Political / legal thriller

Book SynopsisApril 1971. When DI Webb and DS Raymond respond to a 999 call at Harpur Mews in Bloomsbury, a horrific scene awaits them. Susan Lang is lying on the ground, bleeding to death. Her husband Henry is sitting nearby, holding a large, blood-stained knife. In shock, Henry claims to have no memory of the events that led to his wife's death, leaving his barrister, Ben Schroeder, little with which to defend a potential murder charge. Unbeknownst to his strict Baptist wife, Deborah, Justice Rainer has a secret life as a gambler. In his desperation for money to fund his habit, he has already raided his own and Deborah's resources, and now he has crossed another line - one from which there is no return. To his horror, as the trial of Henry Lang starts, Rainer discovers a sinister connection between the trial and his gambling debts which could cause his world to unravel. In a rare case in which the judge is in greater peril than the defendant on trial, both Lang and Rainer have called down the storm on their own heads. Their lives are on the line, and time is running out.Trade ReviewI enjoyed this book - the twists and turns in the plot were really good, and the story was well put together. I would definitely choose another book by this author -- Julie Hosford * Netgalley *In the pages of this novel, notorious historical figures like Lord Lucan rub shoulders with the complex characters of Murphy's fictional legal world: the clients and lawyers, the police and expert witnesses, and above all of them, the judge. There is time, too, to discuss the subtleties of psychology and the ethics of legal privilege, in a story in which the patient workings of justice compete with the gathering storm of a bloody tragedy -- Paul Magrath, BarristerWhat an interesting idea for a plot - this blurb had me hooked from the second I saw the press release! How great that the judge in a murder trial is almost as criminal as those he presides over in his courtroom!? * Emma The Little Book Worm *The writing is competent and confident -- Gill Chedgey * NudgeBooks.com *

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Book Synopsis1 July 1969. The Investiture of the new Prince of Wales. When Arianwen Hughes is arrested driving with a home-made bomb near Caernarfon Castle, her case seems hopeless. Her brother Caradog, her husband Trevor, and their friend Dafydd are implicated in the plot, the evidence against them damning. Ben Schroeder's reputation as a barrister is riding high after the cases of Billy Cottage (A Matter for the Jury) and Sir James Digby (And is there Honey Still for Tea?). But defending Arianwen will be his greatest challenge yet. Trevor may hold the only key to her defence, but he is nowhere to be found. . .Trade Review'A thought-provoking, intriguing unmasking of court room sparring and Welsh nationalism in this novel set in the 1960's' -- Liz Robinson * Lovereading *'After swapping his gavel for a pen, a former crown court judge has published the fourth book in his popular legal saga' -- Sophie Day * The Hunts Post *'The story illustrates and discusses effectively questions of nationalism and national identity. It is to the author's credit that this fiction sometimes reads and feels like a dramatic re-telling of a real event' -- Jim Beaman * Crime Review *'Books to Look Forward to from No Exit Press and Oldcastle Books' -- Ayo Onatande'All the details of barristerial life, the rules of ethics and evidence, the social attitudes and the courtroom procedure appropriate for the late 1960s period setting are pitch perfect ... the book raises very contemporary questions about the roots of radicalism, the motivations for terrorism and the conduct of the security services in combatting it' -- Barrister

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Book SynopsisFor fans of John Harvey's Charlie Resnick series and Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, The Harbour Master is a fast-paced detective investigation set in the evocative locale of Amsterdam. Henk van der Pol is a 30 year term policeman, a few months off retirement. When he finds a woman's body in Amsterdam Harbour, his detective instincts take over, even though it's not his jurisdiction. Warned off investigating the case, Henk soon realises he can trust nobody, as his search for the killer leads to the involvement of senior police officers, government corruption in the highest places, Hungarian people traffickers, and a deadly threat to his own family. . .Trade Reviewa debut novelist of rare skill -- Barry Forshaw * The Financial Times *A splendid debut by an English writer who has immersed himself in Amsterdam's dark and sinister port area -- Marcel Berlins * The Times *Compelling and fast-moving -- Geoffrey Wansell * Daily Mail *The Henning Mankell of Amsterdam -- Bill Rogers, Author of The Pick, The Spade and The CrowA splendid setting in what promises to be the start of a great new series -- Ragnar Jonasson, author of the international bestselling Dark Iceland series

