Historical crime and mysteries

Book SynopsisJim Eldridge was born in central London towards the end of World War II, and survived attacks by V2 rockets on the Kings Cross area where he lived. In 1971 he sold his first sitcom to the BBC and had his first book commissioned. Since then he has had more than one hundred books published, with sales of over three million copies. He lives in Kent with his wife.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThirteenth century China, and the Song Empire is crumbling due to endemic corruption and the incursion of barbarians from abroad. Ambitious men do what they must to get ahead, trampling the commoners who come in their path. Into the decaying ranks of the civil service, a young scholar called Song Ci is admitted. He soon gets the chance to prove his worth by developing an unmatched skill for interpreting crime scenes. In a series of complex murder cases that baffled his predecessors, Song is finally able to dispense justice to the relatives of those whose lives have been lost in the chaos.As the world he knows wanes, Song will be pitted against increasing dangers that will tax him to the edge of his abilities. But will his efforts be enough to save the empire?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ninth adventure for Chaloner sees the Restoration London spy foil a conspiracyTrade ReviewA lively historical whodunnit...corpses a-plenty, exciting action sequences and a satisfying ending * Mystery People *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs the Young Pretender and his Jacobite army approach, Coroner Titus Cragg must solve a brutal murder - and prevent himself being executed for the crime.November, 1745. Preston, Lancashire. Rumours abound that Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender, has landed in Scotland, intent on marching south to claim the English throne. Meanwhile Coroner Titus Cragg must investigate a headless body discovered in an icy pond. There is evidence to suggest a connection with the approaching rebel army - unless someone is deliberately using the Highlanders'' invasion as a cover for murder. As simmering tensions, conflicting loyalties and open hostilities engulf the town, Cragg finds himself arrested for murder. In order to clear his name and escape execution by firing squad, Titus must team up with his old friend, Dr Luke Fidelis, to expose the real killer.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping murder mystery set in a time of violent civil war and featuring commoner-turned-earl’s man, Edwin Weaver

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter the murder of an unidentifiable woman at the Manchester Museum, Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton are sent in to investigate.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe beloved Sergeant Cribb series by Peter LoveseyThe year is 1884. London is being terrorised by a series of bomb blasts - even within Great Scotland Yard! Reluctantly, Sergeant Cribb attends a course in the science of infernal machines in a bid to gain expert knowledge of explosives and beat the criminals at their own game. With Constable Thackeray the prime suspect, Cribb feels bound for professional and personal reasons to track down the truth at any cost. And very soon he is abducted at gunpoint by an Irish-American hammer-thrower and finds himself an unwilling but vital member of the Dynamite Party . . .Trade ReviewMusic hall's heyday lovingly recalled as Sergeant Cribb and Constable Thackeray cope with limelit poisoning and Victorian permissiveness . . . thoroughly entertaining - Guardian * Guardian *Sinister fun in splendidly atmospheric setting * Sunday Telegraph *It's a tangled business, both evil and intricate. Very much Grade A * John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine *For a delightful, offbeat offering in the mystery field try Peter Lovesey's Abracadaver * San Francisco Examiner *Lovesey has a special flair for re-creating Victorian England with to-the-manner-born wit. I love Lovesey * Saturday Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe new Sherlock Holmes novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Odin. It is 1890, and in the days before Christmas Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson are visited at Baker Street by a new client. Eve Allerthorpe - eldest daughter of a grand but somewhat eccentric Yorkshire-based dynasty - is greatly distressed, as she believes she is being haunted by a demonic Christmas spirit. Her late mother told her terrifying tales of the sinister Black Thurrick, and Eve is sure that she has seen the creature from her bedroom window. What is more, she has begun to receive mysterious parcels of birch twigs, the Black Thurrick's calling card... Eve stands to inherit a fortune if she is sound in mind, but it seems that something - or someone - is threatening her sanity. Holmes and Watson travel to the Allerthorpe family seat at Fellscar Keep to investigate, but soon discover that there is more to the case than at first appeared. There is another spirit haunting the family, and when a member of the household is found dead, the companions realise that no one is beyond suspicion.Trade Review"Atmosphere, setting, plot and style combine in a compelling tale" Sherlock Holmes Journal "Compelling and inherently fascinating" Midwest Book Review "Lovegrove has nailed the tone and rhythm of Conan Doyle's storytelling to a tee" Starburst "This is a wonderful, joyous Christmas treat" Starburst "A beautiful book that you'll want to revisit year after year" Culturefly Praise for The Thinking Engine "An enjoyable read that respects Conan Doyle's canon." Crime Scene ""The plot, like the device, is ingenious, with a chilling twist... an entertaining, intelligent and pacy read." The Sherlock Holmes Journal "The world of 19th century academia with its snobbery, petty conflicts and student pranks is brought to life vividly." Baker Street Babes Praise for Gods of War "For fans of the non-canon Holmes stories, this one's a must-read." Booklist "This is an atmospheric mystery which shows just why Lovegrove has become a force to be reckoned with in genre fiction. More, please." Starburst "It's set by the seaside and is the story of a failed holiday... but I will recommend it even if you're not going to the sea this summer, as it is very enjoyable at any distance from the ocean." Baker Street Babes Praise for The Stuff of Nightmares "Lovegrove deftly weaves social commentary on religion, family, love and war into the contest between theocracy and humanism." Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The novel is perfectly structured and characters are introduced with flair and humanity. The overall effect is of a tremendously accomplished thriller which leaves the reader in no doubt that they are in the hands of a confident and skilful craftsman." Starburst "This is delicious stuff, marrying the standard notions of Holmesiana with the kind of imagination and we expect from Lovegrove." Crime Time

