Crime and mystery: hard-boiled crime, noir fiction
Soho Syndicate Troublemaker
Book SynopsisLove and money are the easy motives in the death of a California beachfront nightclub owner, but death claims investigator Dave Brandstetter is certain of one thing: the case is going to be far from easy and the police have it all wrong. Rick Wendell wouldn’t hurt a flea. The big, jovial owner of the Hang Ten, a surfing-themed gay bay on the boardwalk, was loved by regulars and new arrivals alike. But Rick was found naked and dead, with a local hustler named Larry Johns standing over him, smoking gun in hand. Wendell’s death is ruled as a homicide and Johns is arrested. Everyone thinks it’s a simple open-and-shut case. Everyone except the death claims investigator, Dave Brandstetter. Brandstetter, a homosexual himself, doesn’t make the same assumptions about the crime scene and easy story it tells. Larry Johns had enough time to escape had he wanted to. Not to mention Johns lacked any discernable motive, especially since the $200 in Wendell’s wallet was left untouched. In an investigation that takes him from sun-scorched hillside ranches to seedy boardwalk bars, Brandstetter gets to the bottom of a twisty mystery in this hardboiled and entertaining portrait of the ’70s gay culture by groundbreaking poet and award-winning crime writer Joseph Hansen.
£13.50
Soho Syndicate The Man Everybody Was Afraid Of
Book SynopsisCELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF DAVE BRANDSTETTERThe murder of a conservative police chief in a fishing village north of Los Angeles sends death claims investigator Dave Brandstetter into the no-man''s land between cops and activists in this brilliantly plotted mystery, which perfectly captures California in the mid-1970s. A small-town Chief of Police with reactionary politics and national ambitions, Ben Orton struck fear in the hearts of anyone who fell out of line in his little fiefdom of La Caleta. Most recently that has included gay rights activists pushing for the hiring of a police officer from their community. When big Ben is found in his backyard bludgeoned to death by a large terracotta pot, the police arrest the outspoken gay owner of a local nursery. Orton had a life insurance policy that brings death claims investigator Dave Brandstetter north to pry. As far as Dave can tell, the cops did almost nothing to investigate Orton’s death and what evidence they did compile doesn’t seem to add up. Dave quickly learns that the pool of suspects is much deeper than the police reported. Ben Orton may have seen himself as a pillar of the community but what many in La Caleta saw instead was a violent man whose commitment to enforcement didn’t always also include room for the law. With an ailing father in the hospital and a relationship headed toward the rocks, a very distracted Brandstetter finds himself making more wrong moves than right while those on the other side of the thin blue line are making it painfully obvious his presence is not wanted.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate Skinflick
Book SynopsisCELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF DAVE BRANDSTETTERDeath claims investigator Dave Brandstetter navigates the opposing realms of evangelical Christianity and the porn business while tracking a lost girl in late 1970s Los Angeles. Lon Tooker certainly fits the profile: big, strong, a Marine Corps veteran, and recently the target of evangelical crusader Gerald Dawson?s wrath. Tooker?s adult toys and pornography store on the local skid row has recently become the target of Dawson?s church men?s group and their destructive masked raids on ?un-Christian? businesses. When Dawson is strangled to death by someone of Tooker?s size and ability, the police see a smut-peddler with a motive. Case closed. But death claims investigator Dave Brandstetter doesn?t like it. By all accounts Tooker is a softy incapable of such a crime. Actual evidence is nonexistent and assumptions many. And Dave particularly doesn?t care for assumptions based on someone?s sex life. But Dave is also navigating new personal territory. His father?s death has left him bereaved and for the first time in a long time without a job. Dave quit the insurance company his father built and has struck out on his own as a private investigator. Add in his breakup with his recent partner and he?s a man unencumbered. It?s the late 1970s and Dave may be aging a bit but he?s still handsome, wealthy, and recently in possession of a new convertible Triumph. Looks like it?s not all hard work.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate Gravedigger
Book SynopsisCELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF DAVE BRANDSTETTERA cult leader named Azrael perpetrates a brutal mass murder and afterwards a slimy lawyer is trying to claim the life insurance policy for his missing daughter; it''s the early ''80s in Los Angeles and private investigator Dave Brandstetter has a new love in his life as exciting as this case is dreadful. Two years ago Charles Westover disgraced himself and his family when he was disbarred for bribery. Westover’s daughter Serenity, disgusted with her once beloved father, ran away to a cult founded by a mesmerizingly handsome young man, a self-appointed messiah going by the grimly grandiose name of Azrael. The whereabouts of Serenity pass unknown for years until the police raid Azrael’s compound and discover that the cult leader lived up to his ghastly “Angel of Death” moniker. Thinking his daughter has been murdered, Charles Westover claims her life insurance, and then he too vanishes. Insurance companies don’t like to cut a check without a body and especially don’t like cutting a check to someone who is also missing. Hired as a private investigator for Banner Insurance, David Brandstetter quickly finds himself in a complicated maze of lies and hidden histories. And Dave suspects that, just like in the labyrinths of old, there will be a monster at the end of it. It''s not all bad times and extreme hazard for our man Dave. A passionate romance has entered his life with the reappearance of Cecil Harris, a handsome young African American investigative reporter for the local news station looking to get to the bottom of a different kind of story.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate Nightwork
Book SynopsisDave Brandstetter, a California private investigator specializing in death claims, uncovers a toxic conspiracy while working a case in a neighborhood plagued by violence and inequality. Gifford Gardens has seen better days. As white families move away to the suburbs to flee the flooding and neglect, the city in turn cares less about fixing the problems. What was once a nice neighborhood has become a slum and a violent battleground for rival gangs. Paul and Angela Myers are among the white families that remained. With the economy in a downturn and wages frozen, Paul takes a job long-haul truck driving. The freight he moves around is strictly “no questions,” but Paul is an honest man and begins to wonder about what he has become a part of. One night, Paul's truck flies off a cliff and explodes in midair. Did he fall asleep at the wheel, or was he murdered? Paul’s life insurance company hires renowned private investigator Dave Brandstetter to look at inconsistencies with the accident. While digging into Paul's past, Dave will uncover a haunting connection between Paul’s untimely death and the happier years in the declining neighborhood of Gifford Gardens. Meanwhile Dave and his lover, reporter Cecil Harris, have settled in together quite cozily. Cecil has recovered from the injuries he received helping Dave on his previous case, but the psychological damage is still present. Dave can’t help wondering if he will ever be able to protect Cecil from his dangerous line of work.
£11.71
Soho Syndicate The Little Dog Laughed
Book SynopsisWhile investigating a suicide, Dave Brandstetter discovers a dead reporter''s final scoop.Adam Streeter has covered international crises from Siberia to Cambodia. When disaster strikes, he grabs his battered typewriter and hops on a plane, hurling himself into danger wherever the story demands. He is brave, talented, and internationally renowned - so why would he turn a pistol on himself? Insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter has seen enough suicides to know that a journalist this successful would never take his own life. Suspecting treachery, he digs into Adam''s last story - an unpublished investigation into the whereabouts of a vanished South American strongman, called El Carnicero, the Butcher - and Adam''s death shows every hallmark of his bloody style. To finish Adam''s investigation, Dave will have to make like a war correspondent and leap into the line of fire.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate Early Graves
Book SynopsisThe brutality of the AIDS epidemic and a nation''s growing homophobia set the stage for a serial killer targeting gay men in Los Angeles and it isn''t long before Dave Brandstetter finds himself in the killer''s path.Dave Brandstetter''s afternoon does not begin well: His ex-boyfriend picks him up at the airport, and the ride home - in bumper-to-bumper Los Angeles traffic - is one long argument between them. The insurance investigator''s day gets worse when he finds a man - bloody, rain-soaked, and ice cold - lying on his porch, killed by a stab wound while Dave was out of town. There is a serial killer loose in Los Angeles, and this man is his sixth victim. Like the others, he had already been marked for death - by the unforgiving plague known as AIDS. Someone is targeting sick men in the city, and Dave''s search for the killer leads him into the dark side of gay Los Angeles, where death comes without warning and life is a fearful dream.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate Obedience
Book SynopsisThe death of a Vietnamese immigrant brings former death claims investigator Dave Brandstetter out of retirement. As an insurance investigator, Dave Brandstetter built a reputation unraveling suspicious deaths. Now, well into middle age, he has decided to retire for the sake of Cecil, the young TV reporter who loves and cherishes him, and has too often risked his own life for Dave?s work. But retirement does not come easily. Dave never did it for the money. He always had that. Nor did he tirelessly work cases in hopes of chasing renown. It was always the pursuit of the truth that drove Dave. He enjoyed the truth?s habit of coming into direct conflict with bigotry, allowing him to surprise the small-minded along the way. It doesn?t take much arm twisting, then, to get Dave back in the saddle when an old friend in the public defender?s office asks him to help Andy Flanagan, a shiftless young man accused of murdering a Vietnamese businessman to defend the Old Fleet ? a shantytown of houseboats that has been earmarked for development. Beneath the surface of this oil-slicked slum lurks an international conspiracy so appalling that Dave will regret postponing his retirement.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate The Boy Who Was Buried This Morning
Book SynopsisWhile investigating a suicide, Dave Brandstetter discovers a dead reporter''s final scoop. Journalist Adam Streeter covered some of the most dangerous stories of the last quarter century, ranging from Cambodia to Siberia and anywhere troubled in between. Fearless, dashing, and more than a little resourceful, Streeter was renowned as much for his virtuosic writing as the shocking reality of what he uncovered along the way. Why would someone who lived so purposefully and with such demonstrable bravery turn a pistol on himself? Insurance investigator Dave Brandstetter has seen enough suicides to know this isn?t one. Suspecting treachery, he digs into Adam''s last story ? an unpublished investigation into the whereabouts of a vanished South American strongman, called El Carnicero, the Butcher ? and finds that Adam''s death shows every hallmark of his bloody style. Dave quickly realized that some very powerful people would like him to drop the case. Dave?s own lover, Cecil, would like to see him take it easy for once. But Cecil knows Brandstetter is not so unlike the man whose death he?s investigating. The truth, to someone like Brandstetter or Streeter, is worth the ultimate price. As he attempts to finish Adam?s story and get to the bottom of the journalist?s death, Dave will find more than a few people willing to make him pay it.
