Classic crime and mystery fiction

Book Synopsis 'The Japanese Agatha Christie' Sarah Cox, on BBC2's Between the Covers 'The master of ingenious plotting' Guardian 'Dazzling' New York Times ______FROM THE FATHER OF JAPANESE CRIME_____In the winter of 1937, the village of Okamura is abuzz with excitement over the forthcoming wedding of a son of the grand Ichiyanagi family. But amid the gossip over the approaching festivities, there is also a worrying rumour - it seems a sinister masked man has been asking questions about the Ichiyanagis around the village.Then, on the night of the wedding, the Ichiyanagi family are woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music - death has come to Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword, thrust into the pristine snow outside the house. The murder seems impossible, but amateur detective Kosuke Kindaichi is determined to get to the bottom of it.

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Book SynopsisPart of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright's eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter is drawn into the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his 'charming' friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons and poison. Pursuing questions of identity and insanity along the paths and corridors of English country houses and the madhouse, The Woman in White is the first and most influential of the Victorian genre that combined Gothic horror with psychological realism.Trade Review“Collins was a master craftsman, whom many modern mystery-mongers might imitate to their profit.” —Dorothy L. Sayers

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Book SynopsisIt's the height of summer. As the heat shimmers on the streets and ice cream melts onto sticky fingers, tempers begin to rise and old grudges surface. From Cornish beaches to the French Riviera, it's not just a holiday that's on people's minds ... it's murder. In these ten classic stories from writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Cyril Hare and Gladys Mitchell, you'll find mayhem and mysteries aplenty. So grab the suncream and head down to the beach - if you dare.Trade ReviewShort, clever and puzzling murder tales which test the brains of the most avid crime reader ... delectable * On Magazine *With Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis This new mini hardback edition completes the series of collectable Miss Marple hardbacks – the first time all 14 Marple books have had their own uniform hardback series. Trade 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

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Book SynopsisNgaio Marsh's classic Christmas murder mystery in a special 50th anniversary edition.Christmas time in an isolated country house and, following a flaming row in the kitchen, there's murder inside.When a much disliked visiting servant disappears without trace after playing Santa Claus, foul play is at once suspected and foul play it proves to be. Only suspicion falls not on the staff but on the guests, all so unimpeachably respectable that the very thought of murder in connection with any of them seems almost heresy.When Superintendent Roderick Alleyn returns unexpectedly from a trip to Australia, it is to find his beloved wife in the thick of an intriguing mysteryTrade Review‘So entertaining that I recommend it unreservedly.’Daily Telegraph ‘Agreeably effortless telling.’Guardian ‘One of her best and most baffling mysteries.’Daily Express

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE BRAND NEW NOVEL FROM MARTIN CRUZ SMITH, COMING 2025!‘The later Renko novels are stark, spare and beautiful, like trees in winter. Martin Cruz Smith does more on a page than most writers manage in a chapter. He is unique and irreplaceable’ MICK HERRON ARKADY RENKO IS BACK . . .   Renko has been confined to a desk job by his superiors to keep him out of the way. Although he’s more disillusioned with policing and the general state of Russia than ever, he feels an odd sense of hope. A rebellion is bubbling in the country, with new values butting heads against old-school regimes. People want change and politician Leonid Lebedev could be the man to do it.   When Karina, a staunch supporter of Lebedev and member of the Forum, goes missing, Renko is asked by her father to find her. Soon after his investigation begins, Alex, a close friend of Arkady’s son, is found dead. He was aTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR MARTIN CRUZ SMITH: ‘Martin Cruz Smith writes with an immediacy, depth and lightness of touch that is rare in its combination, and impossible to resist. With characters you know instantly and care deeply about – never more than now – he creates a world that is both brilliantly contemporary in its understanding of world politics, and timeless in its grasp of people and human nature. Independence Square is no exception, and further crystallises Cruz Smith as one of the finest writers of our age. I loved it’ Charlotte Philby ‘Arkady Renko, one of the most iconic detective creations of the last half century is back in another nail biting, hotly topical adventure, that once more cements Cruz Smith’s place as the undisputed master of the political crime thriller’ Abir Mukherjee ‘Renko, never far from trouble, is enmeshed in the cesspit of Russian politics and corruption and Putin’s bellicose intentions toward Ukraine. Lured by his compulsion for the truth behind a disappearance and an assassination, Renko steps directly into the firing line. This is Renko’s most zeitgeisty investigation and definitely Cruz Smith’s most powerful and engaging novel since Gorky Park’ Paul Burke, CrimeTime FM ‘Martin Cruz Smith makes tension rise through the page like a shark's fin’ Independent ‘Smith not only constructs grittily realistic plots, he also has a gift for characterisation of which most thriller writers can only dream’ Mail on Sunday ‘Brilliantly worked, marvellously written . . . an imaginative triumph’ Sunday Times ‘Drips with atmosphere and authenticity – a literary triumph’ David Young ‘Forty years ago, Gorky Park established a new high-water mark for the thriller. It has yet to be surpassed’ Mick Herron ‘When first published Gorky Park was an instant classic; and its reputation has only grown since 1981’ Adrian McKinty

