Deadly Women…

One of the finest traditional 'cosy' writers whose steady detective hero Luke Thanet unearths the secrets of the Home Counties. A pleasing, entertaining read for a cold winter's night.

Once described as a 'bloodstained Barbara Pym' who brings out the nastiness of church life as well as covering some political issues. Nicely constructed with a good line in malicious gossip.

Kate Stacey is a new crime writer whose first novel The Canary Thief is challenging, humorous and enjoyable. A series of bizarre characters draw the reader into an equally unusual plot.

Kathy Reichs a forensic anthropologist for the province of Quebec whose novels star Dr Temperance Brennan, a headstrong and astute sleuth who becomes involved in terrifying and chilling events. ‘Better than Patricia Cornwell' with a good sense of place and well-developed plots.

'Norway's new Queen of Crime' has published six crime novels featuring Chief Inspector Konrad Sejer. Good well-written police procedurals, all the more interesting for their unfamiliar setting.

Another excellent 'cosy' writer in the tradition of the classic English detective novel, with a series featuring Superintendent Alan Markby and his nosy lady friend Meredith Mitchell. Written with mainly rural settings, humorous and well-crafted.

Janet Evanovich has created one of the most engaging modern American heroines in Stephanie Plum, a dizzy New Jersey bounty hunter whose complicated family and love life run parallel to her dangerous adventures. Laugh out loud .

Most famous for her classic novel The Daughter of Time where Inspector Alan Grant investigates the murder of the Princes in the Tower, as well as starring in further mysteries. She also wrote plays and short stories under the name of Gordon Daviot.