Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisChief Superintendent Michele Ferrara knows that the beautiful surface of his adopted city, Florence, hides dark undercurrents. When called in to investigate a series of brutal and apparently random murders, his intuition is confirmed. Distrusted by his superiors and pilloried by the media, Ferrara finds time running out as the questions pile up. Is there a connection between the murders and the threatening letters he has received? Are his old enemies, the Calabrian Mafia, involved? And what part is played by a beautiful young woman facing a heart-rending decision, a priest troubled by a secret from his past, and an American journalist fascinated by the darker side of life? Ferrara confronts the murky underbelly of Florence in an investigation that will put not only his career but also his life on the line.Originally published in Italy as Scarabeo.Trade Review...has all the hallmarks of becoming a classic of the genre - a highly atmospheric tale of murder, the mafia and the rarely explored criminal underbelly of Florentine life...Ferrara is set to run and run. Mirror An exceptional thriller and I'd wager a handy sum that Michele Ferrara will be with us for some time to come. Evening Herald Giuttari shapes his knowledge and experience into a cracking page-turner. RTE Guide His plotting is tight, the suspense ratchets up and the characters are very believable and captivating MIRROR

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Book Synopsis''Amazing. I''d give someone else''s right arm to write so beautifully'' Sarah Pinborough ''Superb! The Devil''s Playground is imagination on steroids... breathtaking!'' Jeffery Deaver''A terrifying tale of the true power in Hollywood... (Russell''s) precise, gorgeous prose shines'' New York Times''A masterpiece. Captivatingly authentic, steeped in Hollywood lore'' Chris Brookmyre ''Addictive. . . the most sheerly entertaining novel I''ve raced through in at least a year. . . fresh, forceful, elegant but wild'' A.J. Finn ''The Devil''s Playground is definitely on the shortlist for best mystery of the year'' Bookpage.com ''When it comes to Gothic crime, Craig Russell is peerless. Absolutely stunning'' M W Craven FROM CWA DAGGER AND DOUBLE McILVANNEY AWARD WINNER CRAIG RUSSELL COMES ANOTHER DARK, GRIPPING MASTERPIECE . . . A dark, riveting thriller set in 1920s Hollywood about the greatest horror movie ever made, the curse said to surround it, and a deadly search, decades later, for the single copy rumoured still to exist. 1927: Hollywood studio fixer Mary Rourke is called to the palatial home of the most desirable woman in the world, silent movie actress Norma Carlton, star of The Devil''s Playground. When Rourke finds Carlton dead, she wonders if the dark rumours she''s heard are true: that The Devil''s Playground really is a cursed production. But nothing in Hollywood is ever what it seems, and cynical fixer Rourke, more used to covering up the truth for studio bosses, finds herself seeking it out. 1967: Paul Conway, film historian and fervid silent movie aficionado, is on the trail of a tantalizing rumour: that a single copy of The Devil''s Playground-a Holy Grail for film buffs that was supposedly cursed and lost to time-may exist. His search takes him deep into the Mojave Desert, to an isolated hotel that hasn''t changed in forty years but harbours only one occupant-and a shocking secret. Separated by decades, both Rourke and Conway begin to suspect that the real Devil''s Playground is in fact Hollywood itself. Praise for The Devil''s Playground ''Horrifying, mesmerising, beautifully imagined. The Devil''s Playground is Craig Russell at his unrivalled best'' Chris Whittaker ''The Devil''s Playground has a depth of period detail and atmosphere that lifts it above the ordinary. It''s elegant, absorbing and thrilling'' Michael Malone ''Totally engaging'' Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of the Temperance Brennan series ''Brilliantly written, with repeated surprises'' The Critic ''Seamlessly blends noir, gothic and mystery in a way that''s unique to crime fiction. Populated with a truly memorable cast, Playground is a guaranteed one-sitting read...and how can you resist a novel about the scariest movie of all time? Bravo!'' Jeffery Deaver, author of The Bone Collector Praise for Hyde ''Stephen King meets Robert Louis Stevenson... an imaginative gothic tale guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine the next time you walk a dark Edinburgh night'' David Hewson ''Gloriously diabolical. A terrifying thrill ride through the hidden chasms of the human soul'' Chris Brookmyre ''I absolutely adored it. Intense, harrowing and hugely entertaining. . . Spectacular'' Chris Whitaker ''The story is a thrilling ride through the murky depths of madness and horror, written with all Craig''s trademark skill and style. Definitely five stars from me'' James Oswald ''An engaging Gothic thriller full of atmosphere and surprises'' Irish Independent ''Russell writes a pacy, ever-twisting mystery that will keep you turning the pages'' Ian Rankin Praise for Craig Russell ''A masterclass in suspenseful, character-driven prose fiction. Simply exceptional'' Frank Darabont, writer & director of The Shawshank Redemption & The Green Mile

