Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 3 BESTSELLER AND RICHARD & JUDY PICKDAVID RAKER IS BACK WITH ANOTHER HEART-POUNDING MISSING PERSONS CASE''Tim Weaver is the master of clever, unpredictable plots'' CLAIRE DOUGLAS''If you haven''t yet met Raker, you''re in for a treat'' MICK HERRON''A fine addition to an excellent series'' OBSERVER''Brilliant . . . A jaw-dropping number of twists and turns. Truly excellent'' B.A. PARIS______CCTV footage captures Cate and Aiden Gascoigne driving home seconds before their car plunges into a ravine and explodes.When fire crews arrive, the vehicle is empty.Cate and Aiden have vanished.Missing persons investigator David Raker has solved too many impossible cases. He knows that behind every disappearance lies a dark tale waiting to be uncovered.What he doesn''t know is how dark this one is - or how close it will get to him . . .Trade ReviewI much enjoyed Tim Weaver 's latest, The Blackbird. It's a fine addition to an excellent series * Observer *With the David Raker novels, Tim Weaver has carved out an area of British crime fiction uniquely his own. Unsettling, brilliantly plotted, and satisfyingly complex, these books are unputdownable, and the latest - The Blackbird - is no exception. If you haven't yet met Raker, you're in for a treat -- Mick HerronI always look forward to a new Raker but The Blackbird blew me away. Brilliantly plotted, deliciously dark and so clever and unpredictable I was left reeling as I turned the last page. I'm already eagerly awaiting Tim Weaver's next. A writer at the top of his game -- Claire DouglasA brilliant missing persons mystery with plenty of intrigue and a jaw-dropping number of twists and turns. Truly excellent -- B A ParisIncredibly well-paced, with menacing, clever twists - Raker is back in this stunning read from one of the masters of the genre. Tim Weaver goes from strength to strength and this is his best book yet -- Phoebe MorganThe impressive Weaver triumphs again with this intricate mystery * Daily Mail *Shocking, gripping, heart-pounding, The Blackbird is unputdownable . . . Bloody brilliant -- Nikki MayTaut and immersive, with all the hallmarks of a true crime novel -- Catherine SteadmanThis is the 11th novel by Weaver to feature his widowed sleuth, and the author's casual expertise is firmly in evidence * Financial Times *A killer concept, and a twisty, addictive tale. Fabulous! -- Gytha LodgeWeaver lives up to his name with this expertly spun web of dark secrets and inexplicable disappearances -- Cara HunterPraise for Tim Weaver * - *Terrific * Sunday Times *ThrillingBliss * Lee Child *So many twists and surprises * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Packed with whiplash plot twists and taut dialogue...THE WATCHMAN is as good a psychological test case as it is a thriller'' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLYA long time ago, Joe Pike asked for help. In return, he would, one day, be called upon to return the favour, no questions asked. That day has come.Joe Pike is asked to protect the life of Larkin Conner Barkley, a spoiled rich girl who happens to be a federal witness in a major case. But someone is leaking information about their whereabouts, and the killers are getting all too close. So Pike hatches a plan: disappear into the anonymous underbelly of Los Angeles, turn the tables, and hunt down the hunters.Enlisting the help of Elvis Cole, Pike uncovers a web of lies and betrayals; even the cops aren''t who they seem. But as the body count rises, it becomes clear that Pike''s biggest threat may be the girl herself - an edgy, yet intensely vulnerable soul determined to destroy herself, unless Joe can filTrade ReviewPacked with whiplash plot twists and taut dialogue, Crais' latest deftly reveals the taciturn, damaged Joe Pike. THE WATCHMAN is as good a psychological test case as it is a thriller * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *The narrative is taut, the menace palpable, the suspense unbearable * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Fans of the Elvis Cole series have long wished for an instalment focusing on sidekick Pike, and their wish is more than granted with this stunningly emotional thriller * BOOKLIST *

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Book SynopsisWriter for Hire Veronica Blackstone''s latest client is writing a memoir with a shocking twist ending, until she''s found dead before finishing it. Can Veronica unravel the clues within the memoir to discover the killer?As a writer for hire, Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others. That includes writing advertising copy for local businesses or love letters for those with romantic troubles, or helping people publish their memoirs. Maeve Winslow needs the latter.Maeve is the wife of a famous artist nominated for a prestigious award, and the memoir is to be released ahead of the ceremony. All of Maeve''s notes are given to Veronica but for the final few pages. There''s a huge surprise within those last pages, but Maeve won''t reveal it yet. When Maeve is found dead at the foot of her stairs it looks like an accident, but Veronica isn''t convinced. Was the scene staged? Was Maeve murdered to keep her silent? Could clues to the su

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Book Synopsis'The most exciting crime writer to have emerged in Britain for years' Ian Rankin'Denise Mina is Britain's best living crime writer' Sunday ExpressFROM THE COSTA-SHORTLISTED BESTSELLING AUTHORIn Glasgow, a child goes missing, taken from the front garden of his home. The investigation leads the police to the doors of two young boys.Paddy Meehan has just started work at a local newspaper where she dreams of becoming an investigative journalist. Although everyone around her believes the boys acted on their own, she is certain there is more to it and begins to ask awkward questions.But Paddy's investigation has repercussions she never anticipated. Shunned by those closest to her, she finds herself dangerously alone.And someone is trying to stop her discovering the truth.The first novel in the addictive Paddy Meehan series, from award-winning author Denise Mina.Trade ReviewMina produces something special every time and this book – her finest yet – offers a memorable portrait of her touching heroine, along with the dynamics of the workplace and, especially, the family * Sunday Telegraph *Mina never fails to engage the reader, taking crime fiction into further territory to challenge and extend our perceptions... [This book] puts Mina into the class of the serious psychological novelist * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis‘Holy hell, this book was intense…it kept me on edge the whole time. I absolutely LOVED this book.’ Reader Review‘Ben, I need you. Help me.’‘PLEASE HELP ME!’‘It was an accident…but there’s so much blood…’In a frantic late-night phone call, Ben learns his wife, Mia, has killed a man. And she needs his help.When Ben arrives at Mia’s hotel room, the scene is horrific – but over the course of the night it will get much worse.All their secrets will be uncovered, and they will discover how far they’ll go to protect themselves and each other… will they kill for love? Or will they die for it?One phone call. Twelve hours to save their marriage. And their lives.Told in real-time half-hour chapters, this is a read-in-one-sitting thriller that fans of T.M. Logan and Harlan Coben will devour. Sit down and strap yourself in for the rollercoaster read of 2022.Readers are hooked on answering The Call:'It grabs you on the first page and the tension doesn't let up. Atmospheric, twisted and utterly compelling – I couldn't put it down.' Debbie Howells, author of The Secret'Incredibly fast-paced and well plotted, a cracking read.’ Araminta Hall, author of Perfect Strangers'An excellent book – I flew through it...A dark, chilling, twisted delight that had me hooked from the start' Susi Holliday, author of Substitute and The Last Resort‘I loved it! A very fast-paced, action-packed story with lots of craziness and 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‘Don't start it unless you have a spare few hours…you won't want to put it down.’ 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‘From the very first page this book draws you in. The suspense starts straight away… it kept me hooked throughout’ Reader Review‘A twisty and scary read that I couldn’t put down!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Reader Review‘A psych thriller, domestic suspense mash-up that is filled to the brim with lies and secrets’ Reader Review‘I read The Call in one sitting. It was fast-paced and twisty and kept me intrigued right to the end.’ Reader Review

