Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisThe Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri is the fourth novel in the wryly humorous Inspector Montalbano series.The commissioner kept looking at him with an expression that combined contempt and commiseration, apparently discerning unmistakable signs of senile dementia in the inspector. "I'm going to speak very frankly, Montalbano. I don't have a very high opinion of you." "Nor I of you," the inspector replied bluntly. Montalbano's gruesome discovery of a naked young woman suffocated in her bed immediately sets him on a search for her killer. Among the suspects are her aging husband, a famous doctor; a shy admirer, now disappeared; an antiques-dealing lover from Bologna; and the victim's friend Anna, whose charms Montalbano cannot help but appreciate. But it is a mysterious, reclusive violinist who holds the key to this murder . . .The Voice of the Violin is followed by the fifth novel in this compelling mystery series, Excursion to Tindari.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 SynopsisJesse Stone is an ex LA cop who has taken the job of police chief in Paradise, Massachusetts...and things are getting strange in Paradise. Stone is called to the junior high school when reports of lewd conduct by the school's principal, Betsy Ingersoll, filter into the station. Ingersoll claims she was protecting the propriety of her students when she inspected each girl's undergarments in the locker room. Jesse would like nothing more than to see Ingersoll punished, but her high-powered attorney husband stands in the way. At the same time, the women of Paradise are faced with a threat to their sense of security with the emergence of a tormented voyeur, dubbed "The Night Hawk." Initially, he's content to peer through windows, but as times goes on, he becomes more reckless, forcing his victims to strip at gunpoint...And according to the notes he's sending to Jesse, he's not satisfied to stop there. It's up to Jesse to catch the Night Hawk, before it's too late.

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Book SynopsisThe darkest secrets leave the deepest scars, in this atmospheric thriller from award-winning international bestselling author, Anders de la Motte. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid and Henning Mankell. 'Tense, atmospheric' JOAN SMITH, SUNDAY TIMES'A top-notch addition to a series that offers a treat for every season!' LANCASHIRE EVENING POSTONE TRAGIC NIGHT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHINGSOUTHERN SWEDEN, 1990Five lifelong friends gather for a last farewell to their childhoods and each other at an abandoned quarry. The mood is effervescent, but under the surface tensions run deep as not everyone is ready to let go - or be left behind. When dawn breaks, only four remain alive. The police rule the death a tragic accident, but not everyone is convinced, and the incident remains an open wound in the community.AUTUMN, 2017When the old chief of police is replaced by Anna Vesper, a newly arrived detective from Stockholm, whispers and rumours about that night can no longer be silenced. Soon Anna is left with no choice but to ignore all warnings and reopen the case - while hoping her own sins won't catch up with her.BUT SOMEONE WILL DO ANYTHING TO HIDE THE TRUTH . . .PRAISE FOR ANDERS DE LA MOTTE'Enthralling ... superb' Joan Smith, Sunday Times'Mesmerising ... addictive' Lancashire Evening Post'A Swedish-set crime thriller for fans of The Dry ... Crime fiction at its best' Vaseem KhanTrade Review[Anders] is the author of the outstanding Seasons Quartet of crime novels. Deeds of Autumn is one of his finest ... [a] tense, atmospheric novel -- Joan Smith * Sunday Times *A top-notch addition to a series that offers a treat for every season! * Lancashire Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisBrooklyn's toughest female detective takes on Dallas in this 'violent, sexy, and completely absorbing' novel (Kirkus), the final book in the acclaimed Betty Rhyzyk series. Things are looking up for Detective Betty Rhyzyk. She's settled into a happy marriage and been promoted to Sergeant in the Dallas Police Department. But when a hostage stand-off puts her on the phone with legendary cartel leader The Knife, things take a turn. A rival is making a play for the Knife's territory: none other than Evangeline Roy. The matriarch of a ruthless cult, Evangeline also holds a personal vendetta against Betty. So who better to draw Evangeline out of hiding? Betty's got two weeks to catch her. Or else. With the drug dealers of Dallas donning strange red wigs and delivering cryptic messages, Betty's in a race for answers. As the clock ticks down, it will take everything she's got to finally put an end to Evangeline's reign of terror, and to keep her beloved Dallas – and her own family – safe at last. Reviewers on The Pledge: 'The terrific adrenaline punch you'd expect for the grand finale of Kathleen Kent's Edgar-nominated trilogy.' Julia Heaberlin 'A thrilling last dance with the formidable Betty Rhyzyk.' Steph Cha? 'Detective Betty is one of my favorite queer characters in crime fiction.' Kristen Lepionka 'Satisfying and action-packed.' Publishers WeeklyTrade ReviewA police procedural like none you've ever read -- Hank Phillippi RyanIn Edgar finalist Kent's thrilling third and final novel featuring Sgt. Betty Rhyzyk of the North Central Dallas PD (after 2020's The Burn), two of her past enemies return to Dallas, each seeking revenge... Kent does a fine job weaving the various plot strands into a satisfying and action-packed whole * Publishers Weekly *I read this book in a compulsive binge because it felt physically painful to be away from the story until it was over. Betty Rhyzyk won't soon be forgotten by crime readers, but after a trilogy's worth of trauma and violence, she deserves to rest and heal from the hardships her creator put her through * New York Times Book Review *A rapid page-turning police procedural... I definitely recommend to those who love action, adventure and thrills, with a great female lead! * Beauty and Lace *PRAISE FOR KATHLEEN KENT: 'Kent isn't afraid to make a turn toward the macabre, and she's been doing this long enough that the words spill from the page with ease. Detective Betty remains one of the most distinctive and vivid crime fighters out there' Texas Monthly. 'One of the most breathless, inventive, and be forewarned, violent suspense plots I've read in a long time' NPR. 'Kent is an effective storyteller and an acute social observer, with a sharp eye for Texas-sized absurdities' Los Angeles Review of Books. 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likeable' Wall Street Journal. 'Terrific... Kent's own ability to avoid predictable outcomes and keep the reader on edge bodes well for future installments in this series' * Chicago Tribune *

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Book SynopsisWhen a celebrated government official is found dead after his surprise birthday party, a young police officer uncovers a terrifying world of financial crime, sinister cults and disturbing secret lives. Icelandic politician Katrín Júlíusdóttir's award-winning debut – first in a breathtaking series… **Winner of the Blackbird Award for Best Icelandic Crime Debut** ‘A breathtaking political thriller from one of Iceland’s most exciting new voices’ Eva Björg Ægisdóttir ‘Katrín Júlíusdóttir skilfully weaves together intense family dynamics, dark pasts and criminal endeavours in this masterful narrative’ Lilja Sigurðardóttir ____________________ A murder is just the beginning… When Óttar Karlsson, a wealthy and respected government official and businessman, is found murdered, after failing to turn up at his own surprise birthday party, the police are at a loss. It isn't until young police officer Sigurdís finds a well-hidden safe in his impersonal luxury apartment that clues start emerging. As Óttar's shady business dealings become clear, a second, unexpected line of enquiry emerges, when Sigurdís finds a US phone number in the safe, along with papers showing regular money transfers to an American account. Following the trail to Minnesota, trauma rooted in Sigurdís's own childhood threatens to resurface and the investigation strikes chillingly close to home… Atmospheric, deeply unsettling and full of breakneck twists and turns, Dead Sweet is a startling debut thriller that uncovers a terrifying world of financial crime, sinister cults and disturbing secret lives, and kicks off an addictive, mind-blowing new series. ______________________ ‘Exceptional and realistic characters … Dead Sweet hooks you in from the very first page and keeps you there until the unexpected ending’ Blackbird Award judges: Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Ragnar Jónasson and Bjarni Þorsteinsson ‘An excellent debut thriller with a highly original storyline’ Sæunn Gísladóttir, The Reading Room What readers are saying… ***** ‘Dark, chilling and twisty … I couldn’t put it down’ ‘Breathtakingly unnerving’ ‘What an ending!’ ‘So atmospheric, so clever’ ‘Sigurdís is a brilliant character’ ‘The tension is almost unbearable … I loved it!’

