Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE PEOPLE’S BOOK PRIZE! ‘Relentless and sleek. This pitch-perfect debut signals the arrival of a remarkable talent.’ A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window ‘A thoroughly engaging spy thriller that had me gripped from start to finish and left me desperate for more!’ S. J. Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep ‘A clever and complex thriller with truly memorable characters.’ Elly Griffiths, author of the Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries ‘A thriller of true ambition and scope.’ Lucie Whitehouse, author of Critical Incidents It’s 1961 and the white heat of the Space Race is making the Cold War even colder. Richard Knox is a secret agent in big trouble. He’s been hung out to dry by a traitor in MI5, and the only way to clear his name could destroy him. Meanwhile in a secret Russian city, brilliant scientist Irina Valera makes a discovery that will change the world, and hand the KGB unimaginable power. Desperate for a way back into MI5, Knox finds an unlikely ally in Abey Bennett, a CIA recruit who’s determined to prove herself whatever the cost… As the age of global surveillance dawns, three powers will battle for dominance, and three people will fight to survive.Trade Review‘Relentless and sleek. This pitch-perfect debut – a gripping espionage thriller in the vein of Charles Cumming, Tom Rob Smith, and Mick Herron – signals the arrival of a remarkable talent.’ * A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window *'A thoroughly engaging spy thriller that had me gripped from start to finish and left me desperate for more!' * S. J. Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep *‘Thrills by the bucket… An entertaining blend of Le Carré-like in-house establishment rivalries and sheer propulsive action reminiscent of Len Deighton.’ -- Maxim Jakubowski'A clever and complex thriller with truly memorable characters. The 60s setting is brilliantly done.' * Elly Griffiths, author of the Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries *'A thriller of true ambition and scope – with Red Corona, his debut novel, Tim Glister announces himself as a writer to watch.' * Lucie Whitehouse, author of Critical Incidents *'A gripping historical thriller, impeccably researched and skilfully told.' * Charles Cumming, author of The Man Between *'An engrossing and original spy thriller. Glister writes with confidence and excitement. A star of the espionage genre is born.' * Michael Wood, author of the DCI Matilda Darke series *'A fascinating chase through an extraordinary time in history. Tim Glister blends technical insight with a clever story that races along. I enjoyed the intriguing characters who are rushing to solve a mystery as superpowers teeter on the brink.' * Holly Watt, author of To The Lions *'Red Corona is a fantastic and clever new Cold War spy novel. If you like le Carré you'll enjoy it.' -- Chris Deerin'A fascinating and gripping Cold War thriller that shines a light on the surveillance race that hid in the shadow of the space race.' * Gareth Rubin, author of Liberation Square *'Taut, ambitious and engaging with a superb sense of time and place, Red Corona is an excellent debut thriller and Tim Glister an author to watch. Highly recommended.' * Hair Past a Freckle blog *'Catchy title! Actually, Red Corona has nothing to do with viruses, but the space race in 1961... An entertaining, not to say nostalgic, espionage thriller.' -- The Times and Sunday Times Crime Club‘A really entertaining read; it’s lightly written, action driven and fun… Fans of high octane thrillers will love this novel. The characters are intriguing and there are enough twists to satisfy a puzzle-hardened reader. All that glistens may not be gold but all that Glisters is.’ -- New Books Magazine‘In this complex espionage plot Mr. Glister has crafted a very fine thriller by creating a suffocating but at the same time an intoxicating mood whilst bringing to life a most desperate and dangerous time in our history.’ -- Shots blog‘There are twists and turns and a satisfactory ending. Tim Glister has clearly researched the worlds of intelligence and the space race. I recommend this debut novel and look forward to the next.’ -- Mystery People‘Glister has drawn together enough authentic knowledge of 1960s scientific technology to make it totally convincing… a very cleverly woven plot.’ -- Tablet‘Intrigue, thrills, fights and killings occur in the race to cross that line first, and cracking drama it is with well-observed MI5, CIA and KGB characters in realistic settings surrounded by many authentic contemporary touches… so naturally written that you’re actually there… I was reminded of Frederick Forsyth’s Day of the Jackal with its similarly relentless motivations. A great read.’ -- Historical Novel Society‘Completely engaging and compelling… Impressive for a debut!... There’s so much to get your teeth into and I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ -- BookTrail

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Book SynopsisA chilling Gothic mystery from the bestselling author of Richard & Judy Book Club hit The Cold Season, perfect for fans of Susan Hill, The Coffin Path and The Silent Companions - where superstition and myth bleed into real life with tragic consequences. Pretty Lizzie Higgs is gone, burned to death on her own hearth - but was she really a changeling, as her husband insists?Albie Mirralls met his cousin only once, in 1851, within the grand glass arches of the Crystal Palace, but unable to countenance the rumours that surround her murder, he leaves his young wife in London and travels to Halfoak, a village steeped in superstition.Albie begins to look into Lizzie's death, but in this place where the old tales hold sway and the 'Hidden People' supposedly roam, answers are slippery and further tragedy is just a step away . . .'This is an intriguing and unsettling scenario. Littlewood's descriptions are picturesque and her prose convincingly dated and beautifully lyrical' - Sunday ExpressTrade ReviewLittlewood does a great job writing in a quasi-Victorian manner throughout and the twist is brilliant * Daily Mail *There's an amazing sense of place and time in this novel, as Littlewood perfectly captures the literary style, attitudes, and class consciousness of Victorian England * Publishers Weekly *Suitably strange with a twist * Kirkus Reviews *This is an intriguing and unsettling scenario. Littlewood's descriptions are picturesque and her prose convincingly dated and beautifully lyrical * Sunday Express *Hypnotic and intelligent with buckets of atmosphere . . . Littlewood expertly weaves themes of misogyny and mythology into a psychological page-turner that feels both familiar and fresh * SFX *One of those books that you will probably read over the course of a single night and wonder in the morning where the time has gone . . . The Hidden People is an intriguing piece of work that takes its cue from complex mythology and superstition to weave a timeless story that equally delights and disturbs. * Upcoming4.me *This magical murder-mystery blends the supernatural with the psychological ... surprising, moving and rewarding * Daily Express *A skilful blend of the supernatural and the psychological . . . If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and the Woman in Black by Susan Hill, this is one for you * Mature Times *A sense of tension makes The Hidden People deeply uneasy reading, and it's to Littlewood's credit that she sustains this uncertainty so cleverly, without landing on one explanation or the other till the whole of her tremendous tale is told . . . As mesmerising as it is magical, and as quickening as it is at times sickening, The Hidden People is, at the last, an excellent successor to Littlewood's darkly-sparkling debut * Tor.com *The novel has a strange and dreamlike quality to it, almost as if a fog is hanging over the town, and when combined with the bizarre townsfolk and the disturbing mystery at its center, it makes for a book that disturbs the reader as new dimensions unfold piece by piece * Barnes and Noble *Littlewood weaves a plot that's as complex as any contemporary thriller, made more labyrinthine by the supernatural elements; a tense atmosphere permeates the novel, growing in strength to become more disturbing with each passing chapter . . . Anyone expecting a gore-fest or a fairy apocalypse will be disappointed, but for those wanting to observe how subtle psychological horror can be, how the deepest fears can be contained in the smallest of actions, and that the gothic novel is still incredibly powerful even in these modern times, this is the book for them. * Starburst Magazine *A dark Victorian gothic murder-mystery novel with a chillingly authentic feel * Choice Magazine *Definitely ticks all the boxes . . . a brilliant story full of mystery, murder and intrigue * Garbage-file *The Hidden People deftly drops readers into a bygone world where wise women dabble in foretelling the future and sharing herbal concoctions; hobgoblins, changelings and fairies are evident, if you know how to look; and folktales and fantasies can pervade the mind, bringing on delusions and misconceptions that threaten to overwhelm even the most logically minded soul * Shelf Awareness *An enjoyable, dark tale. It is an intriguing Victorian murder mystery filled with interesting themes surrounding folklore and superstition in the 19th century, along with some unforgettable characters * Owl on the Bookshelf *Perfect . . . a story that's exquisitely unsettling * Blue Book Balloon *Alison Littlewood is one of the brightest stars in the horror genre at the moment . . . The Hidden People is impeccably written, quiet, evocative horror. It's yet another must buy from Littlewood. * This is Horror *The atmosphere Alison Littlewood conjures up in The Hidden People is absorbing and there's a real sense of foreboding, you feel the fairies might show themselves at any moment. * Irish News *A brilliant novel * Tim Lebbon *The time and place are evoked with exquisite minute detail that I was swept up in it all - never has the phrase ' away with the fairies" seemed more apt * The Book Trail *The time stops completely, as a reader you're forced to take in all the sounds and sights...You'll constantly question who's bonkers and whether you'll actually meet a real fairy in the story . . . If it wasn't published in October 2016 but rather in early 1900s, it would easily be one of the classics now. * Cover to Cover *[Littlewood] writes the books I love - fairy tales, folklore and mystery all seamlessly woven together * The Bookish Outsider *The story is utterly atmospheric, full of the kind of beautiful, exquisite detail that slowly creeps up on you. Littlewood also writes wonderfully and has a flair for bringing a historical setting to life * Bibliosanctum *Beautifully atmospheric. It's not so much shock-and-awe jump-scare horror as a slow, creeping buildup of wrongness that she creates by subtly weaving together details. She paints a vivid picture of Halfoak, and then starts to tear it apart, bit by bit. * SF Revu *A meticulously imagined novel of a bourgeois London gentleman investigating a northern cousin's immolation under similar circumstances. In Yorkshire, Albert Mirrals gradually finds that the rational explanations he once entertained for what he believes was his cousin's murder - domestic violence, jealousies - become entwined with the lyrical madness of possession. Quotations from Yeats and other poets magnify the effects of Littlewood's carefully period prose * Seattle Review of Books *Littlewood weaves a great story here, with plenty of questions and atmosphere to keep readers turning the pages.The story was compelling, the characters interesting and complex, and it was an evocative novel that's going to have a solid place of my bookshelves from now on. Definitely recommended for those who are looking for something beyond typical urban fantasy fare, for those who enjoy historical fiction, and also, for those like me who have a soft spot for genre-breaking fiction that leaves you hungry for more * Bibliotropic *The characters and story itself were absolutely fantastic! An amazing mystery that messes with your mind and keeps you wondering what is happening from start to end . . . incredibly well thought out and put together * Roadside Reader *Littlewood has a real talent. The Hidden People is one of the most well written books I have read this year * The Quillery *This is a super creepy read whether you want to believe or not * Den of Geek *The perfect October read * Books, Bones & Buffy *Littlewood's best novel yet . . . a sustained and convincing work of traditional gothic horror -- Stephen Teaker * Black Static *The ominous pacing and twisting plot build suspense, as the tale grows more unsettling with every page * Barnes and Noble *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SIX FOUR: A TENSE INVESTIGATION IN THE AFTERMATH OF AN AIR DISASTER - FOR FANS OF SPOTLIGHT AND AFTER THE CRASH.'He's a master' New York Times Book Review'Very different . . . to almost anything out there' Observer1985. Kazumasa Yuuki, a seasoned reporter at the North Kanto Times, runs a daily gauntlet against the power struggles and office politics that plague its newsroom. But when an air disaster of unprecedented scale occurs on the paper's doorstep, its staff are united by an unimaginable horror, and a once-in-a-lifetime scoop.2002. Seventeen years later, Yuuki remembers the adrenaline-fuelled, emotionally charged seven days that changed his and his colleagues' lives. He does so while making good on a promise he made that fateful week - one that holds the key to its last unsolved mystery, and represents Yuuki's final, unconquered fear.'Seventeen is a brilliant novel on any level - it's a gripping page turner, while remaining moving and complex. It's a deeply satisfying read and it will be a while before I read anything as good' William Ryan'An astringent, unforgiving picture of modern Japanese society' GuardianTrade ReviewSeventeen is a brilliant novel on any level - but as a thriller it's a gripping page turner, while remaining moving and complex. It's a deeply satisfying read and it will be a while before I read anything as good. -- William RyanYokoyama's successor to the mesmeric Six Four is every bit as ambitious and compelling. Reinventing the genre of the investigative thriller to create something rich and strange. -- Barry ForshawYokoyama possesses that elusive trait of a first-rate novelist: the ability to grab readers' interest and never let go. * Washington Post *Addictive. * The Times *A binge read. -- Mark Lawson * Guardian *An education about Japan. -- David PeaceA gripping newsroom drama . . . it's a testament to Yokoyama's narrative skills that this story of office politics remains taut and tense through every page . . . a fantastic page turner. * Japan Times *

