Historical crime and mysteries

Book SynopsisLife is sweet for Flavia Albia and her soon-to-be husband Faustus. But his new job as a building contractor runs into a problem: At the Garden of the Hesperides a barmaid went missing years before; now the workmen start unearthing her bones.Albia takes on the task of finding out what happened. Five more skeletons are discovered. Despite the fact that nobody seems to know or care who died, violent attempts are made to stop her enquiries.Soon Albia is exploring the world of Roman streetlife, where bars are brothels, workers lead brutal lives, foreigners are muscling in on the gambling syndicates, and extortion is commonplace. What''s more there''s little time to solve the mystery before the wedding day when Albia is expected to show Rome that her affair with Manlius is a much more than a casual fling. The gods, however, have other ideas...Trade ReviewDavis's books crackle with wit and knowledge. She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely immersed in Rome. * The Times *This excellent Roman mystery, enriched by Davis's characteristic wit and thorough understanding of the period, takes a darker turn as Flavia delves into Rome's poorest streets, rife with prostitution, exploitation, thuggery and murder. * Sunday Express, S Magazine *This is probably the best of the (Falco) stories so far, by turns brutal and brilliant, but always clever and witty with some sparkling dialogue and genuinely comic moments, offset by shrewd social comment and a surprisingly touching love story. It's set against a totally believable and colourful background, and rattles along at breakneck pace to a spectacular climax. * Crime Review *

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Book SynopsisOctober, 1471. Edward IV sits on the English throne; the House of York reigns supreme. With her young son, Henry Tudor, in exile in France, Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond, shelters deep in the shadows, secretly plotting for the day when Henry can be crowned the rightful king.But as her supporters are picked off one by one, it becomes clear that a traitor lurks within Margaret''s household. When one of her most loyal henchmen, Jacob Cromart, is murdered in St Michael''s Church, where he had claimed sanctuary, Margaret orders her sharp-witted clerk, Christopher Urswicke, to find out who has betrayed her.How could a man be killed inside a church where the doors are all locked, with no sign of an intruder or weapon? If he is to protect Margaret''s remaining supporters from suffering a similar fate, Urswicke must solve a baffling mystery where nothing is as it first appears.

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Book Synopsis"And the earth was filled with violence."--Genesis 6:11Its 1655 years after Eden, and life on earth has already gone to hell. The world of man is a place of wanton cruelty and wickedness. Prehistoric monsters and stone-age marauders roam the land. Murder and destruction are the rule of the day. Humankind is a failed experiment. This is life before the Flood. The story of man on the verge of his first apocalypse. Welcome to the world of THE GODDAMNED.Writer Jason Aaron & artist r.m.Guéra, the creators of the seminal crime series Scalped, reunite for a new ongoing series of stark and brutal biblical noir.Collecting issues 1 through 5.

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

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Book SynopsisMEET DETECTIVE GEREON RATH IN THE BOOKS THAT INSPIRED THE HIT TV SERIES BABYLON BERLIN ‘A first-rate historical thriller and Gereon Rath is one of the most intriguing detectives in fiction.’ - Paul Burke, NB Magazine Berlin, 1932: A drowned man is found in a freight elevator, miles from any standing water. How did he get there? A series of murders by drowning has shocked Berlin. Inspector Gereon Rath’s hunt for the killer has stalled, and his personal life is as turbulent as ever. His fiancée, Charly, has at last started her probationary year with Berlin CID, experiencing all the challenges of working in a male-dominated police force. When Rath’s work on the case of the drowned man sweeps him away to a remote village on the Polish border, his investigation clashes with local myths and the growing power of the Nazi party. As he puts the pieces of the puzzle together, Rath begins to wonder if he has a serial killer on his hands. Can he catch the killer before another victim is claimed? About the Gereon Rath Mysteries 1930s Berlin is a hotbed of vice and organised crime. When Inspector Gereon Rath leaves Cologne to join Berlin’s murder squad, he cannot begin to imagine the brutality and complexity of the world he is stepping into as communists and Nazis struggle for power.Trade Review‘A mystery full of twists and surprises and a classic detective you will root for all the way to the last page. Masterful.’‘The body count steadily mounts in Rath’s most complicated case to date.’‘The Fatherland Files is a first-rate historical thriller and Gereon Rath is one of the most intriguing detectives in fiction.’ * NB Magazine *‘Highly recommended.’ * Crime Time *

