Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisHolly Gibney, one of Stephen King''s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to uncover the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a Midwestern town.Bonnie Dahl is missing . . . Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is meant to be on leave. But she finds it impossible to turn down Bonnie''s mother''s desperate request for help. Then she discovers a single earring close to the location of Bonnie''s abandoned bike. Mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live Professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: semi-retired lifelong academics. But they are harbouring a savage secret in the basement of their book-lined home. Now Holly must summon all her formidable talents if she is to uncover the truth behind multiple disappearances in her Midwestern town.''I could never let Holly Gibney go. She was supposed to be a

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Book SynopsisNeighbours Carole and Jude investigate murder most horrid in the theatre in the latest Fethering village mystery from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman ? but with added bite!Carole Seddon, a very respectable retired woman living in the English seaside village of Fethering, doesn?t care for the theatre. But her neighbour Jude counts the job of actress among her many and varied past careers. So when Jude attends the closing night of a new play based on a classic TV sitcom, Carole is interested ? but only because she suspects the leading man, Drake Purslow, is one of her scandalous friend?s ex-lovers. The night turns out to be more dramatic than either Carole or Jude could have ever predicted. After the performance, Jude makes her way to Drake?s dressing room, only to find him dead ? in what, to Jude?s experienced sleuthing eye, seem very suspicious circumstances.Did one of the play?s cast ? made up almost entirely of the original sitcom?s actors ? have a long-held grudge against the show?s star? Or are more recent hatreds to blame? Jude is determined to find out ? and Carole, who despite protestations is almost pathologically nosy, is right there to investigate alongside her.Not met Carole and Jude yet? Dive right in, and discover why The Guardian called Simon Brett ?one of British crime?s most assured craftsmen?. Fans of Janice Hallett and M.C. Beaton are in for a treat.

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Book SynopsisThe girl who has everythingIncluding a bullet in the headA cruise down the Nile on a river steamer sounds like the perfect way to get away from it all a luxurious retreat, miles from civilization.But the warm and tranquil Egyptian evening is thick with hot passions and cold malice. When everyone on board has a motive, Hercule Poirot must abandon the mysteries of ancient Egypt and focus on altogether deadlier matters . . .Trade Review“The construction is flawless.”Daily Mail “Must be read twice, once for enjoyment and once to see how the wheels go round.” The Times “The main alibi is of the first brilliance … the descriptive work hits, as it were, the Nile on the head.” Observer “A peach of a case for Poirot. I take my hat off to the author for as ingenious an alibi as can well be imagined.” Sunday Times

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisLisa Jewell is the No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two novels, including The Family Upstairs, Then She Was Gone and her latest novel, None of This is True. Her novels have sold over 10 million copies in the UK and internationally, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. She lives in London with her husband, two daughters, an amazing Romanian rescue dog called Daisy, and Ivy the mad orange kitten.

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Book SynopsisYou’ll never find her. Don’t even try. ‘DARK AND TWISTY’ Riley Sager ‘LOVED EVERY MINUTE’ Joshilyn Jackson When a local mother and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, suddenly vanish, their close-knit suburban community is rocked by fear and suspicion. How could such a terrible thing have happened in their small town? Then, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly reappears. Everyone wants to know what really happened to her. But there are secrets hidden deep in the past – and when the truth about those missing years begins to surface, no one is prepared for what they’re about to find out. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas and Freida McFadden ‘Strap in tight as this is one hell of a ride’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A taut, twisty thriller that kept me turning the pages’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Highly recommended’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Had me hooked’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ____ Praise for Mary Kubica ‘Kubica’s salacious, thoroughly mysterious characters bear the qualities we all crave in a thriller’ Karin Slaughter ‘A page-turning whodunit’ Ruth Ware ‘Brilliantly propulsive and engrossing, with twists you won’t see coming’ JP DelaneyTrade Review Praise for Mary Kubica ‘Kubica’s salacious, thoroughly mysterious characters bear the qualities we all crave in a thriller’ Karin Slaughter ‘A page-turning whodunit’ Ruth Ware ‘A twisty rollercoaster ride’ Lisa Gardner ‘Creepy and oh so clever, with a brilliant twist I did not see coming!’ Alice Feeney ‘Brilliantly propulsive and engrossing, with twists you won’t see coming’ JP Delaney ‘Brilliant, intense, and utterly addictive. Be prepared to run a gauntlet of emotions!’ B A Paris ‘A sophisticated, suspenseful, perfectly-plotted psychological thriller that is chillingly believable’ Diane Jeffrey ‘I devoured this book! An instantly engaging, intense read which enthralled me from the start.’ Louise Mumford ‘A dark and twisted thrill ride that I never wanted to get off.’ Stephanie DeCarolis ‘A labyrinth of deception and family secrets, each one more shocking than the last’ Samantha Downing ‘Mary Kubica's best book yet! I tore through the twisty, spine-tinglingly creepy pages’ Sarah Pekkanen ‘An utterly absorbing tale of deception and subterfuge’ Liv Constantine

