Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives

Book SynopsisNew York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is back, with a new heart-warming cozy mystery set in the magical village of Lily DaleIn the quirky, picturesque lakeside community of Lily Dale, where the residents can talk to the dead, young widow Bella Jordan is the lone skeptic among believers. She doesn''t believe in ghosts . . . but after a year in the village, she would admit that her new friends do sometimes seem to know impossible things.Still, when a Black stranger dressed in old-fashioned clothing arrives unexpectedly at Bella''s guesthouse at midnight on Juneteenth, only to vanish the next day as if he''d never existed, Bella''s sure there has to be a logical explanation. One that has nothing to do with the strange warning Odelia, the medium next door, delivers from the Spirits: Beware of . . . Barry?!Bella doesn''t know a Barry, and she has enough people in her life already, what with her young son Max and their two kitties, handso

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Book SynopsisAmateur sleuths Hilary Masters and Veronica Taylor face a real-life murder mystery at a crime writing weekend. Is a dark conspiracy unfolding on a West Country estate?Friends Hilary Masters and Veronica Taylor are eager to embark upon their weekend-long masterclass in crime writing at the evocative, fourteenth-century Morland Abbey, hoping to gain inspiration for their own novels. The queen of crime fiction herself, Dinah Halsgrove, is the guest of honour, giving the opening talk. But when Dinah suddenly falls ill later that evening, the pair can''t help being suspicious. Has her mysterious illness been staged by the organisers, or does someone in their writing group have murderous intent?A series of sinister incidents draw Hilary and Veronica into a real-life murder mystery as gripping as any bestselling crime novel, but the biggest twist is yet to come . . . Can they separate fact from fiction to solve a deadly puzzle?

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Book SynopsisLook out London - eccentric antiques dealer Vivian Borne and her daughter Brandy are bringing their own brand of mayhem and mischief to the British capital, in the fifteenth installment of the award-winning Trash ''n'' Treasures cozy mystery series.Vivian Borne - true-crime author, antiques dealer and ex-sheriff of Serenity, Iowa - is looking forward to meeting her new editor in London. Flying first class, rooms at the Savoy . . . Her long-suffering co-author, daughter Brandy, worries the trip will bankrupt them both, but the alternative - Mother travelling alone - is unthinkable. Brandy''s almost tempted to make her fiancé, Tony - Serenity''s Chief of Police - call Scotland Yard and warn them Vivian''s coming.But even Brandy doesn''t predict their vacation will end in murder . . . or that she and Mother will be unceremoniously ejected from the country, with an order to leave things well alone.Vivian and Brandy need a case to write about, and Mo

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Book SynopsisDestiny, prophecy and murder weave an intricate web in this beguiling historical mystery. Could a dark prophecy spell danger for Tabitha De Vallory and her unborn child?Cheshire. May Day, 1753. Tabitha De Vallory believes her life is perfect: she has an imposing home with all the comforts she has ever desired, and is expecting her first child with doting husband Nathaniel De Vallory. But Tabitha''s happiness is shaken when a girl is slaughtered beneath the Mondrem Oak on the family''s forest estate. Recognizing the victim from her former scandalous life, Tabitha vows to find the killer.Nearby, enigmatic Baptist Gunn and his followers are convinced that a second messiah will be born, amid blood and strife, close to the oak on Midsummer''s Day. Could the girl''s murder be linked to Gunn''s cryptic prophecy? Do his wild claims of a second saviour spell danger for Tabitha and her unborn child? As Midsummer''s Day draws closer, Tabitha soon le

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Book SynopsisIt’s time to go back to the beginning.A psychopath with a sinister obsession. A troubled teenager training as his apprentice. The search for Clara Foyle – and the detective desperate to find her. From Fiona Cummins, The Collector is the gripping, heart-pounding sequel to Rattle.‘Cummins is a keeper’ - Lee Child, author of Jack Reacher‘A crime novel of the very first order’ - David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 ManJakey escaped with his life and moved to an Essex seaside town. His rescue was a miracle but his parents know that the Collector is still out there, watching, waiting . . .Clara, the girl he left behind, dreams of being found. Her mother is falling apart but she will not give up hope.The Collector has found an apprentice to take over his family’s legacy. But he can’t forget the one that got away and the detective who destroyed his dTrade ReviewOne of the most atmospheric novels you will ever encounter – you will feel the sea air in your lungs and the terror in your dreams. A crime novel of the very first order -- David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 Man and The EdgeTrust me - Cummins is a keeper -- Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher seriesA riveting read that will keep you up at night * Hello! *Rattle was one of the most chilling and gripping thrillers released last year. The Collector [. . .] is even more creepy and unsettling with tension slowly ramped up to build to a sensational finale that will make you gasp * Daily Express *Cummins has a gift for imbuing the everyday with menace. Despite the picture-postcard coastal setting, the seam of evil that runs through this story is totally convincing * Sunday Mirror *If you haven't read Fiona Cummins and you’re a Mo Hayder fan, make sure you read her first book and then her second. With the lights on -- Emma Flint, author of Other WomenTotally, totally brilliant. Even more twisted than the first one. A whole other level of serial killer awesome -- Lisa Hall, author of The Day She DisappearedSpine-chilling and brilliant, beautifully written, creepily clever and utterly absorbing – just like Rattle -- Karen Hamilton, author of The ContestChilling, superbly constructed, taut, evocative, her prose sings as she holds you tight in her grip and relentlessly ratchets up the tension. Compelling -- Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a ScandalThe Collector is sensational. Fiona Cummins is a twisted genius writing with a silver pen. This is crime at its grisly and glorious best -- Amanda Jennings, author of The HavenEvery bit as compelling as Rattle, with a dark, suspenseful plotline that had me holding my breath. The characters are so well drawn: the Collector himself is terrifying and the vulnerability of his victims really draws the reader in, making you yearn for justice and wonder how the nightmare will ever end . . . Brilliant, scary, creepy read -- Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of YouAn excellent read -- Martina Cole, author of Loyalty, on RattleIt’s a rare debut that has this much polish. Harrowing and horrifying, head and shoulders above most of the competition -- Val McDermid, author of Past Lying and A Place of Execution, on RattleMade a paranoid hypochondriac for a few days! -- Sophie Hannah on RattleDark, stylish and scarily plausible -- Joseph Knox on RattleSeriously creepy and very well written. One that’ll have you double-checking your doors are locked at night -- Ali Land on RattleA creepy crime debut with shades of The Babadook about it . . . I think it will be huge -- Sarah Hilary on Rattle

