Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book Synopsis‘Brilliantly original, with characters that jump off the page. Highly recommended and a huge 5 stars from me.’ Angela MarsonsIt was the wedding of the year. Millie Beaumont marrying billionaire playboy Oscar Hayat, the eyes of the world watching.But the dream turns into a nightmare when Millie and Oscar are brutally abducted while on honeymoon. Millie is killed, her body dumped in London. Oscar is still missing …Enter DS Mumtaz ‘Moomy’ Khan - not your typical police officer. Moomy is running from her own troubled past, while colleague Sarah Heaton is having to live with the hard choices she has made. Yet they will stop at nothing to find Millie’s murderers and track down Oscar. Only a family as high profile as the Hayats have enemies lurking in every corner - have they taken the ultimate revenge, or is someone else behind the death and kidnapping?And can Moomy find Oscar - before time runs out and he suffers the same fate as his wife?The first book in the gripping, fast-paced new DS Mumtaz Ali crime series, this book was previously called The Unbroken. Fans of A.A. Dhand, The Khan and Robert Bryndza won’t be able to put this down.Praise for Until Death: ‘It was nothing short of brilliant. I read the entire book with bated breath… I freaking loved the book!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The twists in this book are so jaw-dropping, I can’t even put into words how awesome they were…tension and suspense is ramped up right from the beginning’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An absolutely gripping, engaging, engrossing read, I could not put this down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Original, and well written. An excellent addition to the genre’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Wonderful well-written plot and storyline that had me engaged from the start.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Besides being a solid British police procedural, I appreciated the diverse, multiracial cast of characters in the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A brilliant police thriller…I loved this exciting rollercoaster!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The red herrings and cliffhangers at the end of chaptersmeant I couldn’t put the book down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A riveting read that had me clinging onto every word.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘An intriguing story of wealth, hypocrisy, racism, love andbetrayal. So many twists and turns! You’re kept guessing to the very end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger shortlisted author‘A dark, haunting tale with an emotional gut punch that stays with you long after the final page. Amanda Cassidy is an unflinching storyteller.’ Lisa Jewell, author of The Family UpstairsWhen she re-lives this night, over and over, Nancy will wonder if she’d just gone upstairs a few minutes earlier, what might have been…A devastating fire.A grieving mother.A picture-perfect village full of dark secrets.And now, a son who has seemingly come back from the dead.A detective called back to her hometown, back to the memories she thought she’d left behind…An electrifying novel from a compelling new voice in Irish crime fiction, perfect for fans of Liz Nugent and Claire Mackintosh.Praise for The Returned ‘A richly layered, intricate plot, wonderfully nuanced characters, and absolutely stunning writing, The Returned packs an incredible emotional punch. One of the best books I’ve read this year.’ Andrea Mara, author of All Her Fault‘A powerfully emotive and carefully layered story about old secrets, motherhood and demons from the past. Amanda’s lyrical and evocative writing underpins a whip cracking plot that simply swept me away!’ Lizzy Barber, author of Out of Her Depth‘Vivid, pacy and gripping, with characters who have real heart, Amanda Cassidy is a brilliant new voice in crime fiction.’ Sam Blake, author of The Mystery of Four‘An emotionally-charged page-turner that won't let you go. I'm still reeling from that stunning ending. I loved it.’ Glenn Meade, author of The Devil's Disciple‘A tightly-woven, well-balanced mystery. Dark, emotive and intricate, The Returned marks an exciting step forward for Cassidy in the Irish crime fiction genre’ Business PostWhat reader's are saying about The Returned ‘When I say my heart was pounding reading this book, I mean it was POUNDING! The Returned is unputdownable and took me on an emotional rollercoaster! Superb, a must read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘This book packs a powerful, emotional punch. The writing is excellent with realistic characterisation and full of tension.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I did not want this book to end. The storyline, characters and emotion of this novel are seriously unmatched. I recommend this book and this author… You will not be disappointed. Bravo!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger shortlisted author'A dark, haunting tale with an emotional gut punch that stays with you long after the final page. Amanda Cassidy is an unflinching storyteller.' Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Upstairs When she re-lives this night, over and over, Nancy will wonder if she'd just gone upstairs a few minutes earlier, what might have been...A devastating fire. A grieving mother. A picture-perfect village full of dark secrets. And now, a son who has seemingly come back from the dead. A detective called back to her hometown, back to the memories she thought she'd left behind... An electrifying novel from a compelling new voice in Irish crime fiction, perfect for fans of Liz Nugent and Claire Mackintosh. Praise for The Returned 'A richly layered, intricate plot, wonderfully nuanced characters, and absolutely stunning writing, The Returned packs an incredible emotional punch. One of the best books I've read this year.' Andrea Mara, author of All Her Fault 'A powerfully emotive and carefully layered story about old secrets, motherhood and demons from the past. Amanda's lyrical and evocative writing underpins a whip cracking plot that simply swept me away!' Lizzy Barber, author of Out of Her Depth 'Vivid, pacy and gripping, with characters who have real heart, Amanda Cassidy is a brilliant new voice in crime fiction.' Sam Blake, author of The Mystery of Four 'An emotionally-charged page-turner that won't let you go. I'm still reeling from that stunning ending. I loved it.' Glenn Meade, author of The Devil's Disciple

