FREE/BARGAIN - Mystery, Suspense, Thriller - 2015

[AnemicOak]

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - $1.99
Amazon US | Google
(has not dropped at Kobo or B&N at this time)

Umberto Eco’s first novel, an international sensation and winner of the Premio Strega and the Prix Médicis Étranger awards

The year is 1327. Franciscans in a wealthy Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, and Brother William of Baskerville arrives to investigate. When his delicate mission is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths, Brother William turns detective. His tools are the logic of Aristotle, the theology of Aquinas, the empirical insights of Roger Bacon—all sharpened to a glistening edge by wry humor and a ferocious curiosity. He collects evidence, deciphers secret symbols and coded manuscripts, and digs into the eerie labyrinth of the abbey, where “the most interesting things happen at night

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - $1.99
Amazon US | Google
(has not dropped at Kobo or B&N at this time)

This is a wonderful book. If anyone hasn't read it, I highly recommend it.

[sufue]

A bunch of mostly HarperCollins (a few Kensington and others), mostly recent (per eReaderIQ) markdowns. I've given Kobo US links since this is where I was looking when I found these; I spot checked a few and mostly same prices in Amazon US.

Queen of the Night by JA Jance $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...el-of-suspense

The Missing File by DA Mishani $0.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...e-missing-file

If You've Got It, Haunt It by Rose Pressey $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...-it-haunt-it-1

Bad Bones by Linda Ladd $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/bad-bones-2

December 6 by Martin Cruz Smith $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/december-6

Kiss of the Bees by JA Jance $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...ss-of-the-bees

The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin $1.99 (great book IMO) https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...nissary-tree-1

Tippy Toe Murder by Leslie Meier $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...y-toe-murder-2

Killing Cupid by Laura Levine $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/killing-cupid-3

Dead Even by Brad Meltzer $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dead-even-2

Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke $1.99 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...pcake-murder-3

Tagged for Death by Sherry Harris $1.9 https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eb...ed-for-death-1

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - $1.99
Amazon US | Google
(has not dropped at Kobo or B&N at this time)

Originally Posted by HarryT

This is a wonderful book. If anyone hasn't read it, I highly recommend it.

Great movie; book was long, for me. But I did read it!
Long is not a problem -- I mean it was kinda tedious. Guess I was reluctant to say that!

[cadele]

Merit Badge Murder by Leslie Langtry free on Smashwords with coupon code SK97D

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/482121

Cosy mystery, first in the series, second due out soon.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by cadele

Merit Badge Murder by Leslie Langtry free on Smashwords with coupon code SK97D

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/482121

Cosy mystery, first in the series, second due out soon.

Can you confirm, please that this is either a commercially-published book, or that you're recommending it on the basis of having read it yourself, and enjoyed it?

Thanks,

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can you confirm, please that this is either a commercially-published book, or that you're recommending it on the basis of having read it yourself, and enjoyed it?

Thanks,

It's a published book: Gemma Halliday's imprint: Author's Page

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

It's a published book: Gemma Halliday's imprint: Author's Page

Thanks!

[cadele]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can you confirm, please that this is either a commercially-published book, or that you're recommending it on the basis of having read it yourself, and enjoyed it?

Thanks,

Thanks Teresa for answering HarryT.

I haven't read the book yet, but I have it in my library. I have read other Gemma Halliday books and enjoyed them, though. They are all light reading.

The coupon was published in her newsletter.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by cadele

Thanks Teresa for answering HarryT.

I haven't read the book yet, but I have it in my library. I have read other Gemma Halliday books and enjoyed them, though. They are all light reading.

The coupon was published in her newsletter.

Yes, same here. I've read some of the books she published and enjoyed them, and the free books she gives in her newsletter are a bonus too.

[sufue]

Some random US Kindle Countdown deals; most have been Countdown deals before:

Paper Phoenix is a non-series title by Michaela Thompson (Mickey Friedman). It's at $1.99 for about 2 more days, before going up to $2.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Phoenix-.../dp/B00DD0B6HK

Spoiler:

"Wickedly delicious... What makes (Thompson's) book so particularly wonderful is the way it accomplishes the detective novel's covert mission of urban analysis and social criticism." - San Francisco Examiner

"(Thompson) knows how to create that sense of place which is so important to any novel, but particularly to crime fiction; her characters are believable men and women in a real world..." -P.D. James

First comes divorce, then comes murder…

…or at least sweet thoughts of murder. Maggie Longstreet has plenty of them after slimy, ambitious Richard trades her in for a more recent model. She’s so depressed she can barely get out of bed when Larry Hawkins, a seemingly not-at-all depressed acquaintance, commits suicide out of the blue. Suddenly Maggie goes on high alert, remembering something her evil ex said about Larry—something highly suspicious.

