Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisWelcome to the Ritual Crime Unit.A hard-nosed career officer in a male-dominated world, DCI Claire Pierce of North Yorkshire Police heads Northern England’s underfunded and understaffed Ritual Crime Unit. Dismissed by the traditional police, struggling with an outsized caseload, the RCU is the country’s last line of defence against horrors few can imagine.A failed raid to capture an unlicensed skinbinder becomes a murky off-the-record hunt for a monster. Injured in the line of duty, Pierce returns to contend with ritual murders, puzzling artefact thefts, haunted skulls and a plot with catastrophic implications. With a rebellious second-in-command, an inexperienced team and a boss who only cares about public relations, Pierce has to join the dots before it’s too late...

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'WILL MAKE READERS LONG FOR LAZY DAYS IN RURAL FRANCE' Irish IndependentA missing art student. An international investigation. A secret that will shatter Bruno's charming village of St Denis.A rich American art student is found dead at the bottom of a well in an ancient hilltop castle. The young woman, Claudia, had been working in the archives of an eminent French art historian, a crippled Resistance war hero, at his art-filled chateau. As Claudia's White House connections get the US Embassy and the FBI involved, Bruno traces the people and events that led to her fatal accident - or was it murder?Bruno learns that Claudia had been trying to buy the chateau and art collection of her tutor, even while her researches led her to suspect that some of his attributions may have been forged. This takes Bruno down a trail that leads him from the ruins of Berlin in 1945, to France's colonial war in Algeria.The long arm of French history has reached out to find a new victim, but can Bruno identify the killer - and prove his case?**************************************What readers are saying about The Body in the Castle Well'I loved the book and strongly recommend it' 5* Reader Review'Interesting plot, satisfying mystery to solve, accompanied by lovely descriptions of the beautiful Périgord region of France' 5* Reader Review'My favourite author' 5* Reader Review'As always, a book about Bruno is a delight' 5* Reader Review'Another gem . . . One of his very best, not just a good and clever story, but particularly rich in French history' 5* Reader Review

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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 Synopsis· AN INTERNATIONAL NO.1 BESTSELLER ·'Anne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction.' Jo Nesbø____________________The snow is falling Selma Falck is living a nightmare. Trapped in a burning cabin on a freezing snow-covered mountain, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. Bruised, bleeding and naked, she barely makes it out in time as the flames engulf the cabin. With no signs of human habitation nearby, the temperature rapidly dropping, and a blizzard approaching, how will she survive? She's lost in the wilderness As Selma fights the cold, the hunger and her own wounds, she eventually forms a frightening picture of the past six months. Not only does she have to find a way to stay alive, she needs to make it back to civilization, quickly. Murder has been committed, and a great injustice must be stopped. The very future of the nation itself is at stake...If the cold doesn't kill her, they will... Trade ReviewAnne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction. * Jo Nesbø *Lively, unusual and persuasive. Holt writes with the command we have come to expect from the top Scandinavian writers. * The Times *Anne Holt is a thriller writer of the highest order. * Liza Marklund *Step aside, Stieg Larsson, Holt is the queen of Scandinavian crime thrillers. * Red Magazine *

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Book SynopsisAn atmospheric and chilling crime thriller from an internationally bestselling author, perfect for readers of Ann Cleeves and Peter James.If the system can't make them pay, then he will . . .Former chief of police, Ubbo Heide, is enjoying a peaceful seaside retirement - until a gruesome package containing a severed head turns up on his doorstep and catapults him back into a world he left behind.When a torso is found on the local beach, it's assumed it's from the same victim. That is until a second head turns up. As the investigation reaches fever pitch, Chief Inspector Ann Kathrin Klaasen, now assigned to the case, realises that the two victims are connected. Soon it's clear that this quiet coastal community is facing a brutal serial killer. One who is taking justice into his own hands . . .

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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 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'Belting Bristol-set cop story . . . Ingenious' Sunday Times'Packed with Bonner's sharp eye for detail' Daily Mail'Keeps you turning the pages long after you meant to put out the light' PETER LOVESEYDI David Vogel is first on the scene when Melanie Cooke's bruised and strangled body is discovered in Bristol's red-light district. The evidence points to Melanie's father being the killer, but Vogel's on edge. The quick arrest is too easy, too straightforward.When two new murders are reported, Vogel's team broaden the search: new evidence suggests that there are three different, disturbed criminals. Any one of them could have killed Melanie, but which one did? Vogel's team inch towards the answer, never suspecting that the killer is watching them too, waiting for his moment to strike.Trade ReviewBonner is now a formidable crime writer. She has created a new character, DI David Vogel, who is hardly the stereotype of an investigating officer . . . Packed with Bonner's sharp eye for detail * * Daily Mail * *Belting Bristol-set cop story . . . Ingenious * * Sunday Times * *The truth about who murdered Melanie is darker than they ever imagined. [A] fast-paced police procedural -- DEIRDRE O'BRIEN * * Best * *Fully fleshed characters, a masterfully constructed plot, and a shock ending make for a gripping read * * Booklist * *Gripping . . . will draw in admirers of Peter James and Val McDermid * * Library Journal * *Hilary Bonner's secret is that as a top journalist she's been there . . . She plots with pace, passion and that marvelous ability to keep you turning the pages long after you meant to put out the light -- PETER LOVESEY

