Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisSet in Sicily, Game of Mirrors is the eighteenth exciting instalment in the humorous Inspector Montalbano mysteries by Andrea Camilleri.When Montalbano comes to the aid of his new neighbour, Liliana Lombardo, after the engine of her car is interfered with, the inspector can little imagine where this innocuous event will lead. It soon transpires that the young woman – beautiful, intelligent and rather vague about the whereabouts of her husband – is being targeted by someone with a grudge against her. But is Liliana's growing interest in Montalbano simply a product of the detective's innate charm? Or is she trying to lead him astray – and into trouble?Meanwhile the inspector finds himself drawn into another mystery when a bomb explodes outside an empty warehouse in the Sicilian city of Vigàta. But who was the bomb intended for? And why was it left in such a peculiar place? As Montalbano and his colleagues investigate the street's residents - some of whom have suspicious mafia links - they begin to receive a barrage of false clues from an anonymous source.As Liliana's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and leaks around the case threaten Montalbano's reputation; the sense of danger grows. The inspector soon realizes that, with this investigation, he is being led into a hall of mirrors, where there is danger at every turn and nothing is quite clear . . .Game of Mirrors is followed by the nineteenth Inspector Montalbano novel, Blade of Light.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . Simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'A thriller that will have you gripped' - CloserHe loves you. He loves you not. Amy is fiercely independent, with a high-powered career, a flat of her own and tight-knit friendships. But as she approaches her thirtieth birthday, she can’t help but rue the one thing she doesn’t have – a relationship. When Amy comes around following a serious fall, she doesn’t remember anything from the last six months. Not even the upcoming skiing holiday at her aunt’s luxurious chalet in Val d’Isère with her mum and best friends to celebrate her birthday. And she certainly doesn’t remember being swept off her feet by the handsome Dr Jack Stewart . . . Jack is the full package – charming, caring and devoted to Amy. Everyone is smitten with him, but as the week goes on, Amy begins to find Jack’s presence chilling. Is her broken mind playing tricks? Or is the perfect boyfriend really too good to be true? For fans of The Chalet and The Hunting Party, The Boyfriend is a twisting anti-love story that will keep you guessing with every page, by Michelle Frances, author of the number one bestselling sensation The Girlfriend. ***PRAISE FOR MICHELLE FRANCES ‘I tore through the pages . . . A high-speed chase of a novel’ – Louise Candlish ‘Michelle Frances manages to bring fresh energy to this age-old theme of family secrets . . . The finale doesn't disappoint’ – Daily Mail ‘Toxic family relationships, sultry European settings and an intricate plot which leaves you never knowing who to trust’ – Catherine Cooper, author of The ChaletTrade ReviewA brilliant thriller * Bella *A thriller that will have you gripped * Closer *There’s something more sinister than sibling rivalry lurking in Sisters and I tore through the pages, desperate to discover the terrible secret that separates Abby and Ellie. This high-speed chase of a novel is a perfect summer read -- Louise Candlish on SistersTerrific . . . Twisted, fraught with suspense, a proper summer page-turner -- Jo Spain on SistersToxic family relationships, sultry European settings and an intricate plot which leaves you never knowing who to trust - an ideal read for the beach -- Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet, on SistersFans of BBC drama The Replacement will lap up this taut and suspenseful tale -- Heat on The TempI was blown away. The Girlfriend is the most marvellous psychological thriller . . . I couldn’t put it down and kept sneaking upstairs to read another few pages . . . Michelle Frances is a writer we’re going to hear a great deal about. Please read this genuinely exciting novel -- Jilly CooperMichelle Frances manages to bring fresh energy to this age-old theme of sibling rivalry and family secrets . . . The finale doesn't disappoint * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Delicious tensions between parents and squabbles among their children seem so harmless, yet every one has the potential to start a devastating snowball of events. I couldn’t put this one down.' - Janice Hallet author of The AppealLooking to escape her old life, Nancy and her ten-year-old daughter Lara move to Ripton. A quiet, picturesque village in the rolling Derbyshire countryside, it seems like the perfect place to settle down.But when Nancy reaches the school gates, she learns that beneath the quaint village atmosphere is a minefield. And after her daughter clashes with her school friends, Nancy quickly finds herself outside the whispering circle of parents.As much as Nancy finds the playground politics absurd, they soon become impossible to ignore when Lara is accused of hurting another girl.Desperate to clear Lara's name, Nancy is about to learn just what lengths a parent will go to for their child . . .Wry, twisting and suspenseful, Michelle Frances tells a story of schoolyard sniping turning into something much uglier in The Playground, for fans of Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks.**************PRAISE FOR THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR MICHELLE FRANCES'Michelle Frances is an author we're going to hear a great deal about' JILLY COOPER‘Brilliant (toxic) context. Loved the epistolary touches. Taut, dark, and seriously addictive.’ WILL DEAN‘I tore through the pages . . . A high-speed chase of a novel’ Louise Candlish‘Michelle Frances manages to bring fresh energy to this age-old theme of family secrets . . . The finale doesn't disappoint’ Daily Mail‘Toxic family relationships, sultry European settings and an intricate plot which leaves you never knowing who to trust’ Catherine Cooper, author of The ChaletTrade ReviewTaut, dark, and seriously addictive -- Will Dean author of Dark PinesA slow burn, tense tale of the repercussions of both adult and child bullying and secret WhatsApp groups which almost any parent will relate to. Highly readable and horrifying. -- Catherine Cooper, author of The ChaletA brilliant thriller -- Bella on The BoyfriendA thriller that will have you gripped -- Closer on The BoyfriendThere’s something more sinister than sibling rivalry lurking in Sisters and I tore through the pages, desperate to discover the terrible secret that separates Abby and Ellie. This high-speed chase of a novel is a perfect summer read -- Louise Candlish on SistersTerrific . . . Twisted, fraught with suspense, a proper summer page-turner -- Jo Spain on SistersToxic family relationships, sultry European settings and an intricate plot which leaves you never knowing who to trust - an ideal read for the beach -- Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet, on SistersFans of BBC drama The Replacement will lap up this taut and suspenseful tale -- Heat on The TempI was blown away. The Girlfriend is the most marvellous psychological thriller . . . I couldn’t put it down and kept sneaking upstairs to read another few pages . . . Michelle Frances is a writer we’re going to hear a great deal about. Please read this genuinely exciting novel -- Jilly CooperMichelle Frances manages to bring fresh energy to this age-old theme of sibling rivalry and family secrets . . . The finale doesn't disappoint -- Daily Mail on Sisters

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Book SynopsisMercy is the gripping follow up to Long Road to Mercy, A Minute to Midnight and Daylight featuring Special Agent Atlee Pine from one of the world’s most favourite thriller writers, David Baldacci.THE HUNT IS FINALLY OVER.FBI agent Atlee Pine is at the end of her long journey to discover what happened to her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted when the girls were just six years old – an incident which destroyed her family and left Atlee physically and mentally scarred.She knew her sister and parents were out there somewhere. And she had to find them. Dead or alive.Atlee and her assistant, Carol Blum, discover the truth. But the truth hurts. And hurt makes you tough. So how tough do you have to be to forgive?As they uncover a shocking trail of lies, greed, fear and revenge, they must face one final challenge. A challenge more deadly and dangerous than they could ever have imagined.Trade ReviewMultilayered and brutal, this is a fitting conclusion to Pine’s quest – but hopefully not the last we’ll see of her * Observer *A riveting brain-teaser as well as serving up vivid action scenes -- Sunday Times on DaylightA fabulous new character from a master storyteller. Readers will love Atlee Pine -- Jane Harper on Long Road to Mercy

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Book SynopsisKiller twists. Heroes to believe in. Trust Baldacci.Private Investigator and WWII veteran, Aloysius Archer, returns to solve a new case in Hollywood in Dream Town, a riveting thriller from international number 1 bestselling author, David Baldacci.All that glitters . . .1952, Los Angeles. It is New Year’s Eve and PI Aloysius Archer is dining with his friend and rising Hollywood actress Liberty Callahan when they’re approached by Eleanor Lamb, a screenwriter who would like to hire him, as she suspects someone is trying to kill her.Murder and mysteryA visit to Lamb’s Malibu residence leaves Archer knocked unconscious after he stumbles over a dead body in the hallway; and Lamb seems to have vanished. With the police now involved in the case, a close friend and colleague of Lamb’s employs Archer to find out what’s happened to the screenwriter.The City of Angels – or somewhere much, much darker?Archer’s investigation takes him from the rich, glamorous and glitzy LA to the seedy, dark side of the city, and onward to the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, just now hitting its stride as a hot spot for celebrities and a money-making machine for the mob. In a place where cops and crooks work hand in hand, Archer will cross paths with Hollywood stars, politicians and notorious criminals. He’ll almost die several times, and he’ll discover bodies and secrets from the canyons and beaches of Malibu and the luxurious mansions of Bel Air and Beverly Hills to the narcotics clubs of Chinatown.With the help of Liberty and his PI partner Willie Dash, Archer will risk everything and leave no stone unturned in finding the missing Eleanor Lamb, and in bringing to justice killers who would love nothing better than to plant Archer six feet under.Trade ReviewBaldacci is the master of American detective stories. He captures Los Angeles like no other -- Jeffrey Archer author of Next in Line One of his finest books. Great character, great story, great portrait of an era -- Bill Clinton on One Good DeedOne Good Deed represents David Baldacci’s move into historical crime with a new character, ex-jailbird Aloysius Archer . . . Unsurprisingly, the talented Baldacci proves to be as adept in this new venture as he is in his contemporary-set novels * Financial Times *Baldacci nails the noir * Kirkus starred review *

