Comical (humorous) crime and mystery

Book SynopsisMotherland meets Midsomer Murders in this fresh and funny mystery about a group of soon-to-be mums who turn detective when there's a murder at their antenatal class. 'Cosy crime at its finest!' JANICE HALLETT'A sharply witty debut' SIMON BRETT'The epitome of fun and witty cosy crime' iPAPER**DON'T MISS THE NEXT MOTHERS' MURDER CLUB MYSTERY: DEAD TIRED. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!**For Alice and her partner Joe, moving to the sleepy Cotswold village of Penton is a chance to embrace country life and prepare for the birth of their unexpected first child. He can take up woodwork; maybe she'll learn to make jam. But the rural idyll they'd hoped for doesn't quite pan out when a dead body is discovered at their local antenatal class and they find themselves suspects in a murder investigation.With a cloud of suspicion hanging over the heads of the whole group, Alice sets out to solve the mystery and clear her name, with the help of her troublesome dog, Helen. However, there are more secrets and tensions in the heart of Penton than first meet the eye. Between the discovery of a shady commune up in the woods, the unearthing of a mysterious death years earlier and the near-tragic poisoning of Helen, Alice is soon in way over her head. CAN YOU SOLVE THE MOTHER OF ALL MURDERS?FEATURED IN THE EVENING STANDARD'S BOOKS TO WATCH IN 2023 AND THE NEW YORK TIMES' 'NEW MYSTERIES FOR A NEW YEAR''A gloriously smart and witty telling of the darker side of NCT groups - this is really funny with edge' HELEN LEDERER'A complete triumph. Perfectly plotted, brilliantly observed and just so much fun' LAUREN BRAVO'A twisty, turny murder mystery guaranteed to satisfy any amateur detective's cravings, with belly laughs big enough to give you stretch marks' FIONA LEITCH, author of The Cornish Wedding Murder 'Kat Ailes nails small town cosy crime in her debut novel. From the first page, I was hooked. I laughed an awful lot; the writing is so clever and funny' CHRIS MCDONALD, author of the Stonebridge Mysteries'A humorous, remarkably touching debut. Pacy, funny, with just the right undertones of dark' EVA VERDE, author of Lives Like MineTrade ReviewA wildly impressive debut. Pacy, energetic and best of all hilariously funny - without detracting from the shadowy mystery and genuine humanity at its core. Its characters and twisty plot feel absolutely real - you'll be on the edge of your seat, totally immersed in trying to work out who did it, but rest assured you're never far from a smile. Cosy crime at its finest! * Janice Hallett *Kat Ailes is a welcome newcomer to the ranks of cosy crime novelists. The Expectant Detectives is a sharply witty debut. * Simon Brett *A gloriously smart and witty telling of the darker side of NCT groups - this is really funny with edge * Helen Lederer *The epitome of fun and witty cosy crime * iPaper *Murdering every mummy cliché with hilarity and heart, this book is a complete triumph. Perfectly plotted, brilliantly observed and just so much fun. * Lauren Bravo *A twisty, turny murder mystery guaranteed to satisfy any amateur detective's cravings, with belly laughs big enough to give you stretch marks * Fiona Leitch, author of The Cornish Wedding Murder *Kat Ailes nails small town cosy crime in her debut novel. From the first page, I was hooked. I laughed an awful lot; the writing is so clever and funny. I really loved this book. * Chris McDonald, author of the Stonebridge Mysteries *It had such a lovely tone of voice, funny and warm, like chatting to a best mate. I really missed Alice when it was over * Sarah Naughton, author of The Mothers *A humorous, remarkably touching debut. Pacy, funny, with just the right undertones of dark * Eva Verde, author of Lives Like Mine *The Expectant Detectives is wildly funny, clever, twisty, charming, and unexpectedly relatable. It is exactly the surprisingly heartwarming and uproariously hilarious mystery we all need in our lives. This book is one of a kind and I can't wait for the next instalment * Nora Murphy, author of The New Mother *I LOVED this book! Alice is hilarious, the mystery is compelling and fun, and this group of about-to-be-moms deserves a sequel, and some cake, obvi! Kat Ailes has written a winner of a book and you'll want to read it immediately! * Catherine McKenzie, USA Today bestselling author of Have You Seen Her *This darkly witty debut ... Archly funny and highly recommended! * Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of Killers of a Certain Age *'Exuberant ... Ailes sets a cheerful tone but doesn't shy away from emotional heft' * New York Times *Full of charming characters, including Alice's goofy dog, this fast-paced, original