Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award 2019, shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award 2018 and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award 2018A TELEGRAPH Book of the Year. Meet Jay.Small-time dealer.Accidental jihadist.The one man who can save us all?Javid call him Jay is a dope dealer living in West London. He goes to mosque on Friday, and he's just bought his pride and joy a BMW. He lives with his mum, and life seems sweet.But his world is about to turn upside-down. Because MI5 have been watching him, and they think he's just the man they need for a delicate mission.One thing's for sure: now he's a long way East of Hounslow, Jay's life will never be the same again.The pulse-pounding spy thriller featuring MI5's most unlikely and hilarious new hero Jay Qasim. Fans of Mick Herron and Ben Aaronvotich will love this fast-paced and gripping new crime thriller series.Don't miss the prequel to the series, The Motive, written exclusively for Quick Reads 2021. And keep reading for Jay's next adventure:1. East of Hounslow2. Homegrown Hero3. Ride or DieReaders LOVE the Jay Qasim series:One of the best books I've read in a long time'A modern and timely thriller'Exciting, tense and thoroughly engaging'A MUST read gripping, funny thriller'Fast-paced and topical thriller'A real page-turner'Funny and gripping at the same time'Trade Review‘Educated me about some of the most urgent issues of our time while making me repeatedly snort with laughter’. Telegraph ‘Combining humour and tragedy is one of the hardest literary challenges, but Khurrum Rahman succeeds.’ TLS ‘Told with striking panache. Announces the arrival of a fine, fresh new thriller writer’ Daily Mail ‘A very funny but tense thriller…Think Four Lions meets Phone Shop’ Red ‘As much a coming-of-age story as a full-on action thriller, East of Hounslow is thought-provoking and entirely gripping.’ Guardian ‘Sweary, funny and, above all, an absolutely cracking thriller that you’ll tear through, this is the anti-James Bond that the 21st century needs’ Emerald Street 'East of Hounslow, in which a young Muslim finds himself forced to become an MI5 plant in a group of jihadists, is as British as Nelson’s Colum. A superb and exciting debut novel' Telegraph ‘Clipped dialogues, staccato sentences and the hilariously brilliant prose set the pace of this excellent unputdownable crime thriller. The climax will leave you breathless.’ New Indian Express ‘A brilliant thriller. You’d be mad not to buy this.’Ben Aaronovitch, author of Rivers of London ‘Excellent book. Phenomenal writing.’ BA Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors ‘I loved it. More please’ Mel McGrath, author of Give Me the Child ‘Builds to a heart-constricting climax’ Times Crime Club ‘The best thriller I’ve read in ages’ Stephen Leather

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding short story collection from bestselling fantasy author Garth Nix.Trade ReviewAnyone familiar with Garth Nix's children's trilogy Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen will snatch up this anthology... there's a little bit of everything here. * SFX *The reader's absorption into the intrigue, magic and dazzling richness of the worlds and characters created by Nix is irresistible pleasure. * Australian Review of Books *Readers of the author's bestselling Abhorsen trilogy will find themselves right at home in this horror/fantasy/mystery... * SLJ *Fans will... find a nice range of writing from one of the leading fantasy writers at work today. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisA stunning stand-alone thriller following a Detroit cop's hunt for a serial killer like no other, from the bestselling authors of The Noise.__________________________THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERYou never forget your first case.Officer Walter O'Brien is called to a murder scene on his first night with Detroit PD. A terrified young woman has bludgeoned her attacker with shocking skill.She is also a brilliant escape artist. Her flight from police custody makes the case impossible to solve - and, for Walter, impossible to forget.His fascination with the missing, grey-eyed woman approaches obsession. And when Walter discovers that he's not alone in his search, only one thing is certain . . .The string of murders didn't begin in his home city - but he's going to make sure it ends there.__________________________Praise for James Patterson'Nobody does it better' Jeffery Deaver'A writer with an unusual skill at thriller plotting.' Mark Lawson, Guardian'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' Lee Child'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' Michael Connelly'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' Ian RankinTrade ReviewPatterson knows where our deepest fears are buried... there's no stopping his imagination. -- NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWNo one gets this big without natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. -- LEE CHILD, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher seriesPatterson boils a scene down to a single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind. -- MICHAEL CONNELLYJames Patterson is the boss. End of. -- IAN RANKIN, bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus seriesJames Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged. -- STEVE BERRY, bestselling author of the Colton Malone seriesPatterson is in a class by himself. -- VANITY FAIR

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Book Synopsisit is 1884, and when a fellow landlady finds her lodger poisoned, Mrs Hudson turns to Sherlock Holmes. The police suspect the landlady of murder, but Mrs Hudson insists that her friend is innocent. Upon investigating, the companions discover that the lodger, a civil servant recently returned from India, was living in almost complete seclusion, and that his last act was to scrawl a mysterious message on a scrap of paper. The riddles pile up as aged big game hunter Allan Quatermain is spotted at the scene of the crime when Holmes and Watson investigate. The famous man of mind and the legendary man of action will make an unlikely team in a case of corruption, revenge, and what can only be described as magic…Trade Review“A fun Holmes adventure that feels a lot like Arthur Conan Doyle’s originals, with lots of twists and turns” The Crime Review“carries the great Holmes name well through the 21st century. If you’re a fan of any of the newest Holmes incarnations (whether it be Sherlock, Elementary or the Guy Ritchie films), this will be a great supplement to fuel your love for a great mystery” Culturess (Fansided) “I was kind of hungry for something weird and geeky, and this story delivered by providing a sort of traditional Holmes and Watson, in an entirely new universe” Atomic Moo“[Lovegrove] has a fine touch, an understanding of Holmes and of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s style and creative bent” Buried Under Books“a Holmes mystery in keeping with the originals, and a credit to Lovegrove's skill.” - Girl Who Read