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Book SynopsisTWO MEN... ONE MISSION... TO KILL THE MAN WITH THE IRON HEART Based on true events, this gripping historical thriller is the culmination of Howard Linskey's fifteen-year fascination with the attempted assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the architect of the Holocaust. With a plot that echoes The Day of the Jackal and The Eagle Has Landed, Hunting the Hangman is a thrilling tale of courage, resilience and betrayal. The story reads like a classic World War Two thriller and is the subject of two big-budget Hollywood films that coincide with the anniversary of Operation Anthropoid. In 1942 two men, trained by the British SOE, parachuted back into their native Czechoslovakia with one sole objective: to kill the man ruling their homeland. Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik risked everything for their country. Their attempt on Reinhard Heydrich's life was one of the single most dramatic events of the Second World War, and had horrific consequences for thousands of innocent people.2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Heydrich, a man so evil even fellow SS officers referred to him as the 'Blond Beast'. In Prague, he was known as the Hangman. Hitler, who dubbed him 'The Man with the Iron Heart', considered Heydrich his heir, and entrusted him with the implementation of the 'Final Solution' to the Jewish 'problem': the systematic murder of eleven million people. 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Heydrich, a man so evil even fellow SS officers referred to him as the 'Blond Beast'. In Prague, he was known as the Hangman. Hitler, who dubbed him 'The Man with the Iron Heart', considered Heydrich his heir, and entrusted him with the implementation of the 'Final Solution' to the Jewish 'problem': the systematic murder of eleven million people.Trade ReviewA cracking read -- Robert Ryan, bestselling author of Early One Morning Linksey has delivered a superior historical thriller...He is already a rising star of British crime fiction. Hunting the Hangman will do his reputation no harm whatsoever -- RoughJustice * Crime Fiction Lover *One of the single most dramatic events of the Second World War, Linskey makes the mission of Jan Kubis and Joseph Gabcik impossible to put down -- Steve Craggs * The Northern Echo *

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Book Synopsis"A poignant tale about guilt, blame and love in a time of tragedy" Stylist It is an early spring evening in 1943 when the air-raid sirens wail out over the East End of London. From every corner of Bethnal Green, people emerge from pubs, cinemas and houses and set off for the shelter of the tube station. But at the entrance steps, something goes badly wrong, the crowd panics, and 173 people are crushed to death. When an enquiry is called for, it falls to the local magistrate, Laurence Dunne, to find out what happened during those few, fatally confused minutes. But as Dunne gathers testimony from the guilt-stricken warden of the shelter, the priest struggling to bring comfort to his congregation, and the grieving mother who has lost her youngest daughter, the picture grows ever murkier. The more questions Dunne asks, the more difficult it becomes to disentangle truth from rumour, and to decide just how much truth the damaged community can actually bear. It is only decades later, when the case is reopened by one of the children who survived, that the facts can finally be brought to light...Trade ReviewA smart and troubling novel of ideas, which explores the power of crowds, collective guilt and the compromises required to balance a need for full disclosure with the desire to be kind. -- Adrian Turpin * Financial Times *A terrific human story. * Mail on Sunday *A poignant tale about guilt, blame and love in a time of tragedy. * Stylist *The Report is an artful piece of work. The story itself has an appalling fascination, while the restraint of the telling, in both its factual and fictional aspects, lends it considerable power. Characters... are made richly present but are also shown as vanishing into history, refused the completeness of fictional narration.... As a documentary novel, The Report gains from the virtues of both forms. -- Sean O’Brien * TLS *Her skilful evocation of the blitz means you can't help but sympathise with the characters - no matter what they may have done. * News of the World *She skilfully evokes the Blitz-battered East End and brings her characters to life. The Report is a sober, thoughtful book that acknowledges the complexities of human nature and the demands of emergencies and asks how history views the responsibilities of authorities in times of tragedy. -- Tina Jackson * Metro *Kane's fictionalisation of a real life event keeps to the basic facts, but goes where they can't to produce a fascinating and movingly human explanation of how it might have happened. * Daily Mail *This artfully constructed novel takes as its foundation the largest civilian tragedy of WW2... what emerges is a piercingly emotional exploration of wartime anxieties, and later, of loss, blame and guilt. * Easy Living *Kane's command of period detail is marvellous ... Kane adroitly weaves together various theories [about the tragedy] and gives a sense of the grim succour that assigning blame can provide grief-stricken citizens ... [An] eloquent take on moral intricacy and ambiguity ... A deft, vivid first novel * Kirkus *A stealthy, quiet page-turner that understands there is as much tension in reckoning a disaster as there is in the disaster itself. In precise and searching prose, The Report looks without flinching at moral obligation and family duty over seconds, and over years. It's a lovely book -- Elizabeth McCracken, author of AN EXACT REPLICA OF MY IMAGINATIONThe historical material and characters are wonderful ... Kane skillfully reimagines the empathetic Dunne as he interprets the confessions and accusations of a community crushed by loss and guilt ... Vivid descriptions of hunkered-down and rationed East Enders add a marvellous texture * Publishers Weekly *A fascinating read * Bella *[A] taut and psychologically astute examination of the human need for understanding... The whole is a subtle meditation not just on a document but on whether a written account of a traumatic event can ever satisfy all its objectives. And who decides all these objectives anyway? A novel which raises as many questions as it answers. -- Lucy Beresford * Sunday Telegraph *Very thought-provoking and very moving -- Rory McGrathA really pacy read -- Dave GormanA fascinating insight into a hidden piece of WW2 history... deeply moving... heartbreaking -- Caroline Quentin * TV Book Club *