Read more less

Book SynopsisA one-off collection of twelve Shakespearean-themed murder mysteries set in Elizabethan London.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver-dogged Bergen PI Varg Veum is forced to dig deep into his own past as he investigates the murder of a former classmate. Vintage, classic Nordic Noir from international bestselling author Gunnar Staalesen. ‘A vibrant look at the life, loves and betrayals of the past and the ways in which their tentacles cling, never letting you go’ John Harvey ‘One of my very favourite Scandinavian authors’ Ian Rankin ‘Masterful pacing’ Publishers Weekly ***Now a major TV series starring Trond Espen Seim*** ________________ Exploring his own dark memories may be the only way to find a killer… When Bergen PI Varg Veum finds himself at the funeral of a former classmate on a sleet-grey December afternoon, he’s unexpectedly reunited with his old friend Jakob – guitarist of the once-famous 1960s rock band The Harpers – and his estranged wife, Rebecca, Veum’s first love. Their rekindled friendship is thrown into jeopardy by the discovery of a horrific murder, and Veum is forced to dig deep into his own adolescence and his darkest memories, to find a motive … and a killer. Tense, vivid and deeply unsettling, Fallen Angels is the spellbinding, award-winning thriller that secured Gunnar Staalesen’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost crime writers. ________________ Praise for Gunnar Staalesen 'Every inch the equal of his Nordic confreres Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbø' Independent ‘Well worth reading, with the rest of Staalesen’s award-winning series’ New York Journal of Books ‘Staalesen continually reminds us why he is one of the finest of Nordic novelists’ Financial Times ‘The Norwegian Chandler’ Jo Nesbø ‘Not many books hook you in the first chapter – this one did, and never let go!’ Mari Hannah ‘Chilling and perilous results — all told in a pleasingly dry style’ Sunday Times ‘Staalesen does a masterful job of exposing the worst of Norwegian society in this highly disturbing entry’ Publishers Weekly 'The Varg Veum series is more concerned with character and motivation than spectacle, and it’s in the quieter scenes that the real drama lies’ Herald Scotland ‘Gunnar Staalesen is a master of the PI genre, and with Fallen Angels he is at the top of his game’ Live Many Lives ‘It is a story full of mystery, of uncertainty and threat … a truly thought-provoking read’ Jen Med’s Book ReviewsTrade Review"Staalesen follows the hard-boiled PI tradition, as shown by the stunning 18th entry in his series." --Publishers Weekly starred review of Where Roses Never Die "Staalesen is one of my very favourite Scandinavian authors. Operating out of Bergen in Norway, his private eye, Varg Veum, is a complex but engaging anti-hero. Varg means 'wolf' in Norwegian, and this is a series with very sharp teeth." --Ian Rankin, author, Resurrection Men "Mr. Staalesen's latest--ably translated by Don Bartlett --employs Chandleresque similes with a Nordic twist." --Wall Street Journal Online "[S]tellar . . . Staalesen does a masterful job of exposing the worst of Norwegian society." --Publishers Weekly Online (Starred Review)

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFriar-sleuth Brother Athelstan is caught in a politically charged race against time! He must uncover the truth behind numerous gruesome murders in this tense historical mystery set in medieval London.Normandy, 1358: The Free Company of the ''Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross'' sweeps into the peaceful village of Avranches, like the riders from the Apocalypse, leaving nothing but death and hellish destruction in their wake.London, 1382: Brother Athelstan is summoned to unpick the ugly truth behind a number of killings afflicting the great city. Some carried out like clean, efficient assassinations, all bearing the message ''Justitia Fiat - let there be justice'', others inflicting torture and humiliation upon the bodies. But the victims all have one thing in common - they were all once members of Via Crucis.With every new gruesome discovery, Brother Athelstan, with the help of Coroner Cranston, uncovers more clues which make up a mo

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Complex, with lots of sinister implications… moves the traditional crime novel on to some deeper level of exploration’ Jane Jakeman, IndependentTrade Review‘An intelligent, exciting psychological drama… A powerful feeling of something nasty just around the corner prevails’Daily Mail ‘This author knows precisely how to wield suspense’Independent ‘Taylor is a major thriller talent’Time Out

Read more less

Book SynopsisStunning new thriller from the award-winning Jefferson Parker, author of The Blue Hour, Red Light, Black Water and Cold Pursuit.Trade ReviewPraise for Jefferson Parker: 'Insanely imaginative' New York Times ‘Parker has only one rival – Thomas Harris’ Washington Post ‘One of our top writers’ Harlan Coben ‘I rank the crime novels of Jefferson Parker up there with the best’ Sue Grafton Praise for Black Water: 'An expertly plotted thriller … Parker gets better and better' Literary Review ‘A well-plotted psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing’ Time Out ‘A superior thriller’ Mail on Sunday ‘Parker at the top of his form’ Los Angeles Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisHawkwood, the Regency James Bond, returns in this gripping, action packed sequel to the bestselling ‘Ratcatcher’.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘Resurrectionist’: ‘Breakneck pace, brutal action, clever characterisation and twisty plotting … James McGee brings Regency London to life – or perhaps I should say to death!’ Reginald Hill ‘Fascinating… with quickly paced action and many a twist and turn, McGee draws the plot’s threads skilfully together… thoughtful, colourful and very readable’ Historical Novels Review Praise for ‘Ratcatcher’: ‘Irresistible… rambunctious entertainment.’Observer ‘Rumbustious…a darkly attractive hero, terrific period atmosphere and action.’ The Times ‘Atmospheric and well researched… try it.’ Daily Mirror ‘“Ratcatcher” marks the start of a series that will run and run… and run!’ Reginald Hill ‘A richly enjoyable and impressively researched novel’ Andrew Taylor, author of ‘The American Boy’

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping historical thriller introducing Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood a sexy, dangerous and fascinating hero who hunts down thieves, spies and murderers in the crime-ridden streets of Regency London.Hunting down highwaymen was not the usual preserve of a Bow Street Runner. As the most resourceful of this elite band of investigators, Matthew Hawkwood was surprised to be assigned the case even if it did involve the murder and mutilation of a naval courier.From the squalor of St Giles Rookery, London''s notorious den of thieves and cutthroats, to the brightly lit salons of the aristocracy and the heart of the British government, Hawkwood relentlessly pursues his quarry.As the case unfolds and another body is discovered on the banks of the Thames, the true agenda begins to emerge. And only Hawkwood can stop a dastardly plot that will end British mastery of the seas forever.Trade Review‘Irresistible… rambunctious entertainment.’Observer ‘Rumbustious…a darkly attractive hero, terrific period atmosphere and action.’ The Times ‘Atmospheric and well researched… try it.’ Daily Mirror ‘“Ratcatcher” has everything: duels and derring-do, London highlife and lowlife, French lechery and treachery – all contained in a fast-moving, cleverly constructed plot with an immaculately detailed historical background. Add a hero who is ruthless, mysterious and sexy, and it's a safe bet that “Ratcatcher” marks the start of a series that will run and run…and run!’ Reginald Hill ‘“Ratcatcher” is a richly enjoyable and impressively researched novel – also very gripping. James McGee is clearly a rising star in the historical galaxy and I look forward to Hawkwood’s return.’ Andrew Taylor, author of ‘The American Boy’

