The Wild Swimmers: Alex Cupidi 5

“William Shaw now rivals Ann Cleeves in the art of combining compelling mysteries with evocations of Britain’s landscape.” ★★★★★ Jake Kerridge, The Daily Telegraph

“Clever, understated and believable, Shaw’s atmospheric DS Cupidi books are one of the great British crime series” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“A skilfully constructed and thoroughly engrossing thriller” John Williams, Mail on Sunday

‘The writing and plotting are so good they sweep you on to the end” Literary Review

“A twisty, quirky and atmospheric policier” The Irish Independent

“The latest novel in William Shaw’s atmospheric series set on the Kent coast is full of keen-eyed observation, both of landscape and the perils of human relationships.” Joan Smith, The Times.

“A fast-paced, atmospheric thriller with red herrings and twists and turns along the way.” Candis

“An absolutely wonderful read. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.” Goodreads reader

“A gripping whodunnit peopled by the good, the bad and the ugly.” Saga Magazine

“So atmospheric!” Crime Monthly

“Loved it. Atmospheric, complex and satisfying – this is another hugely gripping instalment in my favourite police series.” Mark Edwards

“A twisty and delicious crime novel” Jaffareadstoo

The Conspirators: G.W. Shaw

“Completely unique and original, The Conspirators by William Shaw is slick, witty, gripping and packed with non-stop action. It’s genre-defying which I loved and a brilliantly pieced together puzzle that keeps you absolutely glued to the page. Stunning.” Helen Fields 

“Delivers a fresh and darkly comic riff on an established format – like an Eric Ambler novel updated to the age of big pharma and cyber crime.” John Williams Mail on Sunday

“Tense and engrossing – a wild ride.” Shari Lapena

“This is fast-moving, superior thriller writing at its best.’ Mike Ripley, Shotsmag

“The gig economy collides with the world of illegal pharmaceuticals in this fast-paced adventure” Yours

“An ending that will make you grin at the sheer cleverness.” Susi Holiday

“This is a very enjoyable thriller which takes elements of the world we live in and spins a fantasy on a grand scale. Jacob is not sold to us as some James Bond wannabee but more like an average person stuck in an impossible situation. There is misdirection and quite a lot of edge of your seat moments which bring to mind some of the thrillers from times gone by such as Alistair McLean and Len Deighton and, more recently, Lee Child.” SF Crowsnest

“A subtle and engrossing read… The tale of an innocent at large and a gallery of well-sketched evil characters, alongside all the requisite twists and turns of a well-engineered plot, make for supreme entertainment with the reader rooting for the everyman character.” Maxim Jakubowski, Crimetime

‘Shaw’s headed for the big time… it’s a heater-skelter ride.’ Peterborough Telegraph

‘Some books should come with a warming: addictive content… Tautly written and satisfyingly plotted, you will be gripped. Guaranteed.’ Sussex Life

‘Blending international glamour and a sense of genuine threat, The Conspirators is stylish, pacy and cleverly plotted too.’ Culturefly

Dead Rich: G.W. Shaw

“Now this is timely – a thriller about what happens when oligarchs fall foul of Putin… It’s a gripping, well-crafted tale and Shaw easily makes the transition to blockbusters.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“A real page turner.” Woman Magazine

“Unsurprisingly skilful is Dead Rich by G.W. Shaw (riverrun). Why unsurprisingly? Admirers of the talented William Shaw should know that he is also G.W. Shaw, and they will be happy to tackle his alter go, in the latter guise, he supplies writing that is quite as adroit as that written under his usual moniker.” Barry Forshaw, Crime Time

“A sun-drenched, blood-soaked thriller set on a superyacht in the Caribbean. It’s that most wonderful thing: a Thumping Good Read.” Mark Edwards

“GW Shaw delivers a superbly crafted, adrenaline-charged thriller that engages the reader from start to finish.” Myles McWeeney, Irish Independent

“I’ve been a fan of William Shaw for a long time now, but even by his high standards Dead Rich is an extraordinary book.” M. W. Craven

“A joyous escape of a book. A real adventure story set on the high seas, with engaging central characters and a pacy narrative. And because it’s by William Shaw, it is, of course, beautifully written.” Ann Cleeves

“G W Shaw… has set this timely thriller on an oligarch’s yacht in the Caribbean… and there is plenty of action to keep thrill-seekers reading.” Natasha Cooper, Literary Review

