Crime & Thrillers Books

Book Synopsis''Glittering and sharp, an ice pick of a novel. An astounding talent''AJ Finn, author of The Woman in the WindowA haunting, nerve-jangling psychological thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Richard Montanari set in a small town hiding a very dark secret.When New York psychologist Will Hardy''s wife is killed, he and his teenage daughter Bernadette move into Godwin Hall, a dusty, shut-up mansion in the small town of Abbeville, Ohio.Meanwhile, Abbeville Chief of Police Ivy Holgrave is investigating the death of a local girl, convinced this may only be the latest in a long line of murders dating back decades - including her own long-missing sister.But what place does Will''s new home have in the story of the missing girls? And what links the killings to the diary of a young woman written over a century earlier?Praise for Richard Montanari''A relentlessly suspenseful, soul-chillTrade ReviewRichard Montanari's elegiac tone takes the curse off Shutter Man, a blood-drenched thriller about a group of imperfectly domesticated boys who came from the same blighted neighborhood and grew up to become criminals and killers - and cops . . . Gripping * New York Times *Glittering and sharp, an ice pick of a novel. Richard Montanari ranks among my favorite thriller writers. He devises plots to set your blood sizzling, peoples them with charismatic heroes and villains, and tops it all off with prose as lush and stylish as any you'll find. An astounding talent * AJ Finn *An ambitious and memorable thriller * Booklist *The plot twists and narrative conjuring tricks continued to the penultimate page . . . extra icing on what was already a very enjoyable and well-made cake * Crime Fiction Lover *Exceptional . . . an engrossing story * Publishers Weekly *The Buried Girl works on more than one level - the Father/Daughter relationship is beautifully done. Then we have a creepy, intense mystery element that is unpredictable and fascinating with a rich history and mythology that is utterly gripping . . . Absolutely excellent. One of my favourite thriller writers working today * Liz Loves Books (blog) *Richard Montanari's The Buried Girl will hook readers on page one and never let them go. The complicated story resonates long after the last page is turned * Auntie M Writes (blog) *Truly terrifying * Woman's Way *The Buried Girl was such a creepy story... and a damn good one! * The Misstery (blog) *A cracking good read * Promoting Crime Fiction *The Buried Girl is a perfect read for any psychological thriller reader with a cast of characters you can invest your time in. There is intensity, history, cleverness and gore to witness here and a compelling story of family and retribution to enjoy * Always Trust in Books (blog) *I devoured it-all the time regretting the pace of my reading-because it brought me to the end all too soon * Shelf Indulgence (blog) *A haunting, nerve-jangling psychological thriller * Read & Review (blog) *

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Book SynopsisFilled with drama and battle, tragedy and romance, Sharon Penman’s The Land Beyond the Sea tells the epic tale of a clash of cultures that will resonate with readers today.1172. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, also known as Outremer - the land beyond the sea.A young realm, Outremer was baptized in blood when the men of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem from the Saracens in 1099. The crusaders who stayed have adapted to an utterly new world: a landscape of blazing heat, exotic customs and enemies who are also neighbours.Seeking retribution for the massacre in 1099, Saladin, leader of the vast Saracen army, launches a campaign to reclaim the sacred land from its current ruler, Baldwin IV. But while the young king proves to be intelligent, courageous and dedicated to the welfare and protection of his people, he lives his life under the terrible affliction of leprosy which has plagued him from an early age.While the scheming of rivTrade ReviewPenman brings the teeming—and scheming—world of the brief, blazing Crusader kingdom to vibrant life, with a cast of characters that includes the royal houses of Europe, the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, the lords of the Church, Crusader nobility, and the surrounding Saracens. With her shining gift of storytelling, she makes this tapestry a colorful one, one that weaves all the richness of its setting and striving personalities into a stunning and meaningful whole. Elegant, detailed, and panoramic—like the world it describes -- Margaret GeorgePenman has created a saga of epic proportions. She has given us insight into the inner workings of the minds of the great men and women of the time. There is a lot here to savor * Historical Novel Society *From fierce battle maneuvers to the emotional corridors of an unexpected love story, readers will feel intimately drawn into the characters’ dramatic lives in Penman's splendid historical novel * Booklist *A riveting page-turner, and Penman’s well-honed skill for weaving deeply researched details into epic tales is on full display. Fans of medieval historical fiction won’t want to miss this * Publishers Weekly *Penman excels at depicting medieval warfare and the unintended, often disastrous consequences of the best-laid strategies. She is equally adept at depicting the rivalries and internecine strife that roil Baldwin's court—peopled by characters who are mostly related to each other by some degree of kinship—finding credible motives for everyone's grudges * Kirkus *Praise for Time and Chance: Sharon Kay Penman is the strongest historical novelist working the medieval period at present -- George R. R. MartinShe manages to illuminate the alien shadowland of the Middle Ages and populate it with vital characters whose politics and passions are as vivid as our own * San Francisco Chronicle *As one of Ms. Penman's oldest and most ardent fans, I believe The Land Beyond the Sea ranks as one of her three most accomplished and compelling books. Her books should never be gulped, only savored, and readers will be thrilled to both read and reread her latest -- Priscilla Royal

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Book SynopsisAn epic dungeon-busting adventure inspired by One Thousand and One Nights!Deep within the desert lie the mysterious Dungeons, vast stores of riches there for the taking by anyone lucky enough to find them and brave enough to venture into the depths from where few have ever returned. Plucky young adventurer Aladdin means to find the Dungeons and their riches, but Aladdin may be just as mysterious as the treasures he seeks. The fight between Alibaba and Hakuryu has come to an end, but at a terrible cost to the former friends. Hakuryu has been crippled and Alibaba’s rukh have been removed to another dimension, leaving Alibaba an empty shell. Hakuryu gloats that what has happened can never be undone. Horrified, Aladdin turns to face his own nemesis, the Magi Judar, for a magic duel the likes of which the world has never seen!

