True crime Books

Book SynopsisBarely a week goes by without the Metropolitan Police being plunged into a new crisis. Demoralised, Scotland Yard is a shadow of its former self. Spanning the three decades from the infamous Stephen Lawrence case to the shocking murder of Sarah Everard, Broken Yard charts the Met's fall from a position of unparalleled power to the troubled and discredited organisation we see today. The result is a devastating picture of a police force riven with corruption, misogyny and incompetence. Throughout this fully updated edition, which includes an assessment of Mark Rowley's first year as commissioner and the Met's failure to adequately vet the likes of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, Tom Harper makes use of intelligence files, witness statements and first-hand accounts to explain how London's world-famous police force got itself into this sorry mess - and how it might get itself out of it.

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Book Synopsis**THE EXPLOSIVE BESTSELLER, NOW UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE GANGLAND TRIAL OF THE CENTURY**On the streets of the tough Dublin inner-city neighbourhood where he grew up, Gerry Hutch was perceived as an ordinary decent criminal, a quintessential Robin Hood figure who fought the law - and won. To the rest of the world he was an elusive criminal godfather called the Monk: an enigmatic criminal mastermind and the leader of one side in the deadliest gangland feud in Irish criminal history.This fully revised and updated edition of Paul Williams' classic bestseller reveals the inside story of Hutch's war with former allies the Kinahan cartel, his years on the run and the drama of his trial and shock acquittal on murder charges relating to the Regency Hotel raid.The Monk is an enthralling account of the rise and fall of a modern-day gangster, charting the violent journey of an impoverished kid from the ghetto to the top tier of gangland and the deadly enemies he amassed along the way.Table of Contents1: Clash of the Clans 2: Carnival of Crime 3: Learning the Trade 4: Power Base 5: First Blood 6: The First Big Job 7: Dirty Money and Murder 8: A Man of Property 9: A New Record 10: The Brinks-Allied Job 11: Family Business 12: Operation Alpha 13: The Nephews 14: Stepping into the Limelight 15: A Threat to National Security 16: Dangerous World 17: Operation Shovel 18: Treachery and Betrayal 19: War 20: Winners and Losers