£12.75
Soho Syndicate A Country of Old Men
Book SynopsisDave Brandstetter’s best days are behind him, but for the sake of a frightened child, Dave takes on his very last case. The wear and tear of a life spent pursuing the truth into harm’s way is catching up with Dave. In fact, it has already caught him. The aged death claims investigator is old enough for his body to hurt even without all the compiled injuries he’s sustained throughout his career. Yet when presented with a puzzle-like mystery, Dave can’t help but be drawn in. Walking on the beach, a friend finds a bedraggled child who claims he has witnessed a murder. The victim is a drug-addicted pop star, and the obvious suspect is the dead man’s ex-girlfriend—a drug addict whom the child saw standing over the body, gun in hand. In the final installment of Joseph Hansen’s groundbreaking series, Dave looks for justice once more, hoping that he will also find a lasting measure of peace. Over the course of twelve novels spanning four decades of American culture—from the 1960s to the late 1980s—Joseph Hansen gave readers one of the truly great heroes of detective fiction.
£11.92
Turner Publishing Company Deadbomb Bingo Ray
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£12.34
Morgan James Publishing llc The Undiscovered Country: A Novel
Book SynopsisWhen Randle Marks buried his abusive father three years ago, he thought he had escaped the gravitational pull of his dysfunctional family. Living in Florida, Randle was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, served his time, wrote a book about his scientific work, and laid plans to marry his college sweetheart. Then his new beginnings were interrupted by his mother’s medical emergency. He is summoned to his boyhood home of Augusta, Georgia to face long-suppressed memories, contemptuous siblings, and his dying mother’s desperate attempts to conceal her secrets and preserve her dignity. He battles dispassionate doctors who are reluctant to waste resources on a terminal patient and discovers that his mother’s fate may not be an act of God. While investigating her medical situation, he uncovers conspiracies to hijack two estates—his mother’s modest estate, and that of a wealthy man who claims to be his birth father. To bury the past, he will have to learn the truth about the past. Randle embarks on a journey through contemporary end-of-life rituals juxtaposed with Old South traditions and the fading mores of his mother’s generation to untangle the layers of lies that enshroud his family’s history. As he learns truth after truth, Randle is challenged to solve a murder no one knew had been committed, prevent the embezzlement of a stranger’s wealth, and solve the riddle of his own identity. He is challenged to choose between greed, revenge, and reconciliation.
£13.49
Fantagraphics Streets Of Paris, Streets Of Murder (vol. 2): The
Book SynopsisA brutal two-punch of savage noir thrillers, collected in English for the first time.
£23.99
Sourcebooks, Inc Twisted: The Fractured Fairy Tale and TikTok
Book SynopsisFrom BookTok sensation Emily McIntire comes a dark and delicious fractured fairy tale reimagining of Aladdin.She's his diamond in the rough. He's her worst nightmare.Yasmin Karam, daughter to one of the richest men in the world, has never known strife. So, when her beloved father falls ill, she's determined to make his final days his happiest. His last wish? To see her married to a man of his choosing. Except Yasmin's heart already belongs to someone else. A servant. A street rat. A man her father would never consider worthy. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Yasmin strikes a desperate deal with her father's right-hand man, Julian, not realizing he has his own twisted agenda.Julian Faraci has one goal: become the most powerful man in the world. He's built a future from broken bones and faded bruises, never caring who he hurt along the way. But when his mentor falls ill, he finds himself on the verge of losing everything, and he'll stop at nothing to inherit what is rightfully his. Even if it means forcing a woman he can't stand into marriage.Yasmin is a brat who speaks out of turn, and he's the villain of her story. But he decides she'll be his-no matter what it takes to convince her.
£8.54
Pumpjack Press Scorched Earth
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£13.20
Pumpjack Press Mars Adrift
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£13.20
Sibylline Press The Rotting Whale: A Hugo Sandoval Eco-Mystery
Book SynopsisWhen the natural world and the build world collide, the earth needs a good building inspector…In this first case in the new Hugo Sandoval Eco-Mystery series, an old-school San Francisco building inspector must reluctantly venture outside his beloved city and find his sea legs before he can solve the mystery of how a 90-ton blue whale became stranded, twice, in a remote inlet off the North Coast.Set on the turbulent Mendocino Coast against the backdrop of a failing fishing fleet and illegal cannabis grows, Sandoval encounters roadblocks and lies as he grapples with the connection between a red tag posted on the historic Chicken Cove ranch and the decomposing marine mammal at the foot of its cliffs.Debilitated by more than a few idiosyncrasies, reluctant media darling Hugo Sandoval is a people’s hero, fighting the good fight in a modern era where development and climate change butt heads – and where each requested permit attempts to eclipse the old San Francisco Sandoval loves.Trade Review"In The Rotting Whale, Jann Eyrich artfully merges the realms of mystery and environmentalism to create an enthralling new genre: the eco-mystery. Eyrich’s prose is rich, painting vivid images of both the natural and urban landscapes that serve as the backdrop for Hugo Sandoval’s adventure. Readers will find themselves captivated by the offbeat hero as he ventures from the familiar streets of San Francisco to the rugged Mendocino Coast to unravel the enigma of a stranded blue whale. The Rotting Whale is also a tale of personal growth; Eyrich delves into the complexities of Hugo’s relationships with his daughter, ex-wife, and a motley crew of secondary characters. These vibrant personalities, each with their own quirks, lend depth to the story, complementing the central mystery and providing support to Hugo as he navigates the mystery. The Rotting Whale seamlessly blends the intrigue of a classic mystery with a thought-provoking environmental theme. Jann Eyrich’s eloquent writing style draws readers into the heart of San Francisco and the noir ambiance of a city on the brink of change. Readers of Dashiell Hammett’s Thin Man Series and Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache Series should head to their favorite bookstore immediately." —D.D. Black, author of The Shadow of Pike Place, A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller"Jann Eyrich’s characters are so compelling, I would follow inspector Hugo Sandoval and his friends through any amount of coastal fog and North Coast shenanigans! I really enjoyed the mystery but found that even more than the story, I fell for the characters. I’m looking forward to reading THE BLIND KEY next year." —Kathy Wollenberg, Author of Far Less"Jann Eyrich has given us Hugo Sandoval, a San Francisco building inspector as a new kind of detective -- he sees everything. A blue whale washes up on the beach in Mendocino and sets off a string of events that includes murder, extortion, mayhem--and a love story. Or two. Page-turning, dripping with atmosphere, a full cast of quirky supporting characters, and a bid to save the planet in a necessary new genre: the eco-mystery." —Julia Park Tracey, author of the Veronika Layne: Hot Off the Press series
£11.39
Corylus Books The Dancer
Book SynopsisTony is a young man who has always been on the losing side in life. He was brought up by his troubled, alcoholic mother who had a past of her own as a talented ballerina, until a life-changing accident brought her dreams to a sudden end. As her own ambitions for fame and success were crushed, she used cruel and brutal methods to project them onto her young son - with devastating consequences. There's no doubt that a body found on Reykjavik's OEskjuhlid hillside has been there for a long time. The case is handed to veteran detective Valdimar, supported by Ylfa, who is taking her tentative first steps as a police officer with the city's CID while coping with her own family difficulties. It's not long before it's clear a vicious killer is on the loose - and very little about the case is what it appears to be at first glance.
