Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisEvery man has his dark side... Spero Lucas confronts his own in an explosive thriller from the writer of the award-winning THE WIRE.Spero Lucas is a young Iraq war vet now working as a PI in Washington DC. He''s hired by a young woman to find a painting she lost after being scammed by a super-smooth con-artist. Spero tracks the painting down, but the con-artist is part of a team of ruthless thugs, and the woman who hired Spero is brutally attacked as a warning to stay away.The warning doesn''t work. Spero is angry and he goes on the offensive, taking out the gang one by one. But where do Spero''s remorseless killings sit on the morality scale? Is he defending an innocent woman? Or have his experiences of war turned him into a ruthless killer, no better than the crooks he''s up against?Trade ReviewPowerful - SHORTLISTGripping ... intensely moving - EVENING STANDARDLean, stirring, knife-edged - NEW YORK TIMESPelecanos displays a ferocious understanding of street reality and an empathy for America's downtrodden - GUARDIANGeorge Pelecanos is a stunningly good chronicler of the mean streets of Washington DC ... For anyone who has somehow missed out on Pelecanos, he is up there with Elmore Leonard and even Chandler for street dialogue and inner city settings, and there is always a pleasing moral undertow to his work - DAILY MAIL

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Book SynopsisTreat yourself to FULL BLAST by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes. Praise for the FULL series: ''A fine romance with plenty of kisses'' Mirror; ''A wild mix of intrigue, sex and pyrotechnics'' The Times Dating can be murder...Jamie Swift is facing the story of a lifetime that could make or break her. Someone from her newspaper''s Lonely Heart''s column has murdered a local woman. To find the killer, and save her newspaper, Jamie will have to call in mega-handsome millionaire genius Max Holt, who right now is still frustratingly far from becoming anything more than just her business partner. But the real problem isn''t that Jamie wants to get closer to Max, it''s that the killer wants to get closer to Jamie.Trade ReviewPraise for Janet Evanovich: Pithy, witty and fast-paced * Sunday Times *Among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction * GQ *Slapstick, steam and suspense * People *Evanovich's characters are eccentric and exaggerated, the violence often surreal and the plot dizzily speedy: but she produces as many laughs as anyone writing crime today * The Times *A laugh-out-loud page-turner * Heat *Romantic and gripping...an absolute tonic * Good Housekeeping *

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Book SynopsisWHISPERS OF THE DEAD is a sumptuously rich feast of fifteeen short mystery tales, featuring the brilliant and beguiling Sister Fidelma, the seventh-century sleuth of the Celtic Church.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly, ''Definitely an Ellis Peter competitorSister Fidelma originally made her debut as one of crime fiction''s most interesting sleuths in short story form. The sharp-witted religieuse captured the hearts of many readers as she successfully tackled the most baffling of crimes in her other role as advocate of the law courts of Ireland, using the ancient Brehon Law system. This collection contains an astonishing range of crimes and misdemeanours and seamlessly blends historical detail, character and story into mysteries that will confound and surprise.WHISPERS OF THE DEAD is the second collection of these stories to be published in the UK. WitTrade ReviewPraise for the Sister Fidelma Series: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor * Evening Standard *This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about * Belfast Telegraph *A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre * Booklist *Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation * Morgan Llywelyn *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisIn April 1915 Joseph Reavley is serving as chaplain on the Front Line at Ypres. The war that should have been ''over by Christmas'' has already decimated the British Expeditionary Force. To Joseph''s sector comes an ambitious young war correspondent determined to expose the horrors of trench life. But before he can dispatch his piece, he is found dead in no-man''s-land. Still seeking the man behind his parents'' murder, and to protect his sister Judith from the pain of an impossible romance, Joseph must find the truth. His search takes him to London and the beaches of Gallipoli, and at last to face a desperate moral judgement which challenges every belief he holds.Trade Review'An absorbing tale' Kirkus Reviews, 15/7/04 * Kirkus Reviews *'The plot of this book is riveting throughout; the elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey into the past that long stays with you after the final page' The Lady, 28/9/04 * The Lady *'The writer weaves her compelling fiction around a graphic account of the horror of First World War trench warfare that has not been bettered since Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong' * Nottingham Evening Post *'Perry cleverly resolves some plot lines while reserving the solution of others for future mysteries...she does a superb job of bringing the grimness and waste to life, in a nice shift of gears from her two 19th-century historical series' Publishers Weekly, 26/7/04 * Publishers Weekly *'The plot of this book is riveting throughout; the elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey into the past that long stays with you after the final page' The Lady, 28/9/04 * The Lady *'The writer weaves her compelling fiction around a graphic account of the horror of First World War trench warfare that has not been bettered since Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong' * Nottingham Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisIt’s March 1916, and Joseph Reavley is on sick leave and finding recovery slow and hard. His sister Hannah is caring for him at home, and it’s a delight to them both when Shanley Corcoran, an old friend, comes to visit. Corcoran confides in Joseph that he’s come very close to completing an invention that will paralyse the deadly German U-boats. Soon afterwards, however, the leading scientist on that project is found murdered, and it’s clear that someone has been betraying secrets to the enemy. Joseph’s brother Matthew, of the S.I.S., comes down to investigate, and together the two men embark on a search that will solve the crime and lead them to the spy.Trade ReviewPraise for NO GRAVES AS YET and SHOULDER THE SKY: 'The elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey * The Lady *She does a superb job of bringing the grimness and waste to life, in a nice shift of gears from her two 19th-century historical series * Publishers Weekly *With its outstanding cover and bestselling author's writing, this dazzling story is one of sheer brilliance...It's just so, so beautiful * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisNot much is going right for jockey Alan Morrell. He can''t get the rides he needs and when he sets up a bloodstock partnership a tragic accident robs him of the business and his best friend Lee. Now Alan owes 100,000 and his only asset is a racehorse who has yet to be put to the test. But all that fades into insignificance next to the suspicion that Lee''s fatal fall was more than an accident... Things aren''t looking so hot for fellow-jockey Max Ashwood either. There''s the backlash from his affair with a trainer''s wife and the little matter of his gambling. There''s also the convenient death of another man to whom Max owed money. But surely no one is ever going to find out the truth about his part in that... Two riders, two unexplained deaths - but overshadowing both is a conflict that dwarfs the cosy world of racetrack winners and losers. As the noose closes round the neck of one man''s criminal empire, just how many others will swing?

