Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisDI Jade Tanner has been plunged into managing the Complex Crimes Unit, Police Scotland''s newest investigating team. She''s recruited Dr Petra McBride, fresh from losing her job at Dundee University, and DS Mo Uddin, who''s reluctantly transferred from Birmingham.When America''s newest internet billionaire is shot on the shores of Loch Lomond, the team is brought in. Jade suspects a connection with the shooting of a local millionaire, an unsolved case which has been haunting her.But the team has its problems. Jade is only just back at work after a personal trauma, and can barely leave her own front drive. Petra is receiving anonymous phone calls and trying to establish a relationship with the latest in a string of girlfriends. And Mo is missing the city and his old boss DI Zoe Finch.Can the team work together despite their differences and find the killer before the next shooting? Or will the next victim be a member of the Complex Crimes Unit?Blood and Money is the first in an exciting new series from Rachel McLean, the million-selling author of the prize-winning Dorset Crime series.

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Book SynopsisAn incredible new thriller you won't want to put down!A shocking murderIt's a case unlike anything detective Mina Dabiri has seen before. A woman trapped inside a magician's box, with swords pierced through. But this time, it's not a magic trick. It's murder.A case which twists and turnsKnowing she has a terrifying killer on her hands, Mina enlists the help of celebrity mentalist, Vincent Walder. Only he can give her an insight into the secret world of magic and illusions.A ticking clock to stop a serial killerMina and Vincent soon discover that the murder victim has the roman numeral III engraved on her leg. The killer is counting down. There are going to be three more murders. And time is running out to stop them.Trade Review‘Known as Sweden’s answer to Agatha Christie, albeit in a contemporary setting the prolific Läckberg has teamed up with a famous mindreader for this doorstop of a thriller’ Crime Time Praise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘A sexy, sensational novel with intoxicating vengeance and an unexpected tenderness – The Golden Cage is tensely and skillfully drawn’ Karin Slaughter ‘Lackberg’s new embrace of a terrifying revenge scenario furnishes visceral psychological crime.’ Financial Times ‘The Golden Cage is a twisting, brutal tale of betrayal and revenge. Lackberg paints a vivid portrait of a dark and complicated anti-heroine who is both the abused and abuser, victim and victimizer. A chilling, timely read sure to thrill her international legion of fans!’ Lisa Unger,New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Inside ‘A wonderful, take-no-prisoners mashup of Gone Girl, Billions, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Chris Bohjalian, New York Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant and The Red Lotus ‘Camilla Läckberg is a master of psychological suspense: she grabbed me by the throat with this sharply written, wildly entertaining tale of wealth, power and revenge and kept me up straight through the night’ Cristina Alger, New York Times best-selling author of Girls Like Us ‘Domesticity and brutality are Lackberg staples… Tightly plotted… Unflinching’ Sunday Times ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘A top-class Scandinavian crime writer’ The Times ‘The rock star of Nordic Noir’ Independent ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun ‘A satisfying and counterintuitive clash between the cosy and gruesome strands of the genre’ Guardian

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

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Book Synopsis'Jane Casey's police procedurals go from strength to strength!' Sunday Times'If you have not read Jane Casey, start immediately' Marian Keyes'The most dangerously addictive series in crime fiction. . .' Erin Kelly___________________Arson, accident or murder?After a fire rips through a North London tower block, two bodies are found locked in an eleventh-floor flat. But it is the third victim - the MP Geoff Armstrong - that requires the presence of detective Maeve Kerrigan and the murder squad.It appears that Armstrong, trapped by the fire, chose to jump to his death rather than wait for rescue. But why? And what was the controversial right-wing politician doing there in the first place?As Maeve picks through the wreckage, she will uncover a secret world where everyone has something to hide . . .

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Book Synopsis"I've been reviewing the Leo Fielding murder case," Jo said."It was one of my old cases," DCI Callum Ferguson replied."That's why I wanted to see you. Because you got it wrong."Two years ago, Leo Fielding was found dead in his Yorkshire home. The police never found the killer, and the case remains unsolved.When Fielding's desperate parents ask Forensic Psychologist Jo McCready to help find their son's murderer, she discovers a piece of evidence that changes everything.As she investigates, Jo gets a call from DCI Callum Ferguson about an alarming development. At a busy train station, a man has randomly and viciously attacked another passenger before fleeing the crime scene.But Jo is convinced this is no random attack. She believes the two crimes are tangled up in the same web of deadly local secrets. Secrets that some will kill to protect . . .*** 'I devoured it in one sitting' - PETER JAMES, No.1 Sunday Times bestseller ***Author Lesley McEvoy uses her insider knowledge to create unbelievably gripping, unputdownable crime novels - perfect for fans of Rachel McLean, J.R. Ellis and Elly Griffiths.Trade ReviewThis book really got its hooks into me. Highly original and whipsmart on detail, I devoured it in one sitting * PETER JAMES *McEvoy really knows her stuff * IAN RANKIN *Such a clever, twisty crime thriller! * SAIMA MIR, bestselling author of THE KHAN *Gripping from the first page to the last!! * Goodreads reviewer, FIVE STARS ***** *I just couldn't guess whodunnit! * Goodreads reviewer, FIVE STARS ***** *Excellent! * Goodreads reviewer, FIVE STARS ***** *

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Book Synopsis WINNER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARDFROM THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, NOW A MAJOR BBC SERIES, AND THE SUSPECT, NOW A MAJOR ITV SERIES ''A gripping and eerie read. You won''t be able to look away'' Karin SlaughterThe girl with no past.Six years ago, Evie Cormac was discovered, filthy and half-starved, hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a shocking crime. Now approaching adulthood, Evie is damaged, self-destructive and has never revealed her true identity.The boy who survived. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven, a man haunted by his own past, is investigating the death of champion figure-skater Jodie Sheehan. When Cyrus is called upon to assess Evie, she threatens to disrupt the case and destroy his ordered life. Because Evie has a unique and dangerous gift - she knows when someone is lying. And nobody is telling the truth.Trade Review'Haunting . . . Robotham expertly raises the tension as the action hurtles toward the devastating climax. Readers will hope the complex Cyrus will return for an encore.' * Publishers Weekly *'Haunting . . . Robotham expertly raises the tension as the action hurtles toward the devastating climax. Readers will hope the complex Cyrus will return for an encore.' * Publishers Weekly *Explosive . . . This sensitive, suspenseful mystery firmly establishes Robotham in the top ranks of psychological-thriller writers. And it cries out for a sequel * Booklist *Explosive . . . This sensitive, suspenseful mystery firmly establishes Robotham in the top ranks of psychological-thriller writers. And it cries out for a sequel * Booklist *'It's the careful and often poignant interplay between Cyrus and Evie that elevates this consistently stellar yarn . . . Robotham is a master plotter at the top of his form, and readers will surely hope to see more of his complicated new characters' * Kirkus Reviews *'It's the careful and often poignant interplay between Cyrus and Evie that elevates this consistently stellar yarn . . . Robotham is a master plotter at the top of his form, and readers will surely hope to see more of his complicated new characters' * Kirkus Reviews *An extraordinary exploration of emotional damage, full of humour and humanity * Literary Review *An extraordinary exploration of emotional damage, full of humour and humanity * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisFinding a single assassin in a city of nine million is daunting.Finding five is a nightmare.Join the NYPD Red team in their most explosive case ever. The series from James Patterson and Marshall Karp has always been a must-read. But Karp's latest, NYPD Red 7: The Murder Sorority, tops them all, making it a must-read-now!Lower Manhattan: A sniper's bullet ends the life of a high-profile New Yorker. Five miles uptown, a second prominent victim has his throat slashed.And that's only the beginning. A network of professional assassins is on the loose in New York City. Trained by the US military, they're on their own now, with a new unit called Kappa Omega Delta. Killers On Demand.NYPD Red detectives Kylie MacDonald and Zach Jordan are called in to hunt them down, but these mercenaries are as gifted in the art of escape as they are in snuffing out lives.It's the biggest professional challenge the Red team has ever faced, and before it's over, both Kylie's and Zach's personal lives will change. Forever.

