Crime & Thrillers Books

Book SynopsisThis was the original game of thrones' George R.R. MartinThe King is dead. Long live the King.Philip IV is dead and his great kingdom is in disarray. It seems the fatal curse of the Templars is plaguing the royal house of France.His son has been enthroned as Louis X; but with his disgraced wife Marguerite imprisoned in the Chateau Gaillard for her adultery, Louis can produce no heir with which to secure the succession. But neither can he marry again while she livesThe web of scandal, murder and intrigue that once wove itself around the court of the Iron King continues to draw in his descendants, as the destruction of his dynasty continues apace.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 SynopsisThe jaw-dropping, page-turning, critically-acclaimed book of the year: a serial-killer thriller unlike any other from the award-winning Lauren Beukes. GONE GIRL has not exactly gone. But THE SHINING GIRLS have arrived' (The Times).THE SHINING GIRLS is now streaming on Apple TV+, starring Elisabeth Moss and Jamie BellIt's not my fault. It's yours. You shouldn't shine. You shouldn't make me do this.Chicago 1931. Harper Curtis, a violent drifter, stumbles on a house with a secret as shocking as his own twisted nature it opens onto other times. He uses it to stalk his carefully chosen ''shining girls'' through the decades and cut the spark out of them.He's the perfect killer. Unstoppable. Untraceable. He thinksChicago, 1992. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Tell that to Kirby Mazrachi, whose life was shattered after a brutal attempt to murder her. Still struggling to find her attacker, her only ally is Dan, an ex-homicide reporter who covered her case and now might be falling in love with her.As Kirby investigates, she finds the other girls the ones who didn't make it. The evidence is impossible. But for a girl who should be dead, impossible doesn't mean it didn't happenTrade Review‘A powerful thriller – imaginative, disturbing, tense, compelling reading’ The Times ‘I’m all over it’ Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl ‘Brilliant. A book about the duel of two fabulously realized characters. A triumph’ Independent ‘Clever story, smart prose’ Stephen King ‘Extremely creepy’ Mail on Sunday (‘Must Reads’) ‘Very smart, wholly original, completely kick-ass’ William Gibson ‘Engrossing as it is original, as rewarding as it is challenging. Superb – a beautifully layered work of fiction. Take the time to read this, it’s mesmerizing’ Sun ‘Utterly original, beautifully written. This is something special’ Tana French, author of In The Woods ‘Brilliant. Forget GONE GIRL, now it’s all about THE SHINING GIRLS’ Observer ‘Disturbing, smart and beautifully written’ Erin Morgenstern, author of The Night Circus ‘This year’s must-read’ Stylist ‘A new kind of thriller. A dark, relentless, time-twisting, page-turning murder story. It shines’ Matt Haig, author of The Humans

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Book SynopsisHe killed himself, Lieutenant. He was hanging there, just hanging there from the ceiling light in the living room. And his face . . . Oh God.''Death follows New York City cop Eve Dallas everywhere - even on her honeymoon with Irish lover Roarke. When one of Roarke''s employees is found dead, the post-mortem confirms suicide. An isolated case, or so Eve thinks.But more suicides follow - strangers with nothing in common. The pathologist''s report states each victim has an unexplained mark on their brain. Is this a genetic abnormality or a high-tech method of murder? With the body count rising, Eve must delve into the world of virtual reality to hunt down a twisted killer. A killer who preys on the minds of the innocent.

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Book SynopsisJ. M. Coetzee was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1940. The author of some fifteen novels and winner of numerous awards, Coetzee is the first author to have been awarded the Booker Prize twice: for Life & Times of Michael K in 1983 and for Disgrace in 1999. In 2003 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He lives in Australia.Trade ReviewA small miracle of a book...of marvellous intricacy and overwhelming power * Washington Post *A finely honed testament to its author's intelligence, imagination and skill * The New York Times *

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Book Synopsis''A masterclass in suspenseful, character-driven prose fiction. Simply exceptional''Frank Darabont, writer and director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile''The best twist I have ever read'' (Michael Ridpath, author of Traitor''s Gate)''Breathtaking''(Daily Mail)''Wildly entertaining . . . truly frightening''(New York Times)_____________How do you find a killer when you''re surrounded by madness?1935. As Europe prepares itself for a calamitous war, six homicidal lunatics - the so-called ''Devil''s Six'' - are confined in a remote castle asylum in rural Czechoslovakia. Each patient has their own dark story to tell and Dr Viktor Kosárek, a young psychiatrist using revolutionary techniques, is tasked with unlocking their murderous secrets. At the same time, a terrifying killer known as ''Leather Apron'Trade ReviewA splendidly Gothic story, inspired by European folklore, it asks difficult questions about how we judge evil - including whether the Devil can show himself in human form. It is breathtaking. * Daily Mail *A wildly entertaining story that grabs you on page 1 and drags you into its dark world kicking and screaming . . . a truly frightening story, one that gets under your skin slowly, then goes deep, like the tip of a butcher knife. I read the novel one snowy night by the fire, unable to sleep until I finished, then unable to sleep once I had * New York Times *A blood-pumping, nerve-shredding thriller - elegant, edgy, ingenious. Craig Russell conjures not one but two unforgettable settings: Prague between the wars, pulsing with menace, and a Gothic mental asylum, as exciting a house of horrors as I've ever visited. You'll enter both with dread. You'll dwell in them with relish -- A. J. Finn, New York Times bestselling authorSteeped in the chilling folklore of Eastern Europe and echoing the dread of a barbaric war to come, The Devil Aspect snatches the reader by the lapels for a thrilling, twisting trip through the darkest corridors of the human mind -- Daniel H. Wilson, New York Times bestselling authorA tour de force: a clever and visceral thriller with a one-two-three knockout of an ending that left me dazed. -- Lincoln Child, New York Times bestselling authorDeep, dark, and twisty, The Devil Aspect will keep you up all night reading... With all the lights on Russell has created a gripping masterpiece of a thriller! -- Alex Grecian, New York Times bestselling authorDark, stylish and packed with jaw-dropping twists, The Devil Aspect stayed with me long after I'd turned the final page. Part Gothic horror, part crime thriller, it's an astonishing piece of work -- M. W. CravenA Gothic masterpiece in psychological horror and creeping dread, The Devil Aspect is as disturbing as it is compelling. Be prepared to read it in one sitting - and to sleep with the lights on for a long time to come -- Neil BroadfootWell-crafted gothic crime . . . more twists than a Chubby Checker album. A smart, atmospheric, and entertaining read * Kirkus Reviews *A superior thriller, at once stylish, absorbing and compulsive . . . a taut and chilling tale, expertly crafted against the backdrop of ethnic tensions in pre-Second World War Czechoslovakia . . . I was gripped from the very first page right up to that haunting denouement -- Laura CarlinDeliciously authentic and darkly atmospheric . . . a game-changer for the world of crime fiction -- Graham SmithSensational serial killer novel . . . in which twists are both jaw-dropping and logical . . . a mind-blowing story line that will appeal to fans of Caleb Carr and Thomas Harris * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Rosenkrantz Award for Best Thriller of the YearFrom the bestselling, award-winning Swedish author Håkan Nesser, The Living and the Dead in Winsford is a gripping and deeply atmospheric psychological thriller set on Exmoor.There is nobody in the world who knows that we are here . . .A woman arrives in the village of Winsford on Exmoor. She has travelled a long way and chosen her secluded cottage carefully. Maria's sole intention is to outlive her beloved dog Castor. And to survive the torrent of memories that threaten to overwhelm her. Weeks before, Maria and her husband Martin fled Stockholm under a cloud. The couple were bound for Morocco, where Martin planned to write an explosive novel; one that would reveal the truth behind dark events within his commune of writers decades before. But the couple never made it to their destination.As Maria settles into her lonely new life, walking the wild, desolaTrade ReviewOne of the pleasures of The Living and the Dead in Winsford is the drip feed of vital information that hurtles you through its 471 pages as it probes deeper into its heroine's demons.Nesser lives in Gotland but spends part of each year in the UK and he obviously knows his Winsford - and better still his Exmoor. The claustrophobia and comfort of village life, the terror of darkness on an exposed and desolate landscape; proximity with a natural world as beautiful as it is harsh: every detail seems etched into Nesser's viscerally descriptive writing.. . . A ripping yarn * The Times *The smooth, silky prose holds the reader's attention from start to finish, and it's no surprise to discover that this book won the Palle Rosencrantz Prize for best thriller of the year * Literary Review *A tense, psychological exploration of betrayal and revenge, deservedly winning the Rosenkrantz Award for Best Thriller of the Year in 2013.' * Sydney Morning Herald *The book is part thriller but also reads like literary fiction. This is no surprise as Nesser is an excellent writer . . . A great read * Crimepieces.com *A haunting, masterly unravelling of a dreadful crime, in The Living and the Dead in Winsford, Hakan Nesser, the bestselling, award-winning author of the Van Veeteren series, tightens the tension like a noose . . . * fantasticfiction.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisThe sleepy town of Heartsdale, Georgia, is jolted into panic when Sara Linton, paediatrician and medical examiner, finds Sibyl Adams dead in the local diner. As well as being viciously raped, Sibyl has been cut: two deep knife wounds form a lethal cross over her stomach.Trade ReviewDon't read this alone. Don't read this after dark. But do read it * Daily Mirror *This gripping debut novel, filled with unremittingly graphic forensic details, is likely to have Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs glancing nervously in their rearview mirrors because rookie Karin Slaughter is off the starting grid as quickly as Michael Schumacher and is closing on them fast * Irish Independent *Chilling but thrilling * OK! *Slaughter ... brings the story to a shattering climax * Sunday Telegraph *Wildly readable... [Slaughter] has been compared to Thomas Harris and Patricia Cornwell, and for once the hype is justified ... deftly craf ted, damnably suspenseful and, in the end, deadly serious ... Slaughter 's plotting is brilliant, her suspense relentless * Washington Post *