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'WILL MAKE READERS LONG FOR LAZY DAYS IN RURAL FRANCE' Irish IndependentA missing art student. An international investigation. A secret that will shatter Bruno's charming village of St Denis.A rich American art student is found dead at the bottom of a well in an ancient hilltop castle. The young woman, Claudia, had been working in the archives of an eminent French art historian, a crippled Resistance war hero, at his art-filled chateau. As Claudia's White House connections get the US Embassy and the FBI involved, Bruno traces the people and events that led to her fatal accident - or was it murder?Bruno learns that Claudia had been trying to buy the chateau and art collection of her tutor, even while her researches led her to suspect that some of his attributions may have been forged. This takes Bruno down a trail that leads him from the ruins of Berlin in 1945, to France's colonial war in Algeria.The long arm of French history has reached out to find a new victim, but can Bruno identify the killer - and prove his case?**************************************What readers are saying about The Body in the Castle Well'I loved the book and strongly recommend it' 5* Reader Review'Interesting plot, satisfying mystery to solve, accompanied by lovely descriptions of the beautiful Périgord region of France' 5* Reader Review'My favourite author' 5* Reader Review'As always, a book about Bruno is a delight' 5* Reader Review'Another gem . . . One of his very best, not just a good and clever story, but particularly rich in French history' 5* Reader Review

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Book Synopsis· AN INTERNATIONAL NO.1 BESTSELLER ·'Anne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction.' Jo Nesbø____________________The snow is falling Selma Falck is living a nightmare. Trapped in a burning cabin on a freezing snow-covered mountain, she has no idea where she is or how she got there. Bruised, bleeding and naked, she barely makes it out in time as the flames engulf the cabin. With no signs of human habitation nearby, the temperature rapidly dropping, and a blizzard approaching, how will she survive? She's lost in the wilderness As Selma fights the cold, the hunger and her own wounds, she eventually forms a frightening picture of the past six months. Not only does she have to find a way to stay alive, she needs to make it back to civilization, quickly. Murder has been committed, and a great injustice must be stopped. The very future of the nation itself is at stake...If the cold doesn't kill her, they will... Trade ReviewAnne Holt is the godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction. * Jo Nesbø *Lively, unusual and persuasive. Holt writes with the command we have come to expect from the top Scandinavian writers. * The Times *Anne Holt is a thriller writer of the highest order. * Liza Marklund *Step aside, Stieg Larsson, Holt is the queen of Scandinavian crime thrillers. * Red Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThrilling Regency romance, set against an Outlander-like background of passion and war, this will delight lovers of Poldark and Bridgerton. 1825 Cornwall and France Clemency Arwenack never dreamed she would be appointed lady-in-waiting to the notorious, headstrong Princess Royal, heir apparent to the English throne. In fact it's the last thing she wants. But Clemency dares not refuse, while her scheming godmother is threatening to expose her deepest secret. Worse still, Clemency's childhood friend, the Hon Lieutenant Colonel Kit Helford is now captain of the royal guard, charged with escorting the Princess Royal to France. If anyone can see through Clemency's web of deceit, it's Kit – just as wild and handsome as he's always been. And just as much trouble. The third novel in the Bridgerton-style Regency world of Katy Moran's wild and dissolute Lamorna family. Welcome to Kit and Clemency's story... 'Passionate, smart and action-packed' Sarah Hughes, Guardian 'Lush, dark, utterly real and achingly romantic' Ruth Ware 'An absolute joy of a book. From the wild beauty of Cornwall to the breathless danger of a teetering peace treaty at Fontainebleau, Katy Moran whisks us on a desperately exhilarating dance through scandal, intrigue and treachery. Like all the best balls, I didn't want it to end' Holly HepburnTrade ReviewFull of glamour, gossip and gripping intrigue * Yours *There’s drama and daring-do aplenty in this proper page-turner of a novel, a breathless romp with a gripping plot and well-realised characters (Katy Moran has a particular knack for creating memorable heroines), which would appeal to those who appreciate a contemporary homage to the regency romances of Georgette Heyer, fans of the TV series Bridgerton, anyone pining for Poldark, or simply in need of a good read * Countryman Magazine *PRAISE FOR WICKED BY DESIGN AND FALSE LIGHTS: 'A thrilling, sexy romp through brilliantly reimagined history. Hester is one of my very favourite heroines and it's probably best not to ask what I'd like to do with Crow... Totally absorbing' Holly Hepburn. 'Sweeping and romantic, with a hero to rival Ross Poldark, Wicked by Design is a fantastic and compelling novel that draws you in and paints a glorious alternative St Petersburg, keeping you hooked until the end' Imogen Edwards-Jones. 'A swashbuckling, sparkling world of a novel [...] with a mad, bad and dangerous to know hero' Suzannah Dunn. 'Excellent writing and characterization... with special mention for Hester: a fizzing-with-life, believable and resourceful heroine if ever there was one' Daily Mail. 'A cross between Georgette Heyer, Dorothy Dunnett and Poldark' * iNews *

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Book SynopsisAD 643. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and the sixth instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles. Heading south to lands he once considered his home, Beobrand is plunged into a dark world of piracy and slavery when an old friend enlists his help to recover a kidnapped girl. Embarking onto the wind-tossed seas, Beobrand pursues his quarry with single-minded tenacity. But the Whale Road is never calm and his journey is beset with storms, betrayal and violence. As the winds of his wyrd blow him ever further from what he knows, will Beobrand find victory on his quest or has his luck finally abandoned him? Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society 'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald 'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron 'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans 'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay 'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser CollardTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE BERNICIA CHRONICLES: 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society. 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind. Harffy knows his genre inside out and The Cross and the Curse proves it' Giles Kristian. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles. 'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' -- Simon Turney

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Book SynopsisIntroduced by David MitchellIn a coastal village in medieval Japan, a young boy called Isaku battles to keep his family alive against the odds. With his father gone, Isaku is forced to grow up well before his time. He must learn how to catch fish, how to distil salt, and about all the mysteries of the vast churning sea, not least the legend of O-fune-sama, of ships wrecked offshore providing the village with unexpected bounty. When a ship founders on the rocks, Isaku and the villagers rejoice. Long have they prayed for the sea's gifts. But the cargo is not at all the blessing they had hoped for. At first mystifying, then terrifying, something dark is coming ashore and it's about to change their lives forever.Trade ReviewExquisitely paced * * Sunday Times * *Haunting * * Guardian * *A haunting and beautifully rendered tale of enduring optimism * * Herald * *Has all the turbulent power of the sea * * Scotsman * *Set against [a] tapestry of near-nihilistic misery, Yoshimura's chiaroscuro touches of hope and love hint at something more profound * * Times Literary Supplement * *

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Book SynopsisNadolny's masterpiece, The Discovery of Slowness tells the incredible story of Sir John Franklin, a sailor and explorer who battled the frozen Arctic wastes and paved the way for the discovery of the Northwest Passage. Ridiculed for his slowness in his youth, Franklin's quiet calm later helps him to become an icon of adventure.A classic of contemporary German literature, The Discovery of Slowness is not only a riveting account of a remarkable life but also a profound and thought-provoking meditation on time.Trade ReviewThis is both a wonderful historical novel and a spell-binding individual portrait . . . This is a marvellous translation of a masterly work * * Observer * *Nadolny brilliantly sets the narrative pace to the rhythms of the frozen landscape, and to the slowness which is bred by hunger -- ROBERT MACFARLANETime, action and vision - a magical hat-trick and one that this translation pays faithful tribute to, capturing grand adventures like a detailed painting * * Scotsman * *Sten Nadolny shipped us into beautiful, fatal Arctic wastes with his spellbinding novels -- BOYD TONKINSlow movements of emotion and plot pull the reader expertly in, and the book with its self-consciously ponderous charm, offers all the pleasures of the best historical fiction * * Daily Telegraph * *

