Why shouldn't you offer to pay for your share of the meal in China? Or say 'chin chin' as you raise your glass in Japan? This work aims to help its readers avoid minor international incidents by offering a look at everything from first greetings to last rites, covering key minefields of misunderstanding along the way.
From the romantic to the gritty, from Dublin as a cheap weekend getaway to the Irish theme pubs on almost every English high street, no one can escape the fact that Irish culture is perhaps more popular than ever. Mark McCrum explores the heart of contemporary Ireland, gaining an impression of its culture and politics through meeting its people. Starting in Dublin and roaming south and around the coast, McCrum turns north and completes his trek at the ruin of the old McCrum family seat. On the way he attends the Puck Fair, goes to a beach where bones from victims of the Potato Famine lie unburied, and experiences the mix of good conversation, good company, and a little Guinness.
This illustrated biography of Robbie Williams reveals the character behind the headlines, the genius behind the face, the lifestyle behind the closed doors.
Crime writer-sleuth Francis Meadowes finds himself embroiled in murder when he takes a job aboard a luxury cruise liner.Francis Meadowes has landed himself an enviable job lecturing on the history of crime writing aboard the Golden Adventurer as it cruises down the West African coast. His fellow passengers, including opinionated retired surgeon Klaus, mischievous elderly widow Eve, flamboyant designer Sebastian, beautiful American aid worker Sadie and her tedious but extremely wealthy aunt, are an eclectic group. But is any one of them capable of murder?When one of the guests is found dead in bed and a second disappears overboard, Francis finds himself drawn into a baffling murder investigation where nothing is as it first appears …
When a celebrated critic is murdered during a literary festival, crime writer Francis Meadowes sets out to discover who killed him in this cosy mystery
A successful architect, now a ghost, grapples with the shocking revelation of his own murder after attending his funeral. Adam Albury, presumed to have committed suicide, is determined to uncover the truth behind his death. As he observes the reactions of family and friends, he suspects foul play and embarks on a quest to identify his killer. The narrative promises a blend of intrigue and dark humor, featuring an array of unsavory suspects and unexpected twists in the search for justice.
The sudden death of esteemed critic Bryce Peabody at the Mold-on-Wold literary festival raises questions about foul play, particularly among the writers he has offended. As investigators delve into his complex personal life, they uncover connections to his ex-partners, who are also in attendance. The narrative weaves a web of intrigue, exploring themes of rivalry, revenge, and the darker sides of literary fame, as secrets from Bryce's past surface amidst the festival's festivities.
Francis Meadowes is running a crime-writing course at a beautiful villa in the remote Umbrian countryside. But when one of the group is found dead the week turns sinister, and the Italian police turn to Francis for help. Uncovering lies, secrets and old scores to be settled, Francis realizes something dark lurks beneath the idyllic countryside.
The Incredible Story of Britain's Bravest Heroes and the Challenge of a Lifetime
"This is an extraordinary story. Four soldiers, each a hero of recent conflicts who has suffered devastating injuries, taking on a challenge that even an able-bodied athlete would baulk at. A four-week trek, unaided, to the North Pole. The expedition - conceived as a way of demonstrating how remarkable our servicemen and women are and to raise funds for the rehabilitation of injured soldiers - will see the adventurers cover 300 miles of frozen Arctic Ocean, navigating vast swathes of ice rubble and pressure ridges as well as dangerous open water 'leads'. And all the time, they'll be keeping their eyes peeled for the notoriously aggressive Polar Bears that roam the landscape. Pulling in excess of 100kg each, and with every step fraught with risk, the participants' resilience will be tested to the limit. Each of the men tells their personal story in this book, along with that of the extraordinary expedition itself - the rigorous training, the meticulous preparation, and of course, the final, awe-inspiring voyage across the ice."--Publisher description.
