Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisHOW DO YOU SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER?Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, he can only listen.But he soon begins to suspect that his accident wasn't really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger.Alex must use a series of clues from his past to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him. He needs to protect those he loves - before they decide to let him go...WHAT JULY KNEW - the new moving mystery by Emily Koch. Available now!Keep up to date with all things Emily Koch and subscribe to the newsletter at emilykoch.co.uk____________________________Praise for If I Die Before I Wake:'Exhilarating' Daily Mail'Beautifully written' Cara Hunter, bestselling author of All the Rage'This is a debut to be reckoned with' GuardianSHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA STEEL DAGGER AWARD 2018Trade ReviewThis is a debut to be reckoned with. -- Barry Forshaw * Guardian *The author conveys a real sense of the true horror of being locked inside a body that won’t move with a brain that still works. And she persuades us to stay with the story to its strangely exhilarating conclusion. -- Christina Appleyard * Daily Mail *The author conveys a real sense of the true horror of being locked inside a body that won’t move with a brain that still works. And she persuades us to stay with the story to its strangely exhilarating conclusion. -- Christina Appleyard * Daily Mail *If I Die Before I Wake is a captivating thriller by an exciting new voice. I read it in two days because I had to know who did it! Koch keeps you guessing until the very end. * Mary Lynn Bracht, author of White Chrysanthemum *I loved If I Die Before I Wake. I was completely gripped - a sign of a true story-teller. It's utterly compelling and has an ending that will rip the heart out of you. * Jo Spain, author of The Confession *

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Book SynopsisSoon to be the subject of a series adaptation from the producers of Killing Eve‘Brilliant visceral writing with terrific pace, this book grips you like a vice from the very first line and never lets you go’ PETER JAMESSomeone is watching. At each abandoned crime scene there's a hidden clue: a tiny metal cog. Someone is sending Detective Sam Berger a message, someone who knows that only he will understand the cryptic trail. Someone knows. When another teenage girl disappears without trace, Sam must convince his superiors that they’re dealing with a serial killer. As the police continue the hunt to find the latest victim, Sam is forced to unearth long-buried personal demons. He has no choice if he is to understand the killer's message before time runs out.Somebody is killing just for him.Trade ReviewArne Dahl is possibly the most thoughtful and playful contemporary Nordic crime writer. He also happens to be one of the most thrilling. -- Ian RankinBrilliant visceral writing with terrific pace, this book grips you like a vice from the very first line and never lets you go. -- Peter JamesArne Dahl is one of the true greats of Scandinavian crime fiction -- Mark BillinghamCompelling… The first in a new series featuring a smart but wayward detective * Sunday Times *Arne Dahl combines global intrigue with intelligence, suspense, and genuine literary quality -- Lars Kepler

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when the cops become the prey?'Arne Dahl is one of the true greats of Scandinavian crime fiction' MARK BILLINGHAMIt starts when Desiré Rosenkvist of Stockholm Police receives a letter. Two things are immediately clear: the letter she holds in her hands was written in a state of utter desperation and paranoia. And it contains details of one of her old murder cases, which only the murderer could know. Desiré contacts private investigator Sam Berger, who sets off to the remote north of Sweden with his colleague Molly Blom to find the author of the letter and to stop them in their tracks.But someone wants to keep them from getting to the bottom of the mystery at any cost and is watching their every move. What happens when the cops become the prey?A dark and gripping Scandi-thriller set in the snowy tundra of rural Sweden, from international bestseller Arne Dahl.'Dahl's intelligent mastery of the genre delivers a flawless atmospheric thriller - chilling in every sense' The Sunday Times Crime ClubTrade Review[A] truly brilliantly constructed plot that’s likely to have even the experienced crime fiction enthusiast falling off their chair. The goosebumps-inducing aha-moments are lined up one after another. * Aftenposten, Norway on HUNTED *‘Brilliant visceral writing with terrific pace, this book grips you like a vice from the very first line and never lets you go’ * PETER JAMES on Watching You *Arne Dahl is one of the true greats of Scandinavian crime fiction. * Mark Billingham *Arne Dahl is possibly the most thoughtful and playful contemporary Nordic crime writer. He also happens to be one of the most thrilling. * Ian Rankin *Hunted has its strength in the classic layered build-up, where there’s always an extra layer hidden behind what you supposedly see, and red herrings and planted clues force the reader to keep their wits about them all the way. * Verdens Gang, Norway *

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Book SynopsisWealthy dead American. Beautiful young widow. This case has PI Philip Marlowe’s name written all over it. Is it enough to bring him back for one last adventure?The year is 1988. The place, Baja California. Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is living out his retirement sipping margaritas and playing cards when in saunter two men dressed like undertakers with a case that has his name written all over it. His mission is to investigate Donald Zinn – supposedly drowned off his yacht, leaving a much younger and now very rich wife. Marlowe’s speciality. But is Zinn actually alive? And are the pair living off the spoils? 'Osborne and Chandler are a perfect match' William BoydDiscover the rest of the inimitable Philip Marlowe series – nine classic Chandler adventures, from The Big Sleep to The Long Goodbye, available now in paperback and ebook from Penguin Books.Trade ReviewA highly distinctive writer who quickly becomes addictive… I loved it -- John Gray * New Statesman, **Books of the Year** *Splendid * Mail on Sunday *A brilliant Raymond Chandler continuation novel with an ageing Philip Marlowe. Osborne and Chandler are a perfect match -- William Boyd * Guardian *It's a joy to see Philip Marlowe lured back for one last job by the gleefully unsentimental Lawrence Osborne... If you like noir, pour yourself something cool and enjoy one final dark night of the soul -- Joseph Knox, author of SirensThe decayed grandeur of the setting, the mystery of an alluring femme fatale, an old man's tussle with his conscience and his ageing body, and a healthy number of spectacular set-pieces work a subtle magic... both a convincing Marlowe and a seedily satisfying thriller -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisREAD THE TENSE TWIST-FILLED RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE OUTCAST.Family secrets can be deadly...Newly-weds Dan and Bea decide to escape London. Driving through France in their beaten-up car they anticipate a long lazy summer, worlds away from their ordinary lives.But their idyll cannot last. Stopping off to see Bea's brother at his crumbling hotel, the trio are joined unexpectedly by Bea's ultra-wealthy parents. Dan has never understood Bea's deep discomfort around them but living together in such close proximity he begins to sense something is very wrong.Just as tensions reach breaking point, brutal tragedy strikes, exposing decades of secrets and silence that threaten to destroy them all.'A suspenseful, beautifully written thriller about the corruption of money and abuse within a dysfunctional family' GuardianTrade ReviewSadie Jones is such an enjoyable novelist to spend time with. Her books are so easy to read, while each sentence is rich in meaty observation… Elegantly atmospheric… The Snakes left me breathless -- Claire Allfree * Daily Mail *The Snakes is superbly written, each sentence punctuated by a drumbeat of menace, each word placed with a master's touch. I keep thinking about the questions it poses: about what it is to be good in these imperfect times; about how we can protect our humanity in the face of narcissism and greed. Yet for all its depth and mystery, The Snakes is also just a thrillingly good read -- Elizabeth DayThe Snakes asks serious questions about human nature, avarice and justice, wrapped in the fast-paced rhythms of a thriller. It is written with Jones’s trademark economy and a fierce attention to the nuances of familial cruelty… I finished The Snakes with a juddering heart, strangely close to tears -- Elizabeth Lowry * Guardian *The Snakes is gripping from the outset, then finally unputdownable. The writing is magnificent. One of the most powerful and uncompromising novels I've read in years. -- Jonathan CoeEver since her debut, The Outcast, Jones has peopled her propulsive plots with nuanced, dimensional creations imbued with human failings and graces. The Snakes is no exception… Jones crafts a pitiless shock ending; a denouement that refuses closure and resonates long after the book is set aside… [the ending is] bound to become a talking point -- Suzi Feay * Financial Times *I am blowing the trumpet for The Snakes to anyone who'll listen. I devoured the book, awed by its beauty and brilliance. We'll be lucky if 2019 brings us much else of this rank. This is wickedly good writing and something really special. Sadie Jones has talent to burn. -- Billy O'CallaghanA suspenseful, beautifully written thriller about the corruption of money and abuse within a dysfunctional family * Guardian *Masterful, terrifying, dangerous, with an ending that is as uncompromising as the build-up is truthful. The Snakes is as beautifully written as it is dark and honest. -- Rachel JoyceA menacing, beautifully written novel * Guardian, *Summer Reads of 2019* *I was absolutely gripped by this original and beautifully-told story of a couple enmeshed in a nest of vipers -- a rich family of criminals. Its evocation of a sinister French house, the corruption of love and the powerlessness of good is both haunting and chilling. Nobody contemporary writes about unhappy families as well as Sadie Jones. -- Amanda CraigThis gripping read drips with a menace that builds of the shocking final pages -- Joanne Finney * Good Housekeeping, *Book of the Month* *[A] menacing new contemporary thriller… a tantalising set-up, after which the plot zigzags unpredictably to a brutally stark finale that steals the breath -- Anthony Cummins * Metro *The Snakes has all of Jones’s trademark depth and layered storytelling -- Sarra Manning * Red *Sadie Jones… knows how to construct a narrative of great emotional power. Her prose is crisp and precise, studded with spiky observations -- Andrew Taylor * Spectator *An all-encompassing read from the first page to the devastating final paragraph -- Alice O’Keeffe * The Bookseller *The ending is devastating -- Jeffrey Burke * Mail on Sunday *Unsettling, thought-provoking and beautifully written, you won’t be able to get this out of your head -- Caroline Robb * Heat *Jones’s style is immediate and lively and she is particularly good at dialogue, which she uses a great deal, often to advance the fast-paced plot -- Elisa Seagrave * Literary Review *The Snakes unfolds in clean, functional prose and Jones has a lot to say about the way we live now -- Johanna Thomas-Corr * Evening Standard *Determined to escape the nine-to-five monotony, Bea and Dan head to France to visit Bea’s wayward brother Alex, who runs a hotel where the only guests are snakes in the attic. The peace is shattered when Bea’s parents arrive, bringingconflict and misery. From a sedate start, Jones deftly builds the tension to a horrific and powerful conclusion. * The Telegraph *Jones’s fifth novel is a fantastic read as a thriller, but where Jones excels, is in her microscopic yet compassionate scrutiny of relationships: the unconditional doting of a flawed sibling; the sickening toxicity of a vicious but powerful parent; the watchful care and explosions of irritation between spouses -- Maria Crawford * Financial Times, *Summer Reads of 2019* *Deliciously wicked... the perfect antidote to a relaxing summer's day... hypnotic -- like staring into the serpent's eyes just before it strikes -- Ron Charles * Washington Post *Both a cautionary tale and a pitch-black race-to-the-end thriller -- Justine Jordon * Guardian, *Books of the Year* *Sadie Jones is a talented writer. She is able to burrow down into the heart of feelings and yet does so in a matter of fact way. The ending shocked me… [The Snakes is] the sort of read I could spend ages thinking about what lies beneath the story of greed, wealth, jealousy and flawed family relationships -- Nicola Smith * NB *