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Book SynopsisWhen the body of a man in eighteenth-century Highland dress is discovered on the site of the Battle of Culloden, journalist Rebecca Connolly takes up the story for the Chronicle. Meanwhile, a film being made about the ’45 Rebellion has enraged the right-wing group Spirit of the Gael which is connected to a shadowy group called Black Dawn linked to death threats and fake anthrax deliveries to Downing Street and Holyrood. When a second body – this time in the Redcoat uniform of the government army – is found in Inverness, Rebecca finds herself drawn ever deeper into the mystery. Are the murders connected to politics, a local gang war or something else entirely?Trade Review'Set in Inverness, a refreshing change from Glasgow or Edinburgh…the author’s background' * Scottish Field *'Once again great characters, we hear more from reporter, Rebecca Connolly and the tension just keeps you on your toes all the way through. It’s also full of Douglas Skelton humour too which just makes it a marvellous read!' * Independent Book Reviews *'Excellent. Credible, multi-layered characters enhance the intricate, high-tension plot. Skelton’s growing legion of fans will avidly await brave, dogged Rebecca’s next outing' * Publishers Weekly US *'Incorporating concerns about the spread of populism and the downsizing of news reporting, Skelton’s intriguing premise keeps you reading avidly to see how he’s going to tie it all together and make it work' * The Herald *'A corking read… Skelton's talent is casting his descriptive eyes on the familiar and rendering truthful characters with a believable backstory' * The Scotsman *'Once again this is a book that delivered everything – great characters, mystery, tension, atmosphere and a myriad of emotions and I loved it' * Jen Med Reviews *'The Blood is Still is Tartan Noir at its most tartan, and noir: and a book we'd highly recommend' * Undiscovered Scotland *'one's absolute attention is demanded right to the last. Thunder Bay was a fine book; The Blood is Still is several rungs higher' * Journal of the Law Society of Scotland *'While the action keeps coming like blood from a severed artery, Skelton show us the souls of his characters ... A stand-out thriller' * Scots Magazine *'It would be so easy to romp through The Blood is Still – the plot is compelling and the characters are so darn realistic, but I advise you to hold fire and take time to savour some of the gorgeously lyrical prose that’s sitting there in among all of the drama' * Crime Fiction Lover *'Skelton’s years as the editor of a local newspaper make for an intrinsic, pitch-black depiction of the competition between the police, the press, and the powers-that-be in the scramble to construct and control narratives… [Skelton’s] first-hand experience of real-life crime enriches his writing, as the book’s complexities gradually increase and the finer details of the murders become ever more important' * Dundee Courier, Scottish Book of the Week *'I was only a few pages into this new novel before I decided on the phrase I would use to describe it. It's a corking read' -- Kirsty McLuckie * Scotland on Sunday *'If you don’t know Skelton, now’s the time' -- Ian Rankin'The Blood is Still is a compelling read with characters you care about and a layered, intelligent plot that captures both the heart and the mind. Absolutely unmissable' * LiveandDeadly.net *'A captivating, intricate and thoroughly satisfying thriller' * LoveReading *'[I]t shows how versatile a writer Skelton is and that he is just going from strength to strength. It's a triumph. I absolutely loved it and everyone should read it!' * SimplySuzeReviews *'An intricately plotted thriller ... Lyrical and thoughtful' * The Library Journal (US) *

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Book Synopsis'Brilliant debut. The Darker the Night pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go' – Jeremy Bowen, BBC International Editor NPR's Book of the Day A referendum on Scottish independence is only days away, and the campaign has been expertly orchestrated by First Minister Susan Ward. All signs point to victory for the nationalists. But when senior civil servant John Millar is shot in a Glasgow alley on a furiously rain-soaked night, his death triggers a chain of catastrophic events. An incriminating phone number and video are found in his possession. Into this chaos walks reporter Fulton Mackenzie. A man himself blighted by tragedy but also someone used to seeing beneath the surface to find the truth. Who was John Millar? Who wanted him dead? And why? And the biggest question of all – who is trying to alter the future path of an entire nation?Trade Review'Patience writes with a newsman’s sharp eye ... an impressive mix of backstreet noir and high Scottish politics' * Financial Times *'Punchy, political and bursting with clever plot twists, this page-turner kept me on my toes from start to finish' -- Hollie Bruce * Dundee Courier *'A strong and confident debut novel unafraid of playing for high stakes' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald *'Brilliant debut. The Darker the Night pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. The latest in a distinguished line of Scottish thriller writers, Martin Patience could do for his native Glasgow what Ian Rankin did for Edinburgh' -- Jeremy Bowen, BBC International Editor'The storytelling skills that made Martin a great BBC correspondent are brought to bear in the pages of this book' -- Jon Sopel, journalist and presenter'Time you gave Martin Patience a go! Fabulously intricate, up-until-the-wee-small hours compelling!’ -- Denzil Meyrick'This is a gritty, no-nonsense thriller that will engage you, draw you in and keep you reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it’ -- Matt Johnson * LoveReading *'The Darker the Night by Martin Patience is a fascinating combination of murder mystery and political thriller' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'I enjoyed Martin Patience's debut novel The Darker the Night so much I stayed up way past midnight last night to finish it. Gripping crime-thriller about a seismic murder on the eve of Scotland's independence referendum' -- Rachel Savage * Reuters *'Cracking read from Martin Patience, five stars!' -- Mark Leggatt, author'Patience – a BBC foreign correspondent for 15 years – manages to keep things rattling along with pleasing efficiency' * The Scotsman *'With a dark and gripping plot and characters so engaging that you wouldn't be surprised to bump into one in a Glasgow boozer, this is a thoroughly enjoyable crime thriller' * Scottish Field *

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Book SynopsisPhilip Miller lives in Edinburgh. An award-winning journalist for twenty years, he is now a civil servant. His previous novels include The Blue Horse and All the Galaxies, and his poetry has been published online and in print.

