Crime and mystery: cosy mystery

Book SynopsisLexy Campbell''s ex-husband begs for her help finding his current wife, whose disappearance mirrors that of a number of statues around California - menacing ransom note and all.A community is devastated when the bronze statue of local legend Mama Cuento is stolen on Valentine''s Day. When Lexy Campbell arrives on the scene, a big bronze toe is found along with a ransom note - Listen to our demands or you will never see her again. There are nine more where this came from.Then, Lexy''s ex-husband Bran turns up begging for help to find his wife, Brandee, who has disappeared. Lexy agrees to pitch in, but when she shows up at Bran''s house he has just discovered one of Brandee''s false nails and another ransom note with the same grisly message.Are the two cases linked or is a copycat on the loose? Who would want to kidnap a bronze statue or, come to that, Brandee? And can Lexy put aside her hatred for Bran long enough to find out?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe brutal murder of a beautiful vineyard expert and a devastating storm force Virginia winemaker Lucie Montgomery to confront painful changes on the eve of her wedding. In just over a week vineyard owner Lucie Montgomery and winemaker Quinn Santori will be married in a ceremony overlooking what should be acres of lush flowering grapevines. Instead they are confronted by an ugly swathe of slowly dying vines and a nursery owner who denies responsibility for selling the diseased plants. With neighboring vineyards facing the same problem, accusations fly and the ugly stand-off between supplier and growers looks set to escalate into open warfare.When Eve Kerr, a stunning blonde who works at the nursery, is found dead a few days later, everyone wonders if someone in the winemaking community went too far. What especially troubles Lucie is why Eve secretly arranged to meet Quinn on the day she was murdered - and whether Lucie''s soon-to-be husband knows somet

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite' Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesJodie Nosey' Parker is back!When popular TV baking contest and national institution The Best of British Baking Roadshow' rolls into town and sets up camp in the grounds of Boskern House, a historic stately home near Penstowan, former police officer Jodie Nosey' Parker finds herself competing to represent Cornwall in the grand final.But with a fellow contestant who will stop at nothing to win and a drag queen host with secrets of their own, Jodie discovers that the roadshow doesn't just have the ingredients for the perfect showstopper cake, but also for the perfect murderAnd when a body is found in the grounds of the house, Jodie is drawn into another high-stakes case along with local DCI Nathan Withers.Can Jodie expose the culprit? Or will the murderer become the real showstopper?What readers are saying:Come for the sleuthing, stay for the fun! Can

Read more less

Book SynopsisChristmas Eve. While the world sleeps, snow falls gently from the sky, presents lie under the tree ... and murder is afoot. In this collection of ten classic murder mysteries by the best crime writers from the 1920s to today, death and mayhem take many festive forms, from the inventive to the unexpected. From a Santa Claus with a grudge to a cat who knows who killed its owner on Christmas Eve, these are stories to enjoy - and be mystified by - in front of a roaring fire, mince pie in hand.Trade ReviewEach of [the] top-notch writers ... brings a distinctive and imaginative edge to Christmas crime ... a satisfying respite from the forthcoming festivities. -- Barry Turner * Daily Mail *An excellent collection of short stories by ten top-class writers. -- Marcel Berlins * Times Books of the Year *Offers excellent value as the roll call of authors included is really very impressive indeed. * ShotsMag *Looking forward to Christmas? This anthology is a fine way to start it. It's a cracker. -- Amy MyersPraise for Murder under the Christmas Tree: 'This killer selection is the icing on the (Christmas) cake ... this is all your Christmases come at once for fans of the genre. * The Lady *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt's Christmas at Westbury Manor and amateur detective Hugh Gaveston must unravel a fiendish mystery...Christmas Eve, 1938. The Westbury family and assorted friends have gathered for another legendary celebration at their beautiful country house. The champagne flows, the silverware sparkles and upstairs the rooms are ready for their occupants.But one bed will lie empty that night. On Christmas morning, David Campbell-Scott is found dead in the snow. There's a pistol beside him and only one set of footprints.Yet something doesn't seem right to amateur sleuth Hugh Gaveston. Campbell-Scott had just returned from overseas with untold wealth - why would he kill himself? Hugh sets out to investigate...'If you're a fan of historical mysteries, then Murder Most Festive should be at the top of your to-read list' Cultured VulturesWonderfully atmospheric, with charming wit and brilliant plotting, Murder Most Festive is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M.C. Beaton and James Runcie's Grantchester series.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFirst published in 1946 and set in the fell country of Lunesdale over the course of a rainy September, The Theft of the Iron Dogs is the very picture of a cosy crime mystery and showcases Lorac's masterful attention to detail and deep affection for both Lunesdale and its residents.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHollywood stars, sunshine, stabbings . . . New Jersey prosecutor turned LA family lawyer Sandy Moss is back with a bang in the second book in this fun, witty and fast-paced cosy legal mystery series.The last person family lawyer Sandy Moss expects to walk into her courtroom, right in the middle of a trial, is TV star Patrick McNabb: prime suspect in her first (and she hopes, last) murder case.Sandy knows what Patrick''s like. Friendly, overconfident, dazzlingly handsome . . . and a well-meaning menace. But his request seems harmless enough. His dear friend Cynthia is getting divorced, and he thinks Sandy''s perfect for the job. She accepts - because he''s Patrick and there is no denying him.But of course it''s not that simple. Soon Sandy''s tangled up in yet another murder - and Patrick, who''s currently playing a private detective on TV, believes he''s essential to solving the whole thing . . .Fast-paced, funny and larger than life, with a joy of a protagonist who could give Perry Mason a run for his money (Kirkus Reviews), JUDGMENT AT SANTA MONICA is a perfect escapist read and a great choice for fans of legal mysteries and TV shows.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOlivie Blake is the internationally bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Alone with You in the Ether, One For My Enemy, and Masters of Death. Writing as Alexene Farol Follmuth, she's released My Mechanical Romance her debut YA rom-com. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, goblin prince/toddler and rescue pit bull.Trade ReviewIf you enjoyed Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens, you will adore this book * Starburst Magazine *With a high-stakes game risking eternal oblivion, dialogue that crackles like an old-school Hollywood comedy, and a mystery to solve, Blake dazzles yet again. A winner * Daily Mail *A meditation on romance and mortality, with the most satisfying ending imaginable * SFX *As much a delicious contest of wit, will, and passion as it is of magic, this book is half mystery, half puzzle, and wholly a delight -- Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince, on The Atlas SixLethally smart. Filled with a cast of brilliantly realized characters, each entangled with one another in torturously delicious ways, The Atlas Six will grip you by the throat and refuse to let go. Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent -- Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights, on The Atlas SixThe Atlas Six will thrill those who love twisted plots, twisted relationships, and morally grey characters ready to kill for knowledge and power. Dark, ambitious, and engaging -- H. G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter, on The Atlas Six

