Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives
Titan Books Ltd Mike Hammer - Masquerade for Murder
Book SynopsisMike Hammer, the iconic PI created by hard-boiled crime master Mickey Spillane and written by New York Times bestseller Max Allan Collins, returns in Masquerade for Murder. After Mike Hammer witnesses Wall Street superstar Vincent Colby getting clipped by a speeding red Ferrari, the shaken victim's stockbroker father hires Hammer to find the driver. But the toughest private eye of them all soon is caught up in a series of bizarre, seemingly unconnected slayings marked by a forbidden martial arts technique. What do a lovely redhead, a short-tempered bartender, an exotic call girl, a murdered police inspector and a movie stuntman have to do with a scheme that might have transformed young Colby into a psychological time bomb?Trade Review“For readers of a younger age, Collins may become as synonymous with the Hammer character as Spillane was and is for seasoned fans. If that happens, it will be because he has earned it. My guess is that Spillane, if he were alive, would be overjoyed by that occurrence. Read MASQUERADE FOR MURDER and see why.” —BookReporter “Spillane fans will be pleased to see how well Collins captures the brash tone but everyman personality of the latter-day Hammer without trying to imitate the character’s infamous vigilante crusades of earlier years. Spillane (1918–2006) would be proud of how well Collins has maintained his legacy.” —Publishers Weekly “Honestly, having writer Max Allan Collins turn in another Mike Hammer novel in this Legacy series is like our enjoying the gift that never stops giving...Blood flows as is the norm in any Hammer caper with a conclusion we soundly approved of. We think you will too.” —Pulp Fiction Reviews “Collins at his best, vintage Hammer, and indistinguishable from classic Mickey Spillane–as if Spillane never really left.” —Borg.com, Best of 2020 “One-time king of American pulp fiction Mickey Spillane left a stock of literary fragments for Max Allan Collins to expand into full-length novels. And a first-rate job he makes of it.” —Daily Mail
£16.19
Duckworth Books The Riddle of the Fractal Monks
Book SynopsisA mystery lands – literally – at Tom Winscombe’s feet, and another riotous mathematical adventure begins… Tom Winscombe and Dorothy Chan haven’t managed to go on a date for some time, so it’s a shame that their outing to a Promenade Concert is cut short when a mysterious cowled figure plummets from the gallery to the floor of the arena close to where they are standing. But when they find out who he was, all thoughts of romance fly out of the window. Just who are the Fractal Monks, and what does Isaac, last of the Vavasors and custodian of the papers of famed dead mathematical geniuses Archie and Pye, want with them? How will other figures from the past also demand a slice of the action? And what other mysteries are there lurking at the bottom of the sea and at the top of mountains? The answers lie in The Riddle of Fractal Monks.Trade ReviewPraise for Jonathan Pinnock: ‘Lovely stuff’ Ian Rankin'A series of humorous, riotous mathematical mysteries' David Nicholls ‘He makes funny and self-deprecating company’ The Herald‘Jonathan Pinnock writes compelling tales with a deliciously wicked glint in his eye’ Ian Skillicorn, National Short Story Week‘Jonathan Pinnock is Roald Dahl’s natural successor’ Vanessa Gebbie‘Funny, clever, and sometimes brilliantly daft. A comedy that I am sure would have made Pythagoras, Archimedes and Douglas Adams all laugh out loud’ Scott Pack on The Truth About Archie and Pye
£8.54
Faber & Faber A Certain Justice
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 HERRONIngenious and beautifully written, this is P. D. James at her highly impressive best.'' SUNDAY TELEGRAPHPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________Venetia was much concerned with murder, but she could hardly have expected to become so intimately involved.Distinguished barrister Venetia Aldridge QC's defence of Garry Ashe, accused of the brutal murder of his aunt, is one more opportunity to triumph in her distinguished career as a criminal lawyer. But four weeks and four days after the trial, she is murdered at her desk. Commander Adam Dalgliesh and his team find plenty of motive for murder among the clients Venetia has defended, her envious professional colleagues, her wayward daughter, and the lover she has tried to keep secret. But just as Dalgliesh begins to narrow down the field of suspects, a second brutal murder sends the case in a totally new direction . . .__________________________________________________________________________________The capped tooth of middle-class English malice has seldom been better described.' GUARDIANEnthralling . . . the story gripped me.' 5* reader review''Fiendishly clever.' SUNDAY TIMES**Now a major Channel 5 series**__________________________________________________________________________________READERS LOVE THE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES:Adam Dalgleish is one of the best characters in modern detective fiction.' 5* reader reviewIf you are not already an Adam Dalgliesh fan, I urge you to become one . . . James can describe a scene or delineate a character with precision and depth, like no other writer I have read . . . I usually stay up all night to read a P. D. James novel once I start one.' 5* reader reviewI would never give less than 5 stars to any P. D. James book. She is one of a kind, always constant, always wonderful writing, always great characters, and always a good mystery that you cannot put down.' 5* reader reviewP.D. James writes mysteries for ordinary people. Her characters are relatable and her hero is dynamic. But don''t expect cell phones or computers. Her stories are strictly old school, which is what I love about them.' 5* reader reviewCrime writing at its very best!' 5* reader reviewPRAISE FOR P. D. JAMES:P. D. James is the crème de la crème of crime writers. Her books are shrewd puzzles, full of wit and depth.' IAN RANKINNobody can put the reader in the eye of the storm quite like P. D. James.' SUNDAY EXPRESSOne of the literary greats. Her sense of place was exquisite, characterisation and plotting unrivalled.' MARI HANNAHJames manages a depth and intelligence that few in her trade can match.' THE TIMESThere are very few thriller writers who can compete with P. D. James at her best.' SPECTATORThe queen of English crime.' GUARDIAN
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers A Surfeit of Lampreys
