Historical crime and mysteries

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Book SynopsisIn 1945 secrets hidden at an Italian estate could prove just as vital to humanity''s fate as the war efforts on the frontlines . . . if nurse Diana Bolsena can get to them first.Tuscany, 1945. As the war in Europe ends, American Red Cross nurse Diana Bolsena finds herself separated from her unit. Unable to reconnect with the American army, she''s left to survive with nothing but her spirit, her talents as a nurse, and her nightmares of the horror of war. Determined to return to active duty in the Pacific, to earn her way back Diana begins caring for a child with disabilities on the estate of the enigmatic Signora Bugari. Amidst the ravages of war, it is a peaceful existence until a visiting German officer, Herr Adler, arrives demanding Bugari return what is rightfully his. When a shocking murder attracts more people to the isolated estate, Diana suspects Adler''s hidden secrets could affect the course of history. But who will uncover them

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Book SynopsisThe first in a brand-new WWII historical thriller series introduces Sergeant Cathy Marsden ? a female police officer working for the Special Investigation Branch ? who risks her life to protect the city of Leeds from an escaped German spy!Leeds, 1941. As the war rages across Europe, Police Sergeant Cathy Marsden?s life since she was seconded to the Special Investigation Branch has remained focused on deserters and home-front crimes. Until now. Things take a chilling turn when Cathy?s civil servant brother, Dan, arrives from London with a dark secret: he is working for the XX Committee ? a special MI5 unit set up to turn German spies into double agents. But one of these agents has escaped and is heading for Leeds, sent to destroy targets key to the war effort. Suddenly Cathy and the squad are plunged into an unfamiliar world of espionage and subterfuge.With the fate of the country and the war in the balance, failure is not an option, and Cathy must risk everything, including her own life, to stop a spy.This fast-paced World War II thriller is perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Rhys Bowen and Kelly Rimmer!

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

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Book Synopsis***PRE-ORDER the thrilling new novel from the author of PRIZE WOMEN, THE METAL HEART and THE GLASS WOMAN now***----Villa Diodati, Lake Geneva, 1816. The dark summer that birthed a monster . . . Eighteen-year-old Mary Shelley has fled London with her lover, Percy Shelley, and her sister, Claire. Tormented by Shelley's betrayals, haunted by the loss of their baby and suspicious of her sister's intentions, Mary seeks a refuge. But Lord Byron's villa, lying under ominous, ash-shrouded skies, feels more like a trap. When Byron suggests each guest write a supernatural tale, Mary is as drawn to the challenge as she is, unexpectedly, to Byron himself. And so an idea begins to form in her mind . . . It spills out of her in thick, black ink. A thing given life is before her. Day and night, it possesses her. Her heart, her desires. But is she in control, or is it?In this hauntingly evocative feminist retelling, Caroline Lea delves into the female rage, creative madness and steam

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Book SynopsisCrispin Guest is summoned to a London priory to unmask a merciless killer. Can he discover who is committing the deadliest of sins? 1399, London. A drink at the Boar''s Tusk takes an unexpected turn for Crispin Guest, Tracker of London, and his apprentice, Jack Tucker, when a messenger claims the prioress at St Frideswide wants to hire him to investigate murders at the priory. Two of Prioress Drueta''s nuns have been killed in a way that signifies two of the Seven Deadly Sins, and she''s at her wits end.Meanwhile, trouble is brewing outside of London when the exiled Henry Bolingbroke, the new Duke of Lancaster, returns to England''s shores with an army to take back his inheritance. Crispin is caught between solving the crimes at St Frideswide''s Priory, and making a choice once more whether to stand with King Richard or commit treason again.

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Book SynopsisPrivate detectives Grand & Batchelor''s latest case draws them into the arcane world of high art and high society in this compelling Victorian mystery.London. May, 1878. Private enquiry agents Matthew Grand and James Batchelor have been hired by the artist James Whistler to dig into the past of outspoken critic John Ruskin, with whom he has an ongoing feud. Not particularly optimistic of success, the two detectives are sidetracked from the investigation by the murder of a prostitute in nearby Cremorne Gardens. Her body posed on a park bench, a book on birth control sitting on her lap, Clara Jenkins is not the first young woman to have met a similarly grisly fate - and she won''t be the last.Could there be a connection between the Cremorne killer and their art world case? With the investigation heading nowhere fast, Grand comes up with a decidedly unorthodox plan to ensnare the killer. But even the best-laid plans have a nasty habit of going catastrophically awry ...

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Book Synopsis''A compelling thriller.''DAILY MAIL''Superb.''SUNDAY TIMESThe Sunday Times bestselling author of Snow and April in Spain returns with Strafford and Quirke's most troubling case yet.1950s Dublin. The body of a young woman is discovered in a lock-up garage, an apparent suicide. But pathologist Dr Quirke and Detective Inspector Strafford soon suspect foul play.The victim's sister returns from London to help the two men, but, with relations between them increasingly strained, and their investigation taking them back to events from the final days of the Second World War, can they join the pieces of a hidden puzzle before it's too late?Atmospheric and sinister with simmering tension . . . Once you start reading, it's impossible to stop.'DAILY EXPRESS''Addictive.''DAILY TELEGRAPHReaders are gripped by The Lock-Up:***** ''A real page-turner. . . Highly recommend!''***** ''Crime writing at its finest''***** ''Quite spectacular! John Banville is a wonderful writer''***** ''I had an absolute blast reading this novel. I genuinely didn''t want it to end.''**THE DROWNED - THE CHILLING NEW STRAFFORD & QUIRKE MURDER MYSTERY - AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW**

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Book Synopsis''Arresting... [a] tale of madness, murder, disputed inheritances and hints of the supernatural'' Sunday Times''Delicious ... dark ... sinister'' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of number one bestseller, Pandora''Thrilling'' Emilia Hart, author of Sunday Times bestseller Weyward''Stunning'' Lianne Dillsworth, author of Theatre of Marvels''Marvellous'' Naomi Kelsey, author of The BurningsDeep in the woods, something is stirringAs Catherine Symonds, newly appointed governess of Locksley Abbey, arrives in the foothills of the Black Mountains, where England bleeds into Wales, she feels apprehensive.It is not the echoing, near-empty Abbey with its skeleton staff that frightens her, nor the ancient woods that surround the house, or even the dogs that stalk the grounds, baying for blood. It is Catherine herself who fears scrutiny. She has come here under false pretences, determined to secretly investigate the fate of the last governess at the house, her very own sister, Emily, who is reported to have taken her own life out in the woods.But despite the reports of her sister's death, Catherine finds herself increasingly drawn to the wood. A place of myth, memory and murder, she soon finds it will not give up its secrets easily, nor offer sanctuary to those who conceal dark deeds...In the outstanding new novel from the author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Leviathan, an isolated forest becomes the unsettling, beguiling backdrop to a tale of myths, memory and murder

