Crime and mystery: police procedural

Book SynopsisOnly one person can help crack this case—but he’s also the prime suspect. DC Sophie Jones was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Viciously bludgeoned one night in a dark alley, she is left fighting for her life in hospital, leaving no clues as to why she was there or what might have motivated the attack. For Detective Karen Hart, fiercely protective of her young protégée, this is already deeply personal: an attack on Sophie is an attack on the whole team. When a car workshop near the crime scene is linked to local mobster Quentin Chapman, the man Hart has spent years trying to bring down, it’s hard not to jump to the most obvious conclusion. But Chapman not only denies any knowledge of the incident—he asks for Karen’s help. Someone is killing his associates, and he fears he might be next. With little else to go on, Hart has no choice but to rely on her sworn enemy and his underworld connections for valuable information. Can she trust Chapman to tell her the truth—or will this shady collaboration be the last case of her career?

Read more less

Book SynopsisFans of J.A. Jance and Lisa Gardner will love this exploration of the little-known job of death investigator in small-town Missouri where Angela Richman finds herself investigating the lives and secrets of the one percenters in Chouteau Forest.Chouteau Forest''s wealthy are being targeted by the Ghost Burglars, who''ve carried out twelve burglaries over two weeks. So far, there''s been no bloodshed . . . until Tom Lockridge is brutally slain inside his marble mansion during the latest raid. Angela Richman, death investigator for Chouteau County, is called to assess the scene and the body by Detective Jace Budewitz. As they investigate, Jace becomes obsessed with proving the Ghost Burglars weren''t involved in the murder.Can the burglars be ruled out so easily? Is there more to Cynthia Lockridge, Tom''s wife, seeking solace in the arms of the ambitious local lawyer Wesley Desloge? What about Tom''s long-suffering daughter, or his loose-lipped housekeeper or office manager? Everyone is keeping secrets, but whose erupted into violence that fateful night?

Read more less

Book Synopsis*Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month***A 'Book of the Year' pick in The Times**'An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal'Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre...breathtaking' PETER MAY, Sunday Times bestsellerCalcutta, 1923. When a Hindu theologian is found murdered in his home, the city is on the brink of all-out religious war. Can officers of the Imperial Police Force, Captain Sam Wyndham and Sergeant Surendranath Banerjee track down those responsible in time to stop a bloodbath?Set at a time of heightened political tension, beginning in atmospheric Calcutta and taking the detectives all the way to bustling Bombay, the latest instalment in this 'unmissable' (The Times) series presents Wyndham and Banerjee with an unprecedented challenge. Will this be the case that finally drives them apart?'The Shadows of Men finds the always reliable Crime Writers' Association Dagger Award-winner Abir Mukherjee on fine form' Financial Times______________PRAISE FOR THE WYNDHAM AND BANERJEE SERIES'An exceptional historical crime novel' C.J. Sansom'A thought-provoking rollercoaster' Ian Rankin'Cracking... A journey into the dark underbelly of the British Raj' Daily ExpressTrade ReviewCaptivating, moving and exciting, it's historical fiction at its finest * Sunday Express *Another compelling, thoughtful and atmospheric episode in this fine series * Mail on Sunday *Abir Mukherjee is doing something uniquely different in the crime genre. His evocation of 1920s India under British occupation is breathtaking. He takes you there with luscious strokes of his pen and a dry wit, keeping you on the edge of your seat as he spins his tale. * Peter May, Sunday Times bestselling author *I loved the slick dovetailing of the dual narrative and the sharp, humorous writing...An engaging, evocative thriller that captures the heat of Indian nights and heady days of a bygone era, without being sentimental or simplistic. For me, the murder mystery and historical elements were perfectly woven together. * Janice Hallett, author of Sunday Times bestseller The Appeal on The Shadows of Men *Abir Mukherjee's terrific crime novels are set in India in the 1920s. The Shadows of Men is vivid and brutal * Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne chance encounter, one murder, will change everything.DI Thomas Ridpath is in the process of getting his life back together when everything goes wrong. Caught in a gruesome motorway incident, one question remains: why did nobody else see what happened? Ridpath’s investigations soon pulls the police force itself into question, and hints at something even more sinister.With Manchester on the brink of violence unlike anything seen in decades, Ridpath must battle this unprecedented conflict alongside his own demons…A nail-biting crime thriller, MJ Lee’s Where the Dead Fall is an absolute must-read, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Peter James.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDallas's toughest female detective takes on a string of mysterious assassinations in the second novel of the 'violent, sexy, and completely absorbing' Betty Rhyzyk series (Kirkus Reviews). Not much can make Detective Betty Rhyzyk flinch. But when forced into therapy, a desk assignment, and domestic bliss following a terrifying run-in with an apocalyptic cult, she's having trouble readjusting to life as it once was. At home, she struggles to connect with her loving wife, Jackie. At work, someone has been assassinating confidential informants. To make matters worse, Betty's partner seems to be increasingly dependent on the painkillers he was prescribed for injuries he sustained narrowly rescuing her. Betty's at the point of breaking when she decides to go rogue, on a chase that will lead her to the dark heart of a drug cartel terrorizing Dallas, and straight to the crooked cops who plan to profit from it all. Praise for Kathleen Kent: 'Gripping... Briskly paced, The Burn barely allows the reader to take a breath as believable twists careen throughout' Associated Press 'Readers will clamor for the irresistible Betty's next chapter' Publishers Weekly 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likable' Wall Street Journal 'Kent continues to reinvent and subvert traditional noir expectations... Action-driven mystery anchored by dynamic, deep characters' Kirkus Reviews 'A gripping, powerfully human procedural' BooklistTrade ReviewGripping... Briskly paced, The Burn barely allows the reader to take a breath as believable twists careen throughout * Associated Press *PRAISE FOR KATHLEEN KENT: 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likeable' Wall Street Journal. 'A gripping, powerfully human procedural' Booklist. 'Terrific... Kent's own ability to avoid predictable outcomes and keep the reader on edge bodes well for future installments in this series' Chicago Tribune. 'Kent is an effective storyteller and an acute social observer, with a sharp eye for Texas-sized absurdities' Los Angeles Review of Books. 'Kent's offbeat humor pulls up reins just before it takes the story over a cliff' * New York Times Book Review *