Read more less

Book SynopsisNewly married Emily Richards walks into a family drama that recalls Forster''s classic work while honeymooning at an English country house, in the gripping fifth Crime with the Classics cozy. Retired professor Emily Richards and her husband, Luke, are taking a much-needed break from Windy Corner and spending their honeymoon five thousand miles away as paying guests at Fitzhugh Manor in Oxfordshire. Quaint nearby villages and the manor''s impressive turrets and arches capture Emily''s Anglophile heart, but when she meets its dashing young heir, James Fitzhugh, and his American wife, Allison, James''s cousin Penelope, his dithering uncle Roger and the manor''s formidable dowager, Lady Margaret Fitzhugh, it''s clear that class prejudice, resentment and secrets threaten to tear the family apart. Is there more to a fatal accident than meets the eye? Emily soon finds herself in the middle of a family drama redolent of Forster''s classic novels, but can she pull off her own masterstroke to catch a killer?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Shape of Water is the first in Andrea Camilleri's wry, brilliantly compelling Sicilian crime series, featuring Inspector Montalbano. When the body of respected and prominent engineer Silvio Luparello is discovered in the Pasture, a rubbish-strewn site brimming with drug dealers and prostitutes, the coroner’s verdict is death from natural causes – refreshingly unusual for Sicily.But Inspector Salvo Montalbano of the Vigàta police force, as honest as he is streetwise and as scathing to fools and villains as he is compassionate to their victims, is not ready to close the case, despite pressure from Vigàta’s police chief, judge, and bishop. Picking his way through a labyrinth of high-comedy corruption, carefully planted false clues, trigger-happy Mafia members, and delicious Sicilian fare, Montalbano can be relied on, whatever the cost, to get to the heart of the matter.The Shape of Water is followed by the second in this phenomenal series, The Terracotta Dog.Trade ReviewAmong the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *Montalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020Mumbai, murder and a baby elephant combine in a charming, joyful mystery for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Rachel Joyce. On the day he retires, Inspector Ashwin Chopra discovers that he has inherited an elephant: an unlikely gift that could not be more inconvenient. For Chopra has one last case to solve...But as his murder investigation leads him across Mumbai - from its richest mansions to its murky underworld - he quickly discovers that a baby elephant may be exactly what an honest man needs.So begins the start of a quite unexpected partnership, and an utterly delightful series from the award-winning author of the Malabar House novels.Trade ReviewKeeps things heart-warming while tackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing and gripping, it sets up Inspector Chopra - and the elephant - for a long series. * Sunday Times *Enchanting * Woman & Home *Chopra, diligent, incorruptible and not entirely at ease with shiny new India, is a delight, as is his redoubtable wife, Poppy - and Ganesha the elephant, once he has cheered up a bit, proves a very useful ally indeed. Utterly charming * Guardian *Delightful and uplifting * The Bookseller *A cast of intriguing characters that it will be a joy to see develop. But the greatest strength is the setting in the teeming city of Mumbai, from which the colour and atmosphere flows out of every page in this enjoyable, whimsical tale * Daily Express *A sparkling debut with a zippy plot and an endearing set of characters * The Lady *A quirky murder mystery... full of colourful characters and insightful details about human motivation * Irish Examiner *A debut Mumbai-based "cosy" - complete with baby elephant - that keeps things heartwarming whiletackling corruption at the highest levels and violent crime at the lowest. Endearing, exotic and gripping, it setsup Inspector Chopra's detective agency - and the elephant - for a successful series. * The Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmerican Anglophile Dorothy Martin uncovers strange goings-on when she attends the christening of an English aristocrat.Dorothy Martin and her husband Alan have been invited to rural Suffolk to take part in the christening of the newest member of the aristocratic Montcalm family. But on arriving at Dunham Manor, they discover the household in turmoil as the ceremonial dagger used in Montcalm family christenings for generations past, has gone missing. Dorothy and Alan offer their help in locating the ancient heirloom, but when a stranger is murdered in the village - stabbed in the back with an ornate dagger - Sir Edwin Montcalm finds himself the prime suspect in a very puzzling murder.It will take all Dorothy and Alan''s well-honed investigative skills to untangle a web of long-buried secrets, historic conflicts and murderous inclinations which threaten to destroy the traditions and the very existence of the Montcalms'' way of life for ever.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRichard Osman meets MasterChef. In this cookery school, murder is on the menu...'Delicious fun!' Tess Gerritsen'Knife Skills for Beginners is a joy.' S. J. Bennett‘A deliciously dark slice of murder and mystery.’ Chris Whitaker'If Ruth Rendell had teamed up with Delia Smith they’d have produced something like this.’ J. M. Hall‘Dazzlingly sharp with a wit that sparkles off the page.' Jane CorryA recipe for disaster.When chef Paul Delamare takes a job teaching at an exclusive residential cookery school in Belgravia, the only thing he expects his students to murder is his taste buds. But on the first night, the unthinkable happens: someone turns up dead...The school rests on a knife-edge.The police are convinced Paul is the culprit. After all, he’s good with a blade, was first on the scene – and everyone knows it doesn’t take much to push a chef over the edge. To prove his innocence, he must find the killer. Could it be one of his students? Or the owner of the school – a woman with secrets and a murky past?It all boils down to murder.If Paul can’t solve the mystery fast – as well as teach his students how to make a perfect hollandaise sauce – he’ll be next to get the chop.Trade ReviewDelicious fun! Knife Skills for Beginners is both intriguing and mouth-watering, starring a charming hero you’ll want as your best friend. * Tess Gerritsen *A deliciously dark slice of murder and mystery. Funny and fun, frightening and charming. * Chris Whitaker *Knife Skills for Beginners is a joy, packed full of fabulous culinary tips and recipes you'll want to make, alongside a decent dollop of murder and mystery. * S. J. Bennett *Orlando Murrin’s personality is sprinkled throughout the pages of his debut, Knife Skills for Beginners. It’s warm, it’s humorous, it’s different from anything I’ve read before. If you’re into cosy crime, this one is irresistible. * Mari Hannah *A lethally delicious soufflé of a crime novel - light and witty at first taste, but with rich, dark undertones. I loved the combination of crime and cookery - and how Orlando uses the one to enrich the other (and vice versa). I can see this developing into a wonderful series with memorable recurring characters. * Andrew Taylor *I absolutely loved Knife Skills for Beginners and read it in two days flat. I found Orlando’s style forensic and precise, yet at the same time deeply perceptive... the characters were an expertly crafted blend of the sweet and dark, like the perfect salted flapjack. If Ruth Rendell had teamed up with Delia Smith they’d have produced something like this. * J. M. Hall *Enjoyably readable, great characters, and cooking recipes as well. Who could ask for more? * Faith Martin, million-copy bestselling author *Dazzlingly sharp with a wit that sparkles off the page. Orlando Murrin’s Knife Skills for Beginners is a dish to be savoured and re-ordered again and again. * Jane Corry *A clever, elegant and unexpectedly scary story. And foodies will love it - the recipes are great. * Simon Russell Beale, BAFTA-winning actor *Fresh, engrossing and deliciously irreverent, Orlando Murrin's debut blends murder, intrigue, larger-than-life characters and mouth-watering recipes in a literary feast for the senses. Fun and utterly DELICIOUS! * Tammy Cohen *