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Book Synopsis''Establishes beyond doubt that Iain Banks is a novelist of remarkable talents'' Daily Telegraph Graham Park is in love. But Sara Fitch is an enigma to him, a creature of almost perverse mystery. Steven Grout is paranoid - and with justice. He knows that They are out to get him. They are. Quiss, insecure in his fabulous if ramshackle castle, is forced to play interminable impossible games. The solution to the oldest of all paradoxical riddles will release him. But he must find an answer before he knows the question.Park, Grout, Quiss - no trio could be further apart. But their separate courses are set for collision.Praise for Iain Banks:''The most imaginative novelist of his generation'' The Times''His verve and talent will always be recognised, and his work will always find and enthral new readers'' Ken MacLeod, Guardian''His work was mordant, surreal, and fiercely intelligent''Trade ReviewEstablishes beyond doubt that Iain Banks is a novelist of remarkable talents * Daily Telegraph *A feast of horrors, variously spiced with incest, conspiracy, and cheerful descriptions of torture... fine writing * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWilliam Benson. Criminal barrister. Convicted murderer....Convicted of murder sixteen years ago, William Benson is ostracised by the establishment and his family. Supported by a close-knit group including solicitor Tess de Vere, he''s defied them all and opened his own Chambers. Now he faces the case of his life - and the terminal illness of Helen Camberley who helped him leave his prison life behind Jorge Menderez, a doctor from Spain, has been found dead in a deserted warehouse in East London. A troubled man, he''d turned to counsellor Karen Lynwood seeking help. Now Karen''s husband, John, is accused of his murder. Who is Menderez, and why did he come to London? Benson is defending the couple against seemingly impossible odds, while secrets from his own past threaten to overwhelm him...Praise for Summary Justice and Blind Defence''Assured storytelling and highly intriguing moral complexity. I tore through it'' C

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Book Synopsis''Mazy, pacy London noir'' Ian RankinTen days after the station closed, he was informed he''d been officially suspended pending a hearing over allegations of gross misconduct. No details. A few hours after that, he got a call from a man who wouldn''t give his name but told him he was under surveillance...They were bracing themselves for a shit-storm. Stay safe, the caller said, and hung up.Amber Knight is hot property - pop star, film star, front-page gossip.DC Nick Belsey is less celebrated. He can''t shake his habit of getting into serious trouble and his career at Hampstead CID is coming to a dishonourable end. He is currently of no fixed address - squatting in a disused police station round the corner from Amber''s swanky Primrose Hill mansion. But a knock on the door from a frantic and confused woman looking for her missing son is about to lead Belsey straight into the heart of Amber''s glittering life. When a body is found and a twTrade ReviewHarris has a terrific sense of place, hurtling between the wealthiest and most-run-down areas of London... The plot unfolds in a chilling and totally unexpected direction * Joan Smith, Sunday Times *A fast-paced thriller that is also nuanced and evocative...hats off to Harris, who has, once again, managed it with style and authority * Guardian *Non-stop activity is exhaustingly gripping, and Oliver Harris is punchy and perceptive * The Times *Meticulously plotted, with a delirious, haunted, paranoid atmosphere. Belsey is an irresistible mixture of the reliable and the reckless, laconic and tightly wound... Harris writes beautifully... Imbued with an uncommon subtlety and intelligence, House of Fame is a superb novel * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis''A beguiling author who interweaves past and present'' The TimesMost assumed that literary legend Wynn Staniland stopped writing because of his wife''s tragic suicide. Yet writer Zac Wilkinson hopes to reveal the true story to the world in his upcoming biography of Staniland.When Zac is found brutally murdered, DI Wesley Peterson finds that Staniland is a link between Zac''s death and an unexplained poisoning of a couple in a local caravan park. He suspects that the killings are a grim re-enactment of the murder of Mary Field, which inspired Staniland''s best-known novel.As Wesley begins to unravel decades of deception, he discovers that someone close to him is involved - and the truth proves almost too much to bear . . .Whether you''ve read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis''s DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Elly Griffiths andTrade ReviewA beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *A beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *Kate Ellis skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative...The plotting is intricate and the finale totally unexpected * Bookseller *Kate Ellis skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative...The plotting is intricate and the finale totally unexpected * Bookseller *The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end * Closer *The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end * Closer *Well worth a read for anyone who enjoys a traditional detective story with an intriguing historical twist . . . Ellis is a fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Well worth a read for anyone who enjoys a traditional detective story with an intriguing historical twist . . . Ellis is a fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe seventh gripping mystery in the DI Wesley Peterson series by award-winning crime writer Kate Ellis.Trade ReviewA beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *A beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *A gripping read * Best Magazine *A gripping read * Best Magazine *Skilfully interweaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Skilfully interweaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Traditional detective twist with a historical twist - fans will love it * Scotland on Sunday *Traditional detective twist with a historical twist - fans will love it * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThe eighth mystery in the DI Wesley Peterson series by award-winning crime writer Kate Ellis.Trade ReviewA beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *A beguiling author who interweaves past and present * The Times *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *Star author. Unputdownable * Bookseller *A gripping read * Best Magazine *A gripping read * Best Magazine *Skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Skilfully weaves crimes of past and present into a seamless narrative * The Scotsman *Traditional detective fiction with a historical twist - fan will love it * Scotland on Sunday *Traditional detective fiction with a historical twist - fan will love it * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP-TEN BESTSELLER!''Thought-provoking and clever'' Gilly Macmillan''A tense and moving story that I will remember for a long time'' Rachel Abbott''This tense psychological thriller focuses relentlessly on the way its characters cope as stress piles up and the mess deepens'' Sunday Times''Thought-provoking'' Woman & Home''I raced through it. A compelling, emotional read'' Jenny Quintana''Dark, intelligent, suspenseful'' Saskia SarginsonThe accusedWhile Nick Dean is enjoying an evening at home with his family, he is blissfully unaware that one of his pupils has just placed an allegation of abuse against him - and that Nick''s imminent arrest will see the start of everything he knows and loves disintegrating around him. Because, mud sticks, right? No matter if you''re innocent or guiltyTrade ReviewThought-provoking * Woman & Home *Dark, intelligent, suspenseful -- Bestselling author Saskia SarginsonThis tense psychological thriller focuses relentlessly on the way its characters cope as stress piles up and the mess deepens. Grimly believable * The Sunday Times *A tense and moving story that I will remember for a long time -- Bestselling author Rachel AbbottThought-provoking and clever -- New York Times bestselling author Gilly MacmillanI raced through Little Liar in a couple of sittings - a compelling and emotional read with convincing characters that stayed in my head. Lisa Ballantyne deals with a difficult and controversial subject in a sensitive and thoughtful way -- Bestselling author Jenny QuintanaTense, unsettling * Morning Star *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller''Pure gold indeed'' Heat magazine''JD Robb is a fantastic storyteller who knows how to keep the pages flying by'' #1 International Bestselling Author, Karin SlaughterOne of my all-time favorite authors hitting a golden moment in one of my all-time favorite series. J.D. Robb never disappoints! Lisa Gardner''Doctor Kent Abner began the day of his death comfortable and content''When Kent Abner - baby doctor, model husband and father, good neighbour - is found dead in his town house in the West Village, Detective Eve Dallas and her team have a real mystery on their hands. Who would want to kill such a good man? They know how, where and when he was killed but why did someone want him dead? Then a second victim is discovered and as Spring arrives in New York City, Eve finds herself in a race against time to track down a serial killer with a motive she can''t fathom and a weapon of choice whicTrade ReviewIf you're a crime fiction fan and haven't discovered them yet, welcome to the very best day of your life - Heat MagazineEve Dallas - tough as nails and still sexy as hell - Stephen KingAn edge-of-your-seat murder mystery...and a team of cops you can't help rooting for - Daily Mail onlineJ.D. Robb's novels are can't-miss pleasures - Harlan CobenCurious corpses, tangled twists and one sizzling sleuth - Kathy ReichsTerrific characters, sudden twists ... the epitome of popular fiction - Dennis Lehanethe quality has never dipped...the tales of hardened New York cop Eve Dallas...still thrill and delight every time...Pure gold, indeed - Crime Scene magazine