£9.49
ECW Press,Canada Rocks Beat Paper
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£10.99
ECW Press,Canada Triggerfish: A Crime Novel
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£9.99
ECW Press,Canada The Hell of It All: A T.J. Peterson Mystery
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£12.17
ECW Press,Canada Mahoney's Camaro: A Crime Novel
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£13.56
ECW Press,Canada Tin Men: A Crime Novel
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£13.56
Inanna Publications and Education Inc. Rotten Peaches
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£14.20
Guernica Editions,Canada Julebord: The Holiday Party
Book SynopsisShould chief investigator James Wiley Redding of the Norwegian Police suspect that any of the doctors working in the small rural hospital of Godshus, located where a fjord meets the North Sea, might be linked to the gruesome discovery made on a December morning after their annual Julebord (holiday party)? Much more whodunit than a diversified nordic noir novel, Julebord is laced with what life is like to work in a small rural hospital, where things and humans occasionally get dirty. Not merely a piece of - at times - a bit upmarket crime fiction, the story brings to the realization that in today's small global village we are linked to each other in some way - whether we want to be or not and cannot hide from the events that affect us all.
£21.80
Anvil Press Publishers Inc The Second Detective
Book SynopsisWinner of the 40th Annual 3-Day Novel Writing Contest! If faced with reincarnation, would you want to come back as a dog, an eagle, a plant? Most poison ivy is reincarnated ivy. You can see the complexity of second lives, the intrepid narrator-detective declares. For those yet reincarnated, devotion can become muddled. And as the characters in The Second Detective learn, you can't fight the universe and regret is terrible company. The Second Detective is a deliriously entertaining reimagining of the hard-boiled detective novel, featuring a mysterious narrator, a missing husband, and a lascivious mountain goat with interspecies interests. Aging beauty Lilah walks into the narrator's office with a photo of Babe Ruth, a story about a sketchy reincarnation plan, and the hope of finding her husband Glen. Despite misgivings, the narrator takes on her case and soon the two are galloping headfirst into gorgons, contraband blood and villainous brothers, with a sideways trip to the zoo. There are two things you need to know: Every action is a choice that tells you something more, unless it means nothing at all.
£11.69
Canongate Books Borrowed Time
Book SynopsisAdam Nunn''s search for his true identity has horrifying consequences in this compelling psychological thriller.A badly mutilated body has been discovered in a remote woodland pond on the Essex borders - a location known to be the haunt of the ruthless crime gang that ruled London in the 70s. When one of the victim''s hands is found nearby, forensic tests reveal a number scrawled on the palm. It is quickly identified as the National Insurance number of struggling family man Adam Nunn.As Adam is arrested in connection with the murder, it emerges that the dead man was a private investigator he had hired to find out the identity of his birth parents. Just what did Larry Paris discover that got him killed?As Adam seeks the truth surrounding his origins and promises justice for the mother he never knew, he is drawn into a lurid criminal world of violence and violation, reprisal and merciless death. Torn between the man he wants to be and the man he fears becoming, Adam''s investigations will lead him ever deeper into darkness.
£21.84
Canongate Books Borrowed Time
Book SynopsisAdam Nunn''s search for his true identity has horrifying consequences in this compelling psychological thriller.A badly mutilated body has been discovered in a remote woodland pond on the Essex borders - a location known to be the haunt of the ruthless crime gang that ruled London in the 70s. When one of the victim''s hands is found nearby, forensic tests reveal a number scrawled on the palm. It is quickly identified as the National Insurance number of struggling family man Adam Nunn.As Adam is arrested in connection with the murder, it emerges that the dead man was a private investigator he had hired to find out the identity of his birth parents. Just what did Larry Paris discover that got him killed?As Adam seeks the truth surrounding his origins and promises justice for the mother he never knew, he is drawn into a lurid criminal world of violence and violation, reprisal and merciless death. Torn between the man he wants to be and the man he fears becoming, Adam''s investigations will lead him ever deeper into darkness.
£12.34
Quercus Publishing Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues: A Jesse
Book SynopsisParadise, Massachusetts, is gearing up for the busy summer season when a spate of car thefts places its quiet, tourist-friendly reputation in jeopardy. Jesse Stone fears an automobile theft gang has set up shop in town, and the silver-tongued, heavy-handed police chief vows to put a stop to their activity. Almost as soon as he starts tackling this threat, another materializes: one of a more personal nature. An old enemy, hell-bent on revenge, is fresh out of prison. Thus begins a tale of proactive policing and personal paranoia, in which Stone finds himself defending himself, his patch and - before long - his latest squeeze. In Killing the Blues, Michael Brandman combines all of Parker's tried and tested ingredients to create a highly enjoyable and authentic Jesse Stone thriller.Trade ReviewTougher, stronger, better educated, and far more amusing than Sam Spade, Phil Marlowe or Lewis Archer * Boston Globe *When it comes to detective novels, 90 per cent of us admit he's an influence, and the rest of us lie about it * Harlan Coben *Spenser is a constant revelation for even long-time Parker fans * Milwaukee Sentinel *One of the great series in the history of the detective story * New York Times Book Review *Reading Parker is like swimming downstream in a river of adrenalin * Boston Observer *Spenser gives the tribe of hard-boiled wonders a new vitality and complexity * Chicago Sun *The sassiest, funniest, most-enjoyable-to-read-about private eye around today . . . the legitimate heir to the Hammett-Chandler-Macdonald tradition * Cincinnati Post *Nobody does it better * Publishers Weekly *Reading a Spenser novel is like a family reunion - it makes one feel good * Library Journal *'No one understands what makes Bob Parker's Jesse Stone tick better than Michael Brandman - and Michael is just the writer to carry Jesse into the future' Tom Selleck. * Tom Selleck *
£9.49
Atlantic Books East of Innocence
Book SynopsisOne man. On the hunt for the truth. On the edge of London. And way outside the law.Daniel Connell is a disgraced ex-City lawyer now scraping a living in Essex, a man trying to escape the long shadows of his past. When an old childhood friend visits him, asking for his help with a case of police brutality, Daniel wants nothing to do with it. But obligations are obligations, and he soon finds himself on the wrong end of police attention, and dragged into the shady business of a local gangster. But there is far more at stake than he could ever have anticipated - including the mystery of what happened to his mother, who disappeared months after he was born. Daniel must keep ahead of his pursuers long enough to uncover the bloody mysteries of the past - and the fate of another young woman, too innocent to protect herself in the midst of a dangerous game. Welcome to Essex.Trade ReviewThis is a potent mixture of an authentic, brutal crime story, told with a neat line in dialogue and an appealing hero * Daily Mail *Everyone has a picture of an Essex crime novel. But David Thorne's East of Innocence is a fresh take on this famous county -- Patrick Neale * Bookseller *This is a carefully plotted thriller, realistic in its violence and with strong memorable characters. Soon to be adapted into a TV series, it is fast paced and edgy without losing any of its credibility * We Love This Book *A slick, fast-moving and thoroughly readable novel * Crime Fiction Lover *By the final page you'll feel as if you've been through a roller coaster of emotions * Crime Squad *By turns gruesome, touching, violent, funny, East of Innocence is never less than engaging and always unpredictable * Shots magazine *
£7.59
Atlantic Books Nothing Sacred
Book SynopsisA mother's nightmare: her children taken from her because of unexplained injuries all over their bodies. Who will believe her story?When lawyer Daniel Connell receives a visit from his trouble-making old flame Victoria pleading for his help, he looks for any excuse not to get involved. But no one else believes her pleas of innocence and Daniel can see she is terrified. As he enters Victoria's life once more, Daniel's search for truth leads from the dark heart of Essex to the mountains of Afghanistan, and a terrifying world where monsters are real - and nothing is sacred.Trade ReviewI enthused about Thorne's debut, East of Innocence, which featured disgraced City of London lawyer and hard man David Connell... Authentic, fast-moving and with a wry ear for dialogue, it turned out to be a hit... This excellent second outing for Connell sees him answering a plea from his troubled former lover... So begins an investigation that takes him to Afghanistan, but also sends him to the ugly depths of the Essex underworld. Thorne used to write jokes for comedians, but there is barely a laugh in this grippingly good crime story. -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *A feisty and likeable hero... punchy and fast-paced. * Scotsman *This is a carefully plotted thriller, realistic in its violence and with strong memorable characters. Soon to be adapted into a TV series, it is fast paced and edgy without losing any of its credibility * We Love This Book on EAST OF INNOCENCE *This is a potent mixture of an authentic, brutal crime story, told with a neat line in dialogue and an appealing hero * Daily Mail on EAST OF INNOCENCE *Everyone has a picture of an Essex crime novel. But David Thorne's East of Innocence is a fresh take on this famous county * Bookseller on EAST OF INNOCENCE *