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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 SynopsisIt is the summer of 1669 and England is in dire straits. The treasury's coffers are bare and tensions with the powerful Dutch Republic are boiling over. And now, an investigator sent by the King to look into corruption at the Royal Navy has been brutally murdered. Loathe to leave the pleasures of London, Samuel Pepys is sent dragging his feet to Portsmouth to find the truth about what happened. Aided by his faithful assistant, Will Hewer, he soon exposes the killer. But has he got the right man? The truth may be much more sinister. And if the real plot isn't uncovered in time, England could be thrown into a war that would have devastating consequences...Trade Review"Debuts don't come much better than this" - The Sunday Independent. "Pirates of the Caribbean meets Charlie's Angels." - Woman & Home. "An impressive debut" - The Times. "A rip-roaring yarn... Something for everyone" - The Irish Examiner. "A zestful imagining... Book of the month" - The Independent. "This has everything a good crime thriller should have: murder, intrigue, adventures and sinister truths. It should be at the top of your summer reading list." - Culturefly. "A gorgeously-written, intriguing mystery, packed with meticulous period detail and many wonderful turns of phrase - a brilliant jewel of a book." - Emma Haughton, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dark. "Every bit as lively, witty, and entertaining as the inspiration but with added intrigue and swashbuckling. A proper treat that would no doubt delight Mr Pepys himself." - Cass Green, Sunday Times bestselling author of In a Cottage, In a Wood.

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Book SynopsisWhen the family butler is brutally attacked, land agent Matthew Rowsley and his wife Harriet determine to find the culprit in this gripping Victorian mystery. With his lordship''s mental health failing, management of his grand country estate has been assigned to a group of trustees, including land agent Matthew Rowsley and his capable wife Harriet. But the smooth running of Thorncroft House is disrupted by a series of unforeseen events. Building work on the estate workers'' new cottages is halted by the discovery of Roman remains. Shortly afterwards, the family butler is brutally assaulted and left for dead. A random attack - or was he deliberately targeted? Matters take an even more disturbing turn when Lord Croft''s long-lost cousin and heir, Julius Trescothick, arrives from Australia, ready to claim his inheritance. But is he who he claims to be . and what are his true intentions?If they are to preserve Thorncroft House and a way of life tha

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Book Synopsis''Miraculously right: catching precisely the tone of the relationship . . . thrilling'' - The Times''A must for all Wimsey lovers . . . an entertaining read'' - Northern EchoIt''s 1940, and while the Second World War rages on, Harriet Vane - now Lady Peter Wimsey - has taken her children to safety in the country.But the war has followed them: glamorous RAF pilots and even more glamorous land-girls scandalise the villagers, and the blackout makes the night-time lanes as sinister as the back alleys of London.Then the village''s first air raid practice ends with a very real body on the ground - and it''s not a war casualty, but a case of plain, old-fashioned murder. And it''s not long before a second body is found . . .Trade ReviewShe brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit. -- P.D. JamesMiraculously right: catching precisely the tone of the relationship . . . It comes out splendidly . . . a thrilling denouement * The Times *A must for all Wimsey lovers . . . an entertaining read which offers some longed for insight into the lives of the Wimseys after their marriage * Northern Echo *Jill Paton Walsh does a fine job . . . she also answers an unasked question about Lord Peter and Harriet: Yes, dear readers, they have a lot of sex and they like it. * Globe and Mail, Toronto *Vintage Wimsey . . . Wimsey lives on in delicious familiarity in this triumph not just of one writer's art, but of two * Huddersfield Daily Examiner *Satisfying and impeccably researched * Mystery Woman *Jill Paton Walsh scores a winner * Houston Chronicle *I admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail -- Ruth RendellShe combined literary prose with powerful suspense, and it takes a rare talent to achieve that. A truly great storyteller. -- Minette WaltersAficionados of Sayers will enjoy renewing acquaintance with her heroes . . . Walsh devised a literary period piece of considerable charm. * The Oxford Times *A good crime story, with a wonderful cast of characters, full of acutely observed small incidents, to be reread with pleasure after the first eager race through. * Sherlock *

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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 Synopsis

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Book SynopsisTHE BEST CRIME NOVEL OF 2024 - THE TIMES BEST CRIME BOOKS OF 2024 - SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF THE MONTH - THE GUARDIAN ''I very much doubt I''ll read a better crime novel this year'' IAN RANKIN''The best crime novel I''ve read this year'' THE TIMES''Quite breathtaking'' DAILY MAIL''Superb'' THE GUARDIAN''Dominic Nolan is a wonderful writer'' CHRIS WHITAKER''A truly excellent crime novel'' MAIL ON SUNDAYIt''s 1952, and London is victorious but broken, a city of war ruins and rationing, run by gangsters and black-market spivs.An elaborate midnight heist, the biggest robbery in British history, sends newspapers into a frenzy. Politicians are furious, the police red-faced. They have suspicions but no leads. Hunches but no proof.For two families, it is more than just a sensational headline, as their fathers fail to return home on the day of the robbery.Young Addie Rowe, daughter of a missing Jamaican postman and drunk ex-club hostess mother, struggles to care for her little sister in a dilapidated Brixton rooming house.Claire Martin, increasingly resentful of roads not taken, strives to make the rent and keep her teenage son Ray from falling under unsavoury influences in Notting Dale.She finds herself caught between the interests of dangerous men who may know the truth behind her husband''s disappearance: Dave Lander, whose reserved nature she finds difficult to reconcile with his reputation as a violent gang enforcer, and Teddy ''Mother'' Nunn, a sociopathic, evangelising outlaw and top lieutenant in Billy Hill''s underworld.Drawn together through the years in the city''s invisible web of crime and poverty, the fates of the broken families and violent men collide in 1958, as the West Indian community of Notting Hill''s slums come under attack from thugs and Teddy Boys. For Addie, Claire, Dave and Mother, old scores will be settled and new dreams chased in the crucible of London''s violent summer.''Dominic Nolan is one hell of a writer'' MARK BILLINGHAM''Dominic Nolan is a brilliant and immersive writer, and this marvellous novel will play havoc with your emotions'' LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON''Incredibly good... one of the most interesting, brilliant crime writers around'' JANE CASEY''What a triumph. What an absolutely magnificent achievement'' A.J. FINN''Mind-blowing...so much more than a crime novel. An amazing piece of work'' SARAH PINBOROUGH''An extraordinary piece of work'' HARRIET TYCE''This is one of the richest, most absorbing novels I''ve read all year'' TOM BENN

