Crime and mystery: hard-boiled crime, noir fiction

Book SynopsisChicago. 1992. A hospital patient wakes to find two strangers by his bed. They show him a list of names and ask a simple but impossible question. Minutes later he falls to his death from his twelfth-floor window - a fall which generates some unexpected attention.That attention comes from the Secretary of Defense, who calls for an inter-agency task force to investigate. Jack Reacher, recently demoted from Major, is assigned as the Army's representative. If he gets a result, great. If not, he's a convenient fall guy.Reacher may be an exceptional military investigator, but office politics aren't what gets him up in the morning. As he races to identify a cold-blooded killer and uncover a secret that stretches back 23 years, he must navigate around his new partners.Will Reacher bring the bad guys to justice the official way . . . or his way?Trade ReviewThe Secret is a corker . . . Fast and furious, this is classic Jack Reacher doing what he does best – busting heads and breaking rules to get to the bottom of a conspiracy * Daily Express *A flow to the fight scenes . . . some flashes of humour . . . Welcome back, Jack * The Times *If there is a more iconic character in modern fiction than Jack Reacher, I’d like to meet them * Daily Mirror *Jack Reacher is on good form . . . Cue classic laconic violence * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisThe character Sam Spade is now the subject of a brand new TV series, MONSIEUR SPADE, starring Clive Owen.One of the greatest crime novels of the 20th century.''His name remains one of the most important and recognisable in the crime fiction genre. Hammett set the standard for much of the work that would follow'' IndependentSam Spade is hired by the fragrant Miss Wonderley to track down her sister, who has eloped with a louse called Floyd Thursby. But Miss Wonderley is in fact the beautiful and treacherous Brigid O''Shaughnessy, and when Spade''s partner Miles Archer is shot while on Thursby''s trail, Spade finds himself both hunter and hunted: can he track down the jewel-encrusted bird, a treasure worth killing for, before the Fat Man finds him?Trade ReviewDashiell Hammett's crime thriller and its hard-boiled hero Sam Spade influenced everyone from Chandler to Le Carré ... The Maltese Falcon is the Hammett novel that jumps from the pages of its genre and into literature * GUARDIAN *His name remains one of the most important and recognisable in the crime fiction genre. Hammett set the standard for much of the work that would follow * INDEPENDENT *One of the foremost practitioners of the hard-boiled detective story * THE SCOTSMAN *The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction * NEW YORK TIMES *He put these people down on paper as they are, and he made them talk and think in the language they customarily used -- Raymond ChandlerHe is master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer * BOSTON GLOBE *The first fully "hard-boiled" hero in American letters * NEW YORKER *

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Book Synopsis'A cracking storyteller, who can create fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings' ANN CLEEVES There is more to solving a crime than following the clues. Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings. The discovery of a dead body in the woods on Thanksgiving Weekend brings Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his colleagues from the Surete du Quebec to a small village in the Eastern Townships. Gamache cannot understand why anyone would want to deliberately kill well-loved artist Jane Neal, especially any of the residents of Three Pines - a place so free from crime it doesn't even have its own police force. But Gamache knows that evil is lurking somewhere behind the white picket fences and that, if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will start to give up its dark secrets... Ten million readers. Three pines One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache 'One of the most interesting detectives in crime fiction' THE TIMESTrade ReviewClever, full of twists and turns . . . wonderfully satisfying * Kate Mosse on How The Light Gets In *Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time * Metro *Louise Penny twists and turns the plot expertly tripping the reader up just at the moment you think you might have solved the mystery * Daily Express *Brimming with atmosphere and steeped in soul-searching . . . Penny combines clever plotting with beautifully evocative descriptions and the deep affection for her characters that keeps readers travelling back to Three Pines for more * Daily Express on The Long Way Home *This is a crime novel that is rich in atmosphere with a fascinating array of characters that enhance a plot of great suspense and ingenuity * Good Book Guide on The Long Way Home *Subtle, elegant and beautifully written * Sunday Mirror on How The Light Gets In *

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Book SynopsisTHE CHILLING SERIAL KILLER THRILLER FROM THE CO-HOST OF CHART-TOPPING PODCAST MORBID''AMAZING TWISTS. UNPUTDOWNABLE'' SAMANTHA DOWNING''CAPTIVATING. The reader might want to shut their eyes, but the joust between the killer and the pathologist makes that impossible'' DAILY MAILWren was never afraid of the dark. Until she learned that some monsters are real . . ._________In deep Louisiana, a serial killer with a taste for medical experimentation is completing his most ambitious project yet. The media call him ''The Butcher'' - and, so far, he''s proved impossible to catch.With her encyclopaedic knowledge of humanity''s darkest minds, and years of experience examining their victims, forensic pathologist Dr Wren Muller is the best there is. The longer the Butcher''s killing spree continues, the more determined she is to bring him to justice.And yet, he continues to elude her.Trade ReviewAlaina Urquhart's debut novel is incredibly accomplished. Set deep in Louisiana, you can almost feel the heat and humidity. A grisly serial killer, a tenacious medical examiner, and a few amazing twists make this a searing, unputdownable book -- Samantha Downing, Sunday Times Bestselling AuthorCan a medical examiner outsmart a serial killer? The Butcher and the Wren will keep you waiting for an answer until the last bloody page. Prepare to be disturbed. A deliciously dark debut -- REA FREY, bestselling author for Not Her Daughter and Secrets of Our HouseImpressively detailed in its analysis . . . Captivating, with lacings of the occult. There may be moments when the reader might want to shut their eyes, but the joust between the killer and the pathologist makes that impossible * Daily Mail *A chilling page-turner with a massive twist in the middle that's sure to give you goosebumps * Woman's Weekly *The Butcher and the Wren is perfect for fans of Dexter. Pitting a brutal serial killer against a determined medical examiner, the story is a pulsepounding race against time. And the details the author weaves in due to her unique background as an autopsy tech heighten the realism and the suspense. Fans of Morbid will love the host's debut novel -- KAIRA ROUDAUrquhart paints a tense and dangerous world for us right from the start and delivers it all with a skilled and evocative hand -- AARON MAHNKE, creator of the Lore podcast and author of The World of Lore seriesDark and twisted, The Butcher And The Wren is a gripping game of cat and mouse in the Louisiana bayou that will leave you wanting for more! Alaina Urquhart is a fresh new voice in crime fiction and I can't wait to read what she writes next -- LAURE VAN RENSBURG, author of Nobody But UsNot for the faint-hearted * Heat *A read-in-one-sitting kind of book -- Sarah Gelman * CBS Mornings *Looking for the perfect way to kick off your spooky season? Well, you can end your search now as the co-host of the wildly popular true-crime podcast Morbid, who is also an autopsy technician, is offering up a twisted tale of a serial killer terrorizing the Louisiana bayou. Told from the dueling perspectives of a notorious murderer and the medical examiner who is desperate to catch him, this cat-and-mouse thriller will give your goosebumps chills -- Tierney Bricker * E! News *True-crime podcast co-host Alaina Urquhart showcases her propensity for the macabre in chilling cat-and-mouse thriller -- Sabienna Bowman * Popsugar *Another true crime podcaster brings their flair for the macabre to the page with The Butcher and the Wren. Co-host of the chart-topping Morbid podcast, Alaina Urquhart treats fans of pulse-pounding novels to a thrill ride pitting a notorious serial killer in a battle of wits against the medical examiner determined to bring him down -- Books-A-Million, “Our Favorite Debut Authors” * - *A psychic thriller that will have readers on edge from the first page to the last . . . Perfect for those who love: watching Silence of the Lambs -- Ashley McLellan * Louisiana Life *Set in the ever-moody and hauntingly beautiful city of New Orleans, The Butcher and the Wren tells the story of a meticulous serial killer and the distinguished forensic pathologist, Dr. Wren Muller, set out to stop him. After researching countless horrific true crime cases over the last several years, we have no doubt Urquhart will knock it out of the park with this one. This is the perfect book to pick up if you want to 'Keep it weird.' -- Brett Nicole Hayden, The Everygirl * - *A serial killer novel like none you have ever read, The Butcher and the Wren takes a cat-and-mouse chase between two instantly memorable antagonists and turns all the conventions of the genre upside down. Dark, twisty, full of authentic detail, it'll have you listening to the night in an entirely different way -- Neil Nyren, Booktrib * - *If you've ever wanted to actually get inside the mind of a serial killer, look no further * Paste Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Ingenious and unexpected' GUARDIANThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.When Chief Inspector Gamache arrives in picturesque Three Pines, he steps into a village in chaos. A man has been found bludgeoned to death, and there is no sign of a weapon, a motive or even the dead man's name.As Gamache and his colleagues start to dig under the skin of this peaceful haven for clues, they uncover a trail of stolen treasure, mysterious codes and a shameful history that begins to shed light on the victim's identity - and points to a terrifying killer...Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'One of the most interesting detectives in crime fiction' THE TIMESTrade ReviewIngenious and unexpected * Guardian *The best Gamache so far * Globe and Mail *It's Louise Penny's writing which adds a glow to this book. It's not just the skill of the plot, but the way that words are never wasted and that so few of them can produce a vivid picture. * The Bookbag *Murder, an attractive detective and terrific atmosphere . . . Impressive * The Times *An intricate, almost mythic plot, superb characters, and rich, dark humor. * People *Louise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling. She is an original voice, a distillation of both PD James and Barbara Vine at their peaks and a worthy successor to both. * Peter James *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Anthony Award for Best Crime NovelWinner of the Macavity Award for Best Crime NovelWinner of the Agatha Award for Best Crime NovelThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.Hidden deep in the wilderness are the cloisters of two dozen monks - men of prayer and music, famous the world over for their glorious voices. But a brutal death throws the monastery doors open to the world. And through them walks the only man who can shine light upon the dark deeds within: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache.Who among the brothers has become an angel of death? As the peace of the monastery crumbles around him, Gamache finds clues in the divine, the human . . . and the cracks in between.Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling' PETER JAMESTrade ReviewHaunting, brilliant...Chief Inspector Gamache is one of my favourite characters in fiction * Linda Fairstein *Very powerful * Stephen Booth *Terrific atmosphere...impressive * The Times *Superb characters and rich, dark humour...mouthwatering * People magazine *A pleasingly ambitious novel . . . this is a novel that places its faith in characterisation, atmosphere and the endlessly fascinating psychology of the human mind * Irish Times *Gripping * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Compelling . . . An original voice' PETER JAMESThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.Clara Morrow's husband is missing. When he fails to come home on the first anniversary of their separation, as promised, Clara asks the only person she trusts to try and find him: former Chief Inspector of Homicide, Armand Gamache. As Gamache journeys further into the case, he is drawn deeper into the tortured mind of Peter Morrow, a man so desperate to recapture his fame as an artist that he would sell his soul. As Gamache gets closer to the truth, he uncovers a deadly trail of jealousy and deceit. Can Gamache bring Peter, and himself, home safely? Or in searching for answers, has he placed himself, and those closest to him, in terrible danger?Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'Penny twists and turns the plot, expertly tripping the reader up just at the moment you think you might have solved the mystery' DAILY EXPRESSTrade ReviewLouise Penny twists and turns the plot expertly tripping the reader up just at the moment you think you might have solved the mystery * Daily Express *Clever, full of twists and turns . . . wonderfully satisfying * Kate Mosse *Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time * Metro *Subtle, elegant and beautifully written * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisNOMINATED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGERThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.As a fierce, unrelenting winter grips Quebec, shadows are closing in on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. When he receives a message about a mysterious case in Three Pines, he is compelled to investigate - a woman who was once one of the most famous people in the world has vanished.The investigation gathers momentum and Gamache is drawn into a web of murder, lies and unimaginable corruption at the heart of the city. Facing his most challenging, and personal, case to date, can he save the reputation of the Sûreté, those he holds dear and himself?Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'Full of twists and turns . . . Wonderfully satisfying' KATE MOSSETrade ReviewClever, full of twists and turns, a wonderfully satisfying -- and moving -- addition to Penny's atmospheric, distinctive series * Kate Mosse *Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time with * Metro *Louise Penny twists and turns the plot expertly tripping the reader up just at the moment you think you might have solved the mystery * Daily Express *Subtle, elegant and beautifully written * Sunday Mirror *