Book SynopsisNgaio Marsh's most popular novel begins when a young New Zealander's first contact with the English gentry is the body of Lord Wutherford with a meat skewer through the eyeThe Lampreys had plenty of charm but no cash. They all knew they were peculiar and rather gloried in it. The double and triple charades, for instance, with which they would entertain their guests like rich but awful Uncle Gabriel, who was always such a bore. The Lampreys thought if they jollied him up he would bail them out yet again.Instead, Uncle Gabriel met a violent end. And Chief Inspector Alleyn had to work our which of them killed himTrade Review‘The brilliant Ngaio Marsh ranks with Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers’Times Literary Supplement ‘Brilliantly readable… first class detection.’Observer ‘Ngaio Marsh transcended the detective genre by the power of her writing and the rich variety of characters who people her novels.’P.D. James ‘Ngaio Marsh is among the most brilliant of those authors who are transforming the detective story from a mere puzzle into a novel with many other qualities.’Times Literary Supplement ‘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
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Booked for Murder
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
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Ratcatcher
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’
£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers The Bad Book Affair Mobile Library
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
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers New York Dead
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
£12.34
HarperCollins Publishers Dialogues of the Dead
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
£16.19
HarperCollins Publishers Blood Sympathy Book 1 Joe Sixsmith
£12.34
HarperCollins Publishers The Norfolk Mystery The County Guides
Book SynopsisLove Miss Marple? Adore Holmes and Watson? Professor Morley's guide to Norfolk is a story of bygone England; quaint villages, eccentric locals and murder!It is 1937 and disillusioned Spanish Civil War veteran Stephen Sefton is stony broke. So when he sees a mysterious advertisement for a job where intelligence is essential', he applies.Thus begins Sefton's association with Professor Swanton Morley, an omnivorous intellect. Morley's latest project is a history of traditional England, with a guide to every county.They start in Norfolk, but when the vicar of Blakeney is found hanging from his church's bellrope, Morley and Sefton find themselves drawn into a rather more fiendish plot. Did the Reverend really take his own life, or was it murder?Beginning a thrilling new detective series, The Norfolk Mystery' is the first of The County Guides. A must-read for fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, every county is a crime scene and no-one is above suspicion!Trade ReviewPraise for ‘The Norfolk Mystery’: ‘A delightful, idiosyncratic mystery set in the Thirties … There is a touch of Sherlock Holmes and a dash of Lord Peter Wimsey, but the total is put together with a charm that is teasingly precious … Beautifully crafted by Sansom, Professor Morely promises to become a little gem of English crime writing; sample him now’ Daily Mail ‘Sansom is both celebrating and sending up the golden age of detective novels when, in the 1930s, Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie were the queens of crime … A brilliant first outing that leaves you looking forward to the next maniacal mystery tour’ Mark Sanderson, Evening Standard
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Hound of the Baskervilles
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.They all agreed that it was a huge creature, luminous, ghastly and spectral.'Originally serialised in The Strand Magazine, Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles follows the infamous Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, whose dead body is found on the misty and desolate Devon moors.The locals blame his death on the legend of the fearsome phantom hound that they claim has haunted the Baskerville family for generations. When the heir to the Baskerville fortune, Sir Henry, also comes under threat Holmes' detective skills are put to the test as he battles to discover the truth behind the legend and to solve one of the most macabre mysteries of his career.Trade Review‘Sherlock Holmes's best … remains a classic.’ The Times
£5.62
HarperCollins Publishers Death on the Nile
Book SynopsisThe girl who has everythingIncluding a bullet in the headA cruise down the Nile on a river steamer sounds like the perfect way to get away from it all a luxurious retreat, miles from civilization.But the warm and tranquil Egyptian evening is thick with hot passions and cold malice. When everyone on board has a motive, Hercule Poirot must abandon the mysteries of ancient Egypt and focus on altogether deadlier matters . . .Trade Review“The construction is flawless.”Daily Mail “Must be read twice, once for enjoyment and once to see how the wheels go round.” The Times “The main alibi is of the first brilliance … the descriptive work hits, as it were, the Nile on the head.” Observer “A peach of a case for Poirot. I take my hat off to the author for as ingenious an alibi as can well be imagined.” Sunday Times
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Mrs McGintys Dead
Book SynopsisAn old widow is brutally killed in the parlour of her cottageMrs McGinty's dead!'How did she die?'Down on one knee, just like I!'The old children's game now seemed rather tasteless. The real Mrs McGinty was killed by a crushing blow to the back of the head and her pitifully small savings were stolen.Suspicion falls immediately on her lodger, hard up and out of a job. Hercule Poirot has other ideas unaware that his own life is now in great dangerTrade Review‘So simple, so economical, so completely baffling. Every clue scrupulously given, with superb sleight of hand.’Sunday Times ‘The plot is perfect and the characters are wonderful.’San Francisco Chronicle ‘The best Poirot since such pre-war classics as Cards on the Table.’New York Times ‘Highly ingenious – Christie is still able to vary the tricks she plays.’ROBERT BARNARD
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Curtain
Book SynopsisA wheelchair-bound Poirot returns to Styles, the venue of his first investigation, where he knows another murder is going to take placeThe house guests at Styles seemed perfectly pleasant to Captain Hastings; there was his own daughter Judith, an inoffensive ornithologist called Norton, dashing Mr Allerton, brittle Miss Cole, Doctor Franklin and his fragile wife Barbara , Nurse Craven, Colonel Luttrell and his charming wife, Daisy, and the charismatic Boyd-Carrington.So Hastings was shocked to learn from Hercule Poirot's declaration that one of them was a five-times murderer. True, the ageing detective was crippled with arthritis, but had his deductive instincts finally deserted him?Trade Review‘First rate Christie: fast, complicated, wryly funny’ Time ‘Superb, vintage Christie’ Sunday Express
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Peril at End House Poirot
Book SynopsisCar brakes failA boulder missesAccidents? Or not?On holiday in Cornwall, Poirot meets a pretty young woman with an unusual name, Nick' Buckley.Upon discovering a bullet-hole in Nick's sun hat, the great detective decides the girl needs his protection. He also begins to unravel the mystery of a murder that hasn't been committed. Yet.Trade Review'The actual solution is quite unusually ingenious.' Times Literary Supplement
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Dumb Witness Poirot
