Classic crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisA grand old London hotelA series of alarming coincidencesDanger lurking down every corridorImpeccable service. Luxurious rooms. Eccentric guests. There are worse places for Canon Pennyfather to find himself stranded than Bertram's Hotel.But when he gets his dates in a muddle and attempts to travel to Lucerne a day too late, he unwittingly sets off a violent chain of events.And Miss Marple is convinced there is more going on than meets the eye.Never underestimate Miss MarpleAgatha Christie inspired me, aged eleven, to write my own murder mystery set in a country village. I can't remember much of the plot (think the vicar did it) but Christie has been inspiring me ever since.'Elly GriffithsBrilliant.'GuardianTrade 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 SynopsisIt is 1940 and Mr Graham, a quietly-spoken engineer and arms expert, has just finished high-level talks with the Turkish government. And now somebody wants him dead. The previous night three shots were fired at him as he stepped into his hotel room, so, terrified, he escapes in secret on a passenger steamer from Istanbul. As he journeys home - alongside, among others, an entrancing French dancer, an unkempt trader, a mysterious German doctor and a small, brutal man in a crumpled suit - he enters a nightmarish world where friend and foe are indistinguishable. Graham can try to run, but he may not be able to hide for much longer ...Trade Review'Holds one up as effectively as a gun barrel' Evening Standard 'If you want to experience the feel of the Continent in the 1930s, you will find few better guides' - Robert Harris

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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 finds himself caught in the middle of a husband and wife duo’s case of “he said/she said”—with murderous consequences An unusually quiet day for Inspector Maigret at the Quai des Orfèvres is disturbed by a visit from mild-mannered toy salesman Xavier Manton. Maigret is taken aback by Manton’s revelation that he suspects his wife of plotting to poison him. And when he receives a visit from Madame Manton expressing her own grave concerns later that day, he finds himself deeply conflicted, unsure of whom to trust. Maigret heeds the advice of his seniors and begins investigating the couple—and with every turn, new complications arise. When the case comes to aTrade 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 SynopsisBelow stairs at a glamorous hotel on the Champs-Elysees, the workers lives are worlds away from the luxury enjoyed by the wealthy guests. When their worlds meet, Maigret discovers a tragic story of ambition, blackmail and unrequited love.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''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray He went out, lit his pipe and walked slowly to the harbour. He could hear scurrying footsteps behind him. The sea was becoming swollen. The beams of the lighthouses joined in the sky. The moon had just risen and the judge''s house emerged from the darkness, all white, a crude, livid, unreal white. Exiled from the Police Judiciare in Paris, Maigret bides his time in a remote coastal town of France. There, among the lighthouses, mussel farms and the eerie wail of foghorns, he discovers that a community''s loyalties hide unpleasant truths.Penguin is publishing the entire series of Maigret novels in new translations. This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret in Exile.''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'' 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 SynopsisA mysterious note predicting the murder of a fortune-teller; a confused old man locked in a Paris apartment; a financier who goes fishing; a South American heiress... Maigret must make his way through a frustrating maze of clues, suspects and motives to find out what connects them.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''Feels incredibly modern... it is brutal, frank about sex and violence, and will make your flesh creep'' Ian RankinA brilliant new translation of Simenon''s critically acclaimed masterpiece.''And always the dirty snow, the heaps of snow that look rotten, with black patches and embedded garbage ... unable to cover the filth.''Nineteen-year-old Frank - thug, thief, son of a brothel owner - gets by surprisingly well despite living in a city under military occupation, but a warm house and a full stomach are not enough to make him feel truly alive in such a climate of deceit and betrayal. During a bleak, unending winter, he embarks on a string of violent and sordid crimes that set him on a path from which he can never return. Georges Simenon''s matchless novel is a brutal, compelling portrayal of a world without pity; a devastating journey through a psychological no-man''s land.''Among the best novels of the twentieth century'' New Yorker''An astonishing work'' John Banville''So noir it makes Raymond Chandler look beige'' IndependentTrade ReviewA brutal analysis of a wartime collaborator's moral vacuity. There's a cold, ruthless beauty to Simenon's writing. * Spectator *Feels incredibly modern... it is brutal, frank about sex and violence, and will make your flesh creep. -- Ian RankinA masterpiece, completely brilliant . . . so nihilistic and so completely barren . . . but it is saved from being comically French by the vigour with which the story is told and the great knowingness of the author's voice. -- India KnightOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories * Guardian *Fierce, bleak and compellingly written . . . with pitiless landscapes of hopeless longing, random cruelty and galloping fate warmed only by the twilit lyricism of doomed desire. These are novels of eye-opening, spine-tingling control and intensity. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories * Guardian *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *The most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales * Observer *

