Crime and mystery: cosy mystery

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 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 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 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 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 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 Synopsis“…Sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. I loved it!” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels A single twist of fate puts a servant girl to work in Queen Victoria’s royal kitchen, setting off a suspenseful, historical mystery by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and The Victory Garden. Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings. Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she’s been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen’s retinue falls ill and dies. Having prepared the royal guest’s last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down—if it doesn’t send her to the gallows.Trade Review“This delightful mystery neatly blends historical details of late Victorian life, from rich foods to royalty, into a story spiced with humor and romance. Bowen’s depiction of Bella as a modern Victorian woman, skillfully navigating class differences while struggling with the choice between a safe life and her ambitions, rings true.” —Library Journal (starred review) “A treasure trove of Victoriana…A truly delightful read.” —Kirkus Reviews “Bowen serves up a vivid picture of turn-of-the-century London with its strict class distinctions, crowded streets, and devotion to the Queen…Fans of Bowen and Victorian cozies will enjoy this inside-the-palace romp.” —Booklist “[Bowen] recreates her landscapes of ‘Palace’ and ‘Kitchen’ with great skill, and readers are drawn into the lives of the characters, as much is revealed even in the close quarters of the kitchen…A delightful way to learn more about food, its preparation and its presentation; and a tender love story.” —Historical Novel Society “Rhys Bowen is a gift to all who love great writing, rich and complex characters and a plot that grabs from first words. I dare you to put it down once you’ve read [the] opening sentence. Set in Nice, Bowen brings to life a little known and riveting episode in history—the annual visit of Queen Victoria to the French seaside town and the tumult that ensues. She takes us inside the royal court, inside the kitchens, through the eye of a junior chef, and into the towns and villages of the French Riviera. It is sweeping and intimate, warm and gripping. Above the Bay of Angels is a wonderful read that will stay with you long after the book is finished. I loved it!” —Louise Penny, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Gamache novels

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Book SynopsisIn the new mystery in the bestselling Richard Jury series, Martha Grimes brings London's finest on a double-homicide case that involves Kenyan art, rare gems, astrophysics and a long-fermented act of revenge.'Read any one [of her novels] and you'll want to read them all.' - Chicago TribuneRobbie Parsons is one of London's finest, a black cab driver who knows every street, every theatre, every landmark in the city by heart. In his backseat is a man with a gun in his hand - a man who shot Robbie's previous pair of customers point-blank in front of the Artemis Club, a rarefied art gallery-cum-casino, then jumped in and ordered Parsons to drive. As the killer eventually escapes to Nairobi with ten-year-old Patty Haigh - one of a crew of stray kids who serve as the cabbies' eyes and ears at Heathrow and Waterloo - in pursuit, superintendent Richard Jury comes across the double-homicide in the Saturday paper. Two days previously, Jury had met and instantly connected with one of the victims, a professor of astrophysics at Columbia and an expert gambler. Jury considers the murder a personal affront and is soon contending with a case that takes unexpected turns into Tanzanian gem mines, a closed casino in Reno, and a pub that only London's black cabbies, those who have 'the knowledge,' can find.Trade ReviewRead any one [of her novels] and you'll want to read them all. * Chicago Tribune *Delightful, surprising, even magical. They begin as police procedurals - someone is murdered, Jury investigates - but Grimes's love of the offbeat, the whimsical and the absurd makes them utterly unlike anyone else's detective novels . . . Although Grimes is American she has a wicked eye for English eccentricity -- Patrick Anderson * Washington Post *Delicious . . . Jury and his posse are terrific companions . . . Delightful. * Seattle Times on VERTIGO 42 *Intricate and entertaining . . . A delicious puzzle. * Boston Globe on THE HORSE YOU CAME IN ON *Wondrously eccentric characters . . . The details are divine. * New York Times Book Review on THE STARGAZEY *Swift and satisfying . . . grafts the old-fashioned 'Golden Age' amateur-detective story to the contemporary police procedural . . . real charm. * Wall Street Journal on THE LAMORNA WINK *The literary equivalent of a box of Godiva truffles . . . Wonderful. * Los Angeles Times on THE STARGAZEY *

