Historical crime and mysteries

Book SynopsisAgatha Christie's classic short story collection, including one of her most enduring and shocking thrillers, The Witness for the Prosecution.1920s London.A murder, brutal and bloodthirsty, has stained the plush carpets of a handsome London townhouse. The victim is the glamorous and enormously rich Emily French. All the evidence points to Leonard Vole, a young chancer to whom the heiress left her vast fortune and who ruthlessly took her life. At least, this is the story that Emily's dedicated housekeeper Janet Mackenzie stands by in court. Leonard however, is adamant that his partner, the enigmatic chorus girl Romaine, can prove his innocence.Trade Review“With the long terrible shadow of the Great War falling across the rackety, feral 1920s, The Witness for the Prosecution is a compelling story of deceit, desire, murder, money and morality, innocence and guilt, heartbreak and most painful and dangerous of all, love. At the centre of this dark and tangled net is the astonishing character of Romaine, a noir heroine for all our times.” Sarah Phelps

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Book SynopsisThe next gripping volume in The Brighton Mysteries series by bestselling author Elly Griffiths.It starts with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house; throw in a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer, and you've got the next gripping book in the Brighton Mysteries series. Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted's assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he's convinced that he'll be accused of her murder.Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn't know is that the girl's family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (aka Mrs Stephens) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own. The inhabitants of the boarding house, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, are a motley crew. The house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician's assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer. He persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement and take part in a summer show. But who can pose as his assistant? Edgar shocks the team by recommending someone close. . .***************************Praise for The Brighton Mysteries'Original, lively and gripping' Independent'Full of period detail, smart plotting and likeable characters' Mail on Sunday'Full of fun and expertly plotted' Sunday ExpressThe Last Remains, the final instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, was a Sunday Times bestseller in August 2023.Trade ReviewGriffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs ruled by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *Intriguing, multi-layered and full of rich period detail with each character honed to perfection * Lancashire Evening Press *Elly has shot into the top ranks of British crime writers after building an impressive catalogue of bestsellers * Peterborough Telegraph *Gripping . . . magical . . . we loved it * Woman's Weekly *Full of period charm and fiendish plotting * Mail on Sunday *Griffiths' affection for Brighton - with its grotty digs rules by no-nonsense landladies - and her gentle wit ensure that the reader very much likes to be beside the seaside * The Times *Strong on period detail * Sunday Times *Once again Griffiths has created a lively crew of characters and woven a twisty plot around them * Mystery People *An engaging cosy mystery - with added bite * Crime Monthly Review *Riveting offering in Griffiths' Brighton Mysteries * Sunday Post *

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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

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Book SynopsisMurder always sells. But when a series of dark and puzzling crimes takes place in seventeenth-century London, will printer''s apprentice Lucy Campion be publishing the news - or starring in it?London, 1667. Printer''s apprentice Lucy Campion is unsettled when, on a frozen December morning after church, an elderly woman dressed in mourning clothes whispers an ominous warning in her ear.Lucy sternly tells herself it''s nonsense, but then her much-loved former master, Magistrate Hargrave, is viciously attacked with a brass hourglass during a break-in. But what exactly was the intruder searching for? And why did they first stop to steal a piece of Cook''s lamb and lentil pie?The puzzling case is just the start of a series of dark, bizarre crimes. Lucy''s determined to uncover the truth and see that justice is done. But someone is equally determined to stop her - whatever it takes.This page-turning historical mystery set in Renaissa

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Book SynopsisDCI Monika Paniatowski faces an old enemy - and makes a fatal mistake with the potential to poison her whole career.Jordan Gough is an important man. He''s the town''s biggest benefactor. He is the proprietor of the Whitebridge Evening Telegraph. He owns the local football team.He is also, DCI Monika Paniatowski thinks, as bent as a corkscrew - and if she had any evidence, she''d put him away like a shot. A single encounter with him as a young detective sergeant left an impression she''s never forgotten. And neither, she is certain, has he.So when Jordan calls and demands to speak to Monika - and only Monika - she is on immediate high alert. He claims someone''s trying to kill him, but why has he destroyed the evidence? Why turn for help to an officer he hates?Certain she''s the target of a twisted practical joke, Monika makes a terrible mistake - one that could destroy everything she holds dear.The fourteenth DCI Monik

