Crime and / or mystery fiction

Book SynopsisThe twenty-fifth instalment of the Number One Bestselling DCI Banks series''The master of the police procedural.'' Mail on Sunday''Robinson is prolific, but with each book he manages to ring the changes.'' Guardian*****The body of a young local student is found on a lonely country road. Initially the evidence points to suicide, yet she didn''t own a car and she didn''t even drive. So how did she get there, where did she die and who moved her?Meanwhile, a man in his sixties is found dead in a gully up on the nearby wild moorland. He is carrying no identification. The post-mortem indicates that he died from injuries sustained during the fall, but what was he doing up there? And why are there no signs of a car in the vicinity?As the trail gets colder, Annie''s father''s new partner, Zelda, alerts Banks and Annie to the return of an old and dangerous eneTrade ReviewPraise for Careless Love * : *This is vintage Banks - a dogged search for truth which never once loses its grip on its hero's intuition and charm. * Daily Mail *Robinson remains the master of the police procedural. * Mail on Sunday *Robinson is prolific, but with each book he manages to ring the changes. * Guardian *Banks' slow but dogged pursuit of murderers and his meditations on the past make him a figure readers feel they know intimately and trust implicitly and, despite moments of darkness, the series' warmth makes you feel all's right with the world. * S Magazine *A fast-paced and ingenious story * On Yorkshire Magazine *His novels track the changing nature of crime, taking on difficult subjects such as gangs of men who groom underage girls, and the new book tackles the contentious subject of widening inequality. * Sunday Times *Robinson has a unique knack of revealing to the layman the painstaking and ingenious ways in which the numerous experts who work for the police can wheedle out the most infinitesimal clues surrounding a suspicious death * On Yorkshire Magazine *Praise for the DCI Banks series * : *The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are the best series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong. -- Stephen KingPeter Robinson has for too long, and unfairly, been in the shadow of Ian Rankin; perhaps PIECE OF MY HEART, the latest in the Chief Inspector Banks series, will give him the status he deserves, near, perhaps even at the top of the British crime writers' league * The Times *Robinson also has a way of undercutting the genre's familiarity. With a deceptively unspectacular language, he sets about the process of unsettling the reader * Independent *Top-notch police procedure -- Jeffery Deaver

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Book SynopsisIt''s a new year in New York city, and two star-crossed lovers have just discovered an insatiable appetite...for murder.Lieutenant Eve Dallas has witnessed some grisly crimes in her career and she knows just how dark things can get on the streets. But when a much-loved musician is found dead, Eve soon realises that his murder is part of a horrifying killing spree, stretching right across the country.Now the killers have reached New York, and they''ve found themselves another victim. Eve knows she only has a couple of days to save a young girl''s life, and to stop the killers before their sadistic games escalate. Eve''s husband Roarke is ready to put his brains and his considerable resources behind the search. But even as the couple works closely together, time is running out...

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Book SynopsisMaud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family, no friends, and... no qualms about a little murder.

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Book SynopsisRemember his name: FBI Agent Amos Decker is back in a thrilling memory man investigation from number one bestseller, David Baldacci.A town with a secret.A lone hunter discovers the remains of a woman in North Dakota’s Badlands. She appears to have had a post-mortem performed on her reminiscent of those only seen on TV shows – but this time, there was no slab, morgue or camera in sight. A victim without a past.The reason why Irene Cramer’s death merits an FBI investigation becomes rapidly clear when key questions surface about her mysterious past. Little is known about this school teacher, where she came from or her true identity. She clearly had something to hide.A hero with a unique skill.FBI investigator, Amos Decker and his colleague, Alex Jamison, are summoned to seek answers in the local community of London, North Dakota, which sits at the very heart of the fracking industry. Enriched with oil money, jealousy and a deep-set rivalry lie beneath a veneer of glitz and opulence.Decker soon realizes that the nearby ‘eye in the sky’, the Air Force Station, may hold the vital clues and that this town holds secrets so explosive that they could destabilize the entire country . .Walk the Wire by David Baldacci is the sixth book in the Amos Decker series. Continue the investigative thrillers with Long Shadows.Once read, never forgotten. Trade ReviewSinewy, and written with Baldacci’s consummate skill, this is a thriller from the top drawer * Daily Mail *A mile-a-minute read that proves once again why David Baldacci has readers the world over flocking for more -- Jane HarperAlternately chilling, poignant, and always heart-poundingly suspenseful -- Scott TurowDavid Baldacci is one of the all-time best thriller authors -- Lisa Gardner

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Book SynopsisTHE DEBUT THRILLER IN THE BESTSELLING DAVID RAKER MISSING PERSONS SERIES, PERFECT FOR FANS OF MO HAYDER, LINWOOD BARCLAY AND MICHAEL CONNELLYOne year ago, Alex Towne''s body was found.One month ago, his mother saw him on the street.One week ago, David Raker agreed to look for him.Now he wishes he hadn''t.Mary Towne''s son, Alex, went missing six years ago. Five years later he finally turned up - as a corpse in a car wreck. Missing persons investigator David Raker doesn''t want the work: it''s clearly a sad but hopeless case of mistaken identity brought to him by a woman unable to let go of her son. But haunted by a loss of his own, Raker reluctantly agrees.Big mistake. For as he digs deeper, he discovers that Alex''s life was not the innocent one his mother believed. Buried in his past are secrets that were never meant to be found - and dark, dangerous men willing to kill to protect them. Soon Raker will disTrade ReviewPraise for Tim Weaver * - *Weaver's books get better each time - tense, complex, written with flair as well as care * Guardian *The writing is beautiful and the plot so cleverly constructed I never guessed any of the twists * Sunday Times bestselling author of Local Girl Missing *It had me racing to the end * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Widow *Terrific * Sunday Times *I couldn't put it down * Sun *Weaver has become one of this country's most respected, bestselling crime writers, and he fully deserves to be . . . Catch him at once * Daily Mail *The rising star of British crime * Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of the DC Max Wolfe series *Tim Weaver writes books so meticulously researched that the reader is educated as well as entertained, enthralled and intrigued * Sunday Times bestselling author of Lying in Wait *A dark, complex and visceral read * Financial Times *Fans of Mo Hayder will be in seventh hell * Guardian *The story-telling is little short of brilliant * Crime Fiction Lover *Perfect plotting, great characterisation, and the kind of payoff that a thriller of this calibre deserves * Bookgeeks *

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE BIG EMPTY, THE NEW ROBERT CRAIS NOVEL, COMING JANUARY 2025! ‘Another grand slam for the master storyteller’ DAVID BALDACCI ‘A modern master of crime fiction’ GREGG HURWITZTHE CITY OF ANGELS Adele Schumacher isn’t a typical worried mum. When she hires Elvis to find her missing son, a controversial podcaster named Josh Shoe, she brings a bag filled with cash, paranoid tales of government conspiracies, and a squad of mysterious bodyguards. Finding Josh should be simple, but Elvis quickly learns he isn’t alone in the hunt – a team of deadly strangers are determined to find Josh first.THE CITY OF LIES With dangerous secrets lurking behind every lead, Elvis needs his friend Joe Pike more than ever to uncover the truth about Josh, corrupt politicians, and the murderous business cartels rotting the heart of Los Angeles. And when his estra