“Dead Rich is a cleverly crafted and suspenseful locked room thriller set against the backdrop of the high seas and the world of the super wealthy.” culturefly.co.uk

“Set on a luxury yacht, Dead Rich charts a twisty course between murder, lies, and the dark deeds of oligarchs. A fresh, high-octane take on the ever-popular adventure thriller genre.” Vaseem Khan

“A rip-roaring seaborne adventure thriller. Dead Rich provides thrills and spills in abundance, along with enough sailing lore to satisfy even the most jaded armchair admiral.” Mike Ripley, Shots magazine

“Like a sophisticated, turbo-charged reboot of Alistair MacLean, it’s a completely gripping thriller adventure set on the Caribbean Sea that’s plotted and paced with precision. Loved it.” Paddy Magrane

“Dead Rich is a totally gripping, impeccably crafted thriller that never slackens the tension for a minute. The brilliantly realised setting lets you take a holiday in a billionaire’s nightmare, and the plot has twists that genuinely made me gasp. Hugely enjoyable.” Jane Casey

“Devotees of the wonderful DI Cupidi books, set on Kent’s southern coast, need not worry, though: following last year’s brilliant The Trawlerman, it’s still recognisably the same considered, meticulous and careful hand at the tiller. We are at sea again in this uncannily prescient story of mysterious misadventures of the ultra-high-net-worth bracket, most of which takes place on board a Russian oligarch’s yacht. Dead Rich proves what repeat customers for Shaw’s books have known for several years now: this is an author who can evidently do pretty much anything he puts his mind to. In an afterword to last year’s book he mentioned how the first chapter had been written during a writers’ workshop: here he delivers another masterclass.” Angus Batey, The Quietus

The Trawlerman: Alex Cupidi 4

“Shaw goes from strength to strength in this subtle and original series about clever but uneasy cop Alex Cupidi, whose beat is the weird and wild world of Dungeness . . . Authentic plots, an atmospheric setting and believable dialogue make this another Shaw-fire hit by one of Britain’s leading crime writers.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“Shaw’s finely drawn copper, Alex Cupidi, is on enforced leave, trying to deal with lingering PTSD following a traumatic case. But trouble is never far away from her home on the wild Dungeness shore. Murder and fraud, fishing and family all come together in a terrifically atmospheric thriller mixing a twisting plot with a considered meditation on the lasting effects of close contact with violence.” John Williams, The Mail on Sunday

“Swallowed, hook, line and sinker. Lovely storytelling, deft and clever; and characters painted in all the colours of the sea and the sky. I didn’t want it to stop.” Val McDermid

“Quite simply a class act, the characters, setting, and plot fuse into the most readable and thrilling whole.” Liz Robinson, Lovereading.com Books of the Year 2021

BEST BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS 2021 “An atmospheric setting and believable dialogue.” The Sun

“The stress of being a police officer is a theme of Shaw’s absorbing series set on the Kent coastline. In The Trawlerman , DI Alexandra Cupidi is on sick leave with PTSD. The enforced inactivity allows her to make friends in the local fishing community, where she is drawn into a long-ago disappearance at sea. Despite stern warnings, she can’t keep out of an inquiry into the deaths of a much-liked local couple, who have lost their life savings in a scam. Shaw’s novels combine a strong central character with an atmospheric setting and original plots.” Joan Smith, The Sunday Times

Grave’s End: Alex Cupidi 3

“Who would have thought that badger culls might figure in the plot of a crime novel? But then William Shaw has never been content to simply reheat familiar elements… Shaw never lectures; his major imperative remains ironclad storytelling and razor-sharp characterisation, both in evidence here.” Barry Forshaw, Financial Times. 

“As if Ian Rankin and Richard Adams teamed up to write a hugely entertaining crime thriller with a hard-hitting environmental message.” Mark Edwards

“A powerful, scary suspense mystery which had me swiping over pages at speed while savouring every word. This is a brilliant novel.” Lesley Thomson

“This is an ingenious, often moving and always powerful story, which brilliantly captures Kent and its social divisions and offers a realistic, if harsh, look at the inequalities of life in modern Britain.” John Cleal, crimereview.co.uk

“Shaw weaves a tidy yarn…” Jon Wise, Weekend Sport.