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Book SynopsisSaint Peter''s Fair is a grand festive event, attracting tradesmen from across England and beyond. There is a pause in the civil war racking the country in the summer of 1139, and the fair promises to bring some much needed gaiety to the town of Shrewsbury. Until, that is, the body of a wealthy trader is found in the River Severn. Was Thomas of Bristol the victim of murderous thieves? And if so, why were his valuables abandoned nearby? Brother Cadfael offers to help the merchant''s lovely niece Emma. But while he is seaching for the killer, the man''s wares are ransacked and two more men are murdered. Emma almost certainly knows more than she is telling, as others will soon realise. Cadfael desperately races to save the young girl, knowing that in a country at war with itself, betrayal can come from any direction, and even good intentions can kill.

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Book SynopsisThe legendary Judge Dee Renjie returns, in this lyrical combination of mystery, history and ancient Chinese politics from the author of the renowned Inspector Chen mysteriesIn Tang dynasty China, Empress Wu ? seductive, ambitious and vindictive ? rules with an iron fist. Her premier minister, Judge Dee Renjie, is honored to be trusted by her. But when she orders him to carry out an urgent investigation into the disappearance of disgraced poet Luo Binwang, he can?t see why the matter is of such vital importance.Luo Binwang joined a doomed uprising against Her Majesty, and vanished after the final, bloody battle. Is he missing ? or dead? Either way, now that the rebellion has been mercilessly quashed, what harm could a poor, elderly poet do?Traveling out of the great capital of Chang?an, accompanied by his loyal manservant Yang, Judge Dee launches a painstaking investigation, in the hopes of achieving what the empress? secret police could not. But the journey is marred by ill omens, and with death and disaster following his every step, Judge Dee soon begins to wonder if the empress trusts him as much as he thought . . .

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Book SynopsisA circus arrives in Durham in the 1790s and the whole town is excited. until the body of a Shaker girl is found beaten.1790s. The circus has arrived in Durham, Maine. Before weaver Will Rees is able to take in its spectacle, he spots Magistrate Hanson - the man he blames for his family''s having to flee Dugard two years earlier.On his journey home he encounters Shaker brothers searching for a girl from their Zion community. Despite women not being allowed inside the circus, Leah had snuck out to visit it. They quickly come across her lifeless body beaten and thrown into a farmer''s field on the road leading to the circus.Bored of his household chores, Rees begins investigating at the expense of his home life. He becomes entranced by the lives of the circus performers, including the charismatic horse rider and tightrope walker. Is his longing for his old journeyman''s life causing him to take his eye off the case, and can he stay out of Hanson''s way and keep his family safe?

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

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Book SynopsisWho really killed the princes in the tower? Was Richard III truly the ogre of legend and Shakespeare's play. - a wicked uncle who murdered his nephews to steal the crown of England? Inspector Alan Grant is not so sure. Laid up in hospital with a broken leg, he becomes obsessed with unravelling this most enduring of historical mysteries. As he investigates with the help of an enthusiastic young American scholar, he unearths long-buried intrigues and comes to a startling conclusion.Trade Review'As interesting and enjoyable a book as you will meet in a month of Sundays' - Observer'One of the best mysteries of all time' - New York Times'First-rate mystery, ably plotted and beautifully written' - Los Angeles Times'A detective story with a very considerable difference. Ingenious, stimulating and very enjoyable' - Sunday Times'One of the permanent classics in the detective field' - Anthony Boucher

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Book SynopsisA gripping 1920s-set whodunnit, this debut features a queer sleuth who must solve a murder in a mansion on London's Hampstead Heath without revealing his sexuality, lest he be arrested as a criminal.The first of the Selby Bigge mysteries, it will leave readers eager for the next installment.