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2018'Brilliant . . . twisting the tension tauter with each page' Guardian'The dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns' ObserverDI Costello faces a disturbing child abduction case; a six-week-old has been stolen and replaced with another baby. The swap took cold and meticulous planning, so Costello treads the seedy, Glaswegian backstreets for answers. She's convinced that more than one young life is at stake.Promoted into the Cold Case Unit, Colin Anderson reviews the unsolved rape of a young mother, whose attacker is still out there. Each case pulls Anderson and Costello in the same direction and, as their paths keep crossing, they begin to suspect their separate cases are dangerously entwined.Trade ReviewRamsay proves once against that she is a titan of Tartan Noir -- HELEN FIELDS, author of Perfect RemainsGripping, relevant, compelling and laced with trademark Ramsay bite -- CRAIG ROBERTSONBrilliant . . . twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *Ramsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns * * Observer * *A taut, shattering, mesmerizing page-turner * * Booklist * *Packed with grit, blood and the rocky debris of past deeds and consequence -- ALI KARIM * * Shots Magazine * *

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Book Synopsis'Its plot twists and turns . . . Fascinating' The Times'Addictive' iWHO IS TO BLAME WHEN NO ONE IS INNOCENT?There's a heatwave in Glasgow and the drugs trade is booming. The whole force is searching for missing thirteen-year-old Alice Kelly. All except Harry McCoy, who has been taken off the case after a run-in with the boss, and is instead sent alone to investigate the death of rock-star Bobby March, who has just overdosed in the Royal Stuart hotel.The papers want blood. The force wants results. McCoy has a hunch. But does he have enough time?Trade ReviewEven better than its predecessors . . . Its plot twists and turns, provoking laughter and tears . . . Fascinating and dangerous . . . Parks has clearly studied the masters of tartan noir but has his own voice. He shows how, among the welter of violence, a spontaneous act of kindness can have just as great an impact * * The Times, Book of the Month * *Addictive reading * * i * *Draws the reader in with equal parts of twist and grit . . . It's McCoy, though, who makes this series something special - he's multi-layered and three-dimensional, with his own idiosyncratic work ethic . . . With this third instalment of the McCoy books, Parks has continued to build a series that no crime fan should miss: dangerous, thrilling, but with a kind voice to cut through the darkness * * Scotsman * *Alan Parks has swiftly established himself as an exciting new voice in the world of tartan noir . . . Parks knows the city intimately, and this comes across effortlessly on the page * * Scotland on Sunday * *Parks captures the feel of a city long vanished in a breathless and tense retro crime caper * * The Sun * *This piece of tartan noir, with its twisting, turning plot, is full of fun period detail * * The Times, Best Books of 2020 * *The morally ambiguous, deeply flawed McCoy makes an ideal antihero * * Publishers Weekly * *PRAISE 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 SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEARA TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEARNO ONE WILL FORGET . . .In a grimy flat in Glasgow, a homemade bomb explodes, leaving few remains to identify its maker.Detective Harry McCoy knows in his gut that there'll be more to follow. The hunt for a missing sailor from the local US naval base leads him to the secretive group behind the bomb, and their disturbing, dominating leader.On top of that, McCoy thinks he's doing an old friend a favour when he passes on a warning, but instead he's pulled into a vicious gang feud. And in the meantime, there's word another bigger explosion is coming Glasgow's way - so if the city is to survive, it'll take everything McCoy's got . . .Trade ReviewOne of the great Scottish crime writers . . . Whether it be William McIlvanney, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina or Alan Parks, the way they view - and depict - the world gives great pleasure . . . Like the very best crime novels, The April Dead makes you keenly aware of all the pain out there and (almost) alleviates it * * The Times, Book of the Month * *This is Scottish noir at its gritty darkest, the fourth instalment in Detective Harry McCoy's rocky career. 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 * *Brilliant . . . The April Dead should grace the bookshelves of every crime fan * * Sunday Times Crime Club * *The April Dead may be the grisliest McCoy novel yet, but also, with its pace and urgency, the most exciting * * Wall Street Journal * *Dark and gritty . . . Gripping * * Crime Monthly * *Immensely exciting . . . One of the best police thrillers of the last few years * * Morning Star * *Tightly plotted and fast-moving, this well-wrought historical thriller highlights Parks' keen analysis of Scotland's societal traumas, in particular the failure to cope with domestic violence and child abuse. Tartan noir fans won't want to miss this one * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *The lean, muscular prose is matched by a deep dive into character and the seamy side of the city . . . A full-bodied immersion into Glasgow's gritty past * * Kirkus Reviews * *Praise for the Harry McCoy series: Fascinating and dangerous . . . Parks has clearly studied the masters of tartan noir but has his own voice. He shows how, among the welter of violence, a spontaneous act of kindness can have just as great an impact * * The Times, Book of the Month * *An old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKIN

