Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives

Book SynopsisHello, Nancy.You're at your usual locker at Fitness Plus. The time is 09:15.Your cell phone is dead, your home phone won't answer and your daughter, Beth, is home with the nanny.It will take you 18 minutes to get home. If you drive fast.Shame. You're already 18 minutes late...The kidnappers' only stipulation is that Nancy must tell her husband, Michael.The problem is, she doesn't know where he is, or how to contact him. But she recalls him mentioning a number she should call if anything unusual happens. This triggers a Code Red at specialist security company Cruxys Solutions, who send investigators Ruth Gonzales and Andy Vaslik to track him down.But they can't find a single trace of him. What do you do when a child's life depends on finding a man who doesn't seem to exist?A white-knuckle suspense thriller that just won’t let go, perfect for fans of Harlan Coben, Daniel Silva and Michael Connelly.Praise for The Locker 'Readers who enjoy Harlan Coben and Joseph Finder will happily get lost in the nightmare presented here' Booklist'[An] intriguing and inventive plot' Mystery Scene'Magson is arguably one of the most entertaining writers of British spy fiction currently operating. His novels are sharp and exciting, with intelligent plots and interesting characters' Deadly Pleasures'Gonzalez and Vaslik make an appealingly mismatched investigative unit' Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis** THE CAST OF SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING THE APPEAL RETURN FOR A FESTIVE MURDER MYSTERY ** ** FROM THE WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ** * THE SMASH-HIT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER * * AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER * * A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2023 * 'A Christmas treat' - OBSERVER 'A great deal of festive fun' - GUARDIAN 'Sharp, witty and suspenseful' - SUNDAY EXPRESS One dead Santa. A town full of suspects. Will you discover the truth? Christmas in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, to raise money for the church roof appeal. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking amongst the amateur dramatics enthusiasts. Sarah-Jane is fending off threats to her new position as Chair, the fibreglass beanstalk might be full of asbestos, and a someone is intent on ruining the panto even before the curtain goes up. Of course there's also the matter of the dead body. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they read the round robins, examine the emails and pore over the police transcripts. Will the show go on? 'A perfect stocking filler' - INDIA KNIGHT 'Hallett is as good as ever' - OBSERVERTrade ReviewCosy, but clever cosy, and a perfect stocking filler * Sunday Times *A highly entertaining mix of mayhem, panic, snobbery, drunkenness, family feeling and mirth * Times *Breathlessly brilliant, it's cosy crime with that familiar bite that makes Hallett one of the best * Sun *Fans of Janice Hallett's fiendish whodunits will enjoy her latest festive offering * Good Housekeeping *Hallett is as good as ever at showing her characters in all their petty, ridiculous, warm-hearted glory. A Christmas treat * Observer *Hallett is particularly good on small-town snobberies, rivalries and social dynamics... There is a great deal of festive fun to be had * Guardian *A festive read with a difference... It's great fun trying to work out who knows the truth, amid the characters' vicious backstabbing and passive aggression. A sharp, witty and suspenseful read * Sunday Express *Few authors have managed to write mysteries as fun and inventive as Hallett... Quite the treat * iPaper *A laugh-out-loud festive murder-mystery with an entertaining storyline that will have readers crying out for an encore * Woman *Laugh-out-loud funny with an entertaining storyline * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisWhen Rome falls, so too will the world…Christmas, 1797. Erstwhile magistrate Felix Gracchus wakes in the French embassy beside the Tiber after a serious bout of malaria. Despite his poor health, the intricate puzzle of a local inheritance scandal proves irresistible.To his delight Lieutenant Vanderville has been assigned to the embassy intelligence section, tasked with pacifying the rabidly pro-revolutionary local patriots who seek to overthrow the state and install a republic in Rome.But a sudden, terrible development threatens to bring disaster upon the whole embassy. Can the pair resolve it before Napoleon Bonaparte brings the full force of the republic down upon Rome in vengeance? Will Vanderville succeed in persuading the patriots from setting the city aflame? And why, amidst all this chaos, is Gracchus more interested in finding a missing nurse?A totally engrossing historical mystery rich in period detail and fascinating characters, perfect for fans of Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom.

