Historical crime and mysteries

Book SynopsisA Times 'Best New Thriller' for May 2022 'Enthralling ... Sharp dialogue and flashes of dry wit' Financial Times 'Ben Creed has a genuine gift for conjuring up Stalin's Leningrad in all its beauty and misery' The Times 'A cleverly constructed thriller' Sunday Times 'A fantastically tense atmosphere ... A spine-tingling page-turner' The Sun ___________Leningrad, winter 1952. An invisible killer known as Koshchei – a nightmare of Slavic folklore – stalks the streets, leaving a distinctive and gruesome mark upon its victims.Three thousand kilometres away in a Gulag labour colony, threatened by the vicious criminals who rule the camp and tormented by the Arctic cold, former militia lieutenant Revol Rossel is close to death.But then a brutal saviour descends from the skies: the state security interrogator who years ago ruined his life is back, tasking Rossel with tracking down the murderer.As the hunt continues, the two men uncover riddle after riddle, including a clue to finding a weapon of unimaginable power – a weapon the Kremlin's scheming plotters will kill for...Trade Review'A cleverly constructed thriller' * Sunday Times. *'A fantastically tense atmosphere, thickly spread with historical detail, makes this a spine-tingling page-turner' * The Sun *'Enthralling ... The dark story is leavened with sharp dialogue and flashes of dry wit' * Financial Times *'Ben Creed has a genuine gift for conjuring up Stalin's Leningrad in all its beauty and misery' * The Times *PRAISE FOR CITY OF GHOSTS: 'A highly assured and entertaining debut ... Martin Cruz Smith's Gorky Park [...] may have a true heir' The Times. 'A worthy successor to Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko ... A fine and often moving thriller' Financial Times. 'Reminded me of Gorky Park, only I liked this tense, complex thriller even better' James Patterson. 'Gripping ... An excellent start to a new historical crime series' -- Vaseem Khan

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Book Synopsis'A haunting, gripping, deeply atmospheric novel' - Emma Stonex 'What a storyteller . . . masterful' - Donal Ryan 'Beautiful, compelling and exquisitely told. This story will haunt me' - Ruth Hogan 'To be savoured long after the last page' - Leonora Nattrass 'A master craftswoman. I am in awe at this novel's brilliance' - Louisa Treger 'A stylish, evocative novel from a born storyteller' - Sunday Independent Science and faith collide against tumultuous 20th-century Ireland in this heart-wrenching historical novel, perfect for fans of Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell. ___________Bestowed with the graces. Condemned by a secret. Redeemed by a lie.Dublin, 1918. Rosaleen Moore: The Rose. A seer and a healer.Revered by popular spiritualists and sought after for her gifts of prophecy and healing by fashionable society, the mighty of Dublin Castle and mercurial political agitators alike, her last extraordinary prophecy will only see her legend grow.On the anniversary of her death, pilgrims walk the Way of the Rose: to St. Kilian's Abbey and its bell tower which so lured the Rose in life. Although a shrine, the bell tower has seen tragedy – a heinous crime to which the monastery's once-beloved Abbot, now imprisoned, has confessed.Then emerges a deathbed revelation by Rosaleen Moore which casts doubt on the Abbot's word.The Rose has a different tale to tell . . . ___________PRAISE FOR SIOHAN MACGOWAN:'Keeps the reader hooked to the end' - The Times'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' - Irish Independent'An enthralling drama' - Best'A sweeping, heart-breaking quest for justice' - Fiona Looney'A tale told with such ominous beauty. Lotta will stay with me forever' - Chas Newkey-Burden'Weaves historical fact with an engaging and page-turning plot' - Sinead Moriarty'This is a sit-down-and-do-not-get-up-until-you've-finished read' - Belfast Telegraph'A brilliant tale' - Sunday Business Post'A gripping story of injustice, intrigue and revenge set at the turn of the 20th century' - Irish TimesTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR SIOBHAN MacGOWAN: 'Keeps the reader hooked to the end' The Times. 'A masterclass in storytelling' Donal Ryan. 'Utterly absorbing and vividly realised' Irish Independent. 'An enthralling drama' Best Magazine. 'A brilliant tale' * Sunday Business Post *

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Book SynopsisCaptain Hazard’s Game, third in the Chocolate House Mysteries series, conjures up the vibrant life of early eighteenth-century gamesters and money-men, a world of deception where risk could bring huge rewards – especially when you turned the stock-market by false news or shortened the odds by cheating. It was a scene where all was in hazard and life lived on the edge. The book weaves its classic murder mystery around actual events of October 1708, and we move among a rich cast of characters, both in Vandernan’s gaming-house, Covent Garden, and the notorious Exchange Alley. Playing Captain Hazard’s Game brings murder and scandal uncomfortably close, and Widow Trotter and her friends at the Bay-Tree are drawn into a frenzied game of chance and speculation at a time when the market was unregulated. Fortunes were made overnight, and ruin could descend in a single hour. People played for the highest stakes, and men of power manipulated things for their own ends. In this book the chocolate house itself comes under threat as Mary Trotter, with help from her young friends Tom and Will, struggles to find the truth behind an ingenious system of deception. Once again, she presides over the novel, as she does over the Bay-Tree, with good humour, fierce integrity, and resolute determination.

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1725. Criminal gangs rule everyday life on the streets, and an organised police force is decades away. The self-proclaimed ‘Thief Taker’, William Dempsey, plays the legal system, prosecuting thieves and manipulating witnesses; all while running a criminal empire of his own. Battling against the demons of his past and rival gangsters, the Thief Taker fights to maintain control of the streets, aided by his most loyal lieutenant and a prominent Madam. But who can you trust when your empire is built on deceit and betrayal? And how long is it before your enemies discover your weaknesses, and the politicians strike back? An historical thriller where Peaky Blinders meets Moll Flanders, in early Georgian London.

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Book SynopsisIt is the year 832, and a torrent of crime is sweeping through the Kingdom of the East Angles. The cattle upon which folk depend for milk, meat and muscle are being slaughtered in droves by unknown killers and left to the wolves. Theft can be understood, but this wanton destruction of the kingdom’s lifeblood is unnerving rich and poor alike. The new ealdorman persuades two of the most powerful families in the kingdom to end an age-old feud and unite, through marriage, against the unseen foe. The pact is precarious and would have many enemies, so it is organised in secret. The bishop despatches a young, inexperienced priest, Father Eadred, to conduct the ceremony. His decision will expose Eadred to terrible risks. The skies open and floods leach murder victims from the earth. More killings will take place. Eadred is drawn into helping uncover the mind and the purpose behind the wave of death and destruction. He faces dangers in the world of men and from the spirit realm, but brings the conflict to a head in court and in battle. But has Eadred found all of the culprits?

