Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisThe first novel in Ellroy''s extraordinary Underworld USA Trilogy as featured on BBC Radio 4''s A Good Read. 1958. America is about to emerge into a bright new age an age that will last until the 1000 days of John F Kennedy''s presidency. Three men move beneath the glossy surface of power, men allied to the makers and shakers of the era. Pete Bondurant Howard Hughes''s right-hand man, Jimmy Hoffa''s hitman. Kemper Boyd employed by J Edgar Hoover to infiltrate the Kennedy clan. Ward Littell a man seeking redemption in Bobby Kennedy''s drive against organised crime. The festering discount of the age that burns brightly in these men''s hearts will go into supernova as the Bay of Pigs ends in calamity, the Mob clamours for payback and the 1000 days ends in brutal quietus in 1963.Trade ReviewIntense and flamboyant... excellent. The plot runs on high-octane violence... a powerful book... one emerges breathless, shaken and ready to change one's view of recent American history * Sunday Telegraph *Brilliant and appalling. It is deeply repelling portraiture, yet mesmerising * The Times *Laconic violence, terse, slang-driven sentences, and a gleeful blurring of the moral line between good guys and bad guys... Seven hundred pages of this stuff left me feeling punch-drunk and dizzy, but then it sure beats the hell out of Anita Brookner * Mail on Sunday *A frenetic and explosive thriller . . . * Sunday Times *One of the most important popular-fiction writers in America ... a Tinsel town Dostoyevsky * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisFriar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the ''Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross'' sweeps into the peaceful village of Avranches, like the riders from the Apocalypse, leaving nothing but death and hellish destruction in their wake.London, 1382: Brother Athelstan is summoned to unpick the ugly truth behind a number of killings afflicting the great city. Some carried out like clean, efficient assassinations, all bearing the message ''Justitia Fiat - let there be justice'', others inflicting torture and humiliation upon the bodies. But the victims all have one thing in common - they were all once members of Via Crucis.With every new gruesome discovery, Brother Athelstan, with the help of Coroner Cranston, uncovers more clues which make up a mo

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Book SynopsisGuilt, sacrifice and redemption in a freezing Derbyshire winter in this tense psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of Black Dog'.''The sun had dropped over the edge of Irontongue Hill so that the snow-covered moor was in shadow but Marie Tennent would never see the dawn.''Marie''s was not the only body lying undiscovered under the Peak District snow that January morning nor the first. In 1945, the wreckage of a bomber was found on the Hill, full of dead crewmen. The missing pilot was declared responsible, but why would a decorated hero desert? The only other survivor refuses to talk. A young Canadian woman has arrived to uncover the truth the pilot was her grandfather. DC Ben Cooper is intrigued. Perhaps he can help?To his boss DS Fry, investigating two frozen bodies found on the moors, her colleague''s interest is entirely unprofessional. But the past has a way of influencing the present and before either knows it, a long-cold trail in the dead of winter has grown dangeTrade ReviewPraise for Stephen Booth: ‘Stephen Booth creates a fine sense of place and atmosphere … the unguessable solution to the crime comes as a real surprise’ Sunday Telegraph ‘The complex relationship between [Cooper and Fry] is excellently drawn, and is combined with an intriguing plot and a real sense of place: Stephen Booth is an author to keep an eye on’ Evening Standard ‘Stephen Booth makes high summer in Derbyshire as dark and terrifying as midwinter’ Val McDermid 'A leading light of British crime writing' Guardian ‘ 'Best traditional crime novel of the year'Independent, Books of the Year

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Book SynopsisThe first thriller in the No.1 bestselling DS Logan McRae series. Nothing keeps a crime hidden like fearStuart MacBride's thrillers just keep getting better' ExpressYou can't be an eyewitness if I cut out your eyes'Someone's preying on Aberdeen's growing Polish population. The pattern is always the same: men abandoned on building sites, barely alive, their eyes gouged out and the sockets burned.With the victims too scared to talk, and the only witness a paedophile who's on the run, Grampian Police is getting nowhere fast. The attacks are brutal, they keep on happening, and soon DS Logan McRae will have to decide how far he's prepared to bend the rules to get a result.The Granite City is on the brink of gang warfare; the investigating team are dogged by allegations of corruption; and Logan's about to come to the attention of Aberdeen's most notorious crime lordTrade ReviewPraise for Blind Eye: ‘Hard-hitting prose with a bone-dry humour and characters you can genuinely believe in, Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series of novels are a real treat.’ Simon Kernick ‘Cracking dialogue … a standout crime novel’ Metro ‘Irresistible and repulsive in equal measure … The result? A real page-turner’ Scotland on Sunday Praise for Stuart MacBride: ‘Ferocious and funny, this is Tartan Noir at its best’ Val McDermid ‘MacBride is a damned fine writer – no one does dark and gritty like him’ Peter James

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Book SynopsisFROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHORDeadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch' Andy McDermottA BRUTAL MURDER.A SCIENTIST ON THE RUN.A PLOT TO KILL MILLIONS.While secretly researching the bizarre discoveries of Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla many years earlier, physicist Claudine Pommier becomes the victim of a remorseless and cruel murderer who breaks into her Parisian apartment. Is he just a serial killer, or is there more to her death than the Paris cops believe?Maverick American biologist Dr Roberta Ryder receives a mysterious letter from her friend Claudine and travels to Paris to see her, only to learn of her shocking death. Before she knows it, Roberta becomes the target of ruthless men with a deadly agenda that only the letter can unmask. She's alone and vulnerable. But she knows someone the only someone who can help her.Ben Hope, ex-SAS soldier and Roberta's old flame, now trying to retire to a life of peace with his fiancTrade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore ‘Scott Mariani is an awesome writer’ Chris Kuzneski

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Book SynopsisThe third DS Logan McRae thriller in the No.1 bestselling crime series from Stuart MacBride. A crime of passion or cold-hearted murder?MacBride is a damned fine writer' Peter JamesThe Granite City's seedy side is about to be exposedA serial rapist is leaving a string of tortured women behind him, but while DS Logan McRae's girlfriend, PC Jackie Ball Breaker' Watson, is out acting as bait, he's trying to identify a blood-drenched body dumped outside Accident and Emergency.Logan's investigations suggest someone in the local bondage community has developed a taste for violent death, and he soon finds himself dragged into the twilight world of pornographers, sex-shops and S&M.Meanwhile, the prime suspect in the rape case turns out to be Aberdeen Football Club's star striker. Logan thinks they've got it horribly wrong, but Jackie is convinced the footballer's guilty and she's hell-bent on a conviction at any costTrade ReviewPraise for Broken Skin: ‘Compelling reading … a tribute to MacBride’s storytelling skill’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Grim, gritty and great fun’ Daily Sport Praise for Stuart MacBride: ‘Fierce, unflinching and shot through with the blackest of humour; this is crime fiction of the highest order’ Mark Billingham ‘Ferocious and funny, this is Tartan Noir at its best’ Val McDermid ‘MacBride is a damned fine writer – no one does dark and gritty like him’ Peter James