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Book SynopsisAll four legendary Sherlock Holmes novels, collected in a unique Graphic Deluxe Edition with an introduction by Michael Dirda Though endlessly reinterpreted, reinvented, and imitated, the Sherlock Holmes stories have never been surpassed. Sporting his signature billowing coat and pipe in hand, the genius investigator Holmes captivates readers with his alluring melancholy and superhuman intuition, while his partner, Dr. Watson, remains ever the perfect foil, a classic Victorian gentleman with brilliant intellect. Collected here are all four Holmes novels—A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Valley of Fear—tracing the origins of the pair up through showdowns with their greatest archenemies, including the infamous Professor Moriarty. Set in the seductive shadow world of Victorian London, the stories of Holmes and Watson live on, as immediate and original in our time as in their owTrade ReviewEvery writer owes something to Holmes -- T. S. Eliot[Holmes] is probably the only literary creation since the creations of Dickens which has really passed into the life and language of the people -- G. K. Chesterton

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING VIGGO MORTENSON AND KIRSTEN DUNST By the bestselling author of The Talented Mr Ripley, Carol and Strangers on a Train. ''The original, the best, the gloriously twisted Queen of Suspense'' MARK BILLINGHAM ''The No. 1 greatest crime writer'' THE TIMES ''I''m a huge fan'' SARAH WATERS Two men meet in the picturesque backstreets of Athens. Chester MacFarlane is a conman with multiple false identities, near the end of his rope and on the run with his young wife Colette. Rydal Keener is a young drifter looking for adventure: he finds it in one evening as the law catches up to Chester and Colette, and their fates become fatally entwined.Patricia Highsmith draws us deep into a cross-European game of cat and mouse in this masterpiece of suspense from the bestselling author of The Talented Mr Ripley.Trade ReviewHighsmith is a giant of the genre. The original, the best, the gloriously twisted Queen of Suspense -- Mark BillinghamThere are many attractive parts to this thriller - handsome leads, a meaty Patricia Highsmith plot, Mediterranean sunlight on cream linen suits * Guardian *The No. 1 greatest crime writer * The Times *An offbeat, provocative and absorbing suspense novel * New York Times *With fantastic pace and mounting tension the plot propels you into a nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse -- Val Hennessy * Daily Mail *I'm a huge fan -- Sarah WatersHighsmith's novels are peerlessly disturbing . . . bad dreams that keep us thrashing for the rest of the night * New Yorker *[Highsmith's] characters are irrational, and they leap to life in their very lack of reason . . . Highsmith is the poet of apprehension rather than fear -- Graham GreeneSuspenseful and evocative * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisLord Dunsany mixes reality with fantasy in this forgotten collection of modern detective stories. Some are macabre, others have a lighter and more amusing touch, but every story stimulates the imagination and reveals the acknowledged master of the short story at his very best.Trade Review‘The book is a treasure-trove – no less than 26 tales of crime and detection, all illumined by Lord Dunsany’s charm and wit, and his individualistic style. The first nine stories record the exploits of Mr Linley, including that undeniable modern classic, “The Two Bottles of Relish”.’ELLERY QUEEN ‘There are my “Poe” pieces and my “Dunsany” pieces – but alas – where are my “Lovecraft” pieces?’H. P. LOVECRAFT ‘“The Two Bottles of Relish” is so horrific – and what a brilliant, brilliant idea. The perfect crime.’OTTO PENZLER

