Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisOUT NOW IN CINEMAS AND NOMINATED FOR FOUR OSCARS A cool, cruel, rediscovered classic of American noir adapted for cinemas by Guillermo del Toro, starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara 'Read and shudder. And relish' Guardian 'A creepy, all-too-harrowing masterpiece' Washington Post Stanton Carlisle, employed as a carny at a travelling circus watches their freak-show geek - an abject alcoholic, the object of the voyeuristic crowd’s gleeful disgust and derision - and wonders how a man could fall so low. There’s no way in hell, he vows, that anything like that will ever happen to him. Unlike the tragic figure he sees before him, Stan is young, clever and ambitious and quick to learn from the other carnival acts. Initially teaming up with a beautiful but vulnerable woman as part of a double act in which he mesmerises her, Stan soon leaves his circus days behind him, becoming a successful spiritualist who exploits the weak and the wealthy. But even the very best con-men can meet their match.... With a new introduction from James Smythe, Nightmare Alley is a forgotten classic of Depression-era America: a brilliant, horrifying, compulsive journey into the true darkness of the human mind.Trade ReviewMore than just a steamy noir classic. As a portrait of the human condition, Nightmare Alley is a creepy, all-too-harrowing masterpiece * Washington Post *Along with The Grapes of Wrath and They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, this is a great American Depression-era novel. Read and shudder. And relish * Guardian *A brilliant and horrific book * The Times *The ‘nightmare’ of the title rings true, for this delirious and unstoppable novel ... inverts the American dream ... Never was noir more autobiographical than here… Nightmare Alley remains a masterpiece * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Compelling, exciting, fast paced . . . A timeless story'' 5***** Reader Review''Action packed racing thriller from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''Sit back and enjoy the ride'' 5***** Reader Review______When amateur jockey Lord Henry Grey decides on a whim to join the bloodstock market, transporting racehorses around the world, he''s sure he''s hit the good life. That is, until a horse unexpectedly dies in transit and a colleague vanishes. And when Grey discovers that both his predecessors also went missing in curious circumstances, he begins to doubt the wisdom of his career change. Now he must turn detective, or else his own disappearance could be next . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying Finish is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crTrade ReviewA regular winner * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''A masterpiece from the master of equine fiction. Truly sensational from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''Tense, tautly-written, with memorable characters - an absolute cracker'' 5***** Reader Review______Bert Checkov, a racing correspondent, drunkenly confesses to fellow Fleet Street hack James Tyrone that he''s been giving his readers tips for years.Five minutes later, Checkov falls out of a seventh-floor window. Tyrone is convinced there''s more to Checkov''s death than meets the eye. When he starts digging, he discovers that many of Checkov''s tips never even made it to the start. But the deeper Tyrone gets, the dirtier and more dangerous this business appears to be.If he''s not careful, he''ll be following Checkov to his death . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Flying FTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisTHE ABSURD CRIME FICTION PARODY BY FICTIONAL AUTHOR ''MARTIN FISHBACK'' - AS SEEN ON BBC TWO''What''s better than a good crime novel? I''ll tell you - a spoof crime novel, by the absurdly funny and clever Fergus Craig''MIRANDA HART''We all need more laughs like this''AISLING BEAExeter: a city in decline, East Devon''s capital of crime. Detective Roger LeCarre: a man on a quest to rid the world of crime (starting with Devon and Cornwall and then working outwards) so he can concentrate on his watercolours. LeCarre runs 10km a day but probably burns more calories shaking his head at what has become of his city. Now Exeter is set to become the UK Capital of Culture and the ambitious Lord Mayor wants to turn things around. But when a young man''s (dead) body is found in the centre of town, things get murky.Detective Roger LeCarre is a character never seen before in modern fiction - a tough but troubled detective with Trade ReviewWhat's better than a good crime novel? I'll tell you - a spoof crime novel, by the absurdly funny and clever Fergus Craig * Miranda Hart *Fergus Craig is one of the funniest people I know and this book proves it. I can't wait for you to get involved in his VERY silly thriller. We all need more laughs like this * Aisling Bea *Laugh out loud funny. Detective Roger Le Carre is a crime-solving comedy GOD * Mark Billingham *Tea-spittingly hilarious. Shades of Spike Milligan, Douglas Adams and Alan Partridge * Chris Brookmyre *Funny and gripping * Dara Ó Briain *A book so funny it makes you wish you were the subject of a murder investigation in Exeter * Al Murray *Exceptionally funny... crime writing (in the Exeter area) will never be the same * Marcus Brigstocke *

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Book SynopsisCan Jack West unravel the ancient secrets of the Five Greatest Warriors and save the world?With the end of the world fast approaching, Jack West must rebuild the final pieces of the fabled, ancient ''Machine'' - the only thing that can prevent global catastrophe. But he is out of clues . . . until he is presented with an ancient text about five unnamed warriors, great historical figures who were all in some way connected to the mysterious Machine. And so, Jack and his loyal team set out to discover their identities - and their secrets.Soon Jack is on the trail of a legendary list of greats: from Moses to Genghis Khan and Napoleon, and finally to one most unlikely warrior, the unknown ''Fifth'', who, it is said, will be there ''at the end of all things . . .''* * * * *READERS LOVE THE JACK WEST THRILLERS''Indiana Jones in a book . . . Immensely entertaining'' ''Gripping and full of twists''''Heart-Trade Review'Fast-paced, cartoon-like characters and wallops of action.' CATHOLIC HERALD 'If your taste is for high-octane, fast-moving narratives in a blockbusting novel, search no further.' GOOD BOOK GUIDE

