Crime and mystery: cosy mystery

Book Synopsis"A cracking example of cozy crime!" Bestselling author Katie FfordeWhen amateur writer Sophie Sayers inherits a cottage in the sleepy English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, she's hoping for a fresh start and a chance to finally pursue her dream of becoming a writer…What she gets instead is a dead body found on a carnival float, an extraordinary assortment of suspects, and a murder to solve! But who might be to blame…?Is the enigmatic bookseller Hector Munro all he seems?And what about the over-friendly neighbour who brings her jars of honey? Not to mention the eccentric village shopkeeper, the village show committee, the writers' group and drama club, who are all suspiciously keen to welcome her to their midst.Can Sophie find the courage to solve the case or could this new move be her biggest mistake?Perfect for fans of M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.Readers LOVE Debbie Young!"An affectionate glimpse of traditional rural English life. The sun shines, the locals gossip, the villagers all come together for the fair. The only problem is a murder. Luckily Sophie is there to solve it. A warm page turner that puts the cosy into cosy mystery. Well worth a read!" Bestselling author T.A. Williams“Warm and cosy, the Sophie Sayers mysteries are full of likeable and eccentric characters inhabiting the idyllic Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, where gossip, intrigue and murder are rife!” Bestselling author Michelle Salter "I have just finished Best Murder in Show, and I just could not put it down. A totally enthralling read from cover to cover. Very well written.” – Bryan Stace, South Africa. “Sophie Sayers is the perfect antidote to these difficult times. A Cotswold version of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” – Sue Myers“What a great series of books, funny, interesting characters and good stories. Perfect for a winter’s evening, curled up by the fire.” Mrs Glenda T Barnett via Amazon. “I just read your Sophie Sayers novels. I loved them. The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I can’t wait for the next installment.” – Caroline Burston via Facebook“Thank you for the gift that is Sophie Sayers. These books have been my lifeline to home over the last year especially.” – Laura Bonnici, expat living in Malta

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Book Synopsis"A cracking example of cozy crime!" Bestselling author Katie FfordeSophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn.Even more shocking is when the body suddenly goes missing! The police think the villagers are mistaken and without a body, refuse to investigate.... But with the village school facing the threat of closure, Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But first she needs to find out who the dead person is, before she can start to find the killer!Perfect for fans of M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.Readers LOVE Debbie Young!"I have just finished Best Murder in Show, and I just could not put it down. A totally enthralling read from cover to cover. Very well written.” – Bryan Stace, South Africa.“Sophie Sayers is the perfect antidote to these difficult times. A Cotswold version of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” – Sue Myers“What a great series of books, funny, interesting characters and good stories. Perfect for a winter’s evening, curled up by the fire.” Mrs Glenda T Barnett via Amazon.“I just read your Sophie Sayers novels. I loved them. The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I can’t wait for the next installment.” – Caroline Burston via Facebook“Thank you for the gift that is Sophie Sayers. These books have been my lifeline to home over the last year especially.” – Laura Bonnici, expat living in Malta

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Book Synopsis'A witty insight into village life and a most unusual murder that kept me enthralled!' Bestselling author E.V. Hunter.Sophie and Hector are heading to the Highlands.For Sophie it’s a trip home and for Hector it’s time to meet Sophie’s parents... Though their trip has village tongues wagging about a stop at Scotland’s notorious elopement spot, Gretna Green.No matter what, it’ll make a nice break from the murder and mayhem that has been plaguing their beautiful Cotswolds village. But Sophie and Hector are barely across the border on the way to Inverness before a sinister encounter leaves them shaken.Then comes a series of mishaps that leave poor Hector a little worse for wear. Is someone after Hector? Why is he certain the attacks are just accidents? Sophie is determined to find out.Starting and finishing at the Hector's House bookshop in Wendlebury Barrow, this adventure is Debbie Young's celebration of Scotland as her second favourite place after the Cotswolds, and will make you feel as if you've taken a trip to the Highlands yourself!

