Classic crime and mystery fiction
HarperCollins Publishers The Clocks
Book SynopsisA typist uncovers a man's body from behind the sofaAs instructed, stenographer Sheila Webb let herself into the house at 19 Wilbraham Crescent. It was then that she made a grisly discovery: the body of a dead man sprawled across the living room floor.What intrigued Poirot about the case was the time factor. Although in a state of shock, Sheila clearly remembered having heard a cuckoo clock strike three o'clock. Yet, the four other clocks in the living room all showed the time as 4.13. Even more strangely, only one of these clocks belonged to the owner of the houseTrade Review‘Deliberately fantastic.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Superlative Christie… extremely ingenious.’ The Bookman ‘A sure-fire attention-gripper naturally.’ Saturday Review ‘Here is the grand-manner detective story in all its glory.’ New York Times
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Halloween Party
Book Synopsis Trick or treat?Trade Review‘A thundering success… a triumph for Hercule Poirot.’–Daily Mirror ‘Complex and sinister, with echoes of old legends and no flagging of the accustomed verve.’–Sunday Telegraph
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Agatha Christies Complete Secret Notebooks
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's Complete Secret Notebooks brings together for the first time Secret Notebooks and Murder in the Making, two volumes that explore the fascinating contents of her 73 notebooks. This includes illustrations, deleted extracts, unused ideas, two unpublished Poirot stories and a lost Miss Marple.When Agatha Christie died in 1976, aged 85, she had become the world''s most popular author. With sales of more than two billion copies worldwide in more than 100 countries, she had achieved the impossible more than one book every year since the 1920s, every one a bestseller.So prolific was Agatha Christie''s output 66 crime novels, 20 plays, 6 romance books under a pseudonym and over 150 short stories it was often claimed that she had a photographic memory. Was this true? Or did she resort over those 55 years to more mundane methods of working out her ingenious crimes?Following the death of Agatha''s daughter, Rosalind, at the end of 2004, a remarkable secret was revealed. UneartTrade Review'Many of Curran's discoveries will shape how Christie is read in future… This book is fascinating.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY ‘Agatha Christie’s notebooks have had to wait for the meticulous attention, dedication and prodigious knowledge of John Curran to achieve publication.’ THE TIMES ‘A meticulously detailed study that is packed with shrewd perceptions about Christie's fiction… Curran has produced an enthralling miscellany of a book, in which her fans will rummage to their heart's content.' SUNDAY TIMES 'Curran has organized his material as efficiently as an Agatha Christie mystery… His enthusiasm for his subject carries us along.' IRISH TIMES ‘Something unimaginably unique: an unknown Poirot story, one that had lain silently between its covers for over 60 years.’ THE SCOTSMAN
£15.29
HarperCollins Publishers The Millionaire Mystery Detective Club Crime
Book SynopsisFergus Hume was renowned as the bestselling mystery writer of Victorian times after his first book, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, broke all records. In 1901 he returned to form with this ingenious tale, selected to represent Hume’s prolific output by Collins’ Detective Club panel in 1930.Trade Review‘The most sensationally popular crime and detective novel of the century’ John Sutherland
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers NO. 17
Book SynopsisThe first book featuring Ben, the lovable, humorous ex-sailor and down-at-heels rascal who can't help running into trouble.Ben is back home from the Merchant Navy, penniless as usual and looking for digs in fog-bound London. Taking shelter in an abandoned old house, he stumbles across a dead body and scarpers. Running into a detective, Gilbert Fordyce, the reluctant Ben is persuaded to return to the house and investigate the mystery of the corpse which promptly disappears! The vacant No.17 is the rendezvous for a gang of villains, and the cowardly Ben finds himself in the thick of thieves with no way of escape.Ben's first adventure, No.17, began life in the 1920s as an internationally successful stage play and was immortalised on film by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Its author, J. Jefferson Farjeon, wrote more than 60 crime thrillers, eight featuring Ben the tramp, his most popular character.Trade Review‘There may be contemporary story writers who are equals of Mr Farjeon in the ability to put the reader swiftly and wholly under the spell of the eerie and uncanny, but they have not come within our reading.’ NEW YORK WORLD ‘Jefferson Farjeon writes thrills enhanced by good writing, good humour, and good character sketches.’ SUNDAY TIMES
£7.59
HarperCollins Publishers The Ponson Case
Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the forgotten second novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.When the body of Sir William Ponson is found in the Cranshaw River near his home of Luce Manor, it is assumed to be an accident until the evidence points to murder. Inspector Tanner of Scotland Yard discovers that those who would benefit most from Sir William's death seem to have unbreakable alibis, and a mysterious fifth man whose footprints were found at the crime scene is nowhere to be found . . .This Detective Story Club classic is introduced by Dolores Gordon-Smith, author of the Jack Haldean Golden Age mysteries.Trade Review‘I could find you a sentence or allusion I loved on every single page, and it offers some well-motivated multiple-alibi shenanigans, rich contemporary details, and rigorous, rich, detail-obsessed detection.’ The Invisible Event ‘Of its type, a supremely good example.’ Yorkshire Post
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Poirots Early Cases
Book SynopsisCaptain Hastings recounts 18 of Poirot's early cases from the days before he was famousHercule Poirot delighted in telling people that he was probably the best detective in the world. So turning back the clock to trace eighteen of the cases which helped establish his professional reputation was always going to be a fascinating experience. With his career still in its formative years, the panache with which Hercule Poirot could solve even the most puzzling mystery is obvious.Chronicled by his friend Captain Hastings, these eighteen early cases from theft and robbery to kidnapping and murder were all guaranteed to test Poirot's soon-to-be-famous little grey cells' to their absolute limit.Trade Review‘Superb, vintage Christie’ Sunday Express ‘The plotting is as exact as in the novels and all one can do is stand back and wonder at the invention and enthusiasm.’ Irish Times
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Big Four
Book SynopsisA ruthless international cartel seeks world domination…Trade Review“The acknowledged queen of detective fiction.”Observer
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Elephants Can Remember Poirot
Book SynopsisHercule Poirot is determined to solve an old husband and wife double murder that is still an open verdictHercule Poirot stood on the cliff-top. Here, many years earlier, there had been a tragic accident. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two more bodies a husband and wife shot dead.But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves back into the past and discovers that old sin leave long shadows'.Trade Review‘Splendid… she tells us all we want to know and nothing that is irrelevant.’ THE TIMES
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.
