Classic crime and mystery fiction

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 GuardianInspector Maigret must untangle the web of lies left behind by a murdered man whose family didn’t know him as well as they thought When a man is found stabbed to death in an alley off Boulevard Saint-Martin, his identity card shows a workplace that had gone out of business three years earlier. As far as his wife knew, he still worked there, and she insists that the shoes and a tie he was wearing when he was killed “couldn’t be his.” It soon becomes evident that although he had a source of income, he spent most of his time sitting on a bench in the neighborhood, often with the same unknown man. But can Maigret find this mysterious companion?In Maigret and the Man on the BencTrade 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''This was natural. It is the same everywhere. Rarely, however, had Maigret had such a strong sense of a clique. In a small town like this, of course there are the worthies, who are few and who inevitably meet each other several times a day, even if it is only in the street.Then there are the others, like those who stood huddled on the sidelines looking disgruntled.''Maigret''s impromptu visit to an old college friend draws him into a murky investigation in a small provincial town ruled by snobbery, fear and intimidation. ''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'' GuardianTrade 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 SynopsisAcute psychological insight and a distinctive, spare, atmospheric style Simenon ought to be spoken of in the same breath as Camus, Beckett and Kafka' Independent on SundayFaced with a house of tight-lipped witnesses to a murder, Simenon's legendary Inspector Maigret must change his methods to uncover the truth The family and the house had turned in on themselves, acquiring a hostile face in the process' The once-wealthy Lachaume family closes ranks when one of their own is shot dead, claiming to have heard and seen nothing of the murder. This leaves Maigret along with a troublesome new magistrate who has waded into the case to pick his way through their shameful secrets. 'One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century' GuardianGem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend' Boyd Tonkin, The TimesTrade 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 Synopsis''Quite simply a masterpiece'' John Banville''I''ve just found a stranger in my house. In a bed on the second floor. He was dying when I got there. You''re going to have to deal with it''Hector Loursat has been a drunken recluse since his wife left him eighteen years ago. Shut away in his dilapidated mansion in the small town of Moulins, he barely speaks to his daughter. But when the sound of a gunshot penetrates the padded walls of his study one night, and he discovers a body, Loursat is forced to act. No longer able to ignore the world, he determines to get to the truth of what happened, and save an innocent life.Trade ReviewQuite simply a masterpiece -- John BanvilleMore philosophically profound than any of the fiction of Camus or Sartre, and far less self-conscious. This is existentialism with a backbone of tempered steel * New Republic *

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Book Synopsis''A thriller of the highest quality - ironic, witty, literate, ingenious, understated and unflaggingly suspenseful'' The New York Times Book ReviewThe last time anyone saw Lucia Bernardi, she was driving at top speed away from a Swiss villa - leaving the body of her murdered Iraqi lover behind. Now she has vanished, along with a potentially explosive set of papers, and disgraced journalist Piet Maas has been sent to follow her trail to the South of France. But finding her is just the start of his problems. Soon, amid a cast of con men, secret agents and revolutionaries, he must decide whether to land the scoop of his lifetime - or follow Lucia into ever more dangerous waters.Trade ReviewThe source on which we all draw -- John le CarréUnquestionably our best thriller writer ever -- Graham GreeneMr. Ambler is phenomenal -- Alfred HitchcockA thriller of the highest quality - ironic, witty, literate, ingenious, understated and unflaggingly suspenseful * New York Times Book Review *Ambler is, quite simply, the best * The New Yorker *

