Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewHis work reaches the highest level of creative originality and stylistic perfection * Daily Telegraph *Böll combines a mammoth intelligence with a literary outlook that is masterful and unique -- Joseph Heller, author of Catch-22My most-admired contemporary novelist -- John AshberyWe must be grateful to the Penguin European Writers series, a precious venture in these dark times -- John BanvilleFrom the moment I stepped on board the troop train with Private Andreas, concerns pertaining to my own world fell away completely. Holding this impelling book is tantamount to holding the young soldier's fate in one's hands. It is impossible to let go. -- Claire-Louise Bennett, author of 'Pond'Böll's novel blows a stent in the human heart, and shows us the terror there. It feels more necessary than ever -- Anna Funder, from the introductionThis is the best book I have read this year; not by miles, but by whole astronomical units; I am stunned by it as if by a blow. It is *astonishing* to the extent that I cannot convey to you its power - how gradually one lies clutching the book wrenched into pieces by the imagery and by the extravagant profundity with which the soldier's fear and desire and unhappiness is felt... -- Sarah Perry, bestselling author of The Essex Serpent and Melmoth

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Book SynopsisThe iconic bestseller from Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman - now with a stunning new cover look.He''s got a plan. But he hasn''t got a clue.Clayton Blaisdell''s capers are strictly small-time until he meets George Rackley. With Blaze''s brawn and George''s brains, they pull off a hundred successful cons. Then George plans the one big score every small timer dreams of: kidnapping the infant heir to a family fortune.The trouble is that by the time the deal goes down, the brains of the operation has died. Or has he?Now Blaze is running into the white hell of the Maine woods with a baby as hostage. The crime of the century just turned into a race against time . . .Trade Review'BLAZE feels like an essential missing piece in King's oeuvre...compelling' * Independent on Sunday *'King's brilliance is in making his readers root for the kidnapper rather than the authorities' * Daily Telegraph *Tightly written and compelling * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Best of Friends comes a heart-stopping psychological thriller about the shades of truth and the power of lies in the wake of one mother’s unspeakable loss. Therapist turned stay-at-home mom Jules Hart’s idyllic suburban life shatters when she crashes her car into an icy lake. Her son and another teenage boy plunge into the water with her, but Jules can only manage to save one—the wrong one. Reeling from the death of her son, Jules spirals into a violent and unstable mental state. Ten months after the accident, she’s still trying to reckon with the fact that she rescued Isaac Greer, another woman’s child, when Isaac suddenly vanishes. Jules finds herself at the center of a massive police investigation. While she harbors her own dangerous secrets, Jules is adamant that she didn’t take Isaac. But then who did? Is Isaac the victim of a dangerous killer who’s been targeting boys in the Midwest? Or is someone else pulling the strings in this deadly game?Trade Review“As usual, Berry tightens the screws smartly in the opening pages and never lets up, and as usual, her ending is more intent on deepening the nightmare than providing a plausible explanation for it. Warning: the title applies as much to the audience as to the characters.” —Kirkus Reviews “As the suspense mounts, the action drives to a harrowing conclusion. Berry delivers the goods.” —Publishers Weekly “A well-done mystery with a plausible yet surprising ending.” —Library Journal UNDER HER CARE “The action never wavers, and the surprises are unending. Berry is writing at the top of her game.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “[It’s] a humdinger…Perfect for suspense fans.” —Kirkus Reviews “Lucinda delivers every time. Unputdownable.” —Tarryn Fisher, New York Times bestselling author “Lucinda Berry’s latest, Under Her Care, is her best thriller yet! A dark, riveting read that will keep you up late, racing to the chilling end.” —Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Wife and Somebody’s Home “Lucinda Berry’s Under Her Care is stunning, diabolical, and gripping, with one of the best and most gasp-worthy twists I have read in a very long time. Fast paced, fabulous, and enthralling, the pages practically turn themselves. Absolutely captivating.” —Lisa Regan, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author “Creepy and chilling, Under Her Care is a tense page-turner that leaves you questioning everything you ever knew about motherhood and the family bond.” —Tara Laskowski, award-winning author of The Mother Next Door THE SECRETS OF US “Those looking for an emotional roller-coaster ride will be rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly “Combine Lucinda Berry’s deep understanding of the complexities of the human mind with her immense talent for storytelling and you have The Secrets of Us, an intense psychological thriller that kept my heart racing until the shocking, jaw-dropping conclusion. Bravo!” —T. R. Ragan, New York Times bestselling author “The Secrets of Us is an unputdownable page-turner with two compelling female protagonists that will keep readers on their toes. Fantastic!” —Cate Holahan, USA Today bestselling author of One Little Secret “Lucinda Berry’s The Secrets of Us is a tense psychological thriller that explores the dark corners of the mind and turns a mind can take when it harbors secret guilt. The interplay between sisters Krystal and Nichole and their hidden past is gradually revealed, and in the end, the plot twists keep coming. Right and wrong can be ambivalent, and this story explores all shades of gray, from their dysfunctional family to an old childhood friend to a husband who may or may not be too good to be true. Berry’s background as a clinical psychologist shines in this novel with a character so disturbed they spend time in seclusion lockdown at a psychiatric ward. Don’t miss this one!” —Debbie Herbert, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author “The Secrets of Us is an utterly gripping, raw, and heartbreaking story of two sisters. Berry’s flawlessly placed clues and psychological expertise grab you from the first word, not letting go until the last. Compelling, intricate, and shocking, this inventive thriller cleverly weaves from past to present with stunning precision. I was absolutely enthralled.” —Samantha M. Bailey, USA Today and #1 national bestselling author of Woman on the Edge “The past and present collide with explosive consequences in this addictive, twisty thriller from an author at the top of her game. The Secrets of Us grips from the first page and doesn’t let go until the final shocking twist.” —Lisa Gray, bestselling author of Dark Highway THE BEST OF FRIENDS “A mother’s worst nightmare on the page. For those who dare.” —Kirkus Reviews “The Best of Friends gripped me from the stunning opening to the emotional, explosive ending. In this moving novel, Berry creates a beautifully crafted study of secrets and grief among a tight-knit group of friends and of how far a mother will go to discover the truth and protect her children.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and This Is How I Lied “In The Best of Friends, Berry starts with a heart-stopping bang—the dreaded middle-of-the-night phone call—and then delivers a dark and gritty tale that unfolds twist by devastating twist. Intense, terrifying, and at times utterly heartbreaking. Absolutely unputdownable.” —Kimberly Belle, international bestselling author of Dear Wife and Stranger in the Lake THE PERFECT CHILD “I am a compulsive reader of literary novels…but there was one book that kept me reading, the sort of novel I can’t put down…The Perfect Child, by Lucinda Berry. It speaks to the fear of every parent: What if your child was a psychopath? This novel takes it a step further. A couple, desperate for a child, has the chance to adopt a beautiful little girl who, they are told, has been abused. They’re told it might take a while for her to learn to behave and trust people. She can be sweet and loving, and in public she is adorable. But in private—well, I won’t give away what happens. But needless to say, it’s chilling.” —Gina Kolata, New York Times “A mesmerizing, unbearably tense thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open. This creepy, serpentine tale explores the darkest corners of parenthood and the profoundly unsettling lengths one will go to, to keep a family together—no matter the consequences. Electrifying and atmospheric, this dark gem of a novel is one I couldn’t put down.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author “A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!” —Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author

