But he’s about to discover that power comes with a price. Henry Davies is looking for a protégé for a crucial deal and one that must go right no matter what. Mike soon learns that being on the side of the lawmakers doesn’t mean your work is legal. And there’s no place for a moral code when you’re on the devil’s payroll.

For as long as I can remember I’ve had an interest in American history, Washington politics and The West Wing – both TV and real life – and when I heard that Matthew Quirk’s The 500 had been acquired by 20^th Century Fox last year I couldn’t wait for the book release (or the film for that matter). Fortunately I didn’t have too long to wait until the proof copy arrived.

I began reading the book a couple of days ago and although I couldn’t dedicate a whole lot of time to the book over the weekend it proved to be more than enough, The 500 is a rip roaring edge of the seat thriller that just begs to be devoured and read. Had I had more time on my hands I would have finished the book in one day, this is without doubt a very quick read and includes a first person narrative that simply reaches out and grabs you by the scruff of the neck beating you into submission at the same time.

UK – The 500 is available to buy in Hardback and Audio CD formats.

USA – The 500 is available to buy in Hardback and Audio CD formats.

The 500 by Matthew Quirk

Along with the daily political shenanigans and skulduggery that appears to have infested the corridors of power in Washington and the constant back stabbing that naturally occurs when billions of dollars are at stake, it was the narrative that held me captive. Mike Ford, the protagonist in Matthew Quirk’s book, simply talks to the reader and on numerous occasions I felt as if he was personally leading me through the last twelve months of his life, speaking just to yours truly. The narrative – as I previously mentioned is entirely in the first person’s perspective – is relaxed, personable and natural, the story benefiting with an unhindered fluidity from beginning to end.

The way The 500 is written I felt as if I had a vested interest in what happened to Mike Ford and his cohorts. I just love it when a book can hook you in from the off and you care what happens to the people involved at its conclusion. That doesn’t always happen and of course it depends on the person reading as to whether they connect with the characters in the same way as I did but it certainly happened for me in this thriller. You can’t ask for much more than that. When you turn over the final page of a book and you’re left wondering – and wanting to know – what happens in the future then as far as I’m concerned the book – and the author – has done its job.

The storyline itself is fast paced, believable and fairly shocking – I had no idea corruption occurred on this scale in the nation’s capital, who knows what money can buy! When we first meet Mike Ford he’s in a world of trouble and fighting for his life but as soon as Quirk laid down a formidable foundation he promptly takes the rug from under our feet and we are transported back in time – pre Davies group employment. There are a number of twists along the way and you never quite know where it’s going to lead and who Mike can be trust.

If there’s money to be made then Henry Davies and his group of associates will be at the front of the queue and with the credibility and reputation of politicians and the Supreme Court at stake no person or government is safe.

Mike Ford unquestionably carries The 500 but fortunately for the reader he’s strong and enigmatic enough to pull this off. He comes into the story with a fair amount of baggage; he certainly has his faults and belongs to a family with a colourful past to say the least. It’s this past that has shaped him into the man he is – determined and resolute in survival.

A superb and thrilling read, The 500 will make you sit back and question who really is in charge of not only Washington DC but the United States as a whole, one thing is certain; it’s not the President! No one is safe from the sharp end of Henry Davies’s sword, only time will tell who comes out stronger for the experience. A gripping read, this is one book not to be missed in 2012.

UK – The 500 is available to buy in Hardback and Audio CD formats.

USA – The 500 is available to buy in Hardback and Audio CD formats.

336 pages

Publisher: Headline (June 2012)

ISBN-10: 0755387406

ISBN-13: 978-0755387403

Mari Hannah © Alexander James

It stands to reason if characters were all the same, there would be no conflict between them and therefore no drama. This was drummed into me as I learned the craft of screenwriting before I became an author. There are some excellent books on writing available. They all contain sections on character development. One of the most helpful to me in the early days was by Steve Wetton: Writing TV Scripts in which he describes three distinct character types: machine, animal, child. A machine, he says, might be bright, intelligent, efficient and hardworking but lacking in emotion. An animal is more sensual, impulsive, with a lively interest in sex. A child, innocent and unsophisticated. This is by no means a full list. You can make up your own. For example, the Grim Reaper: the habitual complainer, the glass-half-empty type.

The Murder Wall – Book Review

The idea for a book comes first. But after that, I think it’s essential to nail your main characters by writing a biography for each of them. The more prominent a part they play in your story, the more involved the biography needs to be. They do take time to write but it’s time well spent in my opinion. Biographies are reference tools. You may never look at them again or you may use them at times when your character is in trouble or has big decisions to make. Wetton sums it up perfectly by saying ‘things mentioned in your character biography are like seeds waiting to flourish, so remember if you’re stuck for a way forward, don’t be afraid to look back.’ I totally agree.  Also, if you are writing a series, they’re the jumping off point to be added to as/when your character experiences major life changes, gets promoted, or simply decides to change their car.

So what type of character is my protagonist, Kate Daniels? We know she’s a Northumbria murder detective. But who is she really? Underneath, I mean. What motivates her? Below is the actual biography I wrote before I began writing The Murder Wall. In italics, I’ve written a little about the thinking that went into her backstory . . .

Kate is 35 when we meet her in The Murder Wall. Initially, I’d written her as a little older. But while writing a TV script as part of a BBC drama development scheme (based on the characters in my unfinished novel) it was suggested that she should be slightly younger so she had a shelf life should the series be commissioned and run on and on – as in the case of Colin Dexter’s Morse.

Kate is single, a Detective Chief Inspector in the Murder Investigation Team (MIT). Highly respected by her colleagues, she’s married to her job and has few friends outside of work. She has a strong sense of who she is and where she fits in the world. She loves Newcastle and the people in it. Her career began in 1992. After a short period in uniform, she was identified as the consummate professional; intuitive in nature with a cool head in a crisis – an ideal candidate for the CID. It wasn’t long before she made detective and joined the department. A few months later, she met a DI called Bright who took her under his wing, was instrumental in guiding her to make the right career choices. Her path mirrored his own, so much so she almost felt like his shadow. Wherever he had gone, she had gone too – drugs squad, fraud squad, crime squad – eventually making DI herself at the young age of 28, DCI four years later.

Playing her cards very close to her chest, Kate will do anything to get the job done. She’s fiercely protective of her team and those she cares about. Within MIT, there’s a real sense of being part of one big family. That includes falling out on occasions and making up afterwards. When the team are on a case, there is no other feeling like it. When they do well, they have something to smile about. When they don’t, they up their game.

A little edgy and intense, Kate likes to think of herself as focused but is aware that others might view her as obsessive on occasions. She’s questioning of authority and has a love/hate relationship with Bright who is now a Detective Superintendent and her immediate boss at MIT. Behind closed doors, she’s able to speak frankly to him, although there is still a line over which she may not cross. One day she intends to step into his formidable shoes.

Of course, as a main character, Bright has a biography of his own, albeit rather different from how he appears in the finished book. He was more cranky when I first created him, schizophrenic even, and based on an angry man I knew from real life. I toned him down on the advice of an editor who was kind enough to give me notes along the way. So, I hear you say, what’s the point of writing a biography if you change it afterwards? Good question. Had the editor I mentioned been a lone voice, I may well have discounted her comments and left well alone. But my agent had also mentioned inconsistencies in the character and, in my experience, it pays not to ignore advice from TWO trusted sources. And the book is better for having accepted that this particular character was less than sympathetic. Just like synopses, story outlines and treatments, biographies are not set in stone. They may change in the writing and that’s okay. It pays not to be too prescriptive.

Back to Kate . . .

Born in May 1974 to Ed and Elizabeth Daniels (now deceased) Kate was brought up in a small village and attended a local Catholic School. Inquisitive by nature, she has bags of enthusiasm and a rebellious streak. She’s a leader, not a follower. Above all, she’s resilient; no matter what life throws at her, she just keeps going. She’s the Jack Bauer of MIT. Detective Sergeant Hank Gormley is her Chloe . . . always there for her and right on the ball.

It was always my intention for Kate to be a lonely character with few friends and colleagues to turn to in a crisis. That was my way of upping the ante, causing her to dig deep as I placed obstacle after obstacle in her way. Having lost her mother, I then had to come with a plausible explanation as to why she and her father didn’t get along. In my view, it had to be something to do with her upbringing in the north east where the book is set, a link from her past. I came up with the perfect solution as I delved further back in her life. See below …

As a girl, Kate idolised her father who gave her a strong perspective on right and wrong. He was an affectionate, hard-working, proud man, with a great sense of humour. But when she was ten, things changed at home. She remembers he stayed home a lot . . . seven years on, he was a broken man, his emotions still raw from the miners’ strike. Memories of the bitter and bloody confrontation with the police on the picket lines had not diminished. When Kate left school with above average grades and a burning ambition to join the police, he took her choice of profession as a betrayal – refused to give her his blessing. Their relationship has been strained ever since. There is another reason they don’t get on but it would be a spoiler to reveal what it is before people have the chance to read the book so I’m keeping shtum.

Her mother’s death in 2006 affected Kate greatly. They had grown very close before Elizabeth passed away, another bone of contention between Kate and her father. Ed Daniels felt pushed out, though the truth of the matter was he was just too traumatised to deal with the situation. Kate turned her back on religion following her mother’s death and has never said why. The reason is revealed in The Murder Wall.  You’ll have to read it to find out what it is.

A highly organised individual, Kate hates chaos in any form. She fears being alone and craves the special kind of relationship her parents enjoyed. She’s her own worst enemy in achieving this, having never managed to balance home/work life successfully. Kate misses her father’s wisdom and is desperate for his approval. She regrets that the saying ‘time heals’ doesn’t seem to apply in her family. She also misses the intimacy of a former relationship and hasn’t seen anyone since it ended. Instead, she’s put all her efforts into her career. Recognise the machine? Kate is an intensely private person and ambitious to a fault, both of which play a big part in The Murder Wall plot.

