Historical crime and mysteries

Book Synopsis''Always a treat reading Lesley Thomson.'' Ian Rankin''Lesley Thomson at her considerable best'' Elly GriffithsEighty years of secrets. A body that reveals them all.1941. Rupert and Adelaide Stride are raising their two daughters, Clare and Rosa, in the midst of war. When Rupert is called to fight, he dies on the beaches of Dunkirk, leaving his family to fend for themselves.2023. Decades later, Clare and Rosa have retreated to the annex, trapped in the place where they were raised: Yew Tree House.When the rooms are put up for rent, Jack Harmon sees the perfect spot for a family holiday with his twins and detective Stella Darnell. But then the children discover a skeleton with a hole in its skull hidden in the brambles of a decommissioned WWII pill box.This home has always been a complicated one, but Stella and Jack will need to confront a history of revenge, desperation, and wartime tragedy to unco

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Book Synopsis'Historical crime fiction at its most beguiling' Financial Times'Not to be missed' SJ BennettIn the hotly anticipated follow-up to The Tumbling Girl, Minnie and Albert take on a new crime-solving quest in the world of a Victorian music hall. The Variety Palace Music Hall is in trouble, due in no small part to a gruesome spate of murders that unfolded around it a few months previously. Between writing, managing the music hall and trying to dissuade her boss from installing a water tank in the building, Minnie Ward has her hands full. Her complicated relationship with detective Albert Easterbrook doesn't even bear thinking about. But when a new string of murders tears through London, Minnie and Albert are thrown together once more. Strangely, the crimes seem to link back to a tragedy that took place fourteen years ago, leaving 183 children dead. And given that the incident touched so many people's lives, everyone is a suspect . . .

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Book SynopsisAn incredible anthology of truly fascinating Victorian tales of the supernatural.

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Book SynopsisSherlock-esque crime set in early 20th century London, packed with action and martial arts elements, this is the first book in a series to feature a daring, opium-addicted Chinese judge and his shy, academic sidekick, solving fiendish mysteries among the Chinese community in London's Limehouse district.

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Book SynopsisJamaica, 1772. The wheel of justice is turning. The winds of change blow straight.On the island of Jamaica, people are going missing. Rumours have landed in England of fraud, foul play, and even murder.Isaiah Ollenu, law clerk and aspiring esquire, is busy with making his mark as the only black man in the courts of Bristol. However, his studies are interrupted when barrister John Dunne gives him the task of investigating the disappearances and putting such rumours to bed.Joined by insurance man Reuban Ashby, Ollenu boards the Isabella and makes way for the shores of Jamaica. Confronted by nightmarish creatures, vengeful spirits and untoward characters, Ollenu and Ashby's journey is not quite the simple task it was set out to be especially when the scales of justice are always unfairly weighted.A story of Law, Legends, and Liberation, by PD Lennon, for fans of __, ____ and ____.

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Book SynopsisIs Jack the Ripper at large once again in Victorian India? A sensational debut from a thrilling new voice in historical crime fiction

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Book SynopsisGinny Beauchamp joins the Women's Land Army in 1940. Posted to Essex, she gets in trouble for meeting pilots from a nearby airfield, including Piotr, a Polish airman to whom she feels some attraction, being part-Polish herself.Sent to work on a farm with a final warning, she finds herself in the middle of an emotional storm because another Land Girl, Anna, has fallen in love with the farmer's son.In August after the Luftwaffe attack the airfield at North Weald Ginny discovers that Piotr has been seriously wounded, and she rushes to the hospital. When she returns to the farm late at night, she discovers the dead body of Anna in the yard beneath the barn's winching point. Ginny believes that Anna's death is suspicious, and she cannot accept that Anna fell or committed suicide, which is the view of the local police and coroner.Ginny is on her own in trying to reveal the truth of Anna's death. For her challenge to the authorities over the death, Ginny is dismissed from service.Now on her own, she risks her own life to try to reveal the truth.

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Book SynopsisA fatal jump. A missing suffragette. An inexplicable murder.London, 1920. For the first time ever, two women are competing against each other to become an MP. Reporter Iris Woodmore has a big story on her hands when she accompanies one of the candidates to the House of Commons. But it’s a place that holds painful memories. In 1914, her mother died there when she fell into the River Thames during a daring suffragette protest. Then, in the shadow of Big Ben, a waterman tells Iris her mother didn’t fall – she jumped.Iris discovers that the suffragette with her mother that fateful day has been missing for six years, mysteriously disappearing just after the protest. Desperate to know the truth behind the fatal jump, Iris’s investigation leads her to Crookham Hall, an ancestral home where secrets and lies lead to murder…The first book in the Iris Woodmore cozy crime series.Previously published as The Suffragette’s Daughter'The mystery itself is intriguing, with plenty of twists and unexpected developments. If you enjoy 1920s mysteries and learning about the Suffragettes and all they stood for, then I highly recommend Death at Crookham Hall.' Verity Bright, author of Murder by Invitation'A fabulous, well-written, mystery that holds all the promise of much more to come... The Iris Woodmore mysteries are fast becoming some of my favourites.' M J Porter, author of King of Kings'A joy to read! Such a well-researched mystery. I absolutely loved the unconventional heroine, 1920s setting, engaging characterisation and poignant ending, all of which provide a captivating start to the Iris Woodmore cosy mystery series.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire Mysteries‘Death at Crookham Hall is a lovely, murder mystery by a gifted writer.’ Helena Dixon, author of Murder at the Village FairWhat real readers are saying:'Well written, with complex characters ... a thoughtful and compelling story ... readers of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear might like this book.'"What a great book! Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and a twisty plot."“…a real page turner… couldn't put it down. So much so that I stayed up until the early hours to find out what happens. The ending did not disappoint. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.”“The writer's attention to detail and historical fact was very good… characters are well drawn and believable… I would thoroughly recommend.”“1920s at its best…When you get to the end of a book and feel sad that the book is finished, you know you have just read a worthwhile story. The characters are brilliantly written and swept me along.”

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Book SynopsisA murder shocks the small town of Walden. And it’s only the beginning…Walden, 1921. Local reporter Iris Woodmore is determined to save her beloved lake, Waldenmere, from destruction.After a bloody and expensive war, the British Army can’t afford to keep the lake and build a convalescent home on its shores yet they still battle with Walden Council and a railway company for ownership. But an old mansion used as an officer training academy stands where the railway company plans to build a lakeside hotel. It belongs to General Cheverton – and he won’t leave his home.When the General is found murdered, it appears someone will stop at nothing to win the fight for Waldenmere. Iris thinks she can take on the might of the railway company and find the killer. But nothing prepares her for the devastation that’s to come…'A fabulously well-researched historical cosy mystery... The Iris Woodmore mysteries are fast becoming some of my favourites.' M J Porter‘A cracking addition to the series … superbly written… lots of drama, intrigue, twists and turns.’ Gingerbookgeek‘WOW!! Another fantastic addition to my favorite historical series by Michelle Salter… So many unexpected developments, twists, shocking revelations, my god!!’ thebookdecoder‘I have fallen head over heels for this series.’ Booksbybindu‘A terrific historical cozy mystery that will keep readers gripped …With plenty of tension, intrigue and suspense, Murder at Waldenmere Lake is an addictive historical cozy mystery … perfect for Anne Perry and Verity Bright fans.’ bookishjottingsPraise for The Iris Woodmore Mysteries:‘A real page turner and couldn't put it down. So much so that I stayed up until the early hours to find out what happens.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘What a great book! I loved the characters and the ever deepening plot.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘An incredibly well-written historical mystery … interspersed with fascinating tit-bits of information both about the suffragettes and their sister organisation, the suffrage societies.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘Starts well and then gets better! ’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘I recommend this book to anyone who loves a twisty plot line that keeps you guessing.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was reading something special … Iris Woodmore … is such a fun, feisty and determined young lady.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘Excellent read … Brilliant storyline.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘The writer's attention to detail and historical fact was very good … The characters are well drawn and believable.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘The characters are brilliantly written and swept me along.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review

