Crime and mystery: hard-boiled crime, noir fiction

Book SynopsisRosamund Lupton meets Lupin in this accomplished debut from an eclectic, cut-throat new voice in thriller writing.**DON'T MISS MEGAN DAVIS' NEXT THRILLER, BAY OF THIEVES. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**'A sleek, sinister debut' WOMAN'S OWN'A strong, twisting, literary journey of revelation and redemption. Five stars' JANICE HALLETT'An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent' SOPHIE HANNAH'A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris' CHRIS WHITAKER A crime he didn't commit. A truth he must deliver.Wealthy and privileged, Alex has an easy path to success in the Parisian elite his father mingles with. But the two have never seen eye to eye. Desperate to escape the increasingly suffocating atmosphere of their apartment, Alex seeks freedom on the streets of Paris where his new-found friend Sami teaches him how to survive. But everything has a price - and one night of rebellion changes their lives forever.A simple plan to steal money takes a sinister turn when Alex's father is found dead. Despite protesting their innocence, both boys are imprisoned for murder. Seven years later Alex is released from prison with a single purpose: to discover who really killed his father. Yet as he searches for answers and atones for the sins of his past, Alex uncovers a disturbing truth with far-reaching consequences.Playing out against a backdrop of corruption, fake news and civil unrest, The Messenger exposes the gritty reality of a changing city through one son's journey to redemption and the truth. 'Megan Davis's electric, suspenseful and stunning evocation of contemporary Paris is unforgettable' ELIZABETH MACNEAL'A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place' KAMILA SHAMSIE 'Compelling ... A deft blend of murder mystery, political intrigue and family secrets' DOMINIC NOLANTrade ReviewA sleek, sinister debut * Woman's Own *A conspiracy thriller with strong Catcher In The Rye vibes, The Messenger is so evocatively written it transported me to Paris and tore up my return ticket. A strong, twisting, literary journey of revelation and redemption. Five stars * Janice Hallett *An intelligent, gripping and stylish literary thriller - I couldn't put it down. Megan Davis is a major new talent * Sophie Hannah *A sharply written, clever and classy thrill-ride through the streets of Paris. Atmospheric and twisting, The Messenger is a wonderful debut * Chris Whitaker *A well-written, intriguing novel with an excellent sense of place * Kamila Shamsie *Megan Davis's electric, suspenseful and stunning evocation of contemporary Paris is unforgettable * Elizabeth Macneal *An elegantly written, compelling thriller, baked into a rich Paris of riots, sex and excitement. A deft blend of murder mystery, political intrigue and family secrets * Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street *An unusual and engaging mixture of a conspiracy story concerning both the cold war and modern gangster capitalism, along with a coming-of-age tale of revenge and redemption * Morning Star *Few, if any, English-writing authors have caught the essence of modern Paris with such accuracy and powers of evocation; add a compelling plot with social, personal and political issues to the fore and you have a splendid thriller debut to die for * Maxim Jakubowski *Davis adroitly balances the two sides of both Paris and her plot with assurance ... A true original * Crime Time *Intense, engaging and genuinely empathetic - a remarkably accomplished debut * Crime Fiction Lover *The writing is high quality, with each word carefully chosen for maximum impact ... The character development provides an exceptional mental image for readers ...The Messenger packages intrigue and danger into a literary thriller showcasing a young man's search for truth amid a backdrop of contemporary Paris * BookTrib *

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Book SynopsisMaverick investigator Dominic Queste is on the trail of missing butcher Sam Price. But he soon uncovers links to a killer with a taste for games. What began as a simple favour for his girlfriend quickly descends into a battle for survival against an enemy who has no qualms about turning victims into prime cuts. Amidst a twisted game of cat and mouse, suspicious coppers, vicious crooks and a seemingly random burglary, Queste has to keep his wits about him. Or he might just find himself on the butcher’s block.Trade Review“Skelton takes the usual ingredients of the crime novel then adds his own sparkle. Witty, well observed, compelling - this is a book you'll want to savour. A fine, fine writer, at the very top of his game.” -- Denzil MeyrickA thoroughly gripping whodunit that shows just how darkly humorous Tartan Noir can become: and how genuinely chilling it can be at the same time.” -- Undiscovered Scotland“There is a wonderful “old-school PI feel in modern times” about this book that I simply adored. With dry wit and off-the-cuff banter, the fast-paced plot will keep the reader turning the pages in this quirky, cool and fantastically clever storyline.” -- Crime Book Junkie“Stands out from the crowd… A highly entertaining and gripping read.” By the Letter blog; “Top-notch writing, top-notch storytelling, some brilliantly observed life realities and really believable, well-drawn characters.” -- Liz Loves Books"A dark, suspenseful thriller… top, top reading." Grab This Book; “Raymond Chandler meets Glasgow gangland: Dominic Queste is a breath of humorous fresh air in what is a dark, fast-paced, one-liner wisecrack of a read!” -- Chapter In My Life“The Dead Don’t Boogie introduced us to a memorable new star of Scottish crime fiction, but Tag – You’re Dead takes what Douglas Skelton started with that book and dials everything up to 11. Funnier, wittier, darker and more dangerous than its predecessor, it is a novel which dares you to put it down and wins every time.” -- Scots Whay Hae“A tense and exciting thriller. Gritty, memorable writing, a superb lead character, witty dry humour, all in a multi-layered, enjoyable story.” -- Random Things“So noir, you almost need a torch to read it… The style is authentic, heady and pitch-perfect… A fun read, a sobering one and every page is compelling.” -- Blue Book Balloon“Brilliant… a great story, with some fantastic characters.” -- Steph’s book blog

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Book SynopsisA disenchanted man struggles to get beyond the first chapter of the books he’s writing, and to separate fact from fiction in his own life. His friend’s suicide changes everything … The mind-blowing, heart-rending new thriller from cult bestselling author Will Carver. ‘Ambitious, dark and funny … a compelling and thought-provoking book from a highly talented writer. Bravo!’ Mike Gayle ‘One of the most exciting authors in Britain’ Daily Express 'Unflinching, blunt and brutal, Carver's originality knows no bounds. Simply brilliant' Sam Holland _________________________________________ Eli Hagin can’t finish anything. He hates his job, but can’t seem to quit. He doesn’t want to be with his girlfriend, but doesn’t know how end things with her, either. Eli wants to write a novel, but he’s never taken a story beyond the first chapter. Eli also has trouble separating reality from fiction. When his best friend kills himself, Eli is motivated, for the first time in his life, to finally end something himself, just as Mike did… Except sessions with his therapist suggest that Eli’s most recent ‘first chapters’ are not as fictitious as he had intended … and a series of text messages that Mike received before his death point to something much, much darker… _________________________________________ ‘Gave me nightmares … I loved it’ S J Watson ‘Brutal and brilliant' Lisa Hall 'Challenging, perceptive and unexpectedly enlightening' Sarah Sultoon 'Will Carver is a unique writer. I loved Suicide Thursday' Greg Mosse ‘A smart, stylish writer’ Daily Mail 'Carver's trademarked cynicism and contemptuousness run rampant here … [a] dark, dangerous novel' Jack Heath ‘One of the most compelling and original voices in crime fiction’ Alex North Praise for Will Carver ‘Deliciously fresh and malevolent story-telling’ Craig Sisterson ‘Weirdly page-turning’ Sunday Times ‘Laying bare our 21st-century weaknesses and dilemmas, Carver has created a highly original state-of-the-nation novel’ Literary Review ‘Arguably the most original crime novel published this year’ Independent ‘This mesmeric novel paints a thought-provoking if depressing picture of modern life’ Guardian ‘Most memorable for its unrepentant darkness…’ Telegraph ‘Unlike anything else you’ll read this year’ Heat ‘Incredibly dark and very funny’ Harriet Tyce ‘Wickedly fun’ Crime Monthly ‘Will Carver’s most exciting, original, hilarious and freaky outing yet’ Helen FitzGerald ‘Vivid and engaging and completely unexpected’ Lia Middleton ‘Dark in the way only Will Carver can be … oozes malevolence from every page’ Victoria Selman ‘Move the hell over Brett Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk … Will Carver is the new lit prince of 21st-century disenfranchised, pop darkness’ Stephen J. Golds ‘Carver truly at his best’ Sarah Pinborough