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Book SynopsisThe shop owner Adolf Verloc, member of an anarchist group and secret agent for a foreign government, is summoned to meet Mr Vladimir, the country’s ambassador, who asks him to carry out a terrorist attack at a famous London landmark. Verloc has misgivings, but Mr Vladimir knows how to make people do what he wants, and when the plan goes wrong, it is Verloc – as well as his young wife, Winnie – who must deal with the consequences. A story of espionage, intrigue and corruption based on a real-life attempted terrorist attack in Victorian London, The Secret Agent was one of literature’s first political thrillers, and is widely considered to be among Conrad’s most compelling works.Trade ReviewIt is one of the best – and certainly the most significant – detective stories ever written. -- Ford Madox Ford

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Book SynopsisCaptain Rake Ozenna of the elite Eskimo Scouts unit and his fiancee, trauma surgeon Carrie Walker, are at his remote home island in the Bering Strait when Russian helicopters swarm in. As news breaks of a possible invasion, Ozenna realizes that the only way to save his Alaskan island community is to undertake a perilous mission across the ice.

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Book SynopsisAn utterly gripping thriller that sees former cavalry Major turned hardened mercenary Alex Devereux plunged into conflict in the dark heart of Africa, as he battles the dominant militia in the Congo. China intends to take over the Kivu region in The Democratic Republic of Congo, a tribal slaughterhouse of rival militias who are butchering the local population and fighting over mineral resources. Alex’s mission is to defeat the dominant militia, the FDLR. But details of how Kivu will be governed under the new order are sketchy and Alex must run the gamut of the United Nations, the Congolese army and the clash of superpower claims on the region. Alex knows that the plan is risky. But he can’t resist – could he succeed in bringing stability when everyone else has failed? He and his crack regiment take on their toughest assignment yet. But the road to hell is paved with good intentions and Alex is about to find out why the region has been called the dark heart of Africa…Trade ReviewPraise for Legacy: ‘Action-packed, intelligent adventure.’Charles Cumming, author of ‘Typhoon’ ‘A new contender to the crown of spy thriller supremo.’Manchester Evening News Praise for December: ‘If you like TV series like Spooks and 24, you’ll love this!’ Closer

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Book SynopsisIn search of adventure, Inspector Guy Pearson joins the Palestine Police Force under the British Mandate. The year is 1938. Both Palestinians and Jews, at war with each other, regard the British as an occupying power. There is widespread civil disturbance. Pearson himself becomes a victim of a bomb and is nursed back to health by the native-born Rachel. They become lovers. But their relationship becomes known to the Irgun, the Jewish terrorist organisation. Threats are made against her and her family is blackmailed. When the news of the Holocaust emerges at the end of the war, agitation for greater Jewish immigration and statehood for Israel sparks new violence. The Palestine Police have to hold the line between competing forces, often at grave risk to themselves. Amid the chaos of the British withdrawal from Palestine and open warfare between Jew and Arab, Guy and Rachel must decide where their destiny lies.

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Book SynopsisThe ambitious and flawed John Deed has made many enemies during his career both as a QC and as a judge on the High Court bench. While presiding over a murder trial, Deed comes to suspect that it is a vindictive politician who should be in the dock for the crime. As he investigates this avenue, powerful people in government conspire to create the opportunity to pull him down once and for all. Deed's persistence in trying to get at the truth brings threats both to him and his on-off lover, Jo Mills QC, and he then finds himself accused of a heinous crime. As circumstantial evidence piles against him, soon there is little help for Deed either from friends or colleagues. At last his enemies see a way of settling old scores and he must face his greatest challenge ever.

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Book SynopsisWhen Matt Clements meets an enigmatic prophet on the Kurdistan border, he is set on the trail of ancient relics that have profound consequences for our time. Assembling his team, he travels to the most remote desert regions of the Middle East unaware that the search for evidence endangers all their lives. In a race against time, Matt must outwit his adversaries to present his discoveries publicly in New York - discoveries that will send shockwaves throughout the Western world and rewrite history as we know it.Trade Review“…Thought provoking and intelligent thriller” Metro “...A real page-turner that jolts us out of complacency with a bold and clever plot...” Dazed and Confused

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Book SynopsisIt is a political thriller set with a background of the run-up to a UK General Election. It involves a web of scheming, treachery and death, with a hero who has to battle against dark forces to discover the truth.

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Book SynopsisA severed head is found on the Greek border near a wall planned to stop Middle Eastern immigrants crossing from Turkey. Intelligence Agent Evangelos wants the truth about the murder, human trafficking into Greece, and about the corruption surrounding the wall's construction. It is a mystery novel and a political thriller but more importantly it evokes the problems of the West incarnated in Greece: isolationism, fear of immigration, economic collapse and corruption. While dark, it is also poetic and paints an indelible portrait of Athens, with its mixed fragrances of eucalyptus, freshly baked bread and cigarette smoke.

