PETER BENSON

When young Elliot gets a labourer's job at Mr Evans's after being sacked from a pig farm for liberating six of its sows, he thinks he'll have even more opportunities to lean on gates or stare at fields But his best mate Spike keeps getting him into trouble, first by showing him what is being grown in a tucked-away polytunnel, and then turning up at his caravan's door with a van full of weed...

In 1971 the inhabitants of Diego Garcia, a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a place too small to find on a map and one of the last paradisical outposts of the Empire, were suddenly evicted from their homes to make way for a US military base.

When young Elliot gets a labourers job at Mr Evanss after being sacked from a pig farm for liberating six of its sows, he thinks hell have even more opportunities to lean on gates or stare at fields. But his best mate Spike keeps getting him into trouble, first by showing him what is being grown in a tucked-away polytunnel, and then turning up at his caravans door with a van full of weed. As Elliot tries to help his friend get rid of the hot merchandise, they find themselves at the receiving end of a cruel cat-and-mouse game. A tale of adventure with as many twists and turns as the enchanting Somerset landscape that forms its backdrop, Two Cows and a Vanful of Smoke is, above all, a celebration of the English countryside full of magic, history and superstition where smoke is in the air, and where not all is what it seems.

Ed Beech is one half of Beech Building Services. Hes based in Bermondsey but no jobs too small, no distance too great. So when hes asked to do some work on a house in Orkney, he loads the van with paint, tools and sandwiches, and takes off. He gets nervous around farm animals and large ships, and hes never been so far north, but when hes joined by Claire, his clients city banker sister, he discovers that in Stromness, anything is possible.Peter Bensons compelling new novel continues his exploration of unlikely relationships, and paints a vivid picture of a place where all is not what it seems, but might be."Whats on the menu at The Stromness Dinner? Small plates, big flavours. Peter Benson has the miniaturists eye for the tiny details that bring grand themes alive: the love of food, the love of island life, and a love of love itself. His novel is humorous, humane and horrible good (as we say in Stromness.)" Duncan McLean"Bensons snappy novel rattles along with irresistible pace and panache... his story will captivate and entertain and the happy ending is a great treat during the current pandemic nightmare." Val Hennessy

Matthew Baxter was almost there. Almost a writer, almost a lover, almost a traveller. He wrote for the Tread Lightly range of travel guides, he loved his boss and he was about to catch a plane to the south. His job was to give an out-of-season slant to the Italian guide, and he was ready. Almost. For everything wasn't exactly as it should have been. In fact, nothing was exactly as it should have been. Especially Matthew Baxter.Peter Benson's new novel is a story of (almost) unrequited love and a meditation on the possibility of redemption. It's also a tour of southern Italy, and aims to prove that although some people say "Never go back", some people don't know what they're talking about.

Seasoned woodcarver Peter Benson guides readers through the basics of whittling explaining what equipment is needed giving essential advice on best practice and showing how to carve safely The projects have clearly presented easy to follow instructions that increase in difficulty Readers can hone their whittling skills as they make their way through the book Projects include a dolphin polar bear kingfisher and more

"Engaging and entertaining, its the perfect read to provide a bit of escapism." Rhianon Holley; Buzz Magazine.Fargo Hawkins is 20, hes Harry Swaines gardener. One day, after he sees a fight between Harry and his wife Anne, Fargo steals a car and he, Anne and a dog called Radar go on the run. They are chased across England by Harry, a firm of detectives and their emotions. Eventually, at a caravan site in Wales, the climax between Fargo and Harry unfolds.