Crime and / or mystery fiction

Book Synopsis“Utterly thrilling, Gray paints a seedy and uncaring Hollywood that leaps off the page.”—The SunAll she wanted was to see her name in lights. Now, her disappearance has made her front-page news.It’s been twenty years since Madison James had any kind of success in Hollywood. Now she’s disappeared and a TikTok sleuth has found her purse discarded in a Los Angeles park. The news spreads like wildfire across a nation hungry for celebrity tragedy, and the struggling actress’s mysterious disappearance quickly becomes a national obsession.Detectives Sarah Delaney and Rob Moreno of the LAPD Missing Persons Unit take the case. But truth is a rare commodity in Tinseltown; some people will stop at nothing to get what they want and Delaney and Moreno soon find themselves mired in Hollywood’s dark underbelly with little in the way of clues. As revelations from the past emerge, it becomes apparent there is

Read more less

Book SynopsisA waitress turned librarian just wants a new life. What she ends up with is a killer change of pace in a funny, snappy, and suspenseful mystery by Edgar Award-nominated author Jess Lourey.With a cheating boyfriend, a thankless career in waitressing, and her BA in English going to waste, Mira James jumps at the chance for a fresh start in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota.Right away she lands a job as a librarian, snags another as an on-call reporter for the weekly newspaper, and is swept off her feet by Jeff Wilson, a handsome archaeologist unearthing the town’s storied history. Moving here might be the best decision Mira’s ever made. Until she finds Jeff’s body between the library’s reference stacks. It seems Mira didn’t really know her drop-dead gorgeous new lover at all. But someone in Otter Tail County surely did.Behind this quirky town’s polite exterior are decades-old grudges still unsettled, and murderous secrets best

Read more less

Book SynopsisA summertime treasure hunt in rural Minnesota leads to murder in this delightful gem of a rom-com mystery by Edgar Award-nominated author Jess Lourey.Summer in Battle Lake kicks off with fireworks and festivities, but it’s a local treasure hunt that’s amping up the tourist trade. It certainly piques the interest of part-time reporter Mira James—both as fodder for a column and because she could use the five grand in prize money.The treasure? A faux diamond hidden at the bottom of Whiskey Lake. When Mira takes a deep dive in search of it, rather than finding the planted jewel, she uncovers a legendary puzzle reaching back nearly seventy years. But fishing for answers puts her face-to-face with a suspicious new arrival: a creeper from her past up to his old menacing ways.When murder turns a hot June night into a scorcher, Mira realizes there are more mysteries hidden in this town than fake gems, and to solve them, she has to stay ali

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe discovery of a frozen stiff reveals old buried secrets in a witty and invigorating mystery from Amazon Charts bestselling and Edgar Award?nominated author Jess Lourey.It may be six below zero, but an ice-skating jaunt gets even more chilling for private investigator in training Mira James. She?s just locked eyes with a frozen corpse floating under a sheet of ice.The man, a curious transient who?s been researching local history, also rescued Mira and her best friend from a mugging the night before. His death is no accident, but it is a mystery. To solve it, Mira follows a trail leading to the alleged haunting of a historic museum and a centuries-old tragedy that has yet to claim its final victim.With a killer on the loose amid a freakish winter thaw, Mira is on thin ice. If she doesn?t watch her back, she could be the next one to go under.Revised edition: This edition of January Thaw includes editorial revisions.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSometimes, when you look into your past, your past looks back at you…It’s been over a decade since renowned author Beckett Ryan set foot in her bleak childhood hometown on the southern coast of England. When her estranged parents die within a week of each other, she reluctantly returns to bury them, only to find herself as reviled in the community as they were revered. Of course, the locals didn’t really know her parents. Nobody did.Then a warm welcome emerges from the sea of cold faces: Leanne. Beckett’s best friend when they were younger, and now a super-fan. Only… Beckett is pretty sure she’s never met her before in her life.But as Beckett battles increasing hostility from the locals and the terrifying return of long-buried childhood memories, Leanne is just what she needs: a safe harbour from the storm… Isn’t she?