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Book SynopsisSome of Agatha Christie's earliest stories including her very first which show the Queen of Crime in the makingA macabre recurring dream revenge against a blackmailer jealousy, infidelity and a tortured conscience a stolen gemstone the haunting attraction of an ancient relic a race against time a tragic love triangle a body in a box an unexpected visitor from beyond the graveNine quintessential examples of Agatha Christie''s brilliance are contained in this new collection of early short stories including the very first one she ever wrote and provide a unique glimpse of the Queen of Crime in the making.Trade Review“The acknowledged Queen of Crime.”OBSERVER

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Book SynopsisFive strangers. One horrific event. What did they see?Assured and engrossing' The Sunday TimesTightly-plotted, entertaining' LOUISE CANDLISHMeticulously plotted with an ending I really didn't see coming.' SARAH VAUGHAN, author of ANATOMY OF A SCANDALA gripping new thriller about secrets, obsession and liesWhen disgraced journalist Jen Hunter witnesses a horrific murder-suicide on Hampstead Heath one February alongside four strangers, she is compelled to find out what really happened that day. They all saw Daniel kill his girlfriend, Vicky but can they trust their own memories?Jen's best friend, Bex, is worried about her. She knows Jen hasn't always been the most stable of women. She knows about the lies. She knows why Jen lost her job at the paper.As the lives of the Parliament Hill witnesses begin to unravel, one thing becomes clear: there is more to what happened that day on the heath.And Jen needs to find out the truth even at a cost.Trade Review Praise for Five Strangers: ‘Assured and engrossing’ The Sunday Times ‘Fantastic- I read this in one sitting’ Kate Mosse ‘It’s exactly what you look for in a thriller: well-drawn characters, a believable plot and an ending that makes you think long after you have finished reading’ Belfast Telegraph ‘Great fun’ The Times ‘Both a tightly-plotted, entertaining work of suspense and an unflinching study of the trauma of witnessing violence’ LOUISE CANDLISH “Meticulously plotted with an ending I really didn’t see coming.” SARAH VAUGHAN, author of ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL ‘An 'of-the-moment' mystery which keeps you wondering until the final page.’ JANE CORRY, author of I MADE A MISTAKE ‘Fast-paced and unpredictable’ JANE SHEMILT ‘I loved this dark twisty tale’ JACKIE KABLER ‘It starts with a chilling act of murder and continues with twist after twist’ CLAIRE MCGOWAN ‘Superbly executed’ JANE CASEY ‘A powerful thriller disentangling what lies behind a bloody opening murder scene at one of London's most famous beauty spots' TANITH CAREY ‘A twisty, dark, urban thriller.’ CASS GREEN 'So perfectly pitched it gave me vertigo.' KATE WEINBERG, author of THE TRUANTS ‘Five Strangers opens with a vicious death, then blindsides you on a twisted journey of possession and danger. I read it in one day.’ RACHAEL BLOK ‘Following a startlingly original opening, this tense mystery reels you in and never lets go!’ ABBY DAVIES, author of MOTHER LOVES ME 'Compelling and darkly addictive’ GAVANNDRA HODGE 'An original, twisty and atmospheric thriller, packed with secrets and toxic relationships’ ROZ WATKINS, author of THE DEVIL’S DICE Praise for E.V. Adamson (writing as Andrew Wilson): ‘An exceptionally intricate mystery’ A.J. FINN ‘Fiendishly well-plotted’ LUCY FOLEY

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERImmensely grippingStayed up till past 2am to finish this' Sophie HannahFour people walked into the dining room that night. One would never leave.Matthew: the perfect husband.Titus: the perfect son.Charlie: the perfect illusion.Rachel: the perfect stranger.Charlie didn't want her at the book club. Matthew wouldn't listen.And that's how Charlie finds himself slumped beside his husband's body, their son sitting silently at the dinner table, while Rachel calls 999, the bloody knife still gripped in her hand.Classic crime meets Donna Tartt in this nerve-shredding domestic noir thriller that weaves a sprawling web of secrets around an opulent West London world and the dinner that ends in death.Praise for The Dinner Guest:Could not put this book down, kept me guessing the entire way. Wow! A triumph from B P Walter' Susan Lewis, bestselling author of Forgive MeI couldn''t put this down. Suspenseful and well crafted, this is twisty, addictive reading to add to your liTrade Review‘Stayed up till past 2am to finish this! Well done, B P Walter – immensely gripping!’ Sophie Hannah, Sunday Times-bestselling author of the Hercule Poirot Mysteries ‘Could not put this book down, kept me guessing the entire way. Wow! A triumph from B P Walter’ Susan Lewis, bestselling author of FORGIVE ME ‘I couldn't put this down. Suspenseful and well crafted, this is twisty, addictive reading to add to your list’ Debbie Howells, bestselling author of THE VOW and Richard and Judy Book Club pick THE BONES OF YOU ‘So many secrets and lies and such a compelling story; I had NO idea how this one was going to end, only that I couldn’t stop reading it until I found out’ Jackie Kabler, bestselling author of THE PERFECT COUPLE ‘Dark and twisted, THE DINNER GUEST is a captivating, atmospheric story of secrets and lies set within the world of old-school London money. It had me second-guessing every page. Pure delicious escapism!’ Charlotte Duckworth, bestselling author of THE PERFECT FATHER ‘I loved this book, full of buried secrets and twists. It caught me from the beginning, and I had NO idea how it would play out, but what a great finale! B P Walter has created three-dimensional characters with such nuance and observation. Wonderful – highly recommended!’ Elisabeth Carpenter, bestselling author of 99 RED BALLOONS ‘A gripping page turner from cover to cover. Richly drawn characters you love to hate and hate to love leading to a finale you won’t see coming’ Michael Wood, bestselling author of the DCI Matilda Darke Thrillers ‘Devoured this … Twisty, compelling and full of deliciously despicable characters, it had me stumped til the final chapters … a smashing read’ Lisa Hall, bestselling author of THE PERFECT COUPLE Praise for A VERSION OF THE TRUTH: ‘Devilishly well-plotted, crisply written – and a hell of a lot of fun. What a smashing debut!’ A.J. Finn, #1 bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW

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Book Synopsis*Don''t miss the next gripping Double O thriller, A SPY LIKE ME, available to order now*The start of a brand new trilogy following MI6's agents with a licence to kill, that blows the world of James Bond wide open!THREEJames Bond is missing and presumed dead. In his absence, MI6 is left struggling to pick up the pieces in the face of the world's deadliest threat yet.TWOMoneypenny's elite Double O agents Sid Bashir, Johanna Harwood and Joseph Dryden are tasked with infiltrating the deadly terrorist organisation Rattenfänger, and unearthing its connection to tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise.ONEAs time ticks away, the stakes couldn't be higher and the fate of our lives rests in their handsWhat everyone is saying about DOUBLE OR NOTHING:Filled with characters so real we feel we know them, the novel races through its surprising plot twists like an Aston Martin in high gear' Jeffery Deaver, author of Carte Blanche, a James Bond novelStylish, explosive, fresh and fun, Kim Sherwood takeTrade Review‘Unshackled from the burden of fidelity to Fleming’s character, her book feels a lot freer and more spontaneous than the more conventional Bond continuation novels, while still managing to capture something of Fleming’s rollicking spirit’ Telegraph ‘A boldly innovative James Bond novel . . . [Sherwood] rises impressively to all the challenges of the formula — the cliffhangers, the exotic locations, the wry specificity about lifestyle and weaponry brands, the blend of “kiss kiss” and “bang bang” — while adding ideas such as making Q a quantum computer and putting the climate crisis at her remarkable thriller’s centre.’Sunday Times ‘I spy … a brilliant thriller! Double or Nothing is a clever and utterly compelling addition to the Bond canon. Filled with characters so real we feel we know them, the novel races through its surprising plot twists like an Aston Martin in high gear. Get this book and clear your calendar—though it won’t be for long; I read it in one sitting’ Jeffery Deaver, author of Carte Blanche, a James Bond novel ‘A cleverly plotted and absorbing novel with a fantastic cast of fully rounded characters in this breathtaking new novel. I loved it’ Lisa Ballantyne, author of The Innocent One ‘Stylish, explosive, fresh and fun, Kim Sherwood takes one of the world’s most beloved series and makes it her own. Faithful, yet entirely original, Double or Nothing is everything you could want in a spy novel’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End 'Bang up to date and action-packed, Kim Sherwood has taken the world of James Bond and turned it on its head’ Charles Cumming, author of BOX 88 ‘Blistering, breakneck, brilliant. Sherwood's first Double O novel delivers everything you could want and more from a high-octane, high-stakes spy thriller. The world of Bond is in expert hands’ Tim Glister, author of Red Corona

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Book SynopsisDon't miss this gripping thriller from the author of The Weekend Alone with a twist that will take your breath away!An excellent thriller and a writer to look out for' Lesley Sanderson, author of I Know You LiedIt''s been such a long time since I couldn''t put a book down, and this one literally had me up all night! It was utterly compelling and every page was loaded with suspense' Kathryn Croft, author of The Lying Wife_____A mother in mourningTwo years ago, Sarah's husband was jailed for her murder; her body was never found. Now, her grieving mother, Claire, spends her sleepless nights running a helpline for vulnerable women.A woman with a secretClaire takes many calls, but one caller isn't like the rest. She isn't calling for help she's calling because she claims to know what happened to Sarah.A killer on the looseBut when Claire hears the terrifying news that her daughter's killer has escaped from prison, she realises her nightmare is far from over and her family are in danger yTrade ReviewReaders LOVE My Daughter’s Killer! ‘I loved every single word… pure genius.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh wow! This is such a good read… I was hooked from page one and it never let up.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Ohh what a thrilling read… Talk about being blown away!… I can not recommend this enough’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I have not read anything quite like this before. It’s an excellent addictive and gripping psychological thriller… Highly recommended’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I could not put this down!… I was literally gasping out loud towards the end… Honestly this book is just BRILLIANT’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastically written, this is an ’up all night’ thriller’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A totally mind-blowing read. So many twists and turns!’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisGlamorous murder mystery from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Chalet and The Cruise 'The Penthouse is a twisting, unpredictable, glamorous whirlwind of a thriller' Amy McCulloch Intense and claustrophobic' HEAT Agatha Christie with glamour' SUNDAY TIMES Beneath the glamour dark secrets lurk. World famous singer Enola had it all fame, fortune, and a breathtaking penthouse view. Then she vanished without a trace, leaving the band's careers in ruins. Fifteen years on, the remaining members are reuniting for a series of concerts in Las Vegas. But when mysterious accidents plague them, some start to wonder if Enola is back for revenge. What happened all those years ago and who really knows the truth? ____________________________________ Praise for Catherine Cooper: Intense and claustrophobic' Heat Agatha Christie with glamour' Sunday Times A well-plotted twisty read' Woman's Weekly

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Book Synopsis?????''Beautifully written and a thoroughly absorbing read. I found it impossible to put down'' Deborah Carr, USA Today BestsellerTHE TOWN OF WEM, SHROPSHIRE 1643Civil war is ripping England apart.Families are divided, emotions run high.Whether on the bleakness of the moors or in snug, wood-panelled rooms, danger lurks.A body is found, its mouth pierced with thorns.The Justice of the Peace, a godly man, is certain that witchcraft is involved.Only his assistant, former cavalryman John Carne, looks for reason where others see demons and witches.But John has secrets of his own secrets that concern his cold and distant wife. And it's not long before the darkness that has engulfed Wem grows darker stillReaders are loving The Witchfinder''s Assistant:?????''Fascinating a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read''?????''The final denouement was a surprise, and was told in a thrilling and interesting manner. Wickedness can sometimes be hidden behind a fair face. I enjoyed it very much''?????''A well researched and intriguing look at England in 1643Goldstraw''s an excellent storyteller- this one pulled me in and kept me reading''????''Engaging and absorbingan historical novel for our own times''????''The historical setting is richly detailed, and Goldstraw does an excellent job of capturing the tension and paranoia of the time''

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Book SynopsisGuilty secrets never die

