Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisFrom Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick - the UK's answer to Harlan Coben - The Bone Field is a blood pressure raising thriller: fast-paced, full of thrills, spills and unrelenting action. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James, this is high energy, action-packed reading that'll keep your heart-rate high and your attention glued to the pages ...'Hang on tight!' - HARLAN COBEN'Breathless' - Sunday Times'An addictive thriller full of gritty details and fast frenetic action.' - Sunday Mirror'Oh My Days....What. A. Story' -- ***** Reader review'Hit the ground running, action from word one to the very end' -- ***** Reader review'Wow - what a fab, action-packed thriller' -- ***** Reader review'Storytelling at its best' -- ***** Reader review'Gripping story line where you say to yourself just one more page and I'll go to sleep and before you realise it a couple of hours have passed' -- ***** Reader review*************************************************************************SOME CRIMES CAN TAKE A LIFETIME TO AVENGE...1990A young woman goes missing while backpacking in Thailand. She is never seen again.2016Her bones are discovered 6000 miles away in an English field and, within hours, the boyfriend who reported her disappearance all those years ago is dead.So begins a hunt to solve her murder that will take DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd into a dark and terrifying world of corruption and deadly secrets, where murder is commonplace, and nothing and nobody is safe...Trade ReviewA NEW TWIST TO A DECADES OLD MYSTERY1990A young woman goes missing while backpacking in Thailand.She is never seen again.2016Her bones are discovered 6000 miles away in an English field and, within hours, the boyfriend who reported her disappearance all those years ago is dead.So begins a hunt to solve her murder that will take DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd into a dark and terrifying world of corruption and deadly secrets, where murder is commonplace, and nothing and nobody is safe… * from the publisher's description *Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenA potent cocktail of thrills * Guardian *Keeps the action breakneck * Time Out *Doesn't let up till the very last * Daily Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'When she's writing about her beloved Venice, Donna Leon can do no wrong. And Earthly Remains, her new mystery featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is one of her best. It's also one of her saddest, dealing as it does with the seemingly unstoppable polluting of the great lagoon . . . Leon dares to try, once again earning the gratitude of her devoted readers.' New York TimesA New York Times BestsellerA New York Times Top Ten Crime Novel of 2017A New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceAn Amazon Best Book of the Month (Mystery)__________________________________Granted leave from the Questura, Commissario Guido Brunetti decides to finally take a well-earned break and visit Sant'Erasmo, one of the largest islands in the Venetian laguna. The recuperative stay goes according to plan until Davide Casati, the mysterious caretaker of the villa Brunetti has been staying in, goes missing following a sudden storm. Nobody can find him - not his daughter, not his friends, and not the woman he's been secretly visiting . . . Convinced that this was no accident, Brunetti feels compelled to set aside his holiday and discover what happened to the man who had recently become his friend.Trade ReviewWhen she's writing about her beloved Venice, Donna Leon can do no wrong. And Earthly Remains, her new mystery featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is one of her best. It's also one of her saddest, dealing as it does with the seemingly unstoppable polluting of the great lagoon . . . Leon dares to try, once again earning the gratitude of her devoted readers. * New York Times *Donna Leon’s recreation of Venice and her depiction of the series’ core characters … is, as always in this long-running series, a triumph. * Literary Review *Leon has done for Venice what Morse did for Oxford, or Aurelio Zen for Rome … Leon is a wonderful writer, the sentences as beautifully crafted as the puparin Casati’s father had long ago built. * The Arts Desk *The latest - and 26th - instalment in the best-selling Commissario Brunetti series will not need any recommendation for those familiar with Leon’s accomplished detective series. * RTÉ Guide *I sometimes find it difficult to review Donna Leon's books with any original comment as they are consistently good. However, this is an excellent example and as with all her other books I have read, comes highly recommended. * Crimesquad *

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Book SynopsisA gripping, twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of The Ice Beneath Her, perfect for fans of Will Dean's Dark Pines.A case as cold as the season. A profiler who can't remember. A killer ready to strike again. Psychological profiler Hanne Lagerlind-Schön and her partner, investigator Peter Lindgren are invited to the small, sleepy industrial town of Ormberg to investigate a cold case: ten years earlier a five-year-old girl's remains were found in a cairn near the town. But when a recurring memory problem resurfaces, Hanne struggles to keep track of the case. She begins keeping a diary, noting down everything she is likely to forget to keep up appearances so she doesn't lose her job. When the body of a woman is found at the cairn and one of Hanne's shoes is found nearby covered in the victim's blood, can Hanne's diary hold the key to what happened? How does this new murder connect to their old one? How can you put together what happened when the pieces keep fading away?Trade ReviewA dark and gritty thriller, as a true Nordic Noir should be * Lilja Sigurðardóttir *One of the most adroit of current practitioners of the Nordic Noir genre . . . After She's Gone is more proof that there is plenty of life in the Scandicrime genre * Barry Forshaw, Riveting Reviews *After She's Gone was deservedly recognised as the Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year. Camilla Grebe has succeeded in writing a gripping, atmospheric tale that tackles a number of burning contemporary issues in a compelling way. Highly recommended * Adam Hamdy *Unsettling, menacing and compulsively written * Heat on The Ice Beneath Her *Captivating . . . deftly ensure[s] reader's certainties stay on the very thin ice * Sunday Mirror on The Ice Beneath Her *Scandi-noir at it powerful bleakest * Daily Mail on The Ice Beneath Her *I read it in one sitting. The twists are superb . . . * Cecilia Ekbäck on The Ice Beneath Her *

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Book SynopsisSOME KILLERS CAN'T BE TAMED . . .The brand new Detective Jack Warr thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante - now available in hardback, eBook and audiobook.__________________'Do you know what a Judas Horse is? When the wild mustangs are running free, you corral one and train it. When he's ready, you release him and he'll bring his team back into the corral - like Judas betraying them...'Violent burglars have been terrorising residents across the English countryside. But when a mutilated body is discovered in a Cotswolds house, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary group of opportunist thieves.As Detective Jack Warr investigates, he discovers locals with dark secrets, unearths hidden crimes - and hits countless dead ends. With few leads and the violent attacks escalating, he will have to act as audaciously as the criminals if he hopes to stop them.When Warr meets Charlotte Miles, a terrified woman with links to the group, he must use her to lure the unsuspecting killers into one last job, and into his trap. But with the law already stretched to breaking point, any failure will be on Warr's head - and any more blood spilled, on his hands...__________________PRAISE FOR LYNDA LA PLANTE:'DC Jack Warr is clearly destined for higher things, and I look forward to following his progress' - PETER ROBINSON, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the DCI Banks series 'A compelling, clever plot with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. Utterly riveting' - RACHEL ABBOTT, million-selling author of ONLY THE INNOCENT'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' KARIN SLAUGHTERTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR LYNDA LA PLANTE:'DC Jack Warr is clearly destined for higher things, and I look forward to following his progress' - PETER ROBINSON, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the DCI Banks series'A compelling, clever plot with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. Utterly riveting' - RACHEL ABBOTT, million-selling author of ONLY THE INNOCENT'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' KARIN SLAUGHTER

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Book SynopsisIT'S NOT JUST MURDER THAT IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT . . .The blinding new Detective Jane Tennison thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante.__________________Things can't get much worse for detective Jane Tennison. Unceremoniously kicked off the adrenaline-fuelled Flying Squad, she's been relegated to Gerald Road, a small and sleepy police station in the heart of London's affluent Knightsbridge. With only petty crime to sink her teeth into, Tennison can feel her career slowly flatlining. That is until the discovery of the most brutal murder Jane has ever seen: Charlie Foxley has been found viciously beaten to death, his body dismembered and disembowelled. As a big-time showbiz agent, Foxley had a lot of powerful friends - but even more enemies. And alongside her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs, Tennison must journey into the salacious world of show business to find the killer, before they strike again . . .In Lynda La Plante's most gripping thriller yet, Tennison discovers that the brightest lights hide the darkest secrets - and the killer doesn't always hide in the shadows . . .__________________PRAISE FOR LYNDA LA PLANTE:'A compelling, clever plot with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. Utterly riveting' - RACHEL ABBOTT, million-selling author of ONLY THE INNOCENT'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' KARIN SLAUGHTER'Nail-biting' DAILY MAIL

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Penguin.The gripping new Jack Reacher thriller from the No.1 bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child.Gerrardsville, Colorado. One tragic event. Two witnesses. Two conflicting accounts. One witness sees a woman throw herself in front of a bus - clearly suicide. The other witness is Jack Reacher. And he sees what really happened - a man in grey hoodie and jeans, swift and silent as a shadow, pushed the victim to her death, before grabbing her bag and sauntering away.Reacher follows the killer on foot, not knowing that this was no random act of violence. It is part of something much bigger...a sinister, secret conspiracy, with powerful people on the take, enmeshed in an elaborate plot that leaves no room for error. If any step is compromised, the threat will have to be quickly and permanently removed.But when the threat is Reacher, there is No Plan B...© Lee Child & Andrew Child 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022Trade ReviewLee and Andrew Child nail it again with NO PLAN B * Richard Osman *No Plan B is not to be missed. A perfectly plotted, fast paced thriller, with bigger twists than ever before.It's no wonder Jack Reacher is everyone's favourite rebel hero * Karin Slaughter *The world's favourite hero packs an even harder punch than ever. * Peter James *Contains more chases than James Bond could manage, a plot to keep the reader guessing, and enough bad guys to test Reacher's strength and guile. . .Destined to be another bestseller. * i *