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Book SynopsisThe Murder Wall is Mari Hannah’s first gripping crime novel featuring DCI Kate Daniels.Eleven months after discovering a brutal double murder in a sleepy Northumbrian town, Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels is still haunted by her failure to solve the case. Then the brutal killing of a man on Newcastle’s quayside gives Daniels another chance to get it right – in her first case as Senior Investigating Officer.When Daniels recognizes the corpse but fails to disclose the fact, her personal life swerves dangerously into her professional life. But much worse, she is now being watched.As Daniels steps closer to finding a killer, a killer is only a breath away from claiming his next victim . . .Trade ReviewA promising start to a planned series * Literary Review *With locations ranging from the city’s bustling quayside to rural Northumberland villages, Hannah’s debut is heavy on the atmosphere as well as the specifics of a creepily icky criminal * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisFrom celebrated New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry comes the latest Cotton Malone adventure, in which Cotton unravels a mystery from World War II involving a legendary lost treasure, Yamashita''s Gold, worth billions.1945. In the waning months of World War II, Japan hid vast quantities of gold and other stolen valuables in boobytrapped underground caches all across the Philippines. By 1947 some of that loot was recovered, not by treasure hunters, but by the United States government, which told no one about the find. Instead, those assets were stamped classified, shipped to Europe, and secretly assimilated into something called the Black Eagle Trust.Present day. Retired Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is in Switzerland doing a favor for a friend. But what was supposed to be a simple operation turns violent and Cotton is thrust into a war between the world''s oldest bank and the CIA, a battle that directly involves the BlackTrade ReviewA fast-paced, well-written, entertaining adventure * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Harry''s Game - A Sunday Times ''100 best crime novels and thrillers since 1945'' pickWhen British Intelligence asks Michael Holly, a mechanical engineer, to run an errand for them in the Soviet Union, the consequences of capture are never mentioned. But what seems a simple handover carries unimaginable risks, and now Holly is facing fifteen years imprisoned in a gulag in the midst of the frozen tundra. Along with his fellow inmates, Holly has to find the strength to fight the camp''s brutal regime in any way he can. But Camp 3 is the place where hopes and dreams are brought to die. Against the might of the Soviet state, is Michael Holly strong enough to sustain his will to survive?Trade ReviewAn amazing feat of storytelling... Too good to miss * The Scotsman *Written with terrifying, informed immediacy, this holds like barbed wire * Evening Standard *A novel of great distinction * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisBarbara Nadel was born and brought up in the East End of London and now she lives in Essex. Prior to becoming a full-time author, she worked in psychiatric institutions and in the community with people experiencing mental health problems. Nadel is also the author of the award-winning Inspector Ikmen series now being filmed as The Turkish Detective.

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Book SynopsisA disgraced LA music star faces execution for a crime he didn't commit in the long-lost crime novel of Robert Silverberg, SFF Writers of America Grand Master, available for the first time in over 60 years. HAD L.A.'S HOTTEST BANDLEADER BECOME AN INSTRUMENT OF DEATH? Before his extraordinary career as a grandmaster of science fiction, Robert Silverberg honed his craft as a writer for a variety of pulp magazines, including crime digests with titles like Trapped and Guilty Detective Story Magazine. He also wrote this long-lost novel, which appeared under the pen name "Stan Vincent" in 1960 - and has never been published since. Meet Bob McKay: once a rising star in the toniest nightclubs of Los Angeles, now a down-and-out denizen of tawdry bars where B-girls hustle drinks and brawls break out nightly. When one hustler winds up strangled, McKay lands on Death Row. Can a starlet and a sympathetic newspaper columnist clear his name before his date with the death chamber? Featuring a new introduction by the author and three bonus stories from Guilty and Trapped, THE HOT BEAT offers readers a trip through time back to the pulp era, when a future star was making his bones with stories of murder, betrayal, and dangerous desires...Trade ReviewAcclaim for the Work of Robert Silverberg: "Dazzling." - Michael Chabon "A master of his craft." - Los Angeles Times "A sure-fire page turner." - Chicago Sun-Times

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Book SynopsisThe fourth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham.A MAN WHO KILLS FOR MONEYX marks the spot - and when that spot is a corpse''s naked back and the X is carved in blood, DI Tom Thorne is in no doubt that the dead man is the latest victim of a particularly vicious killer. A BRUTAL VENDETTAThis is brutal turf warfare between north London gangs. Organised crime boss Billy Ryan is moving into someone else''s patch, and that someone is not best pleased. A COP WHO IS PLAYING WITH FIREAnd when an X is carved on DI Tom Thorne''s front door, he knows the smouldering embers of this case are about to erupt into flames...__________Read what everyone''s saying about the heart-racing Tom Thorne series:''Literary superstar'' Mail on Sunday''Ingenious'' Guardian''Ground-breaking'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewA disturbing and ruthlessly compelling novel Sunday Express Murder and mystery do not come better than this What's on in London Brisk, racy read The Times Assured and shocking thriller The Guardian

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Book SynopsisFear is just the beginning...Kristin Burns has lived her life by the philosophy, ''don''t think, just shoot'' - pictures that is. Struggling to make ends meet, she works full time as nanny to the fabulously wealthy Turnbull family, looking after their two children and waiting for her life as a New York fashion photographer to begin.But Kristin has a major distraction: forbidden love. The man of her dreams is almost hers for keeps. Kristin ignores all signs of catastrophe brewing, and she can only dismiss the warnings for so long...

