Top list: Crime

Find the killer. Stay under the radar. All in time for tea.

Rhianne Alkenn is thrust into the heart of a murder investigation as a police consultant. But when her gargoyle employee becomes the prime suspect, the investigation becomes personal.

She’s not very good with relationships or accepting help but a growing set of quirky friends won’t take no for an answer: her cheeky incubus best friend, her wise familiar Toto, a sassy half-gargoyle lawyer and a pathologist who can tell you what she is but would then have to kill you.

As the layers of the investigation unfold, Rhianne must navigate the relationships with her ambitious witch mother, elusive elf father, and a blossoming connection with tech mage Kai.

Oh, and did she mention that her powers are not supposed to exist? Her task: solve the case, keep her powers hidden, and then return to being a regular halfling. Piece of cake, right?

If you enjoy books by Helen Harper, Heather G. Harris and Kim Harrison, then you’ll love this riveting urban fantasy story with a touch of humour and romance.

When Mrs Bantry wakes to find a body in her library, there’s only one woman to call: her good friend Jane Marple.

But she hasn’t called her old friend for comfort.

The body in her library has been murdered and Miss Marple is so good at solving murders.very

Her investigations uncover a scandal far darker than either of them could have imagined, and this time she may be out of her depth.

Never underestimate Miss Marple

‘Christie always defied expectations, not only in her legendary twists and reveals, but also in the underestimated detectives she created as her heroes. The villains never see these sleuths coming – and that’s half the fun.’Leigh Bardugo

‘One of the most ingeniously contrived of all her murder stories.’Birmingham Post

A young woman found murdered A scandal in the making

‘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' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This stunning blend of historical romance and time-traveling adventure has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world and catapulted author Diana Gabaldon to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Outlander

introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills—as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love.

In 1945, former combat nurse Claire Randall returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. Their blissful reunion is shattered when she touches a boulder in an ancient stone ruin and is instantly transported to 1743

Scotland, a place torn by war and raiding border clans. Will Claire find her way back to her own time, or is her destiny forever linked with Clan MacKenzie and the gallant Jamie Fraser?

She is my salvation.

The Butcher. My nickname isn’t really a nickname. It’s a calling. An identity that I was born with, and one that’s as much a part of me as my heart or my liver. I’m violent, remorseless, and I delight in causing pain.

I’ve never made any apologies for my nature. Never felt the need to…until I saw Bianca. When I glimpsed her, something inside me shifted. Before I even knew what I was doing, I’d kidnapped her and stolen her away.

Once I have her, I realize I have no idea what to do with a young, innocent girl. And for the first time in my life, I don’t want to cause pain. I don’t want to hurt her. All I want to do is the one thing I have no idea how to do—I want to love her.

MINK's Note: Grab your fluffy friend and a hot coffee for this tale of unexpected love.

After a corpse wearing pince-nez glasses is found in a bathtub, Lord Peter Wimsey undertakes the case and investigates the deed privately. But determining whether the corpse belongs to a well-known banker or a group of mischief-making medical students is just the beginning of this tangled mystery plot. This atmospheric novel put Dorothy L. Sayers in the ranks with Agatha Christie as a mystery writer nonpareil.

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

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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?

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-

‘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' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A super cosy mystery, best read on a Sunday afternoon with tea and biscuits” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Glued to the pages... the last sentence in the book saw my jaw dropping!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Portobello, Scotland. Grace McKenna is just back from a hearty breakfast at The Espy seaside pub when a perplexing mystery arrives at her door. Glamorous widow Sylvia Gordon is determined to find the truth about the death of her husband, Paul. Once a local celebrity with supposed psychic abilities, Paul is now the talk of the town after a deadly fall from the tower at a nearby college. The locals believe it was a tragic accident, maybe even a consequence of dabbling too deep into the psychic realm? But Grace has a feeling there's more than meets the eye…

With the help of Tobias Sloan – a dashing English journalist with a keen appetite for mysteries – Grace starts unravelling the puzzle of Paul's last days. As she digs deeper, it becomes clear that plenty of people had reason to want Paul gone. Both his work and home life were rife with long-held grudges… was one of Paul’s trusted friends actually his murderer?