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Book Synopsis'His artistry is supreme' John Banville'There was no lack of picturesque individuals in a neighbourhood like Quai de Valmy. But he had seldom encountered the kind of inertia he had seen in that woman. It was hard to explain. When most people look at you, there is some sort of exchange, however small. A contact is established, even if that contact is a kind of defiance. With her, on the contrary, there was nothing.'The discovery of a dismembered body in the Canal Saint Martin leads Maigret into a tangled, baffling case involving a taciturn bistro-owner and a mysterious inheritance. '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' Guardian'Trade ReviewNot 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. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Times *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. * Guardian *One of Simenon's masterpieces ... Simenon's subject is how people who are pushed to the edge push themselves over it; the force of the sleuthing is that of psychoanalysis, not police interrogation. -- Adam Gopnik * The New Yorker *One of Simenon's masterpieces . . . photographic . . . a superior stylist . . . . . . Simenon's subject is how people who are pushed to the edge push themselves over it; the force of the sleuthing is that of psychoanalysis, not police interrogation -- Adam Gopnik * New Yorker *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. -- John Banville * Financial Times *A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness * Independent *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 -- Boyd Tonkin * The Times *The most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales * Observer *

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

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne 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. -- John Banville * Financial Times *A superior stylist . . . photographic . . . Simenon's subject is how people who are pushed to the edge push themselves over it; the force of the sleuthing is that of psychoanalysis, not police interrogation. -- Adam Gopnik * New Yorker *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 -- Boyd Tonkin * The Times *Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts -- Margaret AtwoodSimenon's supreme virtue as a novelist, to burrow beneath the surface of his characters' behaviour; to empathise . . . it is this unfailing humanity that makes the Maigret books truly worth reading -- Graeme Macrae Burnet * Guardian *A gem of a read. It's like discovering a buried treasure trove of words, characters and dialogue which both entertain and make you think -- Jane Corry * author of We All Have Our Secrets *

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Book Synopsis''There were some weeks that were painful, nerve-racking. At the office or at home, in the middle of a meal, he would suddenly find his forehead bathed in sweat, a tightness in his chest, and at those times, feeling everyone''s eyes on him was unbearable.''During a chance meeting on the train from Venice to Paris, a stranger asks Justin Calmar to deliver a briefcase for him to an address in Switzerland. Soon this ordinary family man will become hopelessly, fatally, ensnared in a world of guilt, lies and paranoia.Originally published in 1965, shortly after Simenon moved into the new home he had built in Épalinges, Switzerland, this chilling novel is a powerful exploration of the fragility of the human psyche.

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Book Synopsis''The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect'' Daily TelegraphAbducted, beaten, hidden in an attic, a young woman stages an audacious escape. But is her story everything she claims it to be?Fifteen-year-old Betty Kane can recall every detail of the room where she says she was held at the country house known as The Franchise - even the crack in its round window. But her alleged kidnappers, a quiet-living mother and daughter, claim they have never seen her before. Somebody has to be lying. But who? As the case sparks a media frenzy, it is up to unassuming village solicitor Robert Blair to find out.Trade ReviewPermanent classics in the detective field . . . no superlatives are adequate. * New York Times *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 WatersA detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable. * Sunday Times *The perfect introduction to her world. -- Val McDermid

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Book SynopsisDiscover the new Penguin Crime and Espionage seriesFor two secret agents, there''s no such thing as a quiet life in the countryside...In a peaceful Kent village, Mr Behrens lives with his aunt at the Old Rectory, where he plays chess and keeps bees. His friend Mr Calder lives nearby with Rasselas, a golden deerhound of unnatural intelligence. No one would suspect that they are in fact working for British Intelligence, carrying out the jobs that are too dangerous for anyone else to handle - whether it''s wiping out traitors, Soviet spies or old Nazis - in these gloriously entertaining stories.

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Book SynopsisA lean and mean thriller about one man and the Mob from 'the crime laureate' INDEPENDENTThe last time Florida motel owner George Moran was in the Dominican Republic he was in a uniform and people were shooting at him. Years later he's back looking for a girl he lost - and finding one he'd be better off without. Mary de Boya may be beautiful, but she's also the wife of a former death squad general in exile with mob connections. So much for the trip down memory lane - now Moran finds himself in a cat's cradle of drug deals, swindles, vengeance and murder.

