New Releases by Mark Billingham

"Three dead coppers, Tom, maybe four by lunchtime." The targeted murder of four officers is only the first in a series of attacks that leaves police scared, angry and, most disturbingly of all, vengeful. As Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner dig into the reasons for the violence, a deeper darkness begins to emerge: the possibility that these murders are payback. The price paid for an unspeakable betrayal. To uncover the truth, Thorne will be forced to question everything he stands for. He can trust nobody, and the shocking secrets revealed by one terrible night will fracture his entire world.

The first new series in two decades from multi-award-winning international bestseller Mark Billingham that introduces Detective Miller: a man who''s unique, unconventional, and criminally underestimated. Maverick sleuth Declan Miller is back at work following the murder of his wife (and amateur ballroom dancing partner) Alex. Working with new partner and heavy metal enthusiast DS Sara Xiu, he is tasked with investigating the double killing of gangland family scion Adrian Cutler and IT consultant Barry Shepherd at the Sands Hotel. Initial evidence suggests a hired gun and a botched job. The search for the hitman begins and Miller begins to reconnect with his old network—his ballroom dancing friends, homeless informant Finn, and even the ghost of his wife who keeps showing up in his kitchen. The fact Alex had been investigating the Cutler family prior to her death complicates things, and as Miller gets closer to the truth, he realizes the danger is walking right up to his doorstep...

A spate of brutal murders threatens the newfound happiness of “one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction” (Ian Rankin). Tom Thorne finally has it all. In Nicola Tanner and Phil Hendricks, Thorne has good friends by his side. His love life is newly reformed by a promising relationship and he is happy in the job he has devoted his life to. As he sets off hunting the woman responsible for a series of grisly murders, Thorne has no way of knowing that he will be plunged into a nightmare from which he may never wake. A nightmare that has a name. Thorne’s past threatens to catch up with him and a ruinous secret is about to be revealed. If he wants to save himself and his friends, he will have to do the unthinkable. Tom Thorne finally has a lot to lose. Praise for the Tom Thorne series “Morse, Rebus, and now Thorne. The next superstar detective is already with us—don’t miss him.” —Lee Child “Billingham is a world-class writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.” —Karin Slaughter “With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” —Michael Connelly “Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” —George Pelecanos “A fantastic thriller, combining a gripping plot and lead characters of remarkable depth . . . Readers who grab this one but aren’t familiar with its predecessors will be seeking them out. A series to savor.” —Booklist (starred review)

A gripping standalone thriller from the “first-rate British crime writer” and internationally bestselling author of the Tom Thorne novels (The Washington Post). Alice Armitage is a police officer. Or she was. Or perhaps she just imagines she was. Whatever the truth is, following a debilitating bout of PTSD, self-medication with drink and drugs, and a psychotic breakdown, Alice is now a long-term patient in an acute psychiatric ward. When one of her fellow patients is murdered, Alice becomes convinced that she has identified the killer and that she can catch them. Ignored by the police, she begins her own investigation. But when her prime suspect becomes the second victim, Alice’s life begins to unravel still further as she realizes that she cannot trust anyone, least of all herself. Praise for Mark Billingham and the Tom Thorne novels “Morse, Rebus, and now Thorne. The next superstar detective is already with us―don’t miss him.” —Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series “Billingham is a world-class writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.” —Karin Slaughter, international bestselling author “With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” —Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch series “Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” —George Pelecanos, writer and producer of The Wire “Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction.” —Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus novels and The Travelling Companion

Two boys run into the woods—but only one returns—in this new mystery from the award-winning “first-rate British crime writer” (The Washington Post). In the summer of 1996, two boys run from a playground into the adjoining woods, but only one comes out. DS Tom Thorne takes on the case—which quickly spirals out of control when two people connected to the missing boy are murdered. As London prepares to host the European Soccer Championships, Thorne fights to keep on top of a baffling investigation while also dealing with the ugly fallout of his broken marriage . . . A prequel to Mark Billingham’s acclaimed debut Sleepyhead―which the Sunday Times voted one of the 100 books that shaped the decade―this chilling, compelling novel is the latest in “a series to savor” (Booklist). “With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” ―Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch series “Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” ―George Pelecanos, bestselling author and Emmy-nominated writer