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Book Synopsis"The perfect wartime spy; Fiona Figg is smart, sneaky, and full of surprises… A fun whodunit that will keep you turning the pages!” Cathi Stoler, author of The Murder On The Rocks Mysteries.'A fun, mix of whodunnit and thriller set amid American high society' T. A. Williams'Fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek spy romp. Enjoy the ride' Frances EveshamCan Fiona catch a killer and find a decent cup of tea before her mustache wax melts?1917. New York.Notorious spy, Fredrick Fredricks, has invited Fiona to Carnegie Hall to hear a famous soprano. It’s an opportunity the War Office can’t turn down. Fiona and Clifford are soon on their way, but not before Fiona is saddled with chaperon duties for Captain Hall’s niece. Is Fiona a spy or a glorified babysitter?From the minute Fiona meets the soprano aboard the RMS Adriatic it’s treble on the high C’s. Fiona sees something—or someone—thrown overboard, and then she overhears a chemist plotting in German with one of her own countrymen!And the trouble doesn’t stop when they disembark. Soon Fiona is doing time with a group of suffragettes and investigating America’s most impressive inventor Thomas Edison.When her number one suspect turns up dead at the opera and Fredrick Fredricks is caught red-handed, it looks like it’s finally curtains for the notorious spy.But all the evidence points to his innocence. Will Fiona change her tune and clear her nemesis’ name? Or will she do her duty? And just what is she going to do with the pesky Kitty Lane? Not to mention swoon-worthy Archie Somersby . . .If Fiona’s going to come out on top, she’s going to have to make the most difficult decision of her life: the choice between her head and her heart.What readers are saying about Kelly Oliver:"Will keep you turning the pages and laughing all the way!" Dianne Freeman“A cross between an Agatha Christie and a Sherlock Holmes sleuthing story. Just brilliant!” NetGalley Reviewer"This historical mystery delivers twists and turns. I can't wait for the next one!" Muddy Rose Reviews"I love Fiona Figg!" Margaret Mizushima“Couldn't put it down.” Amazon Reviewer"A perfect blend of wit, fun, and intrigue." Debra Goldstein“I am hooked on these amazing characters.” Amazon Reviewer"A fun diversion with an entertaining female lead." Kirkus Reviews“Fans of Susan Elia MacNeal will gobble up this series! Highly recommend." L.A. Chandlar“Diabolical plot twists, interesting red herrings, colorful characters, make this a good whodunit.” NetGalley Reviewer

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Book Synopsis"An enthralling murder mystery that kept me turning the pages. Well worth a read." Bestselling author T.A. Williams.The start of Cozy Crime series! Welcome to Hopgood Hall.An unlikely duo…When investigative journalist, Alexi Ellis, falls victim to cutbacks, she and Cosmo, her anti-social feral cat, head for beautiful Hopgood Hall, where they plan to lick their wounds in the boutique hotel run by her old friends, Cheryl and Drew Hopgood.A missing woman…But when she arrives Alexi discovers Cheryl and Drew both distraught. Their close friend, Natalie Parker, who recently settled in the area, has gone missing. Alexi’s sure the woman has just taken a trip somewhere, but she still has a nose for a story and agrees to look into it.A case to solve!So too does ex-Met Police detective turned private eye, Jack Maddox. Natalie Parker had been using his sister’s online dating agency and Jack needs to find her before his sister’s business is ruined.Reluctantly, Alexi, Jack - and Cosmo! - join forces to find out what happened to Natalie. But soon they discover secrets that someone desperately wants to make sure are never revealed!Perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Frances Evesham and Emma Davies.Reader Reviews for A Date To Die For'If you want to dip your toe into the cosy crime genre then this is the book for you! It is incredible. I loved every word and Cosmo the cat is just hilarious' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'A Date To Die For would make a fabulous early evening television series. I really enjoyed it and look forward to much more from E V Hunter'⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'The author certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one heck of a story'⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisEven the most glamorous stately homes hide secrets and lies from the past...When Flora Maguire receives an alarming telegram informing her of her father’s tragic death in a riding accident, she races back from London to her childhood home.But when Flora and her new husband, Bunny, get to Cleeve Abbey – where she was once Governess to Eddy, Viscount Trent, and her father was butler to Earl Trent – it’s all is not well.Flora’s intention was to bury her father next to Lily, her mother, who sadly passed away when Flora was a small child. But it turns out that a mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Lily’s final resting place.No-one is willing to talk. And, with her father now dead in what seems like a suspicious accident, Flora must now strive alone to uncover hidden family secrets. And a terrible betrayal with the power to change everything…A cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey, and set in the glorious Cotswolds landscape.Previously published as Murder at Cleeve Abbey.What people are saying about Death at the Abbey:‘Intriguing… Clues to keep you guessing… I was caught up in the story immediately.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘I love, love, love this series! … The intricate plot with its many odd characters kept me turning the pages until the stunning end. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves historical fiction and who would like to venture into the cozy mystery genre. Highly recommended!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘An intriguing mystery… Flora makes a wily opponent with first rate detective skills.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars Would recommend to anyone who likes their heroines feisty.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

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Book Synopsis1903 London is bustling and glamorous. With troubling secrets simmering and worrying signs of war Flora Maguire must solve a deadly mystery which leads right to the heart of the corridors of power.When the body of a London socialite, and leading light of the burgeoning women’s suffrage movement, is found outside The Grenadier public house in London’s fashionable Knightsbridge, Flora Maguire can’t resist investigating.Mysterious letters are discovered in the victim’s belongings, including strange links to the foreign office. But why do the clues keep coming back to the assassination of a Baltic king?As Flora closes in on the killer, it soon becomes clear she is no longer safe in London, but – as her husband Bunny rushes to be by her side – will he be the one to save her, or will she have to find her own way out?Previously published as Murder at The Grenadier and A Knightsbridge ScandalWhat readers are saying about Death of a Suffragette:‘London makes for a wonderful setting for this cozy mystery, brought to life by the author's elegant prose and deep historical research. I am enjoying this series. Flora Maguire is an excellent amateur detective!’‘I just finished one Flora book to move onto another! … A super book to curl up with and apparently, there's more to come!’‘This is a series mystery lovers won't want to miss.’‘I enjoyed it tremendously!’‘Careful though, it’s hard to put it down once you start!!’