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Book Synopsis''There''s a scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.''From the moment Dr John Watson takes lodgings in Baker Street with the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, he becomes intimately acquainted with the bloody violence and frightening ingenuity of the criminal mind. In A Study in Scarlet , Holmes and Watson''s first mystery, the pair are summoned to a south London house where they find a dead man whose contorted face is a twisted mask of horror. The body is unmarked by violence but on the wall a mysterious word has been written in blood. The police are baffled by the crime and its circumstances. But when Sherlock Holmes applies his brilliantly logical mind to the problem he uncovers a tragic tale of love and deadly revenge . . .Trade ReviewThe literary super sleuth * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisAs Bergen PI Varg Veum investigates two different cases, it becomes clear that they are uncannily similar to harrowing events that took place thirty-six years earlier… A gripping instalment of the award-winning Varg Veum series, by one of the fathers of Nordic Noir. Bergen Private Investigator Varg Veum is perplexed when two wildly different cases cross his desk at the same time. A lawyer, anxious to protect her privacy, asks Varg to find her sister, who has disappeared with her husband, seemingly without trace, while a ship carrying unknown cargo is heading towards the Norwegian coast, and the authorities need answers. Varg immerses himself in the investigations, and it becomes clear that the two cases are linked, and have unsettling – and increasingly uncanny – similarities to events that took place thirty-six years earlier, when a woman and her saxophonist lover drove their car off a cliff, in an apparent double suicide. As Varg is drawn into a complex case involving star-crossed lovers, toxic waste and illegal immigrants, history seems determined to repeat itself in perfect detail … and at terrifying cost... A chilling, dark and twisting story of love and revenge, Mirror Image is Staalesen at his most thrilling, thought-provoking best.

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Book SynopsisMike Hammer's deadly final adventure challenges everything we knew about the enduring noir detective in this gripping finale with a shocking twist.

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Book SynopsisWhen Bennett's uncle, the cantankerous amateur sleuth Sir Henry Merrivale arrives from London to make sense of this impossible crime, the reader is treated to a feast of the author's trademark twists, beguiling false answers and one of the most ingenious solutions in the history of the mystery genre.

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Book SynopsisA KILLER. A SAINT. A TOWN FULL OF WHISPERS When an English expat is brutally murdered, his charred corpse left on a Loire Valley hillside, the police turn to juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard to find the killer. Instead, Lombard discovers a wealth of secrets, grudges and feuds in the idyllic town of Saint-Genèse-sur-Loire. He begins to suspect that the remaining members of the Comité des Fêtes know more about the death than they are letting on. But rather than towards an arrest, each clue he uncovers seems to point in one, unexpected direction: Joan of Arc. Is the answer to the murder hiding in the barroom gossip of the Lion d’Or? Or in another century altogether? The thrilling new crime series from The Times-bestselling author of Death and CroissantsTrade Review‘With more twists and turns than a backwoods farm track, Moore has made a blistering start to what is near certain to be a long-running series’ Barry Turner, Daily Mail'Like a French inspector Morse, a gallic delight reminiscent of Fred Vargas and Donna Leon' C. K. McDonnell, author of The Stranger Times‘A cracking good read’ Mark Billingham, author of the Tom Thorne thrillers'Charming, clever and expertly crafted… wickedly fabulous' Rachel Lynch, author of the Detective Kelly Porter thrillers'Full of twists and turns, I couldn't put this down. Great stuff' Simon McCleave, author of the D.I. Ruth Hunter thrillers‘This is great fun… crime fiction at a European pace, with a fabulous Loire Valley setting… reminiscent of Michael Dibdin’ Sarah Hilary, author of the D.I. Marnie Rome thrillers'An accomplished and compelling tale' Martin Walker, author of the Bruno, Chief of Police, Dordogne Mysteries'Wine, chateaux and murder, what's not to love? I highly recommend' Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc Investigations'An engrossing, slickly plotted policier that will leave you wanting more' Tom Benjamin, author of the Daniel Leicester mysteries'A bracing antidote to the many stories of beautiful, sun-soaked French towns... Juge d’instruction Matthieu Lombard is a great character, curmudgeonly but clever, dogged but sensitive, and with a brain packed with the kind of general knowledge that wins quizzes' Literary Review'A surprising and truly entertaining mystery… Moore has finely drawn, colourful characters… incredibly enjoyable' Paul Burke, Crime Time FM'A hotbed of grudges and feuds. Thrilling’ Marie Warren, Crime Monthly'A cunning murder mystery, a dive into history, a warm and intimate portrait of provincial France and, in Juge Lombard, a compelling continental detective – a terrific read' Jon Henley