Then, Grace’s search takes a frightening turn when another body is found – this time in the changing rooms of the posh local golf club.

Uncovering a shocking secret linking the two deaths, Grace finds her professional and personal boundaries beginning to blur. She is left to face not only the ghosts of her own past, but also the prospect of a killer stalking the cobbled lanes of Edinburgh. Can Grace uncover the truth before another innocent life is taken?

A totally unputdownable Scottish mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Clare Chase and Frances Evesham.

What readers are saying about this book:

"I freaking loved it... a seriously brilliant page turner that will have you hooked from start to finish." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I burst into tears at the end of the book; the scene was both shocking and so good! Murder by the Seaside definitely had me hooked, and I cannot wait to read more in the Grace McKenna series…I really liked this book, and I liked the author's writing style. I cannot wait for more books! A 5++ rating!!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I absolutely loved this book. Kept me gripped on so many levels." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I have not been so drawn into a book for a long time. So much so I sat up for two nights reading it." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I was hooked on this book from page one, and it never dropped me! A compelling, twisty story with rounded, believable characters and a plot that kept me guessing. Even the very last line of the book came as a complete - and fantastic - surprise. I can't wait to read the next thriller with Grace at the helm. Highly recommended!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I’ve found my new favourite series and I’ll be waiting to preorder the next in the series and catch up with Grace and the Gang.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Loved, loved, loved this story. Cannot wait to see what happens next. Will recommend to others.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Glued to the pages... the last sentence in the book saw my jaw dropping! I can't wait for #2 in the hopefully not too distant future. Highly recommended.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The New York Times No.1 bestselling and multi award-winning YA crime thriller and TikTok sensation that everyone is talking about. Now a major BBC series!

‘A taut, compulsively readable, elegantly plotted thriller', GUARDIAN

'Prepare to be murdered by this book. Dark, dangerous – my heart literally pounded', LAURA STEVEN, author of bestselling Infinite Fates

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ?

For fans of The Silent Patient and Gone Girl, a razor-sharp and Hitchcock-inspired psychological thriller about two ordinary women who make a dangerous pact to take revenge for each other after being pushed to the brink.

One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect plan: if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you.

In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She’s attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there?

Intricate, heart-racing, and from an author who “is the real deal” (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Kill for Me, Kill for You will keep you breathless until the final page.

KJ Charles presents Book 1 in the Will Darling Adventures. Contains mature themes.

I’m Jinx, a run-of-the-mill private investigator...except I’m also a walking, talking lie detector. Oh, and I belong to magical realm known as the Other.

Murder isn’t usually my gig, but when I’m hired to investigate the death of a dryad called Reggie, I agree to help out because I know his grieving widow. It should be an easy case to crack, a mugging gone wrong, but the murder scene photos show it was anything but. Reggie’s death has all the hallmarks of my parents’ murders so I’ll stop at nothing to finding his killers. It’s so important I’d even be willing to tag in Stone to help - if I could find him...

Reggie was into some bad stuff involving a drug called Boost. Take it, and you play Russian roulette because either you get high or you die. As the drug claims another victim, I find myself with a new sidekick who is determined to fight its evil influence and he just happens to be the king of the dragon community.

Now I have two deaths to solve and one suave dragon king along for the ride.

I need to find Reggie’s murderer.

I need to discover who killed my parents.

And I need to keep my distance from the charismatic dragon Emory, who refuses to take no for an answer...

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?

A sinister surprise is lying in wait…

With her trusted team all focused on getting justice, Special Agent Lara Grant is relieved to finally see some progress, even if their investigation has now turned to delving into some gruesome events from over twenty years ago.

