Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives

Book SynopsisTwo missing boys.A stolen bolt gun.One fatal shot.Three ingredients for murder.When DCI Banks and his team are called to investigate the theft of a tractor from a North Yorkshire village, they''re far from enthusiastic about what seems to be a simple case of rural crime. Then a blood stain is found in an abandoned hangar, two main suspects vanish without a trace, and events take a darkly sinister turn.As each lead does little to unravel the mystery, Banks feels like the case is coming to a dead end. Until a road accident reveals some alarming evidence, which throws the investigation to a frightening new level.Someone is trying to cover their tracks - someone with very deadly intent . . .Trade ReviewClassic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation * Observer *Peter Robinson deserves a place near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league * The Times *A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction * Bella Magazine *As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end * Choice *[Peter Robinson deserves a place] near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league * The Times *It's neither the setting nor even the characters that makes Robinson's work so satisfying, but the plotting of Swiss-watch precision * Independent *Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation * Observer *As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end. * Choice *A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction. * Bella Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA cursed statue . . . A haunted house . . . A seemingly supernatural death . . . The unexpected arrival of a friend from his past plunges musician, sleuth and free man of color Benjamin January into an old, unsolved case in this historical mystery set in New Orleans Outstanding . . . fastidious period detail, and a consistently surprising investigation Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewDecember 1840. Surgeon turned piano-player Benjamin January is looking forward to a peaceful holiday with his family. But the arrival of an old friend brings unexpected news - and unexpected danger.Persephone Jondrette has found Arithmus: a Sudanese man with extraordinary mental abilities who January last saw in France, nearly fifteen years ago, during a ghost-hunting expedition to a haunted chateau. January and his friends survived the experience . . . but Arithmus'' benefactor, the British explorer Deverel Wishart, did not. He was discovered d

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Book SynopsisA missing girl. Decades of silence. A secret too big to bury. 1987: It’s late summer and a time of change when a 17-year-old girl leaves the local shopping centre in the sleepy town of Lowbridge and is never seen again. Her unsolved disappearance is never far from the town’s memory. There’s those who grew up in the shadow of her loss whose own lives were altered forever, and those who know more than they’re saying. It just takes an outsider to ask the right questions. 2018: Katherine Ashworth, shattered by the death of her daughter, moves to her husband’s hometown. Searching for a way to pick up the pieces of her life, she joins the local historical society and becomes obsessed with the three-decades-old mystery. As Katherine digs into that summer of 1987, she stumbles upon the trail of a second girl who vanished and was never missed because no one cared enough to see what was happening in plain sight. Her trail could lead right to Katherine’s door. In a town simmering with divisions and a cast of unforgettable characters, Lowbridge is a heart-wrenching mystery about the girls who are lost, the ones who are mourned and those who are forgotten. Trade Review'intriguing and compelling' -- Alison Flood * Observer Magazine, The Guardian *'Great characters and a great plot. -- Alex Gordon * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisA Grand & Batchelor Victorian mystery.March, 1875. Although he has never had much time for George Custer, hero of the American Civil War and Commander of the 7th Cavalry, Matthew Grand feels duty bound to respond to a call for help from his West Point contemporary. Arriving at Fort Abraham Lincoln, deep in Dakota territory, private enquiry agents Grand and Batchelor discover the fort to be a powder keg of rumour and suspicion, petty rivalries, resentments - and closely-guarded secrets.When a body is discovered during a routine scouting patrol, some of those secrets rise uncomfortably close to the surface. Are the Lakota Sioux responsible? Or does the killer lie closer to home? Could it have been a case of mistaken identity - and was Custer himself the real target? The General has made many enemies - but does someone have a good enough reason to kill him?

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Book SynopsisAlways trust your very basic instincts or prepare for the consequences…It was surreal returning to work after a sabbatical following the suspicious death of my best friend Livvy.On my return to the company apartment, I was surprised to find Livvy’s replacement, Amanda Dowd firmly entrenched as my new flatmate.She’d seemingly appeared out of nowhere.But something didn’t feel right. I felt on edge.Everyone seemed to love Amanda, even my ex-Jayden was blinded by her outgoing personality and model-like looks.Yet her desperation to become friends felt unnatural.When I began to receive calls, photos and presents from Livvy, I became spooked. Someone was targeting me, watching me. With my job, home and life on the line, I had to find out who was doing this to me and why.I hadn’t caused Livvy’s death but still believed it was no accident. Someone else was guilty and I had to find out who before I was next.Bestseller Gemma Rogers is back with another page-turning thriller.Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena and Lisa JewellPraise for Gemma Rogers'Unputdownable. a nail-biting thriller that grips to the very last page' - Keri Beevis'A claustrophobic psychological thriller with an explosive finale. Gripping and absorbing'- David Beckler‘It’s a shocking thriller that grabs at your emotions on every page! Loved it’ - Lauren North‘Captivating and enthralling, I give this book five shiny golden stars’ - Anita Waller‘A well-written and thoroughly entertaining thriller from a very talented author’ - John Nicoll‘A beautifully written edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me guessing right until the end’ - Dreda Say Mitchell'A brilliant thriller from an exciting new voice. Stalker it had me on the edge of my seat' - Kerry Barnes'An atmospheric, taut thriller which keeps you hooked from the first page' - Jacqui Rose

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Book SynopsisNothing is more important than family . . . Matt Forrester has followed in his dad’s footsteps, climbing the police ranks to become a DI. But when he receives an urgent call for help, Matt has to rethink his career. His dad has been murdered, and Matt’s not going to let this case go. It doesn’t help that his current boss is sleeping with his ex-wife.Hermia Forrester didn’t follow her brother into the police force, instead she works in research at the university. But, she’s not going to let that stop her from helping her brother find out what happened to their dad. But the siblings soon find themselves surrounded by more danger than they ever imagined. Can they both survive this case or will there be more of their family in the morgue?The thrilling first instalment in the Forrester Detective Agency Mystery series.

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Book SynopsisTo save your lifeYou must kill the one you loveCan you do it?Sarah is madly in love with boyfriend Theo, and can’t wait to go on their first weekend away.But by the end of the first night, Theo is dead. And Sarah has killed him. But she swears she had no choice.She was forced to kill Theo because of something that happened a lifetime ago … something buried in her past.Now, Sarah has one week to find the truth of what happened back then and prove her innocence, before she’s turned over to the police.She’s spent years running from the truth – but now the choices of her past might destroy her future.A fast-paced, addictive thriller that fans of Gillian McAllister and Linwood Barclay won’t be able to put down.Readers are loving The Choice:‘So many twists that you are never sure what is going to happen next…thoroughly entertaining and one hell of a rollercoaster ride.’ Reader Review‘A clever, gripping and unexpected read…The ending is mindblowing and well-executed.’ Reader Review‘Amazing story, really captivated me!...Loved every minute of it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A classic thriller tale with twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged, turning page after page to reach the climax. Deception, murder, greed and revenge fill the pages.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This tale is creepy and scary in parts. Suspenseful and tense! I couldn’t get enough.’ Reader Review‘Rollercoaster of a suspense, packed with action and unpredictable twists and turns, a well-crafted cast of characters and a vein of deliciously dark humour.’ Reader Review‘Really suspenseful and kept me on my toes throughout most of the book.’ Reader Review‘Wow! What an intense read from page one…I loved the crazy thrilling ride it took me on.’ Reader Review‘Fast paced, hooks you in. Great book that keeps your attention.’ Reader ReviewPraise for P.D. Viner’s breakneck thrillers:‘I loved it! A very fast-paced, action-packed story with lots of suspense to keep you reading straight to the very end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Go with the flow and enjoy the rollercoaster ride…A gripping thriller that surprises, at times, by being laugh-out-loud funny.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘So gripping that I couldn’t have put it down even if I had wanted to…full of suspense and mystery, I loved it.’ Reader Review‘This one is certainly worth a read. A fun ride through a very dark night. Recommended.’ Reader Review‘A fun, high-energy read…this thriller offers you a rollercoaster of a ride.’ Reader Review‘Wow… It’s intense, gory and gripping, and I really enjoyed it!’ Reader Review‘I really enjoyed this book, it grabbed me from the very first page.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A twisty and scary read that I couldn’t put down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘The suspense starts straight away… it kept me hooked throughout’ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisAgatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, G.K. Chesterton and nine other writers from the legendary Detection Club collaborate in this fiendishly clever but forgotten crime novel first published 80 years ago.Inspector Rudge does not encounter many cases of murder in the sleepy seaside town of Whynmouth. But when an old sailor lands a rowing boat containing a fresh corpse with a stab wound to the chest, the Inspector''s investigation immediately comes up against several obstacles. The vicar, whose boat the body was found in, is clearly withholding information, and the victim''s niece has disappeared. There is clearly more to this case than meets the eye even the identity of the victim is called into doubt. Inspector Rudge begins to wonder just how many people have contributed to this extraordinary crime and whether he will ever unravel itIn 1931, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and ten other crime writers from the newly-formed Detection Club' collaborated in publishing a unique crime novel. In a literary game of consequences, each author would write one chapter, leaving G.K. Chesterton to write a typically paradoxical prologue and Anthony Berkeley to tie up all the loose ends. In addition, each of the authors provided their own solution in a sealed envelope, all of which appeared at the end of the book, with Agatha Christie's ingenious conclusion acknowledged at the time to be enough to make the book worth buying on its own'.The authors of this novel are: G. K. Chesterton, Canon Victor Whitechurch, G. D. H. Cole and Margaret Cole, Henry Wade, Agatha Christie, John Rhode, Milward Kennedy, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ronald Knox, Freeman Wills Crofts, Edgar Jepson, Clemence Dane and Anthony Berkeley.Trade Review"The plotting is ingenious, the pace sustained, the solution satisfying." New York Times Book Review “Amazingly, the story steers along very well despite so many different hands at the tiller. Christie’s solution is typically ingenious.” Mark Campbell, The Pocket Essential Agatha Christie "These members of the Detection Club collaborate with skill in a piece of detection rather more tight-knit than one had a right to expect. There is enough to amuse and to stimulate detection; and the Introduction by Dorothy Sayers and supplements by critics and solvers give an insight into the writers' thoughts and modes of work." Jacques Barzun and Wendell Hertig Taylor, A Catalogue of Crime

