Malcolm Richards

For fans of T.R. Ragan, Rachel Abbott & Robert Bryndza comes the first novel in the mystery thriller series that readers are calling a 'gripping and intense must-read with an unlikely heroine.' Sometimes the missing are not meant to be found... When troubled young teacher Emily Swanson moves into her new London apartment, she discovers that the former tenant is missing and no one is looking for her. Some say Alina has run away from her violent and abusive husband, but as Emily's curiosity soon turns into obsession, she becomes convinced something far more sinister has happened. Enlisting the help of smart-talking neighbour Jerome, Emily's search takes her across the city and towards a hospice for the terminally ill. But good intentions quickly turn into a terrifying fight for Emily's life-and her sanity-when she and Jerome are drawn into a chilling world where the missing are not meant to be found. To find Alina, Emily must first confront her own dark demons. But what are they? And why is she hell-bent on hiding her past from her new friends?

Lost Lives

When Emily Swanson moves into a new home, she begins to investigate the previous owner's disappearance - but nothing can prepare her for the truth. Emily unravels a troubled nurse's bone-chilling secret in this twisty series starter.

Next To Disappear

Not every missing person is meant to be found...When troubled nurse Alina vanishes one night, it's assumed she ran away from her violent husband. Until disgraced ex-teacher Emily Swanson moves into the couple's former home.Emily's life is in ruins and she's meant to be making a fresh start. But when she learns about the missing nurse, she sees a chance for redemption. Because finding Alina could help right the wrongs of Emily's past. All she needs to do is follow the clues.But what Emily doesn't know is that Alina had a horrifying secret. One about the care foundation she worked for. And the closer Emily gets to uncovering the truth, the closer she gets to terrible danger.Inspired by a shocking true crime, Next to Disappear is the first book in a British mystery and suspense series from Malcolm Richards. "Electrifying... Should surely be on TV." -- The Bookseller "A suspenseful murder mystery." -- Readers' Favorite *** The Emily Swanson Series: 1. Next to Disappear2. Mind for Murder3. Trail of Poison4. Watch You Sleep5. Kill for Love

The Emily Swanson Series, #1

Next to Disappear

Large Print Edition

You can't escape your darkest thoughts... Emily Swanson came face to face with a psychopath - and survived. But the ordeal has left its scars. Determined to move on with her life, she visits a weekend retreat called Meadow Pines. With its forest setting and strict ban on technology, it’s the perfect escape. Until one of the guests is found hanging from a tree. The evidence points to suicide. But when help fails to arrive and the guests start turning on each other, it's clear that Meadow Pines is not the safe haven it claims to be. Miles from the nearest town and with darkness falling fast, Emily must race to uncover the horrifying truth… because there is a murderer at the retreat who is about to kill again. Dripping with suspense and packed with twists and turns, Mind for Murder is the second book in this British murder mystery series featuring private investigator Emily Swanson. The complete Emily Swanson series: 1. NEXT TO DISAPPEAR 2. MIND FOR MURDER 3. TRAIL OF POISON 4. WATCH YOU SLEEP 5. KILL FOR LOVE Revised edition: Previously published as 'Cruel Minds'. Keywords: amateur sleuth, British crime series, British detective series, British mystery series, complete series, crime fiction, crime series, crime thriller series, detective books, female detective, murder, murder mystery series, mystery books, mystery series, mystery thrillers, pi crime, private detective, private detective series, private eye, private investigator series, private investigators, psychological suspense, psychological thriller, strong female protagonist, thriller and suspense

A gripping murder mystery

Mind for Murder

Dying of thirst is the least of their worries... The plane went down in less than a minute. One moment personal assistant Jane was staring out the window at the sprawling Mojave desert, the next she was squeezing her eyes shut and praying for a quick death. Yet somehow Jane has miraculously survived the crash. Now, along with a nefarious Hollywood agent and a badly injured flight attendant, she must find her way out of the desert and back to safety before it’s too late. With night falling fast, the trio stumble upon an abandoned ranch and are forced to take shelter. But Jane and the others are about to discover the ranch isn’t as abandoned as they think—and dehydration isn’t the only way to die in the desert… A chilling short thriller by award-nominated Malcolm Richards, Prey for Night will have you on the very edge of your seat. PLEASE NOTE: Prey for Night is a short read of 1-2 hours in length.