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Book Synopsis**THE THRILLING SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**'If only all history mysteries could be as good as The Midnight Hour' The TimesAn old man lies dead and it looks like poison, but his wife isn't the only one who had reason to kill him. Brighton, 1965When theatrical impresario Bert Billington is found dead in his retirement home, no one suspects foul play. But when the postmortem reveals that he was poisoned, suspicion falls on his wife, eccentric ex-Music Hall star Verity Malone. Frustrated by the police response to Bert's death and determined to prove her innocence, Verity calls in private detective duo Emma Holmes and Sam Collins. This is their first real case, but as luck would have it they have a friend on the inside: Max Mephisto is filming a remake of Dracula, starring Seth Billington, Bert's son. But when they question Max, they feel he isn't telling them the whole story.Emma and Sam must vie with the police to untangle the case and bring the killer to justice. They're sure the answers must lie in Bert's dark past and in the glamorous, occasionally deadly, days of Music Hall. But the closer they get to the truth, the more danger they find themselves in...***********PRAISE FOR THE MIDNIGHT HOUR 'An intricately plotted whodunnit' Daily Mail 'Griffiths writes with verve and wit' Irish Times'An entertaining period murder mystery' Irish Independent'Layered with a gripping plot' Belfast TelegraphA Sunday Times bestseller w/c 24/04/2022Trade ReviewBeneath the smooth, swan-like progression of Elly Griffith's sentences there is a lot going on. She is utterly in control of her material, and the machinations of the plot are never allowed to swamp character development, sense of place or the creation of atmosphere. She is a witty writer: the sturdy legs of a toddler on a swing, for example, are said to be "kicking the sky." If only all history mysteries could be as good as The Midnight Hour. * The Times *Griffiths writes with verve and wit, and has an unflaggingly keen eye . . . deliriously entertaining * Irish Times *An entertaining period murder mystery full of delightfully eccentric - and one decidedly deadly - luvvies * Irish Independent *Layered with a gripping plot ... very, very enjoyable' * Belfast Telegraph *An intricately plotted whodunnit * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisFrom the Sunday Times bestselling authorTWO''S COMPANY, THREE''S MURDER''I loved it!'' GILLIAN McALLISTER''Nobody writes psychopaths like Swanson.'' MARK EDWARDSWhen private detective and former cop Henry Kimball is hired to investigate a cheating husband, he senses all is not quite what it seems, and before he knows it he's gotten far too close to the other woman.As the case rapidly gets ever more dangerous, he's forced to turn to the only person he can trust, the sociopathic Lily Kintner, the woman who once stabbed him, but with whom he shares a peculiar bond.Swanson has made me fall in love with plot twists again.' DOUG JOHNSTONEReaders are gripped by The Kind Worth Saving***** ''Definitely one of the best books of the year!''***** ''Wickedly delicious!''***** ''A thrilling, gripping book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.''***** ''Fantastically twisty''***** ''Wow, this was a nonstop whirlwind!''***** ''Oh my goodness I couldn't put it down''

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Book SynopsisTesla Crane, a brilliant inventor and an heiress, is on her honeymoon on an interplanetary space liner, cruising between the Moon and Mars. She's travelling incognito and is reveling in her anonymity. Then someone is murdered and the festering chowderheads who run security have the audacity to arrest her spouse.Armed with banter, martinis and her small service dog, Tesla is determined to solve the crime so that the newlyweds can get back to canoodling and keep the real killer from striking again.Trade Review“A vibrant space mystery” – Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisEvoking the golden age of crime, and for fans of Raymond Chandler and Agatha Christie, comes the second book in the Private Investigator Archer series, A Gambling Man from one of the world’s bestselling thriller writers, David Baldacci.A lucky roll of the diceCalifornia, 1949. Aloysius Archer is on his way to start a new job with a renowned Private Investigator in Bay Town. Feeling lucky, he stops off at a casino in Reno, where he meets an aspiring actress, Liberty Callahan. Together, they head west on a journey filled with danger and surprises – because Archer isn’t the only one with a secretive past.A risk worth takingArriving in a town rife with corruption, Archer is tasked with finding out who is doing everything they can to disrupt the appointment of a top official. Then two seemingly unconnected people are murdered at a burlesque club. In a tight-lipped community, Archer must dig deep to reveal the connection between the victims.All bets are offAs the final perilous showdown unfurls, Archer will need all of his skills to decipher the truth from the lies and finally, to prove she’s a star in the making, will Liberty have her moment in the spotlight?A Gambling Man is the second historical crime novel in David Baldacci’s Private Investigator Archer series, following the Sunday Times top five bestseller One Good Deed.Trade ReviewOne of his finest books. Great character, great story, great portrait of an era -- Bill Clinton on One Good Deed, the first novel in the Aloysius Archer series.One Good Deed represents David Baldacci’s move into historical crime with a new character, ex- jailbird Aloysius Archer . . . Unsurprisingly, the talented Baldacci proves to be as adept in this new venture as he is in his contemporary-set novels * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis'Louise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling' PETER JAMESThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.Winter in Three Pines, and the sleepy village is carpeted in snow. It's a time of peace and goodwill - until a scream pierces the biting air. A spectator at the annual Boxing Day curling match has been fatally electrocuted. Despite the large crowd, there are no witnesses and - apparently - no clues.Chief Inspector Armand Gamache discovers a history of secrets and enemies in the dead woman's past. But he has enemies of his own, and as he is frozen out of decision-making in the Surete du Quebec, he has to decide who he can trust...Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'Penny is a joy' IRISH TIMESTrade ReviewLouise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling. She is an original voice, a distillation of both PD James and Barbara Vine at their peaks and a worthy successor to both * Peter James *Full of twists and turns . . . Wonderfully satisfying * Kate Mosse on How the Light Gets In *Penny's elegant style is deeply satisfying, while Gamache is contemplative even when under pressure, and remains a man you want to spend time with * Metro *Impossible to put down * Globe and Mail on A Rule Against Murder *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"As searing and unforgettable as an electric shock." — Kirkus Reviews "Heim is breathtakingly unafraid to take chances, and the fact that he doesn't self-destruct in the process is one of the reasons he can rightly be called a promising author." — San Francisco Chronicle "Provocative and daringly imagined. . . an especially noteworthy debut." — Lambda Book Report "Wrenching . . . powerfully sensuous." — New York Times

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Book SynopsisInspired by a true story, set against the heady backdrop of jazz-filled, mob-ruled New Orleans, The Axeman’s Jazz by Ray Celestin is a gripping thriller announcing a major talent in historical crime fiction.Winner of the CWA New Blood Dagger for Best Debut Crime Novel of the YearRecommended on the Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia WinklemanShortlisted for Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year AwardNew Orleans, 1919. As a dark serial killer – the Axeman – stalks the city, three individuals set out to unmask him:Detective Lieutenant Michael Talbot – heading up the official investigation, but struggling to find leads, and harbouring a grave secret of his own.Former detective Luca d’Andrea – now working for the mafia, his need to solve the mystery of the Axeman is every bit as urgent as that of the authorities.And Ida – a secretary at the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Obsessed with Sherlock Holmes and dreaming of a better life, she stumbles across a clue which lures her and her musician friend, Louis Armstrong, into the case – and into terrible danger . . .As Michael, Luca and Ida each draw closer to discovering the killer’s identity, the Axeman himself will issue a challenge to the people of New Orleans: play jazz, or risk becoming the next victim.'A fascinating portrait of a vibrant and volatile city and a riveting read' – GuardianThe Axeman's Jazz is the first book in Ray Celestin's prize-winning City Blues quartet. It is followed by the second installment, Dead Man's Blues.Trade ReviewA rewarding crime novel, swinging its way to a terrifying denouement with all the panache of a New Orleans marching band * The Times *A fascinating portrait of a vibrant and volatile city and a riveting read * Guardian *Gripping . . . Celestin smartly evokes the atmosphere of 1919 New Orleans, and a city dominated by music and the mob * Sunday Times *Based on a true story . . . this thriller blends voodoo, gangsters and jazz into an intoxicating mix * Sunday Mirror *The evocative prose brings the jazz-filled, mob-ruled ‘Big Easy’ of pre-prohibition America to life in glorious effect with a story full of suspense and intrigue. Stunning * Sunday Express *Outstanding * Daily Telegraph *A clever and utterly believable procedural with a suitably grisly killer, set in a brilliant and vibrant historical background * Crime Review *The best debut I’ve read this year * Scotsman, Crime Books of the Year *Celestin has skilfully woven around the facts a clever story of three detectives who, in different ways and for different motives, set out to find the murderer. He brilliantly portrays the mood of a city under a siege of fear. Fictional musicians mix with the real jazz artists of the period, not least Louis Armstrong. * The Times, Crime Books of the Year *An absolute must for true crime fanatics * Refinery29 *

