Classic crime and mystery fiction
Kensington Publishing Vice and Virtue
Book Synopsis
£20.00
Penguin Books Ltd The Sign of Four
Book SynopsisAt first the interruption to the boredom of Sherlock Holmes seems to have little to do with crime. A governess, whose father vanished ten years ago and who has been receiving money each year, now needs an escort to meet her unknown benefactor. But before the night is over, murder has occurred.
£7.59
British Library Publishing Dramatic Murder
Book SynopsisThis theatrical Christmas murder, truly lost in the British Library collection, will provide entertainment throughout the festive season. A Christmas party on a private Scottish island gets off to a bad start in the latest addition to the British Library Crime Classics.
£9.49
The Oleander Press The Charing Cross Mystery
Book Synopsis
£10.40
Pan Macmillan The Best of Sherlock Holmes
Book SynopsisFaithfully supported by his chronicler, Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes pits his wits against 'Napoleon of Crime' Professor Moriarty, assists European royalty threatened by disgrace, helps to solve the mysterious death of a young woman due to be married, and investigates intrigues that have defeated the detectives of Scotland Yard. Packed with excitement and mystery, this collection showcases the legendary sleuth at his very best.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an afterword by David Stuart Davies, and accompanying each tale are Sidney Paget's fantastic original illustrations from The Strand magazine.Table of ContentsChapter - 1: A Scandal in Bohemia Chapter - 2: The Red-Headed League Chapter - 3: The Boscombe Valley Mystery Chapter - 4: The Man With the Twisted Lip Chapter - 5: The Blue Carbuncle Chapter - 6: The Speckled Band Chapter - 7: Silver Blaze Chapter - 8: The Musgrave Ritual Chapter - 9: The Dancing Men Chapter - 10: The Solitary Cyclist Chapter - 11: Charles August Milverton Chapter - 12: The Six Napoleans Chapter - 13: The Abbey Grange Chapter - 14: The Second Stain Chapter - 15: The Devil's Foot Section - i: Afterword Section - ii: Biography Section - iii: Bibliography
£10.44
Canongate Books Mr Campion's Farewell
Book Synopsis'England's funniest crime writer' The Times'Charming and full of surprises' BooklistStrange things happen in the picture-postcard English village of Lindsay Carfax. When a young man falls into a quarry, it takes nine days to find the body. When rowdy hippies descend on the village, they're given nine days to leave. When an outspoken schoolmaster is kidnapped for nine days, he stays eerily quiet after his release.Now Albert Campion has come to town - meaning to investigate all this strangeness. But whoever is behind the unusual goings-on quickly makes it very clear that his nosing around is not welcome. Undeterred by threats, Campion is determined to expose the criminal masterminds hiding in this sleepy village.Trade ReviewRipley excels at presenting Campion, whose toff drawl and effete mannerisms hide an astute crime-solving brain -- MARCEL BERLINS * * Times * *He's produced a whimsical, delightful, witty, entertaining book that's part Jeeves and Wooster, part Laurel and Hardy, and part Miss Marple. [ . . . ] Charming and full of surprises * * Booklist * *Ripley is especially good at recreating the humorous wordplay of the originals . . . and does so in service of a well-crafted plot that plausibly places the detective, who debuted in 1929, in a more contemporary setting * * Publishers Weekly * *England's funniest crime writer * * The Times * *
£8.54
Felony & Mayhem Black Widower
Book Synopsis
£10.99
British Library Publishing The Arsenal Stadium Mystery
Book SynopsisGribble's unique mystery, featuring the actual Arsenal squad of 1939, sends Inspector Anthony Slade into the world of professional football to investigate a case of deadly foul play on and off the pitch.
£9.49
British Library Publishing The Cornish Coast Murder
Book SynopsisThe Reverend Dodd, vicar of the quiet Cornish village of Boscawen, spends his evenings reading detective stories by the fireside - but the peace is shattered one stormy night when Julius Tregarthan, a secretive and ill-tempered magistrate, is found with a bullet through his head!
