keeps it together, Harper-style, which means that her life is perpetually a mess, but she always fights her way out.With the twists and turns that you''ve come to expect in a Harper Ross/Damien Harrington legal thriller, The Accused is not to be missed!Jackson County Legal ThrillersBad Faith (Harper Ross)Justice Denied (Harper Ross)Hidden Defendant (Harper Ross)Injustice for All (Harper Ross)L.A. Defense (Harper Ross)The Associate (Damien Harrington)The Alibi (Damien Harrington)Reasonable Doubt (Damien Harrington)The Hate Crime (Damien Harrington)The Accused (Harper Ross)Secrets and Lies (Damien Harrington)Until Proven Guilty (Damien Harrington) Emerson Justice Legal ThrillersDark Justice Southern California Legal ThrillersPresumption of GuiltTrial by Jury

ONE FALSE MOVE COULD GET THEM KILLEDRuby, Bella and Cissy are used to the high life. Married to gangland bosses at the top of their game, the riches of Costa del Sol are at their fingertips, the world at their feet. But when Cissy's husband is brutally murdered, everything changes. With his lifelong friend - the notorious drug lord Tommy Mallon - hellbent on revenge, the three women are forced to go on the run. Soon they find themselves caught up in an explosive struggle for money and power. A new life awaits - but only if they can outrun the one they've left behind . . . Praise for Anna Smith's Kerry Casey series'Martina Cole fans will love this' Daily Mirror'Will keep you reading into the wee small hours' The Sunday Post'Gritty, hard-edged, not for the faint-hearted' Sunday Mirror

'His fiction changed the way human beings think about themselves' George Saunders'If the world could write by itself, it would write like Tolstoy' Isaac BabelCrimea, 1854: Sevastopol's inhabitants taunt the besieging forces that keep them trapped behind defensive walls. So begins Leo Tolstoy's depiction of nine months of battle and bravery, based on his own experiences in the Crimean War.This new translation by acclaimed translator Nicolas Pasternak Slater introduces us to long-suffering citizens, vain hussars and the courageous Kozeltsov brothers - one jaded and pragmatic soldier, one naive and hungry for glory. Enduringly vivid, profoundly ironic, Tolstoy's portrayal of the stumble from triumph to disaster captures the absurdity at the heart of conflict.Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand-picked from around the globe.Translated by Nicolas Pasternak Slater.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was born into the Russian aristocracy, spent his youth in aimless dissolution, and joined the army in a bid to escape his gambling debts. Sevastopol Tales, based on his experience serving as an artillery officer in the Crimean War, helped to establish his fame as a writer in the 1850s. The war helped transform him into a passionate pacifist and social agitator. He started a series of schools for the recently emancipated serfs of Russia, as well as publishing a number of literary masterpieces, most famously the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He gradually became a near-messianic figure, both lauded and persecuted by the Russian authorities. He was nominated five times for the Nobel Prizes in Literature and Peace, but never won.Nicolas Pasternak Slater is the nephew of novelist Boris Pasternak. After retiring from his career as a doctor he turned to translation, and has published several highly praised versions of great Russian authors, including Pushkin, Dostoyevsky and Chekhov.