Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisThe third in the fabulous cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award?winning author Ellen Byron.Welcome to the Bon Veeevil Festival of Fear! Prepare for the spookiest night of your life . . . It?s Halloween in New Orleans, and the staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum is setting up a fantastic haunted house tour for their visitors. But when flashy movie star Blaine Taggart and his entourage move into the mansion next door, gift shop proprietor Ricki James-Diaz gets a fright of her own. While Ricki is excited about the potential business the tours will bring to her vintage cookbook shop, she?s less thrilled by former friend Blaine?s arrival in town. Then Bon Vee?s prop tomb becomes a real tomb for Blaine?s nasty assistant, and suddenly everyone at Bon Vee is a murder suspect. There isn?t a ghost of a chance one of them committed the crime, but with NOPD busy tackling the mischief and mayhem generated by the spooky holiday, it falls on Ricki and her friends to catch the killer. As the Big Easy gears up for the Big Scary, it seems everyone has skeletons in their closets. Can Ricki reveal the shadowy killer before someone else becomes part of the Halloween horror show?

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Fran and Ken Stein ? a private investigator duo who refuse to let a little thing like being not entirely human stop them from doing their jobs.After losing their parents when they were just babies, private investigators Fran and Ken Stein now specialize in helping adoptees find their birth parents. So when a client asks them for help finding her father, with her only clue a rare ukulele, the case is a little weird, sure, but it?s nothing they can?t handle.But soon Fran and her brother are plunged into a world where nothing makes sense ? and not just the fact that a very short (but very cute) NYPD detective keeps trying to take eternal singleton Fran out on dates. All Fran wants to do is find the ukulele and collect their fee, but it?s hard to keep your focus when you?re stumbling over corpses and receiving messages that suggest your (dead) parents are very much alive.Ukuleles aside, it?s becoming clear that someone knows something they shouldn?t ? that Fran and Ken Stein weren?t so much born, as built . . .

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPhysician-sleuth Dr Gabriel Taverner has to face his greatest challenge yet ? a serious danger from the East threatens not just his life, but everyone he loves! All aboard this adventurous historical mystery set in the early seventeenth century. March, 1605. Country doctor and former ship?s surgeon Gabriel Taverner has embarked on his next adventure. Since discovering that the debilitating injury he sustained years ago has lost its power to induce chronic seasickness, he has been impatient to leave Devon once more, and now it is in the service of Walter Haverleigh, a wealthy and successful merchant, who has engaged Gabriel to tend the crew of the Luipaard on her voyage to the Eastern seas.As the months and years of Gabriel?s absence continue, his family and friends are struggling with the replacement physician he engaged before his hasty departure. Doctor Maudsley Cheverell has turned out to be incompetent, arrogant and self-serving. When one morning his dead body is found in a ditch, it seems that nobody will mourn him or regret his untimely death.However, when the body is examined, it is apparent that Cheverell was tortured by the application of a specific method from the East . . . Is there a connection to Gabriel and his time in Asia? And where is Gabriel? Why has the quiet peace of England?s Tavy Valley been disrupted by a sinister plot and, most crucially, will everyone come out of it alive?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA modern-day writer and a Harlem Renaissance artist are connected by a painting with a deadly secret in this gripping dual-timeline gothic thriller. Shanice Pierce knows better than to heed bad omens. But it's hard to ignore the signs when she finds herself newly single and out of a job on the same seemingly cursed day. Then, while cleaning out her grandmother's house, Shanice comes across a painting. Drawn to the haunting portrait in a way she can't explain, Shanice accepts her grandmother's offer to keep the family heirloom. She soon uncovers the story of the artist, a Harlem Renaissance painter named Estelle Johnson. The young woman was taken under wing by the wealthy art patron Maude Bachmannor Godmother as she insisted her artists called herand vanished shortly after Bachmann's brutal murder. As Shanice digs deeper, the paranoia that's haunted her for years returns. She becomes convinced she's being stalked, and that the deaths happening around her are connected to the s

