Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisTwenty-eight-year-old virtuoso violinist Gideon Davies has lost not only his memory of music but also his ability to play the instrument he mastered as a five-year-old prodigy. All he can remember is a single name: Sonia.Then, one rainy evening, Gideon''s mother Eugenie travels to London for a mysterious appointment. But before she is able to reach her destination, a car swoops out of nowhere and kills her in the street.In pursuing Eugenie''s killer, Lynley and Havers come to know a group of people whose lives are inextricably connected by a long-ago death, a trial, and a prison sentence handed down as retribution for a crime no one has spoken of for twenty years.Trade ReviewAbsorbing . . . the pleasure of the book is the slow, surprising and often shocking unravelling of the various links between the main characters * The Times *A long and absorbing read that will please lovers of the traditional crime novel * Scotland on Sunday *First-rate suspense with a stunner of an ending * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's classic short story collection, including one of her most enduring and shocking thrillers, The Witness for the Prosecution.1920s London.A murder, brutal and bloodthirsty, has stained the plush carpets of a handsome London townhouse. The victim is the glamorous and enormously rich Emily French. All the evidence points to Leonard Vole, a young chancer to whom the heiress left her vast fortune and who ruthlessly took her life. At least, this is the story that Emily's dedicated housekeeper Janet Mackenzie stands by in court. Leonard however, is adamant that his partner, the enigmatic chorus girl Romaine, can prove his innocence.Trade Review“With the long terrible shadow of the Great War falling across the rackety, feral 1920s, The Witness for the Prosecution is a compelling story of deceit, desire, murder, money and morality, innocence and guilt, heartbreak and most painful and dangerous of all, love. At the centre of this dark and tangled net is the astonishing character of Romaine, a noir heroine for all our times.” Sarah Phelps

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Book Synopsis''PROOF THAT THE SPY GENRE IS FLOURISHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY'' Guardian''I know for certain that there is a mole somewhere within the intelligence services . . . His codename is Nobody . . .'' Solomon Vine is a spy on a fast track to the top. But when a prisoner is shot in unexplained circumstances on his watch, only suspension and exile beckon. Three months later, MI6''s Head of Station in Istanbul is violently abducted from his home. With the Service in lockdown, uncertain of who can be trusted, thoughts turn to the missing man''s oldest friend: Solomon Vine. On the run and determined to clear his name, Vine tries to uncover the truth. But his investigation soon reveals that there''s much more at stake than the life of a single spy...''Compelling, intense and sharply authentic'' James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad ''A supremely confident debut'' Daily MailTrade ReviewNow comes Matthew Richardson, hailed as the next Charles Cumming. My Name is Nobody actually falls somewhere between Robert Ludlum and Le Carre * Sunday Mail *A splendid tale of espionage starring an old-fashioned MI6 hero . . . exciting spy literature * The Times *All debut spy novelists are dubbed the new John le Carre but Richardson has made a good fist of living up to the accolade at his first attempt . . . [a] knowledgeable thriller * SPORT Magazine *Proof that the genre is flourishing anew in the 21st century . . . [he] distinguishes the more ambitious offerings in the spy genre, but his plotting has an old-school, Swiss-clock precision that keeps the reader pleasurably engaged. * The Guardian *I dare you to find a first novel as self-assured, impeccably researched and beautifully rendered . . . Richardson paints a portrait of espionage that calls to mind early le Carré -- Gregg Hurwitz * No. 1 bestselling author of Orphan X *Compelling, intense and sharply authentic -- James Swallow * bestselling author of Nomad *A pleasingly convoluted spy saga . . . which combines immaculate Cold War tradecraft with modern tech savvy as our maverick hero comes up against a Le Carre-esque establishment while trying to find a mole and head off a terrorist atrocity * Sunday Times Crime Club *Truly authentic and frighteningly so . . . a remarkable thriller * Shot Magazine *Authentic, mysterious, fraught with deception, betrayal, and uncertain allegiances, it captures perfectly the foggy world of spies, populated by conspiracy and turncoats, both friends and enemies, an evocative descent into the Wilderness of Mirrors -- Jason Matthews * author of Red Sparrow *Matthew Richardson's debut is a bang-up-to-date thriller told with old-school panache. A great read -- Mick Herron * CWA Gold Dagger-winning author of Dead Lions *Elegant and assured, My Name is Nobody weaves a complex web of moles, double agents and tradecraft, brought right up to date by a fresh young voice . . . compelling spy fiction -- Michael Ridpath * bestselling author of Amnesia *A supremely confident debut . . . This story is told with panache and a taste for spy craft that mark it as outstanding * Daily Mail *Told with panache and a taste for the intricacies of craft that mark it as outstanding ... Solomon Vine reminds me not so much of le Carre's Smiley, but rather Len Deighton's spy in his marvellous debut The Ipcress File. If he keeps going, Vine could be that good ... a supremely confident debut * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisTHE GENERALS is the compelling second novel in Simon Scarrow''s bestselling Wellington and Napoleon quartet. A must read for fans of Bernard Cornwell.In the turbulent aftermath of the French Revolution Napoleon Bonaparte stands accused of treachery and corruption. His reputation is saved by his skill in leading his men to victory in Italy and Egypt. But then he must restore order in France and find peace or victory over her enemies: England - and Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington).Wellesley is leading a vast army in India, where British interests are under threat. The campaign will result in the creation of the Raj - the jewel in the British Empire''s crown. Wellesley returns to England a hardened veteran and more determined than ever to end France''s domination of Europe.Both Wellesley and Napoleon intend to win - whatever the cost. Who will ultimately succeed?Trade Review'This is how to bring history alive.. Scarrow draws together the parallel threads of these two giants of history while, at the same time, subtly emphasising the differences in their characters... Scarrow's descriptive powers bring battles to life, from the sweeping panoply of the big picture down to the individual mano-a-mano fights with sword and bayonet, lance and musket. He also gives the reader a greater understanding of how armies behaved in an age when the winner takes all and everyone else must lock up their doors. At times it is blood-churning stuff. THE GENERALS is fiction at its best with all the dash and fervour of a ripping yarn' * Nottingham Evening Post *'One of the great duels in history, between two of its most fascinating characters. Simon Scarrow brings Wellington and Napoleon to life with a vengeance' * Paul Strathern, author of NAPOLEON IN EGYPT *'Scarrow plunges into the aftermath of the French Revolution for another rip-roaring adventure story' * Yorkshire Evening Post *'Scarrow builds up a fascinating picture of a world at war and sets the stage for the looming confrontation between these two military giants - an enthralling sequel' * Good Reading, Australia *'The characters are real, so too the battles... brought vividly to life with the thriller writer's skill' * Nottingham Evening Post *