A woman’s suicide puts a detective on the trail of a cold-hearted con artist: “Outstanding . . . a maximum of suspense” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). When DI Tom Thorne is called to the site of a suicide, he expects to be in and out in no time. But when he arrives at the Underground station where a woman named Philippa Goodwin threw herself in front of a train, he inexplicably senses something awry and feels compelled to dig deeper. He soon discovers that she was the victim of a callous con man who preys on vulnerable women—and whose deception plunged Philippa to her end. Thorne enlists DI Nicola Tanner to help him track down the swindler and bring him to justice. But the detective duo gets more than they bargained for when a young man’s bludgeoned body turns up on the shore of a nearby seaside town and the two cases come together in a way that neither of the detectives could have foreseen . . . “A fantastic thriller . . . a gripping plot and lead characters of remarkable depth. Billingham is a multiple-award winner, and his books have sold more than six million copies. Readers who grab this one but aren’t familiar with its predecessors will be seeking them out. A series to savor.” ―Booklist (starred review) “Billingham is a world-class writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation.” ―Karin Slaughter, bestselling author of the Will Trent series

''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' The Times From multi-million-copy number one bestseller Mark Billingham comes a twisting, unbearably gripping DI Tom Thorne and Nicola Tanner thriller inspired by a dramatic real-life case. How do you catch a killer who is yet to kill? We''ve all heard about the signs: coldness, cruelty, lack of empathy. DI Tom Thorne knows the psychological profile of a psychopath all too well, so when pets start disappearing on suburban London streets, he sees a chance to stop a future murderer. Others are less convinced, so Thorne relies on DI Nicola Tanner to help him solve the case, before the culprit starts hunting people. The journey brings them face to face with a killer who will tear their lives apart. ---------- ''A new Mark Billingham is always a treat and The Killing Habit hurls the reader straight into the action. Thoroughly enjoyable for being so very real'' SUSIE STEINER ''Mark Billingham on superb form. A finely paced and polished procedural, with twists and turns galore and an ending that will chill your soul'' CARA HUNTER ''An unconventional literary superstar'' MAIL ON SUNDAY ''As ever with Billingham, a rich cast of characters and tense situations are marshalled with panache, leading to a final terrifying encounter'' FINANCIAL TIMES ''Thorne is a terrific invention'' IRISH INDEPENDENT ________________

Step into a thrilling Quick Read from number one bestselling crime fiction author Mark Billingham. It''s the moment we all fear: losing our phone, leaving us cut off from family and friends. But, for Louise, losing hers in a local café takes her somewhere much darker. After many hours of panic, Louise is relieved when someone gets in touch offering to return the phone. From then on she is impatient to get back to normal life. But when they meet on the beach, Louise realises you should be careful what you wish for... If you enjoyed Cut Off, try Love Like Blood, the latest novel in the series starring Mark Billingham''s detective hero, DI Tom Thorne.

Help students to build their subject knowledge and understanding with activities, guidance and assessment preparation tailored to the 2017 OCR requirements and brought to you by subject specialist and OCR''s Publishing Partner for GCSE Psychology. - Prepare students for assessment with skills-building activities and practice questions developed for the new specification. - Progressively develop students'' subject knowledge through accessible diagrams and key content summaries that aid understanding and help weaker students access the main points. - Build conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills with a wealth of targeted activities. - Extend learning and enhance responses with extension questions, stimulus material and suggestions for further reading. - Consolidate understanding of technical vocabulary and core concepts through accessible explanations of key terms. Contents Introduction 1. Criminal Psychology 2. Development 3. Psychological problems 4. Social influence 5. Memory 6. Sleep and Dreaming 7. Research Methods Answers

In this “chilling and moving” international bestseller, two of London’s toughest detectives investigate the savage world of honor killings (The Times, London). In Love Like Blood, DI Tom Thorne, “the next superstar detective,” teams up with perfectionist DI Nicola Tanner, the protagonist of Billingham’s acclaimed stand-alone thriller Die of Shame (Lee Child). When her domestic partner Susan is brutally murdered, Nicola Tanner is convinced that she was the intended target. The murderer’s motive is likely connected to her recent work on a string of cold case honor killings. Despite being placed on leave, Tanner insists on pursuing justice for Susan—and she turns to fellow DI Tom Thorne for help. Agreeing to take the case, Thorne quickly finds that working in such controversial territory among London’s Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities can be dangerous in more ways than one. But when a young Bangladeshi couple goes missing, Tanner and Thorne must put everything on the line to investigate a case that is anything but cold. “Brilliant.” —The Independent “Groundbreaking . . . a gripping, unsensational take on a type of crime that is happening more frequently than many of us realize.” —The Sunday Times

Perfect strangers. A perfect vacation. The perfect murder. . . . “Hugely effective and entertaining [with] many twists and shocks” (TheTimes, London). Three British couples meet around the pool on their Florida holiday and become fast friends. But on Easter Sunday, the last day of their vacation, tragedy strikes: The fourteen-year-old daughter of an American vacationer goes missing, and her body is later found floating in the mangroves. When the shocked couples return home to the United Kingdom, they remain in contact, and over the course of three increasingly fraught dinner parties they come to know one another better. But they don’t always like what they find. Buried beneath these apparently normal exteriors are some unusual kinks and unpleasant vices. Then, a second girl goes missing, in Kent—not far from where the couples live. Could it be that one of these six has a secret far darker than anybody can imagine? Ambitiously plotted and laced with dark humor, Rush of Blood is a “sizzling thriller” by the international bestselling author of the Tom Thorne Novels (The Globe and Mail, Toronto).

