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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > Crime & mystery > Historical mysteries
A dangerous American is in town, but is he really responsible for a
deadly crime spree in Leeds? Leeds, June 1913. Deputy Chief
Constable Tom Harper is a busy man. He's overseeing a national
suffragist pilgrimage due in Leeds that his wife Annabelle intends
to join, and his daughter Mary has exciting plans of her own. Then
a letter arrives from police in New York: Davey Mullen, an American
gangster born in Leeds, is on his way back to the city, fleeing a
bloody gang war. Despite Tom's best efforts to keep an eye on him,
Davey's arrival triggers a series of chilling events in the city.
Is he responsible for the sudden surge in crime, violence and
murder on Leeds's streets? Facing a mounting workload, Tom must
hunt down a cold-blooded killer while also confronting danger and
tragedy close to home.
An enchanting tale of secrets and deception that stretches from the
heaths of Suffolk to the banks of the Seine.Annie Sancerre is
looking for love. After her husband was killed in the trenches of
the Great War, she found herself putting motherhood before
everything else, whatever the cost. So when the kind and gentle
Fergus Cameron proposes, Annie realises a life with him could bring
both comfort and security. Then she meets debonair lawyer Richard
Ross near her home in Kew and her future is thrown into doubt. But
why does Richard seem to know more about her past than she does?
From bestseller Teresa Crane comes an elaborate mystery of love
both lost and found. Praise for Treacherous Waters 'This is
compulsive reading' Marina Oliver, author of The Accidental
Marriage
Be swept away with this breathtaking and beautifully written
wartime romance set deep in the French Alps, from the bestselling
author behind Channel 5's Carol Drinkwater's Secret Provence 'A
moving story of love and friendship' KATE MOSSE 'Each sentence
shimmers' MY WEEKLY 'A virtual hug of a tale' JOANNE HARRIS
'Exciting, evocative' DAILY MAIL 'Emotional and moving' FIONA VALPY
'A beautiful book' WOMAN & HOME, Historical Novels of the Year
________ France, 1943. Forced to flee war ravaged Poland, Sara and
her parents are offered refuge in a beautiful but dilapidated house
in the French Alps. It seems the perfect hideaway, despite haunting
traces of the previous occupants who left in haste. But shadows
soon fall over Sara's blissful summer, and her blossoming romance
with local villager Alain. As the Nazis close in, the family is
forced to make a harrowing choice that could drive them apart
forever, while Sara's own bid for freedom risks several lives . . .
Will her family make it through the summer together? And can she
hold onto the love she has found with Alain? By turns poignant and
atmospheric, this is the compelling new novel from Sunday Times
bestselling author Carol Drinkwater about the power of first love
and courage in our darkest hours. ________ 'Romantic, evocative,
and pulse racingly dramatic' WENDY HOLDEN 'A moving story of love,
friendship and bravery that simply races along' WOMAN'S WEEKLY 'A
terrific story . . . skilfully written and heart-rending' MIRIAM
MARGOLYES 'I love Carol Drinkwater's writing . . . So evocative of
the south of France - you can almost smell the maquis . . .
Engrossing' Reader Review 'Carol skilfully draws us in to the
beautiful Alpes Maritimes region of France to tell the story of
Sara . . . the writing is evocative and Sara's story is both moving
and inspiring' Sheila O'Flanagan, bestselling author of The Women
Who Ran Away 'Great storyline, great characters. A thoroughly
enjoyable read' Reader Review 'I enjoyed it very much . . . it's
her best' Elizabeth Buchan, author of The Museum of Broken Promises
'A wonderful, enjoyable novel with courage and survival at its
heart' Elizabeth Chadwick, author of The Wild Hunt series 'One not
to be missed ... tells a part of history that should never be
forgotten' Shirley Dickson, author of The Lost Children Praise for
Carol Drinkwater: 'I was hooked from the start' Dinah Jefferies
'Carol Drinkwater's writing is like taking an amazing holiday in
book form' Jenny Colgan 'Beautifully woven and compelling' Rowan
Coleman 'Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets - I
loved this' Santa Montefiore
The city of Arkham falls prey to ghoulish dread in this chilling
anthology of action-packed adventure, from the bestselling world of
Arkham Horror Something monstrous has come to Arkham,
Massachusetts. There have always been shadows here, but now a new
hunger has risen from the depths and threatens those who dwell
here. But there are heroes too - people who stand up and fight to
stem the tide, even when it costs them everything. Explore eight
shocking new tales of occult horror, captivating mystery, and
existential fear - from a zealous new heroine to conniving
cultists, bootleg whiskey to night terrors, and fiends that crawl
from open graves. A nightmare has fallen across Arkham, and it will
devour all.