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Book Synopsis'She wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense' GUARDIAN 'Daphne du Maurier is an excellent storyteller' KIRKUS REVIEWS'One of the last century's most original literary talents' DAILY TELEGRAPH As a tour guide, Armino Fabbio leads a pleasant, if uneventful life - until he becomes circumstantially involved in the death of a peasant in Rome. The woman, he gradually learns, was his family's beloved servant many years ago before, in his native town of Ruffano. Fabbio returns to his birthplace, and finds it is haunted by the phantom of his brother, Aldo, who was shot down in flames during the war.Over five hundred years before, the sinister Duke Claudio, known as The Falcon, lived his twisted, brutal life, preying on the people of Ruffano. The town seems to have forgotten its violent history, but have things really changed? The parallels between the past and present become ever more evident.Trade ReviewShe wrote exciting plots, she was highly skilled at arousing suspense, and she was, too, a writer of fearless originality * Guardian *One of the last century's most original literary talents * Daily Telegraph *Daphne du Maurier is an excellent storyteller and can set in motion the most wornout mechanisms of melodrama in a way that doesn't irritate * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces readers to some of the finest Christmas detective stories of the past. Martin Edwards' selection blends festive pieces from much-loved authors with one or two stories which are likely to be unfamiliar even to diehard mystery fans

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Book SynopsisTHE EPIC FIRST INSTALMENT IN THE THRILLING WAR OF THE ROSES SERIES, PERFECT FOR FANS OF GAME OF THRONES, BERNARD CORNWELL & WOLF HALLKing Henry V - the great Lion of England - is dead.It''s up to his son to take the throne, but frail in body and mind, he is dependent on his supporters to run his kingdom.Richard, Duke of York, believes that without a strong king England will fall.And as the threat from France grows, and rebellion on home soil spreads, his fears seem justified.Who can save the throne?Who will defend the kingdom?Praise for Conn Iggulden:''This is energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience'' Independent ''Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction'' Daily Mirror ''An absolutely cracking story'' The TimesConn Iggulden,Trade ReviewPacey and juicy, and packed with action Sunday Times Energetic, competent stuff; Iggulden knows his material and his audience Independent A novel that seamlessly combines narrative, historical credence and great knowledge of the period Daily Express Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction Daily Mirror Superbly plotted and paced The Times Conn breathes new life into the darkest and most dramatic of times, with a flair for both the huge scale and human interest of it all Star Exceptionally well-written and gripping Stylist Compelling reading Woman & Home A benchmark for historical fiction, showcasing Conn Iggulden at his finest Parmenion Books blog Full of period detail, the narrative weaves a glittering thread through the complex, political chaos of the time. It's been said that Game of Thrones is the Wars of the Roses written as fantasy: this is the real thing, more glorious, more passionate, far, far more gritty -- Manda Scott, author and head of HWA

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Book SynopsisFrom the CWA Historical Dagger Award-nominated author of The Angel's Mark in 2019 and The Serpent's Mark in 2020England, 1593: Five years on from the Armada and Elizabeth's kingdom seems secure. But there is always a plot afoot...Robert Cecil, the Queen's spymaster, needs Nicholas Shelby - reluctant spy and maverick physician - to embark on an undercover mission once again. One that he can't refuse, if he wants to keep Bianca Merton safe.Crossing the seas to Marrakesh in search of a missing informer, Nicholas hunts the dingy back alleys and dazzling palaces for the truth. But his search reveals a deadly conspiracy, one far more difficult to survive than he'd ever imagined.And back in London the plague has returned, ravaging the streets and threatening everything he holds most dear...________________________Praise for The Jackdaw Mysteries, a CWA Dagger finalist series'S. W. Perry is one of the best' The Times'No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century' Andrew Swanston'S. W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series' S. G. MacLeanTrade ReviewThe third in Perry's series is as dramatic and colourful as the previous two. * The Sunday Times *An absolute belter of a read and another fabulous addition to the Jackdaw Mysteries series... I just gobbled up the pages as the story fairly roars along battling spies and pirates on route... S. W. Perry ensures the sights, smells and sounds of London and Morocco entered my very being. I love this series. -- Liz Robinson * LoveReading, Picks of the month *The writing is of such a quality, the characters so engaging and the setting so persuasive that, only two books in, S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series. * S. G. MacLean on The Serpent's Mark *A satisfyingly convoluted plot. * Sunday Times on The Serpent's Mark *No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century. * Andrew Swanston on The Serpent's Mark *The Serpent's Mark is an excellent evocation of Elizabethan England, with espionage, intricate conspiracies, strange medical practises and a gripping story. A rattling good read. * William Ryan on The Serpent's Mark *A gorgeous book - rich, intelligent and dark in equal measure. It immerses you in the late 16th century and leaves you wrung out with terror. This is historical fiction at its most sumptuous. * Rory Clements on The Angel's Mark *Wonderful! Beautiful writing, and Perry's Elizabethan London is so skilfully evoked, so real that one can almost smell it. * Giles Kristian on The Angel's Mark *[With] intrigue and suspense, Perry's diligent research makes the period detail convincing. Fans of S.J. Parris and C.J. Sansom will be pleased. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *

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Book Synopsis''Complex, intelligent, hugely intriguing - Alan Furst is in a class of his own'' William Boyd ''Furst''s ability to recreate the terrors of espionage is matchless'' Robert Harris''Furst never stops astounding me'' Tom HanksChosen as one of the 50 Best Modern Crime Novels by Marcel Berlins, crime reviewer, The TimesBulgaria, 1934. Khristo Stoianev sees his brother kicked to death by a gang of fascist thugs. Taking a risk on the promise of Communism, he flees to Moscow and is trained as an agent of the NKVD, the Soviet secret intelligence service. His first mission is to go to Catalonia, where he is soon caught up in the bloody horrors of the Spanish Civil War. Warned that he is about to become a victim of Stalin''s purges, Khristo must again take flight, this time to Paris, where he is a small player on the wrong end of a social scene that is simultaneously decadent and doomed. One of the twentieth centuryTrade Review'Alan Furst's spy fiction is serious, even solemn: a good but never light read' - LITERARY REVIEW'[Furst's] stories combine keen deductive precision with much deeper, more turbulent and impassioned aspects of character... Mr. Furst... is an incomparable expert at this game' - NEW YORK TIMES'Furst's tales... are infused with the melancholy romanticism of CASABLANCA, and also a touch of Arthur Koestler's DARKNESS AT NOON' - SCOTSMAN'Throughout, the author's delight in the process of espionage shines through' - TLS

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Book SynopsisAsh is James Herbert’s last and most controversial novel. It will make you wonder what is fact and what is fiction.Fear will let you in. Terror will keep you there.David Ash, ghost hunter and parapsychologist, arrives at Comraich Castle – a desolate, ancient place with a dark heart – to investigate a series of disturbing events. An incorporeal power has been ignited by a long-ago curse, fed and now unleashed by the evil of those who once inhabited this supposed sanctuary – and by some who still do. Yet their hour of retribution is at hand . . .Start the chilling series from the Master of Horror, with Haunted.Trade ReviewA roller-coaster of gut-punching shocks, eerie encounters, chillingly scary moments, and shudderingly good writing * Express & Star *

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Book SynopsisTHE MULTIMILLION-COPY BESTSELLING ADAM DALGLIESH SERIES FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLISH CRIME' (Guardian) WINNER OF THE CWA SILVER DAGGERA legend.' VAL MCDERMIDP. D. James took the classic crime novel and turned up the dial.' MICK HERRONThe best mysteries only get better with time and this is one of them!' 5* reader reviewPERFECT FOR FANS OF VAL MCDERMID, RUTH RENDELL AND ELLY GRIFFITHS__________________________________________________________________________________There's something wrong about this place. Haven't you noticed?Dalgliesh is recovering from a life-threatening illness when his elderly friend Father Baddeley reaches out for advice. By the time he can respond, Father Baddeley is dead. And his is not the first recent death at the Dorset home for the disabled where he worked.Dalgliesh feels he must try to understand these deaths, even without offic

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An evocative love story layered with heroism and intrigue — the film ‘Casablanca’ if Rick had an artsy bent … powerful.” — San Francisco Chronicle "A sweeping tale of perseverance and courage set against the backdrop of Nazi-era Europe, The Postmistress of Paris is the very best kind of historical fiction: a complex and intriguing story that both highlights a little-known moment in the past and resonates powerfully in the present, reminding us that bigotry can only be vanquished when people are willing to take a stand.” — Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train "I loved The Postmistress of Paris, a novel of so many layers - a suspense story, a love story, and a story about the purpose of art. Meg Waite Clayton is a brilliant and deft writer, and I rooted for her strong, witty and brave heroine on her pulse-pounding mission to save Jewish painters, intellectuals, and a motherless child from Vichy France." — Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal "Widely esteemed for her previous World War II novels, Meg Waite Clayton triumphantly returns with The Postmistress of Paris, a story of one woman’s heroic quest to help the forgotten in Occupied France. Clayton’s immaculately researched and beautifully written tale of passage and courage and heart is her best work yet." — Pam Jenoff, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Woman With The Blue Star “The work of an unsung heroine rises from the pages of The Postmistress of Paris. Meg Waite Clayton draws a vivid contrast between the beauty of art and the brutality of war, the power of humanity and the human cost of cruelty, greed, and prejudice. With a heart-stopping flight across war-torn Europe, this is a story readers of historical fiction and strong female characters will devour.” — Lisa Wingate, # 1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Before We Were Yours “Clayton expertly renders the story of a courageous American woman’s role in the French Resistance during WWII. . . . Clayton’s lyrical, thought-provoking prose breathes life into her characters. This sterling portrait of a complex woman stands head and shoulders above most contemporary WWII fiction.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “This gripping historical love story from Clayton brings readers into the courageous lives of those struggling just to stay alive and those risking everything to help.” — Booklist "Fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Hannah will want to dive right into The Postmistress of Paris." — BookPage “A true gem . . . and a testament to the power of good.” — Portia Kapraun, Library Journal (starred review)

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Book SynopsisSOME MURDERS CAN''T BE SOLVED IN JUST ONE LIFETIME.From the No 1 bestselling author, a brand new series with a brand new heroine to fall in love with. Ali Dawson is as memorable as her fire-engine-red hair - warm, funny, forthright - and mother to a grown son, Finn. Ali works on cold cases, crimes so old, the joke goes, that they are almost frozen.What most people don''t know is that Ali and the team travel back in time to complete their researches - a process pioneered by the mysterious Italian physicist, Serafina Pelligrini.So far the team has only ventured a few years or decades back but Ali''s boss has a new assignment for her. He wants her to step back to 1850, the heart of the Victorian Age, to clear the name of Cain Templeton, the eccentric ancestor of Tory MP Isaac Templeton, her son Finn''s boss. To ready herself for the challenge ahead, Ali researches the Victorian era. She learns that Cain Templeton was part of a sinister group called The Collectors, the rumour being that you had to kill a woman to become a member. Duly prepared, she arrives in London in January 1850 - the middle of a freezing winter. She is directed to a house inhabited by artists, and is greeted by a dead woman at her feet.Soon she finds herself in extreme danger. Even worse - she appears to be stuck, unable to make her way back to the present, to the life she loves and to her son, Finn.The Frozen People is a lavish, cleverly plotted mystery with a cast of unforgettable new characters to get to know and love.

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Book SynopsisA woman must keep her family—and her terrifying secrets—safe in a twisting thriller by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent.Camille Prescott has it all. A doting husband, two children, a charming home in a seaside enclave, and a beautiful, fixed smile that exudes normalcy. But behind her polished mask lurks a much different Camille—one with a padlocked vault of secrets. Raised by a vindictive and psychotic woman, Camille has gone to great lengths to bury her past and for good reason: if her mother ever finds her, she will kill her.But nothing can prepare Camille for the day her six-year-old daughter, Georgie, starts showing signs of unsettlingly familiar behavior, including an imaginary new friend who casts a disturbing influence on everything the little girl says and does. Worse than that, Georgie’s imaginary friend knows things about Camille’s childhood, things Camille has never told

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Book SynopsisHow do you catch a killer who doesn''t exist?After twenty years on the force, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Logan thinks he has seen it all.He is wrong.When a nurse is murdered on her way home from nightshift, Jack and his team go on the hunt for her killer.As more victims are uncovered, Jack finds himself tracking a murderer afflicted by a unique psychosis - one that leaves him free to maim and kill without a shred of guilt or remorse.Facing a new type of killer in an unfamiliar city, DCI Jack Logan is about to be pushed to his limits by an enemy he cannot hope to understand.The unputdownable third book in the DCI Jack Logan crime thriller series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, and L.J. Ross.