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Book Synopsis'Lorraine Mace has done it again. Crime fiction at its absolute finest' MARION TODD'What an opening! Lorraine certainly knows how to write a gripping thriller. A chilling read' KAREN KINGIF HE WANTS YOU . . . THERE'S NO ESCAPE.A brutal murder . . .Responding to a tip-off, newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Paolo Sterling arrives at an apartment block to find the dismembered body of a young woman. And with no indication of a break-in, all signs suggest the killer was known to her.An abduction in plain sight . . . Then the victim's friend is snatched with no witnesses and the unanswered questions mount up.At the same time, Sterling's team are leading the surveillance of a local club, thought to be involved in a drug operation. But when one of his colleagues ends up in hospital close to death, Paolo begins to lose his grip.A detective on the edge . . .With the odds stacked against him, and time running out, can DCI Sterling uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will this case finally tip him over the edge?Lorraine Mace returns with the fifth instalment in her dark, gritty and unflinching DI Sterling series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, M. J. Arlidge and Karin Slaughter.LOVE FOR LORRAINE MACE'S WRITING:'I. Am. Not. Okay. That ending - mind blown!!!! Rage and Retribution deserves ALL the stars! It is AMAZING!' 5* Reader Review'Wow, just wow is all I can say. The whole series is just too good to miss.' 5* Reader Review'I am an absolutely massive fan of this series . . . the books are just getting better and better' 5* Reader Review'I am blown away by this story and LOVE everything about it. I cannot wait for the next instalment.' 5* Reader Review'OMG! That opening scene' 5* Reader Review'I could not put my kindle down while reading this!' 5* Reader ReviewTrade ReviewHer assured and fluid writing style truly brings characters and scenes to life on the page -- Rachel AbbottGritty, topical, sometimes lacerating, but always enthralling. A truly compulsive read -- Abbie FrostD.I. Paolo Sterling is instantly engaging - Children in Chains is a dark, gripping and unflinching read -- Louise Phillips, winner of the Best Irish Crime Novel of the YearGripping, fast-paced -- Sheila Bugler, Hunting ShadowsDelve into the dark side. Well-constructed with unflinching plots. Satisfying enough for the most discerning crime reader. -- Ruth DugdallFast-paced and compulsive reading with tension ratcheted to the max. D.I. Paolo Sterling's humanity is tested by gut-wrenching crimes and damaged killers. -- Chris CurranA visceral, no-punches-pulled, gut-wrenching thriller... Crime Noir at its darkest -- Caroline DunfordFrom page one the reader is parachuted into the epicentre of calculated, sinister murder. The pace is unrelenting as Mace presses on, hot on the heels of the enigmatic Pretender -- Anna Legat, author of Sandman

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Book SynopsisThis novel was previously published as Too Close to Breathe.Perfect for fans of Tana French, Jane Casey and Gillian Flynn'Truly first class. Just knock-out' C. J Tudor, author of The Chalk Man'Fantastic . . . Compelling, chilling and brilliant' Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend'Mesmerizing . . . murder, betrayal, and secret lives . . . Everything you need in a great thriller' Lisa Gardner, author When You See MeRespected scientist Dr Eleanor Costello is found hanged in her immaculate home: the scene the very picture of a suicide.DCS Frankie Sheehan is handed the case, and almost immediately spots foul play.As Frankie strives to paint a picture of the killer, and their victim, she starts to sense they are part of a larger, darkercanvas, on which the lines between the two blur.Olivia Kiernan's debut is a bold, brilliant thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless.Trade ReviewA truly first class crime novel. Intricate, suspenseful, twisted. Plus, a fantastic female protagonist in Frankie Sheehan who can stand proud with some of the great fictional detectives. Just knock-out. -- C. J Tudor, author of The Chalk ManBrilliant . . . Clever and compelling, I could hardly breathe myself as I raced to the end. -- Laura Marshall, author of Friend RequestFantastic . . . Compelling, chilling and brilliant. -- Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect GirlfriendMesmerizing. Olivia Kiernan carefully unspools a complex riddle of murder, betrayal, and secret lives, layering on the menace even as she builds her tough-as-nails chief detective for the climatic finale. Clever plot. Brilliant characters. Everything you need in a great thriller. -- Lisa GardnerSheehan is precisely the kind of gruff, no-nonsense cynic you'd want investigating your own murder . . . Too Close to Breathe reads like a hard-boiled take on Tana French and immediately establishes Olivia Kiernan as a talent to watch. * Irish Times *Edgy debut with strong writing that builds the sense of fatal transgression. * Sunday Times *Smart, grisly and extremely slick - this Dublin set debut delivers a treat. * Daily Mirror *Too Close To Breathe is a fearless, fast-paced debut which drops you into the world of Dublin detective Frankie Sheehan - who is a perfect mix of frailty, ferocity and guts. Add to this flashes of deft, dark humour and a compelling city setting and you have a must for fans of Irish crime fiction. Olivia Kiernan is a writer you'll read with your breath held. -- Jess KiddA really slick, dynamic-paced police procedural, very much in the vein of Tana French. A proper page-turner, lovely, accomplished writing. -- Jo SpainGritty, cynical and haunting, this is crime writing of the highest order and the product of a darkly fascinating mind. First class. -- David MarkSassy and thoroughly unconventional . . . A terrific debut with an engagingly potty-mouthed, tough-as-nails female lead. * Irish Independent *Disorderly, dangerous and above all, driven, Frankie Sheehan is the kind of true-to-life protagonist I love. -- William ShawToo Close To Breathe is the kind of police procedural we haven't seen for a long time; a female cop with a traumatic past racing about the mean streets of Dublin, a hanged victim with a strange clue and a dark secret . . . Olivia Kiernan has brought the serial killer thriller back with a vengeance. -- Christopher FowlerOlivia Kiernan is a fabulous new voice on the crime-writing scene. Absorbing, touching and scary, this is a treat of a read. -- Lesley ThomsonLoved this, clever, assured and a true page turner. Can't wait for next one! -- Amanda Reynolds, author of Lying To You

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Book SynopsisA TOP TEN SCOTTISH BESTSELLERON DARK NIGHTS, SOMEONE NEEDS TO LIGHT A FEW FIRES . . . Bodies are piling up with messages carved into their chests. Rival gangs are competing for control. New drugs have arrived in Glasgow, and they've brought a different kind of violence to the broken city. The law of the street is changing and demons from Detective McCoy's past are coming back to haunt him.Can McCoy keep his head up for long enough to deliver justice?Trade ReviewThe no-holds-barred action and dialogue smack you in the face like a Glasgow kiss. Cracking * * The Sun * *Pitch-black tartan noir, set in Seventies Glasgow . . . Compelling . . . With an emotional heart that's hard to ignore * * Daily Mail * *A riveting journey through the grim and gritty dark side of 1970s Glasgow . . . A powerful slab of tartan noir * * Herald * *[An] engaging tartan noir page turner * * Scotsman * *A riveting book, begging to be read in as few sittings as possible . . . The macabre and morally ambivalent February's Son is not one that will be quickly or easily forgotten * * The National * *A winning formula . . . All the elements of the classic crime page turner are here * * Yorkshire Post * *A terrifically muscular slice of tartan noir that cements Parks's place amongst the pantheon of great contemporary Scottish crime novelists -- WaterstonesPRAISE FOR BLOODY JANUARY: An old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKINA potent tale of death . . . Alan Parks's excellent first novel propels him into the top class of Scottish noir authors . . . Detective Harry McCoy . . . is so noir that he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey * * The Times, Book of the Month * *1970s Glasgow hewn from flesh and drawn in blood -- PETER MAY