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Book SynopsisSet amid the decadence of Victorian England, A Dangerous Fortune tells of the dramatic highs and lows of the wealthy Pilaster family in Victorian England, from the author of The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett.A Tragic Accident1866: at an exclusive school, a student drowns in a mysterious accident. His death and its aftermath will have repercussions for decades to come . . .A Fierce RivalryThere on that fateful day were Hugh Pilaster and his older cousin Edward, heirs of a powerful banking dynasty with connections that reach from London to far-afield colonies.A Lethal SecretThe cousins find themselves locked in a vicious competition for the top job at the bank. But the respectable veneer of the family, and even Victorian England itself, looks to shatter as the deadly event from their schooldays threatens everything the Pilasters have built.'A compulsively readable, enjoyable thriller-cum-saga' – Sunday Times'Banks, brothels, and a high body count . . . it's all there' – Financial TimesTrade ReviewBanks, brothels, and a high body count . . . it's all there * Financial Times *A compulsively readable, enjoyable thriller-cum-saga * Sunday Times *A full-blooded melodrama, complete with moustache-twirling villains, saintly heroes, wronged women, and a lot of plot * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis1686, Iceland. A cold, windswept land where they talk of witches and fear strangers . . . ''Gripped me in a cold fist. Beautiful'' Sara Collins, author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton''A perfect, gripping winter read. I loved it'' Sophie Mackintosh, author of The Water Cure ________When Rósa is betrothed to Jón Eiríksson, she is sent to a remote village. There she finds a man who refuses to speak of his recently deceased first wife, and villagers who view her with suspicion. Isolated and disturbed by her husband''s strange behaviour, her fears deepen. What is making the strange sounds in the attic? Who does the mysterious glass figure she is given represent? And why do the villagers talk of the coming winter darkness in hushed tones? A mysterious and captivating tale of love, fear and superstition, perfect for readers of The Miniaturist, Trade ReviewA fantastic, atmospheric debut * The Times *The eerie opening brilliantly sets the scene for a suspenseful read. A tremor cracks open an ice floe and an arm appears, plunging the reader into a harsh landscape and a world of suspicions and secrets * Sunday Express *A perfect, gripping winter read. I loved it * Sophie Mackintosh, Man Booker longlisted author of 'The Water Cure' *Memorable and compelling. A novel about what haunts us - and what should * Sarah Moss, author of The Times Book of the Year 'Ghost Wall' *This evocative debut is compelling with a brilliant twist * Daily Express *Compelling, atmospheric * The Times *A chilling tale * Good Housekeeping *Intensely written and atmospheric, with an unusual setting, this is a stark evocation of a community where fear of the outsider is rife and unsettling * Daily Mail *An enthralling tale of the Icelandic witch trials * Stacey Halls, bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS *Crackles with tension. Moving and atmospheric, I couldn't put it down * Laura Purcell, author of THE SILENT COMPANIONS and THE CORSET *Gripped me in a cold fist. Beautiful * Sara Collins, author of THE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTON *A gothic novel for a cold climate. Mesmerising * Elly Griffiths, author of THE STRANGER DIARIES *Utterly unputdownable. Rich in superstition and mystery, it pulled me in. An incredible novel * Ali Land, author of Sunday Times Bestselling 'Good Me Bad Me' *Haunting, evocative and utterly compelling. The beautifully drawn narrative transports the reader to a time and place steeped in mystery and superstition, where nothing is ever quite as it seems. Stunning * Tracy Borman, author of 'The King's Witch' *Like a ghost story told around a winter fire, The Glass Woman is taut, haunting, and broodingly tense. Playing out against the harsh backdrop of the Icelandic winter, it kept me hooked all the way to the end * Tim Leach, author of The Times Book of the Year 'Smile of the Wolf' *Tremendous. Atmospheric and beautifully wrought, The Glass Woman is both chilling and beguiling * Elizabeth Fremantle *Is this some Icelandic version of Jane Eyre in which a madwoman lurks in the attic? Or do ghosts haunt the household? In a sense they do, although the truth Rosa eventually uncovers in this compelling, atmospheric novel are more material and more disturbing than her imaginings * Sunday Times *Lea draws upon Jane Eyre, Rebecca and Bluebeard to create an eerie, unsettling atmosphere ... Full of promise, and I look forward to reading more from Lea * Daily Telegraph *Suspenseful, gripping and beautifully drawn * Cecilia Ekbäck, author of 'Wolf Winter' *Eerie and atmospheric * Daily Telegraph *Tells the tale of the Icelandic witch trials * Red *A tense, Iceland-set thriller * Sunday Post *A gorgeous book about the power of stories that makes the landscape of Iceland as powerful a character as any of the humans * Sarah Shaffi, PHOENIX *A haunting novel that delivers chills. THE GLASS WOMAN is charged with the dark energy of the Icelandic Sagas * Kirkus Reviews *Mystery and potential danger linger throughout, and with its dreamy prose THE GLASS WOMAN satisfies readers with the ways of an old world * Publisher’s Weekly *A chilling and enthralling telling of the Icelandic witch trials. Not only beautifully drawn but poignant, evocative and fascinating. A haunting gothic tale' * Historia *A rare look at male witch trials, set in Iceland * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisEdward Marston has written well over a hundred books, including some non-fiction. He is best known for his hugely successful Railway Detective series and he also writes the Bow Street Rivals series featuring twin detectives set during the Regency; the Home Front Detective novels set during the First World War; and the Ocean Liner mysteries.

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Book Synopsis1940, London. DI Edgar Coburg and Sergeant Ted Lamson are called in to investigate a murder at the Ritz Hotel.

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

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Book SynopsisEdward Marston has written well over a hundred books, including some non-fiction. He is best known for his hugely successful Railway Detective series and he also writes the Bow Street Rivals series featuring twin detectives set during the Regency; the Home Front Detective novels set during the First World War; and the Ocean Liner mysteries.

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Book Synopsis'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' ANGUS DONALD. 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' DAVID GILMAN. AD 635. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and third instalment in The Bernicia Chronicles. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell. Oswald is now King of Northumbria. However, his plans for further alliances and conquests are quickly thrown into disarray when his wedding to a princess of Wessex is interrupted by news of a Pictish uprising. Rushing north, Oswald leaves Beobrand to escort the young queen to her new home. Their path is fraught with danger and uncertainty, Beobrand must try to unravel secrets and lies if they are to survive. Meanwhile, old enemies are closing in, seeking brutal revenge. Beobrand will give his blood and blade in service to his king, but will that be enough to avert disaster and save his kith and kin from the evil forces that surround them?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE BERNICIA CHRONICLES SERIES: 'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society. 'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind. Harffy knows his genre inside out and The Cross and the Curse proves it' Giles Kristian. 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles. 'I was gripped from the very first sentence... I thoroughly recommend it for all historical fiction readers' -- Martin Lake

