Espionage and spy thriller

Book SynopsisI know many things about Larissa.I know what she eats, which must-have brands she applies to her face, and the price of each carefully selected ‘piece’ in her multi-million-pound home in Belgravia.Because Ris, as she is known to her many followers, likes to share.And now I’m here, in her home, watching her every move.Entrusted with her secrets and running her diary from the bijou basement flat, I’m on hand to fulfil Ris’ every need. Her right-hand woman. But what she doesn’t know is why I’m really here.I’ve put a lot on the line to get this job, and now my plan can begin.I’ve waited long enough.From the bestselling author of Close to Me, now a major TV series starring Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston**'This book! The tension, the intrigue! I was desperate to know what “The Assistant“ was up to… loved every second.' Jackie Kabler, author of The Murder List'Brilliantly written ... Twisty, dark and witty. A total page turner!' Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend'A smouldering tale of obsession ... Amanda Reynolds weaves a skilful web of lies and intrigue, suffused with menace until the last killer twist.' Jane Bailey, author of Sorry Isn't Good Enough'Sharp and fresh! A thrilling page-turner that captures the fake world of influencers, social media, and those in the shadows.' L.C. North, author of The Ugly Truth'The Assistant will keep you up all night! A smart and twisty thriller, laced with dark humour and menace. A morality tale for our times.' T.J. Emerson, author of The Perfect Holiday'A brilliantly crafted cat-and-mouse tale, predominantly narrated by the unforgettable Gail Frost – the assistant you do NOT want to cross. Domestic suspense at its very, very best. I loved every minute.' Caz Frear, author of Stone Cold Heart'Such a gripping and unsettling read, with twists and turns a'plenty and an intriguing structure. I tore through it, in the company of the relentlessly creepy Gail.' Emylia Hall, author of The Shell House Detectives'I was completely absorbed by the twists and turns and the unsettling atmosphere ... the twists and turns at the end made it impossible to want to do anything but read, read, read... Such a great book.' Alice Kuipers, author of Life on the Refrigerator Door'Brilliant - unique voice and structure, with twists in plot and perspective that kept me guessing to the end.' Jo Callaghan, author of In the Blink of an Eye'An absolutely gripping story, told in such a unique way.' Melanie Golding, author of The Replacement‘Marvellously dark, clever, twisty and relevant. Highsmith for the modern age. I was completely gripped.’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl'Beautifully written … Gail is a superbly drawn, fascinating character and it’s a refreshing change to read something from the viewpoint of a woman ‘of a certain age'.' Nikki Smith, author of All In Her Head'Oh, so twisty! The pages turn themselves in this menacing tale of lies and obsession. Amanda Reynolds nails tension and suspense in this fabulous book.' Victoria Selman, author of Truly, Darkly, Deeply'A cracking twist.' Kate Riordan, author of The Heatwave

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Book SynopsisCaptain Tom Caine knows he should be out with the throngs of revellers celebrating Victory in Europe but, instead of elation, he only feels anger. How can he celebrate when he is haunted by the horrors of the war and the friends he was unable to save? When Caine takes a post in the war crimes investigation team, it's not long before he makes an unforgivable discovery; allied forces and military police, the very people who should be supporting their mission, have been intentionally obstructing their progress. But what are they trying to hide? And what about Celia Blaney, field security officer and the object of his affections, reported MIA? Could the two be linked? This action-packed thriller offers insight into the chaotic state of post-war Europe, depicting the harrowing aftermath of the atrocities wreaked by Nazi occupation.Trade Review'It's everything you'd expect: well plotted, taut, with fast flowing action, a believable and intriguing plot and very credible characters.' - John Sadler, author of Blitzing Rommel 'Really extraordinary. It grabs you from the first page.' - Edward Klekowski

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Book SynopsisSubstantial amounts of 'dark money' provided to British Unionists from unknown sources and used for illegal political purposes in order to subvert the right of Scots to choose independence, is awash in Scotland. A Scottish islander from Benbecula finds himself immersed in a series of criminal plots to defeat the Scots' drive for independence. Facing the might of the British security services and the concerted efforts of those financing corruption, the future of democracy in Scotland looks bleak.