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Book SynopsisThe first novel by Jonathan Lethem (author of the award-winning Motherless Brooklyn) is a science-fiction mystery, a dark and funny post-modern romp serving further evidence that Lethem is the distinctive voice of a new generation. Conrad Metcalf has problems. He has a monkey on his back, a rabbit in his waiting room, and a trigger-happy kangaroo on his tail. (Maybe evolution therapy is not such a good idea). He''s been shadowing Celeste, the wife of an Oakland urologist. Maybe falling in love with her a little at the same time. When the doctor turns up dead, Metcalf finds himself caught in a crossfire between the boys from the Inquisitor''s Office and gangsters who operate out of the back room of the Fickle Muse.

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction at its most sumptuous' Rory Clements'S. J. Parris fans will be pleased' Publishers WeeklyFrom the bestselling, CWA Historical Dagger Award-nominated author of The Angel's Mark comes a gripping and atmospheric new mystery . . . ______________The Elizabethan world is in flux. Radical new ideas are challenging the old. But the quest for knowledge can lead down dangerous paths...London, 1594. The Queen's physician has been executed for treason, and conspiracy theories flood the streets. When Nicholas Shelby, unorthodox physician and unwilling associate of spymaster Robert Cecil, is accused of being part of the plot, he and his new wife Bianca must flee for their lives. With agents of the Crown on their tail, they make for Padua, following the ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena. But the pursuing English aren't the only threat Nicholas and Bianca face. Hella, a strange and fervently religious young woman, has joined them on their journey. When the trio finally reach relative safety, they become embroiled in a radical and dangerous scheme to shatter the old world's limits of knowledge. But Hella's dire predictions of an impending apocalypse, and the brutal murder of a friend of Bianca's forces them to wonder: who is this troublingly pious woman? And what does she want?More praise for S. W. Perry's Jackdaw Mysteries: 'Engaging' Sunday Times'Beautiful writing' Giles Kristian'Brilliantly evokes the colours, sights and sounds of the Elizabethan era' Goodreads review'Gripping, packed with twists and turns!' Goodreads review'Spellbinding . . . I fell in love with every character' Goodreads reviewTrade ReviewA real page-turner. Hell, threat and madness abound in this desperate flight from the dangerous, dark streets of Elizabeth's Protestant London to the vivid heart of Galileo's menacing Catholic Italy. * Minette Walters *The Heretic's Mark really is the most thrilling, stimulating and fabulously readable tale. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, Picks of the month *Vivid characters and spot-on period details complement the intricate whodunit plot... S.J. Parris fans will be pleased. * Publishers Weekly, starred reviews *The writing is of such a quality, the characters so engaging and the setting so persuasive that S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series. * S. G. MacLean on The Serpent's Mark *The third in Perry's series is as dramatic and colourful as the previous two. * Sunday Times, praise for The Saracen's Mark *An absolute belter of a read and another fabulous addition to the Jackdaw Mysteries series... I just gobbled up the pages as the story fairly roars along battling spies and pirates on route... S. W. Perry ensures the sights, smells and sounds of London and Morocco entered my very being. I love this series. * Liz Robinson, LoveReading, Picks of the month, praise for The Saracen's Mark *No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century. * Andrew Swanston on The Serpent's Mark *The Serpent's Mark is an excellent evocation of Elizabethan England, with espionage, intricate conspiracies, strange medical practises and a gripping story. A rattling good read. * William Ryan on The Serpent's Mark *A gorgeous book - rich, intelligent and dark in equal measure. It immerses you in the late 16th century and leaves you wrung out with terror. This is historical fiction at its most sumptuous. * Rory Clements on The Angel's Mark *Wonderful! Beautiful writing, and Perry's Elizabethan London is so skilfully evoked, so real that one can almost smell it. * Giles Kristian on The Angel's Mark *The book is both educational, and entertaining. There is both a detailed description of times, practices and people that seem strange to our modern sensibilities, but also a very well-drawn plot that follows seamlessly from the other three books. * NB Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIn a world of magic and illusion, truth and lies, who but Lincoln Rhyme could track down a diabolical killer? The fifth book in Jeffery Deaver's bestselling series is anything but straightforward . . . Now a NBC TV series.Trade ReviewDeaver is the master puzzler * Sunday Telegraph *The Vanished Man more than earns its place on the shelf of "books that keep the reader on the edge of his chair". "You can't fool all of the people all of the time" is the old edict - unless, of course, you're master storyteller Jeffery Deaver * Yorkshire Post *Jeffery Deaver is a master at crafting intricate crimes that are solved through guile, tenacity and sheer creative genius. And Lincoln Rhyme is one of a kind.The best psychological thriller writer around * The Times *One of the world's best plotters - his intricate twists and turns catch out even the hardened thriller reader . . . This is a true master at work - elegant, assured, supremely crafted thriller writing at its very best * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. In this explosive thriller, one of the most incredible and frightening discoveries mankind has ever faced is about to surface.''Harrowing and brilliantly conceived'' Clive Cussler On an oil platform in the middle of the North Atlantic, a terrifying series of illnesses is spreading through the crew. When expert naval doctor Peter Crane is flown in, he finds his real destination is not the platform itself but Deep Storm: a top secret aquatic science facility, two miles below on the ocean floor. And as Crane soon learns, the covert operation he finds there is concealing something far more sinister than a medical mystery-and much more deadly.''Thrilling and tantalizing .... A fascinating riddle ... exhilarating'' Vince FlynnTrade ReviewHarrowing and brilliantly conceived. Clive Cussler Thrilling and tantalizing... A fascinating riddle. Vince Flynn