And then there’s the contradiction: loyalty is Kate’s greatest strength but it’s also her Achilles heel.  Of all her character traits, this is perhaps the most relevant, divided loyalty being the central theme of The Murder Wall. It’s what pulls her apart emotionally, threatening the career she’s so keen to protect.

It’s important for any writer to make their characters real and believable. No one wants to read about stereotypes. Main characters – good or evil – have to be distinctive, interesting enough to carry a book, a series, a TV production or feature film. I’ve lived with Kate for such a long time. She’s as real to me as any member of my family. I care about her, I get cross with her, but I’m immensely proud of her too. She’s the heroine who overcomes adversity in solving difficult cases, the one who restores the status quo. I hope you grow to like her as much as I do. She was once called Grace by the way . . . but that’s another story.

To find out more why not check out Mari Hannah on twitter or visit her website.

Published by Pan Macmillan, The Murder Wall is available in Paperback & Kindle formats.

458 Pages

• ISBN-10: 0330539930
• ISBN-13: 978-0330539937

The Unlucky Lottery

Four friends celebrate winning the lottery. Just hours later, one of them – Waldemar Leverkuhn – is found in his home, stabbed to death. With Chief Inspector Van Veeteren on sabbatical, working in a second hand bookshop, the case is assigned to Inspector Münster. But when another member of the lottery group disappears, as well as Leverkuhn’s neighbour, Münster appeals to Van Veeteren for assistance. Soon Münster will find himself interviewing the Leverkuhn family, including the eldest – Irene – a resident of a psychiatric clinic. And as he delves deeper into the family’s history, he will discover dark secrets and startling twists, which not only threaten the clarity of the case – but also his life . . .

When I began reading in earnest a couple of years ago I never imagined for one minute that among my favourite books to read would be translations; crime yes, translations no. Books set in foreign countries with foreign laws, foreign foods, foreign customs and foreign sounding names. Have I said foreign enough?! I probably have so I’ll move along swiftly! Although I’ve only read one previous novel by Håkan Nesser – The Inspector and The Silence reviewed here – I can safely say that he is already one of my favourite Swedish authors and whenever I get the opportunity to read one of his titles I’ll be sure to grab it with both hands!

The Unlucky Lottery, once again set in Sorbinowo – a forested Swedish lake side town – is an enjoyable romp that explores not only murder but deeply hidden secrets, secrets that have stayed undiscovered and undisclosed for decades until one pivotal moment causes a ripple effect that changes the lives of all those around it.

In Håkan’s previous book – The Inspector and The Silence – it was driven for the most part by Inspector Van Veeteren, a curious, colourful and enigmatic character that certainly carried the book. Towards the end of that book we discover that Van Veeteren has decided to take a sabbatical and work in an antique book store much to the chagrin of his fellow officers. The Unlucky Lottery follows on from this decision, months down the line in fact, and Van Veeteren is comfortable, relaxed and still enjoying the life of leisure, rolling his own cigarettes and sitting in a comfortable chair staring at antique books – getting to know his books he calls it.

In fact, Van Veeteren plays but a cameo role in this book which in turn allows another character to step forward and bask in the limelight – Inspector Münster. Although out of sight, Van Veeteren is never out of mind and the police officers often refer to the great master and comment on how he would approach a particular suspect and pondering what he would do in their shoes.

That was a bare-faced lie but it was the line he’d decided to take. Sometimes it was necessary to take a short cut. He was reminded of a Persian saying he’d picked up somewhere. A good lie travels from Baghdad to Damascus while the truth is looking for its sandals.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book – apart from being a very quick read – was the storyline. Waldemar Leverkuhn is out celebrating a lottery win with his fellow winners and the next day he’s found brutally stabbed to death in his bed. That same day another member of his small syndicate – and close friend – mysteriously goes missing. It’s all very baffling for the police and they never quite get to grips with the curious events. I have to admit that I never saw the twist coming at the end and the way Nesser crafted this story out of seemingly nothing was terrific. I did find myself wondering where he was going with the story but it all made sense in the end. Nesser has this seemingly natural ability to tie things up with consummate ease.

Another plus for me was the way he portrayed the police officers. They come across as amateurish and as with his previous book I wondered if they would ever catch those responsible for the crimes committed. I’m not sure if these scenes are supposed to come across as humorous but they did make me chuckle at their ineptitude and lack of urgency.

So there we have it, another cracking title from the Swedish master Håkan Nesser, it just goes to prove that there’s something other than Swedish Meatballs being exported out of Sweden worth getting your teeth around. Roll on his next title!

Published by Pan, The Unlucky Lottery is available in Paperback and Kindle

• ISBN-10: 0330512587
• ISBN-13: 978-0330512589

Emlyn Rees

Angry Robot, the award-winning publisher of what it calls SF, F and WTF?!, is pleased to announce its newest venture – a sister imprint, Exhibit A, which will publish crime genre fiction.

The imprint will launch in late Spring 2013, with two titles appearing in each of the first two months, before settling down to one book each month. Exhibit A will follow Angry Robot’s strategy of co-publishing its books simultaneously in the UK and US, in both paperback and eBook formats, backed up by strong online marketing and community activity.

Exhibit A’s ambition is to become an addictive new home for addictive crime fiction. It will be looking for authors with original, gripping voices. Exhibit A books – whether they’re procedurals, mysteries, thrillers, or something entirely new – will aim to divert readers from their everyday lives into an exhilarating world of drama, fear and suspense.

Joining the company to run the imprint is Emlyn Rees. He published his first crime novel aged twenty-five, his second a year later, and then co-wrote seven comedies with Josie Lloyd, including the Sunday Times bestseller Come Together. In his time, Emlyn has also worked for the Curtis Brown literary agency and run a manuscript editing service.

Angry Robot’s managing director, Marc Gascoigne, said:

Passion, a flair for innovation and a keen sense of what readers want – that’s what has driven Angry Robot’s success so far, and it’s what Emlyn Rees will bring to our new imprint. We’re overjoyed to have him on board. With our Young Adult fiction imprint Strange Chemistry launching this September, and now Exhibit A due next spring, our growth plans are shaping up very nicely indeed.

Emlyn Rees commented:

Angry Robot is an exciting and innovative new publisher, with a terrific track record for breaking out fresh talent and bringing great authors and readers closer together. I’m delighted to be joining the team and can’t wait to set about building a list of talented crime writers we can be proud of and passionate about. I want Exhibit A to become an eye-catching new focal point for compelling crime fiction and the crime fiction community.

The launch of Exhibit A is the latest in a wave of expansion by parent company, Osprey Group, following investment by Alcuin Capital Partners in 2011. Osprey recently won the IPG Award for Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year 2012.

More information can be found at angryrobotbooks.com.

Additional Information

Angry Robot is a genre publisher that brings readers the best in new SF, F and WTF?! All titles are released as paperbacks and in all major eBook formats. Distribution is through Random House (North America) and GBS (UK). Angry Robot Ltd is part of Osprey Group.

For more information, review copies, interview and feature requests contact our Marketing Manager, Darren Turpin at darren.turpin@angryrobotbooks.com or by phone on +44 (0) 7584 355911 [UK Office Hours]

The Chill of Night

Like a lot of writers, one of the questions I get asked most often at readings and other public events is, “The people in your books seem so real. How do you get so completely into the heads of the characters you create?”

In some cases it’s relatively easy.  My ongoing hero, Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe was created to a large extent in my own image.  All I really had to do was imagine myself as a career homicide detective rather than as a career writer. McCabe and I are both native New Yorkers who moved from the big city to Portland, Maine for both personal and professional reasons.  We both share a love of old movie trivia and good scotch. We both have slightly warped senses of humor. We’re both avid New York Giants fans. And we both live with and love women who are talented and successful artists.

There are also a lot of differences.  As I’ve often noted before, McCabe’s braver than I am. He’s a better shot.  He likes boxing. He doesn’t throw up at autopsies. And McCabe’s favorite Portland bar, Tallulah’s, is, sadly, a figment of my imagination while my favorite Portland bars are all very real.   In any event, McCabe and I are very much alike. In order to communicate what McCabe is thinking or feeling, or how he will react in difficult or dangerous situations all I really have to do is look inward.

The same holds true for McCabe’s partner, Maggie Savage.  Much of what Maggie thinks and feels grew out of discussions I’ve had with my daughter Kate, a woman who is roughly Maggie’s age and who shares many of her ideas and attitudes.

The challenge of making characters real becomes a lot tougher when the character in question is totally different either from me or from any of the people I know intimately. It got a whole lot tougher in the case of Abby Quinn, the witness to the murder in the second McCabe thriller, The Chill of Night.  Abby is a twenty-five year old woman, the daughter of a deceased Maine lobsterman who was born, raised and still lives on a small island in Casco Bay, a mile and a half out to sea from the city of Portland. More critically she’s also mentally ill.  She was diagnosed as schizophrenic in her early twenties, and has since tried to commit suicide twice by throwing herself off the rocks into the ocean. She can only live an approximately normal life by staying on a strict regimen of anti-psychotic drugs.  To make Abby real, I had to try to begin to understand what living inside the mind of a young female schizophrenic must be like.

I started by discussing the general subject of schizophrenia with an old friend, Dr. Ted McCarthy, who is head of Psychiatry at Mercy Hospital in Portland.  Ted told me a lot about what is known about the disease and a lot about the effectiveness and side-effects of many of the anti-psychotic medications currently prescribed to control the symptoms.  He also told me pretty much what my fictional psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Wolfe, tells McCabe when McCabe asks him  if Abby might have committed the murder herself:

“Abby’s schizophrenic. She inhabits an alternate reality. If she’s been off her meds for a while–or if they’re starting to lose their effectiveness–she’s capable of damned near anything.”

