A large number of poisonous plants have beneficial uses in both domestic medicine and magic. Needless to say, when utilising a toxic plant in magic, we are adding certain extra deadly or potent energies into the mix and it is inadvisable to start messing about with deadly poisons unless we’ve made a thorough study of the subject - and not just by glancing at a paragraph in a book on herbal preparations!

This is the story of two journeys. The first is the cruise of the sailing yacht Cybele. The second is the journey into a woman’s past. After ten years of marriage, Roger and Emily Stratton decide on a second honeymoon. He is a writer and has bought a tiny sailing yacht for a Caribbean cruise. A few days out of port they are anchored off an uninhabited island when the scheme begins to rumble around in Roger’s mind: Perhaps, even after ten years of marriage, there is a way, some way, to make his and Emily’s love what he has always dreamed it would be. Three days later they go ashore and Roger broaches his plan to Emily: “Suppose you and I pledge each other to tell the complete and utter truth, including all our past, good, bad or heretofore unspeakable,” he said. “Suppose we spend the rest of this cruise prying and probing into every past act no matter how reprehensible...no matter how hurtful or deadly or disgusting it seems at the time....If we really do a full job, in complete honesty with each other, I believe with all my heart that we can build ourselves the finest love any couple could want.” Emily agrees. She believes her behaviour has been no better or worse than that of any of the other women in her circle who pride themselves on their civilized sophistication. Nor does she have any idea of just how much she has to hide, or of what she will finally be driven to reveal. In her innocence, she adds to Roger’s plan with the suggestion that their confessions will be wonderful material for his next novel. In MANDRAKE ROOT, Frederic Wakeman tells a story which reaches to the heart of many, many marriages. His novel is a mature and painstaking consideration of what went wrong in a marriage and how two people tried to save their failure. “Why anyone would read the Kinsey Report when this is available passes understanding.”—Pasadena Star-News

An officially licensed collectible replica of the unforgettable mandrake root from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's herbology class. Complete with sound of the plant's cry, this is a perfect gift for fans of the Wizarding World. SPECIFICATIONS: Mini replica of the mandrake potted plant; Plays audio of mandrake cry when pulled up from the pot; Measures 3 inches AUTHENTIC AUDIO: Includes mandrake cry as heard in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets IDENTIFICATION CARD INCLUDED: An illustrated description card provides essential information on the mandrake PERFECT GIFT: A unique gift for fans of the wizarding world OFFICIALLY LICENSED: Authentic collectible

Josephina, a journalist living in Manhattan, flies to Jerusalem to meet David, her occasional lover, for whom she works sometimes as a freelance reporter. On this trip, she decides to look up Gloria, a woman she first met on a trip to the Holy Land when they were both fresh out of college. Unlike Josephina, Gloria has decided to live in Israel, stay married to one man, raise her children, and teach school. For Josephina, Glorias life represents the road not taken, a stark contrast to her sophisticated milieu of Manhattan and her urbane life spent visiting places of interest all over the world. As part of her assignment for David, Josephina interviews United Nations forces in Eilat along the Lebanese border. She has an absurd meeting with the head of the Chemical Concern, one of the major polluters of the Eastern Mediterranean, and then flies off to cover the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in London. But is she truly happy? Mandrake Root is a love story juxtaposed against the turbulent times in the Middle East and the challenges of the eighties.

A sailing ship leaves Scotland, headed for South Australia. For the passengers, the voyage offers a fresh start in a promising land. But on the way they meet sudden malice and inexplicable danger and at the end of their voyage, the ship is wrecked in a wild winter storm. There are only two survivors a seventeen-year-old girl and a young seaman who take shelter in a cave to wait out the storm. There they find warmth, security and love. When the storm is over and they finally emerge, there is something left behind. Something evil. A hundred years later, another young couple uncover the place where the lovers found sanctuary. But some things are best left undisturbed ENDORSEMENTS One of the most intriguing stories that I have encountered in a very long time. Margaret Dunkle, Australian Bookseller & Publisher