£6.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Life of Crime Detecting the History of
Book SynopsisWinner of four major prizes for the best critical/biographical book related to crime fiction: the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity and H.R.F. Keating Awards; and shortlisted for both the Agatha and Gold Dagger Awards.Martin Edwards is the closest thing there has been to a philosopher of crime writing.' The TimesIn the first major history of crime fiction in fifty years, The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators traces the evolution of the genre from the eighteenth century to the present, offering brand-new perspective on the world's most popular form of fiction.Author Martin Edwards is a multi-award-winning crime novelist, the President of the Detection Club, archivist of the Crime Writers' Association and series consultant to the British Library's highly successful series of crime classics, and therefore uniquely qualified to write this book. He has been a widely respected genre commentator for more than thirty years, winning the CWA Diamond Dagger for making a significant contribution to crime writing in 2020, when he also compiled and published Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club and the novel Mortmain Hall. His critically acclaimed The Golden Age of Murder (Collins Crime Club, 2015) was a landmark study of Detective Fiction between the wars.The Life of Crime is the result of a lifetime of reading and enjoying all types of crime fiction, old and new, from around the world. In what will surely be regarded as his magnum opus, Martin Edwards has thrown himself undaunted into the breadth and complexity of the genre to write an authoritative and readable study of its development and evolution. With crime fiction being read more widely than ever around the world, and with individual authors increasingly the subject of extensive academic study, his expert distillation of more than two centuries of extraordinary books and authors from the tales of E.T.A. Hoffmann to the novels of Patricia Cornwell into one coherent history is an extraordinary feat and makes for compelling reading.Trade Review‘Magisterial but wickedly entertaining … reliably readable and frequently amusing. It also inspires awe: Edwards combines wide reading with a good memory, meticulous control over his unruly material, critical acumen and sheer bloody persistence.’ ANDREW TAYLOR, THE SPECTATOR ‘As entertaining and illuminating a history of crime and thriller fiction as I’ve ever read.’ IAN RANKIN ‘Impressively scholarly and joyfully anecdotal… it’s hard to imagine this book being superseded for many years to come.’ MORNING STAR ‘Vastly entertaining … [Edwards] plots the development of the genre and the bizarre lives of writers … You’ll find all your favourites here, from Edgar Allan Poe to PD James … But be warned – you’ll end up with a reading list as long as a giant’s arm.’ DENIS MANN, DAILY EXPRESS ‘A magisterial history of mysteries and their creators.’ THE TIMES ‘There is plenty here for mystery readers, whether well-versed in the genre’s history or not —and mystery writers will welcome this book as a resource.’THE NEW YORK TIMES ‘A magisterial work… THE LIFE OF CRIME does more than just inform, entertain and provoke, it also sends new readers back to old books.’THE WASHINGTON POST REVIEWS FOR MARTIN EDWARDS: ‘Few, if any, books about crime fiction have provided so much information and insight so enthusiastically and, for the reader, so enjoyably’ THE TIMES ‘Illuminating and entertaining – provides a new way of looking at old favourites.’ LEN DEIGHTON, author of The Ipcress File ‘Forensically sharp and exhaustively informed… Crime fiction is driven by death. In this superbly compendious and entertaining book, Edwards ensures that dozens of authorial corpses are gloriously reborn.’ MARK LAWSON, Guardian
£27.00
HarperCollins Publishers THE RIVIERA EXPRESS Book 1 A Miss Dimont Mystery
Book SynopsisA delicious adventure' Daily MailMurder on the Riviera ExpressGerald Hennessey silver screen star and much-loved heart-throb never quite makes it to Temple Regis, the quaint Devonshire seaside town on the English Riviera. Murdered on the 4.30 from Paddington, the loss of this great man throws Temple Regis' community into disarray.Not least Miss Judy Dimont corkscrew-haired reporter for the local rag, The Riviera Express. Investigating Gerald's death, she's soon called to the scene of a second murder, and, setting off on her trusty moped, Herbert, finds Arthur Shrimsley in an apparent suicide on the clifftops above the town beach.Miss Dimont must prevail for why was a man like Gerald coming to Temple Regis anyway? What is the connection between him and Arthur? And just how will she get any answers whilst under the watchful and mocking eyes of her infamously cantankerous Editor, Rudyard Rhys?This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime. No wonder the author has already been signed up to produce more adventures starring the indefatigable Miss Dimont.'Daily ExpressUnashamedly cosy, with gentle humour and a pleasingly eccentric amateur sleuth, this solid old-fashioned whodunit is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series.'GuardianHighly amusing' Evening StandardTP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character. This delicious adventure is the first of a series and I can't wait for the next one.' Wendy Holden, Daily MailMust have. A golden age mystery.' Sunday ExpressTremendous fun' IndependentTrade Review‘This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime. No wonder the author has already been signed up to produce more adventures starring the indefatigable Miss Dimont.’ - Daily Express ‘Unashamedly cosy, with gentle humour and a pleasingly eccentric amateur sleuth, this solid old-fashioned whodunit is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series.’ – The Guardian ‘Highly amusing’ – Evening Standard ‘TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character. This delicious adventure is the first of a series and I can’t wait for the next one.’ – Wendy Holden, Daily Mail Must have. A golden age mystery.’ – Sunday Express ‘Tremendous fun’ – The Independent
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Passenger to Frankfurt
