Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives

Book Synopsis'Ward writes with the same compelling energy as you get in a blockbuster Netflix series' Daily Mail'Filled with unexpected twists' Sarah PekkanenMaddie and Ian's romance began when he was serving in the British Army and she was a travel writer visiting her best friend Jo in Europe. Now sixteen years later, married with a beautiful son, Charlie, they are living the perfect suburban life in Middle America. But when an accident leaves Maddie badly scarred, she begins attending therapy, where she gradually reveals her fears about Ian's PTSD; her concerns for the safety of their young son Charlie; and the couple's tangled and tumultuous past with Jo.From the Balkans to England, Iraq to Manhattan, and finally to an ordinary family home in Kansas, the years of love and fear, adventure and suspicion culminate in The Day of the Killing, when a frantic 911 call summons the police to the scene of shocking crime.But what in this beautiful home has gone so terribly bad?READERS LOVE THE IDEAL WIFE'Couldn't put it down' 5* reader review'An ending like no other' 5* reader review'Extremely twisty' 5* reader review'Brilliant, thrilling, twisty' 5* reader review'Enthralling and fast-paced' 5* reader reviewTrade ReviewWard writes with the same compelling energy as you get in a blockbuster Netflix series. The original storyline and the expertly drawn minor characters will leave you suspecting everyone - and trusting no one * Daily Mail *Beautiful Bad is beautifully written, beautifully twisty - and beautifully twisted. A dark thriller with real psychological depth * JP Delaney, internationally bestselling author of The Girl Before *As imaginatively constructed as it is compelling. Filled with unexpected twists, Beautiful Bad is a riveting read * Sarah Pekkanen, internationally bestselling author of The Wife Between Us *You won't be able to tear yourself away from the page. With fascinating characters that chill and horrify, the ending will leave you staggered * Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish *Readers need to be off-the-charts clever to figure out who's going to kill whom in this disturbing first novel * Toronto Star *As touching and thought-provoking as it is terrifying, Beautiful Bad will leave readers spellbound. A buzzworthy read! * Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl *Utterly gripping and thrillingly original - I loved the unique settings. Cannot recommend this book highly enough * Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend *A slow-burning, intense and dramatic story about damaged characters * Sunday Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'Ward writes with the same compelling energy as you get in a blockbuster Netflix series' Daily MailIt seemed like such a beautiful marriage...Maddie and Ian's love story began with a chance encounter at a party, while she was a travel writer visiting her best friend, Jo. Now, almost two decades later, they are married with a beautiful son, Charlie, and living the perfect suburban life in middle America. But when a camping accident leaves Maddie badly scarred, she begins attending writing therapy, where she gradually reveals her fears about Ian, her concerns for the safety of their young son and the couple's tangled and tumultuous past with Jo.Following their story across the globe, sixteen years of love and fear, adventure and suspicion culminate in a frantic 911 call summoning the police to the scene of a shocking crime...'Compelling. Filled with unexpected twists... a riveting read'Sarah Pekkanen, author of The Wife Between UsTrade ReviewWard writes with the same compelling energy as you get in a blockbuster Netflix series. The original storyline and the expertly drawn minor characters will leave you suspecting everyone - and trusting no one * Daily Mail *Beautiful Bad is beautifully written, beautifully twisty - and beautifully twisted. A dark thriller with real psychological depth * JP Delaney, internationally bestselling author of The Girl Before *As imaginatively constructed as it is compelling. Filled with unexpected twists, Beautiful Bad is a riveting read * Sarah Pekkanen, internationally bestselling author of The Wife Between Us *You won't be able to tear yourself away from the page. With fascinating characters that chill and horrify, the ending will leave you staggered * Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish *Readers need to be off-the-charts clever to figure out who's going to kill whom in this disturbing first novel * Toronto Star *As touching and thought-provoking as it is terrifying, Beautiful Bad will leave readers spellbound. A buzzworthy read! * Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl *Utterly gripping and thrillingly original - I loved the unique settings. Cannot recommend this book highly enough * Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend *A slow-burning, intense and dramatic story about damaged characters * Sunday Mirror *

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Book Synopsis'MARTINA COLE FANS WILL LOVE THIS FAST-PACED THRILLER' SUNDAY MIRRORGangster Kerry Casey has fought her way to the top of the Glasgow crime scene. But can she stay there?Kerry Casey is now a fully-fledged gangland boss. With her business partner Sharon and her wily lawyer Marty at her side, she is busy ridding her organisation of the drug-dealing, people-trafficking scum her dead brother Mickey got them involved with. But her great dream is still to take the Caseys straight.Her plan to turn her organisation around hinges on building a property empire in Spain. But Kerry has some deadly rivals - in Glasgow, on the Costa del Sol, and even further afield. They will never believe she has what it takes to defend her turf, and they won't rest until the Caseys are destroyed.When her enemies strike at the heart of the Casey family, Kerry must prepare for the fight of her life - for her business, her friends and her own survival.'Gritty and hard-edged, it's not for the faint-hearted' SUNDAY MIRRORTrade ReviewMartina Cole fans will love this fast-paced thriller that smacks you right between the eyes * Sunday Mirror *Gritty and hard-edged, it's not for the faint-hearted * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisTHE WHITE-KNUCKLE FOLLOW UP TO FIGHT BACK - GRIPPING FROM START TO FINISH!'MARTINA COLE FANS WILL LOVE THIS' SUNDAY MIRRORPhysically and emotionally battered after the shocking events of Fight Back, Glasgow gang leader Kerry Casey must pick herself up and get straight back into the fray. When London gangsters William 'Wolfie' Wolfe and his tough-talking daughter Hannah approach her with millions of pounds worth of stolen diamonds and offer her an alliance in return for helping to sell them, she jumps at the chance to have someone on her side for a change. But there were more than diamonds in the loot Wolfie stole, and its former owners will stop at nothing to get it back. Kerry and Hannah must stay one step ahead of their new enemies - while Kerry spots the opportunity to settle an old score of her own...Trade ReviewMartina Cole fans will love this fast-paced thriller that smacks you right between the eyes - Daily Mirror on Fight BackA great sense of place, some strong and compelling characters, Anna Smith has well and truly placed Glasgow firmly in the gangland crime fiction map with this series! Don't miss it! - Chapter in my LifeGritty, hard-edged, not for the faint-hearted - Sunday Mirror on Fight Back