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Book SynopsisA murder shocks the small town of Walden. And it’s only the beginning…Walden, 1921. Local reporter Iris Woodmore is determined to save her beloved lake, Waldenmere, from destruction.After a bloody and expensive war, the British Army can’t afford to keep the lake and build a convalescent home on its shores yet they still battle with Walden Council and a railway company for ownership. But an old mansion used as an officer training academy stands where the railway company plans to build a lakeside hotel. It belongs to General Cheverton – and he won’t leave his home.When the General is found murdered, it appears someone will stop at nothing to win the fight for Waldenmere. Iris thinks she can take on the might of the railway company and find the killer. But nothing prepares her for the devastation that’s to come…'A fabulously well-researched historical cosy mystery... The Iris Woodmore mysteries are fast becoming some of my favourites.' M J Porter‘A cracking addition to the series … superbly written… lots of drama, intrigue, twists and turns.’ Gingerbookgeek‘WOW!! Another fantastic addition to my favorite historical series by Michelle Salter… So many unexpected developments, twists, shocking revelations, my god!!’ thebookdecoder‘I have fallen head over heels for this series.’ Booksbybindu‘A terrific historical cozy mystery that will keep readers gripped …With plenty of tension, intrigue and suspense, Murder at Waldenmere Lake is an addictive historical cozy mystery … perfect for Anne Perry and Verity Bright fans.’ bookishjottingsPraise for The Iris Woodmore Mysteries:‘A real page turner and couldn't put it down. So much so that I stayed up until the early hours to find out what happens.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘What a great book! I loved the characters and the ever deepening plot.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘An incredibly well-written historical mystery … interspersed with fascinating tit-bits of information both about the suffragettes and their sister organisation, the suffrage societies.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘Starts well and then gets better! ’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘I recommend this book to anyone who loves a twisty plot line that keeps you guessing.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was reading something special … Iris Woodmore … is such a fun, feisty and determined young lady.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘Excellent read … Brilliant storyline.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘The writer's attention to detail and historical fact was very good … The characters are well drawn and believable.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review‘The characters are brilliantly written and swept me along.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reader review

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Book SynopsisMichael Moorcock's triumphant return to Britain's adventuring detective, Sexton Blake! His first published novel restored, revised, expanded... and presented with a brand new prequel story!A deep sea mission...A baffling murder...Beneath a sky of limpid sapphire blue, the research ship Gorgon rolls gently on the scintillating waters of the Caribbean Sea.Below, two men in a bathysphere, lowered more than a 150 fathoms into the crushing depths. But when the sphere is raised, there is only one man inside... and he has a knife in his back!Now Sexton Blake must answer an impossible question: How did the killer escape?**Trade Review“Makes Jack Reacher look like a bungling amateur...definitely not be missed.” — The Crime Review“Delighted to see Sexton Blake still going strong – and with such aplomb!” -- Agatha Christie"The Sexton Blake Saga is the nearest approach to a national folk-lore" -- Dorothy L Sayers"After more than seventy years of continuous publication, Sexton Blake is still the doyen of detectives." -- Daily Telegraph"[Moorcock] is the greatest writer of post-Tolkien British Fantasy." — Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalaier & Clay, and Telegraph Avenue"Moorcock’s influence is nothing like Tolkien’s, at least on the surface, but his vision of a speculative-fiction genre that can be psychologically complex is evident in how very sophisticated some of it has become—from “True Detective” to Jeff VanderMeer, from David Mitchell to “Under the Skin.” — The New Yorker"Moorcock as the most important successor to Mervyn Peake and Wyndham Lewis... The vast, tragic symbols by which Moorcock continually illuminates the metaphysical quest of his hero are a measure of the author’s remarkable talents" — J.G.Ballard, author of Empire of the Sun, Crash, and The Drowned World"[Moorcock] can gleefully give you all the formulae of every kind of story there ever was, because he's tried and tested all of them ... the master story-teller of our time." — Angela Carter author of The Bloody Chamber, and Nights at the Circus"Serious literary fun as Mark Hodder vaults to the front of the new steampunk writers pack. Elaborately researched and name-checked, THE SECRET OF ABDU EL YEZDI races Victorian explorer Sir Richard Burton through a diabolically baffling maze of historical possiblities -- plus there's corsets and airships. Hard to imagine any lover of alternate British empires not being thoroughly amazed and entertained" ? K.W. Jeter

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Book Synopsis**Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club 2023**''Tense. Moving. Morally complex. Zina Pavlou is wholly unforgettable.'' Rachel Rhys''Impressive... worthy of Sarah Waters'' The TimesTHEY HAVE TOLD SO MANY LIES ABOUT ME.London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can''t speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant woman. While she works as Zina''s translator, her obsession with the case deepens, and so too does her bond with the accused murderer.Zina can''t speak for herself. She can''t clear her own name. All she can do is wait for the world to decide.IS SHE A VICTIM? OR IS SHE A KILLER?''Kyr

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Book SynopsisNew historical crime from award-winning writer Clare Whitfield, based on a real-life all-female London crime gang. Twenty-four-year-old Eleanor Mackridge leaves behind her working-class family to reinvent herself as 'Nell the Mack' in the Forty Elephants.

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Book SynopsisA sparkling return to the Golden Age of Crime Fiction, where even the most fiendish of mysteries can be unlocked by a keen eye and a sharp mind... 1938, London. Ambitious lawyer Edmund Ibbs has got his teeth into the case of a lifetime – defending the young woman accused of shooting her husband in the infamous ‘Ferris Wheel Murder’ case. Despite a plethora of evidence against his client, Ibbs is certain he can secure her acquittal. But after a night of magic and illusion at London’s Pomegranate Theatre, Ibbs finds himself behind bars, accused of a double murder. The renowned prestidigitator Professor Paolini and the operator of said notorious Ferris wheel are dead, and as far as Scotland Yard’s Inspector Flint is concerned, all signs point to the lawyer’s guilt. Luckily for Ibbs, illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector also attended the theatre that night. Can Spector’s eye for detail pierce the veil of deceit in a world of illusion and misdirection, where seeing is not always believing? Reviews for The Murder Wheel 'Wildly entertaining... Confirms Tom Mead’s status as a master of the locked-room mystery.' Tim Major 'Pitch perfect magical locked-room extravaganza. Astounds and amazes.' Barbara Nadel 'Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery.' Aaron Elkins 'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' Ovidia Yu ‘An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery... I love this series. More please!’ Victoria Dowd Reviews for the Spector Locked-Room Mystery series: 'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'Great fun.' The TimesTrade ReviewMaking things even more fun is the combination of two vintage templates: the locked-room puzzle and the theatre mystery. Add a charismatic protagonist, and you have a recipe for pure nostalgic pleasure * The Wall Street Journal *An affectionate tribute to the Golden Age locked-room mystery... Mead’s skilled homage draws from early 20th century true-crime cases and classic genre motifs, all set against the charmed worlds of the fairground and theatre * Irish Times *Bears every sign of being possessed by the ghost of the master of the locked-room mystery, John Dickson Carr * The Daily Telegraph *A brilliantly contrived plot, scattered with false trails, makes for a literary sleight of hand that is a delight to read. * Daily Mail *'The Murder Wheel is a wildly entertaining mystery brimming over with knotty puzzles, sleight of hand, wit and intelligence. It confirms Tom Mead’s status as a master of the locked-room mystery, and secures Joseph Spector as one of my favourite fictional detectives.' -- Tim Major'Set within the theater world of 1938 London, this ingenious new novel is packed full with lush period detail, a glittery cast of characters, and a genuinely compelling puzzle at its center. Mead knows his subject and gives the reader a full immersion into this compelling mystery.' * CrimeReads *Ingenious and enjoyable, this is just the job for those needing a few hours’ respite from real-world horrors * Morning Star *'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities set in the golden age of theatre and murder mysteries. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' -- Ovidia Yu, author of the History Tree MysteriesPeppered with a wide range of theatre-like characters, the reader enjoys a twisted road to an unexpected denouement * Historical Novel Review *Mead has extensively researched crime, magicians and their tricks from the 1930s for this highly entertaining tale * The Sun *'In his captivating second novel Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery, and The Murder Wheel doesn't give us to merely one example of this honored tradition to solve, but three of them... three interlocking "impossible" murders, each with plenty of twists and skillful misdirection. The characters are charming, the plot moves briskly along, and in the end, the brilliant "Old Conjuror," Joseph Spector, puts it all together and comes up with the goods. A winner!' -- Aaron Elkins'Tom Mead has quickly become one of my must-read authors, writing some of the most ingenious and entertaining locked-room mysteries being published today.' -- Gigi PandianIllusion blend with reality to create an outcome that is impossible to predict * My Weekly *'What an absolute treasure! Tom Mead writes with the sophisticated and knowing voice of another era, with a skilled sleight of hand, and with deep knowledge of psychology, magic, and human nature. THE MURDER WHEEL is an engaging, perplexing, and irresistible riff on locked room mysteries – you've never seen a series of crimes as delightfully complex, or as brilliantly crafted. You will not be able to put this down, and what's more, you will never be able to solve all the puzzles within puzzles. But you will stand and applaud, as I did, at the marvelously fair solutions. I promise you'll be given all the clues, dear murder mystery readers, but, trust me: give up trying to identify whodunnit, and simply enjoy the journey to an elegant and satisfying conclusion, where the impossible becomes – presto! – possible.' * Hank Phillippi Ryan *A gripping locked room mystery * BBC Bristol *REVIEWS FOR DEATH AND THE CONJUROR: 'Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche' Kirkus '[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr' Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2022 - Mystery/Thriller '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 Stashower 'An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!' Victoria Dowd 'Tom 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 Todd 'Both 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 Jakubowski 'This ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mystery' Gigi Pandian 'A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths' New York Times 'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel' Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisCovent Garden, January 1708. Widow Trotter has big plans for her recently-inherited coffee house, not suspecting that within days her little kingdom will be caught up in a national drama involving scandal, conspiracy and murder... Queen Anne’s new “Great Britain” is in crisis. The Queen is mired in a sexual scandal, spies are everywhere, and political disputes are bringing violence and division. The treasonous satirist “Bufo” is public enemy number one and the Ministry is determined to silence him. Drawn into a web of intrigue that reaches from the brothels of Drury Lane to the Court of St James’s, Mary Trotter and her young friends Tom and Will race against time to unravel the political plots, solve two murders, and prevent another. The first in a projected series of "Chocolate House Mysteries", the novel presents the London of Queen Anne in all its brilliance and filth, its violence, elegance and wit. The book moves among a rich cast of characters, ranging from the life of the streets and the "nymphs" of Drury Lane to the conspiratorial world of Queen Anne's Court. At its heart is the Bay-Tree Chocolate House, Covent Garden, where Widow Trotter presides as she does over the novel itself, with good humour, fierce integrity, and resolute determination.