Read more less

Book Synopsis"This mystery is impossible to put down." ? Edgar-nominated author Jess LoureyFor readers of Megan Collins with the taut character study of Angie Kim comes a searing mystery that follows three siblings as they reckon with the darkness hidden within their family after multiple graves are discovered behind their childhood home.All families are complicated. But not all families have bodies buried in their backyard.One put there just that week... When the Rawlins family matriarch unexpectedly passes, all three adult children rush home. What they find is a house bursting with grief, dark memories surfacing around each corner, and multiple bodies buried deep in the woods. The Rawlins want to believe the discovery points to a crime long past. But one of the graves behind Teague House is fresh, the earth disturbed just that week?and its inhabitant a local woman they all knew. Is the youngest Rawlins sibling with something to hide somehow involved in her murder? Is his sister experiencing false memories of her late father digging near the graves? And why is the Rawlins aunt in such a rush to leave town after her sister''s funeral? Enter private detective Maddie Reed, who has her own reasons for being curious about the bodies buried behind Teague House. Maddie sets out to unmask a killer. One she may have been hunting all her life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNo matter how cruelly twins are separated, their lives will always be entwined In the newly liberated streets of modern Berlin two women, a pampered, beautiful Baroness, losing control of her mind, and a fearless wild animal trainer, facing the greatest challenge of her career, are drawn together by a series of tragic and extraordinary coincidences. When a man is found brutally murdered, their lives become entangled by an investigation that uncovers a web of darkness and opens up secrets that have long been condemned to silence . . . Who were they, all those years ago? What nightmares did they share? And what I the truth about the undying nature of their love?**Lynda La Plante's Widows? is now a major motion picture**

Read more less

Book Synopsis1922, Tokyo. Harry Niles is a ''wild child'', an American boy in a strange country, ignored by his missionary parents, he begins to lead his life in the Tokyo underworld. One night, he is charged with delivering a painting to an enigmatic figure, the samurai Ishigami. It is an encounter that will haunt Harry Niles forever... 1937, Nanking. China is under attack. The Japanese army is brutally and systematically murdering and raping the local population. In the midst of this horror, Harry finds himself face to face once again with Lieutenant Ishigami. But for the samurai warrior, their meeting leads to the greatest possible dishonour - public humiliation. 1941, Tokyo. With the attack on Pearl Harbour only days away, Japan is on the brink of war with the United States. Harry Niles has become a man of many faces. Allying himself with both sides, he treads a dangerous - but profitable - path between the fading glory of the Chrysantheum Club, where the

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘I wouldn't scream if I were you. Unless you want the whole world to learn about your husband and his mistress.’ Agatha Christie, in London to visit her literary agent, boards a train, preoccupied and flustered in the knowledge that her husband Archie is having an affair. She feels a light touch on her back, causing her to lose her balance, then a sense of someone pulling her to safety from the rush of the incoming train. So begins a terrifying sequence of events. Her rescuer is no guardian angel; rather, he is a blackmailer of the most insidious, manipulative kind. Agatha must use every ounce of her cleverness and resourcefulness to thwart an adversary determined to exploit her genius for murder to kill on his behalf. 'Wilson not only knows his subject but he deftly moves the tale away from mere literary ventriloquism and into darker territory. Great fun, too’ Observer   'The queen of c

Read more less

Book Synopsis FIVE BRUTAL MURDERS IN TWO COUNTRIES.   ‘Hollywood blockbuster material…you’ll finish it in one gulp’ Metro  A WOMAN CONFESSES TO THE KILLINGS, THEN LEAPS OFF A BRIDGE TO HER DEATH.   'Kristina Ohlsson is a rising star of Scandinavian crime fiction’ Sunday Times  HER BROTHER INSISTS SHE WAS INNOCENT, AND WANTS THE CASE REOPENED.   ‘Expect Ohlsson to join Nesbo on most readers' can't-miss lists’ BooklistBUT HOW DO YOU VINDICATE A DECEASED, SELF-PROCLAIMED KILLER? ‘Superbly crafted’ Daily Mail

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Intense, insightful and impossible to put down' CAZ FREAR When you go looking for a new start, make sure you don't find a nightmare instead.  The Kane family, Lorcan, Naiyana and their young son, relocate from Perth to Kallayee, an abandoned mining town in the Great Victoria Desert to start over again, free from their chequered past.    The town seems like the perfect getaway: Peaceful. Quiet. Remote. Somewhere they won’t be found.     But life in Kallayee isn’t quite as straightforward as they hope. There are noises in the earth, mysterious shadows and tracks in the dust, as if the town is coming back to life.    But the family won’t leave. No one can talk sense into them.   And now, no one can talk to them at all.  They’ve simply vanished.    Now it's up to DetectiveTrade Review‘Intense, insightful and impossible to put down, VANISHED is a gripping tale of greed and betrayal, burning with tension under a harsh Australian sun. James Delargy perfectly captures the claustrophobia of small-town life in this well-researched, multi-layered and hugely satisfying novel. Such a bold portrayal of the lengths desperate people will go to survive’ -- Caz Frear

