HQ Fiction Catalogue July - December 2024

Page 1


978-0-00-858627-0

384pp

4 Jul 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Readership

Subject Adele Parks MBE was born in North Yorkshire. She is the author of 23 bestselling novels including the Sunday Times Number One bestsellers Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck. Over five million UK editions of her work have been sold and her books have been translated into 31 different languages. Adele’s novel The Image of You has just been released as a major motion movie and she has several other titles optioned and in development including One Last Secret and Both of You. She is an ambassador of the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency: two charities that promote literacy in the UK. Adele has lived in Botswana, Italy and London and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey. In 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to literature.

Backlist

I Invited Her In Lies Lies Lies

Just My Luck Both Of You One Last Secret Just Between Us

First Wife’s Shadow

Adele Parks

•Adele has sold over 5 million copies in the UK

•Another compelling and brilliant domestic thriller, this is Adele’s 24th book in 24 years

•Adele’s recent books One Last Secret and Both Of You were Sunday Times Top Five bestsellers and Number One bestsellers in audio

•Both Of You was also Number Two in paperback and Number One in eBook

•Just My Luck and Lies Lies Lies were Number One bestsellers

•Just My Luck and Lies Lies Lies have just been optioned for development for TV

The

Sunday Times Number

One

bestselling

author of Both Of You and Just Between Us returns with another propulsive thriller that will have you racing to the finish!

Smart, wealthy and grounded, Emma has worked hard for her success. When she meets Matthew, a kind, handsome widower, he seems like the icing on the cake.

Initially, Emma’s friends are delighted, but as the relationship quickly develops, they worry Emma could be being exploited. She’s a rich woman, after all.

While Emma isn’t worried about Matthew having so much less than her, she does have one tiny doubt about her new relationship. If Matthew’s wife hadn’t died, he wouldn’t be with her. And sometimes Emma wonders if she is second best. The more she thinks about Matthew’s first wife, the more obsessed she becomes with a woman she can never know.

As jealousy and suspicion blossom between Emma and Matthew, events take a darker, dangerous turn. Emma doesn’t know who she can trust. Her friends? Her husband? Or even herself…?

This sensational new thriller from the Number One bestseller Adele Parks will have you gripped until the very last page.

Praise for Adele Parks:

‘I’ll drop anything for a new Adele Parks: she nails it every time’ Lucy Foley

‘As always with Adele… this is an absolutely gripping read’ Richard Osman

‘Kept me guessing and had me gasping at the twist’ Ian Rankin

‘Poolside perfection’ Daily Mail

‘A whip-smart protagonist, immensely satisfying twists’ Karin Slaughter

‘This will blow your mind’ Jane Fallon

‘Masterfully executed – her best book yet’ Lisa Jewell

‘This is Adele Parks at the peak of her powers’ Louise Candlish

‘Another twisting tale of deceit, desire and dangerous obsession guaranteed to keep you turning the pages’ TM Logan

‘I’ll drop anything for a new Adele Parks: she nails it every time’ Lucy Foley ‘Utterly compelling’ Peter James

‘As always with Adele… this is an absolutely gripping read’ Richard Osman

978-0-00-861465-2

4 Jul 2024

Subject

Readership

Louise Candlish is the bestselling author of 16 novels and her books are published all over the world. Her book Our House was adapted into a major four-part ITV drama and won the 2019 British Book Awards Crime and Thriller Book of the Year.

She lives in a South London neighbourhood not unlike the one in her books, with her husband, daughter (when she's not at uni), and a fox-red Labrador called Bertie who is the apple of her eye.

For more book news (and doting pictures of Bertie, regularly updated!), catch her on Twitter @louise_candlish, on Instagram @louisecandlish or facebook. com/LouiseCandlishAuthor.

Louise Candlish

•Sunday Times bestseller Louise Candlish’s OurHousewon the British Book Awards Crime and Thriller Award and was adapted into a three-part ITV series.

•Now Louise Candlish returns with OurHoliday– a blistering summer thriller set in the privileged world of second home-owners.

WhiteLotusmeets OurHouseas betrayal, corruption and murder sizzle in a seaside town over a glorious summer.

•Attracting brilliant praise from the media and crime-writers alike, Louise Candlish is at the very peak of her powers with this utterly page-turning new novel set to the be Thriller of the Summer 2024.

A gripping, twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of Our House

THERE'S TROUBLE IN PARADISE

‘A stylish, sun-soaked thriller… Our Holiday is destined to be THE summer read of 2024’ Janice Hallett

‘A sharp, brilliantly observed novel that had me gasping at every twist and turn’ Sarah Pearse

‘Smart, sharp and suspenseful with characters you won’t forget’ Adele Parks

Charlotte and Perry long for summers at Cliff View, their gorgeous holiday home overlooking the turquoise waters of Pine Ridge. And now that city friends Amy and Linus have bought a property nearby, they plan lazy weeks of sun, sea and sipping rosé on Charlotte’s summerhouse veranda.

But there’s trouble in paradise…

A rising tide of resentment towards second-home owners is heading their way and small acts of criminal damage are escalating into something more menacing. By the end of the summer, families and friendships will be torn apart and Pine Ridge will be known for more than its sun-drenched beaches.

It will be known for murder…

Praise for Our Holiday:

'The perfect summer thriller' TM Logan

‘A taut, twisting psychological thriller that grabs hold of you and never lets go… Louise Candlish never disappoints’ Tim Weaver

‘Another slice of compelling, gripping escapism from Louise Candlish. Absolutely loved it.’ Jane Fallon

‘Hugely entertaining, this book is so full of tension and intrigue, it was a joy to read and I absolutely loved it’ Liz Nugent

‘Smart, assured, and gripping… a scorching summer read.’ Lucy Clarke

‘Candlish excels in making even unlikeable characters compelling. A thrilling study of toxic oneupmanship amongst the suburban elite’ Vaseem Khan

‘Slick, smart, and a scorcher of a book’ Nikki Smith

‘Another scorching thriller from Louise Candlish. Louise writes so brilliantly about middle-class aspirations and desires, and nobody writes class tension with such a keen eye. It's the perfect summer read.’ Hannah Beckerman

978-0-00-855575-7

1 Aug 2024

Subject

Linwood Barclay is an international bestselling crime and thriller author with over twenty critically acclaimed novels to his name, including the phenomenal number one bestseller No Time For Goodbye. Every Linwood Barclay book is a masterclass in characterisation, plot and the killer twist, and with sales of over seven million copies globally, his books have been sold in more than 39 countries around the world and he can count Stephen King, Shari Lapena and Peter James among his many fans.

Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, and Linwood wrote the screenplay for the film based on his bestselling novel Never Saw It Coming. Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he’s lived there ever since. He lives in Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children. Visit Linwood Barclay at www.linwoodbarclay.com or find him on Twitter at @linwood barclay.

• Backlist

Look Both Ways

Take Your Breath Away

Find You First

Elevator Pitch

The Lie Maker

I Will Ruin You

Linwood Barclay

•A fiercely gripping page-turner about an unlikely hero who faces dreadful consequences

The stunning new thriller by the author of Take Your Breath Away!

'Linwood Barclay is a flat-out master of the modern thriller, and I Will Ruin You is impossible to put down. You need this book in your life.' David Koepp

In the latest novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay, a teacher’s act of heroism inadvertently makes him the target of a dangerous blackmailer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Life can change in a heartbeat…

When high school English teacher Richard Boyle comes face-to-face with an ex-student determined to commit an atrocity, his whole word changes. Thanks to his quick thinking, Richard averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, with his face splashed across the media. But not all the attention coming his way is good…

Somewhere out there, a memory is triggered by someone watching the news of the incident. A plan is hatched. When Richard receives the first threat, it’s very clear: it’s time to talk about what you did to me

As the situation spirals dangerously out of control, Richard is drawn into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth, he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in his town— and that he’s has landed smack in the middle of it. Richard is desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves…

PRAISE FOR LINWOOD BARCLAY:

‘Linwood Barclay has crafted another perfect page-turner’ The Times

‘Pacey and tense, it’s a triumph from a master thriller writer. Every page makes your heart beat that little bit faster’ The Sun

‘You’ll be left speed-reading towards the end to discover answers expertly posed by the bestselling Toronto-based crime writer’ The Independent

‘Totally absorbing… brilliant stuff’ Neil Lancaster

‘A superior thriller’ Sunday Times

‘A suspense master’ Stephen King

‘Devilishly good’ Shari Lapena

‘The novel speeds from first page to last… Bravo!’ Jeffery Deaver

‘A fast-moving, high-concept thriller from the talented Barclay’ Daily Mail

‘Linwood Barclay is in a class of his own’ T.M. Logan

‘One of the finest thriller writers in the world at the very top of his game’ Mark Billingham

978-0-00-855805-5

400pp

10 Oct 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

The Sequin Mysteries are written by Shirley Ballas & Sheila McClure.

Shirley Ballas is Queen of Latin Ballroom, an author, and head judge on BBC One’s prime time show Strictly Come Dancing Originally from Wallasey, Shirley has been dancing since the age of seven. She is threetime ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, ten-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion. Shirley is one of the most renowned dancers in the world.

Sheila McClure was a news and entertainment producer/cameraman for over a decade. Now she raises cows, walks her dogs and writes romcoms and cosy crime.She has also written women’s fiction as Daisy Tate (Bicycle Built for Sue and Happy Glampers) and award-winning romance as Annie O’Neil.

The Sequin Mysteries (2) Dance to the Death

Shirley Ballas and Sheila McClure

•A murder mystery meets Strictly Come Dancing in this sparkling and utterly fabulous debut novel from Queen of Latin Ballroom and Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas

•Perfect for fans of Anton Du Beke, Carol Kirkwood and Michael Ball

•Features cosy crime’s most unlikely but charming all-female crime duo: dance legend and one-time world champion Lily Richmond and former student-turned-private-investigator Susie Cooper, as they unravel the rumbas from the rumours to reveal a murderer’s identity

•Shirley is the Queen of Latin Ballroom, head judge on Strictly and one of the most renowned dancers in the world.

The new novel in the sensational Sequin Mysteries series, from world-renowned dancer and Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas.

‘I loved it! I’m quite convinced I’ve danced with Lily Richmond, and if anyone can solve a few crimes she can …’ ANTON DU BEKE

It’s Christmastime in London and all is not calm

After solving a series of murders at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, all Lily Richmond and Susie Cooper want is a peaceful Christmas. The last thing they expect is to find a dead body backstage at the Royal Albert Hall.

Even worse, the victim is one of Lily’s students, a trust fund debutante set to be the new star of the ballroom dancing world.

Lily and Susie set to investigating, but every clue throws up more questions, and around every corner lurk more suspects. And along the way, familiar faces on the dance scene will make themselves known – some that ought to stay in the past.

Will the unlikely duo manage to wrap up the case in time to enjoy the holiday with their loved ones? Or is there a greater danger behind the scenes than they could have imagined?

���� Two amateur detectives on the case

�� One second chance romance

�� Sex, lies and backstabbing

������ And a whole lot of deadly ambition…

If you like your crime deadly and your romance spicy, look no further

* * *

Readers are LOVING Murder on the Dance Floor:

‘If you are a Strictly fan, get reading’

‘Loved this twisty, turny murder mystery set in the ruthless world of ballroom dancing’

‘A glamorous and intriguing whodunnit … No one could bring it better to life than Shirley Ballas’ ‘It’s a ten from me…Who would have thought the world of dancing could make such a great backdrop for a murder mystery?’

‘Full of fun, mystery, sequins and, of course, dance!’

978-0-00-865613-3

4 Jul 2024

Saskia Roy

*A dark and twisted story of obsession set in the world of Formula 1 and against the seductive Los Angeles backdrop.

*Formula 1 has soared in popularity following Netflix’s Drive to Survive and Disney’s recent Brawn series, fronted by Keanu Reeves. With Brad Pitt cast to star in an F1 film, this audience will only grow.

*A cross between Credence by Penelope Douglas and The Idea of You, RUSH explores the dark and toxic side of the world’s sexiest sport.

*A conversation-starter of a novel: explores the shame and guilt around female pleasure, sexual freedom and desire, and examines consent and the nuances of when one gives it – and withdraws it. Also explores the headiness of going after money, fame, and power, and why those things can be corrosive.

*An exciting opportunity to break out RUSH beyond genre fans and into the massmarket by appealing to several different audiences: spicy fiction readers, readers of general women’s fiction, and F1 fans. A multi-pronged campaign will target each audience in a slightly different way.

Readership General

Subject Saskia Roy is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Times and the BBC, but cut her teeth writing about sex and relationships for a monthly glossy magazine. Saskia started reading Jackie Collins far too early, and has been a Formula 1 fan for over twenty years. She has been stunned by the sport’s soaring popularity following Netflix’s Drive to Survive and brings together her two passions in Rush.

For more information visit saskiaroy.co.uk and follow her on Instagram and X at @saskiaroybooks.

THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE: A twisted story of obsession and female desire, Rush explores the dark and toxic side of the world's sexiest sport.

His desire will consume her. And all she can do is surrender.

Lena Aden came to Los Angeles to make it big as a writer. Five years later, she’s still chasing the dream and wondering if it’s time to start over.

Nico Laurent is the Formula 1 World Champion – and the most desirable bachelor in the world. He’s used to getting any woman he wants, and he’s decided he wants Lena.

After their first night together, Lena can’t get Nico out of her head. She engineers a second meeting and suddenly Lena is pulled into a heady world of fast cars, parties, and money. Lena has never been so reckless – and she likes it.

It’s clear that Lena and Nico’s passion can’t be denied. But with a heat like this, someone is going to get burned . . .

Reader reviews:

‘Very well written, and the relationship between our protagonist and her love interest was captivating … I would definitely recommend’

‘I enjoyed this one … I absolutely would read more from this author’

‘It was fire. So loved this’

‘I devoured this book over the course of two days … an absolute pageturner’

‘A compulsive read that was hard to put down’

978-1-84845-946-5

2 Jul 2024

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership

A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Elle loves to hear from her readers. Visit her website www.ellekennedy.com or sign up for her newsletter to receive updates about upcoming books and exclusive excerpts.

Body Check

Elle Kennedy

-The first ever standalone hockey romance – now with new and expanded scenes – from the New York Times bestselling author of BookTok sensations Off-Campus and Briar U.

-A standalone novel with the steaminess of Lucy Score’s THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER, the sportiness of Hannah Grace’s ICEBRAKER, and the trademark sweet romance of Elle Kennedy’s very own THE GRAHAM EFFECT

-Elle Kennedy has sold over 150,000 copies through UK Bookscan

-Elle is the author of more than 40 romance novels, including the Off-Campus, Briar U, Avalon Bay and Campus Diaries series

��A bad boy hockey player is exactly what she never wanted …��

The first ever hockey romance – now with new and expanded scenes – from the author of BookTok sensations Off-Campus and Briar U!

After a childhood spent being dragged around the country by her hockey coach father, Hayden Houston intends to take some time to figure out her future. Whether that future will include her currently off-again boyfriend remains to be seen. What it certainly won’t include is the for-one-nightonly guy she just met at a bar.

It seems hockey star Brody Croft did not get the memo about being temporary. Big, bold and driven, he’s dedicated in everything he does. Up till now, that’s been his team – the one owned by Hayden’s dad. But his night with Hayden has sparked something he didn’t expect. The two of them are good together. Really good. There’s a connection he’s never experienced before, one he knows they’d be wrong to ignore. Even with a game-fixing scandal testing both their loyalties – to teammates, to friends … to family.