“So you’re saying she invented the story of the monster with his face on fire?”

“No. Probably not,” Wolfe said. “A monster with his face on fire may in fact be exactly what she saw whether she killed Goff herself or just witnessed the murder. Either way.”

 “You better help me with that, doctor. I’m a little slow today.”

“Let me give you a little background. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that’s characterized, more than anything else, by a profound disconnect between perception and reality. Like most schizophrenics Abby suffers from delusions, things that are false but that she believes to be real. She also suffers from hallucinations. False sensory perceptions.   She’s sees and hears things that aren’t there. But she really does see them. And hear them. They’re as real to her as that coconut shrimp you’re eating is to you.”

James Hayman

As helpful as my discussions with Dr. McCarthy were and as well as other general research I did on the subject on Google, I felt neither gave me the genuine sense I wanted of what it really was like to be Abby Quinn, to live inside head of a young schizophrenic, to experience the alternate reality McCarthy described first hand.

For that I turned to several very special books.  The first was a novel titled Lowboy by a writer named John Wray.  Lowboy tells the story of a fifteen-year old male schizophrenic living in New York City who spends most of his time riding the New York subway system and encountering a number of others who inhabit this strange subterranean world. According to an interview on NPR (National Public Radio), to do his research, Wray had himself committed as a patient in a psychiatric hospital for several weeks living  with and observing schizophrenics first hand. My research didn’t go quite that far.

Instead, I read a number of memoirs written by schizophrenics that described in heart-rending detail what it must have been like for the authors to have suffered from this dreadful disease. Two of these books stood out.  Both are mentioned in the acknowledgements in The Chill of Night.  The first was The Quiet Room: A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness by Lori Schiller and Amanda Bennett.  The second was The Center Cannot Hold:My Journey Through Madness by a remarkable woman named Elyn R. Saks who, in spite of her illness, has become one of America’s leading experts on the law as it pertains to the mentally ill.

James Hayman on the web and twitter – why not pay a vist to learn more.

Reviews:- The Cutting (McCabe 1) and The Chill of Night (McCabe 2) and an Interview with James Hayman.

The Murder Wall by Mari Hannah

For some weird reason – and I’m to blame totally – I’ve had The Murder Wall on my to be read shelf for a couple of months but up until two days ago I hadn’t paid it too much notice, I’d convinced myself it was something it wasn’t and put it to one side. Having read it, I now wish I’d paid more attention and read it sooner! Mea culpa!

The Murder Wall by Mari Hannah – her debut title in a three book deal with PanMacmillan – reads incredibly well and together with a fast paced narrative and short, snappy chapters it’s a tenaciously fluid read with a great police procedural throughout.

When we first meet the protagonist – DCI Kate Daniels – she is coming to terms with her mother’s death when she discovers a young woman and a priest dead in a church. The beginning to the story is powerful and very well written and hooks you in from the very first page, so much so that before I knew it I’d read close to a hundred pages before drawing breath. This intensity continued throughout and the book is another one of those you regret putting down for the briefest of moments when real life rudely intervenes!

Resolutely carried by Daniels the book is a clever combination of police procedural, a serial killer and characterisation, especially as far as Daniels is concerned, she drives the majority of the events in The Murder Wall, everything it seems is centred around her. Daniels is a multi-layered character and just like the changing seasons our heroine puts on a number faces throughout this title and together with her personality swings and maverick attitude to her job – and personal life – she is quite the colourful copper! She’s not perfect, her character works this way and it’s her edgy and unpredictable approach to the daily routines that make her all that more likable, certainly as far as I’m concerned. There’s a lot more to see from Daniels and I’m sure in future titles we’ll see more trials and tribulations as she progresses in her career and relationships.

One of the things I did like about all Hannah’s characters were that they were fallible, gritty and down to earth, not one would I class as pretentious – possibly the ACC Martin at a stretch – but they all had something to offer the storyline.

Another character who made the mark in this book was Jo Soulsby, friend and colleague to Kate Daniels. Combining her role as a criminal profiler for Northumbria police and psychologist to the Regional Psychology Service, Jo plays a significant and intriguing role in Hannah’s novel. As with Daniels, Soulsby can come across as crabby and cantankerous at times but just like Daniels she also has a lot of redeeming qualities about her.

There’s a high dependency on team work in The Murder Wall and the scenes held within the murder incident room were bang on the money, right down to the use of warrant cards to access confidential police databases to name but one example. Mari Hannah draws on her own experiences as a former probation officer and together with numerous police contacts delivers a well-researched novel.

The story itself is well developed and there are things mentioned at the beginning of the novel that are cleverly utilised and put to bed later in the book. I’d forgotten about a couple of scenes or events until they were re-introduced later down the line but the author does a great job of bringing those moments back to life, tying up loose ends  and utilising them to great effect. There are of course a couple of shocks along the way and a few red herrings to get you thinking one way and then another.  I would have liked the final scenes to have been a little longer and maybe more drawn out but all in all the story works very well and for a debut offering this is terrifically confident title, I certainly can’t wait for the next in the series.

Combining colourful characters, a perceptive and gripping storyline, The Murder Wall is a tremendous first title. It has certainly laid down the benchmark for future novels from Mari Hannah.

Published by Pan, The Murder Wall is available in Paperback & Kindle formats.

458 Pages

• ISBN-10: 0330539930
• ISBN-13: 978-0330539937

The Titanic Secret - Jack Steel

10 April, 1912 As the RMS Titanic leaves from Southampton Docks for her maiden voyage to New York, little do her 2,223 passengers dream of the powers at play on board the ship and the terrifying fate that awaits them far out in the icy wastes of the Atlantic. For on board the Titanic are three men – among the richest in America – who, with the President of the United States an unwitting pawn in their scheme, are about to make an announcement that will change the course of history. Aware of the gravity of the situation, the head of British Intelligence dispatches his best and most trusted agent, Alex Tremayne, onto the Titanic with one objective in mind – he has to stop the men from reaching New York, by whatever means necessary. Aided by the cooly beautiful American agent Maria Weston, is Alex prepared for the lengths he will have to go to to fulfil his mission?

We all know the story of the Titanic and as we acknowledge the 100^th anniversary of its maiden and final voyage this year, it’s inevitable that there will be a deluge of books published in the coming months to mark this memorable date. Like many people I’ve had a fascination with the Titanic for as long as I can remember, I remember my parents telling me about the disaster and as a young lad with a keen interest in history I gorged on the history books trying to find out what happened. I was convinced I could discover the truth behind the conspiracy; youthful exuberance is a wonderful thing!

Jack Steel’s The Titanic Secret landed on my desk a short while ago, along with three other Titanic books and following a quick perusal of the book jacket I decided to read a fictional account of what could have happened on that fateful night in April 1912 rather than a true story – for now!

I loved the idea of the book and the most rewarding part of it for me was that it allowed my imagination to run riot as our protagonists explored the First Class accommodation, the smoking room and dining facilities. I felt part of the ship, so much so that I thought I was on the voyage myself, walking up the magnificent staircase, enjoying first class fayre and relaxing in sumptuous staterooms. It’s hard to imagine the life of the first class passenger on board the ship as I sit in my comfortable surrounds but Steel does a good job portraying the possibilities!

The narrative is a curious one. I found the first half of the book a little slow, the author taking his time and setting the scene with tales of espionage, murder and political conspiracy. It’s not until the main characters board the Titanic and begin to put their plan into action that the pace intensifies and the second half of the book flew by. With this in mind I think the book could have been 50 pages shorter.

I liked what Jack Steel did with the disaster and how he remained true to the actual events adding a little twists all of his own. There’s no getting away from the thousands who perished in the Atlantic and I’m glad to see Jack didn’t re-write history too much!

I enjoyed the partnership between Alex Tremayne and Maria Weston and watching their friendship slowly develop into trust and appreciation. They are both strong characters but it was Tremayne who stole the show with his experience and checked bravado. A great all round character, Tremayne is a wonderful action man, come spy, come assassin – is there nothing this man can’t do? He can even perform in the circus!

Published by Simon & Schuster, The Titanic Secret is available in Paperback and Kindle

448 pages — ISBN-10: 0857208624 — ISBN-13: 978-0857208620

No Going Back - Joe Hunter 7 - Matt Hilton

Jameson Walker approaches Joe Hunter when his daughter Jay and her friend Nicole go missing at a gas station in the Arizona desert while on a cross-country trek across the North American interior. He mentions that a robbery/homicide at the gas station as worrying as the girls were due to be in the vicinity at that time. Joe accepts the job of locating the girls, though not at first convinced there’s much to worry about. As Joe picks up the girls’ trail he discovers that other young women have also disappeared in the area, and comes across the brutish Logan family.

No Going Back marks Joe Hunter’s seventh adventure – and incidentally my sixth read of the series (not quite sure how I’ve missed one out but I have somewhere along the line!) – and I have come to depend on one thing with Matt’s books, actually strike that, two things – Joe Hunter the action man and an amazing pace – they both go hand in hand. I remember reading Cut and Run way back in August 2010 and recall being blown away by a frenetic pace and found myself immediately comparing Joe Hunter to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, I’ve never looked back and Hilton is now one of my favourite authors in any genre. The characters are of course very different even though they both have similar goals, to right injustice and hurt a few bad guys along the way – there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a few villains taken down a peg or two Hunter – or Reacher – style.

