New Releases by Maeve Binchy

A Vintage Shorts “Short Story Month” Original Selection It starts out like any other dull day in a busy airport bar. James, the bartender, would much rather serve regulars at a local pub than cranky travelers. Katy and Colin have been involved in a longtime affair that comes to literal blows when he reveals that he hasn’t kept his promise to leave his wife. Between some quick thinking by James and the kindness of an American couple, Jean and Maurice, the situation is defused. And Jean’s insistence that they all stay in touch sparks friendships that are maintained across the ocean. But after nearly a decade of writing annual letters, she reveals a secret that casts the events of that day in a whole new light… The recent New York Times best seller, A Few of the Girls, is a collection of Maeve''s beloved short stories that one reviewer called “reminiscent of a letter from an old friend.” We are lucky that there are even more stories for her readers. In “The September Letters,” never before published in the United States, Maeve once again brings us into the lives of ordinary people where chance meetings have the potential to change lives. An ebook short.

From Maeve Binchy’s earliest writings to the most recent, her work is filled with wisdom and common sense and also a sharp, often witty voice that is insightful and reaches out to her readers around the world and of all ages. Whether it is one of her best-selling novels or a short story, Maeve shows us that times may have changed, but people often remain the same: they fall in love, sometimes unsuitably; they have hopes and dreams; they have deep, long-standing friends whose secrets are shared; they go on holidays and celebrate new jobs . . . A Few of the Girls is a glorious collection of the very best of her short story writing, stories that were written over the decades—some published in magazines, others for friends as gifts, many for charity benefits. The stories are all filled with the signature warmth and humor that have always been an essential part of Maeve’s appeal.

Dusty grows up caring for her family, and, once she is old enough to organize her own affairs, she takes great care to move out of her parents’ home. Soon, Dusty is able to accomplish a great deal: she works long hours and is made senior partner at her firm, she keeps her own flat, and she falls hopelessly and irresponsibly in love with a married man. But, when her father telephones to report some disturbing news, Dusty must return home for the winter. There, heartbroken but still dutiful, Dusty finally reunites with her oldest friends. First published in the US as part of her encouraging book of missives to aspiring writers, The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club, “Dusty’s Winter” is essential Maeve. Inspiring and down-to-earth, her stories are full of the stuff of everyday life. Ireland’s “best-loved writer of her generation,” Maeve Binchy often wrote about ordinary life in small-town Ireland, and she is fondly remembered for the warmth and generosity of her prose. Maeve Binchy has received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Book Awards in 1999 and the Irish PEN/A.T. Cross Award in 2007 and is the author of many bestselling books including Maeve’s Times, Chestnut Street, and A Week in Winter. An eBook short.

A Vintage Shorts “Short Story Month” Original Selection They hadn’t intended it to be a full house. Dee and Liam had thought that their children would leave home one by one and come to see them on weekends. Wouldn’t that be nice? But Helen had never left; Rosie got married but not for long; Anthony writes songs and will be a sensation someday. And Dee wonders what she did wrong. Instead of enjoying her “old age,” she is taking care of everyone else. When a crisis occurs Dee takes charge and decides that something has to change—much to everyone’s surprise. Beloved storyteller and internationally bestselling author Maeve Binchy left a treasure trove of unpublished short stories after her death. “Full House” is everything we’ve come to expect from Binchy’s work—a world of charm, joy and sorrow, where we return again and again to be instructed and warmed. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Book Awards in 1999 and the Irish PEN/A.T. Cross Award in 2007 and is the author of many bestselling books including Maeve’s Times, Chestnut Street, and A Week in Winter. An eBook short.