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Book SynopsisMurder, stolen plans, a mysterious death and a menage a trois four intriguing novellas featuring Hercule PoirotHow did a woman holding a pistol in her right hand manage to shoot herself in the left temple? What was the link between a ghost sighting and the disappearance of top secert military plans? How did the bullet that killed Sir Gervase shatter a mirror in another part of the room? And who destroyed the eternal triangle' of love involving renowned beauty, Valentine Chantry?Hercule Poirot is faced with four mystifying cases Murder in the Mews, The Incredible Theft, Dead Man's Mirror and Triangle at Rhodes each a miniature classic of characterisation, incident and suspense.Trade Review“All four tales are admirable entertainment… her solutions are unexpected and satisfying”Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisA selection of mysteries, some light-hearted, some romantic, some very deadlyTwelve tantalizing cases the curious disappearance of Lord Listerdale; a newlywed's fear of her ex-fiance; a strange encounter on a train; a domestic murder investigation; a wild man's sudden personality change; a retired inspector's hunt for a murderess; a young woman's impersonation of a duchess; a necklace hidden in a basket of cherries; a mystery writer's arrest for murder; an astonishing marriage proposal; a soprano's hatred for a baritone; the case of the rajah's emerald.All have one thing in common: the skilful hand of Agatha Christie.Trade Review“They are, without exception, the work of an experienced and artful cook.”Times Literary Supplement “The acknowledged Queen of Detective fiction”Observer

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Book SynopsisAs All Hallows’ Eve approaches, Hettie Bagshot of The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency has more than just a ghost and a warlock tart on her plate. Upon discovering the body of Mavis Spitforce, Hettie and her trusty sidekick Tilly set out to investigate an old crime and a spate of new murders. Why was Mavis Spitforce dressed for Halloween? Can Irence Peggledrip really talk to cats from the spirit world? And what’s the connection to the legend of Milky Myers, suspected of murdering his family on Halloween, longer ago than anyone can remember? As the November fog closes in, can the tabby duo unearth the truth, and stop the murderer before they strike again – and will there be enough samosas to go round?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY ‘Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James‘Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted’ M. K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical' Barry Forshaw

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Book SynopsisCaptain Hastings recounts 18 of Poirot's early cases from the days before he was famousHercule Poirot delighted in telling people that he was probably the best detective in the world. So turning back the clock to trace eighteen of the cases which helped establish his professional reputation was always going to be a fascinating experience. With his career still in its formative years, the panache with which Hercule Poirot could solve even the most puzzling mystery is obvious.Chronicled by his friend Captain Hastings, these eighteen early cases from theft and robbery to kidnapping and murder were all guaranteed to test Poirot's soon-to-be-famous little grey cells' to their absolute limit.Trade Review‘Superb, vintage Christie’ Sunday Express ‘The plotting is as exact as in the novels and all one can do is stand back and wonder at the invention and enthusiasm.’ Irish Times

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Book SynopsisPrivate investigators Lily Raynor and Felix Wilbraham have to hunt down an escapee from a French asylum, in this new, gripping World''s End Bureau Victorian mystery from critically-acclaimed author Alys Clare.London, April 1882. When cool-headed Phyllida visits the World''s End Investigation Bureau to offer a curious case concerning her fiancé, proprietor Lily Raynor is intrigued - and privately excited. For accepting the case means taking an unexpected trip abroad, to France.Phyllida''s fiancé, Wilberforce, is currently in an asylum in Brittany, after a tragic incident which resulted in the death of his father. Did he kill him on purpose - or was it an accident?Wilberforce''s innocence looks increasingly in doubt when another murder happens at the asylum - and the evidence points to Wilberforce being the culprit. Phyllida fears for Wilberforce''s wellbeing, but she can''t marry a murderer! With the engagement hanging in the balance, Phyl

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Book SynopsisEvery town has its secrets. Some are too deadly to stay hidden.Chouteau County''s super-rich know how to cover up a scandal, but when it comes to murder, they''d better watch their backs . . . Death investigator Angela Richman is determined to see a killer brought to justice in this sharply written and darkly entertaining mystery set in Missouri, perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner and J.A. Jance.Angela Richman, Chouteau County death investigator, finds herself deep in the Missouri woods on a perfect spring day. But there is nothing idyllic about her grim walk - a body has been discovered in a muddy creek, and Detective Jace Budewitz wants Angela on the scene.Terri Gibbons, the popular Forest High track star who went missing eight months ago, has been found strangled. Could a message found in Terri''s shoe hold the key to catching her killer? Chouteau Forest is a town of privilege and secrets, where everyone has something to hide . . . Can Angela overcome the many obstacles in her way to see justice served when the Forest''s wealthy residents will go to any lengths to prevent the truth being revealed?

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Book SynopsisIntroducing former cop turned radio presenter Maggie Wise in the first of a brilliant new mystery series.Dr Oscar LeBlanc is close to a medical breakthrough to cure dementia and other degenerative diseases . . . but in order to succeed he needs to illegally obtain plasma from prepubescent children. He believes the ends justify the means and two young girls are abducted.The disappearance of the girls causes a lockdown of the area and, when one of the girls'' parents proves uncooperative with the police, former homicide cop turned radio presenter Maggie Wise offers to help. Maggie quickly forms a connection with the family just as the girls are recovered.LeBlanc is immediately suspected, but after he is questioned he''s found dead from an apparent suicide. However, the circumstances are suspicious and Maggie finds herself conflicted when the family become the prime suspects.