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Book Synopsis''The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect'' Daily TelegraphMaude Slocum is in trouble. But luckily trouble is Investigator Lew Archer''s business.A well-dressed, wealthy woman has arrived at Archer''s L.A. office, having intercepted a poison pen letter accusing her of adultery. Reluctantly agreeing to help her find the culprit, he dives into the Slocums'' moneyed, oil-rich California world. But when Maude''s mother-in-law is found dead in the swimming pool, secrets come to the surface too. For the urbane, world-weary Archer, a case of blackmail soon becomes murder.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the new Penguin Crime and Espionage seriesA stolen weapon. A troubled young man. A race against time...Inspector Maigret receives a call from his wife to say he has a visitor at their apartment. But when he gets home, the young man has already gone, along with Maigret''s prized Smith and Wesson .45. The trail to find the culprit - and the woman who may become his victim - takes Maigret across Paris and all the way to the Savoy Hotel in London. But getting to the truth may be even more complicated than he had first imagined.Trade 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. -- GuardianA supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisCan an ace detective outwit a thief with many faces?They call him Gold Mask': a fiendishly clever master of disguise whose crime spree has shocked Tokyo. The dogged detective Akechi Kogoro is on the trail, and soon the two become locked in a frenzied battle of wits as his seemingly superhuman nemesis leads a chase across Japan, gleefully tricking the police at every turn. Will this ingenious villain's true identity be revealed and will he, eventually, make a mistake?

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Book SynopsisJudge Dee is about to step into the shoes of a dead manMost people would refuse the job of Magistrate at the lonely port town of Peng-lai especially as the last occupant of the post has been found poisoned in his library, his papers missing. But Judge Dee is not most men. He arrives ready to get to the truth, only to find his life complicated even further by a missing bride, a vanished artisan, a man-eating tiger and an evil conspiracy.

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Book Synopsis''I need a man good-looking enough to pick up a dame who has a sense of class, but he''s got to be tough enough to swap punches with a power shovel.'' In the first of the four cases in Trouble is My Business, Los Angeles PI Philip Marlowe is offered a job that leaves a bad taste in the mouth: smearing a girl who''s ''got her hooks into a rich man''s pup''. Before too long Marlowe''s up to his neck in corpses and cops and he''s taken pity on the girl. There''s nothing like making trouble out of your business . . .The four novellas collected here are quintessential Raymond Chandler: slick, crystal-clear writing that pins the reader to the seat and won''t let go until the last page is turned.''Age does not wither Chandler''s prose'' Literary Review''Chandler''s prose flies off the pages like a burst from a Tommy gun. Chandler was perhaps the finest exponent of the fledgling genre now known as pulp fiction'' Scottish Field

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Book SynopsisBest-known as the creator of the original private eye, Philip Marlowe, Raymond Chandler was born in Chicago in 1888 and died in 1959. Many of his books have been adapted for the screen, and he is widely regarded as one of the very greatest writers of detective fiction.Trade ReviewRaymond Chandler is a star of the first magnitude -- Erle Stanley Gardner[T]he prose rises to heights of unselfconscious eloquence, and we realize with a jolt of excitement that we are in the presence of not a mere action tale teller, but a stylist, a writer with a vision -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Review of Books *Raymond Chandler is a master * New York Times *Anything Chandler writes about grips the mind from the first sentence * Daily Telegraph *Nobody can write like Chandler on his home turf, not even Faulkner. . . A great artist * The Boston Book Review *

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Book SynopsisHard-boiled detective fiction at its best: Raymond Chandler''s best loved novel, The Big Sleep, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time.''I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn''t care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars.''Los Angeles PI Philip Marlowe is hired by wheelchair-bound General Sternwood to discover who is indulging in some petty blackmail. A weary, old man, Sternwood just wants the problem to go away. But Marlowe finds he has his work cut out just keeping Sternwood''s wild, devil-may-care daughters out of trouble as they prowl LA''s dirtiest and darkest streets. And pretty soon, he''s up to his neck in hoodlums and corpses . . .Trade ReviewChandler seems to have created the culminating American hero: wised up, hopeful, thoughtful, adventurous, sentimental, cynical and rebellious -- Robert B. Parker * The New York Times Book Review *Raymond Chandler invented a new way of talking about America, and America has never looked the same to us since -- Paul AusterRaymond Chandler is a star of the first magnitude -- Erle Stanley Gardner[T]he prose rises to heights of unselfconscious eloquence, and we realize with a jolt of excitement that we are in the presence of not a mere action tale teller, but a stylist, a writer with a vision -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Review of Books *Raymond Chandler is a master * New York Times *Philip Marlowe remains the quintessential urban private eye * Los Angeles Times *Nobody can write like Chandler on his home turf, not even Faulkner. . . A great artist * The Boston Book Review *Anything Chandler writes about grips the mind from the first sentence * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''Intriguing and very scary'' Ken Follett Abducted at thirteen.Returned at twenty-eight.Is it time to go back into the labyrinth?A young woman named Samantha Andretti wakes up in a hospital bed.Samantha was abducted when she was thirteen.She was kept prisoner for fifteen years.The man by her side, Dr. Green, believes that Samantha''s memories contain the clues that will lead to the capture of her abductor. But why does she keep referring to a labyrinth?Outside the hospital, private investigator Bruno Genko does not have long to live. Bruno was assigned to Samantha''s case many years ago, and now it is his chance to make amends.Can Samantha be persuaded to go back into the labyrinth? And how did the man at its centre vanish so quickly?Praise for The Girl in the Fog by Donato Carrisi:''A coldly brilliant exposé of the depths of human nature'' Sunday Times''CompeTrade ReviewIntriguing and very scary -- Ken Follett

