FREE/BARGAIN — Mystery, Suspense & Thrillers

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Drawing the Line By Judith Cutler

Spoiler:

Lina has been in care all her life, but when she comes across a page from a rare 16th century book that she remembers from early childhood, she snaps up the chance to buy it. If she can locate the rest of the book, maybe she can find her father. But in the ensuing weeks a series of burglaries and attacks occur. What has Lina uncovered?

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawing-Lin...362247031_f_83

US (not free)
https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Line-...362247031_f_83

Au Not currently free - 99 cents - may drop

https://www.amazon.com.au/Drawing-Li...362247031_f_83

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Drawing-Line-J...362247031_f_83

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Deadly Waters by Theodore Judson (repeat from April 16)

Spoiler:

A thrilling dark comedy about a group of middle-aged men who take their revenge upon a world that has passed them by.

Erin Mondragon grew up with everything. But when he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, he seeks revenge on those who destroyed him.

To take vengeance against the U. S., Mondragon enlists John Taylor, along with a former soldier, an engineer whose father went bankrupt and committed suicide, and several other misfits whose lives have taken a bad turn.

Taylor Imports has been in John Taylor’s family for generations. Now his company has been taken over by a corporate raider, his wife has left him for a younger man, and his son spends his money while refusing to have anything to do with him.

When his old friend Erin strolls back into his life, John is glad to see him.

Erin talks John into getting involved in a local theatre group and learning to speak Russian.

As John stumbles through Chekhov, he has no idea that this is the first step in Erin’s masterplan for revenge.

On a fishing trip, he introduces John to Colonel Michael Method, a man with a violent streak and a violent past.

Although hesitant, John gets on board with Erin’s plans to regain their wealth, and make the government pay.

Together they plan the biggest act of domestic terrorism the world has ever seen.

Erin seems to have planned everything perfectly, but no one counted on a sharp eyed waitress in a roadside diner in Arizona, or a small town sheriff, Sheriff Bob Mathers, the only competent man in the nation, would become wise to their plot.

What will become of the men who seek revenge?

Will they be successful or vengeance catch up with them…?

Deadly Waters is a thriller and a dark comedy about a group of middle-aged men who take their revenge upon a world that has passed them by. It is an expertly plotted thriller filled with political intrigue and destruction that will leave you wondering if good guys really exist anymore.

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Wate...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Waters...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Deadly-Wat...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Deadly-Waters-...ndeavour+press

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - An Unexpected Witness by E J Henry

Spoiler:

There is no going back…

George Fellows is visiting an elderly relative at the Immaculate Heart care home in Sussex, England, when he stumbles on something that will change his life and the lives of those he loves, forever.

While chasing after his son Ben, George sees the priest, Father Thomas, holding a pillow over the face of an elderly man.

The doctor shoots George full of ketamine, a powerful anaesthetic, but when he regains consciousness it soon becomes clear that George remembers what he saw…and he won’t let it go.

But the more George pushes for justice, the more of a target he makes of himself.

Before long, he is stopped for speeding and drugs are found in his car.

He loses his job as a solicitor and his father-in-law, the devout Sir Hugh Bircham, who has never been a fan of George’s, now wants him out of his daughter’s life.

Still, George digs, discovering the dead man was a defrocked priest named Renshaw, who was alleged to have abused children.

The only person on George’s side is Father Cuthbert, an estranged cousin of Sir Hugh.

But even Father Cuthbert is aghast when he learns the people involved in the death of Renshaw are members of the Society of the Sacramentum Poenitentiae, named after the Sacramentum Poenitentiae, the apostolic constitution published by Pope Benedict XIV in 1741 declaring severe punishments for clergy found to have committed sexual abuse.

Father Cuthbert starts to question, and discovers his right-hand man, Father Thomas, is a member of the society, and was also the priest that performed the Last Rites on Renshaw.

But is Father Cuthbert strong enough to take on the shadowy figures known as The Guardian and The Fixer?