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Book SynopsisA fatal jump. A missing suffragette. An inexplicable murder.London, 1920. For the first time ever, two women are competing against each other to become an MP. Reporter Iris Woodmore has a big story on her hands when she accompanies one of the candidates to the House of Commons. But it’s a place that holds painful memories. In 1914, her mother died there when she fell into the River Thames during a daring suffragette protest. Then, in the shadow of Big Ben, a waterman tells Iris her mother didn’t fall – she jumped.Iris discovers that the suffragette with her mother that fateful day has been missing for six years, mysteriously disappearing just after the protest. Desperate to know the truth behind the fatal jump, Iris’s investigation leads her to Crookham Hall, an ancestral home where secrets and lies lead to murder…The first book in the Iris Woodmore cozy crime series.Previously published as The Suffragette’s Daughter'The mystery itself is intriguing, with plenty of twists and unexpected developments. If you enjoy 1920s mysteries and learning about the Suffragettes and all they stood for, then I highly recommend Death at Crookham Hall.' Verity Bright, author of Murder by Invitation'A fabulous, well-written, mystery that holds all the promise of much more to come... The Iris Woodmore mysteries are fast becoming some of my favourites.' M J Porter, author of King of Kings'A joy to read! Such a well-researched mystery. I absolutely loved the unconventional heroine, 1920s setting, engaging characterisation and poignant ending, all of which provide a captivating start to the Iris Woodmore cosy mystery series.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire Mysteries‘Death at Crookham Hall is a lovely, murder mystery by a gifted writer.’ Helena Dixon, author of Murder at the Village FairWhat real readers are saying:'Well written, with complex characters ... a thoughtful and compelling story ... readers of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear might like this book.'"What a great book! Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and a twisty plot."“…a real page turner… couldn't put it down. So much so that I stayed up until the early hours to find out what happens. The ending did not disappoint. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.”“The writer's attention to detail and historical fact was very good… characters are well drawn and believable… I would thoroughly recommend.”“1920s at its best…When you get to the end of a book and feel sad that the book is finished, you know you have just read a worthwhile story. The characters are brilliantly written and swept me along.”

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Book SynopsisA brand-new series perfect for Richard Osman readers and all fans of a page-turning whodunnit.It was meant to be the start of quiet season in the sleepy Cornish village of Seal Bay, but not for sexagenarian librarian and wild swimming enthusiast Morwenna Mutton. Because when a local businessman is found on the beach with a bread knife is his back, bungling police officer DI Rick Tremayne is soon out of his depth. Morwenna knows it’s going to be down to her to crack the case.The list of people the victim upset is long, the evidence is slight, and an arrest illusive. Morwenna has plenty to occupy her time what with ghostly goings-on at the library and skullduggery at her granddaughter’s school, but she could never resist a challenge. And even the most ruthless of murderers should quake at the sight of this amateur sleuth getting on her bike to track them down.If you love Miss Marple and The Thursday Murder Club, then you'll love The Morwenna Mutton mysteries.Readers love Judy Leigh:‘Loved this from cover to cover, pity I can only give this 5 stars as it deserves far more.’‘I loved reading this book, great characters and this author certainly knows how to put a good story together. I'm really looking forward to reading more books by her.’‘This author never disappoints, always a joy to find one of her books which I haven’t read.’‘This book is yet another triumph from an author who never disappoints me, and very much recommended.’

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Book SynopsisFrom the winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition comes another tantalising Golden Age wartime mystery.**DON'T MISS THE LASTEST JOSEPHINE FOX MYSTERY, A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. OUT NOW!**PRAISE FOR THE JOSEPHINE FOX SERIES:'Terrific ... captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain' ANN CLEEVES'Feisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox' JUDY FINNIGAN'A complete delight ... sings with authenticity' CAZ FREARDECEMBER 1942. As the war rages on, the accidental death of a young man is almost unremarkable. Except this young man was patrolling the grounds of Hursley Park House, where teams are designing crucial modifications to the Spitfire - and he was found clutching part of a blueprint.JANUARY 1943. Josephine Fox is given a code name and a mission as she is seconded to Hursley: uncover the network responsible for information leaks to the enemy. And when the dead man's father visits Bram Nash convinced that his son was innocent of espionage and the victim of murder, her friend is also drawn into the investigation.But as Jo and Bram circle closer to the truth, danger is closing in around them...*INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE NEXT JOSEPHINE FOX MYSTERY, A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS*