Book SynopsisA simple accident?Or attempted murder?Everyone blamed the dog. When a wealthy spinster trips on the stairs, it seems only natural to assume it was an accident a rubber ball left there by her lively terrier.And yet the more Emily Arundell thought about it, the more convinced she became that one of her relatives was trying to kill her. Seeking answers, she writes to the famous detective, Hercule Poirot.Only, by the time her letter arrives, Miss Arundell is dead.Trade Review“One of Poirot’s most brilliant achievements”Glasgow Herald
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Hollow
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's ingenious mystery thriller, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Lucy Angkatell invited Hercule Poirot to lunch. To tease the great detective, her guests stage a mock murder beside the swimming pool. Unfortunately, the victim plays the scene for real. As his blood drips into the water, John Christow gasps one final word: Henrietta'. In the confusion, a gun sinks to the bottom of the pool.Poirot's enquiries reveal a complex web of romantic attachments. It seems everyone in the drama is a suspect and each a victim of love.Trade Review“A grade-A plot – the best Christie in years”San Francisco Chronicle
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Clocks
Book SynopsisA typist uncovers a man's body from behind the sofaAs instructed, stenographer Sheila Webb let herself into the house at 19 Wilbraham Crescent. It was then that she made a grisly discovery: the body of a dead man sprawled across the living room floor.What intrigued Poirot about the case was the time factor. Although in a state of shock, Sheila clearly remembered having heard a cuckoo clock strike three o'clock. Yet, the four other clocks in the living room all showed the time as 4.13. Even more strangely, only one of these clocks belonged to the owner of the houseTrade Review‘Deliberately fantastic.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Superlative Christie… extremely ingenious.’ The Bookman ‘A sure-fire attention-gripper naturally.’ Saturday Review ‘Here is the grand-manner detective story in all its glory.’ New York Times
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Poirots Early Cases
Book SynopsisCaptain Hastings recounts 18 of Poirot's early cases from the days before he was famousHercule Poirot delighted in telling people that he was probably the best detective in the world. So turning back the clock to trace eighteen of the cases which helped establish his professional reputation was always going to be a fascinating experience. With his career still in its formative years, the panache with which Hercule Poirot could solve even the most puzzling mystery is obvious.Chronicled by his friend Captain Hastings, these eighteen early cases from theft and robbery to kidnapping and murder were all guaranteed to test Poirot's soon-to-be-famous little grey cells' to their absolute limit.Trade Review‘Superb, vintage Christie’ Sunday Express ‘The plotting is as exact as in the novels and all one can do is stand back and wonder at the invention and enthusiasm.’ Irish Times
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Big Four
Book SynopsisA ruthless international cartel seeks world domination…Trade Review“The acknowledged queen of detective fiction.”Observer
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Elephants Can Remember Poirot
Book SynopsisHercule Poirot is determined to solve an old husband and wife double murder that is still an open verdictHercule Poirot stood on the cliff-top. Here, many years earlier, there had been a tragic accident. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two more bodies a husband and wife shot dead.But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves back into the past and discovers that old sin leave long shadows'.Trade Review‘Splendid… she tells us all we want to know and nothing that is irrelevant.’ THE TIMES
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers RESORT TO MURDER A mustread vintage crime mystery
Book SynopsisA fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime' DAILY EXPRESSOne of the best in the genre' THE SUNTremendous fun' THE INDEPENDENTNo 1 Ladies Detective Agency meets The Durrells in 1950s DevonDeath stalks the beaches of DevonWith its pale, aquamarine waters and golden sands, the shoreline at Temple Regis was a sight to behold. But when an unidentifiable body is found there one morning, the most beautiful beach in Devon is turned into a crime scene.For Miss Dimont ferocious defender of free speech, champion of the truth and ace newspaperwoman for The Riviera Express this is a case of paramount interest, and the perfect introduction for her young new recruit Valentine Waterford. Even if their meddling is to the immense irritation of local copper Inspector TophamSoon Miss Dimont and Valentine are deep in investigation why can nobody identify the body, and why does Topham suspect murder? And when a second death occurs, can the two possibly be connected?Trade ReviewPraise for T P Fielden: ‘Peak comfort read has been achieved’ Red ‘One of the best in the genre’ The Sun ‘This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime. No wonder the author has already been signed up to produce more adventures starring the indefatigable Miss Dimont.’ Daily Express ‘Unashamedly cosy, with gentle humour and a pleasingly eccentric amateur sleuth, this solid old-fashioned whodunit is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series.’ The Guardian ‘Highly amusing’ Evening Standard ‘TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character. This delicious adventure is the first of a series and I can’t wait for the next one.’ Wendy Holden, Daily Mail Must have. A golden age mystery.’ Sunday Express ‘Tremendous fun’ The Independent
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Problem at Pollensa Bay
Book SynopsisA collection of short stories featuring some of Agatha Christie's best-loved detectives Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, Mr Satterthwaite and Harley QuinAll great crime writers have their favourite creations. Similarly, every great sleuth has his, or her, own preferred method of deduction.Take the charming Parker Pyne, who relies upon an intuitive knowledge of human nature to solve the Problem at Pollensa Bay. Or Mr Satterthwaite, who seeks inspiration through his collaboration with the enigmatic Mr Quin in The Harlequin Tea Set mystery. Then, of course, there's Poirot, whose measured analysis of motive and opportunity is tested to the full in Yellow Iris, when he receives an anonymous call about a matter of life and death.Trade Review‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’Observer
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Unexpected Guest
