Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisMeet Detective Matthew Venn. From Ann Cleeves, the Sunday Times bestselling creator of Vera and Shetland, The Long Call is the No.1 bestselling first novel in the Two Rivers series.Now a major ITV series, The Long Call, starring Ben Aldridge.In North Devon, where the rivers Taw and Torridge converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father's funeral takes place. The day Matthew turned his back on the strict evangelical community in which he grew up, he lost his family too.Now he's back, not just to mourn his father at a distance, but to take charge of his first major case in the Two Rivers region; a complex place not quite as idyllic as tourists suppose.A body has been found on the beach near to Matthew's new home: a man with the tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.Finding the killer is Venn’s only focus, and his team’s investigation will take him straight back into the community he left behind, and the deadly secrets that lurk there.'A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter' – David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 ManThe Long Call is the first entry in the Two Rivers series. Continue the mysteries with The Heron's Cry.Trade ReviewAs a huge fan of both the Shetland and Vera series of books, I had high expectations for Cleeves’ latest. She easily exceeded those expectations with The Long Call. Matthew Venn is a keeper. A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter -- David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 ManHad me hooked — a promising beginning to another fine chapter in the Ann Cleeves story * The Times *Clever, compassionate and atmospheric, with a great cast of new characters to love. I am already a Matthew Venn fan -- Elly Griffiths, author of the Ruth Galloway MysteriesA triumph that cements Cleeves' status as one of Britain's best crime writers * Daily Express *Brilliant, thoughtful and deeply engaging -- Sara Paretsky, New York Times bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski seriesBrilliant - a page-turning and sensitively told tale, with a vividly evoked North Devon setting, a powerful emotional heft and a new detective hero in Matthew Venn who you will want to follow for book after book. Wonderful! -- Chris Ewan, bestselling author of Safe HouseAnn Cleeves’ new series gets off to a terrific start with The Long Call – her native Devon is wonderfully evoked, and Matthew Venn is a very appealing new detective. Another sure-fire hit -- Martin Edwards, author of Gallows CourtCleeves combines a flair for evoking sense of place with a thoughtful, complex plot * Mail on Sunday *The troubled Venn is a great protagonist, and Cleeves may well have created her next top TV cop * Heat *A traditional mystery of the best sort * Guardian *Unputdownable series debut! With an evocative setting, a gripping plot, and beautifully drawn characters, The Long Call is a terrific read—and Matthew Venn is my new favorite detective -- Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author of Garden of LamentationsWho knew there could be a third detective as compelling as Vera and Jimmy? Matthew Venn is a triumph of Cleeves’ particular blend of compassion and toughness and I already love him -- Catriona McPherson, national bestselling author of Strangers at the GateAnn Cleeves has done it again! A new detective, a new series, another terrific puzzle of a story that won’t let you go until the very end. Matthew Venn quickly earns his place beside Vera and Jimmy in a debut you don’t want to miss: The Long Call -- Charles Todd, bestselling author of The Black Ascot In The Long Call, Ann Cleeves builds a prism of a world, multi-faceted, complex, and as brilliant as a diamond. Fans of Vera and Jimmy will love Matthew Venn -- Lori Rader-DayAnn Cleeves is a phenomenal talent. With unfailing skill, gorgeous setting, flawless plot and seamless voice, she brilliantly conjures new worlds in crime fiction. Her instantly iconic Detective Matthew Venn is a treasure—and we will all follow him anywhere -- Hank Phillippi RyanCleeves writes of the left-behind and the unfortunate with intelligence and compassion * Literary Review *Murder, mystery and a great new cast of characters mean you won't be able to put this one down! * My Weekly *Hauntingly written, it evokes every possible emotion with Ann's gripping narrative * Woman *Evocative and gripping – an absolute triumph * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGERA legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONWritten with the precision of cut diamonds.' IRISH TIMESPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________Dalgliesh recognised with weary resignation the first lie and wondered how many more there would be before the investigation was complete.On a crisp January morning, a group of third year nursing students gather in Nightingale House for a clinical lesson. One student will play the patient, while the others practice their nursing skills. But none of them is prepared for the demonstration's gruesome end.Later, when a stud

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Book Synopsis'A storming debut' The Sun Perfect for fans of JP Delaney and C.L. Taylor, this is a complex thriller about the secrets we keep and the damage they do. ___________⭐SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 SHORTLIST⭐ ⭐BEST SCOTTISH CRIME DEBUT 2021 SHORTLIST⭐ ⭐MCILVANNEY PRIZE FOR SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR LONGLIST⭐ ⭐CWA NEW BLOOD DAGGER LONGLIST⭐___________Deceit runs in the family . . . Chris Morrison is facing his worst nightmare.His wife is in a coma.His daughter is missing.And the only thing more unsettling than these two events . . . is what might connect them.Some secrets can change a family for ever. ___________Praise for Emma Christie: 'Emma Christie shows that she's already learned how to reel readers in from page one and keep them hooked. An intriguing mystery' – The Herald'A clever and complex rollercoaster of a psychological thriller' – Culturefly'A really clever, compelling book with a fresh twist' – Phoebe Morgan'Full to the brim of red herrings and twisty dead ends' – Lauren North 'A stunning and emotional debut. Truly gripping and incredibly well-written' – Vikki PatisTable of Contents0