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Book Synopsis'An unmissable insight into the true lives behind the county lines gangs. You should read this.' Pippa Crerar, Daily Mirror Top Girl is the tell-all, true story of a grammar school girl turned county lines drug dealer. Danielle has a safe, happy childhood growing up in West London, but her bright future fades as she turns her back on school for gang life and crime. Betrayed by the police after a brutal gang rape, she finds protection under the wing of organised criminals and falls in love with the local ‘top boy’. However, her allegiances bring terror to her doorstep when gun-toting rivals target her flat – and the authorities answer by taking away her baby. Heartbroken, Danielle spirals deeper into gang life and becomes a key player in a sprawling county lines operation, running drugs to satellite towns all over the UK from the gang’s London HQ. The Harrods shopping sprees, designer handbags and hedonistic lifestyle are the envy of her friends, but the good times and cash mask the grim realities of her life. A turning point comes when Danielle is arrested and – with the help of a probation officer – she begins to question whether she really is ‘top girl’ after all. But after five years deep in the high-earning street hustle, can she really leave it all behind? Danielle’s gritty, emotional, no-holds-barred memoir lays bare the reality of a county lines insider and reveals the truth about life on the frontline of Britain’s biggest drug threat for a generation.Trade Review"I finished Top Girl last night. Whoa! Incredible read and had to remind myself that this isn’t Crime fiction but Crime fact. Harrowing but also inspiring." * Joy Kluver, author of Last Seen, Broken Girls, Left for Dead *"Myth busting and destroying the stereotypes of who and what a drug dealer looks like and where they come from. You don't sign up for a gang, they are your friends. An eye opening account of how involved Danielle was in the start of the county lines operation. The ripple effect of one decision. I found the book fascinating and illuminating, a brutally honest account that does not hold anyone else responsible for the decisions that Danielle made. An important book for the younger generation." * Netgalley *"Danielle Marin's memoir lays bare the underworld of drug 'trapping.' I devoured this book in a few days, each page, turning quickly one after another. The tales laid out on the pages are at times incomprehensible and the events 'D' gets involved with are really quite hard to come to terms with. The writing is raw, gritty and so very honest." * Netgalley *"Top Girl is a non-fiction, candid account of Danielle Marin, a grammar school girl turned county lines drug dealer. Danielle gives a powerful, raw, no holds barred account of life as a gang member and drug dealer. It isn’t a glamorous story, in fact it’s an ugly one, but it’s also an important one, as it shows how bad choices, mixing with the wrong crowd can lead someone down a dark and dangerous path where violence is the everyday norm. Groomed by a gang member from the young age of twelve, it doesn’t take much imagination to see how a young girl could be manipulated and get caught up in the gang life. I really liked the fact that Danielle doesn’t paint herself as a victim. She takes ownership of the path she chose. Danielle is very honest and admits that money was her motivation for drug selling, but she highlights the actual dangers associated with selling drugs, and gives a brutal insight into how and why kids get involved in drugs and drug dealing. I was in awe of Danielle’s strength of character, and that she could make a conscious decision to turn her life round. Top Girl is a powerful story that applies to today’s younger generation. I think every school-age child should read this book as it’s a lesson in the consequences of making bad choices. Highly recommend." * Netgalley *'An unmissable insight into the true lives behind the county lines gangs. You should read this.' * Pippa Crerar, Daily Mirror Political Editor *"I have a feeling this is going to be one of THE books of 2022" * Linda Hill, blogger *"I'm forever grateful to Mardle Books for giving me the opportunity to read some amazing books and this one is quite possibly my most favourite yet. It packs a punch and left me feeling every emotion under the sun. I felt sad, happy, proud and broken but what a journey I went on. Thank you Danielle for allowing us to learn about your life so far." * Karen and her Books, Blogger *'This was a gritty and revealing tell all about a girl’s insidious drift into gangs. Growing up on council estate, academically able Danielle leaves her peers behind and goes to grammar school, where she never quite fits. Attracted always to the naughty kids, aged 12 Danielle meets a cool older guy who is a drug dealer. Through him she meets others and gradually becomes embroiled into a normality involving drugs and ganglife. Old before her years, Danielle has a plethora of experiences while still a child and I had to constantly remind myself how young she was, she also reminded us but aspects of the book were truly shocking and more so when reflecting that this was a school girl. The brutal attack mentioned in the description was graphically described and difficult to read about. The response of police was equally shocking and the depressingly familiar tale of ‘slut shaming’ and implications that ‘she asked for it’ were made all the more disappointing when recollecting how lod those involved were. Interestingly Danielle repeatedly mentioned the notion of gangs being an external concept and not the view held by those involved. This was curious and got me thinking about the criminalisation and stigmatisation of certain groups – yes this group were absolutely breaking the law, but for Danielle they were also looking out for each other, affording her some protection and earning a living. The story was fascinating and I felt offered a strong insight into what we call, ‘gang life’ and the establishment of county lines. I was impressed with the author’s honesty and her ability later to turn her experiences into something positive. I was equally impressed by her resilience as so many aspects of her story were sad and traumatic. I think this would be a useful read for those working with young people, if nothing else but to remind that despite appearances and behaviours, children are children. If I was to raise a criticism it would be that at times found some of the language used, the dialect a bit jarring and I think often ‘slang’ talks struggles to be translated to the written word, but this was a minor point and at times this served to give voice to the author. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted proof copy of Top Girl. I do enjoy memoirs and am very interested in books such as this one, and I was glad that this did not disappoint. Would I recommend this one? Absolutely, it offers a remarkable insight into experiences of children on the margins, vulnerable children and anything that helps them to be better understood and thus helped is invaluable in my opinion.' * I Loved Reading This, blogger *'I absolutely loved this book and read it in one day cos I just couldn't put it down. 'D' gives a true insight into what life as a gang member/drug dealer is like and she tells it in her own words. Its raw and honest. It isn't a glamorous or a pretty story but I really liked 'D' and the honesty with which she told her story. I liked that she took responsibility for her own actions and didn't try to play the pity card and even though in a lot of ways she was a victim she didn't play the victim either. I was born and raised in South London, Brixton to be exact so her story is familiar to me, I'm just glad that I didn't get drawn into that lifestyle. I'm glad that 'D' found her way out and is now helping other girls and young women, I hope that she has managed to heal from all the trauma in her past and that one day she manages to reconnect with her son.' * Netgalley *'I was gripped to Danielle's story from page one. I felt every emotion possible reading this story of a highly intelligent girl who had everything going for her falling into a different path and making some bad life choices. Some parts were hard to read and deeply upsetting as a mother and a woman, and in honesty I was frustrated with her priorities on a few occasions; that said it is easy to judge when you're looking in. By the end I was rooting for Danielle. This book is a prime example of how one bad decision or traumatic event can effect your life so dramatically, and a remainder to never judge or label someone. A truly fantastic story. Honest and raw. You deserve every success Danielle, you done your boy proud.' * Netgalley *‘There are some books that stay with you forever and Top Girl will be one of those for me. Vivid, insightful and extremely powerful, I have thought about this book every day since reading it. Danielle has opened my eyes to a world on my doorstep that I have never seen before. And I feel that I am coming away from it a more informed person. It is truly a must-read for everyone.’ * Jenny Proudfoot, Marie Claire UK Features Editor *'I found Top Girl to be a heart-breaking tale of how some bad choices or difficult periods in a childhood can snowball and derail a promising child's life. Should be required reading for those making decisions about the futures of young people, many of whom have little understanding of what these lives are truly like. I suspect in the end Danielle will get every success and bit of happiness she deserves - she just took a slightly longer route to get there.' * Linda Boa, blogger Crime Worm *'Top girl is a factual book about a young girl groomed to become a county lines drug dealer. Manipulated and groomed at the age of twelve Danielle is soon drawn into the seedy underworld of drugs. 8 years and up should be offered this book to read as it can show how easily they can be pulled into this world by a few kind words and treats. It is extremely well written, dangerous, and explicit. What a brave lady she is for giving us an insight into the daily life of drugs, the power people have over others the violence they dish out and the strength of Danielle to overcome her ordeal and write a very strong story. I really enjoyed this book and thoroughly recommend it. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. xx' * Netgalley *'A harrowing read. A good girl gone bad memoir and it definitely shocked me! Danielle is a smart student who attends a grammar school but quickly goes awry. I read this very quickly. Would recommend.' * Netgalley *'Top Girl is the true story of how Danielle Marin went from Grammar School girl, to County Lines drug dealer. Danielle, with her working class background, feels like a fish out water at her school and is literally seduced by the apparent glamour of gangs, drugs and easy money. Finding out the hard way that she's swimming with Sharks, Danielle's life is one of turmoil and constant clashes as she finds the reality of violence within the gang culture, comes to the attention of the police and finds herself alone with a baby after her family move overseas without her. Hooking up with one of the local "Top Boys" Danielle finds herself heavily involved in the dangerous but highly lucrative world of drugs, guns and dealers. Danielle doesn't pull any punches, this is raw and often quite shocking as a true story of life for many of London's young people, beatings, stabbings, shootings, theft, drugs and quite horrific violence casually meted out for what most people would see as very little reason. It is quite a frustrating book as the reader sees Danielle building up to yet another bad choice and shaking their head thinking, “don’t do it", which is exactly why it's such an important book. The supposed glamour of the gangs and easy drug money is shown to be a squalid, dirty and dangerous business, not least for impressionable and naïve young girls. A great read, and a book that should be widely available to teenagers to show the reality of life choices that might seem attractive but really, really aren't.' * Netgalley *'This was a deeply raw, honest and moving memoir of a young girl who grew up in a loving home, had a good childhood, was well educated ended up as East London’s top girl of drug dealing. It showed me how easy it is to get involved with that lifestyle and how quickly things can turn. There were times when I was conflicted in how I felt about Danielle and her life choices however this book shows how not everything in life is black and white and there are many shades of grey in between. This is a particularly poignant tale especially with everything that is happening concerning county lines and gang culture right now.' * Netgalley *'I don't normally read autobiographies but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could relate to life growing up in London. Danielle was bought up on an estate. A smart girl who went to grammar school but lured into too much too soon. Mixing in a bad crowd, experiencing things from an early age and going down the wrong path. Put into care and then losing her own child. This is a must read.' * Netgalley *'Beautiful. Poignant. Phenomenal. This was a beautify read and I learnt so much. I cried and I smiled and there was nothing more that I wanted from this book. Truly a gem.' * Netgalley *'I genuinely think that this book should be available in comprehensive schools up and down the country. This searing, moving and , at times, gut wrenching memoir pulls literally no punches in the way Danielle describes how she fell into the county lines culture, the drugs and gang lifestyle, and the systems set in place to help her which did the complete opposite, and drove her deeper. It is a twenty first century cautionary tale told with grit, authenticity and a brutal sense of self awareness that honestly humbled me when I read it. This is a woman with integrity looking back, at identifying the key periods in her life where she was failed by societal structures which should have pulled her away from the lifestyle which she was gradually pulled into. I have a daughter the same age as Danielle was when she got involved in the gang lifestyle. And I had to stop reading several times because it was so very brutal and there is a dignity in how Danielle describes her traumas, it is not something exploitative or graphic which makes what happened to her all the more powerful. It is an incredibly moving , powerful testimony to a woman who has lived a life. She has lived, survived, and sets out her experiences without flinching, without pity, just putting it out there which accentuates how courageous she is, to this reader’s mind. I finished this book in tears, and in awe, wanting to applaud this woman for her strength and the way that she continues to use her experiences to contribute to a justice system which is deeply flawed and not fit for purpose.' * Rachel Read It, blogger *'The intensity of the narration and the emotional trauma the author must have suffered made this book a gut wrenching experience. You really do need to read “Top Girl” for yourself and encourage your teenage family members also, especially if London based - it’s as much educational as anything else. Gritty, explosive and darkly emotional, this factual true crime memoir needs as much publicity as it can, to raise awareness of ‘gang’ life and drug crime and I’d happily recommend to any reader who isn’t easily upset or offended.' * A Mother's Musings, blogger *'I read Top Girl with fraught nerves and such investment in Danielle’s story that several events hit me like an emotional gut punch. The writing style is informal and conversational throughout which helps to make Danielle’s account not only immensely readable but accessible and relatable to a younger audience. It’s a propulsive and pacy read too. Danielle does not look for excuses and I found it impossible not to empathise with her. That Danielle came through her experiences is testament to her strength of character and her story is full of insight and lessons for not just teenagers, parents and teachers but anyone who that wants to understand why so many young people pursue this path and how we can ever hope to change that.' * Netgalley *'Top Girl was a bit of a different read for me. My usual memoir tends to be of the celebrity variety but Danielle’s story really appealed to me. Her narrative was raw and fascinating. This is one very interesting memoir.' * A Knight's Reads, blogger *'I was gripped by Danielle's story from page one. I felt every emotion possible reading this truly fantastic story. Honest and raw.' * Netgalley *'Top Girl is the ideal read for anyone who wants to understand what leads so many vulnerable children and teenagers to be sucked into this culture - and how to give them a stable, positive future. It is a difficult read but it's also an important one - for teenagers, parents, teachers, social workers and anyone trying to change children's lives for the better.' * Victoria Goldman, expert reviewer *"Gripping. Enlightening and surprisingly emotional. I couldn't put it down, I found myself thinking about it long after I had finished it too." * Clemmie Telford, author *'Top Girl absolutely captivated me. Crucial and eloquent, it's an incredible new book that you definitely need to read. It is like no other insight you can possibly get into the drug trade.' * Jason Reed, Stop and Search Podcast host *

