Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives

Book SynopsisThe gripping new novel from the author of The Widows' Club.When a fire destroys the Empress Theatre, a devastating tragedy unfolds.Amelia's mother lost her piece of mind forever when she left her daughter alone for a few life-changing moments.The dance school lost their beloved teacher, Hilary, who died saving the lives of her young pupils.Karin lost her memory, and the answers she desperately craves.Claudia lost the one thing that would have made her perfect life complete.As local reporter Leanne picks over the embers of that night, what seemed like a straightforward case of negligence becomes something else entirely: somebody is lying each person has lost something, but one of them has sold their soulTrade Review‘A suspenseful story, written with real warmth and emotion. Deeply enjoyable’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Castaways ‘A thought-provoking page-turner about secrets and community’ Nicola Rayner, author of You and Me ‘Enthralling and twisty – it sucked me in from the get-go’ Annabel Kantaria, author of I Know You Praise for Amanda Brooke: ‘Clever, unnerving, and unputdownable’ Rachel Lucas, The State of Grace ‘A tense and torrid family drama’ Sunday Mirror ‘Intriguingly plotted and with relatable characters’ Sunday Mirror ‘An emotional journey and a great read!’ Fionnuala Kearney ‘Full of twists, this is a deeply emotional, poignant tale that will remain with you long after it ends’ Ella Harper ‘A haunting and heartbreaking story that stayed with me long after I’d finished’ Fern Britton ‘An extraordinary novel’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisA gripping new novel from No. 1 international bestseller and Swedish crime sensation Camilla LackbergTrade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘A sexy, sensational novel with intoxicating vengeance and an unexpected tenderness – The Golden Cage is tensely and skillfully drawn’ Karin Slaughter ‘Lackberg’s new embrace of a terrifying revenge scenario furnishes visceral psychological crime.’ Financial Times ‘The Golden Cage is a twisting, brutal tale of betrayal and revenge. Lackberg paints a vivid portrait of a dark and complicated anti-heroine who is both the abused and abuser, victim and victimizer. A chilling, timely read sure to thrill her international legion of fans!’ Lisa Unger,New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Inside ‘A wonderful, take-no-prisoners mashup of Gone Girl, Billions, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Chris Bohjalian, New York Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant and The Red Lotus ‘Camilla Läckberg is a master of psychological suspense: she grabbed me by the throat with this sharply written, wildly entertaining tale of wealth, power and revenge and kept me up straight through the night’ Cristina Alger, New York Times best-selling author of Girls Like Us ‘Domesticity and brutality are Lackberg staples… Tightly plotted… Unflinching’ Sunday Times ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘A top-class Scandinavian crime writer’ The Times ‘The rock star of Nordic Noir’ Independent ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun ‘A satisfying and counterintuitive clash between the cosy and gruesome strands of the genre’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisOverwhelmed by the constant flow of wounded soldiers coming from the French front, battlefield nurse Bess Crawford must now contend with hundreds of influenza patients as well. But war and disease are not the only killers to strike. Bess discovers, concealed among the dead waiting for burial, the body of an officer who has been murdered.

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Book SynopsisIn 1914, while visiting her friend Madeleine, Lady Elspeth Douglas' life is thrown into chaos when war breaks out and the Germans quickly overrun Belgium, threatening France. Having just agreed to marry Alain, Madeleine's dashing brother, Lady Elspeth watches him leave to join his unit.

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Book SynopsisShe committed the ultimate betrayal. Now someone knows the truth . . .Discover the gripping and page-turning new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Lesley Pearse''An engrossing read'' WOMAN''S WEEKLY___________Eve should never have married Don Hathaway. Yes, he gave her two beautiful children - Olly and Tabitha - but he is a bully. Worse than that, he hurts her.But, after one drunken rage too many, she has the courage to leave him. Eve is warned that it''s a difficult path, yet she needs to give her children hope for the future.Don, however, is bitter. And getting away from him entirely proves impossible.Until the day Eve tries to teach him a lesson - and it all goes horribly wrong . . .Eve loves her children, but now she carries a terrible burden that she dares not share.Can she protect her family from the truth? Or has she betrayed their trust forever?___Trade ReviewAn engrossing read * Woman's Weekly *Praise for Lesley Pearse * - *Storytelling at its very best * Daily Mail *Evocative, compelling, told from the heart * Sunday Express *Glorious, heartwarming * Woman & Home *Intriguing, heart-tugging, beautifully written * Closer *Gritty, painful and packed with surprises, but also brimming with the sensitivity and empathy that have made Pearse a readers' favourite, this is a story that grips from first page to last * Lancashire Post *With her trademark insight into relationships, Lesley Pearse thrills and entertains in this exploration of being a strong woman * My Weekly *

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Book Synopsis''Animal lovers will delight'' Ann Granger''A real treat . . . I loved it. Cats, dogs, murder and a credible and relatable heroine'' Barbara NadelWhen Clarice Beech finds her friend Peter Ramsey dead in his kitchen, she believes he''s succumbed to a fatal heart attack. Peter, who lived in one of the five cottages on Magpie Row in the Lincolnshire Wolds, was a keen supporter of stray cats - which made him very unpopular with the neighbours. And after Chris Morris, an alcoholic neighbour, disrupts Peter''s funeral, insisting Peter was murdered - and he knows who the murderer is - Clarice discovers there''s no shortage of possible suspects among the Magpie Row inhabitants.Who, behind Magpie Row''s idyllic façade, might have had murder in mind? And, after his outburst at Peter''s funeral, where is Chris? And is Clarice, with her mission to tend to Peter''s strays, as well as uncover the truth about her friend''s death, putting herself in danger''s way?

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Book Synopsis''Daisy Waugh''s featherlight satires are as refreshing and uplifting as a glass of chilled vintage champagne. . . Imagine Agatha Christie on laughing gas'' TimesThe Todes are back, and they''re taking on Hollywood . . .When Hollywood wants to do a remake of the film that made Tode Hall famous, India and Egbert are delighted. They envisage a summer of free money and star-studded dinner parties ahead . . . But the Hall is soon overrun by wardrobe trucks and catering tents, and lusty, insecure actors squabbling about nudity clauses. When the movie''s producers threaten to sue over the exact colour of Tode Hall''s rolling lawns, India and Egbert realise that having a film crew on their doorstep isn''t such a breeze after all. With so many egos in one place things were bound to end badly, but no one would have predicted quite so literal a backstabbing . . .''A glorious satire on aristocratic manners anTrade ReviewPraise for the Todes of Tode Hall series:Fans of PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie should bag this madcap comedy whodunnit . . . Outrageous and over-the-top, a perfect antidote to all real-life craziness going on * Daily Mail *It's sharp, funny and just the right amount of farcical - the best sort of murder mystery * Tatler *I couldn't put it down -- Santa MontefioreWhat a triumph! It gave me enormous pleasure to read, plus of course a few appropriate shudders. [In the Crypt] lightens the darkness in a way that is both dark and light -- Antonia FraserAn irresistible champagne bubble of pleasure and laughter -- Rachel JohnsonAgatha Christie but with a bit of Julian Fellowes's Snobs and Downtown Abbey thrown in . . . A masterclass in how to write a rollicking good read -- Sarah VineA jolly farce that never takes itself too seriously * Red Magazine *Fizzles, crackles and sparkles -- Elizabeth BuchanAn irresistible, high-camp crime caper - deliciously entertaining -- Andrew WilsonA perfect antidote to wintry gloom * The Literary Review *A country-house murder mystery with nods to Agatha Christie and Evelyn Waugh . . . a delightful treat * The Lady *An effervescent madcap whodunnit * Metro *A work of sublime silliness. The knife-edge between crime and comedy is a tricky one, but Daisy Waugh negotiates it magnificently . . . a delightful book, witty, pacy and beautifully written -- Simon BrettThis is a marvellous rollicking read with brilliantly drawn characters. I finished it within 24 hours -- Mary KillenShe's spot on; she's skewered her targets brilliantly -- Imogen Edwards-Jones

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestselling series is back. Eve Dallas is investigating the murder of a much-loved actor at a glittering party. The spotlight has never been brighter. Or deadlier...It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, the most glittering of all celebrity couples. Everyone had expected the party to be in the newspapers the next day but not because one of the hosts was murdered! As the crowd had gathered to watch Eliza sing, Fitzhugh had raised a final toast to his glamorous wife and fallen to the floor. Death by cyanide poisoning. It''s time for Lt. Eve Dallas to make her entrance.From all accounts, Fitzhugh wasn''t the kind of star who made enemies. Eliza, on the other hand, had many rivals, and a few of them could class as enemies. Since the champagne cocktail that killed Brant was originally intended for Eliza, could it be that she was the real target?With so many people at the pa

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Book Synopsis The exciting new instalment in the Sunday Times bestselling seriesLt. Eve Dallas is back and this time she''s investigating the death of one of her own When a retired police officer is found dead in his home, Lt. Eve Dallas and the team are called to the scene to investigate. The victim is Martin Greenleaf, former Captain of Internal Affairs. At first glance it looks like suicide but Eve thinks there could be more to this carefully laid scene than meets the eye.Captain Greenleaf put a lot of cops away during his forty-seven years in Internal Affairs. Did the weight of the job finally prove too much for him? Or could this be a case of payback in death.....