A New York Times Bestseller From the author of A Week in Winter and Minding Frankie: a poignant and heartwarming collection of stories centered on the comings and goings of one delightful street in Dublin “Packed with charming takes on people''s quirks and foibles, nosy neighbors and friendly ones. Binchy eloquently exposes and explores relationships between parents and children, husbands and wives, longtime and recently acquired friends.”—The Boston Globe Imagined with the humor and understanding that are hallmarks of Maeve Binchy’s storytelling, the world of Chestnut Street captivates us with its joys and sorrows. Maguire, the window cleaner, must do more than he bargained for in order to protect his son. Nessa Byrne’s aunt visits from America every summer, turning Nessa’s house—and world—upside down. Lilian, a generous girl with a big heart, has a fiancé whom no one approves of. Melly’s gossipy ways help Madame Magic, a self-styled fortune-teller, get everyone on the right track. And Dolly, an awkward young girl, discovers more about her perfect mother than she ever wanted to know.

''Absolutely lovely. VERY believable characters, touching and funny'' (Reader, Five Stars) ''You will forget about all the troubles which exist in the real world'' (Reader, Five Stars) This winter, escape to a warm and wonderful clifftop hotel with the world''s favourite storyteller. Now with brand new introduction by Cathy Bramley, bestselling author of Merrily Ever After. _______________ ''Sometimes she would go and walk the cliffs at night and look out over the ocean...'' Set high on the cliffs on the west coast of Ireland, Stone House was falling into disrepair until one woman, with a past she needed to forget, breathed new life into the place. Now a hotel with a big warm kitchen and log fires, it provides a welcome few can resist. And so gather the guests: some with secrets, some longing to leave their old lives behind, and some hoping the break at Stone House will help them find a way to face the future... _______________ Find out why millions of readers adore Maeve Binchy ''A book that encourages and inspires and envelopes you like a warm hug. And makes you desperate for a trip to the west of Ireland!'' (Five Stars) ''You feel part of the story from beginning to end'' (Five Stars) ''Lovely ... A week''s holiday in a lovely part of the country can change lives dramatically'' (Five Stars) ''Would recommend to anyone who loves the west of Ireland and wild landscapes intertwined with love and disappointment'' (Five Stars) ''I couldn''t put my Kindle down and read the book through the night'' (Five Stars) ''A lovely gentle story full of unexpected characters who come to life'' (Five Stars)

New York Times Bestseller A tale of joy, heartbreak and hope, about a motherless girl collectively raised by a close-knit Dublin community. When Noel learns that his terminally ill former flame is pregnant with his child, he agrees to take guardianship of the baby girl once she’s born. But as a single father battling demons of his own, Noel can’t do it alone. Fortunately, he has a competent, caring network of friends, family and neighbors: Lisa, his unlucky-in-love classmate, who moves in with him to help him care for little Frankie around the clock; his American cousin, Emily, always there with a pep talk; the newly retired Dr. Hat, with more time on his hands than he knows what to do with; Dr. Declan and Fiona and their baby son, Frankie’s first friend; and many eager babysitters, including old friends Signora and Aidan and Frankie’s doting grandparents, Josie and Charles. But not everyone is pleased with the unconventional arrangement, especially a nosy social worker, Moira, who is convinced that Frankie would be better off in a foster home. Now it’s up to Noel to persuade her that everyone in town has something special to offer when it comes to minding Frankie. "Joyful, quintessential Binchy." —O, The Oprah Magazine

A vintage collection of short stories set in the heart of Dublin, from the bestselling author of Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friends. ''A master storyteller'' Marian Keyes ‘A brilliant writer’ Jilly Cooper ------------------ A society hostess entertains her husband''s mistress to dinner; a country girl savours the delights of city life; a student faces the dilemma of unmarried pregnancy; and a drink-ridden photographer tries to relaunch a shattered career... This vintage collection of stories from the bestselling author of Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friends is Maeve Binchy at her best - her trademark warmth, wit and compassion are unmistakeable. ------------------ Love for Dublin 4... ‘A brilliant storyteller who wrote from her heart’ Lorraine Kelly ‘Binchy makes you laugh, cry, and care’ San Francisco Chronicle ‘The warmest, funniest and most inspiring author . . . I''ve read everything she ever wrote’ Dame Jennie Murray ''Fascinating, moving and entirely delightful'' 5-star reader review ''Maeve Binchy is a top of the line story teller'' 5-star reader review ''Amazing as always expected from Binchy'' 5-star reader review ''A very compelling read'' 5-star reader review

