Classic crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisFully revised Second Edition. With a new Introduction and Bibliography by Dick Collins. The exploits of Sweeney Todd, ‘The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, have been recounted many times in plays, films and musicals, but the origins of the character largely were forgotten for many years. The String of Pearls - the original tale of Sweeney Todd, a classic of British horror - was first published as a weekly serial in 1846-7 by Edward Lloyd, the King of the Penny Dreadfuls. One of the earliest detective stories, it became an important source for Bram Stoker's Dracula, but it was after over 150 years of obscurity that it appeared first in book form in the Wordsworth edition published in 2005. The one great mystery that has surrounded the book is who the author was - or was it possibly the work of more than one man? In his new introduction to this fully revised second edition, Dick Collins, by means of detailed research of contemporary records, has established finally the identity of the creator of this legendary figure. So here is the original story of the terrifying owner of that famous London barber-shop, and the secret recipe for Mrs Lovett's delicious pies…

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Book SynopsisA shocking crimeA mansion filled with suspectsRuth Van Rydock can't shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen to her sister at Stonygates house.Her old school friend Jane Marple decides it's time to pay a visit.But this grand Victorian mansion isn't just a family home it's also a correctional facility for wayward young men.And when something terrible does indeed happen, Miss Marple must face her most eccentric cast of suspects yet.Never underestimate Miss MarpleIf a genius is someone who leaves the field they work in totally different from how they found it, then we should certainly remember Agatha Christie as a genius.'Stephen FryNo one on either side of the Atlantic does it better.'New York TimesTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French

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Book SynopsisA selection of mysteries, some light-hearted, some romantic, some very deadlyTwelve tantalizing cases the curious disappearance of Lord Listerdale; a newlywed's fear of her ex-fiance; a strange encounter on a train; a domestic murder investigation; a wild man's sudden personality change; a retired inspector's hunt for a murderess; a young woman's impersonation of a duchess; a necklace hidden in a basket of cherries; a mystery writer's arrest for murder; an astonishing marriage proposal; a soprano's hatred for a baritone; the case of the rajah's emerald.All have one thing in common: the skilful hand of Agatha Christie.Trade Review“They are, without exception, the work of an experienced and artful cook.”Times Literary Supplement “The acknowledged Queen of Detective fiction”Observer

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1944 Fell Murder sees E.C.R. Lorac at the height of her considerable powers as a purveyor of well-made, traditional and emphatic detective fiction. The book presents a 'return of the prodigal' mystery set in the later stages of the Second World War amidst the close-knit farmerfolk community of Lancashire’s Lune valley.

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Book SynopsisCaptain Hastings recounts 18 of Poirot's early cases from the days before he was famousHercule Poirot delighted in telling people that he was probably the best detective in the world. So turning back the clock to trace eighteen of the cases which helped establish his professional reputation was always going to be a fascinating experience. With his career still in its formative years, the panache with which Hercule Poirot could solve even the most puzzling mystery is obvious.Chronicled by his friend Captain Hastings, these eighteen early cases from theft and robbery to kidnapping and murder were all guaranteed to test Poirot's soon-to-be-famous little grey cells' to their absolute limit.Trade Review‘Superb, vintage Christie’ Sunday Express ‘The plotting is as exact as in the novels and all one can do is stand back and wonder at the invention and enthusiasm.’ Irish Times