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Book SynopsisTwo gripping novellas from the No.1 international bestselling authorTrade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘A sexy, sensational novel with intoxicating vengeance and an unexpected tenderness – The Golden Cage is tensely and skillfully drawn’ Karin Slaughter ‘Lackberg’s new embrace of a terrifying revenge scenario furnishes visceral psychological crime.’ Financial Times ‘The Golden Cage is a twisting, brutal tale of betrayal and revenge. Lackberg paints a vivid portrait of a dark and complicated anti-heroine who is both the abused and abuser, victim and victimizer. A chilling, timely read sure to thrill her international legion of fans!’ Lisa Unger,New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Inside ‘A wonderful, take-no-prisoners mashup of Gone Girl, Billions, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Chris Bohjalian, New York Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant and The Red Lotus ‘Camilla Läckberg is a master of psychological suspense: she grabbed me by the throat with this sharply written, wildly entertaining tale of wealth, power and revenge and kept me up straight through the night’ Cristina Alger, New York Times best-selling author of Girls Like Us ‘Domesticity and brutality are Lackberg staples… Tightly plotted… Unflinching’ Sunday Times ‘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 ‘A top-class Scandinavian crime writer’ The Times ‘The rock star of Nordic Noir’ Independent ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun ‘A satisfying and counterintuitive clash between the cosy and gruesome strands of the genre’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIn this scorching crime hook-up, number one bestseller Ian Rankin and Scottish crime-writing legend William McIlvanney join forces for the first ever case of DI Laidlaw, Glasgow's original gritty detective'Fantastic' Lee Child'Absolutely brilliant' Mick HerronIf the truth's in the shadows, get out of the light . . . Lawyer Bobby Carter did a lot of work for the wrong type of people. Now he's dead and it was no accident. He's left behind his share of enemies, but who dealt the fatal blow?DC Jack Laidlaw's reputation precedes him. He's not a team player, but he's got a sixth sense for what's happening on the streets. As two Glasgow gangs go to war, Laidlaw needs to find out who got Carter before the whole city explodes.Trade ReviewTwo maestros for the price of one! All fans of quality crime fiction are in for a rare treat. McIlvanney and Rankin at the very height of their powers -- PETER JAMESFantastic - like witnessing Scottish noir's Big Bang creation in the company of its greatest living exponent -- LEE CHILDMcIlvanney and Rankin are the dream team. To have Rankin completing an unfinished McIlvanney novel is a crime fiction fan's dream come true -- MARK BILLINGHAMThe journey through 1970s Glasgow, its grotty tenements and genteel suburbs, makes for a gripping and atmospheric novel * * The Times, Book of the Month * *Absolutely brilliant. I was excited by this partnership the moment I heard it was happening, and it absolutely lives up to expectation. The Dark Remains is a triumph -- MICK HERRONThe personality of the tough, intelligent Laidlaw leaps off the page as readily as it did in the first novel that bore his name * * Financial Times * *Mean, moody and menacing. Perfect synchronicity from two of the best crime writers of our time -- SUE BLACKTwo legends of Scottish crime fiction blended like a deluxe whisky -- CHRIS BROOKMYRE[Rankin's] dialogue has the same spiky wit [as McIlvanney's], he adjusts to gangster-ridden Glasgow with aplomb, and the deft period context - politics, pop, telly, football, booze brands, language, family and marital mores etc - is the most compelling reason to read the book besides its charismatic existentialist sleuth * * Sunday Times * *It was sheer joy to hear McIlvanney's voice once more and be transported back to 1972 and the Glasgow of Jack Laidlaw . . . It would be impossible to calculate just how many writers have been influenced by him -- ALEX GRAY

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE FOR SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR'One of the great Scottish crime writers' The Times'Brilliant' Sunday Times Crime ClubNO ONE WILL FORGETIn a grimy flat in Glasgow, a homemade bomb explodes, leaving few remains to identify its maker.Detective Harry McCoy knows in his gut that there'll be more to follow. The hunt for a missing sailor from the local US naval base leads him to the secretive group behind the bomb, and their disturbing, dominating leader. If the city is to survive the next explosion, it'll take everything McCoy's got . . .Trade ReviewOne of the great Scottish crime writers . . . Whether it be William McIlvanney, Ian Rankin, Denise Mina or Alan Parks, the way they view - and depict - the world gives great pleasure . . . Like the very best crime novels, The April Dead makes you keenly aware of all the pain out there and (almost) alleviates it * * The Times, Book of the Month * *This is Scottish noir at its gritty darkest, the fourth instalment in Detective Harry McCoy's rocky career. Behind his bloody-minded disrespect for his superiors and sardonic wit, McCoy is a tough and instinctive copper who learned his skills on the beat. A cracking read * * Irish Independent * *Brilliant . . . The April Dead should grace the bookshelves of every crime fan * * Sunday Times Crime Club * *The April Dead may be the grisliest McCoy novel yet, but also, with its pace and urgency, the most exciting * * Wall Street Journal * *Dark and gritty . . . Gripping * * Crime Monthly * *Immensely exciting . . . One of the best police thrillers of the last few years * * Morning Star * *Tightly plotted and fast-moving, this well-wrought historical thriller highlights Parks' keen analysis of Scotland's societal traumas, in particular the failure to cope with domestic violence and child abuse. Tartan noir fans won't want to miss this one * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *The lean, muscular prose is matched by a deep dive into character and the seamy side of the city . . . A full-bodied immersion into Glasgow's gritty past * * Kirkus Reviews * *Praise for the Harry McCoy series: Fascinating and dangerous . . . Parks has clearly studied the masters of tartan noir but has his own voice. He shows how, among the welter of violence, a spontaneous act of kindness can have just as great an impact * * The Times, Book of the Month * *An old-school cop novel written with wit and economy . . . Think McIlvanney or Get Carter -- IAN RANKIN

