Top list: Crime

'A whip-smart whodunnit, this will keep you guessing' Red

'A fast-paced thriller with clever twists' Bella

***KATY BRENT IS BACK! I BET YOU'D LOOK GOOD IN A COFFIN IS OUT NOW***

Something bad happened last night. My best friend Posey is dead. The police think it was a tragic accident. I know she was murdered.

I’ve woken up with the hangover from hell, a stranger in my bed, and I’ve gone viral for the worst reasons.

There’s only one thing stopping me from dying of shame. I need to find a killer.

But after last night, I can’t remember a thing…

From the author of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It, don’t miss this wickedly witty and utterly addictive novel, perfect for fans of Bella Mackie, Dawn O’Porter and Killing Eve.

Praise for The Murder After the Night Before:

‘What a ride! Unflinchingly realistic and raw but somehow also brilliantly funny at times, Brent's novel is a must-read’ Jesse Sutanto, author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

‘The horrors of going viral on social media twinned with a twisty murder mystery – contemporary fiction at its best, I loved it!' Jackie Kabler, author of The Perfect Couple

‘Brent delivers a compelling and incredibly important novel’ My Weekly

‘A fast-paced and satisfying read’ Charlotte Bigland, author of It’s Not Me It’s You

‘The Hangover meets Fleabag in this ribald, twisted mystery’ PJ Ellis, author of Love & Other Scams

‘A fast-paced thriller. With clever twists, it’s totally gripping' Closer Magazine

‘Once again, Katy Brent has shown her immense talent at writing dark humour with a thought-provoking core’ Sarah Clarke, author of A Mother Never Lies

‘A flawlessly plotted murder mystery. Devilishly brilliant. I loved it!’ Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin

*SOON TO BE A MAJOR NETFLIX TV SERIES STARRING TESSA THOMPSON AND PRODUCED BY JESSICA CHASTAIN*

‘Stunning, addictive … this book should not be missed!’ Samantha Downing, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Lovely Wife

‘This is great … Keeps you guessing all the way through’ Jane Fallon

‘Alice writes the twisty sort of novel that leaves you breathless and unsure about everything and everyone… Warning – could cause sleepless nights!’ Adele Parks, Platinum

‘The ultimate rollercoaster reading experience’ Woman & Home

‘Dark, twisted, and oh-so-good’ Prima

‘We gulped down this intense thriller in one heart-in-our-mouth afternoon – it's that good!’ Sun on Sunday Fabulous

'Cleverly plotted and tightly written, this deliciously dark thriller will leave readers breathless… Feeney’s best book yet’ Daily Express

‘A pacy thriller full of lies’ My Weekly

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If there are two sides to every story, someone is always lying…

Jack: Three words to describe my wife: Beautiful. Ambitious. Unforgiving.

Anna: I only need one word to describe my husband: Liar.

When a woman is murdered in Blackdown village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Anna’s ex-husband, DCI Jack Harper, is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation.

Someone is lying, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.

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Readers LOVE Alice Feeney:

‘An absolute must for thriller fans!’

‘I loved every page of this book’

‘Absolutely enthralling’

‘Best psychological thriller I have read’

‘This book completely sucked me in. I couldn’t put it down’

‘It's dark, disturbing, beautifully written and finished it in almost one sitting’

Based on some of literature’s horror and science fiction classics, this “tour de force of reclaiming the narrative, executed with impressive wit and insight” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) debut is the story of a remarkable group of women who come together to solve the mystery of a series of gruesome murders—and the bigger mystery of their own origins.

Mary Jekyll, alone and penniless following her parents’ death, is curious about the secrets of her father’s mysterious past. One clue in particular hints that Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes.

But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana, a feral child left to be raised by nuns. With the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

When their investigations lead them to the discovery of a secret society of immoral and power-crazed scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.

It's been a sleepy summer for the folks of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In fact, it's been a whole four months since anyone in the Swensen family has come across a dead body. And that means Hannah Swensen can finally focus on her bakery. . .or can she? Life is never really quiet for Hannah. After all, her mother's wedding is a little over a month away and guess who Delores put in charge of the planning? Yet just when Hannah believes her biggest challenge will be whether to use buttercream or fondant for the wedding cake, she accidentally hits a stranger with her truck while driving down a country road in a raging thunderstorm. Hannah is wracked with guilt, and things get even worse when she's arrested...for murder! But an autopsy soon reveals the mystery man, his shirt covered in stains from blackberry pie, would have died even if Hannah hadn't hit him. Now, to clear her name, Hannah will have to follow a trail of pie crumbs to track down the identity of the deceased, find a baker who knows more about murder than how to roll out a perfect pie crust--and get herself to the church on time

London. A snowy December, 1888. Sherlock Holmes, 34, is languishing and back on cocaine after a disastrous Ripper investigation. Watson can neither comfort nor rouse his friend – until a strangely encoded letter arrives from Paris.