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Book SynopsisThe ladies of the Cackleberry Club seek a killer in the latest mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs. Maintaining good personal relationships with their suppliers is one of the secrets of the Cackleberry Club café’s success, so Suzanne doesn’t mind going out to Mike Mullen’s dairy farm to pick up some wheels of cheese. She’s looking forward to a nice visit with the mild-mannered farmer before heading back to their hectic kitchen.But when she arrives, Mike’s nowhere to be found. The moaning of his cows leads her to look in the barn, where she discovers a bloodcurdling sight—the farmer’s dead body. Apparently not everyone was as fond of Mike Mullen as the Cackleberry Club.Churning with grief and outrage, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni vow to find the farmer’s murderer—but as they get closer to the truth, the desperate killer gets whipped into a frenzy and plans to put the sq

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Book Synopsis''A perfectly paced and beautifully observed story of betrayal, guilt and regret'' Emma Curtis, author of Keep Her Quiet''A heady, glamorous tale with a dark side - another compulsively readable thriller from Rebecca Reid'' Emma Rowley, author of You Can Trust Me---------------------How far would you go to correct your worst mistake?When Chloe goes to university and meets wild, carefree Zadie, she is utterly seduced by her and her lifestyle. It doesn''t take long for Chloe to ditch her studies in favour of all-night parties at Zadie''s huge house off campus.But when something goes badly wrong one night and Zadie disappears in the aftermath, Chloe knows she should have done more to help her friend. It''s something she''ll always regret.Fifteen years later, Chloe finally gets the chance to make it right. But in order to do so, she''ll have to put everything at stake . . .---------------------Readers LOVE Two Wrongs:***** ''Hands down, this is one of my favourite books in recent years... Reid is one of the best writers of suspense and tension building that I''ve come across, and I couldn''t tear myself away from this book''***** ''A fast paced easy thriller with a great ending... a highly recommended read''***** ''A brilliant read... Can''t wait to read what the author brings out next''***** ''This is brilliant if you like a twisty, no holds barred read. Highly recommended''***** ''I could not put this book down''Trade ReviewPraise for Two Wrongs * : *Two Wrongs is a perfectly paced and beautifully observed story of betrayal, guilt and regret. It's so accurate on the intense friendships you make at University. Zadie is a brilliant character that you both love and fume over - selfish, needy and broken. I really did race through it. * Emma Curtis, author of KEEP HER QUIET *I raced through Two Wrongs, another compulsively readable thriller from Rebecca Reid - a heady, glamorous tale with a dark side, it's all about that friend we have when we don't know better - and still miss when we do... * Emma Rowley, author of YOU CAN TRUST ME *Praise for Rebecca Reid * : *'Disturbing and brilliant' * Lauren North, author of SAFE AT HOME *'Well written, with a plot and characters that haunt you long after you've finished' * Jane Corry, author of I LOOKED AWAY *'Rebecca Reid is a master of building tension' * Phoebe Morgan, author of THE BABYSITTER *

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Book SynopsisHe was locked inside an abandoned house. But he's not the only one . . .When a dead man is found locked in the basement of an abandoned house, deep in the woods, there is no evidence of what happened beyond his name - scratched into the wall before he died. The regional police can't find anyone who knew him. But no-one knows the locals like Detective Eira SjÃdin. When her expert knowledge of her home town is again called in, she knows one of them must have seen something. Then, a shock: before she can uncover the truth, someone close to her disappears.Has he fallen victim to the same criminal they've been chasing? And can Eira put the pieces together in time to save him?**AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW**PRAISE FOR WE KNOW YOU REMEMBER'Intensely gripping.' CHRIS WHITAKER'Strong characters, a great sense of place and plot twists galore.' SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB'A terrific twisting roller

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of JUBILEE - a Top 10 bestseller and Richard & Judy choice - the story of woman who decides to become a hero.Trade ReviewThis is a novel that, without worthiness, touches on everything from the sexualisation of schoolgirls to the misogyny of comics. Harris's debut, Jubilee, was a bestseller, and her entertaining follow-up deserves to match its success * DAILY MAIL *A quirky, entertaining read - I loved it * WOMAN AND HOME *This story is for any woman who has ever wondered if there's more to life than ironing * PRIMA *Meet Jenny - a bored housewife who runs a charity bookshop when not having to cope with her moody teenage daughter. Fretting over all the things she could have done with her life, she finds herself caught up in events that finally give her a chance to shine as a real-life superhero (sort of) * BELLA *Jenny's bravery us nothing if not inspiring. Aside from the backdrop of superheroism, the themes of boredom, relationship woes and a sense of dissatisfaction with everyday life are common to all of us * HEAT *Book of the Month: Bored with her life, she gives herself a kick-ass makeover and, dressed in cape and mask, pursues a secret life as a small-town vigilante - until a girl is brutally attacked and her fantasy world becomes reality * SUNDAY EXPRESS *This is funny entertainment wrapped around a tense thriller * THE TIMES *Vigilante is a novel in which character, voice, plot and themes come together to create a cracking read. It's a brilliant book. Highly recommended. * THE WRITES OF A WOMAN *Harris' writing is witty and beautifully poignant, Vigilante is shocking, empowering and hilarious funny throughout. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Harris is a brilliant writer and Vigilante is a clever, fun, original story which millions of women will be able to relate to * BOOKBAG.COM *Her writing about the more ubiquitous trials of middle age and parenthood fuses the wryly familiar with flashes of poetry, and the plot's thriller elements convey a real sense of jeopardy. * Press Association *A generous, thoughtful, and often profound book about a woman who takes life into her own hands. I absolutely wept my heart out at the ending, and I am still thinking about Jenny Pepper. * Julie Cohen, author of TOGETHER *Kick-Ass for small-town mothers . . . fuses the wryly familiar with flashes of poetry, and the plot's thriller elements convey a real sense of jeopardy . . . worked through with charm and verve * Irish Examiner *Light-hearted at times, dark at others, there has been a great buzz about this - thanks, quite possibly, to this article in The Independent, where Shelley herself dresses up as a superhero. * NOVELICIOUS *

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Book SynopsisTen years ago, fourteen-year-old Scarlett Rainsford vanished without a trace during a family holiday to Greece. When Scarlett is discovered back in her home town after all this time, DCI Louisa Smith is determined to find out what happened to her and why she remained hidden for so long. Was she abducted or did she run away? As Lou and her team delve deeper into Scarlett''s past, their investigation throws up more questions than it answers. But as they edge closer to discovering what really went on behind closed doors, the truth is more sinister and disturbing than they had ever imagined.From the bestselling author of Into the Darkest Corner comes an unsettling and compulsively readable novel that will keep you under its spell until the very last page.Trade ReviewIntensely evocative, you can almost smell the police and interview rooms . . . authentic, gripping and all-consuming * Daily Mail *Harrowing... Vivid, unsparing prose...helps make this a haunting, highly disturbing mystery. * Publishers Weekly *An involving police procedural with a protagonist who agonizes about maintaining both a committed personal relationship and a demanding career. * Booklist *Haynes pulls no punches...the skillful police work and superb ending make the reading truly worthwhile. Mystery readers will want more Haynes! * Library Journal *Elizabeth Haynes is the most exciting thing to happen to crime fiction in a long time * Sophie Hannah *A brilliant gut-wrenching story that will play on your mind * The Sun *I never wanted to stop reading; both Scarlett's story and the developing relationships within the major incident team are gripping stuff * Mystery People *The sprinkling of jet-black comedy and the authentic voice . . . keeps you going back for more * The Sun on Under a Silent Moon *Oozes authenticity * Daily Express on Under a Silent Moon *Had me hooked . . . I immediately wanted to turn back to the beginning and start reading again * Bookbag Blog on Under a Silent Moon *If Sophie Hannah looks over her shoulder, she'll see Haynes catching up fast, while picking up fans of the late Ruth Rendell along the way * Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisROBERTA KRAY'S 15th BOOK. NO ONE KNOWS CRIME LIKE KRAY. The new gripping gangland crime novel: STOLEN, the sequel to SURVIVOR.Trade ReviewA cracking good read * Jessie Keane *A cracking good read -- Jessie KeaneWell into Martina Cole territory * Independent *Well into Martina Cole territory * Independent *Great writing, gripping story, loved it! -- Mandasue HellerAction, intrigue and a character-driven plot . . . sure to please any crime fiction fans * Woman *Action, intrigue and a character-driven plot . . . sure to please any crime fiction fans * Woman *Gripping * Daily Express *Gripping -- Daily ExpressA compelling mystery -- Heather BurnsideA gripping page-turner -- Kerry BarnesRoberta is an excellent writer, and this tale of a widow hunting for her errant husband in the post-war East End underworld fairly rattles along. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisI''ll murder three strangers. And you''ll know it was me . . . ''A blinder of a read'' SUN''Compelling, creepy'' PHOEBE MORGAN''Incredible'' TM LOGAN''Twisty and clever'' DERVLA MCTIERNAN''Exceptional'' RACHEL EDWARDS''A scary, compelling and a completely original page-turner'' IRISH INDEPENDENT''An original and gripping thriller'' LAURA MARSHALL____________________Summer 1997. When Will jokes about becoming a serial killer, his friends just laugh it off. But Adeline can''t help but feel there''s something darker lurking behind his words.Winter 2015: Years later, Adeline returns to Blythe for a reunion of the old gang - except Will doesn''t show up. Reminiscing about old times, they look up the details of his supposed murder spree. But the mood soon changes when they discover two recent deaths that match.As the grTrade ReviewA blinder of a read * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisA gripping, gritty thriller introducing Rosie Gilmour, investigative reporter.Trade ReviewGrabs you by the scruff of the neck and doesn't let go until its jaw-dropping conclusion * Best *Strongly plotted and very good * Guardian *Anna Smith expertly unveils Glasgow's underbelly in this page-turner. Her knowledge of the city's underclass shines out of every page - a budding new crime talent * News of the World *Rosie is such a believable character ... I had to read the whole thing from start to finish in one sitting * Lorraine Kelly *

