Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisThe #1 bestseller A terrific story, originally told. All hail the new Queen of Crime!' HEATA web of a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. A page-turner, but don't read it before bed if you're easily spooked!' SUNYou think you know who to trust? You think you know the difference between good and evil? You're wrong The body of the head teacher of an exclusive Devon school is found hanging from the rafters in the assembly hall.Hours earlier he'd received a package, and only he could understand the silent message it conveyed. It meant the end.As Exeter suffers a rising count of gruesome deaths, troubled DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles must solve the case and make their city safe again.But as they're drawn into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, every step brings them closer to grim secrets hidden at the heart of their community.And once they learn what's motivating this killer, will they truly want to stop him?If you love The Teacher, Trade ReviewThis is what readers are saying about THE TEACHER: ‘The story flowed so brilliantly and made me keep turning the pages; a thriller from beginning to end. Each scene was rich and vivid; highly recommended’ ‘This is a story that immediately pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page … The story flowed so brilliantly and made me keep turning the pages; a thriller from beginning to end. Each scene was rich and vivid; highly recommended’ ‘It stands out a mile with its poisonous cover and the story within refused to let go of me’ ‘A truly page-turning, somewhat gruesome read. Well written, pacy and with great characters’ “The Teacher is a fast-paced grisly page-turner and an extraordinary debut from Katerina Diamond’ ‘It had me gripped throughout and certainly had my heart racing’ “A deliciously dark novel … The characters are a wonderful mix of nasty and nice, each with their own quirks and agendas.” ‘A serial killer is nothing new within fiction, but this story, along with its great police-duo, is up with the best of them’ ‘Katerina Diamond has created a pacy, powerful debut which will have her readers begging for more’

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Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the fifth Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.THE PUZZLE OF THE PURPLE SICKLEThe suicide of a sales clerk at the box office of a London cinema leaves another girl in fear for her life. Persuaded to seek help from Scotland Yard, Miss Darke confides in Inspector Joseph French about a gambling scam by a mysterious trio of crooks and that she believes her friend was murdered. When the girl fails to turn up the next day, and the police later find her body, French's inquiries reveal that similar girls have also been murdered, all linked by their jobs and by a sinister stranger with a purple scar . . .Trade Review‘Freeman Wills Crofts’ crimes are solved with dogged diligence and attention to detail . . . they seem to have improved with age.’ INDEPENDENT “A detective novel by Mr. Wills Crofts is always an event to those who know … Mr. Crofts is among the few muscular writers of detective fiction. He has never let me down.”HAROLD NICHOLSON, DAILY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisThe seventh book in the classic Martin Beck detective series from the 1960s and 70s the novels that shaped the future of Scandinavian crime writing.Hugely acclaimed, the Martin Beck series were the original Scandinavian crime novels and have inspired the writings of Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo.On a quiet night a high-ranking police officer, Nyland, is slaughtered in his hospital bed, brutally massacred with a bayonet. It''s not hard to find people with a motive to kill him; in fact the problem for Detective Inspector Martin Beck is how to narrow the list down to one suspect. But as he investigates Nyland''s murder he must confront whether he is willing to risk his life for his job.Trade Review‘If you haven’t come across Beck before, you’re in for a treat.’ Guardian ‘Pick up one book…and you become unhinged. You want to block out a week of your life, lie to your boss, and stay in bed, gorging on one after another.’ Observer ‘I have never read a finer police story.’ Los Angeles Times‘The godparents of Scandinavian crime fiction’ Jo Nesbo 'Some of the most gripping crime fiction ever written' Michael Connelly ‘If you haven’t read Sjowall/Wahloo, start now.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Their mysteries don’t just read well; they reread even better. Witness, wife, petty cop or crook – they’re all real characters even if they get just a few sentences. The plots hold, because they’re ingenious but never inhuman.’ New York Times ‘They changed the genre. Whoever is writing crime fiction after these novels is inspired by them in one way or another.’ Henning Mankell

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Book SynopsisTwo boys, brothers, wake tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. Their kidnapper has gone, but soon he will return. Their bonds are inescapable. But there is a bottle and tar to seal it. Paper and a splinter for writing; blood for ink. A message begging for help... Her husband will not tell the truth: where he goes, how long he will be away.Trade ReviewGrippingly different * The Times *This is your methadone if you enjoyed The Killing and found it overwhelmingly addictive * BBC Radio 2 Claudia Winkleman Arts Show *A weighty and disturbing novel . . . with an ingenuity as impressive as it is unnerving * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA classic Ngaio Marsh novel which features blood-curdling murders in the confines of a riverboat, the Zodiac, cruising through Constable country.'He looks upon the murders that he did in fact perform as tiresome and regrettable necessities,' reflected Chief Superintendent Roderick Alleyn on the international crook known as the Jampot'.But it was Alleyn's wife Troy who knew the Jampot' best: she had shared close quarters with him on the tiny pleasure steamer Zodiac on a cruise along the peaceful rivers of Constable country'. And it was she who knew something was badly wrong even before Alleyn was called in to solve the two murders on boardTrade Review‘Cruising through Constable country, in both senses, with a cargo of strongly varied, cunningly suspect characters… the classic detective story.’The Times ‘A good Marsh… which puts it into the“must”category.’The Sun ‘It’s time to compare Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.’New York Magazine ‘The finest writer in the English language of the pure, classical puzzle whodunit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun

