Crime and / or mystery fiction

Book Synopsis*** A BBC2 BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK ***'A BLOOMING GOOD READ' - THE TIMES'A MUST FOR LOVERS OF CRIME FICTION THAT'S JUST A BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE NORM' - HEAT magazine'[THIS IS LIKE] SHERLOCK HOLMES MEETS GARDNER'S QUESTION TIME' - NISH KUMAR on BBC2's Between the Covers'WITH EUSTACIA ROSE, JILL HAS CREATED AN UTTERLY UNIQUE CHARACTER AND HAS ENSURED THAT THE DETECTIVE GENRE TURNS A NEW LEAF. MYSTERY, MURDER, AND MULCH. WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE.' - ADIL RAY OBEI've always been better with plants than people . . . Eustacia Rose is a Professor of Botanical Toxicology who lives alone in London with only her extensive collection of poisonous plants for company. She tends to her garden with meticulous care. Her life is quiet. Her schedule never changes. Until the day she hears a scream and the temptation to investigat

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Book SynopsisFans of Jo Nesbo, The Killing, and Scandi noir will love this gripping thriller from international bestselling crime-writing sensation A closed case hides a terrible secret . . . _______ Department Q solves the unsolvable. So when a file on the brutal murder of a brother and sister 20 years ago lands on the desk of Detective Carl Mørck, he doesn''t understand why. Because the killer has already been found, and the case is closed. Why has it turned up on Carl''s desk?And more importantly, who put it there?_______ Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen: ''The new ''it'' boy of Nordic Noir'' The Times ''Gripping story-telling'' Guardian ''Mesmerising . . . As impressive as it is unnerving'' Independent ''Engrossing'' Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewThe new "it" boy of Nordic Noir * The Times *Gripping story-telling * Guardian *This pitch-black novel will have readers hungry for more * Independent *

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Book SynopsisIt''s the best night of her life. It''s the last night of her life.Sixteen-year-old Jenna Harbough''s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It''s the best night of her life. It''s the last night of her life.Minutes later, Jake''s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it''s no use. It''s time to call Lieutenant Eve Dallas.Who could want this level-headed teen, passionate about her music, dead? Was she targeted or could she have been the victim of a random attack? And if she was, who''s next.....?

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Book SynopsisBorn in Limerick and raised in Dublin, C K (Caimh) McDonnell is a former stand-up comedian and TV writer. He performed all around the world, had several well-received Edinburgh shows and supported acts such as Sarah Millican on tour before hanging up his clowning shoes to concentrate on writing. He has also written for numerous TV shows and been nominated for a Kid's TV BAFTA.His debut novel, A Man With One of Those Faces - a comic crime novel - was published in 2016 and spawned The Dublin Trilogy books and the spin-off McGarry Stateside series. They have been Amazon bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. As C. K. McDonnell, he is the author of The Stranger Times series contemporary comic fantasy series.Caimh lives in Manchester. To find out more, visit whitehairedirishman.com

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Book Synopsis''Non-stop action, breakneck pace, deliciously suspenseful When Shadows Fall was my first DS Max Craigie book and won't be my last I loved it.'' Andrea Mara''A good old police procedural I was pleasantly terrified'' The Guardian''Bone-chilling and full of so many twists'' The Sun''Neil is the master of the crime mystery'' Jeremy VineA TRAGIC DEATHWhen the body of Leanne Wilson is found at the bottom of a Scottish mountain, it is classified as a tragic accident. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise.A RISING BODY COUNTThen DS Max Craigie discovers that five other women in the last year have died by falling off mountains, and something feels very wrong. They were all experienced climbers and alone when they died. This can only mean one thing: there's a killer on the loose.A KILLER IN THE SHADOWSThe more Max investigates, the more he believes that they are dealing with something much bigger than a lone serial killer. With five victims and conflicting clues, how do you catch someone committing the perfect crime?* * * *Praise for Neil Lancaster:Think Jack Reacher fronting Line of Duty' Ian RankinFast-paced, compelling, and deeply authentic' Jane CaseyNeil Lancaster is so damn clever' Marion ToddA thriller writer set to blow up the bestseller lists' C. L. Taylor''A spine-chilling concept, despicable villains, a propulsive narrative. As satisfying as crime fiction gets.'' Paul FinchDeliciously dark' Daily MailIt's rare that a book is such a joy to read, particularly one mid-series when as a reader you are behind the eight-ball, but Neil has absolutely smashed it out of the ball park. It's so, so good.' G. D. Wright

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Book Synopsis_________________________THE LEGENDARY THRILLER THAT CREATED DR HANNIBAL LECTERWill Graham was a brilliant profiler of criminals for the FBI - until he suffered terrible injuries in the process of capturing Dr Hannibal ''the Cannibal'' Lecter.Years later, a serial killer nicknamed ''the Tooth Fairy'' is massacring entire families each full moon. With the FBI desperate for progress, Will reluctantly agrees to consult. But he soon realises that he alone can''t crack the case; he needs the help of the only mind even better than his own at understanding the mentalities of psychopaths.The mind of Hannibal Lecter.But Hannibal is playing his own twisted game from the asylum for the criminally insane. Will isn''t alone in getting advice from the cannibal. So is the Tooth Fairy - the man haunted by visions of the murderous Red Dragon...Trade Review"The best popular novel published since The Godfather" -- Stephen King "Completely gripping" Time Out "Something out of the ordinary for strong nerves and stomachs, an intricately crafted chiller" Observer

