Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisSOMETIMES GROWING UP MEANS FACING YOUR DEMONS The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mom urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine - as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave. LATER is Stephen King at his finest, a terrifying and touching story of innocence lost and the trials that test our sense of right and wrong. With echoes of King's classic novel It, LATER is a powerful, haunting, unforgettable exploration of what it takes to stand up to evil in all the faces it wears.Trade Review#1 on The New York Times bestselling Paperback Trade Fiction list #1 on The Washington Post Paperback Bestsellers list#1 on the Toronto Star's list of Bestselling Original Fiction in Canada"Part detective tale, part thriller...touching and genuine.” --The New York Times "There’s classic King here for fans... a thrilling whodunit." - Associated Press“King’s writing in LATER is as clean, direct and evocative as it’s ever been…the crime-driven plot is propulsive [and] some of the lines just take your breath away…you’re in the hands of a master storyteller.” - Washington Post"Delivers his signature twists and turns....An eerie, enthralling tale." -Woman's World Magazine (Best Books to Read )"Crave chills and thrills but don’t have time for a King epic? This will do the job before bedtime. Not that you’ll sleep." -Kirkus"Gory and unnerving, this twisty chiller has sufficient sins and revelations to keep readers pursuing the action to its breathless conclusion. King fans are in for a treat." -Publishers Weekly "An entertaining and breezy read, with the stellar storytelling that has justly made King a literary legend." - AARP Magazine"Later is a horror story, but it’s also a proper thriller, told by a master of his craft."—The Guardian "King’s tics and tricks are all in bloom: folksy dialogue, cockeyed worldview, rising tension, pure evil, etc. " - Philadelphia Inquirer"A Joy to read...some of King’s best writing...If you haven’t read a King novel for a while due to timeconstraints, or you would like an introduction to the man at or near the top of his game, pick LATER as your delightful literary poison." - BookReporter"LATER is top-notch Stephen King and one of the most memorable works in his long and storied writing career. The tale calls to mind many of his prior works and is the only other story next to the classic IT to refer to ‘deadlights’ --- a word that should cause icy chills to run down the spine of any faithful King reader." - BookReporter"A satisfying tale about facing demons—both those we can see and those that lurk in the darkness." - Foreword Reviews "Later is yet another example of Stephen King’s special ability to tell a story that’s both simple and compelling. Entertaining and thought-provoking, it’s a must-add to your 2021 reading list." - New York Journal of Books"A powerful testament to [King’s] storytelling prowess" - Bookbub"Sharply developed characters, steady incorporation of supernatural elements, and building suspense, make for [a] great read" - Borg.com"A horror story [that] is really more of a genre-bender, combining the horror with a sensitive coming-of-age tale and an old-school crime thriller. [A] most ingratiating mix." - Booklist Starred Review"There's classic King here for fans... A thrilling whodunit." - ABC News"Later is a horror story, but it’s also a proper thriller, told by a master of his craft." - The Guardian"King at his absolute best." - Daily Mail"Classic King with a twist." - Barnes & Noble feature "Toggle[s] between thrills and feels, all the while slowly dialling up the terror as only [King] can." - Amazon Book Review Best Mysteries of March"King delivers both a terrifying and touching story." - The Hollywood Reporter "Thrills by the dozen." - International Express Books to Read in 2021"An instapurchase." - HorrorDNA"A standalone King that combines his mastery of multiple genres." - The Reel Bits "A fresh new story for modern audiences." - ScreenRant"Convey[s] the same loss-of-innocence theme at which King excelled in his classic novella, The Body... If you’re a King fan, you’ll not regret reading it." - Cinema Sentries "[King's] clear love of noir fiction joins forces with his horror bona fides and his still-strong ability to capture the fundamental truths about being a child, resulting in a lean and propulsive read." - The Maine Edge"The truth of the matter is, I enjoyed LATER more than any other Stephen King in quite a while because it’s short and to the point. It’s a fast read, easily knocked out in a few hours, and there are some truly creepy and horrific moments that leave the reader thinking about certain scenes long after the book is done." - Bookgasm"King veterans absolutely must add this to the collection." - Movie Nooz"Absolutely riveting read....and memorably terrifying." -Cemetery Dance"A terrific tale of secrets held by both the living and the dead." - Floriday Times-Union"King once again demonstrates his ease at depicting younger characters and getting credibly inside their heads...Classic Stephen King" - SciFi Bulletin "Once you pick up this book, putting it down will be near impossible. The action and dialogue interspersed with spine-chilling terror are engaging from beginning to end. It is a superb addition to the seemingly endless bibliography of this great storyteller." - San Francisco Book Review (5 stars)"King's freakish storytelling powers are on full display here, with the strictures of the pulp novel keeping the action moving from chapter to chapter." - Toronto Star "Gripping...easy to stay glued to...a fun read" - Locus

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Book SynopsisOn an island off the coast of Maine, a man is found dead. There’s no identification on the body. Only the dogged work of a pair of local newspapermen and a graduate student in forensics turns up any clues, and it’s more than a year before the man is identified. And that’s just the beginning of the mystery. Because the more they learn about the man and the baffling circumstances of his death, the less they understand. Was it an impossible crime? Or something stranger still...? No one but Stephen King could tell this story about the darkness at the heart of the unknown and our compulsion to investigate the unexplained. With echoes of Dashiell Hammett’s THE MALTESE FALCON and the work of Graham Greene, one of the world’s great storytellers presents a moving and surprising tale whose subject is nothing less than the nature of mystery itself...Trade Review“this little meditation is absolutely something that should be read by all crime and mystery fans. Stephen King is a master, and this is one of his most finely-wrought works” - The Crime Review“a gentle mystery, one that explores the genre as well as small town life in a way that I found utterly beguiling” - SciFi and Scary

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Book SynopsisThe Number One Global Sensation*Foyle's Fiction Book of the Year**Amazon Book of the Year**Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year**Fiction Book of the Year 2024 British Book Awards*Addictive' GraziaHugely entertaining' ObserverProvocative' Mail on SundayTHIS IS ONE HELL OF A STORY. IT'S JUST NOT HERS TO TELL.When failed writer June Hayward witnesses her rival Athena Liu die in a freak accident, she sees her opportunity and takes it.So what if it means stealing Athena's final manuscript?So what if it means borrowing' her identity?And so what if the first lie is only the beginningFinally, June has the fame she always deserved. But someone is about to expose her What happens next is entirely everyone else''s fault. The book that everyone is talking about' GlamourIngenious, astute, hugely entertaining' David NichollsBreathtakingly clever on jealousy, talent, success, and who gets to tell which story' Elizabeth DayHard to put down. Harder to forget' Stephen KingR.F. Kuang's book YellTrade Review‘Propulsive’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Razor-sharp’ TIME ‘A clever, pacy tale’ SARA PASCOE 'Tense, modern… a brilliant exploration of the literary world' AISLING BEA ‘A riot’ PANDORA SYKES ‘Darkly comic’ GQ ‘A wild ride’ STYLIST ‘Pacy and provocative’ MAIL ON SUNDAY ‘A hugely entertaining account of a brazen literary heist’ OBSERVER ‘A wicked little satire of publishing, racial politics and icky internet culture’ THE TIMES ‘Intriguing’ ELLE ‘Strikingly topical’ GUARDIAN ‘Utterly diverting’ FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Blistering’ SCOTSMAN ‘Unforgettable’ WOMAN & HOME ‘A spiky, snarky, shady, smart, sinister take on white privilege’ NIKKI MAY ‘Incisive and compelling… sweeps the reader up on a thrilling ride, but leaves us thinking about the questions raised for days’ JENNIFER SAINT ‘A rollicking good read that you’ll struggle to put down’ WOMAN’S WEEKLY ‘Deeply, darkly hilarious’ MARIE CLAIRE ‘So addictive you could easily risk heatstroke if you read it on a sun lounger’ GRAZIA ‘This acute, fast-paced thriller will have literary insiders nodding in recognition and outsiders gasping in shock’ THE BOOKSELLER ‘A firecracker of a book’ i PAPER ‘Uncomfortable and addictive… a must-read’ INDEPENDENT ‘Not since Martin Amis’s The Information has the venality, self-regard and absurdity of the writing life been so gloriously skewered’ THE CRITIC ‘Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down’ HEAT ‘Scathing, spiky and full of laugh-out-loud moments’ GLAMOUR ‘Well-observed and alarmingly convincing’ DAILY MAIL ‘Sharp and funny… a superb insight into the publishing world’ PRIMA