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Book SynopsisTHE ROYALLY BRILLIANT THIRD BOOK IN THE HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVESTIGATES MYSTERY SERIES.____________________December 2016 - A severed hand is found washed up on a beach next to the Queen's estate at Sandringham.Elizabeth has become quite accustomed to solving even the most complex of murders. And though she quickly identifies the 70-year-old victim, Edward St Cyr, from his signet ring, the search for his killer is not so straightforward. St Cyr led an unconventional, often controversial life, making many enemies along the way in the quiet, rural world of North Norfolk, where everyone knows each other's business.But when a second man is found dead, and a prominent local woman is nearly killed in a hit-and-run, the mystery takes an even darker turn.With the winter break coming to an end, the Queen and her trusted assistant Rozie must race to discover how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Or the next victim may be found even closer to home.Agatha Christie meets The Crown in MURDER MOST ROYAL, the much-anticipated third book in the 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates' mystery series by SJ Bennett - for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin.______________________PRAISE FOR THE 'HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVESTIGATES' SERIES:'A witty whodunit starring our very own HM The Queen as an amateur sleuth' - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'A pitch-perfect murder mystery' - Ruth Ware'Written with wit and brio' - Daily Express'Miss Marple with a crown' - Daily Mirror'Absolute perfection!' - Isabelle Broom'Delightfully charming' - Adele Parks'Pure confection' - New York Times'Warm & witty' - Woman&Home'A delightful read' - BBC Radio 2'I loved it' - Joanne Harris'A total joy' - Nina Stibbe'Charming' - Guardian'What a hoot!' - SagaTrade ReviewS.J. Bennett's series of crime novels featuring the Queen as amateur sleuth are more than tributes to a widely loved and admired monarch. They are absorbing murder mysteries full of character, wit, and a healthy dose of human insight. Affectionate and utterly charming * VASEEM KHAN *Warm and amusing, this murder mystery set during a Sandringham Christmas with the Queen at the helm is an absolute treat * LOVEREADING Book of the Month *

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Book Synopsis1957 - Young Queen Elizabeth II is finding her way in a challenging world as the United Kingdom must adjust to having neither an empire nor a set place in post-war Europe. As she travels the world to try and build bridges, the Queen is advised by the 'men in moustaches', as Philip calls them - her father's old courtiers, who may or may not have her best interests at heart. One of them is trying to sabotage her: that much she is sure of.And then two bodies turn up, horribly murdered, in Chelsea, and the Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her.Elizabeth knows she can't face these challenges alone. She needs support from someone clever, discreet and loyal, someone she can trust. Then she meets ex-Bletchley Park code breaker, Joan McGraw, and their investigation into the murders begins in earnest . . .