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF STYLIST BOOK WARSA SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICKTHE POOL'S BEDTIME BOOK CLUB PICKSHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON'S BEST MYSTERY/THRILLER OF THE YEAR A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK'Thrilling' Reese Witherspoon'Addictive' Stylist'Vibrant' Observer'Sensational' Guardian 'Elegant' Daily Mail'Wonderful' Sunday Times'Compelling' Entertainment Weekly'Lyrical' Wall Street Journal'Gripping' Bustle'Stunning' LA Times'Smart' Good Housekeeping'Sophisticated' Grazia'Ice-pick sharp' Louise CandlishAs the party of the year gets underway, celebrities and patrons pour into the Rocque Museum to see Kim Lord - L.A.'s artist of the moment - stabbed, strangled, shot, and beaten. It's the opening night of 'Still Lives', Kim's new collection of shockingly graphic self-portraits, in which she impersonates the victims of America's most famous homicides, from Nicole Brown Simpson to the Black Dahlia.Among those gathered is Maggie Richter, a museum editor whose ex, Greg Shaw Ferguson, is in a relationship with Kim. When Kim fails to appear at the party and is declared officially missing, Greg is arrested on suspicion of murder. Suddenly, Maggie finds herself drawn into an investigation of her own, haunted by the thought that Kim has suffered the same terrible fate as the women in her paintings. 'Think a mix of Killing Eve and . . . one of those thrillers that keeps you up till 2am when you've a 6am alarm and you're close to the mark' Stylist 'An up-all-night brain-teaser of a murder mystery. I loved it' Louise Candlish, author of Our HousePerfect for fans of The Girls, Gone Girl and Big Little Lies. Trade ReviewA thrilling mystery... still keeps us up at night, it's THAT good * Reese Witherspoon *Vivid, vibrant and thrilling... with an ending every bit as dramatic as the deaths [Kim] Lord has painted * Observer *Unique, smart and uneasy . . . what captivates us about Still Lives is its feminist undertones, cleverly exploring the way violence against women is used as entertainment, while still providing a tight and addictive read * Stylist *Smart and sophisticated * Good Housekeeping *A high-concept literary thriller . . . not only a taut, elegant mystery, but a subtle examination of the way in which American society has become obsessed with the violent deaths of strikingly beautiful women * Daily Mail *Wonderful... delicate... delightful * Sunday Times *Sensational . . . not only a satisfying mystery, but also an ambitious, intelligent and often uncomfortable study of gender, violence and art * Guardian *Frank and incredibly relatable . . . an intriguing, and often disturbing, read * Irish News *Savvy and lyrical - the perfect beach read * Wall Street Journal *Sleek, assured writing, ice-pick sharp commentary on the L.A. art world and the media's relationship with female crime victims, plus an up-all-night brain-teaser of a murder mystery. I loved it * Louise Candlish, author of Our House *[A] smart, opinionated thriller * The Pool *Sophisticated. An intriguing read * Grazia *A deeply affecting examination of how our culture fetishizes female victims of crime -it will also have readers feverishly turning pages... a stunning achievement * LA Times *The fast-paced feminist thriller about the L.A. art world you don't want to miss... An electrifying mystery * Bustle *Gripping... the smartest, most original page-turner I've read in a long time * Maggie Shipstead, author of Seating Arrangements *A taut thriller with a delectable final 100 pages. It reaches an addictive pitch that all books of this ilk aspire to... and she writes a hell of an ending * Los Angeles Review of Books *Sucks you into a compelling story, before forcing you to contemplate the big, uncomfortable ideas it's considering. It's a fresh choice for Reese's Book Club, to be sure * Entertainment Weekly *Moody and restless, propelled by a gradually intensifying sense of unease * Buzzfeed *A whip-smart mystery and a moving meditation on the consumption of female bodies all rolled into one * Kirkus *A mysterious page turner * Time Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'The Ugly Truth is fresh, compelling and searing in its exploration of the toxicity of social media and the reality of modern celebrity. Not to be missed!' Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS'#FreeBritney meets The Appeal in this addictively unique thriller' Jack Jordan, bestselling author of Do No Harm"I'm a prisoner. I'm not allowed to leave. There is someone watching me every minute of the day."Melanie Lange has disappeared.Her father, billionaire business tycoon Sir Peter Lange, says she is a danger to herself and has been admitted to a private mental health clinic.Her ex-husband, Finn, and best friend, Nell, say she has been kidnapped. They are deeply concerned for her safety.The media will say whichever gets them the most views.But whose side are you on?#SaveMelanie#HelpPeter'A startling thriller with a sharp edge. Fast and compelling, it leaves you gasping for breath' Daily Mail'A whip-smart and ingenious thriller' Lesley Kara, bestselling author of The Rumour'Original, timely, thought-provoking' B. A. Paris, bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors'A compelling read that will make you look at headlines in a different way' GlamourReaders are obsessed with The Ugly Truth:'There are some books that quickly become an obsession. The Ugly Truth is one of those books' *****'The Ugly Truth is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. L.C. North really knows what she's doing' *****'An absolutely spot on portrayal of the harsh landscape that is modern-day fame and celebrity. As disturbing as it is thought-provoking' *****Told via interviews, transcripts and diary entries, The Ugly Truth is a shocking and addictive thriller about fame, power and the truth behind the headlines.Trade ReviewThe Ugly Truth is fresh, compelling and searing in its exploration of the toxicity of social media and the reality of modern celebrity. Not to be missed! * Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS *A whipsmart and ingenious thriller for our times. Compellingly narrated in snippets of mixed media, The Ugly Truth homes in on our toxic addiction to celebrity. It is a tour de force! * Lesley Kara, bestselling author of THE RUMOUR *#FreeBritney meets The Appeal in this addictively unique thriller. Get ready to be utterly hooked. North is one of my all-time favourite writers. * Jack Jordan, author of DO NO HARM *Original, timely, thought-provoking and an absolutely brilliant read. * B. A. Paris, author of BEHIND CLOSED DOORS *Totally fresh and very clever. A very enjoyable piece of fiction that made me reassess my own views and prejudices about people in the public eye. * Emily Edwards, author of THE HERD *The Ugly Truth is a beautifully crafted, and sharply observed novel. It makes for an incredibly powerful and heart-breaking read. I inhaled it. * Liv Matthews, author of THE TWINS *A brilliantly constructed and compelling glimpse into the darkest reaches of celebrity, and a forensic study of how the solar flare of fame can blind everyone to the truth. Highly recommended. * Fiona Cummins, author of RATTLE *One of the cleverest and most thought-provoking books I've read in a long time, with an absolute sucker-punch of an ending that really unsettled me. * Charlotte Duckworth, author of THE SANCTUARY *Fresh, surprising and very astute on what it's like to live in the public eye. * Laura Marshall, bestselling author of FRIEND REQUEST *Riveting, thought-provoking and heart-breaking in equal measure. So inventive and original, and the characterisation was incredible. * Catherine Cooper, author of THE CHALET *L. C. North brilliantly combines delicious, page-turning entertainment with dark themes. * Emma Curtis, author of INVITE ME IN *The Ugly Truth is a thought-provoking indictment of modern fame which shines a light in the darkest of places and asks all the right questions. Propulsive reading. Loved it. * Amanda Reynolds, author of CLOSE TO ME *Provides a disturbing insight into how the media treats women. A truly five-star read. * Nikki Smith, author of LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO *A timely and compelling look at celebrity culture wrapped up in a dark, twisty tale! * Louise Mumford, author of THE SAFE HOUSE *A rollercoaster ride, thought-provoking, addictive, and satisfying. Highly recommend. * Louise Swanson, author of END OF STORY *Fascinating morally grey characters, toxic families and an amazing critique on the callous nature of the media. Loved it. * Heather Darwent, author of THE THINGS WE DO TO OUR FRIENDS *A damning, tragic modern day story told in a unique and thoroughly entertaining way. It holds a mirror up to our dog-eat-dog media and the price we all pay for using real lives as entertainment. * Cesca Major, author of MAYBE NEXT TIME *A startling thriller with a sharp edge. Fast and compelling, it leaves you gasping for breath. * Daily Mail *A cleverly written page-turner. * Apple Books 'Best of the Month', March 2023 *Perceptive, thought-provoking and addictive. * Crime Monthly *The unique format of this book has me intrigued - told via interviews, transcripts and diary entries, The Ugly Truth is a thriller about fame, power and the truth behind the headlines * Cosmopolitan *Are you ready for your new obsession? This thriller captures everything that is toxic with social media and being a celebrity in today's world. Original, fast-moving and a compelling read. A twisting psychological story that will make you look at headlines in a different way. * Glamour *The Ugly Truth is a rollercoaster of a book that has you hooked from the first page. Original, blistering and brilliant. A triumph. * Frost magazine *A terrific thriller, inventively told. You'll want to turn off your phone and hide yourself away until you've turned the last page. * B. P. Walter, author of THE DINNER GUEST *A taut and pacy thriller...North has a masterful approach to a sensitive subject and keeps you hooked. * Sun *

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Book Synopsis'Dark, creepy and very clever, The Trap will lure you in and keep you captive until the very last page' - C L TAYLOR‘Elegant and twisty, it lingers in the memory’ – Daily Mail'Topical, twisty, and with a real heart stopper of a moment halfway in that'll make you turn the lights back on' - GILLIAN MCALLISTERStranded on a dark road in the middle of the night, a young woman accepts a lift from a passing stranger. It's the nightmare scenario that every girl is warned about, and she knows the dangers all too well - but what other choice does she have?As they drive, she alternates between fear and relief - one moment thinking he is just a good man doing a good thing, the next convinced he's a monster. But when he delivers her safely to her destination, she realizes her fears were unfounded.And her heart sinks. Because a monster is what she's looking for.She'll try again tomorrow night. But will the man who took her sister take the bait?-Inspired by a series of still-unsolved disappearances, The Trap is the startlingly original new thriller from internationally bestselling author Catherine Ryan Howard.‘As brain-teasing as it is gripping . . . [a] psychologically dazzling novel' - Sunday Times Thriller of the Month and chosen as one of the 12 best thrillers of 2023 by The Times'Dark and witty and clever. An original and highly gripping read, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' - Alice Feeney'Howard has a sly gift for misdirection . . . Again and again, you'll blithely follow her down the wrong path' - New York Times'A breakneck thriller with so many twists and turns that your head will spin. I absolutely tore through The Trap ' - Holly SeddonTrade ReviewTopical, twisty, and with a real heart stopper of a moment halfway in that'll make you turn the lights back on. * Gillian McAllister, author of WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME *Everything a thriller should be: clever, page-tearing, devastating. Catherine Ryan Howard makes you feel for her characters so much, whether you love them or absolutely loathe them. It's impossible to stop reading - or to stop thinking about THE TRAP, long after you're done * Abigail Dean, author of GIRL A *Dark, creepy and very clever, The Trap will lure you in and keep you captive until the very last page. Catherine Ryan Howard is the Queen of the Unguessable Twist * C L Taylor *As brain-teasing as it is gripping . . . [a] psychologically dazzling novel * Sunday Times - Thriller of the Month *The Trap is everything you want in a book - breathless pace, clever plot, addictive characters, and very pertinent social commentary on how victims are judged. Whip smart, utterly absorbing, and unputdownable * Andrea Mara, author of ALL HER FAULT *

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Book Synopsis'Gripping' IAN RANKIN ***AN IRISH TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR *** A dead police officer. A murder that no-one wants to solve... Dublin, 1986. The murder of an off-duty officer in Phoenix Park should have brought down the full power of the Dublin police force. But Kieran Lynch was found in a notorious gay cruising ground, so even as the press revels in the scandal, some of the Murder Squad are reluctant to investigate. Only Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine are determined to search out the difficult truth, walking the streets of nighttime Dublin to find Kieran's lovers and friends. But Gina has her own secret that means she must withhold vital evidence. When a fire rips through Temple Bar and another man is killed, she must decide what price she is willing to pay to find a murderer. A gripping mystery that will keep you hooked until the final page, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Tana French and Adrian McKinty. *** THE NEW NOVEL FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE ROSARY GARDEN *** ________________________________________ PRAISE FOR THE SERIES 'A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies' - VAL MCDERMID 'As good as it gets' - DENISE MINA 'A terrific new gem of Irish noir' - SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewPeriod, pace, plot and pathos: once again Nicola White provides the lot * Sunday Times Crime Club Pick *A delicately constructed web in which the detectives' personal and professional lives intersect with their investigation to devastating effect... Where White goes from here is a matter of the keenest anticipation * Irish Times *Nicola White's 1986 Dublin and its more exotic characters are instantly recognisable to anyone around at that time, which adds spice to a well-told mystery * Irish Independent *Rich in atmosphere... refreshingly different... her best yet * Bookmunch *A gay cop murdered. Two mismatched and awkward detectives on the case. Gripping -- Ian RankinPRAISE FOR THE SERIES A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies rising from the past to strangle the present -- Val McDermidAs good as it gets: a debut shot through with the real, horrifying cruelty of true crime and a heart-race ending -- Denise MinaA terrific new gem of Irish noir * Sunday Times *Psychological nuanced and compassionate... gripping * Irish Times *A vivid thriller. Engrossing right up to its sombre resolution * Irish Independent *

