Most Popular Books by Mary Stewart

Born of an incestuous relationship between King Arthur and his half sister, the evil sorceress Morgause, the bastard Mordred is reared in secrecy. Called to Camelot by events he cannot deny, Mordred becomes Arthur’s most trusted counselor -- a fateful act that leads to the "wicked day of destiny" when father and son must face each other in battle.

The Arthurian legend is one of the most enduring and powerful of myths, and Mary Stewart''s classic The Merlin Trilogy is one of its most beloved and acclaimed retellings. In prose that is as vividly, achingly real as it is poetic, New York Times bestselling author Mary Stewart brings to life the man behind the myth: Myrddin Emrys ... Merlinus Ambrosius ... Merlin. The Crystal Cave The Hollow Hills The Last Enchantment Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myrddin Emrys -- or, as he would later be known, Merlin -- leads a perilous childhood in The Crystal Cave, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man''s-son, taking him from prophesying before the High King Vortigern to the crowning of UtherPendragon ... and the conception of Arthur -- king for once and always. Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon in The Hollow Hills, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain. In The Last Enchantment, Arthur Pendragon is king at last. Unchallenged on the battlefield, he melds the country together in a time of promise as Merlin works to keep safe the once and future king. But sinister powers plot to destroy Camelot, and when the witch-queen Morgause -- Arthur''s own half sister -- ensnares him in an incestuous liaison, a fatal web of love, betrayal, and bloody vengeance is woven. Extensively researched and beautifully written, The Merlin Trilogy is the epic culmination of an acclaimed career, a legend in and of itself.

''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans The rambling house called Thornyhold is like something out of a fairy tale. Left to Gilly Ramsey by the cousin whose occasional visits brightened her childhood, the cottage, set deep in a wild wood, has come just in time to save her from a bleak future. With its reputation for magic and its resident black cat, Thornyhold offers Gilly more than just a new home. It offers her a chance to start over. The old house, with it tufts of rosy houseleek and the spreading gilt of the lichens, was beautiful. Even the prisoning hedges were beautiful, protective with their rusty thorns, their bastions of holly and juniper, and at the corners, like towers, their thick columns of yews. ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent

Arthur Pendragon is King! Unchallenged on the battlefield, he melds the country together in a time of promise. But sinister powers plot to destroy Camelot, and when the witch-queen Morgause -- Arthur''s own half sister -- ensnares him in an incestuous liaison, a fatal web of love, betrayal, and bloody vengeance is woven.

When Lucy''s sister Phyllida suggests that she join her for a quiet holiday on the paradise island Corfu, Lucy is overjoyed. Her work as an actress has temporarily came to an halt, and London in winter is a bleak and depressing place.

The suburban whirl, and other stories of married life by Mary Stewart Cutting. This book is a reproduction of the original book published in 1907 and may have some imperfections such as marks or hand-written notes.

''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans Ashley Court: the tumbledown ancestral home of the Ashley family, all blessed with ''the gift'' of being able to speak to each other without words. When Bryony Ashley''s father dies under mysterious circumstances, his final words a cryptic warning to her, Bryony returns from abroad to uncover Ashley Court''s secrets. What did her father''s message mean? What lies at the centre of the overgrown maze in the gardens? And who is trying to prevent Bryony from discovering the truth? Tell Bryony. The cat, it''s in the cat on the pavement. The map. The letter. In the brook. Tell Bryony. My little Bryony to be careful. Danger.

Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain.

Born the bastard son of a Welsh princess, Myridden Emrys -- or as he would later be known, Merlin -- leads a perilous childhood, haunted by portents and visions. But destiny has great plans for this no-man''s-son, taking him from prophesying before the High King Vortigern to the crowning of Uther Pendragon . . . and the conception of Arthur -- king for once and always.

Transport yourself to the idyllic hills of mid-century Crete in this tale of peril and intrigue, from the original queen of romantic suspense and author of Madam, Will You Talk? ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent While on a walking holiday through the beautiful, deserted hills of Crete, Nicola Ferris stumbles across a critically injured Englishman, guarded by a fierce Greek. Nicola cannot abandon them and so sets off on a perilous search for their lost companion - all the while being pursued by someone who wants to make sure none of them leave the island . . . When the big white bird flew suddenly up among the glossy leaves and the lemon flowers, and wheeled into the mountain, I followed it. ''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans ''She built the bridge between classic literature and modern popular fiction. She did it first and she did it best.'' Herald

From brain structure and role models to the creation drama and the new covenant, Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen helps us to understand more clearly the forces--and the freedoms--that shape our lives.