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Book SynopsisNaomi Novik's stunning series of novels follow the global adventures of Captain William Laurence and his fighting dragon Temeraire as they are thrown together to fight for Britain during the turbulent time of the Napoleonic Wars.Captain Will Laurence has been at sea since he was just twelve years old; finding a warmer berth in Nelson''s navy than any he enjoyed as the youngest, least important son of Lord Allendale. Rising on merit to captain his own vessel, Laurence has earned himself a beautiful fiancée, society''s esteem and a golden future. But the war is not going well. It seems Britain can only wait as Napoleon plans to overrun her shores.After a skirmish with a French ship, Laurence finds himself in charge of a rare cargo: a dragon egg bound for the Emperor himself. Dragons are much prized: properly trained, they can mount a fearsome attack from the skies. One of Laurence''s men must take the beast in hand and join the aviators'' cause, thus relinquishing all hope of a normal life.But when the newly-hatched dragon ignores the young midshipman Laurence chose as its keeper and decides to imprint itself on the horrified captain instead, Laurence''s world falls apart. Gone is his golden future: gone his social standing, and soon his beautiful fiancée, as he is consigned to be the constant companion and trainer of the fighting dragon TemeraireTrade Review‘These are beautifully written novels, not only fresh, original and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart’Peter Jackson 'Novik won me over with her first novel. the combination of history, sympathetic characters, and an engaging style makes this series great, intelligent fun.’The Times ‘Plenty of intrigue, swordplay, exotic locations, plausible invention. In short a treat’The Telegraph ‘Novik has stirred the passions with a genre-busting historical fantasy of the first order’Sunday Sport

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Book SynopsisA CRIME BURIED FOR YEARS.AND ONE THAT''S JUST BEGUN... ''An authentic, topical and terrifying thriller: one of Michael Connelly''s very best'' THE TIMES''Yet another superb thriller from a writer at the top of his game''SUNDAY EXPRESS''Consistently excellent''MAIL ON SUNDAY* * * * *A MURDER YEARS IN THE MAKINGA murder in the middle of a street party seems a senseless tragedy. But the victim had a dark past which came back to haunt him.THE DEEPER YOU LOOKDetective Renée Ballard connects the killing to an unsolved case last worked by ex-LAPD legend Harry Bosch. But then a new crime shatters the night shift...THE DARKER IT GETSThe Midnight Men are a deadly pair of predators who stalk the city during the dark hours and disappear without a trace. Ballard once believed her joTrade ReviewConsistently excellent... The plotting is as skilful as ever, and the pacing as relentless * Mail On Sunday *The Dark Hours is yet another superb thriller from a writer at the top of his game * Sunday Express *An authentic, topical and terrifying thriller: one of Michael Connelly's very best. * THE TIMES *Thoroughly engrossing ... The Dark Hours offers plenty of shocking scenes and clever surprises * Wall Street Journal *Ballard and Bosch are a great combination as they work in and around a police force that Ballard believes too often aims to 'protect and serve the image instead of the citizens.' * Washington Post *A masterpiece * Publishers Weekly *Relentless on their own, Ballard's and Bosch's combined skills...could be combustible * LA Times *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the new, claustrophobic crime thriller that will keep you up at night, The Institution. Coming in March 2023 and available to pre-order now!The Shadow Man is a twisty thriller that will leave you gasping for more. The first standalone from the bestselling author of the Perfect series, Helen Fields.He collects his victims. But he doesn't keep them safeElspeth, Meggy and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don't know where they are, and they don't know why they're there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won't let them go.Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth.Because the shadow man isn't a nightmare. He's all too real.And he's watching.Helen Fields is back with a heart-pounding new book, perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and Stuart MacBride.Trade Review PRAISE FOR THE SHADOW MAN ‘A gripping thriller with one of the creepiest and most fascinating villains I’ve ever read!’ ROZ WATKINS ‘A pulse-pounding, fascinating psychological procedural.’ LOUISE MULLINS ‘Helen Fields knows it out of the park with The Shadow Man. From the creep-you-out opening to the last staggering page, this one just refuses to let go. Simply brilliant.’ NEIL BROADFOOT ‘The Shadow Man is so chilling. With a dark, compelling plot and brilliantly drawn characters, you will be hooked from the first page…’ DEBBIE HOWELLS ’The Shadow Man is a terrifying police-procedural packed with suspense and a killer from your worst nightmares. A truly unique protagonist pitted against a chilling killer, it was hard to put this book down until the very end. I can't wait to read more from this series.’ VICKI BRADLEY ‘Atmospheric writing, breath-taking pace and fascinating characters. I loved it.’ SUZY K QUINN PRAISE FOR HELEN FIELDS ‘Watch out Rebus, McRae and Perez there’s a new detective in the running to become Scotland’s fictional top cop…a real cracker of a page-turner that is truly difficult to put down.’ Scotland Correspondent ‘Compelling, breathtaking and a tense ride from that unbelievable opening scene right to the last word. Brilliant!’ Angela Marsons ‘Deliciously dark and gritty, Perfect Silence will glue your fingers to the page and make the hairs stand on the back of your neck. Another winner from the hugely talented Helen Fields.’ Caroline Mitchell ‘A tightly plotted tale of obsession and manipulation.’ Woman ‘Must read! With nail-biting twists at every turn, [Perfect Remains] will have readers gripped from start to finish.’ Closer

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Book SynopsisThe first in an exciting series of YA thrillers from the master of the hook-and-twist.When tragic events tear him away from his parents, 15-year-old Mickey Bolitar is sent to live with his estranged uncle, Myron. For a while, it seems his train wreck of a life is finally improving - until his girlfriend, Ashley, goes missing without a trace. Unwilling to let another person he cares about walk out of his life, Mickey follows Ashley''s trail into a seedy underworld, revealing a conspiracy so shocking it will leave him questioning everything about the life he thought he knew.Trade ReviewA gripping tale * DAILY MIRROR *SHELTER will introduce a whole new generation of fans to the humorous dialogue and clever plotting of his popular suspense thrillers. * TAKE A BREAK *Harlan Coben is the modern master of the hook-and-twist - luring you in on the first page, only to shock you on the last * Dan Brown *His thrillers come with the guarantee of a great read and a twist in the tale * EVENING TELEGRAPH *Harlan Coben specialises in rousing the snake that lurks in the perfectly cut grass of American suburbia ... Coben makes you care about them but never neglects a plot that is full of his trademark shocks * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisA CLASSIC NOVEL BY THE MASTER OF HARD-BOILED CRIME, THE HIGH WINDOW IS RAYMOND CHANDLER''S THIRD STORY FEATURING LACONIC PI PHILIP MARLOWE.''He lay crumpled on his back. Very lonely, very dead. The safe door was wide open. A metal drawer was pulled out. It was empty now. There may have been money in it once.''Los Angeles PI Philip Marlowe''s on a case: his client, a dried-up husk of a woman, wants him to recover a rare gold coin called a Brasher Doubloon, missing from her late husband''s collection. That''s the simple part. It becomes more complicated when Marlowe finds that everyone who handles the coin suffers a run of very bad luck: they always end up dead. That''s also unlucky for a private investigator, because leaving a trail of corpses around LA puts cops'' noses seriously out of joint. If Marlowe doesn''t wrap this one up fast, he''s going to end up either in jail or in a wooden box in the ground . . .''Chandler''Trade ReviewChandler seems to have created the culminating American hero: wised up, hopeful, thoughtful, adventurous, sentimental, cynical and rebellious -- Robert B. Parker * The New York Times Book Review *Raymond Chandler invented a new way of talking about America, and America has never looked the same to us since -- Paul AusterRaymond Chandler is a star of the first magnitude -- Erle Stanley Gardner[T]he prose rises to heights of unselfconscious eloquence, and we realize with a jolt of excitement that we are in the presence of not a mere action tale teller, but a stylist, a writer with a vision -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Review of Books *Raymond Chandler is a master * New York Times *Philip Marlowe remains the quintessential urban private eye * Los Angeles Times *Anything Chandler writes about grips the mind from the first sentence * Daily Telegraph *Nobody can write like Chandler on his home turf, not even Faulkner. . . A great artist * The Boston Book Review *

