Classic crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisThe sequel to the Times Thriller of the Year bestseller, This is the Night They Come for You. The past is coming for Chief Inspector Taleb. He may not know it but he will soon enough. And the past in Algeria is venomous, vengeful and relentlessful, designed to consume the unwary traveller. He will soon find himself looking down the barrel of a thirty-year-old mystery, which, if he's not careful, will be aimed squarely at him. This Is the Day They Dream Of is the scintillating sequel to the critically acclaimed This Is The Night They Come For You, which introduced the world-weary Inspector Taleb and his infinitely more competent colleague Agent Hidouchi of the Algerian Secret Service. Together they must navigate the country's treacherous history to save themselves from its dangerous present. _________Praise for This is the Night They Come For You'Truly ingenious' The Tablet'Goddard sprinkles head-turning double-crossing with delightful by-play between his two leads' The 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

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Book SynopsisAn intervention by an everyday Joe to prevent a master criminal's deathwill change their lives forever...Rob Krane, now unemployed, has taken aholiday in beautiful Slovenia except it turns out not to be as peaceful asexpected when he witnesses a woman's murder and the abduction of a man and hisdaughter. But this isn't just any man: Burak Demir, a master criminal with anextensive international network of criminal and legitimate business operations,is a ruthless man with his own code of honour and now at his own henchmen'smercy. After hiding in a getaway vehicle goingto the kidnappers' hideout and taking pity on the daughter, Krane strikes adeal with Demir: he will aid their escape if Demir agrees to surrender hisimmense wealth and cooperate with the authorities. When Demir realises parts ofhis network have been aligned with terrorism without his permission, all betsare off as past loyalties are forgotten and an unlikely partnershi

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Book SynopsisThe Christmas season is one of comfort and joy, sparkling lights and steam rising from cups of mulled wine at frosty carol services. A season of goodwill, as families and friends come together to forget their differences and celebrate. Unless, of course, you happen to be harbouring a grudge. Or hiding a guilty secret. Or you want something so much you just have to have it - whatever the cost. In A Very Murderous Christmas, ten of the best classic crime writers come together to unleash festive havoc, with murder, mayhem and twists aplenty. From a murder aboard a snow-bound train to a pantomime costume that takes on a life of its own, these are mysteries as rich and satisfying as a Christmas dinner.Trade ReviewPraise for Murder Under the Christmas Tree: 'Offers excellent value as the roll call of authors included is really very impressive indeed.' * Shotsmag *Praise for Murder Under the Christmas Tree: 'This killer selection is the icing on the (Christmas) cake ... this is all your Christmases come at once for fans of the genre.' The Lady * The Lady *With Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground. Each of her top-notch writers, ranging from Ian Rankin in a playful mood to the darkly reflective Val McDermid, brings a distinctive and imaginative edge to Christmas crime * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe summer holidays are a chance to escape from it all, to shrug off the troubles and cares of everyday life, and lounge on warm sands or sip a cool drink in the shade of a city square. But, as the characters in this murderously good collection of classic crime stories discover to their cost ... sometimes it's not that easy to escape your fate. An impossible murder on a Cornish beach. A honeymoon in the Italian lakes that becomes a desperate search for the truth. An African safari that ends with the tables being turned. Even in a heatwave, these tales of murder and malice will chill you like a shadow sliding across the sun.Trade ReviewWith Cecily Gayford in charge, you're in safe hands * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisMidwinter. As snow falls softly outside and frost sparkles on tree branches, it's time to curl up before a roaring fire, wrap your hands around a steaming mug of mulled wine, and forget your worries for now. Everything is as it should be. Or is it? As the temperature drops outside, old grudges and new motives rise to the surface - and a murder's tracks can easily be covered by freshly fallen snow. From a poisoned box of glittering chocolates to an inexplicably invisible murder weapon, let ten of the greatest crime writers in history surprise and delight you with twists and turns as shocking as an icicle in the heart.Trade ReviewWith Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground * Daily Mail *