Read more less

Book SynopsisRun.Moonlight slants through the trees on the ancestral Dunlow estate, where a young woman runs for her life. Gunshots break the silence.The next morning, the body of seventeen-year-old student Melanie Pirt is found.DS Gabe Martin is more than ready to take the lead on her first murder case. Determined to prove herself to the cold and mysterious DI Juliet Stern, Gabe can’t afford any distractions – especially not ones that wake her in the night, reminding her of a past she’d rather forget.Because while Gabe and Juliet have few leads, there are plenty of suspects. And every one of them is lying…The first in a new detective series featuring an unforgettable female detective partnership, Shot in the Dark is perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and Gytha Lodge.Praise for Shot in the Dark:‘I absolutely loved this banger of a police procedural - clever, fresh, with great characters and a killer ending. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and I can't wait for book 2’ Jo Callaghan‘The characters were standout (especially Gabe)... I devoured it in one sitting’ Angela Marsons‘A cracking new police procedural dripping with authenticity and fascinating investigative detail. A superb addition to the crime fiction scene’ Marion Todd‘This is a cracking debut. Gabe and Juliet are a sharp investigative duo. A compulsive read with such an unexpected ending’ Casey King‘Twisted, compulsive - a powerful and fresh new voice for the crime thriller bookshelf!’ D. E. White‘Great start to a brand new crime series. Blew away the cobwebs of my reading slump that's for sure! Five stars from me!’ Kerry Watts‘A twisty corkscrew of a story... My new favourite gritty detective series’ A.M. Castle‘This is the best police procedural I have read in years. It’s complex, gripping, believable and intensely chilling. The characterisation is razor-sharp. I could hardly turn the pages fast enough to discover what happened next.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘A cracking read. Had everything you could ever want with a police procedural. A completely gripping storyline with fantastic twists. Excellent.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Full of twists and turns. The team dynamic between Gabe and Juliet was well thought out. I will be recommending this to other readers.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Wow and wow again. An excellent police procedural… wonderfully well written. I didn’t guess the perpetrator and for me, a person who reads a lot of crime novels, that is the mark of a 5 star read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisA witness with a secret. 24 hours to keep it.'A compelling crime thriller with a gritty, convincing edge. Great characters, razor-sharp dialogue, I couldn't put it down' Simon McCleave'Max Luther is one to watch for the future, and a standard for all to strive for' Graham BartlettWhen the witness protection program fails catastrophically, Sarah Bennett is forced to go on the run, narrowly escaping with her life as she is hunted across London by the organised crime group she is imminently due to testify against.With the National Crime Agency compromised, private bodyguard Alex Drayce is hired to find Sarah and keep her safe.But with Britain’s most powerful criminals on their trail, he’ll need to use every weapon in his arsenal to keep them both alive. Because one thing is certain: Sarah knows something these people want to keep hidden, and they’ll go to any lengths to keep it a secret.'Relentless, authentic and suspenseful, Nowhere to Hide is an incredible debut, combining high-octane action with emotional depth' Jeff Abbott, New York Times bestselling authorPraise for Nowhere to Hide 'I raced through it and loved it. I kept having to go back and check it was a debut, such was the accomplished writing style, the expertly drawn characters and the sheer quality of the story. It was a pulse-pounding race from start to finish, told with authenticity yet unflinching drama' Graham Bartlett'Steely, razor-sharp stuff' James Swallow'A five-star, spectacular high-octane thriller' C. J. Carver'From its jolting opening scene to the final pitch-perfect climax, Nowhere to Hide grips you by the throat and never lets go' M J Lee

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Such a good read’ Val McDermidWhat deadly secrets have been swept away by the flood?Heavily pregnant and a week away from maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is exhausted. But a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant means that her final days will be anything but straightforward.When the closed case of a man who drowned in the recent summer floods is dumped in her lap, what begins as a simple, informal review quickly grows into something more complicated. Kate can either write the report that’s expected of her or investigate the case the way she wants to.As secrets and betrayals pile up, unsettling connections to her own past and family emerge. How far is Kate prepared to push to discover the truth?The Torrent is tense and atmospheric Australian crime at its best. Perfect for fans of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer.Praise for The Torrent ‘Subtle and clever … Dinuka McKenzie has talent to burn’ Dervla McTiernan‘Tense, believable and a quick, involving read’ Crime Time‘Vivid, pacy and refreshingly original. A gripping whodunnit with heart’ Emma Viskic‘Intense, dangerous and utterly compelling’ B. M. Carroll‘I like Australian noir and this is the excellent debut of a new series. Complex, twisty, it kept me reading and guessing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I was hooked from the first page … great characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘I loved the characters and the setting and hope this is the first in a long series’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Well-paced, astoundingly good’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review‘Tension, intrigue and well crafted characters. An Australian equivalent to Rachel Abbott’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisA retired Scotland Yard Inspector races to prove the innocence of his daughter's policeman fiance in this fast-paced and expertly crafted whodunnit from 'marvellous storyteller' (Michael Koryta) Scott Shepherd. When NYPD Detective John Frankel's ex-wife is discovered murdered in his Manhattan apartment, he instantly becomes the prime suspect. Frankel's gun is linked to the fatal bullet, he had a motive, and he flees the city, all of which convinces his colleagues of his guilt. But Frankel's bride-to-be, Rachel, and her father, Austin Grant, a former Scotland Yard detective in London, are certain of his innocence. So with the police under orders to use whatever force necessary to apprehend Frankel, the duo will have to act fast to save him. The relentless manhunt takes them from the tropical shores of Hawaii to the woods of northern Maine. And as the game of cat-and-mouse unfurls, so too does a complex murder plot with multiple victims... Reviews for Should I Fall: 'Riveting and fast-paced. Readers will be hooked on the twisting story.' Library Journal 'Shepherd masterfully blends crime fiction and domestic suspense in this taut, character driven sequel that leaves us wanting more!' Wendy Walker 'Tense and twist-filled, but also genuinely warm-hearted, filled with engaging characters. A pleasure to read.' Brian FreemanTrade ReviewRiveting and fast-paced. Readers will be hooked on the twisting story * Library Journal (Starred Review) *Shepherd masterfully blends crime fiction and domestic suspense in this taut, character-driven sequel that leaves us wanting more! -- Wendy Walker, international bestselling author of Don't Look For MeThrilling... A fast-paced and expertly crafted whodunnit that is just as much puzzling as it is entertaining * Mystery & Suspense *A mystery that manages to be both tense and twist-filled, but also genuinely warm-hearted, filled with engaging characters. A pleasure to read -- Brian Freeman, New York Times bestselling authorAn expertly plotted mystery... Shepherd has raised the stakes significantly and put one of his principal players in peril, which makes the suspense factor that much more intense and the emotional investment through the roof -- Ray Palen, BookReporter

