Crime & Thrillers Books

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Book SynopsisAs a deadly cholera pandemic burns its way through Victorian London in the winter of 1866, a trailblazing female physician and a skeptical Scotland Yard detective reluctantly team up to stop a sadistic killer in this dark, atmospheric, historically rich mystery for readers of Andrea Penrose and Deanna Raynourn.?Enthralling debut. . . Mystery, pulse-pounding suspense and a budding romance. More, please!??Mary Jane Clark, New York Times Bestselling AuthorNovember 1866: The grisly murder site in London?s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather?s practice?amid London?s devastating cholera epidemic. Yet in four years she?s seen nothing quite like this?a local clergyman?s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she?and Tennant?both suspect is personal.Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues that lead from London?s music halls to its grim workhouses and sewers. But as Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer?s dark machinations, there is a new urgency. For the doctor?s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon makes her hardcover debut with an irresistible new meta-mystery series about an amateur sleuth who doesn?t just solve crimes, she writes about how to do it . . .TIP #1: WHAT DOESN?T KILL YOU COUNTS AS WORK EXPERIENCEMeg Gates could use a guidebook for life. Indeed, she?s faced some challenges. She dropped out of college to work for a tech startup that failed?and her fiancé just took her bridesmaid to Italy on what was supposed to be Meg?s honeymoon.Now, at twenty-six, Meg has taken the ferry ride of shame from Seattle back to Bainbridge Island to live with her family. At least she has her rescue cocker spaniel, Watson, by her side. But it?s Meg who could use a rescue?and she?s hoping it will come in the form of a part-time gig doing research for a bestselling mystery writer.TIP #2: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW ? OR WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOWThat?s when the lightbulb goes on: Meg will write her own guidebook?a manual on criminal investigation. But before she can impress her new boss with her pet project, the author?s manager is found dead on the rocks beneath the author?s Gothic mansion.Now it?s time to put her guide to the test, as Meg sets out to clear her employer of suspicion and solve the crime. But there?s one important caveat she?ll have to add to her guide?TIP #3: BEWARE OF UNKNOWN DANGERS

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Book SynopsisProfessional bodyguard Hilja Ilveskero will do anything to protect her client. But when that client is the daughter of a nefarious real estate tycoon who is the mortal enemy of Hilja’s true love, things get complicated. She knows there must be an endgame to this job, but the pay is just too good to refuse. As Hilja learns more, mysteries begin to unravel, and dark crimes targeting the most vulnerable of victims come to light. Hilja must do everything in her power to protect enemies, loved ones, and innocents alike. From bestselling Scandinavian crime writer Leena Lehtolainen comes the final gripping installment of The Bodyguard series.

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Book SynopsisJon Reznick is a “ghost”: a black-ops specialist who takes his orders from shadowy handlers, and his salary from the US government. Still mourning the loss of his beloved wife on 9/11, he’s dispatched to carry out a high-level hit. Reznick knows only that it must look like suicide. It’s textbook. But the target is not the man Reznick expected. The whole setup is wrong. In an instant the operation is compromised, and Reznick is on the run with the man he was sent to kill. A man wanted by the FBI, and by a mysterious terrorist organization hell-bent on bringing the United States to its knees. FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is determined to track him down, and to intercept whatever it is Reznick was sent to do. When Reznick’s young daughter becomes a pawn in the game, he has to use more than his military training to stay one step ahead of those responsible. Meanwhile, he is the only person who knows the true extent of the threat to national security—and has the stealth and determination to stop it. Revised edition: This edition of Hard Road includes editorial revisions.Trade Review“Turner has written a book which combines the paranoid conspiracy of Three Days of the Condor with the relentless action of the Reacher thrillers.” —Crime Fiction Lover “A great addition to the thriller genre, with all the necessary ingredients required to deliver the goods: tension, drama, thrills and a cast of tough, no-nonsense characters.” —Shots Magazine “It’s a cliche to say ‘the action never stops’ but in Hard Road, it really NEVER stops and the number of destroyed vehicles gets close to Fast and Furious levels. But it’s all completely believable and totally engrossing. I read it straight through and enjoyed every page.” —Terry Irving, author of Courier and Warrior

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Book SynopsisWhen an ex-Delta Forces operative dies in a car wreck in Miami, the FBI dismiss it as a tragic accident. But Jon Reznick isn’t so sure—especially when he learns that his teetotal former colleague was apparently drunk at the wheel. Reznick’s one-man investigation quickly enters dangerous territory when it becomes clear that this was merely the first in a series of mysterious deaths. All of the victims are ex-Delta Forces, and all were involved in a top-secret Iranian hit under Reznick’s command. Retribution will not be complete until Reznick is wiped out too. With Iran’s ruthless Quds Force hunting him down on US soil, assisted by a powerful Mexican drug cartel determined to increase its own foothold in the country, Reznick’s survival is a threat to national security. FBI Assistant Director Martha Meyerstein is not as keen as some government officials to sacrifice him as collateral damage, but the longer Reznick runs, the more audacious his enemies become. Innocent American lives are at risk, and only Reznick’s victory—or surrender—can save them. Revised edition: This edition of Hard Wired includes editorial revisions.Trade Review“A must-read for conspiracy and action-series fans, this book moves JB Turner and the Reznick-Meyerstein pairing firmly to the upper ranks of current thriller writing.” —Shots Magazine “Jon Reznick is at it again. Fuelled on rage and amphetamines, he’s going to go through the US like an out-of-control drag-racing bulldozer…Read it and then catch your breath. J.B. Turner is one of the best new thriller writers. Stick with him.” —Terry Irving, author of Courier and Warrior

