Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisThe award-winning debut thriller from the bestselling author of Kolymsky Heights''Quite simply the best thriller writer around.'' SpectatorNicolas Whistler is young, bored and in debt. When an opportunity to make some money arises, he can''t turn it down. He is sent to Prague to carry out a simple assignment, but he soon finds himself trapped between the secret police and the clutches of the mysterious Vlasta. Whether he likes it or not, Nicolas is now a spy.''Fast-moving, exciting, often extraordinarily funny.'' Sunday Times''Brilliant. Don''t miss it.'' Observer

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Book SynopsisForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod investigate a brutal series of killings on Scotland's Isle of Skye, in Time for the Dead, a gripping crime novel by Lin Anderson.When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod returns to her roots on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, a chance encounter in the woods behind a nearby activities centre leads her to what seems to be a crime scene, but without a victim. Could this be linked to a group of army medics, who visited the centre while on leave from Afghanistan and can no longer be located on the island?Enlisting the help of local tracker dog Blaze, Rhona starts searching for a connection.Two days later a body is found at the base of the famous cliff known as Kilt Rock, face and identity obliterated by the fall, which leads Rhona to suspect the missing medics may be on the island for reasons other than relaxation. Furthermore, elements of the case suggests a link with an ongoing operation in Glasgow, which draws DS Michael McNab into the investigation.As the island’s unforgiving conditions close in, Rhona must find out what really happened to the group in Afghanistan, as the consequences may be being played out in brutal killings on Skye . . .'Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction.' – Daily MailTrade ReviewForensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction — honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears . . . As ever, the landscape is stunningly evoked and MacLeod’s decency and humanity shine through on every page * Daily Mail *The best Scottish crime series since Rebus * Daily Record *The bleak landscape is beautifully described, giving this popular series a new lease of life * Sunday Times *Hugely imaginative and exciting -- James Grieve (Emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology)Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin’s Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing -- Stuart MacBrideShades of The Wicker Man, with a touch of Agatha Christie. Superb * Daily Mail *Anderson is a master story teller; her books are always incredibly well researched and her story lines resonate with her understanding of contemporary issues and the politics of expediency -- Live and DeadlyA cracking read that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is one of those novels where the setting is as much a character as any of the people being written about -- A Crime Reader's BlogTime For The Dead is one hell of a book, which deserves to soar up to the top of the bestsellers list. The series featuring Rhona MacLeod just keeps getting better and better -- Ginger Book GeekA brilliantly written thriller . . . It is a police procedural at its heart, but one that is as black as the sand on Skye beaches -- Fully Booked 2017With every outing the Rhona MacLeod series gets better, and Time for the Dead proves this . . . Anderson’s research and knowledge make this thriller, and like any artist the words on the pages are her canvass where she creates another masterpiece * NB *

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Book SynopsisAn isolated, snow-bound valley and a series of strange murders set the scene in this gripping French bestseller.Trade ReviewA publishing sensation in France, where it's rushed up the bestseller lists, this is Minier's first crime novel and this translation justifies its vast French reputation...With a villain possessing the intelligence of Thomas Harris's immortal Hannibal Lecter, this is great story-telling, with a creeping sense of dread that would not disgrace Stephen King at his best. * Daily Mail *A terrific thriller that will keep you up long past your bedtime. The French Pyrenees make a wonderfully atmospheric setting for this complex story of past crimes, madness and revenge. Servaz and Ziegler are a fascinating cop duo, and I hope to see more of them in the future. Excellent. -- Peter Robinson, author of the DCI Banks seriesRevenge is at the heart of this clever mystery, which involves a plot as cold-blooded as the slaying of the horse * Sunday Times *This densely written and very atmospheric thriller is Minier's first novel. It has been a bestseller in France and, in this well-translated English edition, deserves to be one here * Literary Review *An enjoyable and fast-paced thriller * Sunday Business Post *Chilling * Elle *The writing is razor sharp and nothing goes to waste. Enough to make other authors jealous. * Femme Actuelle *THE FROZEN DEAD is a boiling-hot success * Le Point *Remember the name Bernard Minier... he might well take his places among the masters of French thrillers * Le Figaro *

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Book SynopsisDonna Leon was named by The Times as one of the 50 Greatest Crime Writers. She is an award-winning crime novelist, celebrated for the bestselling Brunetti series. Donna has lived in Venice for thirty years and previously lived in Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Iran and China, where she worked as a teacher. Donna's books have been translated into thirty-five languages and have been published around the world. Her previous novels featuring Commissario Brunetti have all been highly acclaimed; including Friends in High Places, which won the CWA Macallan Silver Dagger for Fiction, Fatal Remedies, Doctored Evidence, A Sea of Troubles and Beastly Things.Trade ReviewThe book is written with that depth of thought about crime and humanity that characterises the best of Leon’s work. -- Jane Jakeman * Independent *[A] fine, atmospheric novel…Twenty-one books on, [Leon] has lost none of her delightful skill and wit. -- Mark Sanderson * Evening Standard *Donna Leon’s elegant and compelling crime novels enjoy great success throughout the world. On the surface, this is another entry in a reliable long-running series. But it's also an oblique addressing of some complex issues with typical intelligence and perception. -- Barry Forshaw * The Good Book Guide *Beastly Things is a perfect accompaniment to a hot day and a cool glass of white wine. Superb. * Crimesquad *[Leon’s] books paint such an appealing portrait of modern Venetian life that they’ve sent droves of holidaymakers to the city. * Press Association *

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Book SynopsisAnother runaway adventure with glamorous heroine Phryne Fisher! Whether foiling kidnappers' plans, walking the wings of a Tiger Moth or simply deciding what to wear for dinner, Phryne handles everything with her usual panache and flair! Here, the 1920's most glamorous detective flies even higher, handling an abduction and a murder with style and ease...all before it's time to adjourn to the Queenscliff Hotel for breakfast. Whether she's flying planes, clearing a friend of homicide charges or saving a child from kidnapping, she handles everything with the same dash and elan with which she drives her red Hispano-Suiza.Trade ReviewFisher again displays an impressive set of skills, from air-walking and daredevil plane flying to blood-splatter analysis, and Greenwood leavens her plot with Wodehousian characters and wit. * Publisher's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisTwo families, one terrible secret, and a painting to die for . . .Glastonbury, an art restorer, has been brutally murdered, and the newly discovered Rembrandt he was working on has disappeared.For spy turned art restorer Gabriel Allon, it has been six months since his final showdown with the murderous Russian oligarch and arms dealer Ivan Kharkov. He has severed his ties with the Office with only one thing in mind: recovery. But this unspeakable act of violence once again draws Allon into a world of danger he thought he had left behind for ever.Allon is persuaded to use his unique skills to trace the painting and those responsible for the crimes. As he investigates, he discovers there are terrible secrets connected to the painting, and terrible men behind them. Before he is done, he will have undertaken a journey through some of the twentieth century''s darkest history - and come face to face with some of the same darkness within himself.

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Book SynopsisThe complete adventures of the well-loved clerical sleuth, collected in one brilliant volume.Shabby and lumbering, with a face like a Norfolk dumpling, Father Brown makes for an improbable super-sleuth. But his innocence is the secret of his success: refusing the scientific method of detection, he adopts instead an approach of simple sympathy, interpreting each crime as a work of art, and each criminal as a man no worse than himself. This complete edition brings together all of the Father Brown stories, including two not previously available in Penguin: ''The Donnington Affair'', in which Chesterton rises to the challenge of solving a murder-mystery half written by someone else (Max Pemberton), and ''The Mask of Midas'', which was found in Chesterton''s papers after his death. It also includes an introduction and notes by Michael D. Hurley.G.K. Chesteron was born in 1874. He attended the Slade School of Art, where he appears to have suffered a nervous breakdow