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Book SynopsisThe Third Ben Schroeder Novel 1965. The British Establishment is reeling after a series of defections and acts of treachery by high- ranking intelligence officers. When Francis Hollander, an American academic, accuses Sir James Digby QC, a baronet and leader of the Bar, of being a Soviet spy, Digby retains Ben Schroeder and his head of Chambers to represent him. At first, it seems to be a simple case of libel, but as evidence starts to emerge of Digby's association with the Cambridge spies, and as MI6 becomes involved, Ben can no longer be sure that he can save Digby from prosecution and ruin. To obtain vital evidence, Ben will have to put his career at risk. But will it be enough?Trade ReviewAn intelligent amalgam of spy story and legal drama -- Marcel Berlins * Times *a story that captures the zeitgeist of a turbulent time in British history -- Peter Murphy * Publishers Weekly *A gripping, enjoyable and informative read...Promoting Crime Fiction loves Peter Murphy's And is there Honey Still for Tea? -- Jo Hesslewood * Promoting Crime Fiction *The ability of an author to create living characters is always dependent on his knowledge of what they would do and say in any given circumstances - a talent that Peter Murphy possesses in abundance...Arnold Taylor loves And Is There Honey Still for Tea? -- Arnold Taylor * Crime Review UK *Murphy's clever legal thriller revels in the chicanery of the English law courts of the period -- Barry Forshaw * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisA Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thriller It is 1915 and Germany has allied itself with the Ottoman empire, persuading the caliphs of Turkey to declare a jihad on the British empire, as President Woodrow Wilson hesitates to enter the fray. War correspondent Christopher Marlowe Cobb has been tasked to follow Brauer, a German intellectual and possible secret service agent suspected of holding information vital to the war effort. As they travel on the Lusitania's fateful voyage, Cobb becomes smitten with famed actress Selene Bourgani. Cobb soon realizes that this simple actress is anything but, as she harbours secrets that could add fuel to the already raging conflict. Surviving the night of the infamous German U-Boat attack, Cobb follows Selene and Brauer into the darkest alleyways of London and on to the powder keg that is Istanbul. He must use all the cunning he possesses to uncover Selene's true motives, only to realize her hidden agenda could bring down some of the world's most powerful leaders.Trade Reviewa rollicking thriller with a keen eye for period detail -- Rosemary Goring * Herald Scotland *A thrilling, old-fashioned tale of intrigue and adventure that grabs you immediately with a historical timebomb -- Andre * Crime Fiction Lover *"well-researched and well-written historical fiction" -- Chris Roberts * Crime Review UK *Zestful, thrilling... a ripping good yarn * Wall Street Journal *An outstanding work of historical fiction * Huntington News *

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Book SynopsisA Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thriller It is 1915, and "Kit" Cobb is working undercover in a castle on the Kent coast owned by a suspected British government mole, Sir Albert Stockman. Kit is working with his mother, the beautiful and mercurial spy, Isabel Cobb, who also happens to be a world-famous stage actress. Isabel's offstage role is to keep tabs on Stockman, while Kit tries to figure out his agenda. Following his mother and her escort from the relative safety of Britain into the lion's den of Berlin, Kit must remain in character, even under the very nose of the Kaiser.Trade Reviewhe's [Butler] now fully into his stride -- Philip Burrell * Nudge *The plot has plenty of unexpected turns, and the characters of the main actors are explored in sufficient depth to make them interesting. Coupled with a well-developed historical setting, this is a book with plenty to enjoy -- Chris Roberts * Crime Review UK *Mr. Butler does a terrific job of depicting both the journalist's facility for teasing information from his subjects and the spy's incessant fear of being discovered. There's something almost magical about the way the author re-creates this 1915 milieu -- Tom Nolan * The Wall Street Journal *This is a tale of betrayal, treason, acting, pretending to be someone you're not -- Carole Colbert * Carole's Book Corner *The reader is totally caught up in Cobb's mission and its eventual denouement -- Jennifer Palmer * Promoting Crime Fictiton *

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Book SynopsisWitnessing a dramatic death at London's Waterloo Station triggers a series of events that shatter Eva Scott's world. Dying words uttered on the station concourse awaken a history she had thought long buried. But the past is about to be resurrected, in all its brutal reality. Soon, Eva's life is out of her hands. A genetic key is keeping her alive; but foreshadowing her death. People she loved and lost materialise and then disappear, testing the limits of her sanity. Inextricably linked to her survival is the potential takedown of an economic power, on which hang the lives of many others. The only way out is through. But Eva's life is no longer her own. And it's killing her.Trade Reviewa seriously gripping page-turner from a talented writer * Closer *A complex, well-plotted, white-knuckle ride... in the second book of Alex Blackmore's brutal, breathless hi-tech thriller series -- Pam Norfolk * Blackpool Gazette *If you love sci-fi and intelligent reads with dynamic characters, this is the book for you * Candis Magazine *wonderfully intricate, darkly intriguing * My Weekly *A cracker of a thriller - five stars * The Last Word Book Review *