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Book SynopsisThe next gripping volume in The Brighton Mysteries series by bestselling author Elly Griffiths.It starts with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house; throw in a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer, and you've got the next gripping book in the Brighton Mysteries series. Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted's assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he's convinced that he'll be accused of her murder.Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn't know is that the girl's family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (aka Mrs Stephens) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own. The inhabitants of the boarding house, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, are a motley crew. The house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician's assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer. He persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement and take part in a summer show. But who can pose as his assistant? Edgar shocks the team by recommending someone close. . .***************************Praise for The Brighton Mysteries'Original, lively and gripping' Independent'Full of period detail, smart plotting and likeable characters' Mail on Sunday'Full of fun and expertly plotted' Sunday ExpressThe Last Remains, the final instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, was a Sunday Times bestseller in August 2023.Trade ReviewGriffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs ruled by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *Intriguing, multi-layered and full of rich period detail with each character honed to perfection * Lancashire Evening Press *Elly has shot into the top ranks of British crime writers after building an impressive catalogue of bestsellers * Peterborough Telegraph *Gripping . . . magical . . . we loved it * Woman's Weekly *Full of period charm and fiendish plotting * Mail on Sunday *Griffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs rules by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *

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Book SynopsisRimington tells her story with the crisp authority one would expect of James Bond's M' New York Times Book ReviewRecovering from a gruelling terrorist investigation, Liz Carlyle has been posted to MI5's counter-espionage desk. Her bosses hope the change of scene will give her some breathing space, but they haven't counted on Putin's increased aggression towards the West. Soon Liz is on the hunt for a Russian spy who threatens to plunge Britain back into the fraught days of the Cold War.Meanwhile, MI6 has hired Jasminder Kapoor, a controversial young civil rights lawyer, to explain issues of privacy and security to the public. But in this world of shadowy motives and secret identities, Jasminder must be extra-careful about whom she can trust THE DEVIL''S BARGAIN, the brand-new thriller from Stella Rimington, is out now.Trade ReviewShe bids to join the ranks of such secret-agent authors as Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene and John le Carré * Wall Street Journal *A wealth of persuasive detail, obviously drawn from first-hand experience * Marie Claire *This is something rare: the spy novel that prizes authenticity over fabrication that is true to the character and spirit of intelligence work * Mail on Sunday *For a pacy page-turner, she's a safe bet . . . Rimington is particularly strong in her accounts of procedure, unsurprisingly, given her past role as Head of MI5 * Independent *Faster than Le Carré, she creates the same sense of real characters struggling with real problems * John Sandford *Liz Carlyle is an MI5 agent with the traditional thriller-heroine mix of dysfunctional personal life and steely ambition * Daily Telegraph *Just like her heroine Liz, Stella Rimington was a woman in a mainly man’s world as the head of MI5 and this lends her novel enormous credibility right through to the nail-biting final -- Joanna Czechowska on Close Call * Woman *This spy story is as authentic as it could be … Although high drama is tightly limited, there is enough action (and sympathy for targeted agents) to make for a highly satisfying plot * Country Life *