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Book SynopsisBook 1 in the gripping thriller series featuring rogue FBI agent Jane Hawk, from the master of suspense and New York Times #1 bestselling author Dean Koontz.When nowhere is safeI very much need to be dead'These are the chilling words left by a man who had everything to live for but took his own life. Now his widow, FBI agent Jane Hawk, is determined to learn the truth, no matter what.People of talent, seemingly happy and sound of mind, have recently been committing suicide in surprising numbers. Jane will give up everything to find out why.Her enemies are devoted enough to exterminate anyone in their way. But Jane is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love.Praise for Dean KoontzHumour, humanity and horror, the classic Koontz concoction' The TimesA terrific pursuit story clever, up-to-the-minute, and riveting' GuardianAn incredible saga' Washington PostPsychologically complex, masterly and satisfying' The New York TimesDean Koontz is not just a Trade ReviewPraise for The Silent Corner: ‘Koontz’s leanest, meanest thriller … introduces a smart, appealing heroine who can outthink as well as outshoot the baddest of bad dudes’ Kirkus Reviews Praise for Dean Koontz: ‘Humour, humanity and horror, the classic Koontz concoction’ The Times ‘Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler’ The Times ‘A terrific pursuit story … clever, up-to-the-minute, and riveting’ Guardian ‘There’s surprise after surprise, including a killer finale … a read-in-one-go novel’ Independent on Sunday ‘Psychologically complex, masterly and satisfying’ The New York Times ‘A master still at the peak of his powers’ Matt Haig, author of The Humans ‘A mind-bender filled with satisfying surprises’ People

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Book SynopsisThe fifth book in the epic Masters of Rome series.Gaul. 54 BC. Julius Caesar sweeps across Gaul, brutally subduing the united tribes who defy the Republic. But, at home, his enemies are orchestrating his downfall and disgrace. Vindictive schemers like Cato and Bibulus, the spineless Cicero, the avaricious Brutus. Even Pompey the Great, Caesar''s former ally.But all have underestimated Caesar. And when the Senate refuse to give him his due he marches upon his own country, an army prepared to die for him at his back. For rome is his destiny - a destiny that will impel him triumphantly on to the banks of the Rubicon, and beyond, into legend, as the noblest Roman of them all.Trade ReviewIncomparable . . . Engrossing . . . Breathtakingly detailed . . . McCullough has triumphed again * Chicago Tribune *Hail, Colleen McCullough! She once again gives Caesar his due . . . Caesar reveals Julius Caesar and the author at the height of their powers . . . With all its Machiavellian machinations and its eye for entertaining history, McCullough latest novel merits the allegiance of her legions of fans * Columbus Dispatch *A thoroughly Romanized epic novel . . . Her version of history marches through the tumultuous years from 54 to 48 B.C. withoutmissing any of the significant military and political landscape . . . McCullough also fleshes out the marbled-over characters of Pompey, Cato, Cicero, Brutus, Mark Anthony and others as they try to deal with the near-infallible Caesar. And Caesar himself . . . [is] brilliant, ambitious, ruthless and fascinating * The New York Times Book Review *

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Book Synopsis''Imogen Quy positively sparkles on the page as an amateur sleuth'' - Sunday ExpressWhat is the Summerfield secret?Biography is usually a safe profession. But more than one biographer has found that writing about the late mathematician Gideon Summerfield has nasty consequences. Consequences that can sometimes be deadly.Imogen Quy, the coolly competent nurse at St. Agatha''s College, Cambridge, first notices the pattern when her enthusiastic lodger Fran becomes the latest Summerfield biographer. Before she realises how deadly the Summerfield secret is, Fran''s life is in danger. And Imogen may be next . . .Trade ReviewA 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 SynopsisWhere there is murder, there is humanity. Hong Kong's greatest detective, Inspector Kwan, is dying. For the past fifty years he has been quietly solving crimes while the world changed around him. Now on his deathbed, his partner Detective Lok needs help with one final case. Through the story of six different but interlocking murders, this bold and intricate crime novel spans five decades of love, honour, jealousy and revenge, in one of the world's most intriguing nations.Trade ReviewFive decades of Hong Kong policing stand behind the wise Inspector Kwan as he helps his protégé, Detective Lok, confound murderers and reveal much about life in their unique homeland * Sunday Times Crime Club *An innovative novel with a complex structure... It has to be admitted that Ho-Kei's novel takes quite some time to exert a grip, but those who've stuck with it will find that when it does, it does so comprehensively. The translation is an accomplished and idiomatic one' * CrimeTime *An excellent read for classic crime fans, with the bonus of an interestingly exotic background, both in police procedures and the politics of a city * Promoting Crime Fiction *Fascinating and action-filled * Wall Street Journal *A playful and enjoyable read * Shiny New Books *Unusual and fascinating * Irish Independent *The crimes were written and interwoven brilliantly * newbooks *

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Book SynopsisDedicated, intuitive and utterly obsessive, DCI James Langton is ruthless in his pursuit of a gang of illegal immigrants, killers of a young prostitute. When he is horrifically, almost fatally injured by one of them, it falls upon DI Anna Travis to put her own career on hold as she nurses him through his intense frustration and desperation to bring his would-be murderer to justice. Then Anna is assigned to a different case, the brutal killing of a quiet, studious woman whose body was discovered by her daughter returning home from school. A senseless attack with no obvious motive or immediate suspect. Until, chillingly, the case becomes unexpectedly linked with Langton's and Anna finds herself under similar threat from those who almost destroyed his career and his life.**Lynda La Plante's Widows is now a major motion picture**

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Book SynopsisBY THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY AND STRANGERS ON A TRAIN INTRODUCED BY DENISE MINA''Highsmith is a giant of the genre. The original, the best, the gloriously twisted Queen of Suspense'' MARK BILLINGHAM''She kind of takes you by the hand and walks you toward the cliff. I like that sensation'' GILLIAN FLYNN ''One of Highsmith''s finest novels'' NEW YORK TIMES A gripping novel that explores the shifting sands of moral values - is murder still murder when committed in a lawless place?Howard Ingham, an American writer, is in Tunisia working on a screenplay, and feeling stranded. No one has written to him since he arrived - neither the film director who he is supposed to be meeting in Tunis, nor his lover in New York. The erratic mail eventually brings news of the director''s suicide. For reasons obscure even to himself, Ingham decides to stay and work on a Trade ReviewThe no.1 Greatest Crime Writer * The Times *Highsmith was every bit as deviant and quirky as her mischievous heroes, and didn't seem to mind if everyone knew it -- J. G. Ballard * Daily Telegraph *She kind of takes you by the hand and walks you toward the cliff. I like that sensation -- Gillian FlynnNo one has created psychological suspense more densely and deliciously satisfying * Vogue *One of Highsmith's finest novels * New York Times *Her best novel * New Yorker *Highsmith is the poet of apprehension rather than fear . . . Highsmith's finest novel to my mind is The Tremor of Forgery, and if I were asked what it is about I would reply, "apprehension"' -- Graham GreeneI love [Highsmith] so much . . . what a revelation her writing is -- Gillian Flynn * Wall Street Journal *One of her best books . . . She creates a lot of dread and a lot of apprehension very casually -- Jonathan Lethem * Chicago Tribune *

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Book Synopsis'ENCHANTING COUNTRY MYSTERIES THAT EMBODY THE SUBLIME PHYSICAL BEAUTY OF THE DORDOGNE' New York TimesIn this latest mouthwatering mystery starring French country cop, Bruno, the body of a woman is found outside a cave beneath the ruined Templar chateau of Commarque in the heart of the Dordogne. She died of a broken neck. An accidental fall, or was she pushed?The victim carries no identification and her fingerprints are not known to the French Police or Interpol.The only clue to the woman's identity is that her dentistry looks American, but Bruno's inquiries at local hotels and gites yield no trace of a missing foreign woman. The chateau of Commarque, begun in the 11th century, was founded by a Bishop of Sarlat and entrusted to the Knights Templar. In the rocks beneath it are caves. It is one of the few Templar sites in France that has never been associated with the fabled hidden treasure of the Templars - never until now, when a local journalist publishes a sensational story around the unknown woman's death and a centuries-old mystery looks like it might finally be solved...Trade ReviewMartin Walker tells a good story set in a region that he clearly knows and loves . . . fascinating and poignant - Crime ReviewAll the Bruno trademarks . . . the splendid Dordogne location . . . descriptions of food which leave your mouth watering . . . with the added bonus that you're not going to put the book down until you've turned the final page - The Book BagThe perfect holiday read - Shiny New BooksWalker is brilliant at capturing the murderous charms of rural France . . . the setting is undeniably delicious - Mirror

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Book SynopsisMay, 1937. Josephine Tey is in London to oversee a BBC radio production of her play, Queen of Scots. Meanwhile, the country is preparing to crown a new king. At the height of the Coronation celebrations, Detective Chief Inspector Archie Penrose is called in to investigate the murder of one of the BBC''s best-known broadcasters. A second victim - his mistress, and the play''s leading actress - suggests that the motive lies close to home, but Josephine suspects that the killings are linked to a decade-old scandal.With Archie''s hands tied by politics, and his attention taken by another, seemingly unrelated death, it is left to Josephine to get to the truth - and to confront at first-hand the deadly consequences of love, deceit and betrayal.