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Book Synopsis Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020The first in an exciting new series from ''Iceland''s outstanding crime novelist'' (Daily Express) Yrsa Sigurdardottir.THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERTHE INTERNATIONAL PRIZEWINNER''Believe all the hype - this is crime at its best.'' HeatDetective Huldar is out of his depth. His first murder case is like nothing he''s seen before - a bizarre attack on a seemingly blameless woman.The only evidence is a list of numbers found at the scene, and the testimony of the victim''s eleven-year-old daughter, who isn''t talking.While his team attempt to crack the code, Huldar turns to child psychologist Freyja for her expertise with traumatised young people. Because time is running out...and the one thing they know for certain is that the murderer will strike again.Trade ReviewThe queen of Nordic crime shows her considerable chops with an introductory murder that hikes the tensionto cardiac-arrest levels, then introduces a new detective, the baggy-eyed Huldar, to sort it out. Icelandic noirat its reliably gripping best * The Sunday Times *Iceland's outstanding crime novelist * Daily Express *The Legacy takes us into a world where secrets are buried deep, only to reappear decades later and inflict harm on people who have no idea that they're connected by past horrors. Yrsa is a magnificent writer who envelops her stories with atmosphere so thick that only care and a bit of luck can see through it. Her characters spring vividly to life as they try their best to do just that, knowing that any mistake could be deadly for another innocent person. Impossible to put down.The Legacy is the start of an exciting new direction for Yrsa Sigurdardottir. The horror of a decades-old family separation provides the catalyst for dark crimes and a complex investigation. The Children's House promises to be an outstanding series.We have always been able to rely on Yrsa Sigurdardóttir for a good story well told, and The Legacy is no exception. A strong sense of place, interesting characters and a chilling plot make The Legacy a novel to savour.Yrsa remains the queen of Icelandic thriller writers * Guardian on THE LEGACY *5*s - Believe all the hype - this is crime at its best. * Heat Magazine on THE LEGACY *If you like your crime fiction dark and engaging, look no further. THE LEGACY is as brutal as it gets. A cracking start to a new series by Yrsa Sigurdardottir.Another tour de force from Sigurdardottir that cements her reputation as the queen of Nordic noir * i Paper in THE LEGACY *The conclusion is even more astounding, thanks to her white-hot plotting. * CrimeFiction Lover on THE LEGACY *The connecting thread in all the writer's work is her astuteness in observing human relations, the everyday mixed with the dark and devious. * The ArtsDesk on THE LEGACY *A tale of elegant twists and turns, which surprised me at least three times in the last fifty pagesNo one does crime fiction quite like Icelandic author Yrsa Sigurdardottir... THE LEGACY is a masterful procedural infused with the author's dark imagination. * Criminal Element *The deeper Sigurdardottir delves into the dark corners of her imagination, the more her creative talents thrive.This is a compelling read for anyone with an appetite for the macabre and the cryptic. * Daily Express *Solid characters and great complex plot...If you haven't already met the Queen of Icelandic Crime fiction start here, because this is her best novel to date * Globe and Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe action-filled climax ofthe epic story of the Batavi uprising in AD 69, from the author of the bestselling Empire series. **NOW FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL SHORT STORY**''A masterclass in military historical fiction'' - Sunday ExpressVictory is in sight for Kivilaz and his Batavi army. The Roman army clings desperately to its remaining fortresses along the Rhine, its legions riven by dissent and mutiny, and once-loyal allies of Rome are beginning to imagine the unimaginable: freedom from the rulers who have dominated them since the time of Caesar. The four centurions - two Batavi and two Roman, men who were once comrades in arms - must find their destiny in a maze of loyalties and threats, as the blood tide of war ebbs and flows across Germania and Gaul. For Rome does not give up its territory lightly. And a new emperor knows that he cannot tolerate any threat to his undisputed power. It can only be a Trade ReviewPraise for Anthony Riches * : *This thrilling, insightful and compelling trilogy [...] is a masterclass in military historical fiction anddemonstrates how the trauma of war affected the ordinary Roman soldier. * Sunday Express *This is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. -- Conn IgguldenA master of the genre * The Times *A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. -- Ben KaneStands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. -- Manda ScottRiches highlights the chaos and fragility of an empire without an emperor . . . dense, complicated and rewarding. * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''A story to savour, complete with wonderful settings stretching from Paris to the glorious countryside of southern France'' Dinah JefferiesA LOVEREADING BOOK OF THE YEAR from the bestselling author behind Channel 5''s Carol Drinkwater''s Secret Provence________Since her teenage daughter went missing four years ago, Kurtiz Ross has blamed and isolated herself. Until, out of the blue, Lizzie is sighted in Paris.But within hours of her arrival, Kurtiz sees the City of Light plunged into terror.Amid the fear and chaos, a hand reaches out. A sympathetic stranger offers to help a terrified mother find her daughter.The other woman''s kindness - and her stories of her own love and loss in post-war Provence - shine unexpected light into the shadows. The night may hold the answers to a mystery - but dare Kurtiz believe it could also bring a miracle?________''A gripping tale'' SunTrade ReviewRanging across time periods this is a story to savour, complete with wonderful settings stretching from Paris to the occupied territory of the West Bank, and to the glorious countryside of southern France and La Côte d'Azur. Most of all I enjoyed the descriptions of France, particularly the 'wild heady scents', the sloping vineyards and the olive groves of the south. I felt I was breathing the fragrant air and eating dinner beneath the stars -- Dinah Jefferies * Number One Sunday Times bestselling author of The Tea Planter's Wife *The perfect holiday read that manages to keep you guessing the whole way through * Living France *An unforgettable journey of family, romance, regret and renewal * The Gloss *Carol Drinkwater is a great and compassionate writer -- Danuta Kean * Guardian *Mesmerising, haunting and extraordinarily relevant * Lovereading *A gripping tale * Sunday Post *An emotional tale of loss and kindness * French Property News *The Lost Girl is a story of love and loss, of sadness and great joy . . . Through a cast of frequently complex but immensely likeable characters, the author takes us on a journey - across five generations - that challenge a wide range of political, social and moral mores. Ultimately, The Lost Girl offers a message of hope and regeneration, in addition to the timely reminder that it is often darkest before the dawn * The Middle East *A brilliantly told story set against that dreadful night. The characters are superbly written . . . I couldn't put it down * NetGalley Reviewer *A great book, one you become immersed in, highly recommended * NetGalley Reviewer *Great read and easy to follow, look forward to reading more * NetGalley Reviewer *Superb book . . . two different eras that tie in beautifully . . . I couldn't put the book down * NetGalley Reviewer *Praise for The Forgotten Summer * - *Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets all set in glorious Provence - I loved this -- Santa MontefioreA lovely book packed with the sunshine, scents and savours of the South of France. Plenty of page-turning drama but also mouthwatering descriptions of Paris and Provence. Enough to make you rush straight to the Eurostar * Daily Mail *This atmospheric read will whisk you straight to the South of France as you become immersed in the tale of secrets and heartbreak * Marie Claire *Gripping * Candis *I loved this book. I kept snatching a few more pages whenever I could. It has left me wanting to head to warmer climes and take part in the grape and olive harvests. Well I can dream can't I? * Mumsnet *

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Book SynopsisSunday Post's best reads of the year, 2018Rome, AD 63. Vespasian has been made Governor of Africa. Nero, Rome's increasingly unpredictable Emperor, orders him to journey with his most trusted men to a far-flung empire in Africa to free 500 Roman citizens who have been enslaved by a desert kingdom. Vespasian arrives at the city to negotiate their emancipation, hoping to return to Rome a hero and find himself back in favour with Nero. But when Vespasian reaches the city, he discovers a slave population on the edge of revolt. With no army to keep the population in check, it isn't long before tensions spill over into bloody chaos. Vespasian must escape the city with all 500 Roman citizens and make their way across a barren desert, battling thirst and exhaustion, with a hoard of rebels at their backs. It's a desperate race for survival, with twists and turns aplenty.Meanwhile, back in Rome, Nero's extravagance goes unchecked. All of Rome's elite fear for their lives as Nero's closest allies run amok. Can anyone stop the Emperor before Rome devours itself? And if Nero is to be toppled, who will be the one to put his head in the lion's mouth?______________________________________________Don't miss Robert Fabbri's epic new series Alexander's Legacy Trade ReviewFabbri does an excellent job with this scintillating source material. -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Stuffed with political deviousness and vivid depictions of war and torture, Fabbri's eighth book of the series is shockingly good. * Sunday Sport *Robert Fabbri has a winner on his hands. * The BookPlank *A stonking read. * Classic FM *Fabbri's Vespasian novels have been creating quite a stir. * The History Girls *Picked as one of the best reads of the year * Sunday Post *

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

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Book Synopsis''An unputdownable thriller'' Gregory Dowling ''It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax'' Daily Mail ''Gwynne Jones''s talent for evoking place and atmosphere is clear as ever'' Literary Review_______________It''s the night of 12 November 2019. The worst flooding in 50 years hits the city of Venice. 85% of La Serenissima is underwater. Gale force winds roar across the lagoon and along the narrow streets. And the body of Dr Jennifer Whiteread- a young British art historian, specialising in the depiction of angels in Venetian painting - is found floating in a flooded antique bookshop on the Street of the Assassins.As the local police struggle to restore order to a city on its knees, Nathan Sutherland - under pressure from the British Ambassador and distraught rel

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Book Synopsis'Move over Ian Rankin - there's a new gunslinger in town looking to take over your role as top British police procedural author...' Independent on SundayFollowing on from Playing With Fire, Strange Affair is the fifteenth novel in Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, which inspired the major British ITV drama DCI Banks.When Alan Banks receives a disturbing message from his brother, Roy, he abandons the peaceful Yorkshire Dales to seek him out amidst the bright lights of London. But Roy seems to have vanished into thin air.Meanwhile, DI Annie Cabbot is called to a quiet stretch of road just outside Eastvale, where a young woman has been found dead in her car. In the victim’s pocket, scribbled on a slip of paper, police discover Banks’s name and address.Living in Roy's empty South Kensington house, Banks finds himself digging into the life of the brother he never really knew, nor even liked. And as he begins to uncover a few troubling surprises, the two cases become sinisterly entwined . . .'The Banks novels are, simply put, the best series now on the market' - Stephen KingTrade ReviewThe Banks novels are, simply put, the best series now on the market -- Stephen KingInspector Banks is a man for all seasons. -- Michael ConnellyThrilling - brilliantly plotted, beautifully paced -- Louise PennyExemplary * New York Times Book Review *Exquisite * USA Today *