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Book SynopsisTHE BRAND NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERThe deadliest killer is back...There are some killers so savage, so twisted, that they leave a mark not just on their victims, but on everyone who crosses their path. Years ago Detective Bentz left one such monster to die in the swamp. The world was a better place without Father John, a serial killer who posed as a priest. But now a new victim has surfaced, her body staged in deliberate, unmistakable detail. As the bodies start piling up, Bentz soon grows convinced that Father John isn''t just back. He''s circling closer, targeting those Bentz loves most.And this time, he won''t be stopped until the last sinner has paid the ultimate price... A return to fan-favourite characters Detectives Bentz and Montoya, The Last Sinner is a pulse-pounding psychological suspense thriller perfect for fans of Karen Rose and L

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Book SynopsisTwo estranged sisters must band together to solve a puzzle three millennia in the making in this female-heroine take on Indiana Jones.Trade ReviewAuthors Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne have written a rollicking tale replete with adventure, romance, mystery, and a sprinkle of the supernatural. The Antiquity Affair has been likened to Indiana Jones, and it's an apt comparison, as both are rousing adventure stories complete with ancient mysteries, hidden tombs, harrowing mantraps and pitfalls, villains bent on world domination, and fabled relics of power . . . The authors neatly subvert the trope of swashbuckling men and their archeological treasure. A fast-paced and entertaining read that I hope is not the last from Kelly and Thorne. * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis''Gripping, stomach-churning . . . Marwood is in a class of her own'' LISA JEWELL''Heart stopping'' SUNDAY TIMES, CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH''A ripped-from-the-headlines thriller . . . I couldn''t put it down'' MARK EDWARDS________________Sun-drenched glamour and obscene wealth hide the darkest of secrets and lost girls in this ripped-from-the-headlines thriller. 1985 For twelve-year-old Mercedes, La Kastellana is the place she calls home. It is an island untouched by the modern world, with deep-rooted traditions - though that is all about to change with the arrival of multimillionaire Matthew Meade and his spoiled young daughter, Tatiana. The Meades bring with them unimaginable wealth, but the price they will all pay is far darker than Mercedes and the islanders could ever have imagined. 2016 Robin is desperately searching for her seventeen-year-old daughter Gemma, who has beenTrade ReviewA stunning, genre-defying novel, poetic, immersive and as dazzling as the Mediterranean sun even as it pulls the reader through the darkest corridors of human behaviour. I was totally mesmerised, from the beautiful, slow-burn opening chapters right through to the gripping, stomach-churning finale. Alex Marwood is in a class of her own -- Lisa JewellTraditional values encourage silence about sex-trafficking and murder in this heart stopping novel . . . Wrenching . . . A richly imagined novel -- Crime Book of the Month * Sunday Times *A ripped-from-the-headlines thriller that is both compassionate and chilling . . . I couldn't put it down -- Mark EdwardsDrenched in the Mediterranean sun . . . This thriller travels to some very dark places: missing girls, cruel traditions, abusive fathers. Where it shines brightest, though, is in its insightful, compassionate depiction of the difficult relationship between Robin and Gemma * Observer *Gripping, timely and beautifully written. Marwood blends story-telling prowess with characters so real that we inhabit their predicaments quite viscerally. The result is irresistible. -- Sophie HannahThis meticulously plotted tale tacks dexterously between past and present, and the unfolding revelations feel both shocking and inevitable . . . Staggering emotional force: beautiful and terrifying * Irish Times *A stiletto of a novel: heart stopping and devastating -- Jenny ColganA blisteringly immersive summer read. Paradise has never been so dark and the world of the super-rich so terrifyingly believable. I'm still thinking about these characters days after reading -- Emma StylesMoney, greed, glamour and exploitation all play out in this gripping thriller * Woman's Weekly *Topical, chilling and beautifully written * Big Issue *Compellingly immersive * Irish Independent *

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Book Synopsis KAREN PIRIE RETURNS. A MASTERFUL THRILLER BY THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER VAL MCDERMID THE HEART-POUNDING NEW NOVEL IN THE KAREN PIRIE SERIES, NOW A MAJOR ITV SERIES STARRING LAUREN LYLE __________''Another jewel in Val McDermid''s crown'' MICK HERRON ''A must-read for anyone who enjoys top-knotch crime fiction'' YOURS ''A chilling, twisting triumph. Past Lying is a classic mystery'' CHRIS WHITAKEREdinburgh, haunted by the ghosts of its many writers, is also the cold case beat of DCI Karen Pirie. So she shouldn''t be surprised when an author''s manuscript appears to be a blueprint for an actual crime.Karen can''t ignore the plot''s chilling similarities to the unsolved case of an Edinburgh University student who vanished from her own doorstep. The manuscript seems to be the key to unlocking what happened to Lara Hardie, but there''s a problem: the aTrade ReviewPirie is her most sympathetic protagonist and Past Lying one of her most devious and delightful cases * The Times *The Queen of Crime shows no sign of abdicating. Past Lying is as complex, as satisfying and as readable as anything she's written - which makes it another jewel in Val McDermid's crown -- Mick HerronAtmospheric . . . The novel-within-a-novel is not a new device, but McDermid uses it to memorable effect in a piece of fiction that vividly recreates the anxious early months of the Covid pandemic -- Crime Pick of the Month * Sunday Times *A chilling, twisting triumph. Past Lying is a classic mystery, brilliant, heart-stopping and seamless. No one does it better than Val McDermid -- Chris WhitakerVal McDermid's latest offering proves once again why she reigns supreme in the world of crime fiction . . . The intricate and clever plot balances fact and fiction while the heroine Karen Pirie is as captivating as ever. For fans of the series, it's like a reunion with old friends, and for newcomers, it's an invitation to dive into a world of suspense and intrigue where McDermid's storytelling prowess shines through as she skilfully explores themes of betrayal and revenge, leaving readers guessing with every unexpected twist. Simply a must-read for anyone who appreciates top-notch crime fiction * Yours *Original, ingenious, and oh so twisty! It left me breathless -- Belinda BauerThe ingenious plot kept me guessing all the way through. It delivers on every level -- Marian KeyesWith an intricate plot, authentic dialogue, rich details, and masterly McDermid twists and turns, [Past Lying] will delight Pirie fans, existing and new -- Starred review * Library Journal *Riveting . . . McDermid keeps the twists coming hard and fast, and she bolsters them with sharp observations about the toll of Covid on the public psyche. This page-turner grips from the outset and doesn't let go -- Starred review * Publishers Weekly *Ingenious, humane, and all too telling as a reminder of the costs of the pandemic even on its survivors * Kirkus *[McDermid] ingeniously flips over the rug and examines the pattern in reverse. Karen and her supporting cast are absorbing, providing insight into the restrictions on police work during the pandemic and plenty of Scottish flavour * Booklist *[Pirie] is an appealing character . . . McDermid [has] fun describing the inner workings of the crime-fiction profession, including the creation of stories and the politics, favouritism, resentment, jealousy and score-settling found behind the scenes * Literary Review *A spiralling game of betrayal and revenge. A real tour-de-force * Irish Independent *The eerie landscape of Scotland's capital provides the backdrop to a new thriller from McDermid signalling the return of her much-loved detective Karen Pirie * Scotsman *A cracking read * Daily Express *A deadly game of revenge. Another twisty thriller * Heat *Past Lying sees McDermid simultaneously at her darkest and most playful. The central plot is a wonderfully tricksy story within a story within a story * Mail on Sunday *McDermid plots her novels in masterly style. She holds the reader's attention and provokes our curiosity . . . Her ingenuity commands respect . . . McDermid is deservedly popular and now acclaimed as the Queen of Crime. She is a fine carpenter, her books always well-constructed. She has the confidence to take her time in the telling of her story . . . She is at her ingenious best here * Scotsman *A complex plot of jealous writers, straying spouses and effective twists. This novel within-a-novel conceit, used to lead the detectives to more concrete evidence, sharply delivers a suitably unsettled atmosphere . . . Affecting * Irish Times *This is such a brilliantly conceived plot line that I was squirming with glee as I turned each page. McDermid is in rare form here, and the book never fails to entertain and surprise . . . Past Lying is a wonder to behold. I place it directly next to McDermid's finest works, like A Place of Execution and The Wire in the Blood. Her use of the pandemic is one of the most clever I have seen to date, and the story within a story that constantly references such greats as Agatha Christie and the aforementioned Highsmith makes this a novel that cannot be missed * Bookreporter *The narrative takes on the characteristics of nested dolls . . . Head and shoulders above many crime novels * Crime Fiction Lover *

