Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives

Book SynopsisNora heads home to Chateau in search of a fresh start, but her arrival comes at a time of social unrest that threatens to uncover long-hidden secrets.Nora Best is done running. She''s heading to her hometown of Chateau, to the grand Quail House, to stay with her mother and claim the great American privilege of starting over. But she might find it is hard to start over when the past is catching up . . .The night Nora arrives in Chateau, a white police officer shoots and kills Robert Evans, a young Black man. The officer in question is Nora''s school sweetheart, Alden Tydings. What really happened that night? Did Alden act in self-defense as he claims? Robert is the nephew of Bobby Evans, a man whose murder during the race protests of 1967 was never solved. Bobby and his sister, Grace, used to work at Quail House before Nora was born and, as tensions in Chateau rise, Nora begins to uncover secrets within her family home that could upend the lives of everyone in town . . .

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow far would you be willing to go for justice? 'Full of well-handled forensics and the brooding atmosphere of the Essex coast' Mail on SundayWhen a lone shooter claims the lives of five people on Christmas Day before turning the gun on himself, it's up to DI Grace Fisher to find out, not who did it, but why and how.Tracing the illegal weapon and its deadly load of homemade bullets, she soon uncovers a toxic web of police corruption, personal vendettas and revenge. But when the enemy is within, who will believe her?As threats to her safety mount up and the strain of secrecy begins to wreck her friendships, Grace must decide how far she wants to pursue justice - and at what cost.Trade ReviewCombines attention to detail with compassionate intelligence * Sunday Times *Full of well-handled forensics and the brooding atmosphere of the Essex coast * Mail on Sunday *An unusual police procedural . . . beautifully written, full of interesting insights, and atmospherically set * Literary Review *Grey's credentials as a television writer shine through . . . the inner working of the Major Investigation Team are just as enthralling to read about as the serial killer they are hunting -- Clare Mackintosh, author of I Let You Go on Good Girls Don't DieAssured, convincing and especially good on . . . the delicate - and often dodgy - nature of the relationship between the police and the press -- Laura Wilson on Good Girls Don't Die * Guardian *Combines clever plot twists with a surprising delicacy of feeling * Sunday Times on Good Girls Don't Die *A realistic, gripping police procedural . . . they rarely get better than this * Book Addict Shaun on Good Girls Don't Die *A thrilling read * We Love This Book on Good Girls Don't Die *Top notch crime fiction . . . a superb example of its kind * Liz Loves Books on Good Girls Don't Die *The writing is fluid and enthralling . . . a terrific and believable, supporting cast * CrimeThrillerFella on Good Girls Don't Die *

Read more less

Book Synopsis1920 - Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales: Tessa Wiggins''s "madness" is provoked by the adopted spirit of a two-thousand-year-old Druid priestess mentoring her to be the servant of The Earth Mother. When Tessa defies treatment, her lover asks a childhood friend, Sherlock Holmes, to intervene. But despite everyone''s best intentions, Tessa finds herself in Hellingford Asylum, where she is driven toward her final breaking point on All-Halloween.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A vivid blend of police procedural and psychological suspense, this twisty thriller is sure to win lots of new fans' T.M. Logan. ___________A stolen child. A missing woman. You can only save one.A distressed young woman arrives at Halesworth police station in fear for her life, then vanishes.Meanwhile, a local boy is snatched from his school playground.But the answer to one lies with the other, and soon DS Ronnie Delmar is submerged deep in a world she could never have imagined.Because to those who have created their own moral code, the truth is worth killing for... ___________PRAISE FOR THE CHOICE:'Dark, tense and absorbing' - Simon McCleave, author of The Snowdonia Killings'Gripping, twisty and insightfully observed' - Philippa East, author of Little White Lies 'Compelling and chilling' - Caron McKinlay, author of The Storytellers'Totally absorbing' - Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series'A gripping tale' - Louise Mumford, author of The Safe House'A rollercoaster of a ride, I devoured every page' - Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie MayTrade Review'A vivid blend of police procedural and psychological suspense, this twisty thriller is sure to win lots of new fans' -- T.M. Logan, author of The Curfew'Dark, tense and absorbing' -- Simon McCleave, author of The Snowdonia Killings'Gripping, twisty and insightfully observed' -- Philippa East, author of Little White Lies'Compelling and chilling' -- Caron McKinlay, author of The Storytellers'Totally absorbing' -- Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series'A gripping tale' -- Louise Mumford, author of The Safe House'A rollercoaster of a ride, I devoured every page' -- Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie MayPRAISE FOR LUCY MARTIN: 'A switchback ride of a read' -- Cara Hunter