A brutal murder casts suspicion on a London therapy group in this thriller from the author of The Bones Beneath: “One of my favorite new writers” (Harlan Coben). Every Monday evening, six people gather in a smart North London house to talk about shame. Among them are a grieving surgeon, a betrayed housewife, a taunting gay model, a barely recovered heroin addict. All they have in common is a history of pain and compulsions—until they’re linked by the brutal murder of one of their members. Det. Inspector Nicola Tanner is drawn into this intimate circle to find the killer. Unfortunately, not a single one of them is willing to share. Now it’s up to Tanner to delve into their pasts on her own. But what secret could be so shameful as to kill for it? Or die for it? And how can she possibly find the truth when lies and denial are second nature to her suspects? From British thriller master Mark Billingham comes “one of the best crime novels of the year . . . Shocking, frightening, gripping” (The Independent). “Billingham is one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today.” —Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl “Keeps the reader guessing, and second-guessing.” —Tampa Bay Times

Der neue Thriller von Spiegel-Bestseller-Autor Mark Billingham als deutsche Erstausgabe Er gilt als einer der gefährlichsten Serienkiller Englands. Niemand weiß, wie viele Menschen er tatsächlich umgebracht hat; niemand weiß, wo die Knochen seiner Opfer vergraben sind. Seit einigen Jahren sitzt Stuart Nicklin in einem Hochsicherheitsgefängnis. Bis er der Polizei einen Deal anbietet: Er führt sie an die Stätte seiner Untaten – unter einer Bedingung: Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, der ihn einst zu Fall brachte, muss das Unternehmen leiten. Thorne weiß, dass er zu einem Himmelfahrtskommando antritt, denn Nicklin ist ein Meister der psychologischen Manipulation. Auf einer einsamen walisischen Insel merken Thorne und sein Team schon bald, dass der Killer ein perfides Netzt spinnt, dem keiner entkommen kann ...

The thirteenth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham. THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER DI Tom Thorne returns in a chilling mystery that will keep readers guessing until the final page. The Missing Two schoolgirls are abducted in the small, dying Warwickshire town of Polesford, driving a knife into the heart of the community where police officer Helen Weeks grew up and from which she long ago escaped. But this is a place full of secrets, where dangerous truths lie buried. The Accused When it''s splashed all over the press that family man Stephen Bates has been arrested, Helen and her partner Tom Thorne head to the flooded town to support Bates'' wife - an old school friend of Helen''s - who is living under siege with two teenage children and convinced of her husband''s innocence. The Dead As residents and media bay for Bates'' blood, a decomposing body is found. The police believe they have their murderer in custody, but one man believes otherwise. With a girl still missing, Thorne sets himself on a collision course with local police, townsfolk - and a merciless killer. ''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' The Times ''Mark Billingham is one of the greatest writers in any genre'' Steve Cavanagh ________________ The outstanding new Tom Thorne thriller, THEIR LITTLE SECRET, is out now!

Written by an experienced author team, our A2 Psychology B student book provides detailed coverage of the AQA A2 topics and approaches with How Science Works integrated throughout. Learning objectives provide guidance on what students will need to learn and understand in each topic. Difficult concepts are explained clearly through full colour diagrams and photographs with key terms defined. Case studies, practical activities, study tips and A2 extension materials help to develop key skills, promote independent learning and reinforce knowledge.