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Book SynopsisA young woman starts experiencing terrifying premonitions of people dying, as it becomes clear that a family curse known only as The Murmurs has begun, and a long-forgotten crime is about to be unearthed… ‘Malone is the master of twists, turns and the unexpected … a master of his craft’ Herald Scotland ‘A fine, atmospheric chiller couched in Malone’s customary elegant prose’ Douglas Skelton ‘A master storyteller at the very top of his game, Michael J. Malone weaves the most exquisite tale … mesmeric and suspenseful’ Marion Todd ________________ In the beginning there was fear. White-hot, nerve-shredding fear. Terrifying premonitions of deaths. And then they started…The Murmurs… On the first morning of her new job at Heartfield House, a care home for the elderly, Annie Jackson wakens from a terrifying dream. And when she arrives at the home, she knows that the first old man she meets is going to die. How she knows this is a terrifying mystery, but it is the start of horrifying premonitions … a rekindling of the curse that has trickled through generations of women in her family – a wicked gift known only as 'the murmurs'… With its reappearance comes an old, forgotten fear that is about to grip Annie Jackson. And this time, it will never let go… A compulsive gothic thriller and a spellbinding supernatural mystery about secrets and small communities, about faith, courage and self-preservation, The Murmurs is a startling and compulsive read from one of Scotland’s finest authors… ________________ ‘Poetic and beautifully crafted, this is a chilling and compelling read’ Caro Ramsay Praise for Michael J Malone 'Vivid, visceral and compulsive' Ian Rankin ‘A gothic ghost story and psychological thriller all rolled into one. Brilliantly creepy … a spine-tingling treat' Daily Record ‘Prepare to have your marrow well and truly chilled by this deeply creepy Scottish horror … A complex and multi-layered story' Sunday Mirror ‘A beautifully written tale, original, engrossing and scary… a dark joy' The Times 'A deeply satisfying read' Sunday Times 'A fine, page-turning thriller' Daily Mail ‘Unsettling, multi-layered and expertly paced’ CultureFly

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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 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 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 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 SynopsisThe ninth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham.It has been a decade since Alan Langford''s charred remains were discovered in his burnt-out car. His wife Donna was found guilty of conspiracy to murder her husband and served ten years in prison.But just before she is released, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a photo of her husband. The man she hates with every fibre of her being - the man she paid to have murdered - seems very much alive and well.How is it possible that her husband is still alive? Where is he? Who sent the photo, and why?DI Tom Thorne becomes involved in a case where nothing and no one are what they seem. It will take him much further from his London beat than he has ever been before - and closer to a killer who will do anything to protect his new life.________________The outstanding new Tom Thorne thriller, THEIR LITTLE SECRET, is out now!Trade Review'While Billingham has well and truly mastered the modern police procedural, the thing that sets him apart from the crowd is not just his emotional insight, but the way he invariably packs such a heart-wrenching punch... Billingham's most desperately gripping read yet * Mirror *As fictional detectives go, Thorne is one of the most believable and Billingham's deserved status as a world-class crime fiction writer will surely be confirmed when a new television series based on some of his novels is aired this autumn * Daily Mail *Billingham is well aware that we're au fait with most police procedural scenarios and is always working to ring clever and inventive changes on the formula...the tension is fine-tuned with all the usual skill * Daily Express *Most fictional sleuths are flawed but invariably triumphant; Billingham is unusually willing to show his series hero making blunder after blunder * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE TENTH INSTALMENT IN THE HANNE WILHELMSEN SERIES.Don't miss this unforgettable, explosive finale to Anne Holt's bestselling Hanne Wilhelmsen series.In 2001, three year old Dina is killed in a tragic car accident. Not long thereafter Dina's mother dies under mysterious circumstances, and Dina's father Jonas is convicted of her murder.In 2016, the cold case ends up on the desk of Detective Henrik Holme, who tries to convince his mentor Hanne Wilhelmsen that the father might have been wrongly convicted. Holme and Wilhelmsen discover that the case could be connected to the suicide of an eccentric blogger as well as the kidnapping of the granddaughter of a EuroJackpot millionaire.Trade ReviewAnne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction. * Jo Nesbo *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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Book SynopsisThe 9th breakneck thriller in the Matt Scudder series, from a master of the genre.To Matt Scudder, no one can rise above the law.But when the ex-cop is privately hired to investigate the murder of a beautiful pregnant woman, he finds himself pushed to the limits of his beliefs. With every step he takes, Scudder discovers darker and more depraved secrets. Human trafficking, snuff films, murderous fetishes: the light of humanity seems all but extinguished.In the seedy underworld of New York City, nothing is sacred and anything can be bought.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLERYou never know who''s watching . . .Every Monday evening, six people gather in a smart North London house to talk about addiction. There they share their deepest secrets: stories of lies, regret, and above all, shame.Then one of them is killed - and it''s clear one of the circle was responsible.Detective Inspector Nicola Tanner quickly finds her investigation hampered by the strict confidentiality that binds these people and their therapist together. So what could be shameful enough to cost someone their life?And how do you find the truth when denial and deception are second nature to all of your suspects?Full of betrayal, deceit and suspense, Die of Shame is the spectacular thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham.''Mark Billingham is one of the greatest writers in any genre'' SteTrade ReviewPerfectly pitched and elegantly plotted, it has all Billingham's hallmarks, and should not be missed * Daily Mail *One of his most unconventional, intriguing and entertaining books -- Jake Kerridge * Sunday Express *Intense, voyeuristic and loaded with popular culture, this unashamed good read is sure to prove a hit. * Sun *An awesome thriller * Heat *This is an intriguing set up, involving a cast of suspects where everyone has something to hide -- Joan Smith * Sunday Times *An insightful study into the darkness of addiction, driven by strong characters, and dripping with the black humour that's Billingham's trademark * Sunday Mirror *The interplay between the six [characters] is highly entertaining * The Times *One of the best crime novels of the year so far. Shocking, frightening, gripping * Sunday Irish Independent *Confirmation that Mark Billingham is now one of the most assured thriller writers around * Reader's Digest *Mark Billingham is a very clever writer and all the characters in this book are rounded and credible * Literary Review *Die of Shame is a brilliant compassionate study of dysfunction... this is a very kind, very funny, very troubling book * Crime Fiction Fix *Gritty, thought provoking and utterly addictive - Die of Shame is an absolute must read for all crime fiction fans * Crime Thriller Girl *A must read for Billingham fans or those keen to experience a gritty novel with heart and honesty * The Crime Warp *A terrific and unconventional addition to Billingham's oeuvre * Irish Independent *Jaw-dropping twists and turns that herald the climax of this immensely entertaining, masterfully constructed novel * Irish Times *A chilling story * Herald Sun *A great standalone novel * Queensland Times *This is a read-till-you-drop psychological mystery driven by some of the most intriguing characters you'll meet * Globe and Mail *Perfectly pitched and elegantly plotted, it has all Billingham's hallmarks, and should not be missed * Daily Mail *One of his most unconventional, intriguing and entertaining books -- Jake Kerridge * Sunday Express *Intense, voyeuristic and loaded with popular culture, this unashamed good read is sure to prove a hit. * Sun *An awesome thriller * Heat *This is an intriguing set up, involving a cast of suspects where everyone has something to hide -- Joan Smith * Sunday Times *An insightful study into the darkness of addiction, driven by strong characters, and dripping with the black humour that's Billingham's trademark * Sunday Mirror *The interplay between the six [characters] is highly entertaining * The Times *One of the best crime novels of the year so far. Shocking, frightening, gripping * Sunday Irish Independent *Confirmation that Mark Billingham is now one of the most assured thriller writers around * Reader's Digest *Mark Billingham is a very clever writer and all the characters in this book are rounded and credible * Literary Review *Die of Shame is a brilliant compassionate study of dysfunction... this is a very kind, very funny, very troubling book * Crime Fiction Fix *Gritty, thought provoking and utterly addictive - Die of Shame is an absolute must read for all crime fiction fans * Crime Thriller Girl *A must read for Billingham fans or those keen to experience a gritty novel with heart and honesty * The Crime Warp *A terrific and unconventional addition to Billingham's oeuvre * Irish Independent *Jaw-dropping twists and turns that herald the climax of this immensely entertaining, masterfully constructed novel * Irish Times *A chilling story * Herald Sun *A great standalone novel * Queensland Times *A read-till-you-drop psychological mystery * Globe and Mail *