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of the Alex Delaware novels comes THE CONSPIRACY CLUB, a superbly plotted thriller that twists and turns through a series of grisly murders. ''An unnerving, highly cinematic plot . . . [Kellerman has] headed off into different terrain . . . with striking success in this . . . quick-witted outing'' Janet Maslin, The New York Times. Jonathan Kellerman''s bestselling thrillers are perfect for fans of David Baldacci and Michael Connelly.When psychologist Dr Jeremy Carrier''s romance with nurse Jocelyn Banks is cut short by her kidnapping and brutal murder, he is left emotionally devastated and being watched by police seeking a prime suspect in the unsolved killing. When more women turn up murdered in the same gruesome fashion, the only way for Jeremy to prove his innocence is to follow the trail of a cunning psychopath. Spurring on Jeremy''s investigation is Dr Arthur Chess, an enigmatic pathologist who drTrade Review'Sophisticated, cleverly plotted and satisfying' * Sunday Telegraph *'High-octane entertainment' * The Times *'Exceptionally exciting' * New York Times *'Ingenious and horrifying' * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisSomewhere deep in the desert, the location of Rahimere''s tomb has long been kept a closely guarded secret. But now, the Sebaus - a sect taking its name from demons - has plundered and pillaged the sepulchre for its most powerful treasure.The fiery Pharaoh Queen Hatusu must fight to protect the tombs of her kin and tighten her grip on the collar of Egypt. But when Egypt''s great military hero, General Suten, is bitten to death by a swarm of venomous vipers, it appears events have spiralled out of her control.Meanwhile, a dark shadow lies across the peaceful Temple of Isis; four of the temple handmaids have vanished without trace. Will Lord Amerotke, Pharaoh''s Chief Judge, find that the perpetrators are in league with forces beyond his jurisdiction?Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisIn 1879 the redcoats of the British Army are universally regarded as the finest fighting force in the world. Among them is Lieutenant Simon Fonthill, dispatched to South Africa with much to prove: for Colonel Covington, his former Commanding Officer, has slanderously branded him a coward.In the Cape, tension is high. The Zulus, an independent nation of magnificently militant tribesmen, threaten the colonial government''s vision of a united South Africa. And Simon has been chosen for a particularly dangerous mission: to travel deep into Zululand to discover the intentions of the king. Simon encounters violence and imprisonment before he is faced with his greatest challenge. Escaping from the massacre at the Battle of Isandlwana, he must warn the tiny garrison at Rorke''s Drift of the threat posed by advancing Zulu impis. He has a chance to prove Covington a liar, but he may pay the ultimate price...Trade Review'A swashbuckling tale of epic proportions, slashed through with adventure, bravery, and the utmost danger' Good Book Guide * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisWho could be after a harmless old lady?Amateur sleuth Fran Varady takes it upon herself to investigate an old love affair and a family quarrel in Rattling the Bones, the seventh and final mystery in the popular Fran Varady series by Ann Granger. The perfect read for fans of Kate Ellis and Ann Cleeves. Edna, the dotty bag lady who Fran Varady used to see living in a churchyard with only feral cats for company, has crossed her path again. Now Edna is staying in a hostel, spending her days roaming as before. But Fran begins to see a method to her madness and, even though no one will believe her, she is certain Edna is being followed. Who could be interested in a harmless old lady? Determined to protect her from this hidden danger, Fran finds herself digging into Edna''s previous life and an old love affair and family quarrel come to light. But by rattling the bones of the past, Fran has uncovered more than she bargained for...WhatTrade ReviewPraise for Ann Granger's Fran Varady novels: 'Fran's a delight...the plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible, and the writing of this darkly humorous but humane and generous novel fluent, supple and a pleasure to read * Ham and High *The reader can expect a treat. [Fran Varady] is as fresh and vital as ever...Lively, different and fun * Yorkshire Post *She has shifted gear to the city with no problem...a fine start * Crime Time *Ann Granger's skill with character together with her sprightly writing make the most of the story....she is on to another winner * Birmingham Post *