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Book Synopsis*A must-read for all True Crime fans*Why are Scotland Yard murder detectives considered among the finest in the world? And why is so little known about how they truly work? ? Take a look at what lies behind that success with someone who knows.DI Steven Keogh spent over half of his 30-year police career as a Scotland Yard detective, helping to hunt down terrorists and some of the worst murderers in London.Step inside the mind of an investigator in a never-before-seen look into what it takes to catch killers and bring them to justice. In a journey from crime scene to trial, you will witness the emotional highs and lows of cracking real-life murder cases and discover why people kill, while debunking the myths that surround this detective work.Are you ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about the world of murder investigations?Trade Review'Fascinating' * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisFBI Special Agent Jeff Rinek had a gift for getting child predators to confess. All he had to do was share a piece of his soul . . .In the Name of the Children gives an unflinching look at what it's like to fight a never-ending battle against an enemy far more insidious than terrorists: the predators, lurking amongst us, who seek to harm our children.During his 30-year career with the FBI, Jeff Rinek worked hundreds of investigations involving crimes against children: from stranger abduction to serial homicide to ritualized sexual abuse. Those who do this kind of work are required to plumb the depths of human depravity, to see things no one should ever have to see - and once seen can never forget. There is no more important - or more brutal - job in law enforcement, and few have been more successful than Rinek at solving these sort of cases.Most famously, Rinek got Cary Stayner to confess to all four of the killings known as the Yosemite Park Murders, an accomplishment made more extraordinary by the fact that the FBI nearly pinned the crimes on the wrong suspects. Rinek's recounting of the confession and what he learned about Stayner provides perhaps the most revelatory look ever inside the psyche of a serial killer and a privileged glimpse into the art of interrogation.In the Name of the Children takes readers into the trenches of real-time investigations where every second counts and any wrong decision or overlooked fact can have tragic repercussions. Rinek offers an insider's perspective of the actual case agents and street detectives who are the boots on the ground in this war at home. By placing us inside the heart and mind of a rigorously honest and remarkably self-reflective investigator, we will see with our own eyes what it takes-and what it costs - to try to keep our children safe and to bring to justice those who prey on society's most vulnerable victims.With each chapter dedicated to a real case he worked, In the Name of the Children also explores the evolution of Rinek as a Special Agent - whose unorthodox, empathy-based approach to interviewing suspects made him extraordinarily successful in obtaining confessions - and the toll it took to have such intimate contact with child molesters and murderers. Beyond exploring the devastating impact of these unthinkable crimes on the victims and their families, this book offers an unprecedented look at how investigators and their loved ones cope while living in the spectre of so much suffering.Trade ReviewThe voice that narrates In the Name of the Children: An F.B.I. Agent's Relentless Pursuit of the Nation's Worst Predators, which Rinek wrote with the journalist Marilee Strong, sounds warm and humane, qualities missing from much crime writing. Their book is a professional job, filled with illuminating details about the day-to-day operations of the bureau. * New York Times Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThis Sunday Times top ten bestseller is a heartfelt account of his son's murder and his fight for justice by Ralph Bulger.James Bulger was just a few weeks shy of his third birthday when, on 12 February 1993, he wandered away from his mum Denise in a shopping mall in Bootle. From his deeply personal perspective of his son's tragic murder to his relentless fight for justice, Ralph Bulger's poignant memoir, My James, delves into one family's harrowing journey following an incomprehensible act of violence. This heart-rending narrative, a top ten Sunday Times bestseller, masterfully communicates the profound sorrow of losing a child and the desperate pursuit for justice that followed.The chilling image of innocent James Bulger's trusting hand held by ten-year-old Jon Venables - a moment captured on security cameras before the horror unfolded - still reverberates across the nation. Ralph Bulger's account takes re

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Book SynopsisThe definitive story of the Dennis Nilsen case featured in BBC's The Nilsen Tapes, and the book behind ITV's Des, starring David Tennant***WINNER OF THE GOLD DAGGER AWARD FOR CRIME NON-FICTION and THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER***__________________Dennis Nilsen, who died in May 2018, admitted to killing at least 15 people before his arrest in 1983. This ground-breaking criminal study of his killings was written with Nilsen's full cooperation, resulting in a fascinating - and horrifying - portrait of the man who worshipped death.In February 1983, residents of Muswell Hill had been plagued by blocked drains. When a plumber was called to investigate, he discovered a large blockage of biological material. To his horror, it appeared to be formed of human flesh and bones.The next day, local resident Dennis Nilsen was arrested.'Are we talking about one body or two?' a detective asked. Nilsen replied 'Fifteen or sixteen, since 1978. I'll tell you everything.' Within days he had confessed to fifteen gruesome murders over a period of four years. His victims, mostly young gay men at a time when society cared little for them, had been overlooked. Killing for Company is a unique study of a murderer's mind, essential reading for true crime aficionados.__________________'You really have to read this extraordinary book to get a full flavour of the weirdness of Nilsen and his crimes' SUNDAY TIMES'A seminal look into the criminal mind' DAILY MAIL'Brian Masters has given us a full, well-ordered, dispassionate account of Nilsen's life and crimes' THE TIMES'Without any doubt one of the most remarkable, complete and most humanely informative accounts of a murderer's mind ever achieved... the book is far superior to any previous English book of its kind and deserves to serve as a model for all future attempts in this genre' NEW SOCIETY'The book is a perceptive and at times coldly brutal assessment of Nilsen's psychology' MIRROR'A comprehensive and compelling account' FINANCIAL TIMES'Brian Masters can rest assured that the job he undertook with such obvious doubts was one worth doing' SPECTATOR'Probably the best thing of its kind since In Cold Blood . . . a classic study in criminal mentality' YORKSHIRE POST'Killing For Company must stand as one of the most remarkable and accurate accounts ever written of the singular relationship between a mass murderer and a society . . . a bloody masterpiece.' BERYL BAINBRIDGE'A truly awesome tale, brilliantly told' LITERARY REVIEW'A meticulous study of the dark intricacies of the human mind' THE BOOKBAG'Masters has written an extraordinary book, and his achievement has been the ability to recount horrific details without descending to the lurid sensationalism of the instant books and Fleet Street reports' POLICE'A compelling and remarkable book ... through Masters' fine writing the reader suspends his nausea for the crimes, and concentrates with Nilsen on his motives and himself' THE LISTENERTrade ReviewBrian Masters has given us a full, well-ordered, dispassionate account of Nilsen's life and crimes * The Times *A comprehensive and compelling account * Financial Times *Brian Masters can rest assured that the job he undertook with such obvious doubts was one worth doing * Spectator *Probably the best thing of its kind since In Cold Blood...a classic study in criminal mentality * Yorkshire Post *Quite brilliant in its assimilation of the facts... Killing for Company is a book that needed to be written, and has been executed with extreme skill and good sense * Time Out *A seminal look into the criminal mind * Daily Mail *Simultaneously gripping and repellent... I feel confident that I will not read again in 1985 a more fascinating and repulsive tale, be it fact or fiction * Literary Review *The book is a perceptive and at times coldly brutal assessment of Nilsen's psychology * Daily Mirror *An important book which screams to be read * New Statesman *A compelling and remarkable book... through Masters' fine writing the reader suspends his nausea for the crimes, and concentrates with Nilsen on his motives and himself * The Listener *

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Book SynopsisThe true story of London's toughest, deadliest street gangs: the events, the rules and the real top boys. Are the streets of London some of the deadliest in the world? What's the truth behind the headlines? And who are the real top boys? Looking beyond the hit TV series, The Real Top Boys reveals the lives of the street gangs who have taken over, and now rule, dozens of corners of the UK's capital. Bestselling true crime author Wensley Clarkson takes us on a tour of the housing estates and volatile neighbourhoods where pride, rivalry and revenge are the codes people live and die by. He talks to the criminals who have helped create this chilling modern-day underworld and recounts the vicious turf wars that changed the map, unravels the rules and rights of the streets, and charts the rise and fall of many of the game's key players over the decades that have transformed the city. Featuring interviews with real-life gangsters and told in a gripping story that lays bare the hard life in this world, The Real Top Boys is the ultimate account of gang life in London and a jaw-dropping look at who really runs the streets. Table of Contents0