Book SynopsisA middle-aged diplomat is accosted in an airport lounge and his identity stolenSir Stafford Nye's journey home from Malaya to London takes an unexpected twist in the passnger loungs at Frankfurt a young woman confides in him that someone is trying to kill her.Yet their paths are to cross again and again and each time the mystery woman is introduced as a different person. Equally at home in any guise in any society she draws Sir Stafford into a game of political intrigue more dangerous than he could possibly imagine.In an arena where no-one can be sure of anyone, Nye must do battle with a well-armed, well-financed, well-trained and invisble enemyTrade Review‘Marvellously entertaining’Observer ‘It is not an impossible story – it is only a fantastic one’Agatha Christie
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Parker Pyne Investigates
Book SynopsisA collection of short stories featuring the heart specialist', Parker Pyne.Mrs Packington felt alone, helpless and utterly forlorn. But her life changed when she stumbled upon an advertisement in The Times which read: ARE YOU HAPPY? IF NOT, CONSULT MR PARKER PYNE'.Equally adept at putting together the pieces of a marriage or the fragments of a murder mystery, Mr Parker Pyne was possibly the world's most unconventional private eye and certainly its most charming.Trade Review“Crimes of the heart were his forte.”Observer
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Problem at Pollensa Bay
Book SynopsisA collection of short stories featuring some of Agatha Christie's best-loved detectives Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, Mr Satterthwaite and Harley QuinAll great crime writers have their favourite creations. Similarly, every great sleuth has his, or her, own preferred method of deduction.Take the charming Parker Pyne, who relies upon an intuitive knowledge of human nature to solve the Problem at Pollensa Bay. Or Mr Satterthwaite, who seeks inspiration through his collaboration with the enigmatic Mr Quin in The Harlequin Tea Set mystery. Then, of course, there's Poirot, whose measured analysis of motive and opportunity is tested to the full in Yellow Iris, when he receives an anonymous call about a matter of life and death.Trade Review‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’Observer
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers While the Light Lasts
Book SynopsisSome of Agatha Christie's earliest stories including her very first which show the Queen of Crime in the makingA macabre recurring dream revenge against a blackmailer jealousy, infidelity and a tortured conscience a stolen gemstone the haunting attraction of an ancient relic a race against time a tragic love triangle a body in a box an unexpected visitor from beyond the graveNine quintessential examples of Agatha Christie''s brilliance are contained in this new collection of early short stories including the very first one she ever wrote and provide a unique glimpse of the Queen of Crime in the making.Trade Review“The acknowledged Queen of Crime.”OBSERVER
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers 4.50 from Paddington
Book SynopsisTwo trainsSide by side for a brief momentIn that moment, a murderElspeth McGillicuddy is positive she witnessed a man strangling a woman to death.But it was only the merest glimpse through a carriage window as the trains drew parallel.She is the only witness, there are no suspects, and, most importantly, there is no corpse.Who, apart from her friend Jane Marple, would take her seriously?Never underestimate Miss MarpleAll crime writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt.'Peter JamesNever a dull moment.'The TimesTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers At Bertrams Hotel Miss Marple
Book SynopsisA grand old London hotelA series of alarming coincidencesDanger lurking down every corridorImpeccable service. Luxurious rooms. Eccentric guests. There are worse places for Canon Pennyfather to find himself stranded than Bertram's Hotel.But when he gets his dates in a muddle and attempts to travel to Lucerne a day too late, he unwittingly sets off a violent chain of events.And Miss Marple is convinced there is more going on than meets the eye.Never underestimate Miss MarpleAgatha Christie inspired me, aged eleven, to write my own murder mystery set in a country village. I can't remember much of the plot (think the vicar did it) but Christie has been inspiring me ever since.'Elly GriffithsBrilliant.'GuardianTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Unexpected Guest
Book SynopsisA young man, broken down in the fog, witnesses a murder he is asked to conceal A full-length novel adapted by Charles Osborne from Agatha Christie's acclaimed play.When a stranger runs his car into a ditch in dense fog in South Wales and makes his way to an isolated house, he discovers a woman standing over the dead body of her wheelchair-bound husband, gun in her hand. She admits to murder, and the unexpected guest offers to help her concoct a cover story.But is it possible that Laura Warwick did not commit the murder after all? If so, who is she shielding? The victim's young half-brother or his dying matriarchal mother? Laura's lover? Perhaps the father of the little boy killed in an accident for which Warwick was responsible? The house seems full of possible suspectsTHE UNEXPECTED GUEST is considered to be one of the finest of Christie's plays. Hailed as another Mousetrap' when it opened on 12 August 1958 in the West End, it ran for 604 performances over the succeeding 18 months and has been staged many times around the world over the last 40 years.Trade ReviewFor Black Coffee: ‘A lively and light-hearted read which will give pleasure to all those who have long wished that there was just one more Christie to devour’— Antonia Fraser, Sunday Telegraph ‘A worthy addition to the Christie canon’— The Spectator
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The ConjureMan Dies A Harlem Mystery The first