Change is hard, but learning more about it doesn''t have to be boring. The Change Book: Change the Way You Think About Change helps you get smart on change management without the pain. It addresses framing your change, leadership, resistance, culture, communication and more. Flip it open to any page and you''ll find powerful, concise, and easy advice from battle-tested practitioners. Why aren''t your communication efforts working? The book addresses common pitfalls, like waiting too long, delivering "bad" news and hitting people with the wrong kinds of information. How many people should you involve in your new effort? There''s advice on engaging the masses and there are real stories of organizations who harnessed the power of their people. What should you do about those who resist? Do you have to turn all of them into supporters? Read about finding the people in your "sweet spot" and focusing on them. How will you keep people excited and engaged? The book offers tips for getting buy-in and maintaining momentum.

font size="+1"The sweeping long-lost novella, now available in paperback for the first time in 40 years, alongside recently rediscovered short story ''The Lost One'', from the original queen of romantic suspense/font size font size="+1"''Total heaven'' Harriet Evans/font size 1879. Lanzarote. A wealthy young woman elopes with an impoverished fisherman, leaving her family distraught. 1968. Perdita West, secretary to a famous author, visits Lanzarote on a research trip and begins to fall in love with the unusual, beautiful little island. When, while snorkelling, a landslide traps Perdita in an underwater cave, her efforts to save herself will reveal what happened to the ill-fated couple who fell in love at this very spot almost a century ago . . . Also includes the recently rediscovered short story ''The Lost One'', first published in Woman''s Journal in 1960, and set against the backdrop of unfenced country and dark winding valleys at night. Praise for Mary Stewart: ''Stylish'' Guardian ''Wonderful'' Scotsman ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''[She] sprinkled intelligence around like stardust'' Herald ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan

font size="+1"A thrilling tale of adventure and deception set in 1950s Austria, from the queen of romantic suspense and author of Madam, Will You Talk?/font size font size="+1"''This zestful romantic adventure grips, amuses, frightens and delights'' Sunday Telegraph/font size Vanessa March''s husband Lewis is meant to be on a business trip in Stockholm. So why does he briefly appear in newsreel footage of a fire at a circus in Vienna, with his arm around another woman? Vanessa flies to Austria to find her husband - and inadvertently becomes involved in a mystery surrounding the famous dancing stallions of Austria''s Spanish Riding School . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan Reader reviews of Airs Above the Ground: ''You feel you are there in the story. This made my holiday perfect'' ''This book has it all . . . thrilling action in a stunning Austrian setting, I loved it'' ''A cracking good story, beautifully written. This is a most satisfying read'' ''Mary Stewart specialises in novels which have you alternately holding your breath as to what might happen, or chuckling to yourself. This is one of her best''

Even after her friends and family discourage the journey, Mariposilla decides to leave her childhood home in Spanish Colonial Mexico to travel to America, where she can have a fresh start. While Mariposilla herself longs for the beautiful sight of American lands, she wants the experience for her frail and ill child, Marjorie, even more. As the two leave behind their old home, they are in awe of the scenery and people they meet along the way. Befriending strangers and staying in hotel after hotel, Mariposilla is delighted by the sight of her child become full of wonder and happiness, livelier than she had ever seen her before. Each person Mariposilla meets is characterized with intimate detail, as she exposes them with her sharp intelligence, compassion, and wit. Taking the advice of someone they met on the journey, Mariposilla and her daughter settle in a town in Southern California called San Gabriel. There, they meet Mrs. Sanderson, who, though seems agreeable at first, has less than desirable intentions. Caught up in Marjorie’s steady improvement and happiness, Mariposilla finds herself overlooking red flags, and submitting to Mrs. Sanderson without meaning to. Meanwhile, as Mariposilla adjusts her perspective and settles into her new home, she falls hopelessly in love. With her daughter’s health improving, and the blossoming of a new romance, Mariposilla feels at peace and content for the first time in a long time. However, even though the promise of the American dream brought her into the country, as Mariposilla becomes immersed in the culture, she soon realizes that a nightmare is much more common. Through thorough description and a unique perspective Mariposilla examines human nature at both its best and worst. Featuring beautiful and vivid descriptions of the landscapes, characters, and events, Mariposilla by Mary Stewart Daggett enlightens readers on social conventions and customs of Southern California during the 19th century. By depicting a setting not often represented and featuring a main character who immigrated to America, this novel offers a fresh perspective on historical fiction with representation uncommon in literature published during the 19th century, or even in recent literary works. This edition of Mary Stewart Daggett’s Mariposilla is now presented in an easy-to-read font and features a new, eye-catching cover design, making it both readable and modern.

