Andrew Cartmel’s ASHRAM ASSASSIN Audiobook Edition Out Tomorrow!


The (slightly delayed) audiobook edition of Andrew Cartmel‘s ASHRAM ASSASSIN, the second Paperback Sleuth novel, is out tomorrow! The ‘sublimely pitched’ (Kirkus) novel is published by W. F. Howes; the audiobook is read by Olivia Dowd. Here’s the synopsis…

Humorous cozy-crime caper in which a feisty, amoral book dealer uses her unique skills to catch a murderer, desperate to hide the secrets kept by the yoga-obsessed staff and students of a West London ashram.

When a set of rare, impossible-to-find yoga books are stolen from a West London ashram, its leaders turn to Cordelia, the paperback sleuth, to recover them — a set-up that’s a little awkward as they’ve previously barred her from yoga classes for selling marijuana to their students. But what begins as a hunt for missing paperbacks soon becomes a murder investigation as those involved with the ashram can’t seem to stop dropping down dead — murdered with a whisky bottle to the head or a poisoned curry. Can Cordelia work out who the killer is and bring them to justice before they bring an end to her sleuthing for good.

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION (book 1 in the series) and ASHRAM ASSASSIN are also published by Titan Books in print and eBook.

Publishers Weekly had the following to say about DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, in their starred review…

‘Cartmel (the Vinyl Detective mysteries) has never been better than in this darkly funny series kickoff centered on London bookseller Cordelia Stanmer, a former addict who has fallen in love with vintage paperbacks and has no scruples about how she’ll feed her growing collection… Cordelia is a memorable, devilish antihero, and Cartmel’s delightfully dexterous plotting bodes well for a sequel. Fans of Lynne Truss’s Constable Twitten novels will find much to love.’

Titan also publishes Andrew’s widely-acclaimed Vinyl Detective novels — the first seven of which are out now: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, LOW ACTION, ATTACK AND DECAY, and NOISE FLOOR.

Andrew Cartmel’s ASHRAM ASSASSIN is Out Now!


ASHRAM ASSASSIN, the second Paperback Sleuth novel by Andrew Cartmel is out now, in North America and in the UK! The ‘sublimely pitched’ (Kirkus) novel is published by Titan Books. Here’s the synopsis…

When a collection of rare and valuable volumes is stolen from a West London yoga ashram, its leaders turn to Cordelia, the Paperback Sleuth, to recover them — a request that’s a little awkward, as they’ve previously booted her out for dealing weed to the other students.

But once Cordelia takes the job, she finds her quest for the missing paperbacks turning into a murder hunt as those associated with the ashram can’t seem to avoid violent death — whether bludgeoned with a whisky bottle or poisoned by an admittedly delicious curry. Can she work out who the killer is and bring them to justice before she ends up as the next victim?

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, the first book in the series, is also published by Titan Books.

Publishers Weekly had the following to say about DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, in their starred review…

‘Cartmel (the Vinyl Detective mysteries) has never been better than in this darkly funny series kickoff centered on London bookseller Cordelia Stanmer, a former addict who has fallen in love with vintage paperbacks and has no scruples about how she’ll feed her growing collection… Cordelia is a memorable, devilish antihero, and Cartmel’s delightfully dexterous plotting bodes well for a sequel. Fans of Lynne Truss’s Constable Twitten novels will find much to love.’

Titan also publishes Andrew’s widely-acclaimed Vinyl Detective novels — the first seven of which are out now: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, LOW ACTION, ATTACK AND DECAY, and NOISE FLOOR.

Andrew Cartmel’s ASHRAM ASSASSIN Out in Three Weeks!


ASHRAM ASSASSIN by Andrew Cartmel is due out in three weeks! The second novel in the author’s acclaimed ‘sublimely pitched’ (Kirkus) Paperback Sleuth series, it’s due to be published by Titan Books on June 25th. Here’s the synopsis…

When a collection of rare and valuable volumes is stolen from a West London yoga ashram, its leaders turn to Cordelia, the Paperback Sleuth, to recover them — a request that’s a little awkward, as they’ve previously booted her out for dealing weed to the other students.

But once Cordelia takes the job, she finds her quest for the missing paperbacks turning into a murder hunt as those associated with the ashram can’t seem to avoid violent death — whether bludgeoned with a whisky bottle or poisoned by an admittedly delicious curry. Can she work out who the killer is and bring them to justice before she ends up as the next victim?

The first book in the series, DEATH IN FINE CONDITION is out now, also published by Titan Books.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly had the following to say about DEATH IN FINE CONDITION

‘Cartmel (the Vinyl Detective mysteries) has never been better than in this darkly funny series kickoff centered on London bookseller Cordelia Stanmer, a former addict who has fallen in love with vintage paperbacks and has no scruples about how she’ll feed her growing collection… Cordelia is a memorable, devilish antihero, and Cartmel’s delightfully dexterous plotting bodes well for a sequel. Fans of Lynne Truss’s Constable Twitten novels will find much to love.’

