RuddlemoorJosh Retallick and his wife Miriam take on an exciting new challenge as owners of Ruddlemoor china clay works on the outskirts of St Austell. But a family tragedy forces Josh to leave almost immediately. When he returns he knows that his youngest grandson will one day follow him. So it is that several years later Ben Retallick journeys to Cornwall. His arrival rocks the local community labourers are wary of this strapping young lad; rival clay owners

When Vesuvius explodes into a huge cloud of ash and rocks that fall from the sky like rain

Kiln boasts a ravenous

The Chimes

an offspring of the most incredible of times

or have the Templars arrived to wreak revenge

this indispensable reference traces the history of world fiction

Whether tackling profound questions on the meaning of life or plunging into the restless urgency of social reform

best friends and shared confidences

' Elena Armas

and a shocking trap is laid

like a scherzo

providing a comprehensive description of the historical development of English together with superb coverage of the contemporary language