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Book Synopsis''Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will love Scotty Elliott''s Sibanda series'' Sunday Times (SA)Detective Sibanda and Sergeant Ncube are back!Two bodies are discovered near Gubu, one burning at the base of a tree struck by lightning and, on the banks of the Zambezi, a second killing which threatens to tear Detective Sibanda''s life apart. The victims are not connected as one is a foreign wildlife researcher and the other a local driver, but Sibanda''s intuition tells him the murders are linked. The only clues are a fragment of material found in the brain of one victim, a puncture wound in the thigh of the other, and a diary full of coded names.As the men investigate further, they find links to an ivory smuggling gang and in their pursuit of the killer, Sibanda and Ncube not only have to cope with their temperamental Landrover, their chief inspector''s lack of cooperation, but a rough and remote landscape full of wild and dangerous adventTrade ReviewFans of Alexander McCall Smith will love Scotty Elliott's Sibanda series . . . They have the same dry humour and warmth as the No1 Ladies' Detective Agency stories, the same palpable affection for the people and the landscape, and detectives who solve crimes more by hunch and legwork than with forensics and technology * Sunday Times (SA) *Her plot keeps readers guessing right to the end, when the monster meets a truly satisfying fate . . . Elliott's skill as a writer lies in her ability to create and flesh out characters that are so lifelike, they thrum in your head for days after finishing her books * Business Live *Will have you hooked * The Gremlin *C.M. Elliott has created a lively cast of characters and an intricate, clever plot * Margaret von Klemperer, The Witness *A thrilling detective yarn and a finely-drawn picture of the counterpoint between the gentle music of the bush and the harsher notes of poachers' deadly gunfire * – The Citizen *

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Book SynopsisFabio Montale is the perfect protagonist in this city of melancholy beauty. A disenchanted cop with an inimitable talent for living who turns his back on a police force marred by corruption and racism and, in the name of friendship, takes the fight against the mafia into his own hands. “Just as Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy made Los Angeles their very own, so Mr. Izzo has made Marseilles so much more than just another geographical setting.”—The Economist “Izzo’s ability to describe Marseilles and to make his readers feel the multiracial reality of that city so directly and authentically is fascinating.”—Andrea Camilleri “One of the masterpieces of modern noir.”—The Washington PostTrade Review“Just as Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy made Los Angeles their very own, so Mr. Izzo has made Marseilles so much more than just another geographical setting.”"Izzo's ability to describe Marseilles and to make his readers feel the multiracial reality of that city so directly and authentically is fascinating." -- Andrea Camilleri“One of the masterpieces of modern noir.”

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Book SynopsisBENEATH THE LANDSLIDE LIES A MURDER: DETECTIVE WISTING'S MOST DANGEROUS CASE YET''Characters, plot, execution, pacing, conclusion...all quality. And it kept me guessing all the way through'' 5***** reader review--In heavy rain, a landslide sweeps away a group of homes in Larvik, Norway. At first everyone is accounted for.But then, during the clear up, a body is found one with a gunshot wound inflicted before the landslip.Detective William Wisting must first find out who it is and where the body came from. He soon wishes he hadn't. The victim is Swedish: a police infiltrator working a major crime.Suddenly, the stakes couldn't be higher or more dangerous.Because, in a game of deception, who can Wisting ever trust?--Praise for Jørn Lier Horst''Tense, fast-paced...compelling'' Sunday Times''Relentlessly exciting...creates a real sense of menace'' The Times''Atmospheric'' HeraldWhy readers LOVE the Wisting series ''A truly absorbing crime thriller, as good as they get'' 5***** reader review ''Very cleverly written...the fast pace is maintained until the very last page'' 5***** reader review ''I loved every minute of it! A must read for crime fans'' 5***** reader reviews ''I read this is one sitting, you won''t regret it!'' 5***** reader reviews ''Another twisting tale for Wisting to make sense of and he doesn''t disappoint - the backdrop of snowy Norway makes this even more gripping'' 5***** reader review

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Book SynopsisFiona Cummins is an award-winning former journalist and a graduate of the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course. Rattle, her debut novel, received widespread critical acclaim from authors and reviewers, was the subject of a huge international auction and has been translated into several languages. She has since written bestsellers The Collector, The Neighbour, When I Was Ten and Into the Dark, in which she introduces DC Saul Anguish, a brilliant young detective with a dark past. Fiona lives with her family in Essex.

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Book SynopsisWho killed the reclusive Agatha Dobbs? Newly married Elizabeth Wilkins is determined to prove Agatha?s niece?s innocence in this compelling 1920s mystery.October, 1926. Newly married Elizabeth Wilkins is ready for whatever life throws at her and her lawyer husband, Fred. So when Fred comes home anxious about his client, Caroline Dobbs, Elizabeth can?t help getting involved. Caroline is suspected of murdering her elderly aunt Agatha at Agatha?s farm on the outskirts of Oak Park, and was seen arguing with her on the day she died by neighbour and local gossip-monger, Mrs Edwards, yet Fred seems convinced of Caroline?s innocence.Elizabeth joins the influential local Nineteenth Century Woman?s Club as she attempts to find out more about the reclusive Agatha Dobbs, and soon uncovers astonishing secrets. Can she unravel the mystery in time to save Caroline from a terrible fate?A page-turning and warm-hearted 1920s mystery featuring a strong-willed and courageous heroine, perfect for fans of Frances Brody and Victoria Thompson.

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Book Synopsis''One of the finest crime writers of any generation'' Daily Mail''He''s the high priest of plot ... deftly woven, but also beautifully written ... I loved it'' Mel Giedroyc_______________________________Umiko Wada has recently had quite enough excitement in her life. With her husband recently murdered and a mother who seems to want her married again before his body is cold, she just wants to keep her head down.As a secretary to a private detective, her life is pleasingly uncomplicated, filled with coffee runs, diary management and paperwork.That is, until her boss takes on a new case. A case which turns out to be dangerous enough to get him killed. A case which means Wada will have to leave Japan for the first time and travel to London.Following the only lead she has, Wada quickly realises that being a detective isn''t as easy as the television makes out. And that there''s a reason why secrets stay buried for a longTrade Review...the plot unwinds with a deceptively light touch that does not falter ... genuinely entertaining [with an] explosive finale * Evening Standard *One of the finest crime writers of any generation, Goddard here exercises all of his elegant, understated style and meticulous eye for detail...Goddard at his impeccable best: do not miss it. * Daily Mail *A fascinating and satisfyingly complex mystery with dark tones..Wada is a superb character... very enjoyable. * New Books *Top-class action packed storytelling * Choice Magazine *A deftly plotted page turner from this much loved author' * Saga Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe first thriller in the Mickey Bolitar series, now airing as an original series on Amazon Prime. Bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix show Fool Me Once, Harlan Coben brings us a shocking pageturner about a grieving teenager obsessed by the disappearance of a missing girl. Mickey Bolitar''s year can''t get much worse. After witnessing his father''s death and sending his mother to rehab, he''s forced to live with his estranged uncle Myron and switch schools. Fortunately, he''s met a great girl, Ashley, and it seems like things might finally be improving. But then Ashley vanishes. Mickey follows Ashley''s trail into a seedy underworld that reveals that Ashley isn''t who she claimed to be. And neither was Mickey''s father. Soon Mickey learns about a conspiracy so shocking that it leaves him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.Trade ReviewA gripping tale * DAILY MIRROR *SHELTER will introduce a whole new generation of fans to the humorous dialogue and clever plotting of his popular suspense thrillers. * TAKE A BREAK *Harlan Coben is the modern master of the hook-and-twist - luring you in on the first page, only to shock you on the last * Dan Brown *His thrillers come with the guarantee of a great read and a twist in the tale * EVENING TELEGRAPH *Harlan Coben specialises in rousing the snake that lurks in the perfectly cut grass of American suburbia ... Coben makes you care about them but never neglects a plot that is full of his trademark shocks * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the CWA John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award 2013 and shortlisted for CWA Endeavour Historical Dagger Award 2014 ‘She looked up at the terraced house, with the closed shutters and the big room at the end of the long unlit corridor where the man who smiled too much did his work. She climbed the steps and knocked on the door…’ Dublin 1934: Detective Stefan Gillespie arrests a German doctor and encounters Hannah Rosen desperate to find her friend Susan, a Jewish woman who had become involved with a priest, and has now disappeared. When the bodies of a man and woman are found buried in the Dublin mountains, it becomes clear that this case is about more than a missing person. Stefan and Hannah trace the evidence all the way across Europe to Danzig. In a strange city where the Nazi Party are gaining power, Stefan and Hannah are inching closer to the truth and soon find themselves in grave danger…Trade Review‘Russell weaves a beautifully rich tapestry that shows through the taste and texture of his words the rich lusciousness of the Emerald Isle alongside the grimy streets of Dublin and the infected avenues of Danzig as Nazism rears its ugly head. This is a sterling debut not to be rushed, but to be savoured.’ www.crimesquad.com ‘This debut novel is a superb, atmospheric thriller. The author, a TV scriptwriter, has brought his skills to produce a page turner of high quality, populated by a marvellous set of fictional characters, interwoven cleverly with real characters of the era. Highly recommended.’ Irish Independent ‘This is a great insight into a turbulent time in Dublin and Ireland, in a challenging-to-your-heartbeat kind of way.’ Evening Herald ‘In action ranging from Dublin to Danzig Russell has drawn on real-life Irish characters whose decent behaviour in the face of the impending Holocaust has been sadly lost over the years. This book has triumphantly revived their reputation.’ Jewish Chronicle

