Classic crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisQUENTIN TARANTINO on NOBODY'S ANGEL: “My favourite fiction novel this year was written by a taxi driver who used to hand it out to his passengers. It’s a terrific story and character study of a cabbie in Chicago during a time when a serial killer is robbing and murdering cabbies. Kudos to Hard Case Crime for publishing Mr. Clark’s book.” TWO KILLERS STALK THE STREETS OF CHICAGO—CAN ONE TAXI DRIVER CORNER THEM BOTH? Eddie Miles is one of a dying breed: a Windy City hack who knows every street and back alley of his beloved city and takes its recent descent into violence personally. But what can one driver do about a killer targeting streetwalkers or another terrorizing cabbies? Precious little—until the night he witnesses one of them in action...Trade ReviewThe Washington Post writes, "NOBODY'S ANGEL is a gem... it’s just about perfect."Chicago Sun-Times on NOBODY’S ANGEL: "Heartbreaking... captivating... each page turn feels like real, authentic Chicago."Booklist on NOBODY’S ANGEL: "The cynical, melancholy cabbie point of view is perfect for this kind of neon-lit, noir-tinged, saxophone-scored prose poem, and Clark hits all the right notes."Publishers Weekly on NOBODY’S ANGEL: "[A] slim, sparse, and heartbreaking novel."

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Book Synopsis''Everything was quiet and sunny and calm. No cause for excitement whatever. It''s only Marlowe, finding another body. He does it rather well by now. Murder-a-day Marlowe, they call him . . .''Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired to find a missing woman. Derace Kingsley''s wife ran away to Mexico to get a divorce and marry a hunk named Chris Lavery. Or so the note she left her husband says. Trouble is, when Philip Marlowe asks Lavery about it he denies everything. But when Marlowe next encounters Lavery, he''s denying nothing - on account of the two bullet holes in his heart. Now Marlowe''s on the trail of a killer, who leads him out of smoggy Los Angeles all the way to a murky mountain lake . . .The Lady in the Lake is Raymond Chandler''s fourth novel featuring laconic PI Philip Marlowe.''Chandler''s best novels carry the crime story to levels of artistry that have rarely been matched'' Daily Mail''Chandler grips the mind from the first sentence'' Daily Telegraph ''One of the greatest crime writers, who set standards others still try to attain'' Sunday Times''Chandler is an original stylist, creator of a character as immortal as Sherlock Holmes'' Anthony BurgessTrade 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 *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 SynopsisA classic crime novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, The King of Detective Story Writers', featuring Inspector French, coming soon to television.When Morrison first heard of old Stott's idea to purchase an ocean liner and run her as a tourist ship in sheltered waters off the British Isles, he was most enthusiastic. In fact, he accepted a job on board. But when he discovered the true purpose of Stott's floating paradise, Morrison's delight turned to foreboding. And when murder struck the vessel, he wasn't alone. A certain Inspector from Scotland Yard had been travelling incognito, almost as if a nasty spot of trouble had been expectedTrade Review“A detective novel by Mr. Wills Crofts is always an event to those who know … Mr. Crofts is among the few muscular writers of detective fiction. He has never let me down.”HAROLD NICHOLSON, Daily Express “An extremely original story … Crofts is to be congratulated on yet another instance of his unfailing ingenuity.”Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisThis 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.A weekly dinner partyTen amateur sleuthsThe Tuesday Club murdersOn a quiet Tuesday in St Mary Mead, a group of friends gather for dinner.A policeman, a clergyman, a solicitor, an author, an artist, and an unassuming lady with a shrewd gaze Miss Jane Marple. Conversation naturally turns to crime.Each recounts a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Each thinks they know the answer.But it's the one they least expect who understands the true nature of each wicked actNever underestimate Miss MarpleBillions of readers can't be wrong.'Dreda Say MitchellThe plots are so good that one marvels . . . most of them would have made a full-length thriller.'Daily MirrorTrade 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 SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the seventh volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.OFF WITH HIS HEADWhen the pesky Anna Bünz arrives at Mardian to investigate local folk-dancing, she quickly antagonizes the villagers. But Mrs Bünz is not the only source of friction. When the sword dancers'' traditional mock beheading of the Winter Solstice becomes horribly real, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn finds himself faced with a complex case of gruesome proportionsSINGING IN THE SHROUDSOn a cold February London night, the police find a corpse on the quayside, her body covered with flower petals and pearls. The killer, who walked away singing, is known to be one of nine passengers on the cargo ship, Cape Farewell. Superintendent Roderick Alleyn joins the ship on the most difficult assignment of his careerFALSE SCENT Mary Bellamy, darling of the London stage, holds a 50th birthday party, a gala for everyone who loves her and fears her power. Then someone uses a deadly insect spray on Mary instead of the azaleas. The suspects, all very theatrically, are playing the part of mourners. Superintendent Alleyn has to find out which one played the murderer