The original queen of the page-turner Mary Stewart leads her readers on a thrilling journey through a dangerous and deadly Provence in this tale perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Barbara Pym. ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''The terrible thirsty heat of the Provençal summer, the noise of the cicadas, the dust of the country buses . . . an excellent tale of mystery'' The Times It sounds idyllic: a leisurely drive through the sun-drenched landscape of Provence. But Charity''s dream holiday turns into a nightmare when she becomes embroiled in a sinister plot to kidnap a young boy. She soon finds herself in a deadly pursuit and must uncover who to trust . . . and who to fall for. Whenever I look back now on the strange and terrifying events of that holiday in Southern France, I remember the minutes I spent gazing at the golden arches of the Roman aqueduct over the Gardon... the last brief lull before the thunder. ''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans ''She built the bridge between classic literature and modern popular fiction. She did it first and she did it best.'' Herald

The Higher Court by Mary Stewart Daggett: This thought-provoking novel explores the themes of religion, faith, and justice, through the story of a minister who struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the realities of life in a small Missouri town. Through richly drawn characters and vivid descriptions of the natural world, Daggett creates a compelling portrait of a man searching for meaning and purpose in a complex world. Key Aspects of the Book "The Higher Court": Religious Themes: The book explores the role of faith in the lives of ordinary people, and the tension between religious belief and social norms. Characterization: The central character is complex and fully realized, grappling with his own doubts and fears even as he tries to guide his congregation through the challenges of life. Setting: The book is set in a small Missouri town, and the lush descriptions of the natural world add a sense of richness and texture to the story. Mary Stewart Daggett was an American author who lived from 1865 to 1939. She was known for her thought-provoking novels and stories, which often focused on themes of religion, morality, and social justice. "The Higher Court" is one of her most enduring works.

font size="+1"A thrilling, twisty tale of a dangerous romance set in the heart of mid-century Savoy, from the author of Madam, Will You Talk./font size font size="+1"''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times/font size Linda Martin understands what is to be lonely: her parents died when she was young, and she was raised in an orphanage. When she is hired as a governess to the orphaned young Philippe, Comte de Valmy, Linda finds a kindred spirit in the lonely little boy. But Philippe is the heir to a vast estate in Savoy, and his dangerously handsome uncle may be willing to kill to ensure that Philippe never inherits it . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: ''A wonderful wordsmith'' Scotsman ''I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan Reader reviews of Nine Coaches Waiting: ''I was hooked from page one to page-the-end . . . Stewart is a wonderful writer'' ''It had me in it''s thrall from start to finish. I am compelled to recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read that keeps you on tenterhooks all the way through'' ''I finished it at 4 in the morning. Talk about unputdownable!'' ''A very good blend of thriller and romance . . . perfect for a lazy day by the pool''

The original queen of the page-turner Mary Stewart leads her readers on a journey of murder and deceit through the dusty roads of mid-century Greece in this tale that fans of Agatha Christie and Barbara Pym are sure to love. ''The contemporary thriller at its very best'' Guardian ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''Nothing ever happens to me...'' So begins Camilla Haven''s letter home during her quiet holiday in Athens. But when a stranger begs her to drive a car to Delphi, swearing that it is a matter of life and death, Camilla impulsively takes the opportunity she''s been offered. Before long she is caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, deceit and murder as she spins along the dusty Greek roads in a race against time to solve a fourteen-year-old mystery. The longer I waited the less possible it seemed to walk out of the café and leave everything to settle itself without me, and the more insidiously did the other possibility begin to present itself. Dry-mouthed, I pushed it aside, but there it was, a challenge, a gift, a dare from the gods . . . ''One of the best British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''There are few to equal Mary Stewart'' Daily Telegraph

