The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths

This is a Stephens and Mephisto Mystery. 

The story is set in Brighton in 1950.  DI Edgar Stephens leads the investigation into the murder of an unknown women whose body has been cut into three pieces.  This reminds him of a magic trick called the Zig Zag Girl which was invented by Max Mephisto.  

Edgar and Max served together during the war in a secret unit known as the Magic Men. Max is still performing as a magician in seaside towns during the summer season.  Edgar contacts Max to ask about the trick. When another dead body is found, and this murder also resembles a magic trick, Edgar begins to suspect that the Magic Men could be targets.  

I have also read 'Crossing Places' by this author and have 'The Outcast Dead' on my bookshelf. 

Found Wanting by Robert Goddard

Richard Eusden stops for a coffee at a pavement cafe on his way to work one morning.  His ex-wife appears and manages to convince him to help her undertake a task she has been asked to perform for Marty Hewitson, his old friend from childhood.  Marty is terminally ill and has requested that an old briefcase is delivered to him in Brussels.  Richard agrees to take the case and finds himself dragged back into the past and stories told by Marty's grandfather Clem.  

Clem had claimed that in 1909 he saved the two oldest daughters of Tsar Nicholas II from a would-be assassin on the Isle of Wight.  Years later a lady appeared who claimed to be Anastasia, the younger daughter of the Tsar.  Some people confirmed her claim and others rejected it.  

Richard helps Marty to uncover some of the mystery around Anastasia and to find out just how Clem had been involved.  

I have read a number of books by Robert Goddard and have enjoyed them all.  The stories can be very different but there is always some intrigue.  

I have read at least 'Days Without Number', 'Play to the End', 'Closed Circle', 'Dying to Tell', 'Set in Stone' and 'Sight Unseen'.  I have 'Long Time Coming' and 'Out of the Sun' on my bookcase.  

Cherry Picking by Tim Heath

Nigel Gamble is a very successful businessman.  He always seems to know just when to get into, and out off, different businesses to make himself a lot of money.  Over time he becomes the hidden person in the background, with Brendan Charles being the CEO, and known face, of his large insurance broker company.  

Nigel has been hiding himself away as he fears that someone will come after him.  Robert Sandle knows the secret of Nigel's success and becomes a threat.  

Nigel tries to track down Robert so that he can eliminate the threat, whilst Robert tries to find a way to stop Nigel from continuing with his plans and using and hurting a lot of people.  

This is Tim Heath's first novel.  It is a really interesting and inventive story.  It definitely didn't go in the direction I expected.