An exhumation is necessary to unravel all the knots of this case, but Lara is surprised by how close their quarry is… In fact, he's just one step ahead, almost teasing them by how near he is…

Part 6 of 8 in the chilling, high-octane FBI thriller TOUGH JUSTICE from New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy and authors Tyler Anne Snell, Carol Ericson and Gail Barrett.

On Carol Ericson:

"From the first page, Ericson's story will grab readers and cannon them through adventure, tears and terror." —RT Book Reviews on Eyewitness

Avery Keene is backSupreme Court clerk , trying to get her feet on solid ground after unravelling an international conspiracy in .But as the sparks of Congressional hearings and political skirmishes swirl around her, Avery is approached at a legal conference by Preston Davies, an unassuming young man and fellow law clerk to a federal judge in Idaho. Davies believes his boss, Judge Francesca Whitner, was being blackmailed in the days before she died. Desperate to understand what happened, he gives Avery a file, a burner phone, and a fearful warning that there are highly dangerous people involved.While Justice Sleeps

Another shocking murder leads Avery to a list of names – all federal judges – and, alarmingly, all judges on the FISA Court (the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court), also known as America’s "secret court." It is this body which grants permission to the government to wiretap Americans or spy on corporations suspected of terrorism. As Avery digs deeper, she begins to see a frightening pattern – and she worries that something far more sinister may be unfolding inside the nation’s third branch of government. With lives at stake, Avery must race the clock and an unexpected enemy to find the answer.

Drawn from today’s headlines and woven with her unique insider perspective, Stacey Abrams combines twisting plotlines, wry wit, and clever puzzles to create another immensely entertaining suspense novel.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of While Justice Sleeps returns with another riveting and intricately plotted thriller, in which a blackmailed federal judge, a secret court, and a brazen murder may lead to an unprecedented national crisis.

A belated honeymoon turns into a busman’s holiday when gardas Siobhán and Macdara Flannery find themselves investigating a dead body found in a fish and-chips shop …

Siobhán’s brother Eoin’s new family restaurant, The O’Sullivan Six, is so close to opening—but waiting on the necessary permits, plus the heat of July in the village of Kilbane in County Cork, is driving everyone a bit mad. Macdara Flannery comes to the rescue with a plan—take a holiday by the sea and stuff themselves with fish and chips to support the struggling business of the aptly named Mrs. Chipper.

But when they arrive, a crowd is gathered in front of the closed shop: a local fisherman with a fresh cod delivery, a food critic, Mrs. Chipper’s ex-husband who’s opening a competing fish-and-chips shop directly across the street, and a repairman to fix the vent for the deep fryer. With Siobhán and Macdara as witnesses, a local handyman gets the locked door open, only to find the proprietor lying dead and covered in flour at the base of a ladder, its rungs coated in slippery fat. Clearly this was not an accidental tragedy …

Even as the local garda take over the murder investigation, Siobhán and Macdara can’t help themselves from placing their long-delayed honeymoon on hold—at least until they can help apprehend an elusive killer.

Juno Browne, self-proclaimed Domestic Goddess who can turn her hand to cleaning, dog walking or home help jobs, is feeling overworked and underpaid. Her elderly client, Maisie is demanding more of her time and staff absences at the Ashburton antiques shop she also owns are making business difficult. She is not the only one with problems, very serious problems however. Her friend Elizabeth is being blackmailed, and dear Ricky’s errant nephew is on the run from criminals in London.

Juno’s attempts to help take her from an isolated manor house on Dartmoor to London’s glittering theatreland. Can she avoid being fatally entangled in threads of deceit and murder?

Read by the inimitable Christopher Lee are four tales from the great detective’s case book, including bones that won’t stay buried and an exotic South American vampire.