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Book Synopsis'You'll be gripped' HeatSHE LIED TO PROTECT A KILLER. NOW THERE'S NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE. . . The morning after a great storm, a woman arrives in a remote Cornish village.But Charlie, as she now calls herself, steers clear of the locals and keeps a low profile - because she has a terrible secret. Recently released from prison after providing a false alibi for the man she loved, Charlie wants to move on and start afresh. But someone, somewhere, is watching her, determined that she will never get that second chance.Perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Alex Michaelides and Harriet Tyce_____________________'Clever plotting, a hugely confident sense of place, and more suspects than you can shake a stick at' Caz Frear, bestselling author of Sweet Little Lies'Revenge is a dish served with lashings of relish in this vivid, blackly comic suspense novel' Louise Candlish on Sticks and StonesTrade ReviewNerve-wrackingly tense and paranoia-inducing, with a sense of unease that just won't let go. I loved every minute!You'll be gripped by just who is out to get Charlie - and why * HEAT *A queasily unsettling thriller is suffused with menace. * Sunday Mirror *An excellent, page-turning psychological suspense novel with a great plot and an engaging protagonist! Kept me guessing to the end -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlI was absolutely gripped by this tale of secrets, lies, and the impossibility of running away from your past. I struggled to put this book down. Fantastic! -- Luca Veste, author of The Bone Keeper

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Book Synopsis'A SUSPENSEFUL MYSTERY...DEEPLY MOVING AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY AFFECTING' ALEX MICHAELIDES, AUTHOR OF THE SILENT PATIENT PRAISE FOR KEEP HIM CLOSE:'A tense drama' Sunday Times'A beautiful and heart-breaking story that I can't stop thinking about. Simply stunning.' Jo Jakeman, author of Safe House'Powerfully written and packs a real emotional punch.' Cara Hunter, author of Close to Home'A magnetic, all consuming read. A heart-breaking suspense which deals with love in all its forms.'Gytha Lodge, author of She Lies in Wait_____________________________ONE SON LIED. ONE SON DIED.Alice's son is dead. Indigo's son is accused of murder.Indigo is determined to prove her beloved Kane is innocent. She is helped by a kind stranger who takes an interest in her situation. But little does she know that her new friend has her own agenda...Alice can't tell Indigo who she really is. She wants to understand why her son was killed. But how long will it take for Indigo to discover her identity? And what other secrets will come out as she digs deeper?No one knows a son like his mother. But neither Alice nor Indigo know the whole truth about their boys, and what happened between them on that fateful night.Trade ReviewKeep Him Close was a magnetic, all-consuming read. A heart-breaking suspense which deals with love in all its forms, however it is expressed. * Gytha Lodge, author of She Lies in Wait *A moving account of family relationships and mainly low-level but devastating criminality -- Natasha Cooper * Literary Review *Keep Him Close isn't just a suspenseful mystery about two women's determination to discover the truth about the night that left one of their sons dead. It's also a really well-written, deeply moving and psychologically affecting study of motherhood and heartbreak. Highly recommended. * Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient *Powerfully written and packs a real emotional punch. * Cara Hunter, author of Close to Home *A gripping, dark domestic drama with motherhood at its heart. Beautifully written and emotionally charged, the characters leaped off the page and stayed with me. * Ruth Mancini, author of In the Blood *

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Book SynopsisPERFECT WIFE. PERFECT KILLER?‘A masterly psychological web of people on the edge and the devils that lie beneath their apparent respectability. Engrossing’ Guardian Susie Harriot, a respected psychiatrist, has been convicted of the brutal murder of a serial killer in her care. It looks certain that she will be given a life sentence, depriving her of her home, her family and her two-year-old daughter. Susie’s husband, Lachlan, is convinced she is innocent and is desperate to prove it. Each night, he climbs the stairs to her study and goes through her papers – her case notes, her interviews, and the press cuttings from the trial. But the more Lachlan discovers, the more he suspects that his wife has been hiding a dark secret.Trade ReviewOne of the most exciting writers to have emerged in Britain for years -- Ian RankinQuite simply brilliant... Mina springs a number of surprises, not least the terrific ending * Observer *A masterly psychological web of people on the edge and the devils that lie beneath their apparent respectability. Engrossing * Guardian *Something special... A tour de force * Times Literary Supplement *A gem of a novel. One of those sharp, shrewd, incisive stories that sneaks under your skin and stays there for days. Read it: you'll be glad you did * Glasgow Herald *