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Book Synopsis ''Stunning . . . dark undercurrents and sinister twists'' AMANDA ROBSON''Truth Games is in the very top tier of psychological thrillers'' M W CRAVEN''The duchess of dark domestic noir strikes again'' HELEN FIELDS''Powerful . . . psychological menace and dramatic plot twists'' DAILY MAILCaroline England keeps her readers GRIPPED!''Genius plot twists! Truly addictive!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Just read it, it''s a cracker''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Suspenseful, surprising and engrossing''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''If you like a good read with a heart pounding twist, this is for you''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review..........................She tries hard to be tTrade ReviewA taut psychological thriller about family, friendship and who you can really trust. I loved how the darkness of Ellie's dreams are balanced perfectly with the ordinary details of family life and the love she has for her three boys. Slowly, as the secrets and memories from her past unfold, I began to relax, until the final twist sent a shiver down my spine. -- Helen MarsayHer ability to conjure the detailed ordinariness of everyday domestic life makes her writing all the more powerful when she evokes psychological menace and dramatic plot twists. * Daily Mail *A stylish and chilling account of a woman's battle to protect her family, while the past threatens to consume her. I'd like to congratulate her on another fantastic read! She gets under the complex surface of female friendship with real accuracy and insight. -- Kate RhodesThe duchess of dark domestic noir strikes again. Truth Games is a helter-skelter slide of emotions and reveals. Caroline England does here what she does best - pulls emotion from her reader in tandem with pulling emotion from her characters. . . . Thrilling. . . combines great writing with a depth of knowledge of how our every day lives are often constructed to hide the harsh realities beneath. It's a clever book by a clever writer. -- Helen FieldsUnsettling and oozing with quiet menace, Truth Games is in the very top tier of psychological thrillers. Absolutely brilliant. -- M W Craven, author of THE CURATOR