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Book Synopsis________________________________The first book in Diana Gabaldon''s LORD JOHN GREY series, set in the same world as her OUTLANDER novelsIt''s 1758 and Europe is in turmoil - the Seven Years War is taking hold and London is ripe with deceit. The enigmatic Lord John Grey, a nobleman and high-ranking officer in His Majesty''s Army, pursues a clandestine love affair and a deadly family secret. Grey''s father, the Duke of Pardloe, shot himself just days before he was to be accused of being a Jacobite traitor. Now, seventeen years on, the family name has been redeemed; but an impending marriage revives the scandal. Lord John knows that as Whitehall whispers, rumours all too often lead their victims to the wails of Newgate prison - and to the gallows. From barracks and parade-grounds to the bloody battlefields of Prussia, Grey faces danger and forbidden passions in his search for the truth. But it is in the stony fells of the Lake District that he finds the man who may hold the key to his quest: the enigmatic Jacobite prisoner Jamie Fraser. Eighteenth-century Europe is brought startlingly to life in this compelling adventure mystery.Trade ReviewGabaldon provides a rich, abundantly researched, entirely readable portrait of life among the English upper classes in the 1750s. From London's literary salons and political intrigue to fearsome battle scenes in the Seven Years' War, her writing is always vivid and often lyrical * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisGraham Greene was born in 1904. He worked as a journalist and critic, and in 1940 became literary editor of the Spectator. He was later employed by the Foreign Office. As well as his many novels, Graham Greene wrote several collections of short stories, four travel books, six plays, three books of autobiography, two of biography and four books for children. He also wrote hundreds of essays, and film and book reviews. Graham Greene was a member of the Order of Merit and a Companion of Honour. He died in April 1991.Trade ReviewHe taught us to look at each other with new eyes. I don't suppose his influence will ever disappear -- Auberon Waugh * Independent *Graham Greene had wit and grace and character and story and a transcendent universal compassion that places him for all time in the ranks of world literature -- John Le CarreNo serious writer of this century had more thoroughly invaded and shaped the public imagination than did Graham Greene * The Times *A tour de force... The realist and the romantic struggle with each other in this book, making it a kind of mental battlefield, inducing a sense of breathlessness and urgency -- L. P. HartleyOne of the most important British writers of the twentieth century - he brought something undeniably new to fiction * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTwo prostitutes are murdered in Tokyo.Twenty years previously both women were educated at the same elite school for young ladies, and had seemingly promising futures ahead of them. But in a world of dark desire and vicious ambition, for both women, prostitution meant power. Grotesque is a masterful and haunting thriller, a chilling exploration of women''s secret lives in modern day Japan.Trade ReviewDelves so deep beyond its own shock horror premise that much contemporary crime fiction looks like cheap, exploitative rubbish by comparison ....an utterly absorbing novel that gives as vivid - and disturbing - a picture of contemporary Japan as you could imagine * Metro *Suicide, paedophilia, incest and murder combine with subtle touches of humour to form a story that will leave you questioning your own morality * Dazed and Confused *This is a rich, complex read. Be prepared for a book utterly unlike anything we are used to in crime fiction * Independent *It is one of the most unexpected and playful novels to emerge from Japan in recent years...a triumph. In its boldness and originality, it broadens our sense of what modern Japanese fiction can be * Telegraph *Unclichéd contemporary noir at its most absorbing and relevant...a masterful and haunting achievement * Tangledweb.co.uk *

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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 FlesTrade ReviewOne of the best novelists writing today -- P.D. JamesRuth Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She displays her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear * Sunday Times *Rendell never fails to come up trumps, and her millions of admirers will eagerly consume this offering as they have all the others * The Irish Times *A firm grasp of social concerns ensure that her novels are reflective of our own times, as well as hugely absorbing -- Louise Welsh * The Times *This is Rendell on cracking form, with the entire accoutrements one expects from her * The Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisHaving rescued Angel from the horrors at the School, the flock heads east to escape the Erasers. But the danger''s not over yet. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family are on the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb - now her betrayer and greatest enemy - that her purpose is to save the world. But can she? The Angel Experiment concludes in volume 2!

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Book SynopsisA classic murder mystery from the Golden Age of detective fiction, written by genre legend Josephine Tey.Leys Physical Training College is famous for its excellent discipline and its spectacularly athletic students. Miss Lucy Pym, expert psychologist, is pleased and flattered to be invited to lecture there - even if the Olympian splendour of the students leaves her feeling just a little inadequate.But a nasty accident spoils the occasion, and suddenly Miss Pym must turn her intellect to the unpleasant suspicion that, among all these healthy young students, there lurks an incurably sick mind...Trade ReviewTey's style and her knack for creating bizarre characters are among the best in her field * New Yorker *Elegantly written, leisurely, amusing, penetrating ... with a thumping terminal surprise! * Saturday Review *

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Book Synopsis**The chilling thriller from an international bestselling phenomenon.**''A triumph of plot, construction and research'' THE TIMES____________Plan Aurora, hatched in a remote dacha in the forest outside Moscow and initiated with relentless brilliance and skill, is a plan within a plan that, in its spine-chilling ingenuity, breaches the ultra-secret Fourth Protocol and turns the fears that shaped it into a living nightmare. A crack Soviet agent, placed under cover in a quiet English country town, begins to assemble a jigsaw of devastation. MI5 investigator John Preston, working against the most urgent of deadlines, leads an operation to prevent the act of murderous destruction aimed at tumbling Britain into revolution...____________Readers love The Fourth Protocol ...***** ''One of the best spy books around.''***** ''The Fourth Protocol is my favourite spy novel of all tiTrade ReviewA triumph . . . as good as any Forsyth since The Jackal * The Times *Forsyth's best book so far * Washington Post *The most fascinating, informative and suspenseful spy novel since le Carre's The Little Drummer Girl * Irish Press *When it comes to espionage, international intrigue and suspense, Frederick Forsyth is a master * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisBrian Moore was born in Belfast. He emigrated to Canada in 1948 and then moved to California. He twice won the Canadian Governor General's Award for Fiction and has been given a special award from the United States Institute of Arts and Letters. He won the Author's Club First Novel Award for The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for The Great Victorian Collection. The Doctor's Wife, The Colour of Blood - winner of the Sunday Express 1988 Book of the Year - and Lies of Silence were all shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Five of his novels have been made into films - The Luck of Ginger Coffey, Catholics, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, Cold Heaven and Black Robe. Brian Moore died in 1999.Trade ReviewAn armchair time bomb * Mail on Sunday *This is a novel to mirror the disintegration of our times, the unstated irony of which is that a politics so provincial can breed a writer and an art so universal * Observer *A gripping read which you will find impossible to put down * Literary Review *Very much the thinking person's thriller - utterly tense and riveting, but also posing an acute moral dilemma for an ordinary person caught up in the troubled politics of Northern Ireland * Daily Express *It insists on being read at a sitting, for it is imperative to know what happens next * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis''Compelling, remorseless, brilliant'' John Gray What was the woman doing here? In a stable, wearing pearl earrings, her stylish bracelet and white buckskin shoes! She must have been alive when she got there because the crime had been committed after ten in the evening.But how? And why? And no one had heard a thing! She had not screamed. The two carters had not woken up.Inspector Maigret is standing in the pouring rain by a canal. A well-dressed woman, Mary Lampson, has been found strangled in a stable nearby. Why did her glamorous, hedonistic life come to such a brutal end here? Surely her taciturn husband Sir Walter knows - or maybe the answers lie with the crew of the barge La Providence.This novel has been published in previous translations as Lock 14 and Maigret Meets a Milord.''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century'' GuardianTrade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book SynopsisIt''s hard to beat the satisfaction of travelling on foot - settling into a steady rhythm, surrounded by incredible scenery, with the freedom to stop wherever takes your fancy. This endlessly rewarding - and sustainable - activity is joyously celebrated in Hike, which reveals 125 of the most scenic and spectacular walking trails across the globe. It''s the ultimate inspiration for exploring under your own steam: ramble along coastal paths in Europe, scale soaring mountain peaks in Africa and trek through amber-hued canyons in North America.Compiled by a team of outdoor enthusiasts, this book is packed with ideas for your next hiking trip. Awe-inspiring images and compelling descriptions of each trail will have you itching to get walking, while handy maps, elevation profiles and practical information - including things like distance and total elevation gain - will help you plan the nitty gritty of your trip. We''ve also included the best places to explore en route - wh

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Book SynopsisDiscover the new Penguin Crime and Espionage seriesA master criminal and a master detective are locked in battle. Who will win?They call her the ''Dark Angel''. Queen of Tokyo''s underworld, Mme Midorikawa is famed for her beauty, her jewels and the tattoo of a black lizard on her arm. Crime is so easy for her that she warns her victims in advance. When a wealthy jewel merchant receives letters saying his precious daughter Sanae is about to be kidnapped, he entrusts the renowned detective Akechi Kogoro to protect her. But he may have met his deadliest adversary yet...