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Book Synopsis'Gripping' Guardian'Pacy and stylish' Jeremy Vine 'It was never meant to be like this. Sabotage, yes. Propaganda, yes. All of that and more - but not this. Not murder.'South Africa has become a powder keg. Its precious land is being sold off to the highest bidders while the country's corrupt elite pocket the profits. As the dreams and hopes of its people are threatened, frustration turns to violence. With the shocking murder of one of the country's bright young hopes, the fuse is well and truly lit.Conflict mediator Lindi and her childhood friend Kagiso find themselves in the heart of the chaos, fighting to save themselves and their country as events are set in motion that no one - least of all they - can control.Trade ReviewA gripping tale of events spinning out of control in a country struggling to redefine itself * * Guardian * *Pacy and stylish; immensely gripping - what a read -- JEREMY VINEGeorge Alagiah manages to give us the best of both worlds: an absorbing, pacy thriller with great political depth -- TAHMIMA ANAMCombining fast-paced plotting with Alagiah's deep knowledge of the region, The Burning Land addresses the moral issues at the heart of the rainbow nation * * Daily Mail * *Daring, jolting, prescient -- SIZWE MPOFU-WALSHA suspenseful and enlightening novel that portrays the extreme violence in the new South Africa with authority, precision of detail, and the kind of insight that makes the different factions and characters caught in the midst of the drama come vividly to life -- SHEILA KOHLERHugely topical, harrowing, humane and beautifully-written. Don't miss this -- AMANDA CRAIGVividly written and masterfully constructed, Alagiah's assured debut is full of suspense and sudden drama -- Author’s Club Best First Novel AwardAs an insight into the machinations of life in a contemporary South Africa . . . it is a real eye-opener * * Bookmunch * *Praise for George Alagiah: Courageous, controversial, compassionate * * Daily Mail * *

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Book SynopsisPart XV: Mark Mower, Thomas Fortenberry, Robert Perret, Tracy J. Revels, Robert Stapleton, Peter Coe Verbica, Maurice Barkley, Edward A. Enstrom, William Todd, Roger Riccard, Kelvin Jones, Arthur Hall, Jack Grochot, David Marcum, Dick Gillman, Will Murray, Tim Symonds, Mike Hogan, Leslie Charteris and Denis Green, Nick Cardillo, and Darryl Webber with Two Poems by Christopher James and Forewords by Will Thomas, Roger Johnson, Melissa Grigsby, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum. 66 Stories New Holmes Adventures in 3 Simultaneously Published Volumes. In 1881, a weary doctor, wounded while serving in the military in Afghanistan, returned to London, only to be introduced to a most unusual young man who was already making a name for himself as the world’s first consulting detective. At that time, they were just in their late twenties, unaware of their legendary futures. They would go on to become two of the most famous and recognizable figures in the world: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson. In 1887, Holmes and Watson’s first investigation as a team, A Study in Scarlet was published. The Sign of Four followed in 1890, and then, in 1891, the world was electrified with the publication of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in the newly-formed Strand Magazine. And the world would never be the same. Through the rest of the Nineteenth Century, and all the way through the Twentieth as well, Holmes and Watson’s fame would grow. The Twenty-first Century is no different . . . . In 2015, The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories burst upon the scene, featuring stories set within the correct time period, and written by many of today’s leading Sherlockian authors from around the world. That first anthology, spread over three huge volumes, contained 63 stories and was the largest collection of its kind ever assembled in one place. Response was immediately and overwhelmingly positive, and soon there were calls for additional collections. Now, we proudly present Parts XIII, XIV, and XV, breaking the record of the first three volumes with 66 new adventures of Holmes and Watson. Over 150 contributors (so far) to the accumulated volumes of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories have joined together from around the world to produce over 330 new Holmes adventures, each donating their royalties to the Stepping Stones School and the continuing restoration of Undershaw, as well as to honor Sherlock Holmes, the man described by Watson as “the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known.” All royalties from this collection are being donated by the writers for the benefit of the preservation of Undershaw,one of the former homes of Sir Arthur Conan Doy

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Book Synopsis64 new, traditional Sherlock Holmes Stories making up the latest three volumes in the world's largest collection of Sherlock Holmes Stories – XIX, XX and XXI.In 2015, the first three volumes of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories arrived, containing over 60 stories in the true traditional Canonical manner, revisiting Holmes and Watson in those days where it is “always 1895” . . . or a few decades on either side of that. That was the largest collection of new Holmes stories ever assembled, and originally planned to be a one-time event. But readers wanted more, and the contributors had more stories from Watson’s Tin Dispatch Box, so the fun continued.Now, with the release of Parts XIX, XX, and XXI, the series has grown to over 450 new Holmes adventures by nearly 200 contributors from around the world. Since the beginning, all contributor royalties go to the Stepping Stones School for special needs children at Undershaw, one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former homes, and to date the project has raised nearly $60,000 for the school.As has become the tradition, this new collection of 64 adventures features Holmes and Watson carrying out their masterful investigations from the early days of their friendship in Baker Street to the post-War years during Holmes’s retirement. Along the way they are involved in some fascinating mysteries – some relating Untold Cases, others sequels to Canonical adventures, and a number progressing along completely unexpected lines.Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as “the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known.”Featuring - Thomas Burns, Harry DeMaio, Tracy Revels, Steven Philip Jones, Mark Mower, Deanna Baran, Steve Herczeg, David Marcum, Arthur Hall, Will Murray, Gayle Lange Puhl, S.F.Bennett, Kevin Thornton, Christopher Todd, Matthew J. Elliott, Charles Veley and Anna Elliott, I.A. Watson, Robert Perret, Sonia Fetherston, and Susan Knight, with a poem by Jacquelynn Morris, and forewords by John Lescroart, Roger Johnson, Lizzy Butler, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum.

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Book SynopsisVolume VII contains the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth Thorndyke novels, published in 1931, 1932, and 1933, respectively.Pontifex, Son, and Thorndyke - Jasper Gray is an enterprising fellow going about his typical day when he''s drawn into a series of curious events. Meanwhile, Thorndyke is consulted on a seemingly unrelated but unusual suicide. When their stories collide, Jasper''s life will never be the same.When Rogues Fall Out - A disagreement between thieves and a policeman doing his duty leads to the policeman''s death. Thorndyke, Jervis, and Polton assist the official force to bring the killer to justice - and along the way investigate a most mysterious house . . . .Dr. Thorndyke Intervenes - An old case has current consequences when a human head is abandoned in a train station. Before the investigation is concluded, a visit to an ancient crypt and explorations in ancient British mines will lead to a restored inheritance.When Sherlock Holmes began his practice as a "Consulting Detective", his ideas of scientific criminal investigations caused the London police to look upon him as a mere "theorist". And yet, through his work, the science behind catching criminals became so important that it''s hard to now imagine the world without them.Many famous Great Detectives followed in Holmes''s footsteps - Nero Wolfe and Ellery Queen, Hercule Poirot and Solar Pons - but before they began their careers, and while Holmes was still in practice in Baker Street, another London consultant - Dr. John Thorndyke - opened his doors, using the scientific methods developed and perfected by Holmes and taking them to a whole new level of brilliance.Between 1905, with his first appearance in a nearly forgotten novella (see below), to 1942, and through the course of twenty-one novels and over forty short stories, Dr. Thorndyke, often with the assistance of his friend Dr. Christopher Jervis, unraveled some incredibly complex puzzles. Besides providing very satisfying mysteries - some of which turned the literary form inside out - these adventures present vivid pictures of England in the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras, ranging from the doctor''s own vividly drawn chambers at 5A Kings Bench Walk in the Temple to the surrounding London streets, and beyond into the villages and towns of the countryside.Many of the Thorndyke volumes have been difficult to obtain for decades. MX Publishing is proud to announce the return of Dr. Thorndyke in a collection of omnibus editions, bringing these masterful adventures of one of the world''s greatest detectives together in an easily available format for modern readers."Thorndyke will cheerfully show you all the facts. You will be none the wiser . . . ."- Dorothy L. Sayers, Chronicler of Lord Peter Wimsey

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Book SynopsisFeaturing Contributions by:Ian Ableson, Wayne Anderson, David Marcum, Gordon Linzner, Barry Clay, Derrick Belanger, Wayne Anderson, Harry DeMaio, Craig Stephen Copland, Matthew White, I.A. Watson, Paul Gilbert, Arthur Hall, Marcia Wilson, Margaret Walsh, Frank Schildiner, Dan Rowley, and Tracy J. Revels, and forewords by Nancy Holder, Roger Johnson, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum  "Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is crammed with papers, nearly all of which are records of cases to illustrate the curious problems which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times to examine . . . ." - Dr. John H. Watson So wrote Dr. Watson in "The Problem of Thor Bridge" - and ever since, Sherlockians have been bringing us new adventures from this legendary tin dispatch box. While Watson''s original First Literary Agent only edited the pitifully few sixty stories that make up the original Canon, there have since been literally thousands of traditional adventures about the true Sherlock Holmes - and there will never be enough! In 2015, The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories burst upon the scene, featuring adventures set within the correct time period, and written by many of today''s leading Sherlockian authors from around the world. Those first three volumes were overwhelmingly received, and there were soon calls for additional collections. Since then, their popularity has only continued to grow. In Fall 2016, the series presented its first "themed" collection - Part V: Christmas Adventures - containing 30 new adventures that proved to be extremely and enduringly popular. With that in mind, we now revisit that season, with 57 more Christmas Adventures, ranging from a consequential case that occurred when Holmes was still a teenager, to another in the late 1920''s when Holmes - in retirement - was still at the top of his game. The fifty-seven stories in these three companion volumes are a thrilling mix of mysteries, whatever the season. Some are directly involved with Christmas, while others occur during and in around that season. These represent some of the finest new Holmesian storytelling to be found by the best pasticheurs, and once again they honor the man described by Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known." 57 new traditional Holmes adventures in three simultaneously published volumes The game is afoot! All royalties from this collection are being donated by the writers for the benefit of the preservation of Undershaw, one of the former homes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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Book SynopsisThe Uncollected Cases of Sherlock Holmes presents eight new stories about Holmes which set the great detective against the background of Victorian England, an era of enormous progress, in science, transport, and medicine but which also witnessed a surge in urban poverty, prostitution and imperial adventurism. Each of the stories in this collection engages with an aspect of this background. In ''The Sicilian Defence'', Holmes comes to the aid of a disgraced army veteran who has fallen in love with a Sudanese woman and incurred the wrath of her father, whilst in ''The Archaeopterx'' Holmes has to recover an important fossil which has been stolen from the Natural History Museum. In ''The Missing Heir'' Holmes is asked to find the heir to a great fortune, considered by his family to be mentally unstable, and in ''The Dunwich Ghost'' he investigates the plight of an old army colleague of Watson''s who is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife.The Holmes who emerges from these stories justifies the description of him by Watson as the ''best and wisest of men.'' Whether investigating a gang of forgers, securing justice for a murdered prostitute or facing a Russian spy we see his ferocious intelligence alongside a strong humanitarian bias. Despite his idiosyncracies, his solitary temperament, his melancholia and addiction to cocaine, he is both a man of his time and a man for our time.The author of this volume is Geoffrey Finch, an Associate Lecturer in English Language at the Open University. Geoffrey has taught at Universities in Africa, New Zealand and the UK. He lives in Greater London with his wife and their cat, Humphrey, who makes a guest appearance in the fifth story, ''The Cathedral Cat''.

