Tag: Crime

Simon R. Green’s A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE Out Now in North America!

Posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

The North American hardcover edition of Simon R. Green‘s second Gideon Sable novel, A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE is out now! Published by Severn House, here’s the synopsis…

Master thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist – and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights

Judi Rifkin is one of the world’s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.

And Gideon Sable – thief, rogue and chancer – owes her a very large favour.

Judi makes him an offer he can’t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she’ll wipe the slate clean.

This isn’t Gideon’s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don’t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far…

The novel is available in the UK (published back in January), and also widely available in eBook (published in March). The first book in the series, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL is also available, published by Severn House.

Here are just a few of the reviews the first in the series has received…

‘This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ — Booklist

‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ — Publisher’s Weekly

‘You don’t so much read a Simon R Green novel as grab on with both hands and hope you’re still alive at the end of the ride… [Green’s] writing is the very definition of pure, unadulterated escapism.’ — The Eloquent Page

‘If you like the idea of a snark-sparked team coming together in order to pull off the caper of the century, Gideon Sable might just be your jam.’ — Reading Reality

‘If you like gritty, funny, slapdash urban fantasy heist novels with crazy characters… you will enjoy this.’ — Hidden in Pages

‘[Featuring] pacey writing, strong characters and tongue-in-cheek humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.’ — Brain Fluff

Green’s Ishmael Jones mystery series is also published by Severn House in the UK and North America.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Ben Aaronovitch’s DIE SILBERKAMMER IN DER CHANCERY LANE Out in Two Weeks!

Posted on Friday, April 1st, 2022

Ben Aaronovitch‘s highly-anticipated next Rivers of London novel, AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, will be available in Germany on April 13th! To be published by DTV, as DIE SILBERKAMMER IN DER CHANCERY LANE, this edition has been translated by Christine Blum. Here’s the synopsis…

Peter Grant, der Londoner Bobby und Zauberlehrling (sowie neuerdings Praktikantinnenausbilder), hat einen neuen Fall.

In den Silberkammern in der Chancery Lane hat es einen merkwürdigen Todesfall gegeben. Der Tote weist eine große Wunde im Brustkorb auf – als hätte man ihm das Herz herausgerissen. Die Ermittlungen führen zu einem zweiten Toten. Und dann zunehmend weiter über London hinaus – in völlig unerwartete räumliche, zeitliche und extradimensionale Gefilde. Dabei hat Peter eigentlich schon mehr als genug damit zu tun, sich auf ein ganz bestimmtes freudiges Ereignis vorzubereiten, das allmählich die Züge eines hochmagischen und illustren Großevents annimmt…

DTV has published all of Ben’s Rivers of London novels and novellas in Germany to date. The Rivers of London comic series is published in Germany by Panini (1-9 available now).

AMONGST OUR WEAPONS is due to be published by Orion Books in the UK (April 7th), and DAW Books in North America (April 12th). Here’s the English-language synopsis…

There is a world hidden underneath this great city…

The London Silver Vaults – for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up.

Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace – only that’s what happened.

The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.

Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London’s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!

And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s about to encounter something – and somebody – that nobody ever expects…

Effortlessly original, endlessly inventive and hugely entertaining – step into the world of the much-loved, Number One bestselling Rivers of London series.

New RIVERS OF LONDON Comic Series: DEADLY EVER AFTER!

Posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

We’re very happy to report that DEADLY EVER AFTER, the next Rivers of London comic series begins in May! Written by Ben Aaronovitch, Andrew Cartmel, and Celeste Bronfman, and with art by José Maria Beroy, the first issue will arrive in stores on May 11th. Due to be published by Titan Comics, here’s the synopsis…

When Chelsea and Olympia accidentally break an enchantment in the woods, deadly fairy tales from a mysterious old book begin coming to life. To set things right, Chelsea and Olympia must unravel a mystery dating back to the 1800s before they become victims of a lethal sorcery.