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

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Book SynopsisWhat strange passions seethe beneath the prosperous surface of Flaxborough town? Affable but diligent Detective Inspector Purbright is tasked with uncovering the darker underbelly of greed, corruption and crime. A classic British series of police mysteries, laced with wry humour. "Watson has an unforgivably sharp eye for the ridiculous." - New York Times "Flaxborough is Colin Watson's quiet English town whose outward respectability masks a seething pottage of greed, crime and vice ... Mr Watson wields a delightfully witty pen dripped in acid." - Daily Telegraph The gripping sight of four burly policemen manhandling a bath down the front path of a respectable villa isn't one the residents of Flaxborough see every day. Net curtains twitch furiously, and neighbours have observations to make to Chief Inspector Purbright and Sergeant Love about the inhabitants of 14, Beatrice Avenue. Nice Gordon Periam, the mild-mannered tobacconist, and his rather less nice (in fact a bit of a bounder) lodger Brian Hopjoy had apparently shared the house amicably. But now neither man is to be found and something very disagreeable seems to be lurking in the drains... Then a couple of government spooks turn up, one with an eye for the ladies the drama is acquiring overtones of a Bond movie! Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson's tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay. AUTHOR: Colin Watson was born in 1920 in Croydon in south London. At age 17 he was appointed cub reporter on the Boston Guardian, a regional newspaper. His years as a journalist in the Lincolnshire market town proved formative, and he collected there much of the material that provided the basis for the Flaxborough novels. He won two CWA Silver Dagger awards, and the Flaxborough series was adapted for television by the BBC under the title Murder Most English. Watson died in 1983.

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Book SynopsisA sunny summer’s day at the Hurlingham Club resounds to the thwack of ball on racket, as Britain’s young hopeful, the splendidly named Trish Thumper, seems likely to knock out her American opponent. Yet not all the eyes following Trish’s strokes belong to tennis fans – it soon emerges that her father, the notoriously stern Judge William Thumper, has made an enemy who will stop at little to harm him and his daughter. But the wrongdoers have reckoned without artistic sleuth Miss Emily Seeton, who in a series of apparently mistimed shots with torch and umbrella, defeats them game, set and match. Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella! Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR MISS SEETON: 'This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy... You can't stop reading. Or laughing' The Sun'A most beguiling protagonist!' New York Times'Light, zany, this novel is peopled by several genuine human beings you hate to see go' Houston Post'Depth of description and lively characters bring this English village to life' Publishers Weekly'Miss Seeton gets into wild drama with fine touches of farce... This is a lovely mixture of the funny and the exciting' San Francisco Chronicle'For those who like a bit of fun in their mystery stories a new Miss Seeton yarn is always welcome. Heron Carvic once more provides his readers with a host of chuckles while at the same time assuring plenty of action' Lewiston Journal'She’s a joy!' Cleveland Plain Dealer'Miss Seeton is a star!' Detroit News'Not since Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple has there been a more lovable female dabbler in crime and suspense' Amarillo News'Miss Seeton is the most delightfully satisfactory character since Miss Marple' Ogden Nash

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Book SynopsisMiss Seeton accused! The kindly Miss Seeton? A thief? A preposterous notion – until the lovable spinster mistakes tomato ketchup for blood . . . and the “wounded” man she’s trying to help is robbed by a pickpocket. In a flurry of confusion, Miss Seeton is accused of being the thief’s accomplice! And in the hands of the London police, our unlikely jailbird uncovers a veritable nest of crime . . . Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella!Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR MISS SEETON: 'Miss Seeton gets into wild drama with fine touches of farce . . . This is a lovely mixture of the funny and the exciting' San Francisco Chronicle'Miss Seeton is the most delightfully satisfactory character since Miss Marple' Ogden Nash “She’s a joy!” Cleveland Plain Dealer'Depth of description and lively characters bring this English village to life' Publishers Weekly“A most beguiling protagonist!” New York Times

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Book SynopsisThe classic series of humorous cosy mysteries. "A most beguiling protagonist!" - New York Times "This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy . . . You can't stop reading. Or laughing." - The Sun From her discovery of an aristocratic infant abandoned in a village telephone booth, to dark doings amongst Scottish banks and braes, it's a rollercoaster ride for Miss Seeton in this adventure with a tartan touch. Grateful parents Lord and Lady Glenclachan sweep Miss S. northward to MacSporran Castle, their ancestral home, where, as her admiring reporter pal Amelita Forby (scenting a story and hot on her trail) puts it, 'Battling Brolly Finds Corpse Near Crag' – not to mention tangling with Jacobites and searching for a fabled gold mine. As usual, the retired art teacher's inner eye sees to the essence of this heady Highland brew. Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella! AUTHOR: Heron Carvic (1913-1980) was an actor and writer, most recognisable today for his voice portrayal of the character Gandalf in the first BBC Radio broadcast version of The Hobbit. He started writing the Miss Seeton novels in the 1960s, after using her in a short story. He later recalled that "Miss Seeton upped and demanded a book".