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Book Synopsis*** FROM THE AUTHOR OF TALL OAKS, WINNER OF THE CRIME WRITERS' ASSOCIATION JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGER AWARD, AND WE BEGIN AT THE END, 2020's MOST CAPTIVATING AND UNFORGETTABLE READ***With the haunting mystery of The Roanoke Girls, the atmospheric landscape of Where the Crawdads Sing and the darkness of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects, All the Wicked Girls is a gripping thriller with a huge heart from an exceptional talent.Everyone loves Summer Ryan. A model student and musical prodigy, she's a ray of light in the struggling small town of Grace, Alabama - especially compared to her troubled sister, Raine. Then Summer vanishes.Raine throws herself into the investigation, aided by a most unlikely ally, but the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her search becomes.And perhaps there was always more to Summer than met the eye . . .'A very real, very rare talent' SARAH HILARY'Wonderful' M. R. CAREY'Amazing' LISA HALL'Gripping and heartbreaking' DEBORAH O'CONNOR'Phenomenal' JO SPAIN'Stunning' MICHELLE DAVIS'Remarkable' MIKE THOMASTrade ReviewChris Whitaker is leading the pack of hungry young crime writers by a long mile. He writes like a dark angel, conjuring characters and places so memorable you'll ache when it's over. A very real, very rare talent * Sarah Hilary *A novel you swallow whole because you can't help yourself, and then go back a second time to savour what you missed. Wonderful * M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts *Riveting read. A psychological thriller that stands out from the mass - stylishly written, with a slick command of language and location, and a great 'missing girl' mystery at its core. Great stuff! * Vaseem Khan *This book blew me away. Extraordinarily good. Gripping and heartbreaking * Deborah O'Connor *Phenomenal * Jo Spain *BOOK OF THE MONTH - Chris Whitaker's stunning debut Tall Oaks featured a quirky mix of poignancy and humour that sticks hard in my memory and his rapid follow-up offers much of the same, but with the comedic elements gently muted: tortured souls, a police officer who can't disentangle the personal from the professional, missing persons, the oppressive background of small-town America and a merciless journey through every stage of personal grief. Despite the outward similarities, it's a major achievement. Following the disappearance of her much-loved model sister Summer in the wake of five other church-attending young women from the area similarly gone missing, misfit Raine seeks out the truth and uncovers layers of secrets and everyday evil in her Alabama town. Bleak, involving, a delicately sketched portrait of bigotry and prejudice and human emotions dancing the light fantastic, this renews a tired genre with a dose of heart and empathy which appears to be becoming Whitaker's forte -- Maxim Jakubowski * Crimetime *All the Wicked Girls is impossibly good. And beautiful. And melancholy, utterly compelling and difficult to describe. I love this book . . . All the Wicked Girls is in my top ten books I've read ever let alone this year. And trust me that's a lot of competition to overcome . . . Chris Whitaker is annoyingly talented. I won't say highly recommended it seems inadequate. Pure magic on the page * Liz Loves Books *I loved it SO much. Chris is so amazing. He just has this real knack of creating characters that you're completely engaged with . . . I was hooked by his beautiful prose and by the end I was absolutely ruined by the heartbreaking storyline. If only he could write ten books a year * Lisa Hall *Stunning * Michelle Davies *A remarkable book that made me blub * Mike Thomas *I was savouring each page/chapter and character . . . because each page is a literal work of art. Chris Whitaker has the ability to pick up the reader and transport them into the fictional small town of Grace, swelter in the heat, feel the fear and tension amongst the town folk and connect with the characters . . . A beautifully written story of love, friendship, beliefs, fear, passion and I'm not embarrassed to say I cried at the end * Compulsive Readers *This is a crime novel, a love story of sisters, a family torn apart. The story is told by each of the sisters in turn . . . Once started, it's a fast read. The characters are skilfully written, so it's easy to get lost in their lives . . . * Strong Book Reviews *Those missing Manny will warm to wannabe teenage policeman Noah, his sidekick Purv and Summer's sister Raine, who take the search into their hands with black humour and laugh out loud moments as well as real poignancy. There is a great bond which develops between these three damaged outsiders. I marvel at how authentic this British author's creation of small town America feels, in terms of speech, the environment, their cultural references and lives. The prejudices and obsessions of a small community are so effectively conveyed. It's a great read. Tall Oaks showed the potential but this is the Real Deal . . . * New Books Magazine *Incredibly intelligently plotted and amazingly descriptive and atmospheric. These characters will stay with you for a long time as the author really brings them to life. It's all incredibly realistic and believable as the town residents try to cope with the challenges life throws at them, with topics ranging from child abuse to drug addiction to dealing with the loss of a child. And yet somehow, the author manages to occasionally lighten the mood with brilliantly witty one-liners * Novel Delights *The next Gone Girl . . . an emotional read: I felt fully immersed in their lives * Look Magazine *On finishing All The Wicked Girls, I was left with that same sense of being part of something very, very unique . . . There is a very distinct style to Chris Whitaker's writing . . . All The Wicked Girls is a novel that you will become one with. The characters' emotions will become your emotions; Tragedy, grief, sorrow, regret, yet also, hope, self-discovery and atonement . . . A brooding, intense, incredible read! * Swirl and Thread *First things first, this novel is extremely dark, gritty and chilling. That's dark with a capital D by the way. If you thought you've read something dark before, think again . . . All the Wicked Girls is also highly addictive. I was really surprised by just how much it gripped me from start to finish. All I can say is that Chris Whitaker is an incredibly talented writer, I don't know how he traps you but it's some sort of magic * The Bookbag *Chris Whitaker writes superbly. As with Tall Oaks, I marvel at how this British author captures the mood and sound of an American small town . . . Just thinking about Noah, his courage, wisdom, kindness and deep heart, makes me want to weep. This is a novel that takes us into some very dark places. The melancholy of Grace goes far deeper than the storm that hovers over it. It is disturbing at times, there is no doubt of that, but it is also filled with a humanity despite its subject and I was held spellbound. There are so many reasons to read All the Wicked Girls but if I had to give you just one - well, two reasons - it would be to read it for Noah and Purv. I don't think I'll ever forget them * For Winter Nights *A riveting, fast-paced story and I rushed through it in order to find out what happened, finishing it in a single day. And whilst I had several theories as to how it would end, none of them were correct, something which pleased me greatly. This is another fantastic novel from Whitaker, and I can't wait to see what he does next * Jo’s Book Blog *If you like your crime novels bleak and raw with a side of small town strife, this might be for you . . . I strongly feel that anyone who's a fan of Stephen King's Under the Dome will like this as well * Read, Eat, Sleep, Repeat *Tall Oaks was (and indeed is) astonishingly good. All The Wicked Girls is even better, filled with fantastic characters in a small-town America where Raine looks for her missing sister. Just buy it, thank me later * Espresso Coco *I marvel at how authentic the author's creation of small town America feels, in terms of speech, the environment, their cultural references and lives. The prejudices and obsessions of a small community is so effectively conveyed and I found the whole thing totally involving * Reviews Revues *One of my new favorite authors, I love the writing, mystery, and characters that inhabit the pages of Whitaker's books. And his mysteries fool me every time. Just fantastic! 