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Book Synopsis A gripping mystery with a classic feel, for fans of Agatha Christie 'Haunting and exquisitely written. Part intricate mystery and part ghost story. This book will stay with me for a long time' Anna MazzolaThe drive leads past the gate house and through the trees towards the big house, visible through the winter-bared branches. Its windows stare down at Harkin and the sea beyond . . .January 1921. Though the Great War is over, in Ireland a new, civil war is raging. The once-grand Kilcolgan House, a crumbling bastion shrouded in sea-mist, lies half empty and filled with ghosts - both real and imagined - the Prendevilles, the noble family within, co-existing only as the balance of their secrets is kept.Then, when an IRA ambush goes terribly wrong, Maud Prendeville, eldest daughter of Lord Kilcolgan, is killed, leaving the family reeling. Yet the IRA column insist they left her alive, that someone else must have been responsible for her terrible fate. Captain Tom Harkin, an IRA intelligence officer and Maud's former fiancé, is sent to investigate, becoming an unwelcome guest in this strange, gloomy household.Working undercover, Harkin must delve into the house's secrets - and discover where, in this fractured, embattled town, each family member's allegiances truly lie. But Harkin too is haunted by the ghosts of the past and by his terrible experiences on the battlefields. Can he find out the truth about Maud's death before the past - and his strange, unnerving surroundings - overwhelm him?A haunting, atmospheric mystery set against the raw Irish landscape in a country divided, The Winter Guest is the perfect chilling read.Praise for THE WINTER GUEST and W.C. Ryan'A snowflake of a novel: intricate, exquisite, and unlike any other. If Sebastian Faulks and Laura Purcell were to join forces, they might produce a novel like this... yet I can't imagine anyone but WC Ryan shaping it with such imagination, or charging it with such intelligence, or gracing it with such heart' A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window 'Haunting, gripping . . . hugely evocative' Elodie Harper'Works superbly on several levels. This is a most welcome winter guest indeed, to be greeted by the fire with drink in hand' Irish Times'Ryan evokes this moody, gothic atmosphere with convincing skill. Harkin is a sensitive, complex character and his quest to solve the mystery is deftly plotted. A treat' The Times'A perfectly crafted mystery. Vivid, compelling and deeply moving, it is a triumph both as a crime novel and a work of historical fiction' Jane Casey'A beautifully taut and evocative thriller' Sarah Hilary'Superb . . . I could not put it down' Elizabeth Buchan'Atmospheric and genuinely eerie, this is an ideal winter read' Sinead Crowley'A terrifically atmospheric, gripping novel' Amanda Craig, The Golden Rule'Haunting, beautifully crafted, and full of heart. Perfect reading for dark days' A.K. Benedict, author of The Christmas Murder Game'Beautifully written, haunting and unmissable' Cass Green'Excellent murder mystery/ghost story set during the Irish war of independence and as usual with W.C. Ryan, beautifully written' Liz Nugent'Intriguing, haunting, romantic and beautifully written, I cared as much about the fate of the characters as about the gripping mystery' Laura Marshall*longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger award 2023: 22/04/23 (https://thecwa.co.uk/awards-and-competitions/the-daggers/gold-dagger)Trade ReviewRyan evokes this moody, gothic atmosphere with convincing skill. Harkin is a sensitive, complex character and his quest to solve the mystery is deftly plotted. A treat. * The Times *A haunting, gripping novel . . . hugely evocative, with some absolutely beautiful writing which captures the profound unease of the times and the bleak nature of the landscape. I really loved this book. * Elodie Harper, The Wolf Den *A terrifically atmospheric, gripping novel. * Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule *Ryan writes with precision and elegance... This is the best historical crime novel set in Ireland I have read. * Literary Review *In 2018, WC Ryan published A House Of Ghosts, a superb period mystery with spooky overtones, and now he returns with an equally engrossing read. A clever whodunnit with a bracing whiff of the supernatural. * Daily Express *A snowflake of a novel: intricate, exquisite, and unlike any other. Here, as in his every book, Ryan once again recalls Graham Greene - the command of plot, the precision of language - but The Winter Guest also finds him summoning the dark-rose spectres of haunted-house classics like The Woman in Black. If Sebastian Faulks and Laura Purcell were to join forces, they might produce a novel like this... yet I can't imagine anyone but WC Ryan shaping it with such imagination, or charging it with such intelligence, or gracing it with such heart. * AJ Finn, international bestselling author of The Woman in the Window *The Winter Guest works superbly on several levels. As a mystery it unfolds in well-constructed, satisfyingly dramatised scenes, with sharp dialogue and an especially nice line in flirtatious banter. Ryan deftly sketches the contours of a society where friends and mortal enemies live at close quarters, and explores those shifting, volatile allegiances with subtlety and nuance. This is a most welcome winter guest indeed, to be greeted by the fire with drink in hand. * Irish Times *A serendipitously timed, impeccably researched and utterly intriguing historical mystery that lays bare the societal fractures caused in Ireland's fight for freedom. * Irish Independent *Excellent murder mystery/ghost story set during the Irish war of independence and as usual with W.C. Ryan, beautifully written. * Liz Nugent *A beautifully taut and evocative thriller. * Sarah Hilary *Ryan adroitly marshals a dense plot in a thriller that bears comparison with both le Carré and Buchan. William Ryan - writing here as WC Ryan - has a le Carré-like facility with genre. Like le Carré, Ryan's novels converge at the point where crime fiction, the historical novel and the spy thriller intersect. His Russian crime series, featuring Captain Alexei Korolev of the Moscow Militia, established his reputation as a compelling storyteller. Ryan's story commands your undivided attention . . . his marshalling of his extremely dense plot is deft and assured . . . and the tension builds to a crescendo that keeps the reader guessing until the final pages. His prose is richly evocative of the historical period. Seriously impressive . . . a ripping yarn. * Sunday Times (Ireland) *Apart from the immaculately paced plot, there's an aura in this novel that's quite bewitching, with the dead coming and going like the west wind, wordless but somehow profound. Harkin's loneliness is so palpable it's like a solid thing, bringing John Banville's Quirke and PD James's Dalgliesh to mind. He is a man mired in darkness but vaguely attempting to reach for some elusive shaft of light. Here's hoping we encounter him again. * Sunday Irish Independent *Haunting and exquisitely written. Part intricate mystery and part ghost story. This book will stay with me for a long time. * Anna Mazzola *Atmospheric and genuinely eerie, this is an ideal winter read. * Sinead Crowley *Beautifully written, haunting and unmissable. * Cass Green *A master of the dark arts penning spine-tingling ghost stories. Ryan conjures up the perfect winter's tale... Perfectly pitched for the dark nights, The Winter Guest is a multi-layered, twisting turning masterpiece that moves deftly through a claustrophobic miasma of bitter recriminations, divided loyalties, ghostly shadows, deadly deeds, dangerous double-crossing, and thrills that chill to the bone. Entertaining, unsettling and utterly captivating, this is Ryan at his intelligent, storytelling best. Don't miss it! -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *Superb . . . an old war and new sectarianism, family division and decay, a love story, murder, layered in with such finesse and skill. I could not put it down. * Elizabeth Buchan *Intriguing, haunting, romantic and beautifully written, I cared as much about the fate of the characters as about the gripping mystery. * Laura Marshall *The horrors of the First World War spill into an Irish countryside aflame with revolution in this superb tale of treachery, murder and divided loyalties. Excellent. * Michael Ridpath, author of The Diplomat’s wife. *A stunning book, beautifully written. I'm haunted by it. * Ann Cleeves *A beautifully written, atmospheric novel about Ireland in 1921, betrayal and spies, an ambush and a brutal murder. Agatha Christie meets Elizabeth Bowen with an edge of Graham Greene. I loved it * Jane Casey *