cozy is great fun. * Publishers Weekly *Pointed banter between the heroine and pretty much everyone else keeps this debut sharp * Kirkus Reviews *Witty, bright, and with an unexpected twist ending, Ailes' debut mystery will appeal to fans of British comedies and cozy mysteries * Booklist *A book title this precious comes with the unspoken promise that what you're about to read is as cozy as an episode of Midsomer Murders and as charming as Call the Midwife. Ailes delivers on that promise with humor and the kind of mystery Miss Marple loved to solve . . . A fresh and fun take on the mystery genre perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Helen Fielding * Oprah Daily *In her first novel, Ailes has created a delightful mystery that both amuses and enthralls * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisWhen you play a double game, if you lose… you die.Tasked by General Napoleon Bonaparte with effecting a perilous entry into the fortress convent of Valletta, Lieutenant Vanderville sides with a renegade Maltese desperate to end the oppressive rule of the Knights of St John.When his companion is lost, the mission goes from bad to worse as he discovers treachery and murder are stalking the agents he is supposed to be meeting, his only allies.Caught between the feuding knights, the machinations of the Grand Master and his foes in the Holy Office, Vanderville begins to feel hopelessly unable to find the killer without the sage guidance of his mentor, Felix Gracchus. Will he live to regret his rash decision to part company?A riotous whodunnit set during the heights of Napoleon's European conquest, for fans of Steven Saylor and S. J. Parris.

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Book SynopsisSomeone has served up a show-stopping murder…In Kilbane, conflicting opinions are plentiful. There’s one thing everyone agrees on though – the nearby bakery is the best in County Cork. It’s no wonder they’re about to be featured on a reality baking show.But the competitors aren’t all are as sweet as their confections. There are shenanigans on the first day of filming that put everyone on edge. But they’re nothing compared to day two, when the first round ends and the top contestant is found face-down in her signature pie.The producers decide to continue filming while Siobhán and her husband, Garda Macdara Flannery, sift through the suspects. Was this a case of rivalry turned lethal, or are their other motives hidden in the mix? And can they uncover the truth before another baker is eliminated permanently?A fun cosy mystery for fans of Dee MacDonald and Frances Evesham.

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Book SynopsisIn this gripping mystery by US bestseller David Handler, sleuthing suthor Stewart Hoag investigates the murder of his wealthy neighbour, and discovers her dark past. 1990s New York. Muriel Cantrell lives in a luxury apartment building on Central Park West, where she's known for her pride and joy: a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Her neighbours include beautiful movie star Merilee Nash – and author Stewart 'Hoagy' Hoag. Hoag, whose career crashed when he got into drugs and alcohol, is on the up and he and basset hound Lulu are glad to be sharing Merilee's life (and apartment) again. Hoagy, Merilee and the building's other residents are shocked when delicate, sweet, elderly Muriel is murdered after a Halloween party. Who in the world would want to harm an old lady whose major vices were buying Chanel suits and watching daytime soap operas? NYPD Lieutenant Romaine Very investigates and again seeks assistance from his friend Hoagy, who is perfectly placed to help. Their sleuthing soon leads to the unexpected source of Muriel's wealth, the history of her years at the Copacabana nightclub, and how her Mob-linked chauffeur came to be called 'Bullets'... not to mention a desperate meth-head nephew, and wealthy neighbours with secrets of their own. A gripping, darkly comic new mystery, The Lady in the Silver Cloud was a Traditional & Historical Crime Club Pick on release. Reviews for David Handler 'One of my all-time favourite series.' Harlan Coben 'Adultery, blackmail, trick-or-treaters, unseemly ties to organized crime, and New York in the 1990s. What's not to like?' Kirkus 'David Handler is a hoot, and his books are just the thing for what ails you.' Parnell HallTrade ReviewAdultery, blackmail, trick-or-treaters, unseemly ties to organized crime, and New York in the 1990s. What's not to like? * Kirkus *PRAISE FOR DAVID HANDLER: 'One of my all-time favorite series!' Harlan Coben. 'David Handler is the master of the sly, comedic mystery' Adriana Trigiani. 'Full of dark secrets and potential suspects, so many of each that they threaten to overwhelm Hoagy, although it should be noted that they never overwhelm author Handler, who keeps a sure hand on the steering wheel' Booklist. 'Handler's breezy, unpretentious and warm-hearted hero provides a breath of fresh air in a world of investigative angst' Publishers Weekly. 'David Handler is a hoot, and his books are just the thing for what ails you. I find it hard to begrudge him his Edgar!' -- Parnell Hall, author of You Have the Right to Remain Puzzled

