Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives

Book SynopsisThe arrival of a band of Spanish mercenaries brings new danger for Margaret Beaufort and the House of Lancaster in this richly-imagined medieval mystery.November, 1471. With Edward of York on the English throne and her son, Henry Tudor, in exile in Brittany, the newly-widowed Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, is alone, without protectors. All she can do is wait and watch, planning for a time when she''s in a position to make her move.But new dangers are emerging. En route to England is a band of Spanish mercenaries known as the Garduna. With no allegiance to prince, prelate or people, they are a lethal fighting force, utterly ruthless and implacable killers. But who has hired them . . . and why?The discovery of the body of an unexpected visitor, found murdered in a locked room in her London townhouse, heralds the start of a series of increasingly menacing incidents which threaten Margaret and her household. Is there an enemy within

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Book SynopsisJack and Betty Haldean''s weekend in the country is disrupted by sudden, violent death in this intricately-plotted 1920s mystery.The surprising revelations just keep coming. This is a real treat for those who enjoy Agatha Christie village murders - Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewThere''s something in those woods that shouldn''t be there . . .Enjoying a weekend in the country with his cousin Isabelle, Jack Haldean is intrigued to learn that the neighbouring estate of Birchen Bower has been bought by wealthy Canadian businessman Tom Jago. Determined to restore the place to its former glory, Jago has invited the local villagers to a fete to celebrate the grand re-opening of the 17th century family chapel. But the afternoon''s entertainment is cut short by the discovery of a body, mauled to death as if by a wild animal. Previously owned by the eccentric Cayden family, Birchen Bower has a long and colourful history, and

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Book SynopsisHollywood intrigue, glamor . . . and murder: Enter the roaring twenties in this thrilling Silver Screen historical mystery, starring two very different female sleuths.Excellent . . . Everything feels just right: the characters are abundantly human, the mystery is beautifully constructed, and the Hollywood milieu is vividly realized Booklist Starred ReviewMay, 1924. It''s been seven months since young British widow Emma Blackstone arrived in Hollywood to serve as companion to Kitty Flint: her beautiful, silent-movie star sister-in-law. Kitty is generous, kind-hearted . . . and a truly terrible actress. Not that Emma minds; she''s too busy making her academic parents turn in their graves with her new job writing painfully historically inaccurate scenarios for Foremost Studios, in between wrangling their leading lady out of the arms of her army of amorous suitors.So when one of Kitty''s old flames, renowned film director Ernst

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Book SynopsisIn a gritty, tech-noir version of 1930s Manhattan, an ex-cop and his robot partner must stop a killer who's sending the city into chaos.December, 1933. The city that cannot sleep, where cartels and mobsters go bump in the night. Manhattan's delicate peace is broken when four politicians in the pocket of America's reigning megacorporation are murdered at the Edison Hotel, dispatched by an unknown assassin wielding a rare and unique weapon. The NYPD calls upon the only man for the job: Elias Roche, the Nightcaller.With Upper City bigwigs in a panic and the shadowy Iron Hands poised to make a grab for the Lower City, Roche is having doubts about his role in the complex power structure as a former cop and current Mob enforcer. But he sets out to investigate, now under more scrutiny than ever before: a new radio show based on his escapades thrusts unwanted fame upon him, the FBI are breathing down his neck, and a relentless journalist is dogging his every move. MeTrade ReviewCarlson wonderfully creates a world that is instantly recognizable but is still populated with a new landscape filled with people we recognize and understand. This writer is definitely one to watch. * Globe and Mail, for Night Call *Carlson does a good job populating his gritty, split-level world with dodgy mobsters, deadly dames, and killer machines * Publishers Weekly, for Night Call *Brenden Carlson's noir masterwork, Midnight, brings Depression-era New York City to life in this brilliant follow-up to Night Call. With future tech. And robots. I like noir. And robots. * David Clink, Aurora Award-winning author and co-host of the Two Old Farts Talk Sci-Fi podcast *