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Book SynopsisAll that Dora Riley wants is her husband home safe for Christmas… The Nightingale Hospital, London, 1944: With her husband Nick away fighting, Dora struggles to keep the home fires burning and is put in charge of a ward full of German prisoners of war. Can she find it in her heart to care for her enemies? Fellow nurse Kitty thinks she might be falling for a German soldier, whilst Dora’s old friend Helen returns from Europe with a dark secret. Can the women overcome their prejudices and the troubles of their past to do their duty for their country?Trade ReviewThe new Nightingales Christmas novel from the Sunday Times top ten bestselling author of Nightingales Under the Mistletoe. Set during the Second World War.All that Dora Riley wants is her husband home safe for Christmas… The Nightingale Hospital, London, 1944: With her husband Nick away fighting, Dora struggles to keep the home fires burning and is put in charge of a ward full of German prisoners of war. Can she find it in her heart to care for her enemies? Fellow nurse Kitty thinks she might be falling for a German soldier, whilst Dora’s old friend Helen returns from Europe with a dark secret. Can the women overcome their prejudices and the troubles of their past to do their duty for their country? * from the publisher's description *A must for fans of Call the Midwife or for anyone who enjoys stories set on the home-front in WW2 * Frost Magazine *Compelling, emotional and as gripping as ever * Bookish Jottings *A lovely page-turner * Prima *

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Book SynopsisTHE NINTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANAfter the death of her parents in a bombing raid, Mary Jones discovers a secret in the pages of father’s diaries. Her search for the truth brings her to Cliffehaven on the south coast. Here, she finds work at the Kodak factory, sifting through the Airgraphs which are being sent from all over the world by the men and women in the armed forces, and by their loved ones. All the while she longs for news of her own sweetheart, fighting in Europe. With the help of Peggy Reilly and her family at Beach View Boarding House Mary starts to build a new life for herself. But events that happened eighteen years before still echo, and should a promise Peggy made then be broken, it will have a devastating affect not only on Mary, but them all…A fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean's bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called the Beach View Boarding House series).Trade ReviewTHE NINTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANAfter the death of her parents in a bombing raid, Mary Jones discovers a secret in the pages of father’s diaries. Her search for the truth brings her to Cliffehaven on the south coast. * From the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisFans of David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James will devour this intensely addictive and adrenalin-fuelled thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick - the UK's answer to Harlan Coben.'Brutal, bruising and brilliant' -- The Sun'Has enough breakneck action and suspense to be a real page turner' -- Sunday Mirror'An enthralling, twisted and absolutely unputdownable read' -- ***** Reader review'Thrilling, gripping, shocking and a complete page-turner. I literally couldn't put it down' -- ***** Reader review'I had to finish the book and did so in the early hours' -- ***** Reader review'Fast paced and gripping from the start - absolutely loved it' -- ***** Reader review'My pulse rate has finally returned to normal. What a fantastic ending to an excellent book' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************SEVEN VICTIMS. THREE KILLERS. ONE DEADLY SECRET.A house deep in the countryside where the remains of seven unidentified women have just been discovered.A cop ready to risk everything in the hunt for their killers.A man who has seen the murders and is now on the run in fear of his life.So begins the race to track down this witness before the killers do.For Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd, the road ahead is a dangerous one, with bodies and betrayal at every turn...Trade ReviewBrutal, bruising and brilliant * The Sun *Has enough breakneck action and suspense to be a real page turner * Sunday Mirror *Builds pace and tension, till you’re fit to burst … a fine crime thriller that leaves wiggle room for another in the series * Sunday Sport *Kernick has an enviable knack of turning out readable police thrillers with great action scenes, engaging characters and a strong storyline, and The Hanged Manis no exception. * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisIf you like David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James, you'll love this frighteningly tense, spine-tingling thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick - the UK's answer to Harlan Coben. "Witty, scary, fast-moving and outrageous" -- THE TIMES"Simon Kernick is one of the most reliable purveyors of the edge-of-your-seat thriller... a more powerful adrenaline rush than an EpiPen" -- SUNDAY EXPRESS'Fabulous' -- ***** Reader review'Kernick does it again!' -- ***** Reader review'A great thrill ride' -- ***** Reader review'Another fast-paced masterclass from Simon Kernick' -- ***** Reader review*************************************************************************************EVEN THE PERFECT LIFE CAN SHATTER IN SECONDSYou have it all. Success, a beautiful home, a happy family. Until, in a heartbeat, it's gone.We've kidnapped your daughter, and we know everything about you. Including the dark secrets from your past you thought were forgotten.We tell you not to contact the police - and that we'll know if you do. Because we can see you.And now you know this is no ordinary abduction. It's worse. Within hours you're on the run, with only one thought in your head:That you will stop at nothing to get your daughter back.Even murder...Trade ReviewAn emotionally punchy domestic noir blended with the pace and action of a high-octane thriller WE CAN SEE YOU will keep you breathlessly on the edge of your seat wondering which character you can trust, if any at all, until the final brilliant twist! A #WTFthatending indeed! * Sarah Pinborough *Simon Kernick writes great plots, great characters, great action -- Lee ChildSimon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenSimon Kernick is one of the most reliable purveyors of the edge-of-your-seat thriller... gives a more powerful adrenaline rush than an EpiPen -- Jake Kerridge * Sunday Express *A pacy California-set thriller, with a body count that rises along with the tension levels. * Sunday Mirror *

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Book SynopsisFrom Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Kernick - the UK's answer to Harlan Coben - The Bone Field is a blood pressure raising thriller: fast-paced, full of thrills, spills and unrelenting action. Perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Stuart MacBride and Peter James, this is high energy, action-packed reading that'll keep your heart-rate high and your attention glued to the pages ...'Hang on tight!' - HARLAN COBEN'Breathless' - Sunday Times'An addictive thriller full of gritty details and fast frenetic action.' - Sunday Mirror'Oh My Days....What. A. Story' -- ***** Reader review'Hit the ground running, action from word one to the very end' -- ***** Reader review'Wow - what a fab, action-packed thriller' -- ***** Reader review'Storytelling at its best' -- ***** Reader review'Gripping story line where you say to yourself just one more page and I'll go to sleep and before you realise it a couple of hours have passed' -- ***** Reader review*************************************************************************SOME CRIMES CAN TAKE A LIFETIME TO AVENGE...1990A young woman goes missing while backpacking in Thailand. She is never seen again.2016Her bones are discovered 6000 miles away in an English field and, within hours, the boyfriend who reported her disappearance all those years ago is dead.So begins a hunt to solve her murder that will take DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd into a dark and terrifying world of corruption and deadly secrets, where murder is commonplace, and nothing and nobody is safe...Trade ReviewA NEW TWIST TO A DECADES OLD MYSTERY1990A young woman goes missing while backpacking in Thailand.She is never seen again.2016Her bones are discovered 6000 miles away in an English field and, within hours, the boyfriend who reported her disappearance all those years ago is dead.So begins a hunt to solve her murder that will take DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd into a dark and terrifying world of corruption and deadly secrets, where murder is commonplace, and nothing and nobody is safe… * from the publisher's description *Hang on tight! -- Harlan CobenA potent cocktail of thrills * Guardian *Keeps the action breakneck * Time Out *Doesn't let up till the very last * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisA tragic accident. A blackmail plot. A house of cards.And murder.In his late father's house, Carl finds a hoard of pills, 'wonder drugs' and herbal remedies. He sells a box of slimming pills to his close friend Stacey.She dies.And Carl's new tenant is now scheming to blackmail him, imposing more and more demands on an increasingly unstable Carl, pushing him to the point of no return..._________________________Ruth Rendell's final novel is a dark and atmospheric tale of psychological suspense, full of mistaken identity, kidnap, blackmail, and a cast of normal people driven to do abnormal things. Infused with her distinctive blend of wry humour, acute observation and deep humanity, this is Rendell at her most memorable and best.Trade ReviewHer absence is keenly felt. But we do have this mesmeric book . . . It’s a felicitous last hurrah for Rendell -- Barry Forshaw * Independent, Books of the Year *It enjoyably and honourably concludes Rendell's six decades of exploring the death force that, as her last book demonstrates, may be triggered in unexpected people and places. - Mark Lawson * Guardian, Books of the Year *Dark Corners is written in a deceptively simple manner, and at times it reads like a twisted fairytale. It leaves an uneasiness behind like a dark stain on the consciousness . . . The violence of Dark Corners is the violence that stems from the mundane and the ordinary, and it is all the more frightening because of that. * Independent *Everything that makes Rendell's work so memorable - gothic but believable people and plots, simple yet vivid prose, peerlessly rendered settings, and fear and despair as the twin ‘parents’ of violence - is in evidence here. * Publishers Weekly *Another of Rendell’s penetrating studies of ordinary people trapped in extraordinary circumstances . . . her countless admirers will seize on it with delight. * Literary Review *Cunningly wrought . . . a triumph . . . the ending is perfect – a fitting full stop at the end of a great career. * Mail on Sunday *From the impressive variety of tones and styles to which she had access as a writer, Rendell chose for Dark Corners black comedy that echoes Muriel Spark . . . [Dark Corners] enjoyably and honourably concludes Rendell's six decades of exploring the death force that, as her last book demonstrates, may be triggered in unexpected people and places. * Guardian *The late Ruth Rendell put a permanent stamp on crime fiction with 65 novels of screw-twisting suspense, written under both her own name and the pseudonym Barbara Vine. The posthumously published DARK CORNERS is a worthy final entry in her body of work * The Wall Street Journal *It’s a Rendell ‘stand-alone’ – a pitch-black thriller. * The Times *A gripping story . . . You will feel the authentic Rendell prickle of fear as you realise how easily a mis-step could plunge you into a situation like [the protagonist’s]. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisSix bodies are found on a Swedish mountain - and a cold case rapidly heats up...FROM THE ACCLAIMED CREATORS OF WALLANDER and THE BRIDGESix skeletons on a mountainside. The relics of a terrible crime committed long ago.For Sebastian Bergman, that just makes the investigation into who they are, who killed them, and why, even more complex. At first the investigation was a chance to escape his ex-girlfriend and spend some time with his daughter, Vanja. An opportunity to try and build a relationship with her before it's too late.But soon he finds that he's more involved than he would ever want to be. And his personal life is horribly, disastrously tangled up in it all . . .Trade ReviewStunning … This is a complex and compelling novel that invites comparison with Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy. * Sunday Times *Fans of Scandinavian TV dramas and clever thrillers will love The Man Who Wasn’t There… I can guarantee it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. * CultureFly *It’s as good as Scandi lovers could imagine. * Peterborough evening Telegraph *The Man Who Wasn’t There isn’t just a good chunky novel – it’s a book that scores top marks for character plot and quality writing. * The Crime Wrap *