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Packs a killer twist' Prima'Wickedly funny' Sunday Mirror________To mark the twelve days of Christmas, he gives me a gift every day, each more horrible than the last . . .I am missing. Held captive by a blue-eyed stranger.The twelfth day is getting closer. After that, there will be no more Christmas cheer for me. No mince pies, no carols. No way out . . .________A gripping and chilling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena and Harriet Tyce.What readers are saying: ***** 'Entertaining, dark and full of suspense, with a slithering of wit for good measure.'***** 'The twist took my breath away. I couldn't put it down.'***** 'Should you want a captivating, dark, twisted and enthralling festive read . . . then look no further.'Trade ReviewFast, wickedly funny, hugely enjoyable. * Sunday Mirror *[keeps] you in suspense until the end * Candis *This thriller… packs a killer twist * Prima *Morally complex, disturbing and very gripping. * Woman and Home *What starts out to be a chiller turns into a brain-twisting shocker. All rather clever, really. * Sunday Sport *A deliciously dark winter’s tale that delivers twist after twist as it races towards its shocking conclusion. The perfect thriller to curl up with this Christmas. * MARK EDWARDS (author of The Magpies) *Exciting, chillingly complex ...a delicious dark twist at the end. * Publishers Weekly US *I read Dying For Christmas peering out from between my fingers in fright - but I could NOT put it down. The twist left me reeling! I love all Tammy's books and this one is no exception. * LOUISE VOSS (co-author of From the Cradle) *Dark and gloriously addictive… clear your diary, put your phone on silent and enjoy. * Bex Dawkins - myblightersrock.wordpress.com *compulsive reading at its absolute best * www.bookaddictshaun.co.uk *a great anti-Christmas tale * Cleopatra Loves Books Blog *Chilling, twisty and addictive. I finished the last few pages walking from the train station, bumping into people, because I couldn't put it down. * JULIE COHEN (author of Dear Thing) *Makes Gone Girl look like a beginners guide to gaslighting. * @PLMcElroy *Disturbing, compelling and utter genius. * @caroline_S *Dying for Christmas is one of the darkest and most ingenious pyschological thrillers on the market at the moment. * CultureFly.co.uk *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe twelfth book in the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling series, perfect for fans of John le Carre and Robert Harris. 'One of the greatest anti-heroes ever written' Lee ChildFrance, 1956. Bernie Gunther is on the run. If there's one thing he's learned, it's never to refuse a job from a high-ranking secret policeman. But this is exactly what he's just done. Now he's a marked man, with the East German Stasi on his tail.Fleeing across Europe, he remembers the last time he worked with his pursuer: in 1939, to solve a murder at the Berghof, Hitler's summer hideaway in the Bavarian Alps. Hitler is long dead, the Berghof now a ruined shell, and the bizarre time Bernie spent there should be no more than a distant memory.But as he pushes on to Berlin and safety, Bernie will find that no matter how far he thinks he has put Nazi Germany behind him, for him it will always be unfinished business. The Berghof is not done with Bernie yet.Trade ReviewOnce again Kerr leads us through the fact of history and the vagaries of human nature -- Tom HanksBernie Gunther is as insubordinate, combative, interesting and entertaining as ever . . . yet another Kerr triumph * Sunday Times *Bernie Gunther - sly, subversive, sardonic, and occasionally hilarious - is one of the greatest anti-heroes ever written, and as always he lights up this tough and unflinching novel. We're in good hands here * Lee Child *In Prussian Blue, Philip Kerr once more shows himself one of the greatest master story-tellers in English. The narrative is swift and adept, and so well-grounded in the history and custom of the period that the reader is totally immersed * Alan Furst *The twelfth Bernie Gunther mystery is as brisk and agile as its German police detective protagonist * Washington Post *Gunther offers a wry view of several real figures, notably Heydrich and Bormann, and a pithy up-close analysis of the whole Nazi machine. Thrilling * Sunday Times Crime Club *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Will hold you captive until the brilliant ending' Shari Lapena, author of Someone We Know **THE UNMISSABLE THRILLER FROM THE QUEEN OF THE MODERN-DAY MURDER MYSTERY** Snow is falling in the exclusive alpine ski resort of Saint Antoine, as the shareholders and directors of Snoop, the hottest new music app, gather for a make or break corporate retreat to decide the future of the company. At stake is a billion-dollar dot com buyout that could make them all millionaires, or leave some of them out in the cold. The clock is ticking on the offer, and with the group irrevocably split, tensions are running high. When an avalanche cuts the chalet off from help, and one board member goes missing in the snow, the group is forced to ask - would someone resort to murder, to get what they want? _________________________ PRAISE FOR RUTH WARE'S ADDICTIVE THRILLERS: 'Atmospheric and eerie with Agatha Christie vibes' Prima 'Ruth Ware just gets better and better' Lisa Jewell, author of The People Upstairs 'A dark tale by one of the best thriller writers around' Independent'The sense of dread deepens as the snow falls in Ruth Ware's tensely plotted and deliciously cast alpine thriller' Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House 'A real spine-chiller that confirms Ruth Ware as the true heir to Christie's crown' Erin Kelly, bestselling author of He Said, She Said _________________________ READERS LOVE ONE BY ONE: 'I devoured this in a day...eerie and creepy' ***** 'Terrifying and captivating' ***** 'Had me on the edge of my seat' ***** 'Utterly brilliant' ***** 'Clever, chilling, addictive...a must-read!' ***** 'Strong Agatha Christie vibes' *****Trade ReviewA real spine-chiller that confirms Ruth Ware as the true heir to Christie's crown. Ingenious plotting sees the body count rise and multiple suspects eliminated until we're left with breathless game of cat-and-mouse. * Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said *The sense of dread deepens as the snow falls in Ruth Ware's tensely plotted and deliciously cast alpine thriller. * Louise Candlish, author of Our House *A chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Agatha Christie would have been up all night reading this one! * Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door *Chilling, claustrophobic and clever. This is Ruth Ware's best yet. * Jo Jakeman *What a read, oh my goodness, so fast paced, action packed, twisty-turny, modern, clever, scary and ingenious! * Lisa Jewell, author of The People Upstairs *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of Devil's Breath, Jill Johnson is back with another gripping Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery... Betrayal is a bitter poison . . . After a nerve-racking investigation, Professor Eustacia Rose's life is returning to normal. She is finally back teaching at UCL and her relationship with Matilde is blossoming. But when a man is found dead with a needle in his neck, and a disturbing painting of Eustacia links her and the body, her fragile peace suddenly begins to crumble. At work, there's another threat for Eustacia to deal with. A PhD student is desperate to get access to her poisonous plant collection and begins to stalk her. When she refuses to help him, he starts buying illegal synthetic plant toxins from an unknown source then turns up dead. Once again, Eustacia is the link. With no leads and the body count rising, Eustacia, now firmly in the frame, is left with no choice but to investigate the deaths in earnest herself, however dangerous it may become. With a quirky protagonist, dark academia aesthetic and an array of exotic poisonous plants, this unique spin on the classic murder mystery novel will hook fans Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project and Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club.