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Book Synopsis*** THE #1 KINDLE BESTSELLER *** *** A NETGALLEY BOOK OF THE MONTH *** 'Dark, heartbreaking and totally absorbing' - LORRAINE KELLY 'Brilliantly written and emotionally compulsive' - HARRIET TYCE 'A powerful and thought-provoking page turner' - KATERINA DIAMOND ________________________________________ CALL ME MUMMY. IT'LL BE BETTER IF YOU DO. Glamorous, beautiful Mummy has everything a woman could want. Except for a daughter of her very own. So when she sees Kim - heavily pregnant, glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop - she does what anyone would do. She takes her. But foul-mouthed little Tonya is not the daughter that Mummy was hoping for. As Tonya fiercely resists Mummy's attempts to make her into the perfect child, Kim is demonised by the media as a 'scummy mummy', who deserves to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, Kim begins to spiral, turning on those who love her. Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle... ________________________________________ 'Disturbing and distinctive, this is a book I couldn't put down' - AMANDA JENNINGS 'Tense and gripping, these characters will stay with me' - ALICE CLARK-PLATTS 'Psychologically twisty and utterly gripping' - LISA HALLTrade ReviewI loved [this] book. It's very dark, heartbreaking and totally absorbing -- Lorraine KellyHorrifying and beautiful in equal measure, the characters truly lifelike in their all too human complexities. Brilliantly written and emotionally compulsive. I loved it -- Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of BLOOD ORANGEA powerful and thought-provoking page turner. The definition of unputdownable -- Katerina Diamond, author of THE HEATWAVEIt's brilliant. I had to read the last half of it all in one go as I couldn't put it down -- Eddie Mair, LBC RadioUtterly absorbing - I loved everything about this book, but especially the deeply flawed, brilliantly drawn protagonists. Such an imaginative premise and so brilliantly done -- Catherine Cooper, author of THE CHALETPsychologically twisty and utterly gripping - a novel to make you question the way things appear at first sight -- Lisa Hall, author of THE PERFECT COUPLEI rattled through Call Me Mummy, biting my nails the entire time. Tense and gripping, these characters will stay with me for a long time -- Alice Clark-Platts, author of THE FLOWER GIRLSCall Me Mummy is a twisty, heartbreaking thriller... [a] searing debut * Best Magazine *Another must-read is Call Me Mummy by Tina Baker, a darkly comic thriller about two women who are worlds apart - until one steals the other one's child * Waitrose Magazine *A powerful, dark and bleak novel with broken characters that really got under my skin. Absorbing, gritty and very real -- Mel Sherratt, author of TICK TOCKDisturbing, distinctive, and peppered with black humour, this is a book I couldn't put down. If you like your fiction dark and compelling, you'll love Call Me Mummy -- Amanda Jennings, author of THE STORMSuperb. What a dark, troubling and beautifully written book. And it's threaded with a strand of bleak uncompromising humour which catches the reader off guard at the most unexpected moments. Read it! -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERSBleak but totally compelling and peppered with dark humour. Tense, twisted and totally unputdownable. Shocking and brilliant -- SJI Holliday, author of VIOLETA deliciously dark, emotionally truthful, sucker punch of a novel. Creepy, twisty and all too credible. A stunning debut -- Paul Burston, author of THE CLOSER I GETAn astonishing debut. Beautifully written, but also raw and uncompromising, this is a gut-punch of a novel -- David Jackson, author of THE RESIDENTA peerlessly original thriller, pushing at the sore edges of motherhood and childlessness. I read it with my free hand over my mouth and my heart in knots. Spectacular -- Kate Simants, author of LOCK ME INFrom the first to the last page I was hooked. The writing is flawless, and the characters are so realistically portrayed I felt I knew both women. I absolutely loved it -- Louise Mullins, author of I KNOW YOUBrilliant. A thriller so tense you dare not look away until the final page -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALI love these kinds of thrillers that touch on mental health, dark deep secrets and harrowing, tormented characters. A fast-paced thrilling read [with] a spectacular ending -- J.A. Andrews, author of YOU LET HIM INUtterly exceptional. Haunting, harrowing and very dark -- Victoria Selman, author of SNAKES AND LADDERS

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Book Synopsis'DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK' - STEPHEN KING 'Creepy, individual and gripping' - IAN RANKIN 'A thrilling hall of mirrors filled with twists' - ALEX MICHAELIDES 'Brilliant and moving' - SARAH PINBOROUGH Rob is afraid of her daughter. Callie collects tiny bones and whispers to imaginary friends, and Rob is afraid of what she might to do Annie, her younger sister. She sees a darkness in Callie that reminds her of the family she left behind, and a life she has tried to forget. Seeing no other way to keep Annie safe, she decides to take Callie back to Sundial, her childhood home deep in the Mojave Desert. And there she will have to make a terrible choice. Callie is afraid of her mother. Rob has begun to look at her strangely. To tell her secrets about her past that both disturb and excite her. And they are both afraid that only one of them will make it back from Sundial alive... A gripping gothic masterpiece from the bestselling and award-winning author of THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET, SUNDIAL is a must-read for fans of GIRL A and SHARP OBJECTS.Trade ReviewShocking... Ward wrongfoots the reader at every turn... Disturbing and yet ultimately moving as the bonds of love become clear * Observer Thriller of the Month *Numerous twists to shock and surprise * The Times *Ward is such a supple, authoritative stylist... deftly and absorbingly guiding an emotionally turbulent narrative toward the light, with an absolutely stunning final twist * Irish Times *One of the most masterful psychological thrillers you are likely to read this year * Irish Independent *If you love toe-clenching horror, you will have the time of your life * Stylist *If you are a thriller fan, a mystery fan, and/or a horror fan, DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK. Authentically terrifying -- Stephen KingEvery bit as creepy, individual and gripping as The Last House on Needless Street. Bravo -- Ian RankinA story where nothing is what it seems - a thrilling hall of mirrors full of deeply disturbing twists. This book will haunt you -- Alex Michaelides, author of THE SILENT PATIENTA riveting page-turner, an autopsy of a family, a study in generational trauma, a meditation on science. You feel like the whole world is in there tugging at your insides -- Caroline Kepnes, author of YOUI wish more thrillers were this witty, this cunning, and this impossible-to-put-down. Sundial is a heart-in-the-throat smash -- Joe Hill, author of THE FIREMANElegantly horrifying, this tale of a family's darker-than-dark past drives the knife in deep and isn't afraid to twist. It's a desert-dust nightmare with a scorpion's sting, and I loved it -- Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERSAs brilliant and moving as you would expect from a Catriona Ward book -- Sarah Pinborough, author of BEHIND HER EYES[A] riveting mind-bender... unsettling and yet so touching * Saga *If you were left bewitched by The Last House On Needless Street, then you are in for an even darker reckoning... this novel is up there with the master of psychological horror, Stephen King * Buzz *Sundial plumbs the psychological depths and traps of toxic relationships, expertly mixing suspense, shocks, and menace. It's a wild, twisted family gothic unlike any you've read before and one you won't soon forget -- Paul Tremblay, author of A HEADFUL OF GHOSTS

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Book Synopsis*** WINNER OF THE BATH NOVEL AWARD *** 'A tense, unsettling and emotionally engaging whydunnit' - SOPHIE HANNAH 'Gritty, tense, and superbly plotted' - HARRIET TYCE 'A complete triumph. an intelligent and deeply satisfying thriller' - ELIZABETH HAYNES ________________________________________ TWO BOYS LOVED HER. BUT WHICH ONE KILLED HER? On a dark night two years ago, teenagers Rob and Paige broke into a house. They beat and traumatised the occupants, then left, taking only a bracelet. No one knows why, not even Luke, Rob's younger brother and Paige's confidant. Paige disappeared after that night. And having spent her life in children's homes and the foster system, no one cared enough to look for her. Now Rob is out of prison, and probation officer Wren Reynolds has been tasked with his rehabilitation. But Wren has her own reasons for taking on Rob as a client. Convinced that Rob knows what happened to Paige, and hiding a lifetime of secrets from her heavily pregnant wife, Wren's obsession with finding a missing girl may tear her family apart... This beautiful and compelling thriller is perfect for readers of Harriet Tyce, Sophie Hannah and Lisa Jewell. ________________________________________ 'Superb. A rare combination of stunning twists and exceptional prose' - DAVID JACKSON 'Immersive and compelling, authentic and raw' - S.E. LYNES 'A mesmerising tale. One of the rising stars of crime fiction' - TREVOR WOODTrade ReviewA tense, unsettling and emotionally engaging whydunnit that grips from the first page -- Sophie Hannah, The Sunday Times bestselling author of HAVEN'T THEY GROWNGritty, tense, superbly plotted and the run up to the end left me breathless and a bit of an emotional wreck. It's really good -- Harriet Tyce, Richard and Judy bestselling author of BLOOD ORANGEA complete triumph. An intelligent and deeply satisfying thriller with such vivid characters it's impossible to believe they aren't real -- Elizabeth Haynes, author of INTO THE DARKEST CORNERSuperb. A rare combination of stunning twists and exceptional prose makes it the perfect read -- David Jackson, author of THE RESIDENT'Layer upon layer of secrets, making for a perfectly paced page-turner. Past and present are woven together beautifully, and all tied up in an ending that I genuinely did not see coming' -- Robert Scragg, author of WHAT FALLS BETWEEN THE CRACKS'Immersive and compelling, authentic and raw' -- S.E. Lynes, bestselling author of THE WOMEN'It has everything you want from a novel - the grimy realism of the best crime, and the perfectly executed twists of the best psychological thrillers' -- Dominic Nolan, author of AFTER DARK'Assured, gripping and with a twist I did not see coming... fantastic' -- James Delargy, author of 55'A mesmerising tale of justice and redemption which will have you spellbound. Simants displays a poetic eye for detail which will quickly establish her as one of the rising stars of crime fiction' -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN ON THE STREET

