1937 dawned over the golden sun kissed lands of Spain, upon a divided country and a vicious and bloody Civil War. The war had, originally, begun as a simple military coup, back in mid-July of the previous year. At first it looked as though it would carry the day, but due to the early up-rising in the Spanish protectorate of Morocco, the timing of the revolt on the mainland was thrown into disarray, and due to this certain areas didn’t commence their planned revolts at the designated time. In particular, the major cities of Barcelona and Madrid were both critically effected by the timing of these events, and the whole of the 18th July was spent in inactivity. It was this delay, to the originally planned timetable, that enabled the republican government, but more importantly, especially in Barcelona, the unions and other forces on the left, to organise some sort of resistance. It was this fact, which meant that they were able to defeat the rebellion in these, and several other vital towns and cities. By the end of the 20th July, after the first two days of the rebellion, and bitter fighting throughout the length and breadth of the country, the battle lines had been drawn, and Spain was a nation split into two basic zones. The areas that remained loyal, under the control of the government, and the rest of Spain, which was now under the command of the rebel’s or nationalist’s as they were to become known.
It is high summer, and Arthur, feeling jaded, decides to take a well-earned break from work and from the city. He heads north to Derbyshire, hoping to enjoy an invigorating week’s walking among the lovely hills and valleys of the Peak District. At Dale Head, in its idyllic setting, he finds the perfect spot. The house, owned by walking holiday company HFA, offers good cooking, friendly companions, and daily walks led by expert guides. All is set for a peaceful holiday. Then comes the shocking news that Jock, one of the leaders, has fallen to his death while out walking on a famous local peak, the Pinnacle. How did it happen? Was it simply an unlucky accident? Arthur is not so sure. The weather was fine, and Jock was a strong, experienced hill walker. At the request of the HFA management, Arthur sets out to investigate, and soon discovers that Jock was far from popular. Arrogant, a bully, and a womaniser, over the years he has made enemies. And it turns out that at Dale Head, and even among the local people, there are some who would not be sorry to hear of his death. But did anyone really hate Jock enough to kill him? And if so, how was the murder committed? With the help of fellow walker Malcolm, Arthur resolves to find out . . .
Preorder the BRAND NEW instalment in the Malvern Mysteries from Kate Wells This is no peaceful walk in the countryside... When Jude Gray and DI Binnie Khatri join a local walking group, their expectations for a peaceful outing to the Malvern Hills takes a grim turn. Arguments abound, and the hike ends in tragedy when one of the walkers is found dead in her car. Initially ruled as an accident, Jude's instincts tell her there’s more to the story. As Jude and Binnie dig deeper, they uncover tensions and secrets within the group. From hidden affairs to longstanding rivalries, it becomes clear this death was no accident. With each revelation, the danger grows. Can Jude and Binnie unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again? A gripping addition to the Malvern Farm Mystery series, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, Merryn Allingham, and Faith Martin. Praise for the Malvern Mysteries: 'A complex and intriguing murder mystery set in beautiful British countryside where the farm animals are as demanding as the local residents. Kept me guessing all the way to the end.' T A Williams 'An original setting and clever plot. Had me hooked from page one.' E.V. Hunter 'A tantalising corkscrew of a plot ... featuring a plucky quartet of very different women working together to uncover the truth about a series of dreadful crimes...' Debbie Young 'I loved this rollercoaster of a book! It was stylish, pacy and gripping, with engaging characters. I rooted for Jude the sleuth from the first page. It's a hugely supenseful story, compelling, well-crafted and cleverly calculated.' Judy Leigh 'A cryptically clever cosy mystery that will transport you to the beautiful Malvern Hills. I couldn’t put it down!' Jessica Bull
Prosecuting attorney Bell Elkins and her estranged teenage daughter, Carla, try to protect their town and each other in the aftermath of a shocking triple murder committed by an unknown shooter whose identity is gradually realized by Carla.
FROM AMERICA’S STORYTELLER: A TREASURY OF HIS GREAT DETECTIVE STORIES Here is a collection of Louis L’Amour detective stories—vivid tales as memorable and exciting as his beloved frontier fiction. Each story is personally selected and introduced by the author. In the dark alleys of the pulsing cities and the savage criminal wildernesses, Louis L’Amour introduces a new brand of characters: men like Kip Morgan, the ex-fighter turned detective who is tough enough to bounce a bouncer yet has more up his sleeve than sheer muscle; Joe Ragan, the dedicated career cop who fears nothing in the pursuit of justice; and women whose soft laughter covers their underlying cruelty. These are fast-moving stories of brawls where if a man goes down and doesn’t get up fast enough he’s through, of flashing knives that whisper death, of guns that blaze their fatal fire through the blackest nights.