Book SynopsisA young man, broken down in the fog, witnesses a murder he is asked to conceal A full-length novel adapted by Charles Osborne from Agatha Christie's acclaimed play.When a stranger runs his car into a ditch in dense fog in South Wales and makes his way to an isolated house, he discovers a woman standing over the dead body of her wheelchair-bound husband, gun in her hand. She admits to murder, and the unexpected guest offers to help her concoct a cover story.But is it possible that Laura Warwick did not commit the murder after all? If so, who is she shielding? The victim's young half-brother or his dying matriarchal mother? Laura's lover? Perhaps the father of the little boy killed in an accident for which Warwick was responsible? The house seems full of possible suspectsTHE UNEXPECTED GUEST is considered to be one of the finest of Christie's plays. Hailed as another Mousetrap' when it opened on 12 August 1958 in the West End, it ran for 604 performances over the succeeding 18 months and has been staged many times around the world over the last 40 years.Trade ReviewFor Black Coffee: ‘A lively and light-hearted read which will give pleasure to all those who have long wished that there was just one more Christie to devour’— Antonia Fraser, Sunday Telegraph ‘A worthy addition to the Christie canon’— The Spectator
£8.99
HarperCollins Publishers Death in the Clouds Poirot
Book SynopsisA woman is killed by a poisoned dart in the enclosed confines of a commercial passenger planeFrom seat No.9, Hercule Poirot was ideally placed to observe his fellow air passengers. Over to his right sat a pretty young woman, clearly infatuated with the man opposite; ahead, in seat No.13, sat a Countess with a poorly-concealed cocaine habit; across the gangway in seat No.8, a detective writer was being troubled by an aggressive wasp.What Poirot did not yet realize was that behind him, in seat No.2, sat the slumped, lifeless body of a woman.Trade Review“It will be a very acute reader who does not receive a complete surprise at the end.”Times Literary Supplement
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Postern of Fate
Book SynopsisA poisoning many years ago may not have been accidental after allTommy and Tuppence Beresford have just become the proud owners of an old house in an English village. Along with the property, they have inherited some worthless bric-a-brac, including a collection of antique books. While rustling through a copy of The Black Arrow, Tuppence comes upon a series of apparently random underlinings.However, when she writes down the letters, they spell out a very disturbing message:M a r y J o r d a n d i d n o t d i e n a t u r a l l yAnd sixty years after their first murder, Mary Jordan''s enemies are still ready to killTrade Review‘The Beresfords are wonderfully revived. Smooth, beautifully paced, and effortlessly convincing.’New York Times ‘Past and present interlock impressively… this is a genuine tour de force.’Observer
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS Poirot
Book SynopsisUnpleasant things are going on in an exclusive school for girls things like murderLate one night, two teachers investigate a mysterious flashing light in the sports pavilion, while the rest of the school sleeps. There, among the lacrosse sticks, they stumble upon the body of the unpopular games mistress shot through the heart from point blank range.The school is thrown into chaos when the cat' strikes again. Unfortunately, schoolgirl Julia Upjohn knows too much. In particular, she knows that without Hercule Poirot's help, she will be the next victimTrade Review‘Immensely enjoyable.’ Daily Express ‘To read Agatha Christie at her best is to experience the rarefied pleasure of watching a faultless technician at work, and she is in top form in Cat Among the Pigeons.’ New York Times
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Five Little Pigs
Book SynopsisAgatha Christie’s ingenious murder mystery, reissued with a striking new cover designed to appeal to the latest generation of Agatha Christie fans and book lovers.Trade Review“Despite only five suspects, Mrs Christie as usual puts a ring through the reader’s nose and leads him to one of her smashing last-minute showdowns.” Observer “The answer to the riddle is brilliant.” Times Literary Supplement “A brilliant piece of detective fiction, in which character plays an important part.” Daily Telegraph “Straightforward bamboozling from start to finish.” New Statesman “As usual, Mrs Christie hoaxes us with a double twist at the denouement, and provides excellent entertainment.” Punch “Agatha Christie never fails us, and her Five Little Pigs presents a very pretty problem for the ingenious reader.” Manchester Guardian
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers THE PALE HORSE
Book SynopsisA priest's death leads to sinister goings-on in an old country pubTo understand the strange goings on at The Pale Horse Inn, Mark Easterbrook knew he had to begin at the beginning. But where exactly was the beginning?Was it the savage blow to the back of Father Gorman's head? Or was it when the priest's assailant searched him so roughly he tore the clergyman's cassock? Or could it have been the priest's visit, just minutes before, to a woman on her death bed?Or was there a deeper significance to the violent squabble which Mark Easterbrook had himself witnessed earlier?Wherever the beginning lies, Mark and his sidekick, Ginger Corrigan, may soon have cause to wish they'd never found itTrade Review‘Wholesale murder by black magic…highly ingenious, wholly enjoyable.’Evening Standard ‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’ Observer
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Problem at Pollensa Bay
Book SynopsisA collectionof short stories featuring some of Agatha Christie's best-loved detectives Hercule Poirot, Parker Pyne, Mr Satterthwaite and Harley QuinAll great crime writers have their favourite creations. Similarly, every great sleuth has his, or her, own preferred method of deduction.Take the charming Parker Pyne, who relies upon an intuitive knowledge of human nature to solve the Problem at Pollensa Bay. Or Mr Satterthwaite, who seeks inspiration through his collaboration with the enigmatic Mr Quin in The Harlequin Tea Set mystery. Then, of course, there's Poirot, whose measured analysis of motive and opportunity is tested to the full in Yellow Iris, when he receives an anonymous call about a matter of life and death.Trade Review‘The acknowledged queen of detective fiction’Observer
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Trent Intervenes
Book SynopsisTwelve stories from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent''s Last Case.Philip Trent is an artist, a journalist, and an urbane unraveller of highly problematical crimes. Here the unshakable sleuth appears in twelve tales of misadventure, where the crimes that he investigates range from fraud and embezzlement to criminal assault and murder, yet they all succumb to his adept methods even if the criminal sometimes escapes.Trent Intervenes affirms Bentley''s reputation as an author of the first rank and displays his ability to write equally well in the short story form.Trade Review"To say that Trent in small pieces is as excellent as Trent entire is recommendation enough." – Saturday Review of Literature."A collection of twelve stories, each and all worthy of your attention." – New York Herald Tribune Books.