5 Stars * It’s Book Talk *Another brilliant book by Chris, All the Wicked Girls is a book I predict will be huge. It's definitely one of those books that you don't want to end. The only problem is now that I've finished is that I have to wait for Chris's next book; I can't wait to see what he does next * Jacob reviews books *Small town America has never been portrayed so brilliantly . . . His writing is intense and his voice is wholly unique. His characterization is flawless . . . He writes thrillers that make you feel all of the feelings . . . He takes intricate plotting to a new level * Novel Gossip *Chris Whitaker creates characters as real as your very own friends, places as real are the town you live in and plots that make you marvel at the sheer genius of the mind behind it all... Chris Whitaker could write just about anything and I'd want to read it. Intricately plotted and beautifully written, All the Wicked Girls is spectacular. I can't recommend it highly enough. A wonderfully dark, gripping, nuanced novel. I loved it! * Ronnie Turner blog *This new book is exquisitely written, with the darkest of hearts, but so beautiful and human and moving that it has been reducing people - me included - to tears. There is writing here that makes your jaw drop, and fills you with joy, and makes you close your eyes and wish that you had the ability to craft something as achingly gorgeous....It is a study of marginalised folk, of broken dreams, of haunted people just trying to get by. It is uplifting and funny and sad. And it is about friendship and lust and grief and the things we will do for our loved ones, no matter how dark the path it takes us down. But in short, All the Wicked Girls is a very special novel, from a very special writer * Mike Thomas *It's great writing, capturing the voices of the protagonists perfectly and deftly revealing the central mystery - what actually happened to Summer and the others? - only slowly, keeping the reader hooked throughout. This book is magnificent and I'd strongly recommend it. I'm off now to read Tall Oaks, Whitaker's first book * Blue Book Balloon *All The Wicked Girls is possibly one of the most incredible novels you will read this year. There is only one word that really sums it up effectively - and that word is powerful. There are some sentences that shock you with expletives and then there are some sentences that shock you with their beauty. This book does not have cliffhangers at the end of its chapters, it has something worse. It has sentences that make your stomach lurch and leave you breathless, blinking back tears as the poignancy, brutal honesty or sadness hits you. I think this novel is ambitious and complex in what it sets out to achieve....writing that is faultless * Bibliomaniac *It's hard these days to find a novel that is not derivative, but this is one of those rare beasts. Read it, not just for the story, but so that you devour the world Whitaker creates. A cracking novel * Frost Magazine *There are many well-defined characters in this amusing, powerful and compelling novel. The plot is well constructed and the writing zings * Crime Thriller Hound *This is one of those harrowing books that succeeds in making us care deeply about its thoroughly flawed, long-suffering protagonists. When resolution comes, it feels as if we too have been through the peril, the anguish, the storm and the shoot-out. Whether you experience it as a challenging crime drama, a masterful web of character studies or a dark and gritty movie running compellingly in your mind, All The Wicked Girls will have you gasping and wincing to the last page * My Weekly *All The Wicked Girls is a novel that you will become one with. The characters' emotions will become your emotions; Tragedy, grief, sorrow, regret, yet also, hope, self-discovery and atonement. A brooding, intense, incredible read! * Writing.ie *An intelligent and emotionally affecting crime novel which defies easy categorisation * Crime Fiction Lover *This is a novel that fulfils its purpose on every level; the setting, the characters and the story are all uniquely woven to form a masterful piece of work, and one which will live in my memory for a long time... an incandescent novel * The Book Club Cafe *I was gripped from the very beginning... It took turns I wasn't expecting and I just was so amazed at how brilliant this book was. I was left speechless after reading * The Reader's Corner *A tale as dark as the storm cloud, with chinks of light provided by the antics of Noah and Purv who, for me, steal the show. A highly original crime thriller * Daily Record *This is a crime story with a difference, a beautifully plotted, genuinely absorbing set of character studies, worked into a wider story of missing girls and religious fervour * Zainab's Blog *Below the surface of Chris Whitaker's story there is unexpected depth and richness. This is one of those harrowing books that succeeds in making us care deeply about its thoroughly flawed, long-suffering protagonists. It's hard to believe this book was written by a former City of London financial trader who lives in Hertfordshire, so complete is the immersion in another, utterly different place. Whether you experience it as a challenging crime drama, a masterful web of character studies or a dark and gritty movie running compellingly in your mind, All The Wicked Girls will have you gasping and wincing to the last page * My Weekly *All The Wicked Girls is a gripping thriller, but also a deeply emotional story with a big heart and characters you'll cry over. It's a thriller that explores the worst excesses of organised religion, but also the positives aspects of faith. Highly highly recommended! * Back To The Books *Chris Whitaker burst onto the literary scene last year with his rare and remarkable debut, Tall Oaks, announcing the arrival of a mercurial and exciting talent. From the first page, Whitaker effortlessly draws the reader into the heart of this world and his characters...his characterisation is unfaltering and hugely impressive and for me is the real standout trait of his fiction...Indeed, all of Whitaker's characters are engaging, flawed and authentic... He has an uncanny ability to pull on the heartstrings that again makes his books special. For me, Whitaker is a master of a style and genre all of his own. An impressive talent and an intuitive and distinctive writer, his first two novels are signs of a new star with a very bright future still to come * Nudge Books *very impressed by Whitaker's writing and Summer as a character in particular * Debbish.com *Whitaker really does have a talent in creating atmosphere. I felt fully absorbed and immersed in the dark world of Grace and what was happening there. I also really enjoyed the writing and especially Summer's chapters. * The Books Are Everywhere *At the heart of this story is an intricate mystery that put every single detective skill I think I have to the test and guess what?...I failed miserably. Chris Whitaker completely fooled me (again) and I couldn't be happier. In the end, this is a story filled with tragedy, heartbreak, redemption, and yes hope and I highly recommend it to everyone who's a fan of mysteries and memorable characters! So, yes it definitely lived up to my high expectations * It's Book Talk *All the Wicked Girls is quite slow and incredibly dark but the tension is palpable throughout. It's incredibly intelligently plotted and amazingly descriptive. These characters will stay with you for a long time as the author really brings them to life. It's all incredibly realistic and believable as the town residents try to cope with the challenges life throws at them, with topics ranging from child abuse to drug addiction to dealing with the loss of a child. And yet somehow, the author manages to occasionally lighten the mood with brilliantly witty one-liners * Novel Deelights *The setting is fantastically well done * Tamara Morning *It's certainly a book to immerse yourself in and I was surprised how moved I was by the whole dang thing. With his unique writing style and quirky stories, Chris Whitaker is definitely an author to watch out for * The Book Magnet *Dark, in every sense, evocative and the characters will break your heart * Tammy Cohen *'For me it was what I call a one sit read and for most of it I was completely hooked...Whitaker is an amazing storyteller...It's totally amazing.' * Tracey Shepherd book blog *'I absolutely adored this book and can only describe it as a chillingly addictive masterpiece...This is such a compulsive read, with its brilliant characterisation, dark themes and strong setting which really came to life for me.' * Chillers, Killers and Thrillers *'I'm sure everyone who loves reading about a town filled with secrets will definitely enjoy this and be swept by Whitaker's ability to create such a thing.' * Breathing Through Pages *'Whitaker has produced another top-notch small town American mystery, this time set in Alabama. The mixture of high tension in the town and the searing heat alongside the large cast of characters plus Summer and Raine's trio made this thriller a real page turner. Despite being British, Whitaker seems to have a real feel for small town American life. I can easily see both his novels on screen, large or small as he also has a strong visual element to his writing. I'll be looking out for whatever he does next. One of the best thrillers I've read this year..' * Annabel’s House of Books *'After reading All The Wicked Girls, I have fallen head over heels with this authors style of writing and want to read everything he has ever written! I was spellbound by this thriller with its all consuming build up taking over my entire life.Heartbreakingly perceptive, this deserves to be on everyone's "must reads" list this year as it comes highly recommended by me! One of the best books that I have featured on my blog since I started it and definitely a contender for my book of the year! This book is STUNNING, it's MAGNIFICENT and it broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces...BUY IT NOW!!' * My Chestnut Reading Tree *'This is a difficult one to review because it's just so good! Chris Whitaker's creation of characters is astute and shrewd. The inhabitants of Grace are alive in the page, and his sense of place is extraordinary. This author handles the darkest and most serious of issues, with sensitivity and with a dry wit that stops the novel from becoming too heavy, too oppressive. All The Wicked Girls is packed with dark, twisty danger. This is a riveting look at the tangled lives of a small American town.' * Random Things Through my Letterbox *I defy anyone to read Chris Whitaker and not feel they have been touched by genius to their very soul. All The Wicked Girls is utterly, utterly wonderful and I don't have sufficient words to do it justice * Linda's Bookbag *It's been awhile since I shed a tear reading a book, but Whitaker pushed me close. The characters were that real and that haunting. Guilt, secrets, love, loss, grief, awakening, maturity, friendship, community, family - all resonate strongly throughout * Col's Criminal Library *All the Wicked Girls was an utterly absorbing read. Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down, it's one of those books that you don't want to end. Great characters, great plot and a great setting, Chris Whitaker has become one of my favourite writers * Damp Pebbles *A psychological thriller that stands out from the mass - stylishly written, with a slick command of language and location, and a great 'missing girl' mystery at its core -- Vaseem Khan'a crime writer with a unique voice and tone. We are in middle America, confronted by a case of missing persons, and with characters in turn quirky and possessed by demons. But where a Coben or a Linwood Barclay stick to classic tropes and well-engineered plotting, Whitaker prefers the detours and bizarros to bring his book and characters alive. Gripping, bleak and fascinating.' -- Maxim Jakubowski * CrimeFest Newsletter *'nobody writes like he does...All the Wicked Girls is quite simply a stunning piece of literature. Read it, love it, you won't be able to help it.' * Liz Loves Books *This is a tightly woven tale of small-town prejudices with a fantastic cast and a skilfully constructed plot. You'll need to pay close attention if you want to second-guess this writer and the ending definitely had me turning the pages backwards looking for all the hints that I'd missed. If you love a mystery that keeps you guessing and a fantastic character-driven novel then look no further. All the Wicked Girls is a wickedly good read and I'm definitely addicted to Chris Whitaker - a British writer who's beating the American thriller writers at their own game * 17 Degrees Magazine *What a writer Chris Whitaker is. He can show such depth through even the shortest of sentences so that I found myself on a complete roller coaster of emotion. I laughed. I wept. My heart broke for so many of those between its pages that I'm not sure I'll ever be the same again. When I slept I dreamt of the characters as they had pervaded my soul so deeply. The plot is fabulous. Small town America lends itself to the claustrophobic feel so that the events fit the setting perfectly. At times I almost couldn't bear what I was reading. I can't explain more about the plot without spoiling the read but rest assured it is gripping, absorbing and brilliant. I defy anyone to read Chris Whitaker and not feel they have been touched by genius to their very soul. All The Wicked Girls is utterly, utterly wonderful and I don't have sufficient words to do it justice. * Linda's Book Blog *...soon the darkness that's been hidden in Grace is visible to the whole world. There's a lot of twists in this novel, and the suspense will keep the reader gripping the pages to find out what's really going on. * Tomorrow is Another Day *When I love a book, I normally race through it. Not this time. I slowed down to savour it, to drink it all in. It's an extraordinary book and therefore, my top read for 2018. Brave and fierce, Chris, brave and fierce. * Joy Kluver *It's deep and complex, harrowing and heartbreaking, a story of a young girl's hunt for her missing sister in a small southern bible belt town. All The Wicked Girls sits firmly alongside Tall Oaks in my books of the year. As I said earlier, don't make me choose - buy both and settle down for some of the best storycrafting you're likely to see for a long time. * Espresso Coco *The sense of this place, the culture and the society in which the action takes place is palpable, uncomfortable and overwhelming. The characters all turn out to have hidden depths and secrets, and it often feels like the whole place is operating on lies. It's deep, dark and beautifully written, with not a hint of an outsider author. The message is, like the atmospherics, on the heavy side - part noir / part morality play, and because of that there's no way you could call this entertaining reading. ALL THE WICKED GIRLS is, however, extremely involving reading, requiring commitment on the part of the reader to empathise and eventually understand that not everything here is what it seems. * Aust Crime Fiction *Chris Whitaker's All the Wicked Girls gripped me from start to finish. A smouldering noir set in the suffocating heat of Grace, Alabama, (in a town that runs along the Red River. Great minds...) All the Wicked Girls is totally engrossing. Rich characters, twisting plot and beautifully written. It stands out as my favourite crime book published in 2017. * Dead Good Books, Amy Lloyd author of The Innocent Wife picks All the Wicked Girls as one of her books of the year *All the Wicked Girls will slowly get under your skin, it will creep up on you until you feel like you are in this town with these people and once it does it won't let you go. It's such a brilliantly, atmospheric thriller of a book and is one that I'm sure will stay with me for a very long time to come. It will definitely be on my top books of 2017 list and I honestly can't recommend it highly enough. If you haven't already read it, go buy a copy asap as you won't regret it! * Rather Too Fond of Books *Dealing with some difficult topics, there were a couple of times in the book when I felt my heart break. As Whitaker carefully plots the story with cleverly placed red herrings, I did not manage to guess what had happened to Summer Ryan. Brilliantly constructed, wonderfully written and yet heavily oppressive, All The Wicked Girls is a book that weighed heavy on my mind and that I came to appreciate more as I progressed through the book. A totally unique take on 'the missing girl' scenario * Bloomin Brilliant Books *Awesome book. Superbly written. A real work of art and a league above so much of the crime fiction out there * Neil White *Superb * Isabel Ashdown, author of Little Sister *Hauntingly beautiful, gripping, elegiac. Stunning writing. LOVED IT * Will Dean, author of Dark Pines *Whitaker has a unique voice that sets him apart from the rest of the pack of young crime writers, and I can't recall reading anything that comes close except for the inimitable James Lee Burke. As I read, I could hear the deep south voices and their rhythms, coursing through my mind. Glorious. But the highest praise I can give the author, is that he made me cry. And very few books do that * C.J. Carver, author of Spare Me The Truth *A highly original crime thriller * Daily Record *Deep, dark and beautifully written * AustCrime Fiction *I absolutely adored this book and can only describe it as a chillingly addictive masterpiece * Chillers, Killers and Thrillers *If you've read Tall Oaks, then you probably think you know what to expect from Chris Whitaker. Tall Oaks was laced with dark humour. But All The Wicked Girls is something else entirely. Without the humour to fall back on, Chris Whitaker's writing is laid bare and is not found wanting. Utterly beautiful. When I love a book, I normally race through it. Not this time. I slowed down to savour it, to drink it all in. It's an extraordinary book and therefore, my top read for 2018. * Joy Kluver *This is a great crime book but it is also fabulous fiction written with literary skill and finesse. It is raw, immersive, and powerful and invokes such emotion that it is impossible not to be affected by it. Incredibly well plotted it is both compelling and devastating. I don't think I have read anything so powerful in this genre all year. Chris Whitaker is simply an extraordinary talent. * Live and Deadly *There are serious themes touched upon within the story, none in a graphic or sensationalised way, and while you may think you know just why certain passages are included, I would wager that you really don't. Because, you see, Mr Whitaker has created a story which is at its heart both simplistic and complex. He has once again taken a series of individually haunting tales, or threads, and woven them together like a beautifully crafted tapestry, infusing it with dark, almost fragile humour, and creating yet another stunning story which is simply impossible to put down. Did I mention I loved it? Just checking. * Jen Med Book Reviews *A totally brilliant book... Beautiful writing and characters so well drawn they stay with you long after the final page -- Asia Mackay * The Big Issue *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA powerful literary page-turner about two young people in a race against time to reach a monumental solar eclipse, from famed Australian novelist Inga Simpson