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Book Synopsis* THE TIMES BOOK CLUB STAR PICK * * A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE MONTH * * A RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK * 'Chilling and compelling' - THE SUN 'Turns a traditional crime plot to very modern effect' - SUNDAY TIMES 'Brilliant - creepily atmospheric and incredibly tense' - HARRIET TYCE THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST REALITY SHOW. A PRIZE WORTH KILLING FOR... Frozen Out is set to be a TV sensation. On a small ship off the coast of Greenland, six contestants will push themselves to breaking point for a £100,000 prize. The show is Tori Matsuka's baby. After years working her way up the ladder, she's finally launching her own production company and everything is riding on the show. For camerawoman Dee, it's a chance to start again after the tragedy that tanked her undercover journalism career. But as errors and mishaps mount on set, tempers among the cast and crew start to fray. And when one of the contestants is found dead, only Dee realises that the death wasn't natural - and from what she's seen from behind the camera, it won't be the last. As the Arctic ice closes in and all chance of escape is cut off, one thing becomes clear: although the world outside wants them dead, it's the secrets inside the ship that might cost them their lives... Packed with suspense from the first page to the last, Freeze is a must-read for fans of Shiver, The Sanatorium and One By One. This thriller isn't just chilling: it's sub-zero.Trade ReviewDon't be fooled by the title - this murder mystery is sizzling hot. Brimming with stone cold secrets, shocking lies and twists that hit like an arctic winter. Simants has sculpted a breathtaking thriller out of pure ice -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALSuperb. Utterly claustrophobic and chilling, the perfect icy read -- Jo Spain, author of DIRTY LITTLE SECRETSSimants uses her knowledge of the industry to spill the secrets of a reality TV show set in the Arctic. The characters are deliciously over-the-top and bicker constantly. When it turns out there's a killer on board, Simants turns a traditional crime plot to very modern effect * Sunday Times *This chilling read is both compelling and claustrophobic * Sun *This novel has a lot to offer. It moves fast, the tension is high and the two main characters are likeable in their different ways * Literary Review *Brilliant - creepily atmospheric and incredibly tense. The characterisation is fantastic and it cuts as cold as the Arctic in which it's set. Highly recommended -- Harriet Tyce, author of BLOOD ORANGEPacked with chills and spills, Freeze is a terrifically entertaining thriller with a unique and fascinating setting -- Allie Reynolds, author of SHIVERThis book has everything - weather that can kill you, an under-equipped ship stuck in a storm, a cast of people who all have secrets and element of their past they don't want revealed. I loved it -- Catherine Cooper, author of THE CHATEAUPlenty of drama, plenty of tension, plenty of twists... The realism and authenticity of someone who knows TV production inside out shone through to make this thrilling novel unique. Will definitely give you chills -- P.L. Kane, author of HER HUSBAND'S GRAVEThe ice at the top of the world is the perfect setting - a locked room mystery where the room itself is lethal. A twisting character-driven thriller where hidden pasts are exposed in the present, provoking deadly intentions and deadlier misunderstandings -- Dominic Nolan, author of VINE STREETHeart-pumping and super-engaging, with a brilliant setting and cast of characters. The twists and turns kept me guessing throughout and I raced through the pages to the clever and satisfying climax -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIESA fab twist on the locked room thriller! -- Tina Baker, author of CALL ME MUMMYRaced through this transporting thriller, with atmosphere, landscape and cast all compelling and vicious. I was utterly gripped - absolutely loved it -- Rachael Blok, author of THE FALLSimants has given the locked room mystery a reality-show makeover in this cracking thriller. Superbly plotted with an ice-cold killer stalking the ship-bound contestants, Freeze will chill you to your bones -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN ON THE STREETAs a former Big Brother constant this book really hit home. Reality TV meets a gripping locked room murder. As addictive as any reality TV show and utterly chilling -- A.J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEER

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Book Synopsis* OVER TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD * * THE NO.1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * * THE RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK * * THE REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK * _______________________________________ * NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES ON APPLE TV+ STARRING JENNIFER GARNER * 'The ultimate page turner' - REESE WITHERSPOON 'Powerful, intense and beautifully observed' - T.M. LOGAN 'A brilliant thriller' - JANE CASEY IT WAS THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME: PROTECT HER Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his new wife, Hannah: protect her. Hannah knows exactly who Owen needs her to protect - his teenage daughter, Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. And who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother. As her desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, his boss is arrested for fraud and the police start questioning her, Hannah realises that her husband isn't who he said he was. And that Bailey might hold the key to discovering Owen's true identity, and why he disappeared. Together they set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen's past, they soon realise that their lives will never be the same again... Now a major Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Garner and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, discover the book that everyone is talking about...Trade ReviewLaura Dave is a master storyteller. Gripping, big-hearted and twisty, The Last Thing He Told Me grabs readers from the very first page and never lets go -- Greer Hendricks, bestselling co-author of ThHE WIFE BETWEEN USA massive page-turner, really gripping. I raced through it -- Laura Marshall, bestselling author of THREE LITTLE LIESThe ultimate page turner. There's so much to love about this roller coaster of a novel -- Reese WitherspoonPowerful, intense and beautifully observed. A thriller with real heart -- T.M. Logan, bestselling author of THE HOLIDAYA brilliant thriller. Totally compelling, superbly crafted and unpredictable in the best way -- Jane Casey, author of THE CUTTING PLACEA must-read for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Big Little Lies * You Magazine *Just the sort of gripping read you need for summer evenings * Belfast Telegraph *This gripping thriller is perfect TV-drama fodder and Reese Witherspoon's production company is making the miniseries. When Hannah's husband vanishes, leaving behind a note and bag of cash, she sets about unravelling the mystery, helped by her stepdaughter Bailey, who is equally as in the dark. Or is she? I steamed through it in one read * Stella *Clever, compulsive and twisty as hell. Cancel all your plans before you start this one, I had to remind myself to breathe during the final, devastating pages -- Chris Whitaker, author of WE BEGIN AT THE ENDI loved The Last Thing He Told Me - a gripping, twisty read which examines loyalty, motherhood and betrayal -- Sarah J. Harris, bestselling author of THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM'S MURDER

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Book SynopsisReality TV turns deadly in Cherry Hinton’s first case When Kenny Thorpe, a contestant on Expose TV’s Big Blubber, the hot new celebrity weight-loss show, is murdered on live television in front of 3 million viewers, the case seems pretty watertight. After all, everyone saw Martin do it – didn’t they? Cherry Hinton knows there’s more to this than meets the eye. As an investigative reporter, she went undercover on dating show Caravan of Love… but after getting in too deep with one of the other contestants, she was caught knickerless in front of the nation. Humiliated, fired and heartbroken, she has fled to Brentwood, where she opens a cake shop, and tries to forget all about Expose. Until Kenny Thorpe’s sister walks into her shop with a letter that turns Cherry’s world upside down. Is Martin innocent? How is infamous gangster Leon Solent involved? Is Expose to blame, and is there a killer still on the loose? Cherry is the only one in a position to find out.Trade Review'If you’re in need of comic distraction (as we all are…) this is extremely funny' Harriet Tyce, author of international bestseller Blood Orange 'A scathingly satirical look at reality TV and society's hypocritical standards, Cherry Slice might not be as nice as pie, but its gooey centre is our intrepid P.I Cherry Hinton ... I think I love her!' Lucy V. Hay, author of Never Have I Ever

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Book SynopsisIt’s murder on the dance floor, as Cherry is about to discover Keeping temperamental ballroom dancers happy feels like a full-time job for the producer of TV night show The Dance is Right. So when star dancer Nadiya Slipchenko senses that she is in danger, she turns to local detective Cherry Hinton to act as an on-set bodyguard. Though Cherry is sceptical of Nadiya’s claims at first, it’s not long before things start to make her story add up. Then the host of the show is found dead and suddenly even the police start taking it seriously. Cherry – who has her hands full making cakes for her bakery and avoiding turning up on Watch My Ex Having Sex – teams up with her former flame DS Jacob Stowe to get to the truth of the matter. Can Cherry and Jacob solve the case before it is too late?

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Book SynopsisThe town is gripped by a big freeze, and blizzard after blizzard has engulfed the feline community, leaving shops and businesses snowbound. Hettie Bagshot and her sidekick, Tilly Jenkins, have found sanctuary by their fireside but soon they are bucketed into a terrifying nightmare, called to investigate the disappearance of the town’s kittens as – one by one – they are taken in the snow. Who are the strange cats living in Wither-Fork Woods? Will the ancient prophecy of the Ice Maid’s Tail become a reality? And can Hettie and Tilly defrost the fish fingers in time for tea? Join them as they slip and slide their way through another frost-biting case for The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY 'Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James'I loved it. The whole concept is just so “real”!’ Barbara Erskine'Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted’ M. K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical’ Barry Forshaw‘Hettie Bagshot might be a new face at the scene of a crime, but already she could teach most fictional detectives a thing or two’ The Hunts Post‘An absolute delight from beginning to end… Totally original, very different – and I’m in awe of the author’s imagination. Very much recommended’ Being Anne Blog

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Book SynopsisArmed with only an open mind and a little karate, Mrs Pollifax is the most lovable and most unlikely of international spies.

