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An Almost Perfect Christmas
by Nina StibbeFrom the author of Love, Nina, a hilarious account of the highs of lows of Christmas season"My mother is not a foodie. But for as long as I can remember, once a year, she becomes possessed of a profound and desperate need to serve up a perfect roast turkey. Faced with a walk into the village though, she might think 'oh, f*** it' and decide to get a frozen one from Bejams on the 23rd and leave it to defrost in the downstairs toilet for not quite 48 hours." From perennially dry turkeys to Christmas pudding fires, from the round robin code of conduct to the risks and rewards of re-gifting, An Almost Perfect Christmas is an ode to the joy and insanity of the most wonderful time of the year.
An Almost Perfect Summer: The brand new feel-good romantic read from the beloved bestselling author
by Jill Mansell*Pre-order the heartwarming, brand-new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell*'Adorable characters, wonderful setting, fabulous plot lines . . . Loved every page' Milly Johnson'Sparkle and wit with a hint of wisdom makes for a very satisfying read . . . Jill Mansell is the new Jilly Cooper' Katie Fforde'Full of friendship and love, and the most delicious happy ever after' Jo Thomas Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with. While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance. Praise for Jill Mansell's bestselling novels:'Jill has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people but created with a charming lightness of touch' Marian Keyes'A delicious treat . . . uplifting, joyous' My Weekly 'Fabulously satisfying' Jo Thomas 'Uplifting, heartwarming and supremely feel-good' Sophie Kinsella'The absolute definition of "reading for pleasure", it will bring hours of happiness' Veronica Henry
An Almost Perfect Summer: The brand new feel-good romantic read from the beloved bestselling author
by Jill MansellThe heartwarming, brand-new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell'Adorable characters, wonderful setting, fabulous plot lines . . . Loved every page' Milly Johnson'Sparkle and wit with a hint of wisdom makes for a very satisfying read . . . Jill Mansell is the new Jilly Cooper' Katie Fforde'Full of friendship and love, and the most delicious happy ever after' Jo Thomas Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with. While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance. Praise for Jill Mansell's bestselling novels:'Jill has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people but created with a charming lightness of touch' Marian Keyes'A delicious treat . . . uplifting, joyous' My Weekly 'Fabulously satisfying' Jo Thomas 'Uplifting, heartwarming and supremely feel-good' Sophie Kinsella'The absolute definition of "reading for pleasure", it will bring hours of happiness' Veronica Henry
An Almost Perfect Summer: The brand new feel-good romantic read from the beloved bestselling author
by Jill MansellThe heartwarming, brand-new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell'Adorable characters, wonderful setting, fabulous plot lines . . . Loved every page' Milly Johnson'Sparkle and wit with a hint of wisdom makes for a very satisfying read . . . Jill Mansell is the new Jilly Cooper' Katie Fforde'Full of friendship and love, and the most delicious happy ever after' Jo Thomas Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with. While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .The scene is set for a fabulous new novel full of friendship, warmth and romance. Praise for Jill Mansell's bestselling novels:'Jill has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people but created with a charming lightness of touch' Marian Keyes'A delicious treat . . . uplifting, joyous' My Weekly 'Fabulously satisfying' Jo Thomas 'Uplifting, heartwarming and supremely feel-good' Sophie Kinsella'The absolute definition of "reading for pleasure", it will bring hours of happiness' Veronica Henry
An Alphabetical Menagerie
by Simon FisherAre you baffled by the word "axolotl"? Do the words "unau" and "vicuña" mean nothing to you? If so, this book will enlighten you, and thanks to the illustrations, give you an idea of what they look like. It may also alert you, if you need alerting, to the threat to the existence of many species brought about by human activity. The author wrote the verses originally to humour himself in the midst of the Covid pandemic, when he was obliged to self-isolate. Subsequently, he thought they might entertain his sister's grandchildren, or indeed anyone else's, especially if they (the verses, that is) were accompanied by illustrations. It is the author's hope, however, that the book will appeal to young and old alike. If the verses don't make you laugh or at least smile, the illustrations by Dave F. Smith should. Oh, and by the way, just in case you don't know your alphabet, this book will provide you with ample opportunities to learn it.
