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BECAUSE CHRISTMAS IS BETTER WITH A BOOK
-Wide Range Of Obscure And Classic Titles
-New Books And Vintage Editions
With a wide range of vintage crime & mystery books spanning Victorian detective fiction, Golden Age and modern crime fiction, Country House Library has something for every amateur sleuth.
Rediscover old favourites, uncover new authors or settle down to binge-fest on your favourite crime series.
No list of crime writers would be complete without something by the great-grandfather of the genre – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Surely the most famous literary detective of all time.
If Conan Doyle was the great-grandfather of crime fiction, then arguably Agatha Christie is the great-grandmother. Christie wrote an incredible 66 detective novels over a career spanning 56 years.
An English novelist from the "Golden age of detective fiction", Margery Allingham is considered one of the four "Queens of crime" due to her subtlety, wit and imagination.
It wasn’t until age 44, during the Great Depression that Raymond Chandler became a detective fiction writer. Writing it goes to show that genius can flourish even
in adversity.
So many of us find ourselves swept away by the drama, passion, and sophistication of 19th century romance novels.
Whether you are snuggling up with an old favourite, or looking for new characters that find love against all odds, you will discover the perfect Christmas companion amongst our bookshelves.
With 6 famous titles to her name, Jane Austen is arguably
the most well-known romantic author.
Her beloved classics have stood the test of time, being adored by generations. If there are any in this collection you haven’t read, This Christmas is the perfect opportunity.
A prolific writer, Charlotte Brontë is best known for Jane
Eyre, but many consider Villette the real gem.
Uncovering the adventure and romance within each of her books is sure to make for a transportive Christmas
experience.
You may have read Little Women, but have you read its sequels
Little Men and Jo’s Boys?
Return to the 19th Century this Christmas
and reconnect with old friends.
Blackmore’s literary legacy rests almost entirely on his 1869 novel Lorna Doon.Set on Exmoor in Devon, the story centres on the eponymous heroine and her lover, John Ridd.
One of the most famous romantic tales from the 19th century, the book is worth reading for the blizzard scene alone.
With Christmas as we know it owing so much to the Victorians, it makes sense that Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in a 19th century literary classic.
Whether it is finally getting to grips with the book that inspired a favourite film, or catching up on a favourite author’s works, our extensive selection has something for every fan of classic 19th century literature.
Writing stories for Children and adults alike, R.D Stevenson is equally well known for Treasure Island, the story that informed the perception of what it means to be “pirate” for generations and for his epic thriller The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Best known for his classic piece of gothic literature, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde is sure to bewitch and enthral you this Christmas.
No list of the best 19th century novelists would be complete without a mention of Charles Dickens. One of the greatest influences on the development of Victorian fiction and our perception of Victorian England today.
Taking the pen name of George Eliot, Mary Ann Evans was
often critical of other female writers.
She took pride in writing psychologically deep characters and narratives that challenged the patriarchy, making her an interesting and complex feminist writer.
Vintage history books offer a unique perspective on history. History written by people who were closer to the events than we will ever be, and whose viewpoints give us as much of an understanding of who they were as they do of the events described.
Spanning almost 30 centuries, the wonders of Ancient Egypt have
fascinated a myriad of writers. Journey back in time with them and see the past through their eyes.
Mythology, art, architecture, and democracy, the history of Ancient
Greece holds interest for all.
Did the writers of the past revere this civilisation for their legacy as much as we do today? Find out this Christmas.
Vintage transport books may look back at the invention of transportation vehicles or make contemporary (for the time) commentaries on the way we move
around.
Learning about transportation from those in the past opens our eyes to
how wonderous the vehicles we take for granted today were once seen.
We are fortunate enough in England to have one of the most well
documented histories of any nation in the world. The history of England as told by those long gone, allows us to see the past in a way we may not otherwise today.
This Christmas, see England’s history through another’s eyes.
Often touching on provocative subjects, books by by 20th Century authors challenge us to think deeply about our society, our politics, and our treatment of others.
If you consider yourself an avid reader but haven’t yet considered these myriad facets of 20th century literature, this Christmas is the perfect opportunity.
You can’t speak of modern literature without talking about Virginia Woolf. Her style of writing in a “stream of consciousness” was revolutionary at the time, and still feels modern and challenging today.
Arguably Tolkien created the template for the entire genre
of fantasy literature from the 20th century onwards.
Despite their cinematic triumph, the films don’t quite do justice to these epic tales of elves, orcs, wizards and men engaged in a timeless battle of good versus evil.
George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is a brilliant, bitter novel from 1949 which marks the loss of faith in mankind.
His famous Animal Farm is yet another commentary on political manipulation and the dangers of totalitarianism. Thought provoking and endlessly relevant, George Orwell is a must read.
It is John Steinbeck’s ability to connect us to the raw
nature of what it means to be human that has established his place as a celebrated 20th Century writer.
Winning the noble prize for literature in 1962, Steinbeck’s commentary on society has made a huge impact on countless readers. Discover his extraordinary talent this Christmas.