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Book SynopsisFrom the winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition comes another tantalising Golden Age wartime mystery.**DON'T MISS THE LASTEST JOSEPHINE FOX MYSTERY, A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. OUT NOW!**PRAISE FOR THE JOSEPHINE FOX SERIES:'Terrific ... captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain' ANN CLEEVES'Feisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox' JUDY FINNIGAN'A complete delight ... sings with authenticity' CAZ FREARDECEMBER 1942. As the war rages on, the accidental death of a young man is almost unremarkable. Except this young man was patrolling the grounds of Hursley Park House, where teams are designing crucial modifications to the Spitfire - and he was found clutching part of a blueprint.JANUARY 1943. Josephine Fox is given a code name and a mission as she is seconded to Hursley: uncover the network responsible for information leaks to the enemy. And when the dead man's father visits Bram Nash convinced that his son was innocent of espionage and the victim of murder, her friend is also drawn into the investigation.But as Jo and Bram circle closer to the truth, danger is closing in around them...*INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE NEXT JOSEPHINE FOX MYSTERY, A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS*

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Book Synopsis'One of today's finest thriller writers' - DAILY MAILFrom the award-winning modern master of US crime fiction comes a thriller about revenge, justice, family - and a quest for the truth in the face of evil. With one of the most unforgettable villains of the year, The Unwilling is the perfect read for fans of The Dry by Jane Harper and We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker.__________________NOT EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE . . .After a tour of Vietnam and a three-year stint in prison, Jason is back in town and wants to rebuild his relationship with Gibby, the younger brother he hasn't seen for years. Determined to make that connection, he coaxes Gibby into a day at the lake: long hours of sunshine and whisky and older women.But when the four of them encounter a prison transfer bus on a stretch of empty road, one of the women taunts the prisoners, causing a riot on the bus.Soon after, Tyra is savagely murdered.Given his violent history, suspicion turns first to Jason. Determined to prove his older brother's innocence, Gibby must avoid the police and dive deep into his brother's hidden life, a journey that takes him into the darkest corners of the community.What he discovers is a truth more disturbing than he could have imagined: not just the identity of the killer and the reasons for Tyra's murder, but the forces that shaped his brother in Vietnam, the reason he was framed - and why the most dangerous man alive wants him back in prison.Set in the American South, The Unwilling combines crime, suspense and searing glimpses into the human mind and soul in New York Times bestselling author John Hart's singular style.__________________PRAISE FOR JOHN HART:'A master storyteller' - HARLAN COBEN'A clever mystery' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Read this novel' - DAVID BALDACCI, author of ONE GOOD DEED'If you crave thrillers that are vividly beautiful, graphic, will make you bleed, try John Hart' - PATRICIA CORNWELL, author of THE SCARPETTA SERIES'Whenever I thought that I had unravelled the plot, another twist left me flummoxed' - GUARDIAN'John Hart has clearly joined the top rank of thriller writers' - VINCE FLYNN, author of TOTAL POWER'A Chandleresque thriller' - SUNDAY TIMES'Raw, tender, brutal, and exquisite' - C.J. BOX, author of DARK SKY'Crime fiction at its absolute best' - MARK GREANEY, author of RELENTLESS'Explores betrayal and forgiveness in indelible prose' - OBSERVER'Richly complex . . . this is John Hart at his lyrical, atmospheric best' - TAMI HOAG, author of THE BOY'A heart-pounding thriller' - METRO

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Book Synopsis1957 - Young Queen Elizabeth II is finding her way in a challenging world as the United Kingdom must adjust to having neither an empire nor a set place in post-war Europe. As she travels the world to try and build bridges, the Queen is advised by the 'men in moustaches', as Philip calls them - her father's old courtiers, who may or may not have her best interests at heart. One of them is trying to sabotage her: that much she is sure of.And then two bodies turn up, horribly murdered, in Chelsea, and the Queen finds herself unwillingly used as the alibi for somebody very close to her.Elizabeth knows she can't face these challenges alone. She needs support from someone clever, discreet and loyal, someone she can trust. Then she meets ex-Bletchley Park code breaker, Joan McGraw, and their investigation into the murders begins in earnest . . .

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Book SynopsisThe brand-new novel from the winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.'A CRACKING READ' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY'THIS ATMOSPHERIC WARTIME MYSTERY IS PERFECT FOR FANS OF FOYLE'S WAR' CANDISJune 1944, Romsey, England.Josephine 'Jo' Fox is at an impasse since the unwelcome return of her wayward husband Richard. So, when he disappears again, she is neither concerned nor surprised - until a burning car is discovered with a body inside. And there are signs that Richard is somehow involved.Jo is determined to find both her husband and answers, yet with her friend Bram Nash in hospital suffering an infection of his old war wound, she must do so alone. When information comes to light that implicates Bram too, Jo finds herself on a dangerous path to the truth.But what will be left for her when all is revealed?PRAISE FOR THE JOSEPHINE FOX SERIES:' Terrific ... captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain' ANN CLEEVES' Feisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox' JUDY FINNIGAN'A complete delight ... sings with authenticity' CAZ FREARTrade ReviewFeisty, determined and brave - I loved Josephine Fox * Judy Finnigan on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *A complete delight. The story sings with authenticity and I found myself transported to 1940s Romsey from the very first page ... Unputdownable * Caz Frear on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *A terrific debut novel, which captures brilliantly the atmosphere of wartime Britain * Ann Cleeves on The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox *This atmospheric wartime mystery is perfect for fans of Foyle's war * Candis *Gradidge captures vividly the impact of war on a rural community ... A cracking read * Historical Novel Society *