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Book SynopsisWould you stand by your childhood best friend if they turned out to be a murderer? The unputdownable tale of passion, friendship and heartbreak from the Sunday Times bestselling author of LIAR Lesley Pearse''Had me gripped from start to end'' 5***** READER REVIEW''Outstanding . . . Lesley Pearse never disappoints'' 5***** READER REVIEW_________She killed two people in cold blood . . . But why?Susan is the woman who walked in a doctor''s surgery one day and committed murder.Beth is the lawyer assigned to defend Susan. But her client is uncooperative.Until both women realise that twenty-nine years earlier, they were childhood friends . . .While the evidence mounts up, their friendship starts to regrow.But for one of them, there can be no happy ending . . ._________''With characters it is impossible not to care about . . . this is storytelTrade ReviewWould you stand by your childhood best friend if they turned out to be a murderer? Till We Meet Again is an unputdownable tale of love, passion, and heartbreak . . . * from the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisBRICKS AND MORTALITY is the third Cotswold village mystery by Ann Granger, featuring Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter. It is sure to appeal to fans of Midsomer Murders.In the cold light of dawn, a dead body is found entombed in the smouldering remains of a burnt-out Cotswold manor. Key House has stood empty for years, but its owner, Gervase Crown, is rumoured to have been seen in Weston St Ambrose prior to the blaze. Could he be responsible for the fire and the tragic death that followed, or was he in fact the intended target? As Inspector Jess Campbell and Superintendent Ian Carter begin their investigation it becomes clear that Gervase wasn''t the most popular and his return reawakens old memories, not all of which are good.Trade ReviewCharacterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent * The Times *The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible ... a pleasure to read * Ham and High *The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun * Yorkshire Post *She is on to another winner * Birmingham Post *The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisSkinner is on the trail of organised crime and a cold-blooded killer in this gripping third novel in Quintin Jardine''s bestselling crime series. First the joyous birth of Skinner''s son...then the grim reality of murder in one of Edinburgh''s prosperous suburbs. A man has been found knifed in a luxury villa. The victim had run a chain of laundrettes, saunas and pubs throughout the city, but for some time the police suspected these to be the front for a drug distribution network. Moving from Scotland to northern Spain, then back to a chilling climax in Edinburgh, this complex and suspenseful thriller follows a tortuous and bloodsoaked trail...

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Book SynopsisRandom House presents the audiobook edition of 17th Suspect by James Patterson, read by January LaVoy.A series of shootings exposes San Francisco to a methodical yet unpredictable killer, and a reluctant woman decides to put her trust in Sergeant Lindsay Boxer. The confidential informant’s tip leads Lindsay to disturbing conclusions, including that something has gone horribly wrong inside the police department itself. The hunt for the killer lures Lindsay out of her jurisdiction, and gets inside Lindsay in dangerous ways. She suffers unsettling medical symptoms, and her friends and confidantes in the Women’s Murder Club warn Lindsay against taking the crimes too much to heart. With lives at stake, the detective can’t help but follow the case into ever more terrifying terrain. A decorated officer, loving wife, devoted mother, and loyal friend, Lindsay’s unwavering integrity has never failed her. But now she is confronting a killer who is determined to undermine it all.

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Book SynopsisThe global best-selling graphic novel series – over half a million copies sold!Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files collects the adventures of the iconic British character, presented in chronological order, complete and uncut! He's judge, jury and executioner – the lawman delivering justice to the mean streets of far-future Mega-City One. This first blockbuster volume features storylines written by comic legends John Wagner (A History of Violence), Pat Mills (Marshall Law) and Alan Grant (Batman), with art by Brian Bolland (The Killing Joke), Mick McMahon (The Last American) and many more!Trade ReviewIf you want to sink your teeth into classic Judge Dredd, the best place to start. * Mental Floss *Amazing and addictive * io9 *What a collection it will be when it's complete. * Den of Geek *

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Book SynopsisALMOST HOME. BUT NOWHERE TO HIDE. From the number one bestselling crime-writer comes a brilliant, page-turning new DC Max Wolfe thriller.'Remarkably moving' The TimesWhen terrorists use a drone to bring down a plane on one of London's busiest shopping centres, it ignites a chain of events that will draw in the innocent and guilty alike.DC Max Wolfe finds himself caught in the crossfire in a city that seems increasingly dangerous and hostile.But does the danger come from the murderous criminals that Max is tracking down? Or the people he's trying to protect?Or does the real threat to Max lie closer to home?'Tony Parsons puts you right there in every scene he writes. I love that kind of storytelling and I’m a D.C. Max Wolfe fan.' James Patterson 'A relentless plot, evocative prose and compelling characters conspire to make this a must-read.' Jeffery Deaver'I've long been a fan of Tony Parsons' writing, and this is brilliant stuff.' Peter James‘Spectacular! Tense and human, fast and authentic’ Lee Child 'Great plotting, great characters and at least two eye-widening twists I didn't see coming’ Sophie Hannah'Simply superb plot and characters’ Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewWhat impresses about Girl on Fire is Tony Parsons’s almost old-fashioned mastery of storytelling. Moreover, he raises real issues of today and accompanies them with intelligent debate ... remarkably moving -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Brilliant... visceral * Nick Ahad *The action bowls along exhilaratingly, with plenty of twists and hair-raisingly topical material… The upshot is the kind of big foot-to-the-floor read * Reader’s Digest *Parson's latest novel is a master class on building a world, developing a plot and how to write a sequel.… An incredibly well written book... * The Bookbag Blog *If there were any doubts before, then this powerful novel will confirm that Tony Parsons sits in his rightful position among the top echelon of contemporary British writers. * Fully Booked *A phenomenal read that I will happily shout about from the rooftops for the foreseeable future. * BookieWookieWeb Blog *Girl On Fire is a hard-hitting story that… create[s] a realistic and suspenseful work of fiction. * The Humpo Show Blog *A thrilling roller-coaster ride full of tension and suspense, jam packed with the very best of gritty crime action. * Books Beyond the Story Blog *A page turning new thriller from the Max Wolfe series will keep you grappled and guessing until the end * The Ship Supplier *His way of writing is so visceral and dynamic * Louise Minchin *

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Book SynopsisRandom House presents the audiobook edition of Another Word For Murder by Anthony Horowitz, read by Rory Kinnear.Passion, deception, an unexplained death and a detective with quite a lot to hide lie at the heart of Anthony Horowitz's brilliant new murder mystery, the second in the bestselling series starring Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne.William Pryce is an elegant, smooth-tongued lawyer who has made a fortune out of celebrity divorces - and a lot of enemies in the process. Unmarried himself, he lives in a handsome bachelor pad on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Or rather he used to ...When he is found murdered, the police confront the most baffling of mysteries: who was the visitor who came to Pryce's house moments before he died, arriving while he was still talking on the phone? “You shouldn’t be here. It’s too late…” were Pryce’s last recorded words but what exactly do they mean? Why does his killer paint a three-digit number on the wall before leaving the crime scene? And why exactly was he bludgeoned to death with a bottle of wine - a 1982 Chateau Lafite worth £3,000 - when he didn't drink alcohol?The police are forced to hand the case to Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne, who takes it on with characteristic relish. But Hawthorne himself has secrets to hide and as our reluctant narrator becomes ever more embroiled in the case he realises that these are secrets that need to be exposed - even if it puts his own life in danger ...Trade ReviewAnthony Horowitz gets away with murder in all sorts of ways and emerges triumphant...but never mind the details; count the laughs * Marcel Berlins *This is crime fiction as dazzling entertainment, sustained by writing as skilfully light-footed as Fred Astaire * Sunday Times Crime Club, Star Pick *A crime story that keeps you up into the small hours… a page-turning mystery * Metro *With its teasing mix of real and fictional characters, Horowitz’s fast-paced novel remains tantalising to the final page * Daily Mail *Clever * Good Housekeeping *

