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Top 10 best murder mystery books – and Agatha Christie not No. 1 | Books | Entertainment

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In an era of true-crime aficionados, murder mysteries continue to captivate readers of all age groups, and while Agatha Christie often takes the crown for many, there are other fantastic novels that deserve attention.

From timeless classics to BookTok favourites, here we dissect Goodreads’ avid readers’ list of the 10 best murder mystery books of all time:

10. The Last Thing She Ever Did by Gregg Olsen

This gripping tale by Gregg Olsen follows the story of a woman, her secrets, and the dark web of deceit that she’s tangled in. After being accused of a murder she didn’t commit, the protagonist finds herself in a race against time to uncover the real killer while trying to protect her own family.

Known for his ability to blend psychological suspense with thrilling plot twists, Olsen delivers a satisfying mystery that is difficult to put down. This book takes a unique look at how the past can haunt the present and how even those closest to us may not be as trustworthy as they seem.

9. The Swimmer by Loreth Anne White

In The Swimmer, a story of tragedy and revenge unfolds on the cliffs of a small coastal town. A woman returns to her childhood home where she was once a local swimming prodigy, only to find that something more sinister is at play beneath the surface. As her past secrets resurface, she must navigate a web of lies, betrayal, and murder.

Loreth Anne White’s writing is evocative and dark, creating an atmosphere of tension that pulls the reader in, while the novel dives into themes of trauma, family dynamics, and the search for truth – making it a gripping read for fans of psychological thrillers and whodunnits alike.

8. The Reaping by Jess Lourey

The Reaping is a chilling mystery set in the small town of Steinbeck, where a series of murders echoes a haunting past. The second book in the Steinbeck and Reed series, it explores the legacy of violence and the long-buried secrets that resurface when a string of mysterious deaths occurs.

Jess Lourey crafts a complex narrative, blending suspense with dark humor and mystery, and the book examines how the sins of the past continue to shape the lives of those who live in its shadow. It’s a thrilling roller-coaster of emotions with twists and turns that keep readers engaged from start to finish.

7. On Her Watch by Melinda Leigh

Melinda Leigh’s On Her Watch is a standout in the Bree Taggert series, which follows a law enforcement officer turned private investigator. When Bree investigates a cold case that seems to be tied to a current string of disappearances, she must confront both her personal demons and a dangerous killer.

The book’s heart-pounding pace, combined with its strong female protagonist, creates a dynamic and engaging experience. The emotional depth of the characters, paired with tense, high-stakes moments, has made this novel a favorite among fans of suspense and action-packed thrillers.

6. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera is a fast-paced mystery that unfolds when a young woman, desperate to escape her abusive past, begins to uncover secrets that have been buried for years. This novel takes readers on a wild ride through a world of intrigue, betrayal, and murder.

Tintera’s ability to craft a compelling narrative filled with twists and unpredictable turns ensures that readers are constantly on edge. The book also explores themes of trust, identity, and how lies can shape our understanding of reality.

5. Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb

In Deeper Than the Dead, Debra Webb introduces readers to a chilling world where the line between good and evil is blurred. The novel follows Vera Boyett, a forensic expert, as she dives deep into the heart of a mysterious series of murders. As she gets closer to the truth, Vera must confront her own past. Webb’s knack for writing psychologically complex characters and building a suspenseful atmosphere draws readers in. This book is filled with dark, haunting moments that leave readers questioning what is truly real and who can be trusted.

4. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

One of Agatha Christie’s most beloved works, Murder on the Orient Express features her famous detective, Hercule Poirot. On a luxurious train journey, a murder is committed, and Poirot must solve the case as the train is stuck in a snowstorm. The novel is notable for its innovative plot twist and the way it presents the complexities of human nature.

Christie’s mastery of the genre is on full display here, and the novel has remained a favorite among readers for decades. Its status as a classic is undeniable, but it ranks just outside the top three in this list.

3. Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

Charlie Donlea’s Twenty Years Later is an intricate and captivating murder mystery that explores the case of a woman who has been wrongfully convicted of a crime she didn’t commit. The novel intertwines a present-day investigation with events from two decades prior, creating a tense narrative as secrets are slowly revealed. Readers are drawn to the rich character development and the twisty plot that keeps them guessing until the very end.

2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Perhaps one of Agatha Christie’s most famous works, And Then There Were None is a haunting tale of ten strangers invited to an isolated island, only to find that they are being picked off one by one.

The book is an example of Christie’s brilliant narrative skill, presenting a closed-room mystery with an innovative approach to suspense. Each chapter ratchets up the tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out who the killer is.

1. Murder on Family Grounds by Susan Rowland

At the top of the list is Murder on Family Grounds by Susan Rowland, a thrilling mystery that dives into family secrets, deception, and betrayal. The third book in the Mary Wandwalker series, it is set against a backdrop of power struggles and murder within a close-knit family.

The protagonist, Mary, uncovers layers of secrets hidden within a seemingly perfect family. Her journey to uncover the truth takes unexpected turns, making it a gripping and ultimately satisfying read. This book has garnered significant praise on Goodreads for its complex characters and its smart, twisty plot.



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Mick Jagger’s harsh verdict on The Beatles’ live performances | Music | Entertainment

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The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have long been linked as two of the defining bands of the 1960s. But while their legacies often intersect, their mutual admiration didn’t always extend to every aspect of each other’s work.

Mick Jagger, frontman of The Rolling Stones, had high praise for The Beatles’ influence on music, but didn’t think much of their live performance abilities.

In a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, Jagger was asked whether The Beatles deserved their reputation as the greatest band of all time, and said: “They certainly were not a great live band. Maybe they were in the days of The Cavern, when they were coming up as a club band.”