Deadland: Alex Cupidi 2

“Superb . . . Shaw handles diverse plotlines brilliantly, demonstrating his ability to write about contemporary events with keen intelligence.” Joan Smith, Sunday Times. Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month

“Another clever, thoughtful mystery from one of the best authors of Brit crime fiction’s new wave.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“In the inventive and arresting Deadland, the outrageously rich haves of the art world and a pair of hopeless have-nots collide with murderous results. This tautly constructed thriller is the second outing of William Shaw’s DS Alexandra Cupidi, a Met detective turned Kent cop.” The Times

“Shaw has made the bleak and inhospitable Kent coastline one of the principal characters in his mysteries . . . Opens spectacularly“ Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

“Delivering a great sense of place, well-drawn characters and a feisty heroine, this is highly recommended” Myles McWeeney, Irish Independent

“A thrilling climax that will keep you guessing until the end” Candis Magazine

“Sinister and divisive themes . . . Shaw is a master of characterisation . . . Totally believable” Jon Wise, Sunday Sport

“With pitch perfect characterisation, immersive storylines, a striking use of location, and accomplished writing and plotting, there is so much to enjoy in this series. Highly recommended.” Raven Crime Reads

“Shaw’s writing is dark and edgy, and this novel has a gritty realistic feel because of the way it deals in contemporary issues. The thing that makes it stand out the most is the level of social commentary Shaw revels in.” NBMagazine

Salt Lane: Alex Cupidi 1

“A sharp eye for detail, turned on 21st-century phenomenon of people-trafficking. There are some touching moments in this vivid tale, which recognises that decent people don’t always behave well.” Joan Smith, The Times

“Shaw scores subtle political points in this atmospheric, state-of-the-nation thriller that, as always, features intricate plotting, realistic dialogue and believable characters. A modern crime master.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“Detective Sergeant Alexandra Cupidi, a recent transfer from London to the coastal Kent police department, is having a hard time adjusting in William Shaw’s excellent Salt Lane… [It’s] a web of events that reverses readers’ expectations.” Tim Nolan, Wall Street Journal

“Salt Lane is taut, terrifying and timely; the emotional tension never slackens.” Val McDermid

“A fine police heroine emerges here… living in the shadow of the power station at Dungeness. It is a splendid backdrop for a troubled detective.” Mail on Sunday

“DS Alexandra Cupidi (introduced in The Birdwatcher) is complex, conflicted, and conscientious… Shaw’s rattling good writing will hold readers to the very end.” Publisher’s Weekly (starred review).

“Cupidi is a convincing character and William Shaw’s evocation of the unforgiving Kent landscape is very well done. All this, however, is secondary to the social commentary. This murder mystery has a message that comes over loud and clear.” Jessica Mann, Literary Review

“William Shaw is one of the great rising talents of UK crime fiction. This is his best book to date, instantly engaging, beautifully written with really well observed and rounded characters.” Peter James

“Brilliant. Atmospheric, immersive scene setting, highly engaging main protagonist and a superbly crafted plot, written beautifully.” Liz Loves Books

“Intriguing and atmospheric, Salt Lane covers tough topics with sensitivity, a dash of humour and above all, beautiful writing. I love the whole Cupidi family – mother, daughter and child. I don’t think there are any other crime novels I’ve read that are exploring this kind of family dynamic.” Susi Holliday

“Cupidi is one of my current favourite crime fiction police characters. Shaw writes female characters and tackles the issues around motherhood so well. A page-turning police procedural with a thoughtful, character-driven heart, an astounding sense of place, and a quirky sense of humour.” Julia Crouch, author of Her Husband’s Lover

“Gritty, hard-hitting crime rarely sits beside brooding atmosphere, flawless writing, and characters so real you could have a chat with them, but Salt Lane is that rare gem. A fabulous start to what I’m sure will be a must-read series.” Barbara Copperthwaite

“Tense and brutal . . . Intelligent, beautifully written and with an emotional resonance that stays long after the book is finished, this is a tight and compelling read that rewards the reader in spades.” Live and Deadly

“Stark beauty . . . The investigations raise issues important to 21st-century Brexit Britain – immigration, racism, sexism, poverty and inequality.” Literary Shed