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Book Synopsis''Rich people behaving badly'' BooklistThe battle lines are drawn . . .Following the scandalous revelations about his love life, disgraced media mogul Harry Rose is searching for redemption. His daughters - bright, winsome Eliza and dark, difficult Maria - have taken over his beloved company and are making some major changes. Guided by Harry, Eliza navigates life as Rose Corp''s new queen. But Maria is standing in her way. And then there''s the distraction of Eliza''s childhood playmate, the twinkly-eyed Rob Studley, and the unresolved death of her mother . . . After a stellar start, things take a turn for the worse and ultimately Eliza will have to make a choice: career, or love?Loosely based on the turbulent reigns of Tudor queens Mary and Elizabeth, this is a scandalous tale of love, power and betrayal . . .Praise for Olivia Hayfield ''Ingenious and addictive'' Francesca Hornak 'Trade ReviewRacy & pacy! -- Nicky Pellegrino, bestselling author of A Dream of ItalyA fun and entertaining read . . . non-stop Tudor intrigue! * An Historian About Town *Even if you're not an aficionado of Tudor history, there is lots to love in this racy romp about the lives of the rich and fabulous. The historical factor is fun though, and adds another layer to an addictively readable novel ... if you're a fan of Jilly Cooper or something of a history buff, then you're really not going to want to miss out * New Zealand Woman’s Weekly *The skill of Hayfield in creating a believable modern storyline that maintains the essence of the historical characters and events makes this book more than simply a light-hearted version of the television show Succession . . . in a turbulent summer, Sister to Sister is the perfect escape * The Listener *The ingenious way Hayfield re-casts and contemporises the Tudor court gives her a chance to have some fun but there remain perceptive observations of modern life, from the influence of the religious right to the relationship problems caused by family dysfunction . . . an amusing, smart and oddly thought-provoking read with glamour and great heart -- Kete: New Books from AotearoaA must-read for history buffs * Woman’s Day *A fun read but also packed quite an emotional punch for me (I'm not too proud to admit I cried my eyes out!) * Royalcentral.co.uk *

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Book Synopsis ''If you''re a crime fiction fan and haven''t discovered them yet, welcome to the very best day of your life'' Heat MagazineThe brand new thriller in the Sunday Times bestselling series For a Homicide cop, murder often started the day. For the mixed-race female sloppily wrapped in a tarp and stuffed in a construction site dumpster, it had surely ended hersLt. Eve Dallas hasn''t even arrived at work when her first call of the day comes in. Alva Quirk - forty-six years old, sidewalk sleeper - was beaten to death with a crowbar. Known to the local cops for handing out origami flowers to anyone who gives her change, Alva was well-liked but with no fixed address, no job and no family, there''s noone to remember her.Eve has barely had time to examine the crime scene when her second victim of the morning is discovered just a block away. Make that second and third. Jane Doe - a well-dressed young mother and her baby

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Book Synopsis ''A thrilling new talent'' PETER JAMES A KILLER SO CLEVER, NOBODY HEARS THE SCREAMS . . .When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in her home, DCI Bishop from the Met murder squad is called in to oversee the case. The horrific killing bears a striking resemblance to three other murders years before, but the cases were never solved. Bishop knows they need the help of Holly Wakefield, a criminal psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers.The grisly murders occur every three years, but it is the stick-man drawing left at each crime scene that has the police baffled. A post-mortem also detects a cocktail of drugs that can leave a victim screaming in silence. No one would have heard their cries for help.Holly suspects that they are a missing a vital clue that links the victims. But can she discover the link before the killer comes knocking at her door?A twisty, heart-racing new serial kiTrade ReviewA creepily sinister thriller that will keep you wide-eyed into the wee small hours . . . A real chiller! * Peterborough Telegraph *Praise for the Holly Wakfield series:Creepy, twisted and gripping -- 5-star review * Sun *Mightily impressive . . . deviously plotted, with a bleak thread of intriguing twists * Daily Mail *A thrilling new talent -- Peter JamesDark, compelling and expertly paced . . . one of the best police procedurals I've read for a long time -- M. W. CravenA must for all crime readers * Woman's Way *Meticulously plotted and devious in its execution, Mark Griffin's debut novel is utterly compelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the Holly Wakefield series -- Lesley KaraWow. I read this in less than a day. As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster! A fascinating lead character with a deliciously dark secret. It's the kind of writing which grabs you and won't let you go -- Amy LloydDeftly plotted, propulsive, psychologically astute . . . totally horrifying -- Dominic NolanAbsolutely gripping . . . It reminded me of Thomas Harris - the same combination of terror and the detective pitting wits against a psychopath. I had to keep reading, while dreading what was coming next -- Toby Faber

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times bestselling series is back. Eve Dallas is investigating the murder of a much-loved actor at a glittering party. The spotlight has never been brighter. Or deadlier... It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, the most glittering of all celebrity couples. Everyone had expected the party to be in the newspapers the next day but not because one of the hosts was murdered! As the crowd had gathered to watch Eliza sing, Fitzhugh had raised a final toast to his glamorous wife and fallen to the floor. Death by cyanide poisoning. It''s time for Lt. Eve Dallas to make her entrance. From all accounts, Fitzhugh wasn''t the kind of star who made enemies. Eliza, on the other hand, had many rivals, and a few of them could class as enemies. Since the champagne cocktail that killed Brant was originally intended for Eliza, could it be that she was the real target? Wi