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Book SynopsisA lawyer is found murdered on the eve of a landmark trial at the foot of Angels Flight in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The superb sixth Harry Bosch novel from the award-winning No. 1 bestselling author. BOSCH TV STARTS FEBRUARY 2015.Harry Bosch finds himself yet again in charge of a case that no one else will touch. This time his job is to nail the killer of hot shot black lawyer Howard Elias. Elias has been found murdered on the eve of going to court on behalf of Michael Harris, a man the LAPD believes guilty of the rape and murder of a twelve-year-old girl. Elias had let it be known that the aim of his civil case was not only to reveal the real killer but to target and bring down the racist cops who beat up his client during a violent interrogation. Now it''s all down to Bosch - and he''s got to take a long, hard look at some of his colleagues in a police department that is rife with suspicion and hatred.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAn intelligent, provocative whodunit with a killer twist * Ian Rankin *Superb * 100 Best Crime Novels since 1945, The Times *Icelandic detective Hulda Hermannsdottir is the best tragic heroine our reviewer has read for years * The Times, Must Read List *A superb thriller * Summer Reads, The Sunday Times *A complex, fascinating mix of Icelandic community and alienation, atmospheric tension, and timely issues (immigrant exploitation and vigilante justice), Jonasson's latest series is another must-read for crime fans who follow the work of Arnaldur Indridason and Yrsa Sigurdardottir * Booklist *I've ONLY recently discovered the extraordinary Icelandic writer who adds several shades of darkness to Nordic noir . . . it builds to a deeply shocking climax -- Anthony Horowitz * Daily Mail, Ten Thrillers to Die For *If you have ever doubted the appropriateness of the phrase 'Nordic noir', The Darkness will dispel any hesitation . . . in what way this happens (and how badly) is the strength of the book. There are ever-darker surprises, culminating in a finish that leaves one with a highly disturbing image. -- BOOK OF THE WEEK * The Press *The wait was worthwhile and The Darkness first in the new trilogy, is a very efficient piece of work. Jonasson has the full measure of the Nordic noir genre, and pushes all the requisite buttons * Barry Forshaw, Financial Times *To read Ragnar Jonasson is to plunge into snowy Iceland . . . much of its atmosphere and subtle pacing to the traditional 'golden age' detective fiction as the mystery unfolds and builds to a startling climax, elegantly handled. * The Witness *Superb . . . Chilling . . . and establishes her as a great tragic heroine of modern detective fiction -- Joan Smith * Crime Book of the Month, Sunday Times *Outstanding series debut . . . builds to its stunning conclusion, one of the more remarkable in recent crime fiction * Publishers Weekly *The Darkness melds an insightful character study with a solid plot for an outstanding novel * Washington Post *The perfect territory for mystery [writers] * New York Times *Extraordinary, the three books in that series are all amazing . . . very moving all the way through -- Ian RankinIt's shockingly sinister and has an ending that will leave you, literally, gasping for breath * Crimesquad *The ending really took my breath away and that's hard for writers to do to me these days . . . It was a complete surprise and I should have seen it coming and I didn't. [Hulda] is a fantastic, complex 3D character and I want to see more of her, so hurray, this is the first of a three book series * Ian Rankin on the Simon Mayo Podcast *The Darkness will have you burning the midnight oil till 2:00am. It's a gloriously compelling yarn, whose spell continues to hold even when you've turned its final page thanks to its unexpected ending. I can't wait for his next * Reader review *Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * Book of the Month, Guardian *Chilling - a must-read * Peter James *Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! * James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad *Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending * Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow *A true masterpiece . . . a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air * Yrsa Sigurðardóttir *As chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air * Choice Magazine *Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year * Bolo Books Review *Breathtaking. Read it in two sittings. Yet another instant Ragnar Jonasson classic * Thomas Enger, bestselling author of the Henning Juul series *The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked. * Gregg Hurwitz *The Darkness is Ragnar Jonasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down * William Ryan, author of The Holy Thief *It had an intense, visceral sense of place and the connection between the emotional lives of the character and the landscape was evoked beautifully * Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy *It will get your pulse racing, and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series *Magnificently dark and twisted and that ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man *Praise for Ragnar Jónasson * - *Jónasson is an automatic must-read for me . . . possibly the best Scandi writer working todayAs chilling as the nip in the Icelandic air * Choice Magazine *Superb. . . chilling . . . This is the first volume in Jonasson's Hidden Iceland trilogy, which tells Hulda's story in reverse chronological order and establishes her as one of the great tragic heroines of contemporary detective fiction * Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month *Expertly plotted, with an ending that's a true shocker, The Darkness is the first book in a trilogy featuring this engaging investigator, which is good news * The Guardian *Magnificently dark and twisted! That ending - blimey! * C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man *A sympathetic yet entirely unsentimental portrait of a flawed but decent detective seeking justice for a murdered Russian asylum seeker * Sunday Times Crime Club *It will get your pulse racing and keep you hooked to the last page * Simon Kernick of The Bone Field series *Crime fiction has never seen a character quite like Hulda Hermannsdóittir; nor a series launch so entirely willing to take risks and obliterate long-standing tropes . . . There is no doubt that The Darkness will rank as one of the most popular and powerful reading experiences of the year. * BOLO Books Review *The Darkness is a bullet train of a novel, at once blazingly contemporary and Agatha-Christie old-fashioned. With prose as pure and crisp as Reykjavik snowcrust, Ragnar Jónasson navigates the treacherous narrative with a veteran's hand. I reached the end with adrenalized anticipation, the final twist hitting me in the face. I dare you not to be shocked -- Gregg Hurwitz * Sunday Times bestselling author of Orphan X *Was gripped from the start of this brilliantly told story. And left wide-eyed with shock at the ending * Fiona Barton, bestselling author of The Widow *The Darkness is Ragnar Jónasson at the top of his game - deft plotting, a great central character and a story as chilling as the Icelandic winter. I couldn't put it down -- William Ryan * author of The Holy Thief *Page-turning stuff with an unexpected ending! * James Swallow *Another masterpiece from the King of Icelandic Noir -- Thomas Enger * bestselling author of the Henning Juul series *Unbearably sinister * Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy *The Darkness is a true masterpiece of a crime novel, introducing an original protagonist, a plot full of twists and turns and an ending that leaves you gasping for air -- Yrsa Sigurðardóttir * author of the bestselling Thora Gudmundsdottir crime series *Praise for Ragnar Jónasson * - *No country associated with the label Nordic noir is as bleak, cold, snowy and empty as Iceland. And no crime writer portrays those elements as evocatively and scarily as Ragnar Jonasson * The Times *A classic crime story seen through a uniquely Icelandic lens... first rate and highly recommended -- Lee Child, on * Snowblind *A modern take on Agatha Christie-­-style mystery, as twisty as any slalom . . . -- Ian Rankin, on * Snowblind *Ragnar Jónasson writes with a chilling, poetic beauty - a must-read addition to the growing canon of Iceland Noir -- Peter JamesDistinctive blend of Nordic noir and golden age detective fiction...atmospheric...economical and evocative prose * The Guardian on Nightblind *Seductive ... an old-fashioned murder mystery with a strong central character and the fascinating background of a small Icelandic town cut off by snow. Ragnar does claustrophobia beautifully -- Ann CleevesThe ending hits the reader like a kick in the stomach * FRÉTTATIMINN **** *Jonasson's books have breathed new life into Nordic noir ...all the skilful plotting of an old-fashioned whodunit although it feels bitingly contemporary in setting and tone * Sunday Express *Hulda Hermannsdottir is a welcome addition to the selection of Icelandic crime fiction protagonists . . . It is almost impossible to put the book down until the last word has been read * Fréttablaðið **** *Out of all of Ragnar's books, this is the one I like the most . . . The book of his which reminds me most of Agatha Christie * Kiljan, on The Island *The threads lie in various places, the plot is well woven and the pieces in the puzzle come together well in the end. The structure is good, the main characters are believable, the story flows well, everyone is a suspect á la Agatha Christie and the solution unveils the mystery and leads the readers to the truth. But not all the truth, as some things are better left hidden * Morgunbladid (Icelandic newspaper) *A very good book, gripping and interesting, with all the threads carefully managed. Hopefully the author will publish as many books as possible with lead character Hulda * Vikan Magazine, on The Island *

