Book picks similar to
Murder at Smutty Nose and Other Murders by Edmund Lester Pearson
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Mayhem, Murder and the PTA
Dave Cravens - 2019
When a key source vanishes on a politically toxic story, this single mother of three finds herself at the center of a media storm and out of a job. Ready to reset, Parker moves her family back to the rural town where she grew up. But a gossip-filled PTA, a tyrannical school principal and a gruesome murder make adjusting to the "simple life" anything but. Parker Monroe is about to chase the story of her lifetime...
Circus of Nightmares: Death is the Ultimate Illusion (The Anglesey Mysteries Book 2)
Conrad Jones - 2021
A Place for Violence
Kevin Wignall - 2008
There's Luke Williams, a young American who's been left in a wheelchair by a drunk driver. Then there's Brian Tully, a wise-cracking bully with connections in Vegas, together with his sheepish family. And finally there's Dan Borowski, an Australian security analyst. Trouble is, Dan isn't there to relax, and though they don't yet know it, nor are any of the others... This short story first appeared in "Storyglossia" in May 2008. Dan Borowski first appeared as a character in "For the Dogs", and this is one of two short stories (the other is "Retrospective") to feature him.
Succession
Steven Veerapen - 2020
She has yet to nominate an heir.The crown looks set to fall to James of Scotland.But it is far from inevitable.Gowrie, a sinister Scottish traitor, has arrived in England. On him is a document containing a shocking secret that will compromise King James.Languishing in prison, artful thief Ned Savage is freed by his patron, the queen’s principal secretary, Sir Robert Cecil. His mission is to find the document before it can be made public. If he succeeds, his life will be spared.But he is not alone in seeking Gowrie.On his trail are a ruthless gang of conspirators. The Red Cross Plot aims to prevent any foreigner from taking the English throne. And the Knights of the Red Cross will kill to secure the document.In a journey that will take him from London to Derbyshire and Scotland, Savage must foil the Red Cross Plot, protect King James’s darkest secret, and keep himself safe from execution.And he must do it all before the curtain falls on Elizabeth’s reign.
Bound by Lies
Gretta Mulrooney - 2017
The chief character is so well defined and so likeable. The story was intriguing and had plenty of twists and turns. ” Julia Corbett “Swift is a good character, suitable for people who like PD James, the story is believable and comes together well.” “Absolutely loved this book! Extremely well written with believable characters and lots of twists!” E. Boisvert “Excellent mystery, well drawn characters, and a great storyline.” Suki Anne Perfect for fans of Robert Galbraith, Paula Hawkins, P.D. James, or Ruth Rendell. IN THIS THREE-BOOK BOXSET: BOOK 1: THE LADY VANISHED A missing woman holds the key to a valuable inheritance Florence Davenport hires Swift to find her missing stepmother. There are no leads and no suspects, but if the body is found, Florence will inherit half of a very valuable house. BOOK 2: BLOOD SECRETS Fifteen years ago a teenage boy, Teddy Bartlett, went to a woods on the outskirts of London and was beaten to a pulp and left damaged for life. The police never found who did it or why he was targeted. Now, the boy’s father, recently returned from Australia, wants to find out what really happened to his son. He hires private detective Tyrone Swift to investigate the tragic crime. BOOK 3: TWO LOVERS, SIX DEATHS A man stabs his girlfriend to death. Then hangs himself, leaving a note confessing to the murder. Open and shut case? Not for detective Tyrone Swift Dominic Merrell’s estranged wife Georgie doesn’t believe that he could have done it. Detective Swift discovers that Dominic was a reliable, devoted husband and father for eighteen years until he met the beautiful, charismatic Lisa, who he left his wife for. No one can believe that Dominic was capable of murder. But if it wasn’t him, then who killed the seductive but chaotic Lisa? THE DETECTIVE Tyrone Swift is an ex-police detective who now works privately. He’s survived a stabbing and his fiancée running off with another man. Swift's personal life is complicated. He is still involved with his ex-wife Ruth. THE SETTING The streets of London with their vibrant mix of nationalities, cultures, and rich and poor are beautifully evoked. From the quiet suburbs with their veneer of happy family life, to the bustling centre with refugees struggling to survive, to exclusive penthouses where the rich can have anything they want delivered. THE AUTHOR Gretta is a critically acclaimed author of best-selling detective and literary fiction. 'Mulrooney has a real gift for dialogue, the words and phrases ring true and make her characters wonderfully real . . .