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Book SynopsisA savage murder with no apparent motive - DS Morrow''s most challenging case brings her work and home lives dangerously close... From the two-time winner of the prestigious Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.When wealthy Sarah Erroll dies a violent death at her home in a posh part of Glasgow, the local community is stunned by what appears to be a truly gratuitous act. Heavily pregnant with desperately wanted twins, DS Alex Morrow is called in to investigate and soon discovers that there is more to Sarah''s murder than it first seems.On the other side of town, Thomas Anderson is called into the headmaster''s office at his boarding school to be told that his tyrannical father - a banker responsible for the loss of many livelihoods in the recession - has committed suicide by hanging himself from the old oak tree on the lawn of their home. Thomas returns to the family home to find his mother and sister in a state of numb shock. The head of the hTrade ReviewOne of the most exciting writers to have emerged in Britain for years -- Ian RankinA literary West Lothian question: why do Scottish writers dominate British crime fiction? With Denise Mina at least, the answer is pure class * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Confirms Mina's place in the premier division ... atmospheric, intense and full of the disturbing flavour of inner-city lowlife * GUARDIAN *Powerful, passionate and compelling. Mina can chill your blood and break your heart in the same sentence -- Mark BillinghamThe plot is unrolled artfully ... the writing is lucid, and the minor characters breathe with an almost Dickensian life * SUNDAY TIMES *Splendidly written ... magnificently readable * THE TIMES *Something special ... A tour de force * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Remember the name. This is a major talent heading for the top * LITERARY REVIEW *One of Denise Mina's many attractions is her willingness to take risks with her characters. She delves deeper than most into emotions, whether of the police, victims or perpetrators; she eschews the usual formula of crime fiction....The financial and moral disintregration of families, the iniquities of the class system and prostitution all play a role. Mina's best * THE TIMES *Thoughful attention to detail take the novel to another level...Scotland has produced some seriously good crime writers; THE END OF THE WASP SEASON places Denise Mina alongside Ian Rankin and Val McDermid * FINANCIAL TIMES *Miss your bus stop....reading THE END OF THE WASP SEASON by Denise Mina, a gripping tale tracing the links between an elite private school, the suicide of a millionaire banker and the shocking murder of a wealthy young woman * GRAZIA *Denise Mina is one of Scotland's most impressive crime writers. This dark, angry novel doesn't offer easy thrills or the intellectual diversion of a whodunnit. Instead it focuses on its deeply flawed characters, their motivations and the world they live in ... undeniably powerful * SPECTATOR *One of the most exciting writers to have emerged in Britain for years * Ian Rankin *A literary West Lothian question: why do Scottish writers dominate British crime fiction? With Denise Mina at least, the answer is pure class * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Confirms Mina's place in the premier division ... atmospheric, intense and full of the disturbing flavour of inner-city lowlife * GUARDIAN *Powerful, passionate and compelling. Mina can chill your blood and break your heart in the same sentence * Mark Billingham *The plot is unrolled artfully ... the writing is lucid, and the minor characters breathe with an almost Dickensian life * SUNDAY TIMES *Splendidly written ... magnificently readable * THE TIMES *Something special ... A tour de force * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Remember the name. This is a major talent heading for the top * LITERARY REVIEW *One of Denise Mina's many attractions is her willingness to take risks with her characters. She delves deeper than most into emotions, whether of the police, victims or perpetrators; she eschews the usual formula of crime fiction....The financial and moral disintregration of families, the iniquities of the class system and prostitution all play a role. Mina's best * THE TIMES *Thoughful attention to detail take the novel to another level...Scotland has produced some seriously good crime writers; The End of the Wasp Season places Denise Mina alongside Ian Rankin and Val McDermid * FINANCIAL TIMES *Miss your bus stop....reading The End of the Wasp Season by Denise Mina, a gripping tale tracing the links between an elite private school, the suicide of a millionaire banker and the shocking murder of a wealthy young woman * GRAZIA *Denise Mina is one of Scotland's most impressive crime writers. This dark, angry novel doesn't offer easy thrills or the intellectual diversion of a whodunnit. Instead it focusses on its deeply flawed characters, their motivations and the world they live in ... undeniably powerful * SPECTATOR *

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Book SynopsisTrouble is brewing for coffeehouse owner Maggy Thorsen when she''s caught up in a storm - and murder - at a writers'' retreat.Brookhills coffeehouse owner Maggy Thorsen has reluctantly travelled north with her business partner, Sarah Kingston, and chef, Tien Romano, to cater a crime-writing retreat. Although Maggy is no fan of the outdoors, Payne Lodge''s remote location deep in Wisconsin''s woods seems an ideal spot for their local writers'' group to plot the perfect murder.But even Maggy doesn''t realize quite how perfect until a violent thunderstorm leaves the group stranded with no power or means of communication, and the retreat''s organizer, Kate McNamara, is found dead in one of the guestrooms. It''s no secret that Brookhills newspaper editor Kate delighted in stirring up trouble, but which of their number hated the woman enough to travel nearly four hundred miles north to kill her?

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Book SynopsisMedium''s assistant - and reluctant sleuth - Maddie Pastore is shocked when her long-lost sister is accused of murder, in this twisty, atmospheric mystery set in 1920s Chicago. Summer, 1924. Young widow Maddie Pastore has been working for fraudulent spiritual medium Madame Carlotta for nearly a year - if ''work'' you could call it. Investigating Carlotta''s clients, and attending seances as her shill, keeps Maddie and her young son Tommy fed and clothed, and she''s grown to love the kind, well-meaning spiritualist like family.Still, Maddie - estranged from her abusive parents for over a decade - can''t help but wonder what fates befell her brothers and sisters. So when she lucks into two free tickets to a glamorous Chicago speakeasy and recognizes the star performer as her pretty little sister Sophie, she''s beyond delighted.But before Maddie can meet with Sophie again, the telephone rings. It''s Sophie''s husband, calling in a panic to t

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Book SynopsisMedium''s assistant - and reluctant sleuth - Maddie Pastore is shocked when her long-lost sister is accused of murder, in this twisty, atmospheric mystery set in 1920s Chicago. Summer, 1924. Young widow Maddie Pastore has been working for fraudulent spiritual medium Madame Carlotta for nearly a year - if ''work'' you could call it. Investigating Carlotta''s clients, and attending seances as her shill, keeps Maddie and her young son Tommy fed and clothed, and she''s grown to love the kind, well-meaning spiritualist like family.Still, Maddie - estranged from her abusive parents for over a decade - can''t help but wonder what fates befell her brothers and sisters. So when she lucks into two free tickets to a glamorous Chicago speakeasy and recognizes the star performer as her pretty little sister Sophie, she''s beyond delighted.But before Maddie can meet with Sophie again, the telephone rings. It''s Sophie''s husband, calling in a panic to t

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Book SynopsisA young woman with a pushchair spotted teetering on the edge of a steep rock face on the Staffordshire moors draws Joanna Piercy into a disturbing new case.A young woman is moving dangerously close to the edge of the rock face, pushing a stroller with a child strapped in it towards the steep drop. She has blood on her clothes. Is she a victim or a would-be killer?Detective Inspector Joanna Piercy takes on the case when a walker discovers the pair, but the young woman is mute. Is she traumatized or unwilling to speak? Was she about to commit a terrible crime?As the questions mount, forensic psychiatrist Dr Claire Roget is called in to help. Can she persuade the woman to talk? Joanna desperately needs a breakthrough. But when it comes, her investigation takes a shocking turn . . .

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Book SynopsisA bizarre discovery right under Mrs Pargeter''s patio turns a quiet and sunny June morning into a thrilling hunt for answers in this new instalment of the light-hearted and entertaining Mrs Pargeter mystery series.When widow Mrs Pargeter decides to have her morning coffee on the patio of her mansion in Chigwell, her intention is to admire her beautiful garden in peace and quiet. Little does she expect one of the patio''s paving slabs to crack in two, depositing her on the ground - and revealing a human skull with a neat hole in the middle of its forehead!Not wanting to bother the police just yet, Mrs Pargeter decides to save them some trouble and starts investigating the curious find herself. And who better to assist than her late husband''s ''business associates'', private investigator Truffler Mason and chauffeur Gary? The trio are soon certain that a murder has been committed and the body disposed of under some convenient building work

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Book SynopsisNo wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' Mail on SundayAgatha Raisin has never been one for enforced holiday cheer, but her friendly little village of Carsely has always prided itself on its traditional Christmas festivities. But this year the bells will not be ringing out Silent Night as Mr John Sunday, an officer with the Cotswold Health and Safety Board, has chosen Christmas as the time to crack down on what he sees as gross misconduct by every man, woman and child in the vicinity. The village shop is told it can no longer have wooden shelves which have been there since the time of Queen Victoria ''in case someone is inflicted with a splinter.'' The village school is ordered to leave lights on at night ''to prevent unauthorised intruders from tripping in the dark.'' And children are warned to not play with ''counterfeit banknotes'' after passing around toy money in the playground. But finally Trade Review‘The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.’ -- Anne Robinson * The Times *Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life. * Entertainment Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA Minute to Midnight is the gripping follow up to Long Road to Mercy featuring Special Agent Atlee Pine from one of the world’s most favourite thriller writers, David Baldacci.Without Mercy.At six years old, Atlee’s twin sister, Mercy, was taken from the family home while Atlee was left for dead. Since that fateful night, Atlee has dedicated her life and career to catching those who hurt others.Word of a killer.Atlee has never stopped searching for answers about her sister. A notorious serial killer, locked in a maximum-security prison, continues to haunt her. Does he really know what happened to Mercy?Quest for justice.When Atlee oversteps the mark on the arrest of a dangerous criminal, the FBI gives her a leave of absence – the perfect opportunity to return to where it all began.Determined to finally uncover the truth, Atlee Pine’s journey home turns into a rollercoaster ride of murder, long-buried secrets and lies . . . and a revelation so personal that everything she once believed is fast turning to dust.Trade ReviewIn FBI Agent Atlee Pine, he has envisioned a new kind of heroine, forged in the fire of trauma and driven by a rare kind of strength. It should come as no shock that a thriller writer for the ages has created a character for the ages! -- Gregg Hurwitz, New York Times bestselling author of Orphan XA fabulous new character from a master storyteller. Readers will love Atlee Pine -- Jane Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The DryFBI Agent Atlee Pine is a heroine I'll never forget -- Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author

