Secondhand Crime Fiction & Thriller Bargain Book Box SP2478

Secondhand Crime Fiction & Thriller Bargain Book Box

This curated collection provides eighteen compelling narratives centered around mystery, suspense, and investigative drama at a highly practical price point. Readers will find a comprehensive selection of acclaimed psychological thrillers and police procedurals from established authors such as Jeffery Deaver, Ian Rankin, and Paula Hawkins. The assortment encompasses a wide variety of criminal investigations, ranging from intense domestic suspense to complex international conspiracies and cold cases. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Broken Promise by Linwood Barclay Following the loss of his job, reporter David Harwood moves back to his childhood hometown of Promise Falls to live with his parents. He soon discovers his cousin secretly caring for a baby that is not hers, claiming an angel delivered the child to her. The subsequent investigation into the baby's true origins uncovers a series of disturbing crimes and dark secrets hidden within the seemingly quiet community. Harwood must navigate the town's hidden dangers to clear his family's name and protect the innocent.

2. The Edge by Jeffery Deaver Ryan Kessler, a seemingly ordinary man, becomes the target of a highly skilled and ruthless government interrogator known only as the Lifesaver. Federal agent Corte is assigned to protect Kessler and his family, moving them to a secure safe house to evade the imminent threat. The narrative details a tense, intellectual game of cat-and-mouse between the protective detail and the relentless assassin trying to breach their defenses. Corte must anticipate his opponent's tactical maneuvers to uncover the motive behind the assassination attempt.

3. The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull This historical narrative explores the life of Thelma Morgan Furness, an American socialite who became heavily involved with the British royal family. Before Wallis Simpson captured the attention of Edward, Prince of Wales, Thelma maintained a significant romantic relationship with the future king. The story details her navigation of high-society scandals, high-profile divorces, and the intense public scrutiny surrounding her transatlantic personal life. The novel provides a distinct perspective on the social dynamics that eventually led to the abdication crisis.

4. An A-List for Death by Pamela Hart Television researcher Poppy McGowan inadvertently stumbles into a murder investigation when a prominent entertainment reporter is found dead on a construction site. Her position within the television industry provides her with unique access to the victim's social circle and the hidden resentments of local celebrities. Poppy begins an unofficial inquiry, navigating the superficial relationships and intense professional rivalries that define the Sydney entertainment scene. She must carefully separate genuine clues from industry gossip to identify the individual responsible for the crime.

5. Sheer Water by Leah Swann A mother named Ava travels to a remote coastal town with her two young boys, seeking a temporary escape from her troubled marriage. During a brief moment of distraction at a local festival, both of her children suddenly disappear without a trace. The narrative details the frantic search efforts and the psychological toll the unexplained absence takes on the increasingly desperate mother. Ava must confront her own past decisions and a community filled with hidden agendas as she desperately tries to locate her sons.

6. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Rachel Watson commutes by train every day, projecting an idealized narrative onto a seemingly perfect couple she observes from the carriage window. Her own life is marred by alcoholism and the lingering trauma of her recent divorce from a man who lives nearby. Following a night of heavy drinking and memory loss, she learns that the woman she watches has suddenly gone missing. Rachel embeds herself in the police investigation, struggling to distinguish her fragmented memories from reality to uncover the truth.

7. Shadow Over Edmund Street by Suzanne Frankham The brutal murder of a woman in her own home exposes the deeply concealed secrets of a seemingly ordinary suburban neighborhood. Inspector Alex Cameron is tasked with leading the investigation, immediately encountering conflicting testimonies and hidden hostilities among the local residents. As Cameron delves into the victim's past, he uncovers a complex web of financial deceit and fractured personal relationships. The police must carefully dismantle the community's quiet facade to identify the motive and apprehend the perpetrator.

8. Truth by Peter Temple Inspector Stephen Villani heads the Victoria Police homicide squad, dealing with the relentless pressure of managing multiple high-profile murder investigations in Melbourne. His professional burdens are compounded by severe dysfunction within his own family, including a deeply troubled relationship with his father and daughter. The narrative systematically exposes the institutional corruption and political maneuvering that complicate his efforts to secure justice for the victims. Villani must navigate a morally ambiguous landscape to maintain his integrity and solve the cases assigned to him.