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Book SynopsisA BRAND NEW COSY MYSTERY SERIES SET IN THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF YORK. FOR FANS OF FAITH MARTIN, BETTY ROWLANDS AND LJ ROSS.Meet Kitt Hartley: librarian, trilby-wearer, Lady Grey tea-drinker, taker of no nonsense... detective?It's a perfectly normal day for Kitt Hartley at her job at the University of the Vale of York library, until Detective Inspector Halloran arrives at her desk to tell her that her best friend, Evie Bowes, is under suspicion of murder. Evie's ex-boyfriend Owen has been found dead - with a fountain pen stabbed through his heart - and all the evidence points to her.Kitt knows there is no way Evie could murder anyone - let alone Owen, who she adored. Horrified that the police could have got it so wrong, Kitt decides there's only one thing to do: she's going to investigate Owen's murder herself. She's read hundreds of mystery novels - how hard can it be?With the help of her assistant Grace, and the occasional hindrance of the library's eccentric regulars, Kitt summons up all her investigative powers (absorbed over years of reading everything from Agatha Christie to Ian Rankin) and gets to work. She soon discovers that down the quaint streets and snickelways of York lie darker doings than she'd ever dreamed, but she needs to watch her step: the murderer is watching her. And they haven't finished killing yet...Trade ReviewBrilliantly funny and charming * Northern Life *A great read with smart characters and a clever plot * Candis *With eccentric characters and an intricate plot, this new series set in York is one to get your teeth into * Candis *Cosy and amusing * Irish Independent *This cosy thriller, set in the historic city of York has a unique atmospheric charm * Woman Magazine *A good, well-written holiday read * York Times *

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Book SynopsisMOTHER. LIAR. MURDERER?When Genevieve''s seven-year-old son is found bleeding to death in his own home, she''s horrified when the police turn to her for answers. There''s no evidence of a break-in, and parts of Genevieve''s story don''t seem to make sense. But could a mother really kill her own child?Twenty-four hours later, teenager Nora Florette is reported missing - and panic begins to spread. Someone is preying on the local children - and the police are caught in a race against time to catch the killer. Detective Nick Fourcade and his partner Annie Broussard must uncover the truth about Genevieve''s past before it''s too late. Is she simply a grieving mother? Or is she a danger to them all?The Sunday Times bestseller is back in a nail-biting thriller, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Harlan Coben.Praise for Tami Hoag:''Authentic, dark and intense'' Tess Gerritson ''Deviously plotTrade ReviewHoag ensures that her pair have a very individual quality, encapsulated in their razor-sharp dialogue. * THE GUARDIAN *

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Book SynopsisPrivilege, sex, scandal, and murder.The new novel from Sunday Times-bestselling author James Frey. AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER.Behind every great fortune, lies a great crime - Honoré de BalzacNew Bethlehem, Connecticut. Picture-perfect lawns, manicured hedges, multi-million dollar homes. But beneath the designer yoga gear and country club memberships lies a darker reality.In this world of excess, Devon and Belle have it all beauty, money, status. But they want something more. Something dangerous. Something that makes them feel alive. Their solution? A party a meticulously curated gathering of New Bethlehem's elite, from a desperate ex-NFL quarterback to a hockey coach with a penchant for married women, and a ruthless Wall Street closer' who wields his wealth like a weapon.One night. Multiple betrayals. And a murder that will shatter New Bethlehem's carefully constructed facade.Fans of The White Lotus and Big Little Lies will be drawn into the dark underbelly of the American Dream a world where money can buy anything, until it ruins everything.READERS ARE THRILLED, UNSETTLED AND SEDUCEDSharp, provocative Captivates with its blend of dark humour and social commentary'Dark, disturbing and funny'Transcends simple categorization - part thriller, part social satire, part moral fable - and the result is both entertaining and deeply unsettling'A mix of wit, mystery and dark undertone I couldn't put it down Perfect pool side reading'I deeply loved this book the ending slaps'Super fun and sexy summer read! Rich people behaving badly'

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Book Synopsis*** LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD *** *** A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME PICK OF THE MONTH *** 'A scorchingly good novel' - MICHAEL ROBOTHAM 'Disher is the gold standard for rural noir' - CHRIS HAMMER 'An utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity' - DERVLA MCTIERNAN ________________________________________ AN ACT OF INEXPLICABLE CRUELTY. A FAMILY DESTROYED. Constable Paul Hirschhausen runs a one-cop station in the dry farming country south of the Flinders Ranges. He's still new in town but his community work - welfare checks and a light touch - is starting to pay off. Now Christmas is here and, apart from a grass fire, two boys stealing a vehicle, and Brenda Flann entering the front bar of the pub without exiting her car, Hirsch's life has been peaceful. Until he's called to an incident on Kitchener Street, a strange and vicious attack that sickens the community. And when the Sydney police ask him to look in on a family living on a forgotten back road, it doesn't look like a season of goodwill at all... A hugely atmospheric police procedural set in the dust of the Australian outback. Perfect for readers of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Dervla McTiernan. ________________________________________ 'In this brilliant novel, Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey' - JOCK SERONG 'An atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers' -THE TIMES 'Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer' - SUNDAY TIMESTrade ReviewAn atmospheric and nail-biting novel by one of Australia's finest writers. He deserves to be far better known and far more widely read * The Times *Disher is brilliant at rural noir, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a small town where resentments simmer against the backdrop of an unforgiving landscape * Sunday Times *An uplifting book, an utterly compelling mystery with rare heart and humanity. If you enjoyed Jane Harper's The Lost Man, this novel is for you -- Dervla McTiernanDisher is the gold standard for rural noir -- Chris HammerA scorchingly good novel -- Michael RobothamIn this brilliant novel Disher takes his readers on a harrowing journey -- Jock SerongThe stories are complex without being complicated, the writing pared down yet run with rich seams of character and place. The Hirsch novels are Disher's finest work -- Dominic Nolan, author of AFTER DARKIn prose baked as hard as the sun-scorched outback, Disher summons up the muggy oppressiveness of a small town with years of buried secrets, a veteran crime writer who knows how to expertly tie together the disparate threads of his narrative * Herald *Peter Temple and Garry Disher will be identified as the crime writers who redefined Australian crime fiction * Sydney Morning Herald *Peace is a very impressive piece of crime fiction. There has been a lot of fuss about Australian rural noir in recent years, but few, if any, do it better than Disher * Canberra Weekly *Peace is rural noir at its best * Canberra Times *Relevant, fresh and exciting. Peace is a satisfying complex mystery that reflects on family, corruption, big city violence seeping into the country, deep rooted racism, rural isolation and decline. The story is vivid, brutal and fast paced * Crime Time *The great thing about these books is their sheer believability and attention to detail. Hirsch himself is a fine creation. [An] immersive and addictive book * Crime Fiction Lover *

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Book SynopsisLondon,1837. Jack Maggs, raised and deported as a criminal, has returned from Australia, in secret and at great risk. What does he want after all these years, and why is he so interested in the comings and goings at a plush townhouse in Great Queen Street? And why is Jack himself an object of such interest to Tobias Oates, celebrated author, amateur hypnotist and fellow burglar - in this case of people''s minds, of their histories and inner phantoms? A thrilling story of mesmerism and possession, of dangerous bargains and illicit love against the backdrop of Victorian London.

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Book SynopsisA MORBID TASTE FOR BONES. In 1137 the head of Shrewsbury Abbey decided to acquire the remains of St Winifred. Brother Cadfael is part of the expedition sent to her final resting place in Wales and they find the villagers passionately divided by the Benedictines'' offer for the saint''s relics. Canny, wise and all too worldly, Cadfael isn''t surprised when this taste for bones leads to bloody murder. ONE CORPSE TOO MANY. In 1138, war between King Stephen and the Empress Maud takes Brother Cadfael from the quiet world of his garden to the bloody battlefield. Not far from the safety of the Abbey walls, Shrewsbury Castle falls, leaving its ninety-four defenders loyal to the Empress to hang as traitors. With a heavy heart, Brother Cadfael agrees to bury the dead, but discovers ninety-five bodies awaiting his attention.MONK''S-HOOD. Brother Cadfael''s herb garden is flourishing under his care, then a local dignitary is poisoned with one of the herbalist''s own concoctions andTrade ReviewA pleasing, and unusual mixture of suspense and historical fiction. * EVENING STANDARD *Soothing, but no shortage of mayhem. * OBSERVER *A cult figure of crime fiction. * FINANCIAL TIMES *