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Book SynopsisRed Hands is a deeply compelling tale of a woman caught inside the destruction of a regime. Iordana is a normal girl, brought up with all the perks of Romania's corrupt communist regime. Then she falls in love and marries the eldest son of her parents' arch-rival, Romania's monstrous dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. They become the in-laws from hell, but she brings them their only grandson. And then there's the 1989 revolution, when crowds will kill anyone with the Ceausescu name. In all the blood and chaos, can Iordana keep her little son alive? Drawn from eighty hours of unique interviews and told in Iordana's own voice; a true-life tale that spins readers into the pleasures, excesses and horrors of late twentieth-century Europe. AUTHOR: Colin Sargent is the founding editor and publisher of the award-winning Portland Magazine in Maine, USA. Colin teaches Creative Writing at William & Mary in Williamsburg and is the author of Museum of Human Beings and The Boston Castrato, currently optioned for film by Gideon Films. He has a PhD in creative writing from Lancaster University and has also written 3 collections of poetry. Colin edited Approach Magazine, the US Navy's international flying magazine, whose contributors included Tom Wolfe. SELLING POINTS: . The remarkable fictionalised life of Iordana Ceausescu, who married Nicolae Ceausescu's eldest son,Valentin and became the mother of the Ceausescu's only grandson . A true-life tale that spins readers into the pleasures, excesses and horrors of late twentieth-century Europe . Drawn from 80 hours of unique interviewsTrade Review'Red Hands gives a unique insider’s view of the rise and fall of the dystopian regime of Nicolae and his wife, Elena. It is also a love story of Iordana for the couple’s eldest son, Valentin, as told to Sargent by Iordana during her exile in Old Orchard Beach, where she hid for several years after the bloody 1989 revolution... The taut, vivid writing in Red Hands – there are no wasted words – makes for a fast-paced, heartfelt book for our time.' - Maine Sunday Telegram“Sargent’s work reads like memoir, written in Iordana’s voice. But Sargent’s skilled writing provides vivid images, lively character studies, a portrait of a brutal, controlling regime, insights into the nature of love, friendship and courage, and tension maintained at such a pitch, that it was almost a relief when the blood eventually began to spill. In an era of books geared to gendered markets, there’s more than enough of both romance and political intrigue to satisfy both groups.”- Historical Novel Society“A very personal story of love and loss amidst senior political families. Sargent’s description of the street battles and looting in Bucharest are palpitatingly told, fully engaging the reader in the narrowness of their survival. This is a fine book and an excellent read.” – Morning Star, UK"Colin Sargent describes crafting Red Hands, his latest novel about Iordana Ceausescu, like salvaging scattered crystals from a shattered chandelier... Sargent's depiction restores her as a luminescent and resilient whole set against a turbulent background." Midwest Book Review"Sargent’s novel is both a personal story of deep romantic love and a terrifying historical lesson about life in a police state helmed by a ruthless, cult-of-personality dictator... Poignant, frightening, packed with historical nuggets—a cautionary tale for contemporary times." - Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis"A dark, fascinating exploration of man's nature." - The Lancet. A riveting thriller about greed, power, hormones, illicit sex, and women … and the monstrous megalomaniac who believes he can have it all. Vainglorious Mordechai de Paauw is ruthless: in the years before World War II, the Dutch pharmaceutical entrepreneur is on the cutting edge of science and determined to develop the contraceptive pill… no matter what the cost. Testing hormonal treatments on his female workers, and sexually exploiting them, Mordechai’s secret immoral life and his successful company are threatened by the rise of Hitler and, years later, a shocking scandal involving his brash son. Will Mordechai ever find redemption, and will the women he manipulates regain control over their own bodies?Trade Review“The Hormone Factory is a dark, fascinating exploration of man's nature set during an era of exciting scientific discovery and geopolitical turmoil.”“A story written with colour and momentum.”“A beautiful novel about the proud tyrant De Paauw that is based on imagination, but probably contains a lot more truth than we would like.” -- Brabants Dagblad.“A gripping story in which the birth of modern medical science, the post-war explosion of wealth and the bargaining that goes on between science and commerce are brought together.”“Goldschmidt’s narrative style is arresting, picturesque and humorous. A gripping story, which seduces the reader with wonderful sentences.”