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Book SynopsisSister Fidelma returns in DEATH OF A HERETIC, the thirty-third Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE HOUSE OF DEATH, THE SHAPESHIFTER''S LAIR and BLOOD IN EDEN. If you love Ellis Peters, you''ll be gripped by DEATH OF A HERETIC and the Sister Fidelma series.IRELAND AD 672. The abbey of Muman at Imleach Iubhair is being renovated when its guests'' hostel burns to the ground. There is one fatality: Bishop Brodulf of Luxovium, a distinguished visitor and cousin to the King of Franks. Sister Fidelma is asked by Abbot Cuán to investigate the unfortunate incident and soon finds that the bishop had been stabbed to death before the fire had even started.Thrown into a world of treachery and jealousy, where religious beliefs are vehemently disputed, Fidelma and her companions, Eadulf and Enda, face a barrier of deceit. The abbey, a leading ecclesiastical teaching institution as well as a conhospitae, housing both men and wTrade ReviewA challenging and unusual but deeply satisfying and enjoyable historical thriller * Booklist *The background detail is brilliantly defined...wonderfully evocative * The Times *Tremayne expertly incorporates historical and legal details of the time into the suspenseful plot. This impressive volume bodes well for future series entries * Publishers Weekly *Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation, a woman of wit and courage who would stand out in any era, but brings a special sparkle to the wild beauty of medieval Ireland -- Morgan LlywelynThis is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about * Belfast Telegraph *The detail of the books is fascinating, giving us a vivid picture of everyday life at this time...the most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland * Irish Examiner *One of the best cases for the complex, enchanting Fidelma * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisGet ready for a rollicking and irresistible new mystery from award-winning artist and author Paul Madonna Amsterdam, 2019—following the conclusion of Come to Light. Former rock star turned artist Emit Hopper’s life has taken yet another strange turn. His old friend, the legendary San Francisco private detective Ronnie Gilbert, is dead, and his killer has just been acquitted. But when a disheveled acquaintance from Ronnie’s past walks into Emit’s shop, a puzzling mystery resurfaces, twenty years cold. We’re transported back to San Francisco, 1999, to when Emit and Ronnie first met. Emit has returned to taking commissions drawing people’s houses, only to be strong-armed by a shady police lieutenant into acting as her off-the-books spy. On top of that, a strange young woman claiming to be his daughter refuses to leave him alone. From there unfolds an intricate tale of corruption and murder that leads to an explosive scandal, with consequences that, two decades hence, are finally revealed. From the world of the Emit Hopper Mysteries series, The Commissions kicks off the origin story of what promises to be an unforgettable new eccentric detective, Ronnie Gilbert. In a mystery filled with suspense and surprises around every corner, Paul Madonna delivers a rich and captivating portrait of San Francisco in the last days before the turn of the millennium, brought to life by one hundred of his signature pen-and-ink drawings.Trade ReviewPraise for the Emit Hopper Mysteries “The most gloriously insane mystery I've ever read.” —Peter Orner, author of Maggie Brown & Others: Stories “Deeply satisfying . . . Madonna’s prose is magnificent.” —Foreword Reviews “Paul Madonna has created a gripping and deeply mysterious novel about the nature of artistic creation and the wayward, confounding path of inspiration. It's a gorgeous book, with its words and pictures striking up a dialogue that's sharp, funny, strange, and the fuel for a page turner. I want everyone I know to read it so we can talk about how cool it is.” —Glen David Gold, author of Carter Beats the Devil

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Book SynopsisA brand new full-cast BBC radio dramatisation, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris'Charles Paris is Bill Nighy... It's the role he was born to play.' The TelegraphAugust in Edinburgh, and thousands of performers of all stripes have flocked to the Fringe Festival. Among them is Charles Paris filling in at the last minute after a student actress breaks a leg and has to drop out. Showcasing an earnest one-man show in a sea of stand-up comics is a bit of a gamble, but at least he's acting, and with a Charles Paris production, what could possibly go wrong?Charles is sharing a venue with a group of student actors, but when one of the performers dies in a freak stabbing, the actor-cum-amateur sleuth smells a murderous rat and decides to investigate. When the killer sets his sights on him, Charles realises that he must be getting close to the truth - despite not having a clue what's going on...Help arrives in the form of his agent, Maurice, in town scouting for talent, and Charles' 'semi-detached' wife, Frances, who inadvertently finds herself directing Charles' show. The three become drawn into the mystery, and find themselves playing detectives. This unlikely trio are way out of their depth, but when has that ever stopped Charles Paris?Jeremy Front's witty drama stars Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, with Suzanne Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice.Written by Jeremy FrontBased on the novel by Simon BrettProduced and directed by Sally AvensCastCharles Paris - Bill NighyFrances - Suzanne BurdenMaurice - Jon GloverJames - Roger RingroseAnna - Natasha K StoneMartin - Connor CurrenLaura - Chloe SommerAngus/Sam - Tom KiteleyTessa - Joanna MonroEilish - Catriona StirlingSophie - Fiona SkinnerFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 9th-30th June 2023©2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution LtdTrade ReviewCharles Paris is Bill Nighy... It's the role he was born to play. -- Tristram Fane Saunders * The Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe inaugural performance of Christopher Marlowe''s controversial new play is marred by sudden, violent death in this lively 16th century mystery.December, 1592. England is entering dangerous waters as thoughts turn to the question of the ageing Queen Elizabeth''s successor. Christopher Marlowe meanwhile is leading a troupe of the Lord Chamberlain''s Men on tour with a controversial new play.Marlowe expects his latest play, Edward II, to ruffle feathers. What he doesn''t expect is it to lead to is sudden, violent death. The morning the tour is due to begin, the newest member of the cast is found stabbed to death in the local brothel. And when a second murder, and then a third, disrupt rehearsals for the inaugural performance in the Great Hall at Scudbury Manor, it becomes clear that someone is determined to prevent this play from being performed - at any cost. But who ... and why?

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Book SynopsisIn this multi-layered psychological mystery, photographer Jason Poe is transfixed by a disturbing set of murals he encounters in the attic of an abandoned house, and resolves to uncover the secret behind them."The murals hit me hard. First came terror, then awe. It was only after I''d taken them in that I began to feel their immense power."Jason Poe, a former war photographer, has been breaking into abandoned houses for an art project to document what previous tenants have left behind. One night he finds more than expected when he ascends to an attic and is confronted by a haunting set of murals.The murals cover all four walls of the cramped space and hypnotise Jason. Convinced there''s an important story behind them, he embarks upon a quest to identify their creator and uncover their meaning. To do so Jason recruits several friends, including Joan Nguyen, a reporter for Calista Times-Dispatch. As the team delve deeper they uncover a mystery involving accusations of satanism, police corruption, a scandal involving a wealthy Calista family, a series of contemporary arson attacks . . . and an enigmatic patient in a Swiss psychiatric clinic.