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Book SynopsisOne of London''s best known (and least liked) businessmen is murdered, and once again Mrs Jeffries has to help the Inspector solve the case. This charming series of Victorian murder mysteries features mild-mannered Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper. A policeman''s widow herself,her quick wits allow her to nudge the Inspector in the right direction to solve the crime.Trade ReviewIt's murder most English all the way! * The Literary Times *

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The first John Grey historical mysteryThe theatres are padlocked. Christmas has been cancelled. It is 1657 and the unloved English Republic is eight years old. Though Cromwell's joyless grip on power appears immovable, many still look to Charles Stuart's dissolute and threadbare court-in-exile, and some are prepared to risk their lives plotting a restoration. For the officers of the Republic, constant vigilance is needed. So, when the bloody corpse of a Royalist spy is discovered on the dung heap of a small Essex village, why is the local magistrate so reluctant to investigate? John Grey, a young lawyer with no clients, finds himself alone in believing that the murdered man deserves justice. Grey is drawn into a vortex of plot and counter-plot and into the all-encompassing web of intrigue spun by Cromwell's own spy-master, John Thurloe. So when nothing is what is seems, can Grey trust anyone?'Tyler juggles his characters, story wit and clever one liners with perfect balance' - The Times'A cracking pace, lively dialogue, wickedly witty one-liners salted with sophistication . . . Why would we not want more of John Grey?' - The Bookbag

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling novel that inspired Mervyn LeRoy’s classic horror film about the little girl who can get away with anything—even murder.   There’s something special about eight-year-old Rhoda Penmark. With her carefully plaited hair and her sweet cotton dresses, she’s the very picture of old-fashioned innocence. But when their neighborhood suffers a series of terrible accidents, her mother begins to wonder: Why do bad things seem to happen when little Rhoda is around?   Originally published in 1954, William March’s final novel was an instant bestseller and National Book Award finalist before it was adapted for the stage and made into a 1956 film. The Bad Seed is an indelible portrait of an evil that wears an innocent face, one which still resonates in popular culture today. With a new foreword by Anna Holmes.Vintage Movie Classics spotlights classic films that have stood the test o

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Book SynopsisA skeleton is found half-buried in a dried out lake. The bones have been weighed down with an radio transmitter: is this a clue to the victim, and the killer's identity? Detective Erlendur is called in to investigate and discovers that there may be a connection with a group of students who were sent to study in East Germany during the Cold War.Trade ReviewA haunting, compassionate work * Observer *Indridason manages to keep the reader guessing about the identity of both killer and victim right to the last * Sunday Express *An absorbing story which confirms Indridason's place among the leading writers of Nordic crime fiction * Sunday Telegraph *Beautifully written and translated, the novel has both a strong sense of place and themes that transcend it; it confirms Indridason as one of those crime writers who rises above genre, combining suspense with moving insights into the human condition * Sunday Times *Indridason pieces together a convincing plot, while exploring universal issues of political idealism and shattered dreams * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisBefore George R. R. Martin there was Dorothy Dunnett . . . THE PERFECT GIFT for fans of A Game of Thrones. ''She is a brilliant story teller, The Lymond Chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about.'' The Times Literary SupplementCheckmate is the sixth and final book in the series -----------------------------''If they place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left and ask me to give up my mission, I will not give it up until the truth prevails or I myself perish in the attempt . . .''It is 1557 and legendary Scottish warrior Francis Crawford of Lymond is once more in France. There he is leading an army to rout the hated English from Calais. Yet while Lymond seeks victory on the battlefield he is haunted by his troubled past - chiefly the truth about his orTrade ReviewPraise for Dorothy Dunnett * - *A storyteller who could teach Scheherazade a thing or two about pace, suspense and imaginative invention * New York Times *Marvellous, breathtaking * The Times *A masterpiece of historical fiction * Washington Post *One of the greatest tale-spinners since Dumas * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Lashings of excitement, colour and subtlety * The Times *Vivid, engaging, densely plotted - are almost certainly destined to be counted among the classics of popular fiction * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisTo avoid disappointment please note this novel was previously titled THE GALLOWS BIRD. Scandinavian crime sensation and No. 1 international bestseller, Camilla Lackberg's fourth psychological thriller - for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo NesboA local woman is killed in a tragic car crash. It's a strange accident the victim's blood contains high alcohol levels, but she rarely drank a drop. The case marks the end of a quiet winter for Detective Patrik Hedstrom.Meanwhile, a reality TV show begins shooting in the town, and as cameras shadow the stars' every move, tempers start to flare. When a drunken party ends with an unpopular contestant's murder, all eyes turn to the cast and crew could there be a murderer among them?The ratings spike as the country tunes in to a real life murder mystery. Under the unforgiving media spotlight, Patrik tackles his toughest investigation yetTrade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘The hottest female writer in Sweden’ Independent ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''Well-researched and expertly written, it is gripping from start to finish'' 5***** Reader Review''You really feel that you are involved with the plot and feel for the characters'' 5***** Reader Review______On Royal Ascot''s first day, bookmaker Ned Talbot watches helplessly as a string of favourites come in. With the punters totting up their winnings, he counts his losses.Then an old man steps forward with a very different claim. The father Ned never knew - believed to have been killed in a car crash long ago - is standing before him. Barely an hour later, Ned''s newly-found father is dying in Ascot''s car park. Stabbed by an unknown assailant, he warns Ned: ''be very careful''.But of whom? Of what? Ned races to discover the truth behind his father''s disappearance and sudden reappearance. It''s not just money