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Book SynopsisWhen a police investigator is killed execution-style and Blix’s own daughter is targeted by the killer, he makes a dangerous decision, which could cost him everything. Blix & Ramm are back in a breathless, emotive thriller by two of Norway’s finest crime writers…‘Superb Nordic noir. Dark, intricate and extremely compelling. Contemporary Scandinavian fiction at its best’ Will Dean‘The most exciting yet’ The Times‘Blends a gripping storytelling structure with thrilling tension and heartfelt moments … if you’re a fan of writers like Lars Kepler, Stefan Ahnhem or Søren Sveistrup, you won’t want to miss this’ Crime by the Book––––––––––––––––––––When police investigator Sofia Kovic uncovers a startling connection between several Oslo murder cases, she attempts to contact her closest superior, Alexander Blix before involving anyone else in the department. But before Blix has time to return her call, Kovic is shot and killed in her own home – execution style. And in the apartment below, Blix’s daughter Iselin narrowly escapes becoming the killer’s next victim.Four days later, Blix and online crime journalist Emma Ramm are locked inside an interrogation room, facing the National Criminal Investigation Service. Blix has shot and killed a man, and Ramm saw it all happen. As Iselin’s life hangs in the balance, under-fire Blix no longer knows who he can trust … and he’s not even certain that he’s killed the right man…Two of Nordic Noir’s most brilliant writers return with the explosive, staggeringly accomplished, emotive third instalment in the international, bestselling Blix & Ramm series … and it will take your breath away.––––––––––––––––––––––––‘Short chapters, shifts in focus, and rapid changes in time frames kept me on my toes and high alert … The storytelling is just superb’ LoveReading‘Devilishly complex’ Publishers Weekly'An exercise in literary tag-teaming from two of Norway's biggest crime writers with a bold new take...’ Sunday Times ‘Hands down, the best book in the series so far and it will satisfy even the most demanding readers’ Tap the Line‘One of those jaw-dropping “what did you just do” kind of conclusions that will leave fans of the series reeling’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews‘Intense, dark, emotional and utterly outstanding!’ Karen ColePraise for the Blix & Ramm series'Grim, gory and filled with plenty of dark twists ... There's definitely a Scandinavian chill in the air with this fascinating read' Sun'Alongside Jo Nesbo's Knife, Smoke Screen is this summer's most anticipated read, and it doesn't disappoint' Tvedestrandsposten, Norway‘Masterly … surprises or shifts in subtle ways that are pleasing and avoid cliché’ New Books Magazine'A fast-moving, punchy, serial killer investigative novel with a whammy of an ending. If this is the first in the Blix and Ramm series, then here's to many more!' LoveReading'Now what happens when you put two of the most distinguished writers of Nordic noir in tandem? Death Deserved by Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst suggests it was a propitious publishing move; a ruthless killer is pursued by a tenacious celebrity blogger and a damaged detective' Financial Times For fans of Will Dean, Jussi Adler-Olsen, Ragnar Jónasson, Harlan Coben, Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir and Katrine Engber

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Book SynopsisIncarcerated in a high-security prison, a broken Alexander Blix joins forces with Emma Ramm to find a ruthless killer who has escaped from a German jail and is making his way to Norway. Pulse-pounding Nordic Noir. ‘Blix suffers a series of vicious assaults in Stigma, the new novel by the stellar Norwegian crime-writing duo Jorn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger … tense, brutal and fast-moving’ Sunday Times BOOK OF THE MONTH ‘Darkly twisty’ Crime Monthly 'Superb Nordic noir. Dark, intricate and extremely compelling. Contemporary Scandinavian fiction at its best' Will Dean _______ Alexander Blix is a broken man. Convicted for avenging his daughter’s death, he is now being held in one of Norway’s high-security prisons. Inside, the other prisoners take every opportunity to challenge and humiliate the former police investigator. On the outside, Blix’s former colleagues have begun the hunt for a terrifying killer. Walter Kroos has escaped from prison in Germany and is making his way north. The only lead established by the police is that Kroos has a friend in Blix’s prison ward. And now they need Blix’s help. Journalist Emma Ramm is one of Blix’s few visitors, and she becomes his ally as he struggles to connect the link between past and present, between the world inside and outside the prison walls. And as he begins to piece things together, he identifies a woodland community in Norway where deeply scarred inhabitants foster deadly secrets... secrets that maybe the unravelling of everyone involved… Two of Nordic Noir's finest writers return with the emotive, breath-holdingly intense and searingly tense fourth book in the number-one bestselling Blix & Ramm series. _______ Praise for the Blix & Ramm series: ‘If you're a fan of writers like Lars Kepler, Stefan Ahnhem or Søren Sveistrup, you won't want to miss this' Crime by the Book ‘Two of the most distinguished writers of Nordic Noir’ Financial Times ‘An international sensation’ Vogue 'The most exciting yet' The Times 'Devilishly complex' Publishers Weekly ‘Fascinating’ Sun ‘Completely nerve-wracking’ Tvedestrandsposten ‘Everything I want in a book – mystery, tension and action’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews ‘Masterly’ NB Magazine ‘An absolute MUST for thriller fans … in a class of its own’ Krimi Couch

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Book Synopsis'Here ends one of the finest achievements of recent crime fiction' - Sunday Telegraph'Outstanding' - The Times*Winner of the 2022 CWA Historical Dagger and Gold Dagger*Los Angeles. Christmas, 1967. A devil is loose in the City of Angels . . .A young nurse, Kerry Gaudet, travels to the City of Angels desperate to find her missing brother, fearing that something terrible has happened to him: a serial killer is terrorising the city, picking victims at random, and Kerry has precious few leads.Ida Young, recently retired Private Investigator, is dragged into helping the police when a young woman is discovered murdered in her motel room. Ida has never met the victim but her name has been found at the crime scene and the LAPD wants to know why . . .Meanwhile mob fixer Dante Sanfelippo has put his life savings into purchasing a winery in Napa Valley but first he must do one final favour for the Mob before leaving town: find a bail jumper before the bond money falls due, and time is fast running out.Ida’s friend, Louis Armstrong, flies into the city just as her investigations uncover mysterious clues to the killer’s identity. And Dante must tread a dangerous path to pay his dues, a path which will throw him headlong into a terrifying conspiracy and a secret that the conspirators will do anything to protect . . .Completing his American crime quartet, Ray Celestin's Sunset Swing is a stunning novel of conspiracy, murder and madness, an unforgettable portrait of a city on the edge.Trade ReviewCelestin’s debut The Axeman’s Jazz immediately attained cult status, and successive books also impressed. But this is his most dizzying accomplishment, a truly epic crime chronicle. Set in a pulsing 1960s Los Angeles, Celestin creates a joint picture of the histories of organised crime and jazz, full of coruscating detail. -- Barry Forshaw * Financial Times *Sunset Swing concludes Ray Celestin's outstanding City Blues quartet . . . Celestin's most perfectly wrought portrait, however is of the City of Dreams itself, soaked in corruption and empty of heart. Sunset Swing may be an ode to the classics of hard-boiled noir, but it has more than enough rhythm of its own to take its place beside them * The Times *Magnificent and moving * Sunday Times Crime Club *Over four books, beginning with The Axeman’s Jazz in 2014, Ray Celestin has constructed a riveting saga of music, the mafia and murder in four American cities from 1919 to the 1960s. Sunset Swing, unfolding in Los Angeles in 1967, brings his City Blues Quartet to a triumphant conclusion . . . Brilliantly combines the page-turning tension of the best crime fiction with a panoramic portrait of a city in the midst of profound social change -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Here ends one of the finest achievements of recent crime fiction, Ray Celestin’s City Blues Quartet . . . Throughout this series, the counterpoint to Celestin's stark portrayal of a fundamentally corrupt and gangster-ridden America has been his rare ability to capture in prose something of the glory of the music made by Armstrong and his fellow jazz-men. Here he rises to the final challenge of Armstrong's last comeback . . . Few artists have combined greatness and lovability to the extent Armstrong did, and these outstanding hard-boiled thrillers double as a worthy tribute to him -- Jake Kerridge * The Sunday Telegraph *Sunset Swing brings Ray Celestin’s brilliant City Blues Quartet to an end in quite some style. This outstanding series has tracked its characters across four major American cities and over half a century . . . Each of the four books is an epic in its own right, but here, as winter wildfires rage at the end of the continent, the feel is almost apocalyptic . . . The section . . . where Amstrong is first confounded by, then finds a new way to understand and interpret, Bob Thiele’s lyrics for ‘What A Wonderful World’, is as fine and nuanced a piece of writing about music as you’ll find anywhere. It’s one of several superb and moving moments in the best book in a quite remarkable series. Start here if you want, but to get the full effect, put The Axeman’s Jazz, Dead Man's Blues, and The Mobster's Lament on your Christmas list as well. It would almost be a crime not to. * The Quietus *Celestin’s crime quartet – set against the evolution of jazz in 20th-century America – comes to a superb close in this final volume, which also serves as tribute to the genius of Louis Armstrong * The Daily Telegraph *The series is a delight * The Times *This lively, jazz-based series can only be cause for celebration * Sunday Times *Not only a satisfying and multi-layered mystery, but also a well researched and dynamic portrait of a teeming city, rife with corruption * Guardian *A vividly written crime thriller which is a contender for book of the year -- Daily Mirror on The Mobster's LamentOne of the most ambitious and riveting works of crime fiction in years . . . -- Sunday Express on The Mobster's LamentCaptivating -- Spectator on Dead Man's BluesAn absolute must for true crime fanatics * Refinery 29 *Outstanding -- Daily Telegraph on The Axeman's Jazz

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Book SynopsisWhen a woman's body is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, investigators discover shocking secrets in her past. First in the disturbing, chillingly atmospheric, addictive new Forbidden Iceland series. **WINNER of the Storytel Award for Best Crime Novel 2020** **WINNER of the Blackbird Award for Best Icelandic Crime Novel** **SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Independent Voice** **SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Debut Novel** **LONGLISTED for the CWA New Blood Dagger** 'Eva Bjoerg AEgisdottir's accomplished first novel is not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made' The Times 'Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva Bjoerg AEgisdottir's. It's subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come' Ann Cleeves 'An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Iceland's rising stars' Ragnar Jonasson _________________ When a body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that she's no stranger to the area. Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her collegues Saevar and Hoerdur, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman's past that continues to reverberate in the present day ... But as Elma and her team make a series of discoveries, they bring to light a host of long-hidden crimes that shake the entire community. Sifting through the rubble of the townspeople's shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice ... before it's too late. For fans of Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Ruth Rendell, P D James, Sarah Hilary and Camilla Lackberg _________________ 'Elma leaves Reykjavik CID for a job with the police in her hometown of Akranes, deeming it "every bit as quiet as it appeared to be" - until the discovery of a murdered woman starts to unravel a thread of long-buried crimes hidden deep in the community. Elma is a fantastic heroine' Sunday Times 'We're used to Icelandic writers lowering the temperature - in more ways than one - and AEgisdottir proves to be adept at this chilly art as any of her confreres (and consoeurs). Elma is a memorably complex character, and Victoria Cribb's translation is (as usual) non-pareil' Financial Times 'A deserted lighthouse and a murdered woman set the scene for this haunting and compelling mystery where the dark secrets of a small town are shockingly exposed. As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter' Lisa Gray, author of Thin Air 'The setting in Iceland is fascinating, the descriptions creating a vivid picture of the reality of living in a small town. The Creak on the Stairs is a captivating tale with plenty of tension and a plot to really get your teeth into' LoveReading 'At each stage, AEgisdottir is not giving us information but asking things of us. She's getting us to think through the implications: what if it's him, what if it's her, what would it mean? We're involved, we've got skin in the game and we can't ask for more as readers' Cafe ThinkingTrade Review'Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva Bjork Aegisdottir. It's subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come' Ann Cleeves 'An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Iceland's rising stars' Ragnar Jonasson