“Evokes setting in every way possible – the darkness, the way of living on this land, the workers, illegal and otherwise, the land changing over the years, the rawness of the sea and the elements … it’s exposed, raw and hard to deal with at times, and all of this is also the essence of this very immersive read. This novel really shone for me as it weaves social commentary, great writing and unique observation of landscape into one neatly tied package.” Book Trail

“I loved this first book an unreasonable amount, I was so delighted by how good it was… there are so many layers and it’s so real…A great mystery and a great police procedural…two enthusiastic bird thumbs up.” Bookriot

“I discovered the novels of William Shaw last year, and read The Birdwatcher, and then a trilogy set in 1960s London featuring Detectives Tozer and Breen. There is now a fourth book in that series in my “to read” pile. And, you’ll find a very satisfying connection between that series and Salt Lane. These are both terrific series — I can say “read one and you’ll read them all” and feel entirely confident that you will agree.” Parry Sound North Star

Breen & Tozer 4

Sympathy for the Devil, published in the US as Play With Fire

“William Shaw is a superb, flowing writer, both of police procedure and personal relations, and perhaps England’s most adept at using dialogue to propel his always intelligent stories.” Marcel Berlins, The Times

“This book contains the kind of writing – silky, seductive, unobtrusive – that carries one along almost willy-nilly. I picked the book up to get a taste of it and an hour later was still reading this clever, absorbing police procedural.” Jessica Mann Literary Review

“Shaw’s talent for sensuous storytelling comes to the fore as he sets this fourth book in the series in the summer of 1969 . . . A first rate drama. Shaw goes from strength to strength, while making it all seem effortless.” Geoffrey Wansell Daily Mail

“The debate about whether or not crime fiction should aspire to literary values rumbles on, but when a writer demonstrates a consummate use of language and can also incorporate the key imperative of the thriller – page-turning – it’s a cause for celebration. William Shaw is in that select breed.” Barry Forshaw Financial Times

“A gripping, complex plot, the subtle period details and well-drawn characters make this a real winner.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

““Teenager’s violent, evasive killer and Cathal and Helen’s evolving, unsettled relationship create a new level of suspense for this must-read series of detail-saturated procedurals.” Booklist

The Birdwatcher

“I never do crime novels but it’s brilliant.” Jim Moir/Vic Reeves.

“The most gripping book I’ve read in years. William Shaw is, quite simply, an outstanding storyteller.” Peter May

“Superb description of a haunting, blighted landscape. His best book so far.” C. J. Sansom

“An astoundingly good crime novel.” Elly Griffiths

“A brilliantly constructed thriller, told part in flashback to his traumatic past, it’s utterly compulsive, written in sharp, unsentimental style, and with a wonderfully atmospheric storm-battered setting” Sunday Mirror

“What a pleasure it is when one discovers a writer who combines ironclad storytelling techniques with the linguistic finesse of more literary novelists. William Shaw is surely such a writer, a man whose command of narrative grips the reader by the throat from page one, and never lets go – but also allows every word to register with exactly the right amount of resonance. And that’s not to forget the idiomatic dialogue, which is another Shaw specialty . . . The Birdwatcher, it might be argued, is Shaw’s most accomplished (and most visceral) book yet . . . [The] unsparing treatment of the personality of South – and the dark drives that can lead people to murder – that is at the chilling heart of this book.” Barry Forshaw, Independent

“A fine, atmospheric, emotionally compelling thriller.” John Williams, Mail on Sunday

“A gripping plot, atmospheric setting, highly believable characters and dialogue you can imagine real people saying, make this a contender for thriller of the year” Sun

“Award-winning author Shaw delivers an outstanding stand-alone novel.” Library Journal

“Shaw (A Song for the Brokenhearted) has more than enough material there for a fine procedural, but he interweaves the present-day case with a more personal one. The action builds to a thrilling ending.” Publishers Weekly

One of the summer’s “Chilliest Thrillers”. “Shaw’s prose sinks its hooks in.” Entertainment Weekly

“Exquisite in every way. It’s a slow burn book that begins with a violent crime and ends explosively, with plenty of character development and all of the elements that we have come to love and expect in a police procedural story… the book should certainly bring additional attention to Shaw’s superlative work and undoubtedly will create a demand for more.” Bookreporter

“Fantastic.” Bookriot

“I liked its discreet, thoughtful prose. . . . By its theatrical but moving conclusion, The Birdwatcher has become an excellent read.” Charles Finch, USA Today

