FREE/BARGAIN — Mystery, Suspense & Thrillers

[sufue]

I like historical mysteries, but have never run into Philip Kerr, perhaps because I tend to like really old historicals, or perhaps because these look a teeny bit thriller-ish, but in any case, the first title in Kerr's much nominated/awarded Bernie Gunther series, March Violets, has dropped to £0.99, and it looks pretty interesting, so I'm going to give it a try.

link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/March-Viole...dp/B01CD2AN72/

Spoiler:

'One of the greatest anti-heroes ever written' LEE CHILD

Brutal ex-convicts or the Nazi elite - in Bernie Gunther's world it's hard to tell who are the real gangsters. Hard-boiled noir thriller for fans of Raymond Chandler and John le Carré

Ex-Berlin cop and private detective Bernie Gunther has seen his share of bad guys. But when the worst guys of all are the ones running the show, it's much harder to stay out of their reach.

Hired by a wealthy industrialist to investigate the murder of his daughter and her husband in an apparent botched robbery, Bernie soon finds himself drawn into the complex - not to mention lethal - internal politics and corruption of the Nazi party. When Hermann Goering himself calls Bernie in with a task for him that throws his existing case into a whole new light, he must weigh up his hatred of the Nazis against his desire to stay alive.

added: Just checking out the series a bit more, I note that most of the titles are brutally expensive in the US, like $10 and up, but the sixth title, If the Dead Rise Not, which, per SYKM, won the 2009 Historical Dagger Award, is only $1.99.
link: https://www.amazon.com/If-Dead-Rise-...dp/B0030CVRFM/

Spoiler:

Detective Bernie Gunther navigates two corrupt regimes in this “richly satisfying mystery...that evokes the noir sensibilities of Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald while breaking new ground of its own”(Los Angeles Times).

Berlin, 1934. Former policeman Bernie Gunther, now a hotel detective, finds himself caught between warring factions of the Nazi apparatus as Hitler and Avery Brundage, the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, connive to soft-pedal Nazi anti-Semitism before the 1936 Olympiad...

Havana, 1954. Batista, aided by the CIA, has just seized power; Castro is in prison; and the American Mafia is gaining a stranglehold on Cuba’s exploding gaming and prostitution industries. Bernie, after being kicked out of Buenos Aires, has resurfaced with a relatively peaceful new life. But he discovers that he cannot truly outrun his past when he collides with an old love and a vicious killer from his Berlin days...

[sufue]

Some price drops at Amazon UK, probably mostly (or all) due to the new monthly sale...all at £0.99 unless otherwise indicated...

Murder at the University, apa On the Straight and Narrow, by Faith Martin
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MURDER-UNIV...dp/B076CQSYMM/

Edge of Eternity, Ken Follett
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edge-Eterni...dp/B00JPCCJFS/

Eye of the Needle, Ken Follett
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eye-Needle-...dp/B003GK21U8/

The Force, Don Winslow, £1.99
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Force-Don-W...dp/B01MRXC1JN/

Nemesis, fourth in the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo, £1.99
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nemesis-Har...dp/B003QXMYVG/

Strange Affair is the 15th in the Inspector Banks series by Peter Robinson, £1.19
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strange-Aff...dp/B003GK211W/

The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Franchise-A...dp/B0050OMIU6/

[sufue]

And a few more...

Trigger Mortis is Anthony Horowitz’s entry into the James Bond series
link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trigger-Mort...dp/B00YAHW7W8/

A Touch of Frost is the second in RD Wingfield’s Jack Frost series; my dad really likes this series
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Touch-Frost...dp/B003Z0CXMU/

Murder at the Nineteenth is the first in the Lambert and Hook series by J. M. Gregson
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Nine...dp/B01MXS7X45/

Burning Man is the first in the Gideon and Sirius series by Alan Russell
link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burning-Gid...dp/B008BU74RS/

The Drop (#17) and The Black Box (# 18) in the Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly
link, The Drop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drop-Harry-...dp/B005I4WBT6/
link, The Black Box: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Box-H...dp/B00966TN1Q/

[sufue]

Diana's Altar is the most recent (2016) in the Joe Sandilands series by Barbara Cleverly. It has dropped to $2.99 at Kindle US.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Dianas-Altar-...dp/B013NI8WHS/

Spoiler:

Cambridge, 1933. On All Hallows’ Eve, in a candlelit pew in ancient All Hallows Church, Doctor Adelaide Hartest witnesses a stranger’s dying moments. Adelaide is just in time to hear his final confession: that he has plunged the dagger into his own chest, and that his death will be a suicide, despite its suspicious appearance.

But his confession isn’t enough to halt an investigation. The victim, it is revealed, is known to Scotland Yard, and his death is a matter of national concern. Assistant Commissioner Joe Sandilands is sent up from London to discover the truth. Thrown into a deadly ring of cloak-and-dagger intrigue and high-society hedonism, Sandilands chases a phantom killer through Cambridge’s aristocracy, intelligentsia, cutting-edge researchers, and a clandestine ring of female spies. What secret was the dead man hiding, and what is at stake?