Book SynopsisOne of Buzzfeed's Most Anticipated Books of 2021.This trailblazing work of fiction is notable for its depiction of Harlem's African American society and culture in the 1930s BookpageWhen the body of N'Gana Frimbo, the African conjure-man, is discovered in his consultation room, Perry Dart, one of Harlem's ten Black police detectives, is called in to investigate. Together with Dr Archer, a physician from across the street, Dart is determined to solve the baffling mystery, helped and hindered by Bubber Brown and Jinx Jenkins, local boys keen to clear themselves of suspicion of murder and undertake their own investigations.The Conjure-Man Dies was the very first detective novel written by an African-American. A distinguished doctor and accomplished musician and dramatist, Rudolph Fisher was one of the principal writers of the Harlem Renaissance, but died in 1934 aged only 37. With a gripping plot and vividly drawn characters, Fisher's witty novel is a remarkable time capsule of one of theTrade Review‘Highly readable, wholly entertaining.’–Stanley Ellin ‘A well-constructed thriller of a little-known side of Harlem life, with a Black detective to solve the crime and with just enough humour on the side.’–Rumana McManis, New York Times ‘A detective story of the first class, written with adroitness, humor, and a clever plot.’–Boston Transcript ‘…a puzzling mystery yarn which is at the same time a lively picture of Harlem…’–New York Times ‘Captures the historically induced unique qualities of Black people.’–Oliver Henry, The Harlem Renaissance ‘As far as crime fiction goes, The Conjure-Man Dies gets down and dirty in a style more in the American hardboiled fashion than the British country house fashion. And it does seem likely that Fisher, besides reading Agatha Christie, read Dashiell Hammett and other early hardboiled writers.’–L.A. Review of Books ‘The reissue of this 1932 novel should help Fisher get the wider acclaim he merits.’ Publishers Weekly ‘The Conjure-Man Dies is now happily welcomed back to its rightful place both in the history of crime fiction and the wider canon of Black literature.’ BookPage ‘Fisher’s work trod themes familiar to his contemporaries while breaking ground not only as the first known crime novel by a Black author, but also as the first to feature exclusively Black characters.’ Motif
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers THE GETAWAY For fans of Lucy Clarke the perfect
Book SynopsisOne private island. Seven guests. One killerThe perfect holiday. The perfect murder. The perfect beach read.Get away from your problems.Multimillionaire Robert Rathwell and his entourage arrive at their private Greek island. White sand, turquoise water, the perfect place to relax. But this is no ordinary family, and this holiday will be their last.Get away from your life.The next morning, a scream shatters their peaceful world. Someone has been murdered, his body arranged to make it look like suicide. Everyone has a motive and, under the burning sun, secrets quickly simmer to the surface.Get away with murder.Soon the guests see a darker, more violent side to paradise. Because the Rathwells don't just own the island; they own the people on it. And they can do whatever they like maybe even commit murderTrade Review‘The perfect summer thriller. Sun, sea, secrets and murder, The Getaway twists and turns with a plot as scorching as the setting.’ Chris Whitaker ‘Full of ingenious twists and turns, The Getaway grabs hold and never lets you go. A killer summer read.’ Phoebe Morgan ‘An ideal summer book set on an idyllic private island where everyone has secrets and seemingly no one can be trusted. Twisty and tense – a great read.’ Catherine Cooper ‘Beautifully set on the Greek island that is home to the dysfunctional Rathwell family, The Getaway is deliciously twisted and compelling, the tension building until just when you think you know what's going on, there's yet another twist. A highly recommended summer read.’ Debbie Howells ‘A superb book which maintained the mystery and intrigue throughout and kept me guessing the who and why. The revealing of the character's secrets and fears are excellently done and the overall majesty and secrecy play out very well.’ James Delargy PRAISE FOR ROSS ARMSTRONG: ‘Quirky, offbeat, stylish and original. I loved it’ Mick Herron ‘Ross Armstrong has created a brilliant hero in Tom, and this novel is an enjoyable addition to the psychological thriller genre. Five Stars’ Heat ‘Like Christopher Nolan’s Memento, Ross Armstrong delivers a twisty mystery through the perspective of a fractured brain. Original and gripping. Tom Mondrian, and his unique outlook, will stay with me’ Peter Swanson ‘An eerily atmospheric reworking of Hitchcock’s Rear Window’ Guardian ‘Addictive and eerie, you’ll finish the book wanting to chat about it’ Closer ‘Ross Armstrong will feed your appetite for suspense’ Evening Standard ‘Unreliable narrator + Rear Window-esque plot = sure-fire hit’ Sun ‘A dark, unsettling page turner’ Claire Douglas, author of Local Girl Missing
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Passing of Mr Quinn Detective Club Crime
Book SynopsisReprinted for the first time in almost 90 years, this original novelisation of the very first Agatha Christie film is a unique record of the Queen of Crime's movie debut and a bold attempt to turn one of her favourite short stories into a thrilling silent movie.Who poisoned the cruel and sinister Professor Appleby? Derek Capel, his neighbour, in love with the Professor's wife, Eleanor? Vera, the house-parlourmaid, Appleby's mistress? Or was it Eleanor Appleby herself? All three could be reasonably suspected of a motive which would prompt them to poison the most hateful villain who ever crossed the pages of fiction . . .The first ever Agatha Christie film was a 1928 black and white silent movie, loosely based on her first Harley Quin' story. Although no script or print of the film survives, this rare novelisation from the same year is a unique record of Christie's first association with the motion picture industry now in its remarkable tenth decade with the release of Kenneth Branagh'sTrade Review‘This dramatic film thriller is adapted from a novel by Agatha Christie, the world’s greatest woman writer of detective stories. It provides a new and original type of thriller since three persons in the story could be reasonably suspected of a motive which would prompt them to poison the most hateful villain who ever crossed the pages of fiction. Who, then, poisoned the cruel and sinister Professor Appleby? Derek Capel, his neighbour, in love with the Professor’s wife, Eleanor? Vera, the house-parlourmaid, Appleby’s mistress? Or was it Eleanor Appleby herself? This is a story full of dramatic moments and thrilling suspense. It will keep you guessing until the final page.’ From the original 1928 edition
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers CROOKED HOUSE
Book SynopsisA wealthy Greek businessman is found dead at his London homeThe Leonides were one big happy family living in a sprawling, ramshackle mansion. That was until the head of the household, Aristide, was murdered with a fatal barbiturate injection.Suspicion naturally falls on the old man's young widow, fifty years his junior. But the murderer has reckoned without the tenacity of Charles Hayward, fiance of the late millionare's granddaughterTrade Review‘Writing Crooked House was pure pleasure and I feel justified in my belief that it is one of my best.’Agatha Christie ‘Her sleight of hand is impeccable.’New Statesman ‘Knock-out!’Saturday Review of Literature
