The Heartbeat Library is a tender, contemplative, and uplifting novel about grief, friendship, and the many ways we heal, by the internationally bestselling author of The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World. On the peaceful Japanese island of Teshima there is a library of heartbeats, a place where the heartbeats of visitors from all around the world are collected. In this small, isolated building, the heartbeats of people who are still alive or have already passed away continue to echo. Several miles away, in the ancient city of Kamakura, two lonely souls meet: Shuichi, a 40-year-old illustrator, who returns to his hometown to fix up the house of his recently deceased mother, and eight-year-old Kenta, a child who wanders like a shadow around Shuichi’s house. Day by day, the trust between Shuichi and Kenta grows, until they discover they share a bond that will tie them together for life. Their journey will lead them to Teshima and to the library of heartbeats . . . Enchanting, touching, and emotionally riveting, The Heartbeat Library is a story about loss and hope, pain and joy, reality and imagination, and the promise of healing and overcoming the odds thanks to the relationships we build and rediscover. Inspired by Les Archives du Cœur, an art installation in Japan that permanently houses recordings of the heartbeats of people throughout the world, Laura Imai Messina returns in this novel to the themes and atmospheres of her internationally bestselling novel The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World, combining a real-life pilgrimage site of healing with an unforgettable and heartwarming story.

**Don't miss Granny McCreedy's brand-new adventure in Gone with the Penguins - available to pre-order now!**From the bestselling author of Richard & Judy's pick Away with the Penguins comes this 'otterly' delightful, heart-warming and feel-good story about the healing power of nature.'A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!' Sally Page, bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories'This book was just amazing. It made me laugh and cry!' *****'There is so much to love and treasure in this story' *****'This book was a delight from start to finish!' *****'Glorious dose of otter cuteness' *****You loved Veronica McCreedy. Now meet Phoebe Featherstone . . ._____Down by the river, Phoebe Featherstone is about to make a life-changing discovery . . .Clever, nosy Phoebe is unable to get out much, but she has a talent for uncovering her neighbours' secrets by examining the parcels delivered by her courier father, Al.When they discover an abandoned baby otter on the riverbank, Phoebe must step out of her comfort zone - and she experiences an unexpected sense of happiness that she has not felt in a very long time. But now, further secrets are coming to light.Phoebe soon realizes that something is amiss at the local otter sanctuary. She will need to overcome her own close­ly guarded issues and put all her sleuthing skills to good use if she wants to save the otters . . . and in the process, change her life for ever._____Praise for Hazel Prior:'A lovely holiday read . . . Packed full of humanity and otters!' Sally Page'Beautifully written by a born storyteller' Lorraine Kelly'Uplifting, heartwarming and wonderful, an utterly charming story - I loved it!' Faith Hogan'This gorgeous book has everything!' Clare Pooley'Perfect fireside read' Trisha Ashley'A glorious, life-affirming story. I read it in a day' Clare Mackintosh'A story that readers will be sure to fall in love with. Otterly charming!' Freya Sampson'Funny, bittersweet and wholly original' Daily Express

***** 2023 Whistler Independent Book Awards Fiction Winner ********** 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards Finalist in Literary & Contemporary Fiction *****A father raises his boy in the isolated north. But for those lands and minds with an unsettled past, other dangers may lurk the woods where father and son hunt the timber.For fans of Cormac McCarthy and Ernest Hemingway comes a debut novel that Book Sirens calls "Heartbreakingly beautiful, raw and enchanting. ?????""This contemplative tale of survival is a unique and poetic excursion." — Kirkus ReviewsHe’s known as the trapper and his family has a long history in these remote woods. Now it’s just him and the boy, and he’ll raise him in the world he knows, the forest, where threats take recognizable forms: harsh weather, peak predators, the encroachment of civilization at odds with their lifestyle. A tale told in captivating prose of wild living, where human skin is no boundary for either the beauty or cruelty of nature. After the arrival of a foreign presence, the forest in all its naked majesty becomes an arena for the dueling forces of life: joy and suffering, good and evil, compassion and vengeance. One fateful day their woodland life is violently broken—shouldn’t those guilty of such injustice be held to account? Though the forest is isolated, this may be a story of the wilderness existing within us all."Immortal North is as quiet as snow falling in a forest. Until it is not and then it is a cacophony of violence and sorrow. Less than 10% of my ratings are Five Stars, this one deserves it. ?????”—Lyn Graves, Goodreads, 1900 novels reviewed“Part of Immortal North ripped my heart out and part of it held me close. The novel was atmospheric and stunning in its descriptions. Near the end I couldn’t stop. I highly recommend this powerfully moving story. It’s something you don’t want to miss. ?????” —Jennifer Pritchard, Kindles All The Way Down“Stewart’s mastery of beautiful sentences matches William Gay and William Faulkner. His acrobatic sentences contain some of the best words and most heartfelt, perfectly spoken sentiments I’ve read. ?????”—Darrell Ingrum, Netgalley“I just finished Immortal North and if I could rate it Ten Stars or higher, I would. The writing is spectacular. I will never forget this tale as long as I live. It resonates with me that much. ?????”—R.Z. Halleson, Author, Netgalley“Immortal North requires an emotional investment from a reader, but if you are willing to give Stewart your time, he will give you a piece of the trapper's and the boy's hearts. And you will find by the midway point that you have given them all of yours. Very highly recommended. ?????” —Jamie Michele, Five Star Readers' Favorite“Immortal North is one of those classic works best savored slowly. I was so immersed in the wonders of the natural world and the mysteries of human love and existence that I wanted the story never to end. One of the finest examples of true literary fiction I have ever read.” ?????—Marcus Lynn Dean, Author, The Scream of an Eagle