£9.49
Faber & Faber Two For Sorrow Josephine Tey Book 3
Book SynopsisOld sins cast long shadows...Thirty years on from a horrific series of child murders in London, Josephine Tey sets out to write a novel about the crimes'' perpetrators: Amelia Sach and Annie Walters, the notorious Finchley baby farmers. Meanwhile, her friend, Inspector Archie Penrose is investigating the sadistic murder of a young seamstress, found dead amid preparations for a star-studded charity gala. The girl''s death seems to be the result of a long-standing domestic feud, but Archie is unconvinced; and when a second young woman is involved in an horrific accident soon afterwards, the search begins for a vicious killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past where it belongs...
£8.54
Titan Books Ltd FuManchu Reenter FuManchu Fu Manchu Mystery
Book SynopsisThe 1950s—the era of the Cold War. The USSR is poised to begin the space race by launching the Sputnik satellite, Mao Zedong rules Communist China, and the greatest global fear is of the atomic bomb.Missing for nearly a decade, Fu-Manchu re-emerges in an attempt to wrest control of China from the accursed Communists. Nayland Smith pursues his enemy from London to Cairo to New York, determined to end his reign of terror. But there’s something amiss with Smith—something his allies need to uncover before it’s too late.
£7.59
Cornerstone The Franchise Affair: Their country house will
Book Synopsis'An ingenious book' SARAH WATERS'Permanent classics in the detective field . . . no superlatives are adequate' THE NEW YORK TIMESMarion Shape and her mother are quiet and ordinary villagers, enjoying a peaceful life in their country home, the Franchise. Everything changes when a local schoolgirl accuses them of kidnap and abuse, describing the attic room of the house as her prison. Scotland Yard inspector Alan Grant is called to solve the mystery of the Franchise, but will he fall right in the middle of nightmarish affair that will change a town, and its locals' lives, forever?'Josephine Tey enjoys a category to herself' NEW STATESMANTrade ReviewThe Franchise Affair is an ingenious book ... The essential mystery is wonderfully established; the claustrophobic building-up of the apparently seamless case against the Sharpes is impeccably done -- Sarah WatersPermanent classics in the detective field . . . no superlatives are adequate * The New York Times *A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable * Sunday Times *As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer *Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing * Spectator *Really first class . . . a continual delight * Times Literary Supplement *Tey's style and her knack for creating bizarre characters are among the best in the field * New Yorker *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Nightmare Alley: now a major feature film
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 *
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Bodies from the Library 6
Book SynopsisBodies from the Library brings into the daylight the forgotten, the lost and the unknown, and the latest volume is another indispensable collection for any bookshelf.The sixth volume of Bodies from the Library includes the usual eclectic mix of pre- and post-war stories by classic crime and thriller writers. Unearthed from ephemeral publications, newspapers and magazines, some of these lost' stories are by authors who have appeared in previous volumes, with others who are new to the series:We welcome back to the Library familiar Golden Age detective writers in the form of stories by Christianna Brand, Alice Campbell, Joseph Commings and Cyril Hare, a previously unknown novella by Anthony Gilbert, a short novel by Margery Allingham, and a hitherto unpublished Detection Club radio play by John Rhode.We also welcome for the first time George Bellairs, Victor Whitechurch and Andrew Garve, with E. C. Bentley's Greedy Night' providing a humorous parody of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey
£9.49
St Martin's Press The Raven Thief
Book SynopsisSuper-fun. The Boston GlobeA Lefty Nominee for Best Mystery NovelAn Agatha Nominee for Best Contemporary Mystery NovelOne murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.Secret Staircase Construction just finished their first project with Tempest Raj officially a part of the teama classic mystery novel-themed home interior. Their client is now ready to celebrate her new life without her cheating ex-husband, famous mystery author Corbin Colt. First up, a party, and Tempest and Grandpa Ash are invited to the exclusive mock séance to remove any trace of Corbin from the propertyfor good. It''s all lighthearted fun until Corbin''s dead body crashes the party.The only possible suspects are the eight people around the séance tablea circle of clasped hands that wasn''t broken. Suspicion quickly falls on Grandpa Ash, the only one with actual blood on him. To prove her beloved grandfather's innocence, Tempest must fi
£14.39
HarperCollins Publishers The Resort