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Book SynopsisThe twentieth novel by Sunday Times number one bestseller Mark Billingham is a thrilling treat for fans and new readers alike - a prequel to his landmark, massively influential debut novel, SleepyheadTrade ReviewCry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thorne's twenty years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is. * Val McDermid *Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene - making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever. * Ian Rankin *The tense, double-edged ending shows he has become one of Britain's best crime writers * The Times *Mark Billingham is one the biggest names in crime fiction and one the genre's most formidable talents. * Peter James *Billingham is always a must read * Harlan Coben *That rare beast: a series that only gets better as it goes on. Mark Billingham is one of the best * John Connolly *What a treat. Cry Baby works as a way into the series, but it's even more entertaining for us aficionados to see the origin story of Billingham's hero, watching him become the man who would make his debut in Sleepyhead * Observer *Written with Billingham's characteristic flair and drive, with a protagonist who stalks every page * Daily Mail *Established fans and newcomers alike will be thrilled * Publishers Weekly *Mark Billingham has created a backstory for Thorne that is every bit as engrossing as you can expect. For me, the best prequel in the business is Endeavour, which looks at the backstory and development of Inspector Morse. Cry Baby is that good * Globe and Mail *Billingham is an absolute crackerjack of a writer [...] Cry Baby is an exceptionally thrilling mystery * Winnipeg Free Press *For anyone that hasn't read a Thorne novel yet Cry Baby will show them what they have been missing for the past two decades * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThis new mini hardback edition completes the series of collectable Miss Marple hardbacks the first time all 14 Marple books have had their own uniform hardback series.A weekly dinner partyTen amateur sleuthsThe Tuesday Club murdersOn a quiet Tuesday in St Mary Mead, a group of friends gather for dinner.A policeman, a clergyman, a solicitor, an author, an artist, and an unassuming lady with a shrewd gaze Miss Jane Marple. Conversation naturally turns to crime.Each recounts a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Each thinks they know the answer.But it's the one they least expect who understands the true nature of each wicked actNever underestimate Miss MarpleBillions of readers can't be wrong.'Dreda Say MitchellThe plots are so good that one marvels . . . most of them would have made a full-length thriller.'Daily MirrorTrade Review‘Without a doubt, the greatest mystery writer of all time’ – Ragnar Jonasson ‘A hundred years after her first novel, and we are all still standing in her shadow’ – Andrew Taylor ‘She gives us an insight into human nature that few, if any, have surpassed’ – Susan Lewis ‘Dame Agatha has sold more books than all besides Shakespeare and the Bible’ – David Baldacci ‘All crime fiction writers around the globe owe Agatha Christie a massive debt’ – Peter James ‘Reading a perfectly plotted Agatha Christie is like crunching into a perfect apple: that pure, crisp, absolute satisfaction.’ – Tana French

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Book SynopsisA wealthy Icelandic family gathers for a reunion in a remote hotel on the isolated lava fields, but when someone goes missing, dark secrets are exposed and everyone is a suspect … the chilling, gripping prequel to the addictive, award-winning Forbidden Iceland series… ‘A country house mystery worthy of Agatha Christie’ The Times Crime Book of the Month ‘As storms rage, people fall prey to a sinister figure. A canny synthesis of modern Nordic Noir and Golden Age mystery’ Financial Times 'In a Forbidden Iceland novel, there's no terrain more treacherous than the mind … a deep-dark thriller to read with the lights on' A J Finn 'Riveting, exciting, entertaining and packed with intrigue … like Succession on ice' Liz Nugent **WINNER of the STORYTEL AWARD for Crime Book of the Year*** –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The wealthy, powerful Snæberg clan has gathered for a family reunion at a futuristic hotel set amongst the dark lava flows of Iceland's remote Snæfellsnes peninsula. Petra Snæberg, a successful interior designer, is anxious about the event, and her troubled teenage daughter, Lea, whose social-media presence has attracted the wrong kind of followers. Ageing carpenter Tryggvi is an outsider, only tolerated because he's the boyfriend of Petra's aunt, but he's struggling to avoid alcohol because he knows what happens when he drinks … Humble hotel employee, Irma, is excited to meet this rich and famous family and observe them at close quarters … perhaps too close… As the weather deteriorates and the alcohol flows, one of the guests disappears, and it becomes clear that there is a prowler lurking in the dark. But is the real danger inside … within the family itself? Masterfully cranking up the suspense, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir draws us into an isolated, frozen setting, where nothing is as it seems and no one can be trusted, as the dark secrets and painful pasts of the Snæberg family are uncovered … and the shocking truth revealed. Succession meets And Then There Were None … A Golden Age mystery for the 21st Century, with a shocking twist. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 'A tense, twisty page-turner that you'll have serious trouble putting down' Catherine Ryan Howard 'Your new Nordic Noir obsession' Vogue 'Confirms Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir as a leading light of Icelandic noir … a master of misdirection' The Times Praise for the Forbidden Iceland series **Winner of the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger** **Shortlisted for the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime** **Shortlisted for the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger** **Shortlisted for the Capital Crime Award for Best Thriller** 'Chilling and addictive, with a completely unexpected twist … I loved it' Shari Lapena 'Beautifully written … one of the rising stars of Nordic Noir'Victoria Selman 'Fans of Nordic Noir will love this' Ann Cleeves 'Eerie and chilling. I loved every word!' Lesley Kara 'Creepily compelling' Heidi Amsinck 'Elma is a memorably complex character' Financial Times 'Exciting and harrowing' Ragnar Jónasson 'Fantastic' Sunday Times 'So atmospheric' Heat

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Book SynopsisLee Child (Author) Lee Child is one of the world's leading thriller writers. He was born in Coventry, raised in Birmingham, and now lives in England's Lake District. It is said one of his novels featuring his hero Jack Reacher is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. His books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. Lee is the recipient of many awards including Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours.Andrew Child (Author) Andrew Child is the author of nine thrillers written under the name Andrew Grant. He is the younger brother of Lee Child. Born in Birmingham, he lives in Wyoming with his wife, the novelist Tasha Alexander.

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and scathing novel about a crazed and determined man who has devoted his strange existence to saving southern Florida from con artists and carpetbaggers after a hurricane hits.When a ferocious hurricane rips through southern Florida, insurance fraudsters, amateur occultists, and ex-cons waste no time in swarming over the disaster area.Caught in the middle are Max and Bonnie Lamb, honeymooners who abandon their Disney World plans to witness the terrible devastation.But when Max vanishes, Bonnie, aided by a mysterious young man with a tranquilizer gun and a roomful of human skulls, has to follow her only clue: a runaway monkey.''Hysterically funny . . . Hiaasen at his satirical best'' - USA Today

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Book SynopsisA killer is on the loose. Three children have been abducted. The bodies of two returned to their mothers along with a desperately cruel note:You Got What You Deserved.Police Superintendent Adam Stubo is in charge of the investigation, and is convinced there's a crucial detail he's overlooking. In a desperate bid to get some answers, he recruits legal researcher Johanne Vik, a woman with an extensive understanding of criminal history.With a chance that the third child is still alive the clock is ticking. Can the pair solve the case in time to save her?The first instalment in the sensationally gripping Vik/Stubo series.Trade ReviewAnne Holt is the Godmother of Norwegian crime fiction. -- Jo NesboLively, 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 MarklundStep aside, Stieg Larsson, Holt is the queen of Scandinavian crime thrillers. * Red Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA brutal murder hints at a terrifying mystery, and this time it’s personal.A body is found on a quiet lane in Exmoor, victim of a hit and run. He has no ID, no wallet, no phone, and – after being dragged along the road – no recognisable face.Meanwhile, fresh from his last case, DCI Craig Gillard is unexpectedly called away to Devon on family business.Gillard is soon embroiled when the car in question is traced to his aunt. As he delves deeper, a dark mystery reveals itself, haunted by family secrets, with repercussions Gillard could never have imagined. The past has never been deadlier.From master storyteller Nick Louth comes the third instalment in the DCI Craig Gillard series. Compelling, fast-paced and endlessly enjoyable, The Body in the Mist is a triumph, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Faith MartinWhat readers are saying about Nick Louth‘An unputdownable, heart-thudder of a read’ Carol Wyer, author of Little Girl Lost‘This was up there with the best thrillers I have ever read.’‘Had me hooked from the start! I would definitely recommend this book.’‘It grips you from the first page to the last. Excellent.’