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Book SynopsisThe classic series of humorous cosy mysteries. "A most beguiling protagonist!" - New York Times "This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy ... You can't stop reading. Or laughing." - The Sun It's summertime in Plummergen and cricket madness has overtaken Miss Emily Seeton's pretty village. The pavilion urgently needs repairs, but there's a needle match coming up against arch rivals Murreystone. Miss S's chums Sir George Colveston and his son Nigel talk of little else, especially as the opposition's demon bowler wrought havoc at last year's game, while their own star, the village blacksmith, has a broken arm after a dispute with a mysteriously tipsy Shire horse. Miss S's artistic talents are required to sketch the players and raise money for the pavilion – she knows little of cricket, but her uncanny depictions point the way to a burglarious gang who've been robbing local villages. Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella! AUTHOR: Heron Carvic (1913-1980) was an actor and writer, most recognisable today for his voice portrayal of the character Gandalf in the first BBC Radio broadcast version of The Hobbit. He started writing the Miss Seeton novels in the 1960s, after using her in a short story. He later recalled that "Miss Seeton upped and demanded a book".

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Book SynopsisThe classic series of humorous cosy mysteries. "A most beguiling protagonist!" - New York Times "This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy ... You can't stop reading. Or laughing." - The Sun Every year when the harvest moon shines, families of noisy Cockney hop-pickers descend on the bountiful countryside near the village of Plummergen, home to Miss Emily Seeton, artist and Scotland Yard aide extraordinaire. But the holiday jollity brings no cheer for local police Superintendent Brinton, who is all too aware it's a whole year since the gruesome "Blonde in the Bag" murder, and they are still no nearer a solution. Will MissEss be asked to set aside her newfound hobby of gardening and lend a hand? And where in her strange sketches of the Last Night of the Proms are the clues that might identify a brutal killer? Serene amidst every kind of skulduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella! AUTHOR: Heron Carvic (1913-1980) was an actor and writer, most recognisable today for his voice portrayal of the character Gandalf in the first BBC Radio broadcast version of The Hobbit. He started writing the Miss Seeton novels in the 1960s, after using her in a short story. He later recalled that "Miss Seeton upped and demanded a book".

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Book SynopsisWhatever can have happened to Lil? Flaxborough butcher Arthur Spain is worried that his sister-in-law hasn’t been in touch lately, so he pays her a visit. But Lil’s not at home, and by her porch door are a dozen bottles of curdling milk… Alarmed, he calls in the local police, D.I. Purbright and his ever-reliable Sergeant Sid Love. It transpires Lilian Bannister is the second middle-aged woman in the town to mysteriously vanish, and the link is traced to a local lonely hearts agency called Handclasp House. So when a vulnerable-seeming lady with the charming title of Lucy Teatime signs up for a romantic rendezvous, the two detectives try extra hard to look out for her. But Miss Teatime has a few surprises of her own up her dainty sleeve! Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson’s tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay.

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Book Synopsis“I am in great danger … I know that murder is going to be the reward for my uncomplaining loyalty.” This letter containing heartfelt and urgent pleas for help is received by three very eminent citizens of Flaxborough, including the Chief Constable himself. So when one of the town’s most tireless charity workers, Mrs Henrietta Palgrove, is found the wrong way up in her garden pond, a connection seems likely. Yet Detective Inspector Purbright finds the case does not quite add up and it takes the acute wits of his old friend, the ever-charming Miss Lucilla Teatime, as well as the more unwitting help of Mortimer Hive, indifferent private investigator and accomplished ladies’ man, to tease out the real murderer. Witty and a little wicked, Colin Watson’s tales offer a mordantly entertaining cast of characters and laugh-out-loud wordplay.