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Book Synopsis'Smart characters, shocking twists' Lisa Gardner'I couldn't turn the pages quick enough' Heidi Perks'Terrific, high-octane, really pacy' Jo Spain'A compelling read with great set pieces and, most of all, that charismatic cast of characters' Sun______________The Sunday Times bestsellerTHREE CITIES. THREE BULLETS. THREE VICTIMS.Simultaneous murders hit LA, Chicago and San Francisco. SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer is tasked with uncovering what links these precise and calculated killings.Lindsay discovers that the victims all excel in lucrative, criminal activity. As the casualty list expands, fear and fascination with this shocking spree provoke debate across the country.Are the killers villains or heroes? And who will be next?______________More praise for the Women's Murder Club'Fast-moving, intricately plotted . . . Boxer steals the show as the tough cop with a good heart' Mirror'I have never begun a Patterson book and been able to put it down' Larry King'Patterson and Paetro at their best.... A series that shows no signs of fatigue or flagging' BookReporter.comTrade ReviewIf you haven't given the Women's Murder Club series a go, it's an excellent introduction to James Patterson. * March's Best Books feature in Yahoo! UK *My favourite author of all time is James Patterson. -- Duncan Bannatyne * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisMurder mystery starring Bruno, France's favourite policeman, plus food and wine, great characters and sunshine and everything that's wonderful about the Dordogne.'RICH ON LOCAL COLOUR' THE TIMESFor thirty years, Bruno's boss, Chief of Detectives Jalipeau, known as J-J, has been obsessed with his first case. It was never solved and Bruno knows that this failure continues to haunt J-J. A young male body was found in the woods near St Denis and never identified. For all these years, J-J has kept the skull as a reminder. He calls him 'Oscar'. Visiting the famous pre-history museum in nearby Les Eyzies, Bruno sees some amazingly life-like heads expertly reconstructed from ancient skulls. He suggests performing a similar reconstruction on Oscar as a first step towards at last identifying him. An expert is hired to start the reconstruction and the search for Oscar's killer begins again in earnest.'DOLLOPS OF THE GOOD LIFE IN RURAL FRANCE SPICED UP WITH INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE' IRISH INDEPENDENT'UNRIVALED AT INTERWEAVING THE PROFESSIONAL AND PRIVATE PURSUITS OF A THOROUGH LIKABLE COP' DAILY MAILTrade ReviewIt's a delight to dip into his sun soaked world -- ObserverWalker weaves an exciting story against a backdrop of bucolic bliss * Daily Mail *It's Midsomer Murders meets MasterChef flavoured with espionage, dog breeding and veganism * Sun *Walker's strength lies in his ability to bring out the character and charm of the region and interlace this with a strong plot that carries an equal sense of time and place * Crime Review *New readers to the series can comfortably start here - Walker has the rare ability in a series writer of orienting old and new readers alike. A feast * Booklist * starred review *

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Book Synopsis'A fabulous closed-room mystery that will keep you guessing' - DENISE MINA 'Fabulous Dublin-based crime. Very much in the vein of Tana French' - JO SPAIN 'This creeps up on you until you're hooked' - HEAT THEY DID IT TO THEMSELVES BUT SOMEONE WAS WATCHING The Macnamara sisters hadn't been seen for months before anyone noticed. It was Father Timoney who finally broke down the door, who saw what had become of them. Berenice was sitting in her armchair, surrounded by religious tracts. Rosaleen had crawled under her own bed, her face frozen in terror. Both had starved themselves to death. Francesca Macnamara returns to Dublin after decades in the US to find her family in ruins. Meanwhile, Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine are convinced that there is more to the deaths than suicide. Because what little evidence there is, shows that someone was watching the sisters die... A compelling mystery that will keep you reading late into the night, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Tana French and Jo Spain. ________________________________________ *** SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB STAR PICK *** *** AN IRISH TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR *** 'A terrific new gem of Irish noir, written with a light touch' - SUNDAY TIMES 'Sombre, psychological nuanced and compassionate... gripping' - IRISH TIMES 'Intriguing, compelling and highly entertaining. Formidably impressive' - LIZ NUGENT 'Thrilling... will keep you guessing until the very end' - MY WEEKLY 'Infused with depth, darkness and acute psychological drama' - HERALDTrade Review'Fabulous Dublin-based crime. Dark, atmospheric, well-written. Very much in the vein of Tana French' -- Jo Spain, bestselling author of The Confession'An intriguing, compelling and highly entertaining story. Formidably impressive writing!' -- Liz Nugent, award-winning author of Unravelling Oliver'A fabulous closed room mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. This is a gorgeously poetic deep-dive into the pieties and myth-making of Dublin in the early eighties' -- Denise Mina, acclaimed author of Conviction'A terrific new gem of Irish noir, written with a light touch but a firm command of character, mannerisms and speech' * Sunday Times *'Sombre, psychologically nuanced and compassionate... as gripping as it is disturbing' * Irish Times *'Thrilling... will keep you guessing until the very end' * My Weekly *'This creeps up on you until you're hooked' * Heat *'An intriguing and haunting story that will appeal to lovers of the Irish police procedural' * NB Magazine *'Infused with depth, darkness and acute psychological drama. Her polished prose comes studded with original imagery and her dialogue crackles. We are propelled towards an explosive denouement which, artfully, doubles as a kind of moral reckoning' * Herald *'Set in 1980s Dublin, staunch and stoic Catholic tones measure the pace and impregnate the complexity of A Famished Heart' * Business Day *

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Book SynopsisWry humour and small-town crime, in the acclaimed Lucian Wing series. Lucian Wing is the sheriff of a backwoods county in Vermont, a hardscrabble place far from the picture-postcard gaze. He is also a man with a problem. Multiple problems, in fact, including a threatening superior; a wandering wife; a hard-drinking father-in-law; a demented mother; a squad of deputies variously overzealous and moronic; a mysterious vigilante band operating in his jurisdiction; and a formidably bloodthirsty local carnivore... Wing needs to draw on all his patience, knowledge, and (especially) humor to resolve things. Not least, to honour what one ambiguous ally refers to as Old Number Five.Trade ReviewPraise for Castle Freeman's novels: ‘A small miracle – sharp, sly, moving and full of heart' Nick Cave‘Part comic romp and part nail-biting thriller ... Castle Freeman writes with both wit and a deep understanding of the human psyche, and he does not cheat us out of a dramatic climax’ Guardian‘Shares many small-town, big-crime themes with Cormac McCarthy... it is impossible not to appreciate this’ The Times 'Wonderful... every paragraph a gem. Freeman – like Cormac McCarthy, like Annie Proulx – shows us the awkward realness of lives, and does it with humour, with wry perception, with great style' R. J. Ellory ‘Extremely funny... streamlined storytelling, dead-on dialogue and lyrical descriptions of the bleak, woodsy landscape. This is a meticulous New England miniature, with not a word wasted’ Oprah Magazine‘A fast, memorable read gooey with atmosphere … a gem that sparkles with sly insight and cuts like a knife’ Boston Globe‘Freeman has a flawless ear for dialogue and a sharp eye for quirky detail … Superb’ People Magazine‘A brilliant book – laconic, spare, stylish and exciting’ Al Alvarez‘A small masterpiece of black comedy and suspense … If all novels were this good, Americans would read more’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisKeep your friends close and your enemies closer…Early one morning DI Clare Mackay receives a message from her boss DCI Alastair Gibson telling her to meet him in secret. She does as he asks and is taken from St Andrews to a secure location in the remote Scottish hills. There, she is introduced to ethical hacker Gayle Crichton and told about a critical security breach coming from inside Police Scotland. Clare is sworn to secrecy and must conceal Gayle’s identity from colleagues until the source is found.Clare already has her hands full keeping a key witness under protection and investigating the murder of a university student. When a friend of the victim is found preparing to jump off the Tay Road Bridge it is clear he is terrified of someone. But who? Clare realises too late that she has trusted the wrong person. As her misplaced faith proves a danger to herself and others, Clare must fight tooth and nail to protect those she cares about and see justice done.A page-turning crime thriller perfect for fans of Alex Gray, D. K. Hood and Rachel Amphlett.What readers are saying about Lies to Tell ‘One of Scotland's top up-and-coming crime writers’ The Scottish Sun'DI Clare Mackay is a brilliant character. I’m looking forward to more from Marion Todd’ Graeme Hampton, author of The Darkness Within ‘A gripping addition to the crime genre’ Scottish Field‘With Lies To Tell, Marion Todd is, or should be, firmly in the company of premier league crime fiction writers. Long may the series continue.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Marion Todd has delivered an excellent third novel in her DI Clare MacKay series… the ending resolutions are completely satisfying and leave the reader frustrated only with how long they have to wait for the next book in the series… A top-notch book’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘With so many twists and turns the story romps along at a breathless pace, who can she trust? A brilliant thriller, and an ending I didn’t see coming.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘With its polished pacing and plotting, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable, original and difficult to put down novel from Marion Todd. She is a gifted storyteller who can provide readers with thrills, sophistication and a story packed with substance. A very highly recommended five star read’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Over the last three books, Marion has nurtured Clare into someone of real substance and she has become one of my all time favourite female lead characters.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Could not put this book down at all… this one has to be Marion Todd’s best book to date, a police procedural with non stop action, twists and so many suspects that I was reeling with what was going to happen next’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘A book that you just can’t fault … a real not to be missed read’ Reader review⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Book SynopsisHow do you catch a killer when no one is willing to talk?When a homeless man is found murdered in picturesque Lincoln the police are met by a wall of silence from those who may hold the key to solving the crime. DS Catherine Bishop is drafted to infiltrate the homeless shelter where the victim occasionally spent the night but everyone seems to have something to hide.Still dealing with the emotional fallout from a previous case, Catherine struggles to adjust to the undercover job and working with a new team. When someone close to her is injured in an attack, Catherine comes perilously close to risking her case, and her life. Is this a murder after all, or a cover for something else – with Catherine in the firing line?An unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of L. J. Ross, David Hodges and J. M. Dalgliesh.