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Death in the Clouds Poirot
Book SynopsisA woman is killed by a poisoned dart in the enclosed confines of a commercial passenger planeFrom seat No.9, Hercule Poirot was ideally placed to observe his fellow air passengers. Over to his right sat a pretty young woman, clearly infatuated with the man opposite; ahead, in seat No.13, sat a Countess with a poorly-concealed cocaine habit; across the gangway in seat No.8, a detective writer was being troubled by an aggressive wasp.What Poirot did not yet realize was that behind him, in seat No.2, sat the slumped, lifeless body of a woman.Trade Review“It will be a very acute reader who does not receive a complete surprise at the end.”Times Literary Supplement
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers THE ROSE AND THE YEW TREE
Book SynopsisA captivating novel of love and intrigue.Everyone expected Isabella Charteris, beautiful, sheltered and aristocratic, to marry her cousin Rupert when he came back from the War. It would have been such a suitable marriage. How strange then that John Gabriel, an ambitious and ruthless war hero, should appear in her life. For Isabella, the price of love would mean abandoning her dreams of home and happiness forever. For Gabriel, it would destroy his chance of a career and all his ambitionsFamous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work.Trade Review'Quiet and intelligent, with class distinctions which motivate its characters.' Books 'Miss Westmacott writes crisply and is always lucid… much material has been skilfully compressed.' Times Literary Supplement
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers WHILE THE LIGHT LASTS
Book SynopsisSome of Agatha Christie's earliest stories including her very first which show the Queen of Crime in the makingA macabre recurring dream revenge against a blackmailer jealousy, infidelity and a tortured conscience a stolen gemstone the haunting attraction of an ancient relic a race against time a tragic love triangle a body in a box an unexpected visitor from beyond the graveNine quintessential examples of Agatha Christie''s brilliance are contained in this new collection of early short stories including the very first one she ever wrote and provide a unique glimpse of the Queen of Crime in the making.Trade Review“The acknowledged Queen of Crime.”OBSERVER
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers BY THE PRICKING OF MY THUMBS
Book SynopsisAn old woman in a nursing home speaks of a child buried behind the fireplaceWhen Tommy and Tuppence visited an elderly aunt in her gothic nursing home, they thought nothing of her mistrust of the doctors; after all, Ada was a very difficult old lady.But when Mrs Lockett mentioned a poisoned mushroom stew and Mrs Lancaster talked about something behind the fireplace', Tommy and Tuppence found themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure involving possible black magicTrade Review‘The most macabre and eerie Christie I have read for a long time.’Sunday Express ‘All beautifully plotted in the way that Mrs Christie is famous for. The title is from Macbeth: “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.” Wicked indeed!’Best Sellers ‘Ladies disappearing from homes of rest, sinister empty houses, hints of gang-leaders mixed with black magic – mystery at the usual high Christie level.’Evening Standard ‘Devised with fiendish ingenuity in the classic Christie cast.’Illustrated London News
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers SPARKLING CYANIDE
Book SynopsisA beautiful heiress is fatally poisoned in a West End restaurantSix people sit down to dinner at a table laid for seven. In front of the empty place is a sprig of rosemary in solemn memory of Rosemary Barton who died at the same table exactly one year previously.No one present on that fateful night would ever forget the woman's face, contorted beyond recognition or what they remembered about her astonishing life.Trade Review“The denoument will probably come as a surprise to nine readers out of ten”New York Times “SPARKLING CYANIDE is the one … which I should take with me to a desert island; for I find in it a seriousness and a psychological insight unparalleled in the author’s other works.’ Times Literary Supplement
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Unfinished Portrait
Book SynopsisA print-on-demand edition of Christie''s masterpiece especially for readers who prefer the old pocket-sized ''A-format'' paperbacks.A stunning novel of death and destiny.Bereft of the three people she has held most dear her mother, her husband and her daughter Celia is on the verge of suicide. Then one night on an exotic island she meets Larraby, a successful portrait painter, and through a long night of talk reveals how she is afraid to commit herself to a second chance of happiness with another person, yet is not brave enough to face life alone. Can Larraby help Celia come to terms with the past or will they part, her outcome still uncertain?Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work.Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as comTrade Review‘A study of a shy, emotional nature, verging on the pathological… worth reading.' New York Times 'In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha.' Max Mallowan
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Postern of Fate
Book SynopsisA poisoning many years ago may not have been accidental after allTommy and Tuppence Beresford have just become the proud owners of an old house in an English village. Along with the property, they have inherited some worthless bric-a-brac, including a collection of antique books. While rustling through a copy of The Black Arrow, Tuppence comes upon a series of apparently random underlinings.However, when she writes down the letters, they spell out a very disturbing message:M a r y J o r d a n d i d n o t d i e n a t u r a l l yAnd sixty years after their first murder, Mary Jordan''s enemies are still ready to killTrade Review‘The Beresfords are wonderfully revived. Smooth, beautifully paced, and effortlessly convincing.’New York Times ‘Past and present interlock impressively… this is a genuine tour de force.’Observer
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS Poirot