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Book SynopsisTHE BREATHTAKING NEW ADVENTURE FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHORDeadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . packs a real punch' Andy McDermottA BRUTAL MURDER. A HORRIFYING SECRET.ONLY BEN CAN EXPOSE THE TRUTH.A lost, aimless and hard-drinking Ben Hope has wandered back to his old haunt in Ireland. The ex-SAS soldier is searching for peace, but trouble soon appears when Kirsten Hall, a young journalist, is brutally murdered right in front of him. Unable to prevent it, Ben is driven by guilt to hunt down the killers. All he has to go on is a handful of clues from Kirsten's research but how can the journals of Lady Stamford, the wife of an English lord during the time of the Irish Great Famine, have put Kirsten in mortal danger?Ben's quest for the truth leads him across the world and finally to Oklahoma, USA, where a deadly secret awaits. What connects the journals, a wealthy American politician and an intrigue surrounding the Irish famine?What Ben uncovers is a shocking historical conspiracy linked to the deaths of some two million people: a veritable holocaust that time has all but forgotten. Those who are still profiting from the lies and corruption of the time, and who are ready to kill anyone to protect their secret, are about to payThe Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to a new Ben Hope thriller beginsWhilst the Ben Hope thrillers can be read in any order, this is the tenth book in the series.Trade Review Praise for Scott Mariani: ‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart . . . Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell ‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer 'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry ‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne ‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy ‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch’ M. J. Rose ‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains . . . everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore ‘Scott Mariani is an awesome writer’ Chris Kuzneski

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Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEAR IN DAILY EXPRESS, I AND IRISH INDEPENDENT'Thrilling, mysterious, twisted' Graham Norton'Utterly mesmerising . . . A triumph' New York Times Book Review'Delivers chills galore' GuardianThe case of the extraordinary child . . .London, 1863. A strange puzzle has reached Bridie Devine, the finest female detective of her age. To recover a stolen child, Bridie must enter the dark world of medical curiosities. The public love a spectacle and this child may well prove the most remarkable spectacle London has ever seen.Things in Jars is a Victorian novel unlike any other, one that explores what it is to be human in inhumane times.Trade ReviewI loved Himself and The Hoarder but this book takes things to another level - thrilling, mysterious, twisted but more than anything, beautifully written and filled to bursting point with heart -- GRAHAM NORTONUtterly mesmerising . . . A triumph. Kidd's imagination - her ability to imagine a world more magical, darker, richer than our own - is a thing of wonder. She rummages through the layers of Victorian society as if through an old steamer trunk, pulling up all variety of treasures, like pythons and heads in hatboxes * * New York Times Book Review * *This unusual Victorian detective tale is hugely satisfying and beautifully written . . . Kidd gives the world what is instantly one of fiction's great spectral double acts * * The Times * *Jess Kidd's stories are so magical, she should be a genre all to herself . . . Things in Jars is exquisite. Perfect storytelling -- JOANNA CANNON, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEPThis pacy piece of Victorian crime fiction delivers chills galore . . . done with panache . . . Her imagination runs wild, in tightly controlled prose. Her concision makes the book feel like a high-pressure jar * * Guardian * *A twisting, precis-defying plot . . . Arresting, funny and well-written * * Sunday Times * *An extraordinary tale full of dark magic, wicked humour and hugely entertaining characters. An absolute treat! -- RUTH HOGAN, author of THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGSKidd writes prose that is full to the brim with life, and overflowing. Victorian London is rendered lavishly in all its stench and glory . . . Features the most endearing of heroines . . . Kidd excels at atmospheric description . . . Kidd's sentences contain so much delight in the language, whether conveying brutality or rescue and repair, that there are frequent jolts of pleasure for the reader . . . Revel in the rich, wild text * * Financial Times * *A masterclass in storytelling. One of those books that truly does make you laugh out loud, that shakes and remakes what you think a story can be. It's rare to find a book so satisfying -- KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVEIf there was an Oscar ceremony for books, then Kidd's Victorian mystery Things in Jars would surely sweep the board . . . Timeless . . . Knife-sharp * * Irish Times * *

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Book SynopsisIntroducing spirited female sleuth Elizabeth Fairchild in the first of the brilliant new Oak Park village mystery series, set in 1920s Illinois. June, 1925. Having been widowed in the Great War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died? When one of her father''s oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?