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Book SynopsisFROM THE MIND OF THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER M.J. ARLIDGE COMES THE BRAND NEW SERIAL KILLER THRILLER STARRING DETECTIVE INSPECTOR HELEN GRACE.* * * * *You have one hour to live.Those are the only words on the phone call. Then they hang up. Surely, a prank? A mistake? A wrong number? Anything but the chilling truth... That someone is watching, waiting, ready to take your life in one hour.But why?The job of finding out falls to DI Helen Grace: a woman with a track record in hunting killers. However, this is one case where the killer seems to always be one step ahead of the police and the victims. With no motive, no leads, no clues - nothing but pure fear - an hour can last a lifetime...* * * * *PRAISE FOR THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER:''Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years'' JEFFERY DEAVER''Chilling'' <Trade ReviewChilling * The Times (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Gripping * Sunday Mirror (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Addictive * Express (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Truly excellent * The Sun (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Amazing * Richard Madeley (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Mesmerizing * Lisa Gardner (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Chills to the bone * Daily Mail (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *This is going to be as big as Jo Nesbo * Judy Finnigan (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Helen Grace is one of the greatest heroes to come along in years * Jeffery Deaver (on M.J. Arlidge's Helen Grace thrillers) *Loved it. * Woman's Way *

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Book SynopsisNancy Mitford meets Clueless, with a touch of Agatha Christie, in this tale of cocktails, murder and mayhem in 1980s OxfordOxford, 1985. Ursula Flowerbutton, a Fresher and wide-eyed country girl, arrives for her first term at the famous university. What she hasn't bargained on is finding a body. Oh, crumpets. Who killed the beautiful India Brattenbury? With the help of her fellow fresher, glamorous American Nancy Feingold, Ursula sets off to unravel the mystery. The girls' investigations lead them into a world of black-tie parties and dining societies, sex and secrets. Ursula soon realises that Oxford's not all Pimm's and punting. From broken-hearted boyfriends to snobby Sloanes, lovelorn librarians to dishy dons, none can be presumed innocent.Trade ReviewWonderfully written and deliciously moreish * Daily Mail *An escapist beach read to savour * i *Thoroughly fabulous * Vogue *A frothy soufflé of a tale in which Agatha Christie and Nancy Mitford are given a 1980s spin … * i *Terrific fun and really clever! -- Katie FfordeA total hoot ... Easily the best thing she has ever written * Sunday Times *A masterpiece: never has intelligence been so wickedly dark, on-point and outright funny * Alain de Botton *The wild and hysterical adventures of crime solving Nancy and Ursula turned loose on Oxford University. Plum Sykes knows her world, skewers it, and serves it up as murder. Delicious -- Delia Ephron, author of SIRACUSAA riot and very page turning and written with terrific panache -- Barbara Trapido, author of BROTHER OF THE MORE FAMOUS JACKBright and funny, Bergdorf Blondes is haute couture chick lit -- Candace BushnellPlum Sykes channels Nancy Mitford and Holly Golightly with great charm and sweetness -- Jane Green, author of Mr. Maybe and Jemima J.Sykes has a distinctive, wily and well-deployed comic voice … Into the blender go Bridget Jones, Anita Loos, Sex and the City and Clueless; out comes a diabolically amusing concoction -- Janet Maslin * New York Times *Perfectly pitched – playful, funny, satirical and sweet. I laughed out loud many times -- Anna Wintour * Vogue *Sparkling, bliss, glitteringly honest … I haven’t had so much fun since rereading the Mitford novels -- Rachel Johnson * Spectator *Highly entertaining and intelligent … whips along at an exhilarating speed * Mail on Sunday *Savagely funny * Observer *Plum Sykes dishes the dirt on upper crust girls in this murder mystery comedy … Sykes has a ball recreating the strict hierarchy of social types – and the 1980s fashions – in this delightful, daft-as-a-brush-caper as effervescent as the champagne everyone in the novel keeps necking * Metro *wickedly funny ... Grab this for a spot of unashamed escapism by the pool * Saga *This smart, stylish and fun read is the perfect companion on any holiday. Sykes studied at Oxford and is now an editor at American Vogue, which plays beautifully into this comic murder mystery set in the dreaming spires of the Eighties and populated by aristocrats throwing endless parties … Beautifully written and deliciously moreish from start to finish * Sara Lawrence, Daily Mail, Summer Reading *This comic murder-mystery is like Nancy Drew for grown-ups. The vibe is akin to a less angst-ridden Brideshead Revisited meets a young Downton Abbey, before embarking upon a whimsical, Pimm’s-fuelled adventure … Fun and frothy, it is packed with laugh-out-loud moments and wry, whip smart observation * Sunday Herald, Summer Reading *She’s back: the author of Bergdorf Blondes has written the first in a series of murder mysteries set at Oxford University during the Eighties … This jolly book has everything: a beguiling heroine, dishy dons, the champagne set and even spiky footnotes. Yes, footnotes * Sebastian Shakespeare, Tatler, Summer Reading *Gently mocking its cast of stock Oxford types, Party Girls is a fun and easy-read romp that has two university freshers trying to discover whodunnit after the dead body of the glamorous Lady India Brattenbury is discovered in the room of dishy don Dr Dave * Townswoman *

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Book SynopsisFollowing a personal tragedy, florist Persimmon ''Simmy'' Brown has moved to the beautiful region of the Lake District to be nearer her charismatic parents. Things are going well, with her latest flower arrangements praised and Simmy content to lose herself in her work. But the peace she has found is shattered when, at the wedding of a millionaire''s daughter, the bride''s brother is found brutally murdered in the lake. As the florist of the wedding and one of the last people to talk to Mark Baxter alive, Simmy gradually becomes involved with the grief-ridden and angry relatives. All seem to have their fair share of secrets and scandals - an uncaring mother, a cheating father, and a husband twenty-five years older than his bride. When events take another sinister turn, Simmy becomes a prime witness and finds herself at the heart of a murder investigation. The chief suspects are the groom and his closely knit band of bachelor friends. They are all intimidating, volatile and secretive - Trade Review'Rich in psychological insight ... Tope is particularly skilled in creating interesting and unique characters' Deadly Pleasures; * 'A deftly-written, thoroughly entertaining story' Good Book Guide

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Book SynopsisFiery heroine Dahlia Racers returns in the highly demanded sequel to the acclaimed Gun Honey comics spin-off that fans of crime noir and pulp fiction will love.

