Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisBritain and America are newly at war, and Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are caught in the very thick of the action.En route to England and his next command, Captain Jack Aubrey, and his friend, ship's surgeon and secret agent Stephen Maturin, find themselves swept up in the War of 1812. As Aubrey convalesces from his wounds in a Boston hospital, awaiting the next prisoner exchange, Maturin's past activities as a spy return to haunt him and precipitate both men into new and unexpected dangers.Love and betrayal vie for supremacy as the two friends face peril around every corner.The Fortune of War is a marvellously full-flavoured, engrossing book, which towers over its current rivals in the genre like a three-decker over a ship's longboat.'T. J. BINYON, Times Literary SupplementThere is nothing in this century that rivals Patrick O'Brian's achievement.'AMANDA FOREMANTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisWhether close to home or far away, there are no safe harbours while Napoleon seeks to dominate the known world.Jack Aubrey, veteran of numerous battles, has been promoted to senior captain commanding a ship that has been sent out to reinforce the squadron blockading Toulon. Compared to the early days of the Napoleonic conflict, the action is slow, cold and dull. But a sudden turn of events takes Aubrey, and ship's surgeon and spy Stephen Maturin, off on a hazardous mission to the Greek Islands, where the skill, daring and, indeed, luck of both men will be tested to the utmost.With so much at risk, will a Turkish alliance carry the day?I envy those who have never read Patrick O'Brian: an enormous pleasure awaits you.'Irish TimesWonderfully spacious, generous, funny, intelligent books.'JOHN LANCHESTERTrade Review‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph ‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’Louise Erdrich ‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’Michael Palin ‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’David Mamet ‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’Max Hastings, Evening Standard ‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’Christopher Hitchens ‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’The Sunday Times ‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’James Teacher, Spectator ‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’Katie Fforde

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Book SynopsisThe third psychological thriller from No 1 bestselling Swedish crime sensation Camilla Läckberg. Irresistible for fans of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.The remote resort of Fjällbacka has seen its share of tragedy, though perhaps none worse than that of the little girl found in a fisherman''s net. But this was no accidental drowningLocal detective Patrik Hedström has just become a father. It is his grim task to discover who could be behind the murder of a child both he and his partner Erica knew well.What he does not know is how the case will reach into the dark heart of Fjällbacka and tear aside its idyllic façade, perhaps forever.Trade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘The hottest female writer in Sweden’ Independent ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun

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Book SynopsisThe captivating new novel from the international bestselling author of The Thorn Birds'.Innocence is no protectionIn Holloman, Connecticut, someone is preying on the innocent. At a prestigious research centre fondly known by its staff as the ''Hug'', parts of a mutilated body are found. Lieutenant Carmine Delmonico of the Holloman Police learns that a string of horrifying murders each with the same modus operandi as the one at the Hug have been commited throughout the state. When another body is found, the medical staff become prime suspects.With the powers that be in turmoil and every member of staff hiding something, Delmonico must delve into the lives of each and every Hug employee. This is the case of his career and he is determined to solve it. But how, when he is hunting a monster who leaves no clues and is always two steps ahead?Trade ReviewPraise for Colleen McCullough: 'Compelling, passionate and gritty.' She ‘Fast-moving and immensely readable…this book is a page turner from start to finish.’ Maeve Binchy 'Probes the depths of the human heart in a haunting, multi-layered novel.' Good Book Guide 'McCullough piles on the drama.' Daily Mail 'Sizzling family drama stuffed with passion, tragedy, love and sex.' More 'Absorbing.’ Sunday Telegraph 'Deliciously addictive…a classic tale of wealth and power–an engrossing read.' Sainsbury's magazine

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Book Synopsis“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The GuardianMaigret’s past comes to life in this evocative novel, set in the Inspector’s hometown“Maigret savoured the sensations of his youth again: the cold, stinging eyes, frozen fingertips, an aftertaste of coffee. Then, stepping inside the church, a blast of heat, soft light; the smell of candles and incense.”The last time Maigret went home to the village of his birth was for his father’s funeral. Now, an anonymous note predicting a crime during All Souls’ Day mass draws him back there, where troubling memories resurface and hidden vices are revealed.Trade ReviewPraise for Georges Simenon:“One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequaled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories.” —The Guardian “These Maigret books are as timeless as Paris itself.” —The Washington Post “Maigret ranks with Holmes and Poirot in the pantheon of fictional detective immortals.” —People “I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov.” —William Faulkner “The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature.” —André Gide “A supreme writer . . . Unforgettable vividness.” —The Independent (London) “Superb . . . The most addictive of writers . . . A unique teller of tales.” —The Observer (London) “Compelling, remorseless, brilliant.” —John Gray “A truly wonderful writer . . . Marvelously readable—lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the world he creates.” —Muriel Spark “A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it.”lle —Peter Ackroyd “Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century.” —John Banville"Gem-hard soul-probes . . . not just the world's bestselling detective series, but an imperishable literary legend . . . he exposes secrets and crimes not by forensic wizardry, but by the melded powers of therapist, philosopher and confessor" ― Times (London)"Strangely comforting . . . so many lovely bistros from the Paris of mid-20th C. The corpses are incidental, it's the food that counts." ― Margaret Atwood"One of the greatest writers of the 20th century . . . no other writer can set up a scene as sharply and with such economy as Simenon does . . . the conjuring of a world, a place, a time, a set of characters - above all, an atmosphere." ― Financial Times"Gripping . . . richly rewarding . . . You'll quickly find yourself obsessing about his life as you tackle each mystery in turn."-- Stig Abell ― The Sunday Times (London)

