Mark Griffin – författare

'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMES 'Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL THE KILLING STARTS WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT . . .Holly Wakefield works as a criminal psychologist specialising in serial killers. She has particular reason to be good at her job - but she keeps that to herself. When DI Bishop from the Met Police approaches Holly to investigate a recent killing, Holly is horrified by the dismembered bodies and the way they have been theatrically positioned. More shocking still is when the pathologist reveals this is not the first time she has seen these mutilations. It means a serial killer is out there, and they're going to kill again - soon. Holly is used to chasing serial killers. But this killer has something in common with Holly that she's kept hidden for as long as she can remember. And for the first time since she was a child, Holly is forced to face the darkness of her past . . .Discover your new favourite crime series with the electrifying first thriller starring criminal psychologist Holly Wakefield. An edge-of-your-seat crime thriller perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Mark Billingham.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING . . .'Gripping, shocking, nail biting!' Reader review, 5 stars'A must read book!' Reader review, 5 stars'Outstanding!' Reader review, 5 stars'A moving, intense rollercoaster!' Reader review, 5 stars'You have to read this book!' Reader review, 5 stars'Dark, twisty and disturbing' Reader review, 5 stars'Brilliant . . . you won't want to put it down' Reader review, 5 stars'Compulsive' Reader review, 5 stars'One of the very best books I've read' Reader review, 5 stars'I was glued to this cover to cover' Reader review, 5 stars'Captivating, thrilling and brilliant' Reader review, 5 stars'I lost count of how many times I held my breath - fantastic twists and turns' Reader review, 5 stars'A fast-paced, page-turning thriller' Reader review, 5 stars'So gripping, so cleverly written' Reader review, 5 stars'An amazing storyline that kept me hooked' Reader review, 5 stars

The inspiration for the HBO® Original Documentary, Rock Hudson: All that Heaven Allowed, airing June 28!The definitive biography of the deeply complex and widely misunderstood matinee idol of Hollywood’s Golden Age.“Mark Griffin paints a vivid portrait of a man who lived a double life in order to maintain his status as a movie star. Griffin’s sources are candid but credible, which makes the book a real page-turner. I came away admiring Hudson all the more, and feeling sad for the secret existence that Hollywood demanded of its leading men in the 1950s and 60s.”  — Leonard Maltin, author of Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film FandomDevastatingly handsome, broad-shouldered and clean-cut, Rock Hudson was the ultimate movie star. The embodiment of romantic masculinity in American film throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s, he reigned supreme as the king of Hollywood.As an Oscar-nominated leading man, Hudson won acclaim for his performances in glossy melodramas (Magnificent Obsession), western epics (Giant) and blockbuster bedroom farces (Pillow Talk). In the ‘70s and ‘80s, Hudson successfully transitioned to television; his long-running series McMillan & Wife and a recurring role on Dynasty introduced him to a whole new generation of fans.The icon worshipped by moviegoers and beloved by his colleagues appeared to have it all. Yet beneath the suave and commanding star persona, there was an insecure, deeply conflicted, and all too vulnerable human being. Growing up poor in Winnetka, Illinois, Hudson was abandoned by his biological father, abused by an alcoholic stepfather, and controlled by his domineering mother.Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Hudson was determined to become an actor at all costs. After signing with the powerful but predatory agent Henry Willson, the young hopeful was transformed from a clumsy, tongue-tied truck driver into Universal Studio’s resident Adonis. In a more conservative era, Hudson’s wholesome, straight arrow screen image was at odds with his closeted homosexuality.As a result of his gay relationships and clandestine affairs, Hudson was continually threatened with public exposure, not only by scandal sheets like Confidential but by a number of his own partners. For years, Hudson dodged questions concerning his private life, but in 1985 the public learned that the actor was battling AIDS. The disclosure that such a revered public figure had contracted the illness focused worldwide attention on the epidemic.Drawing on more than 100 interviews with co-stars, family members and former companions, All That Heaven Allows delivers a complete and nuanced portrait of one of the most fascinating stars in cinema history.Griffin provides new details concerning Hudson’s troubled relationships with wife Phyllis Gates and boyfriend Marc Christian. And here, for the first time, is an in-depth exploration of Hudson’s classic films, including Written on the Wind, A Farewell to Arms, and the cult favorite Seconds. With unprecedented access to private journals, personal correspondence, and production files, Griffin pays homage to the idol whose life and death had a lasting impact on American culture.

