Kirjahaku

Take a photographic journey into London’s often overlooked advertising history and see how the capital’s businesses of old made use of hand-painted signs to inform, advertise and appeal to consumers. This intriguing book profiles hand-painted advertising from across the city and investigates the companies that commissioned the signs that now appear faded – like ghosts – on the brickwork of buildings. It is a snapshot of a time that is almost forgotten but which lives on through the sometimes haunting presence of ghost signs on the city’s streets. Richly illustrated with 150 full-colour signs, this collection reveals the many varied industries and businesses of London’s past. Fading Ads of London is a must for all true local historians.

A page-turning cosy mystery series set in the city of York. Perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Betty Rowlands and LJ Ross. Meet Kitt Hartley: librarian, no-nonsense Yorkshirewoman ... detective?It's a perfectly normal day for Kitt Hartley at her job at the University of the Vale of York library, until Detective Inspector Halloran arrives at her desk to tell her that her best friend, Evie Bowes, is under suspicion of murder. Evie's ex-boyfriend Owen has been found dead - with a fountain pen stabbed through his heart - and all the evidence points to her.Kitt knows there is no way Evie could murder anyone - let alone Owen, who she adored. Horrified that the police could have got it so wrong, Kitt decides there's only one thing to do: she's going to investigate Owen's murder herself. She's read hundreds of mystery novels - how hard can it be?With the help of her assistant Grace, and the occasional hindrance of the library's eccentric regulars, Kitt summons up all her investigative powers (absorbed over years of reading everything from Agatha Christie to Ian Rankin) and gets to work. She soon discovers that down the quaint streets and snickelways of York lie darker doings than she'd ever dreamed, but she needs to watch her step: the murderer is watching her. And they haven't finished killing yet . . .READERS LOVE THE KITT HARTLEY MYSTERIES'My new favourite!' ????? READER REVIEW'I couldn't put this one down!' ????? READER REVIEW'Kept me hooked til the end' ????? READER REVIEW'A truly refreshing murder mystery' ????? READER REVIEW'I loved every page' ????? READER REVIEW'Can't wait for the next one!' ????? READER REVIEW

A BRAND NEW COSY MYSTERY SERIES SET IN THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF YORK. FOR FANS OF FAITH MARTIN, BETTY ROWLANDS AND LJ ROSS.Meet Kitt Hartley: librarian, trilby-wearer, taker of no nonsense... detective?It's a perfectly normal day for Kitt Hartley at her job at the University of the Vale of York library, until Detective Inspector Halloran arrives at her desk to tell her that her best friend, Evie Bowes, is under suspicion of murder. Evie's ex-boyfriend Owen has been found dead - with a fountain pen stabbed through his heart - and all the evidence points to her.Kitt knows there is no way Evie could murder anyone - let alone Owen, who she adored. Horrified that the police could have got it so wrong, Kitt decides there's only one thing to do: she's going to investigate Owen's murder herself. She's read hundreds of mystery novels - how hard can it be?With the help of her assistant Grace, and the occasional hindrance of the library's eccentric regulars, Kitt summons up all her investigative powers (absorbed over years of reading everything from Agatha Christie to Ian Rankin) and gets to work. She soon discovers that down the quaint streets and snickelways of York lie darker doings than she'd ever dreamed, but she needs to watch her step: the murderer is watching her. And they haven't finished killing yet...

'If you like a cosy mystery, you'll love this' 5* reader reviewIt's nearly Christmas in York, but it seems the season of goodwill hasn't touched everyone...When DS Charlotte Banks is suspended from the police on suspicion of assaulting a suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop, librarian Kitt Harley and her friend Evie Bowes refuse to believe she is guilty. But why is she being framed?With Charlotte's boss DI Malcolm Halloran unable to help, Evie decides to take matters into her own hands. Kitt takes little persuading to get involved too - after all, as well as Charlotte's career to save, there are missing books to be found!From the tightknit community of York's booksellers, to the most gossipy bus route in the country, Kitt and Evie leave no stone unturned to get at the truth behind the burglary.Then the discovery of a body raises the stakes even higher. For Evie, and now Kitt, this case is as personal as it gets. Can they catch the murderer in time to turn a bleak midwinter into something merry and bright?'Utterly fascinating and highly entertaining' 5* reader review'I loved this book so much' 5* reader review'I felt as though I was right by Kitt's side helping her solve the mystery' 5* reader review