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Book SynopsisThe thrill of the chase, the steely-eyed detective (either gentle or hardboiled), the dark alleys and the double-cross, the unsolvable crime by a masterful criminal mind: this new title in our Gothic Fantasy Short Stories series features chills and double twists, unexpected turns and private investigators with an eye for the unusual, and contains a cunning mix of classic and brand new writing. Great detective thriller writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, John Buchan, G.K. Chesterton, Arthur Morrison and the Mother of Detective fiction herself, Anna Katharine Green, join rarely seen tales and completely new stories by modern authors: B. Morris Allen, Donald J. Bingle, Tom English, T.Y. Euliano, Tracy Fahey, Tina L. Jens, Tom Mead, Jonathan Shipley, Cameron Trost, Marie Vibbert, and Desmond White. As always our submission windows are packed with great reads so the successful stories are always a joy to publish.

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Book SynopsisSecrets of the Singer Girls is Kate Thompson's heartwarming and moving novel about the brave, hardworking women who kept the homefires burning in the East End of London during World War Two.1942. Sixteen-year-old Poppy Percival turns up at the gates of Trout's clothing factory in Bethnal Green with no idea what her new life might have in store. There to start work as a seamstress and struggling to get to grips with the noise, dirt and devastation of East London, Poppy can't help but miss the quiet countryside of home. But Poppy harbours a dark secret - one that wrenched her away from all she knew and from which she is still suffering . . .And Poppy's not the only one with a secret. Each of her new friends at the factory is hiding something painful. Vera Shadwell, the forelady, has had a hard life with scars both visible and concealed; her sister Daisy has romantic notions that could get her in trouble; and Sal Fowler, a hardworking motheTrade ReviewMarvellous, full of gutsy characters I immediately empathised with. -- Margaret PembertonThe way Kate Thompson writes ... made me feel that I was reading about old friends. I just had to keep the pages turning. I am sure that before long her readers will be clamouring for more. -- Pam WeaverAn evocative tale of a time when women battled together to survive and do their bit in the most difficult of circumstances. -- Ellie DeanA riveting and wonderful read. -- Mary WoodA poignant and moving story of the friendship of women during wartime Britain. -- Val Wood

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Book SynopsisA MURDER TEARS A SMALL TOWN APART. BUT WHO DID IT? A page-turning and heart-breaking new thriller from the author of BBC RADIO 2 Book Club pick and smash hit FOUND.''Brilliant, compelling, heart-wrenching writing.'' PETER JAMES''Full of twists and turns to keep you guessing, this is a gripping and compelling read you won''t want to put down'' HEAT The pretty market town of Sterndale is a close-knit community where everyone thinks they know everyone else. But at a lavish summer wedding a local celebrity is discovered slumped in the gardens, the victim of a violent assault that leads to a murder investigation. As the police search for answers, suspicion and paranoia build - and the lives of the locals are turned upside down. Secrets that lurk beneath the pristine fa?ade of Sterndale come to light as detectives close in on the truth... A gripping and moving thriller with the emotional drama of series like BTrade ReviewA one sitting emotional thriller - we loved it. * Woman's Own *Full of twists and turns to keep you guessing, this is a gripping and compelling read you won't want to put down * Heat *Emotional and gripping * Crime Monthly *

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Book SynopsisThe pulse-pounding new thriller featuring Cotton Malone. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Sam Bourne and Scott Mariani. The pope is dead. Cardinals are beginning to arrive at the Vatican to select his replacement, but one has fled for Malta in search of a document that dates back to the 4th century and Constantine the Great.Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone is in Italy, on the trail of legendary letters between Winston Churchill and Benito Mussolini that could re-write history. But someone else is after the same letters and, when Malone obtains and then loses them, he's plunged into a hunt that draws the attention of the legendary Knights of Malta.The knights are the only warrior-monks to survive into modern times. Now they are a global humanitarian organization, but within their ranks lurks the Secreti - an ancient sect intent on affecting the coming papal conclave. Malone races the rogue cardinal, the knights, the Secreti, and the clock to find what has been lost for centuries. Meanwhile, the election of the next pope hangs in the balance.Trade ReviewPraise for Steve Berry * - *My kind of thriller * Dan Brown *Berry raises this genre's stakes * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisWATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018!*******''Scotland''s Outer Hebrides provides the sensuous setting for this impressive debut...a beautifully crafted novel'' - Publishers Weekly''Lovely atmospheric descriptions of Hebridean light and landscape'' - The ScotsmanA captivating story of a crumbling estate in the wilds of Scotland, its century-old secret and an enduring mystery...Following the death of her last living relative, Hetty Deveraux leaves London and her strained relationship behind for Muirlan, her ancestral home in Scotland - now in ruins. As Hetty dives headfirst into the repairs, she discovers a shocking secret protected by the house for a hundred years.With only whispered rumours circulating among the local villagers and a handful of leads to guide her, Hetty finds the power of the past is still affecting her present in sTrade ReviewLovely atmospheric descriptions of Hebridean light and landscape * The Scotsman *There is an echo of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca in Sarah Maine's appealing debut novel * The Independent *A tremendous accomplishment. So assured, so well-judged, and with such an involving story to tell, this might be the author's fifth or sixth novel, not her first. A literary star is born! -- Ronald Frame, author of The Lantern Bearers and Havisham ...it came as a great surprise to learn that this was the author's debut novel. I predict great things for Sarah Maine * The Book Bag *Scotland's Outer Hebrides provides the sensuous setting for [this] impressive debut...[a] beautifully crafted novel. * Publishers Weekly *Maine skillfully balances a Daphne du Maurier atmosphere with a Barbara Vine-like psychological mystery...The setting emerges as the strongest personality in this compelling story, evoking passion in the characters as fierce as the storms which always lurk on the horizon. A debut historical thriller which deftly blends classic suspense with modern themes. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906) are two classic American adventure novels by Jack London depicting the evolution of two dogs in the wild, now presented together in this elegantly designed jacketed hardcover edition.