Read more less

Book SynopsisKotaro Isaka (Author) Kotaro Isaka is a bestselling and multi-award-winning writer who is published around the world. He has won the Shincho Mystery Club Award, Mystery Writers of Japan Award, Japan Booksellers' Award and the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize and fourteen of his books have been adapted for film or TV. He is the author of the international bestseller Bullet Train, which was made into a major film starring Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock.Sam Malissa (Translator) Sam Malissa holds a PhD in Japanese Literature from Yale University. He has translated fiction by Toshiki Okada, Shun Medoruma, and Hideo Furukawa, among others.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHIS YEAR, YOU'LL GET WHAT YOU DESERVE..._____________________You're invited to a lavish Christmas party in an isolated mansion.And your hosts will do anything to keep you from finding out their secrets...When husband and wife Henry and Claudine organise their company's Christmas party in a remote mansion, they expect it to be a night to remember.But the festive mood quickly turns sour when a sinister gift is unwrapped in the Secret Santa gift exchange.As heavy snow traps the guests inside the mountainside lodge, it quickly becomes clear that one of the party is out for revenge.It's no longer just about enduring the evening. It's about making sure you get out alive.A lavish locked-room mystery with a seasonal edge, THE SECRET SANTA is packed with twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page._____________________'Better than a pair of socks!' Readers say The Secret Santa is the Christmas gift they've been waiting for:'Henry, Zara and Claudine are excellent characters. Highly recommended.''a fun mystery read ... you learn what people are really capable of as their true colours start to seep through''a good Christmas read for anyone who enjoys mysteries''This Christmas-themed murder mystery is well written, with believable, if not likeable, characters and enough twists and turns to make you want to know whodunnit. A nice atmospheric Christmas read.''A fun Christmas based thriller that had me laughing one moment and gasping the next''The characters were extremely well drawn and sympathetic, and the storyline was seamless.''A remarkably twisty tale with a surprisingly vicious villain (very sneaky and Machiavellian) and some feckless "innocents" and undeserving villains. This was a one-sitting read as I raced through breathlessly awaiting the unravelling of the puzzles.''This book is a compelling read, teasing you, urging you to read on and uncover the mystery of Montague House... a page-turner of a murder mystery - I read it in one day! An atmospheric, thrilling, good read.' My WeeklyTrade ReviewThis book is a compelling read, teasing you, urging you to read on and uncover the mystery of Montague House… a page-turner of a murder mystery – I read it in one day! An atmospheric, thrilling, good read. * My Weekly *A classic mystery transported to the Instagram age, this witty tale has its tongue firmly in its cheek * The Sunday Mirror *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCatriona Stewart lives in San Francisco and works in communications. Her writing has appeared in HuffPost, The San Francisco Chronicle, Jewish Currents, Lilith Magazine and more. People Pleaser is her debut novel.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDive in to the next instalment in this historical cozy crime series that you wont be able to put down!Flora Maguire's life is perfect a beautiful home in Belgravia teeming with servants, a loving husband, and new baby Arthur to enjoy. But when she is invited to tour St. Philomena's Children's Hospital in a deprived area near London's newly-built Tower Bridge, she is shocked. Because there she uncovers a scandal with a dark heart poor children are going missing from the hospital. The police seem either unable or unwilling to investigate, so Flora teams up with the indomitable matron of the hospital, Alice Finch, to try to get to the bottom of it. Soon Flora is immersed in the seedy, dangerous underbelly of criminal London, and time is running out to save the children. Will they get to them in time, or was their fate decided the day they were born... Previously published as The Forgotten Children. Completely brilliant historical cozy crime for fans of Helena Dixon and Verity Bright. Readers love the Flora Maguire series:I thought it really evoked the era. And the atmosphere of an ocean-going cruise lent itself well to a murder scene. And you can quote me on that!' FAITH MARTIN. Wow! I was kept guessing right to the end. A great read and I will be looking out for more of this author's work!!!' Reader ReviewI'm a big fan of this author's work, so I was excited to read the first instalment in her new mystery series. It did not disappoint. Along with the sparkling dialogue and likeable characters I have come to expect, I found an intriguing, page-turning whodunnit.' Reader ReviewWith intrigue heaped upon intrigue [this] is certainly a great whodunnit that kept my attention from start to finish.' Reader ReviewThis is definitely a 5 star! Highly recommended!' Reader ReviewPulls you in and won't let go!!!' Reader Review

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBe sure your sins will find you out . . . one day. A potent new drug has hit the streets of Kinloch, and DCI Daley and Scott are struggling to catch the notorious gang behind this evil trade. After a party of Oxford students arrives in town for a camping trip before a Himalayan expedition, one of the group seeks out an illegal high and is violently assaulted. However, these students are well connected, and this brings further unexpected problems for Daley. Ultimately, he and Scott will discover crimes as disturbing in nature as anything they have ever confronted.Trade Review'Intriguing, unfathomable. Meyrick’s strengths and hallmarks are all present and correct. No Sweet Sorrow doesn’t disappoint' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'Meyrick’s Kinloch novels are addictive. Those who already delight in them will find this new one up to standard, while new readers will surely be eager to track back and seek out the earlier books.' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'This is a book that pushes you along at an engaging pace and which offers numerous twists and turns to keep you hooked right through to an ending that is nicely veiled and very satisfying' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'Very engaging and makes for very enjoyable and pleasant reading' * The Yorkshire Post *'Tense, exciting, rooted in the very real issues faced by rural communities, No Sweet Sorrow will keep you guessing ‘til the end' -- Mary Picken * Live and Deadly Reviews *'Well-researched and slickly delivered. The story moves along at a tidy pace… centred around a number of very contemporary crime and political issues making it all the more readable. Set against the backdrop of the Kintyre peninsula, a landscape both stark and remote, it entrances the reader, so much so I suspect many, like me, will want to visit and see the beauty for themselves. A great read' * LoveReading *'Heartily recommended for readers who want some authentic, gritty yet witty, top notch Scottish Noir, as fresh now as it ever has been' * JenMedBookReviews *'such good novel, written in a police procedural style but with humour and emotion' -- Jude Wright * The Book Blog *'A pulsating page turner which manages to marry humour, violence, crime and an insightful exploration of the country's drug crisis and its impact on small towns and villages and ends with an ending that I most definitely DID NOT see coming!' * Chapter in My Life *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen a fellow cop is shot dead, homicide detective Quentin Archer suspects that there''s far more to this case than meets the eye.One of Quentin Archer''s fellow officers has been shot dead in broad daylight, in his own squad car. A random cop killing... or something more sinister? With no leads to go on, Archer turns to voodoo queen Solange Cordray for help. But is he prepared to take her advice?As Archer uncovers some surprising facts about the dead man''s past, there is another murder. With the simmering racial tensions in the city threatening to escalate into outright violence, Archer begins to suspect there''s far more to Officer Leroy''s killing than he''d first supposed. Could it be part of a carefully-orchestrated plan of revenge . . .?