Read more less

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 serial killer who wants to watch you burn. The media call him The Burning Man, a brutal murderer who has beaten four young women to death, before setting their bodies ablaze in secluded areas of London's parks. And now the fifth victim has been found.Maeve Kerrigan is an ambitious detective constable, keen to make her mark on the murder task force. Her male colleagues believe Maeve's empathy makes her weak, but the more she learns about the latest victim, Rebecca Haworth, from her grieving friends and family, the more determined Maeve becomes to bring her murderer to justice.But how do you catch a killer no one has ever seen? And when so much of the evidence they leave behind has gone up in smoke. . .?

Read more less

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______________He meets women.He gains their trust.He kills them.That's all Maeve Kerrigan knows about the man she is hunting. Three women have been targeted in their homes by the same sadistic killer. With no sign of a break-in, every indication shows that they let him in.But the evidence is pointing at a shocking suspect: DI Josh Derwent, Maeve's colleague.Maeve refuses to believe he could be involved, but how well does she really know him?Because this isn't the first time Derwent's been accused of murder...

Read more less

Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE NEXT INSTALMENT IN DONNA LEON'S COMMISSARIO BRUNETTI SERIES, A REFINER'S FIRE, NOW. AVAILABLE JULY 2024.'Donna Leon provides another delectable slice of the thoughtful policeman's life at work and at home... So Shall You Reap is as witty and wise as anything Leon has written. To read her is to restore the soul.' Mark Sanderson, The Times'Like all of Leon's novels, it ultimately feels like a glorious invigorating holiday.' Daily Express---On a cold November evening, Guido Brunetti and Paola are up late when a call from his colleague Ispettore Vianello arrives, alerting the Commissario that a hand has been seen in one of Venice's canals. The body is soon found, and Brunetti is assigned to investigate the murder of an undocumented Sri Lankan immigrant. Because no official record of the man's presence in Venice exists, Brunetti is forced to use the city's far richer sources of information: gossip and the memories of people who knew the victim. Curiously, he had been living in a garden house on the grounds of a palazzo owned by a university professor, in which Brunetti discovers books revealing the victim's interest in Buddhism, the revolutionary Tamil Tigers, and the last crop of Italian political terrorists, active in the 1980s.As the investigation expands, Brunetti, Vianello, Commissario Griffoni, and Signorina Elettra each assemble pieces of a puzzle-random information about real estate and land use, books, university friendships-that appear to have little in common. Until Brunetti stumbles over something that transports him back to his own student days, causing him to reflect on lost ideals and the errors of youth, on Italian politics and history, and on the accidents that sometimes lead to revelation.Trade ReviewDonna Leon provides another delectable slice of the thoughtful policeman's life at work and at home... So Shall You Reap is as witty and wise as anything Leon has written. To read her is to restore the soul -- Mark Sanderson * The Times *Like all of Leon's novels, it ultimately feels like a glorious invigorating holiday * Daily Express *[Leon's] success lies in the kindness and the decency of her main character as well as in the backdrop of Venice, the city that all of her books are set in, and the way she combs through its street and canals for stories of corruption and power and greed and hubris, always allowing Brunetti to sink back into the loving embrace of his family and food * Off Air with Jane & Fi *Much more than a whodunnit -- Christina Hardyment * The Times *Donna Leon's novels appear as regularly as the season and - it really is true - they get better and better. * The Tablet *

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Tess Gerritsen gets better with every book.' DAILY MIRRORDetective Jane Rizzoli is investigating the violent murder of a woman in Boston's Chinatown.Two strands of silver hair cling to the body - Rizzoli's only clue, but enough for her and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles to make a startling discovery.Years earlier, five people died in a horrifying murder-suicide in a restaurant close by. But onewoman connected to that massacre is very much alive, and harbouring a deadly secret.A secret that will kill again.Unless Jane and Maura can track it down, and defeat it . . .'Suspense doesn't get smarter than this'LEE CHILD'Absolutely riveting'MO HAYDERDon't miss Tess Gerritsen's gripping new thriller, LISTEN TO ME - out now!