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Book SynopsisPreviously published as Becky, this is the heartbreaking story behind the murder of 16-year-old Bristol schoolgirl Becky Watts, a crime that shocked the nation and tore a family in two.A vulnerable and shy girl, Becky Watts was brutally murdered and dismembered by her own step-brother on 19 February 2015. As her father Darren discovered the horrific details of what happened to his darling girl, his world fell apart.Writing about the darkest hours, Darren uncovers what Becky's relationship with her step-brother Nathan, a child he had raised as his own son, was really like. He recalls the devastation of discovering the truth about the depravity with which Becky was torn from him in the safety of her own home. And he recounts the torment of the legal battle to see his step-son sentenced to life behind bars.Both heartfelt and haunting, searingly honest and unflinching, this is the ultimate story of a family tragedy.

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Book SynopsisA devastating true story of love, betrayal, and deceit.Chrissy: attractive, successful 40-year-old divorcee with three amazing children.Alexander Marc d'Ariken de Rothschild-Hatton: international financier, wealthy, charming and smooth-talking.It's not long before they fall madly in love. With the promise of marriage and a new baby on the way, Chrissy knows she has been given another chance at love.But then Alexander asks for a loan to help him get over a few cash-flow problems. And, before long, 500,000 of Chrissy's money has vanished along with Alexander.After months of detective work, Chrissy finally tracks him down. But the reality of Alexander's true identity is far darker than she ever could have imagined

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Book SynopsisWe had been there for over 12 hours. The man was still 30 feet up a tree, balancing on a branch directly over one of the main railway lines out of one of the busiest train stations in the country. He refused to talk to us, threatening to jump if we came too close. To him, we were the enemy. My job was to preserve his life. The most dangerous time in any negotiation is when you think you're winning.From kidnappings to terrorist incidents, violent armed stand-offs to talking someone back from the ledge: all these make up the day-to-day life of Nicky Perfect's job as a crisis and hostage negotiator.One of the first on the scene in situations that most would run from, Nicky is deployed to defuse the most volatile and fraught situations imaginable.After a decade on the frontlines, confronting the extremes of human behaviour, these are the stories and cases that have shaped a career spent on high alert, where life often hangs in the balance. It's about finding yourself and following your pasTrade Review“a brilliant insight into the life of one woman who risks everything to help others.” WOMAN’S WEEKLY “An insightful memoir” The Sun

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Book SynopsisThe truth about the Rochdale sex ring by the victim who ended their reign of terror. This is the shocking true story of how a young girl from Rochdale became the victim of one of Britain''s most notorious paedophile rings. Girl A was just 14 when she became prey for a sinister group of ten Asian men. They lured her into their circle with gifts before plying her with alcohol and then systematically abusing her day in day out. Once she was in, there was no way out. She was just one of up to 50 young girls to be ''passed around'' by the gang. The girls were all under 16 and some were forced to have sex with as many as 20 men in one night. But then when a chance encounter with the police allowed Girl A to finally blow the whistle, she did and brought the gang down. She courageously gave evidence in court using the pseudonym Girl A and her bravery was rewarded by seeing the men finally jailed. When details of the case emerged a nation was outraged and asked how these sickening events came to pass. And now, the girl at the very centre of the storm reveals the truth. This is the harrowing but ultimately inspiring story of Girl A in her own words.

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Book SynopsisA world that is much closer than you think.The Dark Net is a revelatory examination of the internet today, and of its most innovative and dangerous subcultures, stretching from secret Facebook groups to the encrypted and hidden Tor network.Trade ReviewA fascinating and disturbing journey through the furthest recesses of the Internet. Jamie Bartlett is an expert guide... he shines an invaluable light on a world that remains determinedly opaque. -- Ian Burrell * Independent *A hell of an achievement... Buy it and read it. -- Hugo Rifkind * The Times *Eye-opening … Bartlett is an informal yet informed guide … As befits a cross-party intellectual, he minimizes binary distinctions, conveying instead a mixture of conservative disquiet and liberal tolerance. The tales he tells are exemplary, titillating and sometimes frightening * Times Literary Supplement *Bartlett anatomises the usual bogeymen and demonstrates that they’re real.The Dark Net is, for anyone engaged with the web and the effects it is having on our culture, necessary reading... a flashlight in a dark, dark cellar. -- Michael Bywater * Spectator *A fascinating and disturbing exploration of the outer edges of the internet and the human mind. -- Josh Cohen[A] thorough and assiduously researched account of the deviantly erotic, subversive and criminal aspects of web life. -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *A confident and well-informed guide... By meeting the people behind the online activity, Bartlett humanises it. -- Douglas Heaven * New Scientist *The Dark Net offers smart, provoking reportage from the crooked crannies of digital culture, married to a quietly impressive analysis of how technology is amplifying both the best and the worst of us. Required reading for anyone looking to escape media hysteria and get to grips with the 21st century's most compelling, discomforting complexities. -- Tom ChatfieldA picturesque tour of this disquieting netherworld… the darkest recesses of the internet, for better and for worse, and being illuminated. -- Sue Halpern * The New York Review of Books *A judgement-free look at the mechanics of trolling and other internet bad behaviour and generates more light than heat. -- Helen Lewis * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Reveals a hidden, seedy world where people lurk behind pseudonyms and dupe others into revealing their bodies on camera to be used against them in public shaming. If you’re shocked to discover that last year approximately 20 per cent of drug users bought their stash online, you’ll find this fascinating. Bartlett is an able guide on a journey through the margins of the web. -- Max Wallis * Independent, Books of the Year *A well-researched book, studded with enlightening interviews * Mail on Sunday *A gripping read, more thrilling and chilling than many a fictional tale of the digital could ever be. * Sciencebase *The book's great contribution is non-sensationalist reporting about very touchy subjects. If we're going to keep making laws about this stuff, we need this kind of sanity. * ZDNet *This book ticks all of my boxes: fascinating subcultural studies, a brave nosedive into often scary worlds, and a pacey writing style that makes you think you’re reading a good thriller. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what the depths of human depravity look like, but can’t get the time off work to find out for themselves. * Left Foot Forward *

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Book SynopsisA WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE WORK OF NON-FICTION A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR''Meticulous, clinical and sobering, a shockingly important and incisive book'' David OlusogaVast and revelatory, Dan Gretton''s I You We Them is an unprecedented study of the perpetrators of crimes against humanity: the ''desk killers'' who ordered and directed some of the worst atrocities of the modern era. From Albert Speer''s complicity in Nazi barbarism to cases of ecocide and the deaths of activists, Gretton shines a light on the figures ''who, by giving orders, use paper or a phone or a computer to kill, instead of a gun.'' Over the past twenty years, Gretton has interviewed survivors and perpetrators, and pored over archives and thousands of pages of testimony. His remarkable insight into the psychology of the desk killers is deepened by the intimate journey he travels with his readers.Trade ReviewMeticulous, clinical and sobering, a shockingly important and incisive book. -- David OlusogaI You We Them is a uniquely gripping journey around the landscapes of mass murder. -- Phillipe Sands, author of East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes against HumanityThis remarkably powerful book entails a dogged and worldwide pursuit of 'the desk-killer', the government functionary or business executive whose decisions so often cost human lives. The model of this remote-control assassin is Hitler's architect Albert Speer, but the German story is subsumed in a far more compelling and modern investigation of the collective amnesia which so often operates in the telling of national histories, including our own. -- Mark Cocker * Spectator, Books of the Year *Not since Gitta Sereny’s vast script of Into That Darkness arrived on my desk have I read anything so disturbing as the early draft of Dan Gretton’s book. I was shaken to the core by his brilliant treatment of the Wannsee meeting… The book seemed to be humming with life... much more alive than anything I’ve read for ages... I’m certainly grateful for having been given the chance to read this amazing work.Great books never occur out of a desire for greatness, but often out of a possessed persistence in the face of a chosen and immensely difficult task. This is such a book. In it, through it, a century speaks to us - not with the thunderous voice of History, but in the intimate voice of a sequence of confessions.