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe discovery of a body on a local allotment site re-opens an unresolved cold case for Monika Paniatowski and her team.''He was going to have to terminate Monika, he decided. It was a pity, but there it was.''The body has lain buried for years, and has no face and no fingertips. Monika Paniatowski''s team have no real leads, but when they discuss the case at her hospital bedside - where she lies paralysed - Monika begins to see possible links with a case she closed four years earlier.Are the two cases connected? Did the first murder make the second almost inevitable? She doesn''t know, but she does know that she is being watched by an old enemy who will kill her if he decides there is ever any chance of her sharing her thoughts and information with her team.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMickey Haller and Harry Bosch together take on a seemingly unwinnable case in blistering legal thriller from Number One bestseller Michael Connelly.When defence lawyer Mickey Haller is invited by the Los Angeles County District Attorney to prosecute a case for him, he knows something strange is going on. Mickey''s one of the best American legal brains in the business, and to switch sides likes this would be akin to asking a fox to guard the hen-house. But the high-profile case of Jason Jessup, a convicted child killer who spent almost 25 years on death row before DNA evidence freed him, is an intriguing one . . .Eager for the publicity and drawn to the challenge, Mickey takes the case, with LAPD Detective Harry Bosch on board as his lead investigator. But as a new trial date is set, it starts to look like he''s been set up. Mickey and Harry are going to have to dig deep into the past and find the truth about what really happened to the victim all those years aTrade Review[This] Scott Turow-style court drama, starring both of Connelly's favourite characters, is as exciting as anything this formidable writer has ever produced * DAILY MAIL *This is vastly superior stuff, from America's greatest living crime writer * THE MIRROR *This novel is further proof that this writer is on a roll. ... Connelly's background as a police reporter gives his books the powerful verisimilitude that few possess and balancing the police and legal shenanigans makes for wonderfully involving reading * THE EXPRESS *Connelly masterfully manages to marry an absorbing courtroom drama with a tense and exciting thriller of detection * THE TIMES *The novel has a gripping clarity from the off, and very quickly establishes a gripping momentum. ... it's another expertly handled tale from a born storyteller that blazes into an incendiary denouement * IRISH TIMES *Connelly writes in a tough, unsentimental way and creates a stunning tale that doesn't let go until the final page. * CATHOLIC HERALD *Connelly explodes courtroom fireworks. * EVENING TELEGRAPH *An absolutely fabulous thriller, one of the best I have ever read * TELEGRAPH & ARGUS *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTop NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat and her partner, journalist Jameson Rook, pursue the elusive former CIA station chief who ordered the execution of her mother over a decade ago. But their quest for the old spy unearths an alarming terror plot that has already entered its countdown phase.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn all-new collection of spring-themed mysteries from the master of the genre.Trade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘Agatha Christie is the gateway drug to crime fiction both for readers and for writers’ – Val McDermid ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French

Read more less

Book SynopsisA PERFECT MARRIAGE.A PERFECT HONEYMOON.A PERFECT CRIME... Laura Ayars'' perfect world is shattered at a time which should have been the happiest of her life. On her honeymoon, her husband goes for a swim - and never returns. But what has happened to David - can he really be dead? Whilst struggling to cope with her almost overwhelming grief, Laura is plagued by questions and doubts. Was it an accident? Or suicide? As events begin to unfold, Laura starts to question David''s mysterious disappearance. She begins to uncover a conspiracy which reaches deep into the past, and is now slowly beginning to destroy everyone involved. Someone will do anything to keep Laura away from the awful truth - and she has no idea who she can trust . . .Trade ReviewKeeps you in suspense until the final page * BIG ISSUE *Compelling journey through a complex crime - take a deep breath - its a great ride. * BETTY BOOKMARK *Slick, fast-paced drama - another page turner from the master of suspense, Harlan Coben * MY WEEKLY *Coben tells you in the foreword to throw this book away if you haven't read his others, as it's his first novel. Don't listen to him. It's brilliant.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe daring dystopian satire that inspired one of the most notorious films ever made, beautifully reimagined as part of the Penguin Essentials series''Every generation should discover this book'' Time Out ________________In this nightmare vision of youth in revolt, fifteen-year-old Alex and his friends set out on a diabolical orgy of robbery, rape, torture and murder. Alex is jailed for his teenage delinquency and the State tries to reform him - but at what cost? Experiment of language? Social prophecy? Black comedy? A Clockwork Orange is all of these. Dazzling and transgressive, this frightening fable about good and evil asks the meaning of human freedom.________________''A gruesomely witty cautionary tale'' Time ''Not only about man''s violent nature and his capacity to choose between good and evil. It is about the excitements and intoxicating effects of Trade ReviewA gruesomely witty cautionary tale * Time *Every generation should discover this book * Time Out *Not only about man's violent nature and his capacity to choose between good and evil. It is about the excitements and intoxicating effects of language * Daily Telegraph *I do not know of any other writer who has done as much with language...a very funny book -- William S. BurroughsOne of the cleverest and most original writers of his generation * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLAPD Detective Harry Bosch in a modern thriller from No. 1 bestseller Michael Connelly - author of THE LINCOLN LAWYER and ANGELS FLIGHT.In 1993 Homicide Detective Harry Bosch was assigned the case of a missing person, Marie Gesto. The young woman was never found - dead or alive - and the case has haunted Bosch ever since.Thirteen years later, Bosch is back in the Open Unsolved Crimes Unit when he gets a call from the DA''s office. A man accused of two killings is willing to confess to several other murders in a deal to avoid the death penalty. One of his victims, he says, is Marie Gesto.When investigating these previously unsolved crimes, Bosch begins to crack when he realises that he and his partner missed a clue that could have prevented the serial killer striking again.Trade ReviewConnelly's plots are never straightforward, and he keeps us guessing until the exciting and bitter conclusion to this latest episode in a splendid series * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Connelly has produced another blindingly good plot which, mixed with spellbinding action, takes us deep into a corrupt world. Not for the first time do we discover that there is a very fine line indeed between criminals and the police. This is crime thriller writing of the highest order * GUARDIAN *Admirers of Connelly's Bosch novels will know that his depiction of his dedicated hero always has the ring of authenticity. And, amid the excitements of his vertiginous plot, Connelly takes the time to consider whether Harry's determination to get his man is worth the sacrifices he makes * DAILY TELEGRAPH *This is Connelly doing what he does best: delivering a beautifully structured, richly atmospheric crime novel * THE EXPRESS *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite' Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesA PINCH OF PARANOIAIt's three days before Christmas, and detective-turned-chef Jodie Nosey' Parker is drafted in to cater a charity event run by a notorious millionaire at a 13th-century abbey on Bodmin Moor.A DASH OF DECEPTIONThings get more complicated when a snowstorm descends, stranding them all, and the next morning they find one of the guests has been gruesomely murdered in their bedA MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOESecrets mull in every corner can Jodie solve the crime before the killer strikes again?A Cornish Christmas Murder is a must-read mystery full of heart and humour perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The Appeal.This title was previously published in the US as A Murder Under the Mistletoe.What readers are sayingShe did it again! And this time with tinsel, Santa and mince pies I have learned to not read Jodie Parker books on an empty st

