Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisSimon Templar is the Saint - daring, dazzling, and just a little disreputable. On the side of the law, but standing outside it, he dispenses his own brand of justice one criminal at a time.In these three early adventures, the Saint''s reputation starts to rise, as he tackles thieves, smugglers and killers. In The Man Who Was Clever he outwits Edgar Hayn, a drug smuggler who thinks he''s smarter than everyone. In The Policeman with Wings he stays one step ahead of Inspector Teal in the hunt for diamonds on Dartmoor and in The Lawless Lady one of the Saint''s gang helps him deal with sea-faring swindlers, only to fall in love.

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThese three stories find the Saint flushing out swindlers in inimitable style. In The Logical Adventure Templar is on the tail of a famous aviator who has a sideline in drug smuggling and human trafficking. In The Wonderful War the Saint travels to the Central American republic of Pasala to avenge the murder of an oil inspector, which involves instigating revolution. Finally, in The Man Who Could Not Die, the Saint encounters adrenaline junkie Miles Hallin. Hallin claims to be able to cheat death but when one of Templar''s friends is killed, the Saint decides to put that to the test.

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Book SynopsisSimon Templar is the Saint - daring, dazzling, and just a little disreputable. On the side of the law, but standing outside it, he dispenses his own brand of justice one criminal at a timeIn three more classic tales, the Saint continues to push his luck in his own inimitable style. The Story of a Dead Man sees the Saint in a more mundane line of work - running an office and writing letters to the editor - until Inspector Teal comes to investigate the mysterious Mr Vanney and the Saint''s real intentions come to light. In The Impossible Crime, a bored Saint tackles a most unlikely mystery: a man who has somehow been shot in a locked room. And in The National Debt Simon Templar stumbles across a remote Welsh inn where a series of strange things is happening... another job for the Saint!

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThree more stories of Saintly adventure show Simon Templar interpreting the law to his own advantage. In The Simon Templar Foundation, a poisonous legacy from his enemy Rayt Marius gives him the opportunity to make a great deal of money - if he can survive equally great danger. The Higher Finance puts him up against the police, a reclusive millionaire, and the wild beast that roams his mansion at night. And in The Art of Alibi, he faces the most impudent opponent of all: someone who is stealing his symbol, and committing crimes in his name.

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Book SynopsisIn this collection of short stories, the Saint intervenes to teach a motley bag of criminals the error of their ways. Crooked financiers, bookies, fake inventors, dodgy bankers, dealers in pornography, unethical businessmen, murderers, thieves and liars - all will come to regret the day their actions caught the Saint''s attention.

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThe Saint and Patricia are looking forward to a relaxing holiday with friends in Miami - but when they arrive the house is empty and their friends gone. The plot thickens that evening when a tanker explodes off the coast and a dead British sailor washes up on the shore. Simon suspects a link between the explosion and the disappearance, particularly once shady millionaire Randolph March gets involved. But can there really be a Nazi spy ring operating out of Florida?

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThe female of the species is supposed to be deadlier than the male... Simon Templar is about to find out if that''s true. In this collection of stories, the Saint encounters nine fascinating women. Whether they need help, to be avenged, or to brought to justice, the Saint handles their cases with panache and in his usual gentlemanly style.

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Book SynopsisThe Saint is back - the thirty-five original books starring the debonair classic crime hero are being republished in print and ebook with new introductions and extra content.