Part of Hayden wants to turn tail and run. A complicated relationship with a bad boy hockey player is exactly what she never wanted. But when it comes to Brody, Hayden is realizing that people can be so much more than what they seem …

Readers are OBSESSED with Body Check:

'Warning … you'll fall in love with Brody' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Perfect for the hockey romance lover inside you' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Elle Kennedy’s steamy writing keeps me coming back for more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Elle Kennedy writes the best hockey romances I have ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Excellent characters, great plot … and steamy scenes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Loved every second' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Elle Kennedy

‘Utterly adorable, completely charming, and sexy as hell’ – Meghan Quinn

‘A sexy, fun, delicious read, don’t miss it! -Jill Shalvis

‘Elle Kennedy’s ability to build a college town universe that is delicious, complicated and drama-filled, is unparalleled’ - LJ Shen

‘Peak Elle Kennedy writing – magnetic banter, intoxicating chemistry, and plenty of spice’ - K.A. Tucker

‘Everything you could ask for in a New Adult. Sexy, sweet, and emotionally satisfying. I loved this book and did not want it to end’ - Kristen Callihan

978-0-00-860848-4

4 Jul 2024

Subject SARAH CLARKE is a writer living in South West London with her husband, children, and stubbornly cheerful cockapoo. Over fifteen years, Sarah has built a successful career as a marketing copywriter. When her youngest child started secondary school, she joined the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course to learn the craft of writing psychological thrillers. Sarah graduated in 2019 and joined HQ Digital two years later.

The Night She Dies

Sarah Clarke

Who is the hunter and who is the prey?

In a close-knit community, secrets, conflicts and resentments reside.

A bully

A troubled daughter

A desperate mother

A body in the woods

But who is the hunter and who is the prey?

And just how far will one parent go to protect the child they love…

Praise for The Night She Dies:

'Tense and tightly plotted with a killer twist' Louise Jensen, author of The Fall

'The very definition of a page-turner and keeps you guessing until the literal last page’ Katy Brent, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It

‘Thought-provoking, shocking at times, and plenty of surprises along the way’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Island

'A taut, chilling tale of love, loss and revenge' A.A. Chaudhuri, She's Mine

Readers LOVE Sarah Clarke's thrillers

'A thrilling novel full of tension and suspense' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Chilling, almost claustrophobic…' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolute masterpiece of mystery and suspense' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Anger, jealousy, guilty, betrayal, lies, secrets… and more secrets!' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Sarah Clarke:

'You won't know who to trust' Adele Parks, Platinum

'A fast-paced tale of revenge’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet

‘Suspenseful, claustrophobic’ Katy Brent, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It

'A tense and twisty thriller' Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party

‘Twistier than a difficult ski run… The pages turn themselves!’ Louise Mumford

'An explosive revenge thriller packed with enough twists and turns to leave you breathless – I love it!' Mira Shah

'Fast paced, exciting and full of twists' Jacqueline Sutherland

'A pacy, chilling, claustrophobic thriller… all set against the beautiful backdrop of the French Alps. I devoured it!' Diane Jeffrey

’With its brilliantly atmospheric setting and cast of duplicitous characters, The Ski Trip keeps you in its icy grip until the very last page’ Sarah J Naughton

‘An incredibly tense psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page. The suspense is utterly breathtaking’ Victoria Dowd

978-0-00-862914-4

352pp

18 Jul 2024

16.99

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Everyone I Know is Dying

Emily Slapper

•A razor-sharp debut novel from an exciting new voice in literary fiction.

•In the vein of Cleopatra and Frankenstein, Sorrow and Bliss and even The Bell Jar, Everyone I Know is Dying is an exploration of the pressures of womanhood, the often toxic nature of romantic relationships and of acute mental health crises – all through a Gen Z lens.

•As likely to garner critical and prize attention as to become a TikTok favourite.

A razor-sharp, bleakly funny exploration of mental health crises, the societal pressures on young women, and toxic sexual and romantic relationships from one of the most exciting new literary voices. Perfect for fans of Sorrow and Bliss or Cleopatra and Frankenstein

When she’s having sex with her boss, Iris likes to have the lights on so he can see how much younger she is than his wife. She likes watching her colleagues eat unhealthy lunches at their desk while her stomach aches with emptiness. She likes coasting at work knowing she’s going to land a big promotion anyway.

Readership General

Subject Emily Slapper grew up in Northampton before studying Cinema and Photography at the University of Leeds.

After graduating she moved to London to work in advertising whilst hoping to one day become a screenwriter. But wanting to write films turned into wanting to write books and so she started a Creative Writing MA at Royal Holloway. Everyone I Know is Dying is her debut novel.

In her spare time she loves walking around South East London with her dog, Tina.

So why when it arrives does she find herself sprawled on her hallway floor, crying uncontrollably? Why, instead of a sense of triumph, does a crippling depression threaten to overwhelm her? Why does the support and stability of her family and friends feel so suffocating? And why, torn between her flatmate George – good, kind, reliable George – and cold, indifferent Patrick, does she only seem capable of making choices that cause her pain?

978-0-00-846712-8

18 Jul 2024

Subject

Sophia Money-Coutts is a journalist and author who spent five years studying the British aristocracy while working as Features Director at Tatler. Prior to that she worked as a writer and an editor for the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail in London, and The National in Abu Dhabi. She writes a column for The Sunday Telegraph called Modern Manners and often appears on radio and television channels talking about important topics such as Prince Harry’s wedding and the etiquette of the threesome. The Right Placeis her sixth novel.

The Right Place

Sophia Money-Coutts

•Last year The Guardian credited Sophia as one of the reasons why we’re falling back in love with the fabulous genre of romantic comedies. She truly is the 21st century Jilly Cooper meets Bridget Jones, where spurgling, baby-trapping, bread-crumbing and a whole host of eccentric aristocracy are the order of the day.

•Sophia is hugely well-connected, she was Features Director at Tatler for five years, she writes a weekly column for The Sunday Telegraph called Modern Manners covering important topics such as the etiquette of the threesome.

•Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Beth O’Leary.

If Maggie is living her best life, why doesn’t it feel like she's in the right place?

From the outside, Maggie Lemon has a perfect life. But she and her husband have been trying for a baby for five years and she’s exhausted. She’s seen countless fertility experts and followed dozens of diets and homeopathic recommendations, and even gave up her dream restaurant in London when doctors suggested the stress might be too much. And now her estranged aunt has died, leaving her hotel in Provence to Maggie.

It's been years since Maggie visited Le Figuier. There’s a lot of work to be done and she knows she should sell it. But when a disgraced Hollywood actor hiding out at the hotel lends a hand, the load feels a lot lighter. Is it just the chemistry with this handsome stranger, or is it starting to feel like Maggie might finally be in the right place?

'I'm a huge fan of all of Sophia's books but this is my new favourite…it helped me remember that the sun will come again. Summer holiday read simply doesn't do it justice!' Cleo Watson, author of Whips

'I'm a huge fan of all of Sophia's books but this is my new favourite. Part 'A Good Year', part 'Bridget Jones', the temptation to devour it all in one sitting was huge and I forced myself to space it out as a daily treat. Reading it over a cold and rainy April, it helped me remember that the sun will come again. Summer holiday read simply doesn't do it justice!' Cleo Watson, author of Whips

Readers love Sophia Money-Coutts:

‘With laugh-out-loud moments, you’ll love this romcom’ Prima

‘A fun and frivolous tale, the perfect escapist read’ The Sun

‘Romcom writer extraordinaire’ OK

‘For fans of Jilly Cooper and Bridget Jones’ My Weekly

‘This warm and witty read is a total giggle-fest’ Sun on Sunday

‘Heartwarming and fun’ Bella

‘The perfect poolside page-turner!’ Woman & Home

‘For fans of Jilly Cooper…warm-hearted, hilarious and romantic’ Best

‘This ticks all the romcom boxes’ Daily Mail

‘It wouldn’t be summer without a new romcom from Sophia Money-Coutts’ Red

Praise for Sophia Money-Coutts:

‘So funny. And the sex is amazing!’ Jilly Cooper

‘Howlingly funny’ Sunday Times

‘Another wonderful – and wonderfully rude – romcom’ Red

978-0-00-858999-8

Subject

Things We Do for Love

Miranda Dickinson

•The queen of the relatable love story is back. Miranda is the six-time Sunday Times bestselling author and has sold over a million books worldwide.

•A must read heartwarming romance full of sparkling chemistry, humour, and the misunderstandings of real life – entwined with a Shakespearean twist.

•Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Beth Moran and Lucy Diamond.

1 Aug 2024

Fiction

Readership General

Miranda is the author of fourteen books, including six Sunday Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into ten languages, selling over a million copies worldwide. She has been shortlisted for the RNA Novel of the Year and Contemporary Novel of the Year awards and is the winner of the 26 Project Writer award. She is the founder of WriteFoxy and the host of the online show, Fab Night In Chatty Thing Miranda lives in The Black Country with her husband and daughter.

The must-read new novel from Miranda Dickinson, full of her trademark warmth, humour and gorgeous romance! Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell and Beth Moran. ***

Could romance be waiting in the wings…?

Lucie Hart is a fledgling actress, her confidence having been shattered by her manipulative ex. Making ends meet by performing Shakespearean monologues full of romance she doesn’t believe in, she can see her dreams getting further out of reach.

Theo Larkin has already taken Hollywood by storm and his next conquests are Shakespeare’s greatest works – and his incensed leading lady.

Always short of money, Lucie can’t afford to waste the opportunity to bring crowds to her shows. And when a well-publicised bust-up leaves Theo’s reputation hanging by a thread, he is desperate to prove his worth by taking on the most challenging performance of his life.

As they put aside their differences to save their careers, can our star-crossed lovers take their relationship to the next stage, and find themselves along the way?

Your favourite authors ADORE Miranda Dickinson:

'A proper lovely romance' RUTH JONES

'A big-hearted, generous writer, full of warmth and love' JENNY COLGAN

'I adored every page' JOSIE SILVER

'Exquisitely tender and breathtaking' CATHY BRAMLEY

'The very best of romantic fiction' HOLLY MILLER

‘Heart-warming and believable. This is Miranda Dickinson at her very best’ Sarah Morgan

‘TheStartofSomethingis a wonderfully romantic story about the healing powers of love. Gentle and romantic, a wonderful salve for the soul, it is a charming joy of a read – this is Miranda at her very best’ Milly Johnson

‘Charming, quirky and properly romantic,TheStartofSomethingis a wonderful engaging story of love, the blossoming of hope and the power of a good pack of felt-tipped pens! Perfect’ Mike Gayle

‘Charming, relatable and sweet – I was fully invested in the heartwarming love story of Bethan and Lachlan’ Laura Jane Williams

‘A story about love, fear, trust; this is a big warmhearted hug of a book’ Prima

978-0-00-858997-4

Subject

1 Aug 2024

Fiction

Readership General

Louise was born and lives in South Wales. From a young age she loved books and dancing, but hated having to go to sleep, convinced that she might miss out on something interesting happening in the world whilst she dozed – much to her mother’s frustration! Insomnia has been a part of her life ever since.

She studied English Literature at university and graduated with first class honours. As a teacher she tried to pass on her love of reading to her students (and discovered that the secret to successful teaching is…stickers! She is aware that that is, essentially, bribery.)

In the summer of 2019 Louise experienced a once-in-a-lifetime moment: she was discovered as a new writer by her publisher at the Primadonna Festival. Everything has been a bit of a whirlwind since then.

Louise lives in Cardiff with her husband and spends her time trying to get down on paper all the marvellous and frightening things that happen in her head.

The Festival

Louise Mumford

·Lou is the author of Kindle top 50 bestseller Sleepless and The Safe House – but this moves her away from the slightly dystopian feel of her previous books and squarely into locked-room thriller territory

·Sleepless went into the Karin Slaughter Book Club at Asda and was picked up by HC Canada via 360 – has now sold 3.2k in paperback

·The Hotel went into the Works and performed really nicely – sold 2.4k in paperback

The hottest event of the summer comes at a price…

Libby can’t believe her luck when she wins two tickets to the biggest event of the summer: Solstice, a music festival celebrating the longest day of the year.

Wanting to escape her problems for a few days, Libby, along with her best friend Dawn head deep into the Welsh countryside for a weekend of sun, fun and festivities. But what promised to be an exciting trip quickly turns into Libby’s worst nightmare.

The scorching heat intensifies, the music becomes wilder, the people more unpredictable. When Dawn goes missing, Libby worries that something sinister has happened to her friend. And as Libby learns more about the festival’s dark origins, she begins to fear that something might happen to her too…

Don't miss this heart-stopping and gripping thriller from Louise Mumford, perfect for fans of Lucy Clarke and Sarah Pearse.

Readers LOVE Louise Mumford!

‘It's the 1st time I've read a Louise Mumford book, but based on this it won't be my last. I can usually guess the twist at the end of these type of novels but nope, not this time. I loved this’ Reader review

‘Kept me up late with the twists and turns and excellent plot. Looking forward to more reads from Louise.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Didn't want to put the book down but also didn't want to finish it!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It really kept you guessing, and was impossible to tell how it was going to end. So many different twists right up until the final page.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a gripping read! This author just keeps getting better and better!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-855070-7

336pp

15 Aug 2024

Royal 234x153, Paperback

Subject

Readership

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives with her husband and son in the heart of Norfolk.

In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, which enabled her to finish her debut novel, The Illustrated Child Later the same year, it was awarded runnerup in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel. Polly received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship at the University of East Anglia. The House of Fever is her fourth novel.

The House of Fever

Polly Crosby

•A dark, beautifully gothic historical mystery – The Great Gatsby meets Turn of the Screw, perfect for readers of Laura Purcell and Stacey Halls.

•Polly was awarded runner up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and also won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship.

A gripping and gothic new historical mystery.

Can she unlock the secrets of The House of Fever?

1935, Hedoné House, a luxurious sanatorium for the creative elite dedicated to the groundbreaking treatment of tuberculosis. As the doctor’s new wife, Agnes Templeton has pledged her life to a house of fever.

But Hedoné is no ordinary hospital. High society rubs shoulders with artists, poets and musicians. No expense is spared on the comfort of the guests, and champagne flows freely. It’s a world away from everything Agnes knows.

Her husband’s methods are unusual. There are whisperings about past patients and even a cure. Hedoné’s secrets draw Agnes in, revealing truths she could never anticipate, and soon she is caught between a past she is desperate to escape and a future she may forever regret.

Praise for Polly Crosby

’Hugely evocative and beautifully written’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl

‘A thoroughly compelling mystery meets a poignant love story, all wrapped up in beautifully lyrical writing’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man

‘A beguiling mystery from a gifted storyteller’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us

What readers are

saying about Polly Crosby’s books

'A beautiful and haunting tale of family, love, control and connections. This book and its characters will stay with me for a long time' Netgalley reviewer

'A lush and evocative novel of loss and forbidden love' Netgalley reviewer

'Beautifully written, a dark and moody yet intriguing story' Netgalley reviewer

'An extraordinary book that I read in a 4 hour straight session without stopping for food or drink . . . A spellbinding read' Netgalley reviewer

Praise for Polly Crosby

TRADE PAPERBACK

‘An evocatively written, haunting tale that has historic epic written all over it’ Belfast Telegraph

‘An elegant yet earthy tale dancing between two timelines and two women trapped within the memories of the past’ LoveReading.co.uk Picks of the Month May 2023

‘A beautifully written, haunting story of love and tragedy’ Womans’ Weekly

‘Polly Crosby whips up a lush, mythical world . . . realised beautifully in vivid writing. A book worm’s treat!’ Eve Chase, author of The Glass House

‘[A] gem of a read’ Good Housekeeping

‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative.’ Bridget Collins, author of The Binding

‘A captivating coming-of-age story with memorable characters beautifully brought to life in a setting dripping with atmosphere’ DailyMail

978-0-00-871954-8

Aug 2024

Subject

Readership

Laura Pavlov is the USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy contemporary romances that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

Magnolia Falls (1)

Loving Romeo

Laura Pavlov

The MAGNOLIA FALLS series are sweet, sexy, small-town romances which are the perfect next reads for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and Devney Perry. #LauraPavlov has 7.1M views on TikTok and her last six releases have been Kindle top 20 bestsellers in the US. The author has a Newsletter following of just under 120K, and an Instagram following of 35K.

