Historical crime and mysteries

Book Synopsis'A dark gothic delight' JANICE HALLETT, author of THE TWYFORD CODE 'Inventive, lavish, twisty... will keep you guessing until the very end' ALISON LITTLEWOOD, author of MISTLETOE Winter 1954, and in a dilapidated apartment in Brooklyn, Sam Cooper realises that she has nothing left. Her mother is dead, she has no prospects, and she cannot afford the rent. But as she goes through her mother's things, Sam finds a stack of hidden letters that reveal a family and an inheritance that she never knew she had, three thousand miles away in Yorkshire. Begars Abbey is a crumbling pile, inhabited only by Lady Cooper, Sam's ailing grandmother, and a handful of servants. Sam cannot understand why her mother kept its very existence a secret, but her newly discovered diaries offer a glimpse of a young girl growing increasingly terrified. As is Sam herself. Built on the foundations of an old convent, Begars moves and sings with the biting wind. Her grandmother cannot speak, and a shadowy woman moves along the corridors at night. There are dark places in the hidden tunnels beneath Begars. And they will not give up their secrets easily... A chilling read that will keep you turning the pages late into the night, Begars Abbey is a must-read for fans of Laura Purcell, C.J. Tudor and W.C. Ryan.Trade ReviewAtmospheric and fast-moving, it's a page-turner that keeps you guessing * Choice *Wonderful... High gothic with a captivating protagonist. Loved it -- Rhiannon Ward, author of THE QUICKENINGTakes its reader to a sinister place and locks them in, all alone. A dark, gothic delight best enjoyed by the light of a single, flickering candle -- Janice Hallett, author of THE TWYFORD CODEFans of the gothic thriller are in for a treat * Crime Fiction Lover *An inventive, lavish, twisty ghost story that will keep you guessing and turning the pages until the very end. Atmospheric and hugely enjoyable -- Alison Littlewood, author of MISTLETOEAn atmospheric, spine-tingling page-turner packed with curious characters and sinister twists -- Jennifer Ryan, author of THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIRA shiver-down-the-spine jaunt into the gruesome past, with a deliciously creepy finale -- C.E. Rose, author of THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETSAs a gothic novel Begars Abbey has it all: remote and storm-bound Yorkshire, ruined abbey buildings, hidden diaries and keys, locked doors and long corridors, even a wicked old woman in a wheelchair... But Vikki Valentine provides the reader with something more, through her appealing, nail-biting heroine, Sam -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTPure enjoyment! Searching for her Yorkshire roots, spirited New Yorker Sam Cooper is pulled into a Gothic mystery rooted in medieval horrors. Witty, fast-moving and spine-chillingly dark, this is a gripping and rewarding read -- Rose Black, author of THE UNFORGETTINGThe 1950s setting of Begars Abbey by VL Valentine cleverly evokes the black and white movies of the period, building to a gripping Gothic climax -- Leonora Nattrass, author of BLACK DROPNo-one does the creeps like V.L. Valentine... Darkly, fiendishly, irresistibly good -- Kate Simants, author of A RUINED GIRLA knowing spin on the English country house ghost story, it's a romp told with sly affection for the genre & great gothic gusto -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERS

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Book Synopsis'A dark gothic delight' JANICE HALLETT, author of THE TWYFORD CODE 'Inventive, lavish, twisty... will keep you guessing until the very end' ALISON LITTLEWOOD, author of MISTLETOE Winter 1954, and in a dilapidated apartment in Brooklyn, Sam Cooper realises that she has nothing left. Her mother is dead, she has no prospects, and she cannot afford the rent. But as she goes through her mother's things, Sam finds a stack of hidden letters that reveal a family and an inheritance that she never knew she had, three thousand miles away in Yorkshire. Begars Abbey is a crumbling pile, inhabited only by Lady Cooper, Sam's ailing grandmother, and a handful of servants. Sam cannot understand why her mother kept its very existence a secret, but her newly discovered diaries offer a glimpse of a young girl growing increasingly terrified. As is Sam herself. Built on the foundations of an old convent, Begars moves and sings with the biting wind. Her grandmother cannot speak, and a shadowy woman moves along the corridors at night. There are dark places in the hidden tunnels beneath Begars. And they will not give up their secrets easily... A chilling read that will keep you turning the pages late into the night, Begars Abbey is a must-read for fans of Laura Purcell, C.J. Tudor and W.C. Ryan.Trade ReviewAtmospheric and fast-moving, it's a page-turner that keeps you guessing * Choice *Wonderful... High gothic with a captivating protagonist. Loved it -- Rhiannon Ward, author of THE QUICKENINGTakes its reader to a sinister place and locks them in, all alone. A dark, gothic delight best enjoyed by the light of a single, flickering candle -- Janice Hallett, author of THE TWYFORD CODEFans of the gothic thriller are in for a treat * Crime Fiction Lover *An inventive, lavish, twisty ghost story that will keep you guessing and turning the pages until the very end. Atmospheric and hugely enjoyable -- Alison Littlewood, author of MISTLETOEAn atmospheric, spine-tingling page-turner packed with curious characters and sinister twists -- Jennifer Ryan, author of THE CHILBURY LADIES' CHOIRA shiver-down-the-spine jaunt into the gruesome past, with a deliciously creepy finale -- C.E. Rose, author of THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETSAs a gothic novel Begars Abbey has it all: remote and storm-bound Yorkshire, ruined abbey buildings, hidden diaries and keys, locked doors and long corridors, even a wicked old woman in a wheelchair... But Vikki Valentine provides the reader with something more, through her appealing, nail-biting heroine, Sam -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTPure enjoyment! Searching for her Yorkshire roots, spirited New Yorker Sam Cooper is pulled into a Gothic mystery rooted in medieval horrors. Witty, fast-moving and spine-chillingly dark, this is a gripping and rewarding read -- Rose Black, author of THE UNFORGETTINGThe 1950s setting of Begars Abbey by VL Valentine cleverly evokes the black and white movies of the period, building to a gripping Gothic climax -- Leonora Nattrass, author of BLACK DROPNo-one does the creeps like V.L. Valentine... Darkly, fiendishly, irresistibly good -- Kate Simants, author of A RUINED GIRLA knowing spin on the English country house ghost story, it's a romp told with sly affection for the genre & great gothic gusto -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERS

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Book Synopsis* A TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR * * SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE MONTH * * LONGLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN * 'One of the best debuts of the year' - THE TIMES 'As nimbly realised as by the genre's master, Andrew Taylor' - FINANCIAL TIMES 'Black Drop is a joy from start to finish' - ANDREW TAYLOR This is the confession of Laurence Jago. Clerk. Gentleman. Spy. July 1794, and London is filled with rumours of revolution. The war against the French is not going in Britain's favour, and negotiations with America are on a knife edge. Laurence Jago, Foreign Office clerk, is ever more reliant on opium - the Black Drop - to ease his nightmares. A highly sensitive letter, whose contents could lead to the destruction of the British Army, has been leaked to the press and Laurence is a suspect. Then he discovers the body of a fellow clerk - a supposed suicide - and it seems clear where the blame truly lies. But Laurence is certain both of his friend's innocence, and that he was murdered. But after years of hiding his own secrets from his powerful employers, can Laurence find the true culprit without ending up on the gallows himself? A thrilling historical mystery, perfect for readers of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor, Antonia Hodgson and Laura Shepherd-Robinson. 'This opium-fuelled gem is a murderous romp' - JANICE HALLETT 'A thrilling slice of pitch-dark historical fiction' - EMMA STONEX 'A gripping, intricate story of Georgian high politics' - W.C. RYANTrade ReviewExcellent... Filled with memorable characters, Black Drop offers first-class entertainment * Sunday Times *A strikingly assured and intelligent first novel about power, conspiracy and the lengths to which the influential will go to ensure their survival. Nattrass is confident enough in her knowledge of the period to avoid loading her narrative with explanations * Literary Review *A fine debut that weaves the complex politics of 18th-century Britain into a gripping murder mystery * The Times *As nimbly realised as by the genre's master, Andrew Taylor * Financial Times *This opium-fuelled gem is a murderous romp through the tangled roots of British democracy -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA joy from start to finish... giving a real sense of the intrigues behind closed doors. Jago is a very sympathetic hero -- Andrew Taylor, author of THE ASHES OF LONDONA thrilling slice of pitch-dark historical fiction, led by a superbly engaging narrator... Deserves to be huge -- Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERSForeign Office clerk Laurence Jago has been accused of being a traitor, but when a colleague dies, blame shifts. Thrilling * Crime Monthly *A gripping, intricate story of Georgian high politics and low life. Leonora Nattrass's historical spy novel is top notch -- W.C. Ryan, author of A HOUSE OF GHOSTSA riveting political thriller, set at a fulcrum-point in global history. The setting is viscerally immersive and the characters spring to life from the page. This masterful narrative of deception, intrigue and heroism unfolds with compelling pace, wry humour and acute psychological observation. Gripping, moving and utterly engaging -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES

