Crime and mystery: cosy mystery

Book SynopsisThe Bad Book Affair features the magnificently hapless Israel Armstrong – the duffle-coat wearing, navel-gazing Jewish librarian who solves crimes, mysteries, and domestic problems whilst driving a mobile library around the north coast of Ireland.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Delegate’s Choice’: 'This is Israel’s third outing and it is a pleasure to welcome him back – these are blissful British comedies for the thinking escapist.’ Kate Saunders, The Times Praise for the ‘Case of the Missing Books’: ‘A mystery, a sustained piece of slapstick, a meditation and a yarn. And it is cripplingly funny.’ Independent ‘Sansom has struck a rich comic seam … it promises to be a very enjoyable series.’ Observer ‘A perfect antidote for melancholy.’ Guardian Praise for ‘Mr Dixon Disappears’: 'Israel is one of the most original and amusing amateur sleuths around…’ The Times 'Bibliophiles will instinctively warm to Israel Armstrong, Jewish librarian, duffel-coat wearer and part-time detective. The fact that he drives his mobile library around the coast of Northern Ireland, moaning non-stop about people who do not return books on time, only makes the character more deliciously esoteric. This yarn about an ageing magician who has gone missing with £100,000 is the second in what promises to be a must-read series.' Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisOne of the best in the genre' THE SUNA fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime' DAILY EXPRESSA delicious adventure' DAILY MAIL on The Riviera Express***Murder can strike at any hourIt's the late 1950s in tranquil Temple Regis, Devon.For holidaymakers it's a glorious time of breathtaking scenery, picnics on beaches, and flocks of tourists on their summertime holidays.But for Miss Judy Dimont, this is all a trifle dull. As a reporter for local rag, The Riviera Express, she needs scandal and intrigue and one morning, as the clock strikes the quarter hour, she gets it. A woman has been shot dead in one of Buntorama's upmarket holiday huts, the toffee-nosed rival hotelier next door is rubbing his hands with glee, and Judy and her trusty moped Herbert are off like a shot to survey the scene of the crime.But nobody can tell her who the dead girl is and there's no clear motive. To have a story to write, Judy must solve the case and the intrepid Miss Dimont will leave no pebble unturned until the truth is out!***A gripping third instalment of the Miss Dimont Mystery series' Hello!***Why readers love TP Fielden:If you like Miss Marple and Poirot then you'll love TP Fielden. Brilliant!'One of the most fun books I have read reminds me of the golden era of crime writing'Delicious characters, an easy read, enormous fun and greatly recommended.'A wonderful romp'A delightful, well written, witty murder mystery'A thrilling mystery with lots of twists, turns and red herrings'An entertaining, light hearted read, perfect to brighten any afternoon'Trade ReviewPraise for T P Fielden: ‘Peak comfort read has been achieved’ Red ‘One of the best in the genre’ The Sun ‘This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime. No wonder the author has already been signed up to produce more adventures starring the indefatigable Miss Dimont.’ Daily Express ‘Unashamedly cosy, with gentle humour and a pleasingly eccentric amateur sleuth, this solid old-fashioned whodunit is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series.’ The Guardian ‘Highly amusing’ Evening Standard ‘TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character. This delicious adventure is the first of a series and I can’t wait for the next one.’ Wendy Holden, Daily Mail Must have. A golden age mystery.’ Sunday Express ‘Tremendous fun’ The Independent

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Book SynopsisThe world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot – legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and A Haunting in Venice – puts his little grey cells to work solving a baffling Christmas mystery.Trade Review‘Sophie Hannah's latest case for Agatha Christie's Belgian detective is a dark psychological thriller with an ingenious resolution and it certainly takes the kitsch out of Christmas.—Daily Record ‘If you want a Christie for Christmas, you coundlt do bvetter than this.’—Alex Michaelides ‘Infused with such love and energy … Poirot is exactly as Christie created him, with a vitality that recalls her very best novels.’—Daily Telegraph “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”—Tana French ‘A magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.’—Daily Mail “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability: they make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman