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Book SynopsisThe eighth story in bestselling author Charlaine Harris's cosy mystery series featuring part-time librarian and full-time Southern bad ass, Aurora Teagarden

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Book SynopsisBrilliant.' The TimesOne of Upson's most evocative novels.' GuardianSeptember 1939: The worries of war follow Josephine Tey to Hollywood, where a different sort of battle is raging on the set of Hitchcock's Rebecca.Little does Josephine realise that the man she has befriended in Hollywood is the perpetrator of a shocking act of violence and is being sought back in Britain by DCI Archie Penrose.Together, they find themselves on a trail that echoes Rebecca's timeless themes of obsession, resentment and murder.WHAT READERS THINK:''Brilliant as ever . . . Thrilling.'' 5* review''Fascinating and compelling . . . Loved it.'' 5* review''What a story!'' 5* review''Wonderful.'' 5* review''I absolutely loved this . . . a thrilling and glamorous read.'' 5* review

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Book SynopsisThe detectives in this collection are masters of scientific deduction, whether they are identifying the perpetrator from a single scrap of fabric, or picking out the poison from a sinister line-up. The Measure of Malice collects tales of rational thinking to prove the power of the human brain over villainous deeds.

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Book SynopsisTalented sportsmen inexplicably go absent without leave, crafty gamblers conspire in the hope of making a killing, and personal rivalries and jealousies come to a head on fields of play… The classic stories in this new British Library anthology show that crime is a game for all seasons.

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Book SynopsisA novel pairing dark humour and intelligent detection work, this 1932 ‘whowasdunin?’ mystery is an example of a celebrated Golden Age author’s most inventive work.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1934, this novel is now extremely rare, and is long overdue its rediscovery.

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Book SynopsisThe body of a wealthy retired manufacturer, is found dead in his seat on the 12.30 flight from Croydon to Paris. Rather less orthodox is the ensuing flashback seen from the criminal's perspective. An unconventional yet gripping story of intrigue, betrayal, obsession, justification and self-delusion.

