Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisLeaving isn''t safe... But staying would be deadly.''An addictive read. . . Patricia Highsmith meets Shirley Jackson'' - GILLIAN MCALLISTER''A deliciously creepy tale of three sisters forced to take refuge in an abandoned mansion. Seddon deftly weaves between past horrors at the manor and the present-day struggle of the sisters to survive the night. What sets this thriller apart is the stellar writing and bone-chilling atmosphere Seddon creates.'' - SARAH PEKKANEN, bestselling author of Gone TonightThree sisters find themselves lost in a storm at night, and seek safety at Moirthwaite Manor, where their mother once worked. They are shocked to find the isolated mansion that loomed so large through their troubled childhoods has long been abandoned. Drawing straws to decide who should get help, one sister heads back into the darkness. With the siblings separated, the deadly secrets hidden in the house finally makTrade ReviewThe Short Straw is an intensely readable and gripping page turner. By turns tense, shocking and moving, and with an atmosphere you could cut with a knife * ALEX MICHAELIDES *An addictive read that takes place over one unforgettable night where one family's secrets rise to the surface - Patricia Highsmith meets Shirley Jackson * GILLIAN MCALLISTER *Deliciously creepy, and a fascinating study of the complex, often toxic, relationships within families * SHARON BOLTON *Utterly gripping and unputdownable * JANE FALLON *Having three sisters, I could relate to the sibling dynamics . . . It's twisty, gothic, and with a heartbreakingly shocking reveal * LISA HALL *Holly creates such exquisite tension that you really can't put her books down . . . I felt the sense of place, the weather, the cold in that house in my bones * EMMA CURTIS *A spectacularly dark, eerie, and haunting mystery. Should come with a 'do not read before bed' warning as you'll be spooked long after you finish turning the pages * SOPHIE FLYNN *Gripping, creepy and drenched in atmosphere * CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD *A highly enjoyable, many-layered mystery with a masterfully handled sense of foreboding...Ending was by turns terrifying, suspenseful, and heart-breaking * Melanie Golding *Three sisters find themselves stranded at the gothic manor house that dominated their troubled childhoods. This irresistible slow-burn thriller is as much a study of family dynamics as it is a creepy & suspense-filled spine-tingler * Fiona Cummins *The Short Straw is creepy, twisty and more than a little Gothic. * Sarah Hilary *A highly enjoyable, many-layered mystery with a masterfully handled sense of foreboding...Ending was by turns terrifying, suspenseful, and heart-breaking. * Melanie Golding *Fast chapters plus a creepy plot which builds...to a tense and moving ending, and makes for a perfect, bingable read. * John Marrs *An emotionally charged story with a mystery at its heart that burns until the very last page. * Lisa Ballantyne *An elegant, affecting story about three sisters who have to face up to the secrets of the past. Atmospheric and compelling * Araminta Hall *The Short Straw practically pulses with foreboding and menace. Get ready to stay up all night! Fans of Shirley Jackson and Ruth Ware will love this. No one writes of family dynamics quite like Holly Seddon. * JACK JORDAN *A deliciously creepy tale of three sisters forced to take refuge in an abandoned mansion. Seddon deftly weaves between past horrors at the manor and the present-day struggle of the sisters to survive the night. What sets this thriller apart is the stellar writing and bone-chilling atmosphere Seddon creates. * Sarah Pekkanen *Three sisters find themselves stranded in a storm and are forced to take shelter in an old abandoned manor which hides some very sinister secrets...a slow burn, beautifully written (as all Holly's books are) thriller. * Nikki Smith *Mysterious past traumas are intricately woven with present day jeopardy to create a heart-racing read that's guaranteed to keep you up into the early hours! I love Holly Seddon's writing, and The Short Straw doesn't disappoint. * Isabel Ashdown *

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR TV SERIES STARRING JOANNE FROGGATT AND MATHEW FOXA terrifying apocalyptic thriller from the one of the brightest stars of the genre...''Chillingly plausible'' DAILY TELEGRAPHIt seems to be a very normal Monday morning. But in the space of only a few days, the world''s oil supplies have been severed and at a horrifying pace things begin to unravel everywhere. And this is no natural disaster: someone is behind this.Jenny is stuck in Manchester, fighting desperately against the rising chaos to get back to London, where her children are marooned as events begin to spiral out of control: riots, raging fires, looting, rape and murder. In the space of a week, London is transformed into a lawless and anarchic vision of hell. Jenny''s estranged husband, oil engineer Andy Sutherland, is stranded in Iraq with a company of British soldiers, desperate to find a way home to his family, trapped as transport links and the very infrasTrade ReviewAlex Scarrow's depiction of Britain as only a few hours away from disintegration is chillingly plausible * DAILY TELEGRAPH *LAST LIGHT is sensational * LONDON LITE *Scarrow keeps his foot on the accelerator in this apocalyptic thriller, which is reminiscent of Frederick Forsyth and John Wyndham * BIRMINGHAM POST *Few books have made my heart race and blood pressure soar like this one... it had me on the edge of my seat * PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH *This has everything, from conspiracy theories to highlighting environmental issues facing the world today ... Scarrow made my head zing * THE TRUTH ABOUT BOOKS *A terrific thriller ... the thriller of the summer. It should be the novel that airport booksellers can't get enough of * MATERIALWITNESS.COM *Alex Scarrow is a crime writer of real distinction * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

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Book SynopsisA sheriff investigates his own brother''s murder, deep in the heart of Appalachia... Estranged after a devastating betrayal, brothers Victor and Frank Landis - sheriffs of neighbouring counties - hadn''t spoken for years. In truth, Victor didn''t care if Frank was alive or dead. Until the day somebody killed him. Crossing county lines in search of answers, Victor is soon on the trail of a sinister conspiracy that takes him deep into the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. From the poorest communities to the most powerful and corrupt organisations, he soon becomes ensnared in a dangerous web of drugs, trafficking and murder. For Victor, finding the truth will mean uncovering dark secrets he''d rather have left buried, and risking everything to protect the family his brother left behind...At once a gripping mystery and a moving portrait of life in an isolated, misunderstood community, The Last Highway is the latest atmospheric suspense novel from award-winning Sunday Times bestseller, RJ Ellory.PRAISE FOR R.J. ELLORY''Beautiful and haunting... A tour de force'' MICHAEL CONNELLY''Beautifully written novels that are also great mysteries'' JAMES PATTERSON''A uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer'' ALAN FURST

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Book SynopsisNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE WALL STREET JOURNAL There''s something strange about Walter Kopple''s farm. It begins with his grandson, who senselessly murders one of Walter''s pigs. But then rumours spread that Walter''s grandson heard a voice commanding him to kill.And that the voice belongs to a most peculiar creature: the pig named Pearl. Walter has always been afraid of the strangely malevolent Pearl. But as paranoia takes hold and the townspeople descend on Walter''s farm with violent wrath, they begin to discover that true evil wears a human face.*****PRAISE FOR JOSH MALERMAN''Brilliant, insanely compelling'' DAILY MAIL''Fast-paced, frightening'' NEW YORK TIMES''One of the best horror stories published for years'' EXPRESS''Brilliant ... Malerman has a knack for ratcheting up the tension with just a word or two'' METRO

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Book Synopsis''I cannot recommend this enough. This was the best Regency RomCom I''ve read all year!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''A real regency romance which was a delight to read'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I really enjoyed this story, but I have to say I cheered for Nick, and I yelled for Meggy to wake up'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Never trust a rake...Lady Margaret has devoted herself to taking care of her young siblings and the estate while her half-brother fritters away the family fortune. Upon Edwin''s death, she learns he has left them destitute and, worst of all, at the mercy of a notorious and cruel rake.Lord Nicholas would much rather be pursing women for quick sport rather than taking care of a headstrong debutante without any prospects, as well as her siblings. But Edwin saved his life once, and now he owes him a debt. Fortunately, all he has to do is find Meggy

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Book SynopsisAnna is on the brink of losing it all when she is handed the career opportunity of a lifetime - working as a ghostwriter for charismatic neuroscientist Nate. Nate''s work at the mysterious Pain Laboratory could transform millions of lives, but his research is overshadowed by rumours surrounding the shocking death of his wife Eva. As Anna writes Nate''s story, she finds herself obsessed with Eva, a former patient of Nate''s who was unable to experience pain but found joy in inflicting it. As she strips away the secrets of their toxic marriage she makes a shocking discovery. And writing the truth will have deadly consequences . . . YOU CAN''T HURT ME is your next thriller obsession for readers who enjoyed AJ Finn''s THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW, JP Delaney''s THE GIRL BEFORE and Alex Michaelides THE SILENT PATIENT.