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Book SynopsisMeet Detective Superintendent Roy Grace on his unforgettable first major case, in this TV tie-in edition of Dead Simple, by award winning crime author Peter James.Now a major ITV series, Grace, adapted for television by screenwriter Russell Lewis and starring John Simm.It was meant to be a harmless stag-night prank. But a few hours later, the groom has disappeared and his friends are dead.With only three days to the wedding, Roy Grace is contacted by the man’s distraught fiancée to unearth what happened on that fateful night.The one man who ought to know of the groom’s whereabouts is saying nothing. But then he has a lot more to gain than anyone realizes, for one man’s disaster is another man’s fortune . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Dead Simple is the first thrilling title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Looking Good Dead and Not Dead Enough.Trade ReviewA terrific tale of greed, seduction and betrayal * Daily Telegraph *Ingenious plotting, high suspense and tight writing * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisInspired by true events and set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Melanie Levensohn’s A Jewish Girl in Paris is a powerful novel about forbidden love.'This beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love.' - Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies, in Platinum MagazineParis, 1940, a city under German occupation. A young Jewish girl, Judith, meets a young man, the son of a wealthy banker and Nazi sympathizer – his family will never approve of the girl he has fallen in love with. As the Germans impose more and more restrictions on Jewish Parisians, the couple secretly plan to flee the country. But before they can make their escape, Judith disappears . . .Montréal, 1982. Shortly before his death, Lica Grunberg confesses to his daughter, that she has an older half-sister, Judith. Lica escaped the Nazis but lost all contact with his first-born daughter. His daughter promises to find the sister she never knew. The search languishes for years, until Jacobina is spurred on by her young friend Béatrice.Soon the two women discover a dark family secret, stretching over two continents and six decades, that will change their lives forever . . .Adapted from a translation by Jamie Lee Searle, A Jewish Girl in Paris is a historical novel for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz.'In this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate' – Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkTrade ReviewThis beautiful, heart-wrenching novel examines the harsh realities while remaining hopeful and celebrating resilience and love. -- Adele Parks author of Lies Lies Lies in Platinum MagazineIn this vivid, affecting novel of intertwined destinies and the enduring power of love against the bleakest odds, Melanie Levensohn weaves a tale saturated with historical accuracy and yet surprisingly intimate. A Jewish Girl in Paris delivers romance and intrigue to spare, but the novel’s real power lies in its portrayal of how deeply and sometimes mysteriously we can find ourselves connected to the past, and to each other. -- Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go DarkA beautiful and hard-hitting story -- Kate Furnivall, author of Sunday Times bestselling novel The BetrayalInspired in part by her own fascinating family story, author Melanie Levensohn has crafted an emotional tale of two women . . . desperately searching for answers . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris is a deeply researched, emotional roller coaster ride of love, fate, and second chances. -- Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost NamesAn elegantly drawn tale . . . [with] a pacy narrative, relatable heroines, and an eye for historical detail about life in occupied France. * The Jewish Chronicle, London *A Jewish Girl in Paris crafts a warm and intimate tale full of historical accuracy. Furnished with passion and intrigue, this historical romance is a powerful novel about forbidden love. * Hive *I was hooked from the very beginning because it is like a family history detective story . . . A Jewish Girl in Paris pays great attention to the accuracy of historic details and the depiction of the 1940s feels extremely authentic. The novel would appeal to anyone who is interested in the Second World War, and the plight of Jews who lived in France at this time. * Who do you think you are Magazine *The characters are wholly believable and the emotionally charged plot is fast moving. * Yorkshire Times *Packed with extensive historical research, and written with warmth, insight, sensitivity, and a genuine empathy with the events of the Holocaust, this vivid, poignant tale of entwined destinies, unseen connections and enduring love is guaranteed to resonate long after the last page has turned. * Pam Norfolk Blog *Moving story on multiple levels of time and space. Extremely well researched. The book transported me into another world -- Freundin (major German women’s magazine)This novel is full of suspense and doesn’t let the reader go. A page turner. Must read! -- Christiane Krause-Dimmock, Badische Neueste NachrichtenLevensohn shows great sensitivity and empathy in her characters and the deep scars left by history and Nazi cruelty that reach all the way into the present * Stuttgarter Nachrichten *An intense read, depicting the time of World War II and the lifelong impact of those years, thoughtfully narrated with great depth -- Susanne Walsleben, Für Sie (major German women’s magazine)

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Book SynopsisWelcome to HMP Ashcroft. A women's prison run by a corrupt governor who will impose his will at any cost – with brutal consequences. The Women is a gripping street crime thriller from bestselling author Jacqui Rose.Within these walls, friendships are forged that will last beyond a sentence. But some inmates can turn in the blink of an eye, because that’s all part of being locked up. In here you are kept from your loved ones and forced into a surrogate family with women you wouldn’t even look at on the outside, let alone call friends. But at Ashcroft, Alliances can mean everything.Each one of these women has their own story to tell and their own penance to deal with. But whilst they fight for their rights on the inside, who is looking after their family, their friends and children on the outside. Whilst they battle to survive in a closed off world what’s happening in the real world.At Ashcroft there’s always a price to be paid, and for some it’s high, but these women are prepared to pay anyway they can . . .Trade ReviewPraise for Fatal: A captivating read from one of my favourite authors -- Mel Sherratt, author of Twisted LivesPraise for Dishonour: A thrilling and gripping novel -- Roberta Kray, author of HuntedPraise for Trapped: Gritty and gripping – by a star in the making -- Kimberley Chambers, author of The Family ManPraise for Poison: A cracking good read -- Jessie Keane, author of Never Go Back

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Book SynopsisThe Queen of Twists, bestselling author of Daisy Darker and Rock Paper Scissors, Alice Feeney returns with another gripping mystery filled with drama and her trademark surprises in Good Bad Girl.'One of the best psychological thriller writers' - The SunSometimes bad things happen to good people, so good people have to do bad things . . .Twenty years after a baby is stolen from her push-chair, a woman is murdered in a care home. The two crimes are somehow linked, and a good bad girl may be the key to discovering the truth.Edith may have been tricked into a nursing home, but at eighty-years-young, she’s planning her escape. Patience works there, cleaning up mess and bonding with Edith, a kindred spirit. But Patience is lying to Edith about almost everything.Edith’s own daughter, Clio, won’t speak to her. And someone new is about to knock on Clio’s door . . . and their intentions aren’t good.With every reason to distrust each other, the women must solve a mystery with three suspects, two murders, and one victim. If they do, they might just find out what happened to the baby who disappeared, the mother who lost her, and the connections that bind them . . .'An author you need to check out' - Harlan Coben***************PRAISE FOR ALICE FEENEY'I was totally hooked from the first sentence' – Peter James, author of the Roy Grace series.‘Compelling, confounding and absolutely delicious' – Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of The Family Upstairs'I was on the edge of my seat the whole time' – Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones and the SixTrade ReviewDaisy Darker is clever, compelling, confounding and absolutely delicious. -- Lisa Jewell on Daisy DarkerWow! Echoes of Christie's And Then There Were None but turned into something wonderfully original and wrapped in a genuinely creepy dysfunctional family fairy tale of a novel, this takes Feeney to the next level. LOVED IT! -- Sarah Pinborough on Daisy DarkerWow, I absolutely loved it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was an absolute thrill -- Taylor Jenkins Reid on Daisy DarkerThis book is all kinds of twisty, and it's SO much fun -- Praise for Daisy Darker * Cosmopolitan *

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Book SynopsisTwo young ladies – very different, but physically identical – meet at a boarding school once attended by Jane Austen. Joan Aiken's Deception is an engrossing regency novel is perfect for fans of the major Netflix romantic drama series, Bridgerton.Self-righteous Louisa wants to escape her grand family life in Northumberland and become a missionary in India. Imaginative and quiet Alvey has no family and only longs for peaceful independence to complete her novel.So when Louisa suggests swapping identities it seems like the perfect plan: Alvey will have a peaceful country manor in which to write her book and Louisa will be free to voyage across the globe. But when Alvey becomes a beloved and indispensable member of her extraordinary new family, how will they view the return of the more quarrelsome Louisa?Joan Aiken weaves a complicated plot of deception and identity, peopled with strong female characters, in this unique his

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Book SynopsisNumber one New York Times bestselling author Jocko Willink’s fast-paced and exciting thriller Final Spin is a story of love, brotherhood, suffering, happiness and sacrifice – a story about life.Johnny . . .Shouldn’t be in a dead-end job.Shouldn’t be in a dead-end bar.Shouldn’t be in a dead-end life.But he is.It’s a hamster-wheel existence. Stocking warehouse store shelves by day, drinking too much whisky and beer by night. In between, Johnny lives in his childhood home, making sure his alcoholic mother hasn’t drunk herself to death, and looking after his idiosyncratic older brother Arty, whose world revolves around his laundromat job.Rinse and repeat.Then Johnny’s monotonous life takes a tumble. The laundromat where Arty works, and the one thing that gives him happiness, is about to be sold. Johnny doesn’t want that to happen, so he takes measures into his own hands. Johnny, along with his friend Goat, come up with a plan to get the money to buy the laundromat.But things don’t always go as planned . . .Trade ReviewWillink tells his story in quick blasts of haiku-like writing, with dialogue reminiscent of early David Mamet. Told with a gritty simplicity, this retains a hold on the reader right through to the inevitable tragic climax * Publishers Weekly *A crackerjack thriller . . . You've read this book before, and you've seen the movie, but Willink gives it a nice spin, a reminder of why the theme is timeless -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisThe Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author'It's hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal Secret'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction.Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.Ritual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin.Trade ReviewIt's hard to think of a better guide than D.V.Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence. Religion and lust? Money and politics? It's all here, combined into a murderous brew -- Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of Ashes of LondonHe is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris with his page-turning novels. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Society *A deft and engrossing historical thriller set in Renaissance Florence drawing on the fascinating and troubling legacy of Girolamo Savonarola. I thoroughly enjoyed the latest - and I think best - in DV Bishop's brilliant series -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork GirlIn Ritual of Fire, the third scintillating Cesare Aldo novel, D.V. Bishop once again immerses us in sixteenth-century Florence and the heady intrigues of Renaissance Italy. Aldo is a magnificent creation -- Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar HouseA blaze of a book, grabs you from the first flicker -- S W PerrySweltering tension and an explosive ending. Great stuff -- Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue WaterPlace and time are pinned with stiletto-precision while pacing and plot grip all the way to the exciting denouement. Absolutely superb -- Douglas Skelton, author of An Honourable ThiefAldo is a fascinating and charismatic character -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil and the MarshalseaD. V. Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing sixteenth-century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other -- S. G. MacLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker seriesA first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour de force -- David Baldacci, internationally bestselling author of the Aloysius Archer series, on City of Vengeance

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Book SynopsisWATERSTONES BEST CRIME BOOKS OF 2023 PICK'A terrific read - murder, arson and a cat who is so much more than he seems!' – J. M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderThe Cat Who Solved Three Murders by L T Shearer is a charming cosy crime read for fans of Richard Osman and S. J. Bennett.Retired police detective Lulu Lewis’s life changed forever when she met a street cat named Conrad. There’s something very special about Conrad, but it’s a secret she has to keep to herself.When Lulu takes her narrowboat to Oxford, she is planning nothing more stressful than attending a friend’s birthday party. And drinking a few glasses of Chardonnay.But a brutal murder and a daring art theft means her plans are shattered – instead she and Conrad find themselves on the trail of a killer . . .A killer who may well strike again.'A charming, off-beat story with some great characters and wonderful locations' – S. J. Bennett on The Cat Who Caught a KillerTrade ReviewA terrific read - murder, arson and a cat who is so much more than he seems! -- J. M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of MurderA charming, off-beat story with some great characters and wonderful London locations. I’m sure it will make readers long for their own canal boat, and quite possibly – if they don’t already have one – their own talking cat. Conrad is a delight -- S. J. Bennett on The Cat Who Caught a KillerA captivating, charming and gentle tale, perfect for all those who love their crime cozy -- Peter James on The Cat Who Caught a KillerCharming and original. This book is the cat’s whiskers -- Anthony Horowitz on The Cat Who Caught a Killer

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Book SynopsisIn Night Shift, an exhilarating medical mystery-thriller by Robin Cook, a doctor's murder will lure Jack and Laurie into the dark underbelly of their New York hospital.Juggling intense work with family pressures, Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery are married doctors with hectic schedules. The last thing they need on their plates is a murder.When Laurie’s long-time friend Dr Sue Passero dies mysteriously in a hospital car park, an autopsy is required. It falls squarely under Laurie’s remit as newly-appointed chief medical examiner but, when Laurie asks Jack to take special care with the examination, he can hardly refuse.As he looks more closely into the case, Jack senses foul play around Sue's sudden death. He sets out to investigate on-site at Manhattan Memorial Hospital, even if it means defying the rules.What starts as an inquiry soon becomes a deadly game of cat-and-mouse – between Jack Stapleton and a deranged killer, ready to strike again . . .Trade ReviewForensic pathologists and doctors-turned-detectives do battle against epidemics, lethal illness and drug-related deaths, the causes of which are far from natural . . . You’ll find yourself completely hooked * Daily Mail *Gripping . . . Terrifying * New York Times *Likeable heroes, a compelling medical mystery and growing suspense – the result is a highly entertaining read. Commercial fiction, at its best, is pure entertainment. But Cook, like Michael Crichton, offers readers a smart dissection of contemporary issues that affect us all * USA Today *