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Book SynopsisThe No. 1 Bestseller ''It twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable, and it is a compulsive triumph'' Stylist ''My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it.''____________Lydia Fitzsimons lives in the perfect house with her adoring husband and beloved son.There is just one thing Lydia yearns for to make her perfect life complete, though the last thing she expects is that pursuing it will lead to murder. However, needs must - because nothing can stop this mother from getting what she wants . . .____________''What an extraordinary novel ... crackles and snaps like a bonfire on a winter''s night; you shudder even as you draw closer to it. Spellbinding.'' A J Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window''A stunningly talented writer'' Sophie Hannah''Devastating ... exquisitely uncomfortable, utterly captivating'' Publishers Weekly''The intricate plotting and jolting suspense hold you in a vice till the last page'' Sunday Times''Gone Girl fans will love Liz Nugent''s Lying in Wait . . . it twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable, and it is a compulsive triumph'' Stylist ''Clear your diary if you pick up this seductively sinister story. The twists come together in a superbly scary denouncement which delivers a final sting in the tail. Brilliantly macabre'' Sunday Mirror''Brilliant plotting ratchets up the tension in this chilling tale of obsessive love, madness and motherhood'' Woman & Home''The wit is sharp and the plot full of punishing twists'' The Times Crime Club''An unputdownable psychological thriller with an ending that lingers long after turning the final page'' Irish Times''Lydia is a Gothic villain for the ages ... a page-turner chock full of lies and betrayals'' Kirkus Reviews''An excellent example of Domestic Noir ... excitement and curiosity mount until you realise you can''t put the book down. Highly recommended'' Literary Review''A tense, taut, almost gothic thriller where the tension tightens to near unbearable proportions ... impossible to stop reading. A brilliantly written, stand-out novel'' Marian Keyes''Deliciously twisted . . . truly chilling'' Sarah Hilary''Liz Nugent''s characters are as unforgettably monstrous as they are believable. A superbly crafted novel and an absorbing portrait of the purest kind of evil'' Jane Casey''It spoils nothing to tell you now that Lydia and Andrew Fitzsimons have murdered a young prostitute. Read this dark, captivating psychological thriller to find out why'' People Magazine''I thought it impossible to match the brilliant Unravelling Oliver, but this Liz has done. Not only is her style beautiful, but she keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from page one until the completely unexpected ending. I read Lying in Wait in one sitting. I just couldn''t bear the suspense. I absolutely loved it'' Amanda Redman''She writes compellingly, creates posh sociopaths like no-one else and doesn''t flinch when the end demands what it demands. Lying In Wait is a story you genuinely should not miss'' Rick O''Shea, RTÉTrade ReviewWhat an extraordinary novel ... Spellbinding -- A J FinnDevastating ... utterly captivating * Publishers Weekly *Gone Girl fans will love Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait ... it twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable and it is a compulsive triumph * Stylist *A stunningly talented writer -- Sophie HannahThe intricate plotting and jolting suspense hold you in a vice till the last page * Sunday Times *[A] seductively sinister story. The twists come together in a superbly scary denouncement which delivers a final sting in the tail. Brilliantly macabre * Sunday Mirror *Deliciously twisted ... truly chilling -- Sarah HilaryA tense, taut, almost gothic thriller ... impossible to stop reading. A brilliantly written, stand-out novel -- Marian KeyesThe wit is sharp and the plot full of punishing twists * The Times Crime Club *An unputdownable psychological thriller with an ending that lingers long after turning the final page * Irish Times *A page-turner chock full of lies and betrayals * Kirkus Reviews *Liz Nugent's characters are as unforgettably monstrous as they are believable. A superbly crafted novel and an absorbing portrait of the purest kind of evil -- Jane CaseyExcellent ... You can't put the book down. Highly recommended * Literary Review *"My husband did not mean to kill Annie Doyle, but the lying tramp deserved it." ... Lydia Fitzsimons lives in the perfect house with her adoring husband and beloved son. There is just one thing Lydia yearns for to make her perfect life complete, though the last thing she expects is that pursuing it will lead to murder . . . * From the Publisher's Description *Gone Girl fans will love Liz Nugent's Lying in Wait ... it twists, it turns, its characters are utterly despicable and it is a compulsive triumph * Stylist *A stunningly talented writer * Sophie Hannah *A tense, taut, almost gothic thriller where the tension tightens to near unbearable proportions. I devoured it in one sitting because it was impossible to stop reading. A brilliantly written, stand-out novel * Marian Keyes *Deliciously twisted, shot through with dark and acid humour and the denouement is truly chilling * Sarah Hilary *A gradual descent from ordinary, straightforward murder to the very heart of darkness. Liz Nugent's characters are as unforgettably monstrous as they are believable ... superbly crafted * Jane Casey *She keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from page one until the completely unexpected ending. I read Lying in Wait in one sitting. I just couldn't bear the suspense. I absolutely loved it * Amanda Redman *

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling, new Eve Dallas novel from international number one bestseller J.D. Robb

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Book SynopsisWriter for Hire Veronica Blackstone''s latest client is found dead and police suspect a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn''t convinced in this intriguingly plotted mystery. As a writer for hire, Veronica Blackstone puts her keyboard to use to help others. That includes writing advertising copy for local businesses, and love letters for those needing romantic help. Tony Richards needs the latter.Debonair, charismatic, handsome, Tony seems like the last person who''d need help with love letters, but help him Veronica does . . . only, Tony owes her money and won''t tell her anything about the woman she''s writing the love letters for. That''s not how Veronica normally works. When Tony is found dead, his real name is revealed as Ted Roberts. The police think his death was part of a burglary gone wrong, but Veronica isn''t convinced. Why did he lie about his name? Who were the love letters for? And could they hold the key to his death?