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1922. Orphan girl Alice dreams there''s more to life than toiling long hours in Pink''s jam factory. Inspired by stories about the legendary Queen of Thieves, Mary Carr, who terrorised the streets of Victorian London, Alice decides to set up her own gang: The Forty Thieves.Sly seamstress Kate Felix from Whitechapel has the same plan and will stop at nothing to keep Alice and her pals off her turf in the West End shops. But Alice is determined to win at all costs, hitting the headlines as the Bob-Haired Bandit. It isn''t long before they make some powerful enemies, and Alice must sacrifice more than she ever thought if she is to become Queen of Diamonds.But the toughest and most beautiful diamonds are formed under pressure.The third in a thrilling new crime saga series about a real-life gang girl from Sunday Times bestselling author Beezy Marsh, Queen of Diamonds is perfect for fans of Sam Michaels, Martina Cole a

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Book Synopsis#1 Sunday Times bestselling author Michael Connelly introduces a new cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina island

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Book SynopsisThis handsome hardback compendium brings together some of Sherlock Holmes'' best cases, presented with a deluxe gold-embossed cover design with gilded page edges. Arthur Conan Doyle''s remarkable detective stories have delighted readers for over a century. This collection features the full-length novel A Study in Scarlet alongside 14 short stories, selected and introduced by award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards. These masterfully plotted mysteries perfectly capture the cosy charm of Victorian London and showcase the formidable deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes at his best. Includes: • A Scandal in Bohemia • The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet • The Greek Interpreter • The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle • The Boscombe Valley Mystery With original pen and ink illustrations by George Wylie Hutchinson, this foil-stamped volume with gilded page edges makes th

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Book SynopsisBorn in 1864, Maurice Leblanc settled in Paris and began writing fiction after dropping out of law school. His first story featuring the dashing gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin, was published in 1905. Written at the request of an editor in response to the popularity of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Leblanc's story was a surprise success, and Lupin would go on to be as enduring and popular a character as Holmes.

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Book SynopsisIsabella Bird travelled to the wildest places on earth, but at home in Britain she lay in bed, hardly able to write: ''an invalid at home and a Samson abroad''.In Japan she rode on a ''yezo savage'' through foaming floods along unbeaten tracks, and was followed in the city by a crowd of a thousand, whose clogs clattered ''like a hailstorm'' as they vied for a glimpse of the foreigner. She documented America before and after the Civil War and was deported from Korea with only the tweed suit she stood up in during a Japanese invasion. In China she was attacked with rocks and sticks and called a foreign dog, but she never gave up and went home. ''The prospect of the unknown has its charms.''Transformed by distant lands, she crossed raging floods, rode elephants, cows and yak, clung to her horse''s neck as it clambered down cliff paths, slept on simple mats on the bare ground, unable to change out of wet clothes or get out of the searing heat.Her travels and the books she wrote about them

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Book SynopsisThe first time many of these stories have been told outside of the world's press. The book is separated into sections - people, aircraft and several different types of shipwreck.

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Book SynopsisThe Tudor period is familiar to British public in reading and viewing in books, TV series and film - list is endless, from Shakespeare and Fletcher in the 1600s to Hilary Mantel et al, and involving internationally famous authors and actors. This is backdrop to the ''Royal Mysteries'' which reflect aspects of enduring modern interest. These include royal family drama, sex, scandal, violence, tragedy, murder both judicial and from personal rivalry. The period is dominated and overshadowed by the gigantic and brutal figure of Henry VIII , the ''British Stalin'', with his six wives with two got rid of by judicial murder. Royal Mysteries occur throughout the period. The battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 did not end the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII''s claim was disputed by Pretenders, and following the unresolved disappearance of the ''Princes in the Tower'', Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck with considerable and allegedly Yorkist support. Then came Anne Boleyn, who to many, including moder

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Book Synopsis''Absolutely delicious . . . Janelle Brown is a surgeon of the complex relationships between women. I gobbled this up''Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author of All Adults Here ''You won''t be able to put this novel down and you won''t want to''Laura Dave, no. 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me ''One of those books you''ll devour''Chris Bohjalian, New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant ''Janelle Brown has done it again. She has created a deliciously twisty page-turner you won''t be able to put down''Angie Kim, Edgar Award-winning author of Miracle Creek''You be me, and I''ll be you'' I whispered.As children, Sam and Elli were two halves of a perfect whole: gorgeous identical twins whose parents sometimes couldn''t even tell them apart. And once Hollywood discovered them, they became BTrade ReviewIn Janelle Brown's latest twisty, propulsive mystery, estranged twin sisters must confront shocking pieces of their past when one of them goes missing. From the first sentence, these women will have you in their grips. You won't be able to put this novel down, and you won't want to * Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me *Janelle Brown is a terrific storyteller and stylist, and I'll Be You is one of those books you'll devour. It has a hot mess of a narrator - actually two hot messes, twins - both of whom you will root for, even as you are screaming at them to get a grip. Also? The novel has more twists and turns than the canyon roads that snake up and around Los Angeles * Chris Bohjalian, New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant *Janelle Brown has done it again, creating a deliciously twisty page-turner you won't be able to put down. But I'll Be You is much more than a riveting thriller; it's a powerful and moving portrait of the fiercely tenacious bonds of familial love. With her trademark beautiful writing, depth of emotion, and sharp insights, Brown explores the dangers that lurk behind the seductive worlds of Hollywood child stardom and self-help culture. I loved this novel * Angie Kim, Edgar Award–winning author of Miracle Creek *Absolutely delicious . . . Janelle Brown is a surgeon of the complex relationships between women. I gobbled this up * Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author of All Adults Here *Bestseller Brown infuses this twist-packed mystery with an intense story of creating one's identity, rife with deep family trauma and a low-key, creepy depiction of the dark side of twin intimacy. . . . Brown has upped her game with this one * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *A delicious work of intrigue and suspense . . . You won't want to stop reading until you find out what's happened * Kirkus Reviews *Janelle Brown stands out for her surprise-filled plots, insights into contemporary life and willingness to plumb the depths of family dysfunction . . . [she] consistently keeps readers guessing about her characters . . . I'll Be You becomes less a story about estrangement, guilt and regret and more of an addictive thriller that will keep readers burning through pages to find out what happened. When the narration shifts to Elli's point of view at a critical juncture in the novel, a twist genuinely surprises, as do Brown's insights into the very different psychological makeup, perspective and needs of the missing twin . . . a sneakily hypnotic thriller that turns on how Elli's naïve beliefs have been twisted and whether it's possible for an estranged family to reclaim their lives and futures * Los Angeles Times *Addictive . . . after you've started, hard to stop until it's all gone. Generously sprinkled with witty word choice and tasty twists, I'll Be You is a page-turner . . . the kind to read on the beach and pass the time snacking away on it . . . The choice to go along with whatever wild turn is around the corner is made easier because each one is so interesting and exciting * ABC News *Her twistiest and tightest work yet . . . a cleverly crafted and psychologically nuanced yin and yang, complete with crackling observations about celebrity, California cults, wellness culture, the fertility industry, and the undertow of addiction . . . the book calls to mind a tentpole of the genre, Gillian Flynn's 2012 hit Gone Girl * Time *Pretty Things author Janelle Brown returns with I'll Be You, a taut new thriller * Bustle, The Most Anticipated Books Of April 2022 *

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Book SynopsisHarper Connelly is embroiled in a triple murder in the second paranormal mystery from bestselling author Charlaine Harris.Ever since Harper Connelly was stuck by lightening as a teenager, she''s been able to find dead people. At the request of anthropology professor Dr Clyde Nunley, Harper and her stepbrother Tolliver head to Memphis to give a demonstration of her unique talent in an old cemetery. Dr Nunley is sceptical when Harper senses two bodies in the grave - one of a centuries-dead man and the other of a young girl, recently deceased. Then the grave is opened. The dead girl is eleven-year-old Tabitha, abducted from Nashville two years previously - a child whom Harper had tried, and failed, to find. Suspicion falls on Harper, so she and Tolliver must prove her innocence by finding the killer themselves. But time runs short when a third body is found in the same grave. . . ''Harris delivers a knuckle-gnawing tale . . . [that] will challenge