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Book SynopsisIn the second book in the Detective Harriet Foster thriller series, author Tracy Clark weaves a twisted journey into the underbelly of Chicago as Harriet and her team work to unmask a serial killer stalking the city’s aldermen. The Chicago PD is on high alert when two city aldermen are found dead: one by apparent suicide, one brutally stabbed in his office, and both with thirty dimes left on their bodies—a betrayer’s payment. With no other clues, the question is, Who else has a debt to pay? Detective Harriet Foster is on the case before the killer can strike again. But even with the help of her partner, Detective Vera Li, and the rest of their team, Harriet has little to go on and a lot at risk. There’s no telling who the killer’s next target is or how many will come next. To stop another murder, Harriet and her officers will have to examine what the victims had going on behind the scenes to determine who could be tangled up in this web of betrayal…and who could be out for revenge.Trade Review“Another worm’s-eye view of the city…marinated in savory civic misdeeds.” —Kirkus Reviews “Clark’s second Detective Harriet Foster title (after Hide) provides a compelling plot as well as significant character growth…The lead detectives are new to each other and building trust, and readers will become invested in the fragile bond they currently have, as well as the mystery surrounding Foster and her former partner.” —Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisDI Kate Young’s team is hunting for a killer. What they don’t know…is that the killer is her. DI Kate Young has known for years that her boss, Superintendent John Dickson, is a violent and evil man. But when she finally confronts him and accidentally shoots and kills him, she’s forced to cover her tracks before anyone can pin his death on her. With revelations about his corruption soon to become public knowledge, Kate sets up a trail of evidence to make it seem that Dickson has conveniently vanished… But Kate knows the corruption doesn’t end with Dickson. As she heads up the team investigating his supposed disappearance, she also pursues other loose ends. Stanka, the sex worker who supplied the evidence against Dickson, leads her to crucial information on another corrupt officer, DI Harriet Khatri, and her dubious involvement with sex traffickers. As the noose starts to tighten on Kate, she finds herself targeted by traffickers, the bent cops on her force and even her own team of detectives. Can she stay one step ahead of them all and bring Harriet to justice? Can she trust anyone around her? And can she possibly get away with murder?

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Book SynopsisJoe Pickett investigates a mysterious death at a secret high-tech facility in this gripping new novel from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box. When a prominent University of Wyoming professor goes missing, authorities are stumped. That is, until Game Warden Joe Pickett makes two surprising discoveries in his district. First, Joe finds the professor's vehicle parked on a remote mountainside. Then he finds the professor's frozen and mutilated body. When he attempts to learn more, Joe's investigation is obstructed by Federal agents, extreme environmentalists, and Governor Colter Allen. Meanwhile, Joe's associate, falconer Nate Romanowski, is approached by a shadowy group of local militant activists who are gaining in power and influence, and demanding that Wyoming join other western states in seceding from the Union – by force, if necessary. They ask Nate to throw in his lot with them, but should he trust them, or is he being set up? As a storm of peril gathers around them, Joe and Nate confront it in different ways – and maybe, for the first time, on opposite sides. Reviewers on C.J. Box: 'The king of contemporary crime fiction set in the West' Publishers Weekly 'A masterful storyteller who writes sublimely' Irish IndependentTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR C.J. BOX: 'Box is the king of contemporary crime fiction set in the West' Publishers Weekly. 'A masterful storyteller who writes sublimely' Irish Independent. 'This is terrific reading entertainment, as riveting as it is relentless' * Providence Journal, on Dark Sky *

