28 Intermediate Level Council of Europe level: B1 · 28 MACMILLAN READERS “A” is for Alibi Sue Grafton, retold by John Escott Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

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MACMILLAN READERS

www.macmillanenglish.com/readers

“A” is for Alibi Sue Grafton,retold by John Escott

Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Kinsey Millhone, a twice-divorced, independent 32-year-old private detective, lives and works in southern California.

Recently released from an eight-year jail sentence for the murder of her husband, Nikki Fife asks the detective to prove her innocence and find the real murderer.

Recommended for older readers.

112pp American English 978 1 4050 7287 8

Availability: Worldwide Age 16+

“B” is for BurglarSue Grafton,retold by John Escott


Another exciting mystery by one of America’s most popular and successful novelists. Kinsey Millhone’s latest case takes her from Florida to her home town of Santa Teresa in California, on the trail of a missing woman.




Barack ObamaCarl W Hart

History/Human Interest/Politics

Who is the man behind the world’s most famous politician? Barack Obama has been shaped by his experience of many different cultures. He is the son of a white American mother and a black Kenyan father. He grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. This Macmillan Biography looks at the people and places that most influenced Obama’s rise from wayward teenager to his inauguration in 2009 as America’s first black president.



Bridget Jones’s DiaryHelen Fielding,retold by Anne Collins

Romance/Humour/Human Interest

Helen Fielding’s story of the loveable Bridget, and her struggles with men and weight, was made internationally famous by the film starring Hugh Grant and Renée Zellweger. You’ve seen the film, now read the Reader!


120pp British English 978 0 2307 1670 4

Availability: Worldwide, ex. US, its territories and

dependencies Age 16+

Bristol MurderPhilip Prowse


Peter, a long distance lorry driver, gives a lift to a 16-year-old hitch-hiker outside Bristol. As they talk, Peter discovers that John has run away from home after a violent row with his uncle. The police are searching for John. His uncle has been found dead and the police want to question the boy.



Intermediate Level Council of Europe level: B1

3 Audio CDs and Extra Exercises available for selected titles Beautifully illustrated throughout 64–112 pages 1,600 key wordsBackground information notes Points for Understanding questions Glossaries Online support

NEW 2011

Bridget Jones: The Edge of ReasonHelen Fielding,retold by Anne Collins

Romance/Humour/Human Interest

It’s a new year and Bridget has a boyfriend at last; the handsome and successful lawyer, Mark Darcy! But soon the beautiful – and determined – Rebecca appears on the scene to steal Mark away. Heartbroken and confused, Bridget decides to go on holiday to Thailand with her friend Shazzer. There Bridget’s problems only get worse.




dependencies, Canada and the Philippines Age 16+

NEW 2011

MACMILLAN READERS


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Dr NoIan Fleming,retold by Anne Collins

Human Interest/Travel/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the sudden disappearance of the island’s Governor. When he arrives, 007 begins to suspect that there is a link to Dr No, the owner of a remote island. There have been several strange deaths on this island, which the local people blame on a mysterious and terrifying ‘dragon’.




Dr NoIan Fleming,retold by Anne Collins


Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the sudden disappearance of the island’s Governor. When he arrives, 007 begins to suspect that there is a link to Dr No, the owner of a remote island. There have been several strange deaths on this island, which the local people blame on a mysterious and terrifying ‘dragon’.




EmmaJane Austen,retold by Margaret Tarner

Human Interest/Romance

One of Jane Austen’s finest works, Emma is the story of a wealthy and beautiful girl whose favourite hobby is matchmaking. But when she tries to bring her friend Harriet together with Mr Elton, a young widower, the results are disastrous.



The Enchanted AprilElizabeth von Arnim,retold by Margaret Tarner

Travel/Human Interest/Romance

Unhappy and restless in rain-soaked London, four very different women answer an advertisement in The Times newspaper to rent a medieval castle for the month of April. There, amidst the sunshine and flowers, they rediscover happiness.