An American Brat: A Novel
by Bapsi SidhwaA sheltered Pakistani girl is sent to America by her parents, with unexpected results: “Entertaining, often hilarious . . . Not just another immigrant’s tale.” —Publishers WeeklyFeroza Ginwalla, a pampered, protected sixteen-year-old Pakistani girl, is sent to America by her parents, who are alarmed by the fundamentalism overtaking Pakistan—and influencing their daughter. Hoping that a few months with her uncle, an MIT grad student, will soften the girl’s rigid thinking, they get more than they bargained for: Feroza, enthralled by American culture and her new freedom, insists on staying. A bargain is struck, allowing Feroza to attend college with the understanding that she will return home and marry well. As a student in a small western town, Feroza finds her perceptions of America, her homeland, and herself beginning to alter. When she falls in love with a Jewish American, her family is aghast. Feroza realizes just how far she has come—and wonders how much further she can go—in a delightful, remarkably funny coming-of-age novel that offers an acute portrayal of America as seen through the eyes of a perceptive young immigrant.“Humorous and affecting.” —Library Journal“Exceptional.” —Los Angeles Times“Her characters [are] painted so vividly you can almost hear them bickering.” —The New York Times
An American Duchess
by Sharon PageAt the height of the Roaring Twenties, New York heiress Zoe Gifford longs for the freedoms promised by the Jazz Age. Headstrong and brazen, but bound by her father's will to marry before she can access his fortune, Zoe arranges for a brief marriage to Sebastian Hazelton, whose aristocratic British family sorely needs a benefactor. Once in England, her foolproof plan to wed, inherit and divorce proves more complicated than Zoe had anticipated. Nigel Hazelton, Duke of Langford and Sebastian's austere older brother, is disgraced by the arrangement and looks down upon the raucous young American who has taken up residence at crumbling Brideswell Abbey. Still reeling from the Great War, Nigel is now staging a one-man battle against a rapidly changing world-and the outspoken Zoe represents everything he's fighting against. When circumstances compel Zoe to marry Nigel rather than Sebastian, she does so for love, he for honor. But with Nigel unwilling to change with the times, Zoe may be forced to choose between her husband and her dreams.
An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating
by Cecilia EdwardAn ancient witch explores the thrills—and perils—of online dating with hilarity and heart in a charming rom-com perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and witchy romance.Meet Thorn Scarhart, a thirty-nine-year-old witch who&’s having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite the local matchmaker&’s efforts and Thorn&’s arsenal of powerful love potions, she has yet to fall in love. After the disappearance of her sister and the loss of her mother, Thorn was too caught up in…well, life, to focus on dating. Now, she fears she may have missed her chance. But, when one of her potion brews backfires spectacularly, Thorn is hurled 350 years into the future, landing in a bustling city where her once-isolated cottage is now a historical museum. While this unexpected leap through time may seem daunting, modern life does have its perks: indoor plumbing, electric kettles, and the world of online dating. At thirty-nine, the odds may not be perfect, but at least they&’re not impossible. With the help of the museum&’s new curator—and her charming veterinarian brother—Thorn dives headfirst into the 21st-century dating scene. And as she searches for romance, she might also find herself along the way. An Ancient Witch&’s Guide to Modern Dating is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and a sprinkle of magic. Cozy fantasy lovers will adore this enchanting rom-com, which is a must-read for fans of Sangu Mandanna&’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches and Erin Sterling&’s The Ex Hex.
An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales
by Oliver SacksHere are seven detailed and fascinating portraits of neurological patients, including a surgeon consumed by the compulsive tics of Tourette's syndrome unless he is operating; an artist who loses all sense of color in a car accident, but finds a new sensibility and creative power in black and white; and an autistic professor who cannot decipher the simplest social exchange between humans, but has built a career out of her intuitive understanding of animal behavior.
An Apology for Actors: From the Edition of 1612, Compared with That of W. Cartwright. With an introduction and notes
by Thomas HeywoodHeywood is a good example of the professional dramatist who worked for Philip Henslowe, the theatrical manager, both as a playwright and an actor. By his own admission, Heywood claimed to have "either an entire hand or at least the main finger" in 220 plays, of which less than 30 survive. His best-known play, A Woman Killed with Kindness (1603), exemplifies domestic tragedy, in which sentiment and homely details are equally mingled. Heywood wrote an eloquent defense of the theater against Puritan attack called An Apology for Actors (1607-08). Heywood suggests here that the stage can both delight and teach.-Print ed.