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Book SynopsisIn this gripping forensic mystery set in Stuart England, Gabriel Taverner uncovers a series of shocking secrets when he''s summoned by his former naval captain to investigate strange goings-on aboard his ship.October, 1604. Former ship''s surgeon turned country physician Gabriel Taverner is surprised to receive an urgent summons from his old naval captain. Now docked in Plymouth harbour, having recently returned from the Caribbean, Captain Colt believes his ship is haunted by an evil spirit, and has asked Gabriel to investigate.Dismissive of the crew''s wild talk of mysterious blue-skinned ghosts, Gabriel is convinced there must be a rational explanation behind the mass hallucinations. But matters take a disturbing turn when he and the captain discover a body hidden behind one of the bulkheads. Calling on the help of his old friend, Coroner Theophilus Davey, piece by piece Gabriel uncovers a terrifying tale of treachery, dark magic, unimaginable cruelty - and cold-blooded murder.

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Book SynopsisResearching a biography of the composer Franz Liszt, Phineas Fox uncovers evidence of a brutal murder - and finds his own life in danger. Music researcher Phineas Fox has been enjoying his latest commission, gathering background material for a biography of Franz Liszt. But although he has - as anticipated - uncovered plenty of scandal in the 19th century composer''s past, matters take a decidedly unexpected turn when his investigations lead to Linklighters, a newly-opened Soho restaurant built on the site of an old Victorian music hall, and unearth evidence of a possible murder involving the notorious music hall performer known as Scaramel.Just what was Liszt''s connection to Scaramel ... and, through her, to the infamous Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper? As he delves further, Phin''s enquiries uncover clues to a fascinating and extraordinary story - and plunge his own life into jeopardy.

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Book SynopsisDivorced single mom Mandy Meadows scrapes by working as a barista and receiving payments from her cousin, Ryan, who rents her basement apartment. At night, she and her teenage daughter Vellum run a successful home business creating journaling content on their popular social media channels.But Mandy''s carefully organized world is about to come crashing down. While filming their latest journaling tutorial, Mandy and Vellum hear a loud noise on the basement stairs, and Mandy is horrified to find Ryan dead on the landing. The police quickly start to treat the death as a murder - with Mandy and Vellum as chief suspects. Why would someone murder Ryan? Determined to clear their names and find Ryan''s killer, Mandy soon discovers he wasn''t the man she thought he was . . .

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Book SynopsisIn this hard-hitting standalone thriller from Sally Spencer, a crash survivor discovers dark family secrets as he tries to stay alive.Bristol, 1991. Crammed into a hire car, on their way to a vital appointment, five representatives of Conroy Enterprises are running very late. Rob Conroy, the black sheep of the family, is torn between spiteful amusement at his Uncle Tony''s irritation and anxiety for the future. If Conroy Enterprises fails, it will bring Rob''s own small publishing company down with it.But in the space of just two hours, everything changes. The car crashes, leaving Rob the only survivor. And almost simultaneously, Charles Conroy, the elderly family patriarch - who holds control of the company in his iron fist - dies of old age.As Rob and his few remaining relatives struggle to make sense of it all, one thing becomes painfully clear: the crash was not an accident. Which means, Rob soon realises, the intended victim might not be dead . . .

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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 of everyone in town . . .

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Book Synopsis'It's quite simple, Mr Ellington. When you find Fowler, just ask where we can find the truth.'It's a straightforward case. Find the doctor and retrieve the stolen documentation. Yet following in the footsteps of Dr Fowler unearths more than expected. An illicit secret, a sticky end outside a gangland pub and the words of a dying man whose reputation is in tatters.Though he is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, the streets of 1960s Bristol lead JT Ellington into a tight corner, as demons of the past pursue him as implacably and relentlessly as the devil himself. And when JT concludes his search, it's a truth more disturbing and deadlier than he could ever have imagined.'A brilliant second offering!'DERMOT O'LEARY'This is terrific crime fiction - evocative, socially aware and gripping - and JT Ellington is a compelling protagonist.'MARK BILLINGHAM, on Restless CoffinsTrade Review‘Page turning historical detective fiction at its finest.’ Dermot O’Leary 'Bursting with life and originality...outstanding pace and suspense.' Independent