The twelfth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham. ''Atmospheric, gripping . . . with a superb ending'' Sunday Express The Deal Tom Thorne is back in charge - but there''s a terrifying price to pay. Stuart Nicklin, the most dangerous psychopath he has ever put behind bars, promises to reveal the whereabouts of a body he buried twenty-five years before. But only if Thorne agrees to escort him. The Danger Unable to refuse, Thorne gathers a team and travels to a remote Welsh island, at the mercy of the weather and cut off from the mainland. Thorne is determined to get the job done and return home before Nicklin can outwit them. The Deaths But Nicklin knows this island well and has had time to plan ahead. Soon, new bodies are added to the old, and Thorne finds himself facing the toughest decision he has ever had to make... Tom Thorne returns in this utterly gripping, brilliantly plotted thriller. The Bones Beneath is Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham''s most ambitious and accomplished work to date. ''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' The Times ''Mark Billingham gets better and better'' Michael Connelly

A murder-for-hire goes wrong in this thriller by “one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today” (Gillian Flynn). After Alan Langford’s charred remains were found in his burnt-out Jaguar, his abused, long-suffering wife, Donna, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to ten years at Wakefield Prison. It was worth the time. But shortly before her release, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a recent photo of her husband—the man she despised and feared, the man she paid to have killed, the man she’s now begging London inspector Tom Thorne to find. Even for a seasoned DI like Thorne, this is a first: tracking a man who’s come back from the dead. But when Donna’s daughter suddenly disappears, Thorne finds himself following two trails of revenge and double cross. And they’re both leading into the menacing shadow of a killer who wants the case buried for good. With his multiple award-winning series, “Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre” (George Pelecanos). From the Dead is not only “a good crime story, but . . . [a] novel . . .about the complexities and pitfalls of love” (The Washington Post). “Engrossing . . . chillingly clever.” —Publishers Weekly “Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers.” —Harlan Coben “Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.” —Karin Slaughter, New York Times–bestselling author

Twenty thrilling writers. One chilling mystery. Pericles "Perry" Christo is a PI with a past--a former cop, who lost his badge and his family when a corruption scandal left him broke and disgraced. When wealthy Upper East Side matron Julia Drusilla summons him one cold February night, he grabs what seems to be a straightforward (and lucrative) case. The socialite is looking for her beautiful, aimless daughter, Angelina, who is about to become a very wealthy young woman. But as Christo digs deeper, he discovers there''s much more to the lovely "Angel" than meets the eye. Her father, her best friend, her boyfriends all have agendas of their own. Angel, he soon realizes, may be in grave danger. and if Christo gets too close, he just might get caught in the crossfire. This classic noir tale twists and turns down New York''s mean streets and along Hamptons'' beaches and back roads during a bitterly cold and gray winter where nothing is as it seems and everyone has something to hide.

Available together in ebook for the first time ever, this duo of brilliant short stories featuring a guest appearance by DI Tom Thorne showcases the crime writing talent of number one Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham. Underneath the Mistletoe Last Night When young Jack finds ''Father Christmas'' dead beneath the tree, DI Tom Thorne, who has volunteered to work on Christmas Day, must get to the truth with the help of his reliable team and some incriminating evidence. Stepping Up When a retired boxer is persuaded to join an exercise class by his daughter, he sees a woman whose face has haunted him for forty years. He used to be a minder for underworld criminals and Zoe was always in their circle. So when she gets in trouble with another class member, he''s there to protect her, as he used to - whatever it takes.

“The next superstar detective” is back to stop a serial killer with a bizarre pattern—his victims are all taking their own lives (Lee Child). Recently demoted for stepping out of line once too often, prickly inspector Tom Thorne is convinced that a spate of suicides among the elderly in south London is something more sinister. When his concerns are dismissed by former colleagues at the CID, and even by his patient girlfriend, Thorne can only trust himself and his best friend—gay pub-crawling pathologist Phil Hendricks—with his suspicions of murder. Thorne draws a chilling connection between the deaths and a controversial case three decades old. But by going solo with his investigation, he not only risks the lives of those closest to him, but also further endangers those being targeted by a deranged killer—a man with the power and cold-blooded motives to coerce his vulnerable victims toward a breathtaking end. “Tom Thorne, the hero of a well-groomed series of police procedurals” by multiple award-winning Mark Billingham, returns—and he’s “on the hunt for a killer who proves to be extremely clever and really, really mean” (The New York Times Book Review). “One of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today.” —Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl “Fiendishly clever . . . with the last sharp twist saved for the final page.” —Tampa Bay Times

“A British police procedural as good as those produced by crime queens Elizabeth George and Ruth Rendell.” —USA Today His first three victims ended up dead. His fourth was not so fortunate . . . Alison Willetts is unlucky to be alive. She has survived a stroke, deliberately induced by a skillful manipulation of pressure points on the head and neck. She can see, hear, and feel and is aware of everything going on around her, but is completely unable to move or communicate. Her condition is called locked-in syndrome. In leaving Alison Willetts alive, the police believe the killer made his first mistake. Then DI Tom Thorne discovers the horrifying truth; it isn’t Alison who is the mistake, it’s the three women already dead. The killer is getting his kicks out of toying with Thorne as much as he is pursuing his sick fantasy, and as the detective zeroes in on a suspect, he finds himself pushed to his personal and professional limits . . . This is the “exceptional” first novel in the long-running series by an international bestselling author (George Pelecanos). “The best thriller debut of the year.” —Rocky Mountain News “A world-class crime writer.” —Karin Slaughter