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Book SynopsisWhen the celebrated crime writer Agatha Crispy engages Hettie and Tilly in the search for a stolen manuscript, our feline detective duo is plunged into a world of Dickensian thieves and murderers. Does the ghost of Jake the Nipper prowl the London Streets of Kitzrovia? Will Madame Two Paws’s exhibition wax or wane? And will the secrets in the crypt of the church of St Mavis and Cucumber finally be revealed? Join Hettie and Tilly as they attempt to unravel yet another darkly humorous case for The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY 'Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James'I loved it. The whole concept is just so “real”!’ Barbara Erskine'Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted’ M. K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical’ Barry Forshaw‘Hettie Bagshot might be a new face at the scene of a crime, but already she could teach most fictional detectives a thing or two’ The Hunts Post‘An absolute delight from beginning to end… Totally original, very different – and I’m in awe of the author’s imagination. Very much recommended’ Being Anne Blog

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Book SynopsisTina Rossi, the world’s leading coloratura soprano, has travelled to Edinburgh, ostensibly to sing in the Festival, in reality to meet her lover, top scientist Kenneth Holmes. But instead of finding Kenneth at their rendezvous, she discovers an unknown corpse. Enter Johnson Johnson, a famous but enigmatic portrait painter whose yacht Dolly is about to sail in a race to the Hebrides where Holmes was conducting his top-secret research. Soon Tina and Johnson are sailing the high seas to investigate Holmes' disappearance, but as Dolly nears Rum, the race has become one for life rather than prize money…Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisWhen Sarah Cassells, a young British woman who has just completed her training as a chef, hears of her father’s violent death on Ibiza, she refuses to believe it is suicide. She heads to Ibiza to investigate and soon gets caught up with an art dealer; two beautiful jet-setters; a remarkable American woman who is not what she seems – and with Johnson Johnson, the mysterious portrait painter who shows up on his yacht, Dolly. As Ibiza prepares to celebrate Holy Week with the traditional processions, events become more and more macabre…Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisDr B. MacRannoch is in the Bahamas with her father who has moved there from Scotland because of asthma. She is a savvy and tough young woman who shows much independence of mind and spirit. However, when Sir Bart Edgecome, a British agent who has been poisoned with arsenic, falls ill on his way back from New York, she becomes involved in a series of events beyond her wildest imagination. Drawn into an espionage plot with multiple suspects, it is only the presence of enigmatic portrait painter Johnson Johnson on his yacht, Dolly, that saves the day. But nothing is quite as straightforward as it at first seems.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener‘Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times ‘[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisIf Ruth had stayed on leave, none of it might have happened. An astronomer working at the Maurice Frazer Observatory, Ruth Russell is enjoying her time in Rome. That is until Charles Digham, top fashion photographer and Ruth’s lover, has his camera stolen and the thief ends up a headless corpse in the zoo park toletta. The enigmatic Johnson Johnson, in Rome to paint a portrait of the Pope, is on hand to unravel the mystery. But as Johnson and Ruth begin the search for clues it soon becomes clear that more is at stake than the secrets of a couture house… something far more deadly.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener‘Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times‘[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisTo all appearances Joanna Emerson is a fully qualified, gold-medalled graduate of the world’s finest college of Nursery Nurses… Engaged as a nanny to Benedict, newly born heir to a vast cosmetic fortune, she becomes caught up in a complex kidnap plot. But the enigmatic portrait painter, yachtsman and former spy, Johnson Johnson is never far away – and he knows the dangerous game she’s playing. Before long, bullets are flying, and most of them in Joanna’s direction.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERY SERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener‘Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times‘[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisUpwardly mobile and smart Wendy Helmann, Executive Secretary, is in Marrakesh with her mother while her boss, Chairman of Kingsley Conglomerates, conducts very delicate if slightly dubious takeover negotiations. Morocco is a romantic place, but Wendy finds herself side-tracked from its attractions by the antics of Rita Geddes and a few peripheral problems such as kidnapping, explosions, industrial espionage, murder and car chases across the High Atlas mountains... Enter Johnson Johnson and his yacht, Dolly.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE DOLLY MYSTERIES ‘The Dolly novels are… delicious, funny, ingenious, glamorous, clever’ Listener'Dunnett tempts her fans with buried clues and red herrings that keep them reading and rereading the books’ New York Times'[Dunnett’s] women are among her strongest characters' Guardian

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Book SynopsisHettie and Tilly are summoned to a mysterious tea party hosted by Tilly's long-lost great-aunts. The ancient windmill they live in is not what it seems, and very soon the mill begins to reveal its terrifying secrets of murder and betrayal. Tilly must face her family's demons as Hettie fights to unravel the tragedies of the past. Who are the hippy cats camped in the field? Why do the walls of the windmill whisper at night? And who haunts the derelict priory? Will Hettie and Tilly have the wind blown out of their sails before this baffling case is brought to a grinding conclusion? Join these fearless cats as they investigate another pastry-laden mystery for The No. 2 Feline Detective Agency.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE NO. 2 FELINE DETECTIVE AGENCY 'Original and intriguing… a world without people which cat lovers will enter and enjoy’ P. D. James'I loved it. The whole concept is just so “real”!’ Barbara Erskine‘Deliciously clever and a true delight’ Laura Thompson'Mandy Morton’s Feline Detective Agency instigates a new genre, both wonderful and surreal’ Maddy Prior‘The world that Morton has created is irresistible’ Publishers Weekly‘Witty and smart. Prepare to be besotted’ M. K. Graff‘Mandy Morton’s series is both charming and whimsical’ Barry Forshaw‘Hettie Bagshot might be a new face at the scene of a crime, but already she could teach most fictional detectives a thing or two’ The Hunts Post

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Book SynopsisAs winter closes its grip on snow-bound London, a cleaner determines to solve the case that her detective father never could. A Kindle number one bestseller. It was the murder that shocked the nation. Kate Rokesmith, a young mother, walked to the banks of the Thames with her three-year-old son. She never came home. For three decades, the case file has lain, unsolved, in the corner of an attic. Until the detective's daughter, Stella Darnell, starts to clear out her father's house after his death... Reviews for The Detective's Daughter: 'A haunting novel about loss and reconciliation, driven by a simple but clever plot' Sunday Times 'This book has a clever mystery plot – but its excellence is in the characters, all credible and memorable, and in its setting in a real West London street, exactly described' Literary Review 'A thoughtful, well-observed story... It reminded me of Kate Atkinson' Scott Pack 'A cerebral thriller... Evokes chills from more than just the frigid winter nights' Forward Reviews Magazine 'Lesley Thomson gets better and better' Ian RankinTrade ReviewA haunting novel about loss and reconciliation, driven by a simple but clever plot * Sunday Times *This book has a clever mystery plot – but its excellence is in the characters, all credible and memorable, and in its setting in a real West London street, exactly described * Literary Review *A cerebral thriller... Evokes chills from more than just the frigid winter nights... Twists and surprises abound' * Forward Reviews Magazine *A thoughtful, well-observed story... It reminded me of Kate Atkinson' * Scott Pack *Tense and gripping... On the edge of my seat? No way – I was cowering under it' * Shotsmag *Skilfully evokes the era and slow-moving childhood summers... A study of memory and guilt with several twists' * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisSeven cryptic photographs. A decades-old case. Can one woman find a killer? Before his death, Terry Darnell was a famous detective. His daughter Stella, a cleaner, has inherited his methodical mind. She has also inherited a strange case file: seven photographs of empty streets. Why did her father keep them for so many years? One photo dates from 1966, to a day when a young girl witnessed something that would haunt her forever. As Stella scrubs away at the truth, the events of that day begin to haunt her too... THE DETECTIVE'S DAUGHTER SERIES: The Detective's Daughter. Ghost Girl. The Detective's Secret. The House With No Rooms. The Dog Walker.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR LESLEY THOMSON: 'A haunting novel about loss and reconciliation, driven by a simple but clever plot' Sunday Times. 'A clever mystery plot... its excellence is in the characters, all credible and memorable' Literary Review. 'Ghost Girl is a terrific crime novel [with] compelling characters and a brilliant central premise' -- Elly Griffiths

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Book SynopsisA woman lies dead on the ground. A girl watches from the shadows. What did she really see? The summer of 1976 was the hottest in living memory. A lost little girl, dizzied by the head, stumbled upon a deserted museum. She thought she saw a woman lying dead on the ground. But when she opened her eyes, the woman had gone. Forty years later, cleaner and detective Stella Darnell is investigating a suspected murder in the Botanical Gardens at Kew. Working methodically, stain by stain, she is drawn into an obsessive world, and towards a killer who has never been caught...Trade ReviewThis is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful murder mystery, with a denouement both shocking and satisfying... Yet another unsettling, accomplished book by a writer at the top of her game' -- Sarah HigbeeA haunting novel about loss and reconciliation, driven by a simple but clever plot * The Sunday Times *A prime example of complex storytelling on a grand scale... an intricate story that stealthily holds your attention throughout towards a thrilling and gripping finale' * Bookshelf Butterfly *An atmospheric and sinister crime thriller with an agreeably complex tale of murder in an iconic London setting, 4/5 * The Curious Ginger Cat *A classic mystery with various red herrings and a surprising but totally fair twist at the end. Readers – pay attention! Highly recommended * Promoting Crime *Entertaining... The twists, turns and revelations of clues and links are deftly handled into an exciting tale. Her use of a cleaning detective and a side-kick with such percipience is inspired' * Crime Review *