Read more less

Book SynopsisDuelling, derring-do, and dastardly deeds are all in a day’s work for Liberty Lane: a new heroine for fans of Matthew Hawkwood and Sarah Waters’s Victorian novels.Trade ReviewPraise for ‘Death at Dawn’ ‘Great period detail and heaps of energy… feisty’ Daily Mirror ‘Echoes of Georgette Heyer… well-crafted… an enjoyable romp’ She ‘Good old-fashioned adventure… romps along at a fine pace…a thrilling murder-mystery’ Easy Living ‘Some well-described set pieces temper the breakneck pace of the action, and the ending is as satisfying as one could wish’ The Times 'Light, easy reading for anyone who enjoys a bit of Victorian mystery' Observer 'An enjoyable historical novel' Woman's Day ‘Fast-paced and lively…. this historical drama will definitely keep you intrigued – definitely hard to put down!’ My Weekly

Read more less

Book SynopsisFact collides with fiction in Will Adams second pulse-pounding adventure featuring the enigmatic Daniel Knox – hero of The Alexander CipherTrade ReviewThe Alexander Cipher ‘The action crackles along’ Daily Mail ‘A fast-moving, finely crafted, intelligent action-adventure that delivers on all fronts. Pick it up, settle back, and enjoy the ride.’ Raymond Khoury

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hooker. A mistress. A murder. This town was built on sin.Trade Review‘Waugh brings this rather obscure corner of history to vivid, passionate life . . . Intelligent historical fiction at its best’ THE TIMES ‘Immensely readable’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Praise for Melting the Snow on Hester Street ‘unputdownable’ DAILY MAIL "The delicately constructed plot keeps you guessing until the end … Waugh creates the early Hollywood world with verve and conviction in this taut, clever and moving novel" TLS "dazzlingly evoked" Sunday Times ‘A lubricious new novel … period charm and sexual intrigue’ TATLER ‘A dizzy tale about greed, love, fame and money.’ **** HEAT ‘Gripping, glamorous and poignant, it’s a cracking tale that will keep you hooked from beginning to end’ HELLO! ‘Sunset Boulevard meets Nancy Mitford’ RED ‘This reminded me of Liza Klaussmann’s Tigers in Red Weather… a great companion piece for all the Gatsby fuss around this month… An absorbing, glamorous read.’ Viv Groskop, RED BOOK CLUB ‘gripping… powerful, evocative’ THE LADY "Waugh blends fact and fiction in an intoxicating tale of life under the glittering veneer of Tinsel Town" Daily Record Praise for Last Dance with Valentino ‘a gripping, bittersweet love story’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘impeccably researched and beautifully-written’ DAILY MAIL ‘Daisy Waugh delivers her engaging tale with wit and a real lightness of touch’ LITERARY REVIEW ‘written in deft, engrossing prose, this story is dizzy with glamour and heartbreak’ EASY LIVING ‘Waugh weaves fact with fiction into a novel with glamour, tragedy and romance’ CHOICE ‘It’s intelligent, inventive and deliciously entertaining’ SAGA

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling seriesThe fourth book in S. J. Parris's bestselling, critically acclaimed series following Giordano Bruno, set at the time of Queen Elizabeth IAugust, 1585. England is on the brink of warSir Francis Drake is preparing to launch a daring expedition against the Spanish when a murder aboard his ship changes everything.A relentless enemy. A treacherous conspiracy.Giordano Bruno agrees to hunt the killer down, only to find that more than one deadly plot is brewing in Plymouth's murky underworld. And as he tracks a murderer through its dangerous streets, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the future of England itself.Perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary MantelPraise for S. J. ParrisS. J. Parris is one of my favourite authors and unquestionably our greatest living writer of historical thrillers.' A.J. Finn, No. 1 bestselling author of The Woman in the WindowHugely enjoyable GuardianThis is historical mystery fiction at its finest' Publishers WeeTrade Review‘S. J. Parris is one of my favourite authors – and unquestionably our greatest living writer of historical thrillers. Few novelists inhabit a setting – any setting – with such confidence and command; fewer still devise plots of such cunning and craft’ A.J. Finn, No. 1 bestselling author of The Woman in the Window ‘Hugely enjoyable… It’s played straight, but never humourlessly so, and there’s just enough “proper” history amid the intrigue to keep purists on side’ Guardian ‘With its twisting plot and vivid scene-setting, TREACHERY confirms Parris’s growing reputation as a writer of historical thrillers’ Sunday Times ‘An evil bookseller and a terrifying brothel lie ahead; what’s not to like? Gripping and fun’ Observer ‘Parris’s Giordano Bruno series has been a joy. Her Elizabethan England is loud, pungent and blessedly free of some of the genre’s more egregious clichés. She wears her research lightly: at home with the detail of the period, she is quite happy to engage in a little creative anachronism to bring the story home’ Telegraph ‘There are echoes of CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series here. But Parris is better than the usual run of imitators. Her prose is taut and compelling. Her wielding of the historical material is always convincing but never overwhelming’ The Times ‘This is historical mystery fiction at its finest’ Publishers Weekly Praise for S. J. Parris: ‘Impossible to resist … Parris creates a convincing sense of the past, woven with so much intrigue that the head fairly spins’ Daily Telegraph ‘It has everything – intrigue, mystery and excellent history’ Kate Mosse ‘Parris writes with confident ease of Tudor London … The dialogue balances nicely on a tightrope of period phrases and cut-to-the-chase colloquialisms. More, please’ The Times ‘Full of surprises … an imaginatively satisfying addition to the many real intrigues surrounding the imprisoned Mary Stuart and the threats to Elizabeth’s security’ TLS

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs a favour to an old friend, Hercule Poirot finds himself at a summer fete in Devon, taking part not in a Treasure Hunt, but a Murder Hunt, in this never-before-published novella version of Dead Man's Folly. Now released for the first time in print in this illustrated collector's edition.Sir George and Lady Stubbs, the hosts of a village fête, hit upon the novel idea of staging a mock murder mystery. In good faith, Ariadne Oliver, the well known crime writer, agrees to organise their murder hunt. But at the last minute Ariadne calls her friend Hercule Poirot for his expert assistance. Instinctively, she senses that something sinister is about to happenIn 1954, Agatha Christie wrote this novella with the intention of donating the proceeds to a fund set up to buy stained glass windows for her local church at Churston Ferrers, and she filled the story with references to local places, including her own home of Greenway. But having completed it, she decided instead to expand the story intoTrade Review‘There are [authors] like Agatha Christie: I read those books and I’m in awe that somebody constructed those plots where they all make sense at the end. Those are like magic tricks to me.’ STEPHEN KING

Read more less

Book SynopsisA unique anthology for crime aficionados – seven of the world’s most notorious genuine murder mysteries retold by the most accomplished classic crime writers of their generation.Trade Review‘Each author manages to give the essential facts of his or her case; and the reader has the further interest of seeing how characteristics of the author’s fiction writing reveal themselves in this kind of critical and historical work. The layman as well as the criminologist has good reason to read this volume; and he will desire lawyers and detectives also to digest it.’ Sunday Times Reviews for previous Detection Club re-issues: ‘A must for all connoisseurs of detective fiction.’ Literary Review ‘This year’s most welcome reissue.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘A book of irresistible charm for students of the detective story.’ Times Literary Supplement