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Book SynopsisThe first girl came back.The next might not be so lucky...--------''A real gripper of a read'' Peter James ''Masterful, engrossing, twisty'' Rosamund Lupton''One of our most exciting crime writers'' John Marrs A girl is taken from the streets of Oxford. But it''s unlike any abduction DI Fawley''s seen before . . . Faith Appleford was attacked, a plastic bag tied over her head, taken to an isolated location . . . and then, by some miracle, she escaped. What''s more, when DC Erica Somer interviews Faith, she quickly becomes convinced that Faith knows who her abductor is. Yet Faith refuses to press charges. Without more evidence, it''s looking like the police may have to drop the case. But what happens if Faith''s attacker strikes again?The fourth twisty, up-all-night thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling Cara Hunter. For fans of Shari Lapena, Claire Douglas and Trade ReviewFantastic...my favourite series ever! -- SHARI LAPENA, author of SOMEONE WE KNOWA real gripper of a read -- PETER JAMES, author of DEAD AT FIRST SIGHTClassy, agile, fresh, unpredictable and utterly compelling...hats off! -- NICCI FRENCH, author of THE LYING ROOM

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Book SynopsisA dark, funny, deliciously different literary thriller about a jaded hitman, set in the criminal underworld of SeoulKill Bill meets Murakami' D. B. John, author of Star of the NorthA work of literary genius' Karen Dionne, internationally bestselling author of HomeI loved it!' M. W. Craven, author of The Puppet ShowYou'll be laughing out loud every five minutes' You-jeong Jeong, author of The Good SonA mash-up of Tarantino and Camus set in contemporary Seoul' Louisa Luna, author of Two Girls DownAn incredible cast of characters' Le mondeSmart but lightning fast' Brian Evenson, author of Last DaysPlotters are just pawns like us. A request comes in and they draw up the plans. There's someone above them who tells them what to do. And above that person is another plotter telling them what to do. You think that if you go up there with a knife and stab the person at the very top, that'll fix everything. But no-one's there. It's just an empty chair.Reseng was raised by cantankerous Old Raccoon in the Library of Dogs. To anyone asking, it's just an ordinary library. To anyone in the know, it's a hub for Seoul's organised crime, and a place where contract killings are plotted and planned. So it's no surprise that Reseng has grown up to become one of the best hitmen in Seoul. He takes orders from the plotters, carries out his grim duties, and comforts himself afterwards with copious quantities of beer and his two cats, Desk and Lampshade.But after he takes pity on a target and lets her die how she chooses, he finds his every move is being watched. Is he finally about to fall victim to his own game? And why does that new female librarian at the library act so strangely? Is he looking for his enemies in all the wrong places? Could he be at the centre of a plot bigger than anything he's ever known?Trade Review‘This modern-day tale of Korean gangsters beguiles with its sly wit and quirky erudition. Fresh and original’ The Times ‘A seductive, Tarantino-like blend of fight scenes and bizarre social comedy’ Sunday Times ‘Wild, intriguing, a lot of fun’ Los Angeles Review of Books ‘Pleasingly deadpan, The Plotters manages to be both humorous and violent, and sometimes even wise’ Observer ‘Kim conjures a gloriously dreamlike alternative Korea, with vibrant settings, heightened reality and choreographed ultra-violence’ Guardian ‘A raucous extravaganza of assassins and lunatics’ New York Times ‘Kim conjures a gloriously dreamlike alternative Korea, with vibrant settings, heightened reality and choreographed ultra-violence’ Guardian ‘Vivid, mesmerising, gripping … in The Plotters, Kim has mixed bookishness, crackpots and commissioned murder into a rich and unsettling blend’ Washington Post ‘A work of literary genius; a quirky, compelling, intelligent, darkly funny, highly original and thought-provoking thriller like nothing I've read’ Karen Dionne, internationally bestselling author of Home ‘A truly incredible and unique thriller, unlike anything I have read before’ Khurrum Rahman 'Kill Bill meets Murakami. Twisted and surreal, The Plotters is one of those rare books that will haunt you long after you've finished it. The writing is smooth, unhurried and often profound, even as it draws you deeper into the gruesome underworld of skilled contract killers. Chillingly, the violence is almost exquisite, a bloody art form’ D. B. John, author of Star of the North ‘In a terrifying, not unimaginable dystopian Seoul, guilds, plotters and assassins jostle for supremacy . . . Violent, clever and funny, I loved it!’ M. W. Craven, author of The Puppet Show ‘You’ll be laughing out loud every five minutes, and contemplating the meaning of life, death and desire’ You-jeong Jeong, author of The Good Son

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Book SynopsisWhat if someone wanted your family dead?-------- ''I was hooked from beginning to end'' Claire Douglas''Confirms her place in the front rank of British crime writers'' Sunday Times It''s one of the most disturbing cases DI Fawley has ever worked. The Christmas holidays, and two children have just been pulled from the wreckage of their burning home in North Oxford. The toddler is dead, and his brother is soon fighting for his life. Why were they left in the house alone? Where is their mother, and why is their father not answering his phone? Then new evidence is discovered, and DI Fawley''s worst nightmare comes true. Because this fire wasn''t an accident. It was murder. And the killer is still out there... Sunday Times best 100 novels since 1945 Sunday Times Best Crime Fiction of 2019The third twisty, up-all-night thriller from the SundaTrade ReviewSwitch off your phone and settle down on the sofa. You won't be able to put this book down until you've found out what happened - and who's responsible * Independent *Compulsive, with an ending you will not see coming -- Emma KavanaghA genuine stroke of genius ... sets the bar for new crime writers -- John Marrs

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Book SynopsisLucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers join forces on a deadly maritime case like no other . . .   An off-duty Coast Guardsman is fishing with his family when he calls in some suspicious behaviour from a nearby boat. The slick craft has stopped to pick up a surfaced diver, who was apparently alone, without his own boat, in the middle of the ocean. None of it makes sense, and his hunch is proved right when all three Guardsmen who come out to investigate are shot and killed. They're federal officers killed on the job, which means the case is the FBI's turf. And when the FBI's investigation stalls out, they call in Lucas Davenport. But when the case turns lethal, Davenport will need to bring in every asset he can claim, including a detective with a fundamentally criminal mind: Virgil Flowers.With sinister motives running deep, Flowers and Davenport will need to work together to catch the killers – before they bec

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Book SynopsisA wealthy Icelandic family gathers for a reunion in a remote hotel on the isolated lava fields, but when someone goes missing, dark secrets are exposed and everyone is a suspect … the chilling, gripping prequel to the addictive, award-winning Forbidden Iceland series… ‘A country house mystery worthy of Agatha Christie’ The Times Crime Book of the Month ‘As storms rage, people fall prey to a sinister figure. A canny synthesis of modern Nordic Noir and Golden Age mystery’ Financial Times 'In a Forbidden Iceland novel, there's no terrain more treacherous than the mind … a deep-dark thriller to read with the lights on' A J Finn 'Riveting, exciting, entertaining and packed with intrigue … like Succession on ice' Liz Nugent **WINNER of the STORYTEL AWARD for Crime Book of the Year*** –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The wealthy, powerful Snæberg clan has gathered for a family reunion at a futuristic hotel set amongst the dark lava flows of Iceland's remote Snæfellsnes peninsula. Petra Snæberg, a successful interior designer, is anxious about the event, and her troubled teenage daughter, Lea, whose social-media presence has attracted the wrong kind of followers. Ageing carpenter Tryggvi is an outsider, only tolerated because he's the boyfriend of Petra's aunt, but he's struggling to avoid alcohol because he knows what happens when he drinks … Humble hotel employee, Irma, is excited to meet this rich and famous family and observe them at close quarters … perhaps too close… As the weather deteriorates and the alcohol flows, one of the guests disappears, and it becomes clear that there is a prowler lurking in the dark. But is the real danger inside … within the family itself? Masterfully cranking up the suspense, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir draws us into an isolated, frozen setting, where nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted, as the dark secrets and painful pasts of the Snæberg family are uncovered … and the shocking truth revealed. Succession meets And Then There Were None … A Golden Age mystery for the 21st Century, with a shocking twist. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 'A tense, twisty page-turner that you'll have serious trouble putting down' Catherine Ryan Howard 'Your new Nordic Noir obsession' Vogue 'Confirms Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir as a leading light of Icelandic noir … a master of misdirection' The Times Praise for the Forbidden Iceland series **Winner of the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger** **Shortlisted for the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime** **Shortlisted for the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger** **Shortlisted for the Capital Crime Award for Best Thriller** 'Chilling and addictive, with a completely unexpected twist … I loved it' Shari Lapena 'Beautifully written … one of the rising stars of Nordic Noir'Victoria Selman 'Fans of Nordic Noir will love this' Ann Cleeves 'Eerie and chilling. I loved every word!' Lesley Kara 'Creepily compelling' Heidi Amsinck 'Elma is a memorably complex character' Financial Times 'Exciting and harrowing' Ragnar Jónasson 'Fantastic' Sunday Times 'So atmospheric' Heat