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Book SynopsisA day like any other for security chief Tracy Waterhouse, until she makes a shocking impulse purchase. That one moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy's humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn.Trade Review'Atkinson's finest novel to date. Indeed, it's one of the finest British novels, in any genre, to have emerged for years...sharp and dexterous, subtle and stylish, very funny and at time extraordinarily cutting...This is very much a state of the nation novel - far sharper and more observant and satirically understanding than anything else out there at the moment. And yet Atkinson also gives us humanity, insight and entertainment...a story that deserves to be read for decades to come -- Henry Sutton * Mirror *The wonder of Atkinson's novels has been their joie de vivre, extraordinary given the high incidence of violent death. An irrepressible exuberance shines throughout..folds past and present together with Atkinson's customary flair...extraordinary combination of wit, plain-speaking, tenderness and control * Guardian *'As ever, Atkinson's prose is diamond-cut to twinkle and slice by turns' * Daily Telegraph *I can't think why it has taken me so long to discover Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie novels. Started Early, Took My Dog is the fourth and is so brilliant that I rushed out and bought the previous three. Lauded for her literary fiction, Atkinson has taken to writing crime with ease, skilfully weaving the lives of three characters into a complex tale of murder, child abduction and corruption -- Emma Lee-Potter * Daily Express *Crime has given Atkinson the freedom to write an ambitious, panoramic work, full of excitement, colour and compassion * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis''[A] gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta...Ferocious and compelling it is a story of blood, romance and sacrifice'' **** Daily ExpressSWORD AND SCIMITAR is the compelling tale of the Great Siege of Malta from Simon Scarrow, bestselling author of the Eagles of the Empire series. A must read for fans of Conn Iggulden and Robert Harris. ''This lively, absorbing novel will not disappoint'' The Sunday Times1565, Malta: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. At Queen Elizabeth''s command, he must search for a hidden scroll, guarded by the knights, that threatens her reign. As Sir ThTrade Review'[A] gripping tale of the Great Siege of Malta . . . Ferocious and compelling it is a story of blood, romance and sacrifice. As the people fight for their homeland dark secrets emerge which threaten their survival' **** * Daily Express *This lively, absorbing novel will not disappoint * The Sunday Times *Praise for Simon Scarrow's other novels: 'I really don't need this kind of competition... It's a great read' * Bernard Cornwell *Scarrow's [novels] rank with the best * Independent *A satisfyingly bloodthirsty, bawdy romp...perfect for Bernard Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff * Good Book Guide *Gripping and moving * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe groundbreaking thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante, and the basis for Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed motion picture. WIDOWS is a fast-paced heist thriller with an all-female cast you won't forget._________________Facing life alone, they turned to crime togetherA security van heist goes disastrously wrong and three women are left widowed. When Dolly Rawlins discovers her gang boss husband's plans for the failed hijack, an idea starts to form . . . Could she and the other wives finish the job their husbands started? As the women rehearse the raid, it becomes clear that someone else must have been involved.But only three bodies were found in the wreckage.Who was the fourth man? And where is he now?'The perfect summer read' My WeeklyTrade ReviewThis tale of female empowerment, evolution, and enrichment...provides more than enough thrills and plot twists to satisfy any crime novel enthusiast * Library Journal *Packed with high-tension, fast-paced action, an unforgettable cast of characters, plenty of twists and turns, and La Plante's dark and satirical brand of northern humour, this is crime fiction and excitingly visual storytelling at its best...just when you think you have the dénouement sussed, La Plante delivers a brilliant coup-de-grace in the shape of a gobsmacking twist in the tail. With nostalgia for older readers, and a voyage of discovery for the younger generation, Widows is an exciting summer crime read with a feisty feminist flavour! * Lancashire Evening Post *With the benefit of hindsight, La Plante was ahead of her time. The idea of a group of women, housewives, living very ordinary lives becoming a heist team was wholly original. Widows has strong social themes about grief (Dolly ironing her dead husband's shirts) and how life goes on after the death of loved ones. Basically showing how women are every bit as determined, fierce and clever as men... Maybe this novel attracted a lot of non-crime readers to the form long before the psychodrama became popular. La Plante wasn't the first crime writing woman to champion the cause of real women in the genre but she gave it a shot in the arm * Nudge Books *This is classic Lynda La Plante. Widows is simply stunning. There is no one like Dolly Rawlins. Highly recommended * Northern Crime *A terrific story and a cracking good read * Love Books Read Books *Quality reading that is exceptionally well told * Woman's Way *The perfect summer read * My Weekly *A great book -- Alex Heminsley * BBC Radio 2 *La Plante writes characters that you can believe in and want to root for and these women are no different. Each one is flawed and vulnerable, as they struggle to come to terms with their new lives without their men. At the heart of the story are themes of survival and friendship and how loss can bring very different people together. A real page-turner stuffed with gasp-out-loud surprises * The Pool *La Plante's terrific characters and serpentine plotting still deliver a gripping read * Irish Independent *It's good, dark fun: a feminist noir love child of Thelma and Louise and The Godfather * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisMurder was always an insult. But the murder, bloody and brutal, of an entire family in their own home, was a different form of evil.Nixie Swisher crept down the stairs for a drink - and saved her own life. When Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called to the house minutes later, she finds the whole family murdered in their beds. But the killers made a mistake: they left a survivor.Nixie saw everything. And unfortunately for her, these elite killers soon realise they need to finish the job. So Eve and her billionaire husband Roarke give everything they can to keep Nixie safe in their own home.And then a terrifying climax reveals there may be more to Nixie than meets the eye . . .Trade ReviewGut-searing emotional drama * David Baldacci *Anchored by terrific characters, sudden twists that spin the whole narrative on a dime, and a thrills-to-chills ratio that will raise the hairs of even the most jaded reader, the J.D. Robb books are the epitome of great popular fiction * Dennis Lehane *J.D. Robb's novels are can't miss pleasures * Harlan Coben *Whether she writes as J.D. Robb or under her own name, I love Nora Roberts. She is a woman who just doesn't know how to tell a bad story * Stephen King *