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Chronicles of Ixia series to its exhilarating conclusion. Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond—and a family—that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia. Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall—and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal. With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician…and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.Trade Review ‘…a compelling new fantasy series.’ Rhianna Pratchett, SFX Magazine on Poison Study ‘the story… is peopled by convincing and well realised characters. Verdict: 9/10.’ Total SciFi on Fire Study

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Book SynopsisFROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott AN ANCIENT SWORD. A LONG BURIED SECRET.ONE MAN WILL UNCOVER THE MYSTERY. It’s Christmas, and on a trip back to the UK to try to sort out his stormy personal life, ex-SAS soldier Ben Hope runs into two old friends. Simeon and Michaela were once his fellow students at Oxford – now they are the Reverend and Mrs Arundel. Ben senses that Simeon is deeply troubled and frightened, but before the truth can emerge about his secretive research project concerning a mysterious, ancient ‘sacred sword’, both he and Michael are wiped out in a devastating road crash. Convinced that his friends’ deaths were no accident, Ben is propelled on a global quest to unlock the enigma of the sacred sword. At every step, he is pursued by ruthless agents of the sinister organisation that will stop at nothing to acquire it. In the course of his investigations, Ben will discover an incredible secret, not just about the history of Christianity but about his own past. The Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to a new Ben Hope thriller begins… Whilst the Ben Hope thrillers can be read in any order, this is the seventh book in the series. Trade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore

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Book SynopsisAn airline stewardess is entrusted with a list of names which could threaten the lives of her 700 passengers... A young woman is tortured by terrifying nightmares, until she finds a gramophone record that unlocks the door concealing a dark memory... Lottery-winner turned amateur detective, Alvirah Meehan returns from a trip to England to find the body of a Broadway starlet in their wardrobe... Peopled by a colourful cast of characters and brimming over with bizarre twists and turns, this collection is further proof of Mary Higgins Clark''s ingenious touch and superlative skill. Start reading - and you won''t be able to stop.

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Book SynopsisBorn in Winnipeg in 1962, IAN CAMERON ESSLEMONT has studied and worked as an archaeologist, travelled extensively in South East Asia and lived in Thailand and Japan for several years. He now lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, with his wife and children. His novels - beginning with Night of Knives - are all set in the fantasy world of Malaz that he co-created with Steven Erikson. Dancer's Lament was the first book in the 'Paths to Ascendancy' sequence (which continues the story of the turbulent early history of this epic imagined world) while Forge of the High Mage is the fourth. To find out more, visit www.ian-esslemont.com and www.malazanempire.comTrade ReviewThe finest Esslemont novel so far, and a superb Malazan novel in its own right, Orb, Sceptre, Throne is a book long-time Malazan fans will love * DRYING-INK.BLOGSPOT *

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Book SynopsisTHE ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES #3 ‘Gripping, clever and impossible to put down' ERIN KELLY   ‘An absolute master of pace, plotting and character’ ELLY GRIFFITHSINTRUDERS HERE ARE BOUND TO DIE . . .   As the sun sets on a cold November evening, the tiny community of St Agnes prepares for their annual Fifth-of-November festivities. Moments before the fireworks are scheduled to commence, an islander discovers a charred body left on the bonfire, and quickly it becomes clear that a killer is at large.   Ben Kitto is the Deputy Chief of Police for the Scilly Isles, and with a killer on the loose, he has no choice but to forbid all residents from leaving the island. With a population of just eighty people, everyone is a suspect and no one is safe.   When threats start appearing, written in the old Cornish language, Ben suspects that the ki

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Book SynopsisPeople are going missing in the suburb of Thamespark, forcing DI Sebastian Locke and his squad into a complex case a case that becomes personal when his ex-wife vanishes.

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Book SynopsisTrusted surgeon. Loving wife. Murderer?Before my world came crashing down, I had it all. The successful career I dreamed of. The beautiful red-brick home where I could relax in front of the fire. The handsome, devoted husband whose blue eyes and charming smile always made me feel safe.As I call time of death, my voice is steady. My colleagues stand hushed around me, their eyes on me, confused, concerned.I have never lost a patient until today.My hands tremble inside their gloves. I slide down the cold tiled walls, my heart racing in my chest.I have never hated a patient until today.But what choice did I have, once I recognized him?And what will I do to protect myself, if someone learns the truth?A Kindle no.1 bestseller, The Surgeon is a totally gripping psychological thriller that will have you racing through the pages, gasping for breath until the final jaw-dropping twist. If you

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Book SynopsisStephanie Austin has enjoyed a varied career, working as an artist and an antiques trader, but also for the Devon Schools Library Service. When not writing she is actively involved in amateur theatre as a director and actor, and attempts to be a competent gardener and cook. She lives in Devon.