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Book SynopsisTWO MEN... ONE MISSION... TO KILL THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART Based on true events, this gripping historical thriller is the culmination of Howard Linskey's fifteen-year fascination with the attempted assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the architect of the Holocaust. With a plot that echoes The Day of the Jackal and The Eagle Has Landed, Hunting the Hangman is a thrilling tale of courage, resilience and betrayal. The story reads like a classic World War Two thriller and is the subject of two big-budget Hollywood films that coincide with the anniversary of Operation Anthropoid. In 1942 two men, trained by the British SOE, parachuted back into their native Czechoslovakia with one sole objective: to kill the man ruling their homeland. Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik risked everything for their country. Their attempt on Reinhard Heydrich's life was one of the single most dramatic events of the Second World War, and had horrific consequences for thousands of innocent people.2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Heydrich, a man so evil even fellow SS officers referred to him as the 'Blond Beast'. In Prague, he was known as the Hangman. Hitler, who dubbed him 'The Man with the Iron Heart', considered Heydrich his heir, and entrusted him with the implementation of the 'Final Solution' to the Jewish 'problem': the systematic murder of eleven million people. 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Heydrich, a man so evil even fellow SS officers referred to him as the 'Blond Beast'. In Prague, he was known as the Hangman. Hitler, who dubbed him 'The Man with the Iron Heart', considered Heydrich his heir, and entrusted him with the implementation of the 'Final Solution' to the Jewish 'problem': the systematic murder of eleven million people.Trade ReviewA cracking read -- Robert Ryan, bestselling author of Early One Morning Linksey has delivered a superior historical thriller...He is already a rising star of British crime fiction. Hunting the Hangman will do his reputation no harm whatsoever -- RoughJustice * Crime Fiction Lover *One of the single most dramatic events of the Second World War, Linskey makes the mission of Jan Kubis and Joseph Gabcik impossible to put down -- Steve Craggs * The Northern Echo *

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Book SynopsisTyrone Meehan, damned as an informer, ekes out his days in Donegal, awaiting his killers. ‘Now that everything is out in the open, they will all speak in my place – the IRA, the British, my family, my close friends, journalists I’ve never even met. Some of them will go so far as to explain how and why I ended up a traitor … Do not trust my enemies, and even less my friends. Ignore those who will say they knew me. Nobody has ever walked in my shoes, nobody. The only reason I’m talking today is because I am the only one who can tell the truth. After I’m gone, I hope for silence.’ Return to Killybegs is the story of a traitor to Belfast’s Catholic community, emerging from the white heat of a prolonged war during the 1970s and 1980s in Northern Ireland. This powerful work, lauded by critics, shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt and awarded the Grand Prix de Roman de l’Académie Française, deals with a subject that touches a nerve for most Irish people: the all-too-human circumstances of betrayal and survival. It is an extraordinary and affecting read.Trade Review‘There are beautiful characters in this novel, strong dialogue, digressions, rifts and retrospection.’ – Le Figaro Litteraire ‘Harrowing!’ – La Marseillaise ‘Moving and heart-breaking, Sorj Chalandon’s novel tells of a tragic saga – in this case the history of Ireland, that divided, wounded country. This is a book of profound humanity, marvellously written. With the words and tears of silence.’ – Le Nouvel Observateur ‘Amongst the most powerful of novels …’ – Les Echos ‘Superb … it’s as much a book on Ireland and her national tragedy as it is about friendship and love betrayed.’ – L’Hebdo ‘A relentless novel full of noise, fury, rain and sweat … The story is often upsetting, and utterly sublime.’ – Figaro Magazine