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Book SynopsisAn explosive return to the Kentucky hills, Code of the Hills is a novel of family and what we’re willing to do to protect and avenge the ones we love.Trade Review'Excellent Kentucky noir — Offutt's third Mick Hardin novel is the best yet.''Beautifully descriptive... Offutt’s Mick Hardin novels are powerful books that feature characters with questionable ethics.''This is a marvelous series that plays on the author’s skillful prose and deep knowledge of the language and customs of rural Kentucky. These have become must-reads for me and I enjoy every minute of the reading experience' -- George Easter * Deadly Pleasures *'Offutt once again beautifully captures both the roughness and the generosity of the inhabitants of Rocksalt, both the menace and the beauty of the eastern Kentucky landscape. The dialogue is a highlight, consistently sharp, quick, and funny; in that, Offutt is rapidly becoming a rural-noir rival to greats like Elmore Leonard. Another love letter to Appalachia with a high body count. Another bloody delight' * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *'Excellent Kentucky noir — Offutt's third Mick Hardin novel is the best yet' * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisA searing, gritty debut crime novel with an unforgettable heroine who must make her way in a man's worldTrade Review‘A fascinating glimpse into a world rarely portrayed in fiction.’ -- Guardian, best crime and thrillers‘Bold, addictive and brilliant.’ -- Stylist, best fiction 2021‘This impressive debut is not only about crime, justice, race and prejudice, but also about self-deception, disillusion and how the people you love most can be those you can bear least.’ -- Times and Sunday Times, book of the year‘Compelling and gritty’ -- Cosmopolitan‘Intense drama. The information she imparts is often eye-popping... This impressive debut reveals a world in which monsters exist “in the guise of friends and behind smiling faces”. It is a considerable achievement.’ -- The Times, best crime fiction‘The Khan is strong on illuminating the networks of family and community, giving fresh life to its familiar plot – essentially a Bradford take on The Godfather.’ -- Mail on Sunday, Best New Fiction‘With The Khan, Saima Mir delivers a once-in-a-generation crime-thriller and in Jia Khan has created a female South-Asian protagonist who is fierce, passionate and absolutely compelling. This is not simply black-and-white on the page. It’s blood. It’s emotion. It’s tears, anger, betrayal and revenge. An outstanding debut which deserves to be read widely.’ -- A.A.Dhand, author of Streets of Darkness'A tremendous debut (Jia Khan is a fascinating, multi-layered protagonist). Timely, authentic, immersive and powerful. Hints of The Godfather. SUPERB.' -- Will Dean, author of the Tuva Moodyson mysteries‘It takes guts to pick up the plot of The Godfather, pull it apart and reassemble it in the streets of a small northern city with a passing resemblance to Bradford but that is what Saima Mir has done... An eye-opening look at a world that rarely makes it into fiction… Jia could be coming to our screens soon, but I’m more interested in what Mir does next.’ -- Evening Standard‘When her father is murdered, Jia is plunged into a brutal power struggle among the communities, which — while Akbar was alive — the police counted on him to control… Does Jia become Michael Corleone to survive?’ -- Daily Mail'Blown away by the intricacy of such a clever, complex plot and the sense of unease.' -- Huma Qureshi, author of How we Met'A brilliant debut from an exciting new voice for our times. A thrilling book with a thrilling hero in Jia. Brava.' -- Imran Mahmood, author of You Don't Know Me'It’s an amazing piece of work and very timely at the moment... An amazing sense of place and time. I’m sure it’s going to be a sensational debut.' -- Lesley McEvoy, author of The Murder Mile'Superb. In particular the character development is excellent. I’m going to have to step up my game just to keep up. Damn you, Saima!' -- Khurrum Rahman, author of the Jay Qasim series'Jia is incredibly compelling without being simply likeable. It's a joy to read a book set in northern England that does not veer into cliche. It's so good on motherhood, morality and gender.' -- Nell Frizzell, author of The Panic Years'Saima Mir’s debut, The Khan, traces its lineage to such classics as Mario Puzo’s seminal work The Godfather: it is the story of a British Asian woman hailing from an organised crime family, the daughter of a first generation immigrant, who rejects the family business but is ultimately pulled into the vacuum left by her father’s death. Mir’s novel pulls no punches, taking aim at cultural stereotypes, sacred cows, and the attitudes and morality of the community within which the story is based. The book operates on various levels: crime family saga, character study, and an exploration of clan-run organised crime. A sterling debut.' -- Vaseem Khan, author of The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra‘I found myself hooked not only by the fast-paced crime plot but also by the fact that, for the first time, I had encountered a female South Asian protagonist in literature.’ -- Ghazal Abbasi, Guardian‘A more than promising debut in which a London lawyer reluctantly takes over her father’s criminal organisation… An excellent novel.’ -- Mark Sanderson * The Times Crime Club *'Saima Mir reinvents the gangster genre with dark lyrical prose that explores trauma, being an outsider, white privilege and revenge. Jia Khan is the enigmatic female lead we have been waiting for. I loved this book and can't wait to see whom Jia visits her vicious yet calculated brand of justice on next.' -- LV Hay, author of The Other Twin'A tour de force that grabs you by the lapels and doesn't let you go till the end... Jia Khan is one of the toughest, smartest characters created in years. Don't even THINK about calling her feisty.' -- Eleni Kyriacou, author of She Came To Stay‘This debut crime thriller unapologetically turns the classic genre on its head... Think of a classic crime novel...and your brain will probably take you straight to Mario Puzo’s 1969 classic, The Godfather. Not anymore. After today’s release of British-Pakistani journalist Saima Mir’s debut novel, it’s The Khan (Oneworld) that will dominate... Jia Khan is a fiercely modern anti-heroine – it’s no surprise that The Khan has already been optioned by BBC Studios.’ -- Stylist loves'The Khan is a dark, gripping thriller that subverts the usual "women as victims" narrative of crime fiction. Mir's writing is complex and evocative and The Khan is a fantastic read, sure to catch you in its clutches and not let you go until the final, heart pounding pages.' -- Bookbag‘The crime genre is red-hot right now and the book that burned the brightest was the scorching debut from Saima Mir... The stereotype-smashing protagonist who sets fire to weak images of Muslim females is breathtakingly brilliant and lights up a gripping thriller that had readers hooked.’ -- Eastern Eye, book of the year‘It’s invigorating to hear voices from communities that are out there but don’t often make centre stage in crime fiction. Let’s celebrate The Khan for that insight into British life… The Godfather retold as a feminist tale with the romantic notions of wise guys obliterated. Jia is a strong woman, a fascinatingly original character… A truly outstanding debut novel.’ -- New Books magazine‘This is riveting... I want to be Jia Khan. Heroines like this were not on my radar before!... What a phenomenal read. I’m loving reading this.’ -- Dr Shobna Gulati, author of Remember Me? ‘A unique and compelling read.’ -- The Skinny‘A forceful British debut set in an unnamed city reminiscent of Bradford at the centre of its Pakistani and crime community… Fast moving and involving.’ -- Crime Time‘An intense book, definitely relevant to the contemporary world where women still struggle to hold positions of power, combat racist and sexual attacks and climb the ladder while holding the front at home as conventional homemakers. Saima’s writing is impeccably visual… Mir breaks that glass ceiling and uses a bit of Urdu and Punjabi at some places to give you a sense of belonging, a sense of community. If you enjoy a good Agatha Christie thriller, you’ll enjoy Mir’s venture into the world of Jia Khan.’ -- Asian Voice‘Saima Mir has written an extraordinary debut novel, the exploits of Jia Khan will keep you gripped until the final pages and leave you wanting more. Mir also gives important insights into the British Asian lived experience, which resonate throughout. Not a word is wasted.’ -- Jennifer Smith, British Film Institute'This is an excellent debut and hopefully the start of a fantastic new series! Absolutely loved the ending, great new author to follow right from the beginning, I feel this could be a real eye opener of a series. It’s certainly going to keep you on the edge of your seat. Most definitely recommended.' -- Fiona Sharp, Bookseller'Just fantastic... Take a bow Saima Mir, you have nailed it with your powerful debut thriller, that has blown me away... Wow what a debut.' -- Surjit’s Books Blog‘In the summer blockbuster you’ve been looking for, Mir explores justice, honour and the insidious impact of Britain’s racism with a crime story that centres around the formidable lawyer Jia… she’s slap-bang in a Godfather-esque struggle for control, with grand plot twists that’ll leave your head spinning. Hopefully it’s the first in a series…’ -- Sytlist, Ultimate Reading List