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Book SynopsisThe first in a red-hot new paranormal romantic thriller series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards.Trade ReviewTop-notch ... Suspense mixed with heart-pounding sensual tension. * Kirkus Reviews *Filled with gritty thrills and featuring a psychopathic madman, this suspense tale will truly have you on the edge of your seat! * RT Book Reviews *Thrilling ... A fun and sexy read. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWhen she swore off love, he was the last man she imagined would steal her heart.If driving a tow truck through the seediest part of town with a gun beside her means putting a roof over her son''s head, then single mother Samantha is going to be the best repossession woman on the books. But when she hooks her truck up to a flashy BMW, the last thing she expects is to find a beaten, bloody man in the trunk - or to be catapulted into a terrifying fight to survive.Daniel knows the drug runners who kidnapped him from protective custody will stop at nothing to see him dead. With his life on the line, his only option is to take his pretty saviour hostage and force her to help him. Sam and her four-year-old son are in too deep. With ruthless killers on their trail, she must reluctantly trust this handsome, menacing stranger. And as Sam relinquishes control, she feels an unmistakable desire. But what is the price of falling for a man who operates on the edge of dangerTrade ReviewRobards is one of the most reliable thriller-romance writers in the world. * Daily Mail *Thrilling ... A fun and sexy read. * Booklist *Top-notch ... Suspense mixed with heart-pounding sensual tension. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisA compelling tale of obsession and mystery, introducing a brilliant new voice in historical fiction.Trade ReviewPart social history, part exploration of 18th century cuisine and part action-packed, dark-edged mystery, this is probably the most delicious - and inventive - story you will read this year. * Lancashire Evening Post *If you enjoyed Jo Baker's Longbourn you'll enjoy this. It's another beautifully written 18th century servant story, sad in the same sort of way and similarly rich . . . An impressive debut. * Daily Mail *Martine Bailey writes with such easy, compelling grace, and in a fascinating new genre - best described as culinary gothic. I was hooked and enraptured. * Fay Weldon *I adored this novel: a delicious addictive mix of confectionery, skulduggery and crime, sprinkled with dark secrets and sauced with piquant comedy. -- Maria McCann, bestselling author of AS MEAT LOVES SALT and THE WILDINGAn absolutely delicious novel; I savoured every page. -- Imogen Robertson, author of Instruments of DarknessBiddy's irrepressible nature is apparent from the very start . . . she is one of the most likeable protagonists I have encountered in a long time . . . It's rare to encounter descriptive skills as good as this. At every point I felt I could see, hear, smell and taste what was going on . . . This novel takes in historical, Gothic and crime ficiton in a clean, easy sweep and manages to pack in cultural and culinary observations without once disrupting flow or timing . . . There's a great sense of the book being a complicated and daring recipe; both the timing and the proportions of each ingredient needed to be exactly right to produce the best result. Bailey's recipe has worked perfectly. I was cheering for the heroes, booing for the villains and feeling disappointed as the end of the book crept up on me. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a terrific novel . . . a must-read for anyone who enjoys a full, flavoursome and hearty story. * The Bookbag *A tour de force . . . This novel is about rulers and the ruled, cookery and the emergence of restaurants, sugar-craft, slavery, all kinds of love and companionship and also a great mystery story. The writing itself is beautifully fluent and quirky in its use of eighteenth-century parlance, yet this latter element was used charmingly and never overdone. It's full of twists and turns with marvellous moments of drama and some super revelations I never saw coming! I'd recommend this novel to anyone wanting an insight into the period and a jolly good read with satisfying and very real depths. -- Rebecca Mascull, author of THE VISITORSIt's not often that I read a book as voraciously as this. The last was THE GOLDFINCH by DonnaTartt, so Martine is in excellent company. I just had to know how this story of deception, intrigue and passion ended. -- S D Sykes, author of PLAGUE LANDA hugely evocative novel that transported me right back to 18th Century Europe. AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is filled with sensuous food writing and Biddy has such a distinctive voice. -- Sarah Vaughan, author of THE ART OF BAKING BLINDI really, really loved AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS and you caught Biddy's voice so beautifully I could hear her in my head. I read the proof while I was stuck on a few train journeys and I was racing through it while never wanting it to stop. The recipes, the voices, the places, the atmosphere and tension - it was all so high-coloured and vivid I felt it was playing out in front of my eyes. At points I even forgot I was on a FGW train . . . It's so accomplished and confident for a debut novel. -- Lucy Dillon, author of A HUNDRED PIECES OF METhe recipes [Bailey] includes throughout the book give her novel a wonderful flavour . . . Bailey has chosen her language cleverly, choosing foodie adjectives when possible to create a full sensory experience . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is part Gothic mystery melodrama, part romance, part social commentary, part history of cuisine. * For Books' Sake *AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS is a feast of unique characters, suspense, passion and delicious storytelling. Martine Bailey has served up a beautifully rendered, haunting tale told by an unforgettable heroine. A novel to devour yet savor. -- Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's GovernessIrresistible. Full of mystery and intrigue, above and below stairs shenanigans and cookery. Gastro-porn at its best. * The Arts Show on BBC Radio 2 *There are mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover, plots to unravel . . . The story is both light and intriguing with twists and turns aplenty . . . It is a cleverly woven tale, yet for all the depth and detail the book remains an easy and enjoyable read. Just as the lightest of dishes can contain a host of complimentary tastes and textures, so this book offers up a complex, thought provoking story that is easily digested. * Jackie Law's Book Blog *Biddy has to be one of my favourite heroines to appear for a long time . . . I have never seen language so lightly and skillfully interwoven into a historical character . . . You do not have to be a foodie to love this book (although you will adore it if you are one!). Bailey's descriptions and Biddy's enthusiasm soon give you an appetite for a fascinating culinary world . . . It is a historical novel with mystery, crime, romance, comedy and gothic elements. Whilst parts of the story are dark, the book has an overall cheerful feel to it. It is easy to read and never feels cumbersome. I suppose at the end of the day, it is like one of Biddy's recipes. There are many ingredients, some of which you would hesitate to blend together, but when all is mixed and cooked, the finished dish is a triumph. -- Laura Purcell, author of Queen of BedlamA deliciously inventive story . . . Biddy Leigh, our heroine, is one of the most engaging characters I've come across in a long time . . . AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS was inspired by recipe books from the 18th century which are matched with a love of food, history and travel. A perfect combination and, like Biddy's cooking, mixed in just such a way to meld together all the flavors creating a most delicious story. * Shiny New Books *A charming debut and a genuinely original and insightful novel. * Good Housekeeping *The first half of the novel whets the reader's appetite for more. There are charming recipes that kick off each of Biddy's chapters. And then there is the central mystery of what happened in Tuscany . . . The pace bustles with subplots . . . If you are looking for a food-related light read, this fits the bill quite nicely. * Straits Times, Singapore *A delectable dish that will appeal to readers with a taste for historical mysteries as well as fiction about food. * Booklist Starred Review *Debut novelist (and award winning amateur cook) Bailey whips up a tasty confection of history, mystery, and intrigue. Fans of 18th-century writers as James Boswell, Tobias Smollett, Henry Fielding, and Samuel Richardson will savor this delicious read. * Library Journal Starred Review *

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Book Synopsis''One of the bad girls of gritty crime'' Daily Mirror Chantelle has everything going against her. She''s a good student who only wants to pass her exams and find a way out of the sink estate in Manchester where she grew up. But now her feckless mother has taken off for Spain with her latest boyfriend and she''s single-handedly raising her tearaway nine-year-old brother Leon. She thinks her worst problem is the debt collectors at the door. But Leon has made some new friends: teenage gang members who have given him a mobile phone, a knife - and some drugs to hide in her flat.A part-time job seems to be the answer to Chantelle''s prayers. But the violence is about to come home to her - with a vengeance. And the only person who''s offering any help seems to be just as bad as the people she''s trying to escape from . . . ''A cracking read that will chill you to thTrade ReviewLOST ANGEL is a shining example of the rule that the best crime fiction isn't just about crime; it's also about family, relationships, love . . . and hate. From The Godfather to The Sopranos, these are the stories that grip us most intensely. And Heller is at the top of her game with this one--it's captivating from first page to last. - Jeffery Deaver on LOST ANGELMandasue has played a real blinder with this fantastic novel. - Martina Cole on FORGET ME NOTA cracking read that will chill you to the bone. - Sun on TWO-FACEDOne of the bad girls of gritty crime, Heller has written a blinder. - Daily Mirror on TWO-FACED