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Book SynopsisDon’t miss Faith Martin’s fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as ‘the perfect village mystery’ by J.M. Hall ‘There is so much to love about A Fatal End… Another nail-biting mystery awaits.’ The Lancashire Post Trade Review‘There is so much to love about A Fatal End… Another nail-biting mystery awaits.’ The Lancashire Post Praise for Faith Martin: ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book Synopsis***Don't miss SOMEONE IN THE WATER, Sarah Clarke's gripping new summer thriller, available now***''You won't know who to trust' Adele Parks, Platinum'A fast-paced tale of revenge.' Catherine Cooper, author of The ChaletSuspenseful, claustrophobic.' Katy Brent, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It''A tense and twisty thriller.'' Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party**********************************************THE PERFECT TRIPWhen four friends embark on a boys' skiing holiday in the Alps, they anticipate a weekend of fun, drinking, and some healthy competition on the slopes. But their trip is cut short when one of them falls to his death.A TERRIBLE ACCIDENTTom's widow, Zoe travels to France with her friend, Ivy to collect his body. While Zoe is consumed by grief, Ivy starts to question everything.OR COLD-BLOODED MURDER?The slope Tom fell from wasn't dangerous, and tensions between the group were at breaking point in the days before his death.But if Ivy's suspicions are correct, Tom was killed by one of his closest friends. And they are still in the chalet**********************************************Readers LOVE The Ski Trip''A thrilling novel full of tension and suspense.'' NetGalley reviewer,?????''Chilling, almost claustrophobic'' NetGalley reviewer,?????''An absolute masterpiece of mystery and suspense.'' NetGalley reviewer,?????''Anger, jealousy, guilty, betrayal, lies, secrets and more secrets!'' NetGalley reviewer,?????Trade Review Praise for The Ski Trip: ‘A clever, slick and chilling read. Clarke is at the top of her game!’ A.A. Chaudhuri 'A lightening-paced thriller about revenge and keeping your enemies close.' Woman's Own ‘Twistier than a difficult ski run… The pages turn themselves!’ Louise Mumford 'An explosive revenge thriller packed with enough twists and turns to leave you breathless – I love it!' Mira Shah 'Fast paced, exciting and full of twists.' Jacqueline Sutherland 'A pacy, chilling, claustrophobic thriller… all set against the beautiful backdrop of the French Alps. I devoured it!' Diane Jeffrey ’With its brilliantly atmospheric setting and cast of duplicitous characters, The Ski Trip keeps you in its icy grip until the very last page.’ Sarah J Naughton Praise for Sarah Clarke: ‘An incredibly tense psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. The suspense is utterly breathtaking.’ Victoria Dowd 'Keeps you guessing all the way.’ Philippa East ‘A gripping read, exposing the dark lies at the heart of a supposedly perfect life . . . The perfect thriller!’ Louise Mumford ‘A dark and clever thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night.’ Sophie Flynn

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Book SynopsisGraham Greene was born in 1904. He worked as a journalist and critic, and in 1940 became literary editor of the Spectator. He was later employed by the Foreign Office. As well as his many novels, Graham Greene wrote several collections of short stories, four travel books, six plays, three books of autobiography, two of biography and four books for children. He also wrote hundreds of essays, and film and book reviews. Graham Greene was a member of the Order of Merit and a Companion of Honour. He died in April 1991.Trade ReviewPerhaps the most enduring novel that even he has give us * Daily Mail *The tension never relaxes and one reads hungrily from page to page, dreading the moment it will end * Evening Standard *Greene's work attempts to link the serious moral imagination with the spirit of adventure and romance and to extend the remapping of imaginative geography first undertaken by Conrad * Times Higher Education Supplement *A superb storyteller with a gift for provoking controversy * New York Times *Greene had the sharpest eyes for trouble, the finest nose for human weaknesses, and was pitilessly honest in his observations... For experience of a whole century he was the man within * Independent *

