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Bad Eminence
by James GreerMeet Vanessa Salomon, a privileged and misanthropic French-American translator hailing from a wealthy Parisian family. Her twin sister is a famous movie star, which Vanessa resents deeply and daily. The only man Vanessa ever loved recently killed himself by jumping off the roof of her building. It’s a full life.Vanessa has just started working on an English translation of a titillating, experimental thriller by a dead author when she’s offered a more prominent gig: translating the latest book by an Extremely Famous French Writer who is not in any way based on Michel Houellebecq. As soon as she agrees to meet this writer, however, her other, more obscure project begins to fight back – leading Vanessa down into a literary hell of traps and con games and sadism and doppelgangers and mystic visions and strange assignations and, finally, the secret of life itself.Peppered with ‘sponsored content’ providing cocktail recipes utilizing a brand of liquor imported by the film director Steven Soderbergh, and with a cameo from the actress Juno Temple, Bad Eminence is at once a sexy, old-school literary satire in the mode of Vladimir Nabokov, as well as a jolly thumb in the eyes of contemporary screen-life and digital celebrity.
Bad for Good: The must-read crime debut of 2022 (Jo Howe #1)
by Graham Bartlett'Gripping' PETER JAMES'Thoroughly absorbing' ELLY GRIFFITHS'Cracking' MARK BILLINGHAM'Engaging' M.W.CRAVEN---How far would you go?The murder of a promising footballer, son of Brighton's highest-ranking police officer, means Detective Superintendent Jo Howe has a complicated and sensitive case on her hands. The situation becomes yet more desperate following devastating blackmail threats.Howe can trust no one as she tracks the brutal killer in a city balanced on a knife edge of vigilante action and a police force riven with corruption.
Bad Fruit
by Ella KingEVERY FAMILY HAS ITS SECRETS . . .‘Unforgettable’ RED – ‘Memorable’ OBSERVER – ‘A family overflowing with secrets’ LOUISE HARE – ‘Impossible to put down’ CHRIS WHITAKER – ‘Searing’ ELLE – ‘A chilling literary thriller’ GRAZIA
The Bangalore Detectives Club (The Bangalore Detectives Club Series)
by Harini Nagendra'The first in an effervescent new mystery series. . . a treat for historical mystery lovers looking for a new series to savor (or devour)' NEW YORK TIMESMurder and mayhem . . . monsoon season is coming. _____________________________ Solving crimes isn't easy. Add a jealous mother-in-law and having to wear a flowing sari into the mix, and you've got a problem. When clever, headstrong Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry doctor Ramu, she's resigned herself to a quiet life. But that all changes the night of the party at the Century Club, where she escapes to the garden for some peace - and instead spots an uninvited guest in the shadows. Half an hour later, the party turns into a murder scene. When a vulnerable woman is connected to the crime, Kaveri becomes determined to save her and launches a private investigation to find the killer, tracing his steps from an illustrious brothel to an Englishman's mansion. She soon finds that sleuthing in a sari isn't as hard as it seems when you have a talent for maths, a head for logic and a doctor for a husband. And she's going to need them all as the case leads her deeper into a hotbed of danger, sedition and intrigue in Bangalore's darkest alleyways . . . BOOK ONE IN THE BANGALORE DETECTIVES CLUB SERIES INCLUDES A BONUS CHAPTER OF DELICIOUS INDIAN RECIPES ___________ 'A gorgeous debut mystery with a charming and fearless sleuth . . . spellbinding' SUJATA MASSEY 'Told with real warmth and wit. . . A perfect read for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Vaseem Khan' ABIR MUKHERJEE 'A cosy mystery that warmly illuminates a time and place not often examined in fiction' VASEEM KHAN 'A beautifully painted picture of a woman's life in 1920s India' M W CRAVEN 'A delight' CATRIONA MCPHERSON 'The classic whodunnit with the added appeal of a female sleuth in Colonial