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Book SynopsisWith an introduction by Alan MooreIt was always the same nightmare. Cross saw them lined up in rows, in stretches of city wasteland - those derelict spaces once described to him by a child as the blank bits where things had been before they'd got blown up.It is 1985 and a killer moves through Belfast's blighted streets. In a time and place ruled and divided by political and religious differences, this series of crimes cuts across all those boundaries. Detective Inspector Cross, together with Westerby, a young policewoman, enters a maze of conspiracy and paranoia, and, as the investigation draws closer to the truth, they find themselves in a nightmare world, with little hope of escape.The Psalm Killer is Chris Petit's epic thriller set during the Irish Troubles. Masterfully written, disturbing and exciting, it is a book of immense intelligence and a real classic of its genre.Trade ReviewOne of the most compelling, haunting and original thrillers I have ever read, by one of Britain's most visionary writers and film-makers. -- David PeaceIn the tradition of Silence of the Lambs . . . a deeply satisfying and sophisticated thriller which approaches the Northern Ireland conflict with the intelligence it deserves * Financial Times *An example of the genre near its best. Gorky Park with something to spare; well worth anyone's weekend * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis‘The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong’ – Stephen KingFrom the master of police procedural and bestselling author of Standing in the Shadows comes Dry Bones That Dream, book seven in Peter Robinson’s the Inspector Banks series.A contract killing. A secret past. Banks is pushed to his limit.2.47 a.m. Chief Inspector Alan Banks sees the body of Keith Rothwell for the first time. Only hours earlier two masked men had walked the mild-mannered accountant out of his farmhouse to the barn. They then clinically executed him with a shotgun.Clearly this is a professional hit – but Keith was hardly the sort of person to make deadly enemies. Or was he? The police investigation soon raises more questions than answers.The more Banks scratches the surface, the more he wonders what lies beneath the veneer of the apparently happy Rothwell family. And when his old sparring partner Detective Superintendent Richard Burgess arrives from Scotland Yard, the case takes yet another unexpected twist . . .Now a major British ITV drama DCI Banks, this novel is followed by the eighth book in this Yorkshire-based crime series, Innocent Graves.Trade ReviewRobinson excels in the depiction of character . . . He is steadily ascending toward the pinnacles of crime fiction * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesOxford, 1960. As the city of Oxford prepares itself for the inaugural Miss Oxford Honey Beauty Pageant at The Old Swan Theatre, excitement is in the air.Then, tragedy strikes the competition when one of the leading contestants is found dead.Initially, the authorities assume her death was suicide. But after a malicious series of pranks and blackmail attempts are reported, WPC Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder are called upon to solve the case.In an atmosphere of fierce competition, the list of suspects is endless. Could what have started as harmless fun become a deadly race to win the prize?With time running out, the duo need to spot the killer before tragedy strikes againA gripping cosy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha ChrTrade ReviewPraise for the Ryder and Loveday series:‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) A legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONThe most ingeniously undetectable murder method since Dorothy L. Sayers.' SCOTSMANPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________An unfinished manuscript. A murder stranger than fiction. Battered by the conclusion of a particularly brutal murder case in London, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh has escaped for a hard-earned break, which he plans to spend taking long walks with his aunt and doing a little bird-watching in the Suffolk countryside. But all hope of peace is shattered by murder, when the mutilated body of local crime writer Maurice Seaton is discovered floating in

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Book SynopsisAugust Heat by Andrea Camilleri is the tenth installment in the Inspector Montalbano series, now adapted as a major BBC4 television series. The lazy, slow month of August at the height of the Sicilian summer is, Inspector Montalbano assures his girlfriend Livia as they prepare for a relaxing holiday in a villa he has found for them, far too hot for any murders to be committed. But when Livia's friends' young son goes missing, a chain of events is sparked which will certainly ruin the Chief Inspector's pleasant interlude. A secret apartment and a grisly find in an old trunk are just the beginning, as Montalbano navigates his way through the case, as well as coping with the sweltering heat, the suspicious death of an Arab labourer and the tempting lure of a beautiful girl . . .August Heat is followed by the eleventh book in the series, The Wings of the Sphinx.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisHe was never truly gone, only biding his time...Late on midsummer’s night there is a splash in the river Thames. A body is found on an island, asphyxiated and laced with strange markings. For DCI Craig Gillard it’s a baffling case. The victim’s identity is elusive, clues are scarce and every witness has something to hide.Meanwhile one of Britain’s deadliest serial killers is finally up for parole after a deal to reveal the location of two missing bodies. The felon has his own plans to get even with witnesses, accusers and the officer who caught him thirty years before. And who was that? A young trainee, by the name of Gillard.Don’t miss the new explosive crime thriller from master storyteller Nick Louth, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Cara Hunter and Robert Bryndza.

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Book SynopsisAndrea Camilleri's sensational and darkly humorous Inspector Montalbano series continues in the fourteenth instalment, The Age of Doubt. A chance encounter with a strange young woman leads Inspector Montalbano to Vigàta harbour – and into a puzzling new mystery. The crew of a mysterious yacht – the Vanna – due to dock in the area has discovered a corpse floating in the water, the dead man's face badly disfigured. It isn't long before Montalbano becomes suspicious of the Vanna's inhabitants. Who is the yacht's owner, the glamorous and short-tempered Livia Giovannini? How has she accrued her riches? And why does she spend so much time at sea? Meanwhile Montalbano finds himself getting into tangles with the dreaded Commissioner, the exasperating Dr Lattes and a very beautiful young woman at the harbour, with whom he becomes dangerously besotted . . . Can the Inspector clear his head long enough to unravel this murky mystery?The Age of Doubt is followed by The Dance of the Seagull, the fifteenth book in the series.'Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb' - Sunday TimesTrade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *For sunny views, explosive characters and a snappy plot constructed with great farcical ingenuity, the writer you want is Andrea Camilleri * New York Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writes . . . utterly gripping * Daily Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'A writer at the very height of his powers' – Ian RankinPlaying With Fire is the fourteenth novel in Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, following on from The Summer That Never Was.In the early hours of a cold January morning, two narrowboats catch fire on a dead-end stretch of the Eastvale canal. When signs of accelerant are found at the scene, DCI Banks and DI Annie Cabbot are summoned. But by the time they arrive, only the smouldering wreckage is left, and human remains have been found on both boats.The evidence points towards a deliberate attack. But who was the intended victim? Was it Tina, the sixteen-year-old who had been living a drug-fuelled existence with her boyfriend? Or was it Tom, the mysterious, lonely artist?As Banks makes his enquiries, it appears that a number of people are acting suspiciously: the interfering 'lock-keeper', Tina's cold-hearted stepfather, the wily local art dealer, even Tina's boyfriend . . .Then the arsonist strikes again, and Banks's powers of investigation are tested to the limit . . .The Inspector Banks books became the major British ITV crime drama DCI Banks. Continue the series with Strange Affair.Trade ReviewThe Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong. -- The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong. -- Stephen KingNear, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league * The Times *An award-winning writer with ideas that are imaginative and plots that are refreshingly cliché-free * Time Out *Robinson also has a way of undercutting the genre's familiarity. With a deceptively unspectacular language, he sets about the process of unsettling the reader. * Independent *A writer at the very height of his powers -- Ian Rankin

