Harrowing and gripping. An astute police procedural . . . Switching between LA, Mexico and Tokyo both Iwata's present and past are cleverly interwoven in a truly heart-rending climax

Fresh and convincing . . . the dialogue is worthy of the great chronicler of LA's dark side, Raymond Chandler. But really, Obregon's writing has a unique flavour all of its own, wherever his books are set

Sins as Scarlet is a searing LA crime story, as poetic as it is brutal, as tender as it is disturbing

Thanks to the excellent Iwata, you get a gripping mystery with a real conscience

In the heady tradition of Raymond Chandler and Michael Connelly, Sins as Scarlet lays bare the bruised heart and broken soul of Los Angeles. Extraordinary stuff: a diabolically clever police procedural, a wrenching character study, and a merciless chronicle of a city in decay. I'm awestruck.

A dark, brutal ride through the underbelly of LA

Masterpiece - that's the only way to describe Sins as Scarlet. Obregón's brilliant novel is, at once, a classic noir, a psychological thriller and a riveting examination-sometimes dark, sometime moving to the point of tears--of life in a less-than-angelic Los Angeles

Evocative, perceptive writing

This bleak, richly descriptive and haunting thriller walks of the wild side of Los Angeles

A brace of cutting-edge themes are threaded into the abrasive narrative . . . It is a combustible mix, but as in the earlier Blue Light Yokohama, the author has the full measure of his difficult material. With his vividly evoked Mexican and LA settings [he] delivers a pacey, page-turning thriller, but the underlying seriousness gives real texture. Iwata is a richly drawn, conflicted hero, and this is another savage journey into the dark heart of America

Obregón keeps the unpredictable plot of Sins As Scarlet churning with myriad surprises that are grounded in believability

Praise for Blue Light Yokohama

Taut and atmospheric with twists galore

An outstanding debut

A twisty, highly entertaining thriller that pulls us into the heart of an unconventional hero as he fights corruption in the gritty, glittering world of Tokyo

Refreshing. Engaging

This strong debut features two very different teenage girls, both trying to make sense of their lives…
Barber skilfully evokes their contrasting worlds and blundering steps towards the truth.

A fast paced and interesting exploration of the lives of two teenagers in very different circumstances. A gripping read… thoroughly enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed My Name is Anna from the outset, my attention was grabbed by the intriguing prologue and beautiful prose. Lizzy Barber manages to balance a compelling narrative with excellent attention to detail and exquisite descriptions.

A chillingly compulsive read

A gripping story about loss, memory and love

Dark, disturbing and powerful, the gripping plot is full of twists, turns and suspense. You will not want to put it down.

A gripping one-sitting read… this is a deft and assured debut novel from Lizzy Barber.

My Name Is Anna is a book that instantly compels you to keep reading after the first chapter. If you like compulsive psychological dramas with emotionally complex characters, make this your next read.

I can't remember a debut I read with such pleasure - a really masterful handling of complex plot and beautiful characterisation

A thriller with a chilling psychological edge that explores the bonds of friendship

Slow-burning, yet intense ... Ticks all the crime thriller boxes

Brilliant. We predict she is a big name for the future

Once Upon a River is a delight, just marvellous. I devoured it in gulps.

Once Upon A River succeeds in doing what you hope every book will do - pull you in from the first page, hold you captive in the middle, then leave you satisfied and thoughtful at the end. I loved it.