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Book SynopsisTHE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR27 MILLION BOOKS SOLDWINNER OF THE GLASS KEY AWARDIn the penultimate thriller in the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling Department Q series, Copenhagen's cold cases division must hunt for a nefarious criminal who has slipped under the radar for decades.On her 60th birthday, a woman takes her own life. When the case lands on Detective Carl Mørck's desk, he can't imagine what this has to do with Department Q, Copenhagen's cold cases division. It's a tragedy to be sure, but the cause of death seems to be clear. But his superior, Marcus Jacobsen, is convinced that this is not in fact a suicide, but a murder related to an unsolved case that has been plaguing him since 1988.At Marcus' behest, Carl and the Department Q gang-Rose, Assad, and Gordon-reluctantly begin to investigate. However, they quickly discover that Marcus is on to something: Every two years for the past three decades, there have been unusual, impeccably timed deaths with connections between them that cannot be ignored. As they dig deeper, it transpires that these "accidents" are in fact murders by a very cunning and violent criminal.Faced with their toughest case yet, made only more difficult with COVID-19 restrictions and the challenges of their own personal lives, the Department Q team must race to find the culprit before the next murder is committed, as it is becoming increasingly clear that the killer is far from finished.Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series:'Everything you could possibly want from a thriller and much, much more' Kirkus'Adler-Olsen is the new "it" boy of Nordic Noir' The Times'Engrossing' Sunday Express'Gripping storytelling' Guardian'As impressive as it is unnerving' IndependentTrade ReviewIt's the most ambitious in his series - quirky, tense and delightfully unpredictable * Sunday Times *The Danish bestseller will gain more UK fans with this twisty new thriller * Peterborough Telegraph *Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series: 'Scandinavian crime novels don't get much darker than Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q police procedurals * New York Times Book Review *Everything you could possibly want from a thriller and much, much more * Kirkus *Adler-Olsen is the new "it" boy of Nordic Noir * The Times *Engrossing * Sunday Express *Gripping storytelling * Guardian *As impressive as it is unnerving * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA brilliant, high-tension thriller set in the glittery, surreal worlds of Las Vegas casinos, from the bestselling author of THE LINCOLN LAWYER.A young woman finds herself caught up in a heist which may cost her the one thing she values more than her life... Ex-con Cassie Black planned to see out her parole quietly - but things rarely go to plan. She was lured back to the criminal profession she gave up - as professional thief in Vegas casinos, robbing gamblers of their winnings - by a proposition that is just too good to miss. The job goes as planned, except that the target has too much money. It can only mean someone very powerful is going to be very angry indeed. Cassie finds herself on the run from a killer who seems to know her every move in advance. Worse still, he is closing in on the one thing Cassie will do anything to protect.Trade ReviewA brilliantly controlled narrative ... Connelly has two great skills. One is the creation of characters who live and breathe, so that we care about them far more than we do for the cardboard figures stamped out by most thriller writers. His second skill is a mastery of pace. His books are page-turners, and the author is in sublime control of the speed at which we turn those pages. With Void Moon I found myself turning very fast indeed * MAIL ON SUNDAY *This is pulse-quickening stuff from a writer who remains ingeniously and grimly satisfying * ARENA *Destined for bestsellerdom ... This is a gem of a book that breaks Connelly's fractured male hero mould and introduces a feisty female crimininal, Cassie Black ... You'll quickly be rooting for the hapless con artist as the plot moves in the most unlikely directions at a pace that never flags. This is Connelly at his very best, and you can't say better than that * GUARDIAN *Connelly is a crime-writing genius. His Harry Bosch stories are genuine modern classics, and this one's in the same league ... Unmissable * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *A wonderfully pacy and intelligent thriller * TIME OUT *VOID MOON is Michael Connelly at his best, and that is the very best where thriller writing is concerned * IRISH TIMES *This is thriller writing of the highest quality, brilliantly paced and impossible to put down * MAIL ON SUNDAY *

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Book SynopsisAt once a vivid, haunting reimagining of 1950s Britain, a gripping, humane spy thriller and a poignant love story, with Dominion C. J. Sansom once again asserts himself as the master of the historical novel.1952. Twelve years have passed since Churchill lost to the appeasers and Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany after Dunkirk. As the long German war against Russia rages on in the east, the British people find themselves under dark authoritarian rule: the press, radio and television are controlled; the streets patrolled by violent auxiliary police and British Jews face ever greater constraints. There are terrible rumours too about what is happening in the basement of the German Embassy at Senate House.Defiance, though, is growing. In Britain, Winston Churchill's Resistance organization is increasingly a thorn in the government's side. And in a Birmingham mental hospital an incarcerated scientist, Frank Muncaster, may hold a secret that could chTrade ReviewC. J. Sansom takes a break from his Shardlake series to offer Dominion, an absorbing, thoughtful, spy-politico thriller set in the fog-ridden London of 1952 . . . Part adventure, part espionage, all encompassed by terrific atmosphere and a well-argued “it might have been”. -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *An intriguing thriller set in an alternative Britain under the Nazis cunningly reanimates the post-war years as they might have been . . . The tale he sets within his parallel universe is at once exciting, sophisticated and moving. There will be few better historical novels published this year. * Sunday Times *‘This is a big novel with traces of a thriller, in which the good are good and the bad are very bad indeed . . . For readers who enjoy a grown-up adventure story Dominion is evocative, alarming and richly satisfying’ Daily ExpressMasterly . . . sketched with hallucinatory clarity . . . Sansom, whose Tudor mysteries showed his feeling for the plight of good people in a brutal, treacherous society, builds his nightmare Britain from the sooty bricks of truth . . . Dominion shows us what a truly broken Britain would look, and feel, like. -- Boyd Tonkin * Independent *‘A thriller which is also, and perhaps primarily, a work of alternative or counter-factual history, set in 1952 . . . in the manner of Robert Harris’s Fatherland. There are fine things a-plenty here, and the plot unfolds compellingly and gallops along briskly. C. J. Sansom has brought off a nice double, writing a good thriller which invites you to ponder the different course history might have taken’ Allan Massie, ScotsmanC. J. Sansom is fascinated by the abuse of power, so it's not surprising that, hot on the heels of his splendid Shardlake series, comes a novel set in a post-war Britain dominated by Nazi ideology . . . Dominion is absorbing, mordant and written with a passionate persuasiveness . . . Bravo! * Independent on Sunday *One of the thrills of Dominion is to see a writer whose previous talent has been for the captivating dramatisation of real history creating an invented mid-20th century Britain that has the intricate detail and delineation of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth . . . A tremendous novel that shakes historical preconceptions while also sending shivers down the spine. -- Mark Lawson * Guardian *The chase is exciting and the action thrilling, but the really absorbing part of this excellent book is the detailed creation of a society that could so easily have existed. * Literary Review *Fans of Robert Harris will love this. * Mail on Sunday *Dominion is terrific. And no, this isn't one of those publisher-sponsored blurbs. I just fell in love with it. Nice and long, too. -- Stephen King

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Book SynopsisFive Nights at Freddy's fans won't want to miss this pulse-pounding collection of three novella-length tales that will keep even the bravest FNAF player up at night...