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Book SynopsisThe latest installment in the crime series that inspired Big Sky. The ties that bind can burn you. Former investigator Cassie Dewell is trying to start over. But when an old friend calls in a favour, she can't refuse: a man has been accused of assaulting a young woman from an influential family, and he needs Cassie's help. Against her better judgment, Cassie agrees. But out by the Bitterroot mountains of Montana, twisted family loyalty runs as deep as the ties to the land, and there's always something more to the story. As Cassie attempts to uncover the truth, she must confront a family whose roots are tangled and deadly, and face the ghosts of her own past.Trade ReviewA non-stop, action-filled race against time. Rolling down the superhighway of suspense, this thriller will leave readers breathless * Crime Review *Heart-stoppingly good * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA Nest of Vipers is the twenty-first novel in Andrea Camilleri’s irresistible Inspector Montalbano series.On what should be a quiet Sunday morning, Inspector Montalbano is called to a murder scene on the Sicilian coast. A man has discovered his father dead in his Vigàtan beach house, his body slumped on the dining room floor, his morning coffee spilled across the table, and a single gunshot wound at the base of his skull.First appearances point to the son having the most to gain from his father’s untimely death, a notion his sister can’t help but reinforce. But when Montalbano delves deeper into the case, and learns of the dishonourable life the victim led, it soon becomes clear half of Vigàta has a motive for his murder and this won’t be as simple as the inspector had once hoped . . .A Nest of Vipers is followed by the twenty-second gripping mystery, The Pyramid of Mud.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 SynopsisAn Amazon Charts bestseller. To a cunning serial killer, she was the one that got away. Until now… FBI Special Agent Nina Guerrera escaped a serial killer’s trap at sixteen. Years later, when she’s jumped in a Virginia park, a video of the attack goes viral. Legions of new fans are not the only ones impressed with her fighting skills. The man who abducted her eleven years ago is watching. Determined to reclaim his lost prize, he commits a grisly murder designed to pull her into the investigation…but his games are just beginning. And he’s using the internet to invite the public to play along. His coded riddles may have made him a depraved social media superstar—an enigmatic cyber-ghost dubbed “the Cipher”—but to Nina he’s a monster who preys on the vulnerable. Partnered with the FBI’s preeminent mind hunter, Dr. Jeffrey Wade, who is haunted by his own past, Nina tracks the predator across the country. Clue by clue, victim by victim, Nina races to stop a deadly killer while the world watches.Trade ReviewAn Amazon Best Book of the Month: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense “The survivor of a vicious crime confronts her fears in a hunt for a serial killer…forensic analysis, violent action, and a tough heroine who stands up to the last man on earth she wants to see again.” —Kirkus Reviews “[In] this riveting series launch from Maldonado…the frequent plot twists will keep readers guessing to the end, and Maldonado draws on her 22 years in law enforcement to add realism. Determined to overcome her painful past, the admirable Nina has enough depth to sustain a long-running series.” —Publishers Weekly “The Cipher by Isabella Maldonado is a nail-biting race against time.” —POPSUGAR “Maldonado does a superb job of depicting a woman who’s made a strength out of trauma, and an even better job at showing how a monster could use the internet to prey on the vulnerable. Maldonado spent 22 years in law enforcement and her experience shines through in The Cipher.” —The Amazon Book Review “A heart-pounding novel from page one, The Cipher checks all the boxes for a top-notch thriller: sharp plotting, big stakes, and characters—good and bad and everywhere in between—that are so richly drawn you’ll swear you’ve met them. I read this in one sitting and I guarantee you will too. Oh, another promise: You’ll absolutely love the Warrior Girl!” —Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author “Wow! A riveting tale in the hands of a superb storyteller.” —J.A. Jance, New York Times bestselling author “Intense, harrowing, and instantly addictive, The Cipher took my breath away. Isabella Maldonado has created an unforgettable heroine in Nina Guerrera, a dedicated FBI agent and trauma survivor with unique insight into the mind of a predator. This riveting story is everything a thriller should be.” —Hilary Davidson, Washington Post bestselling author Previous Praise for Isabella Maldonado “Maldonado’s a writer to watch, and she showcases her own extensive law enforcement background in this tightly plotted police procedural.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Maldonado, a former law enforcement officer, brings her experience and expertise to this gripping police procedural. With its gritty heroine, this action-packed mystery will attract readers who enjoy crime novels about the war on drugs.” —Library Journal “Phoenix may be burning, but Maldonado’s star is rising. Gritty and gripping.” —J. A. Jance, New York Times bestselling author “Maldonado’s writing always bristles with urgency and authority.” —Mystery Scene Magazine “Delivers a brilliant and complicated heroine, accented by a take-no-prisoners plot…It’s spicy, smart, and entertaining, definitely worth your time.” —Steve Berry, author of The Lost Order “A highly entertaining police procedural…Maldonado rises to her written challenge to entertain, enthrall, and engage readers in this high-octane thriller.” —Suspense Magazine “A tense thriller with a strong sense of place and an insider’s look at some of the most dangerous work in law enforcement.” —Jan Burke, New York Times bestselling author “The Phoenix sun isn’t the only thing burning in this thrilling debut, and I look forward to more.” —Shannon Baker, bestselling author of the Kate Fox mystery series “An ex-narc leads a war against a powerful crime family. The payoff is satisfying.” —Kirkus Reviews “If you’re in the mood for a nonstop exposé of every fear you’ve ever had about cartel crime, Veranda Cruz is the woman to follow.” —Kirkus Reviews “Finally! A kick-ass female protagonist and an author who knows firsthand the world she writes about. The combination makes for an explosive read that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go.” —Alex Kava, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Lost Creed “Red alert to all readers of police procedurals with a strong thriller bent: Isabella Maldonado’s Death Blow delivers nonstop action with substance, grit, and surprises.” —Lisa Preston, author of The Clincher “Gritty, raw, and realistic, Isabella Maldonado’s Death Blow is the real deal.” —Bruce Robert Coffin, bestselling author of the Detective Byron mystery series “A gritty, gut wrenching, page-turning thriller featuring a woman cop bent on bringing down a twisted cartel leader for reasons of her own, Death Blow grabs you from the first jaw-dropping scene to the last, and Maldonado’s stellar writing weaves it all together.” —Jamie Freveletti, internationally bestselling author of Blood Run

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Book SynopsisDCI Vera Stanhope returns in The Darkest Evening, the ninth novel in Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves' enduringly popular series.Driving home during a swirling blizzard, Vera Stanhope's only thought is to get there quickly.But the snow is so heavy, she becomes disoriented and loses her way. Ploughing on, she sees a car slewed off the road ahead of her. With the driver's door open, Vera assumes the driver has sought shelter but when she inspects the car she is shocked to find a young toddler strapped in the back seat.Afraid they will freeze, Vera takes the child and drives on, arriving at Brockburn, a run-down stately home she immediately recognizes as the house her father Hector grew up in.Inside Brockburn a party is in full swing, with music and laughter to herald the coming Christmas. But outside in the snow, a young woman lies dead and Vera knows immediately she has a new case. Could this woman be the child's mother, and if so, what happened to her?A classic country house mystery with a contemporary twist, Ann Cleeves returns with a brilliant Vera novel to savour.

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Book Synopsis''Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun'' Allison Brennan on A Bad Day for SunshineRunning a small-town police force in the mountains of New Mexico should be a smooth, carefree kind of job. Sadly, full-time Sheriff - and even fuller-time coffee guzzler - Sunshine Vicram, didn''t get that memo.All Sunshine really wants is one easy-going day. You know, the kind that starts with coffee and a donut (or three) and ends with take-out pizza and a glass of chardonnay (or seven). Turns out, that''s about as easy as switching to decaf. (What kind of people do that? And who hurt them?)Before she can say iced mocha latte, Sunny''s got a bar fight gone bad, a teenage daughter hunting a serial killer and, oh yes, the still unresolved mystery of her own abduction years prior. All evidence points to a local distiller, a dangerous bad boy named Levi Ravinder, but Sun knows he''s not the villain of her story. Still, perhaps beneath

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Book SynopsisBones where there should be none and a chilling warning of an imminent killing challenge Detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry in their sixth novel.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Dead Place’: ‘A dark Derbyshire mystery…not for the squeamish’ Daily Mail ‘A thoroughly enjoyable book from one of Britain’s best crime writers’ Sunday Telegraph Praise for Stephen Booth: 'A leading light of British crime writing' Guardian 'Endows the traditional crime story with a literary strength that lifts it above the general ruck… He gives a satisfying read rather than a quick fix' Independent ‘Stephen Booth is an author to keep an eye on’ Evening Standard ‘In this atmospheric debut, Stephen Booth makes high summer in Derbyshire as dark and terrifying as midwinter’ Val McDermid ‘Black Dog sinks its teeth into you and doesn’t let go … A dark star may be born!’ Reginald Hill

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Book SynopsisAnother excellent Dalziel and Pascoe story from the master of the British crime novelThree old men die on a stormy November night: one by deliberate violence, one in a road accident and one by an unknown cause.Inspector Pascoe is called in to investigate the first death, but when the dying words of the accident victim suggest that a drunken Superintendent Dalziel had been behind the wheel, the integrity of the entire Mid-Yorkshire constabulary is called into question.Helped by the bright but wayward DC Seymour, hindered by Maggie's Moron', the half-witted Constable Hector, Peter Pascoe enters the twilight and vulnerable world of the senior citizen to discover that the beckoning darkness at the end of the tunnel holds few comforts.Trade 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 finest male English contemporary crime writer' Val McDermid 'Reginald Hill's novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories intertwining'Ian Rankin 'One of Britain's most consistently excellent crime novelists' The Times 'These novels last, like a grand malt whisky – rounded, rich, intoxicating… Here is an author at his formidable best'Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday 'So far out in front that he need not bother looking over his shoulder' Sunday Telegraph 'He is probably the best living male crime writer in the English-speaking world' Andrew Taylor, Independent 'Reginald Hill stands head and shoulders above any other writer of homebred crime fiction' Tom Hiney, Observer