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Book SynopsisIn her latest thrilling adventure, PI Sunny Randall takes on two serpentine cases that converge into one deadly mystery....Trade ReviewLupica makes smart-mouthed Sunny as fully realized as Parker's better-known gumshoe, Spenser. Readers are sure to look forward to her next outing * Publishers Weekly *Lupica powers his way through the plot in fast-talking Parker style, reveling in the banter and the nicely delineated relationships between Sunny and various other Parker players... It's all smart-alecky good fun in the hard-boiled tradition * Booklist *A quick and satisfying read... Some guest appearances from Parkerâ??s cast of Boston inhabitants on both sides of the law are most welcome * Book Reporter *

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Book Synopsis'The best historical crime novel I will read this year' – The Times'This is right up there with the best of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor' – Amanda Craig, author of The Golden RuleFrom the pleasure palaces and gin-shops of Covent Garden to the elegant townhouses of Mayfair, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s Daughters of Night follows Caroline Corsham as she seeks justice for a murdered woman whom London society would rather forget . . .London, 1782. Desperate for her politician husband to return home from France, Caroline ‘Caro’ Corsham is already in a state of anxiety when she finds a well-dressed woman mortally wounded in the bowers of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. The Bow Street constables are swift to act, until they discover that the deceased woman was a highly paid prostitute, at which point they cease to care entirely. But Caro has motives of her own for wanting to see justice done, and so sets out to solve the crime herself. Enlisting the help of thieftaker Peregrine Child, their inquiry delves into the hidden corners of Georgian society, a world of artifice, deception and secret lives. But with many gentlemen refusing to speak about their dealings with the dead woman, and Caro’s own reputation under threat, finding the killer will be harder, and more treacherous, than she can know . . .'Spectacularly brilliant . . . One of the most enjoyable and enduring stories I have ever read' – James O'Brien, journalist, author and LBC PresenterTrade ReviewCome for the clever mystery, stay reading late into the night for the vivid, tender portrayal of a world where women are bought, sold and abused, yet fight to retain their vim and dignity. I would gamble what’s left of my virtue on Daughters of Night being the best historical crime novel I will read this year -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Outstanding -- Sarah Hughes * The I *Here’s one where the pages turn all by themselves and the plot doesn’t let you go -- Diane Setterfield, author of Once Upon a RiverThis is right up with the best of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor . . . A real treat, for readers of literary, detective and historical fiction -- Amanda Craig, author of The Lie of the LandShepherd-Robinson’s ingenious plotting, eagle eye for detail and evocative prose picked me up and dropped me in the underbelly of Georgian London. Like all the best historical fiction it makes the reader think as much about the way we live now as then -- Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She SaidA dark, fascinating and richly imagined world – brilliantly done! -- Ruth Ware, author of One By One and In a Dark, Dark WoodRich in historical detail, impeccably plotted . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson really is the queen of the historical crime novel -- C. J. Tudor, author of The Chalk ManDeft characterization, wonderful writing and great pace . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a big talent -- Steve Cavanagh, author of Thirteen and TwistedA very satisfying whodunnit . . . The twists and turns were masterful -- James Oswald, author of the Inspector MacLean seriesTop-drawer historical fiction meets compulsive, just-one-more-chapter crime. Expertly plotted, gloriously grisly, with characters who stomp around your brain long after you turn the last page. In other words, masterful -- Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little Lies and Shed No TearsA masterfully plotted labyrinth of a novel with a dangerously dark heart, teeming with memorable characters. Eighteenth-century London seethes from the page. I loved it -- Robyn Young, author of Brethren and the Insurrection trilogyJust finished Daughters Of Night a stunning tour de force from the hugely talented Laura Shepherd Robinson breathtaking stuff -- Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the EndLaura Shepherd-Robinson has at once proved herself a star -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in the MarshalseaIt thrums with life and colour, the characters are bawdy and beautiful and sly and savage, the twists are wicked, and the denouement has a satisfying modern flavour without ever straying from the confines of the setting -- Sarah Hilary, author of FragileEvery bit as good as Blood & Sugar, better even. Rich in historical detail, a fascinating exploration of the London sex-trade, and I loved the twist . . . Another terrific novel -- Jo Spain, author of The ConfessionThis book blew me away. Pitch-perfect within the eighteenth-century world and wholly immersive, it is an exquisite mystery, an exceptional voyage through danger and an extraordinary novel -- Rachel Edwards, author of DarlingExquisitely crafted and enormous fun. Murder, mythology, deception and dark doings in Georgian London -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Story KeeperShepherd-Robinson’s second offering is without doubt even better than her award-winning debut . . . Every page is a joy to read – this deserves to sweep all before it in the end-of-year book awards -- David Young, author of Stasi ChildI absolutely loved it. Laura reimagines an eighteenth-century London with seemingly effortless clarity – I read it in a permanent state of rapture, covered in goose bumps. If you want to be lost and thrilled by another world, then this is the book for you -- Emily Elgar, author of Grace Is GoneA historical murder-mystery masterpiece, with an exquisitely crafted, page-turning narrative and flawed characters that the reader can’t help but to root for -- Marnie Riches, author of TightropeLaura Shepherd-Robinson has written a story that is not only a page-turner of a thriller but, to an extent unusual in historical novels, where you feel you really are listening to a voice from the eighteenth century -- C. J. Sansom, bestselling author of Tombland on Blood & SugarLaura Shepherd-Robinson's historical crime thriller Daughters of Night brings Georgian London to life in all its seedy glory * Express *This richly woven tale brings history vividly to life . . . A gripping read * Adam Hamdy, author of Black 13 and Red Wolves *[Daughters of Night] pitched the period perfectly, you got a real sense of what London was like. The attention to detail is exceptional and the plot races along. Loved it * Woman's Way *Spectacularly brilliant. Once in a blue moon levels of fantastic. One of the most enjoyable and enduring stories I have ever read -- James O'BrienUtterly fascinating . . . Niftily plotted, vivid and thoroughly researched * Guardian *Daughters of Night is a deeply satisfying novel, reminiscent of Iain Pears’s later work in its feel for historical detail and character, and the way it subtly asks questions about our own age * The Observer *There is no doubt that Shepherd-Robinson is a rising star in the historical fiction firmament * Sunday Express *[Shepherd-Robinson] would be advised to clear her shelves for future awards * Financial Times *Deservedly described as a strong contender for the best historical novel of the year, it is a lushly written and evocative look at Georgian society, high and low, centering on the violent death of a woman who turns out not to be quite who she claimed. It is fuelled by a quiet anger over the lack of agency available to women then, and, by implication, now -- Sarah Hughes * The i *Read Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, but read Blood & Sugar first: a) because it's brilliant, and b) because the characters overlap. They're both murder mysteries set in a meticulously and hyper-vividly drawn 18th-century London. The first is eye-opening about slavery, the second is about prostitution, or rather the first is about race and the second is about woman. Total page-turners -- India Knight * Sunday Times *[A] delectable whodunnit oozing with menace and lively period language * Woman & Home *I loved Daughters of Night even more than the fantastic Blood & Sugar. A gripping page turner that had me immediately invested in every rounded character, this was a perfect blend of rollicking good read and insightful commentary on both the past and present. In Caro Corsham, Laura Shepherd-Robinson has created a heroine who is hugely believable and hugely engaging. 5 shining stars from me -- Gytha Lodge, bestselling author of She Lies in Wait

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Book SynopsisThey say you can't choose your family . . . But what if they're wrong?Chloe lives a quiet life. Working as a newspaper archivist in the day and taking care of her nan in the evening, she's happy simply to read about the lives of others as she files the news clippings from the safety of her desk.But there's one story that she can't stop thinking about. The case of Angie Kyle – a girl, Chloe's age, who went missing as a child. A girl whose parents never gave up hope.When Chloe's nan is moved into care, leaving Chloe on the brink of homelessness, she takes a desperate step: answering an ad to be a lodger in the missing girl's family home. It could be the perfect opportunity to get closer to the story she's read so much about. But it's not long until she realizes this couple isn't all they seem. In a house where everyone has something to hide, is it possible to get too close?Anna Wharton’s debut, The Imposter, is a thought-provoking story of obsession, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves in order to live with ourselves.'Evocative and compelling' – Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and The Last WifeTrade ReviewMasterful characterisation and a compelling narrative makes this a must-read debut -- Clare MackintoshA slick, clever book that delivers the most chilling and claustrophobic setting: moving the narrator into the home of the character you fear the most. You won’t be able to stop page turning until you finally find out what the hell is going on -- Caroline Corcoran, author of Through the Wall and The Baby GroupKeeps you guessing about the characters until the last page * Good Housekeeping *Evocative and compelling -- Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and The Last WifeAn intricate plot stuffed with surprises and underpinned with a huge helping of heart -- Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and The Hit ListA darkly compelling and original story exploring loneliness and obsession and the desire to belong -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing Girl and The Hiding PlaceI loved The Imposter. It's twisty and gripping, and I raced through to the end. It's also thoughtful and moving, with characters who lingered in my mind long after I'd turned the last page -- Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request and Three Little LiesA compelling story of obsession and loneliness -- Nell Pattison, author of The Silent House and The Silent SuspectWith an intriguing and obsessive protagonist and a claustrophobic setting, it’s a tense and compelling read that kept me turning the pages until the final twist -- Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You and The VowI read Anna’s book in one sitting and loved it! It grips and drags you into ever darker, more terrifying territory right up to the last paragraph, and beyond that, too, leaving you grappling with your own sense of morality -- Tasha Kavanagh, author of Things We Have in CommonEvocative, beautifully written and wise, this pacy novel really is one of the best pieces of fiction I have read this year -- Fiona Mitchell, author of The SwapTakes the perennial theme of a missing child and makes something unfamiliar from it -- The Literary Review

