Download or read book Small Towns in Recent American Crime Fiction written by David Geherin and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2014-11-19 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Small towns have long been a commonplace setting in cozy mysteries, but in recent years writers of realistic crime fiction have discovered fresh possibilities in small town settings. There they can take advantage of distinct facets of small town life--a sense of community, slower pace of life, proximity to nature--and yet deal with social, economic and environmental issues. Because crimes in small communities hit closer to home, the human element can better be emphasized. This book focuses on the work of ten contemporary authors who have placed small towns like Rocksburg, Pennsylvania (K. C. Constantine), West Table, Missouri (Daniel Woodrell), Niniltna, Alaska (Dana Stabenow), Aurora, Minnesota (William Kent Krueger), Paradise, Michigan (Steve Hamilton), Millersburg, Ohio (P. L. Gaus), Heartsdale, Georgia (Karin Slaughter), Millers Kill, New York (Julia Spencer-Fleming), Durant, Wyoming (Craig Johnson), and a number of national parks (Nevada Barr) on the map of American crime fiction.

Download or read book The Best New True Crime Stories Small Towns written by Mitzi Szereto and published by Mango Media Inc.. This book was released on 2020-07-14 with total page 207 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Here be monsters! This brilliant collection of gruesome small-town misdeeds . . . will have you running for the comfort and safety of the big city.” —Peter Houlahan, author of Norco ’80 We’ve been told nothing bad happens in small towns. You can leave your doors unlocked, and your windows wide open. We picture peaceful hamlets with a strong sense of community, and everyone knows each other. But what if this wholesome idyllic image doesn’t always square with reality? Small towns might look and feel safe, but statistics show this isn’t really true. From the vicious murderers of the Clutter family to Ted Bundy and his small-town charm, criminals have always roamed rural America and towns worldwide. Featuring murder stories, criminal case studies, and more, The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns contains all-new accounts from writers of true crime, crime journalism, and crime fiction. And these entries are not based on a true story—they are true stories. Edited by acclaimed author and anthologist Mitzi Szereto, the stories in this volume span the globe. Discover how unsolved murders, kidnapping, shooting sprees, violent robbery, and other bad things can and do happen in small towns all over the world. “Mitzi Szereto has assembled a group of today’s brightest and best authors for this truly extraordinary anthology. Brilliant!” —Dan Zupansky, author and host of True Murder “Chills. Endless chills.” —Cup of Books “These well-researched, globe-trotting, bite-sized tales are perfect for a lazy summer afternoon?especially at a time when it’s much safer to travel through the pages of a book.” —Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Download or read book The Neighbor s Secret written by L. Alison Heller and published by Flatiron Books. This book was released on 2021-10-05 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Addictive, suspenseful and masterfully written...will delight fans of Big Little Lies.” —Michele Campbell “[A] witty, hyperlocal mystery...With a light, Liane Moriarty-esque touch...” —New York Times L. Alison Heller, whose work has been praised by Liane Moriarty as "warm, witty...refreshingly true to life,” explores the ultimate sacrifices of parenting in The Neighbor’s Secret, a propulsive and juicy novel filled with gripping twists and instantly recognizable characters. How well do you really know your neighbors? With its sprawling yards and excellent schools, Cottonwood Estates is the perfect place to raise children. The Cottonwood Book Club serves as the subdivision’s eyes and ears, meeting once a month for discussion, gossip, and cocktails. If their selections trend toward twisty thrillers and salacious murder mysteries, it’s only because the members feel secure that such evil has no place in their own cul-de-sacs. Or does it? What happened to Lena’s family fifteen years ago was a tragic accident, and she will never admit otherwise. Devoted wife and mother Annie refuses to acknowledge—even to herself—the weight of a past shame. And new resident Jen wants friends, but as always, worry about her troubled son gets in the way. When late-night acts of vandalism target the women of the book club in increasingly violent and personal ways, they will be forced to decide how far to go to keep their secrets. At least they all agree on what’s most important: protecting their children at any cost—even if it means someone has to die.