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 SynopsisWhen Richard Cooper is found shot to death in his luxury apartment in North Sheen, London, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Brock and Detective Sergeant Dave Poole are assigned the case. They immediately question Dennis Jones, who found Cooper''s lifeless body, and Lydia Maxwell, who lived in the apartment opposite - but is either of them telling the truth? Richard Cooper appears to have been a very private man who left few clues behind. As the investigation gathers pace, however, a trip to Belgium could signal the possible unravelling of the mystery. But it soon becomes clear that the hunt for a determined killer could lead to tragedy for Harry and his team.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA body has been found in the trunk of a Cadillac. Jesse's investigation takes him to the neighboring homes of two 'retired' gangsters. But it isn't the mobsters who fascinate Jesse - it's their wives: two completely identical twin sisters, who not even their husbands can tell apart. And when one of the mobsters is found with a bullet in his skull, Jesse is forced to start digging into the twins' past...Trade Review'If Spenser is the invincible knight, the timeless hero of American detective fiction, then Jesse Stone is the flawed hero of the moment, a man whose deficiencies define his humanity' New York Times Book Review. * New York Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBook 5 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.In the fifth of his bestselling series Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of whatever comfort zone he might have found and takes him out of London - to a small village in Herefordshire where the local police are reluctant to admit that there might be a supernatural element to the disappearance of some local children. But while you can take the London copper out of London, you can''t take the London out of the copper. Travelling west with Beverley Brook, Peter soon finds himself caught up in a deep mystery and having to tackle local cops and local gods. And what''s more, all the shops are closed by 4pm...Praise for the Rivers of London novels:''Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London''NICK FROST''As brilliant and funny as ever''THE SUN''Charming, witty, exciting''THE INDEPENDENT''An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups''THE TIMESDiscover why this incredible series has sold over two million copies around the world. If you''re a fan of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams - don''t panic - you will love Ben Aaronovitch''s imaginative, irreverent and all-round irresistible novels.Trade ReviewIt's a real treat - Hot Fuzz meets Harry potter via hardboiled police procedural - with a compelling cast of characters and a nail-biting mystery to be solved * Living North *This is a book that I can't recommend enough - as I said before, it's a great jump on point for new readers, but it also keeps up the greatness of the previous four novels. Whilst this might be my favourite since the first novel, that doesn't mean the others are rubbish - this just has a little something extra, a little je ne sais pas. * The Cult Den *As brilliant and funny as ever * THE SUN *Ben has deservedly earned high praise for his Rivers of London series and Foxglove Summer continues to broaden the saga with gusto. With plenty of dark humour and action, great characters - human and otherwise! - this latest novel more than delivers everything fans will expect from a new story in this brilliant series. Thoroughly recommended * Down the Tubes *An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups * THE TIMES *Foxglove Summer is evocative, mysterious, engaging, and, mostly, enormous amounts of fun. Fans of the Peter Grant series will not be disappointed, and those new to the books should start with Rivers in London, safe in the knowledge that the sequels are just as good. * Starburst Magazine *Foxglove Summer is urban fantasy the way it should be. The kind of book that keeps you up way past 3.00 am because you really need to 'read to the end of this chapter' and then the next ... and the next... Foxglove Summer is well paced and engrossing. You do not have to have read the previous four volumes as it stands on its own well enough, though having the history at hand is always going to help. A fun read and thoroughly recommended. * Piper at the Gates of Fantasy *this little country retreat offers much in a way of a fresh, singular plot to devour with some real police action and adventure... it's a witty installment * Sci-Fi Now *I loved this story. This is a series where the announcement of a new book fills me with joy. * Geek Syndicate *As we'd expect, each fan is going to have their favourite and this book is definitely one of mine * The Book Bag *The story itself is intriguing with a solid mystery at its heart and it rattles along at a steady pace, whilst still allowing Peter time to enjoy the country life. It's certainly a refreshing new angle to take as the other books are set in the city. This is a great, gritty and whimsical read. 5/5 stars * Book Shelf Butterfly *Highly entertaining * Sunday Express *Funny and wildly inventive * Mail on Sunday *Masterfully crafted ... gives the late, great Terry Pratchett a run for his money * The Sun *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there even more than the real London * Nick Frost *Charming, witty, exciting * Independent *An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups * The Times *For all the murder and mayhem, this is a darkly comic read with characters you can't help but like. * THE SUNDAY EXPRESS *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE ENZO FILES AND THE CHINA THRILLERSAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'One of the best regarded crime series of recent years.' Independent'No one can create a more eloquently written suspense novel than Peter May.' New York Journal of BooksPETER MAY: THE MAN WHO BROUGHT MURDER TO THE OUTER HEBRIDESA brutal killing takes place on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland: a land of harsh beauty and inhabitants of deep-rooted faith.A MURDERDetective Inspector Fin Macleod is sent from Edinburgh to investigate. For Lewis-born Macleod, the case represents a journey both home and into his past.A SECRETSomething lurks within the close-knit island community. Something sinister.A TRAPAs Fin investigates, old skeletons begin to surface, and soon he, the hunter, becomes the hunted.LOVED THE BLACKHOUSE? Read book 2 in the Lewis trilogy, THE LEWIS MANLOVE PETER MAY? Buy his latest frontlist thriller, THE NIGHT GATETrade ReviewA rip-roaring thriller . . . thoroughly enjoyable * Mail on Sunday *A wonderfully complex bookThe Lewis Man shone like a bright star out of this year's book lists. Lyrical, empathetic and movingHe is a terrific writer doing something different * Mark Billingham *From the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writerWonderfully compellingWestern France - now May's own stamping ground - is as much a character in the book as the Hebrides were in his formidable Isle of Lewis sequence * Guardian *Peter May is a writer I'd follow to the ends of the earth * New York Times *Instantly struck by the beauty of the descriptions of the wild island terrain as well as by the roundedness and complexity of the characterisations * The Times *May'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 * 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 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE 12 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LEWIS TRILOGY AND THE ENZO FILESAWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF THE CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY 2021'Peter May is one of the most accomplished novelists writing today.' Undiscovered Scotland 'No one can create a more eloquently written suspense novel than Peter May.' New York Journal of BooksHuman trafficking and inhuman terrorism - the fourth instalment in Peter May's critically acclaimed series.SUFFOCATEDA vehicle crammed with dozens of dead Chinese immigrants is found in southern Texas. Pathologist Margaret Campbell must put aside her horror, and find out why. SUMMONEDDetective Li Yan - an even more unwelcome memory for Campbell - has arrived stateside to investigate a link in the case to a lucrative trade in illegal labourers. SNAKEHEADLi and Campbell will soon find that the crime scene hides another secret: a biological time bomb linking traffickers, politicians and migrants in Beijing, Washington and Texas - posing multiple countries one, very singular, threat.LOVED SNAKEHEAD? Read the fifth book in the series, THE RUNNERLOVE PETER MAY? Buy his new thriller, THE NIGHT GATETrade ReviewA wonderfully complex book * Peter James, on Entry Island *He is a terrific writer doing something different * Mark Billingham *From the first page I knew I was in safe hands. I