Read more less

Book SynopsisRichard Ainsworth is preparing for the Christmas of his dreams: quiet, no guests at his French B&B and his favourite films on the TV. None of which seems on the cards when his rural peace is shattered by the unexpected arrival of a familiar face. Valérie d’Orçay has hotfooted it from Paris with her chihuahua in tow and an invitation to a Christmas themed murder mystery game. Richard begrudgingly dresses up as Father Christmas, but the costume becomes the least of his worries when he realises this isn't a game to everyone. As other guests arrive to join the hunt, can Richard work out who is the victim - and who is murderer?Trade Review'Like going on a joyous romp through the Loire valley with Agatha Christie, P. G. Woodhouse and M. C. Beaton. A delight' C. K. MCDonnell'Funny, pacey and very entertaining' Robin Ince'Such a brilliant read, smart, funny and his sharp writing captures the nuances of “Anglo-French” relations beautifully' Zoe Lyons'This book is a fun and funny read and I’m very much looking forward to the next one' Ian Stone'Ian Moore is a brilliant, funny writer who perfectly captures the foibles of rural France but judging by this book I will never be visiting his bed and breakfast’ Josh Widdicombe'Ian is one of my favourite writers; this is hilarious and a great mystery too' Janey Godley'Beautifully done. Very funny indeed. I can’t imagine how one plots something like that. Tremendous work' Miles Jupp'Good food and a laugh-out-loud mystery. What more could anyone want in these dark times' Mark Billingham'This is like two great books in one, a tricksy whodunnit, and a really, really funny story' Jason Manford'I'm so punchdrunk from the sheer entertainment of it I've got a sore jaw. Encore!' Matt Forde'A joyous read!' Alan Carr'A very funny page-turner. Fantastique!' Adam Kay

Read more less

Book SynopsisA BRAND NEW COSY MYSTERY SERIES SET IN THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF YORK. FOR FANS OF FAITH MARTIN, BETTY ROWLANDS AND LJ ROSS.Meet Kitt Hartley: librarian, trilby-wearer, Lady Grey tea-drinker, taker of no nonsense... detective?It's a perfectly normal day for Kitt Hartley at her job at the University of the Vale of York library, until Detective Inspector Halloran arrives at her desk to tell her that her best friend, Evie Bowes, is under suspicion of murder. Evie's ex-boyfriend Owen has been found dead - with a fountain pen stabbed through his heart - and all the evidence points to her.Kitt knows there is no way Evie could murder anyone - let alone Owen, who she adored. Horrified that the police could have got it so wrong, Kitt decides there's only one thing to do: she's going to investigate Owen's murder herself. She's read hundreds of mystery novels - how hard can it be?With the help of her assistant Grace, and the occasional hindrance of the library's eccentric regulars, Kitt summons up all her investigative powers (absorbed over years of reading everything from Agatha Christie to Ian Rankin) and gets to work. She soon discovers that down the quaint streets and snickelways of York lie darker doings than she'd ever dreamed, but she needs to watch her step: the murderer is watching her. And they haven't finished killing yet...Trade ReviewBrilliantly funny and charming * Northern Life *A great read with smart characters and a clever plot * Candis *With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series set in York is one to get your teeth into * Candis *Cosy and amusing * Irish Independent *This cosy thriller, set in the historic city of York has a unique atmospheric charm * Woman Magazine *A good, well-written holiday read * York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDevastating, deceptive and darkly funny' SARAH WINMANIt had me holding my breath!' MARIAN KEYES'I loved this novel. It was perfection. Highly recommend' CECELIA AHERNA stupendous novel complicated, dark, funny and very human' FERN BRITTONMEET LINDA.Linda lives a nice, normal life, on a nice, normal street with Terry, her perfectly ordinary husband.Linda's not like everyone else, she keeps herself to herself. But she's good at solving puzzles and there are times she sees things other people might have overlooked.Because nothing on Cavendish Avenue is quite as it seems. People have started to go missing in the neighbourhood and Linda will soon discover that some secrets can't stay buried forever-Genuinely haunting' THE TIMES, Thrillers of the YearA curtain-twitching, darkly funny tale with a gloriously sinister twist' OBSERVERJoanna Cannon creates a world that is so real, so parochial and stifling Then adds in a killer. Glorious' JANE FALLONNot just a twist-laden mystery, but a keenly obTrade Review‘Compellingly creepy, with precisely observed characterisation… combines pathos with lovely flashes of humour and a wholly unexpected ending’ Guardian ‘Devastating, deceptive and darkly funny. Classic Cannon’ Sarah Winman ‘Original, macabre… intriguing, it had me holding my breath!’ Marian Keyes ‘Cannon’s shrewd characterisation, sparky observations and subtly menacing plot makes this a darkly funny and delightfully sinister read’ Mail On Sunday ‘Meticulously plotted and darkly comic… a masterclass in misdirection [that] offers a deliciously satisfying denouement’ Observer ‘Genuinely haunting’ The Times ‘Written with warmth and wit… not just a twist-laden mystery, but a keenly observed slice of life. Her best yet’ Clare Mackintosh ‘A stupendous novel… complicated, dark, funny and very human’ Fern Britton ‘A dark, creepy domestic noir’ Sun ‘Entertaining and dark’ Stylist ‘A genuinely funny, and moving, novel about a serial killer… Cannon’s version of suburbia is wonderfully creepy and claustrophobic… Linda is still tugging at my heart strings a little, days after finishing’ Observer ‘I literally put the light on in the middle of the night in order to carry on reading it. Compelling, sinister, brilliantly written, it is a complete triumph’ Katie Fforde ‘Cleverly structured, building up to shocking and ingenious revelations’ Sunday Express ‘Joanna Cannon creates a world that is so real, so parochial & stifling you can feel it. Then adds in a killer. Glorious’ Jane Fallon ‘A compellingly crafted, darkly funny and compulsive read, full of twists… a joy and a triumph’ Rachel Joyce ‘Jo’s writing is as delicate and precise as tapestry and Linda is a character you’ll never forget’ Jill Mansell ‘Dark and moreish’ i paper ‘One heck of a read’ Love Reading