Many a man who has an upright nature and a good disposition fails to show these facts patently to the casual observer. To Justin Alexander had been given the grace of a singularly attractive countenance. He was of a fair complexion, with light hair, a good nose slightly aquiline, and a well-shaped mouth and chin; but his charm was irrespective of feature. No one could look at him and not know him to be a man of sweet and fine honor. The gaze of his keen blue eyes—clear, though not very large—carried conviction to whomsoever it rested on that a clean and honest soul dwelt therein. Although he did not in the least realize it, this had been one of the greatest factors in any success that he had ever had, joined as it was to good judgment and great physical energy. Everyone liked him, not for what he said or did, but for what he was, and for the encouragement of his bright glance, which had a convincing and magnetic quality in it. He talked intelligently and well, although not a great deal, and among the many people who were drawn toward him a corresponding liking on his part was easily inferred. Yet he was, in fact, innately although dumbly critical; a reticent man as to his own thoughts and opinions, he took an inward measurement of persons and circumstances often the very reverse of what was supposed. This attitude of his was in no sense of the word hypocritical, it came instead from a constitutional dislike of voicing his innermost feelings. It somehow hurt him to acknowledge defects in others, and he had also an impersonal sense of justice which allowed for good qualities in those who were uncongenial to him; he did not really like the man who sat beside him, and with whom he had the prospect of being intimately associated, but even his wife had hardly divined this; certainly Joseph Leverich himself, large, jovial, and shrewd-eyed, would have been the last to suspect it.

Contemporary women''s movement and the future of the American family.

font size="+1"The tense, twisty murder mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat, from the author of Madam, Will You Talk? /font sizeu003e font size="+1"''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times/font size Following a heart-breaking divorce, Gianetta retreats to the Isle of Skye hoping to find tranquillity in the island''s savage beauty. But shortly before her arrival a girl''s body is found on the craggy slopes of the looming Blue Mountain, and with the murderer still on the loose, there''s nothing to stop him from setting his sights on Gianetta next . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: ''There are few to equal Mary Stewart'' Daily Telegraph ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''A natural successor to Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte'' Guardian ''Total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans ''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan What readers have said about Wildfire at Midnight: ''Could not put the book down, from start to finish! Absolutely brilliant! A great writer. Thank you Mary Stewart'' ''I''ve read and re-read it countless times . . . wonderful setting for the plot, evocative and captivating writing, I love this book'' ''If you like a beautiful heroine with pluck, a handsome hero, danger and strong descriptive passages this is a book for you'' ''A fabulous fast paced read . . . Stewart keeps you guessing to the very end with a doozy of a nail-biting finish set amongst the swirling mists, shifting bogs and the rocky crags of the Cuillin''

font size="+1"A gripping, nail-biting adventure set in Scotland, from the original queen of romantic suspense/font size font size="+1"Total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans/font size When Rose Fenemore takes a desperately needed holiday to an isolated cottage on the Scottish island of Moila she doesn''t expect much in the way of adventure - just a few quiet weeks of writing, walking and bird-watching. And then, late one night during a wild storm, two young men appear in her doorway, seeking shelter from the wind and rain. Neither man is quite who he claims, and the question of who to trust will put Rose in grave peril . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan ''Mary Stewart''s writing is illuminated by her evident affection for the Western Scottish landscape . . . a rattling good yarn'' Sunday Telegraph Reader reviews of Stormy Petrel: ''Mary Stewart! What an author! . . . The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the writing is a joy'' ''She truly is one of the best romantic suspense writers, if not the best'' ''Like consuming really rich chocolate you don''t want it to end . . . She has the gift and has been sharing it with her readers generously. She still has magic'' ''Mary Stewart specialises in novels which have you alternately holding your breath as to what might happen, or chuckling to yourself''

