A love story, a modern nightmare and an honest and incisive portrayal of a woman who honours her husband's wish to die and finds herself in the dock for murder. When Deborah reluctantly helps her beloved husband Neil end his life and conceals the truth, she is charged with murder. As the trial unfolds and her daughter Sophie testifies against her, Deborah, still reeling with grief, fights to defend her actions. Twelve jurors hold her fate in their hands, if found guilty she will serve a life sentence. Deborah seeks solace in her memories of Neil and their children and the love they shared. An ordinary woman caught up in an extraordinary situation. A finely written page-turner, compelling, eloquent, heart-breaking. The Kindest Thing tackles a controversial topic with skill and sensitivity. A book that begs the question: what would you do?
A dead baby. A missing mother. A cradle of secrets. From the author of the Scott and Bailey series, Quiet Acts of Violence is a novel about family and betrayal, injustice and poverty, the ties that bind and those that break us. __________ Has the woman killed her child? Is she at risk to herself? Someone in the neighbourhood of old terraced streets has the answers. But detectives Donna Bell and Jade Bradshaw find lies and obstruction at every turn, in a community living on the edge, ground down by austerity and no hope. A place of broken dreams. Of desperation. And murder. When a stranger crashes into Jade's life, her past comes hurtling back, threatening to destroy her and the world she has carved out for herself. Donna struggles to juggle everything: work, marriage, kids. It's a precarious balancing act, and the rug is about to be pulled from under her. ___________ Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'A star in the firmament of British crime fiction' Big Issue in the North 'Writing that gives Britcrime its heart, mind and soul' Literary Review 'Sensitive and humane' The Guardian 'Staincliffe writes brilliantly and compassionately about things that matter' Literary Review 'Compassionate, exciting and down-to-earth. Infused also with that rare and precious ingredient: true feeling' Literary Review 'Such a good writer' Marcel Berlins, The Times 'Unique in British crime fiction: truthful, affirmative and exciting. Planted in the real world and looking good on it' Literary Review 'The most grown-up writer in British crime fiction' Jake Kerridge, The Telegraph 'Harrowing and humane' Ian Rankin
A powerful account of how one family, grieving for the loss of their daughter, is hounded then haunted by gross media intrusion. When teenager Cassie Mallion goes missing one hot summer's day in the Lake District her family find themselves in the midst of a media feeding frenzy. Years later as the extent of illegal media activity emerges they must face fresh grief. This ebook short also includes an extended extract from Cath Staincliffe's acclaimed novel, The Kindest Thing. Cover photograph: Valentino Sani/Trevillion
No peace and goodwill to all men here in Manchester... It's the countdown to Christmas and Sal Kilkenny is exhausted even thinking about the festive season - her life as a single mother is hectic at the best of times. So when she is asked to investigate a suicide that a grieving family cannot come to terms with, she turns the case down. Eventually, and against her better judgement, Sal is persuaded to look into the woman's last hours and is appalled to discover how little the authorities had investigated her death. And why would a woman so petrified of heights choose to jump from the top of Manchester's Arndale Centre car park? Sal Kilkenny Series Looking For Trouble (Book 1) Go Not Gently (Book 2) Dead Wrong (Book 3) Stone Cold Red Hot (Book 4) Towers of Silence (Book 5) Bitter Blue (Book 6) Missing (Book 7) Crying Out Loud (Book 8) Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'Gritty, intelligent, humane and involving' Big Issue 'Deftly organised, with several surprising twists.' Evening Standard 'An engrossing read.' Sunday Telegraph 'Real people, real problems... Staincliffe writes brilliantly and compassionately about things that matter. Seriously good.' Literary Review 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out
A senseless crime, a community in fear... what would you do if you bore witness to a drive-by shooting? Would you come forward, knowing how high the cost will be? Fiona, a midwife, is plagued by panic attacks and unable to work. Has she the strength to testify? Mike, a delivery driver and family man, faces an impossible decision when his frightened wife forces him to choose - us or the court case. Cheryl, a single-mother, doesn't want her child to grow up in the same climate of fear. Dare she speak out and risk her own life? Zak, a homeless man, offers to talk in exchange for witness protection and the chance of a new start. Ordinary people caught up in an extraordinary situation. Just how high will be the price of their bearing witness? Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'Cath Staincliffe gets into the heads of ordinary people and makes them extraordinary' Ann Cleeves 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better, and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that' Val McDermid 'This powerful, often harrowing story will move you to tears' My Weekly on Fear of Falling 'Harrowing and humane. A real knockout' Ian Rankin on Fear of Falling 'An intelligent and emotionally engaging moral workout' Daily Telegraph