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger AwardThe Times Crime Book of the Month, April 2018A fascinating debut' The Sunday TimesA touch of Agatha Christie, a dash of Ann Cleeves's Vera and a suitably moody setting in the Peaksbring a formidable newcomer to British crime writing.' Daily Mail***A SHOCKING DEATHA lawyer is found dead in a Peak District cave, his face ribboned with scratches.A SINISTER MESSAGEAmidst rumours of a local curse, DI Meg Dalton is convinced this is cold-blooded murder. There''s just one catch chiselled into the cave wall above the body is an image of the grim reaper and the dead man''s initials, and it''s been there for over a century.A DEADLY GAME As Meg battles to solve the increasingly disturbing case, it''s clear someone knows her secrets. The murderer is playing games with Meg and the dice are loadedA white-knuckle crime debut introducing DI Meg Dalton, perfect for fans of Broadchurch and Happy Valley.Trade Review'The Devil’s Dice is a terrific debut by Roz Watkins; it teems with shivery atmosphere and introduces a cop quietly different from most of the women detectives in British crime fiction today.' The Times Crime Book of the Month. ‘An impressive debut… A touch of Agatha Christie, a dash of Ann Cleeves’s Vera and a suitably moody setting in the Peaks…bring a formidable newcomer to British crime writing.’ Daily Mail 'A fascinating debut… Watkins brilliantly balances superstition and scepticism in this clever first novel.' Sunday Times ‘The setting is dramatic, the characters are convincing and the motive for murder, when eventually uncovered, is interesting… A smart enjoyable debut.’ The Literary Review ‘Gripping… This week’s hot read’ Woman Magazine ‘Clever and compelling…fans of Broadchurch and Happy Valley will enjoy this gripping thriller’ Candis Magazine ‘A fabulous book. I can’t wait to meet DI Meg Dalton again’ B A Paris ‘An outstanding debut. The Devil’s Dice had me gripped from the start’ Stephen Booth ‘Twisty, creepy, funny, and you may shed a tear too. More DI Meg Dalton please!’ Caz Frear ‘A fascinating debut with a deliciously old school mystery at its heart. I can’t wait to see what Watkins does next!’ Angela Clarke ‘A pacy, twisty read that had me on the edge of my seat…what a brilliant debut!’ KL Slater ‘Exceptional debut.’ Amanda Robson ‘A humdinger of a debut – whip-smart and with a protagonist you’re guaranteed to want to get behind’ Mel McGrath ‘A smart, intelligent police procedural and a well-crafted mystery set against a beautiful backdrop. Compelling reading.’ Jane Isaac ‘The plot instantly seizes the reader… A great start to a new series.’ Vaseem Khan

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Book SynopsisHow far would you go to save the ones you love?The first book in a gripping new crime series featuring DCI Anna Tate.When nine children are snatched from a nursery school in South London, their distressed parents have no idea if they will ever see them again. The community in the surrounding area is in shock. How could this happen right under their noses? No one in the quiet suburban street saw anything or at least that''s what they''re saying.But DCI Anna Tate knows that nothing is impossible, and she also knows that time is quickly running out. It's unclear if the kidnappers are desperate for money or set on revenge, but the ransom is going up by 1million daily. And they know that one little boy in particular is fighting for his life.It's one of the most disturbing cases DCI Anna Tate has ever worked on not only because nine children are being held hostage, but because she's pretty sure that someone close to them is lyingThe first book in a gripping new crime series, perfect for faTrade Review‘Very gripping and keep you on the edge of your seat.’ Amazon Reviewer ‘Thrilling and fast-paced police procedural that builds to a satisfyingly tense conclusion.’ Amazon Reviewer ‘Great read from start to finish – read it in a day. Look forward to reading more about Anna Tate.’ Amazon Reviewer ‘I am eagerly awaiting the next in this high-octane series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.’ Amazon Reviewer ‘I haven’t read a page turner like this in a long, long time.’ Amazon Reviewer ‘A totally engrossing, well written and clearly well researched book, that was not only easy to read but also exciting.’ Amazon Reviewer

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Book SynopsisOh my!!! The plot is amazing. I honestly couldn't put it down Fantastic read.' NetGalley reviewer, 5 starsA DEAD WOMAN. AN IMPOSSIBLE CRIME.Christine De Bertrand wakes up to her worst nightmare: rather than the man she went to bed with, lying beside her is her housemate, Nikki dead. With no memory of the night before, Christine can't explain what happened, and the police are baffled.For DC Gaby Darin, newly arrived from Swansea after her last case ended in tragedy, it's a mystery she's determined to solve. When another woman goes missing, Gaby faces a race against time to uncover the link between the two victims and find the man who vanished from Christine's bedroom. But as Gaby gets close, the killer gets closer and soon one of Gaby's own team is in unimaginable dangerCompelling and unputdownable, this gripping thriller will have you hooked until the end. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, LJ Ross and D. S. Butler.Readers LOVE Darkest Night!Wow Will knock your socks off I was enthrTrade Review Praise for Jenny O’Brien’s Gaby Darin series: ‘Gripping, emotional and full of twists and turns, this pacy thriller is fraught with tension – and we just loved it!’ Woman’s Weekly ‘Chilling and twisted…’ Woman & Home ‘Gripping, original, with a great storyline. I especially love the relationship between Gaby and her colleagues.’ B A Paris, Sunday Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors and The Dilemma ‘Gripping… Twists and turns aplenty and a great sense of place.’ S.E. Lynes, bestselling author of The Housewarming ‘Compelling…a heart-breaking emotional ride, topped off with a satisfying resolution.’ John Barlow, author of the DS Joe Romano series ‘This is one gripping book!’ Clare Chase, author of the Tara Thorpe Mystery books ‘I absolutely love this series… A solid 5 stars from me since it's the most I can give!’ Valerie Keogh, bestselling author of The Little Lies and The Housewife ‘A cracking instalment in this wonderful series. If you’re looking for a well-developed procedural…this series is for you!’ Terry Lynn Thomas, USA Today bestselling author ‘An engaging, fast-paced read that hooked me from the very start… Another chilling addition to a great series that stands strong on its own!’ Karin Nordin, author of Where Ravens Roost

