1697 Books
The true story of London's toughest, deadliest street gangs: the events, the rules and the real top boys. Are the streets of London some of the deadliest in the world? What's the truth behind the headlines? And who are the real top boys? Looking beyond the hit TV series, The Real Top Boys reveals the lives of the street gangs who have taken over, and now rule, dozens of corners of the UK's capital. Bestselling true crime author Wensley Clarkson takes us on a tour of the housing estates and volatile neighbourhoods where pride, rivalry and revenge are the codes people live and die by. He talks to the criminals who have helped create this chilling modern-day underworld and recounts the vicious turf wars that changed the map, unravels the rules and rights of the streets, and charts the rise and fall of many of the game's key players over the decades that have transformed the city. Featuring interviews with real-life gangsters and told in a gripping story that lays bare the hard life in this world, The Real Top Boys is the ultimate account of gang life in London and a jaw-dropping look at who really runs the streets.
"A winner for fans of both Scandinavian and British procedurals... a complicated tangle of secret motivations that fans of Henning Mankell and Elizabeth George will appreciate." BOOKLIST (starred review) on THE BLOOD STRAND In the wake of a dying man's apparent suicide, the skeleton of a young woman is discovered on a windswept hillside. Detective Hjalti Hentze suspects that it is the body of a Norwegian woman reported missing forty years earlier, while a commune occupied the land, and whose death may be linked to the abduction and rape of a local Faroese girl. Meanwhile British DI Jan Reyna is pursuing his investigation into his mother's suicide. But as he learns more about her final days, links between the two cases start to appear: a conspiracy of murder and abuse spanning four decades. And as Hentze puts the same pieces together, he realizes that Reyna is willing to go further than ever before to learn the truth...
Shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Saga of the Year AwardWhen Evie’s dreams come crashing down, she’s determined to still make something of herself in these trying times... It is 1939 and working class Evie Bishop has received a scholarship to study mathematics at Oxford when tragedy turns her life upside down. Evie must seek a new future for herself and, inspired to contribute to the war effort, joins the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as an Ops Room plotter. Posted to a fighter station on the Sussex Coast, Evie befriends two other WAAFs – shy, awkward May and flirty, glamorous Jess. Faced with earning the approval of strict officers and finding their way in a male dominated world, the three girls band together to overcome challenges, navigate new romances and keep their pilots safe in the skies. But the German bombers seem to know more than they should about the base’s operations, and soon Evie, May and Jess are caught up in a world more dangerous than they ever imagined... This heartwarming, dramatic World War II saga is perfect for fans of Daisy Styles, Kate Thompson and Rosie Clarke. Praise for The Ops Room Girls ‘A fabulous tale of courage, comradeship and romance.’ Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan ‘A lovely book. Vicki Beeby is a saga author to watch.’ Margaret Dickinson, Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author 'Full of excitement, energy and romance, this story kept me turning the pages eagerly.' Lesley Eames, author of The Brighton Guest House Girls 'An exceptional historical saga about young women forging new paths in an uncertain world at war... rich with historical detail, and a must read for historical fiction fans.' Andie Newton, author of The Girl I Left Behind 'An utter joy to read, from the first page to the last. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone with a liking for strong characters, a taste for danger, and a deeply romantic soul.' Terri Nixon, author of Penhaligon's Gift ‘Entertaining from beginning to end. I can’t recommend it highly enough.’ Gemma Jackson, bestselling author of the Ivy Rose series
Having left the Faroes as a child, Jan Reyna is now a British police detective, and the Islands are foreign to him. But he is drawn back when his estranged father is found unconscious, a shotgun by his side and someone else's blood in his car. Then a man's body is found, a shotgun wound in his side, but signs that he was suffocated. Is his father responsible for the man's death? Jan must decide whether to stay or forsake the Faroe Islands for good.
When a group of activists arrive on the Faroe Islands to stop the traditional whale hunts, tensions between islanders and protestors run high. And when a woman is found murdered, circumstances seem designed to increase animosity. To English DI Jan Reyna and local detective Hjalti Hentze, it becomes increasingly clear that evidence is being hidden from them, and neither knows who to trust, or how far some people might go to defend their beliefs.
