Thought for the Day - Hardcover

Armstrong, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0002326477 ISBN 13: 9780002326476

Publisher: Collins Crime, 1997

Synopsis

The latest mystery from one of Britain’s most exciting crime novelists: ‘Armstrong breaks fresh ground with each new novel. None of his contemporaries seem more sure-footed... British crime writing is on a roll at the moment and this is about as good as it gets’ Literary Review

Detective Frank Kavanagh, who first appeared in the highly praised novel Until Dawn Tomorrow, has been transferred to London following a nervous breakdown. A complex man traumatised by his recent hunt for a serial killer and his own private grief at the desertion of his wife, he is regarded with suspicion by his new chiefs. So when he is assigned to the case of an abducted London advertising agency director, Martyn Foyle, Kavanagh knows his reputation is on the line.

The kidnapping, though, doesn’t proceed along established lines – it takes some unexpected, even sinister, turns which leave the experts and the regular police baffled. Is it an inside job? The act of a lone madman as opposed to professionals? Kavanagh’s unorthodox ideas get him into trouble with his colleagues but a macabre discovery in the remote Staffordshire countryside seems to bear him out. His pursuit eventually builds to a heart-stopping climax on the shores of Lake Como, and to a no-less shattering personal revelation for Kavanagh himself.

David Armstrong’s powerful new novel has all the dark passion and wrought intensity of a classic film-noir, and will further establish his reputation as one of our most original and powerful contemporary crime writers.

About this title

Review:

‘Quite brilliant’
Sunday Times

‘A tale of crime and punishment that Zola wouldn’t disown’
Literary Review

From the Back Cover:

Traumatised by his recent confrontation with a serial killer and subsequent nervous breakdown, Detective Inspector Frank Kavanagh hopes to leave the past behind by transferring to London. But when he is assigned to the case of kidnapped advertising supremo Martin Foyle, Kavanagh knows he will come under unusually close scrutiny from his new bosses in the Met.

The kidnapping doesn’t proceed along established lines, though; unexpected, even sinister, turns leave the experts baffled. Then a macabre discovery in the Welsh Marches adds even greater urgency to the hunt. The pressure on Kavanagh for a result is stepped up, but he is evolving a theory of his own – one which puts him at odds with his superiors.

Building to a heart stopping climax, David Armstrong’s new novel has all the dark passion and wrought intensity of a classic film noir, and will further establish his reputation as one of our most original and powerful contemporary crime writers.

PRAISE FOR DAVID ARMSTRONG

'Until Dawn Tomorrow'

“A superlative whodunit in which England itself – gutted by politics, haunted by old movies, capsized by the Open University – is seen to contribute to the crimes under review
PHILIP OAKS,'Literary Review'

“A well wrought, chilling psychological thriller”
JAMES MELVILLE, 'Ham and High'

“Quite brilliant”
JOHN COLEMAN, 'Sunday Times'

'Less Than Kind'

“A strong cast of flawed characters all as broody as the Welsh mountain setting”
MIKE RIPLEY, 'Daily Telegraph'

'Night’s Black Agents'

“Depicts obscure people in the grip of elemental passions. A second helping, please”
MATTHEW COADY, 'Guardian'

“David Armstrong is a new and arresting talent”
WILLIAM WEAVER, 'Financial Times'

“A tale of crime and punishment that Zola wouldn’t disown. Powerfully told in stripped down prose which blooms now and then into dour Midlands poetry”
LITERARY REVIEW

About this edition

• Publisher: Collins Crime
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0002326477
• ISBN 13: 9780002326476
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192