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Book SynopsisMurders circle around Burgundy where Pel has just been promoted to Chief Inspector, starting with the case of a woman whose body is found on the beach one morning. A death that appeared to be suicide at first glance turns out to have plenty of suspects, each with their own particular motive. Pel’s personal life is going far from smoothly, as he discovers himself to be the target of a letter-bomb sent by an old enemy – aside from the obvious danger, this is yet another obstacle to his plans to marry Madame Faivre-Perret. Can Pel keep his life, his love and his career by solving the murder mysteries, and keeping the predators at bay? Moody, sharp-tongued and worrying constantly about his health, Inspector Pel ensures that no case goes unsolved, in these mordantly witty French mysteries. Praise for the Inspector Pel Mystery series: ‘Totally convincing.’ Financial Times ‘Mr Hebden has created a nice band of flics.’ Oxford Times ‘Pel and his procedurals are some of the best things since Maigret.’ Observer ‘Chief Inspector Evariste Clovis Désiré Pel, as well rounded a character as Maigret or Van der Valk.’ Punch ‘Impeccable French ambience, unexaggerated flics, and a well-constructed solution. Hebden proves again that few understand Gallic cops better than English writers!’ The Times ‘Some characters grow as their saga lengthens and Pel… is one of them. You might say he is ripening along with the grapes.’ Police Review ‘…written with downbeat humour and some delightful dialogue.’ Financial Times ‘…all is most cunningly contrived and dovetailed into a coherent plot.’ Irish Times ‘A thoroughly entertaining read.’ Evening Standard ‘The best Gallic sleuth since Maigret.’ London Mystery Selection

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Book SynopsisTina Rossi, the world’s leading coloratura soprano, has travelled to Edinburgh, ostensibly to sing in the Festival, in reality to meet her lover, top scientist Kenneth Holmes. But instead of finding Kenneth at their rendezvous, she discovers an unknown corpse. Enter Johnson Johnson, a famous but enigmatic portrait painter whose yacht Dolly is about to sail in a race to the Hebrides where Holmes was conducting his top-secret research. Soon Tina and Johnson are sailing the high seas to investigate Holmes' disappearance, but as Dolly nears Rum, the race has become one for life rather than prize money…Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisWhen Sarah Cassells, a young British woman who has just completed her training as a chef, hears of her father’s violent death on Ibiza, she refuses to believe it is suicide. She heads to Ibiza to investigate and soon gets caught up with an art dealer; two beautiful jet-setters; a remarkable American woman who is not what she seems – and with Johnson Johnson, the mysterious portrait painter who shows up on his yacht, Dolly. As Ibiza prepares to celebrate Holy Week with the traditional processions, events become more and more macabre…Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisDr B. MacRannoch is in the Bahamas with her father who has moved there from Scotland because of asthma. She is a savvy and tough young woman who shows much independence of mind and spirit. However, when Sir Bart Edgecome, a British agent who has been poisoned with arsenic, falls ill on his way back from New York, she becomes involved in a series of events beyond her wildest imagination. Drawn into an espionage plot with multiple suspects, it is only the presence of enigmatic portrait painter Johnson Johnson on his yacht, Dolly, that saves the day. But nothing is quite as straightforward as it at first seems.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener‘Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times ‘[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisTo all appearances Joanna Emerson is a fully qualified, gold-medalled graduate of the world’s finest college of Nursery Nurses… Engaged as a nanny to Benedict, newly born heir to a vast cosmetic fortune, she becomes caught up in a complex kidnap plot. But the enigmatic portrait painter, yachtsman and former spy, Johnson Johnson is never far away – and he knows the dangerous game she’s playing. Before long, bullets are flying, and most of them in Joanna’s direction.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener‘Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times‘[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisUpwardly mobile and smart Wendy Helmann, Executive Secretary, is in Marrakesh with her mother while her boss, Chairman of Kingsley Conglomerates, conducts very delicate if slightly dubious takeover negotiations. Morocco is a romantic place, but Wendy finds herself side-tracked from its attractions by the antics of Rita Geddes and a few peripheral problems such as kidnapping, explosions, industrial espionage, murder and car chases across the High Atlas mountains... Enter Johnson Johnson and his yacht, Dolly.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisA game of spies, a brutal murder, the fate of an Empire…The North Sea, October 1904 – When Russian warships bombard the Hull trawler fleet, killing innocent fishermen, public outrage pushes Britain and Russia to the brink of war, the sparks from which could inflame the entire Continent.Doctor Ingo Finch, once of the Royal Army Medical Corps, is long done with military adventuring. But when a stranger seeks him out, citing a murderous conspiracy behind the infamous “Dogger Bank Incident”, Finch is drawn back into the dark world of espionage.With Whitehall, St Petersburg and rival Bolsheviks vying to manipulate the political crisis, the future of Britain, and Europe, is at stake…A gripping and compulsive historical crime thriller, The Cold North Sea is an explosively entertaining read for fans of Abir Mukherjee and Philip Kerr.Praise for Jeff Dawson'Jeff is such a talented writer … I highly, highly recommend these' Making the Cut podcast

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Book SynopsisEleven year old Simeon Isherwood is locked inside himself — can neither walk nor talk. When he undergoes a radical new gene therapy, it seems as though he can finally make contact with the world. But Simeon, used to the tranquility of his inner world, finds himself in agony, the anxiety of new sensations and experiences catching the attention of a mysterious entity — a being god-like and aloof from humanity, which to heal the pain of a young mind it sees as its offspring. When it does, the results are catastrophic.