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Book Synopsis'A universal story, and a testimony to the struggle to find meaning, grace, and humanity, even amid the most unimaginable horrors.' Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite RunnerSnipers in the hills overlook the shattered streets of Sarajevo. Knowing that the next bullet could strike at any moment, the ordinary men and women below strive to go about their daily lives as best they can. Kenan faces the agonizing dilemma of crossing the city to get water for his family. Dragan, gripped by fear, does not know who among his friends he can trust. And Arrow, a young woman counter-sniper must push herself to the limits - of body and soul, fear and humanity. Told with immediacy, grace and harrowing emotional accuracy, The Cellist of Sarajevo shows how, when the everyday act of crossing the street can risk lives, the human spirit is revealed in all its fortitude - and frailty.Trade ReviewGalloway's style is sparse, pared down; his prose has the deceptive simplicity of a short story. The work of an expert, The Cellist of Sarajevo is a controlled and subtle piece of craftsmanship. * Observer *Startlingly good... With prose as unsentimental and deadly as gunfire, Galloway superbly captures the tense existence of a city under siege where daily tasks become a gamble between life and death, yet where a single note of music can exert a power equal to any bomb or bullet. * Metro *

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Book SynopsisNight Train to Lisbon follows Raimund Gregorius, a 57-year-old Classics scholar, on a journey that takes him across Europe. Abandoning his job and his life and travelling with a dusty old book as his talisman, he heads for Lisbon in search of clues to the life of the book's Portuguese author, Amadeu de Prado. As he gets swept up in his quest, he finds that the journey is also one of self-discovery, as he reencounters all the decisions he has made - and not made - in his life, and faces the roads not travelled.Trade Review"* 'One reads this book almost breathlessly, can hardly put it down... A handbook for the soul, mind and heart.' Die Zeit (Germany) 'If you liked Carlos Ruiz Zafon's The Shadow of the Wind, you'll love international bestseller, Night Train to Lisbon.' Image 'Night Train to Lisbon is a novel of ideas that reads like a thriller: an unsentimental journey that seems to transcend time and space. Every character, every scene, is evoked with an incomparable economy and a tragic nobility redolent of the mysterious hero, whom we only ever encounter through the eyes of others... Pascal Mercier now takes his rightful place among our finest European novelists.' Daniel Johnson, Sunday Telegraph 'A meditative novel that builds uncanny power...Night Train to Lisbon maintains a remarkable immediacy that makes for a rare reading pleasure.' Joseph Olshan, San Francisco Chronicle"

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Book SynopsisFourth in the series featuring investigative journalist Lindsay Gordon. When union leader Tom Jack falls to his death from her bedroom window after a spectacularly public row with Lindsay, it seems the only way to prove her innocence is to find the real culprit.Leaving her new home in California for a trade union conference in Sheffield, Lindsay Gordon finds herself in the company of old friends and enemies, including Tom Jack. When this unethical union leader is found dead, having catapulted out of Lindsay's tenth-floor hotel room, she is taken in for questioning by the police.Hoping to clear her name by finding the real killer, Lindsay searches among hundreds of unruly union delegates for a murderer who may have struck once before. Along the way she uncovers a seething cauldron of blackmail, corruption and abuse of power, all brought to the boil by her investigation.Trade Review‘Neatly constructed and splendidly sarcastic about the circus of union politics.' Daily Telegraph 'Tough, exciting, moody and unpredictable.' The Times ‘Full of bitchery and backbiting, excellently done.’ Literary Review

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Book SynopsisHere are some of Sciascia's greatest stories - brief and haunting, the realist tradition at its best. In one tale a couple of men talk, cynically yet earnestly, about the etymology of the word 'mafia' - who they are, and why their interest is so piqued by the word, becomes apparent with frightening clarity. In another story a group of peasants are taken on board ship and promised that they will be put ashore illegally at Trenton, New Jersey; after a long time at sea, their landfall is far from what they expected. And Mussolini himself takes an interest in the case of Aleister Crowley, whose presence in Sicily has become an embarrassment.Trade ReviewFew writers managed to capture the taciturn Sicilian character better than Sciascia, who always understood the power of implication in his work. [A] superb collection * The Times *Brief, haunting and unforgettable * Sunday Tribune *A well-written and instructive collection * Time Out *There are 13 stories in The Wine-Dark Sea... I guarantee you will wish there were more * Big Issue in the North *