Book SynopsisUnpleasant things are going on in an exclusive school for girls things like murderLate one night, two teachers investigate a mysterious flashing light in the sports pavilion, while the rest of the school sleeps. There, among the lacrosse sticks, they stumble upon the body of the unpopular games mistress shot through the heart from point blank range.The school is thrown into chaos when the cat' strikes again. Unfortunately, schoolgirl Julia Upjohn knows too much. In particular, she knows that without Hercule Poirot's help, she will be the next victimTrade Review‘Immensely enjoyable.’ Daily Express ‘To read Agatha Christie at her best is to experience the rarefied pleasure of watching a faultless technician at work, and she is in top form in Cat Among the Pigeons.’ New York Times
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers THE MOVING FINGER Book 3 Marple
Book SynopsisA malicious letterA tragic deathA village filled with suspectsNothing ever happens in the sleepy village of Lymstock.Until letters accusing the villagers of unspeakable acts start to appear.They try to dismiss them as a cruel hoax, but then one of the recipients is found dead. The letter next to her body reads simply, I can't go on'.As fear spreads among the villagers, Jane Marple must uncover who is writing these letters before anyone else is hurt.Never underestimate Miss MarpleMiss Marple is one of the most subversive, the most original, most distinctive characters in fiction. Often underestimated and overlooked, she always triumphs in the end.'Kate MosseBeyond all doubt the puzzle in The Moving Finger is fit for experts.'The TimesTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Five Little Pigs
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie’s ingenious murder mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Trade Review“Despite only five suspects, Mrs Christie as usual puts a ring through the reader’s nose and leads him to one of her smashing last-minute showdowns.” Observer “The answer to the riddle is brilliant.” Times Literary Supplement “A brilliant piece of detective fiction, in which character plays an important part.” Daily Telegraph “Straightforward bamboozling from start to finish.” New Statesman “As usual, Mrs Christie hoaxes us with a double twist at the denouement, and provides excellent entertainment.” Punch “Agatha Christie never fails us, and her Five Little Pigs presents a very pretty problem for the ingenious reader.” Manchester Guardian
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers A Caribbean Mystery Book 10 Marple
Book SynopsisA Caribbean resortStrangers thrown togetherIs there evil in paradise?Major Palgrave enjoys an audience, and, in Miss Marple, he discovers a captive audience too polite to walk away.But midway through recounting the tale of a multiple murder, he stops suddenly when something, or someone, catches his eye.Then, when he's found dead the following day, Miss Marple suspects that someone wanted to silence the talkative major. Permanently.Never underestimate Miss MarpleThere's no such thing as a disappointing Agatha Christie: there are only good ones and better ones.'Naomi AldermanLivelieness . . . infectious zest . . . as good as anything Miss Christie has done.'ObserverTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers NEMESIS Book 12 Marple
Book SynopsisA letter from beyond the graveOne last requestAn unsolvable crimeWhen Miss Marple receives a letter from the recently deceased millionaire Jason Rafiel, she's not sure what to make of it.Knowing her deductive skills, he challenges her to solve a crime. If she does so, she will inherit 20,000.The only problem is that he has failed to mention who was involved, or where, and when the crime was committed. Jane Marple is intrigued.Never underestimate Miss MarpleSorry Poirot, but I'm team Marple every time. A mind to rival the great Sherlock Holmes and much handier with a knitting needle yet patronised and underestimated by those around her, her invisibility is her superpower. That and her uncanny understanding of the darkest depths of human nature . . .'Lucy FoleyHer gift is pure genius.'ObserverTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers THE PALE HORSE
Book SynopsisA priest's death leads to sinister goings-on in an old country pubTo understand the strange goings on at The Pale Horse Inn, Mark Easterbrook knew he had to begin at the beginning. But where exactly was the beginning?Was it the savage blow to the back of Father Gorman's head? Or was it when the priest's assailant searched him so roughly he tore the clergyman's cassock? Or could it have been the priest's visit, just minutes before, to a woman on her death bed?Or was there a deeper significance to the violent squabble which Mark Easterbrook had himself witnessed earlier?Wherever the beginning lies, Mark and his sidekick, Ginger Corrigan, may soon have cause to wish they'd never found itTrade Review‘Wholesale murder by black magic…highly ingenious, wholly enjoyable.’Evening Standard ‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’ Observer
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Problem at Pollensa Bay
Book SynopsisA collectionof short stories featuring some of Agatha Christie's best-loved detectives Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, Mr Satterthwaite and Harley QuinAll great crime writers have their favourite creations. Similarly, every great sleuth has his, or her, own preferred method of deduction.Take the charming Parker Pyne, who relies upon an intuitive knowledge of human nature to solve the Problem at Pollensa Bay. Or Mr Satterthwaite, who seeks inspiration through his collaboration with the enigmatic Mr Quin in The Harlequin Tea Set mystery. Then, of course, there's Poirot, whose measured analysis of motive and opportunity is tested to the full in Yellow Iris, when he receives an anonymous call about a matter of life and death.Trade Review‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’Observer
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers The Killings at Kingfisher Hill
Book SynopsisThe world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirotlegendary star of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nilereturns to solve a fiendish new mystery.Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attachedCould this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot fTrade Review“‘Close enough to Christie’s own style that the reader could segue from Murder on the Orient Express into this present novel without a stumble.”— New York Journal of Books “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability. They make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”— Tana French “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Killings at Kingfisher Hill