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis''Ambitious, intricate, riveting'' The Times** The first instalment in the bestselling original Dutch thriller** Haunted by a past you can never escape . . . When a young boy from Afghanistan is the victim of a brutal hit-and-run in woods outside Amsterdam journalist Farah Hafez visits the scene, seeking to discover how a child from her homeland ended up here. Instead, she finds a burnt-out car and two bodied - sinister clues to a far darker mystery. It is the beginning of a journey that leads her into an intricate web of crime and corruption stretching across Europe and deep into a past that Farah had once sought to escape - a past that nearly killed her.And if she goes back will she ever make it out again? Butterfly on the Storm is the first mystery to unravel in a tense, explosive and gripping new trilogy you won''t want to put down. For lovers of Stieg Larsson''s Millennium series, thiTrade ReviewJournalist Farah Hafez embarks on a journey that will lead her into an intricate web of crime and corruption in the start of a new Dutch trilogy which has drawn parallels with Stieg Larsson's Millennium series * from publisher's description *Ambitious, intricate, riveting * The Times *It's been compared to Stieg Larsson's Millennium series ... Butterfly on the Storm is a compelling, engrossing read ... Walter Lucius is one to watch * Nudge *Disturbing, apocalyptic, gripping * Dutch Daily De Limburger *Riveting until the very end * AD Weekend [Dutch Newspaper] *The Dutch answer to the tsunami of Scandinavian thrillers * BB Boekblad *

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Book Synopsis''James Patterson is The Boss. End of.'' Ian Rankin''One of the greatest storytellers of all time'' Patricia Cornwell''A writer with an unusual skill at thriller plotting.'' Mark Lawson, Guardian__________________________________The third thrilling instalment of James Patterson''s Instinct seriesThe stakes are sky-high for Dr Dylan Reinhart.When a student in Reinhart''s psychology class threatens to kill himself, everyone hopes it''s a hoax.But when he can''t be found after twenty-four hours, it seems the worst is confirmed. Did he really do it?The student''s father, a powerful hedge fund CEO, is convinced he didn''t. Only one person can help him get to the truth.Reinhart is now wrapped up in multimillion-dollar secrets and danger and it''s going to take every bit of his expertise to close the case.Can he stay ahead of his enemy . . . and his employer?

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Book SynopsisTom Hindle hails from Leeds and lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, a cat and two surprisingly cunning tortoises. He is the author of A Fatal Crossing, The Murder Game and Murder on Lake Garda - which were inspired by masters of the crime genre such as Agatha Christie and Anthony Horowitz.Tom is hard at work on his next murder mystery.

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Book SynopsisIn this mesmerising thriller from the bestselling author of Keep Her Secret, a family’s fresh start is just the beginning of their nightmare…Ethan Dove’s family has moved to a new home in a safe community, and it’s exactly the fresh start they need. Not only is his marriage to Emma hanging by a thread, but his son, Dylan, and twelve-year-old daughter, Rose, deserve to have a happy childhood.After Rose is bullied by the boys across the road, Ethan is relieved when the woman who lives next door steps in. Fiona Smith has come into their lives at just the right moment, and when she offers to look after Rose during the school holidays, Ethan and Emma can’t believe their luck.Which is exactly what Fiona wants. Because, far from being the perfect neighbour, Fiona is the last person you should trust with your child. With a vicious plot for revenge, Fiona is happy to train Rose to be her accomplice, especially when she begins t

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Book SynopsisA woman's remains are found in the Highlands. Her identity? A mystery. Cal Lovett seeks to put Hillside Jane' to rest. A must-read from a rising star in Scottish crime.

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Book SynopsisSophie thought she and Jonah were happy, bringing up their young daughter together, until one summer's day, she discovers that Jonah is far from the man she thought he was. Sam - an attractive English teacher - seems to offer her some support, and new friendships give her some comfort. But is Sam really who he says he is? Where have her new freinds appeared from? Is anyone telling the truth? As Jonah's lies threaten Sophie and her daughter, can anyone be trusted?