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Book SynopsisIn the Swiss Alps a teenage girl is thrown from a helicopter and her boyfriend is brutally abducted to Trieste, a city filled with undercurrents of past hatreds. Ruari, son of Irish media owner J J Breslin, is in desperate danger, at the mercy of ruthless kidnappers making impossible demands. His terrified mother contacts the only person she knows can help her son: Harry Jones, her former lover, who she walked out on many years ago. Now memories of their passionate affair, the guilt, hurt, anger and humiliation, come flooding back. Time is running out for Ruari and Harry, torn between his loyalties, is quickly drawn into a political game played for high stakes. Far higher than he realizes...Trade Review'The son of a newspaper owner in possession of damning political documents has been abducted and ex-soldier Harry Jones is called upon to find him. Allies are scarce as Harry realises loss of life in this political game is inevitable but who will live and who must die?' 5 stars Daily Express 25/2 'Prolific best-selling author Michael Dobbs - recently ennobled as Lord Dobbs - has once again produced a first-class thriller that is hard to put down. Their lordships would be justified in wondering what new ideas for novels he might acquire as a result of having joined their ranks...An evil African politician, horribly sadistic abductors, millions of pounds in ransom money and a romantic link between Jones and Ruari's mother are among the ingredients of this sizzling thriller, party set in the picturesque city of Trieste' Press Association 17/2 'I believe we have a duty to think of others, and that can be a wonderful way of making our own lives better' How to Give It feature, Financial Times 22/2 'The previous night, he explains, he voted against the Government over an amendment on the AV Referendum. The Government had lost the debate by a single vote..."Which puts me on the naughty step, and I shall probably be thoroughly punished...I keep asking myself: am I here as a writer or as a politician, or a bit of each? And then I say to myself, there are plenty of politicians here - maybe the odd writer wouldn't be a bad thing around the place' ... Old Enemies is the kind of dependable, pacy, well-observed thriller for which he can be relied upon.' Interview, The Scotsman 19/2

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and Richard and Judy pick.From the author of the acclaimed Year of Wonders' and People of the Book', a historical novel and love story set during a time of catastrophe on the front lines of the American Civil War.Set during the American Civil War, March' tells the story of John March, known to us as the father away from his family of girls in Little Women', Louisa May Alcott's classic American novel. In Brooks's telling, March emerges as an abolitionist and idealistic chaplain on the front lines of a war that tests his faith in himself and in the Union cause when he learns that his side, too, is capable of barbarism and racism. As he recovers from a near-fatal illness in a Washington hospital, he must reassemble the shards of his shattered mind and body, and find a way to reconnect with a wife and daughters who have no idea of the ordeals he has been through.As Alcott drew on her real-life sisters in shaping the characters of her little women, sTrade Review‘Clarity of vision, fine, meticulous prose, the unexpected historical detail, a life-sized protagonist caught inside an unimaginably huge event. It shows the same seamless marriage of research and imagination.’ Washington Post ‘Brooks’s considerable historical research for “March” is pleasingly lightly worn. Her efforts have borne a rich fruit. It is a big, generous romp that manages to make clever use of “Little Women” without suffocating beneath it.’ Sunday Times ‘A tightly controlled novel in which, you sense, every sentence has been carefully weighed and calculated, and Brooks successfully balances narrative leanness with luxuriant language. “March” is that rare species: a serious popular novel that is not afraid to grapple with big ideas.’ Waterstones Books Quarterly 'Researched with great historical thoroughness, “March” hews faithfully to the spirit of Alcott's original … Louise May Alcott would be well pleased.' The Economist ‘This fascinating, beautifully written book both illuminates Alcott's classic and is a moving, gripping work of fiction in its own right.' Image

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Book Synopsis"She looked so irresistibly beautiful as she said those brave words that no man alive could have steeled his heart against her." In love with the beautiful heiress Laura Fairlie, the impoverished art teacher Walter Hartright finds his romantic desires thwarted by her previous engagement to Sir Percival Glyde. But all is not as it seems with Sir Percival, as becomes clear when he arrives with his eccentric friend Count Fosco. The mystery and intrigue are further deepened by the ghostly appearances of a woman in white, apparently harbouring a secret that concerns Sir Percival’s past. A tale of love, madness, deceit and redemption, boasting sublime Gothic settings and pulse-quickening suspense, The Woman in White was the first best-selling Victorian sensation novel, sparking off a huge trend in the fiction of the time with its compulsive, fascinating narrative.Trade ReviewFor sheer plotting genius, Collins had no rival. If you’ve never read this, I can promise you one of the most gripping stories of all time. -- Philip Pullman

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Book SynopsisDorian Gray is having his picture painted by Basil Hallward, who is charmed by his looks. But when Sir Henry Wotton visits and seduces Dorian into the worship of youthful beauty with an intoxicating speech, Dorian makes a wish he will live to regret: that all the marks of age will now be reflected in the portrait rather than on Dorian's own face. The stage is now set for a masterful tale about appearance, reality, art, life, truth, fiction and the burden of conscience. Oscar Wilde's only full-length novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a lasting gem of sophisticated wit and playfulness, which brings together all the best elements of his talent in a reinterpretation of the Faustian myth.Trade ReviewReading and rereading Wilde throughout the years, I noticed something that his panegyrists had not, it seems, suspected: namely the verifiable, elementary fact that Wilde was virtually always right. -- Jorge Luis Borges Wilde stood for art. He stood for nothing less all his life... He is still enormously underestimated as an artist and thinker... Wilde was a great writer and a great man. -- Stephen Fry Every line that Wilde ever wrote affected me so enormously. -- Morrissey I think The Picture of Dorian Gray stands as high as it ever has. -- Will Self A heady late-Victorian tale of double-living, in which Dorian's fatal, corruptive influence over women and men alike is left suggestively indistinct. -- Sarah Waters

