Detective Short Stories Mysteries

Behind the stage lights and word-perfect soliloquies, sinister secrets are lurking in the wings. The mysteries in this collection reveal the dark side to theatre and performing arts: a world of backstage dealings, where unscrupulous actors risk everything to land a starring role, costumed figures lead to mistaken identities, and on-stage deaths begin to look a little too convincing. This expertly curated thespian anthology features 14 stories from giants of the classic crime genre.

An aging, heavily-insured country squire whose estate is in financial ruin is thought to have committed suicide. Hercule Poirot investigates, in the guise of a representative of the victim's insurance company, to uncover the identity of the real murderer.

The best of the golden age crime writers, praised by all the top modern writers in the field including P. D. James and Ruth Rendell, Dorothy L. Sayers created the immortal Lord Peter Wimsey. In his tenth appearance, he takes a job as an advertising copywriter to expose a ruthless killer. Victor Dean fell to his death on the stairs of Pym's Advertising Agency, but no one seems to be sorry. Until an inquisitive new copywriter joins the firm and asks some awkward questions....

Mr. Davenheim, a wealthy financier, leaves his home to mail a letter, then fails to return. The story fills the newspapers and intrigues Hercule Poirot, who challenges Inspector Japp with the claim that he can solve the case before the police, and without leaving his flat.

In The Red Thumb Mark, the doctor works to clear young Reuben Hornby of stealing a parcel of diamonds from his uncle's safe, despite the apparently damning evidence. Then, in The Eye of Osiris, an amateur Egyptologist abruptly goes missing, leaving behind a strangely vexatious will. In The Mystery of 31 New Inn, Thorndyke's long-time collaborator Dr. Jervis consults his mentor regarding a mystery who may be being slowly poisoned. And in A Silent Witness, someone is making very determined attempts to murder inoffensive newly-qualified Doctor Humphrey Jardine.

Over the years, Ian Rankin has amassed an incredible portfolio of short stories. Published in crime magazines, composed for events, broadcast on radio, they all share the best qualities of his phenomenally popular Rebus novels. Brought together for the first time, and including brand-new material, this is the ultimate Rebus short-story collection and a must-have book for crime lovers and for Ian's millions of fans alike. No Rankin aficionado can go without it.

Spring has arrived in Glasgow and Leger has a new mystery to solve! When his neighbours return from their winter break in Spain, they begin fighting with the other residents on a daily basis and losing friends at every turn. Someone deliberately sets their garden shed on fire, endangering all humans and animals in the nearby homes. Leger then learns that his hedgehog friend was hibernating in the shed has suddenly vanished and he knows he must track down the arsonist. It won't be easy but this time he has the help of not one but two mollies. Ginger's daughter Amber has finally come of age ...

The Greatest Mysteries of All Time, Volume 6 is an exciting addition to this series, featuring the most acclaimed writers, past and present. This unique collection of master writers, including Wilkie Collins, Aldous Huxley, and Edith Wharton, edited by multi-award winning mystery connoisseur Otto Penzler, is a delightful mixture of mystery and suspense.

Mr Sleuth is a good guest, pays handsomely and in advance, needs very little looking after and seems to be a harmless gentleman. But when the murderous exploits of a serial killer known only as 'The Avenger' start occurring closer to home, Mrs Bunting begins to worry about her guest, his curious experiments and nocturnal habits.

Five Sherlock Holmes mysteries in one book collection. Voiced by Joe Bevilacqua, who has won numerous awards for television documentaries and radio theater.

The son of a struggling single mother, Jamie Conklin just wants an ordinary childhood. But Jamie is no ordinary child. Born with an unnatural ability his mum urges him to keep secret, Jamie can see what no one else can see and learn what no one else can learn. But the cost of using this ability is higher than Jamie can imagine as he discovers when an NYPD detective draws him into the pursuit of a killer who has threatened to strike from beyond the grave.