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Book Synopsis'Clever, pacey, compulsive' Sunday Mirror********One family. One night. Ten years of lies.It's June 2008 and twenty-one-year-old Adam Lattimer vanishes, presumed dead. The strain of his disappearance breaks his already fragile family.Ten years later, with his mother deceased and siblings scattered across the globe, Adam turns up unannounced at the family home. His siblings return reluctantly to Spanish Cove, but Adam's reappearance poses more questions than answers. The past is a tangled web of deceit.And, as tension builds, it's apparent somebody has planned murderous revenge for the events of ten years ago.********'Loved, loved, loved' Caz Frear'A really cracking read' BA Paris'Keeps you gripped' Prima'I absolutely loved it' Liz NugentTrade ReviewJo Spain interweaves the lives of her multiply flawed characters with great skill. The clever twists and cracking dialogue make it hard to put down * The Times *With its eclectic cast of characters, isolated setting and knockout twists, this gives a certain Ms Christie a run for her money * Heat *Jo Spain is increasingly big news in the crime fiction community...Six Wicked Reasons...is deceptively simple and completely addictive * i paper *A Christie-esque masterpiece! * My Weekly *This is her best yet. Six Wicked Reasons will cement Spain's position as one of Irish crime writing's hottest names * Sunday Independent *Wonderfully drawn characters and more secrets and motives than you can shake a stick at. Loved, loved, loved * Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little Lies *Clever, pacey, compulsive * Sunday Mirror *Brilliant writing, great story . . . a really cracking read * BA Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors and Bring Me Back *Enthralling - Spain dissects her characters' secrets with razor-sharp precision * JP Delaney, author of The Girl Before *Brilliantly crafted . . . each piece of the puzzle is gradually put together and keeps you gripped until the end * Prima *A clever and unusual premise . . . punchy and energetic . . . a brilliant hook and rapid-fire ride * Irish Independent *A contender for the most arresting opening paragraph of the year . . . This is crime fiction for grown-ups, taking its time to explore the ins and outs of human psychology * Sunday Express *Fresh, witty writing style . . . an eye for details make the characters instantly believable * Daily Mail *An intriguing Rubik's Cube of a book that kept me turning the pages to get to the truth. So well plotted and beautifully written. I absolutely loved it * Liz Nugent, author of Unravelling Oliver *A book to sink into with a cast of characters you'll genuinely care about... completely memorable... a gorgeous read * Dervla McTiernan *Jo Spain interweaves the lives of her multiply flawed characters with great skill. The clever twists and cracking dialogue make it hard to put down * The Times *Jo Spain is at the vanguard of Ireland's flourishing crime writing scene, one that is being led by women * The Irish Examiner *Spain keeps the pace cracking along and, more importantly, the intrigue high until the last * The Crack *A cleverly constructed and thoroughly immersive thriller that seamlessly links past with present * Irish Independent *Definitely one you won't want to miss this year * Her.ie *Filled with tension from the outset...Utterly brilliant * Woman's Way *Agatha Christie at her best...makes for truly wicked fun with a salutary undertow of genuinely affecting sadness * Sunday Express *An entertainingly toxic revenge tale * People *A rich, flawed family and murder aboard a yacht make this tale ideal screen fodder * Irish Sunday Times *A dazzling performance * Irish Times *A witty, insightful and an intriguing mystery...a cracking read * NB magazine *Told with style and great skill, this is classic stuff * Sunday Sport *A well-drawn story of love, empathy and friendship * Candis *

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Book SynopsisAn addictive psychological thriller from a kindle bestseller. For fans of Karin Slaughter and Erin Kelly.SOME SECRETS ARE BEST LEFT BURIED...Cat panics when she sees a photofit of a murder suspect flash up on the news. It looks exactly like her, and to make matters worse, the victim is her childhood best friend, Charlie.The following day, the police arrive at her doorstep to question her. She hadn't seen or spoken to Charlie in years, but could the secrets of their past finally be coming back to haunt her?Desperate to find out who gave the police her description and to protect her five-year-old son, Cat investigates. She knows she is innocent and will stop at nothing to prove it. But some secrets are best left buried...*******See what readers are saying about Karen Cole:'Every time I thought I had it sussed a curveball was thrown. Beautifully dark and compelling'Caz, Amazon reviewer'If you like Karin Slaughter you will love this!'Cath, Amazon reviewer'I was constantly guessing throughout and I still didn't see that ending coming even though the clues are there!'Chanel, Amazon reviewer'I absolutely loved this book. I could never have guessed the outcome'Annie, Amazon reviewer

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Book SynopsisA twisty, addictive psychological thriller about family, lies and the secrets we keep from those we love most.Avery is an obscure author whose recent disappearance is eerily similar to the death of a character in her latest thriller. Last seen walking the cliffs at Bosigran, it is suspected she fell, although her body has still not been found.When Alex, an ambitious young journalist, receives a copy of Avery's book in the post, she becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her.Alex travels to Cornwall to research Avery's death for an article and discovers that the writer's life mirrored her book in more ways than one. She increasingly suspects that all is not as it seems. One question in particular keeps playing on her mind, did Avery jump was she pushed?***************HEAR WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT KAREN COLE:'Every time I thought I had it sussed a curveball was thrown. Beautifully dark and compelling'Caz, Amazon reviewer'If you like Karin Slaughter you will love this!'Cath, Amazon reviewer'I was constantly guessing throughout and I still didn't see that ending coming even though the clues are there!'Chanel, Amazon reviewer'I absolutely loved this book. I could never have guessed the outcome'Annie, Amazon reviewer'Another winner'Ashrae, Amazon reviewer

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Book SynopsisUrsula travels deep into the New Forest to investigate rumours of a plot to overthrow Queen Elizabeth in this gripping Tudor mystery. May, 1586. Ursula and her retinue return home from a lengthy trip to discover she has an unexpected visitor. Etheldreda Hope is a simple countrywoman who has come to Ursula with disturbing tales of strange goings-on in her rural village. Fearing that Etheldreda''s reports of mysterious forest rites indicate a possible conspiracy to overthrow Queen Elizabeth in favour of her cousin, Mary Stuart, the queen''s spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, orders Ursula to travel to Etheldreda''s home to find out what''s really going on.On reaching Chenston village, deep in the New Forest, Ursula discovers an isolated, suspicious community; the locals deeply in thrall to the old pagan traditions and beliefs. But are these ancient customs harmless - or are they part of a genuine conspiracy against the queen? And, if so, who is behind it?It''s not until the night of Halloween that Ursula will discover the shocking truth.

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Book SynopsisFans of J.A. Jance and Lisa Gardner will love this exploration of the little-known job of death investigator in small-town Missouri where Angela Richman finds herself investigating the lives and secrets of the one percenters in Chouteau Forest.Chouteau Forest''s wealthy are being targeted by the Ghost Burglars, who''ve carried out twelve burglaries over two weeks. So far, there''s been no bloodshed . . . until Tom Lockridge is brutally slain inside his marble mansion during the latest raid. Angela Richman, death investigator for Chouteau County, is called to assess the scene and the body by Detective Jace Budewitz. As they investigate, Jace becomes obsessed with proving the Ghost Burglars weren''t involved in the murder.Can the burglars be ruled out so easily? Is there more to Cynthia Lockridge, Tom''s wife, seeking solace in the arms of the ambitious local lawyer Wesley Desloge? What about Tom''s long-suffering daughter, or his loose-lipped housekeeper or office manager? Everyone is keeping secrets, but whose erupted into violence that fateful night?