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Book SynopsisThe Edgar Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling series by Dana Stabenow set in Alaska. The discovery of a dead body and a brutal bear attack may be linked, and it's up to Kate Shugak to investigate in Breakup. The first day of Spring: a bad day to be in Alaska. Breakup: the time of year when Alaska awakens from its Arctic slumber. Snows melt. Rivers flood. Winter's secrets emerge. This spring, the retreating ice reveals a corpse, and a starving she-bear mauls a woman to death. The corpse matches the description of a man missing since last year, the woman has been so badly mutilated she's barely recognisable. Investigator Kate Shugak will dodge bullets, bears and a plane crash before she realizes that, somehow, there is a connection between the two deaths. Reviewers on Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series: 'An antidote to sugary female sleuths: Kate Shugak, the Aleut private investigator.' New York Times 'Crime fiction doesn't get much better than this.' Booklist 'If you are looking for something unique in the field of crime fiction, Kate Shugak is the answer.' Michael Connelly 'An outstanding series.' Washington Post 'One of the strongest voices in crime fiction.' Seattle TimesTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE KATE SHUGAK SERIES: 'If you are looking for something unique in the field of crime fiction, Kate Shugak is the answer' Michael Connelly. 'An antidote to sugary female sleuths: Kate Shugak, the Aleut private investigator' New York Times. 'Stabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. An outstanding series' Washington Post. 'Crime fiction doesn't get much better than this' Booklist. 'Sparkles with energy and wit, and packs an unexpected punch' Publishers Weekly. 'For rich, idiosyncratic settings and engaging characters... let me recommend Dana Stabenow' -- Diana Gabaldon

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Book SynopsisLindsay Gordon investigates the murder of a bestselling author and discovers that, beneath the glittering facade, the London publishing world is a hotbed of seething rivalries, soured relationships and desperate power plays. Fifth in the series.Why would anyone want to kill Penny Varnavides, bestselling author of the ''Teen Dreams'' series? Her demise can''t be the freak accident it first appeared it''s an exact replica of the murder method in her forthcoming book. Only three people knew the plot of Penny''s unpublished novel: her literary agent, her editor and her ex-girlfriend Meredith.In an effort to clear Meredith, Lindsay Gordon delves beneath the glittering facade of the seemingly glamorous world of London publishing in search of a murderer. While hobnobbing with industry notables, Lindsay encounters an unsavoury mix of soured relationships, desperate power plays, underhanded fraud, and seething rivalries. Who, amongst this sordid group, wanted Penny Varnavides dead?Trade Review‘A jolly romp through the world of London publishing.’ Independent ‘Funny and scary by turns; always sharp.’ Daily Telegraph ‘The writing is tough and colourful, the scene setting excellent.’ Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisTrade Review'The master-plotter Deaver cranks up the tension to fever pitch' Daily Mail Thriller of the Year 'One would be hard-pressed to name a better writer of beat-the-clock thrillers than Jeffery Deaver … Mr. Deaver’s book is an ingenious mechanism, designed to make the risks seem ever more real even as it increases the velocity of the pages being turned.' Wall Street Journal 'Pulsating' A Waterstones Best Books of 2023: Crime and Thriller ‘Lincoln Rhyme returns in this top-shelf thriller.. the writing is superb, the characters intriguing, the stories spellbinding, and the plot twists shocking.' Booklist ‘The Watchmaker’s Hand is engineered with typical Deaver precision. The plot barrels along with numerous unexpected twists and turns. I loved it!’ Kathy Reichs, author of the Temperance Brennan Bones Series 'Jeffery Deaver is a master storyteller. His characters and plotting are second to none. One of the true giants of the genre' Steve Cavanagh 'Deaver masterfully delivers another pulse-pounding Lincoln Rhyme thriller that takes you on a frenzied ride through a New York City teetering on the edge of chaos. Deaver's exquisite plotting and meticulous research shine, constructing a web of political intrigue that ensnares Rhyme in a deadly race against time. The shadowy Watchmaker adds a layer of psychological dread. Amelia Sachs is as competent and compelling as ever, providing the perfect foil to Rhyme's analytical brilliance. This is a high-octane, nail-biter of a read that solidifies Deaver's standing as the virtuoso of the modern crime thriller.' Mark Dawson

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"As always, the Todds deftly juggle clues and red herrings, leading Bess and readers on a brisk chase... Their intimate knowledge of rural England and the Great War period inject Bess' first-person account with a hefty dose of verisimilitude." -- Wilmington Star News "The seventh book in an excellent series featuring Bess Crawford." -- Contra Costa Times "Bess' seventh case... does its strong, determined heroine credit." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisThe guests include Delphine, Miriam’s granddaughter, a frightened and insecure young woman who adored her grandmother, and Miriam’s live-in aide, Adam, whom Delphine has been secretly dating.Trade Review“[An] ultimately satisfying gothic thriller…A subtle sliver of menace runs through the narrative…This thoughtful look at the nature of memories will resonate with many readers.” — Publishers Weekly on You Must Remember This “A thrilling dual timeline family drama told with a modern gothic flare…dark and brooding…with plenty of twists and turns.” — Fresh Fiction on You Must Remember This “Rosenfield’s book has a Gothic yet soapy quality I really like…It’s Succession with a Rebecca vibe.” — Crime Reads on You Must Remember This “Centering on a rich family fighting over an inheritance, fans of the Knives Out franchise will enjoy Kat Rosenfield’s clever mystery.” — PopSugar on You Must Remember This “Both amusingly satirical and darkly bloody.” — Washington Post on No One Will Miss Her “Countless thrillers have patterned themselves on Gone Girl in the decade since Gillian Flynn transfixed readers and transformed the literary landscape; rare is the suspense novel that summons the same dark magic even as it twists itself into a bold new shape. No One Will Miss Her is just such a book: blade-sharp, whip-smart, and genuinely original—a thriller to refresh your faith in the genre, your belief that a story can still outpace and outsmart you." — A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window “Deserves two big thumbs up. Readers will be gripped by this Byzantine and astonishing story in which one gasp-inducing twist follows on the heels of another. A unique page-turner that just begs to be turned into a movie.” — Booklist (starred review) on No One Will Miss Her "A clever and surprising psychological thriller...The superb character-driven plot delivers an astonishing, believable jolt." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on No One Will Miss Her "A story that will completely throw you for a loop just when you think you know what’s going on, No One Will Miss Her is an expertly written book with characters you’ll find so interesting and a plot that is equally intriguing." — Seattle Book Review

