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Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives: Stories from the Trailblazers of Domestic Suspense
Sarah Weinman - 2013
Few know these characters—and their creators—better than Sarah Weinman. One of today’s preeminent authorities on crime fiction, Weinman asks: Where would bestselling authors like Gillian Flynn, Sue Grafton, or Tana French be without the women writers who came before them? In Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives, Weinman brings together fourteen hair-raising tales by women who—from the 1940s through the mid-1970s—took a scalpel to contemporary society and sliced away to reveal its dark essence. Lovers of crime fiction from any era will welcome this deliciously dark tribute to a largely forgotten generation of women writers.
The Maltese Falcon
Dashiell Hammett - 1930
But Miss Wonderley is in fact the beautiful and treacherous Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and when Spade's partner Miles Archer is shot while on Thursby's trail, Spade finds himself both hunter and hunted: can he track down the jewel-encrusted bird, a treasure worth killing for, before the Fat Man finds him?
Burn
Sean Doolittle - 2003
Not a good sign for Andrew Kindler, who just came from back east to get away from his past–as an arsonist. In fact, almost from the moment he sets foot in his cousin’s Santa Monica beach house, the heat starts swirling around him. First there’s the cop who thinks Andrew might know something about a murder suspect. Then there’s the suspect’s beautiful sister, who is willing to pay Andrew $5,000 for the same information.But Andrew really uninformed. And with a sensational murder case burning a hole in the gut of the LAPD–as well as the star-studded L.A. fitness industry–ignorance is dangerous. Now Andrew must solve a murder he knows nothing about, find a killer he’s never met, and unravel a family’s explosive secret. His reward for success? To live another day: one step ahead of his burning past... “An exceptionally well-crafted and well-told tale of arson, police work, misplaced zeal, bad relationships, good relationships, family bonds and, oh yes, exercise videos. Quirky, compelling, intelligent, and funny ... If you like Elmore Leonard, do yourself a favor and pick up BURN.”–Lincoln Journal Star “A cult writer for the masses–hip, smart and so mordantly funny that the casual reader might be laughing too hard to realize just how thoughtful Doolittle’s work is. Get on the bandwagon now.”–Laura Lippman, author of By a Spider’s Thread “Sean Doolittle combines wit, good humor, and a generosity of spirit rare in mystery fiction to create novels that are both engrossing and strangely uplifting. He deserves to take his place among the best in the genre.”–John Connolly, author of The White Road“An estimable addition not only to the publisher’s list but also to crime fiction ... Doolittle delivers a briskly plotted, hard-boiled mystery that has its roots in the Elmore Leonard school of dark comedy.”–South Florida Sun-Sentinel·Gold medal winner for mystery in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award·A Best Crime Fiction of 2003 pick from January Magazine
Miami Blues
Charles Willeford - 1984
With his guard down, he doesn’t think twice when he hears a knock on the door. The next day, he finds himself in the hospital, badly bruised and with his jaw wired shut. He thinks back over ten years of cases wondering who would want to beat him into unconsciousness, steal his gun and badge, and most importantly, make off with his prized dentures. But the pieces never quite add up to revenge, and the few clues he has keep connecting to a dimwitted hooker, and her ex-con boyfriend and the bizarre murder of a Hare Krishna pimp.Chronically depressed, constantly strapped for money, always willing to bend the rules a bit, Hoke Moseley is hardly what you think of as the perfect cop, but he is one of the the greatest detective creations of all time.
Pure Justice
Linda L. Barton - 2011
Ted was trained in the art of killing. He was good at it, and he enjoyed it. This is the story of one man's mission to assure justice is paid in full and the Detective who must stop him before he achieves his goal of Pure Justice. *Warning: This book contains graphic violence.