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2018 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.Follow the Dead is the thrilling twelfth book in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.On holiday in the Scottish Highlands, forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod joins a mountain rescue team on Cairngorm summit, where a mysterious plane has crash-landed on the frozen Loch A’an. Added to that, a nearby climbing expedition has left three young people dead, with a fourth still missing. Meanwhile in Glasgow, DS McNab’s raid on the Delta Club produces far more than just a massive haul of cocaine. Questioning one of the underage girls found partying with the city’s elite reveals she was smuggled into Scotland via Norway, and it seems the crashed plane in the Cairngorms may be linked to the club. But before McNab can discover more, the girl is abducted.Joined by Norwegian detective Alvis Olsen, who harbours disturbing theories about how the two cases are connected with his homeland, Rhona searches for the missing link. What she uncovers is a dark underworld populated by ruthless people willing to do anything to ensure the investigation dies in the frozen wasteland of the Cairngorms . . .Follow Rhona MacLeod in more forensic thrillers with Sins of the Dead and Time for the Dead.Trade ReviewShades of The Wicker Man, with a touch of Agatha Christie. Superb * Daily Mail *The bleak landscape is beautifully described, giving this popular series a new lease of life * The Sunday Times *Lin Anderson is one of Scotland's national treasures - don't be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin's Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing -- Stuart MacBrideAn outstanding thriller . . . The pace is beautifully judged, and though there are plenty of twists and turns, the reader never feels left behind * Undiscovered Scotland *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesSummer 1960, Oxford In the glorious sunshine of Oxford, on a day when everyone should be celebrating, tragedy strikes when a university student is found floating in the river, dead.Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday finds herself paired with coroner Clement Ryder to investigate and it soon becomes clear that this case is not going to be easy.The witnesses all refuse to give a straight answer, each new lead sends them in a new direction and tales of other missing youngsters add further mystery to the investigation.One thing is certain though, something doesn't seem quite right about the university's most popular student. A gripping, twisty crime novel that you won''t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard OsTrade Review‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book Synopsis''An outstanding series'' NEW YORK TIMESA Bill Slider Mystery Detective Inspector Bill Slider - middle-class, middle-aged, and middle-of-the-road - is never going to make it to Scotland Yard. He''s spent most of his working life at Shepherd''s Bush nick, and stopped minding long ago about being passed over for promotion. But then the unidentifiable body of a woman turns up on his patch, and suddenly Slider and his partner Atherton have a chance to prove themselves. As they wrestle with an investigation, in which the only clues are a priceless Stradivarius and a giant tin of olive oil, everyone - most of all Slider himself - is wondering whether this latest crisis will make or break the steely-eyed detective. Praise for the Bill Slider series:''Slider and his creator are real discoveries'' Daily Mail''Sharp, witty and well-plotted'' TimeTrade ReviewSlider and his creator are real discoveries * Daily Mail *An outstanding series * New York Times *Sharp, witty and well-plotted * Times *Harrod-Eagles and her detective hero form a class act. The style is fast, funny and furious - the plotting crisply devious * Irish Times *It's criminal how good Harrod-Eagles is when she puts old Bill to work * Manchester Evening News *For detection fans demanding quality and heart a well as ingenious plots * Daily Mail *Witty, entertaining, and ingenious * Yorkshire Post *

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Book Synopsis''A fine new voice'' - Daily Mail''Edgy and ice-cool'' - Marnie RichesFor readers who loved The Girl with the Dragon TattooThe body count is rising...and the clock is ticking.When a young woman is attacked and left fighting to survive in hospital, the police are pulled into a race against time to save her life. But just 24 hours later, she dies and a deadly tattoo is discovered on her body.And when another young woman disappears, Detective Francis Sullivan and his team fear a serial killer walks the streets of Brighton.His team identify a suspect, Alex Mullins, son of Francis''s lover, Marni. Can Francis forget their shared past and save the next victim before it is too late?A gripping crime thriller from the author of The Tattoo Thief.****''Her Last Breath is a really gripping and an intense read. I can''t wait to read the next book.'' - Amazon reviewer, 5Trade ReviewCreepy and compulsive, this is Belsham's first excursion into crime and it announces the arrival of a fine new voice. * Daily Mail on The Tattoo Thief *Edgy and ice cool - Marni Mullins is my kind of heroine! * Marnie Riches, author of Born Bad *If you like your serial thrillers pacy and believable, this fiendishly plotted read is for you. Beat a tattoo to your local bookstore and buy it! * Douglas Skelton, author of Bloody City *

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Book Synopsis'A cracking story told at breakneck speed' – Scotland on SundayThe Killing Tide by Lin Anderson sees forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod investigating a mysterious abandoned ship which has swept ashore in the Orkney Isles.After a fierce storm hits Scotland, a mysterious cargo ship is discovered in the Orkney Isles. Boarding the vessel uncovers three bodies, recently deceased and in violent circumstances. Forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod’s study of the crime scene suggests that a sinister game was being played on board, but who were the hunters? And who the hunted?Meanwhile in Glasgow DS Michael McNab is called to a horrific incident where a young woman has been set on fire. Or did she spark the flames herself? As evidence arises that connects the two cases, the team grow increasingly concerned that the truth of what happened on the ship and in Glasgow hints at a wider conspiracy that stretches down to London and beyond to a global stage. Orcadian Ava Clouston, renowned investigative journalist, believes so and sets out to prove it, putting herself in grave danger.When the Met Police challenge Police Scotland’s jurisdiction, it becomes obvious that there are ruthless individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect government interests. Which could lead to even more deaths on Scottish soil . . .Trade ReviewAs always Lin Anderson provides a big fat colourful mystery -- Mark Sanderson, The TimesA cracking story told at breakneck speed * Scotland on Sunday *Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction — honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears . . . As ever, the landscape is stunningly evoked and MacLeod’s decency and humanity shine through on every page * Daily Mail *The bleak landscape is beautifully described, giving this popular series a new lease of life * Sunday Times *Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow -- Stuart MacBrideVivid and atmospheric . . . enthralling * Guardian *Greenock-born Anderson’s work is sharper than a pathologist’s scalpel. One of the best Scottish crime series since Rebus -- Shari Low, Daily Record

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

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Book Synopsis'A superb chronicler of cop culture' - SUNDAY TIMES 'Disher is the equal of Joseph Wambaugh and James Lee Burke' - THE TIMES 'Doesn't get better than this' - DOMINIC NOLAN NOTHING STAYS BURIED FOREVER... Twenty years ago, Charlie Deravin's mother went missing, believed murdered. Her body has never been found, and his father has lived under a cloud of suspicion ever since. Now Charlie has returned to the coastal town where his mother vanished, on disciplinary leave from his job with the police, and permanent leave from his marriage. After two decades worrying away at the mystery of his mother's disappearance, he's run out of leads. Then the skeletal remains of two people are found in the excavation of a new building site... and the past comes crashing in on Charlie. But as one mystery is solved another is posed, and as his hometown is shaken to the core by the discovery of a brutal crime hidden for years beneath its feet, Charlie must decide what matters more: peace for the living, or justice for the dead. From the multiple Ned Kelly Award-winning author of Consolation comes a stunning new standalone thriller, for readers of Jane Harper, Ian Rankin and Chris Hammer. 'Lyrically captures a moment in time' - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 'A deft and compelling crime novelist' - GUARDIAN AUSTRALIATrade ReviewDisher has consistently produced brilliance, and this is no different. Deftly unravels a decades-old mystery whilst cutting open male attitudes, domestically and socially, to women and violence. Doesn't get better than this -- Dominic Nolan, author of VINE STREET[The] characterisation is every bit as acutely realised as one expects from this award-winning writer * Financial Times *Haunting... read The Way it is Now for its big heart and the way it lyrically captures a moment in time * Sydney Morning Herald *Disher is, as always, a deft and compelling crime novelist, and he has crafted a provocative whodunnit that is grounded firmly in the current moment * Guardian Australia *This was bloody excellent -- Sam Holland, author of THE ECHO MANPRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR He is the equal of Joseph Wambaugh and James Lee Burke * The Times *A superb chronicler of cop culture * Sunday Times *[It's] great that crime readers outside the Antipodes are being introduced to the greatness of Garry Disher -- Ian RankinAn utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity -- Dervla McTiernanDisher is the gold standard for rural noir -- Chris Hammer