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sleeper book of the year so much fun to read that you forget to even try and solve the case. And good luck solving it anyway, with twists within twists within twists' ?????Donna Nightshade's first rule of composting: shred. Things rot quicker that way cabbages, flowers, dead bodiesWhen Donna branches out from floristry to private investigation and opens The Edge of the World Detective Agency, the last thing she expects is to have a murder fall into her lap almost immediately. Now, normally she wouldn't be one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but there's one significant problem with the case all the evidence points to Donna as the murderer!Donna may have hated the man, but she's not the only one who had the means and motive, so she dons her deerstalker. Staying two steps ahead of the police specifically her ex, Detective Sergeant Joe Enys won't be easy, but with pirate blood in her veins nothing can stop deadly' Donna from claiming her bounty and making the real culprit walk tTrade Review‘Reflects (exaggerates) the eccentricities of the British people, in particular the Cornish… the author brought wicked sarcasm and snark into her characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Billed as Agatha Christie meets Beatrix Potter . . . Sometimes you just need an entertaining, escapist read to while away the hours, and Juneau Black (the pen name of authors Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel) certainly 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 FlyA MURDER TO SOLVE. A REPORTER ON THE CASE. CAN YOU SPOT THE SECRETS IN SHADY HOLLOW?In the woodland community of Shady Hollow, you'll discover a secret. Moose and mice, owls and bears live side by side in civilized harmony. Shady Hollow has a coffee shop and a bookshop, a haberdasher and a bank. All is well . . . until the town's querulous toad shows up dead. It's something this village haven't seen before: a murder.Vera Vixen is new in town. She has a nose for news and catches the scent of a story, one that leads her to dark places. As she stirs up the still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and the folks in Shady Hollow learn that some of their neighbours are lying, while others are downright dangerous. It will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to come out alive.Entertaining and perceptive, Shady Hollow 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 Shady Hollow, you won't easily forget them.'It sounds daft - it is daft - but it's also lots of fun' The People's Friend MagazineTrade ReviewIt sounds daft - it is daft - but it's also lots of fun * The People’s Friend Magazine *Billed as Agatha Christie meets Beatrix Potter . . . Sometimes you just need an entertaining, escapist read to while away the hours, and Juneau Black (the pen name of authors Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel) certainly 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 *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'BEGUILING, EVOCATIVE, WONDERFUL ... THE ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH OF FRANCE' Francis WheenIn the second mystery of this mouthwatering and bestselling series, Bruno, Chief of Police of a small rural French town, must balance local tradition and modern progress while bringing a killer to justice.Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Périgord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.Trade ReviewSure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm * Wall Street Journal *The delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing * New York Times Book Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH AUTHOR: ''Britain''s Patricia Highsmith'' (Sunday Times)Discover the original psychological thriller as a sleep-deprived young mother struggles to stay sane.''A lost masterpiece.'' Peter Swanson''Brilliant ... Such clever, witty writing.'' Elly Griffiths''Fremlin packs a punch.'' Ian Rankin''Splendid ... Got me hooked.'' Ruth Rendell''A slow-burning chill of a read by a master of suspense.'' Janice Hallett''The grandmother of psycho-domestic noir; Britain''s Patricia Highsmith.'' Sunday TimesLouise would give anything - anything - for a good night's sleep. Forget the girls running errant in the garden and bothering the neighbours. Forget her husband who seems oblivious to it all. If the baby would just stop crying, everything would be fine.Or would it? What if Louise's growing fears about the family's new lodger, who seems

Read more less

Book SynopsisDecember 1938, and storm clouds hover once again over Europe. Josephine Tey and Archie Penrose gather with friends for a Cornish Christmas, but two strange and brutal deaths on St Michael's Mount - and the unexpected arrival of a world famous film star, in need of sanctuary - interrupt the festivities. Cut off by the sea and a relentless blizzard, the hunt for a murderer begins.Pivoting on a real moment in history, the ninth novel in the 'Josephine Tey' series draws on all the much-loved conventions of the Golden Age Christmas mystery, whilst giving them a thrilling contemporary twist.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA dysfunctional family reunites for the Christmas holiday from hell in this rediscovered festive classic with fangs for fans of Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Taylor and Stella Gibbons.Literary comfort and joy. Meg Mason, author of Sorrow and Bliss The fire is on, sherry poured, presents wrapped, and claws are being sharpened. In a seaside cottage perched on a cliff, one family reunites for Christmas. While snow falls, a tyrannical widowed matriarch presides over her unruly brood. Her niece tends to her whims, but fantasizes about eloping; and as more guests arrive, each bringing their secret truths and dreams, the Christmas tree explodes, a brawl erupts, an escape occurs - and their midwinter madness climaxes...

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the seventh novel in Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective series, Date with Betrayal, betrayal is rife in the idyllic Yorkshire Dales as Samson O’Brien, owner of the Dales Detective Agency, is targeted by a hitman. Can Bruncliffe save him? A brilliantly engaging and witty mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club and M. C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series.Death is coming to Bruncliffe: its target is Samson O’Brien.Oblivious to his impending date with fate, Samson is busy juggling a number of cases at the Dales Detective Agency. Too busy, in fact, to notice his partner behaving oddly.Because Delilah Metcalfe knows what is coming. A hitman. Sent from London with one objective: to finally silence the troublesome O’Brien before his corruption case can make it to court.With Samson’s life in peril, and betrayal around every corner, Delilah has no choice but to call in favours from all of her Bruncliffe connections in order to counteract the menace threatening to engulf the Dales town.The only trouble is the townsfolk have long memories and deep grievances when it comes to Samson O’Brien. Trust must be earned and they will take some convincing before they put themselves in danger in order to save him.And even then, it might not prove enough . . .Full of charm, wit and characters that will capture your heart, the series begins with Date With Death. Have you read them all?Praise for The Dales Detective series:'Enlivened with numerous subplots, the story moves at a cracking pace' – Daily Mail'Bags of Yorkshire charm and wit' – Northern Echo'A classic whodunnit' – Cath Staincliffe, author of Blue Murder'Full of dry wit and clever plotting' – Countryside'Chapman delivers on every level' – Lancashire Evening Post‘As village murder mysteries go, this clever, witty and realistic series is quite out of the ordinary and strongly recommended’ – Crime ReviewTrade ReviewGreat fun! -- Carol DrinkwaterA classic whodunit set in the spectacular landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, written with affection for the area and its people -- Cath Staincliffe, author of the Scott & Bailey seriesBags of Yorkshire charm and wit * Northern Echo *Enlivened by numerous subplots . . . the story moves at a cracking pace . . . But Chapman's track record suggests that the next instalment will be well worth the wait. * Daily Mail *A thrilling adventure * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTravel writer Jill Curtis is drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, resentment and romance gone wrong when she stumbles into a bourbon war between two Kentucky families in this first in an intoxicating new cozy mystery series.Travel writer Jill Curtis loves her job, but she desperately needs a break if she''s to achieve her dream of becoming an investigative reporter. Sent to Kentucky by her boss to find out why thousands of tourists flock to Bourbon Country every year, Jill''s dream seems to be slipping further away. After all, nothing interesting ever happens in small town America . . . does it?Staying at an estranged relative''s B&B, Jill''s plan to uncover what makes the state''s bourbon tours so popular goes awry when she trips over a body at one of the distilleries and quickly becomes a suspect in a brutal murder. Can she navigate high-stakes bourbon rivalries, centuries-old family feuds and ill-fated romance to catch a killer and finally land the promotion she craves?