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Book Synopsis''Has a charm, and mystery, all of its own'' THE TIMES''Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers'' DAILY MAILThe first historical mystery in a new classic crime series from bestselling author Frances Brody. This is the perfect locked room page-turner for fans of Agatha Christie and Jacqueline Winspear.___________1969. A job in the Prison Service is not for everyone. The training is hard, the cells are bleak and a thick skin is needed. But for Nell Lewis, helping prisoners is something she cares about deeply, and when she''s promoted into a new post as governor of HMP Brackerley in Yorkshire, she''s tasked with transforming the renowned run-down facility into a modern, open prison for women.Just as Nell is settling into her new role, events take a dark turn when a man''s body is discovered in the prison grounds. The mystery deepens still when one of their female inmateTrade ReviewHas a charm, and mystery, all of its own * The Times *An intriguing and heart-warming story * Daily Mail *With a competent, dynamic and likeable heroine, and an environment packed with stories great and small, it's hard to see how this series would fail * Morning Star *Praise for Frances Brody:Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers * Daily Mail *Brody's writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive -- Ann CleevesKate Shackleton is a splendid heroine -- Ann GrangerDelightful * People's Friend *Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place . . . a novel to cherish -- Barry Turner * Daily Mail *Kate Shackleton joins Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs in a subgroup of young, female amateur detectives who survived and were matured by their wartime experiences. As self-reliant women in a society that still regards them a second-class citizens, they make excellent heroines * Literary Review *I really adore this series and Kate is such a strong, level-headed character * Woman's Way *

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Book SynopsisIt is 1895, and Sherlock Holmes's new client is a High Court judge, whose free-spirited daughter has disappeared without a trace. Holmes and Watson discover that the missing woman-Hannah Woolfson-was herself on the trail of a missing person, her close friend Sophia. Sophia was recruited to a group known as the Elysians, a quasi-religious sect obsessed with Ancient Greek myths and rituals, run by the charismatic Sir Philip Buchanan. Hannah has joined the Elysians under an assumed name, convinced that her friend has been murdered. Holmes agrees that she should continue as his agent within the secretive yet seemingly harmless cult, yet Watson is convinced Hannah is in terrible danger. For Sir Philip has dreams of improving humanity through classical ideals, and at any cost...

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Book SynopsisOUT NOW IN CINEMAS AND NOMINATED FOR FOUR OSCARS A cool, cruel, rediscovered classic of American noir adapted for cinemas by Guillermo del Toro, starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara 'Read and shudder. And relish' Guardian 'A creepy, all-too-harrowing masterpiece' Washington Post Stanton Carlisle, employed as a carny at a travelling circus watches their freak-show geek - an abject alcoholic, the object of the voyeuristic crowd’s gleeful disgust and derision - and wonders how a man could fall so low. There’s no way in hell, he vows, that anything like that will ever happen to him. Unlike the tragic figure he sees before him, Stan is young, clever and ambitious and quick to learn from the other carnival acts. Initially teaming up with a beautiful but vulnerable woman as part of a double act in which he mesmerises her, Stan soon leaves his circus days behind him, becoming a successful spiritualist who exploits the weak and the wealthy. But even the very best con-men can meet their match.... With a new introduction from James Smythe, Nightmare Alley is a forgotten classic of Depression-era America: a brilliant, horrifying, compulsive journey into the true darkness of the human mind.Trade ReviewMore than just a steamy noir classic. As a portrait of the human condition, Nightmare Alley is a creepy, all-too-harrowing masterpiece * Washington Post *Along with The Grapes of Wrath and They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, this is a great American Depression-era novel. Read and shudder. And relish * Guardian *A brilliant and horrific book * The Times *The ‘nightmare’ of the title rings true, for this delirious and unstoppable novel ... inverts the American dream ... Never was noir more autobiographical than here… Nightmare Alley remains a masterpiece * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisA mysterious Catholic priest arrives at 221B Baker Street, only to utter the words 'if corpe' before dropping dead. Though the man's death is attributed to cholera, when news of a similar case reaches Holmes, he is convinced that the priests have been poisoned. He and Watson learn that the men were on a mission from the Vatican to investigate a miracle; but surely no miracle could lead to murder?Trade Review"The original plot line is refreshing, and the portrayals of the leads are generally faithful to the Sherlock Holmes canon." -- Publishers Weekly"Fresh and engaging" -- San Francisco Book Review