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Expect a white-knuckle ride to very dark places.' Paula HawkinsWhen a young woman is found dead, Detective Jane Rizzoli and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles are called to the scene of the murder. Though the body bears startling wounds, the actual cause of death is not immediately clear. A few days later, another body is discovered – a seemingly unrelated crime, but the lack of an obvious cause of death shows they have more in common than it would first appear.As Rizzoli and Isles race to discover the link between the victims before the killer can strike again, a mysterious person watches from the sidelines. She has the answers they’re looking for.But she knows she has to stay quiet, if she wants to stay alive . . .'A fast-paced, dark, edgy mystery/thriller filled with unremitting suspense.' Huffington Post

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne death, two victims – one seen, one hidden A thrilling rollercoaster, combining a multi-layered crime drama with an emotionally charged family saga, Still Small Voice looks at a fractured marriage and the fatal consequences of love, lust, and obsession. It’s a sweltering August day in 1998, and the body of a missing woman, best-selling author Nicky Butler, is discovered in an empty house in South West London. DI John Burroughs and his tenacious partner, DS Lucy Burton, are assigned to the case and it is immediately clear that all is not what it seems. Do they suspect Nicky’s controlling husband, James Scott, a hundred miles away in a dreary hotel room, contemplating a grim future, or the mysterious man seen entering the house the previous evening? As the detectives delve deeper into the investigation without a clear suspect, nothing seems to add up and there is a strong chance they will convict the wrong man. Why was Nicky at her brother-in-law’s house on the night of the murder while he was out of the country? And who is the shadowy figure hovering on the edge of the action, watching and waiting. The heart-stopping final twist will leave you gasping.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Detective Beth Fellows, a Preston detective haunted by her mum's murder when she was only four. She's a driven woman with a heart of gold. The Only Thing More Terrifying than the killer you know is the killer you don't. He seems such a nice man. Nothing about him tells you, you should be on your guard. He's just ... an ordinary man. Driving an ordinary car. Telling you to get in. And he's the last person you'll ever see alive. If you love Angela Parsons, Helen Fields, Nadine Matheson, Helen H. Durrant, Noelle Holten, Rachel MacLean, and Dorothy Koomson will devour this page-turning crime thriller. Written by the winner of the first Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour. Second novel in the series starring a gay mixed-race DI heroine.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA troubled cop seeks to save his son from a killer in the wilderness of Yellowstone. Back of Beyond is a gripping adventure from New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box, and the first book in the series that inspired hit TV show Big Sky. Twilight falls on a cold, wet spring day in the mountains of Montana. A cabin smoulders in the forest. Its charred structure reveals the remains of a single body. Detective Cody Hoyt investigates. A brilliant cop, Cody is also struggling with alcoholism and close to losing his job. It doesn't help that the body in the cabin is his AA sponsor, Hank Winters. It looks like a suicide, but Cody knew Hank better than that. Cody is determined to get justice for his friend. But when the clues lead to a company running wilderness adventures, he realises their latest trip, to Yellowstone National Park, is the very same one his estranged teenage son has signed up for… Cody must trek deep into Yellowstone, America's greatest wilderness, alone, in pursuit of his son – and the truth. Reviews for Back of Beyond 'Timeless, gripping. Resembles an Agatha Christie whodunnit but with horses, bears, wolves and hunting rifles.' Sunday Times 'A perfect introduction to the novels of C.J. Box.' Booklist 'Perceptive... smooth, muscular writing keeps the tension rising.' Financial Times 'One of the most suspenseful wilderness thrillers since Deliverance.' Associated Press 'Terrifically entertaining.' KirkusTrade ReviewIf Box isn't already on your list, put him there. * USA Today *Terrifically entertaining. * Kirkus *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHe arrives in the shape of Detective Inspector Stanley Low. Brilliant and bipolar. He hates everyone almost as much as he hates himself. Singapore doesn't want him, and he doesn't want to be in London. There are too many bad memories. Low is plunged into a polarised city, where xenophobia and intolerance feed screaming echo chambers. His desperate race to find a far-right serial killer will lead him to charismatic Neo-Nazi leaders, incendiary radio hosts and Met Police officers who don't appreciate the foreigner's interference. As Low confronts the darkest corners of a racist soul, the Chinese detective is the wrong face in the wrong place. But he's the right copper for the job. London is about to meet the bloody foreigner who won't walk away.Trade Review'This impressive police procedural paints an unflattering but authentic picture of the multiracial megacity.' Mark Sanderson The Times Crime Club. 'The author has a dismal view of modern Britain which might put off some readers - but his detective is a great character.' The Sun. 'Fast, tough and smart - this is crime fiction to die for'. Tony Parsons. 'Classic Raymond Chandler school with wonderfully evocative scenes of London and illuminating insights into modern, multi-racial, Britain. A real page-turner. ' Mihir Bose. 'I enjoyed this book it was well written with good pacing/flow and well-developed characters. I read this fast I could not put it down with plenty of twists to keep me guessing.' Netgalley

Read more less

Book SynopsisLow goes undercover returning to a world that the city refuses to acknowledge; a world of gambling addiction, crime syndicates, international money launderers, immoral celebrities and corrupt politicians, all living in Asia's cleanest metropolis. Marina Sins Bay may be the sparkling embodiment of the island's devotion to economic prosperity, yet a corrupt underworld lies within the 'Monaco' of Asia. As Inspector Low gets closer to the unpalatable truth, he will demand answers to questions that society has chosen to ignore for too long. The first in a trilogy of Inspector Low crime thrillersTrade Review'Fast, tough and smart - this is crime fiction to die for'. Tony Parsons. 'A noir thriller that has it hooks on you till the very last page'. Felix Cheong. 'Put this on your must-read list' Hamish Brown

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn desperation, the authorities turn to the one man they loathe almost as much as the killer himself - Detective Inspector Stanley Low. Angry, bipolar and unrepentant, his career is in tatters, but he is also the only man capable of understanding what drives the serial killer. Low must solve the case quickly, stop a serial killer, and save his sanity. The second in the popular Inspector Low series, Rich Kill Poor Kill is a dark, disturbing examination of the income divide that exists even in death.Trade ReviewFast, tough and smart - this is crime fiction to die for'. Tony Parsons. 'Humphreys has a knack for tapping the pulse of the collective consciousness with a delightfully warped sensibility'. Adrian Pang. 'Put this on your must-read list' Hamish Brown