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Book Synopsis** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD ** ** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ** ** A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ** 'A TRULY GRIPPING READ' - GUARDIAN 'FABULOUS, A DELIGHT' - S.G. MACLEAN 'A FINE ADVENTURE REMINISCENT OF PATRICK O'BRIAN' - SUNDAY TIMES This is the secret report of Laurence Jago. Ex-clerk. Unwilling spy. Reluctant sailor. Accidental detective. New Year 1795, and Laurence Jago is aboard the Tankerville mail ship, en route to Philadelphia. Ostensibly travelling as assistant to the irrepressible journalist William Philpott, Laurence's real mission is to aid the civil servant carrying a vital treaty to Congress. A treaty that will prevent the Americans from joining with the French in the war against Britain. However, when the civil servant meets an unfortunate - and supposedly accidental - end and the treaty disappears, Laurence realises only he can now prevent war with the US. Trapped on the ship with travellers including two penniless French aristocrats, an Irish actress and a dancing bear, Laurence must hunt down both the lost treaty and the murderer, before he has a tragic 'accident' himself... The new page-turning historical mystery from the author of BLACK DROP, a 2021 TIMES Book of the Year. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris.Trade ReviewA perfect storm of historical intrigue, bloody mystery and heart-stopping tension! An eighteenth century whodunnit on a ship, with a bear, a dog and a set of tarot cards. What absolutely top-sail rollicking entertainment -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALA satisfying nautical mystery * The Times *Intrigue, tension, memorable characters and shipboard life depicted in all its reeking authenticity add up to a truly gripping read * Guardian *A fine adventure reminiscent of the Patrick O'Brian novels * Sunday Times *Fabulous... A delight. Nattrass again and again had me wondering at her skill and marvellous turn of phrase in filtering complex eighteenth-century history in a way that resonates with our own times -- S. G. MacLean, author of THE SEEKERLuscious prose, an immersive setting, and a fine eye for detail. A nautical mystery with serious historical heft -- Vaseem Khan, author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSEI admired Black Drop. I loved Blue Water. Even more welcome than an extra rum ration on Christmas Day, and slips down just as easily -- Robert Lloyd, author of THE BLOODLESS BOYDanger and mystery trapped inside a rocking barrel, far from home. Artful and authentic historical fiction at its best -- A.J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEERI absolutely loved this book. Full of intrigue and excitement with a brilliantly-realised cast of characters and a totally immersive setting, it's a superb historical thriller -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIESIngenious and deftly plotted with a pleasing cast of characters. Nattrass's nautical detail is most effective, never overplayed and just as satisfying as any of the C.S. Foresters I adored in my olden days. A hugely enjoyable read -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTA compelling locked room murder-mystery filled with an exquisitely drawn cast of eccentric characters. A wonderful historical naval adventure which keeps the reader guessing right to the final pages -- Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE USI loved this rip-roaring tale of murder and intrigue on the high seas. A locked-ship mystery, and a cracking sequel to the brilliant Black Drop -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN IN THE STREETBeautifully written, immaculately plotted and filled with more red herrings than the Atlantic, it takes readers on a thrilling voyage of murder and mystery. If Patrick O'Brian & Agatha Christie had ever got it together... -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADELeonora Nattrass has woven an incredible novel against an incredible backdrop. It's a real art to combine history and intrigue and yet she has delivered it - again - with such skill -- Liv Matthews, author of THE PRANKBrilliantly written, spine-chillingly evocative and hugely compelling. A stunning book -- Miranda Dickinson, author of THE START OF SOMETHING

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Book Synopsis** AN INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ** ** A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR ** ** SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD ** ** LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME NOVEL AWARD ** 'A TRULY GRIPPING READ' - GUARDIAN 'FABULOUS, A DELIGHT' - S.G. MACLEAN 'A FINE ADVENTURE REMINISCENT OF PATRICK O'BRIAN' - SUNDAY TIMES This is the secret report of Laurence Jago. Unwilling spy. Reluctant sailor. Accidental detective. New Year 1795, and Laurence Jago is aboard the Tankerville mail ship, en route to Philadelphia. Laurence is travelling undercover, supposedly as a journalist's assistant. But his real mission is to protect a civil servant, en route to Congress with a vital treaty that will stop the Americans from joining the French in their war against Britain. When the civil servant meets an unfortunate - and apparently accidental - end, the treaty disappears, and Laurence realises that only he can keep the Americans out of the war. Trapped on the ship with a strange assortment of travellers including two penniless French aristocrats, an Irish actress and a dancing bear, Laurence must hunt down both the lost treaty and the murderer, before he has a tragic 'accident' himself... The new page-turning historical mystery from the author of BLACK DROP, a 2021 TIMES Book of the Year. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris.Trade ReviewA satisfying nautical mystery * The Times *Will have you hooked from start to finish * Metro *Intrigue, tension, memorable characters and shipboard life depicted in all its reeking authenticity add up to a truly gripping read * Guardian *A fine adventure reminiscent of the Patrick O'Brian novels * Sunday Times *Fabulous... A delight. Nattrass again and again had me wondering at her skill and marvellous turn of phrase in filtering complex eighteenth-century history in a way that resonates with our own times -- S. G. MacLean, author of THE SEEKERA perfect storm of historical intrigue, bloody mystery and heart-stopping tension! An eighteenth century whodunnit on a ship, with a bear, a dog and a set of tarot cards. What absolutely top-sail rollicking entertainment -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEALLuscious prose, an immersive setting, and a fine eye for detail. A nautical mystery with serious historical heft -- Vaseem Khan, author of MIDNIGHT AT MALABAR HOUSEI admired Black Drop. I loved Blue Water. Even more welcome than an extra rum ration on Christmas Day, and slips down just as easily -- Robert Lloyd, author of THE BLOODLESS BOYDanger and mystery trapped inside a rocking barrel, far from home. Artful and authentic historical fiction at its best -- A.J. West, author of THE SPIRIT ENGINEERI absolutely loved this book. Full of intrigue and excitement with a brilliantly-realised cast of characters and a totally immersive setting, it's a superb historical thriller -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIESIngenious and deftly plotted with a pleasing cast of characters. Nattrass's nautical detail is most effective, never overplayed and just as satisfying as any of the C.S. Foresters I adored in my olden days. A hugely enjoyable read -- Alix Nathan, author of THE WARLOW EXPERIMENTA compelling locked room murder-mystery filled with an exquisitely drawn cast of eccentric characters. A wonderful historical naval adventure which keeps the reader guessing right to the final pages -- Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE USI loved this rip-roaring tale of murder and intrigue on the high seas. A locked-ship mystery, and a cracking sequel to the brilliant Black Drop -- Trevor Wood, author of THE MAN IN THE STREETBeautifully written, immaculately plotted and filled with more red herrings than the Atlantic, it takes readers on a thrilling voyage of murder and mystery. If Patrick O'Brian & Agatha Christie had ever got it together... -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADELeonora Nattrass has woven an incredible novel against an incredible backdrop. It's a real art to combine history and intrigue and yet she has delivered it - again - with such skill -- Liv Matthews, author of THE PRANK