Read more less

Book SynopsisToday it's the coronavirus. Once, it was the Black Death - a disease that wiped out millions of people. And if the plague were to return to the world now?  Billions would die. IT STARTS WITH ONE PATIENT A woman is dying in an Italian hospital, coughing up blood, convulsing and barely conscious.BEFORE IT SPREADS TO THE TOWN Dr Alana Vaughn, an expert from NATO, confirms everyone’s worst fears: the woman has the highly infectious disease that swept through Europe eight hundred years ago. The Black Death.AND TAKES THE CITY The sickness is spreading so quickly that soon the outbreak becomes a global pandemic. Markets crash and governments fall as quickly as the citizens they govern.  THEN THE COUNTRY As panic takes hold and the death toll climbs, the consequences become horrifically clear – Alana must discover a way to stop the disease or it will be the end of us a

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Ollie Ollerton, Andy McNab and Stephen Leather - the new compulsive thriller from Sunday Times bestseller and bomb-disposal expert, Kim Hughes GC. THE ENEMY IS CLOSE TO HOME . . . Left reeling from the disappearance of his daughter and ex-wife, Staff Sergeant Dom Riley is a haunted man. After months of investigating, he has exhausted nearly all leads in his hunt for answers. As Riley decides to make one final, desperate push for the truth, it emerges that multiple bombs have been located on board a civilian cruise ship and he is thrown into action in the middle of the ocean. With little information on the person behind the threat other than the alias BaseHeart, Riley must keep his head together if he has any chance of neutralizing the threat. And it’s not long until the first bomb detonates. But it’s not the journey, nor the bombs themselves, that pose the real dan

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPre-order Victory for Ambridge, the brilliant new novel in The Archers series, coming in paperback in Spring 2025.‘Intriguing, comforting and endearingly familiar’ Katie Fforde ‘The BBC’s most downloaded radio show’ The Guardian‘Incredible legacy’ ​The BBC ‘Longest running drama in the world’ The i News 'a gripping plot full of love affairs, deceit, loss and more' Radio TimesIn celebration of the 70th anniversary of The Archers hitting the radio waves.  It’s 1940 and war has broken out. It is midnight at the turn of the year, and Walter Gabriel speaks the same line that opened the very first radio episode –  'And a Happy New Year to you all!' For Ambridge, a village in the heart of the English countryside, this year will bring change in ways no one was expecting.Trade Review‘Intriguing, comforting and endearingly familiar’ Katie Fforde ‘The opening words of the first radio episode of The Archers 70 years ago set the scene for a novel that takes readers back to before the much-loved “everyday story of country folk” began . . . Nostalgia for avid listeners with long memories’ Choice ‘In this new novel celebrating the 70th anniversary of the beloved radio show, we follow the lives of the families of Ambridge before it all began . . . families that listeners have known and loved for generations face an uphill battle to keep their secrets hidden’ Countryside ‘An inventive cosy crime prequel to the “everyday story of country folk”, first aired 70 years ago . . . a good novel tautly constructed and often laugh-aloud funny’ The Times ‘You don’t need to be a fan of The Archers to enjoy this . . . It’s a comfort blanket of a book with a rich vein of spicy intrigue’ Woman

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Utterly addictive' Victoria Selman'Funny, engrossing, and brilliantly written' Claire McGowan‘One of the best books we’ve read in a long time’  BellaSometimes all it takes to bring a family together is the possible end of the world   Meet the Altman family.   Fifty-something Dan is struggling to cope with a mid-life career change. MBA-educated wife and mother Jen has dealt with life’s disappointments by becoming a closet alcoholic. Seventeen-year-old Chloe is obsessing about getting into the right university and her state tennis semifinals. Fourteen-year-old Max is trying to figure out when he can next sneak a puff on his beloved vape and plotting revenge on the school bully.   They’re a normal family with normal problems.   Until, one day, the lights go out.   Mobile phones don't work. Li