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Soon to be an Amazon Prime series**The perfect life. The perfect neighbourhood. The perfect murder. Welcome to Park Slope, where everyone has something to hide... _____________When young lawyer Lizzie gets a call for help from an old friend accused of murdering his wife, she reluctantly says yes. Zach is the chief suspect in his wife, Amanda's, murder but there's no way he could be guilty - is there?The further Lizzie dives into the glossy world of Brooklyn's Park Slope, the more she realises that things don't add up. Zach doesn't know the most basic details of his wife's past, and Amanda's friends barely know he exists.And in uncovering the truth, Lizzie will be forced to confront dark secrets that lie at the heart of her own once perfect marriage..._____________'McCreight is a master of misdirection - even if you've already read a lot of domestic thrillers, you'll be shocked by her jaw-dropping twists. Clear a spot next to Big Little Lies and The Couple Next Door - A Good Marriage is just as edgy and just as good.' APPLE BOOKS'Expertly blends domestic drama with a gripping murder mystery.... Filled with credible plot twists and realistically flawed characters, McCreight's page-turner presses readers to question everything they think makes a "good" marriage. This will stay with the reader long after the finish.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'McCreight expertly weaves multiple plot threads with a few sly red herrings, paving the way to a series of surprising, and satisfying, reveals. A smartly plotted and altogether successful union of legal thriller and domestic suspense.' KIRKUS'Filled with emotional urgency, sharp insights and profound revelations, Kimberly McCreight's newest novel is a marvel - both a compelling mystery and a discerning exploration of love and marriage.' JEAN KWOK, author of SEARCHING FOR SYLVIE LEE'Part legal thriller, part domestic suspense, pure page turner, this is a novel that will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about marriage.' MARY KUBICA, author of THE OTHER MRS'Absolutely, positively riveting. I could not put this down! Kimberly McCreight has crafted a captivating, thrilling story that bolts out of the gate at a breakneck speed and never misses a step.' TAYLOR JENKINS REID, author of DAISY JONES AND THE SIX'Full of dark secrets and surprising twists, A Good Marriage explores what lies beneath the surface of friendships, families, and communities. A captivating psychological thriller that gripped me from beginning to end.' MEGAN MIRANDA, author of THE LAST HOUSE GUEST'I loved A Good Marriage, a fast-paced page-turner that combines the complexity of a legal thriller with the emotional resonance of domestic suspense. You won't be able to put it down!' LISA SCOTTOLINE, author of SOMEONE KNOWS'What makes a good marriage - in fact and fiction? Kimberly McCreight takes a gimlet-eyed attempt at answering that question in the irresistible domestic drama, A Good Marriage,' THE WASHINGTON POST

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisA vicious murder is committed, but who has blood on their hands?On a hot summer’s afternoon, Michelle Wentworth enjoys a rare few hours of relaxation. Sunning herself by her pool, she sends her lazy teenage son to fetch her a drink. But instead of a refreshment, Michelle is given a nasty shock when shortly after her child’s bludgeoned body is discovered on the doorstep.DI Annie Delamere attends the scene, joined by DS Zoe Everett. There is nothing to suggest a motive or perpetrator. They dig into Michelle’s life and come to suspect she may have been the target. Her ruthless pursuit of profit has won her few friends, and relying on her lawyer’s questionable advice could mean she’s in over her head.When another battered body is found, Annie realises that every clue leads back to a dispute at Michelle’s business. But with so many people with reason to seek revenge, will Annie and her team look in the right places – or will it be too late?A tense and gripping crime thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Stephen Booth and Ann Cleeves.Praise for Alex Walters‘A talent to be reckoned with’ Daily Mail‘Accomplished storytelling and perfectly meshed plot strands combine in this intriguing new series from Alex Walters’ Margaret Kirk, author of Shadow Man

Read more less

Book SynopsisTo save one life, she risks many others.Working for the Royal Military Police, Major Helen Scott is used to rapid change. On a posting to Paris she oversees security for a NATO summit in the city, yet has barely begun before her presence is demanded at Interpol headquarters in Lyon.Helen’s orders are to locate a kidnapping victim – the eldest son of oil magnate Khalil Dalmani. The main suspect is Fawaz bin Nabil, whose fortune has been made from illegal trade familiar to the intelligence agencies.Helen knows the pain of loss and won’t rest until Khalil’s child is found. Along the way, she crosses paths with old faces and forms new alliances. But who will betray her trust?A stunning new thriller from million copy bestseller Rachel Lynch, perfect for fans of Carol Wyer, L.J Ross and Angela Marsons.Praise for The Rift 'A gripping, rollercoaster of a thriller. Great characters, pacy plot with plenty of twists – I couldn't put it down.' Simon McCleave, author of the DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller series