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Book SynopsisIf you like nail-biting tension, all-guns-blazing action and high-octane drama, then this historical adventure novel from multi-million copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman is perfect for you. Fans of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith will not be disappointed.'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' - Sunday Times'A terrific nautical yarn from one of the best Naval authors' -- ***** Reader review'Another romping good yarn by my favourite author. The only trouble is when I start reading, its hard to put it down :-)' -- ***** Reader review'A must read' -- ***** Reader review***********************************************************************************The Allies are poised for the invasion of Italy.Yet the Germans hold a vital card: a floating dock - the only one in the Adriatic large enough to take a major warship. Moored at a small port near Rimini, it is exposed, vulnerable.It must be destroyed before the Germans can tow it to a safer harbour. Air, surface and conventional submarine attacks are out of the question.Only one team can do the job and still stand a chance of surviving - the crew of HM Midget Submarine XE 51...

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Book SynopsisThe Store doesn't just want your money – it wants your soul.The Store is history's most powerful retailer. It can deliver anything to your door, using your data to anticipate needs and desires you didn't even know you had.Most people are fine with that. But for Jacob and Megan, writers whose livelihood is on the brink of extinction, The Store is the enemy – and it's fighting dirty.Going undercover to expose The Store's dirty secrets, their investigation could change the American way of life – but as they make a series of unsettling discoveries, their worst fears start to look like a best-case scenario.Harbouring a secret that could get him killed, Jacob knows he must escape The Store's watchful eye and publish the truth.Because otherwise, the truth dies with him.

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Book SynopsisSt. Peter's Square, Rome. White smoke signals that a new Pope has been chosen.The world is watching as massive crowds gather in Rome, waiting for news of a new Pope. It's a turning point that could change the Catholic Church for ever, as one of the rumoured candidates, Brigid Fitzgerald, would be the first female Pope in history. But Brigid has made a legion of powerful enemies and is a target for all those who fear that the Church has lost its way – dangerous adversaries who won’t accept challenges to tradition.Locked in a deadly, high-stakes battle with forces determined to undermine her, Brigid must confront her enemies before she loses everything... including her life.

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Book Synopsis**A Sunday Times TOP TEN BESTSELLER** THE FOURTH BOOK IN THE ANDEE LAWRENCE SERIESThe SHOCKING new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis. You might forgive, but can you forget? 'A master storyteller' Diane Chamberlain*********Andee Lawrence is in heaven. Well, the South of France to be exact. Ex-detective Andee has swapped freelance investigation and a broken marriage, for two months in Provence, renovating a beautiful villa with the new man in her life. Pottering around a small picturesque town on an early summer's day, she is at peace. But her world is about to be shattered. 'Remember me?' Two words spoken by a woman from the back of a car that say so much yet reveal so little. As the car drives away Andee is left reeling, overwhelmed by shock, confusion, self-doubt and mounting trepidation. Almost thirty years ago, fourteen year old Penny had disappeared from her family's life, never to be heard from again. It is the missing child case that has haunted Andee her whole life; And now Penny - Andee's sister - is back. The question is: why?Trade ReviewTHE FOURTH BOOK IN THE ANDEE LAWRENCE SERIES. The SHOCKING new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis. You might forgive, but can you forget? Almost thirty years ago, fourteen year old Penny had disappeared from her family's life, never to be heard from again. It is the missing child case that has haunted Andee her whole life; And now Penny - Andee's sister - is back.The question is: why? * from the publisher's description *Explosive * My Weekly *A crime story wound up in supernatural, nerve-jangling creepiness * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *It grips, grabs and pummels your emotions. * The Connexion *Harvey employs an admirable and quite subtle writing style that is economical and yet detailed. * On: Yorkshire Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTHE BRAND NEW NIGHTINGALES NOVELBY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA DOUGLAS***It's Christmas, 1945. The war is over, but its scars remain. Matron Kathleen Fox has the job of putting the Nightingale Hospital back together. But memories and ghosts of those lost fill the bomb-damaged buildings, and she wonders if she is up to the task.In the name of festive cheer Kathleen decides to put on a Christmas Show for the patients. The idea is greeted with mixed feelings by the nurses, who are struggling with their own post-war problems. And the newly-formed rivalry between newcomer Assistant Matron Charlotte Davis and ward sister Violet Tanner isn't helping matters.As rehearsals begin however, it seems the show isn't just a tonic for the patients - could the Nightingale Christmas Show be just what the doctor ordered for the nurses too?