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Book SynopsisBrooke Robinson grew up in Sydney and as a playwright, has had numerous plays commissioned and produced in her native Australia. In the UK, her work has been shown at the Old Vic theatre and London's Vault Festival. She studied drama at RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts) and City, University of London. The Interpreter is her debut novel.

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Book Synopsis*PREPARE TO BE TRANSPORTED TO PLACES YOU COULD NEVER EVEN IMAGINE **A smart, twisty thriller that will transport you to the lush beaches of Sri Lanka ... just be careful who you trust when you visit.''A brilliantly crafted, wonderfully atmospheric thriller ... had my jaw on the floor'' A.A. CHAUDHURI''Terrific'' AJAY CHOWDHURYHardworking and overworked, Anika is a talented surgeon at a London hospital. It's been some time since she's had a decent night's sleep, let alone a holiday. Not ideal for someone with parasomnia a rare condition, made worse by stress, that can cause sleepwalking.When a patient dies on her operating table, important people start asking questions and the media and her colleagues turn against her overnight.It seems her only respite is to escape on a housesitting gig in Sri Lanka and to keep a low profile until the verdict on her case, and her career, is decided.Despite everything, she's excited to visit the place she used to summer as a child. But what should be a restorative beach break ends up being a trip back into a murky, haunted past that's been waiting for her all along.Anika left for what she thought was a dream holiday, only to find herself trapped inside another nightmare. Will she finally wake up to face her demons?''A beautifully sun-kissed thriller ... Will leave you gasping'' CARLY REAGON'' Taut, twisty ... The tension is constantly ramped up'' RONALI COLLINGSReaders LOVE The Lying Guest Great book. Was up all night reading ... I totally recommend reading this book straight away, the twists and turns are fab' 5*Unmissable the story is multi layered, fascinating and immersive. I loved everything about this'' 5*A twisty read ... secrets, lots of drama and a brilliantly written plot' 5*

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Book SynopsisDive into this gloriously sordid story of love and murder on the high seas. Somewhere in the Indian Ocean, 1851: McGlue is down in the hold, still too drunk to be sure of his name, situation or orientation but he has blood on his hands. He may have killed a man. That man may have been his best friend. As the ship makes its voyage home to Salem, Massachusetts, intolerable memory accompanies reluctant sobriety. A-sail on the high seas of literary tradition, Ottessa Moshfegh gives us a nasty heartless blackguard on a knife-sharp voyage through the fogs of recollection. 'One of America's most exciting - and most provocative - young novelists' Financial Times'You're in safe, if sticky, hands... A wild ride' The Times

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Book Synopsis'This is one terrific horror/suspense/disaster novel. Characters you root for and a story that grips from the first page' STEPHEN KING 'The Chill is an eerie dive into the murky depths of the supernatural. A story that has you looking back over your shoulder on every page' MICHAEL CONNELLY In this terrifying thriller, a supernatural force set in motion a century ago threatens to devastate New York City. In upstate New York a drowned village lies beneath the dark, still waters of the Chilewaukee reservoir. Sacrificed a century ago to bring water to the millions living downstate, the town's destruction was for the greater good . . . at least that's what the politicians said. Years later an inspector overseeing the dangerously neglected dam witnesses something inexplicable. It seems more than the village was left behind in the waters of the Chill; some never left at all. Now a dark prophecy comes to fruition. Those who remember must ask themselves: who will be next? For sacrifices must be made. As the dark water begins inexorably to rise, the demand for a fresh sacrifice emerges from the deep . . . Trade Review'Wow! This is one terrific horror/suspense/disaster novel. Characters you root for and a story that grips from the first page' -- Stephen King, number one bestselling author of The Institute. 'Horror has a new name and it's Scott Carson. The Chill is an eerie dive into the murky depths of the supernatural. A story that has you looking back over your shoulder on every page' -- Michael Connelly, number one bestselling author of The Night Fire. 'The Chill features a clever and chilling premise, and Scott Carson delivers on the promise of it with swift clear prose, well-defined characters, and terrific suspense. This is a must read for fans of eerie, gripping storytelling' -- Dean Koontz, number one bestselling author of The Night Window. 'The year's best spine-tingler is already here. The Chill is a good old-fashioned ghost story, meticulously researched and brilliantly executed. If you've ever wished for a cross between Chinatown and The Fog, Scott Carson has answered your dark prayers' -- John Connolly, internationally bestselling author of The Book of Bones.

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Book Synopsis'A terrific read from a very original voice' - Daily Mail'THE name to look out for in psychological thrillers' - Sun'Tightly plotted with great characters and pacing' - Prima'A compelling psychological thriller' - Crime MonthlyFor fans of Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell comes a powerful and haunting novel about family, secrets and murder.Is blood thicker than water?At five a.m. one summer's morning, police diver Jen Harper wakes to find herself submerged in the silt of a river with no memory of how she got there.Forty-eight hours later, she's called to dive in the same river in search of a missing woman, Claudia Franklin.But for Jen, this is no ordinary job. Her and Claudia's families were entangled for decades - there is unresolved resentment between them, unspoken secrets.Jen hasn't seen Claudia for twelve years now. Or has she? ___________PRAISE FOR SILENT WATERS:'Brilliantly plotted, utterly compelling and where nothing is as it seems. Add to that some whip-smart dialogue and you have everything you could possibly want in a thriller.' - John Marrs'Silent Waters is a highly addictive, ever-engrossing, one-sit-read thriller - once you dive in, you won't want to come up for air.' - Jack Jordan'You'll be spellbound from the first SENTENCE ... Simply wonderful.' - Jonathan Whitelaw'An utterly engrossing novel that will leave you as breathless as its characters!' - Sarah Lawton'A fascinating, constantly surprising mystery novel that pulls you in like a hidden riptide and builds to a heart-pounding and hugely satisfying finale. A wonderful read!' - C.M. Ewan'Propulsive and intricately plotted, Silent Waters is the thriller to watch for in 2023.' - Ella King'A tightly plotted and skilfully rendered story with strong characters that jumped off the page. Beautifully claustrophobic.' - Imran Mahmood'A compelling and atmospheric story of toxic friendships, secrets and divided loyalties all set around the competitive world of diving - loved it.' - Catherine Cooper'Fiendishly clever, fascinating and with a host of fully realised characters, Silent Waters is one of the most original and atmospheric thrillers I've ever read. I absolutely love L.V. Matthews' writing - it always takes you by surprise.' - Charlotte Duckworth'A police diver, a thwarted Olympic dream, a missing woman, and a body in a watery grave. [...] A thrillingly murky tale of tainted love and betrayal, an edge-of-the-jetty read. I dare you to jump in!' - Janice Hallett'Silent Waters is a brilliant, beautifully written thriller with an unusual premise and shocking twists. I loved it! Her best yet!' - Claire Douglas'A gripping intensity on every page that will have you racing through this book!' - Lauren North'Beautifully written, perfectly paced and as absorbing as the silent waters the novel describes! Had me hooked from page one to the gripping finale.' - G R Halliday'Silent Waters is dripping in menace. An exhilarating and immersive look into the highly competitive world of female diving. The delicious prose along with some heart-stopping twists and turns will keep you up all night. I loved it!' - Emily Freud'Haunting, visceral writing, a pulse-pounding plot, and characters you will take into your heart. Stunning.' - Lizzy Barber'With a captivating cast of characters - some I loved to hate! - I thoroughly enjoyed this dip into the murky world of police diving. Utterly compelling.' - Sam Holland'It me less than 24 hours to read this and I'm still reeling - so intense, so tangled, so beautifully written and utterly, brilliantly claustrophobic.' - Emma Christie'L.V. Matthews has done it again with a truly dark and complex thriller that will have you gasping for breath.' - Sophie Flynn'An original, compelling foray into the toxic world of Olympic diving, with Matthew's signature stunning characterisation and gripping plot. Silent Waters should be at the top of every crime/thriller lover's TBR next year.' - Mira Shah'Terrific, memorable suspense writing that draws you in. Silent Waters is a real up-all-night thriller.' - B P Walter'I was immediately obsessed with this brilliant, murky but warm story of deep-buried secrets and impossible choices. Gorgeously real characters and relationships and a compelling mystery with heartbreakingly high stakes. Loved it!' - Gytha Lodge'I loved the chilling, atmospheric and expertly plotted Silent Waters. A wonderfully intriguing mystery and a definite must-read!' - Karen Hamilton'I adored delving into the murky world of police diving as L.V. Matthews caught me in a fascinating tale of rivalry, lies, and long buried secrets.' - Sarah Bonner'So clever and claustrophobic with very smart twists ... A razor-sharp read!' - Kate Gray'Absolutely loved it. A twisty page turner ... Great premise, compelling plot, brilliant characterisation.' - Sarah Turner, aka The Unmumsy Mum, bestselling author of Stepping UpTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR L.V. MATTHEW'S THE TWINS - R&J BOOK CLUB PICK, SPRING 2021: 'Gripping' Richard Madeley. 'Full of intrigue and utterly absorbing from the first page' Judy Finnigan. 'A compelling page-turner with an excellent twist' Catherine Cooper. 'A fascinating tale of jealousy and betrayal' T.M. Logan. 'Easily one of the most captivating books I've read this year' Emma Christie. 'Dark, heartbreaking, twisty, and beautifully written' Charlotte Duckworth. 'Dark, compulsive and fiendishly clever' -- Sarah Bonner