Read more less

Book SynopsisBOOK ONE IN THE SHIRES MYSTERIES - A TWISTY NEW WHODUNNIT. When Sam Dee moves to the beautiful Wiltshire village of Bishops Well, he expects a quiet life of country walks and pub lunches. OK, so his new neighbour, Maggie Kaye, is a little peculiar, but she's very nice - and his old pal Richard Ruta lives just down the road.But when Richard throws one of his famous parties, things take a sinister turn. Sam, Maggie and the rest of the guests are dumbfounded when Richard falls down dead. A horrible tragedy - or a cunningly planned murder? With a village full of suspects - and plenty of dark secrets - just who exactly would want to bump off their host? Is there a connection to another mysterious death, nearly twenty years before? Armed with her local knowledge, Maggie - with Sam's reluctant but indispensable help - is soon on the case. But when the body count starts to rise, will sleepy Bishops Well ever be the same again?A GRIPPING NEW COSY CRIME MYSTERY, FOR FANS OF BETTY ROWLANDS, FAITH MARTIN AND JOY ELLIS.What readers are saying about Anna Legat:'Brilliant. I didn't want to put it down!''It's a rare author who can keep me guessing until the end - and the ending was a shocker''Plenty of twists and turns''A brilliantly complex spaghetti of unrelated sub-plots to challenge any armchair sleuth''I thoroughly enjoyed this book, reading it cover to cover in a weekend''I shall look out for more from Ms Legat'

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A glorious debut' - SUNDAY EXPRESS 'Recommended reading for a long winter night' - GUARDIAN 'A love letter to the classic country house murder mystery' J.M. HALL A snowstorm. A country house. Old friends reunited. It's going to be murder... Torben Helle - art historian, Danish expat and owner of several excellent Scandinavian jumpers - has been dragged to a remote snowbound Northumbrian mansion for a ten-year reunion with old university friends. Things start to go sideways when their host, a reclusive and irritating tech entrepreneur, makes some shocking revelations at the dinner table. And when these are followed by an apparent suicide, the group faces a test of their wits... and their trust. Snowed in and cut off, surrounded by enigmatic housekeepers and off-duty police inspectors, not to mention a peculiar last will and testament, suspicion and sarcasm quickly turn to panic. As the temperature drops and the tension mounts, Torben decides to draw upon all the tricks of Golden Age detectives past in order to solve the mystery: how much money would it take to turn one of his old friends into a murderer? But he'd better be quick, or someone else might end up dead... This witty murder mystery puts a modern spin on the classic country house whodunnit. A must-read for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman and Janice Hallett. 'A solid gold revival of the golden age whodunnit, with a delicious Danish twist' JANICE HALLETT 'Wonderfully descriptive and loaded with atmosphere' IAN MOORETrade ReviewAn ingenious plot, witty asides and lively characterisations... If Carlsberg did whodunnits they would probably be something like this * Saga *A witty repurposing of the Golden Age country house whodunnit for the modern age * Financial Times *Nicely done, with some entertaining asides about the nature of detective fiction: recommended reading for a long winter night * Guardian *Combines classic country house murder mystery with an ensemble comedy caper in a glorious debut * Sunday Express *An entertaining whodunnit in the classic Christie style * Mail on Sunday *Jensen has taken themes from dozens of golden age novels and made something new - and funny - out of them... Self-conscious in the best way, with an array of literary references, this is an excellent cosy crime novel * Literary Review *A spine-chilling, Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit * iPaper *A locked-room mystery that gleefully winks to its form... Full of sharp turns, the plot is equally engaging, reminiscent of the Knives Out films, and drawing from the many mysteries it name-checks. This craftily entertaining novel's surprising conclusion fits comfortably in that lineage * Irish Times *A heart-warming blend of a classic whodunnit with a modern spin * Belfast Telegraph *A glorious feat that intrigues, surprises and delights from page one. This gem is a solid gold revival of the golden age whodunnit, with a delicious Danish twist -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA love letter to the classic Country House murder mystery... if Agatha Christie had written The Big Chill it would have been very much like this -- J.M. Hall, author of A SPOONFUL OF MURDERA brilliant update on the traditional country house murder. Oskar Jensen has a wonderfully descriptive style, pin-point accurate and loaded with atmosphere. If this is the start of Scandi-Cosy, I'm all for it -- Ian Moore, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTSOskar Jensen is a sparkling new voice in crime fiction. Loved it -- S.J. Bennett, author of THE WINDSOR KNOTA wonderful mix of golden age tributes, scandi not-so-noir, puzzling mystery, and a study of the sort of friendships that linger across the years, often against the odds... A belter of a book, and I'm already anxiously awaiting the sequel -- Katy Watson, author of THE THREE DAHLIASA glittering jewel in the crown of modern country house mysteries. We must have more of Torben Helle! Truly excellent -- Marion Todd, author of OLD BONES LIE

Read more less

Book SynopsisNot everything that goes bump in the night brings gifts ... As the nights draw in, the veil between worlds thins, and all sorts of ghosts and ghouls come tumbling in. In the shadows, under the bed, in wind-whipped snowy landscapes and in rooms lit by guttering candles, the dead of winter are waiting for us ... and their hearts are cold as ice. From the mysterious occupant of an ancient tomb to the Christmas visitor who is troubled by violent dreams, these are ten ghost stories from the masters of the genre that will chill your blood and haunt your dreams through the darkest months of the year. With stories from Lennox Robinson, M. Burrage, Ruth Rendell, E.F. Benson, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. Russell Wakefield, M.R. James, Margaret Irwin, Algernon Blackwood and W.W. JacobsTrade ReviewWith Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground * Daily Mail *Looking forward to Christmas? [The Vintage Murder series] is a fine way to start it. It's a cracker -- Amy MyersPraise for Vintage Murder series -- :Has everything you might want ... take this little book to the beach [and] relax in the sun while reading of battered corpses -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *An excellent collection of short stories by ten top-class writers -- Marcel Berlins * The Times Books of the Year *Perfect for a quick fix of golden-age crime ... this collection of short winter chills is well worth reading by candlelight before turning in on Christmas Eve -- Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code * The Sunday Times *Short, clever and puzzling murder tales test the brains of the most avid crime reader ... delectable * On Magazine *An impressive tome by some great names ... there isn't actually a bum note in the entire collection, not a single one you could skip through and not miss it - which is quite some feat. To paraphrase Nick Cook's famous Crimewatch sign off, just don't have nightmares after reading it. -- Sarah Morgan * On Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGERA legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONThe best mysteries only get better with time and this is one of them!' 5* reader reviewPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________There's something wrong about this place. Haven't you noticed?Dalgliesh is recovering from a life-threatening illness when his elderly friend Father Baddeley reaches out for advice. By the time he can respond, Father Baddeley is dead. And his is not the first recent death at the Dorset home for the disabled where he worked.Dalgliesh feels he must try to understand these deaths, even without offic