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Book Synopsis''One of the bad girls of gritty crime'' Daily Mirror When fifteen-year-old Skye''s mother finally does something so shocking that it can''t be hushed up, the police turn Skye over to the social workers - and that''s when the nightmare begins. No one will let her talk to her father. And the woman who is supposed to be helping her dumps her in a terrifying ''home'' that''s more like a jail. But she still has one friend to turn to: the sympathetic girl she''s met in an internet chat room, the one who seems to have a home life as unhappy as Skye''s. So when Jade offers Skye - now alone in Manchester and nearly penniless - a safe place to stay, Skye is willing to trust her. Even when it isn''t Jade who turns up at the rendezvous, but a grown-up man who says he''s Jade''s brother . . .''Mandasue has played a real blinder with this fantastic novel'' Martina Cole on Forget-Me-

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Book SynopsisA murderer on the loose . . . in prison.Trade ReviewA splendid debut ... this is a truly spellbinding tale. * Guardian *Hodgson's utterly compelling debut is fiendishly plotted and dripping with atmosphere. I cannot wait for Tom Hawkin's next adventure. -- Mark BillinghamIt is the mesh of lies and duplicity that draws you into this brilliant first novel ...a blood-drenched investigation that twists and turns in the vortex of Georgian society * The Times *Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this. Magnificent! -- Jeffery DeaverThe pace is relentless ...an absolutely superb debut novel * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisA must-read for fans of Clare Mackintosh and Paula Hawkins.''Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie''s heir'' The Scotsman''Hugely entertaining, full of uncomfortable truths'' London Evening StandardWhat if having a best friend was the most dangerous thing you could do?A killer that the police are calling ''Billy Dead Mates'' is murdering pairs of best friends, one by one. Before they die, each victim is given a small white book... For months, detectives have failed to catch Billy, or work out what the white books mean. And then a woman, scared by what she''s seen on the news, comes forward.Stand-up comedian Kim Tribbeck has one of Billy''s peculiar little books. A stranger gave it to her at a gig she did a year ago. Was he Billy, and does he want to kill her? Kim has no friends and trusts no one, so how - and why - could she possibly be Billy Dead Mates'' next target?This is the next chilling novel from the queen of psychological crime - a literary puzzle set to unlock the dark side of the mind . . .Trade ReviewTHE NARROW BED introduces us to Sophie Hannah's possibly most entertaining character yet . . . the central plot is eventually explained with Hannah's powers of outrageous cunning at full blast. * Sunday Express *The solution to the crimes is one of her most ingenious and also adroitly contributes to a current debate; though to say which would be to spoil the fine Agatha Christie-style denouement. * Sunday Times *Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie's heir. Her crime novels have a deep vein of surrealism; not just in the ingenious plotting but in the seething menace lying behind the everyday. The Narrow Bed . . . is exquisitely horrible. As with previous books, much of the enjoyment here is in the psychological acuity. Although she is praised for the twistiness of her plots, Hannah's real gift is in revealing the contorted and convoluted nature of the human heart. * Scotsman *A madly enjoyable novel that takes great pleasure in deconstructing as many narrative tropes as possible. * Metro *Hugely entertaining, full of uncomfortable truths * London Evening Standard *As an ever-growing legion of crime writers fights for the attention of readers, it's comforting to settle down in the company of someone utterly reliable. Sophie Hannah rarely puts a foot wrong in her complex psychological thrillers, and this latest book bristles with the acutely observed characterisation that is the hallmark of her work. * Financial Times *Hannah's mastery of plot and character are simply peerless. * Heat *Imaginative, quirky, inventive and bleakly funny . . . The Narrow Bed confirms Hannah's place as the mistress of postmodern crime fiction. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe gripping fifth installment in the internationally bestselling Malin Fors series, perfect for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction.Trade ReviewKallentoft's experiments with language have created a challenging, unique style. The victims' thoughts, hopes and memories are a constant reminder of their fate, while short, often repetitive phrases increase the tension in a graphically, often sickeningly, violent exploration of "shameful, terrible, vile crimes" against women. The Fifth Season is atmospheric, disturbing and memorable. - Sydney Morning HeraldOne of the best-realised female heroines I've read by a male writer. - GuardianKallentoft's books have been called beautiful, exquisite and original. I can see why. - Literary ReviewMeditative. Dark. Really, really cold . . . This is a worthy successor to Larsson's Millenium trilogy. - Booklist Starred Review

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Book SynopsisA married couple is found dead in their jacuzzi. Their adopted five-year-old daughter has vanished. Inspector Malin Fors, the troubled but brilliant star of the Linkoping police force, is put in charge of the case.But this is a haunting mystery where the borders have been blurred: those between the living and the dead, between good and evil.Malin is only too aware of her own tendencies towards obsession and addiction. As the investigation takes a darker turn, forcing Malin to confront her own demons, will she hold out long enough to find the killer - and the missing girl - before it''s too late?Trade Review[an] atmospheric series * Independent *Kallentoft's novels always run at a high emotional temperature * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisLinköping''s top detective, Malin Fors, is about to take on a case that''s a little too close for comfort. Her daughter has just discovered a dead body. It is that of a 79-year-old resident at the nursing home where she works. He''s been hung by his own alarm cord.At first it looks like a cut and dry suicide. But when the autopsy suggests foul play, Malin probes deeper and uncovers rumours about the home''s mismanagement its greedy millionaire owner. Was it a mercy killing, or was someone trying to silence the victim?Who could possibly benefit from the death of an elderly man? Only someone with a lot to gain - or a lot to lose...Trade ReviewPraise for the Seasons series: * - *Kallentoft's books have been called beautiful, exquisite and original. I can see why. * Literary Review *One of the best-realised female heroines I've read by a male writer. * Guardian *Meditative. Dark. Really, really cold . . . This is a worthy successor to Larsson's Millennium trilogy . . . This first installment in Kallentoft's crime series is a splendid representative of the Swedish crime novel, in all its elegance and eeriness. * Booklist Starred Review *

