The Chequer Board


Book Description

The Chequer Board tells the story of five men who meet in a military hospital during World War II. The men are from different backgrounds and have had different life experiences, but they are brought together by their experiences of war and injury. The novel follows each man's personal journey, as they struggle to come to terms with their injuries and the impact of the war on their lives. The five men make a pact to meet again in ten years, to see how their lives have progressed. The novel then shifts to their individual stories, as each man faces his own challenges and obstacles in the years that follow. The novel explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, love, and the impact of war on individuals and society. Ultimately, the men's lives intersect again, and the novel shows the different paths they have taken and the lessons they have learned.




Round the Bend


Book Description

Round the Bend follows the life of Tom Cutter, an Englishman who becomes a pilot and settles in the Middle East after World War II. Tom starts an air freight business and becomes fascinated by the spiritual beliefs of the local Muslim population, which leads him to start his own religion called "The Way." Through his travels and teachings, Tom attracts a group of devoted followers and becomes a spiritual leader. However, his unconventional beliefs and practices lead to conflict with some of the more traditional religious and political authorities in the region. Despite the challenges he faces, Tom remains committed to his beliefs and the pursuit of a more peaceful and harmonious world. The novel explores themes of religion, spirituality, cultural differences, and the clash between tradition and modernity.




The Chequer Board


Book Description

Thriller.




24 Games You Can Play on a Checker Board


Book Description

Directions for twenty-four games that can be played on a checkerboard.




No Highway


Book Description

Most Secret is set during World War II and follows the story of a British scientist named Dr. Philip Raven, who is working on a top-secret project to develop a new type of explosive. Raven is also a double agent, working for the British intelligence agency while also providing information to the Germans. As he carries out his mission, Raven must navigate the dangerous waters of espionage and counter-espionage, while also dealing with the moral complexities of his actions. Along the way, Raven falls in love with a woman named Helen, who becomes embroiled in his mission and must also make difficult choices about her own loyalties. "Most Secret" is a thrilling tale of espionage and wartime intrigue, and a thought-provoking exploration of the costs and consequences of individual actions during times of war.




Wild Abandon


Book Description

Kate and Albert have always lived on the secluded communal farm run by their father. But now, after twenty years, the community is disintegrating, taking their parents' marriage with it. To escape, Kate, at seventeen, flees to a suburbia she knows only through fiction; and Albert, at eleven, dives into preparations for the end of the world that he is sure is coming. Don- the father of the family, leader, and maker of elaborate speeches- is faced with the prospect of saving his community, his marriage, his son from apocalyptic visions, ad his daughter from impending men. He convinces himself that the only way to save his world is... to throw the biggest party of his life. But will anyone show up?




Landfall: A Channel Story


Book Description

Landfall is set during World War II and follows the story of a young naval officer named John Franklin, who is given the task of escorting a group of civilian refugees across the English Channel to safety in Scotland. The journey is perilous and Franklin must navigate treacherous waters and avoid German submarines while dealing with the challenges of leading a group of disparate people from different backgrounds and with different needs. Along the way, Franklin falls in love with a young woman named Valerie Russell, who is also one of the refugees. As they make their way north, the group faces many challenges and must rely on each other to survive. "Landfall" is a gripping tale of adventure and survival during wartime, and a poignant story of love and human connection amidst chaos and uncertainty.




So Disdained


Book Description

So Disdained is set in Italy during the 1930s. The story follows the character of Stephen Fletcher, an English engineer who is sent to Italy to work on a new project. Fletcher becomes involved in a dangerous game of espionage, as he is recruited by a British intelligence agent to gather information about an Italian weapons manufacturer. Along the way, Fletcher falls in love with a beautiful Italian woman named Marta, who becomes instrumental in his mission. However, as Fletcher becomes increasingly entangled in his role as a spy, he begins to question the morality of his actions and the motives of those around him. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, love, and the political tensions of pre-World War II Europe. Ultimately, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie and what he is willing to risk for the sake of his beliefs and those he cares about.




In the Wet


Book Description




Trustee from the Toolroom


Book Description

Discover a classic adventure from the author of A Town Like Alice and On the Beach. Keith Stewart is an ordinary man. However, one day he is called upon to undertake an extraordinary task... When his sister's boat is wrecked in the Pacific, he becomes trustee for his little niece. In order to save her from destitution he has to embark on a 2,000 mile voyage in a small yacht in inhospitable waters. His adventures and the colourful characters he meets on his journey make this book a marvellous tale of courage and friendship. Delightfully written and filled with a reverent attention to mechanical details, Shute's posthumous tale of an unassuming man's remarkable adventure is as enjoyable today as it was on publication. 'Something about this author's calm, deliberate style creates unexpected excitement... we are warmed by the justice and sheer pleasure of it' Independent