Missing Chloe
John C. Dalglish - 2018
When she's found, their worst nightmare is realized. In the weeks and months that follow, they try to put their lives back together, but tragedy haunts them. Detective Annie Logan finds herself charged with sorting through the lives of those MISSING CHLOE. She has to separate facts from lies in a case that will test both her skills and her emotions, but can she figure it out and prevent a killer from escaping justice. ************************************** MORE FROM JOHN C. DALGLISH THE CITY MURDERS SERIES(Clean Crime Fiction) BOSTON HOMICIDE - #1 MIAMI HOMICIDE - #2 CHICAGO HOMICIDE - #3 DALLAS HOMICIDE - #4 DENVER HOMICIDE - #5 SEATTLE HOMICIDE - #6 NEW ORLEANS HOMICIDE - #7 DETECTIVE JASON STRONG SERIES(Clean Crime Fiction) WHERE’S MY SON? – #1 BLOODSTAIN – #2 FOR MY BROTHER – #3 SILENT JUSTICE – #4 TIED TO MURDER – #5 ONE OF THEIR OWN – #6 DEATH STILL - #7 LETHAL INJECTION – #8 CRUEL DECEPTION – #9 LET'S PLAY - #10 HOSTAGE- #11 A CIRCLE OF FEAR - #12 DEADLY OBSESSION - #13 DEAD OF NIGHT - #14 SHADOW OF DOUBT - #15 FATAL AFFAIR - #16 DRIVEN TO KILL - #17 BOUND BY BLOOD - #18 THE CHASER CHRONICLES (Christian Adventure Fiction) CROSSOVER – #1 JOURNEY – #2 DESTINY- #3 INNER DEMONS- #4 DARK DAYS - #5 FAR FROM HOME - #6 KEIKO'S WAR - (Young Romance Historical Fiction)
A Fine Day for Revenge: A Historical Western Adventure Book
Ethan Westfield - 2021
The day his stepfather dies, however, his world will suddenly turn upside down. Even though Shaun grows increasingly suspicious of his stepfather's death, believing that something treacherous has happened to him, no one wants to listen to his fears.Will Shaun manage to unravel the truth behind the enigmatic and shocking death?While Shaun is still haunted by the mysterious loss of his father, he will soon have to confront another daunting obstacle; his stepbrother Clayton's decision to sell the family ranch. Moreover, Shaun is allowed to keep one horse but must leave the ranch, never to return. With nothing to live for and no place to call home, Shaun crosses paths with a horse enthusiast. Little does he know that together they're about to change the rules of horseracing forever... Will Shaun finally have a chance to make his way in the world, or will his hostility toward his stepbrother destroy a chance at a new life and success?With Shaun's move to Prescott and start in horse racing, his life will finally begin to improve. Moreover, a beautiful and sophisticated woman will soon steal his heart. Nonetheless, ghosts from the past continue to pursue him and lead him down a dark path... Will Shaun be able to overcome the lies and deceit that could undermine his chance for a good future? Or will forces beyond his control rob him of his smile once and for all?An action-packed story, featuring complex and fascinating characters, and twists and turns that will take your breath away. A must-read for fans of Western action and romance.
Beat to a Pulp: Hardboiled
David CranmerAmy Grech - 2011
This collection includes thirteen lean and mean stories from the fingertips of Garnett Elliott, Glenn Gray, John Hornor Jacobs, Patricia Abbott, Thomas Pluck, Brad Green, Ron Earl Phillips, Kent Gowran, Amy Grech, Benoit Lelievre, Kieran Shea, David Cranmer, and Wayne D. Dundee and a boiled down look at hardboiled fiction in an introduction by Ron Scheer. Edited by David Cranmer and Scott D. Parker.
Caught Stealing
Charlie Huston - 2004
But now Hank is here, working as a bartender and taking care of a cat named Bud who is surely going to get him killed.It begins when Hank’s neighbor, Russ, has to leave town in a rush and hands over Bud in a carrier. But it isn’t until two Russians in tracksuits drag Hank over the bar at the joint where he works and beat him to a pulp that he starts to get the idea: Someone wants something from him. He just doesn’t know what it is, where it is, or how to make them understand he doesn’t have it.Within twenty-four hours Hank is running over rooftops, swinging his old aluminum bat for the sweet spot of a guy’s head, playing hide and seek with the NYPD, riding the subway with a dead man at his side, and counting a whole lot of cash on a concrete floor.All because of two cowboys, two Russian mafia men, and some of the weirdest goons ever assembled in one place. All because of Bud. All because once, in another life, in another world, the only thing Hank wanted was to take third base—without getting caught.