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Book Synopsis'One of the greatest crime writers of our times' DENISE MINAThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.The air is unbearably tense as Armand Gamache returns to the Sûreté du Québec for his first day of work since being demoted from its command to head of homicide.Amid blistering personal social media attacks, Gamache sets out on his first assignment. He has been tasked with finding a missing woman, but while he leads the search for Vivienne Godin, Three Pines itself is threatened when the river breaks its banks, and a province-wide emergency is declared.As the waters rise, a body is discovered - and the victim's distraught father contemplates a murder of his own. Gamache is a father himself, and is haunted by a question . . . what would he do, if his child's killer might walk free?Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'No one does atmospheric quite like Louise Penny' ELLY GRIFFITHSTrade ReviewNo one does atmospheric quite like Louise Penny * Elly Griffiths *Louise Penny is one of the greatest crime writers of our times * Denise Mina *Fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings * Ann Cleeves *One of the most interesting detectives in crime fiction * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR27 MILLION BOOKS SOLDWINNER OF THE GLASS KEY AWARDJussi Adler-Olsen returns with his most captivating and suspenseful novel yet...In a Copenhagen park the body of an elderly woman is discovered. Though the case bears a striking resemblance to another unsolved homicide from over a decade ago, the police cannot find any connection between the two victims. Across town a group of young women are being hunted down. The attacks seem random, but could these brutal acts of violence be related? Detective Carl Mørck of Department Q is charged with solving the mystery.Back at headquarters, Carl and his team are under pressure to deliver results: failure to meet his superiors' expectations will mean the end of Department Q. Solving the case, however, is not their only concern. After a breakdown, their colleague Rose is struggling to deal with the ghosts of her past - a past seemingly connected to one of the division's most sinister case-files. It is up to Carl, Assad and Gordon to unearth the dark and violent truth plaguing Rose before it is too late.Translated by William FrostPerfect for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.Trade ReviewThe new "it" boy of Nordic Noir * Times *Gripping story-telling * Guardian *Adler-Olsen's prose is superior to Larsson's, his tortures are less discomfiting, and he has a sense of humour * Booklist on Mercy *[A] sordid tale . . . inspired by actual events during a dark period of Danish history. Ah, but there is more, so much more in this frenzied thriller * New York Times on Guilt *Mesmerising writing * Independent *Scandinavian crime novels don't get much darker than Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q police procedurals * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the Tom Thorne series from bestselling author Mark Billingham, Scaredy Cat is a gripping, chilling tour-de-force; a book to keep you reading until deep into the night.''Assured and shocking'' GuardianIt was a vicious, calculated murder. The killer selected his victim at Euston station, followed her home on the tube, strangled her to death in front of her child. At the same time, killed in the same way, a second body is discovered at the back of King''s Cross station. And this grisly event eerily echoes the murder of two other women, stabbed to death months before on the same day.It is DI Tom Thorne who sees the link and comes to the horrifying conclusion. This is not a serial killer the police are up against.This is two of them - and two killers are way more deadly than one . . .__________Read what everyone''s saying about tTrade ReviewMurder and mystery do not come better than this What's on in London Brisk, racy read The Times Assured and shocking thriller The Guardian A cunning variation on the serial-murder theme Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisHill is an instinctive and complete novelist who is blessed with a spontaneous storytelling gift' Frances Fyfield, Mail on SundayFifteen years ago they moved everyone out of Dendale. They needed a new reservoir and an old community seemed a cheap price to pay. But four inhabitants of the valley could not be moved, for nobody knew where they were: three little girls who had gone missing, and the prime suspect in their disappearance, Benny Lightfoot.This was Andy Dalziel's worst case and now he looks set to relive it. Another child goes missing in the next valley, and old fears arise as someone sprays the deadly message on Danby bridge: BENNY'S BACK!Trade Review‘On Beulah Height must rank as his best yet… Reginald Hill’s novels are really dances to the music of time’Ian Rankin, Scotland on Sunday ‘Few writers in the genre today have Hill’s gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace’Donna Leon, Sunday Times

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Book Synopsis''Puts Chandler to shame ... Hughes is the master we keep turning to'' Sara ParetskyAfter the war, cynical veteran Dix Steele has moved to L.A., a city terrified by a strangler preying on young women. Bumping into an old friend, now a detective working on the case, Dix is thrilled by closely following the progress of the police. And meeting his new neighbour, sultry and beautiful actress Laurel Gray, brings even more excitement into his life. But the strangler is still prowling the streets - and Laurel may be in more danger than she realises...In a Lonely Place was adapted for film in 1950, with Humphrey Bogart as Dix Steele.Trade ReviewMy favourite crime writer. Full stop -- Sara Weinman * Los Angeles Review of Books *Dorothy B. Hughes is the unsung godmother of every feisty female investigator who has hit the streets in the last twenty-five years -- Val McDermindDorothy B. Hughes was in a class of her own. To be a female author of hard-boiled fiction back in the 1940s was unusual enough, but to write a first-person narrative from the viewpoint of a male serial killer was breaking new ground by anybody's standards. She marked out this territory years before most other writers even knew it existed. -- Max Decharne, author of Hardboiled Hollywood: The Origins of Great Crime FilmsIf you wake up in the night screaming with terror, don't say we didn't warn you. * New York Times Book Review *Dorothy B. Hughes was in a class of her own. To be a female author of hard-boiled fiction back in the 1940s was unusual enough, but to write a first-person narrative from the viewpoint of a male serial killer was breaking new ground by anybody's standards. She marked out this territory years before most other writers even knew it existed. -- Max Decharne, author of Hardboiled Hollywood: The Origins of Great Crime FilmsAn excellent novel -- David Thomson * Have You Seen...? *A tour de force . . . The structure is flawless, and the scenes of postwar L.A. have an immediacy that puts Chandler to shame. No wonder Hughes is the master we keep turning to. -- Sara Paretsky

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Book SynopsisTHE PULSE-RAISING NEW WISTING NOVEL FROM 10 MILLION COPY BESTSELLER JØRN LIER HORST, NOW A MAJOR BBC 4 TV SHOW''Up there with the best of the Nordic crime writers'' THE TIMES''One of the most brilliantly understated crime novelists writing today'' SUNDAY TIMESA BODY IN THE LAKE. A HEAD ON A STAKE . . ._________Gruesome happenings in the quiet town of Larvik. Only one man is capable of solving them: Chief Inspector William Wisting.Before long, more bodies are found. Media frenzy sweeps the locals into panic. And when Wisting''s investigation leads him to a deadly underground crime ring, he fears the whole town may be in danger.But at the heart of it is the gang''s elusive leader: The Night Man.Who Wisting must find if he wants to stop the murders.That is, if The Night Man doesn''t get to him first . . ._________Praise foTrade ReviewIt's fascinating to see Horst flesh out his protagonist Wisting at an early stage in his career . . . Nor is it hard to see why the series quickly became so popular * Sunday Times *Praise for Jørn Lier Horst * ; *Tense, fast-paced . . . compelling * Sunday Times *Relentlessly exciting . . . creates a sense of real menace * The Times *Jørn Lier Horst writes some of the best Scandinavian crime fiction available. His books are superbly plotted and addictive, the characters wonderfully realised * Yrsa Sigurðardóttir *One of the very best novels that [Lier Horst] has ever written . . . Thrilling. Jørn Lier Horst elevates his and Wisting's universe to a whole other level * Nettavisen, Norway *Atmospheric. Demonstrates why he has become so popular . . . A powerful portrait of a barbaric criminal underworld that exploits society's most vulnerable * Herald *

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Book Synopsis''Gibson is having tremendous fun'' Independent --------------THE THIRD NOVEL IN THE BLUE ANT TRILIOGY - READ PATTERN RECOGNITION AND SPOOK COUNTRY FOR MORE Hubertus Bigend, the Machiavellian head of global ad-agency Blue Ant, wants to uncover the maker of an obscurely fashionable denim that is taking subculture by storm. Ex-musician Henry Hollis knows nothing about fashion, but Bigend decides she is the woman for the job anyway. Soon, though, it becomes clear that Bigend''s interest in underground labels might have sinister applications. Powerful parties, who''ll do anything to get what they want, are showing their hand. And Hollis is about to find herself in the crossfire.A gripping spy thriller by William Gibson, bestselling author of Neuromancer. Part prophesy, part satire, Zero History skewers the absurdity of modern life with the lightest and most engaging of touches. Readers of Neal Stephenson, Ray Bradbury and Iain M. Banks won''t be able to put this book down. -------------- ''An ideas-swarm, coated with a hipster glaze'' Herald ''Gibson''s writing is thrillingly tight'' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewAmong our most fascinating novelists * Daily Telegraph *A compulsive and deeply intelligent literary thriller * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisSue Grafton has become one of the most popular female writers, both in the UK and in the US. Born in Kentucky in 1940, she began her career as a TV scriptwriter before Kinsey Millhone and the 'alphabet' series took off. Two of the novels B is for Burglar and C is for Corpse won the first Anthony Awards for Best Novel. Sue wrote twenty-five novels in her alphabet series, the last was Y is for Yesterday, before her death in California in December 2017.Trade ReviewWill keep you awake until the last page has been turned. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe sixteenth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham.''Hugely intelligent and authentic'' BELINDA BAUER, AUTHOR OF SNAPShe says she''s an ordinary mother.He knows a liar when he sees one.Sarah thinks of herself as a normal single mum. It''s what she wants others to think of her. But the truth is, she needs something new, something thrilling.Meanwhile, DI Tom Thorne is investigating a woman''s suicide, convinced she was driven to do it by a man who preys on vulnerable women.A man who is about to change Sarah''s life.From number one, five-million-copy bestseller Mark Billingham comes a breathless new thriller starring Thorne and Tanner that readers will devour.PRAISE FOR MARK BILLINGHAM''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' THE TIMES''An unconventional literary superstar'' MAIL ON SUNDAY''Billingham is a world-class writer'' KARIN SLAUGHTER''A new Mark Billingham is always a treat'' SUSIE STEINER''Finely paced and polished procedural, with twists and turns galore'' CARA HUNTER''Perfectly executed and with a thoroughly unnerving twist'' GUARDIAN''Thorne is a terrific invention'' IRISH INDEPENDENT''Mark Billingham gets better and better'' MICHAEL CONNELLYTrade ReviewTheir Little Secret is a cracking read! It features one of the most twisted relationships I've ever read. I couldn't put it down! * Shari Lapena *Mark Billingham is a damn fine storyteller whose thrilling books always satisfy. With a propulsive plot that is as gripping as it is unnerving, you will not be able to put this book down. Their Little Secret is an unforgettable ride * Karin Slaughter *You think Billingham can't get better, and then along comes Their Little Secret, a twisted, and twisty psychological thriller, rich with character, insight and procedural detail. He is at the top of his game * Linwood Barclay *One of the most compelling figures in contemporary crime fiction . . . Beautifully constructed and written, it pulses with the humanity that is Billingham's - and Thorne's - trademark * Daily Mail *Hugely intelligent and authentic * Belinda Bauer, author of Snap *Mark Billingham is one of the greatest writers in this, or any other genre * Steve Cavanagh *I guarantee you won't see the ending coming. The Thorne books just keep getting better. Billingham is a superb crime writer with a sharp eye for detail and Thorne is one of the most interesting detectives in contemporary crime fiction -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Express *Billingham scores even higher in his continuing brilliance in portraying Thorne the person -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Reliably ace * Heat *His exploration of relationships makes this novel much more interesting than an ordinary straightforward police procedural * Literary Review *Is there a more peerless crime writer at work today than Mark Billingham? There are few writers whose work I enjoy more * Crime Time *You'll read over several days, but for which you give up sleep because you have to know what happens . . . It's a highly-recommended, brilliant book * The Book Bag *The twisted plot unfolds gradually, with a maximum of suspense. Billingham never strains credulity in this thoughtful page-turner * Publishers Weekly *An object lesson in how to take an established series into shockingly deep waters without losing the thread that keeps the franchise going * Kirkus *This is a fantastic thriller, combining a gripping plot and lead characters of remarkable depth. A series to savor . . . it's impossible to put down Their Little Secret * Booklist *An absolutely gripping tale * Winnipeg Free Press *

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Book SynopsisFor DCI Gillard, sometimes old sins cast long shadows…Under a motorway flyover lies the body of a young man. Days earlier, he had been involved in an altercation with DCI Craig Gillard’s pregnant partner Sam. Now he’s dead…Meanwhile, something is brewing in the criminal underworld. Whispers of a big job have reached the Met’s Flying Squad. Something is going to be stolen, and soon. Something worth £500m.But what? And where? And how does it relate to the body under the overpass? It should be a simple case: stop the burglary, crack the gang, find the murderer – but for Gillard, once again it’s personal…Fast-paced and utterly unputdownable, the next instalment of the DCI Gillard series is perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Stuart Macbride and Faith Martin.