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Book Synopsis'Rachel Rhys is in a league of her own, creating compelling, engrossing historical mysteries that grip readers by the throat every single time' LISA JEWELL'Rachel Rhys should be everyone's summer reader' CLARE MACKINTOSH------------An isolated castle, a deadly crime. Is this real or a nightmare?In a remote castle high up in the Tuscan hills secrets are simmering among its glamorous English residents:The ailing gentleman art-dealerHis dazzling nieceHer handsome Fascist husbandTheir neglected young daughterThe housekeeper who knows everythingand Connie, the English widow working for them.Every night, Connie hears sinister noises and a terrible wailing inside the walls. Is she losing her grip on reality?Or does someone in the castle want her gone?Readers love Rachel Rhys' books:'Wow! A knock-out book. Very Hitchcockian and Highsmith-esque with a delicious building of tension throughout' *****'There is something immensely captivating about the way Rachel Rhys writes and it only took minutes for me to be transported' *****'I wanted to give it six stars. The mystery and the menace make this book one I will want to read over again' *****Trade ReviewRachel Rhys should be everyone's summer reading * CLARE MACKINTOSH *A thorougly absorbing and compelling read * JANE FALLON *Rachel Rhys is in a league of her own, creating compelling, engrossing historical mysteries that grip readers by the throat every single time * LISA JEWELL *Rachel Rhys takes us to an isolated castle in 1920s Tuscany for a brilliant and Du Maurier-esque tale of dark secrets, rising menace and the importance of taking a leap of faith. I loved it! * ANNA MAZZOLA, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL *A wonderful, atmospheric thriller with a cast of glamorous villains. I love Rachel Rhys and this is her best yet * VERONICA HENRY *I luxuriated in this story of repressed love, villains and vixens in such a glamorous and decadent setting overshadowed by the rise of fascism. Utterly absorbing, intriguing and entertaining, I loved it. * LIV NUGENT *Deliciously atmospheric and menacing * Red Magazine, 10 Best Books of March *An immersive mystery for fans of Daphne du Maurier and Agatha Christie * WOMAN & HOME Book club pick *Gorgeous, atmospheric mystery * Best Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA brilliant historical crime novel of Georgian London from the author of The Devil in the Marshalsea.Trade ReviewShe is one of the most impressive practitioners of the historical crime genre. * Independent online *A fast-paced adventure that places Hawkins amongst criminals, court intrigue and conspiracies. * Woman & Home *A rattling, rakish romp through Georgian London. More please! -- William Ryan, author of The Constant SoldierDark, twisting and witty. Dripping with 18th century intrigue - from the slums to the palaces of London. -- S D Sykes, author of PLAGUE LANDHodgson has again married immaculate research to the rip-roaring pace of the modern thriller and come up with a triumphant slice of historical fiction. * The Independent on Sunday *[A] rip-roaring historical thriller . . . I look forward to seeing what scurries out of the dark and grimy streets in Hodgson's next masterpiece. * Daily Express *Intelligent and engrossing reading. * The Sunday Times *A rip-roaring ride through Georgian London's back streets ...wonderfully atmospheric and entertaining * Good Housekeeping *A fun, twisting, shock-riddled masterpiece * The Bookbag *Full of character, suspense and atmosphere. * Woman & Home *Tom Hawkins, The most engaging rake to appear in a historical novel since George Macdonald Fraser's Flashman. This is history brought brilliantly to stinking, screaming life. * Sunday Express *A terrific swash-and-buckle story set in grimy, rumbustious London streets, the pace and plot never flag, the detail is a revelation -- Elizabeth Buchan, Daily MailGeorgian London in all its gritty reality seeps from the pages of this exciting historical mystery. Told in flashbacks, it has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. * Choice *A lively plot, an engaging hero and a vividly recreated city with all its stench and pleasures. Great fun. * The Times *This magnificent story with its multiple twists and turns, part social history with an informative afterword, an exploration of many faces of evil, with a genuine romantic hero and heroine, is a book to linger over * Crime Review *Antonia Hodgson has a real feel for how people thought and spoke at the time - and God knows, that's a rare talent -- Andrew Taylor, author of The Fires of LondonSomething new in the world of historical crime fiction, with mesmerising detail and atmosphere * Financial Times *Hodgson has a knack for convincing dialogue that crackles with period cadence and flavour * Daily Mail *Hodgson shows the seamy underbelly of Georgian London, and does for this era what C.J. Sansom and Rory Clements have done for Tudor times * Historical Novel Society *Historical fiction just doesn't get any better than this -- Jeffrey DeaverAt times Hodgson even rivals Dickens * Daily Express *Any historical fiction enthusiast who isn't a Tom Hawkins fan, has probably just not read any yet * The Bookbag *

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Book SynopsisEdward Marston has written well over a hundred books, including some non-fiction. He is best known for his hugely successful Railway Detective series and he also writes the Bow Street Rivals series featuring twin detectives set during the Regency; the Home Front Detective novels set during the First World War; and the Ocean Liner mysteries.Trade Review'A wild romp with subplots as amusing as those of many an Elizabethan comedy' Kirkus Reviews 'A richly detailed evocation of time and place ... remains suspenseful to the last page'. Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisCold. Ruthless. Deadly. The myth of Lady Macbeth looms large. But behind the villainous portrait stands a real woman. This is her story . . . Scotland, 1020 AD. King Malcolm II lies on his deathbed, and the most powerful families make a violent claim for the Scottish throne . . .On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, a flushed and nervous Cora MacDuff waits to marry her sweetheart, Macbeth. But her dreams are stolen from her, and the night she was hoping for turns into a brutal slaughter. In order to reclaim the life she was promised, Cora must learn to use every weapon at her disposal - even those she loves . . . The beginning of a brand new Historical fiction series by the bestselling author of the Queens of Conquest series, her new trilogy unearths the real women behind Shakespeare''s most infamous queens . . . If you love Elizabeth Chadwick and Anne O''Brien you will adore Joanna

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Book SynopsisThe twentieth chronicle in the Matthew Bartholomew series.In the summer of 1358 the physician Matthew Bartholomew returns to Cambridge to learn that his beloved sister is in mourning after the unexpected death of her husband, Oswald Stanmore. Aware that his son has no interest in the cloth trade that made his fortune and reputation, Oswald has left the business to his widow, but a spate of burglaries in the town distracts Matthew from supporting Edith in her grief and attempting to keep the peace between her and her wayward son.As well as the theft of irreplaceable items from Michaelhouse, which threatens its very survival, a new foundation, Winwick Hall, is causing consternation amongst Matthew''s colleagues. The founder is an impatient man determined that his name will grace the University''s most prestigious college. He has used his wealth to rush the construction of the hall, and his appointed Fellows have infiltrated the charitable Guild founded by StanmoTrade ReviewThe plotting is as razor sharp as ever, but it's the droll wit that elevates this historical over the dozens of others this British author has penned Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFor the twentieth anniversary of the start of the Matthew Bartholomew series, Sphere is delighted to reissue all of the medieval monk''s cases with beautiful new series-style covers.------------------------------------The twenty third chronicle of Matthew Bartholomew. In 1360 a deputation from Cambridge ventures to the Suffolk town of Clare in the hope that the wealthy Elizabeth de Burgh has left a legacy to Michaelhouse. Yet when they arrive they discover that the report of her death is false and that the college seems destined for bankruptcy.Determined to see if some of its well-heeled citizens can be persuaded to sponsor Michaelhouse, Matthew Bartholomew, Brother Michael and Master Langelee become enmeshed in the town''s politics. They quickly discover that a great many other people in Clare have recently met untimely deaths. These killings, combined with the arrogance Lady de Burgh has shown over the refurTrade ReviewA Grave Concern is a splendid addition to the series -- and there is no sign that Susanna Gregory is flagging - The TimesSusanna Gregory writes with fluency and energy, avoids archaic vocabulary, despite her 14th-century setting and, having had a career as an academic, bases the stories in this enjoyable series on careful research - Literary Review