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Book SynopsisThis classic crime treat is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh.‘A delight… An amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple’ GuardianMrs Bradley, sharp-eyed detective and celebrated psychiatrist, has decided to spend Christmas with her nephew at his beautiful house in the Cotswolds.It isn’t long before a mystery unfolds. There are strange events occurring in the nearby wood and local villagers are receiving anonymous threatening letters. Then the snow begins to fall – and a body is discovered.Mrs Bradley is on the case, but she’ll have to hatch an ingenious plan to reveal the truth and find the culprit…First published in 1950 as Groaning Spinney.Trade ReviewOne of the "Big Three" female mystery novelists, judged the equal of Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie * Independent *Take yourself back to a time in which ladies swoon, people say, “Dash it” and mixed-up telegrams land you in the wrong place at the wrong time. Murder in the Snow is a chocolate-box delight of a book… Just kick back and enjoy an era when even murder was sprinkled with mischievous innocence -- Kirsty Brimelow * The Times *If a relaxing diversion is of the essence for a good holiday, a Gladys Mitchell novel is a must * Daily Mail *

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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 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 Synopsis‘A true master of British crime writing’ RICHARD OSMAN Rachel Savernake investigates a bizarre locked-room puzzle in this delicious Gothic mystery from the winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger. England, 1930. Journalist Nell Fagan is on the trail of a bizarre mystery: in 1606, a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in Blackstone Fell, a remote Yorkshire village. Three hundred years later, it happened again. Days after confiding in sleuth Rachel Savernake, Nell herself disappears. In search for answers, and determined to bring an end to the disappearances, Rachel travels to the lonely Yorkshire village, with its eerie moor and sinister tower. But Rachel must be careful – with all of these people going missing, there’s every chance she will be taken too... For anyone who loves a dazzling mystery, Blackstone Fell explores the shadowy borderlands between the spiritual and scientific, between sanity and madness, and between virtue and deadly sin. 'Martin Edwards celebrates and satirises the genre with wit and affection... He leaves you wanting more.' THE TIMES 'Suspects abound in the book’s wonderfully labyrinthine plot, and the brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character.' WASHINGTON POST 'Perfect for those who love a locked-room mystery... with a wonderful golden age of crime feel.' BELFAST TELEGRAPH 'Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime.' DAILY MAIL 'Ingeniously plotted and racily told... Blackstone Fell is more or less impossible to put down – this is Edwards on the top of his form.' DOROTHY L SAYERS SOCIETY BULLETINTrade ReviewLeaves you wanting more * The Times *Perfect for those who love a locked-room mystery . . . [with] a wonderful golden age of crime feel * Belfast Telegraph *The plot is intricate but never less than compelling. Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime * Daily Mail *A fascinating novel, with an enigmatic protagonist and a complex, intriguing plot... The books have the authenticity of the author's detailed knowledge of the period, plus a darkly clever plot, set in a sinister, brooding landscape. Blackstone Fell is a page turner which I wholeheartedly recommend * Promoting Crime Fiction *'Ingeniously plotted and racily told . . . Blackstone Fell is more or less impossible to put down – this is Edwards on the top of his form.' * Dorothy L Sayers Society Bulletin *An irresistible Gothic thriller . . . Edwards' book keeps you gripped to the very end * Yorkshire Life *A page-turning dark drama full of murder, secrecy, adultery and a compelling locked-room mystery . . . [with] Sherlockian reminiscences in its lead character * Historical Novel Review *Suspects abound in the book’s wonderfully labyrinthine plot, and the brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character. * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisDallas's toughest female detective takes on a string of mysterious assassinations in the second novel of the 'violent, sexy, and completely absorbing' Betty Rhyzyk series (Kirkus Reviews). Not much can make Detective Betty Rhyzyk flinch. But when forced into therapy, a desk assignment, and domestic bliss following a terrifying run-in with an apocalyptic cult, she's having trouble readjusting to life as it once was. At home, she struggles to connect with her loving wife, Jackie. At work, someone has been assassinating confidential informants. To make matters worse, Betty's partner seems to be increasingly dependent on the painkillers he was prescribed for injuries he sustained narrowly rescuing her. Betty's at the point of breaking when she decides to go rogue, on a chase that will lead her to the dark heart of a drug cartel terrorizing Dallas, and straight to the crooked cops who plan to profit from it all. Praise for Kathleen Kent: 'Gripping... Briskly paced, The Burn barely allows the reader to take a breath as believable twists careen throughout' Associated Press 'Readers will clamor for the irresistible Betty's next chapter' Publishers Weekly 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likable' Wall Street Journal 'Kent continues to reinvent and subvert traditional noir expectations... Action-driven mystery anchored by dynamic, deep characters' Kirkus Reviews 'A gripping, powerfully human procedural' BooklistTrade ReviewGripping... Briskly paced, The Burn barely allows the reader to take a breath as believable twists careen throughout * Associated Press *PRAISE FOR KATHLEEN KENT: 'Exciting [and] moving... Grisly but likeable' Wall Street Journal. 'A gripping, powerfully human procedural' Booklist. 'Terrific... Kent's own ability to avoid predictable outcomes and keep the reader on edge bodes well for future installments in this series' Chicago Tribune. 'Kent is an effective storyteller and an acute social observer, with a sharp eye for Texas-sized absurdities' Los Angeles Review of Books. 'Kent's offbeat humor pulls up reins just before it takes the story over a cliff' * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThe gripping debut techno thriller from cybercrime specialist Daniel Scanlan. FBI Special Agent Ericka Blackwood chases a deadly online predator in a high-stakes hunt for the truth. Perfect for fans of Thomas Harris and Stieg Larsson. He's online. He's anonymous. He's deadly. When a video surfaces on the Dark Web showing a murder no one else could have witnessed, FBI Special Agent Ericka Blackwood starts tracking down the killer. But the case is even darker than Ericka thought. Hidden behind an avatar named Dantalion, a criminal mastermind is feeding his sadistic appetites by directing the crimes of others – and he may have been orchestrating his twisted schemes for years. As Ericka homes in on her target, the tables are suddenly turned. Dantalion has information that will help Ericka fulfil a deeply personal quest for revenge... but only if she risks her career, her life, and the fate of Dantalion's future victims. Does vengeance come at too high a price? Reviewers on The Hacker: 'Frighteningly plausible and deftly written, Daniel Scanlan’s debut is a thrilling roller coaster of twists and turns.' Boyd Morrison 'One of the most engaging and intelligent thrillers of the year.' Kashif Hussein, Best Thriller Books 'A thoroughly disturbing lightning-paced thriller. Dark, twisted and horribly captivating.' Ian Green 'Tense, gripping, brutal, scary – The Hacker has everything you'd want from a thriller.' P.R. Black 'Dark, brutal, scary – yet absolutely riveting.' Samantha Brick 'The author creates an atmosphere of high-tech terror... A modern, thrilling novel.' Promoting Crime FictionTrade ReviewFrighteningly plausible and deftly written, The Hacker takes you on a harrowing journey into the dark reaches of modern technology. Daniel Scanlan's debut is a thrilling roller coaster of twists and turns that will have you racing through its pages. Riveting to the very end! -- Boyd MorrisonPacked with realistic tidbits of crime-solving in the age of cyberspace and meta verse, it’s one of the most engaging and intelligent thrillers of the year. * Kashif Hussein, Best Thriller Books *The Hacker is a thoroughly disturbing lightning paced thriller, packed with action and intrigue. Dark and twisted and horribly captivating. Scanlan delivers a frighteningly believable world where the line between digital and physical blurs most in the shadows -- Ian GreenTense, gripping, brutal, scary – The Hacker has everything you'd want from a thriller. A tough and all-too-believable heroine who has demons to contend with matches wits and skills with an evil spider at the centre of his wicked web... Who will win this sadistic game? Perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson -- P.R. BlackFrighteningly plausible... The Hacker is a modern, thrilling novel that moves along at high speed and hurtles towards its dénouement * Promoting Crime Fiction *Dark, brutal, scary – yet absolutely riveting -- Samantha Brick