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Book Synopsis''Animal lovers will delight'' Ann Granger''A real treat . . . I loved it. Cats, dogs, murder and a credible and relatable heroine'' Barbara NadelWhen Clarice Beech finds her friend Peter Ramsey dead in his kitchen, she believes he''s succumbed to a fatal heart attack. Peter, who lived in one of the five cottages on Magpie Row in the Lincolnshire Wolds, was a keen supporter of stray cats - which made him very unpopular with the neighbours. And after Chris Morris, an alcoholic neighbour, disrupts Peter''s funeral, insisting Peter was murdered - and he knows who the murderer is - Clarice discovers there''s no shortage of possible suspects among the Magpie Row inhabitants.Who, behind Magpie Row''s idyllic façade, might have had murder in mind? And, after his outburst at Peter''s funeral, where is Chris? And is Clarice, with her mission to tend to Peter''s strays, as well as uncover the truth about her friend''s death, putting herself in danger''s way?

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Book SynopsisIntroducing maverick Chicago private investigator Sam Kelson in the first of a hardhitting new crime noir series.Sam Kelson is a PI like no other. As a consequence of being shot in the head while working undercover as a Chicago cop, he suffers from disinhibition: he cannot keep silent or tell lies when questioned. But truth be told - and Kelson always tells the truth - he still feels compelled to investigate and, despite the odds, he''s good at his job.Hired by Trina Felbanks to investigate her pharmacist brother, whom she suspects is dealing drugs, Kelson arrives at Felbanks'' home to make a shocking discovery. Arrested on suspicion of murder, he makes an even more startling discovery concerning his client''s identity. Kelson would appear to have been set up ... but by whom, and why?As events spiral out of control and the body count rises, Kelson realizes he''s made a dangerously powerful enemy. Will he survive long enough to discover who has t

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Book SynopsisWhen amateur jockey Archie Best receives a surprise legacy from an old family friend, it proves to have some unwelcome strings attached. The strange bequest points an accusing finger at Clive Drury, an influential and affluent businessman who mixes with cabinet ministers and has his wealthy fingers in every conceivable pie. Helped by his would-be girlfriend, Georgie - and distracted by the rather obvious charms of Drury''s daughter, Amanda - Archie sets out to substantiate the extraordinary claims. But only gradually does he discover the extent of the web of corruption, and the deadly nature of his adversary...

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Book SynopsisWhen private investigator Leo Street is sent to County Kildare to spy on the wife of a loathsome client, she''s delighted to be getting away from rainy Dublin and her hopeless, permanently resting actor boyfriend Barry. The one catch is she has to masquerade as a member of a cookery course and the only piece of culinary equipment Leo can handle is a tin opener - Weekend Entertaining Part 1 is daunting to say the least. As she strips away layers of marital infidelity - not to mention several other scandalous secrets - she battles with bread-making and brûlée. But where will it all end - in triumph or tragedy?Trade ReviewSOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND'S strength lies in McLynn's witty character portrayal and a very likeable heroine * The List - Glasgow *'Packed with lively characters and snappy chat' Huddersfield Daily Examiner'Lots of slapstick and character comedy plus an amicable heroine make for a confident, assured read with the right appeal to ensure that we will probably have more entertainment from the bold Pauline McLynn' Bridlington Free Press

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Book Synopsis''THE FRENCH SUSPENSE KING'' NEW YORK TIMES''ONE OF THE GREAT THRILLER WRITERS OF OUR AGE'' DAILY EXPRESSParis, a misty night a few days before Christmas: a young woman is saved from the waters of the Seine. She is naked, doesn''t remember her name or how she ended up in the river, but is still alive. The mysterious woman is taken to the hospital - and then disappears in thin air. DNA testing reveals her to be celebrated concert pianist Milena Bergman - but that cannot be: Milena died in a plane crash more than a year before. As police captain Roxane begins to investigate, her fate becomes intertwined with that of writer Raphaël Batailley, Milena''s former boyfriend, and the two are plunged deep into an impossible enigma: is it possible to be alive and dead at the same time?

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Book Synopsis''A great new series. Wiggins is a captivating hero, and Lyle draws his Edwardian backstreets in convincing colour'' Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses''Skilfully mixing real history with action sequences worthy of Lee Child, this is historical crime-writing at its best'' John Williams, the Mail on Sunday on The Year of the Gun1914. Sherlock Holmes has been murdered. Nobody knows who did it, but Wiggins, former Baker Street Irregular and Holmes'' protégée, suspects a German spy.However, Europe is descending into the chaos of the First World War. Captain Kell of Military Intelligence has limited resources, and more pressing matters on his mind. Wiggins is on his own. Almost. He pursues Holmes'' killer across the continent, but as grief and rage close in it''s not just the killer that eludes his grasp . . .''Engaging series of historical thrillers... The story rattles along at pace, the characterTrade ReviewA rip-roaring and action-packed derring-do adventure that pokes tongue-in-cheek fun at modern thriller tropes. Highly recommended. * Irish Independent *Engaging series of historical thrillers . . The story rattles along at pace, the characters are engaging and the fight scenes burst with action. But Lyle's great strength is in his depiction of time and place; from its stinking tenements, where babies cry from hunger, to its sinister docks and upmarket brothels, the Edwardian city - then still part of Britain - is brought to life in all its squalid, magnificent glory * Financial Times *Impressive period detail and sharp dialogue add charm to the strong plot * Daily Mail (on The Irregular) *Full throttle . . . delivering entertainment in spades * Myles McWeeney *A fast-moving thriller * Historical Novel Society *. . . what HB Lyle has done . . . is nothing short of inspirational. There are echoes of John Buchan in these books, and enough hard-core spy stuff to keep aficionados happy. The story ends with a promise there could be more adventures with Wiggins should the author choose to record them. We can but hope. * Spybrary *Thoroughly entertaining * Mail on Sunday *A rip-roaring and action-packed derring-do adventure that pokes tonque.in-cheek fun at modern thriller tropes. Highly recommended * Irish Independent Review *Cracking pace, tension, twists and humour. It mixes a hot plot and historical events with real and fictional characters * Sun *Lyle truly captures the spirit of Conan Doyle in these playful, gripping yarns * Jake Kerridge for the Daily Mirror *ripping fun for fans * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR''Dazzlingly inventive''Sunday Times''Gripping and powerful''Cara Hunter**********FOUR WOMEN.Orly, Lenny, Mel and Thea have been best friends since school. But now it is 20 years later and inevitably they have drifted apart.ONE WEEKEND.It is Lenny''s 40th birthday, plus Orly and Mel need cheering up, so Thea suggests a weekend away at a festival in their hometown. It''s a chance for them all to reconnect. NOT ALL OF THEM WILL SURVIVE.But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive...Trade ReviewDazzlingly inventive * Sunday Times *A meticulously plotted exploration of friendship, foe-ship and the lies that bind, which builds to a gripping and powerful conclusion * Cara Hunter *The perfect dose of thrills and suspense, this will keep you engrossed to the very end * Heat *Original and stylish... will keep you guessing to the last page * Sharon Bolton *We couldn't put this thriller down . . . brilliant * Closer *Tautly thrilling . . . This has hit thriller written all over it * Evening Telegraph *Gripping, tense, taut and brilliant. You'll be begging your friends to read it so you can discuss it over and over again * Rebecca Reid *grips like a vice, with characters which leap from the page. Naughton's depiction of motherhood from different perspectives is as refreshing as it is evocative * Rachael Blok *A taut, tense thriller packed with emotion * A.J. Park *

