Christopher J. Yates – författare

A deadly game of dares and consequences turns tragic in this gripping psychological thriller set in the hallowed halls of Oxford University.It was only ever meant to be a game played by six best friends in their first year at Oxford University; a game of consequences, silly forfeits, and childish dares. But then the game changed: The stakes grew higher and the dares more personal and more humiliating, finally evolving into a vicious struggle with unpredictable and tragic results. Now, fourteen years later, the remaining players must meet again for the final round. Who knows better than your best friends what would break you?A compulsively readable tale partly inspired by the author''s own time at Oxford, Black Chalk is perfect for fans of the high tension and expert pacing of The Secret History and The Bellwether Revivals. Christopher J. Yates'' background in puzzle writing and setting can clearly be seen in the plotting of this clever, tricky book that will keep you guessing to the very end."This is the smart summer thriller you''ve been waiting for."--NPR''s All Things ConsideredNAMED A MUST READ BY THE BOSTON GLOBE, BBC.COM, AND NEW YORK POSTNAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY NPR

"Four distinct voices tell the story of a disturbing incident and its far-reaching aftermath...It''s a labyrinth of shifting perspectives, but the narrators keep this grim story focused and mesmerizing." — AudioFile MagazineThe highly anticipated new audiobook from the author whose debut was called “The smart summer thriller you’ve been waiting for...The novel you should be reading tonight” (NPR’s All Things Considered) and was named a Book of the Year by NPR and an Entertainment Weekly Must-List PickChristopher J. Yates’s cult hit Black Chalk introduced that rare writerly talent: a literary author who could create a plot with the intricacy of a brilliant mental puzzle, and with characters so absorbing that listeners are immediately gripped. Yates’s new audiobook does not disappoint.Grist Mill Road is a dark, twisted, and expertly plotted Rashomon-style tale. The year is 1982; the setting, an Edenic hamlet some ninety miles north of New York City. There, among the craggy rock cliffs and glacial ponds of timeworn mountains, three friends—Patrick, Matthew, and Hannah—are bound together by a terrible and seemingly senseless crime. Twenty-six years later, in New York City, living lives their younger selves never could have predicted, the three meet again—with even more devastating results.More praise for Grist Mill Road:"[Dan] Bittner, Will Damron, Graham Halstead, and Saskia Maarleveld bring the multidimensional characters vividly to life and narrate this complex and twisting tale of psychological suspense in a manner that keeps the listener involved and eager to follow along to its harrowing conclusion." — Booklist

"This is the smart summer thriller you''ve been waiting for."--NPR''s All Things ConsideredNamed a Best Book of the Year by NPR in 2015, Black Chalk finally makes its American audiobook debut. A breathless psychological thriller set in New York and at Oxford University in which a group of six students play an elaborate game of dares and consequences with tragic results.It was only ever meant to be a game played by six best friends in their first year at Oxford University; a game of consequences, silly forfeits, and childish dares. But then the game changed: The stakes grew higher and the dares more personal and more humiliating, finally evolving into a vicious struggle with unpredictable and tragic results. Now, fourteen years later, the remaining players must meet again for the final round. Who knows better than your best friends what would break you? A gripping psychological thriller partly inspired by the author''s own time at Oxford University, Black Chalk is perfect for fans of the high tension and expert pacing. Christopher J. Yates'' background in puzzle writing and setting is clearly felt in the plotting of this clever, tricky audiobook that will keep listeners guessing till the very last track.*This program includes a bonus chapter from Christopher J. Yates'' upcoming book, Grist Mill Road, set to publish in 2018*

''Darkly, intricately layered, full of pitfalls and switchbacks, moving and merciless'' Sunday Times bestseller Tana FrenchA gripping, heart-stopping and strikingly original thriller about friendship, family and revenge, perfect for fans of THE SILENT PATIENT, Lucy Foley''s THE HUNTING PARTY and Peter Swanson''s THE KIND WORTH KILLING.''A must-read novel . . . Spine-tingling'' Hello!It all began on Grist Mill Road . . .Matthew and Hannah were just playing in the woods, a little way from home.But now he''s tying Hannah to a tree. And she has never been so terrified.Patrick is there too, hidden, watching. He can''t move. He can''t take his eyes off Matthew''s gun.Years later, in New York City, leading adult lives they never would have imagined, the three will meet again. With even more devastating consequences.''Arresting . . . Sophisticated . . . Elegant'' New York Times''Dark, compelling and beautifully written, Grist Mill Road absolutely captivated me'' Cass Green, author of In A Cottage In A Wood''At once disturbing and discomforting, at the same time as being excitingly un-put-down-able . . . A superblywritten psychological thriller with the power and deadly ferocity of a harpoon'' Shots magazine''I couldn''t put Grist Mill Road down. Yates is particularly brilliant on the dark urgency of adolescence, and conjuring up a sense of place . . . I loved it'' Eve Chase, author of Black Rabbit Hall and The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde''Dark, intense, and disturbing . . . A thriller with imagination to spare'' Krysten Ritter''A sinister, plot-twisty tale . . . Intelligent'' Oprah.com''If you like layered, psychological suspense stories then I highly recommend Grist Mill Road. 5 stars!!!'' Goodreads reviewer

One game. Six students. Five survivors.It was only ever meant to be a game. A game of consequences, of silly forfeits, childish dares. A game to be played by six best friends in their first year at Oxford University. But then the game changed: the stakes grew higher and the dares more personal, more humiliating, finally evolving into a vicious struggle with unpredictable and tragic results. Now, fourteen years later, the remaining players must meet again for the final round.