Black Friday 2020 sale

The Notting Hill Mystery has been widely described as the first detective novel. The story is told by the insurance investigator Ralph Henderson, who is building a case against the sinister Baron R___, suspected of murdering his wife in order to claim her life insurance.

Victorian Chelsea was a thriving commercial and residential development, known for its grand houses and pleasant garden squares.

1217: Commoner-turned-earl's-man Edwin Weaver has returned to Conisbrough Castle after his blood-soaked adventure in Lincoln. When the household marshal is murdered under the earl's own roof, and Edwin is asked to resolve the situation before the wedding plans can be jeopardised.

It is a beautiful warm August day in 1880: perfect weather for the annual Metropolitan Police Annual Fete held at Alexandra Palace. Inspector Best is summoned to uncover the identity of 'Quicksilver' who has sent an anonymous note threatening to cause an horrific explosion at the event.

Dr James Earle and his wife live in comfortable seclusion near the Hog's Back, a ridge in the North Downs in the beautiful Surrey countryside. When Dr Earle disappears from his cottage, Inspector French is called in to investigate. At first he suspects a simple domestic intrigue - and begins to uncover a web of romantic entanglements

George Surridge, director of the Birmington Zoo, is a man with many worries: his marriage is collapsing; his finances are insecure; and an outbreak of disease threatens the animals in his care. As debts and pressure increase will Surridge commit the most devious murder.

A collection of 14 vintage mysteries from the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton, Anthony Berkeley, Phyllis Bentley among others.

Capital Crimes is an eclectic collection of London-based crime stories, blending the familiar with the unexpected in a way that reflects the personality of the city. Alongside classics by Margery Allingham, Anthony Berkeley and Thomas Burke are excellent and unusual stories by authors who are far less well known.

For Miss Cordell, principal of Persephone College, there are two great evils to be feared: unladylike behaviour among her students, and bad publicity for the college. So her prim and cosy world is turned upside down when the drowned body of the college bursar is found floating in her canoe.

Heavy snowfall brings a train to a halt. The passengers trapped together for Christmas, seek to unravel the secrets of an empty house when a murderer strikes in their midst.

It was Christmas Eve and the dino-tots were tucked upin bed dreaming of Christmas magic . . .But where were the jolly jingle bells?The hearty "Ho! Ho! Ho!"?And who was this green scaly creaturestomping through the snow?YIKES, It's Santa-CLAWS and he's causing chaos.Can ANYONE stop him and save the day?Find out in this crazy Christmas caper.

The sudden death of overweight 49-year-old Thomas Whibley sparks off an acrimonious furore in Bayswater, and sparks fly between rival diet doctors, vegetarians and the extremist Pure Food Society.

and how the first ever Christmas tree arrived in England, courtesy of Prince Albert.Re-live a bygone era of merrymaking and indulge in Mrs Beeton's Christmas cake recipe or read Charles Dickens's memories of boyhood celebrations.

Penguin is looking for his friend Mr Snowman and he's behind the pop-up flaps. He's hiding somewhere in the snow, where could he be? Is he behind that giant snowball?

1361: Orphaned by the Black Death, all John possesses are the tools that belonged to his father, a carpenter, and an uncanny ability to work wood. But no sooner does he begin than the master carpenter is murdered and John himself becomes a suspect.

Aunt 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.

To all appearances Jack Swann is a typical gentleman of the Regency period;