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Book Synopsis''Sparkles with wit and clever plotting'' Publishers Weekly''Sexy . . . clever, fun'' Kirkus ReviewsThe disappearance of a mysterious informant leads two people desperate for answers to an island of deadly deception in this new novel in the Lost Night Files trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.One night left three women changed forever . . .Talia March, Pallas Llewellyn, and Amelia Rivers are dedicated to uncovering the mystery of what really happened to them months ago - an experience that amplified innate psychic abilities in each of them. Suspecting they were test subjects years earlier, they are searching for those who took that same test. When Talia follows up on a lead from Phoebe, a fan of the trio''s podcast, she discovers that the informant has vanished.Talia isn''t the only one looking for Phoebe. Luke Rand, a hunted and haunted man, also shows up at the meeting place. It''s clear he has his own agenda, and they are instantly suspicious of each other. But when a killer begins to stalk them, they decide to join forces to find Phoebe and the list.The rocky investigation leads Talia and Luke to a rustic, remote retreat on Night Island in the Pacific Northwest, where the Unplugged Experience promises to rejuvenate guests. It soon becomes clear that Phoebe is not the first person to disappear into the strange gardens that surround the Unplugged Experience retreat. And then the first mysterious death occurs . . .Find out why readers are RAVING about Jayne Ann Krentz: ''Krentz expertly entwines high-stakes suspense, a paranormal-spiked plot, and a generous dollop of sexy romance with delightfully dry wit as she launches a thrilling and chilling new series'' Booklist (starred review)''A smart, creative series start from a romance master who always entertains'' Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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Book SynopsisThe epic conclusion to this debut fantasy trilogy featuring a cast of assassins, knights and fools to delight any fan of Brent Weeks or Robin HobbsTrade ReviewSimply unputdownable . . . the perfect mix of fantasy and mystery -- FANTASY BOOK REVIEWOften poignant and always intriguing, Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller -- Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLDWith an original, immersive world that wouldn't let me go and a pair of assassins worth rooting for, Age of Assassins is a pleasure to read. I can't wait for more! -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGEOutstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list -- James Islington, author of THE SHADOW OF WHAT WAS LOSTA dark-humoured game of cat and mouse between assassins, with traitors on all sides -- David Dalglish, author of the Shadowdance seriesDead gods, dread magic and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun -- Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANTAge of Assassins is a beguiling story of action and intrigue combined with a poignancy and humour that are as sharp as any blade -- Jon Skovron, author of HOPE AND REDAge of Assassins builds a compelling fantasy world and peoples it with characters you can care about. Riddled with intrigue and dangerous magic, this is a hugely enjoyable debut -- Jen Williams, author of THE COPPER PROMISE

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Book SynopsisIn a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight in the Circles so that the rest can remain at peace. But given the stakes, things are never so simple. The Daimyo govern from the shadows and plot to gain an edge by unnaturally enhancing their Grievar Knights.Cego and his team enter year two at the world''s most prestigious combat school, the Lyceum. Though he''d like to focus on his martial studies, Cego feels the pull of his mysterious past and two missing brothers.Solara Halberd, daughter of the fighting legend, embarks on her own quest to bury the past. She must utilize every lesson her father taught her to explore unknown lands where evil lurks in the shadows. ''That rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan'' Fonda Lee, author of Jade City, on The Combat Codes ''Darwin writes violence with the rhythm and surprise of a well-executed sonnet, wedding the smooth grace of choreography with the unflinching brutality of fists breaking bone. The fights are mesmerizing, layered like fascia, twitching and flexing and propelling the story toward a conclusion that both satisfies and opens the door to the next volume'' The New York Times on The Combat Codes''The Combat Codes is a great read for any fan of realistic martial arts fiction. The integration of a compelling sci-fi / fantasy plot and true-to-life martial arts action make for a unique story that any student of warfare is sure to enjoy'' Ryan Hall, UFC Fighter''The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin is a chimera blending Science Fiction and Fantasy to tell a vividly-realized tale both focused and sprawling. It''s a book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts, and the mastery shows. In its pages, expect to explore power, politics, and brutal violence, but I repeat myself'' Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

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Book SynopsisIn downtown Manhattan, a gruesome underground charnel-house is discovered, containing the bones of murder victims. Research reveals a serial killer at work in New York's notorious Five Points neighbourhood in the 1880s. But publication of the story seems to ignite a new series of similar killings.

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Book SynopsisJessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences.

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Book SynopsisDrones and scones - the two ingredients of this new tea shop mystery!

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Book SynopsisIntrepid adventuress and sleuth Veronica Speedwell traces a missing bride who vanished on her wedding day...

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Book SynopsisAuthentic 18th-century Chinese detective novels. Dee and associates solve 3 interlocked cases: The Case of the Double Murder at Dawn, The Case of the Strange Corpse, and The Case of the Poisoned Bride. 9 illustrations.

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Book SynopsisDashing man-about-town by day and thief by night, A. J. Raffles offered Victorian readers a new kind of hero, a morally ambiguous character who anticipated the hardboiled detectives of 20th-century crime fiction. Raffles'' position as a professional cricket player and prominent member of society provides the perfect cover for his burglaries. These sparklingly witty stories, narrated by Raffles'' admiring accomplice, inspired numerous stage and screen adaptations.