India. . . fascinating' RHYS BOWEN 'Told with real warmth and wit. . . Nagendra has created an intricate and fiendish mystery... A perfect read for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Vaseem Khan' - ABIR MUKHERJEE 'Riveting. [Nagendra's] use of colonial history is thoroughly fascinating, with devastating depictions of the airy condescension of the British. A fine start to a promising series' BOOKLIST Starred Review 'Harini Nagendra takes us to a wonderfully unfamiliar world in this delightful debut mystery. . .I couldn't put it down' VICTORIA THOMPSON'Absolutely charming . . . this one is a winner!' CONNIE BERRY'An enjoyable trip back in time with a spunky young woman for company.' R V RAMAN'Mouth-watering fashion and food set against simmering colonial intrigue in this delicious whodunit can be devoured in one sitting.' SUMI HAHN'I loved The Bangalore Detectives Club . . . Kaveri especially is charming.' OVIDIA YU'Nagendra makes her fiction debut with an exceptional series launch. . . rich, edifying, and authentic' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review 'Deliciously exotic' Sunday Post
The Bay: the waves won't wash away what they did
by Allie Reynolds'A tense, twisty, addictive read' JO SPAIN'Nail-bitingly tense...leaves you gasping for breath' SARAH PEARSEThe waves are to die for. It's a paradise they'd kill to keep.There's a darkness inside all of us and The Bay has a way of bringing it out. Everyone here has their secrets but we don't go looking for them. Because sometimes it's better not to know.Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise her best friend, shocked to hear she's going to marry a guy she's only just met. But Mikki and her fiancé Jack are about to head away on a trip, so Kenna finds herself tagging along for the ride.Sorrow Bay is beautiful, wild and dangerous. A remote surfing spot with waves to die for, cut off from the rest of the world. Here Kenna meets the mysterious group of people who will do anything to keep their paradise a secret. Sky, Ryan, Clemente and Victor have come to ride the waves and disappear from life. How will they feel about Kenna turning up unannounced?As Kenna gets drawn into their world, she sees the extremes they are prepared to go to for the next thrill. And everyone seems to be hiding something. What has her best friend got involved in and how can she get her away? But one thing is rapidly becoming clear about The Bay: nobody ever leaves. 'A high octane, addictive summer read' LUCY CLARKE'Gave me the same sinister-yet-wish-you-were-there vibes of The Beach' AMY MCCULLOCHReaders love Allie Reynolds:'A knife-sharp locked room mystery' HARRIET TYCE'An exciting, twisty page-turner that will keep you guessing all the way to the end' C. L. TAYLOR'Sensational ' PETER JAMES'A white-knuckle ride' ERIN KELLY'Full of atmospheric twists and turns' SARAH PEARSE'Thoroughly compelling and deliciously twisty... I flew through it' B. P. WALTER'Fresh, thrilling and original with complex, believable characters' KAREN HAMILTON
Beach Murder: 'Incredible wealth, beach houses, murder...read this book!' JAMES PATTERSON
by Michael Ledwidge'Incredible wealth, beach houses, murder - how can you beat all that? Read this book!' JAMES PATTERSONWhen Terry Rourke arrives at his brother's luxurious wedding on the east coast of the USA - summer home to billionaires and Hollywood stars - his biggest worry is the best man speech. But this isn't the first time Terry has been to the Hamptons.As the designer tuxedos are pressed and the flowers arranged along the glittering surf, Terry can' t help but revisit an unsolved murder that scandalised the town - and tore his own family apart. He soon learns that digging up secrets can be a very dangerous activity... and quickly turn even the most beautiful beach wedding into a wake.Readers can't get enough of Michael Ledwidge:'Michael Ledwidge is a pro at writing pacey, in-the-moment prose . . . I was HOOKED.' ***** Goodreads review'You will be on the edge of your seat flipping pages as fast you can.' ***** Goodreads review'A non-stop adventure guaranteed to entertain.' ***** Goodreads review'A perfect story from start to finish.' ***** Goodreads review'This is one heck of a fast-paced book.' ***** Goodreads review'WOW, like being on a rollercoaster! If you like nonstop action, nail-biting, edge of your seat novels, this is it! Never wanted this to end.' ***** Goodreads review