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Book Synopsis* THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING BESTSELLER FOR FANS OF THE BRIDGE * Winner of the Glass Key Award for Best Nordic Crime Novel Winner of the Danish Debutant Award Winner of the Harald Mogensen Prize for the best Danish crime novel A car is found on a deserted beach on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura. On the back seat lies a cardboard box containing the body of a small boy buried in newspaper cuttings. No one knows his name, and there is no trace of a driver. The last thing an ailing tourist resort needs is a murder, and the police are desperate to close the case. The island is rife with rumours about the reclusive Erhard. Two decades of self-imposed exile from his wife and children have left him alienated and alone, whiling away his days in a drunken haze, driving an old taxi to get by. This unlikeliest of detectives determines to solve the crime himself – and he has nothing to lose. But how can one old man, cut off from the modern world, solve a murder whose dangerous web of deceit stretches far beyond the small island? And what if the killer forces Erhard to confront his own long-buried past? Winner of the prestigious Glass Key Award and an instant bestseller in Denmark, The Hermit is taking the international publishing world by storm. Acutely observed and psychologically penetrating, this is existential noir at its finest.Trade Review‘A humane and appealing protagonist and plenty of local colour make this an engrossing and enjoyable read.’ * Guardian *‘A delightfully innovative whodunnit…dark good humour, imagination and originality.’ * The Times *‘A dark and complex tale of murder.’ * Independent *‘Original and compelling.’ * Sunday Times *‘Stunningly conceived and expertly executed.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Poetic...and bold.’ * Times Literary Supplement *‘One of the most distinctive detectives you will meet this year… nothing less than excellent.’ * Politiken *‘A hard-boiled and heart-breaking thriller [with] the year’s most surprising detective…Riveting.’ * Solkysten *‘Completely unique and incredibly ambitious.’ * Jyllands-Posten *‘Wow! It will knock you off your feet.’ * Go’morgen Danmark *‘Innovative…impossible to put down.’ * Bibliotek.dk *‘Unique…Is [Rydahl] the new star of Danish crime?’ * Frk. Bogorm *‘Adds something new to the Nordic noir palette…compelling.’ * Reviewing the Evidence *‘A wonderful crime novel, full of charm.’ * Vildmedkrimi.dk *‘Reminiscent of the classic crime novels of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, The Hermit offers readers a gripping story filled with quirky characters and a complex plot. But the book isn’t just a pulp fiction murder mystery; it’s a tale of loneliness and the essential need for human connection.’ * Democrat & Chronicle *‘Remarkable...a flawless, immaculate piece of work.’ * Weekendavisen *

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Book SynopsisShe’s on the hunt for a missing woman, but she’s being hunted herself. Clare is on the run. From her past, from her husband, from her own secrets. When she arrives in the remote mining town of Blackmore asking about Shayna Fowles, a local girl who disappeared, everyone wants to know who Clare really is and what she’s hiding. Everyone in Blackmore is hiding something, but Clare more than most, including what ties her to Shayna in the first place.Mysteries around Shayna’s disappearance abound - did she flee? Was she killed? Is it possible she’s still alive? As Clare unravels the truth, she must also come face-to-face with her own demons and confront what she’s really running from. A tense and gripping mystery from bestselling author Amy Stuart, perfect for fans of Liz Nugent and Lisa Gray. Praise for Still Mine ‘An impressive debut, rooted in character rather than trope, in fundamental understanding rather than rote puzzle-solving.’ The Globe and Mail‘Stuart is a sensitive writer who has given Clare a painful past and just enough backbone to bear it.’ New York Times‘A gripping page-turner, with a plot that takes hold of you and drags you through the story at breakneck speed. The characters are compelling, the setting chilling and the suspense ever-present.’ Toronto Star‘Author Amy Stuart has created a likable heroine, complete with some pretty serious flaws. Between Clare and the other characters of Blackmore, the story is both haunting and compelling.’ Vancouver Sun‘Twisty and swift, Amy Stuart’s Still Mine is a darkly entertaining mystery machine. But what will really surprise you is the emotional foundation on which it has been built.’ Andrew Pyper, bestselling author of The Homecoming‘Still Mine delivers all the nail-biting moments of a fast-paced thriller and filters them through the eyes of girl-with-a-past Clare O’Dey: deeply flawed yet instantly recognizable, O’Dey is a noir detective hero for a postmodern age. Author Amy Stuart sends one missing woman out to look for another one, and the result is chilling. You’ll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster.’ Elisabeth De Mariaffi, author of The Devil You Know‘An intricately woven thriller. . . . You’ll want desperately to solve the mystery not only of the missing Shayna, but of Clare O’Dey, Amy Stuart’s heartbreaking heroine, on the run from the darkest forces both within and without. . . A vivid and haunting debut.’ Holly LeCraw, author of The Swimming Pool‘From its evocative opening to its heart-pounding conclusion, Still Mine is a gripping mystery that I felt desperate to solve... A tense and absorbing read.’ Lucy Clarke author of The Castaways

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Book SynopsisThe BRAND NEW addictive revenge thriller from Evie Hunter!Don't get mad...get even!Leona Carson thought Scott Jessop was a decent man…she was wrong.When she discovers Scott has been lying to her, she knows it’s time to call it quits on their relationship. But Scott doesn’t take kindly to being rejected by Leona and begins a campaign to ruin her life just like he has done to many other women…Determined to stop Scott and get her life back, Leona asks the police for help, but Scott always has someone ready to take the blame.Tired of Scott’s lies, Leona tracks down his latest alibi, Hugo Rossiter. But rather than find another ready excuse, she meets a man who is also sick of Scott’s actions.And together, they are determined to make him pay once and for all…Praise for Evie Hunter:'A brilliant read that hooked me from the outset. I couldn’t tear myself away!' Bestselling author Gemma Rogers.

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Jeff Abbott... An undercover agent must capture America’s greatest traitor.Sam Capra and his thirteen-year-old son, Daniel, are living a quiet life in Austin, Texas, from where Sam runs a collection of bars and nightclubs around the world for America's most secret espionage agency, known as Section K.But a shocking revelation will uproot everything that Sam has been trying to build: Markus Bolt is missing.Having turned over allied agent names and military secrets to the Russians, Bolt fled to Moscow when he was discovered. But now a trusted source inside the Kremlin tells Section K that he has vanished, without a trace.Sam is charged with watching Bolt's abandoned American daughter, Amanda, and determining if she's had any contact with her father. But as the search for Bolt grows ever more dangerous, Sam faces a rising threat born of long-ago secrets – one that could change his and his son's lives forever.An utterly enthralling espionage thriller from the international, multi-million copy bestselling author, full of suspense, action and a twist that will leave you reeling.