The Eye of the TigerWilbur Smith,retold by Margaret Tarner

Crime/Detection/ Adventure/Thriller/Spy

A retold version of a thrilling adventure story by one of the most popular writers of fiction.

Harry Fletcher has left a life of international crime behind him to run a game-fishing charter boat from an island off the East African coast. But his past catches up with him and he has to use all his talents to survive against some very dangerous men.



dependencies and the Philippines. Age 15+

Daisy MillerHenry James


Use your Macmillan Essential Dictionary with this book.

I S B N 978-0-2300-2685-8

9 7 8 0 2 3 0 0 2 6 8 5 8

David CopperfieldCharles Dickens

David CopperfieldCharles Dickens,retold by Elizabeth Walker

History/Politics/Romance

When David Copperfield’s father dies, his mother is forced to marry Edward Murdstone, a cruel and domineering man. David’s early life is one of poverty and hardship. Finally the young boy runs away to Dover and takes refuge with a lost aunt. David goes on to make many friends and finds great success, but he must endure much suffering and loss along the way.



DraculaBram Stoker, retold by Margaret Tarner

Mystery/Horror/Ghost

‘“Welcome to my house,” he said. “Enter Castle Dracula, Mr. Harker.” As I stepped inside, Count Dracula took hold of my arm. He was terribly strong and his hand was as cold as ice.’



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MACMILLAN READERS


GoldfingerIan Fleming,retold by Anne Collins


During a stopover in Miami, Bond meets Auric Goldfinger and soon discovers that the multi-millionaire is a sophisticated cheat. Bond follows him to Switzerland and soon finds out that Goldfinger is planning a daring crime – to steal the gold from the US Treasury in Fort Knox.




The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald,retold by Margaret Tarner


Nick Carraway rents a house on Long Island. The house next door is owned by the fabulously rich and handsome Jay Gatsby. Nick’s cousin Daisy is young, beautiful and unhappily married. Nick soon finds himself caught between the reunited lovers, Daisy and Gatsby.




dependencies, Canada and the Philippines. Age 15+

HamletWilliam Shakespeare,retold by Margaret Tarner

History/Romance/Human Interest

Shakespeare’s famous story of the young Prince Hamlet’s journey into despair and revenge after learning that his uncle is his father’s murderer.

This Macmillan Reader is written as a playscript and includes original extracts.



The Jewel That Was Ours – an Inspector Morse MysteryColin Dexter,retold by Anne Collins


Inspector Morse, accompanied by Sergeant Lewis, attempts to find the connection between a stolen medieval artefact, the sudden death of an American tourist and the murder of a philandering Oxford academic.





Jurassic ParkMichael Crichton,retold by F. H. Cornish

Adventure/Thriller/Spy/Science Fiction/Fantasy

The most famous and profitable movie of its time. Now, in this retold version of Michael Crichton’s gripping novel, readers have an opportunity to experience the same thrills as the characters who visit John Hammond’s theme park and come face to face with living, breathing dinosaurs for the first time in 64 million years.




Daisy MillerHenry James


Use your Macmillan Essential Dictionary with this book.

I S B N 978-0-2300-2685-8

9 7 8 0 2 3 0 0 2 6 8 5 8

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableStephen Colbourn

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableStephen Colbourn

Adventure/Mystery/History

When Arthur pulls the sword from the stone, he becomes king of the land of Logres. Arthur chooses the beautiful Guinevere to be his queen and builds a castle at Camelot. Here he is joined by the famous Knights of the Round Table, whose adventures include slaying dragons, rescuing maidens and fighting the spells of Arthur’s half-sister, the cruel sorceress, Morgana.



MACMILLAN READERS


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Meet Me in IstanbulRichard Chisholm

Travel/Crime/Detection/ Adventure/Thriller/Spy

An adventure thriller set in Turkey.

Tom Smith flies to Istanbul to join his fiancée for a holiday. But Angela fails to meet him that evening as arranged and she is not at her apartment either. The next morning Tom hears some terrible news: Angela was killed in a driving accident – a week ago.



