Head of Zeus — An Aries Book – The Bell Bookshop

Basil’s War

Emma — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A daredevil British agent goes behind enemy lines in this WWII-era spy thriller from Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and bestselling novelist Stephen Hunter.Basil St. Florian is an accomplished agent in the British Army, completing dangerous missions across the globe. But going undercover in Nazi-occupied France during World War II might be his toughest assignment yet. He must search for a religious manuscript that doesn’t officially exist, one that genius professor Alan Turing believes may crack a code that could prevent the deaths of millions and possibly even end the war.St. Florian isn’t the classic British special agent with a stiff upper lip – he is a swashbuckling, whisky-drinking cynic and thrill-seeker who resents having to leave Vivien Leigh’s bed to set out on his crucial mission. Despite these proclivities, Basil’s superiors know he’s the best man for the job, with enough charm and quick wit to make his foes lower their guards. Action-packed and bursting with intrigue (much of which has basis in fact), Basil’s War is a classic espionage thriller.Reviews for Stephen Hunter:‘An outstanding WWII spy thriller’ Nelson DeMille ‘One of the best thriller novelists around’ Washington Post ‘The front rank of the thriller novelists’ People

The Capsarius

Emma — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Warrior and combat medic, Titus Cervianus, must lead a legion and quell the uprisings in Egypt in this thrilling Roman adventure from Simon Turney. Titus Cervianus is no ordinary soldier. And the Twenty Second is no ordinary legion…Egypt. 25 BC. A former surgeon from the city of Ancyra, Titus Cervianus is now a capsarius – a combat medic. He is a pragmatist, a scientist – and deeply unpopular with his legion, the Twenty Second Deiotariana.The Twenty Second have been sent to deal with uprisings in Egypt. Founded as the private army of one of Rome’s most devoted allies, their ways are not the same as the other legions’, which sets them apart and causes friction with their fellow soldiers.Marching into the unknown, Cervianus will find unexpected allies: a local cavalryman and a troublesome lunatic. Both will be of critical importance as the young medic marches through the searing sands of the south, finding forbidden temples, hidden assassins, and worst of all, the warrior queen of Kush…Reviews for The Capsarius‘Brings a whole new dimension to the genre… Recommended’ Historical Novel Society‘A blistering epic brimming with tension, mystery and adventure!’ Gordon DohertyReviews for Simon Turney‘A page turner from beginning to end… A damn fine read’ Ben Kane‘First-rate Roman fiction’ Matthew Harffy

Theft of an Idol

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

When Cleopatra’s most beloved actress disappears, her new Eye of Isis must solve a case that will lead to the darkest corners of Alexandria. From the palaces of Alexandria reigns Cleopatra – seventh of her name, avatar of the goddess Isis, ruler of the Kingdom of Egypt – surrounded by riches untold. Through the streets of her great city bustle scholars and sailors, politicians and priests. For those with the means, it is a comfortable life.But not all are invited to share in the wealth of Egypt’s first city. For the peasants and farmers, their lives lie in the hands of the gods and the harvest. Unless, that is, they can find other methods to feed their families. Other, less savoury methods.When Herminia, one of Alexandria’s most beloved actresses, disappears on the eve of a great performance, Cleopatra sets Tetisheri, her Eye, to investigate. In her search for the truth, Tetisheri will uncover a mystery that will take her to the city’s darkest corners…Reviews for Dana Stabenow‘Stabenow brings Alexandria’s Hellenistic period to life… She is now as much at home in ancient Egypt as she is in the Alaskan wilderness’ Publishers Weekly ‘Stabenow is blessed with a rich prose style and a fine eye for detail. Outstanding’ Washington Post ‘For rich, idiosyncratic settings and engaging characters… let me recommend Dana Stabenow’ Diana Gabaldon