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD 2019 FOR BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR*'Fantastic' Martina Cole'Dark, sharp and compelling' Peter James'A thrilling curtain raiser for what looks set to be a great new series' Mick HerronA serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District's prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of . . .Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he cTrade ReviewA thrilling curtain-raiser for what looks set to be a great new series.A thrilling curtain-raiser for what looks set to be a great new series.Satisfyingly twisty and clever and the flashes of humour work well to offer the reader respite from the thrill of the read.Satisfyingly twisty and clever and the flashes of humour work well to offer the reader respite from the thrill of the read.A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint-hearted!A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted, and not for the faint-hearted!Mike Craven is a forceful new voice in British crime fiction.Mike Craven is a forceful new voice in British crime fiction.Washington Poe is a name destined to be spoken by crime fiction enthusiasts everywhere: Britain's answer to Harry Bosch. The Puppet Show is a wickedly, twisting and turning, mystery that will have readers breathlessly turning the pages until the final shocking conclusion.Washington Poe is a name destined to be spoken by crime fiction enthusiasts everywhere: Britain's answer to Harry Bosch. The Puppet Show is a wickedly, twisting and turning, mystery that will have readers breathlessly turning the pages until the final shocking conclusion.This book is twisted and dark and I loved it - not sure what that says about meThis book is twisted and dark and I loved it - not sure what that says about meA brilliant start to what promises to be a fantastic series; get it now or kick yourself for missing outA brilliant start to what promises to be a fantastic series; get it now or kick yourself for missing outDark, sharp and compellingDark, sharp and compellingNothing you've ever read will prepare you for the utterly unique Washington PoeNothing you've ever read will prepare you for the utterly unique Washington PoeA gripping start to a much anticipated new seriesA gripping start to a much anticipated new seriesA page turner * Sun *A page turner * Sun *

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Book Synopsis''Alec Blume is an inspired creation. An American who has become a commissioner in the Italian police, he''s a sly, sardonic loner who gives the impression of knowing Rome better than its natives ... Fitzgerald is an elegant, visual writer'' Guardian''A powerful and hugely compelling thriller'' William Boyd________________There's no cure for murder Commissario Alec Blume, on health leave and fleeing his partner Caterina, has retreated from Rome to central Italy. At the Villa Romanelli he enrolls on a natural remedies course conducted by a young woman named Silvana.But far from recuperating or resolving his differences with Caterina, a feverish Blume becomes isolated and sluggish with sickness. Increasingly ill-at-ease in the stifling environment, the dark history of the crumbling villa and its once-magnificent gardens draws him in.And when a Romanian girl who works for Silvana's ambiguous fiancé Niki asks for his help, Blume finds himself dragged intoTrade ReviewAlec Blume is an inspired creation. An American who has become a commissioner in the Italian police, he's a sly, sardonic loner who gives the impression of knowing Rome better than its natives ... Fitzgerald is an elegant, visual writer * Guardian *The American-born Blume is an engaging hero who might just have to potential to fill the gap left when Michael Dibdin's death ended his Italian detective Aurelio Zen's investigations * Sunday Times *A powerful and hugely compelling thriller. Dark, worldly and written with tremendous style and assurance * William Boyd on The Dogs of Rome *

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Book SynopsisInspector Çetin Ikmen and forensic pathologist Arto Sarkissian have been friends since childhood, and their work together in Istanbul''s criminal justice system has only served to cement their friendship. When they''re both called to a flat to investigate the death of a twenty-year-old, there is no reason to think their relationship will alter. The case, however, is a strange one. Ikmen learns from the neighbours that they have never seen the man enter or leave the flat. The only visitor they''re aware of is a solitary, well-dressed Armenian. Stranger still is that the limbs of the body are withered, and the victim seems to have been kept prisoner inside a gilded cage. What is it that''s making Ikmen''s old friend Arto, himself an Armenian, especially uncomfortable about the case?Trade Review'My crime reader is raving about this author, and says this second title is better than her first, BELSHAZZAR'S DAUGHTER. They have an atmospheric Turkish setting, with an excellently drawn investigating officer. Good one and worth watching' BooksellerEven better than Nadel's extraordinary first book...tightly organised...the dark, Byzantine plot springs organically from the tensions of race and class in Turkish society, which is treated with a depth and detail unusual in a crime novel * Evening Standard *`A thriller that presents a Middle Eastern city populated by human beings, rather than specimens of oriental exotica, and a British writer who can get inside a foreign skin' * Independent *'Even better than Nadel's extraordinary first book...tightly organised...the dark, Byzantine plot springs organically from the tensions of race and class in Turkish society, which is treated with a depth and detail unusual in a crime novel' Evening StandardA sure-fire winner * Good Book Guide *`A thriller that presents a Middle Eastern city populated by human beings, rather than specimens of oriental exotica, and a British writer who can get inside a foreign skin' Independent

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Book Synopsis''An outstanding series'' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWA Bill Slider Mystery With his on-off lover Joanna away with work, Detective Inspector Bill Slider almost welcomes a call-out to the BBC TV Centre at White City. Roger Greatrex, celebrated music critic and opera aficionado, appears to have topped himself - only minutes before he was due to appear live on a quiz show. But there are signs that the body has been interfered with, and Slider suspects murder. One fellow panellist is known to have quarrelled violently with Greatrex. two members of the production team have motives, and nobody in the building has a proper alibi. Slider is under pressure to make an arrest, and all his instincts are at odds with the evidence. But a dangerous killer is on the loose, and could kill again... Praise for the Bill Slider series:''Slider and his creator are real discoveries'' DailTrade ReviewHarrod-Eagles unleashes an effective, dark-edged tale and serves up a truly nasty villain into the bargain... [She] gracefully builds upon her habitually elegant procedural stylings to deliver taut psychological suspense. * Publishers Weekly *There are plenty of suspects for old Bill Slider and his team, and a whole fishmonger's full of red herrings. Harrod-Eagles is a wonderfully assured, compelling plotter, and her hero is as appealing as ever. * Yorkshire Post *Each plot twist, including one devious turn that throws suspicion on a former member of Slider's murder squad, hangs on the testimony of complicated characters who are among the author's finest stock. Nobody is exactly what he or she seems: not the victim, not even Slider, who has reason to examine his own * New York Times Book Review *Harrod-Eagles delivers snappy prose and a ripping tour through the British music world. * Mostly Murder *

