by Philip Eliot | Nov 29, 2025 | Crime Fiction |
During an epic storm in the Gulf of Maine a lone woman races–first by car, then by a life-threatening sea crossing–to the island of Grand Manan. Her father is dying—will she make it in time? Others also venture out into the maelstrom that night, including a mysterious band of men and women who gather on Seven Days Work, the sheer cliff that overlooks the wild sea. A housekeeper, a pastor, and a strange recluse are also wandering about out in the tempest. Who else risks being out in the turbulent black night? And how many murder victims will be revealed at the break of dawn? Such questions will engage retired Montreal detective Émile Cinq-Mars. He and his wife seek shelter from the same storm as they make their way to the island for a rare summer vacation from both his police work and her horse stable. With a mounting death toll, a lengthy list of suspects, and a murder in the deep past that somehow affects the present, Cinq-Mars is drawn into uncovering ancient secrets that have led to murder. When the villainy turns against him, another race ensues, this time to solve the crimes before his visit to the island ends in tragedy.John Farrow’s Seven Days Dead continues the Émile Cinq-Mars series of crime novels, which Booklist has called “one of the best series in crime fiction,”; Die Zeit in Germany has suggested it might be the best of all time.
by Philip Eliot | Nov 29, 2025 | Crime Fiction |
You kissed your daughter goodnight. By morning, she’s gone.Two days ago, FBI Agent Val Costa came face to face with a serial killer known as the Bear. One of only two women ever to survive, she’s forever branded with his signature: a curling “S” carved into her skin. Val knows it’s only a matter of time before he takes another victim.Forced home to recover, Val returns to Red Rose County, California, to be with her son. But the very next day she finds the close-knit community panic-stricken over the disappearance of blonde-haired, freckled-faced local teen, Scarlett Douglas.Defying orders, Val interviews the Douglas family at their farmhouse and uncovers a less-than-idyllic picture. Housebound since a devastating diagnosis, Scarlett’s world was crumbling. The sight of Scarlett’s unworn prom dress hanging in her room brings a tear to Val’s eye. She won’t sleep until this sweet girl is home and safe.Val and her team search the nearby towering redwoods for any clue to what happened the morning Scarlett disappeared. But the case takes a sinister turn when a little pink teddy bear is delivered to Val’s door. Did the Bear follow her to Red Rose County? Is her family now in terrible danger? Could Scarlett be his latest victim?Working around the clock, Val begins to question if the Douglases are the loving parents they claim to be. With time running out to save Scarlett’s life, and the truth just within her reach, will Val once again come face to face with the Bear? And who—if anyone—will survive? A totally addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller for fans of Lisa Regan, Mary Stone and Willow Rose. You won’t be able to put this page-turner down!What readers are saying about Gone by Dawn:‘An absolutely page-turning, heart-racing read!!… Had me hooked… I absolutely devoured this… Addictive, gripping and heart-racing.’ bookwormwhitlock86, ?????‘ANOTHER five-star read… Had me hooked from the very start!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Another hit series!… Absolutely fantastic!!!… This is a great series to get hooked on!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Wow, this book had me reeled in since the very beginning!… A phenomenal series… This story has it all… Such a GOOD read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘A thrilling start to the new series. If I could give it 6 stars I would.’ thebookishadventure, ?????‘Unputdownable… Kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Phenomenal… It was a fast-paced page-turner that I couldn’t put down.’ Goodreads reviewerWhat readers are saying about H.K. Christie:‘Fabu-licious read! What a thrilling rollercoaster of a fast page-turner. Hot darn, couldn’t put this book down for the life of me.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Explosive thriller, grabbed me from the first chapter.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘I finished this book in less than a day, if that tells y’all anything.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Positively SENSATIONAL!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Amazing, astounding and awesome.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘This is a brilliant read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘Amazing book, kept me on the edge of my seat and sleep deprived.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????
by Philip Eliot | Nov 29, 2025 | Thriller & Suspense |
FBI special agent Sofia Blake, with a Ph.D. in linguistics, can decipher any hidden codes, messages or foreign languages the Bureau sends her way, finding patterns where others cannot and making her indispensable in tracking down the most heinous of serial killers. When a prominent community member is found dead with a cryptic note during the annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, Sofia must crack a cypher that only she can solve—if she can do it in time to save the next victim…“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”—Reader review for Not Like Us?????NO ONE THERE is Book #1 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.Born into a family of speech pathologists and raised with a unique heritage of German, Egyptian, and French roots, Sofia Blake has always appreciated diverse languages and cultures. With her exceptional language skills and natural talent for decoding cryptic messages, Sofia shot to the top ranks of the FBI. It seemed nothing could slow her down—until her travel-journalist sister mysteriously disappeared ten years ago.Now, haunted by her past and desperate for answers, Sofia vows to use her extraordinary talents to stop more tragedies from occurring.Is her linguistic genius enough to stop the vilest of killers?Or will the killers reach her before she can crack their codes?A page-turning crime thriller full of jaw-dropping twists and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the SOFIA BLAKE mystery series introduces a brilliant new female protagonist and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.More books in the series are also available!“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”—Reader review for Not Like Us?????“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”—Reader review for Not Like Us?????“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”—Reader review for Not Like Us?????“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn’t put it down!”—Reader review for The Death Code?????“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”—Reader review for The Death Code?????“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”—Reader review for The Death Code?????“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”—Reader review for His Other Wife?????“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization… I didn’t want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”—Reader review for His Other Wife?????“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”—Reader review for His Other Wife?????“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.”—Reader review for His Other Wife?????