[sufue]

Lord John and the Hand of Devils is a collection of three novellas that is the third in the Lord John series by Diana Gabaldon (much better known for her Outlander series, from which this is sort of a spin-off). It has dropped to £0.99 at Kindle UK.

link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-John-H...dp/B005BON6AQ/

Spoiler:

Sweeping historical drama from the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author.

A keepsake collection of Lord John Grey's shorter adventures and a spectacular addition to any Gabaldon fan's library, Lord John and the Hand of the Devils brings these three unique novellas together for the first time.

Lord John and the Hellfire Club marks the first appearance of Lord John outside the Outlander novels (and chronologically precedes the novel Lord John and the Private Matter). A young diplomat is killed in the street as he begs Lord John for help. Witnessing the murder, Grey vows to avenge the young man, as the trail leads to the notorious Hellfire Club and the dark caves beneath Medmenham Abbey

In Lord John and the Succubus, Grey's assignment as liaison to a Hanoverian regiment in Germany finds him caught between two threats: the advancing French and Austrian army, and the menace of a mysterious 'night-hag,' who spreads fear and death among the troops. Acknowledging that he is unlikely to fall victim to a succubus, Lord John is obliged to contend with the marauding night-hag before the enemy arrives. This tale with a touch of the supernatural bridges the action between Gabaldon's two full-length Lord John tales.

Finally, in Lord John and the Haunted Soldier, Lord John is called to the Arsenal at Woolwich to answer a Royal Commission of Enquiry's questions regarding a cannon that exploded during the battle of Krefeld (a central action in Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade). Accusations ensue, and Lord John finds himself knee-deep in a morass of gunpowder, treason, and plot -- haunted by a dead lieutenant, and followed by a man with no face.

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by sufue

At least some of them go on sale pretty often. I see them as part of some of Kindle's sales sometimes. You might put Konrath into eReaderIQ, and get an email when one or more of his titles go on sale - just a thought...

Also I think a lot (all?) of his titles are available to read via Kindle Unlimited. KU memberships go on sale or have inexpensive trials from time to time, so maybe you could try that, if you're not already a KU member. If you are a KU member, well - problem solved.

Finally, when I took a look at Konrath's books, right now there is an omnibus of Rum Runner #9, Last Call #10 and White Russian #11 for $0.99 at Kindle US (US Kindle Countdown deal for the next 5 days or so); an omnibus of Dirty Martini #4, Fuzzy Navel #5 and Cherry Bomb #6 for $9.99, which is not great at $3.33 per book, but better than $5; and Shaken (#7) is only $1.99.

omni of 9, 10 and 11: https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Daniels-...dp/B079G93SDN/)

omni of 4, 5, and 6: https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Daniels-...dp/B00BAXT2UU/

Shaken: https://www.amazon.com/Shaken-Jacque...dp/B003M69XAM/

Thanks, sufue. I have been leery of going to KU, if only because I have too many books in my TBR as it is. Though with the first month free, and only $10/mo after that for a couple months, I could catch up... if I wanted to read nothing but Konrath for a couple months (yeah, I'd burn out three books in).

I have too many monthly leeches on my wallet already, though I might take the 30 day trial and at least get a couple read on the cheap.

[sufue]

And now Alpha Alpine is on sale at Kindle and Kobo US for $1.99...

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Alpine-...dp/B018CHA1SS/
Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/alpha-alpine

Spoiler:

Emma Lord is back and better than ever! This time around, the amateur detective partners up with a rookie sleuth to investigate a string of murders in her beloved Alpine, Washington.

For a small town nestled in the Cascade Mountains’ foothills, picturesque Alpine provides more than enough headlines to fill the pages of editor and publisher Emma Lord’s Alpine Advocate. The Labor Day edition’s lead story features controversial timber baron Jack Blackwell’s scheme to become Skykomish county manager. But the recent strangling deaths of two young women are all anyone can talk about.

After a third body is found, Emma’s husband, Sheriff Milo Dodge, suspects there’s a serial killer in their midst. The latest victim is the sister of a dashing newcomer rumored to be working for Blackwell. “Black Jack,” as he’s known to his non-admirers, has a long-standing rivalry with Milo. To discover if there’s any connection between the mogul and the murders, Emma recruits the Advocate’s receptionist, Alison Lindahl, to do a little digging.

Still recovering from a recent breakup, Alison welcomes the distraction. But when the investigation puts the eager protégé in the line of fire, Emma worries that the cub reporter’s career will be over before it even begins.

Originally Posted by sufue

The Alpine Zen is the 26th and most recent in the Alpine Advocate series by Mary Daheim. And no, I didn't have to count . It has dropped to $0.99 at Kindle and Kobo US.

Turns out we also now know how Daheim will continue the titles. In spite of my heartfelt support for The Alpine Aardvark, she is going (per SYKM) for Alpha Alpine for the next title, due out in December. Sigh, not nearly as classy as Alpine Aardvark. And one can even imagine The Alpine BB Gun, but I would have had a bit of trouble with The Alpine Cc______...

Anyway, here are links and blurb.