Mlle La Victoire, a beautiful French cabaret star writes that her illegitimate son by an English lord has disappeared, and she has been attacked in the streets of Montmartre.

Racing to Paris with Watson at his side, Holmes discovers the missing child is only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger problem. The most valuable statue since the Winged Victory has been violently stolen in Marseilles, and several children from a silk mill in Lancashire have been found murdered. The clues in all three cases point to a single, untouchable man.

Will Holmes recover in time to find the missing boy and stop a rising tide of murders? To do so he must stay one step ahead of a dangerous French rival and the threatening interference of his own brother, Mycroft.

This latest adventure, in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, sends the iconic duo from London to Paris and the icy wilds of Lancashire in a case which tests Watson's friendship and the fragility and gifts of Sherlock Holmes' own artistic nature to the limits.

From John Marrs, the bestselling author of The One. Set in the same world, and narrated by a full cast, The Marriage Act is a dark, high-concept thriller.

‘One of the most exciting original thriller writers’ - Simon Kernick, author of Good Cop Bad Cop

What if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey?

Britain. The near-future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.

But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is monitoring every aspect of our personal lives, tracking every word, every minor disagreement . . . and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey.

Black Mirror meets thriller with a dash of Naomi Alderman’s The Power.

Praise for John Marrs:

'A page-turning and thought-provoking read' - Daily Mirror

'A socially aware novel packed with thought-provoking questions' - SFX Magazine

'Clever, compelling and terrifyingly plausible. A near future nightmare that grips from the first page and never let’s go . . . talk about a page-turner. This one will leave you with paper cuts! – C. J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man

'A smart, gripping and scarily believable story from the master of the speculative thriller'— T.M. Logan, author of The Catch

'John’s creative, high-concept thrillers never fail to keep me furiously turning the pages and The Marriage Act is no exception . . . dark, immersive speculative fiction at its very best!' – Sarah Pearse, author of The Retreat

'A scarily plausible alternative future with a truly twisted narrative. Tensely plotted and terrifyingly imagined! - Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange

Do you want to listen to The Case of the Missing Will? If so then keep reading…

In Agatha Christie’s short story, “The Case of the Missing Will,” Poirot must help clever student Violet Marsh meet the terms of an unusual will by her Uncle Andrew. She must live in his house for a month and “prove her wits” if she is ever to receive his fortune. But is there another will?

What are you waiting for The Case of the Missing Will is one click away!

‘Had me laughing aloud within its first five pages. Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

Life is good for sixty-year-old teashop owner and amateur sleuth, Vera Wong. Her teashop is bustling, and her son, Tilly, finally has a girlfriend! Still, Vera can’t help but wish for some excitement and adventure. Sometimes all an old lady wants is a murder to solve…

Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman in need of her kindly guidance. The woman is looking for her missing friend Xander. Online, he appeared to have it all: a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer.

When Xander turns up dead, it seems he isn’t who he claimed to be. The police have no leads, but Vera intends to uncover the truth in the only way that this Chinese mother knows how: by spilling the tea.

Praise for Vera Wong

‘I thoroughly loved it. With a Vera in your life nothing bad can ever happen!’ J. M. Hall, bestselling author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘Fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly

‘I appreciate the recent uptick in books featuring sleuths of a seasoned age, particularly ones as prickly, opinionated and delightful as Vera Wong’ The New York Times

Readers love VERA WONG…

'Vera Wong is my favourite fictional character in the world.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I'll be recommending this one to all my friends.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A mystery with heart and humour' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Vera Wong is honestly the best character I've read in crime fiction' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Fast paced and addictive' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

’Tis the season for trimming the tree, caroling, baking cookies, and curling up by the Yuletide waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney. But in this festive collection of holiday whodunits, murder is also paying a visit …

“CANDY CANE MURDER” by JOANNE FLUKE

When a trail of candy canes leads to a corpse outfitted in a Santa suit on a snowy bank, Hannah Swensen sets out to discover who killed Kris Kringle …

“THE DANGERS OF CANDY CANES” by LAURA LEVINE

A wealthy suburbanite takes a lethal tumble off his roof while installing a giant candy cane. Now it’s up to Jaine Austen to sift through a long list of scheming neighbors with dirty secrets in their stockings to expose a murderer …

“CANDY CANES OF CHRISTMAS PAST” by LESLIE MEIER

Lucy Stone must learn the mystery of a glass candy cane that was found smashed to bits by a corpse’s body to unlock the doors of Christmas past—and find a killer who got away with murder.

