- Table View
- List View
The Serial Thrillers 2012 - 12 spine-tingling tasters
by Tess Gerritsen Lee ChildA taste of terror...Sample 12 of the most electrifying, spine-tingling books of 2012, from some of the best authors on the scene. Lock your doors. Check behind the sofa. And prepare to be thrilled...Get a taste of 12 of the most terrifying, stomach-churning crime and thriller books of 2012, from some of the best authors on the scene:The Affair by Lee Child The Silent Girl by Tess GerritsenDead Centre by Andy Mcnab Finders Keepers by Belinda Bauer Now You See Me by S J Bolton Dead To Me by Cath Staincliffe The Summer of Dead Toys by Antonio Hill Vanished by Liza Marklund Bryant and May and The Invisible Code by Christopher Fowler Another Time, Another Life by Leif Persson The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus SakeyThe Quarry by Johan Theorin Killer thrillers – examine the evidence . . .
A Serious Investigation (Murder Room)
by Dell ShannonAs always, Jesse Falkenstein and Sergeant Clock have a score of cases on their hands, but Jesse is mainly interested in the murder of Margaret Brandon, a trance medium. He was her lawyer and liked her, and someone had gone to great efforts to make her death seem accidental.But with so many suspects - the egocentric writer, the young lout, the nephew in line for an inheritance - both Falkenstein and Clock are at their wit's end until their old acquaintance Mr Walker sends his comments from Hawaii - which might be just what they need to get a lead . . .'My favourite American crime-writer' New York Herald Tribune
The Serpent Amongst the Lilies: A sweeping historical mystery of medieval England (Matthew Jankyn #2)
by Paul DohertyAn investigation into the mysterious woman known as Jeanne of Arc...The turbulent times of the 15th century are perfectly captured in Paul Doherty's gripping mystery, The Serpent Amongst the Lilies. Perfect for fans of Ellis Peters and Susanna Gregory.At the behest of his master, Bishop Henry Beaufort, former criminal Matthew Jankyn is set among the followers of Jeanne d'Arc (the lilies). Charged with discovering whether Jeanne is really a saint, Jankyn must work out how best to ensure that the French war against the British can be foiled. But in spite of his lawless background, Jankyn comes to like Jeanne and to resent being pitted against her. But does Jeanne somehow know more about Jankyn's intentions than she is letting on, and what secrets is she keeping from him?What readers are saying about Paul Doherty:'The plot and mystery slowly unfolds with unexpected twists and turns before finally being unravelled. An enthralling tale by Doherty at his best''[You] lose yourself in the story''Five stars'
The Serpent Dance
by Sofia SlaterOn the Feast of St John the Cornish villagers of Trevennick dance around midsummer bonfires and make offerings to the river. It's not the sort of thing that appeals to Audrey Delaney, who is very much a city mouse. But when her (sort of, almost) boyfriend Noah whisks her away on a surprise trip to the West Country, she's determined to do the best she can to enjoy herself, if that's what it takes to remove the question mark from their relationship. Then their first night ends in tragedy, and Audrey finds herself stuck in the back of beyond, embroiled in a police inquiry, and unsure who to trust. Not Noah, who obviously had an ulterior motive for bringing her here. And certainly none of the villagers: brooding mussel farmer Trevor, weirdly intense vicar Lamorna, and infuriatingly cocky and omnipresent jack-of-all-trades Griffin. She'll have to untangle the mysteries of this insular community quickly, though, because people are dying fast. The river will have its due...