Kindle US: https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Zen-Em...dp/B00N6PEU8O/
Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-alpine-zen

[silverraven]

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

Thanks, sufue. I have been leery of going to KU, if only because I have too many books in my TBR as it is. Though with the first month free, and only $10/mo after that for a couple months, I could catch up... if I wanted to read nothing but Konrath for a couple months (yeah, I'd burn out three books in).

I have too many monthly leeches on my wallet already, though I might take the 30 day trial and at least get a couple read on the cheap.

Did you check your library? I could have sworn I read them through Overdrive, but since all libraries have different books, and books come and go, they may not be available where you are.
S

[Dngrsone]

Originally Posted by silverraven

Did you check your library? I could have sworn I read them through Overdrive, but since all libraries have different books, and books come and go, they may not be available where you are.
S

Yes. I have recommended a few to my local library Overdrive; no telling if or when they might make a buy or two.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[BetterRead]

Originally Posted by sufue

I like historical mysteries, but have never run into Philip Kerr, perhaps because I tend to like really old historicals, or perhaps because these look a teeny bit thriller-ish, but in any case, the first title in Kerr's much nominated/awarded Bernie Gunther series, March Violets, has dropped to £0.99, and it looks pretty interesting, so I'm going to give it a try.

link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/March-Viole...dp/B01CD2AN72/

FYI, Philip Kerr passed away on March 23. His 13th Bernie Gunther novel, Greeks Bearing Gifts, is being published tomorrow, April 3.

The first 3 novels have been collected in an omnibus titled Berlin Noir. Currently priced at $12.99 at AmazonUS, Google, B&N, and Kobo.

https://www.amazon.com/Berlin-Noir-P.../dp/B006LFO1DA

I have heard good things about the series and they have been in my TBR pile for a while now. It is past time I checked them out.

[ReadingManiac]

Hmmm. The name sounds familiar. Might be time I checked him out as well!

[ReadingManiac]

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and all its sequels except the new one are on .99, at least on Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stieg-Larsson/e/B001J95ACO

A quick check and yep, US too. https://www.amazon.com/Stieg-Larsson/e/B001J95ACO

[Little.Egret]

Golden Age, Free (not US)

Kingdom Lost: A Golden Age Mystery by Patricia Wentworth

The Astonishing Adventure of Jane Smith: A Golden Age Mystery by Patricia Wentworth

Touch and Go: A Golden Age Mystery by Patricia Wentworth

The Coldstone: A Golden Age Mystery by Patricia Wentworth

Fear by Night: A Golden Age Mystery by Patricia Wentworth


https://www.amazon.com/s/?url=search...icia+Wentworth

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?url=sear...icia+Wentworth

https://www.amazon.ca/s/?url=search-...icia+Wentworth

[sufue]

The Conjurer is the first in the Martha Beale series by Cordelia Frances Biddle. It has dropped to $1.99 at Kindle US.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Conjurer-Mart...dp/B07B6F1G3J/

Spoiler:

An heiress breaks free of social conventions and attempts to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance in 1842 Philadelphia in Cordelia Frances Biddle’s first Martha Beale mystery

When her father fails to appear for lunch at their country estate, Martha Beale knows something is wrong. The family’s faithful dogs discover Lemuel Beale’s hunting rifle by the river, but there is no sign of the millionaire financier. Refusing to believe he is dead, his daughter—and sole heir—begins a discreet investigation with the help of the mayor’s aide, Thomas Kelman.

But Philadelphia in 1842 is a dangerous place for a female, especially a twenty-six-year-old single woman. Martha’s quest for answers takes her from the pinnacle of high society, which is abuzz about a visiting European conjurer who communicates with the dead, to the city’s tragic slums where a brutal killer is targeting young prostitutes—and through it all Martha will confront the most ruthless aspects of human nature.

In a story deeply rooted in time and place and brimming with atmosphere and suspense, Cordelia Frances Biddle conjures a mesmerizing world of intrigue and hidden desires.

[sufue]

Murder on the Quai is the 16th in the Aimée Leduc series by Cara Black. It has dropped to $2.99 at Kindle US.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Quai-A...dp/B015MA7RPI/

Spoiler:

The world knows Parisian private investigator Aimée Leduc, heroine of 15 mysteries in this New York Times bestselling series, as a très chic, no-nonsense detective—the toughest and most relentless in the City of Lights. Now, author Cara Black dips back in time to reveal how Aimée first came to inherit Leduc Detective . . .

November 1989: Aimée Leduc is in her first year of college at Paris’s preeminent medical school. She lives in a 17th-century apartment that overlooks the Seine with her father, who runs the family detective agency.

But the week the Berlin Wall crumbles, so does Aimée’s life as she knows it. First, someone has sabotaged her lab work, putting her at risk of failing out of the program. Then, she finds out her aristo boyfriend is getting engaged to another woman. And finally, Aimée’s father takes off to Berlin on a mysterious errand. He asks Aimée to help out at the detective agency while he’s gone—as if she doesn’t already have enough to do. But the case Aimée finds herself investigating—a murder linked to a transport truck of Nazi gold that disappeared in the French countryside during the height of World War II—has gotten under her skin. Her heart may not lie in medicine after all—maybe it’s time to think harder about the family business.