In his latest book Hilton continues to impress with another very very quick read. These books are almost impossible to put down and if you’re anything like me you’ll find yourself thinking just one more chapter before bed and before you know it, and half a book later, you’ve almost finished the damn thing! Matt Hilton writes in a no-nonsense style with a narrative that just sucks you in to the story and gives you a vested interest in what happens not only to Hunter but the various characters caught up in his travels. Hilton’s novels have a certain warmth, a dependability about them, something you can rely on, and one thing is assured – a thoroughly entertaining journey of escapism awaits.

Like many action novels you have to suspend belief and reality somewhat, you don’t question how one man can do one thing, survive another and against all odds come out the other end still fighting his way to victory or in some cases defeat. Let’s face it, you pick up action books to escape and allow the mind to think that anything is possible, that’s part of the attraction – for me at least – I want the bullets to fly, the fists to connect with sinew and the hero to right the wrongs – even if he does get hurt along the way. I don’t want the perfect action hero; I want him – or her – to have baggage and to be fallible and not always come out on top. This is what you get with Hunter. He talks to the man in the street; he’s one of us but with a gun and an attitude to match. One thing is certain, you want Joe Hunter on your side, you certainly don’t want to make an enemy of him!

A large part of the story takes place on a remote farm owned by the Logan family, a land and region that holds many disturbing secrets and it’s up to Hunter to find them. Incredibly atmospheric in parts I found myself in the thick of the action, crawling along the dusty landscape trying to avoid capture, I felt every bump in the road, every punch thrown, great escapism.

Although part of an established series each novel can be read out of sequence as references to past battles and enemies are included in every novel but it would undoubtedly help give you a better insight into Hunter’s character and backstory should you read the series from the beginning with Dead Men’s Dust. If you’re interested in any of the other reviews I’ve done for the Hunter series then please visit the Matt Hilton page.

That’s about it for now. Another fast paced book from Matt Hilton and another battle for his protagonist to fight. Bullets and fists fly, you can’t really ask for much more! Tremendous stuff.

Published by Hodder & Stoughton, No Going Back is available in Hardback, Paperback & Kindle.

320 Pages — ISBN-10: 1444712683 — ISBN-13: 978-1444712681

The Two - Will Carver

They Kill Without Mercy. Disappear Without Trace.

They are The Two.

And now the stakes are raised once more for Detective January David.

5 lie dead, brutally murdered – the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered.

January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless murderer.

But his worst nightmares have literally come true when he discovers there’s not one but two twisted killers on the loose …

I’ve just finished reading Will Carver’s second book – The Two – and I have to say that this, similar to his debut novel, is a big thinker, perhaps more so than the first, it’s certainly more intricate. A complex and multi layered novel it took me a little to get into the groove and find a rhythm with the book, even though I was used to Carver’s writing style. I wasn’t quite sure what was happening, everything is so quick and frenetic as we move from one view point to another, forward and back in time, Carver doesn’t take any prisoners!

One of the things I love about Will’s books is the chance to follow a story from beginning to end in the first person narrative and with it multiple viewpoints – the killers, the lead protagonist (Detective Inspector January David) and the victims – a unique opportunity and one I relished once again. Even when a victim is killed, it’s not the last we hear from them, they are given a voice long after death, a voice that helps move the story along and tie up any loose ends.

On numerous occasions I found myself reaching the end of a chapter and thinking ‘what happened there?’ as if the author purposely leaves the reader dangling, to evaluate, to ponder, but then a few chapters down the line he adroitly brings a different perspective into play that answers any questions you had at that point. It’s like having that Eureka moment, a moment of clarity. Loved it and incredibly clever writing. We move from month to month and then back in time, again investigating a crime and we continue to glean a little more information relative to the case in hand. Although it took me a short while to get into this rhythm – as I mentioned earlier – once I did there was no stopping me.

The narrative is incredibly taut and the story imaginative and adventurous. I enjoyed getting to know January David again, I felt as if I gleaned a little more of his personality this time round. He’s in a very dark place following the events that occurred in Girl 4 and he turns to the bottle on numerous occasions, popping a number of caffeine and homeopathic pills just to keep functioning. He’s once again at odds with Murphy but he can always rely on his partner in crime Paulson who offers a great supporting role once again. Jan, as he is affectionately known, has to fight throughout the novel, not only with his abilities but his own demons, but fight he does. David isn’t your typical protagonist but he’s a terrifically multi layered character, one you never quite know what he’ll come up with next.

Carver’s knowledge of London is impressive to say the least and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around Trafalgar Square, the parks, the tubes and the various iconic buildings around the great city. It’s clear the author has a thorough knowledge and he manages to bring the city to life with a variety of walkabouts.

Along with a few twists and turns here and there and a few unanswered questions at the end, The Two is a thrilling addition to the January David series. A very enjoyable and entertaining read, of the two books Girl 4 remains my favourite (how on earth do you follow such a powerful title), but this title is a must read nonetheless. I would highly recommend reading Girl 4 before reading The Two – although not necessary -as it will give you a greater insight into January David’s colourful character and allow you to see his character development from one title to the other. I look forward to the follow up next year.

Published by Arrow, The Two is available in Paperback & Kindle formats.

480 Pages ·  ISBN-10: 0099551047 ·  ISBN-13: 978-0099551041

Dead Scared by SJ Bolton

SJ Bolton has done it again; I’m beginning to wonder if this woman can do no wrong! Dead Scared is the third title I’ve had the pleasure reading – not quite sure if pleasure is an apt description given the subject matter! – and once again she has delivered an assured and gripping title I couldn’t and didn’t want to put down. Read over two days, the majority in one sitting, Dead Scared had me hooked from the very first chapter as I raced through the book eager to find out what happened to the protagonists. What I didn’t expect was to come across a couple of characters I last saw in Blood Harvest – Harry (the vicar from Heptonclough) and Psychiatrist Evi Oliver – it was great to see them again even though Harry’s appearance is rather fleeting, I wanted more!

The book also marks the second outing for DI Mark Joesbury and DC Lacey Flint and once again the pair skirt around an obvious animal/love attraction that’s clear for all to see but they refuse to give in to their feelings – or do they? You’ll just have to read to find out! Lacey Flint is an intriguing character; she appears more open this time around – a depth that wasn’t there in Now You See Me – yet at the same time a lot more vulnerable but dogged and determined all the same. Lacey Flint is a terrifically arousing literary character. Deep undercover as a young college student at St John’s College Cambridge we experience two sides to her character but she soon discovers keeping them separate won’t be as easy as she thinks. As soon as Flint arrives at the college she’s on the back foot and under pressure, her cover almost blown before she has time to settle.

Another character to shine through was Evi Oliver. Like Flint she’s having a tough time of it – both physically and mentally – but one thing’s for sure, Oliver is a fighter, she needs to be. I loved the way Bolton has written her into this story; she wrestles with patient confidentiality, struggles with a debilitating injury and an increasing pain her meds refuse to combat, she’s not in a great place.

Dead Scared is without doubt character driven but the story itself holds strong and along with a plot that is both imaginative and very well structured, the narrative is taut and as I’ve come to expect from SJ Bolton incredibly easy to read. One of my favourite parts with this book was the humorous exchange of emails between Joesbury and Flint. Mostly sent in the early hours of the morning, sometimes under the influence of alcohol and lack of sleep, the pair skirt around the flirtatious issues neither are prepared to admit face to face! The way Flint talks to her superior had me in stitches “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”. Classic.

Although a fictional story I don’t think I’ll watch the University Boat Race in the same light again – come on Oxford – and I found myself easily distracted between fact and fiction, Bolton makes it so realistic and I truly felt part of University life. That said, I’m just glad, having read this book, that I never went to Cambridge University. Pranks that are taken too far and with a growing number of suicides, Cambridge isn’t a safe place to be. Incredibly atmospheric, Bolton has created a Cambridge that is both compelling and uncertain. It’s this colour and shade that made me want to turn each page and discover more.

A gripping and highly entertaining story, Dead Scared is Dead Dark, more an attack on the senses than all out frightening, a fitting addition to the Lacey Flint stable and I for one can’t wait to read the next instalment. A couple of twists here and there help the book flow to an absorbing conclusion but the author leaves a few unanswered questions, questions that will have me on the edge of my seat until I discover what happens next!

Published by Bantam Press, Dead Scared is available in hardback & Kindle formats.

384 Pages — ISBN-10: 0593064151 — ISBN-13: 978-0593064153

Erin Kelly

Joining me today is the wonderful Erin Kelly, author of the critically acclaimed The Poison Tree and The Sick Rose. Erin has just completed her third novel, due for publication by Hodder & Stoughton in early 2013, you’ll have to read on to exclusively discover the name of the third book ……

Erin, when did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? Did you get one of those pivotal moments in school or did it come later?

All I did was read as a child – most people’s childhood summers were spent cycling, swimming and playing with their friends. I just remember a succession of books, and can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to create them myself. When I was very young I wanted to be Enid Blyton, and even developed a signature that was shaped a bit like her famous one.

I wrote my first book when I was eight. It was called Stowaway, and was about a foundling called Cotton Porter, who posed as a cabin boy and went to sea on the Mary Rose because she was bored at school. (If I was aware that 16th-Century girls were unlikely to be in full-time primary education, I blithely ignored this fact). It was about ten pages long. I remember enjoying working on it, but I didn’t write another book for 23 years.

What books/authors have most influenced you most and why?

Many of my favourite stories have a similar theme; they deal with people who have a dark episode in their history, sometimes a whole lifetime ago. The narrative usually begins just as the long-buried past is rising up to threaten the future.

A few off the top of my head: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Atonement by Ian McEwan, The Likeness by Tana French, The Brimstone Wedding by Barbara Vine and The Go-Between by LP Hartley and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

Did you have a preferred soundtrack when writing The Sick Rose?