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Book SynopsisThe Shape of Water is the first in Andrea Camilleri's wry, brilliantly compelling Sicilian crime series, featuring Inspector Montalbano. When the body of respected and prominent engineer Silvio Luparello is discovered in the Pasture, a rubbish-strewn site brimming with drug dealers and prostitutes, the coroner’s verdict is death from natural causes – refreshingly unusual for Sicily.But Inspector Salvo Montalbano of the Vigàta police force, as honest as he is streetwise and as scathing to fools and villains as he is compassionate to their victims, is not ready to close the case, despite pressure from Vigàta’s police chief, judge, and bishop. Picking his way through a labyrinth of high-comedy corruption, carefully planted false clues, trigger-happy Mafia members, and delicious Sicilian fare, Montalbano can be relied on, whatever the cost, to get to the heart of the matter.The Shape of Water is followed by the second in this phenomenal series, The Terracotta Dog.Trade ReviewAmong the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *Montalbano'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 *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisTHE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LEWIS TRILOGY AND THE ENZO FILESAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'Peter May is one of the most accomplished novelists writing today.' Undiscovered Scotland 'No one can create a more eloquently written suspense novel than Peter May.' New York Journal of BooksIn the third of the critically acclaimed China thrillers, Li Yan and Margaret Campbell travel to Shanghai: where a new ally, and a new enemy, await.THE NEW CASEWhen a mass grave containing eighteen mutilated female corpses is discovered in Shanghai, detective Li Yan is sent from Beijing to establish if the bodies are linked to an unsolved murder in the capital. Here, Li will be working with Mei Ling, deputy head of Shanghai's serious crime squad. THE NEW COLLEAGUEMei Ling is a formidable woman: a fact that is not lost on Li's on-off lover, forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell. But when Campbell, vulnerable and still grieving the loss of her father, learns that the victims were subjected to 'live' autopsies, she knows the case is bigger than her pride.THE KILLING ROOMLi, Campbell and Mei Ling are now entering the arena of a sickening nemesis, and opening a door behind which lies each of their very worst nightmares.LOVED THE KILLING ROOM? Read the next book in the China series, SNAKEHEADLOVE PETER MAY? Order his new thriller, THE NIGHT GATETrade ReviewA wonderfully complex book * Peter James, on Entry Island *He is a terrific writer doing something different -- Mark BillinghamFrom the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer -- Sophie HannahWonderfully compelling -- Kate MosseA true pleasure to read -- GuardianPeter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth * New York Times *One of the best regarded crime series of recent years -- Boyd Tonkin, on the Lewis trilogy * Independent *Lyrical, empathetic and moving -- Alex GrayMay's novels are strong on place and the wounds left by old relationships * Sunday Times *Will have the reader relishing every tendency of description and characterization -- Barry Forshaw * Independent *Dark, exciting and atmospheric * Scotland on Sunday *Powerful and authentic * Glasgow Sunday Herald *A gripping page-turner that combines edge-of-the-seat suspense with a fascinating picture of modern China * Irish Independent *The plot is chilling and ingenious * Scotland on Sunday *Peter May opens a window on a vision of the modern Chinese political climate ... a tremendous collision of cultures * The Herald *Fast, exciting ... an entertaining read that will also give food for thought * Irish Times *The plot twists and turns like the tail of a Chinese dragon. A cracking good read ... Highly recommended * Shots Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Jane Casey's police procedurals go from strength to strength!' Sunday Times'If you have not read Jane Casey, start immediately' Marian Keyes'The most dangerously addictive series in crime fiction. . .' Erin Kelly________________________________It's a thin line between revenege and murder. . . To the public, he's a hero: a killer who targets convicted paedophiles.Two men have already been tortured to death and, for the police, their cases are not a priority.But DC Maeve Kerrigan believes that no one should be allowed to take the law into their own hands.As the killer's violence begins to escalate, Maeve is forced to confront exactly how far she's prepared to go to ensure justice is served...

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Book Synopsis''Gripping subjects, brilliantly drawn characters and a twisty turny journey from beginning to end. A tense, thrilling read and definitely 5 humongous stars from me'' Angela Marsons. Someone stole a baby... One sunny day in July, someone took three-month-old Alicia Owen from her pram outside a supermarket. Her mother, Marie, was inside. No one saw who took Alicia. And no one could find her. They silenced her cry... Fifteen years later, a teenager on a construction site sees a tiny hand in the ground. When the police investigate, they find a baby buried and preserved in concrete. Could it be Alicia? But the truth will always out. When Alicia disappeared, the papers accused Marie of detachment and neglect. The Owens never got over the grief of their child''s disappearance and divorced not long after. By reopening the case, DC Beth Chamberlain must reopen old wounds. But the killer may be closer than anyone ever suspected... The latest crime thriller featuriTrade ReviewJane Isaac knows how to tell a good yarn. Expertly plotted and true to life -- Mel Sherratt

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Book SynopsisDetective Superintendent Roy Grace is caught up in the murky world of human trafficking in Dead Tomorrow, by award-winning crime writer Peter James.'One of the best crime writers in the business' – Karin Slaughter, author of Pretty GirlsThe body of a missing boy is dredged from the seabed off the Sussex coast, missing vital organs. Soon after, two more bodies are found . . .A teenager in Brighton will die if she does not receive an urgent transplant. When the health system threatens to let her down her mother takes drastic action and goes to an online broker in black-market organs. The broker can provide what she wants, but it will come at a price.As Roy Grace investigates the recovered bodies, he unearths a gang of child traffickers operating from Eastern Europe. Soon Grace and his team will find themselves in a race against time to save the life of a young street kid, while a desperate mother will stop at nothing to save her daughter’s life . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Dead Tomorrow is the fifth thrilling title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Dead Like You and Dead Man’s Grip.Now a major ITV series, Grace, adapted for television by screenwriter Russell Lewis (Endeavour) and starring John Simm (Life on Mars).Trade ReviewJames just gets better and better and deserves the success he has achieved with this first-class series * Independent on Sunday *Peter James has penetrated the inner workings of police procedures, and the inner thoughts and attitudes of real detectives, as no English crime writer before him. His hero, Roy Grace, may not be the most lively cop, nor the most damaged by drink, weight or misery, but he’s one of the most believable * The Times *Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business -- Karin Slaughter, author of the Will Trent seriesMeticulous research gives his prose great authenticity . . . James manages to add enough surprises and drama that by the end you’re rooting for the police and really don’t know if they will finally get their men * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisA car chase ending with the murder of a senior living centre employee draws Detective Sarah Burke into a chilling case where her career - and her life - are soon at risk.Detective Sarah Burke and new cop Zivko ''Bogey'' Boganicevic are sent to an incident at Fairweather Farms senior living center in Tucson. The center''s van has suddenly been chased at reckless speed by a carload of bandits firing high-powered rifles, and crashed into its own garage. Arriving at the scene, Sarah makes a grisly discovery: the driver, Enrique Lopez, was shot in the head during the chase. Why was a kindly man, dedicated to looking after the elderly, targeted and killed so dramatically by a team of hoodlums?As Sarah works through her list of questions, she soon finds herself drawn into the high-stakes world of drugs, deception and mistaken identity where nothing is as it first appears, and she is forced to risk her career - and her life - in her search for answers.