knew I could trust this writer * Sophie Hannah *Wonderfully compelling * Kate Mosse *A true pleasure to read * 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 *A gripping page-turner that combines edge-of-the-seat suspense with a fascinating picture of modern China * Irish Independent *The plot is chilling and ingenious * Scotland on Sunday *Peter May opens a window on a vision of the modern Chinese political climate ... a tremendous collision of cultures * The Herald *Fast, exciting ... an entertaining read that will also give food for thought * Irish Times *The plot twists and turns like the tail of a Chinese dragon. A cracking good read ... Highly recommended * Scots Magazine *The characters here are vivid and contrasting, and they grow and develop in a way usually only found in literary novels, and the plotting and evocation of atmosphere as professional as they come. An excellent series * Kirkus Reviews *A tense and atmospheric thriller with a heart-stopping ending * Tangled Web *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDetective Superintendent Roy Grace exposes the dark side of internet dating in the intriguing crime novel Dead at First Sight, by award winning author Peter James.A man waits at a London airport for the love of his life to arrive. Across the Atlantic, a retired cop waits in a bar in Florida’s Key West for his first date with the lady who is his soulmate. The two men are about to discover they’ve been scammed out of almost every penny they have in the world – and that neither women exist.In the same week, Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, that is clearly not what it seems. As his investigations continue, a handsome motivational speaker comes forward. He’s discovered his identity is being used to scam eleven different women online. The first he knew of it was a phone call from one of them saying, ‘You don’t know me, but I thought I knew you’.That woman is now dead.Roy Grace realizes he is looking at the tip of an iceberg. Can he bring down the murderous global empire built on clever, cruel internet scams?Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Dead at First Sight is the fifteenth title in the bestselling series. Discover more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Find Them Dead and Left You Dead.Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm.Trade ReviewPeter James has penetrated the inner workings of police procedures, and the inner thoughts and attitudes of real detectives, as no English crime writer before him. His hero, Roy Grace, may not be the most lively cop, nor the most damaged by drink, weight or misery, but he’s one of the most believable * The Times *Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business -- Karin SlaughterJames just gets better and better and deserves the success he has achieved with this first-class series * Independent on Sunday *Meticulous research gives his prose great authenticity . . . James manages to add enough surprises and drama that by the end you’re rooting for the police and really don’t know if they will finally get their men * Sunday Express *No one can deny James’s success as a crime novelist . . . The Grace stories almost always go to the top of the bestseller lists, not least because they are supremely well-told. James writes meticulously researched police procedurals, so informed that you can smell the canteen coffee . . . enthralling * Daily Mail *In my thirty four years of policing, never have I come across a writer who so accurately depicts “The Job” -- Detective Investigator Pat Lanigan, Office of the District Attorney, NYPDA full-throated exposé * Kirkus *The action is fast and furious, but, as in all novels in this series, it’s held together by the unflappable character of Superintendent Grace . . . Not to be missed * Booklist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Italian crime legend, Andrea Camilleri, comes The Potter's Field, winner of the CWA International Dagger Award and the thirteenth instalment in the Inspector Montalbano series.While Vigàta is wracked by storms, Inspector Montalbano is called to attend the discovery of a dismembered body in a field of clay. Bearing all the marks of an execution style killing, it seems clear that this is, once again, the work of the notorious local mafia. But who is the victim? Why was the body divided into thirty pieces? And what is the significance of the Potter's Field?Working to decipher these clues, Montalbano must also confront the strange and difficult behaviour exhibited by his old colleague Mimi, and avoid the distraction of the enchanting Dolores Alfano – who seeks the inspector's help in locating her missing husband. But like the Potter's Field itself, Montalbano is on treacherous ground and only one thing is certain – nothing is quite as it seems . . .'Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb' - Sunday TimesThe Potter's Field is followed by The Age of Doubt, the fourteenth in the series.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *For sunny views, explosive characters and a snappy plot constructed with great farcical ingenuity, the writer you want is Andrea Camilleri * New York Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writes . . . utterly gripping * Daily Mirror *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Other End of the Line is the twenty-fourth darkly humorous Inspector Montalbano mystery from the international bestselling author Andrea Camilleri. In Inspector Montalbano’s coastal town of Vigàta, a surge of migrants have been coming in by boat, and all the town’s hands are on deck to help the arrivals. At the heart of the scene are the police – on the lookout for the people smugglers responsible – and long night-shifts are rendering Inspector Montalbano and his officers exhausted. Then one night, while Montalbano is enduring yet another gruelling stint at the port, a separate crime is committed – unexplained, unexpected, and unpleasant. Elena, the dressmaker at the town’s famous tailors, has been found dead – slaughtered by her own scissors . . . As a swell of desperate people arrive in search of a better life, Inspector Montalbano finds himself trying to unravel the mystery of who murdered the dressmaker. But as he makes his enquiries, the Inspector can’t help but wonder: what will happen if he keeps tugging on this thread? And what will he find at the end of the line?Trade ReviewMontalbano’s colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction’s greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe’s greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Darkest Day is the first novel in the five part Inspector Barbarotti series from renowned Swedish crime author Håkan Nesser.It’s December in the quiet Swedish town of Kymlinge, and the Hermansson family are gathering to celebrate a big family birthday. But beneath the guise of happy festivities, tensions are running high, and it’s not long before the night takes a dark and unexpected turn . . . Before the weekend is over, two members of the Hermansson family are missing, and it’s up to Inspector Barbarotti to determine exactly what happened on that darkest day, and unravel a web of sinister family secrets in the process . . .Continue the thrilling investigative series with The Root of Evil.'One of the best Nordic Noir writers' – GuardianTrade ReviewBarbarotti has to disentangle years of bad blood and resentment to get to the heart of a thrillingly complex case -- Joan Smith * Sunday Times *Told with wry humour and compassion, Nesser has four more Barbarotti stories to come — cherish them all -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *In an exemplary translation by Sarah Death, this tangled tale of guilt and betrayal whets the appetite for translations of the other Barbarotti novels -- Barry Forshaw * Financial Times *A top-notch investigation into some grisly goings-on, courtesy of his latest crime-fighting duo Barbarotti and Backman * Riveting Reads *Fiendishly complex . . . Just the thing for a winter afternoon * Metro *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers join forces on a deadly maritime case like no other . . .   An off-duty Coast Guardsman is fishing with his family when he calls in some suspicious behaviour from a nearby boat. The slick craft has stopped to pick up a surfaced diver, who was apparently alone, without his own boat, in the middle of the ocean. None of it makes sense, and his hunch is proved right when all three Guardsmen who come out to investigate are shot and killed. They're federal officers killed on the job, which means the case is the FBI's turf. And when the FBI's investigation stalls out, they call in Lucas Davenport. But when the case turns lethal, Davenport will need to bring in every asset he can claim, including a detective with a fundamentally criminal mind: Virgil Flowers.With sinister motives running deep, Flowers and Davenport will need to work together to catch the killers – before they bec