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Book SynopsisThe perfect classic crime story to cosy up with this winter as Amateur sleuth Mrs Bradley investigates a puzzling Christmas mystery.'The equal of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie' IndependentIt is December and Mrs Bradley has left London behind for a relaxing visit to the Oxfordshire countryside.Then, on Christmas Eve, a local solicitor is found dead by the river. Everyone believes that he suffered a heart attack - but Mrs Bradley is suspicious and is soon investigating a series of disturbing clues.As the frost thaws and spring begins, the inimitable detective must work fast if she is to protect the people close to her from a resourceful killer...First published in 1936 as Dead Men's Morris.Trade ReviewMrs Bradley is an amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple… A cackling, leering, hooting delight… Added to the interest of the murder itself, we can delight in the picture of society that the novels afford, in the way that a photograph of a long-gone street can fascinate and charm… I just let it all wash over me, soak up the atmosphere, and revel in the character of the detective. I am delighted to have made Mrs Bradley’s acquaintance -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian *One of the ‘Big Three’ female mystery novelists, judged the equal of Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie * Independent *If a relaxing diversion is of the essence for a good holiday, a Gladys Mitchell novel is a must * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisLexy Campbell''s ex-husband begs for her help finding his current wife, whose disappearance mirrors that of a number of statues around California - menacing ransom note and all.A community is devastated when the bronze statue of local legend Mama Cuento is stolen on Valentine''s Day. When Lexy Campbell arrives on the scene, a big bronze toe is found along with a ransom note - "Listen to our demands or you will never see her again. There are nine more where this came from".Then, Lexy''s ex-husband Bran turns up begging for help to find his wife, Brandee, who has disappeared. Lexy agrees to pitch in, but when she shows up at Bran''s house he has just discovered one of Brandee''s false nails and another ransom note with the same grisly message.Are the two cases linked or is a copycat on the loose? Who would want to kidnap a bronze statue or, come to that, Brandee? And can Lexy put aside her hatred for Bran long enough to find out?

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Book SynopsisExposing the botched murder investigation of three young boys has left Milo Rigg''s reputation and career as a crime-reporting journalist in tatters. But when the naked, frozen bodies of two young sisters, Priscilla and Beatrice Graves, are found down a ravine in Chicago months later, there are disturbing similarities. Are the two cases linked, and could this be Milo''s chance to right the wrongs of the past? Restored to his former reporter role, Milo is back - and he''s asking uncomfortable questions again. Confronted with deception and corruption at every turn, can Milo uncover the identity of a ruthless serial killer and finally rid himself of the black cage that threatens to consume him?

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Book SynopsisJoe the Bouncer seeks the killer of NYC's most desirable call girls in the newest thriller in David Gordon's acclaimed series. Joe Brody, ex-Special Forces operative suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome so severe that it turned him to drug and alcohol abuse, is getting his life back together. Living with his grandmother in Queens, Joe has taken what should be a simple job as a bouncer at a strip club, where he can spend his nights reading the classics. The only catch is that his childhood friend Gio Caprisi, now head of New York's Italian Mafia, relies on Joe's extra-legal expertise when things get particularly nasty on the streets. Recently, New York's criminal underworld has been shaken by the disappearance of its most successful call girls. As a pattern emerges, what might otherwise appear to be a choice to pursue a new life comes to resemble something more troublesome – the work of a serial kidnapper. When a woman turns up dead, the hunt for the predator behind it all becomes even more urgent. To find the killer, Joe will have to plunge into the seediest fringes of Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs on another wild ride. Reviews for David Gordon 'David Gordon brings an outstanding new voice to the contemporary crime novel' Robert Crais 'A unique and worthwhile series' CrimeReads 'Gordon knows how to write a potboiler' LA TimesTrade ReviewREVIEWS FOR DAVID GORDON 'One wild ride' Kirkus Reviews 'Gordon knows how to write a potboiler' LA Times 'Delightful misadventures include a wild chase on a yellow-and-orange Ducati motorcycle and a luxury car heist. Gordon's found his groove in this one' Publishers Weekly

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Book Synopsis*** THE NUMBER ONE EBOOK BESTSELLER ***'An outstanding first novel' SUNDAY TIMES (BOOK OF THE MONTH)'My crime novel of the year so far; a moving depiction of the pain that a mysterious disappearance can wreak on those left behind' SARAH VINE, DAILY MAIL SUMMER BOOKS SPECIAL'It is hard to believe Wake is a first novel. Plot, pacing and characterisation are so finely judged that it feels more like the work of a past master. The tension builds, and the revelations keep coming, right until the final page where a thrilling climax combines horror, relief and hope' THE TIMES'Outstanding ... With a slow build and complex characters, this is both a well-plotted, gripping mystery and a sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma' GUARDIAN'Sinuous and spellbinding, this debut comes with a big reputation, which it richly deserves. Intense, evocative and with two characters to move the soul, it deserves to be a hit. It's sensational' DAILY MAILEVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW MINA McCREERY.EVERYONE HAS A THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SISTER.NOW IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH...Mina McCreery's sister Evelyn disappeared nineteen years ago. Her life has been defined by the intense public interest in the case. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, she lives alone on her family's destocked sheep farm.When Lane, a private investigator, approaches her with an offer to reinvestigate the case, she rejects him. The attention has had nothing but negative consequences for her and her family, and never brought them closer to an answer.Lane wins her trust when his unconventional methods show promise, but he has his own motivations for wanting to solve the case, and his obsession with the answer will ultimately risk both their lives.Superbly written, taut and compassionate, Wake looks at what can happen when people's private tragedies become public property, and the ripples of trauma that follow violent crimes. Wake won the CWA Debut Dagger in 2019.'Wake is a stunning, masterfully written debut novel, its remote, bleak locations adding tension to an atmospheric and compelling mystery that is hard to put down' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Perfect for fans of Jane Harper' ALLIE REYNOLDS 'A triumphant debut' ROSE CARLYLE'Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent' CHRIS HAMMER'We devoured this stunningly drawn, deeply compelling mystery in one day' CRIME MONTHLY'Evocative, brutal, and sometimes confronting . . . The plot is complex, tightly constructed and not only keeps you reading, but guessing, right up to the last page' GOOD READING'Compulsively readable, with an unforgettable setting and cast of characters, WAKE is a powerful, unsparing story of how trauma ripples outward when people's private tragedies become public property, and how it's never too late for the truth to set things right' BETTER READING'Wake has more twists and turns than the usual novel and it is very tempting to make your own suppositions as to the end of the book, but it has a brilliant denouement. In fact the book itself is an impressive achievement for a debut novel and I'll be searching out whatever Shelley Burr writes next' ON magazineTrade ReviewIncredible! A vividly told mystery, perfect for fans of Jane Harper * Allie Reynolds, author of SHIVER *A triumphant debut * Rose Carlyle *Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent * Chris Hammer *Atmospheric, tense, poignant - the most gripping cold case investigation I've read in a long time. SUPERB * Will Dean *It is hard to believe WAKE is a first novel. Plot, pacing and characterisation are so finely judged that it feels more like the work of a past master. The tension builds, and the revelations keep coming, right until the final page where a thrilling climax combines horror, relief and hope * The Times *WAKE is a stunning, masterfully written debut novel, its remote, bleak locations adding tension to an atmospheric and compelling mystery that is hard to put down * Sunday Express *We devoured this stunningly drawn, deeply compelling mystery in one day * Crime Monthly *I guarantee you will feel exhausted and satisfied as the end of this remarkable book is reached. WAKE has more twists and turns than the usual novel and it is very tempting to make your own suppositions as to the end of the book, but it has a brilliant denouement. In fact the book itself is an impressive achievement for a debut novel and I'll be searching out whatever Shelley Burr writes next * On Magazine *Sinuous and spellbinding, this debut from a young Australian civil servant comes with a big reputation, which it richly deserves. Intense, evocative and with two characters to move the soul, it deserves to be a hit. It's sensational * Daily Mail *A cracking debut * Peterborough Telegraph *An outstanding first novel . . . Burr writes clear-sightedly about the corrosive effect of suspicion on people who have achieved a horrible kind of fame, forced on them by events beyond their control * The Sunday Times *This outstanding debut . . . With a slow build and complex characters, this is both a well-plotted, gripping mystery and a sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma * The Guardian *My crime novel of the year so far, a moving depiction of the pain that a mysterious disappearance can wreak on those left behind -- Sarah Vine’s Female Half Hour Summer Books Special * Daily Mail *The plot builds slowly, but the tension never slackens in this forceful story of damage and retribution * Book Brunch *Australian newcomer Shelley Burr's sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma in a parched outback town * Guardian, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2022 *