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Book SynopsisCindy Decker''s decision to follow in the footsteps of her police lieutenant father was never an easy one. For Pete Decker is, to say the least, overprotective of his only daughter. So when Cindy begins to wonder if she is being followed - maybe even stalked - her father is the last person she can confide in. Frantically trying to contend with her own raw, gnawing fear whilst balancing her work and a clandestine relationship with one of Decker''s colleagues, she allows her father access to the horrific facts only when their cases seem to be on a collision course. Together they find themselves in uncharted criminal territory, where snap-second decisions can make the difference between the life and death of those you love...Trade ReviewOutstanding, suspense-packed...Kellerman is a fine writer, beautifully evoking the feel of Los Angeles and creating scenes that would please Chandler and MacDonald. She deals realistically with the problems women face in a male police world...wise and honest * Publishers Weekly *The page-turner of a plot is fuelled by Kellerman's seemingly boundless knowledge of the psychological mind-set of both cops and criminals... Many compelling characters and asides on everything from religion to family dynamics... Another winner * Booklist *`This novel is very exciting' * Mail On Sunday *Unpredictable...well-told and complicated story * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisThis FBI agent has come to expect almost anything—just not this… When Agent Mercedes Ramirez finds an abused young boy on her porch, covered in blood and clutching a teddy bear, she has no idea that this is just the beginning. He tells her a chilling tale: an angel killed his parents and then brought him here so Mercedes could keep him safe. His parents weren’t just murdered. It was a slaughter—a rage kill like no one on the Crimes Against Children team had seen before. But they’re going to see it again. An avenging angel is meting out savage justice, and she’s far from through. One by one, more children arrive at Mercedes’s door with the same horror story. Each one a traumatized survivor of an abusive home. Each one chafing at Mercedes’s own scars from the past. And each one taking its toll on her life and career. Now, as the investigation draws her deeper into the dark, Mercedes is beginning to fear that if this case doesn’t destroy her, her memories might.

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Book Synopsis‘The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong.’ – Stephen King.From the master of police procedural and bestselling author of Standing in the Shadows comes A Necessary End, book three in Peter Robinson’s the Inspector Banks series.Peace destroyed. Lives in ruin. Banks must race to find the killer . . .Everyday life in Eastvale is shattered when a policeman is stabbed to death after an anti-nuclear demonstration turns violent. Superintendent ‘Dirty Dick’ Burgess, Banks’s nemesis, descends with vengeful fury on those he deems responsible.Inspector Banks is uneasy about Burgess's mishandling of the case, but despite being warned off he puts his career in jeopardy to continue his search for the truth, knowing if he is to keep his job, he must beat Burgess to the killer . . .Now a major British ITV drama DCI Banks, this novel is followed by the fourth book in this Yorkshire-based crime series, The Hanging Valley.Trade ReviewInspector Banks – a man for all seasons, he knows that often the answers to the clues he seeks are hidden in his own heart -- Michael ConnellyAn award-winning writer with ideas that are imaginative and plots that are refreshingly cliché-free * Time Out *If you haven't caught up with Peter Robinson already, now is the time to start * Independent on Sunday *

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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 SynopsisFor Frieda Klein the days get longer, the cases darker . . .Psychotherapist Frieda Klein thought she was done with the police. But once more DCI Karlsson is knocking at her door.A man''s decomposed body has been found in the flat of Michelle Doyce, a woman trapped in a world of strange mental disorder. The police don''t know who it is, how he got there or what happened - and Michelle can''t tell them. But Karlsson hopes Frieda can get access to the truths buried beneath her confusion.Painstakingly, Frieda uncovers a possible identity for the corpse: Robert Poole, a jack of all trades and master conman. But the deeper Frieda and Karlsson dig into Poole''s past, the more of his victims they encounter - and the more motives they find for murder. Meanwhile, violent ghosts from Frieda''s own past are returning to threaten her.Unable to discover quite who is telling the truth and who is lying, they know they are getting closer to a killer. But whoeveTrade ReviewA brilliantly crafted new crime series * Daily Mirror *This heart-stoppingly good tale sets the bar high for the next seven books - we can't wait to read them! * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the third volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.DEATH IN A WHITE TIEThe season has begun. Débutantes and chaperones are planning their gala dinners - and the blackmailer is planning strategies to stalk his next victim. But Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn knows that something is up and has already planted his friend Lord Gospell at the dinner. But someone else has got there firstOVERTURE TO DEATHIt was planned as an act of charity: a new piano for the parish hall, and an amusing evening''s entertainment to finance the gift. But all is doomed when Miss Campanula sits down to play. A chord is struck, a shot rings out, and Miss Campanula is dead.it seems to be a case of sinister infatuation for Roderick AlleynDEATH AT THE BARA midsummer evening - darts night at The Plume of Feathers, a traditional Devonshire public house. A distinguished painter, a celebrated

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Book SynopsisThe captivating new novel from the international bestselling author of The Thorn Birds'.Innocence is no protectionIn Holloman, Connecticut, someone is preying on the innocent. At a prestigious research centre fondly known by its staff as the ''Hug'', parts of a mutilated body are found. Lieutenant Carmine Delmonico of the Holloman Police learns that a string of horrifying murders each with the same modus operandi as the one at the Hug have been commited throughout the state. When another body is found, the medical staff become prime suspects.With the powers that be in turmoil and every member of staff hiding something, Delmonico must delve into the lives of each and every Hug employee. This is the case of his career and he is determined to solve it. But how, when he is hunting a monster who leaves no clues and is always two steps ahead?Trade ReviewPraise for Colleen McCullough: 'Compelling, passionate and gritty.' She ‘Fast-moving and immensely readable…this book is a page turner from start to finish.’ Maeve Binchy 'Probes the depths of the human heart in a haunting, multi-layered novel.' Good Book Guide 'McCullough piles on the drama.' Daily Mail 'Sizzling family drama stuffed with passion, tragedy, love and sex.' More 'Absorbing.’ Sunday Telegraph 'Deliciously addictive…a classic tale of wealth and power–an engrossing read.' Sainsbury's magazine