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Book SynopsisA rip-roaring caper novel by bestselling crime author Elmore Leonard'This chaotic, blackly comic story is carried aloft on Leonard's cool, easy prose' - The ObserverOrdell and Louis have picked the wrong woman to kidnapThey thought it would be easy money. Snatch the wife of a rich Detroit businessman and demand a nice big ransom. What they didn't reckon on was the fact that her husband has a secret mistress and doesn't want his wife back at all. Or that their victim, Margaret Mickey' Dawson, is more than a little tired of playing the perfect housewife. So tired, in fact, that she's out for revenge, and willing to turn the tables on everyone to get it.

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Book Synopsis''Holmes,'' I cried.''Is it really you? Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is it possible that you succeeded in climbing out of that awful abyss?'' Missing, presumed dead, for three years, Sherlock Holmes returns triumphantly to his dear companion Dr Watson. And not before time! London has never been in more need of his extraordinary services: a murderous individual with an air gun stalks the city. Among thirteen further brilliant tales of mystery, detection and deduction, Sherlock Holmes investigates the problem of the Norwood Builder, deciphers the message of the Dancing Men, and cracks the case of the Six Napoleons.Trade ReviewThis quintessentially English literary invention [is] unequalled in popular literature * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''So you need help. What''s your name and trouble?''Private Investigator Philip Marlowe''s latest client is Orfamay Quest. She''s come all the way from Manhattan, Kansas, to find her missing brother Orrin. Or at least that''s what she tells Marlowe, offering him just twenty dollars for his trouble. Feeling charitable, Marlowe accepts - though it''s not long before he wishes he hadn''t. Soon the trail leads to a succession of Hollywood starlets, uppity gangsters, suspicious cops and corpses with ice picks jammed into their necks . . .The Little Sister is Raymond Chandler''s fifth novel featuring laconic PI Philip Marlowe.''Marlowe remains the quintessential urban private eye'' Los Angeles Times''Chandler grips the mind from the first sentence'' Daily Telegraph ''One of the greatest crime writers, who set standards others still try to attain'' Sunday Times''Chandler is an original stylist, creator of a char

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Book SynopsisOne of the BBC''s ''100 Novels that Shaped the World''''Mr. Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!''The death, quite suddenly, of Sir Charles Baskerville in mysterious circumstances is the trigger for one of the most extraordinary cases ever to challenge the brilliant analytical mind of Sherlock Holmes. As rumours of a legendary hound said to haunt the Baskerville family circulate, Holmes and Watson are asked to ensure the protection of Sir Charles'' only heir, Sir Henry - who has travelled all the way from America to reside at Baskerville Hall in Devon. And it is there, in an isolated mansion surrounded by mile after mile of wild moor, that Holmes and Watson come face to face with a terrifying evil that reaches out from centuries past . . .Trade ReviewSherlock Holmes's best ... remains a classic -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *

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Book SynopsisRobert Goddard's first novel, Past Caring, was an instant bestseller. Since then, his books have captivated readers worldwide with their edge-of-the-seat pace and their labyrinthine plotting. He has won awards in the UK, the US and acrossEurope and his books have been translated into over thirty languages. In 2019, he won the Crime Writers' Association's highest accolade, the Diamond Dagger, for a lifetime achievement in Crime Writing.

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Book SynopsisOn a foggy night in London, a party has gathered in an artist’s studio during the wartime blackout. When the brutal murder of the miser next door is discovered by his infantryman nephew, it’s not long before Inspector Macdonald of Scotland Yard is at the scene, untangling alibis from the studio party and with the fate of the soldier in his hands.

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Book SynopsisAlso known by its US title The Problem of the Green Capsule, this classic novel is widely regarded as one of John Dickson Carr’s masterpieces and remains among the greatest impossible crime mysteries of all time.

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Book SynopsisRenowned for its authentic characters and settings based partly on the author’s own experiences of life in the Lune valley, E.C.R. Lorac’s classic rural mystery returns to print for the first time since 1953.

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Book SynopsisA forgotten book revived for the Crime Classics series for a new readership to enjoy. Described by Martin Edwards as similar in tone and style to early P. D. James fiction.