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Book SynopsisDCI Craig Gillard will be pushed to his limits… But will he break?It seems like a routine disappearance, a case of musician’s stage fright. As a senior detective, Craig Gillard isn’t sure why he’s even involved. Until it turns out the woman’s father is the German Minister of Justice, and the British Home Secretary is on the case too.But nothing about the case is simple. How does a woman on a train simply vanish? What do you do when a trail runs cold and the pressure is on?Before long the perpetrator has another target: DCI Gillard himself. What if the detective isn’t just running the case, but is part of it? The victim merely a lure for a bigger fish.The answer is under the bridge. The chilling setting for the biggest challenge of his life.The latest DCI Gillard Crime Thriller is a knockout: fast and completely gripping, perfect for fans of Stuart Macbride, Mark Billingham and Robert Bryndza.Readers are hooked on The Body Under the Bridge ‘I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough, firstly to find out who’d committed the crimes and then if they’d be brought to justice. It’s a cracker of a book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I say this every time but this hands down is my favourite book in the series so far. I was glued from the beginning and kept finding ways to squeeze in one more chapter until I’d reached the end.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This is book #5 in the DCI Craig Gillard series and, dare I say this - it is THE best yet! Wow! the content of this plot is absolutely mind-boggling; so intricately woven through the fast-paced investigation, the reader is right there alongside Craig and his team as they navigate all the twists and turns of this cleverly constructed story. Excellent writing, dialogue and characterisation. You just don’t know what’s going to happen next: there really are some extremely harrowing and heart-stopping moments.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The Body Under the Bridge sets a pace few can match. I devoured it.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Another book in the Craig Gillard series that gets better as the series evolves. There are many surprises and twists in this book making it difficult to put down. A really enjoyable read.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisMary Cranson had done the walk many times before, but now had simply vanished from Dartmoor near the prominent landmark called Haytor. Her boyfriend raises the alarm when she doesn’t meet him as arranged in the local pub. For the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Richard King, the intriguing aspect is that many of her friends knew she would be on the moor as she had told them of her intentions the previous evening. King and his small team of detectives begin the arduous task of interviewing the people who would have known her whereabouts that fateful afternoon. Could she have been consumed by one of the notorious bogs on the moor or is the reason for her disappearance something more sinister? The detectives are also dealing with thefts of vehicles and machinery, mainly from farms across Dartmoor. These have continued undetected for over six months and questions are being asked in the local media about the lack of progress in catching the thieves. The profile of these cases increases significantly when a theft goes disastrously wrong. King is also made aware of a barn fire close to Haytor, but is this connected to the other cases? Pressure is mounting on the wily detective from the chief constable who wants progress on both the thefts and the missing woman.

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Book SynopsisThis is the end of the line for Alaska State Trooper Liam Campbell. Newenham is the last police outpost in the United States before you hit Siberia, and it's Campbell's last shot at getting his life back on track. It's an ice-bound fishing town with a six-bed jail, a busted ATM and a saloon that does double-duty as a courtroom. It's a wide-enough patch to warrant a state police presence, though, and Trooper Liam Campbell is it. He's been sent there in disgrace, busted down from sergeant to trooper in the aftermath of a mistake that cost a family of five their lives. Campbell never expected his new job to be simple, but finding his ex-lover crouched over a headless body on the tarmac is a hell of a way to get off the plane...Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR DANA STABENOW: 'A darkly compelling view of life in the Alaskan bush, well laced with lots of gallows humor. Believable and always suspenseful. Who could ask for more?' Sharon Penman. 'One of the strongest voices in crime fiction' Seattle Times. 'Stabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. Outstanding' Washington Post. 'Crime fiction doesn't get much better than this' Booklist. 'For rich, idiosyncratic settings and engaging characters let me recommend Dana Stabenow' -- Diana Gabaldon

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Book SynopsisA large country mansion. A locked room. A gruesome murder.Russian oligarch Alexander Volkov has invited 1000 guests to a party at his palatial Surrey residence, Westgrave Hall. But while giving a private tour of the library, a gunman kills Volkov, wounding his ex-wife and slaying her new beau.Nothing makes sense to DCI Craig Gillard. In the blood-spattered crime scene there are no forensic traces of anyone else involved, CCTV shows no one entered or left the library, and everyone seems to have an alibi.Is it a crime of revenge, the squaring of a love triangle, or a Russian government operation? Could the victims have simply shot each other? Gillard’s eventual discovery is shocking even to him.The latest gripping crime thriller from a master of the genre, The Bodies at Westgrave Hall will leave you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of Ed James and Damien Boyd.

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Book SynopsisFive friends meet. Only four come home. On Christmas morning, DS Robin Butler has no plans to celebrate. He’ll be glad to get back to work – a wish that comes true sooner than he anticipates. A dog walker at a local beach has discovered five unresponsive people strewn across the shingle. By the time Robin arrives, one is pronounced dead, and the other four are being treated in hospital. DC Freya West is less than pleased when the romantic day with her boyfriend is scuppered, but duty calls. As she and Butler speak to those involved, it’s clear something is being left unsaid. They claim they are friends, and that they don’t know how one of the group was killed. But why are they so cagey? A cold case investigation unlocks some answers about the history between the beach-going gang, yet they’re tight-lipped about what prompted them to meet on Christmas Eve. Butler and West are getting nowhere, and their partnership is about to face another test. When Freya wants to come clean about events in her past, it’s not just her neck on the line, but Robin’s too. Can their relationship survive if their pact of silence is broken? The thrilling new instalment from policing’s most dauntless duo. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner. Praise for Blink of an Eye 'A thrilling and unusual mystery, spiced with sadness, masterfully unspooling past secrets into present danger. Butler and West would make high quality Sunday night network television.' Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street'Butler and West are fast becoming my favourite detective partnership... Addictive reading!' Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief'The untangling of the long-held web of lies from The Five was expertly done... the story telling seems so effortlessly easy, and before you know it, you're chapters in and can't stop.' Fliss Chester, author of A Dangerous Goodbye'Blink of an Eye is a blindingly brilliant return to the Butler and West series, with a tight-knit and claustrophobic friendship group at the core of its mystery. The chemistry between detectives Freya and Robin is the absolute star of the show – the twists and turns of their partnership will leave you desperate for more. Cannot recommend this series enough!' Heather Critchlow'I’ve just raced through Blink of an Eye and couldn’t put it down. A Christmas Day body found on a beach, and a suspicious group of old friends... What’s not to love! Tense, brilliant plotting and the perfect duo.' Rachael Blok, author of The Fall'A punchy and pacy police procedural with heart.' Jo Furniss, author of All The Little Children'One of the best detective series there is. Smooth, thrilling and full of emotion, this series of books are a must-read!' James Delargy, author of Vanished‘Great characters and a compelling mystery. Highly recommend.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Blink of an Eye, the fourth in Butler and West series, is one of the most intriguing British police procedurals published today.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A solid mystery with a tangled web at heart, perfectly crafted characters and a smart narrative. Both compelling and immersive.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘So perfectly paced and boy do the jaw-dropping moments never cease. Superbly done.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book Synopsis'Butler and West are fast becoming my favourite detective partnership... Addictive reading!' Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo ThiefNothing is as it seems, for Butler and West.One spring evening, a mother and her children are brutally attacked in their home. The unprovoked and violent assault leaves DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West in the dark – the luxury items were left untouched and there is no apparent motive.The investigation’s only lead is Andrew Grace, the husband who was not home at the time. He and his business partner have created unique virtual reality software which is valuable and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. Robin and Freya are stonewalled by uncooperative witnesses at every turn but when a woman linked to the work of Andrew and his co-founder is kidnapped, the need for progress becomes critical.Failure to solve the case will result in murder. Meanwhile, Robin and Freya’s unresolved feelings have come to the surface and they must finally face facts. But is it too late? In a case where nothing is as it seems, are Robin and Freya doomed to never find the truth?A tense and thrilling instalment of the Butler & West series that fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner will love.Praise for Louisa Scarr'Scarr delivers an immensely satisfying mystery, both timely and timeless, but her real magic lies in Butler and West themselves... This one will break your heart a little bit.' Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street'Compelling, fraught...I tore through it! Loved it.' Rachel Blok, author of The Fall'Before you know it, you're chapters in and can't stop.' Fliss Chester, author of A Dangerous Goodbye'A punchy and pacy police procedural with heart.' Jo Furniss, author of All The Little Children'One of the best detective series there is. Smooth, thrilling and full of emotion… a must-read!' James Delargy, author of Vanished'The latest Butler & West is a tense mystery packed with all of the ‘will they, won’t they’ chemistry that I so love about this series. A triumph.' Heather Critchlow, author of Unsolved‘Excellent mystery… Reminiscent of Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series... will leave you wanting more.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This is one of the best police procedural books I’ve read of late. The partnership Freya and Robin have is so well done… I’m going to have to read more so I know what happens.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Another absolutely unputdownable case for detectives Robin Butler and Freya West. The plot is incredibly clever and twisty and kept me reading until the early hours. Can‘t wait for the next instalment, highly recommended!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Excellent. It had plenty of twists and turns and kept me guessing. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Wow, another brilliant book by this author. I stayed up well into the night last night to finish it… a great series and I can’t wait for the next instalment.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Enthralling… This murder mystery was a thrill from beginning to end. The characters are strong and are vividly drawn. So cleverly written and the pacing was on point.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Love the Butler and West novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisFULLY REVISED NEW EDITIONTerrible truths lie hidden, deep beneath the surface...France, 1964. At the exclusive Clos du Lac sanitarium, a man is discovered standing in the therapy pool. Someone has chained him to the bottom, and left him there to die a slow, agonising death.Inspector Lucas Rocco believes it's an unusual and elaborate method of execution, but finds that both the inhabitants and staff of the Clos du Lac are unable, or unwilling, to talk.Meanwhile, ministry officials sent from Paris to 'assist' in the investigation attempt to impede Rocco's efforts to find answers. It soon becomes clear the Clos du Lac is no ordinary sanitarium, and holds secrets the authorities feel are better left hidden.A suspenseful, totally gripping historical crime thriller set in rural France, perfect for fans of Jean-Luc Bannalec, Mark Billingham and Martin Walker.