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Book Synopsis“An absolutely first-rate thriller.” —New York Times Book Review Seattle PD sex-crimes detective Livia Lone knows the monsters she hunts. Sold by her Thai parents along with her little sister, Nason; abused by the men who trafficked them; marooned in America…the only thing that kept Livia alive as a teenager was her determination to find Nason. Livia has never stopped looking. And she copes with her failure to protect her sister by doing everything she can to put predators in prison. Or, when that fails, by putting them in the ground. But when a fresh lead offers new hope of finding Nason and the men who trafficked them both, Livia will have to go beyond just being a cop. Beyond even being a vigilante. She’ll have to relive the horrors of the past. Take on one of the most powerful men in the US government. And uncover a conspiracy of almost unimaginable evil. In every way, it’s an unfair fight. But Livia has two advantages: her unending love for Nason— And a lifelong lust for vengeance.

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Book SynopsisAmerican financial and political powers collide and conspire in a breakneck thriller from New York Times bestselling author Stephen Frey. Andrew Falcon Jr. is the youngest hedge-fund manager to make partner at a powerful investment bank on Wall Street. His career is soaring, and his financial future is secured. But with fortune comes a high price. Just as Falcon thought life couldn’t get better, his niece Claire is kidnapped—yet her abductors have no interest in money. They want information. In exchange for Claire’s safe return, Falcon must dig deep into his firm’s affairs, uncovering secrets worse than he could ever imagine. He discovers a conspiracy tied to the US government—a rogue faction is manipulating the American people to establish a new order. Now facing impossible odds and a plot that goes all the way up to the nation’s leaders, Falcon must find a way to save not only his family but also his country.

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Book Synopsis“A tense, original thriller that perfectly blends the nail-biting suspense and shocks of Silence of the Lambs and Shutter Island.” —John Marrs, bestselling author of When You Disappeared His victims are powerless. He is in control. This is his revenge—and he’s only just begun. Three university scientists are found dead in a gruesome murder-suicide, and the only suspect in the case, Victor Lazar, is quickly captured. When the spate of violent suicides follows him to prison he is moved to solitary confinement, reserved for the highest-risk inmates. And then his assigned psychologist inexplicably takes his own life. Alex Madison, a former forensic psychologist turned private therapist, is brought in to interview Victor. He suspects that Victor is controlling his victims, somehow coaxing them into a suggestive trance. It seems like science fiction, but as Alex digs deeper he uncovers a frightening reality of secret research and cruel experimentation—and the perpetrators are closer to home than he could ever have imagined. Too late, Alex learns the true extent of what Victor is capable of—and who he’s after. With everything he holds dear at risk, can Alex take control of a dangerous mind—before it takes control of him?Trade Review“Highly original.” —Crime Monthly Magazine “A tense, original thriller that perfectly blends the nail-biting suspense and shocks of Silence of the Lambs and Shutter Island.” —John Marrs, bestselling author of When You Disappeared “A brilliantly original idea, with a terrifying villain at its heart” —Claire McGowan, author of What You Did and the Paula Maguire series “Fast, furious, and very scary, Trance is a hugely enjoyable and original thriller. Adam’s going to be a one to watch.” —Simon Kernick, bestselling author of The Bone Field “Trance is a creepy, dark, and highly original debut. I couldn’t put it down!” —Victoria Selman, author of Blood for Blood

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Book Synopsis“A complex and chilling tale of friends, family and the often murderous secrets that hide in the dark” from the award-winning author of Bone White (Robert McCammon, New York Times–bestselling author). The Piper has come to take the children away . . . In the fall of 1993, fifteen-year-old Angelo Mazzone sees his first dead body. The murder is linked to the Piper, the possible abductor of three other children—who haven’t been found—over the past few months. Some people in town say the woods are haunted, but Angelo and his friends head in anyway, to search the darkness for a monster. What they find there will change who they are—and everything they once believed in . . . “A frightening, thoroughly engaging read with a deeply moving series of narrative motifs running throughout, ones that needle the mind and tug at the heart in the best way . . . A triumph of suspense, an affectionate ode to adolescence and by far Ronald Malfi’s strongest effort to date.” —Horror Novel Reviews “Malfi is a man of many voices, a sort of literary version of Mel Blanc (the ‘man of a thousand voices’), but all of his voices are captivating, though none of them quite the same. Horror and crime fans will find much to like here.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisPerplexed Prince Dolph, Xanth's precocious shapeshifter, should be in love but isn't. Nonetheless, he must chose between two fiancÉes—Nada the uninterested and Electra the uninteresting—or all three of them will suffer the most dire consequences. Luckily a convenient catastrophe has popped up to distract Dolph form his dilemma—the foal-napping of young Che Centaur by goblins. And the only one who knows where Che is is a nice but remarkably naive elf-like girl named Jenny from the World of Two Moons. If anyone can save the missing centaur ... she sure can't.Praise for Piers Anthony “Piers Anthony is one of those authors who can perform magic with the ordinary. . . . [He] is a craftsman.” —A Reader’s Guide to Science Fiction “Anthony’s unflagging sparkle, verve and wordplay spin everyday trials of Mundane life into storytelling gold.” —Publishers Weekly