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Book Synopsis‘A true master of British crime writing’ RICHARD OSMAN 'The brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character.' WASHINGTON POST A superb Golden Age mystery packed with twists, from the winner of the Diamond Dagger 2020 ENGLAND, 1930. Grieving widows are a familiar sight on London's Necropolis Railway. So when an elegant young woman in a black veil boards the funeral train, nobody guesses her true purpose. But Rachel Savernake is not one of the mourners. She hopes to save a life – the life of a man who is supposed to be cold in the grave. But then a suspicious death on the railway track spurs her on to investigate a sequence of baffling mysteries: a death in a blazing car; a killing in a seaside bungalow; a tragic drowning in a frozen lake. Rachel believes that the cases are connected – but what possible link can there be? Rich, ruthless and obsessed with her own dark notions of justice, she will not rest until she has discovered the truth. To find the answers to her questions she joins a house party on the eerie and remote North Yorkshire coast at Mortmain Hall, an estate. Her inquiries are helped – and sometimes hindered – by the impetuous young journalist Jacob Flint and an eccentric female criminologist with a dangerous fascination with perfect crimes... Mortmain Hall is at once a gripping thriller and a classic whodunit puzzle: a Golden Age Gothic mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. Reviews for Mortmain Hall: 'Maintains a cracking pace... Elegant period escapism' Mail on Sunday 'A classic whodunit' Daily Express 'Rachel Savernake is on spectacular form... A Miss Marple for the 21st century' Daily Mail 'Martin Edwards is a guru of the Golden Age... His work pays homage to the intricate puppetry and byzantine plotting popular in the period' The Times Reviews for Martin Edwards: 'Superb – a pitch-perfect blend of Golden Age charm and sinister modern suspense, with a main character to die for. This is the book Edwards was born to write' Lee Child 'Edwards has managed, brilliantly, to combined a Golden Age setting with a pace that is bang up-to-date. A great sense of the era observed through a cut-throat-sharp eye, every page dripping with brilliant period authenticity' Peter James 'A ripping tale of retribution and rough justice, set against a finely realised 1930s London. It reads as if Ruth Rendell were channelling Edgar Wallace' Mick Herron 'Gripping' Peter RobinsonTrade ReviewA classic whodunnit * Daily Express *A classic whodunnit with a dark gothic twist... An absorbing and intricately plotted golden age murder mystery' * CultureFly *Any novel opening in 1930's England on the London Necropolis Company's private station has got to be a winner, especially in the hands of Martin Edwards, connoisseur extraordinaire of the Golden Age of crime fiction * ShotsMag *Martin Edwards is a guru of the interwar Golden Age of crime novels, and his work pays homage to the intricate puppetry and byzantine plotting popular in the period * The Times *The multi-award-winning Edwards launched a distinctly sparky female detective, Rachel Savernake, daughter of an Old Bailey judge, in his last book and here she reappears in even more spectacular form... This is an old-fashioned mystery with a string of very modern twists, making Ms Savernake a Miss Marple for the 21st century' * Daily Mail *Edwards maintains a cracking pace and only the smartest readers will anticipate the denouement. As elegant period escapism, it ticks all the boxes * Mail on Sunday *Edwards has created some marvellous characters in these books which carry a real flavour of the Golden Age of crime fiction. There's even the traditional list of clues at the end so puzzled readers can see how many they missed * Morning Star *What Martin Edwards doesn't know about Golden Age crime fiction would probably fit on the back of a first-class stamp... With meticulous and detailed research, scratch-them-and-they-bleed characterisation and locations you can smell and touch, Edwards has added his own unique style to a format beloved of Golden Age fans. The result quite different from the contemporary Lake District series his readers may find more familiar, but nevertheless a masterclass' * Mystery People *From the winner of this year's Diamond Dagger award, Mortmain Hall is a gripping whodunnit set in the '30s * My Weekly *Winner of this year's Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger, Martin Edwards is the author of many crime novels, an expert in the genre. His latest series, set in the Golden Age, is an ingenious modern 'take' on the classic whodunnit... A whole page would not give me space to explain the intricacy of this story. A tangle of satisfying clues, and a pleasing denouement in the classic Christie manner' * The Tablet *This wonderful evocation of a bygone age would make Mortmain Hall worth reading on its own but when you combine it with a cracking story and original and engaging characters, you've got a real winner * TripFiction *Lots here that is impressive, not least the deft writing...Definitely one to read * The Critic *

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Book SynopsisA reality TV star becomes a suspect in an Essex murder case in the sharp, funny and moving new thriller from M.K. Hill Three years ago, Danny 'Abs' Cruikshank, star of reality show Laid in Essex!, was living the dream. But on the night of the party, everything changed. It was supposed to be an intimate weekend gathering, just a few close friends in a remote cottage in Wales. But after a night of heavy drinking in the village pub, a local girl was reported missing – and never seen again. Abs and his friends had been the last to see her alive. No-one was ever charged, but the controversy destroyed Abs's career. And now one of his mates has been murdered... DI Sasha Dawson and her team must race against the clock to find the killer before they strike again – but first she must discover what happened to Rhiannon Jenkins on the night she vanished. Will the truth set Abs free? Or bury him? Praise for M.K. Hill: 'Devilishly clever and twisty, The Woman in the Wood is a gripping thriller with a brilliantly compelling protagonist' Tom Wood 'Everything a police procedural should be: sharp, funny, moving and tremendously exciting' The Times Crime Book of the Month 'Dark, gripping and fast paced, The Bad Place grabs a hold and won't let you go... Addictive summer reading' Katerina Diamond 'Superb, smart, seat-edge stuff. DI Sasha Dawson is a brilliant creation' William Shaw 'Absorbing and twisty' Mark Edwards 'Utterly compelling and brilliantly realistic, The Bad Place is Mark's best book yet. One that will appeal to crime fans everywhere' Lisa HallTrade ReviewDevilishly clever and twisty, The Woman in the Wood is a gripping thriller with a brilliantly compelling protagonist -- Tom WoodMark Hill's satirical relish makes the murder case tastier than it should be * The Times Crime Club *A really great heart-thumping thriller, full of surprises and excitement. The author shows a great insight into human behaviour * Promoting Crime Fiction *A really great heart thumping thriller, full of surprises and excitement... This is the second book I have read about Sasha and her team and look forward with anticipation to the next. I cannot recommend The Woman in The Wood enough, it's outstanding' * Mystery People *

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Book Synopsis'Lesley Thomson gets better and better' Ian Rankin When Freddy Power was eighteen, her father threw her out. Her sin had been to fall in love with a woman. Freddy waited for two decades to be invited back into the family. The summons never came. But now, in the wake of her parents' death, Freddy feels the call of home like a siren's song. The trawlers emerging out of the mist. Fishermen unloading their catch down at the harbour. Her best friend, Mags, exploring the cliffs at sunset. But when she arrives at Newhaven, after twenty-two years of silence, her brothers and her friends act like strangers. Then Mags goes missing, and old secrets – and old passions – are reignited. Freddy is determined to lead the hunt for Mags – even if it means confronting her past, and facing the truth about her family... Reviews for Death of a Mermaid: 'Catholic guilt, monstrous hypocrisy and all kinds of fishy business are explored in an atmosphere of creeping dread' The Times 'A truly brilliant book, full of atmosphere and a creeping sense of menace. Lesley Thomson lures you in with meticulously drawn characters and a matchless sense of place, and then you are caught in the jaws of a remorseless thriller' Elly Griffiths 'A strong sense of place, wonderfully woven with a cast of memorable characters' Mari Hannah 'Death of a Mermaid is a tense, beautifully written novel, with characters so well-crafted you expect them to walk off the page' Rachael Blok 'A powerful tale of dark secrets that fester in a small seaside town' William ShawTrade ReviewA truly brilliant book, full of atmosphere and a creeping sense of menace. Lesley Thomson lures you in with meticulously drawn characters and a matchless sense of place, and then you are caught in the jaws of a remorseless thriller -- Elly GriffithsCharacters so well crafted you expect them to walk off the page. Death of a Mermaid is a tense, beautifully written novel -- Rachael BlokLesley Thomson doesn't muck about: three people have popped their clogs before page 40... Thomson lets rip in this stand-alone novel. Catholic guilt, monstrous hypocrisy and all kinds of fishy business are explored in an atmosphere of creeping dread... The climactic shipwreck is deeply impressive' * The Times *Returning to a childhood home is also at the centre of Lesley Thomson's creepy thriller Death of a Mermaid * Independent *This novel examines the inability of the three women to shake off the past and its ugly secrets... Lesley Thomson is on top form yet again' * Shots eZine *A strong sense of place, wonderfully woven with a cast of memorable characters -- Mari HannahPowerful and moving and like nothing else you'll read this year, Death of a Mermaid is a brilliant tale of dark secrets that fester in a small seaside town -- William ShawLesley Thomson gets better and better -- Ian RankinThe setting positively sings with realism... Simple and complex at the same time... In Death of a Mermaid she creates an entire world, presented in enough detail to make it live, and peopled by meticulously drawn characters who stay in the mind' * Mystery People. *Stuffed full of captivating drama, wiles, and deception this is a thoroughly entertaining read... Death of a Mermaid is a stimulating read, the characters weave their way through the plot which spins to a dramatic conclusion' * LoveReading. *Thomson deploys her trademark quirky style and character choices, alongside a lyrical descriptive strand evoking the Sussex coastline. An intriguing plot keeps the reader guessing * Sussex Life *Original, full of sinister atmosphere and a creeping sense of menace... Death of a Mermaid has all the trademarks of Thomson's previous work – clever plotting interspersed with gentle humour, well-drawn characters and an atmospheric evocation of place' * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisA woman lies dead in a bombed-out house. A tragic casualty of the Blitz? Or something more sinister? Sixty years later, the detective's daughter unearths the truth... From the number 1 bestselling author of The Detective's Daughter. LONDON, 1940 Several neighbours heard the scream of the woman in the bombed-out house. One told the detective she thought the lady had seen a mouse. Another said it wasn't his business what went on behind closed doors. None of them imagined that a trusting young woman was being strangled by her lover. TEWKESBURY, 2020 Beneath the vast stone arches of Tewkesbury Abbey, a man lies bleeding, close to death. He is the creator of a true-crime podcast which now will never air. He was investigating the murder of a 1940s police pathologist – had he come closer to the truth than he realised? Stella Darnell has moved to Tewkesbury to escape from death, not to court it. But when this man dies in her arms, Stella, impelled to root out evil when she finds it, becomes determined to hunt down his killer and to bring the secrets he was searching for into the light... Praise for The Detective's Daughter series: 'Lesley Thomson gets better and better' Ian Rankin 'Cunningly plotted' Mick Herron 'One of the most original characters in British crime fiction... Thomson's plots are original and she draws her characters with genuine affection' Sunday Times 'In the best traditions of the classic whodunnit, this is Midsomer Murders for grown-ups' Jake Kerridge, Sunday Express 'Gloriously well-written... Thomson creates a rich and sinister world that is utterly unique' William ShawTrade ReviewThis is her best novel to date; it is not only a complex mystery, full of strange characters – many of whom meet at a talking-shop called the Death Café – but also a sensitive exploration of grief * The Times *The Distant Dead is a little different from others in this absorbing series, but in many respects it's just the same – as well as those characters, and plenty of sinister atmosphere, it's a cracking good read, with plenty of twists and turns.The Detective's Daughter gets better and better – and I'm sure she'll be back! * Promoting Crime Fiction *PRAISE FOR LESLEY THOMSON: 'One of the most original characters in British crime fiction... Thomson's plots are original and she draws her characters with genuine affection' Sunday Times. 'In the best traditions of the classic whodunnit, this is Midsomer Murders for grown-ups' Jake Kerridge, Sunday Express. 'Lesley Thomson gets better and better' Ian Rankin. 'A clever mystery plot... Its excellence is in the characters, all credible and memorable' Literary Review. 'Gloriously well-written... Thomson creates a rich and sinister world that is utterly unique' -- William Shaw