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Book SynopsisPlay with fire, and you’re going to get burned. The unputdownable new Ridpath crime thrillerIn Manchester, a block of flats is burning. The only victim is a middle-aged man, sat watching TV. Are the fire and the man's death an accident or is something more frightening at work?Meanwhile, DI Ridpath is back with his wife and enjoying work at the Coroner's Office, his myeloma still in remission. But the quiet life is soon shattered by a new threat.More corpses start appearing; charred, burnt, silent bodies, strewn in the streets and lodged in buildings. Next to each one is a chilling message sprayed in orange ink.Fighting on all fronts, Ridpath will be drawn into the dark past of his city and the youth football clubs of the 1990s. He must find the link before any more people die. Before the flames come close to home...An absolutely gripping, nerve-shredding crime thriller from master storyteller M J Lee, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Robert Bryndza and Patricia Gibney.

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Book SynopsisAmerica''s finest crime writer sends hero Billy Bob Holland deep into Montana - paradise to some, to others a savage wilderness...''Still the greatest, bar none'' LITERARY REVIEW''Powerful stuff and confirms Burke''s place in the forefront of contemporary American crime fiction'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH''BITTERROOT is beautifully written and still stands head and shoulders above most other crime fiction'' OBSERVERWhen Billy Bob Holland visits his old friend Doc Voss, he finds himself caught up in a horrific tragedy. Doc''s daughter has been brutally attacked by bikers, and the ringleader, Lamar Ellison, walks free when the DNA samples ''get lost''. Then Ellison is burned alive and Doc is arrested. So much for Billy Bob''s vacation - Doc needs a lawyer, and fast. And that''s not all. Newly released killer Wyatt Dixon has tracked Billy Bob to Montana, bent on avenging the death of his sister for which he holds Billy Bob respTrade ReviewJames Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed * Michael Connelly *Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced. * Daily Mail *The king of Southern noir * Daily Mirror *When it comes to literate, pungently characterised American crime writing, James Lee Burke has few peers. * Daily Express *Gripping stuff from the great American crime writer * OK Magazine *Burke is the master of his material. His reflective style infuses the book with a kind of sombre grace . . . As a thriller Bitterroot is never less than gripping. The twists and turns of the plot are deftly handled and he has an ear and an eye for nuance that allows him to create characters which manage to be both credible and archetypal, as if Burke is writing contemporary myths. The beauty and wildness of the Montana countryside, lovingly and vividly described, is both a fitting backdrop and a counterpoint to the savagery of the characters. Burke's most recent books, especially the Billy Bob Holland series, are powerful meditations on a wild, rural America that seems little changed from the world evoked by John Steinbeck. It is fine writing, that is far above the crime-fiction norm and it manages to stand comparison with the very best contemporary novels * Sunday Express *James Lee Burke's heroes are driven men, flawed by guilt and a deep rate. His books depict a modern America which still lives by the ideals of the old West . . . The beauty of Burke's lyrical writing does not mask the ugliness of the story . . . It's powerful stuff and confirms Burke's place in the forefront of contemporary American crime fiction * Sunday Telegraph *Still the greatest, bar none . . . there's nothing currently on show to match, let alone better, Burke's latest. His ambitions, like his achievements, remain unequalled. When he reaches for the top he shows every reader what's possible. Good gets better. The best is yet to come * Literary Review *As ever the sense of place is overwhelming, as Burke's Texas lawyer comes face to face with an old nemesis among the customary savage mayhem * Guardian *The 19th book from the Pulitzer Prize nominee, Burke's talent for weaving a compelling yarn will have readers glued to the pages * FHM *The hills and valleys, rivers and plains of the Bitterroot are lyrically described but are also seen as places of great potential danger . . . Bitterroot is beautifully written and still stands head and shoulders above most other crime fiction * Observer *James Lee Burke could not write badly if he tried: his evocation of the natural beauty of the mountain valley is brilliant, and some individual scenes, heavy with unstated menace and latent violence, are extremely powerful * Evening Standard *James Lee Burke is one of literature's finest cartographers of the dark side of the human heart . . . As usual the plot is labyrinthine, the characters lavishly drawn and Burke's writing sensational - especially his rendering of Montana . . . there is plenty here to enjoy, and if you manage to complete Bitterroot without planning a trip to Montana then you must have already seen Eden * The Times *The story itself is marvellously constructed but what makes Bitterroot a marvel are the characters, including two fearsome psychopaths, and the quality of Burke's writing . . . Bitterroot is of exceptional quality, a must-read of which Rendell herself would be proud * Scotsman *Burke's great strengths as a writer are in evident abundance here: Bitterroot is densely plotted, full of narrative urgency and a boiling anger at what the world has become and how vulnerable we are to its violence . . . This is truly excellent stuff from a stalwart of American crime writing * Uncut *Burke writes an intense, breathless prose that eminently suits his tales of dark passion and disturbed emotions * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis‘Grit, twists and great characters. Alex Kane at her finest!’ Emma Tallon, author of Her PaybackBeing head of a family is what she knows bestA decade ago, Cara Fraser, wife to one of Glasgow’s most notorious gangsters, was left a widow after Kyle Fraser was slain on the city streets.The intervening years haven’t been easy – not least as Kyle’s murder left her to bring up little Ryan and Sean alone.Now, Ryan and Sean are adults, and honouring their father’s memory by rising up to become the top gangsters on the dark streets of Glasgow.Cara’s kept her head down, but has spent the last few years vowing to take vengeance on the crime family who killed her beloved husband and left her children without a father.Glasgow gangland is about to discover that a mother will do anything for her family… even murder.A gritty crime thriller that fans of Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller won’t be able to put down.Praise for The Mother:‘Another fantastic gritty Gangland thriller from Alex Kane. Five stars from me!’ Gemma Rogers, author of The Feud'This is a phenomenal read…perfectly written and paced. You absolutely cannot predict this one.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘One hell of a book, full of action… five stars from me, especially for the slap bang ending that I didn't see coming.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I love her ability to make each character likeable, even the bad guys. I’m counting down the days till the next book by this author. Highly recommended.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Another jaw dropping explosive read from Alex Kane, her writing just gets better and better every time.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'This was addictive, fast paced and ruthless. I loved it. A brilliant story line kept me hooked and wanting more.’ Reader Review‘Action packed, gripping and I found it hard to put the book down. I never saw that ending coming.’ Reader Review‘Fast paced, gritty, exciting, highly recommend’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader ReviewPraise for Alex Kane’s utterly unputdownable gangster thrillers:‘A must read! Highly deserving of all the stars and completely unputdownable.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A brilliant read. I couldn’t put it down – the writing is so good you feel like you’re part of the action.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘So gripping and unputdownable…Fantastic, with loads of full on action. I loved it all.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow. These books just get better and better…just brilliant.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I read this book in one night and all I have is 3 words. Oh my god.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I was gripped from page one and had sleepless nights because I couldn’t put it down. Worth way more than five stars.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisThe chilling, stay-up-all-night suspense thriller for fans of C.J. Tudor, Riley Sager and Stephen King.A missing child. A broken community. A horrifying secret.When a baby is kidnapped in broad daylight with no witnesses, an otherwise sleepy suburb is rocked to the core and ten-year-old Flora Lanyon is left terrified.Decades later, Flora takes a job as a live-in carer for elderly couple, Agnes and Abraham, moving into the decrepit watermill where they live. As strange and inexplicable occurrences start to happen, Flora grows increasingly suspicious.What dark secrets are hiding in the house? Is Flora safe there? And can she unearth the truth before the past catches up with the present?This chilling, haunting and twisty thriller about how far we go to protect our darkest secrets is perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Cass Green and C. J. TudorReaders are gripped by Anne Wyn Clark's books:Atmospheric and perfect for Halloween' ?????It gave me chills and goosebumps' ?????Had me hooked!' ?????TTrade ReviewAuthors love Anne Wyn Clark! ‘Creepy, claustrophobic and compelling! A beautifully written thriller that kept me glued to my Kindle’ Miranda Rijks, author of The Visitors ‘Haunting psychological suspense… Will send shivers down your spine’ Alice Hunter, author of The Serial Killer’s Wife “Whisper Cottage was a dark and atmospheric thriller that pulled me in from the very first page.” Stephanie DeCarolis, author of The Guilty Husband 'Chilling and wonderfully atmospheric, with an ending that took me surprise – I couldn’t put it down' Amanda Brittany, author of Her Last Lie