She's a single parent. A private eye. And liking it. Until, that is, Mrs Hobbs turns up asking Sal Kilkenny to find her missing son.Sal's search takes her through the Manchester underworld, a wasteland of deprivation and petty theft, of well-heeled organised crime and, ultimately, murder. Would she have taken the job on if she had known what she was getting herself into? Actually, yes. Sal is on fire with a desire to see justice done and to avenge the death of a young lad whose only crime was knowing too much... This is the first Sal Kilkenny mystery, serialised on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Sal Kilkenny Series Looking For Trouble (Book 1) Go Not Gently (Book 2) Dead Wrong (Book 3) Stone Cold Red Hot (Book 4) Towers of Silence (Book 5) Bitter Blue (Book 6) Missing (Book 7) Crying Out Loud (Book 8) Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it's kinder and braver to lie.Stunning.' Anne Cleeves 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail'Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out 'It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better, and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that'Val McDermid 'an engrossing read'Sunday Telegraph
In a heartbeat, life changes. A sunny, Sunday afternoon, a family barbecue, and Naomi Baxter and her boyfriend Alex celebrate good news. Driving home, Naomi's recklessness causes a fatal accident, leaving nine-year-old Lily Vasey dead, Naomi fighting for her life, Alex bruised and bloody and the lives of three families torn apart. Traumatised, Naomi has no clear memory of the crash and her mother Carmel is forced to break the shocking truth of the child's death to her. Naomi may well be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving. If convicted she will face a jail term of up to 14 years, especially if her sister's claim that Naomi was drink-driving is proven.In the months before the trial, Carmel strives to help a haunted and remorseful Naomi cope with the consequences of her actions. Blink of an Eye is a novel about the nightmare that could be just around the next bend for any one of us. Praise for Cath Staincliffe, 'A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it's kinder and braver to lie. Stunning.' Anne Cleeves. Modest, compassionate...a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail.' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying.' The Sunday Times 'About as good as the British private eye novel gets.' Time Out 'An engrossing read'. Sunday Telegraph. 'a page-turning, insightful thriller.' Big Issue.
he lives of a teenager and a woman in her forties collide as the 2011 riots hit Manchester. An eloquent and passionate exploration of the week that shook Britain. 9th August 2011 and as rioting erupts in Manchester a teenager and a woman in her forties are caught up in the thick of the disorder. Their stories intertwine to give a stunning and haunting expose of the people behind the headlines and the legacy of that night. This ebook short also includes an extended extract from Cath Staincliffe's forthcoming novel, Split Second.
Juggling the school run with private investigating, Sal Kilkenny's life is a strange mix of the dramatic with the domestic.Sal has two new clients:Jimmy Achebe wants her to confirm his suspicions of his wife's infidelity and Agnes Donlan fears for her friend Lily, who has undergone a swift decline in her new nursing home.Sal soon finds herself in treacherous territory which threatens to impinge on her private life... Sal Kilkenny Series Looking For Trouble (Book 1) Go Not Gently (Book 2) Dead Wrong (Book 3) Stone Cold Red Hot (Book 4) Towers of Silence (Book 5) Bitter Blue (Book 6) Missing (Book 7) Crying Out Loud (Book 8) Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it's kinder and braver to lie. Stunning.' Anne Cleeves 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail'. Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying.' The Sunday Times. 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out. 'It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better, and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that.' Val McDermid. 'an engrossing read'. Sunday Telegraph
Newly graduated photography student Lori Maddox takes a gap year after university and finds a job in China as a private English tutor. Back in Manchester, her parents Jo and Tom, who separated when Lori was a toddler, follow her adventures on her blog, 'Lori in the Orient'. Suddenly communication stops and when the silence persists, a frantic Jo and Tom report her missing. It is impossible to find out anything from 5,000 miles away so they travel out to Chengdu, a city in the south-western province of Sichuan, to search for their daughter. But in an unfamiliar country and with very little help, it's an unbearably difficult challenge...