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Book SynopsisA SUPER-CHARGED THRILLER FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott A WEB OF DECEIT.AND BEN HOPE IS CAUGHT UP IN THE MAYHEM… Whilst visiting a former SAS comrade in Italy, a distracted Ben nearly runs over a young boy – and unwittingly walks into his deadliest mission yet. Ben’s involvement with the boy’s family runs deeper as he witnesses their brutal murder at a gallery robbery. A seemingly worthless Goya sketch was the principal target in the bloodbath heist. Now it’s up to Ben to find out the truth behind the elusive painting. Wrongly accused of murder and forced to go on the run, he must get to the heart of the conspiracy while he still has the chance… The Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to a new Ben Hope thriller begins… Whilst the Ben Hope thrillers can be read in any order, this is the sixth book in the series. Trade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore

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Book SynopsisEven though Agatha Raisin loathes Christmas panto, her friend Mrs Bloxby, the vicar's wife, has persuaded her to support the local am dram society in their festive offering. Stifling a yawn at the production of Babes in the Wood, Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on stage until a trapdoor opens... followed by a scream and silence!Surely this wasn't the way the scene was rehearsed? When it turns out the local baker had been murdered most horribly, Agatha puts her team of detectives on the case. And they soon discover more feuds and temperamental behaviour in amateur dramatics than in a professional stage show - and face more and more danger as Agatha and her team get too close to the killer...Trade Review‘The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.’ -- Anne Robinson * The Times *Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life. * Entertainment Weekly *

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Book SynopsisDrawing on his fascination with African lore and his love of adventure to create a seminal work of fantasy, H. Rider Haggard''s She is edited with an introduction by Patrick Brantlinger in Penguin Classics.On his twenty-fifth birthday, Leo Vincey opens the silver casket that his father has left to him. It contains a letter recounting the legend of a white sorceress who rules an African tribe and of his father''s quest to find this remote race. To find out for himself if the story is true, Leo and his companions set sail for Zanzibar. There, he is brought face to face with Ayesha, She-who-must-be-obeyed: dictator, femme fatale, tyrant and beauty. She has been waiting for centuries for the true descendant of Kallikrates, her murdered lover, to arrive, and arrive he does - in an unexpected form. Blending breathtaking adventure with a brooding sense of mystery and menace, She is a story of romance, exploration discovery and heroism that has lost none of its Trade Review“A strange book . . . full of hidden meaning.” —Sigmund Freud

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Book SynopsisKathy Reichs is vice president of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists; a member of the RCMP National Police Services Advisory Council; forensic anthropologist to the province of Quebec; and a professor of forensic anthropology at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Her first book, Deja Dead, catapulted her to fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis award for best first novel. She has written 15 bestselling Temperance Brennan novels, the most recent include Bones Are Forever, Flash and Bones and 206 bones.Trade ReviewYou’ll want to keep turning the pages long after lights out to find out what happens next … Reichs’ real-life expertise gives her novels an authenticity that most other crime novelists would kill for * Daily Express *With Kathy Reichs the reader knows they're in the hands of an expert * Sunday Express *Reichs' seamless blending of fascinating science and dead-on psychological portrayals, not to mention a whirlwind of a plot, make [her novels] a must read * Jeffery Deaver *Brennan is a winner, and so is Reichs * Daily News *A truly impressive writer * We Love This Book *

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Book Synopsis___________________________________ A gripping Temperance Brennan novel from world-class forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the international no. 1 bestselling crime thriller writer and the inspiration behind the hit TV series Bones.Tempe is faced with a horrifying possibility: a murderer she couldn''t catch is killing again...For a decade, Temperance Brennan has been haunted by the one who got away. The killer of young women. The monster. And the one who has now come back. Feeding on fear, grief and rage.Killing again. Killing girls.Getting closer.Coming for Tempe.___________________________________ Dr Kathy Reichs is a professional forensic anthropologist. She has worked for decades with chief medical examiners, the FBI, and even a United Nations Tribunal on Genocide. However, she is best known for her internationally bestselling TemperTrade ReviewI love Kathy Reichs - always scary, always suspenseful, and I always learn something. -- Lee ChildKathy Reichs writes smart – no, make that brilliant – mysteries that are as realistic as non-fiction and as fast-paced as the best thrillers about Jack Reacher, or Alex Cross. -- James PattersonNobody does forensics thrillers like Kathy Reichs. She’s the real deal. -- David BaldacciKathy Reichs continues to be one of the most distinctive and talented writers in the genre. Her legion of readers worldwide will agree with me when I declare that the more books she writes, the more enthusiastic fans she’ll garner. -- Sandra BrownEach book in Kathy Reichs’s fantastic Temperance Brennan series is better than the last. They're filled with riveting twists and turns – and no matter how many books she writes, I just can’t get enough! -- Lisa Scottoline