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Book SynopsisThe Malice was entertaining and riveting, with almost never a dull moment. Do yourself a favour, buy this book. And the first one, too, if you don't already own it. You will regret nothing.' Geeks of DoomIn the south, the Breach stirs.Gamma's sword, the Malice, wakes, calling to be taken to battle once more.But the Vagrant has found a home now, made a life and so he turns his back, ignoring its call.The sword cries out, frustrated, until another answers.Her name is Vesper.Trade ReviewReviews of THE VAGRANT: ★★★★★ 'For fans of classic science-fiction literature, this is a must-read.' – SciFi Now ★★★★ 'Come visit this brilliantly imaginative land of winged swords and broken solar cells.' – SFX ‘The Vagrant is a joy to read: an original and engrossing world, a strong story and a protagonist who is intensely charismatic despite – or because of – his silence. Newman’s debut is written with confidence, flair and imagination, bringing his dark world to marvellously macabre life’Adrian Tchaikovsky, Author of Shadows of the Apt series ‘A stunning and ambitious debut novel set in a unique and imaginative world where the only hope rests on the capacity of human beings to love’ Melinda M. Snodgrass

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Book SynopsisWith the framework of her own world beginning to crack, Merrily must venture into areas of mystery and menace; the secrets of the border's pagan past...'Ancient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth.' - The Times'What I remember most was the sound of his breath. A hollow sound, as though he was drawing breath from somewhere else. Afterwards, he just said goodnight. I don't think he even remembered my name.'Hereford is home to the elite warriors of the SAS. The place where their secrets are hidden . . . secrets that go well beyond pain and can wreck marriages and private lives. When Merrily Watkins loses a friend in the regiment, she's drawn into a place where no woman is welcome, to investigate profound mysteries linked to the area's brutal pagan past.Trade ReviewA labyrinthine plot and a fascinating portrayal of the quagmire of ancient grudges and shifting allegiances of a close-knit community make this an absorbing and thought-provoking page-turner. * Guardian *Wonderfully original. * Daily Telegraph *Spine-tingling . . . this is Rickman at his very best. Makes the supernatural all too believable. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisMajor Eazy is a maverick soldier in a dirty war, caught up in the Allies' invasion of Italy in 1944 and determined to see justice done. Even when that means taking on villains on his own side, he doesn't pull any punches! More movie star than military, Eazy was the most laconic and indeed British officer ever to grace the pages of a comic. This volume starts from the very beginning of Eazy's story.

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Book SynopsisSherlock Holmes has already encountered the evil young hedonist Edward Hyde, and knew he was strangely connected with Henry Jekyll, the respectable young doctor. It was not until the Queen herself requested it, however, that Holmes was officially on the case of the savage murder of Sir Danvers Crew. Here, then is the account of that devilish crime as recorded by Dr Watson...

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Book SynopsisFROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott When ex-SAS operative Ben Hope decided to give up rescuing kidnap victims in favour of the Theology studies he abandoned years before, he should have known that fate would decide differently. Searching for missing biblical archaeologist Zoë Bradbury, Ben finds himself embroiled in his riskiest mission yet. What is the ancient secret that Zoë uncovered? And just who is willing to do anything to protect it? The investigation leads Ben from Greece to the American Deep South and the holy city of Jerusalem, and he soon discovers that it's not just his and Zoë's lives on the line, but those of millions, threatened by a fundamentalist plot to gain ultimate power. The stakes are terrifyingly high as Ben races to prevent a disaster that could kick-start apocalyptic events as foretold by the Book of Revelation… The Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to a new Ben Hope thriller begins… Whilst the Ben Hope thrillers can be read in any order, this is the third book in the series. Trade Review Praise for Scott Mariani ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore

