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The eleventh enthralling adventure to feature Ursula Blanchard, reluctant spy in the service of Queen Elizabeth I

February, 1571. Ursula is once more plunged into affairs of the state when she escorts her foster daughter Margaret to the Netherlands to meet her suitor. The queens spymaster, Sir William Cecil, learns that the wealthy Italian banker Roberto Ridolfi will be hosting their forthcoming wedding a man who he fears may once again be plotting to put Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne. But Ursula is also about to come face-to-face with her greatest enemy and the exiled Countess of Northumberland is not the only figure from Ursulas past to put in a surprising appearance.

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On-board the MV Helios, cruising around the Mediterranean, copywriter David Ansell is seeking inspiration to write a glowing account of his voyage for the ships owner, Rex Cruising Company. His inspiration comes in the form of the blonde and beautiful Melanie Caine and they are inseparable for the rest of the cruise.

Back home in suburbia with his wife, Ansell is pining for Melanie, so is delighted to get a call from her summoning him to meet her along with the toy monkey she asked him to take through customs for her.

When she doesnt turn up, he assumes shes got cold feet and no longer wants to pursue their relationship. However, when reports of a womans body being found, horrifically tortured, are aired on the news and Ansells home is broken into with tragic consequences it seems theres something that Ansell may have that someone will do anything to find . . .

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A village with a dark code for Woodend to crack

To be Witch Makers in the moorland village of Hallerton is both a great honour and a heavy burden. It is he who, after years of painstaking apprenticeship, constructs the effigy of Meg Ramsden - he who ties it to the stake and burns it before a bitterly jeering crowd. But this Witch Maker - only the twenty-fourth in the 450 years of the ceremony - never lives to witness his moment of triumph.

This Witch Maker is discovered tied to the Witching Post early one morning with a length of twine wrapped tightly around his neck. DCI Charlie Woodend prides himself on knowing how villages work - but has absolutely no idea at all what makes this one tick. Why do the villagers, who almost revered their Witch Maker, seem so unwilling to help the police? Why have there been so many suicides in this apparently sleepy hamlet? And why, when he has peeled away one level of secrets, does he find nothing underneath but an even deeper level?

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A series of increasingly violent assaults is shrouding the happy-go-lucky resort of Blackpool in a veil of terror.

It seems only a matter of time before one of these brutal attacks leads to the ultimate crime - murder. The police response, coordinated by an increasingly harassed DCI Henry Christie, seems to be getting nowhere fast and the public are growing restless.

Then, with the gruesome discovery of a young girl's body, and the abduction of another, Henry finds himself heading a high-profile, nationally scrutinised investigation which stretches his reputation and credibility to breaking point as he finds himself pitted against a devious killer from his past, and, of course, his own inner demons.

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To celebrate the Crime Writers Association Diamond Jubilee, a collection of original stories from distinguished members of the CWA especially commissioned for this volume

An eclectic collection of short stories from the following members of the CWA: SIMON BRETT ANN CLEEVES LIZA CODY LINDSEY DAVIS MARTIN EDWARDS RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS CHRISTOPHER FOWLER JOHN HARVEY DAVID HEWSON ALISON JOSEPH PETER LOVESEY CLAIRE McGOWAN MICHAEL RIDPATH PETER ROBINSON CATH STAINCLIFFE ANDREW TAYLOR CHARLES TODD MARGARET YORKE

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A spine-chilling tale of supernatural suspense from the acclaimed author of DARK ECHOES

Billionaire Saul Abercrombie owns a vast tract of land on the Pembrokeshire coast. By restoring the original forest that covered the area before medieval times, he believes he will rekindle the spirits of ancient folklore. But the re-planting of the forest will revive an altogether darker and more dangerous entity - and young arboreal expert Tom Curtis will find himself engaging in an epic, ancient battle between good and evil. A battle in which there can be only one survivor.

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In his latest thrilling adventure, ex MI5 Harry Tate is ordered to trace someone as tough, well-trained and resourceful as himself

When a Russian hit team catches up with Roman Tobinskiy, political opponent of Moscow and former FSB colleague of Alexander Litvinenko (murdered by polonium poisoning in 2006), it's an easy kill; he's lying helpless in a hospital bed. They realise too late that in an adjacent room is Clare Jardine, ex-MI6 officer, recovering from wounds while saving Harry Tate's life.

When Clare goes on the run, Harry is ordered to track her down before the Russians reach her. It's one of his toughest challenges yet. For not only is Clare as adept at covering her tracks as Harry is himself, but the Russians are not the only ones chasing her.