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Book SynopsisThe brand-new novel from the winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.'A CRACKING READ' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY'THIS ATMOSPHERIC WARTIME MYSTERY IS PERFECT FOR FANS OF FOYLE'S WAR' CANDISJune 1944, Romsey, England.Josephine 'Jo' Fox is at an impasse since the unwelcome return of her wayward husband Richard. So, when he disappears again, she is neither concerned nor surprised - until a burning car is discovered with a body inside. And there are signs that Richard is somehow involved.Jo is determined to find both her husband and answers, yet with her friend Bram Nash in hospital suffering an infection of his old war wound, she must do so alone. When information comes to light that implicates Bram too, Jo finds herself on a dangerous path to the truth.But what will be left for her when all is revealed?PRAISE FOR THE JOSEPHINE FOX SERIES:' Terrific ... captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain' ANN CLEEVES' Feisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox' JUDY FINNIGAN'A complete delight ... sings with authenticity' CAZ FREARTrade ReviewFeisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox * Judy Finnigan on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *A complete delight. The story sings with authenticity and I found myself transported to 1940s Romsey from the very first page ... Unputdownable * Caz Frear on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *A terrific debut novel, which captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain * Ann Cleeves on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *This atmospheric wartime mystery is perfect for fans of Foyle's war * Candis *Gradidge captures vividly the impact of war on a rural community ... A cracking read * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisA BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICKA KINDLE TOP 5 BESTSELLER'Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core' Janice HallettClaire and Sophie aren't your typical murder investigators . . .When 30-something freelance medium Claire Hendricks is invited to an old university friend's country pile to provide entertainment for a family party, her best friend Sophie tags along. In fact, Sophie rarely leaves Claire's side, because she's been haunting her ever since she was murdered at the age of seventeen.On arrival at The Cloisters it quickly becomes clear that this family is hiding more than just the good china, as Claire learns someone has recently met an untimely end at the house.Teaming up with the least unbearable members of the Wellington-Forge family - depressive ex-cop Basher and teenage radical Alex - Claire and Sophie determine to figure out not just whodunnit, but who they killed, why and when.Together they must race against incompetence to find the murderer - before the murderer finds them... in this funny, modern, media-literate mystery for the My Favourite Murder generation.'Read this fabulous book' Ben Aaronovitch'A delicious mashup of grisly murder, country house and semi-helpful ghosts' Stuart MacBride'Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable' Catherine Ryan HowardTrade ReviewYou've never read a country house whodunit quite like Grave Expectations. Nor is there a generation gap quite as wide as the one between Claire and Sophie. Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core. Alice Bell writes with real verve and crafts a preposterous premise into a sharp, well written and lively story that's at once out of this world and yet reassuringly real. As reader, you're along for the ride, and it's a runaway ghost train of a ride at that! Bell is one to watch. -- Janice HallettA delicious mashup of grisly murder, country house and semi-helpful ghosts - imagine a really cockeyed game of Cluedo heavily seasoned with whimsy ... it's a lot of fun -- Stuart MacBrideRead this fabulous book - you will not regret it -- Ben AaronovitchA modern mashup of Ghosts, Blithe Spirit and Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) ... the lightly acerbic style is a delight ... plenty of spooky fun. More, please. * Guardian *Knives Out vibes with added ghosts. Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable. -- Catherine Ryan HowardA very funny, entertaining, twisted take on the country house murder mystery. Wonderful.' -- S J BennettFunny, fast, sharp, original, and addictive ... a unique breath of fresh air. Brilliant! -- Andrea MaraA fun and surprising character-driven whodunnit * Heat *A fun, gripping murder mystery with a supernatural spin * Woman's Own *An addictive, hilarious, rollicking debut - fresh, original and utterly brilliant, Alice Bell is a real talent to watch. I cannot WAIT for the next book! -- Sam BlakeClever, unpredictable and a genuinely humorous modern day country house murder mystery which left me guessing. Perfect for anyone who fancies themselves as a detective. -- Nadine MathesonA great read, with great characters, lots of humour, some misty-eyed moments and lots of swearing. Utterly delightful - like the BBC show Ghosts mixed with Cluedo -- Simon ToyneA really unique concept paired with whip-smart writing and lots of heart -- Heather Darwent, author of The Things We Do to Our FriendsA clever and playful contemporary cosy mystery by Cobh-based debut author, the talented Alice Bell. Think Ghosts meets Knives Out. -- Catherine KirwanA highly original, clever, contemporary and funny take on the crime genre * Irish Examiner *Wickedly good * Belfast Telegraph *A murder mystery with lots of heart and heaps of comedy ... full of fun and intrigue, this book's a winner * Meath Chronicle *This book positively lit up my weekends with its cosy, affectionate, funny, awkward brand of ghostly crime-solving. Perfect for fans of BBC's Ghosts, Alice Bell has a keen eye for characterisation and the ridiculous, creating a story that will both send chills down your spine and wrap you up in a hug. -- Ally WIlkes, author of All the White SpacesWitty, addictive, and breathes some much needed (undead) life into the cosy crime murder mystery genre -- Adam SimcoxDelightful, charming, breezy ... A spirited cold-case mystery * Set the Tape *Sharp and hilarious -- Cailean SteedA funny, distinctive, constantly clever genre-bending supernatural crime novel' * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisEveryone is always out there searching for someone and something, usually for a lover, usually for love. And this is a love story. But the murderee - Nicola Six - is searching for something and someone else: her murderer. She knows the time, she knows the place, she knows the motive, she knows the means. She just doesn't know the man. London Fields is a brilliant, funny and multi-layered novel. It is a book in which the narrator, Samson Young, enters the Black Cross, a thoroughly undesirable public house, and finds the main players of his drama assembled, just waiting to begin. It's a gift of a story from real life...all Samson has to do is write it as it happens.Trade ReviewLondon Fields, its pastoral title savagely inappropriate to its inner-city setting, vibrates, like all Amis's work, with the force fields of sinister, destructive energies. At the core of its surreal fable are four figures locked in lethal alignment -- Peter Kemp * Sunday Times *I love reading novels about the city but this is my favourite. It manages to incorporate the seedy and the middle class Notting Hill side of the capital, all in one glorious unputdownable novel -- Phil Daniels * Daily Express *An electrifying writer who likes to shock his fans and share his sharply contemporary concerns... Amis is a maddening master you need to read - the best of his generation * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisLong-forgotten scandals. Dark secrets. Hidden identities. Rona Parish investigates!An old school photograph in which someone has been deliberately blacked out marks the start of a new case for Rona Parish. Who was this person and why would someone want to hide his or her identity? Rona sets out to uncover the secret and soon finds that the school in question closed down many years ago due, it was rumoured, to a long-forgotten scandal. Could this be the link that will solve the mystery? Meanwhile, a visit to a a stage hypnotist results in more than Rona and her friends bargained for . . .

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Book SynopsisThe Colonel turns reluctant sleuth once more when tragedy strikes at a RAF reunion, in the latest atmospheric village mystery from Margaret MayhewThe village of Frog End may be peaceful, but that doesn''t mean that the Colonel''s life there is quiet - not with his friendly but nosy neighbour Naomi, desperate to know what he''s keeping in his new shed; the curious Miss Butler, who tracks his every move with her German U-boat captain''s binoculars; and the attentions of the local vicar, who''s keen to involve him in church affairs. That''s not forgetting the demands of the aloof, imperious cat Thursday, who seems to have adopted the Colonel.So the Colonel is pleased when his old friend Geoffrey Cheetham invites him up to the village of Buckby for the weekend, to coincide with a RAF reunion event. After depositing an outraged Thursday at the Cat Heaven cattery, he drives up, and meets his fellow guests at the Cheethams'' B&B: including a Lancaster bomber crew, reunited for the first time. But everything is not as it seems, and the Colonel finds himself taking on the reluctant role of sleuth once more when tragedy strikes . . .

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Book SynopsisPreparations for Santa Louisa''s annual spring rummage sale are thrown into chaos when organizer Mary McGill and her devoted cocker spaniel Millie come across a dead body on the premises. Still wearing her pink nightdress and slippers, what on earth was Miss Emilie Plym doing in a locked church hall in the dead of night? And who on earth would want to harm a sweet-natured but confused elderly lady who wouldn''t hurt a fly?As Mary questions the victim''s nearest and dearest, she discovers that not everyone had Miss Plym''s best interests at heart, and that at least one of those who should have been caring for her is hiding a shocking secret.