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Book SynopsisHOW MUCH IS THE TRUTH WORTH?When Detective Harry McCoy arrives at the scene of a double shooting in the middle of a busy Glasgow street, he is sure of one thing. This was not a random act of violence.McCoy must enlist the help of his criminal underworld connections to find out the truth. How long will it be before McCoy himself ends up on the wrong side of the law?Trade Review1970s Glasgow hewn from flesh and drawn in blood -- PETER MAYBloody and brilliant. This smasher from Alan Parks is a reminder of how dark Glasgow used to be -- LOUISE WELSHAn old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKINThe latest star of Tartan noir - perhaps even a successor to the late, great William McIlvanney . . . Gripping, utterly authentic and nerve-jangling, this novel announces a fine new voice in crime writing * * Daily Mail * *A 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 * *[McCoy] is a great character and his patch and period are vividly and skilfully portrayed. Denise Mina and Ian Rankin had better watch out * * Evening Standard * *Gripping and violent, dark and satisfying. I flew through it -- BRET EASTON ELLISSeriously good. It's brilliantly evocative of the 1970s in Glasgow (and I should know as I was there!). I loved Alan Parks' characters and I want to read a lot more of Detective Harry McCoy! -- ALEX GRAYA thrilling debut from a very promising talent -- RAGNAR JÓNASSONA blistering plot, unforgettable characters and writing so sharp it's like it's been written with a knife . . . Detective McCoy is a true noir antihero and the perfect guide through the vice and violence of Glasgow's underbelly. Bloody January firmly sets Alan Parks in the same league as Ian Rankin and Louise Welsh -- SARAH PINBOROUGH, bestselling author of BEHIND HER EYES

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Book SynopsisYOUR NEIGHBOUR IS A KILLER . . . BUT WHICH ONE?The thrilling new 2023 Detective Jane Tennison crime novel from the Queen of Crime Drama - now available in hardback, eBook and audiobook._____________________Detective Inspector Jane Tennison was beginning to feel she'd made a big mistake. Having requested a transfer to a station nearer her home, she's now wondering if any serious crimes are ever committed in Bromley. Especially since the first case she's assigned to involves nothing more dramatic than an altercation between neighbours over a disputed property boundary. Jane's new boss wants her to wrap up the enquiry as quickly as possible, but something in the apparently trivial case doesn't add up. Why was Martin Boon so adamant that David Caplan shouldn't install a new set of gates when they wouldn't encroach on his own property?Against her boss's orders, Jane decides to dig deeper, and soon uncovers a trove of dark secrets in sleepy Clarendon Court involving a tragic death and a forbidden love affair. As Tennison hunts for the missing piece of evidence that will identify a vicious killer, she knows that this case will either make her career - or break it. Praise for crime fiction icon Lynda La Plante:'Lynda La Plante is an exceptional writer of Crime Drama' - Dame Helen Mirren 'The UK's most celebrated female crime author' - DAILY MAIL'Thirty years on from writing Prime Suspect, La Plante is still delivering the goods' - THE TIMES'Tough, brilliant and damaged, [Tennison] shook up the genre forever' - DAILY EXPRESS'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' - KARIN SLAUGHTER

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Book SynopsisThe final novel in the bestselling Alan Banks crime series - and a NUMBER ONE PAPERBACK BESTSELLER (January 2024) - by the master of the police procedural.'The best mystery-procedural series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong' STEPHEN KINGLate November, 1980. Student Nick Hartley returns from a lecture to find his house full of police officers. As he discovers that his ex-girlfriend has been found murdered in a nearby park, and her new boyfriend is missing, he realises two things in quick succession: he is undoubtedly a suspect as he has no convincing alibi, and he has own suspicions as to what might have happened . . .Late November 2019. An dig near Scotch Corner unearths a skeleton that turns out to be far more recent than the Roman remains the archaeologist is looking for. Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and his team are called in and, as an investigation into the find begins, the past and the present meet with devastating consequences.'The master of the police procedural' MAIL ON SUNDAYTrade ReviewThe ending, in which the two narratives join, is a stunner * Booklist *Peter Robinson's new novel is a publishing event . . . The novel feels elegiac . . . Robinson's plots were always superb and this final novel is a haunting tribute to a fine writer * The Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month (June) *It is bittersweet to crack open the 28th , and final, Inspector Banks novel. The mighty Peter Robinson, who died last year, created one of the most convivial, compelling detectives in Alan Banks: compassionate, intelligent and music-loving, he was the sort of man you wanted to spend time with. Standing in the Shadows is a worthy addition to the Banks canon . . . It is a pleasure to be back in Banks's company, whether it's watching him with his friends and colleagues, listening to his thoughts on music or waiting for his intuition to kick in. Robinson was an author at the top of his game, and Banks a detective at the top of his. Both will be sorely missed by their readers * Observer *A fond and fitting farewell * The Sun *Robinson delivers an impeccably structured, engagingly spun performance . . .Robinson was a master of the police procedural and his thoughtful, nuanced work will endure * Irish Times *In the realm of crime fiction, the late Peter Robinson has etched his name with a distinction as pronounced as the 27 novels that have preceded his latest creation . . . Standing in the Shadows, stands testament to his unwavering prowess in crafting intricate and seductive narratives. With each turn of the page, a whirlwind of astonishments awaits, as the story elegantly navigates between the lives of inhabitants dwelling within a bustling student abode and their poignant journey toward academic culmination... Robinson's artistry lies in his dexterous placement of clues, whispered secrets lying dormant or boldly paraded in plain sight. The seamless choreography of police procedure, rendered with an authenticity that underscores the writer's mastery, unveils a police force willing to bend the rules in the pursuit of justice... Within this literary tapestry, suspense and intrigue are woven deftly.. , Characters are luminous conduits through which the narrative unfurls, bursting forth vividly under Robinson's hand. This sorcery of characterization allows the story to coalesce around their palpable presence, creating an immersive experience that ignites the imagination... Standing in the Shadows is his final enigma... the last page turns, a pang of melancholy mingles with elation, as you realise you're reading the last words of a crime fiction great. * On Magazine (Yorkshire) *

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Book SynopsisThe Fourth Monkey has one of the most ingenious openings that I've read in years. This thriller never disappoints.'James PattersonSuperbly constructed and immaculately paced'The Daily MailTwo days to save herThey've found the killer. The killer that Detective Sam Porter has been hunting for five years. But it's too late to put him behind bars. He's already dead.One day to save herBut even death can't stop this murderer. His last victim is still alive, struggling to escape and the police have no idea who or where she is.Zero.Now Sam Porter must race against time, as her chances of survival slip away, to stop this serial killer from claiming his final victimThis stunning thriller is perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Jo Nesbo and Helen Fields.Trade Review‘The Fourth Monkey has one of the most ingenious openings that I’ve read in years. This thriller never disappoints.’James Patterson ‘Superbly constructed and immaculately paced, this is one of the few serial killer thrillers that bears comparison with Thomas Harris’s 1981 masterpiece Red Dragon.’The Daily Mail ‘A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind.’Jeffery Deaver ‘Not since Hannibal Lecter had a friend for dinner has a serial killer been so skillfully rendered on the page.’Taylor Elmore, Writer/Producer of Justified and Limitless ‘A labyrinth of madness and a macabre charnel house of mirrors, The Fourth Monkey is a 1st-rate, devilish thriller.’Eric Rickstad, New York Times bestselling author of The Names Of Dead Girls ‘Gripping, addictive, and devilishly clever. From its opening salvo The Fourth Monkey grabs you and never lets go. J. D. Barker is a stunning new talent.’Barry Lancet, award-winning author of Tokyo Kill and Pacific Burn ‘A chillingly delicious page-turner.’New York Times Bestselling Author, Kelley Armstrong ‘Creepy, scary… and impossible to put down! The Fourth Monkey is everything a thriller should be—a must read!’Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author ‘Gritty, masterful suspense. A dark ride into the mind of a genius killer, and those tasked with stopping him for good. Impeccably written with Barker’s trademark wit and penchant for killer detail. Lee Child, you've met your match.’Tosca Lee, New York Times Bestselling Author