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Book Synopsis**WINNER OF THE CWA IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER**A Times, Guardian and Crimereads Book of the YearCinematic and insightful. Everybody Knows is a tour de force.' GUARDIANA heart-racing journey of danger and redemption.'' DAILY MAILI doubt there will be a better American crime novel this year.' DAILY TELEGRAPHDark and thrilling.' GRAZIAIn Hollywood, nobody talks. But everybody whispers.Welcome to Mae Pruett's LA. A black-bag' publicist at one of Hollywood's most powerful crisis PR firms, Mae's job isn't to get good news out, it's to keep the bad news in and contain the scandals. But just as she starts to question her job and life choices, her boss is gunned down in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel, and everything changes.Investigating with the help of an ex-boyfriend, Mae dives headlong into a neon joyride through the j

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Book Synopsis**NOW AN AMAZON PRIME TV SERIES STARRING CHRIS PRATT**  'Take my word for it, James Reece is one rowdy motherf***er. Get ready!' CHRIS PRATT JAMES REECE IS BACK  1978, Rhode Island: A freshman senator is gunned down, sending shockwaves through Washington that are still reverberating over four decades later.  Now: In a world on the brink of war, facing rampant inflation, political division and shocking assassinations, a secret cabal of global elites are ready to assume control. And with the world’s most dangerous man locked in solitary confinement, the conspirators believe the final obstacle to complete domination has been eliminated. They’re wrong.   From the firms of Wall Street to the corridors of power in Washington, DC and Moscow, secrets from the past have an uncanny ability to rise to the surface, and with the odds stacked against him, James Reece is on a deadly

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Book Synopsis'An atmospheric and gripping standalone thriller' - THE TIMESThe gripping new 2024 thriller from the Sunday Times and one million copy bestselling author of The English Führer. In this brilliant standalone crime novel set in 1930s Munich, Detective Sebastian Wolff must walk a tight line between doing his job and falling foul of the Nazi party he despises.MUNICH, 1935 - The Bavarian capital is a magnet for young, aristocratic Britons who come to learn German, swim in the lakes and drink beer in the cellars.What they don't see - or choose to ignore - is the brutal underbelly of the Nazi movement which considers Munich its spiritual home.When a high-born English girl is murdered, Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to solve the crime. Wolff is already walking a tight line between doing his job and falling foul of the political party he abhors. Now Hitler is taking a personal interest in the case

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Book SynopsisTHE GRIPPING AND TWISTY THRILLER FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE COUPLE AT NO 9 AND THE GIRLS WHO DISAPPEARED''Thrillingly tense and twisty, a great read'' B.A. PARIS, bestselling author of THE DILEMMA''If you loved Clare Mackintosh . . . You will love Claire Douglas'' WOMAN & HOME__________SHE CAN RUNLibby Hall needs to escape from everything for a while. which is why the house swap is a godsend. The chance for Libby and her husband Jamie to exchange their tiny Bath flat for a beautiful haven on the wild Cornish coast.BUT SHE CAN''T HIDEBut before they can begin to heal their fragile marriage, Libby makes some disturbing discoveries about the house. And soon the peace and isolation begin to feel threatening. How alone are they? Why does she feel watched?BECAUSE SOMEONE KNOWS HER SECRET . . .What is Jamie hiding? Is Libby being Trade ReviewThis stunning new release from Claire Douglas is packed with a killer twist * Closer *Thrillingly tense and twisty, a great read -- B. A. ParisA heart-thumping psychological mystery that ticks all the boxes . . . with twists galore, it's impossible to guess the shocking ending * Saga *Fast-paced and chock-full of twists, Last Seen Alive is both absorbing and gripping. After reading it you'll never dream of a house swap again -- Paula DalyThrilling . . . superb plotting. I could hardly catch my breath between twists! -- Jenny BlackhurstJust finished Last Seen Alive . . . it's so twisty, turning and grippy. Highly recommend it! -- Gilly MacmillanBrilliant. Twisty, exciting yet so very real -- Gillian McAllisterI love stories where you're not quite sure who is telling the truth! This one kept me guessing -- Jane CorryI loved the sense of lurking dread that pervades it all . . . I was absolutely gripped and intrigued -- Emma CurtisA fab and twisty page-turner that kept me guessing -- Lucy ClarkePraise for Claire Douglas -- -Grippingly claustrophobic and unpredictable on every page: perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train * Marie Claire *Tension oozes from every page . . . [an] addictive read that will leave you on the edge of your seat * Sun *Compelling and page-turning, wonderfully written and impossible to second guess with a brilliant twist -- Debbie Howells * bestselling author of Richard & Judy pick The Bones of You *The creepy goings on in the off-season, secret-filled resort will give you chills * Sunday Mirror *As soon as I finished the first page, I knew I wouldn't be able to put this down . . . I thoroughly enjoyed it * Good Housekeeping *Unforgettably dark and complex * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate Rome storyFresh from triumph in Britain and Gaul, Caesar is marching on Rome with his legions of hardened veterans. To unseat Pompey, now dictator of the empire, he must make the terrible decision to wage war on his own people.The glory that Julius, Brutus, Mark Antony and Octavian enjoy is short lived. There are lands to conquer and choices to make that may yet tear them apart. What cost will Caesar suffer for the path he has walked? Who will make him pay?The final instalment in the bestselling Emperor series.Trade Review‘Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction’ Daily Mirror ‘Iggulden…tells an absolutely cracking story…the pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent’ The Times ‘Iggulden weaves an entertaining tale of this world of men, swords, bows and the call of war and the plains’ Daily Express ‘I felt as if a blockbuster movie was unfolding before me…read the book before Hollywood takes it over’ Daily Express

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Book SynopsisThe thirteenth book in Dorothy L Sayers'' classic Lord Peter Wimsey series, introduced by crime writer Natasha Cooper - a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie''s Poirot and Margery Allingham''s Campion Mysteries. They plan to have a quiet country honeymoon. Then Lord Peter Wimsey and his bride Harriet Vane find the previous owner''s body in the cellar.Set in a country village seething with secrets and snobbery, this is Dorothy L. Sayers'' last full-length detective novel. Variously described as a love story with detective interruptions and a detective story with romantic interruptions, it lives up to both descriptions with style.''She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit.'' P. D. JamesTrade ReviewI admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail - Ruth RendellD. L. Sayers is one of the best detective story writers. - Daily TelegraphA truly great storyteller - Minette Walters

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Book SynopsisSoon no one on Earth will have a place to hide in this novel about fears known and unknown by #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz. In retreat from a devastating loss and crushing injustice, Katie lives alone in a fortresslike stone house on Jacob’s Ladder island. Once a rising star in the art world, she finds refuge in her painting. The neighboring island of Ringrock houses a secret: a government research facility. And now two agents have arrived on Jacob’s Ladder in search of someone—or something—they refuse to identify. Although an air of menace hangs over these men, an infinitely greater threat has arrived, one so strange even the island animals are in a state of high alarm. Katie soon finds herself in an epic and terrifying battle with a mysterious enemy. But Katie’s not alone after all: a brave young girl appears out of the violent squall. As Katie and her companion struggle across a dark and eerie landscape, against them is an omnipresent terror that could bring about the end of the world.Trade ReviewPraise for Dean Koontz #1 New York Times Bestseller “America’s most popular suspense novelist.” —Rolling Stone “Koontz has always had near-Dickensian powers of description and an ability to yank us from one page to the next that few novelists can match.” —Los Angeles Times “Tumbling, hallucinogenic prose.” —New York Times Book Review “Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams but also a literary juggler.” —The Times (London) “Dean Koontz writes page-turners, middle-of-the-night-sneak-up-behind-you suspense thrillers. He touches our hearts and tingles our spines.” —Washington Post Book World “Koontz has a knack for making the bizarre and uncanny seem as commonplace as a sunrise. Bottom line: the Dean of Suspense.” —People magazine “Positively twitching with suspense. Another sure-fire hit from a thriller master.” —Booklist (starred review) “If Stephen King is the Rolling Stones of novels, Koontz is the Beatles.” —Playboy “A superb plotter and wordsmith. He chronicles the hopes and fears of our time in broad strokes and fine detail, using popular fiction to explore the human condition [and] demonstrating that the real horror of life is found not in monsters but within the human psyche.” —USA Today “Far more than a genre writer. Characters and the search for meaning, exquisitely crafted, are the soul of his work. This is why his novels will be read long after the ghosts and monsters of most genre writers have been consigned to the attic. One of the master storytellers of this or any age.” —Tampa Tribune “Dean Koontz almost occupies a genre of his own. He is a master at building suspense and holding the reader spellbound.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “Demanding much of itself, Koontz’s style bleaches out clichés while showing a genius for details. He leaves his competitors buried in the dust.” —Kirkus Reviews “Another A-plus thriller from a writer on a serious winning streak.” —Booklist (starred review)