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Book Synopsis'Another meticulously researched and stunningly written novel by a much-loved and highly accomplished author. I adored it!' - Santa MontefiorePiracy. Romance. Revenge. Across the seas of the seventeenth century, two seafarers are forced to fight for their lives. The sequel to The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship is the third novel in the Joubert Family Chronicles from bestselling author Kate Mosse. The Barbary Coast, 1621. A mysterious vessel floats silently on the water – its hull splintered and its sails tattered and burnt. For months the Ghost Ship has hunted pirates to liberate enslaved prisoners. Now it – too – finds itself hunted.But the ship’s crew hides a secret, and the stakes could not be higher. The bravest among them are not who they seem: if arrested, they will hang for their alleged crimes. Can they survive their journey and escape their fate?A sweeping and epic love story, The Ghost Ship is a tale of adventure and buccaneering, love and revenge, stolen fortunes, piracy and hidden secrets on the high seas.Trade ReviewMosse can tell a story . . . plunge relentlessly and breathlessly in alongside Louise and Gilles in their maritime adventure * The Times *Beautifully written and engaging from the first page, keeping you guessing until the end * Independent *A gripping, thrilling page-turner, richly imagined and impeccably told * Toronto Star *Another meticulously researched and stunningly written novel by a much-loved and highly accomplished author. I adored it! -- Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of An Italian Girl in BrooklynThe Ghost Ship is utterly absorbing. I couldn’t put it down and fell in love with her two main characters, and felt bereft when it ended -- Louise Minchin, BBC journalist, host of the Her Spirit podcast and author of FearlessGripping, thrilling, a spectacular work of scholarly reimagining, The Ghost Ship is a beautiful book about two women, about love, courage, suffering, and a world in which everything was on a knife edge. A stunning novel, a whole world recreated -- Kate Williams, historian and author of Rival QueensAppositely placed in the past – this compelling tale of women on a mission to be seen and heard is a tale for today. Page turning -- Helen Lederer, comedian and author of Losing ItTransporting, intelligent, heartwarming and intriguing, this is historical fiction at its finest -- Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie LaneWonderful, rip roaringly adventurous and full of indelible characters. Mosse is a conjurer -- Irenosen Okojie, author of NudibranchA gorgeously written, utterly absorbing epic and, despite being set in the sixteenth century, has some very pertinent messages for our time about the evils of religious persecution and the transcendent power of love and family. In case it’s not clear enough yet, I absolutely LOVED it -- Lucy Foley, bestselling author of The Hunting Party and The Paris Apartment, on The City of Tears[A] dramatic, immersive tale of secrets, conspiracies, fanaticism and loss -- Daily Mail on The City of Tears

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Book SynopsisOne of the great Victorian novels, The Moonstone has engrossed, entertained and enraptured readers since its first publication in 1868. This edition features an introduction by the renowned historian, journalist and author, Judith Flanders.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.Lady Verinder’s uncle gives her the Moonstone – a magnificent diamond as large as an egg – for her eighteenth birthday, but it is not quite the generous gift it first seems. For he obtained it through bloody and nefarious means in India, and legend says the diamond’s guardians will stop at nothing to get it back. When the Moonstone is stolen, an innocent man is accused of the crime and from this simple beginning, Wilkie Collins creates a stunning, complex narrative of dark mystery, suspense and atmosphere – and one of the very first detective stories ever written.

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Book Synopsis'Unflinching, unforgettable . . . a step up for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid' - The Bookseller'Totally absorbing and evocative' - Kate Riordan, bestselling author of Summer FeverWhat happens when truth and lies collide? The Double Life of Daisy Hemmings is an intoxicating mystery across past and present from Joanna Nadin.1988, Cornwall. At seventeen, Jason wants much more from life than working in his father's pub. So when twin sisters Daisy and Bea, and their small circle of friends, arrive for a holiday in his village, Jason is determined to become part of their glamorous, intoxicating world.2018, London. When famous actress Daisy Hemmings decides it's time to write her autobiography, she chooses James Tate to help her. James is a ghost-writer and his job is to tell other people's stories for them. He's good at it, and why wouldn't he be? He's spent years pretending to be someone else . . .Trade ReviewUnflinching, unforgettable . . . Nadin should be this year's summer sensation -- a step up for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. * The Bookseller *The writing fizzes with energy and charm, and the story is bewitching. I didn't want it to end -- Emylia Hall, author of The Book of SummersTotally absorbing and evocative -- Kate Riordan, author of Summer FeverA gloriously shimmering and captivating novel, with a mystery at its heart that keeps you turning its pages -- Emily Koch, author of Keep Him Close and What July KnewA clever novel . . . about truth, lies and what happens when the secrets we keep are exposed * Red *A gem. Atmospheric and thrilling and sexy and so clever -- Laura Pearson, author of Missing Pieces