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Book SynopsisGirls Together magazine agony-aunt 'Mrs Friendly-wise', aka Katinka Jones, finds herself at a loose end in Swansea, and decides to pay a surprise visit to one of the magazine's regular correspondents, 'Amista'. But reaching the address a strange house perched atop a mountain which matches all of the descriptions in the letters nobody has even heard of 'Amista'. As Katinka begins to fall for the dashing master of the house, Carleon, more weird mysteries emerge and the plucky Detective Inspector Chucky joins the search for the truth in this self-consciously lurid mystery-melodrama; a rollicking cavalcade of Brand's signature twists and turns.

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Book SynopsisLord Aveling hosts a hunting party at his country house, when events take a sinister turn. A painting is mutilated, a dog stabbed, and a man strangled. Death strikes more than one of the house guests and its up to Detective Inspector Kendall's to uncover this murder mystery.

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Book Synopsis The darkest truths should never surface . . . A twisty and atmospheric Wiltshire-set crime novel from a brilliant new voice in the genre. Stay Buried will keep you guessing until the end.'Your next must-read' LUCY FOLEY 'Absolutely brilliant plotting' ANN CLEEVESDetective Inspector Matt Lockyer has been side-lined to working cold cases, following a bad decision he made in a recent investigation in order to support a friend. Lockyer isn't too bothered though, as it gives him the chance to review some of the cases that keep him up at night and to look into his own brother's senseless killing which still remains unsolved.On a quiet afternoon Lockyer receives a phone call from prisoner Hedy Lambert - a woman he put inside for murder fourteen years ago. She informs him that the man she was originally accused of killing has turned up alive and well. She begs him to reopen her case.All those years ago, Lockyer had been the one to pin down Hedy's motive, but deep down he'd never wanted to believe she was guilty. The thought that he might have sent an innocent woman down for life doesn't sit well with him and he agrees to reopen the investigation. But has it become too personal and is he being manipulated? Perhaps there are some cases that should just stay buried.Praise for Stay Buried'Gloriously atmospheric' ELLY GRIFFITHS'The twists were terrific' GYTHA LODGE'A well-written deftly plotted whodunnit' GUARDIAN'Remarkably assured' LITERARY REVIEW'Accomplished, twisty' WOMAN AND HOMETrade ReviewA stunning new voice in crime fiction: glorious writing, fantastic atmosphere and such clever plotting. Kate Webb is your next must-read. More please! * LUCY FOLEY author of The Paris Apartment *A wonderful addition to contemporary crime: clear, assured story-telling, insightful, engaging characters, and absolutely brilliant plotting * ANN CLEEVES, author of the Vera Stanhope series *I LOVED the book! It was such a brilliantly engaging, emotionally compelling read. I loved the complex relationship between Hedy Lambert and DI Lockyer, and the twists were terrific * GYTHA LODGE, author of She Lies in Wait *An intriguing plot and a gloriously atmospheric setting. DI Matt Lockyer is a complicated yet hugely appealing protagonist. I'd love to read more about him! * ELLY GRIFFITHS, author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries *This is quality stuff: a well-written, deftly plotted whodunnit as well as a moving tale of guilt, grief, isolation and the lengths to which we will got to protect our families. More, please * Guardian *Stay Buried is remarkably assured for a first crime novel . . . Webb takes the reader backwards and forwards between the past and the present, offering subplots and misdirection of all kinds, as well as some memorable characters and astute social commentary * Literary Review *There's nothing like devouring a new book and then discovering it's the first in a series, with more stories to come. I loved Kate Webb's Stay Buried, which is as astutely observed as it's elegantly written * KATE RIORDAN, author of Summer Fever *Kate Webb has had me completely hooked with her page-turning plot, incredible characterisation, and beautiful, atmospheric writing. An utterly gripping story brilliantly told. I can't wait for Kate's next one! * JENNY ASHCROFT, author of Under the Golden Sun *An accomplished, twisty, character-led novel * Woman and Home *

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Book SynopsisCan you solve the puzzle of the Noh Mask Murder?Death and madness have haunted the Chizui family for years. Now a strange figure has been seen wandering their mansion at night, wearing a sinister Noh mask that is said to bear a centuries-old curse.Budding crime writer and sleuth Akimitsu Takagi receives a desperate plea for help from the head of the family but arrives too late to find the man dead in a locked room, with the mask at his feet. Takagi begins to investigate, but it seems the curse of the mask is not finished with the Chizuis yet...From one of Japan's most renowned mystery writers-who appears in the novel as a detective!-The Noh Mask Murder is an ingeniously constructed masterpiece with a breathtaking ending.