Hating her was my end game, loving her was just the beginning …

A grumpy small-town boxer meets a sunshine girl as sweet as pumpkin spice. Welcome to Magnolia Falls, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and B.K. Borison!

***

Demi Crawford is Magnolia Falls royalty. I'm the boxer from the wrong side of the tracks. We couldn't be more different.

Her family is enemy number one, and it made her guilty by association. I despised her before I even knew her. It was easier that way.

But now she's moved in next door to me, and she's everywhere I turn. She is beautiful and honest and sweet. Everything I know I shouldn't want.

They say there's a fine line between love and hate, and I don't know when I crossed over. She is the right hook I never saw coming. But the secrets between us will threaten to tear us apart.

Lucky for her I'm a born fighter. And she is definitely worth the fight …

Readers have fallen for LOVING ROMEO, will you?

'A delicious slow burn with all the feels'

'I laughed, I cried, I blushed and kicked my feet like crazy, this book was EVERYTHING!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

'The spice in this book was top tier' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved Romeo's friends … cannot wait to read their stories' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A perfect small town, enemies-to-lovers romance' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:

Grumpy x sunshine Small town Opposites attract Found family

978-0-00-871957-9

15 Aug 2024

Subject

Laura Pavlov is the USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy contemporary romances that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

Laura Pavlov

The MAGNOLIA FALLS series are sweet, sexy, small-town romances which are the perfect next reads for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and Devney Perry.

· #LauraPavlov has 7.1M views on TikTok and her last six releases have been Kindle top 20 bestsellers in the US. The author has a Newsletter following of just under 120K, and an Instagram following of 35K.

I may be the lawyer, but she's the one judging me … A bad boy small-town lawyer meets his match. Welcome to Magnolia Falls, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and B.K. Borison!

***

Ruby Rose declared me the enemy before I had a chance to defend myself. I may be an attorney, but this girl had appointed herself judge and jury. And I’d never minded a good verbal sparring.

There was a comfort in going to battle against the evil queen. Maybe it was just the recognition of one damaged soul to another.

But the more we fought – the more I craved her. Until our arguing turned into a bit of a wager. One I was determined to win. One time. Sixty seconds. A secret only we would share.

But from the minute we crossed the line, there was no turning back. Ruby Rose may have given me more than sixty seconds, but she wasn’t offering forever. And now my world doesn’t work without her in it.

But how do I convince her to stay, when she already has one foot out the door?

Readers have fallen for WILD RIVER, will you?

'This book omg! The way I obsessed over River and Ruby was not okay' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Burned hotter than any fire … I could feel myself blushing whilst reading' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Falling in love with the ride or die gang has been a highlight of 2024' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I highly recommend reading this small town romance, Laura is the queen of them' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Moving, epically sweet and searingly romantic … this is your next favourite read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:

Enemies to lovers

Small town

Black cat FMC

Found family

978-0-00-860340-3

15 Aug 2024

Subject

Readership General

CORIN BURNSIDE grew up in a house full of books and has been scribbling stories for as long as she can remember. A passion for history, travel, and the natural environment colours her writing and provides inspiration for her story-telling.

She divides her time between her family in the UK, and her home in the heart of the French Pyrenees, where she lives with her husband and The Princess, a demanding Hungarian Vizsla who helps with plot holes in exchange for cheese.

The Memory Keeper

Corin Burnside

-Corin writes really sweeping and emotional WW2 historical dual timeline, often dealing with large themes

Don't miss the next sweeping historical novel from Corin Burnside.

An utterly heart-wrenching and unputdownable novel about love, loss and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.

1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can’t play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.

2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot – and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home…

Praise for Corin Burnside:

‘Five stars for this very accomplished debut, with characters that will pull your heartstrings and an intriguing mystery that made me rush through the chapters.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A beautiful romance… Loved it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was completely swept up in this epic story of love, loss and adventure… I hugely recommend this debut!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So well written and meticulously researched… The characters were really believable and I found it easy to picture the story in my head.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I feel like I have lost a group of friends after finishing this book… a great storyline to devour.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A well written and captivating story.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-859943-0

29 Aug 2024

Virginia Lane is Not a Hero

Rosalind

Stopps

•A darkly comic and character-driven thriller with a surprising heroine, this is a chilling novel about protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

•For fans of STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent, and perfect reading for anyone with a soft spot for misunderstood protagonists in fiction (Elinor Oliphant, Elizabeth Zott, Molly the Maid).

•The new novel from the author of THE STRANGER SHE KNEW (shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize) and A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MURDER (longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award).

•Ideal book club fiction: It deals with loneliness in the elderly, giving a voice to the often ignored, as well as exploring dark themes of abuse in many forms.

Praise for Rosalind Stopps:

‘A tense page-turning thriller . . . powerful’ The Times

Subject

Readership General

Rosalind Stopps lives in Margate and southeast London with various humans and dogs. Her short stories have been published in five anthologies and read at live literature events in London, Leeds, Hong Kong and New York.

Her debut novel, The Stranger She Knew was shortlisted for the Paul Torday Memorial Prize, and her second novel A Beginner’s Guide to Murder was Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award.

‘There are shades of Kate Atkinson in the way Rosalind balances dark themes with dry humour, a great plot, exquisitely realised characters, and more than a hint of feminist sensibility’ Jessica Moor, bestselling author of Keeper

‘Guaranteed to hook you . . . both touching and darkly funny’ Anna Bailey, Sunday Times bestselling author of Tall Bones *

Ever since her beloved Jed died, all Virginia wants is to be left alone. But the little girl who lives down the street is so sweet, that even in her grief-fuelled state Virginia’s heart softens whenever she sees her.

And that’s why Virginia knows there’s something wrong in the little girl’s house. So when the mother asks Virginia to take her child far away, somewhere safe, Virginia says yes.

The last thing Virginia would call herself is a hero. She’s just doing what anyone else would do, right? But when she realises how much danger the child is in, she knows she needs to do everything she can to keep her safe . . . Because sometimes it’s the most ordinary people who do the most extraordinary things.

Praise for Rosalind Stopps:

‘A quirky, witty thriller that reminds us not to underestimate the older generation’ Best

‘Darkly comic and gripping’ Woman’s Own

‘[An] excellent character-driven tale . . . by turns amusing, sorrowful, and thrilling. Stopps is definitely a writer to watch’ Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

978-0-00-868376-4

Subject

29 Aug 2024

Readership General

Jesse Sutanto is an author of books for children and adults. She received her Masters from the University of Oxford and a BA in English Literature from Berkeley. She grew up in Indonesia and Singapore and currently lives in Jakarta with her husband and two daughters. The film rights to her women’s fiction, Dial A for Aunties, was bought by Netflix in a competitive bidding war.

You can find out more about Jesse on her website www.jesseqsutantoauthor.com and follow her on Twitter @thewritinghippo and on Facebook and Instagram @JesseQSutanto

You Will Never Be Me

Jesse Sutanto

· YOU WILL NEVER BE ME is a brilliantly twisted, gripping revenge thriller about toxic friendship and the dark side of social media

· This is GONE GIRL if Amy Dunne was a momfluencer, and will make readers question how much they share online

· Jesse is the award winning author of DIAL A FOR AUNTIES, which has been option by Netflix, and VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS, which has been snapped up for TV with Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey attached to produce

When cracks start forming in an influencer's curated life, she finds out that jealousy is just as viral as a video in this riveting suspense novel by bestselling author Jesse Sutanto.

Best friends make the worst enemies

I’m stalking my best friend. There’s no use denying it. Aspen Palmer, with her millions of followers and beautiful family, has everything I want. The worst thing is, I showed her how to get it. And now I’m dead to her.

But I’ve found a way to get revenge. If Aspen’s world starts to crumble and I’m there to pick up the pieces with her brands and sponsors, then I’m just getting what I deserve. What my son deserves.

Aspen won’t go down without a fight. Nothing gets in the way of her perfect life. But I made Aspen, and I know exactly how to break her…

**

‘The twists are unrelenting with several gasp-out-loud moments and Jesse perfectly balances these with pitch black comedy’ Katy Brent, author of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It

Praise for I’m Not Done With You Yet

‘A dark triumph with jaw-dropping twists’ Heather Darwent, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Things We Do To Our Friends

Readers were gripped by I'm Not Done With You Yet

‘I was gripped. I couldn't stop turning the pages’

‘From the very first page, the tension is palpable’

‘This Gone Girl meets Crazy Rich Asians tale is a perplexing puzzle’

‘One of the best psychological thrillers to date… the ending is very explosive’

‘A deliciously dark tale of obsession, control, sociopathy and toxic friendships’

978-0-00-871934-0

384pp

29 Aug 2024

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership

Science fiction and fantasy

Melissa K. Roehrich is a dark fantasy romance author that loves coffee, dragons, and constantly rearranging her bookshelves. She spends her time writing, reading, and homeschooling her three boys in the Middleof-Nowhere, North Dakota, where she lives with her boys, husband, three dogs, multiple barn cats, and chickens on a small farmstead. She is constantly trying to convince her husband they need to add goats and ducks to the mix, and one day, she'll succeed.

Lady of Darkness (1) Lady of Darkness

Melissa K. Roehrich

-Book 1 in a dark romantasy series of five titles, each building a complex story arc and ending on a cliffhanger

-Fast-paced, accessible and great fun to read, full of intense character chemistry but nothing incredibly explicit. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy

-All the most popular tropes: Forced Proximity; Enemies-to-Lovers; Only One Bed; Found Family etc.

Shadows always return to the darkness

A cage

Owned by a ruthless Assassin Lord, Scarlett Monrhoe and her two sisters have been trained since they were children to torture and take life. They are the most feared trio on the continent, but they are also wild and unpredictable. A tragic night has Scarlett finding herself locked away in a noble's household, trapped and forgotten, until she's ready to fall into line.

A choice

Until the day she is presented with a job. If she completes the assignment, her payment will be something she has coveted for ten years. Revenge against the Fae Fire Prince who brutally killed her mother ten years ago. Is she willing to sacrifice her ideals for retribution?

A mystery

But when children begin disappearing from her home, all her plans are put on hold as she races to save the most innocent. With the help of old friends, a jilted lover, and a mysterious newcomer who claims the magic of the Fae is possible in the mortal lands, Scarlett delves into the darkest corners of the world. Forgotten secrets will come to light, and she will discover the darkness extends far beyond her own kingdom.

978-0-00-856727-9

12 Sep 2024

320pp B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership General

J.L. Blackhurst is a pseudonym for Jenny Blackhurst who was born and grew up in Shropshire, where she still lives with her husband, two boys and two beagles. She has a Masters degree in Occupational Psychology and has worked in administration for the Fire Service and retail management before leaving to write full time. She wrote her first book, How I Lost You after giving birth to her son in 2011 and since has written seven psychological thrillers, her first of which won her a silver Nielsen award and became a kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a Spiegel Bestselleren in Germany. She can solve a Rubix cube in three minutes.

The Impossible Crimes Series (2) Smoke and Murders

J.L. Blackhurst

•Richard Osman meets Lucy Foley – cosy-adjacent crime for readers who like their crime novels with a bit more grit

The follow-up to Three Card Murder and the second book in a gripping new mystery series introducing Detective Tess Fox and her con-artist sister Sarah Jacobs.

Members of the Lewes Bonfire Society would say afterwards that the event would have been a huge success that year, if it hadn’t been for the dead body…

When the charred remains of MP Rupert Millington are found inside a burning effigy, no one knows how they got there, but there are plenty of rumours about whodunnit.

The lead suspect wants Detective Tess Fox and her con-artist sister Sarah Jacobs to help clear her name. She says she's being framed, but surely there is no smoke without fire.

The heat is on when a second victim is killed in a locked room while Tess and Sarah are in the building. Can the duo solve this puzzling mystery and find the real killer before they strike again?

Praise for J.L. Blackhurst

‘A tasty whodunnit’ The Sun

‘One of the few authors where the twists leave me speechless’ Netgalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

’A real puzzle box of a story’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘Incredibly ingenious’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

’Twisty, tricksy and whip-smart … crackles with tension and humour’ Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series

‘From the first sentence to the end I was hooked’ Netgalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-861828-5

12 Sep 2024

Subject

M.K. Murphy

•Book 2 in a gripping new series featuring DS Rick Turner, perfect for fans of Neil Lancaster, Matt Brolly, Ian Rankin, and Line of Duty

•M. K. Murphy has previously written crime as Ashley Dyer and AD Garrett (published by Corsair and William Morrow), as well as psychological thrillers as Margaret Murphy (originally published by Pan and recently republished by Joffe)

•Margaret is a past Chair of the CWA, a Short Story Dagger, HRF Keating, and CWA Red Herring award winner, and a shortlistee for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the Library

Crime Praise for the DS Rick Turner series

Readership General

Margaret Murphy writes internationally acclaimed and bestselling psychological thrillers under her own name, and forensic thrillers as Ashley Dyer and AD Garrett. She is a past Chair of the UK Crime Writers Association (CWA), founder of Murder Squad, and a former RLF Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector. She’s been a country park ranger, biology teacher, dyslexia specialist and Visiting Professor in creative writing. A Short Story Dagger, HRF Keating, and CWA Red Herring award winner, she has also been shortlisted for the ‘First Blood’ critics award and CWA Dagger in the Library.

‘A compulsive thriller’ Ann Cleeves
‘Not to be missed!’ Daniel Sellers

Justice is served

As criminal gangs rampage unchecked across London, a secretive elite squad begins a campaign of action, delivering the guilty to the cops – along with all the evidence they need for a conviction.

Lines are drawn

But when innocent people are shot after the vigilante crew blunders into a major police operation –Detective Rick Turner among the unintended victims – it’s clear they must be stopped. Rick’s brother Sam might be able to help, but he’s a fugitive from the law himself, on nobody’s side but his own.

In too deep

As Sam and Rick are drawn into a vast criminal web, allegiances are tested to the limit. mistrusted by his bosses, and targeted by a deadly enemy out for revenge, Rick must decide where his true loyalties lie.

Perfect for fans of Gytha Lodge, Michael Wood and Matt Brolly

Readers LOVE Detective Rick Turner

‘So many twists and surprises’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I read it in one sitting’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Ticked all the boxes for a great thriller’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Had me gripped’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for the DS Rick Turner series:

‘Murphy has always been an exciting writer, but this brings the tension to an even greater level. Dead Man Walking is a compulsive thriller with pace, brilliant plotting, and characters who are credible, despite the extraordinary situations in which they find themselves.’ Ann Cleeves, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Shetland and Vera Stanhope series

‘InDeadManWalking, M K Murphy grabs the reader by the collar and pulls them through a wildly suspenseful, high-stakes plot — never letting go till the very last page. Not to be missed!’ Daniel Sellers, bestselling author of MurderintheGallowgate

‘I loved this. An immediately gripping, compelling and emotionally wrought thriller where the high stakes and strong mystery never let up from first page to last. Clear your diary and get reading!’ Gytha Lodge. author of SheLiesinWait

978-0-00-858690-4

410pp

12 Sep 2024

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

I write historical fiction, a genre I love. I loved the Victorian classics such as Jane Eyre, Little Women, Lorna Doone and Wuthering Heights. As I child I loved to read and when I had read my own library books, I used to borrow my mother's library copies of Anya Seton and Daphne du Maurier. I have loved reading historical novels ever since; though I'm a bookaholic and I read widely –contemporary and classic fiction as well as historicals.