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Book SynopsisA stranger murdered in a gruesome ritual. A prophetess foretelling the return of the ancient gods.Sister Fidelma returns in the twenty-eighth gripping Celtic mystery by Peter Tremayne, acclaimed author of THE SECOND DEATH and PENANCE OF THE DAMNED.PRAISE FOR THE SISTER FIDELMA SERIES: ''The background detail is brilliantly defined . . . wonderfully evocative'' The Times, ''A brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing'' Publishers Weekly Ireland, AD 671. On the eve of the pagan feast of Samhain, Brother Edulf and the warrior, Aidan, discover a man murdered in an unlit pyre in the heart of Cashel. He has been dressed in the robes of a religieux and killed by the ritualistic ''three deaths''.When a strange woman known as Brancheó appears in a raven-feather cloak foretelling of ancient gods returning to exact revenge upon the mortal world, she is quickly branded a suspect.But in their search for the killer,Trade ReviewThe background detail is brilliantly defined...wonderfully evocative - The TimesA brilliant and beguiling heroine. Immensely appealing, difficult to put down - Publishers' WeeklyDefinitely an Ellis Peter competitor...the background detail is marvellous - Evening StandardTremayne's super-sleuth is a vibrant creation, a woman of wit and courage who would stand out in any era, but brings a special sparkle to the wild beauty of medieval Ireland - Morgan LlywelynThis is masterly storytelling from an author who breathes fascinating life into the world he is writing about - Belfast TelegraphThe detail of the books is fascinating, giving us a vivid picture of everyday life at theis time...the most detailed and vivid recreations of ancient Ireland - Irish Examiner

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Book Synopsis'Mel Starr's writing is superb. And the stories themselves are captivating. Highly recommended.' Davis Bunn, internationally bestselling author To bring justice, Master Hugh must foil the corrupt power of great men. Many medieval scholars discontinued their university studies before completing their degree. Some lacked funds; others became bored with a scholar's life. Occasionally these young men formed lawless bands, robbing and raping and creating chaos. They were called goliards. In Deeds of Darkness Master Hugh learns that the Bampton coroner, an old friend, has been slain while traveling to Oxford. As he seeks the killer (or killers) he discovers a band of goliards in the area between Oxford and Bampton. But how to apprehend these youths? They have protectors far above Hugh's station. He must deal with the claims of justice on the one hand and the power of great men to protect their henchmen on the other.Trade Review"Mel Starr's writing is superb. And the stories themselves are captivating. Highly recommended." -- Davis Bunn, internationally bestselling author"Thoroughly enthralling and entertaining medieval crime… full of suspense, action, and delicious historical detail." -- Karen Maitland, author of The Plague Charmer

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Book SynopsisWith their stomachs churning on the jewels they have swallowed, the courtesan Fiammetta and her companion dwarf Bucino escape the sack of Rome. It's 1527. They head for the shimmering, decadent city of Venice. Sarah Dunant's epic novel of sixteenth-century Renaissance Italy is a story about the sins of pleasure and the pleasures of sin, an intoxicating mix of fact and fiction, and a dazzling portait of one of the worlds greatest cities at its most potent moment in history.

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Book SynopsisThe No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling seriesThe fifth book in S. J. Parris's bestselling, critically acclaimed series following Giordano Bruno, set at the time of Queen Elizabeth IPerfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary MantelPARIS, 1585A KING WITHOUT AN HEIRHeretic-turned-spy Giordano Bruno arrives in Paris to find a city on the edge of catastrophe. King Henri III lives in fear of a coup by the Duke of Guise and his fanatical Catholic League, and another massacre on the streets.A COURT AT WAR WITH GODWhen Bruno's old rival, Father Paul Lefèvre is found murdered, Bruno is drawn into a dangerous web of religious politics and court intrigue. And watching over his shoulder is the King's mother, Catherine de Medici, with her harem of beautiful spies.A DEADLY CONSPIRACY IN PLAYWhen murder strikes at the heart of the Palace, Bruno finds himself on the trail of a killer who is protecting a terrible secret. With the royal houses of France and England under threat, Bruno must expose the truth or be silenced for goodPraise for S. J. ParrisA delicious blend of history and thriller' The TimesAn omnipresent sense of danger' Daily MailColourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death' Sunday TimesPacy, intricate, and thrilling' ObserverVivid, sprawling Well-crafted, exuberant' Financial TimesImpossible to resist' Daily TelegraphTwists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes' Stuart MacBrideIt has everything intrigue, mystery and excellent history' Kate MosseThe period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping' Conn IgguldenA brilliantly unusual glimpse at the intrigues surrounding Queen Elizabeth I' Andrew TaylorTrade Review‘A delicious blend of history and thriller’ The Times Praise for S. J. Parris: ‘A tight plot combines with subtly-realised characters and an omnipresent sense of danger … My pleasure in the vividly textured backdrop and a cracking story was accompanied by an uneasy shudder’ Daily Mail ‘Colourful characters, fast-moving plots and a world where one false step in religion or politics can mean a grisly death.’ Sunday Times ‘Vivid, sprawling … Well-crafted, exuberant’ Financial Times ‘Successful historical thrillers need three elements: a killer plot that weaves seamlessly into the history; an engaging protagonist; and an atmospheric sense of place. Parris nails all three – Conspiracy is a gem. The Times ‘This latest addition to the series will no doubt repeat its predecessors’ success… The authentically febrile air of suspense that Parris generates, as well as a shoal of red herrings and some impish, what-if plotting. The drawing-room style denouement, conducted as it is in a salon at the Tuileries Palace, is also executed with knowing relish.’ Observer ‘I can thoroughly recommend Conspiracy, which twists and turns like a corkscrew of venomous snakes’ Stuart MacBride ‘Impossible to resist … Parris creates a convincing sense of the past, woven with so much intrigue that the head fairly spins’ Daily Telegraph ‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse ‘Parris writes with confident ease of Tudor London … The dialogue balances nicely on a tightrope of period phrases and cut-to-the-chase colloquialisms. More, please’ The Times ‘Full of surprises … an imaginatively satisfying addition to the many real intrigues surrounding the imprisoned Mary Stuart and the threats to Elizabeth’s security’ TLS ‘Fascinating … The period is incredibly vivid and the story utterly gripping’ Conn Iggulden A brilliantly unusual glimpse at the intrigues surrounding Queen Elizabeth I’ Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The American Boy