The issue will be available with four covers, by the following artists:

  1. Jung-Geun Yoon (above)
  2. Abigail Harding (below, left)
  3. Veronica Fish (below, centre)
  4. David M Buisan (below, right)

DEADLY EVER AFTER is the tenth Rivers of London comic series, all of which have been published in the UK and North America by Titan Comics — they are also all available now in collected editions (print and digital).

Short Fiction Watch: Lavie Tidhar’s SEVEN VAMPIRES and Ian R. MacLeod’s THE CHRONOLOGIST

Posted on Thursday, March 10th, 2022

Two Zeno clients have work included in Tor.com’s January/February 2022 collection, which is available free from their website: Lavie Tidhar and Ian R. MacLeod.

First up, Lavie’s SEVEN VAMPIRES, which is his fourth Judge Dee mystery…

Paris is burning and Judge Dee and Jonathan are on the run. To guarantee their safety, they join a band of seven vampires escaping to England. The only problem? Someone in their midst is killing off members of their group one by one. It’s of no matter to the Judge, provided they don’t breach the Unalienable Obligations, but inevitably he’s drawn into events.

Tor.com also publishes the first three Judge Dee mysteries: JUDGE DEE AND THE LIMITS OF THE LAW, JUDGE DEE AND THE THREE DEATHS OF COUNT WERDENFELS, and JUDGE DEE AND THE POISONER OF MONTMARTRE.

Ian’s story is the stand-alone THE CHRONOLOGIST…

A boy, desperate to escape the drudgery of life in his small town, gets caught up in the machinations of a traveling time keeper, and slowly watches his town and his life unravel by the seams.

Both of these stories are great ways to try these two authors’ work, if you haven’t already; and if you have already enjoyed Ian’s and Lavie’s work, then we’re sure you’ll also love these two.

Both stories have covers by Red Nose Studios (who also created the first three Judge Dee covers).

A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE eBook Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022

The eBook edition of Simon R. Green‘s A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE is now available in the UK and North America! The second novel in the author’s Gideon Sable urban fantasy/mystery series, it’s published by Severn House. Here’s the synopsis…

Master thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist – and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights.

Judi Rifkin is one of the world’s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.

And Gideon Sable – thief, rogue and chancer – owes her a very large favour.

Judi makes him an offer he can’t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she’ll wipe the slate clean.

This isn’t Gideon’s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don’t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far…

A Matter of Death and Life is the sequel to The Best Thing You Can Steal, and is the second supernatural heist thriller featuring master conman Gideon Sable from British SFF veteran and New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green.

The hardcover edition is already out in the UK, and it will arrive in hardcover in North America on April 5th (we’ll post a reminder). The first novel in the series, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL, is also published by Severn House (and out now).

Green’s Ishmael Jones mystery series is also published by Severn House in the UK and North America.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Simon R. Green’s THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL Out Now in UK Paperback!

Posted on Thursday, February 24th, 2022

Simon R. Green‘s first Gideon Sable novel, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL is now available in paperback in the UK! Published by Severn House, here’s the synopsis…

Welcome to London, but not as you know it. A place where magics and horror run free, wonders and miracles are everyday things, and the dark streets are full of very shadowy people…

Gideon Sable is a thief and a con man. He specializes in stealing the kind of things that can’t normally be stolen. Like a ghost’s clothes, or a photo from a country that never existed. He even stole his current identity. Who was he originally? Now, that would be telling. One thing’s for sure though, he’s not the bad guy. The people he steals from always have it coming.

Gideon’s planning a heist, to steal the only thing that matters from the worst man in the world. To get past his security, he’s going to need a crew who can do the impossible… but luckily, he has the right people in mind. The Damned, the Ghost, the Wild Card… and his ex-girlfriend, Annie Anybody. A woman who can be anyone, with the power to make technology fall in love with her.