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Book SynopsisThe sequel to The Hope, the epic novel of Israel's turbulent coming-of-age.Trade ReviewA sprawling action-packed novel...assiduously researched, The Glory is gripping historical fiction. Herman Wouk's portraits of historical figures are altogether convincing * Philidelphia Inquirer *As in previous sagas of Woukian dimensions, The Winds of War to name one of a dozen, ordinary people become heroic figures against a turbulent backdrop of war, death, and love * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisThe Great Novel of the Jewish American Dream.Trade ReviewExtremely funny * Wall Street Journal *A truly enjoyable reading experience.... Wouk reaffirms his position as one of the nation's eminent storytellers * New York Newsday *

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Book SynopsisThe long-awaited standalone sequel to SONS OF THE BLOOD.Trade ReviewYoung's ability to conjure historical settings is reliably strong . . . fans of her work and historical adventure generally will love it. The action is well done and the characters' adventures entertain. * The Times *A spectacular rollercoaster ride through the labyrinthine secrets and lies of the Tudor court, the brutal glitter of Renaissance Florence and a fifteenth century world where power is everything and people will go to any lengths to get it, Court of Wolves is brilliantly written and full of heart, a must read -- Kate Williams, broadcaster and author of Becoming QueenEngrossing historical drama set in most tumultuous times * Sun *A thrilling, fast-paced and utterly compelling sequel. The reader is transported from the treachery of early Tudor England to the dazzling and deadly world of the Florentine court. Not to be missed -- Tracy Borman, author of The King's WitchRobyn Young always writes so beautifully and with great empathy. Her prose is thoughtful and elegant . . . I'm looking forward to finding out what's next for Jack and Harry. * For Winter Nights blog *Praise for Sons of the Blood, book 1 in the New World Rising series * - *Robyn Young realistically evokes the brutal world of the late fifteenth century, and interweaves a gripping tale with a highly original take on Richard III and the Princes in the Tower. Provocative and grounded upon impressive research, this is historical fiction of a high calibre. More, please! -- Alison WeirYoung has done her research and writes with her usual gusto. The battle scenes are gory and the plot twists sharp. * The Times *A vivid and utterly compelling novel that brilliantly evokes one of the darkest and most turbulent periods of our history. I could not put it down. -- Tracy BormanThe first novel in a new series by Robyn Young, and this in itself is a cause for celebration. Robyn Young is one of the finest writers I've read in recent years. Her prose is beautiful, her historical fiction enriched by meticulous research and great empathy for its characters. * For Winter Nights blog *An astounding feat of historical fiction that breathes new life into a turbulent, exciting, and surprisingly relevant period of history. Crammed full with action, adventure, intrigue, politics and brilliant characters, this is a must read. * The Bookbag *

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Book SynopsisIt''s a brutal winter in Des Moines, Iowa, and the city is gripped by fear. A serial attacker known as the Sin Eater is stalking women and has just struck again. It''s a tough time and a tough place for Riley Fisher, a former small-town sergeant, to be reporting for duty as an FBI agent on her first assignment.Teamed with a man she''s not sure she can trust and struggling to prove herself - while fighting the pull of her old life and family dramas - Riley is tasked with investigating a vicious death threat against the newly elected female state governor. Gradually, she traces a disturbing connection between this case and the hunt for the Sin Eater. Through snow, ice, violence and lies, Riley Fisher is drawn towards a terrifying revelation. Erin Young follows up her acclaimed crime debut, The Fields, which has drawn comparisons with Mare of Easttown, Silence of the Lambs and True Detective, with another stunning thriller full of dark menace