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Book SynopsisAn epic fantasy like no other, written by a literary trailblazer

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Book Synopsis''I raced through this twisty, compelling domestic thriller'' Daily Mail''Intriguing domestic thriller'' HeatTHE EXPLOSIVE NUMBER ONE EBOOK BESTSELLER THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN RAVING ABOUT''Gripping'' LAURA MARSHALL''Page-turning'' CATHERINE COOPER''Tension that doesn''t let up'' CAROLINE CORCORAN''An explosive ending'' HEATHER DARWENT''Brilliant'' LV MATTHEWS''So, so good'' ANDREA MARA_____________A QUIET STREET.From the grimy window of your tiny flat, you watch another woman move into your dream home across the road.A PERFECT NEIGHBOUR.Natalie has everything you want.The perfect job. The perfect husband. The perfect life.A DANGEROUS FRIENDSHIP.But she''s hiding some ugly secrets.And you''re going to find them out . . ._____________''A book to cancel plans for!'' That''s LifeTrade ReviewBeautifully highlights the ups and downs of friendship but also gripping in terms of writing style and pace. * Belfast Telegraph *Gripping and emotionally astute - I enjoyed it very much -- Laura MarshallDark and unsettling with two intriguing main characters, an evocative setting, and a non-stop storyline, Her is so, so good. I loved it! -- Andrea MaraA page-turning debut looking at friendship, secrets and being careful what you wish for. Tense and compelling - can't wait to see what Mira does next! -- Catherine CooperA brilliant novel about friendship, about self-discovery and self-worth, all wrapped within a fabulously layered domestic suspense. I raced through it. -- LV MatthewsBeautifully written, twisty and completely unpredictable - I could never have guessed that ending. Looking forward to seeing what Mira writes next. -- Charlotte DuckworthWith beautifully drawn characters that really get under your skin and a gasp-out-loud twist, this was a hugely enjoyable read -- Hannah KingI devoured this in one sitting. Compelling and intriguing - you won't be able to put it down either -- Sarah LawtonTaut and compelling, HER takes you on a ride of a lifetime. With twists that you won't see coming and Shah's razor-sharp prose that is sure to keep you turning the pages, HER is a debut that everyone will be talking about. Unputdownable -- Awais KhanA compelling and pacy read, with an intricately twisty plot and a great exploration of the complexities of womanhood and female friendship and the many ways we hide the truth from others and ourselves. -- Philippa EastA tension that doesn't let up and a rollercoaster of an ending that thwacks you over and over with its twists, but my favourite thing about HER was that at its heart - whatever the genre - it is a story that puts the focus in on female friendship and the way that we relate to and bond with other women -- Caroline CorcoranAn emotive, darkly gripping debut. HER is a devastating look at what happens when you start to scrape away at the 'perfect' life - with some sucker-punch twists right at the end! -- Louise MumfordA remarkable debut thriller . . . intriguing secrets are woven into the narrative, pushing this twisty story to an explosive end you won't see coming. Set against a backdrop of monied, status-driven London, and with taut tension throughout, this is a must read for 2023. -- Heather DarwentI read the entire book in one day: the suspense of what would happen next made it completely unputdownable. The book expertly touches on important topics of race and discrimination, something I haven't read in many books and really makes you think. A terrifically suspenseful thriller that I think will be on everyone's reading lot for 2023! -- Paula JohnstonWhat a book! A well-paced, dark, psychological thriller with a cast of beautifully drawn and believable characters, it exposes the true nature of people, who they are and what they think, while celebrating the importance of friendship in even the darkest of times. A highly accomplished debut -- S.V. LeonardA searing exploration of two women, how their lives collide and the power of female friendship. The characters and settings are so richly drawn you feel like you've met them and been there in real life, with some stunning descriptions to boot. Completely compelling, I was even reading it while I brushed my teeth because I didn't want to leave Rani and Natalie's world! -- Stephanie SowdenBy turning the 'frenemy' trope on its head, Mira V Shah has brought something fresh and exciting to the domestic suspense genre. I can't wait to see what she does next. -- Sophie FlynnUtterly addictive. HER is your new girl crush -- Emma BamfordA refreshing take on female friendship and a twisty psychological ride with a shock ending - what a read -- Cate GreenDark and utterly compelling, Shah explores topical and poignant themes with a steady hand. I tore through this incredible thriller with a pounding heart, desperate to uncover the secrets hidden between the pages. HER is a taut, simmering debut that hooked its claws into me and refused to let go. -- Vikki PatisHER is a highly original, fresh take on the psychological thriller genre, which I devoured in two days. With two engaging, flawed protagonists, who I was rooting for from the start, and a twisty-turny plot that takes the usual tropes and turns them on their head, what's not to like? Mira Shah is one to watch. -- Jennie GodfreyA superbly accomplished debut. The writing is precise and evocative, and the story snakes along, wrapping more tightly around your body until it has you in a death grip with the finale. Shah is one to watch -- Louise BeechReading HER is like spending time with a beautiful addictive friend whom you can't stay away from, but can't quite trust. A gripping story of inequality, abuse, grief and female solidarity, HER enthrals all the way to its shocking conclusion. -- Cate RayA tense and gripping read that asks: who can you really trust? The story is as vividly evocative as it is darkly compelling; I loved it. -- Louisa ReidDrew me in from the start and kept me in its thrall all the way through. The growing sense of menace and mystery, and the developing relationship between the two very different, very well-drawn female characters really had me hooked. Then the twists started coming and I absolutely couldn't put it down. I loved it! -- Helen CooperAn extraordinary debut . . . a psychological thriller with creeping tension exploring a twisted and toxic relationship of two women. Engaging and brilliantly page turning. -- Jacqui RoseA taut psychological thriller that simmers with a sense of menace. Sharp and suspenseful, Her delicately weaves complex themes into a gripping premise. -- Kia AbdullahI absolutely loved this taut and twisty tale of two very different women. Mira handles her characters with skill and care, constantly surprising the reader at every turn, as Rani and Natalie's friendship develops. A fresh new voice in the psychological thriller market. -- Ronali CollingsHer by Mira V Shah is a book to cancel plans for! * That's Life *I raced through this twisty, compelling domestic thriller * Daily Mail *Intriguing domestic thriller * Heat *Compulsive * Crime Monthly *A book to cancel plans for! * Closer *

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Book Synopsis''Wow... I loved this... Full of surprises and a great ending'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I loved this... The plot was nice and twisty... Unputdownable... I can highly recommend this book for your summer read too! Couldn''t finish it fast enough!'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The perfect escape... or the perfect trap?Two Weeks Ago: I woke up in a hotel room next to a dead man, with no memory of the night before. Panicked, I cleared up any trace that I was there and fled.One Week Ago: I was offered the perfect escape: the chance to housesit a gorgeous villa in a remote corner of Italy. Desperate to get away, I jumped at the chance.Now: The owners have unexpectedly shown up at the house. The only problem?They''re the family of the man I woke up next to, two weeks ago.One of them knows my secret. And they''ve come to find me

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Book SynopsisMarcus Aquila and his allies spearhead a daring attack into enemy territory, as three generals claim to be the true Roman Emperor.A new civil war has begun: with the emperor Pertinax''s murder Marcus and his protector Scaurus have escaped Rome, seeking sanctuary for their familia in the East.But they are soon pressed back into service by Septimus Severus, the ruthless commander who has seized the imperial capital and who holds the military balance of power over his two rivals.Niger, the would-be emperor in the East, is on the march with six legions, and Scaurus''s legion is ordered to Thrace as a sacrificial advance guard, tasked with delaying them. Whatever the cost . . .