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Book Synopsis'When she's writing about her beloved Venice, Donna Leon can do no wrong. And Earthly Remains, her new mystery featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is one of her best. It's also one of her saddest, dealing as it does with the seemingly unstoppable polluting of the great lagoon . . . Leon dares to try, once again earning the gratitude of her devoted readers.' New York TimesA New York Times BestsellerA New York Times Top Ten Crime Novel of 2017A New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceAn Amazon Best Book of the Month (Mystery)__________________________________Granted leave from the Questura, Commissario Guido Brunetti decides to finally take a well-earned break and visit Sant'Erasmo, one of the largest islands in the Venetian laguna. The recuperative stay goes according to plan until Davide Casati, the mysterious caretaker of the villa Brunetti has been staying in, goes missing following a sudden storm. Nobody can find him - not his daughter, not his friends, and not the woman he's been secretly visiting . . . Convinced that this was no accident, Brunetti feels compelled to set aside his holiday and discover what happened to the man who had recently become his friend.Trade ReviewWhen she's writing about her beloved Venice, Donna Leon can do no wrong. And Earthly Remains, her new mystery featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti, is one of her best. It's also one of her saddest, dealing as it does with the seemingly unstoppable polluting of the great lagoon . . . Leon dares to try, once again earning the gratitude of her devoted readers. * New York Times *Donna Leon’s recreation of Venice and her depiction of the series’ core characters … is, as always in this long-running series, a triumph. * Literary Review *Leon has done for Venice what Morse did for Oxford, or Aurelio Zen for Rome … Leon is a wonderful writer, the sentences as beautifully crafted as the puparin Casati’s father had long ago built. * The Arts Desk *The latest - and 26th - instalment in the best-selling Commissario Brunetti series will not need any recommendation for those familiar with Leon’s accomplished detective series. * RTÉ Guide *I sometimes find it difficult to review Donna Leon's books with any original comment as they are consistently good. However, this is an excellent example and as with all her other books I have read, comes highly recommended. * Crimesquad *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHORChosen as one of Amazon's Best Thrillers and Mysteries of 2019'A tsunami of a thriller. This may well be Gardner’s best work' - DAVID BALDACCI_______________One death might be an accident.Two deaths looks like murder.A man is shot dead in his own home, and his pregnant wife, Evie, is found with the gun in her hands.Detective D.D. Warren instantly recognises her. Sixteen years ago, Evie also shot her own father. That killing was ruled an accident.D.D. doesn’t believe in coincidences. But this case isn’t as open and shut as it first appears, and her job is to discover the truth.Evie might be a victim.Or she might be about to get away with murder again._______________'Never Tell is raw, visceral, emotional, the sentences come at you like MP5 rounds, and features three incredible characters, D.D., Flora and Evie, who, alone, could carry any narrative.' - DAVID BALDACCI'Lisa Gardner has outdone herself with this powerful novel about three women, two murders, and uncountable secrets! From its stunning opening to its last thrilling page, Never Tell will captivate, surprise,and satisfy you.'- LISA SCOTTOLINE'Never Tell shocks the system like ten thousand volts. D.D. Warren’s most gripping case yet. Brace yourself, gulp down a deep breath, and dive in.' - A.J. FINN'Nail-biting ... Gardner’s commendable storytelling will keep fans eagerly waiting for the next outing for D.D. and Flora' - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'In her latest nail-biter Never Tell, Lisa Gardner knows just what her readers want and how to give it to them.' - REAL BOOK SPYTrade ReviewNever Tell is raw, visceral, emotional, the sentences come at you like MP5 rounds, and features three incredible characters, D.D., Flora and Evie, who, alone, could carry any narrative. Together, they create A TSUNAMI OF A THRILLER. This may well be Gardner’s best work, and that is saying something. * David Baldacci *Lisa Gardner has outdone herself with this powerful novel about three women, two murders, and uncountable secrets! From its stunning opening to its last thrilling page, Never Tell will captivate, surprise,and satisfy you. * Lisa Scottoline *Never Tell shocks the system like ten thousand volts. D.D. Warren’s most gripping case yet. Brace yourself, gulp down a deep breath, and dive in. * A.J. Finn *In her latest nail-biter Never Tell, Lisa Gardner knows just what her readers want and how to give it to them. * Real Book Spy *This career-best thriller from the bestseller will keep you up into the wee small hours ... the twists just keep coming * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisVINTAGE CLASSICS' AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIESSpine-tingling, mind-altering and deliciously atmospheric, journey into the dark side of America with nine of its most uncanny classics.'Sleep Donation has a dreamlike beauty while remaining ominous and off-kilter. Parts of it gave me nightmares' Stephen KingAn epidemic of insomnia has left America crippled with exhaustion.Thankfully the Slumber Corps agency provides a lifeline, transfusing sleep to sufferers from healthy volunteers. Recruitment manager Trish Edgewater, whose sister Dori was one of the first victims of the disaster, has spent the last seven years enlisting new donors. But when she meets the mysterious Donor Y and Baby A - whose sleep can be universally accepted - her faith in the organisation and in her own motives begins to unravel.Fully illustrated and featuring a brand-new 'Nightmare Appendix', this uncanny and prescient novella from the bestselling author of Swamplandia! will haunt your sleepless nights.

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Book SynopsisBitter and impassioned, The Tin Drum delivers a scathing dissection of Germany and Poland under the Nazis.On his third birthday Oskar decides to stop growing. Haunted by the deaths of his parents and wielding his tin drum Oskar recounts the events of his extraordinary life; from the long nightmare of the Nazi era to his anarchic adventures in post-war Germany.''Grass is one of the master fabulists of our age'' The TimesTRANSLATED BY BREON MITCHELLWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHORThis series of war novels from Vintage Classics presents eight powerful stories about the horror and waste of war - each a passionate plea to prevent its repetition.

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author Diney Costeloe, a young woman fights to save a treasured war memorial and uncovers a tragic story that reverberates from World War I to the present day. 'This is our secret, pet. You mustn't tell anyone about us planting this tree for dad. It's our secret.' 1921. In the sleepy village of Charlton Ambrose, eight ash trees stand as a timeless memorial to the men killed in the Great War. On a dark and chilly night, a ninth tree appears. Who planted it and why? And who was 'the unknown soldier' for whom it is marked? 2001. Eighty years later, the memorial is under threat from developers. Local reporter, Rachel Elliott, is determined to save it, and to solve the mystery of the ninth tree. The trail will take her into the dark heart of her own family history; to a great, but tragic, love; and to a secret that has been kept since the war to end all wars. Published in ebook as THE NURSES OF ST CROIX. What readers are saying about THE LOST SOLDIER: 'I didn't want it to end. It is beautifully written and pulls on every emotional string in our bodies' 'I loved reading this... Diney Costeloe is a fabulous author... I really felt as though I was living the story with the characters. I definitely recommend this book!' 'Diney Costeloe is an awesome writer, all her books are just wonderful and unputdownable'.Trade ReviewA powerful and moving account of the brutality of war itself -- Tony BennThis book bears powerful witness to a grave injustice -- Martin BellDiney Costeloe has tackled an important subject. We should never forget this terrible injustice -- John Humphrys

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Book SynopsisTHE RUNAWAY FAMILY was previously published as EVIL ON THE WIND. From bestselling author Diney Costeloe, a gritty drama about a mother's struggle to protect her family and escape Nazi persecution in World War Two Germany. Germany 1937: Fear and betrayal stalk the streets. People disappear. Persecution of the Jews has become a national pastime. When Ruth Friedman's husband is arrested by the SS, she is left to fend for herself and her four children. She alone stands as their shield against the Nazis. But where can she go? Where will her family be safe? Ruth must overcome the indifference, hatred and cruelty that surrounds her as she and her family race to escape the advancing Nazi army's final solution. What readers are saying about THE RUNAWAY FAMILY: 'A powerful and moving account of the dark era of Germany's history... A story which needed to be told and should be read by people of all ages' 'I personally loved this book... A harrowing insight into the lives of a young Jewish family at the beginning of Hitler's reign of terror... A sound reminder of man's inhumanity to man!' 'My university studies had to go on hold for a while because I couldn't put it down!' 'Another great story by Diney Costeloe'