Read more less

Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's Complete Secret Notebooks brings together for the first time Secret Notebooks and Murder in the Making, two volumes that explore the fascinating contents of her 73 notebooks. This includes illustrations, deleted extracts, unused ideas, two unpublished Poirot stories and a lost Miss Marple.When Agatha Christie died in 1976, aged 85, she had become the world''s most popular author. With sales of more than two billion copies worldwide in more than 100 countries, she had achieved the impossible more than one book every year since the 1920s, every one a bestseller.So prolific was Agatha Christie''s output 66 crime novels, 20 plays, 6 romance books under a pseudonym and over 150 short stories it was often claimed that she had a photographic memory. Was this true? Or did she resort over those 55 years to more mundane methods of working out her ingenious crimes?Following the death of Agatha''s daughter, Rosalind, at the end of 2004, a remarkable secret was revealed. UneartTrade Review'Many of Curran's discoveries will shape how Christie is read in future… This book is fascinating.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY ‘Agatha Christie’s notebooks have had to wait for the meticulous attention, dedication and prodigious knowledge of John Curran to achieve publication.’ THE TIMES ‘A meticulously detailed study that is packed with shrewd perceptions about Christie's fiction… Curran has produced an enthralling miscellany of a book, in which her fans will rummage to their heart's content.' SUNDAY TIMES 'Curran has organized his material as efficiently as an Agatha Christie mystery… His enthusiasm for his subject carries us along.' IRISH TIMES ‘Something unimaginably unique: an unknown Poirot story, one that had lain silently between its covers for over 60 years.’ THE SCOTSMAN

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Collins Crime Club archive, the forgotten second novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed The King of Detective Story Writers'.When the body of Sir William Ponson is found in the Cranshaw River near his home of Luce Manor, it is assumed to be an accident until the evidence points to murder. Inspector Tanner of Scotland Yard discovers that those who would benefit most from Sir William's death seem to have unbreakable alibis, and a mysterious fifth man whose footprints were found at the crime scene is nowhere to be found . . .This Detective Story Club classic is introduced by Dolores Gordon-Smith, author of the Jack Haldean Golden Age mysteries.Trade Review‘I could find you a sentence or allusion I loved on every single page, and it offers some well-motivated multiple-alibi shenanigans, rich contemporary details, and rigorous, rich, detail-obsessed detection.’ The Invisible Event ‘Of its type, a supremely good example.’ Yorkshire Post

Read more less

Book Synopsisshades of Sarah Watersirresistible' The GuardianI would like to make myself the heroine of this story an innocent victim led astray. But alas sir, I would be lying'London, 1756: In Newgate prison, Tully Truegood awaits trial. Her fate hanging in the balance, she tells her life-story. It's a tale that takes her from skivvy in the back streets of London, to conjuror's assistant, to celebrated courtesan at her stepmother's Fairy House, the notorious house of ill-repute where decadent excess is a mustTully was once the talk of the town. Now, with the best seats at Newgate already sold in anticipation of her execution, her only chance of survival is to get her story to the one person who can help her avoid the gallows.She is Tully Truegood.Orphan, whore, magician's apprentice. Murderer?A compelling mix of bawdy romp and magical realism.'-Sarra Manning, Red magazineTrade Review‘A bawdy, romping affair … Delaney mixes up genres — historical fiction, erotica, magic realism — to create something original’- Book of the Month in The Times, November 2016 ‘An irresistible erotic fairytale for adults’– The Guardian ‘With elements of magical realism, plenty of sexy scenes, and a good dollop of drama, this is one hell of a read’- The Sun ‘A saucy bodice-ripper that combines magical realist flights of fancy with a smattering of punchy feminist politics’– The Metro ‘A compelling mix of bawdy romp and magical realism.’- Red ‘A fun, explicit romp with real stakes that will have you trying to finish this book in one sitting’- Stylist ‘An Almond for a Parrot romps and twists like the Fairy House girls in their bed chambers. It’s full of lust and magic, but not without heart. It’s an irresistible world to drop into.’- Emerald Street Selected as a Buzzfeed Brilliant Book You Must Read This Autumn

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the best in the genre' THE SUNA fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime' DAILY EXPRESSA delicious adventure' DAILY MAIL on The Riviera Express***Murder can strike at any hourIt's the late 1950s in tranquil Temple Regis, Devon.For holidaymakers it's a glorious time of breathtaking scenery, picnics on beaches, and flocks of tourists on their summertime holidays.But for Miss Judy Dimont, this is all a trifle dull. As a reporter for local rag, The Riviera Express, she needs scandal and intrigue and one morning, as the clock strikes the quarter hour, she gets it. A woman has been shot dead in one of Buntorama's upmarket holiday huts, the toffee-nosed rival hotelier next door is rubbing his hands with glee, and Judy and her trusty moped Herbert are off like a shot to survey the scene of the crime.But nobody can tell her who the dead girl is and there's no clear motive. To have a story to write, Judy must solve the case and the intrepid Miss Dimont will leave no pebble unturned until the truth is out!***A gripping third instalment of the Miss Dimont Mystery series' Hello!***Why readers love TP Fielden:If you like Miss Marple and Poirot then you'll love TP Fielden. Brilliant!'One of the most fun books I have read reminds me of the golden era of crime writing'Delicious characters, an easy read, enormous fun and greatly recommended.'A wonderful romp'A delightful, well written, witty murder mystery'A thrilling mystery with lots of twists, turns and red herrings'An entertaining, light hearted read, perfect to brighten any afternoon'Trade ReviewPraise for T P Fielden: ‘Peak comfort read has been achieved’ Red ‘One of the best in the genre’ The Sun ‘This is a fabulously satisfying addition to the canon of vintage crime. No wonder the author has already been signed up to produce more adventures starring the indefatigable Miss Dimont.’ Daily Express ‘Unashamedly cosy, with gentle humour and a pleasingly eccentric amateur sleuth, this solid old-fashioned whodunit is the first in what promises to be an entertaining series.’ The Guardian ‘Highly amusing’ Evening Standard ‘TP Fielden is a fabulous new voice and his dignified, clever heroine is a compelling new character. This delicious adventure is the first of a series and I can’t wait for the next one.’ Wendy Holden, Daily Mail Must have. A golden age mystery.’ Sunday Express ‘Tremendous fun’ The Independent