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Book SynopsisSome secrets were meant to stay hidden… Trust no-oneAfter an operation goes badly wrong, undercover specialist Detective Caelan Small leaves the Metropolitan Police for good. Or so she thinks. Then the criminal responsible is seen back in the UK. Soon Caelan is drawn back into a dangerous investigation. But when the main lead is suddenly murdered, all bets are off. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone is a suspect - even close colleagues. Someone in the Met is involved and Caelan is being told to Ask No Questions. That isn't an option: Caelan needs answers… whatever the cost. The nerve-shredding new crime thriller from bestseller Lisa Hartley starts a must-read new series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons and Robert Bryndza, it will keep you guessing until the very end. The Detective Caelan Small Series1. Ask No Questions2. Tell No Lies3. Time To Go

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Book SynopsisIt’s 1915 in New York City and an intrepid young journalist is about to get her biggest story yet…The Lusitania has just been sunk, and headlines about a shooting at J.P. Morgan’s mansion and the Great War are splashed across the front page of every newspaper. Capability “Kitty” Weeks would love nothing more than to report on the news of the day, but she’s stuck writing about fashion and society gossip over on the Ladies’ Page – until a man is murdered at a high society picnic on her beat.Determined to prove her worth as a journalist, Kitty finds herself plunged into the midst of a wartime conspiracy that threatens to derail the United States’ attempt to remain neutral – and to disrupt the privileged life she has always known.The first book in a highly anticipated mystery series featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks packed full of historical detail, A Front Page Affair is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline WinspearPraise for A Front Page Affair‘A delightfully spunky heroine defies convention as an investigative reporter in this engaging historical mystery. The small factual details of New York life are gems’ Rhys Bowen‘This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks.’ Library Journal ‘The fascinating historical details add flair to this thoroughly engaging mystery starring an intelligent amateur sleuth reminiscent of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy. Vatsal’s debut will leave readers eager for Kitty’s next adventure.’ Booklist ‘The mystery plot was enthralling in and of itself, but it was the portrait of Old New York that provided the wow factor - there are very few writers who can conjure up this kind of authenticity. A fun, fascinating, feminist read – especially if you love New York!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘It is very rare to find a debut novel so well written and so engrossing’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisAn investigation leads DI Kelly Porter back to her former command… and the ex who betrayed herA brutal murder in the Lake District.A double assassination in a secret lab in London’s West End.Seemingly unconnected, unexpected links between the gruesome crimes emerge and it’s up to DI Kelly Porter to follow the trail – all the way to the capital.Back amongst old colleagues and forced to work alongside her calculating ex, DCI Matt Carter, Kelly must untangle a web of deceit that stretches into the highest echelons of power. A place where secrets and lies are currency and no obstacle is insurmountable.A must-read from million copy bestseller Rachel Lynch, for fans of L. J. Ross, Carol Wyer and Angela Marsons.Praise for Bold Lies ‘I’m yet to read a Kelly Porter book I wouldn’t recommend! Once again the setting, the case and the character development fit together in perfect harmony to create a wonderful story I absolutely flew through’ **{::}Reader review {::}**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I have loved each and every Kelly Porter novel I've read... Yet again I was completely pulled in by Rachel Lynch's wonderful writing and characters, it's exceptionally compulsive reading!’ **Reader review **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A riveting read, and I eagerly anticipate the next case for DI Kelly Porter’ **Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Once again Rachel Lynch has produced a terrific book from the world of DI Kelly Porter’ **Reader review **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Rachel Lynch prevails again and is fast becoming one of my favourite female sleuth writers... This book will keep you riveted’ **Reader review **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘It's a cracking good read with a cast of believable, three-dimensional characters, original settings and is pacy, action-packed and written in an engaging manner. There is never a dull moment and something exciting happens in every single chapter’ **Reader review **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade Review'What a nail-biter! I was with DI Kelly Porter every inch of the way and was a physical wreck by the end of the book' Carol Wyer, author of Little Girl Lost on Bitter Edge

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Book SynopsisThe second a child disappears, the clock starts ticking.When the son of a controversial local politician goes missing at election time, Detective Elisenda Domènech is put on the case. They simply must solve it. Only the team also have to deal with a spate of horrifically violent break-ins – people are being brutalised in their own homes and the public demands answers.Could there be a connection? With the body count threatening to increase and her place in the force on the line, the waters are rising…Be careful not to drown.The stunning final instalment of the gripping Elisenda Domènech crime thrillers, for readers of Ian Rankin, Henning Mankell and Andrea Camilleri.