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Book SynopsisHobb is a remarkable storyteller' GUARDIANThe second volume in this superb trilogy from the author of The Farseer trilogy continues the dramatic tale of piracy, serpents, love and magic.The Vestrit family's liveship, Vivacia, has been taken by the pirate king, Kennit. Held captive on board, Wintrow Vestrit finds himself competing with Kennit for Vivacia's love as the ship slowly acquires her own bloodlust.Leagues away, Althea Vestrit has found a new home aboard the liveship Ophelia, but she lives only to reclaim the Vivacia and with her friend, Brashen, she plans a dangerous rescue.Meanwhile in Bingtown, the fading fortunes of the Vestrit family lead Malta deeper into the magical secrets of the Rain Wild Traders. And just outside Bingtown, Amber dreams of relaunching Paragon, the mad liveship . . .Trade Review‘Fantasy as it ought to be written’ George R.R. Martin ‘Hobb is superb’ GUARDIAN 'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers… what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics'THE TIMES

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Book SynopsisWhen a pair of dead bodies are discovered in their newly-purchased whisky distillery in Campbeltown, Eilidh and her wife, Morag, are plunged headlong a storm of murder, suspicion, intrigue and small town bureaucracy. This is a darkly comic crime debut for fans ofColumbo,Midsummer Murdersand John Dickson Carr.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERPierce Brown''s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.The Reaper is a legend, more myth than man. But he is also Darrow: husband, father, friend. After a devastating defeat, Darrow longs to return to his wife and sovereign, Virginia, to defend Mars from Lysander. Lysander longs to destroy the Rising and restore the supremacy of Gold, and will raze the worlds for his ambitions. The worlds once needed the Reaper. Now they need Darrow. So begins his voyage home, an interplanetary adventure where old friends will reunite, new alliances will be forged, and rivals will clash on the battlefield. Because Eo''s dream is still alive - and after the dark age will come a new age: of light, of victory, of hope.Readers love Pierce Brown''This book, this series, will elicit all the emo