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Book SynopsisMeet the Drapers – they're as tough as they come … The gritty drama from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Nobody's Girl. Set on the mean streets of 1960s South London. MENACING… The Drapers rule the streets of South London. Everyone's afraid of them – and that's just how they like it. But when tempers flare and a family feud spirals out of control, tragedy strikes, leaving eldest son Danny in charge. MANIPULATED… But he has shocking plans for the family business and Petula, the baby of the family, becomes the scapegoat for the Draper’s dirty dealings. MISSING… Years later, and the once united family has now split up. Petula returns to the place she once called home to face her family as well as her demons, unleashing a terrible secret that could destroy them once and for all…Trade ReviewPraise for Nobody’s Girl and Sins of the Father: ‘This pageturner is a gritty tale of survival.’ Tesco magazine. 'Heartbreakingly poignant and joltingly realistic. From the first page the characters and their lives drew me in. It combines wonderfully accurate historical detail with true gritty realism in a book that fans of misery lit won't want to miss.' Annie Groves, author of Some Sunny Day. ‘Full of drama and heartache.’Closer Magazine ‘I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. In fact, I couldn’t put it down!’Closer ‘This book kept me in total suspense until the end.’Closer

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Book Synopsis''Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers'' Daily Mail''Brody''s writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive'' Ann Cleeves AN IDYLLIC SEASIDE TOWNNothing ever happens in August, and tenacious sleuth Kate Shackleton deserves a break. Heading off for a long-overdue holiday to Whitby, she visits her school friend Alma who works as a fortune teller there. A MISSING GIRLKate had been looking forward to a relaxing seaside sojourn, but upon arrival discovers that Alma''s daughter Felicity has disappeared, leaving her mother a note and the pawn ticket for their only asset: a watch-guard. What makes this more intriguing is the jeweller who advanced Felicity the thirty shillings is Jack Phillips, Alma''s current gentleman friend.A COMPLEX MYSTERY TO SOLVEKate can''t help but become involved, and goes to thTrade ReviewFrances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers. * Daily Mail *Frances Brody skilfully holds our attention, making us want to read on and then look forward to the next Kate Shackleton mystery. * Gazette & Herald *Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine.Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place . . . a novel to cherish. * Daily Mail *This is whimsical, colourful stuff and readers will warm to the entrepreneurial yet fragile Kate. * Take a Break *

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Book SynopsisBOOK 9 IN THE BELOVED NO.1 LADIES'' DETECTIVE AGENCY SERIESThe one with the poison pen letter . . . For the first time in her career as Botswana''s no. 1 lady detective, Mma Ramotswe suffers a blow to her faith in the goodness of humanity (and of her neighbours in particular) when she receives a threatening letter. But she does not let this swerve her from the sad plight of an orphan who hopes to find her true family. Meanwhile, at Zebra Drive, Mma Ramotswe''s beloved husband Mr J. L. B. Matekoni is also searching for an expensive miracle for their own foster daughter Motholeli.''Exceptional charm'' Daily Mail''As fluent and gracious as ever'' Sunday Times''Irresistible - there will indeed be miracles'' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewWritten with the gentleness of its predecessors and with a charm that is quite exceptional in modern detective fiction * Sunday Telegraph *The writing is as fluent and gracious as ever, and charmingly conveys the practical wisdom of much of African life * Sunday Times *Nothing spoils McCall Smith's vision of Botswana as a place where decent people triumph over mischief-makers * Daily Telegraph *Irresistible - there will indeed be miracles * New York Times Book Review *Charming, warmly affective... As comfy cozy as can be * Philadelphia Inquirer *The pleasure of these sweet books lies in the clarity and gravity with which the characters reason through everyday dilemmas * Entertainment Weekly *A fitting part of the tiny miracle the entire series has been * Star-Telegram *

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Book SynopsisSophie Hannah''s unguessable thrillers have readers hooked!''INGENIOUS! I challenge anyone to unravel this clever whodunit'' ?????''Sophie Hannah could well be our modern Christie, such a deliciously complicated plot. Her best yet!!'' ?????''This murder mystery really did blow my mind. It kept me awake at night! Absolutely brilliant'' ?????''This lived up to its press for me. I loved every page -- a truly impossible puzzle!!'' ?????It''s every mother''s nightmare . . .Alice Fancourt left her baby daughter for two hours. Her husband was supposed to be watching her. But when Alice returns, she instantly realises something is wrong. The baby sleeping in the cot is not her daughter.As her husband becomes increasingly hostile, insisting that she is either crazy or lying, Alice realises her baby is in grave danger - and she might be too.Can Alice make anyone believe her before it''s too late?''Terrifying'' Scotsman''Ingenious'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewQuite brilliant - I was extremely impressed * The Times *This may well turn out to be the detective novel of the year . . . A terrifying mystery of manipulation, counter-manipulation and, finally, astounding revelation - it's a haunting story told with bewitching skill. * Scotsman *Chilling and completely gripping - I stayed up half the night to finish it. * Marie Claire *The author is a poet by trade and she brings a wealth of psychological and literary subtlety to bear in this impressive novel. Smart and disarmingly unnerving * Daily Mail *Hannah adapts to crime fiction with arresting aplomb: her characters are vivid, the novel's challenging double narrative is handled with flair, and its denouement is ingenious * The Sunday Times *Women in peril flit through the pages of traditional Gothic fiction, murmuring 'Had I but known!' as they fall for the wrong man, open the wrong door or apply for the wrong job. Sophie Hannah takes the trusty formula in both hands, gives it a vigorous shake and uses it to produce something fascinating and original in her novel. Beautifully written the novel is outstandingly chilling - terror lurks in the half understood and in anticipation. Little Face is a hugely promising debut. Sophie Hannah is an author to watch -- Andrew Taylor * Spectator *Hannah's whodunit milks a classic formula with subversive results. This missing-baby tale chimes with very modern anxieties. Custody issues lie at the heart of the resolution, and the increasingly perverse relationship between Alice and David is grounded in recognisable reality that serves only to make our flesh crawl more -- Emma Hagestadt * Independent *A suspensful and psychological thriller, the plot twists and turns right up until the very last * Heat *Intriguing. Hannah's depiction of relationships tested to the limit by domestic tragedy is impressive -- Simon Shaw * Mail on Sunday *A gripping psychological thriller * Independent on Sunday *Sophie Hannah is an award-winning poet and short story writer, and for this, her first novel, she has come up with a chilling thriller . . . I was left thinking about the book for days * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisNo stranger to sprawling country estates, well-heeled Daisy Dalrymple is breaking new ground at Wentwater Court to cover a story for Town & Country magazine. But her interview gives way to interrogation when suave Lord Stephen Astwick meets a chilly end on the tranquil skating pond. With evidence that his death was anything but accidental, Daisy joins forces with Scotland Yard so the culprit can't slip through their fingers like the unfortunate Astwick slipped through the ice ...Praise for The Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries:'Appropriate historical detail and witty dialogue are the finishing touches on this engaging 1920s period piece.' Publishers Weekly'As always, Dunn evokes the life and times of 1920s England while providing a plot that is a cut above... This will delight readers who love country-house mysteries.' Booklist