The New Adventures of Ellery Queen
Ellery Queen - 1939
Then in the twinkling of an eye, goes its rich and eldely owner. and, for the grand finale, both reappear--each as dead as the other.TRICK II--From the House of Darkness issues more bafflement. In total darkness and from a distance of twelve feet, four bullets are pumped within an inch of each other into a spectator's back. A feat utterly impossible to perform--yet brazenly and undeniably done.TRICK III-- The piece de resistance. This time it's an entire house, a real house, a solid house which Ellery Queen had been in only the day before...vanished from the face of the earth. And in its place, one of the most incredible conundrums ever to face the master crime solver.* The Lamp of God (Detective Story, October 1935 as House of Haunts)* ...The Treasure Hunt (Detective Story, 1935)* ...The Hollow Dragon (Redbook, December 1936)* ...The House of Darkness (The American Magazine, February 1935)* ...The Bleeding Portrait (original title: "The Gramatan Mystery"* Man Bites Dog (Blue Book, June, 1939)* Long Shot (Blue Book, September 1939)* Mind Over Matter (Blue Book, October 1939)* The Trojan Horse (Blue Book, December 1939)
Gun, With Occasional Music
Jonathan Lethem - 1994
Near-future Oakland is a brave new world where evolved animals are members of society, the police monitor citizens by their karma levels, and mind-numbing drugs such as Forgettol and Acceptol are all the rage.Metcalf has been shadowing Celeste, the wife of an affluent doctor. Perhaps he's falling a little in love with her at the same time. When the doctor turns up dead, our amiable investigator finds himself caught in a crossfire between the boys from the Inquisitor's Office and gangsters who operate out of the back room of a bar called the Fickle Muse.Mixing elements of sci-fi, noir, and mystery, this clever first novel from the author of Motherless Brooklyn is a wry, funny, and satiric look at all that the future may hold.
Final Whistle
J. Jackson Bentley - 2010
As Alex Carter tries to deal with the death of his friend he finds himself inextricably drawn into a world of ‘in play’ betting corruption that threatens everything he holds dear. Can he recover from injury and overcome depression quickly enough to save himself, his family and the game he loves? Only time will tell. J Jackson Bentley’s fast paced soccer thriller is authentic and absorbing as it races along at the speed of light, it is told in around 95,000 words.
Legal Thriller: Justice (Dean Wilder Book 1)
Patrick Graham - 2016
Dean Wilder makes sure of it. The daughter of a United States Senator is found brutally murdered in a quiet park, and an ex-professional basketball player is accused. In the series debut, criminal defense lawyer Dean Wilder can't resist the chance to represent someone who is as crazy as anyone can be without being criminally insane. A defense lawyer with a conscience, Wilder steps into the case knowing the trouble will run deep. Politicians, lawyers, psychologists, and crooked cops push Wilder to the edge. Under mounting media pressure, can Wilder find the real killer before he strikes again? Smart and witty, this legal thriller will take you for a ride through the courtroom, and leave you with twists and turns that you didn’t see coming.
THE DCI BLIZZARD MURDER MYSTERIES: Books 4 to 6
John Dean - 2019
A super value boxset! Comprising the fourth, fifth and sixth books in the Detective Chief Inspector John Blizzard series: THE SECRETS MAN, BREACH OF TRUST and DEATH LIST. THE SECRETS MAN Whilst detective John Blizzard looks into a series of drug-related deaths, his nemesis, gangland thug Morrie Raynor, is released from prison. Blizzard becomes convinced Raynor is linked to a new crime spree, but with little evidence other than the ravings of a sick, delirious man, the detective's colleagues suspect his personal feelings are clouding his judgement. A BREACH OF TRUST A corrupt industrialist is found dead. When his family shed crocodile tears, DCI John Blizzard turns the screw. But when their alibis check out, can his team track down the real killer among a long list of likely suspects? DEATH LIST An undercover detective is shot in his home. Later, police officers on a routine patrol are fired at. Someone has a big problem with law enforcement. DCI Blizzard starts a crackdown on his city’s most notorious gangsters. But is he in danger of rubbing the wrong people up the wrong way? Or is he already on the killer’s list? All three of these books are also available separately on Kindle and in paperback. This box set is available FREE with Kindle Unlimited. The first three books in the series, THE LONG DEAD, STRANGE LITTLE GIRL and THE RAILWAY MAN, are also available individually on Kindle and in paperback and as a box set on Kindle. If you enjoy mysteries that have you guessing until they end, you’ll love these books about hard-hitting detective John Blizzard and his team.