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Book Synopsis''The father of contemporary European detective fiction'' Ann Cleeves ''Let''s be clear that it''s not your professionalism which I question. If you understand nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, it''s because from the very start you''ve been working with facts which had been falsified.''Maigret sets out to prove the innocence of a man condemned to death for a brutal murder. As his audacious plan to uncover the truth unfolds, he encounters rich American expatriates, some truly dangerous characters and their hidden motives.This novel has been published in previous translations as Maigret''s War of Nerves and A Battle of Nerves.''Maigret emerges as a master of intuition and imagination, who moves in a world rendered intensely real in Simenon''s incomparable prose'' Christopher Hirst, IndependentTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianInspector Maigret loses himself in coastal luxury—and danger—in this devastating mystery set on the French Riviera“It had a smell of holidays. The previous evening, in Cannes Harbour, with the setting sun, had also had the smell of holidays, especially the Ardena, whose owner swaggered in front of two girls with gorgeous figures...”Dazzled at first by the glamour of sunny Antibes, Maigret soon finds himself immersed in the less salubrious side of the Riviera as he retraces the final steps of a local eccentric.Trade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianWhen a man is killed outside a Parisian boarding house, Inspector Maigret moves in to get to the bottom of it While keeping watch outside Mademoiselle Clément’s boarding house to await a suspect in a local bar robbery, a man named Janvier is shot in the chest. When Maigret, whose wife is away caring for her sister in Alsace, hears of the crime, he moves into the boarding house to solve the case. But the web quickly grows ever-more tangled, and Maigret must navigate generations-long secrets and a torrid affair to find his answers before it’s too late.Trade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories * Guardian *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *The most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales * Observer *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories. -- GuardianA supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1944, Murder After Christmas is a lively riot of murder, mince pies and misdirection, cleverly twisting the tropes of Golden Age detective fiction to create a pacey, light-hearted package admirably suited for the holiday season.

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Book SynopsisA page-turning, compelling thriller about a woman who will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her sister?s disappearance.Shaw Connolly is no stranger to trauma. As a fingerprints analyst, she?s one of the first on-site for crimes, including murder scenes and a mysterious string of arsons popping up throughout the rural Maine community her department serves. But the tragedy of her little sister?s disappearance sixteen years ago has always weighed on her the most; Thea is never far from her thoughts or dreams, and Shaw knows that her obsession with finding the truth about Thea is driving her husband away and impacting her two boys. Still, she can''t let it go and has even started taking disturbing calls from a man named Anders Jansen who all but claims to have committed the crime.Anders taunts Shaw with hints and innuendo about what supposedly happened all those years ago. His calls go to the next level as he reveals just how much he knows about Shaw?s personal life, like her stalled career and ruined marriage. As his stalking escalates to threats on her and her family''s lives, he begins to show just how dangerous he might be. Shaw is too desperate for answers to hang up now, just when she''s getting close to finding proof. The only question left is what she must lose to learn the truth.A taut, atmospheric thriller from Edgar Award-finalist young adult author Gillian French, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell introduces a compelling new voice in adult suspense fiction.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect classic crime story to cosy up with this winter as Amateur sleuth Mrs Bradley investigates a puzzling Christmas mystery.'The equal of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie' IndependentIt is December and Mrs Bradley has left London behind for a relaxing visit to the Oxfordshire countryside.Then, on Christmas Eve, a local solicitor is found dead by the river. Everyone believes that he suffered a heart attack - but Mrs Bradley is suspicious and is soon investigating a series of disturbing clues.As the frost thaws and spring begins, the inimitable detective must work fast if she is to protect the people close to her from a resourceful killer...First published in 1936 as Dead Men's Morris.Trade ReviewMrs Bradley is an amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple… A cackling, leering, hooting delight… Added to the interest of the murder itself, we can delight in the picture of society that the novels afford, in the way that a photograph of a long-gone street can fascinate and charm… I just let it all wash over me, soak up the atmosphere, and revel in the character of the detective. I am delighted to have made Mrs Bradley’s acquaintance -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian *One of the ‘Big Three’ female mystery novelists, judged the equal of Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie * Independent *If a relaxing diversion is of the essence for a good holiday, a Gladys Mitchell novel is a must * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA crazed killer. A town in terror. A mystery ten years in the makingLady Violet Thorn's awful Aunt Igitha arrives uninvited to stay, wreaking havoc in the household. When Violet plucks up courage to ask her to leave, Igitha's chilling threats are soon realised with deadly effect.In a devastating series of events, a woman is impaled, another is hanged outside Violet's window, and a wild beast is delivered to her house.Violet is soon struck by the similarities between these events, and the unsolved murders committed ten years earlier by the sadistic serial killer known as the Montford Maniac.Could he have returned? Is Igitha behind the crimes? Or could there be someone even more terrifying on the prowl? The horrors have only just begun.A rollicking, unputdownable Victorian mystery perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Anthony Horowitz.

