Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder"Despite its title, this British Library Crime Classics reissue of a 1936 novel isn't just an entertaining Christmas read. It's a fine example of the old-time country-house murder mystery, with loads of suspects, lots of period atmosphere, and much caustic wit." —BooklistAunt Mildred declared that no good could come of the Melbury family Christmas gatherings at their country residence Flaxmere. So when Sir Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is discovered—by a guest dressed as Santa Klaus—with a bullet in his head on Christmas Day, the festivities are plunged into chaos. Nearly every member of the party stands to reap some sort of benefit from Sir Osmond's death, but Santa Klaus, the one person who seems to have every opportunity to fire the shot, has no apparent motive. Various members of the family have their private suspicions about the identity of the murderer, and the Chief Constable of Haulmshire, who begins his investigations by saying that he knows the family too well and that is his difficulty, wishes before long that he understood them better. In the midst of mistrust, suspicion and hatred, it emerges that there was not one Santa Klaus, but two.

1922. Amateur sleuth Mabel Canning is surrounded by the bright lights of London as she chaperones a young American woman to a dance. But when someone is murdered, a deadly tango begins…Meet plucky woman-about-town Mabel Canning, leader of the London Ladies’ Murder Club and trusted assistant to gentlewomen. When she is tasked with accompanying Roxy, a fun-loving heiress, on a glamorous night out, Mabel can’t wait to sip champagne and practice the foxtrot. But just as Roxy sashays out of sight, a mysterious man warns Mabel that the feisty young redhead is in danger. And someone is dead before the music stops...Roxy was the last person to see the victim alive, and she stumbles into Mabel’s arms with her daffodil-yellow dress splashed with blood. Determined to protect her ward, Mabel gathers her dashing beau Winstone and her pals from the murder club. Together they trace the weapon back to the ballroom, but when its twin goes missing, it is clear time is running out to prevent another murder on the dance floor…The police conclude the killer is in Roxy’s family, but Mabel finds herself spinning between a motley troupe of suspects. Mr Bryars, the anxious ballroom manager, is constantly tripping over himself to hide his secrets. But would he kill to protect his reputation? And young Ned Kettle may have looked dashing while waltzing around with Roxy, but he was once a notorious thief. Is the sticky-fingered rogue also a dab hand at murder?Just as Mabel and her murder club friends quickstep closer to the truth, Roxy is kidnapped, and Mabel comes cheek to cheek with the killer. Can she save poor Roxy and herself? Or has she danced her last dance?A delightfully witty and utterly addictive whodunnit absolutely bursting with 1920s sparkle, from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.What readers are saying about The Body at the Dance Hall:‘A favourite of mine… The best… I read this book in one sitting… Sucked me in from page one!’ NetGalley reviewer ?????'I wept with joy… Starts with a bang… Such a cracking story.' Goodreads reviewer'Wonderful… My favourite… Excellent and twisty.' A Wordy Woman ?????What readers are saying about The London Ladies’ Murder Club series:‘Loved everything about this… Outstanding. The characters were all amazing… I was shocked by who the villain was… My favourite cozy mystery series!’ Goodreads reviewer ?????‘YES. I completely inhaled this in one day… So gripping… Charming… Definitely kept me guessing.’ Goodreads reviewer, audio edition‘I spat my tea out across the room… Excellent… no notes whatsoever… I couldn’t find a single thing to nit-pick about!’ Goodreads reviewer ?????‘Just loved this! Couldn't get enough. I just had to know how this would end. I couldn't stop reading. The culprit was totally unexpected. I was so surprised. Wonderful mystery.’ NetGalley reviewer, audio edition‘I absolutely loved this… I read it one day!’ NetGalley reviewer ?????‘Absolutely wonderful and fun… Perfect. A must read!’Goodreads reviewer ?????‘I have read many, many books and there are very, very few that I’ve been unable to put down. [This] is the exception. Reader, I was hooked… sheer joy and worthy of P.G. Wodehouse.’ NetGalley reviewer ?????

Lucy Lawrence stared down at her husband, his once handsome face now a twisted mask of death. She shivered and pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. His life had held so many secrets, and now his sins were hers to bear…England, 1886. In the flickering gaslights of Victorian London, 28-year-old Lucy Lawrence's future hangs in the balance. Her husband's murder has left her reputation in tatters, and the theft of her mother's priceless heirloom pearls has only added to her woes. But when the handsome investigator Phineas Stone enters her life, Lucy finds herself drawn into a web of deceit that leads right back to her marriage and a deadly conspiracy that could undo them all.Beneath the polished veneer of London's high society, danger is as common as in the city's darkest alleys. As the stakes rise, Lucy discovers that the key to unravelling the mystery may lie in a cryptic note left behind by her late husband… a note that could either secure her innocence or seal her fate at the hands of a ruthless killer.And unputdownable historical mystery full of twists, red herrings and a dash of romance. No Stone Unturned is the first instalment in the bestselling Lucy Lawrence mystery series.What readers are saying about No Stone Unturned:“My, oh my!! What a fantastic book, my goodness I absolutely loved it!! I couldn’t put it down, I was turning the pages at lightning speed… Honestly I don’t think I have the adequate words to fully describe just how blooding brilliant this book is, I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for this book and it is amazing!” Reader review, ?????“A perfect page turner, with all the classical elements that make for an exquisite historical thrill ride of a mystery.” Reader review, ?????“Enthralling… commanded my attention from the very first sentence… This is a novel that is deserving to be read over and over again.” Reader review, ?????“A must-read for mystery as well as historical lovers. Highly recommend.” Reader review, ?????“Once I started reading, I found it hard to put down and was practically glued to it.” Reader review, ?????“I absolutely loved this book!... The plot is full of intrigue and twists and turns and even has the beginnings of a wonderful romance.” Reader review, ?????“A most refreshing murder mystery. Nail-biting, daring and an excellent plot.” Reader review, ?????