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing SHELTER and SECONDS AWAY - the gripping new Mickey Bolitar YA thriller from the internationally bestselling master of suspense.It''s been eight months since Mickey Bolitar witnessed the tragic death of his father. Eight months of lies, dark secrets and unanswered questions. While he desperately wants answers, Mickey''s sophomore year of high school brings on a whole new set of troubles. Spoon is in hospital, Rachel won''t tell him where he stands, his basketball teammates hate him . . . and then there''s Ema''s surprise announcement: she has an online boyfriend and he''s vanished.As he''s searching for Ema''s missing boyfriend (who may not even exist!), Mickey also gets roped into helping his nemesis, Troy Taylor, with a big problem. All the while, Mickey and his friends are pulled deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Abeona Shelter, risking their lives to find the answers - until the shocking climax, where Mickey finally comes face-to-face withTrade ReviewDark, tautly structured thrillers - THE TIMESEnjoyably intricate - SUNDAY TELEGRAPHPacy, packed with colourful characters, cracking dialogue and a suitably twisting plot, this is Coben at his best - DAILY EXPRESSOne of the most joyously readable crime writers in the world right now - HEAT

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen a driver dies during a glamourous classic car event at her family's estate, Dr Nell Ward is in a race against time to uncover the truth and prevent the killer from making a speedy getaway...Back in her natural habitat, Dr Nell Ward heads to a woodland pond to survey local newt populations. She's shocked to discover a car submerged in the water - with the driver dead behind the wheel.Nell recognises the dead man as professional racing driver, and tabloid love rat, Jack Rafferty, whose performance on (and off) Finchmere's racetrack had earned him enemies.Suspecting this isn't the tragic accident it appears DI James Clark calls upon Nell and her ecological skills to help find the murderer. But she soon finds that more lurks under the surface than she could ever have imagined. Despite the danger, Nell is determined to dredge up the truth from the murky depths of this case, before it's too late...A completely gripping and page-turning cosy mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and Robert Thorogood.Readers love A Mischief of Rats:'A real roller coaster of a read with plenty of red herrings' Reader review, 5 stars'Fantastic cosy crime book I love everything about this book. Can't wait for the next in the series... Had me on the edge of my seat' Reader review, 5 stars'The action is non-stop... Colourful cast of characters, a compelling plot... a wholly immersive one sit read' Reader review, 5 stars'Plenty of suspects and twists... The author cleverly uses Nell's science and ecological background to help piece together what happened... A new favourite series' Reader review, 5 stars

Read more less

Book Synopsis*Don''t miss the gripping new psychological thriller from Lisa Stone, THE MURDER ROOM, available to preorder now!*The gripping thriller with a difference from internationally bestselling author Lisa StoneAn isolated cottageAfter losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.A tap at the windowVery quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.A forest that hides many secretsJan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn't going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginningWhat readers are saying about The CottageCouldn''t put it down' ?????A book with twists and turns' ?????Breathtaking' ?????Has you on the edge of your seat' ?????Fantastic' ?????This is a WOW' ?????Expect the unexpected' ?????Engaging and thought-provoking' ?????Had me Trade Review Praise for Lisa Stone ‘Couldn’t put it down, it was so addictive!’ Amazon reviewer ‘I was so hooked on this book I was up all night reading it into the next day’ Amazon reviewer ‘The written style keeps the reader enthralled’ Amazon reviewer ‘If you like a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish this book is for you’ Amazon reviewer ‘This is a cracking good read that had me hooked from the beginning until the end. Full of murders, spiritualistic intrigue and just a hint of romance. It is quick paced, extremely thought provoking and full of twists and turns. I didn't want to put this book down.’ Amazon reviewer ‘Fantastic book, couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough!’ Amazon reviewer ‘A well-written and extremely addictive novel that will stick in your head long after putting it down.’ Amazon reviewer

Read more less

Book Synopsis When does a liar, become a killer?*The brand new novel in The San Diego Case Files series from Sunday Times bestseller Karen Rose*Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick finds herself standing over a dead body in the Shady Oaks retirement centre. Frank Flynn has been stabbed and his room ransacked.Though he kept his background quiet at the centre, Kit recognises Frank from the San Diego Police Department. Had the former detective been following a trail that led to his murder? When the head of security is also found dead, it points to a conspiracy right at the heart of Shady Oaks.The one person who might be able to help uncover the truth is just who Kit has been avoiding: Dr Sam Reeves. As a volunteer at the centre and a friend of the victim, the forensic psychologist could be just what her case needs.But without access to CCTV of the day of the murder, how will Kit catch her killer? And can she do so before anyone else