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Book SynopsisThe two figures had been on the bridge. He had grasped hold of her. To save her, or to push her?Inspector William Monk is still feeling his way in a new post in the Thames River Police and knows he must solve the mystery to gain the respect of his men. Soon both he and Hester find themselves powerfully involved in the story of the dead woman, Mary Havilland, and her quest to vindicate her father, found dead two months previously. An engineer working for the Argyll Construction Company, James Havilland was convinced a major disaster would happen in the tunnels where London''s desperately needed new sewer system was being built. Maddened by his obsession, he''d apparently shot himself. Mary had never accepted that and now she was dead too. Was it chance or something more sinister?Trade Review'Brilliant . . . That rare blend of novel that's a page-turning thriller yet literary... Dark Assassin continues Author Perry's peerless tradition of blending compelling plotting with finely realized human emotion and superb period detail' * Jeffery Deaver *'Brilliant . . . That rare blend of novel that's a page-turning thriller yet literary - and, best of all, one that gives us lucky readers the chance to enjoy another adventure by our favorite Victorian police superintendent William Monk. Dark Assassin continues author Perry's peerless tradition of blending compelling plotting with finely realized human emotion and superb period detail' * Jeffery Deaver *'Anne Perry is a cross between Charles Dickens and Ian Rankin, writing beautifully crafted Victorian crime.' Henry Sutton, The Mirror * The Mirror *

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Book SynopsisOnce again, Inspector William Monk, now of the Thames River Police, must face a dangerous foe. It''s 1864, and after a game of cat and mouse, Monk has captured Jericho Phillips, the man he suspects of brutally killing a young mudlark and running an evil child prostitution ring. In bringing Phillips to justice, Monk hopes to close down the ring and avenge the memory of Durban, his old commander, who was determined to capture Philips. However at trial justice does not prevail. Oliver Rathbone, Monk''s friend, is hired anonymously to represent the accused and when he proves that vital evidence is missing, Phillips is freed. As Monk begins the investigation again, venturing deeper into London''s murky underworld, he realises that Durban may have had his own reasons for pursuing Phillips, and shockingly, that secret support for Phillips may reach further into civilised society than anyone could ever have imagined...Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisAttending the party and taking a leading role in the ensuing investigation is one of the most beloved characters from Anne Perry''s Thomas Pitt series: Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould. Lady Vespasia''s friend Isobel has made a cruel remark about Gwendolen Kilmuir on the night Gwendolen was meant to have become engaged to the eligible Bertie Rosythe. Gwendolen flees the room, and the next morning her body is found in the lake in the gardens of the estate. It appears she has jumped from the bridge. The host, Omegus Jones and Vespasia decide to find who or what might have led Gwendolen to resort to such an extreme measure. They vow to make the guilty party seek forgiveness and expiation through the task of taking a sealed letter written by Gwendolen before her death to her mother up in the north of Scotland.The journey will be both physically and emotionally arduous but will bring answers to some unexpected and profound questions.Trade Review'This brief work has an almost Jamesian subtlety, and with its powerful message of responsibility and redemption - "We need both to forgive and to be forgiven" - it conveys a moral force in keeping with the season' Wall Street Journal 12/12/03 * Wall Street Journal *'The tale is redolent with Victorian atmosphere, from the hypocritical snobbishness to the rigid social conventions of the time' Tangled Web, 12 February 2004 * Tangled Web *'This brief work has an almost Jamesian subtlety, and with its powerful message of responsibility and redemption - "We need both to forgive and to be forgiven" - it conveys a moral force in keeping with the season' Wall Street Journal 12/12/03 * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe good people of Pickax are agog with anticipation. Not only is the new bookstore, The Pirate''s Chest, about to open, but the Theatre Club is set to perform Oscar Wilde''s The Importance of Being Earnest. The play does not continue past opening night, however, for a member of the cast is killed in a car accident...or was it an accident? Koko seems to suspect otherwise, and Qwill and his clever cats have their work cut out for them.

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Book SynopsisA naked teenage girl is found dead near the beautiful Byzantine Yoros Castle in Turkey. She has stabbed herself through the heart but there is evidence of bizarre sexual practice. In another part of Istanbul, a young boy sems to have committed suicide in similar circumstances. What dark rituals could have compelled them to fatal self-abuse? Inspectors Cetin Ikmen and Mehmet Suleyman follow an internet trail that leads them to an underworld of Goth nightclubs and Satanic worship. But even those murkey shadows hide more than they reveal and the answers to an ever increasing number of suspicious deaths is more shocking and terrible than they could ever have imagined.Trade ReviewPerfect blend of foreign exoticism and impeccable mystery plotting... Superior police procedural sleuthing in which the locale is etched with precision and the city of Istanbul becomes an indispensable character * Crime Time *Praise for Barbara Nadel's Ikmen series: 'Really refreshing to encounter something as idiosyncratic and evocative...as Barbara Nadel's Istanbul-set thriller * The Times *Unusual and very well-written * Sunday Telegraph *Intriguing, exotic...exciting, accomplished and original * Literary Review *Full of complex characters and louche atmosphere * Independent *Intelligent and captivating...recalls Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen series * The Sunday Times *Exotic and atmospheric * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisYou''re about to join the adventures of Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel, six extraordinary kids who have powers like no other: they can fly, and they''re being chased - no, hunted - across America and around the world.THIS IS THE END, MY FRIENDS. But I promise that you''ll fly higher than ever before in this wild adventure, witness battles worthy of multiplex movie screens, and laugh until your sides hurt. There''s even a little romance... But all good things - and even terrible, unspeakable ones - must come to an end. This is that moment in time, I''m afraid. Either we save the world, or we crash and burn. And I mean all of us - even you, faithful reader, because you play a very big part in this story. The flock needs your help. Yes, you.Trade Review'Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried... There's no stopping his imagination.' * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisWhen a body is found lying in the road, many in Dartmouth assume that a drunk had fallen and killed himself. At the same time, the town is on alert because a ship has been found ravaged by pirates out at sea, the crew killed or captured. Is this the beginning of a new onslaught by pirates, or is something more sinister happening? Sir Baldwin de Furnshill has been told of spies and messengers being sent to the great traitor Roger Mortimer in France. If the messengers reach Mortimer, civil war in England will soon break out. This is the most important investigation of their lives: it could result in their own execution if they fail to learn the facts. But if they succeed, other men will want them silenced forever.