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Book SynopsisA Voice in the Night is the twentieth compelling crime novel in the phenomenally successful Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri. Feeling his age, as his birthday rolls round once again, Inspector Montalbano decides to cheer himself up by dealing with a young driver’s road rage in his own unique way. But his joy is short-lived, as at police headquarters he receives an angry phone call from a supermarket boss: there’s been a robbery at his store and Montalbano’s colleague is treating him as a suspect. On arrival at the scene, Montalbano quickly agrees with Inspector Augello that this was no ordinary break-in, but with the supermarket’s infamous links to the Sicilian Mafia creating problems at every turn, this isn’t going to be an easy case for the inspector to solve. And to add to the inspector’s burden, the young driver he made an enemy of earlier on has returned to police headquarters to report a shocking crime . . . A Voice in the Night is followed by the twenty-first gripping mystery, A Nest of Vipers.Trade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *Among the most exquisitely crafted pieces of crime writing available today . . . simply superb * Sunday Times *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA knightly fairy tale of royalty and dragons, of midwives with secrets and dashing strangers in dark inns. Taking the original French legend as his starting point,The Story of Silenceis a rich, multilayered new story for today's world sure to delight fans of Uprooted and The Bear and the Nightingale.Utterly enchantingPublishers WeeklyThere was once, long ago, a foolish king who decreed that women should not, and would not, inherit. Thus when a girl-child was born to Lord Cador Merlin-enchanted fighter of dragons and Earl of Cornwall he secreted her away: to be raised a boy so that the family land and honour would remain intact.That child's name was Silence.Silence must find their own place in a medieval world that is determined to place the many restrictions of gender and class upon them. With dreams of knighthood and a lonely heart to answer, Silence sets out to define themselves.Soon their silence will be ended.Trade Review“[Myers’] prose is utterly enchanting. Fantasy and historical fiction readers will delight in this mythical contribution to Arthuriana.” Publishers Weekly PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS WORKS BY ALEX MYERS “Remarkable.”New York Times

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Book SynopsisSpring, 1909, and Lady Hardcastle, amateur sleuth and all-round eccentric, is enjoying a well-deserved rest. But a week after a trip to the cattle market, Spencer Caradine, a local farmer, turns up dead in the pub, face-down in his beef and mushroom pie. Once again, it is up to Lady Hardcastle and her maid, Florence, to solve the case. Armed with wit and whimsy, not to mention Florence’s mean right hook, the pair set out to discover what really happened and why. Was it poison or just ill luck? As they delve further into their investigation, they encounter a theft where nothing is stolen, a séance with a troubled ghost and an ever-increasing number of Spencer’s family and friends who might just have motive for murder. One thing’s for sure: Lady Hardcastle has a mystery on her hands.

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Book SynopsisThe third book in the Kovac and Liska detective series from Sunday Times bestselling Tami Hoag

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Book SynopsisOnline investigative journalist Scott King investigates the death of a pop megastar, the subject of multiple accusations of sexual abuse and murder before his untimely demise in a fire … another episode of the startlingly original, award-winning Six Stories series. ‘A captivating, genre-defying book with hypnotic storytelling’ Rosamund Lupton ‘A chilling, wholly original and quite brilliant story. Deity is utterly compelling, and Matt Wesolowski is a wonderful writer’ Chris Whitaker ‘Matt Wesolowski taking the crime novel to places it’s never been before. Filled with dread, in the best possible way’ Joseph Knox _______________ A shamed pop star A devastating fire Six witnesses Six stories Which one is true? When pop megastar Zach Crystal dies in a fire at his remote mansion, his mysterious demise rips open the bitter divide between those who adored his music and his endless charity work, and those who viewed him as a despicable predator, who manipulated and abused young and vulnerable girls. Online journalist, Scott King, whose Six Stories podcasts have become an internet sensation, investigates the accusations of sexual abuse and murder that were levelled at Crystal before he died. But as Scott begins to ask questions and rake over old graves, some startling inconsistencies emerge: Was the fire at Crystal’s remote home really an accident? Are reports of a haunting really true? Why was he never officially charged? Dark, chillingly topical and deeply thought-provoking, Deity is both an explosive thriller and a startling look at how heroes can fall from grace and why we turn a blind eye to even the most heinous of crimes… _______________ Praise for the Six Stories series ‘A gripping exposure of the underbelly of celebrity and obsessive fandom with lashings of supernatural horror – Daisy Jones and the Six gone to the dark side. I couldn’t put it down’ Harriet Tyce ‘Matt Wesolowski is boldly carving his own uniquely dark niche in fiction’ Benjamin Myers ‘Dark, twisty and incredibly clever ... an author to watch!’ C L Taylor ‘A dark, twisting rabbit hole of a novel. You won't be able to put it down' Francine Toon ‘First-class plotting’ S Magazine ‘A dazzling fictional mystery’ Foreword Reviews ‘Readers of Kathleen Barber’s Are You Sleeping and fans of Ruth Ware will enjoy this slim but compelling novel’ Booklist ‘An exceptional storyteller' Andrew Michael Hurley ‘Beautifully written, smart, compassionate – and scary as hell. Matt Wesolowski is one of the most exciting and original voices in crime fiction’ Alex North ‘Insidiously terrifying, with possibly the creepiest woods since The Blair Witch Project … a genuine chiller with a whammy of an ending’ C J Tudor ‘Frighteningly wonderful … one of the best books I’ve read in years’ Khurrum Rahman ‘Disturbing, compelling and atmospheric, it will terrify and enthral you in equal measure’ M W Craven ‘Bold, clever and genuinely chilling with a terrific’ Sunday Mirror ‘A genuine genre-bending debut’ Daily Mail 'Impeccably crafted and gripping from start to finish’ Big Issue ‘The very epitome of a must-read’ Heat ‘Wonderfully horrifying … the suspense crackles’ James Oswald ‘Original, inventive and dazzlingly clever’ Fiona Cummins ‘Haunting, horrifying, and heartrending. Fans of Arthur Machen will want to check this one out’ Publishers WeeklyTrade Review'First-class plotting' S Magazine;'A dazzling fictional mystery' Foreword Reviews;'Readers of Kathleen Barber's Are You Sleeping and fans of Ruth Ware will enjoy this slim but compelling novel' Booklist;'Matt Wesolowski brilliantly depicts a desperate and disturbed corner of north-east England in which paranoia reigns and goodness is thwarted ... an exceptional storyteller' Andrew Michael Hurley;'Beautifully written, smart, compassionate - and scary as hell. Matt Wesolowski is one of the most exciting and original voices in crime fiction' Alex North;'Insidiously terrifying, with possibly the creepiest woods since The Blair Witch Project ... a genuine chiller with a whammy of an ending' C J Tudor;'Endlessly inventive and with literary thrills a-plenty, Matt Wesolowski is boldly carving his own uniquely dark niche in fiction' Benjamin Myers;'Frighteningly wonderful ... one of the best books I've read in years' Khurrum Rahman;'Disturbing, compelling and atmospheric, it will terrify and enthral you in equal measure' M W Craven;'Bold, clever and genuinely chilling with a terrific twist that provides an explosive final punch' Deidre O'Brien, Sunday Mirror;'A genuine genre-bending debut' Carla McKay, Daily Mail;'Impeccably crafted and gripping from start to finish' Doug Johnstone, The Big Issue;'The very epitome of a must-read' Heat;'Wonderfully horrifying ... the suspense crackles' James Oswald;'Original, inventive and dazzlingly clever' Fiona Cummins;'A complex and subtle mystery, unfolding like dark origami to reveal the black heart inside' Michael Marshall Smith;'Haunting, horrifying, and heartrending. Fans of Arthur Machen, whose unsettling tale The White People provides an epigraph, will want to check this one out' Publishers Weekly;'Matt Wesolowski has just the formula to meet your self-scaring needs... ' Strong Words magazine;'A masterly piece of storytelling, very sinister, deliciously entertaining' New Books Magazine