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling prequel to his bestselling Roma Sub Rosa series of mysteries set in the Ancient World, Steven Saylor takes readers back to the younger days of Gordianus the Finder. The year is 92BC and Gordianus has just turned eighteen and is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime: a far-flung journey to see the Seven Wonders of the World.Gordianus is not yet called 'The Finder' - that title belongs to his father, who we meet in these pages. But at each of the Seven Wonders, the wide-eyed Roman encounters a mystery to challenge his powers of deduction. Here is a portrait of a master sleuth in the making, the earliest exploits of the man who will become the most sought-after investigator in Rome. Accompanying Gordianus on this travels is his tutor, Antipater of Sidon, the world's most celebrated poet. Together, teacher and pupil journey to the fabled cities of Greece and Asia Minor, and then on to Babylon and Egypt. They attend the Olympic Games, take part in exotic festivals, and marvel at the most spectacular constructions ever devised by mankind.Praise for Steven Saylor:'Saylor expertly weaves the true history of Rome with the lives and loves of its fictional citizens.' Daily Express'Saylor's scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals' Ruth Rendell'With the scalpel-like deftness of a Hollywood director, Saylor puts his finger on the very essence of Roman history.' Times Literary Supplement'Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researched... this is entertainment of the first order.' Washington Post

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Book SynopsisRebellion in the city, and a Royalist spy in his own ranks - Damian Seeker, Captain of Oliver Cromwell's guard, must eradicate both in this twisty, action-packed historical thriller for fans of CJ Sansom, Rory Clements and The Three Musketeers. 'MacLean skilfully weaves together the disparate threads of her plot to create a gripping tale of crime and sedition in an unsettled city' Sunday TimesLondon, 1655, and Cromwell's regime is under threat from all sides. Damian Seeker, Captain of Cromwell's Guard, is all too aware of the danger facing Cromwell. Parliament resents his control of the Army while the Army resents his absolute power. In the east end of London, a group of religious fanatics plots rebellion. In the midst of all this, a stonemason uncovers a perfectly preserved body dressed in the robes of a Dominican friar, bricked up in a wall in the crumbling Black Friars. Ill-informed rumours and speculation abound, but Seeker instantly recognises the dead man. What he must discover is why he met such a hideous end, and what his connection was to the children who have started to disappear from around the city. Unravelling these mysteries is challenging enough, and made still harder by the activities of dissenters at home, Royalist plotters abroad and individuals who are not what they seem...Trade ReviewMacLean skilfully weaves together the disparate threads of her plot to create a gripping tale of crime and sedition in an unsettled city * Sunday Times *Excellent at conveying the insecurities and unsettling memories that bedevil Cromwell's dying Protectorate, the author brings a fresh perspective and gold-plated research to a period which has been unfairly eclipsed by the popularity of the Tudors * Daily Mail *MacLean's light touch portrait of a hard man with a softer core is what makes these books so memorable * The Times *Damian Seeker [is] one of the most appealing heroes I've come across in quite some time . . . [the Commonwealth] is paid full service by S. G. MacLean, a fine writer with a terrific grasp of history and character * For Winter Nights *Damian Seeker really comes into his own in this novel . . . the plot navigates the waters of history with masterful effect -- Waterstones booksellerBrilliantly woven into a thrilling plot . . . MacLean's characters are subtle and convincing . . . could challenge C.J. Sansom for dominion of historical crime * Sunday Times on The Seeker *The best historical crime novel of the year * Sunday Express on The Seeker *MacLean achieves the balance of immersing her readers in a time and place without ever making them feel battered over the head by research, while the central mystery is satisfying and plausibly plotted * Highland News on The Seeker *A first class, compelling debut for MacLean's new hero * Crime Review on The Seeker *

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Book Synopsis*****Part of the bestselling John Shakespeare series of Tudor spy thrillers from Rory Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award*****'Does for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's' Sunday TimesEngland is close to war. Within days the axe could fall on the neck of Mary Queen of Scots, and Spain is already gathering a battle fleet to avenge her. Tensions in Elizabeth I's government are at breaking point. At the eye of the storm is John Shakespeare, chief intelligencer in the secret service of Sir Francis Walsingham. When an intercept reveals a plot to assassinate England's 'sea dragon', Francis Drake, Shakespeare is ordered to protect him. With Drake on land fitting out his ships, he is frighteningly vulnerable. If he dies, England will be open to invasion. In a London rife with rumour, Shakespeare must decide which leads to follow, which to ignore. When a high-born young woman is found mutilated and murdered at an illicit printing house, it is political gunpowder - and he has no option but to investigate.But why is Shakespeare shadowed at every turn by the brutal Richard Topcliffe, the blood-drenched priest-hunter who claims intimacy with Queen Elizabeth herself? What is Topcliffe's interest in a housemaid, whose baby has been stolen? And where do two fugitive Jesuit priests fit into the puzzle, one happy to die for God, the other to kill for Him? From the splendour and intrigue of the royal court, to the sleek warships of Her Majesty's Navy and the teeming brothels of Southwark, Shakespeare soon learns that nothing is as it seems . . .Trade ReviewThis is a historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *This is a historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *Clements can be seen as doing for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's. * Sunday Times *Clements can be seen as doing for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's. * Sunday Times *John Shakespeare is one of the great historical sleuths. -- Barry Forshaw

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Book SynopsisLady Emily Hardcastle is an eccentric widow with a secret past. Florence Armstrong, her maid and confidante, is an expert in martial arts. The year is 1908 and they’ve just moved from London to the country, hoping for a quiet life. But it is not long before Lady Hardcastle is forced out of her self-imposed retirement. There’s a dead body in the woods, and the police are on the wrong scent. Lady Hardcastle makes some enquiries of her own, and it seems she knows a surprising amount about crime investigation… As Lady Hardcastle and Flo delve deeper into rural rivalries and resentment, they uncover a web of intrigue that extends far beyond the village. With almost no one free from suspicion, they can be certain of only one fact: there is no such thing as a quiet life in the country. Revised edition: This edition of A Quiet Life In The Country includes editorial revisions.