If things go well, they’ll all get what they want. And if they’re lucky, they might not even die trying…

The second novel in the series, A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE, is also published by Severn House — it’s out now in the UK, and due out in April in North America.

Here are just a few of the reviews THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL has received so far…

‘This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ — Booklist

‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ — Publisher’s Weekly

‘You don’t so much read a Simon R Green novel as grab on with both hands and hope you’re still alive at the end of the ride… [Green’s] writing is the very definition of pure, unadulterated escapism.’ — The Eloquent Page

‘If you like the idea of a snark-sparked team coming together in order to pull off the caper of the century, Gideon Sable might just be your jam.’ — Reading Reality

‘If you like gritty, funny, slapdash urban fantasy heist novels with crazy characters… you will enjoy this.’ — Hidden in Pages

‘[Featuring] pacey writing, strong characters and tongue-in-cheek humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.’ — Brain Fluff

Severn House is also the publisher of Green’s Ishmael Jones mystery series, in the UK and North America.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE by Simon R. Green Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, January 27th, 2022

A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE, Simon R. Green‘s second Gideon Sable novel, is out today in the UK! Published by Severn House, here’s the synopsis…

Master thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist – and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights

Judi Rifkin is one of the world’s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.

And Gideon Sable – thief, rogue and chancer – owes her a very large favour.

Judi makes him an offer he can’t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she’ll wipe the slate clean.

This isn’t Gideon’s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don’t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far…

The novel will also be published by Severn House in North America, on April 5th. (It will be available widely as an eBook from March 1st.) The first book in the series, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL is also available, published by Severn House.

Here are just a few of the reviews the first in the series has received…

‘This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ — Booklist

‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ — Publisher’s Weekly

‘You don’t so much read a Simon R Green novel as grab on with both hands and hope you’re still alive at the end of the ride… [Green’s] writing is the very definition of pure, unadulterated escapism.’ — The Eloquent Page

‘If you like the idea of a snark-sparked team coming together in order to pull off the caper of the century, Gideon Sable might just be your jam.’ — Reading Reality

‘If you like gritty, funny, slapdash urban fantasy heist novels with crazy characters… you will enjoy this.’ — Hidden in Pages

‘[Featuring] pacey writing, strong characters and tongue-in-cheek humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.’ — Brain Fluff

Severn House also publishes Green’s acclaimed Ishmael Jones mystery series.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Lavie Tidhar’s THE CANDY MAFIA Nominated for Magnolia Book Award!

Posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2022

We’re very happy to report that Lavie Tidhar‘s THE CANDY MAFIA has been nominated for the 2021-2 Magnolia Book Award! The novel, published by Peachtree Publishing in North America, is the author’s first for young readers and is a crime/mystery/noir. Here’s the synopsis…

Twelve-year-old private detective Nelle is swept up in a world of candy smuggling in this humorous middle grade mystery from World Fantasy Award-winner Lavie Tidhar!

Nelle Faulkner is a preteen private detective who solves cases from her mother’s garden shed. She also lives in a city where the mayor has prohibited candy and kid-led candy gangs are thriving.

So when notorious candy gangster Eddie de Menthe asks for her help finding a missing teddy bear, Nelle Faulkner is on the case. But when the teddy turns up, Eddie himself goes missing, and Nelle and her friends quickly find themselves swept up in a shady underworld of sweets smugglers, back alley deals, and storefront firebombs.

If Nelle has any hope of tracking down her missing client, she’ll first have to unmask the true faces behind the smuggling ring. Can she and her friends find a way to take the cake? Or will they come to a sticky end?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Bugsy Malone in this entertaining, action-packed mystery from World Fantasy Award-winning author Lavie Tidhar. With moody illustrations by Daniel Duncan, readers will be instantly pulled into the fun.

The novel is also available in the UK, published by Scholastic (as CANDY), and is also available in Germany, France, Poland, Czechia, Poland, and Italy.