The Serpent in Heaven (Gunnie Rose)
by Charlaine Harris'Immersive, involving, suspenseful, and intriguing, with a main character you'll love' LEE CHILDNo.1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris returns to her alternate history of the United States where magic is an acknowledged but despised power in this fourth installment of the Gunnie Rose series.Felicia, Lizbeth Rose's younger half-sister and student at the Grigori school within the capital of the New Holy Russian Empire in San Diego, is caught between secrets and powerful family struggles. As a distant relative to the Tsar, she provides an essential service to him by providing blood transfusions for his hemophilia, and she is thus given rare access and dismissed as if cattle. At the Grigori school she is seen as a charity case, a poor orphan with no prospects and no sign of magical prowess-the latter which Felicia keeps purposefully hidden. And yet, when a kidnapping attempt is made upon Felicia her past and her future crash together in violent ways.Continuing immediately after The Russian Cage, this fantastical fourth book takes a side step, exploring the Holy Russian Empire while also showcasing the dynamic depths of magic within Harris's alternate North America in curious mysteries. Felicia, it turns out, is far more than the Russian-Mexican waif Lizbeth rescued, and the journey of discovery she is on is filled with magical assassins and desperation, but above it all is her courage to never give in to the limitations imposed upon her.Love The Walking Dead, Westworld or True Blood? You will ADORE this gritty and wildly entertaining tale, set in a parallel reality of the United States where magic is an outlawed power.__________Praise for Charlaine Harris'A gripping, twisty-turny, thrill-ride of a read' Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author'Harris has a remarkable talent for world building' Booklist'Will leave readers enthralled. [A] fascinating setting and a heroine who's sure to be a new fan favourite' Publishers Weekly (starred review)'A master of her craft . . . dazzling' Seanan McGuire, NYT Bestselling author'A gritty, action-filled story with a touch of magic' Anne Bishop
The Serpent on the Crown (Amelia Peabody #No. 17)
by Elizabeth PetersAutumn 1921. The Peabody-Emerson clan are enjoying a fruitful period of excavation in Egypt. But when they hear the alarming tale of a man's mysterious death their digging turns to detecting. His widow is convinced her husband was the victim of a curse and implores the Emersons to find and return the small 'deadly' statue that killed him to the tomb from which it was stolen -- before it claims another life. From bitter experience the Emersons know it would be a serious mistake to start chasing tomb robbers. But Amelia and family soon start to find the curse may be more real than ever imagined...
The Serpent Papers (The Serpent Papers Trilogy #Bk. 1)
by Jessica Cornwell**Ebook edition featuring exclusive extra reading material** Barcelona, Summer 2003.Three women are sacrificed to an unknown purpose, skin carved with a cryptic alphabet, tongues cut from their mouths. Sent beautiful, sinister letters - clues, or confessions? - Inspector Fabregat cannot decipher the warnings within. As Barcelona explodes in revelry on the Festival of St Joan, Natalia Hernandez, flower of the National Theatre and Catalan idol, lies broken on the steps of the Cathedral. The city bays for blood, Fabregat chases a shadow-like suspect and signs that whisper of secrets beyond his grasp. Barcelona, Winter 2014.Anna Verco - academic, book thief, savant - unearths letters hidden for centuries from a lightning-struck chapel in Mallorca. What they reveal compels her and Fabregat to reignite the Hernandez investigation. Every page she turns conceals a coded message; every street she treads leads her deeper into the labyrinth. As Fabregat baits her with suspects, and threats darken her steps, Anna hunts her own prey - the book that began it all, a medieval revelation written in the language of witches and alchemists: The Serpent Papers. Anna believes this book will unlock the mystery. She does not yet know she is the key.
The Serpent Pool: The evocative and compelling cold case mystery (Lake District Cold-Case Mysteries #4)
by Martin EdwardsThey halted close to the water’s edge. This was their destination. This was the Serpent Pool. And here, six years ago, Bethany Friend’s body had been found.The Lake District’s cold case specialist, DCI Hannah Scarlett, is determined to uncover the truth behind an apparent suicide in the Serpent Pool some years ago. Why would Bethany, so afraid of water, drown herself? Hannah fears that her partner, bookseller Marc Amos, is keeping dark secrets. Does he hold the key to Bethany’s past – and why was his best customer burnt to death in an Ullswater boathouse?Hannah still carries a torch for Daniel Kind, who is researching Thomas De Quincey and the history of murder. Once Daniel and Hannah suspect connections between Bethany’s drowning and a current sequence of killings, death comes dangerously close to home.