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Book Synopsis‘A page-turner of a crime thriller . . . This is a world conveyed with convincing, terrible clarity’ – C. J. Sansom, author of Dissolution.Winner of the HWA Debut CrownWinner of the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel AwardBlood & Sugar is the thrilling debut historical crime novel from Laura Shepherd-Robinson for fans of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor.June, 1781. An unidentified body hangs upon a hook at Deptford Dock, London – horribly tortured and branded with a slaver’s mark.Some days later, Captain Harry Corsham – a war hero embarking upon a promising parliamentary career – learns that an old friend, passionate abolitionist Tad Archer, had been about to expose a secret that he believed could cause irreparable damage to the British slaving industry. He’d said people were trying to kill him, and now he is missing . . .To discover what happened to Tad, Harry is forced to pick up the threads of his friend’s investigation, delving into the heart of the conspiracy Tad had unearthed. His investigation will threaten his political prospects, his family’s happiness, and force a reckoning with his past, risking the revelation of secrets that have the power to destroy him.And that is only if he can survive the mortal dangers awaiting him in Deptford . . .'A brilliant book . . . Absolutely superb' – James O'BrienShortlisted for the CWA New Blood DaggerShortlisted for the CWA Historical DaggerLonglisted for the Theakston's Crime Novel of the YearTrade ReviewLaura Shepherd-Robinson has written a story that is not only a page-turner of a thriller but, to an extent unusual in historical novels, where you feel you really are listening to a voice from the eighteenth century. This is a world conveyed with convincing, terrible clarity’ -- C. J. Sansom, author of Dissolution, Tombland and Winter in MadridA novel of astonishing skill * Financial Times *A tightly plotted crime story with vivid details of Georgian England * Sunday Times *Stunning . . . Blood & Sugar is a harrowing and brutal epic [that] shocks and thrills in equal measure * Express *A striking historical thriller . . . Few first novels are as accomplished as this -- Andrew Taylor, author of The Ashes of LondonEpic, harrowing, thrilling, brutal, addictive. I read it flat out in one day -- C. J. Tudor, author of The Chalk ManEnthralling * Daily Telegraph *Magnificent . . . A tense and gripping historical thriller that shines an unwavering light on a dark period in British history. Unmissable. -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in the MarshalseaPhenomenal . . . A shoo-in for one of the books of the year -- David Young, author of Stasi ChildA searing, ingeniously constructed story * The Times *Extraordinary -- Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little LiesTruly addictive -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlA passionate indictment of British involvement in the slave trade but it never neglects its duty to chill and thrill * Sunday Express *With a hugely likeable hero at its heart, this rich and beautifully written debut marks out Laura Shepherd-Robinson as a major new talent -- Fiona Cummins, author of RattleThe finest Georgian intrigue * The Times Crime Club *A remarkably assured debut -- Elizabeth Fremantle, author of The Queen's GambitA page-turning dive into the torrid depths of London in the 1780s -- Mary Paulson-Ellis, author of The Other Mrs WalkerGripping and original . . . I absolutely loved it -- Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect GirlfriendImmersive and exhilarating . . . I was completely swept away -- Holly Seddon, author of Love Will Tear Us ApartExtraordinary, immersive, addictive and moving -- Olivia Kiernan, author of Too Close to BreathI can’t recommend it enough -- Jo Jakeman, author of Sticks and StonesUtterly compelling . . . The next star of historical crime fiction has arrived -- R. N. MorrisThe most absorbing, intelligent and breathtakingly atmospheric novel I’ve read in a long time -- Chris WhitakerI haven't read such an accomplished historical novel since I was introduced to C.J. Sansom. -- Jo SpainA gripping mystery . . . I loved it -- Laura Marshall, author of Friend RequestOne of the best historical novels I’ve read in ages. -- Kaite Welsh, author of The Wages of SinDeptford, a gateway to and from Britain’s expanding empire, is evoked in pungent detail. The British slave trade was an appalling episode in our history and the novel is unflinching in its refusal to sentimentalise motives or to row back on the savagery of the times. * Daily Mail *A brilliant book . . . Superb . . . Absolutely superb' -- James O'Brien, presenter of LBC Radio and bestselling author of How To Be RightOne of the most sophisticated crime novels of the past few years * The Critic *Read Daughters of Night by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, but read Blood & Sugar first: a) because it's brilliant, and b) because the characters overlap. They're both murder mysteries set in a meticulously and hyper-vividly drawn 18th-century London. The first is eye-opening about slavery, the second is about prostitution, or rather the first is about race and the second is about woman. Total page-turners -- India Knight * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisAD 636. Anglo-Saxon Britain. Beobrand has land, men and riches. He should be content. And yet he cannot find peace until his enemies are food for the ravens. But before Beobrand can embark on his bloodfeud, King Oswald orders him southward, to escort holy men bearing sacred relics. When Penda of Mercia marches a warhost into the southern kingdoms, Beobrand and his men are thrown into the midst of the conflict. Beobrand soon finds himself fighting for his life and his honour. In the chaos that grips the south, dark secrets are exposed, bringing into question much that Beobrand had believed true. Can he unearth the answers and exact the vengeance he craves? Or will the blood-price prove too high, even for a warrior of his battle-fame and skill?Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE BERNICIA CHRONICLES SERIES: 'Murder, betrayal and vengeance fuel tribal warfare and personal combat. Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman. 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald, author of The Outlaw Chronicles. 'Matthew Harffy’s tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb' * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis Second in the exciting new World War II mystery series featuring intrepid research chemist-sleuth Libby Clark. 30th May 1944. In the middle of the night, Libby Clark is roused from sleep by a colleague in distress. Marvin's cousin Frannie has been charged with treason, and he hopes that Libby, with her clear-headed scientific mind, can find a way to help prove her innocence. Libby, a chemist at a secret World War II facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, agrees to help her friend and pursue the truth. Libby's investigations soon uncover the immoral Dr Hansrote, who has tricked Frannie into her treachery. But, the evil at Oak Ridge seems to run deeper and in Libby's determination to uncover the truth, she not only finds herself up against the authorities, but also caught in the crosshairs of a deadly cabal of indoctrinated spies, greedy opportunists and unscrupulous collaborators. Can Libby survive the confluence of challenges? Or will one of them

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Book SynopsisAnother excellent historical adventure from Susanna Gregory featuring 17th-century spy Thomas Chaloner------------------------London in the spring of 1665 is a city full of fear. There is plague in the stews of St Giles, the Dutch fleet is preparing to invade, and a banking crisis threatens to leave Charles II''s government with no means of paying for the nation''s defence.Amid the tension, Thomas Chaloner is ordered to investigate the murder of Dick Wheler, one of the few goldsmith-bankers to have survived the losses that have driven others to bankruptcy - or worse. At the same time, a French spy staggers across the city, carrying the plague from one parish to another.Chaloner''s foray into the world of the financiers who live in and around Cheapside quickly convinces him that they are just as great a threat as the Dutch, but their power and greed thwart him at every turn. Meanwhile, the plague continues to spread across the city, and the body count from the disease and from the fever of avarice starts to rise alarmingly . . .Trade ReviewPungent with historical detail - Irish TimesChaloner's adventures are a fast-paced and compelling historical treat - Good Book GuideIntrigue, detection, and action are blended perfectly with plot elements drawn from historical details that make the era come to life - Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisAn eagerly awaited collection of brand new, specially commissioned short stories from the Master of historical crime fiction, featuring his quick witted Railway Detective, Inspector Colbeck.Trade ReviewTold with great colour and panache a wonderful sense of inhabiting the period. In Colbeck and Leeming, Marston has created a fine pair This is how history mysteries should be: fine storytelling, marvellous characters reminiscent of the great authors of the mid-Victorian period, and a sneaky mystery, too. 'In this specially commissioned collection of short stories featuring Edward Marston's hugely popular detective Robert Colbeck, the resourceful investigator faces a host of baffling conundrums' GOOD BOOK GUIDE 'Highly recommended' Antipodean Holmesian Society