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Book SynopsisCrusader Gold is the stunning follow up to 2005''s bestselling debut Atlantis.For many it is the Jewish menorah, the huge golden candlestick looted by the Romans in AD 70 then carried to Constantinople. Now, nobody knows where it is. Some think it survived and is concealed in the Vatican. Some think it took an altogether more extraordinary turn, at the beginning of history itself ...Jack Howard is the only man who can find out. But the clock is ticking against him. The quest to find out takes him from the fall of the Roman Empire to the last days of Nazi power - and uncovers a trail more thrilling than anyone could have imagined...

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Book SynopsisWWII. As Malta falls under siege, two fighter pilots are tested to the limit. By turns brutal, funny, tragic and heroic Band of Eagles is a spellbinding read, perfect for fans of Ken Follet and Robert Radcliffe. ''A gripping fusion of thrills and historical plausibility . . . a fine balance of freshness and authenticity'' Telegraph Summer 1941. The tiny island of Malta has become the most bombed place on earth. The Germans and Italians want to destroy it. For the fighter pilots of the RAF, initially equipped with ageing Hurricanes and outnumbered in the air, defeat seems almost certain. Flight commanders Englishman Kit Curtis and American Ossie Wolf have survived the Fall of France and the Battle of Britain but Curtis remains idealistic and eager to prove himself. Wolf, by contrast, is ruthless and thrives in the chaos of imminent invasion. But as each man is pushed to dangerous boundaries, they come to share a fresh understanding.

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Book SynopsisCAPITAL CRIMES contains two compulsive stories from international bestselling thriller writes Faye and Jonathan Kellerman working together. Recommended for fans of Michael Connelly and Tess Gerritsen.Berkeley homicide detectives Barnes and Iris are called to investigate the murder of legislator Davida Grayson. As the detectives probe further, they find she has a lot of enemies. But is the reason for Davida''s death political or personal? Barnes and Iris will have to work fast if they are to find the killer before he, or she, strikes again.John Wallace ''Jack'' Jeffries, a legendary musician, is in Nashville for a benefit concert. Before he can take to the stage, he is found dead from a vicious stab wound. The detectives assigned to the case, Southerby and Van Gundy, assume at first it''s just a random street crime. But as the investigation continues, and the pressure mounts, they discover that the brutal slaying is linked to dark secrets in Jack''s past: secrTrade ReviewPraise for Faye and Jonathan Kellerman: 'Faye's warmth is a welcome influence on Jonathan's cool style * Mirror *Writing as a team for the first time, the Kellermans get it just right: pacing, plotting, even the prose...oh-so-refreshingly readable * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisSuper sleuth Sister Fidelma returns in the seventeenth historical mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of MASTER OF SOULS, WHISPERS OF THE DEAD and many more.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Rich helpings of evil and tension with lively and varied characters'' Historical Novels Review, ''The most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland'' Irish Examiner February, AD 668, and Cashel is full of distinguished visitors. Under the old Irish custom, Fidelma of Cashel and Eadulf of Seaxmund''s Ham, having been joined together for a year and a day, are to be married. But on the eve of the ceremony, the pious Abbot Ultán is found murdered in his chamber. Worse still - one of the most distinguished guests, the King of Connacht, is seen fleeing from the scene and charged with the murder. He demands his right to appoint Fidelma in his defence. Fidelma soon discovers that Abbot Ultán is not the pious man he was thought to be - inTrade ReviewPraise for the Sister Fidelma Series: 'Definitely an Ellis Peters competitor * Evening Standard *This is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the worth he is writing about * Belfast Telegraph *A compulsive readable whodunit fronted by one of the most reliably intriguing characters to grace the pages of the genre * Booklist *Tremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation * Morgan Llywelyn *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisSister Fidelma must investigate the murder of the High King himself and by doing so risk civil war, in Peter Tremayne''s brilliant eighteenth novel in the ever-popular series.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''Tremayne''s super-sleuth is a vibrant creation'' Morgan Llywelyn, ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly When Sechnussach, High King of Ireland, is found dead in his bedchamber with his throat cut, all clues seem to suggest an all-too-obvious prime suspect. Dubh Duin, the chieftain of the clan Cinél Cairpre, was found with the murder weapon in his hand when the High King''s guards entered the royal chamber, before taking his own life. The Chief Brehon of Ireland asks Sister Fidelma to investigate and find out what possible motives could have driven Dubh Duin to assassinate the High King. Her investigations reveals an intricate web of conspiracy and deception that threatens to unbalance the five kinTrade ReviewPraise for Peter Tremayne's novels: 'Wonderfully evocative * The Times *A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down * Publishers Weekly *Definitely an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous * Evening Standard *Well-paced and suspenseful, sprinkled with Old Irish terms and fascinating details of early Irish life...Fidelma is a an original and complex character...An Irish heroine for both the seventh and twenty-first centuries * Books Ireland *