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Book SynopsisShe loved writing the perfect murder mystery, but she never wanted to be written into one . . . Just as amateur sleuth Jen gets to work on her next book, the owner of the town's rival bookstore is found murdered. Suspicions quickly turn to Jen, and she is forced to get back to sleuthing to clear her own name.To make matters worse, customers for Ravenous Readers are slipping away as they hear of Jen''s alleged misdeeds. Time is ticking for Jen to prove her innocence and win back customers before the store closes forever.But what will strike Jen first? Inspirationor the killer?Fans of Agatha Christie, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams will be hooked by this Christmas bookish cozy mystery, which will leave you guessing right up until the final page.Readers and authors love The Bookstore Mystery Series!Sue Minix has created a world any reader would love to escape to! When I reached the exciting ending I still wanted to hang out with what felt like my new friends!' Jamie L. Adams,Author of ThTrade ReviewPraise for The Bookstore Mystery Series: “Warm, amusing, and relatable… A very entertaining cozy mystery… A relaxing night-time read, and it was perfect for that… I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved trying to figure out the murder before I got to the end. This was a cozy, page-turning read” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This ingenious author has written a cannot put down novel” NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisElvis Cole is caught up in a high-profile murder case - and between the cops and the lawyers, it''s going to be a rough ride...On his own turf in L.A., PI Elvis Cole is embroiled in a controversial, high-profile murder case.A wealthy restaurateur is accused of murdering his wife, and his hot-shot defence lawyer hires Cole to find proof that the detective on the case, Angela Rossi, fooled around with the evidence. Yet as Elvis investigates Rossi for the defence team, he begins to be more suspicious of the media-loving lawyers than the cops. And as the investigation continues, Cole is drawn deeper and deeper into the intrigue and dangers surrounding the case of the missing woman.Trade ReviewThe trouble with starting a Robert Crais book is that you just can't put it down until you finish it. Crais is one of the greats -- Tony HillermanThe king of LA crime... long may he reign * INDEPENDENT *I've been a Robert Crais fan since I first read THE MONKEY'S RAINCOAT ... Crais is a terrific writer -- Sue Grafton

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Book SynopsisWho knew being a writer for hire could be so dramatic? Join Veronica in her fourth adventure as writer-turned sleuth!When writer for hire Veronica Blackstone is asked to write the copy for The Friends of Hyde Park''s annual house and garden tour, she never expects to get involved in a violent death. But that''s exactly what happens when famous author Landon Donte is found dead in his study during a dinner to highlight the tour. With his career on the wane, and apparently having deleted his last manuscript, it looks as though Landon committed suicide. But Veronica isn''t so sure. She discovers that left-handed Landon was killed by someone right-handed and becomes convinced someone murdered him. It''s true that Landon had many enemies: his rival and neighbor, bestselling romance author RL Lincoln; his put-upon assistant, Brad; even his own daughter! But are any of them capable of murder? Veronica is determined to uncover the truth . . .

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Book SynopsisNora heads home to Chateau in search of a fresh start, but her arrival comes at a time of social unrest that threatens to uncover long-hidden secrets.Nora Best is done running. She''s heading to her hometown of Chateau, to the grand Quail House, to stay with her mother and claim the great American privilege of starting over. But she might find it is hard to start over when the past is catching up . . .The night Nora arrives in Chateau, a white police officer shoots and kills Robert Evans, a young black man. The officer in question is Nora''s school sweetheart, Alden Tydings. What really happened that night? Did Alden act in self-defense as he claims? Robert is the nephew of Bobby Evans, a man whose murder during the race protests of 1967 was never solved. Bobby and his sister, Grace, used to work at Quail House before Nora was born and, as tensions in Chateau rise, Nora begins to uncover secrets within her family home that could upend the lives

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Book Synopsis''An acknowledged literary landmark'' [Robert Graves] from ''The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction'' [New York Times]The Continental Op first heard Personville called Poisonville by Hickey Dewey. But since Dewey also called a shirt a shoit, he didn''t think anything of it. Until he went there and his client, the only honest man in Poisonville, was murdered. Then the Op decided to stay to punish the guilty. And that meant taking on the entire town...Trade ReviewHis name remains one of the most important and recognisable in the crime fiction genre. Hammett set the standard for much of the work that would follow * INDEPENDENT *He is master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer * BOSTON GLOBE *Hammett's prose is clean and entirely unique. His characters are as sharp and economically defined as any in American literature * NEW YORK TIMES *One of the foremost practitioners of the hard-boiled detective story * SCOTSMAN *He put these people down on paper as they are, and he made them talk and think in the language they customarily used -- Raymond ChandlerThe first fully "hard-boiled" hero in American letters * NEW YORKER *The dean of the school of hard-boiled fiction * NEW YORK TIMES *...a literary classic dealing with corruption by one of the masters of crime fiction * CATHOLIC HERALD *

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Book SynopsisA MISSING FILMMAKER. A STOLEN ANTIQUE. SOMEONE WILL KILL TO STOP THEM BEING FOUND... 'Denise Mina is crime-writing royalty' Val McDermid, author of A Place of ExecutionWhen filmmaker, Lisa Lee goes missing, alongside a priceless Roman silver casket, there is no doubt the two are linked together.The day after her vanishing, the casket is listed for auction in Paris with a reserve price of fifty million euros.On a thrilling chase across Europe to discover what happened to Lisa, journalists Anna and Fin are caught up in a world of international art smuggling, billionaire con artists and religious zealotry.______________________________'Riveting, fast-paced'Sunday Times'A joy to read'Daily Telegraph'A cinematic thriller... Hitchcockian'The Times*A Scotsman Book of the Year**PRE-ORDER THE SECOND MURDERER. Journey through the shadowy underbelly of 1950s LA with iconic detective Philip Marlowe in Denise Mina's new murder mystery. Out in July 2023. *Trade ReviewDenise Mina is the cream of the crop, an author who pushes the crime novel in new and exciting directions -- Ian RankinDenise Mina is crime-writing royalty -- Val McDermidRiveting, fast-paced * Sunday Times *A cinematic thriller... Hitchcockian * The Times *[It is Mina's] sulphurous wit that makes her books a joy to read * Daily Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'An audacious puzzle mystery, woven into an exquisitely crafted historical tale. One of the most original works in the history of Japanese mystery writing' Haruo Yuki, author of The Ark __________ Tokyo, 1869. It is the dawn of the Meiji era in Japan, but the scars of the recent civil war are yet to heal. The new regime struggles to keep the peace as old scores are settled and dangerous new ideas flood into the country from the West. A new police force promises to bring order to this land of feuding samurai warlords, and chief inspectors Kazuki and Kawaji are two of its brightest stars. Together they investigate a spree of baffling murders across the capital, moving from dingy drinking dens to high-class hotels and the heart of the Imperial Palace. Can they solve these seemingly impossible crimes and save the country from slipping into chaos once more?Trade ReviewAn audacious puzzle mystery, woven into an exquisitely crafted historical tale. One of the most original works in the history of Japanese mystery writing, which could never have been created by anyone other than Futaro Yamada -- Haruo Yuki, author of The Ark