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Book SynopsisNow a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'A blissful novel of unapologetic appetites ... here is a writer who understands life' JESSIE BURTON, author of THE MINIATURIST London, 1893. When Cora Seaborne's controlling husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness. Along with her son Francis - a curious, obsessive boy - she leaves town for Essex, in the hope that fresh air and open space will provide refuge. On arrival, rumours reach them that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for superstition, is enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a yet-undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter's vicar, who is also deeply suspicious of the rumours, but thinks they are a distraction from true faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, Will and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves at once drawn together and torn apart, affecting each other in ways that surprise them both. The Essex Serpent is a thrilling and unforgettable novel of intrigue, love, and the many forms it can take. A modern classic perfect for fans of Jessie Burton, Sarah Waters and Stacey Halls, THE ESSEX SERPENT is now a major Apple TV series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston.Trade ReviewThe Essex Serpent is a novel to relish: a work of great intelligence and charm, by a hugely talented author -- Sarah WatersHad Charles Dickens and Bram Stoker come together to write the great Victorian novel, I wonder if it would have surpassed The Essex Serpent? No way of knowing, but with only her second outing, Sarah Perry establishes herself as one of the finest fiction writers working in Britain today. -- John BurnsideA big, warm, generous novel that wears its considerable wisdom lightly, The Essex Serpent is an absolute pleasure from start to finish - I truly didn't want it to end. -- Melissa HarrisonThe Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry [is] a joyous and beguiling book that wrapped itself around me rather like its eponymous monster. -- Cathy RentzenbrinkA blissful novel of unapologetic appetites, where desire and faith mingle on the marshes, but friendship is the miracle. Sarah Perry has the rare gift of committing the uncommittable to prose - that is to say: here is a writer who understands life. -- Jessie BurtonA book to make you want to be a better person. -- Justine Jordan, The GuardianI loved this book. At once numinous, intimate and wise, The Essex Serpent is a marvellous novel about the workings of life, love and belief, about science and religion, secrets, mysteries, and the complicated and unexpected shifts of the human heart - and it contains some of the most beautiful evocations of place and landscape I've ever read. It is so good its pages seem lit from within. As soon as I'd finished it I started reading it again. -- Helen MacDonaldA sinuous historical novel by the genius that is Sarah Perry -- Lucy Mangan * Stylist *An historical novel with real depth ... Perry writes fantastically, and this deserves attention for the rest of the year. -- Steven Cooper * The Bookseller *One day this book will make a fine BBC period drama ... Perry is a wonderful descriptive writer with a remarkable talent for making the familiar strange ... Her accounts of open-heart surgery carried out half a century before antibiotics, or an autistic child questioning the nature of sin, or a soldier's wedding in the phthisic slums of Bethnal Green, snatch the breath in your throat. Perry bleeds light into darkness and back again with a mastery born of her deep professional acquaintance with the gothic tradition. -- Oliver Moody * Times *The Essex Serpent is a work of historical fiction, set in the 1890s, which, for originality, richness of prose and depth of characterisation is unlikely to be bettered this year ... a remarkable novel. Although Will and Cora provide the focal points for her story, Perry has packed The Essex Serpent with a rich array of equally rounded characters to hold our attention. The novel is full of vivid set pieces ... it is Perry's ability to conjure up a sense of entire lives unfolding before our eyes that is most impressive. Filled with wisdom about human behaviour and motivations, and written in a distinctive, stylish prose, The Essex Serpent is one of the most memorable historical novels of the past decade. -- Nick Rennison * Sunday Times *One for the holiday suitcase. A historical romance with a gothic twist ... expect to spot a copy on beach towels this summer. * Vogue *An irresistible novel that taps the vein of Victorian gothic and British myth * Daily Telegraph *It's prompted comparisons to both Dickens and Bram Stoker and marries the former's abhorrence of injustice with the latter's genius for unsettling atmosphere ... Hardy-esque ... a rich and complex novel but also a deeply enjoyable read, with warm humanity at its core. -- Jeff Robson * iPaper *An irresistible novel ... Perry's Victoriana is the most fresh-feeling I can remember ... Her prose is often beautiful ... the tone is a masterstroke ... You feel the influences of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Wilkie Collins, Charles Dickens and Hilary Mantel channelled by Perry in some sort of Victorian séance. This is the best new novel I've read in years. It's the kind of work that makes you alive to the strangeness of the world and of our history. -- Charlotte Runcie * Daily Telegraph *Engaging ... On the book's cover, John Burnside compares The Essex Serpent to Dickens and Stoker. But it was one of my favourite novels, Alasdair Gray's Poor Things (1992), that kept coming back to me ... Perry takes apart our preconceptions of prim Victorian mores with similar gusto ... The Essex Serpent is a historical novel with an entirely modern consciousness, and is every bit as gripping and unusual as its predecessor. -- Alex Preston * FT *The Essex Serpent is frightfully good. -- Susan Hill * Twitter *An intelligent, lushly written gothic yarn ... Reading it makes you want to hotfoot it to the Essex coast. -- Claire Allfree * Metro *Everything they're saying is true: sumptuous, beautiful, powerful, engrossing, brilliant. -- Nina Stibbe * Twitter *A lovely book ... it sets out unashamedly to lift the spirits ... The writing has a gorgeous lilt ... The method is itself Victorian - an omniscient narrator scattering sackfuls of sympathy - but the message never gets old: the world is poorer if we don't put ourselves in each other's place once in a while. -- Anthony Cummins * Spectator *Sarah Perry's new novel The Essex Serpent is a thing of beauty inside and out. I don't think I've ever mentioned a book's cover in a review before, but Peter Dyer's William Morris-inspired design is stunning, a tantalizing taste of the equally sumptuous prose that lies within ... When it comes to historical fiction, Perry's achieved the near impossible; she's created a novel and within it a world that seems to have sprung complete and fully formed directly from the period in question - a long lost fin-de-siècle Gothic classic - but her characters are as enticingly modern as they are of their period ... Perry also showcases the most beguiling evocations of landscape ... For only a second novel it's a stunning achievement, one for which I predict prize nominations galore, from the Wellcome to the Man Booker -- Lucy Scholes * Independent online *A richly themed and exhilarating novel ... this poetically written story dramatises the clash between rationality and resurgent superstition, between desire, morality and the intellect, and the struggle of reformers to redress the poverty of late-Victorian society. -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail *Sarah Perry has written an exquisitely absorbing, old-fashioned page-turner peopled by memorable characters, particularly the magnificent, stubborn and wilful Cora. Perry also captures a society on the brink of a profound shift, uncomfortably reassessing its view of the world through the prism of scientific progress. The Essex Serpent is shot through with such a vivid, lively sense of the period that it reads like Charles Dickens at his most accessible and fans of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will also find much to love in this engaging, entertaining Gothic novel. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Express *A novel of ideas, and flexes its muscles in addressing multiple concerns of the period ... The novel probes at both private emotion and public concerns, and is engrossing and immersive. The grime of London is only surpassed by the murk of Aldwinter. Cora makes for an indelible heroine: uncompromising, funny and smart, and not unlike Alma Whittaker in Elizabeth Gilbert's The Signature of All Things. There will also be whispers of Dickens or a gamut of 19th century novels of similar size and scale, but Perry's voice and story are her own. Her language is exquisite, her characterisation finely tuned. Based on The Essex Serpent and its predecessor, it's clear that Perry is a gifted writer of immense ability. -- Sinéad Gleeson * Irish Times *A Victorian-era gothic with a Dickensian focus on societal ills, Perry's second novel surprises in its wonderful freshness. There's a sense of Llareggub about close-knit Aldwinter, its flint church, historic oak and ribby shipwreck instantly present, while the tapestry of voices that results from the use of letters amplifies the Under Milk Wood echo. Perry's singular characters are drawn with a fondness that is both palpable and contagious, and the beautifully observed changing seasons permitted space to breathe, all making for pure pleasure. -- Stephanie Cross * Observer *An eerie tale of science and superstition ... gothically good. -- Eithne Farry * Sunday Express *It's 1893, and Cora Seabourne is a young widow whose husband's death has released her from a miserable marriage. Finally free to follow her own interest in natural history, Cora heads to Essex, hoping the recent reports of a mysterious ancient serpent may possibly turn out to be proof of a "living fossil . . . a species outwitting extinction". There she meets the local vicar, Will Ransome, and despite his scepticism about science and her lack of faith in religion, the two forge an unlikely bond. A bewitching and luminous book about science, faith and different kinds of love. -- Anna Carey * Irish Times *Dazzling * Woman and Home *The Essex Serpent is rare in being a novel that is both highly diverting and intellectually rewarding, in taking its thematic interests seriously while playing delightedly with romance and the Gothic. -- Sarah Moss * The Lancet *Sarah Perry...beautifully and deeply...elucidates friendships of all kinds in her books...I must recommend the delicate beauty and sinuous power. -- Lucy Mangan * Stylist *It's a brilliantly written story of one woman's life and relationships in late Victorian England and my favourite historical novel since Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger. -- John Meagher * Irish Independent *A graceful and intelligent book. -- Maria Croce * Daily Record *The Essex Serpent is probably the best novel I have read this year. It is the right kind of literary fiction: full of ideas, challenge, and intrigue, but with a compelling narrative that tows you through the pages like a freight train...Perry has created an ensemble of characters so richly drawn that each could warrant a novel in his or her own right...invigorating, fascinating, and hugely enjoyable. -- Malcolm Doney * Church Times *My stand-out novel of the year is The Essex Serpent...It's about love, faith and myth. I loved it. -- Jenni Murray * Radio Times *The eponymous serpent makes its presence felt throughout, but this novel is about much, much more than a winged demon terrorising the Essex countryside, and is all the richer for it. -- Kate Foley * Living North *One of the most-loved books of the last two years...Perry's descriptions of Essex bring to life the beauty of one of our more under-appreciated counties. * Emerald Street *The Essex Serpent has been hailed as a modern classic, and for good reason. It's an esoteric, whimsical book that joins the ranks of generations of Victorian and Gothic novels from Doyle to Shelley, all the while defying the very traditions these books have set down... The perfect book to read as you sit in an overgrown garden, or while tramping through the heath. * The Edinburgh Reporter *A Notable Book of 2017 * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisPitch-perfect World War Two crime for fans of Agatha Christie and Jasper Fforde. Detective Betty Church is forced to revisit ghosts from her past when a skeleton is found buried in the woods. July, 1914: Sixteen-year-old Etterly, running from something, hides inside the trunk of a tree and disappears. The police search but find no trace. Her family and friends wrack their brains, but come up with nothing. And so slowly life returns to normal. The hole in the tree is boarded up and the town of Sackwater moves on. Only Etterly's best friend, Betty, clings to hope, insisting she can hear her friend crying for help. June, 1940: A skeleton is discovered buried in the woods. Though most clues have long since decayed, it is wearing an unusual necklace. As soon as Inspector Betty Church sees the evidence she recognises it. The necklace belonged to Etterly. Fearing the worst, Betty is determined to solve this strange case once and for all. What happened to Etterly? And why has this secret remained buried for so long?Trade ReviewI was, as usual, sucked in by Kasasian's sheer storytelling ability and his skill in turning a run-of-the-mill cold case plot into a first-class and enjoyable read. He always drags the reader back to the central business, no matter how many false leads. And that is what makes this book so worthwhile * Crime Review *PRAISE FOR BETTY CHURCH AND THE SUFFOLK VAMPIRE: 'I love this sort of book... Betty has no truck with nonsense. Yay Betty... Is this a rival for M.C. Beaton, my favourite of all time? We shall see' Frost Magazine. 'A nicely complex plot, some genuinely funny moments and some serious observations about the approaching war are balanced by an underlying darkness' Crime Review. 'A wonderfully gripping, old-fashioned murder mystery' * The Lady *

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling novel of war, rivalry and intrigue in 1920s Tuscany.A decade after her sister Isobel eloped with a wounded soldier to Italy, Poppy Brookes receives a troubling letter, summoning her to the neglected country estate they now share in beautiful Siena.Poppy soon finds a disturbing undercurrent in the marriage. The relationship between the sisters is also strained, as Poppy had nursed Kit back to health, and has never quite forgiven Isobel for ensnaring him.And when Poppy accidentally uncovers a terrible secret, her journey into love becomes eclipsed by a desire for vengeance that threatens to consume them all…Siena Summer is a thrilling tale full of history and atmosphere, perfect for fans of Rosanna Ley and Lucinda Riley.Praise for Teresa Crane‘A writer of great skill and vitality’ Sarah Harrison, author of The Flowers of the Field

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Book SynopsisIt’s 1915 in New York City and an intrepid young journalist is about to get her biggest story yet…The Lusitania has just been sunk, and headlines about a shooting at J.P. Morgan’s mansion and the Great War are splashed across the front page of every newspaper. Capability “Kitty” Weeks would love nothing more than to report on the news of the day, but she’s stuck writing about fashion and society gossip over on the Ladies’ Page – until a man is murdered at a high society picnic on her beat.Determined to prove her worth as a journalist, Kitty finds herself plunged into the midst of a wartime conspiracy that threatens to derail the United States’ attempt to remain neutral – and to disrupt the privileged life she has always known.The first book in a highly anticipated mystery series featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks packed full of historical detail, A Front Page Affair is perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline WinspearPraise for A Front Page Affair‘A delightfully spunky heroine defies convention as an investigative reporter in this engaging historical mystery. The small factual details of New York life are gems’ Rhys Bowen‘This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen’s mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks.’ Library Journal ‘The fascinating historical details add flair to this thoroughly engaging mystery starring an intelligent amateur sleuth reminiscent of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy. Vatsal’s debut will leave readers eager for Kitty’s next adventure.’ Booklist ‘The mystery plot was enthralling in and of itself, but it was the portrait of Old New York that provided the wow factor - there are very few writers who can conjure up this kind of authenticity. A fun, fascinating, feminist read – especially if you love New York!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘It is very rare to find a debut novel so well written and so engrossing’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisThe Empire has a deadly secret... The Number One Historical Thrillers Bestseller1899, South Africa: As the Boer War rages, Captain Ingo Finch of the Royal Army Medical Corps pieces together casualties at the front. Then, recovering in Cape Town, he is woken by local police. A British officer has been murdered, and an RAMC signature is required for the post-mortem.Shocked by the identity of the victim, the bizarre nature of the crime and what appears a too-convenient resolution, Finch turns detective. He is soon thrust into a perilous maze of espionage and murder.Along with an Australian nurse, Annie, and an escaped diamond miner, Mbutu, Finch finds he has stumbled on a terrifying secret, one that will shake the Empire to its core...An extraordinary and unputdownable historical crime thriller and Kindle bestseller, perfect for readers of Philip Kerr and Abir Mukherjee. Praise for No Ordinary Killing 'Dawson has produced a strong thriller with something to say… An intriguing mix of John Buchan style adventuring and well researched period detail, full of superstition, mistrust and political intrigue… A very strong debut.' Sarah Ward, author of A Patient Fury'Jeff is such a talented writer … I highly, highly recommend these' Making the Cut podcast