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Book SynopsisTHE GUNS ARE SILENT. THE DEAD ARE NOT 'The world has been waiting for a worthy successor to Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong - now Philip Gray has delivered it' David Young, author of Stasi Child. 1919. On the battlefields of northern France, the guns of the Great War are silent. Special battalions now face the task of gathering up the dead for mass burial. Amy Vanneck's fiancé is one soldier lost amongst many. She heads to France, determined to discover what became of the man she loved. Meanwhile, Captain Mackenzie cannot bring himself to go home until his fallen comrades are laid to rest. His task is upended when a gruesome discovery is made beneath the ruins of a German strongpoint. It soon becomes clear that what Mackenzie has uncovered is a war crime of inhuman savagery. As the dark truth leaches out, both he and Amy are drawn into the hunt for a psychopath, one for whom the atrocity at Two Storm Wood is not an end, but a beginning.*Longlisted for the 2023 CWA Historical Dagger Award* 'An atmospheric portrayal of the pity of the war' The Times, Books of the YearTrade ReviewAlthough the novel is deftly plotted and the atmosphere all distorting fog and claustrophobic dugouts, its achievement lies in Gray's finely worked portraits of the pity of war - those damaged by conflict and those who have to deal with its mind-altering consequences. * The Times *Through a clever series of plot twists...Gray leads...his readers to the unexpected truth -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *Two Storm Wood is an impressive achievement. It sheds a powerful light on a neglected aspect of World War One history. I can't recommend it enough. * Alan Parks, author of Bloody January *I couldn't put this down. A thriller and romance set amidst the post-Armistice battlefields and the damaged people trying to do right by the dead. Extraordinary setting, great characters, bursting with ideas. * Dominick Donald, author of Breathe *Two Storm Wood has the literary class, intellectual depth, and thriller pacing of Robert Harris at his best--with an added spine-tingling aura of menace worthy of Stephen King. It's the most chilling portrayal of a historical period since Philip Kerr's novels of Nazi Berlin, yet at its core Gray's masterpiece is a heart-rending story of sacrifice, love and loyalty overcoming the psychological tortures of the World War I battlefields. * Matt Rees, author of Mozart's Last Aria *

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Book SynopsisIt is an age of exploration. Jedi travel the galaxy, expanding their understanding of the Force and all the worlds and beings connected by it. Meanwhile, the Republic, led by its two chancellors, works to unite worlds in an ever-growing community among near and distant stars.On the close orbiting planets of Eiram and E'ronoh, the growing pains of a galaxy with limited resources but unlimited ambition are felt keenly. Their hatred for each other has fueled half a decade of escalating conflict and now threatens to consume surrounding systems. The last hope for peace emerges when heirs from the two planets' royal families plan to marry.Before lasting peace can be established, an assassination attempt targeting the couple tilts Eiram and E'ronoh back into all-out war. To save both worlds, Jedi Knight Gella Nattai volunteers to uncover the culprit, while Chancellor Kyong appoints her son, Axel Greylark, to represent the Republic's interests in the investigation.But Axel's deep distrust of the Jedi sparks against Gella's faith in the Force. She's never met such a puffed-up, privileged party boy, and he's never met a more self-serious, relentless do-gooder. The more they work to untangle the shadowy web of the investigation, the more complicated the conspiracy appears to be. With accusations flying and potential enemies in every shadow, the pair will have to work together to have any hope of bringing the truth to light and saving both worlds.

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Book SynopsisTake flight with the ender dragon in this official Minecraft novel! When a desert town is threatened by illager raids, a young adventurer turns to a newborn dragon to save her home. Zetta is the best potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. Okay, maybe she's the only potion-maker in the village of Sienna Dunes. And maybe her potions don't exactly work like they're supposed to all the time. But when her village is menaced by a pack of illagers, only Zetta can see that the traditional ways won't keep Sienna Dunes safe anymore. Zetta journeys to her eccentric aunt's workshop outside town to search for an answer and finds a lot more than she bargained for. A mysterious egg hatches into a scaly creature with purple eyes, black wings, and poisonous breath. It can't possibly be the mythical ender dragon . . . can it? And if it is, can Zetta raise it to be the savior her village needs?The threat of the illagers is growing fast, and Zetta's accidental dragon is growing even faster. With the help of her two best friends and her daydreaming little cousin, Zetta must train the scariest (and scaliest) baby in the Overworld. But when the dragon is fully grown, will it save Sienna Dunes? Or will it spell the village's end?

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Book SynopsisDiscover the exhilarating Richard and Judy Book Club pick from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author'The absolute master' Richard Osman'One of the all-time greats' Gillian Flynn'Never lets you down' Lee Child'One of my favourites' John Grisham'Harlan Coben is the king of a killer twist [...] a highly addictive read.' HEAT_________He is known simply as Wilde, the boy from the woods.Discovered living a feral existence in the Ramapo mountains of New Jersey, he has grown up knowing nothing of his parents, and even less about his own identity.But when a match on a DNA database puts him on the trail of a close relative, Wilde thinks he might be about to solve the mystery of who he really is.Only, this relation disappears as quickly as he's resurfaced.Undaunted, Wilde continues his research, becoming caught up in a secret community committed to exposing anonymous online trolls.Then one by one, people start to die. It soon becomes clear that a serial killer is targeting this secret community.And that the next victim could be Wilde himself . . ._________'A helter-skelter of a read!' Lisa Jewell'At the top of his game' Peter James'Twisty, well characterised, gently satirical' Jake Kerridge'Insanely readable' Sunday Mirror'Coben is a phenomenon' The Times'It really is a page-turning thriller' JAZZ FM'The king of tense thrillers is back with a book steeped in jaw-dropping twists.' OK!'A superb twist I really didn't see coming' Jackie's Reading Corner_________Readers love The Match . . .***** 'A compelling read and one I'd highly recommend to those who like an intelligent plot'***** 'It was very entertaining.'***** 'The twists/turns are endless and putting it down was always with much angst.'***** 'He's a master storyteller.'***** 'An easy 5 star review for me. Get a copy of this, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.'The Match, Sunday Times bestseller, January 2023Richard and Judy Book Club pick, December 2022Harlan Coben, Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, January 2024

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Book Synopsis'Heartwarming historical fiction ... The perfect stocking filler for fans of Nancy Revell, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson' Eastern Daily Press__________________The sixth heartwarming, feel-good instalment in the much-loved Railway Girls series!Manchester, 1942. There are surprises in store for the railway girls this festive season...When Cordelia's daughter Emily falls for a young chap who doesn't meet the approval of her father, Cordelia is reminded of her own first love - a love that she has never forgotten.Mabel is determined to get to the bottom of a spate of local burglaries. Her heart is in the right place as she sets out on a quest to clear her friend's name, but there will be unforeseen consequences.It's nothing short of a miracle when Colette returns to Manchester. But it's not going to be easy for her to keep living the life she once knew, and an impossible situation lies ahead.There will be more than one storm for the railway girls to weather but with the friendship and support of one another, there's hope that all will be well by Christmas...Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:'Make yourself a cuppa and find a comfy spot on the sofa because you are not going to be able to put this down''I simply cannot wait for the next one - I am hooked!''Gives a vivid picture of women's lives in wartime Manchester''Dramatic, intriguing and sprinkled with plenty of wit and heart''It's just like catching up with old friends'

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Book SynopsisPre-order Andrew Hunter Murray's brilliantly entertaining new thriller A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering coming May 2024!There's no way back from paradise. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Day, this high-concept thriller will provoke and grip you from the very first page . . .'Sucks you in and doesn't let you leave until the very last page' Anthony Horowitz'Smoothly written, thought provoking ... with an effective shocker of an ending' Guardian'Absolutely brilliant. I'm thinking it needs to be made into a movie!' Zoe Ball___________________Sanctuary Rock is a perfect place.A remote island, owned by a wealthy philanthropist who is building a brand-new world on the ruins of the old one.Ben only came to the island to bring his fiancée Cara home. But when he arrives, he is rapidly seduced by the vision of a better way of life, as described by the charismatic and mysterious Sir John.Before long, he decides to stay.But the island holds darker secrets than he could ever have suspected.Then he learns the only route back to the mainland is about to close for good.And his own life may be in terrible danger . . .___________________'The considerable pleasure of this novel is in the getting from here to there' The Times'Gripping, unsettling and original. Andrew Hunter Murray is a fabulous storyteller.' Tim Harford'Rich in imagination and stylishly written ... Totally absorbing.' Paul Burke, Crime Time FM___________________Readers can't get enough of The Sanctuary . . .***** 'A thoughtful, impressive science fiction thriller.'***** 'I hope AHM keeps writing books because they are *chef's kiss* perfection.'***** 'Some great twists, turns and surprises! Thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking.'***** 'I like Andrew Hunter Murray's style ... It was a brilliant read.'***** 'This book took a totally different turn to what I was expecting! Really enjoyable, stayed up late to finish it as the story was so tense towards the end.'

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Book SynopsisShe thinks she knows the truth. But what if she's wrong?***THE GRIPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NOW YOU SEE HER***Laila and her husband arrive for a week's holiday in Greece in desperate need of a reset.As Laila sits by the pool she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the other family staying in their resort.Em has no idea who Laila is, or that she has been watching her and her teenage sons and husband so intently.Five days later Em's world will be blown apart by a horrifying event.Laila thinks she knows the truth of what happened. But in telling Em what she's seen, she stands to lose everything she holds dear.And what if she's got it wrong?_________________________Readers love Heidi's thrillers:'This is a read not to be missed!!!''Family secrets, mystery and intrigue. This is the perfect book that won't disappoint''This is one of those books that you start to read and right from the outset it becomes completely addictive.''You find yourself unable to trust anyone!''A surprising plot and lots of twists with interesting characters. I loved the writing style and the setting of the story''Easily the best thriller I've read in a long time''Lots of twists and turns, guaranteed page-turner that keeps you guessing until the end''The ending took me by surprise''Couldn't put this one down - just one more chapter became something of a mantra!''I loved the book and the fact it kept me guessing till the end'

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Book SynopsisIn a city full of cameras ... where can you hide? Killing Eve meets James Bond in this page-turning, heart-pounding thriller . . .'One of those wonderful thrillers that you read in a day and know you'll remember for years' James Patterson'A thrilling read ... I could not have loved it more!' Lisa Jewell'Totally addictive ... Once you start reading, you won't stop' Lisa Gardner'Thriller with a capital T' Jonathan Kellerman'A high-octane, warp-speed thriller' Guardian'Gives us a superb, multidimensional protagonist whom readers will be eager to follow anywhere' Starred Booklist_______________MOVE FAST. STAY DARK.These are the instructions sent to new operative Emma Makepeace.She's been assigned to track down a man wanted by the Russians and bring him into MI5.It should be easy. But the Russians have eyes everywhere.Emma knows that if spotted she and her target will be killed.What follows is a perilous chase through London's night-time streets.But in a city full of cameras, where can you hide?_______________More love for The Chase . . .‘A pulse-pounding chase across London in the best traditions of spy fiction, with a whip-smart lead character and intense suspense.’ Helen Fields'The pace never lets up' Robert Gold'Excellent escapism' Ruth Ware'Move over, James Bond - there's a new hero in town' Karen Cleveland'Gripping' Crime Monthly'Written with James Patterson-style pace' Daily Mail'This action-packed thriller is a real page-turner' People's Friend'This is a brilliant, gripping and breathless thriller in a new series' The Sun, Pick of the Week'High octane, comnplex and twisty' Choice Magazine, Hardback Book of the Month'A fast moving narrative that explores some of London's most intriguing byways' Literary Review_______________Readers can't get enough of The Chase . . .***** 'Wow. I think I've just about caught my breath and my heart rate has returned to normal.'***** 'I could picture this one as a movie and the pace was tense! In fact, I was so invested in this one that I read it in one day.'***** 'I couldn't put this gripping novel down and finished in one seating.'***** 'It hooked me from the beginning and didn't let up!'***** 'I was hooked from beginning to end in this interesting, immersive, unputdownable read.'

