When American Private Investigator Mark Preston had been sent to find a wealthy missing girl he thought it would take a long time, but he got lucky fast. Then his luck started to run out with shady characters around like Barney Stillman, the tough club-owner, two high-class hoodlums who Preston nicknamed Laurel and Hardy, and Grover J Mitchell, the president of Art-World Incorporated. But as possible compensation, Louise Carrigton was a sight to behold ...

I lit the candle and began rather gingerly to climb up the ladder. Then I heard a distinct sound above my head. A scrape on the floor, an irregular jarring on the floor above my head, like something rocking ... A nun is dead - her emaciated corpse has been discovered locked in the tower of Blessed Eleanor's Convent. The tragic consequence of a neurotic young woman committing to a life of isolation and piety, the inquest concludes. But this young woman held unusual power over the convent ... power she was planning to use. Jemima Shore tries to keep her distance from the case, but when her lover cancels their holiday she finds herself reluctantly getting involved. A violent attack in the dead of night and another death convinces her that the convent is not the haven of peace it appears to be. Suspicion and fear hang heavy in the air but how do you solve a murder no-one will admit happened?

Imagine returning to your parked car and finding a corpse in it. This is exactly what happened to Molly Calder, and the discovery sparks the beginning of a tense trail for Molly and her husband Keith. They have their work cut out in chasing reward money for missing gems and missing money: the search leads them from their rural setting to the heart of Glasgow - and they need help from family and friends along the way. Molly wants to buy Briesland House more than anything in the world, although she's pretty keen on tyring to keep her husband safe and sound - will she be successful?

Surely there could be no possibility that Konrad Klein could be alive - no one could be expected to have left by the turret window and survive. With the door blocked and the window wide open, surely it had to be suicide? But Konrad was a leading illusionist and one-time escapologist, so there must be some doubt even though he was on the verge of a breakdown. Kilvennan Castle is shaken by deceptions and emotional conflicts before answere are found.

Roger Ormerod worked for the civil service and his work included a long stint in the county courts. He is author of more than 30 novels of suspense.

Various singers and folk musicians are gathered for a folk music course that will be held in an impressive country mansion called Follymead. Most have come to sing or to listen, but some also have the intention os settling old scores. In particular, it seems that Liri Palmer gives a warning maeeage through her singing. Passions are running high and murder could be on the horizon, making work for Detective Inspector Flese.

Ellis Peters was the pseudonym of Edith Pargeter and she received awards for her crime writing and was the creator of the Brother Cadfael books. She had a keen interest in local history.

Detective Richard Queen is determined to find the killer of a young fashion designer, even if he has to enlist the help of his father. A murder takes place in a Park Avenue penthouse and there's bound to be a suspect or three...The McKell family are all under suspicion. Ashton McKell is a wealthy and respectable businessman who had a relationship with the deceased and so this made him number one suspect. Lutetia McKell, his wife, was the second to be arrested, and their handsome son Dane, who falls in love all too easily, the third.

The Lincolnshire town of Flaxborough seems respectable enough, with many professionals living there, but young Robert Digby Tring's sudden death in the fairground again brings a shock to the inhabitants. Julia Harton is married to a rising pet food executive but becomes involved in 'Happy Endings Inc,' but what is this organisation? Inspector Purbright must delve deep to find the truth about the town's mysteries ...

Colin Watson (1021-1983) was both a journalist and a novelist. He received the coveted Crime Writers' Silver Dagger Award.