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.''Out of the dark we came, into the dark we go. Like a storm-driven bird at night we fly out of the Nowhere; for a moment our wings are seen in the light of the fire, and, lo! we are gone again into the Nowhere.''An amazing adventure set in Africa, against the backdrop of endless deserts and snowy mountains, Kings Solomon''s Mines follows Allan Quartermain, in his quest to find his missing brother and unearth the fabled treasure of the biblical King''s mines. Along the way, Allan and his companions are caught up in a tribal war and face fearful hardships, culminating in a final confrontation with the evil witch Gagool.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Jim Harrison was one of America's most beloved and critically acclaimed writers. The classic Legends of the Fall is Harrison at his most memorable: a striking collection of novellas written with exceptional brilliance and a ferocious love of life.The title novella, 'Legends of the Fall' - which was made into the film of the same name - is an epic, moving tale of three brothers fighting for justice in a world gone mad. Moving from the raw landscape of early twentieth-century Montana to the blood-drenched European battlefields of World War I and back again to Montana, Harrison's powerful story explores the theme of revenge and the actions to which people resort when their lives or goals are threatened, painting an unforgettable portrait of the twentieth-century man.Also including the novellas 'Revenge' and 'The Man Who Gave Up His Name,' Legends of the Fall confirms Jim Harrison's reputation as one of the finest American voices of his generation.Trade ReviewFast pace, enormous narrative power . . . Legends of the Fall stays firmly in the unputdownable class. * Daily Telegraph *Jim Harrison stands high among the writers of his generation. This book is rich, alive, and shatteringly visceral. A triumph. * New Yorker *Compelling . . . beyond question the work of a gifted and accomplished writer. * Washington Post *[Legends of the Fall] may well be the best set of novellas to appear in this country during the last quarter century. * New York Times Book Review *Legends of the Fall signalled that Jim Harrison was a writer who had the goods. * Los Angeles Times *So much American legend is packed into these brief pages that Jim Harrison must be admired as an almost sacred writer. * Chicago Sun-Times *

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Book SynopsisThe Prank is a contemporary thriller examining the fallout from a single moment in a reality TV programme that has devastating and long-term consequences.El, a young woman, still grieving from the death of her father, follows a stranger home one night. There she chances on a missing piece of the puzzle over his unexplained death.This accidental encounter sets in motion an obsession for revenge asking how far would you go to right the wrongs of a long-forgotten past.Trade Review'Pacy, absorbing and brilliantly topical' -- T.M. Logan, bestselling author of The Holiday'Smart, sly, sophisticated suspense' -- C.M. Ewan'A claustrophobic revenge story with an original premise and a high octane ending' -- Egan Hughes'Innovative, original and supremely twisty’ -- Charlotte Duckworth'A completely unique premise . . . This is one not to miss for all thriller fans' -- Vicky Bradley'An OUTSTANDING debut novel, it completely blew me away' -- Diane Jeffrey'A belter of a debut' -- Emma Christie'I raced through this juicy page-turner – a refreshing new take on the psychological thriller' -- Emma Rowley

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Book SynopsisTHE FIRST INSPECTOR TERESA BATTAGLIA NOVELA TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTHAn idyllic village in the Alps. A legacy of sin. An evil hiding in the shadows.Trade ReviewSuperintendent Teresa Battaglia, a criminal profile expert, is in her sixties, overweight, lonely, diabetic, full of the ailments of ageing - and delightful. It's rare that such a character enters crime fiction for the first time, and with such gripping impact. * Marcel Berlins, The Times *Creepy and evocative... but what gives this novel particular appeal is the sixty-something central character, whose abrasive manner hides a warm heart * Guardian *This book has all the right ingredients: a brilliant protagonist, an eerie setting and a community hiding dark secrets * Dead Good (Debut crime novels to watch out for in 2019) *Superintendent Teresa Battaglia is an Italian cop in her mid-sixties and as such a rather unique character in crime fiction where the leading protagonists are normally younger. She's overweight, diabetic and has been saddled with a new, younger sidekick, city inspector Massimo Marini which whom she initially doesn't hit it off too well despite all his own goodwill. A naked man with his eyes gouged out is found in an isolated forest and the two conflicting cops are assigned the case, which inevitably becomes so much more complicated when echoes from the past swiftly intervene in the investigation. The first volume in an Italian trilogy with these two characters proves a fast, enjoyable read with all the right police procedural elements, monsters in plain sight and even killers who might intriguingly provoke some form of sympathy amongst the reader, a clockwork plot and a suitable sense of place which verges on both the ominous and the exotic, this was a major hit back in its own country and one understands why. Impeccable crime writing. * Crime Time *If you are looking for a chilling murder mystery set in a landscape so majestic that it takes your breath away and fills your soul, head off to the Alps with the intriguing Detective Superintendent Teresa Battaglia, an Italian police chief who is set to give Tyneside's Vera a run for her money... Flowers Over the Inferno is Ilaria Tuti's stunning and atmospheric debut novel - translated into English by the talented Ekin Olap - and the first book in the Teresa Battaglia trilogy. Tuti lives in Friuli, in the far north-east of Italy, and she has harnessed all the harsh, wild beauty of this mountainous region near the border with Austria for a bone-chilling story of dark crimes and hidden evils festering in a small, claustrophobic community... Tuti's fast-paced, taut and gripping thriller has more than a touch of creepy Gothic as the Alpine scenery becomes the jaw-dropping stage set for a gruesome murder mystery where nature is red in tooth and claw, and a deadly menace threatens to engulf a village with too many destructive secrets... The battling Teresa Battaglia is the undoubted star of the show, a charming enigma who fills the pages with her compassion, good sense, empathy and tenacity but who can put a person in their place with either a look or a word... Her crusty sarcasm and razor sharpness hides a lonely, fast-ageing woman who refuses to surrender to her mental and physical vulnerabilities and instead uses every ounce of her determination and inner strength to fight on... Exciting, ice-coated, chilling and thrilling, Flowers Over the Inferno welcomes readers to the deepest, darkest shades of Italian Noir. * Lancashire Post *Exhilarating... Teresa Battaglia, who must deal with casual and constant sexism in her position of authority, is an unforgettable character readers will want to see a lot more of. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Small towns filled with secrets and an unlikely detective duo go together like an Aperol spritz before pasta - which is to say, very well... One of the best parts of Flowers Over the Inferno is the older, gruff superintendent Teresa Battaglia. She is out of shape, diabetic and busy fighting the early stages of Alzheimer's disease - on top of handling a complex case. We sympathise with Battaglia quite naturally, and it's nice to see a cop who isn't slim and sexy chasing after serial killers. * NPR *In the seclusion of a cloistered location in the Italian Alps, bloody violence is being done... Ilaria Tuti - who lives in the far north-east of Italy - has produced in Flowers over the Inferno a debut novel of real skill. While the mechanics of the plot itself may be familiar territory, the real accomplishment here lies in the distinctive heroine, with the beleaguered Teresa not just engaged in a struggle with a ruthless killer but also with her own body, as age and diabetes take their toll, and even put her once impeccable memory under strain. It is this dual struggle that gives the book its real impetus. * European Literature Network *Ilaria Tuti's Flowers Over the Inferno is a stunning debut; a deliciously dark and action-packed thriller that is also deeply moving, even profound. With a heroine unlike any other and a beautifully crafted sense of place, Tuti's gorgeous prose paints a compelling portrait of a small Alpine town's secrets and the woman tasked with uncovering them. I loved this book -- Karen Dionne, internationally bestselling author of HOMETuti has managed the near impossible in creating a genuinely unique character in Teresa Battaglia. I was rooting for her from the start as she expertly steers a creepy murder investigation in an atmospheric Alpine setting -- Sarah Ward, author of IN BITTER CHILLI loved Flowers Over the Inferno with its beautifully creepy setting - and I totally fell for the tough-but-vulnerable detective, Teresa Battaglia. Great to see an older woman in this role. * Roz Watkins, author of THE DEVIL'S DICE *Teresa Battaglia is one of the most interesting detectives to emerge in recent years; flawed but full of heart, sarcastic yet still commanding loyalty from her team. Flowers Over The Inferno is an astonishing debut. * M. W. Craven, author of THE PUPPET SHOW *With Teresa Battaglia, Ilaria Tuti hasn't just created a mere character, but an authentic, three-dimensional person who overbearingly pushes the boundaries of the printed page thanks to her immense energy. Teresa Battaglia is the best gift any author can offer his or her readers: someone they will come to care for * Donato Carrisi, author of THE GIRL IN THE FOG *The writer, like the killer and detective, is perfectly at ease in the Friuli environment, and knows how to render its profile, its iciness, its woods and swarming wild animals in a way that leaves the reader with a feeling of warmth. * Corriere della Sera *The most awaited (female) noir debut of 2018 in Italy. * Repubblica *A story full of dramatic turns of events; the writing is tight and fast, and makes the most of the environment it depicts; the mountains, primitive nature and the woods * Wired Italia *A thriller that enters into the corners of the soul and introduces an author to watch. * Marie Claire (Italy) *