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Book SynopsisThe enemy is close to home in The Manor, a gripping gangland thriller from the top five bestseller Jessie Keane.Charlie Stone and Terry Barton have been blood brothers since the cradle. They grew up in the East End skimming along the bottom of the underworld, until Charlie took over the manor from the local mob and a twist of fate put him and his best mate on the road to the high life.When Charlie and Terry both marry and have kids, everything is set. Both families have everything they ever wanted. But things begin to turn sour when Charlie’s adopted son Harlan starts to cause trouble.It soon becomes clear that Harlan doesn’t just want to be number one son; he wants to be number one, full stop, and he wants Terry’s daughter Belle Barton by his side.As the feud caused by Harlan spirals out of control it is left to Belle to pick up the pieces. Is she strong enough to take on Harlan Stone? And has she got what it takes to rule the manor . . .Trade ReviewSwift-moving intrigue * Woman & Home *Perfect for fans of Martina Cole and Lynda La Plante * Glamour *Another brilliant gangland thriller * Bella Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA breathtaking classic of psychological suspense by the inventor of the detective novel, Wilkie Collins, with an afterword by writer, editor and playwright David Stuart Davies.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.On a moonlit London night, art teacher Walter Hartwright meets a young woman – beautiful, terrified and dressed entirely white – alone on the street. Compelled to help this piteous creature, he finds himself caught up in a world of secrets, murder and madness, with an impossible mystery to solve. The odds seem stacked against him, but a sleuthing partnership with the brilliantly clever Marian Halcombe may be just enough to outwit their formidable nemesis – the menacing Count Fosco.

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Book SynopsisMorse had solved so many mysteries in his life. Was he now, he wondered, beginning to glimpse the solution to the greatest mystery of them all . . . ? How can the discovery of a short story by a beautiful Oxford graduate lead Chief Inspector Morse to her murderer? What awaits Morse and Lewis in Room 231 of the Randolph Hotel? Why does a theft at Christmas lead the detective to look upon the festive season with uncharacteristic goodwill? And what happens when Morse himself falls victim to a brilliantly executed crime? Morse's Greatest Mystery and Other Stories is a dazzling collection of short stories from Inspector Morse's creator, Colin Dexter. It includes six ingenious cases for the world's most popular fictional detective – plus five other tantalizingly original tales to delight all lovers of classic crime fiction.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Scandinavian crime, Intrigo is the gripping collection of Håkan Nesser’s best novellas and short stories, three of which have been adapted into major motion pictures.Set in the fictional city of Maardam, each story is linked by themes of secrets coming to light, lies being exposed, and pasts coming back to haunt the people who thought they had fled them – all told in Håkan Nesser’s signature style of dark, cutting prose that displays a true understanding of human nature.The collection is the basis for a trilogy of international films - Dear Agnes, Death of an Author and Samaria - directed by Daniel Alfredson and starring Ben Kingsley and Gemma Chan.Trade ReviewOne of Sweden’s best crime writers * Mail on Sunday *The godfather of Swedish crime * Metro *A master of suspense * Sunday Times *One of the best of the Nordic Noir writers * Guardian *Table of ContentsChapter - 1: Tom Chapter - 2: Rein Chapter - 3: Dear Agnes Chapter - 4: The Flower from Samaria Chapter - 5: All the Information in the Case

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Book SynopsisA secluded hut in the middle of the woods. A double life that could be his downfall. The Secret Life of Mr Roos is the third Inspector Barbarotti novel from the ‘Godfather of Swedish crime’ (Metro), Håkan Nesser. At fifty-nine years old, Valdemar Roos is tired of life. Working a job he hates, with a wife he barely talks to and two step-daughters he doesn’t get on with, he doesn’t have a lot to look forward to. Then, one day, a winning lottery ticket gives him an opportunity to start afresh.Without telling a soul, he quits his job and buys a hut in the remote Swedish countryside. Every day he travels down to this man-made oasis, returning each evening to his unsuspecting wife. Life couldn’t be better, until a young woman arrives in paradise . . .Anna Gambowska is a twenty-one-year-old recovering drug addict. On the run from the rehab centre she hated and an abusive relationship she can’t go back to, all Anna’s prayers are answered when she comes across a seemingly vacant hut in the Swedish woodland. But it’s not long before Anna’s ex discovers her location, and an incident occurs that will mar the lives of both Anna and Valdemar forever.Inspector Barbarotti doesn’t take much interest when a woman reports her husband as missing. That is, until a dead body is found near the missing man’s newly bought hut, and Mr Roos becomes the number one murder suspect . . .The Secret Life of Mr Roos is the third novel in Håkan Nesser’s Inspector Barbarotti quintet.Trade ReviewThe godfather of Swedish crime * Metro *Told with wry humour and compassion, Nesser has four more Barbarotti stories to come – cherish them all -- Daily Mail on The Darkest DayA master of suspense * Sunday Times *In an exemplary translation by Sarah Death, this tangled tale of guilt and betrayal whets the appetite for translations of the other Barbarotti novels -- Financial Times on The Darkest DayOne of the best of the Nordic Noir writers * Guardian *One of Sweden’s best crime writers * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThe Vietnam War was a tragedy for Americaand for Vietnam. But for the Vietnamese, it was also a victory: they defeated the world's wealthiest country and most powerful military.

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling tale of the unavoidable consequences of a life lived in shadow.

