Gayford, Cecily – The Bell Bookshop

Murder in Wintertime

Emma — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Evening draws in; families reunite, fires are lit, curtains snapped shut. But what is hiding in the shadows beyond the warm living-room glow, where the light won’t reach? And what surprises will creaks in the night bring on Christmas morning?Weaving together celebrated stories of murder and mayhem from the greatest writers in the genre, Murder in Wintertime brings a chill that will linger beyond the last frost. From suspicious slips on the ice to Yuletide games gone awry and footprints that disappear under blankets of snow, these sinister goings-on will keep you up late on the long, dark nights… Featuring celebrated authors such as Catherine Aird, Carter Dixon, Peter Lovesey and more.

Murder by candlelight

Emma — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Poisoned mince pies. A Christmas Eve ghost story that comes suddenly, horribly true. A locked-room puzzle on a train steaming through the winter’s night. All these, and many more, tales of mystery and malice await in Murder by Candlelight. As the nights draw in and the old year slips away, these ten classic stories – from the greatest writers of the crime genre – will baffle your mind and chill your blood in equal measure. From a cunningly-disguised killer to a country house with a lethal secret, the mood might be festive … but the motive is murder.

Murder under the sun

Emma — Thu, 09 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

‘So great … it’s criminal’ SAGA’With Cecily Gayford in charge, we are on safe ground’ DAILY MAILFrom beneath the beach umbrella, all might seem idyllic – children playing, sunbathers relaxing, ice slowly melting in a cocktail glass. But look a little closer, and all is not as it seems … In these classic crime stories of midsummer murder and madness, the mercury is climbing – and so is the body count. Prepare to spend this summer holiday with some shady characters (in sunny places) and immerse yourself in tales of mystery and depravity at home and abroad.Just remember – there might be nothing new under the sun … but murder is the most ancient art of all.

The dead of winter

Emma — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Not everything that goes bump in the night brings gifts …As the nights draw in, the veil between worlds thins, and all sorts of ghosts and ghouls come tumbling in. In the shadows, under the bed, in wind-whipped snowy landscapes and in rooms lit by guttering candles, the dead of winter are waiting for us … and their hearts are cold as ice.From the mysterious occupant of an ancient tomb to the Christmas visitor who is troubled by violent dreams, these are ten ghost stories from the masters of the genre that will chill your blood and haunt your dreams through the darkest months of the year.With stories from Lennox Robinson, M. Burrage, Ruth Rendell, E.F. Benson, Arthur Conan Doyle, H. Russell Wakefield, M.R. James, Margaret Irwin, Algernon Blackwood and W.W. Jacobs

Murder in a heatwave

Emma — Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

As the days get longer, escape your troubles and take a trip to the desperately hot towns where nightfall lingers and a sun-drenched picnic can end in panic. No matter how murderously high the temperatures rise, these stories will chill you to the bone. So grab a cool drink and step into the shade … if you dare.Featuring terrifying tales of summertime murder and mayhem from Dorothy L. Sayers, Arthur Conan Doyle, Carter Dickson, Michael Innes, Baroness Orczy, Margery Allingham, Ian Rankin, Julian Symons, Ethel Lina White and Rex Stout.

Murder in the Falling Snow

Emma — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

ONE OF THE TIMES BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR ‘Perfect for a quick fix of golden-age crime.. well worth reading by candlelight before turning in on Christmas Eve…’ – JANICE HALLETT, THE SUNDAY TIMESIt’s only the afternoon, but dusk is already falling and a log fire burning in the grate. Outside, frost coats the tree branches and snow sparkles on the ground. And somewhere in the darkness, a murderer is making plans …Here are ten classic crime stories for the winter months, from the greatest minds of the mystery genre. So bundle up, grab a glass of mulled wine, and get ready to be puzzled, astonished and entertained by these festive stories of murder and mayhem.

Murder by the Seaside

Emma — Thu, 12 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000

It’s the height of summer. As the heat shimmers on the streets and ice cream melts onto sticky fingers, tempers begin to rise and old grudges surface. From Cornish beaches to the French Riviera, it’s not just a holiday that’s on people’s minds … it’s murder.In these ten classic stories from writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Cyril Hare and Gladys Mitchell, you’ll find mayhem and mysteries aplenty. So grab the suncream and head down to the beach – if you dare.

Murder on a Winter’s Night

Emma — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

In the bleak midwinter … murder awaits.The halls might be decked, and the mistletoe hung, but in these ten classic crime stories you’re more likely to come across a corpse under the Christmas tree than a present. From a Santa Claus with a secret to a violent theft that snowballs into something quite unexpected, pull up a chair, throw another log on the fire … and let history’s greatest crime writers surprise, delight and chill you to the bone.