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Book SynopsisDiscover Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson through the eyes of those who knew them best. From familiar faces like Mrs Hudson to minor characters like Lomax the sub-librarian, Observations by Gaslight – told through diaries, telegrams, and even grocery lists – paints a masterful portrait of Holmes and Watson as you have never seen them before. See Irene Adler team up with her former adversary in an eerie and near-deadly enquiry. Learn of the case that cemented the friendship between Holmes and Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. And witness Stanley Hopkins' first meeting with the remote logician he idolizes. Lyndsay Faye, two-time Edgar Award nominee, debuted with Dust and Shadow, her much-admired novel pitting Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper. Now Faye is back with a thrilling volume of new and previously published short stories and novellas narrated by those who knew the Great Detective best. Reviewers on Observations by Gaslight: 'Faye is an expert on all things Sherlockian, she has unparalleled flair.' CrimeReads 'Meat and drink for fans of the Canon of the Sacred Writings.' KirkusTrade ReviewLyndsay Faye, one of the most exhilarating voices in fiction today, has come home to Baker Street in this essential new collection. Read at once if convenient – if inconvenient read all the same -- Daniel StashowerUnlike any Holmes collection I have ever read [...] Observations by Gaslight is so authentic and real that readers will practically be able to see the dark smoke billowing from the chimney tops and smell the lamplighter's oil as he lights each gaslight in London. Faye is brilliant and makes me wish I had thought of this idea first! * Bookreporter *Faye is an expert on all things Sherlockian, she has unparalleled flair. You think you know Lomax the sub-librarian? Well, THINK AGAIN * CrimeReads *Nuance, wit, and clever plotting make this a superior version of George Mann's Associates of Sherlock Holmes anthologies. Sherlockians will clamor for a sequel * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Meat and drink for fans of the Canon of the Sacred Writings * Kirkus Reviews *An enjoyable read... Fun to dip in-and-out when there isn't time to settle down with a full-scale novel * The Sherlock Holmes Society *

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Book SynopsisAn atmospheric, intricately plotted new mystery in which Sherlock Holmes and Henry Vernier race to catch a villainous murderer at large in the Vatican and Rome. Sherlock Holmes and Henry Vernier are visiting Rome on a diplomatic mission when the Pope asks the world's greatest detective to help find a stolen relic: the forefinger of "doubting" Saint Thomas. But when the relic is quickly and mysteriously returned, and all seems to be easily resolved, the forefinger is stolen again in a brutal attack. Holmes and Vernier must follow the trail of a sacrilegious murderer through the streets of Rome and the halls of the Vatican, uncovering dark ties between members of the church and an Italian crime family.Trade Review"This clever mystery is further proof that Siciliano is one of the best contemporary pasticheurs." - Publishers Weekly starred review (on The Venerable Tiger). "The spirit and tone of the classic Holmes adventures are alive and well in this instalment... If you are a Holmes fan looking for some new adventures with the Great Detective, The Venerable Tiger is one to pick up!" - The Crime Review (on The Venerable Tiger). "The tone is Holmesian to the last detail, with the reader swept along to a satisfying ending. A fine addition to the Holmes canon." - Library Journal "Siciliano's tale... is wonderfully atmospheric and moves briskly." - Publishers Weekly "he [familiar] tale seems fresher and deeper, thanks both to the invigorating presence of Holmes and Vernier and to the wealth of marvellous detail, especially on the Paris Opera House itself." - Booklist (on The Angel of the Opera).

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Book SynopsisSet in Victorian England, this gothic thriller follows a journalist and clergyman as they seek out the hellish cause of a suspicious spate of suicides.

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Book SynopsisThe ninth book in a gripping series of mediaeval murder mysteries by C.B. Hanley, set in a time of violent upheaval and featuring commoner-turned-earl's-man, Edwin Weaver.

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Book Synopsis'I have read ALL Heather Atkinson's books. They are all fantastic.'Edinburgh 1896. At Alardyce House, the family are gathered to celebrate the engagement of the heir to the estate, Robert, to his childhood sweetheart. But what should be a precious memory for his mother Amy, is marred by darkness. For Robert’s biological father was a demon and a criminal, and now Robert is coming-of-age, disturbing reports are beginning to emerge about his behaviour.Amy is torn between her love and loyalty to her son, her hope that she can save his soul, and her growing sense of dread that the streets of Edinburgh aren’t safe when Robert is in town. Meanwhile the increasing distance between Robert and his stepfather Henry threatens the peace of her loving marriage.The Alardyce family is riven by secrets and scandal, but will this most cursed heir of all, be the one to ruin their reputation forever, or can the power of a mother’s love save them all?If you love Emily Organ, Kate Saunders and Ann Granger, you’ll love The Cursed Heir. Discover bestselling author Heather Atkinson and you'll never look back... Please note this book was previously published as Corruption of the Son.What readers are saying about Heather Atkinson:‘What a story. This book I think is the best yet from Heather Atkinson and I have read all hers so far.’ 'Another brilliant book from Heather...she really is one the best in the business. ''I have read ALL Heather Atkinson's books. They are all fantastic.''I stumbled upon Heather's books and I'm so glad I did, characters excellent and storylines are great, I find myself searching the book stores for more of them to read the minute I finish one.'