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Book Synopsis'Could challenge CJ Sansom for dominion' Sunday TimesLondon, 1656: Captain Seeker is back in the city, on the trail of an assassin preparing to strike at the heart of Oliver Cromwell's RepublicThe Commonwealth is balanced on a knife edge. Royalists and disillusioned former Parliamentarians have united against Oliver Cromwell, now a king in all but name. Three conspirators, representing these factions, plan to assassinate the Lord Protector, paving the way back to the throne for Charles Stuart once and for all.Captain Damian Seeker, meanwhile, is preoccupied by the horrifying discovery in an illegal gambling den of the body of a man ravaged by what is unmistakably a bear. Yet the bears used for baiting were all shot when the sport was banned by Cromwell. So where did this fearsome creature come from, and why would someone use it for murder?With Royalist-turned-Commonwealth-spy Thomas Faithly tracking the bear, Seeker investigates its victim. The trail leads from Kent's coffee house on Cornhill, to a German clockmaker in Clerkenwell, to the stews of Southwark, to the desolate Lambeth Marshes where no one should venture at night.When the two threads of the investigation begin to join, Seeker realises just what - and who - he is up against. The Royalists in exile have sent to London their finest mind and greatest fighter, a man who will stop at nothing to ensure the Restoration. Has Seeker finally met his match?Trade ReviewMacLean skilfully weaves together the disparate threads of her plot to create a gripping tale of crime and sedition in an unsettled city - Sunday Times on The Black FriarExcellent at conveying the insecurities and unsettling memories that bedevil Cromwell's dying Protectorate, the author brings a fresh perspective and gold-plated research to a period which has been unfairly eclipsed by the popularity of the Tudors - Daily Mail on The Black FriarMacLean's light touch portrait of a hard man with a softer core is what makes these books so memorable - The Times on The Black FriarA thrilling plot . . . MacLean's characters are subtle and convincing . . . could challenge C.J. Sansom for dominion of historical crime - Sunday Times on The SeekerThe best historical crime novel of the year - Sunday Express on The Seeker

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Book SynopsisA sparklingly delicious confection to satisfy the mystery reader's appetite' Helena Dixon, bestselling author of the Miss Underhay MysteriesJodie Nosey' Parker is back!When popular TV baking contest and national institution The Best of British Baking Roadshow' rolls into town and sets up camp in the grounds of Boskern House, a historic stately home near Penstowan, former police officer Jodie Nosey' Parker finds herself competing to represent Cornwall in the grand final.But with a fellow contestant who will stop at nothing to win and a drag queen host with secrets of their own, Jodie discovers that the roadshow doesn't just have the ingredients for the perfect showstopper cake, but also for the perfect murderAnd when a body is found in the grounds of the house, Jodie is drawn into another high-stakes case along with local DCI Nathan Withers.Can Jodie expose the culprit? Or will the murderer become the real showstopper?What readers are saying:Come for the sleuthing, stay for the fun! Can

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Book SynopsisAll 51 Hercule Poirot short stories presented in chonological order in a single volume plus a bonus story not seen for more than 70 years.My name is Hercule Poirot and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.'The dapper, moustache-twirling little Belgian with the egg-shaped head, curious mannerisms and inordinate respect for his own little grey cells' has solved some of the most puzzling crimes of the century. Appearing in Agatha Christie's very first novel in 1920 and her very last in 1975, Hercule Poirot became the most celebrated detective since Sherlock Holmes, appearing in 33 novels, a play, and these 51 short stories.Arranged in their original publication order, these short stories provide a feast for hardened Agatha Christie addicts as well as those who have grown to love the detective through his many film and television appearances.This new edition now also includes Poirot and the Regatta Mystery, an early version of an Agatha Christie story not published since 1936Trade Review‘Little masterpieces of detection. Poirot and Agatha Christie at their inimitable best.’Sunday Express

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Book SynopsisJohn Gwynne studied and lectured at Brighton University. He has played double bass in a rock n' roll band, packed soap in a soap factory and dug ditches for a landscaping crew. He is the author of the epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, consisting of Malice, Valour, Ruin and Wrath, the Of Blood and Bone trilogy and the Bloodsworn Saga.He is married with four children, seven goats, five sheep, three dogs, three horses and three ducks, and lives in East Sussex, where he is part of a Viking re-enactment group. When not writing or running around after his wife and her ever-growing collection of animals, he can occasionally be found standing in a shield wall with his three sons about him.

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Book SynopsisTommy & Tuppence are hired to track down wartime spies at a seaside resortIt is World War II, and while the RAF struggles to keep the Luftwaffe at bay, Britain faces an even more sinister threat from the enemy within' Nazis posing as ordinary citizens.With pressure mounting, the Intelligence service appoints two unlikely spies, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. Their mission: to seek out a man and a woman from among the colourful guests at Sans Souci, a seaside hotel. But this assignment is no stroll along the promenade. After all, N and M have just murdered Britain's finest agentTrade Review‘As ingenious as ever.’Guardian ‘A nice surprise finish… all-round entertainment.’Observer

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Book SynopsisA fatal road crash ? a domestic incident turned deadly ? if it isn?t one thing, it?s another for Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman in this intricately plotted, warm-hearted Posadas County mystery, set in small-town New Mexico?If you haven''t yet discovered these wonderful mysteries, you are in for a treat!? Anne Hillerman, New York Times bestselling authorWhen a pickup truck pulling a horse trailer collides with a loaded semi, it seems like a straightforward accident. Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman presumes the most complicated part of the clean-up will be getting thirty tons of unsplit firewood off of Posadas County?s state highway.But the plot thickens when the mangled vehicles are wrenched apart and the pickup?s deceased driver is not who Estelle was expecting. Who is the dead man ? and where was he heading with his cargo, a prized stallion whose owner is frantic to get him back?And if it isn?t one thing, it?s another. Just as Estelle gets her teeth in the case, she?s called to a domestic incident between a local volatile couple, which has led not just to death ? but to the injury of a fellow cop.Understaffed and overworked, Estelle finds herself plunged into two tricky investigations, which will take her across the border into Mexico to find the answers ? and the justice ? that she seeks.If you like C.J. Box, Anne Hillerman and Terry Shames, you?ll love this small-town mystery which combines a vivid setting, multidimensional characters who spring from the page, and meticulous plotting, full of twists and turns.

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Book SynopsisABloody Scotland Crime Debut Winner (2024),The Silent House of Sleepis the award-winning first novel in a new mystery series from Allan Gaw. When not one but two corpses are discovered in a London park in 1929, brilliant but damaged pathologist Dr Jack Cuthbertust use every tool at his disposal to solve the mystery of their deaths.