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is 2001 and Detective Inspector Charlie Moon is back with a new case! A prisoner found hanging in his cell after serving over twenty years of a life sentence draws Moon into the investigation of a murder which took place in the 1970s – a student named Sharon Baxter who was stabbed to death and her body dumped at the side of a canal. At first nothing seems to make sense and the plot thickens with the discovery that all the files on the case have mysteriously gone missing leading Moon to suspect a police cover-up and implications going far beyond a simple miscarriage of justice. Assisted once again by his journalist friend, Jo Lyon, Moon sets about following a trail of clues which soon reveal the chilling truth about how an innocent man came to be convicted of a crime he did not commit. Dark secrets from the past are uncovered as Moon and Jo piece together what turns out to be a harrowing tale of corruption and depravity stretching back many years. It is not long, however, before Moon is drawn into conflict with his bosses and he is forced to choose between yielding to their wishes to drop the case or putting his career on the line. Moon realises time is not on his side but will he discover who killed Sharon and why before it is too late? There is, however, one final twist to the story – a twist nobody expects not even Charlie Moon!

Read more less

Book SynopsisSOME THINGS SHOULD REMAIN BURIED . . .The Sunday Times bestselling first book in a brand new thriller series by the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante.__________________DC Jack Warr and his girlfriend Maggie have just moved to London to start a new life together. Though charming, Jack can't seem to find his place in the world - until he's drawn into an investigation that turns his life upside down.In the aftermath of a fire at an isolated cottage, a badly charred body is discovered, along with the burnt remains of millions of stolen, untraceable bank notes.Jack's search leads him deep into a murky criminal underworld - a world he finds himself surprisingly good at navigating. But as the line of the law becomes blurred, how far will Jack go to find the answers - and what will it cost him?In BURIED, it's time to meet DC Jack Warr as he digs up the deadly secrets of the past . . .__________________PRAISE FOR BURIED:'It's quite a challenge to make a detective constable the lead character in a crime novel, but Lynda La Plante does a cracking job of it in BURIED. DC Jack Warr is clearly destined for higher things, and I look forward to following his progress' - PETER ROBINSON, No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the DCI Banks series 'A compelling, clever plot with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. Utterly riveting' - RACHEL ABBOTT, million-selling author of ONLY THE INNOCENT'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' Karin Slaughter

Read more less

Book SynopsisAN INTENSELY CREEPY SERIAL KILLER THRILLER DEBUT, FOR FANS OF CHRIS CARTER AND M. W. CRAVEN.'A truly extraordinary crime novel' - Lynda La Plante'Written with a clear grasp of social media, the story simply bristles with invention - though it is not for the faint hearted' - Daily Mail'You couldn't ask for a more assured if startlingly graphic and gory debut' - Irish Independent'Satisfyingly gruesome fare' - Financial TimesDeath is an art, and he is the master . . .Three glass cabinets appear in London's Trafalgar Square containing a gruesome art installation: the floating corpses of three homeless men. Shock turns to horror when it becomes clear that the bodies are real.The cabinets are traced to @nonymous - an underground artist shrouded in mystery who makes a chilling promise: MORE WILL FOLLOW.Eighteen years ago, Detective Inspector Grace Archer escaped a notorious serial killer. Now, she and her caustic DS, Harry Quinn, must hunt down another.As more bodies appear at London landmarks and murders are livestreamed on social media, their search for @nonymous becomes a desperate race against time. But what Archer doesn't know is that the killer is watching their every move - and he has his sights firmly set on her . . .He is creating a masterpiece. And she will be the star of his show.Praise for The Art of Death:'I flew through it . . . tense, gripping and brilliantly inventive' SIMON LELIC'Unsettling, fast-paced, suspenseful and gripping . . . Excellent' WILL DEAN'A serial killer thriller with the darkest of hearts' FIONA CUMMINS'A tense-as-hell high-body count page turner, but a rarer thing too - one that's also full of genuine warmth and humanity' WILLIAM SHAW