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

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Book SynopsisTHE SECOND IN THE ORIGINAL LAIDLAW TRILOGY. WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGER. THE DARK REMAINS, Laidlaw's first case, out 2 September 2021. PRE-ORDER NOW!'In a class of his own' Guardian'Reads like a breathless scalpel through the bloody heart of a great city' Denise MinaEck Adamson, an alcoholic vagrant, summons Jack Laidlaw to his deathbed. Probably the only policeman in Glasgow who would bother to respond, Laidlaw sees in Eck's cryptic last message a clue to the murder of a gangland thug and the disappearance of a student. With stubborn integrity, Laidlaw tracks a seam of corruption that runs from the top to the bottom of society.Acclaimed for its corrosive wit, dark themes and original maverick detective, the Laidlaw trilogy has earned the status of classic crime fiction.Trade ReviewA bloody good read -- VAL McDERMIDThe pure distilled essence of Scottish crime writing -- PETER MAYA crime trilogy so searing it will burn forever into your memory. McIlvanney is the original Scottish criminal mastermind -- CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYREIt's doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney's Laidlaw -- IAN RANKINIn a class of his own * * Guardian * *The good news is that Laidlaw is back * * Observer * *He kicked the door open so the likes of Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and me could sneak through behind him -- VAL McDERMIDFastest, first and best, Laidlaw is the melancholy heir to Marlowe. Reads like a breathless scalpel cut through the bloody heart of a city -- DENISE MINAMcIlvanney is the razor king of Scottish crime writing, carving out crackling prose and pounding storylines. His Laidlaw is an enduring hero with the dry wit and insight to make other literary detectives seem two-dimensional -- GORDON FERRISThe Laidlaw books are not just great crime novels, they are important ones. McIlvanney proved that crime writing could have both perfect style and huge ambition. Most of us writing crime fiction today are standing on the shoulders of giants. McIlvanney is one such giant -- MARK BILLINGHAM

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Book SynopsisSir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a writer and physician. Born in Edinburgh in Scotland, he began writing short stories while studying medicine. His first work featuring his famous literary creation, (the detective Sherlock Holmes) was A Study in Scarlet, published in 1886. Relentlessly curious about a vast range of subjects, his interests were reflected in the vast array of knowledge that Sherlock Holmes exhibited in his stories. Conan Doyle died at the age of 71 and is buried in Hampshire.

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Book SynopsisA battle of wits between the nimblest French thief and the shrewdest British detective This volume contains two adventures which pit the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin against Sherlock Holmes, the world’s most famous detective. In ‘The Blonde Lady’, Holmes must discover the identity of a mysterious female thief who is linked to Lupin, while in ‘The Jewish Lamp’ he finds out that the theft of a lamp containing a precious jewel conceals an astonishing secret. While their tone is at times ironic and firmly tongue-in-cheek, the two stories in Arsène Lupin vs Sherlock Holmes bear all the hallmarks of classic detective fiction, and will put a smile on the lips and set the pulses racing of all fans of mystery and detective fiction.Trade ReviewTwo of the greatest fictional crime characters ever between the pages of one book - fabulous! * Parents in Touch *For any crime fiction fan this is a must read as there is enough mystery and suspense to keep them hooked, but for any reader these intriguing, witty stories will hold their attention too. * Outside in World *

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Book SynopsisSherlock Holmes is back on the case in this collection of sparkling short stories, in which we learn about Holmes' early days as a sleuth, encounter a seemingly murderous widow, and meet the great detective's brother, Mycroft, for the first time. And, in 'The Final Problem', Holmes comes face-to-face with his nemesis, Professor Moriarty, in a battle of wits that could kill them both.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.

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Book SynopsisThe Man in Lower Ten is written by Mary Roberts Rinehart and was initially published in 1909. Nevertheless, it is still extremely readable today and offers a fascinating glimpse into a period that is nearly a century removed from our own while maintaining a timeless emotional tone. the first detective book to top bestseller charts across the country. Lawrence, an attorney-in-law, gets framed after he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, in the wrong bed, with the wrong clothing on, and with his suitcase. He was on his way to deliver important documents related to a criminal case. Blakely is aware that he must track down the genuine criminal before being arrested, but regrettably, our hero is not your typical tough-guy hero. The first book ever published by Mary Roberts Rinehart, possibly the best American mystery author of her generation, is The Man in Lower Ten. It moves at breakneck speed while fusing adventure, suspense, terror, and mystery. The Circular Staircase (1908), which more or less popularized the spinster Had I but Known style most generally associated with the author, was Mary Roberts Rinehart's (1876-1958) debut book, but it didn't come out between hard covers until the year after.