£7.59
Transworld Publishers Ltd The Last Good Kiss
Book Synopsis'As sweetly profane a poet as American noir could have asked for' Ian Rankin'A friggin' masterpiece' Dennis Lehane'The stunner that reinvigorated the genre and jacked up a generation of future crime novelists' George PelecanosMeet Private Detective C. W. Sughrue. Private detectives are supposed to find missing persons and solve crimes. But more often than not Sughrue is the one committing the crimes – everything from grand theft auto to criminal stupidity. All washed down with a hearty dose of whiskey and regret.At the end of a three-week hunt for a runaway bestselling author, Sughrue winds up in a ramshackle bar, with an alcoholic bulldog. The landlady’s daughter vanished a decade ago and now she wants Sughrue to find her. His search will take him to the deepest, darkest depths of San Francisco’s underbelly, a place as fascinating, frightening and flawed as he is. Welcome to James Crumley’s America.Trade ReviewCrumley writes like an angel on speed * Time Out *The poet laureate of American hard-boiled literature, superior even to James Lee Burke in his ability to evoke extreme melancholy, gruesome violence and an acute sense of landscape * Guardian *Reading Crumley is like hurtling through an assault course...funny, salty and ruthless...one of the marvels of contemporary crime writing * Literary Review *Like James Ellroy, he is a master of American vernacular, turning tough-guy slang into something like poetry * Independent *James Crumley, a critically acclaimed crime novelist whose drug-infused, alcohol-soaked, profanity-laced, breathtakingly violent books swept the hard-boiled detective from the Raymond Chandler era into an amoral, utterly dissolute, apocalyptic post-Vietnam universe * New York Times *
£10.44
Vintage Publishing The Field of Blood: The iconic thriller from
Book Synopsis'The most exciting crime writer to have emerged in Britain for years' Ian Rankin'Denise Mina is Britain's best living crime writer' Sunday ExpressFROM THE COSTA-SHORTLISTED BESTSELLING AUTHORIn Glasgow, a child goes missing, taken from the front garden of his home. The investigation leads the police to the doors of two young boys.Paddy Meehan has just started work at a local newspaper where she dreams of becoming an investigative journalist. Although everyone around her believes the boys acted on their own, she is certain there is more to it and begins to ask awkward questions.But Paddy's investigation has repercussions she never anticipated. Shunned by those closest to her, she finds herself dangerously alone.And someone is trying to stop her discovering the truth.The first novel in the addictive Paddy Meehan series, from award-winning author Denise Mina.Trade ReviewMina produces something special every time and this book – her finest yet – offers a memorable portrait of her touching heroine, along with the dynamics of the workplace and, especially, the family * Sunday Telegraph *Mina never fails to engage the reader, taking crime fiction into further territory to challenge and extend our perceptions... [This book] puts Mina into the class of the serious psychological novelist * Scotland on Sunday *
£9.49
Boldwood Books Ltd The Flatmate: A completely addictive thriller
Book SynopsisAlways trust your very basic instincts or prepare for the consequences…It was surreal returning to work after a sabbatical following the suspicious death of my best friend Livvy.On my return to the company apartment, I was surprised to find Livvy’s replacement, Amanda Dowd firmly entrenched as my new flatmate.She’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere.But something didn’t feel right. I felt on edge.Everyone seemed to love Amanda, even my ex-Jayden was blinded by her outgoing personality and model-like looks.Yet her desperation to become friends felt unnatural.When I began to receive calls, photos and presents from Livvy, I became spooked. Someone was targeting me, watching me. With my job, home and life on the line, I had to find out who was doing this to me and why.I hadn’t caused Livvy’s death but still believed it was no accident. Someone else was guilty and I had to find out who before I was next.Bestseller Gemma Rogers is back with another page-turning thriller.Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena and Lisa JewellPraise for Gemma Rogers'Unputdownable. a nail-biting thriller that grips to the very last page' - Keri Beevis'A claustrophobic psychological thriller with an explosive finale. Gripping and absorbing'- David Beckler‘It’s a shocking thriller that grabs at your emotions on every page! Loved it’ - Lauren North‘Captivating and enthralling, I give this book five shiny golden stars’ - Anita Waller‘A well-written and thoroughly entertaining thriller from a very talented author’ - John Nicoll‘A beautifully written edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me guessing right until the end’ - Dreda Say Mitchell'A brilliant thriller from an exciting new voice. Stalker it had me on the edge of my seat' - Kerry Barnes'An atmospheric, taut thriller which keeps you hooked from the first page' - Jacqui Rose
£20.69
Zaffre The Old Religion: Dark and Chillingly
Book SynopsisWELCOME TO THE DARK HEART OF CORNWALL . . .'One of the very best crime writers we have' Mark Billingham'A chilling tale' Lee Child'Great stuff' Mick Herron'Full of menace and secrets' Tom Wood'Martyn Waites is already crime fiction royalty . . . I bloody loved this book' Steve CavanaghHe was running from his past.She was running from her future.Sometimes helping a stranger is the last thing you should do . . .The Cornish village of St Petroc is the sort of place where people come to hide. Tom Killgannon is one such person. An ex-undercover cop, Tom is in the Witness Protection Programme hiding from some very violent people and St Petroc's offers him a chance to live a safe and quiet life. Until he meets Lila. Lila is a seventeen-year-old runaway. When she breaks into Tom's house she takes more than just his money. His wallet holds everything about his new identity. He also knows that Lila is in danger from the travellers' commune she's been living at. Something sinister has been going on there and Lila knows more than she realises. But to find her he risks not only giving away his location to the gangs he's in hiding from, but also becoming a target for whoever is hunting Lila. Trade ReviewWaites brings all his storytelling talent and experience to this chilling tale, with results so spectacular I might never go to Cornwall again. Superb * Lee Child *A strong plot, a formidable air of menace . . . a superbly executed cautionary tale about the malevolent force of parochialism * Laura Wilson, Guardian *Waites is one of the very best crime writers we have, simple as that. I've been looking forward to this book for a long time and, boy, it was worth waiting for. I don't know if I devoured IT or IT devoured ME... * Mark Billingham *Martyn has written another raw, deftly-plotted thriller with a dark heart and a real emotional punch * Simon Kernick *Authentically spooky, thrillingly atmospheric and unnervingly relevant. It reads like The Wicker man for the Brexit era * Chris Brookmyre *One of the brightest stars in the British crime writing firmament * John Connolly *Reading Martyn Waites is a guaranteed thrill-ride. His characters sing off the page, his plots keep you guessing until the end, and I always read his books in a day. So grab The Old Religion and make Martyn Waites your new religion! * Sarah Pinborough *The Old Religion by Martyn Waites does for Cornish tourism what Peter Benchley and Jaws did for swimming in the sea! The Wicker Man meets Get Carter in a tale that straddles both contemporary crime and folk horror to form something entirely unique. This is a terrific book that one hopes will form the basis of a series with Tom KIllgannon at the fore * Stuart Neville *A joyous new series with an adorable hero. Waites has come thundering back with all his talent intact * Alex Marwood *One of those books you start reading and feel it envelope you like a second skin, meaning you can't put it down. Deliciously creepy, with a startling evocation of that scary old village with hidden secrets vibe. I loved it. Every word. Superbly written, creepy as hell, and chilling to the bone. I can't recommend it highly enough! * Luca Veste *Martyn Waites is already crime fiction royalty. With The Old Religion he has delved into the fears and hearts of disillusioned Britain. Tom Kilgannon is one of the best new characters in modern fiction. I bloody loved this book * Steve Cavanagh *A chilling slice of country noir. Great stuff * Mick Herron *A superbly atmospheric book full of menace and secrets * Tom Wood *The Old Religion is Martyn Waites at his dark and chilling best, a landmark work of rural noir which tears apart the countryside idyll and exposes just how twisted its bones really are * Eva Dolan *The master of sinister. Prepare to be creeped out * Angela Clarke *An unputdownable read, twisting and turning into the heart of darkness * Rebecca Chance *A compulsive and creepy crime novel, The