An Apple a Day: Folk Proverbs and Riddles (North American Folklore for Youth)
by Gus SnedekerHave you heard these common proverbs? Let sleeping dogs lie. Where there's smoke there's fire. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Or what about these riddles? What is black and white and red (read) all over? Why did the chicken cross the road? Why is 6 afraid of 7? Proverbs and riddles are tiny, bite-size pieces of folklore. They make us think. They tease our brains. They may make us laugh. But most of all, they tell us something about who we are and how we see the world.
An Arranged Marriage (Cowboy Grooms Wanted!)
by Susan FoxBlue Summer was a self-made man who had everything money could buy-except a wife and children. He craved the respectability his tough upbringing had denied him. Allison Lancaster was his passport to a socially acceptable world of power and privilege. A banker's daughter, she'd be the perfect wife!Allison declared she would only marry for love, but her family had other ideas. They wanted Blue's money as much as he coveted their social standing. The wedding was arranged, and it was only when Blue kissed his bride that Allison realized he made her head spin with a dizzy attraction.
An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts: A Novel
by Silvia ZuccaFrustrated at the path her life has taken, Alice decides to take control of her personal life using astrology as her guide in this quirky, steamy, and hilarious romantic comedy. Alice Bassi is (a little) over thirty, single (not by choice), and she can’t help but feel that she is failing at this whole adulthood thing. She’s stuck in a dead-end job, just found out her ex-boyfriend is engaged to his pregnant girlfriend, and Richard Gere hasn’t shown up with flowers and a limo to save her from it all. On one particularly disastrous morning—when Alice would much rather have stayed home, curled up with her favorite classic rom-coms—she meets Davide Nardi. Handsome yet indecipherable, Davide would be the leading man of Alice’s dreams—if only he weren’t the “hatchet man” brought in to help streamline production and personnel at the small television network she works for. In the midst of all this, Alice runs into Tio—an actor and astrology expert who is convinced he can turn her life around with a little help from the stars. Skeptical but willing, Alice decides to take Tio’s advice and only date men whose Zodiac signs are compatible with hers. Unfortunately, it turns out that astrological affinity doesn’t always guarantee a perfect match, nor prevent a series of terrible dates, disappointments, and awkward surprises. It also doesn’t keep Davide from becoming more attractive every day. Perfect for fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Younger, An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts is a witty, sexy, and relatable portrait of a modern woman’s search for love and a dream job, only to discover that your destiny isn’t always written in the stars.
An Atheist in the FOXhole
by Joe MutoThe "Fox Mole"-whose dispatches for Gawker made headlines in Businessweek, The Hollywood Reporter, and even on The New York Times website-delivers a funny, opinionated memoir of his eight years at the unfair, unbalanced Fox News Channel working as an associate producer for Bill O'Reilly. Imagine needing to hide your true beliefs just to keep a job you hated. Now imagine your job was producing the biggest show on the biggest cable news channel in America, and you'll get a sense of what life was like for Joe Muto. As a self-professed bleeding-heart, godless liberal, Joe's viewpoints clearly didn't mesh with his employer-especially his direct supervisor, Bill O'Reilly. So he did what any ambitious, career-driven person would do. He destroyed his career, spectacularly. He became Gawker's so-called Fox Mole. Joe's posts on Gawker garnered more than 2. 5 million hits in one week. He released footage and information that Fox News never wanted exposed, including some extremely unflattering footage of Mitt Romney. The dragnet closed around him quickly-he was fired within thirty-six hours-so his best material never made it online. Unfortunate for his career as the Fox Mole, but a treasure trove for book readers. An Atheist in the FOXhole has everything that liberals and Fox haters could desire: details about how Fox's right-wing ideology is promoted throughout the channel; why specific angles and personalities are the only ones broadcasted; the bizarre stories Fox anchors actually believed (and passed on to the public); and tales of behind-the-scenes mayhem and mistakes, all part of reporting Fox's version of the news. .