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn old house. A fire. Two corpses… DI Charley Mann returns in this gripping crime thriller.West Yorkshire DI Charley Mann is called for what seems a routine job. Prior to demolition a deserted manor house appears to have been the target of an arson attack.But something isn’t right.The house has a dark history – and a dark present. When the remains of two bodies are discovered hidden inside, it soon emerges they were murdered decades apart. Who are they? What are their connections to the house? Why were they killed? And what is the connection to the fire? Amongst the ashes, Charley is soon drawn into a web of deceit and violent plots.The ghosts of the past can be all too real. Face them at your peril, because what goes around, comes around…Written by smash TV hit Happy Valley’s story advisors, and with the benefit of decades of real police experience, Condemned is perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Joy Ellis and Faith Martin.

Read more less

Book SynopsisShe’s on the hunt for a missing woman, but she’s being hunted herself. Clare is on the run. From her past, from her husband, from her own secrets. When she arrives in the remote mining town of Blackmore asking about Shayna Fowles, a local girl who disappeared, everyone wants to know who Clare really is and what she’s hiding. Everyone in Blackmore is hiding something, but Clare more than most, including what ties her to Shayna in the first place.Mysteries around Shayna’s disappearance abound - did she flee? Was she killed? Is it possible she’s still alive? As Clare unravels the truth, she must also come face-to-face with her own demons and confront what she’s really running from. A tense and gripping mystery from bestselling author Amy Stuart, perfect for fans of Liz Nugent and Lisa Gray. Praise for Still Mine ‘An impressive debut, rooted in character rather than trope, in fundamental understanding rather than rote puzzle-solving.’ The Globe and Mail‘Stuart is a sensitive writer who has given Clare a painful past and just enough backbone to bear it.’ New York Times‘A gripping page-turner, with a plot that takes hold of you and drags you through the story at breakneck speed. The characters are compelling, the setting chilling and the suspense ever-present.’ Toronto Star‘Author Amy Stuart has created a likable heroine, complete with some pretty serious flaws. Between Clare and the other characters of Blackmore, the story is both haunting and compelling.’ Vancouver Sun‘Twisty and swift, Amy Stuart’s Still Mine is a darkly entertaining mystery machine. But what will really surprise you is the emotional foundation on which it has been built.’ Andrew Pyper, bestselling author of The Homecoming‘Still Mine delivers all the nail-biting moments of a fast-paced thriller and filters them through the eyes of girl-with-a-past Clare O’Dey: deeply flawed yet instantly recognizable, O’Dey is a noir detective hero for a postmodern age. Author Amy Stuart sends one missing woman out to look for another one, and the result is chilling. You’ll find yourself turning the pages faster and faster.’ Elisabeth De Mariaffi, author of The Devil You Know‘An intricately woven thriller. . . . You’ll want desperately to solve the mystery not only of the missing Shayna, but of Clare O’Dey, Amy Stuart’s heartbreaking heroine, on the run from the darkest forces both within and without. . . A vivid and haunting debut.’ Holly LeCraw, author of The Swimming Pool‘From its evocative opening to its heart-pounding conclusion, Still Mine is a gripping mystery that I felt desperate to solve... A tense and absorbing read.’ Lucy Clarke author of The Castaways

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisShe’s on trial for murder… Now it’s her turn to tell her story…The truth is that I loved James with my whole heart. We were soulmates: meant to be together forever. I had just found out I was carrying his child.But it’s time to tell my side of the story. It’s time everyone knew what happened on our wedding day, on our honeymoon, and on that fateful last drive together. It’s time everyone found out about the secrets and about the threat that loomed over our marriage. It’s time everyone found out who really killed James.And I need everyone to believe me. To believe I’m not a killer. Because if they don’t, then my baby won’t just have no father… she’ll have no mother.An totally gripping psychological thriller full of jaw-dropping twists, that will keep you reading late into the night. If you loved Gone Girl, The Mother-in-Law and The Housemaid, you’ll be hooked on The Bride.Readers LOVE The Bride:‘I had goosebumps on my goosebumps. I found this book impossible to put down and finally turned the last page at 1am. Yes. this book is that good!!!… MUST READ!!!!!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Absolutely addictive and gripping. I seriously WOULD NOT even start this book unless you have cleared your schedule because you will not be able to put it down!!! I absolutely blew through it in one sitting and it genuinely was unputdownable!!! A true page turner absolutely rammed with suspense, tension and everything you want when you read a psychological thriller.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘The hairs on the back of my neck are still up!… Makes your skin quiver… I was well and truly hooked… The twist had my mouth dropping and rereading twice!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I was hooked… W{::}ill leave you with shivers down your spine and chills in your heart. Some of the twists in this book left my jaw on the floor. And the ending blew me away. Outstanding!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Absolutely brilliant… Immensely readable… Gripping… Never slows down at all.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Completely unputdownable… reeled me in right from the very start. [The twists] left me speechless. I did gasp out loud at the ending which I thought was brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Read more less