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Book SynopsisThe world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot – legendary star of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile and A Haunting in Venice – puts his little grey cells to work solving a baffling Christmas mystery.Trade Review‘Sophie Hannah's latest case for Agatha Christie's Belgian detective is a dark psychological thriller with an ingenious resolution and it certainly takes the kitsch out of Christmas.—Daily Record ‘If you want a Christie for Christmas, you coundlt do bvetter than this.’—Alex Michaelides ‘Infused with such love and energy … Poirot is exactly as Christie created him, with a vitality that recalls her very best novels.’—Daily Telegraph “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”—Tana French ‘A magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.’—Daily Mail “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability: they make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman

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Book SynopsisThis annual anthology of rare stories of crime and suspense brings together tales from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction for the first time in book form, including a short novel by Christianna Brand.Mystery stories have been around for centuriesthere are whodunits, whydunits and howdunits, including locked-room puzzles, detective stories without detectives, and crimes with a limited choice of suspects.Countless volumes of such stories have been published, but some are still impossible to find: stories that appeared in a newspaper, magazine or an anthology that has long been out of print; ephemeral works such as plays not aired, staged or screened for decades; and unpublished stories that were absorbed into an author's archive when they died . . .Here for the first time are three never-before-published mysteries by Edmund Crispin, Ngaio Marsh and Leo Bruce, and two pieces written for radio by Gladys Mitchell and H. C. Baileythe latter featuring Reggie Fortune.Together with a newly uneTrade Review‘In this trip down memory lane, familiar names from the golden age, such as Ngaio Marsh, Gladys Mitchell and Edmund Crispin, share the honours with lesser lights claiming their overdue recognition as gifted contributors to classic crime. The centrepiece is a novella by Christianna Brand who, after years of neglect, is now enjoying a revival. Other snappier tales of criminal intent, gathered for the first time in book form, testify to Tony Medawar’s skill as an excavator of lost treasures of crime fiction. This, the fourth in the series of Bodies From The Library, is the best yet.’—Daily Mail 'An annual treat – almost like the summer version of a Christie for Christmas.'—Kate Jackson, author of The Pocket Detective and Cross Examining Crime ‘One of the best mixed anthologies I’ve come across … If you’re already a vintage crime fan, then this is one to grab; and if you’re new to the genre, then you’ll find this a very enjoyable way to introduce yourself to some of the greats. Highly recommended!’—FictionFanBlog

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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

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Book Synopsis*The sparkling new novel from the million-copy bestselling author of THE MAID*Utterly delightful'' DAILY MAIL?Captivates from page one' JANICE HALLETT_________________________________________________________________DO NOT DISTURB. WHODUNNIT IN PROGRESS . . .Molly Gray wears her Head Maid badge proudly for every shift at the Regency Grand Hotel: plumping pillows, sweeping up secrets, silently restoring rooms to a state of perfection. But the hotel's reputation is sullied when a guest a famous mystery writer drops very dead on the tearoom floor.As suspicion swirls in the hotel corridors, it's clear there's grime lurking beneath the gilt. And Molly knows that she alone holds the key to the mystery. But unlocking it means thinking about the past, about a dusty old house, and everything else she's tidied away in her memory.Because Molly knew the dead guest once upon a time and she knows his secrets too . . ._________________________________________________________________Over a million rTrade Review‘Wise and winning and altogether wondrous . . . I was nearly hugging myself as I turned the pages of this splendid novel’ A J Finn ‘The Mystery Guest is a strong and stylish whodunnit that captivates from page one ’ Janice Hallett ‘This is cosy crime at its very best – utterly delightful’ Daily Mail ‘Polished to perfection!’ Shari Lapena ‘The fabulous Molly is back and shining as brightly as her silverware in another charming and compelling mystery’ Mark Billingham ‘A truly enthralling, majestic mystery. A series that both thrills and warms the heart. I can’t get enough of the wonderful Molly, and the brilliant Nita Prose’ Chris Whitaker ‘A flawless and brilliant read… pure thrill, intrigue, and entertainment’ Liz Nugent ‘Molly the maid is unique and pure delight. The Mystery Guest is a page turner and a joy’ Katie Fforde ‘A page-turning delight from start to finish. Once I checked into the Regency Grand I never wanted to leave’ Jenny Jackson ‘Nita Prose writes like no other – I loved this even more than her utterly delightful debut’ Ashley Audrain ‘From page turning suspense, to laugh-out-loud humour and moments that are deeply heartfelt, The Mystery Guest has it all! This book is a knockout’ Mary Kubica More praise for Nita Prose: ‘A smart, riveting, and deliciously refreshing debut’ Lisa Jewell ‘An escapist pleasure’ Sunday Times ‘Irresistible’ Sunday Telegraph ‘A gripping and heart-warming whodunnit’ Santa Montefiore ‘The most interesting (and endearing) main character in a long time’ Stephen King