The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2022

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

International bestselling author Sara Paretsky selects the twenty best mystery short stories of the year, including tales by Michael Connelly, Jo Nesbo, Joyce Carol Oates, Colson Whitehead, and more in this crime connoisseur’s collection. Under the auspices of New York City’s legendary mystery fiction specialty bookstore, The Mysterious Bookshop, and aided by Edgar Award-winning anthologist Otto Penzler, international bestseller and MWA Grandmaster Sara Paretsky has selected the twenty most puzzling, most thrilling, and most mysterious short stories from the past year, collected now in one entertaining volume. The classic mystery tale will be familiar to aficionados and casual readers alike: it was invented by Edgar Allen Poe, popularised by Arthur Conan Doyle, and perfected by Agatha Christie. WIthin a few pages, a clue can be discovered, divulged, and its significance determined: all else is mere embellishment.Featuring stories by: Doug Allyn, Colin Barrett, Jerome Charyn, Michael Connelly, Susan Frith, Tom Larsen, Sean Marciniak, Stefon Mears, Keith Lee Morris, Gwen Mullins, Jo Nesbo, Joyce Carol Oates, Annie Reed, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Anna Scotti, Ginny Swart, Ellen Tremiti, Joseph S. Walker, Colson Whitehead, and Michael Wiley – plus a bonus vintage story from the annals of mystery fiction, written over a century in the past.

SBS – Special Boat Squadron

Emma — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

A historical adventure chronicling the exploits of the Special Boat Squadron, the seaborne raiders who, by strength and guile, carried out World War Two’s most daring covert operations.From this moment on, you and your men, you don’t exist. Formed in the darkest hours of the Second World War, as nation after nation fell before the unstoppable Axis advance, the task of the SBS was to strike back at an enemy no army could meet in the field. Trained in sabotage and surveillance, the Special Boat Squadron raided deep behind enemy lines, sowing chaos and capturing much-needed intelligence. Soldiers, adventurers and rogues, their methods were unorthodox, their success rate unprecedented.Operation Anglo, 31 August 1942.Beneath the waves of the Mediterranean, HMS Traveller closes in on the coast of Rhodes. Aboard, eight SBS commandos check their weapons as they prepare to infiltrate and sabotage two Axis bomber fields. Only two of the eight commandos will make it back to alive. Ex-Black Watch Sgt Jim Hunter will be one of the lucky ones, but what he will face next will make Operation Anglo look like a cakewalk.Reviewers on Iain Gale:‘A fast fit fighting yarn that transports you to the deadly hillsides of wartime Crete.’ Quentin Letts on SBS ‘A powerful novel of men at war. A triumph.’ Bernard Cornwell on Four Days in June ‘Very exciting.’ Daily Telegraph on the Jack Steele series

The House At Phantom Park

Emma — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Disturbing. Original. Terrifying. The ‘master of horror’ is back with the chilling tale of what lurks in the walls of an abandoned hospital. The perfect Halloween read.In this abandoned hospital, pain lives on… and it wants revenge.St Philomena’s military hospital has been abandoned for over three years. Now Lilian Chesterfield, who works for one of the most successful building companies in England, is in charge of developing it into a luxury housing complex.But as soon as she and her colleagues start work in the Jacobean-style mansion, their dream turns into a nightmare. They hear screaming from wards full of empty beds. They hear doors slamming and find cutlery scattered over the kitchen floor. Then they see faces peering at them from the mullioned windows.Lilian is pragmatic – she doesn’t believe in the supernatural. But just when she’s put her mind at rest by scouring the mansion from top to bottom and finding nothing, a former patient of St Philomena’s arrives with a warning. The hospital is haunted. And it is haunted by something a thousand times more terrifying than ghosts…Perfect to read at Halloween and for fans of The Haunting of Hill House, The Shining and The Woman in Black.Praise for Graham Masterton:‘One of Britain’s finest horror writers.’ Daily Mail ‘A true master of horror’ James Herbert ‘One of the most original and frightening storytellers of our time’ Peter James

The Creeper

Emma — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The Creeper is a masterful tale of horror and suspense from one of Ireland’s most talented emerging authors.Superstitions only survive if people believe in them…Renowned academic Dr Sparling seeks help with his project on a remote Irish village. Historical researchers Ben and Chloe are thrilled to be chosen – until they arrive.The village is isolated and forgotten. There is no record of its history, its stories. There is no friendliness from the locals, only wary looks and whispers. The villagers lock down their homes at sundown.It seems a nameless fear stalks the streets, but nobody will talk – nobody except one little girl. Her words strike dread into the hearts of the newcomers. Three times you see him. Each night he comes closer…That night, Ben and Chloe see a sinister figure watching them. He is the Creeper. He is the nameless fear in the night. Stories keep him alive. And nothing will keep him away…Reviewers on A.M. Shine:‘A dark, claustrophobic read.’ T. Kingfisher ‘Readers get an intimate glimpse into the fraying edges of each character’s psyches… Will appeal to fans of Kealan Patrick Burke, Josh Malerman, and Scott Smith.’ A.E. Siraki, Booklist ‘An ideal read for the Halloween season, or any time you want some spookiness in your life!’ Beauty and Lace