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Book Synopsis*** LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD *** *** A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME PICK OF THE MONTH *** 'A scorchingly good novel' - MICHAEL ROBOTHAM 'Disher is the gold standard for rural noir' - CHRIS HAMMER 'An utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity' - DERVLA MCTIERNAN ________________________________________ AN ACT OF INEXPLICABLE CRUELTY. A FAMILY DESTROYED. Constable Paul Hirschhausen runs a one-cop station in the dry farming country south of the Flinders Ranges. He's still new in town but his community work - welfare checks and a light touch - is starting to pay off. Now Christmas is here and, apart from a grass fire, two boys stealing a vehicle, and Brenda Flann entering the front bar of the pub without exiting her car, Hirsch's life has been peaceful. Until he's called to an incident on Kitchener Street, a strange and vicious attack that sickens the community. And when the Sydney police ask him to look in on a family living on a forgotten back road, it doesn't look like a season of goodwill at all... A hugely atmospheric police procedural set in the dust of the Australian outback. Perfect for readers of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Dervla McTiernan. ________________________________________ 'In this brilliant novel, Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey' - JOCK SERONG 'An atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers' -THE TIMES 'Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer' - SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewAn atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers. He deserves to be far better known and far more widely read * The Times *Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape * Sunday Times *An uplifting book, an utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity. If you enjoyed Jane Harper's The Lost Man, this novel is for you -- Dervla McTiernanDisher is the gold standard for rural noir -- Chris HammerA scorchingly good novel -- Michael RobothamIn this brilliant novel Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey -- Jock SerongThe stories are complex without being complicated, the writing pared down yet run with rich seams of character and place. The Hirsch novels are Disher's finest work -- Dominic Nolan, author of AFTER DARKIn prose baked as hard as the sun-scorched outback, Disher summons up the muggy oppressiveness of a small town with years of buried secrets, a veteran crime writer who knows how to expertly tie together the disparate threads of his narrative * Herald *Peter Temple and Garry Disher will be identified as the crime writers who redefined Australian crime fiction * Sydney Morning Herald *Peace is a very impressive piece of crime fiction. There has been a lot of fuss about Australian rural noir in recent years, but few, if any, do it better than Disher * Canberra Weekly *Peace is rural noir at its best * Canberra Times *Relevant, fresh and exciting. Peace is a satisfying complex mystery that reflects on family, corruption, big city violence seeping into the country, deep rooted racism, rural isolation and decline. The story is vivid, brutal and fast paced * Crime Time *The great thing about these books is their sheer believability and attention to detail. Hirsch himself is a fine creation. [An] immersive and addictive book * Crime Fiction Lover *

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

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

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the Detective Lottie Parker series by bestselling author, Patricia Gibney. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen and Helen Fields.Trade ReviewGibney expertly ratchets up the tension, making this exceptionally hard to put down . . . you won't be able to help rooting for our flawed heroine (Read of the Week) * Heat *Excellent . . . fast-paced, gritty * Irish Independent on THE STOLEN GIRLS *

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Book SynopsisWITH JUST ONE LOOK, SHE KNOWS HOW AND WHEN YOU WILL DIE . . .''Strikingly well-told, and with a compelling central character'' Daily Mail _______Nothing surprises Adam Brandt anymore. As a forensic psychologist, he''s seen and heard everything. That is, until he meets Kassie. Because she claims to have a terrible gift - with one look into your eyes, she can see when and how you will die.Adam doesn''t believe her, obviously. But then a serial killer starts wreaking havoc across the city, and only Kassie seems to know where he''ll strike next.Against all his intuition, Adam starts to believe her. He just doesn''t realise how dangerous this trust might be . . .Don''t miss this gripping new thriller from The Sunday Times bestselling author of the Helen Grace series - perfect for fans of James Patterson, Angela Marsons and Karin Slaughter. Praise for M. J. ATrade ReviewStrikingly well-told, and with a compelling central character, it has the feel of a television drama * Daily Mail *The bestselling author of the Helen Grace series is back with another gripping thriller that will be sure to keep you up late into the night turning those pages * Living North, 2019's best books *Best new books to read this March * Cosmopolitan *Praise for MJ Arlidge * - *The New Jo Nesbo * Judy Finnigan *Chills to the bone * Daily Mail *A grisly, gripping thriller * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisThe eighth Logan McRae novel in the No.1 bestselling crime series from Stuart MacBride.Every murder tells a story. But not every victim tells the truth. A terrific writer McRae is a delight' The TimesSticks and stones may break your bonesThe first body is chained to a stake: strangled, and stabbed, with a burning tyre around its neck. But is this a gangland execution or something much darker?Someone's leaving little knots of bones on DI Logan McRae's doorstep, but he's got bigger concerns. Rival drug gangs are fighting over product and territory; two teenage lovers are missing; someone's crippling Asian immigrants; and Logan's been lumbered with an ambitious new Detective Sergeant and gained the unwelcome attention of the local crime boss.When another body turns up, the similarities between these murders and the plot of a bestselling novel seem like more than just a coincidence. And perhaps those little knots of bones are more important than they lookTrade ReviewPraise for Stuart MacBride: ‘MacBride is the natural heir to the late and much lamented Reginald Hill’ Andrew Taylor, SPECTATOR ‘MacBride is a damned fine writer – no one does dark and gritty like him’ PETER JAMES ‘Fierce, unflinching and shot through with the blackest of humour; this is crime fiction of the highest order’Mark Billingham ‘Some of the grittiest crime-writing in the field’Independent ‘Admirers of tough, modern crime novels will be in seventh heaven – or should that be hell?’Express ‘Ferocious and funny’Val McDermid ‘Hard-hitting prose with a bone-dry humour and characters you can genuinely believe in, Stuart MacBride’s novels are a real treat’Simon Kernick