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Book Synopsis*FROM THE BESTSELLING & INTERNATIONAL NED KELLY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE MAID COMES A SPARKLING NEW MYSTERY*Trade Review‘Wise and winning and altogether wondrous . . . I was nearly hugging myself as I turned the pages of this splendid novel’ A J Finn ‘The Mystery Guest is a strong and stylish whodunnit that captivates from page one ’ Janice Hallett ‘Polished to perfection!’ Shari Lapena ‘The fabulous Molly is back and shining as brightly as her silverware in another charming and compelling mystery’ Mark Billingham ‘A truly enthralling, majestic mystery. A series that both thrills and warms the heart. I can’t get enough of the wonderful Molly, and the brilliant Nita Prose’ Chris Whitaker ‘A flawless and brilliant read… pure thrill, intrigue, and entertainment’ Liz Nugent ‘Molly the maid is unique and pure delight. The Mystery Guest is a page turner and a joy’ Katie Fforde ‘A page-turning delight from start to finish. Once I checked into the Regency Grand I never wanted to leave’ Jenny Jackson ‘Nita Prose writes like no other – I loved this even more than her utterly delightful debut’ Ashley Audrain ‘From page turning suspense, to laugh-out-loud humour and moments that are deeply heartfelt, The Mystery Guest has it all! This book is a knockout’ Mary Kubica More praise for Nita Prose: ‘A smart, riveting, and deliciously refreshing debut’ Lisa Jewell ‘The endearing central character and atmospheric hotel setting make it an escapist pleasure’ Sunday Times ‘Irresistible’ Sunday Telegraph ‘A gripping and heart-warming whodunnit’ Santa Montefiore ‘Excellent and totally entertaining . . . the most interesting (and endearing) main character in a long time’ Stephen King

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Book SynopsisA spooky rollercoaster of a book. Lots of twists and turns I loved it' Simon McCleave ?????No one expected them to go there. The question is: will any of them leave?Six friends travel to a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old school reunion. They've rented The Lighthouse a stunning, now abandoned building that was once notorious for deaths at sea.On the first evening, someone goes missing. The group search all through the night to no avail. But when the five remaining friends return to the lighthouse early the next morning, they are shocked to find James inside. He's looks terrified but won't say a word about where he's been.The party vow to put the strange night behind them and enjoy the rest of their stay, but when more unexplained things begin to occur, tensions escalate. It's clear James knows something, but nothing will persuade him to give up the secrets of the island. Is he protecting his friends from a terrible truth, or leading them into more danger?A chTrade Review Praise for The Lighthouse: ‘A spooky rollercoaster of a book. A great set of interesting characters whose dark backstories reveal themselves as the story develops. Lots of twists and turns. I loved it. Highly recommended’ SIMON McCLEAVE ‘A charming, old-fashioned and eerily atmospheric piece of Gothic storytelling’ DAILY MAIL ‘Such a strong sense of place that you will be genuinely confused when you look up and realise you’re reading on a train and not on the bleak, isolated island that the author paints so vividly and beautifully’ CAROLINE CORCORAN ‘Claustrophobic and eerie – it kept me guessing!’ NELL PATTISON ‘A brilliant page-turner’ CLOSER ‘Creepy, tense and so, so atmospheric – The Lighthouse is a wonderfully satisfying story with layers and layers of suspicion and intrigue’ ANDREA MARA ‘The Lighthouse has a claustrophobic atmosphere, mounting suspense and twists and turns that will keep you hooked. I couldn’t put it down’ VICKI BRADLEY