Read more less

Book SynopsisPaper Moon is the thrilling ninth instalment in the warm and witty Inspector Montalbano series, by Italian author Andrea Camilleri.As he gets older, Inspector Montalbano is plagued by existential questions. But he doesn't have much time to wax philosophical before the gruesome murder of a man – shot in the face at point-blank range with his pants down – commands his attention.Add two evasive, beautiful women as prime suspects, dirty cocaine, dead politicians, mysterious computer codes, and a series of threatening letters, and things soon get very complicated at the police headquarters in Vigàta . . .Paper Moon is followed by the tenth book in the Sicilian crime series, August Heat.'Montalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction' – Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn the eighth instalment of the Birder Murder Mysteries, DCI Domenic Jejeune must decide where his loyalty lies before deadly consequences occur…Trade ReviewPraise for the Birder Murder Mysteries: 'A murder plot built around birdwatching doesn’t, at first, seem plausible or even possible. But Burrows pulls it off... Riveting from first page to final line.' Globe and Mail 'Skillfully written, full of moral ambiguities and artful puzzles, with a spine-tingling final sentence.' Kirkus starred review

Read more less

Book SynopsisIcelandic detective Elma faces mortal danger as she investigates the death of a young man in a mysterious Akranes house fire, and a Dutch au pair’s perfect placement turns deadly … The breathtaking third instalment in the award-winning Forbidden Iceland series. ***WINNER of the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger*** ‘Her best, boldest work to date: a mystery both merciless and compassionate, subtly eerie yet flat-out frightening, featuring a detective as complicated as Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole. This is virtuoso suspense writing’ A J Finn ‘Chilling and addictive, with a completely unexpected twist … I loved it’ Shari Lapena ‘Another beautifully written novel from one of the rising stars of Nordic Noir’ Victoria Selman _________________________ The small community of Akranes is devastated when a young man dies in a mysterious house fire, and when Detective Elma and her colleagues from West Iceland CID discover the fire was arson, they become embroiled in an increasingly perplexing case involving multiple suspects. What’s more, the dead man’s final online search raises fears that they could be investigating not one murder, but two. A few months before the fire, a young Dutch woman takes a job as an au pair in Iceland, desperate to make a new life for herself after the death of her father. But the seemingly perfect family who employs her turns out to have problems of its own and she soon discovers she is running out of people to turn to. As the police begin to home in on the truth, Elma, already struggling to come to terms with a life-changing event, finds herself in mortal danger as it becomes clear that someone has secrets they’ll do anything to hide… ____________________________ ‘A creepily compelling Icelandic mystery that had me hooked from page one. Night Shadows will make you want to sleep with the lights on’ Heidi Amsinck ‘I loved everything about this book: the characters, the setting, the storyline, an intricately woven cast … this book had me utterly gripped!’ J M Hewitt ‘With the third release in the Forbidden Iceland series, Eva Björg establishes herself as not just one of the brightest names in Icelandic crime fiction, but in crime fiction full stop. Night Shadows is an absolute must-read!’ Nordic Watchlist ‘The author writes so beautifully you are immediately immersed in the chilly surrounds … a genuinely excellent novel’ Liz Loves Books ‘One of the most compelling contemporary writers of crime fiction and psychological suspense’ Duncan Beattie,Fiction from Afar Praise for the Forbidden Iceland series: ‘Fans of Nordic Noir will love this’ Ann Cleeves ‘Elma is a fantastic heroine’ Sunday Times ‘Complex, gripping and moving’ The Times ‘An exciting and harrowing tale’ Ragnar Jónasson ‘Eerie and chilling. I loved every word!’ Lesley Kara ‘Not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made’ The Times ‘Beautifully written, spine-tingling and disturbing … a thrilling new voice in Icelandic crime fiction’ Yrsa Sigurðardóttir ‘As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter’ Lisa Gray ‘An unsettling and exciting read with a couple of neat red herrings to throw the reader off the scent’ NB Magazine ‘Chilling and troubling … reminiscent of Jorn Lier Horst‘s Norwegian procedurals. This is a book that makes an impact’ Crime Fiction Lover ‘Elma is a memorably complex character’ Financial Times ‘The twist comes out of the blue … enthralling’ Tap The Line Magazine For fans of Ragnar Jonasson, Camilla Lackberg, Ruth Rendell, Gillian McAllister and Shari Lapen

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) A legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONThe most ingeniously undetectable murder method since Dorothy L. Sayers.' SCOTSMANPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________An unfinished manuscript. A murder stranger than fiction. Battered by the conclusion of a particularly brutal murder case in London, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh has escaped for a hard-earned break, which he plans to spend taking long walks with his aunt and doing a little bird-watching in the Suffolk countryside. But all hope of peace is shattered by murder, when the mutilated body of local crime writer Maurice Seaton is discovered floating in

Read more less

Book SynopsisAugust Heat by Andrea Camilleri is the tenth installment in the Inspector Montalbano series, now adapted as a major BBC4 television series. The lazy, slow month of August at the height of the Sicilian summer is, Inspector Montalbano assures his girlfriend Livia as they prepare for a relaxing holiday in a villa he has found for them, far too hot for any murders to be committed. But when Livia's friends' young son goes missing, a chain of events is sparked which will certainly ruin the Chief Inspector's pleasant interlude. A secret apartment and a grisly find in an old trunk are just the beginning, as Montalbano navigates his way through the case, as well as coping with the sweltering heat, the suspicious death of an Arab labourer and the tempting lure of a beautiful girl . . .August Heat is followed by the eleventh book in the series, The Wings of the Sphinx.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the sixth Inspector French novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.A MURDER MYSTERY WITHOUT A CLUEWhen Sir John Magill, the wealthy Irish industrialist, fails to show up at his home town on a well-publicised visit, neither his family nor the Belfast police can explain his disappearance. Foul play is suspected when his bloodstained hat is discovered, and Scotland Yard is called in. With his characteristic genius for reconstruction, Inspector French evolves a gruesome theory about what happened to the elderly man, but his reputation and that of Scotland Yard will depend on finding out who was responsible . . .Trade Review‘Nobody takes more trouble to get every detail absolutely correct. This most workmanlike of sleuths unravels a really satisfying puzzle.’ DAILY MAIL “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 NICOLSON, DAILY EXPRESS

Read more less

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

Read more less

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 *

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong’ – Stephen KingFrom the master of police procedural and bestselling author of Standing in the Shadows comes The Hanging Valley, book four in Peter Robinson’s the Inspector Banks series.TWO MURDERS. A MISSING PERSON. A VILLAGE WITH A TERRIBLE SECRET.A faceless corpse is found in a tranquil, hidden valley below the village of Swainshead, the victim’s identity deliberately obscured. And when Chief Inspector Alan Banks arrives, he finds that no-one is willing to talk. Banks's frustration only grows when he suspects his latest case might be connected with an unsolved murder and a missing local woman, which occurred in the same area five years ago.Among the silent suspects are the Collier brothers, the wealthiest and most powerful family in the area. When they start using their influence to slow down the investigation, Banks finds himself in a race against time . . .The Hanging Valley is followed by Past Reason Hated in the Inspector Banks series.Trade ReviewThe novels of Peter Robinson are chilling, evocative, deeply nuanced works of art -- Dennis LehaneIf you haven't caught up with Peter Robinson already, now is the time to start * Independent on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAngelica's Smile is the seventeenth novel in the gripping and darkly funny Inspector Montalbano mysteries by Andrea Camilleri.When members of Vigàta's elite are targeted in a series of perfectly executed burglaries, Inspector Montalbano reluctantly takes the case. It soon becomes clear however that more links these privileged few than simply their lost possessions . . . It isn't long too before Montalbano finds himself taken with one of the victims, the captivatingly beautiful young Angelica. But as the detective's attraction grows - until he can think of little else – a series of strange, anonymous letters claiming responsibility for the thefts begin to arrive . . .With the allure of Angelica beginning to consume him and his relationship with Livia under threat, Montalbano must focus his mind to solve this perplexing investigation before events spiral out of all control.Angelica's Smile is followed by the eighteenth book in the Sicilian mystery series, Game of Mirrors.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book Synopsis ***Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray''s Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series*** ***Don''t miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUESTIONS FOR A DEAD MAN, is out now and Book 21, OUT OF DARKNESS, is available to pre-order.*** Whether you''ve read them all or whether this is your first Lorimer novel, When Shadows Fall is perfect if you love Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves WHAT THEY''RE SAYING ABOUT THE LORIMER SERIES:''Warm-hearted, atmospheric'' ANN CLEEVES''Relentless and intriguing'' PETER MAY''Move over Rebus'' DAILY MAIL''Exciting, pacey, authentic'' ANGELA MARSONS''Superior writing'' THE TIMES''Immensely exciting and atmospheric'' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH_______________DSI Lorimer is back with a brand new case. And the stakes haTrade ReviewA hallmark of Gray's writing is the cosy familiarity of the characters and worlds she conjures, while deftly weaving in the essential components of a gripping psychological thriller - suspense, twists and searing imagery - that will have you whipping through its pages * Glasgow Herald *Terrific * Peterborough Telegraph *It's no wonder the series has sold a million copies to date . . . Alex Gray's latest is a thoroughly enjoyable read from a writer at the top of her game. * Dundee Courier *Cleverly constructed, this tightly plotted story is a gripping read. Highly recommended. * Mystery People *Relentless and intriguing -- Peter May, bestselling author of the Lewis trilogy