Book SynopsisThe world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirotlegendary star of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nilereturns to solve a fiendish new mystery.Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attachedCould this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot find the true culprit in time to save her from the gallows?Trade Review“‘Close enough to Christie’s own style that the reader could segue from Murder on the Orient Express into this present novel without a stumble.”— New York Journal of Books “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability. They make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”— Tana French “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman
£7.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Deductions of Colonel Gore
Book SynopsisThis brand new edition of the first novel to feature the officer and gentleman detective Colonel Wickham Gore includes the first ever reprint of the only Colonel Gore novella, Too Much Imagination.Trade Review‘A very clever writer: agreeable literary style, a good descriptive touch, a gift for drawing life-like people, and a lively sense of dramatic incident’ Rose Macaulay ‘Lynn Brock has a fine sense of character, and the power to excite’ Frank Swinnerton
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Storm
Book SynopsisDoesn''t every marriage have a dark side?Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing' Adele Parks, Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of Lies Lies Lies and Just My LuckHer best novel yet Twisty, malevolent and gripping' Lisa Jewell, No. 1 bestselling author of The Family UpstairsTo the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind the closed doors of their imposing home it's a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts, and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him?Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. And Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since. Keeping Nathan happy. Doing as she's told.But the past is about to catch up with them.Set against the unforgiving backdrop of a Cornish fishing port in the 90s, this is a devastating exploration of the power of coercive control in a marriage where nothing is quite as it seemsPraiTrade Review Praise for The Storm: ‘Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing’ Adele Parks ‘Amanda Jennings is a writer on the ascendant and The Storm is her best novel yet. This twisty, malevolent and gripping story of a controlling husband and his oddly compliant wife was virtually impossible to put down. The dark and craggy Cornwall backdrop is exquisitely drawn and the sense of foreboding that runs through the whole novel is masterfully done’ Lisa Jewell ‘A dark, sinister story with a cracking twist’ The Sun ‘Evocative and affecting’ Crime Monthly ‘Chilling and atmospheric … will keep you gripped in its clutches until the final page’ My Weekly ‘The Storm is an evocative story of coercive control and the decisions – often disastrous – that we make in order to protect the ones we love. Amanda Jennings is a fantastic storyteller and she’s at her very best here: warm-hearted, darkly atmospheric, and wholly addictive' Lucy Atkins ‘Suspenseful, beautifully written, and utterly compelling’ Alice Feeney ‘A brilliant book. Gripping, intelligent, and beautifully written’ Cass Green ‘This deftly tackles the issues surrounding coercive control in a way that feels both authentic and surprising, while the twists and turns just keep on coming’ Heat ‘Vivid and evocative, the beautifully drawn characters and Cornish setting will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page of The Storm’ Lucy Dawson 'Unravelling the secrets that lie beneath a toxic marriage. The Storm is both beautifully crafted and chilling. A compelling tale you won't want to put down’ Colette McBeth 'A claustrophobic, brooding, atmospheric novel about the secrets that lie at the heart of a toxic relationship. No one writes complicated, conflicted characters like Amanda Jennings’ Tammy Cohen
£9.99
HarperCollins Publishers Trents Last Case Book 1 Philip Trent
Book SynopsisWritten in reaction to what Bentley perceived as the sterility and artificiality of the detective fiction of his day, Trent''s Last Case features Philip Trent, an all-too-human detective who not only falls in love with the chief suspect but reaches a brilliant conclusion that is totally wrong.Trent's Last Case begins when millionaire American financier Sigsbee Manderson is murdered while on holiday in England. A London newspaper sends Trent to investigate, and he is soon matching wits with Scotland Yard''s Inspector Murth as they probe ever deeper in search of a solution to a mystery filled with odd, mysterious twists and turns.Called by Agatha Christie one of the best detective stories ever written, Trent''s Last Case delights with its flesh-and-blood characters, its naturalness and easy humor, and its style, which, as Dorothy Sayers has noted, ranges from a vividly coloured rhetoric to a delicate and ironical literary fancy.Trade Review‘One of the three best detective stories ever written.’ AGATHA CHRISTIE ‘The finest detective story of modern times.’ G. K. CHESTERTON ‘A masterpiece of detective fiction.’ EDGAR WALLACE ‘Trent’s Last Case holds a very special place in the history of detective fiction. A tale of unusual brilliance and charm – startlingly original.’ DOROTHY L. SAYERS
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Trent Intervenes
Book SynopsisTwelve stories from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent''s Last Case.Philip Trent is an artist, a journalist, and an urbane unraveller of highly problematical crimes. Here the unshakable sleuth appears in twelve tales of misadventure, where the crimes that he investigates range from fraud and embezzlement to criminal assault and murder, yet they all succumb to his adept methods even if the criminal sometimes escapes.Trent Intervenes affirms Bentley''s reputation as an author of the first rank and displays his ability to write equally well in the short story form.Trade Review"To say that Trent in small pieces is as excellent as Trent entire is recommendation enough." – Saturday Review of Literature."A collection of twelve stories, each and all worthy of your attention." – New York Herald Tribune Books.