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Book SynopsisSofia is the other princess. Not the crown princess – that’s her perfect big sister, Katrin. Sofia is the princess who always says the wrong thing; who hates going to parties; who doesn’t like people; who just wants to sit and read her books. So when Sofia is shipped off on a stomach-churning dragon flight to make another royal visit, she decides it’s time for this princess to take a little break. In disguise, Sofia soon finds herself discovering a magical city of learning, new friends and freedom. In short, everything is going wonderfully … right up until it goes horribly wrong. And that’s before the ice giants show up. From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart comes a magical third adventure about acceptance, family and friendship, perfect for fans of Cressida Cowell and Cornelia FunkeTrade ReviewWitty and smart and generous – an utterly delicious book * Katherine Rundell on The DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART *A glorious whirlwind: city streets, royal courts, dragons, princesses and the dark webs and darker designs of the fairies under the earth. The colours leave you spinning, the air is chocolate scented, there is a storytelling heroine with a quest … You couldn’t ask for more! * Hilary McKay on THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART *Funny, moving and deliciously full of chocolate, I loved it! * Holly Webb on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART *

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Book SynopsisA Times Crime Novel of the Year, the perfect murder mystery read for fans of Richard Osman and Elly Griffiths In the second instalment of Lynne Truss's joyfully quirky crime series, our trio of detectives must investigate the murder of a hapless romantic; an aristocratic con man on the prowl; and a dodgy Brighton nightspot... It is summer in Brighton and the Brighton Belles are on hand to answer any holidaymaker’s queries, no matter how big or small. The quickest way to the station, how many pebbles are on the beach and what exactly has happened to that young man lying in the deckchair with blood dripping from him? Constable Twitten has a hunch that the fiendish murder may be connected to a notorious Brighton nightspot and the family that run it, but Inspector Steine is – as ever – distracted by other issues, not least having his own waxwork model made, while Sergeant Brunswick is just delighted to have spied an opportunity to finally be allowed to go undercover… Our incomparable team of detectives are back for another outing in the second instalment of Lynne Truss's joyfully quirky crime series.Trade ReviewA knockabout farce of mayhem and murder … A feast of black humour -- Barry Turner * Daily Mail *A welcome second outing ... Lynne Truss is clearly having a great time — and so does the reader. There is a smile, giggle or guffaw on every page -- Mark Sanderson * The Times *[An] entertaining new crime series … Truss’s affection for a rollicking, twisty caper has transferred to the page with ease … There’s some fine storytelling on display here -- Praise for 'A Shot in the Dark' * Observer *Funny, clever, charming, imaginative, nostalgic and gently satirical -- Praise for 'A Shot in the Dark' * The Times *A farce that gathers hilarious pace with every page … More Marx Brothers than Agatha Christie, this is crime fiction turned on its head – a giddy spell of sheer delight -- Praise for 'A Shot in the Dark' * Daily Mail *With plenty of brightly coloured bucket-and-spadery, including ghost trains and Punch and Judy and variety acts, this clever, tongue-in-cheek escapade is a perfect summer read -- Praise for 'A Shot in the Dark' * Guardian *It takes a writer of Lynne Truss’s wit and intelligence ... to take on both the cosy and comic fields, shaking them up to forge something fresh and beguiling ... Delightfully witty -- Praise for 'A Shot in the Dark' * i *

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Book Synopsis***Shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021*** THE ACCLAIMED MURDER MYSTERY FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, PERFECT FOR FANS OF RICHARD OSMAN 'Funny, clever, charming, imaginative and nostalgic' The Times 'Terrific' Mail on Sunday 'A giddy spell of sheer delight' Daily Mail The August bank holiday is approaching and after two extremely high-profile murder cases, Constable Twitten is eagerly anticipating a quiet spell at work. But then they find the bodies – and the milk bottles. Three seemingly unconnected victims – a hard-working AA patrolman, a would-be Beauty Queen, a catty BBC radio personality – have all been killed with the same, highly unusual murder weapon. Constable Twitten, Sergeant Brunswick and Inspector Steine are initially baffled, the town is alarmed, and the local newspaper is delighted: after all, what sells papers better than a killer on the loose? Can our redoubtable trio solve the case and catch this most curious of killers before they strike again? 'The glorious return of Constable Twitten is a cause for celebration... the fun is in Truss's keen ear for dialogue, original comic characters and affectionate(ish) recreation of a seaside resort in its slightly sleazy heyday' Sunday Times Crime ClubTrade ReviewMurder by Milk Bottle is the third outing for Lynne Truss’s loveable seaside ninnies. In relating and relishing the farcical events that culminate in the “Utterly Preventable Milk-Bar Riot”, it proves even funnier than its playful precursors * The Times *The glorious return of Constable Twitten and the doughty coppers of 1950s Brighton for a third adventure is a cause for celebration ... As ever the fun is in Truss's keen ear for dialogue, original comic characters and affectionate(ish) recreation of a seaside resort in its slightly sleazy heyday * Sunday Times Crime Club *A delight. Lynne Truss has great affection for her characters, who fully inhabit 1950s Brighton. The backgrounds of gang warfare and milk marketing come together to sublime comic effect. There are some lovely lines – and a cheerily high body count. Enormous fun -- Simon BrettOutstanding … In her ability to blend crime and farce, Truss is in a class of her own * Publishers Weekly *A nicely managed farce with thoroughly likeable characters and a terrific period feel -- John Williams * Mail on Sunday *More Marx Brothers than Agatha Christie, this is crime fiction turned on its head – a giddy spell of sheer delight -- Praise for the Constable Twitten series * Daily Mail *[A] pitch-perfect send-up of 1950s Brighton with nods to Graham Greene ... Hilarious -- Praise for the Constable Twitten series * Sunday Times Crime Club *Funny, clever, charming, imaginative, nostalgic and gently satirical -- Praise for the Constable Twitten series * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWelcome to Keeper Island, the private Caribbean paradise where the cocktails are chilled, the guests are not, and new manager Lola is hoping nothing messes up her badly needed fresh start.Her previous job in Hong Kong ended in tears and quite a lot of blood so she's come to Keeper to lie low, as well as to provide the gold-star service the resort's spoiled one-percenters expect. Her only connection to her previous life now is her old mentor and new boss, Mike Moxham.But nothing is that simple, and no secret is truly safe forever. When Moxham is found dead less than a day after her arrival on the island, the rules Lola uses for working with the super-rich quickly become rules for survival:Be prepared for anything.Trust no one.Because she might be nextBella Mackie meets Below Deck in this twisty escapist thriller as gulpable as rum punch and just as deadly

