Dr John Falconer, recently appointed partner to old Cornwallis, is invited to a garden party at the seat of the local lord of the manor. Arranged as a 21st birthday for the eldest daughter Beatrice, he is introduced to her sisters Marion, Helen, and the youngest, 17 year old Rosie, who takes it upon herself to conduct him around the extensive grounds of the house. In a moment of indiscretion, she lets slip her true feelings about Beatrice who she says has always been over-possessive about Pine Hurst, and since the death of their mother, has become insufferably dominating. She now rules her father and the servants with an iron hand and Rosie could see no end to the tyranny since no man had so far shown any willingness to marry Beatrice who glories in being the mistress of the house and never dreams of leaving. But when the girls' father dies unexpectedly, their security is threatened, and Beatrice must lay plans to protect this most prized possession. First published as The Obsession in 1995, the novel is one of Cookson's most unusual novels, powerfully portraying a woman dangerously driven by desire and ambition. 430pp, paperback.

It is the 1950s and as the Duchy, the Cazalets' beloved matriarch dies, she takes with her the last remnants of a disappearing world - houses with servants, classes and tradition - in which the Cazalets have thrived. Louise, now divorced, becomes entangled in a painful affair, while Polly and Clary must balance marriage and motherhood with their own ideas and ambitions. Hugh and Edward, now in their 60s, are feeling ill-equipped for this modern world, while Villy, long abandoned by her husband, must at last learn to live independently. But it is Rachel who has always lived for others who will face her greatest challenges yet. As the Cazalets descend on Home Place for Christmas, only one thing is certain - nothing will ever be the same again. The heartwarming fifth and final volume in this extraordinary series. Collect them all at discounted price through Bibliophile Books. 573pp, paperback.

The war has ended and so begins a new instalment in this much beloved series. The Cazalet cousins are now in their 20s, trying to piece together their lives in the aftermath of the Second World War. Louise is faced with her father's new mistress and her mother's grief at his betrayal, while suffering a loveless marriage of her own. Clary is struggling to understand why her beloved father chose to stay in France long after it was safe to return to Britain, and both she and Polly are madly in love with much older men. The women must face the truth about the adult world; their fathers Rupert, Hugh and Edward and must make choices that will decide their own and their family's future. 626 magnificent pages, paperback.

It is 1942 and the dark days of war seem never-ending. Scattered across the still-peaceful Sussex countryside and air-raid threatened London, the divided Cazalet family begin to find the battle for survival echoing the confusion in their own lives. Headstrong, independent Louise surprises the whole family when she abandons her dreams of being an actress and instead makes a society marriage. Polly and Clary, now in their late teens, finally fulfil their ambition of living together in London, but the reality of the city is not quite what they had imagined. Polly is struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother and manage her grieving father. Clary meanwhile is painfully aware that what she lacks in beauty she makes up for in intelligence, and is the only member of the family who believes that her father might not be dead. The third instalment in the bestselling The Cazalet Chronicles, charming, poignant and irresistible. 490pp, paperback.

Arthur has brought a fragile peace to Britain, but it cannot last. Uniting the restive British kingdoms behind him, he believes he can now hold back the Saxons threatening the country. Meanwhile, Merlin sets out on a quest to uncover the sacred Treasures of Britain, hoping they will prove decisive in the coming battle. But in a country where the cult of the Christians is spreading, Merlin's quest is divisive and the ambitions of the rival warlord Lancelot threaten the delicate peace. Could even those closest to Arthur be moved to betray him? The second book of the Warlord Chronicles, retelling the Arthurian legend. Wonderful and haunting. 473pp, Penguin paperback.

Arthur seeks peace with the aid of his sword Excalibur. After rebellions and betrayals by those he believed loved him, Arthur looks at his most weak. His Saxon enemies decide to strike before he regains his strength, plunging Britain into war. It will require all Arthur's leadership and military cunning to win this last battle. But in this final struggle of the warlord, the intrigues of Mordred, now the adult heir to the throne of Britain, and the dark magic of the priestess Nimue could conspire to bring about Arthur's downfall. Even his trusty blade Excalibur may not be sharp enough to save him. A powerful and dramatic retelling of the Arthurian legends, this novel concludes the trilogy. 480pp, Penguin paperback.

Hull 1852. Matty has had to care for her three younger sisters ever since their mother's death 10 years earlier. She and their beloved father have worked hard to keep the family together, and now it's time to celebrate Matty as she turns 18. But their joy is short-lived when tragedy suddenly strikes, and their father disappears on his way to London. The sisters have no way of knowing what has happened to him, only that he hasn't returned home. With little money left they are now forced to battle life's misfortunes alone. The wonderful story starts in Beverley and carries on to beautiful Italy and back again and each character is beautifully drawn and completely memorable. 340pp, Penguin paperback.

Set in Hull in 1874. Clara has always wondered about the beautiful, mysterious Jewel Newmarch, who was adopted as a baby and now turns heads wherever she goes. Her exotic looks point to her origins far away from the streets of Hull. Even at her twin sister Elizabeth's wedding, Clara knows that Jewel is the belle of the ball. And as Jewel looks on at the happy, newly-married couple, she feels a restlessness and intense longing to know her own roots. And so the two girls decide to return to Jewel's birthplace in America. In discovering the mysteries of Jewel's past, they realise that this is a life-changing voyage of discovery for both of them as they learn important lessons about family, friendship, love and home. But most importantly, love. 412pp, paperback.

Born into poverty and living under the roof of her violent and abusive brother-in-law, young Kitty Cox dreams of working in a women's dress shop in the West End - a million miles away from the reality of her life as a mud-lark, scavenging on the banks of the Thames and living in the slums. Fate soon intervenes and Kitty finds herself working as a skivvy for Sir Desmond and Lady Arabella Mableton in Mayfair. Bullied by the kitchen maids, Kitty is soon taken under Lady Arabella's wing, and for the first time in life she dares to hope. But Lady 'Bella' has a secret and, unable to live with her domineering husband, she decides to leave, fighting for custody of their daughter. Kitty will do anything for her mistress, but her loyalty is severely tested as all their lives are thrown into turmoil, and Kitty faces a life of poverty and hardship once more. 490pp, paperback with fairly large print.

When Ellen Jebeau's husband dies in 1926, he leaves behind a legacy of debt and empty dreams. Yet Ellen is determined that her son Joseph should have everything in life that she never did. They soon find themselves in a convenient arrangement with Ellen's brother-in-law Sir Arthur, living on the family estate, an arrangement which quickly comes to work in conniving Ellen's favour. Fatherless at the age of just five, Joseph grows up to defend his country against Hitler's mad ambitions, and to defend himself against his mother's ruthlessness and secrets from the past. Over the course of the next 20 years as destinies intertwine, can Joseph emerge from the shadows of his heritage as the man he truly wants to be? Catherine Cookson was the original saga author and you will not be disappointed with this story. 429pp, paperback.