Read more less

Book SynopsisA mother's worst fear realised; a court case that reveals the darkest of secrets - The Instruments of Darkness thrills from the very first page.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe killer second Gray Man thriller by number one New York Times-bestseller Mark Greaney sees the past catching up with Court Gentry with fatal results. Four years ago, Court Gentry was betrayed by his handlers in the CIA. To survive, he has to eliminate his own brothers in arms. Now, as a master assassin known as the Gray Man, he makes his living killing other people. But when an old comrade he thought dead returns to haunt him, his own life is put in the crosshairs.The man wants Court to complete a mission - but instead of an assassination, the job will entail a nearly impossible kidnapping - and Court must return his quarry to the very CIA team that turned on him...Soon to be a major Netflix series, On Target takes the Gray Man into the depths of danger - and ready to fight.Trade ReviewAn action-filled yet touching story. * Publishers Weekly *A high-octane thriller that doesn't pause for more than a second. * Chicago Sun Times *If you want a fast-paced, action-packed, suspense-filled read, this novel will give it to you. * Genre Reviews *The plot is full of mysteries, surprises and action. * Monthly Book Reviews *Mark Greaney supplies verisimilitude as well as anyone in the writing business, along with singular attention to detail that doesn't merely bring the exotic locales to life: you will feel the bullets whizzing past. * Keith Thomson *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR THE 2021 CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD**  She’s a murderer.   Everyone knows she killed Stuart Rees – why else would his dead body be found in her shed? So now Tabitha is in prison, awaiting trial.   Coming back to the remote coastal village where she grew up was a mistake. She didn’t fit in then, and she doesn’t fit in now.   That day is such a blur, she can’t remember clearly what happened. There is something she is missing, something important… She only knows one thing. She is not capable of murder.   And the only one she can trust to help her out of this situation is herself. So she must fight. Against the odds.  For her life.    Beautifully written about prejudice, loneliness and fighting spirit, this new book by Nicci French is shocking, twisty and utterly compelling.Trade Review‘Clever, compelling, original and twisty. This unputdownable David-and-Goliath story has the flawed, funny, totally unforgettable Tabitha at its heart and I read until the early hours, desperate to know her fate’ -- Erin Kelly‘Part ingenious locked-room mystery. Part you’ve-got-thewrong-person nightmare drama. Part intricate memory game. Yet all seamlessly woven together. French’s best book yet’ -- A J Finn‘Great writing, razor-sharp plotting, and powerful characterisation. I was 100 pages in before I even drew breath, and I defy anyone to see the ending coming’ -- Cara Hunter‘A novel that blissfully plays with two genres: on the one hand an against-the-odds legal thriller à la John Grisham where the defence lawyer is even more disadvantaged than usual; and on the other a Miss Marple whodunnit set in a Devon village, where the amateur sleuth is herself the prime suspect and has to conduct her investigation from jail. Enthrallingly, the reader knows where the plot is heading, but has no idea how the great escape can be pulled off’ * Sunday Times *‘Engrossing… In this clever courtroom drama, Tabitha is on trial for the murder of a neighbour. The evidence against her is strong and due to the medication she takes, she has virtually no memory of what happened, but she’s sure she’s innocent and has to build a case to clear her name’ * Good Housekeeping *‘I wanted everything to stop so I could read this book, there was something that grabbed me from the opening… This is a clever, well-crafted novel with twists and turns right until the end… The courtroom scenes are especially good and strike that balance between honour and order as well as farcical at times. Definitely a favourite read of mine for 2020’ * Woman’s Way (Ireland) *'Describing it as a suspenseful prison thriller, or riveting courtroom drama doesn’t do this meticulously written detective novel justice. There is detail to sift through, CCTV footage to analyse, behaviour of the villagers to decipher. We become Tabitha’s shadow as the events surrounding that fateful day become clearer and more revealing. As well as its finely drawn characters and clever storyline, this is a novel that provokes you into pondering the workings of the wider justice system, police methods and prison life' * Bookanista *‘Nicci French husband-and-wife writing team responsible for some of the UK’s best psychological thrillers have created a gem of a protagonist in Tabitha, who sets out to investigate what happened to herself, from prison. Sad, small, yet gloriously tough, she summons the inhabitants of the place where the murder happened to speak to her and slowly pieces together her case… House of Correction allows the readers to puzzle out what happened alongside Tabitha, while cheering her effort’ * Observer *'First-class' * Independent *‘The husband-and-wife team of Nicci Gerrard and Sean French… have taken the ingredients of the classic village mystery and transformed them into something up to date and gripping… Now that the criminal justice system is shamefully underfunded, this is a timely as well as an entertaining novel’ * Literary Review *‘Tabitha is in prison, charged with the murder of the teacher who once abused her. With no one convinced as she protests her innocence, she launches her own campaign to clear her name. Gritty and moving – the husband-and-wife team have scored another hit’ * Best *‘Tabitha is in prison, awaiting trial for the murder of a man found dead in her shed. The day is such a blur, though, she can’t clearly remember what happened. But she knows she’s no capable of murder. The only one she can trust is herself, so she must fight against all the odds… A twisty and shocking read’ * Bella *

Read more less

Book Synopsis***The four-million-copy International Bestseller*** ‘If you love The Girl on the Train read Behind Closed Doors’ Elle ‘Twists our expectations of the entire psychological thriller genre’ Guardian ‘B A Paris has done it again! The Breakdown is a page turning thriller that will leave you questioning the family you love, the friends you trust, and even your own mind’ Wendy Walker If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust? It all started that night in the woods. Cass Anderson didn’t stop to help the woman in the car, and now she’s dead. Ever since, silent calls have been plaguing Cass and she’s sure someone is watching her. Consumed by guilt, she’s also starting to forget things. Whether she took her pills, what her house alarm code is – and if the knife in the kitchen really had blood on it. Praise for The Breakdown: ‘A psychological page-turner’ Good Housekeeping ‘Gripping!’ Woman ‘You’ll race through to discover what’s happening!’ Prima ‘You’ll be unable to rest until you’ve followed the twists and turns to an ending you didn’t forsee’ Daily Express ‘B A Paris has done it again! The Breakdown is a page turning thriller that will leave you questioning the family you love, the friends you trust, and even your own mind’ Wendy Walker, author of All is Not Forgotten ‘Utterly compelling, brilliant and tense’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and MeTrade Review Praise for The Breakdown: ‘A psychological page-turner’ Good Housekeeping ‘Gripping!’ Woman ‘You’ll race through to discover what’s happening!’ Prima ‘You’ll be unable to rest until you’ve followed the twists and turns to an ending you didn’t forsee’ Daily Express ‘B A Paris has done it again! The Breakdown is a page turning thriller that will leave you questioning the family you love, the friends you trust, and even your own mind’ Wendy Walker, author of All is Not Forgotten ‘Utterly compelling, brilliant and tense’ Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Danish literary author is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days, travelling to a small village in Iceland for inspiration, and then a body appears ? an atmospheric, darkly funny, twisty debut thriller, first in an addictive new series.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller and winner of the Irish Independent crime fiction book of the year!Don't miss the newest Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent thriller A STRANGER IN THE FAMILY out now!Guilty?A year ago, Leo Stone was convicted of murdering two women and sentenced to life in prison. Now he's been freed on a technicality, and he's protesting his innocence.Not guilty?DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are determined to put Stone back behind bars where he belongs, but the more Maeve digs, the less convinced she is that he did it.The wrong decision could be deadlyThen another woman disappears in similar circumstances. Is there a copycat killer, or have they been wrong about Stone from the start?Magnificent' Marian KeyesClever, classy crime fiction' Erin KellyBrilliant' Fiona BartonTerrific' Sarah HilaryI adored this book' Liz NugentAuthentic' Jo SpainCompulsive' Patricia GibneyPowerful' Helen FieldsKept me turning the pages long into the night' Rachel AbbottEmotional' Sinéad CroTrade Review‘Cruel Acts is magnificent…I could not stop reading it! Utter brilliance’ Marian Keyes ‘You’ll be checking the locks and looking over your shoulder after reading this one…clever, classy crime fiction with a conscience’ Erin Kelly ‘Jane Casey’s brilliant storytelling pulled me straight into Maeve Kerrigan’s world, leaving me breathless and wanting more’ Fiona Barton ‘Jane Casey is writing one of THE very best police series around…Terrific’ Sarah Hilary, bestselling author of the DI Marnie Rome series ‘The smartest, most empathetic writer of police procedural novels today. I absolutely, whole-heartedly adored this book’ Liz Nugent, bestselling author of Skin Deep ‘One of the most authentic police procedural writers around’ Jo Spain, bestselling author of The Confession ‘A compulsive read. The story is captivating’ Patricia Gibney, author of the Detective Lottie Parker series ‘An utterly engaging, powerful novel that had me hooked from page one’ Helen Fields, author of Perfect Remains ‘Kept me turning the pages long into the night’ Rachel Abbott, author of the Tom Douglas thriller series ‘Humane, emotional and deeply intelligent’ Sinéad Crowley, author of the DS Claire Boyle series ‘Mesmerising’ Sunday Times ‘The plot makes for a breathtaking page-turner’ Sun ‘One of the most thoroughly human and convincing police officers in the fictional ranks’ Guardian ‘Jane Casey is a terrific writer and her Maeve Kerrigan books are irresistible’ Irish Times ‘This brutal thriller doesn’t pull its punches, and it hooks till the last gasp’ Heat ‘You’ll be totally hooked’ Woman & Home ‘There are procedural crime novels and then there are procedurals written by Irish writer Jane Casey’ i ‘Real emotional depth’ Guardian, Books of the Year ‘A masterful tale of twisted psychology, trauma and betrayal’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A series that's establishing itself as one of the finest in all of crime fiction’ Irish Independent