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Book SynopsisWHAT IF THE ONLY WITNESS TO A MURDER IS MORE TWISTED THAN THE KILLER?''The very definition of a page-turner!'' IAN RANKIN''Enthralling'' SUNDAY TIMES, THRILLER OF THE MONTH ''Steve Cavanagh''s twists hit you between the eyes. You never see them coming'' ANTHONY HOROWITZ''This guy is the real deal. Trust me'' LEE CHILD''Steve Cavanagh writes the best hooks in the business'' MICK HERRONRuby Johnson is a nanny and maid to wealthy families in Manhattan''s West 74th Street. She knows their routines. Their secrets. One night, on her way home, Ruby witnesses a neighbour''s murder. She knows the victim. She knows the killer. She makes an anonymous call to the police and names the murderer. But Ruby didn''t tell the truth...Because there''s something wrong with Ruby Johnson. Eddie Flynn, conman turned trial lawyer, must defend an innocent man accused of this terrible

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Book Synopsis''Jill Paton Walsh has created a Miss Marple for the 21st century'' - Mirror''A jewel in the traditional English detective mode . . . Ms. Morse has arrived'' - ObserverAnother foolhardy Cambridge college night climber has died attempting Harding''s Folly. This time it''s John Talentire, one of the brightest young dons at St Agatha''s, and the verdict is accident, compounded by idiocy.But college nurse Imogen Quy can''t help wondering how such a clever young man died so stupidly.And when a wildly eccentric production of Hamlet is interrupted by a murder accusation, Imogen investigates, uncovering more crime than she expected . . .Trade ReviewFormidable talent . . . not so much Reservoir Dogs, more agony aunt with the mind of Morse * Sunday Express *Jill Paton Walsh has created a Miss Marple for the 21st century * Mirror *This is a satisfyingly convoluted tale, involving a family tragedy that took place many years before, as well as some ingenious sleuthing on the part of Imogen. * The Times *A jewel in the traditional English detective mode . . . Ms. Morse has arrived * Observer *Imogen Quy positively sparkles on the page as an amateur sleuth * Sunday Express *Paton Walsh plots deftly and writes intelligently * Independent *In Imogen Quy, the author has created an admirable detective heroine, as unabashed as she is unaffected * Times Literary Supplement *Jill Paton Walsh demonstrates that the traditional ingredients of the woman sleuth, the academic background and a clever puzzle are still capable of being arranged into an entertaining and stimulating crime novel * Manchester Evening News *

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Book SynopsisDon''t miss the next instalment in the Maisie Cooper Mystery series, Murder at Sunny View. Available to pre-order now!Maisie Cooper is excited to have a change of scenery for the weekend in the heart of the Devonshire countryside. But it''s not all sunshine and blue skies at Sunny View guesthouse, as a suspicious death means Maisie has her hands full with a new investigation!Amateur sleuth Maisie Cooper had hoped for a peaceful weekend at Sunny View guesthouse, when she finds herself amidst another mystery. She had received a puzzling letter from owners of the guesthouse, Russell and Audrey, asking for her help. A shocking revelation has created tension amongst the residents in the small hamlet of Trout Leap, and Maisie has a reputation of problem solving... When the body of one of the villagers is found lying dead by the river, Maisie is convinced that this is more than just an accident. Maisie can''t help but feel that the murder is somehow connected to the ongoing mystery at Trout Leap. Is someone hiding something? Who would commit such a crime? And can Maisie crack the case, before the killer strikes again?

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Book SynopsisTwo detectives under fire. One missing student. No answers.Chaos breaks out as DS Gabe Martin leaves Southampton Crown Court. Gunshots ring out. She and DI Juliet Stern are hit. The culprit disappears without a trace.Despite her injuries, Gabe is determined to work. She''s assigned to the search for missing art student Henry Garside. As she delves into his case, it becomes clear nothing about the investigation is as it seems.Is Henry's disappearance an isolated incident? Was the shooting a simple act of retribution or is there some far bigger and more sinister at play? When Juliet asks for her help in the search for their shooter, Gabe feels powerless to refuse, even if it means meddling where she shouldn''t. Increasingly caught between her loyalty to Juliet and her job, Gabe becomes dangerously close to crossing a line...A gripping immersive crime thriller from an exciting new talent. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and Susie Steiner.

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Book SynopsisAs Christmas draws nearer, Simmy Henderson is invited to a party in Glenridding at the heart of the Lake District. However, the festivities are overshadowed by two alarming discoveries: a man''s body in the beck above the village and a vulnerable newborn baby, apparently abandoned by its mother. Caught in the crosscurrents and tensions of the inhabitants of Glenridding, Simmy is drawn into the investigation. The season of goodwill has been eclipsed by far darker emotions and a murderer must be found. A must-read for fans of MC Beaton and Carola Dunn. This compelling Christmas addition to the popular series following florist and sleuth Simmy Henderson. Tope is a go-to author for cosy crime fiction with an atmospheric setting, whether in the Cotswolds, the West Country or, with this latest instalment, the stunning Lake District.

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Book SynopsisTwo boys, brothers, wake tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. Their kidnapper has gone, but soon he will return. Their bonds are inescapable. But there is a bottle and tar to seal it. Paper and a splinter for writing; blood for ink. A message begging for help... Her husband will not tell the truth: where he goes, how long he will be away.Trade ReviewGrippingly different * The Times *This is your methadone if you enjoyed The Killing and found it overwhelmingly addictive * BBC Radio 2 Claudia Winkleman Arts Show *A weighty and disturbing novel . . . with an ingenuity as impressive as it is unnerving * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA stunning and epic finale to the series, pitting Fandorin against both Ninjas and terrorists on the Trans-Siberian Express!The first of the interlinked plotlines is set in Russia during the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. Fandorin is charged with protecting the Trans-Siberian Railway from Japanese sabotage in a pacy adventure filled with double agents and ticking bombs.Then we travel back to the Japan of the late 1870s. This is the story of Fandorin''s arrival and life in Yokohama, his first meeting with Masa and the martial arts education that came in so handy later. He investigates the death of a Russian ship-captain, fights for a woman, exposes double-agents in the Japanese police, fights against, and then with the ninjas, and becomes embroiled in a shocking finale that interweaves the two stories and ties up the series as a whole.Trade ReviewThe most playful, ingenious historical thriller series in modern publishing * Guardian *Boris Akunin shows how it should be done ... an absurdly imaginative story, surreal and comic ... irresistible * The Times *A witty, rip-roaring thrill-fest * Time Out *Ingeniously plotted, racily written and wryly observed * Financial Times *The most playful, ingenious historical thriller series in modern publishing * Guardian *Boris Akunin shows how it should be done ... an absurdly imaginative story, surreal and comic ... irresistible * The Times *As past and present converge the finale is unforgettable. * THE DAILY EXPRESS *

