Search Results for: Born a Crime

Some fairy tales are born of dreams . . . and some are born of nightmares.

‘I loved Path of Needles. Dark but satisfying like the best chocolate’ ELLY GRIFFITHS, bestselling author of The Postscript Murders

Chrissie Farrell is young, beautiful and about to be crowned Queen of the Dance. But on the evening of her triumph she is abducted and murdered, her body left for the police to find.

With no other clues, the disturbing way in which Chrissie’s body has been posed has PC Cate Corbin at a loss – until university lecturer Alice Hyland is called in. An expert on fairy tales, Alice quickly notices a connection between the murder and an obscure version of Snow White.

When a second body is found, Alice is dragged further into the investigation – and only then realises that she is becoming a suspect.


‘Psychologically complex hybrid of magical realism and police procedural’ Publishers Weekly

Now Alice must fight, not just to prove her innocence, but to protect herself: because the body count is growing and it’s looking like she might be next . . .

It is three days before Christmas and a bitter wind is blowing across Norfolk.

Until her daughter was born, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway didn’t do Christmas, but now that Kate is a year old, she wants it to be special.

She must get a tree, shop for food, clean the house, buy presents, including one for her new boyfriend – who she isn’t even sure is her boyfriend – and remember to get the turkey out of the freezer.

But time is rushing by and the best-laid plans don’t always work out…

A quiet Suffolk village, 1944: Fourteen-year-old Gerald Haxton is a lonely boy who regards his still-born twin brother Jack as his only friend. His mother, a famous children’s writer, guards Jack’s memory jealously, claiming him as the model for the boy detective in her series of adventure stories, and Gerald, disturbed and unpopular, has no hope of ever measuring up to him. Playing in the woods near his home, Gerald discovers the body of his elder sister buried in a shallow grave. She has been beaten to death with a wooden stake and her boyfriend, a young G.I., is hanged for the crime.

London 1995: As the country prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of VE Day, Gerald, who remains a loner, is nearing retirement. Obsessed by routine, he still talks to his dead brother Jack. Surrounded by nostalgic artefacts at the TV prop-hire company where he works, he is constantly reminded of the past, and, with it, his sister Vera’s death. Hoping to escape his lonely existence, he takes to following Mel, the twelve-year-old daughter of a colleague. A few days later, Mel, who bears a striking resemblance to Vera, disappears…

‘This haunting supernatural thriller is full of hidden treasure that will delight you long after you’ve turned the last page’ Sarah Pinborough, bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes

Maria King knows a secret London. Born blind, she knows the city by sound and touch and smell but now that surgery has restored her sight, the world seems a scarier place and she doesn’t want to see it.

DCI Jonathan Dark also sees a different side to the city. He’s in the shadows, haunted by his failure to save a woman from the hands of stalker, and he won’t let it happen again.

Now a killer has set his sights on Maria, and Jonathan must find a way to stop him.
But when gathering evidence, you can’t choose your source.
Can you save the living by talking to the dead?

‘AK Benedict is snapping at the heels of Ben Aaronovitch as one of the new stars of the sub-genre of crime with a supernatural twist’ Sunday Express

America’s most acclaimed crime writer and winner of the CWA Gold Dagger returns to Louisiana with his great detective, Dave Robicheaux

Three men are present when Amanda Boudreau is raped and murdered, and small-time hustler Tee Bobby Hulin’s prints are found at the crime scene. Dave Robicheaux reckons he’s innocent, and Tee Bobby pleads so, then attempts suicide in his holding cell. Why?

Tee Bobby is released on bail and soon after there is a second murder. When lawyer Perry LaSalle takes on the defence of Tee Bobby, Dave knows his motives are fuelled by guilt. For Tee Bobby’s grandmother was seduced by Perry’s grandfather, and Amanda Boudreau’s death is related to events that happened long before Tee Bobby was born…

Praise for one of the great American crime writers, James Lee Burke:

‘James Lee Burke is the heavyweight champ, a great American novelist whose work, taken individually or as a whole, is unsurpassed.’ Michael Connelly

‘A gorgeous prose stylist.’ Stephen King

‘Richly deserves to be described now as one of the finest crime writers America has ever produced.’ Daily Mail

Fans of Dennis Lehane, Michael Connelly and Don Winslow will love James Lee Burke:

Dave Robicheaux Series

1. The Neon Rain
2. Heaven’s Prisoners
3. Black Cherry Blues
4. A Morning for Flamingos
5. A Stained White Radiance
6. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead
7. Dixie City Jam
8. Burning Angel
9. Cadillac Jukebox
10. Sunset Limited
11. Purple Cane Road
12. Jolie Blon’s Bounce
13. Last Car to Elysian Fields
14. Crusader’s Cross
15. Pegasus Descending
16. The Tin Roof Blowdown
17. Swan Peak
18. The Glass Rainbow
19. Creole Belle
20. Light of the World
21. Robicheaux

Hackberry Holland Series

1. Lay Down My Sword and Shield
2. Rain Gods
3. Feast Day of Fools
4. House of the Rising Sun

Billy Bob Holland Series

1. Cimarron Rose
2. Heartwood
3. Bitterroot
4. In The Moon of Red Ponies

* Each James Lee Burke novel can be read as a standalone or in series order *

No-holds-barred account of one of Britain’s most gifted and creative musical talents

In 2003, at the age of 17, Dizzee Rascal became an overnight name to drop when his debut album, Boy In Da Corner, beat Coldplay, Radiohead and The Darkness to the Mercury Music Prize.

Dizzee was born in Nigeria, but raised by his mum in Bow, east London after the death of his father when he was two years old. Dizzee was thrown out of four schools in four years, got involved with drugs and crime. But, whilst he dropped out of most formal education, music always had a guiding influence on Dizzee.

With four bestselling albums to his name, Dizzee is not only famed for pioneering grime – his style has evolved and progressed and he has become one of the biggest popstars in the UK today. Recent collaborations with artists as diverse as Arctic Monkeys and Fatboy Slim demonstrate Dizzee’s vision and musical genius. Citing influences which range from old skool hip hop to jungle and heavy metal, Dizzee embodies an artist with a unique talent who’s pioneering approach guarantee his longevity.

A superb, powerful thriller from ‘one of crime fiction’s new stars’ [Sunday Telegraph]

John Harper has always been alone. His mother died when he was just seven years old and he was raised in New York by an aunt he barely knew. He never even made his father’s acquaintance – a man who died shortly after he was born. After leaving the Big Apple as soon as he was old enough, his life consisted of one moderately successful book, a collection of affectionately received newspaper columns and a comfortable existence in Miami.

Then everything changes. A liquor store heist goes wrong – and turns John’s existence on its head. It seems that his father didn’t die all those years ago. In fact, he has thrived in the New York underworld. But now the man himself lies critically injured in a Manhattan hospital and it’s time for father and son to meet at last . . .

The search for a missing boy gives Myron Bolitar far more than he bargained for…
From the bestselling author of SIX YEARS.

The boy was born and raised on the Main Line. But he vanished on Philadelphia’s mean streets – last seen in a down-town cheater’s hotel. For sports agent Myron Bolitar, his client, superstar Linda Coldren, comes first, and that means unravelling the mystery of her son’s kidnapping.

But when Myron goes after the missing boy, he crashes through a crowd of low-lifes, blue bloods and liars on both sides of the social divide. And when family skeletons start coming out of the closet, Myron is about to find out how deadly life can get…

Ruler. Puppet Master. Killer.

Glory. Death. Well-born Athenian cavalry officer, Kineas, fought shoulder to shoulder with Alexander in his epic battles against the Persian hordes. But on his return from the east to his native city, he finds not glory but shame – and exile.

With nothing to his name but his military skills, Kineas agrees to lead a band of veterans to the city of Olbia, where the Tyrant is offering good money to train the city’s elite cavalry. But soon Kineas and his men find they have stumbled into a deadly maze of intrigue and conspiracy as the Tyrant plots to use them as pawns in the increasingly complex power games between his own citizens, and the dread military might of Macedon.

Caught between his duty to the Tyrant, his loyalty to his men and a forbidden love affair with a charismatic Scythian noblewoman, Kineas must call on all his Athenian guile, his flair on the battlefield, and even – he is convinced – the intervention of the gods, to survive.

The East-End stories that inspired the BBC TV series, CALL THE MIDWIFE, in a gorgeous gift box.

London’s East End in the 1950s was a tough place: the struggles of post-war life – bombsites, overcrowded tenements, crime, brothels – bred a culture of tight-knit family communities, larger-than-life characters and a lively social scene. It was into this world that Jennifer Worth entered as a trainee midwife. But docklands life was tough, and babies were often born in slum conditions.