The Merchant of VeniceWilliam Shakespeare,retold by Rachel Bladon

History/Romance/Human Interest

Shylock lends money to the merchant Antonio but the stakes are high. When Antonio cannot pay him back, Shylock demands a terrible punishment...

This Macmillan Reader is written as a playscript and includes original extracts.



My Cousin RachelDaphne du Maurier,retold by Margaret Tarner

Human Interest/Romance/Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Philip Ashley receives letters from his guardian in Italy, who complains of terrible headaches and then becomes sure that his young wife is trying to murder him.



dependencies. Age 15+

Live and Let DieIan Flemingretold by John Escott

Adventure/Romance/Thriller

In Live and Let Die, Bond finds himself in Jamaica investigating the underworld criminal ‘Mr Big’, who is suspected of selling antique gold coins to finance Soviet spy operations. As usual, Bond gets caught up in many dangerous situations. He also falls in love with Mr Big’s girlfriend, the mysterious and beautiful Solitaire.




Live and Let DieIan Flemingretold by John Escott

Adventure/Romance/Thriller

In in Jamaica investigating the underworld criminal ‘Mr Big’, who is suspected of selling antique gold coins to finance Soviet spy operations. As usual, Bond gets caught up in many dangerous situations. He also falls in love with Mr Big’s girlfriend, the mysterious and beautiful Solitaire.




A Kiss Before DyingIra Levin,retold by F. H. Cornish

Adventure/Thriller/Spy

A young man, finding out that his girlfriend is pregnant, cold-bloodedly adjusts his plans for marrying into a wealthy industrialist family.

Throughout his life he has used his intelligence, striking good looks, and as a last resort, his ruthless and violent strength, to achieve what he wants. He refuses to be stopped now.





“L” is for LawlessSue Grafton,retold by John Escott


A local family ask Kinsey to help them. The authorities have no records of their father, the fighter pilot Johnny Lee, on file. Then Johnny Lee’s apartment is burgled and a hidden safe is discovered. Inside the safe is a mysterious key labelled ‘Lawless’.




NEW 2011

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MACMILLAN READERS


No Comebacks and Other StoriesFrederick Forsyth,retold by Stephen Colbourn

Short Stories/Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Four short stories with surprise endings by an internationally popular thriller writer: No Comebacks, There Are Some Days, A Careful Man and Sharp Practice.




No Longer at EaseChinua Achebe,retold by John Milne

Human Interest/Crime/Detection

In this brilliant novel, Achebe uses the ‘fall’ of one man, a descendant of the hero in Things Fall Apart, to depict the birth of a whole new age in Nigerian life – a powerful period of corruption.




Oliver TwistCharles Dickens,retold by Margaret Tarner

Human Interest/Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

“Please Sir, can I have some more?”

Dickens’ famous novel about the trials of a poor young orphan boy, brought up in the terrible conditions of a nineteenth-century English workhouse.



The PearlJohn Steinbeck,retold by Margaret Tarner

Human Interest/History/Adventure

A sad and beautiful story about a Mexican-Indian diver who finds the greatest pearl in the world, but loses his happiness.


Availability: Only available in certain countries –

please see website for details.

Age 14+

The Perfect StormSebastian Junger,retold by Anne Collins

Adventure/Thriller/Spy

On 31st October, 1991, three powerful weather systems met off the coast of Newfoundland.

Despite the combined efforts of the US and Canadian rescue services, the swordfishing boat Andrea Gail cannot be located. Captain Billy Tyne and his crew of six are feared lost.


Availability: Worldwide, excluding the US, its

dependencies, the Philippines and Canada. Age 16+

Pride and PrejudiceJane Austen,retold by Margaret Tarner


Everybody knows that a rich unmarried man needs a pretty wife. And every mother wants her daughters to be happily married.

This much-filmed and highly popular romantic comedy has been retold to give the reader an opportunity to understand and enjoy the witty dialogue and sharp observations of one of the classic romances in English literature.