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Book Synopsis''An outstanding series'' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWA Bill Slider Mystery It looks as though Inspector Bill Slider has a serial killer on his hands: ''the Park Killer'', as the media so innovatively label him, attacks his victims in London''s public parks, and when Chattie Cornfield is murdered while out jogging, the pattern fits.But as Slider and Atherton investigate, it is Chattie''s life rather than the killer''s that poses questions. There''s a startling anomaly between her ritzy lifestyle and her modest income. There are friends who loved her, a sister who hated her, men who thought they knew her, and a mysterious package that poses more questions than it answers.Who was the real Chattie? Where was she on the last day of her life? And was it love, hate or avarice that drove the hooded figure to kill her?Praise for the Bill Slider series:''Slider and his creator are reaTrade ReviewHarrod-Eagles unleashes an effective, dark-edged tale and serves up a truly nasty villain into the bargain... [She] gracefully builds upon her habitually elegant procedural stylings to deliver taut psychological suspense. * Publishers Weekly *The books work so well because the author manages to infuse them with a warmth and wit that lingers on after the last page is turned. * Yorkshire Post *Delightful dialogue and carefully observed details makes Harrod-Eagles's 10th Bill Slider Mystery a winner. * Publishers Weekly *This is an excellent, solidly professional police story: well-written, with well-drawn characters and a neatly dovetailed plot. * Evening Standard *Witty wordsmith that she is, Harrod-Eagles knows exactly how to get under her detective's all-too-sensitive skin -- Marilyn Stasio * New York Times Book Review *There are plenty of suspects for old Bill Slider and his team, and a whole fishmonger's full of red herrings. Harrod-Eagles is a wonderfully assured, compelling plotter, and her hero is as appealing as ever. * Yorkshire Post *The charm oozed by Bill, who is a normal person with personal problems struggling to survive in a cruel world through humour and wit...a unique novel that gives readers a glimpse of an England rarely seen in this sub-genre. -- HARRIET KLAUSNERA fabulous who-done-it -- HARRIET KLAUSNEREach plot twist, including one devious turn that throws suspicion on a former member of Slider's murder squad, hangs on the testimony of complicated characters who are among the author's finest stock. Nobody is exactly what he or she seems: not the victim, not even Slider, who has reason to examine his own * New York Times Book Review *Confident and lucid * Seattle Times *Harrod-Eagles delivers snappy prose and a ripping tour through the British music world. * Mostly Murder *

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Book SynopsisA missing girl.A murdered friend.No one left to trust.Seriously good suspense trust me, you'll need to know what happens' Lee ChildSuperb characterisation, humour and galloping plot' Susie SteinerThis is that deeply satisfying thing, a strong, deft thriller with real depth' Tana FrenchDetective Inspector Robin Lyons is going home.Dismissed for misconduct from the Met's Homicide Command after refusing to follow orders, unable to pay her bills (or hold down a relationship), she has no choice but to take her teenage daughter Lennie and move back in with her parents in the city she thought she'd escaped forever at 18.In Birmingham, sharing a bunkbed with Lennie and navigating the stormy relationship with her mother, Robin works as a benefit-fraud investigator to the delight of those wanting to see her cut down to size.Only Corinna, her best friend of 20 years seems happy to have Robin back. But when Corinna's family is engulfed by violence and her missing husband becomes a murder suspectTrade Review‘I loved Critical Incidents. In fact I devoured it. It's a brilliant combination of superb characterisation, humour and galloping plot: her best yet’ Susie Steiner, author of Missing, Presumed ‘I swallowed this riveting literary thriller whole; Lucie Whitehouse has the knack of making fictional crime seem uncannily close to home, and Critical Incidents is her best book yet’ Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said ‘Whitehouse is a superb storyteller, whose sleight of hand and sly misdirections have you leaping to all the wrong conclusions from the outset’ Independent ‘Whitehouse writes marvellously in an emotionally hypersensitive, lyrical, Maggie O'Farrell sort of way’ Daily Mail ‘Whitehouse is a skilful, attentive writer’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe third Jackson Brodie novel, winner of Richard & Judy's Best Read: literary crime from the number-one bestselling author of Big Sky and Transcription.'An exhilarating read.Trade ReviewBy becoming a crime writer she has - in a way that other "literary" types may wish to note - become a better literary writer than ever: funny, bracingly intelligent and delightfully prickly . . . Kate Atkinson is that rarest of beasts, a genuinely surprising novelist * Guardian *Atkinson's genius is her sure control of plot . . . immaculately - even lovingly - paced, and it is a measure of Atkinson's talent that I read it in one sitting. * Sunday Telegraph *'An exhilarating read. Her wry humour, sharp eye for the quirks of human behaviour and subtle characterisation are a constant joy...with writing of this quality, there is good news on every page' * Daily Mail *An intricately crafted tale of coincidence and fate, love and longing. From the get-go, Atkinson's pitch-perfect ear for dialogue is apparent ' * Independent *'A masterclass in plot daring, an extended riff on coincidence, and a piercing evocation of love and loss in many forms. One of the fiercest, funniest, most affecting reads of the year' * Guardian *'Atkinson's world is full of bizarre accidents and meaningless murders, but she celebrates love, laughter and literature so wholeheartedly that I cheered aloud...Everybody should read her' * Telegraph *'One of those rare fictions that defies categorisation.....contains startling moments of truth, and its insights into human nature are simply superb' * Sunday Times *The good news, of course, is that here is another Jackson Brodie thriller from the brilliant Kate Atkinson. The even better news is that . . . it's the most enthralling to date * Mirror *'Another faultless display by Kate Atkinson . . . Like the other titles in the Jackson Brodie series, this one plays with the tenets of the crime genre without ever sacrificing the essence of wit and nuance which make Atkinson's novels such jubilant reads' * Scotland on Sunday *'Unputdownable, Atkinson's books are like Agatha Christie mysteries that have burst at the seams-they're taut and intricate but also messy and funny and full of life' * Time *

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Book SynopsisAutumn 2004In Bampton, Derbyshire, Lena Fisher is arrested for suffocating her husband, Andrew.Spring 2016A year after Lena's release from prison, Andrew is found dead in a disused mortuary.Who was the man Lena killed twelve years ago, and who committed the second murder? When Lena disappears, her sister, Kat, sets out to follow a trail of clues delivered by a mysterious teenage boy. Kat must uncover the truth before there's another death . . .A Deadly Thaw confirms Sarah Ward's place as one of the most exciting new crime writers.