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Book SynopsisMunich, 1935 - The Bavarian capital is a magnet for young, aristocratic Britons who come to learn German, swim in the lakes and drink beer in the cellars.What they don't see - or choose to ignore - is the brutal underbelly of the Nazi movement which considers Munich its spiritual home. When a high-born English girl is murdered, Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to solve the crime. Wolff is already walking a tight line between doing his job and falling foul of the political party he abhors. Now Hitler is taking a personal interest in the case.Followed by the secret police and threatened by his own son, a fervent member of the Hitler Youth, the stakes have never been higher. And when Wolff begins to suspect that the killer might be linked to the highest reaches of the Nazi hierarchy, he fears his task is simply impossible - and that he might become the next victim.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing Contributions by: Marcia Wilson, Gordon Linzner, Will Murray, Dan Rowley,Tim Newton Anderson, Arthur Hall, Thomas A. Burns, Jr., David Marcum, James Gelter, Anisha Jagdeep, DJ Tyrer, Paul Hiscock, Leslie Charteris and Denis Green, Stephen Herczeg, Tracy J. Revels, Roger Riccard and John McNabb, with a poem by Joseph W. Svec, III, and forewords by Nicholas Rowe, Roger Johnson, Emma West, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum58 New Holmes Adventures Collected  in Three Companion VolumesIn 2015, The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories burst upon the scene, featuring traditional Canonical adventures set within the correct time period, and written by many of today''s leading Sherlockian authors from around the world. Those first three volumes were overwhelmingly received, and there were soon calls for additional collections. Since then, their popularity has only continued to grow. And now we present a new three-volume set. Like 2017''s two-volume set, Eliminate the Impossible, and 2019''s three-volume Whatever Remains . . . Must Be the Truth, "However Improbable . . . ." features tales of Holmes''s encounters with seemingly impossible events - ghosts and hauntings and crimes and events that cannot have happened - but apparently did!The fifty-eight stories in these three companion volumes represent some of the finest new Holmesian storytelling to be found, and honor the man described by Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known."Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as "the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known."All royalties from this collection are being donated by the writers for the benefit of the preservation of Undershaw for special needs students, (formerly "Stepping Stones",) one of the former homes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As of June 2022, these books, through the continuing efforts of the amazing contributors and the wonderful worldwide supporters, have raised over $100,000 for the school!

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Book SynopsisA modern-day Sherlock Holmes, Bernie Quist operates as a consultant detective from Baker Avenue in York. His assistant is Watson, although this Watson is a streetwise youth from the Grimpen housing estate and he''s definitely no doctor. The mismatched duo take on bizarre cases which invariably lead into the realms of the supernatural, a shadowy world that, thanks to his dark secret, Quist is all too familiar with.It''s almost Christmas and the ancient streets of York are filled with twinkling lights, bustling Yuletide markets and the occasional cloudburst of dismal British sleet. A mundane investigation leads Quist and Watson to an isolated village on the wintry Northumbrian coast, where two faces from the past await: an infamous practitioner of the black arts, and someone they were hoping never to see again. What begins as an intriguing mystery soon becomes the detective''s most dangerous and horrific case, with Quist discovering the terrifying secret of the Mulgrave Ritual and his life hanging precariously in the balance.The Rumba of the Beast, a festive tale of gruesome murders, black magic and ballroom dancing.A dark and very peculiar game is afoot...

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Book SynopsisIn the early- and mid-1880s, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the forerunner of the modern IRA, waged a bombing campaign that terrorized the citizens of London for more than four years. Explosives were detonated in such places as the Tower of London, the House of Commons, Victoria station and at the London Bridge. The bombings were carried out in an attempt to secure Ireland''s freedom from England. The Fenians, as they were called, hoped citizens would put pressure on the government to resolve the dispute.Implored by the government to end the reign of terror, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson take up residence in a doss house in Whitechapel, which would achieve even greater notoriety a few years later courtesy of Jack the Ripper, posing as dock workers in order to learn more about the shadowy group and ingratiate themselves with its members. When Holmes learns a new bomb-maker is on the way and the bombings will increase in frequency, he understands time is running out.Despite proving his bona fides by bombing 10 Downing Street, Holmes is still held at arm''s length by the group''s leader Michael. As plans for the extensive new bombing campaign are formulated, Holmes realizes that he must act quickly in order to stop the terror. However, as clever as Holmes is, Michael is his match. The Devil''s Disciples pits Holmes against an adversary who is every bit as cunning as he - but far more ruthless.

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Book SynopsisUnearthed after being lost for nearly a century, at last the memoirs of Mycroft Holmes are available to the general public.Students and followers of his brother, the Great Baker Street detective, Sherlock Holmes, have to date only been offered two stories in which Mycroft Holmes appears and two in which he is mentioned. This publication of the memoirs of Mycroft Holmes after their sensational discovery in the summer of 2023 transforms our understanding of Sherlock Holmes''s more intelligent elder brother.In this volume we see what it is when one extraordinarily talented person is the British Government as Mycroft Holmes applies his skills in statecraft to tax evasion, royal honours, Partygate, the 1918 Armistice, and the Abdication crisis of 1936.Mycroft Holmes was at his apogee in the time covered by these memoirs.Is it just chance that this time

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Jonas Flynt. Gambler. Thief. Killer. Man of honour.Longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2023'Fast, furious and with a glint of gallows humour, this is high-octane historical fiction' Daily Mail'Swashbuckling action against a vivid historical backdrop. I loved this book' Ian Rankin‘High adventure meets espionage thriller as Jonas Flynt battles the tide of history and the deadly secrets of his own past…’ D. V. Bishop, author of City of Vengeance1715. Jonas Flynt, ex-soldier and reluctant member of the Company of Rogues, a shady intelligence group run by ruthless spymaster Nathaniel Charters, is ordered to recover a missing document. Its contents could prove devastating in the wrong hands.On her deathbed, the late Queen Anne may have promised the nation to her half-brother James, the Old Pretender, rather than the new king, George I. But the will has been lost. It may decide the fate of the nation.The crown must recover it at all costs.The trail takes Jonas from the dark and dangerous streets of London to an Edinburgh in chaos. He soon realises there are others on the hunt, and becomes embroiled in a long overdue family reunion, a jail break and a brutal street riot.When secrets finally come to light, about the crown and about his own past, Jonas will learn that some truths, once discovered, can never be untold…An atmospheric and utterly compelling blend of crime, history and thriller, to delight fans of S. J. Parris, Andrew Taylor and C. J. Sansom.Praise for An Honourable Thief 'Reads like a genuine eighteenth century spy novel. I see a long future for Jonas Flynt' Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All Flesh'Anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery and likes an edgy, charismatic protagonist is going to love the adventures of Douglas Skelton’s new hero, Jonas Flynt’ S.G. MacLean, author of The Seeker'An absolute triumph ... Five stars from me, and I look forward to reading more of Jonas's adventures' James Oswald, Sunday Times bestselling author'Historical crime fiction at its absolute best. I loved it!’ Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series'Pitch-perfect stuff. Like all great historical novels you'll feel you're there! This is a departure for Skelton, who seems born to write high-end historical fiction’ Denzil Meyrick, author of the DCI Daley thrillers'Uniquely combines a page-turning thriller with a perfectly evoked sense of time and place. Powerful stuff from a master of his craft' Craig Russell, author of Hyde'Skelton’s mastery of time and place inhabited with richly drawn characters is a delight. It held me to the last tantalising page’ David Gilman, author of The Englishman‘Jonas Flynt is one of those characters you’ll be rooting for from the very first chapter ... it looks like Skelton has found a new home writing first-class historical fiction’ Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief'This is a fascinating, totally engrossing historical novel. Flynt is a most attractive, three-dimensional character and the same is true of the world he moves through. A brilliant, most enjoyable read’ Paul Doherty, author of The Nightingale Gallery‘A cracking historical drama with breathless pacing and knuckle-chewing tension, all shot through with Skelton’s deft characterisation and flashes of pitch-black humour. The perfect read to lose yourself in’ Neil Broadfoot, author of Falling Fast