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Book SynopsisTHE GRIPPING NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK THE WHISPER MAN''Hugely atmospheric and deliciously creepy'' Alex Michaelides, bestselling author of The Silent Patient''A surprising and moving finale that will live long in the memory'' Daily Express_______THE VICTIM WAS YOUR FRIENDIt was just a silly game to start with. Paul never really believed in it.He never dreamed Charlie would take it so far.SO WAS THE MURDERERFor twenty years, Paul''s tried to put his past behind him, but now his mother is dying, and he can''t run any longer.But home isn''t just full of bad memories. It''s also the last place anyone saw Charlie alive.And Paul starts to wonder if Charlie might come back to finish what he started . . ._______''Alex North has outdone himself. The Shadow Friend is the work Trade ReviewAlex North has outdone himself. As terrifying as a great horror novel, as unpredictable as the best type of crime novel and above all beautifully written, The Shadow Friend is the work of a writer who is an absolute master of his craft. I couldn't begin to guess how the story was going to end but I enjoyed every second of the journey -- Jane CaseyIf you liked The Whisper Man, you'll love this. Alex North has crafted a second novel which is just as gripping as his first and even scarier. Hugely atmospheric and deliciously creepy, it's about how the past encroaches on the present, and how dreaming influences reality, until in the frightening world of The Shadow Friend, it becomes harder and harder to tell one from the other... and the nightmare takes over -- Alex Michaelides * No.1 bestselling author of The Silent Patient *This is absorbing, headlong reading, a play on classic horror with an inventiveness of its own... As with all the best illusions, you are left feeling not tricked, but full of wonder -- New York TimesNorth has returned with another creepy, atmospheric tale exploring the devastating effects of childhood traumas on communities . . . Builds to a surprising and moving finale that will live long in the memory * Daily Express *With echoes of the chilling Slender Man myth, this thriller ultimately feels like a ghost story conjured out of guilt and loss * Crime Monthly *North follows up his sensational debut, 2019's The Whisper Man, with another terrifying spine-tingler... The complex plot shifts smoothly between past and present with numerous unexpected twists. An overwhelming atmosphere of doom and disaster hovers over the perennial darkness of the nearby woods. This heart-pounding page-turner is impossible to put down * Publishers Weekly *The layers of deception make for a chilling read * Woman & Home *A chilling read * Woman's Weekly *Included in 'The Week's Best Books - The Creepy One' * Heat *A chilling and deeply psychological read * Woman & Home *Included in 'The Hot List' * Inside Soap *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER 2018. The eve of war: a secret so deadly, nothing and no one is safeJune 1939. England is partying like there's no tomorrow . . . but the good times won't last. The Nazis have invaded Czechoslovakia, in Germany Jewish persecution is widespread and, closer to home, the IRA has embarked on a bombing campaign.Perhaps most worryingly of all, in Germany Otto Hahn has produced man-made fission and an atomic device is now possible. German High Command knows Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory is also close, and when one of the Cavendish's finest brains is murdered, Professor Tom Wilde is drawn into the investigation. In a conspiracy that stretches from Cambridge to Berlin, and from the US to Ireland, can he discover the truth before it's too late? Praise for Rory Clements'Dramatic . . . pacy and assured' Daily Mail 'Political polarisation, mistrust and simmering violence' The Times 'A standout historical novel and spy thriller' Daily Express 'Enjoyable, bloody and brutish' Guardian 'A colourful history lesson . . . exciting narrative twists' Sunday Telegraph'Well-researched and plausible, Nucleus offers an attractive combination of history and suspense' Shots Magazine'A pacy and dramatic historical spy thriller' Historical Novel Society Trade ReviewDramatic, twisty thriller -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail *In trademark Clements style, there are plot strands and twists aplenty as immaculately researched real history and a gripping sense of time and place blend seamlessly with a full-throttle, suspense-packed spy mystery * Lancashire Evening Post *Tense, authentic and very atmospheric * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisMurder At The Allotment is the tenth book in Julie Wassmer''s popular crime series - now a major Acorn TV drama, Whitstable Pearl, starring Kerry Godliman as private detective and restaurateur, Pearl Nolan''While Oxford had Morse, Whitstable, famous for its oysters, has Pearl'' Daily MailPearl''s tiny garden of Eden is transformed into a battlefield when the out of towners come to Whitstable...Pearl Nolan''s coastal allotment has always been a quiet haven - somewhere for her to relax and cultivate special ingredients for her restaurant, The Whitstable Pearl. But a sudden clamour for allotments by the DFLs - Down From Londoners - causes tension in the local community when the council decides to accommodate them by dividing existing plots into smaller parcels. The harmony that once existed between holders of land previously blighted only by slugs and caterpillars, soon transforms into a bitter turf war as

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Book SynopsisRegarded as one of the great Carr/Dickson locked-room mysteries among Carr connoisseurs, one of the highest-rated authors of the genre. The Ten Teacups features one of his famous series detectives Henry Merrivale (previously appearing in The White Priory Murders & returning in The Judas Window in Autumn 2025). Set in Henry Merrivale's stomping ground of central London.

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Book Synopsis''Wonderful'' The New York TimesCharlie, a jobbing young English actress, is accustomed to playing different roles. But when the mysterious, battle-scarred Joseph recruits her into the Israeli secret services, she enters the dangerous ''theatre of the real''. As she acts out her part in an intricate, high-stakes plot to trap and kill a Palestinian terrorist, it threatens to consume her.Set in the tragic arena of the Middle East conflict, this compelling story of love and torn loyalties plays out against the backdrop of an unwinnable war. ''The Little Drummer Girl is about spies as Madame Bovary is about adultery or Crime and Punishment about crime'' The New York Times

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Book Synopsis** AN OBSERVER BEST BOOK OF YEAR **'Ward's most complex and brilliant book yet' - GUARDIAN'A darkly moving and heartfelt exploration of obsession' - DAILY EXPRESSWriters are monsters. We eat everything we see...In a windswept cottage overlooking the sea, Wilder Harlow begins the last book he will ever write. It is the story of his childhood companions and the shadowy figure of the Daggerman, who stalked their New England town. And it is the story of Sky, Wilder's one-time friend, who stole his unfinished memoir to turn it into a lurid bestselling novel, then died without ever explaining why.This book is Wilder's last chance for revenge. But as he writes, he begins to find notes written in Sky's signature green ink, and events in his manuscript start to chime eerily with the present. Is Sky haunting him? And who is the dark-haired woman drowning in the cove, whom no one else can see? With his grip on reality slipping, Wilder begins to fear that this will not only be his last book, but t

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Book SynopsisThirteen stories involving Sherlock Holmes, one of literature''s most beloved characters, are now available in an exclusive collector''s edition. Featuring beautiful cover art from artist Laci Fowler and decorative interior pages, this giftable book is ideal for fiction lovers and book collectors alike.Beloved by fans across the globe, this collection features thirteen riveting adventures, including an explanation of Holmes’s supposed murder at the hands of his nemesis Dr. Moriarty in Doyle’s 1893 short story The Final Problem. This time-honored classic is now available as an exclusive collector''s edition.Whether you''re buying it as a gift or for yourself, this remarkable edition features: A beautiful, high-end hardcover featuring Laci Fowler’s distinctive hand-painted art Embossed cover art and gold foiling? Decorative interior pages featuring pull quotes throughout Matching ribbon marker and gold

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Book Synopsis''HOOOOLY MOOOOLY. My jaw is on the floor. What. A. Wild. Ride. I need to go stare at the wall in the dark for a few minutes... I read this book in ONE day because I couldn''t put it down! The ending?! ??'' Reader Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I''ll treat you so good, you won''t want to leave. That''s my motto.All I wanted was a vacation, a chance to relax, to scratch an itch. I never expected Calvin Wells... or the way I''d begin to feel about him. I mean, who falls for their Airbnb host? But despite the peaceful surroundings, the unexpected company, and the chemistry between us, there''s a feeling I just can''t shake. A warning in the pit of my stomach. And a locked door to the basement that I can''t stop thinking about. So, when the police arrive looking for a missing woman, a woman who supposedly never checked in to her stay here at the ranch, I know it''s time to trust my instincts and uncover the t