Book SynopsisMila and her husband Ethan are on their way to her sister''s wedding at a luxurious ski resort. As they drive through the mountains, surrounded by snow covered forests, Mila feels like everything is finally going to plan. When the car engine suddenly stops and won''t start again. Stranded, with night closing in, they make their way on foot back to where they saw a sign for some cabins. When they finally reach them, they find the windows boarded up and the buildings in disrepair. They have the eerie sense they shouldn''t be there. With snow falling more heavily, they have no choice but to break into one to spend the night. In the morning when Mila wakes, Ethan is gone. Now she is all alone. Or is she?--Trade ReviewReaders are gripped by Sarah Goodwin: ‘Wow! This just got under my skin from the start and I couldn't put it down… The creepy atmosphere and tension are built so gradually and so well that it literally has you looking over your shoulder the whole time!… I flew through it in a day and loved every second’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Suspense, twists, deceit… I had my heart in my mouth the whole time’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘IT WAS SO GOOD’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly unputdownable… You’re going to love every single twisty page!!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘INTENSE… My heart was pounding’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I started this book today and finished it in one sitting. I literally could not put it down’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Definitely a five-star read. I couldn't put this one down. It never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat… Such a great ending too!!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Wow! I read this way too quickly, I really didn't want it to end… Amazing… Loved it!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘You'll be on the edge of your seat, racing to finish this book… I read this book one afternoon. I simply could not put it down. I cannot wait until a friend reads this book because I want to discuss it… Get a copy now!!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
£9.49
Pan Macmillan The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
Book SynopsisInspector Morse takes on another intriguing case in Colin Dexter's detective mystery series.
£8.49
The Murder Room Do me a Favour Drop Dead
Book Synopsis'Master of the art of deception' New Statesman
£17.09
Hodder & Stoughton The Nine Tailors
Book SynopsisThe eleventh book in Dorothy L Sayers'' classic Lord Peter Wimsey series, introduced by writer Jill Paton Walsh - a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie''s Poirot and Margery Allingham''s Campion Mysteries. ''D. L. Sayers is one of the best detective story writers'' Daily TelegraphWhen his sexton finds a corpse in the wrong grave, the rector of Fenchurch St Paul asks Lord Peter Wimsey to find out who the dead man was and how he came to be there.The lore of bell-ringing and a brilliantly-evoked village in the remote fens of East Anglia are the unforgettable background to a story of an old unsolved crime and its violent unravelling twenty years later.''She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit.'' P. D. JamesTrade ReviewI admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail. - Ruth RendellShe combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller. - Minette WaltersDorothy L Sayers is one of the best detective story writers - Daily Telegraph
£9.49
Vintage Publishing The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Stories
Book SynopsisEdgar Allan Poe was a writer of uncommon talent; in The Murders in the Rue Morgue he created the genre of detective fiction while his genius for finding the strangeness lurking within us all has been an influence on everyone from Freud to Hollywood. This complete collection of all his short stories and novellas contains well-known tales ''The Pit and the Pendulum'' and ''The Tell-Tale Heart'' alongside hidden gems that both unsettle and enthrall the reader.Trade ReviewPoe's work as a whole is a series of haunting improvisations on themes from the macabre that are hard to categorise, dazzlingly original and posthumously influential on an extraordinary range of writers from Baudelaire and RL Stevenson to Yeats, Wilde and Borges * Observer *His work continues to enthral. His greatest tales (The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum) radiate a dark humour and mockery that strike an oddly modern note * Sunday Times *If genius is an exceptional capacity for imaginative creation, Poe had it in spades * Daily Mail *His reputation as a master of the grotesque and macabre has veiled the real cause of his fame: an astonishing mastery of language and literary technique which made Arthur Ransome, himself no mean story technician and a considerable literary critic, liken his stories to rare coloured goblets or fantastic metalwork * Independent *
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Night at the Crossroads Inspector Maigret 6
Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianA sensational tale of deceit and back-stabbing in an isolated community in which only Inspector Maigret can intervene“She came forward, the outlines of her figure blurred in the half-light....‘I gather you wish to talk to me, Inspector...but first of all please sit down...’ Her accent was more pronounced than Carl’s. Her voice sang, dropping on the last syllable of the longer words.”Maigret has been interrogating Carl Andersen for seventeen hours without a confession. He’s either innocent or a very good liar. So why was the body of a diamond merchant found at his isolated mansion? Why is his sister always shut away in her room? And why does everyone at Three Widows CrossrTrade ReviewCompelling, remorseless, brilliant. -- John GrayOne 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 *
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd The Grand Banks Café
Book Synopsis''The father of contemporary European detective fiction'' Ann Cleeves It was indeed a photograph, a picture of a woman. But the face was completely hidden, scribbled all over in red ink. Someone had tried to obliterate the head, someone very angry. The pen had bitten into the paper. There were so many criss-crossed lines that not a single square millimetre had been left visible.On the other hand, below the head, the torso had not been touched. A pair of large breasts. A light-coloured silk dress, very tight and very low cut.Sailors don''t talk much to other men, especially not to policemen. But after Captain Fallut''s body is found floating near his trawler, they all mention the Evil Eye when they speak of the Ocean''s voyage.Penguin is publishing the entire series of Maigret novels in new translations. This novel has been published in a previous translation as The Sailors'' Rendezvous.''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' Guardian ''A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness'' IndependentTrade Review‘One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century…Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.’ — The Guardian'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 'Superb... The most addictive of writers... A unique teller of tales' — The Observer‘Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.’ — John Gray'A truly wonderful writer... marvellously readable - lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the workd he creates' — Muriel Spark'A novelist who entered his fictional world as it he were a part of it' — Peter Ackroyd'Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century' — John Banville
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd The TwoPenny Bar
Book SynopsisA story told by a condemned man leads Maigret to a bar by the Seine and into the sleazy underside of respectable Parisian life. In the oppressive heat of summer, a forgotten crime comes to light.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)
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd The Shadow Puppet Inspector Maigret 12
Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianA gripping domestic tragedy starring Inspector Maigret and set in Simenon’s very own neighborhood“One by one the lighted windows went dark. The silhouette of the dead man could still be seen through the frosted glass like a Chinese shadow puppet. A taxi pulled up. It wasn't the public prosecutor yet. A young woman crossed the courtyard with hurried steps, leaving a whiff of perfume in her wake.”Summoned to the dimly-lit Place des Vosges one night, where he sees shadowy figures at apartment windows, Maigret uncovers a tragic story of desperate lives, unhappy families, addiction and a terrible, fatal greed.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)
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Vintage Murder
Book SynopsisA touring theatre company in New Zealand forms the basis of one of Marsh's most ambitious and innovative novels.New Zealand theatrical manager Alfred Meyer wanted to celebrate his wife's birthday in style. The piece de résistance would be the jeroboam of champagne which would descend gently into a nest of fern and coloured lights on the table, set up on stage after the performance.But something went horribly wrong. Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn witnessed it himself. Was Meyer's death the product of Maori superstitions? Or something much more down to earth?Trade Review‘The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers’Times Literary Supplement ‘The theatre detail is engrossing.’Margaret Lewis ‘A far more ambitious novel than anything Marsh had attempted before.’American Journal of Popular Culture ‘Her work is as nearly flawless as makes no odds. Character, plot, wit, good writing, and sound technique.’Sunday Times ‘The finest writer in the English languange of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd The Complete Father Brown Stories