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Book SynopsisWINNDER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGERWonderfully intricate.' LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKSHeart-pounding . . . a terrifying tale of revenge.' MYSTERY NEWSAN AURELIO ZEN MYSTERYInspector Aurelio Zen has a problem: the impossible murder of an eccentric billionaire, recorded on the closed-circuit video of Oscar Burolo''s top-security Sardinian fortress. Officials in a high government ministry want someone anyone to blame, and they want Zen to find a likely candidate.But the billionaire's corrupt dealings enriched some of the most exalted figures in Italian politics, and as Zen gets to work, he is plunged into a menacing and violent world where his own life is soon at risk.Vendetta has tension, wit, a strong sense of place and a hero you can''t help but root for.' THE WALL STREET JOURNALDibdin has a gift for shocking the unshockable reader.' RUTH RENDELLA wonderfully twis

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Book SynopsisFans of Jo Nesbo, The Killing, and Scandi noir will love this gripping thriller from international bestselling crime-writing sensation A closed case hides a terrible secret . . . _______ Department Q solves the unsolvable. So when a file on the brutal murder of a brother and sister 20 years ago lands on the desk of Detective Carl Mørck, he doesn''t understand why. Because the killer has already been found, and the case is closed. Why has it turned up on Carl''s desk?And more importantly, who put it there?_______ Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen: ''The new ''it'' boy of Nordic Noir'' The Times ''Gripping story-telling'' Guardian ''Mesmerising . . . As impressive as it is unnerving'' Independent ''Engrossing'' Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewThe new "it" boy of Nordic Noir * The Times *Gripping story-telling * Guardian *This pitch-black novel will have readers hungry for more * Independent *

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Book SynopsisTHE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LEWIS TRILOGY AND THE CHINA THRILLERSAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'Enzo MacLeod is one of the most unusual crime solvers I have ever met.' BookBrowse'No one can create a more eloquently written suspense novel than Peter May.' New York Journal of BooksIn the gripping fourth book in the Enzo files, a promise made to a dead man proves Enzo's toughest challenge yet...ILE DE GROIX, FRANCE.A Frozen Island. This tiny isle off the coast of Brittany is the scene of a murder left shrouded in mystery and grief. A Frozen Crime. Adam Killian's study has been left intact since his death - the perfect state for Enzo Macleod's forensic investigation. A Frozen Heart. Killian's daughter-in-law is still hoping; the first suspect is still hiding; and the treacherous island itself still has a revelation for Enzo.LOVED FREEZE FRAME? Read book 5 in the series, BLOWBACKLOVE PETER MAY? Order his new thriller, THE NIGHT GATETrade ReviewA rip-roaring thriller . . . thoroughly enjoyable * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully complex book -- Peter James, on Entry IslandHe is a terrific writer doing something different -- Mark BillinghamFrom the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer -- Sophie HannahWonderfully compelling -- Kate MosseWestern France - now May's own stamping ground - is as much a character in the book as the Hebrides were in his formidable Isle of Lewis sequence * Guardian *Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth * New York Times *One of the best regarded crime series of recent years -- Boyd Tonkin, on the Lewis trilogy * Independent *Lyrical, empathetic and moving -- Alex GrayMay's novels are strong on place and the wounds left by old relationships * Sunday Times *Will have the reader relishing every tendency of description and characterization -- Barry Forshaw * Independent *Dark, exciting and atmospheric * Scotland on Sunday *Powerful and authentic * Glasgow Sunday Herald *Fast, exciting ... an entertaining read that will also give food for thought * Irish Times *A tense and atmospheric thriller with a heart-stopping ending * Tangled Web *Truly the best of May's series so far, this is not to be missed * The Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisPlay with fire, and you’re going to get burned. The unputdownable new Ridpath crime thrillerIn Manchester, a block of flats is burning. The only victim is a middle-aged man, sat watching TV. Are the fire and the man's death an accident or is something more frightening at work?Meanwhile, DI Ridpath is back with his wife and enjoying work at the Coroner's Office, his myeloma still in remission. But the quiet life is soon shattered by a new threat.More corpses start appearing; charred, burnt, silent bodies, strewn in the streets and lodged in buildings. Next to each one is a chilling message sprayed in orange ink.Fighting on all fronts, Ridpath will be drawn into the dark past of his city and the youth football clubs of the 1990s. He must find the link before any more people die. Before the flames come close to home...An absolutely gripping, nerve-shredding crime thriller from master storyteller M J Lee, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Robert Bryndza and Patricia Gibney.

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Book SynopsisA disturbing discovery is made in a Glasgow cemetery in Easy Kill, the fifth novel in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.A vulnerable young woman has been brutally slain and left on a grave in Glasgow’s sprawling cemetery, the Necropolis. Upon examining the body, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has no doubt that the depraved killer’s motives were sexual in nature.The case takes on an even more disturbing dimension when the removal of the girl’s body reveals a second victim, who has recently been buried in a shallow grave underneath. When yet another sex worker is reported missing, there are fears that a serial killer is at large in the city.This man has killed before – and will again unless Rhona can break the chain and track him down before any more lives are lost . . .Trade ReviewForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction — honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears . . . As ever, the landscape is stunningly evoked and MacLeod’s decency and humanity shine through on every page * Daily Mail *The best Scottish crime series since Rebus * Daily Record *The bleak landscape is beautifully described, giving this popular series a new lease of life * Sunday Times *Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin’s Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing -- Stuart MacBrideHugely imaginative and exciting -- James Grieve (Emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology)