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Book SynopsisThe stunning prequel to Victim Without a Face. TWO COUNTRIES IN THE GRIP OF WINTER. On the coldest day of the year, Sweden's Minister for Justice steps into a blizzard – and disappears. Who has taken him? That same night, across the Baltic Sea, a Danish celebrity is at her home, locked in and cut off from the snow. Then she hears footsteps in her living room. Who is in her house? TWO KILLERS STALK THE STREETS. The police are soon hunting two different murderers. One is a surgeon who carefully dissects his victims. The other is a brutal predator who targets random women. Police in Stockholm and Copenhagen are closing in on their suspects. But as winter darkens and more people die, their investigations begin to unravel. SOMETIMES MURDER IS JUST THE BEGINNING... REVIEWS FOR STEFAN AHNHEM: 'Atmospheric and complicated [...] with great cop characters and some imaginatively grisly perps' Sunday Times (star pick). 'More gripping than Jo Nesbo, blacker than Stieg Larsson and more bleakly human than Henning Mankell' Tony Parsons. 'Epic in scale and ambition' Daily Mail. 'An intense journey, with an intricate plot... Ahnhem has mastered atmosphere, pacing and intrigue' Crime Review. 'Masterly plotting, grisly murders and chilling suspense: Stefan Ahnhem keeps the threads of this complex, two-country narrative pulled tense' Better Reading.Trade ReviewMore gripping than Jo Nesbo, blacker than Stieg Larsson and more bleakly human than Henning Mankell -- Tony ParsonsAtmospheric and complicated... with great cop characters and some imaginatively grisly perps' * Star Pick - The Sunday Times *wedish crime writer of the year. Bliss' 'Books to Look For * Irish Times *Grips like a vice * Irish Independent *Ahnhem's story is as bleak as the depths of a Nordic winter, as gory as a charnel house, and as far removed from the concept of Scandinavian hygge comfort as can be imagined, but still grips like a vice * Belfast Telegraph *It's time for most Scandinavian crime novelists to step aside and for readers of such to look up. Stefan Ahnhem has arrived and he's terrifically compelling... A gripping page-turner of the highest order' -- CJ BoxA tightly plotted, page-turner of a crimefest, with just enough gore to keep things ticking along... Scandi crime fans are in for a treat with this one' * Connaught Telegraph *Masterful plot, grisly murders and chilling suspense * Better Reading *A very complex novel... gripping, graphic and gruesome' * Woman's Way. *A very good read that will chill you to the bone * Canberra Weekly. *Dark, scary and intensely creepy * RTÉ Guide *An intense journey, with an intricate plot and overall a satisfying conclusion... Ahnhem is a debut author who has already mastered atmosphere, pacing and intrigue' * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisThey say the girls were witches. But Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, is sure they were innocent victims... London, 1758: Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, has found a position at St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. The charity is supported by a wealthy merchant who offers the most promising girls steady work in his factory. But when seven girls go missing, Beatrice is uneasy. Their would-be benefactor claims they were a coven of witches, beholden only to Satan and his demonic misdeeds. But Beatrice is convinced something much darker than witchcraft is at play...Trade ReviewFans of Masterton's unflinching Katie Maguire det-fic [...] may wish to venture into the past with the author, where his craft as a bestselling horror writer is given freer rein * The Sunday Times Crime Club *[Scarlet Widow and The Coven] are amazing mystery thrillers that will have you hooked from page 1 * Love Books Group *Highlights the conflict between superstition and science which underpinned just about everything three hundred years ago - and also tells a graphic, fast-moving tale with a large element of horror threaded through the battle between good and evil. Beatrice Scarlet is a heroine of her own time who could teach a lesson or two to women of ours * Promoting Crime Fiction *

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Book SynopsisAN ABANDONED CHILD A young girl has been found in a deserted cemetery. She speaks a foreign language, and she cries for her mother. But nobody claims her. Nobody knows who she is. A MURDERED BEGGAR On the streets of Cork, homeless men and women are being murdered. It's up to DS Katie Maguire to find out. A CRUSADER AGAINST CRUELTY Katie's fiancé is embroiled in a dangerous battle: against illegal dog fighting, a black market run by Ireland's most fearsome gangs. When the investigations collide, who will Katie save first? She knows that for those left behind, there's only one choice: START BEGGING TO DIE.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE KATIE MAGUIRE SERIES: 'One of this country's most exciting crime novelists... if you have not read one, read them all now' Daily Mail. 'A first-class thriller, written with style... readers who don't know the Maguire novels should change that right now' Booklist. 'A tough and gritty thriller with an attractively feisty principle character' * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisAn unputdownable novel about marriage, secrets and lies - perfect for fans of Claire DouglasShe thought she trusted her husband with her life; but a lot can happen in a weekHandsome doctor Matthew Delaney and his wife Nicole have a perfect life. So when Matthew suddenly vanishes, Nicole is in shock. As Nicole searches for answers, she uncovers a trail of deceit leading straight to the mysterious Glasshouse a staggering palatial home constructed out of cut glass and icy granite, clinging to the hillside in a gravity defying show of power and wealth. But the more Nicole learns about the Glasshouse and all its secrets, the more she begins to doubt her husband. Matthew's words before he disappeared were so reassuring, but now they are simply chillingTrust me, Nic, I'll fix this.'A jaw-dropping psychological thriller full of twists you won't see coming, from the bestselling author of Close to Me, now a major TV seriesA story that twists and turns at whip-cracking pace and you can never be quite sure who to believe - this had me guessing to the very end! 5*' Nikki Smith'The twists come thick and fast in this propulsive new thriller from Amanda Reynolds ... A dark, knotty novel that keeps you gripped until it unravels itself.' TJ Emerson'This thriller is fantastic, the more I read, the more shocked I became' ????? Reader review'I was instantly fascinated by the story. I loved the writing style and I honestly could not untangle the web of lies' ????? Reader review'Wow this book was so good I ended up reading it all day. Just excellent' ????? Reader review'I was definitely engrossed. Is Matt alive? What are his secrets?? 💯 per cent recommend' ????? Reader review

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Book SynopsisBenedict Cumberbatch reads these four new Sherlock Holmes stories by John Taylor'An Inscrutable Masquerade'/ 'The Conundrum of Coach 13'/ 'The Trinity Vicarage Larceny'/ 'The 10.59 Assassin'Inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes stories, John Taylor has written four more mysteries featuring the world’s greatest detective. Read by acclaimed actor Benedict Cumberbatch, these new adventures share all the suspense of the original tales.In a drawer in his bureau, Dr Watson keeps a locked cedarwood chest – a ‘box of secrets’. It contains an archive of notes referring to some of Holmes’ cases that, for one reason or another, never saw the light of day. Now, for the first time, Watson has decided to reveal the truth to the world... In these four thrilling stories, Holmes experiments with the science of ballistics, locates some missing gold bullion, investigates the theft of a large amount of money and solves the baffling mystery of the Stovey murder.

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Book SynopsisThree complete radio dramas featuring writer-cum-amateur detective Paul Temple, plus bonus archive material. When it comes to classic crime partnerships, Paul Temple and his wife Steve are the crème de la crème. Between 1938 and 1968 their glamorous exploits enthralled generations of radio listeners around the world. Here, presented in chronological order, are some of the amateur detective's earliest adventures. 'Send for Paul Temple' (1940) is an early remake of the now-lost original 1938 BBC production. 'Paul Temple Intervenes' (1942) finds Paul and Steve investigating a series of celebrity murders, whilst 'Paul Temple and the Vandyke Affair' (the original 1950 production, presented here for the very first time) concerns the strange disappearance of the Desmond baby and her sitter. Hugh Morton, Bernard Braden, Carl Bernard and Peter Coke play Paul in these episodes, with Bernadette Hodgson, Peggy Hassard and Marjorie Westbury as Steve. A bonus disc features rare archive material from otherwise lost productions, including the final episodes of 'Send for Paul Temple' (1938) and 'Paul Temple and the Front Page Men' (1938). Duration: 11 hours approx.

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Book SynopsisA BBC Radio 4 full-cast drama starring Derek Martin, the precursor to the popular TV series and novels. Jack Frost is disheveled, disorganised and disrespectful. His superiors don't like him. He has a habit of doing things his way – and getting results. But when Denton CID is faced with a spate of major crimes, Frost finds himself under pressure. A young woman becomes the sixth victim of a multiple rapist, a teenage girl goes missing, there's a robbery at the Purple Parrot nightclub, and an old man is injured in a hit-and-run. With all this on his plate, Frost has little time and less patience for paperwork – but if he doesn't submit the overtime reports, there will be hell to pay. Has Frost bitten off more than he can chew? A Touch of Frost gave rise to a hugely successful TV series that ran between 1992 and 2010. This gritty drama, first broadcast on Radio 4 in 1982, features Derek Martin as Jack Frost, with a supporting cast including Haydn Wood, Stephen Thorne and Alan Dudley. Classic Radio Crime: presenting vintage detectives for your investigation! Duration: 1 hour 25 mins approx.