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Book SynopsisFrom celebrated New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry comes the latest Cotton Malone adventure, in which Cotton unravels a mystery from World War II involving a legendary lost treasure, Yamashita''s Gold, worth billions.1945. In the waning months of World War II, Japan hid vast quantities of gold and other stolen valuables in boobytrapped underground caches all across the Philippines. By 1947 some of that loot was recovered, not by treasure hunters, but by the United States government, which told no one about the find. Instead, those assets were stamped classified, shipped to Europe, and secretly assimilated into something called the Black Eagle Trust.Present day. Retired Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is in Switzerland doing a favor for a friend. But what was supposed to be a simple operation turns violent and Cotton is thrust into a war between the world''s oldest bank and the CIA, a battle that directly involves the Black Eagle Trust. He quickly discovers that everything hinges on a woman from his past, who suddenly reappears harboring a host of explosive secrets centering around bitcoin. The cryptocurrency is being quietly weaponized, readied for an assault on the world''s financial systems, a calculated move that will have devastating consequences. Cotton has no choice. He has to act. But at what cost?From the stolid banking halls of Luxembourg, to the secret vaults of Switzerland, and finally up into the treacherous mountains of southern Morocco, Cotton Malone is stymied at every turn. Each move he makes seems wrong, and nothing works, until he finally comes face-to-face with the Atlas Maneuver.

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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

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Book SynopsisThe arrival of an unexpected guest means trouble ahead for the residents of Thorncroft House in this deftly-plotted Victorian mystery. On a freezing winter''s night, with the household in mourning following the death of the dowager Lady Croft, the residents of Thorncroft House are roused from their beds by the arrival of an unexpected visitor. Although Lady Stanton seems reluctant to explain the reasons for her visit, housekeeper Harriet Rowsley would never turn a stranger from the door; she offers Lady Stanton and her servants all the hospitality at her disposal, however secretive and arrogant the new guest might be.But tensions arise over the following days, with both visitors and servants trapped indoors by the snow, and Lady Stanton proving a difficult and demanding guest. The situation worsens on the discovery of the body of a young housemaid lying crumpled at the foot of the stairs. A tragic accident . or something more sinister?Who exact

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Book SynopsisSet in 1940s Occupied Paris, this is the latest gripping murder mystery in an award-winning, critically acclaimed historical crime series. Perfect for fans of Philip Kerr, Manda Scott, Alan Furst and David Faulks.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Will Somers, the king''s jester but nobody''s fool in this exuberant, intriguing and thoroughly entertaining mystery set in Tudor England - the first in a new series from the author of the critically acclaimed Crispin Guest Medieval Noir series.1529, London. Jester Will Somers enjoys an enviable position at the court of Henry VIII. As the king''s entertainer, chief gossip-monger, spy and loyal adviser, he knows all of the king''s secrets - and almost everyone else''s within the walls of Greenwich Palace.But when Will discovers the body of Spanish count Don Gonzalo while walking his trusted sidekick Nosewise in the courtyard gardens, and a blackmail note arrives soon after demanding information about the king, is one of his own closely guarded secrets about to be exposed? Trouble is afoot at the palace. Are the king''s enemies plotting a move against him? Will must draw on all his wit and ingenuity to get to the bottom of the treachero

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Book SynopsisPhysician-sleuth Dr Gabriel Taverner has to face his greatest challenge yet - a serious danger from the East threatens not just his life, but everyone he loves! All aboard this adventurous historical mystery set in the early seventeenth century. March, 1605. Country doctor and former ship''s surgeon Gabriel Taverner has embarked on his next adventure. Since discovering that the debilitating injury he sustained years ago has lost its power to induce chronic seasickness, he has been impatient to leave Devon once more, and now it is in the service of Walter Haverleigh, a wealthy and successful merchant, who has engaged Gabriel to tend the crew of the Luipaard on her voyage to the Eastern seas.As the months and years of Gabriel''s absence continue, his family and friends are struggling with the replacement physician he engaged before his hasty departure. Doctor Maudsley Cheverell has turned out to be incompetent, arrogant and self-servi

