The Royal Mail by James Wilson Hyde is an accurate history of how mail was transported from place to place in England during the late 1800s. Contents: "OLD ROADS II. POSTBOYS III. STAGE AND MAIL COACHES IV. FOOT-POSTS V. MAIL-PACKETS VI. SHIPWRECKED MAILS VII. AMOUNT OF WORK VIII. GROWTH OF CERTAIN POST-OFFICES..."
Call centres and contact centres form an important and rapidly growing part of today's business world. They present a range of management challenges, from strategic decisions about how to develop a customer strategy, business planning, through to detailed considerations of staffing levels and appropriate technology. This new handbook, the first of its kind, provides a unique insight giving expert opinions on how to get the most out of your contact centre operations. Natalie Calvert, a specialist in the field, has brought together a team of 35 experienced practitioners who provide invaluable knowledge, share their experiences and draw on real-life examples to suggest practical solutions on a wide range of topics. This handbook is an indispensible guide and reference for call and contact centre managers, HR specialists and senior executives responsible for marketing, sales or customer services. The handbook is divided into six parts: I The business plan II The people factor III Contact centre technology IV Standards, processes, and outsourcing V Building profitable customer relationships VI The future.
A lively account of the modern staging of the medieval mystery plays, richly illustrated with stills and other photographs. The turn of the last millennium saw a sudden flourishing in the revival of the medieval mystery plays, with a number of different productions being staged across the country and further afield. But why were they staged? What features of the plays attracted the modern-day director? What can the mystery plays offer today's producers, directors, participants and audiences? This book seeks to answer these questions. Beginning with an exploration of the original staging conditions, the study goes on to examine the reasons why the plays are produced today, and through a series of case studies looks at how notions of community, identity and space are articulated within contemporary stagings: it considers productions at Chester, Chichester, Leeds, Lichfield, Lincoln, Toronto, Worsbrough, and York, as well as productions by the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Importantly, the author uses evidence gleaned from interviews with directors and producers, and observation of rehearsals, and performances, to bring a fresh and modern perspective to bear. Richly illustrated. KATIENORMINGTON is Professor of Drama at Royal Holloway, University of London.
THE GREATEST BRITISH DETECTIVES - Ultimate Collection: 270+ Murder Mysteries, Suspense Thrillers & Crime Stories (Illustrated Edition) stands as a monumental anthology in the world of detective and mystery fiction. It encapsulates the breadth and diversity of a genre that has captivated readers for generations, showcasing a range of literary styles from the cunningly plotted whodunit to the psychological thriller. Significantly, the collection presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the evolution of detective fiction through its most pivotal eras, highlighting contributions that have shaped and defined the genre. The anthology's eclectic mix reflects not just on the crimes but the societal contexts and the moral quandaries faced by its protagonists, offering readers an immersive journey through the labyrinth of crime and justice. The backgrounds of the contributing authors, including luminaries like Arthur Conan Doyle and G.K. Chesterton, provide a rich tapestry of the literary and cultural milieu from which these stories emerged. Collectively, their work speaks to the burgeoning interest in crime fiction during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mirroring the anxieties of the time and experimenting with new narrative structures. This collection aligns with various historical and literary movements, from the intricate puzzles of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction to the hard-boiled realism that emerged in response to World War I's disillusionment, showcasing how these varied voices contribute to a multi-faceted understanding of crime and its repercussions. This anthology is an essential read for those keen on delving into the depths of human psyche and society through the lens of detective fiction. It offers an unparalleled chance to engage with the seminal works that have defined and expanded the boundaries of the mystery genre. For scholars, enthusiasts, and casual readers alike, this collection promises not only an education in the genres evolution but also an expansive exploration of the themes of justice, morality, and human cunning. Each story invites readers into a complex dialogue between author, detective, and the enigmatic allure of the unsolved, making this collection a valuable addition to any literary repertoire.