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Book SynopsisA missing plane resurfaces and so do long-submerged secretsAn RAF Dakota, presumed lost at sea during World War Two, has just been discovered at the bottom of a drained lake over twenty years later complete with the skeletal remains of the pilot and a strange cargo of rubble. Why are the Soviets so interested in it, even attending the dead man's funeral? Why has unassuming civil servant David Audley been tasked with leading the investigation and what was the plane carrying that some will kill for?

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Book SynopsisTHE ACCLAIMED TRILOGY FROM THE MASTER THRILLER WRITER''[Philip Kerr''s] Bernie Gunther novels are extraordinary'' Ian RankinThe first three in the Bernie Gunther series, March Violets, The Pale Criminal and A German Requiem are true crime classics that transport readers to the rotten heart of Nazi Berlin, and introduce the cynical, wise-cracking private eye who sought justice within it.MARCH VIOLETSBernhard Gunther is a private eye, specializing in missing persons. And in Hitler''s Berlin, he''s never short of work...Winter 1936. A man and his wife shot dead in their bed. The woman''s father, a millionaire industrialist, wants justice - and the priceless diamonds that disappeared along with his daughter''s life.As Bernie follows the trail into the very heart of Nazi Germany, he''s forced to confront a horrifying conspiracy. A trail that ends in the hell that is Dachau...THE PALE CRIMINALIt is 1938 and Bernie Gunther is back on the mean streets of Berlin with his new partner, Bruno Stahlecker, another ex-police officer. But on a seemingly straightforward stakeout, Bruno is killed, and Bernie suddenly finds himself tapped for a much bigger job.A serial sex murderer is killing Aryan teenage girls in Berlin - and what''s worse, he''s making utter fools of the police. Gunther is forced to accept a temporary post in Obergruppenfuehrer Reinhard Heydrich''s state Security Service, with a team of men underneath him tasked purely with hunting the killer.But can he trust his team any more than he can trust his superiors?A GERMAN REQUIEMIn the bitter winter of 1947 the Russian Zone is closing ever more tightly around Berlin.When an enigmatic Russian colonel asks Bernie Gunther to go to Vienna, where his ex-Kripo colleague Emil Becker faces a murder charge, Bernie doesn''t hesitate for long. Gunther is convinced that shooting an American Nazi-hunter is one crime he didn''t commit.But Vienna is not the peaceful haven Bernie expects it to be. Communism is the new enemy, and with the Nuremberg trials over, some strange alliances are being forged against the Red Menace - alignments that make many wartime atrocities look lily-white by comparison.

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Book Synopsis IT STARTED WITH A KISS... AND ENDED WITH MURDER. The darkly addictive new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of I Looked Away, Blood Sisters and My Husband''s Wife. --------------------------------------------------------In Poppy Page''s mind, there are two types of women in this world: those who are faithful to their husbands, and those who are not. Until now, Poppy has never questioned which she was. But when handsome, charming Matthew Gordon walks back into her life after almost two decades, that changes. Poppy makes a single mistake - and that mistake will be far more dangerous than she could imagine.Someone is going to pay for it with their life . . .--------------------------------------------------------WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT I MADE A MISTAKE''Absolutely brilliant...full of twists and turns that left me positively breathless'' Trade ReviewAbsolutely brilliant...full of twists and turns that left me positively breathless -- Angela MarsonsI loved this cleverly written tale of the devastating consequences of a wife's mistake -- Emma CurtisA python of a book; it draws you in gently at first and then the coils of tension begin to tighten and refuse to let you go...The emotional sucker punch at the end was unexpected and terrific -- Jane ShemiltWhat an addictive read! Extremely clever storytelling with terrific pace and real emotional depth too. I loved it -- Teresa DriscollReaders you are in for a tremendous treat - a roller-coaster of a ride that will leave you screaming, 'No!' on more than one occasion -- Carol WyerFans of Louise Doughty and Clare Mackintosh will love I Made a Mistake. Exhilarating and heartbreaking in equal measure, this story will stay with me for a long time -- Nuala EllwoodJane Corry is at the top of her game and her latest novel cements her place as one of the superstars of the genre. Addictive, dark, and all too believable, I Made A Mistake is her best yet -- Phoebe MorganI love all Jane Corry's books but this is her best yet. So clever, compulsive and twisty with a reveal I never saw coming. Superb -- Claire DouglasI Made a Mistake is an absorbing and gripping masterpiece, skilfully plotted with superbly drawn characters who will stay with you long after you've finished reading -- Kathryn CroftCorry often explores darker themes, and those living on the fringes of society and this book is no exception: gritty, real, interesting and clever. Highly recommended -- Gillian McAllisterBrilliant and chilling. Jane Corry knows exactly how to turn the screws in this compelling and hard-hitting story about the dark underbelly of respectable family life. Another outstanding novel by Jane Corry -- Kate FurnivallJane Corry nails it again. This is a page turner with depth, with characters and human conflicts that stay with you long after the novel is finished. Superb -- Kate HamerA convincing suburban thriller with a compelling sense of doom -- Ross GreenwoodWow! What an utterly tense and addictive thriller. It kept me riveted the whole way through!! -- Shalini BolandGripping and surprising, with killer twists that will keep you guessing right up until the end -- Ella Dove, commissioning editor for Good Housekeeping, Prima and RedStorytelling at its finest. An expertly plotted page turner with real emotional depth -- Victoria Selman