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Book SynopsisForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod investigate a brutal series of killings on Scotland's Isle of Skye, in Time for the Dead, a gripping crime novel by Lin Anderson.When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod returns to her roots on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, a chance encounter in the woods behind a nearby activities centre leads her to what seems to be a crime scene, but without a victim. Could this be linked to a group of army medics, who visited the centre while on leave from Afghanistan and can no longer be located on the island?Enlisting the help of local tracker dog Blaze, Rhona starts searching for a connection.Two days later a body is found at the base of the famous cliff known as Kilt Rock, face and identity obliterated by the fall, which leads Rhona to suspect the missing medics may be on the island for reasons other than relaxation. Furthermore, elements of the case suggests a link with an ongoing operation in Glasgow, which draws DS Michael McNab into the investigation.As the island’s unforgiving conditions close in, Rhona must find out what really happened to the group in Afghanistan, as the consequences may be being played out in brutal killings on Skye . . .'Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction.' – Daily MailTrade ReviewForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction — honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears . . . As ever, the landscape is stunningly evoked and MacLeod’s decency and humanity shine through on every page * Daily Mail *The best Scottish crime series since Rebus * Daily Record *The bleak landscape is beautifully described, giving this popular series a new lease of life * Sunday Times *Hugely imaginative and exciting -- James Grieve (Emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology)Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin’s Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing -- Stuart MacBrideShades of The Wicker Man, with a touch of Agatha Christie. Superb * Daily Mail *Anderson is a master story teller; her books are always incredibly well researched and her story lines resonate with her understanding of contemporary issues and the politics of expediency -- Live and DeadlyA cracking read that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is one of those novels where the setting is as much a character as any of the people being written about -- A Crime Reader's BlogTime For The Dead is one hell of a book, which deserves to soar up to the top of the bestsellers list. The series featuring Rhona MacLeod just keeps getting better and better -- Ginger Book GeekA brilliantly written thriller . . . It is a police procedural at its heart, but one that is as black as the sand on Skye beaches -- Fully Booked 2017With every outing the Rhona MacLeod series gets better, and Time for the Dead proves this . . . Anderson’s research and knowledge make this thriller, and like any artist the words on the pages are her canvass where she creates another masterpiece * NB *

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Book SynopsisDennis Lehane is the author of eight internationally bestselling novels - including Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone, both award-winning films, as well as the recently released, Shutter Island. He joined the writing staff of the cult TV drama The Wire in 2004, and in 2009 was nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award for his work on season five of the series. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Book SynopsisThe beloved Sergeant Cribb series by Peter LoveseyIt''s 1882 and Albert Moscrop, who is spending his holiday in Brighton observing human nature through a telescope, gradually moves into the circle of the Prothero family, who he has been fascinated by - especially the beautiful Zena Prothero, whose husband appears to take her for granted. But through this connection, he becomes involved in a sensational murder. All of Brighton is horrified by the gruesome crime, and the local police seek the help of Scotland Yard''s Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray, who soon find themselves challenged by the strangest case of their careers, one as mystifying as it is macabre.Trade ReviewHis best yet - HRF Keating, the TimesA minor gem, catching to perfection the social atmospherics of Victorian Brighton and at the same time telling an ingenious story of murder and discovery - Publishers WeeklyThe sleuthing is neat and satisfying: in the meantime, Victorian pleasures, permitted and illicit, are rendered up with gusto - Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe next gripping volume in The Brighton Mysteries series by bestselling author Elly Griffiths.It starts with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house; throw in a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer, and you've got the next gripping book in the Brighton Mysteries series. Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted's assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he's convinced that he'll be accused of her murder.Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn't know is that the girl's family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (aka Mrs Stephens) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own. The inhabitants of the boarding house, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, are a motley crew. The house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician's assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer. He persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement and take part in a summer show. But who can pose as his assistant? Edgar shocks the team by recommending someone close. . .***************************Praise for The Brighton Mysteries'Original, lively and gripping' Independent'Full of period detail, smart plotting and likeable characters' Mail on Sunday'Full of fun and expertly plotted' Sunday ExpressThe Last Remains, the final instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, was a Sunday Times bestseller in August 2023.Trade ReviewGriffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs ruled by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *Intriguing, multi-layered and full of rich period detail with each character honed to perfection * Lancashire Evening Press *Elly has shot into the top ranks of British crime writers after building an impressive catalogue of bestsellers * Peterborough Telegraph *Gripping . . . magical . . . we loved it * Woman's Weekly *Full of period charm and fiendish plotting * Mail on Sunday *Griffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs rules by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *

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Book SynopsisSnow Blind is the fourth book in P.J. Tracy''s bestselling Twin Cities series.The Dead of Winter... Minneapolis, winter''s first white flakes; a park full of snowmen. But the layers of packed snow hide a ghoulish surprise.First, the bodies of two cops are found inside the snowmen and then a day later, in the countryside to the north, Sheriff Iris Rikker makes a similarly shocking discovery. Soon Detectives Gino and Magozzi are sent north through the worst blizzard Minnesota''s seen for years to find what else links the investigations.But some secrets you don''t want to uncover. And as the cases unravel, it seems snowmen aren''t the only ones with something to hide...P.J. Tracy''s cult thriller characters Grace MacBride and Detectives Gino and Magozzi are back for more in the fourth book in the Monkeewrench series. Follow their journeys in the rest of the series: Want to Play?, Live Bait, D

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

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Book SynopsisThe Murder Wall is Mari Hannah’s first gripping crime novel featuring DCI Kate Daniels.Eleven months after discovering a brutal double murder in a sleepy Northumbrian town, Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels is still haunted by her failure to solve the case. Then the brutal killing of a man on Newcastle’s quayside gives Daniels another chance to get it right – in her first case as Senior Investigating Officer.When Daniels recognizes the corpse but fails to disclose the fact, her personal life swerves dangerously into her professional life. But much worse, she is now being watched.As Daniels steps closer to finding a killer, a killer is only a breath away from claiming his next victim . . .Trade ReviewA promising start to a planned series * Literary Review *With locations ranging from the city’s bustling quayside to rural Northumberland villages, Hannah’s debut is heavy on the atmosphere as well as the specifics of a creepily icky criminal * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis'This might well be his masterpiece' - MARK BILLINGHAM'One of Ireland's finest crime writers' - STEVE CAVANAGH'Chilling and compelling' - VAL McDERMID'Terrifying' - CHRIS BROOKMYRE'Thrilling' - CHRIS WHITAKER'Stunning' - MARK EDWARDS'Brilliant' - ADRIAN McKINTY'Haunting' - LIZ NUGENT'Superb' - WILL DEAN____________________________For Sara Keane, it was supposed to be a second chance. A new country. A new house. A new beginning with her husband Damien.Then came the knock on the door.Elderly Mary Jackson can't understand why Sara and her husband are living in her home. She remembers the fire, and the house burning down. But she also remembers the children. The children who need her, whom she must protect.'The children will find you,' she tells Sara, because Mary knows she needs help too. Sara soon becomes obsessed with what happened in that house nearly sixty years ago - the tragic, bloody night her husband never intended for her to discover. And Mary - silent for six decades - is finally ready to tell her story . . .The House of Ashes is the stunning new 2022 thriller from the award-winning master of the genre, Stuart Neville - perfect for fans of John Connolly, Alex North and Brian McGilloway.