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Book Synopsis 'Incredibly funny, incredibly insightful and incredibly moving' Fiona Mozley, author of Hot Stew A darkly comic and explosive tale of a world at war and one island girl's struggle to survive Eighty-year old Herra Björnsson lies alone in her garage waiting to die. Oh, she has two weeks left, maybe three - she has booked her cremation appointment, at a blistering 1,000 degrees, so it won't be long. But until then she has her cigarettes, her laptop, a World War II grenade, and her memories to sustain her. One of the most original narrators in literary history, Herra takes readers with her on a dazzling ride of a novel as she reflects - in a voice by turns darkly funny, poignant and always, always smart - on the mishaps, tragedies and turns of luck that shaped her life. And with a bawdy, uncompromising spirit, she has survived it all. As hilarious as it is heartbreaking, Hallgrímur Helgason tells the deeply moving story of a woman swept up by the forces of history. Trade Review‘Published in 13 languages, this novel about one feisty Icelandic woman's proximity to history's big moments is a thoroughly entertaining ride.’ * People magazine *‘A blitzkrieg of a novel… Funny, shrewd and reliably rude… This hugely entertaining tale is surely destined for classic status.’ * Guardian *‘In this black-humoured novel...the narrator recounts her misshapen life with engaging vividness.’ * The New Yorker *‘Breathtaking… Herra’s life, and voice, is deeply compelling.’ * Financial Times *‘The hottest new book from Iceland… [Herra’s] perspective might be just what we need in these uncertain times: She survives and shares her story on her terms. And what a story it is, one worth reading to further understand the complexity of World War II — and to enjoy the quick wit of a woman you won’t forget.’ * Washington Post *‘The Woman at 1,000 Degrees is incredibly funny, incredibly insightful and incredibly moving.’ * Fiona Mozley, author of Elmet *‘What a novel! Helgason’s Woman at 1,000 Degrees is a gutsy, brilliant book: I could not tear myself away from it. Octogenarian Herra Björnsson’s dying recollections, as she lies nursing a hand grenade between her legs in an Icelandic garage, hurtle the reader headfirst into an epic narrative of war, loss, desire and survival, across years and continents. Both funny and deeply moving, I finished it utterly dazzled, my ears ringing.’ * Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rites *‘One of the most original novels of the year.’ * Irish Independent *‘An explosive experience.’ * Elle *‘By turns funny, sweet, gripping and sad but never sentimental, Helgason's work...is a sensitive tale of a nearly lived life.’ * Monocle *‘Herra…is exceedingly quick-witted and has a wickedly colorful way with words… Brilliantly written with flashing insights.’ * Kirkus *'The Woman at 1,000 Degrees is a bold work of fiction that gnaws at the silence blanketing the blackest holes of humanity to lay bare the author's dark vision of truth.' * Washington Independent Review of Books *'This novel is a shock, a laugh, an evocation of grief, and a tribute to survival and imagination.' * Affinity Konar, author of Mischling *'Helgason’s sad and funny novel begins in 2009, as 80-year-old Herra Björnsson lies dying in a Reykavík garage, still in possession of a live hand grenade from World War II...In her unsentimental, unsparing narrative, she offers insights into Icelandic culture and character, including a riff on reticence and a brief summary of Iceland’s financial meltdown. Like the Icelandic landscape, she can be both appealing and treacherous.' * Publishers Weekly, starred review *‘Compelling…uplifting…required reading for those who want sour along with the sweet of life.’ * New York Journal of Books *‘A very enjoyable story…a terrific read. Herra is a great character; she is bawdy, at times outright vulgar and mischievous.’ * The Bookshelf, ABC Radio Australia *'Gripping, darkly comic, and utterly original.' * Valerie Martin, author of Property *'Icelandic novelist Helgason shares with John Irving a knack for masterful plotting and clever, sarcastic humour...anyone willing to...revel in its flights of language will find much to enjoy.' * Booklist *‘Helgason’s characters are rare beauties. One falls for his absurd fantasies immediately.’ * Spiegel.de *‘Long after I read it, the story and its prickly protagonist has stayed with me.’ * Esmeralda Santiago, author of When I Was Puerto Rican, New York Magazine *‘You don’t know her yet, but she already despises you… With a biting humour, she examines love, marriage, sex, politics, and those who practice them.’ * Le Figaro Magazine *‘Extraordinarily absorbing and enjoyable. The story revolves around a woman who lived ahead of her time. Many young women would idealize Herra Björnsson. At the same time, it gives an insight into life during World War II.’ * Washington Book Review *'This is a profoundly, triumphantly feminist book... There’s nothing like it in our language.' * Toronto Star *‘Helgason’s novel is superbly written, with characters and events that grab your attention and make it hard to put down.’ * Tulsa Book Review *‘Unpredictable and endearing.’ * Jacksonville Journal-Courier *‘It's a sophisticated work, combining elements of Bildungsroman, comic burlesque, fictional biography and historical commentary… The novel's sheer invention, talkativeness and linguistic zest recall Joyce, while the plot itself, with its logical progression into the absurd, is not too distant from the labyrinths of Kafka.’ * David McDuff, literary translator and critic *‘A magnificent novel about maybe the most memorable character in Icelandic fiction.’ * Fréttablaðið *‘A mind-blowing doorstopper’ * Le Monde des Livres *‘This novel is toxic. The cover, the crumpled lady with the pink wig should have been warning enough, still one is stunned. This novel charges at you like a little terrier after you have opened a garden gate. It barks short, hoarse sentences. However, you don’t want to put this book down again!’ * Der Spiegel 1 *‘A ride through the 20th century of the ice island through the Nazi German Reich to Argentina and back again – wildly, tough, and devilishly clever. “Like” it? It rocks!’ * Stern *‘The most surprising, funny, bonkers novel of the season’ * Lire *‘Passionate, explosive and fiery…’ * El Periodico *‘Book of the year!’ * SWR3 Radio *‘Irresistible.’ * Paris Match *‘A caustic and human story that is tragic with a great sense of humour at the same time.’ * ABC Libros *‘If this had been written by a different, non-Icelandic author, it would be a pulp Charles Dickens, with a bit of Chuck Palahniuk thrown in.’ * Il Giornale *‘Playing with time and with history, this is a tragicomic and hard-hitting novel in which the author gets to the heart of a global situation and the vagaries of Icelandic politics.’ * El Diario *

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Book SynopsisBOOK 11 IN THE EPIC HISTORICAL SAGA OF THE COURTNEY FAMILY, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH 'Smith will take you on an exciting, taut and thrilling journey you will never forget' - Sun'With Wilbur Smith the action is never further than the turn of a page' - Independent'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily Mirror A NEW START. AN OLD ENEMY. Jim Courtney is protected by all the wealth and influence that his family's successful business, the Courtney Brothers Trading Company, can provide in the Dutch-owned colonies of South Africa. Louisa Leuven is an orphaned young woman who escaped the plague only to be unjustly imprisoned and transported to the Cape. When a storm destroys her prison ship, Jim is her only hope of escape. But Louisa and Jim have greater adventures in the African wilds ahead of them: they must flee from Dutch forces who seek not only to recapture their prisoner, but also to hunt down and hang Jim Courtney - and punish the other members of the Courtney family, however they can . . . A Courtney Series adventure - Book 3 in the Birds of Prey trilogy.Blue Horizon is the eleventh novel in the Courtney family saga from Wilbur Smith and the final chapter in the Birds of Prey series, and is a glorious exploration of love and hatred, family and power. Book 12 in the Courtney family series, Assegai, is available now.

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Book Synopsis''It''s just brilliant - full of poetry'' - Jilly CooperSet in wartime London and occupied France, this is a thrilling story of love, danger and sacrifice from bestselling novelist Alan Titchmarsh.It is the late 1930s when seventeen-year-old Rosamund Hanbury leaves behind the endless summers of her coastal Devonshire home for the fast pace of high society London. Under the expert guidance of her formidable aunt, the country mouse learns how to act like a lady, hosting dinner parties and rubbing shoulders with Britain''s most influential. And when the enigmatic Harry Napier sweeps her off her feet at London''s famous Café de Paris she could almost forget that Britain has declared war. But the Phoney War ends. Harry is posted, London reels from the first bombings of the Blitz and Rosamund suffers a devastating personal loss that leaves her all the more determined to do her bit for the war effort. Joining the Special Forces she is sent Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE SCARLET NIGHTINGALE:It's just brilliant - full of poetry * Jilly Cooper *PRAISE FOR ALAN TITCHMARSH:A perfect love story * Katie Fforde on THE HAUNTING *A pleasurable read which fans will lap up * Daily Mail *The story brims with intrigue * Daily Express on THE HAUNTING *Art, antiques and romance are the ingredients: Titchmarsh boils the pot to a fine froth * Saga Magazine on THE FOLLY *

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Book Synopsis'Murakami meets Ready Player One' – Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld'A twisted trip through a cool digital wilderness of a mystery. This book sticks to your brain' – Norman Reedus, star of The Walking DeadWhat happens in the game, stays in the game . . . Rabbits is a secret, dangerous and sometimes fatal underground game. The rewards for winning are unclear, but there are rumours of money, CIA recruitment or even immortality. Or it might unlock the universe’s greatest secrets. But everyone knows that the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes – and the body count is rising. Since the game first started, ten iterations have taken place . . . and the eleventh round is about to begin.K can’t get enough of the game and has been trying to find a way in for years. Then Alan Scarpio, reclusive billionaire and alleged Rabbits winner, shows up out of nowhere. And he charges K with a desperate mission. Something has gone badly wrong with the game and K needs to fix it – before Eleven starts – or the world will pay the price.Five days later, Scarpio is declared missing.Two weeks after that Eleven begins, so K blows the deadline.And suddenly, the fate of the entire universe is at stake.Rabbits by Terry Miles is an electrifying, compulsive read based on the hit podcast from the Public Radio Alliance – perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Black Mirror.Trade ReviewA twisted trip through a cool digital wilderness of a mystery. This book sticks to your brain. Just read it already -- Norman Reedus, star of The Walking DeadA taut mystery play for a time of conspiratorial madness, a frightening romp that forcefully reminds us of the terrible plausibility of conspiratorial thinking -- Cory Doctorow, author of WalkawayRabbits is a remarkably assured debut, deftly written and laced with intrigue. It combines Haruki Murakami’s slice-of-life surrealness with the thrilling pace and pop-culture throwbacks of Ready Player One. I loved it -- Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the WyldRabbits chases the mysteries at the heart of gaming and popular culture. Cancel your evening plans and follow Terry Miles down the rabbit hole -- Max GladstoneRabbits is an addictive puzzle box of a book that'll have you obsessing over every little detail. Do not start this if you have plans that day – you'll just end up cancelling them -- Rob Hart, author of The WarehouseA fascinating blend of paranoia and plausibility, Rabbits takes gaming to the next level. This ambitious and intricate novel will have you looking over your shoulder – and questioning the results of your next Google search -- Alexandra Oliva, author of The Last OneMiles masterfully combines mystery, danger, and scientific theory to bring the game to life until readers are just as caught up in searching for the next clue as the characters themselves. It’s a wild ride and it proves impossible to put down -- Publishers Weekly starred reviewA twisty, timey-wimey roller coaster that morphs seamlessly from treasure hunt to conspiracy thriller to escape room. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Brilliant, breathless, and full of madness, Terry Miles makes you feel like you’re the one playing the game . . . and facing the consequences if you lose! -- Christopher Golden

