The books' titles are taken from actual streets in Cairo, the city of Mahfouz's childhood & youth.
The trilogy follows the life
...

Tony Book's football career is something of a modern-day fairytale. This is the definitive account of his intriguing journey. Born the son of an army officer in 1934, he spent his childhood in India playing barefoot football with the local kids. From there he returned a young man to Bath, where he played for a local miner's side, before following his father into the army. It was in the forces that his football ability began to really shine. After a short period in service, Book became a bricklayer & played for various local sides before joining his hometown team of Bath City. It was there that he first met manager Malcolm Allison -a figure who was to have a great effect on Book's later career. In 1964, at the age of 30, Book was transferred to league club Plymouth Argyle, where he played for two years before former boss Allison, by then co-manager at Manchester City, convinced his partner Joe Mercer to take a chance on the by now veteran full-back. The risk paid off as Book went on to captain the team throughout their most successful period, during which they won every domestic trophy, as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup. Book was the recipient of the first-ever Player of the Year award in 1967 & was voted joint Footballer of the Year in 1974, the year he swapped roles from player to manager. After becoming assistant to Ron Saunders at Manchester City, he was elevated to manager a year later & his steadying influence saw the Blues win their last major trophy to date..... ...

In May 1947 a Jewish teenager was mysteriously abducted in Jerusalem. He was never seen alive again. A grey felt hat found at the scene was traced to Major Roy Farran, a highly decorated ex-SAS officer leading a covert counter-terrorist squad. Farran was acquitted after a sensational court martial & came home to a hero ...

In May 1947 Alexander Rubowitz, a Jewish teenager, was mysteriously abducted in Jerusalem. He was never seen again. Rubowitz was active in a Zionist underground group fighting British rule in Palestine. Witnesses said he was seized by British policemen. A grey felt hat found at the scene was traced to Major Roy Farran, a highly decorated ex-SAS officer leading a covert counter-terrorist squad.

As evidence of murder grew Farran fled to Syria. He was persuaded to return & was acquitted after a sensational court martial. He came home to a hero

...

A Ruth Rendell mystery, first published in 1979.

Alan Groombridge is married to a woman he doesn't like, is a bank manager

...

THEIR FATHERS RULED THE EAST END IN THE SIXTIES. NOW THEY INHERIT THE LEGACY

The O' Donnell family ran their manor in the

...

Claire Sawyer is a PR queen with the breasts of the Venus di Milo & the morals of Attila the Hun. At the sharp end of the celebrity food chain she is amoral yet pragmatic. When the opportunity arises to make a star out of James
- a scruffy sociology student
- Claire & her friend Santosh waste no time in giving the young man the make-over of his life. He soon becomes the beau of the London celeb circuit, fraternising with louche young rock stars & models. What Claire & Santosh don't bank on is their living boy toy having a strong mind & sexuality of his own.

...

Claire Sawyer is a PR queen with the breasts of the Venus di Milo & the morals of Attila the Hun. At the sharp end of the celebrity food chain she is amoral yet pragmatic. When the opportunity arises to make a star out of James
- a scruffy sociology student
- Claire & her friend Santosh waste no time in giving the young man the make-over of his life. He soon becomes the beau of the London celeb circuit, fraternising with louche young rock stars & models. What Claire & Santosh don't bank on is their living boy toy having a strong mind & sexuality of his own.

...