Download or read book The Prized Girl written by Amy K. Green and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2021-02-02 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From debut author Amy K. Green comes a devastating tale of psychological suspense: A teen pageant queen is found murdered in a small New England town and her sister's search for answers unearths more than she bargained for. Days after a young pageant queen named Jenny is found murdered, her small town grieves the loss alongside her picture-perfect parents. At first glance, Jenny's tragic death appears clear-cut for investigators. The most obvious suspect is one of her fans, an older man who may have gotten too close for comfort. But Jenny's half-sister, Virginia—the sarcastic black sheep of the family—isn't so sure of his guilt and takes matters into her own hands to find the killer. But for Jenny's case and Virginia's investigation, there's more to the story. Virginia, still living in town and haunted by her own troubled teenage years, suspects that a similar darkness lies beneath the sparkling veneer of Jenny's life. Alternating between Jenny's final days and Virginia's determined search for the truth, the sisters' dual narratives follow a harrowing trail of suspects, with surprising turns that race toward a shocking finale. Infused with dark humor and driven by two captivating young women, The Prized Girl tells a heartbreaking story of missed connections, a complicated family, and a town's disturbing secrets.

Download or read book The Best New True Crime Stories Serial Killers written by Mitzi Szereto and published by Mango Media Inc.. This book was released on 2019-11-19 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Travel around the world and inside the minds of monsters in this true crime anthology featuring sixteen astonishing serial killer exposés. Serial killers: Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer are often the first names that spring to mind. Many people assume serial killers are primarily an American phenomenon that came about in the latter part of the twentieth century—but such assumptions are far from the truth. Serial killers have been around for a long time and can be found in every corner of the globe―and they’re not just limited to the male gender, either. Some of these predators have been caught and brought to justice whereas others have never been found, let alone identified. Serial killers can be anywhere. And scarier still, they can be anyone. Edited by acclaimed author and anthologist Mitzi Szereto, The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers reveals all-new accounts of true-crime serial killers from the contemporary to the historic. The international list of contributors includes award-winning crime writers, true-crime podcasters, journalists, and experts in the dark crimes field such as Martin Edwards, Lee Mellor, Danuta Kot, Craig Pittman, Richard O. Jones, Marcie Rendon, Mike Browne, and Vicki Hendricks. This book will leave you wondering if it’s ever really possible to know who’s behind the mask you’re allowed to see. Perfect for readers of true crime books such as I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Mindhunter, The Devil in the White City, or Sons of Cain. “An engrossing and multi-faceted anthology for a new era of true crime writing.” ―Piper Weiss, author of You All Grow Up and Leave Me

Download or read book Black Cherry Blues written by James Lee Burke and published by Mulholland Books. This book was released on 2011-12-15 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this Edgar Award-winning thriller, former Louisiana homicide cop Dave Robicheaux is trying to start a new life after the murder of his wife — but he can't escape his past forever. Dave Robicheaux was once a Louisiana homicide cop. Now he's trying to start a new life, opening up a fishing business and caring for his adopted girl, Alafair. Compared to Louisiana, Robicheaux thought Montana would be safe — until two Native American activists suddenly go missing. When Robicheaux begins investigating, he is led into the dark world of the Mafia and oil companies. At the same time, someone from his past comes back to haunt him. Someone who was responsible for Robicheaux's flight from New Orleans — someone who brutally murdered his wife — and now is after young Alafair... Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, Black Cherry Blues spans from the mystical streets of New Orleans to the endless mountains of Montana, and ranks among James Lee Burke's finest work — an enduring classic, darkly beautiful and thrilling.

Download or read book Tall Oaks written by Chris Whitaker and published by Courier Dover Publications. This book was released on 2019-03-20 with total page 371 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nothing is as it seems in Tall Oaks, a small California town where everyone knows each other and violent crime is unheard of. The community's idyllic façade is shattered when a kidnapper in a clown costume snatches three-year-old Harry Monroe from his own home. Despite sensational media coverage and dogged police investigations, the abduction remains a mystery. Three months later, Harry is still missing and most people have moved on, except for Jessica, Harry's distraught mother, and Jim, the local sheriff. Anyone in Tall Oaks could be a suspect: Jerry, the loner with a secret that only his mother knows; Jared, the roving lothario; teenage Manny, an aspiring gangster; and even Jessica's Aunt Henrietta and Uncle Roger, who are clearly hiding something. Chris Whitaker’s debut novel, with its striking blend of tragedy and offbeat humor, was awarded the U.K. Crime Writers' Association New Blood Dagger Award. The Guardian praised this beguiling novel as "a pleasingly unusual mixture of a psychological thriller and screwball comedy," noting that "the combination of verve, humor, and pathos make it well worth a read."