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Book SynopsisWhat an absolute corker! More twists than your local theme park rollercoaster!' NetGalley review ?????Reading it felt like watching a movie peeking through my fingers' NetGalley review ?????Everyone has secrets. And now, one of mine is yours'Best friends Hollie and Niamh tell each other everything. Behind the village of Abingworth's closed doors, every family has its secrets and their doors might hide the worst ones of all.One day Hollie tells Niamh about a devastating discovery, swears her to secrecy, then vanishes. The villagers claim to know nothing. But when Hollie's body is found, the police know one of their number isn't just a liar, but a killerWhat did Hollie tell Niamh before she died? And who would kill to keep it hidden?After all, two can keep a secret if one of them is deadA completely unputdownable suspense thriller that will leave you reeling at the final twistPerfect for fans of BA Paris and Claire McGowan.Readers are GRIPPED by The Secret:The ending! Omg I did not evTrade ReviewPraise for The Secret: ‘A cracker of a read’ Belfast Telegraph Praise for Debbie Howells: ‘A dazzling debut from a writer who looks to me to have an exceptional future. Howells’ novel has a rare freshness and depth that set her apart’ Daily Mail ‘Sharply written with characters that keep you guessing until the very last page, this story holds you tight and then drops you like a stone’ Liz Nugent ‘A terrific new talent. She paints with words and takes a scalpel to emotions’ Peter James ‘Haunting’ Good Housekeeping ‘I was completely immersed for the entire time and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. A superb thriller’ B.P. Walter ‘I raced through this book, compelled to keep turning the pages to unravel the secrets. Kept me guessing right until the last moment. Trust NO ONE! A sinister, twisty tale you won’t want to put down’ Sam Carrington ‘The Vow is a well-crafted whodunnit, with enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. An intriguing plot with a host of characters that leave you wondering who you can trust!’ Wendy Clarke

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Book SynopsisI read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it. The detective story reads like an episode of Vera.' 5 stars, NetGalley reviewerNo secret can stay buried foreverAs the Whitworth family begin renovations on their new home, their plans are brought to an abrupt end when they discover a body buried in the back garden.DI Isabel Bloodand her team are called to investigate, but as she approaches Ecclesdale Drive, a feeling of unease settles in her gut.The property cordoned off is number 23. The house she used to live in as a childThe forensic team estimate that the body has been in the ground for up to forty years coinciding with the time Isabel's family lived in the house.Isabel's father vanished without a trace when she was fourteen years old. And with her mother remaining tight-lipped about her father's disappearance, Isabel can't escape the unnerving sense of dread that it's his body, buried in the garden.Fans of Vera, Val McDermid and Elly Griffiths will love In Cold Blood!Reade

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Book SynopsisA gripping new crime series for fans of Val McDermid, Jane Casey and Cara HunterGold-standard crime writing' Erin KinsleyAn impressive start in an exciting new series' The SunAuthentic and atmospheric' Adele Parks, PlatinumPacked with authenticity' Mail OnlineEvidence never lies But people do.CSI Ally Dymond's commitment to justice has cost her a place on the major investigations team. After exposing corruption in the ranks, she's stuck working petty crimes on the sleepy North Devon coast.Then the body of nineteen-year-old Janie Warren turns up in the seaside town of Bidecombe, and Ally's expert skills are suddenly back in demand.But when the evidence she discovers contradicts the lead detective's theory, nobody wants to listen to the CSI who landed their colleagues in prison.Time is running out to catch a killer no one is looking for no one except Ally. What she doesn't know is that he's watching, from her side of the crime scene tape, waiting for the moment to strike.I genuinely found it hard to put down. The writing is beautifully paced and the double viewpoint creates great tension.' Alex Gray''Fiendishly clever plotting. I was hooked from start to finish' Sarah Stovell, author of Other ParentsWhat readers are saying about Breakneck PointWOW!! A debut novel that had me hooked from the very start . . . Five stars out of five just isn't high enough' ?????So highly recommended and an easy five stars and a MUST READ!!!'' ?????A really terrific book with relatable characters and an ending that took me by surprise' ?????A really juicy, police procedural/thriller with a fantastic protagonist' ?????I read a lot of crime genre books, but this has really blown me away. . . Can't wait for the next one' ?????Trade Review‘An impressive start in an exciting new series’ The Sun ‘Fresh, vivid and totally engrossing: this is gold-standard crime writing bearing the unmistakable hallmark of authenticity’ Erin Kinsley, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Found ‘Packed with authenticity’ Mail Online ‘A page tuner that will appeal to fans of Broadchurch’ Adele Parks, Platinum ‘This could turn into a gem of a series’ Sunday Post 'Fiendishly clever plotting. I was hooked from start to finish’ Sarah Stovell, author of Other Parents ‘A tightly-plotted, well-paced story with a disturbingly manipulative, evil villain at its core’ Country and Townhouse ‘I genuinely found it hard to put down. The writing is beautifully paced and the double viewpoint creates great tension’ Alex Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author of the DCI Lorimer Series 'It’s difficult to accept that Breakneck Point is a debut novel as T. Orr Munro’s writing is exciting, genuine and convincing’ My Weekly ‘An intriguing plot with a compelling and unusual storyline’ Rachel Abbott, bestselling author of Close Your Eyes ‘Fascinating and very compelling. Ally is complex and engaging, and her character makes for a gusty, unpredictable and emotionally taut plot’ John Barlow, author of Right to Kill ‘Fast-paced, suspenseful, with characters I want to see again . . . Kept me guessing until the end’ Alison Weatherby, author of The Secrets Act ‘An absolutely thrilling ride . . . An excellent crime novel and brilliant debut’ Rosemary Hennigan, author of The Truth Will Out

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Book SynopsisCrook has stepped on to the gore-slicked stage with a deliciously gruesome portfolio of twisty tales'DAILY MAIL'Plenty of creepy fun to be had'GUARDIANThere's a new horror behind every door Welcome to Silverweed Road a once quiet suburban street where nothing is quite as it seems. In this macabre collection of twisted tales, were-foxes prowl, a swimming pool turns predatory, a haunted urn plots revenge and a darts player makes a deal with the devil himself.As the residents vanish one by one, a sinister mystery slowly unpeels, lurking in the Woods at the road's dead-end.Creepy, chilling, and witty by turn, Silverweed Road deals in love, loss, isolation, loneliness, obsession, greed,and revenge.Come take a walk through suburban hell. The neighbours will be dying to meet you Trade Review‘A deliciously gruesome portfolio of twisty tales. You’ll find shades of Dahl…But what sets the stories apart is the visceral accuracy of the writing, which can infect a garden swimming pool with dread, or quite believably turn a man into a fox’DAILY MAIL ‘Terrifying’TIMEOUT ‘Clever, knowing, and sly’SAGA ‘This brilliant collection of stories includes murderous magpies, a sinister swimming pool, and brims with a a dark, witty sense of menace’BEST ‘Entertaining, quirky and more than a little hair-raising, this is a collection of stories which revels in atmospheric old-school horror’FANTASY HIVE ‘Short story and speculative fiction fans have a spine-tingling treat in store for them. SILVERWEED ROAD by debut Simon Crook is an intoxicating and chilling cocktail of J.G. Ballard, Roald Dahl, and Clive Barker. Impossible not to down it in one’Emlyn Rees, author of WANTED