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Book SynopsisA classic country house mystery republished for the first time in nearly seventy years. Perfect for fans of Murder at the Old Vicarage and Partners in Crime.When Dilys Hughes finds herself snowbound in the middle of a bleak and lonely stretch of Yorkshire, she has no option but to accept help from passing motorist Inigo Brown, who is on his way to visit his uncle.Arriving at his uncle''s remote country house, Wintry Wold, the couple encounters a less than warm welcome from Inigo''s new young aunt, Theresa. Why is she reluctant to let Inigo see his uncle, and is he really as ill as they are told?As the snowstorm brings more stranded strangers to their door, Dilys starts to realise that all is not as it seems at Wintry Wold. When the morning brings news of the death of Inigo''s uncle, Dilys sets out to investigate - was it a natural death, or was it murder?Trade ReviewKeeps one guessing The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisCosy crime historical mysteries featuring Flavia de Luce - the teenage amateur sleuth you'll never forget. Perfect for fans of Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.Trade ReviewPraise for the cosy crime Flavia de Luce Mysteries - perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders: The Flavia de Luce novels are now a cult favourite * Mail on Sunday *Certain to become a national treasure * Daily Mail *Delightfully entertaining * Guardian *Flavia is enchanting * New York Times *A breath of fresh air to the world of period-piece sleuthing * Independent *Flavia is mercilessly addictive * Daily Telegraph *A clever, witty and totally gripping read with lots of surprises * Essentials *At once precocious and endearing. Flavia is a marvellous character. Quirkily appealing, this is definitely a crime novel with a difference * Choice *It's like entering the lost world of the Mitford sisters where the girls are allowed to run completely wild * Crime Squad *Hilarious, eccentric and mischievous * Deadly Pleasures *Engaging, entertaining, bright and breezy; and above all, great fun! * Good Book Guide *The intricate plot unfolds neatly against a charming period backdrop of 1950s England, while the precocious but indomitable Flavia is so original a character that the book is a joy to read. * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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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 the brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories. * Guardian *Fierce, bleak and compellingly written . . . with pitiless landscapes of hopeless longing, random cruelty and galloping fate warmed only by the twilit lyricism of doomed desire. These are novels of eye-opening, spine-tingling control and intensity. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent *The romans durs are extraordinary: tough, bleak, offhandedly violent, suffused with guilt and bitterness, redolent of place . . . utterly unsentimental, frightening in the pitilessness of their gaze, yet wonderfully entertaining. -- John BanvilleA supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness. * Independent *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 * Guardian *Fierce, bleak and compellingly written . . . with pitiless landscapes of hopeless longing, random cruelty and galloping fate warmed only by the twilit lyricism of doomed desire. These are novels of eye-opening, spine-tingling control and intensity. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent *The romans durs are extraordinary: tough, bleak, offhandedly violent, suffused with guilt and bitterness, redolent of place . . . utterly unsentimental, frightening in the pitilessness of their gaze, yet wonderfully entertaining * John Banville *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *

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Book SynopsisStevenson published this collection of his early fiction in 1882, after the pieces had appeared in various magazines. The first half features two popular detective-story cycles, The Suicide Club and The Rajah’s Diamonds, which deal with a macabre secret society and the intrigues and escapades involving exotic jewels. The second half brings together unrelated pieces, including the seminal ‘The Pavilion on the Links’ – described by Conan Doyle as the first short story in the world – which is set in a cottage surrounded by quicksand and tells the story of two old friends who become rivals for the affection of a woman. An eclectic, entertaining compilation, New Arabian Nights represented a milestone in Stevenson’s creative development and confirmed his reputation as one of the finest storytellers in the English language.Trade ReviewFrom my very childhood Robert Louis Stevenson was an incarnation of happiness for me. -- Jorge Luis BorgesTable of ContentsContains: The Suicide Club, Story of the Young Man with the Cream Tarts, Story of the Physician and the Saratoga Trunk, The Adventure of the Hansom Cabs, The Raja's Diamond, Story of the Bandbox, Story of the Young Man in Holy Orders, Story of the House with the Green Blinds, The Adventure of Prince Florizel and a Detective, The Pavilons on the Links, A Lodging for the Night, The Sire de Maletroit's Door, Providence and the Guitar.

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Book SynopsisJoe Pickett must battle a killer in a winter snowstorm in this gripping read from New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box.It's an hour away from darkness, a bitter winter storm is raging, and Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett is deep in the forest near Battle Mountain: shotgun in his left hand, his truck's steering wheel handcuffed to his right and Lamar Gardiner's arrow-riddled corpse splayed against the tree in front of him.Joe knows that Lamar's murder and the sudden onslaught of the snowstorm mean he should get off the mountain. But he also knows this episode is far from over. Somewhere in the dense timber, a killer is drawing his bowstring with Joe as his prey...Winterkill is part of the award-winning Joe Pickett series of novels, now adapted into a hit TV show from Paramount+.''Box keeps the suspense high through a final showdown.'' South Florida Sun-Sentinel''Recommended, especially for fa