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE KING'S MESSENGER, A STORY OF TREACHERY, BETRAYAL AND LOVE, COMING AUGUST 2024. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter Sea and The Vanished Days When a woman brings a small wooden carving into the art dealership, claiming it once belonged to a Russian Empress, Nicola Marter’s boss believes it is worthless. But Nicola has an unwanted, if rare, psychic gift. Holding 'The Firebird' in her hands, she knows this woman is telling the truth. Compelled to uncover its true history, Nicola must put her own past behind her. She contacts an old flame who can access the past in a way no one else can. Together they can find the real story of 'The Firebird'… Following history from Scotland, to Belgium and to St Petersburg, The Firebird is a sweeping story of love, sacrifice, courage and redemption. A journey that spans centuries and lifetimes t

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Book Synopsis''Withered Hill is the ultimate nightmare destination'' Laird BarronInsideA year ago Sophie Wickham stumbled into the isolated Lancashire village of Withered Hill, naked, alone and with no memory of who she is.Surrounded by a thick ring of woodland, its inhabitants seem to be of another world, drenched in pagan, folklorish traditions.As Sophie struggles to regain the memories of her life from before, she quickly realises she is a prisoner after multiple failed escape attempts. But is it the locals who keep her trapped, with smiles on their faces, or something else, lurking in the woods?OutsideIn London, Sophie leads a chaotic life, with too many drunken nights, inappropriate men and boring temp jobs. But things take a turn as she starts to be targeted by strange messages warning her that someone, or something, is coming for her.With no idea who to trust, or where to turn for help, the messages become mo

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Book SynopsisTHE MESSAGE HAS DISAPPEARED.SO HAS YOUR BEST FRIEND . . .*****You receive a text from your best friend:Can't speak don't text or call pls just comeBut as you race to her house,the message is deleted.She answers the door, insists everything's fine.She says she never sent a message.Something's not right, but what can you do?Six hours later, the police call.There's blood all over your friend's house.She's missing.And you were the last person to see her alive . . .PRAISE FOR K. L. SLATERBrilliant, very clever I absolutely recommend it' B. A. ParisJust when you think you know exactly who did what, there is a twist to beat all twists' The TimesOne of the best thrillers I have ever read' Angela MarsonsA gripping thriller that will make you question everything you thought you knew about marriage' New magazineSunday Times Bestseller, December 2024.

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Book Synopsis1985: For Jack Ryan, the Cold War is burning hotA top secret F117 aircraft crashes into the Nevada desert. The Nighthawk is the most advanced fighting machine in the world and the Soviets will do anything to get their hands on its secrets.In East Berlin, a mysterious figure contacts the CIA with an incredible offer: invaluable details of his government''s espionage plans in return for asylum. With the East German secret police closing in, someone will have to go to behind the Berlin Wall to investigate the potential defector. It''s a job Deputy Director James Greer can only trust to one man - Jack Ryan.Ryan is a former Marine and a brilliant CIA analyst, but this time he''s in enemy territory with a professional assassin on his tail. Can he get the right answers before the Cold War turns into a Red Winter?Twenty years after Tom Clancy''s classic novel Red Rabbit, this is white-knuckle prequel introduces a never-before-seen Jack Ryan a

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Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of THE GREATCOATS: seven war mages with dark pasts must come together to fight an unknown enemy - but the stakes are higher than anyone can imagine . . . and someone's setting the seven up for a fall. Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing. Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object). Yep. Behold the mighty wizard. Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be warned: you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations. My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title - until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent. Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . . .Trade ReviewThere is no way you can read this book without a grin on your face * Financial Times *Chaotic energy, clever ideas and characters that stay with you after the final page * SFX *Brilliant and vivid world-building . . . riveting * Chad Stahelski, director of John Wick *With a contemporary style, relentless pace, and a unique and exciting magic system, The Malevolent Seven is an action-packed adventure that not only questions the true nature of heroes but the very meaning of good and evil * Michael J. Sullivan *Irreverent, foul-mouthed fun * Track of Words *A dark, comedic and bleak fantasy . . . breakneck and filled with twists and turns * Grimdark Magazine *A novel that wears its anti-hero credentials proudly on its sleeve * Geek Dad *de Castell doesn't get bogged down in the philosophizing. He lets his characters express the complexity and themes of the book through a propulsive and very fast-paced plot . . . this would make for a perfect summer beach read * The Fantasy Review *If you enjoy fantasy with clever plots, witty dialogue and characters with a keen sense of humour, you should keep The Malevolent Seven on your radar * Bibliosanctum *A march through mayhem. A unique mix of murderous mages, polymorphic angels, cunning demons, found family, and much more . . . one of my favourite books of the year, no question * FanFiAddict *This is de Castell without any restraints and writing complete chaos. It was a pleasure to read * Just Geeking By *A great time with bad people. The magic is fun, the cast is funny, and the quest is hopeless. I highly recommend you strap in and watch this diverse cast of rogues fall upward toward their goal with as much cursing and calamity as possible * The Quill to Live *Suffice to say if you enjoy your characters, magic and world on the darker side, aren't afraid of a little blood and enjoy found families who try to kill each other... this is the book for you * Becky's Book Blog *Full to the brim with magic, mayhem and danger. If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing and keep you hooked right to the very last page, this one should definitely be on your wishlist * The Bibliophile Chronicles *This pulled me in from the first moments; it just felt like it was going to be fun - and it was * British Science Fiction Association *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesOxford, 1960. As the city of Oxford prepares itself for the inaugural Miss Oxford Honey Beauty Pageant at The Old Swan Theatre, excitement is in the air.Then, tragedy strikes the competition when one of the leading contestants is found dead.Initially, the authorities assume her death was suicide. But after a malicious series of pranks and blackmail attempts are reported, WPC Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder are called upon to solve the case.In an atmosphere of fierce competition, the list of suspects is endless. Could what have started as harmless fun become a deadly race to win the prize?With time running out, the duo need to spot the killer before tragedy strikes againA gripping cosy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha ChrTrade ReviewPraise for the Ryder and Loveday series:‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book SynopsisThe year's best thriller' The Times, Books of the YearThe explosive, highly anticipated conclusion to the epic Cartel trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of The ForceThe war has come home.For over forty years,Art Keller has been on the front lines of America's longest conflict: The War On Drugs.Now elevated to the highest ranks of the DEA, Keller finds himself surrounded by an incoming administration that's in bed with the very drug traffickers that Keller is trying to bring down.From the slums of Guatemala to the marbled corridors of Washington, D.C., Winslow follows a new generation ofnarcos, cops, addicts, politicians, and mere children fleeing the violence for the chance of a life in a new country.The Borderis an unflinchingportrait of modern America, a story of and for our time.A huge, immersive, violent, compassionate read' Ian RankinHugely entertaining' Stephen KingBrutal and brilliant, this is crime's Game of Thrones' SunOne of the great literary achievements oTrade Review‘A huge, immersive, violent, compassionate read’ Ian Rankin ‘Brutal and brilliant, this is crime’s Game of Thrones’ Sun ‘The year’s best thriller’ Sunday Times, Books of the Year ‘One of the great literary achievements of the century so far’ Daily Telegraph ‘Thrilling’ The Times ‘Horrifying and insanely gripping. It is an epic game of cajones played out against the beauty of the natural world … such crime writing deserves nothing less than a Pulitzer Prize’ Evening Standard ‘The [Cartel] trilogy is one of the great literary achievements of the century … Winslow’s works is witty and thrilling as well as righteous … we need writers who bear witness to the truth as unflinchingly as Winslow’ Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year ‘Everyone in America–left, right, and center–should read this book. It's social fiction to rival Tom Wolfe and John Steinbeck. Focused, angry, suspenseful, occasionally hilarious, always hugely entertaining’ Stephen King ‘Astonishingly powerful and disturbing … a dizzying combination of sublime plotting, raw anger and pared-back, snub-nosed writing … big, brutal and brilliant’ Metro ‘A new crime classic … a stirring, stupendous novel’ Sunday Times ‘He is a pleasure to read: his writing style is direct, intelligent and forceful … his research is impeccable’ The Times, Books of the Year ‘A furious, impassioned novel … a powerful – and painful – journey through a contemporary version of hell. Rarely has hell been so compelling’ Washington Post, Books of the Year ‘A modern classic of striking power that turns the sordid and murderous mayhem of the cocaine wars and the baroque court politics of the Cartel narcos drug lords into a narrative of great grandeur that illuminates human character in the way Shakespeare or Tolstoy does… a terrifying, vicious world that reveals much about American politics, policing and Trumpian corruption today’ Simon Sebag Montefiore