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Book SynopsisTHE SENSATIONAL ADVENTURE FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch' Andy McDermottTrade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore ‘Scott Mariani is an awesome writer’ Chris Kuzneski

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times Bestselling AuthorThrilling and nail-biting, The Phoenix has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.A deadly enemy will rise againElla Praeger has always felt like an outsider. So when she is called to join the ranks of The Group, a force for good operating in the shadows, her world shifts. She is gifted a purpose and a dangerous legacy.Years ago, The Group rid the world of one of its most powerful criminal masterminds. Yet when a child washes up on a beach in Greece, a mysterious symbol tattooed on its heel, it is a clear warning: impossibly, Athena Petridis has returned to reclaim her empire.Ella's connection to Athena is deeply personal. Thrown into an underworld of treachery and corruption, and haunted by the tragedies of her own past, Ella is reborn as an agent, chasing a villain risen from the ashes. But only one of them can fulfil their destinyTrade ReviewPraise for Tilly Bagshawe as Sidney Sheldon: ‘Suspense could hardly be greater’ Daily Telegraph ‘What a pleasure to have Papa’s books live on through Tilly Bagshawe. How he would have delighted in her plot twists and characters. And she’s young and beautiful to boot – a Sidney Sheldon heroine come to life!’ Mary Sheldon ‘She seemed to catch that inner voice… she was one of his characters. I could feel Sidney smiling down on me, saying “this is perfect”’ Alexandra Sheldon

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Book SynopsisThe world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirotlegendary star of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nilereturns to solve a fiendish new mystery.Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attachedCould this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot fTrade Review“‘Close enough to Christie’s own style that the reader could segue from Murder on the Orient Express into this present novel without a stumble.”— New York Journal of Books “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability. They make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”— Tana French “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman

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Book SynopsisA missing woman. A husband suspected.The truth will Take Your Breath AwayLinwood Barclay isA suspense master' Stephen King In a class of his own'T.M. LoganOne of the finest thriller writers in the world' Mark BillinghamIt's always the husband, isn't it?When his wife Brie vanishes from their home one night, never to be seen again, people assume Andy got away with murder. The police can't build a case against him, but still his friends and neighbours abandon him.Six years later, Andy's life is back on track, and he's settled with a new girlfriend. And when he hears his old house has been bulldozed and rebuilt, he's not bothered. Things are good.But then one day, a woman who looks like Brie shows up at their old address, screaming Where's my house? What happened to my house?' before vanishing as quickly as she appeared.And as dark suspicions resurface, Andy's future depends on discovering what the hell is going on. The trick is staying alive long enough to find outPRAISE FOR LINWOOD BARCTrade Review PRAISE FOR LINWOOD BARCLAY: ‘A suspense master’ STEPHEN KING ‘A full-throttle powerhouse of a thriller – Linwood Barclay is in a class of his own’ T.M. LOGAN ‘One of the finest thriller writers in the world’ MARK BILLINGHAM ‘The twists keep coming’ THE TIMES ‘Another twisting and ingenious thriller from suspense-meister Linwood’ THE SUN 'No one can thrill you and chill you better than Barclay' TESS GERRITSEN ‘Another lightning-paced page-turner with a twist that really did take my breath away. Absolutely classic Linwood’ MARK EDWARDS ‘A master of pace, structure, and suspense. Take Your Breath Away had me guessing and turning pages all night, and I still didn’t figure it out till the end. Gripping, propulsive, and surprising – he wasn’t kidding, I’m breathless’ DAVID KOEPP ‘If you want someone to jangle your nerves and mess with your mind, Barclay’s your man’ SAGA 'Nothing is more satisfying than tucking into a new Linwood Barclay novel' SHARI LAPENA ‘[Exhibits] Barclay’s remarkable strengths in plotting and characterisation. Perhaps only John Grisham is his equal in creating show-stealing supporting characters’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘This novel moves as fast as a falling elevator and hits with just as much force. Linwood Barclay is a stone-cold pro’ JOE HILL ‘A fast-moving, high-concept thriller from the talented Barclay … a rip-roaring rollercoaster of a ride’ DAILY MAIL ‘Linwood Barclay’s thrillers move at breakneck speed… pacy, exciting’ WOMAN & HOME ‘Linwood Barclay presses all the right buttons’ MICHAEL ROBOTHAM ‘Difficult to put down. A cracking read’ BELFAST TELEGRAPH ‘A breathless, gripping read’ WOMAN’S OWN ‘Murder mysteries don’t get much better than this … utterly compelling, and the drama will take your breath away’ PA MEDIA