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Book SynopsisA young woman is dead.Her family are convinced she was murdered, and they know who did it.The case is about to be closed.Everyone else says the evidence speaks for itself: this is nothing more than a tragic case of suicide.Only you can uncover what really happened.But the truth is never that simple, and this case could cost you your life...Everyone is talking about The Simple Truth!'A British take on John Grisham's The Firm' The Times'Fast-paced and suspenseful.' Woman & Home'Pacy and clever, The Simple Truth is a multi-layered mystery, brimming with action and intrigue.' Andrea Mara'James Buckler delivers a lightning-paced thriller.' Woman's Own'A fast-paced thriller in which no one can be trusted.' Prima MagazineTrade Review'A British take on John Grisham's The Firm ... the interlocking circles of the plot are well oiled and the narrative of greed and corruption timely.' * The Times *'A fast-paced and suspenseful legal thriller.' * Woman & Home *'James Buckler delivers a lightning-paced thriller' * Woman's Own *'A fast-paced and suspenseful legal thriller - and an unwavering crusade to discover the truth.' * Woman Magazine *'Pacy and clever, The Simple Truth is a multi-layered mystery, brimming with action and intrigue, all woven perfectly together in the expertly crafted plot.' * Andrea Mara *

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Book Synopsis'Propulsive, sinister, gripping' - ALEX MICHAELIDES, international bestselling author of The Silent Patient and The Fear'Such a brilliant read with such well drawn characters – I loved it' - NIKKI SMITH, author of The Beach Party'One thing I've learned, these last few weeks, is that small acts of kindness are far less effective than fear...'She watches them in the dead of night. Hidden in plain sight, Mercy Lake provides what people need. Quietly. In secret. Making lives better.But he is watching too. And he doesn’t want to help anyone - he wants to punish them. And he wants Mercy to join him.Soon, though, their activities draw the attention of the very person Mercy is desperate to avoid. Someone who will go to extreme lengths to make her pay for knowing their secret . . .The People Watcher is a shiver-inducing, heart-pounding suspense thriller that will keep you up into the early hours - perfect for fans of Alex Michaelides, Helen Fields and Catherine Ryan Howard.********Readers can't put down The People Watcher!'WOW! So full of suspense. The ending was a shocker! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Reader Review'Wow wow wow this book did not disappoint. I read it in 2 sittings. So many twists and turns. I absolutely loved this book - a must read!!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Original, creepy and devastatingly clever. I raced through The People Watcher yet didn't want it to end. Utterly addictive. I loved it!' Sunday Times bestseller ANDREA MARA'Oh ... my ... word. The ending was such a shock and left me speechless. I normally see things coming, but not this time!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Twisty and dark as the night itself, it is impossible to put down. A triumph.' - NEIL LANCASTER'Absorbing and richly detailed, a novel with real heart.' LISA BALLANTYNE, Richard & Judy book club bestselling author of The Guilty One'Non-stop drama, full of surprises and twists and turns. I found it thoroughly engaging, something different and one not to be missed.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Intriguing characters and a gripping plot - what crime fiction should be!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Another cracking thriller from Sam Lloyd.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE WATCHER * : *A propulsive, sinister, gripping tale about the dark side of human nature that is hard to put down. * Alex Michaelides *Original, creepy and devastatingly clever. I raced through The People Watcher yet didn't want it to end. Utterly addictive. I loved it! * Andrea Mara *Deftly plotted and deliciously twisty, this character-led thriller is a step outside the rest * Heat *'Absorbing and richly detailed, a novel with real heart.' * LISA BALLANTYNE, Richard & Judy book club bestselling author of The Guilty One *

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Book Synopsis''Niklas Natt och Dag takes the contemporary Scandinavian crime story and gives it a startlingly gruesome historical twist'' GuardianIt is 1795 and evil lurks in the winding alleys of Stockholm. Tycho Ceton prowls the city, willing to do anything to survive and reclaim the honour he has lost. No one knows what he is planning next but Emil Winge, haunted by the ghosts of his past, is determined to stop him. Meanwhile, Jean Mickel Cardell is preoccupied with his own search for Anna Stina Knapp. She may have in her possession a letter which could have devastating consequences in the wrong hands.All the while, hell looms inexorably . . .In 1795: The Order of the Furies, the third instalment of Niklas Natt och Dag''s historical noir trilogy, we are plunged once again into the bustling world of late eighteenth-century Stockholm. The city is teetering on a precipice, with evil shaking its core, but can love and friendship prevail?Translated

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Book SynopsisTHE LAST THING A TWIN EXPECTS IS TO BE ALONE ...*** From the acclaimed author of THE LAST THING TO BURN comes a new thriller about identity, rivalry and deceit. ***'Dean handles his plot with skill ... Molly is an intriguing protagonist and Dean has plenty of surprises for the unwary reader' OBSERVER'The talented Mr Ripley would have enjoyed every moment of its tortuous plot. There is no higher praise' DAILY MAIL'Highly accomplished, dark and dazzling. First Born twists and deceives, and cements Will Dean's status as a truly rare talent. Pure brilliance' CHRIS WHITAKERMolly lives a quiet, contained life in London. Naturally risk averse, she gains comfort from security and structure. Every day the same.Her identical twin Katie is her exact opposite: gregarious and spontaneous. They used to be inseparable, until Katie moved to New York a year ago. Molly still speaks to her daily without fail.But when Molly learns that Katie has died suddenly in New York, she is thrown into unfamiliar territory. Katie is part of her DNA. As terrifying as it is, she must go there and find out what happened. As she tracks her twin's last movements, cracks begin to emerge. Nothing is what it seems. And a web of deceit is closing around her.Delivering the same intensity of pace and storytelling that made THE LAST THING TO BURN a word-of-mouth sensation, FIRST BORN will surprise, shock and enthral.'Powerful ... Dean takes on issues of personal identity and familial responsibility' FINANCIAL TIMES'Tiptoes into Highsmith territory here. Pacy, exhilarating and jaw-dropping, it's a meditation on identity and loneliness as well as a bloody good page-turner. New York buffets the characters about its ruthless streets, just as the reader is propelled from one twist to the next' ERIN KELLY'A superb page-turner' STEVE CAVANAGH'Will Dean writes a mean thriller, with a keen ear for what scares us. The streets of New York shine off the page, and the action rarely lets up. Highly recommended' SARAH HILARY'Will Dean manages to accomplish the rare blend of excellent writing and intriguing, ingenious plotting' LIZ NUGENT'Taut, suspenseful, chilling and surprising' GILLY MACMILLAN'Equal parts murder mystery and psychological thriller, Will Dean dazzles with FIRST BORN. A tense, taut plot that blows through unexpected twists and turns, you won't be able to look away until the final, shattering page' JULIE CLARK'Great pace, great twists, a perfect psychological thriller' B.A. PARIS'A clever and sophisticated construction...A jolly good read' SHOTS'Rather special' Sunday Times Crime Club *Star pick*'The storyline is truly original, with one of those brilliant endings only a great thriller writer can dream up' The Press Association'Spine-chilling' Irish Independent'This psychological thriller is a masterpiece' Crime ReviewTrade ReviewWill Dean writes a mean thriller, with a keen ear for what scares us. The streets of New York shine off the page, and the action rarely lets up. Highly recommended * Sarah Hilary *This thriller promises to be unforgettable * The Sun, Books for 2022 preview *Original, imaginative, thrilling! * Marian Keyes *This taut, twisted thriller kept me guessing until the very last page. Clever, compelling and utterly thrilling * Lisa Jewell *Tiptoes into Highsmith territory here. Pacy, exhilarating and jaw-dropping, it's a meditation on identity and loneliness as well as a bloody good pageturner. New York buffets the characters about its ruthless streets, just as the reader is propelled from one twist to the next * Erin Kelly *Will Dean manages to accomplish the rare blend of excellent writing and intriguing, ingenious plotting * Liz Nugent *Taut, suspenseful, chilling and surprising * Gilly Macmillan *Equal parts murder mystery and psychological thriller, Will Dean dazzles with FIRST BORN. A tense, taut plot that blows through unexpected twists and turns, you won't be able to look away until the final, shattering page * Julie Clark *Great pace, great twists, a perfect psychological thriller * B.A. Paris *A clever and sophisticated construction . . . A jolly good read * SHOTS *Rather special short, sharp shocker * Sunday Times Crime Club, Star Pick *one of the most twisty-turny and, ultimately, satisfying stories of the year * On Magazine *Powerful . . . Dean takes on issues of personal identity and familial responsibility * The Financial Times *Dean has plenty of surprises for the unwary reader * The Observer *The storyline is truly original, with one of those brilliant endings only a great thriller writer can dream up * The Press Association *Spine-chilling * Irish Independent *The talented Mr Ripley would have enjoyed every moment of its tortuous plot. There is no higher praise * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Stunning' - Sunday Times Claire Askew won the Scottish Debut Crime Award with her debut All the Hidden Truths, praised as 'A meticulous and compelling novel' by Ian Rankin.'What if I told you,' he said, 'that I believe my mother's life to be in danger?'Robertson Bennet returns to Edinburgh after a 25-year absence in search of his parents and his inheritance. But both have disappeared. A quick, routine police check should be enough - and Detective Inspector Helen Birch has enough on her plate trying to help her brother, Charlie, after an assault in prison. But all her instincts tell her not to let this case go. And so she digs.George and Phamie Bennet were together for a long time. No one can ever really know the secrets kept between husband and wife. But as Birch slowly begins to unravel the truth, terrible crimes start to rise to the surface.Beautifully written and ingeniously plotted, Cover Your Tracks confirms Claire Askew as a major new talent in crime fiction.Praise for Claire Askew's novels:'Stunning debut... compellingly written' - Daily Mail'A meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both' - Ian Rankin'Splendid debut... thoughtful and well-written' - Guardian'Gripping, heartbreaking and horrifyingly plausible. I couldn't tear myself away from this book. Claire Askew is a stunning new voice in crime fiction' - Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said'Moving and memorable' - The Sunday Times'A fine, thought-provoking debut' - Mail on Sunday'Claire Askew takes us away from the obvious plot and asks us tantalising questions... an absorbing psychological trio for Askew's thought-provoking entry into crime fiction' - The TimesTrade ReviewEngaging * Literary Review *Askew tackles her third Edinburgh procedural with confidence in her original plot structure, warm characterisation and a credible story that resonates * Sunday Times Crime Club *Thoroughly engrossing series * Sunday Sport *It's as good as Rankin! * The Peterborough Telegraph *Stunning * The Sunday Times *This is the first of Askew's books I've read and I wasn't disappointed . . . I enjoyed being able to jump along for the ride on the back of Birch's hunch to dig up the truth * Daily Record *A smart, thoughtful, intriguing crime novel. I absolutely adore this series, for me it contains one of the more realistic characters in the modern book world of policing * LoveReading *

