Showing results by narrator "Ciaran Saward" in All Categories

All societies, in their very different ways, are orderly. The very term 'society' implies the existence of a degree of organisation and predictability to human life. Orderliness, however, is a matter of degree. It is neither total, nor totally absent. In recent times, however, such concerns have largely given way to a greater preoccupation with disorderliness: with significant and disruptive social change; with rising crime and anti-social behaviour; and with a variety of other social problems. But what has really been happening?

How did life begin? Why are we here? These are some of the most profound questions we can ask. For almost a century, a small band of eccentric scientists has struggled to answer these questions and explain one of the greatest mysteries of all: how and why life began on Earth. There are many different proposals and each idea has attracted passionate believers who promote it with an almost religious fervour, as well as detractors who reject it with equal passion.

When David Bowie died on 10th January 2016, it seemed the whole world was united in mourning. His greatest hits were sung tearfully in pubs up and down Britain, garlands of flowers were left at the Aladdin Sane mural in his old stomping ground of Brixton and tributes poured in from a galaxy of stars. To many of us, Bowie was so much more than a pop idol. But why? In Why Bowie Matters, Professor Will Brooker answers that question persuasively, as both a fan and an academic.

It started with an invitation to dinner. An evening of good food and good company at a luxury villa. But as the night progresses, the party takes a dark turn. The host makes you an offer, a party favour he calls it: another guest has committed a heinous crime, you can end their life, stop their terror. He tells you there will be no consequences; do you believe him? Your decision will change your life. Choose carefully.

In the 1970s the US military believed they could create a ‘super soldier’ - one who could use psychic powers to walk through walls, disarm the enemy through telepathy or kill a goat by staring at it. The brain behind these techniques was Michael Murphy, one of the founders of New Age spiritualism in the hippy enclaves of San Francisco. But Murphy’s primary goal was to use these powers in sport to create a supreme athlete capable of extraordinary feats.

Shiver Point is boring. Nothing interesting ever happens there and there's never anything fun to do. At least that's what Alex has always thought. Until one night, in the dead dark, he spots what looks like a meteorite plummeting into Howlmoor Forest. Intrigued, Alex goes to investigate. But little does he know, four other kids have also spotted the strange streak in the sky: 'troublemaker' Oli, studious Sophia, curious Mo and budding engineer Riley. What they discover is far beyond their wildest dreams - in fact it belongs in their nightmares.

To the outside world, the Goodlights are perfect. Julia is a lawyer, Paul a stay-at-home dad who has dedicated his life to helping their daughter Chrissie achieve her dreams as a talented violinist. But on the night of a prestigious music competition, which has the power to change everything for Chrissie and her family, Chrissie goes missing. She puts on the performance of a lifetime, then completely disappears. Suddenly every single crack, every single secret that the family is hiding risks being exposed. Because the Goodlights aren’t perfect. Not even close.

This term begins with a school trip to the coast, where Harley stumbles upon a mysterious fossil. Could it be that Harley has discovered an entirely new dinosaur species? Meanwhile, eager to best her class nemesis Fenelda in the contest for best invention, Harley dreams big with her attempt to invent a time travel machine. It doesn't seem to work, but soon strange happenings all over Inventia make her question whether the time travel machine might work after all! But what to do about the huge dinosaur that has been spotted in Forgetown?

When Riley notices a new scarecrow in the field by her house, she doesn't think much of it. Until she hears rumours of break-ins across town and strange figures sighted in the fields when the sun goes down. And then one night she hears a tap at the window... It's time to get the Shiver Squad on the case. But when all roads lead them to the abandoned Darkraven Farm, will they be able to save the town from the scarecrow's vengeance in time?

Meet the Tobin family. Joy, the complicated, troubled mother; Conor, the high-achieving eldest child; Frances, the 'perfect' middle child and youngest daughter, Sinead, the acclaimed writer. When Joy's children receive the news that she has only days to live, they rush to her side, bringing with them all of the dysfunction and hurt they have been carrying since their childhoods. Each is at a crossroads in their lives - but there's one more secret about their mother they need to learn. Will they finally be able to forgive their mother and, in doing so, face their futures together?