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Book SynopsisEver-dogged Bergen PI Varg Veum is forced to dig deep into his own past as he investigates the murder of a former classmate. Vintage, classic Nordic Noir from international bestselling author Gunnar Staalesen. ‘A vibrant look at the life, loves and betrayals of the past and the ways in which their tentacles cling, never letting you go’ John Harvey ‘One of my very favourite Scandinavian authors’ Ian Rankin ‘Masterful pacing’ Publishers Weekly ***Now a major TV series starring Trond Espen Seim*** ________________ Exploring his own dark memories may be the only way to find a killer… When Bergen PI Varg Veum finds himself at the funeral of a former classmate on a sleet-grey December afternoon, he’s unexpectedly reunited with his old friend Jakob – guitarist of the once-famous 1960s rock band The Harpers – and his estranged wife, Rebecca, Veum’s first love. Their rekindled friendship is thrown into jeopardy by the discovery of a horrific murder, and Veum is forced to dig deep into his own adolescence and his darkest memories, to find a motive … and a killer. Tense, vivid and deeply unsettling, Fallen Angels is the spellbinding, award-winning thriller that secured Gunnar Staalesen’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost crime writers. ________________ Praise for Gunnar Staalesen 'Every inch the equal of his Nordic confreres Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbø' Independent ‘Well worth reading, with the rest of Staalesen’s award-winning series’ New York Journal of Books ‘Staalesen continually reminds us why he is one of the finest of Nordic novelists’ Financial Times ‘The Norwegian Chandler’ Jo Nesbø ‘Not many books hook you in the first chapter – this one did, and never let go!’ Mari Hannah ‘Chilling and perilous results — all told in a pleasingly dry style’ Sunday Times ‘Staalesen does a masterful job of exposing the worst of Norwegian society in this highly disturbing entry’ Publishers Weekly 'The Varg Veum series is more concerned with character and motivation than spectacle, and it’s in the quieter scenes that the real drama lies’ Herald Scotland ‘Gunnar Staalesen is a master of the PI genre, and with Fallen Angels he is at the top of his game’ Live Many Lives ‘It is a story full of mystery, of uncertainty and threat … a truly thought-provoking read’ Jen Med’s Book ReviewsTrade Review"Staalesen follows the hard-boiled PI tradition, as shown by the stunning 18th entry in his series." --Publishers Weekly starred review of Where Roses Never Die "Staalesen is one of my very favourite Scandinavian authors. Operating out of Bergen in Norway, his private eye, Varg Veum, is a complex but engaging anti-hero. Varg means 'wolf' in Norwegian, and this is a series with very sharp teeth." --Ian Rankin, author, Resurrection Men "Mr. Staalesen's latest--ably translated by Don Bartlett --employs Chandleresque similes with a Nordic twist." --Wall Street Journal Online "[S]tellar . . . Staalesen does a masterful job of exposing the worst of Norwegian society." --Publishers Weekly Online (Starred Review)

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Book SynopsisIn a spellbinding new masterpiece by #1 New York Timesbestselling author Daniel Silva, Gabriel Allon undertakes a high-stakes search for the greatest art forger who ever lived Legendary spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has at long last severed ties with Israeli intelligence and settled quietly in Venice, the only place he has ever truly known peace. His beautiful wife, Chiara, has taken over day-to-day management of the Tiepolo Restoration Company, and their two young children are clandestinely enrolled in a neighborhood scuola elementare. For his part, Gabriel spends his days wandering the streets and canals of the watery city, parting company with the demons of his tragic, violent past. But when the eccentric London art dealer Julian Isherwood asks Gabriel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rediscovery and lucrative sale of a centuries-old painting, he is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is as it seems. Gabriel s