Whether a gift for yourself or that special someone on your list, there’s no better way to spend the holidays than with these tantalizing mysteries of murder …

Includes over 10 scrumptious holiday recipes!

"A murderous android discovers itself in All Systems Red, a tense science fiction adventure by Martha Wells that interrogates the roots of consciousness through Artificial Intelligence.

""As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure.""

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

Performed by David Cui Cui, Khaya Fraites, Zeke Alton, Alejandro Ruiz, Aure Nash, Bradley Foster Smith, Holly Adams, Megan Dorminy, Natalie Van Sistine, Michael John Casey, Rayner Gabriel, Shanta Parasuraman, Tanja Milojevic and Wyn Delano."

Though her main duty is still looking after Consort Gyokuyou, Maomao finds time to help her friends and acquaintances in the rear palace, including Xiaolan, who will need a job after her term of service ends, and Consort Lishu, who’s convinced she’s seen a ghost! When complications arise with Gyokuyou’s pregnancy, however, Maomao knows she’s not skilled enough to handle a situation that could threaten the life of both mother and child. She knows someone who is, but they haven’t been welcome in the rear palace for a very long time… Meanwhile, Maomao begins to discern what seem to be links between otherwise unrelated incidents in the rear palace. But what if her dawning knowledge makes her the next victim?

#1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box returns with a new Joe Pickett novel.

The governor of Wyoming has given game warden Joe Pickett the thankless assignment of taking a tech baron on a hunting trip. But unbeknownst to them, as they trek further into the wilderness, a hunter is hot on their heels. Joe must rely on his wits and his knowledge of the outdoors to protect himself and his charge.

Meanwhile, when Joe's closest friend Nate Romanowski and his own daughter Sheridan learn of the threat to his life, they follow him into the woods to rescue him, and all three come together for one final showdown.

2021 Head of Zeus

In this collaboration between “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark and bestselling author Alafair Burke, “the snappy pace, layered characters, and many plot surprises will keep readers guessing in this fascinating mystery” (Booklist).

Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under Suspicion, is a success. Even more, the program—a cold case series that revisits unsolved crimes by recreating them with those affected—is off to a fantastic start when it helps solve an infamous murder in the very first episode.

Now Laurie has the ideal case to feature in the next episode of Under Suspicion: the Cinderella Murder. When Susan Dempsey, a beautiful and multi-talented UCLA student, was found dead, her murder raised numerous questions. Why was her car parked miles from her body? Had she ever shown up for the acting audition she was due to attend at the home of an up-and-coming director? Why does Susan’s boyfriend want to avoid questions about their relationship? Was her disappearance connected to a controversial church? Was she close to her computer science professor because of her technological brilliance, or something more? And why was Susan missing one of her shoes when her body was discovered?

With the help of Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley, Laurie knows the case will attract great ratings, especially when the former suspects include Hollywood’s elite and tech billionaires. The suspense and drama are perfect for the silver screen—but is Cinderella’s murderer ready for a close-up?

Together Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke deliver “plenty of intrigue and excitement” (Publishers Weekly) in this exciting start to a new series that will keep you guessing until the final page.

From New York Times Bestseller and BookTok sensation Rina Kent comes a captivating age-gap billionaire romance filled with power, desire, and betrayal.

Nothing is fair in love.

This is my kingdom. My territory.

I own everything and control everyone,

Aurora included.

She shouldn’t have barged into my world with no armor.

She shouldn’t have caught my attention with no warning.

Alas, she did.

Then she thought she could disappear.

If a battle is what it’ll take to protect and own her, I’ll shed blood.

Wars aren’t fair, and neither am I.

Rise of a Queen is the second part of a duet.

©2020 Rina Kent (P)2020 Rina Kent

Vampires, ghosts and death itself - from the international bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Masters of Death by Olivie Blake is a spellbinding queer fantasy.

'Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent' - Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights

This book is about an estate agent. Only she’s a vampire, the house on sale is haunted, and its ghost was murdered.

When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with her ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is a fraud – despite being the godson of Death.

As the mystery unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into a quest that neither wants nor expects. They'll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel and a love-stricken reaper. And it transpires that the difference between a mysterious lost love and a dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as you’d hope.

'If you enjoyed Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens, you will adore this book'- Starburst Magazine

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF 2024

WINNER OF GOODREADS MYSTERY & THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

'I was totally gripped' DOUGLAS STUART

'Immersive and enthralling' PAULA HAWKINS

'At first hard to put down. By page 200, impossible' STEPHEN KING

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When their thirteen-year-old daughter Barbara goes missing at summer camp, all eyes fall on the Van Laar family.

They're cold, rich people. They own the camp. And it's happened to them before.

