Recommendations based on "Marple: Twelve New Stories"

“Agatha Christie’s indelibly etched characters have entertained millions across the years and a love of her work has brought together generations of readers—a singular achievement for any author and an inspiration to writers across the literary landscape.”—Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs novelsIn this official edition featuring exclusive content from the Queen of Mystery, Hercule Poirot comes out of retirement in one of Agatha Christie’s ten favorite novels, which was also voted by the British Crime Writers’ Association as the “Best Crime Novel of all Time.”Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with an apparent drug overdose.However, the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information, but before he could finish reading the letter, he was stabbed to death. Luckily one of Roger’s friends and the newest resident to retire to this normally quiet village takes over—none other than Monsieur Hercule Poirot . . .Not only beloved by generations of readers, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd was one of Agatha Christie’s own favorite works—a brilliant whodunit that firmly established the author’s reputation as the Queen of Mystery.

The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are agog with curiosity when the Gazette advertises: 'A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6:30 p.m.'A childish practical joke? Or a spiteful hoax? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, the locals arrive at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out and a gun is fired. When they come back on, a gruesome scene is revealed.An impossible crime?Only Miss Marple can unravel it.'Establishes firmly her claim to the throne of detection. Th plot is an ingenious as ever...'A. A. Milne

Three-in-one omnibus of Murder in Mesopotamia, Death on the Nile and Appointment with Death, plus an exclusive preface by Agatha Christie on the character of Poirot. There is nothing exotic about murder, no matter where it takes place. Away from home, Hercule Poirot finds that he cannot escape death, even when travelling across Mesopotamia, the Nile and Petra. MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA At the Hassanieh dig deep in the Iraqi desert, the wife of a celebrated archaeologist is suffering from terrifying hallucinations. Apparent madness -- until a murderer strikes. DEATH ON THE NILE The tranquillity of a Nile cruise is shattered by the discovery that a young girl has been shot through the head. Stylish and beautiful, she had everything -- even enemies. APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH And among the towering red cliffs of Petra sits the corpse of Mrs Boynton. A tiny puncture mark on her wrist is the only sign of the fatal injection that killed her. Based on Agatha Christie's own experiences in the 1930s travelling with her husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan, this trilogy of bestselling novels represents crime fiction at its very best. Here at last they are collected together in a single volume for Christmas.

“Gaudy Night stands out even among Miss Sayers’s novels. And Miss Sayers has long stood in a class by herself.”—Times Literary SupplementThe great Dorothy L. Sayers is considered by many to be the premier detective novelist of the Golden Age, and her dashing sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey, one of mystery fiction’s most enduring and endearing protagonists. Acclaimed author Ruth Rendell has expressed her admiration for Sayers’s work, praising her “great fertility of invention, ingenuity, and wonderful eye for detail.” The third Dorothy L. Sayers classic to feature mystery writer Harriet Vane, Gaudy Night is now back in print with an introduction by Elizabeth George, herself a crime fiction master. Gaudy Night takes Harriet and her paramour, Lord Peter, to Oxford University, Harriet’s alma mater, for a reunion, only to find themselves the targets of a nightmare of harassment and mysterious, murderous threats.

Number One bestseller Elizabeth George creates a serial killer for the first time, setting the globally popular Inspector Lynley his most shocking case yet.

In this latest installment in Alexander McCall Smith’s cherished No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, two confounding cases compete for Mma Ramotswe’s attention—and she may need to call in back up. “An escape from life’s woes as well as a suggestion for how to make the whole deal more palatable—fragility, fruit cake, and all.” —The Boston Globe Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni are enjoying a nice meal out at a peri-peri restaurant when an American woman named Julia approaches seeking Mma Ramotswe’s help. Julia’s beloved late grandfather was Botswanan, and he instilled in her an abiding love of his homeland. Now, years after his passing, Julia has come to visit the land he had spoken of so often and to find her relatives. Unfortunately, her grandfather’s stories, while charming and entertaining, were somewhat light on detail; all Julia can remember are a few first names and some descriptions of his village. It’s not a lot to go on, but if anyone is well poised to help, it’s Mma Ramotswe, Botswana’s premier detective. Meanwhile, a second case leads Mma Ramotswe to look for assistance from an unexpected quarter. For the first time, Charlie leads his own investigation at the detective agency, going undercover into a dubious, word-of-mouth get-together known as the Cool Singles Evening Club, where married men are encouraged to pretend to be single and meet women under false pretenses. Who could be behind such a distasteful venture? Getting to the bottom of this will be a tall order, to be sure, but Charlie is eager for the opportunity. As Mma Ramotswe learns more about Julia, she begins to understand that Julia’s heartbreak runs deeper than she had initially realized. Together, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potokwane must find a way to help their client heal and move forward—from both her past and her present. Julia had originally come to Botswana seeking family and connection, but in the warm embrace of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Potokwane, what she ends up finding is a home.