Book SynopsisThe complete adventures of the well-loved clerical sleuth, collected in one brilliant volume.Shabby and lumbering, with a face like a Norfolk dumpling, Father Brown makes for an improbable super-sleuth. But his innocence is the secret of his success: refusing the scientific method of detection, he adopts instead an approach of simple sympathy, interpreting each crime as a work of art, and each criminal as a man no worse than himself. This complete edition brings together all of the Father Brown stories, including two not previously available in Penguin: ''The Donnington Affair'', in which Chesterton rises to the challenge of solving a murder-mystery half written by someone else (Max Pemberton), and ''The Mask of Midas'', which was found in Chesterton''s papers after his death. It also includes an introduction and notes by Michael D. Hurley.G.K. Chesteron was born in 1874. He attended the Slade School of Art, where he appears to have suffered a nervous breakdow
£11.69
Penguin Books Ltd The Hound of the Baskervilles. Penguin English
Book SynopsisThe Penguin English Library Edition of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan DoyleMr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!The terrible spectacle of the beast, the fog of the moor, the discovery of a body: this classic horror story pits detective against dog, rationalism against the supernatural, good against evil. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the wild Devon moorland with the footprints of a giant hound nearby, the blame is placed on a family curse. It is left to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to solve the mystery of the legend of the phantom hound before Sir Charles'' heir comes to an equally gruesome end. The Hound of the Baskervilles gripped readers when it was first serialised and has continued to hold its place in the popular imagination.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
£7.99
Penguin Books Ltd The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Book SynopsisOut of his smoke-filled rooms in Baker Street stalks a figure to cause the criminal classes to quake in their boots and rush from their dens of inequity The twelve mysteries gathered in this first collection of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson's adventures reveal the brilliant consulting detective at the height of his powers. Problems involving a man with a twisted lip, a fabulous blue carbuncle and five orange pips tax Sherlock Holmes' intellect alongside some of his most famous cases, including A Scandal in Bohemia and The Red-Headed League.
£6.99
Penguin Books Ltd The Lady in the Lake and Other Novels
Book SynopsisAn omnibus comprising Raymond Chandler''s three Philip Marlowe novels, THE LADY IN THE LAKE, THE HIGH WINDOW and THE LITTLE SISTER.
£13.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's seasonal Poirot and Marple short story collection, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.First came a sinister warning to Poirot not to eat any plum pudding then the discovery of a corpse in a chest next, an overheard quarrel that led to murder the strange case of the dead man who altered his eating habits and the puzzle of the victim who dreamt his own suicide.What links these five baffling cases? The little grey cells of Monsieur Hercule Poirot!Trade Review'There is irresistible simplicity and buoyancy of a Christmas treat about it all' Times Literary Supplement
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Hercule Poirot. Lord Edgware Dies
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's famous murder mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Poirot had been present when Jane bragged of her plan to get rid of' her estranged husband. Now the monstrous man was dead. And yet the great Belgian detective couldn't help feeling that he was being taken for a ride.After all, how could Jane have stabbed Lord Edgware to death in his library at exactly the same time she was seen dining with friends? And what could be her motive now that the aristocrat had finally granted her a divorce?Trade Review“The whole case is a triumph of Poirot’s special qualities.”Times Literary Supplement
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Three Act Tragedy Poirot
Book SynopsisAt an apparently respectable dinner party, a vicar is the first to dieThirteen guests arrived at dinner at the actor's house. It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died.But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison just as Poirot had predicted. Even more troubling for the great detective, there was absolutely no motiveTrade Review“Makes uncommonly good reading.”New York Times
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Hooded Gunman An Illustrated History of