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Book Synopsisn Cold Crash, when Archaeologist Max Falkland, the Anglo-American daughter of a British peer, meets American John Knox in London in April 1952, her already troubled life takes on mystery. As the Cold War thriller progresses, Max finds herself in increasing danger, but three weeks after the events of Cold Crash, the point at which The Running Lie begins, Max has found an archaeological dig in London and John Knox has entered her life. But even now, can he be trusted? Max encounters both skulls and sexism on the dig site at the bombed out shell of St. Bride's Church in London. A family request sends her to the Berlin International Film Festival, away from the dig and her growing relationship with John Knox. But after she sees John in Berlin with another woman, Max forces him to confess he is an American spy. When his current case collides with her family life, Max has to find a way to navigate layers of lies. As fireworks explode for the Fourth of July party, Max must make a dangerous choice if she wants to save both John and her family. The Running Lie is a page-turning Cold War spy thriller that reboots old school cloak and dagger — Max Falkland is the James Bond of the 21st Century.

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Book SynopsisThis omnibus brings Paul Tremblay's debut novels - classic noirs, The Little Sleep and No Sleep Till Wonderland - back in to print for the first time in over 10 years. Darkly comedic and carrying all the hallmarks of Tremblay's later work, they introduce Mark Genevich, a narcoleptic detective operating out of his mom's apartment in South Boston. In THE LITTLE SLEEP, Genevich is hired to identify the girl in a couple of photos - except the girl looks a lot like the reality TV star and DA's daughter, and he can't remember who gave him the job because he was asleep at the time. Wrangling deception, intrigue, cataleptic hallucinations and a body that could fall asleep at any moment Genevich follows the trail that leads him into his own family history, and his memories of his dear departed father. NO SLEEP TILL WONDERLAND sees Genevich dropping out, forced into group therapy by his landlord mother or face eviction. His new friend, Gus, finds out he's a PI and asks him to help find a local suit's lover. But soon Genevich is pulled into events over his head - rescuing a child from a burning house, maybe?; drug deals with a local bouncer and dealer; possibly getting a girlfriend. But solving mysteries is what Genevich does, starting with the mystery of what happened to him whilst he was asleep...