The Best British Detective Books: 270+ Murder Mysteries, Crime Stories & Suspense Thrillers is a monumental anthology that showcases the breadth and diversity of British detective fiction. Encompassing over 270 narratives, this collection spans a variety of literary styles, from the deductive reasoning of Sherlock Holmes to the ingeniously plotted psychological mysteries that characterize early 20th-century British literature. The anthology does not only entertain but serves as a pivotal study in the evolution of detective fiction, highlighting seminal works that have shaped the genre. Each story, carefully curated, stands as a hallmark of the narrative intrigue and complexity for which British detective stories are renowned. The contributing authors, including luminaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle and G.K. Chesterton, hail from a vibrant period in literary history, marked by the burgeoning of detective fiction as a genre. Collectively, their backgroundsa blend of journalism, medicine, and literaturereflect the interdisciplinary origins of detective storytelling. Their works, aligned with the cultural and intellectual currents of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, offer insights into the societal anxieties and moral dilemmas of their time. This anthology thus not only enriches the reader's appreciation of detective fiction but also offers a lens through which to view historical and cultural shifts. Inviting both aficionados and newcomers to the genre, this collection offers a unique opportunity to dive into the rich tapestry of British detective literature. Through its comprehensive scope, the anthology promotes an understanding of the genre's development while fostering an appreciation for the artistry and ingenuity of its authors. Readers are encouraged to explore this collection for both its scholarly value and its sheer entertainment, discovering the timeless appeal of mysteries that continue to captivate and intrigue audiences worldwide.
Follow the further adventures of newlyweds John and Julia Pickett as they solve mysteries and struggle to make their unequal marriage work. “John Pickett…[is]…a little young, but wholly delectable.” —All About Romance FOR DEADER OR WORSE After a modest wedding ceremony at the home of his magistrate, John Pickett and his bride Julia depart London for Somersetshire, where Pickett faces his greatest challenge yet: meeting his in-laws. Sir Thaddeus and Lady Runyon are unimpressed with their new son-in-law, but the squire asks for his help nevertheless. Lady Runyon believes the house is haunted by the ghost of her elder daughter Claudia, who disappeared thirteen years earlier and whose body was never found. When Sir Thaddeus’s groom is discovered with his throat slit, Pickett decides to investigate on his father-in-law’s behalf. Then Claudia’s childhood sweetheart takes a hand, and it appears the distant past is not so distant, after all. MYSTERY LOVES COMPANY Back in London following his honeymoon, Bow Street Runner John Pickett finds it galling to be financially dependent on Julia, his aristocratic bride. When he’s summoned to Lady Washbourn’s town residence, Pickett discovers that he has something in common with the young countess: like himself, she has married above her station, and finds herself adrift in a world to which she does not truly belong. Now she fears her husband is trying to kill her—and when a maid dies during her masquerade ball, it appears she may be right. With a reward of fifty pounds sterling riding on his successful resolution of the case, the marriage Pickett saves just might be his own. PERIL BY POST Summoned to England’s scenic Lake District by an anonymous letter, Bow Street Runner John Pickett poses as a honeymooning tourist along with his wife, Julia. But Pickett’s contact is murdered before he can disclose the reason for the summons. And since Julia saw it happen, it appears she might be next on the killer’s list. INTO THIN EIRE Haunted by memories of his last case, in which an innocent woman was killed, Bow Street Runner John Pickett welcomes the distraction of a new challenge in England’s West Country—although he wishes his traveling companion might be his wife, Julia, instead of his Bow Street colleague Harry Carson. Then word reaches Pickett that Julia has been abducted, and it soon becomes clear that someone else remembers that last case—someone with a thirst for vengeance. BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A CRIME? When word reaches Bow Street of a child fleeing the scene of a botched robbery—a child bearing a striking resemblance to a certain Bow Street Runner—John Pickett realizes he has a half-brother running amok in the rookeries of London. When he discovers the boy has fallen in with a criminal gang, Pickett must work against one of his Bow Street colleagues before ten-year-old Kit is arrested and perhaps even hanged. But the price for obtaining the boy's freedom may prove to be higher than he can afford to pay…