Between these pages, R. H. Davies provides a truly fascinating insight into the trials discussed, by reproducing the authentic transcripts from the Old Bailey and contemporary newspapers. Rape, murder, theft, prostitution, child abuse - the canals have seen it all, and this book gives the reader a chance to hear the voices of the witnesses, the legal teams, and the accused as they echo down through the decades. But is the twentieth and indeed the twenty-first century any better? This subject is discussed in the final chapter.

248 x 172 mm, paperback 192 pages, 180 b&w illustrations.

Following in the adventurous tradition of H Rider Haggard, and being a clear influence on the espionage tales of John Buchan, Ian Fleming and John le Carré, The Riddle of the Sands tells the story of two young men on a sailing trip to the islands off the Dutch coast who discover a secret German naval base, and an enemy armada preparing to invade England.

With its prescient plotline and patriotic call for the nation to prepare against its foreign foes, The Riddle of the Sands has remained enduringly popular ever since it was first published in 1903. This new edition includes detailed maps of the Dutch coastline and evocative black and white photographs of some of the places Carruthers and Davies visit.

This is an enduring classic, loved by sailors and non-sailors alike, and its new illustrative material will be welcomed by readers following the storyline.

About the Author(s)

Robert Erskine Childers took up sailing when a sciatic injury prevented him from taking part in many sporting activities. He served in the Boer War, later becoming vocally critical of how British troops were treated by their commanding officers. During the Irish Civil War of 1922-3 he joined the Republican army and was arrested and subsequently shot. The Riddle of the Sands is his most famous book, written in 1903.

Softback 270 pages

The mystery stories in this book are based on some of the superstitions and on some of the snatches of half-remembered tales told long ago in the cosy warmth of the lamp-lit cabins and round log fires of the old, now derelict, pubs. Perhaps they may be revived to be told again in the comfort and security of cabins lit by electricity and in pubs resplendent with souvenirs of their more humble origins.

Soft back A5 186 pages

'Overboard and other Canalling Mishaps' hilariously explains how true this statement can be, and even has some helpful advice such as:- "One of the first lessons lock-workers need to learn is which is the right side of a balance beam to stand. Loitering in the wrong place can lead to pain, a sudden ducking and instant notoriety."

This book is as must read if only to find out how stupid you might have been.

softback approx A5 117 pages

Against this shifting backdrop, Michael and Harriet, Ginny, Carrie and Alby Baker, together with the other characters so familiar from the last two volumes of this story, carry on their lives, coping with ever more difficult conditions as the demand for their services slowly declines.

As always, Geoffrey Lewis' story focuses on the humanity of his characters, portraying the humour and resilience of the boating people. Everyone who has read "A Boy off the Bank" and "A Girl at the Tiller" will welcome this concluding tale of his popular trilogy.

Follows Mr Lewis' characters through the early post - war years until September 1948. seeing them through the long winter of 1947 and the advent of Nationalisation.

Softback

A "Boy off the Bank" tells a story of England's canals in wartime, of the pressure and the pain, the humour and resilience of the boating people.

But D. I. David Russell is uncomfortable with this conclusion. As he delves into the man's background, and the circumstances surrounding his death, he is led into a shady world of drugs and prostitution, until the ripples of a seemingly-simple crime overlap with those of a covert international operation. But the answer, when it comes, is surpisingly close to home.

A combination of overwork and jet lag propels Julia Fairfax into becoming engaged to a golf-playing wine buff called Oscar. When she realises that she has fonder feelings for his adorable Labrador than for Oscar himself. She decides to dirtch her fiance and jacking in her job revolutionises her life.

Her new career as a cook on a pair of hotel boats is certainly a departure from the old Julia, and teaches her more about life than how to get a pair of narrowboats through a lock.

Marnie Walker had no desire to get involved with an ageing narrowboat. Soon she discovered that there was much more to taking care of a canal boat than she ever imagined. Taking off for the summer, Marnie embarked on her travels blissfully ignorant of the malevolent forces following in her wake.

The journey, with its strange encounters, its triumphs and disasters, its humour and its pathos would change her life forever. And this is where her new life begins.

"Kiss and Tell" is a classic crime fiction with a difference.

It began as a simple process, a reburial into the village churchyard. An injustice was being righted after 350 years.

But every thing change with the discovery of human remains on top of the earlier coffin......

The final twists reveal that there are more secrets surronding Marnie and those close to her than she or they had ever imagined.