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Book Synopsis'Glasgow comes alive in Ramsay's dark, vivid and daring thriller' VAL McDERMID'A cracker of a debut . . . Many shivers in store for readers followed by a shattering climax' TimesThe Crucifixion Killer is stalking Glasgow, leaving victims' mutilated bodies in a Christ-like pose. DCI Alan McAlpine is drafted in to lead the hunt, supported by local officers DI Anderson and DS Costello.But the past holds horrific memories for McAlpine. He last worked this beat some twenty years earlier, when he was assigned to guard a woman - faceless after a sadistic acid attack - at a Glasgow hospital. An obsession was born at that hospital room that has never quite left McAlpine and now it seems to be resurfacing. As the chase to halt the gruesome murders intensifies, so Anderson and Costello find chilling cause for concern uncomfortably close to home . . .Trade ReviewGlasgow comes alive in Caro Ramsay's dark, vivid and daring thriller -- Val McDermidA cracker of a debut . . . Many shivers in store for readers followed by a shattering climax * * Times * *Gripping, relevant, compelling and laced with trademark Ramsay bite -- Craig RobertsonHumane, horrifying and exciting * * Literary Review * *Brilliant in twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *[Ramsay] is able to write scenes of heartbreaking tenderness nestled amid evocations of such grotesque violence that it is difficult to imagine that they can coexist as such sublime interlocking pieces of the whole... * * New York Sun * *Edgy and fast-paced, this thriller is a cleverly understated page-turner. Deliciously dark, this well-written debut will leave you wanting more * * Woman * *Caro Ramsay proves once against that she is a titan of Tartan Noir -- Helen FieldsThe terrific cast of characters keep the action and detection compelling * * Time Out * *A taut, shattering, mesmerizing page-turner * * Booklist * *

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Book SynopsisIn the attic of a deserted tenement, the body of a criminal is found hanging with his face horribly disfigured. Investigating officers DI Anderson and DS Costello believe he was a suspect in the decade-old rape and attempted murder of a young student. There are other similar cases on file. But the dead man didn't act alone, he had an accomplice in his crimes, 'Mr Click', who is still on the loose.When another young woman is brutally attacked, Anderson and Costello realise 'Mr Click' is at work again. And with the killings accelerating in pace, Anderson and Costello are determined to stop him at whatever cost.Trade ReviewBrilliant in twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *The terrific cast of characters keep the action and detection compelling * * Time Out * *Gripping, relevant, compelling and laced with trademark Ramsay bite -- Craig RobertsonDark Water is a novel of unnerving precision and narrative weight. Ramsay should be considered alongside McDermid and Rankin as one of the great crime writing Scots * * Crimeshot Magazine * *Ramsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns * * Observer * *

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Book SynopsisIt is the run-up to Christmas when two seven-year-old boys are abducted from the streets of Glasgow. For DI Colin Anderson the case is especially disturbing, because the boys look so much like his own young son Peter.When a simple house fire turns into a full-scale murder investigation, and with cold and flu season having taken many officers off the street, the force is stretched to breaking point. DS Costello's hunch is the crimes are connected, and a killer is ingeniously hiding his trail. As the squad continues to struggle working both cases, for DI Anderson the nightmare is about to get terrifyingly close to home.Trade ReviewThe terrific cast of characters keep the action and detection compelling * * Time Out * *Brilliant in twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *Glasgow comes alive in Caro Ramsay's dark, vivid and daring thriller -- Val McDermid on AbsolutionWell drawn characters and a great sense of place set this series head and shoulders above most of the competition * * Times * *[Ramsay] is able to write scenes of heartbreaking tenderness nestled amid evocations of such grotesque violence that it is difficult to imagine that they can coexist as such sublime interlocking pieces of the whole... * * New York Sun * *At once humane, horrifying and exciting * * Literary Review on Absolution * *Caro Ramsay proves once again that she is a titan of Tartan Noir -- Helen FieldsRamsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns * * Observer * *