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Book SynopsisA stunning, apocalyptic standalone sequel to The Stranger.The Terrorist Guy Fowle, known as the Stranger, escapes from prison. A mysterious Russian hacker is murdered in London and his thumb cut off.At the heart of government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is desperate to keep a secret.It's a puzzle that Jude Lyon of MI6 must solve, and quickly.If he doesn't the world will literally go up in flames.*****'Violent, authentic and alarmingly believable story about modern spying' - Sun'There's a healthy crop of younger spy writers ripening just now, and Simon Conway is among the pick of the bunch' - The Times'A superb writer, with great imagination, inventiveness and the ability to portray events with simplicity and urgency' - Michael Jecks, author of Act of Vengeance'Conway has created, with Jude Lyon, a very modern hero, and one who will run for many more stories, I hope. Basically, if you are going to read any thriller this year, make it this one' - Shots MagazineTrade ReviewGripping political thriller . . . Conway mixes bloody action scenes in Syria with a wider story about loyalty and even love * Financial Time, Best books of 2021: Thrillers *Spy wars -- for real -- by the man who knows * Tom Mangold *A superb writer, with great imagination, inventiveness and the ability to portray events with simplicity and urgency * Michael Jecks, author of Act of Vengeance *Conway has created, with Jude Lyon, a very modern hero, and one who will run for many more stories, I hope. Basically, if you are going to read any thriller this year, make it this one * Shots Magazine *His military background renders the action scenes bloodily and the novel's apocalyptic scenario plausibly * The Times *Violent, authentic and alarmingly believable story about modern spying * the Sun *Brilliantly written, this sequel manages to be even more exciting and nail-bitingly intense than the original * Irish Independent *The most brilliant spy thriller * Charlotte Philby, author of A Double Life *This'll keep readers up all night. It's a hugely entertaining read, featuring the nastiest, most charismatic villain of recent years, and barely pauses for breath throughout * Mick Herron, author of Slough House *The Saboteur takes his storytelling to a new level * Financial Times *A very fast-paced thriller that smoothly moves through one explosive set-up after another. Conway keeps his foot firmly on the accelerator as the body count mounts and the book rockets to the large scale climax * Deadly Pleasures magazine, Best of 2021 *You just know when a book has been penned by a knowledgeable hand . . . this explosive thriller is alarmingly authentic * Scottish Field *This spy thriller had me holding my breath every few pages, desperate to know how things were going to pan out. A perfect festive read for anyone who loves spy novels and pacey thrillers * Dumfries & Galloway Life *

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Book Synopsis'The ever-witty McPherson has outdone herself' Scottish Field'All the wit and clever plotting fans of Christie could want' My Weekly Special*Winner of Left Coast Crime's Lefty Award for Best Historical Mystery Novel*Something sinister is afoot in the streets of Dundee, when a puppeteer is found murdered behind his striped Punch and Judy stand, as children sit cross-legged drinking ginger beer. At once, Dandy Gilver's seemingly-innocuous investigation into plagiarism takes a darker turn. The gruesome death seems to be inextricably bound to the gloomy offices of Doig's Publishers, its secrets hidden in the real stories behind their girls' magazines The Rosie Cheek and The Freckle. On meeting a mysterious professor from St Andrews, Dandy and her faithful colleague Alex Osbourne are flung into the worlds of academia, the theatre and publishing. Nothing is quite as it seems, and behind the cheerful facades of puppets and comic books, is a troubled history has begun to repeat itself.Trade ReviewAll the wit and clever plotting fans of Christie could want. * My Weekly Special *The ever-witty McPherson has outdone herself in the latest instalment of the Dandy Gilver adventures. This fast-paced book filled with twists, turns and gripping characters will keep you guessing and engaged from the beginning. * Scottish Field *There is a lot to recommend in Catriona McPherson's stylish detective series featuring Dandy Gilver . . . the real joy of the novel is the characters and how they cope with a fast-changing society. * Scotsman *The historical detail is pin sharp. * Yorkshire Post *

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Book Synopsis'Authentic social history at the birth of the NHS, an intriguing murder, a strong and convincing central character, and McPherson's wonderful story-telling skills make this a very classy mystery' ANN CLEEVES'A hauntingly atmospheric weaving of social history and layered mystery, with a gutsy heroine determined to deliver justice. McPherson's writing is compelling, moving and memorable' SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETTHelen leaned close enough to fog the mirror with her breath and whispered, 'You, my girl, are a qualified medical almoner and at eight o'clock tomorrow morning you will be on the front line of the National Health Service of Scotland.' Her eyes looked huge and scared. 'So take a shake to yourself!''Edinburgh, 1948. Helen Crowther leaves a crowded tenement home for her very own office in a doctor's surgery. Upstart, ungrateful, out of your depth - the words of disapproval come at her from everywhere but she's determined to take her chance and play her part.She's barely begun when she stumbles over a murder and learns that, in this most respectable of cities, no one will fight for justice at the risk of scandal. As Helen resolves to find a killer, she's propelled into a darker world than she knew existed, hardscrabble as her own can be. Disapproval is the least of her worries now.IN PLACE OF FEAR is a gripping new historical crime novel that is both enthralling and entertaining, and perfect for fans of AJ Pearce and Nicola Upson.Readers love IN PLACE OF FEAR:'What a wonderful book this is!''I loved [it] ... Helen is another cracker of a heroine from McPherson and I hope to read much more of her story in future''Historical crime from a talented pen. Intriguing and compelling in equal measure''An excellent read'Trade ReviewA hauntingly atmospheric weaving of social history and layered mystery, with a gutsy heroine determined to deliver justice. McPherson's writing is compelling, moving and memorable * Sarah Yarwood-Lovett *

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Book Synopsis'[A] masterly novel' - The Sunday Times'Strong echoes of George Smiley' - Financial Times'A novel of real quality. Top brass' - The Times Thriller of the Month*****Beware of Russians bearing gifts.Defectors are not always welcome.Is the information they bring worth the cost of protecting them for the rest of their lives? Is it even genuine? Might they be double agents? These are some of the questions facing MI6 when a Russian agent hands himself in to them in Denmark.As a team begins to assess his value, his former employers in the Kremlin develop a brutal plan to show that no defector will ever be safe.And they know where to find him. Which means there must be a mole in MI6.So it is that the cavaliers of Six find themselves being interrogated by nondescript Jonas Merrick of Five - the man called back from retirement and his beloved caravan, the man the young guns call the Eternal Flame because 'he never goes out.'But while he may be grey, Jonas is also ruthless. As he quietly works through the suspects in London, and violent mayhem breaks out in Denmark, Jonas plans not just to unmask a traitor, but to hit back at the Russians with deadly force.First encountered in The Crocodile Hunter, Jonas Merrick is set to become one of the great figures of modern spy fiction.*****Readers love THE FOOT SOLDIERS:'I was completely gripped by the plot and interdepartmental jealousies and rivalries. I couldn't put it down!'*****'A book that fans of the George Smiley series will love' *****'A brilliant, suspenseful and contemporary thriller . . . A wonderfully complex and unputdownable tale of defectors, traitors, internal politics . . . and assassination'*****'Seymour continues to carry the flame for the espionage genre, and his sublime creation, Jonas Merrick, a 21st-century George Smiley . . . is slowly but surely becoming a classic literary creation'****Trade ReviewA cleverly nuanced climax in which tables are unexpectedly turned more than once . . . marks this as a novel of real quality. Top brass * The Times *Seymour's finger is always on the current socio-political pulse, and the new book is a welcome return for his curmudgeonly MI5 man Jonas Merrick * i news *This is multi-layered spy-fi at its best, with Seymour showing that even after thirty-seven novels he has lost none of his talent for thrilling plots and creating credible and sympathetic characters, nor his journalist's eye for modern espionage tradecraft and techniques * Shots Magazine *Supreme spy writer * Peterborough Telegraph *If le Carré had written about spies on the front line . . . Seymour makes more than le Carré of treachery's potential impact on frontline personnel. [A] masterly novel * The Sunday Times *There are strong echoes of George Smiley in Merrick's mild and unprepossessing manner, which disguises a razor-sharp brain and considerable courage when necessary * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisIf these walls could talk . . .'Intricate murder mystery... gripping.' WOMAN'A compelling who, how and why dunnit.' THE SUN'A gripping murder mystery.' WOMAN'S WEEKLY 'A novel that has the deliciously febrile atmosphere of a silent film.' THE SUNDAY TIMES'Spookily atmospheric, a page-turner murder mystery.' CHOICE MAGAZINE'The Thirty-One Doors is a novel for those who miss the Golden Age crossword-puzzle-type crime fiction.' LITERARY REVIEWScarpside House is famed for its beauty, its isolation, and its legendary parties. Tonight, it hosts the Penny Club soiree. An annual gathering of lucky men and women from all walks of life, coming together to celebrate their survival against the odds.But this year their luck is running thin.Accidents do happen, after all . . .And some are long overdue . . .

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Book SynopsisFrom the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Tenant and The Butterfly House, comes an unputdownable and darkly original new thriller featuring Detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner. A boy is missing. A web of lies will be uncovered... When fifteen-year-old Oscar Dreyer-Hoff disappears, it's assumed he's another teenage runaway - an overlooked middle child who will turn up within 24 hours. But as the hours, and then days, tick by and the family become more frantic, Detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner begin to dig deeper into Oscar's life. Who has been sending the family malicious notes? What secrets is Oscar's best friend keeping? And what's really going on down at the harbour? With every passing hour and little evidence, the odds of finding a missing person grow dimmer and dimmer in Kørner and Werner's toughest case yet. Combining pin-sharp storytelling and a rollercoaster investigation, The Harbour is an absorbing mystery thriller for fans of Jo Nesbo and Tana French.