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Book SynopsisIF TWO OF YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS ARE BAKING SHOWS AND DETECTIVE SERIES, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. Six contestants. The nation''s favourite baking show. And a prize worth killing for...''A delightful whodunit in a perfect setting with an immersive plot'' 5***** reader review ''Knives Out meets The Great British Bake Off...a perfectly layered mysery, easily deserving of a hearty Hollywood handshake'' TOM HINDLE, author of A Fatal Crossing''I loved it. The Great British Bake Off meets And Then There Were None'' J.M. HALL, author of A Spoonful of Murder''Will keep you entertained right til the end!'' 5***** reader review__________For six amateur bakers, competing in Bake Week is a dream come true.But for the show''s famous host, Betsy Martin, it''s more than a competition. It''s her legacy.As she welcomes contestants to her Trade ReviewKnives Out meets The Great British Bake Off. Jessa Maxwell has whisked up a perfectly layered mystery, easily deserving of a hearty Hollywood Handshake -- Tom HindleI loved it. The Great British Bake Off meets And Then There Were None. As a story it has the perfect ingredients - secrets, ambitions, jealousies, redemptions - blended to perfection, with a murder so strong and compelling it was the cherry on the cake. Like any good recipe each character was sharp and distinctive, bringing a flavour all of their own -- J.M. Hall * author of A Spoonful of Murder *Any successful attempt at baking needs the right ingredients, precise timing and talent. The Golden Spoon has all that in ladles full. Great characters, a great plot, and like a spoon above a dessert, very difficult to put down -- Ian Moore * bestselling author of Death and Fromage *A delectably fun mystery * The Washington Post *Two things I love are great food and a great mystery - and The Golden Spoon has both. This delicious combination of Clue and The Great British Bakeoff kept me turning the pages all night! -- Janet Evanovich * no. 1 New York Times bestselling author *A delicious concoction: two shakes Agatha Christie and a cup of The Great British Bakeoff * Kirkus *Clever, atmospheric and creepy, with a spooky mansion, the kind of quirky, reality-TV-ready ensemble you can't help but adore, and storylines as expertly interwoven as a blue-ribbon challah. I can't wait for whatever Maxwell bakes up next -- Andrea Bartz * New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here *A delicious confection - in this multi-character Clue meets The Great British Bakeoff everyone is suspicious, and the solution will surprise you. I ate it up -- Catherine McKenzie * USA Today bestselling author of Have You Seen Her *Jessa Maxwell's debut is a deliciously entertaining whodunit - charming characters, baking mishaps, and a mouthwatering murder mystery. Readers and baking enthusiasts will savour every bit of The Golden Spoon -- Sarah Penner * New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary *A fantastically fun mystery with a perfect setting. It's Knives Out meets Agatha Christie. I was delightfully surprised throughout -- Sarah Langan * author of Good Neighbours *At last, a baking show with a murder; cleverly constructed so we not only wonder who is the murderer, but who will be the victim. A delightful bake -- Christopher MooreAn outstanding debut...Sweet and savoury turns deadly sour in this fast-paced, entertaining romp * Publishers Weekly *A delectable tour de force of baking and mayhem, Maxwell's debut mystery is one to savour * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisIf you loved From Lukov with Love - the sensational TikTok hit that captivates readers all over the world - then you don''t want to miss any of Mariana''s unique romances. No one writes slow burn like Mariana Zapata and her millions of fans agree! ''Everything Mariana writes is pure gold, and I credit her for my undying love of some of my favorite tropes: slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine...Mariana is an absolute rockstar and a true gift to romance readers everywhere!'' - Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis''When I need a guaranteed five-star, slow burn romance, I pick up Mariana Zapata every time.'' - #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tessa Bailey''An absolute binge-compelling, subtle, sweet and unforgettable-Zapata brings the heady, dizzy rush of the slow fall into love to the pages of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Winnipeg is so much more than a slow burn, a sports story, or a grumpy/sunshine delight-it''s all of those things rolled into an unputdownable feast of romance.'' - Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author of Priest and Misadventures of a Curvy Girl.........................................Vanessa Mazur knows she''s doing the right thing. She shouldn''t feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary.But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she''s beyond shocked.For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn''t find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He''s asking for the unthinkable.What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?More dazzling praise for The Wall of Winnipeg and Me:''A seriously addictive slow burn romance. This book was seriously perfect.'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''This one just really hit the spot for me. Great characters, slow burn romance, funny interactions, and when the heat finally hits, it''s delicious. I read straight through the night and have thought about Aidan all day'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I laughed. I cried. I laughed some more. I cried even harder. I swooned and cried some more . . . This author has giving me back my love for reading and I couldn''t thank her enough'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''The character development and the build of the relationship between these two were done perfectly. It was all just beautiful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. . . The payoff was perfect - I constantly had a cheesy grin on my face. The characters, the story, it was all simply wonderful'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review''Slow burn. So good. Didn''t want it to end. What a romance!'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reader review........................................Want more of Mariana''s delicious slow burn? Why not start with her sensational hit, From Lukov with Love! And don''t miss any of her romances beloved by millions of readers!When Gracie Met the GrumpDear AaronLingusRhythm, Chord & MalykhinThe Best ThingUnder LockeKultiWait for ItLuna and the LieHands DownAll Rhodes Lead Here

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Book SynopsisTHE HUNT FOR A KILLER LEADS ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP...'Brilliant' - THE TIMES'Cracking' - DAILY MAIL 'Winning' - SUNDAY TIMES'A hell of a read' - OBSERVER'Enthralling' - FINANCIAL TIMES 'Enjoyable, intelligent' - GUARDIAN'A romping thriller' - INDEPENDENT'A rollicking read' - EVENING STANDARD'A gripping thriller' - DAILY EXPRESS'Fascinating' - DAILY MIRROR'Gripping' - RADIO TIMES 'Compelling' - THE SUNTHE BIGGEST THRILLER OF THE YEAR FROM BRITAIN'S TOP POLITICAL JOURNALIST, ROBERT PESTON.________________________1997. A desperate government clings to power; a hungry opposition will do anything to win. And journalist Gil Peck watches from the sidelines, a respected commentator on the sport of power politics. He thinks he knows how things work. He thinks he knows the rules.But when Gil's estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government. One of them might have got her killed.As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media. And the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been.But power isn't sport: it's war. And if Gil doesn't stop digging, he might be the next casualty...Robert Harris' THE GHOST and Bill Clinton & James Patterson's THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER meets HOUSE OF CARDS in the most anticipated thriller of the year, THE WHISTLEBLOWER by Robert Peston.What your favourite authors are saying about THE WHISTLEBLOWER:'Exceptional' MATTHEW D'ANCONA'A genuine page-turner' - TOM BRADBY'Intelligent, elegant & thrilling' - RORY CLEMENTS'Unputdownable' - DAMIEN LEWIS'Riveting' - NICK ROBINSON'A cracking read' - ED BALLSTrade Review'Brilliant. Politically insightful, scary, satirical, beautifully paced and has a great cast of characters led by its narrator, Gil Peck ? THE TIMES'There's a winning energy as the action zips around between the different elite milieux, and Gil - plainly the young(ish) Peston - is a fascinating mix of self-criticism and self-congratulation ? SUNDAY TIMES'An engaging tale of government secrets...this debut novel is a hell of a read ? The Observer'This enjoyable, intelligent thriller will be catnip for news junkies ? GUARDIAN'[A] cracking debut. This is House of Cards country, with double-dealing seen as a way of life . . . His dark view of the Westminster jungle is hugely refreshing ? DAILY MAIL'A rollicking read . . . His portrayal of 1990's London is fun and dripping with drink, drugs, private members clubs and an eye for designer clothes, while news junkies and political addicts will enjoy trying to put the real names to some of the characters ? EVENING STANDARD'A cracking read . . . Peston's portrayal of champagne-fuelled 1990s London is vivid and lifelike . . . His enthralling debut thriller takes us right into the heart of a fictional government machine and media circus. ? FINANCIAL TIMES'Secrets, spies, sex, betrayals, murder and a scandal that leads all the way to the top of British politics . . . A gripping read ? RADIO TIMES'A romping thriller ? INDEPENDENT'A gripping thriller . . . Fascinating and disturbing ? DAILY EXPRESS'This compelling story includes characters drawn from major players in politics and the media. Peston has dug deep into his experiences for this tale of power, money, sex and dodgy dealings ? THE SUN, Pick of the Week'The authentic incidental details about how politics and journalism really work are fascinating ? DAILY MIRROR'Wicked fun . . . Remarkably vivid in his descriptions of London in the 1990s, evoking the time and many of the places within the corridors of power with flinching accuracy ? CRIMETIME'An intelligent, elegant and gripping thriller ? RORY CLEMENTS, Sunday Times bestselling author of HITLER'S SECRET'Robert Peston is a classy writer and this is a really compelling thriller that peels back the curtain to take you right to the heart of the political action. A genuine page-turner ? TOM BRADBY, bestselling author of SECRET SERVICE'Incredible, unputdownable, riveting, revelatory, brave. Wow. Exudes authenticity. So timely and courageous. A strident, erudite, compelling cri de coeur. ? DAMIEN LEWIS, Sunday Times bestselling author of SAS Great Escapes'A riveting tale of power, wealth, intrigue and sex. Great storytelling combined with lavish helpings of Peston's unique insight into how Britain really works ? NICK ROBINSON'A compelling, gripping page-turner of a thriller. Robert has brilliantly drawn on his three decades watching politics from the inside and turned all that gossip, insight and intrigue into a cracking read ? ED BALLS'Robert Peston's first work of fiction marks the debut of a truly brilliant thriller writer. The pace, intrigue and plot will keep you turning the page - and guessing - till the end. An exceptional book from one of the great journalists of his times ? MATTHEW D'ANCONA'About the political intrigue around Whitehall correspondent Gil Peck, whose sister is killed in a suspicious hit-and-run accident ? INDEPENDENT, 'Books to look out for in 2021''The journalist's debut thriller is set amid dodgy interests in 1997, with New Labour on the brink of power. ? GUARDIAN, '2021 in books: what to look forward to this year'