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Book SynopsisThe return of the famous shared-world superhero books created and edited by George R. R. Martin, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.The American Triad Series#1: Mississippi Roll#2: Low Chicago#3: Texas Hold ''EmA time for crime has come.The stakes where already high enough at Giovanni Galante's poker table that night in Chicago. Poker. Dealer's choice. Seven players. A million-dollar cash buy-in.But after a superpowered disaster, the most high-profile criminals in the city are scattered throughout the past and their schemes across time threaten the stability of the world.Featuring a fresh cast of characters, the latest tale set inGeorge R.R. Martin''sWild Cards universe is a time travel adventure that leads to the criminal underworld of 1920s Chicago.Includes a brilliant collection of original stories from such giants of the world of science fiction and fantasy as Saladin Ahmed, Paul Cornell, Marko Kloos, John Jos. Miller, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Christopher RTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE WILD CARDS SERIES: “Deep and complex”Starburst “Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books.”Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn "Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end."Locus "The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements." SciFi.com

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Book SynopsisFROM THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORTerence Cave, owner of Cave Antiques, has already experienced the tragedies of his mother's suicide and his wife's murder when his teenage son, Reuben, is killed in a grotesque accident. His remaining child, Bryony, has always been the family's golden girl and Terence comes to realise that his one duty in life is to protect her from the world's malign forces, whatever that may take.But as he starts to follow his grieving daughter's movements and enforce a draconian set of rules, his love for Bryony becomes a possessive force that leads to destruction.Trade ReviewA compelling book; a page-turner in the best sense of the word -- John Burnside * * Guardian * *Chilling, riveting, heart-breaking * * New York Times * *A devastating portrait of one man's relentless self-destruction * * The Times * *Cave's grotesque zeal commands the reader's almost voyeuristic attention, and delivers an enthralling addition to the literature of demented protagonists * * Independent * *A sleek, enthralling novel that tries to wrestle with the human condition * * Literary Review * *Matt Haig is a writer for children and adults who is adept at digging into the human heart * * Sunday Times * *Haig writes exquisitely from the perspective of the heart-sore outsider, but at their most moving his novels reveal the unbearable beauty of ordinary life * * Guardian * *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewGripping . . . palpable tension from the very start to its electrifying twist - Irish IndependentAMAZING! Really well written and kept me itching to read the next page. It was unputdownable! Cannot wait to read book two when released - Goodreads ReviewerI had been looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. I will certainly be reading more books in this series.Totally riveting and 100% engrossing. - Books From Dusk Till Dawn

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Book Synopsis From 'master of clever misdirection' (Kirkus Reviews) Aimee Molloy, author of the New York Times bestseller The Perfect Mother, comes an irresistible psychological thriller featuring a newly married woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband goes missing.'Aimee Molloy is a master of deception and Goodnight Beautiful is a thrill-ride packed with twists. Enthralling, sharp, and clever, this book will keep you guessing' SAMANTHA DOWNING, bestselling author of MY LOVELY WIFE'Goodnight Beautiful isn't only the most suspenseful novel you'll read this year; it's likely to be the funniest, too. I wish that every book, in every genre, were as deeply imagined and fully inhabited as this one' A. J. FINN, bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW'Aimee Molloy is a magician. With Goodnight Beautiful, she will artfully deceive you while holding you firmly in her grasp...What begins as a sexy, smart domestic thriller turns out to be so much more. If you think you've figured this one out, think again: Molloy will be three steps ahead of you all the way through' CRISTINA ALGER'Psychological thriller fans won't want to miss this one' - PUBLISHER'S WEEKLYA HANDSOME PSYCHOTHERAPIST, HIS LONELY WIFE, AND IN HIS HOME OFFICE, A CEILING VENT. . . YOU'D LISTEN TOO, WOULDN'T YOU?Newlyweds, Sam Statler and Annie Potter are ready to begin their lives together in a small town in upstate New York. Whilst Annie spends most of her time alone, Sam, her therapist husband, works long hours in his home office, tending to the egos of his mostly female clientele.Little does Sam know that through a vent in the ceiling, every word of his sessions can be heard from the room upstairs. The pharmacist's wife, contemplating a divorce. The well-known painter whose boyfriend doesn't satisfy her in bed. Who could resist eavesdropping?Everything is fine until the French girl in the green Mini Cooper shows up, and Sam disappears into thin air, throwing a wrench into Sam and Annie's happily ever after.This is a brilliant story of a whirlwind marriage in which untold secrets and games threaten to destroy them both.READERS LOVE GOODNIGHT, BEAUTIFUL . . .'This kept me gripped and desperate to keep reading''I loved this book, brilliantly crafted and an immersive plot that was full of surprises''Definitely one of the best books I've read recently. An absolute corker that justly deserves five stars''An exciting domestic thriller that started of as a literal rollercoaster and never slowed down''An entertaining read with a very original and clever plot''This book was fabulous! It was dark and super twisty and absolutely addicting. I read it in less than 24 hours and didn't want to put it down to sleep!''If you love a story full of twists and mystery then this is the one for you!''At last, a book that does live up to the hype - fun, interesting, if not altogether reliable, characters. Brilliant, crazy, plotting, and sparky dialogue'Trade ReviewAimee Molloy is a master of deception and Goodnight Beautiful is a thrill-ride packed with twists. Enthralling, sharp, and clever, this book will keep you guessing * Samantha Downing, author of My Lovely Wife *We live and read in an age when publishers bill every other novel as "psychological suspense." Most of these are neither psychological nor suspenseful; some tick both boxes without much finesse; and rarely - so rarely! - a writer like Aimee Molloy favors us with a thriller like Goodnight Beautiful. It's cunning, for sure, constructed with house-of-cards precision, and the story surges forward as though powered by outboard motor. But Molloy proves particularly skilled in the elusive arts of character and dialogue. Goodnight Beautiful isn't only the most suspenseful novel you'll read this year; it's likely to be the funniest, too. I wish that every book, in every genre, were as deeply imagined and fully inhabited as this one * AJ Finn, author of Woman in the Window *Aimee Molloy is a magician. With Goodnight Beautiful, she will artfully deceive you while holding you firmly in her grasp...What begins as a sexy, smart domestic thriller turns out to be so much more. If you think you've figured this one out, think again: Molloy will be three steps ahead of you all the way through * Cristina Alger, author of Girls Like Us *A remarkable and groundbreaking thriller. Molloy grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the final mind-bending, utterly astounding twist * Liv Constantine, author of The Last Mrs. Parrish *Along with a rip-roaring suspense plot, Molloy adds depth with critiques of gender conventions that causes readers to investigate the assumptions they bring to the text. She breathes new life into the unreliable narrator thriller genre in a book everyone will be talking about * Library Journal, starred review *