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Book SynopsisSam McCready is The Deceiver, one of the Secret Intelligence Service''s most unorthodox and most valued operatives, a legend in his own time.The end of the cold war has, however, strengthened the hand of the Whitehall mandarins, to whom he seems about as controllable as Genghis Khan, so Sam is to have his fate decided at a special hearing.As part of the proceedings, four of Sam''s key operations are reviewed: a clandestine mission into East Germany in 1985 to contact the top Russian spy General Pankratin; the second involving a KGB colonel who wants to defect - but is he genuine? An audacious Gaddafi-inspired plot to ship arms to the IRA; and the fourth when McCready presided over the aftermath of political murder and mayhem in the Caribbean.________What readers are saying: ***** ''Forsyth never lets you down. Always well researched, always gripping.''***** ''Forsyth is the best storyteller . . . you feel that he is letting you iTrade ReviewThe master storyteller is on top form * Daily Mirror *Fans will not be disappointed * The Times *Another Forsyth thriller that has you by the throat with plots so finely crafted as to make the cold war's very darkness visible * Daily Mail *Cleverly constructed . . . very readable * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisA serial killer is terrorizing the senior citizens of Denton, and the local police are succumbing to a flu epidemic. Tired and demoralized, the force has to contend with a seemingly perfect young couple suffering arson attacks and death threats, a suspicious suicide, burglaries, pornographic videos, poison-pen letters... In uncertain charge of the investigations is Detective Inspector Jack Frost, crumpled, slapdash and foul-mouthed as ever. He tries to cope despite inadequate back-up, but there is never enough time; the unsolved crimes pile up and the vicious killings go on. So Frost has to cut corners and take risks, knowing that his Divisional Commander will throw him to the wolves if anything goes wrong. And for Frost, things always go wrong...Trade ReviewMeaty police procedural; bawdy, funny... enough material here for cult hero status * Literary Review *Multiple cases, multiple bodies and lashings of police in-fighting. Fast, furious and funny * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisDavid A. Gemmell's first novel, Legend, was published in 1984 and became an instant classic. His most recent Drenai and Rigante novels are available as Corgi paperbacks; all are Sunday Times bestsellers. Now widely regarded as one of the finest writers of heroic fantasy, David Gemmell lived in East Sussex until his death in July 2006.Stella Gemmell is a journalist, and worked with her husband on all three Troy novels. She concluded Troy: Fall of Kings after his death.Trade ReviewHistory and legend combine in the epic re-creation of the Troy myth -- Conn IgguldenDavid Gemmell carries us away into a four-cornered wholly convincing cosmos... so masterfully done that the reader thinks, "Ah, this is what it was really like" -- Stephen PressfieldGripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable... should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic -- Joanne HarrisThe loyalties and betrayals, the love and the hate, the endless, everlasting courage of the men - and the women - of both sides are brought to life in this vivid, inspirational recreation of the Troy myth -- Manda Scott

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Book SynopsisSharon Bolton (previously S. J. Bolton) is the author of six critically acclaimed novels. She has been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year, the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA Dagger in the Library. Sharon lives near Oxford with her husband and young son. For more information about the author and her books, or to check out her addictive blog, visit www.sharonbolton.com. You can also join her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SJBoltonCrimeTrade ReviewBolton has elevated herself to the High Priestess of English Rural Gothic. If she carries on like this she will have worshippers in their millions * The Times *This book writhes and glides and slithers its way into the readers psyche...[Bolton] knows precisely how to ratchet up the tension and tell a cracking story * Guardian *A tour de force - totally grips from beginning to end -- JENNI MURRAYAn original and atmospheric chiller * Daily Mail *Assured and original. Sacrifice was good: Awakening is even better -- SIMON BECKETT

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Book SynopsisEldritch Swan is a dead man. Or at least that is what his nephew Stephen has always been told. Until one day Eldritch walks back into his life after 36 years in an Irish prison. He won''t reveal any of the details of his incarceration, insisting only that he is innocent of any crime.His return should be of interest to no-one. But the visit of a solicitor with a mysterious request will take Eldritch and his sceptical nephew fromsleepy seaside Paignton to London, where an exhibition of Picasso paintings from the prestigious Brownlow collection proves to be the starting point on a journey that will transport them back to the Second World War and the mystery behind Eldritch''s imprisonment.In 1940, he was personal assistant to a wealthy diamond dealer in Antwerp, whose collection of modern art was the envy of many. The subsequent disappearance of those paintings began a trail of murder and intrigue which was to have a catastrophic effect on Eldritch''s life. But untangliTrade ReviewGoddard has been writing thrillers since 1986 and from this read it's clear why he's a bestseller. His plotting is satisfyingly complex without being baffling and the action is well paced, drawing you in from the start. There's also plenty of suspense * Sunday Express *Likely to suck you in from the first few pages... You'll find yourself unable to stop reading as trespass, theft, murder, and duplicity are perfectly thrown into the mix * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *Robert Goddard, as ever, demonstrates impeccable narrative skills in this persuasive novel * Good Book Guide *A fantastic read, full of suspense * New Books Magazine *[Robert Goddard's novels are] too good to gulp * Stephen King *

