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Beginning its life as the sensational entertainment of the eighteenth century, the novel has become the major literary genre of modern times. Drawing on hundreds of examples of famous novels from all over the world, Marina MacKay explores the essential aspects of the novel and its history: where novels came from and why we read them; how we think about their styles and techniques, their people, plots, places, and politics. Between the main chapters are longer readings of individual works, from Don Quixote to Midnight's Children. A glossary of key terms and a guide to further reading are included, making this an ideal accompaniment to introductory courses on the novel.

Have you always wanted to write historical fiction but not known how to go about it? Or are you a published novelist who wants to switch genres? In her meticulously researched book, Marina Oliver covers all aspects of writing historical fiction.

Abigail Barton, an orphan has been brought up in Bath by Lady Jordan. Now her trustee insists she must go to London for the Season. She is being sponsored by Lady Padmore, who is also bringing out her own daughter and determined to marry off the girls. Intrigued by Abigail's unconventionality men make Abby offers of marriage. Will she accept?

Phoebe is delighted at the opportunity to go to Brussels as companion to Sally. Although Zachary, Earl of Wrekin, thinks she is too young, he relents. The company of her brother-in-law and his unpleasant sister on the journey is most irritating. Then Napoleon escapes from Elba and everything is in turmoil for Phoebe.

Rosabella Traherne is wealthy, thanks to her Nabob uncle. In Harrogate she is pursued because of her money, so decides to visit Bath incognito. There she might find a man who loves her for herself. Her cousin Jane, Lady Hodder, is persuaded to accompnay her and lend her countenance.

The first of a series of mystery novels by Marina Oliver, in which flamboyant Dodie Fanshaw becomes a detective. Wealthy, middle aged and four-times married Dodie Fanshaw is in Madeira to help make a film about her early life as a chorus girl and Hollywood starlet, and her husbands. She is not amused when her son Jake, indifferent actor, appeals to her for money. Instead of going back to England he remains in Madeira, and contrives to alienate Dodie's friends, a rival actor, the Madeiran family who run the hotel where he had been staying, and a wealthy elderly woman who is besotted by him. The situation becomes intolerable when Jake, drunk, abusive, and insulting everyone, comes uninvited to a party on a yacht on New Year's Eve, arranged to watch the annual Funchal firework spectacle. Marina has written over 70 novels, historical, contemporary, and Regency, as well as suspense and crime.

Sylvie Delamare's great-uncle Sir George sends her a mere £20 - claiming it to be a whole half of her inheritance - and she's infuriated. Her parents had been wealthy, so she wants to go and confront him in Norfolk. Meanwhile, she is invited to visit Lady Carstairs, her friend's aunt in London, to be presented. However, Sir Randal is suspicious of Sylvie, after seeing her with Monsieur Dupont, who he suspects is one of Napoleon's spies. Then when Sir Randal follows Dupont, he meets Sylvie in Norwich on her way to see Sir George. And when he offers her a lift - he becomes embroiled in her affairs.

Marigold Smith, born into the small mining town of Hednesford, is devoted to her family, especially the small and delicate Ivy, for whose accident she blames herself. She is determined to try and make life easier for Ivy and her middle sister, Poppy, as well as her hard-working parents. When she is given the chance of going into service in Oxford she meets the wealthy and charming Richard Endersby, whose father owns a factory in the Potteries. Despite the differences of class, education, and background they fall in love. Then comes the Great War, and Richard, a qualified pilot, joins the army. He is reported missing, Marigold's family is struck by tragedy, and she has to make an agonising decision in order to be able to help them. Through her they can escape from poverty and she can build a business to support them all.

When her grandfather, the Earl of Malvern, is dying and orders Kate Byford and her aunt to London after ignoring her all her life, she is highly indignant, but obeys. However, Kate is less willing to obey his other edict, that she marries his heir, Adam Rhydd, with whom she had an embarrassing encounter during her journey to London.

The second Dodie Fanshaw mystery by Marina Oliver, author of 80+ novels. Dodie's rural peace is shattered, first by a mermaid walking up the lawn from the river Thames, and then by a body near the pool. The body belonged to an author who lived next door. His girlfriend, publisher and agent, ex-lovers and neighbours crowd the garden. But who might have killed this best-selling novelist? And why? Inevitably Dodie is drawn into trying to solve the mystery.