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Book SynopsisOn 28 August 1984, Josef Fritzl drugged his teenage daughter with ether and imprisoned her in an underground bunker behind eight locked doors. Over the following twenty-four years, he raped and abused her, never letting her or the children she bore him out of the dark, windowless cellar.Based on 150 new interviews with psychologists, neighbours, colleagues and friends who knew Fritzl, as well as the insight of his own chilling confession, Allan Hall reconstructs the monstrous personality behind this hideous crime. He exposes Josef Fritzl''s dark past in Nazi Austria, his previous conviction as a rapist, the appalling conditions in which Elisabeth and her children were kept and her astonishingly brave conduct while held prisoner. Including exclusive photographs and previously unseen evidence, this is a truly heart-stopping record of one of the most elaborate and disturbing cases of abuse in modern times.

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Book SynopsisMexico, April 2009. The bodies of pair of undercover military intelligence agents, disguised as campesinos (farmers), are dumped by the side of the road. Beside the corpses is a message on a scrap of paper: You''ll never get El Chapo.Authorities did - but only after the largest manhunt in history (and the help of Sean Penn). Now, the world''s most wanted drug lord, who in 2015 escaped prison by riding motorbikes over metal rails through a 1.5km tunnel dug in the showers and was named the 14th richest man in the world by Forbes, is awaiting trial in the US, and the subject of a smash Netflix series.This is the inside story of a man behind it all, a man who is still hailed as a folk hero despite having bribed or killed politicians, police and soldiers with impunity, and exported over 500 tonnes of cocaine to America alone. Through reportage and interviews with rival narcos, police and DEA sources, The Last Narco masterfully reveals a brutal war beTrade ReviewIt's Pablo Escobar all over again -- Ralph Reyes * DEA Chief of Enforcement Operations *Malcolm Beith risked life and limb to tell the inside story of El Chapo, the notorious drug capo. A novelist could not have presented a more intriguing or compelling tale of corruption, intimidation, murder, blood feuds, life-and-death negotiations, and the entrepreneurial skill of a near-mythic figure. Superb -- Professor George W. GraysonA brave and terrific headlong trek into the dangerous terrain of drug trafficking -- Sam Quinones * Los Angeles Times *Gracefully captures the heroic struggle of those who dare to stand up to the cartels, and the ways those cartels have tragically corrupted every aspect of Mexican law enforcement -- Laura Bickford * Producer, 'Traffic' *

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling book that inspired the Bafta-winning BBC dramaCorruption. Blackmail. Conspiracy to murder. A Very English Scandal has all the hallmarks of a classic thriller with one difference. It''s all true.In the late 1960s Jeremy Thorp, the charismatic leader of the Liberal Party, was at the height of his political career. But homosexuality had only just been legalized, and a former relationship with a younger man named Norman Scott threatened to destroy Thorp''s carefully curated facade. Helped by fellow politicians, Thorpe schemed, deceived and embezzled until he saw only one way to silence his ex-lover for good.Meticulously researched and endlessly extraordinary, Thorp''s trial captured the moment that British society discovered the truth about its political class - and learned just how far the Establishment will go to protect its own.''Gripping. A story of cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home Secretaries'' Trade ReviewThe shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for murder * Publisher's description *This is a brilliant, sad, startling nonfiction novel about the Jeremy Thorpe murder-plot scandal. It is as funny and dark as anything by Evelyn Waugh or Jonathan Coe. And in these post Cyril Smith/Jimmy Saville days, it's so timely and relevant * Jon Ronson *A terrific book and brilliantly researched. John Preston writes wonderful dead-pan prose and reveals the depths of depravity, the absurd power of snobbery and the old boy networks of the time -- Claire TomalinA brilliant exploration of an extraordinary political scandal... deeply researched, fluently written, and darkly comic, it reads like a thriller -- Ben MacintyreI loved it; eccentric, dark, humane and English in the very best sense. It's going to be a sure fire-hit -- Alain de BottonThe most forensic, elegantly written, compelling account of one of the 20th century's great political scandals... a real page-turner' * Observer *Very funny and endlessly extraordinary... makes for amazing reading -- Catherine Shoard * Guardian *Impeccably researched... full of shocks, surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. Preston revives a forgotten era and delves into the personalities behind the headlines. * Times Crime Club *Retold with masterful skill... It grips like a detective story, as compelling as BBC2's Life of Duty and every bit as dirty in what it exposes about the upper echelons of society in the Sixties and Seventies * Daily Mail Book of the Week *This brilliant account made me feel I was hearing the tale for the first time ... Preston is an enthralling narrator * Mail on Sunday *Gripping ... cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home secretaries and sozzled judges. The conclusion of an Establishment cover-up is hard to avoid * Daily Telegraph *The unbelievable truth... Preston is a natural storyteller ... he provides the context for actions that seem unbelievable today * The Times *Wonderfully readable ... John Preston is the ideal author, having researched for years many minor characters and talked to dozens of well-known political and literary friends and enemies of Thorpe * Standpoint *Fluent, readable ... a vivid tableau of the players in Thorpe's long, tragic downfall * Evening Standard *I spent a thrilling 48 hours reading it. The narrative is so vivid, the characterisation so brilliant... I thought I knew all about these events, but the full horror of them has only now become apparent -- Antonia FraserA gripping account of the Jeremy Thorpe case. The details make one laugh out loud or gasp with amazement -- Charles Moore * Spectator *The whole affair is retold here compellingly and fluently, bringing to life the cast of characters with some verve * The i *Nothing comes close to the eyepopping outrageousness of the gay murder shenanigans that engulfed and almost destroyed a Liberal leader. Reads like a comic thriller -- Rachel JohnsonA wonderful, wonderful read -- Nick Robinson, BBC Today Programme

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Book Synopsis''A book that had to be written and it''s really well written ... fascinating.'' Ray D''Arcy, RTÉ Radio 1''A great book ... really comprehensive'' Miriam O''Callaghan, RTÉ''Fascinating'' Pat Kenny, Newstalk''It is very rare for murder to involve the degree of calculation revealed in this case'' Irish TimesFor over a year everyone assumed missing Dublin woman Elaine O''Hara had ended her own life. But after her remains were found gardaí discovered that Elaine was in thrall to a man who had spent years grooming her to let him kill her. That man was Graham Dwyer, a married father of three and partner in a Dublin architecture practice.Almost the Perfect Murder details the exhaustive investigation - one of the most complex and chilling in Irish criminal justice history - that allowed gardaí to build a case against Dwyer. And it outlines the twists and turns - both in the courtroom and behind the scenes - during the dramatic trial tha

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Book SynopsisThe No.1 Bestseller!''I was a very vulnerable young woman with three small children. I was lost ... Pat Quirke tried to come in and control everything''Bobby Ryan''s disappearance in rural Tipperary in June 2011 mystified all who knew him. The truck-driver and part-time DJ (known as Mr Moonlight) was an easy-going fellow with no enemies. Or so everyone thought.When Ryan''s body was found 22 months later on the farm of Mary Lowry, the wealthy young widow he had been seeing, it was clear that he had met a violent end.And the most likely person to have brought about that end? Pat Quirke, the man who had ''discovered'' the body - Mary Lowry''s brother-in-law, financial advisor, tenant and one-time lover.Following the longest running murder trial in Irish criminal history Quirke was convicted of murder in May 2019. Getting to that day had taken years of exhaustive work by gardaí. The Murder of Mr Moonlight is the definitTrade Review[An] excellent book that shows all the colours of the story that intrigued the nation * Irish Daily Mail *Well-researched and highly readable ... Fegan proves her journalistic mettle, delivering forensic detail in accessible language ... Anyone who followed the trial will not be disappointed by Fegan's book * Sunday Business Post *Absolutely compulsive reading (as I know because my wife wouldn't let me anywhere near it - but I did get it in the end!) ... a page-turner -- Eamon Dunphy * The Stand *