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Book SynopsisCompelling, heartbreaking and beautifully written. This superb thriller will stay in my mind for a very long time' B P Walter, Sunday Times-bestselling author of The Dinner Guest on The Girl UpstairsHe should have chosen me.I never should have chosen him.Lizzie has been in love with her colleague Dean for three years but he's never given her a second glance.When a job offer in London promises to launch her art career she finally feels ready to upend her life in pursuit of her dream until the night of the office Christmas party when Dean confesses his love for someone else Rebecca, one of Lizzie's closest friends.A few days later,the police show up on her doorstep.Rebecca is missing.After the Party is another mesmerising thriller seething with secrets and lies from the bestselling author of The Girl Upstairs.What readers are saying:I keep losing half my beauty sleep because of Georgina Lees. Her writing is just too damn good Unforgettable!' Robin, 5* NetGalley reader reviewEvery time

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Book Synopsis''A bawdy, brazen rollercoaster of a novel . . . the wildest'' The New York TimesA preacher called Deke O''Malley''s been selling false hope: the promise of a glorious new life in Africa for just $1,000 a family. But when thieves with machine guns steal the proceeds - and send one man''s brain matter flying - the con is up. Now Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed mean to bring the good people of Harlem back their $87,000, however many corpses they have to climb over to get it.Cotton Comes to Harlem is a non-stop ride, with violence, sex, double-crosses, and the two baddest detectives ever to wear a badge in Harlem.With an Introduction by Will SelfTrade ReviewThe greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler. * Sunday Times *A bawdy, brazen rollercoaster of a novel . . . the wildest. * New York Times Book Review *Chester Himes is one of the towering figures of the black literary tradition. His command of nuances of character and dynamics of plot is preeminent among writers of crime fiction. He is a master craftsman. -- Henry Louis Gates, Jr.A fantasia with a hard brilliant core. * Evening Standard *A fine crime writer ... in a vein of sheer toughness very much his own. * The Times *The greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler * Sunday Times *A bawdy, brazen rollercoaster of a novel . . . the wildest * New York Times Book Review *Himes wrote spectacularly successful entertainments, filled with gems of descriptive writing, plots that barely sidestep chaos, characters surreal, grotesque, comic, hip, Harlem recollected as a place that can make you laugh, cry, shudder.Chester Himes is one of the towering figures of the black literary tradition. His command of nuances of character and dynamics of plot is preeminent among writers of crime fiction. He is a master craftsman.A fantasia with a hard brilliant core * Evening Standard *A fine crime writer of Chandlerian subtlety though in a vein of sheer toughness very much his own * The Times *That he could channel this pain and misery into some of the greatest crime novels ever written is a testament to his skill as a writer and his spirit as a man. If this is the first Chester Himes novel you will read then, believe me, you are in for a treat.He belongs with those great demented realists ... whose writing pitilessly exposes the ridiculousness of the human conditionHieronymus Bosch meets Miles Davis * The New York Times *Chester Himes is the great lost crime writer, as well a great American dissident novelist per se, and an essential witness to his times. Every one of his beyond-cool Harlem novels is cherished by every reader who finds it.

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Book Synopsis''The greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler'' Sunday TimesDetectives Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones have lost two criminals. Pinky ran off - but it shouldn''t be hard to track down a giant albino in Harlem. Jake the drug dealer, though, isn''t coming back - he died after Grave Digger punched him in the stomach. And his death might cost them both their badges. Unless they can track down the cause of all this mayhem - like the African with his throat slit and the dog the size of a lion with an open head wound.Chester Himes''s hardboiled tales of Harlem have a barely contained chaos and a visceral, macabre edge all their own.Trade ReviewThe greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler * Sunday Times *Outrageous, shocking, wonderful * New York Times Book Review *Himes wrote spectacularly successful entertainments, filled with gems of descriptive writing, plots that barely sidestep chaos, characters surreal, grotesque, comic, hip, Harlem recollected as a place that can make you laugh, cry, shudder. -- John Edgar WidemanChester Himes is one of the towering figures of the black literary tradition. His command of nuances of character and dynamics of plot is preeminent among writers of crime fiction. He is a master craftsman. -- Henry Louis Gates, Jr.A fine crime writer of Chandlerian subtlety though in a vein of sheer toughness very much his own * The Times *Chester Himes is the great lost crime writer, as well a great American dissident novelist per se, and an essential witness to his times. Every one of his beyond-cool Harlem novels is cherished by every reader who finds it. -- Jonathan LethamHieronymus Bosch meets Miles Davis * The New York Times *He belongs with those great demented realists ... whose writing pitilessly exposes the ridiculousness of the human condition -- Will Self

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Book Synopsis ''A thrilling new talent'' PETER JAMES A KILLER SO CLEVER, NOBODY HEARS THE SCREAMS . . .When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in her home, DCI Bishop from the Met murder squad is called in to oversee the case. The horrific killing bears a striking resemblance to three other murders years before, but the cases were never solved. Bishop knows they need the help of Holly Wakefield, a criminal psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers.The grisly murders occur every three years, but it is the stick-man drawing left at each crime scene that has the police baffled. A post-mortem also detects a cocktail of drugs that can leave a victim screaming in silence. No one would have heard their cries for help.Holly suspects that they are a missing a vital clue that links the victims. But can she discover the link before the killer comes knocking at her door?A twisty, heart-racing new serial kiTrade ReviewA creepily sinister thriller that will keep you wide-eyed into the wee small hours . . . A real chiller! * Peterborough Telegraph *Praise for the Holly Wakfield series:Creepy, twisted and gripping -- 5-star review * Sun *Mightily impressive . . . deviously plotted, with a bleak thread of intriguing twists * Daily Mail *A thrilling new talent -- Peter JamesDark, compelling and expertly paced . . . one of the best police procedurals I've read for a long time -- M. W. CravenA must for all crime readers * Woman's Way *Meticulously plotted and devious in its execution, Mark Griffin's debut novel is utterly compelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the Holly Wakefield series -- Lesley KaraWow. I read this in less than a day. As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster! A fascinating lead character with a deliciously dark secret. It's the kind of writing which grabs you and won't let you go -- Amy LloydDeftly plotted, propulsive, psychologically astute . . . totally horrifying -- Dominic NolanAbsolutely gripping . . . It reminded me of Thomas Harris - the same combination of terror and the detective pitting wits against a psychopath. I had to keep reading, while dreading what was coming next -- Toby Faber

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times bestselling series is back. Eve Dallas is investigating the murder of a much-loved actor at a glittering party. The spotlight has never been brighter. Or deadlier... It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, the most glittering of all celebrity couples. Everyone had expected the party to be in the newspapers the next day but not because one of the hosts was murdered! As the crowd had gathered to watch Eliza sing, Fitzhugh had raised a final toast to his glamorous wife and fallen to the floor. Death by cyanide poisoning. It''s time for Lt. Eve Dallas to make her entrance. From all accounts, Fitzhugh wasn''t the kind of star who made enemies. Eliza, on the other hand, had many rivals, and a few of them could class as enemies. Since the champagne cocktail that killed Brant was originally intended for Eliza, could it be that she was the real target? Wi

