Crime and mystery: cosy mystery

Book SynopsisMary Cranson had done the walk many times before, but now had simply vanished from Dartmoor near the prominent landmark called Haytor. Her boyfriend raises the alarm when she doesn’t meet him as arranged in the local pub. For the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Richard King, the intriguing aspect is that many of her friends knew she would be on the moor as she had told them of her intentions the previous evening. King and his small team of detectives begin the arduous task of interviewing the people who would have known her whereabouts that fateful afternoon. Could she have been consumed by one of the notorious bogs on the moor or is the reason for her disappearance something more sinister? The detectives are also dealing with thefts of vehicles and machinery, mainly from farms across Dartmoor. These have continued undetected for over six months and questions are being asked in the local media about the lack of progress in catching the thieves. The profile of these cases increases significantly when a theft goes disastrously wrong. King is also made aware of a barn fire close to Haytor, but is this connected to the other cases? Pressure is mounting on the wily detective from the chief constable who wants progress on both the thefts and the missing woman.

Read more less

Book SynopsisKilbane has a new garda, and her first case is a grave matter indeed...After solving two murders in the County Cork village of Kilbane, Siobhán O’Sullivan has accepted her calling and decided to join the Garda Síochána. The O’Sullivan clan couldn’t be prouder, but there’s no time to celebrate as she’s already on another case, summoned by the local priest who just found a dead man in the St. Mary’s graveyard—aboveground.He’s a stranger, but the priest has heard talk of an American tourist in town, searching for his Irish ancestor. As Siobhán begins to dig for a motive among the gnarled roots of the victim’s family tree, she will need to stay two steps ahead of the killer or end up with more than one foot in the grave.A gripping cosy Irish mystery, perfect for fans of Betty Rowlands and Margaret Mayhew.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe luck of the Irish is about to run out for someone in Kilbane...The small village of Kilbane is hosting a poker tournament at the local pub, and card sharp Eamon Foley, a tinker out of Dublin, is set to win the tournament. But when Foley is found at the end of a rope, it’s time for the garda to take matters into their own hands.Macdara Flannery would lay odds it’s a simple suicide, but Siobhán suspects foul play, as does Foley’s pregnant widow. Perhaps one of Foley’s fellow finalists just raised the stakes to life and death. With conflicting theories on the crime, tensions are running high. Soon it’s up to Siobhán to call a killer’s bluff, but if she doesn’t play her cards right, she may be the next one taken out of the game.A gripping Irish cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Clare Chase and Dee Macdonald.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe opening of a new bookstore becomes the closing chapter in an author’s life...Kilbane’s new bookshop is hosting an event featuring up-and-coming Irish writers who will be taking up residency in the town for a month. Among them is indie author Deirdre Walsh, who has been causing a heated debate among the writers. She seems to have a particular distaste for the novels of Nessa Lamb.Then Deirdre’s body is found the next day in the back of the store - with pages torn from Nessa’s books stuffed in her mouth. Now, Siobhán must uncover which of Kilbane’s literary guests took Deirdre’s criticisms so personally, they’d engage in foul play....A charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Betty Rowlands.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe book contains six stories and a novella. The short stories vary from the falling in love by a miner thwarted by a terrible accident, to the criminal behaviour of a long distance lorry driver and how he seeks redemption. The novella, The Tip of the Iceberg, is about corruption and how it insinuates itself into the lives of families, friends and lovers. Set in contemporary London we follow a group of people brought together at a mediation to resolve a financial dispute. Ella, a well meaning and naive mediator, is sexually attracted to Jim who sees himself as the wronged party in the dispute. During the mediation, the defendant, Alexander, reveals a past link with Jim which leads to a shocking outcome. Ignoring the warning from her senior colleague Chas, Ella becomes increasingly drawn into the life of Jim and his family, their political and financial activities. When his father, an MP, disappears, missing a crucial planning meeting, Ella and Chas support Jim in his efforts to find him. Despite her gradual realization that Jim’s business activities are suspect, Ella becomes more involved and finds her own values challenged. His fiancée, Julia, is deeply hurt by his defection to Ella and works towards her revenge as she seeks to destroy her career as a mediator. The event which affected Jim and Alexander years ago continues to influence their lives as each of them struggle with new and painful relationships. An opportunity arises for Ella to help Jim, if she can face the challenge.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe next instalment in the Martha Miller Mysteries from bestselling author Catherine Coles!Winteringham Village 1947As a thank you for her previous brilliant crime solving, amateur sleuth, Martha Miller is guest of honour at the Winteringham Country Fair. However, this time she is looking forward to simply judging dog shows and eating cream teas rather than apprehending a killer!And Martha is just beginning to enjoy spending quality time with Vicar Luke Walker away from the prying eyes and gossips of her own village, when disaster strikes, and the local teenage femme fatale is found stabbed to death behind the tea tent by Martha’s trusted red setter Lizzie!But who would want to kill such a young girl and why? Someone in the village has secrets to hide and it seems Martha and Luke have another case to solve!Let the investigation commence!Find out if Martha and Luke can catch the killer in a brand new Martha Miller mystery from bestselling author Catherine Coles.What readers are saying about Martha Miller!'An utterly charming 1940’s mystery. Definitely a new series addiction!' Bestselling author Debbie Young."Poison at the Village Show" is pure mystery buff entertainment and has all the qualities expected of an English mystery.' James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book ReviewPerfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers!

Read more less

Book Synopsis'If you are a fan of British police procedurals, add Shame the Devil to your must-read list.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewSometimes catching a killer means looking close to home…A young father is stabbed to death on his front doorstep in East London. Kieran Judd was a well-liked sports coach and family man, so why would he be targeted for such a brutal death?D.I. Matthew Denning and D.S. Molly Fisher are quickly thrown into an investigation with no leads to follow … and when the body of respectable schoolteacher Susan Elliot is discovered, her murder mirroring that of Kieran’s, the case gets even more complex.Faced with two murders with no obvious motive, East London Met worry that a random serial killer stalks their streets. But as Denning and Fisher uncover a dark secret linking the two victims, they are sent spiralling into an investigation in which exposing the truth will bring them directly into the sights of a killer with nothing to lose…A gripping, twisty London-set detective novel that will thrill fans of Peter James, Line of Duty and Robert Bryndza.Readers are loving Shame the Devil:‘Suspense, intrigue, action, murder, and great police work!...had me glued to my e-reader!’ Reader Review‘One of the best books I have read recently… keeps you guessing up to the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Lots of twists and red herrings to keep me guessing and turning the pages.’ Reader Review‘A complex thriller…so many twists and turns that you have no clue who's behind it all until that big reveal’ Reader Review‘With a well-drawn cast of characters, threads aplenty and a swiftly moving narrative, this is a gripping procedural.’ Reader Review‘A fast-paced police procedural with plenty of twists to keep you engrossed from start to finish… I loved this book.’ Reader Review‘I thought the whole story was amazing. I honestly didn’t want this book to end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewPraise for the Denning and Fisher series:‘Absolutely fantastic! I honestly could not put this book down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout…keeps you guessing who the killer is.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘If you love police procedurals, you’ll love this. It’s gritty, it’s down to earth, it’s well written and it’s real.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Gripping and entertaining…A complete edge of your seat read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A fabulous thriller! Graeme Hampton as always manages to create a twisty, tense story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A fantastic police procedural - a great plot, well-drawn characters and terrific pacing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A great thriller with some fun twists that will keep readers on their toes’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Started with a bang and just kept going! The twists kept coming, I couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less