When I’m actually writing, I wear earplugs. But I do listen to music on the daily long walks or runs that keep me sane when I’m spending all day in front of a screen. For this book, I had to access emotions I had last felt in my late teens and early twenties and, like my protagonists Paul and Louisa, I was always falling in and out of immature but ferociously intense infatuations. So that meant a lot of time with my old Jeff Buckley, Suede, Depeche Mode and Mazzy Star records.

The Sick Rose

What do you find the hardest part of writing a novel – research, ideas, characters?

It varies from novel to novel. The big challenge when writing The Sick Rose was making sure that Paul’s story and Louisa’s were evenly balanced, and that their narratives converged at just the right time. I don’t do much research for my books – I did none for my first novel, The Poison Tree – and only read a couple of gardening books for The Sick Rose.

Where did the idea for The Sick Rose come from, past experiences or just a wonderful imagination?!

The biggest inspiration was actually the location of the book, the overgrown historical garden where Louisa and Paul meet. I got the idea from a couple of television documentaries about garden restoration projects (I can lose entire days on the sofa in front of the Blighty channel – it’s a terrible guilty pleasure of mine). One was about the English Heritage restoration of the Elizabethan garden at Kenilworth Castle, and the other was about a similar project down in Cornwall called The Lost Gardens of Heligan. They seemed like such isolated, intense places to live and work, and ideal for people like Paul and Louisa who are both hiding from their respective pasts.

Actually there is one, specific past experience that I drew on when writing The Sick Rose, although I’ll leave it to readers to wonder which scene I’m referring to!

The Sick Rose is driven by three very different characters – Paul, Daniel and Louisa – did you have fun creating them and how long did you spend plotting out their stories? Did you have fun with the characters?

Actually I was very lucky in that all three of them arrived fully-formed, and I was very intimate with them and confident in them from day one. I always knew what they were going to do next, even – especially –when they did something risky, cruel, naive or stupid.

Do you relish the writing procedure or are you prone to distractions?

No, I love it, that’s why I do it. I can lose hours at my desk when I’m in full flow. I’m only really easily distracted when there’s a conflict in the narrative that I can’t seem to resolve. That’s when I turn off the computer and head for a coffee shop with my notebook.

What fictional character would you most like to have been? I always wanted to be D’Artagnan from the musketeers, I could see you as a wonderful M’lady de Winter!!!

I can’t think of a single character in literature whose life I would swap for mine. The characters I have loved best – Antoinette Cosway from The Wide Sargasso Sea, Lucy Snowe from Vilette, Eva Katchadourian from We Need to Talk About Kevin – hardly have covetable lives, however beautiful and fascinating they are to read.

The Poison Tree

If you could pack your bags, money no object, and catch the next flight out of London where would the flight take you and why?

I’d quite like to be institutionalised – in the sense of a yoga course or health farm package or writing retreat, rather than a secure hospital. I know it’s not very ambitious, given the generous unlimited budget you have allowed me but somewhere like the Wicklow Mountains or Dingle Peninsular in Ireland appeal at the moment.

Given The Sick Rose is reliant on a horticultural and gardening theme, is Erin Kelly green fingered? A budding (sorry!) gardener perhaps?!

I wish! My garden is a typical London garden; tiny. I can touch both fences at once. When I first moved in I had ambitious ideas about creating a romantic little courtyard but the after the resulting years of tangled, dying plants I gave up and planted it with lavender and purple verbena and buddleia to encourage the bees and butterflies. It’s now low-maintenance and scruffy, which is just about my level.

Following two great books – The Poison Tree and The Sick Rose – can you give us a sneaky peak into the third book and what it will be about?

It’s called The Burning Air. It’s set in Devon on Bonfire Night, and it’s about three generations of a grieving family spending a weekend in a remote holiday home. Tensions grow when the son brings his new girlfriend to stay: no one was expecting her, and as the weekend progresses suspicions grow that she might not be who she says she is. Before the family can confront her, she disappears into thin air, taking the youngest child with her. As the family search desperately for the missing baby, it becomes apparent that many of their past tragedies have a single, terrifying explanation.

Social Media – yes or no?! (or is Twitter taking over your life?!)

Well, I’ve made a couple of genuine, real-life friendships through Twitter. And it’s a lovely, easy way to talk to readers who have enjoyed my books, and to get recommendations for my next read. I use Twitter all the time to get book recommendations from others. I wouldn’t say it’s taking over my life but it is easy to fritter away entire afternoons on the site. The moment when my three-year-old said ‘Mummy, PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE AND LOOK AT ME,’ was a bit of a reality check. Now I only visit once or twice a day, and usually avoid Twitter completely at weekends.

If you could invite three people/characters from the past or present to a dinner party who would you invite and why?

Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker and Robert E. Sherwood, because I’m fascinated by New York in the 1920s and 30s. It wouldn’t be a dinner party, it would be lunch, at the Algonquin, of course.

Thanks for joining me today Erin, a delight as always.

If you’d like to learn more about Erin and her books please do visit her Blog, website www.erinkelly.co.uk  or to share your thought on her books why not join Erin on twitter.

You can find my review of The Sick Rose here!

The Chill of Night by James Hayman

A frozen corpse means a big headache for Detective Michael McCabe

Lainie Goff thinks she has it all. A glamorous young Portland attorney with the brains and looks to match her ambitions, she’s on the fast-track to a partnership. Until one cold winter night she discovers that her belief in her ability to handle any situation was misplaced. Now she’s just a frozen corpse in the boot of a car at the end of Portland Fish Pier.

And a problem for homicide detective Michael McCabe.

Luckily for McCabe, there’s a witness. A mentally disturbed young woman named Abby Quinn saw what happened to Lainie. Unfortunately, Abby mysteriously goes missing the very same night. With a victim who’d known more than her share of bad guys, a list of suspects that seems to get longer and longer and his only witness missing, McCabe has got his work cut out.

But it’s only a matter of time before the killer strikes again . . .

I have to admit I was very excited when I received James Hayman’s follow up to The Cutting in the post a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t wait to see what Mike McCabe would get up to this time around, re visiting Portland Maine in the process. His debut title was so good; I just hoped his second lived up to my expectations.

This book is all about one woman witnessing a murder but when she tries to tell the police about the crime they don’t believe her. We soon discover why the police are reticent to find her a credible witness but there’s one person who doesn’t let sleeping dogs lie – Detective Mike McCabe. Abby, a 25 year old woman who grew up on Harts Island – a small fictional island in Casco Bay Maine – is an intriguing character with so much depth and a well-developed back story. Although she had a regular childhood she begins hearing voices in her teens and is diagnosed as a schizophrenic.

Knowing very little about schizophrenia as I do I found the whole subject matter intriguing and poignant, Hayman dealt with the illness with so much compassion and tenderness. He doesn’t rush her scenes and I truly felt part of her story and her complex life. I could quite clearly get inside her head and see the world as she saw it – a frightening and frustrating place at times. In one scene we find Abby picking up a tennis racquet, swinging it for all her might, and refusing to put it down. When Hayman writes about a simple backhand stroke its simplicity took my breath away. I was in that very room watching Abby fall apart. Sensational stuff.

Of course it’s not all about Abby. McCabe is back with his love of Movie trivia, music and an undeniable infatuation with Macallan single malt Whisky. One of the things I enjoyed about The Cutting was Hayman’s obvious love for the cinematic world and he continues the theme in this book including a shout out to Jaws 4 – This time it’s personal – which made me laugh.

Although another cracking read The Chill of Night didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but then again, following such an engaging thriller – and debut – was always going to be a tough job. Don’t get me wrong, this is a terrific read and Hayman’s personality shines through adding that little something extra to this second McCabe title. I certainly can’t wait for the third title in the series!

For me, and hardly surprising given the subject matter, this title represents a more grown up side to Hayman. A well delivered thriller, a strong deduction that will surprise a few people, this book was all about Abby. She stole the show with her highly complex double life that will leave you wanting to know more about the young woman.

With an emphasis on crime scene forensics, police investigation and a terrifically taut narrative, The Chill of Night is another assured offering from James Hayman. You certainly gain an insight into how police investigate a murder and the pitfalls they face along the way.

Published by Penguin, The Chill of Night is available in both Paperback & Kindle formats.

416 Pages ·  ISBN-10: 0141047305 ·  ISBN-13: 978-0141047300

Richard Pierce - Copyright Charlotte Pierce-Saunderson

These days, one week after the official release of Dead Men, as more and more people read it, the most common question I am asked is why I wrote the book in the first place. It’s not an easy question, because there are several answers, and all of them valid and true.

I’ve said before that I was fascinated by Captain Scott from an early age, because the English book I had to read in Germany had a chapter dedicated to him and Oates, building them up to be heroes we could never touch, men of such magnificence that we could never dream of reaching such heights, nor dream of sacrificing ourselves for our country in the way they did. And now, at the age of 51, with at least one friend dead in Afghanistan, I know otherwise.

The luck has been on my side, I have to admit that, that I am lucky to still be alive despite all my vices, to still be alive because I am one of those cowards Apsley Cherry-Garrard refers to in his conclusion to The Worst Journey In The World, when he says “And I tell you, if you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression, go out and explore. If you are a brave man, you will do nothing; if you are fearful you may do much, for none but cowards have the need to prove their bravery.”

It was these words, that, when I was first asked to go to the Antarctic in 2007, made the most impression on me amidst the tumble of words that rushed towards me in my research, my preparation, my desire just to know as much as I possibly could before going down there, before going South (as I shall now always say, because there is a ring to me about it that speaks of adventure, of the unknown, of wondrous days spent exploring not just a landscape, nor just a soundscape, but myself). It was just going to be work, then, with maybe some hours of writing poetry thrown in, but it turned into something more than that.