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Book Synopsis'A splendid warm-hearted novel' - Rachel HoreLondon, 1944.Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While the world remains at war, in East London Clara has created the country's only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station. Down here a secret community thrives: with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café and a theatre offering shelter, solace and escape from the bombs that fall above. Along with her glamorous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it seems it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive. Based on true events, The Little Wartime Library is a gripping and heart-wrenching page-turner that remembers one of the greatest resistance stories of the war.Trade ReviewA heartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times. Based on a little-known true story, Kate Thompson's meticulous research and love of libraries shine through. Perfect for fans of Dear Mrs. Bird. * Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library *Gripping, emotional and uplifting * Gill Paul *A captivating tale about the power of libraries and how they connect us . . . Meticulously researched, readers will be entranced by this fascinating slice of history * Andie Newton, USA Today bestselling author of The Girls from the Beach *I was totally immersed in The Little Wartime Library. Kate has such a talent for bringing history to vivid life. Utterly transporting, vivid and fresh. * Iona Grey, bestselling author of Letters to the Lost *Books help win the day in this splendid warm-hearted novel of wartime resilience and romance, based on a true story * Rachel Hore, bestselling author of A Beautiful Spy *Remarkable . . . Heartbreaking and inspiring, this brilliantly researched book also captures the essence of the story through its evocative words and thoughtfully written characters * My Weekly *A perfect wartime tale of hope against the odds * My Weekly *A compulsive read . . . enthralling * Bishops Stortford Independent *Libraries create writers! And here's a book as wrapped up in libraries as it could be . . . * The Library Campaigner *Fascinating and heartwarming * Mail on Sunday *The almost furtive joy of being able to borrow books to read for free, and the emotional liberation and adventure this ability confers, suffuses every chapter of this novel. Thompson's research is full of love and levity, showing how reading provides succour and sustenance even in the darkest of times * Daily Express *An ode to books, libraries and the resilience of women. Uplifting and heartwarming. The strength of the human spirit shines through * Louise Fein *A fascinating forgotten underground library * East London Advertiser *Riveting * Prima *Remarkable * People’s Friend *My best book of the year. I loved the feeling this book gave me. The fact that this community, this love of books realty did exist and really did make a difference, was a wonderful thing to discover * The Book Trail *Warm and uplifting historical fiction, all made to feel so real because of the historical details seamlessly woven into the story * Portybelle Book Blogger *This is just the story we need right now - a tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep hope alive and to give a community adrift in wartime a sense of home. The Bethnal Green underground library might be the beating heart of the book's subterranean village, but Clara is the soul of this novel. She's the kind of character you cheer for, cry for, and dream for. Kate Thompson's passion, meticulous research and brilliant storytelling make The Little Wartime Library an utter delight to read * Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House *Such a heart-warming story of camaraderie * Bishops Stortford Independent *A powerful, earth-shattering read * Woman's Own *The Little Wartime Library was such an immensely heartwarming read. I laughed and cried through the entire thing, completely enraptured. People who love books about books must read this gem! * Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London *Captivating and remarkable, it reminds us that stories soothe and help us make sense of the chaos in our lives * The Toronto Star *

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Book SynopsisONE DEAD BODY. TWELVE SUSPECTS. TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR DARKNESS.'Outstanding ... Haughton writes vividly about a claustrophobic community ... her novel really is a superlative locked-room mystery' Sunday Times (Crime Book of the Month)'Haughton has created a fantastically atmospheric setting ... it's a chilling race to the finish to discover whodunnit' Observer In the most inhospitable environment - cut off from the rest of the world - there's a killer on the loose. A&E doctor Kate North has been knocked out of her orbit by a personal tragedy. So when she's offered the opportunity to be an emergency replacement at the UN research station in Antarctica, she jumps at the chance. The previous doctor, Jean-Luc, died in a tragic accident while out on the ice.The move seems an ideal solution for Kate: no one knows about her past; no one is checking up on her. But as total darkness descends for the winter, she begins to suspect that Jean-Luc's death wasn't accidental at all. And the more questions she asks, the more dangerous it becomes . . .'A sense of growing menace pervades ... the freezing wasteland and claustrophobic workings of the research station are finely rendered' Financial Times'The kind of heart-pounding, sleep-stealing read that you want to recommend to everyone you meet. An absolutely thrilling book' CASS GREEN'Chilling and atmospheric . . . had me turning the pages late into the night' MARK EDWARDS'Tense, thrilling and unpredictable, with one of the most unique and dangerous settings imaginable' ALLIE REYNOLDS'Set against the dangerous sub-zero temperatures and endless night of the Antarctic... Brilliantly atmospheric and terrifying' CATHERINE COOPER'Tense, twisted and quite literally chilling - a locked room mystery in a unique setting where no one can be trusted' SUSI HOLLIDAY'Atmospheric, original and full of tension' AMANDA JENNINGS'A real edge-of-the-seat plot. I loved it. Original and accomplished' J.A. CORRIGANTrade ReviewTHE DARK is the kind of heart-pounding, sleep-stealing read that you want to recommend to everyone you meet. An absolutely thrilling book * Cass Green *Chilling and atmospheric, THE DARK had me turning the pages late into the night * Mark Edwards *Tense, thrilling and unpredictable, with one of the most unique and dangerous settings imaginable, THE DARK is a totally chilling read * Allie Reynolds, author of SHIVER *A real edge-of-the-seat plot. I loved it * J.A. Corrigan *Tense, twisted and quite literally chilling - a locked room mystery in a unique setting where no one can be trusted * Susi Holliday *Atmospheric, original and full of tension * Amanda Jennings *Set against the dangerous sub-zero temperatures end endless night of the Antarctic, there's a killer on the base who could be anyone. Brilliantly atmospheric and terrifying * Catherine Cooper, author of Sunday Times bestseller THE CHALET *Anyone who loves a genuine page-turner with hugely believable characters at its core will adore it * On Magazine *A modern-day Agatha Christie on ice, this is so remarkably well written, that you'll start shivering while you read it! A chillingly good pick * Woman & Home Online *A modern-day Agatha Christie on ice, you'll get shivers as you read it * Woman & Home *Exciting and involving, this has the makings of a classic thriller * Literary Review *This claustrophobic locked room mystery will definitely give you chills * Real People Mag *Gripping * Heat *You'll get shivers as you read it * Women's Own *Outstanding * Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month *Haughton has created a fantastically atmospheric setting . . . its a chilling race to the finish to discover whodunnit * The Observer *Perfect * Grazia *This tension packed story is like a Christie whodunnit on ice. The creeping dear and icy setting leaves you gasping * The Peterborough Telegraph *Fantastic and atmospheric debut thriller, dark in more ways than one * NB Magazine *A sense of growing menace pervades Emma Haughton's The Dark . . . the freezing wasteland and the claustrophobic workings of the research station are finely rendered * Financial Times *Great characterisation, possible unreliable narrator, increasingly tense plot * Marian Keyes *Terrific . . . modern locked-room mystery * The Times and Sunday times, Best Crime Books 2021 *

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Book SynopsisVery few people get the opportunity to stay here.And some don't get to leave ...Zoey doesn't remember anything about last night. But she knows something went badly wrong. For she is no longer in New York. She's woken up in the desert, in a white building she doesn't recognise, and she's alone.When she discovers she's been admitted to The Sanctuary, a discreet, mysterious, isolated refuge from normal life, to avoid jail, she is stunned. She knows she has secrets, troubles, but she thought she had everything under control. But as she spends more time with other residents, she begins to open up about what she's running from. Until she realises that not everyone in The Sanctuary has her best interests at heart, and someone might even be a killer . . .Praise for THE DARK:'Outstanding ... Haughton writes vividly about a claustrophobic community ... her novel really is a superlative locked-room mystery' Sunday Times (Crime Book of the Month)'Haughton has created a fantastically atmospheric setting ... it's a chilling race to the finish to discover whodunnit' Observer'A sense of growing menace pervades ... the freezing wasteland and claustrophobic workings of the research station are finely rendered' Financial Times'The kind of heart-pounding, sleep-stealing read that you want to recommend to everyone you meet. An absolutely thrilling book' CASS GREEN'Chilling and atmospheric . . . had me turning the pages late into the night' MARK EDWARDS'Tense, thrilling and unpredictable, with one of the most unique and dangerous settings imaginable' ALLIE REYNOLDS'Set against the dangerous sub-zero temperatures end endless night of the Antarctic... Brilliantly atmospheric and terrifying' CATHERINE COOPERTrade ReviewThis locked-room thriller wowed me. Perfect pacing and a cinematic vibe * Prima *An atmospheric and satisfyingly twisty tale * Heat *This is a great slice of creepy escapism * Observer *Fast-paced and an eclectic range of believable characters and a great setting, this book will keep you guessing right to the end * Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet *This brilliant thriller has a creeping sense of dread that will have you hooked * Sun on Sunday *Clever and atmospheric, Haughton's story weaves a delicate web of intrigue and mystery. * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis*** THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER ***'A brilliant historical crime read' Bella'This thrilling and twisty crime novel is perfect for fans of Martina Cole' My Weekly'A rollercoaster of crime, revenge and murder' The SunBEHIND EVERY STRONG WOMAN IS AN EPIC STORY...In the early years of the last century, a desperate young girl changes her name and flees the confines of her brutal, dominating gangland family in London. Now calling herself 'Diamond Dupree', she goes to Paris to become an artist's model but the world there is different to what she had supposed it would be and she soon falls on hard times. When she manages to escape at the end of the First World War, she leaves behind her a mystery - and a dead man.Back home in London, she reluctantly re-joins the Soho family 'firm' she'd once been glad to leave behind. Having grown tougher during her time in Paris, she soon becomes a force to be reckoned with, a feared and respected gangland queen. But then she meets Richard Beaumont, the youngest son of a wealthy aristocratic family, and sparks fly. But can she escape the long arm of the law and the hangman's noose, when the crimes of her past finally catch up with her?For fans of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers, as well as viewers of Peaky Blinders, this is historical crime fiction at its most compelling.'No one delves into the underworld like Keane!' Woman's Weekly'A gritty and enlightening read' Yours'Authentically gritty' Crime MonthlyTrade ReviewA brilliant historical crime read * Bella *An epic drama starring an unforgettable heroine. Keane...has a wicked eye for the ruthless, fiercely factional criminal underworld and her books never fail to pack a powerful punch... Every story that Keane writes transports her readers into the heart of a terrifying but addictive underworld, and into the lives of people of every shade... And this cracking page-turner is certainly packed with Keane's trademark cast of larger-than-life characters - each superbly fleshed out and each inhabiting a world so palpably real that we can feel the menace... Brimming with drama, suspense, cruelty and the kind of gobsmacking violence that has made Keane one of the most powerful writers in contemporary crime fiction, this is full-on, eye-watering (of every kind!) entertainment from start to finish * Lancashire Evening Post *This thrilling and twisty crime novel is perfect for fans of Martina Cole * My Weekly *Mills & Boon meets Peaky Blinders in a mix of heaving bosoms and cut-throat razors * The Sun *A gritty and enlightening read * Yours *No one delves into the underworld like Keane! * Woman's Weekly *Authentically gritty * Crime Monthly *

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Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH**A THE TIMES BEST THRILLER FOR APRIL**OPTIONED FOR TELEVISION IN A SEVEN-WAY AUCTION*''Delightful'' THE TIMES''Enthralling'' THE SUNDAY TIMES''A serpentine thriller'' SPECTATOR''A pure delight'' NEIL GAIMAN''All the hallmarks of a modern classic'' ADAM KAY''Two great masters join forces to explosive effect'' RICHARD OSMAN''Huge fun - gripping and very clever. I didn''t want it to end'' PETER JAMES''A beautiful magic trick in itself - wonderful'' DERREN BROWN''I absolutely loved every twist, every turn, every blockbusting cliffhanger'' STEVEN MOFFATMeet Louis Warlock.Man about town, denizen of Soho''s nightclubs and cabaret bars - and the most skilled magician of his time . . .As a boy, Ludvik Weinschenk fled Nazi Germany