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Book Synopsis''The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect'' Daily TelegraphThe Second World War is over. Germany have won the battle. But the fight goes on...It is November 1941, nine months after the Nazis successfully invaded Britain. Churchill has been executed and the King imprisoned in the Tower of London. At Scotland Yard, renowned Detective Inspector Archer just tries to keep his head down. But when what seems a routine murder in a Mayfair flat leads him to something far deadlier, Archer becomes caught between his brutal superiors and the British resistance, and drawn into a plot that could change the future of the world.Trade ReviewLen Deighton is the Flaubert of the contemporary thriller writers. -- Michael Howard * Times Literary Supplement *Deighton's best book ... an absorbingly exciting spy story that is also a fascinating exercise in might-have-been speculation. -- Julian Symons * New York Times Book Review *Horrifyingly plausible. * The Independent *They don't, as they say, write them like this anymore. You will be entertained, informed, thrilled and dazzled. Long may he, and his creations, live on. * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisBuy Val McDermid''s masterful new thriller, 1989, now!___________________''Brilliant . . . sensational . . . unforgettable'' Guardian''The queen of crime is still at the top of her game'' IndependentThere is one serial killer who has shaped and defined police profiler Tony Hill''s life. One serial killer whose evil surpasses all others. One serial killer who has the power to chill him to the bone: Jacko Vance.And now Jacko is back in Tony''s life. Even more twisted and cunning than ever before, he is focused on wreaking revenge on Tony - and DCI Carol Jordan - for the years he has spent in prison.Tony doesn''t know when Jacko will strike, or where. All he knows is that Jacko will cause him to feel fear like he has never known before - and devastate his life in ways he cannot imagine...A gripping new thriller in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, from the number one bestsTrade ReviewIt's perhaps fitting that for McDermid's 25th novel she's revisited her most thrillingly murderous creation, Jacko Vance * Daily Mirror *Val McDermid's 25th novel is stunningly good, but it comes with a health warning. It is truly disturbing * The Times *McDermid never pulls her punches in her graphic descriptions of the evils men (and women) inflict on each other...tension filled from start to finish * Irish Independent *Her writing is taut, her plotting pacy... McDermid is particularly good at analysing human damage and its effects * Scotsman *To write one brilliant book is hard. To write 25 is a miracle. That is what Val McDermid has achieved over the course of her career and it's why she is a much-loved legend in the literary world...the pace here is flawless and the various storylines are expertly interwoven...a superb crime novel * Sunday Express *Brilliant ... sensational ...unforgettable * Guardian *It's a tribute to McDermid's skill as a storyteller that she deliberately creates a trio of central characters who are essentially incapable of conventional empathy yet still manages to sustain reader sympathy right through to the coldly brutal finale * Irish Times *McDermid has pulled out all the stops, delivering a fast-moving tale * Herald *

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Book SynopsisFEATURED IN THE TIMES TOP 100 CRIME & THRILLERS SINCE 1945 Penguin Picks are stories you''ll want to read again and again. Beautifully and stylishly designed by a modern artist, they are not only stories you''ll keep coming back to but also books whose looks will never go out of fashion . . . Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen is Scandinavia''s new bestselling crime writing sensation ''She scratched her fingertips on the smooth walls until they bled, and pounded her fists on the thick panes until she could no longer feel her hands. At least ten times she had fumbled her way to the steel door and stuck her fingernails in the crack to pry it open . . .''Merete Lynggard vanished five years ago. Everyone says she''s dead. Everyone says the case is a waste of time. Everyone except Copenhagen detective Carl Morck. Turning over this old case he thinks he''s found a clue missed by his predecessors. It takes him on a Trade ReviewOne of the most original plots in crime fiction . . . Brilliant * The Times, Top 100 Crime & Thrillers since 1945 *The new "it" boy of Nordic Noir * The Times *Gripping story-telling * Guardian *This pitch-black novel will have readers hungry for more * Independent *

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Book SynopsisEvery parent's worst nightmare. A case too close to home.Elissa Ricci left her baby in the bassinet while she took a shower. Ten minutes later, the back door was open and Sienna was gone.Detective Sergeant Kate Miles has just returned from maternity leave when she’s thrown into the case. Kate suspects Sienna’s parents are somehow involved in their daughter’s disappearance. But what would drive parents to risk never seeing their child again?The frenzied Australian press put the force under pressure like never before. Kate is already linked to one media storm and her station chief is looking for any excuse to kick her off the case. If she can’t uncover the truth about what happened to Sienna, Kate stands to lose her career as well as an innocent life.A tense and gripping Australian crime thriller, perfect for fans of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer.Praise for Dinuka McKenzie'Such a good read' Val McDermid'The Torrent is subtle and clever. Dinuka has talent to burn.' Dervla McTiernan'How lucky are we to have Dinuka McKenzie?' Hayley Scrivenor'A dark domestic rural mystery written by a born storyteller. More please' Michael Robotham'It's rare to find a book that gets your heart pumping in the first two chapters, but this is one and it rarely lets up from there' Ian Moore

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Book SynopsisAn intriguing plot matches the well-developed, reflective leads. As always, the real strength of this series lies in its authentic atmosphere, evocative descriptions of the landscape, and fascinating details of Navajo life. Hillerman consistently satisfies. --Publishers WeeklyFossil harvesting, ancient lore, greed, rejected love and murder combine in this gripping new installment of New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman?s Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series.An unexpected death on a lonely road outside of Utah?s Bears Ears National Monument raises questions for Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito. Why would a seasoned outdoorsman and well-known paleontologist freeze to death within walking distance of his car? A second death brings more turmoil. Who is the unidentified man killed during a home invasion where nothing much seems to have been taken? Why was he murdered?The Bears Ears area, at the edge of the Navajo Nation, is celebrated for its abundance of early human habitation sites and the discovery of unique fossils which revolutionized the scientific view of how early animals dealt with their changing world. Chee and Manuelito appreciate the area?s scenery and wealth of human and scientific resources, but their visit to this achingly beautiful place is disrupted by a current of unprecedented violence that sweeps them both into danger. Illicit romance, a fossilized jawbone, hints of witchcraft, and a mysterious disappearance during a blizzard add to the peril.It takes all of Manuelito?s and Chee?s experience, skill, and intuition to navigate the threats that arise and see justice served.

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Book SynopsisSOON TO BE AN ORIGINAL AMAZON PRIME SERIES_____________________________DETECTIVE ALEX CROSS'S NIECE IS MISSINGCross fears the disappearance could be linked to a string of recent abductions and murders that are terrorising the US.Two killers, operating on opposite sides of the country, are collaborating and competing to commit increasingly horrific crimes.If he's to rescue his niece, Cross must hunt down these two brutal masterminds. All the while, countless lives hang in the balance._____________________________'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it.' LEE CHILD'Alex Cross is a legend' HARLAN COBEN