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Book SynopsisCompletely captivating, this is a spine-tingling page-turner of a mystery from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell. Perfect for fans of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon. ''The most brilliant mystery novelist'' -- Patricia Cornwell''Psychologically acute and extremely disturbing, Ruth Rendell''s work is outstanding'' -- The Times''Stark, edgy and punchy'' -- ***** Reader review''This book kept me awake for nights on end!'' -- ***** Reader review''I just could not put it down'' -- ***** Reader review''Smashing'' -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************************************************The thirteenth of May is famously the unluckiest day of the year. Sergeant Caleb Martin of Kingsmarkham CID had no idea just how terminally unlucky it would prove, as Trade ReviewA very great pleasure ... Beyond praise, completely compelling - will delight all Wexford's admirers -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *Psychologically acute and extremely disturbing, Ruth Rendell's work is outstanding * The Times *The most brilliant mystery novelist of our time * Patricia Cornwell *

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Book SynopsisA thrilling, twisty tale of a dangerous romance set in the heart of mid-century Savoy, from the author of Madam, Will You Talk. ''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times Linda Martin understands what is to be lonely: her parents died when she was young, and she was raised in an orphanage. When she is hired as a governess to the orphaned young Philippe, Comte de Valmy, Linda finds a kindred spirit in the lonely little boy. But Philippe is the heir to a vast estate in Savoy, and his dangerously handsome uncle may be willing to kill to ensure that Philippe never inherits it . . . Praise for Mary Stewart:''A wonderful wordsmith'' Scotsman''I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent''She sTrade ReviewFrom opening to finale, this zestful romantic adventure grips, amuses, frightens and delights * Sunday Telegraph *Mary Stewart is magic * New York Times *She set the bench mark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing * Elizabeth Buchan *A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I'd rather read her than most other authors. * Harriet Evans *

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Book SynopsisA hunt for a stolen painting turns into a murder investigation for Spenser, Robert B. Parker's legendary private eye.Private Detective Spenser is on his easiest job yet. Art professor Ashton Prince has hired him to help recover a stolen painting. The thieves will return it in exchange for a ransom. All Spenser has to do is accompany Prince, just in case. And collect his fee. But, as Prince walks away from the exchange towards Spenser's car carrying the wrapped painting, it explodes. Prince is gone, and with him, Spenser's cash. Starting to investigate, Spenser discovers Prince's past is far from squeaky clean, but nothing warrants going to such unusual lengths to kill him. Who did it, and why?Trade ReviewSpenser is the sassiest, funniest, most-enjoyable-to-read private eye around today * The Cincinnati Post *Parker's at the top of his game! * Boston Globe *Robert B Parker's Spenser is one of the best private detectives in fiction * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWAKE UP TO TRUE EVILThe third gripping thriller in Lars Kepler's bestselling series featuring Joona Linna.Perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.ONE GIRL IS DEADAt a home for troubled girls, a young girl has been brutally murdered during the night. Her body is found arranged in bed with her hands covering her eyes.ONE GIRL IS MISSINGVicky Bennet is the only girl unaccounted for. When a bloody hammer is discovered under her pillow, it appears that she was more than just a witness to the killing.ONE GIRL CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN IT ALLDetective Inspector Joona Linna is called in to piece the evidence together. But the case quickly descends into darker, more violent territory, leading him finally to a shocking confrontation with the past.Praise for Lars Kepler:Scandi noir at its best' Evening StandardA rich, nuanced tale, ideal for beach reading, just as long as the beach doesn't harbor too many shadows' KirkusA brilliant thriller' Norrköpings TidningarTaking Europe by storm' Daily MaiTrade Review‘Scandi noir at its best ’ Evening Standard ‘A rich, nuanced tale, ideal for beach reading, just as long as the beach doesn’t harbor too many shadows’ Kirkus ‘A brilliant thriller’ Norrköpings Tidningar Praise for Lars Kepler:‘Taking Europe by storm’ Daily Mail ‘Kepler has a direct line to a very dark place in the human soul’ Lev Grossman, Time ‘More energetic than Mankell, as socially involved as Larsson, Kepler matches Jo Nesbo for gothic excitement’ Weekend Australian