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Book SynopsisKhemri learns the minute he becomes a Prince that princes need to be hard to kill-for they are always in danger. Their greatest threat? Other Princes. Every Prince wants to become Emperor and the surest way to do so is to kill, dishonor, or sideline any potential competitor. There are rules, but as Khemri discovers, rules can be bent and even broken.There are also mysteries. Khemri is drawn into the hidden workings of the Empire and is dispatched on a secret mission. In the ruins of space battle, he meets a young woman, called Raine, who challenges his view of the Empire, of Princes, and of himself. But Khemri is a Prince, and even if he wanted to leave the Empire behind, there are forces there that have very definite plans for his future.''Space battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for?'' (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))''Nix''s fantaTrade ReviewEnough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled * Horn Book *Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction * School Library Journal *Garth Nix's A Confusion of Princes is YA Foundation meets Dune * Tor.com *Exuberant and insightful. The rocket-powered pace and epic world-building provide an ideal vehicle for what is, at heart, a sweet paean to what it means to be human -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred ReviewSpace battles! Political intrigue! Engineered warriors! Techno-wizardry! Assassins! Pirates! Rebels! Duels! Secrets, lies, sex and True Love! What more can anybody ask for? -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Enough gadgets, escapes, battles, duels, deaths, and near-death experiences to keep die-hard adventure story readers enthralled. Happily, Khemri is also a thoughtful, winsome, and somewhat complex character, and his cheerfully self-deprecating tone and unpredictable choices make this romp entertaining on multiple levels -- Horn Book (starred review)Nix once again proves his mastery of speculative fiction [as] he manages to tell a tale that is grand in scope with vivid characters and imaginative technology -- School Library Journal (starred review)[An] exciting space opera * Publishers Weekly *Garth Nix's A CONFUSION OF PRINCES is YA FOUNDATION meets DUNE -- Tor.comKhemri's first person point of view, along with a fast-paced, action- and plot-driven story, is sure to appeal to fans of the Star Wars universe and any number of first-person shooter video games -- ALA Booklist

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Book SynopsisUndeterred by world war and enemy submarines, Amelia and Emerson set sail once again for Egypt, where ghosts of an ancient past and spectres of a present-day evil hover silently over an inscrutable land. In the autumn of 1915 Cairo is transformed into an army camp teeming with enemy agents and shockingly bold tomb robbers are brazenly desecrating the ancient sites. Amelia seeks refuge at a remote dig in Luxor, but this provides no guarantee of safety when she discovers a fresh corpse in an ancient tomb. But are the Emersons in even darker danger with the intervention of one of Amelia's oldest and most dangerous adversaries? Tanatalising clues suggest this might be so, and point towards an archaelogical discovery of unparalleled importance - and the resurrection of a voice that has been silent for milennia.Trade ReviewI can't wait for the next Peabody story... I really do think Elizabeth Peters' books are great entertainment. -- Angela RiponA writer so popular that the public library has to keep her books under lock and key.' * Washington Post Book World *Think Miss Marple with early feminist gloss crossed with Indiana Jones... accomplished entertainment. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA timeless classic of modern-day piracy from the acclaimed master of action and suspense.Aboard the SS Campari, all is not well.For Johnny Carter, the Chief Officer, the voyage has already begun badly; but it's only when the Campari sails that evening, after a succession of delays that he realises something is seriously wrong.A member of the crew is suddenly missing and the stern-to-stern search only serves to increase tension. Then violence erupts and suddenly the whole ship is in danger. Is the Campari a victim of modern day piracy? And what of the strange cargo hidden below the decks?Trade Review‘Glorious and solid in every possible way’ Lee Child ‘Alistair MacLeans’s best…pure entertainment, wonderfully fast’ Daily Telegraph ‘MacLean is a master of this kind of action novel’ Evening Standard ‘In my opinion, his best ever. The pace is dazzling, the sea atmosphere superb’ Sunday Express ‘Grippingly suspenseful… ends with a supra-titanic bang’ Time 'Mr MacLean's grip on his story and characters is superb… His climax is murderous on the nerves' Sunday Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThe gripping tale of sabotage at sea, from the acclaimed master of action and suspense.In the heart of the Aegean Sea, a luxury yacht is on fire and sinking fast. Minutes later, a four-engined jet with a fire in its nose-cone crashes into the sea.Is there a sinister connection between these two tragedies? And is it an accident that the Ariadne, a NATO spy ship, is the only vessel in the vicinity the only witness?Only Commander Talbot of the Ariadne can provide the answers as he uncovers a deadly plot involving drugs and terrorism leading to the heart of the Pentagon.Trade Review'A magnificent storyteller' Sunday Mirror ‘The most successful British novelist of his time’ Jack Higgins ‘Alistair MacLean is one of the few people writing today who has a story to tell.’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisA stunning, never before published, novel from the legendary David Gemmell, with a new introduction from Conn Iggulden.Trade ReviewA fresh chance to sample the work of a departed master. * SFX *Nothing short of incredible. * SCIFIBULLETIN *Despite sitting in a very different genre, glimpses of classic Gemmell shine through. * SciFiNow *Gemmell captures all of this perfectly. He tells a crime tale routed in social commentary. He captures believable characters. * THE BOOK BAG *It does remind you just how damned good David Gemmell was. * CONCATENATION *

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Book SynopsisThe Long Winter is over. We survived. But only just. On a ruined world, we rebuild, watching the sky, waiting for any sign of their return. With only nine million survivors from a population of billions, humanity's survival is far from guaranteed but with the glaciers receding, there is now, at least, a chance. But out on the edges of the solar system, beyond Neptune's orbit, three vast asteroids have broken free from the Kuiper Belt and started the long fall towards the Sun. In two years time their trajectories will converge on Earth. We have to face the truth: they are back. And this battle will be to the very end. As humanity prepares its last stand in space and on the ground, it splinters. In our darkest hour, factions form and trust evaporates. And yet not all is lost. Dr James Sinclair has a plan that could ensure the species' survival, but it comes with enormous risks. Implementing it means navigating a course between two deadly enemies. One thing is certain: Sinclair's gambit will change the human race forever.Trade ReviewThis is apocalyptic sci-fi at its best. Plot and character are masterfully woven together and the action – which is anything but frozen – sling-shots from stage to stage like an intergalactic spaceship * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWhen a shady local businessman drops dead in the middle of Christmas festivities, Verlaque and Bonnet must solve the case while keeping the holiday spirit alive.