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Book SynopsisAD 273. Obsessed by the solar religions of the east, the emperor Aurelian sets out to obtain every sacred object within his realm. But one - a mysterious rock said to channel the power of the sun god - lies beyond his reach. Warrior-priest Ilaha has captured the legendary stone and is using it to raise an army against Rome.For Imperial agent Cassius Corbulo and ex-gladiator bodyguard Indavara, stopping him constitutes their greatest challenge yet. Assisted by a squad of undercover soldiers and a Saracen chieftain, they trek south across the deserts of Arabia, encountering sandstorms, murderous money-lenders and a ruthless German mercenary. And when they finally reach Ilaha''s mountain fortress, they face thousands of warriors who will give their lives to protect him ... and the black stone.Trade ReviewPraise for AGENT OF ROME: THE IMPERIAL BANNER:'The Imperial Banner is Roman adventure at its best... brutal action leavened by a cynical brand of military humour, history, mystery, romance and an almost tangible sense of cohesion and camaraderie amongst Cassius and his cohorts. It's a formula that works well in so Brown's capable hands... Cassius's next assignment can't come too soon!' * Lancashire Evening Post *'If you love Scarrow, adore Iggulden and of course admire Scott, then make sure you add Brown to your list. Great stuff.' * Falcata Times *Praise for AGENT OF ROME: THE SIEGE:'A masterful debut from a new author completely at home in this era' * Manda Scott *'Once the action kicks off you won't be able to put it down.' * Anthony Riches, author of the Empire series *'Perfect pace, vivid combat sequences and superb characterisation' * Lancashire Evening Post *'Brown promises to be one of the most exciting sword-wielding writers in an ever-popular arena.' * The Oxford Times *'A thrilling and fascinating coming-of-age adventure' * Book Gazette *'Nick Brown has the craft of storytelling at his fingertips ... The Siege is a fast-paced and satisfying read' * Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix *'Brown has given this Roman military/adventure story a great twist in having Cassius hail from the secret service ranks ...The Siege is also a character study and offers a rare glimpse into 3rd century Rome and her occupation of Syria.' * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisNewly available in print, Joseph Hansen's classic mystery series starring Dave Brandstetter, a gay private eye in 70s and 80s California.Trade ReviewThe Brandstetter books are classics of the private eye genre...it's great to see them available again -- Peter RobinsonIncredible books, much overlooked -- Jeff Abbott, author of PANICThe most exciting and effective writer of the classic private-eye novel working today * LA Times *Hansen, one of the best practitioners of the California private-eye school...writes crisply with a lean, spare prose that echoes Hammett, Chandler and Macdonald * Washington Post *In Brandstetter, Hansen has developed a sympathetic character of depth and integrity * Chicago Sun-Times *No mystery writer is better at evoking the landscape, the light, the architecture and the ethnic diversity of Los Angeles * Time *Hansen is a strong unflinching writer and everything in his taut prose is real * Boston Globe *An exceptionally urbane literary style * New York Times Book Review *Hansen writes about Southern California with the descriptive love once given it by Raymond Chandler * Herald Examiner *An excellent craftsman, a compelling writer, he has a real gift for storytelling - for character, for scene, for pace independent of violence * New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisA cosy Dandy Gilver mystery set in 1930s Scotland. For fans of PG Wodehouse, Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie.On the rain-drenched, wave-lashed, wind-battered Banffshire coast, tiny fishing villages perch on ledges which would make a seagull think twice and crumbly mansions cling to crumblier cliff tops while, out in the bay, the herring drifters brave the storms to catch their silver darlings. It''s nowhere for a child of gentle Northamptonshire to spend Christmas.But when odd things start to turn up in barrels of fish - with a strong whiff of murder most foul - that''s exactly where Dandy Gilver finds herself. Enlisted to investigate, she and her trusty cohort Alec Osborne are soon swept up in the fisherfolk''s wedding season as well as the mystery. Between age-old traditions and brand-new horrors, Dandy must think the unthinkable to solve her grisliest case yet.Catriona McPherson''s latest novel in the seri

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Book SynopsisA gripping medieval historical crime thriller, from a brilliant new voice.Trade ReviewComparisons to the master of historical crime, CJ Sansom, are inevitable and, in this case, justified. * The Times *The whodunnit aspect is neatly done, the family secrets and waspish relationships are intriguing, and humour and originality are abundant. * Daily Mail *Trouble, and its attendant duties, confront the reluctant young lord on nearly every page of this eventful, engrossing, informative mystery set in mid-14th-century Kent. * Wall Street Journal *Sykes establishes herself firmly as a major talent. * Publishers Weekly *Praise for PLAGUE LAND -- :There's a nice, cliché-free sharpness to Sykes' writing . . . that suggests a medieval Raymond Chandler at work, and there are no phony celebrations of the peasantry or earth-mothers thrusting herbal concoctions down grateful throats. Plenty of action and interesting characters, without intervention of the libertarian modern conscience that so often wrecks the medieval historical novel. * Independent *The medieval CJ Sansom -- Jeffery DeaverPLAGUE LAND is a fascinating historical crime novel about a world turned upside down, inhabited by a rich cast of characters. A terrific debut and a wonderful start to a brand-new series. -- Antonia Hodgson, author of THE DEVIL IN THE MARSHALSEASykes has really reset the bar for medieval mysteries . . . every clue brings with it unexpected twists and turns. When you think you know who the killer is, you're slapped with yet another surprise. * Medievalists *Sykes's debut provides everything a reader would want in a historical mystery: a gripping plot, vivid language, living and breathing characters, and an immersive depiction of the past. * Publisher's Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA brilliantly dark and compelling novel set in Venice from 'the medieval CJ Sansom' (Jeffery Deaver)Trade ReviewSykes is a master at combining historical setting with mystery * The Times *Sykes's gamble in putting Oswald in unfamiliar terrain pays off, as she again blends a detailed immersion in the time period with a clever mystery plot line * Publishers Weekly *An excellent addition to a thoroughly enjoyable series... Sykes has created a medieval detective story with a troubled protagonist which manages to stay true to its period and hints at even richer things to come - I thoroughly recommend it. * Historia *A Venice whose ancient glories still survive today provides the background for an investigation whose solution is secondary to identifying the cause of Oswald's angst. * Kirkus *We are plunged into Sykes' rich soup of Venetian intrigue; period detail; and increasingly intricate plotting, all with the deeply realized character of Lord Somershill fighting his own demons while investigating. A brilliant addition to the Somershill Manor Novels. * Booklist *This third series outing offers further insights into Lord Somershill and the past that bedevils him, along with sophisticated plotting, intrigue, and immersion in a fascinating historical setting. * Library Journal *Oswald's character, beautifully painted by Sykes, dominates this excellent historical thriller set against the waterways, palaces and dungeons of medieval Venice * Sunday Express *Comparisons to the master of historical crime, CJ Sansom, are inevitable and, in this case, justified. * The Times *The whodunnit aspect is neatly done, the family secrets and waspish relationships are intriguing, and humour and originality are abundant. * Daily Mail *Sykes offers an unusual perspective on this historical period ... She also deals realistically with the troubles of the era's women. * New York Times *Trouble, and its attendant duties, confront the reluctant young lord on nearly every page of this eventful, engrossing, informative mystery set in mid-14th-century Kent, England. * Wall Street Journal *There's a nice, cliché-free sharpness to Sykes' writing . . . that suggests a medieval Raymond Chandler at work, and there are no phony celebrations of the peasantry or earth-mothers thrusting herbal concoctions down grateful throats. Plenty of action and interesting characters, without intervention of the libertarian modern conscience that so often wrecks the medieval historical novel. * Independent *Sykes establishes herself firmly as a major talent. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA cosy Dandy Gilver mystery set in 1930s Scotland. For fans of PG Wodehouse, Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie.Glasgow,1932, is a city in the grip of dance-fever. Public ballrooms and backstreet dancehalls are thronged every night and competition for professional titles is fierce. Even after the sudden death of one of last year''s hopefuls there are plenty willing to take his place, and few who stop to wonder why he died.In the melting pot of the Locarno Ballroom in Sauchiehall Street, a debutante rubs shoulders with denizens of Glasgow''s meanest streets, her respectable fiancé oblivious, her parents dismayed.When she starts receiving threats from a rival, they grow frantic enough to call on Dandy Gilver to save their precious daughter from harm.But as Dandy and her sidekick, Alec Osborne, begin to unravel the secrets of the dancehall, they soon discover that the rot goes much deeper than rivalry and there''s more at stTrade Review'McPherson is an exemplary crime writer, effortlessly balancing the driest wit with melodramatic suspense. Her range of reference is seriously literary, her research impeccable, and her exuberance with period detail utterly beguiling. And Dandy herself is wonderful: blundering bravely through this mad and murky tale with perfect aplomb and a drop-dead vocabulary, she is a lesson to us all.' - Scotsman on BURY HER DEEP