MACMILLAN READERS


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Ring of ThievesRichard Prescott


A mystery story with many twists and turns. The hero loses his memory after being attacked and robbed. With the action moving between the English Midlands and the diamond-broking houses of Amsterdam, he has to regain his memory in order to find his property.



Sense and SensibilityJane Austen, retold by Margaret Tarner

Romance

After the death of her husband, Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret, find they must move to a small cottage in Barton Park. There Marianne falls in love with the attractive but unreliable Willoughby, while Elinor longs for Edward Ferrars, the young man she left behind...




River GodWilbur Smith,retold by Stephen Colbourn

Romance/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

A romantic adventure set in Ancient Egypt. Taita – the storyteller – is a slave owned by Intef, the cruel and greedy Governor of Upper Egypt. Taita looks after the beautiful Lostris, daughter of Lord Intef who has plans to wed his daughter to Pharaoh Mamose, an old and weak-willed king. But Lostris is in love with Tanus, a handsome and ambitious commander in the Pharaoh’s army.





The Queen of DeathJohn Milne

Human Interest/Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

“... anyone who enters my tomb – anyone who steals from my tomb – anyone who touches my body – that person will die a terrible death. And many more will die with him.”

In another thoroughly entertaining detective story, a sequel to The Black Cat, Salahadin El Nur searches for the answer to the riddle of an ancient curse.



Rendezvous with RamaArthur C. Clarke,retold by Elizabeth Walker

Adventure/Thriller/Spy/ Science Fiction/Fantasy

In 2131, a large object is discovered near Jupiter. It will pass Earth as it travels towards the centre of the solar system. The object is given the name Rama. The scientists who are sent to investigate Rama discover that it is a smooth cylinder with a hollow centre. What is Rama? Who made it, and why?




The Red and the BlackStendhal,retold by F. H. Cornish

Romance/Crime/Detection

The Red and the Black is the story of the life and loves of a young man, Julien Sorel. Through his love affairs with the aristocratic and beautiful Madame de Renal, and the passionate Mathilde, Sorel tries – and fails – to gain wealth and social standing, with fatal results.




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MACMILLAN READERS


The Seventh ScrollWilbur Smith, retold by Stephen Colbourn

Romance/Adventure/Thriller/Spy

This romantic thriller, set in modern times, follows on from the adventure described in River God.

Duraid and Royan Al Simma find the set of papyrus scrolls which recorded where the tomb of Pharaoh Mamose was. But before the Egyptologists can search for the tomb, Duraid is murdered.





The Sign of FourSir Arthur Conan Doyle,retold by Anne Collins


‘“I’m afraid,” said Miss Morston. “What should I do, Mr Holmes?”’

Sherlock Holmes helps Mary Morstan find out the truth about her father, and the man who has been sending pearls to her.



The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn – an Inspector Morse MysteryColin Dexter,retold by Anne Collins


Morse and Sergeant Lewis are called to a house where a dead body has been found. Morse immediately suspects murder and starts the long task of discovering the identity of the murderer and their motive.





The SmugglerPiers Plowright


John Samuel Fame has some friends who are suspected criminals. So Inspector Roland immediately has him followed when a valuable gold statue is stolen from Darna museum.



Slumdog MillionaireVikas Swarup,retold by John Escott

Human Interest/Romance/Thriller

You’ve seen the movie, now read the book! Ram Mohammad Thomas answers 14 questions correctly in a TV quiz and wins a billion rupees, but how does he know the answers? Slumdog Millionaire takes us through the major events of Ram’s life, from his battle for survival on the streets of Mumbai and Delhi to his final act of love and revenge – and the amazing good fortune it brings!



Availability: Worldwide ex US, its territories and


The Space InvadersGeoffrey Matthews

Crime/Detection/Science Fiction/Fantasy

In this story, set some time in the future, Varon, a pirate, breaks into the strongroom of the planet Zeron and manages to steal one of the most valuable items in the universe. Then he is trapped, unable to return to his spaceship, until Lucky arrives. But Omega has his own reasons for helping.