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Book Synopsis*** PRE-ORDER THE ONLY SUSPECT NOW, THE NEW CAUTIONARY TALE OF OBSESSION, LOVE, JEALOUSY AND DECEPTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER PASSENGER  ***‘Absolutely brilliant… An exceptionally exciting, mysterious book – we both loved it’  Richard & Judy It all happens so quickly. One day you're living the dream, commuting to work by riverbus with your charismatic neighbour Kit in the seat beside you. The next, Kit hasn't turned up for the boat and his wife Melia has reported him missing. When you get off at your stop, the police are waiting. Another passenger saw you and Kit arguing on the boat home the night before and the police say that you had a reason to want him dead. You protest. You and Kit are friends - ask Melia, she'll vouch for you. And who exactly is this other passenger pointing the finger? WhTrade Review‘From Our House to Those People, Candlish knows exactly how to excavate the seething social tensions between her characters, creating delicious thrillers that are also really good fun . . . Filled with really excellent twists (one made my head hurt, but it was so good), read this and be transported down Candish’s river of dark deeds’ * Stylist, ‘Best books out in June’ *‘The queen of the urban thriller returns with her winning blend of whodunit and thoroughly unreliable narrators. Jamie has given up the rat-race for an easier life with a riverboat commute on the Thames in the company of his younger, brasher neighbour, Kit. But when Kit goes missing, Jamie is the prime suspect even though he had nothing to do with his friend’s disappearance. Or did he?’ * Red *'One of the twistiest plots you'll ever read. If you liked The Girl on a Train, you'll love this' * Cosmopolitan *‘A brilliantly slippery tale, stylish, suspenseful and absorbing’ * Best *‘Louise Candlish is one of our favourite authors, and this is as gripping as her other novels. You won’t want to put down this roller coaster read!’ * Closer *‘Whenever a Louise Candlish book arrives, we drop everything to read it. Gripping from start to finish’ * Bella *‘Not only is Candlish a terrific storyteller, she has the gift of making you care about unlikable characters, while her observations about generational conflict are sharp enough to make you wince’ * Guardian *‘Compelling tale of London property noir… With its tight cast and stylish backdrops, sharp plotting and clear narrative voice, I’ll be amazed if we don’t see The Other Passenger on screen before long’ * London Evening Standard *‘Oh, the delicious agony of witnessing Louise Candlish's ordinary, flawed bourgeois characters become warped by dark impulses, then twisting even further to avoid the consequences. Jamie and Clare, middle-aged and prosperous — though with fault lines — become enthralled by young new neighbours Kit and Melia. And as Jamie's telling of the story unfolds, the layers of plot astound’ * Sunday Times Crime Club *‘Another clever tale from the author of Our House’ * Prima *‘A chillingly addictive and glamorous thriller, set on and around London’s famous river and as murky as the Thames itself, with a disturbing denouement that would keep Christie herself guessing' * Sunday Post *‘This brilliantly plotted thriller takes a classic film noir set-up and transplants it to modern London with terrific style and surprising heart’ * Mail on Sunday *‘Louise Candlish helped launch the ‘property noir’ genre with Our House and Those People. In The Other Passenger, she brings murder to the London commute… That tempting trip down the river may never look quite the same again' * Observer *‘Addictive page turner… This author is so good at twisty yet completely believable domestic thrillers’ * Good Housekeeping *‘Candlish has carved a delicious niche recently – creating tales of lightly unpleasant people in sticky domestic situations – and she delivers again with this superior thriller’ * Crime Review *‘A slippery tale of double-crossing and deviousness, this stylish, noirish thriller is suspenseful and utterly absorbing’ * Sunday Mirror *‘An ingenious thriller about the corrosive effect of snobbery, money and jealousy on relationships, with a plot as serpentine as the river commute’ * Irish Independent *‘If you’re a fan of Louise Candlish, you’ll soon be adding The Other Passenger to your favourites list – and if you’re not already a fan, you soon will be… The suspense is maddening, and the conclusion refreshing, with plenty of twists to keep you hooked until the last page’ * Press Association *‘The pacing is first rate, as is the handling of the first-person narration’ * Sunday Times *‘The Other Passenger is just brilliant; gripping from the first page with an incredible first person narrative and a sense of place that pulls you through the pages fast enough to make your head spin. Louise Candlish just gets better and better, I love her’ -- Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Upstairs‘I’m a HUGE fan of Louise Candlish’s writing but she really knocks it out of the park with this one, with its Hitchcockian atmosphere of mounting dread and almost unbearable suspense, building to its astonishing conclusion. And it’s all so frighteningly credible because the characters are so brilliantly drawn, so knowable. A must read!’ -- Lucy Foley, author of The Guest List'Dark and clever and terrific in all its twists and turns' -- Nicci French, author of the Frieda Klein series and The Lying Room'A smart, twisty thriller that explores how money can warp relationships and destroy lives. A compulsive read that builds to an unimaginable climax. I couldn’t put it down!' -- Shari Lapena, author of The Couple Next Door‘The Other Passenger combines a tightly constructed, corkscrewing plot, a great sense of pace, and a sly critique of London's corrosive but necessary obsession with money. Highly recommended' -- Sarah Vaughan, author of Little Disasters'A novel like a roulette wheel at full tilt: smooth, hypnotic, relentless, exciting — and ultimately, just as unpredictable… Like every Candlish thriller, The Other Passenger is psychological suspense at its most elegant and sinister' -- AJ Finn, author of The Woman in the Window'Louise is the mistress of the ‘Oh my God, this could be me’ nightmare. It played havoc with my head and nervous stomach from start to finish' -- Fiona Barton, author of The Suspect‘A stunning masterwork of style and suspense. The Other Passenger is one of those novels that grabs us from the start, then keeps us up all night by brilliantly peeling back the layers of the story until we arrive—shockingly—at the truth. I can’t think of another novel in which the characters are so perfectly drawn’ -- Jeffery Deaver, author of The Never Game'What a stunner! Equal parts riveting, twisty, and unsettling. I constantly questioned which of these characters I could trust—the answer, to my delight, turned out to be none of them. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!' -- Stephanie Wrobel, author of The Recovery of Rose Gold'An instant classic, with so many twists and turns it made my head spin. Louise Candlish is the queen of intelligent, classy thrillers' -- Mark Edwards, author of Here to Stay'I've always loved Louise Candlish’s stylish and atmospheric writing but she has taken it to another level with his book. The Other Passenger grabs you from the first page and tightens its grip with every brilliant twist. Outstanding' -- Catherine Isaac, author of You Me Everything'Louise Candlish is the queen of the sucker-punch twist and she's done it again with The Other Passenger' -- Ruth Ware, author of The Turn of the Key‘A gripping read with a brilliant first-person narrative. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It’s so good!’ -- BA Paris, author of The Dilemma‘Nobody writes so incisively about couples’ * Daily Mail, Books of the Year 2020 *‘Cleverly captures the envy zeitgeist’ * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY THRILLER PICK NO ONE HOME**LONG-LISTED FOR THE CRIME WRITERS'' ASSOCIATION IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER AWARD** Lynda drives to a secluded beauty spot on the Somerset coast.CCTV watches her arrive, but never sees her leave. She is never seen again. Her sister calls missing persons investigator David Raker. For him, the mystery of where she went is only the start. The real question is why a woman with no reason to run would choose to leave her entire life behind?Missing and presumed dead, only Lynda knows the truth . . . Was it her decision? Or did someone make it for her? ''In Broken Heart, Weaver moves up a notch - to excellence. I can''t remember a thriller containing so many twists and surprises. It grips from the start'' The Times, Book of the MonthTrade ReviewTim Weaver's series has steadily confirmed his place in Brit noir's premier league, with his assured handling of intriguing plots and characters of genuine humanity . . . In Broken Heart, Weaver moves up a notch. Terrific * Sunday Times *Praise for Tim Weaver * - *It had me racing to the end -- Fiona Barton * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Widow *The rising star of British crime -- Tony Parsons * Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of the DC Max Wolfe series *I couldn't put it down * Sun *Fans of Mo Hayder will be in seventh hell * Guardian *Weaver has become one of this country's most respected, bestselling crime writers, and he fully deserves to be . . . Catch him at once * Daily Mail *The writing is beautiful and the plot so cleverly constructed I never guessed any of the twists -- Claire Douglas * Sunday Times bestselling author of Local Girl Missing *Weaver's books get better each time - tense, complex, written with flair as well as care * Guardian *Tim Weaver writes books so meticulously researched that the reader is educated as well as entertained, enthralled and intrigued -- Liz Nugent * Sunday Times bestselling author of Lying in Wait *A dark, complex and visceral read * Financial Times *The story-telling is little short of brilliant * Crime Fiction Lover *Perfect plotting, great characterisation, and the kind of payoff that a thriller of this calibre deserves * Bookgeeks *