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Book SynopsisBlake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. His novels include the New York Times bestseller Dark Matter, and the international bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy, which was adapted into a television series for FOX. Crouch also co-created the TNT show Good Behavior, based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. He lives in Colorado.Trade ReviewAbandon is terrific...A great storyteller hitting his stride. -- Lee ChildBrilliant. . . . .the surprises begin early and continue until the very last page. But Abandon is not merely an exciting thriller with a terrific plot and gangbuster ending; the writing here sings; the characters live; and the universal themes of greed and evil resonate long after the final sentence. -- John LescroartWritten with the breathless grace of a Western sunset, Abandon is more than a nonstop thriller - it’s a riveting morality tale that will haunt you well past the final pages. Evocative, impassioned, and damn near impossible to put down. -- Marcus Sakey

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Book SynopsisWhat the sea takes for its own can never returnPortugal, 1754. Cecilia Lamb knew being a sea captain's wife would mean a life of waiting and watching the horizon for her husband's ship. But John has been gone longer than any voyage should last. Everyone else has given up hope of his return. But she knows in her bones that he is not lost. Gone, but not lost.Barely able to tear her eyes from the shimmering sea, she feels drawn to the sun-baked shoreline, and amid the bustle of the docks she feels certain that her husband will come back to her. Though along with that feeling is another sense that something darker is coming. As she sickens, she doesn't know what the next tide will bring but she begins to fear as well as crave her husband's homecoming.Soon, even on dry land, Cecilia can feel the pull of the ocean at her feet, the movement of the tides within her. Warning, seduction or promise, she cannot tell, but one thing is certain the sea holds many secrets, and some of them are too Trade ReviewPraise for The House of Footsteps: ‘I don't believe in reincarnation, but Mathew West seems the very spirit of M.R. James. With urbane wit and an ever-lurking dread, The House of Footsteps broods to an unsettling climax, choking with atmosphere.’A.J. West, author of The Spirit Engineer ‘Enthralling, unnerving and unsettling’ Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall

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Book Synopsis‘Peter James is one of the best British crime writers, and therefore one of the best in the world.’ - Lee Child, author of The Jack Reacher seriesA long-lost masterpiece sparks deadly violence – and sets Detective Superintendent Roy Grace on the path of a calculating killer. Discover the darkness that lurks around every corner in Picture You Dead.Now a major ITV drama starring John Simm as Roy Grace.Harry and Freya, an ordinary couple, dreamed for years of finding something priceless buried amongst the tat in a car boot sale.It was a dream they knew in their hearts would never come true – until the day it did . . .They buy a drab portrait for twenty pounds for its beautiful frame, planning to cut the painting out. Then, studying it back at home, there seems to be another picture beneath, of a stunning landscape. Could it be a long-lost masterpiece from 1770? If genuine, it could be worth millions.One collector is certain it is genuine. Someone who uses any method he can to get what he wants.Detective Superintendent Roy Grace finds himself plunged into the unfamiliar and rarefied world of fine art. Outwardly it appears respectable, gentlemanly, above reproach. But beneath the veneer, he rapidly finds that greed, deception and violence walk hand-in-hand. And Harry and Freya are about to discover that their dream is turning into their worst nightmare . . .Although the Roy Grace novels can be read in any order, Picture You Dead is the eighteenth title in the bestselling series. Enjoy more of the Brighton detective’s investigations with Find Them Dead and Left You Dead.‘The master of the craft’ - Daily ExpressTrade ReviewPeter James is one of the best crime writers in the business -- Karin SlaughterAs ever, the pages become blurred as you race to discover the verdict. The plot also leaves you hungry for the next episode in DS Grace’s personal drama -- i newspaper on Find Them DeadOne of James’s most emotionally engaging books -- Daily Mirror on Left You Dead

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Book Synopsis'Outstanding ... a constantly surprising series' THE NEW YORK TIMESThere is more to solving a crime than following the clues.Welcome to Chief Inspector Gamache's world of facts and feelings.As Quebec City shivers in the grip of winter, its ancient stone walls cracking in the cold, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache plunges into the strangest case of his celebrated career.A man has been brutally murdered in one of the city's oldest buildings - a library where the English citizens of Quebec safeguard their history. And the death opens a door into the past, exposing a mystery that has lain dormant for centuries . . . a mystery Gamache must solve if he's to catch a present-day killer.Ten million readers.Three pines.One inimitable Chief Inspector Gamache.'Penny is an absolute joy' IRISH TIMESTrade ReviewVery powerful - Penny's best book to date . . . A stunner * Stephen Booth *Louise Penny writes like an angel and plots like the devil. BURY YOUR DEAD had me on tenterhooks from the first page to the last * Alan Bradley *Bury Your Dead has two intelligent plots and, as a bonus, you get to know a bit of Canadian history * The Times *The author brings the intriguing story to life using ornate descriptions * Star Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable' SUNDAY TIMES'As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays' OBSERVERScotland Yard inspector Alan Grant, recovering from a broken leg, becomes fascinated with a contemporary portrait of Richard III, believed to have brutally killed his brother's children - the Princes in the Tower - to make his crown secure. But is the hunchback with such a sensitive, noble face really one of the world's most heinous villains? Or was he the victim of one of the most insidious plots in history?'One of the best mysteries of all time' NEW YORK TIMES'Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing' SPECTATORTrade ReviewA detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable * Sunday Times *As interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer *One of the best mysteries of all time * New York Times *First-rate mystery, ably plotted and beautifully written * Los Angeles Times *Suspense is achieved by unexpected twists and extremely competent storytelling . . . credible and convincing * Spectator *Really first class . . . a continual delight * Times Literary Supplement *Josephine Tey enjoys a category to herself, as a virtuoso in the spurious . . . the nature of the deception on this occasion is too good to give away * New Statesman *Tey's style and her knack for creating bizarre characters are among the best in the field * New Yorker *Most people will find The Daughter Of Time as interesting and enjoyable a book as they will meet in a month of Sundays * Observer *A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable * Sunday Times *Josephine Tey has always been absolutely reliable in producing original and mysterious plots with interesting characters and unguessable endings * Spectator *