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Book SynopsisThe next incredible instalment in the case books of Ms Tree, private detective, from famed Hard Case Crime author Max Allan Collins! From the minds of author Max Allen Collins and artist Terry Beatty, comes the fourth collection of 5 classic Ms Tree stories. Join Michael Tree, the 6ft, 9mm carrying private detective on her thrilling adventures. No case is too small, no violence too extreme, just as long as it gets the job done. Fans of hard-boiled detective and crime fiction will get a thrill from these tales! Featuring the stories: "Deadline" "Skin Deep" "Runaway" "Runaway II" "Death, Danger and Diamonds"Trade Review"For those who prefer their comics a little harder, a little faster, and a whole lot pulpier, Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty's Ms. Tree will hit the bullseye ¾ and blow it to pieces." - Mystery Scene "A saga rife with treachery, violence, and intrigue... a 'must-read' for mystery graphic novel connoisseurs." - Midwest Book Review"As you’d expect from Max Allan Collins, this is another great read ... a classic noir style" - The Borg“Well crafted crime tales, with snappy dialogue and a good share of action and violence” - Graphic Novel Resources"A compelling read for those of us who love the character and a great, thoroughly accessible introduction for new readers" - First Comics News

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Book SynopsisThe latest masterpiece from multi-award-winning number-one bestseller Mark Billingham sees DI Tom Thorne and DI Nicola Tanner hunting a killer who is yet to kill . . . Trade ReviewAnother tough but utterly intriguing entry in one of the best British police detective series going * Winnipeg Free Press *One of the great series of British crime fiction * The Times *One of the great series of British crime fiction * The Times *A new Mark Billingham is always a treat and The Killing Habit hurls the reader straight into the action. Thoroughly enjoyable for being so very real. * Susie Steiner, author of Missing, Presumed and Persons Unknown *Mark Billingham on superb form. A finely paced and polished procedural, with twists and turns galore and an ending that will chill your soul. * Cara Hunter, author of Close to Home *A new Mark Billingham is always a treat and The Killing Habit hurls the reader straight into the action. Thoroughly enjoyable for being so very real. * Susie Steiner, author of Missing, Presumed and Persons Unknown *Mark Billingham on superb form. A finely paced and polished procedural, with twists and turns galore and an ending that will chill your soul. * Cara Hunter, author of Close to Home *An unconventional literary superstar * Mail on Sunday *As ever with Billingham, a rich cast of characters and tense situations are marshalled with panache, leading to a final terrifying encounter * Financial Times *An unconventional literary superstar * Mail on Sunday *As ever with Billingham, a rich cast of characters and tense situations are marshalled with panache, leading to a final terrifying encounter * Financial Times *Thorne is a terrific invention * Irish Independent *Entertaining, thought provoking and current * West Australian *The strength of the DI Thorne novels is in the knowledge that all of this could be real. The closing of the novel will please even the most discerning fan of the police procedural, and leave you yearning for more. * Crime Fiction Lover *Another tough but utterly intriguing entry in one of the best British police detective series going * Winnipeg Free Press *Thorne is a terrific invention * Irish Independent *The strength of the DI Thorne novels is in the knowledge that all of this could be real. The closing of the novel will please even the most discerning fan of the police procedural, and leave you yearning for more. * Crime Fiction Lover *Want something to get the heart racing as you laze by the pool?...A thrilling read not for the faint-hearted * Sun *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Axeman's Jazz, Ray Celestin's The Mobster's Lament is a gripping tale of crime and jazz music, and the third entry in his City Blues Quartet. A gangster is on his last chance to escape the clutches of New York's mafia families but, as a blizzard descends on NYC, a ruthless serial killer is tracking his every move.New York, 1947.Mob fixer Gabriel Leveson’s plans to flee the city are put on hold when he is tasked with tracking down stolen mob money by ‘the boss of all bosses’, Frank Costello. But while he's busy looking, he doesn't notice who is watching him . . .Meanwhile, Private Investigator Ida Young and her old partner, Michael Talbot, must prove the innocence of Talbot’s son Tom, who has been accused of the brutal murders of four people in a Harlem flophouse. With all the evidence pointing towards him, their only chance of exoneration is to find the killer themselves.Whilst across town, Ida’s childhood friend, Louis Armstrong, is on the brink of bankruptcy, when a promoter approaches him with a strange offer to reignite his career . . .Both a gripping neo-noir crime novel and a vivid, panoramic portrait of New York, The Mobster's Lament takes you to the heart of a city where the Mob has risen to the height of its powers.Though they can be read individually, the City Blues Quartet begins with The Axeman's Jazz and Dead Man's Blues. Complete the series with Sunset Swing. Trade ReviewA vividly written crime thriller which is a contender for book of the year. -- Jon Coates * Daily Mirror *One of the most ambitious and riveting works of crime fiction in years . . . This is a compendious, gripping book that captures the fizzing energy of New York at one of the most exciting points in its history * Sunday Express *A satisfying and multi-layered mystery, and a well researched and dynamic portrait of a teeming city, rife with corruption * Guardian *An edge-of-the-seat crime epic that surpasses the remarkable standards set by its predecessors The Axeman’s Jazz and Dead Man’s Blues . . . A contender for book of the year and should not be missed * Daily Express *Celestin is hugely knowledgeable in portraying the atmosphere of New York. The series is a delight. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE GLASS KEY AWARD 2023 FOR THE LAST GRUDGE If you enjoyed Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo, you'll love this international #1 bestseller.*** HOLLYWOOD MOVIE IN PRODUCTION ***___________WHEN THE STORY ENDS, THE HUNT BEGINS . . . Detective Jessica Niemi is drawn into a high-profile investigation after the wife of a famous author, Roger Koponen, appears to have been killed in a bizarre ritual.As more twisted murders occur in the coming days, it becomes obvious that Jessica is hunting a serial killer – one that is taking brutal inspiration from Koponen's bestselling trilogy . . .Has a devoted fan lost their mind, or is this case more personal?Nobody is safe in this rollercoaster thriller from award-winning author Max Seeck. 'The Witch Hunter, translated with icy precision by Kristian London, is written in short, sharp, present-tense chapters, a technique which adds to its relentless tension [and] a resolution as bleak as anything Poe might have conjured’ – Wall Street Journal'If you only read one Nordic noir novel this autumn, make it The Witch Hunter – a chilling female-led thriller that will please fans of Lisbeth Salander and Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy' – Culture Fly'[A] riveting, multi-layered debut, blending masterful police procedural with a chilling exploration of the occult' – Sara Blaedel #1 International Bestselling Author'One of the best books I have read. Ever. Absolutely thrilling, well-written, and oh-so-hard to put down' – Emelie Schepp, author of Slowly We Die'The Witch Hunter is everything I wish for in a thriller: exceptional story, exceptional characters, exceptional writing, and shocking twists – exceptional everything' – Chris Mooney, author of Blood World'One twist follows another . . . Seeck imbues this riveting procedural with a deliciously creepy undertone' – Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW'Dark and intricate . . . Vividly cinematic and impactful' – Booklist STARRED REVIEW'A disturbing tale of murder and madness' – Kirkus ReviewsTrade Review'The Witch Hunter, translated with icy precision by Kristian London, is written in short, sharp, present-tense chapters, a technique which adds to its relentless tension. Flashbacks to earlier episodes in Jessica's life suggest that the strangeness currently unfolding is tied to her personal history. Discovering the how and why of it brings a resolution as bleak as anything Poe might have conjured' * Wall Street Journal *'If you only read one Nordic noir novel this autumn, make it The Witch Hunter – a chilling female-led thriller that will please fans of Lisbeth Salander and Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy' * Culture Fly *'Seeck's riveting, multi-layered debut, blending masterful police procedural with a chilling exploration of the occult, kept me up all night, devouring it in one amazing gulp, and checking under the bed' -- Sara Blaedel #1 International Bestselling Author'One of the best books I have read. Ever. Absolutely thrilling, well-written, and oh-so-hard to put down' -- Emelie Schepp, author of Slowly We Die'The Witch Hunter is everything I wish for in a thriller: exceptional story, exceptional characters, exceptional writing, and shocking twists – exceptional everything. I loved this book, and you will too' -- Chris Mooney, author of Blood World'One twist follows another . . . Seeck imbues this riveting procedural with a deliciously creepy undertone' * Publishers Weekly *'Dark and intricate . . . Vividly cinematic and impactful. Seeck has an uncanny ability to unspool reveals at just the right pace to get the reader's heart pounding as they make the connection at the same moment as the detective on page' * Booklist *'A disturbing tale of murder and madness' * Kirkus Reviews *Table of Contents0