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Book SynopsisA brand new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Crime's legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by twelve remarkable bestselling and acclaimed authors.This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation.Each author reimagines Agatha Christie's Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery. Naomi Alderman Leigh Bardugo Alyssa Cole Lucy Foley Elly Griffiths Natalie Haynes Jean Kwok Val McDermid Karen M. McManus Dreda Say Mitchell Kate Mosse Ruth WareMiss Marple was first introduced to readers in a story Christie wrote for The Royal Magazine in 1927 and made her first appearance in a full-length novel in 1930's The Murder at the Vicarage.It has been 45 years since Agatha Christie's last Marple novel, Sleeping Murder, was published posthumously in 1976, and this collection of ingenious new stories by twelve Christie devotees will be a timely reminder why Jane Marple remains the most famous fictional female detective of all time.Trade Review'Each author captures Christie — and Marple — perfectly, while also displaying just a bit of her own unique touch’ – The Washington Post ‘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

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Book SynopsisA fabulously funny celestial crime caper, full of wit, warmth and heart.' Helen LedererHow do you solve your own murder when you're already dead?Purgatory (noun):1. Where the dead are sent to atone.2. A place of suffering or torment.3. A youth hostel where the occupants play Scrabble and the mattresses are paper thin.When Dave wakes up in his own personal purgatory (St Ives Youth Hostel circa 1992), he's shocked to discover he's dead. And worse he was murdered.Heaven doesn't know who did it so with the help of two rogue angels, Dave must uncover the truth.As divine forces from both sides start to play the game, can Dave get out of this alive? Or at the very least, with his soul intact?An utterly gripping and page-turning mystery for fans of Murder Before Evensong and The Appeal from the winner of the Comedy Women in Print Unpublished Prize!.Readers LOVE The Purgatory PoisoningVery original, very funny, and very well written. I loved it!' NetGalley reviewer ?????A hilarious story I liTrade Review.

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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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisSeven high profile guestsAn island cut off by a stormWill there be a murder before the weekend is out?After six long months with no new cases for her Cornish detective agency, Donna Deadly' Nightshade jumps at the chance to spend a weekend undercover on St Michael's Mount.With seven high profile attendees including the Home Secretary this is a high stakes case. As a storm descends on the tidal island, they're cut off from the rest of the world. Friends turn to enemies and before the rain has ceased it's not just one murder Donna has to worry about it's twoBook 2 in The Edge of the World Detective Agency series, which follows Donna Deadly' Nightshade former florist turned private eye solve a new mystery amidst the dramatic cliffs and secret coves of Cornwall.Readers love Jo Silva:I was very impressed with the whole bookan excellent read with a lovely Cornish feel, one amazing method of murder, a talking parrot and the continuing promise of romance for Donna and Joe' ?????A classic Trade Review‘The 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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Set in beautiful Cornwall, the characters were quirky and slightly magical, the writing was good and the mystery was totally unpredictable. Well done to the author for writing an excellent cosy mystery whilst avoiding some of the normal characteristics of the genre.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Intelligently written with comedy, sarcasm, murder and peculiarity at its heart making for an entertaining and intriguing read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘There aren’t enough words to tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Odd. Funny. Engaging. Brilliant. I absolutely loved it. I am not often lost for words when trying to explain what makes a book special’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I didn’t put it down until I was finished…and slightly sleep deprived as a result…and I’m thrilled!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me reading and put a smile on my face. And I can’t ask more than that. A really promising debut’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Reflects (exaggerates) the eccentricities of the British people, in particular the Cornish… the author brought wicked sarcasm and snark into her characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘More than a fun read, it is a good cozy mystery with fascinating characters, sneaky twists, and incredible red herrings’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisPresents a culinary mystery from Joanne Pence, loveable amateur sleuth and dilettante chef, Angie Amalfi who heads to Rome to help her sister clear her name in a complex murder investigation.

