Jonathan Gash's best known creation is the loveable rogue Lovejoy, the slightly crooked antique dealer from East Anglia. If you only ever seen Ian McShane's portrayal on the TV, you are in for a shock when you read one of the books. The whole atmosphere is darker, and Lovejoy himself is a lot less loveable - in fact it's fairly rare that he gets through a whole book without killing (or at least maiming) someone. Despite this and the narration by Lovejoy himself where he makes it very plain that cowardice is a watchword, there are plenty of the familiar features from the TV series too, including a very pure love of antiques. The books aren't the same thing, and are certainly a lot more violent, but are in the end more satisfying stories.

Gash has recently ventured into a new world featuring a male prostitute and a female doctor, set in his home city of Manchester (though names are changed) - very different again from Lovejoy, but a fascinating view into a whole underground culture.

Different Women Dancing.
Jonathan Gash's new series of novels starts with this murky tale of commercial murder and prostitution. It has some very nasty moments, but is a truly fascinating story of a whole underworld culture. The main characters are Bonn, once a trainee priest who is now a goer - a male prostitute with female clients - and Doctor Clare Burtonall, whose husband's involvement in a crime brings her into accidental contact with the strange sub-culture of the city. Has been likened to Brighton Rock, and it's easy to see why. A stunning book. New 23 January 1999

Different Women Dancing.

Firefly Gadroon.
A 'small Japanese box' is sold under Lovejoy's nose - a genuine antique firefly cage that might be the first clue to a secret worth murdering for. Unfortunately, the victim battered to death in the Essex marshes is a friend of Lovejoy's, and it becomes a matter of personal vengeance, ending in Lovejoy's mastery of one of the hardest techniques of metal design. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

Gold from/by Gemini.
Lovejoy's divvie instincts tell him he's uncovered the genuine article when a series of clues leads him to a mythical 'find' of Roman treasure. Things are looking up until he's forced to part with it in a particularly nasty way. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Gondola Scam.
Dealers are bidding themselves into poverty for a painting that Lovejoy is sure is a fake. Theives even pull a raid to steal it. When Lovejoy is asked to check whether antiques being secretly lifted from Venice are genuine or skilful forgeries, he can't resist and finds himself with as ugly a bunch of crooks as he's every encountered. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Grace in Older Women.
As usual business is tight for Lovejoy, which isn't helped when one of his local contacts is found dead. Blackmailed (by a magistrate) into fund raising for an unlikely claim of American royalty, Lovejoy ends up organising an illegal auction, hunting through fakes and arranging an exhibition with his eye on profit ... and his friend's killer. One of the better Lovejoys - a great read.. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Grail Tree.
In the world of antiques, the Holy Grail is 'found' all too often - so Lovejoy isn't exactly convinced when a half-mad, drunk ex-clergyman claims to have the real thing. Then its owner meets and sudden and grisly death, and nothing is certain any more. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Great California Game.
Lovejoy heads for Manhattan where he meets the Aquilinas and their extraordinary friends. Becoming part of an illegal antiques scam involving a protection racket, con tricks and general mayhem, he embarks on a desperate trip westward across the USA, heading for LA and the ritual of the Great California Game. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Judas Pair.
When Lovejoy agrees to search for a pair of famous (in fact possibly non-existent) duelling pistols (one designed to kill whoever is holding it, hence the title) he finds himself on the trail of a murderer and facing a duel with his own life at stake. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Lies of Fair Ladies.
Back in East Anglia from the USA and broke (again), Lovejoy is involved in a series of grisly murders. With spectral echoes of 17th century witch hunts his investigations lead through the eerie waterways of East Anglia, hotly pursued by (yet another) abandoned mistress and an assortment of police officers.  If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

Paid and Loving Eyes.
Business is slow in the antiques trade, and Lovejoy's only hope is fleeing to France with horse-mad Almira, but before long he is involved in the biggest scam of all. Little does he know that it's not only money being exchanged for goods, but human lives.  If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

The Posessions of a Lady.
Lovejoy is in trouble (just for a change) - this time with a fashion designer who has been paying his bills for him. Not only does he have trouble getting a scam going, another divvie seems to be beating him to the best stuff. Meanwhile, Tinker wants him to find a missing girl. He succeeds, but only by following a trail of murder North and nearly losing his own life. New 23 January 1999

The Sleepers of Erin.
A woman asks Lovejoy to join the wealthiest antique ring in the world. Their latest scam is 'discovering' 15 gold torques in a Bronze Age burial chamber. Only one is real. Lovejoy must keep one step ahead of his deadly colleagues - otherwise the old Celtic grave could have a new inhabitant. If not available in UK, is available from the US store. New 23 January 1999

- Paperbacks

- Hardbacks

- Audio cassettes