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Book SynopsisGet ready to meet the toughest, deadliest, and most calculated players in Manchester''s murky underworld...HE''S GOT EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.You don''t know Craig Malton. Hopefully you never will - until you need his help, help that the police can''t give you. As well as running a respectable security firm for Manchester''s elite clubs and bars, Malton moves in dangerous circles amongst the city''s most cutthroat criminals. Nothing happens in his beloved city without his say so. SHE''S GOING TO TURN IT ALL UPSIDE DOWN.Keisha Bistacchi has never forgiven Malton for walking out on her all those years ago, and has been keeping a close eye ever since. When her husband is brutally kidnapped, she begs Malton to find him. But Keisha is no damsel in distress, she''s as tough as the best of them, and with a violent gang war on the horizon, she''ll do whatever it takes to get out alive. WHO WILTrade ReviewA chilling, fast-paced journey through Manchester's brutal underworld. Once you pick this book up, you won't want to put it down * bestselling author Roberta Kray *A deliciously dark new voice in crime fiction. I loved it! * M.J. Arlidge *Call the Shots grabs you by the throat. Scary, compulsive and very very readable. I already want more * J.J. Connolly *A thrilling killer read that left me wanting more. A stunning debut full of character, heart and underworld brutality! You'll never look at Manchester the same way again * Kevin Erlis, co-creator of Ackley Bridge *

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Book Synopsis*** SELECTED AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE GUARDIAN ***''Electrifying drama'' BOOK OF THE MONTH, THE TIMES''This is a hugely satisfying mystery of course, but more than that, it''s a chilling morality tale. Nobody does evil quite as scarily as Louise Penny'' ANN CLEEVESIt''s spring and Three Pines is reemerging after the harsh winter. But not everything buried should come alive again. Not everything lying dormant should reemerge. But something has. As the villagers prepare for a special celebration, Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the investigators'' lives after many years. The two were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged, shattered. Now they''ve arrived in the village of Three Pines. But to what end?As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers, his alarm grows when a letter written by a Trade ReviewIntriguing and chilling at the same time, up to the last page. Very well written - it will keep you on the edge of your seat. * Yours Magazine *The 18th title in the Gamache series, but newbies needn't worry about starting with Penny's chief inspector on a case that will stir up tragic memories and trigger fresh fears in the Quebec village of Three Pines. Look out for hidden messages, puzzles within puzzles, and some resonant ruminations on forgiveness and redemption * Mail on Sunday *Penny's thrillers, which combine chilling insights into the very worst of crimes with the humanity of her protagonist Gamache, remain as uniquely nail-biting and heartwarming as ever, and the author only looks set to pick up more readers now Amazon Prime has launched its much-anticipated adaptation of her books, Three Pines, starring Alfred Molina as the charismatic detective * The Guardian *Penny delves into the nature of evil, sensitively exploring the impact of the dreadful events she describes while bringing a warmth and humanity to her disparate cast of characters that, unusually for a crime novel, leaves you feeling better about the world once you've finished * The Observer *Praise for Louise Penny and The Madness of Crowds - Penny is on peak form... The Madness of Crowds is a grown-up, timely thriller that considers the nature of cowardice - "there's no peace without courage" - and how to find and defend "that spot between freedom and safety * The Times *Louise Penny is one of the greatest crime writers of our times -- Denise MinaShe makes most of her competitors seem like wannabes * The Times *Gamache has become to Canada what Hercule Poirot is to Belgium * New York Times *No one does atmospheric quite like Louise Penny . . . a fantastic series -- Elly GriffithsLouise Penny's writing is intricate, beautiful and compelling. She is an original voice, a distillation of both PD James and Barbara Vine at their peaks and a worthy successor to both -- Peter JamesA cracking storyteller, who can create fascinating characters, a twisty plot and wonderful surprise endings -- Ann CleevesIt's always a treat to spend a few days with Armand Gamache -- James Patterson[An] atmospheric, distinctive series * Kate Mosse *Enthralling...crime writing of the highest order * Daily Mail *Louise Penny deftly combines high tension with a warm examination of Three Pines' eccentric, colourful residents * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisA heartwarming and gripping new saga series from the author of The Bobby Girls''A heartwarming story of women discovering their inner strength. . . I couldn''t put it down'' Vicki Beeby, author of A New Start for the Wrens***Their country needs them. They need each other.August, 1940. The war is raging in Europe, but on the home front conflict still seems far away.Dot, living with her mother-in-law and dreading the day that her thuggish husband comes home on leave, is fighting her own battle to contribute to the war effort. Peggy has found confidence as an Air Raid Precaution Warden, despite the jeers of the men she works with - but beneath her pluck she fears for her close-knit family, scattered by the war. And glamorous Vivian, the former debutante, is running away from her own heart and into danger as a volunteer ambulance driver.Then the bombs begin to fall over London, and al

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Book Synopsis''A very promising historical adventure'' - THE TIMES''A terrific novel'' - HISTORIA MAGAZINE***''There is a fury in England that none shall suppress - and when it breaks forth it will shake the throne''1264 Storm clouds are gathering as Simon de Montfort and the barons of the realm challenge the power of Henry III. The barons demand reform; the crown demands obedience. England is on the brink of civil war. Adam de Norton, a young squire devoted to the virtues of chivalry, longs only to be knighted, and to win back his father''s lands. Then a bloody hunting accident leaves him with a new master: the devilish Sir Robert de Dunstanville, who does not hesitate to use the blackest stratagems in pursuit of victory. Following Robert overseas, Adam is introduced to the ruthless world of the tournament, where knights compete for glory and riches, and his new master''s metTrade Review'Battle Song, the first in a very promising historical adventure trilogy, is rich in details about the arcane world of medieval tournaments. This is A Knight's Tale, but with fewer jokes and more blood' * The Times *A terrific novel that incorporates this particular history and Ross's immaculate research with skilful writing, brilliant characterisation and a superb plot, all so well executed that what develops is a thrilling ride alongside mid-13th century knights plunging headlong into a fabulous recreated historical world of chivalry and adventure * Historia Magazine *Battle Song is stirring, evocative and richly immersive * Ben Kane *Ross's writing is both muscular and poetic, with immaculate representation of the era's gritty truths * Anthony Riches *Brutal times, rich in history, compellingly told. Great characters, wonderful historical detail and a hero who earns his spurs the hard way. A page turning winner * David Gilman *I loved the characters of Adam de Norton and Robert de Dunstanville. Despite being absolutely men of their own time with all that entails, they were appealing to a modern reader, without crossing that line and ever becoming modern people in fancy dress. The take on the Jewish situation was interesting and engaging, and the love interest was well realised too. The tournaments were brilliantly brought to life with chivalry and the pragmatism of reality juxtaposed. The battle scenes were powerful and visceral, but well woven into the whole so that they didn't unbalance the novel. I think this novel will attract both male and female readers. It has enough heart and emotional interest to engage those who aren't reading for endless pages of bash and slash, but enough gutsy material to satisfy the fight-orientated readers! Definitely one of my historical reads of the year. * Elizabeth Chadwick *Breathtaking in its attention to detail, Battle Song exudes authenticity as Ross brings the world of the 13th century to exciting, vivid, colourful life. With a perfect balance of rich historical atmosphere and a galloping pace, I couldn't put it down. Ian Ross's Roman books are great, but this is even better. Simply put Battle Song is wonderful and the best book I've read in a long time * Matthew Harffy *Such skilful writing, engaging storyline, brilliant characterisation and a thrilling ride alongside thirteenth century knights plunging headlong into chivalry and adventure. Echoes of this superbly researched and beautifully recounted story set during the thirteenth century de Montfort rebellion against the Crown will stay with me for a very long time. I was right there galloping amongst the colourful banners, captivated by Ross's vivid narration and completely caught in time within the pages of an unforgettable novel. Superb storytelling. Faultless research . An excellent, vivid and gripping Historical novel. I loved it * Carol McGrath *Battle Song is exciting and authentic and I flew through it * RJ Barker *Another superb tale of chivalry, heartbreak and glory from the pen of a master . . . The telling of this tale embroils you in the finer detail of what life was like at the time in fascinating, brutal detail and immediately draws you into their world. It is a window into the past yet leads you with a subtle hand and within the first few pages, you find yourself living the journey alongside our heroes. The thrill of success, the disappointment of failure, the hardship of existence from pauper to king, all are experienced in vivid yet subtle detail from the first page to the last . . . I didn't simply read this book, I lived it, and I loved it * K.M. Ashman *An exciting and authentic novel of the Middle Ages; its tournaments and battles, politics and emotions. Hugely enjoyable. Like all good fiction, it leaves you wanting more * Harry Sidebottom *The blood-thumpingly brilliant Battle Song by Ian Ross features at its heart the most authentic description of the medieval tournament scene I've ever read. Forget foppish knights elegantly lunging at each from horseback with blunted poles. This is the vrai tournament melle - crimson in tooth and claw - a thousands-strong, writhing, buffeting, battle scrum of blood, sweat and steel, almost indistinguishable from real conflict, in which knights and their loyal squires attempt to dismount and capture their opponents by any means necessary, fair or foul. Truly excellent, magnificently researched, first-class historical fiction! * Angus Donald *A medieval tour de force * Sussex Express *