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Book SynopsisBy 1322, Mathilde of Westminster was considered the finest physician in London. But in her years as lady-in-waiting to Princess Isabella, she was drawn into the murky politics of the English court, where sudden, mysterious death was part of the tapestry of life. Many years later, Mathilde looks back and chronicles her turbulent life. With her sharp, suspicious intellect ready to distinguish between a fatality and an unnatural death, Mathilde is confronted by a host of chilling murders. The source of these horrors is the fierce political rivalry between Philip of France and Edward of England. This manifests itself in a series of gruesome killings, one of which actually took place during Edward II''s Coronation, when a knight of the Royal Household, Sir John Baquelle was crushed to death.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1308 and England hovers on the brink of civil war. Edward II, his wife Isabella and the royal favourite Peter Gaveston Earl of Cornwall, have been forced to retreat to the King''s folly. Just an arrowshot away lie the Great Lords and Philip IV of France, who are demanding that the Earl of Cornwall be charged with high treason.Edward is trapped, and worse, he has learnt that Philip has the ''Poison Maiden'' on his side, a formidable spy who did untold damage during his father''s reign. As Edward tries in vain to unmask the identity of the spy, Mathilde, handmaiden to the Queen, also attempts to identify the source of this threat. Soon the crisis spills over into violence. The Lords attempt to take Gaveston by force and the King and his Court, including Mathilde, are forced to flee. As the enemy closes in, Mathilde finds herself embroiled in a life and death struggle for the English crown.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisAt a peace treaty signing between Egypt and Libya in Thebes, three of Egypt''s leading scribes die violently on the Temple forecourt, the victims of a vile poisoning. To add to the mounting unease, a prosperous merchant and his young wife are found drowned. Rumours soon sweep the imperial city. The Poisoner of Ptah has returned. It falls to Amerotke, Chief Judge of the Halls of Two Truths, to investigate these hideous crimes. This story sees the Judge pit his wits against a cunning opponent who seems intent on spreading his death-dealing powders. Amerotke enters the twilight world of glorious Thebes where life can be so rich and yet death so swift and brutal.Trade ReviewPraise for Paul Doherty's other novels: 'I really like these medieval whodunnits * Bookseller *A romping good read * Time Out *Historically informative, excellently plotted and, as ever, superbly entertaining * CADS 20 *This rich tale ... seeps authenticity and is written with wonderfully efficient style. A gem of an historical thriller * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *

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Book SynopsisThe hunt is on - but this time Stephanie''s the prey...Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is on the chase of her life in To The Nines, the ninth hilarious crime adventure in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. The perfect read for fans of JD Robb and Sue Grafton.Praise for Evanovich''s bestselling novels: ''A laugh-out-loud page turner'' (Heat); ''Sharp dialogue, a little slapstick and a little romance'' (The Sunday Times); ''Highly enjoyable... who can resist?'' (Chicago Tribune). Stephanie Plum has a visa absconder to find or her whole bonds office is in jeopardy. The train for the missing fugitive leads from the New Jersey Turnpike, to the Las Vegas strip, to a group of killers who are giving new meaning to the word ''hunter''...Stephanie could use some back up on this case, but her incredibly hot mentor, Ranger, has been ''asked'' never to come back to Vegas. And when it comes to her cop boyfrieTrade ReviewHer characteristic comic bounce remains delightfully undisturbed * The Sunday Times *Evanovich's sharpest, funniest, sexiest entry in the series since the early days * Who Weekly *Will delight her legion of fans * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisIn a moral world... murder is the ultimate crime...Brian Freeman, author of Thief River Falls and The Voice Inside, weaves obsession, sex and revenge into a story that will grip you with vivid characters and shocking plot twists from the first page to the last. The bestselling Immoral is sure to enthral fans of Michael Connelly and Karin Slaughter. ''Breaktakingly real... page-turning psychological suspense'' Jeffery DeaverIn Duluth, Minnesota, a young woman, Rachel Stoner, has gone missing. Cop Jonathan Stride, a sharply focused detective despite the stresses of his troubled personal life, is quick to suspect her stepfather of murder. And yet, he has his doubts. Even for a man accustomed to power, the accused seems remarkably convinced he''ll go free. Could he be telling the truth? While Stride endeavours to make sense of the conflicting pieces of evidence, a young woman''s body lies half-buried deep in the

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Book SynopsisThe fifth volume in a frightening collection of Laymon classics - 'Fast-paced, weird, gruesome fun in the unique Laymon style.' Dean Koontz

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Book Synopsis''Holmes! I cried. Is it really you? Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is it possible that you succeeded in climbing out of that awful abyss?''. The one and only Sherlock Holmes is sensationally back from the dead, and devoting his life once more to examining the criminal complexities of the capital. Cases of mysterious codes, persecuted millionaires, stalkers, abductions and a meeting with ''the worst man in London'' are all attacked with renewed vigour. But Holmes'' old enemies are watching his every move. Watching, waiting, plotting...Trade ReviewHe is unique in simultaneously bringing down the curtain on an era and raising one on another, ushering in a genre of writing that... has never been surpassed. His own life, as footballer... eye surgeon, champion of injustice and investigator into the paranormal, is the stuff of legend. Personally, I would walk a mile in tight boots to read his letters to the milkman * Stephen Fry, The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection *