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Book Synopsis1889. The First Terror. At a boys' prep school in the Kent marshes, a pupil is found drowned in a pond. Could this be the fulfilment of a witch's curse from four hundred years earlier? 1890. The Second Terror. A wealthy man dies of a heart attack at his London townhouse. Was he really frightened to death by ghosts? 1894. The Third Terror. A body is discovered in the dark woods near a Surrey country manor, hideously ravaged. Is the culprit a cannibal, as the evidence suggests? These three chilling and strangely linked crimes test Sherlock Holmes's deductive powers, and his scepticism about the supernatural, to the limit.Trade Review"The gift of a 'new' Sherlock Holmes mystery for the holiday season is just what we hoped Father Christmas would bring us this year.... SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE THREE WINTER TERRORS will chill readers to the bone, and this complete trilogy makes for another Holmes masterpiece." - BookReporter"The solid characterizations match the imaginative plotting." -Publishers Weekly Praise for James Lovegrove’s Sherlock Holmes novels: "Lovegrove has nailed Doyle’s writing style… It’s as if the story were written by Doyle himself." - New York Journal of Books"Lovegrove is a grandmaster of the Sherlock Holmes homage" - The Guardian"A rip-roaring tale full of atmosphere, suspense and adventure" - The Sherlock Holmes Journal"A wonderful addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon" - Criminal Element"A ripping yarn told with style and gusto… Brilliant" - Starburst"Canonical characterizations complement the ingenious plot" - Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisSherlock Holmes delves into the world of early cinema as motion picture groundbreaker Eadweard Muybridge begs him to solve a mystery that will keep you up all night... It is 1896. A new client at Baker Street claims he's being threatened via the new art of the moving image... Eadweard Muybridge, pioneer of motion picture projection, believes his life is in danger. Twice he has been almost run down in the street by the same mysterious carriage, and moreover, disturbing alterations have been made to his lecture slides. These are closely guarded, yet just before each lecture an unknown hand has defaced images depicting Muybridge himself, which he has discovered, to his horror, only as he projects them to his audience. As Holmes and Watson investigate, a bewildering trail of clues only deepens the mystery, and meanwhile, newspaper speculation reaches fever pitch. The great detective's reputation is on the line, and may be ruined for good unless he can pick apart a mystery centred the capturing, for the first time, of figures in motion, and the wonders of the new cinematograph.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR "The only novel I have read that made my ears tingle." The Times "Major has a special skill of weaving his characters' inner turmoils into the perils they face in the plot." Morning Star "Refreshingly out of the ordinary." Sunday Sport "Tim Major is an exceptional writer" Adam Roberts "Hope Island is a masterfully tense tale, building a looming sense of dread and growing uncertainty. Disturbing and original, surprising and shocking, it's an excellent novel from a unique voice in the genre." Tim Lebbon, author of Eden and The Silence "Hope Island is a deliciously creepy mystery. Tim Major knows how to wield the weird and the effect is an original novel that's unsettling and compelling at every turn. The silent children who stalk the island are a disturbing threat outside, and the threat within the family offers a richly-realised emotional disquiet. Prepare to be unnerved." D. K. Fields, author of Widow's Welcome and The Stitcher and the Mute "Tense and compelling, the taut and tangled mysteries of eerie Hope Island conspire to create a roiling fever dream of a novel in which nothing is certain, and in which even one's own senses cannot truly be trusted. Beneath an authentic and empathetic portrait of a family falling apart lies a deeply intuitive, atmospheric enquiry into those truths which underpin all human relationships: the way we speak and listen, the things we say and the things we hide. Hope Island is a strange and brilliantly original novel which cements Tim Major's rightful reputation as a top class writer of fantastical fiction." Laura Mauro, author of Sing Your Sadness Deep "Artfully written and brilliantly controlled from the first page, Hope Island explores unsettling territory through well-drawn characters, landscape and a powerful use of sound. But it's the central mother-daughter relationship that gives the book real heart - there's honesty, pain and beauty in here." M. T. Hill, author of Zero Bomb and The Breach "I tore through Hope Island, unnerved by its escalating tension and its keen sense of isolation - I genuinely didn't know what to expect whenever I turned the page." Award-winning author, G. V. Anderson "Clever, intriguing and suspenseful ... a must-read book from a terrific new voice" Alison Littlewood on You Don't Belong Here "You Don't Belong Here is a novel that dares to do something different" Ginger Nuts of Horror "You Don't Belong Here is that perfect blend of cautionary tale, psychological horror and introspective character study." The Eloquent Page "It has freshness and it's fluently written entertainment." Rising Shadow "Strongly recommended for fans of original and uniquely weird fiction." Ginger Nuts of Horror on Blighters "Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I reached the end" Lynda Rucker on Carus and Mitch

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Book SynopsisWhen Watson's holiday in the Lake District takes a sinister twist, he and Holmes must uncover the truth hidden by superstitious locals, folklore and rumours of prehistorical monsters far away from the familiar streets of London... A serene walking holiday in the Lake District becomes a far more sinister excursion for Dr Watson when disappearances and murders start occurring in the small town of Wermeholt. Local legends, rumours of large slithering reptiles and spooked palaeontologists have the denizens paranoid and terrified, so it is up to Watson and his inbound companion Sherlock Holmes to uncover the truth and discover what is really lurking in the lake…Trade Review"Superb...Purser-Hallard captures Conan Doyle’s style and characters perfectly, forging a plot with all the pace and atmosphere of a classic horror film. Sherlockians looking for authenticity in their pastiche will hope this author delivers many more. " Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewPraise for the author: "Displays the author’s remarkable facility at conjuring the spirit of Conan Doyle’s originals. Sherlockians and Wildeans alike will embrace Purser-Hallard." Publishers Weekly starred review"A very good locked-room puzzle" Morning Star"One of the cleverest locked room mysteries ever tackled by Sherlock Holmes... John Dickson Carr and Anthony Boucher fans will be gratified at the logical explanation the master rationalist devises. This ranks among the top novel-length Sherlock Holmes pastiches." Publishers Weekly“The best kept secret in British genre writing” the British Fantasy Society“[Purser-Hallard’s] writing is crisp and clever… the cast of characters appealing, interesting and consistent” the British Fantasy Society on The Pendragon Protocol