Book SynopsisWinner of the 2019 H.R.F. Keating Award for best biography or critical book related to crime fiction!A lavish full-colour celebration of the 2000 books by more than 250 authors published by the iconic Crime Club between 1930 and 1994.The Hooded Gunman was the sinister figure who, having appeared in various guises on the covers of Collins' various series of Mystery and Detective books in the 1920s, finally gained recognition with the launch of Collins' Crime Club, becoming the definitive imprint stamp on more than 2,000 books published by that august imprint between 1930 and 1994. From Agatha Christie to Reginald Hill, the Hooded Gunman was a guarantee of a first-class crime novel for almost 65 years, and those books are now as sought after and collectable and almost any other book series, with many commanding high prices and almost impossible to find.In the year that Collins the publisher founded by William Collins in Glasgow in 1819 is enjoying its 200th birthday, this book celebratTrade ReviewREVIEWS FOR AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SECRET NOTEBOOKS: 'Many of Curran's discoveries will shape how Christie is read in future… This book is fascinating.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY ‘Agatha Christie’s notebooks have had to wait for the meticulous attention, dedication and prodigious knowledge of John Curran to achieve publication.’ THE TIMES ‘A meticulously detailed study that is packed with shrewd perceptions about Christie's fiction… Curran has produced an enthralling miscellany of a book, in which her fans will rummage to their heart's content.' SUNDAY TIMES 'Curran has organized his material as efficiently as an Agatha Christie mystery… His enthusiasm for his subject carries us along.' IRISH TIMES
£34.00
HarperCollins Publishers The Body in the Library
Book SynopsisA young woman found murdered A scandal in the makingTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Hercule Poirots Christmas
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's seasonal mystery thriller, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.It is Christmas Eve. The Lee family reunion is shattered by a deafening crash of furniture, followed by a high-pitched wailing scream. Upstairs, the tyrannical Simeon Lee lies dead in a pool of blood, his throat slashed.But when Hercule Poirot, who is staying in the village with a friend for Christmas, offers to assist, he finds an atmosphere not of mourning but of mutual suspicion. It seems everyone had their own reason to hate the old manTrade Review‘You yearned for a “good violent murder with lots of blood”. So this is your special story – written for you.’Agatha Christie ‘There is irresistible simplicity and buoyancy of a Christmas treat about it all'Times Literary Supplement
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Sign of the Four Collins Classics
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world'In London, 1888, the razor-sharp detective skills of Sherlock Holmes are to be put to the test. Mary Morstan reports two seemingly unconnected and inexplicable events: the disappearance of her father, a British Indian Army Captain, and the arrival of pearls by post from an unknown sender. Driven on by its complexity, Holmes and Watson slowly begin to unravel an intricate web of exotic treasure, secret pacts and mysterious deaths.One of only four novels featuring Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson, The Sign of the Four' will delight those who have been captivated by Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories.Trade Review‘Of all the Holmes stories it is ‘The Sign of Four’ which remains persistently in my memory.’ Graham Greene
£5.02
HarperCollins Publishers The Mystery of the Blue Train Poirot
Book SynopsisThe daughter of an American millionaire dies on a train en route for NiceWhen the luxurious Blue Train arrives at Nice, a guard attempts to wake serene Ruth Kettering from her slumbers. But she will never wake again for a heavy blow has killed her, disfiguring her features almost beyond recognition. What is more, her precious rubies are missing.The prime suspect is Ruth's estranged husband, Derek. Yet Poirot is not convinced, so he stages an eerie re-enactment of the journey, complete with the murderer on boardTrade Review“The Empress of the crime novel.”Sunday Express
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Sad Cypress
Book SynopsisAn elderly stroke victim dies without having arranged a willBeautiful young Elinor Carlisle stood serenely in the dock, accused of the murder of Mary Gerrard, her rival in love. The evidence was damning: only Elinor had the motive, the opportunity and the means to administer the fatal poison.Yet, inside the hostile courtroom, only one man still presumed Elinor was innocent until proven guilty: Hercule Poirot was all that stood between Elinor and the gallowsTrade Review“Poirot solves another exciting case”Daily Mail
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Collins
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.''Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Baker Street would have failed to recognize him. His face flushed and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter.''Set against the foggy, mysterious backdrops of London and the English countryside, these are the first twelve stories ever published to feature the infamous Detective Sherlock Holmes and his side kick Doctor Watson. They first appeared as stories in the Strand Magazine and feature some of his most famous and enjoyable cases, including ''A Scandal in Bohemia'', ''The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle'' and ''The Red-headed League''.