“Shaw crafts a delicious atmosphere.” Mystery Scene

Breen & Tozer 1

A Song from Dead Lips, published as She’s Leaving Home in the US

“A gripping story, impeccably researched” The Guardian

“Shaw skilfully recreates an era of social turmoil and class conflict” The Sunday Times

Best Crime of 2013 The Evening Standard

“Excellent debut” The Mail on Sunday, paperback of the week

“Missed the sixties? Then grab a copy of William Shaw’s superb A Song from Dead Lips. This is a terrific mystery novel that moves at the speed of a sixties three minute single. Has the best female character this side of Salander in many a year You can literally hear the Beatles as this andrenalined narrative jets along. The most startling, original crime of the year.” Ken Bruen

“This outstanding novel is a reminder of the multiple joys of [a] police procedural with quirky characters, crisp dialog, and, in this case, a healthy dose of period detail. . . . Spread the word so that this satisfying debut will end up in the right hands.”Library Journal (starred)

“Slick, stylish and suspenseful – read it now!” Essentials

“Convincing atmosphere, lively dialogue and a fun cop duo unites Beatlemania, English racism and the Biafran war. ” The Times

“London-set police thriller William Shaw’s powerful debut novel is searing suspense and a haunting look at the 60’s. Murder, politics, international intrigue – the brutal death of a young woman set against the dark background of Abbey Road. The dialogue is razor-sharp and the London scene is brilliantly authentic. A Song From Dead Lips is thriller-writing at its best.” Linda Fairstein

“Over the course of a thrilling plot, William Shaw succeeds in recreating all the political tension and cultural upheaval of an explosive time .” Le Figaro

“All is impeccably researched. Shaw has imbued his London and its people: natives, incomers, transients, with the crude and frenetic aura of a decade, a time when pop culture was only the face of revolt, when, behind the façade, the old guard attempted to shore up the barricades, and people died violently… We have a new detective to join Brunetti and Sergeant Chee, and a debut to celebrate.” Shots Magazine

“Entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure, with its wonderful description of sixties London.” Raven Crime

“The ending is action packed… a neat take on an over-examined decade. A sort of Magical Murder Mystery Tour.” Daily Express

Breen & Tozer 2

A House of Knives, published in the US as The Kings of London

“Excellent period yarn that tackles bent police, the dark side of hippiedom and utterly nails the myth of the Swinging Sixties” The Sun

“Insightful… an elegy for an entire alienated generation” The New York Times

“A distinctive British crime drama, which benefits from a clear moral sense – not altogether common in an era more used to Fifty Shades of Grey” The Daily Mail

“Well-drawn characters and a well-told plot keep the action taut and the pages turning” Choice magazine

“It’s a far out read, man. You’ll dig it” Weekend Sport.

“William Shaw makes his sentences sing” New York Daily News

“Cathal Breen is altogether the most welcome crime solver in British fiction” Toronto Star

“Breen and Tozer come across as fallible human beings, not razor-sharp law enforcers, and it’s their relationship—both professional and personal—that makes this a winner” Publisher’s Weekly

“Shaw makes the gritty English capital come alive” Kirkus

“Shaw improves on this series’ strong debut” Booklist

Breen & Tozer 3

A Book of Scars, published in the US as A Song for the Brokenhearted

“Superb crime novels… A Book of Scars combines nostalgic period detail with an emotional intensity found only in the very best crime fiction.” Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month, June 2015

“A first-rate mystery” The Guardian

“The question of why a killer kills is always central. William Shaw delivers a perfect motive in the third of his excellent Breen and Tozer mysteries…” Jeff Noon, The Spectator

“Superb . . . Shaw picks up multiple plot threads, expertly weaving them into a complex story . . . Shaw perfectly captures the end of an uneasy era, and the utterly terrifying final scene will leave readers breathless.” Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Gripping . . . Echoes Robert Galbraith’s crime novels, and neither author suffers by the comparison. This is a totally engaging series.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Shaw raises the bar with each entry in this series. . . . A genre-bending psychological thriller, perfect for those who like Elizabeth George’s Lynley novels.” Booklist (starred review)

“Thoroughly gripping . . . Shaw draws incisive attention to little-known historical events and crafts a wholly satisfying thriller.” Kirkus Reviews