Beat the Devils
by Josh WeissThis inventive, page-turning crime thriller, shortlisted for the Sidewise Award, with "palpable emotional depth" (New York Times Book Review) envisions a world in which the Red Scare never ended.USA, 1958. President Joseph McCarthy sits in the White House, elected on a wave of populist xenophobia and barely‑concealed anti‑Semitism. The country is in the firm grip of McCarthy's Hueys, a secret police force evolved from the House Un-American Activities Committee. Hollywood's sparkling vision of the American dream has been suppressed; its remaining talents forced to turn out endless anti‑communist propaganda. LAPD detective Morris Baker—a Holocaust survivor who drowns his fractured memories of the unspeakable in schnapps and work—is called to the scene of a horrific double‑homicide. The victims are John Huston, a once‑promising but now forgotten film director, and an up‑and‑coming young journalist named Walter Cronkite. Clutched in the hand of one of the dead men is a cryptic note containing the phrase &“beat the devils&” followed by a single name: Baker. Did the two men die in an attack fueled by better-dead-than-red sentiment, as the Hueys are quick to conclude, or were they murdered in a cover-up designed to protect—or even set in motion—a secret plot connected to Baker's past? In a country where terror grows stronger by the day, and paranoia rises unchecked, Baker is determined to find justice for two men who raised their voices in a time when free speech comes at the ultimate cost. In the course of his investigation, Baker stumbles into a conspiracy that reaches deep into the halls of power and uncovers a secret that could destroy the City of Angels—and the American ideal itself.
Beautiful
by Danielle SteelA renowned supermodel's world is torn apart in an instant, sending her on an unexpected journey of discovery in Beautiful, a masterful novel from the international number one bestselling author Danielle Steel.Veronique Vincent is a star. At twenty-two, she is one of the most sought-after models in fashion, gracing the covers of magazines and walking the runways of haute couture shows across the globe. Yet, despite being the consummate professional, Veronique wants little of the glamorous life that modelling affords her. The beloved daughter of a hardworking single mother, she has always preferred spending time at home or with her kind-hearted boyfriend to attending lavish parties. When a quick getaway presents a welcome break on the heels of Paris Fashion Week, and before a Vogue cover shoot in Tokyo, Veronique is thrilled, eager to escape the mayhem of her busy schedule. Then, out of nowhere, a tragic explosion at Brussels Airport changes her life forever.The ruthless terrorist attack has the entire world on edge. Veronique finds herself hospitalized and alone, devastated to learn that the blast has killed both of the people she loved most. She is also forced to confront the harsh reality that she has been severely injured, her famous appearance forever altered. As she plunges into seclusion, the industry that once adored her believes her to have fallen off the map. In truth, she is struggling to find herself again after losing everything, and to discover what truly matters in life. But her mother’s will, accompanied by a letter Veronique never knew existed, reveals long-held secrets, introducing her to a world she hadn’t even known was possible.As Veronique forges new bonds, she begins to see a light beyond the darkness she has come to inhabit, finding peace in opportunities to help others, and redefining for herself what beauty is, and what it truly means to be beautiful. Danielle Steel presents a story of one woman’s breathtaking perseverance in moving beyond tragedy to a life more meaningful than she could ever have imagined.