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Book SynopsisThe story takes place in the suffocating atmosphere of a social housing estate in the south of France. Sixteen-year-old Celine and her sister Jo, fifteen, dream of escaping to somewhere far from their daily routine, far from their surly, alcoholic father and uncaring mother, both struggling to make ends meet. That summer Celine falls pregnant, devastating news that reopens deep family wounds. Those of the mother Severine whose adolescence was destroyed by her early pregnancy and subsequent marriage with Manuel. Those of Manuel, grandson of Spanish immigrants, who takes refuge in alcoholism to escape the open disdain of his in-laws. Faced with Celine's refusal to name the father, Manuel needs a guilty party and Said, a childhood friend of the girls and conveniently Arab, seems to fit the role perfectly. In the suffocating heat of summer Manuel embarks on a drunken mission of revenge. A dark and upsetting account of an ailing society, filled with silent and murderous rage.Trade ReviewGUARDIAN: "There's an appalling, slow-motion car crash inevitability to this concise and beautifully written novel, not only about the disastrous consequences of Manuel's idee fixe, but also about the identity of the real father and the guilt and shame that follow." THE TIMES (London): "Summer of Reckoning is a powerful portrait of disaffected youth, stunted lives and insidious racism. It portrays a Provence that few tourists glimpse and will have its expats wondering just what lies beneath the swimming pool. Marion Brunet reminds us that noir is a French word; that "life's not like a fairytale for silly girls. Life hurts." This is the first of her award-winning books to be translated into English. More, please, au plus vite!" "With raw, chilling and incisive prose, Brunet takes us into a world of sectarian convictions dominated by the hatred of the rich, the bosses, the foreigners and the 'different'." --L'Express "With its intense rage, corrosive boredom and low-life scams, Brunet's South of France is saturated with broken dreams. And the last flickers of childhood are terrifying, proving that, even under the strong sun, social barriers remain implacable."--Paris Match "A story that is dark and luminous at the same time, dark following the slow unravelling of the crime story affecting Celine, and luminous in Joe's conviction that she will escape this sinister world. A novel that leaves you heart-stricken and seduced."--Le Monde "Dramatic tension is evident from the very beginning of this fierce and dark novel, well served by terse, direct and brilliant prose. The characters are strong, seemingly right beside us, nervous, anxious, overworked, and perspiring under the southern sun." -- Le Temps "Impresses with its mastery of rhythm and atmospheres, its acute powers of observation and the power of its writing, fierce, physical, and intense."- Telerama

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Book Synopsis''A match for end-of-the-world classics like Stephen King''s The Stand'' - New York Times Review of Books ''Breathtaking'' - Heat Thirteen years ago, a catastrophic pandemic known as The Doom killed billions. For those left behind, it is a chance to build a new world. But The Doom was no ordinary virus. In some survivors, it awoke strange powers - to heal, to harm, even to predict the future. Fallon Swift has no memories of the old world - but she is destined to shape this new one. Growing up with her three brothers on a quiet farm, she has been protected from danger by her mother and stepfather. Now she must leave them, and learn to fight. Because Fallon is not only a powerful ''Uncanny'' - she also has a pivotal role to play in the bloody battles ahead. A war between good and evil is brewing, and Fallon - young, tough, headstrong - must be ready. A sequel to the number one bestselling Year One, tTrade ReviewThough it's the middle book in a planned trilogy, this can be read on its own and will appeal to fans of fast-paced dystopian tales with a strong heroine * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe fourth book in the bestselling Chronicles of St Mary''s series which follows a group of tea-soaked disaster magnets as they hurtle their way around History. If you love Jasper Fforde or Ben Aaronovitch, you won''t be able to resist Jodi Taylor.Sometimes, surviving is all you have left.Max and Leon are safe at last. Or so they think.Snatched from her own world and dumped into a new one, Max is soon running for her life. Again.From a 17th century Frost Fair to Ancient Egypt; from Pompeii to 8th century Scandinavia; Max and Leon are pursued up and down the timeline, playing a dangerous game of hide-and-seek, until finally they''re forced to take refuge at St Mary''s where a new danger awaits them.Max''s happily ever after is going to have to wait a while... Readers love Jodi Taylor: ''Once in a while, I discover an author who changes everything... Jodi Taylor and her protagoniTrade ReviewTakes readers on a carnival ride through laughter and tears with a bit of time travel thrown in for spice * Publishers Weekly Starred Review *A true page-turner * SF Revu *I've never seen time travel handled this way. I like it * Wethenerdy.com *[An] appealing cast of characters... [with] with plenty of humour, lots of action, and even a touch of romance * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisSTRANGER. LIAR. KILLER?YOU CANT TRUST THE BAD DAUGHTER . . .Robin Davis hasn't spoken to her family in six years. Not since it happened.Then they're attacked; left fighting for their lives.And Robin is back.All families have their secrets. And one of theirs may have put them all in terrible danger . . .YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST YOUR FAMILY . . . CAN'T YOU?PRAISE FOR JOY FIELDING'Gripped me from the first to the very last page' Tess Gerritsen 'A spiralling tale of paranoia and suspense' Jenny Milchman'An edge-of-your-seat read . . . she is on top form here' Karen Robards'A gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller reminiscent of Rear Window' Booklist'The characters pulsate with life . . . blows everyone else off the page' Publishers Weekly'A page-turning ride' Kirkus ReviewsTrade Reviewthis book grabbed me from the beginning and I just didn't want to stop reading * Maureen's Books *Thrilling * Heat Magazine *This exploration of trust is gripping. But then I've come to expect that from this author * Frost Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe unstoppable Ruby Darke returns as old enemies threaten her family in The Edge, a gripping gangland thriller from top ten bestselling author Jessie Keane.With a mind sharper than a razor blade it was only a matter of time before Ruby Darke fought her way to the top. From humble beginnings she became the queen of London’s retail, but she didn’t get there by obeying the law.Now with her son Kit and daughter Daisy finally by her side she’s ready to start a new chapter in her life, but, unknown to all of them, enemies are circling.There aren’t many who threaten Ruby Darke and live to tell the tale. But this time, she may just have met her match.If you live on the edge, you may just die on it . . .This heart-racing series starts with Nameless and Lawless.Trade ReviewPerfect for fans of Martina Cole and Lynda La Plante * Glamour *Swift-moving intrigue * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisIt’s a beautiful day for a regatta—until one of Sandhamn Island’s most prestigious residents is killed aboard his sailing yacht. Oscar Juliander was a rich lawyer and deputy chairman of the prestigious Royal Swedish Yacht Club. While at first his death seems like a tragic accident, there is evidence of foul play. Police detective Thomas Andreasson teams up with local lawyer Nora Linde to investigate. As they work to uncover clues, they face resistance from an elite world where nothing but appearance matters. When the rich and powerful inhabitants of Sweden’s idyllic island getaway come under scrutiny, Thomas and Nora must work closely and secretively to seek justice.

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Book SynopsisThe No. 1 bestseller''Forsyth has lost none of his storytelling finesse and geopolitical grasp . . . this is Forsyth at his spellbinding best'' Daily Mail''An ingenious, expertly written and serious look at international conflicts which threaten the future of the world'' Washington PostMost weapons do what you tell them. Most weapons you can control.But what if the most dangerous weapon in the world isn''t a smart missile or a stealth submarine or even an AI computer programme?What if it''s a 17-year-old boy with a blisteringly brilliant mind, who can run rings around the most sophisticated security services across the globe, who can manipulate that weaponry and turn it against the superpowers themselves? How valuable would he be? And what wouldn''t you do to get hold of him?The Fox is a race-against-time thriller across continents to find and capture, or protect and save, an asset with the mTrade ReviewForsyth deserves his place among the thriller greats * The Times *The pages virtually turn themselves -- Barry Forshaw * Guardian *The five year wait for Forsyth’s latest sensation has been worth every second. * Daily Express *Forsyth has lost none of his storytelling finesse and geopolitical grasp . . . this is Forsyth at his spellbinding best * Daily Mail *Ripped from today’s headlines . . . Forsyth fashions our contemporary reality into an assured thriller * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisDeadly Deceit is Mari Hannah's third gripping crime novel featuring DCI Kate Daniels. Four a.m. on a wet stretch of the A1 and a driver skids out of control. Quick on the scene, Senior Investigating Officer Kate Daniels and partner DS Hank Gormley are presented with a horrifying image of carnage and mayhem that quickly becomes one of the worst road traffic accidents in Northumberland’s history. But as the casualties mount up, they soon realize that not all deaths were as a result of the accident . . . On the other side of town a house goes up in flames, turning its two inhabitants into charred corpses. Seemingly unconnected with the traffic accident, Kate sets about investigating both incidences separately. But it soon becomes apparent that all is not what it seems, and Kate and her colleagues are always one step behind a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to get what they want.Continue the criminal investigation series with <Trade ReviewIf proof were needed that Hannah's DCI Kate Daniels is a great addition to the Brit crime scene, then here it is, a third corking case to keep you up at night. * Rutland Times *