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Book SynopsisGlamour, ambition, love and sex. It's all here in the page-turning bestsellers by Louise BagshaweTrade Review'Part-thriller, part-love story, it's Bagshawe at her best' * Sun *'A gripping read about heartbreak and hitmen' * New Idea magazine, Australia *'This meaty romance/ thriller is just what the doctor ordered. It reminded me of Jackie Collins and I couldn't put it down... [I]t's nothing if not exciting' * Daily Mail *'A thrilling mix of danger and lust, it's an addictive read that doesn't disappoint' * Heat magazine *'More than addictive... the perfect thing to get you over the end-of-summer blues' * News of the World *'...just what the doctor ordered. It reminded me of Jackie Collins and I couldn't put it down' * Daily Mail *'A glamorous, pacy blockbuster reminiscent of Jackie Collins' * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1976 and England is sweating its nuts off. As an unrelenting heat wave beats down on the nation, the residents of Horse''s Arse - aka Handstead New Town, north Manchester - are reaching melting point. The Park Royal Mafia, having recovered from the loss of its senior members, is under new management and open for the business of mindless violence again. Unfortunately their antics have attracted the attention of a psychotic Turkish gangster, who''s decided the Mafia is just what he needs to pull himself to the top of the criminal heap. And wading into the middle of it are the Grim Brothers, Psycho, Pizza, Ally - Horse''s Arse''s finest and the hardestboiled coppers you''ll ever meet. With this lot hot under the collar it''s all going to end in blood, (a lot of) sweat and tears.

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Book SynopsisStephanie''s digging up a whole heap of bad news...New secrets, old flames and hidden agendas send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet in Lean Mean Thirteen. Janet Evanovich''s Stephanie Plum series is not to be missed by fans of Sue Grafton and Lee Child. Raves for Evanovich''s bestselling novels: ''Highly enjoyable... who can resist? (Chicago Tribune); ''Romantic and gripping'' (Good Housekeeping); ''Plum is not just a smart private eye but a heroine with a sense of humour'' (Daily Mail). Stephanie Plum is used to dealing with crimes in the neighbourhood, but she''s not used to being accused of committing the crimes. Her no-good ex-husband, Dickie, has gone missing the day after Stephanie was seen having an argument with him, threatening bodily harm. Now Stephanie is suspect number one.Stephanie is going to have to find Dickie, and fast, to clear her name. Hot cop Joe MorTrade ReviewA Jersey girl with Bette Midler's mouth and Cher's fashion sense...with her brazen style and dazzling wardrobe, who could resist this doll? - New York Times Book ReviewEvanovich's series of New Jersey comedy thrillers are among the great joys of contemporary crime fiction... All the easy class and wit that you expect to find in the best American TV comedy, but too rarely find in modern fiction. - GQ

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Book SynopsisIn one of the most fascinating works of fiction of all time, Stevenson examines the inner conflict between good and evil.Lawyer Gabriel Utterson hears of an ambiguous, solitary, violent man called Edward Hyde, who is said to have trampled over a young girl in the street, leaving her bruised and terrified. Utterson becomes concerned when a friend of his, Dr Henry Jekyll, makes a will declaring that in the event of his death or disappearance, Hyde should inherit all his property. When Hyde is seen killing a respected political figure, Jekyll becomes increasingly reclusive, which leads Utterson to suspect that there is more than a casual connection between his friend and this brutal ''apelike'' monster of a man . . .

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Book SynopsisA brilliant standalone novel from Anne Perry, the undisputed master of the Victorian mystery.1273 - the gorgeous, cosmopolitan and enlightened city of Byzantium is in acute danger. Only an alliance with the Church of Rome will stop the crusading fervour of the Italian and French troops on its borders, determined to strike through Byzantium to reach Jerusalem. Faced with the prospect of surrendering its gentile Orthodox theology to Roman Catholicism, the city is in turmoil as opposing factions seek to assert their authority.For Anna, the brutal conflict only echoes her own life. Recently arrived in Byzantium to find out why her brother has been exiled for a murder she believes he did not commit, Anna is forced to pose as a eunuch so that she can move freely in all levels of society. As she does so she finds herself in the middle of intrigues that may not only free, or condemn, her brother, but will also determime the fate of Byzantium itself.Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisPrimavera Blackstone becomes the prime suspect in the second breathtaking novel in a brilliant new series by bestselling Scottish crime writer Quintin Jardine.Primavera is enjoying the quiet life in an idyllic village on the Catalan coast of Spain. The attractive single mother and eight-year-old Tom, son of the late and still lamented Oz Blackstone, are popular figures in the tiny community. But her close friendship with the parish priest has eyebrows rising and tongues wagging. Then a dispute explodes with a powerful councillor who refuses to allow the village wine fair to go ahead. When his body is found, head caved in, some ominous questions are asked...

