Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

Gallows View: The First Inspector Banks Mystery

Gallows View: The First Inspector Banks Mystery

by Peter Robinson

Former London policeman Alan Banks relocated to Yorkshire seeking some small measuer of peace. But depravity and violence are unfortunately not unique to large cities. His new venue, the quaint little village of Eastvale, seems to have more than its fair share of malefactors--among them a brazen Peeping Tom who hides in night's shadows spying on attractrive, unsuspecting ladies as they prepare for bed. And when an... (more)

Midnighters: Book 1

The Secret Hour

by Scott Westerfeld

A few nights after Jessica Day arrives in Bixby, Oklahoma, she wakes up at midnight to find the entire world frozen, except for her and a few others who call themselves 'midnighters'. Dark things haunt this midnight hour – dark things with a mysterious interest in Jessica. The question is ?hy; The Secret Hour is a compelling tale of dark secrets, midnight romance, eerie creatures, courage, destiny, and... (more)

In the Presence of Mine Enemies

by Harry Turtledove

In the twenty-first century, Germany's Third Reich continues to thrive after its victory in World War II-keeping most of Europe and North America under its heel. But within the heart of the Nazi regime, a secret lives. Under a perfect Aryan facade, Jews survive-living their lives, raising their families, and fearing discovery...

Shadows Gate: Book 4

Heartlight (Light)

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Heartlight is the story of Bradley’s greatest champion of good, Colin MacLaren, as he carries the banner of Light through the second half of the twentieth century. Ghostbuster, exorcist, student and teacher of the mystic arts, Colin meets Claire Moffat, who becomes his dearest friend, when he rescues her from a cult bent on human sacrifice. The leader of that cult, Toller Hasloch, becomes one of Colin’s... (more)

Shadows Gate: Book 2

Witchlight ("Light")

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Marion Zimmer Bradley, one of the most beloved and praised fantasy storytellers of our time, has once again written a compelling and powerful novel with larger-than-life characters. Winter Musgrave's past is largely blank, her memories missing or tissue-thin. She seem to be possessed--objects shatter when she passes, the corpses of animal appear on her doorstep. And she has the terrible feeling that something... (more)

They Found Him Dead

by Georgette Heyer

The sixtieth birthday party of Silas Kane was marred by argument and dissension among his family. And then, the morning after the celebrations, Kane is found dead at the foot of a cliff. When Kane’s nephew is also murdered, all clues point to an elderly lady of eighty as the killer. But as the redoubtable Superintendent Hannasyde discovers, nothing is quite as it seems.

Duplicate Death

by Georgette Heyer

A civilized game of Duplicate Bridge ends in a double murder in which both victims were strangled with picture wire. The crimes seem identical, but were they carried out by the same hand? The odds of solving this crime are stacked up against Inspector Hemingway. Fortunately, the first-rate detective doesn’t miss a trick.

Tied Up in Tinsel

by Ngaio Marsh

A Christmas pageant turns unholy. Holed up at Hilary Bill-Tasman's manor estate for Christmas, Troy Alleyn is to paint the man's portrait and, while she's there, view the Druid Christmas pageant. Along with a pack of eccentric guests, Troy enjoys the festivities-- until one of the pageant's players mysteriously disappears into the snowy night. Did the hired help-- each a paroled murderer from the nearby prison--... (more)

Mary Russell: Book 6

Justice Hall

by Laurie R. King

Only hours after Holmes and Russell return from solving one murky riddle on the moor, another knocks on their front door...literally. It’s a mystery that begins during the Great War, when Gabriel Hughenfort died amidst scandalous rumors that have haunted the family ever since. But it’s not until Holmes and Russell arrive at Justice Hall, a home of unearthly perfection set in a garden modeled on Paradise, that they... (more)

Knight Life

by Peter David

The legendary debut novel from New York Times bestselling author Peter David has been expanded and updated into a brand new edition. King Arthur, the once and future King, has been called forth by the wizard Merlin to lead a land in turmoil-the United States of America. But with no throne to sit upon, Arthur must run for elective office-starting with the Mayorship of New York City...

The Riddle of the Sands

A Record of Secret Service

by Erskine Childers

Childers' lone masterpiece, "The Riddle of the Sands", considered the first modern spy thriller, is recognisable as the brilliant forerunner of the realism of Graham Greene and John le Carre. Its unique flavour comes from its fine characterization, richly authentic background of inshore sailing and vivid evocation of the late 1890s - an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and intrigue that was soon to lead to war.