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Book Synopsis'A dark, disturbing and highly original thriller' MARK BILLINGHAM'Haunting, twisted and compelling' C.L. TAYLOR'Clever, dark, unusual and full of genuine surprises' LOUISE BEECH'One of the highlights of my reading year. A deliciously dark masterpiece' HELEN FITZGERALD'A brilliantly original thriller, dark and brooding, with a real emotional punch' DOUG JOHNSTONEDeath is not the end. For Grace McGill, it's only the beginning.When people die alone and undiscovered, it's her job to clean up what's left behind - whether it's clutter, bodily remains or dark secrets. When an old man lies undetected in his flat for months, it seems an unremarkable life and an unnoticed death. But Grace knows that everyone has a story and that all deaths mean something more.A STAND-OUT NOVEL WITH A UNIQUE NARRATIVE VOICE AND AN UNGUESSABLE MYSTERY, YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO REMEMBER GRACE McGILL.Reader praise for The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill:'A twisted story of undiscovered deaths and twisted minds, of people of little or no morality and Grace right in the thick of it, setting records straight and doing good in her own inimitable way''Wow! What an absolute stunner of a book. This was so different to a lot of the books out there at the moment. Totally gripping and thrilling and I couldn't stop reading it although I really didn't want to finish it!''A premise that, gratifyingly, delivers the goods in spades and does so with a superbly well drawn cast of characters and a rather unique, well written, often dark narrative. Compelling and wholly engaging reading. Top notch''The story was engrossing and I couldn't wait to see where it would go. I highly recommend this''A masterpiece'Trade ReviewA dark, disturbing and highly original thriller. You'll love Grace McGill * Mark Billingham *Dark, twisted and compelling, you won't want Grace to clean your house . . . * C.L. Taylor *A brilliantly original thriller, dark and brooding, with a real emotional punch * Doug Johnstone *Clever, dark, unusual and full of genuine surprises * Louise Beech *One of the highlights of my reading year. A deliciously dark masterpiece * Helen Fitzgerald *Twisted, twisting, original and sinister. The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill is unforgettable * Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End *So original * Crime Monthly *This is an ingenious, disturbing and chilling thriller in which Grace is an unforgettable character, and not what she seems. Superb storytelling, with an elegant twist * Daily Mail *[A] Gut-wrenching thriller. There are jaw-dropping revelations and startling assertions in C.S. Robertson's gruesome tale * The Times *Dark and quirky - there's just something readers are going to love about meeting Grace McGill * Scottish Sun *A brilliant read * Daily Record *A truly startling novel * The Sunday Times *A sharp and vigorous novel with a massively original theme * On Magazine *Dark and quirky - there's just something readers are going to love about meeting Grace McGill * The Sun, 2022 Must Reads *This enthralling story defies genre description * NFOP Magazine *It's not just a clever read - you'll sail through a range of emotions and there's no way you'll forget Grace. I'm struggling to remember reading a book like it before, and what a way to start 2022 reading * Belfast Telegraph *Beautifully written with a shocking twist, this remarkable thriller has a unique narrator in Grace McGill, and her voice stays with you long after you read the final page * Sunday Express *It's a dark page ripper * Peterborough Telegraph *This fascinating thriller had me hooked from the first chapter . . . as dark and disconcerting as it is compelling * Scottish Field *It's a dark and disturbing novel. It's chilling and haunting. It's original and touching. This book will genuinely be one of your best reads of the 2022 * Crime Squad *This novel is something a bit different: off-beat, slightly macabre, and not the usual psychological crime drama * Yorkshire Times *This is a very colourful and vivid novel . . . gripping, intense and atmospheric * Crime Fiction Lover *Robertson tries something audacious, and he pulls it off superbly * The Spectator *This is a disturbing read with a shocking twist * Sunday Express *Inventive * Guardian, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2022 *

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Book SynopsisA cold case. A recent discovery. A very real threat...Amongst the ruins of the old Beaumont mansion lies a terrible secret. In the cellar are three graves - but only two skeletons. They belong to Holly and Poppy Duval who disappeared 20 years ago. But where is their missing youngest sister? Detective Pierce Reed is assigned to the case, which becomes complicated by his reporter wife, Nikki, trying to get the scoop on the ground-breaking new find. As Reed and Nikki start to piece together what really happened all those years ago, it becomes clear that the killer is anything but finished. And the question remains - where is Rose Duval? A return to fan-favourite characters Pierce Reed and Nikki Gillette, The Third Grave is an atmospheric, twisty psychological thriller perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Patricia Cornwell.

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Book SynopsisA lover in peril. A nation under threat. The clock is ticking . . .'AMAZING, SHOW-STOPPING, SPECTACULAR' XIRAN JAY ZHAOThe captivating sequel to Foul Lady Fortune, by the New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights.Winter is drawing thick in 1932 Shanghai, as is the threat of a Japanese invasion. Rosalind Lang's identity as a national spy has been exposed. With the media camped outside her apartment, she's barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories wiped. Their marriage might have been a sham, but his absence hurts more than any physical wound. She won't rest until she gets him back. But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to rescue Orion is under the guise of a national tour. It's easy to convince her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength? When the tour goes wrong, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts return and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother's invention and steal this dangerous weapon away from foreign invasion -but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it's not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself . . .PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG'A glamorous spy thriller that will leave you breathless' DUSTIN THAO'Brilliant pacing and utterly dynamic characters' ELIZABETH LIM'The chemistry was crackling, the revelations hair-raising, and I was so taken by the world that I did not see the reveals coming' JOAN HE'A thrilling historical fantasy packed with action, intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance' JUNE HUR'A dark delight . . . Captivating' RENEE AHDIEH'Equal parts intoxicating and dazzling, Gong's newest duology is enchanting and unmissable' ROSHANI CHOKSHITrade Review** PRAISE FOR CHLOE GONG **Deliciously dark * Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire *Heady, smart, and vicious * Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear *Chloe Gong's debut is a terrific, deliciously unputdownable read! * June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones *Equal parts intoxicating and dazzling, Gong's newest duology is enchanting and unmissable. Each page is a finely honed blade that goes straight to the heart * Roshani Chokshi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Tale of the Flower Bride *An electrifying, swashbuckling tale of intrigue and assassins, romance and betrayal * Cassandra Clare, bestselling author of The Mortal Instruments series *Foul Lady Fortune is a thrilling historical fantasy packed with action, intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance. I will read anything Chloe Gong writes * June Hur, bestselling author of The Silence of Bones *A glamorous spy thriller that will leave you breathless. Chloe Gong masterfully blends romance, political drama, and Black Widow-esque action sequences into a familiar world with new characters you'll fall completely in love with * Dustin Thao, New York Times bestselling author of You've Reached Sam *With tense, lush storytelling, a complicated heroine and her swoon worthy foil, Foul Lady Fortune invites you into a dark chapter of twentieth century China where intrigue lies behind every corner. Intoxicating! * Stacey Lee, author of Under a Painted Sky *Amazing, show-stopping, spectacular. Chloe Gong does it again with her fantastical take on the classic Chinese genre of Minguo-era spy thrillers, where no loyalties are certain and no one can be trusted in the shadowy political battle between the Nationalists, communists, and imperialists. A enthralling mystery that is sure to stun as it unravels * Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow *Foul Lady Fortune had my heart pounding from the first chapter. With brilliant pacing and utterly dynamic characters, Gong transports us to 1930s Shanghai-into a high stakes game of war, love, and espionage-and conquers every page with cinematic precision * Elizabeth Lim, New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes *When I think Republican era spy story, I think thrills, triple agents, and twists. Foul Lady Fortune delivers on all these fronts and more. The chemistry was crackling, the revelations hair-raising, and I was so taken by the world that I did not see the reveals coming, in the best way possible. Chloe Gong has outdone herself, without a doubt * Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find *Chloe Gong's Foul Lady Fortune is an electric, action-packed jewel of a story, brimming with vivid prose, exhilarating twists and turns, and incredible characters who will steal your heart. This book dazzles * Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn *This book is a dark delight. I found myself transported to a different place and time, which is exactly what I look for in my favorite books. Gong's writing is evocative, and her dialogue crackles. Mesmerizing and mysterious in equal turns, Foul Lady Fortune is a captivating read, and I look forward to the next installment in the series * Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Beautiful Quartet *

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Book Synopsis'Compelling . . . almost Dickensian' The Times'The best thriller writer in the world' Daily Telegraph*****Jonas Merrick. At MI5 they call him 'the eternal flame', because he never goes out. Never goes undercover, or on surveillance, or kicking down doors. If he's studying a map, he's probably planning his caravan holiday.But what the hot-shots fail to notice in Jonas is a steely concentration, a ruthless ability to find the enemy who hides in plain sight like a submerged crocodile, waiting for prey.Cameron Jilkes. A young man from a broken background, trained as a Jihadi in the harshest theatre of war. Coming ashore near Dover, he plans to live unnoticed, before unleashing a terrifying strike.And this time, Jonas Merrick must go out - to hunt the crocodile himself.Featuring a chapter from the new Jonas Merrick novel The Foot Soldiers, publishing in 2022*****Readers love THE CROCODILE HUNTER:'Another winner from Gerald Seymour' 5*'An outstanding book and thoroughly recommended' 5*'Every year without fail . . . Gerald Seymour comes up with a masterful thriller . . . A wonderful read from a master of his craft' 5*Trade ReviewHe has never lost his journalist's eye for the stories behind the news * The Sunday Times *Compelling novel . . . Seymour's feel for the Kent landscape and his realisation of minor characters, such as Cameron's heart-hardened mother, are almost Dickensian * The Times *Another fine spy story with an offbeat protagonist. * Peterborough Telegraph *The three British masters of suspense, Graham Greene, Eric Ambler, and John le Carre, have been joined by a fourth - Gerald Seymour * The New York Times *

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Book Synopsis'I couldn't put it down' R.F. Kuang, author of The Poppy WarFIRST SISTER HAS NO NAME, AND NO VOICE. Forced to travel the stars alongside the Gean soldiers of Earth and Mars, she lacks control over her own destiny. Until an enigmatic, and secretive, new captain - Saito Ren - joins her ship and opens her eyes to a dangerous new path. LITO VAL LUCIUS HAS NO FAITH, AND NO LOYALTY. An elite Icarii soldier of Venus, he was thrown into disgrace after the sudden disappearance of his partner, Hiro. Then Hiro is discovered alive, and a traitor, and Lito is offered a shot at redemption: but only if he hunts down and kills his former partner in cold blood. As the war between the Geans and the Icarii reaches a head, Lito and the First Sister must decide what - and whom - they are willing to sacrifice in the name of duty, or for love.'Debut of the month' Library JournalTrade ReviewWonderfully imaginative and gripping - Lewis's debut sucks you in from the very first scene and keeps you absorbed in a rollercoaster of high-octane action and devastating twists. Her prose is rich and assured; her characters complex and compelling. I couldn't put it down * R.F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War *Debut of the month . . . A layered, action-filled plot and diverse characters create a powerful entry into the space opera genre * Library Journal *Lewis skillfully handles the tale's many moving pieces, maintaining pace, nuance, and clarity throughout. Lewis's lush prose creates an immersive, richly textured world with complex social dynamics and solid LGBTQ and multicultural representation * Publishers Weekly *Lewis's The First Sister is a ferocious mix of energetic plotting and vivid characters. Ridiculously readable * April Genevieve Tucholke, author of The Boneless Mercies *An enjoyable queer space opera romp with a dark underbelly * Tor.com *If you're a fan of sci-fi rebels with strong female protagonists, this is a must read! * SciFi & Scary *This is a great science-fiction debut of incredible scope that should appeal to all fans of the genre. I'm looking forward to seeing where is goes next. Highly recommended * Never Imitate *This is a book that will leave you itching for the next installment, rooting for your favorite characters (or couples), and impatient to jump back into this world * Rainbow Round Table *A feminist space opera that blends social commentary with the cosmic magic of space . . . an introspective tale of humanity and who is allowed to define it * The Mary Sue *It is the kind of book that is likely to stimulate all kinds of discussion. A debut novel worth reading * Birmingham Science Fiction Group *Lewis has certainly plotted her story well - ParSec, Autumn 2021 reviewA lot of fun, as stylish as it is substantial . . . read on * NPR on The Last Hero *Conflicts over advanced technology, religious beliefs, and economic deprivation swirl throughout this thrilling LGBTQ space opera centred on love, loss, and betrayal . . . The revolution is just getting started * Booklist on The Las Hero *