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Book SynopsisAs inventive as Agatha Christie, as hilarious as P.G. Wodehouse discover the delightful detective stories of Edmund Crispin. Crime fiction at its quirkiest and best.Richard Cadogan, poet and would-be bon vivant, arrives for what he thinks will be a relaxing holiday in the city of dreaming spires. Late one night, however, he discovers the dead body of an elderly woman lying in a toyshop and is coshed on the head. When he comes to, he finds that the toyshop has disappeared and been replaced with a grocery store. The police are understandably skeptical of this tale but Richard''s former schoolmate, Gervase Fen (Oxford professor and amateur detective), knows that truth is stranger than fiction (in fiction, at least). Soon the intrepid duo are careening around town in hot pursuit of clues but just when they think they understand what has happened, the disappearing-toyshop mystery takes a sharp turnErudite, eccentric and entirely delightful Before Morse, Oxford''s murders were solved by GeTrade Review"A clever, funny and rightly famous story set in Oxford 30 years before Morse started pounding the beat" The Times, 100 Best Crime Novels of the Twentieth Century "The characters were so engaging and the writing so mischievous, that I thoroughly enjoyed it" Miles Kington, Independent "One of my all-time favorite books" Michael Dirda, Washington Post "One of the undiscovered treasures of British crime fiction: Crispin's storytelling is intelligent, humane, surprising and rattling good fun" A.L. Kennedy "A classic crime novel with a surreal streak… It's a clever, energetic romp, written with wit" Val McDermid, The Week

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Book SynopsisSOON TO BE AN ORIGINAL AMAZON PRIME SERIES______________________________________'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it.' LEE CHILD____________________________________Detective Alex Cross is stretched to breaking point as two killers hit Washington, DCA controversial senator is found murdered in his bed. On the other side of town, a young girl has been savagely killed. Under pressure to solve both cases, Cross is faced with an impossible choice.No one in Washington is safe, but can Cross discover the truth before the killers set their sights on their ultimate target?____________________________________'Alex Cross is a legend' HARLAN COBEN'Fine, full-blooded entertainment from start to finish' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'Captivating . . . As always, Patterson provides a fast-paced thriller full of surprising but realistic plot twists . . . Cross is one of the best and most likable characters in the modern thriller genre' SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer . . . Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL'A writer with an unusual skill at thriller plotting.' MARK LAWSON, GUARDIAN'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKINTrade ReviewFine, full-blooded entertainment from start to finish. * Publishers Weekly *Captivating . . . As always, Patterson provides a fast-paced thriller full of surprising but realistic plot twists . . . Cross is one of the best and most likable characters in the modern thriller genre. * San Francisco Examiner *It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer: his uncanny skill in creating living, breathing characters we truly feel for and seamless, lightning-fast plots. I do this for a living, and he still manages to keep me guessing from the first to last page ... Simply put: Nobody does it better. -- JEFFERY DEAVERBehind all the noise and the numbers, we shouldn't forget that no one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it. -- LEE CHILD, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher seriesTwenty years ago, I wrote, "Along Came a Spider is the best thriller I've come across in many a year. It deserves to be this season's no. 1 bestseller and should instantly make James Patterson a household name." A household name, indeed. -- NELSON DEMILLEAlex Cross is a legend. -- HARLAN COBENJames Patterson is The Boss. End of. -- IAN RANKIN, bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus seriesEvery once in a while a writer comes along and fundamentally changes the way people read. He or she is so bright, so innovative, so industrious that what they envision and create becomes the measure by which all others are judged. In 1993 one such writer - James Patterson - began to do just that ... James Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged. -- STEVE BERRY, bestselling author of the Colton Malone series

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Book SynopsisFamous solo violinist Lucy Carless is making a guest appearance with the provincial Markshire Orchestra, only to be found strangled with a silk stocking part-way through the concert. Everyone in the orchestra had access to the scene of the crime, and the police officer in charge, Inspector Trimble, has no idea where to start. Luckily retired barrister and amateur detective Francis Pettigrew has been acting as an honorary treasurer to the Markshire Orchestral Society, and he is soon on his way to finding the murderer.

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Book Synopsis ''Britain''s No.1 crime writer'' Mirror * * * * *A CASE THAT WON''T DIEJohn Rebus can''t close the door on the death of glamorous socialite Maria Turquand. Brutally murdered in her hotel room forty years ago, her killer has never been found.Meanwhile, Edinburgh''s dark heart is up for grabs. Young pretender Darryl Christie may have staked his claim on the city''s underworld - but has criminal mastermind and Rebus'' long-time adversary, Big Ger Cafferty, really settled down to a quiet retirement? Or is he hiding in the shadows until Edinburgh is once more ripe for the picking?Old Enemies. New Crimes. Rebus may be off the force, but he certainly isn''t off the case.* * * * *''Superbly told, impossible to put down ... underlines the treasure that Rebus has become'' Daily Mail''This elegantly crafted and witty thriller proves this old devil still has all the Trade ReviewSuperbly told, impossible to put down, and laced with Rankin's unmistakeable laconic wit it precisely underlines the treasure that Rebus has become. * DAILY MAIL *Though it moves at pace, what makes this tale so satisfying is that its protagonists have had time to develop. Rebus's input serves to highlight the benefits of age, experience and keeping a sense of community. * GUARDIAN *This elegantly crafted and witty thriller proves this old devil still has all the best tunes. * SUNDAY MIRROR *Rankin is expert at what theorists of realism call the authenticating detail. * SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY *Essential crime-reading. * SAGA *This is an interesting and enjoyable novel. * LITERARY REVIEW *Rather Be The Devil is an intricate, evocative Edinburgh mystery that builds to a bloody finale. Retirement may not suit Rebus but it's resulted in yet another brilliant book in Rankin's revived crime series. * CRIME SCENE *This may be Rebus's 21st outing, but this is a cleverly crafted tale and Ian Rankin's storytelling is as fresh as ever. * IRISH NEWS *The 21st Rebus novel boasts effortless plotting and a cracking narrative that keeps the reader gripped throughout. * DAILY EXPRESS *Clever and compelling. * INDEPENDENT i *Rather Be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best. * CHALLENGER *