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Book SynopsisSpirited female sleuth Elizabeth Fairchild is drawn into Chicago''s growing jazz scene - and murder - in this compelling 1920s mystery.July, 1926. When Elizabeth Fairchild''s beau, Fred Wilkins, suggests going to Chicago''s Sunset Club to see Louis Armstrong, the world''s best trumpeter, in action, she faces a dilemma. The burgeoning jazz scene in the city is proving to be controversial, associated with gangsters and scandal. Even her dear friend Susannah refers to jazz as ''the devil''s music''.Intrigued, Elizabeth brushes her fears aside and visits the club with Fred, but an explosion causes panic - the Ku Klux Klan are intent on blowing up the club as part of a race war being waged in the city, and murder soon follows. Elizabeth has made herself a target, but she has a plan to save the club. The only problem is it involves jazz afficionado and the Sunset Club''s owner, the country''s most notorious criminal, Al Capone . . .

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 'What a ride!' India Knight, Sunday Times Summer reads ‘Thrilling… a sumptuous feast of plotting and intrigue’ Mail on Sunday ‘A complete joy’ Bettany Hughes ‘Gloriously immersive’ Guardian ------------------------------------------------- Frances Howard has beauty and a powerful family – and is the most unhappy creature in the world. Anne Turner has wit and talent – but no stage on which to display them. Little stands between her and the abyss of destitution. When these two very different women meet in strange circumstances, a powerful friendship is sparked. Frankie sweeps Anne into a world of splendour that exceeds all she imagined: a Court whose foreign king is a stranger to his own subjects; where ancient families fight for power, and where the sovereign’s favourite may rise and rise – so long as he remains in favour. Anne and Frankie dare to seek a little happiness for themselves in this extravagant, savage hunting ground. But as they gain notice, they also gain enemies; what began as a search for love and safety leads to desperate acts that could cost them everything. Based on the true scandal that rocked the court of James I, A Net for Small Fishes is the most gripping novel you'll read this year: an exhilarating dive into the pitch-dark waters of the Jacobean court.Trade ReviewA superb exploration of female agency, sexuality and class … Anne thrums with life all the way through to her tragic, gruesome end, while Frankie is calculating and alluring … A scintillating novel that plunges you head-first into a darkly compelling chapter of British history * Observer *A powerful take on a fascinating piece of history * The Times *Sumptuous … If you’re feeling bereft after finishing The Mirror and the Light, let Jago transport you back to the Jacobean court -- Lucy Scholes * Daily Telegraph *Rich in intrigue and incident, with a cast of vividly drawn characters and a wealth of detail on every atmospheric page, this is a fabulously engaging read * Daily Mail *Bravura historical debut … Gloriously immersive ... Jago makes her a brilliantly engaging narrator … Jago is excellent on clothes … Throughout the novel, surface detail is deftly handled to convey deeper anxieties and shifts in attitude ... Jago keenly conveys the peril of being a woman of any class in the 17th century … Like all the best historical fiction, A Net for Small Fishes is a gloriously immersive escape from present times, but it’s not escapism * Guardian *Riveting … In a narrative that brims over with colour and invention, Jago summons up Jacobean London with enormous persuasiveness * Sunday Times, Book of the Month *Perfect for those looking for a gripping historical title * i paper *Jago’s thrilling debut is a sumptuous feast of plotting and intrigue at the court of King James, with a feminist slant … A classic historical novel, classily executed * Mail on Sunday *A sensuous evocation of 17th-century noble shenanigans. Jago offers a timely lens through which to reconsider power dynamics in Jacobean England … Seamless and stylish … Set in 1609, 69 years after the Mantel trilogy concludes, so those mourning Cromwell may find much to scintillate here * Irish Times *Will bring wit, wisdom, joy and comfort to your reading pile … There’s no messing about in Lucy Jago’s A Net For Small Fishes. From the first chapter you’re plunged into the dark intrigues, violence, vying for position and cruelty of the 17th century Jacobean court as society beauty Frances Howard meets Anne Turner, whose way with bodices, stockings and eyelashes is unequalled * Stylist *What a tale! Rich in intrigue and incident … A Net For Small Fishes is wonderfully dramatic and movingly tragic. With a wealth of detail on every atmospheric page, as the charismatic, flawed figures of Anne and Frankie try to live and love in the “cesspit” of a royal court, this is historical fiction at its immersive, intriguing best * Sunday Express *Hike up your Jacobean skirts for a romp through the corridors of courtly power … A perfect winter’s tale * Sainsbury's Magazine *A historical gem * independent.co.uk *A magnificent reimagining of a scandal in the Jacobean court … Masques, machinations and murder ensue, as well as affairs, gorgeously described clothes and a dangerous friendship * Tatler, 8 best books of the year so far *Dazzling * Sunday Independent *A terrific first novel, rich in colour, character, place and time. If you like your history spiced with sex, scandal and the sweet sensibilities of female friendship, then this is for you -- Sarah DunantA fabulous book. Frankie and Anne's world is not just brilliantly evoked but brilliantly sustained. Lucy Jago doesn't make a single false step. And it's exciting! -- Andrew MillerThe Thelma and Louise of the seventeenth century: two mis-matched heroines, two grittily textured lives, an outrageous plot (true!), sex, politics, and a gut-wrenching ending -- Lawrence NorfolkFull of colour, intrigue and historical characters we can relate to ... Jago has a great flair for the sensuous image and evokes the heady mix of gaudy glamour and grime that characterises the era with a distinctive, dense poetry. Historical fiction at its scintillating best and most filmic -- Susan ElderkinBrings the early seventeenth century brilliantly to life … Riven with colour and detail * Living Magazine *The attention to detail is wonderful. A really, really great book so early in 2021 * Woman's Way *Unflinching … She lays bare the corruption of the Jacobean court, her sharp prose illuminating its dark corners and the complexities of her subject matter * Lunate.co.uk *We’ve had so much Tudor fiction of the years from authors including Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory, that it’s great to escape to a different era as Lucy Jago takes us to the court of James I * Scotsman *An extraordinary story … The court case of the century … Amazing * talkRADIO *