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Book SynopsisCosy and classy in equal measure' JANICE HALLETTBeautifully unguessable ... bursting with life ... brilliant!' ALEX HAYThe Maid meets Only Murders in the Building in this twist-packed cosy mystery set in the smallest residential square in London.Marchfield Square is a haven. A place for those who need somewhere safe from their pasts, or who could otherwise not afford to stay in the city they call home. That was Celeste Van Duren''s plan. One of her tenants being murdered in his own kitchen, and the police trying to pin it on his long-suffering wife, was not.So Celeste does what anyone with a lot of money, a strong sense of justice and a bad hip would do: she recruits some help to track down the real murderer. Her cleaner, Audrey, knows everyone in the square and is liked by all, while failed crime writer, Lewis, knows no one. He hates his job, hates his life, and he's not that fond of Audrey either, but in theory his knowledge of police procedure and her way with people should help them find the killer - if they don''t kill each other first...The two soon discover the victim's dodgy art deals may hold the key to the mystery but have they missed something closer to home? After all, how well do you really know your neighbours?The perfect summer read for fans of Tom Hindle, Janice Hallett and Kristen Perrin.

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Book SynopsisEveryone has heard the rumours. But who knows the real story of Coram House?True crime writer Alex Kelly is struggling after her last book tanked her career. Her reputation in tatters, she accepts a commission to ghost write a book about Coram House, a former orphanage by a lake in Vermont that is now being turned into luxury condos. Could this be the fresh start she needs?Years before, it was revealed that children at the orphanage were being abused; the church settled the case, but rumours persist about one of the other allegations made, that a small boy was deliberately drowned in the lake by someone in charge. Those in charge insist there was no such murder, but when Alex makes a shocking discovery only days after her arrival she realises that what began in the past is not going to stay there...An outstanding new atmospheric and character rich mystery debut, perfect for fans of Tana French, Erin Kelly and Gillian Flynn.

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Book SynopsisA dedicated CIA agent becomes an unexpected ally to a woman haunted by the kidnapping of her family in Suspects, a thrilling novel from international number one bestselling author Danielle Steel.Theodora Morgan is fashion royalty. Founder of a wildly popular online shopping service, she is one of the most successful businesswomen in the world, although she prefers to keep a low profile, especially in recent months. It was a year ago when the unthinkable struck her family: her husband, industry mogul Matthieu Pasquier, and their son were kidnapped and held for ransom – a nightmare that ended in tragedy.The case has gone cold, despite evidence linking the crime to Matthieu’s foreign competitors. Theo has reluctantly gone back to work running her company. On the flight to a launch party for one of her highly anticipated pop-up shops in New York City, she crosses paths with high-society ‘networkist’ Pierre de Vaumont. Theo politely invites him to her event – unaware that Pierre has been flagged by the CIA.Senior supervising CIA operative Mike Andrews investigates Pierre’s suspicious foreign contacts and clears him to enter the country but, when he realizes that Theodora Morgan is on the same flight, he becomes concerned for her safety. Posing as a lawyer, Mike begins a covert mission – starting with Theo’s opening party. When Mike and Theo meet, their connection is instant, but Theo is completely unaware of Mike’s true objective or identity . . . or that the life she is rebuilding is in grave danger.Find yourself gripped by Suspects, a story of wealth, fear, revenge and love, by the world's favourite storyteller.