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Book SynopsisA traditional cosy crime novel but stands out from others because one of the sleuths is a ghost. A sequel to 'One Hundred Days'.

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Book SynopsisA Haunting Tale of Love, Art, and MadnessAre you captivated by stories of psychological suspense? Do you find yourself drawn to historical settings with a touch of the supernatural? The Difficult Wife by Tim Robinson delivers a thrilling narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Book SynopsisA clever mystery classic from one of Britain's greatest and most original crime writers, the author of The Daughter of Time In 1920s London, the packed queue for the city's most popular musical comedy is growing impatient. When the theatre doors open at last and the crowd surges forward, a man falls to the ground, dead-silently stabbed with a stiletto. Who killed him before melting away unseen into the night? As Inspector Alan Grant investigates, the mystery turns into a breathless manhunt leading from London all the way to the Scottish highlands and back, before at last a truth is revealed that shocks even the canny detective himself. This is an unforgettable classic from crime writing's golden ageTrade Review'My favourite detective of all time' - Daily Express'Josephine Tey has always been absolutely reliable in producing original and mysterious plots with interesting characters and unguessable endings' - Spectator'All the Tey magic... Superb!' - San Francisco Chronicle

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Book SynopsisDark magic is unleashed on the streets of Istanbul . . .When a newborn baby is found drowned in the shallow waters of the Golden Horn, all-out warfare threatens to erupt between rival criminal gangs. Inspector Kerim Gürsel is assigned to the case and he must tread carefully when DNA tests reveal that the baby''s father is Görkan Pasahan, Istanbul''s most feared Mafia boss. But the identity of the infant''s mother is yet to be discovered . . .Meanwhile, Çetin Ikmen and Mehmet Süleyman attend the winter festival known as Bocuk Gecesi, held on the darkest night of the year, and witness a magic trick whereby a young man, Emir Kaya, disappears. While Ikmen investigates how the illusion took place, Süleyman conducts a tortuous hunt for Emir Kaya that exposes a harrowing tale of depravation, betrayal and corruption where the bloodline of a child is worth killing for and everything has its price . . .Praise for Barbara Nadel''s novels:''Complex and beguiling: a

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianMaigret’s past comes to life in this evocative novel, set in the Inspector’s hometown“Maigret savoured the sensations of his youth again: the cold, stinging eyes, frozen fingertips, an aftertaste of coffee. Then, stepping inside the church, a blast of heat, soft light; the smell of candles and incense.”The last time Maigret went home to the village of his birth was for his father’s funeral. Now, an anonymous note predicting a crime during All Souls’ Day mass draws him back there, where troubling memories resurface and hidden vices are revealed.Trade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisA true crime masterpiece, and highly acclaimed 1940s movie''DOUBLE INDEMNITY is among the finest of all American novels, regardless of genre or style'' LA TIMES''Cain is the master'' Tom WolfeDOUBLE INDEMNITY is the classic tale of an evil woman motivated by greed who corrupts a weak man motivated by lust.Walter Huff is an insurance investigator like any other until the day he meets the beautiful and dangerous Phyllis Nirdlinger and falls under her spell. Together they plot to kill her husband and split the insurance. It''ll be the perfect murder . . .Trade ReviewDOUBLE INDEMNITY is among the finest of all American novels, regardless of genre or style * LA TIMES *Nobody has ever quite pulled it off the way Cain does, not Hemingway and not even Raymond Chandler. Cain is the master -- Tom Wolfe[A] fine idea for a series... They already have a superb noir backlist.. but adding Philip K Dick's Minority Report and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? improves the mix. * SCOTSMAN *