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Book Synopsis*As seen on The One Show**A Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year*'A rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish' ABIR MUKHERJEEHAS SOMEONE GOT AWAY WITH MURDER?On the verge of a four-billion-dollar deal, a tech entrepreneur from Shoreditch is found dead in a construction site, which leads to the discovery of three skeletons over a hundred years old.But as fresh bodies turn up, can Detective Kamil - along with his friend Anjoli - prevent another murder?Desperate to solve his first case for the Met, will Kamil put his reputation on the line... then cross it?*The thrilling new Kamil Rahman mystery, THE SPY, is available to pre-order now!*Praise for the Detective Kamil Rahman series:'Hugely entertaining' ANN CLEEVES'The Detective has all the ingredients for a great crime series' SUN'[Kamil is a] likeable inspector . . . We shall hear much more of him' DAILY MAIL'An elegantly constructed thriller' THE TIMES'Outstanding' SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewHugely entertaining * Ann Cleeves *Ajay Chowdhury’s crime novels set in the East End are vivid portraits of modern life. * Sunday Times, Best Books of the Year *An entertaining story that ranges across love, murder and an intriguing family tree * Sun *A rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish * Abir Mukherjee *Chowdhury brings his own expertise in modern tech to the plot, combining it with hot button history, and a biting wit. The series goes from strength to strength * Vaseem Khan *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE GLASS KEY AWARD 2023 FOR THE LAST GRUDGE The chilling new Scandinavian thriller from a New York Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo. Praise for Max Seeck: 'Finland's answer to Jo Nesbo' Sunday Times'Relentlessly tense' Wall Street Journal'One of the best books I have read. Ever' Emilie Schepp ___________Are you ready for the darkest case of Jessica Niemi's career? A young woman's corpse washes up on a near-frozen beach.Then, two famous Instagram influencers go missing.All three have ties to a cult, famous for their cruel and violent worship.But before Jessica can save the girls, an old enemy emerges and threatens to destroy her.Soon, she is hunting for much more than just the truth . . . ___________Praise for The Witch Hunter: 'Short, sharp, present-tense chapters add to its relentless tension and a resolution as bleak as anything Poe might have conjured' - Wall St Journal'If you only read one Nordic noir novel this autumn, make it The Witch Hunter' - Culture Fly'[A] riveting, multi-layered debut, blending masterful police procedural with a chilling exploration of the occult' - Sara Blaedel #1 International Bestselling Author'One of the best books I have read. Ever' - Emelie Schepp, author of Slowly We Die'Exceptional story, exceptional characters, exceptional writing, and shocking twists – exceptional everything' - Chris Mooney, author of Blood World'A disturbing tale of murder and madness' - Kirkus Reviews'A rich, intensely suspenseful thriller' - Booklist Starred Review'A riveting procedural with a deliciously creepy undertone' - Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE WITCH HUNTER: 'The Witch Hunter, translated with icy precision by Kristian London, is written in short, sharp, present-tense chapters, a technique which adds to its relentless tension. Flashbacks to earlier episodes in Jessica's life suggest that the strangeness currently unfolding is tied to her personal history. Discovering the how and why of it brings a resolution as bleak as anything Poe might have conjured' Wall Street Journal. 'If you only read one Nordic noir novel this autumn, make it The Witch Hunter – a chilling female-led thriller that will please fans of Lisbeth Salander and Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy' CultureFly. 'Seeck's riveting, multi-layered debut, blending masterful police procedural with a chilling exploration of the occult, kept me up all night, devouring it in one amazing gulp, and checking under the bed' Sara Blaedel, #1 international bestselling author. 'One of the best books I have ever read. Ever. Absolutely thrilling, well-written, and oh-so-hard to put down' Emilie Schepp, author of Slowly We Die. 'The Witch Hunter is everything I wish for in a thriller: exceptional story, exceptional characters, exceptional writing, and shocking twists – exceptional everything. I loved this book, and you will too' Chris Mooney, author of Blood World. 'One twist follows another ... Seeck imbues this riveting procedural with a deliciously creepy undertone' Publishers Weekly. 'Dark and intricate ... Vividly cinematic and impactful. Seeck has an uncanny ability to unspool reveals at just the right pace to get the reader's heart pounding as they make the connection at the same moment as the detective on page' Booklist. 'A disturbing tale of murder and madness' * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe electrifying new thriller from the bestselling author of Baby Doll - perfect for fans of Claire Douglas and Jane Corry.____________________________A GIRL ON THE RUN. A MOTHER WHO WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HER.When forensic psychologist Becca Ortiz fosters teenage runaway Ash, she knows she will love and protect her as if she were her own daughter.Ash may have turned her back on her old life but there is still one person she can't bear to lose. Now he is about to drag her back into a dark world where no one is safe.To save her daughter Becca will have to venture into LA's terrifying criminal underworld...Can she find her before it's too late?____________________________ Praise for Hollie Overton's heart-racing thrillers: 'A stunning . . . dark tale' Heat 'Moves at breakneck speed' Stylist 'Incredibly powerful' Sunday Mirror 'Kept me transfixed and entertained until the very last page' Tess Gerritsen

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Book Synopsis'Donna Leon has a wonderful feel for the hidden evils that lie below the façade of the magical city' The TimesImportant information is leaking from inside the Venetian Questura, and Commissario Guido Brunetti is tasked with uncovering the culprit. But before Brunetti can begin his investigation, a friend of his wife's comes asking for his help, fearful that her son is using drugs.A few weeks later, the woman's husband is found unconscious at the foot of a bridge.With only contradictory leads to follow, Brunetti navigates his way through Venice's underworld in an attempt to understand who is responsible for the vicious attack. But as he gets closer to discovering what happened, Brunetti is faced with a difficult truth: sometimes, it's the best intentions that lead to the darkest of consequences . . .'En­chanting . . . drolly amusing . . . it's the living, bleeding humanity of the characters that makes Donna Leon's police procedurals so engaging' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewThe Venetian settings are en­chanting and Commissario Guido Brunetti’s investigative methods are drolly amusing. But it’s the living, bleeding humanity of the characters that makes Donna Leon’s police procedurals so engaging … Tagging along after this sleuth is a wonderful way to see Venice like a native, especially since Leon takes care to give us precise directions for his routes. * New York Times Book Review *Leon remains fresh and thoughtful in this gargantuan series … It left me with the satisfaction of a mystery unravelled, the experience of eating a beautifully made cannoli and drinking a pleasant glass of wine together with a close observation of human nature and, as ever with Brunetti, food for thought. * Euro Crime *