Download or read book Scene of the Crime written by David Geherin and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2008-03-10 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offering analysis of the fiction of 15 authors for whom the setting greatly contributes to their overall literary style, this book focuses on the many ways that "place" figures in modern crime and mystery novels. The authors (and their settings) are: Georges Simenon (Paris), Donna Leon (Venice), Tony Hillerman (American Southwest), Walter Mosley (South Central Los Angeles), George P. Pelecanos (Washington, D.C.), Sara Paretsky (Chicago), James Lee Burke (Southern Louisiana), Carl Hiaasen (South Florida), Ian Rankin (Edinburgh), Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana), James McClure (South Africa), Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (Stockholm), Paco Ignacio Taibo II (Mexico City), Leonardo Sciascia (Sicily) and Lindsey Davis (Ancient Rome).

Download or read book The Never Never Sisters written by L. Alison Heller and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-06-03 with total page 371 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An absorbing, highly entertaining novel about family secrets, The Never Never Sisters introduces you to the strong-willed and big-hearted Reinhardt women, as they reunite one summer in New York. Gifted storyteller L. Alison Heller has written another witty and moving page-turner that will captivate readers and keep them guessing right up until the satisfying end. Sometimes you just need to get away…. Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt is counting down the days to summer, eager to reconnect with her workaholic husband at their cozy rental cottage in the Hamptons. But soon a mysterious crisis at Dave’s work ruins their getaway plans. Paige is still figuring out how to handle the unexplained chill in her marriage when her troubled sister suddenly returns after a two-decade silence. Now, instead of enjoying the lazy summer days along the ocean, Paige is navigating the rocky waters of a forgotten bond with her sister in the sweltering city heat. As she attempts to dig deeper into Dave’s work troubles and some long-held family secrets, Paige is shocked to discover how little she knows about the people closest to her. This summer, the self-proclaimed relationship expert will grapple with her biggest challenge yet: Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?

Download or read book Bonfire written by Krysten Ritter and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Successful environmental lawyer Abby Williams is forced to confront her small-town past while investigating a high-profile corruption case back home.

Download or read book The Best New True Crime Stories written by Mitzi Szereto and published by Mango. This book was released on 2020-07-14 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Small towns have always been thought of as sleepy places where nothing bad ever happens, but as Mitzi Szereto's The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns shows that bad things can and do happen in small communities all over the world.

Download or read book Deadline written by John Sandford and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2014-10-07 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The thrilling new novel in the #1 New York Times–bestselling series. In Southeast Minnesota, down on the Mississippi, a school board meeting is coming to an end. The board chairman announces that the rest of the meeting will be closed, due to personnel issues. “Issues” is correct. The proposal up for a vote before them is whether to authorize the killing of a local reporter. The vote is four to one in favor. Meanwhile, not far away, Virgil Flowers is helping out a friend by looking into a dognapping, which seems to be turning into something much bigger and uglier—a team of dognappers supplying medical labs—when he gets a call from Lucas Davenport. A murdered body has been found—and the victim is a local reporter. . . .

Download or read book Classic American Crime Fiction of the 1920s written by Leslie S Klinger and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 1666 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Classic American Crime Writing of the 1920s—including House Without a Key, The Benson Murder Case, The Tower Treasure, The Roman Hat Mystery, The Tower Treasure, and Little Caesar—offers some of the very best of that decade’s writing. Earl Derr Biggers wrote about Charlie Chan, a Chinese-American detective, at a time when racism was rampant. S. S. Van Dine invented Philo Vance, an effete, rich amateur psychologist who flourished while America danced and the stock market rose. Edwin Stratemeyer, a man of mystery himself, singlehandedly created the juvenile mystery, with the beloved Hardy Boys series. The quintessential American detective Ellery Queen leapt onto the stage, to remain popular for fifty years. W. R. Burnett, created the indelible character of Rico, the first gangster antihero. Each of the five novels included is presented in its original published form, with extensive historical and cultural annotations and illustrations added by Edgar-winning editor Leslie S. Klinger, allowing the reader to experience the story to its fullest. Klinger's detailed foreword gives an overview of the history of American crime writing from its beginnings in the early years of America to the twentieth century.