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Book SynopsisCambridge University master Sir Flyte Rascallian has little interest in the innocent-looking set of old paintings he inherits from his aunt Beatrice, until he takes a closer look . . . and ends up dead in this page-turning cozy.Something is bothering Sir Flyte Rascallian, renowned art expert and Master of Hardwick College at the University of Cambridge. Are the grimy paintings he recently inherited from his aunt as worthless as he claims?Curator Ambrose Nussknacker believes one of the paintings could be a genuine Rembrandt. Why is Sir Flyte so reluctant to get it authenticated, and so determined to avoid the tributes due to the discovery of one of the world''s great lost treasures?When Sir Flyte is found murdered in the Master''s Lodge, Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just must unravel his unusual actions to solve the death of the old master. College fellows, staff, and students all agree something was amiss. But as St. Just i

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times top ten bestseller perfect for fans of John le Carré, from the winner of the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the Year and the master of the modern spy thriller' (Mail on Sunday).A NEW COLD WAR IS LOOMINGFormer MI6 officer Thomas Kell thought he was done with spying. Until the Russian agent he blames for the death of his girlfriend is spotted at a Red Sea resort in dangerous company.ONE SPY WANTS REVENGETaking the law into his own hands, Kell embarks on a mission to recruit his rival. Only to find himself in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse in which it becomes increasingly difficult to know who is playing whom.THIS TIME IT'S PERSONALAs the mission reaches boiling point, rumours of a terrorist attack suggest a massacre on Britain soil is imminent. Kell is faced with an impossible choice. Loyalty to MI6 or to his own conscience?Trade ReviewPraise for A Divided Spy: ‘A gripping psychological clash of wills, tactics and morals … Kell’s third appearance confirms him as one of the most interesting and sympathetic characters in the spy thriller field’ The Times ‘Breathtaking . . . suspenseful . . . Kell brings a note of grace to the treacherous world of the spy novel’ Washington Post ‘A magnetic tale of the New Cold War: not since George Smiley trapped Karla have we seen such a delicious recruitment between East and West’ Jason Matthews, New York Times bestselling author of Palace of Treason ‘A clever spy thriller combining believable spycraft, deft characterisation and acute psychological observation’ Ben Macintyre ‘Agent Kell is hell-bent on revenge ― but his quest ends up endangering Britain’s national security. Classic spy fiction at its best’ New York Post, “Must Reads” ‘The spies’ shifting psychological duel is riveting … deftly coupled with a topical subplot’ Sunday Times ‘Thomas Kell has become one of the most interesting and well-drawn spies in contemporary literature – a man who deserves to be spoken in the same breath as George Smiley … Delicately written, with Cumming’s customary subtle humour, it confirms him as le Carré’s heir’ Daily Mail ‘Wonderful stuff – Charles Cumming is the one true heir to John Le Carré and Ian Fleming. Nobody documents life in the shadows quite as brilliantly as Charles Cumming – the new spymaster on the block’ Tony Parsons, author of The Murder Bag ‘A clever, believable spy thriller by a man dubbed the heir to John le Carré’ Sun

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Book SynopsisThe epic new novel in Conn Iggulden's bestselling EMPEROR series, featuring a new short story by the author.Julius Caesar has been assassinated. A nation is in mourning. Revenge will be bloody.Rome's great hero Julius Caesar has been brutally murdered by his most trusted allies. While these self-appointed Liberatores seek refuge in the senate, they have underestimated one man: Caesar's adopted son Octavian, a man whose name will echo through history as Augustus Caesar.Uniting with his great rival Mark Antony, Octavian will stop at nothing to seek retribution from the traitors and avenge his father's death. His greatest hatred is reserved for Brutus, Caesar's childhood friend and greatest ally, now leader of the conspirators.As the people take to the streets of Rome, the Liberatores must face their fate. Some flee the city; others will not escape mob justice. Not a single one will die a natural death. And the reckoning will come for Brutus on the sweeping battlefield at Philippi.Trade Review‘A clever and convincing narrative … the best book in the series’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Iggulden brings his five volume series about Julius Caesar to a close with this clever and convincing narrative… with a compelling grasp of Roman realpolitik’ SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE Praise for the EMPEROR series: ‘If you liked Gladiator, you’ll love Emperor’ THE TIMES ‘A brilliant story – I wish I’d written it. A novel of vivid characters, stunning action and unrelenting pace. It really is a terrific read’Bernard Cornwell ‘The great events and breathtaking brutality of the times are brought lavishly to life’ GUARDIAN Praise for the CONQUEROR series: ‘Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction’ DAILY MIRROR ‘This is energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience’ INDEPENDENT ‘Iggulden…tells an absolutely cracking story…the pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent’ THE TIMES ‘I felt as if a blockbuster movie was unfolding before me…read the book before Hollywood takes it over’ DAILY EXPRESS

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Book SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime's first book, the seventh volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.OFF WITH HIS HEADWhen the pesky Anna Bünz arrives at Mardian to investigate local folk-dancing, she quickly antagonizes the villagers. But Mrs Bünz is not the only source of friction. When the sword dancers'' traditional mock beheading of the Winter Solstice becomes horribly real, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn finds himself faced with a complex case of gruesome proportionsSINGING IN THE SHROUDSOn a cold February London night, the police find a corpse on the quayside, her body covered with flower petals and pearls. The killer, who walked away singing, is known to be one of nine passengers on the cargo ship, Cape Farewell. Superintendent Roderick Alleyn joins the ship on the most difficult assignment of his careerFALSE SCENT Mary Bellamy, darling of the London stage, holds a 50th birthday party, a gala for everyone who loves her and fears her power. Then someone uses a deadly insect spray on Mary instead of the azaleas. The suspects, all very theatrically, are playing the part of mourners. Superintendent Alleyn has to find out which one played the murderer