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Book SynopsisFrom the hosts of the criminally popular podcast Criminalia, Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi, a dangerously delicious cocktail and mocktail book inspired by history’s most notorious (and notoriously overlooked) criminals   Every month, over 200,000 listeners download Criminalia to hear stories of history’s wildest and most devious criminals they never knew existed. But this isn't just any true-crime podcast—more than an engaging history lesson, Criminalia also offers a cocktail recipe to go with each criminal. After all, what pairs better with the story of an identity-shifting murderess who burned her house down to cover up a crime… than a fiery jalapeño cocktail?    In KILLER COCKTAILS, Criminalia cohosts Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi offer readers a cornucopia of creative and out-of-the-box cocktail and mocktail recipes, inspired by some of the wildest, weirdest, and most bizarre crimes throughout history. Written with their signature wit and humor, KILLER COCKTAILS gives us dozens of recipes, many of which fans have never seen before, expertly paired with its historical dastardly villain. From brutish bodysnatchers and comely conwomen, to poisonous chemists, nefarious mystics, and even a pirate queen, this book is perfect for anyone who loves a juicy, bloody story and a creative concoction. History and true crime lovers, cocktail and mocktail enthusiasts, and anyone looking for the perfect gift for their off-beat friend will find much to savor in this wickedly fun book.   Brimming with stranger-than-fiction stories and recipes that are equally thought-provoking and tasty, KILLER COCKTAILS is a double-shot of morbid fun—and will satisfy all your darkest cravings for years to come.

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Book SynopsisThe author of the bestselling COSA NOSTRA explores the previously underexposed mafias of Southern Italy.Trade Review'Readable history'. * TLS *REVIEWS FOR BLOOD BROTHERHOODS (THE HARDBACK EDITION): * . *His narrative bowls along, powered by the sort of muscular prose one associates with great detective fiction. An exhilarating history. * Financial Times *'Exciting and well-written, it plays out like a 19th-century Sopranos'. * Shortlist *Both fine social history and hair-raising true crime, this account of the Italian underworld clans tells a grimly fascinating tale. * Independent *Combines his trademark of scholarly documentation with a rattling good read. * Matthew Fort *Chilling but essential reading if you want to understand the mindset of the darkest elements of Italian life. * RTE Guide *By shining a light so powerfully into the darkest recesses of mafia mythology and history, Dickie's new book will certainly provide a concrete tool in the anti-mafia struggle to which many Italians and Calabrians in Australia and Italy are passionately committed. * Australian Literary Review *'enthralling ... chillingly charts the birth and rise of all three of Italy's mafias'. * Dr John Guy *Magisterial ... absorbing. * The Scotsman *BLOOD BROTHERHOODS is almost certainly the most ambitious true-crime assignment ever. The result is a stunning success: a sprawling, powerful historical narrative that is the definitive story of Sicily's Mafia, the Camorra of Naples, and Calabria's 'Ndrangheta. * The Adelaide Advertiser *

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Book SynopsisA gripping read on the real story of Rose West who, together with her husband Fred West, became Britain''s biggest and most notorious murderers.***As seen on the Channel 5 documentary Making a Monster***Although it''s hard to believe now, Rose West was an exceptionally beautiful little girl with long, glossy dark hair and big brown eyes. Looking at photos of young Rosie as a child, it is almost impossible to comprehend that she would grow up to become one of Britain''s most notorious female murderers. But Rose''s early life made her the perfect partner for Fred West, and the two committed a string of murders in Gloucester throughout the seventies and eighties. Her part in the killings is very different to that which many people believe even today.What happened to that little girl to make her capable of such violence? Or was there something wrong - a predisposition to cruelty - which she was born with?Crime writer Jane Carter WoodrTrade ReviewPraise for After Evil: * ... *If you read any book this year, you must read this one. * Alma Cullen, Scriptwriter, TV's Inspector Morse *Unsparing, shocking, beautifully told story of a young boy who woke up to a nightmare. * Norman Hull, AVP Films *Insightful, revealing and detailed, AFTER EVIL is a warm and human portrait of the collateral damage inflicted on a whole family hit by a serial killer. And it is ultimately a moving story of survival and how, against all odds, it is possible to go beyond tragedy. * Andrea Michell, Bravura Films *

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Book SynopsisMiami, December 31, 1979. Lock your doors. Watch your backs. Raise your glasses. Miami is about to blow, in a fiery explosion of cocaine, blood, bullets, torched cars, cash, immigrants, hustlers, dopers, informants, corruption, body bags and inner tubes. In the seventies, coke hit Miami with the full force of a hurricane, and no place attracted dealers and dopers like Coconut Grove's Mutiny at Sailboat Bay. Hollywood royalty, rock stars, and models flocked to the hotel's club to order bottle after bottle of Dom and to snort lines alongside narcos, hit men, and gunrunners, all while marathon orgies burned upstairs in elaborate fantasy suites. Amid the boatloads of powder and cash reigned the new kings of Miami: three waves of Cuban immigrants vying to dominate the trafficking of one of the most lucrative commodities ever known to man. But as the kilosand bodiesbegan to pile up, the Mutiny became target number one for law enforcement. Based on exclusive interviews and never-before-seen documents, Hotel Scarface is a portrait of a city high on excess and greed, an extraordinary work of investigative journalism offering an unprecedented view of the rise and fall of cocaineand the Mutinyin Miami.Trade ReviewA raucous history of the cocaine boom. * New York Times *Part biography of a hotel, part elegant true-crime thriller, this is the ideal read for a South Beach winter sun lounger. * GQ *Hotel Scarface is a journey into the surreal. The book sizzles with exquisitely detailed reporting and a fast-paced narrative that thrusts the reader right into the middle of Miami's cocaine-fueled madness. We’re all lucky that Farzad's deft story-telling captures one of the most outrageous moments in American history in such a vivid way. * Ashlee Vance, New York Times bestselling author *Stay up all night partying with the narcos and rock stars of Roben Farzad’s Hotel Scarface — you can check out anytime, but you can never plead. * Vanity Fair *Thought I was reading a Carl Hiaasen novel. Then I realized it was NON-fiction. Hotel Scarface is to Miami what 'Narcos' is to Colombia. * Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, CNBC's Chief International Correspondent *

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Book SynopsisNOW A MAJOR SKY ATLANTIC SERIES'Unputdownable . . . fantastic and terrifying.' Nihal Arthanayake, RADIO 5The astonishing true story of 'one of the most startling police corruption scandals in a generation' (New York Times)Baltimore, 2015. Riots were erupting across the city. Drug and violent crime were surging, with homicides reaching their highest level in over two decades. For years, Sgt Wayne Jenkins and his elite team of plain-clothed officers - the Gun Trace Task Force - had been the city's lauded heroes, working to get drugs and guns off the streets. But all the while they had been stealing drugs and money and gaming the system. Because who would believe the dealers, the smugglers or the people who had simply been going about their daily business over the word of the city's elite task force?'A work of journalism that not only chronicles the rise and fall of a corrupt police unit, but