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Book SynopsisThe eleventh book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham.''Expertly crafted, with a slam-dunk ending. The Dying Hours is a terrific read'' GuardianA cluster of suicides among the elderly. Such things are not unknown to the police and the deaths are quickly dismissed by the police as routine. Only one man is convinced that something more sinister is taking place.However, no one listens to Tom Thorne anymore. Having stepped out of line once too often, he''s back in uniform and he hates it. Patronised and abused by his new colleagues, Thorne''s suspicions about the suicides are dismissed by the Murder Squad he was once part of and he is forced to investigate alone.Unable to trust anyone, Thorne must risk losing those closest to him. He must gamble with the lives of those targeted by a killer unlike any he has hunted before. A man with nothing to lose and a growing l

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Book SynopsisFamily always comes first. Until now.Get ready for the ultimate summer read with the explosive new novel from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller and ''undisputed queen of crime writing'' (Guardian) Martina Cole. Diana Davis has been head of the family business since the death of her husband, an infamous bank robber. She''s a woman in a man''s world, but no one messes with her.Her only son, Angus, is a natural born villain, but he needs to earn Diana''s trust before she''ll allow him into the business.Once he''s proved he has the brains to run their clubs in Marbella, he is given what he''s always wanted. It''s the beginning of a reign of terror that knows no bounds.But Angus has a blind spot: his wife, Lorna, and their three kids, Angus Junior, Sean and Eilish. And as the next generation enters the business, Angus has a painful truth to learn. Even when it comes to family, he must show no mercy...''She''s a totTrade ReviewA fab read - no one writes crime like Martina Cole * Closer *A great read from the queen of crime * Bella *Fast-moving and full of guns, gangsters, drugs and gore, this gritty story delivers a terrific twist. * Sunday Mirror *Classic Cole * Heat *No Mercy is a gripping Cole classic, awash in graphic violence, brutal betrayal and the darkest of deeds, but also brimming with immaculately drawn characters, psychological insight, and the acute observations of family life that have made this author such a crime-writing sensation. * Lancashire Evening Post *Martina Cole is back with typical barbed wire dialogue, a knuckleduster-hard plot and a tough new character in Diana Davis who runs her family business with a rod of iron. Relentlessly gritty! * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *A fully engrossing read * Leicester Mercury *Crime-Queen Martina Cole dispatches yet another grimy tale, this one gilded with 80s panache * The i *

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Book SynopsisSometimes the truth is not all it seems. Sometimes a confession is just the beginning . . . Late one night a man walks into the luxurious home of disgraced banker Harry McNamara and his wife Julie. The man launches an unspeakably brutal attack on Harry as a horror-struck Julie watches, frozen by fear. It looks like Harry's many sins - corruption, greed, betrayal - have finally caught up with him.An hour later the intruder, JP Carney, hands himself in, confessing to the assault. The police have a victim, a suspect in custody and an eye-witness account, but Julie remains troubled.Has Carney's surrender really been driven by a guilty conscience or is this confession the first calculated move in a deadly game?**********'Brilliantly dark' Daily Mail'Fabulous . . . Clever, pacey, compulsive' Daily Mirror'A brilliant hook and rapid-fire ride' Irish Independent'Gripping' Best'Clever, chilling' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewFabulous . . . Clever, pacey, compulsive * Sunday Mirror *Refreshing and... full of twists * The Express *Spain's blackly comic touch pulls us through a brilliantly dark tale * Daily Mail *A brilliantly dark tale * Mail on Sunday *A clever and unusual premise . . . punchy and energetic . . . a brilliant hook and rapid-fire ride * Irish Independent *Fresh, witty writing style . . . an eye for details make the characters instantly believable * Daily Mail *Brilliantly crafted . . . each piece of the puzzle is gradually put together and keeps you gripped until the end * Prima *A scathing overview of the Celtic Tiger years . . . [a] vivid portrait of a fascinating monster * Irish Times *This gripping novel is more of a whydunnit than a whodunnit * Best *A contender for the most arresting opening paragraph of the year . . . This is crime fiction for grown-ups, taking its time to explore the ins and outs of human psychology * Sunday Express *An intriguing Rubik's Cube of a book that kept me turning the pages to get to the truth. So well plotted and beautifully written. I absolutely loved it * Liz Nugent, author of Unravelling Oliver *A clever novel . . . gradually exposing a chilling history of dysfunctional families * Sunday Times *I can't praise The Confession enough. Brilliant writing, great story . . . a really cracking read * BA Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown *A dizzying tale of lives falling apart that has you addicted from the very first page. I found it impossible to put down, so desperate was I to get to the truth * Michelle Frances, author of The Girlfriend *Enthralling - Spain dissects her characters' secrets with razor-sharp precision * JP Delaney, author of The Girl Before *Here is my confession: I've never read Jo Spain before but now I'll be buying all of her books. The Confession is brutal and brilliant * Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle *The Confession is jaw-dropping. Clever. Addictive. Beautifully drawn characters. Masterful storytelling * Chris Whitaker, author of Tall Oaks *Loved it! Fabulous characters, superbly written, twists, turns & ends with a punch * Amanda Jennings, author of In Her Wake *An absolute cracker of a book, compulsive, deviously plotted and intense - I will be recommending this to everyone * Elizabeth Haynes, author of Into the Darkest Corner *Jo Spain is such a talent. The Confession had me in its thrall from the first page, revealing the dark side of the Celtic Tiger * Sarah Ward, author of In Bitter Chill *I loved this twisty slice of domestic noir * Claire McGowan, author of Blood Tide *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times top crime read of the year. A journalist on the track of an old case attempts suicide. An ordinary couple return from a house swap in the states to find their home in disarray and their guests seemingly missing. Four strangers struggle to find shelter on a windswept spike of rock in the middle of a raging sea. They have one thing in common: they all lied.And someone is determined to punish them...WHY DID YOU LIE is a terrifying tale of long-delayed retribution from Iceland''s Queen of Suspense.Trade ReviewA tour de force... Sigurdardottir handles the different plot strands brilliantly, bringing them together in an unforgettable climax. * The Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month *Iceland's outstanding crime novelist is spoiling us in her latest offering, with three juicy storylines for the price of one... I doubt many readers will guess what in the blue blazes can possibly connect these three mysteries before all is revealed, but I'm sure all will revel in the customary Sigurdardottir mixture of creepy atmospherics and sardonic humour. She is a treasure. * Daily Express *Other crime writers might as well give up now. In her new novel, Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottirhas found the single most terrifying place on earth to be stuck in the middle of a murder mystery...taut and compelling * Crime Scene Magazine *Spine-chilling... keeps us on the edge of our seats * Independent *A masterpiece of plotting and suspense * I Paper *Three separate stories are gradually and skilfully merged together and bring this readable, enjoyable thriller to a melodramatic finish * Literary Review *

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Book Synopsis The brand new John Rebus thriller from the iconic Number One bestseller Ian Rankin: one of the must-read books of the year. John Rebus spent his life as a detective putting Edinburgh''s most deadly criminals behind bars. Now, he''s joined them...As new allies and old enemies circle, and the days and nights bleed into each other, even the legendary detective struggles to keep his head.That is, until a murder at midnight in a locked cell presents a new mystery. They say old habits die hard...However, this is a case where the prisoners and the guards are all suspects, and everyone has something to hide. With no badge, no authority and no safety net, Rebus walks a tightrope - with his life on the line.But how do you find a killer in a place full of them?* * * * * PRAISE FOR THE ICONIC NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER IAN RANKIN: ''Ian Rankin is a genius'' LEE CHILD ''Reb