'Full of mystery with lots of twists and turns' ????? reader reviewKitt Hartley wakes to the news that a murder has been committed in Irendale, a village high on the wild Yorkshire moors where her boyfriend, DI Malcolm Halloran lived with his ex-wife until she, too, was murdered. The MO of the two crimes is identical, right down to the runic symbols carved into the victims' hands.Unable to leave it to the local police to solve, Kitt and Halloran travel to Irendale, where a literary mystery awaits. A line of Anglo-Saxon poetry found on the victim leads to a hiding place, and another cryptic clue. What is the connection to the murder of Halloran's wife all those years ago?It will take the combined ingenuity of Kitt and Halloran, as well as Evie Bowes, Grace Edwards and, despite their best efforts, Ruby the (possible) psychic to solve this case. The moors may be beautiful, but they're not peaceful!Readers are loving the Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mysteries'A great read, I could not put it down' ????? reader review'I really love this series and this author' ????? reader review

A page-turning cosy mystery set in Durham, for fans of Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands. 'A 2020 Miss Marple' Woman's Way**********When librarian and budding private investigator Kitt Hartley visits her ex-assistant Grace Edwards in Durham, she soon learns of an unsolved murder. A year ago Jodie Perkins, a Mechanics student, disappeared after her student-radio broadcast was cut short with a deafening scream. The police suspect Jodie was murdered although her body was never found. Keen to be on the front line of one of Kitt's investigations, Grace convinces Kit to use her recent private investigator training to solve the mystery. Can Kitt and Grace uncover the truth?**********'With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series set in York is one to get your teeth into' Candis

A page-turning cosy mystery set in Durham, for fans of Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands. 'A 2020 Miss Marple' Woman's Way**********When librarian and budding private investigator Kitt Hartley visits her ex-assistant Grace Edwards in Durham, she soon learns of an unsolved murder.A year ago Jodie Perkins, a Mechanics student, disappeared after her student-radio broadcast was cut short with a deafening scream. The police suspect Jodie was murdered although her body was never found.Keen to be on the front line of one of Kitt's investigations, Grace convinces Kit to use her recent private investigator training to solve the mystery. Can Kitt and Grace uncover the truth?**********'With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series set in York is one to get your teeth into' Candis

THE LATEST KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY, SET IN THE HEART OF YORKSHIREA serial killer is loose in Yorkshire, and has claimed three victims in three months. Eleven days before each murder, a large purple V is painted on the front door of the victim's house. The victims, all of whom have some association with the occult, are found drained of blood with two red marks on their neck.When RUBY BARNETT comes home one evening to find a large purple V on her front door, it becomes clear she is the so-called Vampire Killer's next victim. Private Investigators KITT HARTLEY and GRACE EDWARDS have just eleven days to solve the mystery and save Ruby's life. The clock is ticking . . .PRAISE FOR THE KITT HARTLEY SERIES'Brilliantly funny and charming' Northern Life'Unique and atmospheric' Woman Magazine'One to get your teeth into' Candis

THE LATEST KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY, PERFECT FOR FANS OF BETTY ROWLAND AND FAITH MARTIN'A 2020 Miss Marple' Woman's Way************Private investigator Kitt Hartley and her twin sister Rebecca are preparing for a holiday in Scotland when cruise ship entertainer Errol Jackson appears at the door. Errol breaks the news that Bryce Griffin, a former smuggler and an old friend of Kitt's, has been murdered: his body found washed up by a lighthouse, bearing a gunshot wound.Kitt persuades Rebecca to cancel their trip and, together with Kitt's assistant Grace Edwards and best friend Evie Bowes, books onto the next cruise to Norway to help with the ongoing murder investigation.Aboard the cruise ship Kitt, Grace and Rebecca encounter burlesque dancers, casino dealers, drag queens and a talking parrot named Skittles - seemingly the only witness to Bryce's death. But what dark secrets are lurking below deck? Can Kitt catch the killer before it's too late?***********'With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series is one to get your teeth into' Candis

THE SIXTH KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY, PERFECT FOR FANS OF BETTY ROWLAND AND FAITH MARTIN'A 2020 Miss Marple' Woman's Way************Private investigator Kitt Hartley and her twin sister Rebecca are preparing for a holiday in Scotland when cruise ship entertainer Errol Jackson appears at the door. Errol breaks the news that Bryce Griffin, a former smuggler and an old friend of Kitt's, has been murdered: his body found washed up by a lighthouse, bearing a gunshot wound.Kitt persuades Rebecca to cancel their trip and, together with Kitt's assistant Grace Edwards and best friend Evie Bowes, books onto the next cruise to Norway to help with the ongoing murder investigation.Aboard the cruise ship Kitt, Grace and Rebecca encounter burlesque dancers, casino dealers, drag queens and a talking parrot named Skittles - seemingly the only witness to Bryce's death. But what dark secrets are lurking below deck? Can Kitt catch the killer before it's too late?***********'With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series is one to get your teeth into' Candis