Read more less

Book SynopsisA cosy historical mystery set during the Second World WarI'll come for you, Iris. Mark my words!'When a murder rocks the quiet village of Helmstead, seventeen-year-old Land Girl, Iris Dawson, is determined to prove her friend and local gamekeeper Frank Tucker's innocence. But when she exposes Vernon Storey, the real murderer, her once happy life at Pasture Farm soon becomes a nightmare. Already running from the ghosts of her past back home in Northampton, Iris is now haunted by Vernon, who is out there somewhere and has promised to have his revenge.Iris has never forgiven herself for the tragedy that destroyed her family and how, as a child, she failed her mother, and now the new surrogate family she has at Pasture Farm is fracturing around her. No one believes she is in danger, or that those she loves could also be Vernon's targets in his bid to escape the law, so she must face this battle on her own. A battle that this time, Iris cannot afford to lose, culminating in a desperate raceTrade ReviewPraise for BBC TV series Land Girls: ‘An evocative recreation of the past’ BBC History Magazine ‘Girl Power!’ TV Choice ‘Charming’ TV Easy ‘A sparkling jewel’ TV Times ‘A real daytime drama treat’ Inside Soap Magazine ‘Classy drama’ TV and Satellite Week ‘Fabulous new drama’ Hot TV

Read more less

Book SynopsisThink Sherlock Holmes is the only detective working in Victorian London? Meet William Arrowood, the hero of Mick Finlay's series of absorbing novels' The TimesLondon Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood.1896: Sherlock Holmes has once again hit the headlines, solving mysteries for the cream of London society. But among the workhouses and pudding shops of the city, private detective William Arrowood is presented with far grittier, more violent, and considerably less well-paid cases.Arrowood is in no doubt who is the better detective, and when Mr and Mrs Barclay engage him to trace their estranged daughter Birdie, he's sure it won't be long before he and his assistant Barnett have tracked her down.But this seemingly simple missing person case soon turns into a murder investigation. Far from the comfort of Baker Street, Arrowood's London is a city of unrelenting cruelty, where evil is waiting to be uncovered . . .PRAISE FOR THE MURDER PIT:Another Trade Review PRAISE FOR THE MURDER PIT: ‘Another brilliant read from Mick Finlay . . . even better than [Arrowood]’ B.A. Paris ‘gripping’ Daily Telegraph ‘astounding … If you crave Victorian age murder mystery, love darkly gothic atmospheres and want your detective rather tattered and torn at the edges Arrowood is your man.’ SHOTS ‘Enthralling’ Publishers Weekly (starred review) ‘A gripping novel with an adept sense of place as well as a clear-eyed examination of the dark exigencies of human behaviour’ Crime Time PRAISE FOR MICK FINLAY: ‘Arrowood is a flawed but engaging hero and the plot spins from peril to twist and back with real panache’ The Times ‘A fantastic creation’ The Spectator ‘Richly inventive’ Daily Telegraph ‘Compelling’ Seattle Times ‘Strongly reminiscent of Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike novels…a memorable detective who can stand among the best’ Harrow Times ‘Arrowood feels… like he's always existed, we're only now being treated to an introduction. Mick Finlay's atmospheric, detailed, singular London is a terrifying place I hope to return to again and again.’ Ross Armstrong, bestselling author of The Watcher ‘If you ever thought the Sherlock Holmes stories might benefit from being steeped in gin, caked in grime and then left unwashed for weeks…Mick Finlay’s 1895-set detective debut is for you.’ Crime Scene ‘A book with enough warmth, charm, humour, and intrigue to signal the start of an excellent new series.’ Vaseem Khan, author of The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra ‘Stunningly dark and atmospheric crime debut. This is a story that packs a powerful punch. With murder, intrigue, dark humour, compelling characters and an extraordinary backdrop, it’s to be hoped that Arrowood is just the opener for a thrilling and original new series.’ Lancashire Evening Post

Read more less

Book SynopsisA story of class and corruption, sex and the Sixties, for fans of A Very English Scandal and The Trial of Christine KeelerNik felt the mistake in his bones. The man in the snakeskin suit reached down towards him and pulled Nik upright by the collar of his coat. Nik didn't see what happened next but he felt the wall. He cried out and then someone hit him and he closed his eyes and waited for it to be over. London. 1967.Nik Christou has been a rent boy since he was 15. He knows the ins and outs of Piccadilly Circus, how to spot a pretty policeman and to interpret a fleeting glance. One summer night his life is turned upside down, first by violence and then by an accusation of murder.Anna Treadway, fleeing the ghosts of her past, works as a dresser in Soho's Galaxy theatre. She has learned never to place too much trust in the long arm of the law and, convinced Nik is innocent she determines to find him an alibi.Merrian Wallis, devoted wife to an MP with a tarnished reputation, just wants Trade Review‘If you loved A Very English Scandal or The Trial Of Christine Keeler, then this is a must-read’ Red Magazine ‘Entertaining and satisfying: the perfect book for people who enjoyed A Very English Scandal and The Trial of Christine Keeler… Anna Treadway is the compassionate detective we need, and a great addition to the world of detection’ Caroline Hulse, author of The Adults Well-plotted, moving and engrossing. A rich portrait of 60s London from the perspective of a range of engaging characters. Particularly moving is the voice the novel gives to the marginalised and disdained’Rebecca Wait, author of Our Fathers ‘Conjures up the true spirit of multicultural 60s London - with all its charm and danger – with compassion and heart’Samira Ahmed

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirotlegendary star of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nilereturns to solve a fiendish new mystery.Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attachedCould this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot fTrade Review“‘Close enough to Christie’s own style that the reader could segue from Murder on the Orient Express into this present novel without a stumble.”— New York Journal of Books “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability. They make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”— Tana French “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirotlegendary star of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nilereturns to solve a fiendish new mystery.Hercule Poirot is travelling by luxury passenger coach from London to the exclusive Kingfisher Hill estate, where Richard Devonport has summoned him to prove that his fiancée, Helen, is innocent of the murder of his brother, Frank. But there is a strange condition attached to this request: Poirot must conceal his true reason for being there.The coach is forced to stop when a distressed woman demands to get off, insisting that if she stays in her seat, she will be murdered. Although the rest of the journey passes without anyone being harmed, Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and his fears are later confirmed when a body is discovered with a macabre note attachedCould this new murder and the peculiar incident on the coach be clues to solving the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport? And if Helen is innocent, can Poirot find the true culprit in time to save her from the gallows?Trade Review“‘Close enough to Christie’s own style that the reader could segue from Murder on the Orient Express into this present novel without a stumble.”— New York Journal of Books “What Sophie and Agatha have in common is a rare talent for fiendish unpredictability. They make you see how the impossible might be possible after all.”— Sunday Telegraph “The latest in Sophie Hannah’s series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s beloved detective is a magnificently intricate puzzle for Poirot’s famous little grey cells.”— Daily Mail “I was thrilled to see Poirot in such very, very good hands.”— Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl “Perfect…a pure treat for Agatha Christie fans.”— Tana French “Does Sophie Hannah’s Poirot live up to our expectations? Yes, he does, and markedly so … Poirot is still Poirot. Poirot is back.”— Alexander McCall Smith “Sophie Hannah is genuinely Christie’s heir.”— The Scotsman