In a London choked by The Great Fog, crime finds its perfect ally... and Sherlock Holmes finds his greatest challenge. An unnatural, persistent fog blankets London, turning familiar streets into treacherous labyrinths and empowering the criminal element like never before. Seeking refuge from personal grief, Dr. Watson returns to Baker Street, finding Holmes invigorated by the unique puzzles emerging from the gloom, yet strangely protective of his old friend. Join the world's greatest detective as he pierces the seemingly impenetrable shroud to solve some of his most baffling cases: a ...

When a shy ten-year-old named Bri walks into Samantha Moon’s office with her very first case file—“The Bike Rack Mystery”—Sam knows she’s in for more than babysitting. Together with her daughter Tammy, Sam joins the pint-sized detective on a quest to track down a rusted, three-hooped bike rack that keeps appearing and disappearing around town. What starts as a cute Scooby-Doo romp soon turns stranger, with hints of haunting, dimensional folds, and a surprising encounter with a time-traveling, world-hopping inventor. Through it all, Sam remembers why she loves being a PI: the joy...

At Mr. and Mrs. Unkerton's party in Greenway's House, Mr. Satterthwaite learns of a haunted window: No matter how many times it is replaced, it always contains the image of a gentleman in a plumed hat. When gunshots are heard, Satterthwaite finds that two of the guests have been shot dead, which is shortly followed by a sighting of the gentleman in the newly-replaced windowpane. Can Mr. Quin shed light on the mystery?

"I know where Allison is." Former child star Jason Turner is excited about the direction his life is taking. He is about to open the business of his dreams, and his sister is now a published author. All thoughts of his dark past are at bay. Until he meets Stacy, the new doll in his daughter's life. She looks and sounds just like Allison, his other sister who turned up missing that day in the woods while they were camping so long ago. When Stacy says she has a secret to share with Jason he realizes there is something sinister behind the doll's existence. Let the nightmares begin.

Follow Sherlock Holmes on four mysteries that his best friend and Chronicler, Dr. Watson, has decided to publish after some years. In the first story, an irritating and unsuccessful suit salesman plummets to his death from one of the highest cliffs in England...only he didn't jump. The second story recounts a chemistry professor found shot to death in his laboratory after having dabbled in alchemy and seemingly turning lead into gold. The third story finds a wealthy businessman bludgeoned to death in his locked and guarded hotel room.

To Leger, Halloween is a nuisance. Everyone is talking about superstition and as a black cat he is in the firing line at this time of year. When his human's great-niece, Brianna, decides to dress as a black cat to go trick or treating and dress Leger in his very own costume, Leger decides enough is enough and leaves home, planning never to return. But just hours later on a stormy autumnal night, Leger embarks on his most difficult investigation so far... Following in Leger's footsteps, Brianna has gone on the prowl and he must find her before anyone else with sinister intentions does. ...

The Return of Sherlock Holmes is a collection of 13 Sherlock Holmes stories.

Grace had never been more terrified...the pain was relentless. Nothing in her life prepared her for this. She desperately needed somewhere safe...someplace she could hide. Someone she could trust with her life. It was dark...and getting darker. Ronan Hendricks didn’t recognize her voice. Not family...not friends. Probably not an enemy. But he didn’t need the years he’d spent as a detective to recognize what he did hear... Fear. In a desperate moment of hope, a single number saved her life. Then a complete stranger opened his home offering safety yet Grace knew danger surrounded them.....

Everything is not always as it seems... Rachel Bacar needs a job. She's a talented computer programmer and app developer but she has a visa problem. With only temporary working papers, she takes the only job offered, one as a courier for a posh Manhattan based company. If only Rachel could figure out what RHS actually does. That might appease her fiancee Amelie that her job and the company are legitimate and there's future potential for her. Alas, figuring it all out proves to be hard, even for a tech geek. When strange things start to happen, Rachel and Amelie get caught up in a high ...