FICTION

Hot GroundFor crime fiction fans of Dervla McTiernan and Jane Harper comes an outback police procedural where gold fever takes a deadly turn. In the middle of the night in a remote part of Western Australia's goldfields, the thud of a mallet on a marker peg sets off a chain reaction that unearths secrets long buried. Detective Jessy Parkin - sent to policing purgatory in the aftermath of a tainted investigation - is tasked with finding Max Cochrane, a veteran prospector who has vanished into thin air. What begins with a concerned daughter's plea for help soon burgeons into a mystery as shapeshifting as a desert mirage. Fortunes are being built on the back of Kalgoorlie's coveted gold, but the truth might be the rarest find of all.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST CRIME FICTION 'the Queen of tech noir' – ?The Australian When you can fake anything, how do you know what’s real? Harlow Close has made a career as an influencer uncovering the secrets of Winnipeg, dubbed ‘North America's strangest city’. The region is renowned for its sub-zero temperatures, dropping to minus 40 degrees – sometimes for months at a time. Yet, it’s not just the frigid winters and geographic seclusion that render Winnipeg peculiar. When Harlow’s father mysteriously disappears amid a brutal cold snap, suspicions of foul play arise. It’s not like Scott to miss phone calls – and he’s been even more cautious since that time he was catfished by a romance scammer. Unhappy with the pace of the police investigation, Harlow launches her own search, enlisting her sister Blaise’s reluctant help. As Harlow struggles to uncover what happened to her father, she’s forced to question everything and everyone around her – including herself. PRAISE FOR COLD TRUTH: ‘an enjoyably chilly read.’ – ?The Australian ‘hard to put down.’– Artshub ‘Featuring some great twists, vivid locations and a well described cast of credible characters, Cold Truth is a highly entertaining and gripping read.’– Canberra Weekly ‘A hostile landscape, malicious tech and blood ties bring the chills.’–The Newcastle Herald ‘With Dark Mode, Ashley Kalagian Blunt announced her arrival on the thriller scene with a bang. In this follow-up, we would expect nothing less than a smart, twisty plot, set in an unforgettable place and populated by deeply human characters – but Cold Truth does even more than that. In bringing us into the depths of Canadian winter, Ashley takes us right into what makes us who we are. Blood ties and shady online dealings come to the fore in this enthralling novel. I adored this book – compelling crime fiction at its absolute best.’ – Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town and Girl Falling ‘Cold Truth is bone-chilling in every way: a missing father, a complicated relationship between sisters and a taut mystery in an icy Canadian winter. With twists that had me gasping, the story rocketed towards a gripping finale. I could not put it down! Another explosive thriller from the master of the cliff-hanger.’ – Petronella McGovern, author of The Liars and The Last Trace ‘Ashley Kalagian Blunt has done it again, delivering another propulsive psychological thriller that filled me with dread from the first page to its shocking conclusion. Set in the depths of the Canadian winter, Cold Truth was truly chilling; a relentless ride that had me guessing at every turn and reading into the early hours of the morning. Kalagian Blunt has established herself as the master of terrifying, addictive thrillers that will leave you questioning your own safety.’ – Shankari Chandran, author of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and Unfinished Business ‘Vivid, twisty, fast-paced and action-packed, I tore through Cold Truth in two days. It left me shivering – with both cold and the stark reminder that in this world where anything can be faked, truth is as stable as quicksand.’ – Pip Drysdale, author of The Next Girl and The Close-Up ‘Atmospheric, twisty and terrifying, Cold Truth is a taut and pulse-racing thriller that left me with an icy shiver. A story of sisterhood, loss, deceit and triumph – laced with the menace (and malice) of the dark web. I devoured this moreish book and was devastated to finish it. Ashley Kalagian Blunt just keeps on getting better and better.’ – Ali Lowe, author of The School Run and The Running Club

Scrublands Set in a fictional Riverina town at the height of a devastating drought, Scrublands is one of the most powerful, compelling and original crime novels to be written in Australia.