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Book SynopsisBuried deep under Istanbul, a secret is about to resurface with explosive consequences… Alex Zegliwski has been savagely beheaded. His body is found hidden near the sacred archaeological site of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. When Sean arrives in the ancient city to identify his colleague’s body, he is handed an envelope of photographs belonging to Alek and soon finds himself in grave danger. Someone wants him dead but why? Aided by British diplomat Isabel Sharp, Sean begins to unravel the mystery of the mosaics in the photographs and inch closer to snaring Alek’s assassin. Evil is at work and when a lethal virus is unleashed on the city, panic spreads fast. Time is running out for Sean and Isabel. They must catch the killer before it’s too late. An electrifying conspiracy thriller which will entice fans of Scott Mariani, Sam Bourne and Dan Brown.Trade Review 'This stylish conspiracy thriller is a Turkish delight…combines plenty of stirring action with fascinating historical detail about a city and a country [Laurence] quite obviously loves.' Irish Independent 'A brisk plot…which draws the reader into a conspiratorial rapport…He's come late to fiction, clearly he means to enjoy it.' Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThe Grey Man is a fast-paced adventure romance set in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the reign of James VI. Written when S.R. Crockett was at the height of his power and popularity as a novelist, the story deals with the violent feud between the Kennedys of Cassillis and the Kennedys of Bargany and introduces some of his most memorable characters drawn from local folklore. The fearsome grey-clad figure of John Mure of Auchindrayne and the legendary cannibal, Sawny Bean, stalk the canvas of a novel that captures the turbulence of Scottish history. With a new introduction that draws on unpublished material to trace Crockett's composition of the story and his transformation of historical sources, this edition offers an authoritative text of this once popular work which topped the best-seller charts of 1896. Richard D. Jackson is a graduate of the University of St Andrews. A former schoolteacher, HM Inspector of Schools and retired senior administrative civil servant, he co-edited The Forest Minstrel for The Collected Works of James Hogg, contributes regularly to Studies in Hogg and his World and has published essays in other journals on Walter Scott, John Buchan and Philip Larkin.

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Book SynopsisPrincess, poet, pacifist ... and World War II spy. The enigmatic, indefinable Noor Inayat Khan was an unlikely recruit to the SOE as an undercover wireless operator. How did she face off fascism with such courage and resilience and evade capture longer than any of her counterparts? Noor's moving and inspirational story takes us across borders and time into a shadowy world of espionage, as British officer Vera Atkins and Gestapo Major Hans Kieffer trade secrets to uncover the woman behind the code names. From her Sufi mysticism to her astonishing creativity, Noor's individuality was ultimately her greatest strength. Reviews of previous work: "... an incredible new voice; witty and wise." - Adele Parks "...some of the best, cutting edge Asian theatre." - The Herald, ScotlandTrade Review“A stylish, noirish retelling of a story so genuinely extraordinary you could not have made it up.” – The Times; “… compelling story of wartime spy Noor Inayat Khan.” – The Guardian; "... an incredible new voice; witty and wise." – Adele Parks; "...some of the best, cutting edge Asian theatre." – The Herald Scotland

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Book Synopsis‘A CLASSIC HIGH-STAKES THRILLER’ JAMES SWALLOW The fifth and final book in the legendary U.S.S. CUNNINGHAM series, PHANTOM FORCE is another gripping thriller from a master of the genre.

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Book Synopsis‘SUPERB… COLIN FORBES HAS NO EQUAL AT THIS SORT OF THING’ SUNDAY MIRROR ‘KEEPS THE READER ON THE EDGE OF HIS CHAIR’ DAILY TELEGRAPH In West Germany, a British agent is savagely murdered and left with a neo-Nazi sign carved into his back. In London, Tweed of the Secret Intelligence Service sends his most capable operator, Keith Martel, to replace the man – and to find the truth behind his death. Very soon, the top four Western leaders – American, British, French and German – will be on their way to meet their Soviet counterpart in Vienna for a crucial summit. Tweed and Martel believe one of them is the target for assassination. They must urgently work out which one – or a nightmare will come true… Double Jeopardy is the first in the Tweed & Co series of gripping and suspenseful spy thrillers – perfect for fans of John le Carré, Ken Follett and Charles Cumming. PRAISE FOR COLIN FORBES: ‘Utterly realistic and gripping action’Spectator ‘A projectile of a thriller’New York Times ‘Better than Alistair Maclean’s suspense novels’Pasadena Star-News ‘Suspense mounts swiftly, plenty of action and intrigue’ American Publishers Weekly ‘Out-Alistairs Maclean’ New York Times

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Book Synopsis‘SUPERB… COLIN FORBES HAS NO EQUAL AT THIS SORT OF THING’ SUNDAY MIRROR A terrible secret lurks within an exclusive Swiss Clinic… When news reporter Bob Newman gets a tip-off about a mysterious package smuggled across an eastern border, it’s yet another link in a chain of sinister incidents that have one thing in common – they are all connected with the Berne Clinic and something called Terminal. But what is Terminal? And why is Tweed of the British Secret Intelligence Service so desperate to find out? An ex-CIA hitman arrives in Switzerland and the mystery of the Berne Clinic deepens. Why is it surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by Dobermans and the Swiss Army? And why do the people who can answer these questions keep getting murdered? Tweed and Newman will not rest until they know exactly what is happening. And together they make a formidable force… Terminal – the second in the Tweed & Co series of thrillers – has all the hallmarks of Colin Forbes’s terrifying and brilliant novels – the surprises and twists, the violence and the tension – and it is one of his very best. PRAISE FOR COLIN FORBES: ‘Utterly realistic and gripping action’ Spectator ‘A projectile of a thriller’ New York Times ‘Keeps the reader on the edge of his chair’ Daily Telegraph ‘Better than Alistair Maclean’s suspense novels’ Pasadena Star-News ‘Suspense mounts swiftly, plenty of action and intrigue’ American Publishers Weekly ‘Out-Alistairs Maclean’ New York Times