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Book SynopsisService of All the Dead is the fourth novel in Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse series.The sweet countenance of Reason greeted Morse serenely when he woke, and told him that it would be no bad idea to have a quiet look at the problem itself before galloping off to a solution.In the quiet parish of St Frideswide's, most people could still remember the murder of the churchwarden. A few could still recall the murderer's suicide. Even the police closed the case.But Chief Inspector Morse was alone among the congregation in suspecting that not everything might be so tidily put to rest. And a chance meeting among the tombstones reveals startling new evidence of a conspiracy to deceive . . .Service of All the Dead is followed by the fifth Inspector Morse book, The Dead of Jericho.

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Book SynopsisHere, in one volume, are the stories that transformed Sherlock Holmes into a household name: the fateful first meeting of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson inA Study in Scarlet, the mysterious treasure ofThe Sign of the Four, the formidable Irene Adler of A Scandal in Bohemiaand many more! This collection includesA Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,andThe Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

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Book SynopsisEllen Curtis is about to have her own life thrown into chaos in this third light-hearted decluttering mystery!Brett layers the old-fashioned puzzle with deep psychological insights . . . Not to be missed Booklist Starred ReviewDeclutterer Ellen Curtis has been working to bring order into the life of Cedric Waites, a recluse in his eighties who hasn''t left his house or let anyone inside it since his wife died. On one of her regular visits, Ellen finds the old man dead.Sad but, given his age, perhaps not unexpected. Nothing to get worked up about . . . until the police raise the suspicion that Cedric might have been poisoned! The cause seems be something he ate, and as Ellen cleared away the old man''s food containers, she is under suspicion. As is Dodge, who works for Ellen and has unhelpfully done a runner . . .Meanwhile, a rival declutterer is out to sabotage Ellen''s reputable business, her two grown-up children a