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Book SynopsisIn this gripping mystery by US bestseller David Handler, sleuthing suthor Stewart Hoag investigates the murder of his wealthy neighbour, and discovers her dark past. 1990s New York. Muriel Cantrell lives in a luxury apartment building on Central Park West, where she's known for her pride and joy: a 1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Her neighbours include beautiful movie star Merilee Nash – and author Stewart 'Hoagy' Hoag. Hoag, whose career crashed when he got into drugs and alcohol, is on the up and he and basset hound Lulu are glad to be sharing Merilee's life (and apartment) again. Hoagy, Merilee and the building's other residents are shocked when delicate, sweet, elderly Muriel is murdered after a Halloween party. Who in the world would want to harm an old lady whose major vices were buying Chanel suits and watching daytime soap operas? NYPD Lieutenant Romaine Very investigates and again seeks assistance from his friend Hoagy, who is perfectly placed to help. Their sleuthing soon leads to the unexpected source of Muriel's wealth, the history of her years at the Copacabana nightclub, and how her Mob-linked chauffeur came to be called 'Bullets'... not to mention a desperate meth-head nephew, and wealthy neighbours with secrets of their own. A gripping, darkly comic new mystery, The Lady in the Silver Cloud was a Traditional & Historical Crime Club Pick on release. Reviews for David Handler 'One of my all-time favourite series.' Harlan Coben 'Adultery, blackmail, trick-or-treaters, unseemly ties to organized crime, and New York in the 1990s. What's not to like?' Kirkus 'David Handler is a hoot, and his books are just the thing for what ails you.' Parnell HallTrade ReviewAdultery, blackmail, trick-or-treaters, unseemly ties to organized crime, and New York in the 1990s. What's not to like? * Kirkus *PRAISE FOR DAVID HANDLER: 'One of my all-time favorite series!' Harlan Coben. 'David Handler is the master of the sly, comedic mystery' Adriana Trigiani. 'Full of dark secrets and potential suspects, so many of each that they threaten to overwhelm Hoagy, although it should be noted that they never overwhelm author Handler, who keeps a sure hand on the steering wheel' Booklist. 'Handler's breezy, unpretentious and warm-hearted hero provides a breath of fresh air in a world of investigative angst' Publishers Weekly. 'David Handler is a hoot, and his books are just the thing for what ails you. I find it hard to begrudge him his Edgar!' -- Parnell Hall, author of You Have the Right to Remain Puzzled

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Book SynopsisSingle-mother Fran returns to her sleepy hometown to care for her dying father when a devastating bush fire breaks out. A heartbreaking, nail-biting disaster-noir thriller from the bestselling author of The Cry and Worst Case Scenario. ‘Urgent, angry, absolutely terrifying, yet suffused with the humanity and humour you expect from a Helen Fitzgerald novel’ Erin Kelly ‘Tantalisingly powerful’ The Times ‘Ash Mountain is the author at her masterly best … I loved it!’ Louise Candlish ________________ Fran hates her hometown, and she thought she’d escaped. But her father is ill, and needs care. Her relationship is over, and she hates her dead-end job in the city, anyway. She returns home to nurse her dying father, her distant teenage daughter in tow for the weekends. There, in the sleepy town of Ash Mountain, childhood memories prick at her fragile self-esteem, she falls in love for the first time, and her demanding dad tests her patience, all in the unbearable heat of an Australian summer. As past friendships and rivalries are renewed, and new ones forged, Fran’s tumultuous home life is the least of her worries, when old crimes rear their heads and a devastating bushfire ravages the town and all of its inhabitants… Simultaneously a warm, darkly funny portrait of small-town life – and a woman and a land in crisis – and a shocking and truly distressing account of a catastrophic event that changes things forever, Ash Mountain is a heart-breaking slice of domestic noir, and a disturbing disaster thriller that you will never forget… ________________ ‘A new novel