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Book SynopsisFrom the award-winning author of November Road comes a masterful thriller where an unlikely hero goes up against a deadly crime boss''DARK RIDE is thrilling and heartbreaking but ultimately life affirming.'' S.A. Cosby''DARK RIDE effortlessly grabs you and does not let you go until the final page.'' Don Winslow Sometimes the person you least expect is just the hero you needTwenty-one-year-old Hardy Hardly Reedgood-natured, easygoing, usually stonedis drifting through life. A minimum-wage scare actor at an amusement park, he avoids unnecessary effort and unrealistic ambitions.Then one day he notices two children, around six or seven, sitting all alone on a bench. Hardly checks if they're okay and sees injuries on both children. Someone is hurting these kids.He reports the incident to Child Protective Service.That should be the end of it. After all, Hardly''s not even good at looking out for himself so the last thing he wants to do is look out for anyone else. But he''s haunted by the t

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Book Synopsis''A bookworm''s treat.'' Sunday Times ''Unforgettable.'' Wall Street Journal ''An entertaining cat-and-mouse thriller. ''Daily Telegraph''''Smart, funny and deliciously dark.'' Guardian''Delicious'' New York Times ** One of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2024 **** A New Yorker Book of the Year ****Winner of the 2025 CrimeFest eDunnit Award**The wildly twisty and devilishly clever new thriller from the author of the New York Times bestseller The Plot.Not many first-time novelists get a profile in the New York Times. Then again, few first-time novelists come with the backstory of Anna Williams-Bonner: recent bride of a wildly successful writer who took his own life even as his fame seemed on the ascent. Anna's book is climbing the bestseller lists. But when someone leaves a cryptic note for her at a book signing, she realises that not all the attention is positive. For years, Anna's been keeping secrets about her past: what if someone knows the truth? She will do anything to keep what she values most: the right to her own story.If you liked The Plot . . .''Insanely readable.'' Stephen King''Breathtakingly suspenseful.'' Megan Abbott''Smart, surprising and stealthily unsettling.'' The Times''So clever, so taut, so dazzling.'' Lisa JewellYou''ll love The Sequel. Readers are loving The Sequel:''The most delicious binge ever.'' ''This is the kind of book Patricia Highsmith would have written.''''Dark, brilliant . . . [with] several twists which I never saw coming.''''Intriguing . . . I guarantee you'll have a book hangover after this one!''''Kept me guessing the entire time, I would definitely recommend it.''

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Book SynopsisAn ingenious and highly atmospheric classic whodunit from Japan's master of crime. Amid the rubble of post-war Tokyo, inside the grand Tsubaki house, a once-noble family is in mourning. The old viscount Tsubaki, a brooding, troubled composer, has been found dead. When the family gather for a divination to conjure the spirit of their departed patriarch, death visits the house once more, and the brilliant Kosuke Kindaichi is called in to investigate. But before he can get to the truth Kindaichi must uncover the Tsubakis' most disturbing secrets, while the gruesome murders continue... PRAISE FOR SEISHI YOKOMIZO 'The diabolically twisted plotted is top-notch' New York Times Readers will delight in the blind turns, red herrings and dubious alibis... Ingenious and compelling' Economist 'Plenty of golden age ingredients... with a truly ingenious solution' Guardian, Best New Crime NovelsTrade Review“Yokomizo at his absolute best... From the ominous opening through the brilliant final reveal, [he] ably blends suspense and fair-play detection... A classic of the genre.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review“Another fiendishly complex mystery from the master of locked room murders... Atmospheric, chilling, and structurally complex.” --CrimeReads

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Book SynopsisCoward, scoundrel, lover and cheat, but there is no better man to go into the jungle with. Join Flashman in his adventures as he survives fearful ordeals and outlandish perils across the four corners of the world.Can a man be all bad? When Harry Flashman's adventures as the reluctant secret agent in Afghanistan lead him to join the exclusive company of Lord Cardigan's Hussars and play a part in the disastrous Retreat from Kabul, it culminates in the rascal's finest and most dishonest turn.Trade Review'Flashman is a wonderful creation, by a master storyteller. We'll forever delight in his evil antics' JEFFREY ARCHER ‘Politically incorrect, lascivious and fiendishly handsome, Flashman is the greatest ’ BORIS JOHNSON ‘Flashman is one of the great characters of modern fiction; a rogue, a lover, and always an irresistible read’ BERNARD CORNWELL ‘Flashman, Sherlock Holmes, Toad of Toad Hall, Bertie Wooster. Any writer would give his eye-teeth to have created a character as good as those. GMF was one of the greats’ CONN IGGULDEN ‘The perfect fictional creation’ TONY PARSONS ‘A first-rate historical novelist’ KINGSLEY AMIS

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Book SynopsisCan Captain Jack Aubrey and his crew defy the odds, and outmanoeuvre the French, to take two small but vital islands in the Indian Ocean?Life ashore on half pay, despite the joys of family life, is unlikely to satisfy a man of action such as Jack Aubrey. The sea calls to him. And so, when his friend, ship's surgeon and secret agent Stephen Maturin, arrives with secret orders, Aubrey soon finds himself in command of a frigate and setting sail for the Cape of Good Hope.But, in Nelson's navy, there are as many enemies within as without.A few books work their way . . . onto [bestseller] lists by genuine, lasting excellence witness The Lord of the Rings, or Patrick O'Brian's sea stories.'URSULA K. LE GUINI devoured Patrick O'Brian's twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.'CHRISTOPHER HITCHENSTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book Synopsis''As good as Sherlock!!'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Just so entertaining to read!'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''What joy! What a mystery! What a tale!'' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐As his eyes adjusted to the gloom of the attic, he saw by the light of guttering candles, stretched out on the floor before him, the body of a young man, his throat cut from ear to ear . . . London, 1889: Famous writer Oscar Wilde is the toast of London town. But when the body of a young man of his acquaintance is found in a dark attic room, surrounded by candles, he knows he can''t rest until the killer is behind bars. Appealing to fellow author Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the great Sherlock Holmes, the pair set out to solve the crime.But unravelling a real-life plot is very different to wTrade ReviewPraise for Gyles Brandreth and Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders * - *'Brandreth has poured his considerable familiarity with London into a witty fin de siecle entertainment, and the rattlingly elegant dialogue is peppered with witticisms uttered by Wilde well before he ever thought of putting them into his plays' * Sunday Times *One of the most intelligent, amusing and entertaining books of the year. If Oscar Wilde himself had been asked to write this book he could not have done it any better.' * Alexander McCall Smith *Genius . . . Wilde has sprung back to life in this thrilling and richly atmospheric new novel. . .The perfect topography for crime and mystery . . . magnificent . . . an unforgettable shocker about sex and vice, love and death * Sunday Express *Very funny * Independent on Sunday *Gyles Brandreth and Oscar Wilde seem made for one another . . . There is much here to enjoy . . . the complex and nicely structured plot zips along. * Daily Telegraph *This is to be a series and if they're all as enjoyable as the first, they'll all be surefire best-sellers . . . The plot races along like a carriage pulled by thoroughbreds . . . So enjoyably plausible * The Scotsman *Both a romp through fin-de-siècle London . . . and a carefully researched portrait of Oscar Wilde . . . Very entertaining * Literary Review *Brandreth has the Wildean lingo down pat and the narrative is dusted with piquant social observations. A sparkling treat for fans of Wilde and Sherlock Holmes alike * Easy Living *Wilde as detective is thoroughly convincing. . . . The period, and the two or three worlds in which Wilde himself moved, are richly evoked . . . Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders is an excellent detective story. I'm keenly looking forward to the rest of the series * The District Messenger, Journal of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London *Brandreth knows his Wilde . . . Candlelight Murders is an excellent read, and it seems the scene may be set for others in the same style -- and with the same lead character * Gay Times *This is not only a good piece of detective fiction in its own right, it is highly entertaining, spiced as it is with Wildean sayings, both real and invented and the imagined conversations and intellectual sparring between Wilde and Conan Doyle. Future tales in the series are something to look forward to * Leicester Mercury *Brandreth's accomplishment is evident in the force of Wilde's personality, which fairly leaps off the page...readers will delight in the effortless characterization and deft portrait of late Victorian England. * Stephanie Barron *I always wanted to meet Oscar Wilde and now I feel that I have done, and shared a terrific, bizarre and frightening adventure with him. I recommend the experience. * Anne Perry *This excellent novel . . . I'd be staggered if, by the end of 2007, you'd read many better whodunnits. Brandreth demonstrates supremely measured skill as a story-teller. * Nottingham Evening Post *'The rollocking tale...a witty and gripping portrayal of corruption in late Victorian London,a nd one of which Wilde and Sir Arthur would be proud' * Livewire *PRAISE FOR GYLES BRANDRETH'Not merely, like all the best after-dinner speakers, does he know how to spin a yarn; unlike most politicians, he has a touching access to the secrets of the human heart' * The Times *A fine and sympathetic writer * The Times Literary Supplement *He can tell a story in the way Daphne du Maurier could . . . He creates a world and keeps you there * Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisJack Reacher has no place to go, and all the time in the world to get there, so a remote rail road stop on the prairie with the curious name of Mother's Rest seems perfect for an aimless one-day stopover. He expects to find a lonely pioneer tombstone in a sea of nearly-ripe wheat...Trade ReviewChild's best for some time: an enhancement of the old formula, with detective-story and romcom elements (even sly humour) on top of the psychological duels and set-piece violence. * Sunday Times *Typically blunt and energetic...precisely judged. * Independent *Lee Child's Reacher series has hit Book No. 20 with a resounding peal of wisecracking glee ("Are you going to be a problem?" "I'm already a problem. The question is, what are you going to do about it?"). Everything about it...is as strong as ever....Make Me is a hot one. -- Janet Maslin * New York Times *Breathless and bloody...You can't help lapping it up. * Evening Standard *The fights are convincing and the dialogue is as brilliant as always. * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisEdgar Allan Poe was a writer of uncommon talent; in The Murders in the Rue Morgue he created the genre of detective fiction while his genius for finding the strangeness lurking within us all has been an influence on everyone from Freud to Hollywood. This complete collection of all his short stories and novellas contains well-known tales ''The Pit and the Pendulum'' and ''The Tell-Tale Heart'' alongside hidden gems that both unsettle and enthrall the reader.Trade ReviewPoe's work as a whole is a series of haunting improvisations on themes from the macabre that are hard to categorise, dazzlingly original and posthumously influential on an extraordinary range of writers from Baudelaire and RL Stevenson to Yeats, Wilde and Borges * Observer *His work continues to enthral. His greatest tales (The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and the Pendulum) radiate a dark humour and mockery that strike an oddly modern note * Sunday Times *If genius is an exceptional capacity for imaginative creation, Poe had it in spades * Daily Mail *His reputation as a master of the grotesque and macabre has veiled the real cause of his fame: an astonishing mastery of language and literary technique which made Arthur Ransome, himself no mean story technician and a considerable literary critic, liken his stories to rare coloured goblets or fantastic metalwork * Independent *

