Showing results by narrator "Luke Francis" in All Categories

Not too long ago, Max Best was stuck in a dead-end job, trudging from one day to the next and mourning the fact that his burning love of soccer was getting buried in a landslide of cold statistics and intangible tactics. Then, after saving an old man from a mugging, he was "cursed" with the ability to instantly ascertain a soccer player's attributes on sight and use that knowledge to upgrade his own skills. Now he's making a name for himself as an amateur team manager, but it's not enough for him to ditch his dud of a job.

Through her own – often bloody-minded – determination and the medical skill of others, April Ashley became the woman she had always believed herself to be. And for half a dozen decades she soared around, over and above momentous and turbulent times, difficult, and changing times when, finally, who you wanted to be and who you could be became the cultural topic of the day. She overcame opprobrium and penury and became renowned and celebrated for one specific achievement: being April Ashley.

EXCLUSIVE Q&A AT THE END OF THE AUDIOBOOK WITH SIMON BAJKOWSKI AND NEDUM ONUOHA. The year is 2012. Manchester City have failed in an audacious attempt to appoint Pep Guardiola, the most sought-after manager in world football. They watch as he wins consecutive league titles with Bayern Munich...

'With prose as vivid as oil paints, Gibson creates a study in obsession, competition, and the cost of ambition. Darkly romantic and deliciously moody, Man, Muse, Monster will haunt you' - Allison Saft, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Dark and Drowning Tide Make me your world, Harry...

Football is a game of steps: Quick steps. Trick steps. Even sneaky, slick steps. Whether you're on or off the pitch, you best know your footing. And for Max Best, that's no problem at all. He has the ability to read players to a T—thanks to the sentient stat-tracking display he received after saving an elderly man in the streets. Now, as director of football for Chester FC, everything's falling into place for Max. His team is climbing the ranks. He's executing great transfers and hired a literal old hand for his brand-new women's team. What could go wrong?

The Traitors meets the Spider-Verse in How to Steal the Future, a fast-paced, action-packed adventure with mind-bending twists by the bestselling author of Escape Room, Christopher Edge. Perfect for readers of 10+. ‘A writer of genuine originality’ - The Guardian The maze is a dangerous...

It's 1963. The year of the Profumo scandal, the Great Train Robbery, the rise of teenage consumerism and sexual emancipation, and Kennedy's assassination...and the birth of Beatlemania. In the beginning, The Beatles were a band of brothers who really did make Britain twist and shout. This is the unprecedented story of the Beatles' remarkable journey from Liverpool dance hall favourites to becoming the biggest band in the world in the space of just twelve rollercoaster months.

An apocalyptic novel about belief, religion, and the power of myth that blends the gripping, end-of-the-world storytelling of The Passage with the biting wit and epic queer romance that makes Natasha Pulley’s books “delightful” (The Washington Post). Jesuit priest Avelyn Brocken was born...

When Adol Christin boards the passenger liner Lombardia for an easy voyage across the Gaete Sea, he has no idea this journey will land him shipwrecked on the mysterious Seiren Island, home of an ancient curse that has plagued these waters for millennia. Nor can he possibly imagine that this act of fate will throw him into a battle against primordial powers, set out to destroy the entire human race. Joined by Dana, a powerful young woman from another era, as well as by a handful of the Lombardia survivors, Adol must save his species from extinction, or perish along with everyone he knows.

Heartthrob George wants to prove he's smart enough to graduate. Nerdy Lucas wants to finally ask his crush out. They strike a deal to get what they want . . . but they may accidentally splash into a row-mance together in this queer, sports rom-com. George and Lucas can’t stand each...

She is noticed by Elliot as he trains in in the gym. He sees her dedication to building her body and taking up space, and he is drawn to her strength. She is observed by her mother, as she grows from a taciturn, tremulous child into a determined and distant woman, who severs all familial ties. She is watched by her former colleague Susie, who offers her sanctuary and support as she leaves her partner and rebuilds her life, transforming her body and reinventing herself online. Each of these three witnesses desires closeness.

‘If you feel like a hostage of your to-do list, and struggle to find time for what matters most, this book will be a big help.’ DANIEL H. PINK,#1 New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive The week just started and already you’re playing catch-up. At the end of another busy day...

Brought to you by Penguin. People like Ig are born from life-threatening trials that bind periodic elements to the human body, forged in the boiling volcanoes and subterranean passages under Mira's frozen lands. One of the most powerful known elementals, he is forced to work as an enforcer for...

From a skinny, ginger-haired kid from Walsall who was bullied at school, to the ‘Queen of Soho’, who would rule London’s drag scene in its most dazzling era. This gripping true story follows an unassuming boy, separated from other children and made to sit by the window, on to a remarkable career, with celeb buddies including Kylie Minogue, The Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, Cyndi Lauper and, of course, Boy George. But behind the glitter, there was a far darker reality.

It's been years since Zoe last saw them – since they graduated, drifted apart, and lost touch. Years since Zoe ended things with Dan because the memories were too painful to bear. Years since that night – the night an unexpected death shattered their close-knit group of friends. Now, Zoe is invited to Scotland for a wedding – a grand affair at a manor house on a remote island. Apprehensive about the reunion, she hopes the long drive with Lily will help ease her nerves. But things are far from simple.

Ever since Jack's dad died, he's had a heavy feeling inside. The pressure keeps building. Looking for release, he starts skiving school and hanging around with a group who like to cause trouble. It's easy to hide his new habits from his mom, an environmental anthropologist, because she's too busy with work and conservation trips to notice. As Jack spins further out of control, his mom eventually becomes concerned—and shocks him by suggesting a trip together. But this will be no relaxing vacation.

When a giant sperm whale washes up on the local beach and tells Joe Gunner that death will follow him wherever he goes. Joe knows that the place he needs to go is home. Having stormed out two years ago, it won't be easy. Nor will returning to the river alongside the house where words ripple beneath the muddy black water washing up all sorts of memories and disturbing prophecies. Joe turns to his sister, Birdee, the only person who has ever listened and to Tim Fysh, a local fisherman and longtime lover - but reviving their bond leads to trouble.

Unfolding over the course of four days and culminating in a shocking twist, Walk is a haunting, visceral and unique novel about the acts that ordinary people are prepared to commit when pushed to the very limits of what we are able to endure. **** Stephen had seemed enthusiastic about the walk...

Screenwriter Caroline Byrne is desperate to know why her daughter, Jessica, died, murdered in Stratford when she was supposed to be at a friend’s in Somerset. When Caroline discovers the messages Jessica had been sending a boy named Michael, she realises it’s because of him. Because he failed to meet her that day. He’s the reason why her daughter is dead. And so she makes a choice. He’s the one who’s going to pay. That is her promise. Her price.

The charred remains of a child are discovered - a child no one seems to have missed... It's high summer, and the lakes are in the midst of an unrelenting heatwave. Uncontrollable fell fires are breaking out across the moors faster than they can be extinguished. When firefighters uncover the body of a dead child at the heart of the latest blaze, Detective Chief Inspector Jude Satterthwaite's arson investigation turns to one of murder. Jude was born and bred in the Lake District. He knows everyone... and everyone knows him.