A veteran on leave investigates a murder in his Kentucky backwoods hometown in this Appalachian noir by the acclaimed author of Country Dark. Mick Hardin, a combat veteran and Army CID agent, is home on a leave to be with his pregnant wife—but they aren’t getting along. His sister, newly risen to sheriff, has just landed her first murder investigation—but local politicians are pushing for someone else to take the case. Maybe they think she can’t handle it. Or maybe their concerns run deeper. With his experience and knowledge of the area, Mick is well-suited to help his sister investigate while staying under the radar. Now he’s dodging calls from his commanding officer as he delves into the dangerous rivalries lurking beneath the surface of his fiercely private hometown. And he needs to talk to his wife. The Killing Hills is a novel of betrayal within and between the clans that populate the hollers—and the way it so often shades into violence. Chris Offutt has delivered a dark, witty, and absolutely compelling novel of murder and honor, with an investigator-hero unlike any in fiction.
Longlisted for the CWA International Dagger 2017. Spring, 1967. The trail of tragedy and destruction that followed the previous winter's flood seems to have died down; Florence is beginning to recover. But Inspector Bordelli does not feel the same sense of relief - he has not had a moment's peace since his investigation of a young boy's murder went disastrously wrong. Unsettled and embittered, Bordelli resigns from the force and leaves the city. He could not continue to work as a policeman while the perpetrators of such a terrible crime were still at large. Now, in the solitude of his new home in the Tuscan hills, he spends his days cooking, going for long walks and learning to grow his own vegetables. But the thought of that case - of justice not served - is constantly with him. Until fate, in which he has never believed, unexpectedly offers him the chance of retribution . . .
The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark Mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges? Mystery and romance envelop this gentle yet compelling story as the identity and purpose of the stranger-turned-shepherd is gradually unveiled.
Evie, the protagonist, wanted to recuperate from her studies at Usher University in Indiana during the semester break and intended to visit her American Mother Mary, her former mother-in-law at their family’s home in Kentucky. Mary still considered Evie as one of her children even though she divorced Mary’s son, Bruno. Evie was glad to have found a mother-figure, as her biological mother treated her like a rival of her father and hadn‘t given her the attention and care that she needed. Her natural Mom only showed interest in Evie when it bene ted her and only when she needed something. As her estranged former sister-in-law Abigail was supposed to pick her up at the Grey Hound Bus Station to take her to the Harrod’s house, Abigail shared horrible news. Mom is dead. Evie’s whole body shook and her blood ran cold, adding to the fear of what was to come among the violent Harrods in the house without Mom‘s protection due to the fear of having to stay there. Evie‘s stay without Mom in the house was a nightmare. All the memories of her marriage to Bruno seemed to come back especially since she was staying in her Ex’s childhood refuge. The room where Bruno had suffered from the brutality of childhood, adolescence and even adulthood when he visited his parents‘ house. Without Mom‘s presence in the house, Evie could feel the traumas and pain from Bruno and her own, fearing for her life. But this time, it wasn‘t just the shock and pain of Mom‘s death, but also the loss of security with the Harrods, who seemed to be a strange, brutal, but still loving family. The younger brother, Wayne, who was incarcerated at a Corrections Center in Crown Point, would be of no help if violence occurred. Evie had often hung out at the entrance of the barn when she visited the Harrods. A few months back, when Evie was relaxing in her hide-out, she overheard a heated discussion between the Preacher Charlie and her Mom, who accused him of teaching her the wrong thing, of raising her boys with the rod, and believing, as a true Baptist, fanatical fundamentalist, in the seeming goodness of the wrath of the God of the Old Testament. The preacher was shocked when was he found out that Mary had regretted her strict upbringing of the boys. She had an epiphany after receiving help from the Cherokees, and it sparked a new way of thinking through a Vision Quest. At dinner before the funeral, Evie was accompanied by Abigail, her new boyfriend Tom, who never said a word, and Bruno. She thought that Dad pretended to not be able to speak because he seemed to avoid any hard topics of discussion. And Evie was obsessed from the beginning by the question who had killed her Mom. The funeral service took place the next day in the chapel. Chaos ensued as Wayne lost his composure and screamed about his hatred for Mom, her way of punishing him when he was young, and his desire for her to die after Evie had lost control of herself. The Baptist congregation was dumbfounded by the trauma Wayne was expressing. Then there was an infernal climax, the faithful with their heads bowed, motionless like the preacher at the altar, so immobile and speechless that he could not address his congregation while the evildoer was led out of the chapel.
