We call it justice—the assassination of Osama bin Laden, the incarceration of corrupt politicians or financiers like Rod Blagojevich and Bernard Madoff, and the climactic slaying of cinema-screen villains by superheroes. But could we not also call it revenge? We are told that revenge is uncivilized and immoral, an impulse that individuals and societies should actively repress and replace with the order and codes of courtroom justice. What, if anything, distinguishes punishment at the hands of the government from a victim’s individual desire for retribution? Are vengeance and justice really so very different? No, answers legal scholar and novelist Thane Rosenbaum in Payback: The Case for Revenge—revenge is, in fact, indistinguishable from justice. Revenge, Rosenbaum argues, is not the problem. It is, in fact, a perfectly healthy emotion. Instead, the problem is the inadequacy of lawful outlets through which to express it. He mounts a case for legal systems to punish the guilty commensurate with their crimes as part of a societal moral duty to satisfy the needs of victims to feel avenged. Indeed, the legal system would better serve the public if it gave victims the sense that vengeance was being done on their behalf. Drawing on a wide range of support, from recent studies in behavioral psychology and neuroeconomics, to stories of vengeance and justice denied, to revenge practices from around the world, to the way in which revenge tales have permeated popular culture—including Hamlet, The Godfather, and Braveheart—Rosenbaum demonstrates that vengeance needs to be more openly and honestly discussed and lawfully practiced. Fiercely argued and highly engaging, Payback is a provocative and eye-opening cultural tour of revenge and its rewards—from Shakespeare to The Sopranos. It liberates revenge from its social stigma and proves that vengeance is indeed ours, a perfectly human and acceptable response to moral injury. Rosenbaum deftly persuades us to reconsider a misunderstood subject and, along the way, reinvigorates the debate on the shape of justice in the modern world.

To get revenge, she’ll need a demon. To get his help, she’ll promise him anything. Explore the darker side of desire and human nature in this edgy, intense, searingly sexy, dark paranormal romance from Tiktok phenom Harley Laroux – now with bonus content for fans of Scarlett St. Clair, Katee Robert, and Laura Thalassa. Juniper After a cult tried to sacrifice me to their wicked God, I went on the run, doing whatever was necessary to survive. Until a demon offered me a deal: give him my soul and he'll help me claim the vengeance I seek. Blood will be spilled, and the monsters I once ran from will soon be running from me. But damning my soul was just the beginning—it’s my heart the demon wants next. Zane I’ve been hunting souls for centuries, but she’s the ultimate prize—vicious and feral with a broken soul as dark as my own. I thought claiming her would be a simple game, but Juniper is far from simple. I chose to follow her on a path drenched with the blood of her enemies, but it’s our blood that may be spilled next. As an ancient God wakes from its slumber, neither of us may survive.

Swedish public prosecutor Jana Berzelius is back in the twisted second instalment of Emelie Schepp’s award-winning series, perfect for fans of Jo Nesbø and Stieg Larsson.

Cheerleading co-captains Jessica Wakefield and Heather Mallone thought they'd found the perfect faculty advisor for their squad in Nancy Swanson. They were sure the mousy assistant librarian wouldn't cramp their style at all. But neither of them knows about the dark secret in Nancy's past, or how dangerous she really is.

Hit man Gideon traverses a steamy criminal underworld to confront the most challenging adversary of his career.

At the ball, she meets the prince of her dreams! Sarah is astonished to be approached by the man of her dreams at a masquerade party. She’d been so busy as a student that she never had time to fall in love and is still a virgin at twenty-five. So when Josh gently asks her out, she spends a passionate night with him! After the sweet dream of a night is over, Sarah resigns herself to reality and leaves without a word, but a few days later, she’s shocked when Josh appears as her new boss!

Book one in this new fantasy adventure series, Keeper of the Realms. 'I've just had a flesh-eating giant tearing around my house and now I'm in this strange land I don't know anything about!' CHARLIE KEEPER has been forced from her home by a bloodthirsty and terrifying stranger. But in escaping she discovers her house holds the gateway to the REALM OF BELLANIA - a place of myth, magic . . . and an evil Lord with a very bad attitude. NOW its fate rests squarely upon Charlie's shoulders. But before she can untangle the mystery that will save Bellania, she needs the answer to a life-changing secret her guardian, the dastardly Mr Crow, has been keeping from her . . . Just who is Charlie Keeper? A contemporary fantasy adventure for 10+ with elements of The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Discover more at www.keeperoftherealms.com + Previously published as Who is Charlie Keeper?