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A spellbinding saga of London’s East End.Ettie Wilkins has to get out of Whitechapel. As her mother sinks deeper into alcoholism, the volatile lodger sharing their slum turns his attentions to Ettie.So when debonair Professor Jacob Protsky picks Ettie out of the crowd, she is determined to seize her chance. Despite a chorus of warnings, Ettie goes to live with Protsky in Bow to assist him with his magic tricks.But when Ettie befriends the mysterious Celia Tressing, she soon finds herself increasingly worried by events in Whitechapel. A series of gruesome murders and whispers of Jack the Ripper have shaken even that resilient community… This is an enthralling Victorian drama of sin and redemption, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Kitty Neale.

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Book SynopsisA gripping saga of love and loss on the eve of the Great War.The annual migration from London to the hop fields of Kent is normally a longed-for escape from the dust and grime of the East End. But this year Rose Fairleigh worries their departure will interrupt the slow-blossoming romance between her daughter Jess and postman Jack Barnes.Jack promises to visit and assures Rose he will keep an eye on her three sons, who are staying behind. Before he knows it, though, one of the boys is in trouble and it’s up to Jack to bring him home.Meanwhile in Kent, Jess’ life grows increasingly confusing as, full of promises and charm, the son of suffragette Lady Worlington turns his attentions to her…A heartwrenching East End family drama, perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Downton Abbey.

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Book SynopsisA game of spies, a brutal murder, the fate of an Empire…The North Sea, October 1904 – When Russian warships bombard the Hull trawler fleet, killing innocent fishermen, public outrage pushes Britain and Russia to the brink of war, the sparks from which could inflame the entire Continent.Doctor Ingo Finch, once of the Royal Army Medical Corps, is long done with military adventuring. But when a stranger seeks him out, citing a murderous conspiracy behind the infamous “Dogger Bank Incident”, Finch is drawn back into the dark world of espionage.With Whitehall, St Petersburg and rival Bolsheviks vying to manipulate the political crisis, the future of Britain, and Europe, is at stake…A gripping and compulsive historical crime thriller, The Cold North Sea is an explosively entertaining read for fans of Abir Mukherjee and Philip Kerr.Praise for Jeff Dawson'Jeff is such a talented writer … I highly, highly recommend these' Making the Cut podcast

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling saga set in London’s East End at the height of the 1930s…Cissie Flowers has had her fair share of hardships but she’s always found a way to smooth over her worries and crack on with raising her two young children. Until, that is, her husband Davy is killed in a suspicious accident.Suddenly gangster Big Bill Turner takes an interest in her affairs. When Cissie takes over Davy’s old flower stall outside Aldgate station to tackle her financial troubles, she soon discovers that the most beautiful facade can hide the ugliest secrets.For some people who will stop at nothing to dispense with anything – or anyone – that gets in their way…This is a gritty East End drama, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Nadine Dorries.

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Book SynopsisA gripping story of danger, intrigue, jealousy and love set in the uncertain world of Oliver Cromwell's post-civil war Republic. When army surgeon, John Lockyer attends the pregnant victim of a street stabbing, saving the child but not the mother, Lady Derryn Barlow, ward of the Earl of Pembroke, his life unravels. Hours later, a hospital laundry maid, Sally, is killed and, pressured to keep quiet by the Earl's henchman, Lockyer and his colleague, Madame O'Brien, search for Sally's sister, Finny, at the Whitecross Street brothel. But she has already fled. What is the link between the dead women? Who has taken the child? What are the brothel's secrets? And will the murderer be found?Infiltrating the exiled Royalists in France, will Lockyer uncover the answers? Will he find favour with Cromwell? And will he meet Madame O'Brien again?In this compelling debut, Tallis Clark deploys her medical expertise and meticulous historical research to deliver a pitch-perfect story of murder, forensic investigation, political high stakes and the search for truth.

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Book Synopsis"...Part Shirley Jackson's stories of inner demons, part Alice's Adventures in Wonderland...part Astrid Lindgren's faith in children's resilience and part ghost story." "Enter a mysterious world in the hands of capable women. Getting drawn into this story is easy; getting out again is trickier." -BookPage 1901. After the death of Queen Victoria, England heaves with the uncanny. Seances are held and the dead are called upon from darker realms. Helena Walton-Cisneros, known for her ability to find the lost and the displaced, is hired by the elusive Lady Matthews to solve a twenty-year-old mystery: the disappearance of her three stepdaughters who vanished without a trace on the Norfolk Fens. But the Fens are an age-old land, where folk tales and dark magic still linger. The locals speak of devilmen and catatonic children are found on the Broads. Here, Helena finds what she was sent for, as the Fenland always gives up its secrets, in the end...Trade Review"An intriguing and unsettling tale of seances, strange lights, disappearing children and a poacher who swears he has seen the devil in the marshes . . . Womack brings a great sense of the uncanny to the Fens." Alison Littlewood, author of A Cold Season

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author James Lovegrove's continues the story of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles, as five years later, another monstrous creature stalks across Dartmoor... 1894. The monstrous Hound of the Baskervilles has been dead for five years, along with its no less monstrous owner, the naturalist Jack Stapleton. Sir Henry Baskerville is living contentedly at Baskerville Hall with his new wife Audrey and their three-year-old son Harry. Until, that is, Audrey's lifeless body is found on the moors, drained of blood. It would appear some fiendish creature is once more at large on Dartmoor and has, like its predecessor, targeted the unfortunate Baskerville family. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are summoned to Sir Henry's aid, and our heroes must face a marauding beast that is the very stuff of nightmares. It seems that Stapleton may not have perished in the Great Grimpen Mire after all, as Holmes believed, and is hell-bent on revenge...Trade Review"This artful inversion of the structure of Conan Doyle’s novel will please Sherlockians" -Publishers Weekly"The latest pastiche by the author of Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Dust is a clever follow-up to The Hound of the Baskervilles. The language, characters, and pacing is accurate enough to satisfy even hard-core Holmes fans." -Library Journal "James Lovegrove has a nice grasp of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing style, and it is easy for readers to fall into this tale and become consumed by it." - BookReporter “A wonderful addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon, extrapolating cleverly from the original oeuvre to present something fresh and absorbing for the modern reader” - Criminal Element“Packed with familiar faces and places but with a fresh twist, this is a novel perfectly suited to classic Holmes fans” - The Crime Review “Lovegrove has crafted a true page-turner... The novel reads as a classic Sherlock Holmes tale yet has a subtle modern flare to it” - Fangirl Nation“Lovegrove has a great voice for Sherlock Holmes” - Girl Who Reads “Entertaining and foreboding” - Reviewing the Evidence “Mystery excellence that should be on everybody's reading list” - RisingShadow

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Book SynopsisA visionary new horror novel in the style of Wells' creepiest and most enduring fictions - a future history following the descendants of the Island of Dr Moreau In H G Wells' The Island of Dr Moreau a shipwrecked traveller finds himself alone on an island ruled by a mad doctor and inhabited by creatures who are at once both beast and human. He escapes...but that is only the beginning of the story. The City of Dr Moreau is a sprawling history of the islanders, and an alternative vision of our own times. Spanning more than a century, criss-crossing across numerous places and many lives, we witness the growth of Moreau's legacy, from gothic experiments to an event which changes the world. From the wharves of Victorian London to a boarding house with an inhuman resident to an assassin on a twentieth-century train ordered to kill the one man who knows the truth, we follow secret skirmishes and hidden plots which emerge, eventually and violently, into the open.Trade Review"Barnes takes some hints from the original book, recreating the “Moreau Horrors” episode that Wells mentions in passing and giving a cameo role to his protagonist, Prendick... The City of Dr Moreau rattles along agreeably and has more than enough twists to hold the attention."— Times Literary Supplement"The plot is packed with incident and charcters, skipping from one vignette to the next like a flat stone thrown across a lake. The extrapolation of Well’s idea is exemplary...Barnes both updates and innovates."— Financial Times"An epic ‘what if…?’ that significantly expands Wells’ cautionary tale about genetic engineering, taking it to exciting new places." — Sci-Fi BulletinOn Dracula's Child:"A modern Gothic masterpiece, and one of the finest vampire novels of recent years. A perfect companion piece to one of the most pivotal novels ever written" Ginger Nuts of Horror'A boldly inventive sequel to Dracula rips along with a sustained energy and verve, twisting and turning all the way to the supposed editor’s epilogue' Times Literary Supplement“In style, story content, and characterization, Dracula’s Child is truly the sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, succeeding where other, more famous attempts failed” New York Journal of Books“Inventive and spooky” Mark Gatiss, co-creator of the hit BBC series Dracula and Sherlock'[A] fitting tribute to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, matching the original’s tone and epistolary form with this choice sequel set slightly over a decade after the original’s conclusion. . . Barnes’s modern sensibilities shine through, the action and intrigue delight. This adventurous and dread-inducing tale will have readers hooked' Publishers Weekly“[A] thorough tribute to Bram Stoker’s original, written in the style of Stoker’s prose and imagining a continuation of the story this is a must-read for Dracula fans” Den of Geek"This epic tale of madness, temptation, and political scandal set in early-twentieth-century England strikes a resonant chord with today’s political climate" Booklist 'A patchwork of dark thrills, woven skilfully from new and familiar voices - Dracula's Child is a macabre delight' Aliya Whiteley, author of The Beauty"It's a monumental achievement. The tale is engrossing, the tone is spot-on." Stephen Gallagher, author (The Authentic William James) and TV writer (Doctor Who)"Fiendishly plotted and full of sinister invention . . . a thoroughly modern re-imagining of the Count's undying menace" Richard T Kelly, author of The Knives and The Possessions of Doctor Forest"Gave me genuine chills and put J.S. Barnes on my list of go-to authors" British Fantasy Society"Bram Stoker’s classic continues… It’s just as dark, evocative, sensual, and horrific. A masterpiece" Horror Tree“J.S. Barnes’ sequel to Bram Stoker’s horror classic is a terrific read...I’ve not hung on to a book so tightly for many years, its grip so intense that it wouldn’t let me go. At the end you take a deep breath and wonder where that time went, albeit time very well spent" Sci-Fi Bulletin“Genuinely frightening...There are striking moments of originality, where Barnes seamlessly merges modern sensibilities with a Stoker-like writing style...Immense fun and after decades of parody- manages to make the Count scary again" FrightFest