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I took you, Becca. You are not my daughter.Becca Wall loves her family, so when her mother says these words, they strike her to the core. But then, her mum is ill, she has Alzheimers, so this can’t be the truth … can it? But then a woman disappears. Her name is Katie Collins and the day she vanished she was looking for Rebecca Wall. The police call Becca in for questioning but what can she tell them? She has never met Katie Collins. She has never heard of her.So why was Katie looking for her? As Becca starts to investigate, things take a dark turn. Someone knows the truth and it’s clear they will stop at nothing to hide it…A gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller, perfect for fans of T. M. Logan and B.A Paris.Previously published as Familiar Strangers.Praise for Jackie Walsh:‘Gripped me from page one and I raced through it to the end. The story is full of mystery and tension.’ Patricia Gibney, author of Three Widows‘OMG I could not put this book down…so many twists, turns and secrets and sucks you in from the very first chapter…I did not see the ending coming.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Definitely a book I’ll remember having read for a long time. I’d mark it a 6 out of 5 if I could.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘This book had me hooked from start to finish - it is a long time since I finished a book as quickly!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘I could not put this book down…I found it incredible and had to find out how it ended’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Secrets, twists and so much more. What a thrilling novel, I was hooked…Highly recommend it.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘Fantastic read! Great plot that grabs you from the very beginning. A masterful story that keeps you endlessly intrigued…HIGHLY RECOMMEND!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review‘A stunning piece of writing with the tension and drama you expect from a top psychological thriller. Very highly recommended.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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Book Synopsis'Glamorous, compelling and completely addictive, this sparkling page-turner is a total joy to read' B.P. WalterYou know she has been murdered. Can you stop it happening twice?Two very different lives…It is 2019 and Lily Jones is living her dream in LA. Sort of. It hasn’t quite turned out as she planned and instead of working as a movie producer, she is cleaning at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel. At least she gets to work in the renowned Paul Williams suite, site of the brutal murder of Honey Black 70 years ago, shrouded in rumour and dark glamour.It is 1949 and Honey Black is about to hit the big time. She may have started out a country girl from Hicksville but now she is a star. And Hollywood had better watch out – nothing can stop her now!One Hollywood murder…After an accidental bump to the head, Lily finds herself in Hollywood, 1949. Like a dream come true, she is rubbing shoulders with the great and good of Tinseltown. Including Honey Black... Horrified, Lily realises that the actress has only two weeks left to live before she will be murdered.Could this be why she has found herself in 1949?To find the killer and stop them in their tracks?A glamorous, time-slip murder mystery set in the Golden Age of Hollywood – All About Eve meets Back to the Future. Don’t miss this unforgettable read from bestselling author Lisa Hall; fans of Stuart Turton and cosy crime will love this!'Gripping and completely unforgettable. I love Honey Black!' Lauren North'Brilliantly original, and entirely transportive, I was swept into the golden age of Hollywood, and I didn’t want to leave. What a start to a series.' Darren Sullivan'Pacy, deceptive and addictive - a cracker of a book' Rebecca Thorne'Clever and completely original...the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading this time-slip cosy crime mystery.' Diane Jeffrey'It's amazing! Packed with Golden Age movie glamour and smart time-slip thriller twists. It's one of my top reads for 2023. I loved it!' Steph Broadribb'Escapism at its finest…this captivating and glamorous story will keep you turning the pages from first to last. I loved it!' Manda Jennings'The intrepid Lily Jones is a heroine to die for and I loved the evocation of 1940 Hollywood. I can't wait for the next installment.' Sarah Ward'A flawlessly plotted, seriously addictive read brimming with intrigue, suspense, colourful characters and old-school Hollywood glamour...an absolute triumph... Just LOVED it!' A.A. Chaudhuri'From the moment I turned the first page, I was completely enthralled by the story's allure...a gripping and unforgettable read.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'Clever and so original, it’s brilliantly plotted, with incredible characters. Highly recommend.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'This book was so captivating it drew me in from the very first page. I read well into the night...it’s definitely a page turner!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'The plotting is flawless and the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading. This is one book you most certainly can judge by its amazing cover!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review'I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review

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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'A witty insight into village life and a most unusual murder that kept me enthralled!' Bestselling author E.V. Hunter.Sophie and Hector are heading to the Highlands.For Sophie it’s a trip home and for Hector it’s time to meet Sophie’s parents... Though their trip has village tongues wagging about a stop at Scotland’s notorious elopement spot, Gretna Green.No matter what, it’ll make a nice break from the murder and mayhem that has been plaguing their beautiful Cotswolds village. But Sophie and Hector are barely across the border on the way to Inverness before a sinister encounter leaves them shaken.Then comes a series of mishaps that leave poor Hector a little worse for wear. Is someone after Hector? Why is he certain the attacks are just accidents? Sophie is determined to find out.Starting and finishing at the Hector's House bookshop in Wendlebury Barrow, this adventure is Debbie Young's celebration of Scotland as her second favourite place after the Cotswolds, and will make you feel as if you've taken a trip to the Highlands yourself!