Harry is about to come up against an old enemy from his past. And if he is to save Clares life as she saved his he must seek help from a most unlikely source.

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A spellbinding saga of family, trust, secrets . . . and love

Hampshire 1850. Beth Langton has been running her large family estate for nine months now, after the death of her father. Under the watchful eyes of her godfather and guardian, Lord Edward Sharland, and an excellent estate manager, Henry Greenway, she is loving the work.

After a week away with Henry buying cattle, terrible news is waiting for her on her return. The father of her best friend, Lady Helen Denton, has shot himself after running up gambling debts, leaving Helen destitute. Beth persuades Helen to come and live with her, although Helen is too proud to take charity and insists she work as a paid companion.

The girls soon settle happily together, but further tragedy awaits. Beth is informed by a stranger that her beloved guardian, away on business, has died. The stranger claims to be Edwards heir, making him her legal guardian and he has the paperwork to prove it. But can they trust him? And should they?

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Spencer's latest is her best: an ingenious puzzle that goes straight to the heart' - Kirkus Starred Review

A miscarriage of justice for DCI Woodend

Though it is thirty years since Margaret Dodds was tried and executed for the brutal murder of her second husband, many troubling questions raised during the trial are still left unanswered. Why would she choose to commit the crime in such a way that the finger of suspicion would almost inevitably point at her? Why did she insist, even when all hope of reprieve had gone, that she was not guilty?

Her daughter, an influential lawyer, wants her name cleared. The investigating officer, now a powerful politician with a seat in the House of Lords, is determined to ensure that the verdict stands. And Chief Inspector Charlie Woodend, charged with stripping away three decades of lies and deceit, finds that - once again - his superiors have presented him with a poisoned chalice.

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July 1478, and business is good for Bristol's bakers during the lead up to Lammastide - 'Loaf-mass', the ancient harvest festival.

But the shady Jasper Fairbrother's baking days are over when he's found face down with a knife in his back. Suspicion immediately falls on the mysterious Breton who'd arrived that day and had been seen having an argument with Fairbrother. But when it emerges that the Breton is also a suspected Lancastrian spy, Roger the Chapman wonders if suspicion of murder is merely a convenient pretext for the authorities to hunt down the Breton.

True, there is no reason for Roger to take an interest in the case, and should he when he ought to be peddling his wares to provide for his new baby boy? But his curiosity and sense of justice is piqued - and before he finds out who murdered the baker, he is to become more than a little personally involved as some of the things nearest and dearest to his heart come under threat.

"Sedley offers an absorbing view of 15th-century English society and politics, along with an intricate plot to keep readers guessing"

"Exceptionally well written and wondefully entertaining. A fine addition for all mystery collections"

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Meet Rona Parish, a talented biographer who has a skill for writing about the past and encountering danger along the way, and her adorable golden retriever, Gus.

Rona Parish has to verify a rumour of what seems to be a huge scandal which happened a long time ago at a closed-down school. But will the past catch up with her before she can unravel the truth?

Biographer Rona Parish is at her wits end when she struggles to finish her latest writing project. Open to distraction, she catches up with her friends and family and tries to clear her head in the meantime.

An old school photograph in which someone seems to have been blacked out hints at a curious event . . .

A far more inconvenient distraction, her twin sister Lindsey persuades her to use her detective skills for a discovery concerning an old school photograph in which someone deliberately blacked out a figure. Who is the mysterious person in the photograph and why would someone want to hide their identity?

Rona Parish has to uncover long-forgotten secrets and a rumoured scandal that took place decades ago . . .

Reluctantly, Rona takes on the job and tries to put the pieces together. But investigating a decades-old scandal proves trickier than she anticipated, and brings up the question if this story will stay buried after all . . .

A page-turning cosy mystery set in the fictional English market town of Marsborough in the stunning Chiltern Hills.

Fans of M.C. Beaton, Richard Osman, Reverend Richard Coles, G.M. Malliet, Margery Allingham, Betty Rowlands and Faith Martin will love this series.

READERS ADORE RONA PARISH:

Excellent mystery
I enjoy this series and like catching up with Rona Parish and her extended family
This is a good clean murder mystery
British cozy fans will enjoy the sophisticated plot and country atmosphere Booklist
Solid plotting complements the authors in-depth examinations of the varied relationships among her characters, in particular the bond between Rona and Lindsey Publishers Weekly

The Rona Parish mysteries
1. Brought to Book
2. Jigsaw
3. Person or Persons Unknown
4. A Family Concern
5. Rogue in Porcelain
6. Next Door to Murder
7. Unfinished Portrait
8. A Question of Identity
9. Justice Postponed
10. Retribution

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Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman but with added bite!

Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige THE NEW YORK TIMES

Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted THE SUNDAY TIMES

One of British crimes most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment THE GUARDIAN

A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans P.D. JAMES

Murder most enjoyable COLIN DEXTER

_______________________

A middle-aged actor and sometimes sleuth with farcical trousers
An audio producer discovered dead in a locked studio . . .
A key in the outside lock . . .
It all points to a DEAD ROOM FARCE!

When Charles Paris isnt dropping his trousers while rehearsing his role in Not On Your Wife!, a farce premiering in Bath, hes recording an audio book in a tiny studio known as the dead room. The studios owner, Mark Lear, has found success as an audio producer after being dumped by the BBC many years ago. But the day after the theatre company record a radio commercial for the farce at the studio, Mark is found dead, locked in the now aptly named room.

Was Marks sudden announcement that he was going to write a tell-all book about the corporation a direct threat to someone in the cast or crew? Charles must negotiate dark secrets and skeletons jangling in old cupboards to unpick the truth!

Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London and beyond!

READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS:

A sure hit Library Journal

Perfect for Paris' fans and for anyone who likes a comic but challenging mystery Booklist

Brett, who remains better known on his own side of the pond, is a master of breezy, boozy buffoonery Publishers Weekly

For a page-turning, laugh-out-loud but truly clever read Brett's Charles Paris cannot be beaten Judith Cranswick, 5* Goodreads review

Charles Paris always delivers a great combo of humour and mystery. Very enjoyable! Fay, 5* Amazon review

Brilliant as usual. Charles Paris never fails to entertain and amuse Jacqueline, 5* Amazon review

A very good read Zena, 5* Amazon review

THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER:

1. Cast in Order of Disappearance
2. So Much Blood
3. Star Trap
4. An Amateur Corpse
5. A Comedian Dies
6. The Dead Side of the Mike
7. Situation Tragedy
8. Murder Unprompted
9. Murder in the Title
10. Not Dead, Only Resting
11. Dead Giveaway
12. What Bloody Man is That
13. A Series of Murders
14. Corporate Bodies
15. A Reconstructed Corpse
16. Sicken and So Die
17. Dead Room Farce
18. A Decent Interval
19. The Cinderella Killer
20. A Deadly Habit
15. A Reconstructed Corpse
16. Sicken and So Die
17. Dead Room Farce
18. A Decent Interval
19. The Cinderella Killer
20. A Deadly Habit

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An apparently straightforward case turns into something far more sinister for Detective Superintendent Henry Christie

Detective Superintendent Henry Christie is in the middle of a case involving the horrific murder of a teenage girl when he is called in to investigate the drowning of Jennifer Sunderland, wife of local businessman Harry Sunderland. Henrys curiosity is soon aroused when things dont add up and when a gun is pointed at his head by a masked man.

As Henry starts to dig a simple case of drowning turns into a complex web of deceit, theft, murder and a criminal conspiracy stretching all the way from the UK to Eastern Europe.

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Meet Charles Paris: a washed-up actor with a taste for wine, women . . . and solving crimes! A binge-worthy cozy mystery series from the original king of British cozy crime, internationally best-selling, award-winning author Simon Brett, OBE. For fans of Richard Osman but with added bite!

Like a little malice in your mysteries? Some cynicism in your cosies? Simon Brett is happy to oblige THE NEW YORK TIMES

Few crime writers are as enchantingly gifted THE SUNDAY TIMES

One of British crimes most assured craftsmen . . . Perfect entertainment THE GUARDIAN

A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans P.D. JAMES

Murder most enjoyable COLIN DEXTER
_______________________

A struggling actor and sometimes sleuth takes a job he cant refuse . . .
A pilot episode for a brand new game show
One man murdered whilst the cameras are rolling . . .
Charles Paris is on the case and hoping for a DEAD GIVEAWAY!

In the cut-throat world of showbiz, jobbing actor Charles Paris reluctantly takes a minor role on a pilot for a new TV game show, If the Cap Fits.

Its by no means Charles dream role, but he doesnt have the luxury of being picky. The opportunity to work with some of Britains most famous television stars and the allure of a visit to the West End Television bar sweeten the deal perhaps one more so than the other!