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Book Synopsis'Brilliant debut. The Darker the Night pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go' – Jeremy Bowen, BBC International Editor NPR's Book of the Day A referendum on Scottish independence is only days away, and the campaign has been expertly orchestrated by First Minister Susan Ward. All signs point to victory for the nationalists. But when senior civil servant John Millar is shot in a Glasgow alley on a furiously rain-soaked night, his death triggers a chain of catastrophic events. An incriminating phone number and video are found in his possession. Into this chaos walks reporter Fulton Mackenzie. A man himself blighted by tragedy but also someone used to seeing beneath the surface to find the truth. Who was John Millar? Who wanted him dead? And why? And the biggest question of all – who is trying to alter the future path of an entire nation?Trade Review'Patience writes with a newsman’s sharp eye ... an impressive mix of backstreet noir and high Scottish politics' * Financial Times *'Punchy, political and bursting with clever plot twists, this page-turner kept me on my toes from start to finish' -- Hollie Bruce * Dundee Courier *'A strong and confident debut novel unafraid of playing for high stakes' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'Brilliant debut. The Darker the Night pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. The latest in a distinguished line of Scottish thriller writers, Martin Patience could do for his native Glasgow what Ian Rankin did for Edinburgh' -- Jeremy Bowen, BBC International Editor'The storytelling skills that made Martin a great BBC correspondent are brought to bear in the pages of this book' -- Jon Sopel, journalist and presenter'Time you gave Martin Patience a go! Fabulously intricate, up-until-the-wee-small hours compelling!’ -- Denzil Meyrick'This is a gritty, no-nonsense thriller that will engage you, draw you in and keep you reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it’ -- Matt Johnson * LoveReading *'The Darker the Night by Martin Patience is a fascinating combination of murder mystery and political thriller' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'I enjoyed Martin Patience's debut novel The Darker the Night so much I stayed up way past midnight last night to finish it. Gripping crime-thriller about a seismic murder on the eve of Scotland's independence referendum' -- Rachel Savage * Reuters *'Cracking read from Martin Patience, five stars!' -- Mark Leggatt, author'Patience – a BBC foreign correspondent for 15 years – manages to keep things rattling along with pleasing efficiency' * The Scotsman *'With a dark and gripping plot and characters so engaging that you wouldn't be surprised to bump into one in a Glasgow boozer, this is a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller' * Scottish Field *

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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 SynopsisTrade Review“Reading Lian Dolan is like sitting next to a delightful and hilarious friend with a fine glass of champagne as she regales you with her enthralling adventures. Witty and ravishing, with an intriguing mystery, a grand love story and a quick-witted heroine, Lost and Found in Paris is magnificent.” — Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah "Dolan spins a story that is both heavy and light, spanning continents and exploring relationships. With a hint of Dan Brown and a splash of Jamie Brenner, this book will appeal to a variety of readers, especially those who enjoy character-driven fiction." — Booklist "Dolan's clever latest...does a fantastic job depicting Joan’s love for her father and heartache over his death. This has a bit more substance than the standard Parisian romp." — Publishers Weekly “A quirky novel that deals with weighty topics and emotions without taking itself too seriously.” — Kirkus Reviews “[A] well-written, character driven mystery set in Paris….A fun mystery to follow along with…at its core, it’s about family. Another great novel from Lian Dolan.” — Red Carpet Crash "Fast-paced and colorful, with hints of The Goldfinch and Malibu Rising, and more than one pitch-perfect love story—Lost And Found In Paris sparkles like the City of Light itself and will have you flipping the pages quickly as you're drawn deeply into its mysterious world of art, intrigue, and redemption." — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names “This is a big-hearted belly-laugh of a book, told with wit and poignancy. Family secrets, laughter and tears, shocking reveals, and an uplifting ending make this a story to savor—and share.” — Susan Wiggs, The Sweeney Sisters “Dolan uses her experience in podcasting with her own sisters to craft believable women characters who worry about real problems and use wry humor to push through dark moments . . . . A warmhearted portrait of love embracing true hearts.” — The Sweeney Sisters “Dolan weaves together in this breezy tale the stories of three sisters whose family is disrupted after the death of their famous father….The juicy sibling rivalry propels the pace…This endearing story of sisterhood delivers on its promise.” — Publishers Weekly on The Sweeney Sisters “A humorous, heartfelt family story. Will appeal to fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Elizabeth Berg.” — The Sweeney Sisters

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Book SynopsisA Knives Out-style whodunnit with a twist of Taylor Jenkins Reid, You Must Remember This is an immersive Gothic mystery, with a long-ago love affair, icy death, and a rich family gone bad, from Kat Rosenfield, the acclaimed author of No One Will Miss Her.On Christmas Eve, eighty-five-year-old Miriam Caravasios steps onto the ice that surrounds her seaside estate on Maine''s Mount Desert Island. As a younger woman, she used to steal out on winter nights to meet her lover, walking across the frozen reach to their secret meeting place. She knows the way—but not the year. Miriam, her mind clouded by dementia, doesn’t hear the snap of thin ice until it’s too late.Was it an accident? Suicide? Or worse: did someone lure the old woman onto the frozen reach, to her death?There are plenty of suspects; Miriam’s fractured and complicated family has gathered in their Bar Harbor mansion to celebrate what