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Book Synopsis‘This book was absolutely tremendous!...this mystery is definitely a five-star read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewA murder in a locked room… can Nancy and Jane find the key to the case?Nancy Hunter is on a mission to find her mother. Samantha Hunter walked out on her family and left the village of Dedley End over twenty years ago. For two decades, Nancy has thought her mother was dead…until she discovered she was spotted at a party at a country estate five months ago.As Nancy delves into the mystery in her own family, the village of Dedley End is rocked by the appearance of Sebastian Holmes, recently released from a long stretch in prison for his part in a jewellery robbery in London. And when someone is found murdered in the local church, it seems that there may be more danger hiding in their sleepy Cotswold village…Nancy and her grandmother Jane, Dedley End’s resident amateur sleuths and owners of a crime fiction bookshop, set about trying to solve the mystery of just who could be the killer, and how they managed a murder in a locked room – but what they don’t know is that finding the murderer might just bring them closer to finding Samantha. But does she want to be found? And what made her hide away for so many years?A twisty and unputdownable cozy mystery featuring a grandmother and granddaughter detective duo – if you’re a fan of The Bingo Hall Detectives, Robert Thorogood or The Thursday Murder Club, you’ll love this!Readers are loving Murder at the Village Church:‘Brilliantly written and many twists and turns right to the end. Loved this series and the characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘What a read! Just enough romance and a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This grandmother/granddaughter duo is absolutely everything you want! Filled with so much love, joy, heartache, and truth, you won’t want to put this book down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A cozy mystery that was a fun read… I enjoyed the quirky characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Heartwarming but cosy crime… Really kept you guessing. I was totally gripped.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘There were some really good twists in this novel. A truly fun cozy mystery series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Will keep you guessing until the very end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A page-turner of a book that keeps you hooked.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewPraise for the Dedley Ends Mystery series:‘Superb sleuthing! I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Dedley End and can’t wait to go back!’ Heidi Swain‘I loved this brilliant cozy read…it felt very Christie-esque. Nancy and Jane were fab, I loved their relationship. And I can’t wait for more.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Fabulous cosy murder/mystery with an unforgettable crime-fighting trio. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.’ Angela Marsons‘A perfect read!…Will entice even the most seasoned mystery reader. If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton, you can’t miss this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This. Is. Brilliant. Could not put it down. I really hope there’s more Dedley End adventures!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Absolutely loved this book!…The characters were great and the story flowed along nicely. I read the book in a day, I couldn’t put it down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘If you are a fan of cosy crime then I 100% recommend this series. You will not be disappointed!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisPagan revelry and morris dancing in the middle of a very cold winter set the scene for one of Ngaio Marsh's most fascinating murder mysteries.When the pesky Anna Bünz arrives at Mardian to investigate the rare survival of folk-dancing still practised there, she quickly antagonizes the villagers. But Mrs Bünz is not the only source of friction two of the other enthusiasts are also spoiling for a fight.When the sword dancers' traditional mock beheading of the Winter Solstice becomes horribly real, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn finds himself faced with a case of great complexity and of gruesome proportionsTrade Review‘The incomparable Ngaio Marsh.’Daily Express ‘Mrs Marsh’s work has the hallmark of the master. She is at the top of her form. Definitely first-class plus.’Queen ‘The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun

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Book SynopsisThe shocking death of a student in one of her charity''s properties draws Ellie into another dark mystery.Ellie Quicke returns from Canada to find her home in chaos and her housing charity tearing itself apart. A student has fallen to his death from the top of one of the charity''s properties, let through a reputable local estate agency. Accused of corruption, the agency is the victim of a vicious social media campaign.Was the student''s death really an accident or something more sinister? Does someone have a grudge against the agency, or are they being set up to ensure the truth never comes out? As Ellie fights to save her charity''s reputation, it seems her troubles are only just beginning . . .

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Book SynopsisCould Graham Pugh really be involved in a murder? E.J. Pugh finds herself back at her old university stomping ground, determined to prove her son is no killer . . . Graham Pugh should be having a ball as a first-year student at the University of Texas in Austin. Unfortunately for him, his roommate, Bishop ''Call Me Bish'' Alexander, is an arrogant asshole he can''t stand, to the point of dreaming of killing him in his sleep. Even more unfortunately for Graham, when he wakes up early one morning for a lecture, he finds that Bishop actually is dead on the floor. With Graham the prime suspect, E.J., Willis and the girls race up to Austin immediately. Unsurprisingly, it just so happens that Bishop annoyed a lot of people on campus, not just Graham. But who killed him? E.J. is soon facing a desperate battle to prove her son''s innocence.