The cast also includes popular game show host Barrett Doran, who is less than charming when the cameras arent rolling . . .

When Barrett drops dead in the middle of filming and one of the producers is accused of murdering the star, Charles with a growing reputation as an amateur sleuth is enlisted to find the true killer.

Fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club, Anthony Horowitz, Alexander McCall Smith, M.C. Beaton and Faith Martin will love this hilarious cozy traditional mystery series featuring one of the funniest antiheroes in crime fiction. Written over a fifty-year-period, it perfectly captures life and contemporary attitudes in 1970s London and beyond!

READERS ADORE CHARLES PARIS:

Cheeky humor makes this adventure thoroughly delightful Publishers Weekly

This is one of the best in the series of Paris tales, which lovingly satirize the fringes of show business Library Journal

Four words that never fail to lift the heart: A Charles Paris Mystery The Telegraph

Charles Paris is my hero Margaret, 5* Amazon review

I love these stories Mrs J.E. H., 5* Amazon review

THE CHARLES PARIS MYSTERIES, IN ORDER:

1. Cast in Order of Disappearance
2. So Much Blood
3. Star Trap
4. An Amateur Corpse
5. A Comedian Dies
6. The Dead Side of the Mike
7. Situation Tragedy
8. Murder Unprompted
9. Murder in the Title
10. Not Dead, Only Resting
11. Dead Giveaway
12. What Bloody Man is That
13. A Series of Murders
14. Corporate Bodies
15. A Reconstructed Corpse
16. Sicken and So Die
17. Dead Room Farce
18. A Decent Interval
19. The Cinderella Killer
20. A Deadly Habit
15. A Reconstructed Corpse
16. Sicken and So Die
17. Dead Room Farce
18. A Decent Interval
19. The Cinderella Killer
20. A Deadly Habit

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It's midsummer 1923 and Isabelle's parents are celebrating their silver wedding with a fabulous ball at their Sussex country house. But Isabelle has a dilemma: two men, the glamorous Malcolm and the quiet, troubled Arthur are in love with her. Her romantic difficulties are forgotten however when one of the guests apparently commits suicide.  But Jack Haldean is not convinced.

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Introducing laid back amateur sleuth Tony Gerard in this gripping new historical mystery series - Ten years after the end of World War II, Tony Gerard, amateur P.I., lives a peaceful life. That is until a routine call from the glamorous Beverly Beaumont, asking Gerard to investigate the disappearance of her brother, ends in the discovery of a body and a face from the past. A face from Paris, 1945.

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The enthralling new Burren mystery . . .

April 1511, Ireland. Mara, Brehon of the Burren, is celebrating the christening of her son when she notices that three of her law students have disappeared from the party. The next morning, one of them is found dead on a lone mountain pass with suspicious wounds. He was carrying an important legal document that has now disappeared.

But why did he choose to deliver it during the night, and what of the two other missing students? Mara must uncover the truth, and it at first seems that the stolen deed holds all the answers . . .

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A brand-new historical novel from a well-loved storyteller - Henriette d'Entragues isn't satisfied with simply being the mistress of Henry IV of France; she wants a crown too. Despite his promises to marry her, the King is obliged by political necessity to ally himself with a rich Italian princess. But Henriette isn't one for giving up easily. All she has to do to achieve her ambition is to give Henry a son, and then do whatever it takes to set him on the throne . . .

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A thrilling Second World War saga from a much-loved author

In the summer of 1936, a teenage German boy, Reinhard Richter, is sailing in his father's yacht, Sturmwind, off Scotland. Moored in an island cove, he meets Stroma Mackay and is captivated by her. He persuades her to write to him in Hamburg, and their correspondence continues until war is declared. Reinhard joins the elite U-boat service, while Stroma serves as a plotter in the WRNS, helping fight the desperate battle against the marauding U-boats - the wolf packs. It seems impossible that they will ever meet again . . .

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Second in the gripping, hard-hitting Lou Klein detective series

Sins that ex-cop Lou Klein thought he'd buried return to haunt him when a woman from his past reappears. Born into a family of cops, Franny Patterson married into a family of crime when she wed Brian Haggerty, owner of one of Philadelphia's hottest nightclubs. Now she wants out - and she has approached her former love, Lou Klein, for help.

While he can't ignore her plea, Klein suspects that Franny is keeping secrets from him, and when her overprotective older brother is killed, the stakes become even higher . . .