A Short Thriller

Prey for Night

"Creepy...menacing. A unique, atmospheric story." - Snazzy Books Every family has its secrets... Life was always cruel to Sebastian and Elise. Until their abusive mother mysteriously vanished. Now they have found happiness living with their grandmother. But when a tragic accident leaves her dead, the children find themselves suddenly alone. Elise knows she must act quickly to protect her younger brother. So why does she insist they stay hidden from the outside world? But as the siblings try to survive in their woodland home, it’s soon clear they’re not as alone as they think. Lurking in the shadows is a terrifying secret. One that holds the key to their mother’s disappearance. And now that secret wants to come inside. An unsettling blend of psychological horror and dark family drama, The Hiding House is the gripping debut from Malcolm Richards.

The Hiding House

The game of love can be murder... When shy student Wendy is found bludgeoned to death, her classmate Bridget is the chief suspect. But what turns a caring teenager into a cold-blooded killer? Private eye Emily Swanson is desperate to find out. Bridget is the little sister of Emily's oldest friend, and with no motive or history of violence, her role in the crime doesn't add up. Until Emily's investigation leads to a horrifying discovery. A psychopath is stalking online dating sites, searching for young women to play his sick and twisted games. Games that turn innocent victims into killers. To clear Bridget's name, Emily must enter the dark world of online catfishing. But can she catch a maniac who doesn't appear to exist—before she becomes his next obsession? Dark, suspenseful, and packed with twists and turns, Kill for Love brings the Emily Swanson murder mystery series to a shocking and dramatic conclusion.

A chilling murder mystery and suspense novel

Kill for Love

Wealthy heiress Kerenza Trezise was about to marry the man she loved…until she killed herself in front of the entire wedding party. Private investigator Blake Hollow is hired to find out why. Physically and emotionally damaged by a near-death encounter with a serial killer, Blake knows this case is an opportunity to relaunch her struggling P.I. business. But as she attempts to infiltrate one of Cornwall’s richest families at their impressive Frenchman’s Creek estate, she learns that the Trezises have their own dark secrets to protect, and a shocking legacy of madness, horror, and death. Worse still, they’ll do anything to stop Blake’s private investigation from revealing the truth, including deception, intimidation, and perhaps even murder. They say family is forever. But they have never met the Trezise family… Down in the Blood is a fast-paced and creepy Gothic murder mystery that draws on Cornish folklore and the occult. Fans of British crime fiction will love tenacious private detective Blake Hollow as she delves into another confounding murder case.

A Chilling British Crime Thriller

Down in the Blood

GET THE COMPLETE EMILY SWANSON SERIES IN THIS GRIPPING BOX SET. Five suspense-filled murder mysteries, plus two bonus short stories—featuring British private detective Emily Swanson. "Electrifying... Should surely be on TV." — The Bookseller BOOK 1: NEXT TO DISAPPEAR When former teacher Emily Swanson moves into a new London home, she begins to investigate the previous owner’s disappearance—but nothing can prepare her for the truth. And the closer Emily gets to the troubled nurse’s bone-chilling secret, the closer she gets to terrible danger. BOOK 2: MIND FOR MURDER Emotionally scarred by her encounter with a psychopath, Emily visits a remote retreat named Meadow Pines. It's the perfect place to recover—until one of the guests is found dead. Now Emily must dig into the retreat's sinister past and unearth what lies beneath. Because there's a murderer at Meadow Pines, who's about to kill again. BOOK3: TRAIL OF POISON When the body of an environmentalist is pulled from the River Thames, his widow turns to rookie P.I. Emily Swanson for help. But as Emily's investigation leads her to the mysterious Valence Industries, a case of accidental death takes a dangerous turn. Out of her depth and with the body count rising, Emily must expose the truth—before more innocent people die. BOOK 4: WATCH YOU SLEEP Someone called The Witness is terrorizing a young family in their suburban home. P.I. Emily Swanson is hired to investigate. But as she draws closer to the identity of The Witness, she begins to question the vulnerable family's story—and finds her life in grave danger. BOOK 5: KILL FOR LOVE When a shy student is beaten to death, her classmate Bridget is the chief suspect. With no motive or history of violence, Bridget's role in the crime doesn't add up. Until Emily's investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and she becomes the target of a sick and deadly game. Grab the box set today and dive into this chilling murder mystery series.