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers and Jessie Keane, this gangland thriller shows how far one woman will go to protect her family's empire. ___________Most authors write what they know. Linda Calvey writes what she lived.After Ruby's husband, Archie, is brutally murdered, she is distraught.But with an empire to run, Ruby has no time for tears. Determined to keep her family safe, she sends her beloved daughter Cathy away, far from the violence and secrets.As Ruby fights off the affections of her business partner, Vladimir, as well as attacks from local gangs, she knows the game is too dangerous to stay in forever.But who can be trusted, and who is out for blood?In Ruby's empire, family is everything. So, when Cathy gets into trouble, Ruby vows to protect her, whatever the cost.IF YOU COME FOR THE QUEEN, YOU'D BETTER NOT MISS... ___________WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LOCKSMITH: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Up there with the best'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A brilliant, gripping story which captured me from the first page'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I could not put it down!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wish I could give it more than five stars!'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Action-packed and full of drama till the very end'Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR LINDA CALVEY: 'The Locksmith is the real deal, read it and be ready!' Joe Egan, seven-time Irish Heavyweight Champion boxer. 'Linda is the real McCoy, her stories take me back to dark and dangerous times. The people are hard as nails – just as it should be!' -- Freddie Foreman, The Godfather of British Crime

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Book SynopsisA crime novel meets a puzzle book in this spine-tingling escape thriller!This is the ultimate challenge for fans of fiendish puzzles, escape room games and mysterious crime thrillers. Answering each riddle correctly will lead you to the next page in the story.When his father dies unexpectedly, Noah returns to his sleepy hometown. There is evidence that his father was murdered... and the killer is still at large. Someone has set up a trail of cryptic puzzles for Noah to follow, and his father's old butcher apprentice, Max, tags along too. Is Noah being guided to his father's killer? When heavy snowfall traps him in the village, he is forced to embark on a quest for the truth before he can escape.

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Book Synopsis***ORDER NOW*** THE SIXTH NOVEL IN THE COMPELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, NANCY REVELL.‘Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!’ Northern EchoSunderland, 1942: Polly's heart and her future are hanging in the balance…Polly’s sweetheart Tommy has been declared missing while serving overseas, and although there is no certainty that he is dead, there is no guarantee that he will return home. Now Polly needs her friends more than ever, and the other women welders are ready to rally around her while she waits for news.The only one not showing support is shipyard manager, Helen. But looks can be deceiving, and beneath her cold exterior, Helen is wrestling with demons of her own, including one life-changing decision that could lead to potential ruin.As the war continues, the shipyard girls must support one another as they bravely soldier on.Praise for the Shipyard Girls series:'the author is one to watch' Sun‘A brilliant read’ Take a Break‘Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages’ WomanTrade ReviewStirring and heartfelt storytelling * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis___________________________THE SEVENTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIESSunderland, 1942: Christmas is fast approaching, and with it comes a flurry of snow and surprises...Against all odds, Polly's fiancé has finally returned home from the front line. If they can keep things on an even keel, she might get the winter wedding she's always dreamed of.Meanwhile shipyard manager Helen is determined to move on after a turbulent year. Her sights are set on breaking the yard's production record and no one, not even the handsome Dr Parker, is going to get in her way.And head welder Rosie's little sister Charlotte has turned up unannounced. Why is she back and so set on staying?Join the shipyard girls as they navigate through life, love and war this Christmas.___________________________Praise for the Shipyard Girls series:'Rhe author is one to watch' Sun'A brilliant read' Take a Break'Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages' Woman'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo

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Book SynopsisNO WITNESSES. NO EVIDENCE. NO MOTIVE . . .When Ellie Barker was three years old, her mother was found in a torched Cadillac, overturned on Mulholland Drive, with a bullet in her head.Many detectives had tried and failed to solve the case.Decades later, still desperate for answers, Ellie hires LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis, who calls in the expertise of brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware, to investigate.But as the two begin digging, they soon discover a string of dangerous threats still lurking in the present . . .Praise for Jonathan Kellerman's New York Times No. 1 bestselling thrillers:'Sophisticated, cleverly plotted and satisfying' Sunday Telegraph'High-octane entertainment' The Times'Exceptionally exciting' New York Times

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Book SynopsisA thrilling new collection from the bestselling author of The President is Missing. 13-MINUTE MURDER WITH SHAN SERAFIN: Michael Ryan can kill anybody in just minutes – from the first approach to the clean escape. An anonymous client offers Ryan a rich payout to assassinate a target in Harvard Yard. It’s exactly the last big job he needs to walk away from his life as a hit-man. But the hit goes horribly wrong, and now his beloved wife Maria is missing. Now the world’s fastest hit-man sets out for one last score: revenge. And every minute counts. DEAD MAN RUNNING WITH CHRISTOPHER FARNSWORTH: Dr Randall Beck is an eccentric psychiatrist with a terminal disease. This makes him fearless, which comes in handy when a patient is murdered before his eyes – a patient with an unspeakable secret. KILL AND TELL WITH SCOTT SLAVEN: Famous film director Wayne Tennet stands accused by his stepdaughter of crossing the line. Falsely, he swears. Now his life and career hang in the balance. But why would she lie?

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Book SynopsisThe second novel in the uplifting railway girls series. Perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Margaret Dickinson.--------------------------------- Manchester, November 1940As the war continues and secrets threaten the railway girls, they will discover the true meaning of friendship.---------------------------------For Dot, her job on the railways is everything. Transporting parcels around the country gives her pride that she is doing her bit for the war effort, but a growing friendship causes problems when home and work collide.Joan loves her boyfriend Bob dearly, but when tragedy strikes, her heart is torn apart, and she is forced to make a decision that could hurt those she loves most.Meanwhile Mabel has finally found a place to call home and her relationship seems to be going from strength to strength. However, the relentless bombing in the Christmas blitz is about to destroy everything she holds dear, and she will need her friends' courage and generosity now more than ever.Brought together by their work on Manchester's railways, the three women find that with the support and encouragement of each other, they can get through even the most challenging of times. --------------------------------- **Maisie's brand new novel THE RAILWAY GIRLS IN LOVE is available to pre-order now. Just search: 9781787463981** Readers LOVE the Railway Girls . . .'Beautifully written with a quiet charm' Jaffareadstoo 'Suberbly written . . . a gripping read' Ginger Book Geek 'Stunning . . . perfectly paced' Frost Magazine 'Poignant' Donna's Book Blog

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Book SynopsisTHE EIGHTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES!'Emotional and gripping' Take a Break______________________________Sunderland, 1943: With the future of Britain uncertain, the shipyard girls fight to keep their lives on an even keel. Head-welder Rosie is just about managing to keep her double life hidden from little sister Charlotte's prying eyes. But Charlotte senses something is up and, with a secret this big, the truth is bound to come out. After a whirlwind wedding, Polly must bid farewell to her sweetheart as he returns to the front line. And there is something odd about yard manager Helen's newest recruit Bel. But in resolving to uncover the truth, Helen might discover more than she bargained for... Only by rallying together will the shipyard girls triumph.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell 'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo 'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening Telegraph'the author is one to watch' Sun'Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages' Woman

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Book SynopsisTHE TENTH NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING SHIPYARD GIRLS SERIES'Emotional and gripping' Take a BreakDecember 1943 As the war effort gathers steam in Europe, it's all hands on deck on the home front. Gloria is over the moon to be reunited with her sweetheart Jack. But her sons Bobby and Gordon are away with the Navy and still know nothing of their mother's divorce and new half-sister. Rosie's squad of welders must work gruelling hours in the yard as they prepare for the Allied invasion of Normandy. All the while Rosie herself waits anxiously for news of her husband Peter, who is carrying out dangerous work as an undercover operative in France. Meanwhile welder Dorothy has a feeling that her beau Toby is planning to pop the question when he's next on leave. But it seems that her head is being turned by someone closer to home... It will take great strength and friendship if the shipyard girls are to weather the storms to come.______________________________Praise for Nancy Revell 'Nancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart!' Northern Echo 'Stirring and heartfelt storytelling' Peterborough Evening TelegraphTrade ReviewNancy Revell knows how to stir the passions and soothe the heart! * Northern Echo *the author is one to watch * Sun *A brilliant read * Take a Break *Well-drawn, believable characters combined with a storyline to keep you turning the pages * Woman *Heart-warming... powerful story telling from a great saga author. * CHOICE *