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Book SynopsisThe inspiration for the hit Netflix show, Lupin, Arsène Lupin is charming, clever and bold. A master of disguise, he steals from the rich, he outsmarts the police and he’s generous to those in need. And above all, he never takes himself too seriously.This French Robin Hood has charmed readers for generations and the stories about his dazzling escapades have been adapted countless times for television, stage and film, including the hit manga series Lupin III.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful hardbacks make perfect gifts for book lovers, or wonderful additions to your own collection. This edition of The Adventures of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc is translated from the French by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos and features an introduction by Emma Bielecki.In the opening stories, Lupin is arrested, only to engineer his own incredible escape. What follows are wonderfully entertaining and action packed stories that finish with a brief encounter with none other than Sherlock Holmes. Originally published together in 1907, this collection of the gentleman thief's very first adventures is the perfect place to start exploring his world of daring escapes, cunning disguises and ambitious heists.Trade ReviewA French cult classic * Evening Standard *An all-knowing, sublime, mutable thief transcending both time and language * Guardian *Does Leblanc measure as much as his literary rivals? On the proof of this enticing pocket version of his brief tales, the reply is most actually, sure. -- Barry Turner * EFCNews *

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Book SynopsisThe fascination with Conan Doyle’s enigmatic anti-hero Sherlock Holmes, and his pompous narrator Dr Watson, has barely subsided over the years. Inspiring a long line of detective stories and Whodunnits, Holmes is a constant feature on TV, and movie screens, with new audio and radio shows joining the frenzy. The Holmes tales have earned their place amongst the most influential of popular fantasy, crime and gothic stories.

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Book SynopsisOne of the best in the genre' THE SUNA fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime' DAILY EXPRESSA delicious adventure' DAILY MAIL on The Riviera Express***X marks the spot for murderTemple Regis, 1959: Devon's prettiest seaside resort is thrown into turmoil by the discovery of a body abandoned in the lighthouse.It's only weeks since another body was found in the library and for the Riviera Express's ace reporter-turned-sleuth Judy Dimont, there's an added complication. Her friend Geraldine Phipps is begging her to re-investigate a mysterious death from many years before.What's more, Judy's position as chief reporter is under threat when her editor takes on hot-shot journalist David Renishaw, whose work is just too good to be true.Life is busier than ever for Devon''s most famous detective. Can Judy solve the two mysteries and protect her position as Temple Regis's best reporter before the murderer strikes again?Trade ReviewPraise for the series: ‘This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime.’ 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.’ Guardian ‘Highly amusing’ Evening Standard ‘TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character . . . I can’t wait for the next one.’ Wendy Holden, Daily Mail ‘Tremendous fun’ Independent

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.Featuring the last 12 stories ever written about the infamous detective, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes contains some of Conan Doyle's most villainous and unusual characters.The 1920s was a disenchanting era, and the darker mood of many of these stories reflects the environment at the time. Some even felt that the stories showed Conan Doyle exploring Spiritualism as it was an area he was interested in at the time and the mental derangement and physical disfigurements that crop up in many of the stories allude to the horrors of the First World War.The collection includes The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire', The Adventure of the Creeping Man' and The Adventure of the Lion's Mane'.

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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

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Book SynopsisA wealthy familyA fatal cup of teaRex Fortescue was enjoying his morning cup of tea when he met his untimely end.Suspicions naturally turn to his wife. He was filthy rich, after all.Then she too is found dead.Strange clues have Scotland Yard's finest minds scratching their heads. Poisoned marmalade. Dead blackbirds. A victim found with a pocketful of rye.It's up to Jane Marple to put the pieces of this strange puzzle togetherNever underestimate Miss MarpleCaptivating and addictive, Agatha Christie''s work never fails to delight.'Jean KwokThis is the best of the novels starring Christie's Miss Marple.'New York 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