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Book Synopsis'We lived on a bunk built for four but in times of overcrowding, it slept seven and at times even eight. There was so little space on the berth that when one of us wanted to ease his hip, we all had to turn in a tangle of legs and chests and hollow bellies as if we were one many-limbed creature, a Hindu god or a centipede. We grow intimate not only in body but also in mind because we knew that though we were not born of one womb, we would certainly die together.'Alex Ehren is a poet, a prisoner and a teacher in block 31 in Auschwitz-Birkenau, the children’s block. He spends his days trying to survive while illegally giving lessons to his young charges while shielding them as best he can from the impossible horrors of the camp. But trying to teach the children is not the only illicit activity that Alex is involved in. Alex is keeping a diary…Originally published as THE PAINTED WALL, Otto Kraus’s autobiographical novel, tells the true story of 500 Jewish children who lived in the Czech Family Camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau between September 1943 and June 1944. Trade Review‘Otto B Kraus brings together the strength of his own personal experience in the tiny barracks-school immersed in the darkness of Auschwitz with the story telling powers of an exceptional writer…He will from now on occupy the important place he deserves among writers of the twentieth century’ * ANTONIO ITURBE, bestselling author of THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ *I read Ota Kraus' manuscript and am impressed. Yes, it deserves to be published. * ELI WIESEL, author of NIGHT *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesSummer 1960, Oxford In the glorious sunshine of Oxford, on a day when everyone should be celebrating, tragedy strikes when a university student is found floating in the river, dead.Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday finds herself paired with coroner Clement Ryder to investigate and it soon becomes clear that this case is not going to be easy.The witnesses all refuse to give a straight answer, each new lead sends them in a new direction and tales of other missing youngsters add further mystery to the investigation.One thing is certain though, something doesn't seem quite right about the university's most popular student. A gripping, twisty crime novel that you won''t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard OsTrade Review‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book Synopsis''Fresh, gripping and addictive'' DAILY MAIL ''Grips you from start to finish'' KATE RHODES___________The island was abandoned for fifty years. So how did the body get there?Five-hundred kilometres from land in the middle of Atlantic Ocean lies Navigaceo, a tiny island hastily deserted ?fty years ago and uninhabited ever since. Until now.Tess Macfarlane is part of the very first return expedition and, as a documentary filmmaker, her job is to record everything she sees. Whatever Tess is expecting to find, it is not a body. Recently killed and wearing the uniform of the expedition team.It soon becomes clear that someone on Tess''s team is a killer. With five days until she can return to the mainland and no idea who to trust, can Tess avoid becoming the next body discovered on the shore?___________REAL READER REVIEWS OF THE LAST VISITOR''A great

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Book Synopsis***The Sunday Times ''Thriller of the Month'', Mail on Sunday ''Thriller of the Week'' and Sun ''Best for Mystery-Lovers''***Someone is about to make a killingThe most daring and devastating heist in literary history targets a high security vault located deep beneath Princeton University.Valued at $25 million (though some would say priceless) the five manuscripts of F Scott Fitzgerald''s only novels are amongst the most valuable in the world. After an initial flurry of arrests, both they and the ruthless gang of thieves who took them have vanished without trace.Now it falls to struggling writer Mercer Mann to crack a case that has thwarted the FBI''s finest minds. Praise for Camino Island''A bewitching blend of high-stakes spying mission and summer romance, with a fascinatingly ambiguous central charaTrade ReviewA bewitching blend of high-stakes spying mission and summer romance, with a fascinatingly ambiguous central character * The Sunday Times *The gripping plot will have you devouring the chapters in such a frantic fashion you'll begin to wonder if you are somehow complicit in this perfect crime * Heat *This story take you into the dark underworld of the black market for rare books. Think Da Vinci Code meets Sherlock Holmes * Sun *Grisham shows charm, wit and a light touch. * The Times *It's not often that bookish readers are a thriller's target audience so this one is very welcome. * Literary Review *Every now and then Grisham tries something new. This year he hit a bull's-eye with a beach book featuring a bunch of writers, not a bunch of lawyers. There's a huge sense of fun to this little experiment * Janet Maslin, Independent *In both of these irresistible reads Grisham introduces readers to memorable characters whom he capably brings to life * Forbes Global *

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Book SynopsisA thrilling exploration of psychological disturbance and fear from the bestselling and prize-winning author of Measuring the World.*Now a major film starring Kevin Bacon and Amanda Seyfried*On retreat in the wintry Alps with his family, a writer is optimistic about completing the sequel to his breakthrough film. Nothing to disturb him except the wind whispering around their glassy house. The perfect place to focus. Intruding on that peace of mind, the demands of his four-year-old daughter splinter open long-simmering arguments with his wife. I love her, he writes in the notebook intended for his script. Why do we fight all the time?Guilt and expectation strain at his concentration, and strain, too, at the walls of the house. They warp under his watch; at night, looking through the window, he sees impossible reflections on the snow outside.Then the words start to appear in his notebook; the words he didn't write.Familiar and forbidding by turns, this is an electrifying experiment in form by one of Europe's boldest writers. The ordinary struggles of a marriage transform, in Kehlmann's hands, into a twisted fable that stays darkly in the mind.Trade ReviewA well-crafted tale about one man unravelling due to forces beyond his control . . . You Should Have Left - part-horror, part-psychodrama - serves up effective shocks and thrills that keep us rapt and on the edge of our seats . . . Kehlmann brings that abyss ever closer and takes his narrator, and his reader, over the edge. -- Malcolm Forbes * National *Wry, eerie and increasingly terrifying . . . Daniel Kehlmann is certainly in complete mastery of an entertaining Everyman's postmodernist Gothic guaranteed to unsettle -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *Kehlmann plays on our manipulated expectations to pull off a rather spectacular hat trick . . . You Should Have Left is a story full of craft and scintillating devices . . . A chilling, curious little book, finely translated, and a promise of innovative maturity for its author -- Mika Provata-Carlone * Bookanista *His fiction, conspicuously clever, tends to puncture all the dusty, lugubrious 'worthiness' of canonical literature . . .You Should Have Left [is] a taut and scary novella . . . [with] some high-grade science in it -- Hermione Hoby * Sunday Times *It's a masterclass in economical storytelling, meticulously attentive prose and imaginative agility. Kehlmann creates narrative complexity with the deftest of strokes. He's also laugh-out-loud funny. This is both a highly readable novella and a subtly derisive challenge to readers to question the value of their own enjoyment. -- Luke Davies * Literary Review *A sense of menacing claustrophobia, as the characters - and readers - teeter on the edge of an inexplicable abyss . . . Using some neat formal trickery and a cleverly suggestive atmosphere, this is a story about a marriage in trouble . . . At first glance there may not seem much to this little book, but it has a funny way with dimensions - its effects are amplified, and they linger. -- Daniel Hahn * Spectator *Unsettling, tightly written (in an excellent English translation by Ross Benjamin), psychological suspense and outright, physics-defying horror . . . Kehlmann is a skilled storyteller who takes what could be a run-of-the-mill horror tale and builds it into something more intelligent, metaphysical, concise and perfectly paced as it cranks up the chill . . . Frightening and thought-provoking -- Charlie Connelly * New European *This mind-bending novella about a writer losing his marbles contains images that startle and linger . . . The most arresting of the book's chilling moments might do for baby monitors what 'Jaws' did for swimming in the ocean . . . [Kehlmann] manages a few darkly comic flourishes . . . provocative . . . potent . . . pleasantly unsettling -- John Williams * New York Times *A beautifully crafted exercise in terror from one of Germany's most celebrated contemporary authors . . . Kehlmann creates a sense of existential dread that transcends the typical ghost story . . . A book to keep you up at night * Kirkus *A ghost story steeped with a sense of existential dread and it will have you rereading the chilling final pages to figure out exactly what might have happened. It is a book that should carry a health warning: read alone at your own risk. -- Georgia Godwin * Monocle *Kehlmann is one of the brightest, most pleasure-giving writers at work today, and he manages all this while exploring matters of deep philosophical and intellectual import. * Jonathan Franzen *Daniel Kehlmann is one of the great novelists for making giant themes seem light * Adam Thirlwell *