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Book SynopsisConspiracy thrillers don't come any bigger or better than THE KEY from the author of the bestselling thriller debut of 2011, SANCTUS: Plenty of action, plenty of intrigue and wonderfully imaginative. The sort of novel to devour in one sitting'' Kate Mosse.Hounded. Haunted. Hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key.In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory.She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is the key'. But the key to what?For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind's most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel now cursed by a terrible plague her return is the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church.HuTrade ReviewPraise for THE KEY:‘Among the best current thrillers’SUNDAY EXPRESS Praise for SANCTUS: ‘A cool, confident debut … with pace, grace and a keen eye for cinematic effect’DAILY TELEGRAPH ‘Intriguing and engaging … Relentless pace. An exciting and interesting read. I look forward to returning to Ruin, where there are plenty of stories waiting to be told’THE SUN ‘High concept, debut conspiracy thrillers don’t come with higher expectations than this. Hard to think of it as a debut, better to think of it as the beginning of a massive new adventure, and a so-long to Dan Brown’MIRROR 'A fast moving, thoroughly enjoyable, adventure – plenty of action, plenty of intrigue and a wonderfully imaginative reinterpretation of a slice of religious history. The sort of novel to devour in one sitting'KATE MOSSE

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Book SynopsisClassic Second World War crime featuring Miss Silver, the retired governess turned private eye.Trade Review'I like Wentworth very much - she captures the mores of pre-war middle class England perfectly, and she writes rather better than Christie. They are romantic cosies, of course, but with an edge to them and an intelligence to the writing that has lasted.' * Andrew Taylor *You can't go wrong with Maud Silver * Observer *Miss Wentworth is a first-rate storyteller * Daily Telegraph *Miss Silver is marvellous * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis1265 England has a new master. Simon de Montfort''s victory at the Battle of Lewes has made him king in all but name. He has vowed to restore the rights and liberties of the kingdom, but now even his friends grow wary of his power. As old alliances break down, new rebellions gather strength. The captive king''s supporters muster, vowing to overthrow the new regime. Meanwhile Adam de Norton, who won the honour of knighthood on the field at Lewes, has reclaimed his ancestral lands. A peaceful and prosperous future lies before him - until he receives a summons he cannot refuse. War is inevitable. But this time, will Adam be on the winning side?

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Book SynopsisPenelope Lively''s Booker Prize winning classic, Moon Tiger is a haunting story of loss and desire, published here as a Penguin Essential for the first time.Claudia Hampton - beautiful, famous, independent, dying.But she remains defiant to the last, telling her nurses that she will write a ''history of the world . . . and in the process, my own''. And it is her story from a childhood just after the First World War through the Second and beyond. But Claudia''s life is entwined with others and she must allow those who knew her, loved her, the chance to speak, to put across their point of view. There is Gordon, brother and adversary; Jasper, her untrustworthy lover and father of Lisa, her cool conventional daughter; and then there is Tom, her one great love, found and lost in wartime Egypt.''Leaves its traces in the air long after you''ve put it away'' Anne Tyler''A complex tapestry of great subtlety. Lively writes so well, savouring the words as she goes'' Daily Telegraph''Very clever: evocative, thought-provoking and hangs on the mind long after it is finished'' Literary ReviewTrade ReviewLeaves its traces in the air long after you've put it away * Anne Tyler *A complex tapestry of great subtlety. Lively writes so well, savouring the words as she goes * Daily Telegraph *Very clever: evocative, thought-provoking and hangs on the mind long after it is finished * Literary Review *Lively's ability to bring her character and the world she inhabits into full technicolour is beautiful. This is a unique book about a fascinating unpredictable woman way ahead of her time and yet absolutely of her time * Lemn Sissay *One of Britain's most celebrated novelists. Moon Tiger's multiple, shifting viewpoints weaves an eloquent disquisition on memory, identity, age, love and regret * Financial Times *Atmospheric, inventive. Few books I've read recently have given me so much pleasure * Sam Jordison, Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIn this frightening and surprising novel, the eccentric, wayward genius of Commissaire Adamsberg is pitted against the deep-rooted mysteries of one Alpine village's history and a very present problem: wolves. Disturbing things have been happening up in the French mountains;Trade ReviewCommissaire Adamsberg must be the most engaging French detective since Maigret * Scotland on Sunday *Poetic, offbeat and gently addictive. Her prose has an unusual deftness, a wry humour. A unique voice * Guardian *An intriguing, idiosyncratic voice * Time Out *An absolute masterwork. One of the best books of the year * Toronto Globe & Mail *A work of real class - its characters sharp, multi-faceted and original, and its style crisply intelligent * Herald *

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Book SynopsisDespite their initial hesitation, living with Anne has softened the flock, so Max is keenly aware that it''s time to leave. With Thanksgiving so near, though, all of them want to stay, at least until they''ve had their first ever Thanksgiving turkey! But danger is on the horizon as Jeb''s plan advances, and while the flock''s new school seems normal and safe, secrets are hidden beneath its prestigious facade...

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Book SynopsisKryptonite is gone, but the Man of Steel s troubles have just begun in this collection of pivotal Superman stories from the 1970s!

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Book SynopsisThe hero who inspired a generation, Superman, has always strived to protect not just Metropolis but the entire world.The Man of Tomorrow usually soars through the skies in Metropolis, but no matter where in the world a cry for help comes, Superman will always be there to save the day.Witness what makes Superman a global phenomenon as 15 countries tell tales that highlight what makes the Man of Steel the greatest superhero of all! Written by teams of top international talent, including Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks (U.S. storyline)!

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Book SynopsisThe TMNT are back in this new series that provides a perfect jumping-on point for new fans!The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but gathering forces will pull them back together in this first arc of a new ongoing series that collects the prelude story Long Way From Home and issues #1–6 by superstar writer Jason Aaron and an all-star lineup of artists, including Joëlle Jones, Rafael Albuquerque, Cliff Chiang, Chris Burnham, Darick Robertson, and Juan Ferreyra!Raphael is in prison. Michelangelo is living in Tokyo, where he’s become a TV star. Leonardo is traveling the world in search of peace. Donatello is trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill. And what has been going on in New York while the Turtles are scattered across the globe? More than two million Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics have been sold in 2024! Join in on the fun!

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Book SynopsisThe first book in Bernard Cornwell's bestselling series on the American Civil War.It is summer 1861. The armies of North and South stand on the brink of America's civil war.Nathanial Starbuck, jilted by his girl and estranged from his family, arrives in the capital of the Confederate South, where he enlists in an elite regiment being raised by rich, eccentric Washington Faulconer.Pledged to the Faulconer Legion, Starbuck becomes a northern boy fighting for the southern cause. But nothing can prepare him for the shocking violence to follow in the war which broke America in two.Trade ReviewPraise for REBEL: ‘A sure-fire bestseller’ Financial Times ‘His series of Sharpe novels earned him almost every accolade possible from British newspapers. This is even better’ Daily Mail ‘What Cornwell really likes is battles . . . you will be duly rewarded with the smell of quality cordite rising from the pages’ Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisOn the peaceful summer residential allotments in Simrishamn, a dog is killed. A few weeks later, so is one of the plot holders. She is a woman who had access to many secrets that certain locals wouldn?t want to come to light. As Anita Sundström?s team is brought in to investigate, the chief inspector also has to deal with the disappearance of a British archaeology student who has gone missing in Sweden while searching for an ex-colleague, who has also vanished.The case, brought to her by her long-time, long-distance partner, Detective Kevin Ash, who has run into a dead end in the UK, seems to be linked to two separate archaeological digs ? one in Skåne and the other in the famous Viking center of Birka. So, what has this all to do with a Scanian Viking who once fought in the Varangian Guard for a Byzantine emperor? Anita Sundström needs to find out before another life is lost.