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Trents Own Case Book 2 Philip Trent
Book SynopsisThe second novel from the celebrated author of one of the most famous mystery classics ever written, Trent''s Last Case.James Randolph is murdered early one evening and his body is found a few hours later. When the police arrive they discover that Randolph''s safe has been ransacked and discarded wrapping paper litters his bedroom floor.Perhaps by chance or perhaps by design, Trent seems to have been the last person, other than the murderer, to see Randolph alive. But this is only one aspect amongst many which connect Trent with the murder and stimulate his interest: his friend Inspector Bligh is the detective in charge of the investigation, and then a long-time friend readily and perplexingly confesses his guilt. As much as he respects the abilities of Inspector Bligh, Trent''s personal knowledge has him doubting the confession and intent on finding the truth.Trade Review‘I won't waste time saying that the plot is sound and the detection satisfying. Trent has not altered a scrap and reappears with all his old humour and charm.’ Dorothy L. Sayers
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers Crack Down
Book SynopsisThe third stunning thriller in the Kate Brannigan series, from No.1 Sunday Times bestseller Val McDermid.This is crime writing of the very highest order' The TimesManchester-based private eye Kate Brannigan thought it would be safe to let her boyfriend help out with her investigation. But now he's behind bars and she's been left caring for his eight-year-old son.Soon Kate finds herself drawn into the world of drug traffickers, child pornographers, and violent gangland enforcers bringing her face to face with death in the most terrifying investigation of her career.Trade Review‘Tough, funny and intensely topical. McDermid stands out as one of the few contemporary writers actually nourished by the here and now’Literary Review ‘Fast, fluently told story: Kate is as tough as Warshawski but less hung up on political correctness’Daily Mail ‘Kate Brannigan is wonderful’Frances Fyfield Praise for Val McDermid: 'No one rivals Val McDermid’s skill at writing truly terrifying thrillers’ Good Housekeeping ‘The real mistress of psychological gripping thrillers' Daily Express 'McDermid's capacity to enter the warped mind of a deviant criminal is shiveringly convincing' The Times ‘Val McDermid is undoubtedly the queen of British crime’ Observer 'McDermid’s expertly juggled plotlines and masterful handling of pace and tension tick all the best boxes’ Guardian ‘The queen of crime is still at the top of her game’ Independent ‘One of today’s most accomplished crime writers’ Literary Review ‘Her writing is never less than excellent’ Crime Time
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Dog Rose Dirt a gripping new debut serial killer
Book SynopsisCreepy and compelling' HARRIET TYCEBrilliant filled with tension and twists' SARAH PINBOROUGHAn unsettling, terrifying thriller' ABIGAIL DEANMasterclass in suspense' THE TIMESWill have you up all night with the lights on' ELLEWhat if your mother had been writing to a serial killer?A convicted murderer with a story to tellSerial killer Michael Reave known as The Red Wolf has been locked in Belmarsh Prison for over 20 years for the brutal and ritualistic murders of countless women.A grieving daughter with a secret to unearthEx-journalist Heather Evans returns to her childhood home after her mother's inexplicable suicide and discovers something chilling hundreds of letters between her mother and Reave, dating back decades.A hunt for a killer ready to strike againWhen the body of a woman is found decorated with flowers, just like his victims, Reave is the only person alive who could help. After years of silence, he will speak to Heather, and only Heather.If she wants to unearth the truTrade Review‘Reminiscent of Sharp Objects, this chilling British serial killer thriller had me gripped. Filled with tension and twists, Jen Williams manages to deftly unravel the killer’s dark and deadly secrets to an ending that you won’t see coming’ Sarah Pinborough, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes ‘An unsettling pastoral thriller, which grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Part-Midsommar, part-Hereditary, part-Mindhunter – and entirely terrifying’ Abigail Dean, author of Girl A ‘It’s dark as a Grimm fairy tale and brimming with secrets. With its terrifying story of a serial killer, and the woman who’s recently uncovered her mother’s connection to him, this novel will appeal to – and deeply chill – fans of true crime’ Megan Collins, author of The Winter Sister ‘A clever, chilling crime novel with a perplexing mystery, compelling storytelling and vivid characters’ Jane Casey ‘A taut and stylish thriller … Riveting from the first page’ E.G Scott, bestselling author of The Woman Inside ‘Intense and with a seam of gallows humour, Dog Rose Dirt is terrifying, fun, and insightful’ Nathan Ripley, bestselling author of Find You in the Dark ‘Creepy and compelling, [Dog Rose Dirt] is a truly disturbing take on a serial killer narrative. I read it heart in mouth!’ Harriet Tyce, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Blood Orange ‘Masterfully plotted and heart-poundingly tense, Jen Williams combines British folklore, cults, and the most chilling serial killer to grace the page in years – creating a thriller that's both mesmerising, and utterly terrifying’ Katie Lowe, author of The Furies ‘A tense, gripping and original read, with one of the creepiest serial killers I’ve encountered in a long time’ Amy McCulloch
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Grey Stones