In the past I used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV, so I enjoy the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something I loved doing as a scenographer. Each book takes about six months of research before I am ready to begin writing. More details of my research and writing process can be found on my website. I like to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.

WW2 Secret Agent Series Operation Tulip

Deborah Swift

Don't miss the third book in the WW2 Secret Agent Series, available to pre-order now!

Holland, 1944: Undercover British agent Nancy Callaghan has been given her toughest case yet. A key member of the Dutch resistance has been captured, and Nancy must play the role of a wealthy Nazi to win over a notorious SS officer, Detlef Keller, and gain crucial information.

England: Coding expert Tom Lockwood is devastated that the Allies have failed to push back the Nazis, leaving Northern Holland completely cut off from the rest of Europe, and him from his beloved Nancy. Desperate to rescue the love of his life, Tom devises Operation Tulip, a plan to bring Nancy home.

But as Nancy infiltrates the Dutch SS, she finds herself catching the eye of an even more senior member of the Party. Is Nancy in too deep, or can Tom reach her before she gets caught?

Inspired by the true events of occupied Holland during WW2, don't miss this utterly gripping story of love, bravery and sacrifice.

Praise for Deborah Swift:

'A well crafted tale… this book did not disappoint' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'There is action, mystery and romantic entanglements stirred into the story for a fantastically entertaining read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Deborah Swift never disappoints' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A joy to read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-860258-1

26 Sep 2024

The Unraveling

Melanie Hamrick

•The sexual awakening of EL James, the gritty and tense plots of Colleen Hoover, the alpha males of Ana Huang and the glamour of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

•Melanie Hamrick’s debut was named The Times book of the month June 2023

•Melanie Hamrick is the long term partner of Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and already has a number of celebrity friends endorsing the book. 320pp

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

Melanie Hamrick is a mother, a ballerina, a producer, a choreographer, and a writer. Born and raised in Virginia, Melanie began dancing at a young age. Her career as a ballerina spanned over sixteen years with American Ballet Theatre. While travelling the world with her family and for work, Melanie has always carried novels and notebooks with her. Melanie’s passion for reading and dance inspired her to write her first novel, First Position

Torn between duty and desire . . . my fate is in his hands.

Jocelyn Banks has always felt like an outsider – having hustled for everything in her life since her childhood in rural Louisiana. But in ballet, Jocelyn has found the thing she craves most, control.

But when her estranged mother dies, Jocelyn’s world is instantly turned upside down. Her only way out – securing a donor for her position at London’s Royal National Ballet.

Jocelyn can’t afford to lose this, but something about her sponsor, the charismatic Alistair Cavendish sets a fire in her. What she feels when she’s with him is raw and real. Swept into a world of lust and luxury, the lure of sex and power keep clawing at her.

Can Jocelyn choose between desire and duty, or is she doomed to fall into an intoxicating spiral of self-sabotage?

***

Readers are INTOXICATED by Melanie Hamrick!

‘Melanie Hamrick’s debut novel treads similar obsessional ground to the film Black Swan in its steamy imaginings of backstage shenanigans at a ballet company’ The Times

‘It was dark, there were twists, it was hot!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Compelling… absolutely fascinating’ Daily Mail

‘Addictive like Black Swan. Perfect for those who love spicy, explicit, forbidden romance' ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐

‘[An] erotic novel that pulses with Black Swan energy… combining the artistry of The Red Shoes with the eroticism of Fifty Shades of Grey’ Entertainment Weekly

‘Raw emotions, dirty reality of jealousy, pain and dance set in the harsh world of elite ballet’ ⭐

‘[An] addictive novel perfect for those who love their story with forbidden and steamy elements for a romance book’

‘Addictive like Black Swan. Perfect for those who love spicy, explicit, forbidden romance.’

‘This is probably one of the best representations of ballet and the ballet world I have read in a fiction book.’

‘It was dark, there were twists, it was hot!’

‘Raw emotions, dirty reality of jealousy, pain and dance set in the harsh world of elite ballet.’⭐⭐ ⭐⭐

978-0-00-871234-1

384pp

A Fire in the Sky

Sophie Jordan

• New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan returns to the high stakes, sweeping world of dragons, romance, and drama firstevoked in her bestselling young adult Firelight series, in a brand-new epic adult romantasy series.

26 Sep 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

Readership

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country, where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and streaming anything that has a happily ever after.

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying. But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous – especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. So when she is tasked with the ultimate sacrifice of pretending to be one of the true royal princesses and marry Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, son to the great dragon slayer, Tamsyn accepts her fate even if it means tricking the deadly warrior.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion, but ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride . . . but Tamsyn isn’t what she seems. She harbours dark secrets, secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist.

For Tamsyn is more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead . . . it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

Perfect if you love:

Enemies to lovers

Marriage of convenience

Praise for Sophie Jordan:

‘Magnificent and masterful’ Kerrelyn Sparks, New York Times bestselling author

‘Equal parts taut suspense and sensuous romance’ Booklist

‘Just surrender to the sizzle’ Kirkus Reviews

978-0-00-846909-2

26 Sep 2024

Secrets of the Watch House

Jenny Ashcroft

• Secrets of the Watch House is a historical mystery and love story set on a fictional isolated West Country island during the inter-war period. It follows Violet Ellis, a young secretary who travels to the island for work, and inadvertently falls in love with her widower boss, James Atherton. But might he have had a hand in the death of his beloved wife, and will Violet ever escape the island again?

•Perfect for fans of Amanda Geard, Louise Douglas and Lucinda Riley.

The truth is waiting to be told

. . .

***

Cornwall, 1934.

Subject

Readership

Jenny Ashcroft is the author of several historical novels, including The Echoes of Love, Beneath a Burning Sky and Island in the East. She previously spent much of her life living in, working in and exploring Australia and Asia, and now splits her time between Australia and the UK.

Violet Ellis is living in the shadows of her father’s ruined reputation. So, when wealthy widower James Atherton offers her employment, she immediately begins the treacherous journey to his home on the remote Cornish island of Aoife’s Bay – despite the bone-chilling allegations surrounding his late wife Elizabeth’s death.

In James’s company, Violet begins to feel the love that has been missing all her life. But when anonymous letters start to plague the bay’s residents, threatening to expose what really happened to Elizabeth, Violet feels the hostility towards her grow. She has an unsettling sense of being watched in her new home, and as the mysteries of the island draw her in, she starts to fear she might never find a way out …

***

Sweeping across London, Oxford and the wilds of the West Country, this novel is perfect for fans of Amanda Geard, Louise Douglas and Lucinda Riley.

***

PRAISE FOR SECRETS OF THE WATCH HOUSE:

'Jenny Ashcroft creates a delectable darkness and threads it with light … this was spine-tinglingly good' Amanda Geard

'Glorious' Rachel Burton

'I loved the mystery, the setting, and the love story. Fabulous!' Kathleen McGurl

READERS HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY BY JENNY ASHCROFT:

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

'Sweeping, thrilling, heart-rending' Louise Douglas

'Wonderful characters and heart stopping events' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Gripping … the characters became so real and the atmosphere so tense that I felt I was there' ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

'So romantic, so epic, so tear-jerking' Lorna Cook

Praise for Secrets of the Watch House

'Off the Coast of Cornwall, Jenny Ashcroft creates a delectable darkness and threads it with light. Jenny is one of my favourite authors; with her I always know I’ll be captivated, transported, swept away. With serious Du Maurier vibes, this was spine-tinglingly good. I adored it. Superb' Amanda Geard, The Midnight House

'Unsettling and enticing – Jenny takes us on a journey to an island off the coast of Cornwall where the weather mirrors the mystery that is unraveling the lives of all of the inhabitants. A glorious, and sometimes creepy, read' Rachel Burton, TheLastPartyatSilvertonHall

978-0-00-855896-3

448pp

10 Oct 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

Readership General

Rachel Greenlaw grew up in North Cornwall, surrounded by wild moorland. She studied English with Creative Writing at Falmouth University before moving to an island in the middle of the Atlantic, where she lives with her husband and two children. One Christmas Morning is her debut novel.

The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells

Rachel Greenlaw

•Strong commercial appeal – perfect for fans of wintry and witchy love stories and magic in small towns.

•A moving story also about womanhood and touches upon life-affirming and relatable themes (grief, identity, family, friendship, love).

A beautifully written, atmospheric tale of homecoming, dark magic and love.

Carrie Morgan returns home to her small mountain village, Woodsmoke after a decade away and falls in love with an elusive stranger as winter begins.

Will he disappear when the frost thaws as Carrie's witchy family warn?

What is the darker mystery around the family's book of spells?

READERS LOVE Rachel Greenlaw

‘A Christmas novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

'My favourite type of book… this one is just spectacular.' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Such a moving and emotional book… I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I couldn’t put it down… a fantastic and beautiful story.’ NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Rachel Greenlaw and One Christmas Morning

‘Haunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference. A clever and cathartic novel about healing, grief, facing up to ourselves and letting go, it tugged on my heartstrings and took me through every emotion possible. A warm and powerful debut’ Holly Miller, The Sight of You

'Perfectly heartwarming' The Debut Digest

'The book I didn't know I needed to read – gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling’ Ella Allbright, The Last Charm

‘Wonderfully heart-warming, One Christmas Morning is a beautifully festive second-chance romance that made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me until I’d turned the very last page’ M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in Everwood

‘One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a festive treat. An intelligent, romantic story of starcrossed lovers, I was completely absorbed by the millennial Scrooge Eva’s predicament. Greenlaw’s debut is a shimmering success’ Laura Shepperson, The Heroines

978-0-00-870692-0

384pp B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder, Wolf Girl, Fallen Academy and Kings of Avalier. She's sold over three million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children.

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author. She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie's daughter says that her that her super power is sleeping all day and writing all night… and well, she wouldn't be wrong. Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favourite people – her husband, daughter, and two fur babies.

Cursed Fae (2) Faint Hearted

Leia Stone and Julie Hall

-Book 2 in a romantasy series of four loosely interconnected titles featuring a different fae lord and the princess he marries. Each book can also be read as a standalone.

-Fast-paced, accessible and great fun to read, full of intense character chemistry but nothing too explicit, perfect for an audience of girls aged 12+ and fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy

-All the most popular tropes: Forced Proximity; Enemies-to-Lovers; Fated Mates; Only One Bed; Happily Ever After!

An inter-connected romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah

J.

Maas

The Summer Court princess has never failed to end the curse that ravages Faerie every hundred years, until now. The responsibility has fallen on the Fall princess, Aribella, to stop the poison destroying her realm: she must go to Ethereum to fetch the heart of one of its dark lords, or her people will perish.

Everything unravels the moment she steps foot in Ethereum. Thrown into her target’s dungeon and in fear for her life, Aribella can see no way to save herself, let alone her kingdom. The scarred Ethereum lord who holds her is brutal, unforgiving, and only keeping her alive as long as she’s useful to him. Yet she has a secret, harboured her entire life, and if she can use it to her advantage, there is a chance she and her people might come through unscathed…

Perfect for fans of:

Enemies to Lovers ��

Only One Bed ��️

Forbidden Love ��

Readers LOVE the Cursed Fae series:

'Richly imagined…an absolute must-read' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I simply cannot wait for book 2' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-858745-1

10 Oct 2024

The Wedding Engagement

Zoe Allison

· The central character is mixed-race, and the story is about her experience of falling in love without her ethnicity being a source of conflict. Sophie too is of dual-heritage and channels her own experiences into her writing. RNA new writer’s graduate 410pp

Don't miss the next uplifting friends-to-lovers romcom from the author of The Ex-Mas Holidays!

'Delightful … a heartwarming escape' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Will have even the biggest cynic rooting for these two' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I devoured every page'

��It's not supposed to be her love story…��

Subject

Readership General

ZOE ALLISON lives in Scotland with her husband and two children, having been brought up in a mixed race family in Yorkshire.

Growing up, Zoe enjoyed stories about falling in love. But rather than being rescued by a knight in shining armour she imagined herself fighting dragons alongside him, battling supervillains as heroic allies, or teaming up to dive into perilous waters and save the day.

As an adult, Zoe became a doctor. However, as time passed she craved a creative outlet to counter the soul sapping burnout that her career inflicted upon her, and also to achieve the happy endings that were so often lacking in the real world. She wanted to create

Planning a wedding with the man you’re secretly in love with… what could go wrong?

Liv Holland has a secret: she’s been crushing on Arran Adebayo, her brother’s best friend, for years. They’re ‘just friends’ but she can’t help the butterflies in her stomach whenever she’s around him.

When they’re asked to help plan festivities for Liv's brother's wedding, Liv and Arran can no longer deny the sparks between them. But with both having their own chequered romantic history, risking everything for love could mean losing each other forever…

As the wedding bells ring, will Liv and Arran finally find their own happy ever after?

Readers LOVE Zoe Allison:

‘Well wasn’t this the cutest! … Will be looking out for future work from this author!’ NetGalley reviewer⭐⭐⭐

‘Maya and Sam's characters are so believable and I always felt they had a chance… A brilliant read.’ NetGalley reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A slow burn of a romance, perfect for reading all tucked up warm indoors.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A beautifully written second chance at love story.’ NetGalley reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-855074-5

400pp

24 Oct 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

Crime

Readership General

Josie Lloyd's first novel, It Could Be You, was published in 1997 and since then she has written 15 bestselling novels, (under various pen names), including the number one hit Come Together, which she coauthored with her husband, Emlyn Rees, which was number one for 10 weeks, published in 27 languages and made into a Working Title film. Josie has also written several bestselling parodies with Emlyn, including We're Going on a Bar Hunt, The Very Hungover Caterpillar and The Teenager Who Came to Tea

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency

Josie Lloyd

•Josie’s book Come Together – written with her husband Emlyn Rees – was Sunday Times #1 bestseller for ten weeks, published in 27 languages and made into a feature film

•Festive cosy crime with a retro feel set in contemporary London, starring the formidable Alice Beeton – descendant of the famous Mrs Beeton and owner of her own household management agency – and her mischievous dog Agatha

•Gives an insight into the lives of the ultra-wealthy upper echelons of London society

A brand new cosy crime series from bestselling author Josie Lloyd with a retro feel but an entirely contemporary setting.

Alice Beeton never meant to wind up single and childless on the wrong side of fifty. Like her distant relative Mrs Beeton – yes, that Mrs Beeton – she had hoped to have her own spic-and-span household by now. In reality, she lives in an immaculate but dingy basement flat in a rather shabby block in Kensington with Agatha, her fiercely intelligent, if rather over-territorial, corgi-Jack Russell cross.