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Book SynopsisRuth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels.With worldwide sales of approximately 20 million copies, Rendell was a regular Sunday Times bestseller. Her sixty bestselling novels include police procedurals, some of which have been successfully adapted for TV, stand-alone psychological mysteries, and a third strand of crime novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. Very much abreast of her times, the Wexford books in particular often engaged with social or political issues close to her heart.Rendell won numerous awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for 1976's best crime novel with A Demon in My View, a Gold Dagger award for Live FlesTrade ReviewOne of the best novelists writing today -- P.D. JamesRuth Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear * Sunday Times *Rendell never fails to come up trumps, and her millions of admirers will eagerly consume this offering as they have all the others * The Irish Times *Ruth Rendell's mesmerising capacity to shock, chill and disturb is unmatched * The Times *A firm grasp of social concerns ensure that her novels are reflective of our own times, as well as hugely absorbing -- Louise Welsh * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the new Penguin Maigret series: Georges Simenon''s devastating tale of misfortune, betrayal and the weakness of family ties, in a new translation by Anthea Bell.Instead of the detail filling itself in and becoming clearer, it seemed to escape him. The face of the man in the ill-fitting coat just misted up so that it hardly looked human. In theory this mental portrait was good enough, but now it was replaced by fleeting images which should have added up to one and the same man but which refused to get themselves into focus.The circumstances of Monsieur Gallet''s death all seem fake: the name the deceased was travelling under and his presumed profession, and more worryingly, his family''s grief. Their haughtiness seems to hide ambiguous feelings about the hapless man. In this haunting story, Maigret discovers the appalling truth and the real crime hidden behind the surface of lies.Penguin is publishing the entire series of Maigret novels in new translations. This novel has been published in previous translations as Maigret Stonewalled and The Death of Monsieur Gallet.''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' Guardian ''A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness'' IndependentTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book 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

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianA gripping 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)

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Book SynopsisA stunning new espionage novel by a master of the genre, Beirut Station follows a young female CIA officer whose mission to assassinate a high-level, Hezbollah terrorist reveals a dark truth that puts her life at risk.

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Book SynopsisSome of Agatha Christie's earliest stories including her very first which show the Queen of Crime in the makingA macabre recurring dream revenge against a blackmailer jealousy, infidelity and a tortured conscience a stolen gemstone the haunting attraction of an ancient relic a race against time a tragic love triangle a body in a box an unexpected visitor from beyond the graveNine quintessential examples of Agatha Christie''s brilliance are contained in this new collection of early short stories including the very first one she ever wrote and provide a unique glimpse of the Queen of Crime in the making.Trade Review“The acknowledged Queen of Crime.”OBSERVER