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Book SynopsisA Swedish crime writer as thrilling as Mankell, a detective as compelling as Wallander . . . A dark and sinister case from the past comes back to haunt Chief Inspector Van Veeteren in the final novel in the Van Veeteren series, The G File by Håkan Nesser.1987. Verlangan, a former cop turned private detective is hired by a woman to follow her husband Jaan 'G' Hennan. A few days later, his client is found dead at the bottom of an empty swimming pool.Maardam police, led by Chief Inspector Van Veeteren, investigate the case. Van Veeteren has encountered Jaan 'G' Hennan before and knows only too well the man's dark capabilities. As more information emerges about G's shadowy past, the Chief Inspector becomes more desperate than ever to convict him. But G has a solid alibi - and no one else can be found in relation to the crime.2002. Fifteen years have passed and the G File remains the one case former Chief InspectoTrade Review'Fifteen years earlier, a woman hired a detective to follow her husband, known as G to the police. Days later, she was dead. G was tried and cleared of her murder, but now, all these years later, the private detective disappears, leaving a note hinting he knows how G got away with murder. This is the final book in the series, but Nesser resists a showy finale, allowing his detective nearly to be outsmarted by an immensely clever criminal. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisFrom the BAFTA-winning writer behind the TV series PRIME SUSPECT and author of WIDOWS, now a major motion picture... The coroner's report identifies the body as young, black, female, and impossibly anonymous. Yet one thing is clear to Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison about the latest victim discovered in one of London's poorest districts - that news of her murder will tear apart a city already cracking with racial tensions, hurling Scotland Yard and Tennison herself into a maelstrom of shocking accusations and sudden, wrenching violence. Even as London's brutal killer remains at large, Tennison remains locked in a struggle to overcome her station house's brutal chauvinism and insidious politicking. And as the department's deeply rooted racism rears its head to overshadow every facet of her new investigation, the trail of her prime suspect is growing colder. Worse, when the details of the beleaguered detective's sto

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary novel from Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke Five years ago Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart. She and Jeffrey had already battled through sickness and health, although their lives were certainly more richer than poorer as Amanda was set to inherit her father's successful garment company. Then Amanda disappeared the night of her bachelorette party. In present-day New York City, Laurie Moran realizes a missing bride is the perfect cold case for her Under Suspicion television series to investigate. By recreating the night of the disappearance at the wedding's Florida resort with Amanda's friends and family, Laurie hopes to find the same success solving the cases featured in the series' first episodes. With Amanda's former fiancé now married to a bridesmaid, and a jealous sister, playboy groomsmen, and rumors about the 'beloved' bride h

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Book SynopsisPreviously published as Hard Rain and Blood from BloodAll John Rain wants is to get out of the killing business. But with his discretion, his reliability, and his unique talent for death by “natural causes,” no one is willing to let him just retire. So when an old nemesis from the Japanese national police force comes to him with a new job—eliminate Murakami, a killer even more fearsome than Rain himself—he can’t refuse.Aided by an achingly desirable half Brazilian, half Japanese exotic dancer he knows he shouldn’t trust, Rain pursues his quarry through underground no-holds-barred fight clubs, mobbed-up hostess bars, and finally into the heart of a shadow war between the CIA and the yakuza. It’s a war Rain can’t win, but also one he can’t afford to lose—a war where the distinctions between friend and foe and truth and deceit are as murky as the rain-slicked streets of Tokyo.A LoneTrade Review“[A] relentlessly likeable protagonist.” —San Francisco Chronicle “A James Bond-style secret agent cum hit man.” —Booklist “A fascinating, touching and wholly believable character.” —Publishers Weekly “... a superlative job... entertaining and suspenseful enough to keep you turning the pages as fast as your eyes can follow.” —Chicago Sun Times

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Book SynopsisThe unconventional Hamish Macbeth finds that his own impetuousness places him at the center of a murder investigation. Everyone in the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh called Randy Duggan ''the Macho Man''. Duggan went around the village and bragged about everything he had done and said he once was a wrestler in America and an explorer in the Middle East. At first his outrageous stories drew an admiring crowd at the local pub, but soon his bullying ways lead to anger and violence. When Hamish tries to break up a fight, Duggan challenges him to a public fistfight. But on the day of the scheduled fight, Duggan is found shot to death. Of course, Macbeth''s superiors get wind of the fight and suspend him during the investigation. Macbeth has some suspicions about Duggan''s real background - and the mysterious banker, John Glover, who shows up at the posh Tommel Castle Hotel shortly before Duggan''s death. And what about Rosie Draley, the sex-crazed romance writer, Trade ReviewLochdubh's locals are as entertaining as ever; and Hamish is at his charming, exasperating best. * Kirkus Reviews *An outstanding read from one of the real masters of mystery. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisThis 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. Murder strikes at a Jubilee Ball in Queen Victoria''s honour, which is also attended by Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries. The victim was a widely disliked member of the Hyde Park Literary Circle, where investigations into the crime open old wounds and reignite petty grievances ... ''Aghast, the inspector''s jaw dropped even farther. He couldn''t believe this. Lady Cannonberry, have you any idea what you''re saying?''Trade ReviewIt's murder most English all the way! * The Literary Times *

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Book SynopsisIstanbul - in antiquity, called the Land of the Blind - is a city where old and new collide, and the fallout can be deadly... In the ruins of the Constantinople hippodrome lies a body: a woman, clutching a piece of red stone. She''s recently given birth, but there''s no sign of the baby. Inspector ÇetinIkmendiscovers she was Ariadne Savva, a Byzantine specialist on a crusade to protect the historic areas of Istanbul that property developer Ahmet Öden seeks to destroy and rebuild. As Ikmensearches for the lost child and the facts behind Ariadne''s death, the people of Istanbul rise up in protest against their government in Gezi Park. Amid the chaos, Ikmenand his colleague Mehmet Süleymanmust unravel a tale of ancient hostility and modern desires, to find the truth concealed within the secret history of their antique city.Trade ReviewEver topical, with her finger on the pulse of modern Turkey, Barbara Nadel's latest Inspector Ikmen novel takes place to a backdrop of the Gezi Park protests...gripping...fast-paced * Today’s Zaman *'There's no one quite like Nadel... Seamlessly weaving together so many diverse threads is the work of a master with her finger firmly on the city's pulse... Gripping' * Big Issue (Istanbul) *