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Book Synopsis'Fascinating, flawed characters, an intriguing plot, a steamy heatwave setting and ooh - that ending! Loved it.' Jackie KablerEvery screenwriter knows the best stories come from the truth…But the truth can be terrifyingMarnie thought she’d left behind her days of writing ‘celebrity’ tell-all memoirs, but when her big break as a screenwriter turns to dust she’s forced to take another ghost writing job.Except this time it’s for someone who is actually famous. Or rather, infamous. Blythe Hopper. A reclusive former Hollywood star who recently murdered her screenwriter husband.And Marnie has her own reasons for wanting to meet Blythe, not least because of an email she received from Blythe's husband, sent two days after he was shot dead.But Marnie soon learns Blythe is not a woman to be messed with.Dark secrets lurk at the Hoppers’ palatial London home – secrets long buried, which Marnie is determined to unearth. At any price.Because this isn’t just about Blythe’s past.It’s about Marnie’s too._ _'In this creepy, addictive page-turner, Amanda Reynolds plays with the toxicity of fame, and has you looking over your shoulder until the very last page.' Jane Bailey'...a clever and timely tale of ambition and revenge, with complex but compelling characters... Amanda Reynolds is such a vivid and visual writer, I am sure this will make it onto our screens.' Jo Callaghan'A luxurious mansion falling into disrepair, a glamorous Hollywood star facing a murder charge, and an ambitious writer with secrets of her own ... the perfect set-up for a completely gripping, deliciously dark thriller.' Phoebe Locke'I was totally hooked from the first chapter ... Amanda Reynolds really had my eyes glued to the page' netgalley reviewer'a compelling examination of the human psyche, showcasing Reynolds’ ability to delve into the complexities of her characters' netgalley reviewer'An entertaining story with twists and a range of unforgettable characters.' netgalley reviewer'an engrossing novel that had me hooked until the very end.' netgalley reviewer

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Book SynopsisWhen the body of a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is discovered on the site of the Battle of Culloden, journalist Rebecca Connolly takes up the story for the Chronicle. Meanwhile, a film being made about the ’45 Rebellion has enraged the right-wing group Spirit of the Gael which is connected to a shadowy group called Black Dawn linked to death threats and fake anthrax deliveries to Downing Street and Holyrood. When a second body – this time in the Redcoat uniform of the government army – is found in Inverness, Rebecca finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mystery. Are the murders connected to politics, a local gang war or something else entirely?Trade Review'Set in Inverness, a refreshing change from Glasgow or Edinburgh…the author’s background' * Scottish Field *'Once again great characters, we hear more from reporter, Rebecca Connolly and the tension just keeps you on your toes all the way through. It’s also full of Douglas Skelton humour too which just makes it a marvellous read!' * Independent Book Reviews *'Excellent. Credible, multi-layered characters enhance the intricate, high-tension plot. Skelton’s growing legion of fans will avidly await brave, dogged Rebecca’s next outing' * Publishers Weekly US *'Incorporating concerns about the spread of populism and the downsizing of news reporting, Skelton’s intriguing premise keeps you reading avidly to see how he’s going to tie it all together and make it work' * The Herald *'A corking read… Skelton's talent is casting his descriptive eyes on the familiar and rendering truthful characters with a believable backstory' * The Scotsman *'Once again this is a book that delivered everything – great characters, mystery, tension, atmosphere and a myriad of emotions and I loved it' * Jen Med Reviews *'The Blood is Still is Tartan Noir at its most tartan, and noir: and a book we'd highly recommend' * Undiscovered Scotland *'one's absolute attention is demanded right to the last. Thunder Bay was a fine book; The Blood is Still is several rungs higher' * Journal of the Law Society of Scotland *'While the action keeps coming like blood from a severed artery, Skelton show us the souls of his characters ... A stand-out thriller' * Scots Magazine *'It would be so easy to romp through The Blood is Still – the plot is compelling and the characters are so darn realistic, but I advise you to hold fire and take time to savour some of the gorgeously lyrical prose that’s sitting there in among all of the drama' * Crime Fiction Lover *'Skelton’s years as the editor of a local newspaper make for an intrinsic, pitch-black depiction of the competition between the police, the press, and the powers-that-be in the scramble to construct and control narratives… [Skelton’s] first-hand experience of real-life crime enriches his writing, as the book’s complexities gradually increase and the finer details of the murders become ever more important' * Dundee Courier, Scottish Book of the Week *'I was only a few pages into this new novel before I decided on the phrase I would use to describe it. It's a corking read' -- Kirsty McLuckie * Scotland on Sunday *'If you don’t know Skelton, now’s the time' -- Ian Rankin'The Blood is Still is a compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind. Absolutely unmissable' * LiveandDeadly.net *'A captivating, intricate and thoroughly satisfying thriller' * LoveReading *'[I]t shows how versatile a writer Skelton is and that he is just going from strength to strength. It's a triumph. I absolutely loved it and everyone should read it!' * SimplySuzeReviews *'An intricately plotted thriller ... Lyrical and thoughtful' * The Library Journal (US) *

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Book SynopsisLong-forgotten scandals. Dark secrets. Hidden identities. Rona Parish investigates!An old school photograph in which someone has been deliberately blacked out marks the start of a new case for Rona Parish. Who was this person and why would someone want to hide his or her identity? Rona sets out to uncover the secret and soon finds that the school in question closed down many years ago due, it was rumoured, to a long-forgotten scandal. Could this be the link that will solve the mystery? Meanwhile, a visit to a a stage hypnotist results in more than Rona and her friends bargained for . . .