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Book SynopsisYou can get in. But you can''t get out. Welcome to the library...Twins Ana and Nan are lost after the death of their mother. Everyone knows who drove Elena, the renowned novelist, to suicide - her long-term literary critic, Eben. But the twins need proof if they''re going to get revenge. Desperate to clear his name, Eben requests access to Elena''s diaries at the National Library where the twins work, and they see an opportunity. With careful planning, the twins lock down the labyrinthine building, trapping their colleagues, the public and most importantly Eben inside. But as a rogue security guard starts freeing hostages, the plan unravels. And what began as a single-minded act of revenge blooms into a complex unravelling of loyalties, motives and what it is that makes us who we are. Hauntingly written, with a fresh, captivating voice, The Library Suicides is an intensely memorable and provocative literary read for fans of high concTrade ReviewAn entrancing literary thriller; elegant and compelling. At the heart of a society that is spinning disturbingly off course, Dafydd's grand library guards the darkest of secrets. Step inside if you dare. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *

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Book SynopsisTHE GRIPPING LOCKED-ROOM DYSTOPIAN THRILLER FOR FANS OF EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL AND ANDREW HUNTER MURRAY''A testament to the power of the written word'' THE TIMES ''Unsettling and thought-provoking'' CLARE MACKINTOSH ____________ This isn''t the world you know.This isn''t the story they expect. Twins Ana and Nan believe they keep no secrets from one another. They both think they know what pushed their mother to suicide. Only one of them does. They both think they know how their revenge plot will play out. Only one of them does. They both think they know what''s really happening at the library. Only one of them does. But neither of them know what will unfold once the library doors close and the chaos begins.No one''s getting out. But the truth finally might . . .____________''A thriller with a differeTrade ReviewAn entrancing literary thriller; elegant and compelling. At the heart of a society that is spinning disturbingly off course, Dafydd's grand library guards the darkest of secrets. Step inside if you dare. * Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair *

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Book Synopsis''Packs a mighty punch! . . . Fast paced and full of twists . . . If you like gangster thrillers, this is one for you'' Reader review ?????Malton''s in prison. Keisha''s back in town. Dean''s out on his own. And it''s all about to come crashing down . . .Craig Malton, the man who solves crime for criminals in Manchester''s underworld, is banged up in prison - for a murder he didn''t commit.Journalist Ruth Porter is hungry for a story. Young men are turning up brutally murdered and one name keeps cropping up - Craig Malton.As Ruth investigates she soon discovers a truth far darker than she could ever have imagined. There''s a sadistic killer hiding in plain sight and he''s already chosen his next victim . . .A riveting, action-packed gangland thriller for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Mandasue Heller and Jessie Keane, with an ending you''ll never see coming!READERS LOVE SETTLE THE SCORE:''

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Book SynopsisA unique take on dark academia, featuring everyone''s favourite vulpine sleuth, Vera Vixen.''Billed as Agatha Christie meets Beatrix Potter . . . Sometimes you just need an entertaining, escapist read to while away the hours'' ?????????? CULTURE FLYIt''s late August in Shady Hollow, and intrepid reporter Vera Vixen agrees to chaperone the school''s annual field trip to Summers End, an ancient tomb built by an early woodland culture. Naturally, her good friend Lenore Lee comes along to help her.But when the group enters the tomb one morning, they find a corpse that is distinctly more. . . modern than expected. Digging deeper, Vera and Lenore discover that the deceased was involved in the recent excavation at the site, and very unpopular with their colleagues-including Lenore''s sister, Ligeia. Now the fox and raven must delve into the dark world of academia and archaeology to clear Ligeia''s name. Some creature at Summers End thought t

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Book Synopsis1814 Ashore on leave, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd learns of a dismal harvest and general hardship among the population. In Germany, Napoleon Bonaparte is celebrating victories that once again make his name feared throughout Europe. An armistice is signed and while the Allies lick their wounds Bonaparte sets to preparing for a grand advance. And, in a fragile peace, and saddled with huge war debts, the government has no choice but to place HMS Thunderer, along with many other Royal Navy ships, in reserve, until the Navy can decide what to do with their great fleets. Meanwhile, Kydd is offered an admiral''s flag but this is the West Africa station and the anti-slavery operations set in fever-ridden swamps. Despite the obvious dangers and hardships, Kydd sees this as the realisation of his life''s ambition and readies for sea in his beloved Thunderer as his flagship.In a turn of the tide Bonaparte is defeated by the Allies and exiled to the tiny island

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Book Synopsis***UK Sunday Times Bestseller*** This richly told adult fantasy debut teems with Chinese deities and demons cavorting in jazz age Shanghai. Half vampire. Half fox-spirit. All trouble. Pawned by her mother to the King of Hell as a child, Lady Jing is half-vampire, half-hulijing fox-spirit and all sasshole. As the King's ward, she has spent the past ninety years running errands, dodging the taunts of the spiteful hulijing courtiers, and trying to control her explosive temper - with varying levels of success. So when Jing overhears the courtiers plotting to steal a priceless dragon pearl from the King, she seizes her chance to expose them, once and for all. With the help of a gentle mortal tasked with setting up the Central Bank of Hell, Jing embarks on a wild chase for intel, first through Hell and then mortal Shanghai. But when her hijinks put the mortal in danger, she must decide which is more important: avenging her losTrade ReviewShanghai Immortal is the must-read debut of 2023, both intensely fun and heart wrenching. A wild ride through a Shanghai you've never seen before * Tasha Suri, award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne *A delightfully wild ride through a fantastical Shanghai filled with rich mythology, endearingly snarky characters, and laugh-aloud mischief. Entertaining from start to finish! * Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief *A thrilling adventure packed to the hilt with attitude, Shanghai Immortal will have you laughing, cheering, and screaming along with the inimitable Lady Jing. From the glittering settings and vivid characters to the thoughtful exploration of family and sacrifice, this is a story you won't soon forget * Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi *The most fun you'll ever have in hell! With her debut, Chao takes you on a high-octane, snark-filled adventure through the underworld, where the celestials are bloodthirsty and out for a good crime time. Lady Jing is a hot-headed triumph of a leading lady, with a wicked sense of humour that never fails to delight. If you're looking for your next fantasy obsession, look no further than Shanghai Immortal * Kate Dylan, author of Mindwalker *Shanghai Immortal is a gritty, glittering tale of gods and monsters in a reimagining of 1930s China. The fearsome half-vampire half-deity Lady Jing swaps anger management lessons for a crash course in the mortal realm and you can't help but root for her and the chaos she leaves in her wake. Full of fury, passion, and beauty, this is a debut that will grip you in its fangs and make you bleed-all the while wanting more * Saara El-Arifi, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Final Strife *A love letter to Chinese mythology, Shanghai Immortal is a compulsive read that will have you laughing and gasping at once. Lady Jing is delightfully irreverent and charming as she takes us on a wicked, exciting adventure through hell. With skillful worldbuilding and attentive prose, Chao has crafted the delectable fantasy feast you've been waiting for! * Tanvi Berwah, author of Monsters Born and Made *This outstanding debut grips you from the first page and doesn't let go. With characters that leap off the page and a compelling story filled with fantastical creatures, Chao has crafted something so utterly original and delightful I couldn't help but fall in love. Shanghai Immortal is a stellar start to what should be an incredible series * T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead *A wildly inventive and moving romp that goes through the mortal and immortal realms of China, with an endearing and tumultuous main character * Aliette de Bodard, award-winning author of the Dominion of the Fallen Series *Thrilling to the very last page, Shanghai Immortal is an immersive and exuberant journey through the dazzling realms of the wicked and the divine. And there's no better guide through worlds both mortal and immortal than Lady Jing-her razor-sharp wit and tongue is sure to captivate any reader, by force if necessary! * Victor Manibo, author of The Sleepless *An absolutely delightful romp of a book. It's impossible not to be charmed by Lady Jing as she gets up to shenanigans in mortal and hell Shanghai. I was entranced from start to finish * Judy I. Lin, New York Times bestselling author of the Book of Tea duology *Charmingly irreverent and led by a protagonist bursting with personality, Shanghai Immortal brings a hilarious fresh spin on the deep lore of Chinese mythology, tinged with a dash of unexpected sweetness * Xiran Jay Zhao, author of Iron Widow & Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor *A sparkling new voice in fantasy! Chao captures the imagination from the first page with a snarky heroine you'll fall in love with, immersive and inventive worldbuilding, and most of all, a lot of heart * June CL Tan, author of Jade Fire Gold *A brilliant, vibrant world with a joyous, irreverent and chaotic cast of characters. Absolutely rooting for Lady Jing forever * Hannah Kaner, Sunday Times bestselling author of Godkiller *This novel is a glitzy, fast-paced and fun-filled joyride. Vividly imagined and packed with family drama and a charming romance, Shanghai Immortal is a light and entertaining read, assuring us that A.Y. Chao is here to stay * Locus Magazine *A high-spirited, romantic romp that will appeal equally to fans of Fonda Lee and Hong Kong action films! * Elizabeth Bear, Hugo award wInning fantasy author *Sparking Joy * Locus *A wildly inventive and moving romp that goes through the mortal and immortal realms of China, with an endearing and tumultuous main character * Aliette de Bodard, award-winning author of the Dominion of the Fallen Series *