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Book SynopsisGuy Collins, a British hack, is hunting for an election story in Lagos. A decision to check out a local bar in Victoria Island ends up badly - a mutilated female body is discarded close by and Collins is picked up as a suspect. In the murk of a hot, groaning and bloody police station cell, Collins fears the worst. But then Amaka, a sassy guardian angel of Lagos working girls, talks the police station chief around. She assumes Collins is a BBC journo who can broadcast the city's witchcraft and body parts trade that she's on a one-woman mission to stop.With Easy Motion Tourist's astonishing cast, Tarantino has landed in Lagos. This page turning debut crime novel pulses with the rhythm of Nigeria's mega-city, reeks of its open drains and sparkles like the champagne quaffed in its upmarket districts.Trade Review"[Easy Motion Tourist] is a great novel about a horrifying place that was all new to me, and will surely resonate as all new to most British readers. It’s shocking, it’s funny, it’s a vaulting jackal of a book that rips out your throat… and your heart. This book roils, rages, and roars. Leye Adenle has my vote for crown prince of crime writers in the UK." – James Ellroy

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Book SynopsisA Rivers of London novella, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.Trier is famous for wine, Romans and for being Germany''s oldest city. So when a man is found dead with, his body impossibly covered in a fungal rot, the local authorities know they are out of their depth. Fortunately this is Germany, where there are procedures for everything. Enter Investigator Tobias Winter, whose aim is to get in, deal with the problem, and get out with the minimum of fuss, personal danger and paperwork. With the help of frighteningly enthusiastic local cop, Vanessa Sommer, he''s quick to link the first victim to a group of ordinary middle-aged men - and to realise they may have accidentally reawakened a bloody conflict from a previous century. But the rot is still spreading, literally and with the suspect list extending to people born before Frederick the Great solving the case may mean unearthing the city''s secret magical history.Trade ReviewHighly entertaining * Sunday Express *Funny and wildly inventive * Mail on Sunday *Masterfully crafted ... gives the late, great Terry Pratchett a run for his money * The Sun *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there even more than the real London * Nick Frost *Charming, witty, exciting * Independent *An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTom Ripley is struggling to stay one step ahead of his creditors and the law, when an unexpected acquaintance offers him a free trip to Europe and a chance to start over. Ripley wants money, success and the good life and he's willing to kill for it. When his new-found happiness is threatened, his response is as swift as it is shocking.Trade ReviewRipley, amoral, hedonistic and charming, is a genuinely original creation * Daily Telegraph *As haunting and harrowing a study of a schizophrenic murder as paper will bear. A glittering addition to the meagre ranks of people who make books that you really can't put down * Sunday Times *Precisely plotted, stylishly written and kept alert by an icy wit. Streets ahead of the conventional thriller: a cool little classic of its kind * Evening Standard *An outstanding thriller which has deservedly become a classic * Spectator *Beautifully escapist, utterly thrilling * Healthy, *Summer Reads of 2021* *