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Book Synopsis'Roma Tearne is an exquisite writer and captivating storyteller' Aminatta FornaThrough endless years of glacial winter, artist Hera has known loss: her brother's arrest and imprisonment on terrorism charges, her mother's resulting death, and the collapse of normal life in a devastated London. Her one comfort has been her relationship with Raphael. As the thaw begins, can she track down her elusive lover?Trade Review'Roma Tearne is an exquisite writer and captivating storyteller' Aminatta Forna; 'Skilled and sensitive ... Tearne's training as a painter shows in the subtle descriptions that fill each page with lyrical power' Independent on Sunday; 'Tearne captures a shifting social and political landscape and questions notions of home and homeland' The Independent; 'Tearne brings her skills as a painter to her writing' Sunday Telegraph; 'She has a wonderful ability to create atmosphere.' The Times; 'Tearne charts the patterns of love and loss with beautiful prose' Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisSomething is rotten in the heart of the capital The Ming dynasty is at its zenith. All under heaven bow towards the Forbidden City, where the Celestial Emperor and his servants grace the earth. Yet rot festers deep in the palace...Emperor Jiajing has sealed himself away, more interested in Taoist magics than the Dragon Throne. In his absence, the corruption of ambitious men grows unchecked. Among such shameless villains stride the Yan, a ruthless clan whose lustful grasp on the state ever tightens. Few dare stand against them, but heaven's mandate calls for balance, and a humble clerk named Hai Rui rises to answer. Across land and over water, forces awaken, stirred by the shadows emanating from the halls of power. No one knows if or when the peace of the Great Ming will collapse. Perhaps the cracks can be healed. Perhaps fate can be appeased. Or perhaps the old saying holds true: a realm long united, must divide...

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Book SynopsisGreed and mismanagement have almost toppled the Ming empire. Raiders from beyond the Great Wall have set the north ablaze. Along the southern coast, Japanese pirates are severing heads. Hu Zongxian, the honourable governor of Zhejiang Province, is leading the charge of China’s heroes as they meet the invaders head-on.In the capital, it is down to a humble magistrate named Hai Rui to restore justice. Peril unknown and opponents even more deadly than the ruthless Yan clan await him. If he discovers blood on divine hands, he will find himself on a collision course with the chief eunuch, Lu Fang, whose loyalty to the Taoist Emperor is matched only by Hai’s loyalty to the common people.Criminals walk the halls in silk robes. Hidden eyes are everywhere. Will the path of righteousness prevail, or shall the corrupt go unpunished? The fate of all under heaven hangs in the balance.

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Book SynopsisThe fate of the Ming hangs on a knife edge. In the south, defence against relentless pirate raids is escalating into all-out war. The beleaguered Chinese forces must rally for a desperate last stand fought across salt and sand. Nearby, fearless magistrate Hai Rui is tasked with investigating a major corruption scandal. In Beijing, a chance to trump the embezzling viper Yan Song and his influential clan presents itself. There to snatch it is the Crown Prince, and his coalition of the righteous. At a time when the appearance of a mysterious 'blood scripture' could either turn the tide or unleash chaos untold, chief eunuch Lu Fang, a loyal and yet crafty kingmaker, is forced to choose sides. In war as in the Forbidden City, the game is sudden death. Now, China's heroes make their move: a perilous gambit to salvage centuries of progress. If they fail everything burns.

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Book SynopsisThe empire is in mortal danger. Hai Rui and his allies bought her time, but now it is spent. Endless war. Mass starvation. Bleak omens. Addled by mercury and aided by sycophants, Emperor Jiajing is squandering the last remnants of the treasury.Minutes to midnight, Hai Rui is ordered to the capital. He alone is prepared to fight the rot at its source. In the Forbidden City, such bravery cannot go unpunished. It will be down to Hai Rui’s allies – foremost the honourable Crown Prince – to initiate the endgame.This is it. No more hiding. No more half-measures. Now it is time to rescue the once-mighty Ming, or join in the plunder as it descends in flames to a hell of no return.

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Book SynopsisATTENTION ALL PARTY BODIES OF H PROVINCE: After consultation with relevant authorities it has been determined the local state organs have failed to undeviatingly serve the people of H province, and the entire local apparatus is riddled with corruption. Attempts to rectify the situation have failed because morally degenerate senior officials have resorted to increasingly desperate measures to cover their tracks. Effective immediately, Comrade Hou Liangping, veteran of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, is to be sent to the province to help expedite a resolution to this crisis. Every assistance will be given to Comrade Hou. Any deviation from this directive will be identified and strictly disciplined. END OF MESSAGE.Trade Review'In The Name Of The People casts light on the dark underbelly of Chinese politics' - The Straits Times. 'Unprecedented...politically sensitive' - ABC Australia. 'A taste of forbidden fruit' - The Economist.

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Book SynopsisScotland, 1685With Monmouth and Argyll planning to overthrow James VII and II, the Covenanters see an opportunity to further their own cause, but dissent among the faithful causes factions to start appearing.As tensions heighten and rumours of an invasion spread, John Steele must continue to evade capture in an ever-tightening net.From the shepherds and the farmer''s wives of the Lanarkshire hills, to the innkeepers, the apothecaries and the washerwomen of the towns, Ethyl Smith portrays with exquisite detail the lives of the ordinary men and women of 17th century Scotland.