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__________________________Former Crime Analyst Merilyn Davies brings to life a gritty, heart-stopping crime thriller that will have you utterly obsessed.'Assured, fresh, engrossing' MEL SHERRATT'Taut, authentic and sensitively told' CHRIS EWAN‘Compassionately, confidently and beautifully written’ STEVE MOSBY‘A breath-taking, page-turning read’ CLARE MACKINTOSH'Fast-paced, authentic ... you’ll be desperate to get to the bottom of the case' CRIME MONTHLY MAGAZINE__________________________When a young couple are the lead suspects for the murder of their only child, Crime Analyst Carla Brown and DS Nell Jackson are assigned to investigate. The evidence seems conclusive, but something just doesn’t feel right. The case is quickly cast into doubt when the lead forensic pathologist starts receiving threatening letters – containing details only the police should know.Who’s sending them? What do they want? And how did they get hold of the information?As Carla and Nell dig deeper, it soon becomes clear that this case isn’t the first of its kind.They must stop at nothing to find the truth – even if it hits close to home.__________________________Readers can't stop talking about When I Lost You:‘An exciting and twisty police thriller’‘A very unusual but gripping storyline’‘I read this almost in one sitting as I was so gripped’‘A first class debut, a mix of psychological thriller meets police procedural’‘All the twists and turns kept me reading into the early hours’‘I love the two main characters - I really hope we see more of them.’‘Once I started, I couldn’t put it down.’

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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 missing womenWhen three teachers disappear without a trace, Sergeant Lindsay Boxer takes the lead in the investigation. But with no clues and no suspects, the odds of finding the women alive are getting slimmer by the second.Two impossible casesUnder pressure at work, Lindsay needs support at home. But her husband Joe is drawn into an encounter with a woman who's seen a ghost - a notorious war criminal from her Eastern European home country, walking the streets of San Francisco.One determined detectiveWhen Joe's informant disappears, the two investigations collide. It will take the combined skills of Lindsay, Joe and the entire Women's Murder Club to protect their city, and themselves, from a monster.______________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 ReviewEverything you love about Patterson and the Women's Murder Club – smart characters, shocking twists, and a villain so evil you count down to the very last page to discover what will happen next. -- Lisa GardnerI absolutely loved it and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. Great plot, fantastic storytelling and characters that spring off the page – all the right ingredients for a thriller!Absolutely terrific, high octane, really pacy ... sets the bar for thrilling reads and this book delivers everything we've come to love in a Patterson novel. Every scene is a film, every character real and every plot point leaves us breathless. -- Jo Spain

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Book SynopsisCould a ghost from his past take everything away from Alex Cross?Only hours after witnessing the execution of a killer he helped put behind bars, Alex Cross is called to the scene of a copycat murder. A note signed 'M' rests on the corpse: 'You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.'Was an innocent man just put to death? As the executed convict's family launch a vicious campaign against Cross, his abilities as a detective are called into question.The enigmatic 'M' lures Cross out of Washington, DC to the sites of multiple homicides, all marked with distressingly familiar details that conjure up decades-old cases and Cross family secrets.Details that make it clear M is planning to destroy much more than Cross's reputation.Trade ReviewSensationally plotted, it leaps off the page and grabs you by the throatI love the crime thriller author James Patterson’s Alex Cross series. It’s quite different from the day job and gives me a chance to escape * Belfast Telegraph *It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: Nobody does it better. -- JEFFERY DEAVERBehind all the noise and the numbers, we shouldn't forget that no one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it.James Patterson is The Boss. End of.I wrote, "Along Came a Spider is the best thriller I've come across in many a year. It deserves to be this season's no. 1 bestseller and should instantly make James Patterson a household name." A household name, indeed.James Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged. -- STEVE BERRY, bestselling author of the Colton Malone series[Alex Cross] has become one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time, a character for the ages.Alex Cross is a legend.Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried... there's no stopping his imagination.Patterson is in a class by himself.

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Book Synopsis___________________________Detective Tom Moon and his multi-talented team face off against an international crime ring looking to seize control over America's most exciting city: Miami.Miami is Detective Tom Moon's home and heartland. When he's asked to lead a new FBI task force tackling international crime, he's proud to represent his beloved city.But his arrest of a man trafficking children from Amsterdam into Miami International airport opens an investigation that will lead Moon into the depths of a vast crime syndicate. An underground network that is bigger and more powerful than he could possibly imagine.Moon is devoted to his city and its citizens - but will that be enough to save them?