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Book SynopsisThe disappearance of a reclusive widower sends Detective Littlejohn on a far-flung hunt for a killer in this classic British mystery.It was meant to be a fool-proof scheme. The victim was someone who wouldn't be missed, yet even the most meticulous criminals can make mistakes. When questions about a minor case of fraud lead to a missing persons case, the local bank's chief inspector calls in Detective Littlejohn to investigate.It seems that a bank customer has disappeared just after withdrawing a large sum of money. The only clue to his whereabouts is a note on his front door saying he'd gone abroad. But when they discover the man's brother had been murdered, Littlejohn realizes something sinister is afoot.

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Book SynopsisCan a disillusioned former cop track down a missing girl before it's too late? Seven years ago, criminologist Ben Ames thought he'd change a big city police force from the inside. He failed. Now he's a private detective trailing insurance frauds and cheating spouses through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Like police work, the job would be easier if he didn't have a conscience. When university student Kimberly Moy goes missing, her sister begs Ben to take the case. But before Ben can follow up on any leads—What does the Fibonacci series have to do with Kim's disappearance? What do her disaffected friends know? And where is her car?—chance and bad timing drop his unexpected ex, Jesse, into the mix. Ben doesn't have time to train Jesse into the junior PI he seems determined to become. Amateur sleuths are always trouble. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be the kind of case that requires backup, and his intuition is telling him Kim's story may not have a happy ending.... The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out is the enthralling first book in the Ben Ames Case Files, a mystery series with a distinctly Canadian flavour. Author Gayleen Froese, winner of BookTelevision's Three Day Novel Contest , delves deep into the flaws of humanity and delivers an immersive story fraught with twists and danger. If you like private detectives, bickering partners, and vividly drawn settings, you'll love The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out .

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the first book in a brand-new gripping and hilarious bookish cozy mystery series by author Tamara Berry! Put your sleuthing hat on-Buried in a Good Book features: A thriller writer who knows way more than anyone should about death and dismemberment Her young daughter who's more intrigued by dead bodies than she probably should be An isolated cabin in the woods that's probably-definitely-hiding something The tiny mountain town that seems less than troubled by a sudden abundance of murdersBestselling thriller writer Tess Harrow is almost at the end of her rope when she arrives with her teenage daughter at her grandfather's rustic cabin in the woods. She hopes this will be a time for them to heal and bond after Tess's recent divorce, but they've barely made it through the door when an explosion shakes the cabin. Suddenly it's raining fish guts and...is that a human arm?Tess was hardly convincing Gertie that a summer without Wi-Fi and running water would be an adventure. Now she's thrust into a murder investigation, neighbors are saying they've spotted Bigfoot in the woods near her cabin, and the local sheriff is the spitting image of her character Detective Gabriel Gonzales-something he's less than thrilled about. With so much more than her daughter's summer plans at stake, it's up to Tess to solve this case before anyone else gets hurt.

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Book SynopsisOnly a sap would try to ruin a bride's special day...Spring has finally come to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and with it the end of syrup-making season. But Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm, won't be making like molasses any time soon. Her best friend Heather's wedding is coming up, and Leila will do anything to make sure it lives up to all her sweetest dreams.Even with Leila's own romantic past stirring up trouble, everything is going to plan until the bridal shower ends up with a body count.Heather's rich and backstabbing aunt had a whole orchard of enemies, so Leila will have her work cut out for her. Can she tap the killer before Heather's dream wedding becomes a nightmare?Includes delicious Middle Eastern recipes!

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Book Synopsis"I'd travel with Mami Suzuki anywhere in Japan." —Naomi Hirahara, author, Clark and Division Single mother and straight-talking private eye Mami Suzuki takes cases the Kobe police have little time for and proves that quick wits and compassion solve mysteries faster. Beneath the sheen of its orderly streets and obedient populace, all is not well in the port city of Kobe. Business is as brisk as the Haru-ichiban spring breeze for Mami Suzuki, a hotel clerk by day, a private investigator by night. Who's stealing from Japan's biggest pearl trader? Where's the master sushi chef and why are his knives missing? How did the tea ceremony teacher's brother really die? And what does an island of cats have to do with a pregnant Shinto shrine maiden? From Kobe wharves to the rugged Japan Sea coast, the subtropics of Okinawa, and a remote island community in the Seto Inland Sea, each new adventure ends with a universal truth-that there are two sides to every story of misfortune.

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