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Book SynopsisTHE WOODS ARE DARK In the woods are six dead trees. The Killing Trees. That''s where they take them. Innocent travellers on the road in California. Seized and bound, stripped of their valuables and shackled to the Trees. To wait. In the woods. In the dark... OUT ARE THE LIGHTS The Vampire movie came first, then the story of the Axeman. This was the horror movie series to end them all. Cinema buffs admired the grainy, amateur camera work - it suggested the action was the real thing. But it couldn''t be - could it?Trade ReviewIf you've missed Laymon, you've missed a treat * Stephen King *No one writes like Laymond an you're going to have a good time with anything he writes * Dean Koontz *A brilliant writer * Sunday Express *In Laymon's books, blood doesn't so much drip, drip as explode, splatter and coagulate * Independent *

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Book SynopsisSomething bad has happened to Alison Taylor. Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future. By Sunday morning, Ali''s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her. Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn''t recognise the face staring back at her. She can''t recognise her friends and family. And she can''t recognise the person who is trying to destroy her... From the no. 1 bestselling author of The Sister, The Gift and The Surrogate, The Date is a gripping page-turner that will keep you awake until the early hours. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and Before I Go ToTrade ReviewTHE DATE kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page . . . all too believable * Jane Corry, bestselling author of THE DEAD EX *The ending will chill you to the bone * Sun *

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Book SynopsisBLOOD, SALT, WATER is a gripping tale of greed, power and misconception from acclaimed two-time winner of the Theakston's Crime Award, Denise Mina, Costa shortlisted author of THE LESS DEAD.Trade ReviewMina is one of the most fiercely intelligent of crime writers . . . testament to how brilliantly intricate and psychologically complex her books are * GUARDIAN *Mina's novels are engrossing, deeply rooted in reality and astutely perceptive about human nature and the internal politics blighting modern police forces. Blood Salt Water is also beautifully written and plotted, cementing the author's place as one of the finest contemporary British crime writers. * DAILY EXPRESS *We're big fans of Denise Mina's DI Alex Morrow - and her fifth book in the series doesn't disappoint * BELLA *Gritty, unpredictable and keeps the reader involved to the end * CHOICE *Another authentic-feeling well-written tale of dark Glaswegian crime . . . dourly brilliant * METRO *Denise Mina is the finest contemporary exponent of British crime fiction * THE TIMES *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Thirteen Hours - A Sunday Times ''100 best crime novels and thrillers since 1945'' pickMilla has finally escaped her abusive husband, only to find herself at the heart of an anti-terrorist operation.Lemmer has agreed to protect a pair of smuggled rhinos on a thousand-kilometre journey - his strangest job yet will also be his most dangerous.And former policeman Mat already wants to quit his new job as a private investigator. But he has promised a young woman he will find her missing husband . . . wherever the trail may lead.From the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the wilds of Zimbabwe, from luxurious gated communities to the ganglands of the Cape Flats, different paths begin to cross in a novel of ever-increasing suspense.Trade ReviewSmuggling, missing persons and an edgy post-apartheid South Africa interlace in a riveting crime novel . . . This is the author's most accomplished novel to date. Following the thrilling plot of his best­selling Thirteen Hours was always going to be a challenge but he's visibly gained confidence, showing his technical skill and handling the different sections of the new book with effortless ease. It's a mesmerising read, and a ­startling revelation at the very end suggests that we haven't heard the last of these engaging characters. * The Sunday Times *How fulfilling the rewards are for those seeking crime fiction with real texture and intelligence . . . The author presents an unsparing picture of social divisions in post-apartheid South Africa . . . But perhaps his key achievement is the astutely drawn trio: the conflicted bodyguard, streetwise but falling for a major deception; the young woman fleeing a desperately unhappy marriage and discovering something that changes her perception of herself; and the ex-cop, finding that the incendiary reserves of violence in his personality are nearer to the surface than he thought. TRACKERS is a sprawling, invigorating and socially committed crime novel. * Independent *An ambitious, multi-threaded tale . . . comprehensively pulling the reader into the melee of modern South Africa . . . this is a book that tells a cracking story and captures the criminal kaleidoscope of a nation. * Times Literary Supplement *Meyer is the leading chronicler of South Africa, and his latest novel shows off his technical skill... a dazzling performance. * Sunday Times Books of the Year 2011 *This year's great discovery: classy, edgy writing, subtly plotted and beautifully balanced between fast-paced action, pungent social comment and the process of investigation. * Weekend Australian *The Thriller Shot of the Year title goes to South African Deon Meyer for his superb tour-de-force TRACKERS which combines a spy plot worthy of Le Carre ("spy the beloved country") with several tense and violent criminal sub-plots and a complex and stunningly impressive narrative structure. All in all, a masterpiece of South African crime writing; which is rapidly proving to be the bench-mark of international crime fiction.' * Shots *This South African kind of crime is going global fast. TRACKERS shows why: three deftly-braided plot strands join political sophistication, strongly-drawn characters and a passionate concern with the Rainbow Nation's fate. * i *An unusually intriguing story about modern South Africa. * Literary Review *The book that stayed with me most from this year is Deon Meyer's TRACKERS . . . a dazzling performance. * Joan Smith, Sunday Times books of the year 2011 *Critics were struggling to come up with new adjectives to praise the South African writer Deon Meyer's TRACKERS, a menacing tale of smuggling and disappearances on a sprawling canvas of post-apartheid South Africa. * Independent Books of the Year *The author is proclaimed to be "South Africa's answer to Stieg Larsson" in a banner headline on the cover. I wouldn't disagree with that. He is certainly as powerful a writer, although his style is slightly different, and considerably more complex . . . this is one of the most absorbing crime stories you are ever likely to read. * Shots *Meyer's ambition matches his execution in this brilliantly complex standalone thriller set in his native South Africa . . . Few readers will anticipate exactly how the separate plot strands will be resolved. This powerhouse read, which captures the many facets of modern South Africa, should be the American breakthrough book this talented author deserves. * Publishers Weekly Starred Review *Award-winning crime fiction author Meyer demonstrates his superb gift for bringing together several disparate plots, striking characters, and vividly drawn scenes of contemporary South Africa, all roaring towards a climax with more than one surprise . . . With a fine eye for detail, an unflattering image of South African culture, and clear sympathy for the downtrodden, Meyer still never loses his focus on page-turning suspense and riveting mystery. Highly recommended. * Library Journal Starred Review *Publishers and booksellers trumpet that "South Africa is the new Scandinavia" when it comes to crime writing and that Deon Meyer is "South Africa's Answer to Stieg Larsson". He's not; he's far better . . . With TRACKERS I would suggest he has moved into the John le Carré class, and not simply because one of the plot lines is about the workings of a South African security department and the political in-fighting involved, but mainly because this is a book which is a great thriller and a fine novel of characterisation. Indeed, the cast of characters is diverse (morally as well as ethnically) but every single one is fully-formed and three-dimensional and they all play their parts in a complex triple-stranded plot. * Shots *Without doubt one of the brightest stars to emerge from the Southern African crime scene is Deon Meyer. A big, complex novel, it skilfully weaves together three separate storylines, and three different forms of crime-writing, into a cohesive and fascinating whole . . . The result is a very powerful thriller that sweeps the reader up in its gritty portrayal of modern South Africa . . . Meyer's mixture of compelling, believable characters, tense plotting and fascinating insights into the texture of everyday South Africa make TRACKERS one of the year's better crime novels. * Canberra Times *Being hailed as the finest novel yet from an author whose reputation is growing around the world. Deon Meyer, is building a steady collection of awards for his books and an international fan base. * Hobart Mercury *It's like three complex, gripping an absorbing books in one, so you're getting your money's worth * Adelaide Advertiser *Deon Meyer writes a cracking good adventure. * Manly Daily (Australia) *Meyer is a very good storyteller. A very good read. * Sun Herald *One of the sharpest and most perceptive thriller writers around * Peter Millar, The Times, on DEVIL'S PEAK *Far and away the best crime writer in South Africa * Guardian on BLOOD SAFARI *This guy is really good. Deon Meyer hooked me with this one right from the start. * Michael Connelly on HEART OF THE HUNTER *For reasons which I do not pretend to understand, Deon Meyer's absolutely brilliant thriller TRACKERS failed to win any of the British crime writing awards last year, which makes me think that there must be something fundamentally wrong in the Ministry of Mystery Prizes. * Shots magazine *