The Wolf Who Cried Boy ‘If you know where to look, kiddo, the world is full of magic and monsters.’Six-year-old Henry believes his life is a fairytale. He’s a Star Prince, his mum is a Star Queen and they’re hiding from Henry’s father, the mysterious ‘Wolf King’.When news arrives that his Grandma is gravely ill, Henry and his mum must take a road trip across the country and back into the Wolf King’s orbit. Henry isn’t afraid: he knows his magic powers will save them. But as the King draws ever closer, Henry’s world starts to fall apart. Who is the real baddie in his life? Who can he trust? And why don’t his powers seem to work?In this astoundingly original story of heroes, villains and the messy reality between them, a world of violence and fear can be wildly funny and streaked with magic. Through its unforgettable narrator, The Wolf Who Cried Boy explores how cycles of violence, misogyny and corruption must be broken if we ever want our children to grow up free

Dust Lake Herrod, a once-thriving community, now lies in the shadow of a nearly dry lake. The town, like the water, is evaporating and its residents are left clinging to what little remains.When Aaron Love discovers a fresh corpse near the cracked lakebed – along with evidence his missing father is alive and linked to a web of organised crime – he is thrust into a world of deception, injustice, and betrayal. With the town on the brink of collapse, Aaron and a haunted detective, Martyn Kravets, uncover a web of conspiracy that reaches far beyond the small community.Dust is a dark, gripping thriller that explores the complexities of identity, a search for truth, and the unyielding forces of corruption in a world where lives are lived on the fringe and nothing is as it seems.

The Italian Secret No.1 international bestselling author Tara Moss returns with an immersive post-war mystery as glamorous investigator Billie Walker follows a trail of secrets to Italy's sun-drenched Neapolitan coast.Naples, 1943. Deep within a secret network of underground tunnels, a woman takes shelter from a wartime air raid and prays her husband will return safely.Indian Ocean, 1907. A young woman embarks on a lonely journey to begin a new life far from home.Sydney, 1948. Billie Walker, recently returned from a stint as a wartime investigative journalist, has reopened her father's private inquiry office. Billie is cleaning out old filing cabinets when she uncovers a dusty box whose contents just might upend everything Billie thought she knew about her late, beloved father.Soon Billie is on the scent, uncovering the secrets of her family's past, travelling aboard the first postwar luxury passenger ship from Sydney to Naples in search of answers. And as the trail leads her toward two women whose history is entwined with her own, she realises she is not the only one at risk. Billie's father had an enemy - one who may now be stalking Billie around the world - and the closer Billie gets to the truth, the more danger she finds herself in.'Another rip-roaring novel featuring one of my favorite detectives, Ms. Billie Walker. Moss's latest is both a tale of international intrigue and an intimate family drama, racing from the cosmopolitan city of Sydney to the war-torn shores of Naples. The mystery at its core is a doozy, the tension sublime. An unforgettable read' Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen'A fearless young woman sets out on a quest in this tense but heartwarming tale of family, love and honor spanning the globe from Naples to Sydney' Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness series'A richly layered, page-turning post-war mystery that explores, with depth and heart, how long-held secrets shape family and identity' Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of A Map to ParadisePraise for the Billie Walker mysteries:'A terrific read' Lynda La Plante'A cracking thriller, with a marvellous, strong, flamboyant heroine. Loved it' Joanne Harris, award-winning author of Chocolat'Retro noir with a gutsy heroine and atmospheric setting ... vivid, page-turning historical crime, better written than most' Sydney Morning Herald'Just what I needed today - a blast of the escapist past' Ian Rankin'Tara Moss writes beautifully; vivid descriptions, truly believable characters and enough page-turning suspense to keep you up reading far later than you intended!' Peter James'Ultra-cool and whip-smart' Emily Maguire'Rich period detail and a fierce, feminist heroine distinguish this stylish twist on the classic 1940s detective novel' Publishers Weekly