The arrival of an unexpected guest means trouble ahead for the
residents of Thorncroft House in this deftly-plotted Victorian
mystery. On a freezing winter's night, with the household in
mourning following the death of the dowager Lady Croft, the
residents of Thorncroft House are roused from their beds by the
arrival of an unexpected visitor. Although Lady Stanton seems
reluctant to explain the reasons for her visit, housekeeper Harriet
Rowsley would never turn a stranger from the door; she offers Lady
Stanton and her servants all the hospitality at her disposal,
however secretive and arrogant the new guest might be. But tensions
arise over the following days, with both visitors and servants
trapped indoors by the snow, and Lady Stanton proving a difficult
and demanding guest. The situation worsens on the discovery of the
body of a young housemaid lying crumpled at the foot of the stairs.
A tragic accident . or something more sinister? Who exactly is Lady
Stanton, and why has she come to Thorncroft? Has her arrival
anything to do with the housemaid's death? As the household remains
trapped and tensions escalate, Harriet and her husband Matthew are
forced to face the fact that they may be harbouring a murderer in
their midst .
LONDON 1881: Panic reigns in Bayswater as a ruthless murderer
prowls the foggy streets of the nation's capital. Residents live in
fear, rumours and accusations abound, and vigilante groups patrol
by night. It is not, of course, a suitable investigation for a lady
detective, but when a friend falls victim to the killer's knife,
Frances Doughty is drawn into this sinister new case. Myth and
reality collide in another thrilling mystery that will stretch
Frances' powers of deduction - and her courage - to the limit.
June, 1914. Following three, seemingly unrelated suicides, DI Silas
Quinn knows he must uncover the link between the three men if he is
to discover what caused them to take their own lives. The one clue
is a card each victim was carrying, depicting a crudely-drawn red
hand. To find out what it means, Quinn must revisit his own dark
past.
When the family butler is brutally attacked, land agent Matthew
Rowsley and his wife Harriet determine to find the culprit in this
gripping Victorian mystery. With his lordship's mental health
failing, management of his grand country estate has been assigned
to a group of trustees, including land agent Matthew Rowsley and
his capable wife Harriet. But the smooth running of Thorncroft
House is disrupted by a series of unforeseen events. Building work
on the estate workers' new cottages is halted by the discovery of
Roman remains. Shortly afterwards, the family butler is brutally
assaulted and left for dead. A random attack - or was he
deliberately targeted? Matters take an even more disturbing turn
when Lord Croft's long-lost cousin and heir, Julius Trescothick,
arrives from Australia, ready to claim his inheritance. But is he
who he claims to be . and what are his true intentions? If they are
to preserve Thorncroft House and a way of life that has continued
for centuries, Matthew and Harriet must uncover the truth behind
Trescothick's identity and solve a series of interlocking
mysteries.
An ancient and mysterious book leads Crispin Guest into a deadly
maze in this latest medieval noir mystery. 1394, London. Crispin
Guest, Tracker of London, is enjoying his ale in the Boar's Tusk
tavern - until a stranger leaves a mysterious wrapped bundle on his
table, telling him, "You'll know what to do." Inside is an ancient
leather-bound book written in an unrecognizable language.
Accompanied by his apprentice, Jack Tucker, Crispin takes the
unknown codex to a hidden rabbi, where they make a shocking
discovery: it is the Gospel of Judas from the Holy Land, and its
contents challenge the very doctrine of Christianity itself.
Crispin is soon drawn into a deadly maze involving murder, living
saints, and lethal henchmen. Why was he given the blasphemous book,
and what should he do with it? A series of horrific events confirm
his fears that there are powerful men who want it - and who will
stop at nothing to see it destroyed.
Shanghai, 1928. The body of a blonde is washed up on the Beach of
Dead Babies, in the heart of the smog-filled city. Seemingly a
suicide, a closer inspection reveals a darker motive: the corpse
has been weighed down, it's lower half mutilated...and the Chinese
character for 'justice' carved into the chest. The moment Inspector
Danilov lays eyes on the dismembered body, he realises that he has
an exceptional case on his hands. And when the first body is
followed by another, and another, each displaying a new, bloody
message, he has no option but face the truth. He is dealing with
the worst kind of criminal; someone determined, twisted...and
vengeful. Someone who must be caught....whatever the cost. Death in
Shanghai is the first novel in M J Lee's Inspector Danilov series,
perfect for fans of Philip Kerr.