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Book SynopsisBrigid Quinn has been shot at, stabbed in the spleen with a nail file and used as serial-killer bait. But she''s always been able to trust her instincts and her FBI-training to help her out of danger.Now, retired from the Bureau and investigating the tragic death of a neighbour''s teenage son, Brigid starts to suffer unexplained bouts of paranoia, hallucination and memory loss. And for the first time in her life, she feels vulnerable.But with a mass poisoning at the church, a dead man found in town and a grieving family convinced their son''s death wasn''t an accident, Brigid needs to put the pieces together - fast. Because evil has entered her life once more, and it''s much closer than she thinks . . .Trade ReviewA highly engaging blend of psychological thriller and Miss Marple-like whodunit... Her [Masterman's] strength's are polished prose and her beguiling heroine, an usually complicated sleuth married to a philosopher. * SUNDAY TIMES *Ms. Masterman once again shows herself to be an expert manipulator of readers' expectations. * NEW YORK TIMES *Resourceful, direct, and determined - especially in the face of pure, murderous evil - in her second outing, Brigid Quinn remains a fun force to be reckoned with. * BOSTON GLOBE *Addictive, intriguing, terrifying: the stunning new thriller starring Brigid Quinn. * TANGLED WEB *"With telling observations on the human condition, the nature of love and the corruption of greed, this is simply superb." * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR''Dazzlingly inventive''Sunday Times''Gripping and powerful''Cara Hunter**********FOUR WOMEN.Orly, Lenny, Mel and Thea have been best friends since school. But now it is 20 years later and inevitably they have drifted apart.ONE WEEKEND.It is Lenny''s 40th birthday, plus Orly and Mel need cheering up, so Thea suggests a weekend away at a festival in their hometown. It''s a chance for them all to reconnect. NOT ALL OF THEM WILL SURVIVE.But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive...Trade ReviewDazzlingly inventive * Sunday Times *A meticulously plotted exploration of friendship, foe-ship and the lies that bind, which builds to a gripping and powerful conclusion * Cara Hunter *The perfect dose of thrills and suspense, this will keep you engrossed to the very end * Heat *Original and stylish... will keep you guessing to the last page * Sharon Bolton *We couldn't put this thriller down . . . brilliant * Closer *Tautly thrilling . . . This has hit thriller written all over it * Evening Telegraph *Gripping, tense, taut and brilliant. You'll be begging your friends to read it so you can discuss it over and over again * Rebecca Reid *grips like a vice, with characters which leap from the page. Naughton's depiction of motherhood from different perspectives is as refreshing as it is evocative * Rachael Blok *A taut, tense thriller packed with emotion * A.J. Park *

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Book SynopsisThe first novel in the grittily authentic Karen Sharpe series.The 8th April 1996 was a bad day for Karen Sharpe, the eighth anniversary of something so deeply buried she had hoped to forget it ever happened. Each year she tries to cope in whatever way she can. Most years she turns to booze. But this year that wasn''t going to work. Sometime after midnight her DS and partner, is executed in a military style killing, whilst his pretty 21-year-old informant, ends up on a South Pennine moor with bullets through her face and chest. Karen had been due to meet both when drink and memories intervened, preventing her from getting there. As the investigation begins, odd details keep forcing Karen to examine her own unclear memories. As she follows her instincts, and some very disturbing clues embedded in her own secret history, she must confront her past and act quickly if she is to prevent the seed of destruction planted eight years before from wreaking devastating anTrade ReviewExcellent stuff - Irish IndependentThis is a first-rate thriller with a terrific climax - Sunday TelegraphHe's created a beguilingly complex character, perfectly suited to his taut thrillers - MirrorDrips authenticity from every pore. The author cooks up an excellently complex and tightly-wrought plot and he can construct a true-to-life range of characters ... I look forward to many more novels featuring DC Karen Sharpe - TribuneThe police procedural novel is given the kind of spruce up it has been in need of for some time - Daily ExpressA gripping and unusual police procedural - Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisIn the early hours of the morning in a luxury Leeds penthouse, a terrified victim is doused with petrol, set alight, and thrown out of a ninth-floor window. The victim is a wealthy property developer - but his lover and her daughter have both gone missing.Meanwhile, security services are looking for DC Karen Sharpe who walked out eighteen months ago. But they are not the only ones desperate to find her. She is being pursued by some of the most dangerous people she has ever encountered - and to them, human life means nothing at all . . .Trade ReviewIt'll be a rare reader able to put A CHILD'S GAME down after a chapter or so -- Barry Forshaw * The Express *A beguiling complex character, perfectly suit to [Connor's] taut thrillers * The Mirror *Connor's inside knowledge of the judicial system coupled with his gritty, fast-paced narrative and believable characters make for an edgy and down-right modern crime series which deserves to be a classic of the genre. * Bradford Telegraph & Argus *A riveting tale with a thrilling climax * Yorkshire Post *From the horrifying defenestration in the opening pages to the ultra-violent denouement, Leeds-based barrister John Connor drives his complex tale of secrecy and betrayal along at a cracking pace. Not for the faint-hearted but highly recommended * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisA stunning thriller that sees Yorkshire-based DC Karen Sharpe brought to the very edge of her sanity.A year and a half ago DC Karen Sharpe was the victim of a terrifying crime. Desperately trying to shelter from its effects she has been working simple fraud and theft cases in West Yorkshire CID. But the brutal murder of a young pregnant woman threatens the precarious wall she has built around herself. Drafted onto the squad to deal with the victim''s six-year-old child, Karen finds herself overwhelmed by the devastating nature of the attack. As nightmares from her past start to reoccur, her relationships with those closest to her begin to crack under the strain. An illicit relationship with her boss promises escape: a new beginning without the trappings of past horrors and guilt. But life has a savage lesson in store for her. As West Yorkshire erupts in a summer of explosive race riots, events tip Karen into the depths of the very world she has been fleeing.Trade ReviewConnor's plot is enthralling, his characters sharp and vital: FALLING is a compelling, intelligent thriller, placing everyday normality in dramatic relief against the horrific experiences of Sharpe and her colleagues. * Financial Times *Compelling * Guardian *The writing is skilled and the West Yorkshire background described with authority in a plot based on racial tensions and their explosive repercussions... not a comfortable reading but a gripping one * Literary Review *Enjoyably intricate and well-composed * Sunday Telegraph *A superb cast of characters, a gritty and appalling window into the race riots that took their toll on Bradford... and also with a crashing, blockbuster of an ending that sees justice meted out to those who deserve it the most. * Bookbag *A gritty, noirish series with a fantastic protagonist * Tangled Web *A fast-paced, explosive thriller, which makes for a great read * Western Daily Express *Connor's moving up the ladder of police procedural mastery and in the brittle but determined cop Karen he has a secure pension * Daily Sport *

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Book SynopsisAdrenaline-fuelled pace, deadly secrets and a mother's desperate search for her missing child.A gripping, highly suspenseful thriller from the author of THE VANISHINGTrade ReviewA first-rate thriller with a terrific climax - Sunday TelegraphHis plot is enthralling, his characters sharp and vital - Financial TimesA riveting tale with a thrilling climax - Yorkshire PostJohn Connor drives his complex tale of secrecy and betrayal along at a cracking pace - Irish IndependentExcellent stuff - Irish Independent

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Book SynopsisYoung widow Bella Jordan investigates a mystery with a literary twist in this charming, magical small-town cozy mystery from New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub.It''s been nine months since widowed mom Bella Jordan and her young son Max moved to Lily Dale, the quirky, close-knit New York community populated by people who can speak to the dead . . . if one believes in that kind of thing. Now she counts Valley View, the guesthouse she runs, as home and her psychic medium neighbors as friends. Even haughty, British Pandora, who used to own Valley View before her difficult divorce.So when Pandora sweeps in, requesting an urgent tête-à-tête, Bella expects it to be another complaint about book club. It isn''t. Pandora airily reveals her elderly Auntie Eudora is taking a last-minute cruise from London to New York with her gentleman friend Nigel - and minutes later Bella is bemused to find she''s agreed to host them at Valley View free of charge.