Just freshly obsessed with Maximo Park’s Unearthly Pleasures album, which I listened to over and over again on the way South, words were starting to congregate and form into concrete shapes even as I was on the first leg of the trip in November 2007. When I didn’t manage to get to the Ice because of the weather, I spent most of my time in the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch (which, by the way, has already bagged my journal of those days for its Antarctic collection), privileged to see much of their archive for which there is no room in the public galleries. I was also fortunate enough to be led around these spaces by the director of the museum, as well as the head of the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust, which gave me the inside track, not just on the Antarctic artefacts collected since serious restoration of all things Antarctic began, but on the myths, legends and my series surrounding Scott, Amundsen and their men.

By far the most fascinating and gripping of these was something I’d never been aware of before: that Scott writes in his diary of a 10-day blizzard which wouldn’t allow him and Wilson and Bowers to move on to the life-saving One Ton Camp depot just 11 miles away, but that it is scientifically impossible for an Antarctic blizzard to last more than three or four days, that the geography of the place means that katabatic winds have to blow themselves out after that period of time, and that if there had been a blizzard in the region of One Ton, there would have had to be one at Scott’s base at Cape Evans, too. There was no blizzard at Cape Evans. All the diaries and meteorological observations speak of fine weather. That’s too good a story not to turn into a novel.

But there’s something else as well, possibly something much more important. This is where I have to prevail on members of the Polar community, and on those really obsessed with Antarctic exploration that this is a work of fiction. It’s a novel. It’s got made-up bits in it, big made-up bits. It is, in essence, a love story, or an amalgam of many love stories – Scott’s and Amundsen’s love of the Antarctic and of adventure, Scott’s love for his wife, Cherry’s love of Bowers and Wilson, Cherry’s love of his wife Angela who saved him from the worst of the demons which possessed him after his Southern journey, the love of the main contemporary characters for each other and for the mysteries they’re chasing, the love of all of us of a good mystery, of an enduring mystery, of all the questions human relationships throw up, of our quest to find the answers to our own daily problems, fuelled as they are by our personal passions and obsessions.

Here I have to admit that I have always been a sucker for a good love story. I remember, as a teenager, reading Mum’s women’s magazines, and always making a beeline for the romantic short stories, and, later in life, spending hours poring over women’s magazines, slightly more adult in content, like Cosmo, and in reading them trying to understand the female spirit, trying to work out how I could deal with those beings that I was very, very afraid of, and constantly falling in love with, forever in search of a happy ending.

Scott’s Hut in January 2008 - Copyright Richard Pierce

And this is what all my writing has been about, and will always be about, I think, how love has the power to redeem, how, regardless of the tragedy of the human condition (whether we have any sort of religious faith or not), those moments of passion, desire, true love, are the moments that rescue us as human being, make us supreme in that very second we catch our breaths after looking into someone’s eyes and deciding that we can’t live without that other person. How love is what gives us hope and leads us to do great things, without thought of greatness, but for the simple reason that it is.

When the contemporary Birdie Bowers jumped into my head, unbidden, on a run towards one of the other villages here, she was a Godsend. I had, all my life, been searching for a strong female character, not one moulded, as so many are in male-written fiction (and female-written fiction, actually) to the prejudices and preconceptions of society, but a woman who could think and speak and act on her own, who could act on impulse, without caring what anyone else thinks of her.

That’s why.

Check out Richard’s Website to learn more or connect with him on twitter. You can find my review of Dead Men here.

Bloodman by Robert Pobi

For the first time in nearly thirty years, FBI consultant Jake Cole returns to his childhood home in Long Island to look after his estranged and elderly father. But, within hours of being home, Jake is pulled into a double homicide investigation at the request of local sheriff, Mike Hauser. A mother and her young son have been brutally murdered and the local police need Jake – with his photographic memory and ability to recognize killers’ artistic signatures – to help them with this gruesome and baffling case. For Jake, though, this case is personal. He may not know the victims but he’s horrified to recognize the killer’s method and signature as that which was left behind on his own mother, brutally murdered when Jake was just a child and whose murder was never solved. In a race against time, Jake and Hauser are on the hunt to find this monster – a serial killer who skins his victims alive. Could the ‘bloodman’ of Jake’s nightmares be back?

Bloodman is one of those books, no matter how hard you think, no matter how much you analyse, you’ll never guess the ending!! Well, never say never for there are readers out there far shrewder than I but this is one ending that completely blew me away – talk about powerful, this book is off the scale with shock! I’ve been incredibly fortunate to read a lot of books over the last 18 months or so and I often find myself trying to guess how one character fits into a story or who will turn out to be the killer but I can hand on heart say I just didn’t guess this one. Not even a sniff, Bloodman bamboozled me – in a good way!

Although incredibly well written, it took a little while for me to find my feet with the book – 50 pages or so -but once I’d found a rhythm, acquainted myself with the numerous characters I couldn’t let go. The story begins on the fourth and final day with the arrival of a category five hurricane called Dylan, the biggest to hit the shoreline since 1938, and then quickly moves back in time to day one. Devastation is inevitable but when a number of grisly murders begin to surface, the local police do their best to hide the macabre murders from the prying eyes of the press corp. Fortunately Special Agent Cole is on hand to guide the local police and they manage to keep the press at bay.

Bloodman isn’t for the fainthearted, the murders are some of the most graphically terrifying I’ve come across in a crime novel, they leave very little to the imagination. Robert Pobi must still be in therapy – if he isn’t someone take him please! – after coming up with some of these murders, no one is safe, young or old, male or female, rich or poor – no one is off limits, the killer doesn’t discriminate. It’s as if Pobi sat down and thought of the worst possible way to kill someone, then magnified the brutality to end up with a product as terrifying and savage as this book. There were parts that made me squirm and put the book down, he certainly likes to shock does our Robert!

Characterisation is immense, the two main multi layered protagonists, Jake and his father Jacob – are incredibly powerful and fulfilling. There’s so much to discover from both characters, Jake playing more of a leading role as his father – a well-known artist – lies in hospital for the majority of the story recovering from an injury at home. Having said that there is a particular scene in the hospital that will have you holding your breath; your imagination runs riot thanks mainly to an incredibly graphic and atmospheric scene. I’m still recovering! Just think Rolf Harris and you are half way there!

Jake is a dark man, a recovering alcoholic and a drug user of old, he, together with his wife Kay – a fellow alcoholic – is determined to turn his life around and settle down with his young family. His father has played a big part in his makeup and he is an utterly compelling character. Insanely complex, he is one guy I wouldn’t want to share a pint with; he has a dark mind that sees the bad in people, rarely the good. Not only does he scare me he seems to scare everyone he comes into contact with, commanding a murder scene in his own special way fellow officers are quick to appreciate his imposing demeanour! Brilliantly written Jake is one of my favourite characters of 2012.

I’ve already mentioned the ending at the top of this review but one thing I didn’t relate was how the author ties all the loose ends up in an assured package, while at the same time leaving just a couple of un answered questions for the reader to debate long after the hurricane has blown away. The small town is unlikely to recover from the carnage.

A must read for 2012, this is an exceptional debut. Dark, resolute and uncompromising, Bloodman is a taut thriller that will tease and shock and may just cause you a few sleepless nights!

Published by Arrow, Bloodman is available in Paperback & Kindle formats.

448 Pages

• ISBN-10: 0099570963
• ISBN-13: 978-0099570967

Fats Domino

It’s funny how one person can trigger long forgotten memories but in a matter of minutes I was hunting for old Fats records – yes those old crackly vinyl things that no one plays anymore – to see if I could find an old Fats Domino record. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t find the one I wanted. I was sure it was sitting next to a Sam Cooke album which itself was sitting next to a Del Shannon album. Or at least that’s how I thought they were, but we are talking 20 years ago!! Records passed down to me from my dad as he tried his best to get me interested in music that you could understand the lyrics to and songs that told a story – maybe that’s why I love country music these days!

Half an hour later I gave up looking for the old LP’s and resorted to searching Amazon for an album. It didn’t take long, in fact only a couple of minutes had passed and I’d downloaded This is Gold volumes 1, 2 & 3. The beauty of modern technology. Fast, immediate and there when you want it – unless there’s a power cut or the broadband is down! Listening to Red Sails in the Sunset, the iconic Blueberry Hill, Slow boat to China and the humorous Wigs it made me wonder who Fats Domino was. I mean as a kid I had no clue. All I remember was that he was a heavy set guy, Black and a terrific singer. Google came to my rescue!

Wigs wigs wigs, That’s where it’s at
Wig over here, Wig over there
Wigs everywhere, They sellin’them fast
And you should know, They even sellin’ wigs
In the grocery store, Wigs wigs wigs
That’s where it’s at, Wig over here
Wig over there, Wigs everywhere

Born in 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana – one of nine children – where Creole was his first language, Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino Jr was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame in 1986. Lew Chudd – head of Imperial Records in Los Angeles – discovered the 19 year old at the Hideaway club in New Orleans and offered the young singer a recording contract and the opportunity to work with Dave Bartholomew – songwriter and record producer – who became his exclusive arranger.

Fats Domino Red Sails In The Sunset

His piano playing was simple but effective having taught himself from a very early age, his music consisting of only three chords for the most part, but it was his distinctive New Orleans vocals that made him into the singer we know and love today.

The Fat Man, recorded in December 1949 at the J&M studios, became his first Rhythm and Blues hit selling in excess of 500,000 copies. Not only that but it has become widely recognised in the music industry to represent the very first Rock n Roll song ever recorded.

A string of hits followed including All by Myself and Poor Me but it wasn’t until 1955 Fats recorded his first album titled Carry on Rockin’ but it was reissued in April 1956 under the title Rock and Rollin’ With Fats Domino. The album included number one hits Ain’t That a Shame, All By Myself and Poor Me and produced by Bunny Robyn.