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Book SynopsisA Second World War-themed murder mystery weekend ends in murder for real.Having reluctantly agreed to make up the numbers at a World War II-themed murder mystery weekend at Mortmead Hall, Anna Hopkins and her fellow dogwalkers, Isadora and Tansy, enjoy themselves far more than they''d expected. Not for long. The weekend''s festivities come to an abrupt halt when a body is discovered floating in the ornamental pond. Who was the mysterious woman in the red dress who attended the event without a ticket? As Anna and her friends delve further, they find themselves caught up in a web of intrigue that leads to a lost painting and a devastating wartime secret: a secret that involves Anna''s own family. Was her late father really guilty of a monstrous crime .?

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Book SynopsisEllie Quicke finds you can choose your friends but not your family.Poppy''s wealthy father hadn''t liked the look of the men whom his twin daughters intended to marry, and had set them up in the Magpie fashion boutique to ensure they would be able to support themselves, at the same time ensuring that the girls made a will in one another''s favour. The business prospered and expanded until, many years later, skeletons start to come out of the closet. Bodies too. And Ellie''s enquiries uncover a hornet''s nest of greed and malice combined with tragic secrets.

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Book SynopsisThings go from bad to worse for Wisconsin coffeehouse owner Maggy Thorsen when her cousin Jacque Oui finds himself in hot water.Wisconsin coffeehouse owner Maggy Thorsen''s cousin, Jacque Oui, is in trouble. Big trouble! Not only is his cash-strapped Schultz''s Market facing competition from a major new grocery chain, but his ex-wife Paulette has arrived from Paris, spectacularly claiming that she and Jacque are still married, despite Jacque being engaged to Maggy''s friend and star barista Amy Caprese.When a huge fire rips through Schultz''s Market overnight and a gruesome discovery is made in the shop''s upper flat, Maggy is drawn into her cousin''s affairs. But where is he? With Jacque suddenly missing, can Maggy uncover the truth behind the disturbing events triggered by Pauline''s arrival, or is she about to be scorched by a determined killer?

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Book SynopsisMeet Fran and Ken Stein - a private investigator duo who refuse to let a little thing like being not entirely human stop them from doing their jobs.Twisty and bonkers and fun Multi award-winning author Catriona McPhersonAfter losing their parents when they were just babies, private investigators Fran and Ken Stein now specialize in helping adoptees find their birth parents. So when a client asks them for help finding her father, with her only clue a rare ukulele, the case is a little weird, sure, but it''s nothing they can''t handle.But soon Fran and her brother are plunged into a world where nothing makes sense - and not just the fact that a very short (but very cute) NYPD detective keeps trying to take eternal singleton Fran out on dates. All Fran wants to do is find the ukulele and collect their fee, but it''s hard to keep your focus when you''re stumbling over corpses and receiving messages that suggest your (dead) parents

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Book SynopsisAn impossible murder behind a locked door. Can DCI Oldroyd find the key to the mystery? Lord Redmire’s gambling habit has placed him in serious debt. Determined to salvage his fortune by putting Redmire Hall on the map, the aristocrat performs an impossible locked-door illusion on live TV. But as the cameras roll, his spectacular trick goes fatally wrong… Special guest DCI Jim Oldroyd has a front-row seat, but in all his years with the West Riding Police he’s never witnessed anything like this. He sees Redmire disappear—and then reappear, dead, with a knife in his back. As Oldroyd and DS Stephanie Johnson soon discover, nearly everyone at the event had a reason to resent the eccentric lord. But how did the murderer get into the locked room—or out, for that matter? When the only other person who knew the secret behind the illusion is brutally silenced, the case begins to look unsolvable. Because as Oldroyd and Johnson know, it’s not just a question of who did it and why—but how?