Old Religion is brilliantly atmospheric and original. It's one of those books you keep saying to yourself - just one more chapter - and then realise you've been up all night. One of the best books I've read this year * Stav Sherez *Deeply unsettling and hauntingly realistic, The Old Religion takes all the things I love in a book and smashes them together - hard * Susi Holliday *The Old Religion is crime noir at its finest. Gritty, claustrophobically tense and deeply emotive - unputdownable! * Steph Broadribb, author of Deep Down Dead *This is a great read - dark and disturbing, like The Wicker Man reinvented for our own troubled times. This is the side of Cornwall you'd rather not see - full of sinister undercurrents - but the result is a novel that's gripping from the first page to its incredibly satisfying climax * Kevin Wignall, author of A Death in Sweden *An excellently woven crime novel, with a captivating setting and a brilliant lead character, from master storyteller Martyn Waites * Ragnar Jonasson *I LOVED The Old Religion. I adored the tense, taut prose punctuated with lyricism; the dark and twisting plot; the dance between the main characters * A.K. Benedict, author of The Evidence of Ghosts *A twisting, atmospheric, scary tale that delves into Cornwall's dark side - ancient and modern - to introduce a terrific new character in troubled cop-in-hiding Tom Killgannon. You won't be finding this one on the Cornish Tourist Board's reading list . . . * Anya Lipska *Darkly mesmerising * Chris Ewan *A chilling slice of contemporary folk horror that will make you think twice before venturing into that friendly looking Cornish pub * The Guardian, Mark Billingham mentions the book in his ‘the books that made me’ interview *It's a dark story and not for the faint hearted: this is Cornwall post-Brexit when the locals have realised that they've been lied to and tourists from the prosperous south east are avoiding the county, nervous of the Brexiteers they might encounter. Martyn Waites does an excellent job of drawing real people, people with plights you can understand. Killgannon is excellent, but I was particularly impressed by Lila, who begins as someone you'd probably go out of your way to avoid, but who gets under your skin and you end up wanting something to go right for her. The plot's a good one with excellent pacing and a feeling of menace which you can never quite shake. There's a neat twist at the end too, which I really didn't spot * The Bookbag *'"The Old Religion" is based on the sinister and secretive paganism rituals of the Cornish old days within the small community of St Petroc and its inhabitants and the conclusion to this dark and chilling story literally blew me away * Miriam Smith *A strong plot, a formidable air of menace... a superbly executed cautionary tale * The Guardian *The Old Religion is a great mix of modern and pagan beliefs, the contrasts are used to good effect. Grounded and realistic [and] has a cracking denouement * Nudge Book *A riveting chiller * Sunday Express *The Wicker Man and other folk horror classics run through The Old Religion...Waites handles this material expertly, creating fully rounded characters, a setting that is dripping in creepy gothic atmosphere, and a plot that keeps the reader guessing until the terrific climax * Big Issue *With a brilliant cast of characters, some very fast paced action and a tense, well-crafted plot, this thriller grabs you by the scruff of the neck and keeps you captivated. Fabulous stuff * Sunday People *Waites' taste for English Gothic is in the mix here, as are some masterful plot revelations * Financial Times *clever, disturbing and very real * Woman's Way *Dark, chillingly atmospheric and thought-provoking, The Old Religion explores the insidious power of mob mentality, but also the desperation of those who have nothing. But this is also a page-turning thriller, with an extraordinary cast of characters, and a plot that races along. Highly recommended * Back to the Books Blog *This riveting chiller is most memorable as a portrayal of a downtrodden dying community beset by sinister, spooky events * Sunday Express *This is unputdownable. Dark, fast, hide behind the sofa or chew your nails. Your choice * Frost Magazine *Is it a crime yarn? Is it a horror story? The short answer is 'yes to both' and it's an engrossing and chilling read * Weekend Sport *The not so pretty north Cornwall he creates is a rich seam to mine * Promoting Crime *A highly entertaining and engaging thriller... [I] particularly enjoyed the evocatively atmospheric descriptions of a Cornwall which was so far removed from the usual picture-postcard descriptions * Nudge Books *Martyn Waites' excellent new thriller still managed to keep us on edge even while it was scattering all the folk horror tropes around like nine-pins. If you're a frustrated crime/horror author scrabbling for the next great idea, you're going to love this and hate this in equal measure - love it because it's brilliantly written with a plot that flows like daemonic clockwork, hate it because it's such a brilliant twist to an old idea you'll be jealous you didn't think of it first * Starburst Magazine *Chilling and atmospheric * Western Morning News *[A] gripping page-turner in the dark heart of Cornwall * Choice Magazine *Waites deftly plaits the traditional elements of the detective story with chilling spells and summonings of the old religion. An astute Brexit analogy lends the villagers' collective delusion gruesome topicality in this well-told, immensely satisfying tale of contemporary folk horror * Irish Times *Echoes of THE WICKER MAN, with hints of rural pagan mysticism and muted violence just waiting to explode in the light of day and this compelling volume could well be the first in a major series, with a central character painted in all shades of grey and anything but cardboard-thin * Crime Time, review *Yes, we are definitely in Wicker Man territory here but leave your 'I've already seen this/read that' cynicism at the door because Martyn Waites' excellent new thriller still managed to keep us on edge even while it was scattering all the folk horror tropes around like nine-pins. If you're a frustrated crime/horror author scrabbling for the next great idea, you're going to love this and hate this in equal measure - love it because it's brilliantly written with a plot that flows like daemonic clockwork; hate it because it's such a brilliant twist to an old idea you'll be jealous you didn't think of it first. Tom Kilgannon is a terrific protagonist with enough backstory for a whole coven of twisted follow-ups (assuming he survives this initial adventure, of course) and the way Waites combines the anger and unrest of Brexit Britain with the dark ritualism of ancient pagan belief is pretty much genius. Yes, we know it's been tried before but it's rarely, if ever, been done this well * Starburst Magazine *A novel that deals with the darker side of Brexit Britain in an isolated Cornish village. Tom Killgannon, the hero who sought to lose himself in the quiet life, is a delicious creation on a par with Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer -- Steve Cavanagh * Sunday Times Crime Club *
£9.74
Zaffre After She's Gone
Book SynopsisA gripping, twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of The Ice Beneath Her, perfect for fans of Will Dean's Dark Pines.A case as cold as the season. A profiler who can't remember. A killer ready to strike again. Psychological profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schön and her partner, investigator Peter Lindgren are invited to the small, sleepy industrial town of Ormberg to investigate a cold case: ten years earlier a five-year-old girl's remains were found in a cairn near the town. But when a recurring memory problem resurfaces, Hanne struggles to keep track of the case. She begins keeping a diary, noting down everything she is likely to forget to keep up appearances so she doesn't lose her job. When the body of a woman is found at the cairn and one of Hanne's shoes is found nearby covered in the victim's blood, can Hanne's diary hold the key to what happened? How does this new murder connect to their old one? How can you put together what happened when the pieces keep fading away?Trade ReviewA dark and gritty thriller, as a true Nordic Noir should be * Lilja Sigurðardóttir *One of the most adroit of current practitioners of the Nordic Noir genre . . . After She's Gone is more proof that there is plenty of life in the Scandicrime genre * Barry Forshaw, Riveting Reviews *After She's Gone was deservedly recognised as the Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year. Camilla Grebe has succeeded in writing a gripping, atmospheric tale that tackles a number of burning contemporary issues in a compelling way. Highly recommended * Adam Hamdy *Unsettling, menacing and compulsively written * Heat on The Ice Beneath Her *Captivating . . . deftly ensure[s] reader's certainties stay on the very thin ice * Sunday Mirror on The Ice Beneath Her *Scandi-noir at it powerful bleakest * Daily Mail on The Ice Beneath Her *I read it in one sitting. The twists are superb . . . * Cecilia Ekbäck on The Ice Beneath Her *
£8.54
Zaffre After She's Gone