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Book Synopsis'Denise Mina is a one-of-a-kind storyteller' James Patterson"This is Marlowe.""Mr. Philip Marlowe?" She asked.I glanced at the clock. It was exactly eleven am, as if she had been waiting by thephone for an appointed hour, following someone else's orders to the letter."What, d'you think we're a troupe of brothers? There is only me."It's mid-September, a heatwave has descended on the parched hills of LA and Private Detective Philip Marlowe is called to the Montgomery estate, an almost mythic place sitting high on top of Beverly Hills. Wealthy twenty-two-year-old Chrissie Montgomery, set to inherit an enormous fortune, is missing. She's a walking target, ripe for someone to get their claws into. Her dying father, along with his sultry bottle blonde girlfriend, wants her found before that happens. They've hired Anna Riorden, Marlowe's nemesis, too. The search takes them to the roughest neighbourhoods of LA through dive bars and Skid Row. And that's before he finds the body at The Brody Hotel. Who will get to her first, Marlowe, Anne, or the men chasing her fortune? And does she want to be found?Discover the rest of the inimitable Philip Marlowe series - nine classic Chandler adventures, from The Big Sleep to The Long Goodbye, available now in paperback and eBook from Penguin Books.______________________________Readers love The Second Murderer: 'I must congratulate Denise Mina for bravely stepping into the shoes of Raymond Chandler and continuing the tales of the much loved Philip Marlowe... I think the author has done a great job capturing the essence of Marlowe such as his duelling dialogue with other characters or his descriptions of the heat soaked LA landscape in midsummer. The Chandler sarcastic humour is also present....one line I cant seem to find but from memory was something like..." this place was so sleazy even the rats had to wipe their feet on the way out". Brilliant! I encourage all fans of the genre to read this book. It is very well written and much like Chandlers books, the descriptions are so vivid you feel you are in each scene.' Michael N., 5 starsTrade ReviewDenise Mina is an even better writer than Raymond Chandler. She's also a one-of-a-kind storyteller. I'll leave it at that * James Patterson *Denise Mina is crime writing royalty * Val McDermid *Mina successfully emulates the language and tone of Raymond Chandler's hard-boiled novels featuring P.I. Marlowe in this terrific pastiche. Mina delivers a truly surprising plot. Noir fans will hope Mina returns to the mean streets of L.A. again soon * Publishers Weekly *Denise Mina is the cream of the crop, an author who pushes the crime novel in new and exciting directions * Ian Rankin *Denise Mina gets to the heart of what crime really is. You feel like you are right there, in all the dark nooks and crannies that her characters inhabit * Karin Slaughter *

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Book SynopsisChicago. 1992. A hospital patient wakes to find two strangers by his bed. They show him a list of names and ask a simple but impossible question. Minutes later he falls to his death from his twelfth-floor window - a fall which generates some unexpected attention.That attention comes from the Secretary of Defense, who calls for an inter-agency task force to investigate. Jack Reacher, recently demoted from Major, is assigned as the Army's representative. If he gets a result, great. If not, he's a convenient fall guy.Reacher may be an exceptional military investigator, but office politics aren't what gets him up in the morning. As he races to identify a cold-blooded killer and uncover a secret that stretches back 23 years, he must navigate around his new partners.Will Reacher bring the bad guys to justice the official way . . . or his way?Trade ReviewThe Secret is a corker . . . Fast and furious, this is classic Jack Reacher doing what he does best – busting heads and breaking rules to get to the bottom of a conspiracy * Daily Express *A flow to the fight scenes . . . some flashes of humour . . . Welcome back, Jack * The Times *If there is a more iconic character in modern fiction than Jack Reacher, I’d like to meet them * Daily Mirror *Jack Reacher is on good form . . . Cue classic laconic violence * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisChristabel Strange, a highly successful young novelist, is taken ill and dies a year before the story begins. It was her wish that her biography should be written by her friend Marcia Wentworth; but inexplicably, she bequeathed her diaries to her wily, eccentric grandmother, who loathes Marcia and refuses to allow her to see them. Dr. George Cardew, Christabel's childhood friend, arriving at the house (which according to Christabel's will, is being shared by Marcia), finds himself between opposing and bitterly hostile camps, for the family are at loggerheads with Marcia. He begins to wonder why Christabel behaved in such a peculiar way, and whether her death was really due to a fever. The possibility of foul play becomes a certainty when another murder takes place and a volume of the diary is stolen. Gradually Dr. Cardew pieces together the clues to Christabel's hidden life, but it is not until there has been further violence that he is able to identify the murderer and the reason for the original crime.

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Book Synopsis'For fans of the hugely successful CWA Gold Dagger-winning The Dry by Jane Harper' Vaseem Khan'One of Sweden's most talented crime fiction authors' Erik Axl Sund**DON'T MISS DEEDS OF AUTUMN. AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW**You can always go home. But you can never go back . . .Summer 1983: Four-year-old Billy chases a rabbit in the fields behind his house. But when his mother goes to call him in, Billy has disappeared. Never to be seen again.Today: Veronica is a bereavement counsellor. She's never fully come to terms with her mother's suicide after her brother Billy's disappearance. When a young man walks into her group, he looks familiar and talks about the trauma of his friend's disappearance in 1983. Could Billy still be alive after all this time? Needing to know the truth, Veronica goes home - to the place where her life started to fall apart.But is she really prepared for the answers that wait for her there?Trade ReviewAn absorbing crime novel with an atmospheric setting, strong characters, and a suspenseful plot. With End of Summer, Anders de la Motte has proven himself to be one of Sweden's most talented crime fiction authors * Erik Axl Sund *An utterly brilliant crime novel! So delicate and perceptive, and at the same time so endlessly thrilling * Kristina Ohlsson *What you have in your hands is a masterpiece of crime fiction, a very hot competitor for this year's thriller . . . Anders de la Motte proves once again with his End of Summer that he is one of Scandinavia's most ingenious crime writers, just as grand as Jussi Adler-Olsen. He writes absolutely murderously. His books are definitely unbeatable in terms of suspense * Literaturmarkt, Germany *An atmospherical dense book reminiscent of Henning Mankell's early crime novels . . . Anders de la Motte writes profoundly without the tension dwindling for a second * Petra Magazine *A Swedish-set crime thriller for fans of the hugely successful CWA Gold Dagger-winning The Dry by Jane Harper . . . A gripping crime novel that moves between two narratives at a terrific clip, populated by vivid characters, with more twists along the way than you can shake a stick at. Crime fiction at its best * Vaseem Khan *A fantastic read. Atmospheric, beautifully written, with strong characters and with a really compelling mystery that made it incredibly hard to put down when I really needed sleep! A real triumph * Gytha Lodge *End of Summer is captivating from beginning to end, an evocative story of family secrets set in the broad open landscapes of southern Sweden - prepare to fall in love with Scandinavian fiction all over again * Kevin Wignall, author of A Death in Sweden *Each layer of this story reveals itself like the tilling of the soil with a brooding threat of summer rain close at hand. End of Summer is a delectable slice of unmissable rural noir where a dark harvest blossoms from the seeds of a terrible past * Matt Wesolowski *Anders de la Motte is considered one of Sweden's top crime writers and this atmospheric tale set in southern Sweden amply illustrates why. This is Nordic Noir at its best - the sense of place is stunning. A gripping tale of family secrets that is ingeniously told - leaving you wanting more * David Young *A gripping and satisfying read ... if you like your Scandis with a strong sense of place and community, then this one is for you -- Viv Beeby * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Anthony Award for Best Novel, C is for Corpse is the third in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton.My name is Kinsey Millhone. I’m a licensed private investigator . . . thirty-two, twice divorced. I like being alone and I suspect that my independence suits me better than it should . . . Kinsey met Bobby Callahan in the gym on Monday morning. His story was hard to credit: a murderous assault by a tailgating car on a lonely rural road, a roadside smash into a canyon 400 feet below, his Porsche a ruin, his best friend dead, and his memory severely impaired. He was convinced someone was trying to kill him. By Thursday, he was dead. But Kinsey wasn’t going back on a deal. She had been hired to prevent a murder. Now she was looking for the murderer . . .Trade ReviewC is for classy, multiplex plotting, strong characterization and a tough cookie heroine. * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling Cork O’Connor Mystery Series returns with this “genuinely thrilling and atmospheric novel” (The New York Times Book Review) as Cork races against time to save his wife, a mysterious stranger, and an Ojibwe healer from bloodthirsty mercenaries. The ancient Ojibwe healer Henry Meloux has had a vision of his death. As he walks the Northwoods in solitude, he tries to prepare himself peacefully for the end of his long life. But peace is destined to elude him as hunters fill the woods seeking a woman named Dolores Morriseau, a stranger who had come to the healer for shelter and the gift of his wisdom. Meloux guides this stranger and his great niece, Cork O’Connor’s wife, to safety deep into the Boundary Waters, his home for more than a century. On the last journey he may ever take into this beloved land, Meloux must do his best to outwit the deadly mercenaries who follow. Meanwhile, in Aurora, Cork works feverishly to identify the hunters and the reason for their relentless pursuit, but he has little to go on. Desperate, Cork begins tracking the killers but his own skills as a hunter are severely tested by nightfall and a late season snowstorm. He knows only too well that with each passing hour time is running out. But his fiercest enemy in this deadly game of cat and mouse may well be his own deep self-doubt about his ability to save those he loves. New and longtime “fans will be enthralled” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) by this gripping and richly told addition to a masterful series.Trade Review“This genuinely thrilling and atmospheric novel brims with characters who are easy to root for.”—The New York Times Book Review“As usual in a Krueger novel, the prose is elegant, the landscape of Minnesota’s northeastern triangle is vividly portrayed, the character development is superb, and Henry’s Native American mysticism is treated with understanding and respect.” —The Washington Post“From Iron Lake — the first in the Cork O'Connor series — to Fox Creek, Krueger has exhibited a mastery and control that can't be denied. Maybe he should start calling himself an alchemist, because he has the formula down to an art.” —St. Louis Post Dispatch“With its quick pacing and multi-layered plot, William Kent Krueger’s Fox Creek dazzles early, sucking readers in, before giving way to a heart-thumping final act that delivers one hell of a reading experience.” —The Real Book Spy“Krueger has exhibited a mastery and control that can't be denied. Maybe he should start calling himself an alchemist, because he has the formula down to an art." —Minneapolis Star-Tribune“Fox Creek is the best book in the series yet.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis)“Outstanding… skillfully blends an evocative look at nature’s beauty and peril with Native American lore…fans will be enthralled.”—Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)“One of those rare authors who combines intricately plotted, issue-oriented stories with mysticism and action. A must for fans of beautifully written crime.” —Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE BIG EMPTY, THE NEW ROBERT CRAIS NOVEL, COMING JANUARY 2025! ‘Another grand slam for the master storyteller’ DAVID BALDACCI ‘A modern master of crime fiction’ GREGG HURWITZTHE CITY OF ANGELS Adele Schumacher isn’t a typical worried mum. When she hires Elvis to find her missing son, a controversial podcaster named Josh Shoe, she brings a bag filled with cash, paranoid tales of government conspiracies, and a squad of mysterious bodyguards. Finding Josh should be simple, but Elvis quickly learns he isn’t alone in the hunt – a team of deadly strangers are determined to find Josh first.THE CITY OF LIES With dangerous secrets lurking behind every lead, Elvis needs his friend Joe Pike more than ever to uncover the truth about Josh, corrupt politicians, and the murderous business cartels rotting the heart of Los Angeles. And when his estra