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Book Synopsis‘SUPERB… COLIN FORBES HAS NO EQUAL AT THIS SORT OF THING’ SUNDAY MIRROR A journalist is brutally murdered and a video of her killing is sent to London by Soviet Intelligence with a warning – tell other people to keep away from Procane… Intelligence agencies are convinced that Adam Procane, a top Washington official, is about to defect. But the Presidential election is only two months away and it’s the last thing the Americans want. Trouble is, no one knows who Procane really is, so nothing can be done to stop him. In London, Tweed of SIS watches and waits. Four highly suspect Americans have already passed through London en route to Scandinavia – the Deputy Head of the CIA, the National Security Advisor and his wife, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Any one of them could be Procane. So it’s time for Tweed to act. To get back into the field. To find Procane before the Soviets wreak havoc… Cover Story is the third in the Tweed & Co series of gripping and suspenseful spy thrillers – perfect for fans of John le Carré, Ken Follett and Charles Cumming. PRAISE FOR COLIN FORBES: ‘Utterly realistic and gripping action’ Spectator ‘A projectile of a thriller’ New York Times ‘Will keep the reader on the edge of his chair’ Daily Telegraph ‘Better than Alistair Maclean’s suspense novels’ Pasadena Star-News ‘Suspense mounts swiftly, plenty of action and intrigue’ American Publishers Weekly ‘Out-Alistairs Maclean’ New York Times

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Book Synopsis‘COLIN FORBES HAS NO EQUAL AT THIS SORT OF THING’ SUNDAY MIRROR When a brilliant and ruthless master planner from the Soviet Union’s elite forces vanishes, Tweed of the SIS is summoned to an urgent and secret meeting with the Russians. To his shock, Tweed he is told the missing genius has turned maverick and Moscow does not know what he is planning – terrorism, extortion, or both? At first Tweed is sceptical – why should he help his great enemy? But gradually he begins to collect clues, which he reads as signs that some dark plan is being put into motion. The trouble is, whenever he finds a witness, it is too late – the witness has been murdered. And then Tweed discovers that a cargo of top secret high-power bombs and sea-mines has been smuggled out of Russia. Where has this huge armoury been hidden? And what is the ultimate target? Tweed faces the most difficult and dangerous task of his career as he and his allies must outwit a ruthless killer and prevent a catastrophe. Deadlock, the fifth book in the Tweed & Co. series, is an utterly gripping book, to be read and enjoyed equally as an adventure story, mystery novel or a spellbinding suspense thriller. PRAISE FOR COLIN FORBES: ‘Utterly realistic and gripping action’ Spectator ‘A projectile of a thriller’ New York Times ‘Better than Alistair Maclean’s suspense novels’ Pasadena Star-News ‘Suspense mounts swiftly, plenty of action and intrigue’ American Publishers Weekly ‘Out-Alistairs Maclean’ New York Times

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Book Synopsis‘COLIN FORBES HAS NO EQUAL AT THIS SORT OF THING’ SUNDAY MIRROR When one of Tweed’s sector chiefs is found dead at the foot of a Greek mountain, Tweed vows to use every resource at his disposal to find the killer and avenge the man’s death. The investigation quickly leads Tweed and his team to another unsolved murder, committed forty years ago during a World War Two Commando raid on the Greek island of Siros. Three of the Commandos who took part in the raid now live close to each other on Exmoor in the remote English countryside – and when Tweed finds them they are terrified. But of who? And why? Trapped in a vortex of violence and death, Tweed begins to uncover a diabolical plot. As time runs out, only Tweed can prevent a catastrophe – if he isn’t already too late.... The Greek Key, the sixth book in the Tweed & Co. series, is a spellbinding espionage thriller, a superb adventure story and an ingenious whodunnit – all in one gripping book. PRAISE FOR COLIN FORBES: ‘Utterly realistic and gripping action’ Spectator ‘A projectile of a thriller’ New York Times ‘Better than Alistair Maclean’s suspense novels’ Pasadena Star-News ‘Suspense mounts swiftly, plenty of action and intrigue’ American Publishers Weekly ‘Out-Alistairs Maclean’ New York Times

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