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Whitbread Book of the Year''Outstanding...a stunningly good read'' Observer''Mark Haddon''s portrayal of an emotionally dissociated mind is a superb achievement... Wise and bleakly funny'' Ian McEwan The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger''s Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour''s dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.Trade ReviewWondrous...brilliantly inventive...dazzling. Not simply the most original novel I've read in years - it's also one of the best * The Times *Exceptional by any standards. Both funny and deeply moving * Sunday Telegraph *Outstanding. Heartening as well as richly entertaining. A stunningly good read * Independent *Superbly realised. A funny as well as a sad book. Brilliant * Guardian *A remarkable book. An impressive achievement and a rewarding read * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis''[Leon] has a wonderful feeling for the social complexities of Venice, where corruption is as old and deep and treacherous as the canals ... Like all the best detective fiction, Doctored Evidence not only solves a mystery, but also anatomises the setting in which the crime occurred'' Daily MailWhen a wealthy Venetian woman is found brutally murdered, the prime suspect is her Romanian maid, who dies in a tragic accident while fleeing the city, carrying a considerable sum of money and forged papers. When the old woman''s neighbour returns from abroad, confessing to have given the maid the money out of pity, questions begin to arise, and Commissario Brunetti decides to take the case on himself. But what could have been the true motive for the murder in such nebulous circumstances if not greed? Or is Brunetti thinking of the wrong sin altogether?Trade ReviewThe virtues of Leon's writing are all on display in ... Doctored Evidence ... [Leon] has a wonderful feeling for the social complexities of Venice, where corruption is as old and deep and treacherous as the canals ... Like all the best detective fiction, Doctored Evidence not only solves a mystery, but also anatomises the setting in which the crime occurred * Daily Mail *Leon's talent for sketching Venice with equal measures of affection and exasperation is undimmed, and Brunetti and his serious, thoughtful wife Paola remain subtle and pleasing creations * Sunday Times *Fans of Leon will not be disappointed . . . She has crafted yet another expert mystery * The Baltimore Sun *Deeply satisfying and often very funny * The Miami Herald *A beautifully cadenced mystery . . . no one is more graceful and accomplished than Donna Leon * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisAnother runaway adventure with glamorous heroine Phryne Fisher!When Phryne Fisher arranges to go to Ballarat for a week, she eschews the excitement of her Hispano-Suiza for the sedate safety of the train. But as the passengers sleep, they are all overcome by chloroform poisoning.In the morning Phryne is left to piece together all the clues: a young girl suffering from amnesia, the body of an old woman missing her emerald rings and rumours of white slavery and black magic... the last thing Phryne was expecting of this train journey was that she will have to use her trusty Beretta .32 to save lives!Trade ReviewThe third Phryne Fisher mystery is one of the standouts of the series, effortlessly matching a compelling plot with its irresistible heroine. * Publisher's Weekly *This series continues to offer a feisty main character and a vividly created and definitely unusual historical setting--the flapper Down Under. * Booklist *well-thought-out plots starring the intelligent, sexy, liberated, and wealthy Phryne. * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisTragedy befalls the Carter family following an eventful visit from a Russian prince and a scandalous blackmail letter. The murder of Wally Carter generates a bewildering mystery - how does one shoot a man crossing a narrow bridge without being near the murder weapon when it is fired? The superlatively analytical Inspector Hemingway reveals his unnerving talent for solving a fiendish problem.Trade ReviewPraise for Georgette Heyer's mystery novels:'We had better start ranking Heyer alongside such incomparable whodunit authors as Christie, Marsh, Tey and Allingham' * San Francisco Chronicle *'Rarely have we seen humour and mystery so perfectly blended' * New York Times *'Sharp, clear and witty' * The New Yorker *'Heyer's characters and dialogue are an abiding delight to me ... I have seldom met people to whom I have taken so violent a fancy from the word "Go"' * Dorothy L. Sayers *

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Book SynopsisAuthor of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one.Trade ReviewWe had better start ranking Heyer alongside such incomparable whodunit authors as Christie, Marsh, Yet and Allingham * San Francisco Chronicle *Rarely have we seen humour and mystery so perfectly blended * New York Times *Sharp, clear and witty * The New Yorker *The wittiest of detective writers * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThree and a half years ago former Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton moved to Atlanta hoping to leave her past behind her. Now working as a doctor in Atlanta's Grady Hospital she is starting to piece her life together. But when a severely wounded young woman is brought in, she finds herself drawn back into a world of violence and terror.Trade ReviewWithout doubt an accomplished, compelling and complex tale, with page-turning power aplenty * Daily Express *Slaughter's plotting is relentless, piling on surprises and twists ... A good read that should come with a psychological health warning * Guardian *Criminally spectacular * OK! *It's beautifully paced, appropriately grisly, and terrifyingly plausible. Who says there's anything peaceful and quiet about small-town America * Time Out *Brilliantly chilling * heat *