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Book SynopsisA child’s life is at stake. Which of the residents of St Andrews is hiding something – and why?When a baby girl is snatched from the crowd of spectators at a fun run, the local police have a major investigation on their hands. DI Clare Mackay and her team are in a race against the clock when they learn that the child has a potentially fatal medical condition.As Clare investigates she realises this victim wasn’t selected at random. Someone knows who took the baby girl, and why. But will they reveal their secrets before it's too late?The second instalment from an exciting new Scottish detective series. Perfect for fans of Alex Gray, Rachel Amphlett and D. K. Hood.Readers are loving In Plain Sight ‘One of Scotland's top up-and-coming crime writers’ The Scottish Sun‘In Plain Sight, second in the DI Clare Mackay series, echoes the themes of See Them Run, Marion Todd’s debut crime novel: vivid sense of place, strong female lead, authentic police procedure. The protagonists’s love interest whets the appetite for more. I look forward to Book 3 in the series.’ Claire MacLeary, author of Cross Purpose‘This is becoming one of my favorite police procedural series.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A truly gripping and thoroughly entertaining read. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series….’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This book was one of those unpredictable, chilling and downright scary reads that had me gripped and on the edge of my seat throughout. In Plain Sight certainly kept me guessing and then some.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The plot is tight and intricately constructed and you’ll find it hard to put this book down. As with any good book, though, it is the characters who stay with you.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A fast moving gripping novel that once you've started reading you'd best set aside the day as you won’t want to put it down until the last page is read!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisKeep your friends close and your enemies closer…Early one morning DI Clare Mackay receives a message from her boss DCI Alastair Gibson telling her to meet him in secret. She does as he asks and is taken from St Andrews to a secure location in the remote Scottish hills. There, she is introduced to ethical hacker Gayle Crichton and told about a critical security breach coming from inside Police Scotland. Clare is sworn to secrecy and must conceal Gayle’s identity from colleagues until the source is found.Clare already has her hands full keeping a key witness under protection and investigating the murder of a university student. When a friend of the victim is found preparing to jump off the Tay Road Bridge it is clear he is terrified of someone. But who? Clare realises too late that she has trusted the wrong person. As her misplaced faith proves a danger to herself and others, Clare must fight tooth and nail to protect those she cares about and see justice done.A page-turning crime thriller perfect for fans of Alex Gray, D. K. Hood and Rachel Amphlett.What readers are saying about Lies to Tell ‘One of Scotland's top up-and-coming crime writers’ The Scottish Sun'DI Clare Mackay is a brilliant character. I’m looking forward to more from Marion Todd’ Graeme Hampton, author of The Darkness Within ‘A gripping addition to the crime genre’ Scottish Field‘With Lies To Tell, Marion Todd is, or should be, firmly in the company of premier league crime fiction writers. Long may the series continue.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Marion Todd has delivered an excellent third novel in her DI Clare MacKay series… the ending resolutions are completely satisfying and leave the reader frustrated only with how long they have to wait for the next book in the series… A top-notch book’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘With so many twists and turns the story romps along at a breathless pace, who can she trust? A brilliant thriller, and an ending I didn’t see coming.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘With its polished pacing and plotting, I found this to be a thoroughly enjoyable, original and difficult to put down novel from Marion Todd. She is a gifted storyteller who can provide readers with thrills, sophistication and a story packed with substance. A very highly recommended five star read’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Over the last three books, Marion has nurtured Clare into someone of real substance and she has become one of my all time favourite female lead characters.’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘Could not put this book down at all… this one has to be Marion Todd’s best book to date, a police procedural with non stop action, twists and so many suspects that I was reeling with what was going to happen next’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘A book that you just can’t fault … a real not to be missed read’ Reader review⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Book Synopsis'Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality' SCIFINOW There's power in stories, but stories can be silenced. It's election year and the streets of Fenest are filled with people from every corner of the Union of Realms. But this year is different. The Wayward storyteller has been murdered. Detective Cora Gorderheim has found the man responsible, but now he's dead too, and it's clear that the silenced Wayward is just a small part of a much bigger tale. As her investigation digs ever deeper, Cora pieces together a conspiracy that will take her from the gutter dwellers of the Union right to the top. A conspiracy that will force her to return to her own story, to its very beginning, if she is to have any say in its end. Widow's Welcome, the first book in the Tales of Fenest trilogy, is available now. 'It's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling' CHRISTOPHER FOWLER 'Like a Philip Pullman rendition of Cloud Atlas. Widow's Welcome is an irresistibly thrilling introduction to a world of stories within stories – and I can't wait for more' TIM MAJOR 'There is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' JAMES AITCHESON 'An utterly absorbing tale set in a fascinating world. A terrific start to the series' MICK FINLAY 'If you love storytelling, you'll love this' SIMON MORDENTrade ReviewMelding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality * SciFiNow *This volume more than lives up to the promise of volume one * Crime Review *As a mix of fantasy and crime, the focus was nice and balanced... An ideal middle book for a series, the details about the previous book are perfectly scattered so there are no important moments missed... The familial ties in the novel are beautifully done, with the links just distant enough that they are unlikely to be predicted; even by the experienced crime novel fan' * New Welsh Review *PRAISE FOR WIDOW'S WELCOME: 'It's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling' Christopher Fowler. 'Like a Philip Pullman rendition of Cloud Atlas. Widow's Welcome is an irresistibly thrilling introduction to a world of stories within stories – and I can't wait for more' Tim Major. 'There is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' James Aitcheson. 'An utterly absorbing tale set in a fascinating world. A terrific start to the series' Mick Finlay. 'If you love storytelling, you'll love this' -- Simon Morden

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Book SynopsisThere's power in stories. But power comes at a price. Detective Cora Gorderheim is a detective no longer. Stripped of her badge, her job now is to protect her sister, Ruth, the new Wayward storyteller. Ruth must tell her tale of the Tear widening if people are to know what's really happening in the Union of Realms. But the powers that be want her silenced. Keeping Ruth alive in Fenest is hard enough, but when the sisters set sail for West Perlanse, the dangers come thick and fast. And soon Cora realises she must make a terrible choice: her sister's life, or the future of the Union. 'Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality' SCIFINOWTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE TALES OF FENEST TRILOGY: 'Melding noir with the fantasy genre, this is a rather clever read, one which feels especially prescient for our reality' SciFiNow. 'Like a Philip Pullman rendition of Cloud Atlas. Widow's Welcome is an irresistibly thrilling introduction to a world of stories within stories – and I can't wait for more' Tim Major. 'There is more than meets the eye in this gripping and inventive debut... Rife with intrigue, deceit and cultural tension' James Aitcheson. 'It's rare to find such a richly imagined world about the art of myth and storytelling' Christopher Fowler. 'If you love storytelling, you'll love this' -- Simon Morden

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Book SynopsisA dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth from the author of the bestselling The Psychology of Time Travel. The Kendricks have been making world-famous dolls for over 200 years. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftmanship alone. Each has an emotion laid on it; a magic that can provoke bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch. Persephone Kendrick longs to learn her ancestors' craft, but only men may know the secrets of the workshop. So when a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and blood ties to the family she sees a chance to grasp all she desires. But then, one night, the firm's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime... 'Captivating, inventive and tender' ADELE PARKS 'An atmospheric examination of gender inequality' GUARDIAN 'A magical tale that blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment' WOMAN & HOME 'An addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist' iNEWSTrade ReviewBringing magic realism to a contemporary Oxford setting in an atmospheric examination of gender inequality * Guardian *Mascarenhas's lushly inventive second novel is an addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist * iNews *Captivating, inventive and tender... A dazzling mix of crime, romance, magic and myth' -- Adele ParksThis magical tale blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment * Woman *[A] vividly imagined second novel * The i *I adored this beautifully crafted and thought-provoking magic realist novel... Multi-faceted, challenging, and entirely captivating... A truly lovely read' * LoveReading *There's a wonderful sense of magic and tradition, but the story as a whole has a very contemporary feel * Waterstones *[A] dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth... Captivating, inventive and tender' * Platinum *Kate Mascarenhas' striking visual images and characters will have you casting the movie whilst reading... This is simply a great and original tale that put me in mind of such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The magic lingers along with the family issues. The ending is surprising and clever and I look forward to more by Kate Mascarenhas' * SF Crowsnest *

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Book Synopsis‘Begins as a compelling psychological mystery [and] turns to the supernatural... A well-plotted, original, nightmare blend of madness and monsters.’ Guardian The Regent Hotel in Birmingham is a place of lush glamour, where guests sip absinthe cocktails on velvet banquettes and obliging waiters are always on hand. Yet behind its glittering façade, you might find monsters lurking in the shadows... On a cold February evening, Nora Dickinson checks in. A psychoanalyst with a dubious past, Nora has battled not to let her own demons overcome her. But when a terrible snowstorm cuts The Regent off from the outside world, the entire hotel’s grip on reality slips – and the nightmares Nora’s worked so hard to control begin to bare their teeth. Kate Mascarenhas’s latest novel offers her readers a horrifying ride through murder, madness and the darkest recesses of the mind. 'A delicious piece of art deco Gothic' Natalie Marlow ‘Dark, complex and beautifully plotted' Rebecca Netley ‘Immersive, unique... with a dark supernatural core’ Essie Fox ‘An atmospheric, claustrophobic novel... mesmerising’ Elizabeth LeeTrade ReviewWhat begins as a compelling psychological mystery in a vividly real setting turns to the supernatural... A well-plotted, original, nightmare blend of madness and monsters * The Guardian *'In Hokey Pokey, Kate Mascarenhas has produced a delicious piece of art deco Gothic which explores the psychological complexities of both the age and the genre. I adore Kate's pitch perfect prose and fearless way with dishing out the thrills.' -- Natalie Marlow, author of Needless Alley'Hokey Pokey is an atmospheric, claustrophobic novel, expertly bringing the glamour of the 1920s to life. Nora's journey of self-discovery is both poignant and chilling, gripping the reader from the first line to the last. A dark and mesmerising read.' -- Elizabeth Lee, author of Cunning Women'Dark and complex and beautifully plotted. I did not want to put it down.' -- Rebecca Netley, author of The Whistling'An immersive and unique treat of obsession, murder and madness, skilfully wrapped in a glittering twist of golden age crime, with a dark supernatural core. Very clever writing.' -- Essie Fox, author of The FascinationPRAISE FOR KATE MASCARENHAS: 'Witty, inventive and unflashily wise about human hearts; Mascarenhas's future promises to be an exciting one' Guardian. 'Breathtakingly tender and wryly understated, The Psychology of Time Travel feels like an antidote to a great deal of reported (and even fictionalized) history, its excised women now finding their way back into the spotlight' New York Times. 'Bringing magical realism to a contemporary Oxford setting in an atmospheric examination of gender inequality' Guardian, on The Thief on the Winged Horse. 'Captivating, inventive and tender... A dazzling mix of crime, romance, magic and myth' Adele Parks, on The Thief on the Winged Horse. 'This is a novel packed with ideas... It'll leave you turning over the concepts in your mind long after the story is finished' * SFX, on The Psychology of Time Travel *

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Book SynopsisThe Continent, 1864: Two bomb attacks, three deaths.Clues to an elaborate assassination plot are intercepted in Paris and the authorities believe the assassin's lair lies in Soho, London. Heloise Chancey, courtesan and professional detective, must go undercover to spy upon the nest of suspects and end their murderous conspiracy.Meanwhile, her Chinese maid, Amah Li Leen finds herself trapped in a deadly nightmare of deceit and madness. Will she be able to escape before time runs out?Danger keeps Heloise close company as she hunts evil down to its devilish source.''Fans of Carole Nelson Douglas's Irene Adler series will be pleased'' Publishers Weekly''Victorian atmosphere abounds in a twisty, exciting tale of danger and lost love'' Kirkus''A terrific adventure'' Northern ReaderBOOKS BY M.J. TJIAShe Be DamnedA Necessary MurderThe Death of Me

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Book Synopsis

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