Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans—though no one calls them that anymore. His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing. Then one day he’s given a gift: a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he’s aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost—and what might still be saved.

#1 Irish Times Bestseller! A modern travel tale—part personal pilgrimage, part political quest—that captures the power of human resilience "McKiernan sticks his thumb out, and somehow a healthy dose of humanity manages to roll up alongside him. . . . This book is a paean to nuance, decency and possibility."—Colum McCann, National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of Let the Great World Spin and Apeirogon. Following the collapse of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy, social activist Ruairí McKiernan questions whether he should join the mounting number of emigrants searching for greater opportunity elsewhere. McKiernan embarks on a hitchhiking odyssey with no money, no itinerary and no idea where he might end up each night. His mission: to give voice to those emerging from one of the most painful periods of economic and social turmoil in Ireland’s history. Engaging, provocative and sincere, Hitching for Hope is a testimony to the spirit of Ireland. It is an inspirational manifesto for hope and healing in troubled times.

Founded in 1859 as the voice of southern unionism, the Irish Times is now the authoritative newspaper of choice. Forced to make its peace with an independent Ireland in 1921, it was the bane of the censor during the Second World War and became the voice of liberalism during the 1950s. Reinventing itself as 'the paper of record' in the 1960s and becoming a Trust in 1974 the paper has always generated, and been at the centre of, controversial news stories. From the Mother and Child saga in 1951 to the Heavy Gang exposÃ?Â?Ã?Â(c) in 1977, from the Bishop Casey scandal in 1992 to 'Bertiegate' in 2006, this book examines the history of the institution that is the Irish Times. Beginning with the foundationÃ?Â?Ã?Â?of the paper in 1859, the book combines memoirs, personal papers, archives, company records, interviews and the newspaper's journalism to construct the first - and independent - history of Ireland's leading newspaper.

'Fascinating & compelling. I loved all four women' ELODIE HARPER, author of THE WOLF DEN 'MAGNIFICENT...It's simply too good' KATIE LOWE, author of THE FURIES 'Utterly compelling' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE, author of THE MERCIES ___________________________________________ Vienna, 1912. Behind every painting, there is a story... A new century is dawning. Vienna is at its zenith, an opulent, extravagant city teeming with art, music and radical ideas. It is a place where anything seems possible... Edith and Adele are sisters, the daughters of a wealthy bourgeois family. They are expected to follow the rules, to marry well, and produce children. Gertrude is in thrall to her flamboyant older brother. Marked by a traumatic childhood, she envies the freedom he so readily commands. Vally was born into poverty but is making her way in the world as a model for the eminent artist Gustav Klimt. Fierce, passionate and determined, none of these women is quite what they seem. But their lives are set on a collision course when they become entangled with the controversial young artist Egon Schiele whose work - and private life - are sending shockwaves through Viennese society. All it will take is a single act of betrayal to set their world on fire... _______________________________ 'Glorious' Guardian 'Intoxicating and evocative...full of controversy and drama. We loved it' Woman & Home 'Thought provoking and illuminating - I so enjoyed discovering the world and the women behind works of art I adore' KATE SAWYER, author of THE STRANDING 'An exquisite sense of place and era with a passion and sensuality that transcend time altogether.' ISABEL COSTELLO, author of SCENT 'Confident...urgent...illuminating' Sunday Times 'Impressive' The Times 'A stunning story of love, art and betrayal' RED magazine 'Full of scandal, love, betrayal, and heartache' Cosmopolitan 'Mesmerising' Good Housekeeping 'A drama of love, loss, rivalry and betrayal. A terrific debut, brilliantly imagined' Saga Debut of the Month 'An unforgettable book about wanting more for ourselves than we are told we are allowed' Ericka Waller, author of Dog Days