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Book Synopsis''Graham Greene has wit and grace and character and story and a transcendent universal compassion that places him for all time in the top ranks of world literature'' John le Carré The Third Man, Graham Greene''s most iconic tale, takes place in post-war Vienna, a ''smashed dreary city'' occupied by the four Allied powers. Rollo Martins, a second-rate novelist, arrives penniless to visit his friend and hero, Harry Lime. But Harry has died in suspicious circumstances, and the police are closing in on his associates... The Fallen Idol is the chilling story of a small boy caught up in the games that adults play. Left in the care of the butler and his wife whilst his parents go on a fortnight''s holiday, Philip realises too late the danger of lies and deceit. But the truth is even deadlier.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY IAN THOMSONTrade ReviewA master storyteller, one of the first to write in cinematic style with razor-sharp images moving with kinetic force * Newsweek *Some of his characters the murderous yet repentant Pinkie in Brighton Rock and the mockingly elusive Harry Lime in The Third Man remain so vivid in the public consciousness that they are certain of immortality * Daily Mail *The Fallen Idol handles themes of guilt and deception, responsibility and disappointment, with precision, reflecting these adult ideas off an innocent child * Time Out *[The Third Man] Graham Greene's typically laconic and mordantly witty fable of crime, deceit and betrayal -- Simon Callow * Guardian *No serious writer of this century has more thoroughly invaded and shaped the public imagination than did Graham Greene * The Times *

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Book SynopsisDawn breaks over Vancouver and no one in the world has slept the night before, or almost no one. A few people, perhaps one in ten thousand, can still sleep, and they've all shared the same golden dream. After six days of absolute sleep deprivation, psychosis will set in. After four weeks, the body will die. In the interim, panic ensues and a bizarre new world arises in which those previously on the fringes of society take the lead. Paul, a writer, continues to sleep while his partner Tanya disintegrates before his eyes, and the new world swallows the old one whole.Trade Review"I loved the premise and enjoyed both the story and Barnes s rich prose." -Craig DiLouie Thought provoking and utterly engrossing, NOD is a science fiction tale of horror unlike any I have read before. -Count Gore The creepiest book of the year -Slate I could see what the new world of Nod looked like, could easily picture the slow collapse of Vancouver and its people thanks to Barnes close attention to detail. At times I could even smell the death and decay it so vividly described. -Project Fandom "Debut author Barnes has written a completely original twist on the subject of insomnia. His apocalyptic thriller will appeal to fans of ChristopherGalt s"Biblical"and other dystopian and sf thrillers as well as readers with an interest in mythology" - Library Journal I have never read anything quite like this book. It s the perfect blend of heady existentialism and dystopian nightmare. The grand scope of the many ideas and themes, including anti-establishment, anti-consumerism, and the very nature of good and evil, is balanced out by fast-paced events that play on a micro-level...Nod is horror born of the unflinching and uncompromising detail that dissects what it means to be human. -Dread Central "Nod brings a refreshing perspective to the horror/zombie genre." -Pop Kernal "Graphically violent, but gleaming with gems of sardonic prose and clever phrases, this is a book I would read again just for the writing." -St. Louis Post-Dispatch"

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Book SynopsisChristmas Eve. While the world sleeps, snow falls gently from the sky, presents lie under the tree ... and murder is afoot. In this collection of ten classic murder mysteries by the best crime writers from the 1920s to today, death and mayhem take many festive forms, from the inventive to the unexpected. From a Santa Claus with a grudge to a cat who knows who killed its owner on Christmas Eve, these are stories to enjoy - and be mystified by - in front of a roaring fire, mince pie in hand.Trade ReviewEach of [the] top-notch writers ... brings a distinctive and imaginative edge to Christmas crime ... a satisfying respite from the forthcoming festivities. -- Barry Turner * Daily Mail *An excellent collection of short stories by ten top-class writers. -- Marcel Berlins * Times Books of the Year *Offers excellent value as the roll call of authors included is really very impressive indeed. * ShotsMag *Looking forward to Christmas? This anthology is a fine way to start it. It's a cracker. -- Amy MyersPraise for Murder under the Christmas Tree: 'This killer selection is the icing on the (Christmas) cake ... this is all your Christmases come at once for fans of the genre. * The Lady *

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Book Synopsis''Intelligent, warm, familiar, gripping, and completely immersive. Ambitious in geography and scope, I relished every paragraph. The Gamache (and Three Pines) we love, but utterly fresh. SUPERB'' WILL DEANRelentless phone calls interrupt the peace of a warm August morning in the small village of Three Pines in Quebec. Someone has managed to track down Armand Gamache, head of homicide, as he sits with his wife in their back garden. When he finally answers the call, his rage shatters the calm of their quiet Sunday morning.That''s only the first in a sequence of strange events that begin THE GREY WOLF. At first they seem small - a missing coat, a note for Gamache reading this might interest you, a puzzling scrap of paper with a mysterious list - but then a murder. All propel Chief Inspector Gamache and his team toward a terrible realization. Something much more sinister than any one murder or any one case is fast approaching. A threat unlike anything they''ve s

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Book SynopsisThe penultimate chapter in the Enzo Files, sees Enzo enter the volatile and - now, it appears - violent world of haute cuisine.

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