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Book Synopsis'One of the great masterpieces of Japanese crime fiction' David Peace, author of Tokyo Year ZeroOne of Japan's great modern writers, this second half of Lady Joker brings Kaoru Takamura's breathtaking masterpiece to a gripping conclusion.Five men who meet at a Tokyo racetrack every week carry out a heist. They have kidnapped the CEO of Japan's largest beer company to extract blood money from the company's corrupt financiers.Known as Lady Joker, the men make their first attack on the beer company when their demands are not met. As the attacks escalate, the shady networks linking corporations to syndicates are exposed, the stakes rise, and bring into riveting focus the lives and motivations of the victims, the perpetrators, the heroes and the villains. Some will lose everything, even their lives.Inspired by the real-life Glico-Morinaga kidnapping, an unsolved case that terrorized Japan for two years, Lady Joker reimagines this watershed episode in modern Japanese history.'A novel that portrays with devastating immensity how those on the dark fringes of society can be consumed by the darkness of their own hearts' Yoko Ogawa, author of The Memory PoliceTrade ReviewHallelujah! Inspired by the real-life, still unsolved Glico-Morinaga kidnapping and extortion case which led to the nationwide hunt for "The Monster with Twenty-one Faces," Kaoru Takamura's Lady Joker is at last available in translation; epic in its scale and vision, yet gripping from first to last, this is one of the great masterpieces of Japanese crime fiction and one of the must-read books of this or any year -- David Peace, author of TOKYO YEAR ZEROA novel that portrays with devastating immensity how those on the dark fringes of society can be consumed by the darkness of their own hearts -- Yoko Ogawa, author of THE MEMORY POLICETakamura's prismatic heist novel offers a broad indictment of capitalist society * New York Times *Lady Joker is a work you get immersed in, like a sprawling 19th century novel or a TV series like The Wire . . . Lady Joker casts a page-turning spell * NPR *Like Ellroy's American Tabloid and Carr's The Alienist, the book uses crime as a prism to examine dynamic periods of social history . . . Takamura's blistering indictment of capitalism, corporate corruption and the alienation felt by characters on both sides of the law from institutions they once believed would protect them resonates surprisingly with American culture * Los Angeles Times *Excellent . . . Takamura shows why she's one of Japan's most prominent mystery novelists * Publishers Weekly *Takamura's challenging, genre-confounding epic offers a sweeping view of contemporary Japan in all its complexity * Kirkus Reviews *Sprawling, addictive, this X-Ray examination of a society where the have and the have nots (including the police) play a slow, inexorable dance towards catastrophe, turns into a fascinating piece of work and I look forward to its conclusion * Crime Time *A fascinating slow burn of a book, detailed, complex and immersive * Guardian *Meticulously plotted complexity * Times Literary Supplement *By its sheer breadth, humanity, and the range of characters who walk across its pages, Lady Joker is comparable to the great 19th-century novels. It is a tremendous accomplishment * Chicago Review of Books *Lady Joker is a towering achievement -- Paul Tremblay, author of THE CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLDLike all literature, readers will take what they want from Takamura's critique of Japanese society, but at the heart of the epic novel is a gripping crime story where the actual crime itself is almost secondary to the psychological ripples it sends through the boardrooms, police stations, press offices and homes of anyone connected. This is much more of a whydunit than a whodunit - and one that was well worth the wait * The Japan Times *Takamura joins American writers James Ellroy, author of American Tabloid, and Don Winslow, author of several novels about the drug trade, to illuminate a society in which power and money matter far more than morality. All three write mysteries that also function as morality plays . . . Bravura * The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette *Brilliantly dark * Ms. Magazine *A complex work of stunning breadth and depth by a master of the genre * Kirkus Reviews *Admirers of intricate crime fiction, which both engages the intellect and offers insights into the hidden parts of a society, will hope for further translations of this gifted author's work * Publishers Weekly *

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Book Synopsis'Incredible! A vividly told mystery, perfect for fans of Jane Harper' ALLIE REYNOLDS, AUTHOR OF SHIVER'A triumphant debut' ROSE CARLYLE'Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent' CHRIS HAMMEREVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW MINA McCREERY.EVERYONE HAS A THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SISTER.NOW IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH...Mina McCreery's sister Evelyn disappeared nineteen years ago. Her life has been defined by the intense public interest in the case. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, she lives alone on her family's destocked sheep farm.When Lane, a private investigator, approaches her with an offer to reinvestigate the case, she rejects him. The attention has had nothing but negative consequences for her and her family, and never brought them closer to an answer.Lane wins her trust when his unconventional methods show promise, but he has his own motivations for wanting to solve the case, and his obsession with the answer will ultimately risk both their lives.Superbly written, taut and compassionate, Wake looks at what can happen when people's private tragedies become public property, and the ripples of trauma that follow violent crimes. Wake won the CWA Debut Dagger in 2019.Trade ReviewIncredible! A vividly told mystery, perfect for fans of Jane Harper * Allie Reynolds, author of SHIVER *A triumphant debut * Rose Carlyle *Intriguing and compelling. Shelley Burr is a bright new talent * Chris Hammer *Atmospheric, tense, poignant - the most gripping cold case investigation I've read in a long time. SUPERB * Will Dean *It is hard to believe WAKE is a first novel. Plot, pacing and characterisation are so finely judged that it feels more like the work of a past master. The tension builds, and the revelations keep coming, right until the final page where a thrilling climax combines horror, relief and hope * The Times *WAKE is a stunning, masterfully written debut novel, its remote, bleak locations adding tension to an atmospheric and compelling mystery that is hard to put down * Sunday Express *We devoured this stunningly drawn, deeply compelling mystery in one day * Crime Monthly *I guarantee you will feel exhausted and satisfied as the end of this remarkable book is reached. WAKE has more twists and turns than the usual novel and it is very tempting to make your own suppositions as to the end of the book, but it has a brilliant denouement. In fact the book itself is an impressive achievement for a debut novel and I'll be searching out whatever Shelley Burr writes next * On Magazine *Sinuous and spellbinding, this debut from a young Australian civil servant comes with a big reputation, which it richly deserves. Intense, evocative and with two characters to move the soul, it deserves to be a hit. It's sensational * Daily Mail *A cracking debut * Peterborough Telegraph *An outstanding first novel . . . Burr writes clear-sightedly about the corrosive effect of suspicion on people who have achieved a horrible kind of fame, forced on them by events beyond their control * The Sunday Times *This outstanding debut . . . With a slow build and complex characters, this is both a well-plotted, gripping mystery and a sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma * The Guardian *My crime novel of the year so far, a moving depiction of the pain that a mysterious disappearance can wreak on those left behind -- Sarah Vine’s Female Half Hour Summer Books Special * Daily Mail *The plot builds slowly, but the tension never slackens in this forceful story of damage and retribution * Book Brunch *Australian newcomer Shelley Burr's sensitive exploration of the aftermath of trauma in a parched outback town * Guardian, Best Crime & Thrillers of 2022 *

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Book SynopsisSomeone is watching Grace. But in the darkness, she can't see them... A twisty thriller for fans of Claire Douglas, Sarah Pinborough and Gillian Flynn from Louise Swanson, penname of critically acclaimed and bestselling author Louise Beech.

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Book SynopsisSome games can be deadlyAt first, Detective Chief Superintendent Frankie Sheehan believes the murder mystery game sent to her office is a birthday gift from one of her colleagues. But when Frankie studies the game's contents, she notices a striking resemblance between the 'murder victim' and missing twenty-two-year-old Lydia Callin. As Frankie and her team investigate, a series of grisly crimes connected to the game are discovered across Dublin city and Lydia's involvement with a shadowy network of murder mystery players becomes clear. On the hunt for Lydia's murderer, Frankie is drawn more deeply into the game. Every successful move brings her closer to the killer. But the real question is not what happens should she lose -- but what happens if she wins. PRAISE FOR OLIVIA KIERNAN:'A wonderfully rich lead character and a story that twists in unforeseen directions' Claire McGowan'What an absolute winner of a book. Five stars from me' Gytha Lodge 'The heir to Tana French's throne' Irish Times 'Cracking . . . Taut, gripping and beautifully written' Steve Cavanagh 'An ending you definitely won't see coming' JP Delaney 'A superior crime thriller . . . Highly recommended' Mark Edwards'A superior police procedural' Sarah Vaughan'Pin-sharp prose, brilliant characters and a hook to die for' Phoebe Locke'Tight, tense, pacy and full of twists. A cracker' Neil Lancaster'Very clever, chilling and brilliantly written! LOVED it!' Karen Hamilton'Clever, shocking, and psychologically astute - this deserves to be huge' Caz Frear'Grabs you by the throat from the first page and doesn't let go until the last' Araminta Hall'An original concept that kept me utterly gripped from start to finish' Nikki Smith'Sleekly written, atmospheric, and beautifully macabre' Charlotte Philby'Authentic, taut, intriguing storytelling' Mari Hannah'You won't be able to close it until you've solved the puzzle' Trevor Wood'The Murder Box is compulsive reading - and has the most genius twist' Sam Blake'A genius premise and beautiful writing. Loved it' Susi Holiday'A masterful and original thriller' Rachel Edwards'Line of Duty fans, here's your next obsession!' Amanda Reynolds'Olivia's Kiernan's The Murder Box cements her position as one of the rising stars of crime fiction' Fiona CumminsTrade ReviewKiernan's best yet. You'll be gripped from the minute you open the Murder Box..... -- Cara HunterCleverly plotted, it's a page-turner that keeps you guessing * Choice *Offers something a little different, as Kiernan tests the elasticity of the police procedural's parameters * Irish Times *A clever, original story is augmented by Kiernan's masterful writing, credible characters, and a smashing finale * Sunday Independent *Twisty, smartly plotted * Real People * A multi-layered novel and the main plot that is so cleverly put together - you will want to devour this book and do little else but read * Belfast Telegraph *told efficiently and with relish * Sunday Times Crime Club – Mark Sanderson’s Pick of the Week *So dark and so clever - a thrilling puzzle for the reader to solve. I loved it. -- Lucy Foley

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Book SynopsisLondon, 2013, and the city is battling an epidemic of serial killings - even with the widespread government use of DNA detection, brain-imaging, and the 'punitive coma'. Detective Isadora 'Jake' Jacowicz is hunting a murderer, code-named 'Wittgenstein,' who has taken it upon himself to eliminate anyone who has tested positive for a tendency towards violent behaviour - even if they've never committed a crime. His intellectual brilliance is matched only by his homicidal madness.Trade ReviewChilling...absorbing...part techno-thriller, part futuristic detective story, part diary of a serial killer - The New York Times Book ReviewOne of the more imaginative thrillers in quite a while...Combines teleological speculations with nitty-gritty futuristic police work - Wall Street JournalA truly intellectual thriller that makes the brain cells as well as the hairs on the back of the neck tingle - GQThe brainest thriller to come along in years...raising questions about knowledge, proof, and reality in unnervingly dramatic contexts - Kirkus Reviews

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