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Book Synopsis''Brilliant . . . I couldn''t stop reading'' Jo Spain ''Exceptional . . . Deeply chilling'' Jane Casey______________Des is a good husband, a good father - a good man.He encourages his wife''s artistic endeavours, reads bedtime stories to his children every night, and holds down a well-paid job.But appearances can be deceptive. His wife seems to be forgetting that her art is for his eyes only. Rumours at work are threatening his reputation as a devoted family man. And his kids don''t seem to need him as much as they once did. Des is afraid.Afraid of the world encroaching on his home.Afraid of past mistakes catching up with him.So afraid of losing control over his family that he is contemplating the unthinkable.A Good Father is a dark and gripping novel that takes you into the mind of a man on the edge.__________________''This intricately made novel marks tTrade ReviewThis intricately made novel marks the debut of a writer from whom, and of whom, we shall be hearing much in coming times -- John BanvilleCaptivating . . . Readers will come for the premise and stay for its clever unpacking. What makes an ordinary man kill his family? In this multifaceted story, we come close to comprehending the incomprehensible * Irish Times *A marvellous book, sharp and chilling, compelling and frightening. I gulped it down in hours . . . I have never read anything like it -- Carlo GéblerA great read, it's gripping, at times disturbing -- Miriam O'Callaghan * RTÉ Radio 1 *Psychologists always identify the cowardice of such men, who would hurt the ones who love and depend on them the most. Talbot absolutely nails this element, deftly unpicking the psychology of this damaged father * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis''Bound to be the hit thriller of the summer!'' T. M. Logan, The Holiday-----Six friends.The holiday of their dreams.One night that changed it all . . .1989: The tunes are loud and the clothes are louder when a group of friends arrives in Mallorca for a post-graduation holiday of decadence and debauchery at a luxury villa.A beach party marks the pinnacle of their fun, until it isn''t fun any longer. Because amidst the wild partying - sand flying from dancing feet and revellers leaping from yachts - an accident happens. Suddenly, the night of a lifetime becomes a living nightmare.Now: The truth about that summer has been collectively buried. But someone knows what happened that night.And they want the friends to pay for what they did.-----''Thrilling, twisting and gloriously ''80s'' Chris Whitaker, We Begin at the End''Sun-soaked and fast-paced, the perfect holiday page turner'' Ellery Lloyd, The Club''Deliciously gripping and twisty'' Shalini Boland, The Secret Mother''Sizzling with suspense, the perfect summer read'' B. A. Paris, Behind Closed DoorsTrade ReviewPrepare to be utterly seduced by this gloriously immersive summer read. Secrets, revelations and twists aplenty! -- Lesley Kara, author of The RumourIt's only 5th January and I'm pretty sure I've just finished one of the best thrillers I'll read this year -- Emma Curtis, author of One Little MistakeWith a to-die-for setting and elegant prose, this scorcher is a must-have holiday read -- Fiona Cummins, author of When I Was TenPropulsive read which delivers a real punch. Coercive friendships in '89 and now are dissected with skill by Nikki Smith in this cautionary tale. I could not look away! -- Amanda Reynolds, author of Close to MeA truly gripping tale packed with sun, secrets, toxic allegiances and shocking revelations, this novel is sure to grace many a sunlounger this summer -- Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little LiesPerfect reading for a sun lounger * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe first Thora Gudmundsdottir novel from Yrsa Sigurdardottir - ''Queen of Icelandic crime''.''Yrsa is one of the most exciting new voices in the crime thriller world.'' - Peter JamesA young man is found brutally murdered, his eyes gouged out. A student of Icelandic history in Reykjavik, he came from a wealthy German family who do not share the police''s belief that his drug dealer murdered him. Attorney Thora Gudmundsdottir is commissioned by his mother to find out the truth, with the help - and hindrance - of boorish ex-policeman Matthew Reich. Their investigations into his research take them deep into a grisly world of torture and witchcraft both past and present, as they draw ever closer to a killer gripped by a dangerous obsession...Trade ReviewI can see why so many people are enthusiastic about Yrsa's work. It's very engaging, fresh and exciting. -- James PattersonA grisly chiller set in the depths of winter ... Her mystery is absorbing and, untypically, instead of the usual gloomy middle-aged man, her sleuth is a young woman ... It's an accomplished debut, with credible characters and a personable heroine. * Sunday Telegraph *Dark, deep and icy as an Icelandic fjord; this is a rich and rewarding debut novel of ancient mysteries and very modern murder. -- Mark BillinghamAn intricately plotted tale that keeps the reader guessing whodunit, or indeed whether it was murder at all, right until the very end. * Sunday Express *

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Book Synopsis''Truly brilliant, sexy and sly storytelling'' Deesha Philyaw''Intoxicating'' Claire Fuller''Everything you could want in a book, delivered when you least expect it'' Diane Cooke''I f***ing loved this. Thrilling and gorgeously observed'' A.E. OsworthToday, she walks in on her husband and best friend having an affair. Tomorrow, her body is found.Seven years ago, Theresa and Jackie meet in a maternity ward. Sleep-deprived new mothers; instant friends.Then they become neighbours on Hot Springs Drive - a nice street in a nice neighbourhood, filled with flower boxes and emerald lawns.The story ends like this: in the depths of a sweltering heatwave, Theresa discovers that her husband and Jackie are having an affair. The next day, Theresa''s body is found.The truth lies somewhere between the picket fences and pink blossoms, where friendships twist into tragic jealousies and barbecues hide bed hoppTrade ReviewLeft me absolutely gutted, devastated ... Truly brilliant, sexy and sly storytelling -- Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church LadiesA perfect cocktail: precise and gritty writing, achingly and terrifyingly real characters, with a dash of mystery and darkness. Intoxicating -- Claire Fuller, author of The Memory of AnimalsHot Springs Drive is a sneak attack. It has everything you could want in a book, delivered when you least expect it ... I'm in awe -- Diane Cook, author of The New WildernessI f**ing loved this. Thrilling and gorgeously observed -- A.E. Osworth, author of We Are Watching Eliza BrightPoignant, luscious, brutal, gorgeous, heartbreaking and totally unique - this stunning book destroyed me, and I didn't want it to end -- Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Spare RoomA bold, unflinching exploration of female friendship, motherhood and desire, with an unforgettable anti-heroine as its bloody, beating heart. I've read nothing like it -- Kirstin Chen, New York Times bestselling author of CounterfeitA haunting meditation on human desire and the monstrosity that can emerge out of ordinary hearts, on ordinary suburban streets ... I couldn't stop turning the pages -- Ashley Winstead, author of The Last HousewifeGritty and propulsive, a true page-turner; I couldn't put this book down -- Kristen Arnett, author of With Teeth and Mostly Dead Things

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAYAgatha and her assistant, Toni, are driving to their friend Bill Wong''s wedding, thinking of nothing more than what the beautiful bride will be wearing when a terrified young man comes running down the country lane towards them wearing. . . nothing at all.The encounter leads them to become embroiled with a naturist group, a disappearing corpse, fantasy games, witchcraft, an ice cream empire, intrigue and murder. In the meantime, Agatha''s hectic life swirls along at dizzying pace, her private detective agency as busy as ever and her private affairs in turmoil - old loves to contend with and a new suitor on the scene. Then she finds herself in deadly danger when she begins to close in on a suspected murderer and the sinister nature of the ice cream business leads her to a chilling conclusion.