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Book SynopsisA Jane Austen heroine murdered. A literary villain turned hero. And an investigator between it all.The year is 1814 when Fanny Price is found murdered in Mansfield Park. Once a rich heiress who was spoiled, condescending, and generally hated throughout the county. But her death is none-the-less haunting.It then takes Mary Crawford, who is now as good as Fanny was bad, to team up with a thief-taker, Charles Maddox, from London to solve the brutal crime. But with dramatic confrontations comes consequences... some even deadly.A twisted take on Mansfield Park, Shepherd brings a brilliantly entertaining novel that offers Jane Austen fans an engaging new heroine – and mystery laced in every chapter.Previously published as Murder at Mansfield Park.

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Book SynopsisNot all monsters remain fictional…Percy Shelley’s legendary poetry lives on long after his death in 1850s England. But when his son and famed widow, Mary, are approached by a stranger offering to sell rare papers allegedly by Percy, Charles Maddox is called to look at the suspicious texts.But the case is not as simple as it appears, with Mary’s bitter stepsister, Claire Clairmont, also on the scene. As the investigation grows more disturbing, shocking evidence of foul play is discovered, leaving Maddox hunting for an even darker truth…Taking inspiration from Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein, Lynn Shepherd turns a literary legend into an otherworldly tale.Previously called A Treacherous Likeness.

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Book SynopsisThe horrors linger beyond the castle walls…When Detective Charles Maddox is requested to look into the mysterious Baron Von Reisenberg, he welcomes the chance to trade London streets for a castle in the Viennese countryside.Though the Baron is the subject of macabre legends, Maddox doesn’t care for supernatural beliefs. That is, until the foreboding shadows of the castle haunt him with nightmares and he is plagued by a series of disturbing incidents…Back home, London is on the verge of widespread panic. Greeted with a string of grisly murders committed by a killer branded the Vampire, Maddox believes he knows who is behind the attacks. In a battle against time, Maddox must finally end the Vampire’s terror…before more blood is spilled.In a darkly twisted tale based on Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula comes a murder mystery set in the heart of Victorian London.

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Book SynopsisThe death of a runaway could spark a revolt…Devon, 1318. Peter Bruther, who works the land for his lord, Sir William Beauscyr, is fed up with his life of near-slavery, and has run away. Brutal punishments usually fall on the heads of runaways, but Bruther uses a legal loophole: on Dartmoor, tin miners enjoy special protection from prosecution. They are accountable only to the king. Brother swiftly sets himself up as a miner on the moors: safe… or so he thinks.Beauscyr and his two feuding sons are furious to learn they have no legal claim on their wayward man, and demand justice from Bailiff Simon Puttock. They fear more runaways. But other miners resent Bruther’s appearance, too, and they do not want their profitable extortion and protection racket destabilised.Before dissent can spread to other serfs working for Beauscyr, Bruther is found hanging from a tree. Simon, assisted by former Knight Templar Sir Baldwin Furnshill, finds himself investigating cold-blooded murder, and there is no shortage of suspects...An action-packed historical mystery perfect for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and Rory Clements.Praise for Michael Jecks‘Michael Jecks is a national treasure’ Scotland on Sunday‘Marvellously portrayed’ C. J. Sansom

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1716. Revenge is a dish best served ice-cold…’An immersive, action-packed thriller with intrigue in the air and threats around every corner’ The Herald’Great fun ... the language is colourful and the action never stops’ Laura Shepherd-RobinsonThe city is caught in the vice-like grip of a savage winter. Even the Thames has frozen over. But for Jonas Flynt – thief, gambler, killer – the chilling elements are the least of his worries…Justice Geoffrey Dumont has been found dead at the base of St Paul’s cathedral, and a young male sex-worker, Sam Yates, has been taken into custody for the murder. Yates denies all charges, claiming he had received a message to meet the judge at the exact time of death.The young man is a friend of courtesan Belle St Clair, and she asks Flynt to investigate. As Sam endures the horrors of Newgate prison, they must do everything in their power to uncover the truth and save an innocent life, before the bodies begin to pile up.But time is running out. And the gallows are beckoning...A totally enrapturing portrayal of eighteenth-century London, and a rapier-like crime thriller, perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Antonia Hodgson and Ambrose Parry.

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Book SynopsisA young girl’s disappearance hints at a disturbing truth...When novice Emma Thorgold goes missing from Godstow Abbey in the summer of 1353, the hunt is on throughout the Oxfordshire countryside for any sign of where she could have gone. Bookseller Nicholas Elyot and scholar Jordain Brinkylsworth are anxious to help the girl, but her stepfather has other, more sinister intentions.Why is he so determined to shut her away for life? Or worse? And will she be found unharmed?A truly gripping historical mystery with twists and turns aplenty, perfect for fans of S. W. Perry, Graham Brack and Ellis Peters.