Book SynopsisA thrilling new whodunnit series, fast-paced and funny, featuring a detective as sharp as his suits and a heroine who's trouble.DI Leo George has been invited to a friends' reunion weekend at a lodge in the grounds of the exclusive Piccadilly Club in the affluent Cotswolds village of Chipping Norton. He's bringing his new girlfriend, Jess Bridges, an edgy private detective who's wondering if she'll fit in with Leo's old university set.As the only outsider, it's clear to Jess that there is more than just friendship at the heart of the group, and they seem to have made a habit of pushing the boundaries of their relationships to their limits. The weekend proves to be a catalyst that opens a Pandora's box of ugly secrets Jess can see that when some friendships are this toxic, there can only be one deadly outcome Trade ReviewPraise for the Jess Bridges Mystery series: ‘It makes your veins thrill with adrenaline!’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘One of the most exciting female characters I’ve met this year!’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat.’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Chilling, mind baffling, and gripping’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Incredibly addictive!’ 5* Amazon reviewer ‘Entertaining, action-packed and well written’ 5* Goodreads reviewer ‘I did not want to put it down.’ 5* Goodreads reviewer
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Wife Next Door
Book SynopsisTruly gripping and unputdownable' Claire AllanHow well do you know the people closest to you?It's not just secrets buried in the garden next doorJane doesn't know her new neighbours very well.She thought they were nice. She thought they were happy.She was wrong.First there's the explosive rows. Then she catches one of them digging a grave-shaped trench in the garden.When the truth emerges, someone would kill to cover their tracks-Beautifully crafted, ominous and engrossing truly gripping and unputdownable' CLAIRE ALLENA delicious domestic suspense about families who are never quite what they seem' JANE CORRYA fantastic thriller which I could not put down' READER REVIEW ?????Kept me on the edge of my seat' READER REVIEW ????A great read, a twisty thriller that will keep you turning the pages' READER REVIEW ?????Twisty and unpredictable' READER REVIEW ????Gripping storyline where the reader so easily misinterprets what they are seeing' READER REVIEW ????Definitely her best book yet and Trade Review‘Beautifully crafted, ominous and engrossing … truly gripping and unputdownable’ Claire Allan, The Nurse ‘A delicious domestic suspense about families who are never quite what they seem’ Jane Corry, We All Have Our Secrets ‘Secrets, lies and duplicity with surprising twists that made me question everything. Vividly drawn and beautifully written’ Mary Torjussen, The Closer You Get ‘A masterclass in thriller writing … Taut and packed full of tension, secrets and strong women’ Caroline Corcoran, Through the Wall Praise for Amanda Brooke: ‘Suspenseful … Deeply enjoyable’ Lucy Clarke, The Castaways ‘Enthralling and twisty’ Annabel Kantaria, I Know You ‘A thought-provoking page-turner’ Nicola Rayner, You and Me ‘Clever, unnerving, and unputdownable’ Rachel Lucas, The State of Grace ‘A tense and torrid family drama’ Sunday Mirror ‘Intriguingly plotted and with relatable characters’ Sunday Mirror ‘A haunting and heartbreaking story that stayed with me long after I’d finished’ Fern Britton ‘An extraordinary novel’ Daily Express
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Watchmakers Hand
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
£19.80
HarperCollins Publishers The Watchmakers Hand
Book SynopsisLincoln Rhyme is back, and this time he's in danger, in the brand new crime thriller from Jeffery Deaver, bestselling author of The Final Twist''The master-plotter Deaver cranks up the tension to fever pitch'' A Daily Mail Thriller of the year''Pulsating'' A Waterstones Best thriller of 2023A CITY IN TURMOILLooming over the Manhattan skyline, a lone crane comes crashing down into the city, sending panic radiating across New York City.A DEADLY CONSPIRACYThe NYPD believes a political group is behind the sabotage and turns to Lincoln Rhyme for help. He knows this is just the beginning.A RACE AGAINST TIMELincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs must race to stop further attacks before more chaos is unleashed upon the city. Watching Rhyme from the shadows is the elusive assassin The Watchmaker, and he's preparing to strike-Praise for THE WATCHMAKER''S HANDLincoln Rhyme returns in this top-shelf thriller.. the writing is superb, the characters intriguing, the stories spellbinding, and the plot twists Trade 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
£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers Brouhaha
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
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Long Divorce A Gervase Fen Mystery
Book SynopsisAs inventive as Agatha Christie, as hilarious as P.G. Wodehouse discover the delightful detective stories of Edmund Crispin. Crime fiction at its quirkiest and best.Long inhabited by a collection of profoundly offbeat locals, there has been a recent influx of the newly rich and well to do arriving in the village of Cotten Abbas and not everyone is happy about it. New arrivals are receiving anonymous letters that know a little too much about dark secrets and dirty laundry.Gervase Fen is summoned to the scene, but soon finds more than he bargained for. A suicide on Friday, a murder by Sunday, and some villagers that seem hell bent on keeping this mystery unsolvedTrade Review‘Both the mature and the discerning young choose to pick up one of Crispin's beautifully turned crime novels’ The Times ‘Crispin isn't in it for the mystery, but for the enigmas’ Guardian ‘His books are full of high spirits and excellent jokes, with constant literary allusions and an atmosphere of bibulous good humour. But at times the mood turns darker, and Crispin is capable of passages of both genuine suspense and ingenius deduction’ Daily Telegraph ‘Crispin is noted for an ability to embellish clever story lines with Marx Brothers touches’ New York Times ‘Rightly elevated to classic status’ New York Sun
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Glimpses of the Moon A Gervase Fen Mystery
Book SynopsisAs inventive as Agatha Christie, as hilarious as P.G. Wodehouse discover the delightful detective stories of Edmund Crispin. Crime fiction at its quirkiest and best.When a decapitated head is seen floating down the river in the Devon village of Aller, the rural calm is shattered. Soon the corpses are multiplying, and the entire community is involved in the hunt for the murderer.Whilst many chase false trails, it is left to Gervase Fen, Oxford don and amateur criminologist, to uncover the sordid truthTrade Review‘Both the mature and the discerning young choose to pick up one of Crispin's beautifully turned crime novels’ The Times ‘Crispin isn't in it for the mystery, but for the enigmas’ Guardian ‘His books are full of high spirits and excellent jokes, with constant literary allusions and an atmosphere of bibulous good humour. But at times the mood turns darker, and Crispin is capable of passages of both genuine suspense and ingenius deduction’ Daily Telegraph ‘Crispin is noted for an ability to embellish clever story lines with Marx Brothers touches’ New York Times ‘Rightly elevated to classic status’ New York Sun