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023 SHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLDSBORO GLASS BELL AWARD 2023 _______________ ‘Superb’ - Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of PANDORA ‘Bewitching’ - Stacey Halls, bestselling author of THE FAMILIARS _______________ SHE IS AWAKE... Norfolk, 1643. Reluctant soldier Thomas Treadwater has been summoned home by his young sister in a letter accusing their new servant of improper conduct with their widowed father. By the time Thomas reaches the family farm, his father is on the verge of death, Esther is near hysterical and their new servant is in prison, facing charges of witchcraft. Thomas prides himself on being a rational, modern man. He is confident that he can free their servant, a beautiful if peculiarly self possessed young woman, and reassure his sister that there is nothing further to fear, now he has returned. But as he begins to unravels the mystery of what has happened to his family, he uncovers a tale, not of witchcraft, but of something dark and ancient, linked to a shipwreck many years before... Something has awoken, and now it will not rest. Richly atmospheric and deliciously unsettling, The Leviathan is a tale of family and loyalty, superstition and sacrifice, but most of all it is a spellbinding mystery and a story of impossible things. _______________ ‘Outstanding... a seething, haunting delight’ - Beth Underdown, award-winning author of THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTER ‘Thoroughly gripping and utterly absorbing’ - Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNE *ROSIE ANDREWS’ new novel, The Puzzle Wood, is coming in 2024* _______________Trade ReviewIt’s hard to believe that such an accomplished novel could be a debut - The Leviathan is a gloriously dark story that sweeps you along to its harrowing yet satisfying conclusion. Superb -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, number one bestselling author of PANDORAHugely atmospheric debut ... Gloriously dark and brimful of gothic-infused dread, this is an eerie tale of age-old evil * Daily Mail *Darkly compelling and dripping with atmosphere, The Leviathan is a bewitching tale of good, evil and all the shades in-between -- Stacey Halls, author of THE FAMILIARSThe plot is as surprising and sinuously twisting as the legendary sea monster of its title … More than just an entertaining fantasy, the novel offers a lesson about the importance of accepting responsibility * Guardian *Infused with creepy gothic dread and gorgeously written. Fantastic -- Amy McCulloch, author of BREATHLESSAn original and compelling page-turner, beautifully told -- Annie Kirby, author of THE HOLLOW SEAThis debut oozes quality. I wanted to savour the incredible language, by turns lyrical and earthy, and the beautifully researched historical detail ... The Leviathan is a sumptuous treat that positively thrums with tension. A story that does not shy away from questions of religion, personal choice and responsibility, good versus evil ... Great to read at any time, but especially when the night is dark with howling wind and lashing rain. I absolutely loved it -- Lianne Dillsworth, author of THEATRE OF MARVELSA beautifully written, slow-burning Gothic mystery * Heat *A sinister, twisting tale, thoroughly gripping and utterly absorbing -- Jennifer Saint, author of ARIADNEAn outstanding historical debut, which blends emotional resonance with the chill factor of an M R James story. Utterly compelling from start to finish, The Leviathan is a seething, haunting delight -- Beth Underdown, author of THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTERA confident and accomplished debut, which skilfully blends historical detail, myth, faith and the fantastic into a dark and compelling story of huge imagination -- Anita Frank, author of THE LOST ONESChilling and beguiling, The Leviathan is a novel to be devoured greedily. Vivid and original, I was utterly captivated from the first page until the last -- Joanne Burn, author of THE HEMLOCK CUREThe Leviathan is a haunting, thrilling debut as strange and slippery as the mythical beast itself: at once a supernatural adventure that writhes and twists as you turn the pages but also a very human story about love, loss and faith in the unnerving time of the Civil War. A monster achievement -- Miranda Malins, author of THE PURITAN PRINCESSSpectacular – deliciously creepy, immensely atmospheric and exquisitely written. Rosie Andrews in a phenomenal new voice in historical fiction -- Lizzie Pook, author of the MOONLIGHT AND THE PEARLER'S DAUGHTERA subtle, spooky tale with some spine-tingling moments * Best *Gloriously dark and packed full of Gothic-infused dread * Daily Express *