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Book Synopsis*ANNA O THE WORLD WILL KNOW HER NAME*_______________________________________________**SELECTED AS THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH****AN OBSERVER THRILLER OF THE MONTH**''Reads like a dream but unsettles like a nightmare'' A J FINNA propulsive and inventive read' GUARDIAN''Superb . . . an ingenious whodunnit'' THE TIMES''Compelling and brilliantly crafted'' SUN''Utterly addictive'' LUCY CLARKECertain to be one of the year''s best thrillers' LEE CHILD''Will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime'' NITA PROSE''Remarkable . . . it deserves to be a breakout bestseller' DAILY MAIL''The twist is one of the best I've read'' DAVID BALDACCI ________________________________________________ANNA O HASN'T OPENED HER EYES FOR FOUR YEARSNot since the night she was found in a deep sleep by the bodies of her best friends, suspected of a chilling double murder.For Doctor Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist on London's Harley Street, waking Anna O could be career-defining. As an expert in sleTrade Review‘This extraordinary story is perfect for fans of The Silent Patient’ CANDIS ‘An irresistible concept beautifully executed’ LEE CHILD ‘The twist is one of the best I’ve read’ DAVID BALDACCI ‘This extraordinary story is perfect for fans of The Silent Patient’ CANDIS ‘Will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime’ NITA PROSE ‘The premise is original, the writing stylish, and the payoff unforgettable’ A J FINN ‘Extremely entertaining and terribly twisty’ CECELIA AHERN ‘A natural-born storyteller’ JEFFERY DEAVER ‘Utterly addictive, fiendishly clever’ LUCY CLARKE ‘Incredibly atmospheric’ RAGNAR JONASSON ‘As unsettling as a waking dream’ STIG ABELL ‘WHAT a ride. Everyone needs to read this book’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN ‘The smartest thriller I’ve read in years’ EMILIA HART ‘A plot that keeps you guessing’ STEPHANIE WROBEL ‘Will compel you to read it in one white-knuckled gulp’ C J COOKE ‘Ingeniously plotted and impossible to put down’ SARAH J HARRIS 'An intricate psychological thriller' THE BOOKSELLER 'One game-changing twist after another' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'Once you pick it up, there's no putting it down' KIRKUS 'The most talked about thriller of 2024' NBC's TODAY SHOW 'Brilliantly executed, packed with insight' DAILY MAIL 'A high-concept thriller' THE GLOSS 'Intriguing…A fascinating novel' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'A pacy thriller destined for the big screen' WOMAN & HOME 'One of the breakout hits of the year' BUSINESS POST 'So stylishly told' MEATH CHRONICLE 'Fresh and compelling…set to be a hit' ADELE PARKS FOR PLATINUM

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Book SynopsisThe incredible new novel from C.S. Green featuring Detective Rose GiffordSomething terrible happened in that house An enthralling, multi-layered crime novel that fans of Peter James and Lisa Jewell will adore' MARK EDWARDSThis dark and tightly plotted supernatural thriller was a joy to read Superb stuff.' Netgalley ReviewerAn enthralling, multi-layered crime novel that fans of Peter James and Lisa Jewell will adore' MARK EDWARDSI love this compelling crime series with its supernatural twist.' C.L. TAYLORAn expertly crafted, accurate police procedural, shot through with dark supernatural shades that are at times really unsettling' NEIL LANCASTERA house with a history. A boy with a grudge. And a detective who will stop at nothing to get to the truth.Gregory knows something is wrong with his house. His parents don't believe him, but he can feel it and he's frightened.DC Rose Gifford is called out after neighbours report a series of disturbances at the property, and she can feel it too. Trade Review'The Whisper House is so clever and spooky – I absolutely flew through it! Rose Gifford is fast becoming one of my favourite characters ever and I can't wait to read the next instalment' SJI Holliday ‘An enthralling, multi-layered crime novel that fans of Peter James and Lisa Jewell will adore’ Mark Edwards ‘An expertly crafted, accurate police procedural, shot through with dark supernatural shades that are at times really unsettling…’Neil Lancaster ‘Original, tense and exquisitely written, DC Rose Gifford has that unique formula of tender vulnerability and steely determination that makes her a true force to be reckoned with.’ Jane Isaac ‘A detective series beautifully located at the intersection of police procedural and paranormal crime, The Whisper House is a page turning mystery, genuinely spooky but with genuine sympathy for its characters. A unique read’Sinead Crowley PRAISE FOR C S GREEN: ‘Eerie, original and compelling’ C.L. Taylor ‘Tense and twisted’ Susi Holliday ‘A brilliant, clever murder mystery’ Jane Casey ‘Brilliant’ Jenny Blackhurst ‘Unusual, intriguing and funny in places’ Sinead Crowley ‘I read it one sitting, totally gripped’ Erin Kelly ‘Creepy, intriguing and a total page turner’ Michelle Davies ‘Rose Gifford is as brilliant a character as Susie Steiner’s Manon’ Louise Voss 'A classy police procedural with gritty characters and a delicious paranormal edge' Jane Isaac ‘A gripping, fascinating and tense novel’ Neil Lancaster ‘Tightly plotted, perfectly paced, and beautifully written, the story builds to a tense and terrifying conclusion. The introduction of a secret police department set up to solve crimes with a supernatural element is original and exciting’ Amanda Jennings