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Hunting Time A gripping new thriller from the
Book SynopsisTheNew York TimesBestselling master of suspense is back with a riveting thriller, as reward seeker Colter Shaw plunges into the woods and races the clock in a case where nothing is quite what it seems.The Times Book of the Month (November 2022)THERE ARE TWO FUNDAMENTAL RULES OF SURVIVAL.#1: NEVER BE WITHOUT A MEANS OF ESCAPE.Allison Parker is on the run with her teenage daughter, Hannah, and Colter Shaw has been hired by her eccentric boss, entrepreneur Marty Harmon, to find and protect her. Though he's an expert at tracking missing personseven those who don't wish to be foundShaw has met his match in Allison, who brings all her skills as a brilliant engineer designing revolutionary technology to the game of evading detection.#2: NEVER BE WITHOUT ACCESS TO A WEAPON.The reason for Allison's panicked flight is soon apparent. She's being stalked by her ex-husband, Jon Merritt. Newly released from prison and fueled by blinding rage, Jon is a man whose former profession as a police detectivTrade Review“The alternating friction and affection between parent and child make Hunting Time especially convincing and nerve-wracking. Mr. Deaver is well-known for maintaining suspense while also subverting readers’ expectations. This fourth Shaw novel—full of “oh no!” surprises and tire-screeching escapes —is guaranteed to make your heart pound, your blood race and your head spin. And how likely is it that you’re being set up for a finale that will pull the rug out from under you? One hundred percent.” Financial Times “Hunting Time has got what distinguishes good page-turners from landfill: grip … a neat twist, a deadly chase, plus a pair of killers … and you’re good to go.’ The Times Book of the Month ‘Colter Shaw is one of Deaver's most intriguing characters, a survival specialist who finds people who don't want to be found, for high financial rewards. He is resourceful, smart and courageous … Deaver's plot skills shine out of this tale of treachery and redemption.’ Daily Mail ‘The twists in the plot and relationships are unexpected’ Literary Review
£7.99
HarperCollins Publishers Fray The haunting and mysterious new literary
Book Synopsis‘Beautiful, amazing, mesmerising’ ALAN CUMMINGTrade Review‘Beautiful, amazing, completely mesmerising. I felt like I was inside the character’s head. Fray is right up there for me with other first person books like The Catcher in the Rye and Janice Galloway’s The Trick is to Keep Breathing’ ALAN CUMMING ‘A thriller with a radically unreliable voice … powerful, insistent and dreamlike’ SUZI FEAY, FINANCIAL TIMES, *BEST NEW DEBUT FICTION* ‘Both a tense, dizzying mystery and a complex meditation on love and loss … Fray is a captivating read’ KAI DURKIN, COURIER *BOOK OF THE WEEK* *10/10 REVIEW* ‘A deeply haunting book … The Scottish Highlands have never felt more wild or alive than they do in this … immensely important novel. With echoes of Andrew Michael Hurley’s The Loney, Fray is an insightful story that will stay with you long after you stop turning the pages’ DAWN GEDDES, SCOTS MAGAZINE *BOOK OF THE MONTH* ‘A haunting literary thriller … it offers a new twist on the missing person trope … weird and wild’ TEDDY JAMIESON, HERALD ‘A manic, heart-pounding and electric piece of writing. This is a startling debut’ PAUL McLEAN, LIST ‘An intensely atmospheric literary suspense novel … [that] carries a viscerally moving message about grief and mental health’ NATASHA ONWUEMEZI, BOOKSELLER *APRIL CATEGORY HIGHLIGHTS* ‘Writing as vivid and visceral as walking into a blizzard. In Chris Carse Wilson's hands it's as though the alphabet is a creature that has barely been tamed’ IAN McMILLAN ‘With such a simple yet powerful set-up … The surprise of Chris Carse Wilson's beguiling debut … lies in the sheer weight of hallucinatory malevolence that lurks in its pages … [An] intriguing and unsettling debut’ JESS MOODY, SKINNY
£14.99
HarperCollins Publishers The Late Candidate The second thriller in the Sam
Book SynopsisA gripping, tense thriller guaranteed to keep you up all nightIn 1980s London, Black political leaders who can straddle the racial divide are a rarity.So when a rising Black politician, Aston Edwards, is murdered, the effects quickly ripple through London's Afro-Caribbean community.Then a young Black boy is arrested for his murder, surrounded by rumours of an affair with Aston's wife.Sammy Dean, journalist-turned-investigator, is determined to find the truth. When a Black activist's death is written off as a suicide, Sam begins to think the two cases are linked. With tensions running high, can Sam find the truth before the city erupts?The Late Candidate is a gritty and authentic representation of London's multi-cultural history, wrapped up in a tense thriller.Trade Review‘In this top-notch first novel… The plot is hard-boiled, the mystery unfolding gradually rather than presenting itself full blown for solution. Phillips's dialogue and his protagonist's voice-over ruminations on everything from racial disharmony to foolishness on TV are spot-on, adding to the pleasure a fresh, transatlantic sensibility and inflection.’ Publishers Weekly Praise for Mike Phillips ‘Could have come from the pen of the master, Raymond Chandler’ Today ‘Mr Phillips delivers quality’ The Times ‘Engaging pacy thriller… Phillips’ prose in concise, witty and fluid’ TLS ‘Phillips… gives a mean streetwise documentary edge to his hero’s hunt for a witness’ Sunday Express ‘There’s much here to suggest that Phillips could be one of our bravest, most incisive social commentators’ Mail on Sunday ‘Phillips’ depictions of urban London share more with Harlem and Los Angeles than the English drawing rooms of P.D. James and Ruth Rendell’ Financial Times ‘American readers willing to wonder a bit about unfamiliar London landmarks and neighbourhoods will be rewarded by Phillips's subtle psychological complexities and deadpan ironies’ Publishers Weekly