Books 1-5 + Bonus Short Stories

The Emily Swanson Series Collection

For fans of T.R. Ragan, Rachel Abbott & Robert Bryndza comes the second novel in the mystery thriller series that readers are calling a 'gripping and intense must-read with an unlikely heroine.'Getting away from it all can be murder...Emily Swanson has survived a media witch hunt, abduction, and attempted murder, but she's about to face her greatest challenge yet-getting some much-needed R&R. Heading out of London with best friend Jerome, Emily checks in to Meadow Pines, a remote digital detox retreat hidden deep within the New Forest. With no TV, internet or phones, there's nothing else to do but kick back, relax, and reconnect with nature... But peace and serenity are about to turn into panic and fear. When one of the guests is found dead, Emily suspects that what appears to be a tragic suicide may, in fact, be a brutal murder. And when help mysteriously fails to arrive, it soon becomes clear that something is very, very wrong at Meadow Pines. Could a killer be hiding among the guests, preparing to strike again? Forming an uneasy alliance with an ambitious journalist, it's down to Emily and Jerome to find out who it is-before they become the killer's next victims.

Cruel Minds

Book 1 of 3 The smallest towns have the darkest secrets... When Carrie's son, Cal, vanished from the Cornish town of Devil's Cove, she thought she’d lost him for good. Seven years later, a teenager has been found washed up on the beach. It’s Carrie’s son. And he’s alive. No longer the sweet boy she remembers, Cal is deeply troubled, wildly unpredictable, and a growing danger to everyone around him. Now, Carrie must unravel the mystery of what happened to her son before it’s too late. Because a serial killer is stalking the streets of Devil’s Cove. And another young child is missing... Set against the wild backdrop of Cornwall, The Cove is the first part of a nail-biting trilogy about a mother's fight to save her son from the grip of evil. *** "Wow! Just wow!" - Readers' Favorite "Downright chilling." - Tranquility Book Reviews "Gets your heart racing." - Reading Out Loud "A must read!" - SJ's Book Blog "I was riveted to the pages." - A Wonderful World of Words

A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller

The Cove

The smallest towns have the darkest secrets... When Carrie's son, Cal, vanished from the Cornish town of Devil's Cove, she thought she'd lost him for good. Seven years later, a teenager has been found washed up on the beach. It's Carrie's son. And he's alive. No longer the sweet boy she remembers, Cal is deeply troubled, wildly unpredictable, and a growing danger to everyone around him. Now, Carrie must unravel the mystery of what happened to her son before it's too late. Because a serial killer is stalking the streets of Devil's Cove. And another young child is missing... Set against the wild backdrop of Cornwall, The Cove is the first part of a nail-biting trilogy about a mother's fight to save her son from the grip of evil.

Book 3 of 3 The final nerve-shredding chapter of the Devil's Cove Trilogy. Six months have passed since the horrific events at Burnt House Farm and peace has finally been restored in Devil’s Cove. But trouble is on the horizon. As the town prepares for the annual Devil’s Day festival, Carrie is struggling to come to terms with her son's crimes while salvaging what's left of her family. Meanwhile, Nat is on a dangerous path of self-destruction as she seeks revenge on the mysterious Dawn Children. But they are all unaware that a terrifying plan has been set in motion. One that cannot be stopped. Death is coming to Devil's Cove. And this time, only the chosen will survive... ***** Praise for the Devil's Cove Trilogy: "Gets your heart racing." Reading Out Loud "Down right chilling. An excellent read that just floored me!" Tranquility Book Reviews "Wow! Just wow! A real page-turner leading you deep into a dark and terrifying world." Readers' Favorite "Be prepared for a spine-tingling intense read - I was riveted to the pages." A Wonderful World of Words "Packed with intrigue, deception, tension twists and turns. A must read!" SJ's Book Blog