Now Alice runs the Good Household Management Agency, providing discreet domestic staff to extravagant townhouses and sprawling country piles. So when Camille Messant calls in urgent need of a new housekeeper, Miss Beeton sends out new hire Enya. She’s rather forward but she does come with impeccable references and is fluent en français

But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Alice is rudely awakened with the news that Enya has been found dead. As the police struggle to drum up an adequate investigation and the wealthy family and their party guests close rank, Miss Beeton takes it upon herself to solve the crime…

Praise for Lifesaving for Beginners:

'The uplifting new novel about female friendship shows that together, mates turn tides… I laughed out loud' Sun

'This heart-warming, life-affirming novel is full of humour and compassion' Adele Parks, Platinum

'A beautifully warm-hearted tale of friendship and hope' My Weekly Summer Special

‘An inspiring book about the power of female friendship.’ My Weekly

‘I loved this incredibly touching book about courage, resilience and the power of friendship… A lifebelt of a book that will help any reader through a tough patch and encourage them to reach out, be bold and make a difference. And never give up. An absolute joy.’ Veronica Henry

‘A beautiful read. You’ll love this one by Josie Lloyd. An uplifting joyful book about friendship, coldwater swimming and searching for loved ones. An eclectic mix of characters jump off the page.’ Louise Beech

'Inspiring, heart-warming, deeply comforting. Lifesaving for Beginners is like a DryRobe in book form. Utter joy.' Tammy Cohen

‘Strong friendships, dry wit and a fabulously authentic setting make this a book to dive into. An absolute delight!’ Celia Anderson

'Oh, this is such a wonderful read' Bishop's Stortford Independent

Praise for The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club:

‘Amazing, heartbreaking and inspiring’ Jenny Colgan

‘A love letter to the power of friendship, honest and uplifting’ Jill Mansell

‘A fiercely positive story, about the power of hope’ Mike Gayle

‘Uplifting and positive’ Prima

978-0-00-838890-4

24 Oct 2024

Subject

Readership General

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn is a former model who lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their four children. She is the author of three young adult novels under the name L.E. Flynn.

Her adult fiction debut, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, was named a USA Today Best Book of 2021 and became an instant bestseller in Canada. It has sold in 11 territories worldwide and been optioned for television by AMC.

Till Death Do Us Part

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

A sumptuous, shocking, steamy thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley—what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?

Ten years ago, June’s beloved husband drowned on their honeymoon. Josh’s body was never found. Now, a decade later, June is finally ready to move on. She owns a natural wine bar in Brooklyn and is engaged to a patient, supportive man named Kyle. She’s excited to begin a new chapter in her life, enjoy a picture-perfect wedding, and start a family.

But out of the blue, she sees…him. Josh, her first husband. Is this just a hallucination from the guilt June carries about finally moving on, or is it possible that her husband never died in the first place?

June tries to forget about this vision, chalking it up to grief and nerves, but soon enough, she stumbles across a website for a winery in Napa, and the owner in the photo is identical to her dead husband. With her upcoming wedding looming and a fiancé who’s already worried she hasn’t left her past behind, June flies to Napa for answers. But she’s not prepared for all the secrets she’s about to unlock, because everything she thought she knew about her first love is a lie.

Till Death Do Us Part is a simmering, page-turning thriller brimming with revelations, betrayals, and shocking twists.

‘In prose as sensuous and intoxicating as a spill of fine wine, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn unravels her characters, stripping them down to their most fascinating and depraved. While this story centres around the mystery of a dead but reappearing husband, at its core, it’s about the mysterious wilderness in every human heart that no partner can ever fully know, and the maddening work of loving people who will always be, in fundamental ways, strangers. Unfolding in serpentine movements, twist after twist, TILL DEATH DO US PART explores how far some will go to possess the ones they love. Chilling and shocking, this is the definition of addictive reading.’

Ashley Winstead, author of Midnight is the Darkest Hour

‘An intoxicating, atmospheric and twist-packed testament to the impossibility of truly knowing even those we love the most.’

Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club

'With prose as decadent and sumptuous as the sun-drenched Napa Valley vineyard in which it’s set, TILL DEATH TO US PART is Laurie Elizabeth Flynn at the height of her powers: sultry, enthralling, and utterly unputdownable, it’s not only a heart-pounding suspense but also a heart-wrenching exploration of grief, motherhood, marriage, and the redemptive hope of second chances. With razorsharp social commentary, dueling, propulsive timelines, and jaw-dropping twists, I’m calling this now: TILL DEATH DO US PART will be on everybody’s lips this summer.'

May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives

978-1-84845-922-9

24 Oct 2024

£ 9.99

Subject

Readership

Sarah Morgan is the number one Sunday Times bestselling author of multiple bestsellers, including The Christmas Book Club, One More for Christmas, A Wedding in December, Beach House Summer and The Summer Seekers. She has sold over twentyone million books worldwide.

Sarah lives near London, England with her family and when she isn't writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

Join Sarah's mailing list at sarahmorgan.com for all book news. For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan and on Instagram at @sarahmorganwrites. Contact

The Christmas Cottage

Sarah Morgan

The number one Sunday Times bestselling Sarah Morgan returns with an uplifting, emotional and heart-wrenching novel set in a cosy chocolate-box cottage in the Cotswolds. A story of family coming together, forgiving past mistakes, and starting over, all wrapped up in feel-good festive storytelling.

•Sarah Morgan is the author of 9 Sunday Times bestsellers, including the number one bestseller THE CHRISTMAS BOOK CLUB.

•For fans of Ruth Jones, Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella.

•Sarah Morgan is THE women’s fiction brand to watch – read yourself happy with Sarah Morgan.

•THE CHRISTMAS BOOK CLUB (Oct 2023)

-A Kindle and Apple Books NUMBER ONE bestseller

•SUMMER WEDDING (May 2023)

-Two weeks in the Sunday Times Paperback Fiction Top Ten.

-A Kindle and Apple Books bestseller.

-One of the bestselling women’s fiction summer paperbacks in 2023

Curl up with the utterly gorgeous and feel-good escapist festive novel full of second chances and fresh starts, from the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author this winter! �� ❤️

* * *

Imogen is a busy professional, her job is everything to her, and her colleagues are in awe of her. But Imogen isn’t the person she pretends to be, and she’s hiding painful truths about her past. But as long as she can keep on top of her work, Imogen can put everything else to one side.

And then Imogen makes a catastrophic mistake at work, and she finally realises it's time to reset. When her favourite client, Dorothy, invites her to come and spend Christmas with her and her family, in her cottage in the Cotswolds, it sounds like the perfect way for Imogen to take stock.

Imogen settles into idyllic cottage life very quickly, especially with the prospect of a new romance on the horizon . . . but when long-buried secrets and unwanted faces from the past resurface, Imogen’s new peace is threatened. Will Imogen end up alone this Christmas, or can she find it in her heart to forgive those who have hurt her?

* * *

Praise for Sarah Morgan

‘Sarah Morgan is a master of romance and never more so than at Christmas’ Sunday Post

'It is not Christmas without a seasonal offering from the 'Queen of Christmas novels' Sarah Morgan' Yorkshire Evening Post

‘Can always count on Sarah Morgan to create a cosy Christmas book full of comfort and joy’ Alex Brown

“Sarah Morgan puts the magic in Christmas” Now

978-0-00-871960-9

24 Oct 2024

Subject

Readership

Laura Pavlov is the USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy contemporary romances that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

·

Laura Pavlov

The MAGNOLIA FALLS series are sweet, sexy, small-town romances which are the perfect next reads for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and Devney Perry.

#LauraPavlov has 7.1M views on TikTok and her last six releases have been Kindle top 20 bestsellers in the US. The author has a Newsletter following of just under 120K, and an Instagram following of 35K.

She’s the one girl I can’t have, and the only one I want …

A notorious ladies' man falls first – and falls hard – for his best friend's sister. Welcome to Magnolia Falls, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and B.K. Borison!

***

Saylor Woodson is my best friend's little sister, and she's completely off limits.

We have a history, a connection – one that no one else knows about. I've kept my distance for years, it was easy when she was away at school. But now she's home, and she's everywhere I turn. And the way that I want her is unexplainable.

So, I do everything in my power to keep my distance, because her brother is my best friend. My family. But the pull is too strong. I want to claim her and keep her and make her mine.

Once we cross that line in the sand, I'm drowning in this girl and can't find my way up for air. Guilt hangs over me like a dark cloud, but I can't seem to walk away, no matter how hard I try.

And now that I've had a taster of forever, I'm willing to risk everything to keep it.

Readers can't get enough of MAGNOLIA FALLS!

'I laughed, I cried, I blushed and kicked my feet like crazy, this book was EVERYTHING!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

'The spice in this book was top tier' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Falling in love with the ride or die gang has been a highlight of 2024' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I highly recommend reading this small town romance, Laura is the queen of them' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Moving, epically sweet and searingly romantic … this is your next favourite read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:

❤ Brother's best friend

��Small town

��Found family

978-0-00-860839-2

24 Oct 2024

Subject

Readership

C.J. SKUSE was born in Weston-super-Mare. She has two First Class degrees in Creative Writing and Writing for Young People, and aside from being a novelist works as a Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa University. She previously wrote YA novels before turning her hand to crime, and is the author of THE ALIBI GIRL, SWEETPEA, IN BLOOM, DEAD HEAD and THORN IN MY SIDE.

The Bad Seeds

C.J. Skuse

•Book 1 in the series, SWEETPEA, currently in development as an 8-episode series with Sky, starring Ella Purnell and coming in late 2024.

•The fifth book in the critically-acclaimed Sweetpea series, featuring the truly original girlnext-door serial killer Rhiannon Lewis

•Fleabag meets American Psycho in a darkly comic thriller perfect for fans of Dexter and Killing Eve

‘You MUST read this book especially if you like your (anti) heroes dirty-mouthed, deadly and dark, dark dark. ADORED IT' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle 368pp B 198x129, Paperback

Sweetpea soon to be a major TV series starring Ella Purnell

Readers LOVE C J Skuse

‘Perfect for fans of a snarky narrative’ NetGalley reviewer

‘I absolutely loved it’ NetGalley reviewer

Sweetpea is coming home at last…

Newly married, with a loving family surrounding her, everything's coming up roses for ex-serial killer Rhiannon Lewis, right?

Wrong.

Her husband has just been shot, and the daughter she left behind in the UK is desperately ill. She’s got no choice but to flee the States and return home, back to her roots, where she’s in danger of being recognised and arrested at any moment.

Only nothing is quite as it seems…

With a series of bad choices in front of her, and the authorities right behind, Rhiannon's in a hell of a hole and she needs to dig herself out of it pronto. But help can come from the most unlikely places. And even more unlikely people…

Praise for CJ Skuse:

'This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic’ Daily Mail

‘Dark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller’ John Marrs

Praise for C.J. Skuse

‘This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic.’ Daily Mail

‘Filthy and funny… a compulsive read’ Sunday Times

‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ Red

‘Dark, depraved and devilishly delicious. A full throttle savage and satirical thriller’ John Marrs, author of The One

‘Hilarious, refreshing, dark and memorable. It doesn’t disappoint, I loved it’ Phoebe Morgan

978-0-00-841037-7

7 Nov 2024

Subject

Amanda Jennings has written seven novels, and numerous short stories for anthologies and magazines, and is published both in the UK and abroad. She is a contributor to BBC Radio Berkshire and a long-standing judge for the Henley Youth Festival literary competition, has taught writing workshops, and enjoys appearing at literary festivals. Before becoming an author, Amanda worked at the BBC as a researcher, and studied History of Art at Cambridge University. She lives in a cottage in the middle of the woods in Oxfordshire with her family and a varied assortment of animals.

Beautiful People

Amanda Jennings

•A sinister upmarket psychological thriller for fans of Will Dean, Lucy Atkins, Gillian McAllister, and Claire Douglas

•Amanda’s previous books, The Storm, The Cliff House and The Haven, have garnered fantastic reviews

•The Cliff House was a Bookseller No. 1 Heatseeker in summer 2019

•Also chosen as a Tesco Fern Britton pick

•In Her Wake was selected for WHS Fresh Talent, and chosen for the autumn’s ‘Best of’ promotion and the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize

•She’s been a Top 5 Kindle bestseller

The captivating new thriller from the author of The Haven, perfect for fans of Saltburn…

‘Absolutely brilliant, so clever and propulsive’ Laura Marshall

'Deliciously dark and decadent… The uber rich behaving badly at a fabulously over-the-top wedding, overshadowed by toxic secrets from the past' Tammy Cohen

When Victoria escapes her broken home for university in London, she is determined to reinvent herself and make a fresh start. She falls in love with Nick, who welcomes her into his privileged circle of friends, opening her eyes to a world she only ever dreamt of.

But then life takes a darker turn.

Twenty-five years later, the circle is reunited alongside a host of glittering guests to celebrate the wedding of Hollywood darling Ingrid Olsson to ruthlessly well-connected Julian Draper. Victoria has spent years trying to forget Nick and put the horror of what happened behind her. Now she has to face the past she tried so hard to bury.

As the champagne flows and painful memories resurface, Victoria can’t shake the feeling that some people seem to get away with everything.

But maybe not this time.

Maybe this time, someone will pay the ultimate price.

Praise for Amanda Jennings:

‘Another mesmerising, gripping and evocative read from the Queen of Cornish Noir’ Lisa Jewell

‘A dark delight … I absolutely loved it’ Eve Chase

‘A masterly unravelling of a utopian dream that gradually becomes a nightmare. Lyrical descriptions and utterly believable characters’ Elly Griffiths

‘Engrossing, tense, psychologically astute’ Tammy Cohen

‘Hypnotic’ Financial Times

‘A deliciously dark and tense exploration of human nature. There’s trouble brewing in paradise’ Emma Haughton

‘A beautifully written story with vividly drawn, believable characters I really cared about’ Sarah Stovell

‘A compelling, brilliant story’ Gytha Lodge

Readers are captivated by Amanda Jennings:

‘The tension is so sharp, you read it with your heart in your mouth… masterful’ Reader review

978-0-00-862904-5

400pp

B 198x129, Paperback

7 Nov 2024

Subject

Readership

Fiona Lucas is an award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction. She has written heart-warming love stories and feelgood women's fiction as Fiona Harper for more than a decade. During her career, she's won numerous awards, including a Romantic Novel Award in 2018, and chalked up a no. 1 Kindle bestseller. Fiona lives in London with her husband and two daughters.

Always and Only You

Fiona Lucas

The new emotional and unforgettable love story from Fiona Lucas, author of Never Forget You

Erin is about to marry the love of her life. She and Simon have been together for eight years so it feels right that they’re finally tying the knot. It’s been stressful balancing the demands of friends and family –not to mention Simon’s difficult best man, Gil – but Erin couldn’t be happier.

Couldn’t be happier, that is, until she walks down the aisle and finds the wrong man waiting for her. But is the universe playing a cruel trick on Erin, or could it be that her perfect life isn’t quite what she imagined. . .?

A beautiful, deeply emotional story of love, secrets and second chances. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lucy Score.

Readers LOVE Fiona Lucas:

‘This story was unputdownable, and absolutely wrecked me… an incredibly moving and often poignant story with truly authentic characters and a perfect ending. Just exquisite.’ 5****

‘A powerful novel about love that just sinks into your heart and soul’ 5*****

‘Oh my, what a heart-wrenching read! I loved it!’ 5*****

‘Gripping, beautifully written and all-consuming. One of my favourite reads this year’ 5*****

‘An enthralling love story… The perfect novel in my opinion!’ 5*****

‘This was absolutely beautiful – I was completely blown away by the writing and the storyline’ 5*****

‘This book is so well written, I couldn’t put it down! So many emotions!!!!’ 5*****

‘Simply stunning…you won’t be able to put it down. Beautiful and yet also heartbreaking’ 5*****

’This book gives me Colleen Hoover crossed with Taylor Jenkins-Reid, in a British way’ 5*****

ORIGINAL

978-0-00-859853-2

7 Nov 2024

Subject

Fiction

Michelle Rawlins is an award-winning freelance journalist with over 20 years’ experience working in print and digital media. After learning her trade, Michelle began her freelance career writing for national newspapers and women’s magazines, concentrating on real-life stories – living by the mantra: ‘it’s always the most ordinary people who have the most extraordinary stories’.