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Book Synopsis***FROM THE AUTHOR OF WE BEGIN AT THE END, 2020's MOST CAPTIVATING AND UNFORGETTABLE READ, DESCRIBED BY RUTH JONES AS 'SURELY DESTINED TO CONQUER THE WORLD'***'Noir has an anarchic new voice' SARAH HILARY'A brilliant, beautiful, sad, funny book . . . also made me cry more than any other book I've read this year' EMMA FLINTISN'T IT ABOUT TIME THAT YOU MADE A DATE TO VISIT TALL OAKS? Tall Oaks is an idyllic small town, until the disappearance of a young child throws the tight-knit community into crisis.Jess Monroe, the boy's distraught mother, is simultaneously leading the search and battling her own grief and self-destructive behaviour. Her neighbours watch on, their sympathy masking a string of dark secrets.This is a small town where nothing is as it seems, and everyone has something to hide. And as the investigation draws towards a climax, prepare for a devastating final twist . . .Dark, full of suspense and packed with twists, this brilliant new thriller is like nothing you've read before. SEE WHAT THE WORLD IS ALREADY SAYING ABOUT THIS BRILLIANT DEBUT NOVEL'An absolute delight . . . Highly original' LAURA WILSON, GUARDIAN'Completely blew me away' LISA HALL'One of the best books I've read this year' JO SPAIN'Chris Whitaker builds an entire town in the reader's head and masterfully inhabits it with comic, poignant, gripping life. Tall Oaks becomes a part of you' DAVID WHITEHOUSE'It's rare that a novel can be both brilliantly comic and tragic, and balance the two so effortlessly' SUN'A gripping debut' MAIL ON SUNDAYTrade ReviewNoir has an anarchic new voice * Sarah Hilary *A brilliant, beautiful, sad, funny book . . . It made me laugh, but it also made me cry more than any other book I've read this year * Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths *Tall Oaks is a pleasingly unusual mixture of psychological thriller and screwball comedy from a young writer who is clearly not afraid to take risks . . . its combination of verve, humour and pathos make it well worth a read. An absolute delight . . . highly original -- Laura Wilson * The Guardian *A perpetually fascinating read * Heat *It's rare that a novel can be both brilliantly comic and tragic, and balance the two so effortlessly but this tale does exactly that - with a tense rollercoaster of a story. A fine debut -- Jade Craddock * Sun *A gripping debut about a secret ridden American town that is propelled into the national spotlight when a three year old goes missing * Mail on Sunday *Entertains and intrigues * The Sunday Times Crime Club *Tall Oaks was an amazing read . . . Clever, atmospheric and with possibly the most diverse and divisive set of characters found together in one book . . . a deeply absorbing, character driven joy to read. All the characters are intensely well drawn, the setting is pitch perfect, the dialogue crackles most especially when Manny is involved - oh Manny how I will miss you . . . From the haunting and really quite scary opening salvo to the utterly unexpected and totally killer ending, the goings on in the town of Tall Oaks will grip you entirely. Pure brilliance. Highly Recommended. In my running for book of the year * Liz Loves Books *I absolutely loved this debut . . . what a delight this was, revealing itself as a brilliant cross between Twin Peaks and Fargo, and with some beautifully paced reveals that definitely caught this reader on the hop. It made me smile wryly, laugh out loud and gasp in appreciation throughout, with a colourful cast of characters that Whitaker introduces and pivots between seamlessly, slowly drawing us into the connections between them. There are moments of genuine tension carefully interspersed with warmth and humour, as this band of misfits, for various reasons, go about their daily lives, with the overriding urge to make personal and emotional connections with friends, lovers and relatives. It's wonderfully plotted, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Highly recommended * Raven Crime Reads *I always know when a book has completely blown me away - as a reader, I want to weep because I've finished it and I will never again get to experience it for the first time, and as a writer, it makes me want to weep because I wish I had written it myself. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS * Reading Room With A View *Chris Whitaker cleverly set many clues and red herrings as to what had happened to Harry and when it was finally revealed, I was taken totally by surprise! The reader is treated to a cast of intriguing quirky characters and their stories all come together painting a great portrait of life in this small American town * Portobello Books Blog *Manny is a brilliant mix of bravado and teenage angst. This character gives the novel an extra little sparkle which makes it worth seeking out * Reviews Revues *You seriously have to read this book . . . brilliant * Lipstick and Lace Blog *Chris Whitaker writes at a good pace and the ending of the book took me completely by surprise. It is fantastic * Dot Scribbles *A dramatic and totally unexpected conclusion - it is well worth reading the book for that plotline alone and Manny and his family were really loveable characters, but I think Jared's back story touched me the most * It Takes A Woman *It's so original and captivating and weird and interesting and a really, really great read. It's a thriller but also funny with dark humour and its gripping, like really gripping. It sort of feels like a bit of a classic book in the making, one that you are going to want to pass around your family and friends, you know? * Is This Real Life *I have to admit that the ending did come as a genuine shock and surprise, so full marks to the Chris Whitaker for that * Culture Fly *There were several twists and turns, including a few OMG moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. But it's really everything going on in the background, how easily you get caught up in people's lives and the reading between the lines that makes this a book to remember * Off The Shelf Book Reviews *This was a fun and cleverly written book, and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a hint of humour! * Emma's Bookery *My mouth went dry, my heart missed a beat. Tall Oaks is a small town but with big secrets, that I loved reading all about the brilliant cast of characters * I Read Novels Book Blog *Tall Oaks is an evolving tragedy with an uncompromising moody vibe and remarkable quick wit. Its sharp writing and snappy dialogue channel the undertow of deception to absolute perfection. If you asked me right now to name a book that would make an appearance in my top ten of 2016, without shadow of a doubt THIS would be one of them. Make no mistake, it's a THUMPINGLY good read * Little Bookness Lane *Tall Oaks is a blast. For a debut novel it is extraordinarily self-confident. It is by turns funny, dark, and ultimately comes close to ripping your heart out as Whitaker exposes the secrets of Tall Oaks, California. Read it. Clever, original and not really fair because this is a new writer, and it all seems so effortless. The writing is tight, the plotting supreme. Bravo young Chris Whitaker. Get going on the next one please * Frost Magazine *Compelling * Anna Book Bel *Some of the characters are unforgettable (...) I found this a very enjoyable tale with an interesting mystery to solve * Literary Review *All of life is there in Tall Oaks, Chris Whitaker was a financial trader in London, this is his debut novel and I enjoyed it a lot * Annabel's House of Books *I loved this first novel...Some of the characters are very funny (I deft anyone not to love Manny and his wisecracking quips) and others really make you feel for them...one that you'll want to read in one sitting -- Judith Griffith * New Books Magazine *I loved this debut by Chris Whitaker (...) From start to finish the story sucked me in and was a really quick read for me. Whitaker is a very cleaver writer and the book had a wide range of quirky characters each as interesting as the other * Nat's Reading Cloud *The book has a very intense opening salvo, goes along at a lovely pace and then hit me with a knockout blow of an ending, absolutely magnificent stuff! I couldn't stop thinking about this ending last night because of the haunting way the series of events is explained leading up to the shattering climax. A superb debut novel...If you like your crime with a heavy dose of humour, both light and dark, then this is one definitely for you * Breakaway Reviewers *I found this novel gripping, with the moments of darkness made bearable by lightening quick dialogue and sharp humour. This is much more than a contemporary look at life in small town America. It is a study of complex human relationships and their ultimate survival or destruction, by a host of wonderful characters. For a fresh, entertaining, and ultimately life affirming read, I highly recommend it * writing.ie *Tall Oaks is indeed the perfect literary embodiment of quirkiness, humour and emotion in a dynamic and entertaining read. I thought it was brilliant. I can't think of a single person in Tall Oaks who didn't add depth and enjoyment to the experience of reading the book - and it is an experience and not just an entertaining read. I've finished it feeling I know a little more about humanity as a result. Tall Oaks has everything - wit, empathy, mystery and a cast of people so real I feel I know each one in person * Linda's Book Blog *Let's get it out of the way: Tall Oaks is an extraordinary debut. A novel a seasoned, 'big name' author would be proud to have produced. The writing is carefully-crafted and assured, with not a word wasted. It provides depth and life, light and shade, to the characters and the town itself, both of which are skilfully drawn by Whitaker - Tall Oaks and its inhabitants live and breathe inside the covers of this novel, and it was a wrench to leave the place behind. The cover blurb for the novel states You'll have to look twice at Tall Oaks. This is one of the best books I've read in a long old time, and I can imagine people returning to the place again and again -- Mike Thomas * Author Mike Thomas' blog *I really enjoyed this story...well done Chris Whitaker! * It's Book Talk *I am pleased to say that the final section of the book satisfactorily resolves the many puzzles posed in the preceding part, and that several of the answers I did not see coming * Crime Review *My #1 book of 2016 OF COURSE it is Tall Oaks. Quirky, different, characters to die for...featuring a teenage character who once read is never forgotten in the voice and full on hilarity of Manny, surrounded by equally brilliant and divisive folk and following a mother who has lost her child with all the deeply emotional trauma that brings Tall Oaks is a dream read. Stole a weekend of my life, stole my heart and I'm not sure there are words enough to express my love for it. Tall Oaks is not a thriller. Tall Oaks is life. * Liz Loves Books *Tall Oaks is a fantastic novel...at times desperately sad and shockingly tragic but there is also a warm humour that runs through it. Its wit sparkles, especially in the dialogue and in its creation of Manny. Chris Whitaker is a marvellous, witty writer. Extraordinary * For Winter Nights *I'm not sure if small town America has ever been portrayed so brilliantly before. The characters in this book make it stand out above others. They are all complex, well developed and they make you feel something...you won't forget them easily. This really needs to be a movie, these characters deserve to be brought to life. I'll miss every single one of them and will think of them often. The ending and beginning of this book was utterly perfect, it had one of the best opening chapters I've ever read. And the twists were unexpected and totally unpredictable. I can't recommend this one enough and I can't wait to read what Whitaker comes up with next * Novel Gossip *Wow, wow, and thrice wow! When a surprise review copy dropped through my letterbox courtesy of Bonnier Zaffre I didn't know just how jaw droppingly good this would be. A child goes missing, a mother is distraught, the police chief takes of the town's grief, and that damned clown... It's pretty awesome - yes, all of it! * Little Bookness Lane *An ambitious debut, the novel pulls together multiple viewpoints to create a potent and poignant look at the impact of a child's disappearance on the seemingly idyllic community of Tall Oaks. If that wasn't enough, it's also a blackly-comic read, with moments of absurd brilliance throughout. * Big Issue North *This is a wonderful rendering of small-town America and the secrets and facades that keep it on the rails. A missing-child plot is driven by well-drawn leading and supporting characters, not least of all teenager Manny, whose search for an identity encapsulates the town's hidden truths. * The Sunday Times Crime Club, Haylen Beck (Stuart Neville) picks Tall Oaks as one of his books of the year *