‘It won’t take a detective to spot Willie Wonka, as well as Sam Spade, hidden in the tongue-in-cheek caper’s literary DNA.’ ― Booklist (Starred Review)

‘Delicious pastiche of “noir” fiction from SF author Lavie Tidhar, set in a city where everything sweet and sugary is banned. Private eye Nelle searches for a lost teddy bear and uncovers a Chinatown-style conspiracy. You could think of it as The Malteser Falcon, or perhaps Double Inde-mint-y.’ — Financial Times (Summer Books of 2018)

‘Noir tropes loom large in Tidhar’s fast-paced story, with a gutsy gumshoe, a hardboiled narrative voice (“I needed a job even worse than I needed a caramel fudge”), and enough action to keep young readers on their toes.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Candy is one of those books that do not take children and teenagers for fools. The story is able to change shifts, thanks to lot of humour, to more serious subjects. Of course, we can enjoy it at any age. If possible, the book should be served in place of dessert.’ — Geektest (France)

‘Due to the wonderfully fluent writing style, the pleasantly short chapters and the rousing plot, I devoured the book in record time. For girls and boys from the age of 10, who like to read exciting, funny, imaginative detective stories, “Secret Agent Candy” is just perfect. I really hope that this is a start of a series and we will soon be able to solve their second, tricky case together with Nelle… Exciting, funny, bizarre and just awesome!’ — Die Bücherwelt von CorniHolmes (Germany)

‘CANDY is the case when a children’s book can actually be interesting at any age. Children will appreciate the plot and humour, adults – a lot of references scattered throughout the text and how unexpectedly and funny elements of the classic “cool” and noir detective story are refracted, if you put them in the context of a children’s literature. Fun, playful and exciting.’ — Fantalab (Russia)

‘Written in the style of the hard-boiled American detective fiction of the 1940s, this is a juggernaut of a tale with plenty of twists and turns. A challenging read for ages 10+ who enjoy suspense coupled with a dry sense of humour.’ — West Sussex Schools Library Service

In Three Weeks, A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE…

Posted on Friday, January 7th, 2022

In three weeks, Gideon Sable returns in Simon R. Green‘s second Gideon Sable novel, A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE! The second in this mystery series, it is due to be published by Severn House, on January 27th in the UK. (North American publication to follow in April.) Here’s the synopsis…

Master thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist – and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights

Judi Rifkin is one of the world’s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.

And Gideon Sable – thief, rogue and chancer – owes her a very large favour.

Judi makes him an offer he can’t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she’ll wipe the slate clean.

This isn’t Gideon’s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don’t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far…

The first book in the series, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL is also available, published by Severn House. (So, there’s plenty of time to get caught up!)

Here are just a few of the reviews the first in the series has received…

‘This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ — Booklist

‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ — Publisher’s Weekly

‘You don’t so much read a Simon R Green novel as grab on with both hands and hope you’re still alive at the end of the ride… [Green’s] writing is the very definition of pure, unadulterated escapism.’ — The Eloquent Page

‘If you like the idea of a snark-sparked team coming together in order to pull off the caper of the century, Gideon Sable might just be your jam.’ — Reading Reality

‘If you like gritty, funny, slapdash urban fantasy heist novels with crazy characters… you will enjoy this.’ — Hidden in Pages

‘[Featuring] pacey writing, strong characters and tongue-in-cheek humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.’ — Brain Fluff

Severn House also publishes Green’s acclaimed Ishmael Jones mystery series.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

New RIVERS OF LONDON Comics Boxset Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021

A new Rivers of London comics boxset is out now! Written by Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel, and collecting volumes 4-6 — DETECTIVE STORIES, CRY FOX, and WATER WEED — it is published by Titan Comics in comic stores today! (It’ll be released in other bookstores more widely on December 14th.) Here’s the synopsis…

CSI meets Harry Potter in this graphic novel from Ben Aaronovitch, writer of the bestselling Rivers of London supernatural police procedural crime novel series, and Andrew Cartmel author of The Vinyl Detective.