Titan also publishes Andrew’s widely-acclaimed Vinyl Detective novels — the first seven of which are out now: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, LOW ACTION, ATTACK AND DECAY, and NOISE FLOOR.

Audiobook Spotlight: DEATH IN FINE CONDITION by Andrew Cartmel


Today we wanted to draw your attention to the audiobook edition of Andrew Cartmel‘s DEATH IN FINE CONDITION. The first book in the author’s acclaimed Paperback Sleuth series, it is published by W. F. Howes, and narrated by Olivia Dowd. Here’s the synopsis…

Cordelia knows books. An addict-turned-dealer of classic paperbacks, when she’s not spending her days combing the charity shops and jumble sales of suburban London for valuable collector’s items, she’s pining for the woman of her dreams and nimbly avoiding her landlord’s demands for rent.

The most elusive prize of all, her white whale, has surfaced — a set of magnificent, vintage Sleuth Hound crime novels. Gorgeous, and as rare as they come. Just one problem. They’re not for sale. Still, that won’t stop a resourceful woman like Cordelia… One burglary later, the books are hers. Unfortunately, the man she’s just robbed turns out be one of London’s most dangerous gangsters, and now he’s on her trail and out for blood.

Cordelia’s best laid plans to pay the rent and woo the object of her affections start to fall apart, and she realises she may have placed herself in the crosshairs of a villain torn straight from the pages of her treasured novels.

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION is published in the UK and North America by Titan Books (print and eBook).

‘Cartmel (the Vinyl Detective mysteries) has never been better than in this darkly funny series kickoff centered on London bookseller Cordelia Stanmer, a former addict who has fallen in love with vintage paperbacks and has no scruples about how she’ll feed her growing collection… Cordelia is a memorable, devilish antihero, and Cartmel’s delightfully dexterous plotting bodes well for a sequel. Fans of Lynne Truss’s Constable Twitten novels will find much to love.’ — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

Titan also publish Andrew’s acclaimed Vinyl Detective series.

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION: The Paperback Sleuth’s First Case, Out Now!


A DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, the first novel in Andrew Cartmel‘s new Paperback Sleuth series, is out now! Published by Titan Books in the UK and North America, it’s a must read for crime/mystery fans and especially those who loved the author’s Vinyl Detective series! Here’s the synopsis…

Introducing a new series from the creator of the beloved, bestselling Vinyl Detective novels.

Cordelia knows books. An addict-turned-dealer of classic paperbacks, when she’s not spending her days combing the charity shops and jumble sales of suburban London for valuable collector’s items, she’s pining for the woman of her dreams and nimbly avoiding her landlord’s demands for rent.

The most elusive prize of all, her white whale, has surfaced — a set of magnificent, vintage Sleuth Hound crime novels. Gorgeous, and as rare as they come. Just one problem. They’re not for sale. Still, that won’t stop a resourceful woman like Cordelia… One burglary later, the books are hers. Unfortunately, the man she’s just robbed turns out be one of London’s most dangerous gangsters, and now he’s on her trail and out for blood.

Cordelia’s best laid plans to pay the rent and woo the object of her affections start to fall apart, and she realises she may have placed herself in the crosshairs of a villain torn straight from the pages of her treasured novels.

The novel has already received a Starred Review from Publishers Weekly: ‘Cartmel (the Vinyl Detective mysteries) has never been better than in this darkly funny series kickoff centered on London bookseller Cordelia Stanmer, a former addict who has fallen in love with vintage paperbacks and has no scruples about how she’ll feed her growing collection… Cordelia is a memorable, devilish antihero, and Cartmel’s delightfully dexterous plotting bodes well for a sequel. Fans of Lynne Truss’s Constable Twitten novels will find much to love.’

The aforementioned Vinyl Detective novels are also published by Titan Books in the UK and North America — the first six novels are out now.

DEATH IN FINE CONDITION: this Summer, Meet the Paperback Sleuth!


This summer, we’re very happy to report, Titan Books are due to publish the first in a new series from Andrew Cartmel: DEATH IN FINE CONDITION, the first Paperback Sleuth novel! The novel is expected to arrive on shelves on June 6th. To whet your appetite, here’s the synopsis…

Cordelia knows books. An addict-turned-dealer of classic paperbacks, when she’s not spending her days combing the charity shops and jumble sales of suburban London for valuable collector’s items, she’s pining for the woman of her dreams and nimbly avoiding her landlord’s demands for rent.

The most elusive prize of all, her white whale, has surfaced — a set of magnificent, vintage Sleuth Hound crime novels. Gorgeous, and as rare as they come. Just one problem. They’re not for sale. Still, that won’t stop a resourceful woman like Cordelia… One burglary later, the books are hers. Unfortunately, the man she’s just robbed turns out be one of London’s most dangerous gangsters, and now he’s on her trail and out for blood.

Cordelia’s best laid plans to pay the rent and woo the object of her affections start to fall apart, and she realises she may have placed herself in the crosshairs of a villain torn straight from the pages of her precious novels.

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

Andrew is also the co-author, with Ben Aaronovitch, of the Rivers of London comic series, published by Titan Comics.