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Book SynopsisA MURDER TO SOLVE. A REPORTER ON THE TRAIL.IS THIS A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY?Welcome, dear reader! You have happened upon the delightful village of Shady Hollow, a place where rabbits and raptors, squirrels and snakes live together in civilised accord . . . with only the occasional murder to mar the peace of daily life.Keen journalist Vera Vixen is recovering from the Harvest Festival (and its bounty of local cheeses, cider and pies) when the calm is shattered by a scream from one of the small town's grandest houses. Dorothy Springfield, a rat with a reputation for eccentricity, claims her husband - who is standing right next to her - has been murdered. Has Dorothy finally lost her grip on reality? Or is the rat who claims to be Edward an imposter? Vera's fox nose scents a story. And it's not long before the discovery of a body, minus the head, complicates things further . . .Entertaining and perceptive, Mirror Lake is fast-paced and witty, with characters that jump off the page and a hugely satisfying mystery to solve. Once you've met the residents of ShadyHollow, you won't forget them.Trade ReviewSometimes you just need an entertaining, escapist read to while away the hours, and Juneau Black . . . delivers all the small-town cosy crime vibes, with the animal quirkiness of Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr Fox . . . a perfect long weekend binge-read * Culture Fly *

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Book SynopsisBritain is at war—but the greatest threat to the Crown might be within the Palace walls. London, 1941: Major Edgar Brampton is found shot dead in his office in Buckingham Palace. All signs point towards a self-inflicted tragedy, but when Palace authorities hurry his body away and order staff to stay silent, fellow courtier Guy Harford’s suspicions are raised. While the outside world faces the onslaught of war, within the Palace walls a curious mystery unfolds. Rumours swirl about Brampton’s relationship with the Queen, and there’s talk of other plots involving those closest to the King. To get to the bottom of what really happened, Guy joins forces with some unlikely allies—Rodie Carr, a beautiful East End burglar, and Rupert Hardacre, a postman with a past—but time may be running out…for him, for the King, and for Britain. Someone has their eye on the crown, and they’ll do anything to get it. Can Guy solve the case before more blood is spilled on the royal carpets? Or will he be the next victim?

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Book SynopsisEven as war rages, there are deep secrets lurking in the heart of Buckingham Palace… Windsor, 1942. War rages through Great Britain. Anna Duckworth, former lover of Prince George, Duke of Kent, is found dead after an enemy bomb blast at her country home. When courtier Guy Harford is called to dispose of incriminating love letters between Anna and the Duke, it becomes clear that there’s more to the story than anyone is prepared to reveal. As the court begins to whisper of a lone gunshot heard in the house that day, another gruesome death befalls the royal circle. With the bodies stacking up, Guy rejoins his old accomplices, East End burglar Rodie Carr and undercover agent Rupert Hardacre, to unmask the dangerous secrets lurking beneath the glittering Crown. But with tensions rippling from London to Tangier as the Allied Forces prepare to invade North Africa, and Guy’s reputation in the Palace hanging in the balance, can he solve the mystery before more heads roll?

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Book SynopsisIntrigue and scandal threaten to rock the monarchy in wartime Britain… Windsor, 1943. Britain is in the grip of war and treachery is afoot. The body of controversial former courtier Lord Blackwater is found in the abandoned Fort Belvedere, once the country bolthole of the King’s wayward brother. And all signs point to murder. Royal confidant Guy Harford is called in to solve the mystery quickly and quietly, before any hint of scandal reaches the public. Investigating with the help of Rodie, his roguish burglar girlfriend, his enquiries lead him into the world of the Royal Ballet, where on-stage glamour hides an undercurrent of off-stage deceit. And when the ballet company’s newest recruit turns up dead, it’s clear there’s more to this murder than meets the eye. Meanwhile, news reaches the Palace that the King’s brother—already under strict orders to stay out of trouble—is threatening to undermine both Crown and country by taking US citizenship. Harford must do his royal duty. It’s up to him to catch the killer and save the monarchy from crisis in wartime. Before any more heads roll…

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Book SynopsisIn a Yorkshire Dales village everyone has a motive for murder—except the killer. A retired judge is shot dead outside the Dog and Gun inn in the remote Yorkshire village of Niddersgill. There’s a witness who saw everything, and the gunman’s on the run; the case should be open-and-shut for DCI Jim Oldroyd. But the murderer had no motive for wanting Sandy Fraser dead and, what’s more, no trace of him can be found. As Oldroyd and his team cast the net wider, they discover that Fraser wasn’t without enemies in Niddersgill. As the wealthy owner of a grouse moor, he’d clashed with farmers, debtors, hunt saboteurs and blackmailers. But none of them were at the scene of the murder. And when a local shopkeeper is gunned down in a second senseless attack, it’s clear that these killings are anything but random. Surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, Oldroyd faces a race against time to connect the crimes and find who’s behind them. But with all the evidence sending him down dead ends, can he get one step ahead before someone else is killed?