A stunning box set edition of three of the bestselling graphic novels in the Rivers of London sequence, starring Ben Aaronovitch’s laconic trainee wizard and budding detective, Peter Grant.

Volume 4: DETECTIVE STORIES — From foiling an aspiring god to confronting a virtual flasher, Peter Grant’s police history has been anything but conventional; whether that’s chasing down ‘Falcon’ crimes with the aid of modern technology, or confronting timeless villainy with his magical skill-set. Now he faces what might be his biggest challenge as he faces an internal investigation at the hands of the Met’s best internal investigation officer, DI Chopra and all that’s at stake is his badge.

Volume 5: CRY FOX — Vengeful Russian mobsters are looking to hire members of London’s own more-then-natural underworld to bring bloody retribution down on the witch Varvara. However, the ex-Soviet sorcerer is under the protective wing of London’s own wizarding cop, Peter Grant (now a proper detective and everything), and to get the attention of Grant and his colleagues, the daughter of a prominent Russian oligarch is kidnapped by parties unknown but possibly fox-like. What makes it worse is that Peter is going to have to leave his beloved London and gasp go out into the countryside! And when there’s trees and fields and wildlife involved, things never end well…

Volume 6: WATER WEED — An anthology series of stories featuring Police Constable Peter Grant, his partner, Sahra Guleed, and their associates, as they tackle supernatural crime on the streets of London! When two of the less well-behaved River goddesses, Chelsea and Olympia, decide to earn a few quid on the side, Peter and Bev find themselves drawn into a sordid cannabis-smuggling operation, controlled by London’s new queenpin of crime – the brutal and beautiful Hoodette!

The perfect gift for the Rivers of London novel fan who hasn’t discovered these amazing graphic novels yet! Includes Art Cards featuring the cover art from the individual graphic novels.

The first three story arcs have also been collected in a boxset, published by Titan Comics. Titan has also published the seventh and eighth collections, and are currently publishing the ninth story arc: ACTION AT A DISTANCE, THE FEY AND THE FURIOUS, and MONDAY, MONDAY.

Next Year, the Vinyl Detective Returns in ATTACK AND DECAY!

Posted on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021

In May 2022, Titan Books is due to publish Andrew Cartmel‘s sixth Vinyl Detective mystery: ATTACK AND DECAY! Today, we wanted to share with you the recently-unveiled cover and also the synopsis…

The Vinyl Detective plunges into the world of death metal in his sixth adventure. Expect laughs, LPs, cats and the return of fan favourites, Nevada, Tinkler, Stinky Stanmer and more.

The Vinyl Detective goes Scandi noir in his sixth adventure. Disfigured corpse. Check. Grotesque snowman. Check. Headless animals. Check. But in fact the killer is taking their cue not from Scandi noir fiction but another popular Scandinavian export – death metal.

Titan Books publishes the first five novels in the series, and we think fans are really going to love this latest instalment!

In case you haven’t read any of the novels yet, here are just a few of the great reviews they’ve received so far…

‘This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend.’ — Kirkus on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘… fast-paced, lighthearted adventure… marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating…’ — Publishers Weekly on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Author Cartmel has combined the tropes of the several genres into a surprising, refreshing story centered around old-fashioned records… the story delivers multiple chuckles per chapter… Based on this volume, the series will be a hit.’ — New York Journal of Books on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Part of the fun of the series is the obsessiveness of record collectors, the contradictions between the mundane places in which they hunt their treasures — charity shops, church bazaars — and the sophisticated sound systems they have set up to play what they find… the Vinyl Detective is proving to be a very amenable companion to have on a treasure hunt. This is one vinyl nerd you won’t mind spending time with.’ — Kirkus on RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly on RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘THE RUN-OUT GROOVE does a fantastic job of making its fictional history of music so fascinating and authentic that you’ll forget it isn’t all true… This a follow-up every bit the equal of its highly memorable predecessor, presenting a mystery you’ll be eager to solve and characters whose company you won’t want to leave. Written with infectious charm, the Vinyl Detective has more than proven he’s no one-hit-wonder.’ (9/10) — Alternative Magazine Online