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Book Synopsis'BRAZILIAN PSYCHO is a riveting and explosive masterpiece of political crime fiction that deserves to share the shelf with AMERICAN TABLOID, THE POWER OF THE DOG and A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS, and confirms Joe Thomas as one of our very best contemporary crime writers.' David Peace'Complex and compelling, and shot through with moments of horror and beauty, BRAZILIAN PSYCHO is a magnificent achievement.' The Times Crime Club'Fans of Don Winslow and James Ellroy's epic forays into the societal effects of systematic dysfunction and corruption will want to check this out' Publishers WeeklyBrazil, 1 January 2003: President Luis Inacio 'Lula' da Silva begins fifteen years of left-wing government. 1 January 2019: Jair Bolsonaro is inaugurated, a president of the populist right. How did it come to this? A blockbusting novel of our times, Brazilian Psycho introduces and completes Joe Thomas's acclaimed Sao Paulo quartet. Over sixteen years, a diverse cast of characters live through the unfolding social and political drama, setting in motion a whirlwind of plots and counterplots: the murder of a British school headmaster and the consequent cover-up; the chaos and score-settling of the PCC drug gang rebellion over the Mothers' Day weekend of 2006; a copycat serial killer; the secret international funding of nationwide anti-government protests; the bribes, kickbacks and shakedowns of the Mensalao and Lava Jato political corruption scandals, the biggest in Brazilian historyBrazilian Psycho weaves social crime fiction, historical fact, and personal experience to record the radical tale of one of the world's most fascinating, glamorous, corrupt, violent, and thrilling cities. PRAISE FOR JOE THOMAS 'Brilliant' The Times 'Feverish energy' Guardian 'Wonderfully vivid' Mail on Sunday'Sophisticated, dizzying' GQ'Vivid and visceral' The Times'Superbly realised vivid and atmospheric' Guardian'Original' Mail on Sunday'A stylish, atmospheric treat an inspired blend of David Peace and early Pinter' Irish Times 'Sparse, energetic, fragmented prose' The Spectator 'Vibrant, colourful, and complex' Irish Independent 'Stylish, sharp-witted, taut. A must for modern noir fans' NB Magazine 'Definitive confident and energetic' Crime Time 'Brilliant manic energy' Jake Arnott 'Wildly stylish and hugely entertaining' Lucy Caldwell 'Vivid, stylish, funny' Mick Herron 'Gripping, fast-paced, darkly atmospheric' Susanna Jones 'Snappy, thoughtful, moving' John King 'Exciting, fresh, incredibly assured' Stav Sherez 'Happy days!' Mark Timlin 'Utterly brilliant' Cathi Unsworth 'Had James Ellroy and David Peace collaborated on a novel they'd have written something like this' Paul Willets

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Book SynopsisWhen a car-bomb explodes in the centre of London the bomb-maker is soon identified. But there's one big problem with the chief suspect; he died fifteen years ago. DS Robert McGraw soon discovers that looking for the dead among the living is a risky business when terrorism and organised crime work together. Old friends and acquaintances aren't what they seem.

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Book Synopsis‘But for that slender connection with the mainland, Andalıç would have been a regular island,’ says Aslı Biçen in the opening chapter of this deliciously multi-layered novel. And it would have been an ordinary story about love and loss, if it weren't for the earthquake that unexpectedly sets the landmass afloat on the Aegean, kindling a series of increasingly oppressive measures by the authorities; ostensibly to keep public order. As Andalıç drifts between Greece and Turkey, things get from bad to worse, until eventually our heroes, Cemal and Jülide, join the growing resistance, and even nature lends a helping hand, offering a secret underground system that plays its part in ousting the tyranny. What starts as the realistic tale of a charming provincial town develops into a richly detailed political novel in a fantastic setting. Biçen’s dreamy language weaves a flowing style that transports the reader into every nook and cranny of Andalıç and the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean; her metaphors are imaginative, her observations insightful, and her descriptions melodious.

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Book SynopsisA young TV journalist is forced to revisit her harrowing past when she’s thrust into a sex-trafficking investigation in her hometown. A startling, searing, debut thriller by award-winning CNN journalist Sarah Sultoon. ‘A brave and thought-provoking debut novel. Sarah Sultoon tackles a challenging and disturbing subject without sensation, and her sensitive handling, tight plotting and authentic storytelling make for a compelling read’ Adam Hamdy ‘A stunning debut … a powerhouse writer’ Jo Spain ‘Delving into corruption, abuse of power and the resilience of the human spirit, The Source is a taut and thought-provoking book that’s all the more unnerving for how much it echoes the headlines in real life’ CultureFly –––––––––––– One last chance to reveal the truth… 1996. Essex. Thirteen-year-old schoolgirl Carly lives in a disenfranchised town dominated by a military base, struggling to care for her baby sister while her mum sleeps off another binge. When her squaddie brother brings food and treats, and offers an exclusive invitation to army parties, things start to look a little less bleak... 2006. London. Junior TV newsroom journalist Marie has spent six months exposing a gang of sex traffickers, but everything is derailed when New Scotland Yard announces the re-opening of Operation Andromeda, the notorious investigation into allegations of sex abuse at an army base a decade earlier... As the lives of these two characters intertwine around a single, defining event, a series of utterly chilling experiences is revealed, sparking a nail-biting race to find the truth ... and justice. A riveting, searing and devastatingly dark thriller, The Source is also a story about survival, about hopes and dreams, about power, abuse and resilience ... an immense, tense and thought-provoking debut that you will never, ever forget. For fans of Holly Watt, Abigail Dean, Fiona Barton, Abi Daré, Kate Elizabeth Russell, Sarah Vaughan and Casey Kelleher ––––––––––––– ‘Carly and Marie’s stories are about to collide, the secrets of the past are devastating, the investigation in the present urgent. This is a tense thriller, a remarkable debut, heartbreaking, but ultimately this is a story of resilience and survival’ New Books Magazine ‘A powerful, compelling read that doesn’t shy away from some upsetting truths … written with such energy’ Fanny Blake ‘Tautly written and compelling, not afraid to shine a spotlight on the darker forces at work in society’ Rupert Wallis ‘So authentic and exhilarating … breathtaking pace and relentless ingenuity’ Nick Paton Walsh, CNN ‘A powerful, intense whammy of a debut that is both uncomfortable and exhilarating to read … Thought-provoking, tense, and expressive, The Source is an utterly compelling debut’ LoveReading ‘A gripping, dark thriller’ Geoff Hill, ITV ‘A cleverly constructed story that offers an authentic view behind the scenes in a British newsroom … an original and wholly engaging debut. Definitely a name to watch’ Crime Fiction Lover ‘My heart was racing … fiction to thrill even the most hard-core adrenaline junkies’ Diana Magnay, Sky News ‘Unflinching and sharply observed. A hard-hitting, deftly woven debut’ Ruth Field ‘With this gripping, fast-paced debut thriller, it’s easy to see what made Sultoon such a great journalist’ Clarissa Ward, CNN ‘A hard-hitting, myth-busting rollercoaster of a debut’ Eve Smith ‘I could picture and feel each scene, all the fear, tension and hope’ Katie Allen