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Book Synopsis'A young witch to rival Tiffany Aching. Magic!' FMA Dixon 'ACE. Smart and funny and written so warmly. It's an absolutely smashing read' Pernille Hughes, author of Probably the Best Kiss in the World  ​ July, 1940. In a quiet village in rural Kent, a magical mystery leads to murder . . . Woodville has returned to 'normal' after the departure of the Crow Folk. The villagers put out fires from aircraft shot down in the Battle of Britain, and Faye Bright discovers that magic can be just as dangerous as any weapon. The arrival of a trio of Jewish children fleeing the Nazis brings the fight for Europe to the village. When their guardian is found dead, Faye must play nanny to the terrified children while gathering clues to uncover a dark magic that threatens to change the course of the war. And she must do it quickly &ndas

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Book SynopsisThe new novel from the author of Art in the Blood. December 1889. Fresh from debunking a ghostly hound in Dartmoor, Sherlock Holmes has returned to London, only to find himself the target of a deadly vendetta.A beautiful client arrives with a tale of ghosts, kidnapping and dynamite on a whisky estate in Scotland, but brother Mycroft trumps all with an urgent assignment in the South of France.On the fabled Riviera, Holmes and Watson encounter treachery, explosions, rival French Detective Jean Vidocq and a terrible discovery. This propels the duo northward to the snowy highlands. There, in a haunted castle and among the copper dinosaurs of a great whisky distillery, they and their young client face mortal danger, and Holmes realizes all three cases have blended into a single, deadly conundrum.In order to solve the mystery, the ultimate rational thinker must confront a ghost from his own past. But Sherlock Holmes does not believe in ghostsor does he?Trade Review‘Haunting, vivid and beautifully plotted, Unquiet Spirits is both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of everything we love about Sherlock Holmes and his world. Bonnie MacBird has done it again!’—Daniel Stashower, Edgar, Agatha, and Anthony award winning author of Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle ‘If the original 60 Holmes stories aren't enough for you, read Bonnie MacBird's Unquiet Spirits for another dram of the Great Detective. MacBird deftly blends a series of grisly murders and dark secrets from Holmes’s past into a strong brew!’—Leslie S. Klinger, editor of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes ‘A superb Sherlockian adventure. Bonnie MacBird’s take on Holmes and Watson is inventive and true to the canon, a splendid blend of fast-paced action and detection in a deliciously gothic Highland setting. I can’t wait for her next book.’—Dana Cameron, BSI, Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity award-winning author of the Emma Fielding mysteries ‘Pour yourself a wee dram, toss another peat on the fire, and prepare to be swept up in the great detective's Highland fling. MacBird's spooky, scholarly, thoroughly ‘spirited’ follow up to Art in the Blood is a triumph of voice, place, and plotting. Highly recommended for fans of Sherlock, Scotland, and whisky lovers everywhere.’—Catriona McPherson, bestselling author of the multi-award-winning Dandy Gilver series ‘MacBird’s outstanding sequel to 2015’s Art in the Blood melds a twisty, multilayered plot with a plausible exploration of Sherlock Holmes’s life before Watson … Will make Sherlockians eager for more from her.’—Publishers Weekly Starred Review ‘MacBird could possibly be Conan Doyle reincarnated. I hope this is a lengthy series. A perfect read as the nights draw in.’—CrimeSquad.com ‘Ms MacBird does a fine job of re-creating the familiar Holmesian universe’—Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisDavid Baldacci's heart-stopping Hour Game is the second fast-paced thriller in the King and Maxwell series.Following their collaboration in Split Second, ex-Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell have gone into partnership and are investigating the robbery of some secret documents at the residence of the incredibly wealthy Battle family. It seems like a straightforward case of domestic burglary, but soon they begin to suspect links to larger, more terrifying events now shaking the prosperous town of Wrightsburg . . . The unidentified corpse of an attractive young woman turns up in the woods; two high school kids, one shot in the back, the other in the face, are found dead in their car; a successful lawyer is discovered stabbed to death in her own home. A serial killer is on the loose. The murderer kills in the manner of famous killers of the past but takes care to leave a stopped watch at the scene of each crime – corresponding to the victim's position on his hit list. As the killing spree escalates it seems that the fractured Battle family are somehow involved and Maxwell and King suddenly find themselves racing to solve an intricate puzzle, one that is full of tantalizing clues but barren of solid evidence, and one that is leaving even the FBI confounded. And all the while, the body count is rising . . .Hour Game is followed by Simple Genius, First Family, The Sixth Man and King and Maxwell.Trade ReviewThere are terrific action sequences sprinkled throughout, and plenty of suspense * Publishers Weekly *King and Maxwell are fictional treats, a fabulously entertaining team, and the action is hot and hard * New York Daily News *The action is suspenseful and relentless * Newark Star-Ledger *

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Book Synopsis ''While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl''Daily MailMurder on the Downs is the seventh book in Julie Wassmer''s popular crime series - now a major Acorn TV drama, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman as private detective and restaurateur, Pearl Nolan. A controversial new property development is planned in Whitstable which will encroach upon the green open space of the downs, to the dismay of Whitstable residents who view this as the thin end of the wedge with regard to local wildlife conservation.A campaign springs into life, spearheaded by a friend of Pearl''s family, Martha Laker. A committed environmentalist, Martha is no stranger to controversy herself. She has also managed to divide opinion across town, with the locals viewing her as their fearless champion while establishment figures seeing only an interfering agitator.Tensions escalate between the developers and Whitstable residenTrade Review'Thoroughly enjoyable with a host of wonderful characters - I adore Dolly! - and evocative descriptions of Whitstable. Perfect for foodies too. Pearl is great and the ongoing will they/won't they love story with McGuire is compelling. Comforting, cosy and entertaining with excellent Agatha Christie-style reveals. I love these books!' * Jane Wenham-Jones, author of Mum in the Middle *'If you enjoy cosy crime fiction and you still haven't picked this series, then you are missing out' * Alba in Bookland *'Julie Wassmer really knows how to tell a story' * Victoria Best, Shiny New Books *'Come to Whitstable without actually coming to Whitstable. A good read!' * Anthony Jemmett *

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Book SynopsisThe edge-of-your-seat thriller from the #1 bestseller.A gripping tale that will have you turning the pages well into the night' MARK DAWSONA DEADLY TERROR PLOT. A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK. WILL EVIL PREVAIL?Following a chance encounter with a terrified young woman in the streets of Paris, former SAS soldier Ben Hope finds himself hurled into a violent new mission involving murder, international terrorism and stolen historic artifacts. A mission made even more perilous by the reappearance of an old enemy from Ben's military past. A man he knew and fought years ago. A man he thought was dead.Teaming up with the enigmatic ex-Delta Force warrior Tyler Roth, Ben travels from the seedy underworld of Paris to the islands of the Caribbean in his quest to piece together the puzzle.As the death toll quickly mounts, he unmasks a vicious terror plot that could bring about the slaughter of millions of innocent people. Mass destruction seems just a hair's breadth away and only Ben Hope can prevent thTrade 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 ‘Like the father of the modern thriller, Frederick Forsyth, Mariani has a knack for embedding his plots in the fears and preoccupations of their time . . . the action scenes come thick and fast, each one choreographed with painful authenticity’ Shots Magazine ‘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 SynopsisFollowing Mindstar Rising and A Quantum Murder, The Nano Flower is the final book in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel trilogy – a page-turning science-fictional detective story.For fifteen years she has been the power behind England's economic renaissance. But this won’t help her now. Julia Evans, billionaire owner of Event Horizon, is in trouble. Her husband is missing. Rival companies claim to have acquired an incredible new technology – something impossibly superior to what has come before. So she has no time to notice a single flower, delivered anonymously. But this flower possesses genetic information millions of years in advance of any terrestrial DNA.Is it a cryptic alien message, or a poignant farewell token from her husband? One man is on the case to discover its origins: psi-boosted private detective Greg Mandel. But he won’t be alone in this desperate search. And, as Greg and Julia discover, being first in the race won’t be enough – not when the Nano Flower starts to bloom . . .Trade ReviewReaches another level of excellence . . . Brilliant -- LocusFully fleshed-out characters living in an immaculately imagined and executed near-future world, lush prose, crystal-sharp dialogue . . . Unreservedly recommended -- InterzoneA cracking good story, full of action and adventure . . . unputdownable -- Critical Wave