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Book SynopsisThe Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Continues...Seven years after the death of Edward Hyde, a stylish gentleman shows up in foggy London claiming to be Dr Henry Jekyll. Only Mr Utterson, Jekyll’s faithful lawyer and confidant, knows that he must be an impostor – because Jekyll was Hyde. But as the man goes about charming Jekyll's friends and reclaiming his estate, and as the bodies of potential challengers start piling up, Utterson is left fearing for his life ... and questioning his own sanity. This brilliantly imagined and beautifully written sequel to one of literature's greatest masterpieces perfectly complements the original work. And where the original was concerned with the duality of man, this sequel deals with the possibility of identity theft of the most audacious kind. Can it really be that this man who looks and acts so precisely like Dr Henry Jekyll is an imposter?Trade ReviewPraise for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek:"A strange and wondrous tale – beautifully told." LIN ANDERSON "Fiendishly ingenious." RONALD FRAME "O'Neill infuses the narrative with suspense and meticulously researched detail. A gripping novel." KAITE WELSH "A clever and entertaining sequel that will leave Stevenson fans delighted." KEVIN MacNEIL "Dazzling in its own right." LESLEY McDOWELL

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Book SynopsisDCI Grace Macallan's career has hit a serious roadblock. When a covert police operation in Northern Ireland goes badly wrong, she s faced with a painful decision lie to save a young officer's career or tell the truth and ruin her own reputation. For Grace, there can be only one answer. Reassigned to the newly formed Lothian & Borders Major Crime Team, Grace Macallan is forced to rebuild her career and her reputation. But when a brutal attack on a prostitute turns into a series of murders, the Major Crime Team is under serious pressure. The tabloid headlines are lurid and the team badly needs a result. With a new life to build in a new city, a new boss as smooth as an 18-year-old malt and a very high profile lawyer as the chief suspect, Grace soon begins to wonder if telling the truth is always the right thing to do. What people are saying about Cause of Death:'A first-rate police procedural by someone who evidently knows what he s talking about.' HANIA ALLEN 'Audacious, Ritchie's street talk sizzles with wit and invention. Cause Of Death is engaging, eventful and original.' M.P. WRIGHT As the revelations and subsequent chaos threaten to tear the Major Crime Team apart, Grace must find a way to deal with a whole new set of issues and a new life she never really wanted.

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Book SynopsisAt a dark place in Edinburgh's heart, secrets refuse to lie dormant Grace Macallan is struggling to see a future for herself in the police. Working in Counter Corruption at Police Scotland, Grace finds herself torn between the shadows cast by old demons and the new sense of peace she finds with her family. DI Janet Hadden, a complex mix of professional talent, ruthless ambition and criminal risk taking in her private life, can't fail to escape Grace's notice. When Janet's desire for promotion is thwarted, she seeks out Dominic Grainger, an imposing presence in the Scottish underworld, to take her to the top. Then, in an armed incident near Tynecastle, Janet comes to the rescue of Davy `Tonto' McGill, and realises that she can use him to get to Dominic. But Tonto is small fry, manipulated by both sides to further their own dark ambitions. Beset by murder, corruption and duplicity, Grace is soon embroiled in a savage game of cat and mouse with colleagues and criminals alike.Trade ReviewPeter Ritchie pulls no punches with this gritty police procedural. A thoroughly absorbing read which drew me in from the first page. * The Herald *

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Book Synopsis'A beautiful sensory overload . . . I didn't want it to end.' - Kirstin Innes, bestselling author of Scabby QueenThree women. A deadly score to settle. EDINBURGH, 1791. Isobel Duguid and her friend, the famous castrato Clessidro, are stars of the Edinburgh Musical Society. Despite her cavalier attitude towards holding a tune, Clessidro's friendship and her own shocking murder ballads keep Isobel on stage and enjoying an opulent lifestyle in Auld Reekie. Yet one night a note arrives from the mysterious Mrs Abercorn, regarding Isobel's most notorious song, The Fiddler's Wrath. It's the tale of a prima donna who died of heartbreak after her husband committed murder and was sent to the gallows. Isobel is intrigued. But Mrs Abercorn's curiosity is far more than a fickle interest and the truth is more complicated than anyone could have imagined. As Isobel recounts rising through the social classes, her role in this ill-fated tune is brought to light, awakening the chilling retribution of a once buried secret. A story of betrayal, mystery, and the secrets some would die to protect. Perfect for fans of Patrick Süskind Perfume and Kate Foster's The Maiden. 'This glorious romp through the filth, greed and duplicity of 18th century Edinburgh is a feminist delight. Highly recommended.' - Mary Paulson-Ellis'A wildly original and alarmingly readable historical novel whose dark, blood-soaked narrative takes us by surprise at every turn.' - Andrew Taylor'Tales of opera singers and murderers, of cobbled streets and Old Town tenements, of audacious women and what can befall them. The writing is sublime, I loved every word.' - Elissa Soave

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Book SynopsisBrigitte Sharp is a brilliant but haunted young MI6 hacker. When she decodes encrypted online messages, which she believes are connected to her best friend's murder, Bridge uncovers evidence of a mole inside a top secret Anglo-French military drone project. Forced back into the field by MI6, after three years deskbound and in therapy, she discovers that the truth behind the Exphoria code is far worse than she could have imagined. Soon she's on the run, desperate and alone, as a nuclear terrorist plot unfolds around her...Trade Review`Anthony Johnston's first novel immediately establishes him as a fresh voice in spy thriller writing' - Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time, `Anthony Johnston's novel is one that could help to redefine the espionage thriller as a literary genre... In Brigitte Sharp, he has created the perfect, if reluctant, spy for this troubled modern age' - Shots magazine

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Book SynopsisIn The Exphoria Code, MI6 officer and elite hacker Brigitte Sharp foiled a terror attack on London that used stolen military drone software to deliver a 'dirty bomb'. Now Bridge is back, battling a series of hacks and ransom-ware attacks, masterminded by a hacker known only as 'Tempus', who is targeting politicians and government officials with impunity. Discovering that this campaign is linked to a cyber-attack on the London G20 summit, she is drawn into the dark-web world of crypto-currencies, Russian hackers and an African rebel militia. In another compelling cyber-thriller from the creator of Atomic Blonde, Bridge races against time to prevent a disaster that could alter the balance of global power forever.Trade Review'Johnston manages to make the world of "runtime executables" and "rootkits" thrilling - no mean feat - while also featuring car chases and old-fashioned mole-hunts on the streets of Tallinn' - The Times, 'Once again Antony Johnston shows his casual mastery of the thriller idiom. Brigitte Sharp is the most effective female espionage agent in fiction since Modesty Blaise' - Barry Forshaw, Crime Time, 'A breathless cat-and-mouse dance of shadowy operatives with mixed loyalties set against an evocative European background...delivers countless thrills and suspensions of the heartbeat' - Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time, 'Johnston has cracked the code on how to make a keyboard warrior into an exciting spy... Bridge is the hacker hero we didn't know we needed' - Spywrite, 'I have recently been reading a number of thrillers with strong female protagonists. The Tempus Project ranks as one of the best among them. [Delivering] a multi-faceted plot with complex characters and complicated relationships, Johnston takes his readers on both an international adventure and an intellectual experience' - Scintilla.Info , 'I love Brigitte! A fast-paced, fantastic read, full of twists and turns. If you like Mr Robot, this will definitely appeal' - Lecari's LiveJournal 2.0, 'Balancing action and technology, and making sense of cyber concepts in a refreshing way, Johnston has crafted an explosive thriller that excites on many levels' - Novel Novelist, 'It's an exciting ride, full of enough twists and turns to satisfy any thriller reader. The tension is played just right. The plot's intricate without becoming Byzantine. I can easily see myself coming back for another instalment' - Irresponsible Reader

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Book SynopsisWhen breakfast TV host and nation's darling Rosie Harper is found brutally murdered at home, suspicion falls on her spouse, formerly international football star, Danny 'walks on water' Mallard, now living out of the public eye as trans woman, Debbie. Not only must Debbie challenge the hard evidence against her, including her blood-drenched glove at the scene of the crime, she must also contend with the world's prejudices, as the trial is broadcast live. For someone trying to live their life without judgment, it might be too much to bear. Legal duo Judith Burton and Constance Lamb feel the pressure of public scrutiny as they strive to defend their most famous client yet. Another thought-provoking courtroom drama from the acclaimed author of the Burton & Lamb series.Trade Review'A gripping mystery, sensitively told' - The Times, 'Thought-provoking...the trial is genuinely enthralling. Silver's real achievement is in making issues that fascinate lawyers transparent, accessible and entertaining to readers' - Jewish Chronicle