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Book SynopsisEven the littlest lies can have the biggest consequences… On the night of her mother’s wake, only one thing brings Ruby comfort; the knowledge that her mother’s killer is safely behind bars. But guilt is eating away at fragile younger sister Sophie, who brought their mother’s killer into their lives.This is why Ruby is glad that Sophie is with her supportive boyfriend Ewan, despite Ruby’s doubts about him. He’s been Sophie’s rock, not only taking care of her, but her little kids, too. So what if he doesn’t like talking about his past?But when news of another woman’s murder spreads through their town like wildfire, Ruby is shocked to find herself with reason to suspect Ewan of the crime. And with one good lie driving a wedge between the sisters, it’s hard for Ruby to get Sophie to see what she sees. Ewan is keeping dangerous secrets. But he’s not the only person close to home who has something shocking to hide… A gripping and unputdownable thriller that will keep you reading into the early hours of the morning.Read what everyone is saying about One Good Lie:‘Oh my GOODNESS!! I absolutely loved this… It got to the point where I was suspecting every single character in the book… The ending was twisty, thrilling, scary and, best of all, satisfying. Truly a wonderful psychological thriller that kept me captivated throughout!’ Shalini Boland, author of The Secret Mother, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I can honestly say that this is psychological fiction at its best. Cleverly written and packed full of chilling suspense… With lots of delicious twists and clashes of personality that could set the pages on fire, One Good Lie ticks all the boxes for me. A hugely satisfying read and one I would highly recommend.’ Sheryl Browne, author of My Husband’s Girlfriend, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A clever, creepy and compulsive psychological thriller’ Diane Jeffrey, author of The Silent Friend, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Jane Isaac never lets us down; this is fast-paced storytelling at its best. One Good Lie is a chilling, unputdownable read, packed with menace and suspense… Highly recommended!’ Linda Huber, author of Baby Dear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘One Good Lie had me on the edge of my seat! Every time I thought I had the plot figured out the carpet was pulled from under my feet! Twisty and full of surprises. Highly recommended! 5/5.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘An exciting psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware, Greer Hendricks, and Sarah Pekkanen… Excellently-written, well-plotted… I sped through this book and finished it in a day… If you're a fan of the thriller genre, you won't regret checking out this book’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘5 Stars! Highly recommend. It was hard to put this book down. It was a fast-paced story full of suspense. I was hooked from the first chapter… I absolutely loved this story of two sisters.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I was invested straight away; it was fast-paced and I couldn't put it down.’ NetGalley Reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Book drought over! Hooked from page one, didn't stop reading until silly o'clock, had a few hours’ sleep, walked the dog then dived back in to finish.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Absolutely kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The ending didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend this one.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This is a brilliant read… The characters are likeable, even the villainous ones, and it just shows you can never really trust anyone who you think you know.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisThe truth could ruin everything.A decade ago, the bodies of nine people were discovered at Black Valley Farm. The only suspect vanished without a trace.Clare has spent ten years living a lie, but a new podcast on the murders threatens to bring her carefully built life crashing down. Because someone else has listened to the podcast.Someone who knows Clare is lying, and who will stop at nothing to ensure the truth never comes to light.An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller. Perfect for fans of C. L. Taylor, Tim Weaver and T Orr. Munro.Praise for Black Valley Farm ‘Black Valley Farm kept me turning the pages and with intricate plotting and memorable characters this is a thrilling read.’ Patricia Gibney, author of the Detective Lottie Parker Series‘Chilling and compulsive, this darkly menacing tale is full of suspense that keeps on building – everything you want from a crime thriller.’ Marion Todd, author of the DI Clare Mackay Series‘A dark visceral thriller where nobody and nothing is what it seems. Bugler has evoked a terrifying world where power over the most needy leads to the most shocking outcomes.’ Graham Bartlett, author of Force of Hate‘Twisting and shocking. A sinister community, dangerous politics and a host of complex characters make this heart-thumping thriller a truly engrossing read.’ Heather Critchlow, author of Unsolved‘The twists keep coming... The final resolution is so perfect it moved me to tears.’ Chris Curran, author of When the Lights go out‘Wow! What a great book. I loved every moment of it. Just when I thought I had it all figured out (yet again) there was another twist.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Black Valley Farm is a fascinating read, and the plot kept me turning the pages well into the night. I thought I figured it out, but the author weaved in some good twists that proved me wrong!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A fresh new take on a thriller! I couldn’t put this one down and highly recommend it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Fantastic! I thought the plot was excellent, and there are a couple of twists in the story that you don’t expect.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Completely mesmerising. I was hooked from the first page. You will think you have this figured out but it gets real twisty. Just fantastic.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisJoanna’s comfortable life is suddenly disrupted when she must confront some bewildering revelations. As she grapples with the fallout of deceit and emotional pain she cannot see a way forward. A chance encounter on a train offers her some hope, but even this proves to raise as many questions as it answers. Far away another drama is playing out. A young girl makes allegations against a local choirmaster. Greg Mortimer’s life is thrown into disarray as he is swept along by the criminal justice process, and he may lose everything including his liberty as a result. What will his future now hold? Elsewhere, Gerry Thorncroft retires from a successful police career as he and his wife move to the countryside to renovate an old farm and set up a holiday-let business. But can he fully detach himself from involvement in police work? Are these three apparently unconnected threads interwoven in some way? DS Clive Meadows and DC Sharon Page investigate offences of perjury, blackmail and murder. Is anyone above suspicion?