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Book Synopsis*THE JAPANESE CRIME CLASSIC - ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD*'One of the great masterpieces of Japanese crime fiction and one of the must-read books of this or any year' David PeaceTokyo, 1995. Five men meet at the racetrack every Sunday to bet on horses. They have little in common except a deep disaffection with their lives, but together they represent the social struggles and griefs of post-War Japan: a poorly socialized genius stuck working as a welder; a demoted detective with a chip on his shoulder; a Zainichi Korean banker sick of being ostracized for his ethnicity; a struggling single dad of a teenage girl with Down syndrome. The fifth man bringing them all together is an elderly drugstore owner grieving his grandson, who died in suspicious circumstances.Intent on revenge against a society that values corporate behemoths more than human life, the five conspirators decide to carry out a heist: kidnap the CEO of Japan's largest beer conglomerate and extract blood money from the company's corrupt financiers.Inspired by the unsolved true-crime kidnapping case perpetrated by "the Monster with 21 Faces," Lady Joker has become a cultural touchstone since its 1997 publication, acknowledged as the magnum opus by one of Japan's literary masters.'A novel that portrays with devastating immensity how those on the dark fringes of society can be consumed by the darkness of their own hearts' Yoko Ogawa, author of The Memory Police'Takamura's prismatic heist novel offers a broad indictment of capitalist society' New York Times'Lady Joker is a work you get immersed in, like a sprawling 19th century novel or a TV series like The Wire' NPRTrade ReviewHallelujah! Inspired by the real-life, still unsolved Glico-Morinaga kidnapping and extortion case which led to the nationwide hunt for "The Monster with Twenty-one Faces," Kaoru Takamura's Lady Joker is at last available in translation; epic in its scale and vision, yet gripping from first to last, this is one of the great masterpieces of Japanese crime fiction and one of the must-read books of this or any year -- David Peace, author of TOKYO YEAR ZEROA novel that portrays with devastating immensity how those on the dark fringes of society can be consumed by the darkness of their own hearts -- Yoko Ogawa, author of THE MEMORY POLICETakamura's prismatic heist novel offers a broad indictment of capitalist society * New York Times *Lady Joker is a work you get immersed in, like a sprawling 19th century novel or a TV series like The Wire . . . Lady Joker casts a page-turning spell * NPR *Like Ellroy's American Tabloid and Carr's The Alienist, the book uses crime as a prism to examine dynamic periods of social history . . . Takamura's blistering indictment of capitalism, corporate corruption and the alienation felt by characters on both sides of the law from institutions they once believed would protect them resonates surprisingly with American culture * Los Angeles Times *Excellent . . . Takamura shows why she's one of Japan's most prominent mystery novelists * Publishers Weekly *Takamura's challenging, genre-confounding epic offers a sweeping view of contemporary Japan in all its complexity * Kirkus Reviews *Sprawling, addictive, this X-Ray examination of a society where the have and the have nots (including the police) play a slow, inexorable dance towards catastrophe, turns into a fascinating piece of work and I look forward to its conclusion * Crime Time *A fascinating slow burn of a book, detailed, complex and immersive * Guardian *Meticulously plotted complexity * Times Literary Supplement *Ruminative and idiosyncratic, this slow-burner earns its page-count * Telegraph *Hallelujah! Inspired by the real-life, still unsolved Glico-Morinaga kidnapping and extortion case which led to the nationwide hunt for "The Monster with Twenty-one Faces," Kaoru Takamura's Lady Joker is at last available in translation; epic in its scale and vision, yet gripping from first to last, this is one of the great masterpieces of Japanese crime fiction and one of the must-read books of this or any year. * David Peace, author of Tokyo Year Zero *A novel that portrays with devastating immensity how those on the dark fringes of society can be consumed by the darkness of their own hearts -- Yoko Ogawa * author of The Memory Police *Takamura's prismatic heist novel offers a broad indictment of capitalist society * New York Times *Lady Joker is a work you get immersed in, like a sprawling 19th century novel or a TV series like The Wire. . . Lady Joker casts a page-turning spell * NPR *Like Ellroy's American Tabloid and Carr's The Alienist, the book uses crime as a prism to examine dynamic periods of social history . . . Takamura's blistering indictment of capitalism, corporate corruption and the alienation felt by characters on both sides of the law from institutions they once believed would protect them resonates surprisingly with American culture * Los Angeles Times *Excellent . . . Takamura shows why she's one of Japan's most prominent mystery novelists * Publishers Weekly *Takamura's challenging, genre-confounding epic offers a sweeping view of contemporary Japan in all its complexity * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Crime Fiction Lover Best Indie Crime Novel of 2022‘Ingenious, light-hearted and old-fashioned in the best possible way. A great read.’ – Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time‘A seriously fun read.’ – Dervla McTiernan, author of The Murder Rule‘Wickedly clever, highly original and thoroughly entertaining – I loved it!’ – Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands‘Sulari Gentill delivers another murder mystery gem.’ – Tim Ayliffe, author of The Enemy Within Hannah Tigone, bestselling Australian crime author, is crafting a new novel that begins in the Boston Public Library: four strangers; Winifred, Cain, Marigold and Whit are sitting at the same table when a bloodcurdling scream breaks the silence. A woman has been murdered. They are all suspects, and, as it turns out, each character has their own secrets and motivations – and one of them is a murderer. While crafting this new thriller, Hannah shares each chapter with her biggest fan and aspirational novelist, Leo. But Leo seems to know a lot about violence, motive, and how exactly to kill someone. Perhaps he is not all that he seems... The Woman in the Library is an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship – and shows that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all. Trade ReviewThe Woman in the Library is a wonderful novel that is compelling and sharp and it is unique and extremely clever. * TheLastWordBookReview.com *Clever, compelling, and laced with juicy clues, Sulari Gentill’s The Woman in the Library is an elegantly written work of murder mystery magnificence - an addictive game of Cluedo that pivots from death in a library, to dark secrets from the past. * Joanne Owen, Love Reading *The whole thing is a superb crime novel, but also a masterclass in experimenting with the genre – full of suspense, with plenty of pace. * It Takes a Woman blog *Ingenious, light-hearted and old-fashioned in the best possible way. A great read. * Maxim Jakubowski, CrimeTime *

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Book SynopsisHolmes and Watson tackle brain-teasing crimes in modern-day London in this stunning Manga, presented in its original right-to-left reading order, and in the full chapters as originally serialized! Meet Holmes and Watson for the first time...all over again!Trade Review"Fans of the TV series Sherlock and its superstars Cumberbatch and Freeman can get a second helping with this faithful adaptation." - Library Journal "Extremely well done...It's certainly one for fans of manga or Sherlock." - Nerdspan "Truly works a treat as a new way to revisit our favourite show." - Sherlockology "Does an amazing job of recreating the feeling of BBC's Sherlock" - Geek Girl World "Artist Jay crams dynamism into every layout" - The Guardian "This is a must have for fans of Sherlock..." - Adventures in Poor Taste! "Firing on all cylinders, as it is as strong as it was on television...10 out of 10." - Graphic Policy "Benedict's Sherlock seems to have been made for Manga." - Flickering Myth