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Book SynopsisTo Remember the truth, she'll have to forget the lies...When former high-powered lawyer turned PI Selma Falck is shot and her oldest friend, a junior MP, is killed in a sniper attack, everyone - including the police - assume that Selma was the prime target. But when two other people with connections to the MP are also found murdered, it becomes clear that there is a wider conspiracy at play. As Selma sets out to avenge her friend's death, and discover the truth behind the conspiracy, her own life is threatened once again. Only this time, the danger may be closer to home than she could possibly have realised...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 SynopsisDark, atmospheric and terrifying psychological serial killer thriller set in a freezing Ontario winter, guaranteed to chill readers to the bone: Forty Words for Sorrow is brilliant' Jonathan KellermanWhen four teenagers go missing in the small northern town of Algonquin Bay, the extensive police investigation comes up empty. Everyone is ready to give up, except Detective John Cardinal, an all-too-human loner whose persistence only serves to get him removed from homicide.Then the mutilated body of thirteen-year-old Katie Pine is pulled out of an abandoned mineshaft. And only Cardinal is willing to consider the horrible truth: that this quiet town is home to the most vicious of killers. With the media, the provincial police and his own department questioning his every move, Cardinal follows increasingly tenuous threads towards the unthinkable. But time isn't only running out for him: there's also another young victim tied up in a basement wondering how and when he will die.Trade Review‘Intensely vivid characters, terrible crimes and a brutal deep-frozen landscape all prove beyond a reasonable doubt that cold nurtures good and evil as readily as heat…and that Giles Blunt is a really tremendous crime novelist’ Lee Child ‘One of the finest crime novels I’ve ever read. Giles Blunt writes with uncommon grace, style and compassion and he plots like a demon. This book has it all – unforgettable characters, beautiful language, throat-constricting suspense’ Jonathan Kellerman ‘A taut and enthralling tale that is as dark as the Canadian winter setting is cold. Humane, intelligent and gripping, Forty Words for Sorrow is a haunting journey into the human heart in all its complexities’ Val McDermid ‘A fine debut that deserves to do well, and promises much from a talented new author’ Jim Driver, Time Out ‘A superior Canadian police procedural with an evocative sense of place: the frozen lakes and forests are as integral to the plot as the flawed detective … an impressive achievement’ Maxim Jakubowski, Guardian

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Book SynopsisDavid Sarac is a police officer who has done something unforgiveable. But how can he atone for his crimes when he can’t remember the victims?Trade Review‘A turbocharged thriller … With breakneck pace and a mature narrative command, de la Motte deftly spins out these divergent strands, until the intricate outlines of a deadly spider’s web finally becomes visible—and inescapable’ Publishers Weekly *Starred Review* ‘For all the book's twists and turns, de la Motte is completely at ease in thickening and expanding the plot. He never forces the action, instead tightening the web in which Sarac seems to be caught. The cast of characters is nicely varied; part of the pleasure is seeing through the bad guys before the protagonist does’ Kirkus ‘An action-filled thriller that makes good use of an unreliable narrator … An intriguing premise and a compelling lead character’ Booklist ‘MemoRandom provides high quality all the way. The end is so violent and Pulp Ficition-like that I almost started giggling. This is a raw, bloody, effectively told story about organized crime, police officers with double agendas, and corruption on high levels in the political sphere’ Aftonbladet ‘A thrilling novel about secret informants among the police force’ Mariestads Tidning

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

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Book SynopsisGET HIGH. FALL FAR.'William Shaw is one of the great rising talents of UK crime fiction' Peter James'If you're not a fan yet, why not?' Val McDermid'Utterly nails the myth of the Swinging Sixties' Sun The Black SheepThe wayward son of a rising MP is mutilated and burnt in suspicious circumstances. The Honest DetectiveDS Cathal Breen dodges political embargo and death threats to pursue the case. The Rolling StoneNotorious art dealer Robert Fraser may provide the only clue - if only he will talk.And as Breen slips deeper into London's underground of hippies and heroin, he edges nearer to the secrets of those at the very top. Banished from a corrupt and fracturing system, he will finally be forced to fight fire with fire.Trade ReviewInsightful . . . a novel about the estrangement of fathers and sons, but Shaw has gone beyond that, creating an elegy for an entire alienated generation * New York Times *Excellent period yarn that tackles bent police, the dark side of hippiedom and utterly nails the myth of the Swinging Sixties * Sun *A distinctive British crime drama, which benefits from a clear moral sense * Daily Mail *It's a far out read, man. You'll dig it * Weekend Sport *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Her Last Scream, a chilling tale of ritual murder and corruption, featuring Detective Carson Ryder.The Reverend Honus Schrum, a nationally renowned minister and owner of a broadcasting empire, tells the media he has come home to Key West to die. Meanwhile, Detective Carson Ryder is investigating the ritualistic murders of young women with chequered pasts, discovering the killings have religious overtones.Simultaneously, a newly retired Harry Nautilus takes a job as a driver/bodyguard for Richard Owsley, an ambitious pastor in Mobile. They come to Florida, where Owsley meets with Schrum and is enlisted to complete a special and mysterious project' Schrum has promised a billionaire benefactor.As Carson digs deeper into the murders, Harry, interest piqued by all the hush-hush goings-on of his new employer, begins to covertly investigate the strange project. Their independent investigations begin to converge, and Carson and Harry uncover a horrifying connectiTrade ReviewPraise for the Carson Ryder series: 'Kerley will truly scare the pants off his readers. This one's another winner from a writer moving towards the top of the thriller heap' Publishers Weekly 'A fascinating and frightening take on the genre' Independent on Sunday 'A chilling journey into a pitch-black mind' Michael Marshall, author of The Straw Men trilogy