Book Synopsis"A cracking example of cozy crime!" Bestselling author Katie FfordeSophie Sayers is ready for a glorious summer, but when a dead body is found in the village school's lost property cupboard the summer holidays take an unexpected turn.Even more shocking is when the body suddenly goes missing! The police think the villagers are mistaken and without a body, refuse to investigate.... But with the village school facing the threat of closure, Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But first she needs to find out who the dead person is, before she can start to find the killer!Perfect for fans of M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.Readers LOVE Debbie Young!"I have just finished Best Murder in Show, and I just could not put it down. A totally enthralling read from cover to cover. Very well written.” – Bryan Stace, South Africa.“Sophie Sayers is the perfect antidote to these difficult times. A Cotswold version of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” – Sue Myers“What a great series of books, funny, interesting characters and good stories. Perfect for a winter’s evening, curled up by the fire.” Mrs Glenda T Barnett via Amazon.“I just read your Sophie Sayers novels. I loved them. The characters were very likeable and I enjoyed getting to know them. I can’t wait for the next installment.” – Caroline Burston via Facebook“Thank you for the gift that is Sophie Sayers. These books have been my lifeline to home over the last year especially.” – Laura Bonnici, expat living in Malta

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Fascinating, flawed characters, an intriguing plot, a steamy heatwave setting and ooh - that ending! Loved it.' Jackie KablerEvery screenwriter knows the best stories come from the truth…But the truth can be terrifyingMarnie thought she’d left behind her days of writing ‘celebrity’ tell-all memoirs, but when her big break as a screenwriter turns to dust she’s forced to take another ghost writing job.Except this time it’s for someone who is actually famous. Or rather, infamous. Blythe Hopper. A reclusive former Hollywood star who recently murdered her screenwriter husband.And Marnie has her own reasons for wanting to meet Blythe, not least because of an email she received from Blythe's husband, sent two days after he was shot dead.But Marnie soon learns Blythe is not a woman to be messed with.Dark secrets lurk at the Hoppers’ palatial London home – secrets long buried, which Marnie is determined to unearth. At any price.Because this isn’t just about Blythe’s past.It’s about Marnie’s too._ _'In this creepy, addictive page-turner, Amanda Reynolds plays with the toxicity of fame, and has you looking over your shoulder until the very last page.' Jane Bailey'...a clever and timely tale of ambition and revenge, with complex but compelling characters... Amanda Reynolds is such a vivid and visual writer, I am sure this will make it onto our screens.' Jo Callaghan'A luxurious mansion falling into disrepair, a glamorous Hollywood star facing a murder charge, and an ambitious writer with secrets of her own ... the perfect set-up for a completely gripping, deliciously dark thriller.' Phoebe Locke'I was totally hooked from the first chapter ... Amanda Reynolds really had my eyes glued to the page' netgalley reviewer'a compelling examination of the human psyche, showcasing Reynolds’ ability to delve into the complexities of her characters' netgalley reviewer'An entertaining story with twists and a range of unforgettable characters.' netgalley reviewer'an engrossing novel that had me hooked until the very end.' netgalley reviewer