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Book SynopsisIt''s Christmas in Riddleton and crime novelist turned amateur sleuth, Jen, is in desperate need of a cozy festive season running the town''s local bookstore. But, between trying to drum up business for Ravenous Readers and attempting to finish her latestnovel, Jen is totally run off her feet. Matters get worse, however, when a man''s body is found outside the bookstore, along with a scrap of paper in his pocket with none other than Jen''s address on it! To solve the murder--and clear her own name--Jen must, once again, become Riddleton''s best detective. The stakes have never been higher and the pressure is on--but with the help of her best friend, Brittany, and trusty dog, Savannah, can Jen catch the killer, finish her novel and save Ravenous Readers before time runs out?--Trade ReviewPraise for The Bookstore Mystery Series: “Warm, amusing, and relatable… A very entertaining cozy mystery… A relaxing night-time read, and it was perfect for that… I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved trying to figure out the murder before I got to the end. This was a cozy, page-turning read” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This ingenious author has written a cannot put down novel” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisA new investigation from Dr Mark Aldridge, exploring a lifetime of Agatha Christie's Miss Jane Marple.Winner of the 2025 H.R.F Keating Award for the best 2024 biography or critical book related to crime fiction.In Agatha Christie's Marple: Expert on Wickedness,Agathologist' Dr Mark Aldridge looks at nearly a century of St Mary Mead's most famous resident and uses his own detective skills to uncover new information about Miss Jane Marple's appearances on page, stage, screen and beyond.Drawing on a range of material, some of which is newly discovered and previously unpublished, this book explores everything about Miss Marple, from her origins in a series of short stories penned by Christie, to the recent bestselling HarperCollins collection Marple: Twelve New Stories.This accessible, entertaining and illustrated guide to the world of Miss Marple pieces together the evidence in order to tell you everything you need to know about the world's favourite female detective.

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Book SynopsisTHRILLERS THAT RACE FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE . . . 'Felix Francis' novels gallop along splendidly' Jilly Cooper ‘From winning post to top of the bestseller lists’ Sunday Times  An old friend in need, a dangerous conspiracy – a new case for Sid Halley…   Sid Halley, former British jump racing champion and private detective, is not having a good time. His wife Marina has decided she needs some time out of their marriage to think about the future and Sid is devastated. But then Gary Bremner, an ex-jockey trainer, calls him to ask for his help – he is being threatened by someone in the racing world and he needs a friend he can trust. However, the very next morning, Gary’s stable yard is torched, horses killed, and Gary has disappeared.   Determined to uncover the truth and to help his friend, Sid starts to investigate. He soon finds h

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Book SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the first volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.A MAN LAY DEADSir Hubert Handesley''s extravagant weekend house-parties are deservedly famous for his exciting Murder Game. But when the lights go up this time, there is a real corpse with a real dagger in the back. All seven suspects have skilful alibis so Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn has to figure out the whodunitENTER A MURDERERThe crime scene was the stage of the Unicorn Theatre, when prop gun fired a very real bullet; the victim was an actor clawing his way to stardom using bribery instead of talent; and the suspects included two unwilling girlfriends and several relieved blackmail victims. The stage is set for one of Roderick Alleyn''s most baffling casesTHE NURSING HOME MURDERA Harley Street surgeon and his attractive nurse are almost too nervous to operate. Their patient is the Home Secretary and they both have very good personal reasons to want him dead. The operation is a complete success but he dies within hours, and Inspector Alleyn must find out why

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Book SynopsisA dentist lies murdered at his Harley Street practiceThe dentist was found with a blackened hole below his right temple. A pistol lay on the floor near his outflung right hand. Later, one of his patients was found dead from a lethal dose of local anaesthetic. A clear case of murder and suicide. But why would a dentist commit a crime in the middle of a busy day of appointments?A shoe buckle holds the key to the mystery. Now in the words of the rhyme can Poirot pick up the sticks and lay them straight?Trade Review“The Empress of the crime novel”Daily Express 'A swift course of unflagging suspense leads to complete surprise.'New York Times

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