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Trents Own Case Book 2 Philip Trent
Book SynopsisThe second novel from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent''s Last Case.James Randolph is murdered early one evening and his body is found a few hours later. When the police arrive they discover that Randolph''s safe has been ransacked and discarded wrapping paper litters his bedroom floor.Perhaps by chance or perhaps by design, Trent seems to have been the last person, other than the murderer, to see Randolph alive. But this is only one aspect amongst many which connect Trent with the murder and stimulate his interest: his friend Inspector Bligh is the detective in charge of the investigation, and then a long-time friend readily and perplexingly confesses his guilt. As much as he respects the abilities of Inspector Bligh, Trent''s personal knowledge has him doubting the confession and intent on finding the truth.Trade Review‘I won't waste time saying that the plot is sound and the detection satisfying. Trent has not altered a scrap and reappears with all his old humour and charm.’ Dorothy L. Sayers
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Beware of Johnny Washington Based on Send for
Book SynopsisRepublished for the first time since 1951, Beware of Johnny Washington is Francis Durbridge's clever reworking of the very first Paul Temple radio serial using his new characters, the amiable Johnny Washington and newspaper columnist Verity Glyn. Includes as a bonus the first Paul Temple short story, A Present for Paul'.When a gang of desperate criminals begins leaving calling cards inscribed With the Compliments of Johnny Washington', the real Johnny Washington is encouraged by an attractive newspaper columnist to throw in his lot with the police. Johnny, an American gentleman of leisure' who has settled at a quiet country house in Kent to enjoy the ?shing, soon finds himself involved with the mysterious Horatio Quince, a retired schoolmaster who is on the trail of the gang's unscrupulous leader, the elusive Grey Moose'.Best known for creating Paul Temple for BBC radio in 1938, Francis Durbridge's prolific output of crime and mystery stories, encompassing plays, radio, television, filTrade Review‘Paul Temple gives thrills, suspense, and excitement for all.’ Daily Mail ‘Paul Temple commands a greater audience than any film actor or stage star. Temple’s adventures are listened to by millions of people all over the world. Temple is the modern Sherlock Holmes.’ Evening Standard ‘I enjoy every minute of Paul Temple. It’s great!’ Daily Express ‘Mr Temple, the novelist with a genius for detection, is a phenomenon . . . probably the most famous of all modern fictional characters.’ London Evening News ‘Paul Temple has broken all records. The most famous . . . most persistently popular detective.’ Radio Times
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The PitProp Syndicate Detective Club Crime
Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the third standalone novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.Seymour Merriman's holiday in France comes to an abrupt halt when his motorcycle starts leaking petrol. Following a lorry to find fuel, he discovers that it belongs to an English company making timber pit-props for coal mines back home. His suspicions of illegal activity are aroused when he sees the exact same lorry with a different number plate and confirmed later with the shocking discovery of a body. What began as amateur detective work ends up as a job for Inspector Willis of Scotland Yard, a job requiring tenacity, ingenuity and guile . . .Freeman Wills Crofts' transition from civil engineer on the Irish railways to world-renowned master of the detective mystery began with The Cask when he was fully 40 years old; but it was his third novel, the baffling The Pit-Prop Syndicate, that was singled out by his editors in 1930 as the first for inclusion inTrade Review‘A classic Crofts story, meticulously planned and written.’ — Martin Edwards ‘Undeniably the greatest of detective story writers.’ — Outlook ‘This early story by Freeman Wills Crofts has lost nothing in the passage of time: indeed, it seems almost better than ever . . . One of the classics of modern crime fiction.’ — New York Times
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Last Séance
Book SynopsisFrom the Queen of Crime, the first time all of her spookiest and most macabre stories have been collected in one volume.Trade Review“It’s tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the world’s had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special.”— Lawrence Block “Agatha Christie’s books are both wonderful crime novels and studies in contrast and duality, and I adore them still. Underestimate them at your peril.”— Louise Penny “Agatha Christie taught me many important lessons about the inner workings of the mystery novel before it ever occurred to me that I might one day be writing mysteries myself.”— Sue Grafton “Any mystery writer who wants to learn how to plot should spend a few days reading Agatha Christie. She’ll show you everything you want to know.”— Donna Leon “Agatha Christie’s indelibly etched characters have entertained millions across the years and a love of her work has brought together generations of readers—a singular achievement for any author and an inspiration to writers across the literary landscape.”— Jacqueline Winspear
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Agatha Christies Hercule Poirot The Life and
Book SynopsisThe definitive companion to the POIROT novels, short stories, films and TV appearances, now revised and updated.My name is Hercule Poirot and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.''The dapper, moustache-twirling little Belgian with the egg-shaped head, curious mannerisms and inordinate respect for his own ''little grey cells'' has solved some of the most puzzling crimes of the century. Yet despite being familiar to millions, Poirot himself has remained an enigma until now.From his first appearance in 1920 to his last in 1975, from country house drawing rooms to opium dens in Limehouse, from Mayfair to the Mediterranean, Anne Hart stalks the legendary sleuth, unveiling the mysteries that surround him. Sifting through 33 novels and 56 short stories, she examines his origins, tastes, relationships and peculiarities, revealing a character as fascinating as the books themselves.This new edition has been updated to include new information about original publication dates, newspTrade Review'Thorough and perceptive … a genuinely studious (but thoroughly readable) work.'DAILY MAIL 'Constantly lively, often amusing.'INDEPENDENT
£8.99