The Steel Girls (5) Steel Girls in the Blitz

•A wartime saga for fans of Nancy Revell’s THE SHIPYARD GIRLS and Daisy Styles’s THE BOMB GIRLS

•Based on the true story and experiences of the forgotten heroines who became the backbone of Sheffield’s steel industry during WW2

•Saga continues to be a buoyant area of the market and we know that themes of women doing men’s jobs during wartime and female friendships are perennially popular

•Strong regional angle and local interest – the author lives in Sheffield and the city recently campaigned to raise money for a statue commemorating the real life women of steel

•Michelle Rawlins is a freelance journalist and also the author of non-fiction work THE WOMEN OF STEEL – she’s the only person to have interviewed the surviving women who actually worked in the steelworks in wartime

With their city under fire, can they find hope in each other?

In December 1940, the Blitz has reached Sheffield, but Steel Girl Hattie is more concerned about the war brewing at home between her parents. Desperate to help her mother in any way she can, will Hattie get through with the help of her factory sisters?

Betty is overjoyed to learn that her fiancé will be coming home to complete his RAF training. But when the Blitz begins, he may be in greater danger than ever.

Young Patty has never been prouder of her sweetheart, Archie, than in his role as an Air Raid Warden. But having seen the true cost of war, is he struggling more than Patty could ever imagine?

And as the bombs begin to fall, with heartbreak on the horizon, will the Steel Girls find shelter in each other?

A heartwarming and dramatic World War II saga, perfect for fans of Vicki Beeby, Kate Thompson and Pam Howes.

Praise for The Steel Girls:

‘A riveting saga about love, courage and, above all, female friendship’ Best

‘A lovely read’ Bella

‘Hardship, courage and hope on the Home Front’ Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secrets of the Lavender Girls

‘A heart-warming story perfect for saga lovers’ Nancy Revell, bestselling author of The Shipyard Girls on the Home Front

‘A great read’ Yorkshire Post

’A heart-warming tale of the brave women who stepped up to become the backbone of Sheffield’s steel industry during the Second World War’ Yours

‘A riveting saga about love, courage and, above all, female friendship’ Best

‘A lovely read’ Bella

‘Hardship, courage and hope on the Home Front’ Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secretsofthe LavenderGirls

‘A heart-warming story perfect for saga lovers’ Nancy Revell, bestselling author of TheShipyard

978-0-00-871938-8

384pp

B 198x129, Paperback

7 Nov 2024

£ 9.99

Subject

Readership

Science fiction and fantasy General

Melissa K. Roehrich is a dark fantasy romance author that loves coffee, dragons, and constantly rearranging her bookshelves. She spends her time writing, reading, and homeschooling her three boys in the Middleof-Nowhere, North Dakota, where she lives with her boys, husband, three dogs, multiple barn cats, and chickens on a small farmstead. She is constantly trying to convince her husband they need to add goats and ducks to the mix, and one day, she'll succeed.

Lady of Darkness (2) Lady of Shadows

-Book 2 in a dark romantasy series of five titles, each building a complex story arc and ending on a cliffhanger

-Fast-paced, accessible and great fun to read, full of intense character chemistry but nothing incredibly explicit. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Raven Kennedy

-All the most popular tropes: Forced Proximity; Enemies-to-Lovers; Only One Bed; Found Family etc.

Show me your darkness, and I'll show you mine.

The stars are fading.

The shadows are calling.

The darkness threatens everything.

Another pretty cage

Whisked away to the Fire Court, Scarlett Monrhoe finds herself in the hands of the man who killed her mother. The Prince of Fire. Thrust amongst the Fae court she loathes, she is at their mercy. She doesn't know what plans he has for her, but she has plans of her own. She just hasn't decided how thoroughly she wants to break him yet. If only he didn't tempt her with every breath, every touch, every kiss. It's another dangerous game that has her wondering if she will be the one irreparably broken in the end.

Another dangerous game

The Fae Queen has plans of her own. She's determined to get to Scarlett in any way she can, and that includes using a mortal prince that followed the lost Fae princess across the border. Crown Prince Callan is desperate to get Scarlett back from the Fire Prince and return to Baylorin. The question is, what is he willing to sacrifice for the Wraith he loves who's trailed by shadows?

Another race against time

Every day that passes, Lord Tyndell and Mikale get closer to finding where she is hidden in the Fire Court. Every day that passes puts those Scarlett left behind in more danger. Every day that passes, more secrets are revealed. Truth has been buried in history that has long-since been rewritten, but in order to separate facts from lies, they will be forced to cross other borders and seek answers from kingdoms far more terrifying than the Fire Court.

ORIGINAL

978-0-00-860097-6

7 Nov 2024

The Man in Room Seven

Karin Nordin

•Brand-new commercial direction from author, with a beautifully crafted, edge-ofyour-seat thriller

•Topical themes: parental kidnap without the other parent’s consent a perennial problem

Ready-made fanbase: perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Lauren North, Jane Harper and Sue Watson.

•Karin Nordin shortlisted for John Creasey New Blood Dagger with Where Ravens Roost

‘I was gripped’ Louise Jensen, author of The Fall on Karin Nordin

Six years ago, Tweety came home from work to find her husband Dodge had left, taking their child with him. Utterly broken, Tweety vows that she will do anything to get her baby back.

Subject

Readership

Karin Nordin is an author, martial artist, cosplayer, and self-proclaimed cat whisperer. Her first novel, Where Ravens Roost, was shortlisted for the 2022 CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger award and her second novel, Last One Alive, was a 2022 ITW Best eBook award nominee. She has an MSc in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh and an MA in Scandinavian Literary Studies from the University of Amsterdam. Born in ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’ and raised in America’s Rust Belt, she now lives in the Netherlands. Sweet Little Lies is her first standalone psychological thriller.

After years following a trail of breadcrumbs, finally: a lead. Someone looking just like Dodge stays at the same run-down motel for the motorcycle rally every year without fail. This time things will be different. This time his ex-wife is a few steps ahead of him.

Tweety takes a job at the front desk. Between the unmentionables she finds in the rooms and the incessant catcalling, it’s the worst job in the world. When Dodge arrives, he acts just like himself: arrogant and obnoxious, but pretends he doesn’t know her.

There’s a booster seat in the back of his car. No sign of a child. But Tweety doesn’t care.

She has a goal and she’ll stop at nothing to get her son back. Catch Dodge. Make him pay for what he did to her. Live happily ever after.

Praise for Karin Nordin

‘A taut mystery: I was gripped’ Louise Jensen, author of The Fall

‘Brooding and atmospheric – full of mystery and twists where nothing is quite as it seems’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet

‘A dark, atmospheric and compelling story!’ Jackie Kabler, author of The Perfect Couple

‘Kept me gripped throughout and guessing right up to the end. A cracking thriller!’ Philippa East, author of Little White Lies

‘A gripping, race-against-the clock thriller that ratcrhets up the tension and keeps up the suspense right up until the very end.’ Diane Jeffrey, author of The Guilty Mother

‘Such a great thriller with superb characterization to boot’ Khurrum Rahman, author of Homegrown Hero

‘Absolutely loved it!’ Laure Van Rensburg, author of The Downfall

‘Dripping with atmosphere, this is a compelling, twisty story with a real heart of darkness. Nordin is back and better than ever!’ Louise Mumford, author of The Hotel

‘Incredibly vivid… twists and turns around every corner’ Steve Frech, author of Dark Hollows

‘Had me glued to my Kindle for most of the day’ Jenny O’Brien, author of Silent Cry

978-0-00-864470-3

Subject

Readership

Liars Island

T.Orr

Munro

A remote island off the North Devon coast, Devil’s Rock is home to few inhabitants. The rugged coastline has a history of smuggling and shipwreck, but there has never been a murder – until now.

When the body of Kieran Deveney is found on Devil’s Rock, two islanders confess to the killing. Both claim they acted alone, and neither can be convicted while the other stands by their story.

21 Nov 2024

T.Orr Munro was born in Hampshire to an English mother and a Greek-Armenian father who later moved to Devon. After university she trained as a CSI, then became a secondary school teacher. She changed career at 33 to become a police and crime journalist. She has since returned with her family to live in North Devon, the setting for the Ally Dymond series. Her time as a CSI provided much of the inspiration for the novels, shining a light on what happens behind the crime scene tape.

The team is relying on CSI Ally Dymond to uncover the evidence that cracks the case. What she finds is a community awash with secrets.

Shortly after she arrives, the island is hit by a storm that prevents anyone from leaving. But it’s not the treacherous weather that Ally fears, it’s the people she’s trapped with…

Praise for T.Orr Munro

‘Fresh, vivid and totally engrossing: this is gold-standard crime writing bearing the unmistakable hallmark of authenticity’ Erin Kinsley, Sunday Times bestselling author of Found

‘Packed with authenticity’ Mail Online

‘A page tuner that will appeal to fans of Broadchurch’ Adele Parks, Platinum

‘This could turn into a gem of a series’ Sunday Post 'Fiendishly clever plotting. I was hooked from start to finish’ Sarah Stovell, author of Other Parents

‘A tightly-plotted, well-paced story with a disturbingly manipulative, evil villain at its core’ Country and Townhouse

‘I genuinely found it hard to put down. The writing is beautifully paced and the double viewpoint creates great tension’ Alex Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author of the DCI Lorimer Series

'It’s difficult to accept that Breakneck Point is a debut novel as T. Orr Munro’s writing is exciting, genuine and convincing’ My Weekly

978-0-00-859613-2

416pp

21 Nov 2024

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Subject

Readership General

Michael Stewart is a multi-award winning writer, born and brought up in Salford, who moved to Yorkshire in 1995 and is now based in Bradford. He was the winner of the BBC Alfred Bradley Award in 2003 and his plays have been performed in Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, London, and extensively throughout the country. His radio play Excluded was shortlisted for the Imison Award 2008. He was writer in residence at Theatre in the Mill in Bradford, and is now senior lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield, where he is the director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival and the editor of Grist Books.

His fiction has been published widely in anthologies and magazines, including Route,

Black Wood Women

Michael Stewart

ATMOSPHERIC AND RICH TALE OF PERSECUTION AND SURVIVAL: explores the plight of Irish Catholic Caragh, desperately seeking safety after her parents are murdered in the aftermath of the English Civil War, who falls in with a coven of wild women living alone in the forest.

BRAND-NEW TAKE: explores perennial topic through a little-covered point-of-view of persecuted Irish Catholics on the margins of English society

We know the truths men have forgotten…

Yorkshire. 1649. Caragh has hidden her true name and her Irish identity, and since her family fled Ireland in secret they have been proud to own land of their own in England. But one morning, Caragh’s father tells her that they must leave their beloved home as it is no longer safe for them to stay. That morning, Caragh hears shots fired. When she returns to the cottage, she finds her family murdered by Lemuel Lane, a wealthy Protestant who has taken it upon himself to rid the area of anyone with Catholic sympathies.

Caragh flees east, and comes to a forest, a coven of women, finding acceptance at last, little knowing that persecution stalks them, and their days in the forest are numbered.

Meanwhile, the last wolf in England hunts for prey. She is tired, hungry and alone – missing her pack and her mate, and anxious about the litter of pups she carries.

Praise for the author

‘An astonishing novel’ The Independent 'Easily outdoes the original Heathcliff’ The Times Literary Supplement 'beautifully written and thrilling’ Yorkshire Post 'Visceral and unswerving’ Historia Magazine

978-0-00-826788-9

21 Nov 2024

Subject

Readership General

Ellen Wiles grew up in Reading and did a music degree at Oxford before turning to human rights and working as a lawyer in Thailand, Botswana, Myanmar and London. Her debut novel, The Invisible Crowd, was inspired by a case she worked on as a barrister, and was a Guardian Readers’ book of the year and winner of the Victor Turner Prize for ethnographic writing. She is also the author of Saffron Shadows (2015), a book about literature, censorship and culture in Myanmar. She is a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Exeter, and is the mother of two small children.

The Unexpected

Ellen Wiles

-A funny, addictive and poignant novel about what happens when the lines between friendship, romance and family begin to blur.

-Explores timely ideas about today’s struggles of parenthood and alternative family dynamics

-The second book from the critically acclaimed author of TheInvisibleCrowd

A funny, addictive and poignant novel about what happens when the lines between friendship, romance, and family begin to blur.

Robin and Kessie have been best friends since childhood when their families fractured. Now, in their mid-thirties, they are keen to have children themselves, but each faces daunting obstacles. In stepping up to support each other, they begin to negotiate unconventional routes towards motherhood, challenging assumptions about ‘normal’ family relationships along the way.

Delving into anthropology, animal behaviour, family law, and artists and thinkers from Zora Neale Hurston to Joni Mitchell, this novel offers a fresh contribution to contemporary writing on female friendship, motherhood, and queering the nuclear family.

Praise for the author

'A wonderful book – brilliantly vivid and human, and I was completely taken up by the story. The characters felt real and the depiction of the shadow world of refugees and how we regard them rang true. I'm so glad to have read it and hope it reaches many people.' Maurice Wren, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council

‘The Invisible Crowd is primarily a portrait of Britain and of what British people do when confronted with difference. It is a plea for compassion. It pushes us to find our kinder selves.’ Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You

'A compelling contemporary story that shines a light on the lives of migrants and refugees and our search for common humanity'. Sita Brahmachari, author of Artichoke Hearts

‘A fierce, big-hearted novel that celebrates the power of compassion and the resilience of the human spirit. It takes a special gift to explore an issue so urgent and so complex in such an emotionally satisfying way. Ellen Wiles has this gift.’ Joe Treasure, author of The Book of Air

‘A sensitive, affecting novel, which looks behind the headlines to explore the experience of an asylum seeker in the UK’ Francesca Rhydderch, author of The Rice Paper Diaries

'A deeply felt novel using a technique that literally 'gets behind the headlines' on asylum' Tim Finch, author of The House of Journalists

‘A brilliant novel that gives voice to those often silenced or dispossessed' Paul Burston, author of The Black Path

'I absolutely loved it. It's beautifully written, fascinating, emotional, serious, brilliant'. Gemma Seltzer, author of Speak to Strangers

978-0-00-868648-2

336pp

21 Nov 2024

£ 9.99

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership General

Liz Mistry moved to West Yorkshire in the late 1980s. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as ‘Warm, Rich and Fearless’ whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Yet, her heart remains in Scotland, where childhood tales of bogey men, Bible John and grey lady ghosts fed her imagination.

Her latest work, The Solanki and McQueen crime series is set around West Lothian, where she uses the distinctive landscape, historic heritage and Scottish culture as a backdrop to her hard-hitting yet often humorous stories.

Struggling with clinical depression and

The Solanki and McQueen Crime Series (2)

The Revenge Pact

Liz Mistry

·The second title in the Detectives Solanki and McQueen Crime Series, perfect for · fans of Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid and Marion Todd.

Don't miss the next instalment in the Solanki and McQueen Crime Series, perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, Val McDermid and Marion Todd.

Available for pre-order now!

