***GIVE THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS EARLY. PRE-ORDER THE NEXT DELICIOUSLY DARK CHRISTMAS MYSTERY FOR FANS OF CLEVER, PUZZLING CRIME. THE PERFECT STOCKING FILLER*** THIS CHRISTMAS, A KILLER TAKES FAMILY GAMES TO A MURDEROUS NEW LEVEL. On 1st of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Edie O’Sullivan finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene – blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. Included in the parcel is a message: ‘Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me.’ It’s signed, Rest In Pieces. Edie contacts her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O’Sullivan, and together they work to solve the clues. But when a man is found near death with a jigsaw piece in his hand, Sean fears that Edie might be in danger and shuts her out of the investigation. As the body count rises, however, Edie knows that only she has the knowledge to put together the killer’s murderous puzzle. Only by fitting all the pieces together will Edie be able to stop a killer – and finally lay her past to rest. Praise for Alexandra Benedict’s Christmas mysteries: 'The perfect gift for quizzers and mystery addicts . . .' Val McDermid ‘Whatever you unwrap for Christmas, you had better hope it’s this book This is 21st-century cosy Christmas crime that doesn’t shy away from the darkness’ Janice Hallett ‘A thrilling journey from start to finish. Highly recommended’ Elly Griffiths ‘It’s wonderful! A page-turning homage to the Golden Age, with a dash of Poirot and a dark, modern heart’ S J Bennett

'A perfectly plotted festive mystery' SUSI HOLLIDAY Twelve clues. Twelve keys. Twelve days of Christmas. But who will survive until Twelfth Night? Lily Armitage never intended to return to Endgame House - the grand family home where her mother died twenty-one Christmases ago. Until she receives a letter from her aunt, asking her to return to take part in an annual tradition: the Christmas Game. The challenge? Solve twelve clues, to find twelve keys. The prize? The deeds to the manor house. Lily has no desire to win the house. But her aunt makes one more promise: The clues will also reveal who really killed Lily's mother all those years ago. So, for the twelve days of Christmas, Lily must stay at Endgame House with her estranged cousins and unravel the riddles that hold the key not just to the family home, but to its darkest secrets. However, it soon becomes clear that her cousins all have their own reasons for wanting to win the house - and not all of them are playing fair. As a snowstorm cuts them off from the village, the game turns deadly. Soon Lily realises that she is no longer fighting for an inheritance, but for her life. This Christmas is to die for . . . Let the game begin

After the sea claims his beloved wife, Lord Adam Westmore abandons the company of high society to live quietly by the beach. He is haunted by his failure to save his late wife from drowning, and he is convinced he will never love again. But, a mysterious woman with bewitching violet eyes soon shatters his lonely existence-and opens his heart to the stirrings of passion once more. Evelyn Waye is in danger. Hunted by a sinister devil, she seeks refuge in Adam's arms. However she doesn't trust men. Cursed with rare beauty, she wonders if Adam intends to exploit her (like others have done before). But, soon Evelyn longs for the strong and enigmatic lord. She also holds a dark secret: she is a royal bride. Can she trust the handsome stranger to protect her from a sadist prince? Or will she prove to be too dangerous to desire?

Like an irresistible siren, the veiled dancer with the bewitching green eyes lures dukes and earls down into London's underworld to see her dance--and succumb to her spell. Some say she's a princess, but only one man knows her darkest secret.

She is Amy Peel, an orphan from the city's rookeries, and she believes the bold rogue who unmasks her to be nothing but a scoundrel--albeit a dangerously handsome one. He may have rescued her from an attempted kidnapping, but she will not give in to his sensual seduction or to the wicked desire she begins to feel . . .

He is Edmund Hawkins, swashbuckling pirate turned reluctant gentleman, and he will not let the lovely Amy slip through his grasp, especially when he learns she's in greater peril than she could possibly know. He will do everything in his power to protect her--for this notorious scoundrel has truly, unbelievably, lost his heart . . .

CAN YOU SOLVE THE CASE?  'Whatever you unwrap for Christmas, you had better hope it’s this book. This is 21st-century cosy Christmas crime that doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Eighteen passengers, seven stops, one killer Christmas read' JANICE HALLETT 'The perfect book to read on a train . . . A thrilling journey from start to finish. Highly recommended' ELLY GRIFFITHS 'It’s wonderful! A page-turning homage to the Golden Age, with a dash of Poirot and a dark, modern heart' S J BENNETT    Eighteen passengers. Seven stops. One killer. In the early hours of Christmas Eve, the sleeper train to the Highlands is derailed, along with the festive plans of its travellers. With the train stuck in snow in the middle of nowhere, a killer stalks its carriages, picking off passengers one by one. Those who sleep on the sleeper train may never wake again. Can former Met detective Roz Parker find the killer before they kill again? All aboard for . . . Murder on the Christmas Express.

Sinfully decadent Anthony Kennington, Viscount Hastings, lives for pleasure-and he rues the day when he must wed and produce an heir. But he is not a man who runs from danger, and when he chances upon an enchanting gypsy maiden in the woods hounded by bandits, he leaps to her defense. Now, surely, there is but one place for the injured and unconscious lovely to properly recuperate: in his bed.

Sabrina is shocked when she awakens in an opulent bedchamber, nursed in every way by a dashing gentleman. She knows she must leave the haven of Anthony's home at once, even though her life is still in grave danger-though a different kind of peril awaits her in the viscount's arms. If Sabrina surrenders to this handsome rogue, she will be an outcast. Yet does she dare ignore the future that's written on his palm-the promise of a shared lifetime of love and ecstasy?

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:

A FORBIDDEN LOVE is a delicious escape "-Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author

" a] lushly written and lusciously sensual debut romance."-John Charles, Booklist

"Debut author Alexandra Benedict has written an intensely emotional historical romance. This new voice is sure to set the hearts of romance readers on fire. A FORBIDDEN LOVE is a truly magnificent debut for Ms. Benedict. This reviewer is absolutely wowed by her grand entrance."-Carol, Romance Junkies, 5 blue ribbons

"There is nothing quite as exciting as finding a fresh, vibrant new voice, and Benedict has it She creates many twists as her plot winds from ballrooms to gypsy camps, leading you and her characters on a thrilling, fast-paced and emotionally intense ride."-Kathe Robin, Romantic Times BOOKreviews, 4 stars

"For a wonderful Regency era romance and an unforgettable hero and heroine, don't miss A FORBIDDEN LOVE."-Jani Brooks, Romance Reviews Today

"This is a fun, fast paced story. There's danger, intrigue and hot romance . . . This is a definite keeper for any romance fan "-Debbie, A Romance Review, 5 roses

A dark and troubled soul, Captain James Hawkins seeks freedom from his tortured past as the infamous pirate, Black Hawk. But when he meets a seductive beauty on the island of Jamaica, he finds a passion greater than any foray at sea.

Sassy, fierce and independent, Sophia Dawson knows her heart's desire - and it's the sexy brigand who tempts her with promises of pleasure. In his arms she finds erotic delight and respite from duty as her mad father's caretaker.

But a storm lurks on the horizon as the couple's heated affair attracts scorn from the islanders. Will James and Sophia weather the brutal tempest ... or will there be trouble in paradise?

MISTRESS OF PARADISE is the prequel to "The Hawkins Brothers" series. Don't miss the other books in the series: THE INFAMOUS ROGUE and THE NOTORIOUS SCOUNDREL.

MISTRESS OF PARADISE is also available as an e-book from HarperCollins Publishers.