Killing becomes a twisted team sport in this “smart, fast-paced procedural” from the award-winning author of Sleepyhead (Booklist). It was a vicious, calculated murder. The killer selected his victim at London’s Euston station, followed her home on the tube, strangled her to death in front of her child. At the same time, killed in the same way, a second body is discovered at the back of King’s Cross station. It is a grisly coincidence that eerily echoes the murders of two other women, stabbed to death months before on the same day. DI Tom Thorne sees the link and comes to a horrifying conclusion. This is not a serial killer that the police are up against—this is two of them. Finding the body used to be the worst part of the job, but not any more. Now each time a body is found, Thorne knows that somewhere out there is a second victim waiting to be discovered. But while the killers’ methods might be the same, their manner is strikingly different. Thorne comes to realize that he is hunting very different people—one ruthless and in control, the other submissive, compliant, terrified. Thorne must catch a man whose need to manipulate is as great as his need to kill. A man who will threaten those closest to Thorne himself and show him that the ability to inspire terror is the deadliest weapon of all . . . “One of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today.” —Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl “Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers.” —Harlan Coben, bestselling author of Run Away

Six of the world''s most famous crime writers contribute brilliant stories to this collection to tie in with the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate. Introduction by Jenni Murray.

Available together in ebook for the first time ever, this trio of brilliant short stories showcases the writing talent of number one Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham. Dancing Towards the Blade: They are waiting for the boy on his way home, the racist thugs. For Vincent, it is the latest in a string of violent events his family has faced since moving to England. But Vincent knows something that the thugs don''t: he has in him the spirit of his father who, once upon a time in a far off country, also faced down fear to prove he was Grade A. Stroke of Luck: During a summer cricket match, Alan meets Rachel, and they start a relationship - but soon Alan discovers he is having an affair with a married woman. Though not a happily married one. Rachel''s husband abuses her physically and psychologically and Rachel is at her wits'' end. Alan vows to protect her - but her husband is not the only one who is a threat. Rachel is being secretly watched... The Walls: When Chris spots a beautiful woman across a crowded restaurant on his business trip to Texas, he never imagines that she would be interested in him, let alone be waiting for him when he returns to his hotel later that evening.As the two strangers talk, the true and haunting reason for their visits comes to light...

The Crime The customers in a London convenience store are taken captive. Among them is young mother, Detective Helen Weeks. She is told her life depends on the co-operation of one of her colleagues - detective Tom Thorne. The Demand Akhtar is desperate to know what really happened to his beloved son, who died a year before in prison. He is convinced the death was not an accident and forces the one man who knows more about the case than any other, Thorne, to re-investigate. The Twist What Thorne discovers will upend everything he thought he knew about the fate of those he''s put away...but will it be enough to fulfill the wishes of a grieving and potentially violent father?

The tenth book in the Tom Thorne series, from bestselling author Mark Billingham. ''Billingham''s most desperately gripping read yet'' Daily Mirror Police officer Helen Weeks walks into her local newsagents on her way to work. It''s the last place she expects to be met with violence, but she is about to come face to face with a gunman. The hostage-taker is desperate to know what happened to his beloved son, who died a year before in youth custody. By holding Helen at gunpoint, he will force a re-investigation into his son''s death. And one man knows the case better than any other - DI Tom Thorne. As the body count rises, Thorne must race against time to bring a killer to justice and save a young mother''s life. Taking place over three action-packed days, this is the fastest and most surprising Thorne thriller yet from Sunday Times bestseller Mark Billingham. ''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' The Times ''A new Mark Billingham is always a treat'' Susie Steiner ________________ The outstanding new Tom Thorne thriller, THEIR LITTLE SECRET, is out now!

Winner of the UK''s 2009 Theakston''s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award It''s carried by police officers to your door—the last words anyone ever wants to hear: The Death Message. Detective Investigator Tom Thorne is receiving messages of his own: photographs of murder victims sent to his cell phone. Thorne doesn''t know who''s sending the grisly pictures, who the victims are, or why he has been chosen—but he knows a dead man when he sees one. Ensnared in an investigation that threatens to confound his judgment and destroy his career, he must track down a fiendishly elusive killer before time runs out. Because the slayings are somehow connected to the most terrifying psychopath he has ever encountered—and the blood trail is about to cross into Thorne''s personal life.