"Paints a vivid portrait of a man who lived a double life in order to maintain his status as a movie star. . . . Candid but credible...a real page-turner." —Leonard Maltin, author of Hooked on Hollywood: Discoveries from a Lifetime of Film FandomThe inspiration for the HBO® Original Documentary, Rock Hudson: All that Heaven Allowed.Rock Hudson was the ultimate movie star. The embodiment of romantic masculinity in American film throughout the ''50s and ''60s, he reigned supreme as the king of Hollywood.As an Oscar-nominated leading man, Hudson won acclaim for his performances in melodramas (Magnificent Obsession), western epics (Giant) and blockbuster bedroom farces (Pillow Talk). In the ''70s and ''80s, Hudson successfully transitioned to television with his long-running series McMillan & Wife and a recurring role on Dynasty.The Hollywood icon appeared to have it all. Yet beneath the star persona, there was a deeply conflicted human being. Growing up poor in Winnetka, Illinois, Hudson was abandoned by his father, abused by an alcoholic stepfather, and controlled by his domineering mother.Despite the obstacles, Hudson was determined to become an actor. After signing with agent Henry Willson, Hudson was transformed from a tongue-tied truck driver into Universal Studio''s resident Adonis. But Hudson''s wholesome screen image was at odds with his closeted homosexuality.Because of his secret gay relationships, Hudson was continually threatened with public exposure. In 1985 the public learned that the actor was battling AIDS, a disclosure that focused worldwide attention on the epidemic.Drawing on more than 100 interviews, All That Heaven Allows delivers a complete and nuanced portrait of one of the most fascinating stars in cinema history."Provides trenchant cinematic insight and social criticism." —Library Journal, starred review"Engrossing." —Kirkus Reviews

''A thrilling new talent'' PETER JAMES

''Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted'' DAILY MAIL

THE KILLING STARTS WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT . . .Holly Wakefield works as a criminal psychologist specialising in serial killers. She has particular reason to be good at her job - but she keeps that to herself. When DI Bishop from the Met Police approaches Holly to investigate a recent killing, Holly is horrified by the dismembered bodies and the way they have been theatrically positioned. More shocking still is when the pathologist reveals this is not the first time she has seen these mutilations. It means a serial killer is out there, and they''re going to kill again - soon. Holly is used to chasing serial killers. But this killer has something in common with Holly that she''s kept hidden for as long as she can remember. And for the first time since she was a child, Holly is forced to face the darkness of her past . . .Discover your new favourite crime series with the electrifying first thriller starring criminal psychologist Holly Wakefield. An edge-of-your-seat crime thriller perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Mark Billingham.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING . . .

''Gripping, shocking, nail biting!'' Reader review, 5 stars''A must read book!'' Reader review, 5 stars''Outstanding!'' Reader review, 5 stars''A moving, intense rollercoaster!'' Reader review, 5 stars''You have to read this book!'' Reader review, 5 stars''Dark, twisty and disturbing'' Reader review, 5 stars''Brilliant . . . you won''t want to put it down'' Reader review, 5 stars''Compulsive'' Reader review, 5 stars''One of the very best books I''ve read'' Reader review, 5 stars''I was glued to this cover to cover'' Reader review, 5 stars''Captivating, thrilling and brilliant'' Reader review, 5 stars''I lost count of how many times I held my breath - fantastic twists and turns'' Reader review, 5 stars''A fast-paced, page-turning thriller'' Reader review, 5 stars''So gripping, so cleverly written'' Reader review, 5 stars''An amazing storyline that kept me hooked'' Reader review, 5 stars