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Book SynopsisA dark murder. A secret brought to light…June, 1797. From his headquarters at the Villa Mombello near Milan, the French revolutionary army’s young general, one Napoleon Bonaparte, dictates peace terms to Europe’s monarchies with breath-taking ease and arrogance.But when a series of malicious events at Mombello threaten to set Italy ablaze once again, and talk of a ghoul stalking in the night committing atrocities spreads like wildfire among the assembled guests, Napoleon forces failed magistrate Felix Gracchus out of retirement to solve the puzzling murders.Gracchus’s unwilling escort in this military world is ambitious but underachieving young cavalry officer Dermide Vanderville. Aided by Napoleon’s unruly tomboy sister Paolette, they set about unravelling the twisted skeins of intrigue and terrible secrets clogging the mansion’s shadowy corridors.A rich and compelling debut historical mystery set around Napoleon Bonaparte’s conquests, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom, Paul Doherty and Ellis Peters.Praise for Blood and Fireflies 'A fantastic read. I recommend it unreservedly. You will probably end up reading it in one fell swoop' Paul Doherty

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Book SynopsisWhen Rome falls, so too will the world…Christmas, 1797. Erstwhile magistrate Felix Gracchus wakes in the French embassy beside the Tiber after a serious bout of malaria. Despite his poor health, the intricate puzzle of a local inheritance scandal proves irresistible.To his delight Lieutenant Vanderville has been assigned to the embassy intelligence section, tasked with pacifying the rabidly pro-revolutionary local patriots who seek to overthrow the state and install a republic in Rome.But a sudden, terrible development threatens to bring disaster upon the whole embassy. Can the pair resolve it before Napoleon Bonaparte brings the full force of the republic down upon Rome in vengeance? Will Vanderville succeed in persuading the patriots from setting the city aflame? And why, amidst all this chaos, is Gracchus more interested in finding a missing nurse?A totally engrossing historical mystery rich in period detail and fascinating characters, perfect for fans of Steven Saylor and C. J. Sansom.

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Book SynopsisWhen you play a double game, if you lose… you die.Tasked by General Napoleon Bonaparte with effecting a perilous entry into the fortress convent of Valletta, Lieutenant Vanderville sides with a renegade Maltese desperate to end the oppressive rule of the Knights of St John.When his companion is lost, the mission goes from bad to worse as he discovers treachery and murder are stalking the agents he is supposed to be meeting, his only allies.Caught between the feuding knights, the machinations of the Grand Master and his foes in the Holy Office, Vanderville begins to feel hopelessly unable to find the killer without the sage guidance of his mentor, Felix Gracchus. Will he live to regret his rash decision to part company?A riotous whodunnit set during the heights of Napoleon's European conquest, for fans of Steven Saylor and S. J. Parris.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Jonas Flynt. Gambler. Thief. Killer. Man of honour.Longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2023'Fast, furious and with a glint of gallows humour, this is high-octane historical fiction' Daily Mail'Swashbuckling action against a vivid historical backdrop. I loved this book' Ian Rankin‘High adventure meets espionage thriller as Jonas Flynt battles the tide of history and the deadly secrets of his own past…’ D. V. Bishop, author of City of Vengeance1715. Jonas Flynt, ex-soldier and reluctant member of the Company of Rogues, a shady intelligence group run by ruthless spymaster Nathaniel Charters, is ordered to recover a missing document. Its contents could prove devastating in the wrong hands.On her deathbed, the late Queen Anne may have promised the nation to her half-brother James, the Old Pretender, rather than the new king, George I. But the will has been lost. It may decide the fate of the nation.The crown must recover it at all costs.The trail takes Jonas from the dark and dangerous streets of London to an Edinburgh in chaos. He soon realises there are others on the hunt, and becomes embroiled in a long overdue family reunion, a jail break and a brutal street riot.When secrets finally come to light, about the crown and about his own past, Jonas will learn that some truths, once discovered, can never be untold…An atmospheric and utterly compelling blend of crime, history and thriller, to delight fans of S. J. Parris, Andrew Taylor and C. J. Sansom.Praise for An Honourable Thief 'Reads like a genuine eighteenth century spy novel. I see a long future for Jonas Flynt' Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All Flesh'Anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery and likes an edgy, charismatic protagonist is going to love the adventures of Douglas Skelton’s new hero, Jonas Flynt’ S.G. MacLean, author of The Seeker'An absolute triumph ... Five stars from me, and I look forward to reading more of Jonas's adventures' James Oswald, Sunday Times bestselling author'Historical crime fiction at its absolute best. I loved it!’ Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series'Pitch-perfect stuff. Like all great historical novels you'll feel you're there! This is a departure for Skelton, who seems born to write high-end historical fiction’ Denzil Meyrick, author of the DCI Daley thrillers'Uniquely combines a page-turning thriller with a perfectly evoked sense of time and place. Powerful stuff from a master of his craft' Craig Russell, author of Hyde'Skelton’s mastery of time and place inhabited with richly drawn characters is a delight. It held me to the last tantalising page’ David Gilman, author of The Englishman‘Jonas Flynt is one of those characters you’ll be rooting for from the very first chapter ... it looks like Skelton has found a new home writing first-class historical fiction’ Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief'This is a fascinating, totally engrossing historical novel. Flynt is a most attractive, three-dimensional character and the same is true of the world he moves through. A brilliant, most enjoyable read’ Paul Doherty, author of The Nightingale Gallery‘A cracking historical drama with breathless pacing and knuckle-chewing tension, all shot through with Skelton’s deft characterisation and flashes of pitch-black humour. The perfect read to lose yourself in’ Neil Broadfoot, author of Falling Fast

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Book SynopsisA set of horrific killings hints at the answer behind a legendary crime...Autumn, 1380. Brother Athelstan is very busy. He and his parish council are preparing for the annual Christmas mystery play when a series of brutal murders occur at a Southwark tavern.Two young whores are found slain but their deaths are only the beginning of a series of gruesome killings which occur around the parish of St Erconwald’s.He resolves to solve not only these grisly deaths, but also their source - the Great Robbery of the Lombard treasure, which occurred in Southwark some 20 years earlier.Plots and deceptions abound in this thrilling mystery novel by Paul Doherty, ideal for fans of Susanna Gregory, C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris.Praise for Paul Doherty'His fascination for history comes off the page' Daily Express'Paul Doherty has a lively sense of history ... evocative and lyrical descriptions' New Statesmen'An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite' Northern Echo

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Book SynopsisCan she find the strength to carry on without him?Rosie Curtis is distraught when her brother Tommy is viciously murdered after dabbling in the criminal underworld. Life at home isn’t the same and without Tommy’s support, her dreams of becoming a dancer are shattered.Powerless to avenge her brother’s death, Rosie throws herself into saving a local music hall from closure and plans a musical spectacular, despite the misgivings of her family. But then Rosie comes face to face with her brother’s killer, and she decides she will stop at nothing to see him punished.While she fights to stage her show and put Tommy’s killers away for good, her brother’s smiling face appears in her thoughts, telling her to keep on dancing – but will she be able to?A gritty historical saga set in the East End, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Nadine Dorries.