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLERA killing like no other.A killer more twisted than he’s ever seen before.A case that will test him to the limit. Has Robert Hunter finally met his match?‘Do you believe the Devil exists, Detective?’ the officer at the end of the line asks. ‘Because if you don’t . . . I’m sure you will once you get here.’ Robert Hunter is called to the most vicious crime scene he has ever attended. It is made even more disturbing when the autopsy reveals a poem, left by the killer, inside the body of their victim.   Soon, another body is found. The methods and signature of the murder differs, but the level of violence used suggests that the same person is behind both crimes. Hunter’s fears are confirmed when a second part of the poem is found. But this discovery does more than just li

Read more less

Book Synopsis*Read the book that inspired THE SISTER, the major ITV drama starring RUSSELL TOVEY* 'Stunning' Peter James'Creepy, unsettling, and subtle' Guardian'For fans of Hitchcock' IndependentNathan is desperate to escape his past. If only his past was willing to let go . . .  He has never been able to forget the worst night of his life: the party that led to the sudden, shocking death of a young woman. Only he and Bob, an untrustworthy old acquaintance, know what really happened and they have resolved to keep it that way. But one rainy night, years later, Bob appears at Nathan's door with terrifying news, and old wounds are suddenly reopened, threatening to tear Nathan's whole world apart. Because Nathan has his own secrets now.  And Bob doesn't realise just how far Nathan will go to pr

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe newest high-octane addition to the thrilling Cell 7 seriesMartha and Isaac have escaped, but are now on the run - the government has branded them rebels and a danger to the public. Martha needs to act, and to act fast, in a tale of breathtaking treachery that reaches right to the heart of those in charge...Trade ReviewThere is love, sadness, loss, family, the kindness of strangers and the betrayals of those once thought to be so reliable. There really is so much packed into this book I absolutely hated having to put it down * Jeanz Book Read and Reviews *This book certainly closely looks at what society needs to address in terms of crime and punishment * East Fife Mail *As always, Kerry Drewery's writing was beautiful and the book was filled with so many twists and secrets, right up to the very end * The Whispering of the Pages *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen hundreds of birds fall from the sky into Slayton's lake in a terrifying freak event, the waters are dredged - revealing a dark, long-held secret. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Alex North and Stephen King. The Slayton Thrillers, with Detective Sarah Noble, can be read as standalones, or in any order.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDetective Sarah Noble investigates a dark case in the town of Slayton. It began with the whispers. Until it happened again. Detective Sarah Noble will need all her intuition - and some help from young Elliott Carter - to crack a case where nothing is as it seems.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnd what really happened to Conor?As Billy sets off to find the answers to a mystery that's followed him for years, he soon realises that uncovering the truth about his lost past may come at a high cost.

Read more less

Book Synopsis* Previously published as The Crystal Crypt *Oxford, 1925. Intrepid reporter Poppy Denby is headed to the historic university city of Oxford, where a young female scientist, Dr June Leighton, has been found dead.Though June's death is ruled an accident by the authorities, one of her colleagues, Sophie Blackburn who is an old associate of Poppy's, is convinced June was murdered for threatening to expose a male colleague for plagiarism. However, Sophie's mental health is fragile and doubt is cast on her version of events. Poppy has always been reporter first, sleuth second, and whilst Poppy knows Sophie is still haunted by the death of her fiancé Bert, a former political correspondent for the Daily Globe, something tells Poppy there is a crime to be exposed and a scoop to be had.But as she begins to investigate, another female academic is attacked, and it doesn't take long for Poppy herself to become a target.Can she unmask the killer before another life is taken?

Read more less

Book Synopsis'As a maker of watertight puzzles, Mr Connington has no superior'Daily Mail