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Book SynopsisDecember 1917. An important visitor arrives at a field hospital not far from the front, who makes sharp deductions about the way the ward is run based on small details that he sees. Sherlock Holmes is apparently only present for a tour, but asks searching questions about a young officer who apparently died in the hospital, but whose records have mysteriously vanished. As Holmes digs deeper, details emerge pertaining to a cover-up that stretches from the trenches to the top of the War Office, and conspiracy on both the British and enemy fronts.Trade ReviewPraise for the author "Excellent...Fans of the pastiche subgenre involving Conan Doyle’s detective in WWI won’t want to miss this one." - Publishers Weekly“Superbly written” Starburst"Great fun" SF Crowsnest"Has the feel of a glorious comic strip adventure” Cultbox"This is a clever, multi-layered story from Simon Guerrier that pleases on every level" Indie Mac User"The title promises excitement, drama and terror. And Simon Guerrier‘s script delivers all of these things in spades” Down the Tubes“This could be the most enjoyable book you purchase this year” Sci-fi-Online“An effective and disturbingly spooky tale” Doctor Who Magazine “One of the best releases yet...” SFX"Clever, funny, thoughtful and silly, and loads of other good words. But the one that sums it up best is this: brilliant” Doctor Who Magazine

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Book SynopsisMay 1898. A new client arrives at Baker Street - Abigail Moone, a wealthy, independent writer of successful mystery stories under a male pseudonym. She presents an unusual problem. Abigail claims that she devised a man's death that was reported in that morning's newspaper: that is, she planned his murder as an event to be included in one of her mystery stories. Following real people and imagining how she might murder them and get away with it is how Abigail comes up with her plots, but this "victim" has actually died, apparently of the poison method she meticulously planned in her notebook. Someone is trying to frame Abigail for his death, but with the evidence stacking up against her, she turns to Holmes to prove her innocence.Trade Review“Fans of traditional Holmes stories should welcome a sequel.” —Publishers Weekly “Holmes fans will be more than satisfied with this well-constructed homage to the great detective.” —Criminal Element

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Book SynopsisMysterious socialite Dorian Gray is at the centre of Sherlock Holmes' latest investigation in this astonishing, uncanny mash-up of Victorian mystery and horror. 1903 Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson have tickets to the newly arrived Egyptian Circus. Holmes is puzzled by his brother Mycroft's cryptic gift but is intrigued enough to attend the next production. The performers, dressed as wondrous half-animal, half-human gods from Egyptian mythology, display superhuman agility and stunts. But they speak no Arabic, sequester themselves in the stables after each show and take orders from a mysterious ring master who is yet to be seen. And then one of the performers is murdered. Holmes's enquires lead him to Montebank Manor, the home of the beautiful and secretive socialite Dorian Gray. As Holmes digs deeper, he learns Gray is hiding much more than his involvement in a murder. It's a darkly fantastical tale of lies, experimentation, hypnosis and wicked ambition.Trade Review"This is wonderful storytelling - bold; filled with energy and knowledge - which grabs the reader by the lapels of his or her smoking jacket and drags them merrily into the adventure. Doyle's voice is recaptured and slyly modernised. I can't wait to read the next instalment in what promises to be a supremely witty and dynamic sequence of stories." J.S. Barnes, author of "Dracula's Child" and "The City of Dr Moreau" "Because it stays true to the characters of both worlds. Klaver can make what could be considered unbelievable, believable. Holmes is the perfect foil to give science fiction and fantasy ideas enough explanation and grounding to be considered real... Well worth picking up for any fan of fantastical Sherlock tales, but also would make a cheeky read for a Holmes purest looking for a little escapism that respects the sources." SF Book Review "Refreshingly original, inherently fascinating, impressively entertaining, deftly crafted, and a thoroughly compelling read from first page to last." Midwest Book Review "Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula has a 1940s' B-movie ring to it, but it's a sprightly romp paying tribute to the classics." "Peterborough Telegraph Review" "A supernatural mystery to shiver the timbers... Good page turning stuff." "Frost Magazine" "Sherlock Holmes & Count Dracula by Christian Klaver is the ultimate 'mash-up'." "Shots Magazine" "An incredibly imaginative new take on these characters, and Klaver not only brings a fresh spin to Holmes and Watson, but the Dracula mythos too. It establishes a bold new status quo for the world's greatest detective, one that I can't wait to see more of in future volumes." "Trans-scribe Review" "It is lovely to read a book and to realise that you must be having as much fun reading the story as the author had writing it. This is a fine addition to the fantasy world's take on Holmes. Curl up in a comfy chair on a dark night with a suitable beverage and enjoy yourself!" "Runalong the Shelves Review" Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker were friends and admired each other's work. I'm happy to think that both of them would have greatly enjoyed Christian Klaver's exuberant, reverent mashup of their two best-known characters. James Lovegrove, author of The Cthulhu Casebooks A great start to a new series. Klaver knows his Holmes - and his Dracula - and tells a compelling tale that will delight all fans of Holmes and things horrific. Eric Brown, author of The Martian Menace A scintillating mash-up of the two big names in Victorian mystery and horror... Put your feet up, light your pipe, pour yourself a nice cup of warm blood, and enjoy. Philip Purser-Hallard, author of Sherlock Holmes: The Vanishing Man I honestly couldn't put it down... You'll hold your breath, I promise. It's quite simply the most believable Holmes/fantasy crossover I've ever read Age of Steam What's most remarkable about this story is the degree of authenticity Klaver gives it-it reads just like a story by Doyle... exciting and refreshingly unpredictable Heath Lowrance

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Book Synopsis1903. A darkness has descended on London. A series of grisly murders are uncovered, trophies taken, bodies arranged and soon there are whispers of Jack the Ripper’s return. A new client arrives at Baker Street seeking Sherlock Holmes’s help: Dr Jekyll claims his friend has been wrongfully accused of the hideous crimes, a friend called Mr Edward Hyde, whose very existence relies on a potion administered by the doctor himself. But the case becomes more complicated, more unsettling than simply proving Mr Hyde’s innocence – for Holmes and Watson unearth beastly transformations, a killer who moves unseen, a secret organisation and then find a traitor in their midst….Trade Review"This is wonderful storytelling – bold; filled with energy and knowledge – which grabs the reader by the lapels of his or her smoking jacket and drags them merrily into the adventure. Doyle's voice is recaptured and slyly modernised. I can't wait to read the next instalment in what promises to be a supremely witty and dynamic sequence of stories." J.S. Barnes, author of "Dracula's Child" and "The City of Dr Moreau""Because it stays true to the characters of both worlds. Klaver can make what could be considered unbelievable, believable. Holmes is the perfect foil to give science fiction and fantasy ideas enough explanation and grounding to be considered real... Well worth picking up for any fan of fantastical Sherlock tales, but also would make a cheeky read for a Holmes purest looking for a little escapism that respects the sources.” SF Book Review"Refreshingly original, inherently fascinating, impressively entertaining, deftly crafted, and a thoroughly compelling read from first page to last." Midwest Book Review“Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula has a 1940s’ B-movie ring to it, but it’s a sprightly romp paying tribute to the classics.” "Peterborough Telegraph Review"“A supernatural mystery to shiver the timbers... Good page turning stuff.” "Frost Magazine"“Sherlock Holmes & Count Dracula by Christian Klaver is the ultimate ‘mash-up’.” "Shots Magazine"“An incredibly imaginative new take on these characters, and Klaver not only brings a fresh spin to Holmes and Watson, but the Dracula mythos too. It establishes a bold new status quo for the world's greatest detective, one that I can't wait to see more of in future volumes.” "Trans-scribe Review"“It is lovely to read a book and to realise that you must be having as much fun reading the story as the author had writing it. This is a fine addition to the fantasy world’s take on Holmes. Curl up in a comfy chair on a dark night with a suitable beverage and enjoy yourself!” "Runalong the Shelves Review"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker were friends and admired each other's work. I'm happy to think that both of them would have greatly enjoyed Christian Klaver's exuberant, reverent mashup of their two best-known characters. James Lovegrove, author of The Cthulhu CasebooksA great start to a new series. Klaver knows his Holmes – and his Dracula – and tells a compelling tale that will delight all fans of Holmes and things horrific. Eric Brown, author of The Martian MenaceA scintillating mash-up of the two big names in Victorian mystery and horror... Put your feet up, light your pipe, pour yourself a nice cup of warm blood, and enjoy. Philip Purser-Hallard, author of Sherlock Holmes: The Vanishing ManI honestly couldn’t put it down… You’ll hold your breath, I promise. It’s quite simply the most believable Holmes/fantasy crossover I’ve ever read Age of SteamWhat's most remarkable about this story is the degree of authenticity Klaver gives it–it reads just like a story by Doyle… exciting and refreshingly unpredictable Heath Lowrance