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Book SynopsisMaggy Thorsen returns in this coffeehouse mystery, where the death of her ex-husband''s colleague leads to events that hit Maggy close to home - in more ways than one . . . Maggy Thorsen''s shock at finding her ex-husband Ted in a fight with William Swopes, an oral surgeon at Ted''s dental practice, outside Uncommon Grounds, the Wisconsin gourmet coffeehouse she co-owns, is soon usurped by the horror of discovering a dead body outside Thorsen Dental''s office block the next morning. Did he jump from the tenth-floor office window, or was he pushed? It''s not long before Maggy is uncovering disturbing family secrets, lies and betrayal. As Maggy tries to piece together the clues, her beau, Jake Pavlik, hits her with another bombshell. Can she keep her emotions in check and find out the truth about a possible murder?

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Book SynopsisSettling into her new life running a coffee and beignet café in the small town of Table Rock, Arizona, Maggie Miller expects nothing but smooth sailing from here on. But she''s blown way off course when Clive Rothschild, co-owner of The Hitching Post, the bridal shop next door, begs her for a favour. That favour leads to Clive and Maggie discovering a dead body buried beneath a wedding cake. And with the evidence stacking up against Clive and his partner, former professional skater Johnny Wolfe, it''s up to Maggie to dig through the layers of deceit and hem in the real killer. But she may have to skirt the law to do it . . .

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Book SynopsisGourmet pet chef Kitty Karlyle must once again draw on her sleuthing skills when her best friend is suspected of murder.Kitty Karlyle is skeptical when a pet psychologist tells her that her cat and dog are suffering from depression and recommends a pet-centric vacation. Her producer, however, thinks it''s a great idea, and seizes the opportunity to shoot the next episode of Kitty''s TV cooking show, The Pampered Pet, on location at the luxurious Little Switzerland Resort and Spa for pets.Soon after Kitty and her best friend Fran arrive, matters take an unexpected turn when a fellow guest is found strangled in his hotel room. When the police start digging, they discover that Fran''s family lost their life savings in one of the victim''s crooked money-making schemes - and Fran becomes the prime suspect. With her best friend under suspicion of murder, it''s up to Kitty to get cooking and catch the real killer.

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Book SynopsisIt''s Halloween, and café owner Maggie Miller''s special pumpkin spice beignet promotion is proving popular. But the evening ends in disaster when Maggie discovers the body of one of her regular customers, strangled to death with an expensive cashmere scarf.The late Nancy Alverson had tended to keep herself to herself - but what secrets was she hiding? And why had she been studying books on witchcraft?Of one thing Maggie is certain, it was no witch who killed Nancy. But has someone taken advantage of the spookiest night of the year to commit a brutal murder . . .?

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Book SynopsisLooking forward to a peaceful weekend, Bea Abbot''s plans are disrupted by the unexpected arrival of one of her clients, bearing a brown leather briefcase full of expensive jewellery. Magda Summerleys has been working as a housekeeper for wealthy art expert Lucas Rycroft who, she says, entrusted her with the briefcase for safekeeping - and who seems to have disappeared without trace.Drawn into the tangled affairs of the dysfunctional Rycrofts, Bea soon discovers that other members of the family are determined to get their hands on the jewels - by whatever means necessary. Also caught up in the chaos is her ex-husband Piers, who had been commissioned to paint Lucas Rycroft''s portrait. Then a body is discovered at Lucas''s home .and events begin to spiral out of control.

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Book SynopsisOn the run from a troubled past, Kate Weller, the newest member of Price Investigations, covers her tracks, changes her name and takes a case in Charleston, South Carolina, where she can hide in plain sight. Renting a charming room with a waterfront view, Kate sets about trying to locate her adopted client''s natural siblings, only to find more questions than answers when she eventually tracks down a long-lost sister. Meanwhile, her new landlord won''t stop sticking his nose into her case. As far as Kate''s concerned, Eric Manfredi should focus on whatever competitor is bent on ruining his family business. But when petty vandalism turns lethal, and Eric''s father is arrested for murder, Kate determines to prove his innocence. Can she find the real culprit before a killer from her own past tracks her down?

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Book SynopsisMurder is no joke, as Ellie Quicke is only too aware in this absorbing and entertaining mystery.Ellie Quicke is shocked when her daughter, Diana, turns up at her door with a suitcase in tow. Bunny Brewster has died of an overdose, and Diana''s husband, Evan, is convinced that she is responsible for his friend''s death. It seems that Diana and four other neglected, bored wives of Evan''s friends recently joked about ways to kill their husbands. Diana''s suggested method of murder involved muddling up pills - could this be how Bunny died, or was it just a tragic accident?All five women are soon causing havoc at Ellie''s house, but a further distressing development confirms Ellie''s instinct that there''s more to this than meets the eye. With the safety of her nearest and dearest at risk, can Ellie work out who is responsible, and why?