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Book SynopsisHellhound on His Trail is the story of two very different men whose lives catastrophically interweaved over the course of some nine months in the late 1960s: one was a thief and con man called James Earl Ray, the other one of the greatest American figures of the twentieth century, Martin Luther King Jr.Hampton Sides follows in Ray''s footsteps as he escapes from prison, creates a new identity for himself and becomes convinced of his mission to kill King. Hellhound on His Trail is equally the story of King himself in his last months, fighting to keep his ideals alive in the face of intensive FBI surveillance and his own exhausted frustration. With relentless storytelling drive, Sides follows Ray and King as they crisscross the country, one stalking the other, until the fateful moment, on 4 April 1968 at a Memphis hotel, when the drifter finally caught up with his prey. Nationwide riots were sparked by the assassination, followed by the largest manhunt in American history.Trade ReviewA remarkable achievement... he manages to combine meticulous research with a writing style that captures the pacing and tension of a compulsive fictional thriller...a powerful, passionately felt retelling of an event that shook the world. -- Siobhan Murphy * Metro *An exercise in pure narrative, a nonfiction thriller in which the pace quickens as we approach the late afternoon of Thursday, April 4, 1968. -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *Viscerally dramatic... creates the momentum of a tightly constructed nonfiction film... spellbinding... bold, dynamic, unusually vivid -- Janet Maslin * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 NED KELLY AWARD, DANGER PRIZE AND WAVERLEY LIBRARY NIBSYDNEY, 1923: a suitcase washed up on a harbourside beach reveals its grisly contents - and from there, an extraordinary story unfolds.Trade ReviewBretherton's unflinching fact-finding is what makes this book throb. * Australian Women's Weekly *Bretherton's unflinching fact-finding is what makes this book throb. * Australian Women's Weekly *A pacy tale recommended for history lovers. * Law Society Journal *A pacy tale recommended for history lovers. * Law Society Journal *Paralleling the escalating love of crime fiction is an intense interest in real life crime, and The suitcase baby falls into this realm, a non fiction book telling a story of a horrible crime, but at the same time showing the background that led to this murder and others like it. * ReadPlus *Tanya Bretherton tells the moving story of an explosive and unforgettable mystery. * Woman's Day *It is a chilling story that made headlines and is recounted in simple, often moving writing. * Sunday Canberra Times *One of the most fascinating crime books I've read. * wellthy *While poignantly detailing the terrible lack of support for single mothers and their babies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this book provides a balanced account. * Weekend Australian *

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Book SynopsisSearching the archives of the university, the Public Record Office, the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies, this work collects more than 100 accounts that paint a picture of Oxford''s seedier side. Using court records and newspaper accounts, it brings together crime stories dating from 1750 to 1920, including: infamous murders, hangings, and more.

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Book SynopsisMAD FRANK is Frankie Fraser''s own extraordinary story - the truth about the legendary villain who for fifty years was a key figure in Britain''s underworld. A peer of the Krays and the Richardsons, arguably as influential and certainly as dangerous, Fraser has served over 40 years in prisons and mental institutions for his various crimes. MAD FRANK - A man who has been at the cutting edge of crime in this country, and who took the time to sharpen it while he was there.Trade ReviewThe British have a soft spot for villains, especially the criminally bewildered, and Mad Frank, now in his 70s, has become part of the heritage trail ... A pivotal figure in any history of England's gangland ... a harrowing book * John McVicar, SUNDAY TIMES *There is a mesmeric quality to the sheer accumulation of infamous names dropped by Fraser, coupled, often, with the injuries they sustained after coming to his attention ... His memory for details is clearly undiminished - not for those of a delicate disposition ... chillingly unrepentant story * THE TIMES *Fascinating ... a chilling account of a truly dangerous person * DAILY EXPRESS *An amazing account of the workings of criminal families in Britain * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *One of the most feared villains in London's underworld ... Actors cast as villains would do well to study on Mad Frankie * TIME OUT *Colourful ... chilling * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Evokes a vanished era * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *I read it from cover to cover in two days, hypnotised by the larger- than-life characters * CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS *un-put-downable. * BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY MERCURY *Fascinating ... reads like a Who's Who of the British criminal class * COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH *Pulls no punches ... compelling reading * KENT TODAY *The full, violent story. Read it if you have the stomach. * GLASGOW EVENING TIMES *Macabre, malignant and malevolent, Mad Frank is an incredible phenomenon ... fascinating * SCALLYWAG *Horrific account of his life and crimes * SOUTH WALES ECHO *Vivid and brutally honest account of a life revolving around crime * BOLTON EVENING NEWS *In this compelling memoir Fraser recounts his past in the gangs, the killings, the revenge and the dealing with notorious names such as the Krays and the Richardsons * NEWTOWNARDS CHRONICLE *

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Book Synopsis From the UK''s leading criminologist comes the true story of Margaret McLaughlin, and the man he believes was fitted up for her murder ''Enthralling ... will leave true crime readers with more to ponder than they bargained for'' - The HeraldBefore David Wilson became the UK''s pre-eminent criminologist, he was just a young boy growing up in the Scottish town of Carluke. When he was a child, the brutal murder of a young woman rocked this small community, but very quickly a man was arrested for the crime, convicted and put behind bars. For most, life slowly carried on - case closed. But there were whispers in the town that the wrong man was imprisoned. Over the years, these whispers grew louder, to the point that any time David would visit, he''d be asked in hushed tones, ''What are you going to do about the Carluke Case?''Carluke believed the real killer had evaded justice. A murderer was Trade ReviewThis should be essential reading for any budding detective as it navigates the reader through the opportunities and risks involved in the search for evidence and truth -- Tom Halpin QPM, Deputy Chief Constable (Retired)Not only an enthralling and very personal account of the pursuit of justice, Signs of Murder is a moving testimony to the value of communities and the tragedy of their decline - a book that will leave true-crime readers with a lot more to ponder than they bargained for. * Herald Scotland *

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Book Synopsis BE THE FIRST TO READ DAVID WILSON''S NEW TRUE CRIME BOOK A PLOT TO KILL BY PRE-ORDERING NOW Expanded and updated, this is the definitive history of British serial killing 1888-2020 - by the UK''s leading criminologist, David WilsonIn this fascinating and informative book, Professor David Wilson tells the stories of Britain''s serial killers from Jack the Ripper to the extraordinary Suffolk Murders case. David Wilson has worked as a Prison Governor and as a profiler, and has been described as the UK''s leading expert on serial killers. His work has led him to meet several of the UK''s deadliest killers, and build up fascinating insights into what makes a serial killer - and who they are most likely to target. A vivid narrative history and a call for prison and social reform, Professor Wilson''s new book is a powerful and gripping investigation of Britain''s serial murderers.

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Book SynopsisFollow Britain''s most wanted man into London''s underworld and back out again Ray Bishop was on the run, skulking in a dealer''s house in north London, when an image of his face flashed up on the TV, accompanied by a public warning. The assembled company were aghast, and Ray felt sick at what he saw. How had he become Britain''s most wanted man? Growing up in a council estate in South East London, where he and his friends were regularly brutalised by the police Ray tells all of his early days of petty crime. Being despatched to notoriously violent youth-detention centres where he was further criminalized he graduated with flying colours to a career in London''s underworld as an armed robber, a drug smuggler and a people trafficker, developing a serious addiction to cocaine and heroin along the way. But Ray''s is also story of redemption, of coming back from rock bottom and learning lessons the hard back. Enrolling in a rigorous rehabilitation programme, Ray turned his life around. He went on to realise his childhood dream of becoming British Middleweight Boxing Champion, setting up his own business and advocating for others along the way. Here''s how he did it.Trade ReviewRay is one of the good guys and the real deal and respected by many faces in the underworld. -- Jimmy Tippett Jr.An amazing journey and a must read for anyone interested in crime and reform. Powerful and gripping -- Linda CalveyOutlaw is a compelling memoir and a gripping read. In grappling with his own story Ray take the reader along a remarkable journey -- Dr. Ian KumekawaA powerful story full of highs and lows, resilience, hope and redemption-couldn't put it down. -- Billy MooreNot many men can speak about the art of armed robbery and reformation in the same breath as Ray Bishop. Outlaw exceeds expectations and for me one of the most honest memoirs I have read. Full of highs and lows and a great message that there are no winners in criminality -- Terry Ellis

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Book SynopsisDelve into the dark and dangerous side of humanity with this intriguing collection of artifacts and ephemera relating to some of the world''s most infamous criminals and criminal acts. From an 18th Century hangman''s noose to Charles Manson''s cremation ashes, a document signed by Lizzie Borden and the circular saw confiscated from the home of The Kansas City Butcher – many of these pieces will be shown outside private collections for the very first time.This unique book offers a rare opportunity to explore numerous personal archives, showcasing murder weapons, crime scene photography, police files, diaries, letters and other criminal ephemera, alongside the fascinating and often disturbing stories behind them. Meet the collectors with unique and privileged access to dozens of dangerous and disturbed perpetrators, including Gacy, Bundy, Dahmer, Ramirez, Berkowitz and Shawcross, and discover new insights into their troubling psychology and infamous crimes.