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Book SynopsisThe gripping new Ben Hope thriller from the Number One bestseller.When ex-SAS major Ben Hope is urgently recalled to the UK from his base in France to assist with a family crisis, little does he know that he's about to be drawn into one of the most dangerous missions of his career: his son Jude has been accused of a brutal murder, and all the evidence points to his guilt.To prove Jude's innocence Ben embarks on a wild chase, facing up against mysterious killers and piecing together a fragile web of clues. What connects an all-female criminal gang from the early 1900s called the Forty Elephants, a century-old vendetta and a shadowy government conspiracy that claimed millions of innocent lives?Along the way Ben teams up with his former acquaintance, rugged Detective Tom McAllister. They're heading for a showdown in the wilds of Cornwall, and the villains have no intention of letting Ben come out of it alive . . .People can't get enough of the Ben Hope series:Compelling from the first pagTrade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Compelling from the first page until the last, Mariani and his fabulous protagonist Ben Hope entertain in a gripping tale that will have you turning the pages well into the night’ Mark Dawson ‘Thrilling. Scott Mariani is at the top of his game’ Andy McDermott ‘A high level of realism … the action scenes come thick and fast. Like the father of the modern thriller, Frederick Forsyth, Mariani has a knack for embedding his plots in the fears and preoccupations of their time’ Shots Magazine ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore ‘Scott Mariani is an awesome writer’ Chris Kuzneski

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Book SynopsisDavid Szalay is the author of five previous works of fiction: Spring, The Innocent, London and the South-East, for which he was awarded the Betty Trask and Geoffrey Faber Memorial prizes, All That Man Is, for which he was awarded the Gordon Burn prize and Plimpton Prize for Fiction, and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and Turbulence, which won the Edge Hill Prize. Born in Canada, he grew up in London, and now lives in Vienna. His work has been translated into over twenty languages.Trade ReviewA psychologically intricate, flawlessly researched tale of Stalin's legacy through the eyes of a disillusioned old communist. It felt as English as Le Carre with its elegant Cold War scene-setting and quiet but intense emotional range. -- Melissa Katsoulis * Times *This is a double headed story that is both sad and compelling -- Nina Caplan * Timeout *Szalay weaves a multilayered narrative ripe with period detail... A challenging thriller... Gripping * Metro *Impressive... Still in his mid-thirties, Szalay will surely soon be adding more prizes to his Betty Trask * The Sunday Times *Szalay moves skilfully across time and shows that history's end is not prophesied in books, but written in the wind -- Steven Martin * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisThe Moonstone is one of the first true works of detective fiction, in which Wilkie Collins established the groundwork for the genre itself. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction by Sandra Kemp.The Moonstone, a priceless yellow diamond, is looted from an Indian temple and maliciously bequeathed to Rachel Verinder. On her eighteenth birthday, her friend and suitor Franklin Blake brings the gift to her. That very night, it is stolen again. No one is above suspicion, as the idiosyncratic Sergeant Cuff and the Franklin piece together a puzzling series of events as mystifying as an opium dream and as deceptive as the nearby Shivering Sand. The intricate plot and modern technique of multiple narrators made Wilkie Collins''s 1868 work a huge success in the Victorian sensation genre. With a reconstruction of the crime, red herrings and a ''locked-room'' puzzle, The Moonstone was also a major precursor of the modern mystery novel.In her introduction Sandra Kemp explores The Moonstone''s the detective elements of Collins''s writing, and reveals how Collins''s sensibilities were untypical of his era.Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was born in London in 1824, the eldest son of the landscape painter William Collins. In 1846 he was entered to read for the bar at Lincoln''s Inn, where he gained the knowledge that was to give him much of the material for his writing. From the early 1850s he was a friend of Charles Dickens, who produced and acted in two melodramas written by Collins, The Lighthouse and The Frozen Deep. Of his novels, Collins is best remembered for The Woman in White (1859), No Name (1862), Armadale (1866) and The Moonstone (1868).If you enjoyed The Moonstone you might like Collins''s The Woman in White, also available in Penguin Classics.''Probably the very finest detective story ever written''Dorothy L. Sayers''The first, the longest and the best of modern modern English detective novels''T.S. EliotTrade Review"The first and greatest of English detective novels."--T. S. Eliot

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA unique teller of tales ... What interested Simenon was the average man losing control of his own fate * Observer *A treat. . . every bit as gripping as his detective stories. . . There's much to enjoy in the atmospheric portrayal of 1950s French life and the elegant simplicity with which Milk's story is told. Simenon enthusiasts should get a copy. They won't be disappointed -- Martin Bentham * Evening Standard *

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Book Synopsis''Deighton at his best'' Evening StandardSteve Champion - flamboyant businessman, former leader of an anti-Nazi network in the Second World War - is a man surrounded by mysteries. There are rumours he is still in the spying business. And suspicions that his fortune may be built on something nefarious; something he''d rather stayed secret. The Department are nervous, so Champion''s oldest wartime ally is sent to the South of France to investigate. It''s time to re-open the file on yesterday''s spy, whatever the consequences. ''Tough, well-written and extremely readable'' Daily MailA PATRICK ARMSTRONG NOVELTrade ReviewTough, well-written and extremely readable. * Daily Mail *Len Deighton is the Flaubert of the contemporary thriller writers. -- Michael Howard * Times Literary Supplement *Splendid bluffs and lots of pleasing violence. * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis''Fascinating, brilliant, horribly addictive'' Guardian From the day that Sheba Hart joins the staff at St George''s, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. When Sheba is discovered having an illicit affair with one of her pupils, Barbara appoints herself Sheba''s chief defender. Yet all is not as it first appears in this dark story and as Sheba will eventually discover, a friend can be as treacherous as any lover. ''Superbly gripping'' Daily Telegraph Trade ReviewFascinating, brilliant, horribly addictive * Guardian *Superbly gripping. One of the most compelling books I've read in ages * Daily Telegraph *Deliciously sinister * Daily Mail *Excellent. An undercurrent of subtle malice, cleverly controlled by Heller * Evening Standard *Brilliant, nasty, gripping -- Zadie Smith * Observer *Reads like a nose through someone else's bathroom cabinet: full of guilty insights and delicious snobbery * Independent *A subtle study in obsession and loneliness ... my take-it-to-the-beach recommendation -- Monica Ali * Guardian Summer Reading *

