Can you find the clues and solve the murder first?

Six people with links to the world of crime writing have been invited to play a game this Christmas by the mysterious Midwinter Trust.

Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote village in north Yorkshire and win a life-changing prize.

Each guest has been meticulously vetted by the shadowy Trust, which has staff on-hand to make sure everyone plays fair. But with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, they must be extra vigilant.

The game is set – but playing fair isn’t on everyone’s Christmas list.

And when the prize is to die for, it’s so tempting to inject a little murder into the mystery…

With clues for you to find along the way, this is a traditional murder mystery with a delightful twist by a master of the crime genre, perfect for fans of Janice Hallett, Alexandra Benedict and Alex Pavesi.

‘The king of the puzzle mystery novel.’ ALEX PAVESI
‘Fiendish, hilarious and utterly addictive.’ ORLANDO MURRIN
‘What a treat.’ SJ BENNETT
‘I absolutely loved it.’ MARY GRAND
‘Martin knows more about crime fiction than anyone.’ ANN CLEEVES
‘A fine writer…. . . his novels feature an acute sense of place as well as deep psychological insights.’ IAN RANKIN

DISCOVER MORE THRILLING READS FROM THE KING OF CLASSIC CRIME, ALL FEATURING A CLUEFINDER SO YOU CAN PLAY DETECTIVE YOURSELF.

THE RACHEL SAVERNAKE GOLDEN AGE MYSTERIES
#1 GALLOWS COURT
#2 MORTMAIN HALL
#3 BLACKSTONE FELL
#4 SEPULCHRE STREET
#5 HEMLOCK BAY

STANDALONE MYSTERIES
#1 MISS WINTER IN THE LIBRARY WITH A KNIFE

‘Martin Edwards is a true master of British crime writing’ RICHARD OSMAN

‘Combines all the things I love most about crime fiction: atmospheric settings, twisty plots, intriguing characters and an unforgettable protagonist’ ELLY GRIFFITHS

TEST YOUR WITS AGAINST RACHEL SAVERNAKE!
A CLUEFINDER AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK HIGHLIGHTS 47 HINTS IN THE TEXT TO THE SOLUTION OF THE INGENIOUS PUZZLES.

Basil Palmer plans to murder a man called Louis Carson. The problem is Palmer doesn’t know anything about his victim, including where to find him.

After learning that Carson resides in a place called Hemlock Bay, Palmer travels there, posing as Dr Seamus Doyle and plotting murder along the way.

Meanwhile, after hearing a psychic has predicted a murder will take place in Hemlock Bay, amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake sets off, determined to discover the serpent that has slithered into this idyllic Eden.

When murder does occur at the resort, and after meeting a mysterious doctor called Seamus, Rachel finds herself entering a maze of intricate mysteries – just where she likes to be?

The fifth ingenious Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery, which can be read in any order, for fans of Ann Cleeves, Sophie Hannah and AK Benedict.

‘Superbly satisfying… Golden age murder, subtly subverted period, clues galore and a hint of Gothic’ KATE GRIFFIN

‘Rachel Savernake is a hero to cherish’ NICOLA UPSON

‘Combines all the things I love most about crime fiction: atmospheric settings, twisty plots, intriguing characters and an unforgettable protagonist’ ELLY GRIFFITHS

TEST YOUR WITS AGAINST RACHEL SAVERNAKE!
A CLUEFINDER AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK HIGHLIGHTS 47 HINTS IN THE TEXT TO THE SOLUTION OF THE INGENIOUS PUZZLES.

Basil Palmer plans to murder a man called Louis Carson. The problem is he doesn’t know anything about his intended victim, not who he is nor where he lives.

After learning that Carson runs a hotel in Hemlock Bay, a playground for the wealthy and privileged, Palmer invents a false identity. Posing as Dr Seamus Doyle, he journeys to the coast plotting murder along the way.

Meanwhile, after hearing a fortune teller has predicted a murder in a place called Hemlock Bay, amateur sleuth Rachel Savernake rents a cottage there, determined to discover for herself the serpent that has slithered into this idyllic Eden.

Murder does occur at the resort, and after meeting a mysterious doctor called Seamus Doyle, Rachel finds herself entering a maze of intricate mysteries – just where she likes to be?

The fifth ingenious Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mystery, which can be read in any order, for fans of Ann Cleeves, Sophie Hannah and AK Benedict.

‘Superbly satisfying… Golden age murder, subtly subverted period, clues galore and a hint of Gothic’ KATE GRIFFIN

‘Rachel Savernake is a hero to cherish’ NICOLA UPSON

DISCOVER THE REST OF THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES
#1 GALLOWS COURT
#2 MORTMAIN HALL
#3 BLACKSTONE FELL
#4 SEPULCHRE STREET
#5 HEMLOCK BAY

Praise for Martin Edwards

‘Crime fiction is blessed to have Martin Edwards.’ NEW YORK TIMES
‘Highly recommended, with a touch of the gothic.’ ANN CLEEVES
‘Martin Edwards celebrates and satirises the genre with wit and affection… He leaves you wanting more.’ THE TIMES
‘The brilliant Savernake is a fascinatingly enigmatic character.’ WASHINGTON POST
‘Martin Edwards holds his own with the best of classic crime.’ DAILY MAIL
‘Reads as if Ruth Rendell were channelling Edgar Wallace.’ MICK HERRON
‘If you haven’t yet discovered Martin Edwards’ books, you are in for a treat. His books are wonderful, filled with compelling characters, smart plots, great writing.’ LOUISE PENNY

In this groundbreaking history of crime fiction, acclaimed expert Martin Edwards traces the evolution of the genre from the eighteenth century to the present, offering a brand-new perspective on the world’s most popular form of storytelling.

The Life of Crime is the result of a lifetime of reading and enjoying all types of mystery fiction from around the world. Martin Edwards has drawn on his experience as an award-winning novelist to capture the breadth and complexity of crime writing, telling the story of the genre’s development and evolution in a way that will fascinate and entertain anyone who delights in a good mystery.

With crime fiction being read more widely than ever, The Life of Crime reveals the writers’ secrets and the ups and downs of their literary lives with insight, compassion and wit. This definitive distillation of more than two centuries of extraordinary books and authors into one coherent history is an extraordinary feat and makes compelling reading.

‘Martin Edwards is the closest thing there has been to a philosopher of crime writing’ THE TIMES