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Book SynopsisTHE PULSE-RAISING NEW WISTING NOVEL FROM 10 MILLION COPY BESTSELLER JØRN LIER HORST, NOW A MAJOR BBC 4 TV SHOW''Up there with the best of the Nordic crime writers'' THE TIMES''One of the most brilliantly understated crime novelists writing today'' SUNDAY TIMESA BODY IN THE LAKE. A HEAD ON A STAKE . . ._________Gruesome happenings in the quiet town of Larvik. Only one man is capable of solving them: Chief Inspector William Wisting.Before long, more bodies are found. Media frenzy sweeps the locals into panic. And when Wisting''s investigation leads him to a deadly underground crime ring, he fears the whole town may be in danger.But at the heart of it is the gang''s elusive leader: The Night Man.Who Wisting must find if he wants to stop the murders.That is, if The Night Man doesn''t get to him first . . ._________Praise foTrade ReviewIt's fascinating to see Horst flesh out his protagonist Wisting at an early stage in his career . . . Nor is it hard to see why the series quickly became so popular * Sunday Times *Praise for Jørn Lier Horst * ; *Tense, fast-paced . . . compelling * Sunday Times *Relentlessly exciting . . . creates a sense of real menace * The Times *Jørn Lier Horst writes some of the best Scandinavian crime fiction available. His books are superbly plotted and addictive, the characters wonderfully realised * Yrsa Sigurðardóttir *One of the very best novels that [Lier Horst] has ever written . . . Thrilling. Jørn Lier Horst elevates his and Wisting's universe to a whole other level * Nettavisen, Norway *Atmospheric. Demonstrates why he has become so popular . . . A powerful portrait of a barbaric criminal underworld that exploits society's most vulnerable * Herald *

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Book Synopsis''Leon''s books are a joy, and the 19th Venice-based Commissario Brunetti novel is well up to her consistently high standard.'' GuardianA Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association BestsellerOne of Deadly Pleasures Best Novels of the Year__________________________________As Venice experiences a debilitating heatwave, Commissario Brunetti escapes the city to spend time with his family. For Ispettore Vianello, however, the weather is the last thing on his mind. It appears his aunt has become obsessed with horoscopes and has been withdrawing large amounts of money from the family business. Not knowing what to do, he consults Brunetti and asks permission to trail her. Meanwhile, Brunetti receives a visit from a friend who works at the Commune. It seems that discrepancies have been occurring at the Courthouse involving a judge and an usher with a flawless track record. Intrigued, Brunetti asks Signorina ElettTrade ReviewLeon's books are a joy, and the 19th Venice-based Commissario Brunetti novel is well up to her consistently high standard * Guardian *Leon excels in the claustrophobia of families, the Italian class system and the sinister aspects of Venice that the tourists don't see -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *To read a Donna Leon novel is to have an armchair holiday in her lovingly described Venice, in the company of an old friend - the amiable Commissario Brunetti . . . Leon never fails to impress with her carefully wrought plots and believable characters * Daily Mail *Knowingness, or an illusion of knowingness, is essential to successful crime-writing . . . Donna Leon has mastered this technique perfectly -- Jonathan Keates * TLS *Donna Leon has established a special hold on the reader's imagination, so it is almost easier to imagine the Commissario returning to lunch with his feisty wife, just round the corner, than almost any other fiction character in the immortal (we hope) city. . . A Question of Belief is particularly enjoyable...Donna Leon's great skill is to invest the characters in her crime novels with a kind of humanity, even the wrongdoers. . . [a] marvellous evocation of the magic city, and its inhabitants of all types -- Antonia Fraser * The Lady *

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Book SynopsisDerrick Storm has never faced anything like this before. Airliners are dropping from the sky, shot down by a terrifying futuristic weapon. The intelligence community is blindsided and scrambling for answers. The media is calling it another 9/11. But the terrorists have aimed their weapon at the one man who can't be brought down: Derrick Storm. After saving his own plane from certain doom, Storm is enlisted by the CIA to track down the force responsible for the tragedy. The trail takes him from the Panama Canal, where a wealthy businessman toasts the death of one of the victims; to the decks of a mega-yacht, where a shipping mogul mourns the loss of another; to the Sahara Desert, where bandits who are stealing treasures of Egyptian antiquity may be more than what they seem...

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Book SynopsisSome cases aren’t as cold as you’d thinkKurt Wallander’s life looks like it has taken a turn for the better when his offer on a new house is accepted, only for him to uncover something unexpected in the garden – the skeleton of a middle-aged woman. As police officers comb the property, Wallander attempts to get his new life back on course by finding the woman’s killer with the aid of his daughter, Linda. But when another discovery is made in the garden, Wallander is forced to delve further back into the area's past.A treat for fans and new readers alike, this is a never before published Kurt Wallander novellaTrade ReviewAn absolute pleasure to read and one worth luxuriating in -- Alison Flood * Observer *Wallander remains one of the most impressive and credible creations in crime fiction today -- Ian Thompson * Spectator *Good news for those suffering Wallander withdrawal symptoms -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *This beautifully crafted story will grab you and it will not let go -- David Stephenson, 4 stars * Sunday Express *A final precious gobbet for those of us who aren’t ready for Inspector Wallander’s story to come to an end -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph *

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