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Book SynopsisA terrifying psychological thriller in which a spate of suicides could just be the work of a serial killer; featuring homicide detectives Cardinal and Delorme from the award-winning Forty Words for Sorrow'.Photographer Catherine Cardinal's fatal fall from a high building one moonlit night is ruled an act of suicide. She has a history of depression, a note is found and her psychiatrist is not surprised. But her husband, John Cardinal, won't accept this conclusion.Driven by grief and guilt, he launches his own investigation, helped by his reluctant colleagues. And when vicious notes appear, taunting him for his loss, his theory that she was murdered suddenly seems to be credible.Cardinal revisits his past, searching for a possible suspect among his previous arrests. Someone with a grudge, a person twisted enough to target his innocent wife in revenge.But could he be looking in the wrong place? The mystery deepens when he uncovers a spate of tragic suicides, leading him to investigate a sTrade ReviewPraise for ‘The Fields of Grief’: ‘It’s not easy to invent an original way to commit murder but the crime in “The Fields of Grief” is extraordinary… Blunt has turned a conventional whodunit into a fascinating psychological duel between the detective and the murderer’ Sunday Telegraph ‘An emotionally involving and intellectually challenging journey from night into day. A fine and moving novel about bereavement’ Reginald Hill Praise for Giles Blunt: ‘Intensely vivid characters, terrible crimes and a brutal deep-frozen landscape all prove beyond a reasonable doubt that cold nurtures good and evil as readily as heat…and that Giles Blunt is a really tremendous crime novelist.’ Lee Child ‘One of the finest crime novels I’ve ever read. Giles Blunt writes with uncommon grace, style and compassion and he plots like a demon. This book has it all – unforgettable characters, beautiful language, throat-constricting suspense.’ Jonathan Kellerman ‘A superior Canadian police procedural with an evocative sense of place: the frozen lakes and forests are as integral to the plot as the flawed detective…an impressive achievement.’ Guardian ‘A highly professional tour de force: excellently plotted, with fleshed-out characters and a well-portrayed interesting setting.’ Independent ‘As fine a police procedural as any written in the USA…as fresh as morning dew…never less than fascinating throughout.’ Independent on Sunday

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Book SynopsisSuperintendent Dalziel falls for the recently bereaved Mrs Fielding's ample charms, and has to be rescued from a litter of fresh corpses by Inspector Pascoe.Superintendent Andy Dalziel's holiday runs into trouble when he gets marooned by flood water. Rescued and taken to nearby Lake House, he discovers all is not well: the owner has just died tragically and the family fortunes are in decline. He also finds himself drawn to attractive widow, Bonnie Fielding.But several more deaths are to follow. And by the time Pascoe gets involved, it looks like the normally hard-headed Dalziel might have compromised himself beyond redemption.Trade Review'Few writers in the genre today have Hill's gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace' Donna Leon, Sunday Times 'The finest male English contemporary crime writer' Val McDermid 'Reginald Hill's novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories intertwining'Ian Rankin 'One of Britain's most consistently excellent crime novelists' The Times 'These novels last, like a grand malt whisky – rounded, rich, intoxicating… Here is an author at his formidable best'Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday 'So far out in front that he need not bother looking over his shoulder' Sunday Telegraph 'He is probably the best living male crime writer in the English-speaking world' Andrew Taylor, Independent 'Reginald Hill stands head and shoulders above any other writer of homebred crime fiction' Tom Hiney, Observer

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Book SynopsisReginald Hill’s best-selling duo, Dalziel and Pascoe, return in this brilliant, complex and ultimately moving crime novel: ‘Reginald Hill is probably the best living crime writer in the English-speaking world’ – IndependentTrade Review‘Few writers in the genre today have Hill’s gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace’ Donna Leon ‘The finest male English contemporary crime writer’ Val McDermid ‘Reginald Hill’s novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories intertwining’Ian Rankin

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Book SynopsisThe first in the acclaimed Lydmouth crime series, set on the Welsh/English border in the years after World War IITrade ReviewThe most under-rated crime writer in Britain today * Val McDermid *Captures perfectly the drab atmosphere and cloying morality of the 1950s . . . Taylor is an excellent writer. He plots with care and intelligence and the solution to the mystery is satisfyingly chilling * The Times *There is no denying Taylor's talent, his almost Victorian prose exudes a quality uncommon among his contemporaries... his eye for detail and an enviable ability to dissect relationships and communal habits make for a pleasurable read * Time Out *Engrossing launch of a series . . . Taylor subtly weaves the threads of this thoughtful, melancholy tale until they become an interlaced whole before the reader's eyes * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisTHE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LEWIS TRILOGY AND THE CHINA THRILLERSAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'Enzo MacLeod is one of the most unusual crime solvers I have ever met.' BookBrowse'No one can create a more eloquently written suspense novel than Peter May.' New York Journal of BooksIn the third thrilling instalment of the series, Enzo is running out of time in more ways than one...FRANCE.A death sentence.Diagnosed with a terminal illness, Enzo Macleod is running out of time to crack the most confounding of unsolved French murders.A death threat.His daughter is nearly killed, Enzo is mugged - and then he is arrested. Someone is trying to destroy his character. Someone is framing him for murder.A deathly enemy.Killers from the past will stop at nothing to halt Enzo, who must use all his forensic skills to solve the case - before they succeed.LOVED BLACKLIGHT BLUE? Read book 4 in the series, FREEZE FRAMETrade ReviewA rip-roaring thriller . . . thoroughly enjoyable * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully complex book -- Peter James, on Entry IslandHe is a terrific writer doing something different -- Mark BillinghamFrom the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer -- Sophie HannahWonderfully compelling -- Kate MosseWestern France - now May's own stamping ground - is as much a character in the book as the Hebrides were in his formidable Isle of Lewis sequence * Guardian *Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth * New York Times *One of the best regarded crime series of recent years -- Boyd Tonkin, on the Lewis trilogy * Independent *Lyrical, empathetic and moving -- Alex GrayMay's novels are strong on place and the wounds left by old relationships * Sunday Times *Dark, exciting and atmospheric * Scotland on Sunday *Powerful and authentic * Glasgow Sunday Herald *Fast, exciting ... an entertaining read that will also give food for thought * Irish Times *A tense and atmospheric thriller with a heart-stopping ending * Tangled Web *Truly the best of May's series so far, this is not to be missed * The Good Book Guide *He is a terrific writer doing something different. -- Mark BillinghamFrom the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer. -- Sophie HannahWonderfully compelling. -- Kate MossePeter May is an author I'd follow to the ends of the earth. * New York Times *Dark, exciting and atmospheric. * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis'RICH IN ATMOSPHERE AND PERSONALTIY ... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO READ A BRUNO NOVEL WITHOUT GETTING HUNGRY' New York TimesBruno, Chief of Police, star of the internationally bestselling series of Dordogne Mysteries, investigates the real-life disappearance of 'the most beautiful car ever made' in this compelling case for France's favourite copThe Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic was called the most beautiful car of all time. Only four of them were ever built. A California museum paid $37 million for one; Ralph Lauren bought another; a third was smashed by a train at a level crossing. The fourth disappeared in France during World War 2. It was the car used by British racing ace, William Grover Williams, twice winner of the French and Monaco Grand Prix, who became an undercover agent in Occupied France.The latest adventure in the Bruno series of mystery novels starts from this true story. Two young men, both racing drivers with a passion for antique cars, compete to find new clues as to the car's hiding place in the Perigord region of France. When a local researcher turns up dead on Bruno's patch, and French intelligence starts investigating the use of classic car sales to launder money for funding Islamic terrorism, Bruno finds himself once more caught up in a case that reaches far beyond his small town and its people.With the bucolic charm and gourmet cooking that are the hallmarks of this series, Bruno's latest adventure finds him falling in love again as he races to find the murderer and to track down the fate of the most beautiful car ever made.Trade ReviewMartin Walker tells a good story set in a region that he clearly knows and loves . . . fascinating and poignant - Crime ReviewAll the Bruno trademarks . . . the splendid Dordogne location . . . descriptions of food which leave your mouth watering . . . with the added bonus that you're not going to put the book down until you've turned the final page - The Book BagThe perfect holiday read - Shiny New BooksThe history is as fascinating as Walker's recipes are mouthwatering, and somehow he manages to throw history, politics, food and police work into the melting pot and emerge with something entirely delicious - Crime Review