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Book SynopsisIt''s Easter in Reading - a bad time for eggs - and no one can remember the last sunny day. Humpty Dumpty, well-known nursery favourite, large egg, ex-convict and former millionaire philanthropist is found shattered beneath a wall in a shabby area of town.Following the pathologist''s careful reconstruction of Humpty''s shell, Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his Sergeant Mary Mary are soon grappling with a sinister plot involving cross-border money laundering, the illegal Bearnaise sauce market, corporate politics and the cut and thrust world of international Chiropody. As Jack and Mary stumble around the streets of Reading in Jack''s Lime Green Austin Allegro, the clues pile up, but Jack has his own problems to deal with.And on top of everything else, the Jellyman is coming to town...Trade ReviewConsistently clever * Publishers Weekly *I love it. THE BIG OVER EASY is great not just because it's very funny...but also because it works properly as a whodunit...Comic genius. * Observer *A riot of puns, in-jokes and literary allusions that Fforde carries off with aplomb * Daily Mail *A riot of puns, in-jokes and literary allusions that Fforde carries off with aplomb * Daily Mail *Now humour is notoriously subjective so what I've just described might just sound plain daft to you. But I love it. THE BIG OVER EASY is great not just because it's very funny but also because it works properly as a whodunnit. Comic genius. * Observer,Peter Guttridge *'More twists and turns than Christie ... embellished with the rich details of a Dickens or Pratchett. A real treat.' * Independent *'The combination of fantasy and a (more or less) classic murder . . . makes a wild and enjoyable change' * Sunday Telegraph *Very accomplished indeed. * Guardian *'Fforde offers a cascade of puns, plays on words, surrealism, satire and verbal virtuosity based on children's rhymes and stories. Astonishingly, he stays funny for 400 pages . . . Even more amazingly, there's a real plot there, a proper mystery with a surprise solution' * The Times *'This is the first of best-selling Fforde's hilarious, absurd and utterly compelling new series' * Daily Mirror *'Fforde offers a cascade of puns, plays on words, surrealism, satire and verbal virtuosity...Astonishing, he is funny for 400 pages' * The Times *'Fforde's books are more than an ingenious idea. They are written with buoyant zest and tautly plotted. They have empathetic heroes and heroines who nearly make terrible mistakes and suitably dastardly villains who do. They also have more twists and turns than Christie, and are embellished with the rich detail of a Dickens or Pratchett . . . A summertime treat' * The Independent *'The combination of fantasy and a (more or less) classic murder . . . makes a wild and enjoyable change' * Sunday Telegraph *'A triumphant lampoon of the whodunnit genre . . . Fforde manages to cram in more jokes per page than before, and the relish with which he takes to his subject is infectious' * Herald *'The first of best-selling Fforde's hilarious, absurd and utterly compelling new series' * Mirror *'A book that should be more accessible to newcomers . . . Fforde may be an acquired taste, but it's worth acquiring' * SFX *'Continuing to ransack British fiction, Jasper Fforde here mixes nursery rhymes with golden age detective fiction to produce something very accomplished indeed' * Guardian *'Fforde is a master entertainer, and a wordsmith of dexterous genius.' * Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisWinner of Wales Book of the Year Pink Mist is a verse-drama about three young soldiers from Bristol who are deployed to Afghanistan. School friends still in their teens, Arthur, Hads and Taff each have their own reasons for enlisting. Within a short space of time they return to the women in their lives (a mother, a wife, a girlfriend), all of whom must now share the psychological and physical aftershocks of their service. A work of great dramatic power, documentary integrity and emotional intensity, Pink Mist uses everyday yet heightened speech to excavate the human cost of modern warfare. Drawing upon interviews with soldiers and their families, as well as ancient texts such as the medieval Welsh poem Y Gododdin, it is the first extended lyric narrative to emerge from the devastating conflict in Afghanistan.

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Book SynopsisMeet Cordelia Gray: twenty-two, tough, intelligent and now sole inheritor of the Pryde Detective Agency. Her first assignment finds her hired by Sir Ronald Callender to investigate the death of his son Mark, a young Cambridge student found hanged in mysterious circumstances. Required to delve into the hidden secrets of the Callender family, Cordelia soon realises it is not a case of suicide, and that the truth is entirely more sinister.