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Book Synopsis'Mark is a wonderfully descriptive writer' Peter JamesCumbria, 1967. Grieving the loss of her son, Cordelia Hemlock is in the village graveyard when lightning strikes a tomb, giving her a glimpse of a fresh corpse that doesn't belong among the crumbling bones. But when the body vanishes, the authorities refuse to believe her, a relative newcomer to rural and ancient Upper Denton.Cordelia persuades Felicity, her new friend from the village and the only other person to have seen the corpse, to join her unofficial investigation. But the other villagers don't take kindly to their interference. There are those who believe the village's secrets should remain buried . . . whatever the cost.Trade ReviewMark is a wonderfully descriptive writer and an exciting young talent -- PETER JAMESExceptional . . . Evocative prose . . . Mark is writing at the top of his game * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *Deft writing, a plot filled with strange and unexpected twists, vivid characters, and a constant feeling of foreboding make this a gripping and unusual read * * Booklist * *David Mark is an original and captivating new voice -- VAL McDERMID on DARK WINTERMark [is] one of the darkest of the new faces in British crime writing, and not one to miss * * Daily Mail * *This intricately plotted bleak story has a menacing tone * * Library Journal * *

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Book SynopsisA SCOTSMAN BOOK OF THE YEAREDINBURGH, 1853.In a city of science, discovery can be deadly . . .In a time of unprecedented scientific discovery, the public's appetite for wonder has seen a resurgence of interest in mesmerism, spiritualism and other unexplained phenomena. Dr Will Raven is wary of the shadowlands that lie between progress and quackery, but Sarah Fisher can't afford to be so picky. Frustrated in her medical ambitions, she sees opportunity in a new therapeutic field not already closed off to women.Raven has enough on his hands as it is. Body parts have been found at Surgeons' Hall, and they're not anatomy specimens. In a city still haunted by the crimes of Burke and Hare, he is tasked with heading off a scandal.When further human remains are found, Raven is able to identify a prime suspect, and the hunt is on before he kills again. Unfortunately, the individual he seeks happens to be an accomplished actor, a man of a thousand faces and a renowned master of disguise.With the lines between science and spectacle dangerously blurred, the stage is set for a grand and deadly illusion . . .Trade ReviewI loved Raven and Sarah's latest fabulous adventure concerning the infancy of hypnotherapy whilst exploring the darker elements of the human heart -- ALEX GRAYPraise for the series: Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMIDBrilliantly conceived, fiendishly plotted and immaculately realised, these thrillers pull off the most difficult double-whammy of all: beneath blood and butchery so real they almost stain the pages lie both heart and soul . . . Wherever Parry takes them, I'll follow -- MICK HERRONA rip-roaring tale of murder amid the medical experiments of 19th-century Edinburgh. The book brings both city and period to colourful life and is a joy to read -- IAN RANKINMenacing, witty and ingeniously plotted, Ambrose Parry's debut draws you into the dark heart of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and won't let you go until the final page -- S. J. PARRISThe dark and dangerous past is brought thrillingly to life. I can't wait to read more of Raven and Sarah -- MARK BILLINGHAMUtterly compelling, this tale of Old Edinburgh is so full of characters and startling incident that I never wanted it to end -- DENISE MINAA thoroughly entertaining tale of murder and misadventure in 1840s Edinburgh * * Sunday Times * *A dynamic new arrival . . . Ambrose Parry's The Way of All Flesh is set in an 1840s Edinburgh where new science and old beliefs rub shoulders. Its twisty gothic plot is based on grisly real events -- NICCI FRENCHThe city of Burke and Hare has found a new classic murder. The Way of All Flesh is a darkly stylish mystery underpinned by hard facts and expert research. A hugely enjoyable debut -- LOUISE WELSH

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Book SynopsisWhat if you thought your husband was Jack the Ripper? London, 1888. Susannah rushes into marriage to a young and wealthy surgeon. After a passionate honeymoon, she returns home with her new husband wrapped around her little finger. But then everything changes. His behaviour becomes increasingly volatile and violent. He stays out all night, returning home bloodied and full of secrets. Lonely and frustrated, Susannah starts following the gruesome reports of a spate of murders in Whitechapel. But as the killings continue, her mind takes her down the darkest path imaginable. Every time he stays out late, another victim is found dead. Is it coincidence? Or is her husband the man the papers call Jack the Ripper? Reviews for People of Abandoned Character: 'A mistreated wife suspects her husband might be the Whitechapel killer... Compelling' Sunday Times 'An astonishing book' M.W. Craven 'A gripping and original take on the world's most notorious serial killer. A perfectly thrilling read for those long winter nights' Adam Hamdy 'This impressive debut builds up pace, pathos and intrigue superbly, with plenty of twists and turns' Woman's WeeklyTrade ReviewAn astonishing book set in a Victorian London plagued by Jack the Ripper. Whitfield's narrator is Susannah, an ex-nurse who rushed into a rapidly souring marriage with a wealthy surgeon and starts to believe that her husband might be Leather Apron himself. I'd be amazed if it isn't dominating the shortlists come next year's awards season -- MW CravenThis impressive debut builds superbly, with plenty of twists and turns * Woman & Home *A gripping and original take on the world's most notorious serial killer. A perfectly thrilling read for those long winter nights. Highly recommended -- Adam HamdyA mistreated wife suspects her husband might be the Whitechapel killer... Compelling' * Sunday Times *A historical crime novel with real attitude... Compelling, thought-provoking, and powerful' * LoveReading *This impressive debut builds up pace, pathos and intrigue superbly, with plenty of twists and turns' * Woman's Weekly *Shockingly compelling * Woman *In addition to being a thrilling page-turner, Whitfield's book explores several questions: What makes a person good or bad? Can we overcome our origins? Is our fate determined before we're born? Moreover, the book is rife with dangerous secrets – Thomas's, Susannah's, and those of the people closest to them * Austin American Statesman *This debut historical mystery contains echoes of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and Jack the Ripper.The unreliable narration combines with richly detailed writing in a mystery with a shocking conclusion * Library Journal *People Of Abandoned Character interrogates this fascinating aspect of storytelling while positing an unconventional solution to the Jack the Ripper mystery... This is a smart, thrilling narrative that doesn't shy away from gore or trauma, steadfastly reflecting through its Victorian lens how our own modern societies continue to treat women and the poor. That this is Clare Whitfield's debut novel only adds to how impressive it is as a feat of empathetic, feminist storytelling' * Criminal Element *[A] suspenseful gothic debut * Shelf Awareness *With a compelling central character, an attention-grabbing murder mystery, and an easy-to-read, characterful writing style, Whitfield’s novel is an excellent debut, and bodes well for her future career * Otago Daily Times *

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Book SynopsisElizabeth's reign is reaching its winter and England's old adversaries are fading. But in a world on the brink of change, showing any weakness can be fatal...1598. Nicholas Shelby, unorthodox physician and reluctant spy for Robert Cecil, has brought his wife Bianca and their child home from exile in Padua. Welcome at court, his star is in the ascendancy. But he has returned to a dangerous world.Two old enemies are approaching their final reckoning. England and Spain are exhausted by war. In London, Elizabeth is entering the twilight of her reign. In Madrid, King Philip of Spain is dying. Perhaps now is the time for one last throw of the dice.Elizabeth has seen off more than one Spanish attempt at invasion. But still she is not safe. In Ireland, rebellion against her rule is raging. And if Spain can take Ireland, England will be more vulnerable than ever.When England's greatest living poet, Edmund Spenser, sends Robert Cecil an enigmatic and mysterious plea for help from his Irish fastness, Cecil dispatches Nicholas to investigate. Soon he and Bianca find themselves caught up not just in bloody rebellion, but in the lethal power-play between Cecil and the one man Elizabeth believes can restore Ireland to her, the unpredictable Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.Trade ReviewThe third in Perry's series is as dramatic and colourful as the previous two. * The Sunday Times *An absolute belter of a read and another fabulous addition to the Jackdaw Mysteries series... I just gobbled up the pages as the story fairly roars along battling spies and pirates on route... S. W. Perry ensures the sights, smells and sounds of London and Morocco entered my very being. I love this series. -- Liz Robinson * LoveReading, Picks of the month *The writing is of such a quality, the characters so engaging and the setting so persuasive that, only two books in, S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series. * S. G. MacLean on The Serpent's Mark *A satisfyingly convoluted plot. * Sunday Times on The Serpent's Mark *No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century. * Andrew Swanston on The Serpent's Mark *The Serpent's Mark is an excellent evocation of Elizabethan England, with espionage, intricate conspiracies, strange medical practises and a gripping story. A rattling good read. * William Ryan on The Serpent's Mark *A gorgeous book - rich, intelligent and dark in equal measure. It immerses you in the late 16th century and leaves you wrung out with terror. This is historical fiction at its most sumptuous. * Rory Clements on The Angel's Mark *Wonderful! Beautiful writing, and Perry's Elizabethan London is so skilfully evoked, so real that one can almost smell it. * Giles Kristian on The Angel's Mark *