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Book SynopsisSet in Dundee, this fast-paced crime novel is the first to feature Polish Detective Sergeant Dania Gorska.Volatile times in the city of discovery . . .DS Dania Gorska is a stranger in a foreign land. Born in Poland and transferred from London to Dundee''s specialist crime division, she is called upon to investigate a series of grotesque killings where the victims are first brutally murdered and then displayed in a bizarre manner. Although seemingly unrelated, clues point to the victims having been members of a local druidic cult.While solving these murders is Dania''s priority, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the case of two runaway teenage girls. But when she learns they were also members of the same druid group she becomes convinced their disappearance is linked to the murders. And, despite what the evidence suggests, Dania starts to fear that the girls have not run away but are actually the newest, undiscovered victims of the killeTrade ReviewNicely nasty in all the right places, this is an assured debut by Hania Allen... The story rattles along until bringing the curtain down with an unnerving twist * Craig Robertson, author of Cold Grave, Random, and Witness the Dead *Captivating characters and an intriguing plot. A great new find for crime fans * Lin Anderson, author of the Rhona MacLeod crime series *Pitch-perfect, combined with a clever mystery, but more than that, it's a witty, tense crime novel written in a highly readable style * Russel D McLean, author of the J McNee detective series *A fresh new find for crime fans ... the plot is intriguing, the characters are well drawn, and the end comes with an unnerving twist. Extremely readable. * Sunday Post *The Polish Detective is an intrictately woven tale of revenge where Polish Vodka and Chopin illuminate the path.Drink both in and enjoy. -- Lin Anderson

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Book Synopsis ''Quirky and colourful'' Times Crime Club''An absolute delight'' L C Tyler''This intriguing but charming murder mystery is packed with psychological depth and wonderfully-drawn characters'' Eleanor RayWelcome to Roslazny - a sleepy Russian town where intrigue and murder combine to disturb the icy silence...Olga Pushkin, Railway Engineer (Third Class) and would-be bestselling author, spends her days in a little rail-side hut with only Dmitri the hedgehog for company. While tourists and travellers clatter by on the Trans-Siberian Express, Olga dreams of studying literature at Tomsk State University - the Oxford of West Siberia - and escaping the sleepy, snow-clad village of Roslazny.But Roslazny doesn''t stay sleepy for long. Poison-pen letters, a small-town crime wave, and persistent rumours of a Baba Yaga - a murderous witch hiding in the frozen depths of the Russian taiga - combine to disturb the icy silen

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Book Synopsis ''Quirky and colourful'' Times Crime Club''An absolute delight'' L C Tyler''This intriguing but charming murder mystery is packed with psychological depth and wonderfully-drawn characters'' Eleanor Ray''A cast of colourful characters decorate this cosy Siberian crime'' The Sun Winter has come early to the tiny Siberian village of Roslazny, but for Olga Pushkin, aspiring writer and Railway Engineer (Second Class), it only makes leaving the harder. Olga is being forced overseas by her jealous superior, and now faces two years in exile from her beloved rail-side hut, her white-breasted hedgehog Dmitri, and Vassily Marushkin, sergeant-in-charge at the tiny Roslazny police station.Fate seems to intervene when Olga''s train crashes outside Roslazny, shutting the line and killing two on board - local celebrity Danyl Petrovich and his wife, Anoushka. But Vassily Marushkin soon discovers

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Book SynopsisA mother and daughter are snatched on their drive home from a cinema. The crime has a number of chilling similarities to a cold case Professor Nick Fennimore had been lecturing on. Then Fennimore begins receiving taunting messages - is he being targeted by the kidnapper?Meanwhile, a photograph emailed from Paris could bring Fennimore closer to discovering the fate of Suzie, his own daughter, now missing for six years. He seeks help from his old friend, DCI Kate Simms, recently returned from the US. But Kate is soon blocked from the investigation... A mother and child''s lives hang in the balance as Fennimore and Simms try to break through police bureaucracy to identify their abductor.Atmospheric, chilling, and full of suspense, the dynamic pairing of AD Garrett''s acclaimed duo, Fennimore and Simms, delivers a pulse-pounding plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.Trade ReviewThriller writing at its best - Ann Cleeves, on Everyone LiesThe best book I have read in years ... I don't have enough superlatives to describe how I feel about this book - Mo Hayder on Believe No One