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Book SynopsisGavin is creating a unique ''holiday experience'', every facility any tourist who hates abroad will ever want, will all be available on a converted North Sea oil rig. To test the facilities he''s hosting a reunion for his old school (none of his ex-classmates can remember him, but what the heck, it''s free). He is so busy showing off that he doesn''t notice that another group have invited themselves along -- a collection of terrorist mercenaries who are occasionally of more danger to themselves than to the public. And they in turn are unaware that Inspector MacGregor has got wind of their activities. Within twenty-four hours Gavin''s dream has blown to the four winds, along with a lot of other things. Fast, rabidly funny, and seriously over the top.

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Book SynopsisIt''s Christmas, and Phryne has an invitation to the Last Best party of 1928, a four-day extravaganza being held at Werribee Manor house and grounds by the Golden Twins, Isabella and Gerald Templar. She knew them in Paris, where they caused a sensation. Phryne is in two minds about going when she starts receiving anonymous threats warning her against attending. She promptly decides to accept the invitation - after all, no one tells Phryne what to do. At the Manor, she is accommodated in the Iris room, and at the party meets two polo-playing women, a Goat lady (and goat), a large number of glamorous young men and a very rude child called Tarquin. The acolytes of the golden twins are smoking hashish and dreaming, and Phryne finds that the jazz is as hot as the drinks are cold and indulges in flirtations, dancing, and mint juleps. Heaven.It all seems like good clean fun until three people are kidnapped, one of them the abominable child, and Phryne must puzzle her way through thTrade ReviewGreenwood's strength lies in her ability to create characters that are wholly satisfying: the bad guys are bad, and the good guys are great * Vogue *Phryne Fisher is gutsy and adventurous, and endowed with plenty of grey matter * West Australian *Elegant, fabulously wealthy and sharp as a tack, Phryne sleuths with customary panache ... [she is] irresistibly charming * The Age *Phryne Fisher is young, wealthy, beautiful, smart, confident and independently minded, and she has a knack for solving murders when she is not sipping a strengthening cocktail or planning another seduction * The Australian's Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisA first-class mystery.' Daily Mail''[Laura Lippman] is a very special kind of twisted genius.'' SARAH HILARY''One of Lippman''s finest novels'' Chicago Tribune A TESS MONAGHAN MYSTERYNo one is quite who they seem.Melisandre rich, beautiful, possibly insane is haunted by the deadly family tragedy a decade earlier. Her husband and teenage daughters have moved on, and are seemingly happy. When she returns from South Africa to Baltimore, there are suddenly more mysterious deaths. The mysteries of Melisandre's devastating past are unearthed: what role did her family really play? Is anyone telling the truth?PI Tess Monaghan gets ensnared in the story of this wealthy, complex family. Now the mother of a young girl herself, Tess makes a return as an investigator to solve the case.A hugely powerful and emotive novel about children and destructive, overbearing parents, Hush Hush is a superbl

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Book SynopsisThe third book in a WWI thriller series featuring Jack McColl, a Scottish car salesman who moonlights as a spy for His Majesty's Navy

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Book SynopsisInternational bestselling author TESS GERRITSEN began to write fiction whilst on maternity leave as a physician. She published her first novel in 1987 and has since sold over forty million copies of her books in forty countries. Her series featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the television series Rizzoli and Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. Now retired from medicine, she lives in Maine and writes full time.Trade ReviewFascinating... spectacularly gory... fast-paced * Mail on Sunday *Tess Gerritsen gets better with every book * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisDiscover the classic mystery from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time''A whip cracking, page turning read with a twist in the tail'' 5***** Reader Review''Kept me turning the pages, full of twists and turns - Dick Francis at his best yet again!'' 5***** Reader Review______Jonah Dereham is a bloodstock agent who buys and sells horses for his clients. As an ex-jockey, it''s the ideal quiet life - until Jonah is attacked by thugs out to sabotage his business.Unfortunately for them, Jonah''s a man with a steely resolve. He''s determined to find out who is trying to ruin him, and why.But staying honest is more dangerous than Jonah could have imagined.And with his horses, his business and his own life on the line, Jonah must hit back - before he''s taken down for good . . .Packed with intrigue and hair-raising suspense, Knock Down is just one of the many blockbuster thrillers from legendary crime writer Dick Francis.Praise for Dick Francis:''As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing'' Daily Mirror''The narrative is brisk and gripping and the background researched with care . . . the entire story is a pleasure to relish'' Scotsman''Dick Francis''s fiction has a secret ingredient - his inimitable knack of grabbing the reader''s attention on page one and holding it tight until the very end'' Sunday Telegraph''A regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever'' Sunday Express''The master of suspense and intrigue'' Country Life''Francis writing at his best'' Evening Standard''Still the master'' Racing PostTrade ReviewA regular winner . . . as smooth, swift and lean as ever * Sunday Express *As a jockey, Dick Francis was unbeatable when he got into his stride. The same is true of his crime writing * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisChina Bayles comes to the aid of a nurse who ends up in hospital in the latest book in a New York Times bestselling series.

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