And from there, it's just a short segué to a bracing new development:

“When some women get divorced they go back to school, I thought. Some do volunteer work at the hospital, or join communes and learn to birth calves. Some have affairs with inappropriate men. My new interest is burglary. Maggie Longstreet, former wife and mother, past president of the Museum Guild, now starting a career as a second-story woman.”

Fortunately, Maggie isn’t alone in her adventure—a very attractive, much younger man proves a lot more fun than Richard ever was. In fact, the real delight of this witty, sly mystery is seeing Maggie come alive again after a suffocating marriage. Set in the’70s, it has a bit of that Mad Men feel of women on the brink of something big. And completely unexpected.

You know Maggie’s going to be okay when she says: “I’d rather have had one of those cute little guns with a mother-of-pearl handle, but this (diamond pin) would have to do. I concealed it in my hand. At least now I was armed—or pinned.”

Full House is the third in the Jake Samson & Rosie Vicente series by Shelley Singer. It's at $1.99 for about 3 more days, before going up to $2.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Full-House-Lai...dp/B00I8Z5WMK/

Spoiler:

The THIRD action-packed mystery in the witty Jake Samson and Rosie Vicente detective series.

“Breathtaking action is offset by the wise-cracking Jake and Rosie. The tension will keep you reading all night long. Compelling characterization by Singer makes this series a must-read, with authentic details and witty dialogue.” - Mystery Time

A CULT LEADER, A CACHE OF CASH, AN UNHOLY MESS!

An ark in the middle of suburban Oakland was interesting but not strange by California standards. Even one built by peaceful cultists preparing for the coming flood. Until sometime private eye Jake Samson is hired to find Noah, their leader, who has disappeared with a lovely devotee and a quarter million in cash. The cult suspects foul play. The police aren’t convinced.

As Jake and his carpenter sidekick, Rosie, trail the wealthy visionary from a health-food factory in Sonoma to a casino in Tahoe, thugs, drugs and the murdered body of Noah’s attractive assistant add up to a lot less than a biblical tale. And Jake's got a gut feeling the floodgates are just the beginning to open.

“Jake remains his loyal, intelligent and quirky self, which is plenty to rejoice about.” - Contra Costa Times

(and Samson's Deal, the first in the series is still free: http://www.amazon.com/Samsons-Deal-L...dp/B00DDU756Q/)


Doubleback, the second in the Georgia Davis series by Libby Fischer Hellmann is at $0.99 for about 6 more days before going up to $4.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Doubleback-Geo...dp/B002SG7OWG/

Spoiler:

Little Molly Messenger is kidnapped on a sunny June morning. Three days later she's returned, apparently unharmed. Molly's mother, Chris, is so grateful to have her daughter back that she's willing to overlook the odd circumstances.

A few days later, the brakes go out on Chris's car.

An accident? Maybe. Except that it turns out that Chris, the IT manager at a large Chicago bank, may have misappropriated three million dollars. Not convinced that his daughter is safe, Molly's father hires Private Investigator Georgia Davis to follow the money and investigate Chris's death.

Doubleback, the sequel to the acclaimed Easy Innocence, reunites PI Georgia Davis with video producer Ellie Foreman (An Eye For Murder, A Picture Of Guilt, An Image Of Death, A Shot To Die For). The two women track leads from Northern Wisconsin to an Arizona border town, where illegal immigrants, smuggled drugs, and an independent contractor called Delton Security come into play. Georgia and Ellie go to great lengths to find the truth, and Georgia discovers that you can cross a line, but sometimes you have to double back.

Doubleback was chosen by the Great Lakes Bookseller Association as their Autumn, 2009 "Great Lakes Great Read."

[sufue]

A couple of Sherlock Holmes pastiches from Endeavour Press on US Kindle Countdown...

Sherlock Holmes and the Abbey School Mystery by John Hall is at $0.99 for about 4 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holme...dp/B00XJQVP9M/

Spoiler:

Ten years on from Holmes and Watson’s sleuthing days, something is amiss at the prestigious and exclusive Abbey School .

Young Lord Whitechurch is accused of stealing money from the headmaster’s office.

But as one of the wealthiest pupils, why would he do that?