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Book SynopsisYoung widow Bella Jordan investigates a mystery with a literary twist in this charming, magical small-town cozy mystery from New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub.It''s been nine months since widowed mom Bella Jordan and her young son Max moved to Lily Dale, the quirky, close-knit New York community populated by people who can speak to the dead . . . if one believes in that kind of thing. Now she counts Valley View, the guesthouse she runs, as home and her psychic medium neighbors as friends. Even haughty, British Pandora, who used to own Valley View before her difficult divorce.So when Pandora sweeps in, requesting an urgent tête-à-tête, Bella expects it to be another complaint about book club. It isn''t. Pandora airily reveals her elderly Auntie Eudora is taking a last-minute cruise from London to New York with her gentleman friend Nigel - and minutes later Bella is bemused to find she''s agreed to host them at Valley View free of charge.

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Book SynopsisHired to find the missing son of retired political activist Moira Doherty, Dan Starkey knows his new case is going to be challenging. Billy ''the Bear'' Doherty isn''t an easy man to find - a criminal with a nasty drug habit, his mum is convinced he''s been murdered.But when Moira herself is killed, her body found floating in the waters under Londonderry''s Peace Bridge, Dan finds himself in the middle of a deadly game of cat and mouse. Already in unfamiliar territory, Starkey is quickly embroiled in the city''s porn and drug fuelled underworld, where a new generation of gangster terrorist is intent on creating mayhem their predecessors could only dream of ...Trade ReviewHe just seems to get better and better -- Ian RankinSometimes brutal, often blackly humorous and always terrific * Observer *Fast and furious * Daily Mirror *A dark and brilliant champion of words -- James NesbittFast paced and throbbing with menace * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis'Doesn’t so much break the fourth wall as crash through it in a bulldozer' Guardian 'Engrossing, surprising, clever, genre bending' Val McDermid 'Diabolical' Chris Pavone You are reading the blurb for an experimental novel by a debut author called Dann McDorman. It is book set sometime in the 1970s, in an exclusive US country club and if you read the book itself, you will very quickly meet the man you think will be the protagonist, private detective Adam McAnnis. You don't know who has hired him, but you do know from the very first line of the book that someone will die (maybe him? maybe the driver of the car he is a passenger in? maybe someone we are yet to meet?). But you can't imagine in what ways this story will unfold. We can absolutely promise you that. West Heart Kill is an outrageously original and imaginative novel that plays with the very nature of story telling, beginning with a detective but definitely not ending with a solution 'Well, I have no idea how this ended and need someone to talk to about it!' Rachel S, booksellerTrade ReviewDoesn’t so much break the fourth wall as crash through it in a bulldozer ... very well executed indeed * Guardian *One of the most unique and meta murder mysteries you will read all year * i *A crime novel that unpicks traditional storytelling … engrossing, surprising, clever, genre-bending -- Val McDermidFun, clever, and innovative. A remarkable novel by a major talent, who has created a crime novel that feels entirely unique -- Stuart TurtonPhenomenal … totally unique … a treat for every murder mystery fan -- Janice HallettWest Heart Kill is a brilliantly crafted crime novel that wears its influences on its sleeve, and in doing so manages at once to wrong-foot the reader and the genre entirely. A terrific, thrilling and novel debut -- A. E. Gauntlett, author of forthcoming The Stranger at the WeddingA highly original and hugely entertaining novel, West Heart Kill breaks new ground, in a classic way * BookTime *A thoroughly original suspense novel that hops across elements of the genre—a diabolical locked-room mystery interspersed with a fascinating primer on the form—while always being tremendous fun to read -- Chris Pavone, author of Two Nights in LisbonA brain-teaser and a crowd-pleaser. I loved it -- Benjamin Stevenson, author of Everyone in my Family Has Killed SomeoneBoth honouring the classic crime genre and turning it on its head, this is a talented, unique read that we predict will perform superbly * Belfast Telegraph *West Heart Kill may well prove to be one of the most discussed mysteries of the year … a writer to watch out for -- Set the TapeIn this re-imagining of the classic detective story McDorman tweaks aside the curtain to show us the nuts and bolts, revealing just how easily we get hooked and why. And in contradiction to of accepted wisdom that detective stories must sacrifice stylish prose in service of plot, McDorman’s prose is a delight to read * Good Reading *West Heart Kill is perfect for those who love classic murder mysteries, and those who are more interested in experimental and ambitious crime writing. Bold and original, McDorman’s debut is a wondrous achievement that succeeds in making the reader a cast member -- Aurelia Orrs, Readings website, Australia

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Book SynopsisWhen the bodies of two Indigenous women are found in the wilderness of northern California, it is only the latest horrific development in a string of similar crimes in the area. Despite all evidence to the contrary, officials rule the deaths isolated incidents, which soon join the ranks of countless other unsolved cases quickly dismissed by law enforcement.In a town where too many injustices are tolerated or brushed under the rug, only a few people remain who refuse to let a killer walk free. But Private Investigator Sharon McCone is one of those few. She is hired by an organization called Crimes against Indigenous Sisters to go undercover in Meruk County-a community rife with secrets, lies, and corruption-to expose the truth.In an isolated cabin in the freezing, treacherous woods, McCone must work quickly to unravel a mystery that is rooted in profound evil-before she becomes the killer's next target.