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Book SynopsisThe captivating new novel from the author of Those Hamilton Sisters and The Girls of Lake Evelyn for readers of Lucinda Riley. A tropical paradise is her birthright ... but will its dark secrets destroy her dreams? In the 1960s, a tropical island in the Coral Sea hides dark secrets behind its primordial beauty. Thalia - Tally - Ramsey has grown up barefoot, wild and free on the island purchased by her maternal grandfather. It is a paradise with two faces: an idyllic honeymoon resort for the rich and famous; and an untamed coastline with steeply rising peaks covered in impenetrable jungle. Tally has always known she will one day become the Mistress of Dara Island in her mother Nerissa's stead. A belief founded on her mother's promise. But as she matures, her determination and wilfulness bring her into conflict with her ruthless father, 'Bullshark' Richard Ramsey, a powerful figure feared by everyone, including his wife. Ultimately, Tally must face the heartbreaking realisation that

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Book SynopsisCommemorating 75 years since the Empress of Crime’s first book, the fifth volume in a set of omnibus editions presenting the complete run of 32 Inspector Alleyn mysteries.

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Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's classic short story collection, including one of her most enduring and shocking thrillers, The Witness for the Prosecution.1920s London.A murder, brutal and bloodthirsty, has stained the plush carpets of a handsome London townhouse. The victim is the glamorous and enormously rich Emily French. All the evidence points to Leonard Vole, a young chancer to whom the heiress left her vast fortune and who ruthlessly took her life. At least, this is the story that Emily's dedicated housekeeper Janet Mackenzie stands by in court. Leonard however, is adamant that his partner, the enigmatic chorus girl Romaine, can prove his innocence.Trade Review“With the long terrible shadow of the Great War falling across the rackety, feral 1920s, The Witness for the Prosecution is a compelling story of deceit, desire, murder, money and morality, innocence and guilt, heartbreak and most painful and dangerous of all, love. At the centre of this dark and tangled net is the astonishing character of Romaine, a noir heroine for all our times.” Sarah Phelps

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Book SynopsisAnna and Ingrid have survived World War II. Now they must live through the Berlin Airlift.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the book everyone is talking about - this fun and festive mystery is perfect for fans of Murder on the Christmas Express, Murder Under the Mistletoe and Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas.''The feel-good factor is off the scale'' The TimesYour new festive fave' My WeeklyA crime Christmas stocking must!' Yorkshire LifeA village of secrets.Yorkshire, 1952. Christmas is fast approaching when a dead stranger is found lodged up the chimney of Holly House in the snow-covered village of Elderby. Is he a simple thief, or a would-be killer?A mystery that can't be solved.Inspector Frank Grasby is ordered to investigate. But as is often the way for him, things don't go according to plan.A Christmas to remember.When the local doctor's husband is murdered, Grasby begins to realize that everyone in Elderby is hiding something.And if he can't uncover the truth soon, the whole country will pay a dreadful price...Praise for Murder at Holly House''A quintessential slice of Yuletide murder mystery'' Sun''A fun book. Playful. One to make you smile'' Stuart MacBride, Sunday Times bestselling crime thriller author of The Dead of WinterIntricately plotted and laced with deliciously dark humour' The Sunday PostA complete joy of a historical Christmas crime novel' Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Fairytale of New YorkA hugely entertaining story with an authentic period feel' The Herald''Vintage crime from a true master of the genre!'' 5* Reader Review''Wonderful, imaginative and difficult to put down...a real festive treat!'' 5* Reader Review''An intriguing mystery peppered with some delightful touches of humour.'' 5* Reader Review''The plot was immersive and the pacing was superb. There are twists and turns, secrets and lies. All you really need for a romp in the snow!'' 5* Reader Review''Who doesn't love a Christmas murder mystery?'' 5* Reader ReviewWaterstones Thriller of the Month, November 2024Denzil Meyrick, Audible bestseller, November 2024

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Book Synopsis''A delight.'' - Irish Times''A pitch-perfect Golden Age mystery . . . a gem of a period puzzle'' - Financial TimesThirty years ago, Lord Peter Wimsey encountered the Attenbury emeralds. The recovery of Lord Attenbury''s magnificent gem made headlines - and launched the shell-shocked young aristocrat on his career as a detective. Now it is 1951: a happily married Lord Peter has just shared the secrets of that mystery with his wife, the detective novelist Harriet Vane. Then the new Lord Attenbury - the grandson of Lord Peter''s first client - seeks his help again, this time to prove who owns the gigantic emerald that Wimsey last saw in 1921. It will be the most intricate and challenging mystery he has ever faced . . .Trade ReviewA pitch-perfect Golden Age mystery; not a pastiche but a gem of a period puzzle that belongs on the shelf beside the Wimsey originals. * Financial Times *A delight. The mystery is intriguing - and, more crucially, Paton Walsh perfectly captures Sayers's voice. * Irish Times *Jill Paton Walsh, assuming the mantle of Dorothy L. Sayers, convinces on all counts . . . Sayers would not have recognised that it wasn't her own work. * London Times *An absolute treat: civilised, intelligent and spellbinding * Daily Express *A great deal of fun * Times Literary Supplement *Sayers's fans won't be disappointed, and newcomers are in for a treat * Guardian *Walsh's writing meets the standards of excellence set by Sayers, using the mystery novel as a means to demonstrate that traits of endurance, honestly, and loyalty are always appealing. Wit matched with intelligence marks the soul not only of a good sleuth, but also of the very best mysteries. Watched over by the ghost of Dorothy L. Sayers, The Attenbury Emeralds has soul. * Huffington Post *Walsh does a seamless job of carrying on original author Dorothy L. Sayers' sparkling mix of prose and people (and this from a critic who usually hates this sort of thing). * Cleveland Plain Dealer *Walsh successfully recreates the tone and personalities of the originals and plausibly depicts the main characters later in life. Fans of literate period mysteries will clamour for more. * Publishers Weekly *We must admit - heretical as it may be - that we quite prefer the continuations to the originals. * Denver Post *Channelling the authority Sayers employed right up to her final book, Walsh shows that she has the full measure of the imperishable Lord Peter and the hyper-intelligent Harriet Vane * Express *A crime puzzle with deeper layers which makes for an entertaining and satisfying read * Historical Novels Review *