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

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

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

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Book Synopsis*****Part of the bestselling John Shakespeare series of Tudor spy thrillers from Rory Clements, winner of the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award*****'Does for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's' Sunday TimesEngland is close to war. Within days the axe could fall on the neck of Mary Queen of Scots, and Spain is already gathering a battle fleet to avenge her. Tensions in Elizabeth I's government are at breaking point. At the eye of the storm is John Shakespeare, chief intelligencer in the secret service of Sir Francis Walsingham. When an intercept reveals a plot to assassinate England's 'sea dragon', Francis Drake, Shakespeare is ordered to protect him. With Drake on land fitting out his ships, he is frighteningly vulnerable. If he dies, England will be open to invasion. In a London rife with rumour, Shakespeare must decide which leads to follow, which to ignore. When a high-born young woman is found mutilated and murdered at an illicit printing house, it is political gunpowder - and he has no option but to investigate.But why is Shakespeare shadowed at every turn by the brutal Richard Topcliffe, the blood-drenched priest-hunter who claims intimacy with Queen Elizabeth herself? What is Topcliffe's interest in a housemaid, whose baby has been stolen? And where do two fugitive Jesuit priests fit into the puzzle, one happy to die for God, the other to kill for Him? From the splendour and intrigue of the royal court, to the sleek warships of Her Majesty's Navy and the teeming brothels of Southwark, Shakespeare soon learns that nothing is as it seems . . .Trade ReviewThis is a historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *This is a historical thriller to send a shiver down your spine. * Daily Mail *Clements can be seen as doing for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's. * Sunday Times *Clements can be seen as doing for Elizabeth's reign what CJ Sansom does for Henry VIII's. * Sunday Times *John Shakespeare is one of the great historical sleuths. -- Barry Forshaw

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Book SynopsisA deadly plague is spreading across the land...England, 1348: as the Black Death spreads through the country, people start to die by the thousands. In Dorset, young Lady Anne takes control of her lands, with her trusted steward, Thaddeus, at her side. Compassionate and resourceful, she decides to quarantine the estate against the terrifying pestilence, bringing some two hundred serfs inside the moated walls. But in such a confined space, conflicts soon arise. Ignorant of the world outside, Lady Anne's people wrestle with the terrible uncertainty of their futures. Fearing starvation but fearing the disease even more, who amongst them has the courage to leave the security of the walls?And how safe is anyone when a dreadful event threatens the uneasy status quo...?Trade ReviewAtmosphere, imagination and narrative power of which few other writers are capable * The Times *A staggeringly talented writer. * Guardian *Wonderful and sweeping, with a fabulous sense of place and history * Kate Mosse on The Last Hours *An enthralling account of a calamitous time, and above all a wonderful testimony to the strength of the human spirit. I was caught from the first page. * Julian Fellowes on The Last Hours *Minette Walters is a master at building engrossing tales around a single, life-shattering event. * Washington Post *A vividly-wrought and powerful story. With The Last Hours, Minette Walters has brought her impressive skill as a writer of psychological crime to create a dark and gripping depiction of Medieval England in the jaws of the Black Death. * Elizabeth Fremantle on The Last Hours *...as you'd expect from crime queen Minette Walters, blood will be spilled. A well-plotted page-turner. * Sunday Express *Historical novels depend upon the writer's ability to create a credible past world and Walters manages this very well...This is an ideal read for those who just want a good story well told. Snuggle up in a chair on a cold winter night and enjoy. * nudge-book.com *

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Book Synopsis**A Summer 2024 pick in the Times Literary Supplement and the Financial Times**Andrey Kurkov is often called Ukraine''s greatest living writer, and it is a gift for crime fiction fans that he writes in this genre New York TimesA very intriguing and atmospheric novel by a highly accomplished writer . . . A fascinating read in the light of contemporary events Alexander McCall Smith, Bestselling Author of The No. 1 Ladies'' Detective AgencyKyiv, 1919. The Soviets control the city, but White armies menace them from the West. No man trusts his neighbour and any spark of resistance may ignite into open rebellion.When Samson Kolechko''s father is murdered, his last act is to save his son from a falling Cossack sabre. Deprived of his right ear instead of his head, Samson is left an orphan, with only his father''s collection of abacuses for company.Until, that is, his flat is requisitioned