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Book SynopsisA quest to find the ancient sword Excalibur quickly turns into a hunt for a determined killer for Crispin Guest.London, 1396. A trip to the swordsmith shop for Crispin Guest, Tracker of London, and his apprentice Jack Tucker takes an unexpected turn when Crispin crosses paths with Carantok Teague, a Cornish treasure hunter. Carantok has a map he is convinced will lead him to the sword of Excalibur - a magnificent relic dating back to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - and he wants Crispin to help him find it. Travelling to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall with Carantok and Jack, Crispin is soon reunited with an old flame as he attempts to locate the legendary sword. But does Excalibur really exist, or is he on an impossible quest? When a body is discovered, Crispin''s search for treasure suddenly turns into a hunt for a dangerous killer.

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Book SynopsisA totally absorbing historical novel about socialites, spies, and the King of England. London, 1936. Socialite and journalist Lady Pamela More pens the popular 'Agent of Influence' column, writing wittily about fashion and high society. For her latest piece, she interviews Wallis Simpson, the newly crowned king's American mistress. That's when she's approached by MI5. Her mission: spy on the royal couple and report on their connections with Nazi Germany. As she navigates the treacherous world of international espionage, Pamela uses her skills of observation and intuition to infiltrate Wallis' inner circle. But Europe is unstable, and international spies lurk on every corner. Does Pamela have what it takes to survive the currents of espionage? Or is she in over her head? This captivating and unputdownable historical spy novel will grip you to the very end. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, Barbara Davis and Rhys Bowen.

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Book SynopsisSherlock Holmes is dead. Days after Holmes and his arch-enemy Moriarty fall to their doom at the Reichenbach Falls, Pinkerton agent Frederick Chase arrives from New York. The death of Moriarty has created a poisonous vacuum which has been swiftly filled by a fiendish new criminal mastermind. Ably assisted by Inspector Athelney Jones, a devoted student of Holmes's methods of investigation and deduction, Chase must hunt down this shadowy figure, a man much feared but seldom seen, a man determined to engulf London in a tide of murder and menace. The game is afoot . . .Trade ReviewThrilling and compelling, with a stunning twist, this is written as if Conan Doyle were at Horowitz's shoulder, and is - in my view - the finest crime novel of the year. * DAILY MAIL *Is there nothing Anthony Horowitz touches that doesn't turn to gold? ...He captures Conan Doyle's narrative technique to perfection. Gory murders, honest thieves, brilliant disguises, breathless chases and red herrings abound * DAILY EXPRESS *A relentlessly fast-paced and entertaining read * SUNDAY TIMES *An unpredictable and twist-filled mystery from start to finish. But what do you expect from the man penning the next James Bond novel? * SHORTLIST *I hope it won't be the last of Horowitz' Holmes novels: should he publish another, I will be at the front of the queue. * SPECTATOR *Though Horowitz dishes up the gore and violence with relish, he also offers all the tropes one might expect from a Holmes yarn, including baffling coded messages, impossible murders and clever red herrings... plotting is just as brilliantly gnarly [as THE HOUSE OF SILK] but its tone more self-aware and laced with in-jokes. * FINANCIAL TIMES *"His new novel, Moriarty, begins with a bravura dissection of Doyle's story "The Final Problem" in which he points out all the discrepancies, loose ends and improbabilities of behaviour. The remainder of the book is partly an ingenious exercise in explaining them away. ...An often excruciatingly exciting pursuit, and there is much casual slaughter, with hints of torture; nothing gratuitous but, as in The House of Silk, Horowitz's Victorian London is a much darker place than Doyle's." * DAILY TELEGRAPH *"In this skilfully executed follow on, Horowitz takes up the Conan Doyle baton and creates a suitably stylish and twisty detective story." * SUNDAY MIRROR *THE HOUSE OF SILK, was very popular and a solid piece of work - well constructed, skilfully executed and persuasively tinged with that alluring sooty flavour of 1890s London. His second, MORIARTY, is much the same, but bolder in its ambitions * GUARDIAN *"The plot is gripping and the writing most readable. In fact I must make a confession: I would rather read Horowitz than his model, Arthur Conan Doyle." * LITERARY REVIEW *A no-nonsense writer Horowitz proceeds briskly and ladles out spills and thrills with aplomb. Yet, the novel is terribly serious too - the author evokes a sombre atmosphere early on and thereafter cannot seem to shake it. This is a worthy addition to the store of Holmes fan-fic - but not be quite the romp you expected. * IRISH INDEPENDENT *"Ultimately, Moriarty has its cake by playfully re-creating the Sherlock Holmes persona and eats it by poking gentle fun at his methodology - and, by extension, his enduring appeal...Anthony Horowitz may not be the most reverential of the many writers who have attempted to breathe new life into the legacy of Sherlock Holmes, but Moriarty proves that he is certainly one of the most entertaining". * IRISH TIMES *An exhilarating page-turner * SUNDAY POST *"Horowitz weaves this mystery together perfectly and his plot twists are unpredictable until the last." * NEWCASTLE JOURNAL *"A page-turner that is exhilarating and infuriating in equal measure." * EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS *"Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's London will surely adore this fine addition to the literature, being fast-paced but at this same time fully stocked with proper 'fair-play' clues." * MORNING STAR *"Horowitz weaves a relentlessly thrilling tale which teases and delights by the turn of each page." * WESTERN MAIL *"[It's] like Holmes under the influence of Ripper Street and Peaky Blinders... Holmes fans will love the theorising and super-smart twists in this deft and showy work of fandom." * GLASGOW HERALD *"It's a seamless blend of old friends and new characters. Classic Holmes with a contemporary gloss." * SAGA *"A cunningly contrived story that takes readers through many twists and turns." * BBC HISTORY *

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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