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Book SynopsisA game of charades ends in coldblooded murder in this entertaining cozy mystery, third in the Crime with the Classics series.Having finished transforming Windy Corner, the grand Victorian mansion she inherited from her great aunt, into a writers'' retreat, widowed literature professor Emily Cavanaugh is ready to receive her first set of guests. But her careful planning is thrown into disarray by the unexpected arrival of outrageous true-crime writer, Cruella Crime, whose unpardonably rude behaviour is causing great offence. As a ferocious ice storm rages outside, the guests entertain one another with a game of charades. But their revelries are brought to a sudden halt by the discovery of a body in one of the guest bedrooms. When it transpires the victim was poisoned, Emily decides to take a leaf out of the book of her favourite detective writer, Agatha Christie, and investigate. But as she pursues her enquiries, it becomes chillingly clear that she herself may have been the intended victim...

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Book SynopsisPREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS CHILDREN OF WAR'SO LIKEABLE IS BRUNO AND SO CONVINCING HIS MILIEU THAT I WAS DESPERATE FOR MORE ... FORMIDABLE!' Independent on SundayBruno, Chief of Police, France's favourite cop, is under pressure once again in this internationally bestselling series. He's investigating a murder - but it's one his bosses would rather he left well alone...Bruno, Chief of Police in the charming French town of St Denis, is already busy with a case when the body of an undercover French Muslim cop is found in the woods, a man who called Bruno for help only hours earlier. But Bruno's sometime boss and rival, the Brigadier, doesn't see this investigation as a priority - there are bigger issues at stake. Bruno has other ideas. Meanwhile, a Muslim youth named Sami turns up at a French army base in Afghanistan hoping to get home to St Denis. One of Bruno's old army comrades helps to smuggle Sami back to France, but the FBI aren't far behind. Then an American woman appears in St Denis with a warrant for Sami's extradition. Bruno must unravel these multiple mysteries, amidst pressure from his bosses, and find his own way to protect his town and its people.

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Book SynopsisFollowing a rash moment of insolence, Dr Siri Paiboun, Laos' reluctant national coroner, confused shaman and disheartened communist, is forced to go on a road trip with Judge Haeng and the Justice Department. While newly pregnant Nurse Dtui and Dr Siri's fiance Madame Daeng are left at the morgue to defend the staff against exploding corpses and geriatric gunslingers, Siri has his own problems. On a deserted jungle trail, Siri is kidnapped. His only route to freedom is to exorcise the local village of its demon - but that means lifting the curse of the pogo stick.

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Book SynopsisAt the heart of French gastronomy lies the famed black truffle of the Perigord. But France's truffles are being adulterated with cheaper ones from China, and it seems that Chinese organised crime is behind the fraud. The third internationally bestselling case for Bruno, Chief of Police. In St Denis market, a Vietnamese family has been selling their dishes for years, until their stall is wrecked by attackers who look Chinese. Again it appears that organised crime is behind the outrage, firing the opening shots of a Viet-Chinese triad war. When vicious murder, illegal immigration and the importation of underage girls for prostitution are added to the mix, Bruno has his work cut out to keep St Denis from tearing itself apart.Trade ReviewSo likeable is Courreges and so convincing his milieu, that I was desperate for more Bruno as soon as Black Diamond's brisk and brutal conclusion came... C'est formidable * Independent on Sunday *There are truffles to gather and market days to attend, as well as a sumptuous funeral banquet for a murdered truffle master that surpasses any meal cooked up thus far in a series that always makes your mouth water * International Herald Tribune *Done with elegance, intelligence and a touch of steel to ensure that the books never turn into a twee portrayal of rural life * Reviewing the Evidence *Luscious rural French caper * Sunday Mirror *[T]hat the novel manages to avoid lapsing into a familiar description of sleepy provincial French life can be attributed to the broader, timely issues that the author has chosen to address: immigration, fraud and political corruption. * Times Literary Supplement *Martin Walker spins a surprising and compelling mystery, laced with charm and a deep knowledge and love of France, past and present. It is a combination that will win him many fans * Waterstones,com *