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Book SynopsisTreason, heresy and revolt in Queen Elizabeth's England . . . The year is 1600. With a dying queen on the throne, war raging on the high seas and famine on the rise, England is on the brink of chaos. And in London's dark alleyways, a conspiracy is brewing. In the court's desperate bid to silence it, an innocent man is found guilty - the father of Nicholas Shelby, physician and spy. As Nicholas races against time to save his father, he and his wife Bianca are drawn into the centre of a treacherous plot against the queen.When one of Shakespeare's boy actors goes missing, and Bianca discovers a disturbing painting that could be a clue, she embarks on her own investigation. Meanwhile, as Nicholas comes closer to unveiling the real conspirator, the men who wish to silence him are multiplying. When he stumbles on a plan to overthrow the state and replace it with a terrifying new order, he may be forced to make a decision between his country and his heart . . .Trade ReviewThe third in Perry's series is as dramatic and colourful as the previous two. * The Sunday Times *An absolute belter of a read and another fabulous addition to the Jackdaw Mysteries series... I just gobbled up the pages as the story fairly roars along battling spies and pirates on route... S. W. Perry ensures the sights, smells and sounds of London and Morocco entered my very being. I love this series. -- Liz Robinson * LoveReading, Picks of the month *The writing is of such a quality, the characters so engaging and the setting so persuasive that, only two books in, S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series. * S. G. MacLean on The Serpent's Mark *A satisfyingly convoluted plot. * Sunday Times on The Serpent's Mark *No-one is better than S. W. Perry at leading us through the squalid streets of London in the sixteenth century. * Andrew Swanston on The Serpent's Mark *The Serpent's Mark is an excellent evocation of Elizabethan England, with espionage, intricate conspiracies, strange medical practises and a gripping story. A rattling good read. * William Ryan on The Serpent's Mark *A gorgeous book - rich, intelligent and dark in equal measure. It immerses you in the late 16th century and leaves you wrung out with terror. This is historical fiction at its most sumptuous. * Rory Clements on The Angel's Mark *Wonderful! Beautiful writing, and Perry's Elizabethan London is so skilfully evoked, so real that one can almost smell it. * Giles Kristian on The Angel's Mark *

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Book Synopsis'An epic, devastating, majestic mystery. Clever, richly imagined and outright thrilling' Chris Whitaker Berkeley, California 1944: A former presidential candidate is assassinated in one of the rooms at the opulent Claremont Hotel. A rich industrialist, Walter Wilkinson could have been targeted by any number of adversaries. But Detective Al Sullivan's investigation brings up the spectre of another tragedy at the Claremont ten years earlier: the death of seven-year-old Iris Stafford, a member of the wealthy and influential Bainbridge family. Some say she haunts the Claremont still. The many threads of the case keep leading Sullivan back to the three remaining Bainbridge heiresses, now adults: Iris's sister, Isabella, and her cousins Cassie and Nicole. Determined not to let anything distract him from the truth - not the powerful influence of Bainbridges' grandmother, or the political aspirations of Berkeley's district attorney, or the interest of Chinese first lady Madame Chiang Kai-Shek - Sullivan follows his investigation to its devastating conclusion. Chua's page-turning debut brings to life a historical era rife with turbulent social forces and ground-breaking forensic advances, when access to power, and therefore justice, hinged on gender, race and class.'Riveting' Daily Mail'Intriguing' Sunday Times'Vividly intoxicating' Janice HallettTrade ReviewHistorical detective noir at its best. A vividly intoxicating story weaves the political landscape of post-war California together with the mystery and humanity of a notoriously tragic upper class family. A multi-layered read with something to say. Intelligent, surprising and satisfying. I can't believe this is a debut! -- Janice HallettAn epic, devastating, majestic mystery. The Golden Gate is clever, richly imagined and outright thrilling. -- Chris WhitakerBrimful of plot, packed with intriguing characters ... a riveting homage to American crime noir. * Daily Mail *All the elements I love in a mystery: A tough-guy homicide detective, an entrancing femme fatale, family secrets, a fabulous building in a beautiful city in a great time period, a touch of Agatha Christie, and a soupcon of Dashiell Hammett. And Amy Chua's terrific writing provides the icing. -- Lisa SeeAn intriguing mystery * Sunday Times *An atmospheric page-turner * Prima *A tour de force of a novel. Brilliantly detailed, unflinching and supercharged with colour and character. Bravo -- Elizabeth BuchanA sharp, stylish and fascinating mystery novel that bring to life the grit, glamour and complexity of 1940s America -- Anna MazzolaA richly satisfying historical mystery that draws on its setting for more than mere atmosphere * Publishers Weekly *A sumptuous, rollercoaster of a read. Beautifully and intricately plotted, it reads like James Ellroy decided to channel Raymond Chandler and set a story in golden age San Francisco. I whizzed through it in two days and didn't want it to end. -- Simon ToyneSatisfyingly twisty, highly educational and lots of fun * Kirkus, starred review *A riveting mystery ... Chua skilfully creates tension * Booklist *A successful, compelling mashup of California history, ghost story, family drama and social commentary * Library Journal *Rich and satisfying ... an entertaining read * Seattle Times *A tough guy with room for gentleness... Detective Al Sullivan and his crew are a joy, introducing us to a Bay Area that is both intimately familiar and surprisingly new. -- Laurie R. King

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Book SynopsisThere is a certain hour, in the dead of night, when the orchid's scent can put you under a spell... New York City, 1923. Zia De Luca's life is about to be shattered. Having lost her husband to The Great War, she lives with her in-laws in Little Italy and works at the public library. But when a quiet poetry-lover is murdered outside the library, the police investigation focuses on Zia. After a second tragedy strikes even closer to home, Zia learns that both crimes are connected to a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village called The Orchid Hour. When the police investigation stalls, Zia decides to find her own answers. A cousin with whom she has a special bond serves as a guide to the shadow realm of The Orchid Hour, a world filled with enticements Zia has shunned up to now. She must contend with a group of players determined to find wealth and power in New York on their own terms. In this heady atmosphere, Zia begins to wonder if she too could rewrite her life's rules. As she's pulled in deeper and deeper, will Zia be able to bring the killers to justice before they learn her secret?Trade Review"Nancy Bilyeau has created a beautifully layered and utterly seductive tale... and, at its living, tender heart, a strong-willed and magnetic heroine." - Emilya Naymark, author of Behind the Lie, finalist for the 2023 Sue Grafton Award

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Book SynopsisIn 1840 a brutal attempted murder is thwarted in the Shropshire town of Ludlow. The true life crime sent shockwaves across Victorian society and the British Empire. The victim of the attack, accountant William Miller Mackreth, must now recover from both his physical and mental scars and return to his fiancée Jane and his life in Bristol. A tale of mystery, intrigue, love and endurance, The Dangerous Journey is written by William's great great grandson who recreates a moving and faithful account of the events leading up to the attack by the enigmatic Josiah Mister and the sensational trial that followed.