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Book Synopsis'A storming debut' The Sun Perfect for fans of JP Delaney and C.L. Taylor, this is a complex thriller about the secrets we keep and the damage they do. ___________⭐SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 SHORTLIST⭐ ⭐BEST SCOTTISH CRIME DEBUT 2021 SHORTLIST⭐ ⭐MCILVANNEY PRIZE FOR SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR LONGLIST⭐ ⭐CWA NEW BLOOD DAGGER LONGLIST⭐___________Deceit runs in the family . . . Chris Morrison is facing his worst nightmare.His wife is in a coma.His daughter is missing.And the only thing more unsettling than these two events . . . is what might connect them.Some secrets can change a family for ever. ___________Praise for Emma Christie: 'Emma Christie shows that she's already learned how to reel readers in from page one and keep them hooked. An intriguing mystery' – The Herald'A clever and complex rollercoaster of a psychological thriller' – Culturefly'A really clever, compelling book with a fresh twist' – Phoebe Morgan'Full to the brim of red herrings and twisty dead ends' – Lauren North 'A stunning and emotional debut. Truly gripping and incredibly well-written' – Vikki PatisTable of Contents0

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Book SynopsisA priest's death leads to sinister goings-on in an old country pubTo understand the strange goings on at The Pale Horse Inn, Mark Easterbrook knew he had to begin at the beginning. But where exactly was the beginning?Was it the savage blow to the back of Father Gorman's head? Or was it when the priest's assailant searched him so roughly he tore the clergyman's cassock? Or could it have been the priest's visit, just minutes before, to a woman on her death bed?Or was there a deeper significance to the violent squabble which Mark Easterbrook had himself witnessed earlier?Wherever the beginning lies, Mark and his sidekick, Ginger Corrigan, may soon have cause to wish they'd never found itTrade Review‘Wholesale murder by black magic…highly ingenious, wholly enjoyable.’Evening Standard ‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’ Observer

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Book SynopsisThe 26th book in the award-winning Faith Fairchild Mysteries series.Katherine Hall Page?s beloved amateur detective gets wrapped up in a Zoom-bombing scandal that sends her community into a tailspin ? just as a dead body is discovered.Faith Fairchild joins the rest of the world in lockdown mode when reality flips in March 2020. As the pandemic spreads, Faith and her family readjust to life together in Aleford, Massachusetts. Her husband, Tom, continues his sermons from Zoom; their children, Ben, who''s in college, and Amy, a high school senior, are doing remote learning at home .Faith is happy to have her family under the same roof and grateful for her resilient community, friends, and neighbors in Aleford. Town halls remain lively and well-attended, despite residents joining from their living rooms. It is at one of these town halls that scandal breaks out. In the midst of a Zoom meeting, damaging images suddenly flash upon everyone?s screens. Claudia, local art teacher and Faith?s dear friend, is immediately recognized as the woman who has been targeted.When Claudia is later discovered dead, Faith, with the help of her friends, journeys deep into the dark web to unravel the threads of Claudia?s mysterious history and shocking passing.

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAYAgatha and her assistant, Toni, are driving to their friend Bill Wong''s wedding, thinking of nothing more than what the beautiful bride will be wearing when a terrified young man comes running down the country lane towards them wearing. . . nothing at all.The encounter leads them to become embroiled with a naturist group, a disappearing corpse, fantasy games, witchcraft, an ice cream empire, intrigue and murder. In the meantime, Agatha''s hectic life swirls along at dizzying pace, her private detective agency as busy as ever and her private affairs in turmoil - old loves to contend with and a new suitor on the scene. Then she finds herself in deadly danger when she begins to close in on a suspected murderer and the sinister nature of the ice cream business leads her to a chilling conclusion.

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Book SynopsisFrom the day he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital in London, Andy McNab has led an extraordinary life.As a teenage delinquent, Andy McNab kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years on five continents. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS.Since then Andy McNab has become one of the world's best-selling writers, drawing on his insider knowledge and experience. As well as several non-fiction bestsellers including Bravo Two Zero, the biggest selling British work of military history, he

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Book SynopsisThe Bailey sisters may be the only ones able to interpret the meaning behind a bizarre series of murders in the first entry in the hilarious The Fortune Telling Mysteries series.Sisters Hope and Summer Bailey run Bailey''s Boutique, a mystic shop in Asheville, North Carolina. While Hope''s performing a palm reading a local doctor, Dylan Henshaw, bursts in, accusing them of trying to kill his patient with a tincture.The confrontation is interrupted by the arrival of the sisters'' grandmother, Gram, who announces that one of her friends has died suddenly. It looks like a simple allergic reaction . . . but why has a solitary Tarot card - the Fool - been placed on the body? When another of Gram''s friends dies in similar circumstances, with the Fool card also left at the scene, it''s surely no coincidence. Although Hope is hesitant to read the Tarot again following a recent tragedy, she might be the only one capable of deciphering the clues. Can she overcome her fear and uncover the card''s meaning before the killer strikes again?