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Book SynopsisAn action-packed comedy about a fake family that includes a spy, an assassin and a telepath!Master spy Twilight is unparalleled when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions for the betterment of the world. But when he receives the ultimate assignment—to get married and have a kid—he may finally be in over his head!Anya’s friendship scheme seems to be taking a turn for the better in the aftermath of the failed hijacking. Meanwhile, Operation Strix and Loid’s true identity are in danger—a mole has been uncovered and has gone underground. Will Loid and his allies be able to catch this double agent before all is lost?

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Book Synopsis''Fantasy as it ought to be written'' George R.R. MartinThe second book in Robin Hobb's thrilling fantasy series returns readers to the Six Duchies and the magical world of the Fitz and the Fool.Fitz has been persuaded back to court, posing as a servant to the decadent Lord Golden (who is the Fool in disguise). In secret, he will train Prince Dutiful in the magic known as the Skill.The peace remains fragile, so the diplomatic wedding between Dutiful and the Outislander princess is a crucial alliance. But when Elliania arrives she challenges the prince to undertake an impossible quest before she will accept him.He must kill Icefyre, one of the last true dragons. And Fitz and the Fool must go with himTrade Review‘Hobb is superb’ Conn Iggulden 'Hobb is a remarkable storyteller.'Guardian 'Robin Hobb writes achingly well'SFX

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Book Synopsis* SOON TO BE A MAJOR TV SERIES STARRING SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR AS AMBER REYNOLDS *Marvellous' A. J. Finn'A bold and original voice' Clare MackintoshA brilliant thriller' Ali LandMy name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me.1. I'm in a coma2. My husband doesn't love me any more3. Sometimes I lieUnnerving, twisted and utterly compelling, you won't be able to put this thriller down.Trade Review‘A gripping debut with a brilliant twist, I loved it’ B A Paris ‘Boldly plotted, tightly knotted – a provocative true-or-false thriller that deepens and darkens to its ink-black finale. Marvellous’ A. J. Finn ‘A bold and original voice – I loved this book’ Clare Mackintosh ‘Expect perfectly imbedded twists and sharply drawn characters. A brilliant thriller’ Ali Land ‘A tightly written thriller with an ending that demands you go straight back to the beginning’ Metro ‘Satisfyingly serpentine, and with a terrific double twist in the tale, it leaves you longing for more’ Daily Mail ‘Intriguing, original and addictive, I can’t wait to see what the author does after this blinding debut’ The Sun ‘Clever and utterly compelling’ The Sun on Sunday’s FABULOUS Magazine ‘Clever, compelling and masterfully plotted’ Daily Express ‘Sometimes I Lie is a rare book, combining helter skelter twists with razor sharp sentences. Make sure you read it in a well lit room, Alice Feeney’s imagination is a very dark place indeed’ Dan Dalton, BuzzFeed ‘An utterly compelling, twisted, shocking psychological thriller that made me gasp out loud’ Sophie Raworth, BBC Presenter

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Book SynopsisCormac McCarthy was the author of many acclaimed novels, including Blood Meridian, Child of God and The Passenger. Among his honours are the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His works adapted to film include All the Pretty Horses, The Road and No Country for Old Men the latter film receiving four Academy Awards, including the award for Best Picture. McCarthy died in 2023 in Santa Fe, NM at the age of 89.Trade ReviewNo Country for Old Men is a compelling, harrowing, disturbing, sad, endlessly surprising and resonant novel. -- Robert Edric * Spectator *No Country for Old Men is a severed head and shoulders over anything else written in America this year. * Independent on Sunday *A fast, powerful read, steeped with a deep sorrow about the moral degradation of the legendary American West. * Financial Times *A Western thriller with a racy plot and punchy dialogue, perfect for a lazy Sunday. * The Times *[An] utterly absorbing, chilling tale . . . One of the most sinister characters in modern American fiction. * Herald *It's hard to think of a contemporary writer more worth reading. * Independent *