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP 10 BESTSELLER'An emotional read that pulls you in all directions. I was completely absorbed from the first page' Gemma RogersYou want your sister to have all her heart desires. But - what if she wants your children?Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge.When Maggie finally cracks, walking out one day and not returning, Rose is right there to step into the breach . . .You trust your sister to look after your children. But should you?Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng.What people are saying about The Cuckoo Sister‘It begins with a visceral shock and evolves through unexpected twists and turns to a deeply felt and satisfying conclusion’ Greg Mosse, author of The Coming Darkness'This was a beautifully written debut that handles a difficult subject matter with a delicacy that makes me excited to read whatever Alison Stockham writes next' Stacy Thomas, author of The Revels‘This book comes with a killer hook… Sibling relationships, post-natal depression, marriages with cracks that turn into fissures and the nature of friendship are all explored via a pacy storyline.’ Jo Leevers, author of Tell Me How It Ends'Stormed through The Cuckoo Sister by Alison Stockham... A fascinating premise and she handles it admirably, with nuance and compassion.' Laura Pearson, author of I Wanted You To Know, Missing Pieces & Nobody’s Wife'Beautifully poignant and utterly compelling.' Alex Stone, author of The Perfect Daughter and The Other Girlfriend'An emotional and relatable story.' Louise Douglas, author of The Room in the Attic and The Lost Notebook'Such a clever and engaging book with a late twist that I absolutely did not predict.' Beth Miller, author of The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright & The Woman Who Came Back To Life'A brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires' Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark & She Lies in Wait**'I devoured The Cuckoo Sister in a day . . . Cleverly written, emotionally and psychologically complex. It’s a brilliant intense read' Elspells‘Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87

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Book SynopsisThe Edgar Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling series by Dana Stabenow set in Alaska. Kate Shugak takes on a murderous hunting party in Hunter's Moon. For one group of hunters, it's open season on murder... It's autumn in Alaska: hunting season. Kate Shugak is acting guide to ten big game hunters carrying an arsenal of expensive weaponry. Unfortunately, not one of them seems to know one end of a shotgun from the other, and all are a danger to themselves and anyone else in range. So when one of the men is killed, his death is dismissed as a tragic accidental shooting. But when the weather worsens and Kate finds herself stranded in the wilderness with the hunting party, she begins to have her doubts about the group. And when she discovers another body in gruesome circumstances, Kate realizes that someone is after more than just four-legged trophies... Reviewers on Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series: 'An antidote to sugary female sleuths: Kate Shugak, the Aleut private investigator.' New York Times 'Crime fiction doesn't get much better than this.' Booklist 'If you are looking for something unique in the field of crime fiction, Kate Shugak is the answer.' Michael Connelly 'An outstanding series.' Washington Post 'One of the strongest voices in crime fiction.' Seattle TimesTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE KATE SHUGAK SERIES: 'If you are looking for something unique in the field of crime fiction, Kate Shugak is the answer' Michael Connelly. 'An antidote to sugary female sleuths: Kate Shugak, the Aleut private investigator' New York Times. 'Stabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. An outstanding series' Washington Post. 'Crime fiction doesn't get much better than this' Booklist. 'Sparkles with energy and wit, and packs an unexpected punch' Publishers Weekly. 'For rich, idiosyncratic settings and engaging characters... let me recommend Dana Stabenow' -- Diana Gabaldon

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Book SynopsisEven the most glamorous stately homes hide secrets and lies from the past...When Flora Maguire receives an alarming telegram informing her of her father’s tragic death in a riding accident, she races back from London to her childhood home.But when Flora and her new husband, Bunny, get to Cleeve Abbey – where she was once Governess to Eddy, Viscount Trent, and her father was butler to Earl Trent – it’s all is not well.Flora’s intention was to bury her father next to Lily, her mother, who sadly passed away when Flora was a small child. But it turns out that a mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Lily’s final resting place.No-one is willing to talk. And, with her father now dead in what seems like a suspicious accident, Flora must now strive alone to uncover hidden family secrets. And a terrible betrayal with the power to change everything…A cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey, and set in the glorious Cotswolds landscape.Previously published as Murder at Cleeve Abbey.What people are saying about Death at the Abbey:‘Intriguing… Clues to keep you guessing… I was caught up in the story immediately.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘I love, love, love this series! … The intricate plot with its many odd characters kept me turning the pages until the stunning end. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves historical fiction and who would like to venture into the cozy mystery genre. Highly recommended!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars‘An intriguing mystery… Flora makes a wily opponent with first rate detective skills.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars Would recommend to anyone who likes their heroines feisty.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

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Book Synopsis1903 London is bustling and glamorous. With troubling secrets simmering and worrying signs of war Flora Maguire must solve a deadly mystery which leads right to the heart of the corridors of power.When the body of a London socialite, and leading light of the burgeoning women’s suffrage movement, is found outside The Grenadier public house in London’s fashionable Knightsbridge, Flora Maguire can’t resist investigating.Mysterious letters are discovered in the victim’s belongings, including strange links to the foreign office. But why do the clues keep coming back to the assassination of a Baltic king?As Flora closes in on the killer, it soon becomes clear she is no longer safe in London, but – as her husband Bunny rushes to be by her side – will he be the one to save her, or will she have to find her own way out?Previously published as Murder at The Grenadier and A Knightsbridge ScandalWhat readers are saying about Death of a Suffragette:‘London makes for a wonderful setting for this cozy mystery, brought to life by the author's elegant prose and deep historical research. I am enjoying this series. Flora Maguire is an excellent amateur detective!’‘I just finished one Flora book to move onto another! … A super book to curl up with and apparently, there's more to come!’‘This is a series mystery lovers won't want to miss.’‘I enjoyed it tremendously!’‘Careful though, it’s hard to put it down once you start!!’