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

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

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Book Synopsis'BEGUILING, EVOCATIVE, WONDERFUL ... THE ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH OF FRANCE' Francis WheenIn the second mystery of this mouthwatering and bestselling series, Bruno, Chief of Police of a small rural French town, must balance local tradition and modern progress while bringing a killer to justice.Just before dawn one summer morning Bruno is summoned by the wail of the siren in the little town of St Denis in the Périgord. A fire is raging in a local barn and spreading to the surrounding fields. When Bruno arrives at the scene, the smell of petrol leaves no doubt: it was arson. The barn belongs to an agricultural research company experimenting with genetically modified crops - an unpopular move in deeply traditional St Denis.Meanwhile, a Californian producer wants to set up a wine-making business in the valley. Despite the money and jobs this would bring, many fear it would destroy their town. When a violent death follows the crop burning, it looks as though someone is prepared to do anything to stop the scheme. Bruno will have to draw on all his local knowledge to reach the truth.Trade ReviewSure to appeal to readers with a palate for mysteries with social nuance and understated charm * Wall Street Journal *The delights of [Walker's Dordogne] - from the chateaux along the rivers to the prehistoric cave paintings to the food on the tables - are very real.... Absorbing * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThe best police procedural I've read in years' Jane CaseyGrabbed me from the first page' Ian RankinThis grave can never be opened.The head of Scotland's most powerful crime family is brutally murdered, his body dumped inside an ancient grave in a remote cemetery.This murder can never be forgotten.Detectives Max Craigie and Janie Calder arrive at the scene, a small town where everyone has secrets to hide. They soon realise this murder is part of a blood feud between two Scottish families that stretches back to the 1800s. One thing's for certain: it might be the latest killing, but it won't be the lastThis killer can never be caught.As the body count rises, the investigation uncovers large-scale corruption at the heart of the Scottish Police Service. Now Max and Janie must turn against their closest colleagues to solve a case that could cost them far more than just their livesLONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEARThe best police procedural I''ve read in years fast-paced, compelling and deeply authentic. DS Max Craigie is a brilliant hero and I can''t wait for the next in the series' Jane CaseyGenuinely gripping, a total page-turner and one of my favourite reads of the year' Matt Nixon, Daily ExpressA stone cold classic of the genre; the strongest start to a series I've seen in years' Tony KentAbsolutely blown away by how good this is' Marion ToddA thriller writer set to blow up the bestseller lists' C. L. TaylorThe most authentic voice in thriller writing' Tony ParsonsA genuinely thrilling adventure' Scottish SunA page turner you won't want to miss' Denzil MeyrickDon't miss the first stunning thriller in the new DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime series!Trade Review‘Grabbed me from the first page … think Jack Reacher fronting Line of Duty’ Ian Rankin ‘The best police procedural I've read in years – fast-paced, compelling and deeply authentic. DS Max Craigie is a brilliant hero and I can't wait for the next in the series’ Jane Casey ‘A genuinely thrilling adventure’ Scottish Sun ‘Compelling, quirky and engaging, this is a page-turner you won't want to miss!’ Denzil Meyrick ‘Genuinely gripping, a total page-turner and one of my favourite reads of the year’ Matt Nixson, Daily Express ‘Great storytelling with a whiplash smart hero and heroine’ Daily Mail ‘A cracking good story … kept me turning the pages, and loving the twists. I can’t wait for the second Craigie instalment’ Gytha Lodge ‘Gripping’ Bella ‘A sizzling start to a new series’ Crime Monthly ‘A thriller writer set to blow up the bestseller lists’ C. L. Taylor ‘Rock hard cop stuff, from a writer who’s done it for real. Absolutely terrific’ Paul Finch ‘If you liked Line of Duty, you’ll love this’ Real People Magazine ‘The most authentic voice in thriller writing’ Tony Parsons ‘An edge-of-your-seat, read-in-one-sitting book. If you like Line of Duty, you must snap this up’ Cass Green ‘A fast-paced read’ Suffolk Magazine ‘An authentic and compelling thriller. Highly recommended’ Mark Dawson ‘Absolutely blown away by how good this is’ Marion Todd ‘If you loved his Tom Novak series, you’ll love this even more’ Stephen Leather ‘A powerful and gripping story … D. S. Max Craigie is a fantastic creation’ Howard Linskey ‘An incredible piece of work. Great storytelling, pacy and written with such a sense of place’ Chris MacDonald ‘A stone cold classic of the genre; the strongest start to a series I’ve seen in years’ Tony Kent ‘The best police procedural money can buy’ Imran Mahmood

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Book SynopsisBuy Val McDermid''s masterful new thriller, 1989, now!''No-one can plot or tell a story like she can. The hairs on my neck literally stood up'' Daily Express''So gripping it puts your life on hold'' The Times''You should have been a detective. If there''s one thing the last year has proved, it''s how good you are at finding things out. Things that are buried so deep nobody even thinks twice about them. The sort of things that turn people''s lives inside out once they''re exposed.'' Meet Tony Hill''s most twisted adversary - a killer with a shopping list of victims, a killer unmoved by youth and innocence, a killer driven by the most perverted of desires. The murder and mutilation of teenager Jennifer Maidment is horrific enough on its own. But it''s not long before Tony realises it''s just the start of a brutal and ruthless campaign that''s targTrade ReviewSo gripping that it puts your life on hold. * The Times *She is the real mistress of psychological gripping thrillers; no-one can plot or tell a story like she can. The hairs on my neck literally stood up. * Jenni Murray, Daily Express *McDermid remains unrivalled at yoking chilling scenarios to a pulsing narrative; and Hill's torment is palpable in this scary, dark thriller. Brilliant * Observer *Everything a great detective novel should be: pacy, gripping, clever and stylish and, most of all, a fantastic read. * Sunday Express *Another cracker in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series from the most imaginative creator of serial killers we have. * Daily Mail *Gripping, well-written, nail-biting stuff * Waterstone’s Books Quarterly *One of our finest crime writers. * The Times *A moving novel, not just a gripping one. * Financial Times *As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get. * Sunday Express *McDermid's mastery of this genre is evident, particularly in her dialogue, in which there is rarely a false note. * TLS *McDermid's books are getting better and better...an absorbing novel of character. * Literary Review *...reminds us just how finely plotted and intelligently written McDermid's novels are. More please - and soon. * Irish Times *

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Book SynopsisThe grieving widow. The other woman. Which one is which?When Cameron Swift is shot and killed outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer. Her role is to support the family and investigate them. Monika, Cameron''s partner and mother of two sons, had to be prised off his lifeless body after she discovered him. She has no idea why anyone would target Cameron. Beth can understand Monika''s confusion. To everyone in their affluent community, Monika and her family seemed just like any other. But then Beth gets a call. Sara is on holiday with her daughters when she sees the news. She calls the police in the UK, outraged that no one has contacted her to let her know or offer support. After all, she and Cameron had been together for the last seven years. Until Cameron died, Monika and Sara had no idea each other existed. As the case unfolds, Beth discovers that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has secrets. Especia

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Book SynopsisAn ordinary day. An ordinary street. A gruesome delivery waiting on the doorstep that's going to set off an spine-chilling chain of events...Claire Beacham returns from a busy day at work to a parcel on her doorstep - no note, no label. As a politician, she's used to being suspicious of anonymous hate mail but today she's too tired to worry. She opens it, finding a gruesome surprise inside. A severed head falls to her kitchen floor; the rich, red drip of blood on her hands. It is clear to Claire and those around her that this terrifying package is a message. But who sent it, and why? It's Claire's first delivery - and won't be her last. DI Finn cannot enjoy the gentle return to his role in the Murder Investigation Team of the Metropolitan Police that he planned. Someone is targeting Claire and with every message comes another casualty. With the clock ticking, DI Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen must wade through the depths of the murky political sphere before the bodies start piling up.Praise for Will Shindler's DI Alex Finn series: 'Riveting' The Sunday Times 'Excellent' Weekend Sport'Unmissable' Sunday Express Magazine'Gripping' Heat'This is the best kind of police procedural' Literary Review