This seemingly trivial mystery is soon overshadowed by the apparent suicide of the Third's form master, Mr Greville.

And Holmes is not convinced that this was a tragic accident.

His interest piqued, Holmes enlists the help of his trusty side-kick Dr. Watson, who takes over Greville’s teaching position as he investigates the staff and unearths the school's secrets.

And when Watson encounters a certain Mr. Tromarty, he begins to wonder if there is a connection to the late Moriarty…

Then another member of staff is found dead – and Holmes and Dr. Watson must work fast to unravel the mysterious web of circumstances and suspicion.

And it’s not just the school that is in danger… Holmes and Watson suspect that the country itself could be under threat...

Can Holmes and Watson solve the Abbey School Mystery before others meet their untimely end?

Or will death and destruction extend beyond the school gates?

‘Sherlock Holmes and the Abbey School Mystery’ is a thrilling new Sherlock adventure.

John Hall spent many years in the civil service before becoming a professional writer specialising in crime fiction. His book ‘Death of a Collector’ won the Sherlock magazine’s competition for the best new fictional detective. He is also the author of ‘Sherlock Holmes and thee Disgraced Inspector’, ‘Sherlock Holmes at the Raffles Hotel’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Hammerford Will’.

Sherlock Holmes and the Holborn Emporium by Val Andrews is at $0.99 for about 2 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holme...dp/B00T7R185S/

Spoiler:

London, 1903.

Forrage’s, the world-famous emporium, and normally a place of wonder and intrigue, has had a shadow cast over it.

A.W.Forrage is being sabotaged by an unknown source. Cryptic threats are being sent, and his customers are in danger.

Desperate to save the store from closure Forrage seeks the help of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Ordered to keep the scandal from the police, Sherlock and Watson begin to decipher the riddles as they are sent in.

The clock is ticking as they race from the depths of Santa’s Grotto in the basement, to the mysteries of the conjuring department.

Who would want to damage the reputation of the famous shop?

And, more importantly, who would want to inflict harm on unsuspecting children?

They must be a close associate; only someone who knows the particulars of the store could undertake the heinous acts undetected.

And with notable peers who have shares in his store, there is no lack of motive…

Sherlock Holmes and the Holborn Emporium is a brilliant addition to the Holmes cannon.

'A treat for any fan of the great detective.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code'.

Val Andrews (15 February 1926 – 12 December 2006) was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels.

[sufue]

And a few other Endeavour Press titles on US Kindle Countdown, some repeats, some new - to me, at least:

Pilgrimage of Death by Sally Spencer (pen name for Alan Rustage) is at $0.99 for about 2 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Pilgrimage-Dea...dp/B00XEAXJ9C/

Spoiler:

The year is 1386.

In a Southwark inn, a group of pilgrims on the road to Canterbury are challenged to a competition by the landlord.

Each will tell a story, and the teller of the best tale shall earn themselves a free meal on their return.

For Geoffrey Chaucer – soldier, spy, and poet – it is just the beginning.

Every time a story is told, its teller is soon found murdered… in the manner of which they had spoken of in their tale.

Together with the knight and the franklin, the three men alone deemed above suspicion, Chaucer attempts to piece together the strange and bloody trail.

But as Canterbury looms they seem no closer to uncovering the truth.

And any one of them could be next…

Will they uncover the terrifying mystery behind the murders?

Or will they also fall victim to the Pilgrimage of Death…?

‘Pilgrimage of Death’ is a chilling re-telling of Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ with a murderous twist.

'A compelling read.' - Robert Foster, best-selling author of 'The Lunar Code.'

Sally Spencer worked as a teacher both in England and Iran - where she witnessed the fall of the Shah. She now writes full time. She is also the author of the Blackstone Victorian crime series.

The Second Jeopardy by Roger Ormerod is at $0.99 for about 2 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Jeopard...dp/B00U4T82LG/

Spoiler:

Four years ago, a young woman named Angela Reed was murdered.

The prime suspect at the time, Harry Hodnutt, had jumped into her car after Charlie Braine, his partner in crime, drove off with the jewels from a shop they had just robbed.

Charlie and his car were never found, while Harry insisted that he’d left Angela — alive — at the lay-by where her body was subsequently discovered.

Though he was cleared of Angela’s murder, Harry spent four years inside for his involvement with the robbery.

Now Harry is out, still haunted by Angela’s death, and a man who claims he was married to Angela is threatening Harry’s life.

When Virginia Brent, the daughter of the Assistant Chief Constable, offers to help Harry find the truth behind Angela’s murder, Harry is sceptical, but ultimately accepts her assistance and the two form an unlikely partnership.