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Book SynopsisA BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICKA KINDLE TOP 5 BESTSELLER'Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core' Janice HallettClaire and Sophie aren't your typical murder investigators . . .When 30-something freelance medium Claire Hendricks is invited to an old university friend's country pile to provide entertainment for a family party, her best friend Sophie tags along. In fact, Sophie rarely leaves Claire's side, because she's been haunting her ever since she was murdered at the age of seventeen.On arrival at The Cloisters it quickly becomes clear that this family is hiding more than just the good china, as Claire learns someone has recently met an untimely end at the house.Teaming up with the least unbearable members of the Wellington-Forge family - depressive ex-cop Basher and teenage radical Alex - Claire and Sophie determine to figure out not just whodunnit, but who they killed, why and when.Together they must race against incompetence to find the murderer - before the murderer finds them... in this funny, modern, media-literate mystery for the My Favourite Murder generation.'Read this fabulous book' Ben Aaronovitch'A delicious mashup of grisly murder, country house and semi-helpful ghosts' Stuart MacBride'Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable' Catherine Ryan HowardTrade ReviewYou've never read a country house whodunit quite like Grave Expectations. Nor is there a generation gap quite as wide as the one between Claire and Sophie. Fast, funny and furious, this book has bags of humour, bags of heart and a proper murder mystery at its core. Alice Bell writes with real verve and crafts a preposterous premise into a sharp, well written and lively story that's at once out of this world and yet reassuringly real. As reader, you're along for the ride, and it's a runaway ghost train of a ride at that! Bell is one to watch. -- Janice HallettA delicious mashup of grisly murder, country house and semi-helpful ghosts - imagine a really cockeyed game of Cluedo heavily seasoned with whimsy ... it's a lot of fun -- Stuart MacBrideRead this fabulous book - you will not regret it -- Ben AaronovitchA modern mashup of Ghosts, Blithe Spirit and Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) ... the lightly acerbic style is a delight ... plenty of spooky fun. More, please. * Guardian *Knives Out vibes with added ghosts. Fresh, funny and hugely enjoyable. -- Catherine Ryan HowardA very funny, entertaining, twisted take on the country house murder mystery. Wonderful.' -- S J BennettFunny, fast, sharp, original, and addictive ... a unique breath of fresh air. Brilliant! -- Andrea MaraA fun and surprising character-driven whodunnit * Heat *A fun, gripping murder mystery with a supernatural spin * Woman's Own *An addictive, hilarious, rollicking debut - fresh, original and utterly brilliant, Alice Bell is a real talent to watch. I cannot WAIT for the next book! -- Sam BlakeClever, unpredictable and a genuinely humorous modern day country house murder mystery which left me guessing. Perfect for anyone who fancies themselves as a detective. -- Nadine MathesonA great read, with great characters, lots of humour, some misty-eyed moments and lots of swearing. Utterly delightful - like the BBC show Ghosts mixed with Cluedo -- Simon ToyneA really unique concept paired with whip-smart writing and lots of heart -- Heather Darwent, author of The Things We Do to Our FriendsA clever and playful contemporary cosy mystery by Cobh-based debut author, the talented Alice Bell. Think Ghosts meets Knives Out. -- Catherine KirwanA highly original, clever, contemporary and funny take on the crime genre * Irish Examiner *Wickedly good * Belfast Telegraph *A murder mystery with lots of heart and heaps of comedy ... full of fun and intrigue, this book's a winner * Meath Chronicle *This book positively lit up my weekends with its cosy, affectionate, funny, awkward brand of ghostly crime-solving. Perfect for fans of BBC's Ghosts, Alice Bell has a keen eye for characterisation and the ridiculous, creating a story that will both send chills down your spine and wrap you up in a hug. -- Ally WIlkes, author of All the White SpacesWitty, addictive, and breathes some much needed (undead) life into the cosy crime murder mystery genre -- Adam SimcoxDelightful, charming, breezy ... A spirited cold-case mystery * Set the Tape *Sharp and hilarious -- Cailean SteedA funny, distinctive, constantly clever genre-bending supernatural crime novel' * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisAmateur sleuths Hilary Masters and Veronica Taylor face a real-life murder mystery at a crime writing weekend. Is a dark conspiracy unfolding on a West Country estate?Friends Hilary Masters and Veronica Taylor are eager to embark upon their weekend-long masterclass in crime writing at the evocative, fourteenth-century Morland Abbey, hoping to gain inspiration for their own novels. The queen of crime fiction herself, Dinah Halsgrove, is the guest of honour, giving the opening talk. But when Dinah suddenly falls ill later that evening, the pair can''t help being suspicious. Has her mysterious illness been staged by the organisers, or does someone in their writing group have murderous intent?A series of sinister incidents draw Hilary and Veronica into a real-life murder mystery as gripping as any bestselling crime novel, but the biggest twist is yet to come . . . Can they separate fact from fiction to solve a deadly puzzle?

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Book Synopsis#1 New York Times Bestselling AuthorStephanie Plum returns to hunt down a master cyber-criminal operating out of Trenton in the 28th book in the wildly popular series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich. When Stephanie Plum is woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of footsteps in her apartment, she wishes she didn’t keep her gun in the cookie jar in her kitchen.  And when she finds out the intruder is fellow apprehension agent Diesel, six feet of hard muscle and bad attitude whom she hasn’t seen in more than two years, she still thinks the gun might come in handy.  Turns out Diesel and Stephanie are on the trail of the same fugitive: Oswald Wednesday, an international computer hacker as brilliant as he is ruthless.  Stephanie may not be the most technologically savvy sleuth, but she more than makes up for that with her dogged deter

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Book SynopsisSue Grafton was one of the most popular female writers, both in the UK and in the US. Born in Kentucky in 1940, she began her career as a TV scriptwriter before Kinsey Millhone and the 'alphabet' series took off. Two of the novels B is for Burglar and C is for Corpse won the first Anthony Awards for Best Novel. Sue wrote twenty-five novels in her alphabet series, the last was Y is for Yesterday, before her death in California in December 2017.Trade ReviewGrafton once again proves herself a superb storyteller * Publishers Weekly *This will leave readers both relishing another masterful entry and ruing the near-end of this series. Prime Grafton * Booklist *Grafton constructs an intricate plot following two time lines with at least a dozen characters in play while rarely slowing the pace * Library Journal *I’m going to miss Kinsey Millhone. Ever since the first of Sue Grafton’s Alphabet mysteries, A Is For Alibi, came out in 1982, Kinsey has been a good friend and the very model of an independent woman, a gutsy Californian P.I. rocking a traditional man’s job . . . It’s Kinsey herself who keeps this series so warm and welcoming. She’s smart, she’s resourceful, and she’s tough enough to be sensitive on the right occasions * New York Times *Y Is for Yesterday is one of the strongest novels in the series as the beloved lady sleuth Kinsey Millhone, the perennial main character, is hired to investigate the aftermath of a ten-year-old murder involving high-school students. The milieu — wealth and privilege in a beautiful California setting — is enticing, as are the cast of colourful regulars. This story of teenagers gone bad runs in parallel with a deadly threat to Kinsey’s life, and the ending is truly satisfying, in more ways than one. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE SEVENTEENTH BOOK IN THE BELOVED NO. 1 LADIES'' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIESThe one with the woman who lost her past . . . Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi''s friendship is tested by a curious case: a client who left Botswana thirty years ago and remembers little of her past. The quest for the truth takes the detectives in very different directions - but what if they are both wrong? Meanwhile, Fanwell adopts a stray dog, Mr Polopetsi becomes entangled in a tricky business deal and Violet Sephotho could be running for a prestigious award. Can Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi move beyond their differing views to solve the case and bring harmony to the agency?Trade ReviewPrecious and Grace's friendship and working relationship has stood the test of time, but they cannot agree on this case. Memories, a stray dog and many cups of tea all play their part, too. Fans of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency will love this * People's Friend *

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Book Synopsis'Brilliantly eerie' PETER JAMES'Engrossing and beautifully dark . . . a cracking good read' JO BRAND'A most original sleuth' THE TIMES Welcome to the River Wye: a place of poetry, historic obsession... and occult murder.The curious death of an estate agent is being investigated by detective David Vaynor who, before joining the police, studied the famous 18th century poet William Wordsworth. As Vaynor is discovering, the dark paganism that changed Wordsworth's life still lingers on the banks of the River Wye today - and there are some killings even the police can't approach...Enter Merrily Watkins, parish priest, single mum, and diocesan exorcist for Hereford. Called away from her local hauntings, Merrily finds herself confronting the riverside ghosts who, as Wordsworth puts it, 'promote ill purposes and flatter foul desires'. In the ancient heart of the Wye Valley, a buried grudge is about to come to light.*Book 16 in the Merrily Watkins series - now a critically acclaimed ITV drama starring Anna Maxwell-Martin!*More praise for Phil Rickman 'Cleverly illuminates the darkest corners of our imagination' John Connolly 'The layers, the characters, the humour, the spookiness - perfect' Elly Griffiths'First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night' Daily Mail'No one writes better of the shadow-frontier between the supernatural and the real world' Bernard CornwellTrade ReviewNo one writes better of the shadow-frontier between the supernatural and the real world. * Bernard Cornwell, praise for Merrily Watkins *Ancient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth. * The Times, praise for Merrily Watkins *Phil Rickman is one of my all-time favourites. I love everything he's done. * Diana Gabaldon, praise for Merrily Watkins *Tight with atmosphere, thick with latent violence... Brilliantly eerie. * Peter James, praise for Merrily Watkins *Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary, Rickman's crime series is one of the best around. * Spectator, praise for Merrily Watkins *Complex, absorbing, fascinating... * Andrew Taylor, praise for Merrily Watkins *Few writers blend the ancient and supernatural with the modern and criminal better than Rickman. * Guardian, praise for Merrily Watkins *Supremely skillful at teasing out the menace that lies behind English folk customs and legends and weaving them into a compelling contemporary narrative * Mail on Sunday *The layers, the characters, the humour, the spookiness - perfect. * Elly Griffiths, praise for Merrily Watkins *First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night. * Daily Mail, praise for Merrily Watkins *Classic mysteries... [which] cleverly illuminate the darkest corners of our imaginations. * John Connolly, praise for Merrily Watkins *Engrossing and beautifully dark... a cracking good read ensues. * Jo Brand, praise for Merrily Watkins *