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1946 and set in the fell country of Lunesdale over the course of a rainy September, The Theft of the Iron Dogs is the very picture of a cosy crime mystery and showcases Lorac's masterful attention to detail and deep affection for both Lunesdale and its residents.

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Book SynopsisMore nail-biting adventure from Cussler's thrilling hero, Dirk Pitt.

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Book SynopsisYoung widow Bella Jordan investigates a mystery with a literary twist in this charming, magical small-town cozy mystery from New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub.It''s been nine months since widowed mom Bella Jordan and her young son Max moved to Lily Dale, the quirky, close-knit New York community populated by people who can speak to the dead . . . if one believes in that kind of thing. Now she counts Valley View, the guesthouse she runs, as home and her psychic medium neighbors as friends. Even haughty, British Pandora, who used to own Valley View before her difficult divorce.So when Pandora sweeps in, requesting an urgent tête-à-tête, Bella expects it to be another complaint about book club. It isn''t. Pandora airily reveals her elderly Auntie Eudora is taking a last-minute cruise from London to New York with her gentleman friend Nigel - and minutes later Bella is bemused to find she''s agreed to host them at Valley View free of charge.

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Book SynopsisMurder always sells. But when a series of dark and puzzling crimes takes place in seventeenth-century London, will printer''s apprentice Lucy Campion be publishing the news - or starring in it?London, 1667. Printer''s apprentice Lucy Campion is unsettled when, on a frozen December morning after church, an elderly woman dressed in mourning clothes whispers an ominous warning in her ear.Lucy sternly tells herself it''s nonsense, but then her much-loved former master, Magistrate Hargrave, is viciously attacked with a brass hourglass during a break-in. But what exactly was the intruder searching for? And why did they first stop to steal a piece of Cook''s lamb and lentil pie?The puzzling case is just the start of a series of dark, bizarre crimes. Lucy''s determined to uncover the truth and see that justice is done. But someone is equally determined to stop her - whatever it takes.This page-turning historical mystery set in Renaissa

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Book SynopsisBlackmail, sexual harassment, murder . . . and a missing dog: eccentric, eco-obsessed LA private eye Charlie Waldo is on the case in this quirky, fast-paced mystery. Paying a harsh self-imposed penance for a terrible misstep on a case, former LAPD superstar detective Charlie Waldo lives a life of punishing minimalism deep within the woods, making a near religion of his commitment to owning no more than One Hundred Things.At least, he?s trying to. His PI girlfriend Lorena keeps drawing him back to civilization ? even though every time he compromises on his principles, something goes wrong.And unfortunately for Waldo, all roads lead straight back to LA. When old adversary Don Q strongarms him into investigating the seemingly mundane death of a vagrant, Lorena agrees he can work under her PI license on one condition: he help with a high-maintenance celebrity client, wildly popular courtroom TV star Judge Ida Mudge, whose new mega-deal makes her a perfect target for blackmail. Reopening the coldest of cases, a decades-old fraternity death, Waldo begins to wonder if the judge is, in fact, a murderer ? and if he?ll stay alive long enough to find out.Pay or Play is the third in the Charlie Waldo series, following Last Looks and Below the Line. Last Looks was turned into a major motion picture, starring Charlie Hunnam as the offbeat private investigator.

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Book SynopsisDCI Monika Paniatowski faces an old enemy - and makes a fatal mistake with the potential to poison her whole career.Jordan Gough is an important man. He''s the town''s biggest benefactor. He is the proprietor of the Whitebridge Evening Telegraph. He owns the local football team.He is also, DCI Monika Paniatowski thinks, as bent as a corkscrew - and if she had any evidence, she''d put him away like a shot. A single encounter with him as a young detective sergeant left an impression she''s never forgotten. And neither, she is certain, has he.So when Jordan calls and demands to speak to Monika - and only Monika - she is on immediate high alert. He claims someone''s trying to kill him, but why has he destroyed the evidence? Why turn for help to an officer he hates?Certain she''s the target of a twisted practical joke, Monika makes a terrible mistake - one that could destroy everything she holds dear.The fourteenth DCI Monik