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Book SynopsisThis disturbingly-brilliant thriller is chock full of lies secrets, cheating husbands and nosey housewives' MetroIn a world where appearances are everything you can't trust anythingIn a pristine suburb outside of London everything and everyone is perfect on the surface. But then one of their own an innocent teenage girl goes missing, and DCI Sue Fisher and her team start to investigate the secrets and lies of an interconnected web of bored housewives, cheating husbands, and disaffected teens.Now, as the veneer of perfection starts to chip away, dark secrets rise to fell the mighty and a community is brought to its kneesPraise for The Nail Salon:An explosive thriller not for the faint-hearted'' Woman''s OwnSecrets and lies on every page. Utterly absorbing'' BestA brilliant thriller' BellaWe couldn't put this down' That's Life! Crime SceneCreepy, shocking, addictive' Tammy CohenReaders can't get enough of this dark and disturbing thriller:I have never read a thriller like this. Buy o

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Book SynopsisSimon Kernick, the UK''s answer to Harlan Coben, has written a thriller jam-packed withaction, tension and twists and turns. A heart-stopping read from page one, this is perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James.''Another accomplished race against time with a delightfully morally ambiguous hero.'' -- Sunday Mirror''Simon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight!'' -- Harlan Coben''Great plots. Great characters. Great action.'' -- Lee Child''If you''re looking for a fast-paced, believable book that you can''t put down, then this is the one'' -- ***** Reader review''A fast-paced page-turner'' -- ***** Reader review''A cracking good read'' -- ***** Reader review''This book has me hooked from the moment I Trade ReviewAnother accomplished race against time with a delightfully morally ambiguous hero. * Sunday Mirror *Simon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! * Harlan Coben *Great plots. Great characters. Great action. * Lee Child *Lots of action, lots of tension, lots of spills. Heart stopping read from page one! * Ian Harvey-Brown *'Another excellent gritty, fast paced thriller from Simon Kernick featuring Tina Boyd. * Suzanne Bellingham *

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Book SynopsisThe Severed Streets is the second urban fantasy in the Shadow Police series by bestselling Doctor Who writer, Paul Cornell.Summer in London: a city in turmoil. The vicious murder of a well-known MP is like a match to tinder but Detective Inspector James Quill and his team know that it's not a run-of-the-mill homicide. Still coming to terms with their new-found second sight, they soon discover that what is invisible to others - the killer - is visible to them. Even if they have no idea who it is. Then there are more deaths. The bodies of rich, white men are found in circumstances similar to those that set the streets of London awash with fear during the late 1800s: the Whitechapel murders. Even with their abilities to see the supernatural, accepting that Jack the Ripper is back from the dead is a tough ask for Quill's team. As they try to get to grips with their abilities and a case that's spiralling out of control, Quill realizes tha

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Book Synopsis''Makes the capital as eerie as Le Carré''s Berlin'' Evening StandardMonday 10 June, end of a hot day. The city had started drinking at lunchtime and by 3 or 4pm crime seemed the only appropriate response to the beauty of the afternoon...At quarter to five he felt his contribution to law and order had been made. He parked off the high street, sunk two shots of pure grain vodka into iced Nicaraguan espresso and put his seat back. In an hour he''d be off duty, and in a couple more he''d be on a date with an art student he''d recently arrested for drugs possession. London is steaming under a summer of filthy heat and sudden storms - and Detective Nick Belsey, of Hampstead CID, is trying to stay out of trouble. But then somebody sets him a riddle. How does a man walk into a dead-end alley and never come out? And then reappear - to snatch a girl, to dump a body beneath a London skyscraper, to send Belsey a package of human hair. Trade ReviewMakes the capital as eerie as Le Carré's Berlin * Evening Standard *Relentless...explosive * Mail on Sunday *Want a readable yet beautifully crafted thriller with original characterisation, fabulous plot and superb pacing? Tick, tick, tick. Deep Shelter will keep you guessing and turning pages right the way through * Ham and High *The coolest cop you'll have come across in ages. London through his eyes is as atmospheric as a drawing by Gustave Doré... This demands to be read before the television adaptation * Kate Saunders, Saga magazine *

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Book Synopsis''Wow just incredible... The killer''s identity just took my breath away... Breathtaking suspense and mystery that will blow you away... Outstanding. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'' Surjit''s Book Blog⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐In the golden afternoon light, the young woman lies perfectly still, her dark hair fanning out behind her. She is dressed in a rose red sari, shot through with gold. Just like the others.The last time Detective Vijay Patel visited India, he vowed never to return. After a devastating accident, the country holds only bitter memories and broken dreams. But when three young women are murdered in mysterious circumstances, Patel is pulled back to his past.Leaving his fiancée Sarah behind in London, Patel rushes to a beautiful apartment on a tree-lined street where the body of Sarita Mohan, a successful businesswoman, has been found. Floating on a sea of black satin, sheTrade ReviewCold Sun is a stylish and exuberant, fish-out-of-water, crime thriller, in which former cricketer turned Scotland Yard detective, Vijay Patel, is sent to India to help with a murder investigation only to quickly find himself out of his depth when more victims are discovered. Patel isn't quite Indian enough to fit in and his British ideas about policing aren't entirely welcomed in this wonderfully observed, whip-smart, India-set thriller. -- Amer AnwarA really insightful and interesting read. Cold Sun is an exciting start to what should be a super-gripping new thriller series from Sivakumaran... You'll be kept guessing as to the killer's identity throughout... Will have you totally hooked. * Cosmopolitan *Fascinating, often irreverently funny, stuff and Patel is a worthy enough hero -- Mike Ripley * Shots Mag *Brutal and lyrical by turns, Cold Sun is the first in a promising series -- Joan Smith * The Times *A stylish and entertaining thriller offering a vivid and authentic insight into an unfamiliar but fascinating culture * Irish Times *Anita Sivakumaran is an exciting new name in crime fiction...Brutal and lyrical by turns, Cold Sun is the first in a promising series * Sunday Times *A stylish and entertaining thriller offering a vivid and authentic insight into an unfamiliar but fascinating culture' * Irish Independent *A great start to a projected series, both clever and funny, in which the clash of cultures is as fascinating as the crime * Sunday Times Crime Club *A really insightful and interesting read. Cold Sun is an exciting start to what should be a super-gripping new thriller series from Sivakumaran. * COSMOPOLITAN *Lively * SHOTS *[Cold Sun] is as eye-opening as it is entertaining * Literary Review *Wow, wow, wow. I just couldn't put this one down. An absolute masterpiece. Gritty, fast paced, brilliant... Loved loved all the characters... This is definitely one of the best crime books I have ever read. Just wonderful. Will be recommending this to everyone -- Starred review * Bestselling author Renita D’Silva *A great start to a projected series, both clever and funny, in which the clash of cultures is as fascinating as the crime. * The Sunday Times Crime Club *

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Book SynopsisSam Lloyd grew up in Hampshire, where he learned his love of storytelling. These days he lives in Surrey with his wife, three young sons and a dog that likes to howl. His first three thrillers, The Memory Wood, The Rising Tide and The People Watcher were published to great critical acclaim.Trade ReviewBeautifully written, incredibly evocative with a real sense of place and of the sea. Heart-stoppingly tense. * Catherine Cooper, bestselling author of The Chalet *Fiendishly clever. * Sunday Times *Lloyd is terrific on atmosphere, channelling the hostile, volatile power of the sea both literally and metaphorically... He excels at taking readers to very dark places * Metro *A cleverly crafted page-turner * Best *Absorbing and deftly written . . . Each page promises the literary equivalent of a fresh jab to the solar plexus. * The Herald *