Book SynopsisA gripping, twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of The Ice Beneath Her, perfect for fans of Will Dean's Dark Pines.A case as cold as the season. A profiler who can't remember. A killer ready to strike again. Psychological profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schön and her partner, investigator Peter Lindgren are invited to the small, sleepy industrial town of Ormberg to investigate a cold case: ten years earlier a five-year-old girl's remains were found in a cairn near the town. But when a recurring memory problem resurfaces, Hanne struggles to keep track of the case. She begins keeping a diary, noting down everything she is likely to forget to keep up appearances so she doesn't lose her job. When the body of a woman is found at the cairn and one of Hanne's shoes is found nearby covered in the victim's blood, can Hanne's diary hold the key to what happened? How does this new murder connect to their old one? How can you put together what happened when the pieces keep fading away?Trade ReviewA dark and gritty thriller, as a true Nordic Noir should be * Lilja Sigurðardóttir *After She's Gone was deservedly recognised as the Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year. Camilla Grebe has succeeded in writing a gripping, atmospheric tale that tackles a number of burning contemporary issues in a compelling way. Highly recommended * Adam Hamdy *
£11.69
Zaffre The Syndicate: A gripping thriller about revenge
Book SynopsisGangs of London meets Kimberley Chambers in this gripping thriller of betrayal and survival in a world where one mistake could cost you everything. YOU THINK YOU'RE FREE, BUT THEY'LL NEVER LET YOU LEAVE . . . Twenty years ago, Jon Kavanagh worked for a crime syndicate. Then one night he made a mistake.He left a witness at a crime scene. Alive. Now, he is haunted by the memories of that young girl. Her face a constant reminder of the life he chose to leave behind. Time has passed and now he wants answers: What ever happened to her?Anna Hill is an aspiring singer, but the bars and clubs she works in are far from exciting. When she is given the opportunity to work in Portugal, she takes it. This is her chance to finally kick-start her career. But the job offer comes at a price; one that will endanger the lives of those she knows, and those she doesn't. Becoming involved with the Syndicate is risky, and Anna will need her instincts to work out who to trust - and who not to . . .'One of my reads of the year' DAVID JACKSON'A gripping story that builds to a stunning conclusion. Kavanagh is a complex and original creation; a man haunted by his past and living on borrowed time' HOWARD LINSKEY'Truly sinuous suspense that when you think you've got it worked out, has a resolution that snaps back and bites' KATE BRADLEYTrade ReviewBrilliant characterisation and such a tense, winding plot. I loved the way Graham wove the story together * Lisa Hall *A damaged but engaging central character, sharp dialogue, twisty plot and great pay-off - The Syndicate has all the ingredients of an excellent thriller * Simon Brett *The Syndicate is a gripping story that builds to a stunning conclusion. GJ Minett's Kavanagh is a complex and original creation; a man haunted by his past and living on borrowed time * Howard Linksey *Captivating, cleverly written, unputdownable. I devoured The Syndicate in one night. Minett and crime at its finest * Rebecca Thornton *I absolutely loved it. I raced through this book. A beautifully written, character-focused novel that reminded me of George Pelecanos at his best. Definitely one of my reads of the year so far * David Jackson *Pacey, heart-stopping and poignant * Julie Corbin *'This is GJ Minett's best yet. Absorbing, nuanced and emotive. A superior thriller with a real sucker punch of a twist.' * Chris Whitaker *With Kavanagh, Minett has created the ultimate hero - dark, dangerous but with a depth of heart. If I was in trouble, I'd want Kavanagh in my corner. The Syndicate is a truly sinuous suspense that when you think you've got it worked out, has a resolution that snaps back and bites. More please * Kate Bradley *That rare type of novel that manages to be subtle, compassionate and with a real moral heart, but at the same time packed with enough twists and turns to the point you can't put it down. And Kavanagh is exactly my kind of hero - laconic, no-nonsense, but also credible and relatable - the sort of reluctant leading man that I can't get enough of. A really entertaining read, but made exceptional my the emotional punch it carries * Rod Reynolds *In The Syndicate, G.J Minett has brought us a compelling, intricately-plotted novel peopled with fascinating characters, particularly the brilliantly drawn Jon Kavanagh, in whose outcome I was completely invested throughout. The writing is superb, the story intriguing and what an ending. Wow! * Gill Thompson *A master of language and character, GJ Minett's The Syndicate is dark and treacherous with a real sting in its tail. * Sam Blake *What a thumping good book! And an absolute gem of a hallmark GJ Minett mystery thriller. Full of twists and turns and surprises, this particular story built to an emotive ending that I found enormously satisfying. A great story from a master storyteller. More please * C J Carver *A powerful psychological thriller, The Syndicate explores the physical and emotional scars that mould the character of a killer * Carolyn Kirby *This is an exciting, twisty novel from an author at the top of his game and in Jon Kavanagh he's created an intriguing lead character. The Syndicate is an excellent, page-turning read - one you won't want to put down * David Young *
£6.74
Zaffre The Sinner: In prison not everyone is guilty . .
Book SynopsisTHE TENSE NEW THRILLER FROM THE 'MASTER OF SINISTER' (ANGELA CLARKE), FOR FANS OF CHRIS CARTER.Tom Killgannon, ex-undercover police officer and now in witness protection, is recalled to active service by a local police task force, headed by DS Sheridan. His mission is to befriend notorious child killer Noel Cunningham and find out where he buried the bodies of his final two victims. The catch? Tom has to obtain that information from within Blackmoor prison itself.Undercover and with no back-up, Tom soon runs into danger. In the prison is convicted gangster Dean Foley. He used to run Manchester's biggest gang, until Tom's testimony put him away for life. He recognises Tom, and so begins a cat-and-mouse game as Tom fights for survival before Foley can get his revenge. But why can't Tom reach DS Sheridan and what is the real reason he has been sent to Blackmoor prison?'Waites is one of the best crime writers we have' MARK BILLINGHAM'Martyn Waites is already crime fiction royalty' STEVE CAVANAGH'A deftly-plotted thriller with a dark heart and a real emotional punch' SIMON KERNICK on The Old Religion'A guaranteed thrill-ride' SARAH PINBOROUGH on The Old ReligionTrade ReviewA deftly-plotted, gripping, pulse-racing rollercoaster of a thriller. If you haven't read Martyn Waites before, then you're in for a real treat. Stunning * Harlan Coben *I have to say I think it's his best yet. A proper page-turner, with a claustrophobic darkness to it and an excellent cast of characters. Get ye to thy local bookshop! * Stuart MacBride *Pacey but atmospheric, with a palpable sense of claustrophobia and menace * Laura Wilson, Guardian *I've long suspected that Martyn Waites belongs behind bars, and with this brilliant, pulse-raising, prison-set thriller, he's proved me right * Mick Herron *Waites brings all his storytelling talent and experience to this chilling tale . . . spectacular * Lee Child on The Old Religion *Authentically spooky, thrillingly atmospheric and unnervingly relevant. It reads like The Wicker Man for the Brexit era * Chris Brookmyre on The Old Religion *A raw, deftly-plotted thriller with a dark heart and a real emotional punch * Simon Kernick *A guaranteed thrill-ride * Sarah Pinborough on The Old Religion *One of the very best crime writers we have * Mark Billingham *I loved it. Every word. Superbly written, creepy as hell, and chilling to the bone. I can't recommend it highly enough! * Luca Veste on The Old Religion *Martyn Waites is crime fiction royalty * Steve Cavanagh *The Sinner is a dark, atmospheric thriller with an intriguing backstory that makes me want to seek out the first book in the series, and I always know a book and its characters have worked for me when that's the end result. * Crime Review *
£17.09
Zaffre The Sinner: In prison not everyone is guilty . .
Book SynopsisTHE TENSE NEW THRILLER FROM THE 'MASTER OF SINISTER' (ANGELA CLARKE), FOR FANS OF CHRIS CARTER. Tom Killgannon, ex-undercover police officer and now in witness protection, is recalled to active service by a local police task force, headed by DS Sheridan. His mission is to befriend notorious child killer Noel Cunningham and find out where he buried the bodies of his final two victims. The catch? Tom has to obtain that information from within Blackmoor prison itself. Undercover and with no back-up, Tom soon runs into danger. In the prison is convicted gangster Dean Foley. He used to run Manchester's biggest gang, until Tom's testimony put him away for life. He recognises Tom, and so begins a cat-and-mouse game as Tom fights for survival before Foley can get his revenge. But why can't Tom reach DS Sheridan and what is the real reason he has been sent to Blackmoor prison? 'Waites is one of the best crime writers we have' MARK BILLINGHAM 'Martyn Waites is already crime fiction royalty' STEVE CAVANAGH 'A deftly-plotted thriller with a dark heart and a real emotional punch' SIMON KERNICK on The Old Religion 'A guaranteed thrill-ride' SARAH PINBOROUGH on The Old ReligionTrade ReviewA deftly-plotted, gripping, pulse-racing rollercoaster of a thriller. If you haven't read Martyn Waites before, then you're in for a real treat. Stunning * Harlan Coben *I've long suspected that Martyn Waites belongs behind bars, and with this brilliant, pulse-raising, prison-set thriller, he's proved me right * Mick Herron *Pacey but atmospheric, with a palpable sense of claustrophobia and menace * Laura Wilson, Guardian *
£9.74
Zaffre The Sinner: In prison not everyone is guilty . .