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION''This ambitious account of a sudden coming of age reminded me strongly of To Kill a Mockingbird - and is every bit as moving and satisfying'' Daily TelegraphIn the long hot summer of 1972, three events shattered the serenity of ten-year-old Marsha''s life: her father ran away with her mother''s sister; a young boy called Boyd Ellison was molested and murdered; and Watergate made the headlines. Living in a world no longer safe or familiar, Marsha turns increasingly to ''the book of evidence'' in which she records the doings of the neighbors, especially of shy Mr Green next door. But as Marsha''s confusion and her murder hunt accelerate, her ''facts'' spread the damage cruelly and catastrophically throughout the neighborhood. ''It is impossible not to be completely swept along. Berne''s vision is gently humorous, ironic, quirky, and she writes with such piercing sensitivity . . . a c

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianA gripping mystery from Georges Simenon in which Inspector Maigret must go up against small town suspicion—and revengeIn a small, seaside town in the northwest of France, the local wine dealer is wounded by a gunshot while retuning home drunk from a hotel bar. Maigret, who is heading up a mobile squad of the Paris police force, is called in by the mayor to solve the crime. But upon settling down in the hotel, Maigret quickly discovers a curious cast of characters awaits him there—and they all have something to hide.In the course of this strange case, a customs official is shot, a retired journalist is lost and found, and a vagrant is attested, but through it all Maigret has his sights setTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis''The father of contemporary European detective fiction'' Ann Cleeves Maigret shrugged his shoulders, buried his hands in his pockets and went off without answering. He had just spent one of the most wretched days in his life. For hours, in his corner he had felt old and feeble, without idea or incentive. But now a tiny flame flickered. ''You bet we''ll see'' he growled.Maigret''s peaceful retirement in the countryside is disrupted when a relative unwittingly embroils himself in a crime he did not commit and the inspector returns to Police Headquarters in Paris once again.Penguin is publishing the entire series of Maigret novels in new translations. This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret Returns.''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories'' Guardian ''A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness'' IndependentTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray In his mind''s eye he would see that slim figure in the striking clothes, those wide eyes the colour of forget-me-not, the pert nose and especially the hat, that giddy, crimson bonnet perched on the top of her head with a bronze-green feather shaped like a blade stuck in it . . . Félicie had given him more trouble than all the ''hard'' men who had been put behind bars.This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret and the Toy Village.''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' Guardian ''A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness'' IndependentTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisThat shoeless foot looked incongruous lying on the pavement next to another foot encased in a shoe made of black kid leather. It was naked, private... A series of strange phone calls leads Inspector Maigret through the Paris streets towards a man out of his depth amid a network of merciless criminals.Trade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis''His artistry is supreme'' John Banville''You''re a good soul, inspector, and when you''re up against the second-rate criminals you get here in Paris, you''re a crack policeman. But this business isn''t for you. These guys play rough and they may hurt you. Just drop it! What concern is it of yours, anyway?''When Maigret learns that his hapless colleague Inspector Lognon is being menaced by some notorious American mobsters, he makes it his mission to bring them to justice - despite threatening warnings that he is out of his depth. This novel has been published in a previous translation as Inspector Maigret and the Killers.''A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness'' IndependentTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories * Guardian *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *The most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales * Observer *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories * Guardian *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *The most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales * Observer *

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Book SynopsisA masterful tale of murder and intrigue in a small French town, from the celebrated author of the Maigret seriesNot only had the rain in the dark streets, with a halo around each light and reflections on the ground, always given him a certain thrill, it also made it easier for him to move around.It has been raining for twenty days in La Rochelle - ever since the first murder. Since then, five more bodies have been found. In the cafes, over card games, a quiet terror of the killer in their midst spreads through the little town. But unknown to anyone, Kachoudas, a poor, timid tailor, has discovered, quite by accident, who the murderer is. As a twisted cat and mouse game begins, Simenon''s chilling novel takes us into the darkness of the criminal mind. ''Dark, disturbing ... Simenon discovered something fundamental about the soul'' GuardianTrade ReviewA unique teller of tales ... What interested Simenon was the average man losing control of his own fate * Observer *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewRaymond Chandler invented a new way of talking about America, and America has never looked the same to us since. -- Paul AusterOne of the greatest crime writers, who set standards that others still try to attain. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisWho stole George Matthews' life?Doctor, I think I'm losing my mind'When a wealthy young man turns up at respected psychiatrist Dr George Matthews' office uttering these words, it changes his safe existence forever. Suddenly Matthews finds himself dragged into a strange, surreal world where nothing is certain. And when an actress is found murdered, a horse tied up outside her apartment, Matthews loses his memory and must find it in a nightmarish urban jungle of mistaken identities, secrets and insanity.