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first book in the classic Martin Beck detective series from the 1960s the novels that shaped the future of Scandinavian crime writing.Hugely acclaimed, the Martin Beck series were the original Scandinavian crime novels and have inspired the writings of Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo.Written in the 1960s, 10 books completed in 10 years, they are the work of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö a husband and wife team from Sweden. They follow the fortunes of the detective Martin Beck, whose enigmatic, taciturn character has inspired countless other policemen in crime fiction; without his creation Ian Rankin's John Rebus or Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander may never have been conceived. The novels can be read separately, but are best read in chronological order, so the reader can follow the characters' development and get drawn into the series as a whole.Roseanna' begins on a July afternoon, the body of a young woman is dredged from Sweden''s beautiful Lake Vattern. Three months later, all that Police Inspector Martin Beck knows is that her name is Roseanna, that she came from Lincoln, Nebraska, and that she could have been strangled by any one of eighty-five people.With its authentically rendered settings and vividly realized characters, and its command over the intricately woven details of police detection, Roseanna' is a masterpiece of suspense and sadness.Trade Review‘They changed the genre. Whoever is writing crime fiction after these novels is inspired by them in one way or another.’ Henning Mankell ‘If you haven’t read Sjöwall/Wahlöö, start now.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Pick up one book…and you become unhinged. You want to block out a week of your life, lie to your boss, and stay in bed, gorging on one after another.’ Observer ‘The writing is elegant and surprisingly humorous – if you haven’t come across Beck before, you’re in for a treat.’ Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Annie Hart: newly inherited yarn and tea shop owner and reluctant amateur sleuth.Annie Hart, daughter of Bryan Hart - talent agent to the stars - spends her life getting roped into whatever new task her father needs her to do for his VIP clients. So when she inherits a yarn shop in the small Indiana town of Franklin, she is curious to see what it feels like to have something that is solely hers!But when her arrival is greeted by the local law enforcement, Annie senses things are not quite as they seem in this idyllic town . . . everyone knows everybody in Franklin yet when it comes to the death of the shop''s previous owner, nobody seems sure of anything!Annie soon discovers that Eleanor Danton was in fact murdered, strangled with her own yarn . . . invigorated by her need to find out the truth, and feeling somehow at home with the friendly bunch of local yarn artists who frequent the shop, she sets out to finding the killer. Much can be achieved

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) A legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONOne of the best mysteries I have had the pleasure to read.' 5* reader reviewPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________No one joins the murder squad who hasn't a taste for death.Two men lie in a welter of blood in the vestry of St Matthew''s Church, Paddington. Their throats have been brutally slashed. One is Sir Paul Berowne, a recently-resigned government minister; the other is a homeless man known only as a local alcoholic. Their deaths will be the first case for Commander Dalgliesh's new team, who have been tasked with investigating crimes of particular sensitivity. But as the Berowne family''s veneer of prosperous gentility begins to crack and Dalgliesh uncovers more about the dead men, he struggles to keep his customary objectivity. Can he get to the bottom of the ugly and dangerous secrets swirling this case in time to prevent yet another death?__________________________________________________________________________________A cunningly compulsive work . . . with a breathless, bravura finale of heart-pounding suspense.' Sunday TimesSplendidly suspenseful . . . a triumph and a treat.'' GuardianIt's oh so compelling. Enjoy.' Sunday Telegraph**Now a major Channel 5 series**__________________________________________________________________________________READERS LOVE THE ADAM DALGLEISH SERIES:Adam Dalgleish is one of the best characters in modern detective fiction.' 5* reader reviewIf you are not already an Adam Dalgliesh fan, I urge you to become one . . . James can describe a scene or delineate a character with precision and depth, like no other writer I have read . . . I usually stay up all night to read a P. D. James novel once I start one.' 5* reader reviewI would never give less than 5 stars to any P. D. James book. She is one of a kind, always constant, always wonderful writing, always great characters, and always a good mystery that you cannot put down.' 5* reader reviewP.D. James writes mysteries for ordinary people. Her characters are relatable and her hero is dynamic. But don''t expect cell phones or computers. Her stories are strictly old school, which is what I love about them.' 5* reader reviewCrime writing at its very best!' 5* reader reviewPRAISE FOR P. D. JAMES:P. D. James is the crème de la crème of crime writers. Her books are shrewd puzzles, full of wit and depth.' IAN RANKINNobody can put the reader in the eye of the storm quite like P. D. James.' SUNDAY EXPRESSOne of the literary greats. Her sense of place was exquisite, characterisation and plotting unrivalled.' MARI HANNAHJames manages a depth and intelligence that few in her trade can match.' THE TIMESThere are very few thriller writers who can compete with P. D. James at her best.' SPECTATOR The queen of English crime.' GUARDIAN