Run. Don’t look back. When a young teenager is stabbed to death at a busy fairground, Detective Mark Turpin is assigned the task of finding the boy’s killer. But this was no random murder. Mark knows the victim, and the man who ordered his death. As he sifts through the young victim’s final days, he uncovers a powerful crime syndicate that will do anything to protect its interests. Then tragedy strikes, and suddenly Mark isn’t just trying to solve a murder–he’s fighting for his own survival.

This business novel is a story about Bob Bingham. He’s overwhelmed by running his small business. He works all hours – fixing production problems, designing special products, selling, keeping customers happy, and trying to manage his staff whom he considers mostly idiots. As his company has grown, the bottom line has stagnated. He’s under pressure from a once-patient investor who now wants returns. A big customer has stopped paying bills. Stock control is poor, causing last-minute buying at high prices. Bob’s marriage is at risk. He’s gaining weight because of a lack of exercise.

Oswald doesn’t want a new friend either, especially not a book-loving, bed-making, broccoli-eating boy. But when an imaginary friend gets a new assignment, they’re stuck there until the kid no longer needs them. And with Oswald’s home world of Imagination mysteriously crumbling away into nothing, befriending Reggie seems like a safer bet than disappearing with it. But when Oswald forgets Reggie’s birthday, Reggie runs away to Imagination.

When the body of a young woman is found by the side of a quiet country road, police first suspect a hit and run. Then a darker side to the victim is uncovered–a dangerous addiction that led to her violent death. With little sympathy from a local population, Detective Mark Turpin faces a daunting task to track down her killer. When a second victim dies after a ferocious attack, Mark realises someone is determined to hide the truth. Both victims kept to the shadows of society–will their secrets die with them?

The Aviation Parade is coming to Forgetown this summer, and Harley has her sights set on creating a flying machine that will really stand out – a flying robot hippogriff! And if the creature impresses Cosmo's mum enough, surely Cosmo will be able to keep it as a pet? But Harley wants the flying machine to be a surprise for everyone. She soon finds that keeping secrets leads to tricky explanations and lots of trouble – especially when real hippogriffs arrive and cause chaos!

When archaeologists discover a skeleton in secluded woodland, the body is first thought to be related to an ancient Saxon settlement. Then the torn and rotten remains of another woman’s bones are uncovered, her injuries bearing the markings of abuse and a violent death. Detective Mark Turpin is tasked with finding their killer, except the forensic evidence is perplexing and the victims’ bodies are proving impossible to identify. When a third victim is discovered only metres from the first, Mark and his team realise they’re running out of time to find out whoever is responsible.

Apologise… Hell, No! The Power of an Apology in an Entitled World is a visceral audiobook that explores the ups and down of the apology in a world that's forgetting how to say sorry and mean it.

It's bedtime, and Mo isn't sleepy. Not one tiny bit. 'I don't want to go to bed!' he giggles. 'I want to play!' 'But someone has got to go to bed,' says Grandma. 'Maybe I should go up to bed and you can stay up.' 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' laughs Mo, but putting Grandma to bed is harder than he thought ...

It's Kip's second term at Quicksmiths College of Strange Energy, and he and the rest of Team Glowflyer seem to be no nearer to unlocking the secrets of The Ark of Ideas set by Renaissance genius Eartha Quicksmith. But when an accident separates the four friends, and plunges Kip and Timmi on a rollercoaster journey through time and space, they must defeat a dangerous enemy and unravel the mysteries of the Myriads if they are ever to get home again.

Join adorable characters like Hedgehog, Tortoise, Tiger, Crocodile, Fox, Badger and Magpie as they embark on heart-warming adventures. From seeking hugs and finding love in unexpected places to cherishing the power of friendship and family bonds, these stories will captivate young listeners and teach valuable lessons along the way.