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Book SynopsisWhen eminent psychiatrist Dr Liz Sullivan is found dead in her bed, suspicion falls on local gamer and YouTube celebrity Jaden 'JD' Dodds. Did he target her because of her anti-gaming views and the work she undertook to expose the dangers of playing online games? And what was her connection with Valiant, an independent game manufacturer about to hit the big time, and its volatile boss? Judith Burton and Constance Lamb team up once more to defend JD when no one else is on his side. But just because he makes a living killing people on screen doesn't mean he'd do it in real life. Or does it?Trade Review'A first-rate courtroom thriller' --Daily Mail (Pinocchio Brief) "A tense thriller wrought from a cutting edge subject"--Times (Cinderella Plan) "Rumpole of the Bailey, Kavanagh QC, Perry Mason - now joining their ranks is Judith Burton' --Jewish Chronicle

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Book SynopsisWhen burned-out investigative journalist Adam Budd's estranged mother dies, he inherits her estate. This includes Stone Heart House, a huge ramshackle mansion on a remote Scottish island. He visits the island to sort out her tangled affairs, and at first it seems like a charming haven of tranquillity. But after he witnesses a strange accident, he begins to develop suspicions about the inhabitants. Why does everyone seem so eerily calm, even under stress? What is stopping Harriet, the lawyer helping him with his affairs, from leaving the island when she so clearly wants to? Is he making a big mistake by falling for her? And why have so many children gone missing? Stone Heart Deep is a compelling and claustrophobic thriller with a remarkable twist, as if Iain Banks had rewritten The Wicker Man.Trade Review‘A rattling good thriller. Shades of The Wicker Man. Once I’d started reading I could not put it down’ Iain Maitland

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Book SynopsisWhen a renegade British officer steals plans for a high-tech weapon that could plunge whole cities into darkness, elite MI6 hacker Brigitte Sharp is sent to get them back. But her mission goes badly wrong. Meanwhile a 'deepfake' video of a senior US politician calling for race war in Europe sends a flood of Americans to join neofascist militias on the continent. The Russians nurse a ruthless grudge against a fugitive whistleblower. In the wings, the Chinese flex their muscles. Everything seems connected...but how? In her toughest challenge yet, Bridge ventures undercover into the heart of the mysterious Patrios network. Her task? To make sense of the growing chaos before darkness and bloodshed engulf Europe. If a powerful enemy doesn't get her first...Trade Review'The Patrios Network opens with a bang and doesn't let up. It's contemporary, lightning-paced and in the very top tier of spy fiction. Highly recommended' M.W. Craven; 'Johnston plunges cyber-spy Brigitte Sharp into another save-the-world scenario, this time tackling far right ideologues, nasty Russian villains, hi-tech super-weaponry and her own substantial demons. A deftly plotted fix for thriller junkies' Vaseem Khan; 'A cracking read: complex, zeitgeisty and entertaining' Paul Burke, True Crime

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Book SynopsisSome people would describe Beattie Bramshaw as a pillar of the community. Many would applaud her numerous successes in the bakery competition at the annual village show. A small number might say, if pushed, that they find her a little on the bossy side. And one or two might just whisper the words 'interfering' and 'busybody' behind her back. But no one would have her down as a murderer. So why is she being questioned in Dreighton police station after being found in the village allotments, at the dead of night, wielding a kitchen knife just yards away from where local lottery winner, Yvonne Richards, was found stabbed to death? And what does all of this have to do with Doug Sparrow's prize marrows?Trade Review'As addictive and glorious as a scrumptious cream tea!' Nicola May. It's a wonderful read - funny, clever, incisive and thoroughly entertaining. You really get the atmosphere of neighbourly hostility at the village show, and can hear the grinding of teeth when a certain person wins yet again. Constructed ingeniously...super writing, crafty inspiration and total success'. Books Are Cool. 'The ultimate funny cosy crime novel and a superbly written debut. It totally captures the summer village fe te feel and the whole atmosphere - murder aside - is joyous. Beattie Bramshaw is one of the best literary characters I've encountered this year. Marrow Jam is a truly lovely read'. A Little Bright Corner. 'Get ready for the WI ladies, led by the inimitable Beattie Bramshaw, in this humour-packed murder mystery! This brilliant story had me laughing out loud. What a superb read in which to escape our current realities'. Splashes Into Books. 'A standout standalone of a wacky rom-com cosy mystery that left me longing for more from Beattie Bramshaw and her unique approach to amateur investigation'. Bookshine and Readbows . Five proper WI stars for a cosy mystery. While I'm handing out stars, I may as well give the author her Best in Class rosette and her Best in Show trophy. This humorous and agreeable English country village mystery is a winner'. Jena Books 'I loved this book, it made me laugh so much. If you love Agatha Raisin and other 'village' mysteries, this is definitely the book for you. Great characters and humour throughout. I hope this is the beginning of a series. Highly recommended'. The Divine Write. 'A wonderful comic crime caper that will have you chuckling with nostalgic glee. I loved this novel from start to finish'. Kraftireader. 'A light-hearted comic mystery with plenty of memorable, if not slightly mad, characters - a fun-filled story that's the perfect escape from these trying times' . On the Shelf . 'A charming story with plenty of laughs thrown in'. Just 4 My Books . 'Absorbing, hilarious, and thoroughly entertaining. Highly recommended for an afternoon or two of pure pleasure! Satabdi. @' wonderfully compelling cosy murder mystery with a fabulous cast of characters and a good dose of light-hearted humour which will have you giggling out loud. A perfect read for lockdown' . Dash Fan. 'A fun little cosy mystery that will leave readers highly entertained' . Jazzy Book Reviews . 'It's intriguing, captivating, and so charming. It reminded me a lot of shows such as Rosemary and Thyme. I took my time with this and I enjoyed every minute' . Radzy Reviews. 'Hysterically funny! There is so much more to this than just a murder! I've had quite the gigglefest reading this one. For everyone who enjoys cosy mysteries, especially ones which make you laugh, this is highly recommended' . Grace J Reviewerlady . 'A Miss Marple/Father Brown with humour. Cosy crime with a smile, a little romance, a little mystery and a larger than life character who reminded me of Madame Arcati. A wonderful, enjoyable read that cheered me up no end' . Nicki's Book Blog . 'This delightful tale of murder, infidelity, and ruthless fair competition... Beattie Bramshaw is a real force to be reckoned with' . Tessa Talks Books . 'A top-notch cosy mystery and the perfect book to escape with' . Donna's Book Blog. 'A cosy mystery with a comedy vibe. Father Brown without the sanctimony meets Midsomer Murders with more determined villagers'. Cheryl M-M's Book Blog.

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Book SynopsisAs the muse and lover of one of the greatest painters of the late 20th century, Christie McGraw was once a major figure in New York. Now penniless, abandoned and sick, she needs to sell the last thing of any value that she still has in her possession. It's a lost masterpiece by her late lover, and she needs the help of Gabriel Viejo, the world expert on the artist, to authenticate it and get into the market. If he can help, she'll make it well worth his while. Gabriel opens negotiations with a shady Greek tycoon in the hope of saving Christie's life - and boosting his own fortunes into the bargain. But there are some nasty surprises in store. Alan Kane Fraser's devilishly devious debut is a page-turning plunge into the murkier depths of the art world and the age-old relationship between creator and muse.Trade ReviewExpert storytelling, clever plotting and convincing characters make this not only an absorbing and highly entertaining tale, but also a thought-provoking reflection on the truths that art can tell, or hide' Hilary Taylor 'A glorious caper - full of humour, engaging characters and infatuation. A thoroughly enjoyable read' Nicky Downes; 'A witty, well written novel exploring the world of painting, modelling and art-as-commodity, with an unexpected criminal caper at its heart. An exuberant debut that is both fun and thoughtful' Richard Francis 'Alan Kane Fraser's beautiful work about life the other side of the easel - its impact, its anonymity, the inevitable betrayal - both compels and disturbs. He has that unusual ability of allowing characters to collide whilst not being a devotee of either' Jeff Weston

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