Books published by publisher Hot Key Books

Shortlisted for the Peters Book of the Year.Preparing to survive a typical day of being Digby's friend wasn't that different from preparing to survive the Apocalypse When Digby first shows up on her doorstep, Zoe Webster is not impressed. He's rude, he's smart, and he doesn't take 'no' for an answer. But before she knows it, Digby has dragged her into a series of hilarious and dangerous situations all related to an investigation into the kidnapping of a girl from their high school. A kidnapping that may be connected to the tragic disappearance of his own sister eight years ago.Peppered with razor-sharp dialogue, this is a romance that is decidedly unromantic, a crime novel where catching the crook isn't the only hook, and a debut novel you won't forget.

The Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist discusses America’s most taboo topics in a no-holds-barred extended interview with Salon founder David Talbot. Chris Hedges has been telling truth to (and against) power since his earliest days as a radical journalist. An intellectual heir to heroes such as Thomas Paine and Noam Chomsky, he continues to confront American empire in the most incisive, challenging ways. In Unspeakable, Hedges and Salon founder David Talbot discuss the most pressing issues that face our nation. He tackles the rise of a fascist right in support of Donald Trump; the false posturing of inclusivity from establishment elites on both sides of the aisle; politicians who continue to implement policies that widen income inequality; the contemporary glamorization of the military and the unchallenged hawkishness of contemporary American foreign policy; and many other topics. Hedges also discusses a path forward, underscoring the necessity of protest movements—such as Black Lives Matter—that represent Americans refusing to take the destruction of their country lying down. If we are to combat the intellectual and moral decay that have taken hold of American life, we must listen to the urgent messages raised in this book.

From the critically acclaimed author of THIS BOOK IS GAY, James Dawson, now writing as Juno Dawson.We all have a mind, so we all need to take care of our mental health as much as we need to take care of our physical health. And the first step is being able to talk about our mental health. Juno Dawson leads the way with this frank, factual and funny book, with added information and support from clinical psychologist Dr Olivia Hewitt. Covering topics from anxiety and depression to addiction, self-harm and personality disorders, Juno and Olivia talk clearly and supportively about a range of issues facing young people's mental health - whether fleeting or long-term - and how to manage them. With real-life stories from young people around the world and witty illustrations from Gemma Correll.

When the present offers no hope for the future, the answers may lie in the pastAJ Flynn has just failed all but one of his GCSEs, and his future is looking far from rosy. So when he is offered a junior position at a London law firm he hopes his life is about to change - but he could never have imagined by how much. Tidying up the archive one day, AJ finds an old key, mysteriously labelled with his name and date of birth - and he becomes determined to find the door that fits the key. And so begins an amazing journey to a very real and tangible past - 1830, to be precise - where the streets of modern Clerkenwell are replaced with cobbles and carts, and the law can be twisted to suit a villain's means. Although life in 1830 is cheap, AJ and his friends quickly find that their own lives have much more value. They've gone from sad youth statistics to young men with purpose - and at the heart of everything lies a crime that only they can solve. But with enemies all around, can they unravel the mysteries of the past, before it unravels them? A fast-paced mystery novel by one of the country's finest writers, and a UKLA Book Awards 2016 shortlisted title, THE DOOR THAT LED TO WHERE will delight, surprise and mesmerise all those who read it.

The fifth book in the page-turning SPELLSLINGER fantasy series. Kellen and Reichis have just finished fighting a duel in the desert when Kellen inadvertently smears blood on the Daroman flag - an act of treason for which the Marshals have no choice but to arrest him. Just before he's put before the Queen to be executed, Kellen is given a strange piece of advice from one of his fellow prisoners: kill the Queen and he'll be given clemency by those who take power. But when Kellen comes face-to-face with the eleven year-old monarch, he realises she's vastly smarter than he expected - and in a great deal more danger. Perfect for fans of The Dark Tower, Firefly, Guardians of the Galaxy, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher.

'In an ancient city by the sea, three sisters - a maiden, a mother, and a crone - are drawing maps by candlelight. Sombre, with piercing grey eyes, they are the three Fates, and every map is a human life . . .'Stepsister takes up where Cinderella's tale ends. We meet Isabelle, the younger of Cinderella's two stepsisters. Ella is considered beautiful; stepsister Isabelle is not. Isabelle is fearless, brave, and strong-willed. She fences better than any boy, and takes her stallion over jumps that grown men fear to attempt. It doesn't matter, though; these qualities are not valued in a girl. Others have determined what is beautiful, and Isabelle does not fit their definition. Isabelle must face down the demons that drove her cruel treatment of Ella, challenge her own fate and maybe even redefine the very notion of beauty . . .Cinderella is about a girl who was bullied; Stepsister is about the bully. We all root for the victims, we want to see them triumph. But what about the bullies? Is there hope for them? Can a mean girl change? Can she find her own happily ever after?