''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans Legend has it that when the Gabriel Hounds run howling over the crumbling palace of Dar Ibrahim, high in the Adonis Valley of Lebanon, death will follow on their heels. When rich, spoilt Christie Mansel arrives at the decaying palace to look after her eccentric Aunt Harriet, she arrives to the sound of howling dogs. The palace is riddled with hidden passages and the servants are unwilling to let anyone see Harriet during the day. It seems the palace hides an extraordinary secret . . . one that somebody is willing to kill to keep. The deep blue oblong of sky above the open court was pricking already with brilliant stars. No ugly diffusion of city light spoiled the deep velvet of that sky; even hanging as it was above the glittering and crowded richness of the Damascus oasis, it spoke of the desert and the vast empty silence beyond the last palm tree.

Alexander, a prince in Arthurian Britain, searches for justice for the murderers of his father, but is diverted into a search for the Holy Grail by the evil sorceress Morgan LeFay.

First published 45 years ago, this is a beautiful new edition of Mary Stewart''s beloved magical classic illustrated by Shirley Hughes. Don''t miss the beautifully animated film adaptation called Mary and the Witch''s Flower (by the producer of The Tale of The Princess Kaguya), in cinemas now. ''The little broomstick gave a leap, a violent twist, a kick like the kick of a pony.'' Mary''s been exiled to her great-aunt, deep in the English countryside. Miserable and lonely, she befriends strange black cat Tib who leads her deep into the forest to an ordinary looking broomstick. Before Mary can gather her wits, the broomstick jumps into action, whisking her over the treetops, above the clouds, and to the grounds of Endor College, school of witchcraft. But something is terribly wrong at Endor. Students are taught spells that are petty and ill-wishing, and when Mary discovers evidence of a terrible and cruel experiment in transformation, she decides to leave. But the moment her broomstick takes off, she realises that Tib the cat has been captured ... Mary Stewart is the bestselling author of fourteen romantic thrillers, including the classic novels This Rough Magic and The Moon-Spinners, and five historical fantasy novels of Arthurian Britain. The animated film, Mary and the Witch''s Flower, will be released in 2018 by Studio Ponoc. The producer, Yoshiaki Nishimura, also produced The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and When Marnie Was There.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Little Stories of Married Life" by Mary Stewart Cutting. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Everyone thinks they know everything about training. Right? We''ve all gone to school, been trained on the job, and maybe endured the occasional corporate seminar. But if you''re a professional in this field, you know that''s familiarity, not expertise. Instructional design and implementation are not as easy as they look. You know there''s an art to enabling people to truly change their behavior, moving themselves and their organizations toward the right future. That''s what inspired The Learning and Development Book. Open the book to any page and you''ll find a short chapter that holds one hard-won lesson—the reward of decades implementing instructional design in real-world settings. Why should learning be more like playing? Is the culture of your organization working against you? Should you really measure the effects of your training program? Have you ever thought that learning begins when training ends? Each chapter holds a nugget of wisdom on subjects like these. Whether you''re a battle-tested educator or embarking on your first big training job, we hope we can give you tips, tools, big ideas, and (bonus!) a smile.

From the original queen of the page-turner and author of Madam, Will You Talk? comes a thrilling tale set in a France as beautiful as it is deadly, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Barbara Pym. ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times ''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent ''There are few to equal Mary Stewart'' Daily Telegraph High in the rugged Pyrenees lies the Valley of the Storms, where a tiny convent clings to the beautiful but lonely mountainside. Jenny Silver arrives seeking her missing cousin, and is devastated when she learns of Gillian''s death following a terrible car accident. But Jenny''s suspicions are aroused when she''s told the blue flowers ornamenting her cousin''s grave were Gillian''s favourite. Jenny knows Gillian was colour-blind - and so starts her mission to uncover what really happened to her. The growl and roar of thunder rolled an re-echoed from the mountains and the sword of the lightning stabbed down, and stabbed again, as if searching through the depths of the cringing woods for whatever sheltered there. ''A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors.'' Harriet Evans ''She built the bridge between classic literature and modern popular fiction. She did it first and she did it best.'' Herald'' ''One of the most stupendously successful authors ever'' Sunday Express

Also issued as pt. 2-3 of Launching the imagination: a comprehensive guide to basic design.