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Book SynopsisK.J. Maitland''s gripping Jacobean historical thriller series comes to a dramatic conclusion...''What a wonderful storyteller Maitland is'' THE TIMESLondon, 1608. Three years after the Gunpowder Treason, the King''s enemies prepare to strike again.Daniel Pursglove is tasked by royal command with one final mission: he must infiltrate the Serpents - a secret group of Catholics plotting to kill the King - or risk his own execution. But other conspirators are circling, men who would blackmail Daniel for their own dark ends.In the Serpents'' den, nothing is quite as it seems. And when Daniel spies a familiar face among their number, the game takes a dangerous turn.As plague returns to London, tensions reach breaking point. Can Daniel escape the web of treason in which he finds himself ensnared - or has his luck finally run out?PRAISE FOR THE DANIEL PURSGLOVE SERIES''Dark and enthralling'' ANDREW TAYLO

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

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Book SynopsisA GLORIOUS SHERLOCK HOLMES-INSPIRED MYSTERY FOR FANS OF NITA PROSE AND JANICE HALLETT.'A page-turning cosy crime delight, with a fearless heroine and a twisty mystery at its heart, full of humour, drama, revelations and romance' KATIE MARSHLondon, 1932. A young maid steps onto a train and disappears. Her desperate family writes to the only person they can think of to help: Sherlock Holmes. A shame then, that Mr Holmes isn't real. But then, from a basement beneath 221b Baker Street, someone repliesHarriet White knows responding to the maid's family could land her in hot water, but she's no stranger to trouble. It was refusing to cow to her over-familiar boss that saw her demoted to the postal department of their Baker Street head office in the first place. Her new job is to work through the mountain of correspondence addressed to the street's most famous resident. But when this letter catches her eye, she knows she must do something to help the missing girl. Harriet decides to act as Holmes' new assistant, armed with only her love of Conan Doyle's stories to guide her. But can she solve the case of the missing maid? Or does she risk losing her job or much, much more in the process?Readers are loving The Baker Street Mysteries:I really enjoyed this cozy mystery because it is at the intersection between cozy mystery and historical fiction and it is simply brilliant. Hepburn weaves a strong plotline and Harry shines throughout. A real pleasure to read.' Goodreads reviewer ?????I am definitely a Sherlock Holmes fan, so the premise of this story got my attention immediately, but it was the writing, characters and the new story perspective that firmly held it.' Goodreads reviewer ?????I loved everything about this historical cozy. The link to Sherlock Holmes intrigued me as I didn't know that this was based on the fact that someone was actually employed at the Building Society to answer letters sent to Sherlock Holmes. I love history so this little tidbit fascinated me and it sets up Harry nicely for many more investigations.' Goodreads reviewer ?????A delightful cozy mystery! Can you imagine having the job of answering letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes? And what would you do if it was someone who you thought you might help? I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of Harry! She is such a delightful heroine. Funny, smart and brave! Her indomitable spirit instantly endeared her to me.' Goodreads reviewer ?????Grabbed my heart from the first minute and captivated me to the last page. When a book connects so beautifully with what one wants at the time, it's impossible to keep it under wraps. It gave me Dear Mrs. Bird vibes, a very happy discovery!' Goodreads reviewer ?????I was totally gripped from the first page to the last. Loved the story and the characters with a few unexpected bumps along the way. Loved this book and can't wait for the next one!!!' Goodreads reviewer ?????I liked Harry from the very beginning. I loved the interaction between Harry and Oliver and can see this unfolding in future books.' Goodreads reviewer ?????

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Book SynopsisStep into the world of 1886 and join the enigmatic Eleanor Hatham, a cross-dressing New Woman, as she embarks on a daring endeavour to revive her family's corner of Cornwall devastated by the aftermath of the Repeal of the Corn Laws. In Hatham Hall, author Tim Robinson weaves a captivating tapestry of love, conflict, and the fight for acceptance.