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Book SynopsisStretched across the road was the body of a policeman. On the way home one evening in the Romney Marsh, Bookseller Theodore Terhune and friend Julia are caught in heavy coastal fog. A passing lorry provides some guidance on the narrow country roads, but the night ends with intentional mishap and a dead body. It becomes clear that the constable’s death was not accidental, but what possessed Tom Kitchen to try to stop a lorry singlehandedly at 1am? His widow is frightened; local farms vandalized; his home ransacked. Suspicion centres around the Load of Hay, an ancient Dickensian pub full of unsavoury characters, and Terhune finds the clues may lay in the history of 18th century smuggling in the Romney Marsh.

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Book SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the sixth volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.OPENING NIGHTDreams of stardom lured Martyn Tarne from faraway New Zealand to a soul-destroying round of West End agents and managers in search of work. Now, driven by sheer necessity, she accepts the humble job of dresser to the Vulcan Theatre''s leading lady. But the eagerly awaited opening night brings a strange turn of the wheel of fortune - and sudden unforeseen deathSPINSTERS IN JEOPARDYHigh in the mountains stands an historic Saracen fortress, home of the mysterious Mr Oberon, leader of a coven of witches. Roderick Alleyn, on holiday with his family, suspects that a huge drugs ring operates from within the castle. When someone else stumbles upon the secret, Mr Oberon decides his strange rituals require a human sacrificeSCALES OF JUSTICEThe inhabitants of Swevenings are stirred only by a fierce competition to ca

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Book SynopsisThe second book in a delicious culinary cozy series-the muensters have arrived in Balsam Dell in this Halloween cozy mystery featuring a grilled cheese shop owner turned amateur sleuthAfter a long hot summer in Balsam Dell, Carly Hale is ready for crisp Vermont weather and gourmet grilled cheeses at her Grilled Cheese Eatery. And the upcoming Halloween food competition is the perfect way to impress the locals.But Ferris Menard, the owner of Sub-a-Dub-Sub, is nursing a serious grudge against Carly. Two days before the competition, one of Carly's employees quit his part-time gig at Menard's sub shop, sending Menard into a serious snit. In a confrontation at the Eatery, Menard accused Carly of sabotage and vowed to bring her down. That's when Menard's body is found in his kitchen the morning after the competition, a steak knife sticking out of his heart. But Menard had a slew of enemies, and if Carly doesn't figure out which one is the culprit, she might find herself-or someone she cares about-serving grilled cheese sandwiches under lock and brie!

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisLatest in Ruth Dudley Edwards’s hilarious crime series lampooning the British Establishment: ‘I fear it will make you laugh out loud on public transport’ Evening StandardTrade Review‘It’s always a pleasure to welcome another iconoclastic blast against the establishment from the pen of Ruth Dudley Edwards’ Simon Brett, Daily Mail ‘This blithe series puts itself on the side of the angels by merrily, and staunchly, subverting every tenet of political correctness’ Independent ‘Sprightly, saucy and ingenious’ Sunday Times ‘Dudley Edwards is an equal-opportunities satirist. She’s rude to every persuasion.’ Daily Telegraph ‘[Ruth Dudley Edwards] writes ebullient novels frilled with entertaining eccentrics’ The Times ‘No one is writing wittier mystery fiction in Britain today that Ruth Dudley Edwards’ Val McDermid, Manchester Evening News

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Book SynopsisA winter weekend ends in snowbound disaster in a novel which remains a favourite among Marsh readers.Trade Review‘The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers’Times Literary Supplement ‘On the plane of art.’Tatler ‘Nobody in her racket begins to touch her for writing grace and few possess her skill at creating potential corpses and suspects, building a puzzle and other essentials of grand and lofty detection. There hasn’t been anyone like her since the palmiest days of Dorothy L. Sayers.’New York Herald Tribune ‘She is astoundingly good.’Daily Express ‘The finest writer in the English languange of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun

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Book SynopsisA touring theatre company in New Zealand forms the basis of one of Marsh's most ambitious and innovative novels.New Zealand theatrical manager Alfred Meyer wanted to celebrate his wife's birthday in style. The piece de résistance would be the jeroboam of champagne which would descend gently into a nest of fern and coloured lights on the table, set up on stage after the performance.But something went horribly wrong. Chief Detective Inspector Alleyn witnessed it himself. Was Meyer's death the product of Maori superstitions? Or something much more down to earth?Trade Review‘The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers’Times Literary Supplement ‘The theatre detail is engrossing.’Margaret Lewis ‘A far more ambitious novel than anything Marsh had attempted before.’American Journal of Popular Culture ‘Her work is as nearly flawless as makes no odds. Character, plot, wit, good writing, and sound technique.’Sunday Times ‘The finest writer in the English languange of the pure, classical puzzle whodunnit. Among the crime queens, Ngaio Marsh stands out as an Empress.’The Sun

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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 SynopsisA client claiming she was murdered in a past life is a novel dilemma even for Vish Puri, India''s Most Private Investigator.When a young woman comes forward saying she''s the reincarnation of Riya Kaur, a wife and mother who vanished during the bloody 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Puri is dismissive. He''s busy enough dealing with an irate matrimonial client whose daughter is complaining about her groom''s thunderous snoring. Puri''s indomitable Mummy-ji however is adamant the client is genuine. How else could she so accurately describe under hypnosis Riya Kaur''s life and final hours? Driven by a sense of duty - the original case was his late father''s - Puri manages to acquire the police file only to find that someone powerful has orchestrated a cover-up. Forced into an alliance with his mother that tests his beliefs and high blood pressure as never before, it''s only by delving into the past the help of his reincarnated client that Puri can hope to unlock the truth.