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Book SynopsisFROM THE AUTHOR OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (Now a major Amazon Prime TV show)''Dazzling'' Guardian ''Gloriously entertaining'' Evening Standard ''A rich, wild book'' New York Times ''Ray Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked...''To his customers and neighbors on 125th street, Carney is an upstanding salesman of reasonably-priced furniture, making a life for himself and his family. He and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their second child, and if her parents on Striver''s Row don''t approve of him or their cramped apartment across from the subway tracks, it''s still home.Few people know he descends from a line of uptown hoods and crooks, and that his façade of normalcy has more than a few cracks in it. Cracks that are getting bigger and bigger all the time.See, cash is tight, especially with all those instalment plan sofas, so if his cousin Freddie occasionally drops off the odd ring or necklace at the furniture store, Ray doesn''t see the need to ask where it comes from. He knows a discreet jeweller downtown who also doesn''t ask questions. Then Freddie falls in with a crew who plan to rob the Hotel Theresa - the ''Waldorf of Harlem'' - and volunteers Ray''s services as the fence. The heist doesn''t go as planned; they rarely do, after all. Now Ray has to cater to a new clientele, one made up of shady cops on the take, vicious minions of the local crime lord, and numerous other Harlem lowlifes.Thus begins the internal tussle between Ray the striver and Ray the crook. As Ray navigates this double life, he starts to see the truth about who actually pulls the strings in Harlem. Can Ray avoid getting killed, save his cousin, and grab his share of the big score, all while maintaining his reputation as the go-to source for all your quality home furniture needs?Harlem Shuffle is driven by an ingeniously intricate plot that plays out in a beautifully recreated Harlem of the early 1960s. It''s a family saga masquerading as a crime novel, a hilarious morality play, a social novel about race and power, and ultimately a love letter to Harlem.Trade ReviewColson Whitehead's dazzling new thriller...In Harlem Shuffle, Whitehead flexes his literary muscles further, extending the boundaries and expectations of crime writing. The book is also a social drama interrogating the nature of prejudice and how an environment limits ambition. * Guardian, Book of the Day *Gloriously entertaining...a zingy social drama, that combines flights of high comedy with reflections on the nature of black self-help and black empowerment in America. A more purely enjoyable novel is unlikely to emerge this year * Evening Standard *Whitehead's latest book, Harlem Shuffle, finds its centre of gravity in Harlem, New York,transporting readers to the precipice of the civil rights movement in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a moment when Harlem uprisings were remaking the literal and political landscape.From here he crafts a brilliant crime novel that doubles as a meditation on the nature of black geography...It is Carney's effort to reconcile the straight and the crooked, the desire to strive for a homeon the river, and the pull of the criminal underbelly, that propels the book forward * Financial Times *Wildly entertaining...Whitehead also delivers a devastating, historically grounded indictment of the separate and unequal lives of Blacks and whites in mid-20th century New York. * Daily Mail *The plot he devised for Harlem Shuffle offered a new, high-geared narrative engine to play with, but it also gave him a way to explore ideas about the slippery nature of morality, power (and who holds it), and the social hierarchies of criminal subcultures * New York Times *A sizzling heist novel set in civil rights-era Harlem . . . It's a superlative story, but the most impressive achievement is Whitehead's loving depiction of a Harlem 60 years gone, which lands as detailed and vivid as Joyce's Dublin. Don't be surprised if this one wins Whitehead another major award * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Whitehead adds another genre to an ever-diversifying portfolio with his first crime novel, and it's a corker... Whitehead delivers a portrait of Harlem in the early '60s, culminating with the Harlem Riot of 1964, that is brushed with lovingly etched detail and features a wonderful panoply of characters who spring to full-bodied life, blending joy, humor, and tragedy. A triumph on every level * Booklist, Starred Review *