Everyone's favourite librarian-turned-sleuth is back!'Cosy, unique, atmospheric' Woman'Brilliantly funny and charming' Northern LifeWhen a violent murder shatters the otherwise peaceful idyll of Andaby near Hebden Bridge, DS Charlotte Banks can't help but suspect that her brother Ewan - recently released from prison and now living in Calderdale - is behind it. Ewan claims he's innocent, and even has an alibi to prove it, but DS Banks isn't convinced. So much so that she turns to the only people who can help her in an investigation this personal: Kitt Hartley and Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations.On the hunt for the killer, Kitt and Grace discover the victim was choked to death on her old school sash. From this lead, Kitt, Grace and DS Banks are drawn down a dark trail littered with decade-old grudges, schoolyard secrets, broken hearts and bullies, and struggle to get closer to the truth. When a second victim goes missing however, the clock starts ticking. Can Kitt recover the missing woman before it's too late? And how do you catch a killer hiding in plain sight?'Another well written page-turner' 5* reader review'One of my favourite series' 5* reader review'I couldn't put this book down' 5* reader review

'Cosy, unique, atmospheric' Woman'Brilliantly funny and charming' Northern LifeWhen a violent murder shatters the otherwise peaceful idyll of Andaby near Hebden Bridge, DS Charlotte Banks can't help but suspect that her brother Ewan - recently released from prison and now living in Calderdale - is behind it. Ewan claims he's innocent, and even has an alibi to prove it, but DS Banks isn't convinced. So much so that she turns to the only people who can help her in an investigation this personal: Kitt Hartley and Grace Edwards, of Hartley and Edwards Investigations.On the hunt for the killer, Kitt and Grace discover the victim was choked to death on her old school sash. From this lead, Kitt, Grace and DS Banks are drawn down a dark trail littered with decade-old grudges, schoolyard secrets, broken hearts and bullies, and struggle to get closer to the truth. When a second victim goes missing however, the clock starts ticking.Can Kitt recover the missing woman before it's too late? And how do you catch a killer hiding in plain sight?'Another well written page-turner' 5* reader review'One of my favourite series' 5* reader review'I couldn't put this book down' 5* reader review

The much-anticipated latest instalment in the Kitt Hartley Mystery series - available to pre-order now!Former investment banker Johan Golding - Joe to his friends - is the newest member of the Hartley and Edwards Investigations team. And he's thrilled to be shadowing Kitt Hartley, librarian-turned-top sleuth, and her right-hand woman Grace Edwards; even if it means adjusting to the low-level madness that seems to reign in the Hartley and Edwards offices.But Joe finds himself thrown in at the deep end when a man known as Ralph Holmes goes missing on the outskirts of Carlisle. Police are refusing to investigate, as his disappearance seems voluntary, but his niece, Carly Lewis, is determined to find out what really happened.As Kitt, Grace and Joe begin to investigate, they deduce there might be more to this disappearance than meets the eye. Drawn into a web of international conspiracies and possible murder, they need to find out who Ralph Holmes really was - and who he was working for. In their most dangerous case yet, the team are in a race against the clock to uncover the truth, before anyone else gets hurt . . . HEAR WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY SERIES'All the Kitt Hartley series are amazing' 5* reader review'Helen Cox is my queen of Miss Marple' 5* reader review'I love Kitt' 5* reader review'One of my favourite series' 5* reader review'Make yourself a pot of tea and enjoy this escape from real life for a while' 5* reader review'Brilliant!' 5* reader review

Former investment banker Johan Golding - Joe to his friends - is the newest member of the Hartley and Edwards Investigations team. And he's thrilled to be shadowing Kitt Hartley, librarian-turned-top sleuth, and her right-hand woman Grace Edwards; even if it means adjusting to the low-level madness that seems to reign in the Hartley and Edwards offices.But Joe finds himself thrown in at the deep end when a man known as Ralph Holmes goes missing on the outskirts of Carlisle. Police are refusing to investigate, as his disappearance seems voluntary, but his niece, Carly Lewis, is determined to find out what really happened.As Kitt, Grace and Joe begin to investigate, they deduce there might be more to this disappearance than meets the eye. Drawn into a web of international conspiracies and possible murder, they need to find out who Ralph Holmes really was - and who he was working for. In their most dangerous case yet, the team are in a race against the clock to uncover the truth, before anyone else gets hurt . . . HEAR WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY SERIES'All the Kitt Hartley series are amazing' 5* reader review'Helen Cox is my queen of Miss Marple' 5* reader review'I love Kitt' 5* reader review'One of my favourite series' 5* reader review'Make yourself a pot of tea and enjoy this escape from real life for a while' 5* reader review'Brilliant!' 5* reader review