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Book SynopsisIn James Herbert's Portent it is the near future and signs of an impending global disaster are multiplying. Earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions sweep the earth. As the storms and tempests rage, a series of ominous events signal the emergence of a new and terrifying force. While scuba-diving on the Great Barrier Reef a diver watches fascinated as a tiny light floats past him towards the surface. Moments later he is torn to pieces as the reef erupts with colossal power. On the banks of the Ganges, a young boy pauses from his back-breaking labours, transfixed by the play of a mysterious light amidst the monsoon rains, before a towering geyser of boiling water bursts from beneath the streets, scalding him to death. In the Chinese city of Kashi travellers bring back reports of a strange light seen shining above the endless dunes of the Taklimakan Desert. And as the city's inhabitants watch for its return, the desert rises up to engulf

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Book SynopsisHow do you catch a killer who can reach you anywhere? The twelfth instalment of the bestselling Lincoln Rhyme series that will leave you looking over your shoulder. Now a NBC TV series.Trade ReviewA tightly plotted masterpiece * Sun *A tightly plotted masterpiece * Sun *Flawlessly constructed and paced * The Sunday Times *Flawlessly constructed and paced * The Sunday Times *The king of suspense is back and he's done it again...Riveting. * Glasgow Herald *The king of suspense is back and he's done it again...Riveting. * Glasgow Herald *Deaver's formidable technological and forensic research, acute insight into the criminal mind, and insightful awareness of serious moral issues that affect modern life, make this breathlessly entertaining fiction * Irish Independent *Deaver's formidable technological and forensic research, acute insight into the criminal mind, and insightful awareness of serious moral issues that affect modern life, make this breathlessly entertaining fiction * Irish Independent *"Deavotees" will expect and gratefully receive the many twists and sudden turns . . . No one is better at narrative misdirection * Evening Standard *"Deavotees" will expect and gratefully receive the many twists and sudden turns . . . No one is better at narrative misdirection * Evening Standard *Jeffery Deaver is a master at crafting intricate crimes that are solved through guile, tenacity and sheer creative genius. And Lincoln Rhyme is one of a kindJeffery Deaver is a master at crafting intricate crimes that are solved through guile, tenacity and sheer creative genius. And Lincoln Rhyme is one of a kindThe best psychological thriller writer around * The Times *The best psychological thriller writer around * The Times *Jeffery Deaver is grand master of the ticking-clock thrillerJeffery Deaver is grand master of the ticking-clock thrillerIf you want thrills, Deaver is your man * Guardian *If you want thrills, Deaver is your man * Guardian *Deaver is a master of manipulation himself; his skillfully constructed plots are devilishly tricky to track and impossible to solve, just the way we like them. * New York Times Book Review *Deaver is a master of manipulation himself; his skillfully constructed plots are devilishly tricky to track and impossible to solve, just the way we like them. * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThe ninth book in Dorothy L Sayers'' classic Lord Peter Wimsey series, introduced by crime writer David Mark - a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie''s Poirot and Margery Allingham''s Campion Mysteries. +1>''D. L. Sayers is one of the best detective story writers'' Daily TelegraphPoisoned port . . . Pet cats in peril . . . Purloined pearls . . . Lord Peter Wimsey solves the mysteries of the man who was blown into the fourth dimension and the murder in fancy dress. He pursues miscreants across several countries and into unexpected hiding places. Dorothy L. Sayers'' other detective, Montague Egg, encounters a fugitive murderer and uncovers a killer in an Oxford cloister. The travelling salesman extraordinaire solves puzzles with a unique combination of matter-of-fact practicality and brilliant deduction.''She brought to the detective novel originality, intellTrade ReviewShe brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit.I admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail.She combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller.

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Book SynopsisAn epistolary crime novel from Dorothy L Sayers, creator of the classic Lord Peter Wimsey series - a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie''s Poirot and Margery Allingham''s Campion Mysteries, and introduced by author and journalist Libby Purves.The bed was broken and tilted grotesquely sideways. Harrison was sprawled over in a huddle of soiled blankets. His mouth was twisted . . .Harrison had been an expert on deadly mushrooms. How was it then that he had eaten a large quantity of death-dealing muscarine? Was it an accident? Suicide? Or murder?The documents in the case seemed to be a simple collection of love notes and letters home. But they concealed a clue to the brilliant murderer who baffled the best minds in London.''She combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller'' Minette WaltersTrade ReviewShe brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit. - P. D. JamesI admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail - Ruth Rendell'She combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller.' - Minette Walters