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Book Synopsis''Simply the best detective writer since Agatha Christie'' The Sunday TimesDiscover the novels that inspired the hit ITV series Midsomer Murders, seen and loved by millions.A Place of Safety by prize-winning writer Caroline Graham is the sixth Midsomer Murders novel starring much-loved Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. Featuring an exclusive foreword by John Nettles, ITV''s DCI Tom Barnaby. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Ann Granger and James Runcie''s The Grantchester Mysteries.Everyone deserves a second chance - or at least that''s what ex-vicar Lionel Lawrence believes when he decides to open up the old rectory to a stream of young offenders. Lionel only wants to help these poor souls, but his good deed quickly spirals into a deadly mix of blackmail and murder. Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby is sure he knows who is behind the disappearance Trade ReviewA mystery of which Agatha Christie would have been proud. . . A beautifully written crime novel * The Times *Tension builds, bitchery flares, resentment seethes . . . lots of atmosphere, colourful characters and fair clues * Mail on Sunday *Everyone gets what they deserve in this high-class mystery * Sunday Telegraph *A witty, well-plotted, absolute joy of a book * Yorkshire Post *A treat . . . haunting stuff * Woman's Realm *Wickedly acid, yet sympathetic * Publishers Weekly *Swift, tense and highly alarming * TLS *Lots of excellent character sketches . . . and the dialogue is lively and convincing * Independent *One to savour -- Val McDermidHard to praise highly enough * The Sunday Times *Her books are not just great whodunits but great novels in their own right -- Julie BurchillEnlivened by a very sardonic wit and turn of phrase, the narrative drive never falters * Birmingham Post *Read her and you'll be astonished . . . very sexy, very hip and very funny * Scotsman *The mystery is intriguing, the wit shafts through like sunlight . . . do not miss this book * Family Circle *

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Book SynopsisBoy Wonder No More! Fired by Batman, Dick Grayson is adrift. Donning a brand-new uniform, he takes a new name and charts a course that makes the Boy Wonder a man.

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Book SynopsisJames Herbert was not just Britain's number one bestselling writer of chiller fiction, a position he held ever since publication of his first novel, but was also one of our greatest popular novelists. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his twenty-three novels have sold more than fifty-four million copies worldwide, and have been translated into over thirty languages, including Russian and Chinese. In 2010, he was made the Grand Master of Horror by the World Horror Convention and was also awarded an OBE by the Queen for services to literature. His final novel was Ash. James Herbert died in March 2013.Trade ReviewDevil of a chiller * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisThe second in the late Philip Kerr''s iconic ''Berlin Noir'' trilogy, The Pale Criminal sees detective Bernie Gunther return to hunt one of the most evil killers in human history. It is 1938 and Bernie Gunther is back on the mean streets of Berlin with his new partner, Bruno Stahlecker, another ex-police officer. But on a seemingly straightforward stakeout, Bruno is killed, and Bernie suddenly finds himself tapped for a much bigger job. A serial sex murderer is killing Aryan teenage girls in Berlin - and what''s worse, he''s making utter fools of the police. Gunther is forced to accept a temporary post in Obergruppenfuehrer Reinhard Heydrich''s state Security Service, with a team of men underneath him tasked purely with hunting the killer. But can he trust his team any more than he can trust his superiors?An unflinching, fast-paced thriller exploring the grisly excesses of Nazi subculture, The Pale Criminal will be loved by fans of RTrade ReviewBlends high-powered storytelling with a rich piece of historical re-creation * Independent *Kerr makes his star turns - Heydrich, Himmler, et al - eerily believable * The Times *Powerful period flavour; a gruff, subversive hero; Kerr delivers the goods * Literary Review *Echoes of Raymond Chandler...vivid and well-researched * Evening Standard *

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Book SynopsisIan McEwan is the critically acclaimed author of nineteen novels and two short story collections. His first published work, a collection of short stories, First Love, Last Rites, won the Somerset Maugham Award. His novels include The Child in Time, which won the 1987 Whitbread Novel of the Year Award; The Cement Garden; Enduring Love; Amsterdam, which won the 1998 Booker Prize; Atonement; Saturday; On Chesil Beach; Solar; Sweet Tooth; The Children Act; Nutshell; Machines Like Me; and Lessons. Atonement, Enduring Love, The Children Act and On Chesil Beach have all been adapted for the big screen.Trade ReviewPowerful and disturbing...a tour de force * New York Times *To call The Innocent a spy novel would be like calling Lord of the Flies a boy's adventure yarn...it ensure McEwan's major status * Sunday Times *The sheer cleverness of the book is dazzling, and only fully to be appreciated as you turn the last page * London Review of Books *It's the most tightly plotted of Ian McEwan's novels, and to argue properly for its excellence would involve showing how the political and emotional themes are inseparable from its narrative ingenuity, the patterns of revelation and about-turn which mark its final pages * Guardian *Generous in scale, simple in its hideous impact... Ironically, he has celebrated the obsequies of the East-West spy thriller by writing one of the subtlest * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisThe second adventure in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, in which the brilliant detective Ana Dolabra may have finally met her match...from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisFinally, the spotlight shines on Yuuto Kiba. Just how did ne and Rias meet? How did he become a demon? The ban finally lifts on this forbidden episode, and Yuuto and Rias's past is revealed!

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Book SynopsisInspired by true events… ‘Moving and authentic’ Dinah Jefferies‘Vivid, heart-rending and so, so beautiful’ Jenny Ashcroft'A beautiful, tender and fascinating story' Sinead MoriartyTrade Review‘Deeply moving. Be prepared — have handkerchiefs on standby at the end’ Antonia Senior, The Times 'A great read … beautifully written, with the alternative perspectives of child and adult giving a great depth of characterisation…That it is based on real events only serves to make the tale more powerful. Highly recommended' Liz Trenow, bestselling author of Under a Wartime Sky ‘A moving and authentic account of a neglected part of WW2 history. I empathised with the plight of the characters … and felt as if I were there’ Dinah Jefferies ‘I’ve been completely swept away … Set in wartime China, it transported me utterly – vivid, heart-rending and so, so beautiful. I loved it ’ Jenny Ashcroft 'Stunning … Based on an incredible true story, The Bird in the Bamboo Cage is immersive, moving and utterly unforgettable' Catherine Ryan Howard, Irish Times bestselling author of The Nothing Man 'A beautiful, tender & fascinating story of a group of young British schoolchildren interned by the Japanese during WWII…a gem' Sinead Moriarty, Irish Times bestselling author of Seven Letters 'Above all this is a novel about human courage, generosity of spirit, and the power of friendship. I was hooked from first to last page' Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of The Secret Wife 'A little-known corner of the war – absolutely fascinating. Beautiful descriptions of the seasons changing over China and characters who had me rooting for them all the way.' Tracy Rees, bestselling author of Amy Snow