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Book Synopsis ‘A superb novel, evoking a bygone era when women could not afford to put a foot wrong’SUNDAY TIMES ‘This isn't just a mystery novel: it's a window into a vanished world’TANA FRENCH Some stories demand to be told. They keep coming back, echoing down through the decades, until they find a teller . . .Dublin, 1943 Actress Julia Bridges disappears. Her body is never found.  Dublin, 1968 The bones of Julia Bridges are discovered in a back garden. Nicoletta Sarto, an ambitious junior reporter for the Irish Sentinel, investigates the mystery of Julia’s disappearance, drawing her into the tangled underworld of the illegal abortion industry.But some stories remain a mystery for a reason, and it’s not long before this one stirs up buried secrets from Nicoletta’s own past. Secrets that peTrade ReviewPraise for Where They Lie: 'The mysteries surrounding Nicoletta intertwine grippingly with the mysteries within her, but what makes Where They Lie special is its keen awareness of Dublin's layers of light and shadow. Coughlan digs deeply into the dark side, Ireland's horrifying record around women and childbearing – but at the same time the book brings to life, in fine, tender, vivid detail, the rich atmosphere of 1960s Dublin' Tana French 'This is a stunning debut. Original characters, complex issues, excellent twists. Claire Coughlan is an author to watch' Jo Spain 'Beautifully written, utterly absorbing. It’s hard to believe Coughlan wasn’t right there in 1960s Dublin observing the world she describes in such word-perfect detail. A stunning debut' Andrea Mara 'Lost myself completely in this cracking debut. Rich, complex, and beautifully written. Just gorgeous!' Andrea Carter 'A wintry Dublin sets the scene for this complex, haunting mystery. Coughlan writes with such confidence and heart as she draws us into both journalist Nicoletta Sarto’s world, and the women who came before her. Packed with suspects, intrigue, and deep emotional truths' Caz Frear 'Steeped in atmosphere, time and place, and as emotional as it is gripping, this is a blistering debut' Tammy Cohen

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Book SynopsisBy night, Vivian Parry performs the role of Manhattan’s sharpest theatre critic, immersing herself fully in every show she sees. By day, she uses work, sex, and psychotropic drugs to keep her comfortably numb. Desperate for a promotion and at the urging of her editor, she agrees to an interview with David Adler, an enigmatic graduate student. When he later disappears, Vivian soon learns from his devastated fiancée that she was the last person to have seen him alive. The police refuse to investigate his disappearance and Vivian finds herself obsessed with what happened, assuming the role of amateur investigator. But as she gets closer to the truth about David Adler, she finds that the boundaries between theatre and reality are more tenuous than even she could have believed. 'An impressive debut' Financial Times 'A sharp, funny, and pacy slice of Manhattan noir' Guardian Trade ReviewAlexis Soloski portrays Manhattan's thespian scene and high-end social life in vivid detail with snappy dialogue. This is an impressive debut * Financial Times *A sharp, funny and pacy slice of Manhattan noir that manages to be over-the-top and weirdly plausible, with a terrific payoff * Guardian *Alexis Soloski's debut novel is an elegant, chilling read that examines the lives of critics, actors, and addicts. It poses the question: can you know or even have your own identity, when your entire life is spent acting? Recommended for lovers of New York and the theatre, this is a taut, beautifully written psychological thriller that dares to delve into the darkness behind the curtains -- Laura SheppersonA moody, taut dose of noir, Here in the Dark is a poised, daring debut - the kind of novel I relish and can't get out of my head, evoking the work of icons like Megan Abbott and Margaret Millar in its hypnotic prose and mesmerizing characters. Readers will not forget Vivian Parry - and they won't want to -- Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret IdentitySoloski does not disappoint in either her sharp-eyed and unflinching portrait of an unravelling critic, or in her delicious upending of genre. Hitchcock meets a slippery metatheatrics of power, performance, desire, and escape. This is a novel and a protagonist who moves with a precarious velocity, constantly choosing the most dangerous move and bringing us careening after -- Jen Silverman, author of We Play OurselvesHere in the Dark lives up to its title and is indeed a dark tale; it’s also hilarious, addictive, elegantly constructed, and composed. It’s ultimately a book about art and the love of art, but it's cleverly disguised as a thrill ride, a jolt of pulp and a shot of noir. It became a New York classic to me the minute I read the last sentence -- Michael Imperioli, actor, writer, and musicianFrom its very first page to its final revelation, Here in the Dark will possess you with a mix of acerbic wit and Highsmithian invention. I blazed through this book, delighting equally in the cleverness of its plot and the delicious wickedness of Vivian Parry - a woman you can’t look away from even for a second. And why would you, when there’s a life-or-death mystery, dialogue that feels beamed in from a classic noir, and a ballet about rabies on offer? Even if you’ve never seen a play, you’ll be thrilled by the ways author Alexis Soloski takes the novel of suspense and turns it into a meditation on seeing and being seen, knowing and being known, judging and being judged -- Isaac Butler, author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to ACT

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Book SynopsisOpening up a world of magic and adventure, The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu is the first book in the Edinburgh Nights series.‘A fast-moving and entertaining tale, beautifully written’ – Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London‘I highly recommend The Library of the Dead’ – Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series When ghosts talk, she will listen . . . Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker – and she now speaks to Edinburgh’s dead, carrying messages to the living. A girl’s gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone’s bewitching children – leaving them husks, empty of joy and life. It’s on Ropa’s patch, so she feels honour bound to investigate. But what she learns will change her world. She’ll dice with death (not part of her life plan . . .) as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. For Edinburgh hides a wealth of secrets. And in the process, she discovers an occult library and some unexpected allies. Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?'Roll on the sequel' – The Times'One of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you'll see all year' – SFXTrade ReviewA fast-moving and entertaining tale, beautifully written -- Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of LondonI highly recommend The Library of the Dead -- Charlaine HarrisAn absolute delight . . . kept me totally hooked -- Genevieve CogmanWhat a delight. Great pacing, wonderfully creepy villains, and so much fun! -- A. K. LarkwoodThe Library of the Dead’s alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it’s Ropa – a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent – who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you’ll follow wherever she goes -- Olivie Blake, author of The Atlas SixExpertly blending elements of Zimbabwean and Scottish culture, Huchu’s occult thriller is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking -- Publishers Weekly starred reviewA fast-paced, future-set Edinburgh thriller. The Library of the Dead mixes magical mysteries with a streetwise style of writing . . . roll on the sequel -- The TimesOne of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you’ll see all year . . . We can't wait for the next volume -- SFXTerrific stuff -- The Big IssueContemporary fantasy, at its best, is both escapist and urgent: this does both admirably -- The ScotsmanAn enjoyable dark urban fantasy tale . . . with a great lead character and a vibrant supporting cast -- Grimdark MagazineWith a strong female protagonist exploring a unique world, this novel is a fantastic debut and a must have for fantasy fans -- CulturedVulturesDrags you in and keeps you reading through the force of nature that is Ropa Moyo -- SFFWorldThe excellent characters keep the story engaging -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisLiar. Bad mother. Murderer? You decide…Ex-journalist Mercer Hennessey can’t think of a good reason to get up in the morning. Since losing her husband and her little girl in a car crash, she’s living in what she secretly calls the darkness. But when her editor asked her to write an instant true crime book on the murder trial of Ashlyn Bryant, Mercer finds a new purpose.On trial for the murder of her baby, Ashlyn is currently the most hated person in America. If Mercer can write the story of her conviction, she might just have a bestseller on her hands, as well as achieving justice for a little girl. And Ashlyn is so obviously the villain of the story: a party girl, man-crazy, ambitious and unrepentant. She’s clearly never been a good mother. But is she a killer…?“Ryan raises the bar sky-high - I knew she was good, but I had no idea she was this good.” Lee Child

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Book SynopsisWhen you play a double game, if you lose… you die.Tasked by General Napoleon Bonaparte with effecting a perilous entry into the fortress convent of Valletta, Lieutenant Vanderville sides with a renegade Maltese desperate to end the oppressive rule of the Knights of St John.When his companion is lost, the mission goes from bad to worse as he discovers treachery and murder are stalking the agents he is supposed to be meeting, his only allies.Caught between the feuding knights, the machinations of the Grand Master and his foes in the Holy Office, Vanderville begins to feel hopelessly unable to find the killer without the sage guidance of his mentor, Felix Gracchus. Will he live to regret his rash decision to part company?A riotous whodunnit set during the heights of Napoleon's European conquest, for fans of Steven Saylor and S. J. Parris.

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