Classic crime from the 1960s from a master of suspenseThe first novel in the acclaimed Ben Anderson series.'Compton has been one of Britain's most original and consistent novelists since the late Sixties, but he has never received the attention he deserves...Compton's prose is fine-tuned, his human insights sharp, and his narrative pace filled with the weird synchronicities and dissonances of how violent things usually happen' INDEPENDENT

A new life - but will it bring happiness?Wonderfully compelling historical romance - perfect for fans of BRIDGERTONBridie Tantallon is setting out on a new life - one that she hopes will bring opportunities and, if she is lucky, happiness. It is the turn of the century, and she is setting out from London to Edinburgh to help her great aunt complete her memoirs.An orphan, Bridie's life has not been easy, but could this be just what she needs? So she ...

Mistaken identity, romance, suspense - perfect for fans of Bridgerton'I cannot marry him,' said Caroline. 'I am not Kate. I am only her twin.'All Caroline knew when she came to her senses was that when her twin sister's desperate plea for help came, she had rushed to Italy to be with her. There was a coach accident - but she can remember nothing more . . .Now suddenly Kate had disappeared and Caroline found herself wearing Kate's clothes and unable ...

Will she ever escape her past?Romantic suspense for fans of Joan Aiken and BridgertonYoung Hester Malpass knew little of her past. Only that she was an orphan who was now working in a railway station restaurant for a tyrannical old woman. She dreamed of escape, of finding a brighter place for herself out in the world.Then one day, dashing Captain Deveraux, a famous balloonist, lured her away to become his partner in a new aerial adventure. Had Heste...

A school reunion goes horribly wrong...A superb classic crime novel from a master of the genre.'Compton has been one of Britain's most original and consistent novelists since the late Sixties, but he has never received the attention he deserves...Compton's prose is fine-tuned, his human insights sharp, and his narrative pace filled with the weird synchronicities and dissonances of how violent things usually happen' INDEPENDENTHating...

Intriguing, suspenseful historical romanceWhen Beth leaves home - and more importantly, her domineering aunt - to take a PR job at a stately home she thinks she has finally found a path to happiness. But the inhabitants of the house are far more mysterious than she expected, and she soon finds herself with rather more to manage than she could ever have imagined . . .

A deadly role becomes murder in the theatre...When writer Ben Anderson goes to Downshead Repertory Theatre company to see the rehearsals for his first play, he is not prepared for what follows.Sitting in the audience, he witnesses a horrific murder: a prop gun has been swapped with the real thing with deadly consequences. And when a second killing occurs, and the local CID officer is suspicious of Ben's part in the mysterious events, things go from bad to m...

Even in the world of murder, things are not always as they seem...When Ben Anderson first came to stay at Buckleigh Combe in North Devon he found more than a few obstacles to overcome. He was there to research material for his new book, but ended up with far more than he bargained for. The ruined mansion had once been the home of an infamous medium until he had died there in sensational - and mysterious - circumstances: he fell from The Mad Tower.And before...

At sea, the danger can't be escaped...Classic crime fiction from the 1960s set around a Thames mooring.'Compton has been one of Britain's most original and consistent novelists since the late Sixties, but he has never received the attention he deserves...Compton's prose is fine-tuned, his human insights sharp, and his narrative pace filled with the weird synchronicities and dissonances of how violent things usually happen' INDEPENDENT

It's murder in a sleepy French fishing village . . .Crime writer Ben Anderson was hoping for a peaceful honeymoon sailing in Europe. He's solved four murders in the last three years, which is more than enough to suit him. He is, after all, a married man now. Things are going to be different.Alas, their trip to a quiet, out-of-the-way French village is disrupted when they rescue the passengers of a boat on fire, and find themselves swept up in a chain of eve...

A graveyard, sinister music, a small child's nightmare...A children's tune played on a hurdy-gurdyA small boy's nightmareThe same tune played by an old blind beggar outside a foggy graveyard - and heard again by an old, bed-ridden womanAnd heard again, at the dead of night on a London street cornerWhat is the connection - and why is this disturbing melody the prelude to a brutal crime ...

D.G. Compton is best known for his prescient 1974 novel, THE CONTINUOUS KATHERINE MORTENHOE, which predicted the 21st century's obsessions with media voyeurism and 'reality television'. It was filmed as DEATH WATCH in 1980 by Bertrand Tavernier. This omnibus collects three of his incisive SF novels, ASCENDANCIES, SYNTHAJOY and THE STEEL CROCODILE.ASCENDANCIES: Into a future where a depleted fuel supply had the world spiralling down into grinding poverty and constant war came ... Mo...