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Book SynopsisThe spellbinding SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and RICHARD AND JUDY BOOKCLUB PICK about old family secrets''A captivating mystery: beautifully written, with a rich sense of place, a cast of memorable characters, and lots of deep, dark secrets'' Kate Morton, bestselling author of The Clockmaker''s Daughter''Absolutely her best yet'' Lisa Jewell, bestselling author of The Family Upstairs''A wonderful, romantic, compelling mystery. Eve Chase has something of the poet in her: her descriptions of a remote manor house nestling in an ancient forest are worth reading for themselves, but the plotline of The Glass House is utterly absorbing in its own right. We loved it'' Richard and Judy Book Club''The Glass House is not really about a murder, or a creepy house, but about families - the ones we''re born into, the ones we make and especially the ones we flee'' New York Times_______Trade ReviewA captivating mystery: beautifully written, with a rich sense of place, a cast of memorable characters, and lots of deep, dark secrets -- Kate MortonEve Chase is a supremo of this genre . . . An intricately woven novel of suspense and secrets * Red *A beautifully written, atmospheric mystery that will captivate you from the first page to the last * Heat *I adored The Glass House by Eve Chase. Sublime writing, secrets, lovable characters I didn't want to leave, and a ripping twisting plot that kept me guessing. An absolute jewel of a book -- Dinah JefferiesA riveting and richly atmospheric mystery - and one of the best thrillers - and well deserving of its status as one of Amazon's bestselling lockdown titles -- Isabelle Broom, Woman & HomeChase's compelling account of dark family secrets - a Richard and Judy Book Club choice - weaves elements of Gothic suspense into a heartwarming modern story of blended families learning to heal the wounds of the past * Daily Mail *I adored this beautifully-written, riveting mystery. Chase is peerless in her ability to stitch together dark secrets and tantalising twists with unforgettable characters and enthralling imagery. I am a die-hard fan! -- Rosie Walsh * author of The Man Who Didn't Call *Eve Chase's novels are about glamorous families with tragic pasts, set in wonderful locations. Her writing is rich and her stories full of dreamy mystery. This gorgeous meditation on motherhood is one of my favourite reads so far this year * Daily Mail *Absolutely her best yet. No one creates families as complex, loveable and utterly believable as Chase and she is the master of the dual time frame narrative -- Lisa JewellI enjoyed this book so much that every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it straight back up! I was totally invested in the tale * Prima, BOOK OF THE MONTH *Dreamy and atmospheric, this wonderful, moving novel time-slips between the Seventies and the present * Daily Mail *The Glass House is not really about a murder, or a creepy house, but about families - the ones we're born into, the ones we make and especially the ones we flee * New York Times *Terrific sense of place; twists aplenty; characters I cared about; an emotive exploration of mother/daughter relationships from birth to death. But it's the writing that lifts this: lush, lyrical, precise, confident. -- Sarah VaughanIf you like your mysteries atmospheric then I highly recommend The Glass House - it's the kind of book that makes you look up in surprise at your present-day surroundings. Long-fused mysteries in the past and present take tantalisingly long time to weave together but the wait is absolutely worth it. Beautiful, transportive writing -- Erin KellyA cleverly constructed puzzle of a plot whose pieces finally snap together in a truly gratifying manner * Washington Post *This exquisitely written tale about secrets, privilege and what it means to be a family is an absolute treat * Sun *I just love Eve Chase's lyrical writing and evocative sense of place. The Glass House is her best yet, a glorious tangle of family secrets, set deep in the woods of Foxcote Manor. A treat. -- Louise CandlishExquisitely written, this emotional and intriguing novel is a little bit special * Woman & Home *An atmospheric and immersive mystery in which the secrets and lies of the past collide with the present. Chase's writing is, as ever, exquisite -- E.C. FremantleAn emotional thriller steeped in family secrets and the desire to belong * Woman *Beautifully written, with a sinister edge * Best Magazine *Dreamy and atmospheric (...) wonderful, moving * Daily Mail *Eve Chase is right up there with Tana French and Sarah Waters as an author who writes page-turning masterpieces that meld a vibrant sense of place with a heartbreaking cast of characters. I devoured her latest, and will be recommending it to everyone I know. Her plot twists floored me, and this haunting story will stay with me for a very long time -- Fiona Davis * bestselling author of The Chelsea Girls *So beautifully and insightfully written, with characters I grew to love populating a compelling, moving story that kept me turning the pages right to the very last. Chase handles the various unexpected ways our earliest experiences shape and define us with huge empathy and sensitivity. It's an evocative and engrossing read -- Katherine Webb * author of The Legacy *Bewitching and beguiling, The Glass House is as dark and tangled as the forest where it is set. A creeping sense of unease builds to a terrific denouement - as suspenseful as the mistress of psychological drama, Daphne Du Maurier. Eve Chase is simply brilliant. -- Veronica HenryA pacy and suspenseful read * Independent *Rich, gripping, intriguing, beautifully written, diving deep into emotional truths, The Glass House is an assured and lovely novel -- Elizabeth Buchan * author of The Museum of Broken Promises *This is an absolute beauty. Darkly atmospheric and spellbinding -- Jane Fallon, author of Queen BeeThis captivating mystery will certainly whisk you away . . . Exquisitely written, this emotional and intriguing novel is rather special * Woman's Weekly *This exquisitely written tale about secrets, privilege and what it means to be a family is an absolute treat * Fabulous, Sun on Sunday *A beautifully written mystery about family secrets. A gripping and imaginative read * Cotswold Life *A delicious mystery full of labyrinthine curves * Kirkus Reviews *Evocative and beautifully written The Glass House sucked me into a mystery as atmospheric and densely packed with secrets as the forest in which it's set -- Tammy Cohen/Rachel Rhys, author of A Dangerous CrossingBeautifully written mystery * People *An emotional thriller steeped in family secrets and the desire to belong * Woman *We all need a book to get really lost in every now and again, and this captivating mystery will certainly whisk you away. Exquisitely written, this emotional and intriguing novel is a little bit special * Woman & Home *A powerful story of family secrets, lies and the need to belong. Stays in your mind long after you've finished reading * Sunday Express *I heartily recommend Eve Chase's evocative The Glass House * Woman & Home *An atmospheric novel about family secrets . . . I love books with a strong sense of place and time * i *Sinister and gripping * The Leopard *Critical Acclaim for Eve Chase * - *An enthralling story of secrets, sisters and an unsolved mystery * bestselling author of The Clockmaker's Daughter *Simply stunning. Every now and then you read a special book and this is one. Spell-binding, heart-stopping . . . I can't tell you how much I loved it * bestselling author of The Missing Sister *Evocative and filled with intrigue * bestselling author of Let Me Lie *Exquisite and evocative - and the pace and suspense are handled expertly * bestselling author of Anatomy of a Scandal *One of the most enthralling novelists of the moment. This is the most beautiful book you will read this year * bestselling author of Watching You *Eve Chase is a name to watch * Daily Mail *Addictive and delivers atmosphere in spades * Good Housekeeping *An enticing, chilling plot, captivating characters and prose beautiful enough to totally lose yourself in * Heat *A mystery of nail-biting suspense * Woman & Home *Absorbed me completely. Fabulous * bestselling author of Tell Me a Secret *An engrossing story of fractured families, secrets, lies and misunderstandings * Sunday Express *Magical * Daily Express *Expertly crafted, dark, beautiful and utterly enthralling * bestselling author of The Summer of Impossible Things *Beautifully written with a gripping plot, I couldn't stop reading this * bestselling author of A Rose Petal Summer *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 McILVANNEY PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEARA NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEARA Raven and Fisher Mystery: Book 1Edinburgh, 1847. Will Raven is a medical student, apprenticing for the brilliant and renowned Dr Simpson. Sarah Fisher is Simpson's housemaid, and has all of Raven's intelligence but none of his privileges.As bodies begin to appear across the Old Town, Raven and Sarah find themselves propelled headlong into the darkest shadows of Edinburgh's underworld. And if either of them are to make it out alive, they will have to work together to find out who's responsible for the gruesome deaths.Trade ReviewParry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMIDThe Way of All Flesh is a treat. The historical setting is fascinating, and all of Brookmyre's wit and storytelling verve are evident in this tale of scalpels and secrets * * The Times * *Menacing, 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. PARRISA 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 RANKIN * * Guardian * *Utterly 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 FRENCH * * Observer * *An astonishing debut. The dark and dangerous past is brought thrillingly to life. I can't wait to read more of Raven and Sarah -- MARK BILLINGHAMThe 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 WELSHExceptional -- IRVINE WELSH

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Book SynopsisThe new historical crime thriller, a Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Hilary MantelPrague, 1588.A COURT IN TURMOILThe court of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf II, is a haven for scientists, astrologers and alchemists. The dream to discover the philosopher's stone and attain immortality. But now there are rumours of heresy.A MURDERED ALCHEMISTGiordano Bruno is sent to Prague as a spy for Elizabeth I. He arrives to find the palace in uproar an alchemist has been murdered.AN UNFORGIVING ENEMYOrdered by the emperor to uncover the killer, Bruno must negotiate the jostling factions at court, as well as the religious tensions brewing in the city. And his hunt to track down a murderer soon proves as elusive as the elixir of life itselfPraise for AlchemyThe clever twists and turns of Alchemy are assuredly plotted and Prague, a city in religious and political turmoil, makes for a powerful setting' The TimesOver the past dozen years, S. J. Parris's novels have been a

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

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Book 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.