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Book Synopsis*Don''t miss the next gripping Double O thriller, A SPY LIKE ME, available to order now*The start of a brand new trilogy following MI6's agents with a licence to kill, that blows the world of James Bond wide open!THREEJames Bond is missing and presumed dead. In his absence, MI6 is left struggling to pick up the pieces in the face of the world's deadliest threat yet.TWOMoneypenny's elite Double O agents Sid Bashir, Johanna Harwood and Joseph Dryden are tasked with infiltrating the deadly terrorist organisation Rattenfänger, and unearthing its connection to tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise.ONEAs time ticks away, the stakes couldn't be higher and the fate of our lives rests in their handsWhat everyone is saying about DOUBLE OR NOTHING:Filled with characters so real we feel we know them, the novel races through its surprising plot twists like an Aston Martin in high gear' Jeffery Deaver, author of Carte Blanche, a James Bond novelStylish, explosive, fresh and fun, Kim Sherwood takeTrade Review‘Unshackled from the burden of fidelity to Fleming’s character, her book feels a lot freer and more spontaneous than the more conventional Bond continuation novels, while still managing to capture something of Fleming’s rollicking spirit’ Telegraph ‘A boldly innovative James Bond novel . . . [Sherwood] rises impressively to all the challenges of the formula — the cliffhangers, the exotic locations, the wry specificity about lifestyle and weaponry brands, the blend of “kiss kiss” and “bang bang” — while adding ideas such as making Q a quantum computer and putting the climate crisis at her remarkable thriller’s centre.’Sunday Times ‘I spy … a brilliant thriller! Double or Nothing is a clever and utterly compelling addition to the Bond canon. Filled with characters so real we feel we know them, the novel races through its surprising plot twists like an Aston Martin in high gear. Get this book and clear your calendar—though it won’t be for long; I read it in one sitting’ Jeffery Deaver, author of Carte Blanche, a James Bond novel ‘A cleverly plotted and absorbing novel with a fantastic cast of fully rounded characters in this breathtaking new novel. I loved it’ Lisa Ballantyne, author of The Innocent One ‘Stylish, explosive, fresh and fun, Kim Sherwood takes one of the world’s most beloved series and makes it her own. Faithful, yet entirely original, Double or Nothing is everything you could want in a spy novel’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End 'Bang up to date and action-packed, Kim Sherwood has taken the world of James Bond and turned it on its head’ Charles Cumming, author of BOX 88 ‘Blistering, breakneck, brilliant. Sherwood's first Double O novel delivers everything you could want and more from a high-octane, high-stakes spy thriller. The world of Bond is in expert hands’ Tim Glister, author of Red Corona

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Book Synopsis''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray What was the woman doing here? In a stable, wearing pearl earrings, her stylish bracelet and white buckskin shoes! She must have been alive when she got there because the crime had been committed after ten in the evening.But how? And why? And no one had heard a thing! She had not screamed. The two carters had not woken up.Inspector Maigret is standing in the pouring rain by a canal. A well-dressed woman, Mary Lampson, has been found strangled in a stable nearby. Why did her glamorous, hedonistic life come to such a brutal end here? Surely her taciturn husband Sir Walter knows - or maybe the answers lie with the crew of the barge La Providence.This novel has been published in previous translations as Lock 14 and Maigret Meets a Milord.''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' GuardianTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisDiscover the new Penguin Crime and Espionage seriesA master criminal and a master detective are locked in battle. Who will win?They call her the ''Dark Angel''. Queen of Tokyo''s underworld, Mme Midorikawa is famed for her beauty, her jewels and the tattoo of a black lizard on her arm. Crime is so easy for her that she warns her victims in advance. When a wealthy jewel merchant receives letters saying his precious daughter Sanae is about to be kidnapped, he entrusts the renowned detective Akechi Kogoro to protect her. But he may have met his deadliest adversary yet...

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Book SynopsisA missing plane resurfaces and so do long-submerged secretsAn RAF Dakota, presumed lost at sea during World War Two, has just been discovered at the bottom of a drained lake over twenty years later complete with the skeletal remains of the pilot and a strange cargo of rubble. Why are the Soviets so interested in it, even attending the dead man's funeral? Why has unassuming civil servant David Audley been tasked with leading the investigation and what was the plane carrying that some will kill for?

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Book SynopsisWith a number of strange items making up the physical evidence Dr Gideon Fell, himself an old friend of Ireton's, is summoned to help with the deceptively simple - yet increasingly complex - investigation.

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Book Synopsis''Winningly eccentric . . . London, in all its non-homogenous, sprawling splendour, is as much a character as Fowler''s sleuthing duo'' Barry Forshaw, Financial TimesThe Peculiar Crimes Unit has solved many extraordinary cases over the years, but some were hushed up and hidden away. Until now.Arthur Bryant remembers these lost cases as if they were yesterday. Unfortunately, he doesn''t remember yesterday, so the newly revealed facts could come as a surprise to everyone, including his exasperated partner John May.Here, then, is the truth about the Covent Garden opera diva and the seventh reindeer, the body that falls from the Tate Gallery, the ordinary London street corner where strange accidents keep occurring, the consul''s son discovered buried in the unit''s basement, the corpse pulled from a swamp of Chinese dinners, a Hallowe''en crime in the Post Office Tower, and the impossible death that''s the fault of a forgotten London legend. All