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE FIRST IN THE ACCLAIMED NIC COSTA SERIES'No author has ever brought Rome so alive for me - nor made it seem so sinister' PETER JAMES'David Hewson's Rome is dark and tantalizing, seductive and dangerous, a place where present-day crimes ring with the echoes of history' TESS GERRITSEN'Hewson keeps the reader guessing . . . relentlessly tightening the suspense until the end' Daily TelegraphThere's no rest for the wicked . . . While Rome is sweltering in the height of summer, a serial killer is on the loose. Sara Farnese is working in the Vatican library, when a man bursts in intent on showing her the contents of his bloodied bag, until a guard shoots him. But why was the man targeting Sara? Determined to find answers, Sara's path crosses with a young up-and-coming Roman detective, Nic Costa. He's determined to track down the dangerous killer behind this bizarre and brutal murder and to protect Sara from becoming the next victim . . .Trade ReviewNo author has ever brought Rome so alive for me - nor made it seem so sinister -- PETER JAMESDavid Hewson's Rome is dark and tantalising, seductive and dangerous, a place where present-day crimes ring with the echoes of history -- TESS GERRITSENHewson does more than provide a thrilling read. He saves you the airfare to Italy. When you turn the last page, you'll think you've been there -- LINWOOD BARCLAYHewson . . . effortlessly keeps thrills coming a mile a minute -- JEFFERY DEAVERHewson's inventiveness never flags * * Sunday Times * *A great series -- SIMON KERNICKHewson keeps the reader guessing . . . relentlessly tightening the suspense until the end * * Daily Telegraph * *Better than the Da Vinci Code * * Washington Post * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'No author has ever brought Rome so alive for me - nor made it seem so sinister' Peter James'David Hewson's Rome is dark and tantalizing, seductive and dangerous, a place where present-day crimes ring with the echoes of history' Tess GerritsenAn ancient ritual. A modern-day crime. A body is found in a peat bog near the banks of the River Tiber. Teresa Lupo, a maverick pathologist, believes it was a young woman sacrificed long ago in an ancient Roman ritual. But she's wrong. Whilst the method of killing is ancient history, this murder happened very recently. The horror of these ritualistic killings is very much alive and it's up to Nic Costa to get to the bottom of it.Trade ReviewNo author has ever brought Rome so alive for me - nor made it seem so sinister -- Peter JamesDavid Hewson's Rome is dark and tantalising, seductive and dangerous, a place where present-day crimes ring with the echoes of history -- Tess GerritsenHewson . . . effortlessly keeps thrills coming a mile a minute -- Jeffery DeaverHewson does more than provide a thrilling read. He saves you the airfare to Italy. When you turn the last page, you'll think you've been there -- Linwood BarclayA riveting and fast-paced thriller . . . every character hides a dark secret that, like Rome's ancient mysteries, seems to lurk just beyond reach. A complex and satisfying mystery from a master plot maker * * Booklist * *Costa and Peroni, like all the best fictional detectives, become more rounded and interesting with every episode * * Literary Review * *Hewson's inventiveness never flags * * Sunday Times * *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Brilliant . . . twisting the tension tauter with each page' Guardian'The dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns' ObserverInside a beautiful Victorian family home in Glasgow's West End, a mother and her young son are found brutally murdered. DI Costello is furious and knows exactly who did it, George Haggerty, the husband and father. The only problem is that Haggerty has a cast-iron alibi - the police themselves caught him speeding on the A9 at the time of the murders. But Costello can't let it go. Determined to expose Haggerty as a ruthless killer, she's gone solo. DCI Colin Anderson has no time to ponder his partner of twenty years going rogue, as his own cases are piling up. But Costello's absence becomes increasingly worrying. Has she completely disappeared following the tracks of a dangerous man?Trade ReviewBrilliant . . . twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *The unravelling relationship between our heroes, Costello and Anderson, really makes this spark. A great pick-me-up read * * The Sun, Book of the Week * *[Ramsay] is a titan of Tartan Noir -- HELEN FIELDS, author of Perfect RemainsRamsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns * * Observer * *Ramsay has been compared to "Ruth Rendell at her best". High praise indeed. There is little doubt she continues to be one Scotland's best * * Herald * *Cleverly structured . . . In the world of the imagination, Caro Ramsay makes her creations' actions and motivations credible and in character . . . Compelling . . . She also has a great ability to conjure up and capture a strong sense of place * * The Courier, Scottish Book of the Week * *Another suspenseful read in a consistently gripping series * * Booklist * *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR'Fantastic' Lee Child'Absolutely brilliant' Mick HerronIf the truth's in the shadows, get out of the light . . . Lawyer Bobby Carter did a lot of work for the wrong type of people. Now he's dead and it was no accident. Besides a distraught family and a heap of powerful friends, Carter's left behind his share of enemies. So, who dealt the fatal blow?DC Jack Laidlaw's reputation precedes him. He's not a team player, but he's got a sixth sense for what's happening on the streets. His boss chalks the violence up to the usual rivalries, but is it that simple? As two Glasgow gangs go to war, Laidlaw needs to find out who got Carter before the whole city explodes.William McIlvanney's Laidlaw books changed the face of crime fiction. When he died in 2015, he left half a handwritten manuscript of Laidlaw's first case. Now, Ian Rankin is back to finish what McIlvanney started. In The Dark Remains, these two iconic authors bring to life the criminal world of 1970s Glasgow, and Laidlaw's relentless quest for truth.Trade ReviewTwo maestros for the price of one! All fans of quality crime fiction are in for a rare treat. McIlvanney and Rankin at the very height of their powers -- PETER JAMESFantastic - like witnessing Scottish noir's Big Bang creation in the company of its greatest living exponent -- LEE CHILDAn immersive and satisfyingly pitch-black read * * Guardian * *McIlvanney and Rankin are the dream team. To have Rankin completing an unfinished McIlvanney novel is a crime fiction fan's dream come true -- MARK BILLINGHAMThe journey through 1970s Glasgow, its grotty tenements and genteel suburbs, makes for a gripping and atmospheric novel * * The Times, Book of the Month * *Absolutely brilliant. I was excited by this partnership the moment I heard it was happening, and it absolutely lives up to expectation. The Dark Remains is a triumph -- MICK HERRONThe personality of the tough, intelligent Laidlaw leaps off the page as readily as it did in the first novel that bore his name * * Financial Times * *Mean, moody and menacing. Perfect synchronicity from two of the best crime writers of our time -- SUE BLACKTwo legends of Scottish crime fiction blended like a deluxe whisky -- CHRIS BROOKMYRE[Rankin's] dialogue has the same spiky wit [as McIlvanney's], he adjusts to gangster-ridden Glasgow with aplomb, and the deft period context - politics, pop, telly, football, booze brands, language, family and marital mores etc - is the most compelling reason to read the book besides its charismatic existentialist sleuth * * Sunday Times * *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE FIRST IN THE ORIGINAL LAIDLAW TRILOGY. WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGER.THE DARK REMAINS, Laidlaw's first case, out 2 September 2021. PRE-ORDER NOW!'If you only read one crime novel this year, this should be it' Guardian'A bloody good read' Val McDermidWhen a young woman is found brutally murdered in Kelvingrove Park, only one man stands a chance of finding her killer. Jack Laidlaw. He is a man of contrasts, ravaged by inner demons but driven by a deep compassion for the violent criminals in Glasgow's underworld. But will Laidlaw's unorthodox methods get him to the killer in time, when the victim's father is baying for blood?Acclaimed for its corrosive wit, dark themes and original maverick detective, the Laidlaw trilogy has earned the status of classic crime fiction.Trade ReviewHe kicked the door open so the likes of Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and me could sneak through behind him -- VAL McDERMIDThe pure distilled essence of Scottish crime writing -- PETER MAYFastest, first and best, Laidlaw is the melancholy heir to Marlowe. Reads like a breathless scalpel cut through the bloody heart of a city -- DENISE MINAIt's doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney's Laidlaw -- IAN RANKINForensic examination would likely reveal that all Scottish crime novels have a little Laidlaw in their DNA . . . Powerful, gripping and beautifully written -- Craig Robertson * * Guardian, Top 10 Scottish crime novels * *A crime trilogy so searing it will burn forever into your memory. McIlvanney is the original Scottish criminal mastermind -- CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYREMcIlvanney is the razor king of Scottish crime writing, carving out crackling prose and pounding storylines. His Laidlaw is an enduring hero with the dry wit and insight to make other literary detectives seem two-dimensional -- GORDON FERRISThe Laidlaw books are not just great crime novels, they are important ones. McIlvanney proved that crime writing could have both perfect style and huge ambition. Most of us writing crime fiction today are standing on the shoulders of giants. McIlvanney is one such giant -- MARK BILLINGHAMIf you only read one crime novel this year, this should be it * * Guardian * *In his compelling novel, LAIDLAW, McIlvanney lays bare the soul of Glasgow, capturing every nuance of its many voices -- ALEX GRAY