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Book SynopsisEgypt, 1912—Amelia Peabody and her dashing archeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, are once again in danger as they search for a priceless, stolen bust of legendary Queen Nefertiti and Amelia finds herself the target of assassins in this long-awaited, eagerly anticipated final installment of Elizabeth Peters’ bestselling, beloved mystery series.Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling excavation season, Amelia is relaxing in a well-earned bubble bath in her elegant hotel suite in Cairo, when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into the bath chamber and utters a single word—Murder—before collapsing on the tiled floor, dead. Among the few possessions he carried was a sheet of paper with Amelia’s name and room number, and a curious piece of pasteboard the size of a calling card bearing one word: Judas. Most peculiarly, the stranger was wearing a gold-rimmed monocle in his left eye. It quickly becomes apparent that someone saved

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Book SynopsisEgypt, 1912—Amelia Peabody and her dashing archeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, are once again in danger as they search for a priceless, stolen bust of legendary Queen Nefertiti and Amelia finds herself the target of assassins in this long-awaited, eagerly anticipated final installment of Elizabeth Peters’ bestselling, beloved mystery series.Arriving in Cairo for another thrilling excavation season, Amelia is relaxing in a well-earned bubble bath in her elegant hotel suite in Cairo, when a man with knife protruding from his back staggers into the bath chamber and utters a single word—Murder—before collapsing on the tiled floor, dead. Among the few possessions he carried was a sheet of paper with Amelia’s name and room number, and a curious piece of pasteboard the size of a calling card bearing one word: Judas. Most peculiarly, the stranger was wearing a gold-rimmed monocle in his left eye. It quickly becomes apparent that someone saved

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Book SynopsisAt home on Sanpere Island, Maine, caterer and amateur sleuth Faith Fairchild discovers that real estate can be murder, especially when it’s all in the family, in this twenty-second book in the popular mystery series.The Fourth of July is one of the hottest on record and even the breeze off Penobscot Bay can’t seem to cool things down for Faith Fairchild and the rest of the folks on Sanpere Island. But the fireworks are just beginning. After the celebrations are over, Faith discovers a body in the woods near The Birches, an early twentieth-century “cottage.”The body is identified as The Birches’ housekeeper, who seems to have succumbed to a heart attack. The death is only one of the dramatic events upending the historic house. A family gathering has been called to decide who will inherit the much loved, and very valuable, estate that has been in the Proctor family for generations. With this much money involved, it’s just a matter of t

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Book SynopsisThe 26th book in the award-winning Faith Fairchild Mysteries series.Katherine Hall Page?s beloved amateur detective gets wrapped up in a Zoom-bombing scandal that sends her community into a tailspin ? just as a dead body is discovered.Faith Fairchild joins the rest of the world in lockdown mode when reality flips in March 2020. As the pandemic spreads, Faith and her family readjust to life together in Aleford, Massachusetts. Her husband, Tom, continues his sermons from Zoom; their children, Ben, who''s in college, and Amy, a high school senior, are doing remote learning at home .Faith is happy to have her family under the same roof and grateful for her resilient community, friends, and neighbors in Aleford. Town halls remain lively and well-attended, despite residents joining from their living rooms. It is at one of these town halls that scandal breaks out. In the midst of a Zoom meeting, damaging images suddenly flash upon everyone?s screens. Claudia, local art teacher and Faith?s dear friend, is immediately recognized as the woman who has been targeted.When Claudia is later discovered dead, Faith, with the help of her friends, journeys deep into the dark web to unravel the threads of Claudia?s mysterious history and shocking passing.

