Books

Frederick Cook starred in a movie short (Image: Getty) It was one of the biggest stories of the new century. In September 1909, American explorer Frederick Cook returned from a two-year expedition during which he claimed to have become the first person in history to reach the North Pole. But …

The resort itself is described in forensic detail through the eyes of all the main characters (and suspects) involved. There is sun, obviously. There is drink. There are murky ambitions and intentions. There is partying and beach-led playfulness. But there is a dark heart to this novel which points to …

Rolf Harris’ daughter, Bindi Nicholls, reportedly drafted pages for a book titled “Living With A Pervert” where she lifted the lid on living with her elderly sex-offender father. Harris – who was confirmed dead today, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – was convicted and jailed in 2014 for 12 counts of …

Allied troops going ashore to liberate Sicily in November 1942. (Image: Getty) The wartime SAS may be remembered primarily for its daring desert raids in North Africa, not least thanks to the BBC’s recent hit drama Rogue Heroes. But some of the service’s most ferocious fighting actually took place in …

Helena Garcia aims to change witches stereotype (Image: ) Appearing on The Great British Bake Off in 2019, Helena Garcia’s gothic-looking cakes were memorably described by judge Prue Leith as “sinister but very pretty”. If it sounds slightly eccentric, it’s a compliment she brandishes with pride, having been embraced by …

The author of The Satanic Verses has said publishers re-editing the James Bond spy stories for reasons of political correctness “in light of today’s attitudes” are acting in a “remarkably alarming” fashion. Rushdie, who lost sight in one eye last year when he was stabbed by an Islamic extremist, criticised …

England has moved up to fourth place in global rankings for children’s reading. Previously, in 2016, the nation came joint eighth out of 50 countries. But it has improved despite disruption to education during the Covid pandemic, the ­latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study reveals. The research takes place …

The stone stands next to a bus stop on the outskirts of Chichester. Today, post-war semi-detached houses, a community centre and a sense of Home Counties order prevails on Broyle Road in this anonymous corner of Sussex. Yet, if you can pick out the inscription on the faded stone, you …

Will Dean (Image: Handout) It is the ultimate locked room mystery. An edge-of-the-seat thriller set on a gigantic cruise ship where nobody can arrive and nobody can leave. But author Will Dean has given the concept a spine-chilling twist. Shortly after his fictional ship sets sail for America from Southampton, …

A Heinkel 111 like the one hat crashed on Chesil Beach carrying secret German navigational aids (Image: GETTY) The Reverend Richard Howard looked across the roofscape of Coventry. It was the night of November 14, 1940, and the air raid sirens were sounding as he stood high above the nave …