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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 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 Synopsis____________________________From the #1 bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix series The Stranger, Gone For Good and The Innocent comes a riveting new thriller, starring the new hero Windsor Horne Lockwood III - or Win, as he is known to his (few) friends ...____________________________Over twenty years ago, heiress Patricia Lockwood was abducted during a robbery of her family's estate, then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors, and the items stolen from her family were never recovered.Until now. On New York's Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead not only on Patricia's kidnapping but also on another FBI cold case - with the suitcase and painting both pointing them towards one man.Windsor Horne Lockwood III - or Win as his few friends call him - doesn't know how his suitcase and his family's stolen painting ended up in this dead man's apartment. But he's interested - especially when the FBI tell him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism, and that he may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades. But Win has three things the FBI does not:: a personal connection to the case, a large fortune, and his own unique brand of justice ...Trade ReviewThe talented Coben, who likes nothing more than to create mysterious outsiders, does so with great skill and panache * The Times *HARLAN COBEN never ever lets you down -- LEE CHILDHARLAN COBEN: simply one of the all-time greats -- GILLIAN FLYNNHARLAN COBEN is the modern master of the hook and twist -- DAN BROWNHARLAN COBEN is one of the world's finest thriller writers -- PETER JAMES

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Book Synopsis'Atmospheric, clever, witty and amusing. If I were only allowed to read one crime series again it would be that of Donna Leon.' The TimesA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERSHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS ASSOCIATION GOLD DAGGER AWARDAs a favour to his wealthy father-in-law, the Count Falier, Commissario Guido Brunetti agrees to investigate the seemingly innocent wish of the Count's best friend, the elderly and childless Gonzalo, to adopt a younger man as his son. Under Italian inheritance laws, this man would become the sole heir to Gonzalo's substantial fortune, something which Gonzalo's friends, including the Count, find appalling. For his part, Brunetti wonders why they're so intent on meddling in the old man's business.Not long after Brunetti and Gonzalo meet, Gonzalo passes away. Old and frail, his death goes unquestioned, until one of his closest confidantes is strangled in her hotel room after sending an email about the adoption. To find the killer and solve a murder most foul, Brunetti must rely on his instincts which lead him to untangling long-buried secrets from Gonzalo's past.'Leon's novels are unshowy and imbued with the humanist outlook that makes Brunetti such an appealing character.' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewLeon’s novels are unshowy and imbued with the humanist outlook that makes Brunetti such an appealing character. * Sunday Times *[A] charming series, and it is a pleasure to spend time with Brunetti, his academic wife, Paola, and their children as they eat delicious food and drink good wine. * Literary Review *Once again, Leon transforms what might have been a straightforward mystery into something much richer and more resonant ... Far more than whodunit, the real subject of this novel (and Leon's work in general) is what we all do to one another. * Booklist *Just as exciting as anything by Lee Child or Jeffrey Deaver. * Evening Standard *Atmospheric, clever, witty and amusing. If I were only allowed to read one crime series again it would be that of Donna Leon. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWhen DC Rawls decided to take some time off work for his mental health, he thought he would need just a few days. However, it's been months since that terrible night and Rawls still hasn't returned to the Somerset Police Dept. He can't seem to shake the feeling that he might never be the same again.But when a schoolgirl disappears and the police link her case to the disappearances of three other girls in Bath, it sends the media into a frenzy that places Rawls and his team at the heart of the storm.Rawls isn't sure that he's ready to work on a case that hits so close to home, but he knows he can't have any more blood on his hands. He has to find out the truth before it's too late.Who is behind these abductions?And which girl will be taken next?

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Book SynopsisChosen as Star Pick in the Sunday Times Crime Club Chosen as a 'Best New Crime Novel' in the Sunday Times'The series that has shadowed Brunetti for three decades is an epic achievement' The Times 'Leon's books are a joy' GuardianWhen two young American women are badly injured in a boating accident, Commissario Brunetti's eye turns to the two young Italians they were with, who abandoned them in the hospital. When one of the young men is found to be involved in more sinister night-time activities in the Laguna, Brunetti has to enlist the help of Italian institutions to get to the bottom of the mystery. But can Brunetti trust unfamiliar colleagues? Could there be another motive behind this horrible crime? 'She is a truly fine novelist, period, and should be acclaimed as such'TLSTrade ReviewThe climax is nothing less than a trip - across the laguna - into the heart of darkness . . . Leon's special skill is to splice glimpses of la dolce vita with acute analysis of moral and ethical dilemmas * The Times *It's colourful and beautifully written * Peterborough Telegraph *Needless to say, by venturing outside the comfort zone of his own prejudices, this deeply simpatico detective learns a lot about his city, his countrymen and himself. And so do we * The New York Times Book Review *Make way for the thirtieth novel in Leon's beloved, bestselling series about Commissario Guido Brunetti * Crimereads *Leon's devoted audience may be shocked to realize that this latest Guido Brunetti novel is the thirtieth in the series, which only goes to show that sometimes abiding relationships never lose the shock of the new . . . Leon's beloved series shows no signs of aging * Booklist *

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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‘Written in Bjork’s habitual cool prose, it’s an absorbing, twisty novel’ Sunday Times'A chilling and ingenious tale of cat and mouse where the hunter doesn't realise that they have become the hunted' Yours Magazine‘Her name is Mia Kruger, and it is she who makes this superb story very special indeed. Genuinely gripping and with a wonderful heroine, it is sensational’ Daily Mail___It was one of Sweden's most notorious unsolved cases: two young boys abducted and murdered, their bodies brutally, artistically arranged.But eight years later, when two other boys are found in similar circumstances, it looks like the killer might be back - this time in neighbouring Norway.Led by veteran detective Holger Munch, the investigating police are baffled. There are no clues, no leads to follow. In desperation, Munch drafts in a trainee from the Police Academy, Mia Kruger, a young woman with an uncanny ability to see beyond the facts. Little does he know that Mia is battling her own demons and will soon find that her life and that of the case are entwined in ways no one could have imagined....From the internationally bestselling author of I'm Travelling Alone, comes another mesmerically chilling psychological tale of cat and mouse where the hunter may not know that they have become the hunted before it's too late...___Readers love Samuel Bjork:'Ingenious''Simply terrific''Intelligent and gripping''Perfect for Scandi-Noir lovers'