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Book SynopsisAmateur sleuth Astrid Swift investigates a maritime mystery in this cosy crime adventure set on the Isle of Wight. The sailors are ashore, and murder is afoot. It's summer in the Isle of Wight, and the islanders have little more to do than munch crab sandwiches, sip pints of Wight Squirrel, and complain about the hordes of tourists arriving for the world famous Cowes Week regatta. But when the local busybody drowns in the harbour, what was set to be a relaxing sailing festival starts to turn deadly. Art restorer Astrid Swift realises she has stumbled on a fresh case that only she and her new art-club friends can solve. Soon she is embroiled in an investigation involving a grand seafront mansion, a dead billionaire's nautical paintings, and a sailing prodigy who mysteriously went missing at sea three years ago. As the deaths stack up, and Astrid confronts ever more dangerous suspects, the Isle of Wight's reputation for being England's friendliest island is put to the test... Praise for the Astrid Swift mysteries: 'Feelgood fun.' The Times 'I romped through The Trust... A cosy debut set in a house brimming with secrets... An enchanting murder mystery.' Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal 'Macabre murders, quirky characters and delightful settings combine in a way that would make Midsomer proud.' Crime Fiction Lover 'A feisty heroine, an ingenious plot and a cast of quirky characters that soon feel like your best friends, make The Trust a cozy crime to savour.' Merryn Allingham, author of The Bookshop Murder 'Intelligent and gently humorous, with a suitably eccentric cast of characters.' M S Morris, author of the Bridget Hart booksTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR M.H. ECCLESTON: 'I romped through The Trust... A cosy debut set in a house brimming with secrets... An enchanting murder mystery' Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal. 'Intelligent and gently humorous, with a suitably eccentric cast of characters' M S Morris on The Trust. 'Macabre murders, quirky characters and delightful settings combine in a way that would make Midsomer proud' * Crime Fiction Lover *

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Book Synopsis‘Tender. . .confidently told and a very relatable tale.’ Daily Mail ‘An unsettling drama. . .shored up with multi-faceted characterisation.’ Financial Times She knows everything. She’ll stop at nothing.Trade Review‘At its heart — and at its best — this book is an exploration of grief and the very different responses it produces. It is also about the dangers of the distance it can create between two people. . .McGrath's tender examination of grief and vulnerability is confidently told and a very relatable tale.’ Daily Mail ‘McGrath’s unspooling of her unsettling drama is non-pareil, shored up with multi-faceted characterisation (particularly of the traumatised central couple).’Financial Times ‘Dark and sinister with a shocking final twist.’Bella ‘McGrath provides a sensitive study of trauma and loss as well as expertly ratcheting up the tension, and the result is a compelling read.’Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe razor-sharp, violent and darkly comic second novel from actor, comedian and writer Ardal O'Hanlon.Dove Connolly is dead. That's not good for anyone in Tullyanna, never mind Dove. Now his best friend Sharkey is home asking awkward questions about Dove's death, about the strange graphic novel he left behind, and, most of all, about Sandra. Sandra Mohan. Missing now for over a decade, whereabouts unknown.This, however, is a town dead-set on keeping its secrets. And Sharkey is already drawing attention from all the wrong quartersA mystery, a black comedy, a satire on Ireland's tangled politics of memory, Brouhaha is set in a small town on the Irish border during the uneasy transition to peace. And peace doesn't come easy in these parts.*****Over the past few days, Kevin, no flies on him, had sensed a tension in the town thanks to Dove Connolly's poor decision to blow his own head off. It wasn't just the act of self-harm itself, the pointless splattering of blood and bone and brain all over his bedroom wall, that was the issue, unsettling as that was. In so doing, poor Dove had spread panic amongst the townspeople, raising all sorts of ugly questions, reviving all sorts of rumours, and inviting all sorts of unwelcome attention upon them. In Kevin's mind, there was method in Dove's madness. Showing a shocking assertiveness for possibly the first time in his life, and the last, says you, Dove blew the lid off the whole town.Trade Review‘Funny, tragic and deliciously readable, Brouhaha confirms Ardal O’Hanlon as a novelist of the first rank.’ Irish Times ‘Humane, clever, funny, gripping, complex, serious and surprising.’ Scotsman

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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 HERRONDoes everything a crime novel should and then a whole lot more.' DAILY MAILPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________Murder, the unique crime, is a paradigm of its age.The murder room of the Dupayne Museum is full of curiosities: photographs of crime scenes, news clippings about famous murders, and even some items belonging to killers and their victims. But then, one of the museum trustees is killed in a manner strikingly reminiscent of one of its exhibits. Commander Adam Dalgliesh soon discovers that the victim was seeking to close the museum, and everyone t

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