Read more less

Book SynopsisA most engaging novel, full of intrigue and atmosphere' Anne O'BrienA real page-turner; I couldn't put it down' Tracy ReesWeaves the past and present together skilfully' Sarah MorganTransporting and imaginative' Woman__________Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Thriller Award 2021One woman's secret will shape another's destiny1560: Amy Robsart is trapped in a loveless marriage to Robert Dudley, a member of the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Surrounded by enemies and with nowhere left to turn, Amy hatches a desperate scheme to escape one with devastating consequences that will echo through the centuriesPresent Day: When Lizzie Kingdom is forced to withdraw from the public eye in a blaze of scandal, it seems her life is over. But she's about to encounter a young man, Johnny Robsart, whose fate will interlace with hers in the most unexpected of ways. For Johnny is certain that Lizzie is linked to a terrible secret dating back to Tudor times. If Lizzie is brave enough to go in search of the trTrade ReviewPraise for Nicola Cornick: ‘An enthralling read, in which the vividly depicted past and the present day are expertly braided together.’ Anna Belfrage ‘A fascinating tale with intriguing twists.’ Barbara Erskine ‘I was hooked from the first pages.’ Gill Paul ‘You just can’t put it down. Brilliant!’ Katie Fforde ‘A gorgeous novel, so fresh and original. And the tension! I was on the edge of my seat.’ Jenny Ashcroft ‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror ‘Ms. Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’ Romance Junkies ‘A rising star.’ Publishers Weekly ‘Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this gripping tale.’ Candis ‘This compelling yet poignant and at times frightening story calls out to every historical fiction lovers out there to read it and enjoy its glory forever’ Book Stop Corner ‘Her books are fabulous’. New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn

Read more less

Book SynopsisA secret hidden in the past.A family bound by a dark legacyWhat a fascinating story. I enjoyed every moment of it. Intriguing and with a lovely time-slippery twist' Barbara Erskine, Sunday Times bestselling authorEver since her sister disappeared eleven years ago, Serena Warren has been running from a ghost, haunted by what she can't remember about that night.When Caitlin's body is discovered, Serena returns to her grandfather's house, nestled beside the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall in Oxfordshire, determined to uncover the truth. But in returning to the place of her childhood summers, Serena stands poised at the brink of a startling discovery one that will tie her family to a centuries-old secretTaking readers from the present day to the Wars of the Roses in the 1400s, and with an enthralling mystery at its heart, The Last Daughter is a spellbinding novel about family secrets, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Barbara Erskine and Kate Morton.Trade Review‘I enjoyed every moment of it. Intriguing and with a lovely time slippery twist.’ BARBARA ERSKINE 'An ingenious tale of mystery and suspense… Enchanting.’ DINAH JEFFRIES ‘A completely wonderful read. Set during the Wars of the Roses and the present day, it’s historically rich, emotional and magical. I was intrigued and immersed throughout.’ TRACY REES ‘Well, Nicola has done it again! A cracking tale that wouldn’t let me put it down or turn out the light. I absolutely loved it.’ KATIE FFORDE ‘Atmospheric and beautifully crafted, I guarantee this suspenseful time-slip story will have you up all night to finish.’ RACHEL HORE ‘A treasure trove of historical insight, casting a new light on a compelling mystery that binds the present to the distant past.’ FIONA VALPY ‘I was utterly immersed, forgetting everything but the story and the characters. Nicola’s writing is so vivid and beautiful and perfectly pitched, her plotting addictive’ JENNY ASHCROFT ‘Well researched and stylish, full of emotion from past and present, this is an engrossing mystery to keep the reader turning the pages.’ ANNE O’BRIEN, author of The Queen’s Rival ‘An engaging, beautifully crafted romance that weaves together several intriguing mysteries, both ancient and modern, and questions the very essence of time itself.’ ALISON WEIR, author of Six Tudor Queens ‘A marvellously magical tale, based on real history… Nicola's beautiful writing sucked me right in and I was completely absorbed by this book. A masterpiece of timeslip fiction.’ KATHLEEN MCGURL ‘Gorgeous… Combines a modern-day mystery with a 600-year-old tale of intrigue, plotting and romance. I was alternately entranced and thrilled… Nicola has excelled herself in this wonderful book.’ LOUISE DOUGLAS, author of The House by the Sea

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘An enchanting timeslip novel that kept me spellbound’ CHRISTINA COURTENAY ‘Fascinating and captivating’ SARAH MORGAN ‘Glorious… I adored it’ KATHLEEN MCGURL ‘This atmospheric novel is such an absorbing read’ MY WEEKLY ***Trade Review Praise for Nicola Cornick: ‘I enjoyed every moment of it. Intriguing and with a lovely time slippery twist’ BARBARA ERSKINE 'An ingenious tale of mystery and suspense… Enchanting’ DINAH JEFFRIES ‘A completely wonderful read. Set during the Wars of the Roses and the present day, it’s historically rich, emotional and magical. I was intrigued and immersed throughout’ TRACY REES ‘Well, Nicola has done it again! A cracking tale that wouldn’t let me put it down or turn out the light. I absolutely loved it’ KATIE FFORDE ‘Atmospheric and beautifully crafted, I guarantee this suspenseful time-slip story will have you up all night to finish’ RACHEL HORE ‘A treasure trove of historical insight, casting a new light on a compelling mystery that binds the present to the distant past’ FIONA VALPY ‘I was utterly immersed, forgetting everything but the story and the characters. Nicola’s writing is so vivid and beautiful and perfectly pitched, her plotting addictive’ JENNY ASHCROFT ‘Well researched and stylish, full of emotion from past and present, this is an engrossing mystery to keep the reader turning the pages’ ANNE O’BRIEN, author of The Queen’s Rival ‘An engaging, beautifully crafted romance that weaves together several intriguing mysteries, both ancient and modern, and questions the very essence of time itself’ ALISON WEIR, author of Six Tudor Queens ‘A marvellously magical tale, based on real history… Nicola's beautiful writing sucked me right in and I was completely absorbed by this book. A masterpiece of timeslip fiction’ KATHLEEN MCGURL ‘Gorgeous… Combines a modern-day mystery with a 600-year-old tale of intrigue, plotting and romance. I was alternately entranced and thrilled… Nicola has excelled herself in this wonderful book’ LOUISE DOUGLAS, author of The House by the Sea