Read more less

Book SynopsisA man is accused of murdering his wife - and all the evidence points to his guilt.Classic crime from one of the greats of the Detection ClubTrade ReviewNo author is more skilled at making a good story seem brilliant * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Anthony Gilbert shared with other successful crime writers a combination of writing talent and clever plotting skills necessary to make it in detective fiction's Golden Age ... Along with Agatha Christie [he] had a talent to deceive * mysteryfile.com *Unquestionably a most intelligent author. Gifts of ingenuity, style and character drawing * SUNDAY TIMES *If there is one author whose books need to be widely available, it is Gilbert * Inkquilletc.blogspot *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA beautiful Cornish coastal village is the setting for a highly sinister conspiracy involving a kidnapped baby, mysterious monks and an almost irresistible new perfume... 'Joan Aiken's triumph with this genre is that she does it so much better than others' New York Times Book ReviewTrade ReviewJoan Aiken has an eye for original situations and characters ... a stolen formula, a kidnapped baby and a strange brotherhood keep the plot bubbling. An engaging story with one of the nicest babies I have met for a long time * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Witty and acute ... a nice romantic thriller * PUNCH *Brilliant light-hearted picture of search for missing formula ... very funny -- Julian Symons * SUNDAY TIMES *Superior stylish thriller with advertising agency background. A four month old baby steps into a key role in a headlong series of chases ... characterisation of bizarre cast bang on target... the writing is at once witty and sensitive * CRIME CALENDAR *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe latest crime thriller featuring DC Goodhew from the author of Cambridge Blue.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMurphy''s Law is the captivating first entry of Rhys Bowen''s New York Times bestselling Molly Murphy series.Meet Molly Murphy, a resourceful young woman who lives by her own set of laws...Molly Murphy always knew she''d end up in trouble, just as her mother had predicted. So when she commits murder in self-defence, she flees her cherished Ireland for the anonymous shores of America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe a little easier. But when a man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime.If she can''t clear her name, Molly will be sent back to Ireland where the gallows await, so using her Irish charm and sharp wit, she escapes Ellis Island and sets out to find the wily killer on her own. Pounding the notorious streets of Hell''s Kitchen and the Lower East Side, Molly undertakes a desperaTrade Review‘Delightful… as ever, Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavour of early twentieth-century New York and bringing to life its warm and human inhabitants.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Molly grows ever more engaging against a vibrant background of New York’s dark side at the turn of the century.’ * Kirkus Reviews *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNo job for a lady...Fashion can be murder for Molly Murphy!Having inherited the cases of her deceased mentor Paddy Reilly, private investigator Molly Murphy is following philandering husbands, tracking down runaway debutantes and working in a sweatshop to discover who is purloining dress designs. None of these jobs seem very dangerous at first. But when a woman's body is fished out of the East River, Molly fears it is the missing society girl everyone is talking about. Then Molly's sometime beau, police captain Daniel Sullivan, reveals that another corpse may be the girl's cheating lover, Mike Kelly. And now, as the threads of passion and greed weave a vivid tapestry of violence, Molly must descend into the underworld of the gangs of New York - only to realise that she may need more than her street smart to get to the truth and get out alive.Trade ReviewDelightful… as ever, Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavour of early twentieth-century New York and bringing to life its warm and human inhabitants. * Publishers Weekly *Molly grows ever more engaging against a vibrant background of New York’s dark side at the turn of the century. * Kirkus Reviews *