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Book SynopsisA classic crime novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, The King of Detective Story Writers', featuring Inspector French, coming soon to television.Money or lack of it can be, to certain members of society, a powerful motive for murder. Two sisters and a brother who were to share equally in their uncle''s fortune had, each in their own way, urgent reasons for wanting money. But it was a comparative outsider who also stood to benefit from the estate through his wife''s inheritance who contemplates the murder of their uncle. In great financial difficulty, his desperation urges him on to plan the crime with infinite care. An unexpected chance leads to an accomplice who provides a sound alibi, upon whose silence he can rely.As The Affair at Little Wokeham unfolds, Chief Inspector French enters upon the scene and, through his painstaking investigation, the mystery is unravelled.Trade Review“A detective novel by Mr. Wills Crofts is always an event to those who know … Mr. Crofts is among the few muscular writers of detective fiction. He has never let me down.”HAROLD NICHOLSON, DAILY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisFrance''s favourite country cop, Bruno, faces a dangerous threat to the town he polices and the people he protects. Loved by millions, the Dordogne Mysteries are the perfect mix of mystery and escapism.The event of the Périgord tourist season is the re-enactment of the liberation of the historic town of Sarlat from the English in 1370. But it all goes wrong when the man playing the part of the victorious French general collapses in a pool of blood.The question for chief of police Bruno is was this an accident - or deliberate? The stakes rise when Bruno learns that the man, Kerquelin, was running Frenchelon, the secret French electronic intelligence base nearby, after being recruited from a brilliant Silicon Valley career.As he investigates, Bruno discovers that Kerquelin''s wound was faked, that he is alive and well and secretly negotiating a massive deal to build a semi-conductor industry in France. But then a whole new and dangerous player emerges,

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Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the forgotten second novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.When the body of Sir William Ponson is found in the Cranshaw River near his home of Luce Manor, it is assumed to be an accident until the evidence points to murder. Inspector Tanner of Scotland Yard discovers that those who would benefit most from Sir William's death seem to have unbreakable alibis, and a mysterious fifth man whose footprints were found at the crime scene is nowhere to be found . . .This Detective Story Club classic is introduced by Dolores Gordon-Smith, author of the Jack Haldean Golden Age mysteries.Trade Review‘I could find you a sentence or allusion I loved on every single page, and it offers some well-motivated multiple-alibi shenanigans, rich contemporary details, and rigorous, rich, detail-obsessed detection.’ The Invisible Event ‘Of its type, a supremely good example.’ Yorkshire Post

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Book SynopsisA print-on-demand edition of Christie''s masterpiece especially for readers who prefer the old pocket-sized ''A-format'' paperbacks.A stunning novel of death and destiny.Bereft of the three people she has held most dear her mother, her husband and her daughter Celia is on the verge of suicide. Then one night on an exotic island she meets Larraby, a successful portrait painter, and through a long night of talk reveals how she is afraid to commit herself to a second chance of happiness with another person, yet is not brave enough to face life alone. Can Larraby help Celia come to terms with the past or will they part, her outcome still uncertain?Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work.Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as comTrade Review‘A study of a shy, emotional nature, verging on the pathological… worth reading.' New York Times 'In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha.' Max Mallowan

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Book SynopsisThis brand new edition of the first novel to feature the officer and gentleman detective Colonel Wickham Gore includes the first ever reprint of the only Colonel Gore novella, Too Much Imagination.Trade Review‘A very clever writer: agreeable literary style, a good descriptive touch, a gift for drawing life-like people, and a lively sense of dramatic incident’ Rose Macaulay ‘Lynn Brock has a fine sense of character, and the power to excite’ Frank Swinnerton

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Book SynopsisWritten in reaction to what Bentley perceived as the sterility and artificiality of the detective fiction of his day, Trent''s Last Case features Philip Trent, an all-too-human detective who not only falls in love with the chief suspect but reaches a brilliant conclusion that is totally wrong.Trent's Last Case begins when millionaire American financier Sigsbee Manderson is murdered while on holiday in England. A London newspaper sends Trent to investigate, and he is soon matching wits with Scotland Yard''s Inspector Murth as they probe ever deeper in search of a solution to a mystery filled with odd, mysterious twists and turns.Called by Agatha Christie one of the best detective stories ever written, Trent''s Last Case delights with its flesh-and-blood characters, its naturalness and easy humor, and its style, which, as Dorothy Sayers has noted, ranges from a vividly coloured rhetoric to a delicate and ironical literary fancy.Trade Review‘One of the three best detective stories ever written.’ AGATHA CHRISTIE ‘The finest detective story of modern times.’ G. K. CHESTERTON ‘A masterpiece of detective fiction.’ EDGAR WALLACE ‘Trent’s Last Case holds a very special place in the history of detective fiction. A tale of unusual brilliance and charm – startlingly original.’ DOROTHY L. SAYERS