The Serpent Sword (The Bernicia Chronicles #1)
by Matthew Harffy'HISTORICAL FICTION DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS' ANGUS DONALD AD 633 Beobrand is a young man with a shadowy past. As an outsider in the kingdom of Bernicia, he is compelled to join his brother, Octa, as a warrior in the household of King Edwin. He must learn to fight with sword and shield to defend the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria.In a period of great upheaval for Dark Age Britain, all he finds is death and war. Men and women strive to seize control of their destinies in a time of despair, and the land is rife with danger as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. Amongst the blood and the betrayals, Beobrand learns of his brother's near-certain murder. Inexperienced but ruthless, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight as a warrior with sword and shield.Driven by a desire for vengeance and a relentless pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin's slayer, can Beobrand mete out the retribution he craves without sacrificing his honour... or even his soul? Praise for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard
A Serpent Uncoiled
by Simon SpurrierA missing mobster. A bizarre spiritualist society. And three deaths, linked by a chilling forensic detail. Working as an enforcer in London's criminal underworld brought Dan Shaper to the edge of a breakdown. Now he's a private investigator, kept perilously afloat by a growing cocktail of drugs. He needs to straighten-up and rebuild his life, but instead gets the attention of his old gangland masters and a job-offer from Mr George Glass. The elderly eccentric claims to be a New Age Messiah, but now needs a saviour of his own. He's been marked for murder. Adrift amidst liars and thugs, Shaper must push his capsizing mind to its limits: stalked not only by a unique and terrifying killer, but by the ghosts of his own brutal past.
Serpentine: An Alex Delaware Novel (Alex Delaware Ser. #36)
by Jonathan KellermanThe electrifying new Alex Delaware thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense.Ellie Barker never knew her mother.When she was barely three years old, her mother was found with a bullet in her head inside a torched Cadillac, overturned on Mulholland Drive. No physical evidence, no witness and no apparent motive. Twenty-five years on, many detectives tried and failed to get to the bottom of the case. Desperate for answers, Ellie hires LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis, who calls in the expertise of brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware, to investigate.But as the duo start digging, the mystery becomes even more twisted. And they soon discover a string of dangerous threats still lurking in the present...
Serpentine
by Tom MortonA name from the murkiest corners of Britain's secret war in Ireland: Serpentine. At first it's just gossip and fearful whispers. But then people begin to die and all hell breaks loose from Palestine to the remote Highlands of Scotland. Fresh from the toughest assignments in the mercenary world comes former SAS officer Murricane. Can he find Serpentine before it's too late and before the horrific secrets of the past threaten to cause chaos not just in Ireland but in the Middle East too?In a trail of mayhem that leads through Scotland, Gaza and Ireland, Murricane battles his own demons, as well as a monstrous former RUC officer, a disgraced policeman and a series of unreliable Land Rovers, until Serpentine plays his final, devastating game . . .Serpentine is an explosive, bitterly funny journey into the darkest heart of the Irish Troubles and the violence that lurks in Scotland's most scenic Highland communities.
Serpentine: A short story from the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust (His Dark Materials Ser.)
by Philip Pullman**Don't miss the second series of His Dark Materials on BBC One this November.**A brand new short story set in the world of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust by master storyteller, Philip Pullman. Serpentine is a perfect gift for every Pullman fan, new and old. 'Lyra Silvertongue, you're very welcome . . . Yes, I know your new name. Serafina Pekkala told me everything about your exploits' Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon have left the events of His Dark Materials far behind. In this snapshot of their forever-changed lives they return to the North to visit an old friend, where we will learn that things are not exactly as they seem . . . Illustrated throughout by Tom Duxbury, the perfect re-entry for fans of His Dark Materials and a wonderful companion to The Book of Dust. 'It's a stunning achievement, the universe Pullman has created and continues to build on' New York Times 'Pullman is an easeful storyteller and an intricate and inventive world-builder, and everything he has to write is worth reading' Telegraph
The Serpentine Road (Col Vaughn de Vries #2)