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Book SynopsisWHAT CAN SEE WATCHES, WHAT CAN HEAR LISTENS - the gripping first instalment of the Kanha and Colbey Thriller series. When Chief Whip Esme Kanha learns of the sudden death of the Minister for Personal Information, she bitterly regrets missing his desperate calls the previous evening. Unconvinced by the verdict of suicide, and suspicious that corrupt colleagues played some part in the man's death, she decides to investigate - but she must tread carefully in a near-future world dominated by technology, where 'what can see watches, what can hear listens, and what can be followed is tracked'. Meanwhile, Big Tech executive Henri Lauvaux arrives in London. His mission: to ensure the new minister, Harry Colbey, will not prove as problematic as the last. As the West inexorably slides towards an Orwellian 'Big Brother' future, Harry Colbey and Esme Kanha join forces in a deadly cat-and-mouse game against political corruption - at great cost to themselves.Trade Review'I love books that show me behind the closed doors of the corridors of power. And this book does it brilliantly. Read and enjoy!' -Her Honour Wendy Joseph KC, author of 'Unlawful Killings: Life, Love and Murder: Trials at the Old Bailey'; 'From a stunning opening, through twists and turns of political and commercial intrigue, the page turning tension of this chilling near-future thriller never lets up' -G.D Sanders, author of 'The Taken Girls'; 'Dirty Geese is a taut thriller for our times. In a backstabbing Westminster, chief whip Esme Kanha and new minister Harry Colbey must pick their way through a political landscape mined by AI and patrolled by a wolfish, dissolute PM. Lou Gilmond expertly conjures up a shiny, fake tech future that is becoming more jarringly real by the day' -Martin Hickman, author of 'Dial M for Murdoch'; 'This book grabbed me from the very start. A tense, clever, suspenseful page-turner with characters that jump off the page, and a chilling and plausible contemporary premise' -Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of 'Would I Lie To You?'

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Book SynopsisRichard Hannay has just returned to England after years in South Africa and is thoroughly bored with his life in London. But then a murder is committed in his flat, just days after a chance encounter with an American who had told him about an assassination plot which could have dire international consequences. An obvious suspect for the police and an easy target for the killers, Hannay goes on the run in his native Scotland where he will need all his courage and ingenuity to stay one step ahead of his pursuers.

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Book SynopsisThis was the original game of thrones' George R.R. MartinNo man is impervious to the poisons of the crownHaving murdered his wife and exiled his mistress, King Louis X of France becomes besotted with Princess Clemence of Hungary and makes her his new Queen.However, though the matter of the succession should be assured, it is far from so, as Louis embarks on an ill-fated war against Flanders.Where his father, Philip IV, was strong, Louis is weak, and the ambitions of his proud, profligate barons threaten his power and the future of a kingdom once ruled by an Iron King.Trade Review‘Iron kings and strangled queens, battles and betrayals, lies and lust, the curse of the Templars, the doom of a great dynasty – and all of it (well, most of it) straight from the pages of history, and believe me, the Starks and the Lannisters have nothing on the Capets and Plantagenets. Whether you are a history buff or a fantasy fan, Druon's epic will keep you turning pages. This was the original game of thrones’GEORGE R.R. MARTIN ‘Blood-curdling tale of intrigue, murder, corruption and sexual passion’SUNDAY TIMES ‘Barbaric, sensual, teeming with life, based in wide reading and sound scholarship…among the best historical novels’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

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Book Synopsis''There should be no combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive an explanation.''In this tale drawn from the note books of Dr Watson, the deadly hand of Professor Moriarty once more reaches out to commit a vile and ingenious crime. However, a mole in Moriarty''s frightening criminal organization alerts Sherlock Holmes of the evil deed by means of a cipher. When Holmes and Watson arrive at a Sussex manor house they appear to be too late. The discovery of a body suggests that Moriarty''s henchmen have been at their work. But there is much more to this tale of murder than at first meets the eye and Sherlock Holmes is determined to get to the bottom of it.Trade ReviewHolmes has taken on a life of his own in the hearts and minds of a modern world * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe landlady of a Pittsburgh boarding house loses a resident during the chaos following a flood. When a headless body turns up, she's determined to bring the killer to justice.

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Book SynopsisThe second book in the Detective Lottie Parker series by bestselling author, Patricia Gibney. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen and Helen Fields.Trade ReviewGibney expertly ratchets up the tension, making this exceptionally hard to put down . . . you won't be able to help rooting for our flawed heroine (Read of the Week) * Heat *Excellent . . . fast-paced, gritty * Irish Independent on THE STOLEN GIRLS *

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Book SynopsisTHE SINISTER & CHILLING THR SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY THRILLER NO ONE HOMEI buried you. I mourned you.But now you''re back . . .A woman walks into a police station. She has no phone and no ID, just a piece of paper that reads ''David Raker''.She says she''s his wife.She looks just like her.She knows everything about him.But David buried his wife eight years ago. Is this really the woman he loved? Did he really say goodbye?Or is he losing his mind?Raker needs to find out the truth before it''s too late, because he is now the prime suspect in her disappearance . . . ___________AS SEEN ON THE SARA COX SHOW''His most serpentine and satisfying yet'' Daily Mail ''Tense and twisty, with an emotional punch'' Karen Perry, bestselling Trade ReviewHis most serpentine and satisfying yet * Daily Mail *Kept me guessing until the final page -- Jane Corry * bestselling author of My Husband's Wife *Tense and twisty, with an emotional punch and an intriguing plot. It's gripping stuff -- Karen Perry * bestselling author of Girl Unknown *Weaver's David Raker series just keeps getting better. . .This is a page-turner of the highest order. If you're not already a Raker fan, you will be after reading this * Connaught Telegraph *Praise for Tim Weaver * - *Terrific * Sunday Times *It had me racing to the end -- Fiona Barton * bestselling author of The Child *Packed with twists * Daily Express *Thrilling * Richard & Judy Book Club *So many twists and surprises * The Times *One of this country's most respected, bestselling crime writers . . . Catch him at once * Daily Mail *The rising star of British crime -- Tony Parsons, bestselling author of the DC Max Wolfe seriesEnthralling, intriguing -- Liz Nugent * bestselling author of Lying in Wait *I never guessed any of the twists -- Claire Douglas * bestselling author of Last Seen Alive *Weaver's books get better each time - tense, complex, written with flair as well as care * Guardian *A dark, complex and visceral read * Financial Times *The story-telling is little short of brilliant * Crime Fiction Lover *Genuinely original -- Gillian McAllister * bestselling author of Everything but the Truth *Perfect plotting * Bookgeeks *

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Book Synopsis You are his prey… The sixth gripping thriller in Lars Kepler’s bestselling series featuring Joona Linna. Perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.Trade Review‘You want to be disturbed, you want to be distressed? This is one for you. Chilling and enthralling from the outset’ Paul Finch, Sunday Times bestselling author of Shadows Praise for Lars Kepler: ‘The story is incredibly dark and the reader will be caught between wanting to turn the page to read on and being too scared to do so’ SUN ‘STALKER is terrifying yet hugely enjoyable to read but be warned, it may take you a while to sleep after you finish it’ DAILY EXPRESS ‘One of the most hair-raising crime novels published this year’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Hurtles along … full of nuanced detail which sets it far above the average thriller … You’ll be terrified’ EVENING STANDARD ‘Taking Europe by storm…ferocious, visceral storytelling that wraps you in a cloak of darkness’ DAILY MAIL ‘Deeply scarifying stuff’ INDEPENDENT ‘Chillingly vicious’ MARIE CLAIRE ‘Brilliantly scary’ DAILY EXPRESS ‘Kepler has a direct line to a very dark place in the human soul’ Lev Grossman, TIME ‘A creepy and compulsive crime thriller’ MO HAYDER ‘Grips you round the throat until the final twist’ WOMAN AND HOME ‘An horrific and original read’ SUN ‘A rollercoaster ride of a thriller full of striking twists’ MAIL ON SUNDAY