Virginia claims a relationship with Angela Reed that drives her interest in the case; Harry is anxious to not only clear his name for good but to rid himself of the threat to his life.

Together, Harry and Virginia delve back into Angela’s murder, following leads, digging up dirt on Harry’s old partners in crime and Angela’s double life, and seeking answers.

What happened to Charlie Braine and his car?

What part does mysterious criminal Sean O’Loughlin play?

Who really killed Angela Reed?

'The Second Jeopardy' is an expertly plotted crime thriller from a master story-teller.

"Fast-moving with well- orchestrated jiggery-pokery" Times Literary Supplement

Praise for Roger Ormerod:

‘Roger Ormerod is an accomplished writer of traditional murder mysteries who has earned himself not only popular success but also the respect and admiration of his colleagues...This is a strongly characterised, intellectually teasing story with a nail-biting climax, which any crime fiction buff ought to relish.’ James Melville, Hampstead & Highgate Express.

Roger Ormerod is the author of over twenty novels. He was born in 1920 and left school at seventeen to join the Civil Service in which he spent most of his working life. He retired in 1970 and later worked as a postman and in the production control department of a heavy industry factory. He lives in Wolverhampton. His other novels include ‘A Shot At Nothing’, ‘Third Time Fatal’, ‘The Key to the Case’ and ‘The Night She Died’.

Landscape with Corpse by Roger Ormerod is at $0.99 for about 4 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Landscape-Corp...dp/B00TU95EYE/

Spoiler:

The idea was excellent—a week’s course at an Adult Residential College.

Philipa Lowe and Oliver Simpson were looking forward to a relaxing week of landscape painting and some quality time together - and also a chance for Oliver’s injured arm to heal.

Although the couple feel out of place at first among the experienced artists and regular students, the group prove to be friendly and encouraging.

There is no more than a hint that past animosities might resurface to ruin the week.

But when one of the group is violently killed, suspicion falls upon the young, naïve Elise Harcourt, whom Philipa has kindly befriended.

She has a credible motive, and was at the scene of the crime.

Elise denies the charges —Philipa believes her, but is having a hard time proving it.

When the mystery is compounded by a second brutal killing on the same afternoon, seemingly by the same hand, the plot thickens.

In this bloody mystery, a small clue will unveil a much bigger secret...

‘Landscape with Corpse’ is an expertly plotted thriller that will leave readers guessing until the last page.

Praise for Roger Ormerod:

“Eclectic, underrated Ormerod can be relied upon to come up with the startling goods” - Sunday Times

“I am glad to announce that the detective novel is still alive and well in Mr Ormerod's skillful hands” - The Spectator

“Fast-moving, with well-orchestrated jiggery-pokery; not unlike an early Dick Francis in tone and method” – Times Literary Supplement

Roger Ormerod (1920-2005) was a prolific writer of ingenious and densely plotted crime novels—some 35 in all—which were published in the UK and the USA. He lived in Wolverhampton and amongst other things worked as a civil servant and as a Social Security inspector—backgrounds which he made full use of in his fiction, as he did with his hobbies of painting and photography.

An Open Window by Roger Ormerod is at $0.99 for about 1 more daysbefore going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Open-Window-Ro...dp/B00RXG7BUQ/

Spoiler:

As Amelia Patton approaches a caravan parked in their usual spot, it explodes, killing the woman inside.

As she recovers in a hospital near the Welsh coast, she learns that she is the residual legatee in her uncle’s will.

As she cannot attend the reading herself, her husband, ex-Detective Inspector Richard Patton, drives to the Midlands on her behalf.

He finds that the word ‘residual’ can be extremely deceptive, and that the will is bound to provoke trouble between the children of Amelia’s eccentric uncle, Walter Mann, who died just two days after signing the new will.

Richard is intrigued by this: Walter had become a virtual recluse and locked himself away in his rooms.

But when he was found, having fallen from the third-story window and through the roof of his conservatory, the key for the door was on its chain around his neck.

Was it suicide? In which case—why?

Or if it was murder, as Patton believes, how had the culprit entered the room?

And why the open window?

Faced with enmity and suspicion, and strongly discouraged from intervening by the police, controversies over shares in the family business, and a drama of love and betrayal, all make this one of Richard’s most difficult cases yet—especially with him hundreds of miles away from the hospitalised Amelia, and wondering whether the caravan explosion was in fact intended for her…

'An Open Window' is a complex crime thriller from a master of the genre.