Not one to let the grass grow Fats turned to Hollywood and acting in 1957 and appeared with Big Joe Turner in Shake, Rattle and Roll – singing three hit songs – and the impressive The Girl Can’t Help It where he sang one of his most famous tracks Blue Monday.

In 1963 Fats changed labels and signed with Paramount records and recorded Red Sails in The Sunset which to this day, along with I Want to Walk You Home, remains my all-time favourite Fats Domino track.

Married to his wife Rosemary he continues to live in New Orleans and still performs – albeit occasionally – at his club in the city’s French Quarter. He has eight children.

Dead Men by Richard Pierce

Birdie Bowers is a woman with a dead man’s name. Her parents had been fascinated by Henry Birdie Bowers, one of Captain Scott s companions on his ill-fated polar expedition. A hundred years after the death of Bowers and Scott, she sets out to discover what really happened to them… The discovery of Captain Scott s body in the Antarctic in November 1912 started a global obsession with him as a man and an explorer. But one mystery remains why did he and his companions spend their last ten days in a tent only 11 miles from the safety of a depot that promised food and shelter? Dead Men tells the story of two paths. One is a tragic journey of exploration on the world’s coldest continent, the other charts a present-day relationship and the redemptive power of love.

Many, many years ago – far more than I care to remember – I was given a small hardback book by my father. I can’t remember the title or the publisher but the subject matter has remained with me to this very day – The Race to the South Pole – Scott versus Amundsen. I vividly remember the book patriotically siding with Scott and despite his failure to reach the Pole ahead of the Norwegian he was the true hero of the story, or at least that’s how the book portrayed the race. It was – and still is – a captivating and romantic story.

Dead Men by Richard Pierce – is an extraordinary debut, it works on so many levels and is incredibly emotive for numerous reasons. Written to celebrate the 100^th anniversary marking Scott’s death on the 29^th March 1912 the book charts Birdie Bowers’ efforts to solve the mysterious deaths of Scott’s party and why they failed to return home to safety.

Robert Falcon Scott, along with Oates, Bowers, Wilson and Evans arrived at the South Pole on the 19^th January 1912 to discover Roald Amundsen had beaten the British explorer by 33 days on December 14^th 1911. Exhaustion and a lack of fuel led to their deaths and the British group died just eleven miles outside a food depot and safety. Amundsen and his team returned to Framheim on January 25^th, just four day before Scott succumbed to the elements.

I am just going outside and may be some time – Lawrence Oates 16^th March 1912

Dead Men is a story of two timelines, that of 1912 and 2012, a tale of hope, intrigue, exploration and love. The narrative, told mostly through the eyes of computer expert Adam Caird, is magical and taut – such a wonderful surprise given this marks an authorial debut for Pierce, the work is assured and the research sublime, a credit to this historical race of endurance and speed. It’s fairly obvious to me that this is a work of passion, Pierce is captivated with both Scott and the South Pole and that clearly comes across, the author leaving his soul deeply embedded in this manuscript.

One of the things I loved about this book was the way Pierce took me back to 1912 and I was completely immersed in its history. I felt every frosty breath, every ice caked step taken and the ghostly chill in the air. I was firmly ensconced in the region and I truly believed that had I closed my eyes at any point I would have found myself in a small tent huddled around a small stove fighting for survival. Pierce effortlessly blends fact and fiction to give his spin on an age old story and a voice to the intrepid explorers.

Johansen heard thousands acclaim him in one voice, with one song, unknown and yet familiar. This was no desolate wasteland. This was home.

The Terra Nova Expedition at the South Pole, photograph taken by Lieut. H. R. Bowers on 17 January 1912. The two sitting are Evans and Oates, with Bowers, Scott and Wilson standing behind them. Printed from negative recovered when bodies were found.

Talking of characters, the modern part of this story revolves around two people who fall in love, namely Adam Caird and Birdie Bowers. It’s an unlikely match and for me I was confused at the beginning. I found myself going through a wide range of emotions as their relationship developed. I was frustrated, intrigued and captivated at the same time. I wanted to throw my book at the pair in the initial stages, they were wet, uncertain, fragile and vulnerable but what transpires is not only a journey of discovery in what occurred in 1912 but an exploration of two lives inevitably drawn together by serendipity. It’s a voyage of hope and desire, a lot of desire! As much as I enjoyed Scott’s history, I revelled in the growth of Adam and Birdie and Pierce handles the development with aplomb.

A remarkable debut, Dead Men deserves to be read. It’s as simple as that. It will educate and entertain simultaneously, a clever blend of old and new, meticulously morphed to bring together a time forgotten. Told with tenderness and a respect I found touching this is one of my top reads of the year so far. Loved it.

Publisher – Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd – Available in Paperback & Kindle.

284 Pages ISBN-10: 0715642960 ISBN-13: 978-0715642962

Good as Dead by Mark Billingham

Good as Dead by Mark Billingham – Tom Thorne’s 10^th outing – is a rip roaring police crime thriller that places the reader smack bang in the middle of a non-stop thrilling ride as we follow Thorne’s attempts to placate a hostage-taker with nothing to lose. Reading the book in two days Billingham has this natural authorial ability to grab the reader by the scruff of the neck and once hooked he sits back and just lets his narrative do the talking, this is a very fluid and quick read. I was mesmerised from the very first page and with a couple of intelligent and well placed twists along the way it held my imagination throughout.

With the siege in place at the local Indian shop I did wonder how Billingham could keep the story ticking along without basing everything inside the shop, avoiding that feeling of claustrophobia, but within a few chapters my fears were allayed and the seamless transition between Thorne’s investigations on the outside and the on-going siege inside the shop were impressive and assured to say the least. But why should I be surprised? This is my second Mark Billingham book – having reviewed From the Dead in late 2010 – and his pedigree is incontrovertible, I really do need to start attacking his back catalogue!

Looking at the book from two different perspectives, firstly inside the shop,  I couldn’t help but imagine myself sitting on the floor, handcuffed to the radiator with the walls rapidly closing in, the feeling of helplessness and desperation in the air simply waiting to see if the hostage taker –Akhtar – would relinquish his hold and allow a peaceful conclusion. I could taste the rank and pungent air that seemingly increased with every turn of the page, the atmosphere inside the shop debilitating to say the least.

As Thorne investigates the suicide of a young offender it’s at this point we’re treated to a range of emotions and a detective hellbent on justice no matter the cost. As the investigation matures the pressure begins to take toll on our protagonist and he has little option – with time running out – but to step up and force the pace himself, skating outside the law on numerous occasions, sucking in fellow officers who readily support him despite the long term ramifications and effect on their careers. Thorne is the type of leader you would support to the hilt and suffer the consequences once the case reaches a satisfactory conclusion knowing full well he has your back, he’s certainly a man you’d want fighting in your corner that’s for sure.

Thorne’s dry and dark humour comes across on numerous occasions as does his love of music. Although only my second outing with Thorne I feel as if I’m beginning to get to know the man and not just the detective and how he function on the job and in his social life. A fallible character, as are many of his colleagues, Thorne isn’t prepared to take things lying down and to be fair as a reader you wouldn’t want it any other way.

A terrific story, well told and with a narrative both taut and intelligent Good as Dead is a fast paced police crime procedural that will keep the reader gripped throughout.

Publisher: Little, Brown (Mar 2012) — ISBN-10: 0751544973 — ISBN-13: 978-0751544978

Available to buy in the following formats: Hardback, Paperback & Kindle.

Other reviews available – Books and Writers, Guilty Conscience and Crime Fiction Lover.

Phantom by Jo Nesbo

THE MURDER HAS BEEN SOLVED. BUT HAS JUSTICE BEEN DONE?

Harry Hole is back in Oslo. He’s been away for some time, but his ghosts have a way of catching up with him. The case that brings him back is already closed. There is no room for doubt: the young junkie was shot dead by a fellow addict.

THE POLICE DON’T WANT HIM BACK…

Denied permission to reopen the investigation, Harry strikes out on his own. Beneath the city’s eerie tranquillity, he discovers a trail of violence and mysterious disappearances seemingly unnoticed by the police. At every turn Harry is faced with a conspiracy of silence.

THE CRIMINALS DON’T WANT HIM BACK…

Harry is not the only one who is interested in the case. From the moment he steps off the plane, someone is watching his every move and tracing his every call.

SOMEONE WANTS HIM SILENCED.

How on earth do I do justice to a book of this magnitude, the simple and honest answer is I cannot, I’m not even going to try. Phantom is a terrific novel, one that will keep you turning the pages and on the edge of your seat from the very first moment you pick up the book right up until the powerful ending, the author placing you smack bang in the middle of a city torn by drug addiction, murder and corruption – politicians and policeman alike. Trust is at a premium and betrayal the key word of the day, believe me, you don’t want to miss this novel, it will shock and surprise. I certainly didn’t see the twist coming and I’m still reeling!

Very few authors write better than Nesbø in my eyes – aided once again by a superb translation by Don Bartlett – and I am so grateful I’ve had the chance to read and review three of his novels namely The Snowman (still my favourite book), The Leopard and now Phantom, the latest in a mesmerising series featuring the damaged Harry Hole. Alcoholic. Drug Addict. Policeman. Husband. Father.

I really have to make time to read his previous titles.

Phantom isn’t your typical Jo Nesbø novel; this is all about drugs and the devastation they cause both directly and indirectly. Everyone is affected in one way or another but Nesbo pulls no punches as he paints a different kind of Oslo from the one politicians and the tourist boards would like to promote. The streets are full of pushers and gangs hell-bent on cornering the market no matter the cost or who gets in the way; they certainly don’t take kindly to Harry Hole’s interference.