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE THIRD IN THE ORIGINAL LAIDLAW TRILOGYTHE DARK REMAINS, Laidlaw's first case, out 2 September 2021. PRE-ORDER NOW!'The Laidlaw books are not just great crime novels, they are important ones' Mark Billingham'It's doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney's Laidlaw' Ian RankinWhen his brother dies stepping out in front of a car, Jack Laidlaw is determined to find out what really happened. Laidlaw begins an emotional quest through Glasgow's underworld, and into the past. He discovers as much about himself as about the brother he has lost, in a search that leads to a shattering climax.Acclaimed for its corrosive wit, dark themes and original maverick detective, the Laidlaw trilogy has earned the status of classic crime fiction.Trade ReviewIt's doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney's Laidlaw -- IAN RANKINHis Laidlaw is an enduring hero with the dry wit and insight to make other literary detectives seem two-dimensional -- GORDON FERRISThe Laidlaw books are not just great crime novels, they are important ones -- MARK BILLINGHAMTransfixing * * Sunday Times * *He kicked the door open so the likes of Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and me could sneak through behind him -- VAL McDERMIDThe pure distilled essence of Scottish crime writing -- PETER MAYA crime trilogy so searing it will burn forever into your memory. McIlvanney is the original Scottish criminal mastermind -- CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYREThe good news is that Laidlaw is back * * Observer * *In a class of his own * * Guardian * *Reads like a breathless scalpel cut through the bloody heart of a city -- DENISE MINA

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SECOND IN THE ORIGINAL LAIDLAW TRILOGY. WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGER. THE DARK REMAINS, Laidlaw's first case, out 2 September 2021. PRE-ORDER NOW!'In a class of his own' Guardian'Reads like a breathless scalpel through the bloody heart of a great city' Denise MinaEck Adamson, an alcoholic vagrant, summons Jack Laidlaw to his deathbed. Probably the only policeman in Glasgow who would bother to respond, Laidlaw sees in Eck's cryptic last message a clue to the murder of a gangland thug and the disappearance of a student. With stubborn integrity, Laidlaw tracks a seam of corruption that runs from the top to the bottom of society.Acclaimed for its corrosive wit, dark themes and original maverick detective, the Laidlaw trilogy has earned the status of classic crime fiction.Trade ReviewA bloody good read -- VAL McDERMIDThe pure distilled essence of Scottish crime writing -- PETER MAYA crime trilogy so searing it will burn forever into your memory. McIlvanney is the original Scottish criminal mastermind -- CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYREIt's doubtful I would be a crime writer without the influence of McIlvanney's Laidlaw -- IAN RANKINIn a class of his own * * Guardian * *The good news is that Laidlaw is back * * Observer * *He kicked the door open so the likes of Ian Rankin, Denise Mina and me could sneak through behind him -- VAL McDERMIDFastest, first and best, Laidlaw is the melancholy heir to Marlowe. Reads like a breathless scalpel cut through the bloody heart of a city -- DENISE MINAMcIlvanney is the razor king of Scottish crime writing, carving out crackling prose and pounding storylines. His Laidlaw is an enduring hero with the dry wit and insight to make other literary detectives seem two-dimensional -- GORDON FERRISThe Laidlaw books are not just great crime novels, they are important ones. McIlvanney proved that crime writing could have both perfect style and huge ambition. Most of us writing crime fiction today are standing on the shoulders of giants. McIlvanney is one such giant -- MARK BILLINGHAM