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Book SynopsisSpellbinding . . . superb.' WASHINGTON POSTEmotionally gripping and defiantly original.' ITALIAN MYSTERIESAN AURELIO ZEN MYSTERYZen finally receives the order he has been dreading all his professional life: his next posting to Sicily.The gruesome discovery of an unidentified, decomposed corpse sealed in a railway wagon marks the beginning of Zen''s most difficult and dangerous murder case. And he will need all his cunning and skill to survive in a world where unwritten rules are enforced with ruthless violence, where one false step can prove fatal, and where the truth must be paid for in blood.By far the darkest of Dibdin's remarkable mysteries.' 5* reader review The end leaves you gasping.' 5* reader reviewI absolutely loved this book.' 5* reader reviewPRAISE FOR MICHAEL DIBDIN AND THE INSPECTOR ZEN SERIES:He wrote with real fire.' IAN RANKINA maestr

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Book SynopsisThis dark and disturbing, edge-of-your-seat thriller from bestselling and prize-winning author Mo Hayder is perfect for fans of Stephen King, Stuart MacBride and Karin Slaughter. Full of twists and turns, it''s an unmissable, engrossing read...''Hayder has a profound ability to shock and surprise her readers. She is the bravest writer I know'' -- Karin Slaughter''Warped ... bloodthirsty ... No matter how much you despise yourself for getting sucked into such places, Hayder is brilliant at making you read on'' -- Daily Telegraph''A story I found hard to put down.'' -- ***** Reader review''Gripping to the very end'' -- ***** Reader review''My night-time reading - so good it''s a wonder l go to sleep at all!'' -- ***** Reader review''A proper page-turning thriller'' -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************************************YOU''VETrade ReviewHayder has a profound ability to shock and surprise her readers. She is the bravest writer I know -- Karin SlaughterWarped ... bloodthirsty ... No matter how much you despise yourself for getting sucked into such places, Hayder is brilliant at making you read on * Daily Telegraph *Hayder is the closest we've got to Stephen King ... the goriest thriller writer this side of the pond * Mirror *Hayder's gory insights into the dark are compelling * Guardian *Fast paced and absorbing ... complex and gripping * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA day like any other for security chief Tracy Waterhouse, until she makes a shocking impulse purchase. That one moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy's humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn.Trade Review'Atkinson's finest novel to date. Indeed, it's one of the finest British novels, in any genre, to have emerged for years...sharp and dexterous, subtle and stylish, very funny and at time extraordinarily cutting...This is very much a state of the nation novel - far sharper and more observant and satirically understanding than anything else out there at the moment. And yet Atkinson also gives us humanity, insight and entertainment...a story that deserves to be read for decades to come -- Henry Sutton * Mirror *The wonder of Atkinson's novels has been their joie de vivre, extraordinary given the high incidence of violent death. An irrepressible exuberance shines throughout..folds past and present together with Atkinson's customary flair...extraordinary combination of wit, plain-speaking, tenderness and control * Guardian *'As ever, Atkinson's prose is diamond-cut to twinkle and slice by turns' * Daily Telegraph *I can't think why it has taken me so long to discover Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie novels. Started Early, Took My Dog is the fourth and is so brilliant that I rushed out and bought the previous three. Lauded for her literary fiction, Atkinson has taken to writing crime with ease, skilfully weaving the lives of three characters into a complex tale of murder, child abduction and corruption -- Emma Lee-Potter * Daily Express *Crime has given Atkinson the freedom to write an ambitious, panoramic work, full of excitement, colour and compassion * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis‘The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong’ - Stephen King.From the master of police procedural and bestselling author of Standing in the Shadows comes A Dedicated Man, book two in Peter Robinson’s the Inspector Banks series.A dead body. Hidden secrets. Banks will find the truth.The brutally murdered body of a supposedly well-liked local historian is found half-buried under a dry stone wall. But who would kill such a thoughtful, dedicated man?Young Sally Lumb, locked in her lover's arms on the night of the murder, tries to find the killer herself. But her good-intentions only leads to more danger. And when Chief Inspector Alan Banks is called to investigate and soon discovers that disturbing secrets lie behind the seemingly untroubled façade . . .A Dedicated Man is followed in the gripping Inspector Banks crime series by A Necessary End.Trade ReviewThe novels of Peter Robinson are chilling, evocative, deeply nuanced works of art -- Dennis LehaneIf you haven't encountered Chief Inspector Alan Banks before, prepare for a crash course in taut, clean writing and subtle psychology. And watch for those twists - they'll get you every time -- Ian RankinInspector Banks - a man for all seasons, he knows that often the answers to the clues are hidden in his own heart -- Michael Connelly

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