£5.62
Little, Brown Book Group The Scapegoat
Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF REBECCA'What a magnificent thriller this is' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'She wrote exciting plots . . . a writer of fearless originality' GUARDIAN 'A good original novel, well tinged with nightmare' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'He turned and stared at me and I at him, and I realised, with a strange sense of shock and fear and nausea all combined, that his face and voice were known to me too well. I was looking at myself.'By chance, two men - one English, the other French - meet in a provincial railway station. Their resemblance is uncanny, and they spend the evening talking and drinking. It is not until John wakes the next morning that he realises his French companion has stolen his identity and disappeared. So John steps into the Frenchman's shoes, and faces a variety of perplexing roles - as owner of a chateau, director of a failing business, head of a fractious family, and master of nothing.Trade ReviewShe wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense, and she was, too, a writer of fearless originality * Guardian *A good original novel, well tinged with nightmare * Times Literary Supplement *What a magnificent thriller this is * New York Times Book Review *No other popular writer has so triumphantly defied classification . . . She satisfied all the questionable criteria of popular fiction, and yet satisfied the exacting requirements of "real literature", something very few novelists ever do
£9.49
Titan Books Ltd Sherlock Holmes: The Thinking Engine
Book SynopsisMan vs Machineit is 1895, and Sherlock Holmes is settling back into life as a consulting detective at 221B Baker Street, when he and Watson learn of strange goings-on amidst the dreaming spires of Oxford.A Professor Quantock has built a wondrous computational device, which he claims is capable of analytical thought to rival the cleverest men alive. Naturally Sherlock Holmes cannot ignore this challenge. He and Watson travel to Oxford, where a battle of wits ensues between the great detective and his mechanical counterpart as they compete to see which of them can be first to solve a series of crimes, from a bloody murder to a missing athlete. But as man and machine vie for supremacy, it becomes clear that the Thinking Engine has its own agenda...Trade Review"Lovegrove knows his Holmes trivia and delivers a great mystery that will fans will enjoy, with plenty of winks and nods to the canon." - Geek Dad "A satisfying book, wrapping up to a fascinating conclusion." - Fangirl Nation"A good yarn of a read for any Sherlock fans" - Retrenders"Lovegrove manages to perfectly emulate Doyle’s (or Watson’s, if you will), style, while at the same time playing up the most important and interesting aspect of the Canon: the relationship between Holmes and Watson." - Cinema Sentries
£7.59
Orion Publishing Co The Glass Key
Book SynopsisCorruption, murder, beauty and innocence . . . ''Great crime fiction started with Hammett'' James Ellroy''Not just the first of the tough school of crime-writing but the best'' THE TIMESNed Beaumont is a tall, thin, moustache-wearing, TB-ridden, drinking, gambling, hanger-on to the political boss of a corrupt Eastern city.Nevertheless, like every Hammett hero (and like Hammett himself), he has an unbreakable, if idiosyncratic, moral code. Ned''s boss wants to better himself with a thoroughbred senator''s daughter; but does he want it badly enough to commit murder? If he''s innocent, who wants him in the frame? Beaumont must find out.Trade ReviewNot just the first of the tough school of crime-writing but the best * THE TIMES *Great crime fiction started with Hammett -- James EllroyHe is master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer * BOSTON GLOBE *He put these people down on paper as they are, and he made them talk and think in the language they customarily used -- Raymond ChandlerHis name remains one of the most important and recognisable in the crime fiction genre. Hammett set the standard for much of the work that would follow * INDEPENDENT *The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction * NEW YORK TIMES *One of the foremost practitioners of the hard-boiled detective story * SCOTSMAN *
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc A Lonely Death