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER 2023Glasgow is a city in mourning. An arson attack on a hairdresser's has left five dead. Tempers are frayed and sentiments running high.When three youths are charged the city goes wild. A crowd gathers outside the courthouse but as the police drive the young men to prison, the van is rammed by a truck, and the men are grabbed and bundled into a car. The next day, the body of one of them is dumped in the city centre. A note has been sent to the newspaper: one down, two to go.Detective Harry McCoy has twenty-four hours to find the kidnapped boys before they all turn up dead, and it is going to mean taking down some of Glasgow's most powerful people to do it . . .Trade ReviewHarry McCoy is the brightest dark star on the tartan noir scene for some time and in future critics of Scottish crime fiction will surely be referring to the triumvirate of Laidlaw, Rebus and McCoy . . . May God Forgive is crime fiction which pulls no punches, powerfully told and, at times, heartbreakingly poignant. One of the crime novels of 2022 -- MIKE RIPLEY, author of GETTING AWAY WITH MURDERThe Harry McCoy books by the bold Alan Parks just get better and better. May God Forgive starts like a runaway train and just keeps going. If you're not already reading these books, get onto them now -- LIAM McILVANNEYExpertly handled and morally ambiguous . . . The skillfully written and complex plot builds to a thrilling and highly unconventional denouement * * Bloody Scotland, McIlvanney Prize Shortlist * *Once again Alan Parks recreates a world of urban blight and spiritual decay . . . [a] grimly gripping plot . . . a remarkable series that began with Bloody January. The novels, as someone once said, can be read in any order; the important thing is to read them all * * The Times * *Punchy, compulsive and, at times, as downright nasty as ever * * Herald * *Compelling . . . Parks is a gifted storyteller * * Scotsman * *Riveting * * Sunday Post * *Praise for the Harry McCoy series: One 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 * *Brilliant . . . The April Dead should grace the bookshelves of every crime fan * * Sunday Times Crime Club * *A 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

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the village of Cronchie, a wealthy family are found brutally murdered. The Devil Stone, an heirloom rumoured to bring death if removed from their home, is the only thing stolen. The key suspects are known satanists. But when the investigating officer disappears, DCI Christine Caplan is pulled in to investigate. Caplan knows she is being punished for a minor misdemeanour when she is seconded to the Highlands, but she's confident she can quickly solve the murders and return home to her fractious family. But as she closes in on the truth, it is suddenly her life, not her career, that is in danger.Trade ReviewI have loved them all but this, in my opinion, is far and away Caro's best novel to date! I see a brilliant future for DCI Christine Caplan and look forward to the next book already. Luscious setting, masterly writing and of course fiendish plotting! -- ALEX GRAYDark, compelling and with enough atmosphere to keep the Meteorological Society busy for years, Caro Ramsay's new series not only promises but delivers -- DOUGLAS SKELTONA cracking story, complex and intriguing, with a great new female character, DCI Christine Caplan, at the helm -- LIN ANDERSONAs ever, Caro Ramsay's authorial voice is always distinctive, characterful - and hypnotic -- BARRY FORSHAWTo say that this take on rural policing is compelling is putting it mildly. An intriguing crime novel, full of dark menace and twists that will keep you mesmerized until the truly dramatic maritime denouement. Fabulous! -- DENZIL MEYRICKCaro Ramsay fully deserves a place in the upper echelons of Scottish crime writing . . . top-notch * * Financial Times * *[A] dark, suspenseful and atmospheric thriller starring a charismatic heroine * * Booklist (starred review) * *Fans of contemporary British police procedurals will want to have a look * * Publishers Weekly * *Praise for Caro Ramsay: Brilliant . . . twisting the tension tauter with each page * * Guardian * *[Ramsay] is a titan of Tartan Noir -- HELEN FIELDS, author of Perfect Remains

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe second book in China's bestselling crime series to date. THE LAW IS WEAK Last week, the vigilante killer who terrified and thrilled the city of Chengdu with his 'death notices' performed his own execution to escape capture by the police. I OFFER REAL JUSTICE But when two students are violently murdered, the only clue left by the killer is a death notice. The executioner? Eumenides. Now Captain Pei Tao and his task force face a terrifying prospect: that Eumenides left a protégé to carry on his work. NOW MEET YOUR FATE Once again, Eumenides is one step ahead of their investigation – but this time, it's worse. Because this time, someone on the inside is helping him. Can Pei and his team root out the mole, and hunt down their new opponent? Or are they doomed to watch history repeat itself? Gripping, explosive and fiendishly inventive, Fate is the second instalment in the Death Notice trilogy: the Chinese crime-writing phenomenon and a Sunday Times thriller of the year. Reviews for Death Notice: 'Fiendishly inventive' Wall Street Journal 'Extraordinary' Sunday Times 'A perfect cat-and-mouse killer' Book RiotTrade ReviewA creepy, inventive tale about a Chinese serial killer who crowdsources his victims * Independent *Haohui continues to wow with his sweeping yet detail-oriented take on the procedural, sure to please fans of Scandi noir and Italian neorealist detective fiction * Crime Reads *PRAISE FOR DEATH NOTICE: 'Serial killers turn up all the time in crime fiction, but few are as patient or as devious as the murderer in Haohui's Death Notice. Extraordinary' Sunday Times. 'A compulsive and particularly ingenious read and a first-class mystery' Crime Time. 'Fiendishly inventive' Wall Street Journal. 'A perfect cat-and-mouse killer' * Book Riot *

Read more less