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Book SynopsisIcelandic detective Elma faces mortal danger as she investigates the death of a young man in a mysterious Akranes house fire, and a Dutch au pair’s perfect placement turns deadly … The breathtaking third instalment in the award-winning Forbidden Iceland series. ***WINNER of the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger*** ‘Her best, boldest work to date: a mystery both merciless and compassionate, subtly eerie yet flat-out frightening, featuring a detective as complicated as Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole. This is virtuoso suspense writing’ A J Finn ‘Chilling and addictive, with a completely unexpected twist … I loved it’ Shari Lapena ‘Another beautifully written novel from one of the rising stars of Nordic Noir’ Victoria Selman _________________________ The small community of Akranes is devastated when a young man dies in a mysterious house fire, and when Detective Elma and her colleagues from West Iceland CID discover the fire was arson, they become embroiled in an increasingly perplexing case involving multiple suspects. What’s more, the dead man’s final online search raises fears that they could be investigating not one murder, but two. A few months before the fire, a young Dutch woman takes a job as an au pair in Iceland, desperate to make a new life for herself after the death of her father. But the seemingly perfect family who employs her turns out to have problems of its own and she soon discovers she is running out of people to turn to. As the police begin to home in on the truth, Elma, already struggling to come to terms with a life-changing event, finds herself in mortal danger as it becomes clear that someone has secrets they’ll do anything to hide… ____________________________ ‘A creepily compelling Icelandic mystery that had me hooked from page one. Night Shadows will make you want to sleep with the lights on’ Heidi Amsinck ‘I loved everything about this book: the characters, the setting, the storyline, an intricately woven cast … this book had me utterly gripped!’ J M Hewitt ‘With the third release in the Forbidden Iceland series, Eva Björg establishes herself as not just one of the brightest names in Icelandic crime fiction, but in crime fiction full stop. Night Shadows is an absolute must-read!’ Nordic Watchlist ‘The author writes so beautifully you are immediately immersed in the chilly surrounds … a genuinely excellent novel’ Liz Loves Books ‘One of the most compelling contemporary writers of crime fiction and psychological suspense’ Duncan Beattie,Fiction from Afar Praise for the Forbidden Iceland series: ‘Fans of Nordic Noir will love this’ Ann Cleeves ‘Elma is a fantastic heroine’ Sunday Times ‘Complex, gripping and moving’ The Times ‘An exciting and harrowing tale’ Ragnar Jónasson ‘Eerie and chilling. I loved every word!’ Lesley Kara ‘Not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made’ The Times ‘Beautifully written, spine-tingling and disturbing … a thrilling new voice in Icelandic crime fiction’ Yrsa Sigurðardóttir ‘As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter’ Lisa Gray ‘An unsettling and exciting read with a couple of neat red herrings to throw the reader off the scent’ NB Magazine ‘Chilling and troubling … reminiscent of Jorn Lier Horst‘s Norwegian procedurals. This is a book that makes an impact’ Crime Fiction Lover ‘Elma is a memorably complex character’ Financial Times ‘The twist comes out of the blue … enthralling’ Tap The Line Magazine For fans of Ragnar Jonasson, Camilla Lackberg, Ruth Rendell, Gillian McAllister and Shari Lapen

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Book SynopsisMeet Tannie Maria - recipe writer turned crime fighter - and before she has time to take her Venus Chocolate Cake out of the oven, our glorious heroine finds herself embroiled in another mystery. In this wonderful sequel to Recipes for Love and Murder, Slimkat the bushman finds his life under threat and Tannie Maria is determined to find out who wants to kill him. But her boyfriend is keen to keep Tannie out of danger, and she's pretty sure he's hiding something so Tannie has mysteries of her own solve . . . Blending a perfect whodunnit with lovable characters, Sally Andrew really does have the perfect recipe for a crime series.Trade ReviewA vivid, amusing and immensely enjoyable read . . . A triumph -- ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITHExotic and enchanting * * Wall Street Journal * *Chock full of good food and interesting characters -- KERRY GREENWOODUtterly delicious, to the very last morsel -- DEON MEYERFunny and sweet - but it has a hard edge and doesn't skirt the difficult subjects of South Africa's history or the region's huge problem with domestic violence. It's a culinary and linguistic treat too . . . The story includes recipes - and has a pleasing bite -- CATHY RENTZENBRINK * * The Bookseller, Fiction Editor's Choice * *Something to savour...especially in its assertion that there's not much in life that the love of a little lamb, stalwart friendships, intimate relationships and several slices of the tantalizingly-titled Venus Cake can't cure * * Seattle Review of Books * *An enticing, engrossing novel filled with charmingly fascinating characters, interesting subplots, believable psychological struggles [and] a delightful sense of place * * Reviewing the Evidence * *Sublime * * Publishers Weekly STARRED Review * *A satisfying feast for readers * * Shelf Awareness * *

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Book SynopsisMonument to Murder is Mari Hannah's fourth gripping crime novel in the compelling crime series featuring DCI Kate Daniels.He selects. They die . . .When skeletal remains are found beneath the fortified walls of an ancient castle on Northumberland's rugged coastline, DCI Kate Daniels calls on a forensic anthropologist to help identify the corpse.Meanwhile, newly widowed prison psychologist Emily McCann finds herself drawn into the fantasy of convicted sex offender, Walter Fearon. As his mind games escalate in intensity, is it possible that Daniels' case has something to do with his murderous past? With his release imminent, what exactly does he have in mind for Emily?As Daniels encounters dead end after dead end and the body count rises, it soon becomes apparent that someone is hiding more than one deadly secret . . .Continue the investigative series with the fifth book, Killing For Keeps.Trade ReviewThis is top-notch British crime writing from an author who writes with passion and draws you into the relentless pressure of a police murder hunt. * Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTHE RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD NOMINEE, FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NO ONE HOMEA SECRET THAT WILL CHANGE LIVES FOREVERWhen Emily Kane arrives at her sister Carrie''s house, she finds the front door unlocked and no one inside. Dinner''s cooking, the TV''s on. Carrie, her husband and their two daughters are gone.When the police draw a blank, Emily asks missing persons investigator David Raker to find them. It''s clear someone doesn''t want the family found.But as he gets closer to the truth, Raker begins to uncover evidence of a sinister cover-up, spanning decades and costing countless lives.And worse, in trying to find Emily''s missing family, he might just have made himself the next target . . .Praise for Tim Weaver:''I couldn''t put it down'' - Sun''Weaver''s books get better each time - tense, complex, written with flair as well as care'' Trade ReviewA taut and thrilling novel, his best yet * Richard & Judy Book Club *The story-telling is little short of brilliant * Crime Fiction Lover *Praise for Tim Weaver * - *It had me racing to the end -- Fiona Barton * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Widow *The rising star of British crime -- Tony Parsons * Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of the DC Max Wolfe series *I couldn't put it down * Sun *Fans of Mo Hayder will be in seventh hell * Guardian *Weaver has become one of this country's most respected, bestselling crime writers, and he fully deserves to be . . . Catch him at once * Daily Mail *The writing is beautiful and the plot so cleverly constructed I never guessed any of the twists -- Claire Douglas * Sunday Times bestselling author of Local Girl Missing *Weaver's books get better each time - tense, complex, written with flair as well as care * Guardian *Terrific * Sunday Times *Tim Weaver writes books so meticulously researched that the reader is educated as well as entertained, enthralled and intrigued -- Liz Nugent * Sunday Times bestselling author of Lying in Wait *A dark, complex and visceral read * Financial Times *Perfect plotting, great characterisation, and the kind of payoff that a thriller of this calibre deserves * Bookgeeks *