Death in Pieces (DI Haskell & Quinn #2)
Bilinda P. Sheehan - 2020
When forensic psychologist Harriet Quinn receives the random pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, she doesn’t realise they hold the key to identifying a sadistic killer’s next victim. A victim who hasn’t even been taken yet.
Dream Singer
Frank O. Smith - 2014
As a young man, he possessed the rare gift of dream singing – the ability to see the future, but lost it through a selfish act. A seemingly chance crossing of paths with a thirteen year-old runaway boy who has witnessed a murder in a railroad dramatically changes both their destinies. Part love story, tragedy, and mystery, Dream Singer is a story of the betrayal of love, and the quest for redemption, where listening to dreams and the spirit of the land is vital to Elijah and boy staying ahead of the killer – and staying alive.
Henry Parker Series Books 1-5: Henry Parker Series
Jason Pinter - 2017
Now, for the first time ever, the entire Henry Parker series is available in one box ebook set! Meet Henry Parker in THE MARK. Henry is a young, ambitious reporter with the world at his fingertips...until he’s accused of murder and forced to go on the run to clear his name and stay one step ahead of some dangerous folks who’d like to see him behind bars...or worse. In THE GUILTY, Henry investigates the murder of one of the most famous women alive, only to find that her killer has his sights set on more victims, and may just have a blood tie to one of the most infamous killers in history. In THE STOLEN, Henry meets Daniel Linwood, who was abducted from his home as a child, only to return five years later without a scratch...or memory of the encounter. In THE FURY, when a strange man accosts Henry on the street, Henry has no idea that this man is about to open the door to a past Henry had hoped to leave behind, but also might hold a clue to a rash of drug-related murders. In THE DARKNESS, Henry believes a long-dormant criminal kingpin has retuned to the city, and if he can’t figure out a way to end the reign of terror, everyone’s lives are at stake. As a BONUS, you’ll get the novella THE HUNTERS for FREE! This ebook exclusive serves as a “bridge” novella between THE FURY and THE DARKNESS, and offers a deeper look at characters you’ll grow to love...or love to hate. Discover the series readers have embraced around the world!
Ghosts in the Machine (A David and Martin Yerxa Thriller - Book 3)
Ed Markham - 2017
No one can explain what killed him. Another tech industry titan is missing. No one can explain how he disappeared. The FBI assigns David and Martin Yerxa to investigate. But father and son are outside their comfort zone among the Internet CEOs, tech journalists, and intelligentsia of Northern California. Together, David and Martin must unravel the mystery of one man's death and another's disappearance while battling the larger forces that seem to be working against them. Ghosts in the Machine is a tense, thought-provoking thriller that will leave you guessing until the final shocking pages.
The Cage
Scott Mariani - 2021
Some want the 'paedo killer' locked up forever. Others think he's a hero. Either way, now it's DI Tom McAllister's job to catch the elusive murderer.Not your ordinary police detective, Tom's a maverick outsider who always gets his man. But with the case spiralling out of control and the killer seemingly always one step ahead, he finds himself drawn into a deadly game of deception that threatens to destroy more than just his career. But the worst is yet to come, as the horrifying truth begins to emerge about the significance of THE CAGE . . .If you're a fan of smart, fast-paced detective thrillers with a twist, the first of Scott Mariani's sensational new DI Tom McAllister series will have you on the edge of your seat and yearning for more!