‘Polished, fast-paced and a ton of fun, this is a fantastic read that is easy to get lost in… more polished… keeps the story rolling forward at an incredible speed – and also makes it very hard to put down… Cartmel has created an intoxicating mix of adventure, humour and mystery to lose yourself in… a truly engaging and enjoyable read. THE RUN-OUT GROOVE surpasses even the opening novel in the series for polish and fun.’ — The Crime Review

‘… effectively integrates the lead’s unusual specialty of searching out rare records into an intricately constructed plot… the clever resolution of the story lines is impressive. Fair-play fans, even those without an interest in music, will be pleased.’ — Publishers Weekly on VICTORY DISC

‘VICTORY DISC works beautifully both as a sequel and as a standalone novel… The story is splendid, continuing the fine tradition of the series to date of weaving fascinating fact with thrilling fiction… Andrew Cartmel is a fine mystery (and comedy) writer, keeping his readers smiling while never letting the elements of humour obfuscate the more serious moments… if you enjoyed the first two books, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this one too. The unsolved murder mystery is highly intriguing, the characters introduced throughout are fully formed and a delight to uncover more about, and the chemistry between the Vinyl Detective and his friends is absolutely spot on. In short, VICTORY DISC is beautifully orchestrated and well worth taking for a spin this summer.’ — Alternative Magazine Online

‘… an interesting and intriguing history for the series’ latest MacGuffin… the writing is sharp, funny and engaging throughout, and the main characters have never been more likeable… it’s wonderful; it’s a book filled with warmth and good humour – despite a touch of murder – that often feels like reacquainting yourself with old friends… The latest Vinyl Detective novel continues the series’ fine tradition of telling fictional stories that seem entirely plausible. There hasn’t been a dud note in the Vinyl Detective’s oeuvre to date and FLIP BACK is no exception; in fact, it might just be his greatest whodunnit yet.’ 9/10 — Alternative Magazine Online

‘Let yourself get carried away by this one. You’ll find quirky characters, adorable cats, lots of great libations (Nevada knows her wines), and of course, music… Highly recommended!’ — Art in Fiction on FLIP BACK

Collected Edition of MONDAY, MONDAY Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021

The collected edition of Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel‘s ninth Rivers of London comics series, MONDAY, MONDAY, is out today! Published by Titan Comics, here’s the synopsis…

It’s the case of a Swedish Werewolf in London, the unmissable next chapter in the life of full-time cop and part time wizard Peter Grant. Grant works as part of a very special London police unit investigating unusual crimes involving magic and the general weirdness that permeates London’s dark underbelly. 

What starts as a routine undercover operation to break up an organised teenage pickpocket gang turns into something far more dangerous when the Metropolitan police are confronted by a Swedish werewolf who’ll stop at nothing to avoid capture. Now it’s up to Peter and his cohort of chums to hunt the deadly lycanthrope and bring him to justice!

Series art is by José María Beroy, and colours by Jordi Escuin.

Titan Comics has published all of the previous eight series, too…

The comics are set in the same world as Ben’s Peter Grant/Rivers of London series of novels and novellas, published by Gollancz in the UK; Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas) in North America; and widely in translation. The first novel, RIVERS OF LONDON (MIDNIGHT RIOT in North America) celebrated its tenth anniversary this year.

If you’d like to read the series in chronological order, here’s a handy graphic to guide you…

Andrew Cartmel is also the author of the Vinyl Detective series, published by Titan Books in the UK and North America.