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Book Synopsis***The Sunday Times Crime Club Star Pick***'Lighthearted, witty and effortlessly clever, just like its wonderful heroine, this is a window into ancient Rome, and a tonic and a joy to read' The Observer'It positively crackles with knowledge of the city and its people, mixed with social comment, ingenious and bloody plots and sharp observational skills leavened by more than a smattering of genuine and sometimes earthy humour' Crime ReviewSaturnalia, the Romans' mid-December feast, nominally to celebrate the sun's rebirth but invariably a drunken riot. Flavia Albia needs a case to investigate, but all work is paused.The Aventine is full of fracturing families. Wives plot to leave their husbands, husbands plot to spend more time with their mistresses. Masters must endure slaves taking obscene liberties, while aggressive slaves are learning to ape dangerous masters. But no one wants to hire an investigator during the holiday.Albia is lumped with her own domestic stress: overexcited children and bilious guests, too many practical jokes, and her magistrate husband Tiberius preoccupied with local strife. He fears a Nut War. Nuts are both the snack and missile of choice of tipsy celebrants, so there is a fortune to be made. This year a hustling gang from the past is horning in on the action.As the deadly menace strikes even close to home, and with law and order paused for partying, Albia and Tiberius must go it alone. The Emperor has promised the people a spectacular entertainment - but Domitian himself is a target for the old criminals' new schemes. Can the Undying Sun survive the winter solstice, or will criminal darkness descend upon Rome?Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series'For a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, Lindsey Davis' latest Flavia Alba novel won't be beaten and offers an immersive experience of a vibrant world full of real, recognisable characters' Shotsmag'In this witty novel by the mistress of Roman crime, the reader is transported behind the scenes of a Triumph into a fascinating world of actors, costumiers and animal trainers, all united in their hatred of the murdered man' Sunday Express Magazine'Davis does her usual brilliant job of integrating the history of the period, warts and all, with a fast-paced and fair whodunit' Publishers WeeklyTrade Reviewa riotous mystery set in AD89 * The Sunday Times Crime Club *Lighthearted, witty and effortlessly clever, just like its wonderful heroine, this is a window into ancient Rome, and a tonic and a joy to read * The Observer *It positively crackles with knowledge of the city and its people, mixed with social comment, ingenious and bloody plots and sharp observational skills leavened by more than a smattering of genuine and sometimes earthy humour * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisKATE SHUGAK is a native Aleut working as a private investigator in Alaska. She's 5 foot 1 inch tall, carries a scar that runs from ear to ear across her throat and owns half-wolf, half-husky dog named Mutt. Resourceful, strong-willed, defiant, Kate is tougher than your average heroine – and she needs to be to survive the worst the Alaskan wilds can throw at her. MIDNIGHT COME AGAIN. Kate Shugak is hiding out in Bering, Alaska. Scarred, scared, and pretending to be someone else... But Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin, Kate's best friend, needs her to help him work a new case. He discovers her hiding out in Bering, a small fishing village on Alaska's western coast, living and working under an assumed name – working hard, as 18-hour workdays seem to be her only justification for getting up in the morning. But before they can even discuss Kate's last several months, or what Jim is doing looking for her in Bering, they're up to their eyes in Jim's case, which is suddenly more complicated – and more dangerous – than they suspect.Trade ReviewFor those who like series, mysteries, books with rich, idiosyncratic settings, engaging characters, Strong Women and reasonably hot sex on occasion... let me recommend Dana Stabenow' -- Diana GabaldonA darkly compelling view of life in the Alaskan bush, well laced with lots of gallows humor. Her characters are very believable, the story lines are always suspenseful, and every now and then she lets a truly vile villain be eaten by a grizzley. Who could ask for more? -- Sharon PenmanStabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. An outstanding series * Washington Post *One of the strongest voices in crime fiction * Seattle Times *An antidote to sugary female sleuths: Kate Shugak, the Aleut private investigator * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom Sarah Moss, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Summerwater and Ghost Wall, comes a story about the circumstances and the consequences of isolation.‘A tense page-turner . . . I gulped The Fell down in one sitting’ - Emma Donoghue‘Her work is as close to perfect as a novelist’s can be’ - The TimesAt dusk on a November evening in 2020 a woman slips out of her garden gate and turns up the hill. Kate is in the middle of two weeks of Covid isolation, but she just can’t take it any more – the closeness of the air in her small house, the confinement. And anyway, the moor will be deserted at this time. Nobody need ever know.But Kate’s neighbour Alice sees her leaving and Matt, Kate’s son, soon realizes she’s missing. And Kate, who planned only a quick solitary walk – a breath of open air – falls and badly injures herself. What began as a furtive walk has turned into a mountain-rescue operation . . .Unbearably suspenseful, witty and wise, The Fell asks probing questions about the place the world has become since the first Covid lockdown in March 2020, and the place it was before. This novel is a story about compassion and kindness and what we must do to survive.‘Gripping, thoughtful and revelatory’ - Paula Hawkins‘This slim, intense masterpiece is one of my best books of the year’ - Rachel Joyce‘One of our very best contemporary novelists’ - IndependentTrade ReviewA slim, tense page turner that captures the precious warmth of human connection. I gulped The Fell down in one sitting -- Emma DonoghueMoss writes so compassionately about human frailty while her own work is as close to perfect as a novelist’s can be * The Times *Gripping, thoughtful and revelatory -- Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the TrainA funny, savage novel * Guardian *Absorbing . . . ingeniously done . . . a humane, thoughtful reflection on the lockdown experience * Scotsman *There is wit, there is compassion . . . This slim, intense masterpiece is one of my best books of the year -- Rachel JoyceA one-sitting read . . . ambitious and immersive * Red *Moss is strong on pastoral lyricism, and her characteristic humour is as piercing here as in her previous novels * The Times *A masterfully tense, deeply empathetic novel . . . [a] tender, insightful exploration of the times we are living through -- Megan Hunter, author of The End We Start FromAlways with steely precision, Moss has mined both the circumstances and the consequences of isolation . . . one of the very best British novelists writing today about contemporary life * Daily Telegraph *She conjures the fretful confinement of the pandemic with colossal skill . . . deft and evocative . . . shrewd and moving * i *The pandemic is spawning some fine writing, and this helter-skelter novel by Moss is one of the best yet -- Mail on SundayMoss perfectly simulates the stifling psychological confinement and ennui of locked-down life . . . a neat, atmospheric novel * Literary Review *[The Fell] leaves the reader on tenterhooks as the story builds to its conclusion . . . Moss makes a strong case for social connection being as important as our physical health for survival * Daily Mirror *Moss steps into other people’s shoes with impressive ease. Her prose is clear, low-key and compelling . . . Feelingly, but without sentimentality, Moss explores what happens when you find yourself teetering on the precipice * Herald *A novel of our time . . . there may be a time when what is described here is, indeed, in the past, and a novel like The Fell will help us to remember * Church Times *It seems ever more important that fiction acknowledge the truths the pandemic has revealed to us: how connected we all are, and how much we fear one another * Guardian *[The Fell] confirms that Sarah Moss is a writer of remarkable power, control and deftness. She's funny, observant and very much of the moment * Oldie *

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Book Synopsis'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller' Karin Slaughter  Everybody has a story to tell . . . Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has moved up the ranks, fighting every step of the way to break through Scotland Yard's glass ceiling. Now, on her first day as the head of the Vice Squad, a high-profile case threatens to destroy everything she has worked for. When Tennison's latest investigation reveals an influential public figure as her prime suspect – a man with connections to politicians, judges and Scotland Yard – she's given a very clear message about the direction her investigation should take. In a case defined by murky details, one fact becomes indisputably clear – that for Tennison, going after the truth will mean risking her happiness, and maybe her career.Based on the award-winning TV series starring Helen Mirren. 

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Book SynopsisFROM THE AUTHOR OF SUNDAY TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH, BREATHLESS, COMES A SPINE-TINGLING AND GRIPPING THRILLER, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!***Previously published in hardback as Midnight***With her life back in London falling apart, Olivia cannot believe her luck when she''s invited on a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic cruise with her boyfriend, Aaron.Olivia has never been anywhere so spectacular: huge cliffs of ice loom high on the horizon, penguins dive through the sparkling sea, and above it all, the sun never sets in the eerie twilight sky.And then Aaron disappears. And a body is discovered on board.Surrounded by strangers, Olivia has no idea who she can trust.And if she can''t figure it out soon, she won''t make it back alive...Praise for Amy McCulloch:''A high-altitude, high-stakes thriller. I loved it'' MATT HAIG''Had me on the edge of my seat. A

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Book SynopsisThere has never before been an anti-hero like Hellman of Hammer Force in British comics! From the invasion of Poland in 1939 through to the fall of Berlin in 1945, Hellman of Hammer Force saw action on many fronts, and this collection contains all the hard-hitting war stories told through the eyes of Hellman which were published in Battle from 1977 through to 1978. This ground-breaking series of thrilling combat is written by Gerry Finley-Day (Rogue Trooper) and drawn by Mike Dorey (Ro-Busters) and Patrick Wright (Day of the Eagle).