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Book Synopsis'An excellent action-thriller' Daily Telegraph'The action never lets up for a moment' Daily Mail'Very entertaining' Guardian'An old-fashioned blockbuster...Conway writes with brio and ambition' Financial Times'The most incredible spy franchise since Ian Fleming’ Matthew Vaughn_____________________The globe-trotting spy thriller that inspired the upcoming action blockbuster Argylle , featuring a star-studded cast including Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Cena.One Russian magnate's dream of restoring a nation to greatness has set in motion a chain of events which will take the world to the brink of chaos. Only Frances Coffey, the CIA's most legendary spymaster, can prevent it. But to do so, she needs someone special.Enter Argylle. His life came to a crashing halt as a teenager. Since then he has been treading water, building barriers between himself and the world. Until one moment of compassion and brilliance will bring him to the attention of the most powerful woman in the secret world.Coffey knows all about Argylle's dark past. She knows it haunts him. But she also knows it may give him the skills to join the team going up against one of the most powerful men in the world. His crash course in espionage will take him from the jungles of Thailand to the boulevards of Monaco, from the monasteries of Mount Athos to a forgotten cavern buried deep in the mountains.It is a deathly rollercoaster ride that will either make him - or break him...

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Book Synopsis** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD ** ** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ** ** A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ** 'A TRULY GRIPPING READ' - GUARDIAN 'FABULOUS, A DELIGHT' - S.G. MACLEAN 'A FINE ADVENTURE REMINISCENT OF PATRICK O'BRIAN' - SUNDAY TIMES This is the secret report of Laurence Jago. Ex-clerk. Unwilling spy. Reluctant sailor. Accidental detective. New Year 1795, and Laurence Jago is aboard the Tankerville mail ship, en route to Philadelphia. Ostensibly travelling as assistant to the irrepressible journalist William Philpott, Laurence's real mission is to aid the civil servant carrying a vital treaty to Congress. A treaty that will prevent the Americans from joining with the French in the war against Britain. However, when the civil servant meets an unfortunate - and supposedly accidental - end and the treaty disappears, Laurence realises only he can now prevent war with the US. Trapped on the ship with travellers including two penniless French aristocrats, an Irish actress and a dancing bear, Laurence must hunt down both the lost treaty and the murderer, before he has a tragic 'accident' himself... The new page-turning historical mystery from the author of BLACK DROP, a 2021 TIMES Book of the Year. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris.Trade ReviewA perfect storm of historical intrigue, bloody mystery and heart-stopping tension! An eighteenth century whodunnit on a ship, with a bear, a dog and a set of tarot cards. What absolutely top-sail rollicking entertainment -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA satisfying nautical mystery * The Times *Intrigue, tension, memorable characters and shipboard life depicted in all its reeking authenticity add up to a truly gripping read * Guardian *A fine adventure reminiscent of the Patrick O'Brian novels * Sunday Times *Fabulous... A delight. Nattrass again and again had me wondering at her skill and marvellous turn of phrase in filtering complex eighteenth-century history in a way that resonates with our own times -- S. G. MacLean, author of THE SEEKERLuscious prose, an immersive setting, and a fine eye for detail. A nautical mystery with serious historical heft -- Vaseem Khan, author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSEI admired Black Drop. I loved Blue Water. Even more welcome than an extra rum ration on Christmas Day, and slips down just as easily -- Robert Lloyd, author of THE BLOODLESS BOYDanger and mystery trapped inside a rocking barrel, far from home. Artful and authentic historical fiction at its best -- A.J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEERI absolutely loved this book. Full of intrigue and excitement with a brilliantly-realised cast of characters and a totally immersive setting, it's a superb historical thriller -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIESIngenious and deftly plotted with a pleasing cast of characters. Nattrass's nautical detail is most effective, never overplayed and just as satisfying as any of the C.S. Foresters I adored in my olden days. A hugely enjoyable read -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTA compelling locked room murder-mystery filled with an exquisitely drawn cast of eccentric characters. A wonderful historical naval adventure which keeps the reader guessing right to the final pages -- Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE USI loved this rip-roaring tale of murder and intrigue on the high seas. A locked-ship mystery, and a cracking sequel to the brilliant Black Drop -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN IN THE STREETBeautifully written, immaculately plotted and filled with more red herrings than the Atlantic, it takes readers on a thrilling voyage of murder and mystery. If Patrick O'Brian & Agatha Christie had ever got it together... -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADELeonora Nattrass has woven an incredible novel against an incredible backdrop. It's a real art to combine history and intrigue and yet she has delivered it - again - with such skill -- Liv Matthews, author of THE PRANKBrilliantly written, spine-chillingly evocative and hugely compelling. A stunning book -- Miranda Dickinson, author of THE START OF SOMETHING

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Book SynopsisAn aircraft carrier adrift with a crew the size of a small town. A murderer in their midst. And the disgraced Navy SEAL who must track him down...‘Sensationally good – an instant classic, maybe an instant legend’ Lee ChildThe moment Navy SEAL sniper Finn sets foot on the USS Abraham Lincoln, it’s clear something is deeply wrong.Leadership is weak. Morale is low. And when crew members start disappearing one by one, what at first seems like a random string of suicides soon reveals something far more sinister: there’s a serial killer on board.Suspicion falls on newcomer Finn. After all, he’s being sent home in disgrace, recalled from the field under the dark cloud of a mission gone wrong. He’s also a lone wolf, haunted by his past.Finding the killer offers a chance at redemption... if he can stay alive long enough to prove it isn’t him.A gripping and high-octane thriller from New York Times bestselling writing team of Navy SEAL Brandon Webb and award-winning author John David Mann, Steel Fear is perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Brad Thor and Adam Hamdy.‘An edge-of-your-seat thriller ... once you get going there’s no stopping’ Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author‘For readers who can’t resist a bureaucracy-battling action hero, there’s a new kid on the block’ Booklist [Starred review]‘That more thrillers are to come from these authors will be welcome news to readers who appreciate carefully plotted and intelligent suspense’ Publishers Weekly [Starred review]