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn atmospheric, disturbing, even scary tale that touches on otherworldliness'THE TIMESToo-cool-for-school teenage girls, an outsider welcomed into their fold, and murdera guaranteed good read'STYLISTWitchcraft, murder, and adolescent passion'HEATIT'S 1997. VIOLET IS A NEW STUDENT AT ELM HOLLOW ACADEMY AND DESPERATE TO FIT IN.Quiet, artistic, unremarkable. When invited to an advanced study group by her alluring art teacher, Annabel, she is at once terrified and delighted.There she meets Robin, Grace, and Alex: charismatic outsiders who invite her into their clique.But once the study sessions on the school's history of seventeenth-century witchcraft and magic become more than just theory, Violet must decide what she's prepared to do in order to stay popular.And maybe she'll solve the mystery of what happened to a former member of their group. The one who went missing.Trade Review‘An atmospheric, disturbing, even scary tale that touches on otherworldliness’THE TIMES ‘Too-cool-for-school teenage girls, an outsider welcomed into their fold, and murder…a guaranteed good read’STYLIST ‘Witchcraft, murder, and adolescent passion’HEAT ‘A perfect tale of teenage emotion and darkness’EMERALD STREET ‘Witchcraft, murder and adolescent passion…Unsettling and suspenseful’SUNDAY MIRROR ‘A potential hit’SUNDAY TIMES ‘A spell-binding debut that examines the dark heart of friendship, obsession, and revenge. I was bewitched by Katie Lowe's deliciously chilling storytelling. THE FURIES is a compulsive and unsettling read, dripping in atmosphere and suspense’Lucy Clarke, bestselling author of YOU LET ME IN ‘THE FURIES can be described as PREP meets THE CRAFT, while managing to be a dark, weird creature all of its own. Witches, murder, and teenage girls – this is the book of my dreams. I am obsessed’Louise O’Neill, bestselling author of ONLY EVER YOURS ‘THE FURIES is mesmerising, disturbing and completely addictive – it's a brilliant book about the power, vulnerability and rage of teenage girls, and it couldn't feel more timely. Lowe's beautiful prose is thrillingly, chillingly dark, and Violet is the sort of heroine that you want to throw yourself down the rabbit hole with – you know that she's going somewhere terrifying but you have to follow her journey’Daisy Buchanan, author of THE SISTERHOOD ‘Witchcraft, teenage angst, friendship, murder. A beautifully-paced debut with hints of THE SECRET HISTORY. Intense, stylish, and deliciously dark’Will Dean, author of DARK PINES ‘THE FURIES is a haunting tale of angry, young women, the fates they hold and furies they possess. Katie Lowe steers her juggernaut through twists of madness, revenge and murder to a finish that resonates deeply. It still hasn’t left me’Peter Filardi, screenwriter of THE CRAFT

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrimming with dark humour, fast-paced action this is a top-class series that grows in stature with every new book' Lancashire Evening PostSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 HWA GOLD CROWN AWARDLONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 CWA GOLD DAGGERLondon Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to ArrowoodSouth London, 1896. William Arrowood, Victorian London's less salubrious private detective, is paid a visit by Captain Moon, the owner of a pleasure steamer moored on the Thames. He complains that someone has been damaging his boat, putting his business in jeopardy.Arrowood and his trusty sidekick Barnett suspect professional jealousy, but when a shocking discovery is pulled from the river, it seems like even fouler play is afoot.It's up to Arrowood and Barnett to solve the case, before any more corpses end up in the watery depths . . .An excellent historical thriller set in late Victorian London highly recommended' ***** Netgalley reviewerFantastic book. Beautifully written' *****Trade Review‘A crime novel of thrilling intricacy … Arrowood is a terrific creation, and this book wins five rosettes’ The Tablet ‘Think Sherlock Holmes is the only detective working in Victorian London? Meet William Arrowood, the hero of Mick Finlay’s series of absorbing novels … Finlay depicts a seedy, desperate London and vivid characters with considerable skill’ The Times ‘A good belting read … a gripping historical crime novel … book clubs will love it especially fans of C J Sansom’ NB Magazine ‘Outstanding … Finlay’s grim depictions of the inhabitants of the more impoverished parts of London evoke Dickens. Fans of gritty historicals will be richly rewarded’ Publishers Weekly (starred review) ‘Mick Finlay, the new master of gritty, gruesome and gripping historical crime fiction … Brimming with dark humour, fast-paced action, intriguing twists and turns, and a cast of characters that could well have been conjured up by the late, great Mr Dickens, this is a top-class series that grows in stature with every new book’Lancashire Evening Post ‘Loved it – the sights, sounds, smells, and horrors of Victorian London are so vividly portrayed’ Roz Watkins ‘Mick Finlay’s richly told story evokes the bustling all-encompassing worlds of CJ Samson and Charles Dickens. I loved it’ Lesley Thomson PRAISE FOR MICK FINLAY: ‘Another brilliant read from Mick Finlay . . . even better than [Arrowood]’ B.A. Paris ‘Gripping’ Daily Telegraph ‘astounding … If you crave Victorian age murder mystery, love darkly gothic atmospheres and want your detective rather tattered and torn at the edges Arrowood is your man.’ SHOTS ‘Enthralling’ Publishers Weekly (starred review) ‘Arrowood is a flawed but engaging hero and the plot spins from peril to twist and back with real panache’ The Times ‘A fantastic creation’ The Spectator ‘Richly inventive’ Daily Telegraph ‘Compelling’ Seattle Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisLondon Society takes their problems to Sherlock Holmes. Everyone else goes to Arrowood.Finlay depicts a seedy, desperate London and vivid characters with considerable skill' The TimesNowhere to hide.London, 1896. As winter grips the city, a group of African travellers seek sanctuary inside the walls of the Quaker Meeting House. They are being hunted by a ruthless showman, who is forcing them to perform in his ethnic exhibition in the London Aquarium.Nowhere to turn.Private investigator William Arrowood and his assistant Barnett agree to help the travellers avoid capture. But when they arrive at the Meeting House, they find a scene of devastation. Two people have been murdered and the others have fled into the night.Nowhere to run.The hunt for the real killer leads Arrowood into the dark heart of Victorian London. A shadowy world of freak shows, violence and betrayal, where there are no good choices and only the slimmest chance of survivalTrade Review‘This is Victorian London in all its grit and grime and Finlay clearly knows his history but applies it with a light touch. He revels in the muck and mayhem of the city … the story is full of life and flashes of black humour’ Evening Standard ‘There are many insights on the iniquities of empire, and Arrowood’s wife’s struggle to become a doctor is an illuminating subplot. The narrator Malk Williams bullishly renders the frank and foul-mouthed Barnett, from whose point of view the story unfolds … enjoy an excellent final gallop to giving everyone their just deserts’ The Times, Audiobook of the Week ‘Gripping … the series has gone from strength to strength’ Sunday Post ‘A rollicking case … I love the sardonic wit and the down-at-the-heel sleuth … oozes with grim colour’ Peterborough Telegraph ‘A riveting tale of intrigue, exploitation and danger. I felt as though I was right there in the foggy, soot-stained alleyways of Victorian London, looking anxiously over my shoulder’ S. W. Perry ‘A bracing joy, plunging us into a Victorian London which is vibrant and alive. I loved being with his extraordinary characters once again’ Alex Reeve ‘It really evokes the era, and Arrowood is a very interesting, flawed, sleuth’ Faith Martin ‘A compelling mystery which brilliantly evokes the grime and gaudiness of late Victorian London. The crimes of a far-flung Empire come home to roost in this story of exploitation, loyalty, hidden identities and revenge. A fantastic addition to the series’ Katherine Stansfield Praise for Mick Finlay: ‘A crime novel of thrilling intricacy … Arrowood is a terrific creation, and this book wins five rosettes’ The Tablet ‘Think Sherlock Holmes is the only detective working in Victorian London? Meet William Arrowood, the hero of Mick Finlay’s series of absorbing novels … Finlay depicts a seedy, desperate London and vivid characters with considerable skill’ The Times