'For a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, Lindsey
Davis' latest Flavia Alba novel won't be beaten and offers an
immersive experience of a vibrant world full of real, recognisable
characters' Mike Ripley, Shotsmag Don't go to the Grove . . .
Julius Caesar left his gardens to the citizens of Rome, a peaceful
sanctuary across the Tiber. Now the gardens and their sacred grove
are dangerous haunts, especially for women alone. 'Don't go to the
Grove,' people mutter, but when her husband has to leave Rome, it
falls to Albia to supervise his building project in an old grotto.
Why has someone buried tattered scrolls by obscure philosophers -
and does it involve a worse crime than terrible writing? Soon that
puzzle is overtaken. A woman disappears from her husband's birthday
party; she meets a dire fate, then Albia learns that on the same
night, two louche slaves given to her family by the brooding
Emperor Domitian also vanished in the gardens. Apparently, it is
well known that a killer lurks there. The vigiles have failed to
investigate properly for decades and this won't improve when the
sinister agent Karus arrives. Albia must co-operate, in order to
give the many victims justice and find answers for grieving
relatives. But can she herself remain safe? And, after others have
failed, can she at last identify the predator who has made the
Grove his killing ground? Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia
Albia series 'Lindsey Davis has seen off all her competitors to
become the unassailable market leader in the 'crime in Ancient
Rome' genre . . . Davis's squalid, vibrant Rome is as pleasurable
as ever' - Guardian 'Davis's prose is a lively joy, and Flavia's
Rome is sinister and gloriously real' - The Times on Sunday 'For
fans of crime fiction set in the ancient world, this one is not to
be missed' - Booklist 'Davis's books crackle with wit and knowledge
. . . She has the happy knack of making the reader feel entirely
immersed in Rome' - The Times
Deadly drinks, vicious gangsters, missing money . . . Reluctant
sleuth Maddie Pastore is back with a bang, in the second Mystic's
Accomplice historical mystery set in 1920s Chicago. "Miley's
storytelling skills do justice to her clever, gutsy, and endearing
protagonist. This is a real treat for readers who love stories set
in the Roaring '20s"- Publishers Weekly Starred Review December,
1924. Young widow Maddie Pastore feels fortunate to be employed by
the well-meaning but fraudulent medium Carlotta Romany.
Investigating Carlotta's clients isn't work she's proud of, but
she's proud of how well she does it. Maddie's talents, however,
draw them unwelcome attention: sharp-eyed Officer O'Rourke from the
Chicago Police. He doesn't believe in spiritualism - but in a city
packed with mobsters, con artists and criminals, he'll take any
help he can get. It's not long before Maddie has a case to bring
him. Why did teetotal banker Herman Quillen die of alcohol
poisoning? And who is the gold-toothed man claiming to be his
brother, and demanding the spirits reveal where Herman hid his
money? All Maddie wants is to uncover the truth - but to her
horror, she's soon mixed up in a tangled web of secrets and
deception that leads to the heart of Chicago's violent gangs . . .
and she'll need all her wits about her if she, and her loved ones,
are going to make it out again alive. Spirits and Smoke, the sequel
to The Mystic's Accomplice, is an ideal pick for readers who enjoy
Jazz Age mysteries with feisty female sleuths, sparkling historical
detail and Prohibition high-jinks.
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Bess Crawford mystery series, a short story that unravels dark secrets from her close friend Simon Brandon’s past.
Years before the Great War summoned Bess Crawford to serve as a battlefield nurse, the indomitable heroine spent her childhood in India under the watchful eye of her friend and confidant, the young soldier Simon Brandon. The two formed an inseparable bond on the dangerous Northwest Frontier where her father’s Regiment held the Khyber Pass against all intruders. It was Simon who taught Bess to ride and shoot, escorted her to the bazaars and the Maharani’s Palace, and did his best to keep her out of trouble, after the Crawford family took an interest in the tall, angry boy with a mysterious past.
But the Crawfords have long guarded secrets for Simon and he owes them a debt that runs deeper than Bess could ever know. Told through the eyes of Melinda, Richard, Clarissa, and Bess, A Hanging at Dawn pieces together a mystery at the center of Bess’s family that will irrevocably change the course of her future.
A series of grisly deaths are linked to the sacred Stone of Scone
in this compelling medieval mystery featuring friar-sleuth Brother
Athelstan. "This abbey is a strange place, Brother Athelstan. A
hall of ghosts, a place of flitting shadows. The dead throng here.