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Book Synopsis'This story has great depths of emotion, highs and lows, and I found it utterly gripping!' Christina Courtenay 'A deeply moving story of love in all its forms – I adored it' Mandy Baggot The secrets of the past won't remain hidden forever... Arthur Pettinger's memory isn't what it used to be. He can't always remember the names of his grandchildren, where he lives or which way round his slippers go. He does remember Maryse though, a woman he hasn't seen for decades, but whose face he will never forget. When Arthur's granddaughter, Maddy, moves in along with her daughter Esther, it's her first step towards pulling her life back together. But when Esther makes a video with Arthur, the hunt for the mysterious Maryse goes viral. There's only one person who can help Maddy track down this woman – the one that got away, Joe. Their quest takes them to France, and into the heart of the French Resistance. When the only way to move forwards is to look back, will this family finally be able to? Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Karen Swan and Lorna Cook What readers are saying about The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger: 'Five stars' Poppy Alexander 'Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author' NetGalley 5* Review 'This is a beautiful account that stops you dead in your tracks' NetGalley 5* Review 'This book is the love story to end all love stories... I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and I didn't want to put this book down' NetGalley 5* Review 'This book broke my heart in all the right places. OMG masterfully written... I could not put this down. Loved everything about this book. Happiness, tears, it had it all' NetGalley 5* Review 'What a read... Beautifully written with the depth and warmth of true love. I could not put this book down. Exceptionally intriguing' NetGalley 5* ReviewTrade ReviewA charming read * My Weekly *Imaginative and moving, Fortin's time-slip novel digs into the realities of living with Alzheimer's disease... Ageing, hope, loss, love and self-discovery are all here in this very special story' * Woman's Weekly *A special story * Woman *This is such a heart-warming and gentle story * National Federation of Occupational Pensioners Members' Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIt only takes one defeat to topple an empire. With Britain still in the grips of World War Two, Georgina Garrett has her own battles to fight. She has made many enemies over the years, and with every victory she's only grown stronger. But following a bitter betrayal, Georgina must find a way to claw herself out of the depths of despair and back to the top position within London's criminal underworld. She'll do whatever it takes to secure her freedom and defeat those who'd rather to see her dead. Rivals beware: Georgina is back. And this Siren is ready for business – and ravenous for revenge.

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Book SynopsisShe's out of retirement – and out for revenge When Georgina Garrett wakes in the night to find intruders in her house, she knows she must do everything she can to keep her children safe. But just when she thinks the ordeal is over, she realises something is terribly wrong. She arrives at her crime-lord husband David Maynard's London house to find a bloodbath. Six of David's best men lie dead and he is nowhere to be found. Georgina may have walked away from the game but she's still the best player on the street. Now, she will stop at nothing to get her husband back and to make whoever took him pay for ever daring to set foot in her town. 'Terrific – read it and be hooked!' - bestselling author Jessie Keane on Trickster Readers are loving RAVEN! 'Fast moving, gritty and not for the faint hearted' 5* Review 'Another fantastic episode in the series' 5* Review 'Yet another amazing book by Sam Michaels' 5* Review 'Gritty, violent, edge-of-your-seat tension. The end – phew!' 5* Review 'This is a BRILLIANT book and Sam's fans will love it. Worthy of more than 5 stars!' 5* ReviewTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR TRICKSTER: 'A must-read! Captivating and fast-paced, this book is a real page-turner that I highly recommend' Sunday Times bestselling author, Kitty Neale. 'A terrific debut – read it and be hooked!' -- Jessie Keane, bestselling author of Lawless

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Book SynopsisBeset on all sides, time is running out: to solve the case, and to save his future...Harry Probert-Lloyd has inherited the estate of Glanteifi and appointed his assistant John as under-steward. But his true vocation, to be coroner, is under threat. Against his natural instincts, Harry must campaign if he is to be voted as coroner permanently.On the hustings, Harry and John are called to examine the body of Nicholas Rowland, a pioneering schoolteacher whose death may not be the accident it first appeared. What was Rowland’s real relationship with his eccentric patron, Miss Gwatkyn? And why does Harry’s rival for the post of coroner deny knowing him? Harry’s determination to uncover the truth threatens to undermine both his campaign and his career.An unputdownable Victorian historical crime thriller, perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop, Andrew Taylor and Ambrose Parry.Praise for Alis Hawkins'Beautifully written, cunningly plotted, with one of the most interesting central characters' E. S. Thomson'The most interesting crime creation of the year' Phil Rickman

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Book Synopsis'Unputdownable ... I was blown away' Angus Donald, bestselling author of the Outlaw ChroniclesTwo kings. Two nations. One crown. The start of an epic historical espionage series by master authors A.J. Mackenzie.1328. After years of civil unrest between England and France, Charles IV dies, leaving no apparent heir. His closest heir to the throne is Edward III of England, but it passes instead to Charles' cousin, Phillip, spurring both countries on to war.1346. Landing at Normandy, Edward's immense army makes inroads into French territory, burning everything in their path. But the mysterious assassination of an English knight reveals a terrible truth: there is a traitor in their midst. The king charges Simon Merrivale, the Prince of Wales’ herald, with solving the case.As the army marches on towards its destiny, at the awesome scenes of the Battle of Crécy, Simon will uncover a conspiracy that goes to the heart of the warring nations. Among the ashes and the rubble, their fate will be decided: on the battlefield... and in the shadows.A scintillating medieval adventure of warfare and espionage, steeped in years of research, perfect for fans of David Gilman and Conn Iggulden.Praise for A Flight of Arrows Like one of those exquisite tapestries with interlacing strands in an array of vivid colour [...] a truly enthralling account of the events leading up to Crécy. Compulsory reading for all who enjoy that most fascinating period of English history' Paul Doherty, author of The Nightingale Gallery'Fast-paced, action-packed and full of adventure [...] one of the best reads this year' Parmenion Books'A rip-roaring story and devilish plot with outstanding historical detail [...] Mackenzie has created a character who will surely take his place in the canon of historical literary detectives' C. B. Hanley, author of the Mediaeval Mysteries series'Espionage, treachery and long-buried sins come to the fore in the blood-stained fields of fourteenth-century Normandy. A compelling story of courage and betrayal - I loved it' Katherine Stansfield, author of the Cornish Mystery series

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Book SynopsisA city, gripped in the fear of terrifying crimes, will be pushed to breaking point.London, 1914. A killer is at liberty in the dark alleys of the city. His victims have one thing in common: all the blood has been drained from their bodies. Who could do such a thing – and why would he want his victims’ blood?As the killer’s reign of terror continues, Detective Inspector Silas Quinn of Scotland Yard’s Special Crimes department realises that, in order to catch his prey, he must learn to think like the killer himself.His search will take him through London’s squalid back streets, seedy Soho haunts and louche aristocratic watering holes, all in pursuit of a truly twisted individual.First in an absolutely gripping historical mystery series, perfect for fans of Abir Mukherjee, S. G. MacLean and Rory Clements.Praise for R. N. Morris‘Morris launches a new series with this superior whodunnit’ Publishers Weekly‘A challenging, utterly fascinating read’ Booklist‘Quinn’s passion for justice makes for an engrossing and disquieting Sherlockian entry’ Library Journal

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Book SynopsisDetective Inspector Silas Quinn investigates one of the strangest cases of his career...London, 1914. Called out to investigate the murder of an employee of the House of Brackley, an upmarket Kensington department store, Silas finds himself investigating one of the most bizarre cases of his career. For the chief murder suspect is a monkey.One of the store’s fashion models has been found dead on her bed, strangled with a red silk scarf. The room is locked from the inside, the only other occupant being a monkey in a red fez hat.While he is sceptical of the theory that the monkey is the killer, Quinn suspects it holds the key to the mystery. But where has it disappeared to? And how will he ever get to the truth when faced with the maelstrom of resentment and thwarted passion that is the mannequin house?A thrill-a-minute historical mystery full of intrigue, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, S. G. MacLean and Abir Mukherjee.Praise for R. N. Morris‘A classic whodunnit plot with emotion and psychological depth’ Publishers Weekly‘A challenging, utterly fascinating read’ Booklist‘His sense of the historical moment is strong’ Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis‘An incredible debut’ MEL SHERRATTShe is wanted by the FBI.She is a stone-cold killer.She remembers nothing.She is told her name is Reeta Doe, and that she’s been in an accident. That she’s in Florida. That the FBI have been following her since Mississippi. That she has brutally murdered two women. College girls, who look just like her. Two more are missing, and one survived.Reeta recalls nothing. She cannot answer their questions; all the things they want her to explain are no more familiar to her than the prison she is taken to.Her only hope is a journalist named Carol, who can follow the trail of devastation Reeta left in her wake.All the way back to Pine Ranch, and the only family she ever knew.An astonishing debut crime novel, exploring identity and nature versus nurture, with an unforgettable character at its heart. Perfect for fans of Girl A and The Girls.Praise for After Everything You Did‘What an incredible debut. A story with characters that really got under my skin, told with compassion and intrigue. I was outraged, fascinated and heartbroken at the same time.’ Mel Sherratt, author of The Life She Wants‘Richly detailed and atmospheric, the carefully woven strands quickly pulled me into Reeta’s story, towards an ending that was both chilling and heart-breaking. An exciting debut, I can’t wait to read what Stephanie Sowden does next.’ Louisa Scarr, author of Last Place You Look‘Absorbing and horrifying – I was gripped from the first page’ Marion Todd, author of Next in Line‘A powerful psychological thriller debut… Sowden pulls off a great twist towards the end of the book to tie all the diverse strands together, which does come as a major but welcome surprise. A most assured debut that grips like a vice and bodes well for Sowden’s future.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time‘This savage, harrowing read will keep you on the edge of your seat.’ Woman’s Own‘The perfect thriller. This book has an incredible story and the perfectly drawn main character makes it even better. I would highly recommend it, I really enjoyed the pacing and the ending.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A wonderful suspense debut novel! … I couldn’t put it down … Hugely gripping, shocking and incredibly tense! This book made me feel real chills! The twists are incredible, and it’s quite scary how realistic the book feels, how it could happen.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This was such a good read, it had me gripped right from the beginning and kept me compelled to read it the whole way through, I read it in one sitting. It was tense, fast and suspenseful and full of unpredictability and twists. I loved it.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘After Everything You Did is a gripping, emotional, powerful thriller. It is a book that I will continue to think about long after having finished it.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Stephanie has done an incredible job in delivering not only a complex plot and well-rounded characters but presenting such an unexpected ending that it will be a strong after-effect that lingers long after you have finished the book. A 5 star read! I cannot wait to read more from this author.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘After Everything You Did had me hooked on the very first page. I loved the premise and thought that the characters were well written… I am excited to see what she does next.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisNo clues, and everyone’s a suspect…Agatha Kyteler, regarded as a witch by her superstitious neighbours, has no shortage of enemies. But when her body is found frozen and mutilated in a hedge one wintry morning, there seem to be no clues as to who could be responsible.Until a local youth runs away and the hue and cry is raised…Sir Baldwin Furnshill, Keeper of the King’s Peace, is not convinced of the youth’s guilt, and he manages to persuade his close friend Simon Puttock to help him with the investigation. As they endeavour to find the true culprit, the darker, sinister side of the village begins to emerge.A chilling, incredibly compelling historical mystery from a legend of the genre, perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and C. J. Sansom.Praise for Michael Jecks‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom‘Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit’ Robert Low‘The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels’ The Times