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Book SynopsisAllersmead is a big shabby Victorian suburban house. The perfect place to grow up for elegant Sandra, difficult Gina, destructive Paul, considerate Katie, clever Roger and flighty Clare. But was it?Trade ReviewLively immediately plunges us into an entirely convincing world of bustling family life...exceptionally well observed and gloriously enjoyable...this should be rated as one of her most impressive works * Guardian *One of those ridiculously simple, ridiculously readable novels whose artistry only becomes apparent when you put it down with a sign of regret, having devoured it in one sitting...Lively still displays an economy and an elegance that put younger writers to shame * Sunday Telegraph *Lively's brilliance is of the creeping kind. There is a sense of formality, which falls away as the novel gains pace and builds towards an unforeseen end. She is particularly good at bending language to make it fit her cool and clear voice...Lively succeeds brilliantly in getting a hold on the climate of family life. Slowly we absorb the details that get lost in the bluster and flurry until we are so drawn in, so tightly contained in the dynamics of this one, that the end, when it comes, is simply devastating * The Times *A pleasure to read, hugely enjoyable, consistently absorbing, hilarious * Independent *An involving emotional drama and an insightful examination of changing family values * Easy Living *The complexities and silences of family life are intelligently and subtly explored...a very engaging novel, continuously interesting and often moving * Scotsman *Gorgeous -- David Vann * Guardian Books of the Year *Sympathetic and observant, Lively moves fluidly between present-tense set-piece scenes and silent monologues, placing the novel's revelations where they will be most effective, and allowing implications - about marriage, feminism and personal ambition - to blossom slowly * Sunday Times *Penelope Lively at her best, sharp-eyed but sympathetic, deftly steering the reader from one point of view to another. This novel should delight her regular readers and ensnare new ones * Evening Standard *A very readable, well-paced novel peopled with Lively's customary immaculately observed and impeccably rounded characters * Independent on Sunday *Lively skilfully mingles past and present, as she peels away the layers to uncover a family secret of which no one speaks...Lively's astute skewering of family relations reverberates in the mind long afterwards * Daily Mail *Lively plays her sleight of hand with admirable dexterity. The dialogue is pitch-perfect, the writing crisp and the humour wonderfully dry * Tatler *Gripping. An intelligent look at family relationships and the knock-on effects of past events on the present. It's an absorbing tale of mystery and intrigue that will leave you wondering what lies behind even the nicest façade * Woman & Home *A deeply satisfying, eloquent family-fabric novel * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisA cosy Dandy Gilver mystery set in 1930s Scotland. For fans of PG Wodehouse, Alexander McCall Smith and Agatha Christie.''McPherson is an exemplary crime writer'' Scotsman BAD LUCK? BAD TIMING? OR GOOD OLD-FASHIONED MURDER? When a circus comes to spend the winter at the neighbouring estate to Gilverton, Dandy Gilver''s two sons are cock-a-hoop and they are not alone in their excitement. The allure of Tumbling Topsy Turvy, Tiny Truman and the Troupe Prebezhensky also draw the attention of the fast set, who would never normally be seen dead with the nouveau riche Mr & Mrs Albert Wilson. ''The name, darling, tells you everything you need to know.''But when Dandy Gilver is asked to investigate a series of nasty tricks taking place in the circus she discovers, under the colourful charms on the surface of circus life, a hotbed of passion and resentment she cannot begin to understand. But, when one of the artTrade ReviewA jaunty romp with a gripping ending... delightful * Observer *'As ever, McPherson's research is exhaustive and she captures the patois of the circus people beautifully . . . At the circus, things don't quite turn out as Dandy expects but this simply makes McPherson's delightful tale all the more enjoyable.' * Herald *Praise for the Dandy Gilver series: * - *Dan Brown meets Barbara Pym . . . Dandy is brisk, baffled, heroic, kindly, scandalised and - above all - very funny * Guardian *McPherson is on to a winner with her 1920s society sleuth Dandy Gilver, who is the most engaging and ingenious crime-cracker I've met in ages. She is gauche but perceptive, married but unromantic (although there's a lovely frisson to her co-solver), sly but endearingly innocent. The period detail is accomplished and convincing, the crime is neatly convoluted and McPherson's prose bristles with clever asides under a lucid surface. I wouldn't be surprised if she is translated on to the small screen soon, and I can't wait for her next adventure. * Scotland on Sunday on AFTER THE ARMISTICE BALL *'Dandy Gilver is an enthralling heroine; part Dorothy Parker, part Miss Marple, utterly engaging. [Catriona] can send chills up your spine and provoke a fit of the giggles in the space of a few short pages. Absolutely wonderful' * Kirsty Scott *McPherson is an exemplary crime writer, effortlessly balancing the driest wit with melodramatic suspense. Her range of reference is seriously literary, her research impeccable, and her exuberance with period detail utterly beguiling. And Dandy herself is wonderful: blundering bravely through this mad and murky tale with perfect aplomb and a drop-dead vocabulary, she is a lesson to us all. * Scotsman *Compelling * Publishers Weekly starred review *A well-paced tale * Scots Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''A perfect love story'' - Katie FfordeHow can the mysterious disappearance of Anne Flint and the drowning of a young girl in a chalk stream in 1816 possibly affect the life of schoolteacher Harry Flint some two centuries later?With a failed marriage and no job, Harry begins to research his ancestors. The deeper he digs, the more he realises that the past is closer than he had ever imagined, that people are not what they seem and that the past is no more predictable than the future . . .The Haunting is a story of love, betrayal and intrigue from bestselling novelist and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh.READERS ARE LOVING THE HAUNTING:''Oh, what a wonderful story. Do read this book, it will not disappoint'' - 5 STARS''Such a fantastic story. I couldn''t put it down'' - 5 STARS''Alan''s best book to date'' - 5 STARS''A great, fascinating read'' - 5 STARSTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE HAUNTING:A perfect love story * Katie Fforde on THE HAUNTING *The story brims with intrigue * Daily Express on THE HAUNTING *PRAISE FOR ALAN TITCHMARSH:Art, antiques and romance are the ingredients: Titchmarsh boils the pot to a fine froth * Saga Magazine on THE FOLLY *It's just brilliant - full of poetry * Jilly Cooper on THE SCARLET NIGHTINGALE *A pleasurable read which fans will lap up * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis''Animal lovers will delight'' Ann Granger''A real treat . . . I loved it. Cats, dogs, murder and a credible and relatable heroine'' Barbara NadelDriving home from a ceramics evening class, Clarice Beech reflects on the absence of one of her students, Colin Compton-Smythe. Later, Emily, Colin''s daughter, telephones to say her father has died during routine surgery. Distraught, Emily opens up to Clarice about his wretched childhood and the day five-year-old Colin returned home to discover Avril, his mother, gone. Colin never believed she would have left without him and had been trying to find out more about Avril''s disappearance all those years ago.Clarice readily agrees to accompany Emily to Colin''s funeral. On arriving at the stunning Victorian Gothic manor house, with Bellatrix, the majestic stone Siamese cat reposing at its entrance, Clarice soon becomes drawn into the fractious world of the Compton-Smythe family: Colin''s argumentative father Ralph and his equally combative partner Tessa, their daughter, Dawn, being stalked by an ex-lover and, most unsettling of all, Ernestine, Ralph''s emotionally unpredictable sister. And then there''s Johnson, Ralph''s menacing manservant.Clarice discovers the nearer she gets to the truth, the greater she is in danger as somebody is intent that the mystery of the missing wife should never be resolved.