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Book SynopsisThe first in the Amos Decker series, Memory Man is an astounding novel from blockbuster author David Baldacci, where an extraordinary man races to hunt down a terrible killer.Amos Decker would forever remember all three of their violent deaths in the most paralyzing shade of blue. It would cut into him at unpredictable moments, like a gutting knife made of colored light. He would never be free from it.When Amos Decker returned home eighteen months ago to find the bodies of his wife and only daughter, he didn't think he could carry on living. Overwhelmed with grief, he saw his life spiral out of control, losing his job as a detective, his house and his self-respect. But when his former partner in the police, Mary Lancaster, visits to tell him that someone has confessed to the murder of his family, he knows he owes it to his wife and child to seek justice for them.As Decker comes to terms with the news, tragedy strikes at the local school. Thirteen teenagers are gunned down, and the killer is at large. Following the serious brain injury Amos suffered as a professional footballer, he gained a remarkable gift – and the police believe that this unusual skill will assist in the hunt for the killer.Amos must endure the memories he would rather forget, and when new evidence links the murders, he is left with only one option.Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final page. The series continues with The Last Mile.Trade ReviewOne of the world's biggest-selling thriller writers, Baldacci needs no introduction . . . Brilliant plotting, heart-grabbing action and characters to die for * Daily Mail *The page-turner of the season * The Times *Baldacci is still peerless * Sunday Times *Baldacci inhabits the skin of his creations - tripping us up with unexpected empathy and subtle identification * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisA gripping thriller from David Baldacci, The Last Mile is perfect for fans of Lee Child and James Patterson.Memories can be a real killer.Melvin Mars awaits his fate on Death Row. He was one of America's most promising football stars until, aged twenty, he was arrested and convicted for the murder of his parents just as he was due to begin a very lucrative contract with the NFL.When Amos Decker, newly appointed special agent with the FBI, hears the news that Melvin was saved in the final seconds before his execution because someone has confessed to the killings, he persuades his boss to allow him to carry out an investigation into the Mars murders. There are facts about the case which don't add up, and as the investigation deepens, Decker and his team uncover layer upon layer of lies and deception which are rooted at a time in American history which most would rather forget, but some seem keen to remember. There isTrade ReviewDavid Baldacci's The Last Mile is a second outing for Amos Decker, the Holmesian hero of last year's Memory Man . . . A typically twisty plot never flags, and benefits from having the likeably offbeat sleuth (whose gifts include synaesthesia and photographic memory) as its pivot * The Sunday Times *Already among the world's bestselling writers, Baldacci hardly needs to prove himself but he's created one of the most intriguing, complex anti-heroes....Impossible to put down, especially because of Decker, who weaves a powerful spell * Daily Mail *A clever thriller in the Jeffrey Deaver mould * The Sun *It's big, bold and almost impossible to put down . . . Decker is one of the most unusual detectives any novelist has dreamed up . . . I called this novel a master class on the bestseller because of its fast-moving narrative, the originality of its hero and its irresistible plot . . . Highly entertaining * Washington Post *David Baldacci has written another thriller that will have readers engaged from the first page . . . Baldacci is a master storyteller . . . Memory Man works because Amos Decker is an amazing character. Reading how Decker journeys from hitting rock bottom to finding ultimate redemption is nothing short of rewarding * Associated Press *Perennial bestseller Baldacci unveils an offbeat hero with an unusual skill set and tragic past who takes on the evil mastermind behind a devastating school shooting . . . [Decker] proves a quirky, original antihero with a definite method to his madness . . . Readers will want to see Decker back on the printed page again and again * Kirkus Reviews *[A] strong first in a new thriller series from bestseller Baldacci . . . Baldacci supplies a multitude of clever touches as his wounded bear of a detective takes on a most ingenious enemy * Publishers Weekly *Baldacci weaves a suspenseful story right up to the climactic face-off between these complex and compelling characters. Highly recommended for all thriller fans who love elusive, taunting criminals and the slightly bent but always determined detectives who pursue them * Library Journal (Starred Review) *Baldacci makes it feel fresh * Booklist *Baldacci's novels always have an emotional component . . . But Memory Man stands out among his thrillers for its deeply felt - and earned - sense of catharsis and healing . . . Baldacci's last few books have been among his best, and it's a pleasure to see him produce emotionally and dramatically intense work at the height of his maturity as a novelist * Richmond Times-Dispatch *One of the world's biggest-selling thriller writers, Baldacci needs no introduction . . . Brilliant plotting, heart-grabbing action and characters to die for * Daily Mail *The page-turner of the season * The Times *Baldacci inhabits the skin of his creations - tripping us up with unexpected empathy and subtle identification * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisAmos Decker, David Baldacci's unique special agent, who suffered a head injury that resulted in giving him the gift of a remarkable memory, takes on another case in The Fix.Walter Dabney is a family man. A loving husband and the father of four grown daughters, he’s built a life many would be proud of.But then the unthinkable happens.Standing outside the FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC, Dabney shoots school teacher Anne Berkshire in cold blood before turning the gun on himself.One of the many witnesses is Amos Decker; a man who forgets nothing and sees what most miss. Baffled by what appears to be a seemingly senseless and random killing, Decker is thrust into the investigation to determine what drove this family man to pull the trigger.As part of an FBI special task force, Decker and the team delve into the lives of Dabney and Berkshire to find a connection that doesn’t seem to exist. What they do find are secrTrade ReviewThe page-turner of the season -- The Times on The Last MileAlready among the world's bestselling writers, Baldacci hardly needs to prove himself but he's created one of the most intriguing, complex anti-heroes . . . Impossible to put down, especially because of Decker, who weaves a powerful spell -- Daily Mail on The Last MileBaldacci inhabits the skin of his creations - tripping us up with unexpected empathy and subtle identification -- Sunday Express on The Last MileA clever thriller in the Jeffrey Deaver mould * The Sun on The Last Mile *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.' Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteriesOxford, 1960. There''s a murderer on the loose and two unlikely heroes are poised to solve the case.Meet Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday smart, enthusiastic and always underestimated.In the hope of getting her out of the way, Trudy's senior officer assigns her to help coroner Clement Ryder as he re-opens the case of a young woman''s death. She can''t believe her luck she is actually going to be working on a real murder case.Meanwhile, the rest of the police force are busy investigating a series of threats and murders in the local community, and Clement can''t help but feel it''s all linked.As Trudy and Clement form an unlikely partnership, are they going to be the ones to solve these crimes before tTrade Review‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series

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Book SynopsisThe Sleeping and The Dead is a tense psychological thriller from Ann Cleeves, author and creator of three astounding TV series: Shetland, Vera and The Long Call.Detective Peter Porteous is called to Cranwell Lake where the body of a teenager has been discovered.After trawling through the missing persons files, he comes to the conclusion that the corpse is Michael Grey, an enigmatic and secretive young man who was reported missing by his foster parents in 1972.The news report that a body has been found leaves prison officer Hannah Morton in shock. Michael had been her boyfriend, and she had been with him the night he disappeared. And now the discovery is bringing back dreaded and long buried memories from her past . . .Trade ReviewCleeves again excels in her sense of place in this cleverly plotted psychological thriller * The Times *A suspenseful crime story that puts Ms Cleeves in the Rendell class * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGERA legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONThe best mysteries only get better with time and this is one of them!' 5* reader reviewPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________There's something wrong about this place. Haven't you noticed?Dalgliesh is recovering from a life-threatening illness when his elderly friend Father Baddeley reaches out for advice. By the time he can respond, Father Baddeley is dead. And his is not the first recent death at the Dorset home for the disabled where he worked.Dalgliesh feels he must try to understand these deaths, even without offic

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Book Synopsis‘Peter James is one of the best British crime writers, and therefore one of the best in the world.’ - Lee Child, author of The Jack Reacher seriesA long-lost masterpiece sparks deadly violence – and sets Detective Superintendent Roy Grace on the path of a calculating killer. Discover the darkness that lurks around every corner in Picture You Dead.Now a major ITV drama starring John Simm as Roy Grace.Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . .They buy a drab portrait for twenty pounds for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then, studying it back at home, there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants.Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into the unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Picture You Dead is the eighteenth title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Find Them Dead and Left You Dead.‘The master of the craft’ - Daily ExpressTrade ReviewPeter James is one of the best crime writers in the business -- Karin SlaughterAs ever, the pages become blurred as you race to discover the verdict. The plot also leaves you hungry for the next episode in DS Grace’s personal drama -- i newspaper on Find Them DeadOne of James’s most emotionally engaging books -- Daily Mirror on Left You Dead