Read more less

Book SynopsisMurder rearranges the Yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies...The O’Sullivans are spending Christmas in West Cork with brother James’s fiancée Elise’s family, including her grandfather, the famous orchestral conductor Enda Elliot. When they learn everyone will choose a name from a hat to buy a music-related Christmas gift for someone else at the gathering, it seems like their greatest concern–until the cantankerous conductor is discovered crushed under a ninety-pound harp in a local concert hall.With the extended family–including Enda’s much-younger new wife Leah, a virtuoso violinist–suspected in his murder, it’s up to Siobhán to ensure the guilty party faces the music. But as a snowstorm strands both families in a lavish farmhouse on a cliff, Siobhán had better pick up the tempo–before the killer orchestrates another untimely demise...A charming Christmas cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Margaret Mayhew and Dee Macdonald.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSOMEONE WANTS YOU OUT OF THE PICTURE . . .The thrilling new Detective Jane Tennison crime novel from the Queen of Crime Drama - now available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.__________________________Helena Lanark is the only one who knows about the horrors which once occurred in her family's house. The heiress of an immense family fortune, she now resides in a luxurious care home; her mind and memory fading fast.Jane Tennison is leading a murder investigation into the recent brutal death of a young girl, her decomposed, starved body discovered in an old air raid shelter in the garden of the Lanark's now derelict house. Initially the focus is on identifying the victim, until another body is found hidden in the walls of the shelter.As the investigation and search for answers intensifies, Jane travels to Australia. There she discovers the dark secret that the Lanark family has kept hidden for decades. A secret that not only threatens to bring down a family dynasty, but also places Jane Tennison in mortal danger . . .Murder hides behind closed doors in Lynda La Plante's brilliant new Jane Tennison thriller.______________________________Praise for Lynda La Plante:'The UK's most celebrated female crime author' - DAILY MAIL'Thirty years on from writing Prime Suspect, La Plante is still delivering the goods' - THE TIMES'Tough, brilliant and damaged, [Tennison] shook up the genre forever' - DAILY EXPRESS'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' - KARIN SLAUGHTER

Read more less

Book SynopsisNothing stays buried foreverLifeboat volunteer DI Shona Oliver receives a Mayday call coming from Kilcatrin Island. Upon the beach is the badly burned body of a man, and a boy lies gravely injured nearby. Strewn around them are scores of Second World War incendiary bombs, presumably washed up by the tide from Beaufort’s Dyke, an offshore arms dump deep in the Irish Sea.The dead man is a local fisherman – his son the other victim – and it rocks the tight-knit community on the shores of the Solway Firth. As lead detective, Shona has to maintain a professional distance. But she can’t ignore the hardship that her neighbours who make a living at sea are experiencing. Anger is directed at the Ministry of Defence when the fallout threatens tourism, and livelihoods including Shona’s own family B&B business are at risk. Suspicious behaviour seems to be found at every turn. It’s impossible for Shona to get to the truth unless she can gain the trust of those who know more than they’ve been willing to reveal. But blind loyalty may mean she’s too late to save those still in danger – including herself. The second instalment in an exciting new Scottish crime series featuring a detective with nerves of steel. Perfect for fans of Neil Lancaster, G. R. Halliday and Ann Cleeves.Praise for Dead Man Deep ‘A real cracker of a book. Combining police procedural with the perils of volunteer lifeboat crew and some dodgy MOD arms dumping thrown in for good measure...’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I absolutely loved this book. So much so I read it in one sitting. The twists kept the pages turning and left me shocked at the end. I definitely recommend this series to all crime fiction fans!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Fun page turner, this one will have you pining for the Scottish coast!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A very well-written and likeable character… this had the makings of a cracking series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Shona Oliver is flawed but hard working and always with good intentions. Lynne McEwan has created a captivating character and I hope more books follow!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Excellent storyline and characters, so what more do you need? The next title can’t come quickly enough.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A riveting Scottish police procedural.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

Read more less

Book Synopsis Nick Miller is Central Division’s maverick Detective Sergeant. Disliked and distrusted by friends and foes, he works alone. He crosses the line. And he gets results. Trade Review‘A classic British thriller reminiscent of The Sweeney with a dash of Line of Duty’ Charles Cumming, author of Box 88 ‘Action-packed, colourful and written by a natural storyteller’ Mail on Sunday ‘Open a Jack Higgins novel and you’ll encounter a master craftsman at the peak of his powers … first-rate tales of intrigue, suspense and full-on action’ Sunday Express ‘Higgins is a master of his craft’ Daily Telegraph ‘A thriller writer in a class of his own’ Financial Times ‘The master craftsman of good, clean adventure’ Daily Mail ‘One hundred percent proof adventure’ New York Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs much a thriller as a chilling exploration of grief, The Woman on the Pier is one of B P Walter's finestand most shockingnovels yet' A. J. Gnuse, author of Girl in the WallsTwo strangers meet on the pierOnly one walks awayScreenwriter Caroline Byrne is desperate to know why her daughter Jessica died, murdered in Stratford when she was supposed to be at a friend's in Somerset.When Caroline discovers the messages Jessica had been sending a boy named Michael, she realises it's because of him. Because he failed to meet her that day.He's the reason why her daughter is dead.And so she makes a choice. He's the one who's going to pay.That is her promise. Her price.Set between Essex, Kent, and Australia, The Woman on the Pier is a dark suspense thriller brimming with secrets and lies seeping across three generations a must-read for fans of Lucy Foley and Rosamund Lupton.An unflinching, visceral and eloquently written dissection of a mother's grief and her journey to get what she perceives asTrade ReviewPraise for THE DINNER GUEST: ‘Stayed up till past 2am to finish this! Well done, B P Walter – immensely gripping!’ Sophie Hannah, Sunday Times-bestselling author of the Hercule Poirot Mysteries ‘Could not put this book down, kept me guessing the entire way. Wow! A triumph from B P Walter’ Susan Lewis, Sunday Times-bestselling author of FORGIVE ME ‘I couldn't put this down. Suspenseful and well crafted, this is twisty, addictive reading to add to your list’ Debbie Howells, bestselling author of THE VOW and Richard and Judy Book Club pick THE BONES OF YOU Praise for A VERSION OF THE TRUTH: ‘Devilishly well-plotted, crisply written – and a hell of a lot of fun. What a smashing debut!’ A.J. Finn, #1 bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW ‘Beguiling, surprising and sometimes shocking. Cleverly crafted with characters who stay with you. Highly-polished debut.’ Jane Corry, author of THE DEAD EX ‘Such a confident debut from Barnaby Walter and the most disturbing thriller I’ve read this year.’Emma Curtis, author of ONE LITTLE MISTAKE and WHEN I FIND YOU. ‘Day one of my holiday lost to B P Walter and his intriguing thriller A Version of the Truth. If you like Peter Swanson, this will be right up your dark, twisted alley’John Marrs, author of THE ONE ‘A Version of the Truth is engaging and sinister in places. Walter has created wonderfully authentic characters, and the writing is superb. Highly recommended.’ Elisabeth Carpenter, author of 99 RED BALLOONS ‘Walter's debut is an assured piece of world-building, with characters both flawed and real, and a crescendo that sweeps you up then crashes you down. Unpredictable, clever & subtly twisted. Loved it.’ Helen Fields, author of PERFECT SILENCE ‘A dark and sometimes disturbing debut; a compelling story with credible characters. Walter emerges as a powerful new voice in the world of thriller writing.’ Diane Jeffrey, author of HE WILL FIND YOU