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the Best First Novel 2018 Award at the International Thriller Writers Awards.The first in a brand new series featuring Thea Paris, a kidnap and ransom specialist. Lee Child calls THE FREEDOM BROKER a ''superb thriller'', Lisa Gardner says it''s ''clever and gritty'' and Peter James calls it ''spellbinding''. If you like the thrillers of James Patterson and Lee Child, or are a fan of Jason Bourne, you will love this. At eight years old, Thea Paris watched her brother being snatched from his bed.Her inability to save him has haunted both their lives ever since.Twenty years later, the unthinkable happens when her billionaire father is abducted.But this time, she is prepared.Now, Thea is at the top of her game as a freedom broker, negotiating for the release of kidnap victims around the world.And she has only one objective:Find him or die trying...Trade ReviewMove over Jason Bourne, action has a new name as international kidnapping expert Thea Paris pulls out all the stops to rescue her own father in this clever and gritty debut -- Lisa GardnerWith an alpha female heroine and a plot that's smart, detailed, and highly engaging. . . A fantastic debut, top notch entertainment, a pulse-pounding treat for anyone who loves action and adventure -- Steve BerryA plot loaded with surprises and intrigue. Her characters are memorable and realistic. She has a great talent for action, and an unerring detail for stealth from the beginning to the climatic end -- Clive CusslerK. J. Howe tells a spellbinding tale, her descriptions so vivid you can smell every heart pounding second of her action -- Peter JamesTHE FREEDOM BROKER combines terrific thriller writing and fascinating research about hostage rescues. This is fact and fiction at its best -- James PattersonTHE FREEDOM BROKER has great 'BONES': engaging characters, nimble pacing, and crackling action -- Kathy ReichsA high-octane debut thriller from K. J. Howe. Kidnap negotiator Thea Paris is a heroine with brains, martial skills, and true character, whose own dark and deep family history drives her on as she travels the world bringing kidnapped victims home to their loved ones. Here's hoping Paris returns soon for another outing! -- Mark GreaneyUnrelentingly entertaining and impossible to put down, THE FREEDOM BROKER boasts the ferociously savvy, serious as hell, Thea Paris, who brilliantly plots and fearlessly fights to rescue her kidnapped father from the clutches of expert, deadly players -- Karin SlaughterBreathless action, great characters and convincing details make Howe's debut a surefire rocket to the top of the lists -- Linwood BarclayTHE FREEDOM BROKER is an adrenaline-fueled, non-stop thrill ride. From the pulse pounding first pages, through the shocking conclusion, Howe never lets up on the suspense, the twists, and the action. Hostage negotiator Thea Paris is my favorite kind of heroine -- fierce, whip-smart, and very human. We'll all be waiting anxiously for the next riveting chapter in her story -- Lisa UngerThe pulse-pounding excitement never ends in this remarkable debut novel, THE FREEDOM BROKER, by K. J. Howe. From Africa's violent backcountry to cosmopolitan Athens and the corridors of power in Washington D.C., Howe takes the reader on the thriller ride of a lifetime. All of kidnap negotiator Thea Paris's skills are tested when she has to save a billionaire who is also someone she loves. Memorable characters, muscular prose, and a world atlas of fascinating insider details make this a can't-put-down read. I loved it -- Gayle LyndsK. J. Howe's debut novel is a high stakes geo-political thriller that is truly a page turner. THE FREEDOM BROKER explores and illuminates the exotic world of elite Delta Force-type professionals who make a dangerous and deadly living rescuing kidnap victims all over the world. And we are along for the ride of our lives. Incredibly well-researched and expertly written, this is a behind-the-scenes story of how some hostage victims come home safely and why some do not -- Nelson DeMilleK. J. Howe is a master at weaving together action and suspense. Her debut THE FREEDOM BROKER is an engaging, fast-moving, spellbinding international intrigue that will leave you breathless. In Thea Paris, Howe has created a smart, complex yet kick-ass character that you'll want to follow and root for -- Simon GervaisTHE FREEDOM BROKER is a blisteringly original, superbly crafted thriller that promises to be one of the major debuts of 2017. K. J. Howe's gut-wrenching foray into the world of hostage negotiation turned upside down propels her straight into the league of Linda Fairstein, Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Scottoline, and Karin Slaughter, thanks to a tale framed by an emotional complexity and structural elegance both rare for the genre. As riveting as it is bracing, this is reading entertainment at its absolute best -- Jon Land * Providence Journal *Razor sharp and full of you-are-there authenticity - a superb thriller -- Lee ChildI absolutely loved this read and its super-smart and able protagonist, Thea Paris! K. J. Howe's clever and action-packed storytelling is an exciting and groundbreaking addition to the genre -- Sara BlaedelTHE FREEDOM BROKER opens hot and stays that way... A wickedly fast read -- Neely Tucker, Washington Post staff writer and authorAn impressive debut that delivers a dazzling thrill ride, leaving the reader breathless and smarter. Rich with exotic locales and insights into the high-stakes world of international kidnapping, THE FREEDOM BROKER soars with high adventure as Thea Paris does it all in this outstanding series starter -- Lissa PriceA startling debut that is as intriguing as it is propulsive -- Shots magazineGripping action and thrills make this an amazing page-turner. It's hard to believe this is her first novel * Asian Times *Thea, a trained kidnap-buster, heiress and - an original touch - diabetic, rolls with the punches of a plot involving a made-up African country, drug cartels, arms dealers, oil reserves, Chinese business interests and, of course, a kidnapping. A second prodigious female agent, from the US government, further energises the action * Sunday Times Crime Club *A breathtakingly fast story * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe third in the page-turning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdownable whodunnit is perfect for fans of Julia Chapman''s Dales Detective Agency, Richard Osman''s The Thursday Murder Club, Betty Rowlands and Helen Cox.Praise for Murder at the Seaview Hotel:''I loved this warm, humorous and involving whodunnit with its host of engaging characters and atmospheric Scarborough setting'' CLARE CHASE''Just the heart-warming tonic readers need right now. Endearing characters, intriguing twists and one very cute canine'' HELEN COX................................................In the charming Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough, a killer game is being played . . . Helen Dexter is enjoying the new four-star status of the Seaview Hotel. But she begins to wonder if this accolade is cursed when a series of disasters strike.It starts when a crazy golf team arrive Trade ReviewIn the world of historical saga writers, there's a brand new voice * My Weekly *I really enjoyed Glenda's novel. It's well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters -- Rosie GoodwinWill resonate with saga readers everywhere...a wonderful, uplifting story -- Nancy RevellAll the ingredients for a perfect saga and I loved Meg; she's such a strong and believable character. A fantastic debut -- Emma HornbyGlenda has an exceptionally keen eye for domestic detail which brings this local community to vivid, colourful life and Meg is a likeable, loving heroine for whom the reader roots from start to finish -- Jenny HolmesI found it difficult to believe that this was a debut novel, as "brilliant" was the word in my mind when I reached the end. I enjoyed it enormously, being totally absorbed from the first page. I found it extremely well written, and having always loved sagas, one of the best I've read -- Margaret Kaine

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Book SynopsisMelanie Travis and her pedigree poodles are back on the case in an adorably giftable, Valentine?s Day-themed hardcover by award-winning author Laurien Berenson! Melanie Travis is taking a much-needed break from the dog show circuit for a romantic Valentine?s trip with her husband Sam, but when someone at their cozy Berkshires inn has an unexpected date with death, Melanie must slip into something sleuthier for the weekend . . .Melanie is delighted at the prospect of three uninterrupted days alone with Sam (and, of course, her prize-winning Standard Poodle, Faith). They?re booked at the White Birch Inn, a picturesque New England resort nestled at the foot of a snow-covered mountain. The inn has a full slate of couples activities planned for the busy Valentine''s weekend?date nights, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice skating, and pop-up shops in the inn''s ballroom ?from the bubbly to the bubble bath, the resort is a perfect match for Melanie and Sam?s vacation. But the first night of festivities feature an event that isn?t on the program: murder.The sheriff quickly launches an investigation, but at the inn keeper?s urging?and because she suddenly finds herself a person of interest in the case?Melanie tries to sneak a little detective work into her romantic getaway. But with the resort nearly sold out for the holiday weekend, there''s no shortage of suspects, and Melanie?s secret sleuthing is already attracting the wrong kind of attention. Her Valentine?s trip is heating up faster than the chocolate fondue . . . just not in the way Melanie hoped. But if she doesn?t catch the cold-hearted killer soon, another innocent victim will get the kiss of death . . .

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Book Synopsis'This is The Undoing meets Big Little Lies. A fast-paced, decadent skewering of upper-middle-class motherhood' ABIGAIL DEAN 'The Other Mothers is the elevated, devourable thriller you’ve been looking for' ASHLEY AUDRAIN 'I read this brilliantly plotted, brilliantly observed thriller in one sitting ... So good' INDIA KNIGHT The outstanding new thriller from the author of international bestseller, Greenwich Park _______________ You want to be one of them. Until you know them. Ex-journalist Tash has been searching for a story to launch her freelance career. But she has also been searching for something else: new friends to help her navigate motherhood. She sees them at her son’s new playgroup. The other mothers. The sleek, the sophisticated, the successful mothers… The women she wants to be. And then one day they welcome her into their circle and Tash discovers the kind of life she has always dreamt of; their elegant London townhouses a far cry from her cramped basement flat and endless bills. They seem to have everything. But they also have their secrets. And it’s soon clear that not everyone at the playgroup can be trusted. _______________ PRAISE FOR KATHERINE FAULKNER: 'Next-level Mum noir' Ellery Lloyd 'Deliciously dark' Heat 'Twisty, fast-paced' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewKatherine Faulkner unpeels Fornasetti wallpaper and opens glass box extensions, revealing delectably dislikeable characters, secrets - and murder. This is The Undoing meets Big Little Lies. A fast-paced, decadent skewering of upper-middle-class motherhood -- Abigail DeanI was gripped; the writing is on point while the characterisation will have you nodding in agreement * Belfast Telegraph *Has all the skillfully handled red herrings you would expect from the creator of the deft final twist of Greenwich Park. But her real gift is for observing the currents beneath apparent surface perfection, and what the middle class is capable of when it can't have it all * The Times *Once again, Katherine Faulkner so masterfully delivers a delicious combination of treacherous secrets and enviable lives, this time among a group of upper class moms whose perfection unravels after Tash, a new mom to the playgroup and struggling journalist, realizes things aren’t quite what they seem. I couldn’t part with this book until I’d finished—The Other Mothers is the elevated, devourable thriller you’ve been looking for -- Ashley AudrainAn elegant and relentlessly twisty skewering of upper middle-class motherhood and a propulsive mystery, I was gripped by The Other Mothers and Katherine’s immersive writing -- Sarah VaughanKatherine's done it again! Anyone who enjoyed Greenwich Park will love this – maybe even more. Full of terrible people behaving terribly, it's such a compelling story. I read it in one sitting last night – extremely gripping. It filled me with immense relief that my children are now in their later teenage years and that I never have to deal with this again -- Harriet TyceAs addictive as it gets! * Fabulous magazine *Glossy, privileged mummy posse - appalling humans, obviously - dead nanny, struggling, unglossy journalist trying to make sense of it all. I read this brilliantly plotted, brilliantly observed thriller in one sitting, and then thanked the Lord for no longer being the parent of a school-aged child. So good -- India Knight, Sunday Times MagazineA page-turner about the dark secrets that lie behind the seemingly perfect facades of young mothers * Cosmopolitan *Next-level mum noir, The Other Mothers is a brilliant portrayal of the complexities of parenthood, work and - oh yes - murder. Smart, tense and gripping. Loved it! -- Ellery LloydFans of Motherland will love the observations in this twisty, one-sitting read * Woman & Home *A wry and tightly plotted look at parent cliques, playgroup angst and when mum-life turns sour … The Other Mothers is Big Little Lies meets Silent Witness. I loved it! -- Harriet WalkerWonderful sense of growing dread in the dark side of motherland -- Fiona BartonThe Other Mothers is not only a sharp, fabulously pacy thriller, but also a biting commentary on the demands (and consequences) of a certain kind of performative parenting. I finished it in one sitting, captured by Faulkner’s compelling characters and gripping plot, and the ending provided a truly satisfying twist! A sinister window into the darker side of motherhood, you’ll never look at playgroup parents quite the same… -- Kate Collins, author of A Good House for ChildrenThe Other Mothers is brilliant! Such a fast-paced, twisty story that takes you in completely unexpected directions. I read this in one sitting and adored every page. Katherine Faulkner's first novel was fantastic, but this is another step up. The characters are wonderfully vivid and Faulkner captures the worlds of both journalism and motherhood perfectly. She also nails the moment when they both start going wrong -- Holly WattFans of TV’s Motherland will love this twisty read * Woman's Weekly *Grips to the end * Crime Monthly *Smart, slick and utterly captivating; The Other Mothers reeled me in with its wonderfully intricate plot and brilliant cast of characters. Highly recommended -- Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect TwinA highly addictive and whip-smart tale, The Other Mothers strips the surface from Insta-perfect lives to reveal a deeply unsettling reality. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! -- Teresa DriscollA delicious peek behind the curtain of London’s yummy mummies, a world of bi-fold doors and dark secrets, Sweaty Betty leggings and suspicious deaths. The characters leap off the page -- Amanda ReynoldsThe Other Mothers is a first-class thriller, with taut prose, gasp-worthy twists and characters you’ll love to hate. Faulkner has done it again - fans of Greenwich Park won’t be disappointed -- Robin Morgan-BentleyThe Other Mothers is my favourite version of this genre: smart, well-written and thoughtful, so that you feel like you get two books in one. Firstly, a brilliant exploration of class, motherhood and identity and secondly, a thriller that will keep you page turning way into the night -- Caroline CorcoranThrough many twists and turns this book keeps you guessing up to the very end. A riveting read -- Muddy StilettosPraise for Greenwich Park: Deliciously dark and deftly plotted. Faulkner mines the seam of guilt beneath her characters "perfect" lives with devastating precision -- Lesley Kara, author of 'The Rumour'Praise for Greenwich Park: 'Faulkner offers a clever spin on psychological thrillers set during maternity leave … A twisty, fast-paced read’ * Sunday Times *Praise for Greenwich Park: Do not read this book if you have anything important you need to get done! Fast-paced, twisty and with wonderfully complex and believable characters, it had me gripped to the last page -- Clare Pooley, author of 'The Authenticity Project' and ''The People on Platform 5'A gripping story full of fascinating characters * My Weekly *