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Book SynopsisHåkan Nesser, 'the Godfather of Swedish Crime' (Metro), is back with the second installment in the Inspector Barbarotti series, The Root of Evil.*Shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association's International Dagger*July 2007. A letter arrives on Inspector Barbarotti’s doorstep detailing a murder that is about to take place in his quiet Swedish town. By the time the police track down the subject of the letter, he is already dead. So when a second letter arrives, then a third, and a fourth, it’s a game of cat and mouse to stop the killer before he can make good on all of his promises. Meanwhile, an anonymous diary is unearthed depicting the incidents of a two week holiday in France five years earlier, and it doesn’t take Barbarotti long to realize the people populating the diary are the ones whose lives are now in the balance . . .Continue the thrilling investigative series with The Secret Life of Mr Roos.'One of the best of the Nordic Noir writers' - GuardianTrade ReviewThe godfather of Swedish crime * Metro *Told with wry humour and compassion, Nesser has four more Barbarotti stories to come — cherish them all -- Daily Mail on The Darkest DayA master of suspense * Sunday Times *In an exemplary translation by Sarah Death, this tangled tale of guilt and betrayal whets the appetite for translations of the other Barbarotti novels -- Financial Times on The Darkest DayOne of the best of the Nordic Noir writers * Guardian *One of Sweden's best crime writers * Mail on Sunday *Barbarotti has to disentangle years of bad blood and resentment to get to the heart of a thrillingly complex case * Sunday Times (on The Darkest Day) *

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Book Synopsis'Extraordinary... one of her finest novels' Guardian"If everybody in the world didn't keep watching to see what everybody else did, we'd all go berserk."Jenny believes that sighting an owl is a portent of death. When she spots a stranger looking in through her window one night, she believes that he is an omen too. But fate doesn't work in the way that either of them expect.This novel of suspense and paranoia draws on Highsmith's own experience of being a stalker.Trade ReviewPatricia Highsmith has an extraordinary talent for the sinister, and this is well revealed in The Cry of the Owl, one of her finest novels -- Robert Nye * Guardian *Patricia Highsmith is a craftsman who has made the suspense novel her own domain * The Times *The basic nightmare situation - to be accused of a crime you did not commit and be unable to prove your innocence- is the subject of The Cry of the Owl... It's Kafka with a vengeance... compulsive * Spectator *A rare talent, a remarkable novelist... her books are written in elegant and lucid prose -- John Mortimer

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Book Synopsis*Shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel of 2017*Chicago, 1928. In the stifling summer heat three disturbing events take place. A clique of city leaders is poisoned in a fancy hotel. A white gangster is found mutilated in an alleyway in the Black Belt. And a famous heiress vanishes without a trace. Pinkerton detectives Michael Talbot and Ida Davis are hired to find the missing heiress by the girl’s troubled mother. But it proves harder than expected to find a face that is known across the city, and Ida must elicit the help of her friend Louis Armstrong. While the police take little interest in the Black Belt murder, crime scene photographer Jacob Russo can’t get the dead man’s image out of his head, and so he embarks on his own investigation. And Dante Sanfelippo – rum-runner and fixer – is back in Chicago on the orders of Al Capone, who suspects there’s a traitor in the ranks and wants Dante to investigate. But Dante is struggling with problems of his own as he is forced to return to the city he thought he’d never see again . . . As the three parties edge closer to the truth, their paths cross and their lives are threatened. But will any of them find the answers they need in the capital of blues, booze and corruption?Dead Man’s Blues is the gripping second installment in Ray Celestin's prize-winning City Blues quartet. It is followed by the third book in the series, The Mobster's Lament.Trade ReviewA magnificent crime novel, at least as good as his stunning 2014 debut . . . His portrait of an edgy, sexy, corrupt, dangerous, deeply racially prejudiced city, where savage violence cohabited with exciting music, is totally absorbing -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Celestin certainly doesn’t short change us on plot as his book centres on investigations into the disappearance of a celebrity heiress, the brutal murder (complete with gouged-out eyes) of a gangster and an attempt to poison a group of pro-Capone city dignitaries. But he also packs in enough details about the people, buildings, musicians and criminals of Prohibition-era Chicago to fill a fair-sized history book. He writes so vividly that at times I was convinced I could see 1920s Chicago in front of me and, even more impressively, he writes so well about music that I could virtually hear it. His first book was one of the best crime novels of its year and this sequel is even better. VERDICT: 5/5 * Daily Express *This is the sequel to the prize-winning The Axeman’s Jazz . . . Under the constant threat of bloodshed, the three stories gradually weave together into an intriguing portrait of a time and a place . . . the historical detail is captivating . . . The young Louis Armstrong turns up, and his powerful, searching, explosive jazz pulses through the pages, a soundtrack to Ida’s increasingly dangerous investigation * Spectator *Celestin’s promise of two further instalments of this lively, jazz-based series can only be cause for celebration * Sunday Times *As he did in his first novel, The Axeman’s Jazz, Celestin perfectly captures the jazzy street rhythms of this proudly pugnacious city and its peculiar characters * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisScott King investigates allegations of demon possession in a rural Yorkshire village, where a 12-year-old boy was murdered by two young children. Book six in the spine-tingling, award-winning Six Stories series.‘Matt’s books are fantastic’ Ian Rankin‘An exceptional storyteller’ Andrew Michael Hurley ‘Matt Wesolowski is taking the crime novel to places it’s never been before’ Joseph Knox, author of True Crime Story'A stunning new episode of the powerful Six Stories series. A masterful storyteller, Matt Wesolowski is my go-to writer for literary horror' C J Cooke, author of The Lighthouse Witches____________In 1995, the picture-perfect village of Ussalthwaite was the site of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, in a case that shocked the world.Twelve-year-old Sidney Parsons was murdered by two boys his own age. No reason was ever given for this terrible crime, and the ‘Demonic Duo’ who killed him were imprisoned until their release in 2002, when they were given new identities and lifetime anonymity.Elusive online journalist Scott King investigates the lead-up and aftermath of the killing, uncovering dark stories of demonic possession, and encountering a village torn apart by this unspeakable act.And, as episodes of his Six Stories podcast begin to air, and King himself becomes a target of media scrutiny and public outrage, it becomes clear that whatever drove those two boys to kill is still there, lurking, and the campaign of horror has just begun...____________ ‘Matt Wesolowski is boldly carving his own uniquely dark niche in fiction’ Benjamin Myers‘Matt’s real skill is in finding a deeply human story and twisting it with the paranormal, touching the reader and scaring the wits out of them’ Chris MacDonald‘One of the most exciting and original voices in crime fiction’ Alex North‘A wonderful writer’ Chris Whitaker‘I’ll be rereading these books forever’ Sublime Horror‘The master of horror, of mixing folklore with urban myth and real life. Terrifyingly good’ Louise Beech‘A taut and gripping tale that deftly skewers the perfect balance of crime, thriller and horror. Intriguing, disturbing and impeccably crafted – I was riveted from the first page’ Lucie McKnight Hardy, author of Dead RelativesPraise for the Six Stories series: **Longlisted for Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year****Winner of the Capital Crime Best Independent Voice Award**’A captivating, genre-defying book with hypnotic storytelling’ Rosamund Lupton Original, inventive and dazzlingly clever’ Fiona Cummins‘Daisy Jones and the Six gone to the dark side. I couldn’t put it down’ Harriet Tyce‘Bold, clever and genuinely chilling with a terrific twist’ Sunday Mirror‘Insidiously terrifying, with possibly the creepiest woods since The Blair Witch Project’ C J Tudor‘Frighteningly wonderful … one of the best books I’ve read in years’ Khurrum Rahman‘Disturbing, compelling and atmospheric, it will terrify and enthral you in equal measure’ M W Craven‘A dark, twisting rabbit hole of a novel. You won't be able to put it down' Francine Toon‘First-class plotting’ S Magazine‘A dazzling fictional mystery’ Foreword Reviews‘Readers of Kathleen Barber’s Are You Sleeping and fans of Ruth Ware will enjoy this slim but compelling novel’ BooklistFor fans of Serial, The Conjuring, C J Tudor, Fiona Cummins, Sarah Pinborough and Catriona Ward

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Book SynopsisIn Siberia, revenge is served ice cold.The epic third instalment from the author of the acclaimed Anthrax Island and Times book of the month, Black Run.An agent the world thinks is dead can be useful. John Tyler has gone rogue, pursuing an international vendetta against those responsible for killing his brother.But he’s lured back by the CIA for one final mission to wipe the slate clean. Simple, for a man like Tyler: journey to an old Soviet-era hotel on an ice-locked island in the frozen wastes of Siberia to obtain information from a Russian scientist about a double agent within NATO. But strange things are afoot, events related to the hotel’s grisly past and the KGB’s Cold war experiments into psychic phenomena...Unexplained deaths revolve around the scientist, and with enemies from Tyler’s own past emerging from the rotting woodwork, he must fight to keep the man alive against the odds. But a killer stalks the hotel’s dilapidated corridors, able, apparently, to kill through concrete walls and sealed doors. As Tyler homes in on the NATO double agent, he quickly realises nothing is as it seems, no-one can be trusted, and his own past is coming back to haunt him...From the steaming jungles of central Africa to the bustling streets of London via the frozen tundra, this is the heart-stopping final instalment in the John Tyler trilogy. Perfect for fans of Alistair MacLean and Robert Ludlum.Praise for the John Tyler series'Sharp enough to cut glass, 77 North is a bullet-quick, best-of-breed action thriller' James Swallow, author of Dark Horizon'Riotously thrilling and deftly intelligent, turning the mayhem up to eleven whilst surgically exploring ideas of duty and honour and betrayal and revenge' Dominic Nolan, author of Past Life'Epic action, mind-twisting mystery and relentless fun. The tension ratchets up page by page until it feels like the book is going to explode in your hands' Tim Glister, author of A Loyal Traitor‘D.L. Marshall is a master of weaving thrilling action set-pieces through an enthralling murder mystery. Impossible to put down, 77 North may just be the best yet!’ Chris McGeorge, author of Half-Past Tomorrow'Think Alistair MacLean but turbo-charged' Ian Rankin on Anthrax Island'A first class thriller with an international cast of characters led by the inimitable and unstoppable John Tyler. Tense, intriguing and deadly' Mari Hannah, author of Without a Trace on Anthrax Island‘It’s like the bastard son of Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming watched The Thing on repeat before bashing out a pacy, locked-room, action-adventure thriller’ Trevor Wood, author of One Way Street on Anthrax Island‘Seriously, if Hercule Poirot and James Bond had a baby and sent him to the Jason Bourne School he would grow up to be John Tyler. Cars, cash, poison, guns, thrills chills and murder – this book has the lot’ SE Moorhead, author of The Treatment on Anthrax Island‘Smart, rocket-paced and super twisty this phenomenal debut thriller is like a cross between Jack Reacher, Bond, and And Then There Were None. A real must read!’ Steph Broadribb on Anthrax Island'Fans of spy fiction will love this. Fans of detective fiction will love this. Fans of thrillers will love this... Everyone's going to love this! I wish I'd written it.’ Russ Thomas, author of Firewatching on Anthrax Island