NEW 2011

MACMILLAN READERS


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Touching the VoidJoe Simpson,retold by Anne Collins

Adventure/Human Interest

The true story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’s climb of the mountain Siula Grande. When Joe breaks his leg high on the mountain, he knows that he will probably die. But Simon is determined to help his friend and decides to lower him down the mountain on a rope. The plan seems to be going well. But then disaster strikes. Touching the Void is a gripping story of human courage and the will to survive.




Used in EvidenceFrederick Forsyth,retold by Stephen Colbourn

Short Stories/Crime/Detection/ Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Three short stories with unexpected endings from this internationally popular thriller writer: Used in Evidence, There Are No Snakes in Ireland and The Emperor.



dependencies, Canada and the Philippines. Age

16+

Things Fall ApartChinua Achebe,retold by John Davey

Human Interest

Okonkwo is respected for his strength, bravery, honesty and wealth. But his people are doomed to be destroyed both by the superstition-bound customs of tribal life, and the arrival of the white man.

This simply and movingly told story by Nigeria’s foremost novelist has become a classic in African literature.





Thérèse RaquinEmile Zola, retold by Margaret Tarner


When Thérèse Raquin marries her sickly cousin Camille, her future looks as if it will be both dull and loveless. This all changes, however, with the arrival of Camille’s friend Laurent. Laurent and Thérèse soon begin a love affair, an affair so passionate it can only result in tragedy.



Tess of the d’UrbervillesThomas Hardy, retold by John Escott


When Tess Durbeyfield is sent by her family to find her rich relatives, she is soon pursued and violently attacked by the ruthless Alec d’Urberville. But the sad event which follows gives Tess the chance to hide her past and move on. Eventually she falls in love and finds happiness with Angel Clare. However, Tess’s honest nature means she is doomed never to escape her past.



The Speckled Bandand Other StoriesSir Arthur Conan Doyle,retold by Anne Collins

Short Stories/Crime/Detection

Three more intriguing cases for Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band, The Dancing Men and The Red-Headed League.



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MACMILLAN READERS


When Rain Clouds GatherBessie Head,retold by Margaret Tarner

Human Interest/Travel/Background

This semi-autobiographical novel, from one of Africa’s most respected novelists, tells the story of a village in the heart of rural Botswana in the 1960s. It is a time of great change to tribal traditions, social customs, and agricultural methods. But none of the actors on this stage can alter the principal adversary in this drama – the harsh climate.



The Woman Who DisappearedPhilip Prowse

Humour/Crime/Detection/ Adventure/Thriller/Spy

Another story of the adventures of the Los Angeles private detective, Lenny Samuel.

A beautiful blonde woman hires Lenny to find her missing sister. Before long, he’s involved with gunmen, dead bodies, world-weary policemen and jewel thieves, whilst dodging bullets, speeding cars and flying fists.



The WoodlandersThomas Hardy,retold by Margaret Tarner


‘“There is something I must say to you, Giles,” Mr Melbury said sadly. “Soon you will not have a house. You will not have a home for Grace to live in. You must not think any more about getting married to her.”’

Set in a village in Dorset, Giles Winterbourne loves, and is engaged to, Grace Melbury. But when Giles loses his money, Grace’s father insists that she marries Edred Fitzpiers.



Wuthering HeightsEmily Brontë,retold by F. H. Cornish


‘Our lives continued like this. Heathcliff and Cathy became wilder and wilder. They listened to no-one.’

Emily Brontë’s only novel, the passionate and violent story of the Earnshaw and Linton families, has become one of the most popular in British fiction.



Macmillan Collocations Dictionary

A brand-new two-colour dictionary of collocations designed for upper-intermediate to advanced students to help them write more natural and idiomatic English. It is the only collocations dictionary to be fully corpus-based, incorporating examples and semantic groupings drafted and edited by an expert team comprising the best ELT lexicographers in the UK.

Documents

28 Intermediate Level Council of Europe level: B1 · 28 MACMILLAN READERS “A” is for Alibi Sue Grafton, retold by John Escott Crime/Detection/Adventure/Thriller/Spy