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Book SynopsisFormer RAF pilot and investigative journalist Frederick Forsyth defined the modern thriller when he wrote The Day of the Jackal, described by Lee Child as the book that broke the mould', with its lightning-paced storytelling, effortlessly cool reality and unique insider information. Since then, he has written thirteen novels which have been bestsellers around the world: The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fourth Protocol, The Negotiator, The Deceiver, The Fist of God, Icon, Avenger, The Afghan, The Cobra, The Kill List and The Fox. He has also published an autobiography, The Outsider. He lives in Buckinghamshire, England.Trade ReviewThe Cobra creates a vividly cinematic picture of the worldwide cocaine trade. Forsyth has recharged his batteries, producing his most ambitious novel in years by reproducing the minutely organised detail of his most famous book. -- Barry Forshaw * Daily Express *As ever with Forsyth, there is an impressive command of armed weaponry as well as an utterly believable story that moves along at a breakneck pace...Extraordinarily impressive. * Daily Mail *Forsyth has produced his most ambitious book in years, reproducing the minutely organised detail of The Day of the Jackal. * Good Book Guide *This new blockbuster from one of the world's sharpest authors is everything a modern thriller should be and more! * Bury Free Press *

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Book SynopsisA journalist by profession, Douglas Jackson transformed a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans in to his first two highly-praised novels, Caligula and Claudius. His third, Hero of Rome, introduced readers to a new series hero, Gaius Valerius Verrens. Eight further acclaimed 'Rome' novels followed, confirming Doug as one of the UK's foremost historical novelists. His latest novel, The Wall, was published to coincide with the 1900th anniversary of the construction of Hadrian's Wall. A member of the Historical Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society, Douglas Jackson lives near Stirling in Scotland.Trade ReviewA master of his discipline rightly hailed as one of the best historical novelists writing today * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisONE MANWhen the beautiful twenty-year-old daughter of a Moldovan businessman goes missing from her university, British Intelligence are unusually interested in her safe return.Trade ReviewMcNab's Nick Stone is the toughest of the tough, operating in a world of violent political espionage and most blood-letting, explosive of special ops... A rampaging book with a pace and scope that will keep you glued to the end * City AM *Andy McNab is on pulsating form with his 13th Nick Stone thriller * Daily Express *McNab's Army experience shines through this high-octane adventure * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisWith two tours of Iraq under his belt, Sergeant Dave Henley knows what modern war looks like. But nothing can prepare him for the posting to Forward Operating Base Senzhiri, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This is a battlezone like he''s never seen before.He''s in charge of 1 Platoon, a ragbag collection of rookies who he must make into a fighting force - and fast. But this is a brutal, unforgiving conflict which takes no prisoners. Their convoy is ambushed on the way to the FOB, leaving two men grievously wounded - before they''ve fired a shot.Back at home, Dave''s wife, Jenny, seven months pregnant, must try to hold together the fragile lives of the families left behind, who all wait for the knock on the door and the arrival of bad news...Trade ReviewRemarkable... Vividly portrays the nerve-wrenching torment of the families and loved ones left behind... Both McNab and Jordan have walked the walk and it shows * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *This book will ring true to soldiers who have worked in Helmand province and, uniquely, their families. Something new for McNab but excellent nonetheless * Soldier *

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Book Synopsis''Frost is back - this is a brilliant read, I can''t recommend it highly enough'' Martina ColeDenton, 1981. Britain is in recession, the IRA is becoming increasingly active and the country''s on alert for an outbreak of rabies. Detective Sergeant Jack Frost is working under his mentor and inspiration DI Bert Williams, and coping badly with his increasingly strained marriage. But DI Williams is nowhere to be seen. So when a 12-year-old girl goes missing from a department store changing room, DS Frost is put in charge of the investigation...''One of the most successful ventriloquial acts in crime writing.'' Financial TimesTrade ReviewOne of the most successful ventriloquial acts in crime writing. * Financial Times *Frost is back - this is a brilliant read, I can't recommend it highly enough -- MARTINA COLENot only a gripping mystery, but an exclusive look at Jack Frost's early years -- DAVID JASONThe success of First Frost is incontestable. This is a palpable hit... [a] dark, but glittering pearl -- Barry Forshaw * INDEPENDENT *This is great stuff. Just when you thought you'd seen the last of him, Jack Frost returns in a prequel to the series, which finds Frost in his best paisley tie tracking down a missing girl -- PETER ROBINSON