9. Disordered Minds by Minette Walters A respected local politician campaigns to overturn the historic conviction of Howard Stamp, a man who committed suicide in prison after being found guilty of murder. The inquiry reinvestigates the brutal death of a young woman decades earlier, exposing severe flaws in the original police investigation. As the amateur investigation progresses, new evidence emerges that implicates several prominent individuals who were never previously considered suspects. The narrative critically examines the consequences of systemic prejudice and the long-term impact of miscarriages of justice.

10. A Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin Retired detective John Rebus travels to a remote coastal town in northern Scotland after his daughter contacts him regarding her missing husband. Concurrently, his former colleagues in Edinburgh investigate the murder of a wealthy student, a case that soon reveals extensive financial complexities. Rebus must conduct his own unofficial inquiries in a hostile environment while dealing with his deteriorating health and strained family dynamics. The two separate investigations eventually intersect, exposing a broad network of deception that spans across different Scottish social classes.

11. The Price of Love by Peter Robinson This collection presents a series of short procedural narratives featuring Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and his colleagues in the Yorkshire police force. The distinct stories cover a variety of criminal incidents, ranging from domestic disputes that escalate into violence to carefully premeditated murders. Each case requires Banks to apply his characteristic methodical approach and deep understanding of human psychology to uncover the underlying motives. The anthology offers a concentrated exploration of the investigative techniques and the diverse challenges faced by the seasoned detective.

12. Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz A young woman named Alice arrives in New York City seeking a fresh start, but her life ends prematurely when she is murdered. Her body is eventually discovered by Ruby, an Australian expatriate who is also trying to escape a difficult past in the city. The narrative gives a voice to the deceased victim, who watches as Ruby becomes obsessed with identifying her and finding the killer. The novel focuses on the connection between the two women and the broader societal implications of violence against unrecognized victims.

13. The Echo by Minette Walters The discovery of a homeless man's body in the freezer of an affluent London property prompts an investigation into his true identity. Journalist Michael Deacon becomes intrigued by the case, uncovering the dead man's past as a wealthy banker who mysteriously abandoned his life. Deacon's inquiries lead him to a complex network of estranged family members and individuals who hold pieces of the victim's fractured history. The narrative details a deliberate search for truth that exposes deeply uncomfortable realities about class and personal trauma.

14. This United State by Colin Forbes A high-stakes international thriller unfolds as distinct intelligence agencies race to uncover the details of a catastrophic conspiracy threatening global stability. Tweed, a seasoned British intelligence operative, coordinates a complex operation to intercept dangerous assets and neutralize the emerging threat. The narrative features intricate espionage tradecraft and tactical maneuvers executed across various European and American locations. The operatives must navigate political betrayals and sophisticated deception to prevent a coordinated attack from a hidden adversary.

15. The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross A young woman's life is violently upended when her father, a wealthy gold trader, is targeted by a ruthless Colombian drug cartel. He enters the federal witness protection program, forcing the entire family to assume new identities and sever all ties to their past. When her family suddenly goes missing from their secure location, she must launch an independent search to find them. The protagonist quickly realizes she cannot trust the authorities and must rely on her own instincts to survive the cartel's pursuit.

16. Vanish by Shelley Burr A small, isolated Australian town remains defined by the unresolved disappearance of a young girl that occurred decades prior. Mina McCreery, the missing girl's sister, lives a reclusive life, constantly besieged by amateur sleuths and true-crime enthusiasts obsessed with the cold case. A private investigator arrives with new information, forcing Mina to reexamine the traumatic events and the secrets harbored by the local community. The investigation systematically exposes the enduring psychological damage inflicted on the town and the family left behind.

17. The Reapers by John Connolly Professional assassins Louis and Angel are drawn into a deadly conflict when they become the targets of a highly organized hit squad. The narrative shifts focus away from the series' usual protagonist, Charlie Parker, to detail the violent backgrounds and tactical expertise of his associates. They must navigate a trap set within a desolate, fortified town, utilizing their specialized combat skills to survive the overwhelming assault. The novel explores the brutal realities of contract killing and the complex loyalties that bind the two dangerous men together.

18. The White Knight by Scott Mariani Former SAS operative Ben Hope is hired to protect a prominent environmental activist who has received credible death threats from unknown adversaries. The assignment rapidly escalates into a violent confrontation, forcing Hope to utilize his military training to protect his principal across international borders. The investigation into the threats uncovers a massive corporate conspiracy linked to illegal resource extraction and widespread environmental destruction. Hope must systematically dismantle the mercenary forces employed by the corporation to ensure the safety of his client.