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Book Synopsis''You are a wronged woman and shall have justice. Do not bring police. If you do, all will be in vain. Your unknown friend.''When a beautiful young woman is sent a letter inviting her to a sinister assignation, she immediately seeks the advice of the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes. For this is not the first mysterious item Mary Marston has received in the post. Every year for the last six years an anonymous benefactor has sent her a large lustrous pearl. Now it appears the sender of the pearls would like to meet her to right a wrong. But when Sherlock Holmes and his faithful sidekick Watson, aiding Miss Marston, attend the assignation, they embark on a dark and mysterious adventure involving a one-legged ruffian, some hidden treasure, deadly poison darts and a thrilling race along the River Thames.Trade ReviewPerhaps the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries is this: that when we talk of him we invariably fall into the fancy of his existence -- T. S. Eliot

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Book SynopsisThe Second World War is drawing to a close. Nicholas Vaughan, released from the army after an accident, takes refuge in Little Thatch - a thatched cottage in the Devon countryside. When Little Thatch is destroyed in a blaze, all Vaughan's work goes up in smoke - and Inspector Macdonald is drafted in to uncover a motive for murder.

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Book SynopsisPolish off your magnifying glass and step into the shoes of your favourite detectives as you unlock tantalising clues and solve intricate puzzles. There are over 100 criminally teasing challenges to be scrutinised, including word searches, anagrams, snapshot covers, and crosswords - a favourite puzzle of crime fiction's golden age.

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Book SynopsisWritten in the last years of the author’s life, this previously unpublished novel is a tribute to Lorac’s enduring skill for constructing an ingenious puzzle, replete with memorable characters and gripping detective work. This edition also includes an introduction by the CWA Diamond Dagger Award-winning author Martin Edwards.

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Book SynopsisAn attractive young woman is found dead with a handbag of more money than she would've earned in wages. Sergeant Cluff is bought in to gradually find out the truth about the murder.

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Book SynopsisReissue of a true classic - ''One of the toughest crime novels ever'' (Newsweek).''Jim Thompson is the best suspense writer going, bar none'' NEW YORK TIMESRoy Dillon is young, good-looking and devastatingly charming. He''s also a completely amoral con man. Lily, his mother, works for the mob. Moira Langtry, Roy''s mistress, is always looking for the main chance, and so is Carol Roberg, the nurse brought in to look after Roy when a bad choice of mark means he has an unfortunate encounter with a baseball bat and a bad case of internal bleeding. The Grifters, one of the best novels ever written about the art of the con, is an ingeniously crafted story of deception and betrayal that was the basis for Stephen Frears'' and Martin Scorsese''s critically-acclaimed film of the same name.Trade ReviewJim Thompson is the best suspense writer going, bar none * NEW YORK TIMES *Casts a dazzling light on the human condition * WASHINGTON POST *I don't read many books twice but Jim Thompson novels - due to their concise, dirty power, their relentless violence and purity - can always draw me in for a second time. Some of the most psychological crime writing ever done. I love James M Cain and Elmore Leonard but Jim Thompson holds a special place in my heart.One of the toughest crime novels ever * NEWSWEEK *My favourite crime novelist - often imitated but never duplicated - is Jim Thompson -- Stephen KingIf Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and Cornell Woolrich could have joined together in some ungodly union and produced a literary offspring, Jim Thompson would be it * WASHINGTON POST *The most hard-boiled of all the American writers of crime fiction * CHICAGO TRIBUNE *

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Book Synopsis''There''s the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it''. Arriving in the wilderness of London and in need of lodgings, Dr John Watson finds himself living at 221b Baker Street with one Sherlock Holmes. When a corpse is discovered in a derelict house Watston, fascinated by his brilliant, eccentric companion, is soon drawn into Holmes'' investigations. There''s no sign of a struggle, no wounds on the body, yet scrawled in blood across the walls is the word RACHE - revenge. Watson is baffled but for Holmes the game is afoot...Trade ReviewHe is unique in simultaneously bringing down the curtain on an era and raising one on another, ushering in a genre of writing that... has never been surpassed. His own life, as footballer... eye surgeon, champion of injustice and investigator into the paranormal, is the stuff of legend. Personally, I would walk a mile in tight boots to read his letters to the milkman * Stephen Fry, The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection *