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Book SynopsisLondon at the dawn of 1918 and Ireland's most famous literary figure, WB Yeats, is immersed in supernatural investigations at his Bloomsbury rooms. Haunted by the restless spirit of an Irish girl whose body is mysteriously washed ashore in a coffin, Yeats undertakes a perilous journey back to Ireland with his apprentice ghost-catcher Charles Adams to piece together the killer's identity. Surrounded by spies, occultists and Irish rebels, the two are led on a gripping journey along Ireland's wild Atlantic coast, through the ruins of its abandoned estates, and into its darkest, most haunted corners. Falling under the spell of dark forces, Yeats and his novice ghost-catcher come dangerously close to crossing the invisible line that divides the living from the dead.Trade ReviewPraise for Disappeared: Quinn's is a highly original take on a much-traversed topic. He writes with melancholic elegance, and persuades us that the Troubles are never over -- Marcel Berlins * The London Times *The Blood Dimmed Tide is a dark and gripping tale that takes the reader to Ireland's very own Wild West. Beautifully written, with a cleverly-constructed mystery at its core, the story blends crime fiction, politics and occultism in a way that keeps the reader interested in every aspect of the story -- Reader Dadyou'll find much to admire in the work -- Anne Clinard Barnhill * Historical Novel Society *Praise for Disappeared: Written in peerless prose...A crime novel to be savoured -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *One of the most striking features of Quinn's novels is his compassionate approach to his characters -- Arminta Wallace * The Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis1570 in the Italian city of Ferrara. Sixteen-year-old Serafina is fipped by her family from an illicit love affair and forced into the convent of Santa Caterina, renowned for its superb music. Serafina's one weapon is her glorious voice, but she refuses to sing. Madonna Chiara, an abbess as fluent in politics as she is in prayer, finds her new charge has unleased a power play - rebellion, ecstasies and hysterias - within the convent. However, watching over Serafina is Zuana, the sister in charge of the infirmary, who understands and might even challenge her incarceration.

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Book Synopsis52 BC, and Rome is in turmoil. Rival gangs prowl the streets as Publius Clodius, a high-born populist politician, and his arch-enemy Titus Milo fight to control the consular elections. But when Clodius is murdered on the famed Appian Way and Milo is accused of the crime, the city explodes with riots and arson.As accusations and rumours fly, Gordianus is charged by Pompey the Great with discovering what really happened on the Appian Way that dark January night. Was it murder? And if so, should the perpetrator be condemned as a villain - or hailed as the saviour of the Roman Republic? For on the truth of that hangs the fate of Titus Milo . . .Praise for Steven Saylor:''Saylor evokes the ancient world more convincingly than any other writer of his generation.''Sunday Times''Saylor''s scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals.''Ruth Rendell''With the scalpel-like deftness of a Hollywood director, Saylor puts his finger on the ver

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Book SynopsisAmelia Peabody is Elizabeth Peters' most brilliant and best-loved creation, a thoroughly Victorian feminist who takes the stuffy world of archaeology by storm with her shocking men's pants and no-nonsense attitude!In this first adventure, our headstrong heroine decides to use her substantial inheritance to see the world. On her travels, she rescues a gentlewoman in distress - Evelyn Barton-Forbes - and the two become friends. The two companions continue to Egypt where they face mysteries, mummies and the redoubtable Radcliffe Emerson, an outspoken archaeologist, who doesn't need women to help him solve mysteries -- at least that's what he thinks!'Think Miss Marple with early feminist gloss crossed with Indiana Jones... Dastardly deeds, whirlwind romances, curious mummies and all the fun and intrigue of Egyptian excavations, with a heroine who wields a sturdy parasol rather than a magnum. Accomplished entertainment.' GuardianTrade ReviewI can't wait for the next Peabody story... I really do think [Elizabeth Peters'] books are great entertainment. -- Angela RipponA writer so popular that the public library has to keep her books under lock and key. * Washington Post Book World *Think Miss Marple with early feminist gloss crossed with Indiana Jones... accomplished entertainment. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisShirley McKay was born in Tynemouth but now lives with her family in Fife. At the age of fifteen she won the Young Observer playwriting competition, her play being performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. She went on to study English and Linguistics at the University of St Andrews before attending Durham University for postgraduate study in Romantic and Seventeenth-Century prose. She was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger. Shirley works as a freelance proofreader.

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Book SynopsisShirley McKay was born in Tynemouth but now lives with her family in Fife. At the age of fifteen she won the Young Observer playwriting competition, her play being performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. She went on to study English and Linguistics at the University of St Andrews before attending Durham University for postgraduate study in Romantic and Seventeenth-Century prose. She was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger. Shirley works as a freelance proofreader.

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Book SynopsisLONDON, 1942. A killer going by the name of 'Crimson Jack' is stalking the wartime streets of London, murdering women on the exact dates of the infamous Jack the Ripper killings of 1888. Has the Ripper somehow returned from the grave? Is the self-styled Crimson Jack a descendant of the original Jack or merely a madman obsessed with those notorious killings? In desperation Scotland Yard turn to Sherlock Holmes, the world’s greatest detective. Surely he is the one man who can sift fact from legend and track down Crimson Jack before he completes his tally of death. As Holmes and the faithful Watson tread the blacked out streets of London, death waits just around the corner. Inspired by the classic film series from Universal Pictures starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, which updated Sherlock Holmes to the 1940s.Trade Review'In two previous books, the author resurrected John Buchan’s World War I-era character Richard Hannay to good effect and with strong period flavor. “A Study in Crimson” achieves a similar mix of action-adventure, detective savvy and Holmesian surprise' * Wall Street Journal *'Besides providing the duo with a worthy challenge, Harris makes his Watson an intelligent and competent sidekick. Both the strong characterization and plot bode well for a sequel' * Publishers Weekly US (STARRED) *'Despite the death of Arthur Conan Doyle, readers still cannot get enough of his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. Robert J. Harris is adding to the new Holmes canon with his brilliant tribute' * Books From Scotland *'Unmitigated pleasure is Harris's stock in trade. In A STUDY IN CRIMSON he revives Basil Rathbone's wartime Sherlock Holmes with great affection and peerless skill. A must-read for Homes aficionados and consumers of literary homage in general' -- Anthony O'Neill, author of 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Seek' and 'The Devil Upstairs''Robert J Harris captures the character of Holmes and Watson wonderfully well in this intriguing mystery' * Irish Independent *'A riveting read…written in an engrossing and engaging manner, this book is a unique development of the Holmes novel and worthy of your time' * Journal of the Legal Society of Scotland *'The book is very well written, well-paced, and extremely entertaining. I look forward to reading more in the same vein' * The Sherlock Holmes Journal *'A thoroughly enjoyable homage to Sherlock Holmes, and very good it is too' * Undiscovered Scotland *'If you like the books, the films or any of the Sherlock Holmes related material that’s out there, you’re going to love this. Perfect reading when you want to fall into something that’s new but familiar as well. I absolutely loved it' -- Ali Braidwood * Camglen Radio's Scots Whay Hae! *'It’s a solid detective thriller that moves at a good pace. The Second World War, and the suggestions of a society on the brink of change, make an intriguing backdrop' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'Harris' take on the iconic characters is outstanding' -- Bruce Tierney * BookPage (US) *'A new Sherlock Holmes mystery and it’s something to celebrate. The mystery motivates Holmes, energises Watson, and leaves Lestrade hanging on their coattails. A captivating start to a new series' -- Liz Robinson * LoveReading *'With all the expected quirkiness of the main characters and the charm of the original author, Robert J. Harris’ A Study in Crimson will be an easy and enjoyable read for fans of Holmes and Watson' * The Book Review Station *

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Book Synopsis'An immersive and entertaining read' – Alistair Mabbot, The Herald The year is 1317, and young squire Benedict Russell has joined the English-held garrison of Berwick-upon-Tweed after the spectacular Scottish victory at Bannockburn three years earlier. Serious and self-doubting, he can’t wait for his time there to come to an end. Living on the disputed territory between Scotland and England is a precarious existence, and as the Scots draw ever closer and the English king does nothing to stop them, Benedict finds himself in a race against time to solve the brutal murder of a young girl and find the traitor who lurks within Berwick’s walls.Trade Review'Dark Hunter offers a fascinating glimpse of how the Scottish Wars of Independence may have been perceived from the other side' -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'A lifetime of extensive research has resulted in the firm grasp of period detail that makes Dark Hunter an immersive and entertaining read' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'Watson, a medieval historian, brings to vivid life the sights, sounds and smells of this 14th-century world, especially the claustrophobic, volatile atmosphere of Berwick, with encroaching danger outside the walls and treachery nestling in the nooks and crannies of the streets' * Daily Mail *'As a portrayal of a mediaeval town under siege, the novel is excellent' * LoveReading *'Choc full of joys' -- Kenny Farquharson'A masterful debut novel' * Bookliterati *'The story is well told and captures beautifully the time and essence of the 14th century… For lovers of historical fiction, this is a book to be enjoyed by the fire on a cold evening’ * Historical Novel Society *'An excellent medieval mystery novel that is pacey and full of tension, but which is also historically fascinating and informative' * Scottish Field *'The historical background in this novel is impeccable... definitely worth a read' -- Graham Drew * Scots Magazine, Book of the Month *'brings the tension of a dangerously claustrophobic 14th century Berwick-upon-Tweed to life' * Dundee Courier *