Book SynopsisThree men have been murdered in a Sussex village, and Scotland Yard detective inspector Ian Rutledge has been called in. It's a baffling case. Shortly after Inspector Ian Rutledge arrives, a fourth soldier is found dead. With few clues to go on and the pressure building, Rutledge must gamble everything to find answers.Trade Review"Masterly." -- New York Times Book Review on A Lonely Death "Todd once and for all establishes the shell-shocked Rutledge as the genre's most complex and fascinating detective." -- Entertainment Weekly, on A LONELY DEATH (Grade: A-) "[The authors'] subtle prose and profound empathy for all their characters enhance a suspenseful and twisty plot." -- Publishers Weekly on A Lonely Death "Another engaging entry in a fine series." -- Booklist on A Lonely Death "Todd's intriguing revenge tale will keep the reader turning the pages, but the main draw remains Rutledge, the relentless inspector haunted by the voice of a Scotsman he executed on the battlefield for disobeying an order. Highly recommended for all aficionados of British postwar historical mysteries." -- Library Journal on A Lonely Death "Eloquently blasts war for the obscenity it is." -- Kirkus Reviews on A Lonely Death "Todd's attention to period detail, plotting and character exploration are at the forefront of the 13th Ian Rutledge Mystery...Todd and his hero are in fine form from start to finish." -- Romantic Times on A Lonely Death (4 1/2 stars; Top Pick) "A strong entry in a strong series." -- Charlotte Observer on A Lonely Death "Suspense filled." -- Oklahoman on A Lonely Death "Todd invests this absorbing fiction with creative storytelling (including intriguing subplots), memorable characters and graceful, seemingly effortless prose...This is fiction that moves, entertains, and as always, underscores life's victories over death." -- Richmond Times-Dispatch on A Lonely Death "Compelling...a provocative thriller." -- Iron Mountain Daily News on A Lonely Death "Fully realized characters, well-researched settings, and exquisite writing combine with a surprising and chilling solution to mark this 13th outing as a standout in Todd's deservedly award-winning series." -- Mystery Scene on A Lonely Death
£14.97
Penguin Books Ltd A Modern Detective
Book SynopsisHe is fond of enigmas, of conundrums, hieroglyphics; exhibiting in his solutions of each a degree of acumen which appears to the ordinary apprehension praeternatural.
£5.63
Penguin Books Ltd The Hand
Book Synopsis
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd A Study in Scarlet
Book Synopsis''There''s a scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.''From the moment Dr John Watson takes lodgings in Baker Street with the consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, he becomes intimately acquainted with the bloody violence and frightening ingenuity of the criminal mind. In A Study in Scarlet , Holmes and Watson''s first mystery, the pair are summoned to a south London house where they find a dead man whose contorted face is a twisted mask of horror. The body is unmarked by violence but on the wall a mysterious word has been written in blood. The police are baffled by the crime and its circumstances. But when Sherlock Holmes applies his brilliantly logical mind to the problem he uncovers a tragic tale of love and deadly revenge . . .Trade ReviewThe literary super sleuth * Daily Express *
£8.54
Penguin Books Ltd The Valley of Fear
Book Synopsis''There should be no combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive an explanation.''In this tale drawn from the note books of Dr Watson, the deadly hand of Professor Moriarty once more reaches out to commit a vile and ingenious crime. However, a mole in Moriarty''s frightening criminal organization alerts Sherlock Holmes of the evil deed by means of a cipher. When Holmes and Watson arrive at a Sussex manor house they appear to be too late. The discovery of a body suggests that Moriarty''s henchmen have been at their work. But there is much more to this tale of murder than at first meets the eye and Sherlock Holmes is determined to get to the bottom of it.Trade ReviewHolmes has taken on a life of his own in the hearts and minds of a modern world * The Times *
£8.54
Pan Macmillan The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
Book SynopsisThe Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes contains Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's final twelve stories about his great fictional detective. Featuring crypts at midnight, strange bones in a furnace and a blood-sucking vampire, these tales explore the darker side of human nature and involve betrayal, violence and the terrible consequences of infidelity.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an afterword by David Stuart Davies - a Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and an authority on Sherlock Holmes.
£9.89