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Book SynopsisHome is where the horror is…Jilted thriller writer Lady Violet Thorn has withdrawn to the Suffolk market town of Montford with two servants and her leading character, the adventuress Ruby Gibson, for company.Violet’s peace is disturbed when a stranger asks her for help, claiming that a friend is being kept prisoner in her own home. Her visitor seems so afraid that Violet, despite her scepticism, is persuaded to investigate.A woman is killed outside Violet’s house, then another murdered in the town and, as the deaths mount up, she becomes convinced that they all lead to one place: the increasingly forbidding Haglin House, and whoever lives there…M.R.C. Kasasian returns with a fresh, witty and totally enthralling take on the classic crime genre, perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz, M. C. Beaton and Oscar De Muriel.

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Book SynopsisFor whatever we lose, it is our self we find in the sea.‘The best swashbuckler of the year ... There are echoes of Horatio Hornblower in Nightingale’s introspection and doubts. The gay love story is beautifully written and the evocation of life on board the Scylla is equally good’ The Times ‘An extraordinary work, absolutely breathtaking ... it beggars belief’ Conn Iggulden, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author‘Achingly beautiful. A delightful, romantic, queer historical adventure’ Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling authorCaptain Hiram Nightingale is a veteran of the wars which have raged throughout Europe and the Americas. But a grand victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 comes at a devastating cost. Plagued by wounds both physical and mental, he attempts to recover by accepting command of HMS Scylla. His task is to hunt down a mutinous ship and bring the crew to justice.However, it soon becomes clear that the mission is just one danger in an immense web. Nightingale finds himself in the middle of a network of secrets that will affect everyone onboard the Scylla. He has to battle against the perils of the war-torn seas, a crew who he fears does not accept him, and meddling, powerful figures from his past.And in the centre of all this, his new lieutenant, the popular Arthur Courtney, stirs up long repressed feelings. On his journey, Nightingale must confront his own demons. For it seems, during his dangerous adventure, his greatest enemy might just be himself.A deeply poignant tale of naval warfare, political intrigue and a love between two men that stands tall in an unaccepting world. Perfect for fans of Hornblower, Sharpe and Outlander.Praise for Leeward ‘There is a weight of human insight here that is quite dazzling. A story told with such panache deserves a bestseller mass audience’ Conn Iggulden‘One of the best debut novels I have read in many years. A magnificent, compelling read’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author‘Profound, intricate, artful. A truly original story of forbidden love and adventure. I urge you to sail into the storm!’ A. J. West, Sunday Times bestselling author‘A stunning book. In an utterly authentic voice, Katie Daysh brings to life the terrifying power of the sea, and the bonds of both love and duty that tie a captain to his ship’ Damion Hunter, author of Shadow of the Eagle

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Book SynopsisOne lone detective faces down a twisted medieval web of spies and intrigue.October, 1338. A great war has begun, one that will define Europe for a century.King’s Messenger Simon Merrivale returns to England in disgrace, his life barely intact, after a bid to create a pro-English state in Savoy goes disastrously wrong.With the battle lines drawn, a new and overwhelming threat emerges.King Edward III has assembled an uneasy alliance of European powers to enforce his claim to the throne of France. But corruption is rife both at home and abroad, emptying the king’s war chest. Lack of money could cripple everything that has been built.Enemies lie hidden amongst the ranks of friends. Wolves in sheep’s clothing.Faced with the difficult task of not only discovering the traitors but recovering his position and respect, Merrivale has a complex and potentially deadly mission at hand. For if just one conspirator escapes justice, all will fall.A totally gripping historical mystery, perfect for fans of C.J. Sansom, S. J. Parris and Andrew Taylor.

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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 SynopsisCan two unlikely allies unite to uncover the truth?Edith Trewin, the general maid in the Killivant household, and Miss Alicia Killivant, the young lady of the house, are social worlds apart but share a streak of independence and intelligence. Edith is imaginative and has a keen perception of the world. Alicia is vivacious and tired of answering to her brother, Edwin, for the running of the house and the care of their ailing mother.When a kitchen maid vanishes shortly after her arrival at the house, the young women decide to go in search of her. But as the world is plunged into the war, the two find that they cannot escape it, even in Cornwall. Their paths are separated and they are thrust into a war-torn world, experiencing love and loss along the way. Can Edith and Alicia still unravel the truth, or will their new lives get in the way?A thrilling saga of love and friendship, perfect for fans of Rosie Clarke and Anna Jacobs.

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Book SynopsisLondon, 1716. Revenge is a dish best served ice-cold…’An immersive, action-packed thriller with intrigue in the air and threats around every corner’ The Herald’Great fun ... the language is colourful and the action never stops’ Laura Shepherd-RobinsonThe city is caught in the vice-like grip of a savage winter. Even the Thames has frozen over. But for Jonas Flynt – thief, gambler, killer – the chilling elements are the least of his worries…Justice Geoffrey Dumont has been found dead at the base of St Paul’s cathedral, and a young male sex-worker, Sam Yates, has been taken into custody for the murder. Yates denies all charges, claiming he had received a message to meet the judge at the exact time of death.The young man is a friend of courtesan Belle St Clair, and she asks Flynt to investigate. As Sam endures the horrors of Newgate prison, they must do everything in their power to uncover the truth and save an innocent life, before the bodies begin to pile up.But time is running out. And the gallows are beckoning...A totally enrapturing portrayal of eighteenth-century London, and a rapier-like crime thriller, perfect for fans of Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Antonia Hodgson and Ambrose Parry.