Download or read book Hunt Them Down written by Simon Gervais and published by Thomas & Mercer. This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In Hunt Them Down, Gervais has crafted an intelligent and thoughtful thriller that mixes family dynamics with explosive action...The possibilities are endless in this new series, and this will easily find an enthusiastic audience craving Hunt's next adventures." --Associated Press The dark world he's been fighting against has caught up with him. Will his daughter pay the price? Former Army Ranger Pierce Hunt is no stranger to violence. Fresh off a six-month suspension, he's itching to hit a notorious Mexican drug cartel where it hurts, even if that means protecting crime boss Vicente Garcia, a witness in the case against sadistic cartel leader Valentina Mieles. But things spiral out of control when the cartel murders Garcia and kidnaps his granddaughter and an innocent bystander, Hunt's own teenage daughter. Mieles wants the new head of the Garcia family on a plate--literally. Hunt has seventy-two hours to deliver, or Mieles will execute the girls live on social media. With the clock ticking, Hunt goes off the grid and teams up with Garcia's daughter, a former lover and current enemy. To save the girls, Hunt will have to become a man he swore he'd never be again: an avenging killer without limits or mercy.

Download or read book Dead Sleep written by Greg Iles and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2002-07-01 with total page 497 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A woman comes face-to-face with a serial killer who glorifies the art of death in this “ingenious”* thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Penn Cage series. They are called “The Sleeping Women.” A series of unsettling paintings in which the nude female subjects appear to be not asleep, but dead. Photojournalist Jordan Glass has another reason to find the paintings disturbing…The face on one of the nudes is her own—or perhaps the face of her twin sister, who disappeared and is still missing. At the urging of the FBI, Jordan becomes both hunter and hunted in a search for the anonymous artist—an obsessed killer who seems to know more about Jordan and her family than she is prepared to face...

Download or read book Inborn written by Thomas Enger and published by Orenda Books. This book was released on 2019-01-25 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When a double murder takes place in a Norwegian village high school, a teenager finds himself subject to trial by social media ... and in the dock. Bestselling, highly emotive and award-winning Nordic Noir... 'One of the finest writers of the Nordic Noir genre' Ragnar Jnasson 'Satisfyingly tense and dark' Sunday Times 'Spine-chilling and utterly unputdownable' Yrsa SigurardttirBRBRBRBRWhat turns a boy into a killer?/BBRBRWhen the high school in the small Norwegian village of Fredheim becomes a murder scene, the finger is soon pointed at seventeen-year-old Even. As the investigation closes in, social media is ablaze with accusations, rumours and even threats, and Even finds himself the subject of an online trial as well as being in the dock ... for murder?BRBREven pores over his memories of the months leading up to the crime, and it becomes clear that more than one villager was acting suspiciously ... and secrets are simmering beneath the calm surface of this close-knit community. As events from the past play tag with the present, he's forced to question everything he thought he knew. Was the death of his father in a car crash a decade earlier really accidental? Has a relationship stirred up something that someone is prepared to kill to protect?BRBRIt seems that there may be no one that Even can trust. But can we trust him?BRBRA taut, moving and chilling thriller, IInborn You loved Quicksand and We Need to Talk about Kevin, now read Inborn 'A pithy, twisty, challenging tale with a cracking concept ... The ending caught in my throat, piercing, then shattering my crime-sleuthing thoughts. Inborn is so very readable, it also provoked and sliced at my feelings, made me stop, made me think, it really is very clever indeed' LoveReading 'If you like your crime smart, dark and morally compelling then you'll absolutely love this book' 17 Degrees Magazine 'Clever plotting and thought-provoking premise. Another feather in Thomas Enger's cap' Crime by the Book 'Thomas Enger's novels are intelligent and emotionally aware and Inborn is no exception ... an exciting and thought-provoking novel' New Books Magazine 'One of the most unusual and intense talents in the field' Barry Forshaw, Independent 'MUST HAVE' Sunday Express S Magazine 'Intriguing' Guardian 'Sophisticated and suspenseful' Literary Review 'Full of suspense and heart' Crime Monthly 'Inborn is a small-town murder mystery and courtroom drama with multi-faceted characters and compelling twists that will keep you guessing until the very end' Culture Fly 'A tightly plotted mix of thrillers and courtroom drama ... compelling, twisty and full of emotion' Off-the-Shelf Books

Download or read book Under A Dark Sky written by Johan M. Dahlgren and published by Next Chapter. This book was released on 2021-12-25 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On rebel planet Elysium, a man is executed on live video streamed by religious extremists. Nothing terribly original so far for Elysium. Only this time, the man doesn't die. When security expert Asher Perez is sent to find him, dark secrets about the rebel colony are exposed. Something dark is stirring in the shadows. Something that has been watching humanity since the dawn of history.