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling historical whodunnit (MuseumMysteries 9).

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Book SynopsisGero may be a master assassin, but he’s not exactly killing it in the romance department! Can marriage swindler Kinosaki help him find true love?Poison Master Hikaru Gero is about to take on his most challenging assignment yet—getting married! Gero couldn’t be more clueless when it comes to dating, but thankfully, marriage swindler Mei Kinosaki knows everything there is to know about love. Together, this unlikely pair is going to do whatever it takes to get Gero hitched—even if they have to take on the entire criminal underworld in the process!After assessing Gero’s romantic qualities (or lack thereof), Kinosaki decides the best strategy to find Gero a wife is to use his impressive talents as an assassin instead! Together they respond to a job listing to rescue Himekawa, an art thief who’s been taken hostage—but with a water master now standing in their way, their plan takes a turn for the worse! Can Gero win this fi

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Book SynopsisWhen a courier for Sweden’s Press and Military Office is killed on his final mission, the Norwegian government-in-exile appoints a writer to find the missing documents … breathtaking WW2 thriller. **International NUMBER ONE bestseller** ‘A stylish stand-alone thriller from the godfather of Scandi noir … Ola Dahl ratchets up the tension from the first pages and never lets go' Sunday Times 'Absorbing, heart-rending and perfectly plotted' Denzil Meyrick ‘Expertly crafted’ John Harvey _________Summer, 1943. Daniel Berkåk, who works as a courier for the Press and Military Office in Sweden, is killed on his last cross-border mission to Norway. Demobbed sailor Kai Fredly escapes from occupied Norway into Sweden, but finds that the murder of his Nazi-sympathiser brother is drawing the attention of the authorities on both sides of the border. The Norwegian government, currently exiled in London, wants to know what happened to their courier, and the job goes to writer Jomar Kraby, whose first suspect is a Norwegian refugee living in Sweden … a refugee with a past as horrifying as the events still to come … a refugee named Kai Fredly… Both classic crime and a stunning exposé of Norwegian agents in Stockholm during the Second World War, The Lazarus Solution is a compulsive, complex and dazzling historical thriller from one of the genre’s finest writers. For fans of Sebastian Faulks, Lars Mytting, Mick Herron and Robert Harris. _______ ‘The detail is impressive' Daily Mail 'Kjell Ola Dahl's novels are superb. If you haven't read one, you need to right now' William Ryan 'A dark but richly described backdrop and a relentless, underlying tension … Fans of Nordic noir will be satisfied' Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisA body lost at sea, arson, murder, astronauts, wind phones, communal funerals, stalking and conspiracy theories … This can ONLY mean one thing! The Skelfs are back, and things are as tense, unnerving and warmly funny as ever! ‘A terrific read with all of Johnston’s trademark warmth and wicked wit in the latest gripping outing for this beguiling family’ A K Turner ‘Some of the best female characters in crime fiction. Pitch-perfect balance of dark and light … disturbing, compassionate and brilliantly funny’ Sarah Hilary 'The Skelfs series just gets better and better! Outstanding characters and a gripping plot … Doug Johnstone is one of the greats of Scottish crime fiction' Luca Veste ____________ Even death needs company… The Skelf women are recovering from the cataclysmic events that nearly claimed their lives. Their funeral-director and private-investigation businesses are back on track, and their cases are as perplexing as ever. Matriarch Dorothy looks into a suspicious fire at an illegal campsite and takes a grieving, homeless man under her wing. Daughter Jenny is searching for her missing sister-in-law, who disappeared in tragic circumstances, while grand-daughter Hannah is asked to investigate increasingly dangerous conspiracy theorists, who are targeting a retired female astronaut … putting her own life at risk. With a body lost at sea, funerals for those with no one to mourn them, reports of strange happenings in outer space, a funeral crasher with a painful secret, and a violent attack on one of the family, The Skelfs face their most personal – and perilous – cases yet. Doing things their way may cost them everything… Tense, unnerving and warmly funny, The Opposite of Lonely is the hugely anticipated fifth instalment in the unforgettable Skelfs series, and this time, danger comes from everywhere… _________________________ ‘If you loved Iain Banks, you’ll devour the Skelfs series’ Erin Kelly ‘Authentic female characters … Short, punchy chapters mean that the pace is brisk, and Johnstone’s deft way of portraying old and new characters means that even novice readers of the series won’t be left behind’ Scotsman 'An absolute joy to read … full of such wonderful characters, brilliantly realised, with more peril and intrigue. Certainly the best one yet' James Oswald ‘Wonderful characters: flawed, funny and brave’ Sunday Times Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch’ Gytha Lodge ‘A unique brand of crime fiction boasting rare heart and depth’ Ambrose Parry ‘Some of the most unique characters in crime fiction’ Daily Express ‘Gritty, atmospheric and, above all, profoundly moving. An emotional education in the most unexpected of ways … I loved it’ Sarah Sultoon ‘A must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists’ Publishers Weekly ‘The Skelfs books are brilliant’ Miranda Dickinson ***SHORTLISTED FOR THEAKSTON’S OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR***

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Book SynopsisPAULA HAWKINS worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, she moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller The Girl on the Train became a global phenomenon, selling over 23 million copies. Published in over fifty languages, it was a No.1 bestseller around the world and a box-office-hit film starring Emily Blunt.Paula's most recent thrillers, Into the Water and A Slow Fire Burning, were also instant No.1 bestsellers. In 2021 A Slow Fire Burning was nominated for Thriller of the Year at the British Book Awards.

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Book SynopsisFeatured on THE TIMES 'best thrillers of 2025 so far' list 'Gripping debut Cracking' The Times 'My favourite sort of thriller tons of fun' Guardian 'Chillingly atmospheric debut' T M Logan 'A fast-paced and gripping thriller' Clare Mackintosh _________________________ Lost in Antarctica. How long can she survive? My name is Rachael, and I'm on a solo Antarctic expedition. But a month ago I lost contact with basecamp. No radio. No sat phones. Just static. Only one thing has reached me: a BBC World Service broadcast, reporting a nuclear strike on the UK. I'm safe for fourteen more days in my little hut at the bottom of the world. But I can't stay here forever, I have to find out what's happened. Even if there's no one left to tell. __________________________ Real readers love WHITEOUT: 'A fantastic thriller with the best twists that I honestly did not see coming' ????? 'The writing was phenomenal' ????? 'This book was so suspenseful and so shocking, that I am almost at a loss for words after finishing it!' ????? 'This is an amazingly tense and thrilling story for all thriller lovers' ????? 'Impossible to put down well written and totally unique' ????? 'A superb survival thriller from a writer to watch' Steve Cavanagh 'Gripping and chilling' Amy McCulloch 'Unique and skilled debut' Caroline Corcoran 'A fabulous debut thriller' Simon McCleave 'Chilling, awe-inspiring' James Rollins 'A riveting debutI tore through it like a blizzard' Giles Kristian

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Book SynopsisAccustomed to both murder and dalliance, Australia''s favourite detective, the inimitable Miss Fisher, returns in a case that will test her courage and judgement to the full.When the redoubtable Miss Phryne Fisher receives threatening letters at her home, she enlists her unflappable apprentice Tinker to investigate. But as the harassment of Phryne threatens to spin out of control, her lover Lin Chung is also targeted.Meanwhile, Dot begins to fear that her fiancé, newly promoted Sergeant Hugh Collins, has gone cold on their wedding. And Phryne''s clever daughters Ruth and Jane begin their own investigation into suspiciously dwindling funds when they are sent to help at the Blind Institute.None of this is quite enough to prevent Phryne from accepting an invitation to a magnificent party at the house of the mysterious Hong. When the party is interrupted by shocking tragedy, Phryne gathers all of her unerring brilliance to track down the miscreants.

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