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘A light-hearted twisty thriller… Reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, with a great cast of characters. A real page-turner!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ New Year’s Eve, 1962 Trade ReviewPraise for Faith Martin: ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post ‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoffee and romance - the perfect way to warm a freezing winter at Uncommon Grounds! Until Maggy Thorsen''s new barista''s beau turns up on the doorstep, bringing a deadly chill with him...Maggy Thorsen and her business partner Sarah Kingston have taken on a new barista at their Wisconsin coffee house, Uncommon Grounds, to fill Amy Caprese''s boots while she takes a much-needed vacation. Unfortunately Christy Wrigley''s barista skills are as underwhelming as her love life, but is her luck about to change with her new beau? Christy gushes about her long distance, online relationship with Barry Margraves from Denver, leading Maggy to urge caution. When the new love of her life turns up unexpectedly on the coffee shop''s doorstep on a snowy winter morning, Christy is shocked - but what follows next is even more staggering, and Maggy is soon drawn into a deadly blend of betrayal, deception and lies.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA harmless game of Murder in the Dark? Or an invitation to die for? The brand new, festive murder mystery for 2023 from 'modern rival to Agatha Christie' Ada MoncrieffIt's Christmas 1936 and an eclectic list of guests and staff have gathered for the grand reopening of Maybridge castle, a newly renovated yet still crumbling hotel deep in the Cumbrian countryside.Amongst them are a doctor and his new wife, tarot readers, a journalist, an elderly amateur sleuth and her cat. By the time the first sherries have been drunk a person will be dead. An innocent game of murder-in-the-dark turns into a real game of life and death. Someone has changed the rules...but who?____________________________________Readers love Ada Moncrieff:'An absolute delight of a book''Compelling and engaging Christmas historical crime''Her prose remind me of the brilliant PG Wodehouse''A cosy mystery with the added charm of a Christmas setting. What more could a reader want''Beautifully written, funny and gripping. Can't wait to see what Moncrieff comes up with next.''The ending reminded me of Poirot getting all his suspects together in one room and finally revealing themurderer. Loved it !''I absolutely loved this! A fantastic, fun Christmas read full of mystery and intrigue. The writing is fantastically welldone. Highly recommend!'

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn all-new collection of spring-themed mysteries from the master of the genre.Trade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘Agatha Christie is the gateway drug to crime fiction both for readers and for writers’ – Val McDermid ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite' Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesA PINCH OF PARANOIAIt's three days before Christmas, and detective-turned-chef Jodie Nosey' Parker is drafted in to cater a charity event run by a notorious millionaire at a 13th-century abbey on Bodmin Moor.A DASH OF DECEPTIONThings get more complicated when a snowstorm descends, stranding them all, and the next morning they find one of the guests has been gruesomely murdered in their bedA MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOESecrets mull in every corner can Jodie solve the crime before the killer strikes again?A Cornish Christmas Murder is a must-read mystery full of heart and humour perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The Appeal.This title was previously published in the US as A Murder Under the Mistletoe.What readers are sayingShe did it again! And this time with tinsel, Santa and mince pies I have learned to not read Jodie Parker books on an empty st

Read more less

Book SynopsisCloaked strangers and danger abound...Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker are coming to the end of another busy half term as dinner ladies at Summerview Secondary school. The school is abuzz with chatter about the upcoming break, the local harvest festival, and the fact that maths teacher, Mr Weaver, hasn't turned up to work in days.When the pair embark on an evening walk, they discover Mr Weaver’s body in the woods, with a mysterious symbol painted on the tree beside him. Something suspicious is clearly afoot.As the nights grow darker and the mysterious symbols continue to appear around Dewstow, the Dinner Lady Detectives are pulled deeper into the case. Can they solve the mystery as deceit and chaos reigns, or will their killer pull off another deadly trick?A fun and charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of J.M Hall and Fiona Leitch.Praise for Hannah Hendy‘Hannah is at the top of the tree of modern whodunnits. The characters, bar none, are real; the settings are glorious and the plots are devilishly clever’ Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants‘Who knew being a dinner lady could be so dangerous - but so much fun?! With a plot that's twistier than school dinner spag bol, Clem and Margery are the only school dinner ladies guaranteed to give you belly laughs rather than indigestion’ Fiona Leitch, author of The Cornish Village Murder‘Hendy is, by far, one of the very best cosy writers we have - and A Frightfully Fatal Affair sees her on sparkling form’ Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives‘Twisty, delightful, and laugh-out-loud funny. I fell in love with Margery and Clementine from the first page’ Antony Johnston, author of The Dog Sitter Detective on The Dinner Lady Detectives‘I really enjoyed this - a terrific zesty look at the dark underside of a modern-day secondary school’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder‘A captivating murder mystery’ Women's Own‘Great to catch up with the dinner ladies and their detective skills. A fantastic read, roll on the next instalment!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This sucked me in from the beginning with its relatable characters and really original plot! I will be reading more by Hannah Hendy for sure, I love her writing style.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘The characters and descriptions are well written. It’s a fast paced and easy to read book. I was surprised by the ending. I will be recommending this book.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I love this series and I have a rather big soft spot for Clementine and Margery. This book has the right mix of mystery, laughs and murder. If you are a fan of murder mysteries and cosy crime then please give this series a go.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘It was hard to put this one down before I turned that last page. A really good cozy. I’ll be back for more in this series!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs All Hallows’ Eve approaches, Hettie Bagshot of The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency has more than just a ghost and a warlock tart on her plate. Upon discovering the body of Mavis Spitforce, Hettie and her trusty sidekick Tilly set out to investigate an old crime and a spate of new murders. Why was Mavis Spitforce dressed for Halloween? Can Irence Peggledrip really talk to cats from the spirit world? And what’s the connection to the legend of Milky Myers, suspected of murdering his family on Halloween, longer ago than anyone can remember? As the November fog closes in, can the tabby duo unearth the truth, and stop the murderer before they strike again – and will there be enough samosas to go round?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY ‘Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James‘Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted’ M. K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical' Barry Forshaw