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Book Synopsis''Animal lovers will delight'' Ann Granger on The Cat and the Corpse in the Old Barn''A real treat . . . I loved it. Cats, dogs, murder and a credible and relatable heroine'' Barbara Nadel on The Cat and the Corpse in the Old Barn Driving home from a ceramics evening class, Clarice Beech reflects on the absence of one of her students, Colin Compton-Smythe. Later, Emily, Colin''s daughter, telephones to say her father has died during routine surgery. Distraught, Emily opens up to Clarice about his wretched childhood and the day five-year-old Colin returned home to discover Avril, his mother, gone. Colin never believed she would have left without him and had been trying to find out more about Avril''s disappearance all those years ago.Clarice readily agrees to accompany Emily to Colin''s funeral. On arriving at the stunning Victorian Gothic manor house, with Bellatrix, the majestic st

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Book SynopsisFor philosophically minded Isabel Dalhousie, editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, getting through life with a clear conscience requires careful thought. And with the arrival of baby Charlie, not to mention a passionate relationship with his father Jamie, fourteen years her junior, Isabel enters deeper and rougher waters. Late motherhood is not the only challenge facing Isabel. Even as she negotiates a truce with her furious niece Cat, and struggles for authority over her son with her formidable housekeeper Grace, Isabel finds herself drawn into the story of a painter''s mysterious death off the island of Jura. Perhaps most seriously of all, Isabel''s professional existence and that of her beloved Review come under attack from the machiavellian and suspiciously handsome Professor Dove. A master storyteller whether debating ethics in Edinburgh or pursuing lady detectives in Africa, here Alexander McCall Smith is as witty and wise as his irresistibly spirited heroine.<

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Book SynopsisThe brand new novel featuring Private Investigator Kate Shackleton!1930, Yorkshire. Intrigued by a mysterious letter from a stranger offering important information, Private Investigator Kate Shackleton arrives in the mill village of Saltaire. At nearby Milner Field mansion, overshadowed by its reputation for misfortune and untimely deaths, she expects to meet the letter writer, Ronnie Creswell.Kate soon hears the shocking news that Ronnie has been killed. At first his death appears to be a tragic accident at the mill, but soon it becomes clear that Ronnie''s demise was no mishap. Kate is enlisted to help investigate the murder.Kate moves into the tower rooms at Milner Field, as she tries to uncover resentments, industrial espionage, and old secrets in the close-knit village. Although she doesn''t believe in curses, she wonders what sinister truth lies behind this latest in the litany of deaths connected to the infamous Milner Field.Then just whTrade ReviewPraise for Frances Brody:Brody's writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive -- Ann CleevesA novel that combines clever detection with a sympathetic understanding of human frailty * Daily Mail *I really adore this series and Kate is such a strong, level-headed character * Woman's Way *Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine -- Ann GrangerDelightful * People's Friend *Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers * Daily Mail *Brody's excellent mystery splendidly captures the conflicts and attitudes of the time with well-developed characters * RT Book Reviews *Kate Shackleton joins Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs in a subgroup of young, female amateur detectives who survived and were matured by their wartime experiences. As self-reliant women in a society that still regards them a second-class citizens, they make excellent heroines * Literary Review *Kate Shackleton is an engagingly forthright and indefatigable investigator * Irish Times *Frances Brody skilfully holds our attention, making us want to read on and then look forward to the next Kate Shackleton mystery * Gazette & Herald *The series is right up there with Miss Marple * Sunday Sport *

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Book Synopsis“An ingenious marriage of comedy and crime” (Olga Tokarczuk, Nobel laureate): when amateur sleuth and cunning socialite Zofia Turbotyńska’s beloved maid goes missing, she dives deep into Cracow’s web of crime, with only her trusted cook for company. Cracow, 1895. Zofia and her maid Franciszka have their hands full organizing Easter festivities, especially with the household short one servant—where has the capable Karolina disappeared to? Shortly after, Zofia hears that the body of a young woman, violated and stabbed, has washed up on a bank of the River Vistula. Domestic work can wait—Zofia must go investigate. Shockingly, the body turns out to be none other than Karolina. Working with the police, Zofia’s investigations take her deep into the city’s underbelly—a far cry from the socialite’s Cracow she’s familiar with. Desperate to unearth what happened to Karolina, though, she pushes her prejudice aside, immersing herself among prostitutes, gangsters, and duplicitous politicians to unravel a twisted tale of love and deceit.  “Written with abundant wit and flair,”* Cracow’s finest, and most iconoclastic, amateur sleuth returns in a highly politicized feminist murder mystery. *Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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