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Book SynopsisCRIME NEVER SLEEPS.''CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR'' Daily MailONE OF AMAZON''S BEST MYSTERY/THRILLERS OF THE YEAR* * * * *Detective Renée Ballard works ''The Late Show'', the notorious graveyard shift at the LAPD. It''s thankless work for a once-promising detective, keeping strange hours in a twilight world of crime.Some nights are worse than others. And tonight is the worst yet.Two shocking cases, hours apart: a brutal assault, and a multiple murder with no suspects.Ballard knows it is always darkest before dawn. But what she doesn''t know - yet - is how deep her investigation will take her into the dark heart of her city, the police department and her own past...The Late Show will keep you up all night: it''s time to meet Detective Renée Ballard.* * * * *''The new novel from America''s greatest living crime writer is a gripping thrilTrade ReviewThe Late Show introduces a terrific female character . . . The pacing is breathless . . . Connelly expertly hides a trail of bread crumbs that leads straight to the denouement, with so much else going on that it's impossible to see where he's heading * New York Times *First there was Detective Harry Bosch, then Lincoln lawyer Mickey Haller, and now comes Renee Ballard, ace thriller writer Michael Connelly's first new protagonist in ten years. A nail-bitingly exciting investigation featuring a finely realised new character from one of America's finest contemporary novelists * Irish Independent *'A characteristically complex tale of murder and police corruption' (Thriller of the Week) * Mail on Sunday *Classy and clever, with a tenacious heroine * Sunday Mirror *The Late Show reads like a Bosch novel, as Connelly braids multiple investigations into his plot, driving the story onward ... Ballard is significantly more than a Bosch replacement or clone - an absorbing character on her own terms. Connelly has created yet another potentially iconic tarnished knight of those perennially mean streets * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis An original story from the creator and writer of the hit BBC One TV series, Death in Paradise, featuring on-screen favourite detective, DI Richard Poole. Enhance your enjoyment of the series as, for the first time, Robert Thorogood brings the characters to life on the page in an all-new locked-room mystery. Aslan Kennedy has an idyllic life: leader of a spiritual retreat for wealthy holidaymakers on one of the Caribbean's most unspoilt islands, Saint Marie. Until he's murdered, that is. The case seems open and shut: when Aslan was killed he was inside a locked room with only five other people, one of whom has already confessed to the murder. Detective Inspector Richard Poole is hot, bothered, and fed up with talking to witnesses who'd rather discuss his 'aura' than their whereabouts at the time of the murder. But he also knows that the facts of the case don't quite stack up. In fact, he's convinced that the person who's just confessed to the murder is the one person who couldn't have done it. Determined to track down the real killer, DI Poole is soon on the trail, and no stone will be left unturned. A must read for fans of the TV series and Agatha Christie crime classics featuring Marple and Poirot. Praise for Robert Thorogood: ‘Very funny and dark with great pace. I love Robert Thorogood’s writing’Peter James ‘This second DEATH IN PARADISE NOVEL is a gem’DAILY EXPRESS‘Deftly entertaining … satisfyingly pushes all the requisite Agatha Christie-style buttons’Barry Forshaw, THE INDEPENDENT ‘For fans of Agatha Christie’MAIL ON SUNDAY ‘A treat.’RADIO TIMES‘This brilliantly crafted, hugely enjoyable and suitably goosebump-inducing novel is an utter delight from start to finish’HEAT ‘Plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing’ DAILY EXPRESS 'Fans will enjoy returning to DI Richard Poole… just switch off and relax'LOVE READINGTrade ReviewPraise for Death in Paradise 'Thorogood's classic crime novel is laced with tongue-in-cheek humour and outlandish plot twists. Readers will love this gentle, quirky crime thriller' – Lincolnshire Echo 'Fans of the series will relish… plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing until the Agatha Christie style showdown' – Daily Express 'Fans of the Agatha Christie style BBC drama Death in Paradise will enjoy' – Mail on Sunday 'Sun, sea and suspense: If you like a classic whodunnit, and tropical settings, you won't want to miss Death in Paradise' – Daily Mail 'Death in Paradise feels like a little ray of sunshine' – Mirror 'Fans will enjoy returning to DI Richard Poole… just switch off and relax' – Love Reading'Death In Paradise fans rejoice! Detective Inspector Richard Poole is making a comeback….just not on television.' – TV Wise 'Fans of the show who are missing DI Richard Poole have another chance to spend some quality time with him thanks to “A Meditation on Murder”. It was an absolute delight from start to finish.' – Entertainment Outlook 'A treat'- Radio Times '‘This brilliant whodunnit is based on the BBC One drama Death in Paradise’ – Woman