In her weakest moment, Rory will find true strengthGrieving, shaken, and feeling very much alone, Rory's life as a member of the Shades of London has changed irrevocably. It's only been a matter of hours since Stephen was taken from her, possibly for ever. Her classmate Charlotte is still missing, kidnapped by the same people who tried to take Rory. Rory is no longer a schoolgirl haplessly involved in the dealings of a secret government unit. She is their weapon in a matter of life and death. With hardly a moment to think for herself, Rory gets back to work. Charlotte must be found -- as must Stephen, if he is even out there. Lines must be drawn and forces rallied. Something is brewing under London, something bigger and much more dangerous than what has come before. The Shadow Cabinet holds the key to everything, and it is up to Rory to unravel its mysteries before time runs out...

A sensual and provocative novel about the power and the peril of dreamingIn the world of FEARSOME DREAMER, England has become Angle Tar - a technophobic and fiercely independent country holding its own against the mass of other nations that is World. Rue is an apprenticed hedgewitch in rural Angle Tar, but she knows she is destined for greater things. After being whisked off to the city by the enigmatic Frith, Rue becomes the student of White, a young Worlder with a Talent that is much in demand: White is no ordinary Dreamer - but then neither is Rue. Both can physically 'jump' to different places when they dream - and both have more power than they know. Rue and White find themselves electrically attracted to each other - but who is the mysterious silver-eyed boy stalking Rue's dreams? And why is he so interested in her relationship with White? Is Rue about to discover just how devastatingly real dreams can be...?

A starkly original and heartbreaking tale of friendship and rebellionWinner of the Carnegie Medal and a 2012 Costa Award winner. Narrated against the backdrop of a ruthless regime determined to beat its enemies in the race to the moon, MAGGOT MOON is the stunning new novel from award-winning author Sally Gardner.When his best friend Hector is suddenly taken away, Standish Treadwell realises that it is up to him, his grandfather and a small band of rebels to confront and defeat the ever-present oppressive forces of the Motherland. Utterly original and stunning, it is impossible not to be moved by MAGGOT MOON's powerful story and the unforgettable heroism of Standish.

Al Capone is causing trouble for Moose Flanagan again - but this time, is it deadly?It's 1936, and Matthew 'Moose' Flanagan lives on Alcatraz Island. No, really. His father's just been promoted to deputy warden - so Moose, his mom and his autistic sixteen-year-old sister Natalie are expecting to enjoy some new benefits, even if everyone says his dad's too nice for the job. The last thing they expect is for their apartment to burn down on his second day. The tight-knit community of prison guards, their wives and their children are a mixture of welcoming and accusing - even the nicest people (heck, even Moose's mom) think Natalie probably had something to do with it - but Moose is sure she didn't. Nat's not dangerous, she's just... different. Determined to prove his sister innocent, Moose and his gang of fellow 'inmate' children must work quickly to find out just who started the fire - and why. But what they aren't expecting is a note from an old 'friend' of theirs: Alcatraz's 'star boarder' and the most famous gangster in America - maybe even the world - convict #85. Al Capone...

Meet Ben Fletcher, an Adrian Mole for a new generationBen Fletcher must get to grips with his more 'feminine' side following an unfortunate incident with a lollipop lady and a stolen bottle of Martini Rosso from Waitrose. All a big misunderstanding of course. To avoid the Young Offenders unit, Ben is ordered to give something back to the community and develop his sense of social alignment. Take up a hobby and keep on the straight and narrow. The hot teacher he likes runs a knitting group so Ben, reluctantly at first, gets 'stuck in'. Not easy when your dad is a sports fan and thinks Jeremy Clarkson is God. To his surprise, Ben finds that he likes knitting and that he has a mean competitive streak. If he can just keep it all a secret from his mates...and notice that the girl of his dreams, girl-next-door Megan Hooper has a bit of a thing for him... Laugh-out-loud, often ridiculous, sometimes quite touching, and revelatory about the knitting world, BOYS DON'T KNIT is a must for boys and girls...