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA brilliant, high concept, intensely gripping thriller perfect for fans of GIRL A, THE CAPTIVE will keep you guessing till the very end . . .'Part thriller, part dark, unpredictable love story. A GRIPPING page-turner' ADELE PARKS, Platinum Magazine'INGENIOUS. A smart, pacy and highly entertaining thriller' T.M. LOGAN______________________Hannah knows the cage intimately. Small, the size of a shopping centre parking space. A bed, a basin, a table and chair. A hatch and metal drawer through which to exchange food and other items.Then there's him. Always there on the edges of her vision, no matter how hard she tries to block him out.Every day, the same thoughts run through Hannah's mind:What if he speaks to me?What if he hurts me?What if he gets out?______________________Everyone is talking about Deborah O' Connor and THE CAPTIVE...'Oh my god, its FANTASTIC! Highly original, thrilling and emotional, The Captive is set to be one of the best books of 2021. I ADORED it' JO SPAIN'The perfect concept. The perfect execution. The perfect book' GILLIAN MCALLISTER'This original concept thriller is SO GOOD' Heat magazine'Readers will become totally HOOKED within pages of starting this hugely original and entertaining thriller' Irish Independent'Highly ORIGINAL' Daily Mail'This GRIPPING page-turner has a terrifying concept at its heart. Part thriller, part a dark, unpredictable love story, it asks some big questions about crime and punishment. Tense and disturbing, I think it would spark great book club debate' ADELE PARKS, Platinum Magazine'Stunning. Staggeringly original, chilling, ELECTRIFYING. I raced through the final chapters with my heart in my mouth' CHRIS WHITAKER, author of We Begin at the End'With an ARRESTING beginning, this dystopian tale draws the reader in immediately...the story rattles along at a cracking pace' Woman & Home'A super-smart, sophisticated and highly original tale which packs a POWERFUL punch on so many levels. Entertaining, fast-paced and clever, The Captive will hold you prisoner right through to the shocking dénouement' Lancashire Post'KILLER CONCEPT, brilliantly realised and beautifully, satisfyingly plotted. I loved it' AMANDA MASON'A great concept. Impressive, compelling storytelling as well as a FANTASTIC mystery' GYTHA LODGE'Original, deft, and clever, The Captive certainly had me in its vice-like grip throughout' PHOEBE MORGANTrade ReviewOh my god, its FANTASTIC! Highly original, thrilling and emotional, The Captive is set to be one of the best books of 2021. I ADORED it * Jo Spain *The perfect concept. The perfect execution. The perfect book * Gillian McAllister *Brilliantly compelling . . . original, timely and very very hard to put down. * TM Logan - on The Dangerous Kind *Dark and unpredictable. * Jenny Quintana on The Dangerous Kind *Searingly relevant, at times uncomfortably truthful, a page turner . . . But more than all that, the writing, the writing, the writing . . . I loved every word. * Gillian McAllister on The Dangerous Kind *An absolute triumph. Dark, uncompromising but full of heart. It gave me goosebumps. * Holly Seddon on The Dangerous Kind *A great concept. Impressive, compelling storytelling as well as a fantastic mystery. * Gytha Lodge *An innovative, tense and thoughtful addition to the oversaturated crowd of run of the mill thrillers...a vivid and engrossing page turner that wriggles its way into the mind. * The Bookbag *With an arresting beginning, this dystopian tale draws the reader in immediately...the story rattles along at a cracking pace. * Woman&Home *Gripping page-turner...Tense and disturbing...will spark great book club debate. -- Adele Parks * Platinum *This original concept thriller is so good. * Heat *Gripping * Crime Monthly *Cracking * Woman's Weekly *Brilliant idea...great twist at the end * Weekend Sport *One of this year's most startling page-turners...super-smart, sophisticated and highly original...gripping, thought-provoking and superbly executed...intensely addictive...entertaining, fast-paced and clever * Lancashire Evening Post *Highly original * Daily Mail *Readers will become totally hooked within pages of starting this hugely original and entertaining thriller. A bravura performance. * Irish Independent *A multi-layered story with plenty to keep you entertained * Woman's Way *Draws the reader in...cracking pace * Woman *BOOK OF THE MONTH: What really holds the attention is the unforced skill with which the portrait of the all-too-human, cake-making Hannah is drawn...For once, this is a domestic thriller not rooted in envy of someone else's seemingly perfect life. Naughty, but nice. * The Times, BOOK OF THE MONTH *O'Connor has plenty of tricks up her sleeve to keep you turning those pages...in a crowded psychological thriller market, The Captive beats many of its rivals. * Yorkshire Living *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen the body of a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is discovered on the site of the Battle of Culloden, journalist Rebecca Connolly takes up the story for the Chronicle. Meanwhile, a film being made about the ’45 Rebellion has enraged the right-wing group Spirit of the Gael which is connected to a shadowy group called Black Dawn linked to death threats and fake anthrax deliveries to Downing Street and Holyrood. When a second body – this time in the Redcoat uniform of the government army – is found in Inverness, Rebecca finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mystery. Are the murders connected to politics, a local gang war or something else entirely?Trade Review'Set in Inverness, a refreshing change from Glasgow or Edinburgh…the author’s background' * Scottish Field *'Once again great characters, we hear more from reporter, Rebecca Connolly and the tension just keeps you on your toes all the way through. It’s also full of Douglas Skelton humour too which just makes it a marvellous read!' * Independent Book Reviews *'Excellent. Credible, multi-layered characters enhance the intricate, high-tension plot. Skelton’s growing legion of fans will avidly await brave, dogged Rebecca’s next outing' * Publishers Weekly US *'Incorporating concerns about the spread of populism and the downsizing of news reporting, Skelton’s intriguing premise keeps you reading avidly to see how he’s going to tie it all together and make it work' * The Herald *'A corking read… Skelton's talent is casting his descriptive eyes on the familiar and rendering truthful characters with a believable backstory' * The Scotsman *'Once again this is a book that delivered everything – great characters, mystery, tension, atmosphere and a myriad of emotions and I loved it' * Jen Med Reviews *'The Blood is Still is Tartan Noir at its most tartan, and noir: and a book we'd highly recommend' * Undiscovered Scotland *'one's absolute attention is demanded right to the last. Thunder Bay was a fine book; The Blood is Still is several rungs higher' * Journal of the Law