from Helen Fitzgerald is always a major event, and Ash Mountain is magnificent’ Mark Billingham ‘There is plenty of human depravity in the plot but none of that is as terrifyingly overmastering as the fire’ Literary Review ‘Domestic life is rarely served up quite so dark as this – but that only makes you hungry for more’ The Sun ‘Dark, atmospheric and terrifying’ Ambrose Parry ‘Compelling’ Independent ‘A hugely entertaining writer, with lovingly constructed landscapes and so-real-you-can-actually-hear-it dialogue but the thing she does best of all is create a little warm and cosy microcosm of life, then throw in a bloody great firecracker of a detail that sends the whole thing off into a completely different direction’ Crime Fiction Lover Praise for Helen FitzGerald ***Worst Case Scenario was Shortlisted for the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2020*** ‘The plotting is intricate and beautifully handled, and the narrative pace is absolutely breakneck … a wonderful, energetic, hard-hitting and deeply funny novel’ The Big Issue ‘The main character is one of the most extraordinary you’ll meet between the pages of a book’ Ian Rankin ‘A dark, comic masterpiece which manages to be both excruciatingly tense and laugh out loud funny at the same time’ Mark Edwards ‘The classic thriller gets a hell of a twist’ Heat ‘FitzGerald writes like a more focused Irvine Welsh or a less misogynist Philip Roth’ Daily Telegraph ‘Domestic life is rarely served up quite so dark as this – but that only makes you hungry for more’ The SunTrade Review'The plotting is intricate and beautifully handled, and the narrative pace is absolutely breakneck ... a wonderful, energetic, hard-hitting and deeply funny novel' The Big Issue;'Shocking, gripping and laugh-out-loud hilarious' Erin Kelly;'The main character is one of the most extraordinary you'll meet between the pages of a book' Ian Rankin;'A dark, comic masterpiece which manages to be both excruciatingly tense and laugh out loud funny at the same time' Mark Edwards;'Outrageous, extremely funny and ultimately devastating' Ambrose Parry;'Fabulously transgressive and completely unique' Mark Billingham;'The classic thriller gets a hell of a twist' Heat;'FitzGerald writes like a more focused Irvine Welsh or a less misogynist Philip Roth' Daily Telegraph

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis'Splendid' Wall Street Journal'A wry, warm and proper rib-tickling slice of dirty Victorian gothic’ Julia Crouch 1876, Victorian London. Minnie Ward, a feisty scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall, is devastated when her best friend is found brutally murdered. She enlists the help of private detective Albert Easterbrook to help her find justice. Together they navigate London, from its high-class clubs to its murky underbelly. But as the bodies pile up, they must rely on one another if they’re going to track down the killer – and make it out alive . . .The first in a sharp, witty series of Victorian mystery novels, The Tumbling Girl is sure to delight fans of Sarah Waters, Elizabeth Macneal, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.Trade Review'Ms. Walsh does a splendid job depicting Minnie’s flea-bitten yet appealing theatrical world and Albert’s monied yet treacherous milieu.' Wall Street Journal'Neatly weds historical detail and quiet wit' Sunday Times'This atmospheric debut historical mystery captures the world of music halls and the danger to women in Victorian London' Library Journal (Starred Review)'Walsh’s diligent research pays off in spades here, and her rich and nuanced portrayal of the period will leave readers feeling like they’re on the soggy streets of London. Imogen Robertson readers will be eager for a sequel to this un-put-downable mystery' Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)‘A sparkling novel and a complete delight to read. The characters and world are wild, vivid and enchanting. A wry, warm and proper rib-tickling slice of dirty Victorian gothic . . . I can’t wait to see what Minnie and Albert are up to next’ Julia Crouch, author of The Daughters'A brilliantly written page-turner. A bravura performance tumbling us into a compelling mystery in a vivid, richly imagined world. You can smell the greasepaint and hear the roar of the crowd on every page' Imogen Robertson, author of The Paris Winter‘Beautifully evocative, deftly plotted and with engaging characters, it was a page-turner from beginning to end’ Sheila O’Flanagan, author of What Eden Did Next ‘Brilliant . . . Beautifully written . . . keeps you guessing till the end’ A. J. West, author of The Spirit Engineer ‘An accomplished crime murder mystery, with an addictively gritty plot and truly remarkable cast of