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Book SynopsisKate Mosse CBE FRSL is an award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist and non-fiction writer. The author of eleven novels and short-story collections, her books have been translated into thirty-eight languages and published in more than forty countries. Fiction includes the multimillion-selling Languedoc Trilogy, The Joubert Family Chronicles (the number one bestselling The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears, The Ghost Ship and The Map of Bones), and number one bestselling Gothic fiction. Her highly acclaimed non-fiction includes An Extra Pair of Hands and Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How Women (Also) Built the World. The Founder Director of the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, she is the founder of the global #WomanInHistory campaign. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Kate is a Visiting Professor of Contemporary Fiction and Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, President of the Festi

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Book SynopsisEllen Curtis ? professional declutterer, amateur sleuth and woman of a certain age ? investigates the puzzling death of a TV personality who?s past his prime"Brett laces the plot with show-biz details that fans of Brett?s Charles Paris series will relish. This very special series grows more fascinating with each entry" Booklist Starred ReviewProfessional declutterer Ellen Curtis doesn?t need to like her clients to help them sort their homes out. Aging TV personality and curmudgeon Humphrey Carter might have a chip on his shoulder the size of England about the decline of his career, but a job?s a job.But when Ellen arrives the morning after Humph?s eightieth birthday party, primed and ready to tackle his study ? no matter his protests ? she gets the shock of her life. Humph?s dead . . . and all signs point to him having taken his own life.Did the egotistical chat show host really die by suicide? His wife is adamant he?s been murdered, and the more Ellen looks, the more dirt on Humph she digs up . . . and the more suspects she uncovers. Can she track down a killer ? if there even is one? And, just as importantly, can she keep herself from killing not only her own infuriating mother, but also her two grown-up children, who all seem determined to destroy her peace of mind?This thoroughly engaging contemporary mystery is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and M.C. Beaton.

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Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's most exotic murder mystery in a sumptuous hardback Special Edition.The tranquillity of a cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everything until she lost her life.Hercule Poirot recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: I'd like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.' Yet in this exotic setting nothing is ever quite what it seemsTrade Review“The construction is flawless.”Daily Mail “Must be read twice, once for enjoyment and once to see how the wheels go round.” The Times “The main alibi is of the first brilliance … the descriptive work hits, as it were, the Nile on the head.” Observer “A peach of a case for Poirot. I take my hat off to the author for as ingenious an alibi as can well be imagined.” Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.''Wouldn''t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true and we could live in them?''A heart-warming tale of love, sisterhood and hardship during the New England Civil War, Little Women tells the story of the lovable March family. Meg, Beth, Jo and Amy try to support their mother at home while their father is away at war and enter into various scrapes and adventures as they do so. Alcott beautifully interweaves bad times and good as her characters struggle with the trials and tribulations of growing up and their relationships with one another.

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Book Synopsis''Once again Katy Watson delivers the perfect cosy: Atmospheric, ingenious and fun!'' Ian Moore''An unputdownable read'' Woman''s Own''A cracking Christmas mystery with all the spine tingling trappings of a Scottish castle by the sea. What more can you ask for?'' S J Bennett''This great story glitters and shines like the most beguiling Christmas ornament'' J M Hall''An absolute treat of a read!'' Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal''Celebrates and gently satirises Golden Age crime novels . . . hugely entertaining'' The Times''Dame Agatha would approve'' Daily Mail First comes love . . . then comes murder A high society Christmas Eve wedding at a remote Scottish castle sounds like the perfect winter getaway for the three Dahlias and their partners - until a snowstorm hits, cutting them off from the mainland, and civilisation. Which, of

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Book SynopsisA thrillingly dark novel from 'Japan's Agatha Christie' (Sunday Times) While on a business trip to Kobe, Tsuneo Asai receives the news that his wife Eiko has died of a heart attack. Eiko had a heart condition so the news of her death wasn't totally unexpected. But the circumstances of her demise left Tsuneo, a softly spoken government bureaucrat, perplexed. How did it come about that his wife, who was shy and withdrawn, and only left their house twice a week to go to haiku meetings ended up dead in a small shop in a shady Tokyo neighbourhood?When Tsuneo goes to apologize to the boutique owner for the trouble caused by his wife's death he discovers the villa Tachibana near by, a house known to be a meeting place for secret lovers. As he digs deeper into his wife's recent past, he must eventually conclude that she led a double life...

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Book SynopsisA country houseA murderA Belgian detectiveAfter the Great War, life can never be the same again.Captain Arthur Hastings is invited to Styles To recuperate from injuries sustained at the Front. It is the last place he expects to encounter murder.Fortunately he knows a former detective, a Belgian refugee, who happens to be staying nearby . . .Here, for the first time, meet Agatha Christie's legendary creation: Hercule PoirotTrade Review‘Almost too ingenious … very clearly and brightly told.’Times Literary Supplement ‘Very well contrived.’Sunday Times ‘Altogether a skilful tale and a talented first book.’Daily News ‘The most ingenious and absorbingly interesting tale of sensations and mystery we have read for a long time.’Bookman ‘Well written, well proportioned, and full of surprises. Lovers of good stories will, without exception, rejoice in this book.’The British Weekly