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Book SynopsisA cat-and-mouse thriller of rare intelligence, To Kill a Man is the latest from number-one bestseller Sam Bourne -- a twisting, timely story of power, justice and revenge.A woman is brutally assaulted in her own home by an intruder. She defends herself -- leaving her attacker dead.But this is no ordinary woman. She's Natasha Winthrop, tipped as a future president of the United States.When inconsistencies emerge in Winthrop's story, political troubleshooter Maggie Costello is drafted in to save Natasha's career. At first, Winthrop is hailed as a #MeToo heroine: the woman who fought back. But Maggie is soon forced to confront more troubling questions about what really happened that night. Did Natasha secretly know her attacker? Is there a link to similar attacks, in America and around the world?Who is Natasha Winthrop -- and what is she capable of?Praise for To Kill a Man:'Ingenious plot twists and insights into political campaigning, the Me Too movement and the darker side of the internet...this [is a] topical and thought-provoking thriller' The Times'Completely gripping and original. Sam Bourne puts female anger, vengeance and power at the centre of this, his latest and to my mind most exciting novel, to thrillingly cathartic effect' Hadley Freeman'A compulsive, zeitgeisty tale of gender politics and social-media manipulation. The perfect post-#MeToo thriller -- I gobbled it up' Louise Candlish 'Chillingly convincing' Daily Mail'A thrilling and involving mystery that provides a masterclass on American politics, but also has a real human story at its heart' Sunday Express'An absorbing and timely thriller' Irish IndependentTrade ReviewA Day of the Jackal for these dizzying times * Ian Rankin *In To Kill the Truth, Maggie Costello rivetingly tackles a cabal of Holocaust and slavery deniers, whose aim is nothing less than to destroy memory * Sunday Times *Urgently topical * The Times *A propulsive plot and an appealing heroine . . . The premise is both intriguing and, in the current climate of post-truth, fake news and sour populism, grimly topical * Guardian *Read this book * Jeffrey Archer *Chilling . . . You think today's news is nightmarish enough? Sam Bourne's provocative thriller imagines things getting much, much worse * Mail on Sunday *A dazzling thriller * Charles Cumming, author of The Man Between *Bourne's writing is chillingly plausible... Read it while it's still fiction * James Swallow, author of Nomad and Exile *House of Cards mixed with Homeland * Eli Attie, Writer/Producer, The West Wing *A barnstorming read * Raymond Khoury, author of The End Game *Brilliantly convincing * David Hare *A gripping thriller and a prescient warning * Sunday Times *Pacy, engaging and morally serious * Guardian *A pacy, intelligent thriller set in the treacherous world of Trump-era politics . . . Recommended * Jewish Chronicle *Grips from first to last page * Sunday Times Crime Club *Topical and thought-provoking * The Times *Chillingly convincing * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'A fascinating switchback roller-coaster of a plot' GuardianNovember 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall. One man is caught between East and West...The Stasi was among the most sophisticated intelligence organisations in the world, but by the end of the 1980s the Orwellian state of East Germany was collapsing around it.In the last few paranoid weeks of the Communist world one man will carry out one last desperate mission under the very noses of the Stasi. Dr Rudolf Rosenharte is an academic from Dresden and agent for MI6; his controller is Robert Harland. When Rosenharte's security is compromised he is faced with a stark choice: to defect to the West, leaving his beloved family to the mercies of the Stasi, or return to East Germany to carry out the most dangerous assignment of his career. November 1989 will mean the end of communism. But will it mean the end of Rosenharte?As an eyewitness to the incredible scenes of November 1989, Henry Porter brings the fall of the Berlin Wall to vivid life. Now, 30 years on, immerse yourself in a gripping read and allow yourself to be transported back to 'the end of history'.Trade ReviewBritish espionage fiction is the best in the world, and Porter is one of the reasons why -- Lee ChildAn espionage master -- Charles CummingA welcome return ... timely and terrific -- Mick Herron

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Book SynopsisLittle treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. American writer Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in 1851 but it took decades before it was finally regarded as a great American novel, and worthy of its place among the greatest texts of humankind. A tale of imagination and adventure, it recounts the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of a whaling ship seeking vengeance on Moby Dick, the white whale that had bitten off his leg on a previous voyage.

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Book Synopsis''An espionage story of high literary calibre'' Strong Words Magazine''A dramatic and thoroughly immersive account of loyalty, ideology and betrayal'' Guardian''A terrific new voice in spy fictionA complex, action packed portrait of a continent in ferment' Mail on Sunday''In remarkably granular detail, Worrall conjures up a Fifties Paris where historical and fictional characters coexist'' Sunday Times________________It''s 1951 and the servants of Stalin are closing in on the occupied nations of eastern Europe. As the Red Army tightens the net, Greta - best and bravest of freedom fighters - is told to escape to the West and undertake a dangerous mission.Greta''s task is to find a missing girl: the precious daughter of a partisan general who was sent into exile in the final days of the war.But the so-called Free World is no place for vulnerable young refugees. Europe is in rui

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Book Synopsis'Dark, timely and thought-provoking. It's a must-read' THE SUN'Visceral and raw. Buy it' GLAMOUR'Reminiscent of HBO's hit The White Lotus... The obvious read-alike is My Dark Vanessa' BOOKLIST'Packs an incredible punch' THE TIMES'It's set to be a big summer hit' The IndependentAn idyllic island. An all-consuming romance. The best summer of your life . . .But what if everything you remember was a lie?**********Rachel has loved Alistair since she was seventeen.Even though she hasn't seen him for sixteen years and she's now married to someone else.Even though she was a teenager when they met.Even though he is almost twenty years older than her.Now in her thirties, Rachel has never been able to forget their golden summer together on a remote, sun-trapped Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair - and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for - controlled much more than she ever realized.Rachel has never once considered herself a victim - until now.**********For fans of GIRL A, MY DARK VANESSA and LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE, The Girls of Summer is a bold compulsive exploration of sex, power and consent, and what happens when we revisit the past with rose-tinted glasses.'Beautifully written, transportive, and thought-provoking' LUCY CLARKE, author of THE CASTAWAYS'A mesmerising, unsettling and gripping debut' CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD, author of RUN TIME'Thought-provoking, timely' SARAH TURNER, author of STEPPING UP***********Readers are talking about THE GIRLS OF SUMMER:* 'In the age of #MeToo, this book is one that will ring true with so many people'* 'Beautifully written with a tense, emotive plot that will be relatable to so many women'* 'An excellent debut. Raw, real, and gut-wrenchingly familiar'* 'Wow wow wow! I am still thinking about it, it's one of those stories that stays with you'Trade ReviewIt's been a long time since I've read such a compelling debut. Beautifully written, transportive, and thought-provoking, THE GIRLS OF SUMMER sizzles with suspense. It's the book I'll be recommending that all my girlfriends pack for their holidays this summer * Lucy Clarke, Sunday Times bestselling author of THE CASTAWAYS *This startling debut...packs an incredible punch. The dark undertow of an idyllic summer and the lies girls are told and tell themselves are captured with stark, affecting honesty and evocative prose * The Times *This debut should be on every summer reading list... THE GIRLS OF SUMMER explores consent, the power discrepancies in relationships, control, and the intoxication of lust in a gripping read that is visceral and raw. Buy it * Glamour *Reminiscent of HBO's hit The White Lotus... The obvious read-alike is My Dark Vanessa, by Kate Elizabeth Russell, and the plot-driven tension will appeal to fans of psychological suspense * Booklist *A mesmerising, unsettling and gripping debut * Catherine Ryan Howard, bestselling author of RUN TIME *

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Book SynopsisCatherine Ryan Howard is the author of eight novels including the no. 1 bestsellers The Nothing Man, 56 Days and The Trap. Her work has been shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel, the Crime Writers Association New Blood and Steel Daggers, and Irish Crime Fiction Book of the Year multiple times. The screen adaptation of her lockdown thriller, 56 Days, is currently in production and will debut on Amazon Prime Video next year. She lives in Dublin.

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Book SynopsisA joy from start to frenetic finish.' The Times''Succession with a Highland twist... great storytelling'' Daily Mail A delight.' Irish IndependentThrilling!' Crime MonthlySuccession meets And Then There Were None.Every family has a secret.The mega-rich Pallanders are used to luxury a castle in the Scottish Highlands, a villa in Tuscany, a billion-dollar fortune and an island in the Caribbean but their perfect life is about to be shattered.Every father has a favourite.Sebastian Pallander dies, leaving a pitiful amount of money to his wife and children. His family fight over the scraps as old rivalries and bitter jealousies come to the surface. And when Pallander's son is killed in mysterious circumstances, everyone suspects foul play.Every killer has a motive.After a desperate race for survival, the relatives gather at their estate to weather the storm. They all begin to wonder: who will be next? Where has all their money gone? And will any of them get what they truly deserve?Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024

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Book SynopsisDiscover the uplifting literary murder-mystery with a uniquely loveable protagonist, perfect for fans of Elizabeth is Missing, Small Pleasures and Dear Mrs Bird.''A wonderfully warm and involving page-turner.'' Clare Chambers, Sunday Times bestselling author of Small Pleasures''A life-affirming novel, full of surprises. It''s a gripping literary whodunnit and so much more . . . I adored it.'' Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters''Full of unforgettable characters, a beguiling mystery with gorgeous prose' Jennie Godfrey, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things______________Florence Butterfield has lived an extraordinary life full of travel, passion and adventure. But, at eighty-seven, she suspects there are no more surprises to come her way.Then, one midsummer''s night, something terrible happens - so strange and unexpected that Florence or Florrie, as her friends call her is suspicious.Was this really an accident, or is she living alongside a would-be murderer?The only clue is a magenta envelope, discarded earlier that day.And Florrie - cheerfully independent but often overlooked - is the only person determined to uncover the truth.As she does, Florrie finds herself looking back on her own life . . .and a long-buried secret becomes ever harder to ignore.-------------------''[Fletcher''s] prose is extraordinarily lyrical . . . and her themes are profound.'' Sunday Times''A gifted storyteller'' Independent''Fletcher unpeels with delicacy and insight the complex layers of the human heart.'' Guardian

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Book Synopsis'The master of razor-sharp one liners. An absolute belter' - MANDASUE HELLER 'Brilliant. This is British crime writing at its best' - MARK EDWARDS 'May be his best yet' - WILL CARVER MY DAD SAYS BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN I BREAK IT... Daniel is looking forward to his birthday. He wants pie and chips, a big chocolate cake, and a comic book starring his favourite superhero. And as long as he follows The Rule, nothing bad will happen. But Daniel has no idea that he's about to kill a stranger. Daniel's parents know that their beloved and vulnerable son will be taken away. But Daniel didn't mean to hurt anyone, he just doesn't know his own strength. They dispose of the body. Isn't that what any loving parent would do? But as forces on both sides of the law begin to close in on them, they realise they have no option but to finish what they started. Even if it means that others will have to die... Because they'll do anything to protect Daniel. Even murder. 'Excellent as always. Grimy and heartbreaking in equal measure' - WILL CARVER 'A pacy, smart and darkly funny heartbreaker of a crime novel' - SUSI HOLLIDAY 'A stupendous piece of literary engineering' - JENNY O'BRIEN 'An intense and compelling read. Highly recommended' - LISA HALL 'David Jackson has done it again. The Rule is incredible' - NOELLE HOLTENTrade ReviewA cunning demonstration of the law of unintended consequences. It is horrific, hilarious and often rather moving * The Times *A stomach-lurching descent into parental desperation, full of surprises from start to finish. A gasp-out-loud read after which I dare you to break The Rule... -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALThe master of razor-sharp one liners, David Jackson's The Rule is an absolute belter -- Mandasue Heller, bestselling author of BRUTALBrilliant. Spiralling tension, wit and heart, this is British crime writing at its best -- Mark Edwards, bestselling author of THE HOUSE GUESTI really enjoyed The Rule. Jackson doesn't do cosy thrillers. You've been warned -- Paul Finch, bestselling author of STRANGERSAn intense and compelling read, that will evoke complicated emotions in every reader. Highly recommended -- Lisa Hall, author of BETWEEN ME AND YOUExcellent as always. Grimy and heartbreaking in equal measure, peppered with Jackson's trademark wit and humour. May be his best yet -- Will Carver, bestselling author of GIRL 4Jackson is one of the finest British thriller writers... a thrilling, propulsive and ultimately heart-breaking tale of the lengths a father will go to in order to protect his family -- Martyn Waites, author of THE OLD RELIGIONA pacy, smart and darkly funny heartbreaker of a crime novel -- Susi Holliday, author of THE RESORTDavid Jackson has done it again. The Rule is incredible. Creepy, emotive, dark tense and disturbing -- Noelle Holten, bestselling author of DEAD AGAIN