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Book SynopsisA killer tracks his victims through their virtual world in Deaver's powerful standalone thriller.Trade ReviewDeaver has produced an exciting cyberthriller * Sunday Telegraph *Deaver's customary brilliant plotting * The Sunday Times *Deaver has produced an exciting cyberthriller * Sunday Telegraph *Another serial killer and the internet both helping and concealing the stunning solution. The murderer chooses victims through the internet, but is is old-fashioned sleuthing that tracks down method and motive * The Scotsman *Deaver expertly leads the reader through the intricacies of the California State Police Computer Crimes Division * Express *Jeffery Deaver's story, set in California, sets out to dazzle and bewilder readers with all manner of cyber-clues and deceptions ... a classic detective yarn -- Gerald Kaufman * The Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER 2022A Raven and Fisher Mystery: Book 3Edinburgh, 1850. This city will bleed you dry.Sarah Fisher is keeping a safe distance from her old flame Dr Will Raven. Having long worked at the side of Dr James Simpson, she has set her sights on learning to practise medicine herself. A notion everyone seems intent on dissuading her from.Across town, Raven finds himself drawn into Edinburgh's mire when a package containing human remains washes up on the shores of Leith, and an old adversary he has long detested contacts him, pleading for Raven's help to escape the hangman.Sarah and Raven's lives seem indelibly woven together as they discover that wealth and status cannot alter a fate written in the blood.Trade ReviewA real slow burner of a novel which is a marvellous tale of murder and deception in Victorian Edinburgh. It handles some difficult subject matter with sensitivity and care and has a real feeling of authenticity * * Bloody Scotland, McIlvanney Prize Shortlist * *The ambience of mid-nineteenth-century Edinburgh is well captured and makes for a gripping read. The authors are astute observers of human behaviour and outlook. The three novels in the trilogy are clearly well researched and shine a light on the cruelties, injustices and inequalities of the period described . . . Based on some actual events it's more than mere entertainment * * Bookmunch * *[A] stellar third whodunit set in nineteenth-century Edinburgh . . . The integration of real history enhances a page-turning plot * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *Another brilliant evocation of mid-nineteenth century Scotland, this series just gets better and better. The backstory of the characters, loves, careers and ambitions, is as riveting as the mystery . . . A mix of drama, romance and thriller * * NB Magazine * *Praise for the series: Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMIDBrilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted and immaculately realised, these thrillers pull off the most difficult double-whammy of all: beneath blood and butchery so real they almost stain the pages lie both heart and soul . . . Wherever Parry takes them, I'll follow -- MICK HERRONA rip-roaring tale of murder amid the medical experiments of 19th-century Edinburgh. The book brings both city and period to colourful life and is a joy to read -- IAN RANKIN * * Guardian * *Menacing, witty and ingeniously plotted, Ambrose Parry's debut draws you into the dark heart of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and won't let you go until the final page -- S.J. PARRISGleeful, romping . . . The fog and stench of Edinburgh's Old Town definitely jump off the page . . . The central relationship between loveable rogue Raven and proto-feminist Fisher is the beating heart of The Art of Dying. Both characters are drawn with real empathy and nuance, and their complicated feelings for each other drive the book as much as the smart storylines. A great piece of storytelling * * Big Issue * *An astonishing debut. The dark and dangerous past is brought thrillingly to life. I can't wait to read more of Raven and Sarah -- MARK BILLINGHAM

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Book SynopsisThe third book in the highly acclaimed crime fiction series by J.K. Rowling, writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

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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. The compelling fifth novel in the Midsomer Murders series by Caroline Graham, starring Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby. Features an exclusive foreword by John Nettles. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Ann Granger and James Runcie''s The Grantchester Mysteries.The Fawcett Green bell-ringers don''t bat an eyelid when Simone Hollingsworth fails to turn up to practice. They merely assume that bell-ringing has become the latest in a long list of her abandoned hobbies.But then the increasingly strange behaviour of Simone''s husband, Alan, begins to raise neighbourly suspicions about her whereabouts. And when the discovery of a body draws Chief Inspector Barnaby to the village, it becomes clear that unravTrade 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 SynopsisWWII is over but Mirabelle's time in the backrooms of Whitehall has made her the most stylish sleuth in Brighton. Perfect for fans of ITV's The Bletchley Circle.Trade ReviewSara Sheridan never fails to surprise. Unfailingly stylish, undeniably smart, Miss Bevan is destined to bring the exploits of the past to the best-seller lists of the present Daily Record Beautifully realised vivid characters, both heroes and villains, the atmospheric Brighton setting and plot that zipped along at a lovely pace left me in no doubt that Sara Sheridan and Mirabelle Bevan are a crime force to be reckoned with Goodreads Beneath that prim exterior lies a fearless, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants kind of gal. One part Nancy Drew, two parts Jessica Fletcher, Mirabelle has a dogged tenacity to rival Poirot Sunday Herald

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Book SynopsisPre-order GUILTY, the brand new novel from Martina Cole. Coming October 2024.They got her man. Now she''s going to get even...GET EVEN, by the ''undisputed queen of crime writing'' (Guardian) and Sunday Times No.1 bestseller Martina Cole tells the hard-hitting tale of the fearless Sharon Conway as she finally gets her shot at revenge... Sharon Conway and Lenny Scott are childhood sweethearts. Everyone says they are too young, but nothing can keep them apart. Sharon doesn''t question Lenny''s business dealings and it isn''t long before his reputation as a hard man destined for the top means they are living the good life with their sons.But one night Lenny doesn''t come home. It isn''t the first time he has gone AWOL. But it is his last. He is found murdered - beaten to death in an act of brutality that shocks even the police. And Sharon never knows why.Now, twenty years later, Sharon is about to find Trade ReviewA blinding good read * Ray Winstone *Intensely readable * Guardian *An extraordinarily powerful piece of family drama * Daily Mirror *Gritty novel from an author who knows intimately the world she writes about * Express *Her gripping plots pack a mean emotional punch * Mail on Sunday *Cole has the amazing talent of making characters appear larger than life * Sun *