Book Synopsis'A deftly-plotted, gripping, pulse-racing rollercoaster of a thriller . . . you're in for a treat' HARLAN COBEN'Claustrophobic, ominous, and one hell of a ride' STUART MACBRIDETHE TENSE NEW THRILLER FROM THE 'MASTER OF SINISTER' (ANGELA CLARKE), FOR FANS OF CHRIS CARTER.Tom Killgannon, ex-undercover police officer and now in witness protection, is recalled to active service by a local police task force, headed by DS Sheridan. His mission is to befriend notorious child killer Noel Cunningham and find out where he buried the bodies of his final two victims. The catch? Tom has to obtain that information from within Blackmoor prison itself.Undercover and with no back-up, Tom soon runs into danger. In the prison is convicted gangster Dean Foley. He used to run Manchester's biggest gang, until Tom's testimony put him away for life. He recognises Tom, and so begins a cat-and-mouse game as Tom fights for survival before Foley can get his revenge. But why can't Tom reach DS Sheridan and what is the real reason he has been sent to Blackmoor prison?'Waites is one of the best crime writers we have' MARK BILLINGHAM'Martyn Waites is already crime fiction royalty' STEVE CAVANAGH'Pacey but atmospheric, with a palpable sense of claustrophobia and menace' Laura Wilson, Guardian'On a par with Ross MacDonald's Lew Archer' Sunday Times Crime ClubTrade ReviewA deftly-plotted, gripping, pulse-racing rollercoaster of a thriller. If you haven't read Martyn Waites before, then you're in for a real treat. Stunning * Harlan Coben *I have to say I think it's his best yet. A proper page-turner, with a claustrophobic darkness to it and an excellent cast of characters. * Stuart MacBride *One of the very best crime writers we have * Mark Billingham *I've long suspected that Martyn Waites belongs behind bars, and with this brilliant, pulse-raising, prison-set thriller, he's proved me right * Mick Herron *Pacey but atmospheric, with a palpable sense of claustrophobia and menace * Laura Wilson, Guardian *One of the brightest stars in the British crime writing firmament * John Connolly *Full of thrills and spills and packed with danger, The Sinner is a supersonic fast-paced page turner; calling it high octane doesn't even come close to doing it justice . . . a book that made me forget to breathe * The Book Magnet *Books like The Sinner are why I started blogging all those years ago. I wanted to make sure my love for a story which had held me gripped from first page to last could reach a wide audience and hopefully as many people as possible will be on the lookout for this book . . . The Sinner is the book I will be recommending for a good while to come. Easy 5 star score - go get it! * Grab This Book *
£8.54
Zaffre No Going Back
Book SynopsisFrom the award-winning and bestselling author of Eyes Like Mine comes the new thriller featuring Nora Watts, 'a brave, unflinching heroine' (Lee Child). This time in order to protect her daughter, Nora is willing to risk everything. Meet Nora Watts. She's not your average heroine, but she'll go above and beyond for those she loves. For fans of Jeffery Deaver's The Never Game and Karin Slaughter's The Last Widow comes a book about family, loyalty and love.'Sheena Kamal's writing is as fearless as her protagonist' LINWOOD BARCLAY'Will stay with you for a long, long time. Perhaps forever' JEFFERY DEAVER****Find your enemy. Before he finds you . . . Nora Watts is used to being hunted. Since she rescued her biological daughter, Bonnie, two years ago, from the criminal gang that had kidnapped her, Nora's been targeted by the ruthless Dao. He wants revenge, and he will use whatever he can to get to Nora - including Bonnie.So, Nora has no choice: the hunted must become the hunter. But as she chases after Dao, from the snow-laden streets of Vancouver to the sun-bleached beaches in Indonesia, she knows that it's only a matter of time before they come face to face - and this time, only one of them can walk away. It's a mother's job to keep her child safe, at all costs, so can Nora find Dao and stop him - before it's too late?'I'd follow Nora Watts (and her dog) anywhere' A. L. GAYLIN'The next Gillian Flynn' IRISH INDEPENDENTTrade ReviewSheena Kamal's writing is as fearless as her protagonist * Linwood Barclay *Intricately plotted. A tense, taut thriller with a flawed, compelling heroine. I want to read more about Nora Watts * Andrea Carter *Will stay with you for a long, long time. Perhaps forever * Jeffery Deaver on Eyes Like Mine *This is a rampageous romp in the modern idiom with an underlying theme of sacrifice. Mothers will recognise that and accept it as rote, going on to enjoy Nora Watts, the swashbuckling hero, a woman of inviolate principle who makes her own rules. Hardly a role model but certainly a brilliant companion for dark days. All hail to escapist literature and Sheena Kamal in particular. * SHOTS Magazine *
£8.54
Oneworld Publications The Pictures: Shortlisted for the John Creasey
Book Synopsis*Shortlisted for the John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award 2017* World-weary Jonathan Craine is a detective at the LAPD who has spent his entire career as a studio ‘fixer’, covering up crimes of the studio players to protect the billion-dollar industry that built Los Angeles. When one of the producers of The Wizard of Oz is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Craine must make sure the incident passes without scandal and that the deceased’s widow, the beautiful starlet Gale Goodwin, comes through the ordeal with her reputation unscathed. But against his better instincts, Craine finds himself increasingly drawn to Gale. And when a series of unsavoury truths begin to surface, Craine finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy involving a Chicago crime syndicate, a prostitution racket and a set of stolen pictures that could hold the key to unravelling the mystery.Trade Review‘Superbly realised.’ * Telegraph, Books of the Year *‘Three more debuts introduced splendid anti-heroes…. The Pictures follows a morally dubious studio fixer in a superbly realised Thirties Hollywood.’ * The Telegraph *‘The Pictures is a compelling and dazzling debut for fans of Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy. Bolton's tightly paced mystery vividly re-creates 1930s Hollywood and is enriched with complicated, fascinating and flawed characters.’ * Shelf Awareness *'Star-studded, deliciously dark noir.' * Express *'If Bolton manages to combine his natural talent for place with Black's guidance on character, mystery lovers will have a great deal to anticipate.' * NPR Books *'An astonishingly accomplished debut.' * Daily Mail *‘A splendid read…handled with great skill…[Bolton] paints a portrait of the period with a confidence usually reserved for old survivors.’ * The Times *'A solid read for fans of the silver screen and intelligent detective novels.' * Library Journal *'Bolton spins a lurid tale of Hollywood after dark, complete with drugs, prostitution, and pornography...nicely mixing Hollywood glamour with backroom sleaze.' * Booklist *'A laser-sharp noir thriller.' * Financial Times *‘Brilliantly atmospheric and compelling.’ * Mail on Sunday *‘Craine is not the usual maverick cop and his ambiguous nature makes this novel tick… Place and period are lovingly described.’ * Spectator *‘A skilfully written, atmospheric tale.’ * Literary Review *‘It's one of those books which you pick up idly - and don't put down. I read it in a couple of days and I'm still thinking about a couple of the characters. Definitely recommended…. There's a real pace to the story and an effortless evocation of the Hollywood of the nineteen thirties…It's his first novel and is particularly assured for a debut.’ * The Bookbag *‘Moody Hollywood thriller with a tarnished cop looking into a producer's apparent suicide that puts him up against the studio bosses who pay him, the mob that's muscling in, and his old love. Set against the release of The Wizard of Oz, Bolton creates a time and place both accurate and dreamlike as he delves into wounded men looking for a shot to be better.’ * Mystery People bookstore Picked one of the top six debut mystery novels of 2017 *
£8.54
Cornerstone The Secret: Jack Reacher, Book 28
Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.1992. Two strangers bring a hospital patient a list of names. They ask him for one more, but it's a question the patient can't answer. Minutes later he is dispatched through the 12th floor window.His death generates some unexpected attention. That attention comes from the Secretary of Defence, who brings in an inter-agency task force to investigate. Jack Reacher, recently demoted from Major to Captain, is assigned as the Army's representative.Reacher may be an exceptional soldier, but sweeping other people's secrets under the carpet isn't part of his skill set. As he races to find the killer, he must navigate around the ulterior motives of his new 'partners'. And all while moving into the sight line of some of the most dangerous people he has ever encountered.His mission is to uncover the truth. Fast. The question is: will Reacher bring the bad guys to justice the official way . . . or his way?PRAISE FOR THE JACK REACHER SERIES'There's only one Jack Reacher. Accept no substitutes.' MICK HERRON'Jack Reacher is today's James Bond, a thriller hero we can't get enough of.' KEN FOLLETT'Everyone needs to kick some butt sometimes, even if it's just imaginary.' JOJO MOYESAlthough the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, The Secret is the 28th book in the internationally bestselling series.©2023 Andrew Child & Lee Child (P)2023 Penguin AudioTrade 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 *
£24.00