Against the backdrop of Euro '96 and the soundtrack of Oasis, a summer of terror begins. Sal Kilkenny has two very frightened clients on her hands. Debbie Gosforth is the victim of a deranged stalker while teenager Luke Wallace is afraid he might be a murderer as he has, allegedly, stabbed his best friend Ahktar Khan to death. And then the IRA bomb Manchester's Arndale Centre and the city goes up in smoke... Sal Kilkenny Series Looking For Trouble (Book 1) Go Not Gently (Book 2) Dead Wrong (Book 3) Stone Cold Red Hot (Book 4) Towers of Silence (Book 5) Bitter Blue (Book 6) Missing (Book 7) Crying Out Loud (Book 8) Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'Gritty, intelligent, humane and involving' Big Issue 'Deftly organised, with several surprising twists.' Evening Standard 'Has her finger on the pulse of her city and that rare ability to write about love, motherhood and friendship without sentimentality' Val McDermid 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out
Can Sal break the conspiracy of silence that surrounds her latest case? Sal Kilkenny is asked to discover the whereabouts of Jennifer Pickering, disinherited twenty years ago. But it seems that now Jennifer does not want to be found. And as she spends her days tracing Jennifer, Sal's nights are shattered by a dangerous stint with the Neighbour Nuisance Unit on one of Manchester's toughest housing estates. In this highly charged atmosphere it's not surprising when tempers flare... and as properties start to burn, Sal's two cases spiral out of control and events, past and present, collide with deadly intensity. Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'Gritty, intelligent, humane and involving' Big Issue 'Deftly organised, with several surprising twists.' Evening Standard 'An engrossing read.' Sunday Telegraph 'Real people, real problems... Staincliffe writes brilliantly and compassionately about things that matter. Seriously good.' Literary Review 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out
Grandmother Ruth Sutton writes to the man she hates more than anyone else on the planet: the man who she believes killed her daughter Lizzie in a brutal attack four years earlier. Ruth's burden of grief and hatred, has only grown heavier with the passing of time, her avid desire for vengeance ever stronger. In writing to him Ruth hopes to exorcise the corrosive emotions that are destroying her life, to find the truth and with it release and a way forward. Whether she can ever truly forgive him is another matter - but the letters are her last, best hope.
A community on the brink. An abandoned chapel burns. In this part of Manchester, destruction is not unusual. But this time, the body of a man lies inside. And it's down to Scott and Bailey to save them all... Detective Constable Rachel Bailey is struggling to come to terms with huge change, just as her partner, DC Janet Scott grapples with a horrifying tragedy. But they must put aside their own troubles if they are to solve this murder investigation. Especially when a second building goes up in flames...
A family man The bodies of a man, woman and child are found, lying in pools of blood. The owner of the inn where the bodies are discovered has fled. But he’s not alone – he’s taken his two young sons with him. No one knows what he’s going to do next... A professional front DC Janet Scott has survived a terrifying attack, and is now having second thoughts about her life and steady marriage – but if she acts on her feelings she risks tearing her family apart. Her best friend DC Rachel Bailey is reeling from a love affair that could have killed her – literally. It’s hard to stay focussed. A united force Gill Murray has enough of her own problems without the team falling apart. She knows they must work together if they are to find the desperate man before he makes his final move. But one question haunts her: what will they have to do to stop him?
A Sal Kilkenny Mystery - An abandoned infant on her doorstep is the last thing Manchester private eye Sal Kilkenny needs. Sal's client Libby Hill is trying to put her life back together after the brutal killing of her lover and the conviction of petty criminal Damien Beswick, who confessed to the murder. But now Beswick has retracted his confession - exactly what game is he playing? As Sal investigates, things get up close and personal, and there are further bombshells to come, which threaten everything Sal holds dear.
1960, Manchester. Three young Catholic girls find themselves pregnant and unmarried. In these pre-Pill days there is only one possible course of action; adoption. So, Megan, Caroline and Joan first meet in St. Ann's Home for Unmarried Mothers while awaiting the births of their babies. Although all three are very different, they are united in their misery and fear, and they form a tentative friendship."--Jacket.
The Journey's Inn, Lark's Estate, Manchester. Three bodies have been found, stabbed to death in their beds. A man - apparently the father and husband of two of the victims - has fled. The police are in a race against time to find him - especially when they discover his two young sons are also missing...