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Book SynopsisFor whatever we lose, it is our self we find in the sea.‘The best swashbuckler of the year ... There are echoes of Horatio Hornblower in Nightingale’s introspection and doubts. The gay love story is beautifully written and the evocation of life on board the Scylla is equally good’ The Times ‘An extraordinary work, absolutely breathtaking ... it beggars belief’ Conn Iggulden, New York Times & Sunday Times bestselling author‘Achingly beautiful. A delightful, romantic, queer historical adventure’ Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling authorCaptain Hiram Nightingale is a veteran of the wars which have raged throughout Europe and the Americas. But a grand victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798 comes at a devastating cost. Plagued by wounds both physical and mental, he attempts to recover by accepting command of HMS Scylla. His task is to hunt down a mutinous ship and bring the crew to justice.However, it soon becomes clear that the mission is just one danger in an immense web. Nightingale finds himself in the middle of a network of secrets that will affect everyone onboard the Scylla. He has to battle against the perils of the war-torn seas, a crew who he fears does not accept him, and meddling, powerful figures from his past.And in the centre of all this, his new lieutenant, the popular Arthur Courtney, stirs up long repressed feelings. On his journey, Nightingale must confront his own demons. For it seems, during his dangerous adventure, his greatest enemy might just be himself.A deeply poignant tale of naval warfare, political intrigue and a love between two men that stands tall in an unaccepting world. Perfect for fans of Hornblower, Sharpe and Outlander.Praise for Leeward ‘There is a weight of human insight here that is quite dazzling. A story told with such panache deserves a bestseller mass audience’ Conn Iggulden‘One of the best debut novels I have read in many years. A magnificent, compelling read’ Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author‘Profound, intricate, artful. A truly original story of forbidden love and adventure. I urge you to sail into the storm!’ A. J. West, Sunday Times bestselling author‘A stunning book. In an utterly authentic voice, Katie Daysh brings to life the terrifying power of the sea, and the bonds of both love and duty that tie a captain to his ship’ Damion Hunter, author of Shadow of the Eagle

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Book SynopsisEnemies at every turn in this medieval mystery thriller perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop and S. J. Parris.Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.Restored to favour at court, King''s Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III's chronic debt.A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes.When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the s

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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 SynopsisEngland, 1716. The only certainty in a thief’s life… is death.Christopher Templeton is a lawyer whose conscience troubles him. He knows many of the secrets of The Fellowship, the shadowy group profiting from the civil unrest in the nation, and has intimated to the Company of Rogues that he is willing to share them.The problem is, he has vanished. Jonas Flynt – thief, gambler, killer – still recovering from a duel with death upon the frozen Thames, is tasked with finding him.The trail takes him from the dark slums of London to a quiet village in the north of England, where all is not as it seems. But while he hunts for the missing man, someone else may be stalking him… someone with murder in their heart.The new gripping historical mystery from the author of An Honourable Thief, longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2023. Perfect for fans of Abir Mukherjee, Craig Russell and S.G. MacLean.

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Book SynopsisA city on the brink of civil war. A madman pulling the strings.A family is found butchered in a dismal room in the Rookery, London's poorest district. Not even their small children are left alive.Most of the authorities pay scant attention, except for Thieftaker General Jonathan Wild. Intrigued by this development, Colonel Nathaniel Charters tasks his most trusted operative, Jonas Flynt, with discovering why.When another family is murdered just as brutally, Flynt uncovers evidence of a simmering conflict between rival gangs, with Wild seemingly desperate to keep a lid on the slaughter.The question for Flynt is how deep is his new friend The Admiral, a gang leader, involved, and is he capable of killing innocents? Or is there someone else in London, more dangerous and more deranged, with blood on their hands?A scintillating serial killer thriller set amidst the dirt and grime of Georgian London, the next thrilling instalment in the McIlvanney longlisted Company of Rogues series.

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Book SynopsisJonas Flynt sets sails for the Caribbean, in pursuit of a slaver's ship who have abducted his stepmother. While there he comes face to face with legendary pirate, Blackbeard.

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Book SynopsisThe greatest writer who ever lived turns spy.London, 1592. 28-year-old William Shakespeare is the rising man of English theatre. But plague has hit the capital, and the playhouses are to be shut. Livelihoods, and lives, are at stake.Lady Celia Vernon is one of the first to perish but did she really die of plague? Her cousin, the Earl of Southampton, orders Will to discover the truth in a London filled with conspirators and traitors, assassins and spies.The Queen''s spymaster, Robert Cecil, suspects the Earl of treason and orders Will to spy on him in return. Caught between two of the most powerful men in the kingdom, Will cannot possibly serve both masters, and could easily become the next victim of the killer he is trying to catch.With his future, safety and life on the line, Will uncovers a devastating secret, and changes the course of his, and the world's, destiny forever.An utterly compelling historical mystery offering a new and fascinating look into the personal life of the great William Shakespeare.

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Book Synopsis''Flynt is as bold and ruthless a killer-agent as James Bond, and even more resourceful'' ScotsmanA city on the brink of civil war. A madman pulling the strings.A family is found butchered in a dismal room in the Rookery, London's poorest district. Not even their small children are left alive.Most of the authorities pay scant attention, except for Thieftaker General Jonathan Wild. Intrigued by this development, Colonel Nathaniel Charters tasks his most trusted operative, Jonas Flynt, with discovering why.When another family is murdered just as brutally, Flynt uncovers evidence of a simmering conflict between rival gangs, with Wild seemingly desperate to keep a lid on the slaughter.The question for Flynt is how deep is his new friend The Admiral, a gang leader, involved, and is he capable of killing innocents? Or is there someone else in London, more dangerous and more deranged, with blood on their hands?A scintillating serial killer thriller set amidst the dirt and grime of Georgian London, the next thrilling instalment in the McIlvanney longlisted Company of Rogues series.Praise for A Thief''s Blood A Glasgow Times Book of 2024''Skelton has the storyteller''s essential gift: the ability to lead you on, ever eager to know what happens next'' Yorkshire Post''Skelton's eighteenth-century London is, as always, exquisitely rendered and thoroughly immersive .... In a solidly-plotted historical thriller with danger lurking around every corner and intrigue brewing from the lowest dungheap to the highest palace in the land, the realisation that these murders are inflaming existing rivalries to the point where an epic confrontation is almost unavoidable raises the stakes even further. There's no sign here that the dark and brooding Jonas Flynt's adventures are running out of steam yet'' Herald

