New Releases by Richmal Crompton

"Caroline knows best." Caroline''s mother ran away from her father when Caroline was four years old, and her father and stepmother died fifteen years later, leaving her with a young step-brother and two young step-sisters to bring up. Orphaned, and in the care of their eldest sister, the three children grow up in a world where one thing is true: "Caroline knows best." The children adore her, but as they grow up and spread their wings, tension creeps into formerly happy relationships as Caroline cannot bear to relinquish her hold on them. Having sacrificed her own life for the children, to whom she is practically a mother, Caroline values loyalty above all else; but when she invites a guest into her home, she is not prepared for the resulting shift in allegiances in her long-established realm. First published in 1936, Caroline offers a nuanced study of family relationships, of women trapped by duty and respectability, and how good intentions can sometimes have unwanted consequences. One of Richmal Crompton''s ''lost'' adult novels, Bello is proud to bring eleven of these titles back into print for the first time since original publication.

Happily married for thirty years with three children that have long since grown up, Christopher Mainwaring finds himself at a total loss following the death of his beloved wife, Susan. Yet the joyful marriage he remembers may not have been all it seemed, for no one in the family knows of the troubling words his wife uttered to him from her death bed . . . Alluding to a possible affair that took place many years ago with a close family friend, the grieving widower is haunted by visions of Susan''s infidelity and seeks to find out the truth. In his quest to unearth his wife''s potential duplicity, Christopher finds himself looking to his children''s complex lives for answers: Joy who is now married with children and concerns of her own, the professionally inept but kind-hearted Frank and his neurotic wife Rachel, and Derek, whose delusions of grandeur with his struggling business causes much distress for his long-suffering wife, Olivia. Portrait of a Family by Richmal Crompton provides universal reflections and intimate insights into the dynamics of family life with a startling clarity that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.

Even as a child all Vicky wants is love. She seeks it from her governess; she expects it from the lowly, loyal gardener, Andrew; but most of all, she is desperate for it from the one person who can''t see beyond shadows of the past and open his heart to her – her father. As Vicky grows up, her beauty blossoms, and when she meets vivacious artist, Philip – a passionate, fiery-haired man who crashes into her carefully ordered life – everything changes. Falling in love and being loved in return fills a hole in Vicky she wasn''t even aware she had. But it''s the start of the twentieth century and times are changing. Not even Vicky can control the developments of the age. Yet, as the seasons come round with comforting regularity, so too do the familiar patterns of human life in Richmal Crompton''s There Are Four Seasons.

When Lettice Helston''s high-society marriage breaks down, leaving a hole in her life, she flees her London life for the comfort of her friend Dorrie. But an unexpected detour to the charming village of Steffan Green introduces her to new friends, some in dire need of her help, and uncovers a decades old scandal that could have disastrous consequences for present generations. With the help of parson''s wife and ex-suffragette, Mrs. Fanshaw, along with an ensemble of well-drawn and quirky characters, Lettice begins to find peace and consolation by immersing herself in her new country life. But is there someone else who can finally bring her happiness? Steffan Green by Richmal Crompton is a delightful account of country living in the 1930s, full of honest, wry and humorous observations about social class, adversity and human nature.

William is up to his old tricks and ready for trouble! Richmal Compton''s William the Fourth is the fourth classic set of adventures featuring the hero of Just William, with an introduction by screenwriter and Cosmic author Frank Cottrell Boyce. Whether he''s occupying a bear suit that''s slightly too small for him, cloaked in mystery as a fortune teller or attired in the flowing robes of a Fairy Queen, William is unmistakably himself: trouble in human form. Only Great-Aunt Jane manages to take William on at his own game – and win! This collection of fourteen brilliant Just William stories features appealing contemporary cover art by Lydia Monks, along with the original inside illustrations by Thomas Henry. There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. Enjoy more of William''s adventures in William Again and William the Conqueror.

Totally bankrupt, William and Ginger can''t even buy sweets. But then William has a brilliant idea - they could sell Ginger''s twin cousins as slaves! Before long, the irrepressible William is in serious trouble - again . . .

‘If all girls are like that -’ said William. ‘Well, when you think of all the hundreds of girls there must be in the world – well, it makes you feel sick.’ William’s natural desire to do the right thing leads him into serious trouble, as usual, and when blackmail and kidnapping are involved, it’s no surprise. Even when he turns over a new leaf, the consequences are dire. But it’s his new neighbour Violet Elizabeth Bott who really causes chaos – and no one will believe that it’s not William’s fault . . .

William has a habit of being where he shouldn''t be. But the village girls'' school is the last place where he''s likely to be making mischief . . . isn''t it?

''I din'' take it,'' William said. ''Ethel took it. She - she sort of can''t help herself. I always,'' he added virtuously, ''try''n put back the things she''s took.'' It all started with a rare event: William Brown read a book. And now he feels inspired to save his sister from a life of crime. The road to disaster is paved with William''s good intentions. Ethel''s behaviour has been rather odd - more so than is usual in a girl. But William, the Brown family''s moral guardian, is determined to ''reform'' her - whatever the consequences . . .

William is always ready to offer his services to his country. But why is it that his enthusiastic contribution is so seldom appreciated? William is determined to do his bit, but unfortunately no one else thinks he''d make a hero . . . Ten wonderful wartime stories where William proves himself just as dangerous, unpredictable and downright troublesome as the Enemy!

Now with a fantastic redesigned cover to tie-in with the brand new BBC WILLIAM television series! Some words to not apply to William Brown. Sweet, charming, ''dear little boy''... That sounds more like Georgie Murdoch, who is so sickly sweet that William is determined to turn him into a wild, muddy, noisy outlaw like himself...

Now with a fantastic redesigned cover to tie-in with the brand new BBC WILLIAM television series! William has a habit of being where he shouldn''t be. But the village girls'' school is the last place where he''s likely to be making mischief... isn''t it?

Everyone''s favourite troublemaker is back in Richmal Crompton''s William''s New Year''s Day. Just William makes his mark in this hilarious collection of twelve classic stories. Whether it''s trying to arrange a marriage for his sister or taking a job as a boot boy as step one in his grand plan to run away, William manages to cause chaos wherever he goes. Features a charming introduction by one of William''s famous fans, the wonderful comic writer Sue Townsend.

William is always ready to offer his services to his country. But why is it that his enthusiastic contribution is so seldom appreciated? Ten very funny stories about William - at war!

William is up to his old tricks in More William, Richmal Compton''s second set of classic William adventures. When Aunt Lucy tells William that ''a busy day is a happy day'', William does his best to keep himself very busy indeed. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates his efforts to cheer up Christmas Day - and when a conjuring trick with an egg goes very badly wrong, William finds himself in more trouble than ever! With a fun contemporary cover look illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, along with the original inside illustrations of Thomas Henry, the fourteen fantastic Just William stories in More William are as funny as ever. There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922.