by Paul MendelsonEven after the release of Nelson Mandela and the promise of free elections, extremist groups terrorized South Africa, bombing churches, opening fire in bars and restaurants. Nearly twenty-five years ago, as a young Captain, Vaughn de Vries finds himself in pursuit of the suspects of a fatal bombing in his precinct, under the command of one of the most feared white police officers of the time: Major Kobus Nel. Out of radio communication and without clear evidence, the SAPS barge into a township and set off a chain of events which will resonate for a quarter of a century. In Cape Town in 2015, the heiress of an Apartheid-era industrialist is found murdered, her body posed to suggest a racial hate crime. But, as Colonel Vaughn De Vries investigates, possible motives for her death abound: a highly controversial art exhibition, her sexual preferences, her relationship - as yet unknown by the press - with the son of one of the heroes of The Struggle. And, moving South down through the country, five men are murdered, each with a connection to a point in history De Vries would sooner forget. When the link is made, De Vries must re-live the traumatic event to uncover the perpetrator. Old wounds, hidden in history, are exposed, and a mysterious killer approaches, whom no one seems able to stop.Longlisted for the 2015 Crime Writer's Association Golden Dagger (Crime Novel of the Year)Praise for Paul Mendelson:'Authoritative and unblinkered fare' Financial Times'Once more, South Africa is brought vividly to life in a fine crimer which delivers a warm change from the regular diet of Scandinavian angst' Weekend Sport 'The Serpentine Road has been my discovery of the year. Paul Mendelson has the makings of a literary superstar' Jenny Crwys Williams, Radio 702/Cape Talk 567 'In another superb slice of South African noir, Mendelson illuminates the corruption and criminality that plagues a country still haunted by apartheid. A taut thriller which evokes a unique political and geographic landscape' Cath Staincliffe 'An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both' Lee Child'A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld' Philip Glenister'The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction' Brian McGilloway'An impressive debut' The Times
The Serpent's Daughter: Number 3 in series (Jade del Cameron #3)
by Suzanne ArrudaJade travels to the ancient port city of Tangier in Morocco to meet with her mother, Inez - but the reunion is cut short when Inez is kidnapped and her guide murdered. Join Jade as she traverses haunted underground tunnels, dangerous souks, and the wild and majestic Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
Serpents in the Cold (The\boston Saga Ser. #1)
by Thomas O'Malley Douglas Graham PurdyThey found her on the beach, frozen, like a statue carved in ice...Post-war Boston is down on its luck, and desperate to reinvent itself. But promises of a brighter future sound ever more hollow as the worst winter in recent memory tightens its grip. No one is interested in a string of murdered women - everyone would much rather pretend they don't exist. But the latest victim was loved...Old friends Cal and Dante are both struggling to find a way to live in a city that seems to be leaving them behind. The hunt for a killer gives them new purpose, as well as making them powerful enemies. But they believe in justice and second chances, and they will see this thing through - whatever the cost.
Serpent's Lair
by Don PendletonSUICIDE MISSION Mack Bolan is dispatched to shut down a high-tech arms deal brokered by the Yakuza. But a simple assignment takes an ugly twist when Bolan's cover is blown.
The Serpent's Mark: Perfect for fans of Rory Clements and S G MacLean (The Jackdaw Mysteries #2)
by S. W. PerryFrom the author of The Angel's Mark, a CWA Dagger longlisted novel and a Walter Scott Prize Academy Recommended Read 2019'S.W. Perry's ingeniously plotted novels have become my favourite historical crime series.' S. G. MacLean, author of The Seeker series____________________Treason sleeps for no man...London, 1591. Nicholas Shelby, physician and reluctant spy, returns to his old haunts on London's lawless Bankside. But, when spymaster Robert Cecil asks him to investigate the dubious practices of a mysterious doctor from Switzerland, Nicholas is soon embroiled in a conspiracy that threatens not just the life of an innocent young patient, but the overthrow of Queen Elizabeth herself.With fellow healer and mistress of the Jackdaw tavern, Bianca Merton, again at his side, Nicholas is drawn into a sinister world of zealots, charlatans and dangerous fanatics...
The Serpents of Harbledown: A gripping medieval mystery from the bestselling author (Domesday series)
by Edward MarstonRalph Delchard, a soldier who fought at the Battle of Hastings, and Gervase Bret, a talented lawyer, have been commissioned by William the Conqueror to look into irregularities brought to light during the compilation of the Domesday Book, the great survey of England. Their investigations take them throughout the kingdom, but the pair often find themselves embroiled in more sinister mysteries in the towns they visit. The King’s work is a dangerous business.When a young girl is found in a holly patch, dead from a snakebite, her premature death shocks the entire town of Canterbury on the day that Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret arrive about the king’s business. But when astonishing truths come to light, the pair must look for a force more vicious than a mere reptile.
