Death Drops the Pilot

Author: George Bellairs

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $15.99

Deal price: $0.99

Deal starts: October 11, 2024

Deal ends: October 11, 2024

Description:

Things get murky when a ferry captain is found dead in the water in this mystery starring Inspector Littlejohn, “the model of a calm, rational policeman” (Publishers Weekly).   After a ferry to Falbright carrying forty people runs aground, the skipper is nowhere to be found. When the ferry pilot is discovered under a pier with a knife in his back, Inspector Littlejohn is called in. But he and Sergeant Cromwell are struggling to find clues. Some of the villagers seem to be going out of their way to mislead the police, and there are secrets dating back to the war that need to be unearthed or the entire investigation could be sunk . . .   “When you get a George Bellairs story you get something worth reading.” —Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch

An Invitation to Murder

Author: NORMAN RUSSELL

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $0.99

Deal price: Free

Deal starts: October 11, 2024

Deal ends: October 11, 2024

Description:

????? “

What a twisty plot!

Kind of like if

Agatha Christie

was alive and writing mysteries in the present.” Karen????? “Blackmail, crime, murder, revenge, obsession, deception, lies and secrets . . .

this book has it all!

” Linda S.????? “One to read slowly, and savour like a fine wine.” MyShelfOriginally published as

Tongued with Fire

.____________________

Delivering twist after brilliant twist, this clever whodunnit is sure to keep you guessing until the final page.

Welcome to Oldminster, a quaint little town where there’s always a mystery to be solved.

Frank Renfield, Baron of Renfield Hall, will stop at nothing to save himself from ruin. Even if that means marrying his daughter off to a rich American.Unfortunately for him, she is already in love with a penniless nobody named Alan Lavender — to the glee of Alan’s greedy uncle Guy.He’s been nosing into the Renfields’ murky past, and he says he’s uncovered a secret. Something so shocking it casts a shadow over Frank’s entire legacy.Tensions run high at the hall, until Guy Lavender turns up dead.A convenient coincidence for Frank?Detectives French and Edwards are on the case. But in a town full of secrets, the truth can be hard to find.And Guy’s won’t be the only body to fall before their work is done . . .

Who will be next to die under the Renfields’ roof?

____________________

Perfect for fans of

Midsomer Murders

, Agatha Christie, Frances Lloyd, Catherine Moloney, Anthony Horowitz, or Ann Cleeves.

What everyone is saying:

????? “Crime, murder, debt, revenge, family, image, obsession, past impacting the present . . . so many emotions and motivations in this book!” Cathy????? “With a plot containing blackmail, several murders, secondary characters who are more rounded than in many other novels, good pacing, and good style, this is a novel that I relished to the end.” Michael????? “This is a quality modern-day murder mystery but with an old-fashioned feel. Well written and entertaining with excellent characterization throughout, plenty of plot twists and turns . . . certainly more than enough for this reader at any rate. Authentic and engaging from first to last page. Highly recommended.” John????? “A fantastic mystery that is well written and has great characters. I loved this book and want to read more from this author.” Cristie

THE SETTING

Oldminster is a city with a past and an ancient cathedral at its heart. Visit the twisty maze-like streets of the old quarter, and prepare to fall in love. But cross over the river — to the seamy side of town — and you’ll discover a secret side to this picture-perfect little place. Oldminster might seem like a place for summer rain and golden sunsets, but like Miss Marple’s village, it’s cram-full of wickedness.

THE DETECTIVES

DS Glyn Edwards

Thirty-something DS Edwards lives with his wife Sandra, but his home life is anything but blissful. Is his career about to cost him his marriage? Or can he find a way to reconcile the two? Either way, Glyn is a very hands-on detective who never gives up on a case. He works hand-in-glove with his superior officer . . .

DI French

Redoubtable Detective French has always been a stickler for order, detail and procedure — until the arrival of his baby daughter late in his marriage to Moira turned his orderly world upside down. Still, he doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and is more than a match for certain prickly, well-to-do residents of Oldminster.

ALSO BY NORMAN RUSSELLTHE OLDMINSTER MYSTERIES

Book 1: AN INVITATION TO MURDERBook 2: AN ANTIQUE MURDERBook 3: THE SECRET OF BAGNETT HALLBook 4: NO CHOICE BUT MURDERBook 5: DEATH AT THE ALTAR

The Bughouse Affair

Author: Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $9.99

Deal price: $0.99

Deal starts: October 10, 2024

Deal ends: October 10, 2024

Description:

First in a series of lighthearted historical mysteries set in 1890s San Francisco featuring a former Pinkerton operative and an ex-Secret Service agent.