Essex Dogs

Emma — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The sensational historical fiction debut from Sunday Times bestseller Dan Jones. A BBC History 2022 Book of the Year! July 1346. The Hundred Years’ War has begun, and King Edward and his lords are on the march through France. But this war belongs to the men on the ground.Swept up in the bloody chaos, a tight-knit company from Essex must stay alive long enough to see their home again. With sword, axe and longbow, the Essex Dogs will fight, from the landing beaches of Normandy to the bloodsoaked field of Crécy.There’s Pismire, small enough to infiltrate enemy camps. Scotsman, strong enough to tear down a wall. Millstone, a stonemason who’ll do anything to protect his men. Father, a priest turned devilish by the horrors of war. Romford, a talented young archer on the run from his past. And Loveday FitzTalbot, their battle-scarred captain, who just wants to get his boys home safe.Some men fight for glory. Others fight for coin. The Essex Dogs? They fight for each other.Praise for Essex Dogs:‘Oddly joyous – rolling action, fast-paced, a book that draws you in page by page. The way Dan Jones writes enemies reminds me of Cornwell at his best, turning up tension click by click.’ Conn Iggulden‘A new champion has entered the front line of historical fiction to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bernard Cornwell.’ Jane Johnson ‘Battle-bloody, brutal and perfectly pitched.’ Daily Mail ‘Vital, earthy, and heart-stopping… So deft and funny that you’d never guess this is Dan Jones’ debut work of fiction.’ Suzannah Lipscomb ‘[Dan Jones’] mastery of his subject matter is obvious. The soldiers’ lives are rather brilliantly recreated – the kit, the fighting, the boredom and discomfort.’ The Times ‘Few books manage to be as compelling on every level as Essex Dogs: it’s adventure, history, and heart.’ Dana Schwartz ‘A busy, urgent little masterpiece.’ Graham Hurley ‘Fascinating. Brutal. Real… Impossible to put down.’ Simon Turney ‘Horribly compelling… Only Dan Jones can carry you through blood, piss and vomit and leave you wanting more.’ Daisy Dunn ‘With a cast of unforgettable characters, written with irrepressible verve and historical accuracy, Dan Jones delivers a compelling novel that thrums with swordswinging energy.’ Simon Sebag Montefiore ‘The battles that shaped Europe from the point of view of the soldiers… Searing.’ Kate Williams ‘War. Looting. Junkies. Pintle-tugging. The English abroad. Dan Jones takes you to the year of Our Lord 1346.’ Tibor Fischer

Blackstone Fell

Emma — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Rachel Savernake investigates a bizarre locked-room puzzle in this delicious Gothic mystery from the winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger.1930. Nell Fagan is a journalist on the trail of a intriguing and bizarre mystery: in 1606, a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in a remote Yorkshire village, and 300 years later, it happened again. Nell confides in the best sleuth she knows, judge’s daughter Rachel Savernake. Thank goodness she did, because barely a week later Nell disappears, and Rachel is left to put together the pieces of the puzzle.Looking for answers, Rachel travels to lonely Blackstone Fell in Yorkshire, with its eerie moor and sinister tower. With help from her friend Jacob Flint – who’s determined to expose a fraudulent clairvoyant – Rachel will risk her life to bring an end to the disappearances and bring the truth to light.A dazzling mystery peopled by clerics and medics; journalists and judges, Blackstone Fell explores the shadowy borderlands between spiritual and scientific; between sanity and madness; and between virtue and deadly sin.Praise for Martin Edwards:‘Martin Edwards celebrates and satirises the genre with wit and affection… He leaves you wanting more.’ The Times ‘A pitch-perfect blend of Golden Age charm and sinister modern suspense.’ Lee Child ‘Edwards has managed, brilliantly, to combine a Golden Age setting with a pace that is bang up-to-date.’ Peter James