Society of Scotland *'While the action keeps coming like blood from a severed artery, Skelton show us the souls of his characters ... A stand-out thriller' * Scots Magazine *'It would be so easy to romp through The Blood is Still – the plot is compelling and the characters are so darn realistic, but I advise you to hold fire and take time to savour some of the gorgeously lyrical prose that’s sitting there in among all of the drama' * Crime Fiction Lover *'Skelton’s years as the editor of a local newspaper make for an intrinsic, pitch-black depiction of the competition between the police, the press, and the powers-that-be in the scramble to construct and control narratives… [Skelton’s] first-hand experience of real-life crime enriches his writing, as the book’s complexities gradually increase and the finer details of the murders become ever more important' * Dundee Courier, Scottish Book of the Week *'I was only a few pages into this new novel before I decided on the phrase I would use to describe it. It's a corking read' -- Kirsty McLuckie * Scotland on Sunday *'If you don’t know Skelton, now’s the time' -- Ian Rankin'The Blood is Still is a compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind. Absolutely unmissable' * LiveandDeadly.net *'A captivating, intricate and thoroughly satisfying thriller' * LoveReading *'[I]t shows how versatile a writer Skelton is and that he is just going from strength to strength. It's a triumph. I absolutely loved it and everyone should read it!' * SimplySuzeReviews *'An intricately plotted thriller ... Lyrical and thoughtful' * The Library Journal (US) *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLonglisted for McIlvanney Scottish Crime Book of the Year In 1752, Seamus a’Ghlynne, James of the Glen, was executed for the murder of government man Colin Campbell. He was almost certainly innocent. When banners are placed at his gravesite claiming that his namesake, James Stewart, is innocent of murder, reporter Rebecca Connolly smells a story. The young Stewart has been in prison for ten years for the brutal murder of his lover, lawyer and politician Murdo Maxwell, in his Appin home. Rebecca soon discovers that Maxwell believed he was being followed prior to his murder and his phones were tapped. Why is a Glasgow crime boss so interested in the case? As Rebecca keeps digging, she finds herself in the sights of Inverness crime matriarch Mo Burke, who wants payback for the damage caused to her family in a previous case. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, A Rattle of Bones is a tale of injustice and mystery, and the echo of the past in the present. 'An intriguing Highland mystery peopled with quirky characters and peppered with wit' - Times Crime Club, Pick of the Week '[a] compelling thriller, laced with dark humour' - Sunday PostTrade Review'[a] compelling thriller, laced with dark humour' * Sunday Post *'Skelton's talent is casting his descriptive eyes on the familiar and rendering truthful characters with a believable backstory' * The Scotsman *'full of mystery, history, and quirky characters' -- Jane Hamilton * Daily Record, Books of the Year 2021 *'This is an intriguing Highland mystery peopled with quirky characters and peppered with wit' * Times Crime Club, Pick of the Week *'Beautifully drawn characters, finely crafted plot, with moments of genuine fear and dread. One of my favourite reads of the year so far' -- Caro Ramsay'Another beautifully written and compelling tale... Engrossing stuff' -- Denzil Meyrick'A rattling good read' -- Craig Russell'A tour-de-force' -- Neil Broadfoot'A Rattle of Bones has it all, mystery, death, investigation, relationships, organised crime, laughter, tears, jaw dropping and breath holding moments yet never makes the reading experience too busy. Don't miss it!' * Chapter of My Life *'Douglas Skelton plays his hand beautifully. …This is Tartan Noir at its best' * Undiscovered Scotland *'Making good use of its atmospheric Highland locations, A Rattle of Bones continues Skelton’s winning streak' -- Alastair Mabbott * Glasgow Herald *'There are lots of reasons to love this series but one of the key ones is a brilliant evocation of the Scottish Highland landscape that permeates this book. It’s a land that is majestic but can be barren and bleak; a land steeped in history that Skelton conjures up before our eyes; a land drenched in the blood of our forefathers and a land where stories whisper to you down the centuries' * Live and Deadly Reviews *'The book is made all the more atmospheric by Skelton’s vivid portrayal of the Scottish Highlands’ landscape' -- Megan Williams * Scottish Field *'Fabulously set, brilliantly written and perfectly atmospheric' * The Reading Closet *'Once again Douglas Skelton has created a cracking good read' * Crimefictionlover.com *'Douglas Skelton always delivers a tight, gripping thriller. Skelton will perfectly balance tension, humour and the human engagement needed from characters to make them authentic and believable. He constantly delivers… If every book was as enjoyable as this i’d be a happy reader' * Grabthisbook.net *'The author does a superb job of capturing her [Rebecca Connolly's] fears, her anxiety but also her determination… Every one of the characters in this story is beautifully fleshed out... A blend of fact and fiction, the book taps into all that I love about Scottish crime fiction. If you've not read any of the books yet, you really do need to give them a try... Definitely recommended' * Amazon Top 500 reviewer *'A must read for anyone who likes their crime with a side order of history, a well written female lead and beautiful Scottish scenery. Fast paced and action packed, A Rattle of Bones keeps the reader engaged from first page to last' * Kindle reviewer *'Twists and turns galore, a white knuckle ride through the ganglands of Glasgow and Edinburgh and set against the backdrop of the Highlands. Beautifully written, this book is a must read' * Amazon reviewer *'A deliciously atmospheric, tense and thrilling read. Goes straight into the must read category with the first two books in the series' * A Vine Voice *'a thrilling murder mystery... packed with twists and turns' -- Scottish Books International'A well-written detective thriller… Douglas Skelton’s characterisation is excellent' -- Graham Drew * Press and Journal, Book of the Week *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLong-forgotten scandals. Dark secrets. Hidden identities. Rona Parish investigates!An old school photograph in which someone has been deliberately blacked out marks the start of a new case for Rona Parish. Who was this person and why would someone want to hide his or her identity? Rona sets out to uncover the secret and soon finds that the school in question closed down many years ago due, it was rumoured, to a long-forgotten scandal. Could this be the link that will solve the mystery? Meanwhile, a visit to a a stage hypnotist results in more than Rona and her friends bargained for . . .