Will the truth ever be known?

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unexpected-...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Wi...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Unexpected...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Unexpected-Wit...ndeavour+press

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Wings of Death by David Holman

Spoiler:

It’s the mid-1960s, and the Cold War is raging.

In Cumbria, a young aircraft designer has been killed under mysterious circumstances, and his fiancée wants answers.

She travels to London to visit Alex Swan, former intelligence officer with MI5, now running a services investigations department. With him is his colleague Arthur Gable, a recently retired Scotland Yard detective who is not quite ready to hang up his shingle just yet.

When Kate arrives at Swan’s office in London she has a harrowing tale.

James had been excited to work on the Rapier, a cutting edge top secret warplane dubbed by the press as the Silver Angel, being designed by Brinton Aviation.

He talked about it with her father, until one day stopped speaking of it. Kate sensed something was wrong, but was not prepared for the call she received from James, saying to her that he has seen the spectres and now they are after him.

Swan is puzzled, and starts to poke around. He learns that a US Government backed company has taken over part of Brinton Aviation to develop their own reconnaissance drone, the Python Hawk.

The program is all hush hush, but why is there an armed guard outside their door?

And what are the Spectres that James saw?

It is only after further related incidents that Swan realises that he’s onto something big and before he’s done, will uncover a secret society that dates back to the time of George Washington and the Revolutionary War.

On their agenda, is murder, espionage and a plan that could destroy the British aviation industry forever.

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wings-Death...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Wings-Death-D...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Wings-Deat...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Wings-Death-Da...ndeavour+press

[sufue]

Continuing (somewhat out of order) in this series...

The Gift Horse's Mouth is the 7th in the Jimmy Flannery series by Robert Campbell. It is a US Kindle Countdown deal at $0.99 for about 6 3/4 more days.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Mouth-...dp/B01BLYBHU0/

Spoiler:

*** EDGAR and Anthony Award Winning Author ***
"I'm standing in front of the pale gray brushed-steel casket with rose-colored silk lining and pillow upon which Goldie Hanrahan's head is laying, when for no reason I can explain I'm thinking of the old one where the killer returns to see his victim off, and I'm looking around the room. . .at the party bosses, ward heelers, warlords and political movers and shakers of Chicago.

Who'd want to put Goldie away? She was a woman who'd been a power in this city. A woman who'd been catnip to the men when she was a girl and even after. A woman who maybe had a secret that somebody wanted kept a secret. Somebody right here in this room."

Originally Posted by sufue

Several of Robert Campbell's Jimmy Flannery series titles have been US Kindle Countdown deals in the last few months, and here's another one...

Sauce For The Goose is the ninth in the series and it's at $0.99 for about 6 1/2 more days.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Sauce-Goose-J...dp/B01M8MKMP6/



I should probably also note that the first in the series, The Junkyard Dog, which won both an Edgar and an Anthony in 1987 (per SYKM), is a long term freebie, in case you want to give the series a try.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Junkyard-Jimm...dp/B0153KUVUK/

[sufue]

From Doon with Death is the first in the Inspector Wexford series by Ruth Rendell. It has dropped to $1.99 at Kindle US.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Doon-Death-In...dp/B00ALBR1ZK/

Spoiler:

When Margaret Parsons disappears, Inspector Burden tries to reassure her frantic husband that she will be back by morning. Privately, though, he is certain Margaret has run off with another man. But then the missing woman's body is found, strangled and abandoned in a nearby wood. And when Mr. Parsons lets the police into his home, a startling discovery leads everyone to question just who Margaret Parsons really was . . .

[koland]

Originally Posted by Mort1997

Free on Amazon UK - Drawing the Line By Judith Cutler

Spoiler:

Lina has been in care all her life, but when she comes across a page from a rare 16th century book that she remembers from early childhood, she snaps up the chance to buy it. If she can locate the rest of the book, maybe she can find her father. But in the ensuing weeks a series of burglaries and attacks occur. What has Lina uncovered?