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Book SynopsisOne hot summer, Dee disappeared. Now she’s back…but she’s not the girl you knew. Sera and Dee were the best of friends.Until the day that Dee and her brother Leo vanished from Sera’s life, during a long hot summer fifteen years ago.Now Sera is an adult, with her own child, five-year-old Katie, and has returned to her childhood home after her husband’s death.While she grieves, the past haunts Sera at every turn … and then Dee and Leo return to their small Hampshire village, along with Dee’s young daughter.But Dee is silent and haunted by her demons; no longer the fun-loving girl that Sera loved. And when Sera uncovers the shocking secret that Dee is hiding, it’s clear that the girl she knew is long gone – and that the adult she has grown into might put all of them in danger…A gripping, twisty and unputdownable thriller – perfect reading for long summer days. Fans of K.L Slater, Liane Moriarty and Rachel Abbott will love this captivating thriller. Praise for The Darkest Summer: ‘an addictive read that totally absorbs you’ By The Letter Book Reviews‘this was an enthralling thriller, I was captivated from page one…I was pleasantly surprised and fully transported by reading this spell-binding story’ (5 stars) Netgalley reviewer‘A really good mystery thriller…highly recommended’ (5 stars) Netgalley reviewer‘I was hooked…Amazing plotline and characters’ (5 stars) Netgalley reviewer‘There are multiple mysteries and plot twists and I couldn’t put the book down, which is the highest compliment I can give a book’ Netgalley reviewer‘This book was super thrilling and I recommend it for all psychological thriller fans’ Netgalley reviewer‘had all the right twists and turns up until the very end. It kept me wanting more and I could FEEL the heat.’ Netgalley reviewer‘A superb read – don’t miss this one!’ (5 stars) Netgalley reviewer‘There are many twists and turns in this book…You will not figure out all of the secrets until the very end!’ Netgalley reviewer‘An absorbing mystery set during a sweltering hot summer…A super read, with lots of plot twists’ Netgalley reviewerPraise for Ella Drummond:‘This has probably reawakened my love for psychological thrillers!...I don’t think I’ll be able to recommend this one enough. It’s definitely a must read…my book of the year so far!’ Nemesis Book Blog‘A gritty, psychologically twisted novel which left me trusting nobody, not even myself. I cannot WAIT to read more from this author if this debut is anything to go by. Such a cracking read.’ The Writing Garnet‘My Last Lie is compelling reading and will keep you hooked from the off, bravo, Ella Drummond! You had me on tenterhooks all the way through this one!’ Emma the Little Bookworm‘So many crazy twists and even though I was pretty convinced of the who, I had no idea of the why! And that last lie? Wow! An addictive intriguing story that will completely draw you in!’ Audio Killed the Bookmark

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Book SynopsisA sparkling return to the Golden Age of Crime Fiction, where even the most fiendish of mysteries can be unlocked by a keen eye and a sharp mind... 1938, London. Ambitious lawyer Edmund Ibbs has got his teeth into the case of a lifetime – defending the young woman accused of shooting her husband in the infamous ‘Ferris Wheel Murder’ case. Despite a plethora of evidence against his client, Ibbs is certain he can secure her acquittal. But after a night of magic and illusion at London’s Pomegranate Theatre, Ibbs finds himself behind bars, accused of a double murder. The renowned prestidigitator Professor Paolini and the operator of said notorious Ferris wheel are dead, and as far as Scotland Yard’s Inspector Flint is concerned, all signs point to the lawyer’s guilt. Luckily for Ibbs, illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector also attended the theatre that night. Can Spector’s eye for detail pierce the veil of deceit in a world of illusion and misdirection, where seeing is not always believing? Reviews for The Murder Wheel 'Wildly entertaining... Confirms Tom Mead’s status as a master of the locked-room mystery.' Tim Major 'Pitch perfect magical locked-room extravaganza. Astounds and amazes.' Barbara Nadel 'Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery.' Aaron Elkins 'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' Ovidia Yu ‘An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery... I love this series. More please!’ Victoria Dowd Reviews for the Spector Locked-Room Mystery series: 'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'Great fun.' The TimesTrade ReviewMaking things even more fun is the combination of two vintage templates: the locked-room puzzle and the theatre mystery. Add a charismatic protagonist, and you have a recipe for pure nostalgic pleasure * The Wall Street Journal *An affectionate tribute to the Golden Age locked-room mystery... Mead’s skilled homage draws from early 20th century true-crime cases and classic genre motifs, all set against the charmed worlds of the fairground and theatre * Irish Times *Bears every sign of being possessed by the ghost of the master of the locked-room mystery, John Dickson Carr * The Daily Telegraph *A brilliantly contrived plot, scattered with false trails, makes for a literary sleight of hand that is a delight to read. * Daily Mail *'The Murder Wheel is a wildly entertaining mystery brimming over with knotty puzzles, sleight of hand, wit and intelligence. It confirms Tom Mead’s status as a master of the locked-room mystery, and secures Joseph Spector as one of my favourite fictional detectives.' -- Tim Major'Set within the theater world of 1938 London, this ingenious new novel is packed full with lush period detail, a glittery cast of characters, and a genuinely compelling puzzle at its center. Mead knows his subject and gives the reader a full immersion into this compelling mystery.' * CrimeReads *Ingenious and enjoyable, this is just the job for those needing a few hours’ respite from real-world horrors * Morning Star *'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities set in the golden age of theatre and murder mysteries. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' -- Ovidia Yu, author of the History Tree MysteriesPeppered with a wide range of theatre-like characters, the reader enjoys a twisted road to an unexpected denouement * Historical Novel Review *Mead has extensively researched crime, magicians and their tricks from the 1930s for this highly entertaining tale * The Sun *'In his captivating second novel Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery, and The Murder Wheel doesn't give us to merely one example of this honored tradition to solve, but three of them... three interlocking "impossible" murders, each with plenty of twists and skillful misdirection. The characters are charming, the plot moves briskly along, and in the end, the brilliant "Old Conjuror," Joseph Spector, puts it all together and comes up with the goods. A winner!' -- Aaron Elkins'Tom Mead has quickly become one of my must-read authors, writing some of the most ingenious and entertaining locked-room mysteries being published today.' -- Gigi PandianIllusion blend with reality to create an outcome that is impossible to predict * My Weekly *'What an absolute treasure! Tom Mead writes with the sophisticated and knowing voice of another era, with a skilled sleight of hand, and with deep knowledge of psychology, magic, and human nature. THE MURDER WHEEL is an engaging, perplexing, and irresistible riff on locked room mysteries – you've never seen a series of crimes as delightfully complex, or as brilliantly crafted. You will not be able to put this down, and what's more, you will never be able to solve all the puzzles within puzzles. But you will stand and applaud, as I did, at the marvelously fair solutions. I promise you'll be given all the clues, dear murder mystery readers, but, trust me: give up trying to identify whodunnit, and simply enjoy the journey to an elegant and satisfying conclusion, where the impossible becomes – presto! – possible.' * Hank Phillippi Ryan *A gripping locked room mystery * BBC Bristol *REVIEWS FOR DEATH AND THE CONJUROR: 'Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche' Kirkus '[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr' Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2022 - Mystery/Thriller 'With a deviously intricate locked-room plot, Death and the Conjuror unfolds as both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of the classic 'impossible crime' story. Somewhere, the great John Dickson Carr is smiling' Daniel Stashower 'An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!' Victoria Dowd 'Tom Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr in Death and the Conjuror. A true delight for mystery lovers!' Charles Todd 'Both a splendid homage to the Golden age of impossible crimes and its great exponent John Dickson Carr and a witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery with tongue in cheek bravado and a gallery of attendant, endearing characters, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight' Maxim Jakubowski 'This ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mystery' Gigi Pandian 'A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths' New York Times 'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel' Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisWhen TV talkshow host Elias Claymore is accused of raping a 19-year-old girl he turns to his friend Alex Sadaka to defend him. But Alex has a fight on his hands, for Claymore – a former Black Power activist – is anything but squeaky clean and this time even the DNA evidence is stacked against him. Forced to share the defence with a lawyer from Claymore’s insurance firm, Alex must battle his way through jury tampering, conflicts of interest and vicious hate mail to uncover the truth. With Claymore a vulnerable target in prison and the prosecution scenting blood, Alex knows that time is running out. Could it be that this time there is No Way Out?Trade Review‘This will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.’Closer ‘No Way Out is impossible to put down.’Closer