-- The recent formation of the Ngaio Marsh Society demonstrates the lasting appeal of this classic practitioner of the crime novel.

The original supernatural sleuth is back in the latest cozy Aunt Dimity mystery A shock wave rocks Lori Shepherd's world when she hears that her beloved neighbors, Ruth and Louise Pym, may be dying. Bracing herself for a final farewell, Lori instead receives a request from the eccentric sisters: Find their long-lost brother before it's too late. Aubrey Pym is a wicked scoundrel who was banished from his family long ago; and much to Lori's surprise, she must travel all the way to New Zealand to find him. In granting her dear friends' dying wish, Lori sets out on a journey full of surprises. And with the help of a charming Kiwi and the otherworldly guidance of Aunt Dimity, Lori goes Down Under to search for the mysterious Aubrey, unraveling a web of secrets that has haunted the Pym family for generations. Nancy Atherton and her Aunt Dimity series have a dedicated fan base that eagerly awaits each new installment. With its exotic setting, endearing characters, and paranormal storyline, Aunt Dimity Down Under is sure to be a hit with loyal readers and new fans who are just discovering Aunt Dimity.

In this all-new Christmas mystery from the author of Ghost in the Guacamole, Granny Apples, medium Emma Whitecastle, and psychic PI Jeremiah Jones join forces to find a missing homeless woman.   When a homeless veteran on LA’s Skid Row claims he’s seen the ghost of Mistletoe Mary, a down-and-out prostitute, private investigator Jeremiah Jones seeks the assistance of medium Emma Whitecastle and her great-great-great grandmother, the spirited Granny Apples, to determine if the woman is merely missing or if indeed someone has murdered her. Praise for The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary "Jeremiah Jones, introduced in Ghost in the Guacamole, is center stage here in Sue Ann Jaffarian’s grittiest and most moving story in this mystery series. With the action all taking place within a few blocks of downtown Los Angeles, the sense of place is present on every page. Sue Ann Jaffarian is one of my favorite living traditional mystery writers—you won’t be able to guess who did it!"—Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of Murder on Bamboo Lane “Gritty, hardboiled and ghostly all in one, Sue Ann Jaffarian invents a new genre—Ghost Noir—and makes it her own in the engaging and fast-paced The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary, the latest in her addictive Granny Apples series.”—Paul D. Marks, Shamus Award Winning author of the noir-thriller White Heat   “For fans of Granny, it is well worth reading The Ghost of Mistletoe Mary.  It might not be your typical Christmas cozy, but the story is enjoyable and will stick with you after you’ve read it.”—Carstairs Considers Praise for the Granny Apples Mysteries "Sue Ann Jaffarian never fails to make me chuckle."—New York Times bestselling author Joanne Fluke "Likable characters and steady suspense...[Jaffarian] makes paranormal activity seem plausible. One of the best cozy authors for light chatter and low-key humor."—Library Journal (starred review)   "A charming tale, as appealing as apple pie."—Harley Jane Kozak, author of Dating Dead Men   "Officially proves the vivacious Jaffarian is the literary heir apparent to Lucille Ball...A rollicking good time...Refreshing, enthralling, and absolutely scrumptious...an eclectic mix of laugh-out-loud fun, heart-touching moments, whimsy, and rapid-fire page turning."—The Book Resort   "Delectable...[An] appealing ghost story."—Publishers Weekly   "Another charming entry in a series that remains fun while seamlessly incorporating an incorporeal spirit who feels real and whose love of pop culture is always welcome...[A] mystery that expertly blends a novel of mature romances, spirits, and exciting action."—Kings River Life Magazine INCLUDES A TEASER FOR THE NEXT GRANNY APPLES MYSTERY, GHOSTS OF MISTY HOLLOW, COMING FROM BERKLEY PRIME CRIME IN 8/16!

- "High Country Fall, Margaret Maron's most recent installment in the Deborah Knott series, was published in Mysterious Press hardcover in 8/04, with a first printing of 40,000 copies.- Margaret Maron swept the top mystery awards with her first Deborah Knott hardcover, "Bootlegger's Daughter (Mysterious Press, 1992), receiving the Edgar1 Award for Best Mystery Novel, the Agatha Award, the Macavity, and the Anthony. She also won a 1992 Agatha Award for the short story that introduced the character of Deborah Knott, and later, she received the Agatha Award for Best Novel for "Up Jumps the Devil (Mysterious Press, 1996). Maron was nominated for an Agatha Award for "Home Fires (Mysterious Press, 1998), and most recently, "Storm Track (Mysterious Press, 2000) won the Agatha Award for Best Novel. "Last Lessons of Summer (Mysterious Press, 2003), was also nominated for an Agatha Award.- "Last Lessons of Summer, Slow Dollar, and Uncommon Clay were all selected as Mystery Guild Main Selections.