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Book Synopsis A classic crime novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, ‘The King of Detective Story Writers’, featuring Inspector French, coming soon to television. Trade Review“A detective novel by Mr. Wills Crofts is always an event to those who know … Mr. Crofts is among the few muscular writers of detective fiction. He has never let me down.”HAROLD NICHOLSON, Daily Express “A really satisfying puzzle … With every fresh detective story Crofts displays new fields of specialised knowledge.”Daily Mail

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Book Synopsis''A twist that I didn''t see coming!'' T. M. LOGAN''Kept me gripped'' B. A. PARIS''Incredibly twisty . . . deliciously satisfying'' CLAIRE ALLAN''A taut, tantalising thriller'' SHERYL BROWNE''Truly terrific!'' MARTINA COLE_______________Best friends forever.That''s the pact you made.You''d do anything for her.And you have.She''s always had it all.If you could take it for yourself . . . would you?_______________Lust, secrets and revenge are at the heart of this irresistibly twisted thriller by the bestselling author of My Husband''s Lies. Perfect for fans of Claire McGowan''s The Other Wife and Adele Parks''s Lies Lies Lies. What readers are saying about Betray Her:''Wow! This kept me gripped right up untTrade ReviewIncredibly twisty, beautifully written, evocative and deliciously satisfying. I cannot recommend it highly enough! -- Claire AllanA compelling tale of love, jealousy, betrayal - and a devastating secret at the dark heart of a lifelong friendship. A great read with a twist that I didn't see coming! -- T. M. LoganKept me gripped and guessing -- B. A. ParisStunning . . . dark undercurrents and sinister twists. A top-end read -- Amanda RobsonA taut, tantalising thriller . . . full of passion and intrigue, sexual tension and desperate longing . . . mesmerising storytelling -- Sheryl Browne[A] fantastic novel, which holds you in its iron grip throughout. Enough twists, turns, and deftly drawn characters to keep even the most demanding reader thoroughly satisfied -- S. D. RobertsonPacks a knock-out final punch. Cunningly plotted and beautifully crafted, this is England on superlative form -- Helen FieldsCaroline England writes with real conviction about the strengths and limits of female friendship. Betray Her is a compelling, twisty tale that lovers of psychological crime fiction will relish -- Kate RhodesThough twisty and turny, this is one to really savour as with Caroline (like in her previous books) it's all about the beautiful writing. Wonderful -- Louise BeechI LOVED this book! An unstoppable thriller with more twists and turns than a corkscrew. This book had me gripped from the very first page! Five stars from me -- Caroline MitchellA taut and twisted tale of toxic relationships - trademark Caroline England -- Rachel SargeantUtterly addictive; I'll be recommending this book to everyone I know -- Victoria SelmanA thoroughly good read! A sophisticated domestic noir with real emotional depth -- Sam CarringtonExquisite prose and a roller coaster ride of secrets and lies -- Jane IsaacYou'll be hooked from the first pages, and the gripping plot holds you by the scruff of the neck and doesn't let go until the twisting, turning end -- Phaedra PatrickA vivid account of friendship, betrayal and long-buried dark secrets -- Kate EllisI instantly became lost in the gripping story . . . Betray Her has everything that you'd expect from a psychological thriller and much more; a whirlwind of jealousy, illicit relationships, secrets and lies that will sweep you up and carry you along until the end. -- Petrina BanfieldDrew me in from the first page, twisted and turned, unravelling deliciously to an unexpected conclusion. A true page turner with characters that get under your skin and stay there long after you've read the last words -- Faith BleasdaleAn absorbing and highly enjoyable modern morality tale about a toxic friendship with a heart of darkness. Caroline has a real gift for creating characters you genuinely care about. -- Judith O’ReillyReally enjoyed this dark and twisted tale of toxic relationships -- Roz WatkinsReally loved this . . . Layer upon layer of history coming back to mess with today's lives and relationships. And no, I didn't see that end coming! -- Sarah JasmonPraise for Caroline England:I was gripped immediately -- Katerina DiamondTwists to leave you dizzy -- Teresa DriscollI finished it in hours! Truly a terrific read! -- Martina ColeTwisting triangles of love and lust distort a perfect circle of friends in this slow-burning literary thriller -- Rachel SargeantA clever, intriguing and twisted tale that builds to a gut-wrenching conclusion -- Roz WatkinsSharp and sweetly twisted. I loved it -- Helen FieldsA totally absorbing read that's beautifully written, where lives and secrets slowly unravel -- Elisabeth CarpenterA sumptuous serving of domestic noir -- S. D. RobertsonA simmering cocktail of betrayal, lust and deceit in this explosively plotted thriller about family secrets and broken friendship -- Sanjida KayAn intoxicating read. A thrilling blend of social drama and crime thriller. Recommended! -- David Stuart Davies

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Book Synopsis•The first in a series of novels by Olguín starring the journalist Veronica Rosenthal. It is set in Buenos-Aires and has been made into a TV series currently showing in Argentina. •Veronica is a successful young journalist, beautiful, unmarried, with a healthy appetite for bourbon and men. She is a fascinating and complicated heroine, driven by a sense of justice but also by lust and ambition. •Sensual and terse, the novel is also fiercely critical of a system that tolerates the powerful and wealthy of Buenos Aires putting the lives of young boys at risk for their entertainment. When she hears about the suicide of a local train driver who has jumped off the roof of a block of flats, leaving a suicide note confessing to four mortal `accidents’ on the train tracks, she decides to investigate. For the police the case is closed (suicide is suicide), for Veronica it is the beginning of a journey that takes her into an unfamiliar world of grinding poverty, junkie infested neighborhoods, and train drivers on commuter lines haunted by the memory of bodies hit at speed by their locomotives in the middle of the night. Aided by a train driver informant, a junkie in rehab and two street kids willing to risk everything for a can of Coke, she uncovers a group of men involved in betting on working-class youngsters convinced to play Russian roulette by standing in front of fast-coming trains to see who endures the longest. With bodies of children crushed under tons of steel, those of adults yielding to relentless desire, the resolution of the investigation reveals the deep bonds which unite desire and death.

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Book SynopsisA stressed, middle-aged man picks up a teenage escort and commits an unspeakable crime, unaware that a homeless man – her only real friend – will do anything to find her. A shocking, race-against-the-clock, standalone thriller from the Queen of New Zealand Crime.‘Astonishingly good … compelling, horrifying, intriguing and entertaining. One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year’ Liz Nugent'New Zealand's modern Queen of Crime' Val McDermid'Fans of The Dry will love Vanda Symon' Red Magazine–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Worn down by a job he hates, and a stressful family life, middle-aged, middle-class Bradley picks up a teenage escort and commits an unspeakable crime. Now she’s tied up in his warehouse, and he doesn’t know what to do.Max is homeless, eating from rubbish bins, sleeping rough and barely existing – known for cadging a cigarette from anyone passing, and occasionally even the footpath. Nobody really sees Max, but he has one friend, and she’s gone missing.In order to find her, Max is going to have to call on some people from his past, and reopen wounds that have remained unhealed for a very long time, and the clock is ticking…Hard-hitting, fast-paced and immensely thought-provoking, Faceless – the startling new standalone thriller from New Zealand’s ‘Queen of Crime’ – will leave you breathless.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––‘Powerful and brilliant writing that transported me to the other side of the world … a wonderful storyteller’ Helen FitzGerald‘Edgy, thrilling and terrifyingly realistic’ Lisa Hall‘All the thrills of a brilliantly plotted crime novel with some interesting moral questions woven between the words. Fast, furious and intense' Helen Fields‘A portrait of the underbelly of society, this is a deeply involving novel and a damn good thriller’ Paul Burke, NB Magazine'Completely gripping … a poignant study of how our society shapes unlikely saints and monsters' Eve Smith‘Faceless is tauter and tougher than Symon’s delightful Dunedin procedurals … superb’ The Times‘Intense, dark and twisted, this is a fast and pulse-raising read that absolutely gripped me’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews‘I read the last couple of chapters with bated breath, heart in my throat, eyes brimming. I was completely and utterly invested’ From Belgium with BooklovePraise for the Sam Shephard series‘New Zealand's answer to Siobhan Clarke’ The Times'Fast-moving New Zealand procedural ... the Edinburgh of the south has never been more deadly' Ian Rankin'A sassy heroine, fabulous sense of place, and rip-roaring stories with a twist. Perfect curl-up-on-the-sofa reading' Kate Mosse'If you like taut, pacey thrillers with a wonderful sense of place, this is the book for you' Liam McIlvanney'Vanda Symon's work resembles Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series she knows how to tell a good story and the NZ setting adds spice' The Times'Atmospheric, emotional and gripping' Foreword Reviews'A plot that grabs the reader's attention with a heart-stopping opening and doesn't let go' Sunday Times'It is Symon's copper Sam, self-deprecating and very human, who represents the writer's real achievement' Guardian'Reads like the polished effort of a genre veteran. More, please' Booklist For fans of Liz Nugent, Gillian McAllister, Trevor Wood and Sarah Hilary

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Book Synopsis'This page-turning series never lets the reader down’ HARLAN COBENIN A PROFESSION LIKE THIS, YOU'RE BOUND TO MAKE ENEMIES . . . An eye . . .   It all starts when Dr Temperance Brennan finds a box on her porch. Inside is a fresh human eyeball with GPS coordinates etched into it. They lead her to a macabre discovery in a Benedictine Monastery, and soon after she discovers a mummified corpse in a state park.  . . . for an eye    There seems to be no pattern to these killings, except that each mimics a killing connected to something a younger Tempe experienced, or barely escaped. Someone is targeting her, and she needs to figure out why before they strike again.   And then her daughter Katy disappears.  Someone is playing a dangerous game with Tempe. And they won’t stop until they have taken everything froTrade Review‘A thing of clever beauty – smart, scary, complicated, and engrossing from the first sentence' MICHAEL CONNELLY ‘Reanimates all the ghosts from Temperance Brennan’s forensic past until they thoroughly haunt her present . . . This page-turning series never lets the reader down’ HARLAN COBEN 'Over the course of twenty books, Kathy Reichs and Tempe Brennan have thrilled readers with pacey, mazey tales . . . We readers are truly grateful' IAN RANKIN 'The Queen of forensic crime' EVENING STANDARD ‘Reichs, skilfully using the conventions of the mystery novel, forces the reader to face up to the obscene realities of death time and time again. At work and a play she gets under your skin’ THE TIMES ‘Masterfully constructed’ J.A. JANCE 'A mystery within a mystery that invites you to get into the action, complete with twisting turns and heart-stopping dives into the unknown . . . The crowning achievement of a master storyteller' NELSON DeMILLE

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