characters . . . deliciously dark and compelling’ Essie Fox, author of The Somnambulist‘Minnie Ward is a woman you want to follow through all the wicked twists and turns of Victorian London. Bridget writes wonderfully. It had me on the edge of my seat until the final page’ S. J. Bennett, author of Murder Most Royal‘Smart, funny and expertly plotted, The Tumbling Girl cartwheels off the page . . . A cracking start to a charismatic and distinctive series’ Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls'I absolutely loved The Tumbling Girl. Bridget Walsh is a fresh and fabulous new voice in historical crime fiction' Elizabeth Chadwick, author of The King's Jewel'One of the most engaging double acts I've read in ages. Delightful, dark and depraved' Trevor Wood, author of You Can Run'A racy and thrilling ride that doesn't let up till the last sentence. Superbly done' Femi Kayode, author of Lightseekers'Walsh resurrects the culture and crimes of Victoriana without cliché or condescension, but with warmth, wit, remarkable texture and rare authority' Tom Benn, author of Oxblood'The Tumbling Girl is gripping, dark and thrilling and takes the reader on a rollercoaster journey from music hall to gentleman's club and back again; all in the company of two engaging protagonists' W. C. Ryan, author of A House of Ghosts

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Book SynopsisSex, lies, and scientific history collide in 1993 Havana.It was as if we’d reached the minimum critical point of a mathematical curve. Imagine a parabola. Zero point down, at the bottom of an abyss. That’s how low we sank.The year is 1993. Cuba is at the height of the Special Period, a widespread economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet bloc.For Julia, a mathematics lecturer who hates teaching, this is Year Zero: the lowest possible point. But a way out appears: the search for a missing document that will prove the telephone was invented in Havana, secure her reputation, and give Cuba a purpose once more. What begins as an investigation into scientific history becomes a tangle of sex, friendship, family legacies, and the intricacies of how people find ways to survive in a country at its lowest ebb.Trade ReviewEnglish PEN (Award)Carbet de la Caraïbe et du Tout-monde (Winner)Insular Book Award (Winner)"A breezy, engaging and cunningly plotted tour of a resilient city and culture. (4 stars)" —The Arts Desk"A terrifically enjoyable read." —Irish Times"Equal parts historical novel, comedy of errors and detective story, Suárez portrays with extraordinary voluptuousity and suggestiveness one of the toughest periods of this Caribbean island." —El Mundo"An astonishing novel." —Le Figaro Littéraire"'The Name of the Rose' Cuban-style...A masterpiece." —Marie Claire"A brilliant, intense mystery." —BookBlast"A delightfully unusual detective story." —Shiny New Books"Suarez’s prose, and Christina MacSweeney’s translation, is conversational, beautifully written and manages wonderfully to evoke Havana as a city in crisis without the situation seeming hopeless." —The Sock Drawer"A magisterial and innovative demonstration of first-person narration." —Reading in Translation"Suárez’s sharp, engaging prose grows organically out of a clear and unique narrative voice." —Necessary Fiction"Quirky, poignant, and very relevant for our times." —Lucy Writers"Havana Year Zero is like a set of Russian dolls; its many layers fit together in a firm and satisfying way." —Lunate"Suárez’s kaleidoscopic take on recent Cuban history is worth a look." —Publishers Weekly"‘Havana Year Zero’, is one of those few precious books that humbly offers up sentences that you take forward into the world, sharp bifurcating sentences, dissecting sentences, that swiftly bring sense to confusion, order to chaos. " —Callum Churchill, Mr B's Emporium"Suárez applies chaos theory to Cuba." —Le Temps"A brilliant, joyful and beautiful novel." —Leer"The original plot, narrated like a mathematical conundrum, and the apocalyptic portrait of Havana in 1993 are two of the great attractions of this novel." —La Libre Belgique"With incisive and restrained language, Suárez portrays a country ravaged by the economic crisis." —Le Matin d'Algérie"Rich in the ingredients typical of the best literature: a good story, with rhythm and flow, but also sensibility, elegance, intelligence and a sense of humour." —Duas margens