Believe Me Not: A compulsive and totally unputdownable edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller
by Natalie ChandlerTHEY SAY YOUR BABY DOESN'T EXIST. BUT YOU KNOW HE DOES. DON'T YOU?'Compelling and tightly plotted, the story twists relentlessly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.' DEBBIE HOWELLS, author of The Vow'An impressive debut with an original premise. A story of long hidden secrets, when past trauma forces loved ones to do the unthinkable. I found it utterly compelling.' EMILY FREUD, author of My Best Friend's Secret'A fast-paced and gripping thriller that you'll find hard to put down. I loved it.' SOPHIE FLYNN, author of All My Lies_______What if everyone you love is lying to you?When Megan wakes up in a hospital bed, her first question is: where's my baby?But her husband, her sister and her doctor say he doesn't exist.Megan's not in a maternity ward, she's in a psychiatric unit.Convinced that they're lying to her, Megan is determined to find out the truth.But how can you prove your baby exists when you can't trust your own memories?_______An utterly chilling psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist. You'll love this if you enjoyed THE PERFECT FATHER, THE RECOVERY OF ROSE GOLD or PLAYING NICE.
The Belladonna Maze
by Sinéad CrowleyFrom bestselling crime novelist and renowned Irish TV journalist Sinéad Crowley, gripping dual timelines entwine in this heart-stopping story of old secrets and forbidden passion. An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the west of Ireland certainly does. At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it's magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don't, it's a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and was never seen again.Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny for young Skye FitzMahon. Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her. Who is the woman she sometimes glimpses in an upstairs window? Or the apparition who keeps showing up unexpectedly, pleading, 'Find me'. And how can she fight her growing attraction to Skye's father?Praise for Sinéad Crowley: 'The Belladonna Maze is spine tinglingly magnificent! Hugely atmospheric and completely engrossing it pulls you in and holds you captive until the very last word. Utterly unputdownable!' Steph Broadribb 'Beautifully written, and deftly plotted... So compelling that the pages almost turned themselves. A terrific novel' Liz Nugent 'Compelling, clever and deeply romantic, the plot has more twists and turns than the maze itself... A welcome return to fiction by one of Ireland's most accomplished crime writers... A joy to read' Jane Casey 'Prepare to lose yourself in The Belladonna Maze, a sweeping saga that embraces mystery, history and romance. If you're still missing Maeve Binchy, this one's for you' Erin Kelly 'Atmospheric, creepy, utterly engrossing and as twisty-turny as the maze itself' Tammy Cohen
The Bequest
by Joanna MargaretA PhD student uncovers dark secrets in this 'richly atmospheric and irresistibly readable' (Joyce Carol Oates) Gothic mystery set in Scotland, Italy, and France. For fans of Donna Tartt and Elizabeth Kostova.Fleeing a disastrous affair with a colleague, Isabel Henley leaves the US to begin a PhD in Scotland. There she reconnects with the charismatic scholar Rose Brewster, a former classmate, who becomes a much-needed friend. When Rose reveals she's in trouble, Isabel decides to help her. Then Rose vanishes. At first it seems she has taken her own life, but then Isabel receives a coded message: Rose is alive but held captive by people who don't want her to complete her research. Isabel realises she must finish it if she wants to save her friend's life - and her own.Isabel's search takes her to Italy and France where she uncovers a chain of betrayal and treason lasting centuries. She must solve a 400-year-old mystery... or risk being claimed by it too.For fans of The Cloisters, The Secret History and The Maidens, and combining epistolary elements, this is a gripping literary thriller set in the world of dark academia.Reviews for The Bequest'A brilliant debut, as smart as it is compelling' Tasha Alexander'A first rate mystery by a first time author. Intriguing plot and well drawn characters' Martin Cruz Smith
Best Crime Stories of the Year Volume 2
by Sara ParetskyInternational bestselling author Sara Paretsky selects the twenty best mystery short stories of the year, including tales by Michael Connelly, Jo Nesbo, Joyce Carol Oates, Colson Whitehead, and more in this crime connoisseur's collection. Under the auspices of New York City's legendary mystery fiction specialty bookstore, The Mysterious Bookshop, and aided by Edgar Award-winning anthologist Otto Penzler, international bestseller and MWA Grandmaster Sara Paretsky has selected the twenty most puzzling, most thrilling, and most mysterious short stories from the past year, collected now in one entertaining volume. The classic mystery tale will be familiar to aficionados and casual readers alike: it was invented by Edgar Allen Poe, popularised by Arthur Conan Doyle, and perfected by Agatha Christie. WIthin a few pages, a clue can be discovered, divulged, and its significance determined: all else is mere embellishment.Featuring stories by: Doug Allyn, Colin Barrett, Jerome Charyn, Michael Connelly, Susan Frith, Tom Larsen, Sean Marciniak, Stefon Mears, Keith Lee Morris, Gwen Mullins, Jo Nesbo, Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Reed, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Anna Scotti, Ginny Swart, Ellen Tremiti, Joseph S. Walker, Colson Whitehead, and Michael Wiley – plus a bonus vintage story from the annals of mystery fiction, written over a century in the past.