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Book Synopsis Bestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with another gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller set on the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE ANGLESEY SERIES: ‘Full of twists and with plenty of atmosphere.’ – Million-copy bestseller FAITH MARTIN ‘Action-packed! A great thriller in a gorgeous location.’ – international bestselling author LISA GARDNER 'A harrowing story set against a stunning backdrop. Anglesey becomes McCleave's newest brutal playground.’ MORGAN GREENE ‘The tension keeps you gripped until the last page.’ RACHEL MCLEAN

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Book SynopsisClaire Lidman died fourteen years ago.So why does she appear in the background of a recent holiday snap taken in Venice?Her husband brings the anomaly to Hans Rekke and Micaela Vargas. Initial scepticism gives way to cautious belief, but Rekke is falling apart again and Vargas has her own problems. Her gangster brother is threatening to silence her if she doesn''t get off his case.Meanwhile, Rekke''s daughter Julia has a new boyfriend she''s determined to keep secret. He sees something in her she can''t see herself, but there are hints of a darker side.Most troubling of all, Rekke is hearing whispers of a name he hasn''t heard for years. A rival from his youth whose restless evil links all the threads in this incipient case. The pieces are laid and he''s already one move ahead. The name of the game is revenge.Translated from the Swedish by Ian GilesReviews for Dark Music:One Holmes himself

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Book SynopsisWell, this is a belter of a book! A hugely entertaining and gripping read!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????He'll watch you.A lawyer is found dead at sunrise on a lonely clifftop at Dunnet Head on the northernmost tip of Scotland. It was supposed to be his honeymoon, but now his wife will never see him again.He'll hunt you.The case is linked to several mysterious deaths, including the murder of the lawyer's last client Scotland's most notorious criminal who had just walked free. DS Max Craigie knows this can only mean one thing: they have a vigilante serial killer on their hands.He'll leave you to die.But this time the killer isn't on the run; he's on the investigation team. And the rules are different when the murderer is this close to home.He knows their weaknesses, knows how to stay hidden, and he thinks he's above the lawMax, Janie and Ross return in the latest gripping novel in this explosive Scottish crime series. Fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride and Marion Todd will love The Night Trade Review Praise for Neil Lancaster: ‘Grabbed me from the first page … think Jack Reacher fronting Line of Duty’ Ian Rankin ‘The best police procedural I've read in years – fast-paced, compelling and deeply authentic. DS Max Craigie is a brilliant hero and I can't wait for the next in the series’ Jane Casey ‘A genuinely thrilling adventure’ Scottish Sun ‘Compelling, quirky and engaging, this is a page-turner you won't want to miss!’ Denzil Meyrick ‘Genuinely gripping, a total page-turner and one of my favourite reads of the year’ Matt Nixon, Daily Express ‘Great storytelling with a whiplash smart hero and heroine’ Daily Mail ‘A cracking good story … kept me turning the pages, and loving the twists. I can’t wait for the second Craigie instalment’ Gytha Lodge ‘Gripping’ Bella ‘A sizzling start to a new series’ Crime Monthly ‘A thriller writer set to blow up the bestseller lists’ C. L. Taylor ‘Rock hard cop stuff, from a writer who’s done it for real. Absolutely terrific’ Paul Finch ‘The most authentic voice in thriller writing’ Tony Parsons ‘An edge-of-your-seat, read-in-one-sitting book. If you like Line of Duty, you must snap this up’ Cass Green ‘An authentic and compelling thriller. Highly recommended’ Mark Dawson ‘Absolutely blown away by how good this is … highly recommended’ Marion Todd ‘If you loved his Tom Novak series, you’ll love this even more’ Stephen Leather ‘A powerful and gripping story … D. S. Max Craigie is a fantastic creation’ Howard Linskey ‘An incredible piece of work. Great storytelling, pacy and written with such a sense of place’ Chris MacDonald ‘A stone cold classic of the genre; the strongest start to a series I’ve seen in years’ Tony Kent ‘Compelling from beginning to end!’ John Barlow If you want to know how the police really do it, you’d be mad to miss this' Claire Seeber

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Book SynopsisRuth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels.With worldwide sales of approximately 20 million copies, Rendell was a regular Sunday Times bestseller. Her sixty bestselling novels include police procedurals, some of which have been successfully adapted for TV, stand-alone psychological mysteries, and a third strand of crime novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. Very much abreast of her times, the Wexford books in particular often engaged with social or political issues close to her heart.Rendell won numerous awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for 1976's best crime novel with A Demon in My View, a Gold Dagger award for Live Fles

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Book SynopsisThe discovery of a human foot in an Edinburgh park, the inexplicable circumstances of a dying woman, and the missing daughter of Jenny’s violent ex-husband present the Skelf women with their most challenging – and deadly – cases yet… Book THREE in the addictive The Skelfs series! ‘Simply stunning. Tense, funny and deeply moving’ Mark Billingham ‘If you loved Iain Banks, you’ll devour the Skelfs series’ Erin Kelly ‘Nobody portrays modern Edinburgh better than Doug Johnstone. The Great Silence speaks volumes about the power of story’ Val McDermid ______________ Keeping on top of the family funeral directors’ and private-investigation businesses is no easy task for the Skelf women, and when matriarch Dorothy discovers a human foot while walking the dog, a perplexing case presents itself … with potentially deadly results. Daughter Jenny and grand-daughter Hannah have their hands full too: The mysterious circumstances of a dying woman lead them into an unexpected family drama, Hannah's new astrophysicist colleague claims he's receiving messages from outer space, and the Skelfs' teenaged lodger has yet another devastating experience. Nothing is clear as the women are immersed ever deeper in their most challenging cases yet. But when the daughter of Jenny’s violent and fugitive ex-husband goes missing without trace and a wild animal is spotted roaming Edinburgh's parks, real danger presents itself, and all three Skelfs are in peril. Taut, dark, warmly funny and unafraid to ask big questions – of us all – The Great Silence is the much-anticipated third instalment in the addictive, unforgettable Skelfs series, and the stakes are higher than ever. ______________ ‘This is their third outing and the stories get better each time … Told with a wry humour and affection, the novel underlines just how accomplished Johnstone has become’ Daily Mail ‘The power of this book lies in the warm personalities and dark humour of the Skelfs, and by the end readers will be just as interested in their relationships with each other as the mysteries they are trying to solve’ Scotsman ‘Remarkable’ Sunday Times Crime Club STAR PICK ‘Keeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader can’t ask anything more’ The Sun ‘Mysteries aplenty … a poignant reflection on grief and the potential for healing that lies within us all. A proper treat’ Mary Paulson-Ellis ‘A thrilling, atmospheric book, set in the dark streets of Edinburgh. That great city really came alive for me in this gripping tale. Move over Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone is coming through!’ Kate Rhodes ‘An unstoppable, thrilling, bullet train of a book that cleverly weaves in family and intrigue, and has real emotional impact. I totally loved it’ Helen Fields ‘This enjoyable mystery is also a touching and often funny portrayal of grief ... more, please’ Guardian ‘Wonderful characters: flawed, funny and brave’ Sunday Times ‘Exceptional … a must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists’ Publishers Weekly The Skelfs series has been: ***Shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year*** ***Longlisted for Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year*** ***Shortlisted for Amazon Publishing Capital Crime Thriller of the Year***

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Book SynopsisA gripping new police procedural thriller from Simon Toyne featuring criminologist Dr Laughton Rees and DCI Tannahill Khan

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