During war, nothing is ever at it seems... Sally Hartley is a hopeless romantic. Her father died when she was a baby but she has lived off stories from her mother of what a wonderful man he was. Now, all she wants is a love like theirs. And she thinks she’s found it in Adam, the brother of a friend from home. When Adam is posted to Orkney, it’s like Sally’s dreams have all come true. After Italy changes sides in the war, the Italian POWs are granted more freedom on the islands, meaning Sally can spend more time with her friend, Aldo, and the two grow ever closer. But when a family secret is revealed, Sally's trust might be forever broken. Sally, Iris and Mary must continue their duties even as life changes drastically around them, including an attack on one of their fellow Wrens from an unknown assailant. Now the friends face danger not just from the enemy, but also someone much closer to home. An uplifting and dramatic WWII saga for fans of Kate Thompson, Margaret Dickinson and Daisy Styles. Praise for Hopeful Hearts for the Wrens ‘Vicki Beeby carried me along yet again with her skilful story weaving. The book has it all with romance and friendship, danger and intrigue. I didn’t want this series to end and I finished this book with a tear in my eye.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Absolutely brilliant! I love how the books follow on and if you love family saga based in wartime please read these books. Feel like I have gone through all the emotions with the girls.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Brilliant... There was drama (and plenty of it), romance, and humour too. I love Vicki’s style of writing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘A truly great series! I do love a good wartime book and this hit all the marks. The friendship, the strength in the face of adversity and the romance throughout such different times. The ending was amazing and so satisfying.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Wow what an emotional end to the girls! I loved following the adventures of Sally, Mary and Iris now sad that it’s over... Vicki has written this series perfectly.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
During war, nothing is ever at it seems... Sally Hartley is a hopeless romantic. Her father died when she was a baby but she has lived off stories from her mother of what a wonderful man he was. Now, all she wants is a love like theirs. And she thinks she’s found it in Adam, the brother of a friend from home. When Adam is posted to Orkney, it’s like Sally’s dreams have all come true. After Italy changes sides in the war, the Italian POWs are granted more freedom on the islands, meaning Sally can spend more time with her friend, Aldo, and the two grow ever closer. But when a family secret is revealed, Sally's trust might be forever broken. Sally, Iris and Mary must continue their duties even as life changes drastically around them, including an attack on one of their fellow Wrens from an unknown assailant. Now the friends face danger not just from the enemy, but also someone much closer to home. An uplifting and dramatic WWII saga for fans of Kate Thompson, Margaret Dickinson and Daisy Styles. Praise for Hopeful Hearts for the Wrens ‘Vicki Beeby carried me along yet again with her skilful story weaving. The book has it all with romance and friendship, danger and intrigue. I didn’t want this series to end and I finished this book with a tear in my eye.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Absolutely brilliant! I love how the books follow on and if you love family saga based in wartime please read these books. Feel like I have gone through all the emotions with the girls.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Brilliant... There was drama (and plenty of it), romance, and humour too. I love Vicki’s style of writing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘A truly great series! I do love a good wartime book and this hit all the marks. The friendship, the strength in the face of adversity and the romance throughout such different times. The ending was amazing and so satisfying.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Wow what an emotional end to the girls! I loved following the adventures of Sally, Mary and Iris now sad that it’s over... Vicki has written this series perfectly.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERS THE WOMEN WHO RAN AWAY AND THE MISSING WIFE At the first wedding, there's a shock The second wedding is unexpected By the third, Delphie thinks nothing could surprise her. But she's wrong . . . Delphie is enjoying her brother's wedding. Her surprise last-minute Plus One has stunned her family - and it's also stopped any of them asking again why she's still single. But when she sees all the missed calls that evening, she knows it can't be good news. And she's right. Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships and her dream house by the sea. Now she has to question everything she believed about who she is and what she wants. Is her mum right - is it time to settle down? Or does she want to keep on trying to have it all? Each wedding of a glorious summer brings a new surprise. And as everything Delphie thought she had is threatened, she has the chance to reshape her future . . . 'One of my favourite authors' Marian Keyes 'Sheila's books always make you feel as if you've spent time with a good friend' Carole Matthews
The bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep delivers a suspenseful and emotionally satisfying novel “infused with warmth and humor” (People) about a lifelong friendship, a devastating secret, and the small acts of kindness that bring people together. There are three things you should know about Elsie. The first thing is that she’s my best friend. The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better. And the third thing…might take a bit more explaining. Eighty-four-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, she thinks about her friend Elsie and wonders if a terrible secret from their past is about to come to light. If the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago? From the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, Three Things About Elsie “breathes with suspense, providing along the way piercing, poetic descriptions, countless tiny mysteries, and breathtaking little reveals…a rich portrait of old age and friendship stretched over a fascinating frame” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). This is an “amusing and heartbreaking” (Publishers Weekly) story about forever friends on the twisting path of life who come to understand how the fine threads of humanity connect us all.