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Book Synopsis''Plays with all of your expectations. Not to be missed!'' Shari Lapena, THE COUPLE NEXT DOORFans of HE SAID SHE SAID by Erin Kelly and FRIEND REQUEST by Laura Marshall will be gripped by this page-turning thriller with the most shocking ending.''A twist that will knock your socks off'' - Gillian McAllister, ANYTHING YOU DO SAYYou come home from work and your boyfriend has vanished. It''s as if he never existed. Every one of his belongings has gone. He hasn''t been at work. His phone number is dead. It''s like you never even knew him.But that''s not possible, is it?And there is worse still to come. Because just as you are searching for him someone is also watching you.''This fast-paced story kept me guessing - great twist at the end'' K.L. Slater, LIAR and BLINKTrade ReviewSuspenseful and subtle, this novel plays with all of your expectations. Not to be missed! -- Shari Lapena, author of THE COUPLE NEXT DOORI practically inhaled this book. A clever and uncompromising thriller -- Katerina Diamond, author of THE TEACHER and THE SECRETA page turner with a cracking ending -- Jenny Blackhurst, author of HOW I LOST YOU and BEFORE I LET YOU INThis fast-paced story kept me guessing - great twist at the end -- K.L. Slater, author of SAFE WITH MEA clever, fast-paced tale with a twist so sharp it will give readers whiplash -- Tami Hoag, #1 NYT bestselling authorHas a twist I really didn't see coming -- Cass Green, author of THE WOMAN NEXT DOORGripping suspense with a chilling twist. Mary Torjussen kept me turning the pages to the very last -- Meg GardinerBrilliantly written, this debut has great characterisation, a compelling plot, and an ending that leaves you questioning where your sympathies lie -- Sam Carrington, author of SAVING SOPHIEA taut, suspenseful debut very much rooted in reality: any one of us could come home to an empty house and want to find out the answers. With a twist that will knock your socks off, Torjussen is one to watch -- Gillian McAllister, author of EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUTHGone Without a Trace is exactly the kind of book I like to read. It not only pulls you in, but it also makes the reader think. I loved it! -- Amanda Reynolds, author of CLOSE TO MEAn intense and unputdownable book. The atmosphere created is dark and chilling throughout which raised the tension rapidly towards that shocking denouement -- mychestnutreadingtree.wordpress.com

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Book Synopsis'Just keeps getting better and better' DAVID BALDACCI  ‘Slick and enjoyable’ SUN 'Top-notch fun noir' SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB (starred review)DESPERATE MEN ARE DANGEROUS . . .Joe Pike wasn't looking to save someone's life on the day he left the bank. But when he saw Isabel, a young teller, being forced into a car by two men, he had no choice but to chase them down. Not long after being released on bail, the men are found dead and Isabel is missing. After his handling of the men, Pike is a prime suspect, along with Izzy – was this an abduction gone wrong? Or did it go exactly how she planned? Convinced that her life is in danger, Pike involves Elvis Cole in a search for the truth, and for Izzy. But they’re not the only ones desperate to find her – and desperate men are dangerous.

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Book SynopsisInspector Montalbano: The First Three Novels in the Series contains The Shape of Water, The Terracotta Dog and The Snack Thief, from Andrea Camilleri's bestselling Inspector Montalbano series. This three-book compilation features: The Shape of Water: On a waste ground in Vigàta, the Sicilian town's dark underbelly flourishes: drug dealers and prostitutes plying their trade. But when the body of Silvio Luparello, one of the local movers and shakers, is discovered there, Inspector Montalbano must investigate; and despite pressure from his commissioner, a local judge and bishop - he is determined to unearth the truth . . . The Terracotta Dog: When two lovers, dead for over fifty years, are discovered in a mountain cave watched over by a life-size terracotta dog, Inspector Montalbano's investigation will take him on a journey through Sicily's past and into a family's daTrade ReviewMontalbano's colleagues, chance encounters, Sicilian mores, even the contents of his fridge are described with the wit and gusto that make this narrator the best company in crime fiction today * Guardian *The novels of Andrea Camilleri breathe out the sense of place, the sense of humour, and the sense of despair that fill the air of Sicily. To read him is to be taken to that glorious, tortured island * Donna Leon *For total relaxation, I've just discovered Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano mysteries * Andrew Marr *A magnificent series of novels * Sunday Times *Wonderful Italian detective stories * Guardian *For sunny views, explosive characters and a snappy plot constructed with great farcical ingenuity, the writer you want is Andrea Camilleri * New York Times *Sly and witty . . . Montalbano must pick his way though a labyrinth of corruption, false clues, vendettas - and delicious meals. The result is funny and intriguing with a fluent translation by New York poet Stephen Sartarelli * Observer *One of fiction's greatest detectives and Camilleri is one of Europe's greatest crime writers * Mirror *The seal of the best foreign crime writing is as much the stylish prose as the unfamiliar settings. When both ingredients are presented with the expertise shown by Andrea Camilleri, the result is immensely satisfying * Independent *

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