Three Incidents at Foster Manor
P.T. Phronk - 2019
An apocalyptic storm. Whispering voices in the air. She was right to fear the worst-case scenario. Amy Burnett has been buried in her work as a security expert. She likes it that way—her dark past can’t invade her thoughts as long as she stays holed up in her office. So why the heck has she ended up at a gothic mansion’s doorstep in the middle of the night? It’s because Craig Foster summoned her there. Amy’s company built the sealed chamber in his basement, for any worrisome worst-case scenario, but now the safe room has presented a scenario of its own: Craig’s daughter is trapped inside. It should be a quick fix. After all, what’s the worst thing that can happen when a stranger arrives at a remote mansion on a stormy night? An impossible mystery? A haunting? A visit from the lurking strangers in the woods? Surely not all three—that would require extraordinarily bad luck. Unfortunately, Amy’s been short on luck lately. Three Incidents at Foster Manor will keep you guessing until the end with a twist-filled, fast-paced, genre-blending mix of mystery, ghost story, thriller, and cosmic horror that will chill you to the core. This is a standalone story, but also acts as a sequel to P.T. Phronk's previous mystery, The Arborist. "Full of interesting characters, twists and scares, it will keep you off-balance all the way to the end!" —Franny "I'm always down some ghostly fun but then the fun dial twisted and wow." —Amazon Reviewer "If you like reading stories somewhat reminiscent of The Twilight Zone this is for you." —Alanna Patterson
The Fell Walker
Michael Wood - 2006
A government minister is found dead at the foot of a Lake District mountain, adding to a sudden increase in the accident statistics. A lonely Scotsman leaves his isolated croft and travels to steamy Manila. These apparently unconnected events are the first sketches on a large canvas, soon to be smeared blood red by a brutal killer. Who is he? What is driving him? And why are his hideous crimes being ignored by the police? A small town journalist, Ben Foxley, starts to investigate. In the process, he is drawn into a world of technology and politics, love and obsession, and finally to a living nightmare - a terrifyingly personal race against time. Before beginning "The Fell Walker", allow yourself some quality reading time, for once you've picked it up, you'll not want to put it down.
The Sasha McCandless Series: Volume 2
Melissa F. Miller - 2013
Miller's Sasha McCandless series is perfect for Sasha lovers! Volume 2 bundles four titles in this series--two full-length legal thrillers and two shorter novellas that focus on Sasha and Leo's relationship (with a dose of danger and intrigue). This volume includes the following titles: Indispensable Party (Book 4): Can Sasha and Leo stop a doomsday prepper from releasing a deadly virus and causing a global pandemic? Lovers and Madmen: A Sasha McCandless Novella (Book 4.5): Sasha's plans for a romantic Valentine's Day with Leo are threatened by her cooking skills, a homeless kitten, and a former client with a violent streak. Improper Influence (Book 5): Healthy young women are dying, and Forensic Pathologist Bodhi King turns to Sasha and Leo for help. They'll discover a long and dirty trail, leading to political influence peddlers, backroom deals, and the biggest law firm in town. A Marriage of True Minds: A Sasha McCandless Novella (Book 5.5) Sasha and Connelly are finally getting married! They’ve gathered their closest friends and family at a remote eco-resort in Nicaragua to attend their New Year’s Eve wedding on the beach. It’s romantic. It’s breathtaking. It’s perfect. Until a murderous enemy from their past arranges for armed banditos to storm the resort and take the bride and groom hostage. Till death do us part may come all too soon, unless Sasha, Connelly, and their guests can outwit the mercenaries and reclaim control of the festivities.
Blood Underground: A Blood Detective Short Story
Dan Waddell - 2017
A body entombed in a London tube station. DCI Grant Foster is called in to investigate, but within days a second corpse is discovered in the bowels of a disused underground ‘ghost’ station. With the possibility of the murders being linked, Foster enlists the help of his friend, genealogist Nigel Barnes. Between them, they try to untangle the twisted secrets of the past, buried deep beneath London’s streets – where no one can hear you scream, and the murderer is closing in on his next victim . Includes an extract from The Blood Detective, the first book in the Blood Detective series.
The Lost and the Damned (The Banlieues Trilogy)
Olivier Norek - 2020
Anonymous letters addressed to him personally have begun to arrive, highlighting the fates of two women, invisible victims whose deaths were never explained. Just two more blurred faces among the ranks of the lost and the damned.Olivier Norek's first novel draws on all his experience as a police officer in one of France's toughest suburbs - the same experience he drew on as a writer for the hit TV series Spiral.Translated from the French by Nick Caistor