Read more less

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

Read more less

THE LATEST KITT HARTLEY MYSTERY, SET IN THE HEART OF YORKSHIREA serial killer is loose in Yorkshire, and has claimed three victims in three months. Eleven days before each murder, a large purple V is painted on the front door of the victim's house. The victims, all of whom have some association with the occult, are found drained of blood with two red marks on their neck.When RUBY BARNETT comes home one evening to find a large purple V on her front door, it becomes clear she is the so-called Vampire Killer's next victim. Private Investigators KITT HARTLEY and GRACE EDWARDS have just eleven days to solve the mystery and save Ruby's life. The clock is ticking . . .PRAISE FOR THE KITT HARTLEY SERIES'Brilliantly funny and charming' Northern Life'Unique and atmospheric' Woman Magazine'One to get your teeth into' Candis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisLexy Campbell''s ex-husband begs for her help finding his current wife, whose disappearance mirrors that of a number of statues around California - menacing ransom note and all.A community is devastated when the bronze statue of local legend Mama Cuento is stolen on Valentine''s Day. When Lexy Campbell arrives on the scene, a big bronze toe is found along with a ransom note - "Listen to our demands or you will never see her again. There are nine more where this came from".Then, Lexy''s ex-husband Bran turns up begging for help to find his wife, Brandee, who has disappeared. Lexy agrees to pitch in, but when she shows up at Bran''s house he has just discovered one of Brandee''s false nails and another ransom note with the same grisly message.Are the two cases linked or is a copycat on the loose? Who would want to kidnap a bronze statue or, come to that, Brandee? And can Lexy put aside her hatred for Bran long enough to find out?

Read more less

Book Synopsis*** THE NUMBER ONE EBOOK BESTSELLER ***'An outstanding first novel' SUNDAY TIMES (BOOK OF THE MONTH)'My crime novel of the year so far; a moving depiction of the pain that a mysterious disappearance can wreak on those left behind' SARAH VINE, DAILY MAIL SUMMER BOOKS SPECIAL'It is hard to believe Wake is a first novel. Plot, pacing and characterisation are so finely judged that it feels more like the work of a past master. The tension builds, and the revelations keep coming, right until the final page where a thrilling climax combines horror, relief and hope' THE TIMES'Outstanding ... With a slow build and complex characters, this is both a well-plotted, gripping mystery and a sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma' GUARDIAN'Sinuous and spellbinding, this debut comes with a big reputation, which it richly deserves. Intense, evocative and with two characters to move the soul, it deserves to be a hit. It's sensational' DAILY MAILEVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW MINA McCREERY.EVERYONE HAS A THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SISTER.NOW IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH...Mina McCreery's sister Evelyn disappeared nineteen years ago. Her life has been defined by the intense public interest in the case. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, she lives alone on her family's destocked sheep farm.When Lane, a private investigator, approaches her with an offer to reinvestigate the case, she rejects him. The attention has had nothing but negative consequences for her and her family, and never brought them closer to an answer.Lane wins her trust when his unconventional methods show promise, but he has his own motivations for wanting to solve the case, and his obsession with the answer will ultimately risk both their lives.Superbly written, taut and compassionate, Wake looks at what can happen when people's private tragedies become public property, and the ripples of trauma that follow violent crimes. Wake won the CWA Debut Dagger in 2019.'Wake is a stunning, masterfully written debut novel, its remote, bleak locations adding tension to an atmospheric and compelling mystery that is hard to put down' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Perfect for fans of Jane Harper' ALLIE REYNOLDS 'A triumphant debut' ROSE CARLYLE'Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent' CHRIS HAMMER'We devoured this stunningly drawn, deeply compelling mystery in one day' CRIME MONTHLY'Evocative, brutal, and sometimes confronting . . . The plot is complex, tightly constructed and not only keeps you reading, but guessing, right up to the last page' GOOD READING'Compulsively readable, with an unforgettable setting and cast of characters, WAKE is a powerful, unsparing story of how trauma ripples outward when people's private tragedies become public property, and how it's never too late for the truth to set things right' BETTER READING'Wake has more twists and turns than the usual novel and it is very tempting to make your own suppositions as to the end of the book, but it has a brilliant denouement. In fact the book itself is an impressive achievement for a debut novel and I'll be searching out whatever Shelley Burr writes next' ON magazineTrade ReviewIncredible! A vividly told mystery, perfect for fans of Jane Harper * Allie Reynolds, author of SHIVER *A triumphant debut * Rose Carlyle *Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent * Chris Hammer *Atmospheric, tense, poignant - the most gripping cold case investigation I've read in a long time. SUPERB * Will Dean *It is hard to believe WAKE is a first novel. Plot, pacing and characterisation are so finely judged that it feels more like the work of a past master. The tension builds, and the revelations keep coming, right until the final page where a thrilling climax combines horror, relief and hope * The Times *WAKE is a stunning, masterfully written debut novel, its remote, bleak locations adding tension to an atmospheric and compelling mystery that is hard to put down * Sunday Express *We devoured this stunningly drawn, deeply compelling mystery in one day * Crime Monthly *I guarantee you will feel exhausted and satisfied as the end of this remarkable book is reached. WAKE has more twists and turns than the usual novel and it is very tempting to make your own suppositions as to the end of the book, but it has a brilliant denouement. In fact the book itself is an impressive achievement for a debut novel and I'll be searching out whatever Shelley Burr writes next * On Magazine *Sinuous and spellbinding, this debut from a young Australian civil servant comes with a big reputation, which it richly deserves. Intense, evocative and with two characters to move the soul, it deserves to be a hit. It's sensational * Daily Mail *A cracking debut * Peterborough Telegraph *An outstanding first novel . . . Burr writes clear-sightedly about the corrosive effect of suspicion on people who have achieved a horrible kind of fame, forced on them by events beyond their control * The Sunday Times *This outstanding debut . . . With a slow build and complex characters, this is both a well-plotted, gripping mystery and a sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma * The Guardian *My crime novel of the year so far, a moving depiction of the pain that a mysterious disappearance can wreak on those left behind -- Sarah Vine’s Female Half Hour Summer Books Special * Daily Mail *The plot builds slowly, but the tension never slackens in this forceful story of damage and retribution * Book Brunch *Australian newcomer Shelley Burr's sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma in a parched outback town * Guardian, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2022 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs twisty-turny as a Cornish lane in high summer'J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite'Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesA Siren's call to murderFormer Met police officer Jodie Nosey' Parker is working a trial period as an auxiliary Detective Sergeant with the Penstowan police force. But living and working alongside DCI Nathan Withers while still trying to grow her catering company brings its own challenges, especially when Jodie's attention is quickly taken up by the suspicious drowning of a local fisherman.While tourists and locals alike are falling under the spell of the annual mermaid festival with its captivating legends of Sirens luring fishermen to their deaths, Jodie and Nathan fear they may have found themselves in the middle of a very real and very dangerous turf war. As the casualties start to stack up, they must face the likelihood that something sinister has been