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Book SynopsisA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite' Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesJodie Nosey' Parker is back!When a body turned up at her last catering gig it certainly put people off the hors d'oeuvres. With a reputation to salvage, Jodie's determined that her next job for the village's festival will go off without a hitch.But when chaos breaks out, Jodie Parker somehow always finds herself caught up in the picture. The body of a writer from the festival is discovered at the bottom of a cliff, and the prime suspect turns out to be the guest of honour, the esteemed painter Duncan Stovall.With her background in the Met police, Jodie has got solving cases down to a fine art so she knows things are rarely as they seem.Can she find the killer before the village faces another brush with death?The second book in the Jodie Nosey' Parker cozy mystery series. Can be read as a standalone. A humorous cosy mystery with a British female sle

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Book Synopsis''A terrific read - murder, arson and a cat who is so much more than he seems!'' J. M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderThe Cat Who Solved Three Murders by L T Shearer is a charming cosy crime read for fans of Richard Osman and S. J. Bennett.Retired police detective Lulu Lewis's life changed forever when she met a street cat named Conrad. There's something very special about Conrad, but it's a secret she has to keep to herself.When Lulu takes her narrowboat to Oxford, she is planning nothing more stressful than attending a friend's birthday party. And drinking a few glasses of Chardonnay.But a brutal murder and a daring art theft means her plans are shattered instead she and Conrad find themselves on the trail of a killer . . .A killer who may well strike again.''A charming, off-beat story with some great characters and wonderful locations'' S. J. Bennett on The Cat Who Caught a Killer

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Book Synopsis''Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie'' The Sunday TimesDiscover the novels that inspired the hit ITV series Midsomer Murders, seen and loved by millions.The fourth novel in the Midsomer Murders series by award-winning writer Caroline Graham, Written in Blood, stars Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. Features an exclusive foreword by John Nettles, ITV''s DCI Tom Barnaby. If you love Agatha Christie, Ann Granger and James Runcie''s The Grantchester Mysteries, you won''t be able to get enough of the Midsomer Murders mysteries.Despite the fierce, and seemingly personal, objections of secretary Gerald Hadleigh, members of the Midsomer Worthy Writers'' Circle press ahead and invite bestselling author Max Jennings to talk to their group. Besides, it''s not as though he''ll say yes. . . So when Jennings turns up to their meeting, they are completely over-awed by hTrade ReviewA mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud. . . A beautifully written crime novel * The Times *Tension builds, bitchery flares, resentment seethes . . . lots of atmosphere, colourful characters and fair clues * Mail on Sunday *Everyone gets what they deserve in this high-class mystery * Sunday Telegraph *A witty, well-plotted, absolute joy of a book * Yorkshire Post *A treat . . . haunting stuff * Woman's Realm *Wickedly acid, yet sympathetic * Publishers Weekly *Swift, tense and highly alarming * TLS *Lots of excellent character sketches . . . and the dialogue is lively and convincing * Independent *One to savour -- Val McDermidHard to praise highly enough * The Sunday Times *Her books are not just great whodunits but great novels in their own right -- Julie BurchillEnlivened by a very sardonic wit and turn of phrase, the narrative drive never falters * Birmingham Post *Read her and you'll be astonished . . . very sexy, very hip and very funny * Scotsman *The mystery is intriguing, the wit shafts through like sunlight . . . do not miss this book * Family Circle *