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Book SynopsisA captivating and taut thriller that will leave you holding your breath, from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick, the UK''s answer to Harlan Coben.''The next time I see Simon Kernick''s name on a book, I will pick it up. Brilliant!'' - RICHARD MADELEY''This thriller is so authentic that it completely takes your breath away, and then some.'' - THE MIRROR''Kernick is the master of the literary rabbit punch, thumping his readers when they least expect it, and from a different direction...Cracking stuff.'' - THE TIMES''If it''s heart-thudding tension you want, Simon Kernick is your man.'' - DAILY MAIL''Simon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck.'' - TIME OUT********************************************************************''WE''VE GOT YOUR DAUGHTER.''It''s evening, you''re back late from work - and tTrade ReviewSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick writes great plots, great characters, great action -- Lee ChildIf it's heart-thudding tension you want, Simon Kernick is your man -- Carla McKay * Daily Mail *Simon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck * Time Out *The pace is unrelenting, the twists fun...and the characters are instantly engaging * Zoo *

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Book SynopsisSharon Bolton is the critically acclaimed author of some of the most bone-chilling crime books ever written. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year and the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. In 2014 she won the CWA Dagger in the Library for her whole body of work. Sharon lives near Oxford with her husband and young son. For more information about the author and her books, visit www.sharonbolton.com. You can also join her at www.facebook.com/SJBoltonCrime or on Twitter @authorsjboltonTrade ReviewUtterly suspenseful. A terrific, twisted read. * Paula Daly *Daisy in Chains is a delicious puzzle of a book - kept me guessing right up to the very end, then pulled a surprise I never saw coming. This summer's must-read crime thriller. * Ava Marsh, author of Untouchable *A fresh take on did-he-didn’t-he, this spine-chilling thriller has a great twist * Sunday Mirror *A gripping read that twists and turns until the final killer twist. -- Fanny Blake * Woman & Home *DAISY IN CHAINS is a book you'll want to read in one sitting. * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisThe Treatment is another gritty and gruesome thriller from bestselling and prize-winning author Mo Hayder. Utterly absorbing, it weaves a horrifying, gut-wrenching and compelling web, making it impossible to put down...or forget. Fans of Stephen King, Stuart MacBride and Karin Slaughter will not be disappointed.''One of the most frightening books I''ve ever read... Hayder''s gory insights into the dark side are compelling'' -- GUARDIAN''Bleak, powerful... The Treatment is cleverly plotted and Caffery is a believable creation'' -- OBSERVER''Chilling... the book is surprisingly hard to put down. The plot develops with satisfying unpredictability; the characters are compellingly drawn... its final twist a bravura savagery'' -- DAILY TELEGRAPH''A terrifying and tense read'' -- ***** Reader review''An OUTSTANDING 5 star read that chilled me witTrade ReviewOne of the most frightening books I've ever read... Hayder's gory insights into the dark side are compelling * GUARDIAN *Chilling... the book is surprisingly hard to put down. The plot develops with satisfying unpredictability; the characters are compellingly drawn... its final twist a bravura savagery * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Bleak, powerful... The Treatment is cleverly plotted and Caffery is a believable creation * OBSERVER *Mo Hayder's debut, Birdman, was deservedly an unqualified success... and Hayder has lost none of her descriptive expertise along the way * TIME OUT *There is no better example of a contemporary masterpiece than Mo Hayder's The Treatment. Whether she's exploring social issues such as homelessness and child abuse or just scaring the bejeezus out of you, Hayder spins a tale that feels like a razor slicing apart your soul. The plotting is extremely disciplined, the sort of structure to which all authors should aspire, and the story is a searing dark tale that makes you bolt up in bed during the middle of the night, wondering if that sound you heard was the cat, or Death dragging its sickle across the floor -- Karin Slaughter * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisNathanael West and Raymond Chandler would be proud.' LA TimesJuniper Song has a new gig: apprenticed to a private investigation firm in downtown LA, she''s racking up hours following cheating spouses.When a NY artist hires Song to keep an eye on her long-distance boyfriend in LA, Song has no problem tailing the guy until a panicked late-night phone call has her racing to the iconic Roosevelt Hotel. There, in the aftermath of a wild party in its top-floor suite, she finds only two people left: the boyfriend and a Hollywood legend. Only one of them is still alive.

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Book SynopsisShe's been betrayed. She wants revenge.The new gripping gangland crime novel: DECEIVED. No one knows crime like Kray.Trade ReviewA cracking good read * Jessie Keane *A cracking good read -- Jessie KeaneWell into Martina Cole territory * Independent *Well into Martina Cole territory * Independent *Great writing, gripping story, loved it! -- Mandasue HellerAction, intrigue and a character-driven plot . . . sure to please any crime fiction fans * Woman *Action, intrigue and a character-driven plot . . . sure to please any crime fiction fans * Woman *Gripping * Daily Express *Gripping -- Daily ExpressA compelling mystery -- Heather BurnsideA gripping page-turner -- Kerry BarnesRoberta is an excellent writer, and this tale of a widow hunting for her errant husband in the post-war East End underworld fairly rattles along. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisThe brutally authentic, tense and terrifying thriller from bestselling author and frontline journalist James Brabazon''Totally James Bond'' THE TIMES''Escape into a world of black ops, spies and assassins. A James Bond for the 21st century'' EXPRESS______Officially, Max McLean doesn''t exist.An off-the-books assassin for the British government, he operates alone.But when a routine hit goes badly wrong, a cryptic note on a $100 bill prised from his target''s dead fingers suggests there''s more to the mission than meets the eye.Is someone from Max''s former life trying to send him a message?From Paris to Jerusalem and on to the frozen wastes of north-west Russia, Max is forced into a desperate race for the truth - with unknown enemies determined to stop him at any cost.And when the secret coded into the banknote is finally revealed, only one thing is certain:With thTrade Review'Totally James Bond' * The Times *'Propulsive, violent and full of unpredictable changes in direction, this is modern thriller writing at its compelling best . . . it delivers in all respects' * Crimetime *Escape into a fictional world of black ops, spies and assassins. A James Bond for the 21st century. Arkhangel is a great read, highly recommended * Express *Will keep you guessing throughout . . . you will not be disappointed. Arkhangel is what a true thriller should be * NB *Praise for James Brabazon * - *'The Break Line delivers a full-throttle exercise in tension' * Crimetime *'A thriller of an unusually classy calibre. Eloquently written, intensively researched ... Brabazon has crafted hugely gripping, thought-provoking yarn, ground its outlandish elements in solid realism and vivid characterisation' * Financial Times *'Outstanding . . . I couldn't put this book down' -- Andy McNab'A classic story of intrigue, greed and violence . . . which I couldn't read fast enough' -- Sebastian Junger'A beautifully written adrenaline rush by one of our generation's bravest journalists' -- Aiden Hartley, author of The Zanzibar Chest'As thrilling a narrative as any war novel on the shelves . . . A haunting memoir and tribute to an extraordinary comrade-at-arms' * Kirkus *'War correspondent James Brabazon brings his experience of the world's most dangerous places to this brutally compelling thriller' * Mail on Sunday *'Unsparing prose, a visceral shock ride into horror' -- Jonathan KaplanReads like a political thriller. Brabazon's searing narrative captures both the allure of war . . . and its brutal realities * Publisher's Weekly *A compelling insight into a devastated region that is the playground of rapacious warlords, western intelligence agents and opportunistic businessmen * Sunday Business Post *

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Book SynopsisChicago PI Dek Elstrom is called into action when a man acquitted of his wife''s murder asks Dek to investigate the strange circumstances around her death.A shocking chain of events occur after midnight one night on a quiet suburban street in West Chicago. The first neighbor hears a woman scream. The second sees the lights in the Tripps'' house being switched on, one by one, room after room. The third receives a call from a voice he doesn''t recognize, screaming at him to come over right away. But to where?When the police arrive on the street, Sara Tripp is discovered brutally murdered. Her husband, Martin Tripp, is put on trial for her murder and acquitted. Martin is convinced Sara was scared of something before she died, and he wants private investigator Dek Elstrom to find out what it was. As Dek investigates, he makes a series of disturbing discoveries. Can he get to the truth of what really happened that terrifying night?