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Book Synopsis''A stunning book. Banks'' powerful imagination is joined to a rare ability to be truly funny while exploring a nightmare world'' Sunday Times A man lies in a coma after a near-fatal accident. His body broken, his memory vanished, he finds himself in the surreal world of the bridge - a world free of the usual constraints of time and space, a world where dream and fantasy, past and future, fuse. Who is this man? Where is he? Is he more dead than alive? Or has he never been so alive before?Praise for Iain Banks:''The most imaginative novelist of his generation'' The Times''His verve and talent will always be recognised, and his work will always find and enthral new readers'' Ken MacLeod, Guardian''His work was mordant, surreal, and fiercely intelligent'' Neil Gaiman''An exceptional wordsmith'' ScotsmanTrade ReviewGreat artistry, great virtuosity... great exuberance * New Statesman *The Bridge is serious, but playful; it is full of throwaway jokes, minor tangles for the reader/writer to sort out, political/cultural references to the kind of reality that rarely gets into British literature, and nuggets of surprising truth juxtaposed with outrageous lies... convincing in a way too little fantasy or mainstream literature is * City Limits *

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Book SynopsisWhen a man''s body is discovered at the base of some cliffs in the small resort town of Hari Cove, the police at first suspect a tragic accident, a misstep that cost the man his life. However, when the victim is found to have been a former policeman and that the cause of death was actually carbon monoxide poisoning, they begin a murder investigation. Manabu Yukawa, the physicist known as ''Detective Galileo'', is in Hari Cove to speak at a conference on a planned underwater mining operation, and finds himself drawn into the case. Did the murder have something to do with the fight of the small community to rebuild itself, or does it have its roots in the town''s history? In a series of twists as complex and surprising as any in Higashino''s brilliant, critically acclaimed work, Yukawa uncovers the hidden relationship behind the tragic events that led to this murder.Trade ReviewAn engaging mystery full of surprising shifts and twists from one of Japan's most successful thriller writers. Highly recommended. * Irish Independent *A Midsummer's Equation satisfyingly builds on the achievement of his [Higashino's] earlier works and adds some new elements . . . the novel throws off a series of jaw-dropping narrative twists . . . has some surprising resonances with the golden age of British crime fiction but there's nothing wrong with that. What is fully in place, however, is the narrative acumen that has distinguished early entries in the series. -- Barry Forshaw * Independent *

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Book SynopsisAscension: the most remote island in the world . . . Elliot Kane, former spy, trying to leave the world of espionage behind. Kathryn Taylor: a stalled career in MI6, running the South Atlantic desk. Rory Bannatyne: covert technical specialist. Dead, apparently of suicide. Three friends from a mission many years ago reconnect when one of them dies on Ascension Island. Rory Bannatyne had been tasked with tapping a new transatlantic data cable, but a day before he was due to return home he is found hanged. When Kathryn Taylor begs Kane to go over and investigate, he can''t say no, but it''s an uneasy reintroduction to the intelligence game. Ascension is a curious legacy of England''s imperial past. Only employees and their families are allowed to live there. It''s home to several highly-classified government projects, a British and American military base, and forty dead volcanic cones. Entirely isolated from the world, the disappearance oTrade ReviewOne of the best new spy series continues with ex-spook Elliot Kane reluctantly back in harness to investigate the suspicious death of a former colleague on Ascension Island. First-class cloak-and-dagger stuff against an unusual backdrop -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *One of our finest thriller writers...Fans of his criminally underrated Belsey novels, about a corrupt London detective, will recognise some familiar themes, including a soft spot for heroic losers and an interest in the physical and mental remains of the Cold War. But it is the location that matters most of all, windswept and staffed by a mixtures of spooks, oddballs and drunks, and it will stay with you long after you close the book * Evening Standard *A fascinating tale of modern espionage in a unique setting * Irish Independent *Harris evokes a powerful sense of place in a landscape where the elements turn out be a character in its own right and the intrigue developing as a result of his investigation quickly sets up a rather frantic and tense finale. A bloody good read! * Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time *A twisty, propulsive spy thriller, all set against the vividly evoked hellscape of one of the most remote islands in the world * Irish Times *A corker...Harris expertly keeps the plates spinning while breathing thrilling life into the ex-pat community and its moon surface existence * Big Issue *Oliver Harris is always pure quality and I'm loving the hell out of his foray into the contemporary spy novel. Elegant and compulsive' * Ian Rankin, praise for A Shadow Intelligence *

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Book Synopsis''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesAn excavation at the lost gardens of Earlsacre Hall is halted when a skeleton is discovered beneath a 300-year-old stone plinth - the remains of a woman who was buried alive. But even when more skeletons are found in the walled garden, DS Wesley Peterson has more pressing matters on his hands. A man has been stabbed to death at a holiday park and the only clue to his identity is a newspaper cutting about the restoration of Earlsacre Hall gardens.Local solicitor Brian Willerby is eager to talk to Wesley about the case, but before Brian can reveal his secret he is killed.What is it about Earlsacre Hall that leads people to murder? And what is the sinister secret of the bone garden? For someone close to Wesley, time is running out . . .Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this isTrade ReviewA beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *A beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *A gripping read * Best Magazine *A gripping read * Best Magazine *Skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Traditional detective fiction with a historical twist - fans will love it * Scotland on Sunday *Skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Traditional detective fiction with a historical twist - fans will love it * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''IF YOU LIKE SCIENCE FICTION YOU WILL LOVE THIS. . . A ROLLICKING GOOD READ'' Scotsman on Beyond the Hallowed Sky''MACLEOD''S BEST BOOK TO DATE'' SFX on Beyond the Hallowed SkyTHE FERMI ARE AWAKE. With the invention of faster-than-light travel there is nowhere that humanity cannot go. New worlds are discovered, but with them come new dangers.At the heart of the discovery is the Fermi, mysterious beings that have survived on alien worlds for longer than humanity has existed. But now the Fermi are awakening, and they do not seem pleased to find humans in their midst.But for Lakshmi Nayak and the crew of the Fighting Chance, danger is a lot closer to home. Their search for answers will take them to places, and worlds, they never expected. Science fiction legend Ken MacLeod returns with book two in the Lightspeed trilogy, a gripping tale of first contact and dark conspiracies set Trade ReviewAn exceptional blend of international politics, hard science, and first contact -- Michael Mammay, author of PLANETSIDEMacLeod is up there with Banks and Hamilton as one of the British sci-fi authors you absolutely have to read -- SFXScience fiction's freshest new writer . . . MacLeod is a fiercely intelligent, prodigiously well-read author who manages to fill his books with big issues without weighing them down -- SalonMacleod's best book to date -- SFX (starred review)If you like science fiction, you will love this. . . a rollicking good read -- Scotsman