In this warm and inspiring guide, a #1 New York Times bestselling author shares her unique insight to how to write: from finding a subject and creating good writing habits to sustaining progress and seeking a publisher. “The most important thing to realize is that everyone is capable of telling a story.” —Maeve Binchy If you scribble story ideas on the backs of receipts… If you file away bits of overheard conversation from the coffee shop... If you’ve already chosen the perfect pen name... Well, then the journey has begun! From beloved author Maeve Binchy comes the unique insight to how a bestselling author writes: from finding a subject and creating good writing habits to sustaining progress and seeking a publisher. Whether you want to write stories or plays, humor or mysteries, Binchy prescribes advice for every step with her signature humor and generous spirit. She has called upon other writers, editors, and publishers to add their voices to this treasury of assistance for budding writers and a refreshing dose of encouragement for longtime scribes. And once you are ready, an appendix offers of writing awards and competitions and a selection of websites and literary journals.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A story of patients and staff, family, and friends who are part of a heart clinic in a community caught between the old Ireland and the new. • "Good-hearted [and] entertaining." —The Washington Post Dr. Clara Casey has been offered the thankless job of establishing the underfunded clinic and agrees to take it on for a year. She has plenty on her plate already—two difficult adult daughters and the unwanted attentions of her ex-husband—but she assembles a wonderfully diverse staff devoted to helping their demanding, often difficult patients. Before long the clinic is established as an essential part of the community, and Clara must decide whether or not to leave a place where lives are saved, courage is rewarded, and humor and optimism triumph over greed and self-pity.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A tender novel of the pleasures and pitfalls of friendship Tara Road is an ultramodern love story for women, about women, between women that is sure to delight.”—Newsday New York Times bestselling author Maeve Binchy has captured the hearts of millions with her unforgettable novels. Binchy''s graceful storytelling and wise compassion have earned her the devotion of fans worldwide--and made her one of the most beloved authors of our time. Now she dazzles us once again with a new novel filled with her signature warmth, humor, and tender insight. A provocative tale of family heartbreak, friendship, and revelation, Tara Road explores every woman''s fantasy: escape, into another place, another life. "What if . . ." Binchy asks, and answers in her most astonishing novel to date. Praise for Tara Road “Her best work yet . . . Tara Road is like a total immersion in a colorful new world, where the last page comes too soon.”—Seattle Times “An irresistible tale.”—Elle “Engrossing.”—Wall Street Journal “Difficult to put down!”—Denver Post “One of Binchy''s best.”—Kirkus Reviews

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The Copper Beech is as soothing as a cup of tea.”—People In the little Irish town of Shancarrig, the young people carve their initials—and those of their loves—into the copper beech tree in front of the schoolhouse. But not even Father Gunn, the parish priest, who knows most of what goes on behind Shancarrig’s closed doors, or Dr. Jims, the village doctor, who knows all the rest, realize that not everything in the placid village is what it seems. Unexpected passions and fears are bringing together many lives, such as the sensitive new priest and Miss Ross, the slight, beautiful schoolteacher . . . Leonora, the privileged daughter of the town’s richest family, and Foxy Dunne, whose father did time in jail . . . and Nessa Ryan, whose parents run Ryan’s Hotel, and two very different young men. For now the secrets in Shancarrig’s shadows are starting to be revealed, from innocent vanities and hidden loves to crimes of the heart . . . and even to murder. Praise for The Copper Beech “A book with a difference . . . You’ll take it home to lend to your best friend.”—The New York Times Book Review “Binchy makes you laugh, cry, and care. Her warmth and sympathy render the daily struggles of ordinary people heroic and turn storytelling into art.”—San Francisco Chronicle “The Copper Beech finds author Maeve Binchy at her Irish storytelling best!”—Cleveland Plain Dealer