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Book Synopsis“Rhys Bowen crafts a propulsive, unexpected plot with characters who come vibrantly alive on the page.” —Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky Love and secrets collide in Venice during WWII in an enthralling novel of brief encounters and lasting romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child and Above the Bay of Angels. Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper…Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than sixty years. It’s 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it’s a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it’s poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they’re forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever. Key by key, Lettie’s life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It’s one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.Trade Review“A clever prologue referring to Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for Bowen’s…diverting romantic adventure in Venice, complete with intrigue, mystery, and, woe…This novel’s engaging entertainment is enhanced by its dual time line that uncovers Juliet’s secrets, and a plot enlivened by coincidences and romance. A must-read for Bowen fans and historical fiction enthusiasts.” —Library Journal (starred review) “Bowen’s vivid storytelling style holds readers enrapt…Bowen has written a tender, poignant story balancing dark and light.” —Historical Novel Society “The Venice Sketchbook is that rare book, both epic and personal, and utterly compelling. Two women, decades apart, escape to Venice, each forced to grapple with the influence of world events on her own life. This is a tale brimming with secrets, romance, and possibilities, cast against the colorful setting of irresistible Venice. I was utterly captured.” —Barbara O’Neal, bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids and The Lost Girls of Devon

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Book SynopsisAmerican Anglophile Dorothy Martin is celebrating her birthday in the historic city of Bath, but the discovery of a number of stolen artefacts throws her plans awry.Retired chief constable Alan Nesbit and his wife Dorothy Martin are in the beautiful historic city of Bath to celebrate Dorothy''s birthday, enjoying the city''s elegant surroundings, sightseeing, shopping - and champagne.But the celebrations are curtailed when they discover a curious assortment of loot in their car boot during a trip to Stonehenge - from precious artefacts to cheap jumble sale trinkets. The stolen items are linked to various historic sites in Bath, but how did they end up in the Martins'' car? As Dorothy and Alan seek to prove their innocence and catch a thief, they are soon swept into a conspiracy that runs much deeper and darker . . .

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Book SynopsisChristmas, cookies and a corpse: Tish Tarragon is drawn into a deadly puzzle when a young actress is murdered at the Hobson Glen Holiday Fair.Literary caterer Letitia ''Tish'' Tarragon has pulled out all the stops for her booth at the Hobson Glen Holiday Fair, theming her appetising offerings around the festive performances by the Williamsburg Theatre Group. But when Tish meets the cast, she is surprised by the hostility between members of the allegedly close-knit troupe, centred around their star actress, the beautiful, talented yet mysterious ingénue, Jenny Inkpen.Determined to spread some Christmas cheer, Tish volunteers to deliver breakfast to the eight actors, but is horrified to discover Jenny dead in her trailer the next morning. As Tish attempts to find out more about the group''s leading lady, she soon uncovers lies, jealousy and a series of shocking secrets. Can Tish expose a cold-blooded killer before the fair is over?

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Book SynopsisBernard Braden stars in an original 1940 full-cast production of the very first Paul Temple adventureBetween 1938 and 1968 the exploits of amateur detective Paul Temple and his wife, Steve, enthralled generations of BBC radio listeners. Theirs was an exciting world of violence and glamour - car bombs and cocktail parties. In Paul and Steve’s very first adventure, starring Bernard Braden as Paul with Peggy Hassard as Steve, a spate of jewel robberies in the Midlands has left the police baffled. They are the work of a shadowy criminal mastermind known only as The Knave of Diamonds. But who is the Knave? And can he be stopped?All but one episode of the original 1938 BBC production of Send for Paul Temple are lost from the archives. However, this complete recording of a 1940 production - made for Canadian radio and based on the original BBC radio scripts - was recently rediscovered in the national Library and Archives of Canada. Digitally restored, all six episodes are now available for the very first time. Two bonus features are also included: the sole surviving sixth episode of the original 1938 production, starring the original Paul Temple, Hugh Morton, and an unbroadcast interview with the longest-running Paul Temple actor, Peter Coke.

