In October 1898, on route to Paris’ Gare du Nord station, the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland’s jewels were stolen from her train carriage. More than 40 pieces, worth nearly GBP2m today, disappeared that night and the perpetrator along with them. It would become one of the most widely reported heists of the late Victorian era, but what no one knew was that the man who committed this most daring and well planned theft had already committed nine almost identical crimes.

A man who wore bespoke suits and handmade shoes; who used a dozen pseudonyms to dust over his tracks; who belonged to three smart London clubs and lived in the luxury of West End hotels; whose staple diet was champagne and whisky; who was pursued by London’s top detectives for five and a half years and – by their own admission – ‘proved smarter’ than them; and who fell so much in love with a women who he would steal for and lie for but who would eventually betray him. This is the true story of the most notorious Victorian Jewel thief. “The Unreliable Life of Harry the Valet” has all the hallmarks of the finest detective fiction, but has romance at its heart and a love story which endured on Harry’s part for the rest of his life, despite ultimately destroying him.

This is a story of love against the odds. 1662 – England is reeling from the after-effects of civil war, with its clashes of faith and culture. Seventeen-year-old Will returns home after completing his studies, to begin an apprenticeship arranged by his wealthy father.

Susanna, a young Quaker girl, leaves her family to become a servant in the same town. Theirs is a story that speaks across the centuries, telling of love and the struggle to stay true to what is most important – in spite of parents, society and even the law. But is the love between Will and Susanna strong enough to survive – no matter what?

This is an utterly charming and lavish edition of the previously unpublished “J. Smith” by Fougasse from the Royal Collection. Published to coincide with the celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, “J.

Smith” by Fougasse is an astonishing and unique glimpse into royal life in the 1920s through the dolls’ house of Queen Mary. Completed in 1924, the dolls’ house was designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, with everything inside produced by the finest craftsmen and companies of the day that carried Royal warrants. One of the most remarkable aspects of the dolls’ house is the library, which contains over 200 books, all with original stories by contemporary authors, including Arthur Conan Doyle, A.

A. Milne, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy and Hilaire Belloc, often written in their own hand. The most incredible book of the collection is this story of Joe Smith, a fairy blown to London from Fairyland.

Originally measuring just 38.5 X 30mm, this luxurious gift edition is beautifully bound, gilt-edged with a ribbon bookmark. This is a previously unpublished miniature book from the dolls’ house of Queen Mary. It is published in conjunction with the Royal Collection.

It is a unique gift for dolls’ house collectors and Royal enthusiasts alike.

Alex Mackay believes that cooking is an adventure and that good food should be for everyone. He knows that most of us shop in the supermarket, work long hours, and are often stuck for inspiration in the kitchen. The trick, he has discovered, is to know a few basic recipes inside-out and to reinvent them so they never grow tired.

In Everybody, Everyday he shows how to cook six basic ingredients, six sauces and six slow-cooked meals, and then offers a kaleidoscope of variations for each. So, once you know how to bake salmon fillets, it’s a short step to paprika salmon with fennel and balsamic tomato dressing or one of five other options. Homemade basil pesto can become pesto meatballs with tomatoes and garlic or again, one of five other options.

Imagine what can be done with roast aubergine, burgers, tomato compote, roast chicken and the rest of the heroes…With 126 adaptable recipes, this really is a book for everybody who wants to cook delicious food everyday – be they young, old, single, part of a large family, new to cooking or an old hand. Let the adventure begin!

The River Book is targeted at people who enjoy being outdoors and want to get the most out of their time spent by the water. It shows them all the things they can do to make the most of local rivers and streams and places where they can venture further afield for a fun, relaxing or exhilarating day out. It includes lots of information on great rivers to visit and suggestions for rivers that are especially good for carrying out the activities suggested in the book.

It combines fascinating facts about rivers and the plants and animals that live nearby with activities for children and adults. There is also a journal element that focuses on special times or sightings at particular rivers. Targeted at the 30 million plus people who enjoy rivers annually, it can be enjoyed equally by armchair enthusiasts