Betrayal (The Englishman #2)
by David GilmanDan Raglan, former Foreign Legion fighter, alias The Englishman, returns. The new high-octane international thriller from David Gilman.Someone's trying to start a war. And Raglan's just walked into the kill zone.It has been many years since Dan Raglan served in the French Foreign Legion, but the bonds forged in adversity are unbreakable and when one of his comrades calls for help, Raglan is duty-bound to answer.An ex-legionnaire, now an intelligence officer at the Pentagon, disappears. He leaves only this message: should he ever go missing, contact Raglan. But Raglan's not the only one looking for the missing man. From the backstreets of Marseilles, Raglan finds himself following a trail of death that will lead him to Florida, to a Vietnam vet in Washington D.C., and into the heart of a bitter battle in the upper echelons of the US intelligence community.Pursued by both the CIA and a rogue female FBI agent, Raglan's search will place him in the cross hairs of an altogether more lethal organisation. He finds himself in the midst of deadly conspiracy, and on a journey to a fatal confrontation deep in the Honduran rainforest.Reviewers on Betrayal:'Well plotted, believable, and Gilman's ace at bringing locations to life.' The Sun 'Hard to put down.' Daily Express 'A masterfully crafted thriller that grips from the first page to the explosive last.' Sunday Express 'The hero is a veritable one-man army – think Lee Child's Jack Reacher, except English – combining a lethal resilience with a fiery determination to see justice served.' Newslanes 'A vividly intense spy thriller overflowing with courage, resourceful smarts, and a whole host of furious combative encounters.' LoveReadingReviewers on The Englishman series:'A sweat-inducing tour de force.' The Times 'An author at the zenith of his powers.' Peter James 'Raglan is nicely complex: an action man with inner depths.' Financial Times 'Full of thrills.' Literary Review 'The pulse-pounding pace just never lets up.' Peter May
Betrayal in the Cotswolds: The peace of the Cotswolds can be deceiving … (Cotswold Mysteries #20)
by Rebecca Tope'As Rebecca Tope tells it, every rural idyll is blighted by underlying menace. Such is her writing skill, I'm inclined to believe her 'Daily MailA handsome, if slightly shabby, stone house in Upper Oddington is home to Umberto Kingley as well as his three dogs and will be Thea Slocombe's latest house-sitting assignment. Without even a local shop, Thea expects the location to be one of her quietest, until the serene atmosphere is shattered with a fatal hit-and-run.The ensuing high-profile police investigation plunges Thea deep into the victim's complicated family dynamics and the rift that had already torn it apart. And she cannot help wondering if the reverberations of scandal have led to a deliberate and murderous assault.