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Book Synopsis''Delightfully twisted and evil'' GUARDIAN''Highly recommended ... seek it out'' Joe HillInquisitor Glokta, a crippled and increasingly bitter relic of the last war, former fencing champion turned torturer extraordinaire, is trapped in a twisted and broken body - not that he allows it to distract him from his daily routine of torturing smugglers.Nobleman, dashing officer and would-be fencing champion Captain Jezal dan Luthar is living a life of ease by cheating his friends at cards. Vain, shallow, selfish and self-obsessed, the biggest blot on his horizon is having to get out of bed in the morning to train with obsessive and boring old men. And Logen Ninefingers, an infamous warrior with a bloody past, is about to wake up in a hole in the snow with plans to settle a blood feud with Bethod, the new King of the Northmen, once and for all - ideally by running away from it. But as he''s discovering, old habits die really, really hard indeed......especially when Bayaz gets involved. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he''s about to make the lives of Glotka, Jezal and Logen a whole lot more difficult...Trade ReviewHighly recommended - a funny, finely-wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out -- Joe HillTwisty plotting and gallows humour. * SUNDAY TIMES *I might not end up marrying this book, but I'm certainly infatuated with it right at the moment. It's delicious, the characters sharply drawn and their motivations believable, the clash of cultures (always particularly difficult for an author to pull off) believable as well. -- Lilith SaintcrowThere is a gritty edge to his world and an awareness of the human cost of violence that is very contemporary * THE TIMES *Delightfully twisted and evil * GUARDIAN *The Blade Itself is a page-turner powered by a combination of fast-paced action and juicy doses of cynicism. Perhaps more remarkable, however, is the way Abercrombie sets the scene * EDGE MAGAZINE *There's a fat vein of cynicism and dark humour throughout. The action scenes are fast-paced and the violence takes its toll both mentally and physically. A great start to a long journey * DREAMWATCH *You'd never guess that The Blade Itself is Joe Abercrombie's debut novel. He writes like a natural. There are great characters, sparky dialogue, an action-packed plot, and from the very first words and an opening scene that is literally a cliff-hanger, you know you are in for a cheeky, vivid, exhilarating ride * STARBURST *An admirably hard, fast and unpretentious read from debut author Joe Abercrombie. Packs a mean punch in the bloodthirsty mayhem and mystery departments. Crammed full of torture, vengeance and bad behaviour, it's a lively tale of savagery vs. civilisation. The Blade Itself may not reinvent the wheel, but it does serve up a whole banquet of violent action and intrigue * SFX *The star of the show is doubtlessly Inquisitor Glotka for simply being one of the most wonderfully bitter and cynical characters I've come across. With a very funny and clever internal monologue going on during every conversation he has, Glotka's as miserable and nasty at the end as he was to start with and, especially in a heroic fantasy novel, it works perfectly * SF CROWSNEST *The books are good, really good. They pulled me in. Well-developed world. Unique, compelling characters. I like them so much that when I got to the end of the second book and found out the third book wasn'tgoing to be out in the US for another three months, I experienced a fit of rage, then a fit of depression, then I ate some lunch and had a bit of a lay down * Patrick Rothfuss on The First Law trilogy *Abercrombie writes dark, adult fantasy, by which I mean there's a lot of stabbing in it, and after people stab each other they sometimes have sex with each other. His tone is morbid and funny and hard-boiled, not wholly dissimilar to that of Iain Banks . . . And like George R.R. Martin Abercrombie has the will and the cruelty to actually kill and maim his characters . . . Volumetrically speaking, it's hard to think of another fantasy novel in which this much blood gets spilled * Lev Grossman *I might not end up marrying this book, but I'm certainly infatuated with it right at the moment. It's delicious, the characters sharply drawn and their motivations believable, the clash of cultures (always particularly difficult for an author to pull off) believable as well. -- Lilith SaintcrowThere is a gritty edge to his world and an awareness of the human cost of violence that is very contemporary -- The TimesDelightfully twisted and evil -- The GuardianThe Blade Itself is a page-turner powered by a combination of fast-paced action and juicy doses of cynicism. Perhaps more remarkable, however, is the way Abercrombie sets the scene -- Edge MagazineThere's a fat vein of cynicism and dark humour throughout. The action scenes are fast-paced and the violence takes its toll both mentally and physically. A great start to a long journey -- DreamwatchYou'd never guess that The Blade Itself is Joe Abercrombie's debut novel. He writes like a natural. There are great characters, sparky dialogue, an action-packed plot, and from the very first words and an opening scene that is literally a cliff-hanger, you know you are in for a cheeky, vivid, exhilarating ride -- StarburstAn admirably hard, fast and unpretentious read from debut author Joe Abercrombie. Packs a mean punch in the bloodthirsty mayhem and mystery departments. Crammed full of torture, vengeance and bad behaviour, it's a lively tale of savagery vs. civilisation. The Blade Itself may not reinvent the wheel, but it does serve up a whole banquet of violent action and intrigue -- SFXThe star of the show is doubtlessly Inquisitor Glotka for simply being one of the most wonderfully bitter and cynical characters I've come across. With a very funny and clever internal monologue going on during every conversation he has, Glotka's as miserable and nasty at the end as he was to start with and, especially in a heroic fantasy novel, it works perfectly -- SF Crowsnest

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Book SynopsisRobert Harris is the author of fifteen bestselling novels: the Cicero Trilogy - Imperium, Lustrum and Dictator - Fatherland, Enigma, Archangel, Pompeii, The Ghost, The Fear Index, An Officer and a Spy, which won four prizes including the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, Conclave, Munich, The Second Sleep, V2 and Act of Oblivion. His work has been translated into forty languages and nine of his books have been adapted for cinema and television. He lives in West Berkshire with his wife, Gill Hornby.

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