Headline Publishing Group Children in Chains: A totally gripping and
Book SynopsisHE'S EVERY PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE . . .In the early hours of the morning, Detective Inspector Paolo Sterling receives a tip-off about a group of children being trafficked on to the streets of Bradchester as sex workers. Hoping he is one step closer to bringing down a notorious syndicate of twisted criminals, it soon becomes clear that Paolo and his team have been misled and that the gang have once again evaded arrest. Then a young girl is found dead in a shop doorway and, with all signs pointing towards the investigation, it quickly gathers momentum. As DI Sterling delves deeper into the darkest corners of society, he begins to unravel the most unimaginable crimes but with the shadowy leader always one step ahead, Paolo must work harder than ever before to bring the culprits to justice - before another child's life is taken.Lorraine Mace brings us the second unflinching and totally gripping instalment in her dark and gritty series featuring DI Paolo Sterling. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, M. J. Arlidge and Karin Slaughter.'Lorraine Mace has done it again. Crime fiction at its absolute finest' MARION TODD 'What an opening! Lorraine certainly knows how to write a gripping thriller. A chilling read' KAREN KINGLOVE FOR LORRAINE MACE'S WRITING:'I. Am. Not. Okay. That ending - mind blown!!!! Rage and Retribution deserves ALL the stars! It is AMAZING!' 5* Reader Review'Wow, just wow is all I can say. The whole series is just too good to miss.' 5* Reader Review'I am an absolutely massive fan of this series . . . the books are just getting better and better' 5* Reader Review'I am blown away by this story and LOVE everything about it. I cannot wait for the next instalment.' 5* Reader Review'OMG! That opening scene' 5* Reader Review'I could not put my kindle down while reading this!' 5* Reader ReviewTrade ReviewLorraine Mace has done it again. Crime fiction at its absolute finest -- MARION TODDWhat an opening! Lorraine certainly knows how to write a gripping thriller. A chilling read -- KAREN KINGA dark, cleverly plotted tale . . . I was gripped from the opening scene and raced through the book to its final, shocking ending. Crime writing at its very best -- SHEILA BUGLERGritty, topical, sometimes lacerating, but always enthralling. A truly compulsive read -- ABBIE FROST
£11.33
Headline Publishing Group Love Me Tender: An unflinching, twisty and
Book Synopsis'Lorraine Mace has done it again. Crime fiction at its absolute finest' MARION TODD'What an opening! Lorraine certainly knows how to write a gripping thriller. A chilling read' KAREN KINGIF HE WANTS YOU . . . THERE'S NO ESCAPE.A brutal murder . . .Responding to a tip-off, newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Paolo Sterling arrives at an apartment block to find the dismembered body of a young woman. And with no indication of a break-in, all signs suggest the killer was known to her.An abduction in plain sight . . . Then the victim's friend is snatched with no witnesses and the unanswered questions mount up.At the same time, Sterling's team are leading the surveillance of a local club, thought to be involved in a drug operation. But when one of his colleagues ends up in hospital close to death, Paolo begins to lose his grip.A detective on the edge . . .With the odds stacked against him, and time running out, can DCI Sterling uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will this case finally tip him over the edge?Lorraine Mace returns with the fifth instalment in her dark, gritty and unflinching DI Sterling series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, M. J. Arlidge and Karin Slaughter.LOVE FOR LORRAINE MACE'S WRITING:'I. Am. Not. Okay. That ending - mind blown!!!! Rage and Retribution deserves ALL the stars! It is AMAZING!' 5* Reader Review'Wow, just wow is all I can say. The whole series is just too good to miss.' 5* Reader Review'I am an absolutely massive fan of this series . . . the books are just getting better and better' 5* Reader Review'I am blown away by this story and LOVE everything about it. I cannot wait for the next instalment.' 5* Reader Review'OMG! That opening scene' 5* Reader Review'I could not put my kindle down while reading this!' 5* Reader ReviewTrade ReviewHer assured and fluid writing style truly brings characters and scenes to life on the page -- Rachel AbbottGritty, topical, sometimes lacerating, but always enthralling. A truly compulsive read -- Abbie FrostD.I. Paolo Sterling is instantly engaging - Children in Chains is a dark, gripping and unflinching read -- Louise Phillips, winner of the Best Irish Crime Novel of the YearGripping, fast-paced -- Sheila Bugler, Hunting ShadowsDelve into the dark side. Well-constructed with unflinching plots. Satisfying enough for the most discerning crime reader. -- Ruth DugdallFast-paced and compulsive reading with tension ratcheted to the max. D.I. Paolo Sterling's humanity is tested by gut-wrenching crimes and damaged killers. -- Chris CurranA visceral, no-punches-pulled, gut-wrenching thriller... Crime Noir at its darkest -- Caroline DunfordFrom page one the reader is parachuted into the epicentre of calculated, sinister murder. The pace is unrelenting as Mace presses on, hot on the heels of the enigmatic Pretender -- Anna Legat, author of Sandman
£9.49
Atlantic Books The Silver Road
Book Synopsis**WINNER OF THE 2018 SWEDISH ACADEMY OF CRIME WRITERS' AWARD FOR BEST SWEDISH CRIME NOVEL****WINNER OF THE 2019 GLASS KEY AWARD****WINNER OF THE 2019 SWEDISH BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD**____________Even the darkest journey must come to an end...Three years ago, Lelle's daughter went missing in a remote part of Northern Sweden. Lelle has spent the intervening summers driving the Silver Road under the midnight sun, frantically searching for his lost daughter. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Meja arrives in town hoping for a fresh start. She is the same age as Lelle's daughter was - a girl on the brink of adulthood. For Meja, there are dangers to be found in this isolated place.As the days darken, Lelle and Meja's lives are intertwined in ways, both haunting and tragic, that they could never have imagined.'Haunting, intoxicating' Ali Land, author of Good Me Bad Me'Deeply affecting' Chris Whitaker, author of All the Wicked GirlsTrade ReviewUnsettling and absorbing * Observer, THRILLER OF THE MONTH *A haunting debut... an unflinching examination of the kind of men who prey on vulnerable young women. * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month *I really enjoyed The Silver Road. There's a haunting, intoxicating atmosphere throughout, intensified by the never ending Nordic daylight, which is in stark contrast to the darkness of the families the story follows. A great read. * Ali Land, author of Good Me Bad Me *A stunning read. Beautifully written and utterly haunting. * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *I lost the whole weekend to Lelle and Meja and couldn't have loved it more. Deeply affecting and full of heart, yet a dark, despairing page-turner. A very impressive debut. * Chris Whitaker, author of All the Wicked Girls *I love everything about this book. Stina Jackson has mastered the art of combining suspense with literary depth. It's oh so beautiful, wistful and well written. * Lina Bengtsdotter, author of For the Missing *Beautifully written, haunting and intense. * Sunday Times Crime Club *Jackson has the confidence to deliver a thoughtful, patiently told story in which there are no conventional genre heroes, just ordinary people struggling to cope with their respective tragedies. * Irish Times *A masterclass in evocative sadness, loneliness and redemption, told in a sensitive and captivating style. The author beautifully portrays the pain of losing a child and the conviction that truth must be found, however devastating it might be... vivid and powerful... tense, atmospheric. * Ewa Sherman, Crime Review *With its haunting, lyrical prose, this story of love, loss, hope, obsession and redemption, although at times desperately sad and melancholic, captured my imagination from the start - a remarkably assured debut novel. * NB Magazine, Linda Hepworth's Books of the Year 2019 *
£9.49
Atlantic Books A Necessary Death
Book Synopsis· AN INTERNATIONAL NO.1 BESTSELLER ·'Anne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction.' Jo Nesbø____________________The snow is falling Selma Falck is living a nightmare. Trapped in a burning cabin on a freezing snow-covered mountain, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. Bruised, bleeding and naked, she barely makes it out in time as the flames engulf the cabin. With no signs of human habitation nearby, the temperature rapidly dropping, and a blizzard approaching, how will she survive? She's lost in the wilderness As Selma fights the cold, the hunger and her own wounds, she eventually forms a frightening picture of the past six months. Not only does she have to find a way to stay alive, she needs to make it back to civilization, quickly. Murder has been committed, and a great injustice must be stopped. The very future of the nation itself is at stake...If the cold doesn't kill her, they will... Trade ReviewAnne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction. * Jo Nesbø *Lively, unusual and persuasive. Holt writes with the command we have come to expect from the top Scandinavian writers. * The Times *Anne Holt is a thriller writer of the highest order. * Liza Marklund *Step aside, Stieg Larsson, Holt is the queen of Scandinavian crime thrillers. * Red Magazine *
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