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Book SynopsisNortheast Mississippi is hill country, rugged and notorious for outlaws since the Civil War, where killings are as commonplace as they were in the Old West. To Quinn Colson, just back from a tour of Afghanistan, it''s home. But home has changed. Quinn returns to a place overrun by corruption. His uncle, the county sheriff, is dead - officially it was suicide, but others whisper murder. In the days that follow, it will be up to Colson, now an Army Ranger, to discover the truth - not only about his uncle, but also about his family, friends, hometown and himself. But once the truth is uncovered, there is no turning back.Trade ReviewI have always been impressed with (jealous of) how easy Ace Atkins makes it look. The Ranger is by far his best work...I hope Quinn Colson and Lillie Virgil stick around for a good long time, -- Michael ConnellyThis exciting thriller leaves you looking forward to the ranger's return. * Sunday Telegraph *Atkins is one of the finest crime and thriller writers working today, admired by none other than Elmore Leonard and Michael Connelly, and this, his ninth thriller, proves his talent...Superbly told, in whip-crack prose that echoes Leonard, you never want it to end. * Daily Mail *Atkins can run rings around most of the names in the crime field. -- Elmore LeonardAtkins has written a bunch of great thrillers, but this one sets up a series that should push him to the top of the bestseller list. -- John Sandford

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Book SynopsisThe second outing in a gritty, fast-paced, stylish detective noir series set in post-war Glasgow, from the Scottish Raymond Chandler

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Book SynopsisIs a killer still on the loose? The thirtieth gritty mystery in Quintin Jardine''s bestselling Bob Skinner series, not to be missed by readers of Ian Rankin and Peter May. Praise for Quintin Jardine''s gripping novels: ''Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine''s narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn'' ObserverWhen a murder investigation that''s been closed for thirty years is suddenly re-opened, former Chief Constable Bob Skinner is quickly drawn into the action. The story of the Body in the Quarry was well-known around Edinburgh all those years ago: a popular priest found dead in a frozen quarry; a suspect with a clear motive charged; a guilty verdict. But with a journalist uncovering new evidence, the cold case has come back to haunt Skinner''s old mentor Jimmy Proud - and only one man can help him.Skinner is long out of the police force, but he can''t say no. With the clock ticking, and his friend''s reputTrade ReviewPraise for Quintin Jardine's novels: 'Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine's narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn' * Observer *Another cracker from Jardine...There are plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you engrossed * Scots Magazine *Very engaging as well as ingenious, and the unraveling of the mystery is excellently done * Scotsman *If Ian Rankin is the Robert Carlyle of Scottish crime writers, then Jardine is surely its Sean Connery * Glasgow Herald *Deplorably readable * Guardian *Remarkably assured, raw-boned, a tour de force * New York Times *I love the Bob Skinner novels. Quintin Jardine's slick and suspenseful Edinburgh-set series has never failed to keep me riveted...starts with a bang and doesn't let up till the last sentence * The Globe and Mail *Gritty cop drama that makes Taggart look tame * Northern Echo *Another powerful tartan noir that packs a punch * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisSeeing is believing in the Dark Circus, where truth and illusion collide, and where the heart of a holy conspiracy pounds?At an art auction in Madrid, Elías Segado, a religious art appraiser and detective, is getting ready to secure a painting for the bishop of Cartagena. But in a brilliant sleight of hand, the iconic work is stolen, drawing Elías into the confidence of its corrupt and seductive thief.Her name is L. Raised by her uncle in a threadbare circus, she lived by the twisted rules of the carnies she grew up with. Exploited for public awe, and ritually abused for private pleasure, L came to endure all that was encouraged by the circus?s perverted sense of righteousness. Debauchery is the only thing she trusts. But behind the curtains of the Dark Circus is a greater secret to be avenged. And she needs Elías Segado to help expose it.As their worlds of sacrilege and devotion collide, so do temptation and indulgence?and a faith in both good and evil, where morality is just another illusion. But to survive the mystery, Elías must also dare to accept something more shattering: everything he and L have in common.

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Book SynopsisKiller twists. Heroes to believe in. Trust Baldacci. Private Investigator and WWII veteran, Aloysius Archer, returns to solve a new case in Hollywood in this riveting thriller from international number 1 bestselling author, David Baldacci.All that glitters . . . 1952, Los Angeles. It is New Year’s Eve and PI Aloysius Archer is dining with his friend and rising Hollywood actress Liberty Callahan when they’re approached by Eleanor Lamb, a screenwriter who would like to hire him, as she suspects someone is trying to kill her.Murder and mysteryA visit to Lamb’s Malibu residence leaves Archer knocked unconscious after he stumbles over a dead body in the hallway; and Lamb seems to have vanished. With the police now involved in the case, a close friend and colleague of Lamb’s employs Archer to find out what’s happened to the screenwriter.The City of Angels – or somewhere much, much darker?Archer’s investigation takes him from the rich, glamorous and glitzy LA to the seedy, dark side of the city, and onward to the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, just now hitting its stride as a hot spot for celebrities and a money-making machine for the mob. In a place where cops and crooks work hand in hand, Archer will cross paths with Hollywood stars, politicians and notorious criminals. He’ll almost die several times, and he’ll discover bodies and secrets from the canyons and beaches of Malibu and the luxurious mansions of Bel Air and Beverly Hills to the narcotics clubs of Chinatown.With the help of Liberty and his PI partner Willie Dash, Archer will risk everything and leave no stone unturned in finding the missing Eleanor Lamb, and in bringing to justice killers who would love nothing better than to plant Archer six feet under.