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Book SynopsisNick Stone''s future looks bleak. The only person he''s ever loved is dead. The only people who might save him have turned their backs.Until a chance encounter reunited him with a man whose life he saved ten years ago.What seems a simple quest in Baghdad takes Stone into the heart of a chilling conspiracy, from violent Bosnia, through lightening-paced action in Iraq. But too late, he realizes that he is being used as bait to lure into the open a man he believes can offer some salvation. A man whom the darker forces of the West will stop at nothing to destroy...Trade ReviewAndy McNab knows where his strengths lie, and it's not just in his biceps...Only people who have not read this book could suggest that he is not a fine writer. It is a heart-thumping read * Daily Express *Addictive... Packed with wild action and revealing tradecraft * Daily Telegraph *McNab is a terrific novelist. When it comes to thrills, he's Forsyth class * Mail on Sunday *McNab's great asset is that the heart of his fiction is non-fiction: other thriller writers do their research, but he has actually been there * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisSimon Kernick is one of Britain's most exciting thriller writers. He arrived on the crime writing scene with his highly acclaimed debut novel The Business of Dying, the story of a corrupt cop moonlighting as a hitman. Simon's big breakthrough came with his novel Relentless which was the biggest selling thriller of 2007. His most recent crime thrillers include Siege, Ultimatum, Stay Alive and The Final Minute. He is also the author of the bestselling three-part serial thrillers Dead Man's Gift and One By One.Simon talks both on and off the record to members of the Counter Terrorism Command and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, so he gets to hear first hand what actually happens in the dark and murky underbelly of UK crime.Trade ReviewSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick writes great plots, great action, great action -- Lee ChildSimon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck * Time Out *Kernick generates a potent cocktail of thrills that makes contemporary London feel like Dodge City * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA captivating and taut thriller that will leave you holding your breath, from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick, the UK''s answer to Harlan Coben.''The next time I see Simon Kernick''s name on a book, I will pick it up. Brilliant!'' - RICHARD MADELEY''This thriller is so authentic that it completely takes your breath away, and then some.'' - THE MIRROR''Kernick is the master of the literary rabbit punch, thumping his readers when they least expect it, and from a different direction...Cracking stuff.'' - THE TIMES''If it''s heart-thudding tension you want, Simon Kernick is your man.'' - DAILY MAIL''Simon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck.'' - TIME OUT********************************************************************''WE''VE GOT YOUR DAUGHTER.''It''s evening, you''re back late from work - and tTrade ReviewSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick writes great plots, great characters, great action -- Lee ChildIf it's heart-thudding tension you want, Simon Kernick is your man -- Carla McKay * Daily Mail *Simon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck * Time Out *The pace is unrelenting, the twists fun...and the characters are instantly engaging * Zoo *

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Book SynopsisSimon Kernick is one of Britain's most exciting thriller writers. He arrived on the crime writing scene with his highly acclaimed debut novel The Business of Dying, the story of a corrupt cop moonlighting as a hitman. Simon's big breakthrough came with his novel Relentless which was the biggest selling thriller of 2007. His most recent crime thrillers include Siege, Ultimatum, Stay Alive and The Final Minute. He is also the author of the bestselling three-part serial thrillers Dead Man's Gift and One By One.Simon talks both on and off the record to members of the Counter Terrorism Command and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, so he gets to hear first hand what actually happens in the dark and murky underbelly of UK crime.Trade ReviewSimon Kernick writes great plots, great characters, great action -- Lee ChildSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick uses every trick in the book to keep the action breakneck * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis1931. The new, luxurious transatlantic liner Empress of Britain is on her eastward passage. Among the first-class passengers on board are two English confidence tricksters, making a discreet exit from a scam they have left behind them in the United States. A chance meting on deck brings them a tempting new target in the shape of the beautiful and wealthy heiress, Diana Charnwood.It''s a trick they''ve pulled before, with some success. Charm the daughter into an engagement to marry, then get the father to buy you off. So confident are they of success, in fact, that they make a pact: whichever of them wins Diana Charnwood''s love will share his fortune with the other. But a violent death is to interrupt their neat little scheme. And they find themselves stumbling into something much darker than either had suspected...Trade ReviewGoddard unwinds his plots like a conjurer * Guardian *A spendidly old-fashioned affair, full of thuggery and skulduggery, cross and doublecross, plot and counter-plot * Independent *A masterful performance from one of Britain's finest thriller writers * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisRobert Goddard's first novel, Past Caring, was an instant bestseller. Since then, his books have captivated readers worldwide with their edge-of-the-seat pace and their labyrinthine plotting. He has won awards in the UK, the US and acrossEurope and his books have been translated into over thirty languages. In 2019, he won the Crime Writers' Association's highest accolade, the Diamond Dagger, for a lifetime achievement in Crime Writing.Trade ReviewUndoubtedly Goddard's most entertaining book to date * The Times *Brilliantly plotted, full of twists, neat characterisation... this is a thriller full of good, traditional storytelling values * Mail on Sunday *The plot races from one crisis to the next, keeping you guessing all the time. And there's a neat twist at the end, too * Ideal Home *

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Book SynopsisHarry Barnett thought he had left his military career behind, so he is startled when two figures from his past turn up on his doorstep after fifty years. An old friend has organised the reunion to end all reunions: a weekend in the Scottish castle where the ex-comrades took part in a psychological experiment many years before. They haven''t seen each other since. As they set off on their all-expenses-paid jaunt to Aberdeen, the old friends are in high spirits. But the cheerful atmosphere is quickly shattered by the apparent suicide of one of their party.When a second death occurs, a sense of foreboding descends on the group. It appears that the past is coming back to haunt them, a past that none of them have ever spoken about. Their recollections are all frighteningly different. So what really happened?Then when one of them uncovers an extraordinary secret, he becomes convinced that they will never leave the castle alive...Trade ReviewThe master of the clever twist * Sunday Telegraph *Goddard rarely disappoints... Meticulous planning, well-drawn characters and an immaculate sense of place... A satisfying number of twists and shocks along the way * The Times *When it comes to duplicity and intrigue, Goddard is second to none... A master of manipulation * Daily Mail *One of Britain's finest thriller writers * Time Out *Combines the expert suspense manipulation skills of a Daphne du Maurier romance with those of a John Le Carre thriller * The New York Times *

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