I can hear them whispering as they ride the air." During the harsh
winter of 1381 murder stalks the streets of London in all its
grisly forms. The city's prostitutes are falling prey to a silent,
deadly assassin known as The Flayer who carefully peels his
victims' skins for his collection. At the same time, Westminster
Abbey, which houses the sacred Stone of Scone, is plagued by a
series of hideous poisonings. Could there be a connection between
these brutally violent deaths and the stone, which the English
crown cherishes as a symbol of its rule over Scotland? Then there
are the two former Upright Men, leaders of the Great Revolt, who
are found mysteriously hanged in the Piebald Tavern, close to
Brother Athelstan's parish church of St Erconwald - and Athelstan
is faced with his most baffling investigation to date. Can he
navigate this deadly maze of murder and intrigue and pull the
various threads together?
From the million-copy Sunday Times bestseller comes a breathtaking
story of family secrets and forbidden love. Idyllic Cornwall, a
lost garden, a love story from long ago . . . A hundred years ago,
Lamorna Cove, a tiny, picturesque bay in Cornwall, was the haunt of
a colony of artists. Today, Mel Pentreath hopes it will be a place
she can escape the pain of losing her mother and a broken love
affair, and gradually put her life back together. Renting a cottage
in the enchanting grounds of Merryn Hall, Mel embraces her new
surroundings and offers to help her landlord Patrick restore the
overgrown garden. Soon she is daring to believe her life can be
rebuilt. Then Patrick finds some old paintings in the attic, and as
he and Mel investigate the identity of the artist, they are drawn
into an extraordinary tale of illicit passion and thwarted ambition
from a century ago, a tale that resonates in their own lives. But
how long can Mel's idyll last before reality breaks in and
everything is threatened? Praise for Rachel Hore: 'Compelling,
engrossing and moving; a perfect holiday indulgence' SANTA
MONTEFIORE 'Fascinating, hugely readable . . . Rachel Hore's
research and her mastery of the subject is deeply impressive' JUDY
FINNIGAN 'Engrossing and romantic, it's a wonderful story of family
secrets and the choices women make' JANE THYNNE 'Another of this
year's top offerings' Daily Mail 'Pitched perfectly for a holiday
read' Guardian 'A tender and thoughtful tale' Sunday Mirror 'A
romantic read' Good Housekeeping 'A perfect escapist treat for your
next holiday - if you can wait that long' Eastern Daily Press
Rebellion in the city, and a Royalist spy in his own ranks - Damian
Seeker, Captain of Oliver Cromwell's guard, must eradicate both in
this twisty, action-packed historical thriller for fans of CJ
Sansom, Rory Clements and The Three Musketeers. 'MacLean skilfully
weaves together the disparate threads of her plot to create a
gripping tale of crime and sedition in an unsettled city' Sunday
Times London, 1655, and Cromwell's regime is under threat from all
sides. Damian Seeker, Captain of Cromwell's Guard, is all too aware
of the danger facing Cromwell. Parliament resents his control of
the Army while the Army resents his absolute power. In the east end
of London, a group of religious fanatics plots rebellion. In the
midst of all this, a stonemason uncovers a perfectly preserved body
dressed in the robes of a Dominican friar, bricked up in a wall in
the crumbling Black Friars. Ill-informed rumours and speculation
abound, but Seeker instantly recognises the dead man. What he must
discover is why he met such a hideous end, and what his connection
was to the children who have started to disappear from around the
city. Unravelling these mysteries is challenging enough, and made
still harder by the activities of dissenters at home, Royalist
plotters abroad and individuals who are not what they seem...
First in a brand-new Victorian mystery series featuring steward
Matthew Rowsley and housekeeper Mrs Faulkner as an engaging
detective duo. Newly appointed as land agent to the youthful Lord
Croft, Matthew Rowsley finds plenty to keep him busy as he attends
to his lordship's neglected country estate. But he's distracted
from his tasks by the disappearance of a young housemaid. Has
Maggie really eloped with a young man, as her mother attests - or
is the truth rather more sinister? What's been going on behind the
scenes at the grand country estate . and where has his lordship
disappeared to? Teaming up with housekeeper Mrs Faulkner to get to
the bottom of the matter, Matthew uncovers a number of disturbing
secrets, scandals and simmering tensions within the household.
Something rotten is going on at Thorncroft - and it's up to Matthew
and Mrs Faulkner to unearth the truth.
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