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Book SynopsisTHE THIRD COLD-CASE INVESTIGATION FOR ENZO MACLEOD, FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE RICHARD AND JUDY MEGASELLER THE BLACKHOUSE.FRANCE. A death sentence.Diagnosed with a terminal illness, Enzo Macleod is running out of time to crack the most confounding of unsolved French murders. A death threat.His daughter is nearly killed, Enzo is mugged - and then he is arrested. Someone is trying to destroy his character. Someone is framing him for murder. A deathly enemy.Killers from the past will stop at nothing to halt Enzo, who must use all his forensic skills to solve the case - before they succeed.Trade ReviewA rip-roaring thriller . . . thoroughly enjoyable * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully complex bookHe is a terrific writer doing something differentFrom the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writerWonderfully compellingWestern France - now May's own stamping ground - is as much a character in the book as the Hebrides were in his formidable Isle of Lewis sequence * Guardian *Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth * New York Times *One of the best regarded crime series of recent years * Independent *Lyrical, empathetic and movingMay's novels are strong on place and the wounds left by old relationships * Sunday Times *Dark, exciting and atmospheric * Scotland on Sunday *Powerful and authentic * Glasgow Sunday Herald *Fast, exciting ... an entertaining read that will also give food for thought * Irish Times *A tense and atmospheric thriller with a heart-stopping ending * Tangled Web *Truly the best of May's series so far, this is not to be missed * The Good Book Guide *

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Book Synopsis'Jane Casey's police procedurals go from strength to strength!' Sunday Times'If you have not read Jane Casey, start immediately' Marian Keyes'The most dangerously addictive series in crime fiction. . .' Erin Kelly________________A woman and her teenage daughter are found murdered in their South London home. The girl's throat has been cut. Her mother stabbed to death.When DC Maeve Kerrigan arrives at the scene, her first thought is that this is a domestic dispute gone bad.But the husband - found bloody and unconscious in an upstairs room - insists he's the third victim not the killer.With Maeve's only witness refusing to talk, how will she unravel the truth?

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Book SynopsisNicci French''s darkest most shocking thriller yet, Saturday Requiem is the stand-alone sixth instalment of the Frieda Klein series, about a young girl accused of murdering her familyThirteen years ago eighteen-year-old Hannah Docherty was arrested for the brutal murder of her family. It was an open-shut case and Hannah''s been incarcerated in a secure hospital ever since. When psychotherapist Frieda Klein is asked to meet Hannah and give her assessment of her, she reluctantly agrees. What she finds horrifies her. And Frieda is haunted by the thought that Hannah might be as much of a victim as her family; that something wasn''t right all those years ago.And as Hannah''s case takes hold of her, Frieda soon begins to realize that she''s up against someone who''ll go to any lengths to protect themself.''Nicci French''s sophisticated, compassionate and gripping crime novels stand head and shoulders above the competition'' Sophie Hannah Trade ReviewAbused by the system meant to protect her, Hannah is a long-term resident of a secure psychiatric hospital. They think she murdered her family, Freida Klein thinks differently. However, nothing is as it seems and digging up the past can have terrifying consequences. Frieda Klein is back in Nicci French's darkest, most shocking thriller yet. * from the publisher's description *Nicci French's sophisticated, compassionate and gripping crime novels stand head and shoulders above the competition. -- Sophie HannahBrilliantly crafted . . . masterly control of suspense * Daily Mirror *Tense, frightening, gripping * Easy Living *Dark, nerve-tingling and addictive * Daily Express *Magnificent * Evening Standard *French leads the field * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisENTER THE DARKEST CORNERS OF EDINBURGH IN THIS GRITTY, MYSTERIOUS AND SPINE-TINGLING MURDER INVESTIGATION . . .''Full to the brim with intrigue. You will not be disappointed'' 5***** Reader Review''Grips you from the beginning and doesn''t let go'' 5***** Reader Review ''Unsettling atmosphere, strong sense of place and a canny twist: Oswald easily outstrips the formulaic work of bigger names'' GUARDIAN_______The roots of murder run deep . . . When a body is found in a tree in The Meadows, Edinburgh''s scenic parkland, forensics suggest the corpse has fallen from a great height. Which makes Detective Inspector Tony McLean ask the question: was it an accident, or a murder designed to send a chilling message? . . . As McLean traces the victim''s journey, it takes him back to Edinburgh''s past, and through its underworld - crossing paths with some of its most dangerous and mosTrade ReviewInspector McLean returns in the seventh instalment of James Oswald's gritty, compelling crime series, for his most mysterious murder investigation yet . . . The roots of murder run deep . . . When a body is found in a tree in The Meadows, Edinburgh's scenic parkland, the forensics suggest the corpse has fallen from a great height. Detective Inspector Tony McLean wonders whether it was an accident, or a murder designed to send a chilling message? * from publisher's description *Unsettling atmosphere, strong sense of place and a canny twist: Oswald easily outstrips the formulaic work of bigger names * The Guardian *This is the seventh gripping instalment in a series that just keeps getting better * Sunday Mirror *The hallmarks of Val McDermid or Ian Rankin: it's dark, violent, noirish * The Herald *Crime fiction's next big thing * The Sunday Telegraph *Oswald is among the leaders in the new batch of excellent Scottish crime writers * Daily Mail *Fifty Shades of Hay * The Times *

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Book Synopsis‘Reginald Hill stands head and shoulders above any other writer of crime fiction’ ObserverTrade Review‘Few writers in the genre today have Hill’s gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace’ Donna Leon, Sunday Times ‘The fertility of Hill’s imagination, the range of his power, the sheer quality of his literary style never cease to delight’ Val McDermid, Sunday Express ‘He is probably the best living male crime writer in the English-speaking world’ Andrew Taylor, Independent ‘Reginald Hill’s novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories entwining’ Ian Rankin, Scotland on Sunday ‘An increasingly lyrical and always humorous writer, he is first and foremost an instinctive and complete novelist who is blessed with a spontaneous storytelling gift’ Francis Fyfield, Mail On Sunday