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Book SynopsisThey''ve been given just one week to find a killer they''d caught once before . . . Arthur Bryant, John May and the Peculiar Crimes Unit are on the trail of an enigma: a young man called Mr Fox. But his identity is false, his links to society are invisible and his home yields no clues. All they know is that somehow he escaped from a locked room and murdered one of their best and brightest.Now the detectives are being lured down into the darkest recesses of the London Underground where their quarry, expertly disguised, has struck again. Their search takes them into the vast labyrinth of tunnels, a subterranean world full of legends and ghost stations, which tie the city together. Edging closer to what lies hidden beneath the city - and to the madness that is driving a man to murder - Bryant and May are about to uncover a mystery as bizarre as anything they have ever encountered . . .Trade ReviewDo yourself a favour and pick up a novel by Christopher Fowler. The author's Bryant and May series is proving to be one of the quirkiest and most ingenious pleasures to be found in the genre: atmospheric, sardonically funny and craftily suspenseful -- Barry Forshaw * AMAZON.CO.UK *Outstanding... a golden age mystery... [Christopher] Fowler has few peers when it comes to constructing ingenious plots * Publishers Weekly *One of the most delightful series around * Library Journal *Sharp wit, elegant style, and wild imagination * The Boston Globe *Dazzling * The Denver 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 HERRONShe has never written better.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPHPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________I don't think I'm being fanciful there is something strange about this death.When the body of a theology student is found on a desolate stretch of coast in East Anglia, his wealthy father demands that Scotland Yard re-examine the verdict of accidental death. Commander Adam Dalgliesh reluctantly agrees to visit the young man''s theological college, St Anselm''s a place he visited as a boy. He expects no more than a nostalgic return to old haunts and a straightforward examination o

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Book SynopsisCan Henry Christie catch a merciless gunman? A breakneck novel of revenge, justice and organised crime.Henry Christie thought he''d solved the case that drew him out of retirement, but finds himself joining forces with Diane Daniels once again when the body of a young woman is discovered close to the scene of the chilling murders that took place at Hawkshead Farm. The deaths appear to be linked, and when Henry and Diane stumble upon an execution in progress and narrowly avoid becoming victims themselves, Henry embarks on a mission to bring a merciless gunman to justice, as well as a very personal quest for revenge.Does Henry still have what it takes to catch a ruthless serial killer? Propelled on to a trail of criminality involving money laundering and serious organized crime that stretches from Lancashire to London, Henry''s bravery and resolve is about to be tested to its very limits.

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Book SynopsisWhen Oz Blackstone is offered a major role in a cop movie shooting in Edinburgh, he cannot resist taking centre stage. And he has had a brief liaison with Susie Gantry, a beautiful and self-possessed business woman, that is turning into something much more long term. It all looks like a bowl of cherries until ex-lover Alison Goodchild turns up asking for a favour. When he finds Alison''s business partner murdered in her flat, Oz can''t help but suspect he''s been set up. And when he discovers a trail of intrigue leading to the cast of the star-studded movie in which he is performing, those cherries begin to taste very rancid indeed...Trade ReviewPraise for Quintin Jardine:The perfect mix for a highly charged, fast moving crime thriller * Glasgow Herald *Deplorably readable * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe Front is the second book in the Winston Garano series, from bestselling author Patricia Cornwell.Massachusetts State Investigator Win Garano is given one of his most challenging cases yet when he is asked to investigate the death of a young British woman murdered more than forty years ago. Assumed to be a victim of the Boston Strangler, blind Janie Brolin was raped and left for dead in 1962. With no DNA and sketchy police records, this is a case that will test Garano to his limits. It will take him on a journey through the archives, into the latest innovations in forensic technology, and into partnership with senior officers at London''s New Scotland Yard.And as Garano unearths deadly secrets from the past, his hard-nosed boss Monique Lamont is putting both their lives in jeopardy with her lust for power and success. With past and present colliding, the tension mounts with every page...Trade ReviewOffers a diverting blend of psychological suspense and the spiky politics of law enforcement. - The Age In her latest thriller, At Risk, [Cornwell] has returned to what she does best... - Independent Few...can compare to Patricia Cornwell' - Sunday Business PostFor Book of the Dead: 'Patricia Cornwell is the queen of gritty, grisly, crime fiction writing' - Heat

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Book SynopsisIt''s one of the most dangerous and volatile countries in the world: Yemen. A Middle Eastern hotbed of corruption and insurgency and the perfect training ground for Islamic terrorists.When FBI agents John Corey and Kate Mayfield are assigned to overseas posts in Sana''a, Yemen''s capital city, they are tasked with hunting down the high-ranking Al Qaeda operative responsible for the USS Cole bombing. This man, known as The Panther, is wanted for terrorist acts and multiple murders and the US government is determined to bring him down, no matter the cost.As latecomers to a deadly game, John and Kate don''t know the rules, the players or the score. What they do know is that there is more to their assignment than meets the eye - and that the hunters are about to become the hunted.In an action-packed and terrifying race to take down one of the most ruthless men alive, Nelson DeMille reunites readers with his charismatic hero John Corey.Trade ReviewBig, compelling and furiously paced, it screams to a terrific climax. * Daily Mail on THE PANTHER *DeMille's strengths are legend. His characters are rounded and appealing...His writing is fluid and accessible and his plots are tremendous. * Sun *Corey: a wise-ass with a splendid line in sarcasm, even in the most violent of circumstances. * The Times *Written with a neat wry humour, it's full-on and fast-paced. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe seventh book in the Sergeant Cribb series by Peter LoveseyLondon, 1889: After Jerome K Jerome''s Three Men in a Boat became a Victorian bestseller, rowing on the Thames was the great craze of 1889. When an elementary school teacher in training takes a midnight swim in the Thames and witnesses a body being dumped, Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackerey are called to investigate. The duo uncover strange parallels with the enormously popular Victorian novel, but nobody will take them seriously. Following their instincts, they stick doggedly to the trail, which leads upstream to Oxford.Trade ReviewThames-side summer scenes plus real who-and-why puzzle add up to period piece of engaging charm - Sunday TelegraphThe most light-hearted, but by no means the least compelling, of Lovesey's books - Marcel Berlins, The TimesA relaxed and easy-going book, complete with traditional mystery traditionally solved - New York Times