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Book SynopsisFreddy is an ex-L.A. cop on the skids. He snuffed a cop killer in cold blood - and it got to him bad. Now he's a sleazoid private eye, a shakedown artist, a pimp - and, most notably, the head strongarm goon for Confidential magazine.Welcome to the world of the malevolent monarch of the Hollywood underground - a tale of pervasive paranoia teeming with communist conspiracies, FBI finks, celebrity smut films and strange bedfellows.Trade ReviewUnfolds in shimmering Ellroyvision -- Tom Nolan * The Wall Street Journal *Purgatory is rarely this much fun * Financial Times *Like drinking a pint of espresso -- Sam Leith * TLS *Extraordinary... Ellroy's legion of fans will love it -- Mark Sanderson * The Times *James Ellroy is the king of macho noir -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis 'AN UNMISSABLE DEBUT' Sunday Express Magazine'A GRIPPING DEBUT (...) YOU WON'T WANT IT TO END' HeatTHE FIRST IN A PHENOMENAL NEW SERIES FEATURING DI ALEX FINN AND DC MATTIE PAULSEN.Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Peter Robinson.When a development in South London catches fire mid-construction, a close-knit team of fire fighters runs in to save a man spotted at the window.They come out without a body. They quit the service. They plan never to speak to each other again.Five years later one of them is set alight at his own wedding. Soon after, a second is found, nothing but a smoking corpse. It appears that someone knows what they did that night. What they chose over their duty. And there are still three men left to burn . . .DI Alex Finn and his new partner DC Mattie Paulsen are an unlikely pairing, but they need to discover who is behind these killings before the next man faces the fire.This is first in Will Shindler's Finn and Paulsen series - a British detective series that ranks with Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge, Stuart MacBride.***Order the second novel in the Finn and Paulsen series, THE KILLING CHOICE, now!***REAL READERS ARE LOVING THE BURNING MENRATED 4.5 STARS ON NETGALLEY'Well-constructed and cleverly penned, this is one that starts strongly, continues powerfully and ends with a very satisfying bang. It's about consequences, consciences and morals intertwined with some gruesome scenes and a thumping good ride''A real page turner. I loved this book . . . There must be more of these two, they are fascinating. More please, equally well thought out, equally well written . . . please. SOON!''If, like me, you are the kind of reader who likes to be in on the ground floor of a brand-new series, then get The Burning Men on your pre-order to be read lists because this is one of those times . . .''This is a great read about greed and treachery. An engaging, exciting read which I read in one sitting. Lots of red herrings, twists and turns''I absolutely loved it, it drew me in from the first page and didn't let go until the end. I cannot wait to read the next book by this author'Trade ReviewAn unmissable debut * Sunday Express S Magazine, Books to look forward to in 2020 *The pace is good and Finn is a great character. There is also an excellently portrayed organised crime boss * Literary Review *This debut is, simply put, fantastic. It has such a strong opening, you'll be hooked after the first chapter * Yahoo *A gripping debut with well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. You won't want it to end * Heat *This thriller's hot stuff. A blaze of action and surprises, making it a sure crime debut of the year contender. Shindler's list (sorry!) of successes include an original plot, gasp-out-loud twists and a brilliant new detective team... the case is a humdinger. 10/10 * The Peterborough Telegraph *Arresting... an unusual novel with a rising sense of menace * The Sunday Times *Fans of police novels and dramas will lap up this tale, and as it's the first in the Finn and Paulsen series, I can't wait for the next instalment * Daily Record *Blistering debut... this is a gritty and cleverly plotted police drama - the very definition of a page- turner * Culture Fly *A highly accomplished police procedural with intriguing characters and plenty of twists to keep readers guessing until its explosive finale * The Daily Express *The Burning Men hooked me from the start and never gave me second thoughts (...) The sharp scenes, good pacing and deft characterisation mark this as a series to follow * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisFrom internationally bestselling author Katrine Engberg, the series that is a "gripping addition to the Scandinavian crime fiction pantheon" (Oprah Daily) comes to a stunning conclusion as Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner rush to untangle a long-simmering mystery before a brutal killer strikes again.Jeppe Kørner, on leave from the police force and nursing a broken heart, has taken refuge on the island of Bornholm for the winter. Also on the island is Esther de Laurenti, a writer working on a biography on a female anthropologist with a mysterious past and coming to terms with her own crushing sense of loneliness in the wake of a dear friend's death. When Jeppe lends a helping hand at the island's local sawmill, he begins to realize that the island may not be the peaceful refuge it appears to be.Back in Copenhagen, Anette Werner is tasked with leading the investigation into a severed corpse discovered on a downtown playground. As she follows the strange trail of clues, they all seem to lead back to Bornholm. With an innocent offer to check out a lead, Jeppe unwittingly finds himself in the crosshairs of a sinister mystery rooted in the past, forcing him to team up with Anette and Esther to unravel the island's secrets before it's too late.With her signature "unforgettable characters and brilliant plot twists" (Kathy Reichs, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Katrine Engberg weaves a satisfying and white-knuckled finale to her Korner and Werner series that is a modern classic of Scandinavian noir.

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Book Synopsis“GOOD INTENTIONS”Breaking a demon’s stranglehold on New York City was only the beginning for Alex and Team Witchblade—now somebody much worse than a demon wants the Artifact, and they’ll do anything to get it.Collects issues 7-12.

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Book SynopsisLA MANO del DESTINO tells the tale of a once-champion Luchador – who, after being betrayed by his friends and unmasked in the ring, agrees to a Faustian bargain with a mysterious promoter. He gains a new power and the identity of La Mano del Destino in order to exact revenge upon his betrayers. Set in a swanky, 1960s Mexico where Lucha Libre is intrinsically woven into all aspects of society and the most important events that happen within this world, this tale winds its way through the machinations and motivations of all types who inhabit this unique setting. Can La Mano del Destino get his revenge while remaining the champion he knows himself to be? - Get the complete arc here to find out!Mesoamerican myth, Silver-Age storytelling, and high-flying Lucha Libre action converge to tell this epic story of vengeance and destiny!Collects LA MANO del DESTINO issues #1-6

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Book SynopsisIt’s 1950 in Chicago, P.I. Nate Heller’s old stomping grounds. But things are different now, and the wind is blowing in a different, decidedly more dangerous direction. Congressman-with-a-cause and presidential-hopeful Estes Kefauver creates the Committee on Organized Crime to put the squeeze on the mob—and anyone who ever associated with them. Heller tries to lay low, but when ex-cop Bill Drury cooperates and mafia moll Jackie Payne sings, Heller finds himself catapulted into the middle of the investigation. Quick wits and tough talk swirl in the middle of Kefauver’s senatorial charade as Max Allan Collins blends fact and fiction to stunning results. When Drury is murdered and Jackie disappears, Heller decides it’s time for a little payback—and maybe some ice cold justice. With the mob and Kefauver’s crime committee hot on his trial, Heller mixes with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jayne Mansfield, and Senator Joe McCarthy on a wild Windy City ride.

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Book SynopsisLos Angeles. The City of Angels. The perfect place for a honeymoon…and the worst possible time for a murder.Vacationing private investigator Nate Heller finds himself a suspect in the LAPD’s investigation of the notorious Black Dahlia murder case. Problem is the butchered starlet, Elizabeth Short, is an old Chicago flame of Heller’s—and only the P.I. himself knows she was blackmailing him for abortion money.Classic noir at its finest blended to extraordinary effect with historical facts, Max Allan Collins’ Angel in Black crackles with tight plotting and razor-sharp dialogue. With the help of a world-weary, alcoholic Eliot Ness, Heller links the murder to a notorious Cleveland serial killer…while doing his best to stay out of jail and salvage his already troubled new marriage. Along the way he encounters Chicago boxer Barney Ross, fellow suspect Orson Welles, and zany gangster Mickey Cohen.

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Book SynopsisDavid F. Walker and David Aja are joined by an array of international talent for an anthology that puts the spotlight on crime noir!In this anthology, a collective of almost thirty authors from all over the globe propose a collection of short crime noir stories that celebrates the genre as well as boldly leading it into the future.

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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.

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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 *

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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 *

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