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Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the sixth Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.A MURDER MYSTERY WITHOUT A CLUEWhen Sir John Magill, the wealthy Irish industrialist, fails to show up at his home town on a well-publicised visit, neither his family nor the Belfast police can explain his disappearance. Foul play is suspected when his bloodstained hat is discovered, and Scotland Yard is called in. With his characteristic genius for reconstruction, Inspector French evolves a gruesome theory about what happened to the elderly man, but his reputation and that of Scotland Yard will depend on finding out who was responsible . . .Trade Review‘Nobody takes more trouble to get every detail absolutely correct. This most workmanlike of sleuths unravels a really satisfying puzzle.’ DAILY MAIL “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 NICOLSON, DAILY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisFormer head of MI5 Stella Rimington brings the high-stakes world of intelligence to life in AT RISK the first novel in her bestselling and much-loved series featuring MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle.For MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle the nagging complications of her private life are quickly forgotten at Monday's Counter-Terrorist meeting. An invisible may have entered mainland Britain. An invisible' is a terrorist who is an ethnic native of the target country, who can cross its borders unchecked and move about unnoticed the ultimate nightmare. For Liz this signals the start of an operation that will test her to the limit. Who or what is the target? Where and who is the invisible? With each passing hour the danger increases. But as she desperately sifts the incoming intelligence and analyses the reports from her agents she finally realises that it is her ability to get inside her enemy's head that is the only hope of averting disaster.Trade ReviewA cracking good thriller * The Observer *Intelligent... Undeniably pacy * The Guardian *This is something rare: the spy novel that prizes authenticity over fabrication * Mail on Sunday *Rimington makes adroit use of her expertise as former MI5 chief * The Sunday Times *Tense and terrifying * Cosmopolitan *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for Kindred in Death“Robb combines sex, horrific crime, forensics and technological wizardry for another winner sure to please her many fans.”—Publishers Weekly“The emotional quotient is high in this chapter of the long-running and truly excellent In Death series. One key to its longevity is that each succeeding book adds new layers of complexity to Eve, Roarke and the rest of Robb's supporting players. Robb's ability to take readers from emotional highs to lows and insert a clever mystery is why this series never gets old.”—RT Book ReviewsMore Praise for J. D. Robb and the In Death series “Robb is a virtuoso.”—Seattle Post-Intelligencer “It’s Law & Order: SVU—in the future.”—Entertainment Weekly “J. D. Robb’s In Death novels are can’t-miss pleasures.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben “Anchored by terrific characters, sudden twists that spin the whole narrative on a dime, and a thrills-to-chills ration that will raise the neck hairs of even the most jaded reader, the J. D. Robb books are the epitome of great popular fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane

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Book SynopsisThe #1 bestseller A terrific story, originally told. All hail the new Queen of Crime!' HEATA web of a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. A page-turner, but don't read it before bed if you're easily spooked!' SUNYou think you know who to trust? You think you know the difference between good and evil? You're wrong The body of the head teacher of an exclusive Devon school is found hanging from the rafters in the assembly hall.Hours earlier he'd received a package, and only he could understand the silent message it conveyed. It meant the end.As Exeter suffers a rising count of gruesome deaths, troubled DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles must solve the case and make their city safe again.But as they're drawn into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, every step brings them closer to grim secrets hidden at the heart of their community.And once they learn what's motivating this killer, will they truly want to stop him?If you love The Teacher, Trade ReviewThis is what readers are saying about THE TEACHER: ‘The story flowed so brilliantly and made me keep turning the pages; a thriller from beginning to end. Each scene was rich and vivid; highly recommended’ ‘This is a story that immediately pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page … The story flowed so brilliantly and made me keep turning the pages; a thriller from beginning to end. Each scene was rich and vivid; highly recommended’ ‘It stands out a mile with its poisonous cover and the story within refused to let go of me’ ‘A truly page-turning, somewhat gruesome read. Well written, pacy and with great characters’ “The Teacher is a fast-paced grisly page-turner and an extraordinary debut from Katerina Diamond’ ‘It had me gripped throughout and certainly had my heart racing’ “A deliciously dark novel … The characters are a wonderful mix of nasty and nice, each with their own quirks and agendas.” ‘A serial killer is nothing new within fiction, but this story, along with its great police-duo, is up with the best of them’ ‘Katerina Diamond has created a pacy, powerful debut which will have her readers begging for more’

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Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the fifth Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.THE PUZZLE OF THE PURPLE SICKLEThe suicide of a sales clerk at the box office of a London cinema leaves another girl in fear for her life. Persuaded to seek help from Scotland Yard, Miss Darke confides in Inspector Joseph French about a gambling scam by a mysterious trio of crooks and that she believes her friend was murdered. When the girl fails to turn up the next day, and the police later find her body, French's inquiries reveal that similar girls have also been murdered, all linked by their jobs and by a sinister stranger with a purple scar . . .Trade Review‘Freeman Wills Crofts’ crimes are solved with dogged diligence and attention to detail . . . they seem to have improved with age.’ INDEPENDENT “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

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Book SynopsisThe seventh book in the classic Martin Beck detective series from the 1960s and 70s the novels that shaped the future of Scandinavian crime writing.Hugely acclaimed, the Martin Beck series were the original Scandinavian crime novels and have inspired the writings of Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo.On a quiet night a high-ranking police officer, Nyland, is slaughtered in his hospital bed, brutally massacred with a bayonet. It''s not hard to find people with a motive to kill him; in fact the problem for Detective Inspector Martin Beck is how to narrow the list down to one suspect. But as he investigates Nyland''s murder he must confront whether he is willing to risk his life for his job.Trade Review‘If you haven’t come across Beck before, you’re in for a treat.’ Guardian ‘Pick up one book…and you become unhinged. You want to block out a week of your life, lie to your boss, and stay in bed, gorging on one after another.’ Observer ‘I have never read a finer police story.’ Los Angeles Times‘The godparents of Scandinavian crime fiction’ Jo Nesbo 'Some of the most gripping crime fiction ever written' Michael Connelly ‘If you haven’t read Sjowall/Wahloo, start now.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Their mysteries don’t just read well; they reread even better. Witness, wife, petty cop or crook – they’re all real characters even if they get just a few sentences. The plots hold, because they’re ingenious but never inhuman.’ New York Times ‘They changed the genre. Whoever is writing crime fiction after these novels is inspired by them in one way or another.’ Henning Mankell

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Book SynopsisTwo boys, brothers, wake tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. Their kidnapper has gone, but soon he will return. Their bonds are inescapable. But there is a bottle and tar to seal it. Paper and a splinter for writing; blood for ink. A message begging for help... Her husband will not tell the truth: where he goes, how long he will be away.Trade ReviewGrippingly different * The Times *This is your methadone if you enjoyed The Killing and found it overwhelmingly addictive * BBC Radio 2 Claudia Winkleman Arts Show *A weighty and disturbing novel . . . with an ingenuity as impressive as it is unnerving * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA classic Ngaio Marsh novel which features blood-curdling murders in the confines of a riverboat, the Zodiac, cruising through Constable country.'He looks upon the murders that he did in fact perform as tiresome and regrettable necessities,' reflected Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn on the international crook known as the Jampot'.But it was Alleyn's wife Troy who knew the Jampot' best: she had shared close quarters with him on the tiny pleasure steamer Zodiac on a cruise along the peaceful rivers of Constable country'. And it was she who knew something was badly wrong even before Alleyn was called in to solve the two murders on boardTrade Review‘Cruising through Constable country, in both senses, with a cargo of strongly varied, cunningly suspect characters… the classic detective story.’The Times ‘A good Marsh… which puts it into the“must”category.’The Sun ‘It’s time to compare Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.’New York Magazine ‘The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun