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Book SynopsisEvery man has his dark side... Spero Lucas confronts his own in an explosive thriller from the writer of the award-winning THE WIRE.Spero Lucas is a young Iraq war vet now working as a PI in Washington DC. He''s hired by a young woman to find a painting she lost after being scammed by a super-smooth con-artist. Spero tracks the painting down, but the con-artist is part of a team of ruthless thugs, and the woman who hired Spero is brutally attacked as a warning to stay away.The warning doesn''t work. Spero is angry and he goes on the offensive, taking out the gang one by one. But where do Spero''s remorseless killings sit on the morality scale? Is he defending an innocent woman? Or have his experiences of war turned him into a ruthless killer, no better than the crooks he''s up against?Trade ReviewPowerful - SHORTLISTGripping ... intensely moving - EVENING STANDARDLean, stirring, knife-edged - NEW YORK TIMESPelecanos displays a ferocious understanding of street reality and an empathy for America's downtrodden - GUARDIANGeorge Pelecanos is a stunningly good chronicler of the mean streets of Washington DC ... For anyone who has somehow missed out on Pelecanos, he is up there with Elmore Leonard and even Chandler for street dialogue and inner city settings, and there is always a pleasing moral undertow to his work - DAILY MAIL

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Book SynopsisStill reeling from the tragic death of their much-loved colleague, Skinner''s men are about to discover that a disturbed serial killer is still at large and very close to home.It''s the second week of July Trades Holiday in Edinburgh when Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner and his men get a call informing them that the body of a young woman has been found on a golf course. It''s been there for ten days so she''s not a pretty sight. But the way she has been laid out is uncannily familiar. The body has been ''composed'', just like the bodies of three other young women in a previous case. Could it be the work of a copycat killer? The murder victim is an art teacher who was having a relationship with the son of a Tory MP. Her ex-boyfriend is a policeman with a reputation as a serious womaniser. It seems the murder trail is getting much too close for comfort...

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Book SynopsisEdinburgh''s toughest cop, Bob Skinner, looks into his past to assuage his demons in Quintin Jardine''s thrilling new mystery.Skinner revisits his nightmares: old but not forgotten. Fifteen years in the past, newly promoted Detective Superintendent Bob Skinner is called to investigate a most brutal death. A man lies at the deep end of an empty swimming pool, his neck broken and almost every other bone in his body shattered. Soon, an organised crime connection looms, and bloody retribution spreads to a second city. Then violence erupts on a new front, as a vicious knifeman seems to be targeting Edinburgh''s gay population. As if this double dose of homicide isn''t enough for a single man with a teenage daughter to raise and protect, Skinner''s personal life takes a similar, perilous twist. Can he stay on the side of the angels, or will he fall . . .?

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Book SynopsisThe brilliant new Bob Skinner mystery by the master of crime fiction, his most ambitious ever.After a tip-off, a man''s body is exhumed from a shallow grave in Edinburgh. Murder surely, yet he died from natural causes, so, case closed? Indeed was there ever a case? But Chief Constable Skinner and his people keep on digging. Who was the man, why was he buried so reverentially, and by whom? Meanwhile corruption is discovered within the force, and an investigation launched. Immersed in crises, his marriage heading for the rocks, Skinner finds his very career hanging in the balance, its fate beyond his control. In a tale seen through the eyes of each of its leading players, Quintin Jardine, the Crimemaster, lays mystery upon mystery until the greatest threat of all those facing the Chief is revealed, and a deadly race begins. Can he win out, or will his life implode?

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Book Synopsis''After what happened, none of us can be sure we''re going to see tomorrow.'' The killing was an expert hit. Three shots through the head, as the lights dimmed at a celebrity concert in Glasgow. A most public crime, and Edinburgh Chief Constable Bob Skinner is right in the centre of the storm. The shooters were killed at the scene, but who sent them? The crisis finds Skinner taking a step that he had sworn he never would. Tasked with the investigation of the outrage, he finds himself uncovering some very murky deeds...The trail leads to London, and a confrontation that seems too much, even for him. Can the Chief solve the most challenging mystery of his career...or will failure end it?

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Book SynopsisA complex tale of deception and revenge leads Skinner and his people to a bloody encounter and a dramatic confrontation...The horrific suicide of a successful Lithuanian entrepreneur rouses suspicion amongst the newly appointed Chief Constable Bob Skinner and his colleagues. They''ve crossed swords with the businessman before; why would a man with everything to live for take his own life? As enquiries begin, a mystery girl, drugged and incoherent, is dumped in a health centre by a mysterious Galahad, who promptly disappears. Who is she, who is he, and where has he gone? Is it coincidence that most of the massage parlours in the city have suddenly closed overnight?

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Book SynopsisBob Skinner faces a complex case of murder and organised crime in this absorbing crime thriller.In Edinburgh''s old Parliament House, an armed robbery trial is about to take a macabre turn. While the lawyers tussle over the evidence, the judge suddenly collapses in agony - the victim of an apparent heart attack. For Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner, with his life finally back on track after the near-collapse of his marriage, this is the last thing he needs. But as the wave of brutal robberies continues, it emerges that Lord Archergait''s death may have been murder - and he''s not the only judge whose life is in danger. With a gang of ruthless killers still at large, it''s down to Skinner to piece together a puzzle of sinister complexity.

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Book SynopsisA terrorist threat and a serial killer on the streets Edinburgh spell trouble for Scotland''s toughest cop.One of the world''s most ruthless terrorists is on his way to Edinburgh with only one thing on his mind: the forthcoming conference of world Heads of Government. If DCC Skinner doesn''t pick up his trail fast, he could have a global disaster in his backyard. While all eyes are focused on the terrorist threat, a terminally ill woman is found dead - an apparent suicide. But the marks of an assisted death are discovered and this seemingly random death soon proves to be the beginning of an ominous pattern. For Skinner, the desperate race to find a heartless terrorist mixes uneasily with the search for a mercy killer- a search which takes on a poignant personal significance...

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Book SynopsisCan Skinner surmount the greatest challenge of his life... and if he does, will he ever be the same? A thrilling novel in the hugely popular Scottish crime series.When a body is found after a flood, the secrets of a tempestuous life surface with it. Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner has kept the existence of his hated brother Michael hidden for years. As he relives their past conflict, other demons threaten his future. For not only are his professional enemies circling, but Sarah, his wife, seems set on a course for calamity. Meanwhile, in an Edinburgh art gallery, his team confront a shocking and very public case of arson. Was it a political protest, or something much deeper?

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Book SynopsisCan you fight evil with evil...? DCC Bob Skinner faces his toughest investigation...Evil stalks the city of Edinburgh. This time the threat is bigger than the crooks, scam-artists or drug dealers who find their prey in the shadows of the streets. Some people are looking for a big-time hit. The body of a respectable businessman is found hanging from a tree; a veteran from a Belgian marching band is killed in a hit-and-run incident and another dies of an apparent heart attack. Excitement on the streets of Edinburgh is feverish as the city prepares for a huge rally to celebrate the return of Pope John the 25th to his hometown. The security has to be bulletproof. But there is a chink in the armour. Does Deputy Chief ConstableBob Skinner have the inner strength to find the answer to the biggest question of all?

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Book SynopsisA wheelchair-using woman is strangled and her son, Eddy, is arrested. When his alibi falls apart, the police are satisfied that he is guilty. Only Geraldine doubts whether Eddy is cunning enough to kill his mother and cover his tracks so successfully....Trade Review'Short review quote in here -- Joyful Antidotes'

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