In funny, disturbing and heartbreaking stories, Jennifer Worth recounts her time among nuns, prostitutes, abortionists, bigamists, gangsters and expectant mothers, portraying East Enders’ amazing resilience – and their warmth and humour in the face of hardship. Written with affection and nostalgia, her midwife stories chronicle the lives, traditions and tales of a bygone era.

MAX WALKER – BLUE-EYED BOY OR GIRL NEXT DOOR?

‘Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. – S J WATSON

‘A gripping read. Tarttelin is a natural storyteller’ MATT HAIG

‘Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author’ WE LOVE THIS BOOK

To the outside world, Max Walker is a golden boy: a loving son and brother, the perfect student, captain of the football team and every girl’s dream boyfriend. But Max was born intersex – neither fully boy nor fully girl. Now something terrible has happened to him, the consequences of which have left him questioning his gender identity.

Can the people around him – his girlfriend, his classmates, his ambitious parents – accept him for who he is? Or will Max’s secret tear his world apart?

Now a major Hollywood film starring Daniel Radcliffe: read it first, if you dare …

Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with one hell of a hangover, a raging headache … and a pair of horns growing from his temples.

Once, Ig lived the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned American musician, and the younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, Ig had security and wealth and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more – he had the love of Merrin Williams, a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic.

Then beautiful, vivacious Merrin was gone – raped and murdered, under inexplicable circumstances – with Ig the only suspect. He was never tried for the crime, but in the court of public opinion, Ig was and always would be guilty.

Now Ig is possessed with a terrible new power – with just a touch he can see people’s darkest desires – to go with his terrible new look, and he means to use it to find the man who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It’s time for a little revenge; it’s time the devil had his due.

Readers love Horns:

‘Truly scary and disturbing . . . I also loved the devilish humour inserted throughout the story’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘it wasn’t hard to get into the story because Joe Hill’s writing has this dark humour to it . . . he created such an amazing book with a concept that just blows my mind just think about it’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘This brutal and edgy story is a dark fantasy full of mystery and tension. The characters in this story are human, they’re likeable and they have their faults . . . What an incredible talent. Highly Recommend‘ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘Hill crafts one fiery tale that is compact, emotional, and darkly fantastic . . . It’s a very easy, yet compelling read . . . if you like horror, dark fantasy or a thriller that’s a little bit out there, give this a try’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘Becomes a unique mystery, love story, coming of age tale that brings all the characters to vivid life. It’s horrible, beautiful, emotional, darkly humorous and one of the best books I’ve read’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘I am so pleased to say that Joe Hill has followed in the footsteps of his father, the King of horror (see what I did there?!), and has adopted a writing style that keeps you engrossed . . . your heart will be ripped from your chest and squeezed until you sob over the pages of the book’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Two years have passed since the events of THE ORDER OF THE SCALES. Across the realms, dragons are still hatching. Hatching, and hatching free.

Skorl is an Ember, a soldier trained from birth to fight dragons. He is a living weapon, one-shot only, saturated with enough dragon-poison to bring down a monster all on his own. Misanthrope, violent and a drunk, to fulfil his purpose and slay a dragon, means to be eaten. Now Skorl has a choice: he can hang for his crimes, or he can go with the last of the Adamantine Men, fighting against an enemy he was born to face.

Rat is an Outsider. He’s on the run and he’s stumbled onto something that’s going to make him rich beyond all his dreams. It’s just a shame that the end of the world has started without him.

Kataros is an alchemist, one of the order responsible for keeping the dragons in check. One of the order that has just failed, and disastrously so.

Two men, one woman. One chance to save the world from a storm of dragons …

The star of JUSTIFIED returns in a stunning new novel from ‘the greatest crime writer who ever lived’ [Dennis Lehane].

US Marshal Raylan Givens, star of the series JUSTIFIED, and protagonist of RIDING THE RAP, PRONTO and the story ‘Fire in the Hole’, is back in action, this time with a federal warrant to serve on a dope dealer named Angel Arenas, a man ‘born in the U.S. but a hundred percent of him Hispanic’. The state troopers are impressed when the marshal struts into the convict’s hotel room without drawing his gun, but Raylan soon finds that Angel’s already been the victim of another crime, one that’s way bigger than a few pot plants, and clearly the work of a professional …

RAYLAN shows Elmore Leonard at the height of his powers, as we follow one of his favourite protagonists through a series of adventures with unlikely villains. As ever, the work is filled with unexpected twists and the most vibrant, crackling dialogue currently available in the English language.