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Book SynopsisHow far would you go to protect your reputation?For parents living in the beautiful coastal town of Pacific Pines, all their hopes and dreams are pinned on the outcome of the annual Gala Day hosted by St Ignatius Boys'' School. To be accepted into the prestigious institution, their sons must battle it out, facing rigorous rounds of physical and mental tests. Their parents will stop at nothing to ensure their sons succeed.But after one boy is struck down in a hit and run, the scandals, secrets and lies that entangle three mothers threaten to unravel their seemingly perfect lives . . .How far will the women go to, not just to save their families - but also their reputations?Make sure you don''t miss the latest scandal. Everyone is loving Ali Lowe...''Ali Lowe is swiftly moving into the footprints of Liane Moriarty'' THE AUSTRALIAN''Sharp, clever and compelling'' SARAH PEARSE''Deliciously dar

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost comes a sweeping and achingly romantic story of the course of fate, the meaning of family and the power of love. . . Genoa, Italy, 1946. Vincenzo and Giovanna fall in love the moment they set eyes on each other. The son of a count and the daughter of a tailor, they belong to opposing worlds - but the undeniable spark between them quickly burns into a deep and passionate relationship, played out against their post-war city, and Vincenzo''s family''s beautiful vineyard. But when shifts in political power force them each to choose a side and commit what the other believes is a betrayal, the bright future they dreamed of together is shattered.New York, 2017. Cassandra and Luca are in love. Although neither quite fits with the other''s family, Cass and Luca have always felt like a perfect match for each other. But when Luca, an artist, convinces his grandfather and Cass''s g

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Book Synopsis''Blackly humorous and enjoyably twisted''Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train ''A knotted mystery too intriguing to leave unpicked''Alice Slater, author of Death of a Bookseller ''Binge-worthy . . . a brilliantly immersive and almost cinematic experience'' Jenny Mustard, author of Okay Days Recently dumped and stuck with the mortgage, artist Esther Ray wants to burn the world, but instead, she reluctantly accepts a scrapbooking job from the deliriously wealthy Naomi Duncan. The scrapbooks, a secret birthday gift for Naomi''s husband Bryce, trace the Duncan''s twenty-five-year marriage. The conditions: Esther must include every piece of paper she''s been sent, must sign an NDA, and must only contact Naomi using the burner phone provided. Otherwise she''ll spoil the surprise. As Esther binges true-crime podcasts and works through the near-two hundred-boxes of Duncan detritus, she f

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Book Synopsis''John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940''s Britain'' - Damien Lewis*****May 1940. With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow. In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen. But even as the foreign threat looms, it''s rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she''s just the tip of the iceberg - countless evacuees haven''t made it to their host families. As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don''t cross. THE LAST LINE is a blistering action thriller combined with a smart noir mystery, played out expertly against the taut backdrop of the Trade ReviewA brilliant noir thriller set in the darkest days of the Second World War * Stephen Leather *Ronson delivers a cracking yarn, convincingly told. John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940s Britain * Damien Lewis, author of THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE *A vivid sense of place with tension on every level, The Last Line dripped with historical detail and authenticity. I absolutely loved it * Marion Todd, author of SEE THEM RUN *A tough, taut wartime thriller that reads like a cross between Alastair MacLean and Lee Child and atmospherically conjures up the spectre of war, the threat of Nazi invasion and other evils uncomfortably close to home. Dad's Army, it ain't! * Robbie Morrison *Thrilling and intriguing in equal measure. Like Jack Reacher on the Home Front in WWII * Mason Cross *The pace is quick and the action keeps coming. With well-chosen prose, the author gives the reader a snapshot of English countryside during wartime, with victory gardens, makeshift landing strips in farmers' fields and railway platforms full of evacuated children. It was a page-turner and I couldn't get enough * SaltyGalReads *Addictively readable * Irish Independent *There's not a dull moment to be found in Stephen Ronson's book, and it does a great job leaving its reader's hungry for more. * surjit's Books Blog *Ronson delivers a cracking yarn, convincingly told. John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940's Britain. -- Damien LewisA vivid sense of place with tension on every level, The Last Line dripped with historical detail and authenticity. I absolutely loved it! -- Marion Todd

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Book Synopsis''Compelling . . . almost Dickensian'' Times''The best thriller writer in the world'' Daily Telegraph*****Jonas Merrick - a legendary intelligence analyst for MI5 - has been banished to the Post Room of Thames House. There, he is expected to pass his remaining days before inevitable retirement.In a Russian gulag, an MI6 agent has developed an unlikely passion for a prisoner and has come up with an ingenious plan to free her. The key: a ruthless Albanian gang laundering the dirty money of the Russian elite. Merrick, the only agent with the experience to help, is brought back once again to intercept the Albanian courier until an exchange is organised by the Russians.But when it transpires that the courier is the heir of the criminal gang''s leader, the danger mounts, and Merrick once again finds himself in a situation spiralling towards a bloody confrontation.Frighteningly topical and intensely plotted, Jonas Merrick - one of the great figures of modern spy fiction - returns

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Book SynopsisIt was a celebration to die for . . .What happened on holiday was supposed to stay on holiday - but that was before a body was found . . .Socialite Lucinda Oliver''s birthday weekend was supposed to end with a night to remember - a blow-out party and a special announcement, one she''d been dropping hints about for weeks.But before she could reveal her secret, she went missing. And now, six months later, her car has been found submerged in the Atlantic Ocean.When Stella, her devastated sister, gathers Lucinda''s friends once more - the first time they''ve all been together since her disappearance - Stella soon suspects that one of them knows the truth about what really happened. But who is lying? And how exactly is it all connected to another birthday celebration, ten years ago?Praise for Zoë Miller''s novels:''Shimmers with suspense and intrigue from the very first page'' Sunday Independent''This engaging mystery copper-fastens Zoë Miller''s mastery of the art of sinuous plotting'' Irish Independent