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawing-Lin...362247031_f_83

US
https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Line-...362247031_f_83

Au Not currently free - 99 cents - may drop

https://www.amazon.com.au/Drawing-Li...362247031_f_83

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Drawing-Line-J...362247031_f_83

not free US, either. Free Canada and UK (and for uk/ca customers in US store, of course).

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Harper's Folly by Marc Alexander

Spoiler:

Harper has everything to look forward to, and plenty to forget…

Starting life over again after an unpleasant divorce, he lands on the exotic Seychelles ready for a large dose of independence, fulfilment and fun — eager to take the helm of his magnificent motor yacht Moon Wind.

He has invested everything he owns into creating an exciting new life for himself in paradise as skipper of his own boat.

Moon Wind is for hire by the jet-set, to explore the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.

But from the start it seems his fantasy could prove folly.

Harper discovers Moon Wind's previous owner and crew were found brutally murdered on board.

They had been secretly searching for pirate treasure.

Had they found an ancient fortune of gold lost beneath the waves or is Moon Wind jinxed by the gris-gris spells which terrify his crew?

For seemingly no reason Harper suffers a vicious attack and finds his yacht savagely vandalised.

The beautiful journalist Jo Hillman saves his life three times in as many days.

How does she always end up in the right place at the right time?

Then there is the captivating Gabrielle Balthazar, who seems to know more than she is telling…

Undeterred, Harper lifts anchor to take glamorous Prince Syed on a voyage to discover the delights of the local wildlife.

But the playboy prince is a pawn in a crucial Middle-East struggle for power.

Ruthless mercenaries and armed terrorists want him dead — and anyone else who stands in their way.

Harper has never handled a gun or fought for his life.

Now, at the centre of a bloody adventure, he must learn fast.

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Harpers-Fol...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Harpers-Folly...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Harpers-Fo...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Harpers-Folly-...ndeavour+press

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Cry for Help by Marco Conelli

Spoiler:

Veteran narcotics detective Caleb Alden is a portrait of tolerance…

Enduring the suicide of his teenage son, the dissolution of his marriage, and the aggravation brought on by incompetent supervisors has only made him better at what he does.

When set to launch a major investigation into the Bronx heroin czar, a man called the Nasty One, the hierarchy of the NYPD insists on interfering.

Caleb packs up his twenty plus years of service and retires.

Walking away from life as a cop turns out to be the least of his problems, as he now finds himself alone, unchallenged, and hearing uncompromising voices.

Battling for a new purpose in life, he connects with his old friend and colleague Sergeant James Paul McCormack.

The Sergeant is under intense pressure to find a killer who has been decorating New York City with dead women, displayed in acts of vulgarity.

When he confides in Caleb, the retired detective discovers a heroin connection that may lead to the murderer’s identity and agrees to help.

But, time may be running out for the two friends...

As Caleb starts receiving cryptic religious messages in the mail, he can’t help but wonder if it’s a cry for help in the form of divine intervention, or if he is one of the Nasty One’s pawns.

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cry-Help-Ma...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Cry-Help-Marc...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Cry-Help-M...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Cry-Help-Marco...ndeavour+press

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Artless by Kathy Hammad Repeat from April 2016

Spoiler:

Selina Morgan works in one of the most prestigious auction houses in London.

She is delighted and honoured when she is asked to be part of a team invited to America to catalogue the famous Kitson Collection, not least because she finds William Kitson magnetically attractive – and it seems he may feel the same about her.

In the rarefied atmosphere of the art and antiques world, Selina Morgan has an enviable job.

Surrounded by beautiful and precious works of art (to say nothing of her glamorous friend and colleague Marcus), Selina could never have expected that one day she’d become involved in the world of art theft, gangs, and subterfuge.

Could this be connected with the handsome but aloof Bill Kiston?