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Book Synopsis*** THE #1 KINDLE BESTSELLER *** *** A NETGALLEY BOOK OF THE MONTH *** 'Dark, heartbreaking and totally absorbing' - LORRAINE KELLY 'Brilliantly written and emotionally compulsive' - HARRIET TYCE 'A powerful and thought-provoking page turner' - KATERINA DIAMOND ________________________________________ CALL ME MUMMY. IT'LL BE BETTER IF YOU DO. Glamorous, beautiful Mummy has everything a woman could want. Except for a daughter of her very own. So when she sees Kim - heavily pregnant, glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop - she does what anyone would do. She takes her. But foul-mouthed little Tonya is not the daughter that Mummy was hoping for. As Tonya fiercely resists Mummy's attempts to make her into the perfect child, Kim is demonised by the media as a 'scummy mummy', who deserves to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, Kim begins to spiral, turning on those who love her. Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle... ________________________________________ 'Disturbing and distinctive, this is a book I couldn't put down' - AMANDA JENNINGS 'Tense and gripping, these characters will stay with me' - ALICE CLARK-PLATTS 'Psychologically twisty and utterly gripping' - LISA HALLTrade ReviewI loved [this] book. It's very dark, heartbreaking and totally absorbing -- Lorraine KellyHorrifying and beautiful in equal measure, the characters truly lifelike in their all too human complexities. Brilliantly written and emotionally compulsive. I loved it -- Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of BLOOD ORANGEA powerful and thought-provoking page turner. The definition of unputdownable -- Katerina Diamond, author of THE HEATWAVEIt's brilliant. I had to read the last half of it all in one go as I couldn't put it down -- Eddie Mair, LBC RadioUtterly absorbing - I loved everything about this book, but especially the deeply flawed, brilliantly drawn protagonists. Such an imaginative premise and so brilliantly done -- Catherine Cooper, author of THE CHALETPsychologically twisty and utterly gripping - a novel to make you question the way things appear at first sight -- Lisa Hall, author of THE PERFECT COUPLEI rattled through Call Me Mummy, biting my nails the entire time. Tense and gripping, these characters will stay with me for a long time -- Alice Clark-Platts, author of THE FLOWER GIRLSCall Me Mummy is a twisty, heartbreaking thriller... [a] searing debut * Best Magazine *Another must-read is Call Me Mummy by Tina Baker, a darkly comic thriller about two women who are worlds apart - until one steals the other one's child * Waitrose Magazine *A powerful, dark and bleak novel with broken characters that really got under my skin. Absorbing, gritty and very real -- Mel Sherratt, author of TICK TOCKDisturbing, distinctive, and peppered with black humour, this is a book I couldn't put down. If you like your fiction dark and compelling, you'll love Call Me Mummy -- Amanda Jennings, author of THE STORMSuperb. What a dark, troubling and beautifully written book. And it's threaded with a strand of bleak uncompromising humour which catches the reader off guard at the most unexpected moments. Read it! -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERSBleak but totally compelling and peppered with dark humour. Tense, twisted and totally unputdownable. Shocking and brilliant -- SJI Holliday, author of VIOLETA deliciously dark, emotionally truthful, sucker punch of a novel. Creepy, twisty and all too credible. A stunning debut -- Paul Burston, author of THE CLOSER I GETAn astonishing debut. Beautifully written, but also raw and uncompromising, this is a gut-punch of a novel -- David Jackson, author of THE RESIDENTA peerlessly original thriller, pushing at the sore edges of motherhood and childlessness. I read it with my free hand over my mouth and my heart in knots. Spectacular -- Kate Simants, author of LOCK ME INFrom the first to the last page I was hooked. The writing is flawless, and the characters are so realistically portrayed I felt I knew both women. I absolutely loved it -- Louise Mullins, author of I KNOW YOUBrilliant. A thriller so tense you dare not look away until the final page -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALI love these kinds of thrillers that touch on mental health, dark deep secrets and harrowing, tormented characters. A fast-paced thrilling read [with] a spectacular ending -- J.A. Andrews, author of YOU LET HIM INUtterly exceptional. Haunting, harrowing and very dark -- Victoria Selman, author of SNAKES AND LADDERS

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Book Synopsis'Topical and desperately urgent. I absolutely loved it!' DANIEL COLE, author of RAGDOLL 'Grabs you by the throat and carries you through to the explosive end' SARAH BONNER, author of HER PERFECT TWIN 'As dark and gritty as it is pacy and original' JANICE HALLETT, author of THE APPEAL To save your child you must open The Box... Ed Truman's family is falling apart. His daughter Ally is being targeted by an alt-right incel organisation, Men Together. His house is being picketed, former clients are accusing him of sexual assault, his son won't speak to him. And then Ally disappears. Frantic, Ed suspects that Men Together have abducted her. But before he can go to the police, his DNA is found on the body of a young woman. Suddenly he's the subject of a nationwide manhunt, led by the tenacious DCI Jackie Rose. Ed finds himself on the run with Ally's friend, Phoenix, who claims to know where Ally is. But what is the truth? Is Ed a violent sexual predator? Or is he the victim of a ruthless conspiracy? The answers are in The Box. But not everyone who goes in, comes out alive... From the bestselling author of The Regret, this heart-pounding thriller is perfect for readers of Harlan Coben, Mark Billingham and M.W. Craven.Trade ReviewAn intelligent, breathless read - has you questioning everything. Hard hitting and thrilling -- Deborah Masson, author of the DI Eve Hunter seriesA brilliant, pacy thriller that hits the ground running and never lets up! I raced through it in a day... Highly recommended! -- Guy Morpuss, author of FIVE MINDSSees a relatable and seemingly ordinary family thrown into a very topical and desperately urgent story. I absolutely loved it! -- Daniel Cole, author of RAGDOLLA super fast paced, high-octane thriller that grabs you by the throat and carries you through to the explosive end. With a wonderfully nuanced cast of characters and a chillingly plausible antagonist, I loved it! -- Sarah Bonner, author of HER PERFECT TWINAs dark and gritty as it is pacy and original. So vivid, real and *now* I had to keep telling myself it's fiction. A Clockwork Orange for the twenty-first century -- Janice Hallett, author of THE TWYFORD CODESuperb. My favourite book of the year so far -- Keri Beevis, author of THE PEOPLE NEXT DOORA wrong-man thriller so nightmarish and intense that it should come with a health warning -- Matt Thorne

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Book Synopsis'Topical and desperately urgent, I absolutely loved it' - DANIEL COLE 'As dark and gritty as it is pacy and original' - JANICE HALLETT THIS IS WHAT YOU KNOW: A far-right terror group has abducted your daughter Ally and framed you for a murder you didn't commit. She is being held in the Box, their top-secret 're-education' facility, location unknown. You've been approached by a stranger claiming to be Ally's friend, who says they can take you to her. THIS IS WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW: Whether you can trust this stranger. Whether you can trust the police. And just how far you'll go to bring Ally home alive. THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT. From the bestselling author of The Regret, this heart-pounding thriller is perfect for readers of Harlan Coben, Mark Billingham and M.W. Craven.Trade ReviewA super fast paced, high-octane thriller that grabs you by the throat and carries you through to the explosive end. I absolutely loved it! -- Sarah Bonner, author of HER PERFECT TWINAn intelligent, breathless read - has you questioning everything. Hard hitting and thrilling -- Deborah Masson, author of the DI Eve Hunter seriesVery topical and desperately urgent. I absolutely loved it! -- Daniel Cole, author of RAGDOLLAs dark and gritty as it is pacy and original. So vivid, real and *now* I had to keep telling myself it's fiction. A Clockwork Orange for the twenty-first century -- Janice Hallett, author of THE TWYFORD CODEA brilliant, pacy thriller that hits the ground running and never lets up! I raced through it in a day... Highly recommended! -- Guy Morpuss, author of FIVE MINDSSuperb. My favourite book of the year so far -- Keri Beevis, author of THE PEOPLE NEXT DOORA wrong-man thriller so nightmarish and intense that it should come with a health warning -- Matt Thorne

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Book Synopsis'A searing thriller that delivers shock after shock' - B.P. WALTER'Suspenseful and perfectly crafted' - VICTORIA SELMAN'A profoundly thrilling descent into the deadly nature of obsession' - JANICE HALLETTIt's always the husband... Isn't it?Astrid Webb is missing. The police have found her car crashed near the woods, the driver's door open, the seat spotted with blood. But there's no sign of Astrid herself, a sick woman who rarely left her house, who surely couldn't have left the scene of the accident without help.Her husband Bryan is sure that she's alive - after all, this isn't the first time she's vanished, only to reappear without explanation. But as the days pass, Bryan starts to look like a suspect in his wife's disappearance, perhaps in her murder. Because Bryan isn't telling the police the whole truth. Not about Astrid's stalker, their broken-in back door, or the threatening messages she received. And it seems as if both Astrid and Bryan have something to hide.Then a woman's bod