Praise for Liz Mistry

‘Northern Noir doesn't get much better than this! Gripping from start to finish, this is a superb story.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow, wow, wow Liz Mistry certainly knows how to engage and entertain her readers through her writing. I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in less than two days…’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Liz Mistry has done it again. This latest book in her series has it all, mystery, suspense, and thriller. Captivating from the start.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This was a perfect police procedural book, with everything going for it… The storyline was exciting from the start and the characterisation spot on.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

978-0-00-836484-7

5 Dec 2024

£ 9.99

Subject

Readership General

Terry Lynn Thomas is the USA Today bestselling author of six historical mysteries. The Drowned Woman (previously published as Neptune’s Daughter) won an IndieBRAG Medallion, The Silent Woman and House of Lies released to critical acclaim and became USA Today bestsellers The Betrayal is Terry’s first foray into the world of domestic suspense.

When she’s not writing, Terry likes to spend time outdoors with her husband and her dogs.

Keep up with Terry on Facebook (www. facebook.com/terrylynnthomasbooks) Twitter (@TLThomasbooks), Instagram (@terrylynnthomasbooks) or via her website

The Suspect

Terry Lynn Thomas

•A brand-new series from digital bestseller Terry Lynn Thomas, whose Cat Carlisle mysteries have sold over 100,000 copies.

•The Olivia Sinclair mysteries will follow lawyer Olivia, perfect for fans of Alafair Burke, Gillian McAllistair and The Good Wife.

Don’t miss the third book featuring attorney Olivia Sinclair, for fans of Alafair Burke, Gillian McAllistair and The Good Wife.

Divorce attorney Olivia Sinclair is retiring. She is ready to pack the rat race in, settle down in Tahoe with her boyfriend Brian and finally live life at the pace she deserves.

But when an old friend calls in a favour, she’s compelled to take on one last case…

Ava, wife of tech-millionaire and media darling Mark Bledsoe has escaped from her abusive husband. He has proved himself to be a dangerous man and Ava needs to flee the country before he can track her down.

As Olivia’s investigation leads her into a devilish web of lies, deception and murder, she realises that her work is far from done. Can she crack one last case, before her and Ava’s time runs out?

Readers LOVE the Olivia Sinclair series:

‘An edge of your seat suspense thriller… I raced through it… It’s an excellent read.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

‘This is the first book I read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last… Brilliant. Highly recommend.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

‘An excellent follow up… Thomas is a craftswoman of extraordinary talent. More please.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

‘Thoroughly enjoyed trying to work who, what, why… look forward to seeing what Olivia gets up to next time.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 Stars

‘A wonderful, tightly paced, well characterised read about how family secrets always, always surface.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

As their investigations lead them into a devilish web of lies, deception and murder, Olivia and Brian soon realise that retirement will just have to wait.

978-0-00-871963-0

19 Dec 2024

Paperback

Subject

Readership

Laura Pavlov is the USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy contemporary romances that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after.

Beating Heart

Laura Pavlov

The MAGNOLIA FALLS series are sweet, sexy, small-town romances which are the perfect next reads for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and Devney Perry.

I wasn't looking for love, until it moved in next door …

Welcome to Magnolia Falls, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver, Lucy Score and B.K. Borison!

From the moment my son came into the world – my life changed. I’d found my purpose.

My heart beats for this kid every damn day, and life is good. But then Emerson Chadwick happens. Our town’s new paediatrician is gorgeous, brilliant, and complicated.

But I’m not looking for complications.

To make matters worse, she’s moved in next door, and she’s everywhere I turn.

I can’t stay away no matter how hard I try, but Emerson isn’t here to stay. And now my heart beats for her in a way I never expected.

Falling for the girl next door is a bad idea. Loving her…well, that’s as easy as breathing.

Readers

can't get enough of

MAGNOLIA FALLS

!

'I laughed, I cried, I blushed and kicked my feet like crazy, this book was EVERYTHING!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

'The spice in this book was top tier' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Falling in love with the ride or die gang has been a highlight of 2024' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I highly recommend reading this small town romance, Laura is the queen of them' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Moving, epically sweet and searingly romantic … this is your next favourite read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:

❤ Single-dad romance

��Medical romance

��Forced proximity

��Small town

��Found family

978-0-00-860767-8

1 Aug 2024

Subject

Tembe Denton-Hurst (known on the internets as @tembae) is a book-obsessed beauty and culture writer and author. She currently works as a staff writer at New York Magazine's The Strategist where she covers beauty, lifestyle, and books. When she’s not writing, Tembe can be found on her couch in Queens where she lives with her partner and their two cats Stella and Dakota.

Homebodies is her debut novel.

Homebodies

Tembe Denton-Hurst

•A sharply observed and witty coming-of-age debut novel following a Black woman in her twenties trying to navigate life and love when she returns to her hometown, after being unceremoniously fired from her job, and her post calling out racism within the media industry suddenly goes viral.

•The book was inspired by her own experiences, when, a couple of years ago, Tembe was laid off from her media job and forced to confront a new kind of reality after everything she built stopped working out.

•Beautifully captures many timely and socially relevant issues and themes in today’s society: complex relationships, office politics, workplace discrimination, life in your twenties, cancel culture, social media.

•Perfect for fans of Sally Rooney, The Other Black Girl, Candice Carty-Williams and Maame.

•Tembe is a beauty and culture editor for the New York magazine and you can find her on Instagram, with nearly 14k followers.

’THIS BOOK IS SO FUN AND HOT AND EXCEPTIONALLY WRITTEN!!’

Reader reviews⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I melted into this book and loved every minute of it – if you're looking for a contemporary story of a queer black girl finding herself, you'll love this’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Tembe’s characters are captivating. Her writing is sexy, honest, and powerful. I laughed, I cried, I NEED more’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It's really powerful to show a raw, relatable character trying to decide if the career she's worked toward for her entire life is worth the pain it causes her’ Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Mickey and her friends drew me in right away and it was so easy to see myself in her’ Reader review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* * *

She’s stayed quiet for too long.

Now it’s time to speak her truth.

Until twenty-four hours ago, Mickey Hayward was living the life she’d always dreamed of: -Working as a full-time writer for a trendy media company (tick)

-In a committed, loving relationship (tick)

Now she’s fired, tossed aside for a younger, more ‘agreeable’ Black writer. Sick of being overlooked, she responds with an online letter detailing the racism she’s faced within the industry. And when a media scandal turns Mickey’s post into a viral sensation, suddenly everyone wants to hear what she has to say.

That’s what Mickey has always wanted – isn’t it?

* * *

Tropes:

·Coming of age

·Old flame

·Love triangle

978-0-00-833602-8

29 Aug 2024

Subject

You Were Always Mine

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

•The much-anticipated second novel from the powerhouse writing duo that brought us the provoking and important debut novel, WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM.

•YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE is a poignant story about a Black woman who finds an abandoned white baby. This sends her on a collision course with her past, her family, and a birth mother who doesn't want to be found.

•For fans of THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett, LOVE MARRIAGE by Monica Ali, Tayari Jones and Jodi Picoult.

•A provocative and conversation-starting novel that explores what makes a mother, who deserves to be a mother, and whether motherhood is a privilege or a right. It is a story about race, motherhood, and the families that we make.

•Perfectly hits the sweet spot in the ‘reading group meets women’s fiction’ space. Will be a word-of-mouth hit for book groups across the world.

Fiction ‘Sits squarely at the tender intersection of race, class, and ethics – wrapped in beautiful prose and a killer plot that keeps you turning the pages’ JODI PICOULT

Readership General

Christine Pride worked in publishing for fifteen years, having worked with a variety of established and debut writers and published many New York Times bestsellers and critically acclaimed books including, From Scratch, Heaven is Here, and A Reason to Believe. Christine pens a regular column, ‘Race Matters’, for Cup of Jo alongside her novel-writing.

Jo Piazza is an award-winning journalist and editor who has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Glamour and Elle. The bestselling author of The Knockoff, How to Be Married, Fitness Junkie, and Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, she currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children.

Is the truest family the one we’re born into, or the one we make for ourselves?

Cinnamon Haynes has fought hard for everything she has – her marriage, a stable job as a career counsellor, and home of her own. She’s overcome the difficult circumstances of her childhood to build this life, and yet, she can’t help but wonder . . . is this all there is?

Just nineteen years old, Daisy Dunlap has already faced her share of hardships, but she has big dreams for her future. A future which is threatened when she gets unexpectedly pregnant and, desperate and alone, she makes a drastic decision with devastating consequences.

When Cinnamon finds an abandoned baby in the park, she takes the newborn into her home, not realising the chain reaction this will set off. Cinnamon must deal with the shocking judgements from friends, strangers, even her own husband, about why a Black woman like her would take in this blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby, but all Cinnamon wants is to do right by this innocent child. Then, Cinnamon’s fragile hold over the baby is threatened and she must fight for the family she wants –even if that costs her everything she once held dear . . .

PRAISE FOR CHRISTINE PRIDE & JO PIAZZA:

‘A powerful story about friendship, race, love, forgiveness, and justice . . . Empathetic, riveting, and authentic’ Laura Dave, author of TheLastThingHeToldMe

‘An absolute must-read for your book clubs for debate and discussion’ Nina Pottell, Prima (Book of the Month)

‘Powerful and timely’ Guardian

‘Guaranteed to get people talking’ GoodHousekeeping

A painfully amazing read teaching us that sometimes, when it comes to race, the real enemy is ignorance’ Rhys Stephenson, actor and TV presenter

‘Provides a starting point for conversations which are crucial, at times uncomfortable, but long overdue’ Ruth Hogan, SundayTimesbestselling author of TheKeeperofLostThings

978-0-00-853030-3 12 Sep 2024 384pp £ 9.99

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership

Millie Bobby Brown is an actress and producer best known for playing Eleven in the Netflix hit series Stranger Things

On the big screen, Brown has starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and its sequel Godzilla vs. Kong. She also starred in and produced the popular Netflix mystery film franchise Enola Holmes and its 2022 sequel Enola Holmes 2.

In 2019, Brown launched her own vegan and cruelty free makeup and skincare line, florence by mills. The brand received the “Launch of the Year” honour at Women’s Wear Daily’s Beauty Inc Awards.

In November 2018, UNICEF named Brown the organization’s newest Goodwill Ambassador. Earlier that year, Brown was also named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.

Nineteen Steps

Millie Bobby Brown

•Millie is an actress and producer, best known for playing Eleven in Netflix hit series Stranger Things and the popular Netflix mystery film franchise Enola Holmes and its sequel

•Her debut novel is inspired by the true events of her family’s history and her grandmother who grew up in Bethnal Green during WW2 as well as the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster

•This dazzling debut about the lengths that we will go to fight for love is perfect for fans of emotive historical fiction like Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See

The Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from global star Millie Bobby Brown

Love blooms in the darkest days…

London, 1942.

Despite the raging war, spirited 18-year-old Nellie Morris lives a quiet life in the tight-knit East End community of Bethnal Green. Her family and friends all tease that she will marry air raid warden Billy, the boy next door who’s always been sweet on her.

The arrival of Ray, a handsome American airman stationed nearby, causes Nellie to question everything she thought she knew about her future.

Nellie’s new-found happiness is short-lived when a tragic accident occurs during an air raid. Even the closest family can’t escape the devastation of war, and as the secrets and truth about that fateful night become clear, they threaten to tear Nellie – and those dearest to her – apart.

’There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown’s Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembered. . .You might open Nineteen Steps for the celebrity name, but stick with it for the history of an under-recognized event of World War II.’ New York Times

Inspired by the true events of her family history, Millie Bobby Brown’s dazzling debut novel is a moving tale of longing, loss and secrets, and the lengths that we will go to fight for love.

’There is no healing without remembering, and there is no remembering without stories. So thank goodness Brown’s Nanny Ruth, who was a survivor of the crush, told her granddaughter what she remembered. . .You might open Nineteen Steps for the celebrity name, but stick with it for the history of an under-recognized event of World War II.’ New York Times

‘This novel will make you swoon, laugh, and even cry, because some parts are truly devastating, especially when you remember it's based on true events. . .It’s thought-provoking and easy to read –one to pop on your cosy autumn TBR pile.’ Daily Mirror

‘Millie Bobby Brown’s debut novel beautifully portrays her grandmother’s experience. . .[and] shrewdly portrays the difficult history of a tragedy that is often overlooked.’ The i Paper

‘A dazzling debut.’ Woman’s Own

‘A brilliant debut novel inspired by the true events of Millie Bobby Brown’s family history.’ Closer

978-0-00-865415-3

29 Aug 2024

Subject

Readership

The daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Etaf Rum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She has a Masters of Arts in American and British Literature as well as undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and English Composition and taught undergraduate courses in North Carolina, where she lives with her two children. Etaf also runs the Instagram account @booksandbeans and is also a Book of the Month Club Ambassador, showcasing her favourite selections each month. Her debut novel, A Woman is No Man, was a New York Times bestseller and was published to wide critical acclaim. Evil Eye is her second novel.

Evil Eye

Etaf Rum

The highly anticipated new novel from the author of the much-loved A WOMAN IS NO MAN.

•EVIL EYE is a striking exploration of the expectations of Palestinian-American women, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents.

•A book club’s dream read: explores feminist themes, the role of women in Palestinian-American culture, and the mother-daughter dynamic across the generations.

•Perfect for fans of Khaled Hosseini, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Elif Shafak, and TheStationeryShopofTehran.

•Over 6,000 copies sold of EVIL EYE in its first outing (all formats)

•A WOMAN IS NO MAN (2019):

-Almost 55,000 copies sold, across formats

-A Kindle bestseller

-A NewYorkTimesbestseller

-An Amazon Editor’s Pick

-A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist for Best Fiction and Best Debut

-A MarieClaireBest Women's Fiction of the Year pick

-A WashingtonPost10 Books to Read of the Month

‘Filled

with completely relatable yearning and achingly beautifully written, Evil Eye

is

a

wonderful, moving and absorbing story of identity and belonging and learning to love yourself. I thought it was excellent’ Reader review ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book, Yara’s bravery and courage are inspirational. I found myself rooting her on. Yara’s story gave me a deeper understanding of the plight of the Palestinian people or any people forced from their homeland … Cheers to Etaf Rum’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Thought-provoking and emotionally rich storytelling. Etaf Rum's ability to navigate the depths of trauma, prejudice, and cultural identity with sensitivity and grace is truly commendable. This novel will leave you with a profound understanding of the human experience and a renewed sense of empathy’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* * *

The powerful and poignant new novel from the author of the much-loved A Woman is No Man.

Raised in a conservative Palestinian family in Brooklyn, Yara thought she would finally feel free when she married a charming entrepreneur. Now, she has a good job at the local college, and balances that with raising her two daughters and taking care of their home. Yara knows that her life is more rewarding than her mother’s – so why doesn’t it feel like enough?

After Yara responds to a colleague’s racist provocation, she is put on probation at work and must attend mandatory counselling. Her mother blames a family curse for Yara’s troubles, and while Yara doesn’t believe in superstitions, she still finds herself growing increasingly uneasy about falling victim to the same mistakes as her mother.

Yara’s carefully constructed world begins to implode and suddenly she must face up to the difficulties of her childhood, not fully realising how that will impact not just her own future, but that of her daughters too.

* * *

Praise for Etaf Rum:

‘A love letter to storytelling’ New York Times

978-0-00-859012-3

336pp

26 Sep 2024

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Crime

Faith Martin has been writing for thirty years, under different pen names, and has published over fifty novels. She began writing romantic thrillers as Maxine Barry, but quickly turned to crime! As Joyce Cato she wrote classic-style whodunits, since she’s always admired the golden-age crime novelists. But it was when she created her fictional DI Hillary Greene, and began writing under the name of Faith Martin, that she finally became more widely known. Having penned the Ryder & Loveday series set back in the 1960s in the City of Oxford, Faith Martin has now turned to the golden age itself, with a brand new series set in the Cotswolds of the 1920s. Having lived Oxfordshire all her life, both the city and the countryside/wildlife often feature in her novels. The fauna of a farming landscape has always played a big part in her life – and often sneak its way onto the pages of her books.