Edgy, twisted and disturbing, the first Crime Writers’ Association Daggers Award retrospective anthology featuring 19 visceral and thrilling stories. Featuring bestselling authors Ian Rankin, Jeffery Deaver, John Connolly, Denise Mina, John Harvey and more. NINETEEN CWA DAGGER AWARD-WINNING SHORT STORIES FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST IN CRIME FICTION The first retrospective of the CWA’s Dagger Award winners, brings together some of the greatest names in crime fiction to deliver a cutthroat collection of serial killers, grizzled detectives, drug dealers and master forgers. Observe as a Senior Curator at the Tate Gallery constructs the perfect crime in Ian Rankin’s “Herbert in Motion”. Watch an unlikely romance sour into a deadly obsession in Stella Duffy’s “Martha Grace”. Face parents who discover their child has committed the unthinkable in Denise Mina’s “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”. And in Jeffery Deaver’s “The Weekender” an intense hostage situation hits its peak in the most unlikely conclusion. Keep your secrets close, and your daggers drawn. Featuring: Peter O' Donnell (writing as Madeleine Brent), Julian Rathbone, Larry Beinhart, Ian Rankin, Jerry Sykes, Stella Duffy, Jeffery Deaver, Peter Lovesey, Cath Staincliffe, Margaret Murphy, John Harvey, Richard Lange, L. C. Tyler, Denise Mina, Danutah Reah and Lauren Henderson.
In a heartbeat, life changes. A sunny, Sunday afternoon, a family barbecue, and Naomi Baxter and her boyfriend Alex celebrate good news. Driving home, Naomi's recklessness causes a fatal accident, leaving nine-year-old Lily Vasey dead, Naomi fighting for her life, Alex bruised and bloody and the lives of three families torn apart. Traumatised, Naomi has no clear memory of the crash and her mother Carmel is forced to break the shocking truth of the child's death to her. Naomi may well be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving. If convicted she will face a jail term of up to 14 years, especially if her sister's claim that Naomi was drink-driving is proven.In the months before the trial, Carmel strives to help a haunted and remorseful Naomi cope with the consequences of her actions. Blink of an Eye is a novel about the nightmare that could be just around the next bend for any one of us. Praise for Cath Staincliffe, 'A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it's kinder and braver to lie. Stunning.' Anne Cleeves. Modest, compassionate...a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail.' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying.' The Sunday Times 'About as good as the British private eye novel gets.' Time Out 'An engrossing read'. Sunday Telegraph. 'a page-turning, insightful thriller.' Big Issue.
A community on the brink. An abandoned chapel burns. In this part of Manchester, destruction is not unusual. But this time, the body of a man lies inside. And it's down to Scott and Bailey to save them all... Detective Constable Rachel Bailey is struggling to come to terms with huge change, just as her partner, DC Janet Scott grapples with a horrifying tragedy. But they must put aside their own troubles if they are to solve this murder investigation. Especially when a second building goes up in flames...
Can Sal break the conspiracy of silence that surrounds her latest case? Sal Kilkenny is asked to discover the whereabouts of Jennifer Pickering, disinherited twenty years ago. But it seems that now Jennifer does not want to be found. And as she spends her days tracing Jennifer, Sal's nights are shattered by a dangerous stint with the Neighbour Nuisance Unit on one of Manchester's toughest housing estates. In this highly charged atmosphere it's not surprising when tempers flare... and as properties start to burn, Sal's two cases spiral out of control and events, past and present, collide with deadly intensity. Praise for Cath Staincliffe: 'Gritty, intelligent, humane and involving' Big Issue 'Deftly organised, with several surprising twists.' Evening Standard 'An engrossing read.' Sunday Telegraph 'Real people, real problems... Staincliffe writes brilliantly and compassionately about things that matter. Seriously good.' Literary Review 'Modest, compassionate... a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail' Literary Review 'Complex and satisfying' The Sunday Times 'about as good as the British private eye novel gets' Time Out
1960, Manchester. Three young Catholic girls find themselves pregnant and unmarried. In these pre-Pill days there is only one possible course of action; adoption. So, Megan, Caroline and Joan first meet in St. Ann's Home for Unmarried Mothers while awaiting the births of their babies. Although all three are very different, they are united in their misery and fear, and they form a tentative friendship."--Jacket.
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