Books

There are thousands of detective books out there, and many have gone on to become massive hits with readers. A number of them have even been turned into television shows. But there’s one series in particular that fans simply cannot stop talking about. It’s been called a “masterpiece” and “one of the best shows ever created”, and it’s all thanks to the gripping book it was based on.One reader wrote: “I watched the TV series first and was apprehensive about reading the book. I'm very happy I did because it turns out it's the best detective book ever written.” Another review said: “I have wanted to read this book forever. And I'm so glad that I finally did. I first loved the TV show, so it was great to read what started it all.”A third added: “I binge watched the show on Netflix a couple y...

The Christmas holidays are a great time for reading. With annual leave and freezing cold weather, there may not be anything better than to spend your time working your way through some of the classic books that you haven't managed to get to before now.There are, of course, many books that are perfect reads for Christmas, but the classics are always a good place to start. From murder mysteries to a tale of four bright sisters, here are three of my December reading recommendations. The book's synopsis states: "'If I had my way, every idiot who goes around with Merry Christmas on his lips, would be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. Merry Christmas? Bah humbug!'"Introduction and Afterword by Joe WheelerTo bitter, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, Chris...

Who is your favourite crime author? (Image: Getty)I love a beach read just as much as the next person, but sometimes we crave a book with a little more grit, mystery and perhaps some hypothetical law breaking. Without these books, we would likely not have the popular genre of television crime dramas that we all adore, let alone a murder mystery.Waterstones has listed some of the crime novels that you've probably "always meant to read", but just haven't got round to, and here we have selected six to get you started.  Read more: The top 6 classic fiction books ‘you’ve never read - one is 1847 masterpiece Read more: I visited notorious seaside town loved by boozy Brits – its reputation is unfair And Then There Were None by Agatha ChristieThe book's synopsis reads: "First, there were ten...

There’s nothing worse than reading a book only to find it feels like a chore. If you’re going to devote some time to reading, you’ll want a novel where you can’t wait to find out what happens next.While it can be hard to find a real page-turner, this book could be it. The Creative Muggle, a book lifestyle blog, named it as one of the best to read in November. A reader on Amazon even described it as a “masterpiece”.Leigh Bardugo is known for her short fiction which has appeared in multiple anthologies including The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy.This book is King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. Its Goodreads synopsis reads: “The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible.“No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he inten...

Sharpe’s Storm by Bernard Cornwell, Hardback, £22Like Jack Reacher, Richard Sharpe is one of the most comforting literary creations of modern times. His 24th outing is set in 1813 and features the Battle of St Pierre, a crucial engagement in south-west France in the closing stages of the Peninsular War. And as ever, Bernard Cornwell’s grumpy Rifleman who came up through the ranks, saving the Duke of Wellington’s life en route, will play a key role. Sharpe’s Storm has all the fictional action and adventure fans have come to expect, neatly wrapped around real-life events. Cornwell remains the undisputed master of historical fiction and Sharpe is his greatest creation. Sharpe’s Storm hits the bullseye like a round fired by Daniel Hagman! 9/10Exit Strategy by Lee and Andrew Child, Hardback,...

Geraldine McEwan as Agatha Christie's spinster sleuth Miss Marple (Image: ITV)Who doesn’t love a nice juicy crime yarn? A body in a library; a diamond purloined from a locked vault; poison pen letters in a sleepy English village. There’s something deliciously British about novels exploring the darker side of life. And that’s why the Twenties and Thirties were the ‘Golden Age’ of British crime writing.Back then, bookshops were full of works by Dorothy L Sayers, who created gentleman sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey; Ngaio Marsh, who gave us Inspector Alleyn; and Agatha Christie herself. These stories gripping tales were the inspiration behind my new novel The Waterfall, with its plethora of gothic priories, formidable sleuths and thrilling twists.They also helped inspire my new choose-your-own a...

The Works largest ever Black Friday event is well under way, promising a bonanza for book enthusiasts. The first set of deals started in November but now shoppers can find exceptional value in store and online, with deals designed to help families prepare for Christmas without straining their wallets this Black Friday.The initial wave of offers centres on 'Books for Everyone,' with big price cuts across children's and adult titles. Parents and teachers can snap up 12 picture storybooks for £10, equating to only 83p per book - ideal for festive presents, classroom rewards, or bedtime stories - in store.Online shoppers can secure kids' book bundles for £10. Meanwhile, fans of adult fiction can grab four bestselling titles for £7.50, amounting to less than £1.90 per read, with authors incl...

Psychological thriller writer Lisa Jewell has said it's beyond her 'wildest imaginings' to be revealed as the programming chair for the world’s biggest and best-known celebration of crime writing. The bestselling author will take the reins of the 2026 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, supported by the Daily and Sunday Express, next July.Star writers joining fans at the Old Swan Hotel, where Agatha Christie famously vanished in the winter of 1926, includes US writer David Baldacci, Nadine Matheson, Gillian McAllister, Steve Cavanagh and Alice Feeney. More headliners are due to be revealed in the New Year.Jewell, author of 23 novels, most recently the dark psychological thrillers Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, None of This is True and Don’t Let Him In, s...

Westerns have always been one of the most popular genres for readers, with classics that people return to again and again. There are hundreds of titles worth picking up, from traditional cowboy stories to modern takes to life on the range. But one novel in particular is so good that readers are calling it “the best thing the genre has ever produced”.Some say it’s so good they still remember where they were in life when they first read it. Even Stephen King once said the book is his favourite of all time, and if one of the world’s most famous authors thinks it’s that good, it’s probably worth your time.Those who have already read it say it’s simply “unforgettable”.One person said: “This is my top favourite book of all time. It’s been on top since I read it shortly after it came out in pa...

Waterstones' autumn selection on show incudes must read titles (Image: Getty)I love a beach read just as much as the next person, but sometimes we need to delve a little deeper and look to the books that have shaped the world of literature. Without these books, we would likely not have the magical realism books that we all so adore, never mind non-fiction. Waterstones has listed some of the classic novels that you've probably "always meant to read", but just haven't got round to, and here we have selected six to get you started. 1984 by George OrwellAn incredible book that has influenced the world, Orwell's 1984 is a dystopian tale that follows one man's nightmare odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world that is ruled by warring states and has a brutal power structu...