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Book Synopsis'A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery' Sun'The feel-good factor is off the scale' The Times'A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile' Stuart MacBride'A wonderfully entertaining mystery' Ian Moore'Best read of the year' Quintin JardineA village of secretsIt's December 1952, and a dead stranger has been found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the remote town of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer? Either way, he wasn't on anyone's Christmas wish list.A mystery that can't be solved Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. The victim of some unfortunate misunderstandings, he hopes this case will help clear his name. But as is often the way for Grasby, things most certainly don't go according to plan.A Christmas to remember Soon blizzards hit the North York Moors, cutting off the village from help, and the local doctor's husband is found murdered. Grasby begins to realise that everyone in Elderby is hiding something - and if he can't uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...Trade ReviewA quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery. * Sun *The feel-good factor of this frantic farce is off the scale. A healing comedy. * The Times *Told with a good dollop of tongue-in-cheek humour, warmth, and the kind of quirky characters any reader would be happy to spend time with. It’s a fun book. Playful. One to make you smile. * Stuart MacBride *A fine, intricately plotted, seasonal mystery, shot through with black humour. * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully entertaining mystery with great characters, setting and period detail. * Ian Moore, bestselling author of Death and Croissants *Intricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour. * The Sunday Post *Your new festive fave. . .a dead body stuck up the chimney, a stumped detective, lies, twists, and Meyrick’s renowned storytelling and wit. * My Weekly *A thoroughly enjoyable book filled with marvellous characters, skilfully drawn settings and clever twists – a crime Christmas stocking must! * Yorkshire Life *

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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 Synopsis'A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies' - VAL MCDERMID 'As good as it gets' - DENISE MINA 'An arresting new talent' - CHRIS BROOKMYRE NOT EVERY CHILD IS A BLESSING... It was Ali who found the body of a murdered newborn baby, hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven by battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation, even as the church tries to suppress it. But this is not the first dead baby Ali has found. For Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the identity of the dead child is little help against a community with secrets to protect. Gina knows all too well how many of Ireland's girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances, silenced by shame. Is Ali one of those girls? Because what evidence there is, points to Ali herself... A compelling mystery that will keep you gripped until the last page, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Tana French and Jo Spain. *** WINNER OF THE DUNDEE INTERNATIONAL BOOK PRIZE *** ________________________________________ 'A superb debut' - IRISH TIMES 'A vivid thriller. Engrossing' - IRISH INDEPENDENT 'A compulsive, page-turning crime novel' - DECLAN HUGHESTrade ReviewA mesmerising tale of secrets and lies rising from the past to strangle the present -- Val McDermidAn unusual but absorbingly twisting narrative is hugely enhanced by White's creation of Detective Swan, a complex man whose own frustrated paternal instincts ensure that a highly politicised case becomes very personal indeed. A superb debut * Irish Times *A vivid thriller. Engrossing right up to its sombre resolution ... an arresting debut * Irish Independent *As good as it gets: a debut shot through with the real, horrifying cruelty of true crime and a heart-race ending -- Denise MinaA crime story with real purpose and conviction, hopefully the first of many from an arresting new talent -- Christopher Brookmyre, author of Want You GoneLike A Famished Heart, the first book in this excellent series, this novel is really a piece of quality literary fiction -- Rachel Sargeant, author of The Perfect NeighboursA moving, intelligent and courageous book - both a family story and a genuine thriller -- A.L. Kennedy, author of DayA compulsive, page-turning crime novel, a haunting slab of Irish family gothic and a moving study of a young woman coming of age in a society deeply unsympathetic to women. Nicola White writes beautifully, with wit, verve, a gift for scene-setting and a compassionate eye for the foibles of her characters -- Declan Hughes, author of The Colour of BloodNicola White is a stupendous talent -- Kate Simants, author of Lock Me InDazzling, exceptional -- Brian Cox, Dundee International Book Prize judge