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Book Synopsis''A fun, clever read on our obsession with true crime. I loved it'' THE OBSERVER''I raced through Kill Show. Gripping, fast-paced and oh so twisty'' LOUISE JENSEN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE GIFTTHE NATION IS OBSESSED. WHAT HAPPENED TO SARA?A MISSING GIRL On a crisp April morning, Sara Parcell disappears without a trace. No one saw a thing. A NATIONAL OBSESSIONDesperate, her family agree to take part in a reality TV show following Sara''s case. Cameras swarm the house. Viewers tune in. The addiction begins...A HIDDEN AGENDAAs the show gains traction, what began as a small-town crime becomes a global sensation. Everyone who knew Sara is questioned on camera - but the producers want more. Hungry for twists, they delve deeper into the story - and soon, it takes on a life of its own. Where is Sara? What do her family know? And how far will any of us go to create a gTrade ReviewA must for all true-crime documentary fans - clever, original and intricate with a brilliant twist and highly believable yet flawed characters. Unputdownable. * Catherine Cooper, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Chalet *If you enjoy true crime and crime fiction, then you will absolutely HAVE to binge-read this! Still reeling from the twists... and that final page! Can't wait to discuss this with people. * Alice Hunter, author of The Serial Killer’s Wife *What a ride. Clever, gripping & terrifyingly plausible, it takes true-crime obsession to a horrifying conclusion. Loved it. * Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things *I've just finished reading Kill Show and I'm so bloody excited about it. The plotting! The twists! Prepare to be obsessed. It's about a missing girl, and a reality TC show, and a police investigation. And you just won't be able to put it down. * Laura Pearson *Easily one of my top reads of the year. Intelligent, poignant, and propulsive. I devoured it! Where do we draw the line between entertainment and integrity? Or are we already past it? * Liv Matthews, author of The Twins *A fun, clever twist on our obsession with true crime. I loved it. * The Observer (The New Review) *I raced through Kill Show. Gripping, fast-paced and oh so twisty. * Louise Jensen, bestselling author of The Gift *Riveting, original, and chillingly plausible, Kill Show is both an urgent reckoning with the ethics of true crime and a tense, twisty mystery in its own right. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. * Flynn Berry, Edgar Award-Winning Author of Northern Spy *A truly modern morality play, in a unique and compelling style, that reflects on the uncomfortable connections between greed, ambition, and violence. Kill Show takes a sleepy, suburban town and turns it into a true-crime battlefield as events careen out of control. Smart, twisty, satisfying. * Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author *Frequent foreshadowing fosters tension and drive, while keenly rendered characters with distinct voices and unique perspectives add dimension and verisimilitude. . . . .Sweren-Becker delivers a riveting work of fiction that doubles as scathing social commentary about America's true-crime obsession. * Kirkus Reviews *If there is one subject that causes moral division, it's true crime . . . [this] is front and centre in this provocative and gripping novel * Crime Monthly *This is a different approach to a crime novel . . .[an] explosive success * Peterborough Telegraph *Like the much-lauded Daisy Jones & The Six, the story here unfolds in interview form . . . provocative and gripping * Heat book of the week *a vibrant, craftily entertaining novel * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis''Multi-layered and immersive ... Hughes casts the seeds of mystery and doubt like a pro'' Irish Independent''Compelling, unsettling and very creepy'' Catherine Kirwan''Atmospheric and filled with twists and turns ... a fantastic read'' Patricia GibneyEveryone is talking about the disappearance of Emma Harte.A high-achieving university graduate and young entrepreneur, she was last seen in the early hours of the morning on grainy CCTV footage in Dublin''s city centre before vanishing into thin air. While a national debate about women''s safety rages, eyes turn to Emma''s boyfriend, Tom - who is nowhere to be found.Meanwhile, archivist James Lyster is following the story with undue interest. When a comment he makes about Emma goes viral on social media, he finds himself drawn into the world of a group of idealistic university students involved in the search - and attracting the attention of the police detective in cha

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Book SynopsisA sweeping and heartbreaking novel based on a true story, following the ordinary women who worked on the Manhattan Project.

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Book Synopsis*FRANKIE BOYLE''S GRIPPING CRIME NOVEL: AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER * ''A dark and entertaining tranche of Glasgow noir . . . [A] deft, engaging thriller'' Observer ''Full of scintillating sentences and perfect lines of dialogue'' Sunday Times _______________________________________________________________Glasgow, 2015. When Valium addict Felix McAveety''s best friend Marina is found murdered in the local park, he goes looking for answers to questions that he quickly forgets. Felix enlists the help of a brilliant but mercurial GP; a bright young trade unionist; a failing screenwriter; semi-celebrity crime novelist Jane Pickford; and his crisis fuelled downstairs neighbour Donnie.Their investigation sends them on a bewildering expedition that takes in Scottish radical politics, Artificial Intelligence, cults, secret agents, smugglers and vegan record shops.Trade ReviewA darkest noir, unputdownable crime novel that swerves and surprises, with a gut-punch ending. I loved it! * Denise Mina *A gloriously funny mystery that bucks the "cosy crime' trend" . . . Peppered with one-liners, it reads Raymond Chandler in Glasgow . . . Boyle regularly deploys the beautifully offbeat imagery that characterises the best of his stand-up * Daily Telegraph *Starts off the funniest noir - like a Glaswegian Big Lebowski - then takes you somewhere suddenly heartbreaking . . . A debut novel that makes me absolutely INSIST there is more to come * Marina Hyde *The gags are so good that the book doesn't outstay its welcome [...] anybody who loves jet-black humour is in for a treat * Daily Express *Reads like a twisted Caledonian take on Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye. Inherent vices and scalpel-sharp jokes vie with a very human concern for those least garlanded in the rat race of life * Ian Rankin *Part whodunnit, part social safari, part extended stand-up monologue . . . the novel is full of scintillating sentences and perfect lines of dialogue * Sunday Times *An enjoyably dark and entertaining tranche of Glasgow noir . . . Imagine Withnail and I stumbling into a Bond movie co-written by William McIlvanney and Mick Herron . . . [A] deft, engaging thriller * Observer *A surprisingly moving and beautiful journey through one man's sh*tshow of a friend's death/hangover * Lucy Prebble, screenwriter for Succession *A fine slice of contemporary noir, full of acute insight into the way we live now -- John Williams * Mail on Sunday *Just finished this and f*ck me, it's total class!! I'm sure all the expletive swears are coming out for this one - and so they should. Ace -- Helen Stanton, Forum BooksMeantime is a tremendous book: a detective story full of twists and turns that is as beautifully written as it is darkly comic. . . Not surprisingly, Meantime is very, very funny. But it is also a gripping work of stylised crime fiction that marks, I suspect, a new and exciting chapter in Boyle's multi-faceted career -- Matthew D’ancona * Tortoise *Remarkably moving * Scotsman *A sharply written, memorable read * Scottish Field *Meantime flies along, filled with laughs and moments that pull you up sharp * Sun (Scotland) *Boyle's key strength is in creating such a believable milieu, even when events are exaggerated, underpinned but never derailed by a tongue-in-cheek humour * Chortle *Frankie Boyle's fiction debut is genuinely engrossing * Independent *It's both funny and moving * Guardian *[Frankie Boyle] has graduated into an extremely fine author with his first novel . . . The book lays bare the various worlds of Glasgow . . . and it slowly becomes that awful word, unputdownable, as the fascinating mixture of violence, drugs and unexpected humour surround the reader * On Yorkshire Magazine *Boyle's darkly comic debut unfolds amid vivid scenes of the seamy Glasgow underworld, its hard-bitten humour offset by an unexpectedly tender conclusion * Daily Mail *Word-perfect dialogue and wild imagination * Strathspey & Badenoch Herald *

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Book Synopsis**A New York Times Best Mystery Novel of the Year**''This year''s most original fictional detective - a sassy, black intellectual and saxophonist who is plunged into mayhem when an undercover cop gets killed in her apartment'' Good Housekeeping on Rhode Island RedThe first book in the Nanette Hayes series introduces us to New Yorker and jazz-loving street musician Nanette, whose love life leads her into some very hot water.Nanette''s day is not off to a good start. Her on-again, off-again relationship with Walter is off. . . again, and when she offers a fellow busker a place to stay for the night he ends up murdered on her kitchen floor. To make matters worse, the busker turns out to have been an undercover cop. And his former partner has taken an immediate and extreme dislike to Nanette. When she finds that the dead man stashed a wad of cash in her apartment, cash that could go to help his blind girlfriend, Nanette''s desirTrade Review'Nanette Hayes may be the most charismatic crime-fiction heroine to appear in the last decade' * Booklist *'Style's the thing in this breezy, sexy mystery narrated by Nanette, a French-speaking, sax-playing street musician' * Publishers Weekly *'A terrific novel, from those witty, subversive opening sentences, to the edgy, melancholy and very satisfying ending' * Margo Jefferson, author of Negroland *'Charlotte Carter has . . . the practical discipline needed to craft functional, human sentences [that] flow one into the next without embellishment or posturing' * Crime Times *'This Grace Jones lookalike with a degree in French is a splendid creation' * Sunday Telegraph *'The sweet, clear sound of Nanette's musical voice keeps us on her corner, tossing all the change we've got' * The New York Times on Rhode Island Red *'This high-spirited tour of Paris has terrific charm . . . with the infectious energy of eternal youth' * The New York Times on Coq au Vin *'Funky scenes of New York's musical underworld . . . [a] sweet and saucy narrative voice' * The New York Times on Drumsticks *'This year's most original fictional detective ­- a sassy, black intellectual and saxophonist who is plunged into mayhem when an undercover cop gets killed in her apartment' * Good Housekeeping on Rhode Island Red *'The love affair between jazz, black musicians and Paris is an eternal story; Carter illuminates it with rare intelligence and a gripping vortex of thrills, feeling and wit' * Time Out on Coq Au Vin *