Serpent's Point: Book 26 in the DI Wesley Peterson crime series (DI Wesley Peterson #26)
by Kate EllisThe unmissable new mystery in the bestselling DI Wesley Peterson crime series'A beguiling author who interweaves past and present' The Times__________________Serpent's Point in South Devon is the focus of local legends. The large house on the headland is shrouded in an ancient tale of evil, and when a woman is found strangled on the coastal path DI Wesley Peterson is called in to investigate.The woman had been house-sitting at Serpent's Point and Wesley is surprised to discover that she was conducting an investigation into unsolved missing persons cases. Could these enquires have led to her murder?While the case takes Wesley to Yorkshire and the Cotswolds, archaeologist Neil Watson is making a dramatic discovery of his own in the fields near the house.When a skeleton is uncovered, the pressure rises to find a killer, and Wesley and Neil realise that Serpent's Point holds more secrets than anyone could have imagined.Whether you've read the whole series, or are discovering Kate Ellis's DI Wesley Peterson novels for the first time, this is the perfect page-turner if you love reading Ann Cleeves and Elly Griffiths.Praise for Kate Ellis . . .'Clever plotting hides a powerful story of loss, malice and deception' Ann Cleeves'Haunting' Independent'The chilling plot will keep you spooked and thrilled to the end' Closer'Unputdownable' Bookseller'A fine storyteller, weaving the past and present in a way that makes you want to read on' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
A Serpent's Tooth: A captivating episode in the best-selling, award-winning series - now a hit Netflix show! (A Walt Longmire Mystery #9)
by Craig JohnsonThe ninth book in the New York Times bestselling Longmire series, featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire.Cord Lynear, a Mormon 'lost boy' forced off his compound for supposedly rebellious behaviour, shows up in Absaroka County. Without much guidance, divine or otherwise, Sheriff Walt Longmire, his second-in-command Victoria Moretti and his good friend Henry Standing Bear search for the boy's mother and find themselves in a scavenger hunt that ends at the doorstep of an interstate polygamy group. Run by Roy Lynear - Cord's father - the group is frighteningly well-armed and very good at keeping secrets.As Walt, Henry and Vic pursue the Lynears, they hear whispers of Big Oil and the CIA and find they might be dealing with more than they bargained for.'The characters talk straight from the hip and the Wyoming landscape is its own kind of eloquence' New York Times
Serpent’s Tooth (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus Series #10)
by Faye KellermanThe tenth book in the hugely popular Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series from New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman
Servant of Death: Bradecote and Catchpoll 1 (Bradecote and Catchpoll)
by Sarah HawkswoodJune, 1143. The much-feared and hated Eudo – the Lord Bishop of Winchester’s clerk – is bludgeoned to death in Pershore Abbey and laid before the altar like a penitent. A despicable man he may have been, but who had reason to kill him?As the walls of the Abbey close in on the suspects, Serjeant Catchpoll and his new, unwanted superior, Undersheriff Hugh Bradecote must find the answer before the killer strikes again . . .‘A clever, very well-written and extremely enjoyable murder mystery. I absolutely loved it!’ Crime ReviewPreviously published as The Lord Bishop's Clerk, Servant of Death is the first instalment in the Bradecote and Catchpoll series.
Servants of the Map: Stories (Core Ser.)
by Andrea BarrettA national hardback bestseller in the US – another magnificently imagined and executed book of historical fiction with a contemporary twist, from one of the masters of the form. ‘These stories possess a wonderful clarity and ease, the serene authority of a writer working at the very height of her powers.' New York Times
The Servants of Twilight: A dark and compulsive thriller
by Dean KoontzA religious cult takes its faith to the extreme... In The Servants of Twilight by Dean Koontz, a mother must fight unimaginable evil to save her child. Perfect for fans of Richard Laymon and Harlan Coben. 'Koontz's skill at edge-of-the-seat writing has improved with each book. He can scare our socks off' - Boston HeraldTo his mother, Joey seems an ordinary six-year-old boy - special to her, but to no one else. To the Servants of Twilight, however, he is an evil presence who must be destroyed - an Anti-Christ who must die.The terrifying ordeal for Joey and his mother begins in the supermarket car park where an old woman accosts them and pursues them with her terrible threats. Christine's world is turned into a nightmare of terror. Only her love for her child, and the support of the one man who believes her, gives her the chance to survive the Servants of Twilight... What readers are saying about The Servants of Twilight: 'This book will shake you to your very foundations. Stunning, compulsive narrative. Real, unadulterated fear in a quality plot''A classic Koontz tale that makes the face pale, the heart stop and stretches the nerve endings to virtually snapping point!''Devilishly good!'