Fourteen years ago their little boy, Bear, vanished without a trace.

Two children lost to the same wilderness.

Is it a tragedy… or a crime?

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‘Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced … I can't remember the last time I felt so entangled in a novelist's coils’ Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures

'A beguiling novel with a relentless grip. You won't be able to put it down' Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground

'At once an immersive family saga and utterly propulsive mystery. Beautifully written' Emilia Hart, author of Weyward

‘A masterful literary thriller’ Lucy Clarke, author of The Hike

‘Riveting from page one to the last breathless word … This book flew by at lightning speed, but will stick with me for a very long time’ Rebecca Makkai, author of I Have Some Questions For You

‘Dickensian in scope … Very entertaining’ Vogue, Best Picks for Summer 2024

The God of the Woods debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list on 21 July 2024.

READERS ARE SAYING…

'I simply couldn't put it down!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An excellent page-turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I didn’t see the end coming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I strongly urge everyone to read it and experience the magic for themselves' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'My top read for 2024 so far. Actually, top read full stop' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A fascinating story with lots of ups and downs… I did like the conclusion, very clever!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Loved this book from page one! … A book not to be missed!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I cannot think of when I have read anything so evocative' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A riveting read. If you're looking for intriguing characters, a beautifully crafted, slow and atmospheric mystery that feels incredibly intense, then this is the one for you' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Early summer brings plenty of work for baker Hannah Swensen, even before Mayor Bascomb's wife drops by The Cookie Jar to place an order for her charity event...For eleven-hundred cookies! And Hannah almost flips when her business partner, Lisa, suggests setting up an apple turnover stand. But she places her faith in Lisa and agrees to be a magician's assistant in the fundraiser's talent show. The only snag is the show's host, college professor Bradford Ramsey. Hannah and her sister, Michelle, each had unfortunate romances with Ramsey, and when the cad comes sniffing around between acts, Hannah tells him off. But when the curtain doesn't go up, she discovers Ramsey backstage - dead, with a turnover in his hand. Now Hannah must find a killer who's flakier than puff pastry - and far more dangerous.

The first book in a seductive new series from #1 Amazon bestselling author Scott Hildreth Tripp Once, I took down terrorists on the front lines as a marine. Now I'm in the business of bad. I've sold guns to people others might not approve of. I've eliminated the criminals, the lowlifes and the thugs who've tread on my turf. And I looked the Sicilian Mafia boss in the eye and told him to f*** off. No one tells me no, unless it's their last word. I didn't just act the part of bad—I lived it. Then she stumbled into my life. I tried to stay away from her. Tried focusing on moving my merchandise. But one smile from Terra was like a shot to the heart. She's mine now. And no one threatens what's mine. Terra I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life. I grew up around lies and deception, and I ran away from all of them. Until I met him. I knew he was corrupt. I knew he was dangerous. I should have stayed away, but my attraction to him, my need for him, overrode my logic. Now I love him. If he finds out who I am, we're done and I'll be nothing. I never wanted to be the Mafia princess they tried to make me, but mia familia had other plans. And what mia familia wants…it gets. Only Michael Tripp can save me. Book one of the Mafia Made series

Let it be known that I, Holley Stuart, do not give a single rat's behind about pro baseball's star pitcher Sebastian Stone. I definitely don't care that he's standing in my bookstore. Nor do I care that he seems to have forgotten about the last time we saw each other: senior prom, when he both humiliated me and broke my heart, albeit unknowingly. Now, he needs a date to his sister's wedding. Don't ask me how I ended up being it—I have no idea. But that's the least of my problems. His grandfather is adamant we're dating, and Seb isn't in a hurry to convince him otherwise, so I have no choice but to go along with it. The problem? The only thing I've ever faked is... well, you know. I've definitely never faked my feelings for someone. And judging by the way I feel whenever Seb looks at me, it doesn't look like I'm starting now...

""Sharp, stylish and stunning...Foley's best yet."" -- Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

""It is an absolute bonkers delight (and I haven’t even mentioned the local bird cult yet …)."" -- NPR, Best Books of the Year

Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin…

It’s the opening night of The Manor, the newest and hottest luxury resort, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.

But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And it’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party, with deadly results.

THE GIRLBOSS · THE HUSBAND · THE KITCHEN HELP · THE MYSTERY GUEST

Everyone’s got a secret. Everyone’s got an agenda. But not everyone will survive…The Midnight Feast

""Foley’s usual techniques of unraveling the central mystery through multiple timelines and narrators are paralleled by the spiraling events of the weekend, which careen from juice shots and yoga on the lawn to a chaotic climax at a hallucinogen-fueled bacchanal where hidden identities and multiple murders are brought to light. It is an absolute bonkers delight"" -- NPR