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Book SynopsisDark and gritty, Witness is a heart-pounding thriller set in Manchester by bestselling author Mandasue Heller.Teenager Holly Evans and her over-protective mother, Josie, are living a hand-to-mouth existence, moving constantly from one squalid dump to the next. When they move into an illegally sub-let council flat in Manchester, Holly feels settled for the first time in her life – even if she is forbidden to go out, or even open the front door when her mum’s at work. What exactly are they hiding from?Then Holly has a falling out with her best friend, and suddenly finds herself becoming increasingly isolated and alone in the world. But she is about to make a new friend in Suzie – the glamorous woman who lives directly across the road, who Holly witnesses being beaten up by her violent boyfriend.But whoever Holly and Josie have been running from is about to find them, and nothing will ever be the same again.You can only run for so long. And some will kill for your silence . . .'Heller doesn’t mince words, her gritty plots create a Manchester underworld to rival Martina Cole’s raw and rough East End' – Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewCaptivating from first page to last -- Jeffery Deaver, author of the Lincoln Rhyme series, on Lost AngelMandasue has played a real blinder with this fantastic novel -- Martina Cole, author of Loyalty, on Forget Me NotHeller doesn’t mince words, her gritty plots create a Manchester underworld to rival Martina Cole’s raw and rough East End * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisA ruthless killer is stalking Glasgow's streets in The Reborn, the seventh novel in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.When the body of a pregnant teenager is found at a Glasgow funfair, her unborn baby surgically removed, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is called in to assist the police. Suspecting the baby may still be alive, finding the killer becomes paramount.Delving deeper into the twisted case shines suspicion on Jeff Coulter, a psychotic inmate at a nearby hospital whose hobby is making Reborns – chillingly realistic baby dolls intended for bereaved parents. But how could he have orchestrated the murder from a secure psychiatric facility?With time running out, the investigation soon leads to four of the girl’s friends, who have mysteriously all fallen pregnant at the same time, calling themselves the Daisy Chain. It becomes clear that something much more sinister is at play than Rhona could ever have imagined. A killer is out there, watching, waiting and ready to strike again . . .Trade 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 *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 MacBride

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Book SynopsisThe Innocent Dead is a gripping crime novel by Lin Anderson featuring forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod who must solve the case of a young girl who went missing forty-five years ago.Mary McIntyre's disappearance tore the local community apart, inflicting wounds that still prove raw for those who knew her.So when the present-day discovery of a child’s remains are found in a peat bog south of Glasgow, it seems the decades-old mystery may finally be solved.Called in to excavate the body, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod uses the advances made in forensic science since Mary’s vanishing to determine what really happened all those years ago . . . and who was responsible. One key person had been Karen Marshall who was devastated by her best friend’s abduction. Questioned by the police at the time had led to a dead end and the case soon went cold.Now the news of the discovered body brings the nightmares back. But added to that, memories long-buried by Karen are returning, memories that begin to reveal her role in her friend’s disappearance and perhaps even the identity of the killer . . .Trade 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 *A gripping and enjoyable read * Scottish Field *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 MacBrideAnderson 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 Deadly *

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Book SynopsisThey say you can't choose your family . . . But what if they're wrong?Chloe lives a quiet life. Working as a newspaper archivist in the day and taking care of her nan in the evening, she's happy simply to read about the lives of others as she files the news clippings from the safety of her desk.But there's one story that she can't stop thinking about. The case of Angie Kyle – a girl, Chloe's age, who went missing as a child. A girl whose parents never gave up hope.When Chloe's nan is moved into care, leaving Chloe on the brink of homelessness, she takes a desperate step: answering an ad to be a lodger in the missing girl's family home. It could be the perfect opportunity to get closer to the story she's read so much about. But it's not long until she realizes this couple isn't all they seem. In a house where everyone has something to hide, is it possible to get too close?Anna Wharton’s debut, The Imposter, is a thought-provoking story of obsession, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves in order to live with ourselves.'Evocative and compelling' – Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and The Last WifeTrade ReviewMasterful characterisation and a compelling narrative makes this a must-read debut -- Clare MackintoshA slick, clever book that delivers the most chilling and claustrophobic setting: moving the narrator into the home of the character you fear the most. You won’t be able to stop page turning until you finally find out what the hell is going on -- Caroline Corcoran, author of Through the Wall and The Baby GroupKeeps you guessing about the characters until the last page * Good Housekeeping *Evocative and compelling -- Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend and The Last WifeAn intricate plot stuffed with surprises and underpinned with a huge helping of heart -- Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe and The Hit ListA darkly compelling and original story exploring loneliness and obsession and the desire to belong -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing Girl and The Hiding PlaceI loved The Imposter. It's twisty and gripping, and I raced through to the end. It's also thoughtful and moving, with characters who lingered in my mind long after I'd turned the last page -- Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request and Three Little LiesA compelling story of obsession and loneliness -- Nell Pattison, author of The Silent House and The Silent SuspectWith an intriguing and obsessive protagonist and a claustrophobic setting, it’s a tense and compelling read that kept me turning the pages until the final twist -- Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You and The VowI read Anna’s book in one sitting and loved it! It grips and drags you into ever darker, more terrifying territory right up to the last paragraph, and beyond that, too, leaving you grappling with your own sense of morality -- Tasha Kavanagh, author of Things We Have in CommonEvocative, beautifully written and wise, this pacy novel really is one of the best pieces of fiction I have read this year -- Fiona Mitchell, author of The SwapTakes the perennial theme of a missing child and makes something unfamiliar from it -- The Literary Review

