The March of The Penguins

The Shots team of Mike Stotter, Ali Karim, Ayo Onatade and Kirstie Long together with fellow critics, Barry Forshaw, Chris Simmons and assorted literary critics and bloggers were delighted to attend Penguin / Michael Joseph’s Crime Fiction Party in London last night.

Over drinks and canapés, Rowland White of Penguin welcomed the gathering and announced their upcoming releases, so we’d urge you to mark your diaries accordingly

Highlight Titles:

Natural Causes by James Oswald/ 9^th May/ £7.99/ PB

The Book of Souls by James Oswald/ 4^th July/ £7.99/ PB

“A star of Scotland’s burgeoning crime fiction scene.” Daily Record

James Oswald is Michael Joseph’s most exciting crime fiction acquisition this year. As a self published author, he is a phenomenal success selling in excess of 350,000 copies of his two books last year, remaining firmly in the top 100 chart for over 3 months. Both titles were shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger award (2008 and 2009), and feature series character Detective Inspector Tony McLean.

Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French/ 20^th June/ £12.99/ HB

“It’s a close run thing with Sophie Hannah, but Nicci French is undeniably at the top of British psychological suspense writing, expert in the unguessable twist, supremely skilled at ratcheting up the tension…streets ahead of most thrillers.” The Observer

This is the thrilling third novel in the top 10 bestselling Frieda Klein series.  Nicci French has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and 1.25 million TCM in the UK alone. The first two novels of this major brand relaunch have been critically acclaimed, in addition to the first two titles hitting the top 5 position in the charts.

Redemption by Jussi Adler-Olsen/ 18^th July/ £7.99/ PB

“Gripping story telling. All the hallmarks Scandi-book fans have come to adore” The Guardian

The internationally bestselling author of Mercy and Disgrace returns with his third heart-stopping Department Q novel: Redemption. Mercy stormed straight to number 8 in the paperback charts, and has since sold 70, 000 copies TCM. Mercy and Disgrace have topped the bestseller charts in Germany and Denmark and the Department Q series has now sold an astonishing 14 million copies in Europe, with rights sold in 31 countries. The film adaptation of Mercy will be released at Christmas 2013, by the people who brought you the Stieg Larsson films and The Killing series.

Tell No Lies by Gregg Hurwitz/ 1^st August/ £12.99/ HB

“A thriller that moves so fast that it leaves you gasping for breath” Daily Mail

Former Richard and Judy pick joins the Penguin crime list with this stunningly constructed thriller, packed full of suspense. Gregg Hurwitz’s 12 books have sold over 280,000 copies in the UK alone. Gregg Hurwitz is an incredibly skilled writer – he writes the Batman comics as well as many well known screenplays for TV and film for Disney, Paramount, MGM and other major studios. His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists and been translated into 20 languages. His ability to grab readers from the opening sentence and create compelling characters thrust into extraordinary circumstances has earned him a place among the top thriller writers of his time. 

Never Coming Back by Tim Weaver/ 15^th August/ £7.99/ PB

“Weaver’s books get better each time – tense, complex, sometimes horrific, written with flair as well as care.” The Guardian

This fourth thrilling title in the hugely popular David Raker series from one of crime fiction’s hottest talents is simply breathtaking. This is Tim Weaver’s break out title.

Featured Titles:

Let the Devil Sleep by John Verdon/ 31^st January/ £7.99/ PB

“Wow! Totally absorbing, brilliantly well written. The best book I’ve read this year” The Sun

The latest puzzle masterpiece from the internationally bestselling author of Think of a Number and Shut Your Eyes Tight. Ten years ago a serial killer went quiet – now he’s back.

The Hiding Place by David Bell/ 14^th February/ £7.99/ PB

“Bell weaves a terrifying spell around a simple story that pieces the heart and leaves you wondering if the truth is ever what it seems.” The Daily Mail

David Bell is a major new addition to the Penguin crime fiction list for this year, and has already been published in the US to huge success. The Hiding Place is an intriguing and well written psychological thriller, reminiscent of Kate Atkinson and Dennis Lehane.

The Collini Case by Ferdinand von Schirach/ 23^rd May/ £7.99/ PB

“A magnificent storyteller” Der Spiegel

This is a spellbinding German court room drama, written by one of Europe’s most successful thriller writers. Ferdinand von Schirach has sold over 1 million copies in Germany alone, and his work is translated in over 30 territories. The Collini Case has been at the top of the German fiction chart since publication in September 2011. Ferdinand von Schirach is one of Germany’s most prominent defence lawyers in Berlin.

Two Evils by PJ Tracy/ 1^st August/ £7.99/ PB

“A fast paced gripping read with thrills and devilish twist”’ The Guardian

PJ Tracy sales in the UK alone are close to 1 million copies, and Play to Kill, the last PJ Tracy title, was a Sunday Times top 10 bestseller. Two Evils was also a Sunday Times top ten bestseller in hardback in January 2013. PJ Tracy is the pseudonym for the mother and daughter writing team of PJ and Traci Lambrecht.  

The Black Country by Alex Grecian/ 12^th September/ £7.99/ PB

“Throw in deranged prostitutes, poisonings and throat slittings galore, amidst lashings of London fog. Gory, lurid and tons of guilty fun.” The Guardian

This is perfect for fans of Kate Summerscale, Jed Rubenfeld and Jesse Kellerman. Like Alex Grecian’s debut title The Yard, The Black Country shines a light on the early days of forensics and crime scene investigation techniques – a Victorian CSI, torn by social inequality. 

Darkness First by James Hayman/ 12^th September/ £6.99/ PB

“Supremely accomplished storytelling” The Daily Mail

Darkness First is a classic US cop thriller in the vein of Harlen Coben. James Hayman’s first two novels, The Cutting and The Chill of the Night were incredibly well received, with fans relishing the dark and sinister edge to Hayman’s storytelling. This is the third title in the McCabe and Savage detective series.

Photos (c) 2013 A Karim

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Mike Stotter and Ali Karim ['The Defiant Ones']

Meg Gardiner, Barry Forshaw, Felix Francis and Mike Stotter

Felix Francis and Sean French [of Nicci French]