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Book SynopsisKilbane has a new garda, and her first case is a grave matter indeed...After solving two murders in the County Cork village of Kilbane, Siobhán O’Sullivan has accepted her calling and decided to join the Garda Síochána. The O’Sullivan clan couldn’t be prouder, but there’s no time to celebrate as she’s already on another case, summoned by the local priest who just found a dead man in the St. Mary’s graveyard—aboveground.He’s a stranger, but the priest has heard talk of an American tourist in town, searching for his Irish ancestor. As Siobhán begins to dig for a motive among the gnarled roots of the victim’s family tree, she will need to stay two steps ahead of the killer or end up with more than one foot in the grave.A gripping cosy Irish mystery, perfect for fans of Betty Rowlands and Margaret Mayhew.

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Book SynopsisThe luck of the Irish is about to run out for someone in Kilbane...The small village of Kilbane is hosting a poker tournament at the local pub, and card sharp Eamon Foley, a tinker out of Dublin, is set to win the tournament. But when Foley is found at the end of a rope, it’s time for the garda to take matters into their own hands.Macdara Flannery would lay odds it’s a simple suicide, but Siobhán suspects foul play, as does Foley’s pregnant widow. Perhaps one of Foley’s fellow finalists just raised the stakes to life and death. With conflicting theories on the crime, tensions are running high. Soon it’s up to Siobhán to call a killer’s bluff, but if she doesn’t play her cards right, she may be the next one taken out of the game.A gripping Irish cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Clare Chase and Dee Macdonald.

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Book SynopsisThe opening of a new bookstore becomes the closing chapter in an author’s life...Kilbane’s new bookshop is hosting an event featuring up-and-coming Irish writers who will be taking up residency in the town for a month. Among them is indie author Deirdre Walsh, who has been causing a heated debate among the writers. She seems to have a particular distaste for the novels of Nessa Lamb.Then Deirdre’s body is found the next day in the back of the store - with pages torn from Nessa’s books stuffed in her mouth. Now, Siobhán must uncover which of Kilbane’s literary guests took Deirdre’s criticisms so personally, they’d engage in foul play....A charming cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Betty Rowlands.

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Book SynopsisA government conspiracy that goes to the very top...Murder by suicide? Three senior government officials – a judge, a politician, and an ex-police chief – are all dead by their own hands.Inspector Lucas Rocco finds himself once more working for the Interior Ministry: undertaking an investigation meant to avoid a government scandal and ignoring unpalatable truths. He's soon convinced that a common denominator must be at play...Rocco uncovers top-level fraud, theft and deception. And when he narrowly survives an attempt on his life, he realises that he has nothing to lose by bringing the truth out in to the open – whatever the risks.The sixth gripping instalment in the Inspector Rocco crime thrillers, perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, Jean-Luc Bannalec and Mark Billingham.

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Book SynopsisIt’s not only secrets that are buried by the water… A gripping crime thriller from bestseller master Nick LouthOn the tree-lined banks of Surrey’s River Wey, a decaying corpse is dug up by workmen in the middle of an Anglo-Saxon burial site. His modern dental fillings show that this is no Dark Age corpse... DCI Craig Gillard is called in, but the body’s condition makes identification difficult. One man, however, seems to fit the bill: Ozzy Blanchard, a contractor employed by the same water firm doing the digging who disappeared six months ago, his crashed company car found nearby.But then an X-ray of the corpse throws the investigation into turmoil. A shard of metal lodged in his neck turns out to be part of an Anglo-Saxon dagger unknown to archaeologists. Who wielded this mystery weapon and why? Does the answer lie in a murderous feud between two local families?The deeper Gillard digs, the more shocking truths he will uncover.A totally original crime mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Body Amongst the Willows is an absolute thrill-ride, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Ann Cleeves and Mark Billingham.

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Book SynopsisEvil lurks in the city streets.A man is discovered on a leafy North London street, fighting for life after a brutal beating. DI Matthew Denning and his team are quickly called in to track down the monster responsible. Except the victim is hiding secrets of his own. His name shows that he was reported missing two decades ago - but it’s clear that the missing person is not the same man lying broken in a hospital bed.A visit to a squalid East London flat unearths a victim with his throat slit, his body left to decompose. A sad end to any life - but when it is identified as former DCI Frank Buckfield, star of the Met police, the case takes on a new significance.Two seemingly unrelated cases - but as Denning, along with DS Molly Fisher, investigates further, they uncover links between the two victims that lead back to a ring of silence cloaking the blackest of crimes.But as Denning and Fisher try to track down a killer with revenge on their mind, they find themselves pitted against a psychopath who will kill to keep their secrets hidden. Can they uncover the truth, before they end up the latest victims?The latest in the gripping London crime series featuring DI Matthew Denning and DS Molly Fisher, The Darkness Within is a must-read if you like Angela Marsons, L.J. Ross or Joy Ellis.Praise for the Denning and Fisher crime thriller series: ‘This story starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout…fast paced and multi layered, each twist and turn drawing us further in’ Book Bound‘Enough twists to keep you guessing in this solid, engrossing and well plotted police procedural…thoroughly entertaining’ The Bookwormery‘Wow I really enjoyed this book… It is a complex, intriguing, grabbing book that you can sink your teeth into. I was hooked from beginning to end’ Reading Through the Pain‘This is a brilliant read…the story twists and turns to an exciting conclusion and leaves you wanting more’Mac Reviews Books‘5/5 Stars – I did not see that ending coming!...it’s a great thriller with some fun twists that will keep readers on their toes’ ☆☆☆☆☆(e) Book Nerd‘Well-paced, with a few clever twists, I was never quite sure I knew who the killer was. Graeme Hampton’s writing is fabulous.’ Jessica Belmont‘I took to this book very quickly - always a good sign... An excellent plot line with nothing too gory or upsetting which gives a very comfortable read. A truly brilliant, very entertaining read.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Nicki’s Book Blog

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Book Synopsis'BLOODY BRILLIANT. If you like your crime dark and twisty...The Secret Voices is all this and more.' Joanna Cannon, author of A Tidy EndingThey said they’d keep me safe. They said, ‘It’s okay, Hannah. You know you can trust me.’ They lied.When eight-year-old Hannah Perry goes missing in the small Suffolk village of St Just, the community is rocked. Heading up the investigation is Acting DS Rob Minshull, but he’s out of his depth in an investigation full of dead ends. As the kidnapper taunts the police with deliveries of Hannah’s belongings and cryptic notes, her life hangs perilously in danger.Until Dr Cora Lael enters the picture. A psychologist with a unique ability, Cora’s rare gift allows her to sense emotions attached to discarded objects. When she is shown the first of Hannah’s belongings, she hears the child’s piercing scream.With few leads on the case, could Cora prove Hannah’s only hope? And as time runs out, can they find Hannah before an unimaginable tragedy occurs…?A twisty, original and utterly gripping detective thriller. Don’t miss the crime thriller debut from the bestselling women’s fiction author, Miranda Dickinson.Praise for The Secret Voices:‘A superb crime debut from a massive talent. Cora is a character you won’t forget.’ Steve Cavanagh, author of Fifty-Fifty‘Had me gripped from the moment I started reading it! One of the best thrillers of 2022.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A corker of a debut with a brilliantly drawn main character.’ Simon Toyne, author of Solomon Creed‘An unusual premise and an engaging cast of characters. What more could you want from a crime debut? I flew through it.’ Mari Hannah, author of Her Last Request and Without a Trace‘Gripping, full of twists and unpredictability that had me guessing until the end. I couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I was well and truly hooked…The writing was well researched, the storyline gripping, and the characters were spot on!…This was fantastic! Would definitely recommend!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This was excellent… There were many twists and I loved the plot development…I will pick up anything by this author in the future!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wow! What a fantastic story…I read it in a day, just couldn’t put it down.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Suspense, intrigue, great police work and a great storyline! It definitely had my heart pumping!’ Reader Review‘Truly could not put this down… so many twists and turns… Great characters which are also believable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Touchingly compassionate, desperately exciting and achingly well-written…a superlative crime novel’ Rob Parker, author of Far From The Tree‘I love a good police procedural and this one is an impossible-to-put-down one! With a cast of really interesting characters…it moves at a perfect pace.’ Fionnuala Kearney, author of You, Me and Other People and The Book of Love