Praise for Roger Ormerod:

‘Roger Ormerod is an accomplished writer of traditional murder mysteries who has earned himself not only popular success but also the respect and admiration of his colleagues...This is a strongly characterised, intellectually teasing story with a nail-biting climax, which any crime fiction buff ought to relish.’ James Melville, Hampstead & Highgate Express.

Roger Ormerod is the author of over twenty novels. He was born in 1920 and left school at seventeen to join the Civil Service in which he spent most of his working life. He retired in 1970 and later worked as a postman and in the production control department of a heavy industry factory. He lives in Wolverhampton. His other novels include ‘A Shot At Nothing’, ‘Third Time Fatal’, ‘The Key to the Case’ and ‘The Night She Died’.

A Necessary End by Anthea Fraser is at $0.99 for about 4 more days before going up to $3.99.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Necessary-End-...dp/B00XIB1SCM/

Spoiler:

At a New Year’s Eve party in their hotel in Frecklemarsh, the guests can sense an uneasy tension between their hosts, Oliver and his second wife Nancy Pendrick.

Growing resentment in their marriage, caused by Nancy’s independence and commitment to her London-based catering business, is evident in the fraught family relationships which extends to two wilful stepchildren.

To add fuel to the fire, old flames are returning to the sleepy village, memories of Oliver’s first wife, the beautiful yet troubled Avis, refuse to fade and gossip flies around the small community.

All in all when the festive season is over and Nancy returns to London it is a relief…until she doesn’t return…

When a female corpse is discovered on a lonely road in Chedbury and eventually identified as Mrs Pendrick, there is universal shock, horror and multiple unanswered questions.

With all the guests at the New Year’s Eve party potential suspects, CID Webb has his work cut out to track down the killer, and when he fits the pieces of the puzzle together, it forms a picture he would never have expected to see…

‘A Necessary End’ is a gripping crime thriller from bestselling author Anthea Fraser.

Praise for Anthea Fraser:

“A superbly crafted, riveting, page-turner of a read" - Booklist

“Ms Fraser is her dependable elegant, guileful self withholding the killer's identity till a dying fall" - Sunday Times

“A well-mannered, well-plotted and well-told story” - Birmingham Post

“Sympathetic, well-executed book, in which full attention is paid to human feelings and failings” - Yorkshire Post

Anthea Fraser has written all her life but did not begin to take it seriously until after marriage, when she found herself at home with two small daughters and embarked on a correspondence course with the London School of Journalism. She wrote short stories before turning to novels of the supernatural, and then to crime. Her novels include ‘The Seven Stars’, ‘The Ten Commandments’, ‘Death Speaks Softly’ and ‘Pretty Maids All in a Row’.

[Little.Egret]

Freebie from Endeavour Press

Sherlock Holmes and the Adler Papers by John Hall

In this thrilling mystery, Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr Watson embark on a mission to find a stolen photograph in order to save the King of Bohemia.
A year prior to this, Holmes and Watson had been on a similar adventure, trying to retain this same photograph from the grasp of the clever Mrs Norton (then Miss Adler).
However, with that mystery resolved to the satisfaction of the King, the original photo has now been stolen from Mrs Norton by Karl, his illegitimate brother, and his cousin, Gottfried who would inherit the throne should anything happen to the current King.

The author's (dead tree only) `Death of a Collector' won the Sherlock magazine's competition for the best new fictional detective. He is also the author of 'Sherlock Holmes and the Disgraced Inspector', `Sherlock Holmes at the Raffles Hotel' and `Sherlock Holmes and the Hammerford Will'.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XWA0LGI/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XWA0LGI/
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00XWA0LGI/

[sufue]

Originally Posted by mitford13

Hi sufue,
I'm enjoying working my way through the Aird re-releases too--quite a few I've never read.
Just wanted to mention they're on Scribd also. Pretty good deal to do a binge-read for 8.99 (month), if you don't care to own...

Man, some of these Open Road pre-orders are getting pretty ridiculous though, IMHO. I've recently seen John P. Marquand and Malcolm Bradbury titles for $14.99.
Curious to see if they'll continue with their Cyber Monday mega-sale as they have in the past, and to the same extent.

And Open Road also fairly recently added all of Edward Sklepowich's Urbino Macintyre/Venice series, and they are all $8 - $9 in the US, depending on store. Totally ridiculous for those which are backlist titles...but luckily Open Road is couponable at Kobo, so with patience, one can eventually get them at reasonable prices.