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Book SynopsisAs inventive as Agatha Christie, as hilarious as P.G. Wodehouse discover the delightful detective stories of Edmund Crispin. Crime fiction at its quirkiest and best.Long inhabited by a collection of profoundly offbeat locals, there has been a recent influx of the newly rich and well to do arriving in the village of Cotten Abbas and not everyone is happy about it. New arrivals are receiving anonymous letters that know a little too much about dark secrets and dirty laundry.Gervase Fen is summoned to the scene, but soon finds more than he bargained for. A suicide on Friday, a murder by Sunday, and some villagers that seem hell bent on keeping this mystery unsolvedTrade Review‘Both the mature and the discerning young choose to pick up one of Crispin's beautifully turned crime novels’ The Times ‘Crispin isn't in it for the mystery, but for the enigmas’ Guardian ‘His books are full of high spirits and excellent jokes, with constant literary allusions and an atmosphere of bibulous good humour. But at times the mood turns darker, and Crispin is capable of passages of both genuine suspense and ingenius deduction’ Daily Telegraph ‘Crispin is noted for an ability to embellish clever story lines with Marx Brothers touches’ New York Times ‘Rightly elevated to classic status’ New York Sun

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Book SynopsisAs inventive as Agatha Christie, as hilarious as P.G. Wodehouse discover the delightful detective stories of Edmund Crispin. Crime fiction at its quirkiest and best.When a decapitated head is seen floating down the river in the Devon village of Aller, the rural calm is shattered. Soon the corpses are multiplying, and the entire community is involved in the hunt for the murderer.Whilst many chase false trails, it is left to Gervase Fen, Oxford don and amateur criminologist, to uncover the sordid truthTrade Review‘Both the mature and the discerning young choose to pick up one of Crispin's beautifully turned crime novels’ The Times ‘Crispin isn't in it for the mystery, but for the enigmas’ Guardian ‘His books are full of high spirits and excellent jokes, with constant literary allusions and an atmosphere of bibulous good humour. But at times the mood turns darker, and Crispin is capable of passages of both genuine suspense and ingenius deduction’ Daily Telegraph ‘Crispin is noted for an ability to embellish clever story lines with Marx Brothers touches’ New York Times ‘Rightly elevated to classic status’ New York Sun

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Book SynopsisTwo trainsSide by side for a brief momentIn that moment, a murderElspeth McGillicuddy is positive she witnessed a man strangling a woman to death.But it was only the merest glimpse through a carriage window as the trains drew parallel.She is the only witness, there are no suspects, and, most importantly, there is no corpse.Who, apart from her friend Jane Marple, would take her seriously?Never underestimate Miss MarpleAll crime writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt.'Peter JamesNever a dull moment.'The TimesTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French

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Book SynopsisDescribed as a ''riveting read'' by Sarah Waters and acclaimed by crime writers such as Andrew Taylor, The Pursued is a dark, gripping 1930s psychological thriller by C. S. Forester, the author of Hornblower.The story begins when Marjorie, a young woman, arrives home one summer evening and finds her sister, dead, with her head in the oven. She looks peaceful, as if she is asleep. Their mother suspects, however, that Dot''s death was far from natural - and that she knows who the killer is. So, slowly and meticulously, she plots her terrible revenge. C. S. Forester''s 1935 thriller The Pursued, lost for decades, rewrote the traditions of crime fiction to create a dark, twisted portrayal of obsession and retribution.Trade ReviewC. S. Forester is a splendid storyteller * Guardian *I recommend Forester to every literate I know -- Ernest HemingwayThe Pursued is a wonderful, almost miraculous discovery: a hitherto unknown crime novel by an author who is the unsung godfather of English noir * Andrew Taylor *Forester has a great eye and a subtle understanding of the dangerous passions lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life. A riveting read. * Sarah Waters *a tale of very English murder, it foreshadows the unease of metropolitan life in its near-contemporaries, George Orwell's Coming Up for Air, Patrick Hamilton's Hangover Square and Graham Greene's Brighton Rock -- Adrian Turpin * Financial Times *A brilliant tale of twisted minds in suburban Thirties London * Daily Telegraph *Skilful and chilling ... a tense psychological drama * Sunday Times *Murder, lust, obsession, retribution, they're all here * Daily Mail *Exposes the passions that lurk behind the net curtains of lower-middle-class suburbia ... teeming with atmosphere * The Times *