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Book SynopsisScandal, murder and treason… Athelstan and Cranston are back with a bang.Winter, 1379. French privateers are attacking the southern coast and threaten London itself, the very heart of the nation.The situation becomes dire when an English flotilla of warships, with the colossal God’s Bright Light among them, drops anchor in the Thames; during the first night, the entire watch of the ship disappears without a trace.The series of murderous and strange incidents leads to Sir John and Brother Athelstan being summoned to resolve the mysteries on board the ill-omened warship. Their investigations uncover some shocking truths – and they find themselves in the thick of a bloody battle on the Thames.A gripping and suspenseful historical mystery with plenty of action, perfect for fans of Michael Jecks, S. G. MacLean and Susanna Gregory.

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Book SynopsisA brutal murderer, a house of assassins, a devil incarnate...It’s the Spring of 1380 and the Regent John of Gaunt needs money and supplies for his war against the French.Unfortunately, the members of parliament at Westminster are proving especially stubborn – and the Regent’s cause is not aided when some representatives from the shire of Shrewsbury are foully murdered.John of Gaunt orders Sir John Cranston, along with his trusty ally Brother Athelstan, to find the assassin before he loses every chance of obtaining the taxes he requires, before more innocent people are found dead.An absolutely scintillating historical mystery, perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and S. G. MacLean.

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Book SynopsisAmongst the scholars, secrets and soporifics of Victorian Oxford, the truth can be a bitter pill to swallow…Jesus College, Oxford, 1881. An undergraduate is found dead at his lodgings and the medical examination reveals some shocking findings. When the young man’s guardian blames the college for his death and threatens a scandal, Basil Rice, a Jesus College fellow with a secret to hide, is forced to act and finds himself drawn into Sidney Parker’s sad life.The mystery soon attracts the attention of Rhiannon ‘Non’ Vaughan, a young Welsh polymath and one of the young women newly admitted to university lectures. But when neither the college principal nor the powerful ladies behind Oxford’s new female halls will allow her to become involved, Non’s fierce intelligence and determination to prove herself drive her on.Both misfits at the university, Non and Basil form an unlikely partnership, and it soon falls to them to investigate the mysterious circumstances of Parker’s death. But between corporate malfeasance and snake-oil salesmen, they soon find the dreaming spires of Oxford are not quite what they seem…An intriguing first installment of The Oxford Mysteries series by master crime writer, Alis Hawkins. Perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, S.G. MacLean and Kaite Welsh.Praise for A Bitter Remedy ‘An excellent historical mystery dripping with atmosphere that exposes the chauvinism, misogyny and bigotry of late Victorian England’ The Times‘Her inventiveness is prodigal’ Financial Times‘Fearlessly tackles taboo attitudes of the era, taking aim at misogyny, homophobia, and sexual politics. An excellent addition to the historical mystery canon. Marvellous!’ Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar House‘A Bitter Remedy is a perfect tonic for our times.’ S. G. MacLean author of The Seeker‘Absolutely brilliant! Thoughtful, complex and engrossing’ Chris Lloyd, author of The Unwanted Dead‘A superb atmospheric mystery to the last page’ Rachel Lynch, author of Dark Game‘I can’t wait for Non and Basil’s next case!’ Katherine Stansfield author of Falling Creatures

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Book SynopsisWhy should the devil have all the best tunes?''Themes of inequality, forbidden love and personal responsibility weave through a fast-paced narrative in which the location plays a key part. Nation CymruThe Salvation Army has come prancing and singing from the slums of London to the poorest quarters of Oxford, but along with its red hot gospel preaching and music hall songs it brings a prohibition message which sparks immediate opposition and violence.An Army soldier an ex-drunk is brutally killed and a note suggests that the Salvation Army's shadowy enemy, the Skeleton Army, is responsible.With the police unwilling to come between the two forces, Non Vaughan, aspiring journalist and great hope of the Oxford women's college movement, and Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow and union-sanctioned guardian of the dead man's family, are compelled to investigate.But as the threats from both sides

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Book SynopsisThe only way to win this murderer’s deadly game… is to play along.Summer, 1380. Brutal and sudden death is not uncommon in the foul alleys and streets of London. The corpse of a clerk has been pulled from the Thames. They drowned, but not before receiving a vicious blow to the back of the head.Then Bartholomew Drayton, a usurer and money-lender, is found dead in his strongroom, a crossbow bolt firmly embedded in his chest: a real mystery because the windowless strongroom was locked and barred from the inside. So who killed him? And how? And are the deaths connected?Sir John Cranston comes to survey the scene. When other clerks are murdered, each with a riddle pinned to his corpse, Cranston enlists the help of Brother Athelstan – and together they must pit their wits against a deadly adversary bent on murder and mayhem.Another thrilling historical mystery from a true master of the genre, perfect for fans of S. G. MacLean, S. J. Parris and C. J. Sansom.

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Book SynopsisUncover the traitor. End what you started.Rejoining the English army laying siege to Calais, Simon Merrivale discovers that the conspiracy against the thrones of England and France has regrouped and gathered force. New allies have joined their ranks, including a dark secret society known as the Pilgrims, and the Holy Roman Empire and the Knights of Saint John have also been drawn in. Ambush and murder in the war-torn fields of Flanders, clandestine meetings in ruined castles and assassination attempts in the streets of Bruges and Paris all follow, as Merrivale relentlessly hunts the conspirators, in an attempt to finally reveal the turncoat at its heart.The awe-inspiring finale to the Hundred Years’ War series, perfect for fans of Andrew Taylor, Bernard Cornwell and C. J. Sansom.

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Book Synopsis‘An incredible debut’ MEL SHERRATTShe is wanted by the FBI.She is a stone-cold killer.She remembers nothing.She is told her name is Reeta Doe, and that she’s been in an accident. That she’s in Florida. That the FBI have been following her since Mississippi. That she has brutally murdered two women. College girls, who look just like her. Two more are missing, and one survived.Reeta recalls nothing. She cannot answer their questions; all the things they want her to explain are no more familiar to her than the prison she is taken to.Her only hope is a journalist named Carol, who can follow the trail of devastation Reeta left in her wake.All the way back to Pine Ranch, and the only family she ever knew.An astonishing debut crime novel, exploring identity and nature versus nurture, with an unforgettable character at its heart. Perfect for fans of Girl A and The Girls.Praise for After Everything You Did‘What an incredible debut. A story with characters that really got under my skin, told with compassion and intrigue. I was outraged, fascinated and heartbroken at the same time.’ Mel Sherratt, author of The Life She Wants‘Richly detailed and atmospheric, the carefully woven strands quickly pulled me into Reeta’s story, towards an ending that was both chilling and heart-breaking. An exciting debut, I can’t wait to read what Stephanie Sowden does next.’ Louisa Scarr, author of Last Place You Look‘Absorbing and horrifying – I was gripped from the first page’ Marion Todd, author of Next in Line‘A powerful psychological thriller debut… Sowden pulls off a great twist towards the end of the book to tie all the diverse strands together, which does come as a major but welcome surprise. A most assured debut that grips like a vice and bodes well for Sowden’s future.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time‘This savage, harrowing read will keep you on the edge of your seat.’ Woman’s Own‘The perfect thriller. This book has an incredible story and the perfectly drawn main character makes it even better. I would highly recommend it, I really enjoyed the pacing and the ending.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A wonderful suspense debut novel! … I couldn’t put it down … Hugely gripping, shocking and incredibly tense! This book made me feel real chills! The twists are incredible, and it’s quite scary how realistic the book feels, how it could happen.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This was such a good read, it had me gripped right from the beginning and kept me compelled to read it the whole way through, I read it in one sitting. It was tense, fast and suspenseful and full of unpredictability and twists. I loved it.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘After Everything You Did is a gripping, emotional, powerful thriller. It is a book that I will continue to think about long after having finished it.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Stephanie has done an incredible job in delivering not only a complex plot and well-rounded characters but presenting such an unexpected ending that it will be a strong after-effect that lingers long after you have finished the book. A 5 star read! I cannot wait to read more from this author.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘After Everything You Did had me hooked on the very first page. I loved the premise and thought that the characters were well written… I am excited to see what she does next.’ NetGalley Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisHe only sought the truth. But some truths are best left buried. Wrexham, 1876. Meet Alfred Neobard Palmer, an unlikely hero. "It was a death which had brought him here. Death by snake venom, of all things." Palmer - and his more courageous sweetheart, young Ettie Francis. A series of accidental deaths which increasingly seem - well, more than simply accidental. Deaths luring Palmer and Ettie, slowly but surely, towards a terrifying climax through the treacherous waters of the North Wales coast. But can those deaths truly be linked to the huge coverlet on display at Wrexham's magnificent Art Treasures Exhibition? A patchwork of images both biblical and bewitching. And is there, literally, blood among the coverlet's threads? A glittering mystery by award-winning author David Ebsworth. "David Ebsworth's immersive body of work demonstrates a keen eye for historical detail." (Vaseem Khan, best-selling author and Chair of the UK Crime Writers' Association)Trade Review"David Ebsworth's immersive body of work demonstrates a keen eye for historical detail." (Vaseem Khan, best-selling author and Chair of the UK Crime Writers' Association)

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Book SynopsisAlfred and Ettie Palmer are back. But better to let sleeping dogs lie. The thrilling sequel to 'Blood Among The Threads'.