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Book Synopsis*Winner of the CWA Historical Dagger 2023*'Pretty much everything I want in an historical thriller - an absolutely terrific read' – Philip Gwynne Jones'A great insight into Renaissance Florence. What I love about these books is the seamless weaving of factual history with a great story' – Abir MukherjeeFlorence. Spring, 1537.When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the Renaissance city’s northern quarter, he enters a community divided by bitter rivalries and harbouring dark secrets.His case becomes far more complicated when a man’s body is found deep inside the convent, stabbed more than two dozen times. Unthinkable as it seems, all the evidence suggests one of the nuns must be the killer.Meanwhile, Constable Carlo Strocchi finds human remains pulled from the Arno that belong to an officer of the law missing since winter. The dead man had many enemies, but who would dare kill an official of the city’s most feared criminal court?As Aldo and Strocchi close in on the truth, identifying the killers will prove more treacherous than either of them could ever have imagined . . .The Darkest Sin is an atmospheric locked-room thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Florence and is the sequel to City of Vengeance.Trade ReviewHe is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris with his page-turning novels. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Society *Pretty much everything I want in an historical thriller - an absolutely terrific read, in a series that’s clearly going from strength to strength -- Philip Gwynne JonesA real pleasure. A lavender-scented, sun-drenched convent hidden among the backstreets of Florence is the absorbing setting for Cesare Aldo's latest investigation. The conflicting ambitions and ideals of its cast of interesting women make this an engrossing mystery -- Leonora Nattrass, author of Black DropD.V Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing 16th century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other in this tense mystery -- S. G. MacLeanMy first encounter with the investigator Cesare Aldo was immersive and rewarding. The author's knowledge of 16th century Florence - both ecclesiastic and civil - drew me effortlessly into his tale of bloodshed and murder. Thoroughly recommended -- A. D. SwanstonBishop builds the suspense well, masterfully connecting the disparate strands of the story . . . Given the quality of the first two novels about Cesare Aldo, this series could become essential reading for fans of the historical novel * Crime Fiction Lover *Impressive * Literary Review *History, mystery and the eternal mystique of Renaissance Florence in perfect harmony! * Lancashire Evening Post *Praise for City of Vengeance: An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence. Investigator Cesare Aldo is a fascinating and charismatic protagonist. Highly recommended -- Antonia HodgsonPraise for City of Vengeance: Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place -- Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All Flesh,Praise for City of Vengeance: A first-class historical thriller with echoes of The Name of the Rose. Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story, layered with issues of humanity that still bedevil society today, is a tour de force -- David BaldacciA beautifully realized Renaissance Florence, the return of the whip-smart protagonist Cesare Aldo, and a brutal murder behind convent walls — delicious! -- Alison BelshamA bloody crime in a convent full of nuns is a splendid concept in itself but add the sights and smells of medieval Florence, a series of flawed and often sinister male characters and a some cracking twists in the narrative and you have a gripping tale -- Joanna HicksonIntriguing and compelling, The Darkest Sin is a vivid and mesmerizing portrayal of 16th century Florence. I loved it -- Sue LawrenceSo fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves . . . Aldo is a great creation: resourceful, driven and forced to hide who he really is, but nevertheless is compelled to find justice for those who deserve it -- James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector McLean series, on City of VengeanceA cleverly plotted and atmospheric whodunnit in Renaissance Florence * Choice Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'The master is back and in The Last Trial Scott Turow takes it to another level' - David BaldacciFrom the bestselling author of Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow’s The Last Trial recounts the final case of Kindle County’s most revered courtroom advocate, Sandy Stern. On the brink of retirement, legendary defence attorney Sandy Stern is persuaded to take on one last case to defend an old friend.Dr Kiril Pafko, a former Nobel Prize winner and distinguished cancer researcher, is now, shockingly, facing charges of fraud, insider trading and even murder.As the trial progresses, Stern will question everything he thought he knew about his friend. Despite Pafko's many failings, is he innocent of the terrible charges laid against him? Stern's duty to defend his client and his belief in the power of the judicial system will face a final, terrible test in the courtroom, where the evidence and reality are sometimes worlds apart . . .'Grisham might do it more often, but Turow does it so much better' – ObserverTrade ReviewThe master is back and in The Last Trial Scott Turow takes it to another level -- David Baldacci, Number One Bestselling AuthorThe Last Trial is Scott Turow at his best and most ambitious. He has elevated the genre once again * Washington Post *Grisham might do it more often, but Turow does it so much better * Observer *In this meticulously devised courtroom drama, rich with character detail, Turow again demonstrates what he does best: roll out a complex, keenly observed legal case yet save a boatload of surprises for its ending. And make it personal * New York Times *Nobody writes courtroom drama the way he does * Daily Mail *Turow follows the courtroom proceedings so closely that at times the novel almost feels like being on jury duty, though few trials could be this interesting in real life. The novel’s greatest strength, however, is its poignant depiction of the emotional toll of the case, as Stern is forced to reconsider the nature of his friendship, his legacy and his mortality. * The Times *Turow is worthy to be ranked with Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler * New York Times *The thrill of any good Turow novel is that heart-stopping instant when you realize you've been piecing together the wrong puzzle * Entertainment Weekly *Pioneered the modern legal thriller * Daily Telegraph *Turow blows even Grisham out of the water * Daily Mirror *A leading practitioner of the legal thriller * Financial Times *Turow keeps the suspense ratcheted up * Mail on Sunday *This is a guy who knows what he's doing * USA Today *Scott Turow has consistently out-Grishamed * Sunday Telegraph *A consummate storyteller * Independent *Turow will keep you guessing until the very, very end * Daily Express *Turow does legal thrillers better than anyone else * Irish Independent *

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