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Cordelia Gray MysteryHired to protect a beautiful but neurotic actress, Cordelia Gray soon becomes embroiled in a case as dangerous to her own life as it is mysterious.Clarissa Lisle hopes to make a spectacular comeback in a production of The Duchess of Malfi, to be played in Ambrose Gorringe''s sinister castle at Courcy Island. Cordelia is there to ensure her safety following the appearance of a number of poison-pen letters. But it soon becomes clear that all are in danger. Trapped within the walls of the Gothic castle, the treacherous past of the island re-emerges, and everyone seems to have a motive for sending Clarissa ''down, down to hell''.Marking the return of Cordelia Gray, The Skull beneath the Skin is a complex mystery which more than lives up to its predecessor, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) A legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONPerfect a touchstone British murder mystery.' 5* reader reviewPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________Murder has priority. Wasn't that what they always said at the Lab?When a young girl is found murdered in a field, the scientific examination of the remains is just a routine job for the staff of Hoggatt''s forensic science laboratory. But nothing could have prepared them for the brutal death of one of their own. When the senior biologist is found dead in his laboratory, Commander Dalgliesh is called to the bleak fens of East Anglia to meet a wealth of potential suspects and cautious forensic scientists quick to pass on the blame. But while Dalgliesh becomes embroiled in the complicated passions that lie hidden beneath the calm surface of the laboratory, the murderer is lying in wait to strike again . . .__________________________________________________________________________________Arguably the finest of the series . . . Brilliant.' Financial TimesShe does for a forensic science laboratory in East Anglia what Dorothy L. Sayers did for Oxbridge.' New York TimesP. D. James at her very best fabulous writing and great story line what more does anyone want or need?' 5* reader review**Now a major Channel 5 series**__________________________________________________________________________________READERS LOVE THE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES:Adam Dalgleish is one of the best characters in modern detective fiction.' 5* reader reviewIf you are not already an Adam Dalgliesh fan, I urge you to become one . . . James can describe a scene or delineate a character with precision and depth, like no other writer I have read . . . I usually stay up all night to read a P. D. James novel once I start one.' 5* reader reviewI would never give less than 5 stars to any P. D. James book. She is one of a kind, always constant, always wonderful writing, always great characters, and always a good mystery that you cannot put down.' 5* reader reviewP.D. James writes mysteries for ordinary people. Her characters are relatable and her hero is dynamic. But don''t expect cell phones or computers. Her stories are strictly old school, which is what I love about them.' 5* reader reviewCrime writing at its very best!' 5* reader reviewPRAISE FOR P. D. JAMES:P. D. James is the crème de la crème of crime writers. Her books are shrewd puzzles, full of wit and depth.' IAN RANKINNobody can put the reader in the eye of the storm quite like P. D. James.' SUNDAY EXPRESSOne of the literary greats. Her sense of place was exquisite, characterisation and plotting unrivalled.' MARI HANNAHJames manages a depth and intelligence that few in her trade can match.' THE TIMESThere are very few thriller writers who can compete with P. D. James at her best.' SPECTATOR The queen of English crime.' GUARDIAN

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn atmospheric new Fry and Cooper thriller for fans of Peter Robinson and Reginald HillA May Bank Holiday in the Peak District is ruined by the tragic drowning of an eight-year-old girl in picturesque Dovedale. For Detective Constable Ben Cooper, a helpless witness to the tragedy, the incident is not only traumatic, but leads him to become involved in the tangled lives of the Neilds, the dead girl''s family.As he gets to know them, Cooper begins to suspect that one of them is harbouring a secret - a secret that the whole family might be willing to cover up.Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Diane Fry has a journey of her own to make - a journey back to her roots. As she finds herself drawn into an investigation of her own among the inner-city streets of Birmingham, Fry realises there is only one person she can rely on to provide the help she needs.But that man is Ben Cooper, and he''s back in Derbyshire, where his suspicions are leading him towards a shocking discovery on the banks of anothTrade ReviewPraise for Dying to Sin: 'Clever, intricate plot… Cooper is an ascendant Lewis to Fry's lonely, bitter Morse in this… gripping procedural' Financial Times Praise for Scared to Live: 'It's easy to see why Stephen Booth's novels are so popular. The Peak District's awesome scenery is an ideal background for a murder or two; he has developed his two principal characters into rounded personalities and he always gives them an intriguing mystery to investigate' Sunday Telegraph 'A modern master of rural noir' Guardian 'Booth's aim is to portray the darkness that lies below the surface… in this he succeeds wonderfully well' Daily Mail 'Ingenious plotting and richly atmospheric' Reginald Hill Praise for Stephen Booth: 'The complex relationship between [Cooper and Fry] is excellently drawn, and is combined with an intriguing plot and a real sense of place: Stephen Booth is an author to keep an eye on' Evening Standard 'Stephen Booth makes high summer in Derbyshire as dark and terrifying as midwinter' Val McDermid 'A leading light of British crime writing' Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisA wonderfully twisty maze' JAMES OSWALDDI CHARLOTTE SAVAGE KNOWS WHO KILLED HER DAUGHTERBut before Charlotte can get her revenge, disturbing events start to unfold on DartmoorA woman's naked body is found near an isolated reservoir on the bleak winter moors. When the woman's housemate also goes missing, Charlotte knows she must move fast.But in a police force tainted by corruption, Charlotte's hunt for the killer won't be easy.And resisting her own urge to kill will be even harderA page-turning, terrifying crime thriller, perfect for fans of Peter May and Tim Weaver, and TV series Broadchurch and Scott and Bailey.Trade Review‘There is a strength and depth in the characterisation that sets the book above much of what I’ve read this year…The plot is a wonderfully twisty maze to navigate through… I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to any crime fiction fans. I’ll be keeping an eye out for DI Savage in the future’ James Oswald ‘A nail-biting thriller that will keep your pulse racing all the way to the explosive climax’ Alex Kava ‘A fast-paced serial-killer chiller’ (Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls)

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Quaker is watching youIn the chilling new crime novel from award-winning author Liam McIlvanney, a serial killer stalks the streets of Glasgow and DI McCormack follows a trail of secrets to uncover the truthWinner of the 2018 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the YearA city torn apart.It is 1969 and Glasgow has been brought to its knees by a serial killer spreading fear throughout the city. The Quaker has taken three women from the same nightclub and brutally murdered them in the backstreets.A detective with everything to prove.Now, six months later, the police are left chasing a ghost, with no new leads and no hope of catching their prey. They call in DI McCormack, a talented young detective from the Highlands. But his arrival is met with anger from a group of officers on the brink of despair.A killer who hunts in the shadows.Soon another woman is found murdered in a run-down tenement flat. And McCormack follows a trail of secrets that will change the city and his life Trade Review’It's one of those novels that as soon as I finished it, I looked forward to reading it again. Not only did I love the evocative recreation of Glasgow but the characters created were refreshing and surprising. It was such a pleasure to read’ Susan Calman ‘Every aspect of The Quaker is superb’ Washington Post ‘A vivid portrayal of a city’ Sun ‘A totally gripping murder mystery, thought provoking but thoroughly entertaining’ NB Magazine ‘Pacy, inventive, assured – and authentic … a story of brilliantly crafted shifts of plot and pace … McIlvanney is a writer with unfolding, developing and substantial gifts’ The Herald ‘Skilfully dovetailed … atmospheric … a solidly crafted and satisfying detective story’ Laura Wilson, Guardian ‘An absolute master of Tartan noir … the corruption of the late Sixties is splendidly evoked, as is DI Duncan McCormack’ Daily Mail 'Atmospheric and arresting, The Quaker reveals 1960s Glasgow in all its lurid shades' Val McDermid 'This is a terrific novel, dark, powerful and beautifully written. I finished it a while ago, but I'm still haunted by the characters and the place' Ann Cleeves ‘The Quaker is one of my favourite reads of the year. A powerhouse of a book with Liam McIlvanney's full lyrical powers on display. Loved it’ Steve Cavanagh ‘Another atmospheric, scary and utterly brilliant book from Liam McIlvanney. Superb’ Adrian McKinty Praise for Liam McIlvanney: ‘An authentic, atmospheric and ambitious debut’ Val McDermid ‘Gripping, unflinching … McIlvanney has flair and assurance and executes a powerful tale with all the dexterous sensitivity and ballsy swagger the subject is due’ Scotland on Sunday ‘This is a bold, impressive debut’ Daily Telegraph ‘Superb storytelling, a wonderful eye for character, and a passion for dialogue’ Daily Mail ‘McIlvanney tells the story with clarity, terrific dialogue and convincing characters’ The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is a cracking page turner with twists galore. When I wasn''t reading it I was thinking of this book trying to work out what was going on.' NetGalley Reviewer, ?????Fans of Vera, Val McDermid and Elly Griffiths will love Last Seen Alive!When Anna Matheson fails to collect her son from the babysitter after a works party, the police are swiftly called. Anna is a stickler for time and a good mother she would never abandon her baby. Her disappearance is totally out of character and DI Isabel Blood and her team soon suspect foul play.CCTV footage shows Anna was last seen at precisely 11.11pm, as she collected her coat to leave the party. But the cameras outside the venue have failed to pick up her exit from the car park how could she have vanished in plain sight?Rumour has it that Anna was set to make big changes in the workplace, and Isabel can't help but think someone wanted her out of the way.Everyone at the party is a suspect, and all the clues point to murderReaders LOVE Last See