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Book SynopsisA gripping historical thriller introducing Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood a sexy, dangerous and fascinating hero who hunts down thieves, spies and murderers in the crime-ridden streets of Regency London.Hunting down highwaymen was not the usual preserve of a Bow Street Runner. As the most resourceful of this elite band of investigators, Matthew Hawkwood was surprised to be assigned the case even if it did involve the murder and mutilation of a naval courier.From the squalor of St Giles Rookery, London''s notorious den of thieves and cutthroats, to the brightly lit salons of the aristocracy and the heart of the British government, Hawkwood relentlessly pursues his quarry.As the case unfolds and another body is discovered on the banks of the Thames, the true agenda begins to emerge. And only Hawkwood can stop a dastardly plot that will end British mastery of the seas forever.Trade Review‘Irresistible… rambunctious entertainment.’Observer ‘Rumbustious…a darkly attractive hero, terrific period atmosphere and action.’ The Times ‘Atmospheric and well researched… try it.’ Daily Mirror ‘“Ratcatcher” has everything: duels and derring-do, London highlife and lowlife, French lechery and treachery – all contained in a fast-moving, cleverly constructed plot with an immaculately detailed historical background. Add a hero who is ruthless, mysterious and sexy, and it's a safe bet that “Ratcatcher” marks the start of a series that will run and run…and run!’ Reginald Hill ‘“Ratcatcher” is a richly enjoyable and impressively researched novel – also very gripping. James McGee is clearly a rising star in the historical galaxy and I look forward to Hawkwood’s return.’ Andrew Taylor, author of ‘The American Boy’

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Book SynopsisThe Bad Book Affair features the magnificently hapless Israel Armstrong – the duffle-coat wearing, navel-gazing Jewish librarian who solves crimes, mysteries, and domestic problems whilst driving a mobile library around the north coast of Ireland.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Delegate’s Choice’: 'This is Israel’s third outing and it is a pleasure to welcome him back – these are blissful British comedies for the thinking escapist.’ Kate Saunders, The Times Praise for the ‘Case of the Missing Books’: ‘A mystery, a sustained piece of slapstick, a meditation and a yarn. And it is cripplingly funny.’ Independent ‘Sansom has struck a rich comic seam … it promises to be a very enjoyable series.’ Observer ‘A perfect antidote for melancholy.’ Guardian Praise for ‘Mr Dixon Disappears’: 'Israel is one of the most original and amusing amateur sleuths around…’ The Times 'Bibliophiles will instinctively warm to Israel Armstrong, Jewish librarian, duffel-coat wearer and part-time detective. The fact that he drives his mobile library around the coast of Northern Ireland, moaning non-stop about people who do not return books on time, only makes the character more deliciously esoteric. This yarn about an ageing magician who has gone missing with £100,000 is the second in what promises to be a must-read series.' Sunday Telegraph

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Book Synopsis‘Silky-smooth… stylish suspense, with a winsome hero and agreeable dollops of sex, gore and demented mayhem’Kirkus ReviewTrade Review‘Hollywood-slick and fast-moving… enjoy the ride’Los Angelese Daily News ‘A fast-moving, well-written mystery’Washington Times

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Book SynopsisNew Dalziel and Pascoe novel from Britain’s finest male crime writer: ‘Reginald Hill stands head and shoulders above any other writer of homebred crime fiction’ Tom Hiney, ObserverTrade Review ‘Red herrings and clues abound … the dialogue is laugh-out-loud and offensive, one of the many things readers have come to love in Hill’s books’ Sunday Times ‘As entertainingly funny as it is exciting’ Spectator ‘Hugely enjoyable’ Observer ‘Reginald Hill is writing very much at the top of his form … the cleverest crime novel of the year, and also one of the most enjoyable’ Evening Standard ‘Another winner from a genuine master of British crime fiction’ Time Out

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Book SynopsisBeautifully crafted by Sansom, Professor Morley promises to become a little gem of English crime writing; sample him now' Daily MailWelcome to Westmorland. Perhaps the most scenic county in England! Home of the poets! Land of the great artists! District of the Great lakes! And the scene of a mysterious crimeSwanton Morley, the People's Professor, once again sets off in his Lagonda to continue his history of England, The County Guides.Stranded in the market town of Appleby after a tragic rail crash, Morley, his daughter Miriam and his assistant Stephen Sefton find themselves drawn into a world of country fairs, gypsy lore and Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling. When a woman's body is discovered at an archaeological dig, for Morley there's only one possible question: could it be murder?Join Morley, Miriam and Sefton as they journey along the Great North road and the Settle-Carlisle Line into the dark heart of 1930s England.Trade ReviewPraise for Death in Devon: ‘Much recommended for a frolicsome read’ Country Life Magazine ‘The magnificent Morley is very good company, and Sansom has a lovely way with a mind-bending puzzle … superbly entertaining’ The Times ‘The team first appeared in The Norfolk Mystery and it is largely a pleasure to encounter them again … Cheerily old-fashioned’ Times Literary Supplement Praise for ‘The Norfolk Mystery’: ‘A delightful, idiosyncratic mystery … Professor Morley promises to become a little gem of English crime writing; sample him now’ Daily Mail ‘A brilliant first outing that leaves you looking forward to the next maniacal mystery tour’ Evening Standard