by Philip Eliot | Nov 29, 2025 | Cozy Mystery |
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Get cozy with these 5 Christmas themed cozy mysteries – all in one boxed set!Poinsettias and Pickpockets, a Petal Pushers Flower Shop Cozy MysteryAs Christmas approaches, Presley finds herself juggling a flurry of wreaths, arrangements, and mistletoe. But when the boyfriend of her most dedicated employee disappears without a trace, the yuletide joy turns to worry. Presley embarks on a quest to locate the missing boyfriend, with her faithful companions Bella and quirky pet duck Topknot by her side.As the clock ticks towards Christmas, Presley races against time to solve the mystery and ensure the festive season remains merry for all. Can she find the missing man or has something more sinister happened?Mistletoe and Murder, a Presley Thurman Cozy MysteryCan Presley catch a murderer and save Christmas?Presley thinks she’s about to celebrate her best Christmas yet in her hometown of Hunter’s Hollow. She’s got her boyfriend, Cooper, and her mastiff, Bella, to bring home to the family. What could go wrong?Turns out a lot when an old friend comes knocking on Christmas Eve. Someone has been stealing from his business, and he needs Presley’s help to find the culprit.But things go from bad to worse when his employee turns up dead the next day.Now, instead of sipping eggnog and eating cookies, Presley’s trying to catch a killer–before that killer claims his next victim.Cookies and Crime, a Read Wine Bookstore Cozy MysteryIt’s the most wonderful time of the year… just don’t eat the cookies.When Jean Sartor, Scout co-leader of the Romero Boy Scouts, drops dead at the end-of-year awards ceremony, Trixie Pristine suddenly has all eyes on her.Since she baked Christmas cookies for the ceremony, Trixie jumps to the top of the suspect list. Trixie knows she didn’t poison Jean, but someone has been very naughty this holiday season and she’s going to find out who.All Trixie wants for Christmas is to keep herself out of jail.Christmas Caper, a Spencer University Cozy MysterySomeone is dreaming of a dark Christmas…Spencer University’s Special Event Coordinator Penelope Hill thrives on turning her fundraisers into the biggest celebrations on campus. This year’s Christmas Lighting Ceremony is guaranteed to wow all the university’s biggest financial supporters.Penelope refuses to settle for anything less than spectacular, no matter what. But when her Christmas sensation literally crashes and burns, professors Polly and Olivia know someone is out to sabotage the university’s most lucrative fundraiser.Can the professors get to the bottom of this Christmas catastrophe before it’s too late? Holiday Lights Out. a standalone Christmas CozyAll is not calm and bright this Christmas.Stella Cavanaugh is on a bus trip to Thief River Falls for a Christmastime getaway. But trouble is brewing on this tour bus and when they arrive at the cozy cabin hotel she finds that all is not well.One of her fellow vacationers is never getting off the bus because he’s dead as a doornail.Turns out, this isn’t the most wonderful time of the year in the peaceful town of Thief River Falls because there’s a murderer on the loose. Stella is determined to find the culprit so she can enjoy the festivities of the season.But can she figure out who the killer is before they cancel Christmas?
by Philip Eliot | Nov 29, 2025 | Cozy Mystery |
A mystery novelist with writer’s block, a lavish party to ring in the new year, and a film star with three bullets through his head…December 1927. Mystery writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered…Snowed in and with the police unable to reach them, Marius is the closest thing the panicked party has to a detective and he is swiftly nominated to find the killer. But when two more guests are attacked, Marius soon realises that solving mysteries is even harder than writing them. With Bella at his side, and a clutch of conniving suspects to choose from, can Marius find the culprit before the killer targets him? A completely charming and witty golden-age cozy mystery, perfect for the Christmas season. Fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and Lee Strauss won’t be able to put down the Marius Quin Mysteries!Readers love Benedict Brown:‘Deserves 10 stars!… Not since Agatha Christie’s Bertram’s Hotel have I felt I was right there watching from the sidelines.’ Reader review, ??????????‘I couldn’t put this book down, and I didn’t even come close to guessing “whodunit”! I wish it hadn’t ended so soon.’ Reader review, ??????????‘WOW Benedict Brown has done it once again… the ending was completely astounding, the perfect climactic twist.’ Reader review, ??????????‘One of the best Christmas murder mysteries I’ve ever read.’ Reader review, ??????????‘Kept me totally hooked until the last page… lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing.’ Reader review, ??????????‘A fresh, fun, atmospheric, joy ride… Stoke up the fire, get your hot toddy, and get cozy with this treat!’ Reader review, ??????????‘Deserves more than 5 stars. I really loved this book.’ Reader review, ??????????‘What a great read this was!… Murder, mayhem, evildoers doing evil deeds, a clever twist that I never saw coming.’ Reader review, ??????????‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book.’ Reader review, ??????????
