I love a thriller that’s full of tension and excitement,
and which features an unusual location. It’s better still if I learn something
new at the same time.
Anthrax Island delivers this and more. I learned about
Anthrax, how it was used in World War II, and the history of GruinardIsland in Scotland. And yet the facts were so
beautifully woven into the story that there was no sense of being told about
them – they just unfolded naturally from the events and conversations.
This was one of those thrillers that forced me to read on, long after I was meant to put the book down. The scenes still stay with me now, several months later, because of how well they were painted in words.
'One of the thrillers of the year' Scottish Sun 'A first class thriller... This debut is going to be huge' Mari Hannah, author of Without a Trace
FACT: In 1942, in growing desperation at the progress of the war and fearing invasion by the Nazis, the UK government approved biological weapons tests on British soil. Their aim: to perfect an anthrax weapon destined for Germany. They succeeded.
FACT: Though the attack was never launched, the testing ground, Gruinard Island, was left lethally contaminated. It became known as Anthrax Island.
This thriller carries an emotional charge that drew me
into the story and wouldn’t let me go. Some of the scenes are written from the
viewpoint of a ten-year-old girl whom someone wants dead.
They are so well
written that you can hear the girl’s voice and can’t help feeling sorry for
her. I wanted to give her a hug and tell her it was going to be alright.
The book is also crammed full with action, but best of all is probably the twist towards the end when the truth of who's behind the attempted murder becomes apparent. Suddenly, I saw all the preceding scenes in a different light, and realised the cleverness of Connor’s plot.
Carl Bowman is a killer. An assassin for hire whose latest assignment is to take out a ten-year-old girl. He doesn't know what she's done or why someone wants her dead. He just knows he has to kill her. But with the girl in his sights, Carl can't bring himself to pull the trigger. Instead he goes on the run, taking her with him.
In a small village in Southern Spain, Julia Martin's carefully constructed life is falling apart. Her husband and his mistress have been killed in an explosion in their home and her daughter, Rebecca, has disappeared. Julia…
Cross’s thriller poses an intriguing puzzle at the start,
the answer to which slowly unfolds through the book, ending with some big surprises
that I loved. It’s not only that mystery that makes this such a good book,
though.
The adrenaline almost made me breathless as the excitement and action
scenes rapidly dragged me through the pages.
The twists and turns of the plot
ensured it never lost my total attention, and I found I was totally absorbed by
the thriller right to the end.
Mason Cross, author of THE SAMARITAN, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick, returns with his gripping new thriller - perfect for fans of David Baldacci, Linwood Barclay and Mark Billingham.
*
Don't look for me.
It was a simple instruction. And for six long years Carter Blake kept his word and didn't search for the woman he once loved. But now someone else is looking for her.
He'll come for you.
Trenton Gage is a hitman with a talent for finding people - dead or alive. His next job is to track down a woman who's on the run,…
James Winter’s career as a Customs Investigator is trashed by a Mossad mission tracking Syrian assassins. His fight for re-instatement uncovers a Middle East plot that soon threatens his own life... and more.