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Book Synopsis''THE KING OF CRIME FICTION'' SUNDAY EXPRESSSomeone buried the truth. Now it''s time to dig up the lies... A GRIPPING REBUS THRILLER FROM THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER* * * * **Private investigator Stuart Bloom was missing, presumed dead.Until now.His body is discovered in an abandoned car - in an area that had already been searched...Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke combs through the mistakes of the original investigation. After a decade without answers, it''s time for the truth.But it seems everyone involved with the case is hiding something.None more so than Siobhan''s own mentor: former detective John Rebus. The only man who knows where the trail may lead - and that it could be the end of him.EVERYONE HAS SECRETSNOBODY IS INNOCENTIN A HOUSE OF LIES* * * * *THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS - Trade ReviewIn A House of Lies is Ian Rankin's latest and greatest. It is stunning. I didn't sleep for three nights reading it -- Jilly CooperRankin remains the most consistent practitioner of finely crafted, richly detailed, literary crime novels being produced today. He's always been at the top of his game, and this latest is no exception. -- Linwood BarclayDefinitely not to be missed. Ian's at the top of his form here, and no reader will go away disappointed. -- Peter RobinsonIn A House of Lies shows how investigations of historic crimes are currently shaping our world and who the casualties are. Thrillingly told, with the best cast in contemporary crime, Rankin is one of the most significant social commentators of our time. Just read the book. It says it better than I can -- Denise MinaThis is absolutely wonderful. Clever, gripping, a fabulous read -- Kate MosseHow does Rebus keep on getting better and better? Rankin is a genius -- Lee Child'In a House of Lies is highly complex procedural that grips from the first sentence... No one in Britain writes better crime novels today.' -- Mark Sanderson * EVENING STANDARD *A first rate crime novel: tense, twisty and often very funny. A real joy to see Rebus, Siobhan and Fox together. Rebus still making sparks fly -- Elly GriffithsThere's no one like Ian Rankin for bringing us right into the world of detectives. For anyone who's fascinated by the inner workings of that world, and all its tricky, brutal, expert ruthlessness, In A House of Lies is a must-read -- Tana FrenchOut of this rich stew of characters, and a plot so complex it will elude anything other than total concentration, Rankin crafts one of the great Rebus novels, a vibrant slab of a book as gripping as it is intoxicating. -- Paul Connolly * METRO *Beautifully told, superbly constructed and utterly engrossing, this is vintage Rebus. -- Geoffrey Wansell * DAILY MAIL *As ever, Rankin contrives to marry intricate plotting to a narrative that never slackens its pace. -- Allan Massie * THE SCOTSMAN *This is a rewarding experience just as much as a page-turning pleasure -- Alexandra Heminsley * GRAZIA *

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Book SynopsisThe gripping and masterfully-crafted new thriller from award-winning author Matthew Frank''Tense and twisty . . . completely gripping. I ignored children, a ringing phone, hunger, everything just to devour the last hundred pages'' KAREN PERRY, Sunday Times bestselling author of YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND________Julian Sinclair is a serial killer.Charming, manipulative, deadly. He hunted girls for sport, and it''s high time justice was served.But when Sinclair''s conviction is thrown out in court, DC Joseph Stark and DS Fran Millhaven are forced to protect the man they''re sure is guilty from those who would rather see him pay in blood.Then another girl dies.And Sinclair can''t have killed her from his hospital bed . . .Is a killer lurking in someone they never suspected?And have they had the wrong man all along?________''A clTrade ReviewA clever compelling spiderweb of a plot, weaving together the complex yet realistic minds of the underworld and the police. -- Jane Corry, bestselling author of My Husband's Wife * - *Matthew Frank writes so well and in DC Joe Stark he has developed a complex hero, remote yet relatable, decent yet conflicted. Equally compelling is Stark's nemesis, the sinuous Julian Sinclair with his reptilian charm. Tense and twisty, with a rich cast of characters, The Killer Inside is completely gripping. I ignored children, a ringing phone, hunger, everything just to devour the last hundred pages. -- Karen Perry, bestselling author of Your Closest Friend * - *The Killer Inside is a gripping, pacy read with a "one more chapter" compulsiveness. -- Laura Marshall, bestselling author of Friend Request * - *Nail-bitingly tense plotting, with characters you can't help but root for, The Killer Inside is a standout addition to this compelling series -- Susi Holliday, author of The Last Resort * - *The Killer Inside is the definition of a page turner. Matthew Frank gives us cops torn by the prospect of protecting a killer who cheated justice. They know he has done it but proving it is another thing. Then another girl dies while their man is still in hospital. What if they had the wrong man all along? DC Stark is a terrific creation. The kind of character you want more from and soon please. -- Howard Linskey, best-selling author of The Chosen One * - *Seriously good . . . The Killer Inside is an excellent addition to a fine series, and Joe Stark is coming into his own as a fascinating and multi-layered character, as are the rest of the team. Matthew has written a tightly plotted thrilling page turner of a book -- James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean Series * - *Matthew Frank is a master at juggling light and darkness. His Joseph Stark books explore the legacy of trauma and injury, while serving up satisfying plots with plenty of twists. In this latest, the stakes are horribly high for his hero who, beset by demons and danger, nevertheless acquits himself with courage and a fine line in dry wit. -- Sarah Hilary, award-winning author of the Marnie Rome series * - *Praise for Matthew FrankA gripping murder story ... Frank brilliantly maintains a balance between the demands of a complex plot and his character's difficulty in returning to civilian life * Sunday Times *Outstanding characterisation, passion, perfect dialogue and pinpoint plotting * Crime Review *Well researched and totally convincing * Sunday Mirror *Joe Stark is such a terrific hero, full of flaws and compassion and the sort of quiet heroism that you rarely see these days, even in fiction. One of those books I want to bulk buy and press into the hands of everyone I know. The writing is top-notch, the action sequences are superlative, the characters crackle off the page and the dialogue whips and zings like bullets in the dust. Read it!Detective Sergeant Fran Millhaven is just one of the best women copper characters you'll ever meet between the covers of a book . . . but Stark is the heart of this narrative. I am so looking forward to meeting him again . . . the moment Stark crosses over from soldier to CID detective is beautiful to behold. The action scenes, too, are terrific. RivetingSkilfully plotted, with a great clarity of style

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Book SynopsisAs the Shell House Detectives investigate a mystifying death, they discover rumours, betrayal and murder. Will a decades-old secret finally be unearthed too?A gripping and propulsive read, with a deliciously dark mystery at its heart.Lucy ClarkeAt Shoreline Vines, high on the Cornish cliffs, the Harper family are preparing to welcome glamorous investor Celine Chevalier to their vineyard. They desperately need Celine's backing to keep their business afloat. But everything is jeopardised when a body is found in one of their fields. Police believe the death was a tragic accident but the victim's family suspect otherwise and turn to the Shell House Detectives to investigate. As Ally and Jayden question the community, they discover that Shoreline Vines has always been shrouded in mystery. There are old rumours about buried bones, and even a curse on the land itself. Are these just local myths or is there something sinister hidden in the vineyard's past?As tensions reach breaking point,

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Book SynopsisKenton''s career as a journalist depends on his facility with languages, his knowledge of European politics and his quick judgement. Where his judgement sometimes fails him, however, is in his personal life. When he travels to Nuremberg to investigate a story about a top-level meeting of Nazi officials, he inadvertently finds himself on a train bound for Austria after a bad night of gambling. Stranded with no money, Kenton jumps at the chance to earn a fee helping a refugee smuggle securities across the border. Yet he soon discovers that the documents he holds have far more than cash value - and that they could cost him his life ...Trade Review'A crackerjack spy story, jammed with action, intrigue, thrills and super-villainy' Saturday Review 'If you want to experience the feel of the Continent in the 1930s, you will find few better guides' - Robert Harris