The Val & Arbie Mysteries (1)

Murder by Candlelight

Faith Martin

•From the multi-million-copy bestselling author of the Hillary Greene and Ryder & Loveday series

•A number 1 bestseller in ebook

•The start of a gripping new cosy crime series set in the Cotswolds of the 1920s, featuring gentleman ghost-hunter Arbie and vicar’s daughter Val •Combining fiendishly intricate murders, gentle humour and a cosy, uplifting setting, this series is perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett, Robert Thorogood and Agatha Christie

One suspicious death. Two amateur sleuths. And an utterly impossible crime…

The NUMBER ONE ebook bestseller!

'Amuses and intrigues in equal measure… a splendid start to what promises to be a longrunning series’ Daily Mail

'The perfect village mystery. A golden-age world with an energy that is totally contemporary’ J.M. Hall, author of A Spoonful of Murder

‘All the ingredients of a classic mystery… enormous fun.’ Orlando Murrin, author of Knife Skills for Beginners

'Brilliant characters that leap off the page.' The Sun

The Cotswolds, 1924. At the Old Forge in the quiet village of Maybury-in-the-Marsh a cry of anguish rings out: lady of the house Amy Phelps has been discovered dead. But with all the windows and doors to her room locked from inside, how – and by whom – was she killed?

Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift finds himself in the unlikely position of detective. The celebrated author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Ghost-Hunting is staying at the Old Forge to investigate a suspected spectre, but now the more pressing matter of Amy’s murder falls to him too.

With old friend Val, he soon uncovers a sorry tale of altered wills, secret love affairs and tragic losses –and plenty of motives for murder. When events take another sinister turn, Arbie must find the killer, fast. And to do so will mean cracking a most perfectly plotted crime…

Perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, The Appeal and The Marlow Murder Club, don’t miss this stunning new series from the multi-million bestselling author!

Readers LOVE Murder by Candlelight!

‘I absolutely loved this… The story grabbed me from the beginning and I devoured it.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A beautifully constructed puzzle… I so hope this will be the start of a series.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Very entertaining… Full of red herrings, plot twists and turns. I thought I knew who was the killer but I was wrong.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What an utterly delightful and clever mystery… I highly recommend this book.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Terrifically good, and just great fun!… All of the clues are provided, but so are a number of very good red herrings… I can’t wait to see more of Arbie and Val.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘WOW. I loved this book.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely perfect! This is the book I have been craving since I last read the Thursday Murder ewer

978-0-00-845077-9

26 Sep 2024

Subject

Readership

M.A. Kuzniar spent six years living in Spain, teaching English and travelling the world which inspired her children’s series The Ship of Shadows. Her adult debut novel Midnight in Everwood was inspired by her love of ballet and love of The Nuctracker. She lives in Nottingham with her husband, where she reads and writes as much as can and bookstagrams @cosyreads.

Upon a Frosted Star

M.A. Kuzniar

•A bewitching literary fairy tale: The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake with strong Christmas gifting potential

•Perfect for fans of upmarket historical from Jessie Burton and Stacey Halls as well as fans of literary fantasy from Stephanie Garber and Lucinda Riley

•M.A. Kuzniar’s debut Midnight in Everwood was a Times bestseller and sold 11k HBs TCM

•Excellent praise: stunning endorsements from Stephanie Garber, Sophie Anderson, Francesca May, Elodie Harper and more

‘An enchanting new twist on a classic tale’ Elodie Harper

When the snow falls, she will be free…

The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’

When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.

Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desperate to be free…

From the bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood, comes another spellbinding literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake

Tropes:

�� Finding the magic of Christmas

❤ True love

☃ Festive fun!

Readers LOVE Upon A Frosted Star

‘A delightful dark fairy tale’ ❄

‘Perfect for snuggling up in the winter evenings’ ❄

‘A brilliant read’ ❄

‘Enchanted me’ ❄

‘A beautiful, richly woven, captivating fairy tale’ Sophie Anderson

‘Spellbinding and sumptuous, this is an absolute feast of a book. Kuzniar held me under a powerful spell from the novel’s opening pages and left me at turns dazzled, enchanted, and thoroughly mesmerised.’ Francesca May

‘Sparkling prose and bewitching storytelling’ Stephanie Garber

‘Sure to seduce you’ Woman

978-0-00-860844-6

10 Oct 2024

B 198x129, Paperback

Subject

Readership

SARAH CLARKE is a writer living in South West London with her husband, children, and stubbornly cheerful cockapoo. Over fifteen years, Sarah has built a successful career as a marketing copywriter. When her youngest child started secondary school, she joined the Faber Academy Writing A Novel course to learn the craft of writing psychological thrillers. Sarah graduated in 2019 and joined HQ Digital two years later.

The Ski Trip

Sarah Clarke

’You won’t know who to trust’ Adele Parks, Platinum

’A fast-paced tale of revenge.’ Catherine Cooper, author of The Chalet

‘Suspenseful, claustrophobic.’ Katy Brent, How to Kill Men and Get Away With It

'A tense and twisty thriller.' Nikki Smith, author of The Beach Party

THE PERFECT TRIP

When four friends embark on a boys’ skiing holiday in the Alps, they anticipate a weekend of fun, drinking, and some healthy competition on the slopes. But their trip is cut short when one of them falls to his death.

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT…

Tom’s widow, Zoe travels to France with her friend, Ivy to collect his body. While Zoe is consumed by grief, Ivy starts to question everything.

OR COLD-BLOODED MURDER?

The slope Tom fell from wasn’t dangerous, and tensions between the group were at breaking point in the days before his death.

But if Ivy’s suspicions are correct, Tom was killed by one of his closest friends. And they are still in the chalet…

Readers LOVE The Ski Trip

'A thrilling novel full of tension and suspense.' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Chilling, almost claustrophobic…' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolute masterpiece of mystery and suspense.' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Anger, jealousy, guilty, betrayal, lies, secrets… and more secrets!' NetGalley reviewer,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for The Ski Trip:

‘A clever, slick and chilling read. Clarke is at the top of her game!’ A.A. Chaudhuri

'A lightening-paced thriller about revenge and keeping your enemies close.' Woman's Own

‘Twistier than a difficult ski run… The pages turn themselves!’ Louise Mumford

'An explosive revenge thriller packed with enough twists and turns to leave you breathless – I love it!' Mira Shah

'Fast paced, exciting and full of twists.' Jacqueline Sutherland

'A pacy, chilling, claustrophobic thriller… all set against the beautiful backdrop of the French Alps. I devoured it!' Diane Jeffrey

’With its brilliantly atmospheric setting and cast of duplicitous characters, The Ski Trip keeps you in its icy grip until the very last page.’ Sarah J Naughton 320pp

978-0-00-845526-2

24 Oct 2024

Paperback

Subject

Readership

Anita Frank was born in Shropshire and studied English and American History at the University of East Anglia. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and three children and is now a full-time carer for her disabled son. Her debut novel The Lost Ones was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award. The Good Liars is her third novel.

Backlist

The Good Liars

•A Sunday Times bestseller

Anita Frank

•Anita Frank’s debut novel, THE LOST ONES, was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown.

•Her second book, THE RETURN, was shortlisted for the RNA’s Historical Romantic Novel Award.

•A classic crime mystery set in the 1920s where everyone has something to hide

•For fans of Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh who love a modern take on period crime

•Chosen as a Goldsboro Book of the Month

From the author of stunning historical fiction books comes a Sunday Times bestselling new story of crime, deceit, and murder, set in the early 1920s…

In the summer of 1914 a boy vanishes, never to be seen again.

Now, in 1920, the once esteemed Stilwell family of Darkacre Hall find themselves struggling with the legacy of the First World War. Leonard bears the physical scars, while his brother Maurice has endured more than his mind can take. Maurice’s wife Ida yearns for the lost days of privilege and pleasure and family friend Victor seems unwilling to move on.

But their lives are thrown into further disarray when the missing boy’s case is reopened – and this time they themselves are under police scrutiny.

As the dead return to haunt the living, old resentments resurface and loyalties are tested, while secrets risk being unearthed that could destroy them all.

Praise for The Good Liars:

‘Ingenious’ Sunday Times

‘The Good Liars is not only a superb book, it’s a clever book… claustrophobic, addictive and utterly compelling; I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended’ MW Craven

‘Exquisitely written, this haunting tale of guilt and grief treads a perfect line between chilling ghost story and gripping mystery’ Tom Hindle

‘A modern classic… I couldn’t put it down’ Claire Dyer

‘A compelling, WW1 tale of deceit, lies and the damages of war. Dripping with claustrophobic tension and absolutely unputdownable. I loved it' Rebecca Netley

‘Anita Frank has created a range of characters alternately agreeable and repellent, and yet all entirely readable, in a blend of history and mystery. A real page-turner’ Mandy Robotham

‘A fabulous book… full of twists and turns and heartbreaking revelations with a sprinkling of spookiness on top’ Laura Shepherd-Robinson

‘A real page-turner… Layers upon layers of secrets and lies… Bravo!’ Liz Hyder

‘A cleverly structured story, with twist after twist… Excellent’ Ragnar Jonasson

‘An absolute gulp of a read… it grabs hold and doesn’t let go’ Fíona Scarlett

‘This clever claustrophobic page-turner delivers in spades’ Carolyn O’Brien

978-0-00-855134-6

Subject

NEIL LANCASTER is the No. 1 digital bestselling author of both the Tom Novak and Max Craigie series. His first Craigie novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The second Craigie novel, The Blood Tide, topped several ebook and audio charts. It was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize and shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards.

Neil served as a military policeman and worked for the Metropolitan Police as a detective, investigating serious crimes in the capital and beyond. As a covert policing specialist, he used all manner of techniques to investigate and disrupt major crime and criminals. He now lives in the Scottish Highlands, writes crime and thriller novels and works as a broadcaster and commentator on true crime documentaries. He is an expert on two Sky Crime TV series, Meet, Marry, Murder and Made for Murder.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@neillancaster66

DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers (5)

The Devil You Know

Neil Lancaster

•Neil’s first novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year, and was also named Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month in January 22.

•His second novel, The Blood Tide, was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year and was shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards.

•This is the fifth thriller in a stunning new Scottish crime series, perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride and Denzil Meyrick.

•Have now sold over 100,000 copies across the series in all formats

•The author is an Ex-Detective and Military Policeman who uses his first-hand experiences to bring authenticity to his stories. He is also a broadcaster who regularly appears on Sky TV to comment on true crime documentaries.

•Neil was a detective on the famous Levi Bellfield serial killer case.

•Neil lives in the Scottish Highlands on The Black Isle and is well-connected within the crime writing community. This series has garnered praise from a wide range of authors, including Ian Rankin, Jane Casey, C. L. Taylor, Cass Green and Tony Parsons.

‘A tense and twisty thriller that had me gnawing my fingernails one minute and laughing out loud the next.’ Marion Todd

A CASE GONE COLD

Six years ago, Beata Dabrowski arranged to meet her lover in Glasgow and was never seen again. There were no leads… until now.

AN UNRELIABLE WITNESS

Imprisoned gang boss Davie Hardie wants to talk in exchange for his freedom. He knows exactly where Beata is buried, and he’s prepared to take the police to her grave.

A KILLER DESPERATE TO ESCAPE

But when the mission to locate Beata’s body is hijacked, DS Max Craigie is drafted on to the case. Someone is selling secrets.

Max will stop at nothing to expose police corruption and uncover Beata’s murderer… but can you ever really trust a killer to catch a killer?

Don’t miss the next book in the DS Max Craigie series! Fans of Ian Rankin and Marion Todd will love this utterly gripping Scottish thriller!

Praise for The Devil You Know

‘Neil Lancaster is one of the most exciting, innovative crime writers in the UK right now… One of the best police procedurals I’ve read in a long time. Consider me a fan’ M. W. Craven

‘This tale is fast and furious with blue lights and screaming sirens all the way’ The Sun

‘Action-packed & lightning-paced with some of the best dialogue I’ve read. I’m a huge fan of Lancaster and he’s a true rising star in crime fiction. Explosive & compelling’ Helen Fields

‘As hard as it is to believe, these books just get better and better’ Tony Kent

‘A wickedly clever and riveting thriller’ Graham Bartlett

978-0-00-841383-5

Subject

Erica James is the author of twenty-five internationally bestselling novels, including most recently A Secret Garden Affair, which was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Her books are loved by readers looking for beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settings.

A keen gardener, Erica lives in Suffolk and has a growing obsession for doll’s houses. She is also a keen follower of F1 motor racing and, when possible, loves travelling to Japan and the US to see her sons.

An Ideal Husband

Erica James

•Join Sunday Times bestseller Erica James for a tale of love, betrayal, moving on and just deserts, all told with her characteristic wit

•MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS and A SECRET GARDEN AFFAIR were both in the Sunday Times top ten for two weeks

•All 25 of Erica James’s novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers

‘Wonderful on characterisation and family dynamics, and done very deftly, with that wry humour of hers. I was very entertained by her clever, tongue-in-cheek plotting.’ Marian Keyes

'Another brilliant novel by Erica James. One of those books that I was really sad to finish… I was totally invested.' Netgalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 400pp B 198x129, Paperback

The uplifting new story of fresh starts and second chances from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James…

After a long and seemingly happy marriage, and a wonderful family Christmas, Louisa is stunned when husband Kip asks for a divorce on Boxing Day. He’d never seemed unhappy – and they’ve raised three children together.

For months, Kip has been secretly seeing a younger woman – and if that wasn’t bad enough – it’s the woman who broke their youngest son’s heart.

Now Kip is moving out and embarking on a new life with Zoe, and Louisa is left to pick up the pieces. Their beloved family home, Charity Cottage, is up for sale, and tensions are running high.

Yet, despite the betrayal and anger, when Louisa lays eyes on what might be a unique and welcoming new home, she feels a first glimmer of hope that life might be taking a turn for the better.

And while Louisa is making exciting plans, Kip finds himself facing challenges of his own and begins to learn that living the dream may not be as simple as he thought…

Sunday Times bestseller Erica James returns with an uplifting, wryly humorous new family drama

Praise for An Ideal Husband:

'Erica James explores the complexity of family relationships with skill and sympathy and her vividly drawn characters leap from the page. I couldn’t put it down!' Sarah Morgan

'We're certain you're going to love it' Glamour

‘So, so good… shades of dark and light in every character which are gloriously done. A deliciously satisfying story’ CathyKelly

'Erica James writes upliftingly and humorously about family life' My Weekly

‘So warm and kind in the face of betrayal. I can highly recommend’ Fern Britton

‘This compelling family drama puts a spotlight on how a family can evolve and re-invent itself… Effortlessly elegant storytelling from Erica, as ever’ Veronica Henry

Readers love An Ideal Husband…

'Pure reading joy. So easy to glide through… You can identify with the characters and lose yourself in their stories.' Netgalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emily Burns Publicity Director

Emily.Burns@harpercollins.co.uk

07870978711

Komal Patel Head of Publicity

Komal.Patel@harpercollins.co.uk

07586108285

Becci Mansell Senior Publicity Manager

Becci.Mansell@harpercollins.co.uk

Felicia Hu Press Officer

Felicia.Hu@harpercollins.co.uk

Isabel Williams Press Officer

lsabel.Williams@harpercollins.co.uk

Georgia Hester Publicity Assistant

Georgia.Hester@harpercollins.co.uk

For General PR Enquiries: hqpressoffice@harpercollins.co.uk

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