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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 GuardianAn Inspector Maigret mystery and a gripping tale of lost identity“A man picked up for wandering in obvious distress among the cars and buses on the Grands Boulevards. Questioned in French, he remains mute . . . A madman? In Maigret's office, he is searched. His suit is new, his underwear is new, his shoes are new. All identifying labels have been removed. No identification papers. No wallet. Five crisp thousand-franc bills have been slipped into one of his pockets.”A distressed man is found wandering the streets of Paris, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. The answers lead Maigret to a small harbour town, whose quiet citizens conceal a poisonous malice.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“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 GuardianThe classic Inspector Maigret mystery set in a claustraphobic provincial town“Cars drove past along with the trucks and trams, but by now Maigret had realized that they were not important. Whatever roared by like this along the road was not part of the landscape. . . . What really counted was the lock, the hooting of the tugs, the stone crusher, the barges and the cranes, the two pilots’ bars and especially the tall house where he could make out Ducrau’s red chair framed by a window.”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 SynopsisTrade 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''He hadn''t seen her arrive. She had stopped on the pavement a few steps away from him and was peering into the courtyard of the Police Judiciaire, where the small staff cars were parked. She ventured as far as the entrance, looked the officer up and down, then turned round and walked away towards the Pont-Neuf''When an old lady tells Maigret someone has been moving things in her apartment, she is dismissed as a fantasist - until a schocking event proves otherwise. ''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' GuardianTrade 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''You''ll get used to things, you''ll see. But you have to watch very carefully what you say and what you do.''Adil Bey is an outsider. Newly arrived as Turkish consul at a run-down Soviet port on the Black Sea, he receives only suspicion and hostility from the locals. His one intimacy is a growing, wary relationship with his Russian secretary Sonia, who he watches silently in her room opposite his apartment. But this is Stalin''s world before the war, and nothing is as it seems. Georges Simenon''s most starkly political work, The People Opposite is a tour de force of slow-burn tension.''Irresistible... read him at your peril, avoid him at your loss'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewA unique teller of tales ... What interested Simenon was the average man losing control of his own fate * Observer *

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Book SynopsisIs Carl Andersen innocent of murder, or a very good liar?Detective Chief Inspector Maigret has been interrogating the enigmatic Danish aristocrat for seventeen hours. A diamond merchant was found dead, shot at point-blank range, in the garage of Andersen's mansion, yet he will not confess to the crime. To get to the truth, Maigret must delve into the secrets of Three Widows Crossroads, the isolated neighbourhood where he lives with his mysterious, reclusive sister Else and where, it seems, everyone has something to hide.

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Book SynopsisThe searing debut novel by Chester Himes, written with youthful panache and a bellyful of anger' (Observer)Robert Bob' Jones crew leader, shipyard worker, educated, employed is finding life impossible. Though he's recently been promoted to supervisor, he is disrespected and resented by white colleagues; and despite his relationship with the high-class Alice, he is crudely baited by the manipulative Madge. Over the course of four fraught days in Los Angeles, he is plagued with increasingly violent urges as the bigotry and cruelty he faces day-in-day-out become unbearable. Chester Himes's shattering debut is a masterful reckoning with the poisonous effects of racism, and a monumental protest novel. A relentless, gripping, classic novel, one of the most powerful exposés of what it is like to be black in America' LA Times

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Book SynopsisA classic thriller from the Harlem Detective series, where love, jealousy and many-peopled mayhem aboundBig Joe Pullen is dead and his wake is getting boozy. When the opium-addicted Reverend Short falls out of a window trying to see a thief fleeing the robbed store opposite, his life is saved when he lands in a bread basket, cushioned by the corpse of Valentine Haines. It's up to detectives Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson to find out who stabbed Valentine though no one at the wake is keen to say much to the police. Shot through with dry, dark humour, this is Chester Himes at his hardboiled noir best.

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Book Synopsis''Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!''The death, quite suddenly, of Sir Charles Baskerville in mysterious circumstances is the trigger for one of the most extraordinary cases ever to challenge the brilliant analytical mind of Sherlock Holmes. As rumours of a legendary hound said to haunt the Baskerville family circulate, Holmes and Watson are asked to ensure the protection of Sir Charles'' only heir, Sir Henry - who has travelled all the way from America to reside at Baskerville Hall in Devon. And it is there, in an isolated mansion surrounded by mile after mile of wild moor, that Holmes and Watson come face to face with a terrifying evil that reaches out from centuries past . . .Trade ReviewSherlock Holmes's best ... remains a classic -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.''Sherlock Holmes''s fearless chronicler Dr Watson once again opens his notebooks to bring to light eight further tales of some of the strangest and most fascinating cases to come before the enquiring mind of London''s most famous detective.These mysteries involve the disappearance of secret plans as well as of a lady of noble standing; the curious circumstances of Wisteria Lodge and of the Devil''s Foot; as well as the story His Last Bow, the last outing of Holmes and Watson on the eve of the First World War.Trade ReviewThe world's greatest detective * Independent *