Read more less

After a romantic disappointment and an undeserved demotion, Scots village bobby Hamish Macbeth decides a week's holiday at the coastal village of Skag might be just the ticket. He's dead wrong, of course: the food is dire, and the man in the next room nags his wife so loudly and continuously that more than one person at the Friendly House bed-and-breakfast wishes him dead, though only Hamish is heard threatening him. When this chap's body is found floating in the river Skag, Hamish is the prime suspect. While clearing his name, the lanky Scot has to deal with the widow who's suddenly making eyes at a refined bachelor, two leather-skirted Glaswegian beauties intent on raising disco hell, and the rude revelation of one family man's secret life. Some holiday!Praise for M.C. Beaton:The detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. Anne Robinson, The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisRecovering addict Tommy Jarret has rented a chalet to check out reports of a sea monster near the village of Drim. Then he turns up dead, apparently from a drug overdose, and constable Hamish Macbeth finds the lad''s demise particularly fishy. Deciding to go undercover, Hamish infiltrates the local drug dealing trade.But his plans looks doomed when he''s teamed up with a tough Glaswegian detective inspector named Olivia Chater, aka Concrete Knickers. For the Lochdubh lawman it would be equally dangerous to flounder...or fall in love.Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:''An enchanting series... M C Beaton has a foolproof plot for the village mystery.'' New York Times Book Review`Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast... Beaton catches the beauty of the area''s natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour.'' Library Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisMax Tudor has adapted well to his post as vicar of St Edwold''s in the idyllic village of Nether Monkslip. The quiet village seems the perfect home for Max, who has fled a harrowing past as an MI5 agent. Now he has sound a measure of peace among urban escapees and yoga practitioners, artists and crafters and New Agers. But this new-found serenity is quickly shattered when the highly vocal and unpopular president of the Women''s Institute turns up dead at the Harvest Fayre. The death looks like an accident but Max''s training as a former agent kicks in, and before long he suspects foul play...In Wicked Autumn, G M Malliet serves up an irresistible English village - deliciously skewered - a flawed but engaging protagonist and a brilliantly modern version of the traditional locked room mystery.Praise for G.M.Maillet''s Max Tudor series:''G M Malliet has brought the village cosy into the twenty first century... Wicked Autumn is a refreshing read for eveTrade ReviewA superb novel! Filled with humour and insight. Rarely have I read descriptions that have left me gasping, in both their hilarity and their painful truth. A wonderful read' -- Louise Penny.If you love traditional mysteries, you'll enjoy Wicked Autumn...It's a classic, and one almost any reader will enjoy. -- Charlaine HarrisThere are certain things you want in a village mystery: a pretty setting, a tasteful murder, an appealing sleuth... Malliet delivers all that. * New York Times Book Review. *A superb new series... a true homage to Agatha Christie...Malliet, like Louise Penny, brings a contemporary freshness to the traditional mystery. * Library Journal (starred review). *Wicked Autumn has great charm – Miss Marple would approve * Daily Mail *If you like Agatha Christie you’ll love this. * BLIRT *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnglemore Park is the ancestral home of Lady Emily Hargreave''s husband Colin. But the stately calm of country life is destroyed when their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu, bursts through the French doors from the garden and falls down dead in front of the shocked gathering. But who has a motive for murdering the young aristocrat? The lovely cousin who was threatened by his engagement, the Oxford friend he falsely accused of cheating, the scheming vicar''s daughter he shamelessly seduced or the relative no one knew existed who appears to claim the Montagu title? Who is the mysterious woman seen walking with him moments before he was brutally attacked? The trail takes readers into the gilded world of a British manor house and below stairs to the servants who know all the secrets. One family''s hidden past and a forbidden passion are the clues to a puzzle only Lady Emily can solve.Trade ReviewA thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth. -- Anne PerryTasha Alexander is one to watch – and read… despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there’s a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart. * The Huffington Post *Enchanting . . . Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis charming series of Victorian murder mysteries features mild-mannered Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper. A policeman''s widow herself, her quick wits allow her to nudge the Inspector in the right direction to solve the crime. When a doctor is discovered dead in his own office, Mrs Jeffries is on the look-out for a prescription for murder, determined to discover the culprit, despite how her employer feels about interviewing suspects . . . He hated questioning people. He could never tell whether or not someone was actually lying to him, and he knew, shocking as it was, that there were some people who lied to the police on a regular basis.Trade ReviewIt's murder most English all the way! * The Literary Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis charming series of Victorian murder mysteries features mild-mannered Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper. A policeman''s widow herself, her quick wits allow her to nudge the Inspector in the right direction to solve the crime. Early in the new year, Mrs. Hodges attends her first seance and the medium foresees her death. That same night, the prediction comes true, and Scotland Yard''s Inspector Witherspoon, is on the case. As ever, his housekeeper Mrs Jeffries is observing and coming to her conclusions. Witherspoon sighed. He''d so hoped that 1887 would be a good year, one that wouldn''t have people murdering one another every time one turned around.Trade ReviewIt's murder most English all the way! * The Literary Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisInspector Witherspoon has never come up against a case which he couldn''t solve . . . with the help of his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries. But now he''s confronted with a bewlidering murder. It seems as though the victim has cheated his stockholders out of a fortune, which leaves each of them with a strong motive for the crime. So Mrs Jeffries is confronted with a complex brew of murder and high finance. This time even she might not manage to add it all up . . .This charming series of Victorian murder mysteries features mild-mannered Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard and, more importantly, Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper. A policeman''s widow herself, her quick wits allow her to nudge the Inspector in the right direction to solve the crime.Trade ReviewIt's murder most English all the way! * The Literary Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes a stunning novel of historical suspense set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murderLady Emily''s first mystery . . .For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was just an easy way to escape her stifling home life and overbearing mother. So when her new husband dies on safari soon after the wedding, she feels little grief. After all, she barely knew the man. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and immerses herself in his intellectual pursuits, studying Greek and spending time in the quietTrade ReviewA thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth -- Anne PerryTasha Alexander is one to watch – and read… despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there’s a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart * The Huffington Post *Enchanting… Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes the second Lady Emily mystery set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves an audacious cat burglar and a brewing scandal for Lady Emily . . . London''s social season is in full swing, and the aristocracy can''t stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Drawing rooms, boudoirs and ballrooms are also abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. But light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is murdered and the thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It takes all of Lady Emily''s wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, all while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romTrade ReviewA thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth. -- Anne PerryTasha Alexander is one to watch – and read… despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there’s a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart * The Huffington Post *Enchanting… Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end * Publishers Weekly *Tasha Alexander has created Victorian London’s most colourful sleuth -- Jacqueline Winspear