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Book SynopsisHollywood stars, sunshine, stabbings . . . New Jersey prosecutor turned LA family lawyer Sandy Moss is back with a bang in the second book in this fun, witty and fast-paced cosy legal mystery series.The last person family lawyer Sandy Moss expects to walk into her courtroom, right in the middle of a trial, is TV star Patrick McNabb: prime suspect in her first (and she hopes, last) murder case.Sandy knows what Patrick''s like. Friendly, overconfident, dazzlingly handsome . . . and a well-meaning menace. But his request seems harmless enough. His dear friend Cynthia is getting divorced, and he thinks Sandy''s perfect for the job. She accepts - because he''s Patrick and there is no denying him.But of course it''s not that simple. Soon Sandy''s tangled up in yet another murder - and Patrick, who''s currently playing a private detective on TV, believes he''s essential to solving the whole thing . . .Fast-paced, funny and larger than life, with a joy of a protagonist who could give Perry Mason a run for his money (Kirkus Reviews), JUDGMENT AT SANTA MONICA is a perfect escapist read and a great choice for fans of legal mysteries and TV shows.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisSaint Peter''s Fair is a grand festive event, attracting tradesmen from across England and beyond. There is a pause in the civil war racking the country in the summer of 1139, and the fair promises to bring some much needed gaiety to the town of Shrewsbury. Until, that is, the body of a wealthy trader is found in the River Severn. Was Thomas of Bristol the victim of murderous thieves? And if so, why were his valuables abandoned nearby? Brother Cadfael offers to help the merchant''s lovely niece Emma. But while he is seaching for the killer, the man''s wares are ransacked and two more men are murdered. Emma almost certainly knows more than she is telling, as others will soon realise. Cadfael desperately races to save the young girl, knowing that in a country at war with itself, betrayal can come from any direction, and even good intentions can kill.

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Book Synopsis''NOBODY DOES IT BETTER THAN DAVID MORRELL'' LEE CHILDOne war waged against one man: RAMBOFirst came the man: a young wanderer in a fatigue coat and long hair. Then came the legend, as John Rambo sprang from the pages of FIRST BLOOD to take his place on the world''s cultural landscape. This remarkable novel pits a young, disillusioned and ragged Vietnam veteran against a small-town cop who has no idea whom he is dealing with - or how far Rambo will take him into a life-and-death struggle through the woods, hills and caves of rural Kentucky.From best-selling author David Morrell, this is the critically acclaimed thriller that launched the cultural phenomenon, Rambo.''Morrell writes action scenes like nobody''s business.'' New York Times Book Review''An absolute master of the thriller.'' Dean Koontz, #1 New York Times bestselling author''The finest thriller writer living today, bar none.'' Steve Berry,

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Book SynopsisFlight paramedic Raina Price's past has marched back into her present--and it wants to kill her. With a stalker who knows her well determined to end what he started, US Marshal Vince Correlli vows to protect her at all costs--even if ends his career.

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Book SynopsisIn the latest thriller featuring the legendary Boston PI, Spenser heads to the City of Angels to meet old friends and new enemies in a baffling missing person case that might shake Tinseltown to its core. Gabby Leggett left her Boston family with big dreams of making it as a model/actress in Hollywood. Two years later,...Trade ReviewAtkins continues to do a fine job of extending the life of Robert B. Parker's characters and capturing the tone of the Spenser series * Booklist *Another rock-solid addition to the Spenser case files. * CrimeReads *Atkins gets the hardest parts right * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisI know I say this every year. . .But. Best. Reacher. Ever. (Karin Slaughter)It''s just a voice plucked from the air: ''The American wants a hundred million dollars''.For what? Who from? It''s 1996, and the Soviets are long gone. But now there''s a new enemy. In an apartment in Hamburg, a group of smartly-dressed young Saudis are planning something big.In the morning they gave Reacher a medal, and in the afternoon they sent him back to school.Jack Reacher is fresh off a secret mission. The Army pats him on the back and sends him to a school with only three students: Reacher, an FBI agent, and a CIA analyst. Their assignment?To find that American. And what he''s selling. And to whom. _________Although the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, Night School is 21st in the series.And be sure not to miss Reacher''s newest adventure, no.29, In Too Deep! Trade ReviewEver more gripping...Night School is the closest that Reacher has come to being a secret agent, making this expertly paced thriller and addictive combination of spy yarn, detective story and beat-'em-up fightfest. * Sunday Times *I know I say this every year...But. Best. Reacher. Ever. -- Karin SlaughterReacher... wins all fights, charms all women and outsmarts all rivals, friend or foe.What makes Night School the best of the Reacher novels I've read is that Child has concocted a brilliant plot...battling to save America, or maybe the entire civilised world, from a terrorist plot that is original, engrossing and all too believable...one of the best thrillers you'll read this year. * Washington Post *Dripping with irony and oozing dread...utterly gripping...Acute observation reveals "every detail of the glowing scene". Many so-called literary novels lack such skill. -- Mark Sanderson * Evening Standard *This latest instalment has all the classic ingredients: a great setting, a good villain, and a mystery that draws you in efficiently, escalates unpredictably, and has a satisfying resolution. -- John Lanchester * New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisKit Conway lives in Kent with her husband and three sons. Prior to writing she worked as a corporate lawyer in London.Cat Fight, her debut book club suspense novel, will be published by Transworld (UK) and Atria (US) in Summer 2025.You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @kitconwayauthor.

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Book SynopsisPeter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper.Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger.To date, Peter has written an impressive total of 19 Sunday Times No. 1s, sold over 21 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. His books are also often adapted for the stage including Looking Good Dead.

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