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Book SynopsisBrooklyn's toughest female detective takes on Dallas in this 'violent, sexy, and completely absorbing' Edgar Award nominee, the first novel in the acclaimed Betty Rhyzyk series (Kirkus Reviews). Dallas, Texas is not for the faint of heart. Good thing for Betty Rhyzyk she's from a family of take-no-prisoners Brooklyn police detectives. But her Big Apple wisdom will only get her so far when she relocates to The Big D, where Mexican drug cartels and cult leaders, deadbeat skells and society wives all battle for sunbaked turf. Betty is as tough as the best of them, but she's deeply shaken when her first investigation goes sideways. Battling a group of unruly subordinates, a persistent stalker, a formidable criminal organisation, and an unsupportive girlfriend, the unbreakable Detective Betty Rhyzyk may be reaching her limit. Combining the colourful pyrotechnics of Breaking Bad with the best of the gritty crime genre, The Dime is Kathleen Kent's brilliant mystery debut and the launch of a sensational new series. Praise for Kathleen Kent: 'Only a fan blowing in the right direction could flip the pages of this lightning-paced tale any faster' Minneapolis Star Tribune 'One of the most breathless, inventive and – be forewarned – violent suspense plots I've read in a long time' NPR 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likable' Wall Street Journal 'Some of the most intense crime fiction I've ever read' LitReactor 'Kent's offbeat humor pulls up reins just before it takes the story over a cliff' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR KATHLEEN KENT: 'One of the most breathless, inventive, and be forewarned, violent suspense plots I've read in a long time' NPR. 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likeable' Wall Street Journal. 'Some of the most intense crime fiction I've ever read' LitReactor. '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. 'Kent is an effective storyteller and an acute social observer, with a sharp eye for Texas-sized absurdities' Los Angeles Review of Books. 'The plot revolves around the Asian sex- and drug-trafficking trade run by the cutest little old lady you ever did see, but the broader appeal is Kent's offbeat humor, which pulls up reins just before it takes the story over a cliff' * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisSo we are up to Volume 4 of Sherlock Holmes: A Study in illustrations and sorry to say we are back in the world of monochrome illustrations, and although some may say that we are now in the minor leagues, we have some fine collections to look at. This is a very eclectic mix of talent and draws heavily on French Illustrators and so within our major artist is Brazilian-born French illustrator Gaston de Forseca and his remaining 128 images to complete his Sherlock Holmes work. Some of his illustrations are not particularly flattering (Lord Robert St. Simon) or where of incidents that are referred to in back stories (Apache attack on Frank Moulton) or of people who are mentions in passing (Francis Prosper) or my favourite little Edward Rucastle.Next we have 100 illustrations from Czech born Josef Freidrich and while his drawings may remind you of similar scenes from Sidney Paget, they are different, as if they were taken from a different camera angle. These are the two big major players in this book as we look at 6 illustrations from a French newspaper by Solar D''alba.We cross to America and 13 book illustrations from Charles Raymond Macauley from the 1905 edition of the Return of Sherlock Holmes. Still in America John Richard Flanagan next takes to the stage with work he did for Collier''s magazine, after Frederic Dorr Steele left. He did 8 illustrations and was originally from Australia.The next 4 illustrators share a common publication, namely the San Francisco Call, they are Stanley E. Armstrong, R. Thomson, Reginald Gordon Russom and Walter W. Francis and this group have 55 images between them.We continue with another American illustrator, Joseph Clement Coll, more famous for his other Doyle stories produced a montage of his work with an illustration of Sherlock Holmes.Back to France with 20 illustrations from Pierre George Dutriac for the 13 stories in the Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes , published in 1921.Back to America and the St. Louis Republic newspaper 1902 and 13 drawings of the Hound of the Baskervilles by B. Widman and then in 1907 Paul Henri Thiriat illustrated a French serialized version of the same story.Across the Channel to England where Henry Matthew Brock and Joseph William Simpson illustrated the red circle in the strand.Finally we have Arthur Ignatius Keller and his 11 illustrations from the New York Tribune in 1914.This makes a total of 398 illustrations for this volume, and that''s it until Volume 5.

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Book SynopsisDeadly truths lie buried beneath the snow.Three people are stranded at a pub on a winter's night – a couple, the Fairweathers, and a woman, Alison Evans. Hours later, in the middle of the night, the pub alarm begins to sound and Alison Evans is missing. Within moments, her body is discovered outside.The following day a young boy disappears while sledding with his grandfather.The two cases couldn't be more different, but as the two investigations unfold and the window for finding Lucas Pritchard narrows, the job becomes personal for one of DI Annie Delamere's team. With links between the cases that seem to make no sense, can they find their answers before time runs out?A tense and gripping crime thriller set in the Peak District, perfect for fans of Stephen Booth and Roz Watkins.Praise for Old Evils ‘Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. Full of plot twists and surprises.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘An excellent read. The characterisation is believable, it’s well written with plenty of tension and a few twists rattling along at a fast pace. I highly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Lots of action and twists and turns. It’s a difficult book to put down, highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