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvie Barnum is in charge of her brother''s museum, a place teeming with scientific specimens and wonders, including Jeffrey, the Lizard Man. When an old friend shows up and begs for her help, but is then found dead in front of the exhibit of the Feejee Mermaid, suspicion for the murder falls on Jeffrey, and Evie becomes determined to solve the mystery of her friend''s murder.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMurder is no joke, as Ellie Quicke is only too aware in this absorbing and entertaining mystery.Ellie Quicke is shocked when her daughter, Diana, turns up at her door with a suitcase in tow. Bunny Brewster has died of an overdose, and Diana''s husband, Evan, is convinced that she is responsible for his friend''s death. It seems that Diana and four other neglected, bored wives of Evan''s friends recently joked about ways to kill their husbands. Diana''s suggested method of murder involved muddling up pills - could this be how Bunny died, or was it just a tragic accident?All five women are soon causing havoc at Ellie''s house, but a further distressing development confirms Ellie''s instinct that there''s more to this than meets the eye. With the safety of her nearest and dearest at risk, can Ellie work out who is responsible, and why?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen a child's severed hand is found, DC Toks Ade and DS Philip Dean are put on the case. Thrown into a world of Nigerian traditional customs, ritual sacrifice, and international human trafficking, they must find the guilty parties before more children are lost and more limbs are found.Jacob Ross, author of the Bone Readers Stella Oni brings a welcome new voice and an engagingly fresh perspective in her superbly executed debut crime novel, Deadly Sacrifice. A totally absorbing read.Nii Ayikwei Parkes, author of TAIL OF THE BLUE BIRD An audacious debut novel...Winnie M Li, author of DARK CHAPTER Deadly Sacrifice is a gripping read. It's a foray into the gritty underbelly of human trafficking and London's more deprived communities, where immigration and social stratification are interlinked in 21st-century Britain. A chilling tale, powered by a likeable Nigerian-British heroine.Trade ReviewA gripping debut that keeps you turning the pages. A brilliant debut from Stella Oni * Leye Adenle, author of When Trouble Starts and Easy Motion Tourist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA snobbish Danish literary author is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days, travelling to a small village in Iceland for inspiration, and then a body appears … an atmospheric, darkly funny, twisty debut thriller, first in an addictive new series. ‘An original and thoroughly enjoyable treat’ Guardian BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘Dark and sharp … A lot of fun’ Val McDermid ‘Witty, dark, meta, ingenious and hugely compelling. I LOVED the Icelandic setting and satirical observations’ Will Dean ‘Hilariously scathing. Satirises genre fiction while creating a first-class example of it, full of suspects, red herrings and twists … wit and originality make it a joy to read’ Mark Sanderson, The Times CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR **Winner of the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel** **Shortlisted for the Glass Key Award****Winner of the Crime Fiction Lover Award for Best Crime Book in Translation** ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Copenhagen author Hannah is the darling of the literary community and her novels have achieved massive critical acclaim. But nobody actually reads them, and frustrated by writer’s block, Hannah has the feeling that she’s doing something wrong. When she expresses her contempt for genre fiction, Hanna is publicly challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Scared that she will lose face, she accepts, and her editor sends her to Húsafjöður – a quiet, tight-knit village in Iceland, filled with colourful local characters – for inspiration. But two days after her arrival, the body of a fisherman’s young son is pulled from the water … and what begins as a search for plot material quickly turns into a messy and dangerous investigation that threatens to uncover secrets that put everything at risk … including Hannah… Atmospheric, dramatic and full of nerve-jangling twists and turns, Thirty Days of Darkness is a darkly funny, unsettling debut Nordic Noir thriller that marks the start of a breath-taking new series. ____________________________________ ‘Dark and atmospheric … a bleak and beautiful evocation of Iceland, and Hannah is a pitch-perfect depiction of the bombastic neurosis that we writers know so very well’ Harriet Tyce ‘Such a clever, original twist on the Nordic Noir tradition – darkly humorous and utterly captivating’ Eva Björg Ægisdóttir ‘A fantastic debut … Darkly funny, tense and a lot of poking fun at crime-writing’ Tariq Ashkanani ‘Delightfully dark’ Antti Tuomainen ‘So atmospheric’ Crime Monthly ‘An absolute gem … a superb mix of humour and dark, twisty crime fiction with an added layer of contemplation regarding what makes books 'literary'. The Icelandic setting is perfectly drawn … Not to be missed' Yrsa Sigurðardóttir ‘Shades of Fargo and Twin Peaks – and there’s no higher praise than that. Absolutely brilliant!’ Rod Reynolds ‘A truly original thriller that perfectly balances humour and suspense’ Vogue ‘A hugely enjoyable read with thrills and laughs, as Hannah sticks her nose in where it’s not welcome’ Michael J. Malone ‘So satisfying … a truly great read’ Lilja Sigurðardóttir ‘A skilful, witty mash-up, playing with tropes of romantic fiction (yes, that popular genre writer turns up in the village and is not so bad after all) and crime fiction (closed community, dark secrets) … really entertaining’ Aly Monroe 'This reminded me somewhat of the more recent, meta efforts of the great Anthony Horowitz’ The Bookbag ‘The most original thriller of the year: realistic, suspenseful and romantic to the very last page. And just when you think you've got the plot figured out, the plot twists again' Politiken