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Book Synopsis'Gripping' IAN RANKIN ***AN IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR *** A dead police officer. A murder that no-one wants to solve... Dublin, 1986. The murder of an off-duty officer in Phoenix Park should have brought down the full power of the Dublin police force. But Kieran Lynch was found in a notorious gay cruising ground, so even as the press revels in the scandal, some of the Murder Squad are reluctant to investigate. Only Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine are determined to search out the difficult truth, walking the streets of nighttime Dublin to find Kieran's lovers and friends. But Gina has her own secret that means she must withhold vital evidence. When a fire rips through Temple Bar and another man is killed, she must decide what price she is willing to pay to find a murderer. A gripping mystery that will keep you hooked until the final page, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Tana French and Adrian McKinty. *** THE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE ROSARY GARDEN *** ________________________________________ PRAISE FOR THE SERIES 'A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies' - VAL MCDERMID 'As good as it gets' - DENISE MINA 'A terrific new gem of Irish noir' - SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewPeriod, pace, plot and pathos: once again Nicola White provides the lot * Sunday Times Crime Club Pick *A delicately constructed web in which the detectives' personal and professional lives intersect with their investigation to devastating effect... Where White goes from here is a matter of the keenest anticipation * Irish Times *Nicola White's 1986 Dublin and its more exotic characters are instantly recognisable to anyone around at that time, which adds spice to a well-told mystery * Irish Independent *Rich in atmosphere... refreshingly different... her best yet * Bookmunch *A gay cop murdered. Two mismatched and awkward detectives on the case. Gripping -- Ian RankinPRAISE FOR THE SERIES A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies rising from the past to strangle the present -- Val McDermidAs good as it gets: a debut shot through with the real, horrifying cruelty of true crime and a heart-race ending -- Denise MinaA terrific new gem of Irish noir * Sunday Times *Psychological nuanced and compassionate... gripping * Irish Times *A vivid thriller. Engrossing right up to its sombre resolution * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisDetective Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover is the most idle and avaricious hero in all of crime fiction. Why should he even be bothered to solve the case? The town of Pott Winckle owes its prosperity to the firm of Wibbley Ware. Naturally, when the owner's daughter is murdered, the call goes out for Scotland Yard's finest. Once again, Dover is off, the reluctant Sergeant MacGregor in tow. All Dover has to do to clinch this one is settle back in Wibbley's Rolls Royce, perhaps bend a bit of evidence, or maybe a few fingers. Oddly enough – and not for the first time – his methods result in something resembling a solution. 'Something quite out of the ordinary.' - Daily Telegraph 'Joyce Porter is a joy... Dover is unquestionably the most entertaining detective in fiction.' - Guardian 'Plotted with the technique of a virtuoso.' - New York Times 'Wonderfully funny.' - Spectator 'Dover is wildly, joyously unbelievable; and may he remain so for our comic delight.' - Sun 'You will be fascinated by his sheer dazzling incompetence. Porter has a keen eye, a wicked sense of comedy, and a delightfully low mind.' - Harper's AUTHOR: Joyce Porter was born in Cheshire, England and educated at King's College, London. In 1949 she joined the Women's Royal Air Force, and, on the strength of an intensive course in Russian, qualified for confidential work in intelligence. Porter became best known for her series of novels featuring Detective Inspector Wilfred Dover.

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Book SynopsisDetective Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover is the most idle and avaricious hero in all of crime fiction. Why should he even be bothered to solve the case? Sully Martin had probably been a picturesque English village before the earthquake nearly destroyed it. And construction tycoon Walter Chantry might have been taken for another of the many casualties if it hadn't come out that he had been strangled. This time Dover is in for much more than his usual share of the bother. For a start, the town's only hotel is unlicensed, and there's not a drop of booze to be had. But almost as alarming are the unmistakable signs that someone is actually out to kill Dover. Unless, that is, against all odds Dover strikes again.

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Book SynopsisDetective Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover is the most idle and avaricious hero in all of crime fiction. Why should he even be bothered to solve the case? This time, Scotland Yard sends Detective Chief Inspector Dover and his woeful assistant MacGregor off on the Stately Home circuit to look into murder. Since Lord Crouch, master of Beltour, can hardly make ends meet despite the hordes of tourists visiting the manor, his hospitality is meagre – though his vegetarian sister, Lady Priscilla, would love to cook for Dover. And the victim couldn't be a drearier sort: "the wettest thing since nappies," according to Dover. In short, the inspector can't wait to be quit of the whole thing, and chief suspects begin to pop up everywhere.

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Book SynopsisDetective Chief Inspector Wilfred Dover is the most idle and avaricious hero in all of crime fiction. Why should he even be bothered to solve the case? Dover and the Claret Tappers is a surprising departure for the series featuring Scotland Yard's least competent detective, and the first to depart is none other than Dover himself. When the doubtful detective suddenly vanishes from Scotland Yard, along comes an ultimatum from a gang of kidnappers, the Claret Tappers. They demand not only a stout ransom, but also the release of two prisoners – a multiple bigamist and a nymphomaniacal shoplifter. How Dover gets out of this one is only the beginning. For just as the case is getting cold, the Claret Tappers strike again. And once more Dover is aroused from his stupor in a most unexpected way. 'Something quite out of the ordinary.' - Daily Telegraph 'Joyce Porter is a joy... Dover is unquestionably the most entertaining detective in fiction.' - Guardian 'Plotted with the technique of a virtuoso.' - New York Times 'Wonderfully funny.' - Spectator 'Dover is wildly, joyously unbelievable; and may he remain so for our comic delight.' - Sun 'You will be fascinated by his sheer dazzling incompetence. Porter has a keen eye, a wicked sense of comedy, and a delightfully low mind.' - Harper's AUTHOR: Joyce Porter was born in Cheshire, England and educated at King's College, London. In 1949 she joined the Women's Royal Air Force, and, on the strength of an intensive course in Russian, qualified for confidential work in intelligence. Porter became best known for her series of novels featuring Detective Inspector Wilfred Dover.

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