‘Laura Lippman’s stories aren’t just mysteries; they are deeply moving explorations of the human heart. She is quite simply one of the best crime novelists writing today.’ Tess Gerritsen ‘I love her books.’ Harlen Coben ‘Exquisite as fine jewellery.’ Lee Child ‘A writer at the peak of her powers.’ Washington Post ‘Lippman's [demonstartes that the] best action is inside her characters' minds … Lippman fans won't be disappointed .’Kirkus Reviews ‘One of the most distinctive voices in contemporary fiction…Lippman has once more challenged, realigned and ultimately transcended the boundaries of genre.’New York Observer ‘Succeeds brilliantly…Lippman is in total command of her material…a mystery so taut the reader is nearly afraid to keep going—and simultaneously powerless to stop.’ People Magazine ‘From its gripping opening pages about a burned-out author's bookstore reading, Laura Lippman's Life Sentences may be the most absorbing, entertaining mystery published in the last year. Lippman does it all, from creating vivid, three-dimensional characters, to painting a beautifully detailed portrait of her hometown, Baltimore, to crafting a plot that drives readers along at a fast clip while simultaneously building suspense as one dramatic revelation leads to another.’ Boston Globe 'A terrific crime writer.'Daily Mail ‘Intricate and witty.’ Publisher’s Weekly ‘A gripping novel.’Closer

• Lippman is a huge acquisition for AVON - major consumer and retail marketing. • Laura Lippman is a top 10 New York Times bestseller. • Lippman has won virtually every major crime award including the Anthony and Edgar awards. • Lippman’s classy, complex and multi-layered thrillers focusing on the secrets that ordinary people harbour are simply unputdownable. • Lippman combines the thrills of Harlan Coben and Dennis Lehane with the in-depth characterisation of Jodi Picoult – she is truly in a class of her own. • Laura will be a star guest at Harrogate and the prestigious Sydney Writers’ Festival in 09. All bookshop, independent and library sales to Gardners Books and Bertrams.www.gardners.comwww.bertrams.com www.harpercollins.co.uk/avon Competition: Harlan Coben, Dennis Lehane.