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Book SynopsisWould you stand by your childhood best friend if they turned out to be a murderer? The unputdownable tale of passion, friendship and heartbreak from the Sunday Times bestselling author of LIAR Lesley Pearse''Had me gripped from start to end'' 5***** READER REVIEW''Outstanding . . . Lesley Pearse never disappoints'' 5***** READER REVIEW_________She killed two people in cold blood . . . But why?Susan is the woman who walked in a doctor''s surgery one day and committed murder.Beth is the lawyer assigned to defend Susan. But her client is uncooperative.Until both women realise that twenty-nine years earlier, they were childhood friends . . .While the evidence mounts up, their friendship starts to regrow.But for one of them, there can be no happy ending . . ._________''With characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelTrade ReviewWould you stand by your childhood best friend if they turned out to be a murderer? Till We Meet Again is an unputdownable tale of love, passion, and heartbreak . . . * from the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisBRICKS AND MORTALITY is the third Cotswold village mystery by Ann Granger, featuring Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter. It is sure to appeal to fans of Midsomer Murders.In the cold light of dawn, a dead body is found entombed in the smouldering remains of a burnt-out Cotswold manor. Key House has stood empty for years, but its owner, Gervase Crown, is rumoured to have been seen in Weston St Ambrose prior to the blaze. Could he be responsible for the fire and the tragic death that followed, or was he in fact the intended target? As Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter begin their investigation it becomes clear that Gervase wasn''t the most popular and his return reawakens old memories, not all of which are good.Trade ReviewCharacterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent * The Times *The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible ... a pleasure to read * Ham and High *The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun * Yorkshire Post *She is on to another winner * Birmingham Post *The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisSkinner is on the trail of organised crime and a cold-blooded killer in this gripping third novel in Quintin Jardine''s bestselling crime series. First the joyous birth of Skinner''s son...then the grim reality of murder in one of Edinburgh''s prosperous suburbs. A man has been found knifed in a luxury villa. The victim had run a chain of laundrettes, saunas and pubs throughout the city, but for some time the police suspected these to be the front for a drug distribution network. Moving from Scotland to northern Spain, then back to a chilling climax in Edinburgh, this complex and suspenseful thriller follows a tortuous and bloodsoaked trail...

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Book SynopsisRandom House presents the audiobook edition of 17th Suspect by James Patterson, read by January LaVoy.A series of shootings exposes San Francisco to a methodical yet unpredictable killer, and a reluctant woman decides to put her trust in Sergeant Lindsay Boxer. The confidential informant’s tip leads Lindsay to disturbing conclusions, including that something has gone horribly wrong inside the police department itself. The hunt for the killer lures Lindsay out of her jurisdiction, and gets inside Lindsay in dangerous ways. She suffers unsettling medical symptoms, and her friends and confidantes in the Women’s Murder Club warn Lindsay against taking the crimes too much to heart. With lives at stake, the detective can’t help but follow the case into ever more terrifying terrain. A decorated officer, loving wife, devoted mother, and loyal friend, Lindsay’s unwavering integrity has never failed her. But now she is confronting a killer who is determined to undermine it all.

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Book SynopsisThe global best-selling graphic novel series – over half a million copies sold!Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files collects the adventures of the iconic British character, presented in chronological order, complete and uncut! He's judge, jury and executioner – the lawman delivering justice to the mean streets of far-future Mega-City One. This first blockbuster volume features storylines written by comic legends John Wagner (A History of Violence), Pat Mills (Marshall Law) and Alan Grant (Batman), with art by Brian Bolland (The Killing Joke), Mick McMahon (The Last American) and many more!Trade ReviewIf you want to sink your teeth into classic Judge Dredd, the best place to start. * Mental Floss *Amazing and addictive * io9 *What a collection it will be when it's complete. * Den of Geek *

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Book SynopsisALMOST HOME. BUT NOWHERE TO HIDE. From the number one bestselling crime-writer comes a brilliant, page-turning new DC Max Wolfe thriller.'Remarkably moving' The TimesWhen terrorists use a drone to bring down a plane on one of London's busiest shopping centres, it ignites a chain of events that will draw in the innocent and guilty alike.DC Max Wolfe finds himself caught in the crossfire in a city that seems increasingly dangerous and hostile.But does the danger come from the murderous criminals that Max is tracking down? Or the people he's trying to protect?Or does the real threat to Max lie closer to home?'Tony Parsons puts you right there in every scene he writes. I love that kind of storytelling and I’m a D.C. Max Wolfe fan.' James Patterson 'A relentless plot, evocative prose and compelling characters conspire to make this a must-read.' Jeffery Deaver'I've long been a fan of Tony Parsons' writing, and this is brilliant stuff.' Peter James‘Spectacular! Tense and human, fast and authentic’ Lee Child 'Great plotting, great characters and at least two eye-widening twists I didn't see coming’ Sophie Hannah'Simply superb plot and characters’ Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewWhat impresses about Girl on Fire is Tony Parsons’s almost old-fashioned mastery of storytelling. Moreover, he raises real issues of today and accompanies them with intelligent debate ... remarkably moving -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Brilliant... visceral * Nick Ahad *The action bowls along exhilaratingly, with plenty of twists and hair-raisingly topical material… The upshot is the kind of big foot-to-the-floor read * Reader’s Digest *Parson's latest novel is a master class on building a world, developing a plot and how to write a sequel.… An incredibly well written book... * The Bookbag Blog *If there were any doubts before, then this powerful novel will confirm that Tony Parsons sits in his rightful position among the top echelon of contemporary British writers. * Fully Booked *A phenomenal read that I will happily shout about from the rooftops for the foreseeable future. * BookieWookieWeb Blog *Girl On Fire is a hard-hitting story that… create[s] a realistic and suspenseful work of fiction. * The Humpo Show Blog *A thrilling roller-coaster ride full of tension and suspense, jam packed with the very best of gritty crime action. * Books Beyond the Story Blog *A page turning new thriller from the Max Wolfe series will keep you grappled and guessing until the end * The Ship Supplier *His way of writing is so visceral and dynamic * Louise Minchin *

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