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Book Synopsis''An acknowledged literary landmark'' [Robert Graves] from ''The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction'' [New York Times]The Continental Op first heard Personville called Poisonville by Hickey Dewey. But since Dewey also called a shirt a shoit, he didn''t think anything of it. Until he went there and his client, the only honest man in Poisonville, was murdered. Then the Op decided to stay to punish the guilty. And that meant taking on the entire town...Trade ReviewHis 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 *He is master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer * BOSTON GLOBE *Hammett's prose is clean and entirely unique. His characters are as sharp and economically defined as any in American literature * NEW YORK TIMES *One of the foremost practitioners of the hard-boiled detective story * SCOTSMAN *He put these people down on paper as they are, and he made them talk and think in the language they customarily used -- Raymond ChandlerThe first fully "hard-boiled" hero in American letters * NEW YORKER *The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction * NEW YORK TIMES *...a literary classic dealing with corruption by one of the masters of crime fiction * CATHOLIC HERALD *

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Book SynopsisIncludes 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', as well as the following stories: The Musgrave Ritual; The Speckled Band; The Five Orange Pips; The Reigate Squire; A Scandal in Bohemia; The Red-headed League; The Final Problem; The Empty House; The Devil's Foot; and The Hound of the Baskervilles.

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Discover Dorothy L. Sayers' inimitable Golden Age detective in this newly published collection of the complete Lord Peter Wimsey stories. Presented in chronological order, these short stories see Lord Peter Wimsey bringing his trademark wit and unique detection skills to all manner of mysteries. From poisoned port to murder in fancy dress, Wimsey draws on his many skills - including his expertise in fine wine and appreciation of fine art - to solve cases far and wide, some even taking him to foreign countries and unexpected hiding places in pursuit of miscreants and murderers.Containing 21 stories taken from Lord Peter Views the Body, Hangman's Holiday, In the Teeth of the Evidence and Striding Folly, now published together for the first time in one volume, this is the ultimate collection for fans of classic detective fiction and Dorothy L. Sayers.'She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit.' P. D. James

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Book SynopsisIt felt like the slipknot on a rope round my chest was being tightened without pity Trouble is the last thing Albert needs. Travelling back to his childhood home on Christmas Eve to mourn his mother's death, he finds the loneliness and nostalgia of his Parisian quartier unbearable... Until, that evening, he encounters a beautiful, seemingly innocent woman at a brasserie, and his spirits are lifted. Still, something about the woman disturbs him. Where is the father of her child? And what are those two red stains on her sleeve? When she invites him back to her apartment, Albert thinks he's in luck. But a monstrous scene awaits them, and he finds himself lured into the darkness against his better judgment. Unravelling like a paranoid nightmare, Bird in a Cage melds existentialist drama with thrilling noir to tell the story of a man trapped in a prison of his own making.Trade ReviewMelancholy and atmospheric, with a twist worthy of Agatha Christie at her devious best, this brief tale has the hallmark of classic French noir Guardian Hugely atmospheric The Times The French master of noir Observer Alongside the Maigret novels of Georges Simenon there is a rich vein of period French crime still to be tapped. Frederic Dard is a case in point Daily Mail Disturbing from the outset with strong echoes of Dard's hero Simenon Sunday Times Crime Club (star pick) This short, sly novel of the night has more than enough substance and mystery to keep readers awake and engrossed The National It's exceedingly clever - when surprising things happen they slap you in the face for being so obvious, so necessary and so vital yet so surprising at the same time, and you can only squirm more enjoyably into your seat as you read on Bookbag A typically tense and yearning tale... One eagerly awaits forthcoming translations to see whether he can do the trick over again Wall Street Journal It's a brilliant book, and though Frederic Dard may have been 'one of the best known and loved French crime writers of the twentieth century' he's new to me, so this was a real discovery and treat all rolled into one Desperate Reader It's a short, sharp story featuring a handful of brilliantly portrayed characters, and is structured as intriguingly and cunningly as an Escher drawing Thriller Books Journal It is a tribute to the quality of the writing that Dard can contain so much tension, surprise and mystery in so few words Crime Review Imbued with a tantalising mix of Patricia Highsmith and Alfred Hitchcock Raven Crime Reads If you're a fan of Film Noir, you'll love Bird in a Cage... if all the novels in the Vertigo series are this good, I predict I'll be needing more bookshelves -- Lee Randall Randall Writes A slick novella... the ending is deliciously ambiguous... a triumph The Worm Hole The literary descendant of Simenon and Celine Le Figaro No question: for me, he was the greatest -- Philippe Geluck His language is cutting, his point-of-view original and his verdict uncompromising... One of the few twentieth-century authors to win both critical acclaim and great popularity Solidarite Militaire France's most popular post-war author L'Express