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Book Synopsis'Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' Daily MailA remote shoreline. A lethal killer. As lone visitors disappear from the rural northwest of Scotland, campsites are becoming crime scenes. The Wild Coast is a chilling thriller from Lin Anderson.When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is brought in to analyse a shallow grave on Scotland’s west coast, she is disturbed by a bundle of twigs crafted into a stickman and left in the victim’s mouth.Then, when a young woman is reported missing from a nearby campsite with another sinister figurine left in her van, it seems that someone is targeting wild campers. An idyllic coastline known for providing peace and serenity, now the area is a hunting ground.As her investigation proceeds, Rhona is forced to reconsider her closest bonds. Rumours of sexual assault offences by serving police officers are circling in Glasgow, which may include her trusted colleague DS Michael McNab. Could it be true, or is someone looking to put him out of action?All the while a young woman’s life is on the line and the clock is ticking . . .'Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures' Stuart MacBrideTrade ReviewForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction. Honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears . . . As ever, the landscape is stunningly evoked and MacLeod’s decency and humanity shine through on every page * Daily Mail *Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow -- Stuart MacBrideA real page-turner -- Ian Rankin on The Party House

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Book Synopsis'The Da Vinci Code meets post-Independence India. I'd be surprised if I read a better book this year' M. W. CRAVEN'This is a crime novel for everyone; for those who love traditional mysteries there are clues, codes and ciphers, but it also had a harder edge and a post-war darkness. Brilliant' ANN CLEEVESA priceless manuscript. A missing scholar. A trail of riddles.For over a century, one of the world's great treasures, a six-hundred-year-old copy of Dante's The Divine Comedy, has been safely housed at Bombay's Asiatic Society. But when it vanishes, together with the man charged with its care, British scholar and war hero, John Healy, the case lands on Inspector Persis Wadia's desk. Uncovering a series of complex riddles written in verse, Persis - together with English forensic scientist Archie Blackfinch - is soon on the trail. But then they discover the first body. As the death toll mounts it becomes evident that someone else is also pursuing this priceless artefact and will stop at nothing to possess it . . .Harking back to an era of darkness, this second thriller in the Malabar House series pits Persis, once again, against her peers, a changing India, and an evil of limitless intent. Gripping, immersive, and full of Vaseem Khan's trademark wit, this is historical fiction at its finest.'A delicious treat of a historical crime novel' OBSERVER'Thoroughly enjoyable' DAILY MAIL*** Book one in this series, Midnight at Malabar House, won the CWA Sapere Books Historical Dagger and is an international ebook bestseller. ***'A wonderful, pacy, literary mystery with a brilliant female protagonist. Vaseem writes books that are good for the soul' STEVE CAVANAGH'A hugely entertaining, devilishly clever and immersive murder mystery. Inspector Persis Wadia is a brilliant creation and The Dying Day is a triumph. This is my favourite new crime series, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Treat yourself!' ANTONIA HODGSON'In The Dying Day, Vaseem Khan paints an extraordinarily vivid picture of a Bombay in 1950 still reeling from the aftermath of Partition and suffering the legacy of Empire. Every single element of this complex and compelling story slots together perfectly in the most brilliant and gripping of riddles ... A masterclass in historical crime fiction' CHRIS LLOYDTrade ReviewThis is a crime novel for everyone; for those who love traditional mysteries there are clues, codes and ciphers, but it also had a harder edge and a post-war darkness. A brilliant second outing for Persis Wadia * Ann Cleeves *The Da Vinci Code meets post-Independence India. I'd be surprised if I read a better book this year * M.W. Craven *Persis is brave, admirable, complicated and maddening, and is one of the few superlative and original characters emerging from modern literature * On-Magazine *As this charming series continues, readers will be cheering [Persis's] successes * SHOTS *A thoroughly enjoyable yarn, complete with atmospheric setting, intricate puzzle-solving and much derring-do * Mail on Sunday *The second in this excellent series . . . a delicious treat of a historical crime novel * The Observer *Early indications are that Vaseem Khan has struck gold by setting detective novels in 1950s Bombay. And that is why this is a gem of a novel * The Eastern Eye *A wonderful, pacy, literary mystery * Steve Cavanagh *A hugely entertaining, devilishly clever and immersive murder mystery * Antonia Hodgson *Vaseem Khan is at the height of his powers in The Dying Day . . . First-rate story telling from a first-rate writer * Daily Express Books of the Year, chosen by Imran Mahmood *Reminiscent of some of the classics of crime fiction * Crime Review *A wonderful, pacy, literary mystery * Steve Cavanagh *

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Book Synopsis'Compelling' IAN RANKIN'Stunning' SUNDAY TIMESThe brilliant new novel from award-winning writer and rising star Claire Askew. A city that's no longer safe...An anonymous vigilante stalks the streets of Edinburgh. As his behaviour escalates, the police are at a loss - they can find no clues to his identity, and no trace of his whereabouts.A detective in the path of danger...DI Helen Birch has been told to stay away from the case - but she's never been one to play by the rules. When her colleague Amy comes to her asking for help, DI Birch finds it impossible to resist the challenge - and soon, her life is on the line.Will she crack the case before it breaks her? Or has she finally met her match?A gripping crime thriller for fans of Susie Steiner, Elly Griffiths and Val McDermid - guaranteed to keep you up all night...PRAISE FOR CLAIRE ASKEW:'Thought-provoking' Mail on Sunday'A crackerjack read' Val McDermid'Meticulous and compelling' Ian Rankin'Thoughtful and well-written' Guardian'Compellingly written' Daily Mail'Stunning' Erin Kelly'Absorbing and thought-provoking' The TimesTrade ReviewPraise for Claire Askew:A breathless, real-time, 24-style thriller that combines nail-biting tension with boundless compassion * Erin Kelly *Tell Jack Bauer he's been supplanted . . . taut * i newspaper *Askew has delivered a peak-page turner and fans of crime-fiction will be left with a cliffhanger ending and a pronounced desire to learn where DI Birch turns up next... * Irish Examiner *Compelling * Marie Claire *Claire Askew is proving to be a master of the suspenseful police procedural * Sunday Times Crime Club *Utterly captivating * Heat *Praise for The Dead Don't Speak:Rich and real, Clare Askew brings Edinburgh vividly to life in this wonderfully compulsive novel * Mairon Todd *The Dead Don't Speak grabs the reader by the throat from the first breathless page - and doesn't let up until the last. Lyrical, visceral, intelligent writing, this confirms Claire Askew as one of the best crime writers at work today! * Erin Kelly *A tight, tense thriller with solid and genuine characters - I was absolutely absorbed throughout! * Kitty Murphy *A brilliant thriller! * Bella *Terrific! * Peterborough Telegraph *A riveting read! * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA gripping gangland thriller sees heroine crime boss Kerry Casey in jail - for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Martina Cole and Jessie KeaneKerry Casey is still reeling from the bombshell that her lover, undercover cop Vinny Burns, has gone missing in Spain. She's pregnant with his baby and will do anything to find him. One night, driving along a country road, Kerry and her Uncle Danny are ambushed by gunmen. In the confusion that follows, shots are fired and two men are murdered. Kerry and Danny can only look on as the bodies are dragged from their assailant's car and placed in their own.The police arrive in minutes. With cocaine, dead bodies and guns in the car, it looks like an open-and-shut case.Kerry's been framed. She is forced to wait out her fate inside a women's prison, still not knowing what has happened to Vinnie. On the outside the Casey gang are hunting down the men who did this to her and they will stop at nothing to find them.Trade ReviewThe latest gripping gangland thriller from "Scotland's own Martina Cole" will keep you reading into the wee small hours -- The Sunday Post

