By the fearless and funny writer, a novel exploring the underbelly of erotic fulfilment and spiritual yearning. Every two years the international art world descends on Venice for the opening of the Biennale. Among them is Jeff Atman, a jaded journalist whose dedication to the cause of Bellini-fuelled party-going is only intermittently disturbed by the obligation to file a story. He is not expecting to meet the spellbinding Laura who will completely transform his few days in the city. Rejuvenated and ecstatic, their romance blossoms quickly, but is it destined to disappear just as rapidly? Every day thousands of pilgrims head to the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi, the holiest Hindu city in India. Among their number is a narrator who may or may not be the Atman previously seen in Venice. Intending to visit only a few days, he ends up staying for months. In a romance he can only observe, he sees a reflection of the kind of pleasures that, willingly or not, he has renounced. In the process, two ancient and watery cities become versions of each other but could they actually be one and the same story? This story of spiritual yearning reaches its conclusion amidst the ghats of Varanasi. 'Dead-on in evocation of place, longing, and the possibility of neurotic enlightenment.' 'Very funny, full of nerve, gutsy and delicious.' - Michael Ondaatje. Paperback, 305pp.

Shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger 2011, and also for the Man Booker Prize in the same year, this is an intense psychological drama that echoes sophisticated entertainments like Gorky Park and The Talented Mr Ripley. Nick Platt is a British lawyer working in Moscow in the early 2000s, a place where the cascade of oil money, the tightening grip of the government, the jostling of the oligarchs, and the loosening of Soviet social mores have led to a culture where corruption, decadence, violence and betrayal define everyday life. Nick doesn't ask too many questions about the shady deals he's working on and is too busy enjoying the exotic, surreally sinful nightlife Moscow has to offer. One day in the subway he rescues two willowy sisters, Masha and Katya, from a would-be purse snatcher. Soon Nick, the seductive Masha, and the long-limbed Katya are cruising the seamy glamour spots of the city, the electric nightclubs and intimate dachas. Nick begins to feel something for Masha and he is pleased to think is love. Then the sisters ask Nick to help their aged aunt Tatiana find a new apartment. The twists in the story take it far beyond its noirish frame and the sordid and vivid portrayal of Moscow serves as a backdrop for a book that examines the irresistible allure of sin, featuring characters whose hearts are as cold as the Russian winter. Written by the Economist magazine's Moscow correspondent. 273pp, paperback.

In the dystopian future of Aveyard's debut, those who bleed red are the impoverished underclass, meant to serve silver-bloods who boast supernatural gifts that have helped them maintain control. But a rebellion is rising, and 17 year old Red narrator Mare Barrow is the spark to ignite the Scarlet Guard's cause. This masterful collection offers an entirely new look into the beloved characters in the iconic Red Queen series, where no one is as they appear and the only certainty is betrayal. Broken Throne features three brand new novellas, two previously published novellas Steel Scars and Queen Song alongside never-before-seen maps, flags, family trees, bonus scenes, journal entries and more exclusive content. An Unseated King searches for meaning in a world altered by war; enemy brothers clash one final time; a doomed queen pens words of hope to her future son; a Silver Princess trusts a Red Captain with her life in the chaos of an unknown land; a young Scarlet Guard Captain finds a glimmer of hope that will light a rebellion and a hero whose spark started a revolution discovers where she belongs in peace. A whopping 470 page large softback.

Once I'd been Daddy's favourite before something terrible happened. Violet Rue is the baby of the seven Kerrigan children and adores her big brothers. What's more she knows that a family protects its own and to betray the family is unforgiveable, so when she overhears a conversation not meant for her ears, and discovers that her brothers have committed a heinous crime, Violet is torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of justice. The decision she takes will change her life for ever. Exploring racism, misogyny, community, family, loyalty, sexuality and identity, rape and murder, this is the dark side of American history and 12 year old Violet is cruelly exiled from her family. Joyce Carol Oates writes with a deep-felt rawness and is one of America's most respected literary figures. 415 pages, paperback.

A history lesson they'll never forget - and neither will you. Mattie Engel is one of the rising stars at Private Berlin, and believes she's seen the worst of people in her previous life with the Berlin police force. That is until her colleague Chris, until recently her fiancé, is found dead, brutally murdered in an old slaughterhouse outside the city. The slaughterhouse is filled with bodies. But just as Private begin their investigations, the building explodes, wiping out all evidence of the crimes, and nearly killing Mattie and her team. She soon realises that a masked killer is picking off Chris's childhood friends, one by one, and destroying the trail, but who wants the past buried so badly? What is the truth about that slaughterhouse, and will Mattie become the killer's next victim? 485pp, paperback.

P.I. Craig Gisto, head of the latest branch of Private, is enjoying the glamorous launch party with his new team when their celebrations are interrupted by the bloodied arrival of a boy with his eyes gouged out. The boy is the kidnapped son of one of Australia's richest men, but investigating his death isn't their only pressing case. The rock star Micky Stevens is convinced someone's trying to kill him, and believes Private are the only ones who can help. As if that wasn't enough, someone is murdering the wealthy wives of the Eastern Suburbs, in the most brutal way imaginable. If they don't catch the killer soon, the next victim could be someone close to Private. 453pp, paperback.

The Olympic Games are under attack. Only Private the world's most exclusive detective agency can save them. July 2012. The Games have arrived in London and the stage is set for one of the greatest ever showcases of sporting excellence. When Sir Denton Marshall, a key member of the London Olympic organising committee is found brutally murdered, Peter Knight, head of Private London is called to the scene. Private are working with the organising committee on security for the Games, so Denton Marshall was a valuable client, but there is a more personal link - Denton was also the fiancé of Knight's mother. He is devastated by the murder but it soon becomes clear that this is no isolated incident. The killer is targeting the Games itself, and the lives of everyone involved are under threat. Told with breakneck speed. 497pp in paperback with fairly large print.

When Santosh Wagh isn't struggling out of a bottle of whisky, he's head of Private India, the Mumbai branch of the world's finest investigation agency. In a city of over 13 million he has his work cut out at the best of times, but now someone is killing seemingly unconnected people, strangled in a chilling ritual, with strange objects placed carefully at their death scenes. As Santosh and his team race to find the killer, an even greater danger faces Private India that could threaten the lives of thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens. 473pp, paperback.

Unsolvable cases, unsolvable murders - Jack Morgan is the No. 1 suspect. Since the former US Marine started Private, it has become the world's most successful detective agency, but when his former lover is found murdered in Jack's bed, Jack is instantly the number one suspect. With his team stretched to breaking point and Jack fighting for his life, he finds himself strong-armed by the mob into recovering $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals, and Jack realises he is facing his most powerful enemies ever. 455pp, paperback.

Jack Morgan cannot refuse an offer when the head of the world's foremost investigation agency is invited to meet Princess Caroline, third in line to the British throne. He boards his Gulfstream jet and flies straight to London. The Princess needs Morgan's skills, and his discretion. Sophie Edwards, a close friend of the royal, has gone missing and she must be found before the media become aware of it. Morgan knows that there is more to this case than he is being told. What is the Princess hiding? 409pp, paperback.