Historical crime and mysteries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisWith the city of Exeter ravaged by an outbreak of the 'yellow plague', Sir John de Wolfe, the county coroner, must divide his time between visiting his sick brother, William, who has been struck down by the disease, and dealing with a series of brutal murders which appears to be linked to a revival of heresy in the city. When some of the cathedral canons begin a crusade against this danger to the Church, Sir John finds himself accused of being too sympathetic to the heretics, bringing him into conflict with the ecclesiastic authorities. As the situation worsens, the coroner must seek sanctuary in order to save his skin. Can he survive long enough to unmask the real killer?

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Book SynopsisOn Ely Island, the Normans are proclaiming their authority with a magnificent cathedral. Its construction means the Saxon chapel dedicated to St Etheldreda must be destroyed and, to those who revere her memory, this amounts to sacrilege.When Morcar, fishing for eels, is attacked and left for dead, his cousin Lassair is sent to nurse him. He tells a frightening tale of assassins in the dark and a brief vision of horror. Then the killers strike again . . .Lassair realizes more is involved than random violence against the eel catchers. The secret hidden within the walls of Ely Abbey claims more victims and, as she comes face to face with the brutality of the past, Lassair is forced to face a challenge that she fears is far beyond her . . .

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Book SynopsisThe thirteenth book in the ever-popular Hawkenlye medieval mystery seriesAutumn, 1210. A year ago, King John was excommunicated - and now his men have come to Hawkenlye Abbey to take it over. Abbess Caliste, Helewise''s successor, worries how she is to feed the nuns under her care, let alone conduct her usual good works. Meanwhile, Helewise has moved into Hawkenlye Manor with Josse, and their lives are full of family and warmth. But after a visit to St Edmund''s Chapel, Helewise''s eleven-year-old granddaughter, Rosamund, goes missing - and soon all that they hold dear is threatened . .

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Book SynopsisCome to me! I need you! These are the words that bring apprentice healer Lassair awake one morning in the spring of 1092, shaking and trembling, covered in sweat despite the chill night. It is not the first time she has had such a dream, and Lassair - who is growing more aware of the strange power within her - knows that something in the spirit world is trying to reach her. Something increasingly insistent and threatening.Soon, Lassair is certain that one of her loved ones is in terrible danger - but who? Travelling from Cambridge, where she is studying under the tutelage of an extraordinary man, she returns to her backwater Fenland village - to hear the dreadful news that a nun at Chatteris Abbey has been murdered. The same nunnery where her beloved sister, Elfritha, lives. Could the urgent summons have come from her? Lassair immediately sets off, full of fear, but the danger she will have to face may be greater than she is ready for . . .

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Book SynopsisWinter, 1211. Former abbess Helewise moves back to her cell near Hawkenlye Abbey to help the needy, putting a strain on her relationship with Sir Josse D''Acquin, who is called to examine the bodies of three men, one of whom bears a complicated symbol carved into his chest: a symbol that signifies vengeance. Meanwhile, far from home, Sir Josse''s son Ninian has become involved in the cause of the doomed Cathar people; soon to be swept up in a fight that they cannot hope to win.

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Book SynopsisHow a humble Devon knight became a king''s coroner: the thrilling prequel to the perennially popular Crowner John medieval mystery series 1192. At the end of the Third Crusade, Richard the Lionheart, King of England, set sail for home from the Holy Land. Sir John de Wolfe, a Devon knight, was part of the king''s small bodyguard on that dangerously treacherous journey. On his return, Sir John finds England simmering with rebellion. Richard''s younger brother John has used the king''s absence to plot to seize the throne and the country is a hotbed of unrest. Discovering a body washed up on the shores of the River Exe, its throat cut, Sir John deduces from the device etched on the victim''s signet ring that he was a king''s courier. Tasked by Hubert Walter, the Chief Justiciar, to find out why the man died and who killed him, Sir John de Wolfe finds himself drawn unwillingly into affairs of state. His new career as a king''s coroner is about to begin .

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Detective Inspector Tom Harper in a brand-new historical mystery series.June 1890. Leeds is close to breaking point. The gas workers are on strike. Supplies are dangerously low. Factories and businesses are closing; the lamps are going unlit at night.Detective Inspector Tom Harper has more urgent matters on his mind. The beat constable claims eight-year-old Martha Parkinson has disappeared. Her father insists she?s visiting an aunt in Halifax ? but Harper doesn?t believe him. When Col Parkinson is found dead the following morning, the case takes on an increasing desperation.But then Harper?s search for Martha is interrupted by the murder of a replacement gas worker, stabbed to death outside the Town Hall while surrounded by a hostile mob. Pushed to find a quick solution, Harper discovers that there?s more to this killing than meets the eye ? and that there may be a connection to Martha?s disappearance.

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Book SynopsisThe message consisted of one neatly typewritten line: I am killing you slowly. You are going to die. The Chessman.Isabelle Stanton and Sue Castradon always arranged the flowers in the village church on Fridays. But Sue was glad to escape the church that morning. She had rowed over breakfast with her husband Ned, who bitterly resented her association - however fleeting - with the handsome Simon Vardon. Sue didn''t think things could get worse - until she opened the cupboard.When a mutilated corpse is discovered in the sleepy village of Croxton Ferriers, Jack Haldean finds an odd clue at the scene of the crime: a black marble chess knight with crystal eyes. Is murder just a game? It could be - to a killer who calls himself The Chessman.

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Book SynopsisA church art exhibition turns deadly . . .''Art, my dear boy,'' said Mr Askern, ''especially sacred art, needs tradition. Tradition is the bedrock of our art . . .''He broke off, staring at the woman in front of him. Her face seemed to lose all definition and her skin turned an unnatural shade of putty-coloured grey. ''Art,'' she said, her voice scarcely more than a whisper. ''Art! Oh my God, art!''She swayed dangerously. Jack leapt forward, catching her as she fell.Jack Haldean expected Lythewell and Askerns'' exhibition of church art in Lyon House, London, to be a sedate affair. After all, Lythewell and Askern, Church Artists, were a respectable, old-fashioned firm, the last people to be associated with mystery, violence and sudden death. Or so it seemed - until after the exhibition . . .

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Book SynopsisCan 1920''s script girl Jessie do Mary Pickford''s bidding and uncover a real killer?When Jessie is asked by her idol, the famous actress Mary Pickford, if she can do some private investigating for her, Jessie reluctantly accepts. A girl was found stabbed in her bedroom with another woman lying unconscious on the floor next to her, a bloody knife in her hand. With no police investigation into the murder, it''s up to Jessie to hone her amateur detective skills and prove the girls innocence before she hangs for murder. But as Jessie travels through the roaring twenties world of Hollywood and movies, surreptitiously interviewing fellow travelling performers, she struggles to find the connection she needs. And with her love interest David seemingly involved in seedy dealings, can she uncover the killer''s identity before she too is endangered?

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