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Book SynopsisTimes Book of the Month: a spine-chilling classic festive Christmas crime mystery from beloved author of Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Uncle Paul.''Brilliant ... Such clever, witty writing.'' Elly Griffiths''Fremlin packs a punch.'' Ian Rankin''A master of suspense.'' Janice Hallett''Glorious ... Got me hooked.'' Ruth RendellJolted from sleep by the ringing of the telephone, Imogen stumbles through the dark, empty house to answer it. At first, she can't quite understand the man on the other end of the line. Surely he can't honestly be accusing her of killing her husband, Ivor, who died in a car crash barely two months ago.As the nights draw in, Imogen finds her home filling up with unexpected guests, who may be looking for more than simple festive cheer. Has someone been rifling through Ivor's papers? Who left the half-drunk whiskey bottle beside his favourite chair? And why won't that man stop

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Book Synopsis''A richly told tale of tangled loyalties. French ratchets up the tension in increments . . . By the end, these characters have taken on such solidity that, long after finishing it, I often catch myself wondering how they're doing a testament to the author's mastery of her craft'' GUARDIANReturn to the dark underbelly of Ardnakelty in the thrilling new sequel to The Searcher.-----It's a blazing summer when two men arrive in the village. They're coming for gold. What they bring is trouble.Two years have passed since retired Police Detective Cal Hooper moved from Chicago to the West of Ireland looking for peace. He's found it, more or less in his relationship with local woman Lena, and the bond he's formed with half-wild teenager Trey. So when two men turn up with a money-making scheme to find gold in the townland, Cal gets ready to do whatever it takes to protect Trey. Because one of the men is no stranger: he's Trey's father.But Trey doesn't want protecting. What she wants is revenge.Crackling with tension and slow-burn suspense, The Hunter explores what we'll do for our loved ones, what we'll do for revenge, and what we sacrifice when the two collide, from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Tana French. ---Nobody writes tension like Tana French:''Terrific - terrifying, amazing'' STEPHEN KING''One of the greats of contemporary crime fiction'' IAN RANKIN''The most important crime novelist to emerge in the last ten years'' WASHINGTON POSTA truly great writer' GILLIAN FLYNN''Crime fiction''s biggest contemporary star'' GUARDIANLyrical, suspenseful, unpredictable' HARLAN COBEN

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Book SynopsisNew York, 1929, a city of speakeasies, swells and hoodlums at the fag end of the roaring twenties. It''s a hell of a time and place for a young cop to be trying to make his way in the world.Joe Quinn''s first case is one that could put his name up in lights; a banker takes a dive from a tall building onto Wall Street. All the signs point to murder. Pretty soon, the dead man has company; a group of old buddies is being eliminated, in a particularly gruesome manner. For the young detective a case that starts as an opportunity swiftly becomes a nightmare from which he cannot escape. Joe Quinn is about to discover just how tough being an honest cop in a dishonest world can be...Trade ReviewThe smoky romantic notion of speakeasies and Irish beat cops...is captured beautifully by Bradby's love of minute detail. * News of the World *This feisty, pacey thriller by TV news reporter turned writer Tom Bradby has it all - nervy gangsters, crooked politicians, gutsy cops and a sexy moll. It is also blessed with excellent timing....A top-notch piece of crime writing * Press Association *Compulsively readable...Bradby makes the most of his exotic ingredients to create a story rich in atmosphere and steeped in intrigue * Yorkshire Evening Post *This story of murder stalking a group of bankers during the Wall Street Crash of 1929 couldn't be more topical * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisBelinda Bauer grew up in England and South Africa and now lives in Wales. She worked as a journalist and a screenwriter before finally writing a book to appease her nagging mother. For her debut, Blacklands, Belinda was awarded the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year. She went on to win the CWA Dagger in the Library for her body of work. Her fourth novel, Rubbernecker, was voted Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Her eighth novel, Snap, was a Sunday Times bestseller. It was longlisted for the Man Booker prize and voted Crime & Thriller Book of the Year at the Specsavers National Book Awards. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages.Trade ReviewOne of the most startling plots in contemporary crime fiction * Sunday Times *Bauer's great gift is her ability to surprise the reader... [and] she makes you think a bit differently about the world. * Daily Telegraph *Breathtaking. I read this and wished I’d written it * Val McDermid *This could be the most astonishing whodunnit you are ever likely to read * Red Magazine online *The true heir to the great Ruth Rendell * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisKevin Sullivan was born in Glasgow. His career in journalism has placed him in the frontline of defining historical moments in living memory, from documenting events at Tiananmen Square to covering the siege of Dubrovnik and the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His work has taken him to Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, the Western Balkans, and Spain. He lives in Sarajevo.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn explosive Cold War thriller, a deadly arms race that threatens to tip the world into conflict

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