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Book SynopsisMarch 2020. Gina Gray returns to the Lake District to share COVID isolation with her oldest friend, Eve. They are joined by Gina’s teenage granddaughter, Freda, who is finding her own home too crowded for comfort. Locked down in the countryside, Gina is not expecting murder or mystery, but life without drama and challenges doesn’t suit her and knitting, baking and creativity with home-grown vegetables soon lose their appeal. Very soon she manages to find mysteries both at home and further afield. Why did Eve really invite her here? What is going on with the strange couple whose garden backs on to theirs? What has happened to the cat? Why is Freda being so secretive about her history project? Most importantly, who murdered a teenage girl on a riverbank in an upmarket London suburb, and how can Detective Superintendent David Scott possibly track down the killer without Gina's help? Told in three narrative voices – Gina’s, Freda’s and David Scott’s – Chronicles of the Time explores these interlocking mysteries against a background of personal tensions and strained relationships in the strangest of times – the lockdown months.

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Book SynopsisNot everything that goes bump in the night brings gifts ... As the nights draw in, the veil between worlds thins, and all sorts of ghosts and ghouls come tumbling in. In the shadows, under the bed, in wind-whipped snowy landscapes and in rooms lit by guttering candles, the dead of winter are waiting for us ... and their hearts are cold as ice. From the mysterious occupant of an ancient tomb to the Christmas visitor who is troubled by violent dreams, these are ten ghost stories from the masters of the genre that will chill your blood and haunt your dreams through the darkest months of the year. With stories from Lennox Robinson, M. Burrage, Ruth Rendell, E.F. Benson, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. Russell Wakefield, M.R. James, Margaret Irwin, Algernon Blackwood and W.W. JacobsTrade ReviewWith Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground * Daily Mail *Looking forward to Christmas? [The Vintage Murder series] is a fine way to start it. It's a cracker -- Amy MyersPraise for Vintage Murder series -- :Has everything you might want ... take this little book to the beach [and] relax in the sun while reading of battered corpses -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *An excellent collection of short stories by ten top-class writers -- Marcel Berlins * The Times Books of the Year *Perfect for a quick fix of golden-age crime ... this collection of short winter chills is well worth reading by candlelight before turning in on Christmas Eve -- Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code * The Sunday Times *Short, clever and puzzling murder tales test the brains of the most avid crime reader ... delectable * On Magazine *An impressive tome by some great names ... there isn't actually a bum note in the entire collection, not a single one you could skip through and not miss it - which is quite some feat. To paraphrase Nick Cook's famous Crimewatch sign off, just don't have nightmares after reading it. -- Sarah Morgan * On Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA woman''s body in the River Dee, a tragedy in Llyn, a lost novel, a secret diary, a perplexing family tree. Mystery lurks in the past of all of us, no more so than in the life of world-famous authoress Veronique and the family history of Sisial y Traeth in Abersoch. Journalist Huw Peris sets out to unravel a number of mysteries but will his interfering prove costly for him?

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Book SynopsisDetective Bedwyr Campell has to take a step into the past when a precious picture is discovered the portrait of a young girl being burnt on a pyre. The picture is linked to the murder of a drugs dealer ten years previously. Will Detective Campell succeed in finding the thief and the murderer? This is a short story in the Stori Sydyn series.

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Book SynopsisDr Jekyll and his monstrous alter-ego join forces with his ex-fiancée to solve a series of disappearances across Victorian London in this thrilling mystery, perfect for readers of Stuart Turton and James Lovegrove.

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