Caedmon's Song

by Peter Robinson

'A long, oily blackness punctuated by quick, vivid dreams ...They were all just dreams. She couldn't possibly see these things, could she? Her eyes were closed. And if they really happened, then she would have screamed out from the pain, wouldn't she?' On a balmy June night, Kirsten, a young university student, strolls home through a silent moonlit park. Suddenly, her tranquil mood is shattered as she is viciously... (more)

Dead Right

by Peter Robinson

When the brutally beaten body of a young man is found in an ally, Eastvale's Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and his colleague, Detective Constable Susan Gay, have no choice but to lack up the three Pakistani youths who seemingly started it all after an argument in a pub.But they're out in no time and Banks is in big trouble with the Chief for risking a racial incident with the arrest. Ordered to run the... (more)

Lord Peter Wimsey: Book 6

Strong Poison

by Dorothy L. Sayers

Mystery novelist Harriet Vane knew all about poisons, and when her fiancÉ died in the manner prescribed in one of her books, a jury of her peers had a hangman's noose in mind. But Lord Peter Wimsey was determined to find her innocent--as determined as he was to make her his wife.

Cold Comfort Farm

by Stella Gibbons

Flora Poste, orphaned at twenty, decides to go and live with her relatives at Cold Comfort Farm. Once there she discovers they exist in a state of chaos and feels it is up to her to bring order. From the author of LIGHT AND EASY.

A Man Lay Dead (Dead Letter Mysteries)

by Ngaio Marsh

It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Murdered. At Sir Hubert Handesley's country house party, five guests have gathered for the uproarious parlor game of "Murder." Yet no one is laughing when the lights come up on an actual corpse, the good-looking and mysterious Charles Rankin. Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to find a complete collection of alibis, a missing butler, and an intricate... (more)

The Nursing Home Murder (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)

The Nursing Home Murder (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)

by Henry Jellett, Ngaio Marsh

For an unlucky member of parliament, a hospital stay is the unkindest cut of all... When Britain's Home Secretary complained of abdominal pains, it seemed like a simple case of appendicitis. But minutes after his operation, the ill-fated politician lay dead on the table. When Chief Detective-Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to dissect the situation, he finds many a likely suspect, including a vengeful surgeon, a... (more)

Death in Ecstasy (Dead Letter Mysteries)

Death in Ecstasy (Dead Letter Mysteries)

by Ngaio Marsh

The Ritual Wine Taste of Evil When lovely Cara Quayne dropped dead to the floor after drinking the ritual wine at the House of the Sacred Flame, she was having a religious experience of a sort unsuspected by the other initiates. Discovering how the fatal prussic acid got into the bizarre group's wine is but one of the perplexing riddles that confronts Scotland Yard's Inspector Rocerick Alleyn when he's called... (more)

Singing in the Shrouds

by Ngaio Marsh

All aboard for murder The Cape Farewell steams out to sea, carrying a serial strangler who says it with flowers and a little song. Behind, on a fogbound London dock, lies his latest lovely victim; and on board, working undercover to identify him before he strikes again, is Inspector Roderick Alleyn. But-with a collection of neurotic, bombastic, shifty, and passionate passengers at one another's throats-how long... (more)

Dead Water

by Ngaio Marsh

Faith healing can be fatal When intrepid octogenarian Emily Pride inherits an island, and the miraculous properties of its "Pixie Falls" healing spring, she is shocked by all the vulgarity. The admission fee, the Gifte Shoppe, the folksy Festival, the neon sign on the pub, all must go! But local opposition runs high, death threats pile up, and Miss Emily's old friend Superintendent Roderick Alleyn arrives just in... (more)

Shelfari Book Activity

Tags: 20th cent

by Peter Robinson

by Scott Westerfeld

by Harry Turtledove

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

by Georgette Heyer

by Georgette Heyer

by Ngaio Marsh

by Laurie R. King

by Peter David

A Record of Secret Service

by Erskine Childers

by Peter Robinson

by Peter Robinson

by Dorothy L. Sayers

by Stella Gibbons

by Ngaio Marsh

by Henry Jellett, Ngaio Marsh

by Ngaio Marsh

by Ngaio Marsh

by Ngaio Marsh