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Book SynopsisCaroline Wallace is one of New Orleans Police Department''s top hostage negotiators, and she''s never failed to get every hostage out alive. But this time, it''s different: the hostages include her father - the superintendent of police - and the mayor. And this time, she''s trying to negotiate with Reed Ware, a former co-worker who left the force in disgrace, and who is considered to be volatile and extremely dangerous. As police snipers arrive on the scene, Caroline has only a few moments left to persuade the hot-headed, reckless (and extremely handsome) Reed to turn himself in before anyone gets hurt. But when the SWAT team runs out of patience and launches an attack, Reed manages to escape - taking Caroline hostage in the chaos. He then tells her he''s uncovered corruption at the highest levels of the police department and city government, and those involved will stop at nothing to keep him from exposing what he knows . . . including murder. Now Caroline must queTrade ReviewRobards is one terrific storyteller. * Chicago Tribune *The plot will keep the readers turning the pages. * Publishers Weekly *A top-notch romantic suspense writer. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisMeet Hap and Leonard, the unlikely detective duo now on screen in the highly praised series starring James Purefoy, Michael K. Williams and Christina Hendricks.Hap and Leonard are not your typical private eyes. But what they lack in experience they make up with perseverance. Hap, a former 60s activist and self-proclaimed white trash rebel, and Leonard, a tough black, gay Vietnam vet, have finally decided to make their detective work official. Their first client: a mean old woman looking for her missing granddaughter. The girl used to work for a car dealership in town... but it seems like cars weren''t the only things on offer. The mystery thickens to include blackmail, revenge, and an inbred family of hillbilly assassins who eliminate any threats to the operation. Only Hap and Leonard could turn a simple missing person case into a life-threatening showdown, and only Joe Lansdale could tell this story. Filled with hilarious dialogueTrade ReviewDialogue worthy of Elmore Leonard, memorable characters and explosive action * Crime Scene Magazine *Another rip-roaring, wisecracking, savagely violent story...Gloriously bloody fun * Metro *The Texan equivalent to our own Christopher Brookmyre...A rollicking pulp thriller, with a surprisingly warm and empathetic core. * Glasgow Herald *Joe Lansdale is one of the dark kings of modern mystery fiction, a master of the genre. His name deserves to be whispered with the greats -- John Connolly

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Book SynopsisA brilliantly written and gripping historical Nordic Noir thriller with all the intrigue and atmosphere of Burial Rites, the pent-up passion of The Piano and the suspense of The Tenderness of Wolves.Trade ReviewExquisitely suspenseful, beautifully written, and highly recommended -- Lee Child, No1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher thrillersCecilia Ekback provides something fresh. . . haunting . . . ugly secrets are soon brought to light at the cost of great danger to Maija and her family. Highly individual fare. * Financial Times *This story of the struggle for survival of a family of Finnish settlers in Swedish Lapland in the early 18th Century is not for the faint hearted. The writer creates a convincing atmosphere of a very strange time in a very strange land... The details of how these people survive in an extraordinary landscape stays with you long after you have finished reading. * Daily Mail *This debut by Swedish-born writer creeps up on its reader - steadily immersing them in its distant dangerous world. Eighty pages in, it is a surprise to look up and discover you are not snowbound. * Metro *Strong sense of place, robust characters and gothiky atmosphere. * Woman & Home *There are shivers aplenty in Cecilia Ekback's cracking atmospheric debut. * Saturday Express Magazine *Memorable and interesting characters, this story will stay with me for a long time. * Cook Create Read blog *Ekbäck is wonderful at evoking place, and the coming ling of real and spirit worlds works a treat. There is so much to enjoy. * Guardian *A compelling suspenseful story. * Sunday Times *It's a dark but colourfully told tale, richly laced with elements of gothic mystery. * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author of Wolf Winter comes a second brilliantly written and gripping historical Nordic Noir thriller with all the intrigue and atmosphere of Burial Rites, the pent-up passion of The Piano and the suspense of The Tenderness of Wolves.Trade ReviewEkback...has a tremendous sense of place. Vividly conveying the desolation of the landscape in this haunting novel * The Sunday Times *A gripping, beautifully written novel that I devoured in a day. Cecilia Ekback has a tremendous feel for the landscape of the north, and her portrayal of the small community who live under the mountain of Blackasen, their suspicion of the outsiders who come amongst them, and the land's own power and hold over their lives and fates, is as thrilling as it is fascinating. -- Hannah Kent, author of Burial RitesThe writing is atmospheric, vivid and compelling. * Choice magazine *Masterfully thrilling. * The Bookbag *Ekback is a talented writer... this book is never less than absorbing. * The Times *With In the Month of the Midnight Sun, we're given more ambitious, literate Nordic Noir from Swede Cecilia Ekbäck (writing in English), who provides an elusive poetic feel not common in the genre. An orphaned boy and a privileged, rebellious young women are uneasy fellow travellers through the threatening perpetual daylight of the far north as they move towards a strange destiny. As in Wolf Winter, Ekbäck once again proves that she is in the very front rank of Scandinavian crime writers. * Independent *Praise for Wolf Winter * : *Like a silent fall of snow; suddenly, the reader is enveloped... visually acute, skilfully written; it won't easily erase its tracks in the reader's mind. -- Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the BodiesExquisitely suspenseful, beautifully written, and highly recommended. -- Lee ChildWOLF WINTER repays reading for the beauty of its prose, its strange compelling atmosphere and its tremendous evocation of the stark, dangerous, threatening place, which exists in the far north and in the hearts of all of us. * Guardian *A compelling, suspenseful story. * The Sunday Times *Fans of The Miniaturist will love flashing back to the dark bleakness of 1717 Lapland in Cecilia Ekback's debut. * Grazia *