The Big Island Killer: Lone Wolf Bounty Hunter (stealth: Shadow Team) / The Big Island Killer (hawaii Ci) (Hawaii CI #1)
by R. Barri FlowersThere’s a killer in paradise
The Binding Room (An Inspector Henley Thriller #2)
by Nadine MathesonFrom the author of The Jigsaw Man comes the next book in Nadine Matheson’s DI Henley series ‘Nadine Matheson writes sentences like roses, lovely and bristling with thorns . . . Matheson’s voice is exciting, urgent… and, now more than ever, vital’ A.J. Finn
The Bird Singers
by Eve Wersocki Morris'The whistling had started on their first night. At first, Layah thought it was bird song - a high thin sound which became a melody, rising and falling. And each night, it returned.'Strange things have been happening to Layah and her younger sister, Izzie, ever since their mother dragged them to a rain-soaked cottage miles from anywhere in the Lake District: there is a peculiar whistling at night, a handful of unusual feathers appear and a sudden, frightening banging at the door. And their mother is behaving very oddly. Layah is mourning the loss of her dear grandmother in Poland - and can almost hear her voice telling her the old myths, legends and fairy tales from that place. And as the holiday takes on a dark twist, Layah begins to wonder if the myths might just be real.
The Birdcage: The spellbinding new mystery from the author of Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy pick The Glass House
by Eve ChaseThree sisters. A twenty year old secret. One chance to set it free . . . THE SPELLBINDING NOVEL FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RICHARD & JUDY PICK THE GLASS HOUSE'Beautifully written. I loved every word' LISA JEWELL'Gorgeously written, atmospheric and twisty . . . I devoured it!' CLAIRE DOUGLAS'Daphne du Maurier for the modern day' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Immersive, tense and ultimately redemptive' SARAH VAUGHAN'Engrossing, gripping and layered' GILLIAN MCALLISTER__________When half-sisters Lauren, Flora, and Kat are unexpectedly summoned to the Cornish house where they spent their childhood summers, it's the first time they've dared return.Because the wild cliffs and windswept beaches hide a twenty-year-old secret.The truth about what they did.Someone who remembers them lurks in the shadows, watching their every move.And there are other secrets, even darker than their own, waiting to be unearthed . . .__________Praise for The Birdcage:'Atmospheric' Jane Fallon'Utterly intoxicating' Veronica Henry'Evocative' Karen Swan'Page-turning' Katie Fforde'Kept me absolutely gripped' Rosie Walsh'Stunning' Catherine Cooper'Eve Chase's best novel yet' Gill Paul'Haunting' Tracy Rees'Spellbinding' Katy Regan'Skillfully plotted' Lindsay Cameron'I loved it' Tammy Cohen'Intriguing' Janet Skeslien Charles
Birthday Girl
by Niko WolfHe loved her. He lost her. But he should never have written her off.'Birthday Girl is a real treat of a book, beautifully written and perfectly paced, slowly revealing secret after secret until you're not sure of anything anymore - only that you have to keep reading' - Elly Griffiths, author of The Ruth Galloway NovelsJonathan's wife disappeared more than twenty years ago. Now he's seeing her everywhere . . .New York in the 1990s - impoverished writer Jonathan Dainty takes his wife Maddie out to the beach for her birthday. Hours later he finds himself at the local police precinct trying to explain how on earth he let his wife get into a stranger's car, and allowed it to drive her away.More than twenty years later, Maddie is presumed dead and Jonathan has channelled his grief into a best-selling series of crime novels. As far as he can, he is living the perfect life.Then one day he catches a glimpse of his dead wife, moving through a throng of people. Is Maddie alive? Has she come back? And why does no one believe him? As Jonathan attempts to uncover the truth, it soon becomes clear that the people closest to him are hiding something, something that could change everything . . .The propulsive thriller from debut talent Niko Wolf, perfect for fans of Gone Girl and Blood Orange
Black Hearts (The Skelfs #4)