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Book Synopsis''Surprising and complex'' - B.P. WALTER''Suspenseful and perfectly crafted'' - VICTORIA SELMAN''A profoundly thrilling descent into the deadly nature of obsession'' - JANICE HALLETTIt''s always the husband... Isn''t it?Astrid Webb is missing. The police have found her car crashed near the woods, the driver''s door open, the seat spotted with blood. Her husband Bryan is sure that she''s alive - after all, this isn''t the first time she''s vanished, only to reappear without explanation.As the days pass, Bryan starts to look like a suspect - because he isn''t telling the police the whole truth. Not about Astrid''s stalker, their broken-in back door, or the threatening messages. Then a woman''s body is found in the woods, her face terribly disfigured. By staying silent, is Bryan protecting Astrid, or protecting himself?From the bestselling author of The Regret and The Box, this heart-pounding thriller is perfect for readers of Harlan Coben, Mark Billingham and Alex North.''Proper entertainment'' - EMMA CURTIS''An utter page-turner'' - SARAH BONNER''So many twists and turns'' - SAM HOLLAND

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Book SynopsisNow a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'A blissful novel of unapologetic appetites ... here is a writer who understands life' JESSIE BURTON, author of THE MINIATURIST London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge. On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both. The Essex Serpent is a thrilling and unforgettable novel of intrigue, love, and the many forms it can take. A modern classic perfect for fans of Jessie Burton, Sarah Waters and Stacey Halls, THE ESSEX SERPENT is now a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston.Trade ReviewThe Essex Serpent is a novel to relish: a work of great intelligence and charm, by a hugely talented author -- Sarah WatersHad Charles Dickens and Bram Stoker come together to write the great Victorian novel, I wonder if it would have surpassed The Essex Serpent? No way of knowing, but with only her second outing, Sarah Perry establishes herself as one of the finest fiction writers working in Britain today. -- John BurnsideA big, warm, generous novel that wears its considerable wisdom lightly, The Essex Serpent is an absolute pleasure from start to finish - I truly didn't want it to end. -- Melissa HarrisonThe Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry [is] a joyous and beguiling book that wrapped itself around me rather like its eponymous monster. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkA blissful novel of unapologetic appetites, where desire and faith mingle on the marshes, but friendship is the miracle. Sarah Perry has the rare gift of committing the uncommittable to prose - that is to say: here is a writer who understands life. -- Jessie BurtonA book to make you want to be a better person. -- Justine Jordan, The GuardianI loved this book. At once numinous, intimate and wise, The Essex Serpent is a marvellous novel about the workings of life, love and belief, about science and religion, secrets, mysteries, and the complicated and unexpected shifts of the human heart - and it contains some of the most beautiful evocations of place and landscape I've ever read. It is so good its pages seem lit from within. As soon as I'd finished it I started reading it again. -- Helen MacDonaldA sinuous historical novel by the genius that is Sarah Perry -- Lucy Mangan * Stylist *An historical novel with real depth ... Perry writes fantastically, and this deserves attention for the rest of the year. -- Steven Cooper * The Bookseller *One day this book will make a fine BBC period drama ... Perry is a wonderful descriptive writer with a remarkable talent for making the familiar strange ... Her accounts of open-heart surgery carried out half a century before antibiotics, or an autistic child questioning the nature of sin, or a soldier's wedding in the phthisic slums of Bethnal Green, snatch the breath in your throat. Perry bleeds light into darkness and back again with a mastery born of her deep professional acquaintance with the gothic tradition. -- Oliver Moody * Times *The Essex Serpent is a work of historical fiction, set in the 1890s, which, for originality, richness of prose and depth of characterisation is unlikely to be bettered this year ... a remarkable novel. Although Will and Cora provide the focal points for her story, Perry has packed The Essex Serpent with a rich array of equally rounded characters to hold our attention. The novel is full of vivid set pieces ... it is Perry's ability to conjure up a sense of entire lives unfolding before our eyes that is most impressive. Filled with wisdom about human behaviour and motivations, and written in a distinctive, stylish prose, The Essex Serpent is one of the most memorable historical novels of the past decade. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *One for the holiday suitcase. A historical romance with a gothic twist ... expect to spot a copy on beach towels this summer. * Vogue *An irresistible novel that taps the vein of Victorian gothic and British myth * Daily Telegraph *It's prompted comparisons to both Dickens and Bram Stoker and marries the former's abhorrence of injustice with the latter's genius for unsettling atmosphere ... Hardy-esque ... a rich and complex novel but also a deeply enjoyable read, with warm humanity at its core. -- Jeff Robson * iPaper *An irresistible novel ... Perry's Victoriana is the most fresh-feeling I can remember ... Her prose is often beautiful ... the tone is a masterstroke ... You feel the influences of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and Hilary Mantel channelled by Perry in some sort of Victorian séance. This is the best new novel I've read in years. It's the kind of work that makes you alive to the strangeness of the world and of our history. -- Charlotte Runcie * Daily Telegraph *Engaging ... On the book's cover, John Burnside compares The Essex Serpent to Dickens and Stoker. But it was one of my favourite novels, Alasdair Gray's Poor Things (1992), that kept coming back to me ... Perry takes apart our preconceptions of prim Victorian mores with similar gusto ... The Essex Serpent is a historical novel with an entirely modern consciousness, and is every bit as gripping and unusual as its predecessor. -- Alex Preston * FT *The Essex Serpent is frightfully good. -- Susan Hill * Twitter *An intelligent, lushly written gothic yarn ... Reading it makes you want to hotfoot it to the Essex coast. -- Claire Allfree * Metro *Everything they're saying is true: sumptuous, beautiful, powerful, engrossing, brilliant. -- Nina Stibbe * Twitter *A lovely book ... it sets out unashamedly to lift the spirits ... The writing has a gorgeous lilt ... The method is itself Victorian - an omniscient narrator scattering sackfuls of sympathy - but the message never gets old: the world is poorer if we don't put ourselves in each other's place once in a while. -- Anthony Cummins * Spectator *Sarah Perry's new novel The Essex Serpent is a thing of beauty inside and out. I don't think I've ever mentioned a book's cover in a review before, but Peter Dyer's William Morris-inspired design is stunning, a tantalizing taste of the equally sumptuous prose that lies within ... When it comes to historical fiction, Perry's achieved the near impossible; she's created a novel and within it a world that seems to have sprung complete and fully formed directly from the period in question - a long lost fin-de-siècle Gothic classic - but her characters are as enticingly modern as they are of their period ... Perry also showcases the most beguiling evocations of landscape ... For only a second novel it's a stunning achievement, one for which I predict prize nominations galore, from the Wellcome to the Man Booker -- Lucy Scholes * Independent online *A richly themed and exhilarating novel ... this poetically written story dramatises the clash between rationality and resurgent superstition, between desire, morality and the intellect, and the struggle of reformers to redress the poverty of late-Victorian society. -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail *Sarah Perry has written an exquisitely absorbing, old-fashioned page-turner peopled by memorable characters, particularly the magnificent, stubborn and wilful Cora. Perry also captures a society on the brink of a profound shift, uncomfortably reassessing its view of the world through the prism of scientific progress. The Essex Serpent is shot through with such a vivid, lively sense of the period that it reads like Charles Dickens at his most accessible and fans of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will also find much to love in this engaging, entertaining Gothic novel. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Express *A novel of ideas, and flexes its muscles in addressing multiple concerns of the period ... The novel probes at both private emotion and public concerns, and is engrossing and immersive. The grime of London is only surpassed by the murk of Aldwinter. Cora makes for an indelible heroine: uncompromising, funny and smart, and not unlike Alma Whittaker in Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things. There will also be whispers of Dickens or a gamut of 19th century novels of similar size and scale, but Perry's voice and story are her own. Her language is exquisite, her characterisation finely tuned. Based on The Essex Serpent and its predecessor, it's clear that Perry is a gifted writer of immense ability. -- Sinéad Gleeson * Irish Times *A Victorian-era gothic with a Dickensian focus on societal ills, Perry's second novel surprises in its wonderful freshness. There's a sense of Llareggub about close-knit Aldwinter, its flint church, historic oak and ribby shipwreck instantly present, while the tapestry of voices that results from the use of letters amplifies the Under Milk Wood echo. Perry's singular characters are drawn with a fondness that is both palpable and contagious, and the beautifully observed changing seasons permitted space to breathe, all making for pure pleasure. -- Stephanie Cross * Observer *An eerie tale of science and superstition ... gothically good. -- Eithne Farry * Sunday Express *It's 1893, and Cora Seabourne is a young widow whose husband's death has released her from a miserable marriage. Finally free to follow her own interest in natural history, Cora heads to Essex, hoping the recent reports of a mysterious ancient serpent may possibly turn out to be proof of a "living fossil . . . a species outwitting extinction". There she meets the local vicar, Will Ransome, and despite his scepticism about science and her lack of faith in religion, the two forge an unlikely bond. A bewitching and luminous book about science, faith and different kinds of love. -- Anna Carey * Irish Times *Dazzling * Woman and Home *The Essex Serpent is rare in being a novel that is both highly diverting and intellectually rewarding, in taking its thematic interests seriously while playing delightedly with romance and the Gothic. -- Sarah Moss * The Lancet *Sarah Perry...beautifully and deeply...elucidates friendships of all kinds in her books...I must recommend the delicate beauty and sinuous power. -- Lucy Mangan * Stylist *It's a brilliantly written story of one woman's life and relationships in late Victorian England and my favourite historical novel since Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger. -- John Meagher * Irish Independent *A graceful and intelligent book. -- Maria Croce * Daily Record *The Essex Serpent is probably the best novel I have read this year. It is the right kind of literary fiction: full of ideas, challenge, and intrigue, but with a compelling narrative that tows you through the pages like a freight train...Perry has created an ensemble of characters so richly drawn that each could warrant a novel in his or her own right...invigorating, fascinating, and hugely enjoyable. -- Malcolm Doney * Church Times *My stand-out novel of the year is The Essex Serpent...It's about love, faith and myth. I loved it. -- Jenni Murray * Radio Times *The eponymous serpent makes its presence felt throughout, but this novel is about much, much more than a winged demon terrorising the Essex countryside, and is all the richer for it. -- Kate Foley * Living North *One of the most-loved books of the last two years...Perry's descriptions of Essex bring to life the beauty of one of our more under-appreciated counties. * Emerald Street *The Essex Serpent has been hailed as a modern classic, and for good reason. It's an esoteric, whimsical book that joins the ranks of generations of Victorian and Gothic novels from Doyle to Shelley, all the while defying the very traditions these books have set down... The perfect book to read as you sit in an overgrown garden, or while tramping through the heath. * The Edinburgh Reporter *A Notable Book of 2017 * New York Times *

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