Read more less

Book Synopsis*As seen on the new BBC TWO TV book club, Between the Covers*Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown AwardIndie Book of the Month for March, selected by the Booksellers AssociationOne of OBSERVER'S 10 best debut novelists of 2020 / WOMAN & HOME Best of 2020 / EVENING STANDARD Best books of 2020 / MAIL ON SUNDAY 2020 Highlights / I Best of 2020* * * *Full of life and love . . . it made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoner's shelf' Stacey Halls, Sunday Times bestselling author of The FamiliarsThe writing is wonderful; London's energy runs right through it; the characters leap off the page. I was truly sad to leave them behind' Adam Kay, ObserverConvincing and involving' Sunday TimesFans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy won't want to miss Louise Hare's enthralling debut novel' Elle* * *The drinks are flowing.The music is playing.But the party can't last.With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered England's call for help. Fresh off the EmpTrade Review‘Superb . . . compelling storytelling, beautifully drawn characters and atmosphere that’s deeply immersive’ Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange ‘This Lovely City is a beguiling, atmospheric and important novel, with wonderful, memorable characters and a vital message about love, loyalty and hope’ Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman ‘This debut is a joy to devour. The characters are beautifully drawn. The tender, compelling storytelling is immersive and atmospheric. I believe Hare is a major new talent who delivers a vital message about love, loyalty and hope’ Adele Parks, Platinum ‘A story about solidarity and love but above all hope’ Zoella ‘A thought-provoking and imaginative debut that conjures up the experiences of the Windrush generation in post-war London. Heartbreaking but full of hope’ Woman & Home ‘Tense . . . this thoughtful novel captures what life was like for the Windrush generation’ Good Housekeeping ‘Poignant and authentic . . . it’s [Hare’s] steady, calm prose and the animating authenticity of her material that make it so hard to resist . . . there’s] music, solidarity and courage to be found in pages laced with rum punch’ Observer ‘Hopeful and inspiring; the story of a man, his community and the country they strive to make home’ Abi Dare, Observer ‘Hare’s enthralling novel pulls off the rare trick of being a clever murder mystery, an evocative portrayal of Windrush London and a genuinely touching love story’i ‘Paints a vivid picture of what life was really like for the Windrush generation. Fans of Andrea Levy’s Small Island will love it’ Red ‘Mistress of suspense, Hare keeps us guessing to the last page. I loved the post-war atmosphere: bombed, broken London as a visual metaphor for the story’s violence and racism’ Daily Mail ‘A poignant story of love, isolation and prejudice in a post-Second World War London’ Radio Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisSome houses are NEVER at peaceSHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLDSBORO BOOKS GLASS BELL AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWNA gothic gem of intrigue and atmosphere' HWA Debut Crown JudgesEngland, 1917Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her imposing country mansion, Greyswick but she arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister gripped by fear and suspicion.Before long, strange incidents begin to trouble Stella sobbing in the night, little footsteps on the stairs and as events escalate, she finds herself drawn to the tragic history of the house.Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick's dark and terrible secrets secrets the dead whisper from the other sideIn the classic tradition of The Woman in Black, Anita Frank weaves a spellbinding debut of family tragedy, loss and redemption.Praise for The Lost Ones:Supernatural and historical inteTrade Review Praise for The Lost Ones: ‘A gothic gem of intrigue and atmosphere’ Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Judges ‘Supernatural and historical intertwine in Anita Frank’s unsettling first novel … reminiscent of other tales of the supernatural, but conveys its own frissons and shocks’Sunday Times ‘With wonderful character … This is a brilliantly gothic adventure – and the perfect winter page-turner’ Sunday Mirror ‘A spine-tingling debut from Anita Frank is part ghost story, part murder mystery, and the perfect chilling read as the nights turn colder and longer’ OK! ‘I loved it SO MUCH – so creepy and compelling, full of atmosphere and gave me goosebumps…’ Lisa Hall ‘If you liked A Woman in Black, you’ll love this utterly gripping and atmospheric book’ Woman & Home ‘Haunting, emotional and exquisitely written’ Amanda Jennings ‘For fans of Henry James and Susan Hill, this chilling supernatural mystery is written in the classic mould. Intriguing, moving and assured’ Essie Fox ‘My coffee is stone cold. My palms are sweaty. I’ve raced to the shocking final twist of this lush, beautifully written historical novel. A gripping ghost story with an achingly poignant family mystery at its heart’ Samantha King ‘The perfect read for dark, chilly winter evenings … This beautifully written gothic tale interlaces history, intrigue and atmosphere, and offers a fresh take on the classic ghost story tradition’ Jane Bettany, Big Issue North ‘Will send shivers down your spine … An eerie, emotionally supernatural tale’ Sunday Express ‘Dark and devilish’ Sunday Post ‘A spine-tingling gothic tale of family tragedy, loss and redemption’ My Weekly ‘Anita Frank’s fiendishly devised plot springs a succession of shocks and revelations that keep you gripped until the final page’ Noel O’Reilly

Read more less