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Book SynopsisAn enthralling locked-room murder mystery inspired by crime fiction of the Golden Age, Death and the Conjuror is the critically acclaimed debut novel by Tom Mead. Selected as one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year. 1936, London. A celebrity psychiatrist is discovered dead in his locked study. There seems to be no way a killer could have escaped unseen. There are no clues, no witnesses, and no evidence of the murder weapon. Stumped by the confounding scene, Inspector Flint, the Scotland Yard detective on the case, calls on retired stage magician turned part-time sleuth Joseph Spector. Spector has a knack for explaining the inexplicable, but even he finds that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye. As he and the Inspector interview the colourful cast of suspects, they uncover no shortage of dark secrets... or motives for murder. And when a second murder occurs, this time in an impenetrable elevator, they realise the crime wave will become even more deadly unless they can catch the culprit soon. Reviews for Death and the Conjuror 'Pure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expounded.' The Times 'Secrets, red herrings and sleights of hand abound in an ingenious piece of intriguing escapism.' Guardian 'An intricate "impossible" crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'A real treat for mystery fans.' Ragnar Jónasson 'A beautiful, dark, atmospheric story.' Victoria DowdTrade ReviewA sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths * New York Times *Secrets, red herrings and sleights of hand abound in an ingenious piece of intriguing escapism * Guardian *Death and the Conjuror is an engrossing tale of murder and magicians, and a revealing exploration of the ever-popular locked-room mystery. Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight -- John Connolly[An] affectionate tribute to the golden age of impossible murder mysteries... This ingenious debut is also great fun * The Times *[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr * Publishers Weekly *With a deviously intricate locked-room plot, Death and the Conjuror unfolds as both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of the classic 'impossible crime' story. Somewhere, the great John Dickson Carr is smiling -- Daniel StashowerBoth a splendid homage to the Golden age of impossible crimes and its great exponent John Dickson Carr and a witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery with tongue in cheek bravado and a gallery of attendant, endearing characters, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight -- Maxim JakubowskiAn ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating! -- Victoria DowdTom Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr in Death and the Conjuror. A true delight for mystery lovers! -- Charles ToddThis ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mystery -- Gigi PandianSparkling, exhilarating. The narrative is stuffed with provocative ideas and good humour. Tom Mead is a dazzling new talent. -- TP FieldenThe clever and complicated plots the unknown antagonist concocts will likely keep you guessing all the way through * Crime Fiction Lover *Fans of Golden Age historical fiction will enjoy this new spin on a traditional pairing for professional policeman and amateur sleuth... All the elements you would expect are here, and the book is pleasingly referential * Historical Novel Society *Pure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expounded * The Times Audiobook of the Week *Not just a worthy imitation of the Golden Age puzzlers, but also a gently tongue in cheek rejuvenation of a type of mystery novel that is both cosy and challenging * Crime Time *There are some very fine descriptive images, a good pace, lots of variety and a skilful reveal. This is a most encouraging debut * The Critic *Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche * Kirkus Reviews *Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel * Publishers Weekly *'More red herrings than a North Sea trawler, suspects galore, a dearth of clues, a locked room, and no weapon. A classic 'who?' and 'how?' -- Adrian MagsonInventive and engrossing * TripFiction *Locked room mysteries are back in fashion and in Death and the Conjuror, Tom Mead gives us one to savour. With fluid prose, sharply defined characters, and an ingenious set of puzzles, this is a book that references the Golden Age of crime fiction in the best possible way. -- Vaseem KhanFans of Golden Age mysteries, the original kind or a more modern version, have a treat in store * Promoting Crime Fiction *'A top of the range, good, old fashioned whodunnit. Great fun - and very clever! I enjoyed it enormously.' -- Daisy Waugh'An enticingly brilliant and stylish mystery.' -- Frances BrodyFans of Golden Age mysteries, the original kind or a more modern version, have a treat in store. * Mystery People *A great homage to Golden Age mysteries and a fresh angle on them, this is a witty, enthralling and atmospheric page turner with a fabulous setting and a striking cast of characters * Historical Writers' Association *Splendidly tricksy * The Guardian, Crime & Thriller Books of the Year 2023 *

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Book Synopsis***Pre-order Hannah Dolby's next Historical rom-com, How to Solve Murders Like a Lady, now! Perfect for fans of cosy mysteries and female detectives*** *** Violet Hamilton is a woman who knows her own mind. Which, in Victorian Hastings, can make things a little complicated... At 28, Violet's father is beginning to worry she will never find a husband. But every suitor he presents, Violet finds a new and inventive means of rebuffing. Because Violet does not want to marry. She wants to work, and make her own way in the world. But more than anything, she wants to find her mother Lily, who disappeared from Hastings Pier 10 years earlier. Finding the missing is no job for a lady, but when Violet hires a seaside detective to help, she sets off a chain of events that will put more than just her reputation at risk. Can Violet solve the mystery of Lily Hamilton's vanishing before it's too late? A delightfully joyful, funny and gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of The Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting and The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels. *** 'Glorious... it's funny from the start.' – The Daily Mail 'Delightfully quirky, joyful and original... it will help you bounce exuberantly into spring' – Adele Parks 'If you loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, you'll love to snuggle up with this novel!' – Chat *** A delightfully joyful, funny and gripping historical novel, perfect for fans of The Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting and The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels.Trade ReviewGlorious... it's funny from the start. * Daily Mail *Delightfully quirky, joyful and original... it will help you bounce exuberantly into spring -- Adele Parks * Platinum *A charming, humorous and glorious read * Woman's Weekly *This debut is a joyous read - let's hope this isn't the last we hear from Violet * My Weekly *If you loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, you'll love to snuggle up with this novel! * Chat *Praise for No Life For a Lady: 'A GORGEOUS historical romcom with lashings of mystery... Joyful!' Sophie Irwin 'Charming, exhilarating, fabulously funny and so full of heart – Violet is the heroine I've been waiting for.' Daisy Buchanan 'So original and well written, I couldn't put it down... I can't remember rooting for a heroine as hard as I did for Violet.' Lucy Vine 'Delightful, original, cleverly crafted and completely addictive. Violet Hamilton is one of those characters who slips into your heart straight away and radiates joy. I loved it!' Hazel Prior 'Impeccably researched, with a slowly unfurling mystery at its heart, this witty and uplifting story belongs entirely to Violet – a lady determined to tackle life (and love!) on her own terms' Julietta Henderson 'Violet’s story is moving, inspiring and very, very funny; a complete triumph' Celia Anderson 'Watch out Enola Holmes - Violet Hamilton is on the case! Pure joy and utterly charming!' Faith Hogan ’Eleanor Oliphant for historical fiction fans, with a dash of detective work and mystery thrown in. I loved everything about it.’ Katie Lumsden

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