An Autumn Crush: A Spring Affair, A Summer Fling, An Autumn Crush, A Winter Flame (THE FOUR SEASONS)
by Milly JohnsonFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author&‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS&’ Debbie JohnsonFour friends, two crushes and a secret ... After a bruising divorce, headstrong Juliet Miller invests in a flat and advertises for a flatmate, little believing that in her late thirties she'll find anyone suitable. But along comes self-employed copywriter Floz, raw from her own relationship split, and the two woman hit it off. When Juliet's twin brother Guy meets Floz, he is overcome with a massive crush, just as his friend Steve develops the hots for Juliet. But being a shy, gentle giant, Guy communicates so clumsily with Floz as to give her the opposite impression. Can he turn Floz's affection for his family into love for him? And then Juliet makes a discovery, which will turn their lives upside-down ...Praise for Milly Johnson: 'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it&’s like finding a pot of gold' heat 'A glorious, heartfelt novel' Rowan Coleman &‘Absolutely loved it. Milly's writing is like getting a big hug with just the right amount of bite underneath. I was rooting for Bonnie from the start' Jane Fallon &‘Bursting with warmth and joie de vivre&’ Jill Mansell &‘Warm, optimistic and romantic&’ Katie Fforde
An Awfully Big Adventure: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, 1990
by Beryl Bainbridge'This is one of Bainbridge's best books. The close observation and hilarity are underlain by a sense of tragedy as deep as any in fiction' The TimesSHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE IN 1990It is 1950 and the Liverpool repertory theatre company is rehearsing its Christmas production of Peter Pan, a story of childhood innocence and loss. Stella has been taken on as assistant stage manager and quickly becomes obsessed with Meredith, the dissolute director. But it is only when the celebrated O'Hara arrives to take the lead, that a different drama unfolds. In it, he and Stella are bound together in a past that neither dares to interpret.
An Egg on Three Sticks: A Novel
by Jackie Moyer FischerFinally Abby is thirteen. A real teenager who only wants to pierce her ears, have a boyfriend, and run her own life. But when her mother suffers a nervous breakdown, Abby faces a life far different from what she hoped for. Set in the Bay Area in the '70s, An Egg on Three Sticks is Jackie Moyer Fischer's emotional, funny, and extraordinarily heartfelt novel about Abby's struggle to hold her family together, find love from a mother who has little to give, and simply try to be thirteen.With a voice completely fresh and honest, Abby takes us on a journey that is often hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, and overwhelmingly hopeful. But a journey no thirteen-year-old should have to take.
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good
by Helene TurstenMaude is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and . . . no qualms about a little murder. This funny, irreverent story collection by Helene Tursten, author of the Irene Huss investigations, features two-never-before translated stories that will keep you laughing all the way to the retirement home.Ever since her darling father's untimely death when she was only eighteen, Maud has lived in the family's spacious apartment in downtown Gothenburg rent-free, thanks to a minor clause in a hastily negotiated contract. That was how Maud learned that good things can come from tragedy. Now in her late eighties, Maud contents herself with traveling the world and surfing the net from the comfort of her father's ancient armchair. It's a solitary existence, but she likes it that way. Over the course of her adventures--or misadventures---this little, bold lady will handle a crisis with a local celebrity who has her eyes on Maud's apartment, foil the engagement of her long-ago lover, and dispose of some pesky neighbors. But when the local authorities are called to investigate a murder in her apartment complex, will Maud be able to avoid suspicion, or will Detective Inspector Irene Huss see through her charade?
An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed
by Helene TurstenDon&’t let her age fool you. Maud may be nearly ninety, but if you cross her, this elderly lady is more sinister than sweet. Just when things have finally cooled down for 88-year-old Maud after the disturbing discovery of a dead body in her apartment in Gothenburg, a couple of detectives return to her doorstep. Though Maud dodges their questions with the skill of an Olympic gymnast a fifth of her age, she wonders if suspicion has fallen on her, little old lady that she is. The truth is, ever since Maud was a girl, death has seemed to follow her. In these six interlocking stories, memories of unfortunate incidents from Maud&’s past keep bubbling to the surface. Meanwhile, certain Problems in the present require immediate attention. Luckily, Maud is no stranger to taking matters into her own hands . . . even if it means she has to get a little blood on them in the process.*Includes cookie recipes*
An Elephant And Piggie Biggie!: Volume 5 (An Elephant And Piggie Book)
by Mo WillemsFor the fifth time ever, best friends Elephant and Piggie have five BIGGIE adventures in one book! From award-winning, best-selling author and illustrator Mo Willems, this BIGGIE bind-up of Elephant & Piggie adventures will make readers want to celebrate! This bind-up includes the titles: I Am Invited to a Party!; I Will Surprise My Friend!; Happy Pig Day!; Waiting IsNot Easy!; and The Thank You Book.