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Book SynopsisNumber One New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown returns with another suspenseful thrillerDr. Emory Charbonneau, a paediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. By the time her husband Jeff, miffed over a recent argument, reports her missing, the trail has grown cold. Literally. Fog and ice encapsulate the mountainous wilderness and paralyze the search for her. While police suspect Jeff of ''instant divorce'', Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won''t even tell her his name. She''s determined to escape him, and willing to take any risks necessary to survive.As her husband''s deception is revealed, and the FBI closes in on her captor, Emory begins to wonder if the man with no name is, in fact, her rescuer from those who wish her dead - and from heartbreak. Trade ReviewPraise for Sandra Brown's novels: * - *Deadline is both a breathtaking and heartbreaking story; one that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished -- freshfiction.comDeft characterizations and eye for detail make this a winner...Satisfying, vintage Brown storytelling * Kirkus *Sexual tension fueled by mistrust between brash Denton and shy Bellamy smolders and sparks in teasing fashion throughout * Publishers Weekly *Hair-raising . . . a perfect mix of thriller and romantic suspense * USA Today *

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Book Synopsis''Shiveringly good suspense!'' Lisa GardnerTHE SIXTH BOOK IN A GRIPPING SERIES FROM 30 MILLION COPY SELLING AUTHOR.JUDGEDAs he watches, her body drifts below the water''s surface, forever altered. Before he disposes of each victim, he takes a trophy. It''s a sign of his power, and a warning - to the one destined to suffer most of all...CONDEMNEDIn Grizzly Falls, Montana, Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli are struggling with a new commander and a department in the midst of upheaval. It''s the worst possible time for a homicide. A body has been found, missing a finger. Alvarez hopes this means a murderer with a personal grudge, not a madman. But then a second body turns up...EXECUTEDAs the clues begin pointing toward a suspect, Pescoli''s unease grows. She senses there''s more to this case than others believe. A killer has made his way to Grizzly FaTrade ReviewLisa Jackson shows yet again why she is one of the best...A pure nail biter. * Harlan Coben on YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW *Shiveringly good suspense! Lisa Jackson ratchets up the tension as one woman's desperate search for her missing son takes her to the very brink of losing her husband, her sanity, her very self. Each chapter will leave you wondering who to trust. The answer: You don't want to know... * Lisa Gardner on YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW *Absolutely tension filled... Jackson is on top of her game. * Suspense Magazine on TELL ME *The spookily atmospheric plot is jam-packed with scary chills and sexy thrills. * Booklist on TELL ME *a fast moving thriller with plenty of twists and turns, and an easy flowing style that readily catches the reader up in its thrall. * Canberra Times on MALICE *Gripping... Jackson heightens the creep factor. * Publisher’s Weekly on MALICE *As a beach read, this is a cracker. Read it at night and it certainly will keep you up. For after the prologue, Jackson slips into her real agenda, and out of your comfort zone. * Courier Mail, Brisbane on DEEP FREEZE *Tense... Suspenseful . . . shocking . . . will leave readers on the edge of their seats. * Booklist on ABSOLUTE FEAR *Her latest whodunit hits all the marks, taking readers on a nail-biting roller coaster ride. * Library Journal on WITHOUT MERCY *Jackson takes creepy to a new level with her latest chilling offering... A frightening tale filled with danger and shocking twists. * RT Book Reviews on WITHOUT MERCY *Jackson... shows a mastery of the true-crime thriller formula that will please fans * Kirkus Reviews on TELL ME *Graphic, terrifying suspense and gripping emotion are what makes all of Lisa Jackson's thrillers so unforgettable. THE MORNING AFTER just adds to her growing inventory of terrific page-turners. * Romantic Times on THE MORNING AFTER *In a word: clever * The Herald Sun on CHOSEN TO DIE *The highly suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat reads that Lisa Jackson provides are unparalleled * Publisher’s Weekly on LEFT TO DIE *