In these four tales from his case book, we find the great detective summoned to investigate mysterious bones which just won’t stay buried, deducing why a hitherto devoted lion should have turned savagely on its keeper, and even on the trail of an exotic South American vampire. But when the merciless Baron Gruner sends hired assassins to intercept him outside the Cafe Royale, it looks as though the Illustrious Client may prove to be Holmes’ last client…

Contains:

The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

The Adventure of the Illustrious Client

The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

“Thriller writing at its best.”

--Midwest Book Review (Any Means Necessary)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author Jack Mars (with over 10,000 five-star reviews) comes a groundbreaking new political thriller series: when the President of the United States or his family are threatened, it is up to Jake Mercer, former Marine sniper turned Secret Service agent, to protect them from dangers—both foreign and domestic.

The fate of a nation lies in the hands of Secret Service Agent Jake Mercer as he races thwart an assassination plot from within his own agency. Can Mercer peel back layers of treachery in time to stop an insider poised to strike at the heart of America?

“Thriller enthusiasts who relish the precise execution of an international thriller, but who seek the psychological depth and believability of a protagonist who simultaneously fields professional and personal life challenges, will find this a gripping story that's hard to put down.”

--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Any Means Necessary)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“One of the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and will keep you hooked from the beginning. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the sequel.”

--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Any Means Necessary)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABSOLUTE TARGET is the seventh book in a new series by #1 bestselling and critically acclaimed author Jack Mars, whose books have received over 10,000 five-star reviews and ratings. The series begins with ABSOLUTE THREAT (book #1).

A gripping and unpredictable political thriller, the Jake Mercer series is a page-turning action series that will leave you unable to put it down. This fresh and exciting action hero will have you turning pages late into the night, and fans of Brad Taylor, Vince Flynn, and Tom Clancy are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available!

London hunts the Ripper. A widow hunts her husband's killer.

London, 1888. While Jack the Ripper's reign of terror grips the city, Emma Langley's world shatters when her husband is found murdered in Whitechapel. But grief is quickly overshadowed by a startling discovery: William Langley was not the man she thought she knew.

As panic fills London's streets, Emma delves into her husband's secret life, uncovering a web of lies that stretches from glittering society drawing rooms to the seedy gambling dens of the East End. Aided by Penny Green, a former reporter with a nose for trouble, Emma follows a trail of blackmail and corruption.

But exposing her husband's killer could make her the next victim and in the shadows of gaslit streets, a murderer waits, ready to strike again…

From the bestselling author of Penny Green comes a spellbinding new Victorian mystery series introducing Emma Langley.

Readers love Emily Organ's Victorian murder mysteries:

‘If you like Agatha Christie books you are going to like this one.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘SUPER, SUPER, SUPER. I have immensely enjoyed all of the Penny Green novels… the only mystery books that I purchase!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A Victorian Delight!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I have read all of this series of books. They are marvellous. I can hardly wait for the next one.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderfully written whodunit… unputdownable.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Good clean mystery in an enjoyable historical setting.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Ms Organ draws you into Penny's world with her delicious descriptions and masterful storytelling.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I have read all of this series of books. They are marvellous. I can hardly wait for the next one.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is an excellent series! Great character development… Very atmospheric.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The whole series is wonderful. The story draws you in quickly and keeps you guessing. The historic accuracy is excellent, and the romantic tension between the two main characters adds to the intrigue.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is the second in the series and just as delightful as the first. Beautifully written, lovely sense of atmosphere and setting. Lovely twist at the end. On to number three!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘You’ll be hooked. The Rookery captured me at page one… a fun mystery with a hint of romance that makes me want to read the next in the series.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I love the Penny Green novels... a smart heroine who is always on the case and the ending was a surprise... read all the way through in one sitting… Can't wait to see what's next for her to solve and the next chapter with James. Treat yourself to these books.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I think I've found my new favorite author… kept me guessing "whodunit" until the very end. I have been reading British mysteries for the past couple of years and no other author has had me reading every spare second of the day.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I’m hooked!... I could not sleep as I could not put this book down.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