UnknownA woman with no name,a reckoning with the past,a present fraught with danger.In the most remote spotof the hills surrounding Loch Tay,a woman’s remains were found.She had lay there a while,but any evidence of who she washad long gone – or never existed.Crime podcaster Cal Lovettseeks to put ‘Hillside Jane’ to rest,but is he merely runningfrom his own troubles?With the wife of his sister’salleged killer missingand a sense that any chancehe had of getting justice for Margotis slipping from his grasp,Cal is at a crossroads.Perhaps peace for Hillside Janewill soothe his own fears.But events in the villagedon’t bring the results anyone expected.Is Cal so stuck in the pastthat he won’t spot the riskhe faces in the here and now?A gripping instalmentof the bestselling Scottish crime seriesfrom Bloody Scotland Debut Prizefor Scottish Crime-shortlisted authorHeather Critchlow.Perfect for fans ofJane Casey, Claire Douglasand Neil Lancaster.

The WashupA tragic accident in paradise … or a calculated crime?After her parents’ death in a car crash two years ago, Eve is back in the tumbledown family house on Magnetic Island, surrounded by nosy neighbours, an over-friendly possum and a cast of eccentric locals.All Eve has left is her sister Tilly – not that she’s seen much of her lately, between Tilly’s history of disastrous relationships and her tendency to drink too much. And when Eve is introduced to her new boyfriend Matt, a sky-diving instructor and dead ringer for a young Richard Gere, she senses trouble.Shortly after, a skydive goes wrong and Eve is left with a mountain of unanswered questions. Matt is the prime suspect as far as she is concerned, but proving it is another matter … especially after the cops rule it an accident. It doesn’t help when Eve’s ill-advised sleepover with Shane, the local cop, goes catastrophically wrong.In trying to solve one mystery, Eve will uncover a far deeper secret hidden in the rocky outcrops of Magnetic Island – and put her own life on the line.

Five Found DeadWhen Meredith Penvale and her writer brother, Joe, step aboard the iconic Orient Express, they're embarking on a journey steeped in both luxury and mystery. The train, a literary legend, is a bucket-list destination for detectives and writers alike. But as the train winds through the Italian Alps, a sinister undercurrent begins to emerge.A virus has infiltrated the train in Paris, trapping its passengers and cutting them off from the world. Then, a passenger vanishes, leaving their cabin a bloody crime scene. Suddenly, the idyllic journey turns deadly. Joe and Meredith find themselves trapped with a motley crew of detectives, each with their own secrets and agendas.As the body count rises and the train speeds towards its destination, the siblings must unravel the mystery before they become the killer's next victim ...PRAISE FOR SULARI GENTILL:‘A writer’s writer, who never disappoints.’—Australian Women's Weekly‘a true master of the genre’—The Sydney Morning Herald

The Mysterious Case Of The Missing Crime WriterMurder, mystery and a disappearing crime writer all come together in the new Golden Age crime novel from Sunday Times bestseller Ragnar Jónasson.One winter evening, bestselling crime author Elin S. Jónsdóttir goes missing.There are no clues to her disappearance and it is up to young detective, Helgi, to crack the case before it's leaked to the press.As he interviews the people closest to her - a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge - he realises that Elin's life wasn't what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than her stories.As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of a very unexpected life . . .

How Bad Things Can GetFyre Fest meets The Blair Witch Project in this chilling thriller-horror by USA Today bestselling author Darcy Coates.The Blair Witch Project meets Fyre Fest in this bloody new thriller from the queen of scares, Darcy Coates!It was supposed to be the party of the century- miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is simple- five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.But then the true history of the island is revealed...along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker-and far bloodier-is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.

The FarmhouseThe House Across the Lake meets This Thing Between Us when what was supposed to be a fresh start for Emily and her husband takes a dark turn as the isolated farm they've moved to begins to reveal horrifying secrets...Every woman who has lived on this farm has died. Emily just moved in.When Emily Hauk's mother dies, it's time for her and her husband, Josh, to finally leave San Francisco. A farm in rural Nebraska is everything they want for a fresh start- clear skies, low costs, and distance from the grief back home.They should have asked why the farm was for sale.Three years ago, a teenage girl went missing from the farm. Soon after, the girl's mother mysteriously died. The deeper Emily digs, the more stories she finds of women with a connection to her new home who've met their own dark ends.The farmhouse was meant to be Emily's fresh start, but with each passing day, her sanctuary slips further away. The barn seems to move throughout her property, as though chasing her. Her mother's favorite music drifts across the corn. She swears she saw blood in one of the farmhand's trucks. And the screams that wake her are not foxes, no matter how many times her husband says otherwise.Despite Josh's skepticism, Emily feels the darkness that has seeped into the soil of her farm. And if she wants to claim this place as her own, she'll have to find the truth before whatever watches from the cornfield takes her too.