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Book Synopsis64 new traditional Holmes adventures in three simultaneously published volumesIn 2018, MX Publishing presented Parts XI and XII of this acclaimed and ongoing series, Some Untold Cases. Now that theme is revisited with 64 new Sherlock Holmes adventures that explore those many tantalizing references to some of Holmes''s other cases, as mentioned in The Canon."Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine . . . ." - Dr. John H. WatsonSo wrote Dr. Watson in "The Problem of Thor Bridge" - and ever since, Sherlockians have been seeking to know more about these tales from the legendary tin dispatch box. While Watson''s original Literary Agent only edited the pitifully few sixty stories that make up the original Canon, there have since been literally thousands of traditional adventures about the true Sherlock Holmes - and yet there will never be enough!Throughout the original Holmes Canon, there were hints and teases of other intriguing cases - The Giant Rat of Sumatra . . . The Abernetty Tragedy . . . The Manor House Case. Watson mentions well over one-hundred of these, which have collectively come to be known as The Untold Cases. Now, once again MX Publishing brings us sixty-four of these adventures in three simultaneously published volumes, with all royalties going to support the Stepping Stones School at Undershaw, one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle''s former homes.Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known."Each volume contains forwards by Otto Penzler, Roger Johnson, Stepping Stones School, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum, as well as stories by the following contributors:Marcia Wilson, Brenda Seabrooke, Stephen Herczeg, Tracy J. Revels, Kevin P. Thornton, Thomas A. Burns, Jr., Dick Gillman, Jayantika Ganguly, John Davis, DJ Tyrer, Harry DeMaio, Arthur Hall (2 stories), Susan Knight, David Marcum, Craig Stephen Copland (2 stories), Gayle Lange Puhl, John Lawrence, John Linwood Grant, and Paula Hammond, and a poem by Joseph W. Svec III

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Book SynopsisLondon: November 1905. England and the world are changing. Into the rooms of Sherlock Holmes come Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison-with new inventions that will alter the course of human history-only both inventions have gone missing.  Can Holmes, Watson, and Irene Adler somehow unravel the latest diabolical scheme of Marie Chartier-evil daughter of the late Professor Moriarty? Can world peace be achieved by the most powerful weapon ever created? Can death itself be overcome by a scientific genius? And can Sherlock Holmes survive the greatest personal loss of his career?

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Book SynopsisOne moment the lovely young woman was walking through the Battle of Hastings exhibition at the British Museum; the next, she lay dead on the checkered museum floor, a Norman arrow protruding from her breast. Inspector Lestrade believed he had solved the mystery, but almost immediately recognized that Scotland Yard needed the help of Sherlock Holmes. From London to the Lake District, the master detective, along with his colleague Dr. Watson and recently-met American mystery writer, Anna Katharine Green, follows a string of clues that ultimately exposes the intricacies of a tragic love story-a woeful tale whose twists and turns reveal what Watson accurately called "the unhappiest of Holmes''s adventures."

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Book SynopsisIn Victorian London, Sherlock Holmes is not alone in solving mysteries that baffle the official police. Housekeeper, schoolmistress, detective: Mrs Meinir Davies tracks down missing mothers, stolen treasures, and secrets and scandals touching some of England''s most venerable institutions, from the Church to the Houses of Parliament.In this collection of 12 stories, Meinir joins forces with Sherlock, Dorcas Dene, and the official police on the streets of London, from East to West, to help public servants, abandoned children, and one mysterious Mrs J. Holmes. What is the true story behind one of Holmes'' bloodiest adventures, The Red Circle? Why has the man in the white hat followed Mrs Holmes across the Atlantic? And how many marriages will be threatened by a single diamond lizard?

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