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Book SynopsisSamuel Carver makes bad accidents happen to worse people. He''s very good at his job. But nobody''s perfect. And one of Carver''s targets has got away.Now the world faces a new age of conflict driven by religious fanaticism. In Russia, the government have admitted they no longer know the whereabouts of one hundred small-scale ''suitcase nukes''. In Afghanistan and Kosovo, ruthless terrorists plot the downfall of their hated enemies. In Texas, a dying billionaire plots his own personal Armageddon.And Carver can do nothing to stop them. He was beaten and tortured and left to die, but Samuel Carver is a hard man to kill. When he awakes in a Swiss sanatorium from weeks of torment, he discovers that the woman he loves has vanished. Somehow he must find the strength to track her down.Carver''s hunt will take him deep into the heart of a conspiracy in which the lives of millions are at stake. He must confront an agonizing choice between his duty and his heart, and fTrade ReviewJason Bourne meets From Russia With Love. If you like breakneck pace, glamorous settings, a never-say-die hero, and the stakes bursting with end-of-world consequences, this one is for you -- Andrew GrossSamuel Carver is a classic flawed hero to match all the greats... and we want more of him! * crimesquad.com *Tense, terse and fraught with anxiety, The Survivor makes you zip through the pages as if your life depended upon reaching the conclusion before your heart gives out * shotsmag.co.uk *Another stunner... The pace of the narrative and the twists of the storyline make for compulsive and vastly entertaining reading -- Wilbur SmithIrresistible. Smart and fast paced, with everything you want from an international spy thriller -- Chelsea Cain, author of Heartsick

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Book Synopsis'The queen of the one-sit read' Linwood BarclayThe latest unputdownable bestseller from Shari Lapena, author of THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR and SOMEONE WE KNOW.'Shari Lapena is one of the best thriller writers in the business' Steve Cavanagh*******It starts with a shocking accusation .Trade ReviewShari Lapena is one of the best thriller writers in the business. * Steve Cavanagh, bestselling author of THIRTEEN *The End of Her is a slippery eel of a novel – just when you think you have it in your grasp, it slithers away on a new current. I consumed it in a day, desperate to discover the fate of the evil Erica. Unputdownable. * Louise Candlish *Shari Lapena has done it again – another cracking domestic thriller, and trust me, ‘the end’ will leave you clamouring for more. * Cara Hunter *Another unputdownable suburban thriller with the finest love-to-hate characters and a wickedly paced mystery. * Elizabeth Kay *I read the cracking The End of Her in one sitting. All hail the Mistress of the Page Turner. * Fiona Barton *

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Book SynopsisIF YOUR BEST FRIEND WAS IN DANGER, YOU''D TRY TO SAVE HER...WOULDN''T YOU?''Dark and addictive, twisty and twisted...phenomenal!'' Andrea Mara, author of ALL HER FAULTAre you ready to play?Best friends Cleo and Rachel spend their evenings pretending to be people they''re not, inventing elaborate stories to escape the monotony of their real lives. It''s all harmless fun - until they play the game on the wrong person...It''s your move now.Five years later, Cleo is still struggling to come to terms with the night that destroyed her friendship with Rachel and almost cost them their lives. And then she receives a text: Rachel is missing. Have you seen her?There''s only one person to blame.Wracked with guilt for failing Rachel the last time they were in danger, Cleo races to find her friend. But could the past be repeating itself? Only this time, they''re caught up in a fTrade ReviewEdge-of-your-seat suspense... Utterly gripping * Emma Curtis, author of INVITE ME IN *Dark and addictive, twisty and twisted...phenomenal! * Andrea Mara, author of ALL HER FAULT *A stomach-lurching dive into friendship, longing and betrayal, with pitch-perfect pacing, cracking suspense and twists that keep on twisting! * Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES *As twisty as hell with a plot that accelerates at 120mph. Highlighting the danger of not knowing who you are really talking to behind a screen on social media . . . simply brilliant! * Nikki Smith, author of LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO *Dark, gritty...A really great thriller and really original concept. * Holly Craig, author of THE SHALLOWS *

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Book SynopsisTwo can keep a secret - if one of them is dead...Inspector Archie Penrose invites crime writer Josephine Tey down to his family home in Cornwall so she can recover from a recent trauma. Josephine welcomes the opportunity, but her hopes of experiencing a period of rest are dashed when her arrival coincides with the mysterious death of a young man in the village. Soon, more people are going missing or turning up dead, and Josphine and Archie begin to suspect the involvement a cold-blooded murderer.As Josephine and Archie try to unravel the mystery, they begin to see death as an angel with two faces - one gazing at the violence in the present, the other looking back to the crimes hidden in the past.

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Book SynopsisTragedy at Law follows a rather self-important High Court judge, Mr Justice Barber, as he moves from town to town presiding over cases in the Southern England circuit. When an anonymous letter arrives for Barber, warning of imminent revenge, he dismisses it as the work of a harmless lunatic. But then a second letter appears, followed by a poisoned box of the judge''s favourite chocolates, and he begins to fear for his life. Enter barrister and amateur detective Francis Pettigrew, a man who was once in love with Barber''s wife and has never quite succeeded in his profession - can he find out who is threatening Barber before it is too late?

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Book SynopsisDesigned to meet the requirements for students at IGCSE and A level, this accessible educational edition offers the complete text of Spies with a comprehensive study guide. Highlights of Andrew Bruff''s guide include:- detailed analyses of character, setting and theme;- close examination of the novel''s plot, structure and narrative techniques;- key quotations and activities both for the student working alone and in the classroom.In the quiet cul-de-sac where Keith and Stephen live the only immediate signs of the Second World War are the blackout at night and a single random bomb site. But the two boys start to suspect all is not as it seems when one day Keith announces a disconcerting discovery: the Germans have infiltrated his own family. And when the secret underground world they have dreamed up emerges from the shadows they find themselves engulfed in mysteries far deeper and more painful than they had bargained for.

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Book SynopsisA scientist nobody liked has been murdered on the Arctic ice . . .''A brilliant modern cosy.'' Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants''Fun ahoy!'' Orlando Murrin, author of Knife Skills for Beginners''How can something so damn cold be so damn cosy?'' Oskar Jensen, author of Helle and Death''Clever, quirky and irresistibly fun.'' Jessica Bull, author of Jane Austen Investigates''Written so beautifully, the queerness shines through.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader reviewMeet the Blanchard twins:Rose is practical, sharp, and protective. Specialty: manta rays.Finn is too sweet and kind for his own good. Specialty: sharks.Rose and Finn are looking for sharks on the sea bed. When they return to their ship, the Dauphin, they make a terrible discovery: their colleague has been murdered on the ice with a harpoon that should never have been there. Everyone else on the luxury cruise ship the wealthy passengers, the researchers hard at work, the tight-knit crew and their strangely calm Captain were all aboard at the time, so they are all under suspicion. Rose and Finn were the only two at sea, and they''re miles from anywhere, so it's up to them to investigate.On scientific problems, they are a brilliant team but can the Blanchard twins solve a murder?''Crisp and cosy . . . like Murder She Wrote in the Arctic with sharks!!!'' Kitty Murphy, author of Death in HeelsREADERS LOVE DEATH ON ICE:''Think Christie but funnier, with more heart . . . I love a cosy murder mystery and this was one of the best.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Delicious.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I loved this book.'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐''An amazing Who Done It that will genuinely keep you guessing! A fantastically diverse cast of characters! And the charming serene atmosphere of the artic! What more could you want!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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