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Book SynopsisThe gripping and masterfully-crafted new thriller from award-winning author Matthew Frank''Tense and twisty . . . completely gripping. I ignored children, a ringing phone, hunger, everything just to devour the last hundred pages'' KAREN PERRY, Sunday Times bestselling author of YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND________Julian Sinclair is a serial killer.Charming, manipulative, deadly. He hunted girls for sport, and it''s high time justice was served.But when Sinclair''s conviction is thrown out in court, DC Joseph Stark and DS Fran Millhaven are forced to protect the man they''re sure is guilty from those who would rather see him pay in blood.Then another girl dies.And Sinclair can''t have killed her from his hospital bed . . .Is a killer lurking in someone they never suspected?And have they had the wrong man all along?________''A clTrade ReviewA clever compelling spiderweb of a plot, weaving together the complex yet realistic minds of the underworld and the police. -- Jane Corry, bestselling author of My Husband's Wife * - *Matthew Frank writes so well and in DC Joe Stark he has developed a complex hero, remote yet relatable, decent yet conflicted. Equally compelling is Stark's nemesis, the sinuous Julian Sinclair with his reptilian charm. Tense and twisty, with a rich cast of characters, The Killer Inside is completely gripping. I ignored children, a ringing phone, hunger, everything just to devour the last hundred pages. -- Karen Perry, bestselling author of Your Closest Friend * - *The Killer Inside is a gripping, pacy read with a "one more chapter" compulsiveness. -- Laura Marshall, bestselling author of Friend Request * - *Nail-bitingly tense plotting, with characters you can't help but root for, The Killer Inside is a standout addition to this compelling series -- Susi Holliday, author of The Last Resort * - *The Killer Inside is the definition of a page turner. Matthew Frank gives us cops torn by the prospect of protecting a killer who cheated justice. They know he has done it but proving it is another thing. Then another girl dies while their man is still in hospital. What if they had the wrong man all along? DC Stark is a terrific creation. The kind of character you want more from and soon please. -- Howard Linskey, best-selling author of The Chosen One * - *Seriously good . . . The Killer Inside is an excellent addition to a fine series, and Joe Stark is coming into his own as a fascinating and multi-layered character, as are the rest of the team. Matthew has written a tightly plotted thrilling page turner of a book -- James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean Series * - *Matthew Frank is a master at juggling light and darkness. His Joseph Stark books explore the legacy of trauma and injury, while serving up satisfying plots with plenty of twists. In this latest, the stakes are horribly high for his hero who, beset by demons and danger, nevertheless acquits himself with courage and a fine line in dry wit. -- Sarah Hilary, award-winning author of the Marnie Rome series * - *Praise for Matthew FrankA gripping murder story ... Frank brilliantly maintains a balance between the demands of a complex plot and his character's difficulty in returning to civilian life * Sunday Times *Outstanding characterisation, passion, perfect dialogue and pinpoint plotting * Crime Review *Well researched and totally convincing * Sunday Mirror *Joe Stark is such a terrific hero, full of flaws and compassion and the sort of quiet heroism that you rarely see these days, even in fiction. One of those books I want to bulk buy and press into the hands of everyone I know. The writing is top-notch, the action sequences are superlative, the characters crackle off the page and the dialogue whips and zings like bullets in the dust. Read it!Detective Sergeant Fran Millhaven is just one of the best women copper characters you'll ever meet between the covers of a book . . . but Stark is the heart of this narrative. I am so looking forward to meeting him again . . . the moment Stark crosses over from soldier to CID detective is beautiful to behold. The action scenes, too, are terrific. RivetingSkilfully plotted, with a great clarity of style

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Book SynopsisBestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with a gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller series set on the Isle of Anglesey.Will there be blood in the water?Three years ago, DCI Laura Hart was the top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for the Greater Manchester Police. Then her husband was kidnapped. Despite her best efforts to reason with the criminals, he was brutally murdered.Now living on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, Laura is slowly healing. Then she gets a call: armed drug dealers have seized a tourist boat and her ten-year-old son Jake is on board. There's no other negotiator available, and the police need her to step up.With the life of a loved one yet again on the line and memories of the last time she failed still searingly fresh, Laura is living her worst nightmare. Can she lay to rest the ghosts of her past in time to save her son?An atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat read that's perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.Action-packed! A great thriller in a gorgeous location.' international bestselling author Lisa Gardner''A harrowing story set against a stunning backdrop. Anglesey becomes McCleave''s newest brutal playground.' Morgan GreeneThe tension keeps you gripped until the last page.' Rachel McLeanReaders love The Dark Tide!This book was awesome! Suspense, intrigue, action, and great police work!'?????Another fantastic page-turner cleverly written and could easily be a TV show!' ?????Twists and turns aplenty within a well-paced, exciting narrative. A superlative and atmospheric thriller' ?????Excellent' ?????A gripping and sublime crime thriller topped with plenty of action and exciting storylines.' ?????This was an excellent read. Thoroughly recommended. It made me want to visit North Wales.' ?????Fantastic. I really enjoyed this book' ?????Do yourself a favour and get a copy of The Dark Tide you will not be disappointed.' ?????Trade Review‘A pulsating hijack thriller, the first in what promises to be an excellent new Anglesey-set thriller’ CHOICE MAGAZINE

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Book SynopsisIf you go down to the woods today, you better not go alone . . .FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR M.J. ARLIDGE_________The last thing Tom Campbell remembers is camping in the New Forest with his girlfriend, Melissa.Now he is helpless, alone, and being hunted through the woods by a sinister, masked figure . . .When Tom''s body is found, displayed with grisly relish, Helen Grace takes the case. But before she can catch her breath, a second victim is taken.There''s a serial killer on the loose.As something dark and deadly stalks the forest, Helen and her team must race against time to catch the perpetrator, before more blood is shed.But the hunt will take Helen back into the eerie twilit woods.And this time, she might not make it out alive . . .PRAISE FOR M.J. ARLIDGE:''Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years'' Jeffery Deaver''The new Jo Nesbo'' Judy Finnigan''Fast paced and nailbitingly tense . . . gripping'' Sun ''DI Helen Grace is a genuinely fresh heroine . . . MJ Arlidge weaves together a tapestry that chills to the bone'' Daily MailTrade ReviewDetective Inspector Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years -- Jeffery DeaverPage-turningly chilling * The Times *DI Helen Grace is a genuinely fresh heroine ... Arlidge weaves together a tapestry that chills to the bone * Daily Mail *This is going to be as big as Jo Nesbo -- Judy FinniganTaut, fast-paced, truly excellent * Sun *One of the best new series detectives . . . Mesmerizing! -- Lisa GardnerM. J. Arlidge has created a genuinely fresh heroine in DI Helen Grace * Daily Mail *Chilling stuff * Fabulist *A chilling read * My Weekly *A grisly, gripping thriller * Sunday Mirror *Gruesomely realistic, intriguing and relentless. Arlidge's fledgling army of fans is about to grow * Sunday Sport *Expertly pulled off. It has a devious premise. DI Helen Grace is fiendishly awesome. It's scary as all hell. And it has a full cast of realistically drawn, interesting characters that make the thing read like a bullet -- Will Lavender

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Book SynopsisBE ONE OF THE FIRST TO DISCOVER THE GRIPPING NEW MYSTERY FEATURING DETECTIVE WILLIAM WISTING . . .When true crime fanatic Astri Arctander disappears, Detective William Wisting is called upon to investigate.Alongside her fellow amateur sleuths, Astri had been trying to uncover what really happened to Ruby Thompson, a backpacker whose body was recently discovered in Palamós, Spain.Astri was ready to unmask Ruby's killer. Then she vanished.Wisting is determined to solve the case to find justice for Ruby, and to bring Astri home unharmed.But he soon finds himself at the heart of a dark and twisted cat-and-mouse chase, that will take him from the snowy depths of Norway to the hot Catalan hills.Wisting is willing to go to extreme lengths to find the truth. But his enemy will go further to keep it buried and the closer Wisting gets, the more dangerous they become . . .Praise for Jørn Lier Horst:''TenTrade ReviewPraise for Jørn Lier Horst -- - * - *Tense, fast-paced . . . compelling -- - * Sunday Times *Relentlessly exciting . . . creates a sense of real menace -- - * The Times *Jørn Lier Horst writes some of the best Scandinavian crime fiction available. His books are superbly plotted and addictive, the characters wonderfully realised -- Yrsa Sigurðardóttir * - *

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