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Book Synopsis'An audacious puzzle mystery, woven into an exquisitely crafted historical tale. One of the most original works in the history of Japanese mystery writing' Haruo Yuki, author of The Ark __________ Tokyo, 1869. It is the dawn of the Meiji era in Japan, but the scars of the recent civil war are yet to heal. The new regime struggles to keep the peace as old scores are settled and dangerous new ideas flood into the country from the West. A new police force promises to bring order to this land of feuding samurai warlords, and chief inspectors Kazuki and Kawaji are two of its brightest stars. Together they investigate a spree of baffling murders across the capital, moving from dingy drinking dens to high-class hotels and the heart of the Imperial Palace. Can they solve these seemingly impossible crimes and save the country from slipping into chaos once more?Trade ReviewAn audacious puzzle mystery, woven into an exquisitely crafted historical tale. One of the most original works in the history of Japanese mystery writing, which could never have been created by anyone other than Futaro Yamada -- Haruo Yuki, author of The Ark

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Book Synopsis64 new traditional Holmes adventures in three simultaneously published volumesIn 2018, MX Publishing presented Parts XI and XII of this acclaimed and ongoing series, Some Untold Cases. Now that theme is revisited with 64 new Sherlock Holmes adventures that explore those many tantalizing references to some of Holmes''s other cases, as mentioned in The Canon."Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine . . . ." - Dr. John H. WatsonSo wrote Dr. Watson in "The Problem of Thor Bridge" - and ever since, Sherlockians have been seeking to know more about these tales from the legendary tin dispatch box. While Watson''s original Literary Agent only edited the pitifully few sixty stories that make up the original Canon, there have since been literally thousands of traditional adventures about the true Sherlock Holmes - and yet there will never be enough!Throughout the original Holmes Canon, there were hints and teases of other intriguing cases - The Giant Rat of Sumatra . . . The Abernetty Tragedy . . . The Manor House Case. Watson mentions well over one-hundred of these, which have collectively come to be known as The Untold Cases. Now, once again MX Publishing brings us sixty-four of these adventures in three simultaneously published volumes, with all royalties going to support the Stepping Stones School at Undershaw, one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle''s former homes.Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known."Each volume contains forwards by Otto Penzler, Roger Johnson, Stepping Stones School, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum, as well as stories by the following contributors:Will Murray (2 stories), Tim Gambrell (2 stories), Craig Janacek, I.A. Watson, Jane Rubino, Paul Hiscock, Hugh Ashton, Mike Chinn, Shane Simmons, Dacre Stoker and Leverett Butts, David Marcum, Matthew J. Elliott, Paul D. Gilbert, Tracy J. Revels, Margaret Walsh, Arthur Hall, Barry Clay, Steven Philip Jones, Jan van Koningsveld, and Marcia Wilson, and a poem by John Linwood Grant

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Book SynopsisThis delicously funny first in a new series of country house murder mysteries is full of period Twenties flavour and introduces feisty dressmaker Jemima Flowerday.

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