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE DIVERSE BOOK AWARDS 2024Spectacular! British crime fiction has a dazzling new voice in Nicola Williams'' Tony ParsonsThe gripping new courtroom thriller following barrister Lee Mitchell in her most controversial case yetLee Mitchell is a young barrister from a working-class Caribbean background: in the cut-throat environment of the courtroom, everything is stacked against her.On her doorstep in South London the 15-year-old son of the pastor at the local Black church is shot, and the local community is shattered. All evidence is pointing to infamously corrupt, racist police officer Sergeant Jack Lambert as the irredeemable suspect. His own boss - rebel-turned-copper Danny Wallace - is certain he is guilty.Against her will, Lee is strong-armed into defending him. With cries of ''Black Lives Matter!'' echoing in the streets, Lee is at the centre of the turmoil as lies, anger, and mistrust spiral out of control.Trade ReviewUntil Proven Innocent is a legal thriller with heart and soul -- Erin KellyA brilliant and tense drama about legal justice that propels us well beyond the courtroom and right into the heart of a troubled community and its people -- Dreda Say Mitchell * Guardian *An authentic thought-provoking new voice in crime fiction -- Kate EllisA great twisty, gritty investigation with wonderful characters culminating in an explosive courtroom drama! -- Ajay ChowdhuryCompelling, smart, staggeringly relevant... Williams' insightful novel is pitch perfect. Outstanding -- Rachel EdwardsA brilliantly taut, gritty and authentic page turner that takes you on a thrilling road from the streets of London to the courtroom -- Nadine MathesonUntil Proven Innocent is nothing short of an astounding, brilliantly engaging book! Nicola has created one of the most daringly complex, intellectually and emotionally evocative crime stories I've read in quite some time -- Stephen Mack Jones

Read more less

Book SynopsisPossibly the most accurate picture of police work in crime fiction today An absolute cracker' Mike RipleyDenton is having more than its fair share of crime. A serial killer is murdering local prostitutes; a man demolishing his garden shed uncovers a long-buried skeleton; there is an armed robbery at a local minimart and a ram raid at a jewellers.But Detective Inspector Jack Frost''s main concern is for the safety of a missing eight-year-old. And soon after another girl is reported missing, her body is found . . . raped and strangled. Then Frost''s prime suspect hangs himself in his cell, leaving a note blaming Frost for driving him to suicide. Frost may be coarse, insubordinate and fearless. But he's also in serious trouble.Trade ReviewFrost is a splendid creation, a cross between Rumpole and Colombo * The Times *R.D.Wingfield has created possibly the most accurate picture of police work in crime fiction today... Winter Frost is an absolute cracker -- Mike Ripley, Sherlock HolmesIf you enjoy crime fiction at all, read this. If you've never read a crime novel in your life, start with this one * Morning Star *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDenton, 1984. After a morning's betting at the races, bookmaker George Price is found in his car, barely alive with a bullet in his head. As he's rushed to hospital, Detective Inspector Jack Frost and the Denton police force start their hunt for the would-be murderer.But with a long list of enemies who might want the bookie dead, the team have got their work cut out for them. And with a slew of other crimes hitting the area, from counterfeit goods to a violent drugs gangs swamping Denton with cheap heroin, the stakes have never been higher.Will Frost find the answers he's looking for before things go from bad to worse?DETECTIVE JACK FROST IS...''A splendid creation, a cross between Rumpole and Columbo'' The Times''Deplorable yet funny, a comic monster on the side of the angels'' Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn atmospheric mystery sees Cold Case Detective Lauren Riley trapped within a hotel during a snowstorm with the prime suspects in an unsolved murder seventeen years earlier . . . and her partner is one of them.When Cold Case Detective Lauren Riley''s partner, Shane Reese, runs into an old friend, he''s invited to a school reunion at a new luxury spa and resort. Lauren''s also invited and it sounds like a perfect weekend getaway, except it brings up painful memories for Reese - like the unsolved murder of his high school friend Jessica Toakese seventeen years earlier. The prime suspects will be at the reunion. Among those suspects is Reese, who has kept his involvement a secret from Lauren and the entire police force. As the friends reminisce an intense snowstorm traps them inside and tensions rise. After a heated confrontation, one of the party is brutally murdered and Lauren believes it''s connected to Jessica''s death. But who could the murder