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Book Synopsis'A perilous predicament for the ever-resourceful Euphemia. Highly entertaining.' - Penny Kline, author of The Sister's Secret'Euphemia is charming and witty and completely adorable. Loved it.' - Colette McCormick, author of Ribbons in Her HairIt is early 1914, the world is on the brink of war and newly-weds Bertram and Euphemia Stapleford have just returned from their honeymoon. But Euphemia's duty lies with her King and country and she is ordered to accompany spymaster Fitzroy as his navigator in an unofficial car rally across Europe. Their task is to collect top-secret information at a dead drop en route from Hamburg to Monaco. Masquerading as Fitzroy's younger brother, Euphemia endures the most terrifying journey of her life. Before the race has even begun Fitzroy's life is put in danger and further violent attempts to sabotage their mission soon follow. When British double agent Otto begs them to help prevent the assassination of one of the Kaiser's relatives, they don't know who to trust. For it is impossible to tell who is actively hostile, as opposed to merely competitive, in a race in which so many lives are at stake...Trade ReviewA Sparkling and witty crime debut with a female protagonist to challenge Miss Marple -- Lin AndersonImpeccable historical detail with a light touch -- Lesley Cookman, The Libby Sarjeant SeriesEuphemia Martins is feisty, funny and completely adorable -- Colette McCormick, Ribbons in Her HairA rattlingly good dose of Edwardian country house intrigue with plenty of twist and turns and clues to puzzle through along with the heroine of the book, Euphemia Martins * Booklore.co.uk *

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Book Synopsis'Glamorous, compelling and completely addictive, this sparkling page-turner is a total joy to read' B.P. WalterYou know she has been murdered. Can you stop it happening twice?Two very different lives…It is 2019 and Lily Jones is living her dream in LA. Sort of. It hasn’t quite turned out as she planned and instead of working as a movie producer, she is cleaning at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel. At least she gets to work in the renowned Paul Williams suite, site of the brutal murder of Honey Black 70 years ago, shrouded in rumour and dark glamour.It is 1949 and Honey Black is about to hit the big time. She may have started out a country girl from Hicksville but now she is a star. And Hollywood had better watch out – nothing can stop her now!One Hollywood murder…After an accidental bump to the head, Lily finds herself in Hollywood, 1949. Like a dream come true, she is rubbing shoulders with the great and good of Tinseltown. Including Honey Black... Horrified, Lily realises that the actress has only two weeks left to live before she will be murdered.Could this be why she has found herself in 1949?To find the killer and stop them in their tracks?A glamorous, time-slip murder mystery set in the Golden Age of Hollywood – All About Eve meets Back to the Future. Don’t miss this unforgettable read from bestselling author Lisa Hall; fans of Stuart Turton and cosy crime will love this!'Gripping and completely unforgettable. I love Honey Black!' Lauren North'Brilliantly original, and entirely transportive, I was swept into the golden age of Hollywood, and I didn’t want to leave. What a start to a series.' Darren Sullivan'Pacy, deceptive and addictive - a cracker of a book' Rebecca Thorne'Clever and completely original...the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading this time-slip cosy crime mystery.' Diane Jeffrey'It's amazing! Packed with Golden Age movie glamour and smart time-slip thriller twists. It's one of my top reads for 2023. I loved it!' Steph Broadribb'Escapism at its finest…this captivating and glamorous story will keep you turning the pages from first to last. I loved it!' Manda Jennings'The intrepid Lily Jones is a heroine to die for and I loved the evocation of 1940 Hollywood. I can't wait for the next installment.' Sarah Ward'A flawlessly plotted, seriously addictive read brimming with intrigue, suspense, colourful characters and old-school Hollywood glamour...an absolute triumph... Just LOVED it!' A.A. Chaudhuri'From the moment I turned the first page, I was completely enthralled by the story's allure...a gripping and unforgettable read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Clever and so original, it’s brilliantly plotted, with incredible characters. Highly recommend.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'This book was so captivating it drew me in from the very first page. I read well into the night...it’s definitely a page turner!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'The plotting is flawless and the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading. This is one book you most certainly can judge by its amazing cover!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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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 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 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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