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Book Synopsis'Beautifully written ... a unique tale told in a unique voice' - S.G. Maclean Summer, 1522. In a wave of pomp, Henry VIII’s court welcomes the Imperial emperor, Charles V. Anthony Blanke, the son of the king’s late ‘black trumpet’, John Blanke, is called to Hampton Court by his former employer, Cardinal Wolsey. The cardinal is preparing a gift for King Henry: a masque of King Arthur and the Black Knight. Anthony is to take centre stage. The festive mood, however, quickly sours. Wolsey’s historian, charged with proving the king’s descent from King Arthur, is found murdered, his body posed in a gruesome tableau. A reluctant Anthony is charged with investigating the affair. His mission takes him on the path trod by the historian, through ancient monastic libraries and the back streets of London. On a journey that takes him from Hampton Court to Windsor and Winchester, and which sees him lock horns with secretive monks, historian Polydore Vergil, and a new face at court, Anne Boleyn, he must discover the murderer, secure the great masque, and avoid King Henry’s wrath.Trade Review'A crisp evocation of Renaissance-era London which has just enough period detail to bring it to life but not so much as to overburden it… in Anthony Blanke, Veerapen has come up with a protagonist who could sustain several sequels' * The Herald *‘A splendidly enjoyable novel crying out for a sequel’ -- Allan Massie * The Scotsman *'This is a wonderfully evocative portrait of the earlier Tudor world, beautifully written with at times startlingly refreshing use of language and imagery. A unique tale told in a unique voice' -- S.G. Maclean'Steven Veerapen is a new name on the fiction scene, but one of whom we’ll surely be hearing much, much more' -- Sarah Gristwood‘This rip-roaring account of murder and monastic intrigue in the court of Henry VIII reels with atmosphere and a thoroughly refreshing voice.’ * LoveReading *'A sparkling historical thriller, beautifully crafted and delivered with verve' * Aspects of History *'A must read for all Tudor enthusiasts' * FIVE STARS, GoodReads *'A great, historically accurate novel with a tense, twisty ending' * FIVE STARS, Amazon *'Such an excellent read' * FIVE STARS, Amazon *'A fascinating protagonist ... If you enjoy Tudor murder mysteries, you will be enthralled with Of Blood Descended' * Adventures of a Tudor Nerd *'Immerses us in the origins of the Arthurian legends while providing a hierarchy of authentic characters who squelch their way through a genuine Tudor London' -- Robert Stedall, author and historian'There is much to enjoy in this fast-moving thriller, well-located in its period and settings' -- Ben Bergonzi * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisThe Isle of Iona, 825.In a bloody, brutal raid, Abbot Blathmac is slain on the steps of his monastery for refusing to give away the location of the sacred relics of St Columba, the missionary who first brought Christianity to Scotland. Following a night of rampage and mayhem, one Viking wakes up the next morning to find himself alone, hungover, and abandoned by his crew mates. He can''t swim, there are no boats, and the only surviving monk on the island has taken his sword. With only his wits, he must survive long enough not only to rejoin his Viking comrades, but also to find the location of the elusive relics that brought him here in the first place.Rooted in the real history of Iona and its early monks, Columba''s Bones is an utterly unique and thrilling read, exploring the clash of early Christianity and paganism, and expanding into a sharp, witty meditation on philosophy, redemption, shame, violence, love, transcendence and reality.Shortlisted forthe Highland Book Prize the Bookma

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Book Synopsis10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION - FEATURES READING GROUP QUESTIONS AND NEW MATERIAL FROM STEF'S UPCOMING EPIC NOVEL, UNDER A POLE STARCOSTA AWARD WINNER and WORLDWIDE BESTSELLER. A breathtaking tale of mystery, buried secrets and romance, set in nineteenth century frontier Canada - for fans of THE SNOW CHILD and A PLACE CALLED WINTER.'Unquestionably atmospheric, evocative and rewarding' Independent on Sunday'A tense and delicately written thriller' ObserverCanada, 1867. A young murder suspect flees across the snowy wilderness. Tracking him is what passes for the law in this frontier land: trappers, sheriffs, traders and the suspect's own mother, desperate to clear his name. As the party pushes further from civilisation, hidden purposes and old obsessions are revealed. One is seeking long-lost daughters; another a fortune in stolen furs; yet another is chasing rumours of a lost Native American culture. But where survival depends on cooperation, their fragile truce cannot afford to be broken, nor their overriding purpose - to find justice for a murdered man - forgotten.The Tenderness of Wolves is a must-read historical epic, weaving adventure, suspense and humour into an exhilarating thriller, a panoramic romance and ultimately, one of the books of the last ten years.Trade Reviewa tense and delicately written thriller - The Observer * Observer *… a quite remarkable debut novel.' Birmingham Post * Birmingham Post *“This subtle and superb novel brings the freezing landscape of the Canadian woods to such vivid life that the landscape itself becomes a strong character within the story. Once you have dived into the tiny, closeted world of Caulfield and its forbidding surroundings, you will certainly not wish to leave.” Crimesquad.com * Crimesquad.com *… a highly-assured debut….Stef Penney has written an absorbing and stylish mystery. The Glasgow Herald * Glasgow Herald *“…Stef Penney's hefty first novel The Tenderness of Wolves, mines her setting and period for all it's got and then some, injecting plenty of invented intrigue and Da Vinci Code like revelations of Huge Cultural Importance whenever she can. The result is an entertaining, well-constructed mystery that jazzes up the “real” history in a way that's more Ron Howard than Pierre Berton. It's…sexy, suspenseful, densely plotted storytelling…The Tenderness of Wolves remains a first-rate gripper with a notably sensual as well as psychological understanding of its main characters. More than this, it is a novel with far greater ambitions than your average thriller, combining as it does the themes of Conrad's Heart of Darkness with Atwood's Survival, and lashing them to a story that morphs Ian Rankin…” Andrew Pyper, The Globe and Mail * Globe and Mail *unquestionably atmospheric, evocative and eventually rewarding - Independent On Sunday * Independent On Sunday *

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Book Synopsis'I am in awe of Dan Simmons' Stephen KingThis story shall be about my friend (as at least about the man who was once my friend) Charles Dickens and about the accident that took away his peace of mind, his health, and, some might whisper, his sanity...In 1865 Charles Dickens, the world's most famous writer, narrowly escapes death in the Staplehurst Rail Disaster. He will never be the same again. A public hero for rescuing survivors, he slowly descends into madness as he hunts the individual he believes to be responsible for the carnage: a spectral figure known only as Drood.His best friend, Wilkie Collins, is enlisted for the pursuit. Together they venture into Undertown, the shadowy, lawless web of crypts and catacombs beneath London. Here Drood is rumoured to hold sway over a legion of brainwashed followers. But as Wilkie spirals ever further into opium addiction and jealousy of the more successful novelist, he must face a terrifying possibility: is Charles Dickens really capable of murder?Readers are loving Drood'Beautifully written, fiction heaven!' *****'One of my favourite reads ever' *****'A masterpiece' *****'Epic adventure' *****'Surprising - I enjoyed every page' *****Trade ReviewI am in awe of Dan Simmons * Stephen King *Peopled by characters worthy of Dickens novel .... a fascinating book that adds to the speculative writings about the Victorian author's last and unfinished work. A must-read for all Dickens and Wilkie Collins admirers * Daily Mail *A rich and strange book... the pages fly by * Daily Telegraph *A dazzling journey through a crooked, gaslit labyrinth and a tenebrous portraiture of the tortured minotaurs that dwell within. Genius is the true mystery, and at its edge - the abyss * Guillermo del Toro, film director *A manic energy that compels shock and awe * Independent *Readers will race through the pages, drawn by the intricate plot and the proliferation of intriguing psychological puzzles * Publisher's Weekly *

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