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Book SynopsisIn the blazing July heat of imperial Rome, Flavia Albia inspects a decomposing corpse. It has been discovered in lots to be auctioned by her family business, so she''s determined to identify the dead man and learn how he met his gruesome end.The investigation will give her a chance to work with the magistrate, Manlius Faustus, the friend she sadly knows to be the last chaste man in Rome. But he''s got other concerns than her anonymous corpse. It''s election time and with democracy for sale at Domitian''s court, tension has come to a head. Faustus is acting as an agent for a ''good husband and father'', whose traditional family values are being called into question. Even more disreputable are his rivals, whom Faustus wants Albia to discredit.As Albia''s and Faustus'' professional and personal partnership deepens they have to accept that, for others, obsession can turn sour, and become a deadly strain that leads, tragically, to murder.Trade ReviewDavis blends wit and research with a cracking plot. -- Saturday Review * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''My kind of thriller'' Dan BrownThe Knights of the Golden Circle was the largest and most dangerous clandestine organization in American history. It amassed billions in stolen gold and silver, all buried in hidden caches across the United States. Since 1865 treasure hunters have searched, but little of it has ever been found. Now, two factions of the Knights want that treasure - one to spend it for their own ends, the other to preserve it. Thrust into the battle is former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone, who has a personal connection to the knights. His ancestor, Angus "Cotton" Adams, holds the key to everything. Complicating matters are a reckless Speaker of the House and the bitter widow of a Senator, who together are planning radical changes to the country. From the Smithsonian Institution to the rugged mountains of northern New Mexico, The Lost Order is a perilous adventure into a dark period of history - and a potentially even darker future.

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Book Synopsis** WE KNOW YOU KNOW, the brilliant new thriller by Erin Kelly, is available to buy now **SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPECSAVERS NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS 2018RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK 2018SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERSIMON MAYO RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICKSHORTLISTED FOR CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018LONGLISTED FOR THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2018''Haunting. Mesmerising. Unforgettable.'' Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl***********Don''t be left in the dark.In the hushed aftermath of a total eclipse, Laura witnesses a brutal attack. She and her boyfriend Kit call the police, and in that moment, four lives change forever.Fifteen years on, Laura and Kit live in fear. And while Laura knows she was right to speak out, she also knows that you can never see the whole picture: something is always hidden . . . something shTrade ReviewHaunting. Mesmerising. Unforgettable. -- Gillian Flynn, author of Gone GirlA tour de force - a gripping, twisting, furiously clever read that asks all the right questions and keeps you guessing until the very end. I loved it. -- Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10Erin Kelly has written several good psychological thrillers, but in He Said / She Said she ascends to a new plane of ingenuity. Her ability to switch between the sordid reality of crime and juicy melodrama, the story anchored within the realm of plausibility by the care with which she brings her characters and settings to life, reminded me of Ruth Rendell at her best. * Telegraph *I'm calling it: THIS is the book I wish I'd written -- Clare Mackintosh, author of I See YouKelly is a master at drip-feeding us the details, keeping us guessing about the truth, and the many shades of grey it contains, right until the end. * Observer *It's SO good...I was carrying it around the house I was so gripped -- Sarah Perry, author of The Essex SerpentA clever, compulsive read, which sinks its claws into you and won't let go * Red magazine *Deliciously tense and twisty. -- Sharon Bolton, author of Daisy in ChainsThere's so much to love here - seamless plotting, descriptive prose, characters so real they pull you in to their tangled lives - and then an absolute humdinger of a twist that will take your breath away. * Sunday Mirror *A gripping, dark thriller...A thrilling tale of dangerous obsession, the book explores how far the ramifications of a single event can reach. * Cosmopolitan *

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Book SynopsisWhen a country doctor comes to Sherlock Holmes with a far-fetched tale of a sudden death, a devil dog and an ancient curse, Holmes is sceptical. Could the demise of Sir Charles Baskerville really have been caused by the gigantic ghostly hound which is said to have haunted his family for generations? Arch-rationalist Sherlock Holmes characteristically dismisses the theory as nonsense. Claiming to be immersed in another case, he sends Watson to Dartmoor to protect the Baskerville heir and to observe the suspects at close hand. But soon events take a dangerous turn, and it seems that the legend may be real... With Watson in dreadful peril, can Holmes uncover the terrible truth about the hound of the Baskervilles?6 CDs. 6 hrs.

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Book Synopsis''It''s very easy to kill - so long as no one suspects you.'' So says Miss Pinkerton when ex-policeman Luke Fitzwilliam meets her on a train. Luke doesn''t take much notice of this little old lady''s story about a serial killer on the loose in her village - until her predictions start to come true, when he feels compelled to check it out. Very soon the race is on to prevent any more murders... Dramatised by Joy Wilkinson, and with a distinguished cast including Patrick Baladi, Lydia Leonard, Michael Cochrane and Marcia Warren, this is a gripping BBC Radio dramatisation of one of Agatha Christie''s most ingenious detective stories.2 CDs. 1 hr 30 mins.

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Book SynopsisA classic crime novel from CWA Gold Dagger award-winning Minette Walters.Trade ReviewGrips like steel . . . Plays havoc with your emotions, keeps you awake, ends with joy and relief. -- Frances Fyfield * Mail on Sunday *Atmosphere, imagination and narrative power of which few other writers are capable. -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA classic crime novel from CWA Gold Dagger award-winning Minette Walters.

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Book SynopsisA dark, gripping tale of solitude and evil.

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Book SynopsisE is for Evidence is the fifth in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton.Anyone who knows me will tell you that I cherish my unmarried state. I’m female, twice divorced, no kids and no close family ties. I’m perfectly content to do what I do . . . It was two days after Christmas when Kinsey Millhone received the bank slip showing a credit for five thousand dollars. The account number was correct but Kinsey hadn’t made the deposit. Then came the phone call and suddenly everything became clear. The frame-up was working and Kinsey was trapped . . .Trade ReviewGrafton on form yet again. * The Times *

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