Private detectives Sabina Carpenter and John Quincannon undertake what initially appear to be two unrelated investigations. Sabina’s case involves the hunt for a ruthless lady “dip” who uses fiendish means to relieve her victims of their valuables at Chutes Amusement Park and other crowded places. Quincannon, meanwhile, is after a slippery housebreaker who targets the homes of wealthy residents, following a trail that leads him from the infamous Barbary Coast to an oyster pirate’s lair to a Tenderloin parlor house known as the Fiddle Dee Dee.The two cases eventually connect in surprising fashion, but not before two murders and assorted other felonies complicate matters even further. And not before the two sleuths are hindered, assisted, and exasperated by the bughouse Sherlock Holmes.Fans of Marcia Muller’s bestselling Sharon McCone novels and Bill Pronzini’s Nameless Detective series will applaud this and future exploits from the annals of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services.

“Those who enjoy historical mysteries are in for a particular treat with this delightful story featuring two intrepid detectives who solve their cases using different but equally effective methods.” —

Booklist

“The easy and amusing read flows beautifully . . . A treat for Rhys Bowen and Laurie R. King readers.” —

Library Journal

“Fans of Steve Hockensmith’s Holmes on the Range historicals will welcome this Carpenter and Quincannon novel . . . A doubly impossible crime only adds to the enjoyable plot.” —

Publishers Weekly

Vintage Murder

Author: Ngaio Marsh

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $11.99

Deal price: $0.99

Deal starts: October 09, 2024

Deal ends: October 09, 2024

Description:

A police inspector finds trouble during a trip to New Zealand: “It’s time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around.” —New York MagazineInspector Roderick Alleyn has taken a break from England and journeyed to New Zealand, and traveling along with him are the members of the Carolyn Dacres English Comedy Company. The actors' operatic intrigues offer an amusing diversion—until, unexpectedly, they turn deadly. And Alleyn learns, not for the last time, that while he may be able to leave his badge back in Blighty, he’s still a policeman, even on the other side of the world.“Any Ngaio Marsh story is certain to be Grade A.” —The New York Times

The Murder at Sissingham Hall

Author: Clara Benson

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $2.99

Deal price: Free

Deal starts: October 09, 2024

Deal ends: October 09, 2024

Description:

"It's absolutely delightful, and I would recommend it to anyone who's a fan of Sarah Caudwell, or Agatha Christie, or anyone who loves really clever British murder mysteries set in the '20s." - Gillian Flynn, international bestselling author of

Gone Girl

.

On his return from South Africa, Charles Knox is invited to spend the weekend at the country home of Sir Neville Strickland, whose beautiful wife Rosamund was once Knox's fiancée. But in the dead of night Sir Neville is murdered. Who did it? As suspicion falls on each of the house guests in turn, Knox finds himself faced with deception and betrayal on all sides, and only the enigmatic Angela Marchmont seems to offer a solution to the mystery. This 1920s whodunit will delight all fans of traditional country house murder stories.

The Devil’s Novice

Author: Ellis Peters

Category: Mystery

Regular price: $19.99

Deal price: $1.99

Deal starts: October 08, 2024

Deal ends: October 08, 2024

Description:

From the Edgar Award–winning author: When a troubled novice is blamed for a priest’s disappearance, Brother Cadfael seeks to save his soul—and his life. Outside the pale of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in September of 1140, a priestly emissary for King Stephen has been reported missing. But inside the pale, what troubles Brother Cadfael is a proud, secretive nineteen-year-old novice.   Brother Cadfael has never seen two men more estranged than the Lord of Aspley and Meriet, the son he coldly delivers to the abbey to begin a religious vocation. Meriet, meek by day, is so racked by dreams at night that his howls earn him the nickname “the Devil’s Novice.” Shunned and feared, Meriet is soon linked to the missing priestly emissary’s dreadful fate. Only Brother Cadfael believes in Meriet’s innocence, and only the good sleuth can uncover the truth before a boy’s pure passion, not evil intent, leads a novice to the noose.