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Book SynopsisSexo, mentiras e historia científica convergen en La Habana en el año 1993."Era como si hubiéramos alcanzado el punto crítico mínimo de una curva matemática. ¿Tiene presente una parábola? El cero de abajo, el hueco, el abismo. Hasta ahí llegamos."Corre el año 1993. Cuba está en lo más álgido del Período Especial, un profunda crisis económica tras el colapso del bloque soviético.Para Julia, una profesora de matemática que detesta enseñar, La Habana está en su año cero: el punto más bajo, camino a ninguna parte. Desesperada por tomar las riendas de su vida, Julia se une a Euclides, su colega y ex amante, para emprender la búsqueda del documento que compruebe que el teléfono fue inventado por Antonio Meucci, en La Habana. Creen que esta es la respuesta para proteger su reputación y darle a Cuba un nuevo propósito.A partir de este punto cero, Julia da inicio a una investigación que la acercará a dos hombres que prometen guiarla hasta el documento, y que la verá involucrada en un enredado misterio de pasión, legados familiares y las complejidades de cómo la gente encuentra maneras de sobrevivir en un país que vive la más terrible de sus crisis. "It was as if we’d reached the minimum critical point of a mathematical curve. Imagine a parabola. Zero point down, at the bottom of an abyss. That’s how low we sank."The year is 1993. Cuba is at the height of the Special Period, a widespread economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet bloc.For Julia, a mathematics lecturer who hates teaching, Havana is at Year Zero: the lowest possible point, going nowhere. Desperate to seize control of her life, Julia teams up with her colleague and former lover, Euclid, to seek out a document that proves the telephone was invented by Antonio Meucci in Havana, convinced it is the answer to secure their reputations and give Cuba a purpose once more.From this point zero, Julia sets out on an investigation to befriend two men who could help lead to the document’s whereabouts, and must pick apart a tangled mystery of sex, family legacies and the intricacies of how people find ways to survive in a country at its lowest ebb.Sex, lies, and scientific history collide in 1993 Havana.It was as if we’d reached the minimum critical point of a mathematical curve. Imagine a parabola. Zero point down, at the bottom of an abyss. That’s how low we sank.The year is 1993. Cuba is at the height of the Special Period, a widespread economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet bloc.For Julia, a mathematics lecturer who hates teaching, this is Year Zero: the lowest possible point. But a way out appears: the search for a missing document that will prove the telephone was invented in Havana, secure her reputation, and give Cuba a purpose once more. What begins as an investigation into scientific history becomes a tangle of sex, friendship, family legacies, and the intricacies of how people find ways to survive in a country at its lowest ebb.Trade ReviewEnglish PEN (Award)Carbet de la Caraïbe et du Tout-monde (Winner)Insular Book Award (Winner)"Una lectura tremendamente disfrutable." —Irish Times"Un recorrido sereno, atractivo y ágilmente trazado a través de una ciudad y una cultura resilientes. (4 estrellas)” " —The Arts Desk"A medio camino entre la novela histórica, la comedia de enredos y la novela de misterio, Karla Suárez consigue retratar con extraordinaria voluptuosidad y sugerencia uno de los tiempos más duros de la isla caribeña ." —El Mundo"'El nombre de la rosa' estilo cubano (...) Una obra maestra." —Marie Claire"Una novela impactante." —Le Figaro Littéraire"Un misterio brillante e intenso." —BookBlast"Habana año cero es como una muñeca mamushka rusa; sus diversas capas encajan entre sí de una manera firme y gratificante." —Lunate"Una demostración magistral e innovadora de la narración en primera persona." —Reading in Translation"Una historia de detectives deliciosamente atípica." —Shiny New Books"La prosa afilada y atractiva de Suárez se abre paso desde una voz narrativa clara y auténtica." —Necessary Fiction"Extravagante, conmovedora y muy relevante para el contexto contemporáneo." —Lucy Writers"La prosa de Suárez –y la traducción de Christina MacSweeney– es coloquial, está hermosamente escrita y consigue evocar a La Habana maravillosamente como una ciudad en crisis pero no en situación de perdición total." —The Sock Drawer"Suárez aplica a Cuba la teoría del caos." —Le Temps"Una novela brillante, alegre y hermosa." —Leer"Con un lenguaje incisivo y sobrio, Suárez retrata un país devastado por la crisis económica, donde los cubanos deben luchar y soñar día a día para transformar su vida en algo soportable." —Le Matin d'Algérie"La trama original, narrada como una adivinanza matemática, y el retrato apocalíptico de La Habana de 1993 son dos de los grandes atractivos de esta novela." —La Libre Belgique"Su escritura cuenta con ingredientes característicos de la buena literatura: una buena historia, con ritmo y fluidez, pero también con sensibilidad, elegancia, inteligencia y sentido del humor." —Duas margens