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Book SynopsisA dark and twisting thriller from the master of psychological suspense, New York Times No. 1 bestseller Jonathan Kellerman, author of KILLER and BREAKDOWN. Perfect for fans of the thrillers of Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly, ''OVER THE EDGE is a compulsive page-turner . . . filled with insight, charged with suspense, and laced with just enough humour to make the whole thing sparkle. This one is simply too good to miss'' (Stephen King). Jamey Cadmus is clearly a deeply troubled young man. Found clutching a bloodied knife at the scene of a brutal double homicide, surely he must be the vicious serial killer who''s been terrorising LA. What other explanation can there be? The public are demanding the death penalty but his lawyer is pleading diminished responsibility. Psychologist Alex Delaware is asked to make an assessment of Jamey''s mental health but to do that he needs to look into Jamey''s past and no one wants Alex digging there . Trade Review'Over the Edge is a compulsive page-turner...filled with insight, charged with suspense, and laced with just enough humour to make the whole thing sparkle. This one is simply too good to miss' * Stephen King *'Sophisticated, cleverly plotted and satisfying' * Sunday Telegraph *'High-octane entertainment' * The Times *'Exceptionally exciting' * New York Times *'Ingenious and horrifying' * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisIdeal for fans of Michael Connelly and Karin Slaughter, DEVIL''S WALTZ is a harrowing case for psychologist Alex Delaware and he must summon up every bit of his knowledge and skill to solve it. A riveting read from Jonathan Kellerman, bestselling author of KILLER AND BREAKDOWN, exhibiting ''strong insights into the quirks of human and criminal behaviour'' (Guardian).It''s a living hell . . .Twenty-one-month-old Cassie Jones has spent most of her short life in and out of Paediatrics Hospital. Cassie is persistently, seriously ill and when no amount of testing can identify the cause, her doctor is lead to a disturbing diagnosis - Cassie''s mother could be making her daughter deliberately sick.Child psychologist Alex Delaware is brought in to make an independent assessment of the Jones family. But Alex''s attempts to find the answers and save a young girl''s life will reveal a terrifying circle of corruption, abuse and murderous hatred.Trade ReviewStrong insights into the quirks of human and criminal behaviour * Guardian *Filled with insight * Stephen King *Coolly intelligent * GQ *A sense of humanity and justice * Publishers Weekly *An alert eye for detail * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA spellbinding literary thriller about terror, war, greed, and the darkest secrets of the human soul, by the author of the million-copy bestseller, The Interpretation of Murder.September 16, 1920. Under a clear blue September sky, a quarter ton of explosives is detonated in a deadly attack on Wall Street. Fear comes to the streets of New York.Witnessing the blast are war veteran Stratham Younger, his friend James Littlemore of the NY Police Department, and beautiful French radiochemist Colette Rousseau. A series of inexplicable attacks on Colette, a secret buried in her past, and a mysterious trail of evidence lead Younger, Littlemore, and Rousseau on a thrilling international and psychological journey - from Paris to Prague, from the Vienna home of Freud to the corridors of power in Washington, DC, and ultimately to the hidden depths of our most savage instincts. As the seemingly disjointed pieces of Younger and Littlemore''s investigations come together,Trade Review'A tapestry of intrigue, corruption, double-dealing and double standards on a grand scale. A must-read for conspiracy theorists.' * The Times *'This elegant thriller...it will thrill Rubenfeld's fans around the world.' * Daily Mail *'Carefully researched and energetically told' * Literary Review *'A Buchanesque thriller' * Guardian *'An ingenious theory...Rubenfeld is a superb action writer' * Saturday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe fifth, and final, book in Anne Perry''s powerful series of novels set during World War One.The war is coming to a close. Joseph Reavley''s regiment has suffered huge losses but alllive inhope that peace will soon be upon them, when a further, brutal tragedy strikes the Front. Sarah Price, a young nurse, is savagely murdered and Joseph vows to find the person responsible. Matthew, Joseph''s brother, is already at the Front to meet a prisoner who claims to be able to identify the shadowy Peacemaker, when he becomes implicated in the nurse''s death. If Matthew is to bring the prisoner to the office of the Prime Minister, he must work with Joseph to ensure that Sarah Price''s killer is found. If Matthew is able to put a stop to the Peacemaker''s schemes, there will be a chance for lasting peace; if he fails, then freedom and liberty could be all but a distant memory for future generations...Trade ReviewPraise for NO GRAVES AS YET and SHOULDER THE SKY: 'The elegance of the prose and depth of characterisation combine to create a powerful and poignant journey * The Lady *She does a superb job of bringing the grimness and waste to life, in a nice shift of gears from her two 19th-century historical series * Publishers Weekly *With its outstanding cover and bestselling author's writing, this dazzling story is one of sheer brilliance...It's just so, so beautiful * North Wales Chronicle *

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Book SynopsisThe riotous third novel in Charlie Owen''s acclaimed seventies police series.Summer 1977: It''s no holiday in the sun in Handstead New Town, a north Manchester overspill. Known to the local cops as Horse''s Arse, it''s preparing to celebrate the Queen''s Silver Jubilee. But with football violence, rampant police hooliganism and an expanding LSD market there''ll be a riot going on...

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Book SynopsisThe fourth novel in Charlie Owen's fantastic seventies police series

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Book Synopsis* Pre-order LOYALTY, the brand new novel from Martina Cole. Coming October 2023. *Keep your family close... Set in the heart of London''s criminal gangland, FACES by the ''undisputed queen of crime writing'' (Guardian) and Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Martina Cole reaches the darkest corners of family life and explores the dangerous line between love and hate. Danny Cadogan is the most powerful man in gangland London, but he''s also the most hated. He entered this dark world to protect his family, but the violent streak running through his veins means even those closest to him fear and despise him.His wife Mary dreams of her husband''s murder. His brother-in-law Michael knows Danny is bad for business.Danny is at the top of his game, but there are plenty of people getting ready to bring him down...For more stories centred on family life, check out THE FAMILY, THE FAITHLESS and BETRAYAL. Martina ColTrade Review'Cole is brilliant at portraying the good among the bad, and vice versa, so until the very end we never quite know who to trust. This is the very stuff that makes her so compelling' Daily Mirror No one writes about East End women and their vagaries like Martina Cole Maxim Jakubowski, Murder One 'A powerful novel that pulls no punches... Cole has an ear for the vernacular of the East End, as well as an ability to portray the viciousness of life at the edge' the Guide Guide 'Right from the start [Cole] has enjoyed unqualified approval for her distinctive and powerfully written fiction' The Times Intensely readable Guardian 'Martina Cole explores the shady criminal underworld, a setting she is fast making her own' Sunday Express 'Utterly compelling' Mirror 'The story will grip you from the first pages' Best 'Gritty novel from an author who knows intimately the world she writes about' Express