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers Point of Darkness
Book SynopsisThis is Mike Phillips's best novel, brutal and caring, totally authentic' The TimesSent from London to New York to bring a dying friend's message to his daughter, Mary, Sam Dean arrives in Queens, steeped in a mesh of Caribbean and Hispanic culture, looking forward to reconnecting with family and old friends.But his relaxing holiday turns dark when Mary disappears, and Sammy is caught up in a world of murder, sex, and corrupt politics that threatens to turn his world upside down.Melded with social commentary around race, class and gentrification, Point of Darkness is a gripping thriller, still eerily relevant.Trade ReviewPraise for Mike Phillips‘This is Mike Phillips’s best novel, brutal and caring, totally authentic’The Times ‘Phillips delivers his seamy tale with an enviably warm spareness of effect’Sunday Times ‘An incisive study of immigrant experience wrapped up in a gripping thriller’Times Literary Supplement ‘The Best British thriller in years… A novel that seems to have been written for a purpose; it deals with the black British community as something other than a problem or a political cliché’Marie Claire ‘Could have come from the pen of the master, Raymond Chandler’Today A thriller which maintains pace and provides excitements rooted in reality … a winner’Guardian ‘There’s much here to suggest that Phillips could be one of our bravest, most incisive social commentators’Mail on Sunday Phillips’ depictions of urban London share more with Harlem and Los Angeles than the English drawing rooms of P.D. James and Ruth Rendell’Financial Times ‘Phillips… gives a mean streetwise documentary edge to his hero’s hunt for a witness’Sunday Express ‘Mr Phillips writes in a precise uncluttered style that suits the detective novel’s ritualistic form. But it is the sensibility of his hero – a black man – that lends freshness to the form itself’The New York Times Book Review ‘As a political thriller it has something to say about multi-cultural Britain that is both revealing and intelligent … a good novel, deftly handled and deserving of praise’Time Out
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers An Image to Die For The fourth thriller in the
Book SynopsisBehind the scenes of television production journalist-turned-investigator, Sam Dean, discovers greed, ugliness and murder. When a TV producer offers journalist Sam Dean the job of tracking down a suspect in the brutal murder of a young woman and her child, he's reluctant to get involved. But when a colleague is stabbed to death on set, itâs clear something bigger is going on. And when threatening anonymous notes start arriving, Sam is forced to dig for the truthâ Standing astride 1980s Londonâs sharp racial divides, An Image to Die For is a crime thriller perfect for fans of S.A. Cosby and Walter Mosley.Trade ReviewPraise for Mike Phillips‘This is Mike Phillips’s best novel, brutal and caring, totally authentic’The Times ‘Phillips delivers his seamy tale with an enviably warm spareness of effect’Sunday Times ‘An incisive study of immigrant experience wrapped up in a gripping thriller’Times Literary Supplement ‘The Best British thriller in years… A novel that seems to have been written for a purpose; it deals with the black British community as something other than a problem or a political cliché’Marie Claire ‘Could have come from the pen of the master, Raymond Chandler’Today A thriller which maintains pace and provides excitements rooted in reality … a winner’Guardian ‘There’s much here to suggest that Phillips could be one of our bravest, most incisive social commentators’Mail on Sunday Phillips’ depictions of urban London share more with Harlem and Los Angeles than the English drawing rooms of P.D. James and Ruth Rendell’Financial Times ‘Phillips… gives a mean streetwise documentary edge to his hero’s hunt for a witness’Sunday Express ‘Mr Phillips writes in a precise uncluttered style that suits the detective novel’s ritualistic form. But it is the sensibility of his hero – a black man – that lends freshness to the form itself’The New York Times Book Review ‘As a political thriller it has something to say about multi-cultural Britain that is both revealing and intelligent … a good novel, deftly handled and deserving of praise’Time Out
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Babylon Plot
Book SynopsisAt the root of all riches lies evilCan he uncover their deadly conspiracy before they find him first?When ex-MI5 operative Joe Mason gets a call from the Vatican, he knows it is bad news. Marduk, crazed leader of The Amori cult, has escaped from a fortress-like prison in Milan, and he''s hell-bent on revenge. His target? None other than Joe Mason himself.Fuelled by an unrelenting hatred for Mason, Marduk launches a burning vendetta: to not only destroy his nemesis but annihilate the very foundations of the church itself.As the cult's sadistic assassins close in, Joe and his team embark on a treacherous pursuit of Marduk across Europe in a life-or-death race against time to unravel his conspiracy.Both Joe and Marduk are out for blood and in this game, it's winner takes all. But can Mason and his team uncover the plot in time? And who will strike first in a battle that can leave only one person standing?Fans of Lee Child, Clive Cussler and Dan Brown will love this adrenaline-filled and Trade Review Readers are gripped by David Leadbeater: ‘Loved it… A fast-paced, adventure-packed, non-stop fight for survival, balanced with a great team dynamic of real characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Action packed, fast paced and filled with adventure… Great characters too!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Amazing rollercoaster ride of mayhem…David just gets better and better!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Action, history, fun characters and lots of exciting adventures. You will love it’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Buckle up… Impossible to put down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A wild rollercoaster ride!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Filled with memorable characters….I highly recommend.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘High-octane action from beginning to end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
£9.49