“[An] irresistible invitation to share the lives of people who believe in enduring values.”—Detroit Free Press It began with Benny Hogan and Eve Malone, growing up, inseparable, in the village of Knockglen. Benny—the only child, yearning to break free from her adoring parents. . . . Eve—the orphaned offspring of a convent handyman and a rebellious blueblood, abandoned by her mother''s wealthy family to be raised by nuns. Eve and Benny—they knew the sins and secrets behind every villager''s lace curtains . . . except their own. It widened at Dublin, at the university where Benny and Eve met beautiful Nan Mahlon and Jack Foley, a doctor''s handsome son. But heartbreak and betrayal would bring the worlds of Knockglen and Dublin into explosive collision. Long-hidden lies would emerge to test the meaning of love and the strength of ties held within the fragile gold bands of a. . . Circle Of Friends. Praise for Circle of Friends “A rare pleasure . . . at terrific tale, told by a master storyteller.”—Susan Isaacs, The New York Times Book Review “Circle of Friends welcomes you in.”—The Washington Post

Whether it''s the sudden snapping of bonds between lovers or shopping on Oxford Street, Maeve Binchy finds the unexpected truth in experiences so real that every woman will recognize them. Filled with her delicious humor and warmth, the twenty-two stories in London Transports will delight and captivate as they take us to a place that is far away—and yet so familiar...Where having an affair with a married man brings one woman to a turning point...Where another finds that looking for an apartment to share can be a risky business...Where nosing into a secretary''s life can have shocking results...Where a dress designer just had a god-awful day...And where Maeve Binchy captures the beat of every woman''s heart.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Compulsively readable . . . Like all her exuberant fiction, The Glass Lake is large, generous, and full of life.”—San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle Night after night the beautiful woman walked beside the serene waters of Lough Glass. Until the day she disappeared, leaving only a boat drifting upside down on the unfathomable lake that gave the town its name. Ravishing Helen McMahon, the Dubliner with film-star looks and unfulfilled dreams, never belonged in Lough Glass, not the way her genial pharmacist husband Martin belonged, nor their spirited daughter Kit. Suddenly she is gone and Kit is haunted by the memory of her mother, seen through a window, alone at the kitchen table, tears streaming down her face. Now Kit, too, has secrets: of the night she discovered a letter on Martin’s pillow and burned it, unopened. The night her mother was lost. The night everything changed forever . . . Praise for The Glass Lake “Remarkably moving . . . may be her most compelling novel to date.”—Chicago Tribune “Mesmerizing.”—San Diego Union-Tribune “You won’t be able to put the novel down.”—Cosmopolitan

It was the quiet ones you had to watch. That''s where the real passion was lurking. They came together at Mountainview College, a down-at-the-heels secondary school on the seamy side of Dublin, to take a course in Italian. It was Latin teacher Aidan Dunne''s last chance to revive a failing marriage and a dead-end career. But Aidan''s dream was headed for disaster until the mysterious Signora appeared, transforming a shared passion for Italy into a life-altering adventure for them all . . . bank clerk Bill and his dizzy fiance Lizzie: a couple headed for trouble . . . Kathy, a hardworking innocent propelled into adulthood in a shocking moment of truth . . . Connie, the gorgeous rich lady with a scandal ready to explode . . . glowering Lou, who joined the class as a cover for crime. And Signora, whose passionate past remained a secret as she changed all their lives forever. . . . From the New York Times bestselling author of This Year It Will Be Different, The Glass Lake, and Circle of Friends, comes a novel filled with Maeve Binchy''s signature warmth, wit, and sheer storytelling genius—a spellbinding tale of men and women whose quiet lives hide the most unexpected things. . . .

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of Circle of Friends—"love, longing, and rich scenes of daily life.... What could be sweeter than a trip to an Irish village packed with robust native characters." —The Christian Science Monitor When a new highway threatens to bypass the town of Rossmore and cut through Whitethorn Woods, everyone has a passionate opinion about whether the town will benefit or suffer. But young Father Flynn is most concerned with the fate of St. Ann’s Well, which is set at the edge of the woods and slated for destruction. People have been coming to St. Ann’s for generations to share their dreams and fears, and speak their prayers. Some believe it to be a place of true spiritual power, demanding protection; others think it’s a mere magnet for superstitions, easily sacrificed. Father Flynn listens to all those caught up in the conflict, as the men and women of Whitethorn Woods must decide between the traditions of the past and the promises of the future.