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Vinyl Detective goes punk in his fifth hilarious adventure. "Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance." David Quantick on Written in Dead Wax. Semi-retired god of rock guitar and local poseur Erik Make Loud has got himself a new girlfriend. Helene Hilditch - formerly known as Howlin' Hellbitch - of all-girl punk outfit Blue Tits is a mean guitarist, someone is trying to kill her. With a rare pressing of the Blue Tits' first album to find, the Vinyl Detective and Nevada are called in to help. But this time the question is who isn't a suspect. With a long list of enemies, the people who could want Helene dead includes her ex-bandmates, their former producer turned record label mogul, the TV presenter that Helene got fired-even their old roadie could be in on it. As the killer's attempts on Helene's life get more and more ambitious the Vinyl Detective and Nevada are in a race against time to find the killer, before it's too late.Trade Review"Hilarious and thrilling." - Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series. "Cartmel has a gift for bringing you into his characters' world and making you want to stay there which simply makes this a joy to read." - Blue Book Balloon Review "Cartmel is getting a great tune out of the characters... Will have you chuckling out loud." - SFBook Review "Character is what Cartmel does well... An entertaining detective story with a slightly different vibe." - The Dreamcage Review "An enthralling mystery with a wonderful gallery of grotesques." Ben Aaronovitch - "One of the most innovative concepts in crime fiction for many years. Once you are hooked into the world of the Vinyl Detective it is very difficult to leave." Nev Fountain PRAISE FOR THE VINYL DETECTIVE "Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance." David Quantick "This tale of crime, cats and rock & roll unfolds with an authentic sense of the music scene then and now - and a mystery that will keep you guessing." Stephen Gallagher "An irresistible blend of murder, mystery and music... our protagonist seeks to find the rarest of records - and incidentally solve a murder, right a great historical injustice and, if he's very lucky, avoid dying in the process." Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London "The Vinyl Detective is one of the sharpest and most original characters I've seen for a long time." David Quantick, Emmy Award-winning producer of VEEP "Crime fiction as it should be, played loud through a valve amp and Quad speakers. No digital writing here, it's warm and rich. Every delicate pop and crackle adding character and flavour. Witty, charming and filled with exciting solos. Quite simply: groovy." Guy Adams, critically acclaimed author of The Clown Service "marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating" Publishers Weekly "This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend." Booklist (starred review)

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping British cosy crime mystery with a mysterious death and a village full of secrets...MAISIE COOPER IS NO DETECTIVE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.BUT SHE MIGHT JUST SOLVE A MURDER... Maisie left the picture-perfect village of Framlington years ago. But when her brother asks for her help out of the blue she soon finds herself back among the windy lanes and open green fields. But it''s not the family reunion she hoped for - upon arrival she learns that she''s too late. Stephen is dead. And not just dead - murdered.Frustrated by the slow police investigation headed up by handsome Sergeant Wingard, Maisie determines to start asking questions herself. In a village where everyone knows everyone, surely someone has some information about Stephen. But the longer Maisie stays, and the deeper she digs, the more she begins to sense something sinister at the heart of the village. What secrets are the residents so desperate to kee

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Authentic social history at the birth of the NHS, an intriguing murder, a strong and convincing central character, and McPherson's wonderful story-telling skills make this a very classy mystery' ANN CLEEVES'A hauntingly atmospheric weaving of social history and layered mystery, with a gutsy heroine determined to deliver justice. McPherson's writing is compelling, moving and memorable' SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETTHelen leaned close enough to fog the mirror with her breath and whispered, 'You, my girl, are a qualified medical almoner and at eight o'clock tomorrow morning you will be on the front line of the National Health Service of Scotland.' Her eyes looked huge and scared. 'So take a shake to yourself!'' Edinburgh, 1948. Helen Crowther leaves a crowded tenement home for her very own office in a doctor's surgery. Upstart, ungrateful, out of your depth - the words of disapproval come at her from everywhere but she's determined to take her chance and play her part. She's barely begun when she stumbles over a murder and learns that, in this most respectable of cities, no one will fight for justice at the risk of scandal. As Helen resolves to find a killer, she's propelled into a darker world than she knew existed, hardscrabble as her own can be. Disapproval is the least of her worries now. IN PLACE OF FEAR is a gripping new historical crime novel that is both enthralling and entertaining, and perfect for fans of AJ Pearce and Nicola Upson.Readers love IN PLACE OF FEAR:'What a wonderful book this is!''I loved [it] ... Helen is another cracker of a heroine from McPherson and I hope to read much more of her story in future' 'Historical crime from a talented pen. Intriguing and compelling in equal measure''An excellent read'Trade ReviewA hauntingly atmospheric weaving of social history and layered mystery, with a gutsy heroine determined to deliver justice. McPherson's writing is compelling, moving and memorable * Sarah Yarwood-Lovett *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Perfect if you loved THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB' - reader review'An entertaining romp and a fascinating insight into the weird and wonderful ways of the British aristocracy' S.J. Bennett, author of The Windsor KnotIt's the 1930s and a mysterious illness is spreading over Scotland. But the noble and ancient family of Inverkillen, residents of Loch Down Abbey, are much more concerned with dwindling toilet roll supplies and who will look after the children now that Nanny has regretfully (and most inconveniently) departed this life.Then Lord Inverkillen, Earl and head of the family, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. The inspector declares it an accident but Mrs MacBain, the head housekeeper, isn't so convinced. As no one is allowed in or out because of the illness, the residents of the house - both upstairs and downstairs - are the only suspects. With the Earl's own family too busy doing what can only be described as nothing, she decides to do some digging - in between chores, of course - and in doing so uncovers a whole host of long-hidden secrets, lies and betrayals that will alter the dynamics of the household for ever.Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, Agatha Christie and Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club, LOCH DOWN ABBEY is a playful, humorous mystery that will keep you glued to the page!READERS LOVE LOCH DOWN ABBEY!'Beautifully written . . . this is a joyous read that will stay with me for a long time' - 5 STARS'The ending took me completely by surprise but in the best way' - 5 STARS'If you want to escape for a while, this is definitely a good book for that' - 5 STARSTthis very funny and unputdownable novel is a sure winner from start to finish! To be enjoyed without moderation.' - 5 STARS'It's amazing what secrets are hidden . . . Excellent :)' - 5 STARS

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less