A Renoir has been stolen from the home of some friends, and Bill seems uncomfortable discussing it.

When Selina discovers Kitson has a painting hidden in his office she begins to wonder if she has misjudged him.

And when she discovers her boss, André, and another colleague, Gabriela, behaving strangely, and hears about the potential involvement of the Russian mafia, she follows them and her adventure begins.

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artless-Kat...ndeavour+press

US
https://www.amazon.com/Artless-Kathy...ndeavour+press

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Artless-Ka...ndeavour+press

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Artless-Kathy-...ndeavour+press

[Mort1997]

Free on Amazon UK - Patricia Wentworth (repeats) not available in the US


The Red Lacquer Case: A Golden Age Mystery

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Lacquer...icia+wentworth

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Red-Lacque...icia+wentworth

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Red-Lacquer-Ca...icia+wentworth

Rolling Stone: A Frank Garrett Mystery

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolling-Sto...icia+wentworth

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Rolling-St...icia+wentworth

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Rolling-Stone-...icia+wentworth


Will o' the Wisp: A Golden Age Mystery

UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Will-Wisp-G...icia+wentworth

Au
https://www.amazon.com.au/Will-Wisp-...icia+wentworth

Can
https://www.amazon.ca/Will-Wisp-Gold...icia+wentworth

[sufue]

The Best American Mystery Stories 2016, edited by Elizabeth George (guest editor, this book) and Otto Penzler (series editor), is $1.99 at Kindle US. I'm usually not much on short stories, but when I look at past years' "Best American Mystery Stories" volumes, they cost a lot more than $1.99, so I figured I'd post this one in the thread.

link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01912QBOG

Spoiler:

“What you’ll find in this volume are stories that demonstrate a mastery of plotting; stories that compel you to keep turning the pages because of plot and because of setting; stories that wield suspense like a sword; stories of people getting their comeuppance; stories that utilize superb point of view; stories that plumb one particular and unfortunate attribute of a character,” promises guest editor Elizabeth George in her introduction. The Best American Mystery Stories 2016 is a feast of both literary crime and hard-boiled detection, featuring a seemingly innocent murderer, a drug dealer in love, a drunken prank gone terribly wrong, and plenty of other surprising twists and turns.

The Best American Mystery Stories 2016 includes STEVE ALMOND, MEGAN ABBOTT, MATT BELL, LYDIA FITZPATRICK, TOM FRANKLIN, STEPHEN KING, ELMORE LEONARD, KRISTINE KATHRYN RUSCH and others

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by sufue

The Best American Mystery Stories 2016, edited by Elizabeth George (guest editor, this book) and Otto Penzler (series editor), is $1.99 at Kindle US. I'm usually not much on short stories, but when I look at past years' "Best American Mystery Stories" volumes, they cost a lot more than $1.99, so I figured I'd post this one in the thread.

link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01912QBOG

Web site shows these as $9.99 at least as of today

[sufue]

Sometimes the sales don't last very long...sigh!

Originally Posted by MickeyC

Web site shows these as $9.99 at least as of today

[sufue]

Death In Shanghai is the first in the Inspector Danilov series by M J Lee. It has dropped to $1.99 at Kindle US.

link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WKMG54G

Spoiler:

Shanghai, 1928. The body of a blonde is washed up on the Beach of Dead Babies, in the heart of the smog-filled city. Seemingly a suicide, a closer inspection reveals a darker motive: the corpse has been weighed down, it’s lower half mutilated…and the Chinese character for ‘justice’ carved into the chest.

The moment Inspector Danilov lays eyes on the dismembered body, he realises that he has an exceptional case on his hands. And when the first body is followed by another, and another, each displaying a new, bloody message, he has no option but face the truth. He is dealing with the worst kind of criminal; someone determined, twisted…and vengeful.

Someone who must be caught….whatever the cost.

Death in Shanghai is the first novel in M J Lee’s Inspector Danilov series, perfect for fans of Philip Kerr.