In a small Greek island village, local residents and a group of international travelers are brought together by sudden tragedy, in a story of friendship, dreams, fears, and complicated relationships forever altered by shared experiences. Reprint.

Maeve Binchy''s classic television play, is a moving and powerful account of a tragedy affecting a woman in London who discovers, on the death of her husband, that their married life was a lie.

While filming a documentary about Quentins, a famed Dublin restaurant, Ella Brady explores the changing face of the city from the 1970s to the present day as she captures the stories of the people who have made Quentins a center of their lives. Reprint.

Fresh from cooking school, Tom Feather and Cathy Scarlet are hot new additions to the Dublin scene with their new catering company, but some people in the city, including their families, are not so keen on the idea of their success. Reprint.

The chaotic events of World War II force Elizabeth White, a shy, young English girl, to escape to Ireland, where she shares a friendship with Aisling O''Connor, with whom she endures years of change, joy, sorrow, soaring dreams, bitter betrayals, and an unbreakable bond. Reissue.

The Return Journey--a spellbinding trip into the human heart... In these powerful, poignant tales, the New York Times bestselling author of Evening Class and Tara Road once again reveals her unrivaled understanding of matters of the heart. Here are sons and lovers, daughters and strangers, husbands and wives in their infinite variety--powerfully compelling stories of love and loss, revelation and reconciliation. A secretary''s silent passion for her boss meets the acid test on a business trip--.An insecure wife clings to the illusion of order, only to discover chaos at the hands of a house sitter who opens the wrong doors--. A pair of star-crossed travelers take each other''s bags, and then learn that when you unlock a stranger''s suitcase, you enter a stranger''s life.-- In their company are many more journeys of hope and discovery--unforgettable slices of life from the incomparable Maeve Binchy.

Presents an anthology of Christmas stories reflecting on the various ways in which the holidays serve as a catalyst to promote change, growth, and new beginnings

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Maeve Binchy is a grand storyteller in the finest Irish tradition."—The Plain Dealer The Journey . . . Every Friday night a lilac-colored minibus leaves Dublin for the Irish country town of Rathdoon with seven weekend commuters on board. All of them, from the joking bank porter to the rich doctor’s daughter, have their reasons for making the journey. The Destination . . . Rathdoon is the kind of Irish village where family histories are shared and scandals don’t stay secret for long. And this weekend, when the bus pulls in, the riders find the unexpected waiting for them . . . as each of their private lives unfolds to reveal a sharp betrayal of the heart, a young man’s crime, and a chance for new dreams among the eight intriguing men and women on . . . The Lilac Bus

Kate Ryan and her husband, John, have a rollicking pub in the Irish village of Mountfern . . . four lovely children . . . and such wonderful dreams. But all that is about to change one fateful summer when American millionaire Patrick O''Neill comes to town with his irresistible charm, and money to burn. As love and hate vie for a town''s quiet heart, old traditions begin to crumble away. . . . Patrick O''Neill builds the grand hotel of his dreams, with its promise of wealth and change. Loyalties are challenged, jealousies ignited, and tragedy strikes before the foundation is laid. Suddenly Kate and John Ryan''s lives and family are bound up with the newcomer in ways they can never imagine. And Patrick O''Neill faces his own crisis of conscience and heart as the events he sets in motion take on a life of their own in a town that will never be the same again. Praise for Firefly Summer “The best Binchy yet.”—The New York Times Book Review “Totally engrossing . . . unforgettable . . . an absolutely grand story . . . a lyrical and compelling family drama . . . Mountfern and its residents come vibrantly alive.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer “The secrets hidden behind lace curtains, a young girl''s first kiss, children''s summer games, unexpected pregnancies, sudden deaths. She makes us feel as if we also know the place and its people. . . . One of those good old-fashioned stories that are as comfortable and comforting as home itself.”—Philadelphia Inquirer