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Book Synopsis Get ready for another gripping read from USA Today bestselling author of THE SILENT WOMAN! Will she find the truth?Trade ReviewWhat readers are saying about The Silent Woman: ‘Riveting… I read the entire book in one sitting… It beomes a movie in your head.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wow. I did not want to put it down…There are some truly great twists… I absolutely loved this book.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘I couldn’t stop reading this book!… Will keep you turning pages long into the night.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘What a wonderful book… Ridiculously addictive… Fast and furious… Stylish, clever and completely engaging… Brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The two key players in Lou Berney's superb regional mystery suffer from separate but equally crushing cases of survivor guilt ... Berney tells both their stories with supreme sensitivity, exploring the 'landscape of memory' that keeps shifting beneath our feet." -- Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review "The Long and Faraway Gone is that rare literary gem -- a dark, quintessentially cool noir novel that is both deeply poignant, and very funny ... as hip, hilarious, and entertaining as it is wrenching, beautiful, and ultimately redemptive." -- Huffington Post "Berney's novel is most truly a thoughtful exploration of memory and what it means to be a survivor. Elegiac and wistful, it is a lyrical mystery ... with a deep, wounded heart. Read it." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Focused, very insightfully, on love, loss, and memory ... fully realized creations that readers won't soon forget. A genuinely memorable novel of ideas." -- Booklist (starred review) "Will raise a lump in the throat ... the leads' struggles are portrayed with painful complexity, and Berney, fittingly, avoids easy answers." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A tour de force built around two tragedies ripped from the headlines of this newspaper ... should top the bestseller lists in our local bookstores, but is deserving of national acclaim." -- Oklahoma City Oklahoman "This is crime fiction at its absolute best ... deeply insightful and beautifully written ... squarely in the ranks of powerhouses such as Lippman and Lehane." -- Crimespree Magazine "So much to love here ... easy to read yet difficult to forget... Berney is a mighty fine wordsmith whose name should be mentioned more often than it is during discussions of new bright lights in the literary world." -- Bookreporter.com "Multi-faceted, layered, intense, alive-if you read only one crime novel this year, this should be the one." -- Sara J. Henry, Anthony Award-winning author of A Cold and Lonely Place "With sharp wit and prose that brings the 80s to life in all its stone-washed glory, Lou Berney tells a complex story of characters struggling to make sense of life ... Affecting, funny, and unfailingly honest, The Long and Faraway Gone is an extraordinary book." -- M.P. Cooley, author of Ice Shear "Berney takes you places you're not sure you want to go and brings you out again with a sure hand. It's a satisfyingly complete deep-dive into a complicated history, with not only suspense but a compelling resolution." -- Carrie La Seur, author of The Home Place

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Book SynopsisIf you enjoyed UNORTHODOX, you will be riveted by Rebekah Roberts . . .''Chilling.'' Sunday TimesAviva Kagan was just a teenager when she left her Hasidic Jewish life in Brooklyn for a fling with a smiling college boy from Florida. A few months later she was pregnant, engaged to be married and trapped in a life she never imagined. So, shortly after the birth of her daughter she disappeared.Twenty-three years later, the child she walked away from, NYC tabloid reporter Rebekah Roberts, wants nothing to do with her. But when a man from the ultra-Orthodox enclave of Roseville, NY contacts Rebekah about his young wife's mysterious death, she is drawn into Aviva's old world, and a hidden culture full of dangerous secrets and frustrations.''Dahl is an evocative writer, never more so than when she''s describing the nascent yearnings of those younger members of that religious community gay, vaguely feminist, simply different

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Book Synopsis''Roxane Weary [is] a wonderful character. Lepionka is such an assured writer, with complete narrative authority from the first line.'' Sophie HannahKristen Lepionka and Roxane Weary are the best things to happen to the genre in years.' Laura Lippman, author of SunburnA 3am phone call is never good newsPrivate investigator Roxane Weary receives a panicked call from her brother, Andrew: his one-time fling, Addison, who turned up at his apartment the night before drunk, bloodied and hysterical, has gone missing. As police suspicion quickly falls on her brother, Roxane knows she is the only person who believes him, she just has to figure out what happened. Through tracking Addison's digital footprint she goes deeper and deeper into the events preceding her disappearance. But, as Roxane struggles to distinguish the truth from the stories people tell about themselves online, the case takes another dramatic t

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Book SynopsisAll is quiet in Paradise, except for a spate of innocuous vandalism. Good thing, too, because Jesse Stone is preoccupied with the women in his life, both past and present. As his ex-wife, Jenn, is about to marry a Dallas real-estate tycoon, Jesse isn't too sure his relationship with former FBI agent Diana Evans is built to last. But...Trade ReviewThe writing is taut, visceral, visual and wry, and the plot is smartly slick - fans of the series will not be disappointed by this latest edition to the Jesse Stone canon -- Joanne Owen * Lovereading *Debt to Pay is an exciting and fast paced hardboiled thriller, and I'm desperate to know what's next for Jesse Stone! -- Karen Cole * Hair Past a Freckle *I loved how quickly I fell into the story line, which is down to Reed Farrel's intense writing -- Susan Hampson * Books From Dust till Dawn *I enjoyed this book a lot and will read the earlier book in the series -- Steph * Steph's Book Blog *The plot of this book is believable and exciting. I found it entirely absorbing, sitting down and reading it one go -- Leah J Moyse * Reflections of a Reader *

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Book SynopsisNew York''s famed female detective duo, Pentecost and Parker, are back in their fourth audacious adventure. Perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, Agatha Christie and M. C. Beaton.When Vera Bodine, an elderly recluse with an exceptional memory, goes missing, detective duo Lillian Pentecost and her assistant Willowjean Will Parker are hired to track her down. But New York City in 1947 is a dangerous place, and there''s no shortage of people who want to bury the secrets that Bodine has been keeping. As the clock is ticking to find Bodine alive, circumstances conspire to pull both investigators off the case. Will is hot on the trail of a stick-up team who are using her name - and maybe her gun - for their own ends. While Lillian finds herself up against murder-obsessed millionaire Jessup Quincannon, who has discovered a secret from her past that threatens to destroy her. To solve this mystery, and defeat their own personal demons, the pair must go nose-to-nose with murderous gangsters, make deals with conniving federal agents, confront Nazi spies, and bend their own ethical rules to the point of breaking - before time runs out for everyone.Trade ReviewIt's a pleasure to watch [Pentecost and Parker] sifting through red herrings and peeling secrets back like layers of an onion, all while revealing even more of themselves without guilt or shame. Just like his mystery-writing ancestor [Rex Stout], Spotswood understands that the detective story should be sound, but spending time with unforgettable characters is paramount * New York Times *A loving, intricately plotted tribute to the great days of American noir * Daily Mail *An excellent plot and brilliant characters * NB Magazine *Spotswood fluently blends vintage mystery and noir with a dash of old Hollywood - his wisecracking, side-of-the-mouth dialogue is first rate * Irish Times *

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