A "delicious" historical mystery featuring a Paris detective and master of disguise by the author of The Pale Blue Eye (Entertainment Weekly).

Chief of a newly created plainclothes police force, Vidocq is a man whose name sends terror rippling through the Parisian underworld of 1818—and the inconsequential life of Hector Carpentier is violently shaken when Vidocq storms into it. A former medical student living in his mother's Latin Quarter boardinghouse, Hector finds himself dragged into a dangerous mystery surrounding the fate of the dauphin, the ten-year-old son of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette presumed to have suffered a cruel death years earlier in Paris's dreaded Temple. But the truth of what happened may be even more shocking—and it will fall to an aimless young man and the most feared detective in Paris to see justice done for a frightened little boy in a black tower . . . no matter what the cost.

Inspired by the colorful real-life detective who became legendary in his native France, The Black Tower showcases "all the narrative verve and sly wit—both plot twists and turns of phrase—that make [Bayard's] books such a pleasure to read" (The Washington Post).

"Bayard reinvigorates historical fiction, rendering the nineteenth century as if he'd witnessed it firsthand." —The New York Times Book Review

"A writer of historical thrillers in the vein of Caleb Carr, author of The Alienist, and nineteenth-century writers such as Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Cristo." —The Wall Street Journal

"Stellar . . . Few writers today can match the author's skill in devising an intelligent thriller with heart." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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"I love these books. Sloane Monroe is a great character, tenacious to the end." Rose, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

If you're looking for a gripping mystery full of twists, lies, and long-buried truths, I Have a Secret is the one for you ...

Doug Ward has spent twenty years trying to forget, to put his harrowed past behind him.

But memories have a way of catching up—especially after a night of too many whiskies.

On a quiet evening aboard a luxury cruise to celebrate his high school reunion, Doug's haunted past surfaces, and this time, he's ready to talk. But When blood is found on the deck where Doug was last seen, Private Investigator Sloane Monroe goes in search of answers and soon discovers a chilling secret buried beneath decades of silence—secrets someone would kill for to keep hidden.

As she races to protect her former classmates from being the killer's next victim, it's up to Sloane to piece the past together, bringing the truth to light.

If you like stories that keep you guessing, you'll be up all night with this page-turning mystery, written by a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author.

Praise for I Have a Secret:

"I loved the twists and turns in this story." L. Smith, Amazon Top Contributor ??????????

"Quick-paced read with lots of twist and turns. I couldn't put the book down." Julia Crane, Bestselling Author of Keegan's Chronicles ??????????

"I can officially declare that I am now a Cheryl Bradshaw fan and look forward to reading the other books in the series over the summer." -Mel Comley, New York Times bestselling author of the Justice series ??????????

"Difficult to put down." ??????????

"Cheryl Bradshaw delivers again." ??????????

"Once I picked up this book, I couldn't stop. I read it within 24-Hours."??????????

Sloane Monroe Series in Order:

0. Silent as the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller
9. Shadows of Silence - Coming Soon!
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He thought he'd left his life as a detective behind. But the past has a deadly way of catching up.

Retired DI Gus Freeman is drawn back into the force to lead a new cold case unit. Join Gus and his team as they sift through old cases, uncovering a web of secrets that others have failed to see:

Fatal Decision
Gus Freeman’s first investigation: the brutal murder of Daphne Tolliver, a widow killed during her morning walk through the seemingly peaceful Wiltshire woods. With the killer still at large and watching their every move, Freeman must confront not only a cunning adversary but the demons of his own past—before another life is claimed.

Last Orders
Detective Gus Freeman is determined to solve the decades-old murder of Trudi, a beloved barmaid. But the truth has implications far greater than anyone can imagine.

Pressure Point
Detective Gus Freeman and his team delve into the murder of twenty-seven-year-old Laura Mallinder, a massage parlor worker, each step bringing them closer to the truth... and deeper into danger.

With gripping mysteries and unforgettable characters, this thrilling box set is a must-read for fans of Sally Rigby, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis.

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Praise for The Freeman Files:

????? Cracking good stories
????? Good characters, tight plots and enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end.
????? I loved the main character and the team that he works with.
????? Completely fell for Gus and his analytical way of thinking.
????? Enjoyed these books and will no doubt carry on till I’ve read all of them.
????? If you like good detective novels, this is a must.
????? I found I read more than I intended at each sitting, totally unputdownable.

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