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Book SynopsisAnn Granger brings Victorian London vividly to life in her second novel to feature Scotland Yard Inspector Ben Ross.Trade ReviewPraise for Ann Granger's previous crime novels: 'Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent' * The Times *'The plot is neat and ingenious, the characters rounded and touchingly credible, and the writing of this darkly humorous but humane and generous novel fluent, supple and a pleasure to read' * Ham and High *'The reader can expect a treat. Lively, different and fun' * Yorkshire Post *'Ann Granger's skill with character together with her sprightly writing make the most of the story....she is on to another winner' * Birmingham Post *'One of crime fiction's most engaging heroines' * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisJack Howard is about to discover a secret. Perhaps the greatest secret ever kept.What if one of the Ancient World''s greatest libraries was buried in volcanic ash and then re-discovered two thousand years later? What if what was found there was a document that could shatter the very foundations of the Western World? What if you were the one who discovered this secret? And were then forced to confront terrifying enemies determined to destroy you to ensure it goes no further?This is the story of one last Gospel, left behind in the age of the New Testament, in the greatest days of the Roman Empire, and of its extraordinary secret, one that has lain concealed for years. Follow Jack Howard as he discovers the secret and must prevent others from doing the same...

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Book Synopsis''Makes you want to read every word...serpentine and satisfying'' TelegraphThornleigh Hall, seat of the Earl of Sussex, dominates its surroundings. Its heir is missing, and the once vigorous family is reduced to a cripple, his whore and his alcoholic second son, but its power endures. Impulsive Harriet Westerman has felt the Hall''s menace long before she happens upon a dead man bearing the Thornleigh arms. The grim discovery cries out for justice, and she persuades reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther to her cause, much against his better judgement; he knows a dark path lies before those who stray from society''s expectations. That same day, Alexander Adams is killed in a London music shop, leaving his young children orphaned. His death will lead back to Sussex, and an explosive secret that has already destroyed one family and threatens many others.Trade Review'[An] extremely impressive debut...told by Robertson with great panache' * The Times *'Satisfyingly complex... Robertson's greatest achievement is the creation of characters who are vivid and believable and so engaging that one hopes Crowther and Westerman find more murders to solve in the future' * Guardian *'Poetic, enchanting, and chillingly memorable. Imogen Robertson is an exquisite writer, and this is an extraordinary novel' * Tess Gerritsen *'A charmingly intriguing murder mystery set in 18th century England...Robertson breathes life into her chosen period as authentically as did Georgette Heyer' * Daily Mail *'Thundering' * Financial Times *'A large country estate; an ancient and powerful aristocratic family; a dangerous hidden secret; a mysterious anatomist; a feisty amateur female detective and the brutal murder of a stranger. Really, what more could you want from a novel? Well, how about a link to the American revolutionary war and London in riotous meltdown? It's all here in glorious abundance in this rich and lustrous historical crime novel, Instruments of Darkness, the debut work of the ludicrously talented Imogen Robertson' * Material Witness *'[An] extraordinary, high quality historical thriller' * Eurocrime *'An atmospheric and twisting novel...an engaging heroine, loony-tune aristos, a cracking plot that fizzes along and a dangerous hidden secret. The follow-up is just as good' * Material Witness *

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Book SynopsisStill reeling from the tragic death of their much-loved colleague, Skinner''s men are about to discover that a disturbed serial killer is still at large and very close to home.It''s the second week of July Trades Holiday in Edinburgh when Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner and his men get a call informing them that the body of a young woman has been found on a golf course. It''s been there for ten days so she''s not a pretty sight. But the way she has been laid out is uncannily familiar. The body has been ''composed'', just like the bodies of three other young women in a previous case. Could it be the work of a copycat killer? The murder victim is an art teacher who was having a relationship with the son of a Tory MP. Her ex-boyfriend is a policeman with a reputation as a serious womaniser. It seems the murder trail is getting much too close for comfort...

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Book SynopsisIn the latest compelling book in Anne Perry''s bestselling Pitt series, Inspector Thomas Pitt must navigate the upper echelons of society if he is to find a murderer bold enough to kill in Buckingham Palace.Early one morning, Inspector Thomas Pitt is awoken by a message from his boss, Narraway. A maid has been murdered. The maid worked at Buckingham Palace and Narraway needs his must trusted man to deal with the investigation.The suspects are narrowed down to a group of guests, meeting with the Prince of Wales to discuss the funding for a huge project: the Cape to Cairo railway. If the murderer isn''t found, the Queen will veto royal support for the scheme.It rests with Pitt to solve the murder - in doing so he must reconcile his own concept of justice with those who feel it is within their right to make their own laws, whatever the consequences.Trade ReviewAnne Perry's novels are New York Times bestsellers and have earned much critical acclaim: 'Give her a good murder and a shameful social evil, and Anne Perry can write a Victorian mystery that would make Dickens' eyes pop out * New York Times Book Review *A totally contemporary feel ... admirably well-written * Guardian *Her Victorian England pulsates with life and is peopled with wonderfully memorable characters * Faye Kellerman *A complex plot supported by superb storytelling ... and William Monk, a contender for the post of Most Original Investigator in recent fiction * Scotland on Sunday *

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