by Doug JohnstoneA faked death, an obsessive stalker, an old man claiming he’s being abused by the ghost of his late wife, and a devastating spectre from the past. The Skelfs are back in another explosive thriller, and this time things are more than personal…‘A new outing for the Skelfs deserves dancing in the streets of Edinburgh' Val McDermid‘Tense, funny and deeply moving’ Mark Billingham‘A total delight to be returned to the dark, funny, compulsive world of the Skelfs … Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch. Brilliant!’ Gytha Lodge________________________Death is just the beginning…The Skelf women live in the shadow of death every day, running the family funeral directors and private investigator business in Edinburgh. But now their own grief interwines with that of their clients, as they are left reeling by shocking past events.A fist-fight by an open grave leads Dorothy to investigate the possibility of a faked death, while a young woman’s obsession with Hannah threatens her relationship with Indy and puts them both in mortal danger. An elderly man claims he’s being abused by the ghost of his late wife, while ghosts of another kind come back to haunt Jenny from the grave … pushing her to breaking point.As the Skelfs struggle with increasingly unnerving cases and chilling danger lurks close to home, it becomes clear that grief, in all its forms, can be deadly…________________________‘The Skelfs keep getting better and better. Compelling and compassionate characters, with a dash of physics and philosophy thrown in’ Ambrose Parry‘Expertly written, with poise, insight and compassion’ Mary Paulson-Ellis’If you loved Iain Banks, you’ll devour the Skelfs series’ Erin Kelly‘Dynamic and poignant … Johnstone balances the cosmos, music, death and life, and wraps it all in a compelling mystery’ Marni Graff‘Just when you thought you couldn’t love the Skelfs more, Doug Johnstone finds a way to turn up the heat’ Live & DeadlyPraise for The Skelfs series***Shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year******Longlisted for Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year******Shortlisted for Amazon Publishing Capital Crime Thriller of the Year***‘An engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertones’ Herald Scotland‘Gripping and blackly humorous’ Observer‘A tense ride strong, believable characters’ Kerry Hudson, Big Issue‘The power of this book, though, lies in the warm personalities and dark humour of the Skelfs, and by the end readers will be just as interested in their relationships with each other as the mysteries they are trying to solve’ Scotsman‘Remarkable’ Sunday Times‘Keeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader can’t ask anything more’ The Sun‘A thrilling, atmospheric book, set in the dark streets of Edinburgh. Move over Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone is coming through!’ Kate Rhodes‘An unstoppable, thrilling, bullet train of a book that cleverly weaves in family and intrigue, and has real emotional impact. I totally loved it’ Helen Fields‘This enjoyable mystery is also a touching and often funny portrayal of grief ... more, please’ Guardian‘Wonderful characters: flawed, funny and brave’ Sunday Times‘Exceptional … a must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists’ Publishers Weekly
Black Mamba
by William FriendDaddy, there's a man in our room... This is the chilling announcement Alfie hears one night, when he wakes in his quiet, suburban house to find his twin daughters at the foot of his bed. It's been nine months since Pippa - their mother - suddenly died and they've been unsettled ever since, so Alfie assumes they've probably had a nightmare. Still, he goes to check to reassure the girls. As expected he finds no man, but in the following days the girls begin to refer to someone called Black Mamba. What seemingly begins as an imaginary friend quickly develops into something darker, more obsessive, potentially violent. Alfie finds himself struggling to cope, and so he turns to Julia - Pippa's twin and a psychotherapist - for help. But as Black Mamba's coils tighten around the girls, Alfie and Julia must contend with their own unspoken sense of loss, their unacknowledged attraction to one another, and the true character of the presence poisoning the twins' minds... A darkling tale of tragedy, hauntings and sexual desire, Black Mamba is a novel of a father's love for his struggling daughters, and a widower's growing love for a woman after his wife's death. With smart, gothicky touches and a large and generous challenge to our assumptions of what and who constitutes a modern family, it explores both the limits we'll go to for our children and the sunken taboos of grief - of how erotics can still exist, and can even be life giving, after suffering loss.