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe eighth book in the Sergeant Cribb series by Peter LoveseyLondon, 1888. Though Miriam Cromer has confessed to the murder of her husband''s assistant, she is still confident of her acquittal. However, the jury sentence her to hang. Miriam then says her husband was the killer, but he has an alibi. Can Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray discover what really happened at Park Lodge on that fateful day in March before it''s too late?Trade ReviewWaxwork is quite the best novel of detection I have read for a long time - Ruth RendellLovesey's backtwist plotting is pure Christie, but the style, the detail and the deadpan horror are all his own - and absolutely marvellous - Kirkus ReviewsAs good a crime entertainment as you could wish for - HRF Keating, The TimesMarvellously authentic - Washington Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisFROM THE RICHARD & JUDY PICK AUTHOR AND SIX-MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER, THE MIND THAT CREATED ITV''S THE SUSPECT ''One of his best, suspenseful and hard to put down'' STEPHEN KING''Compulsively readable . . . A nail-biter'' LINWOOD BARCLAY''I''ve never read a Michael Robotham novel I didn''t love'' VAL MCDERMIDTwenty years ago, Cyrus Haven''s brother killed their parents and twin sisters.Since then Cyrus has devoted his life as a forensic psychologist to understanding why people commit terrible crimes.Now Elias is being released from his psychiatric hospital, and Cyrus must decide if he''s ready to trust the man who destroyed his childhood.His friend Evie Cormac, who has a gift for knowing when people are lying, isn''t so sure.And as they seek the truth behind a double abduction case, past and present collide - with devastating consequences . . .If you love Lying Beside You, don''t miss Cyrus and Evie in Good Girl, Bad Girl, When She Was Good, or Michael''s brand-new book Storm Child.Readers gave Lying Beside You five stars:''Exceptional, fast paced and totally enthralling'' ''Nail-biting, unexpected''''Evie Cormac and Cyrus Haven are such an intriguing duo'' ''A great read for fans of intelligent crime with strong character development''''The relationship between Cyrus and Evie is mesmerising'' ''A cracking story that had me on the edge of my seat''''A very entertaining read with a clever and complex plot''Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR LYING BESIDE YOU * - *Michael Robotham can't write a bad book. This is one of his best, suspenseful and hard to put down -- STEPHEN KINGCompulsively readable. As always, Michael Robotham builds his nail-biter around damaged people who only want to do what's right -- LINWOOD BARCLAYThoughtful . . . it isn't easy to maintain a balance between two such different plot strands, but Robotham does it brilliantly -- BEST CRIME BOOKS OF 2022 * SUNDAY TIMES *Exactly the sort of thriller that pins you to your seat until you've finished it: a proper heart-pounding mystery with unforgettable characters and compelling twists -- JANE CASEYMichael Robotham never lets you down and Lying Beside You is yet further proof that he is one of the most accomplished thriller writers in the world right now. Superbly paced, intricately plotted and packed with characters that leap off the page. Simply sensational -- M. W. CRAVENI loved Lying Beside You. Michael Robotham is such a wonderfully perceptive writer; rich, real characters who are constantly surprising . . . I could read about these two forever -- ALEX MARWOODI devoured Lying Beside You in two sittings. What a terrific writer and a fantastic read - pacey, spare and engrossing -- AJAY CHOWDHURYTense, perceptive and fast-moving, this is a remarkable novel * LITERARY REVIEW *A riveting page-turner -- MEGAN GOLDINEvery single book is a plotting masterclass, and Lying Beside You is especially poignant -- ANNA DOWNESA masterful plot which pelts along at breakneck speed. With its intriguing characters, perfectly interwoven storylines and killer twists, Robotham's latest thriller lives up to his fans' sky-high expectations. His best yet -- ROSE CARLYLENot just a cleverly constructed crime novel . . . it's also an achingly beautiful story about trust, redemption and love that had me intermittently catching my breath * SYDNEY MORNING HERALD *PRAISE FOR MICHAEL ROBOTHAM * - *I've never read a Michael Robotham novel I didn't love -- VAL MCDERMIDI love this guy's books -- LEE CHILDAn absolute master -- STEPHEN KINGWill have you turning the pages compulsively * THE TIMES *Heart-stopping, heart-breaking and heart-wrenching -- VAL MCDERMIDHe writes in a voice with a haunting sense of soul -- PETER JAMESRobotham is the real deal -- DAVID BALDACCIA white-knuckle ride that kept me up half the night -- ANDY MCNABClever, intriguing and compelling -- RACHEL ABBOTTA highly-skilled thriller writer * DAILY EXPRESS *One of crime's greatest practitioners * THE AUSTRALIAN *Unforgettable characters * GLOBE AND MAIL *

Read more less

Book Synopsis2024 SUE GRAFTON MEMORIAL AWARD WINNERChief of Police Kate Burkholder investigates the brutal death of a young Amish man in An Evil Heart, the latest installment of the bestselling series by Linda Castillo.On a crisp autumn day in Painters Mill, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder responds to a call only to discover an Amish man who has been violently killed with a crossbow, his body abandoned on a dirt road. Aden Karn was just twenty years old, well liked, and from an upstanding Amish family. Who would commit such a heinous crime against a young man whose life was just beginning? The more Kate gets to know his devastated family and the peopleboth English and Amishwho loved him, the more determined she becomes to solve the case. Aden Karn was funny and hardworking and looking forward to marrying his sweet fiancé, Emily. All the while, Kate's own wedding day to Tomasetti draws near... But as she delves into Karn's past, Kate begins

Read more less

Book Synopsis A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER''Dazzling'' The Guardian on Borderlands''A clever web of intrigue that deepens and darkens as it twists'' Peter James on Gallows Lane''Some of the very best crime fiction being written today'' Lee Child on Bad BloodMidwinter. A child is found wandering in an ancient woodland, her hands covered in blood. But it is not her own.Unwilling - or unable - to speak, the only person she seems to trust is the young officer who rescued her, Detective Sergeant Lucy Black. Soon afterwards, DS Black is baffled to find herself suddenly moved from a high-profile case involving a kidnapping of another girl, a prominent businessman''s teenage daughter.At home, Black is struggling with caring for her increasingly unstable father, and trying to avoid conflict with her frosty mother - who also happens to be the Assistant

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Suspenseful and clever - nobody is who they seem to be in this shocking and fast-paced mystery.' KARIN SLAUGHTERThe nail-biting new thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen. Have you met Rizzoli & Isles yet?Detective Jane Rizzoli and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles are investigating a gruesome and seemingly senseless murder. The victim was a respected, much loved nurse. But she was guarding a dangerous secret - a secret that may have lead the killer straight to her door.Meanwhile, Jane's watchful mother Angela Rizzoli is convinced there's something strange, perhaps even dangerous, about her new neighbours across the street. The problem is, no one is listening to her. Not even her own daughter.Ignored and frustrated, and with danger mounting in her neighbourhood, Angela may be forced to take action on her own . . .'Outstanding - inventive, scary, and funny. Listen to Me is Gerritsen at her best!' KATHY REICHS'Gerritsen walks that high wire between humour and suspense without ever falling off as she plays a great game of bait and switch with her readers.' LINWOOD BARCLAY___Readers are raving about Listen to Me!'Tightly woven plot, sharp characters and some laugh out loud scenes. LOVED IT' *****'Twisting and turning with an intriguing plotline and maintaining a dark undercurrent throughout' *****'This may have been my first Gerritsen book but it won't be the last!' *****__Praise for Tess Gerritsen:'Tess Gerritsen's clever plotting and medical knowledge give her thrillers that extra edge. Expect a white-knuckle ride to very dark places.'PAULA HAWKINS'Suspense doesn't get smarter than this.'LEE CHILD'Crime-writing at its nerve-tingling best.'HARLAN COBEN'Baby, you are going to be up all night.'STEPHEN KING'Gruesome, seductive and creepily credible.'THE TIMES'Hair-raising, nail-biting stuff.'GUARDIANTrade ReviewSuspenseful and clever - nobody is who they seem to be in this shocking and fast-paced mystery. Come for Rizzoli & Isles. Stay for an unbeatable read. * Karin Slaughter *Outstanding - inventive, scary, and funny. Listen to Me is Gerritsen at her best! * Kathy Reichs *Absolutely first rate - readers will be thrilled and delighted by this new Rizzoli and Isles outing! * Shari Lapena *Gerritsen walks that high wire between humour and suspense without ever falling off as she plays a great game of bait and switch with her readers. * Linwood Barclay *I loved Listen To Me. Only the supertalented Tess Gerritsen can meld multiple storylines so successfully while she keeps the twists coming, the pages turning, and the blood spray arterial. This is her best novel yet. If you haven't read Rizzoli & Isles, this is the one to get! * Lisa Scottoline *You need to #ListentoMe and read Tess Gerritsen's new thriller. It's fiendishly well-plotted. You won't work it out until the very end - guaranteed. I enjoyed every single line! * Lesley Kara *The Rizzoli and Isles books are loved by many, including me; the women's warm, complicated friendship and superior investigative acumen remain, in their 13th outing, an utter pleasure to keep readerly company with * New York Times *Explosive twists and pulse-pounding tension * Woman's Own *

Read more less