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Book Synopsis''When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.''In this, the final collection of Sherlock Holmes adventures, the intrepid detective and his faithful companion Dr Watson examine and solve twelve cases that puzzle clients, baffle the police and provide readers with the thrill of the chase.These mysteries - involving an illustrious client and a Sussex vampire; the problems of Thor Bridge and of the Lions Mane; a creeping man and the three-gabled house - all test the bravery of Dr Watson and the brilliant mind of Mr Sherlock Homes, the greatest detective we have ever known.Trade ReviewThe world's greatest detective * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe fourth in the acclaimed Lydmouth crime series, set on the Welsh/English border in the years after World War IITrade Review'The latest of Andrew Taylor's Lydmouth series of books, in which he has so effectively created the atmosphere of the 1950s...as usual with Taylor's stories, there is more to the puzzle than is immediately apparent. It's another satisfying read, in which the characters are as importants as the events and tension develops naturally, without contrivance' - Susanna Yager, Sunday TelegraphTaylor is an excellent writer * The Times *How skilfully he recreates the atmosphere of the time through innuendo, attitude and detail rather than dogged description... Taylor is the master of small lives writ large and, in the phrase coined in this era of surly pubs and poor food, he has carved a classic detective story which is deceptively calm and cool, but really smashing * Frances Fyfield, Express *'Andrew Taylor does not fall into the trap of mistaking drama for melodrama. Nor does he suffer from the insecure urge to say too much. Understatement is the rule of his Lydmouth novels, set in the Fifties and evoking the post-war restraint of that era without allowing anyone to notice quite how skilfully he re-creates the atmosphere of the time through innuendo, attitude and detail rather than dogged description... Taylor is the master of the small lives writ large and, in the phrase coined in this era of surly pubs and poor food, he has carved a detective story whch is deceptively calm and cool, but really smashing' Frances Fyfield, The Express'The latest of Andrew Taylor's Lydmouth series of books, in which he has so effectively created the atmosphere of the 1950s, with its genteel drabness and carefully preserved hierarchy of relationships . . . Is another satisfying read, in which the characters are as important as the events and tension develops naturally without contrivance. * Susanna Yager, Sunday Telegraph *'Excellent classic mystery set in early 1950s Lydmouth' - The GuardianMarvellously creepy * Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday *'Marvellously creepy' Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday'All the ingredients of a classic murder mystery...an excellent whodunnit that keeps you guessing right until the end' - Yorkshire Evening Post

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Book SynopsisIn A Game for the Living threads of sexual jealousy and guilt are shot through with all Patricia Highsmith's uncanny talent for the unexpected.Trade ReviewThe No.1 Greatest Crime Writer * The Times *No one has created psychological suspense more densely and deliciously satisfying * Vogue *I love Highsmith so much . . . What a revelation her writing is -- Gillian FlynnHighsmith writes about men like a spider writing about flies * Observer *For eliciting the menace that lurks in familiar surroundings, there's no one like Patricia Highsmith * Time *There's no thriller writer's gamesmanship in her novels, none of the reassuring trickery of professional pulp; Highsmith's style is as blunt and straightforward as a strip-search * New Yorker *For some obscure reason, one of our greatest modernist writers, Patricia Highsmith, has been thought of in her own land as a writer of thrillers. She is both. She is certainly one of the most interesting writers of this dismal century -- Gore VidalClassic * USA Today *I love Highsmith so much . . . What a revelation her writing is -- Gillian Flynn

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Book SynopsisSimon Kernick is one of Britain's most exciting thriller writers. He arrived on the crime writing scene with his highly acclaimed debut novel The Business of Dying, the story of a corrupt cop moonlighting as a hitman. Simon's big breakthrough came with his novel Relentless which was the biggest selling thriller of 2007. His most recent crime thrillers include Siege, Ultimatum, Stay Alive and The Final Minute. He is also the author of the bestselling three-part serial thrillers Dead Man's Gift and One By One.Simon talks both on and off the record to members of the Counter Terrorism Command and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, so he gets to hear first hand what actually happens in the dark and murky underbelly of UK crime.Trade ReviewSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick writes great plots, great action, great action -- Lee ChildSimon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck * Time Out *Kernick generates a potent cocktail of thrills that makes contemporary London feel like Dodge City * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the BBC 2 Between the Covers hit, The Fine Art of Invisible Detection ''Truly ingenious'' The TabletGoddard sprinkles head-turning double-crossing with delightful by-play between his two leads'' Times''Fast-paced, beautifully crafted with some excellently drawn characters... engages from start to finish'' Choice Magazine''Goddard writes amazing novels of mystery/suspense. His new one is magical and the title is simply the best'' Stephen King__________________On a stifling afternoon at Police HQ in Algiers, Superintendent Taleb, coasting towards retirement, with not even an air-conditioned office to show for his long years of service, is handed a ticking time bomb of a case which will take him deep into Algeria''s troubled past and its fraught relationship with France.To his dismay, he is assigned to work with Agent Hidouchi, an intimidating representative of the Trade ReviewHighly original and very good indeed...a delightful double act, crunchy dialogue, strong action scenes and provocative historical aperçus. * The Sunday Times *Complex and compelling * Choice Magazine *Goddard writes amazing novels of mystery/suspense. His new one is magical and the title is simply the best * Stephen King *

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Book SynopsisExcellent Intentions is a classic crime novel laced with irreverent wit, first published in 1939.

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Book SynopsisThe excruciating beauty, exoticism and mystery of tattoos is laid bare in this new collection of 12 stories ranging from the 1880s to the 1940s.

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