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJune 1908: Cross-dressing Dolly Butler is starting a new career as a detective with her very own Soho agency. Her first case takes her into the brutal world of an East End plumage factory where it’s not just birds that are under threat. While Dolly is off sleuthing, her adored lover, Caroline, hides from her violent husband at Dolly’s home. However, when their embittered housemaid becomes aware of Dolly and Caroline’s ‘unnatural practices’, she becomes intent on destroying their happiness. Her scheming, and Dolly’s refusal to confront a friend’s suspicions about Caroline’s mysterious past, puts them all in grave danger. In a page-turning, darkly comic story of obsession, self-delusion and deception, can Dolly save the woman she loves, as well as face the grisly reality of her new line of business – and the truth about herself?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisSLEEPING DOG is ONE OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED CRIME NOVELS EVER.A New York Times Book of the Year, A Nero Wolfe Award WinnerAn Edgar Award Finalist, A Shamus Award Finalist and an Anthony Award FinalistNamed by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association as one of the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century.This beloved, comedy-noir thriller teams up Leo Bloodworth, a hard-drinking, middle-aged Los Angeles PI with hypertension and a low tolerance for precious teenagers, with Serendipity Dahlquist, a bright and strong-willed roller-blading 14-year-old searching for her lost dog. But things quickly escalate, plunging the oddest of odd couples into the dark underworld of sunny Southern California and pitting them against one of the biggest, and most brutal, organized crime families in Mexico.'Outclasses, in many ways, the tales of Raymond Chandler, Ross Macdonald and other renowned California mystery writers.' Publishers Weekly'Dick Lochte is a superb craftsman.' Sue Grafton“Sleeping Dog is funny and strong and a joy to read.' Robert B. Parker

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less