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Book Synopsis'BRILLIANT AT CAPTURING THE MURDEROUS CHARMS OF RURAL FRANCE ' MirrorMillions of fans worldwide have discovered the world of Bruno, Chief of Police, and the lovely Perigord town that he looks after. Yet even in the depths of rural France, murder is never far away.Spanish separatists, angry local activists and a mystery corpse: Bruno has his work cut out in this exciting mystery, part of the internationally bestselling series.Life in the Dordogne isn't full of the charming peace that you might imagine. In St Denis a summit in a local château is threatened by Basque separatists, animal rights campaigners are causing havoc and it's about to get worse. A local archaeological team unearths a well-preserved skeleton. Yet it's a lot more recent than they'd hoped - boasting a Swatch on its wrist and a bullet-hole in its skull. Meanwhile, an influx of visitors makes St Denis unusually crowded, and the solution to the murder appears to lie with one of these outsiders. Bruno must think fast and keep his wits about him, especially if the answer lies a little closer to home.Trade ReviewWalker is brilliant at capturing the murderous charms of rural France ... the setting is undeniably delicious * Mirror *A satisfyingly intriguing, wish-you-were-there read * Guardian *Enchanting country mysteries [that] embody the sublime physical beauty and intractable political problems of the Dordogne * New York Times *Walker hits the sweet spot of balancing humor and drama, and his food descriptions will leave readers fantasizing about dining in the Perigord * Publishers Weekly *It's difficult not to be charmed by journalist Walker's series * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisNever underestimate a librarian. Intelligent cosy crime with razor-sharp wit and an unlikely hero, for fans of P.G. Wodehouse and Muriel Spark "So funny." Lynne Truss Shona McMonagle is back, once again personally selected by Marcia Blaine, founder of her alma mater, the Marcia Blaine School for Girls – this time for a crucial mission involving time travel, Macbeth, the Weird Sisters and a black cat. Unsure which version of history she’s in – and fully aware of Shakespeare’s egregious inaccuracies - Shona tries to figure out who she’s here to save. But between playing the Fool and being turned into a mouse, things don’t always go her way. Shona’s expertise in martial arts is put to the test as family tensions rise and fingers are pointed for murder. Can Shona unravel the mystery in time to complete her mission? Never underestimate a librarian!Trade Review'Witty and surrealistically humorous … Extremely light-hearted, funny and easy to read.' -- Dundee Courier, Book of the Week

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Book SynopsisNever underestimate a librarian. Fifty-something Edinburgh librarian Shona is a proud former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, but has a deep loathing for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which she thinks gives her alma mater a bad name. Impeccably educated and an accomplished linguist, mathematician, martial artist, and musician, Shona is selected by Marcia Blaine herself to travel back in time for a crucial mission in Venice. Finding the city afflicted by what appears to be a new outbreak of the plague, Shona soon encounters the Cornetto family of gondoliers. Lately, a number of their passengers have met a watery fate. Coincidence? Unlikely. She dons a mask, goes undercover and seeks inspiration in the library. But the mystery only deepens. Why do the Cornettos seem so flaky and their explanations wafer-thin, even as they proclaim their innocence? What is going on at the printworks? Shona’s powers of deduction, dissection and prowess as a swimmer are put to the test as she realises that a bitter feud is at play. Can Shona unravel the tapestry of lies and get to the truth? It’s a race against time, but it would be a mistake to underestimate a librarian.

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Book SynopsisPianist Max Silento has been murdered, but who did it? It wasn’t Scarlet – she would have made it look like a death of natural causes, and then DI Ronnie Twist and her sergeant, Luke Carter, wouldn’t be poking around. Scarlet would do almost anything for retired judge Ada, but going to jail was never part of the bargain. Unable to confide in her manipulative employer and benefactor, Scarlet knows one of her new-found family must be to blame… but what could the motive possibly be? Who is the killer in the seemingly perfect Rosewood family? As the police net closes in around her, Scarlet puts her home-grown detective skills to use in a race against time to uncover the killer before she is arrested herself. Set in the market town of Beverley, this is the second Twist in the Tale novel.

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Book SynopsisLiving alone in his single bedsit in Marylebone, young Daniel Felton is a young man in trouble. As his financial problems mount, feeling increasingly threatened and desperate, he needs to get away from London fast. With some helpful assistance from his concerned cousin, he finds a welcome bolt hole down in deepest Cornwall. At first ‘The Chough Cottage’ in Tregarris seems a welcome sanctuary. However, it’s not too long before events catch up with him, taking a sinister turn for the worse. Daniel seems to have enemies everywhere, with even the cottage itself seeming to possess malevolent dark secrets of its own…

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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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Book Synopsis'I absolutely adored this book' - Stephen KingMeet Mrs Planksy, supposed retiree, reckless motorbike rider and exasperated solver of international internet scams.Mrs Plansky's Revenge is bestselling author Spencer Quinn's first novel in a new series since the meteoric launch of Chet and Bernie -- introducing the irresistible and unforgettable Mrs Plansky, in a story perfect for book clubs and commercial fiction readers.Mrs Loretta Plansky, a widow in her seventies, is settling into retirement in Florida while dealing with her 98-year-old father and fielding requests for money from her beloved children and grandchildren. Thankfully, her new hip hasn’t changed her killer tennis game one bit.One night Mrs Plansky is startled awake by a phone call from a voice claiming to be her grandson Will, who needs ten thousand dollars to get out of a jam.By morning, Mrs Plansky has lost everything. Law enforcement announces that her life savings have vanished, and that it’s hopeless to find the scammers behind the heist. First humiliated, then furious, Loretta Plansky refuses to be just another victim.In a courageous bid for justice, Mrs Plansky follows her only clue on a whirlwind adventure to a small village in Romania to get her money and her dignity back — and perhaps find a new lease on life, too.Trade Review'If you like Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich, hop on this train.''Terrific... Quinn radiates pure comedic genius.''I absolutely adored this book. Really fun but with a few teeth, as well. Mrs. Plansky is a terrific character. The story ticks along like a good watch.' -- Stephen King'Nothing short of masterful.''Mrs Plansky is a wonderfully memorable heroine, full of wit ... Readers will be eager to see what Mrs Plansky gets up to next.' * Publisher's Weekly *

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