Read more less

Book SynopsisSeven years ago in Cape Town three young white South African schoolboys were abducted in broad daylight on three consecutive days. They were never heard of again.Now, a new case for the unpredictable Colonel Vaughn de Vries casts a light on the original enquiry; for him, a personal failure which has haunted him for those seven years and has cost him his marriage and peace of mind.A former British government agent, friend to De Vries, provides intelligence on this new case, but is any of it admissible? Struggling in a mire of departmental and racial rivalry, De Vries seeks the whole truth and unravels a complex history of abuse, deception and murder. Challenging friends, colleagues and enemies, De Vries comes to realise he doesn''t know who is which.Set against the background of Cape Town and the endless, rolling South African veld, this chilling thriller reveals layer after layer of abuse - physical, political and psychological.Shortlisted for the Trade ReviewAn excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both. -- Lee ChildA jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld. -- Philip GlenisterThe First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction. -- Brian McGillowayAn impressive debut * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA year after becoming sheriff, Quinn Colson is faced with the release of an infamous murderer from prison. Jamey Dixon comes back to Jericho preaching redemption, and some believe him; but for the victim's family, the only thought is revenge.Another group who doesn't believe himthe men in prison from Dixon's last job, an armored car robbery. They're sure he's gone back to grab the hidden money, so they do the only thing they can: break out and head straight to Jericho themselves.Colson and his deputy, Lillie, know they've got their work cut out for them. But they don't count on one more unwelcome visitor: a tornado that causes havoc just as events come to a head. Communications are down, the roads are impassableand the rule of law is just about to snap.Trade ReviewAce Atkins’ killing honestly sets a new standard for Southern crime novels. -- Marilyn Stasio * The New York Times Book Review *Ace Atkins’ Quinn Colson novels have been exceptional from the start . . . whether readers are new to the series or fans from the start, The Broken Places will touch them the way all great novels do, profoundly. * Shelf Awareness *The action is stark and gripping, the Southern locale suitably atmospheric and the bevy of characters convincing. * The Houston Chronicle *Atkins continues to combine sturdy character studies with an action-packed tale about the contemporary issues of war veterans and small-town corruption . . . The Broken Places again shows what a powerful storyteller Atkins is. * Tulsa World *Atkins just gets better and better . . . I will throw down against anyone who disagrees with the statement that Atkins is one of our best American authors. Period . . . No matter what literary genre you might favor, The Broken Places is a book you should read and will not forget. * bookreporter.com *Atkins’ voice is graceful and tense . . . Atkins’ habit-forming series [shares] a tremendous sense of (rural) place and powerfully nuanced characterization with those of James Lee Burke, Craig Johnson, and C. J. Box. * Booklist *A high-tension thriller with a hero to rival Jack Reacher * Kirkus Reviews *Amid the full-throttle plot, Atkins never loses sight of his characters’ sensitivities. * Publishers Weekly *Supercool. ‘Manly’ writing akin to Elmore Leonard’s Detroit Westerns. * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Bruce is doing for Cambridge what Colin Dexter did for Oxford with Inspector Morse'' Daily MailThe promise seemed simple. The scars would last a lifetime.In a single night, Kyle Phipps''s life is derailed. His relationship is over, he is denied access to his young son and everything important to him is at risk.His thoughts stumble between fear and revenge. Kyle Phipps has a choice to make.Meanwhile, after the tragic end to a previous case, DC Gary Goodhew finds himself questioning his reasons for returning to work until the badly beaten body of a homeless man is found on Market Hill. Having known the homeless man for several years Goodhew feels compelled to be part of the investigation - but routine lines of enquiry soon take a dark and unexpected turn...Suddenly the Cambridge back streets hold deadly secrets for Goodhew and the only person who has the answers is planning one final, desperate act.Praise for CambriTrade ReviewAs always, Bruce produces a rewarding read * The Times *A superb writer -- Steve MosbyMenacing and insidious -- R J ElloryBruce is doing for Cambridge what Colin Dexter did for Oxford with Inspector Morse . . . She uses her city just as deftly as Dexter did his, however, and adds subtle touches of feminine intuition and guile. Her plots are deceptively simple, yet describe the frailties of the human heart with a rare skill . . . The death propels Goodhew back into police work. His innate dignity and Bruce's flair make her one of our most interesting crime writers * Daily Mail *It's all orchestrated (from opening adagio to allegro finale) with authority * The Independent *Unusual and interesting * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLondon, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for codebreaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imaginedand opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history.Ensnared in a web of spies, murder, and intrigue, Maggie must work quickly to balanc