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe next gripping volume in The Brighton Mysteries series by bestselling author Elly Griffiths.It starts with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house; throw in a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer, and you''ve got the next gripping book in the Brighton Mysteries series. Magician Max Mephisto is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted''s assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and Ted is convinced that he''ll be accused of her murder. Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn''t know is that the girl''s family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (Edgar''s wife) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own. When a second magician''s assistant is killed, Edgar persuades Max to perform one last time - with a femal

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt's a race against time as Detective Superintendent Roy Grace tries to stop a grieving mother from taking the law into her own hands in Dead Man's Grip, by award winning crime writer Peter James.A university student is killed in a tragic traffic accident while riding their bicycle. When two of the drivers involved are hunted down by a sadistic killer, Grace knows that the third driver, Carly Chase, may be next.Carly, a solicitor, believes hiding is not an option and heads to New York to speak with the cyclist’s mother. But Grace knows about the mother’s underworld connections and that the family will stop at nothing to take an eye for an eye . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Dead Man's Grip is the seventh thrilling title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Not Dead Yet and Dead Man's Time.Now a maTrade ReviewPeter James has penetrated the inner workings of police procedures, and the inner thoughts and attitudes of real detectives, as no English crime writer before him. His hero, Roy Grace, may not be the most lively cop, nor the most damaged by drink, weight or misery, but he's one of the most believable * The Times *Peter James’s cop Roy Grace has put the Brighton of Graham Greene into the shade * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Finnish mushroom entrepreneur Jaakko discovers that he has been slowly poisoned, he sets out to find his would-be murderer … with dark and hilarious results. The critically acclaimed standalone thriller from the King of Helsinki Noir… ***Shortlisted for the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel of the Year*** ***Shortlisted for the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award*** ‘Right up there with the best’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Deftly plotted, poignant and perceptive in its wry reflections on mortality and very funny' Irish Times ‘Told in a darkly funny, deadpan style … The result is a rollercoaster read in which the farce has some serious and surprisingly philosophical underpinnings' Guardian ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A successful entrepreneur in the mushroom industry, Jaakko Kaunismaa is a man in his prime. At just thirty-seven years of age, he is shocked when his doctor tells him that he’s dying. What’s more, the cause is discovered to be prolonged exposure to toxins; in other words, someone has slowly but surely been poisoning him. Determined to find out who wants him dead, Jaakko embarks on a suspenseful rollercoaster journey full of unusual characters, bizarre situations and unexpected twists. With a nod to Fargo and the best elements of the Scandinavian noir tradition, The Man Who Died is a page-turning thriller brimming with the blackest comedy surrounding life and death, and love and betrayal, marking a stunning new departure for the King of Helsinki Noir. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ‘The deadpan icy sensibility of Nordic noir is combined here with warm-blooded, often surreal, humour. Like the death cap mushroom, Tuomainen’s dark story manages to be as delicious as it is toxic' Sunday Express 'An offbeat jewel … relentlessly funny’ Don Crinklaw, Publishers Weekly 'You don’t expect to laugh when you’re reading about terrible crimes, but that’s what you’ll do when you pick up one of Tuomainen’s decidedly quirky thrillers' New York Times ‘A bizarre, twisty, darkly comic novel about a man investigating his own murder … a tightly paced Scandinavian thriller with a wicked sense of humour’ Foreword Reviews ‘Smart, sensitive, and engaging, and guaranteed to be unlike anything else in your crime fiction library … the perfect blend of thrills, investigation, character development, and comedy’ Crime by the Book ‘Hugely entertaining and satisfying … like Carl Hiassen transported to Finland. It’s full of black comedy and has an unlikely hero in Jaakko, who you’ll root for to the very end’ Kevin Wignall, author of A Death in Sweden ‘A delightful mad caper of a story, which will make readers snort out loud with laughter and would have made an excellent 1930s screwball comedy directed by Frank Capra’ Crime Fiction Lover ‘Combines a startlingly clever opening, a neat line in dark humour and a unique Scandinavian sensibility. A fresh and witty read’ Chris Ewan ‘Dark and thrilling, funny and intelligent, this Fargo-like novel contains lethal doses of humour … and mushrooms' Sofi Oksanen, author of Purge ‘A book I will never forget’ Matt Wesolowski ‘This one is a winner right from the first sentence’ Booklist ‘Antti Tuomainen is a wonderful writer, whose characters, plots and atmosphere are masterfully drawn’ Yrsa SigurðardóttirTrade Review`Hugely entertaining and satisfying ... like Carl Hiaasen transported to Finland, it's full of black comedy and an unlikely hero in Jaakko who you'll root for to the very end' Kevin Wignall, author of A Death in Sweden; `Combines a startlingly clever opening, a neat line in dark humour and a unique Scandinavian sensibility. A fresh and witty read' Chris Ewan; `Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed every single sentence' Thomas Enger, author of Cursed; `Told with a wit honed by the Arctic winter and a story that lures you in with the perfume of the Finnish forests, this is Wes Anderson meets the Cohen Brothers in rural Finland ... a book I will never forget' Matt Wesolowski, author of Six Stories; 'Dark and thrilling, funny and intelligent, this Fargo-like novel contains lethal doses of humour ... and mushrooms' Sofi Oksanen, author of Purge; 'Up there with the best' The TLS

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen the body of a young girl is found hanging from a tree, the only clue the police have is an airline tag around her neck. It reads "I'm travelling alone." In response, police investigator Holger Munch is immediately charged with assembling a special homicide unit. But to complete the team, he must track down his former partner, Mia Kruger...Trade ReviewTerrific . . . Intelligent and gripping . . . May well propel [Bjork] to deserved international fame * The Times *Samuel Bjork’s formidable I’m Travelling Alone is despatched with real élan . . . Mia’s confrontation with both her own demons and a very human one is mesmerising fare * Independent *A compelling novel, with plenty of intrigue and some splendid action sequences * Guardian *Perfect for fans of Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series and Danish crime drama The Bridge * Crime Scene *Tense, thrilling and genuinely scary ***** * Heat *A tense and smartly constructed narrative * Wall Street Journal *The story is exciting, the setting cleverly evoked, the translation excellent . . . Welcome to a new voice. * Literary Review *

Read more less