“I’m sure they were hilariously funny and all that”, he added. “And they did have this really good onstage persona. But as far as the modern-day world, they were not a great performing band.”

Still, Jagger recognised the enormous impact The Beatles had on the music industry and popular culture. “Do they deserve the fantastic reputation?” he asked rhetorically. “They were The Beatles. They were this forerunning, breakthrough item, and that’s hard to overestimate.”

He went on to describe how their emergence changed the game for every British group that followed – including his own.

The Beatles’ 1962 debut single ‘Love Me Do’ had, Jagger said, a bluesy sound that felt uncomfortably close to the Stones’ own style.

“It upset me a bit,” he later admitted in a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame speech, “because we were supposed to be the R&B group.”

Despite any competitive tension, Jagger credited Lennon and McCartney with helping The Rolling Stones early in their career. The Beatles famously gave the Stones one of their early hits – ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’.

At the Beatles’ 1988 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jagger reflected on the pre-Beatles era of British pop music, calling it “embarrassing”: “They wrote great songs, and they changed everything. They were the first to do so many things that people now take for granted.”

Jagger’s most personal comments, however, were reserved for John Lennon, whose passing he spoke with great emotion about: “I just felt very sad for the loss of someone that I loved very much”.



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The correct order to read the Narnia books, according to CS Lewis | Books | Entertainment

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Starting the Chronicles of Narnia can be somewhat confusing, with fans of the series arguing about the correct order to read them. This is because the published order of the books and the chronological order of events are not quite the same. While the first published Narnia book was the ever-popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, if following Narnian chronology, you should actually start with The Magician’s Nephew, which was published five years later.

Recent editions of the books have been published in chronological order, with HarperCollins’s numbered editions placing The Magician’s Nephew as number one and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as number two in the series. However, there are still those who prefer to read in the published order.

However, in 1957, a fan wrote to C.S. Lewis after an argument with his mother about the correct reading order. He wanted to re-read the books chronologically, while his mum argued that they should stick to the publication order.

In reply to this, Lewis wrote: “I think I agree with your order for reading the books more than with your mother’s. The series was not planned beforehand as she thinks. When I wrote The Lion I did not know I was going to write any more.

“Then I wrote P. Caspian as a sequel and still didn’t think there would be any more, and when I had done The Voyage I felt quite sure it would be the last. But I found as I was wrong. So perhaps it does not matter very much in which order anyone read them.”

Similarly, Lewis’s stepson Douglas Gresham, who referred to his step-father as ‘Jack’, has told fans: “HarperCollins asked, ‘What order do you think we ought to do them in?’  

“And I said, ‘Well … I actually asked Jack himself what order he preferred and thought they should be read in.  And he said he thought they should be read in the order of Narnian chronology.’  So I said, ‘Why don’t you go with what Jack himself wanted?’  So, it’s my fault basically—the order of Narnian chronology.  And I’m not the least bit ashamed of it.”

Despite both Lewis’s and Gresham’s interventions, NarniaWeb notes that this hasn’t stopped the disagreements between fans of the books. And on the C. S. Lewis website, Dr. Charlie W. Starr wrote: “Lewis scholars almost universally agree that we should disagree with what Lewis said about the order of publication.”

Dr Starr further added: “The Magician’s Nephew doesn’t captivate new readers as well as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe does. I’ve heard stories of people reading Nephew and quitting the rest of the series! Wardrobe grabs readers more powerfully on a first reading.”

Publication order:

  1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
  2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
  3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
  4. The Silver Chair (1953)
  5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
  6. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
  7. The Last Battle (1956)

Chronological order:

  1. The Magician’s Nephew
  2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
  3. The Horse and His Boy
  4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
  5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
  6. The Silver Chair
  7. The Last Battle



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Fortnite Season 3 skins include Darth Jar Jar, Emperor Palpatine, Mace Windu and more | Gaming | Entertainment

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Fortnite fans have been treated to a boatload of new information about Chapter 6, Season 3.

As part of this weekend’s Star Wars Celebration LIVE event, Epic Games revealed a brand new trailer for the upcoming season. The trailer confirmed that the new season will have a Star Wars theme and a May 2 release date.

You can check out the Fortnite Chapter 6, Season 3 trailer below.

In addition to the Season 3 release date, the new trailer showcases some of the new skins launching as part of the Star Wars crossover.

The Battle Pass and Item Shop will welcome the likes of Darth Jar Jar Binks, Emperor Palpatine, Mace Windu and Poe Dameron.

That’s on top of Sith and Jedi variants of Evie, Wookie Team Leader, Captain Phasma and a customisable Mandalorian skin.

An email sent to Daily Express suggests that Wookiee Cuddle Team Leader and Emperor Palpatine will be included in the Battle Pass, while Mace Windu will be available from the Item Shop.

The upcoming season will also introduce new gameplay features, including the ability to pilot and co-pilot X-wings and TIE fighters.

Expect lightsabers to also make a return, alongside new Force Powers such as Lightning, and blasters from the various movies. 

Needless to say, various Star Wars locations and landmarks will feature in the Season 3 map.

However, one of the more exciting new features is the addition of regular events taking place throughout May and early June.

According to Epic Games, it all begins with the ‘Imperial Takeover’ theme from May 2. This will be followed by ‘The Pull of the Force’ from May 8, ‘Mandalorian Rising’ from May 22 and ‘Star Destroyer Bombardment’ from May 29.

The events continue into the following month with ‘Death Star Sabotage’ from June 7. Expect more details to be announced and leaked in the coming weeks.

According to Epic Games, it’s all part of an ongoing narrative event within the world of Fortnite.

“The five-part saga will lead up to an in-game narrative live event that will surely have players feeling like they’ve got the fate of the whole galaxy in their hands,” Epic explains.



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