Coming Soon: A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE by Simon R. Green

Posted on Monday, November 29th, 2021

Next year, Severn House are due to publish A MATTER OF DEATH AND LIFE by Simon R. Green, the second novel in his Gideon Sable series! Due to be published in the UK (January) and North America (April), here’s the synopsis…

Master thief, rogue and chancer Gideon Sable is back for another fast-paced supernatural heist – and this time he has the vault of a Las Vegas casino in his sights

Judi Rifkin is one of the world’s most successful collectors of the weird and unnatural. In a London underworld filled with criminals with very special talents, Judi is a force to be reckoned with.

And Gideon Sable – thief, rogue and chancer – owes her a very large favour.

Judi makes him an offer he can’t refuse: steal her the legendary Masque of Ra, kept safe in a Las Vegas casino, and she’ll wipe the slate clean.

This isn’t Gideon’s first heist by a long shot. But with old grudges threatening to cloud his judgment, an unpredictable crew who don’t entirely trust each other and a formidable supernatural security team guarding his target, this job might be a gamble too far…

There’s still plenty of time, therefore, to get caught up with the first book, THE BEST THING YOU CAN STEAL.

Here are just a few of the reviews the first in the series has received…

‘This novel by the author of the terrific Ishmael Jones series is a treat for anyone who relishes the blending of alternate-world fantasy, urban fantasy, and the caper novel. Exciting, witty, and stuffed full of fun.’ — Booklist

‘[Green] gives an urban fantasy twist to Oceans 11.’ — Publisher’s Weekly

‘You don’t so much read a Simon R Green novel as grab on with both hands and hope you’re still alive at the end of the ride… [Green’s] writing is the very definition of pure, unadulterated escapism.’ — The Eloquent Page

‘If you like the idea of a snark-sparked team coming together in order to pull off the caper of the century, Gideon Sable might just be your jam.’ — Reading Reality

‘If you like gritty, funny, slapdash urban fantasy heist novels with crazy characters… you will enjoy this.’ — Hidden in Pages

‘[Featuring] pacey writing, strong characters and tongue-in-cheek humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.’ — Brain Fluff

Severn House also publishes Green’s acclaimed Ishmael Jones mystery series.

Zeno represents Simon R. Green in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Lavie Tidhar’s OSAMA Now Available in Audio!

Posted on Thursday, November 4th, 2021

Today, audiobook fans can get their hands (ears?) on a new audiobook edition of Lavie Tidhar‘s World Fantasy Award-winning novel, OSAMA! Published by W. F. Howes, and narrated by Jeff Harding, here’s the synopsis…

A private detective is hired by a mysterious woman to find a man…

The quarry? An obscure author of pulp fiction novels featuring one Osama Bin Laden: Vigilante.

Our detective pursues his quarry from the backwaters of Asia to the Capitals of Europe, the New World, and into a realm of shadows. Here he finds the refugees, ghostly entities haunting reality. Where do they come from? And what do they want?

OSAMA was recently re-issued by Head of Zeus, who have also published Lavie’s A MAN LIES DREAMING, BY FORCE ALONE, and THE HOOD.

‘He is a political writer, an iconoclast and sometimes a provocateur … OSAMA is a remarkable and ambitious work.’ — China Mieville

‘… deserves to be widely read.’ — Adam Roberts

‘A provocative and fast moving tale that raises good questions not only about the heritage of Al Qaeda, but about the slippage between reality and sensational fiction that sometimes seems to define our own confused and contorted experience of the last couple of decades.’ — Gary K. Wolfe, Locus

‘A roller-coaster ride… [a] fabulous opium-soaked political thriller… pulls out all the stops.’ — Rolling Stone (Germany)

‘Moving seamlessly between intense realism and equally intense surrealism, OSAMA is a powerful and disturbing political fantasy by a talent who deserves the attention of all serious readers.’ — Strange Horizons

‘Not a writer to mess around with half measures … brings to mind Philip K Dick’s seminal science fiction novel The Man in the High Castle.’ — The Guardian