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Book SynopsisClassic pulp crime fiction from an author who has sold over 200 million copies worldwide.'[Spillane] was a quintessential Cold War writer, an unconditional believer in good and evil' Washington TimesTrade ReviewThe king of hard-boiled crime fiction * USA TODAY *Master of the post-war private eye potboiler * NEW YORK TIMES *There's a kind of power about Mickey Spillane that no other writer can imitate * NEW YORK TIMES *[Spillane] was a quintessential Cold War writer, an unconditional believer in good and evil' * WASHINGTON TIMES *Mike Hammer is an icon for our culture * NEW YORK TIMES *

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Book SynopsisThe first Sherlock Holmes adventure appeared in 1888, but today the detective is more popular than ever-witness the upcoming release of "Sherlock Holmes", starring Robert Downey Jr. as the legendary Victorian sleuth and Jude Law as his faithful chronicler, Dr. John H. Watson. For readers who dream of solving crimes in turn-of-the-century London, "The Sherlock Holmes Handbook" features skills that every would-be sleuth should know: How to Use Deductive Reasoning, How to Analyze Fingerprints - Without Computers, How to Master a Dozen Disguises, How to Survive a Plunge over a Waterfall, and How to Fake Your Own Death. Readers will also discover a host of information about Holmes and his universe: How was the real Scotland Yard organized? Could people really buy cocaine over-the-counter back then? And why were the British so terrified of Australia? Packed with fascinating trivia, evocative illustrations, and a classic Victorian design, "The Sherlock Holmes Handbook" will appeal to 'Baker Street Irregulars' of all ages.

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Book SynopsisThis classic crime treat is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh.‘A delight… An amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple’ GuardianMrs Bradley, sharp-eyed detective and celebrated psychiatrist, has decided to spend Christmas with her nephew at his beautiful house in the Cotswolds.It isn’t long before a mystery unfolds. There are strange events occurring in the nearby wood and local villagers are receiving anonymous threatening letters. Then the snow begins to fall – and a body is discovered.Mrs Bradley is on the case, but she’ll have to hatch an ingenious plan to reveal the truth and find the culprit…First published in 1950 as Groaning Spinney.Trade ReviewOne of the "Big Three" female mystery novelists, judged the equal of Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie * Independent *Take yourself back to a time in which ladies swoon, people say, “Dash it” and mixed-up telegrams land you in the wrong place at the wrong time. Murder in the Snow is a chocolate-box delight of a book… Just kick back and enjoy an era when even murder was sprinkled with mischievous innocence -- Kirsty Brimelow * The Times *If a relaxing diversion is of the essence for a good holiday, a Gladys Mitchell novel is a must * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisJanuary 1888: Dr. John H. Watson has returned to 221b Baker Street, just weeks after a personal tragedy has left him bereaved and bereft. Feeling like a broken man, his plans and dreams lying in ruin, he slowly tries to make his way forward, with the help of Sherlock Holmes and Mrs. Hudson. Unexpectedly, he finds himself standing in the path of a madman - who suddenly and irrationally blames Watson for his apparent defeat.Meanwhile, Holmes has tried to distract his grief-stricken friend by telling stories of his past cases, including how, a decade before, he recovered a mysterious relic - The Eye of Heka - stolen from the British Museum. But Holmes''s plan to show Watson this unique and ancient idol goes suddenly and terribly wrong as both are swept into a series of events, one tumbling rapidly upon another, that lead to thefts, murders, and possibly a war that might quickly escalate to draw in nations from most of the world. And always there is the madman in the shadows - waiting for his next chance to attack . . . .From The Notebooks of Dr. John H. Watson comes another story by Sherlockian David Marcum, author of over eighty traditional Holmes pastiches, including those collected in The Papers of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes and A Quantity of Debt, and Sherlock Holmes - Tangled Skeins.Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the man described by the estimable Dr. Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known."The game is afoot!

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Book SynopsisIn the bleak midwinter ... murder awaits. The halls might be decked, and the mistletoe hung, but in these ten classic crime stories you're more likely to come across a corpse under the Christmas tree than a present. From a Santa Claus with a secret to a violent theft that snowballs into something quite unexpected, pull up a chair, throw another log on the fire ... and let history's greatest crime writers surprise, delight and chill you to the bone.Trade ReviewWith Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground * Daily Mail *

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