***The brand-new festive cosy mystery in the Kitt Hartley series - pre-order now!***While making merry at the York Christmas Book Fair, Kitt Hartley finds herself drawn into a murder mystery with a festive twist. The victim is Leonard Bell, a festival volunteer who suddenly drops dead during his performance of A Christmas Carol.The next day, police identify the cause of death as an unknown toxin. Fearing for his own life, Bell's lab partner Kevin Ripley enlists Kitt's help to track down the killer - before it's too late. As Kitt and her team begin to investigate the poisoning, they uncover a twisting web of long-held grudges and stolen antidotes. But even with surprise help from some very old friends, can Kitt unravel the truth? Or will the invisible assassin escape unpunished?Cosy up to enjoy this new Kitt Hartley murder mystery starring some surprise bookish guests, set at the most wonderful time of the year.Readers love the Kitt Hartley Mysteries:'What a fantastic, enthralling read' ?????'A well-crafted, satisfying mystery' ?????'Perfect for winter months besides the fire' ?????'I loved it. I know you will, too' ?????'I couldn't put this book down' ?????'Absolutely loved it' ?????

Have you always dreamed of getting published? Do you want to know how to land and close a traditional book deal? Have you already been offered a deal and want to make sure this is the right deal for you? Author and poet Helen Cox has signed numerous book contracts over the last ten years and has wide-ranging experience in the world of independent publishing. Channelling a decade of publishing know-how into easy to follow, practical advice, Cox helps you decide if a traditional deal is the right choice for your book.In this book you'll discover: How to attract a publisher. What you should know before entering into discussions with a publisher. A step-by-step guide to the process of landing and closing a traditional book deal. Which parts of the contract you should pay closest attention to. What to ask your editor or agent before you sign a contract. The realities of working with a traditional publisher. The realities of the independent publishing route. Signing a book deal need no longer be a lonely or unsettling process. Heeding the insider information in this book will put you in the best possible position to make prudent business choices about your work, and be sure any deals you're offered have the best chance of resulting in future literary success. If you like straight-talking insider information with a touch of humour, then you'll love this behind-the-scenes exploration of the opportunities and pitfalls the publishing industry presents.

Have you always dreamed of getting published? Do you want to know how to land and close a traditional book deal? Have you already been offered a deal and want to make sure this is the right deal for you? Author and poet Helen Cox has signed numerous book contracts over the last ten years and has wide-ranging experience in the world of independent publishing. Channelling a decade of publishing know-how into easy to follow, practical advice, Cox helps you decide if a traditional deal is the right choice for your book.In this book you'll discover: How to attract a publisher. What you should know before entering into discussions with a publisher. A step-by-step guide to the process of landing and closing a traditional book deal. Which parts of the contract you should pay closest attention to. What to ask your editor or agent before you sign a contract. The realities of working with a traditional publisher. The realities of the independent publishing route. Signing a book deal need no longer be a lonely or unsettling process. Heeding the insider information in this book will put you in the best possible position to make prudent business choices about your work, and be sure any deals you're offered have the best chance of resulting in future literary success. If you like straight-talking insider information with a touch of humour, then you'll love this behind-the-scenes exploration of the opportunities and pitfalls the publishing industry presents.

Do you struggle with writer's block? Is self-doubt stifling your creativity? Are you finding it difficult to manage criticism or rejection? Author and poet Helen Cox has spent the last decade developing positive strategies to deal with these unsettling elements of writing life. In this inspirational new writing guide, Cox offers practical, achievable steps to turning your setbacks into comebacks. In this book you'll discover: -How to overcome writer's block. -How to handle rejection. -How to deal with bad reviews and criticism. -How to stay inspired. -How to increase your chances of publishing success. -How to manage the uncertainty of a creative life. -How to control the fear of failure. -How to connect with your writing purpose. The last thing writing should be is a lonely, soul-destroying experience. This book is designed to help you rediscover the joy of writing and harness that positivity to promote publishing success. If you are looking for some highly motivational, creative coaching with a dash of humour then you'll love this honest exploration of the difficulties writers face and the practical strategies offered to surmount them.

Do you want to know how to write stories that grab readers and never let them go? Are you looking for new ways to satisfy your current readership? This practical and inspiring guide written by commercial fiction author Helen Cox will jumpstart your fiction and turn your readers into fans.In this book you'll discover: -How to write a killer story opening.-How to keep your fiction pacey and high tempo.-How to hook the reader through characterisation.-How to write a story ending that will leave your readers wanting more.-How to exploit genre to satisfy your readership.Writing page-turning fiction is within reach of any writer willing to experiment with the techniques explored in this volume. So pick up your copy and let Helen show you how to write books your readers can't put down.