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Book SynopsisHamburg State Prosecutor Chastity Riley becomes involved in the horrifying, chilling search for a violent serial killer targeting dancers from a club … the first book in an award-winning, wildly original, addictive series… ‘Such a revelation’ Laura Lippman ‘Gruesome and assured, Buchholz’s work remains as persuasive as ever’ Barry Forshaw, Financial Times ‘Reading Buchholz is like walking on firecrackers … a truly unique voice in crime fiction’ Graeme Macrae Burnet ‘Unpredictable, shocking and funny … Simone Buchholz is my favourite German crime writer’ Mark Sanderson,The Times **WINNER of the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger** ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A serial killer is on the loose in Hamburg, targeting dancers from The Acapulco, a club in the city’s red-light district, taking their scalps as gruesome trophies and replacing them with plastic wigs. Chastity Riley is the state prosecutor responsible for crimes in the district, and she’s working alongside the police as they investigate. Can she get inside the mind of the killer? Her strength is thinking like a criminal; her weaknesses are pubs, bars and destructive relationships, but as Chastity searches for love and a flamboyant killer – battling her demons and the dark, foggy Hamburg weather – she hits dead end after dead end. As panic sets in and the death toll rises, it becomes increasingly clear that it may already be too late. For everyone… ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ‘Caustic, incisive prose. A street-smart, gutsy heroine. A timely and staggeringly stylish thriller’ Will Carver ‘The coolest character in crime fiction … Darkly funny and written with a huge heart’ Doug Johnstone, Big Issue ‘Modern noir, with taut storytelling, a hard-bitten heroine, and underlying melancholy peppered with wry humour’ New Zealand Listener ‘Dark, atmospheric, and complex, with often surprisingly emotional … a classy piece of fiction from an author who never disappoints’ Jen Med’s Book ReviewsPraise for the Chastity Riley series: 'Combines nail-biting tension with off-beat humor ... Elmore Leonard fans will be enthralled' Publishers Weekly 'Buchholz doles out delicious black humor ... interwoven in a manner that ramps up the intrigue and tension' Foreword Reviews ’Lyrical and pithy' Sunday Times 'Fierce enough to stab the heart' Spectator 'A real blast of adrenaline' Big Issue 'Simone Buchholz writes with real authority and a pungent, noir-ish sense of time and space' Financial Times 'A stylish, whip-smart thriller' Russel McLean

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Book SynopsisHotel Beresford: a grand old building, just outside the city, where any soul is welcome, and strange goings-on mask explosive, deadly secrets. A chilling, darkly funny sequel to Will Carver's bestselling The Beresford… ‘Superbly paced and remarkably inventive, a book that demands to be read in a single sitting’ M.W. Craven ‘Delightfully dark and wickedly inventive … with characters that stick around long after the final page is turned, whether you want them to or not’ S J Watson ‘Multi-layered and masterfully written, this darkly humorous tale will both shock and entertain’ Heat magazine Book of the Month ______________ There are worse places than hell… Hotel Beresford is a grand, old building, just outside the city. And any soul is welcome. Danielle Ortega works nights, singing at whatever dive bar will offer her a gig. She gets by, keeping to herself. Sam Walker gambles and drinks, and can't keep his hands to himself. Now he's tied up in a shoe closet with a dent in his head that matches Danielle's broken ashtray. The man in 731 has been dead for two days and his dog has not stopped barking. Two doors down, the couple who always smokes on the window ledge will mysteriously fall. Upstairs, in the penthouse, Mr Balliol sees it all. He can peer into every crevice of every floor of the hotel from his screen-filled suite. He witnesses humanity and inhumanity in all its forms: loneliness, passion and desperation in equal measure. All the ingredients he needs to make a deal. When Danielle returns home one night to find Sam gone, a series of sinister events begins to unfold. But strange things often occur at Hotel Beresford, and many are only a distraction to hide something much, much darker… For fans of Chuck Palahniuk, Bret Easton Ellis, Jennifer Egan and Jonathan Franzen __________________ ‘From the wondrous mind of Will Carver … a tour de force that covers life, death and everything beyond’ David Jackson Praise for Will Carver ‘One of the most