Read more less

Book SynopsisSusan Elia MacNeal introduced the remarkable Maggie Hope in her acclaimed debut, Mr. Churchill's Secretary. Now, as World War II sweeps the continent and England steels itself against German attack, Maggie Hope, former secretary to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, completes her training to become a spy for MI-5. Spirited, strong-willed, and possessing one of the sharpest minds in government for mathematics and code-breaking, she fully expects to be sent abroad to gather intelligence for the British front. Instead, to her great disappointment, she is dispatched to go undercover at Windsor Castle, where she will tutor the young Princess Elizabeth in math. Yet castle life quickly proves more dangerousand deadlythan Maggie ever expected. The upstairs-downstairs world at Windsor is thrown into disarray by a shocking murder, which draws Maggie into a vast conspiracy that places the entire royal family in peril. And as she races to save England from a most disturbing faTrade ReviewDelightful may seem a strange word to describe a novel that takes place against the backdrop of the bombings of London during World War II, but it’s appropriate for this debut novel. . . . As sweet as it is intriguing. * USA Today *A captivating, post-feminist picture of England during its finest hour. * The Denver Post *Daring . . . Blends meticulous research on the era, psychological insight into Winston Churchill, and the creation of a riveting main character, Maggie Hope, into a spectacularly crafted novel. * Bookreporter *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWorld War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executivea black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroadand her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the warand of her own past.Trade ReviewYou’ll be [Maggie Hope’s] loyal subject, ready to follow her wherever she goes. * O: The Oprah Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA casual outing to London''s Crystal Palace takes a mysterious and murderous turn . . .April 1928: Daisy Dalrymple Fletcher is being visited in London by her young cousins who are desperate to see the Crystal Palace. On discovering that her children''s nanny, Gilpin, has also never seen the palace, Daisy decides to make a day of it with the family. But this ordinary outing starts going wrong when Nanny Gilpin fails to return from the ladies'' room. When Daisy goes looking for her, she doesn''t find her nanny but instead the dead body of another woman dressed in a nanny''s uniform.Meanwhile, the rest of Daisy''s party spot Gilpin chasing after yet another nanny. Intrigued, they trail the two into the park and stumble across Gilpin lying unconscious. When she comes to, she has no recollection of what happened. Daisy''s husband, Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard, soon finds himself embroiled in the murder investigation. Worried abouTrade ReviewCunning . . . appropriate historical detail and witty dialogue are the finishing touches on this engaging 1920s period piece * Publishers Weekly on Gone West *For fans of Dorothy L. Sayers' novels * Library Journal *As always, Dunn evokes the life and times of 1920s England while providing a plot that is a cut above the average British cosy * Booklist *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen the body of Thomas Magner's business partner is found dead in his car on the outskirts of Anstruther, all evidence points to suicide. And Magner himself, a wealthy property developer, is currently under investigation for a series of alleged rapes from thirty years ago.In total fifteen women are prepared to go to court to testify against Magner but one by one they inexplicably withdraw their complaints until only five remain. With the CPS now reconsidering its case, one of Magner's accusers is killed in a hit-and-run and the abandoned car is found to be registered to one T Magner.DCI Andy Gilchrist is assigned to the hit-and-run case and soon discovers that Magner's murky past is very much seeping into the present. How did he acquire his wealth? How his first wife die? And why did his business partner commit suicide?And was Magner a serial rapist in his youth? Or was he something far worse?Praise for T.F. Muir:Rebus did it fo

Read more less