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Book Synopsis''So refreshingA memorable debut'' Louise Hare, Bestselling Author of This Lovely CityKehinde must put everything on the line to find herself during a time of war.Lagos, 1939With the announcement of World War Two and a change that sends shockwaves through her family, Kehinde is forced to put aside her dreams of writing and become the third wife of Mr Ogunjobi.Kehinde makes her peace by selling snacks at a small market. When she gets the chance to assist the leader of the Lagos Market Women''s Association, fighting for the rights the British are trying to take away, Kehinde finally feels useful again.But if her husband finds out he'll abandon her.Can Kehinde find the courage to fight for herself and the other women of Lagos? Or will she remain a caged bird, a parlour wife, forever.A poignant story of a young Nigerian woman, living with the consequences of a war her country didn't choose.Praise for The Parlour Wife:''1940''s Nigeria as you''ve rarely seen it Kehinde''s journey to discovering her own voice, and ultimately her own autonomy, will resonate with many. A delightful debut!'Chioma Okereke, author of Water Baby''A delightful and evocative journey that starts in the heart of a young woman in Lagos whose destiny is threatened when the clouds of family and societal expectations, thesecond World War and the new wave of change sweeping West Africa make their impact on her life and choices''Ola Awonubi, author of A Nurse's Tale ''We all studied WW2, but Nigeria's role, as a British colony, doesn't feature in many books. Agbage corrects this in her poignant debut. I rooted for feisty Kehinde from the get-go. It's not easy to be a feminist when you're a third wife and destined for the parlour her courage was wonderfully written''Nikki May, author of Wahala and This Motherless Land''Written in a warm, compassionate voice, Foluso Agbaje's The Parlour Wife is a harmonious marriage of historical events and memorable characters''Sefi Atta, author of The Bad Immigrant

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Book SynopsisHITLER IS DEAD. A NEW THREAT IS BORN.In the gripping new 2023 spy thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Man in the Bunker, a retired spy must uncover a deadly plot as Britain counts the cost of war. But who is the English Führer?'MASTER OF THE WARTIME SPY THRILLER' - FINANCIAL TIMES________________Autumn 1945 - Off the east coast of England, a Japanese sub surfaces, unloads its mysterious cargo, then blows itself to pieces.Former spy Professor Tom Wilde is enjoying peacetime in Cambridge, settling back into teaching and family life. Until a call from senior MI5 boss Lord Templeman brings him out of retirement.A nearby village has been locked down by the military, its residents blighted by a deadly illness. No one is allowed in or out.There are rumours the Nazi machine is still operational, with links to Unit 731, a notorious Japanese biological warfare research laboratory. But how could they possibly be plotting on British soil - and why?What's more, Wilde and Templeman's names are discovered on a Gestapo kill list. And after a series of assassinations an unthinkable question emerges: could an Englishman be behind the plot?Thrilling, intelligent, and brilliantly compelling, The English Führer cements Rory's position as the 'master of the wartime thriller' (FT) - perfect for readers of Robert Harris, C J Sansom, Mick Herron and Joseph Kanon.

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Book SynopsisBarbara Nadel''s gripping Ikmen mysteries are the inspiration behind The Turkish Detective, BBC Two''s sensational eight-part TV crime drama series, out now.The gripping twenty-fifth Ikmen mystery from award-winning crime writer Barbara Nadel will delight her many fans.Don''t miss Ikmen and Suleyman in the sensational TV series The Turkish Detective When Ates Böcek, son of a feared Istanbul gang leader, is arrested for the brutal murder of his Roma lover, feelings of vengeance are ignited among rival Turkish gangs and the Roma community. Forensic evidence is stacked against him, but Ates refuses to speak, and Inspector Suleyman suspects that there is more to the case than meets the eye. Then Cetin Ikmen discovers that Ates is psychotic and believes that everyone in his life is an imposter, which suggests that Ates might in fact be a victim of a far more sinister game . . .As violence erupts, Suleyman and his tTrade ReviewComplex and beguiling: a Turkish delight -- Mick HerronIkmen is one of modern crime fiction's true heroes, complex yet likeable, and the city he inhabits - Istanbul - is just as fascinating * The Times *Barbara Nadel's distinctive Istanbul-set Inspector Ikmen thrillers combine brightly coloured scene setting with deliciously tortuous plots - the resourceful Ikmen is always struggling with intractable cases * Guardian *Inspector Çetin Ikmen is one of detective fiction's most likeable investigators, despite his grumpy and unsociable character . . . think of him as the Morse of Istanbul * Daily Telegraph *Ikmen and Süleyman form an easygoing if tense partnership as ever, and Nadel has no equal when it comes to summoning the dark side of her fictional environment, behind the glossy image of tourist brochures * Crime Time *Nadel's deep passion for Turkish culture and her intimate knowledge of that land come through vividly in this riveting crime drama * Publisher's Weekly *The delight of Nadel's books is the sense of being taken beneath the surface of an ancient city . . . We look into the alleyways and curious dark quarters of Istanbul, full of complex characters and louche atmosphere * Independent *Fans of Barbara Nadel's Inspector Çetin Ikmen have had a front-row seat for the social and political changes that have been happening in Turkey, and revealing insights into the way they've affected the lives of the city's richly diverse inhabitants * The Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAmy Tintera is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels for young adults. Her novels have been translated into 16 languages and sold into more than 20 territories. Listen for the Lie is her adult debut.She earned degrees in journalism and film and worked in Hollywood before becoming an author. Raised in Austin, Texas, she frequently sets her novels in the Lone Star state.

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Book Synopsis''Arresting... [a] tale of madness, murder, disputed inheritances and hints of the supernatural'' Sunday Times''Delicious ... dark ... sinister'' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of number one bestseller, Pandora''Thrilling'' Emilia Hart, author of Sunday Times bestseller Weyward''Stunning'' Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels''Marvellous'' Naomi Kelsey, author of The BurningsDeep in the woods, something is stirringWhen Miss Catherine Symonds arrives to take up a position as governess at remote Locksley Abbey in the foothills of the Black Mountains, where England bleeds into Wales, she is apprehensive.It is not the echoing, near empty house with its skeleton staff that frightens her, nor the ancient woods that surround the Abbey or even the dogs that the owner, Sir Rowland, encourages to stalk the grounds, baying for blood. It i

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Book SynopsisThe return of a Brighton girl turned movie star spells nothing but trouble for Detective Superintendent Roy Grace in the gripping crime novel Not Dead Yet, by award winning author Peter James.Gaia Lafayette has a movie to shoot back home and Grace is in charge of her security. Yet when a vicious gangster is released from prison and an unidentifiable headless torso is found, a nightmare unfolds before Grace’s eyes.An obsessed stalker is after Gaia – and Grace knows that they may be at large in his city, waiting, watching, planning . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Not Dead Yet is the eighth thrilling title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Dead Man's Time and Want You Dead.Now a major ITV series, Grace, starring John Simm.Trade ReviewNo one can deny James’s success as a crime novelist . . . The Grace stories almost always go to the top of the bestseller lists, not least because they are supremely well-told. James writes meticulously researched police procedurals, so informed that you can smell the canteen coffee . . . enthralling * Daily Mail *Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business -- Karin Slaughter

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Book SynopsisBOOK 2 IN A THRILLING NEW ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SERIES, FROM INTERNATIONAL SENSATION WILBUR SMITH'Best historical novelist' - Stephen King'A master storyteller' - Sunday Times'Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times'No one does adventure quite like Smith' - Daily MirrorA RUTHLESS ENEMY. A CIVILIZATION IN RUINS. A QUEST FOR SALVATION. For over fifty years Egypt has known nothing but war and devastation at the hands of the Hyksos, a bloodthirsty barbarian people from the distant east who continue to advance, crushing armies in their wake. Times are desperate, but throughout the conflict, a brave resistance fights on under the great Taita, a slave who has risen far beyond his ranks.Piay, entrusted into Taita's care by his parents at the age of just five, has been trained to become a great spy, unmatched by any other. Determined to prove his worth, he embarks on a dangerous mission to the north - to Mycenae and through the heart of Hyksos land and across the great sea - to find allies to help defend Egypt. As the situation becomes increasingly precarious, and the fate of the kingdom is hanging in the balance, can Piay succeed in his quest or will this mean the end of the glory that is Egypt once and for all?Book 2 in the New Kingdom sequence and Book 8 in the Ancient Egyptian series from international sensation Wilbur Smith. Don't miss the next in the series, Testament, coming soon.'Titans of War' was a Sunday Times bestseller for w/e 04/09/2022.Trade ReviewBest historical novelist - I say Wilbur Smith * Stephen King *A master storyteller * Sunday Times *Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared * The Times *No one does adventure quite like Smith * Daily Mirror *

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