A Heart-stopping Serial Killer Thriller

The Devil's Gate

It began with The Cove. Now the suspense continues in the second book of the Devil's Cove trilogy. Devil's Cove used to be a safe place to live. Until a serial killer was caught hiding behind a familiar face. As the Cornish community reels in shock, missing teen Cal Anderson has been implicated in the murders. Desperate for answers, his mother Carrie is determined to track him down. But so is someone else... Crime writer Aaron Black has arrived in town. His career is in ruins and he's determined to save it by writing a bestseller about the killings. But he needs Cal, and he'll do anything to find him - even if it means endangering lives. Because there's more to the horrifying truth than anyone can imagine. And for Carrie and her family, the real nightmare is only just beginning.

Desperation Point

The second terrifying chapter in the Devil's Cove trilogy.

The smallest towns have the darkest secrets in this nail-biting trilogy set in Cornwall. Three thrilling novels, one terrifying story about a mother's fight to save her son from the grip of evil - now available in one complete eBook collection: The Cove, Desperation Point, and The Devil's Gate. Seven years ago, Carrie's son, Cal, disappeared from the Cornish town of Devil's Cove. He was never seen again. Until now. When a teenager is found unconscious on the beach, Carrie is shocked to learn it's her son. No longer the sweet boy she remembers, Cal is deeply troubled, unpredictable, and a growing danger to everyone around him. Now, Carrie must unravel the mystery of what happened to her son before it’s too late. Because a serial killer is stalking the streets of Devil’s Cove. And another young child is missing... ***** Praise for The Devil's Cove Trilogy: "Gets your heart racing." - Reading Out Loud "Downright chilling." - Tranquility Book Reviews "Wow! Just wow! A real page-turner leading you deep into a dark and terrifying world." - Readers' Favorite "Be prepared for a spine-tingling intense read. I was riveted to the pages." - A Wonderful World of Words "Packed with intrigue, deception, tension twists and turns. A must read!" - SJ's Book Blog

Complete series collection

The Devil's Cove Trilogy

The final book of the Devil's Cove trilogy. As Carrie struggles to save her family, Nat seeks revenge on the Dawn Children cult. But death is coming to Devil's Cove, and this time only the chosen will survive.

When private investigator Blake Hollow finds the body of a missing teenager on the moors of rural Cornwall, a deep-seated childhood trauma is reawakened… For over 18 years, the veteran private eye has been tormented by the disappearance of her best friend. Now, reluctantly back in her hometown, Blake is shocked to learn that the daughter of another old school friend has vanished. Troubled by painful memories, Blake is determined to find Lucy Truscott alive. But her search takes a tragic turn when she stumbles upon the young woman’s mutilated corpse. As local police detectives hunt for a cold-blooded killer, Blake is convinced that Lucy isn’t the first victim and launches her own murder investigation. But is she wasting precious time by trying to connect the disappearance of her childhood friend to Lucy’s murder? Or has Blake uncovered a secret serial killer whose grisly intentions are about to reach terrifying new heights? Circle of Bones is the first book in a gritty and fast-paced British crime thriller series featuring tenacious private detective Blake Hollow. “Creepy and gripping…Richards returns with another nail-biter set in Cornwall; picturesque and pretty, but with a dark underbelly.” The Bookseller

Circle of Bones

What drives a kind-hearted teenager to murder her best friend? Private investigator Emily Swanson will uncover the terrible truth in her most personal - and deadliest - case yet. Set in the stunning Somerset countryside, Kill For Love is the fifth and final novel in this page-turning suspense series.

Malcolm Richards

About

Books

Join the club