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Book SynopsisWhen students of St Ignatius go missing, painter and amateur sleuth Georgia O''Keeffe must infiltrate the school to figure out what''s going on in this thrilling historical mystery set in 1930s New Mexico from multi award-winning author Kathryn Lasky.New Mexico, 1936. Settling in for a harsh winter alone at her house at the Ghost Ranch, painter and occasional amateur sleuth Georgia O''Keeffe makes the most of the weather before a storm rolls in. But when she finds the ideal spot to capture a particularly nice sunset, Georgia discovers a boy - cold, exhausted and desperate . . .Joseph Reyes is a student at St Ignatius School, and he claims that sinister Sister Angelica and Father Raphael have raped and killed his sister. And she is not the only one who suddenly went missing!Georgia is determined to find out what''s happening at this seemingly peculiar school, but as she investigates she uncovers even more disturbing machinations that link the school to the newly founded Opus Dei institution and its cult-like practices as well as Nazis and hidden spies - not knowing how much she puts herself in danger.Lovers of historical mysteries that feature real-life people will have a blast! "Step aside Miss Marple, Eugenia Potter, and Kinsey Millhone - Georgia O''Keeffe is the new sleuth in town!" (Award-winning author Katherine Hall Page).

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Book SynopsisJack Blackjack''s search for an executioner''s son ensnares him in a fiendish mesh of schemes in this lively Tudor mystery.London. May, 1556. Hal Westmecott, one of the city''s most feared executioners, reckons Jack Blackjack owes him a favour - and now he''s come to collect his dues. Hal has ordered Jack to track down his long-lost son and, although Jack believes he''s been set an impossible task, he''s in no position to refuse.But when Jack''s search draws him to the attention of a ruthless nobleman, a dead priest''s vengeful brother and finally to a bloodstained body in a filthy lodging house, he comes to realize he is an unwitting pawn in a mesh of schemes dreamed up by the most powerful people in England. Just who is a friend, who is a foe - and will Jack escape with his life intact?

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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 SynopsisRome is in chaos. The empire of a mobster chief is falling apart following his death. Rivals, fearsome relatives and associates are taking up position to vie for the spoils. With hideous murders in the streets of Rome, a lone female traveller arrives with an agenda of her own. But when her corpse is dragged out of the river bearing signs of foul play, Flavia Alba is drawn in, concerned about her fellow Briton''s fate. Alba''s quest to find the killer becomes deeply personal when she discovers a man at the centre of the plot is an old adversary of hers. Will she be obsessed by revenge? Can she let the past go, or will it consume her?

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Book Synopsis''A compelling, atmospheric page-turner'' Steve Cavanagh''Gripping and compelling . . . balances immersive historical scene-setting with masterful plotting'' Dan Jones''A seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement'' Owen MatthewsBERLIN, JANUARY 1940Germany has conquered Poland. The world is praying for peace. At home, the Nazi Party''s hold on power is absolute. One freezing night, an SS doctor and his wife return home from an evening out. By sunrise, the doctor will be lifeless in a pool of blood. There is pressure to record the incident as a suicide, but the first evidence uncovered by Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke points to a chillingly staged murder. The investigation is swiftly blocked by Schenke''s superiors, but he can''t let it go. When he uncovers links to the mysterious death of a child, a terriTrade ReviewA compelling, atmospheric page-turner * Steve Cavanagh *Gripping and compelling . . . balances immersive historical scene-setting with masterful plotting * Dan Jones *A superb thriller with all the elements that make for a seriously gripping story - an outsider hero in jeopardy, a world of brooding danger, and an entirely, terrifyingly believable denouement * Owen Matthews *A chilling and accomplished historical thriller * Vaseem Khan *An absolute stone-cold page-turner * S. G. MacLean *'Scarrow's second World War Two thriller is a tense and fast-paced tale rich in period atmosphere' -- Bill Todd * The Sun *The moral ambiguity gives it a very especial edge. It is a tense, fast-moving story with plenty of action, culminating in a vividly described shoot-out -- Edward James * Historical Novel Review *Scarrow has alighted on an aspect of Nazi policy that certainly deserves to be better known -- James Owen * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThe Lake House by Kate Morton is the mysterious and enchanting fifth novel from the number one bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Secret Keeper.June 1933, and the Edevane family’s country house, Loeanneth, is polished and gleaming, ready for the much-anticipated Midsummer Eve party. Alice Edevane, sixteen years old and a budding writer, is especially excited. Not only has she worked out the perfect twist for her novel, she’s also fallen helplessly in love with someone she shouldn’t. But by the time midnight strikes and fireworks light up the night skies, the Edevane family will have suffered a loss so great that they leave Loeanneth forever.Seventy years later, after a particularly troubling case, DC Sadie Sparrow is sent on an enforced break from her job with the Metropolitan Police. She retreats to her beloved grandfather’s cottage in Cornwall, but soon finds herself at a loose end. Until one day, Sadie stumbles upon an abandoned house surrounded by overgrown gardens and dense woods, and learns the story of a baby boy who disappeared without a trace.Meanwhile, in the attic writing room of her elegant Hampstead home, the formidable Alice Edevane, now an old lady, leads a life as neatly plotted as the bestselling detective novels she writes. That is, until a young police detective starts asking questions about her family’s past, seeking to resurrect the complex tangle of secrets Alice has spent her life trying to escape . . .