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Book SynopsisIntroducing IRA enforcer and deadly assassin, Sean Dillon, in his explosive debut from number one bestselling author, Jack Higgins.A STORM IS COMINGSean Dillon is a hired killer. The IRA, the PLO, ETA he's worked for them all.Now, with the Gulf War raging, the Iraqis need his services for an apocalyptic strike at the heart of the West. If it succeeds, it will shake the world to its foundations. Leaders will be wiped out, terror will spread: a devastating blow against democracy.Dillon has 10 Downing Street in his sights but British Intelligence are on his trail. They have hired a killer to stalk a killer a mortal enemy who is hell-bent on revenge.As the lightning strikes and the bullets fly, Sean Dillon will discover how it feels to be at the eye of the stormTrade Review‘Open a Jack Higgins novel and you’ll encounter a master craftsman at the peak of his powers … first-rate tales of intrigue, suspense and full-on action.’ Sunday Express ‘With fresh plots, interesting characters and vibrant settings, Jack Higgins has firmly cemented his reputation as one of the world’s most successful thriller writers.’ The Strand Magazine ‘Higgins is a master of his craft.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A thriller writer in a class of his own.’ Financial Times ‘The master craftsman of good, clean adventure.’ Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisBernard Cornwell's brilliant novel, reissued for fans to find out the story behind the stones. This is the tale of three brothers and of their rivalry that created this great temple.One summer's day, a dying stranger carrying great wealth in gold comes to the settlement of Ratharryn.The three sons of Ratharryn's chief each perceive the great gift in a different way. The eldest, Lengar, the warrior, harnesses his murderous ambition to be a ruler and take great power for his tribe. Camaban becomes a great visionary and feared wise man, and it is his vision that will force the youngest brother, Saban, to create the great temple on the green hill where the gods will appear on earth. Saban' s love for Aurenna, the sun bride whose destiny is to die for the gods, finally brings the rivalries of the brothers to a head. But it is also his skills that will build the vast temple, a place for the gods, certainly, but also a place that will confirm for ever the supreme power of the tribe that builtTrade Review‘An epic story told with a master’s skill. Bernard Cornwell now burrows into prehistory to suggest an answer to the puzzle of why and by whom Stonehenge was built. The result is an epic story told with a master’s skill, presenting powerful personalities, high dramas and terrific climaxes with colour and pace.’TLS ‘A fantastic story of intertribal rivalries, Machiavellian scheming by rival sect leaders and fierce battles over talismans’ NEW YORK TIMES

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Book SynopsisFrom the Queen of Crime, the first time all of her spookiest and most macabre stories have been collected in one volume.Trade Review“It’s tempting to say that Agatha Christie is a genius and let it go at that, but the world’s had plenty of geniuses. Agatha Christie is something special.”— Lawrence Block “Agatha Christie’s books are both wonderful crime novels and studies in contrast and duality, and I adore them still. Underestimate them at your peril.”— Louise Penny “Agatha Christie taught me many important lessons about the inner workings of the mystery novel before it ever occurred to me that I might one day be writing mysteries myself.”— Sue Grafton “Any mystery writer who wants to learn how to plot should spend a few days reading Agatha Christie. She’ll show you everything you want to know.”— Donna Leon “Agatha Christie’s indelibly etched characters have entertained millions across the years and a love of her work has brought together generations of readers—a singular achievement for any author and an inspiration to writers across the literary landscape.”— Jacqueline Winspear

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Book Synopsis‘A light-hearted twisty thriller… Reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, with a great cast of characters. A real page-turner!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ New Year’s Eve, 1962 Trade ReviewPraise for Faith Martin: ‘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 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 ‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the next utterly gripping and emotional thriller from Amanda Brooke!Every family has secrets Following her mother's tragic death, Paige is preparing to scatter Ellen's ashes in the heart of the Welsh mountains with her dad, grandmother, aunt and uncle by her side.Some secrets are benignBut when a blizzard descends over the hills, the family have no choice but to abandon their quest and seek refuge in a remote mountain inn.Some secrets a person would kill to concealBut they aren't the only ones trapped on the mountain. A stranger has followed their trail and he knows a secret.How far would you go to protect yours?

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Book SynopsisBestselling phenomenon Simon McCleave is back with a gripping, atmospheric new crime thriller series set on the Isle of Anglesey.Will there be blood in the water?Three years ago, DCI Laura Hart was the top Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for the Greater Manchester Police. Then her husband was kidnapped. Despite her best efforts to reason with the criminals, he was brutally murdered.Now living on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales, Laura is slowly healing. Then she gets a call: armed drug dealers have seized a tourist boat and her ten-year-old son Jake is on board. There's no other negotiator available, and the police need her to step up.With the life of a loved one yet again on the line and memories of the last time she failed still searingly fresh, Laura is living her worst nightmare. Can she lay to rest the ghosts of her past in time to save her son?An atmospheric, edge-of-your-seat read that's perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.Action-packed! A great thriller in a gorgeous location.' international bestselling author Lisa Gardner''A harrowing story set against a stunning backdrop. Anglesey becomes McCleave''s newest brutal playground.' Morgan GreeneThe tension keeps you gripped until the last page.' Rachel McLeanReaders love The Dark Tide!This book was awesome! Suspense, intrigue, action, and great police work!'?????Another fantastic page-turner cleverly written and could easily be a TV show!' ?????Twists and turns aplenty within a well-paced, exciting narrative. A superlative and atmospheric thriller' ?????Excellent' ?????A gripping and sublime crime thriller topped with plenty of action and exciting storylines.' ?????This was an excellent read. Thoroughly recommended. It made me want to visit North Wales.' ?????Fantastic. I really enjoyed this book' ?????Do yourself a favour and get a copy of The Dark Tide you will not be disappointed.' ?????Trade Review‘A pulsating hijack thriller, the first in what promises to be an excellent new Anglesey-set thriller’ CHOICE MAGAZINE

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Book Synopsis'Gorgeous, an utter delight' MARIAN KEYESA charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'A must read!' SOPHIE IRWIN'Storytelling at its finest' STYLISTA DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS'' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN PRIZEMrs Wood is London's most celebrated medium. She's managed to survive decades in the competitive world of contacting the Other Side, has avoided the dreaded slips that revealed others as frauds and is still hosting packed-out séances for Victorian high society.Yet, some of her patrons have recently cancelled their appointments. There are reports of American mediums nearly materialising full spirits and audiences are no longer satisfied with the knocking on tables and candle theatrics of years gone by. And then, at one of Mrs Wood's routine gatherings, she hears something terrifying faint, but unmistakable: a yawn.Mrs Wood needs to spice up her brand. She decides to take on Emmie, a young protégé, to join her show. But is Emmie Finch the naïve ingenue she seems to be? Or does she pose more of a threat to Mrs Wood's reign and, more horrifyingly, her reputation than Mrs Wood could ever have imagined?Trade Review‘I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight’ Marian Keyes ‘Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!’ Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting ‘There’s much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut’ Daily Mail ‘A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz’ Good Housekeeping 'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian séance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood’s journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas ‘Wonderfully entertaining’ Harper’s Bazaar ‘Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut’ Red Magazine ‘Engaging and wonderfully original’ Katie Fforde ‘Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping’ Reader’s Digest ‘Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended’ Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels ‘A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel’ Lucy Diamond ‘Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman ‘Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read’ Louise Dean ‘Storytelling at its finest’ Stylist‘I absolutely ADORED it. Such a juicy read and written so beautifully. Charming, gorgeous, an utter delight’ Marian Keyes ‘Intriguing, witty and unique. A must read!’ Sophie Irwin, author of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting ‘There’s much fun to be had in this vivid, delightfully original debut’ Daily Mail ‘A charming debut that sparks with fun and fizz’ Good Housekeeping 'The Other Side of Mrs Wood drew me in with its promise of ambition and rivalry on the Victorian séance scene. I found myself alternating between laughing, crying and an unsightly mixture of both as I followed Mrs Wood’s journey to stay on top in an industry that prioritises youth and novelty. This is an absolute triumph of a debut' Stacey Thomas ‘Wonderfully entertaining’ Harper’s Bazaar ‘Fans of Sarah Waters will love this clever debut’ Red Magazine ‘Engaging and wonderfully original’ Katie Fforde ‘Wildly entertaining and thoroughly gripping’ Reader’s Digest ‘Full of wit. Bubbling beneath its surface is a compelling commentary on the scant choices facing Victorian women determined to support themselves. Highly recommended’ Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels ‘A joy to read, completely fresh and original with a wonderful cast of characters, featuring rival mediums, dark secrets and some truly delicious double-crossing. Witty, evocative writing, a huge treat of a novel’ Lucy Diamond ‘Think All About Eve, but set in the spellbinding world of Victorian mediums. Brilliantly witty' Frances Quinn, author of That Bonesetter Woman ‘Crackles with wit and mischief, a delicious read’ Louise Dean ‘Storytelling at its finest’ Stylist