You won’t find an unhinged serial killer in Phantom but you will find murder most fowl and an ex-policeman in Hole struggling to secure the release of Oleg – his son – who has been arrested for the murder of a drug addict, a supplier and someone who just happens to be his best friend. Things are never clear cut and the way Nesbø weaves his magic is incredible. Take it as read, Nesbo mentions a character for a reason, there is no dead wood in this novel.

I’m not even going to mention the narrative there really is no point – you know what you’re going to get and you certainly won’t be disappointed! Suffice to say it’s both powerful and gripping and although this is a steady read without too much gore – certainly compared to The Snowman – for the first two thirds of the book, you’ll find with 120 pages to go the pace moves up a number of gears and you’ll struggle to put the book down. The way he hooks you in is sublime to say the least. This is Nesbø at his very best.

Harry is back in Oslo after a three year exile living in Hong Kong. No longer a policeman, he returns wearing the only suit he owns and has cleaned up his act and as a recovering alcoholic he faces temptation on every corner. This is personal and only Harry has the determination to see it through but is he ready to meet the truth. Can he handle the truth? Only time will tell.

A compelling read, Phantom is a taut and multi-layered thriller that simply deserves to be read and although a rather sombre read it will most definitely entertain. Rush out and get this one, it’s a cracker!

Published by Harvill Secker, Phantom is available in Hardcover & Kindle formats.

464 Pages ·  ISBN-10: 1846555213 ·  ISBN-13: 978-1846555213

Excellent reviews also available on Crimepieces & Crime Fiction Lover

The Herring in the Library

When literary agent Elsie Thirkettle is invited to accompany tall but obscure crime-writer Ethelred Tressider to dinner at Muntham Court, she is looking forward to sneering at his posh friends. What she is not expecting is that, half way through the evening, her host will be found strangled in his locked study. Since there is no way that a murderer could have escaped, the police conclude that Sir Robert Muntham has killed himself. A distraught Lady Muntham, however, asks Ethelred to conduct his own investigation. Ethelred (ably hindered by Elsie) sets out to resolve a classic ‘locked room’ mystery; but is any one of the assorted guests and witnesses actually telling the truth? And can Ethelred’s account be trusted?

In the process, we meet one of Ethelred’s own creations, the fourteenth-century detective Master Thomas, who is helped in his investigations of a mediaeval crime at Muntham Court by a small and rather pushy Abbess with a taste for honey cakes . . . Is it possible that Master Thomas can shed some light on the twenty-first century case, and on Ethelred’s own motives for investigating Sir Robert’s death?

My first experience of reading LC Tyler came last June when I read Herring on the Nile, a classic and comical remake of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile. It remains to this day – and probably will for some time to come – my favourite humorous crime book that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I’ve had Len’s The Herring in the Library – which incidentally precedes that book – on my shelf close on 10 months now just begging to be read but for one reason or another I haven’t picked it up, that is until now!

Although part of an incredibly well established series I find myself reading the books in reverse order, convinced that I will one day work my way back to the first book in the series The Herring Seller’s Apprentice, I really should add that to my bucket list! No seriously, LC Tyler’s books will be on my bucket list as of tomorrow!

Given my previous Egyptian sojourn with Herring on the Nile I had a fair idea of what to expect this time around but Len still manages to somehow throw the odd curve ball and delight. The humour is the same as is the detection; it’s dry, witty, sarcastic and intensely infectious and just when you think Elsie – also known as Elise – and Ethelred can’t be any more disjointed Elsie come up with another classic put down comment and changes all relationship rules.

I’m not walking up some muddy lane in heels, thank you very much. You’ve been away from London too long, Tressider. You think mud is fine if it doesn’t reach to the top of your Hunters. We have something called pavements in London. Once you have them fitted in Sussex we’ll walk as much as you like. Until then you get to drive me.

As with Herring on the Nile the narrative is heavily influenced by dialogue from start to finish allowing the story to flow with an authoritative and unwavering pace from beginning to end. There really is no let-up in the sarcasm stakes and even when faced with a dead body the humour is there to offer the odd light relief!

Ethelred and Elsie’s relationship is as fractious as ever, with Elsie returning as the dominant partner in the pairing. I do somehow feel that Ethelred is the hen pecked ‘non husband’ that she loves to boss around and boy does she do it well and with a certain flair. The jealousy is there as it was in Herring on the Nile when a glamorous woman – my words certainly not hers – shows up in need of a shoulder to cry on. Elsie simply doesn’t trust anyone more glam than she and it’s a joy to behold! The knives are out and she doesn’t take any prisoners as Elsie’s commentary affirms:

There was a large green car already parked in front of the house, but we appeared to be among the first to arrive. We were immediately greeted by some slapper in a blue dress, who had clearly never come across the expression ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ – though I thought I might usefully acquaint her with the phrase as the evening went on. She certainly didn’t look like somebody who’d have a husband called Shagger.

The two protagonists rarely agree and when they do it’s usually Ethelred succumbing to Elsie’s forceful and enthusiastic demeanour!  One of the things I love about Tyler’s books are the alternative viewpoints of the same scene where our protagonists take turns in informing the reader what really happened, or at least their blinkered views!

Loosely based on the classic Cluedo, The Herring in the Library will charm the socks off you and although Tyler’s main character -Ethelred Tressider – is billed as a third rate crime writer, Tyler without hesitation doesn’t suffer from the same misfortune. A comic genius if ever there was.  Utterly charming and spellbinding, I just can’t get enough.

Published by Macmillan, The Herring in the Library is available in Hardcover, Paperback & Kindle formats.

288 Pages ·  ISBN-10: 0330472143 ·  ISBN-13: 978-0330472142

In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory.

She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is ‘the key’. But the key to what?

For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind’s most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel – now cursed by a terrible plague – hers may be the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church.

The Key by Simon Toyne

Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts – a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery – one that will tear them apart and change the world forever…

One thing I should say before I begin talking about The Key is to quickly mention Sanctus, Simon’s first novel (and debut) in the Sancti trilogy published in 2011; The Key is the second of three books. Although this book can certainly be read as a standalone, to get the most out of the storyline and characters I urge you to read Sanctus first. It sets the scene, lays a solid foundation and you’ll approach The Key with a lot more depth and familiarity. Although this review will contain no spoilers as far as this second book goes, I may mention a few events that happen in Sanctus [Review] so please be aware of this fact.

If you are reading this book out of sequence then I can safely say that Simon Toyne does an excellent job in bringing new readers up to speed and filling in the gaps within the first few chapters. Done in an assured and polished way he doesn’t alienate readers of old and I never once felt it slowed down the discovery process. It’s a tricky balance between old and new but the author does this admirably.

There is no doubt that Sanctus has put the City of Ruin – Turkey – on the virtual world map and whether this was Simon’s intention when he began writing the book or not it’s incredible to think that the most popular search term to find my blog over the last year is – by a country mile – The City of Ruin! Sanctus – and Ruin – remains as popular today as it did last year and surely only the Beach Boys’ fictional Caribbean island of Kokomo – 1988 – could compete on the fictitious destinations stakes! Who knows maybe we could start a new travel agency taking in a twin destination of Ruin and Kokomo! I digress!

Gabriel Mann and Liv Adamsen are back for another frenzied adventure; The Key is set in the immediate aftermath of the explosive Sanctus. Liv Adamsen is, along with Kathryn – Gabriel’s mother – fighting for her life in hospital after being rescued from the Citadel. Gabriel, our protagonist is languishing in the local jail and is likewise fighting for survival uncertain who he can trust. There are people hell-bent on silencing the trio and they will stop at nothing to get the job done. Prepare yourself for another rollercoaster of a ride because The Key is a barnstormer of a book and a fitting follow up to Sanctus.

Although an incredibly entertaining read I didn’t think The Key had as much punch or impact as Sanctus only in so much as I missed not discovering the hidden caves in the Citadel for the first time! Yes I know I’m being incredibly selfish! Having said that we do get to experience a few new locations in the fortified Citadel so there is a little more discovery to be found and the atmospheric conditions are as good if not better than our first visit last year. The author certainly knows how to massage the senses and transport the reader into a damp and sacred fortress.

The narrative is taut and flows effortlessly from beginning to end, although an often overused phrase, I simply couldn’t put the book down. There aren’t many books you can read 40 pages in an hour while working flat out on a cross trainer but The Key is definitely one of them, I simply lost myself in the story. Eager to find out what happened following Sanctus I gorged my way through the opening chapters as the author moves from one location to another, re-introducing characters from the past and introducing us to ones for the future, I couldn’t get enough.

Short chapters ensure the rapid development of an incredibly accomplished and adroit storyline and as we move from one location to another – from the harsh and unforgiving deserts in Iraq to burnt out apartments in New Jersey – the characters come to life with a colour and intelligence I’ve come to expect from the author despite this being only his second novel.

Talking of characters, I don’t think there was one I didn’t like or one I found superfluous to the plot in The Key I usually manage to find one or two but, good or evil, they all had something that kept me interested. Gabriel is a brilliant character but Liv who is integral to the storyline came into her own this time around and shares top billing with Gabriel as they both attempt to make sense of the missing Sacrament.

Toyne weaves a wonderfully complex tale and just as he did in Sanctus I wanted to read more about the issues, the myths and locations that arise in this book. I’d love to talk about them and I may do so in a separate post following publication – conscious of spoilers – there were certain aspects to the storyline that I found compelling and hard to relinquish. Blending fact and fiction Toyne has done a remarkable job once again.

Full of twists, turns and intelligent subplots The Key has more than enough shocks – one I never saw coming – to entertain and satisfy the most ardent of fans. A brilliant addition to the Sancti Trilogy, the City of Ruin is brought to life yet again with a gripping, taut and creative thriller.

Published by HarperCollins, The Key is available in Hardback & Kindle

440 Pages ·  ISBN-10: 0007391595 ·  ISBN-13: 978-0007391592