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesOxford, 1960. As the city of Oxford prepares itself for the inaugural Miss Oxford Honey Beauty Pageant at The Old Swan Theatre, excitement is in the air.Then, tragedy strikes the competition when one of the leading contestants is found dead.Initially, the authorities assume her death was suicide. But after a malicious series of pranks and blackmail attempts are reported, WPC Loveday and Coroner Clement Ryder are called upon to solve the case.In an atmosphere of fierce competition, the list of suspects is endless. Could what have started as harmless fun become a deadly race to win the prize?With time running out, the duo need to spot the killer before tragedy strikes againA gripping cosy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha ChrTrade ReviewPraise for the Ryder and Loveday series:‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Faith Martin's fiendishly clever new novel, Murder by Candlelight, set in the 1920s and described as the perfect village mystery' by J.M. HallA beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.' Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire seriesSummer 1960, Oxford In the glorious sunshine of Oxford, on a day when everyone should be celebrating, tragedy strikes when a university student is found floating in the river, dead.Probationary WPC Trudy Loveday finds herself paired with coroner Clement Ryder to investigate and it soon becomes clear that this case is not going to be easy.The witnesses all refuse to give a straight answer, each new lead sends them in a new direction and tales of other missing youngsters add further mystery to the investigation.One thing is certain though, something doesn't seem quite right about the university's most popular student. A gripping, twisty crime novel that you won''t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard OsTrade Review‘Absolutely loved it… The characters were some of the best I’ve read in a long time.’ Angela Marsons, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kim Stone series ‘A beautifully crafted crime mystery I could not put down.’ Anita Davison, author of the Flora Maguire series ‘A brilliant book! The pairing of Ryder and Loveday is a stroke of genius.’ Clare Chase, author of the Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe mysteries ‘A thrilling whodunit, packed with Martin’s trademark labyrinthine plotting, stunning twists and turns.’ The Lancashire Post

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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 stirringWhen Miss Catherine Symonds arrives to take up a position as governess at remote Locksley Abbey in the foothills of the Black Mountains, where England bleeds into Wales, she is apprehensive.It is not the echoing, near empty house with its skeleton staff that frightens her, nor the ancient woods that surround the Abbey or even the dogs that the owner, Sir Rowland, encourages to stalk the grounds, baying for blood. It i

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Book SynopsisKate Morton’s heartbreaking novel, The Secret Keeper, is a spellbinding story of mysteries and secrets, murder and enduring love, moving between the 1930s, the 1960s and the 2010s.1961: On a sweltering summer’s day, while her family picnics by the stream on their Suffolk farm, sixteen-year-old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree-house dreaming of a boy called Billy, a move to London, and the bright future she can’t wait to seize. But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changes everything.2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past. Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history. A tale of three strangers from vastly different worlds – Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy – who are brought together by chance in war-time London and whose lives become fiercely and fatefully entwined.

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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

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Book SynopsisWhen an exhibition featuring London''s top engineers results in sudden, violent death, Victorian writer-sleuths Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens investigate.Victorian whodunits don''t get much better than this - Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewMarch, 1859. After the ''Great Stink'' of the previous summer when Parliament was overwhelmed by the stench of sewage from the River Thames, and with cholera running rife throughout the city, Charles Dickens has a new enthusiasm. Having formed a firm friendship with Joseph Bazalgette, he is assisting the ambitious young engineer in his efforts to find a solution to London''s pollution problem. Dickens'' friend and fellow writer Wilkie Collins meanwhile is distracted by thoughts of his pretty new housekeeper and her charming daughter. But what does he really know of his new employee''s past - and just who - or what - is making her so frightened?During an exhibition to showcas

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Book SynopsisSeptember, 1925. After their recent adventures in Transylvania, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes look forward to spending time with Holmes'' son, the famous artist Damian Adler, and his family. But when they arrive at Damian''s house in the French countryside, they discover that the Adlers have fled from a mysterious threat. In the ominously empty house, Russell discovers four crates packed with memorabilia related to the artist Horace Vernet, including an old journal written in a nearly impenetrable code. Intrigued, Russell sets about deciphering the intricate cryptograph. The secrets of the past appear to be reaching into the present. Could there be things about Holmes'' own history that even the master detective does not perceive?

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Book SynopsisSpring, 1941. The Second World War has entered a dangerous phase, with British ships being torpedoed in the Atlantic and nightly bombing raids on major ports. At Bletchley Park, top secret home of the nation''s code-breakers, the race is on to crack the German Enigma code and thus prevent further naval and military losses. This endeavour is suddenly very close to home for Frederick Rowlands, blind veteran of the Great War, when his daughter, Margaret, who works at ''the Park'' as a cryptographer, is arrested on suspicion of betraying secrets to the enemy.Then a young woman is found murdered, and Rowlands is drawn into a deadly battle of wits where he must decode a series of clues that will lead him to the killer and enable him to discover the real traitor at Bletchley Park.

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