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Book SynopsisThe third book in the multi-million copy bestselling No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency seriesThe one with the boy who might have been raised by lionsFacing financial trouble, the No. 1 Ladies'' Detective Agency is obliged to move into the same premises as Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. And on top of her domestic complications with her fiancé Mr J. L. B. Matekoni and his adopted children, Motholeli and Puso, Mma Ramotswe faces several challenging cases. These include some unattractive behaviour among the contestants in a beauty pageant, and the perplexing discovery of a boy running wild, who smells of lion...''Charming, delightful, feel-good stuff'' Daily Express''Unalloyed pleasure'' Sunday Telegraph''Charming'' Scotland on Sunday''One of the most entrancing treats of many a year'' Wall Street JournalTrade ReviewCharming, delightful, feel-good stuff * Daily Express *One of the most entrancing treats of many a year * Wall Street Journal *Unalloyed pleasure * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis___________________________________ A gripping Temperance Brennan novel from world-class forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the international no. 1 bestselling crime thriller writer and the inspiration behind the hit TV series Bones.Tempe is faced with a horrifying possibility: a murderer she couldn''t catch is killing again...For a decade, Temperance Brennan has been haunted by the one who got away. The killer of young women. The monster. And the one who has now come back. Feeding on fear, grief and rage.Killing again. Killing girls.Getting closer.Coming for Tempe.___________________________________ Dr Kathy Reichs is a professional forensic anthropologist. She has worked for decades with chief medical examiners, the FBI, and even a United Nations Tribunal on Genocide. However, she is best known for her internationally bestselling TemperTrade ReviewI love Kathy Reichs - always scary, always suspenseful, and I always learn something. -- Lee ChildKathy Reichs writes smart – no, make that brilliant – mysteries that are as realistic as non-fiction and as fast-paced as the best thrillers about Jack Reacher, or Alex Cross. -- James PattersonNobody does forensics thrillers like Kathy Reichs. She’s the real deal. -- David BaldacciKathy Reichs continues to be one of the most distinctive and talented writers in the genre. Her legion of readers worldwide will agree with me when I declare that the more books she writes, the more enthusiastic fans she’ll garner. -- Sandra BrownEach book in Kathy Reichs’s fantastic Temperance Brennan series is better than the last. They're filled with riveting twists and turns – and no matter how many books she writes, I just can’t get enough! -- Lisa Scottoline

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Book SynopsisA cold-blooded killer has Stephanie in his sights...Where there''s smoke, there''s fire, and this couldn''t be truer than in Smokin'' Seventeen, the seventeenth wacky adventure in Janet Evanovich''s bestselling Stephanie Plum series. The perfect read for fans of Sue Grafton and JD Robb. Raves for Janet Evanovich''s bestselling novels: ''Razor sharp'' (Sunday Express); ''Non-stop laughs with plenty of high jinks'' (USA Today); ''Pithy, witty and fast-paced'' (The Sunday Times). Stephanie is running out of time. The bond office where she works has been burned down. Dead bodies have been showing up on the construction site. No one knows why, or who''s responsible - but it''s clear Stephanie''s name is on the killer''s list.And to make a bad situation worse, cop and boyfriend Joe Morelli''s grandmother has put the ''eye'' on Stephanie. Now she has a pimple the size of Mount Vesuvius and her hormones areTrade Review'Evanovich's series of New Jersey comedy thrillers are among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction...' * GQ Magazine *'Packed with her familiar wicked ear for dialogue...Plum is not just a smart private eye but a heroine with a sense of humour' * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisSunday Times bestseller Charlaine Harris returns at last to her fan favourite Aurora Teagarden series with a brand new mystery Librarian Aurora Teagarden is basking in the news of her pregnancy when disaster strikes her small town: four children, including her fifteen-year-old brother, Philip, have vanished from the school football field. What''s even more worrisome is the dead body found at their last known location. While the local police comb the county for the missing children, Aurora and her new husband, true crime writer Robin Crusoe, begin their own investigation. Could the two incidents have something to do with a group of school bullies? Are Aurora''s father''s gambling debts related to the disappearance of her brother? Or could it be that Philip himself, new to town and relatively unknown, is the one responsible? With Christmas approaching, Aurora is determined to find her brother . . . if he''s still alive.''Aurora TeaTrade ReviewHarris draws the guilty and the innocent into an engrossing tale while inventing a heroine as capable and potentially complex as P. D. James's Cordelia Gray * Publishers Weekly *Clearly focused plot, animated description of character and real estate, and sparkling prose commend this breath of fresh air to all collections * Library Journal *Great bloody fun -- Barbara PaulAt last, Aurora Teagarden is back! Everyone's favourite librarian is newly wed and pregnant-and coping with the disappearance of her half-brother. Once again, Charlaine Harris delivers engaging characters in an intriguing plot; she can always be counted on to divert us with her polished writing style. Newcomers to the series as well as rejoicing long-time readers should leap at the chance to catch up with Aurora. * G.M. Malliet, award-winning author of the St. Just and Max Tudor mysteries *

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Book SynopsisSue Grafton has become one of the most popular female writers, both in the UK and in the US. Born in Kentucky in 1940, she began her career as a TV scriptwriter before Kinsey Millhone and the 'alphabet' series took off. Two of the novels B is for Burglar and C is for Corpse won the first Anthony Awards for Best Novel. Sue wrote twenty-five novels in her alphabet series, the last was Y is for Yesterday, before her death in California in December 2017.

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Book SynopsisOld sins cast long shadows...Thirty years on from a horrific series of child murders in London, Josephine Tey sets out to write a novel about the crimes'' perpetrators: Amelia Sach and Annie Walters, the notorious Finchley baby farmers. Meanwhile, her friend, Inspector Archie Penrose is investigating the sadistic murder of a young seamstress, found dead amid preparations for a star-studded charity gala. The girl''s death seems to be the result of a long-standing domestic feud, but Archie is unconvinced; and when a second young woman is involved in an horrific accident soon afterwards, the search begins for a vicious killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past where it belongs...

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Book SynopsisThe twelfth book in the Kay Scarpetta series, from No. 1 bestselling author Patricia Cornwell. ''America''s most chilling writer of crime fiction'' The TimesAfter her resignation as Virginia''s Chief Medical Examiner and the horrifying events which threatened her life in The Last Precinct, Kay Scarpetta has abandoned her elegant home in Richmond and is quietly living in Florida, beginning to get some balance back in her life and slowly establishing herself as a private forensic consultant. But her past won''t let her rest, and her grief for Benton Wesley continues to grow, not diminish, as does the rage within Lucy, her niece. Then the architect of her changed fortunes contacts her from his cell on death row: deformed, blinded by Scarpetta''s own actions, incarcerated in Texas strongest prison, Jean-Baptiste Chardonne still has the ability to terrify. But, unknown to Scarpetta, there are other forces behind

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling, award-winning novelist Kate Saunders comes the first in The Laetitia Rodd Mysteries', six novels featuring a Victorian lady detective, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, M. C. Beaton and Grantchester''A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable' James Runcie, author of ''The Grantchester Mysteries''Mrs Laetitia Rodd is the impoverished widow of an Archdeacon, living modestly in Hampstead with her landlady Mrs Bentley. She is also a private detective of the utmost discretion. In winter 1850, her brother Frederick, a criminal barrister, introduces her to Sir James Calderstone, a wealthy and powerful industrialist who asks Mrs Rodd to investigate the background of an unsuitable' woman his son intends to marry a match he is determined to prevent. In the guise of governess, she travels to the family seat, Wishtide, deep in the frozen Lincolnshire countryside, where she soon discovers that the Calderstones have more to hide thaTrade Review'A Dickensian glow pervades this immensely satisfying novel. Hugely enjoyable’ * James Runcie, author of 'The Grantchester Mysteries' *Praise for Five Children on the Western Front Saunders has created a simply brilliant book ... beautifully crafted, funny, heart-breaking * Daily Mail *A skillful and deeply moving piece of work: poignant, beautifully judged, not a crass pastiche but a respectful homage … Saunders's novel does what fiction does best: it focuses on individuals we care about in order to make a universal point * Guardian *A skill and charm of its own, as well as compassion and conviction * Sunday Times *

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