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Book SynopsisJanuary, 1348. They say bad things come in threes... The day after an earthquake and tsunami have ravaged Venice, Malin Le Cordier, a successful English maritime trader, sails into the city with plans to mature a coup on behalf of Edward III and Genoa. His time? Short. His guilt? Strong. Keeping the coup a secret from those he loves most weighs heavy on his soul. But Venice is a place with secrets and revenge flows through the city like its canals. For his sake and those he is bound to, it is best he learn to navigate it. And quickly. Unbeknownst to Malin, there is someone powerful in the city who seeks revenge on Edward III on behalf of his family. Well-situated, he operates under covert circumstances, monitoring Malin’s every move - and playing his own long game, merely waiting for the perfect time to strike. Combining greed and guilt, revenge and undeclared love, this is one trip that Malin may not live to regret.

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Book SynopsisTHEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE, 24 April 1708. A performance of Macbeth is under way when disaster strikes and the stage becomes a scene of elemental chaos – and for Widow Trotter and her friends at the Bay-Tree Chocolate House, a new adventure begins, involving murder, poison, fire, and a rogue elephant . . . Devoted fans of Chocolate House Treason will welcome this second novel in the Chocolate House Mysteries series, which captures all the energies of the early eighteenth-century theatre. We move among the eccentric characters of the Theatre Royal company, in Drury Lane and at the exuberant May Fair where the actors moonlight in the fairground booths. The puritanical reformers are determined to close the theatre and abolish the Fair, and ‘accidents’ begin to happen – but Mary Trotter and her friends at the Bay-Tree are determined to expose the conspiracy, and the action reaches its climax at the Fair when the players are faced with the ultimate act of terror. Once again, David Fairer offers the delights of the classic eighteenth-century novel, intricately weaving a murder mystery with authentic history, and bringing the London of Queen Anne to life.

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Book Synopsis** A TELEGRAPH BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR ** 'Nattrass's best yet' - S.G. MACLEAN 'Wonderfully evocative' - DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Authentic and relentlessly pageturning' - SUNDAY EXPRESS 1796. A rigged election. A town at war. A murderer at large... Disgraced former Foreign Office clerk Laurence Jago and his larger-than-life employer the journalist William Philpott have escaped America - and Philpott's near imprisonment for libel - by the skin of their teeth. They return to Laurence's home town of Helston, Cornwall, in the hope of rest and recuperation, but instead find themselves in the middle of a tumultuous election that has the inhabitants of the town at one another's throats. Only two men may vote in this rotten borough, and when one of them dies in suspicious circumstances, Laurence is ordered to investigate on behalf of the town's patron, his old master the Duke of Leeds. But it is no easy matter, thanks to the machinations of the rival political factions, not to mention the riotous performances of Toby the Sapient Hog. Then the second elector is poisoned and suspicion turns on the town doctor, the gentle Pythagoras Jago, Laurence's own cousin. Suddenly Laurence finds himself ensnared in generations of bad blood and petty rivalries, with his cousin's fate in his hands... The new page-turning historical mystery from the author of Black Drop, a 2021 Times Book of the Year, and Blue Water, a Waterstones Thriller of the Month. Perfect for readers of Andrew Taylor, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S.J. Parris. 'An enjoyable read' - THE TIMES 'Wonderfully witty' - ROBERT J. LLOYDTrade ReviewGloriously entertaining... Authentic and relentlessly pageturning, Scarlet Town provides fresh proof of its author's talent for setting a gripping murder mystery against a detailed backdrop of 18th-century society, and it further enhances her reputation as a first-class writer * Sunday Express *Wonderfully evocative * Telegraph *Leonora Nattrass transports the reader to 18th-century Cornwall and corrupt electioneering in a divided town... Writing with panache, Nattrass reminds us that rotten boroughs are hardly a new phenomenon. * Financial Times *As enjoyable a read as her earlier novels * Sunday Times *Nattrass is so at home with the history, customs and language of her chosen period that she bring a relaxed credibility to this tale of public and private malfeasance * Literary Review *I absolutely loved Scarlet Town... It is [Nattrass's] best yet - the characters and the story and setting are all just brilliant -- S.G. MacLean, author of THE BOOKSELLER OF INVERNESSThis gets my vote! Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie in this cleverly plotted tale of courtship, poison, and electoral shenanigans. The characters and their dialogue, as ever with Leonora Nattrass, are wonderfully witty -- Robert J. Lloyd, author of THE BLOODLESS BOYI can't get enough of Nattrass's Laurence Jago series, and Scarlet Town is another fantastic instalment! With a setting and characters that leap off the page, Scarlet Town is an immersive and delightful read that I absolutely whizzed through. A brilliantly entertaining historical crime caper - I loved it -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIESAn elegant, richly detailed, historical joy! Wonderful to be reunited with diffident 'hero' Laurence Jago, his green spectacles and his slyly amusing commentary -- Kate Griffin, author of FYNESHADEA brilliant addition to the Laurence Jago series, an election in an 18th Century Cornish town where only two people can vote and one of them dies... I loved it -- J.B. Mylet, author of THE HOMES

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Book Synopsis‘A true master of British crime writing’ RICHARD OSMAN Rachel Savernake investigates a bizarre locked-room puzzle in this delicious Gothic mystery from the winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger. England, 1930. Journalist Nell Fagan is on the trail of a bizarre mystery: in 1606, a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in Blackstone Fell, a remote Yorkshire village. Three hundred years later, it happened again. Days after confiding in sleuth Rachel Savernake, Nell herself disappears. In search for answers, and determined to bring an end to the disappearances, Rachel travels to the lonely Yorkshire village, with its eerie moor and sinister tower. But Rachel must be careful – with all of these people going missing, there’s every chance she will be taken too... For anyone who loves a dazzling mystery, Blackstone Fell explores the shadowy borderlands between the spiritual and scientific, between sanity and madness, and between virtue and deadly sin. 'Martin Edwards celebrates and satirises the genre with wit and affection... He leaves you wanting more.' THE TIMES 'Suspects abound in the book’s wonderfully labyrinthine plot, and the brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character.' WASHINGTON POST 'Perfect for those who love a locked-room mystery... with a wonderful golden age of crime feel.' BELFAST TELEGRAPH 'Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime.' DAILY MAIL 'Ingeniously plotted and racily told... Blackstone Fell is more or less impossible to put down – this is Edwards on the top of his form.' DOROTHY L SAYERS SOCIETY BULLETINTrade ReviewLeaves you wanting more * The Times *Perfect for those who love a locked-room mystery . . . [with] a wonderful golden age of crime feel * Belfast Telegraph *The plot is intricate but never less than compelling. Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime * Daily Mail *A fascinating novel, with an enigmatic protagonist and a complex, intriguing plot... The books have the authenticity of the author's detailed knowledge of the period, plus a darkly clever plot, set in a sinister, brooding landscape. Blackstone Fell is a page turner which I wholeheartedly recommend * Promoting Crime Fiction *'Ingeniously plotted and racily told . . . Blackstone Fell is more or less impossible to put down – this is Edwards on the top of his form.' * Dorothy L Sayers Society Bulletin *An irresistible Gothic thriller . . . Edwards' book keeps you gripped to the very end * Yorkshire Life *A page-turning dark drama full of murder, secrecy, adultery and a compelling locked-room mystery . . . [with] Sherlockian reminiscences in its lead character * Historical Novel Review *Suspects abound in the book’s wonderfully labyrinthine plot, and the brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character. * The Washington Post *

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Book Synopsis'Martin Edwards is a true master of British crime writing' Richard Osman ‘Highly recommended, with a touch of the gothic’ Ann Cleeves How can you solve a murder before it's happened? 'This is my challenge for you,' the woman in white said. 'I want you to solve my murder.' London, 1930s: Rachel Savernake is attending renowned artist Damaris Gethin’s latest exhibition, featuring live models who pose as famous killers. But that’s just the warm-up act... Unsure why she was invited, Rachel is soon cornered by the artist who asks her a haunting favour: she wants Rachel to solve her murder. Damaris then takes to the stage set with a guillotine, the lights go out – and Damaris executes herself. Why would Damaris take her own life? And, if she died by her own hand, what did she mean by ‘solve my murder’? There are many questions to answer, and the clues are there for those daring enough to solve them... Rachel Savernake faces her most puzzling murder yet in this glamorous gothic mystery from the winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman. Praise for Martin Edwards: 'Martin Edwards celebrates and satirises the genre with wit and affection... He leaves you wanting more.' The Times 'The brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character.' Washington Post 'Ingeniously plotted and racily told...This is Edwards on the top of his form.' Dorothy L Sayers Society Bulletin 'Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime.' Daily Mail ‘Reads as if Ruth Rendell were channelling Edgar Wallace.’ Mick HerronTrade ReviewMartin Edwards is a true master of British crime writing. * Richard Osman *In treating us to what is as much a thriller as a traditional mystery, Edwards hits all the right notes to create a palpable hit. * Daily Mail *Highly recommended, with a touch of the gothic. * Ann Cleeves *The settings are atmospheric and the writing enjoyable – in short, this book is a classic crime treat * Promoting Crime Fiction *PRAISE FOR MARTIN EDWARDS: 'Edwards has managed, brilliantly, to combined a Golden Age setting with a pace that is bang up-to-date.' Peter James. 'Superb – a pitch-perfect blend of Golden Age charm and sinister modern suspense, with a main character to die for. This is the book Edwards was born to write.' Lee Child. 'Liberally spiced with mystery, suspense and action... A thoroughly gripping read.' -- Peter Robinson

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