exciting authors in Britain’ Daily Express 'A smart, stylish writer' Daily Mail ‘Incredibly dark and very funny’ Harriet Tyce ‘Unlike anything you’ll read this year’ Heat ‘Impossibly original, stylish, sinister and heartfelt’ Chris Whitaker ‘Weirdly page-turning’ Sunday Times ‘Ambitious, dark and funny’ Mike Gayle ‘A highly original state-of-the-nation novel’ Literary Review ‘Oozes malevolence from every page’ Victoria Selman ‘Arguably the most original crime novel published this year’ Independent ‘Mesmeric’ Guardian ‘Memorable for its unrepentant darkness…’ Telegraph ‘Perceptive and twisted in equal measure’ CultureFly ‘Pitch-dark, intelligent and utterly addictive' Michael Wood 'Unflinching, blunt and brutal' Sam Holland ‘Equally enthralling and appalling’ James Oswald ‘One of the most compelling and original voices in crime fiction’ Alex North

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Book SynopsisCan everyone’s favourite insurance mathematician, Henri, combine the increasingly dangerous world of adventure parks with the unpredictability of blended-family life? He’s about to find out in the final instalment of the hilarious, nail-biting Rabbit Factor Trilogy. 'A joyous, triumphant conclusion to Tuomainen’s trilogy … the comic thriller of the year' Sunday Times THRILLER OF THE YEAR ‘Quirky crime capers don’t come more left field than the Rabbit trilogy … extremely funny, with a wicked line in social satire’ Daily Mail ‘One of those rare writers who manages to deftly balance intrigue, noir and a deliciously ironic sense of humour’ Vaseem Khan _______ Henri Koskinen, intrepid insurance mathematician and adventure-park entrepreneur, firmly believes in the power of common sense and order. That is until he moves in with painter Laura Helanto and her daughter… As Henri realises he has inadvertently become part of a group of local dads, a competing adventure park is seeking to expand their operations, not always sticking to the law in the process… Is it possible to combine the increasingly dangerous world of the adventure-park business with the unpredictability of life in a blended family? At first glance, the two appear to have only one thing in common: neither deals particularly well with a mounting body count. In order to solve this seemingly impossible conundrum, Henri is forced to step far beyond the mathematical precision of his comfort zone … and the stakes have never been higher… Warmly funny, quirky, touching, and a nail-biting triumph of a thriller, The Beaver Theory is the final instalment in the award-winning Rabbit Factor Trilogy, as Henri encounters the biggest challenge of his career, with hair-raising results… Soon to be a major motion picture starring Steve Carell ––––––––– Praise for the Rabbit Factor Trilogy: ‘Finland's greatest export’ M.J. Arlidge ‘The funniest writer in Europe’ The Times ‘Thrilling and warmly human. In these uncertain times, what better hero than an actuary?' Chris Brookmyre ‘Delightfully funny’ Guardian ‘Unlike anything else out there' The Times ‘A thrilling and hilarious read’ Liz Nugent ‘Charming, funny and clever, this is a novel to cheer up anyone who is finding life a little tough’ Literary Review ‘A delight from start to finish’ Big Issue 'Original and brilliant story-telling' Helen FitzGerald ‘A coruscating comedy’ Sunday Times 'You don’t expect to laugh when you’re reading about terrible crimes, but that’s what you’ll do when you pick up one of Tuomainen’s decidedly quirky thrillers' New York Times ‘A refreshing change from the decidedly gloomier crime fiction for which Scandinavia is known’ Publishers Weekly Right up there with the best’ Times Literary Supplement ‘A thriller with black comedy worth of Nabokov’ Telegraph

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Book SynopsisWhen Tia reluctantly agrees to look after Bindu, her peevish, grumpy granddaughter, during half term, the last thing that she expects is to spend the week unravelling the theft of a seventeenth century painting Head of a Girl, ‘Hedova’. Hoping to start a new and more exciting life, Robert sets himself up as an art thief. His first target? A picture from the Whitler Gallery, where Tia and her recently widowed colleague Douglas work. Follow Douglas and Tia, an unlikely detective duo, as they investigate the theft and race frantically across the city to prevent the painting from being destroyed. Can Robert prove that he’s got what it takes to embark on a life of crime? And can Tia and Douglas save Hedova? What’s Going on at The Whitler? is a gentle detective story with elements of humour and fantasy, all punctuated by commentary from a Greek chorus of talking portraits for a unique twist.

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