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Book Synopsis**A New York Times Best Crime Mystery of the Year**''Nanette Hayes may be the most charismatic crime-fiction heroine to appear in the last decade'' BooklistIn the third book in the Nanette Hayes series, Nanette finds a voodoo doll is bringing her some much needed luck. . . until the doll''s maker is murdered and she is dragged into the investigation.Nanette is on the rocks. Heartbroken and alone in New York, she finds what comfort she can in the bottom of a bottle. But her life seems to turn around when she''s given a voodoo doll, so much so that Nanette seeks out the doll''s creator, Ida, to thank her. That''s when Nanette''s luck seems to run out, and Ida ends up with a bullet in her head.Guilt-ridden, Nanette resolves to get justice for her new friend, only to find that Ida was hiding some dark skeletons in her closet. Now plunged into a dangerous world she doesn''t understand, Nanette will have to team up with some unliTrade Review'Nanette Hayes may be the most charismatic crime-fiction heroine to appear in the last decade' * Booklist *'Style's the thing in this breezy, sexy mystery narrated by Nanette, a French-speaking, sax-playing street musician' * Publishers Weekly *'A terrific novel, from those witty, subversive opening sentences, to the edgy, melancholy and very satisfying ending' * Margo Jefferson, author of Negroland *'Charlotte Carter has . . . the practical discipline needed to craft functional, human sentences [that] flow one into the next without embellishment or posturing' * Crime Times *'This Grace Jones lookalike with a degree in French is a splendid creation' * Sunday Telegraph *'The sweet, clear sound of Nanette's musical voice keeps us on her corner, tossing all the change we've got' * The New York Times on Rhode Island Red *'This high-spirited tour of Paris has terrific charm . . . with the infectious energy of eternal youth' * The New York Times on Coq au Vin *'Funky scenes of New York's musical underworld . . . [a] sweet and saucy narrative voice' * The New York Times on Drumsticks *'This year's most original fictional detective ­- a sassy, black intellectual and saxophonist who is plunged into mayhem when an undercover cop gets killed in her apartment' * Good Housekeeping on Rhode Island Red *'The love affair between jazz, black musicians and Paris is an eternal story; Carter illuminates it with rare intelligence and a gripping vortex of thrills, feeling and wit' * Time Out on Coq Au Vin *

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Book SynopsisThis detailed companion is essential to all who travel to the lands of Skree, and a must-have for all Wingfeather Saga fans. Now with all-new illustrations!Sketcher, adventurer, disguiser, and sneaker Ollister B. Pembrick roamed all of Skree with a sketchbook and pen, searching behind every tree stump and under every stone, in every river and on every hill, to discover and document the endless living wonders of the Maker''s world. He risked life and limb--quite literally--to compile sketches and details of the creatures of Skree, usually from the cover of a hollow log, a hedge, or a pile of leaves.Refer to this carefully documented Creaturepedia before traversing through the Stony Mountains or harvesting fartichokes within a fortnight after a sandstorm. The drawings and field notes about squeeblins, toothy cows, oiples, and more will surely save any explorer''s life and will definitely keep them--and their appendages--from being gobbled. Tread carefully, young adventTrade ReviewI love all the adventure and the wild inventiveness and, most of all, the heart in Andrew's books. He is a poet and a master storyteller. I want to read anything he writes. -- Sally Lloyd-Jones, New York Times best-selling author of children’s books

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author and 'one of the most distinctive voices in European literature' (Daily Telegraph), another thrilling collection of crime storiesTrade ReviewPraise for Ferdinand von Schirach * - *Ice-cool, effortlessly classy prose * Observer *Tantalising and disturbing in equal measure -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *An exceptional prose stylist * New York Times *A magnificent storyteller * Der Spiegel *Psychologically raw . . . delivered in a crisp translation by Katharina Hall, his unfussy prose is icily effective . . . it suggests that all justice systems are flawed, that they are all just processes. And, with immense empathy, von Schirach's stories show what happens to people when they are processed. -- Christian House * Financial Times *The stories are cool, meticulously crafted, pithy and mordantly amusing . . . this is an unsettling, affecting, extremely powerful book. Highly recommended -- Declan Hughes * Irish Times *An impressive page-turner with substance and bite * Bookmunch *Thrilling and edgy, often carrying a twist in the tale -- To the Ends of the Word blog

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Book SynopsisThe eighth thriller in the Joe O''Loughlin series, the inspiration for the major ITV series The Suspect.I close my eyes and feel my heart begin racingSomeone is comingThey''re going to find meA mother and her teenage daughter are found murdered in a remote farmhouse, one defiled by multiple stab wounds and the other left lying like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her Prince. Reluctantly, clinical psychologist Joe O''Loughlin is drawn into the investigation when a former student, calling himself ''the Mindhunter'', jeopardises the police inquiry by leaking details to the media and stirring up public anger. With no shortage of suspects and tempers beginning to fray, Joe discover links between these murders and a series of brutal attacks where his victims have been choked unconscious and had the letter ''A'' carved into their foreheads. As the case becomes ever more complex, nothing is quit

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Book SynopsisThe Striker is the sixth novel in Clive Cussler''s Isaac Bell series.It is 1902, and Isaac Bell is investigating sabotage in a West Virginia coal mine. But when he stops a runaway train, saving countless lives, Bell discovers that it is part of a conspiracy to frame striking miners. From West Virginia to Pittsburgh, New York City and Cincinnati, Bell is now on the hunt for clues to discover who is behind this murderous scheme. It puts him up against a ruthless agent provocateur allied to a cabal of staggering ambition and cold-bloodedness. Bell must prevent them starting a war which could bring the nation to its knees.Introducing us to Isaac Bell early in his career, The Striker is a pulse-pounding adventure from the world''s favourite writer of non-stop thrillers.Praise for Clive Cussler:''Cussler is hard to beat'' Daily Mail''The guy I read'' Tom Clancy''The Adventure King'' Daily Express<Trade ReviewCussler is hard to beat * Daily Mail *The guy I read * Tom Clancy *The Adventure King * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisTell No Lies is the outstanding new thriller from Gregg Hurwitz.NO CHOICEDaniel Brasher is leaving behind his job as a probation counsellor working with hardened criminals to spend more time with his wife, now well again after serious illness. However, nothing is ever that simple . . .NO TIMEWhen he finds a scrawled message in the post at work - ''admit what you''ve done or you will bleed for it. You have ''til midnite'' - he is horrified but relieved to discover it''s not addressed to him. Then he learns that the intended victim is already dead.NO ESCAPEMore death threats signal a series of gruesome, seemingly inexplicable murders. Until a note is addressed to Daniel himself. And with the clock ticking he must discover who wants him dead. And why. Or become the next victim . . .Perfect for fans of Harlen Coben and Linwood Barclay, Tell No Lies is Gregg Hurwitz''s best thriller yet, guaranteed to keep readers uTrade ReviewOutstanding in every way -- Lee ChildPure nail-biting stay-up-all-night suspense -- Harlan CobenTough, well-written, and memorable as hell -- James PattersonLeaves your nerves jangled and your braincells melted -- David BaldacciThriller writing at its best -- Tess GerritsenSo fast it should come with an airbag -- Linwood BarclayGripping -- Michael ConnellyA quantum leap forward in suspense -- Dennis LehaneSimply brilliant . . . infinitely more than a thriller, yet thrilling to the last page . . . An unforgettable read -- Anne Rice

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