The Black Mountain: Quick Reads 2022
by Kate MosseThe Black Mountain is a Quick Read short story from bestselling author Kate Mosse.It is May, 1706. Ana, a young Spanish woman, lives in a small town on the north-west coast of Tenerife with her mother and twin younger brothers. The town is in the shadow of a mighty volcano, which legend says has the devil living inside it. However, there has been no eruption for thousands of years and no one believes it is a threat.One day, Ana notices that the air feels strange and heavy, that the birds have stopped singing. Tending the family vineyard, a sudden strange tremor in the earth frightens her. Very soon it will be a race against time for Ana to help persuade the town that they are in danger and should flee before the volcano erupts and destroys their world. Will they listen? And Ana herself faces another danger . . .
Black Night Falling
by Teri TerryThe explosive finale to The Circle trilogy by Teri Terry.The fate of the natural world lies in the hands of three teenagers.Captured by The Circle, Tabby is taken to their headquarters, Undersea. She learns about their ancient sisterhood, sworn to protect the planet, and that she is one of "the Chosen."In London, Hayden finds herself at the centre of a coming together of disparate climate change groups. Denzi is missing, and Hayden's path to finding him is laced with danger.People all around the world are demanding clean air and blue skies, and on the cusp of humanity making change for the good, Tabby, Hayden, and Denzi's paths draw closer together.But as old friends arrive to help, old enemies resurface. The Circle's endgame comes into focus and Tabby, Hayden, and Denzi must race to prevent the destruction ahead. Can they learn how to harness Tabby and the Chosen's power in time before the world is changed forever?
Black Rain: An utterly addictive crime thriller with breathtaking suspense (Detective Vijay Patel #2)
by Anita SivakumaranGazing out into the glowing curtain of evening summer rain, his body floods with fear as a cold hand clamps over his mouth. He doesn't even have a chance to scream as he is pulled down into the dark.When actor Majid Rahman's body is found in a neighbourhood allotment in Leicester, Detective Vijay Patel is one of the first on the scene, but is unable to save the man. Although his mother's house backs onto the gardens, he resolves to let the local police do their work.But after a neighbour is kidnapped and the detective in charge doesn't want to know, Patel vows to find the killer.When Patel uncovers a leather bag stuffed with money and a gold necklace near to where Majid's body was found, he realises this case may be a lot bigger than he'd imagined. Just as he starts to get close to the truth, the witness he was hoping to speak to is shot in front of him, and Patel must flee for his life.Just when Patel is finally on the killer's trail, he finds a clue that shocks him to his very core: this case may be closer to home than he ever could have imagined. Could stopping this twisted killer from stealing more lives mean paying the ultimate price for Patel?A totally gripping crime thriller, packed with suspense and twists you'll never see coming. Fans of Ian Rankin, Abir Mukherjee and Val McDermid will be utterly addicted.What readers are saying about Anita Sivakumaran:'Wow just incredible... The killer's identity just took my breath away... Breathtaking suspense and mystery that will blow you away... Outstanding. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐' Surjit's Book Blog⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Wow, wow, wow. I just couldn't put this one down. An absolute masterpiece. Gritty, fast paced, brilliant... Loved loved all the characters... One of the best crime books I have ever read. Just wonderful. Will be recommending this to everyone.' Bestselling author Renita D'Silva ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Absolutely gripping... So intense... The twists I encountered along the way were so unexpected... I could not stop to put this down at any point... Gave me tingles... I was so nervous about how this book was going to play out.' Twilight Reader ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Completely pulled in... I have devoured this book in one sitting.' Little Miss Book Lover 87'Twisty... I didn't guess the denouement at all, even as the book was racing towards its conclusion.' The Quick and the Read'Exciting... A super-gripping new thriller series... You'll be kept guessing as to the killer's identity throughout... Will have you totally hooked.' Cosmopolitan'Gripping... Very well drawn characters... Recommended!' NetGalley Reviewer'Fast-paced and riveting.' Beyond the Books'Anita Sivakumaran is an exciting new name in crime fiction.' The Times