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Book SynopsisIn this absorbing new entry in the acclaimed New York Times bestselling series, Scotland Yard’s Ian Rutledge is caught up in a twisted web of vengeance and murder.On the north coast of Cornwall, an apparent act of mercy is repaid by an arrest for murder.Trade Review"It's that melancholy tone, the legacy of the trenches, that gives Todd's polite rural mystery such uncommon depth." -- Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review on NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE "Fans already mourning the end of "Downton Abbey" can easily get their English fix by following Rutledge and Hamish on their rounds." -- Wilmington Star News on NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE "Poirot was one name, Holmes was another, and Rutledge deserves to be in that classic pack of crime solvers." -- Suspense Magazine on NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE "NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE is the latest in Charles Todd's consistently rewarding historical mysteries about British Detective Inspector Ian Rutledge. Over the course of a dozen and a half books, Todd has brilliantly, gradually revealed the many sides of this complex, melancholy man." -- Seattle Times Book Review "The mother and son team, who write as Charles Todd, deftly capture the atmosphere of post World War I England in this complex mystery which will appeal to fans of British mysteries." -- Iron Mountain Daily News on NO SHRED OF EVIDENCE

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Book SynopsisA favorite mystery series of Hillary Clinton (as mentioned in What Happened, The New York Times Book Review, and New York Magazine)A New York Times Notable Book of the YearAgatha Award Winner for Best First NovelMacavity Award Winner for Best First NovelAlex Award WinnerFiercely independent Maisie Dobbs has recently set herself up as a private detective. Such a move may not seem especially startling. But this is 1929, and Maisie is exceptional in many ways.Having started as a maid to the London aristocracy, studied her way to Cambridge and served as a nurse in the Great War, Maisie has wisdom, experience and understanding beyond her years. Little does she realise the extent to which this strength of character is soon to be tested. For her first case forces her to uncover secrets long buried, and to confront ghosts from her own past . . .''In Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear has given us a real gift'' Alexander McCall SmithTrade ReviewSue Baker's 'Quarterly Highlights' * Publishing News *'In Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear has given us a real gift. Maisie Dobbs has not been created - she has been discovered. Such people are always there amongst us, waiting for somebody like Ms. Winspear to come along and reveal them. And what a revelation it is!' * Alexander McCall Smith *It's a long time since I've read a crime novel that begins as well as Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs ... well written ... [Jacqueline Winspear] is set fair for a very bright future as a crime novelist. * Simon Brett, Daily Mail *Feisty, working-class heroine Maisie is a deliberate throwback to the sleuthettes of old-fashioned crime writing and will appeal to all those fans who pine for uncomplicated characters and a strong demarcation between good and bad. The well-plotted story, its characters and the picture of London between the wars are decidedly romantic. American readers loved it; many Brits will, too. * The Guardian *Maisie Dobbs is a welcome and unusual addition to the crowded world of literary detectives ... A very readable whodunnit * Sainsbury's Magazine *Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs is a welcome addition to the sleuthing scene. Simultaneously self-reliant and vulnerable, Maisie isn't a character I'll easily forget * Elizabeth George *Much more than just another detective story... thought-provoking * Newbooksmag *Readers sensing a story-within-a-story won't be disappointed. But first, they must prepare to be astonished at the sensitivity and wisdom with which Maisie resolves her first professional assignment * New York Times *A wry and immensely readable beginning to what promises to be a vivid new addition to crime fiction * Mail on Sunday *Even if detective stories aren't your thing, you'll love Maisie Dobbs * New Woman *The book is much more than a cosy mystery - it is also about women's growing emancipation and the profound changes to society after the First World War. * Mail on Sunday's You *

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Book SynopsisWhen Bernie Gunther takes on a blackmail case and gets involved in the affairs of British spies, the former detective risks exposing his own dark past in this thrilling novel hailed by The New York Times Book Review as “one of Kerr’s best.”   Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, 1956. Having gone into hiding in the French Riviera, Bernie Gunther is working as a concierge at the Grand-Hôtel under a false name. His days and nights consist of maneuvering drunks to their rooms, shooing away prostitutes in search of trade, and answering the mindless questions posed by the absurdly rich guests—needless to say, he’s miserable. Now, the man who was once a homicide detective and unwilling SS officer in Hitler’s Third Reich is simply the person you turn to for touring tips or if you need a bridge partner. As it just so happens, a rich and famous writer needs someone to fill the fourth seat in a regular game at

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Book SynopsisThe year is 1738; the place, Paris. A baby is born under a fish-monger’s bloody table in a marketplace, and abandoned. Orphaned, passed over to the monks as a charity case, already there is something in the aura of the tiny infant that is unsettling. No one will look after him; he is somehow too demanding, and, even more disturbing, something is missing: as his wet nurse tries to explain, he doesn’t smell the way a baby should smell; indeed, he has no scent at all.Slowly, as we watch Jean-Baptiste Grenouille cling stubbornly to life, we begin to realize that a monster is growing before our eyes. With mounting unease, yet hypnotized, we see him explore his powers and their effect on the world around him. For this dark and sinister boy who has no smell himself possesses an absolute sense of smell, and with it he can read the world to discover the hidden truths that elude ordinary men. He can smell the very composition of objects, and their history, and where they have been, he has no need of the light, and darkness is not dark to him, because nothing can mask the odors of the universe. As he leaves childhood behind and comes to understand his terrible uniqueness, his obsession becomes the quest to identify, and then to isolate, the most perfect scent of all, the scent of life itself.At first, he hones his powers, learning the ancient arts of perfume-making until the exquisite fragrances he creates are the rage of Paris, and indeed Europe. Then, secure in his mastery of these means to an end, he withdraws into a strange and agonized solitude, waiting, dreaming, until the morning when he wakes, ready to embark on his monstrous quest: to find and extract from the most perfect living creatures—the most beautiful young virgins in the land— that ultimate perfume which alone can make him, too, fully human. As his trail leads him, at an ever-quickening pace, from his savage exile to the heart of the country and then back to Paris, we are caught up in a rising storm of terror and mortal sensual conquest until the frenzy of his final triumph explodes in all its horrifying consequences. Told with dazzling narrative brilliance and the haunting power of a grown-up fairy tale, Perfume is one of the most remarkable novels of the last fifty years.

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