Yannick Murphy Knihy

The collection features luminous stories that explore the complexities of ordinary lives and the unforeseen paths to personal redemption. Each narrative delves into the intricacies of human experience, revealing how even the simplest situations can be fraught with tension and uncertainty, ultimately highlighting the unexpected sources of hope and salvation available to individuals.

In the cold October of 1917 Margaretha Zelle, alias Mata Hari, the infamous exotic dancer, sits in a prison cell in Paris awaiting trial on charges of espionage; the penalty, death by firing squad. As she waits, Mata Hari tells stories - much like Scheherazade in The 1001 Nights - to buy back her life from her interrogators. She spins tales of native lovers and fragrant Javanese jungles; she tells of the ugly disintegration of her family. Then, in flight from her brutal husband, Margaretha reinvents herself: she becomes the temple dancer Mata Hari - dressed in veils, admired by Diaghilev, performing for the crowned heads of Europe. Tender, subtle and intensely erotic, Murphy's retelling of an iconic story is a haunting portrait of love and treachery.

Martin Moone and his imaginary friend, Sean, go in search of eternal glory in the third book in the hilarious illustrated-fiction series from Chris O'Dowd and Nick Vincent Murphy

A compelling and revealing exploration of the amazing backgrounds to some of the country's largest drug seizures.

Es sind die unvergesslichen Siebzigerjahre in New York, bunt, voller Leben, aber auch voller Gewalt. Die dreizehnjährige Smitty wohnt mit ihren Geschwistern und ihrer Mutter in einem ziemlich heruntergekommenen Apartment. Der Vater, ein erfolgloser und ständig in Geldnöten steckender Filmemacher, ist wegen einer blonden "Schlampe" ausgezogen, die Mutter versucht, die Kinder irgendwie durchzubringen. Dass die Großmutter hemmungslos dem Alkohol frönt, ist auch nicht gerade hilfreich. Doch Not macht erfinderisch, und Smitty schafft sich eine eigene fantasievolle Welt. Sie freundet sich mit dem Hotdog-Verkäufer aus Litauen an, ebenso mit dem Polizeipferd, das jeden Tag durch den Park trabt. Wenn das Geld mal wieder gar nicht reicht, fischt sie ein paar Münzen aus dem Glücksbrunnen vor dem Shopping-Center. Die Kassiererinnen des Supermarkts kennen Smitty und "vergessen" schon mal das Kassieren. Irgendwie kommt man zurecht, hier im Viertel müssen alle versuchen, auf irgendeine Weise zu überleben. Eines Tages verschwindet Smittys Vater spurlos, und ihr Bruder macht sich auf die Suche, die ihn schließlich bis nach Spanien führt. Und irgendwann ist dieser heiße, stickige Sommer in New York vorbei. Und was wird aus Smitty? Vor dem bunten Panorama New Yorks entfaltet sich das unvergessliche Porträt einer ungewöhnlichen Familie im alltäglichen Überlebenskampf, aber auch das Bild einer aufregenden und stimmungsvollen Zeit. Ein Roman, der machmal lyrisch und mit zarter Poesie, manchmal mit schonungsloser Offenheit daherkommt und der noch lange nachwirkt.

A hunting accident leaves a veterinarian's eldest son in a coma, disrupting the family's daily life in rural New England. As the veterinarian grapples with maintaining stability and seeks the man responsible, an unexpected visitor arrives with a request that challenges the family's bonds. This situation tests the father's patience and humor, compelling both parents to redefine their understanding of family amidst their trials.

This collection showcases the unique storytelling style influenced by Gordon Lish, featuring a standout title story that received the O. Henry Award. The author's distinctive voice and narrative techniques shine through in this compilation, offering readers a compelling exploration of themes and characters that resonate deeply. Each story invites reflection and engagement, making it a noteworthy addition to contemporary literature.

Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, the story follows a perceptive thirteen-year-old girl navigating a chaotic family life marked by an alcoholic grandmother, an absent father, and a struggling mother. As she grapples with her complex home dynamics and the challenges of her environment, including unsettling encounters with a local vendor, her resilience shines through. The narrative captures the harsh realities of adolescence amidst a vibrant yet often oppressive urban landscape.

'A dark, menacing book... a literary thriller of the highest order' Julia Crouch 'THIS IS THE WATER is this year's GONE GIRL: unexpected, immersing, challenging and up-to-the-minute relevant. A must read' Manda Scott This is a novel about a woman. About a mother. About a marriage. About a murder. In the brightly lit public pool the killer swims and watches. Amongst the mothers cheering on their swim team daughters is Annie. Watching her two girls race, she's thinking of other things. Her husband's emotional distance. Her lost brother. The man she's drawn to. Then she learns a terrible secret. Now her everyday cares and concerns seem meaningless. Annie knows she has to act. Above all, she must protect her children. Compulsively readable, it takes readers on a journey where none could guess the final outcome.