The Collector In the electrifying new thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva, Gabriel Allon undertakes a search for a stolen Vermeer masterpiece and uncovers a conspiracy that could bring the world to the brink of nuclear Armageddon. In the Amalfi villa of a murdered South African shipping tycoon, the Carabinieri have made a startling discovery - a secret vault containing an empty frame and stretcher matching the dimensions of the world's most valuable missing painting. The commander of the Art Squad asks restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon to quietly track down the artwork before the trail goes cold. With the help of a most unlikely ally, a beautiful Danish computer hacker and professional thief, Gabriel follows the painting's trail to a man with close ties to the highest level of Russian power - code-named the Collector. The missing masterpiece is the lynchpin of a conspiracy that if successful, could plunge the world into a conflict of apocalyptic proportions. To foil the plot, Gabriel must carry out a daring heist of his own, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. 'Silva builds suspense like a symphony conductor' Booklist 'A master of his craft' Adelaide Advertiser 'World-class' Washington Post

Portrait Of An Unknown Woman#1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva delivers another stunning thriller in his latest action-packed tale of high stakes international intrigue.The hunt is on for the greatest art forger who ever lived ...Legendary spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon has at long last severed ties with Israeli intelligence and settled quietly with his beautiful wife and their young twins in Venice, the only place he has ever truly known peace.But when the eccentric London art dealer Julian Isherwood asks Gabriel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rediscovery and lucrative sale of a centuries-old painting, he is drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse where nothing is as it seems.Gabriel soon discovers that the work in question, a portrait of an unidentified woman attributed to Sir Anthony van Dyck, is almost certainly a fiendishly clever fake. To find the mysterious figure who painted it - and uncover a multibillion-dollar fraud at the pinnacle of the art world - Gabriel conceives one of the most elaborate deceptions of his career. If it is to succeed, he must become the very mirror image of the man he seeks: the greatest art forger the world has ever known.'Reading the latest Gabriel Allon is like visiting an old friend. Another tour de force by the master.' Bob Woodward'Silva can really write. The bastard.' James Patterson'A smart summer escape.' Kirkus, starred review'Daniel Silva has few rivals' The Age'Daniel Silva is that rarity of rarities, a writer whose stories just keep getting better' Huffington Post

The Cellist Master of international intrigue Daniel Silva, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, comes an explosive thriller featuring art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon.The most beautiful music hides the deadliest secrets ...Once Russia's richest man, Victor Orlov now resides in exile in London, waging a crusade against the kleptocrats in the Kremlin. His mansion is protected by armed bodyguards. Yet somehow, on a rainy summer evening, in the midst of a global pandemic, Russia's vengeful president finally manages to cross Orlov's name off his kill list.Before him was the receiver from his landline telephone, a half-drunk glass of red wine, and a stack of documents ...The documents, contaminated with a deadly nerve agent, were delivered by a prominent investigative reporter. And when the reporter vanishes hours after the killing, MI6 concludes she is a Moscow Center assassin who penetrated the billionaire's formidable defenses.But Gabriel Allon believes his friends in British intelligence are dangerously mistaken. His search for the truth will take him to Geneva, where a private intelligence service is plotting an act of violence that will plunge an already divided America into chaos. Only Allon, with the help of a brilliant young woman employed by the world's dirtiest bank, can stop it ...Praise for Daniel Silva:'Fascinating, suspenseful and bated-breath exciting' Publishers Weekly'One of the greatest spy novelists the genre has ever known' CrimeReads'Daniel Silva is that rarity of rarities, a writer whose stories just keep getting better' Huffington Post'If you like Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher, get to know Gabriel Allon' Australian Women's Weekly