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Book SynopsisFrom the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Just My Luck.Don''t miss Adele''s gripping new novel, the Sunday Times bestseller One Last Secret, out now!''TIGHTLY PLOTTED, BRILLIANTLY CONCEIVED AND TOTALLY GRIPPING'' LISA JEWELL''GRIPPING, TWISTY AND HEARTBREAKING, THIS STANDOUT STORY IS A TRIUMPH'' ISABELLE BROOM, HEAT''TWISTY, UNPUTDOWNABLE AND UTTERLY ENGROSSING'' JENNY COLGANWhat would YOU do if your child wasn''t yours?Utterly compelling, this stunning domestic noir from No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Adele Parks, is sure to move, grip and delight her fans, along with readers of Liane Moriarty, Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena. Alison is lucky and she knows it. She has the life she always craved, including a happy home with Jeff and their brilliant, Trade ReviewGripping, twisty and heartbreaking, this standout story is a triumphGripping, twisty and heartbreaking, this standout story is a triumphAdele Parks does it again. She's already proved she can write a sparkling rom com, a moving love story and a lovingly researched historical novel, now she's taken on the domestic thriller genre and nailed it. Tightly plotted, brilliantly conceived and totally grippingTwisty, unputdownable and utterly engrossingAdele Parks does it again. She's already proved she can write a sparkling rom com, a moving love story and a lovingly researched historical novel, now she's taken on the domestic thriller genre and nailed it. Tightly plotted, brilliantly conceived and totally grippingFilled with drama, riddled with deceit, The Stranger In My Home is another wonderfully tragic and atmospheric story about the complexities of morals and issues and with such an unexpected ending that will leave the reader gasping in shock * Handwritten Girl *Twisty, unputdownable and utterly engrossingFilled with drama, riddled with deceit, The Stranger In My Home is another wonderfully tragic and atmospheric story about the complexities of morals and issues and with such an unexpected ending that will leave the reader gasping in shock * Handwritten Girl *Gripped from the very first line, this rollercoaster read is undoubtedly Adele Parks's best novel yet * Bella Magazine *Gripped from the very first line, this rollercoaster read is undoubtedly Adele Parks's best novel yet * Bella Magazine *You MUST discover this absolute gem of a novel for yourself... It had me truly gripped from start to finish * The Welsh Librarian *You MUST discover this absolute gem of a novel for yourself... It had me truly gripped from start to finish * The Welsh Librarian *A slow burning story that speeds up halfway through, its pace mirrors Alison's psyche as it unravels, holding the reader in suspense before packing a final punch. Unpredictable and gripping until the end * The Lady *A slow burning story that speeds up halfway through, its pace mirrors Alison's psyche as it unravels, holding the reader in suspense before packing a final punch. Unpredictable and gripping until the end * The Lady *The plot twists and turns...and the reader is left frantic to know how it's going to work out * Woman *The plot twists and turns...and the reader is left frantic to know how it's going to work out * Woman *The secrets, lies and suspense kept me engrossed * Daily Mail *The secrets, lies and suspense kept me engrossed * Daily Mail *A wonderful exploration of loveA must read. Romantic, yet truthful, this is a moving love story with unforgettable charactersA heart-warming, heart breaking tale of love and loss, with an ending that will knock you off your feet. This is Adele Parks at the top of her gameUtterly engrossing and beautifully writtenA fairy tale with bite. Sparkly, compelling and - ultimately unexpectedAdele Parks' wonderful and heart breaking new novel will stay with youAdele Parks is a deft observer of human natureA thrilling cross-generational love story. We can't think of many authors who create more flawed and loveable characters * Glamour *Written with wit, and finishes with a surprisingly bittersweet twist * Sunday Mirror *An emotional rollercoaster of a read * Woman & Home *Well observed, original and wonderfully crafted, this is my favourite Adele Parks book to date * Sun *An emotional punch of an ending * Good Housekeeping *A big final twist that will keep you reading * Heat *A sweet, moving and romantic story that will captivate you from the first page * Closer *The story is completely mesmerising, and the ending heartbreakingly epic. Adele has created a cast of characters that completely cover the moral spectrum. The State We're In is a superb triumph * We Love This Book *This book made me laugh, caught at my heart and then broke it. The story is clearly building to something but I didn't know what - I won't spoil it but this is definitely not one for public transport * A Case for Books *A perceptive insight into family life, both idyllic and dreadful, and the individuals that are part of it. The characters are all people that you can believe in...and the ending? It's an absolute stunner! * Our Book Reviews *The secrets, lies and suspense kept me engrossed * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThaw of the Lich Lord is a complete campaign for Frostgrave that will challenge both new and veteran players. Through a series of linked scenarios, players discover the existence of a new power in the Frozen City, one who was old when the great city was still young, and who saw both its rise and its disastrous fall. Warbands will confront the Lich Lord''s minions, race against his agents to seize possession of mysterious artefacts, and brave the perils of Frostgrave in search of his lair. Eventually, they will need to muster all their courage to venture into the depths of the city and face the Lich Lord himself.Not all wizards will seek to stop the Lich Lord, however, and full rules for giving into his corruption and following the dark road to becoming an undead lich are presented for those who crave power and immortality above all else. While the campaign presents many new threats against which wizards and their warbands must test themselves, including an expanded bestiary,Table of ContentsIntroduction/ The Campaign/ Scenarios/ New Warband Options/ Becoming a Lich/ New Treasure/ Expanded Bestiary

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Book SynopsisA Financial Times Thriller of the Year Penal Colony No. 74, AKA White Eagle, lies some 600 kilometres north of Yekaterinburg in Russia's Sverdlovskaya Oblast. Imprisoning the country's most brutal criminals, it is a winter-ravaged hellhole of death and retribution. And that's exactly why the Englishman is there. Six years ago, Raglan was a soldier in the French Foreign Legion engaged in a hard-fought war on the desert border of Mali and Algeria. Amid black ops teams and competing intelligence agencies, his strike squad was compromised and Raglan himself severely injured. His war was over, but the deadly aftermath of that day has echoed around the world ever since: the assassination of four Moscow CID officers; kidnap and murder on the suburban streets of West London; the fatal compromise of a long-running MI6 operation. Raglan can't avoid the shockwaves. This is personal. It is up to him to finish it – and it ends in Russia's most notorious penal colony. But how do you break into a high security prison in the middle of nowhere? More importantly, how do you get out? Trade ReviewThe pace is relentless, the action and fight scenes superbly choreographed and Raglan is nicely complex: an action man with inner depths... A cracking, finely crafted thriller' * Financial Times *The Englishman is electrifying proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance -- William Shaw, author of DeadlandFight scenes, car chases, sex romps, lots of foreign locations and dead goons, and even a Bondesque escape by snowmobile... Vivid and inventive' * Sunday Times *Full of thrills * Literary Review *The pulse-pounding pace just never lets up -- Peter May, bestsellling author of LockdownA sweat-inducing tour de force * The Times *Verve, pace, shocks and intrigue, this is spy thriller writing by an author at the zenith of his powers -- Peter JamesA pulse-pounding thriller in the mould of the Terry Hayes bestseller, I Am Pilgrim * Scottish Field *This spy thriller will get your heart racing... [An] action-packed thriller!' * My Weekly. *A tightly plotted, very well told tale of clandestine campaigns, violent revenge and murky dealings at all levels * SciFi Bulletin. *This non-stop cat and mouse thriller circumnavigates the globe and a cornucopia of action... The Englishman is very good on detail and credible background, the novel has an enigmatic and intriguing hero and excites from page one to a very satisfying end' * Crime Time *Discover full-on heart-pounding action, plus smart, sharp writing in this absolute reading feast of a book... This is the first in what promises to be a smash-hit spy thriller series and I already can't wait for the next book... Shockwaves of action expanded and the storyline tripped me with unexpected developments. Even though I had read the prologue, the ending still came with a whammy' * LoveReading *The action is furiously paced... I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and absolute page turner. It cries out for a sequel. Wholly recommended' * Woman's Way *The narrative goes at breakneck speed but between the action Gilman slowly and deftly unveils Raglan's back-story * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisAmid the upheaval after the royal line of Lugunica was broken, the Knights of the Royal Guard are sent to protect an envoy to Volakia, a violent empire often in conflict with the kingdom. Julius, Ferris, and Reinhard are part of this mission, but what will they find there...?

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