Rose S Last Summer

The quintessential Hollywood mystery novel—clever, humorous, and thoroughly Hitchcockian—a faded actress’s death sows chaos among a quirky set of characters in the nervous hills of California. Rose’s best days are behind her. No longer does she star on the silver screen, and her drinking and money troubles have eroded her wealth and societal status. Rose has no friends in the world except for a nosy landlord and her psychologist; her life is all but over. But authorities are still suspicious when she turns up dead in the garden of a wealthy doll manufacturer. Despite the coroner’s finding of a natural death, a series of inquiries made, first by her ex-husband, then her psychologist, and eventually stir up enough doubts for the police to get involved. But involved in what?

Will Amy risk disgrace or make the ultimate sacrifice? Brought up by her grandparents in the blooming Wiltshire countryside, Amy Roberts seeks solace amongst her grandfather’s prized roses to escape the cruel taunts from the village children about her rumoured illegitimacy. When she is then packed off to Lambeth at the age of twelve, Amy encounters the harsh reality of life in London’s darkest slums. But it is there she is given a chance: for a brief, magical interlude in her otherwise harsh existence Amy finds joy in her new position as a lady’s maid. It seems as though her future might finally be assured. But Amy's introduction to the glittering Warminster family comes with its price: it's not long before Amy loses her innocence, and in the most cruel way imaginable. Subsequently caught in a horrid feud between a father and son, she is trapped between the pull of love and duty. Betrayed and alone, Amy is left facing a heartbreaking choice... A poignant and passionate love story from the author of Song of Songs, this is perfect for fans of Diney Costeloe and Margaret Dickinson. Praise for Roses Have Thorns “Good, long, satisfying... full of detail and good characterisation” Bella

Create your own beautiful cottage garden. This practical book offers advice to help Midwestern gardeners--whether novices or old pros--achieve beautiful, organic gardens drawing on ageold cottage garden traditions. Learn how to use a lively mixture of perennials, annuals, fruiting trees and shrubs, vegetables, and herbs.