Thriller

Mark Henderson’s novel, The Engklimastat (“that which prevents or stops crime or law-breaking”) weaves a fast-paced story of drama, treachery and love around the question posed by the title; what would happen to modern society if crime became impossible? The story weaves nail-biting drama into moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity as it follows Henderson’s unlikely protagonists, the hapless Solomon Threep and the dynamic Theresa Greene, who are both used and pursued by the demon Hypostates. As the drama unfolds it becomes only too clear, with the logical inevitability that is Henderson’s trademark, how much modern society relies on crime just to function, let alone to flourish.

Listen to Mark's interview with Talk Radio Europe's Hannah Murray on 'the book programme' here.

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Falling into Crime comprises the first three of Penny Grubb’s private investigator crime novels. This re-edited trilogy follows Annie Raymond from her first chaotic venture into her chosen profession, through her early struggles, to her emergence as a true professional. It’s a page-turning, fast and turbulent ride, leaving Annie no space to appraise the ambition that took her life on this particular course. Once forced to face it, she knows that a fundamental re-evaluation is long overdue, but the push comes from an unwelcome source that proves more of a threat than anything she has faced before.

The trilogy includes the winner of the 2004 international Crime Writers’ Association Dagger, The Doll Makers, along with John Creasy Dagger nominee, Like False Money, and The Jawbone Gang.

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The Star Protocol is a fast-moving science-fiction adventure, a first novel by the Marett brothers, Ramon and Simon, each of whom is an experienced writer. The story opens in the deserts of Iraq with a chase that becomes a hostage situation, as the hunters become the quarry. Delta Force soldiers, Will and Dash, along with their British MI6 colleague, John, are on the trail of a known terrorist who they have cornered inside the ancient temple of Ur. Flushing him out should be routine, but they are wary of ambush in this maze-like structure, and they must be quick, there are others hunting them and closing in. When they discover that there are civilian archaeologists inside who have been taken hostage, they are horrified. But when the temple shows its age-old secret, they find out what trouble really means.

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The Reality Exchange is a page-turning space adventure and is James Vigor’s debut novel. You will be hooked from page 1.

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Storm Girl, an eco-thriller from Linda Nicklin, is set in a dystopian near future where everything on earth is owned by a small super-rich elite. Protagonist Angel, loved, hated and coveted in equal measure has a key role to play in the future of the planet.

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Deserted by his partner, Doug Carmichael grows increasingly paranoid as he struggles to complete his latest crime novel. The story demands a brutal murder, but he has grown fond of Peter Wishart, his intended victim, and can’t bear to write the words that will kill him. But he must, or he cannot finish the book. When the gruesome chapter is finally drafted he falls into a whisky-induced slumber from which he wakes into a nightmare.

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Light fades in the library of Disraeli Hall as Sarah recalls the bright hopes that brought her here; her visions of the future with Leo. Now he's gone, leaving only the recurring nightmare of his death, the scream, the darkness, the light that wouldn’t work. Now she is trapped, independence sold to chase a dream, a servant where once she was in command. Learn More

Syrup Trap City is Penny Grubb’s 7th crime novel. Set in the Northern port of Hull, it features private investigator, Annie Raymond, her boss, the enigmatic Mrs Peters, and Detective Ayaan Ahmed who Annie last met in very trying circumstances in York (see Buried Deep and Tiger Blood).

The story opens as the year draws to a close and Hull looks forward to a momentous year. The wider landscape passes Annie by as the realisation dawns that this routine job is not all that it seems. As she is faced with an unexpected and unwelcome reminder from the past, she realises just how badly she has taken her eye off the ball.

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Miranda should have no cares in Sue Knight’s eco-thriller, Waiting for Gordo. She’s with her dependable husband, Jim, on a paradise island with a group of friends. Their daughter is grown up and has flown the nest. They have no ties and no worries. So why the shades of unease? Is it the rustle of unseen creatures in the low scrub, the strangely watchful Bathroom Cockroach … or is it that Jim’s dive buddy Gordo is delayed on an outlying island waiting for a tropical storm to blow over before their boat can put to sea.

Jim’s usual matter-of-factness keeps a lid on Miranda’s unease, but the small anomalies grow while she looks out over a deceptively calm aquamarine sea towards distant roiling clouds ...

... waiting for Gordo.

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