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Book SynopsisTHE MIND-BENDING NEW THRILLER FROM THE NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DEAR CHILD'Hausmann's novel has the feel of a nightmare, unfolding at breakneck speed' SUNDAY TIMESIt's been years since Nadja Kulka was convicted of a cruel crime. After being released from prison, she's wanted nothing more than to live a normal life: nice flat, steady job, even a few friends. But when one of those friends, Laura von Hoven - free-spirited beauty and wife of Nadja's boss - kills her lover and begs Nadja for her help, Nadja can't seem to be able to refuse. The two women make for a remote house in the woods, the perfect place to bury a body. But their plan quickly falls apart and Nadja finds herself outplayed, a pawn in a bizarre game in which she is both the perfect victim and the perfect murderer . . . Dark secrets past and present collide in this haunting novel of guilt and retribution from the internationally bestselling author of Dear Child.PRAISE FOR ROMY HAUSMANN:'Chilling' People Magazine'[A] tantalizingly disturbing debut . . . As enthralling as it is thought-provoking' New York Times'Hausmann is a force to be reckoned with. You can't stop reading' David Baldacci'Deliciously dark' Alice Feeney'Very compelling' Peter James'Disturbingly good' Lesley KaraTrade ReviewHausmann's novel has the feel of a nightmare, unfolding at breakneck speed and exposing the terrifying vulnerability of a woman who wants nothing more than to be loved * Sunday Times *Dear Child is an accomplished thriller, beautifully written, intriguing and very compelling * Peter James *I read Dear Child in one sitting, holding my breath. Such a gripping, suspenseful and beautifully written debut. I loved it! * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *German bestseller Dear Child by Romy Hausmann is tipped to be one of the UK's must-reads of the summer * S Magazine *One of the best thrillers I've read this year. Flawlessly plotted with a pace that refuses to let the reader come up for air - not that you'd want to * Stephanie Wrobel, author of The Recovery of Rose Gold *Wow! Such a disturbingly good read. Romy's knack of getting under a character's skin is impressive. I loved it * Lesley Kara, author of The Rumour *If you read only one thriller this year, choose this one. Room meets Gone Girl in this gripping novel, which will haunt you long after the last page * Alice Feeney, author of Sometimes I Lie *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, one of the most popular crime series in Britain, with this beautiful special edition.START THE JOURNEY HERE AND YOU WILL BE HOOKEDDr Ruth Galloway is called in when a child's bones are discovered near the site of a prehistoric henge on the north Norfolk salt marshes. Are they the remains of a local girl who disappeared ten years earlier - or are the bones much older? DCI Harry Nelson refuses to give up the hunt for the missing girl. Since she vanished, someone has been sending him bizarre anonymous notes about ritual sacrifice, quoting Shakespeare and the Bible. He knows that Ruth's expertise and experience could help him finally to put this case to rest. But when a second child goes missing, Ruth finds herself in danger from a killer who knows she's getting ever closer to the truth...

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Book SynopsisWhen the bodies of two Indigenous women are found in the wilderness of northern California, it is only the latest horrific development in a string of similar crimes in the area. Despite all evidence to the contrary, officials rule the deaths isolated incidents, which soon join the ranks of countless other unsolved cases quickly dismissed by law enforcement.In a town where too many injustices are tolerated or brushed under the rug, only a few people remain who refuse to let a killer walk free. But Private Investigator Sharon McCone is one of those few. She is hired by an organization called Crimes against Indigenous Sisters to go undercover in Meruk County-a community rife with secrets, lies, and corruption-to expose the truth.In an isolated cabin in the freezing, treacherous woods, McCone must work quickly to unravel a mystery that is rooted in profound evil-before she becomes the killer's next target.

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Book SynopsisA Native American investigator returns to the reservation to find the truth behind her friends death -- and discovers family secrets and dysfunction -- in the new mystery novel Whispers in the Wind. When San Francisco fraud investigator Sunny Davis hears that her best friend Gina has committed suicide, its emotionally devastating for Sunny and the beginning of her determined pursuit to find the truth. Sunny cant believe that Gina would kill herself when she was raising small children -- let alone that she would shoot herself while her children played outside. Sunny returns to her childhood home, an Indian reservation in Nevada, to attend Ginas funeral and get some answers. But Sunny finds the situation back home even more puzzling. Ginas husband, Jesse, is disengaged and evasive. Ginas sister, Eva, seems absolutely unmoved that her sister is dead. Both only give noncommittal answers to Sunnys urgent questions. When Sunny receives a psychic vision of Ginas brutal death and senses that Ginas spirit is contacting her, she realises she must learn the truth. Sunnys investigation leads her deep into a complex mystery, her tribal cultures spiritual beliefs, and the secrets that tore apart Ginas family and threaten her own. Combining fully realised Native characters, family drama, Native spirituality, the paranormal, and the everyday reality of modern Native American life, Whispers in the Wind is a fascinating detective novel that appeals to the logical and intuitive mind. This book introduces a new kind of detective hero in Sunny Davis, a smart and tough professional investigator who solves cases with equal parts deductive logic, psychic intuition, and spiritual insight, in a story that portrays grief, courage, and compelling insights into Native American families.

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Book SynopsisIn Salem, Massachusetts, there are secret everywhere--even in the furniture. . .When Lee Barrett spots the same style oak bureau she once had as a child on the WICH-TV show, Shopping Salem, she rushes to the antiques shop and buys the piece. Just like the beloved bureau she lost in a fire, this one has secret compartments. It also comes with an intriguing history--it was purchased in an estate sale from a home where a famous local murder took place.The day after the bureau is delivered, Lee returns to the antiques shop and finds the owner dead. The police suspect the shop owner''s unscrupulous business partner, but Lee wonders if the murder is connected to her new furniture. At least part of the answer may be revealed through a mirror in the bureau, tarnished and blackened, allowing Lee to tap into her psychic visions. Using this bureau of investigation, Lee may be able to furnish her policeman beau with the evidence needed to catch the killer--before the next one to be shut up is her. . .

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Book Synopsis"The first shake shop mystery delivers all the delectable ingredients cozy mystery fans crave. This terrific series debut is certain to tempt the reading palates of fans of Cleo Coyle, Sarah Graves, and the much-missed Diane Mott Davidson."-Library Journal, STARRED Review for Pint of No ReturnThe second book in the Shake Shop Mysteries-a new murder in town has Trinidad Jones thrown for a scoop!It's Alpenfest in Upper Sprocket! Yodelers are congregating in the square, tourists flocking to the town, and Trinidad Jones is scooping up some fall flavors at her Shimmy and Shake Shop.The cherry on the sundae is her upcoming feature in The Scoop magazine. She's determined to serve up the perfect interview, but it won't be easy, thanks in part to her meddling Cuban grandfather Papa Luis who has decided to make Sprocket his home for the foreseeable future. Papa Luis has set himself up as a taxi driver in his classic 1951 Buick.But things take a turn when Papa Luis tells her he's found a corpse in his trunk. Upon closer investigation, they realize the body has disappeared. With the assistance of Juliette and Bonnie (her sisterhood of exes) and the way too handsome nut farmer Quinn Logan, Trinidad must solve the mystery of the disappearing corpse, before her father is up to his neck in a murderous mess.Praise for Pint of No Return, Book 1 of the Shake Shop Mysteries:"Murder offers the heroine a surprisingly fresh start in this charming series kickoff" -Kirkus Reviews"A delicious charmer featuring a triple scoop of murder" -Library Journal

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