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Book SynopsisThe Bondurant Boys were notorious gangster brothers who ran liquor though Franklin County during Prohibition. LAWLESS is their story.Based on the true account of Matt Bondurant''s grandfather and two granduncles, this is a gripping tale of bootlegging, brotherhood and revenge.Trade ReviewThick with the kind of blood-soaked descriptions that would do Cormac McCarthy proud. * * Wall Street Journal * *There is blood. There is whiskey. There is the scent of gunpowder and gasoline hanging above the space through which the Bondurants pass, unrepentant, robed in their own greed. It's a dark, flinty reimagination of what a memoir - and your grandfather's stories - can be. * * Esquire * *Engrossing. * * Entertainment Weekly * *This is a lyrical and riveting book . . . It's a book that hurts like life. * * Salon.com * *

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Book SynopsisNumber 1 BestsellerGangland! investigates who is pulling the strings behind the scenes - the families that form the Irish mafia - and examines the way in which their net has spread across Ireland and beyond.

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Book SynopsisYOUR NIGHTMARE IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING . . .New mum Lucy couldn''t be more in love with her twin baby boys, but with her husband Andrew''s return to long hours at work, she''s left to deal with the sleepless nights alone. When her best friend Nina suggests they hire a night nanny, Lucy jumps at the opportunity - much to the distaste of her overbearing mother-in-law.But Evie is a natural with the boys and the extra sleep means the days are more manageable. Slowly but surely, Lucy is a finding a way back to her old self and soon, she might even be ready to get back to running the gym she owns with Nina.Then things begin to go missing, the doubts start creeping in and Lucy finds she can''t keep track of the truth. Is it baby brain, or could there be a side to Evie she''s not letting on? And when the future of Lucy''s business is threatened, she starts down a path that might lead her to uncover some long-buried truths about their small town.These secrets might tear her family apart - from the inside out.---From the author of The Family at Number 11 comes a brand-new twisting and gripping domestic suspense that will have you turning the page long into the night. If you love Nelle Lamarr, Frieda McFadden and Daniel Hurst, you''ll love The Night Nanny''s Secret.Readers love Kathryn Whitfield''s compulsive novels!''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I. LOVED. IT.''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ If you like Lisa Jewell or Louise Candlish novels you will love The Family At Number 11 . . . fantastic''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ This book is amazing, a proper page turner . . . My mind is literally blown. 100% recommend''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A thrilling read . . . I would recommend this book to everyone. It is that good''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I was gripped from the very beginning''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Suspenseful, pacey page-turner . . . genuinely unputdownable and I can''t remember the last book I could say that about''''⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Claustrophobic and suspensful''

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Book SynopsisSamuel Herbert Dougal had a successful military career lasting over 20 years in the Royal Engineers, where he rose to the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant. But he was also a forger, embezzler, thief, arsonist, serial womaniser and murderer. After leaving the army he preyed on well-off older women and one of them Camille Cecile Holland would become the central figure and victim of the Moat Farm Murder. In 1899, Dougal persuaded her to purchase Coldhams Farm, an isolated property at Clavering, Essex, which they renamed The Moat Farm and which she supposed was to be their love-nest. Instead, she disappeared shortly after they moved in, with Dougal reporting that she had gone travelling on a sudden whim. He also installed his real wife Sarah at the Moat Farm; she was his third wife and it is likely that he poisoned both the others whilst serving in Canada. He then began to systematically ransack Miss Holland's bank account using forged cheques, as well as selling off her substantial invest

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Book Synopsis*HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR BEST AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE TRUE CRIME AWARDS 2023*'A truly astonishing murder mystery – this is proper journalism' Jeremy Clarkson Following a long investigation by the world-famous Sunday Times Insight team, David Collins tells the truly unique story of a string of murder-suicides in north-west England and poses the terrifying question: are they the work of a serial killer who has been operating undetected since the mid-nineties? In 1996 and 1999, two elderly couples died in the small town of Wilmslow, Cheshire. In each case the husband was blamed for turning berserk and killing his wife using a horrifying level of violence. The police failed to make a link between the deaths – despite the similarities. That might have been the end of the matter. But when two coroner's officers began to piece together the evidence, it revealed a pattern which may prove thTrade Review'A truly astonishing murder mystery - this is proper journalism' -- Jeremy Clarkson'A book set to become a classic of the true crime genre. This is a page-turning thriller I couldn't put down.' -- Sophy Ridge'A shocking and thoroughly engaging work more terrifying than any horror story. An I’ll Be Gone In The Dark for the north west of England.' -- Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code'The Hunt for the Silver Killer is a gripping and haunting account, all the more so because of its unanswered questions. A serial killer at large is one thing - but a serial killer clever enough never to have been caught is another order of scary.' -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *'Astonishingly good, a true story that grips like the very best thriller - I defy anyone to put this down' -- Peter James'When the suburban dream becomes the suburban nightmare. Shocking and powerful in equal measure. Investigative journalism at its finest.' -- Nazir Afzal, author of The Prosecutor'This is a skilful telling of a gripping true story about the investigation and detection of murder. Readers will be captivated, as I was, by the determined quest of one remarkable woman - risking her reputation and career to try and prove the presence of a serial killer among us.' -- David James Smith, author of The Sleep of Reason'An extraordinary true crime story, written by a Sunday Times journalist, that reveals a string of deaths in the northwest and the as yet unidentified serial killer who may be responsible for them.' * Sunday Times Summer Reading *

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times bestseller from Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the voices behind the #1 hit podcast My Favorite Murder!Trade ReviewA brutally honest and funny handbook for women looking to trust their own instincts. You'll read it in hours. * STYLIST *A brutally honest and funny handbook for women looking to trust their own instincts. You'll read it in hours. * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisThis gripping hardback guide brings together shocking case histories of the most notorious serial killers and their egregious crimes, illustrated throughout with chilling full-colour photographs.For most people, serial killers only come into view when their vile acts are reported on the news. But for the victims and their families, they are a terrifying and monstrous threat who change lives beyond repair. Whether driven by lust, greed, anger, or simple sadism, they commit unconscionable crimes, and their senseless violence continues until they are finally caught by the authorities.This book features more than 30 cases of the worst killers ever to have walked the earth, including: • Charles Manson, who led a cult of death and destruction in Los Angeles • Ted Bundy, who charmed women into returning home with him before revealing his true self • John Wayne Gacy, who worked part-time as a clown for childre

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Book SynopsisMichael Butterfield is a leading expert and writer on the Zodiac case who has studied it since the 1990s. He has acted as a consultant for several television documentaries including the History Channel's The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer and Reelz's The Real Story of Zodiac, and was also a consultant for the major motion picture Zodiac (2007). He is also the producer of the podcast series Zodiac: A to Z and is a contributing author for True Crime: Case Files, True Crime Magazine, and the two volume collection of essays titled A History of Evil in Pop Culture. He also co-authored the book Zodiac Killer Interviews.

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