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Book SynopsisFifteen years ago, he confessed to the murder of his wife and children.As a teenager, Hayley DaSilva walked into a nightmare; discovering the bodies of her mother, twin brother, and friend all brutally slaughtered in her home… and her nine-year-old brother missing. Her father, Leonard DaSilva, confessed to the murders, but Ethan was never seen again.He lied. But why?Now, Hayley has fled her dreadful past in Thamespark - until the call from Detective Sebastian Locke. Little bones uncovered in a shallow grave belong to Ethan… and the investigation reveals holes in the case that prove Leonard’s confession was false. He didn’t kill his family. So why did he say he did?As DI Locke and the squad realise that a killer has been hiding in plain sight in the sleepy commuter town of Thamespark, the previously cold case becomes an urgent investigation. But as the squad gets closer to the truth of who really murdered the DaSilvas, it becomes clear that the culprit won’t hesitate to spill blood to keep their shocking secrets hidden…An absolutely unputdownable police procedural with a shocking twist, introducing Detective Sebastian Locke. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Cara Hunter and Sharon Bolton will love this.Readers are loving The Quiet Dead:'A fabulous introduction to DI Sebastian Locke...a new hero (and fictional crush!) is born. A cast of liars and cheats makes for a thrilling and tantalising tale. My heart broke with Ethan’s story and those little bones.' Sam Holland'A brilliantly twisty cold case novel which gradually unfurls to reveal the chilling truth.' Marion Todd‘A perfect blend of mystery and psychological thriller…Dramatically and emotionally stirring, the unearthing of buried trauma is so deftly handled whilst also providing edge-of-your-seat thrills.’ Dominic Nolan‘So well plotted that you’ll find yourself staying up reading half the night.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I absolutely loved The Quiet Dead from start to finish, I thought the story was brilliant...totally unputdownable.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Really brilliant read. Got straight into it from the first page - really kept you guessing right till the end.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Brilliant book. Didn’t want to read it all in one go as I was enjoying it so much.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Couldn’t put it down, such a good plot and the ending was totally mindblowing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I hope there will be more to come in this series...I became engrossed in the characters and the storyline.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'This cold case thriller is unputdownable! I absolutely loved this! It keeps you on the edge of your seat! It was so good!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'An excellent police procedural...Dark, twisty, surprising and welll written.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisSidra Hussain has just made it home after a date. Opening the door, her blood runs cold as she realises the caller is here to take her life...When a young Asian woman is found brutally murdered in her North London home, DS Mumtaz ‘Moomy’ Ali begins the investigation, but is blindsided by a case with no obvious motive.When a second female victim is found, with no obvious links to Sidra apart from also having her throat slit, it seems Moomy is up against every detective’s nightmare… a serial killer bringing terror to the streets of London.As the case deepens, Moomy and her detective partner Sarah Heaton uncover a sinister underground group brought together by their hatred of women. But their roots run deep, and they count some very powerful people in their number.To stop the bloodshed, Moomy must delve into the darkest corners of the internet, a place where hatred festers, unchecked – but she needs to be fast, because the killer has their sights set on her…A hard-hitting, ripped-from-the-headlines detective novel with a shocking twist - fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Ajay Chowdhury won't be able to put this down.Praise for the DS Mumtaz Ali crime thriller series:'The pace is swift from the beginning and doesn't let up once.' Joy Kluver‘It was nothing short of brilliant. I read the entire book with bated breath… I freaking loved the book!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The twists in this book are so jaw-dropping, I can’t even put into words how awesome they were…tension and suspense is ramped up right from the beginning.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An absolutely gripping, engaging, engrossing read, I could not put this down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Original, and well written. An excellent addition to the genre’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wonderful well-written plot and storyline that had me engaged from the start.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Besides being a solid British police procedural, I appreciated the diverse, multiracial cast of characters in the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A brilliant police thriller…I loved this exciting rollercoaster!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The red herrings and cliffhangers at the end of chapters meant I couldn’t put the book down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A riveting read that had me clinging onto every word.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An intriguing story of wealth, hypocrisy, racism, love andbetrayal. So many twists and turns! You’re kept guessing to the very end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'A great thriller novel...It left me wanting to read more.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'An engrossing read...This is hard hitting, fast paced and well written.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisOne killer can hide in a city of millionsWhen a homeless man is found dead in an abandoned tube station, DI Denning and DS Fisher are shocked to find out he has been stabbed. Who would want to kill a homeless man? And why?As they uncover his identity as a man involved in a serious fraud case several years ago, it leads to even more questions. Why are the victim's family so reluctant to help them solve the case? Who else is involved? Faced with a wall of silence, the squad finds only one man willing to share what he saw of the murder. But when he too is found dead, it's clear that someone will take brutal lengths to hide their secrets.Driven by his conviction that the dead man is owed justice and finding that some very dangerous individuals are tied up with the case, Denning won't rest until he solves the crime - but can he find the killer before he kills again?Meanwhile, Molly realises she is being stalked. Could this somehow be connected to the case, or is there someone in her personal life who wishes her harm?Join DI Denning and DS Fisher for another unputdownable London crime thriller, for fans of Stuart MacBride and Cara Hunter.Readers are hooked on Truth Lies Dying:‘Great writing and premise. Amazing characters...Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Hits the mark and is a gripping, unputdownable crime thriller…A very good read and suspenseful story.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The plotting is excellent, it's fast paced with plenty of suspense…enough twists to keep the reader interested until the end.’ Reader Review‘A great whodunnit, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns!’ Reader Review‘A really good police procedural. It had a gripping story and I enjoyed how the story unfolded.’ Reader Review‘Wow, what a book…I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others.’ Reader ReviewReaders can't get enough of the Denning and Fisher series:‘fast paced and utterly gripping, with plenty to keep you guessing from start to finish. Thoroughly entertaining.’ The Bookwormery‘Well-paced, with a few clever twists, I was never quite sure I knew who the killer was. Graeme Hampton’s writing is fabulous.’ Jessica Belmont‘This story starts with a bang and holds your attention throughout… fast paced and multi layered, each twist and turn drawing us further in’ Book Bound‘Wow I really enjoyed this book… It is a complex, intriguing, grabbing book that you can sink your teeth into. I was hooked from beginning to end’ Reading Through the Pain

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Book SynopsisCassie Dewell returns in this thrilling new read from the series that inspired the hit TV show Big Sky, from New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box. Investigator Cassie Dewell is headed to Anaconda, Montana, in search of a slippery con-man who has disappeared somewhere in the Treasure State. A wealthy California divorcee has accused him of absconding with her entire fortune, and wants Cassie to find him and get it back. Anaconda, a quirky former copper mining town, is the perfect place to reinvent yourself, and as the case develops, Cassie begins to wonder if her client is telling her the truth. Between searching for the con-man and investigating rumours of buried treasure somewhere in the vicinity of the town, Cassie has her hands full. For fans of Big Sky and Yellowstone, Treasure State is full of more twists and turns than the switchbacks through the Anaconda Range. 'The perfect book to crown your summer reading list.' BookTrib 'An action-packed page turner.' New York Journal of Books 'Box has crafted a complex and compelling double mystery that treats readers to a thrilling read.' Durango Herald Reviewers on the Cassie Dewell books 'Excellent... Box has rarely been better.' Publishers Weekly 'Cassie Dewell is a complex and multi-faceted protagonist.' Book Reporter 'Joe Pickett may be Box's main man, but Cassie is equally compelling.' BooklistTrade ReviewPage-turning suspense * Book Munch *REVIEWS FOR C.J. BOX 'Game warden Joe Pickett may be Box's main man, but Cassie is equally compelling... Box has become the dominant mystery/thriller author of the mountain West – and deservedly so.' Booklist 'Box's characters are well developed, his writing is vivid, the tension runs high, and the plot unfolds at a rapid pace.' Associated Press 'C.J. Box is the crime fiction bard of American's northern plain states.' Toronto Star 'C.J. Box has never lacked in talent for writing rugged frontier-type heroes, like Joe Pickett and Nate Romanowski, who've helped define the post-modern Western. His Cassie Dewell character is all that and more.' Providence Journal 'Cassie Dewell is a complex and multi-faceted protagonist who is one of the more interesting characters to emerge from the thriller genre over the past couple of years.' Book Reporter

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Book SynopsisSHE'S LOCKED THE DOOR BUT THE KILLER'S INSIDEI believe, from what I can hear, that either my daughter or my wife has just been attacked. I don't know the outcome. The house is silent.Fourteen years ago two teenage lovers were brutally murdered in a patch of remote woodland. The prime suspect confessed to the crimes and was imprisoned.Now, one family is still trying to put the memory of the killings behind them. But at their isolated hilltop house . . . the nightmare is about to return.Trade ReviewHayder keeps you guessing adroitly - and has in Caffrey, a maverick cop so fascinatingly weird that he makes Ian Rankin's Rebus seems a stolid conformist * Sunday Times, Culture *Builds to its mesmerising climax with a brilliantly paced sense of menace. Masterful * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisA woman enters a Glasgow police station to report her son missing, but no record can be found of the boy. When Detective Harry McCoy, seconded from the cop shop across town, discovers the family is part of the cultish Church of Christ's Suffering, he suspects there is more to Michael's disappearance than meets the eye.Meanwhile reports arrive of a string of poisonings of down-and-outs across the city. The dead are men who few barely notice, let alone care about - but, as McCoy is painfully aware, among this desperate community is his own father.Even as McCoy searches for the missing boy, he must conceal from his colleagues the real reason for his presence - to investigate corruption in the station. Some folk pray for justice. Detective Harry McCoy hasn't got time to wait.Trade ReviewBeautifully crafted tartan noir, pinpoint precision of characterisation with storytelling par excellence. Crime writing of the highest order -- CARO RAMSAYPraise for the Harry McCoy series: Alan Parks recreates a world of urban blight and spiritual decay . . . a remarkable series that began with Bloody January. The novels, as someone once said, can be read in any order; the important thing is to read them all * * The Times * *The Harry McCoy books by the bold Alan Parks just get better and better. May God Forgive starts like a runaway train and just keeps going. If you're not already reading these books, get onto them now -- LIAM McILVANNEYMay God Forgive is crime fiction which pulls no punches, powerfully told and, at times, heartbreakingly poignant. One of the crime novels of 2022 -- MIKE RIPLEY1970s Glasgow hewn from flesh and drawn in blood -- PETER MAYThis is Scottish noir at its gritty darkest . . . Behind his bloody-minded disrespect for his superiors and sardonic wit, McCoy is a tough and instinctive copper who learned his skills on the beat. A cracking read * * Irish Independent * *An old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKINBloody and brilliant. This smasher from Alan Parks is a reminder of how dark Glasgow used to be -- LOUISE WELSH