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Book SynopsisWhen a Botswana mine is robbed of 100,000 carats of diamonds and the thieves are murdered execution-style, Botswana’s Detective Kubu’s first case becomes a terrifying international investigation … The stunning, chilling PREQUEL to the award-winning Detective Kubu series. ‘A wonderful, original voice – McCall Smith with a dark edge and even darker underbelly’ Peter James ’My favourite writing duo since Ellery Queen’ Ragnar Jónasson ‘A thrilling and intriguing ride-along with Botswana’s Number 1 good-guy detective' Tony Park _______________ Detective Kubu’s first case may also be his last… Recruited straight from university to Botswana’s CID, David ‘Kubu’ Bengu has raised his colleagues’ suspicions with his meteoric rise within the department, and he has a lot to prove… When the richest diamond mine in the world is robbed of 100,000 carats worth of gems, and then the thieves are killed, execution-style, Kubu leaps at the chance to prove himself. But where are the diamonds? And what role does a witch doctor and his son play? Does this young detective have the skill – and integrity – to engineer an international trap? Or could it cost him everything, including his life…? A riveting, chilling prequel to the award-winning Detective Kubu series, Facets of Death introduces the beloved Kubu and his richly described native Botswana, in a dark, sophisticated thriller that will leave you breathless. _______________ ‘Great African crime fiction’ Deon Meyer ‘Easily one of the best heist novels I’ve read since Gerald Browne’s classic 11 Harrowhouse’ Bookpage ‘A natural for fans of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency' Booklist ‘The series you didn’t know you needed in your life … an absolute joy’ Grab this Book ‘Original, mind-bending and twisty … it’s impossible to tell the innocent from the guilty until the grand finale’ Loarn Paterson ‘Twists a classic heist story with local legends and beliefs in a believable and entertaining way … thoroughly intriguing’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews ‘You will be captivated by the chilling, snappy chapters and the exquisite, atmospheric writing’ The Reading Closet ’Under the African sun, Michael Stanley’s Detective Kubu investigates crimes as dark as the darkest of Nordic Noir. Call it Sunshine Noir, if you will – a must read’ Yrsa Sigurðardóttir ‘Detective David “Kubu” Bengu is a wonderful creation, complex and beguiling. The exotic smells and sounds of Botswana fill the pages as well as the changes and struggles of a country brimming with modern technology yet fiercely clinging to old traditions. Compelling and deceptively written...’ New York Journal of Books ‘Impossible to put down’ Library Journal ‘Richly atmospheric … a gritty depiction of corruption and deception’ Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisA mother, having suffered two cot deaths, was wrongly accused of murdering her babies. "What if I had been on the jury...?" Things heat up in the courtroom when a juror is invited by the judge to cross examine the expert witness, a professor who says the chances of cot deaths are only one in seventy-two million. "Thus, it has to be murder." But, there's more to this case than meets the eye... Readers must depict fact from fiction in this compelling venture into the inner workings of a courtroom. Inspired by the teachings of Nassim Taleb, it is also an entertaining layman's introduction to probability and the use and misuse of mathematical evidence in a court of law.

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Book SynopsisWhen Esme Kanha receives a secret dossier containing evidence ofgovernment corruption, she knows she must investigate. Meanwhile, Harry Colbeyis working his own leads. As evidence of suspicious deaths in Parliament grow,they again join forces and are quickly locked into a deadly race againstpolitical corruption, no matter what the cost.

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Book SynopsisOpposition MP Harry Colbey uncovers a corrupt conspiracy between senior ministers and a powerful tech giant, only to become haunted by bizarre harassment. His every move is sabotaged. With his daughter engaged to the tech mogul's son, Colbey must confront a dangerous elite, under constant surveillance in a world ruled by AI.

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