‘OSAMA is written with both an obvious affection for genre fiction and a sense of wild-eyed disbelief at the insanity of a world where people fly planes into skyscrapers. 4.5/5 stars.’ — SFX

‘Offers perhaps the weirdest fictional take yet on Osama Bin Laden in this offbeat and enigmatic thriller.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘OSAMA is exceptional. Compelling, confrontational, and surprisingly moving, it is one of the best novels yet on terror in our times.’ — World Literature Today

THE OCTOBER MAN in UK Audible Promotion

Posted on Sunday, October 24th, 2021

Just a quick post to let you all know that the UK audiobook edition of THE OCTOBER MAN is included in the latest Audible 2-for-1 promotion! Ben Aaronovitch‘s first Rivers of London novella set outside of the UK, it stars Tobias Winter. Published by Orion Audio, here’s the synopsis…

A brand-new stand-alone novella in the Rivers of London series!

Tobias Winter has been assigned to the Abteilung KDA — the Department for Complex and Unspecific Matters.

Despite the intriguing department name, as Winter explains, dealing with the strange and the supernatural is ‘actually 90 percent paperwork’. But this is a story about the other 10 percent of the job: the life-threatening danger part.

This is a tale about the Queen of the Harvest, the October Man, and the little-known time the vineyard around Trier started to eat people…

Winter may be P. C. Peter Grant’s German counterpart, but surviving this investigation is entirely down to him…

The promotion runs from today until October 30th.

Here are just a few of the reviews the novella has received so far…

‘In this enjoyable spin-off from the Rivers of London urban fantasy series, Aaronovitch successfully transfers his blend of the supernatural and humor from England to the Continent as he introduces Tobias Winter, a German police officer who practices magic… Supernatural mystery fans who enjoy more whimsical takes on the paranormal will hope for more of Winter and Sommer.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Aaronovitch expands the universe of his Rivers of London series (Broken Homes, 2014) to include new characters operating in different countries with ties to supernatural crimes and detective work. THE OCTOBER MAN introduces Tobias Winter, a sanctioned magic practitioner who investigates the supernatural angles of crimes for the Abteilung KDA (which fans will recognize as the German extension of the British Folly)… Aaronovitch delivers yet another classic detective novel rich with the magical world building accomplished in his previous work.’ — Booklist

‘Winter’s stolidness is a feature rather than a bug. While there are moments of adventure and daring, the story of this crime is both a satisfying whodunit and a primer on how magic works in Deutschland. THE OCTOBER MAN would be an interesting place to enter the Rivers of London world. Rather than fae, a new reader would anticipate werewolves, perhaps — and still greatly enjoy Aaronovitch’s work. Those who know the Folly will appreciate this outsider’s view of Grant and Nightingale, as well as learn a bit about how the latter spent the war, while still greatly enjoying Aaronovitch’s work, even if it is set someplace new.’ — Locus (Adrienne Martini)

‘Sommer and Winter are an interesting team, the latter especially being a fascinating take of the “ordinary copper” style trope that these books do so well… THE OCTOBER MAN is a must for any fan of the series so far and, unusually, a good introduction to the series. It only marginally connects to the big plot of the main books, but does introduce all the core ideas and distinctive style. More please, and soon.’ — Starburst

‘There is a joyous familiarity to Aaronovitch’s writing, meaning that fans of the series will delight in seeing how unexplainable events are dealt with in the Rhineland, without ever feeling like they left Grant or London behind… Aaronovitch continues to develop his well-crafted magical alternate/fantasy history backdrop with his usual level of attention to detail. Familiar geographical and historical touchstones are cleverly rolled away, leaving you with a non-fiction reading list that will keep you curious long after you’ve closed the last page… The characters are at once likeable and engaging… an enjoyable jaunt to the Continent that leaves you hoping that the Rivers Of London series will be packing its bags to take us on another outing to a new destination around the globe soon.’ — SciFi Now

All of Ben’s Rivers of London novels and novellas are published in the UK by Gollancz (and Orion Audio).