An Embarrassment of Corpses: An Oliver Swithin Mystery (Oliver Swithin Mysteries #1)
by Alan Beechey"Greenwood fans will welcome her thoughtful second reinterpretation of a well-known Greek myth. Among Greenwood's other talents, she displays a gift for writing songs of the period." —Publishers Weekly STARRED reviewIn this, the third and final book in Kerry Greenwood's Delphic Women series, Greenwood takes us into Troy as it struggles to rise from the ashes of the Trojan War. But while others have told the story as a struggle of men, Greenwood gives this mythology a compelling and exciting female viewpoint.The women of Troy are in terrible transition. Cassandra, the tragic heroine of the second Delphic Woman novel, is King Agamemnon's captive. Queen Clytemnestra has taken a lover who has thrown her own loyalties into question. And then there's Electra, daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. What compels the young beauty? What secret is she hiding? What are her intentions? Are they dark or justified?Cast aside everything you think you know about the Electra myth and allow yourself to view this classic story from a different perspective. Greenwood's conclusions will surprise and enrapt you.
An Embarrassment of Critch's: Immature Stories From My Grown-Up Life
by Mark CritchThe heartfelt and hilarious story of beloved Canadian comedian Mark Critch's journey from Newfoundland to the national stage--and back home again. One of Mark Critch's earliest acting gigs was in a Newfoundland tourist production alongside a cast of displaced fishery workers. Since, he's found increasing opportunities to take his show on the road. In An Embarrassment of Critch's, the star of CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes revisits some of his career's--and the country's--biggest moments, revealing all the things you might not know happened along the way: A wishful rumour spread by Mark's father results in his big break; two bottles of Scotch nearly get him kicked out of a secret Canadian airbase in the United Arab Emirates; and for anyone wondering how to get an interview with the Prime Minister and Bono (yes, that Bono) on the same evening, Critch might recommend a journey to the 2003 Liberal Convention. Critch's top-secret access to all of the funniest behind-the-scenes moments involve many of the charismatic and notorious politicians we love to see blush, including fearless leaders Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, Paul Martin, and Jean Chrétien, celebrities such as Pamela Anderson and Robin Williams, and other colourful figures he's met over years of pulling off daring skits at home and abroad. Remember when MP Carolyn Parrish took her boot to George W. Bush Jr.'s head in an interview? Or when Critch asked Justin Trudeau where the best place to smoke pot on Parliament Hill was before pulling out a joint for them to share? There's more to each of those stories than you know. Though Critch has spent years crisscrossing the country--and the globe--with the explicit aim of causing trouble everywhere he goes, like the best journeys, this one takes him right back home.
An Engagement of Convenience
by Catherine GeorgeThe fake fiancéeHarriet had been persuaded to impersonate her friend Rosa. But wealthy Italian Leo Fortinari appeared fooled by Harriet's pretense, and a powerful attraction now simmered between them. Now he was proposing an engagment of convenience to please his frail grandmother!Harriet didn't dare confess she was visiting Tuscany in her friend's place-and she had no intention of deceiving an old lady... An engagement to Leo would be disastrous. Such desire was dangerous: Leo was bound to realize Harriet was a fake, once he discovered she was a virgin!
An Englishman in Madrid
by Eduardo MendozaAnthony Whitelands, an English art historian, is invited to Madrid to value an aristocrat's collection. At a welcome lunch he encounters José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder and leader of the Falange, a nationalist party whose antics are bringing the country ever closer to civil war. The paintings turn out to be worthless, but before Whitelands can leave for London the duque's daughter Paquita reveals a secret and genuine treasure, held for years in the cellars of her ancestral home. Afraid that the duque will cash in his wealth to finance the Falange, the Spanish authorities resolve to keep a close eye on the Englishman, who is also being watched by his own embassy. As Whitelands - ever the fool for a pretty face - vies with Primo de Rivera for Paquita's affections, he learns of a final interested party: Madrid is crawling with Soviet spies, and Moscow will stop at nothing to secure the hidden prize.
An Englishman in Madrid
by Eduardo MendozaAnthony Whitelands, an English art historian, is invited to Madrid to value an aristocrat's collection. At a welcome lunch he encounters José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder and leader of the Falange, a nationalist party whose antics are bringing the country ever closer to civil war. The paintings turn out to be worthless, but before Whitelands can leave for London the duque's daughter Paquita reveals a secret and genuine treasure, held for years in the cellars of her ancestral home. Afraid that the duque will cash in his wealth to finance the Falange, the Spanish authorities resolve to keep a close eye on the Englishman, who is also being watched by his own embassy. As Whitelands - ever the fool for a pretty face - vies with Primo de Rivera for Paquita's affections, he learns of a final interested party: Madrid is crawling with Soviet spies, and Moscow will stop at nothing to secure the hidden prize.