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

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Book 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 SynopsisInspired by a true story, set against the heady backdrop of jazz-filled, mob-ruled New Orleans, The Axeman’s Jazz by Ray Celestin is a gripping thriller announcing a major talent in historical crime fiction.Winner of the CWA New Blood Dagger for Best Debut Crime Novel of the YearRecommended on the Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia WinklemanShortlisted for Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year AwardNew Orleans, 1919. As a dark serial killer – the Axeman – stalks the city, three individuals set out to unmask him:Detective Lieutenant Michael Talbot – heading up the official investigation, but struggling to find leads, and harbouring a grave secret of his own.Former detective Luca d’Andrea – now working for the mafia, his need to solve the mystery of the Axeman is every bit as urgent as that of the authorities.And Ida – a secretary at the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Obsessed with Sherlock Holmes and dreaming of a better life, she stumbles across a clue which lures her and her musician friend, Louis Armstrong, into the case – and into terrible danger . . .As Michael, Luca and Ida each draw closer to discovering the killer’s identity, the Axeman himself will issue a challenge to the people of New Orleans: play jazz, or risk becoming the next victim.'A fascinating portrait of a vibrant and volatile city and a riveting read' – GuardianThe Axeman's Jazz is the first book in Ray Celestin's prize-winning City Blues quartet. It is followed by the second installment, Dead Man's Blues.Trade ReviewA rewarding crime novel, swinging its way to a terrifying denouement with all the panache of a New Orleans marching band * The Times *A fascinating portrait of a vibrant and volatile city and a riveting read * Guardian *Gripping . . . Celestin smartly evokes the atmosphere of 1919 New Orleans, and a city dominated by music and the mob * Sunday Times *Based on a true story . . . this thriller blends voodoo, gangsters and jazz into an intoxicating mix * Sunday Mirror *The evocative prose brings the jazz-filled, mob-ruled ‘Big Easy’ of pre-prohibition America to life in glorious effect with a story full of suspense and intrigue. Stunning * Sunday Express *Outstanding * Daily Telegraph *A clever and utterly believable procedural with a suitably grisly killer, set in a brilliant and vibrant historical background * Crime Review *The best debut I’ve read this year * Scotsman, Crime Books of the Year *Celestin has skilfully woven around the facts a clever story of three detectives who, in different ways and for different motives, set out to find the murderer. He brilliantly portrays the mood of a city under a siege of fear. Fictional musicians mix with the real jazz artists of the period, not least Louis Armstrong. * The Times, Crime Books of the Year *An absolute must for true crime fanatics * Refinery29 *

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Book SynopsisCeremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Summer, 1538.A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way. Does this new killing mean his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of holy terror?Cesare Aldo is busy hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. When another merchant is burned alive in public, the rich start fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous.Growing religious fervour and a scorching heatwave drives the city ever closer to madness. Meanwhile, someone is stalking those powerful men who forged lifelong bonds in the dark days of Savonarola.Unless Aldo and Strocchi work together, all of Florence will be consumed by an inferno of death and destruction . . .'Religion and lust? Money and politics? It's all here, combined into a murderous brew' - Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Royal SecretRitual of Fire is the third Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin. The series continues with A Divine Fury.The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning AuthorTrade ReviewHe is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris with his page-turning novels. Highly recommended * Historical Novel Society *In Ritual of Fire, the third scintillating Cesare Aldo novel, D.V. Bishop once again immerses us in sixteenth-century Florence and the heady intrigues of Renaissance Italy. Aldo is a magnificent creation -- Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar HouseA blaze of a book, grabs you from the first flicker -- S W Perry, author of The Angel's MarkSweltering tension and an explosive ending. Great stuff -- Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue WaterPlace and time are pinned with stiletto precision, while pacing and plot grip all the way to the exciting denouement. Absolutely superb -- Douglas Skelton, author of An Honourable ThiefAldo is a fascinating and charismatic character -- Antonia Hodgson, author of The Silver CollarD. V. Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing sixteenth-century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other -- S. G. MacLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker seriesA first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour de force -- David Baldacci, internationally bestselling author of the Aloysius Archer series, on City of Vengeance

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Book Synopsis''Expect a tale of love, courage and being brave in the most dangerous of times'' Woman''s WayYou can pay a terrible price for keeping a promise...Evelyn Taylor-Clarke sits in her chair at Forest Lawns Care Home in the heart of the English countryside, surrounded by residents with minds not as sharp as hers. It would be easy to dismiss Evelyn as a muddled old woman, but her lipstick is applied perfectly, and her buttons done up correctly. Because Evelyn is a woman with secrets and Evelyn remembers everything. She can never forget the promise she made to the love of her life, to discover the truth about the mission that led to his death, no matter what it cost her...When Evelyn''s niece Pat opens an old biscuit tin to find a photo of a small girl with a red ball entitled ''Liese, 1951'' and a passport in another name, she has some questions for her aunt. And Evelyn is transported back to a place in Germany known as ''The Forbidden Village'', where a woman who called herself Eva went where no one else dared, amongst shivering prisoners, to find the man who gambled with her husband''s life...A gripping, haunting and compelling read about love, courage and betrayal set in the war-battered landscape of Germany. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka''s Journey and The Child of Auschwitz will be hooked.Readers are raving about My Name is Eva:''Could not put this book down, and heaven help anyone that tried to disturb my reading !!...I absolutely loved this book !...I laughed, I cried, I cheered , I sympathised all because of Evelyn...I could so picture the setting and as Evelyn sets out to fool everyone, I thought you go girl !!...I don''t want to say anything else but what a fantastic read... I can''t recommend this book enough!!'' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars''What a magnificent read! Eva is amazing. One of the best characters in a book EVER! What a fantastic, beautiful, heart-wrenching tale, incredibly told. I absolutely loved every single page. I sat for the last 20% of the book in tears, sad but happy tears. An absolutely beautiful book'' Kim the Bookworm, 5 stars''A poignant and evocative story of love, betrayal and bravery that kept me page turning and completely engrossed from start to finish. Loved it and would definitely recommend.'' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars''A phenomenal story of courage, love, murder and all the atrocities that go with war. Eva is an extraordinary character, strong, loyal, smart, funny, loving, and brave.A phenomenal read!!'' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars''This may be my new favorite book!!!! I absolutely love the premise of the heroine faking dementia in her retirement home to cover up her knowledge of (and possible involvement in) questionable activities centering around WWII events. The tempo of this novel was perfect--kept me wondering until the very last page!'' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars''Absolutely loved this book and its riveting plot!... The author has successfully penned a debut novel that I would highly recommend without any hesitation. An excellent debut novel from Suzanne Goldring and I look forward to reading more of her work .'' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 starsTrade ReviewExpect a tale of love, courage and being brave in the most dangerous of times. * Woman's Way *

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