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Book SynopsisFrom bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the first riveting, enchanting book in the all-new Golden Court trilogy.A young heirbegins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure as she comes out of hiding to save her sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curseA sleeping curse. A fallen court. A secret twin.Twins Calla and Briar have spent their entire lives hiding from the powerful sorceress who destroyed their kingdomand from the humans who don't know they are Wolves. Each twin has their own purpose in life: Briar's is to marry the prince of an ally pack and save the Golden Court. Calla's purpose is to remain a secret, her twin's shadow . . . the backup plan.No one knows who Calla truly is except for her childhood friendand sister's betrothedthe distractingly handsome Prince Grae. But when Calla and Briar journey out of hiding for Briar's wedding, all of their well-made plans go awry. The evil sorceress is back with another sleeping curse for the last heir to the Golden Court.Calla must step out of the shadows to save their sister, their kingdom, and their own legacy. Continuing to hide as a human and denying who she truly is, Calla embarks on a quest across the realm, discovering a whole world she never knew existed. Outside the confines of rigid Wolf society, Calla begins to wonder: who could she be if she dared to try?Full of adventure, love, gender exploration, and self-discovery, A River of Golden Bones follows Calla's journey through treacherous Wolf kingdoms, monster-filled realms, and the depths of their own heart in this thrilling romantic fantasy.

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Book SynopsisKarin Slaughter is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers. Published in 120 countries with more than 35 million copies sold across the globe, her nineteen novels include the Grant County and Will Trent books, as well as the Edgar-nominated Cop Town and the instant NewYork Times bestselling novels Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her.Slaughter is the founder of the Save the Libraries project-a nonprofit organisation established to support libraries and library programming.For more information visit KarinSlaughter.comAuthorKarinSlaughter@SlaughterKarinTrade ReviewWithout doubt an accomplished, compelling and complex tale, with page-turning power aplenty * Daily Express *An explosive thriller with plenty of twists - this is criminally spectacular * OK! *Triptych is structured and paced brilliantly; the tension is unceasing throughout * The Times *Gripping, gruesome and definitely not for the faint-hearted * Woman & Home *Queen-elect of forensic mysteries * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisBorn in 1942 in Chicago, Michael Crichton trained as a doctor and went on to become one of the most successful writers in the world. In 1994 he achieved a feat unmatched by any other writer: that of having simultaneously a number one TV series, book and movie: with, respectively, ER (which he created), Disclosure and Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, on its release the highest-grossing film of all time. He also directed several movies, including The Great Railway Robbery with Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland. His high-concept thrillers were international bestsellers, and in total his books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. He died in 2008.Trade ReviewHis best since Jurassic Park * New Yorker *A deftly-woven tale of corporate skulduggery, media deceit and sleuthing * Daily Express *A first rate thriller * Sunday Times *A compulsive page-turner ... Crichton dazzles the reader * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisErnest Miller Hemingway was born in Chicago in 1899, the son of a doctor and the second of six children. After a stint as an ambulance driver at the Italian front, Hemingway came home to America in 1919, only to return to the battlefield this time as a reporter on the Greco-Turkish war in 1922. Resigning from journalism to focus on his writing instead, he moved to Paris where he renewed his earlier friendship with fellow American expatriates such as Ezra Pound and Gertrude Stein. Through the years, Hemingway travelled widely and wrote avidly, becoming an internationally recognized literary master of his craft. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, following the publication of The Old Man and the Sea. He died in 1961.Trade ReviewA most beautiful, moving and human book * Vita Sackville-West *A novel of great power * Times Literary Supplement *Flawless... such mastery of narrative, imagery and feeling, the prerequisites for great prose -- Edna O'Brien * Guardian *It seems such simple and straightforward language, but it isn't. The first chapter of A Farewell to Arms is only two and a bit pages but there is almost every variety of sentence structure. It is incredibly artful writing, and part of the art is disguising that it is artful. -- John Harvey * Guardian *Essential Hemingway...a gripping account of the life of an American volunteer in the Italian army and a poignant love story. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisMarisha Pessl''s Special Topics in Calamity Physics is an unforgettable debut novel that combines the storytelling gifts of Donna Tartt and the suspense of Alfred Hitchcock: a darkly hilarious coming-of-age tale and a richly plotted suspense story, told with dazzling intelligence and wit.''I wrote this account one year after I''d found Hannah Dead.I thought I''d managed to erase all traces of that night within myself.But I was wrong.Every night when I tried to sleep, I''d close my eyes and see her again, exactly as I found her, hanging from a pine tree by an orange electrical cord, her neck twisted like a tulip stem, her eyes seeing nothing. Or else that was the problem. They''d seen everything.''Special Topics in Calamity Physics is a mesmerizing debut. As teenager Blue van Meer tells her story we are hurled into a dizzying world of murder and butterflies, womanizing and wandering, American McCulture, The Western CanonTrade ReviewBeneath the foam of this exuberant debut is a dark, strong drink -- Jonathan Franzen, author of * The Corrections *

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Book SynopsisLe Carré''s post-Cold War masterpiece, filled with suspense, betrayal, desire and dramaThe Cold War is over and retired secret servant Tim Cranmer has been put out to pasture, spending his days making wine on his Somerset estate. But then he discovers that his former double agent Larry - dreamer, dissolute, philanderer and disloyal friend - has vanished, along with Tim''s mistress. As their trail takes him to the lawless wilds of Russia and the North Caucasus, he is forced to question everything he stood for.Set in a fragmented, uncertain post-Soviet world, le Carré''s brutal story of falsehoods and betrayal shows men playing dangerous games beyond their control.Trade ReviewA wonderful book ... I cannot think of a more compelling read * Financial Times *An absorbing and thought-provoking piece of work * The Times Literary Supplement *Le Carré is in the first rank -- Ian McEwan

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Book Synopsis''His artistry is supreme'' John Banville''Sullenly, he got dressed. Why, whenever he was woken on a winter night like this, did the coffee have a particular taste? The smell of the apartment was different...his pipe, too, had a different taste.''Set against a high-profile hunt for the latest criminal gang to hit Paris, Maigret is determined to track down the murderer of a quiet crook for whom he cannot help feeling affection and respect.This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret and the Idle Burglar. ''One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories'' GuardianTrade 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''One of the most sophisticated fictional responses to the war on terror yet published'' GuardianAn illegal Muslim immigrant arrives in Hamburg with a traumatic past and the key to a fortune held in a private bank. He says his name is Issa. To the idealistic young human rights lawyer Annabel, determined to save him from deportation, he is a worthy cause. To the intelligence services of Britain, Germany and America, however, he is a potential jihadist - and a pawn between them as they seek to make a kill in the war on terror. A Most Wanted Man is a gripping and disquieting story of paranoia, disillusionment and betrayal in the moral no-man''s land of the post-9/11 world. ''A first-class novel about the most pressing concerns of our time'' Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewOne of the most sophisticated fictional responses to the war on terror yet published * Guardian *

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