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Book Synopsis'Twisty, suspenseful and deeply atmospheric.' Harriet Tyce 'An electrifying crime thriller.' Woman's Own The bigger the sin, the further the fall... With Easter approaching, the verger of St Albans Cathedral was supposed to be readying the church. Instead he discovers a man lying dead, fallen from the famous 150-foot-high tower. Did he jump, or was he pushed? For DCI Maarten Jansen, it's a simple case of suspected suicide. Until a stranger, Willow, who witnessed the jump, prompts a deeper investigation into a decades-old mystery involving a psychiatric hospital, a pregnant woman, and long-buried family secrets... The Fall is a powerful and twisty thriller about loss, trauma, silence, and how our past shapes who we are. Praise for The Fall: 'Lyrical, assured and simmering with suspense.' Victoria Selman 'The Fall is a rare beast... Dark, atmospheric and truly original.' Kate Simants 'Uncoils like the snapping of a whip, lashing the past into the present with the revealing of dark family secrets.' Dominic Nolan 'Heart-pounding.' James DelargyTrade ReviewTwisty, suspenseful and deeply atmospheric -- Harriet TyceFrom the atmospheric and chilling prologue, The Fall held me tight in its thrall until the spine-tingling conclusion -- Sam HollandHeld me spellbound right from the arresting opening through to the hugely satisfying ending, which I didn't see coming! -- Polly PhillipsA wonderfully woven thriller, that oozes class from every page -- Robert ScraggThe Fall is a rare beast... Dark, atmospheric and truly original. I absolutely tore through it -- Kate SimantsLyrical, assured and simmering with suspense -- Victoria SelmanRachael Blok is an exceptionally assured writer, and her crime fiction is as cool and restrained as its Dutch detective -- Jo FurnissIntriguing right from the beginning and unwinds slowly and deliberately to a heart-pounding conclusion -- James DelargyCaptivating storytelling and a real page turner – kept me up reading into the small hours! -- Fliss ChesterIntricately plotted between past and present, this emotionally charged, atmospheric crime novel had me reading late into the night -- Eleanor RayThis is a terrific mystery. Uncoils like the snapping of a whip, lashing the past into the present with the revealing of dark family secrets -- Dominic NolanThe Fall held my attention unwaveringly. It's a punchy, exciting tale that is utterly gripping. Don't miss it * My Weekly *Trauma and lies haunt the pages of this electrifying crime thriller * Woman's Own *An engrossing thriller centred on the mysterious death of a man who falls from the roof of St Albans Cathedral * Choice Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of ITV's THE TOWER'Rips along like a rattlesnake. Absorbing. Relevant. Tense.' Imran MahmoodThere's more than one way to go missing...When Ryan Kennedy is imprisoned after killing a police officer, he knows what he has to do. Keep his mouth shut about who he was working for, keep his head down, and rely on his youth to keep his sentence short. When he gets out, he'll be looked after. Following the death in the line of duty of a fellow detective, DI Sarah Collins has left the capital for a quieter life in the countryside. But when a missing teenager turns up on her patch, she finds herself drawn into a much bigger investigation - one that leads her right back to London, back to the Met, and back to Ryan Kennedy, the kid who killed a cop. This powerful novel from a former Met detective explores the devastation that organized drug-running gangs can wreak on young lives. It asks who deserves to be saved - and whether saving them is even possible...Trade ReviewBrilliant ... [a] heartbreaking and adrenaline-fuelled tale * The Times *Rips along like a rattlesnake. A perfectly executed police procedural. Absorbing. Relevant. Tense. -- Imran MahmoodTremendous. Expertly and sensitively tackles human slavery, county lines drug distribution and the misery it causes. Drips with authenticity, perfectly paced and compelling from page one. -- Neil LancasterA cracking read. Taut storytelling, with authenticity and humanity on every page. Kate London is one of the finest writers around. -- Mari HannahWow! I was blown away by the combination of gritty crime thriller and seriously enviable writing -- Emma CurtisWhat a cracker! Blends a brutal murder and the horror of kids being exploited into County Lines with humanity and sympathy - literary genius. -- Graham BartlettUtterly authentic * Daily Mail on The Tower *Authentic ... first class writing * Sunday Express on The Tower series *A stand out brilliant crime novel * Rosamund Lupton on Gallowstree Lane *Absorbing ... a complex novel that offers rare insights into how the police operate * Sunday Times on The Tower *Sensational... A brilliant, high-octane crime novel, ringing with the hard-earned wisdom of a former cop * Tony Parsons on Death Message *

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Book SynopsisThe second in the detective series featuring DI Geraldine Steel When a man dies in a gas explosion, the police suspect arson. But the case takes on a new and terrible twist when the prime suspect, a local felon, is viciously attacked. As police enquiries lead from the expensive Harchester Hill estate to the local brothel, their key witness dies in a hit-and-run. Coincidence? Or cold-blooded murder? With so many lives lost already, DI Geraldine Steel must put her problems aside, to protect others. After all, in the race for justice, sacrifices must be made.Trade ReviewA well-written, soundly plotted, psychologically acute story -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Well-written and absorbing right from the get-go... with an exhilarating climax that you don't see coming -- Amanda Gillies * eurocrime.co.uk *Leigh Russell does a good job of keeping her readers guessing. She also uses a deft hand developing her characters, especially the low-lifes... a good read -- Marj Stuart * San Francisco Book Review *perfect character building... cleverly written... can't wait for the next one * bestbookstoread.co.uk *New star of crime fiction, Leigh Russell's chilling psychological thriller is terrific & terrifying! -- Clem Chambers

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Book SynopsisThe Seventh DI Geraldine Steel Mystery Caroline's husband is killed, but she can't turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case, but the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further.Trade ReviewHer previous six novels featuring DI Geraldine Steel marked her out as a rare talent, and this seventh underlines it -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *I will be looking out for more from this author -- Fiona Atley * Nudge *a fast-paced Police Procedural and a compelling read -- Carol Westron * Mystery People *the story and writing is back with a vengeance -- Kat * Best Crime Books & More *Fans of the series will enjoy reacquainting themselves with Leigh Russell's work -- Deathbecomesher * Crime Fiction Lover *

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Book SynopsisJesse Stone is an ex LA cop who has taken the job of police chief in Paradise, Massachusetts. His drinking and his damaged relationship with his wife, define him as much as his supreme skill at policing his patch. When Crow, an Apache hitman, turns up in Jesse Stone's office, he is intrigued and very much on his guard. Ten years before, Crow was part of a gang that had taken a woman in the town hostage when a bank raid went wrong. The hostages were released unharmed, thanks to Crow's moral view that you didn't kill women, but he also got away with enough money not to have to work again. So why is Crow back in town? Why has he come to see Jesse? And why has he taken a job of kidnapping a young girl and her mother? All questions to which Jesse has to find answers as things start to go badly wrong in Paradise.Trade ReviewIf Spencer is the invincible knight, the timeless hero of American detective fiction, then Jesse Stone is the flawed hero of the moment, a man whose deficiencies define his humanity * New York Times *Tougher, stronger, better educated, and far more amusing than Sam Spade, Phil Marlowe or Lewis Archer * Boston Globe *When it comes to detective novels, 90 per cent of us admit he's an influence, and the rest of us lie about it * Harlen Coben *One of the great series in the history of the detective story * New York Times Book Review *Reading Parker is like swimming downstream in a river of adrenalin * Boston Observer *The legitimate heir to the Hammett-Chandler-Macdonald tradition * Cincinnati Post *Nobody does it better * Publishers Weekly *'If Spencer is the invincible knight, the timeless hero of American detective fiction, then Jess Stone is the flawed hero of the moment, a man whose deficiencies define his humanity' New York Times Book Review. * New York Times *'… deftly sketched characters … his use of genre material is always fresh. He demonstrates his continued ability to write well-constructed and literate works of detective fiction' Times Literary Supplement. * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisA seemingly open-and-shut case becomes increasingly complicated for Detective Inspector Liam McLusky in this intriguing police procedural.It all seemed so simple: a murder; an obvious suspect; a shaky alibi: DI McLusky never had it so good. Until a second killing challenges all his earlier assumptions. With every new piece of evidence McLusky brings to light, the case becomes more complicated. Does it have its roots in a disappearance eighteen years earlier, or is it firmly based in the present?Meanwhile, DI Kat Fairfield and DS Jack Sorbie are tasked with finding the daughter of a prominent Italian politician, who has disappeared while on a student exchange programme at Bristol University. Neither is overjoyed to be lumbered with a routine missing person''s case while McLusky heads a high-profile murder investigation. Until they find a dead body of their own.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Maurice Mundy, retired detective constable at the Met; a maverick who''s back and about to raise the temperature on a ten-year-old unsolved murder of a young boy.Maurice Mundy, recently retired detective constable at the Metropolitan Police, has returned to join Scotland Yard''s Cold Case Review Team. Ten years ago a twelve-year-old boy was murdered, his body left floating in a nearby pond. A second look at the case soon reveals that a sex worker was also murdered nearby on the same night.While nothing linked the two murders at the time, it is one of a number of attacks on sex workers over a twenty-year period that Essex Police are still investigating as part of Operation Moonlight.Known as a loose cannon who doesn''t always play by the rules, Mundy is in danger of ruffling more than a few feathers as he probes deeper into the events of that fateful night. Will his maverick approach lead him to the truth, or will it prove to be a dangerous step too far?

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Book SynopsisWhen the body of a young man is discovered locked inside a church crypt, his throat torn out, Kate Hanson and her cold case team are baffled as to the motive. The evidence reveals careful planning but also loss of control. It makes no sense. Then Kate discovers that another young man is missing - and the case takes a disturbing twist.

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Book SynopsisWhen a baby is stolen from outside a shop, DI Costello deduces that this was no impulsive act as the police initially assumed, but something cold, logical, meticulously planned. DCI Anderson meanwhile is on the Cold Case Unit, reviewing the unsolved rape of a young mother. But what he learns about the attack reaches back into his own past.

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