'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMES'Dark, compelling . . . one of the best police procedurals I've read for a long time' M. W. CRAVEN'Creepy, twisted and gripping' Sun 5-star reviewOn a cold winter's morning, the body of a young boy is discovered in Epping Forest. The body is pristine and peaceful, his head resting gently on a pillow, an angel pendant clenched in his small fist. It is a murder as carefully planned as it is brutal, and there's one person DI Bishop needs back on his team to help solve such a calculated crime. Holly Wakefield, criminal psychologist for the Met Police, is better than anyone Bishop knows at getting inside the brains of psychopaths. But with the body count rising, it's going to take all their strength and resolve to stop the serial killer before any more angels are put to their rest . . .The second gripping serial killer thriller in the Holly Wakefield series, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Stuart MacBride, Robert Bryndza and TV crime series Luther. Praise for the Holly Wakefield thrillers:'Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL'Meticulously plotted and devious in its execution . . . utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA'Wow . . . As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster!' AMY LLOYD'Absolutely gripping . . . It reminded me of Thomas Harris' TOBY FABER'Deftly plotted, propulsive, psychologically astute . . . totally horrifying' DOMINIC NOLAN'Dark, observant and addictive' CAROLINE ENGLAND

'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMES'Creepy, twisted and gripping' SUN'Dark, compelling and expertly paced' M. W. CRAVEN ___________________On a cold winter's morning, the body of a young boy is discovered in Epping Forest. The body is pristine and peaceful, his head resting gently on a pillow, an angel pendant clenched in his small fist. It is a murder as carefully planned as it is brutal, and there's one person DI Bishop needs back on his team to help solve such a calculated crime. Holly Wakefield, criminal psychologist for the Met Police, is better than anyone Bishop knows at getting inside the brains of psychopaths. But with the body count rising, it's going to take all their strength and resolve to stop the serial killer before any more angels are put to their rest . . .A breathtaking, page-turning thriller perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Stuart MacBride and Robert Bryndza.___________________What readers are saying:'Wow . . . An astonishingly gripping novel that grabbed me by the throat from the get-go''Awestruck, I finished this book with shaking hands and a pounding heart. Edge-of-your-seat stuff. Simply brilliant''A dark, riveting and absolutely compulsive must-read''I read it in one sitting as I couldn't wait to find out how it would end''Absolute must read . . . you won't be disappointed''Total page turner from start to finish''An immensely satisfying read and an absolutely gripping thriller''Unputdownable . . . would highly recommend''Amazing . . . I read it in a day''What a brilliant read, full of tension as the investigation gains pace, great characters, dark humour, and grips you right from the start to the end''Mark Griffin strikes again. Phenomenal''The writing is more expertly crafted, drawing you deeper into the darkness and walking with the characters as the desperate events unfold''Another masterpiece from Mark Griffin''Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down''Tightly plotted, intricate twists and turns, very human characters'

''A thrilling new talent'' PETER JAMES

A KILLER SO CLEVER, NOBODY HEARS THE SCREAMS . . .When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in her home, DCI Bishop from the Met murder squad is called in to oversee the case. The horrific killing bears a striking resemblance to three other murders years before, but the cases were never solved. Bishop knows they need the help of Holly Wakefield, a criminal psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers.The grisly murders occur every three years, but it is the stick-man drawing left at each crime scene that has the police baffled. A post-mortem also detects a cocktail of drugs that can leave a victim screaming in silence. No one would have heard their cries for help.Holly suspects that they are a missing a vital clue that links the victims. But can she discover the link before the killer comes knocking at her door?A twisty, heart-racing new serial killer thriller, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.

Praise for Mark Griffin . . .

''Creepy, twisted and gripping'' SUN''Dark, compelling'' M. W. CRAVEN''Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted'' DAILY MAIL''Utterly compelling'' LESLEY KARA''As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster!'' AMY LLOYD

'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMESA KILLER SO CLEVER, NOBODY HEARS THE SCREAMS . . .When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in her home, DCI Bishop from the Met murder squad is called in to oversee the case. The horrific killing bears a striking resemblance to three other murders years before, but the cases were never solved. Bishop knows they need the help of Holly Wakefield, a criminal psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers.The grisly murders occur every three years, but it is the stick-man drawing left at each crime scene that has the police baffled. A post-mortem also detects a cocktail of drugs that can leave a victim screaming in silence. No one would have heard their cries for help.Holly suspects that they are a missing a vital clue that links the victims. But can she discover the link before the killer comes knocking at her door?A twisty, heart-racing new serial killer thriller, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.Praise for Mark Griffin . . .'Creepy, twisted and gripping' SUN'Dark, compelling' M. W. CRAVEN'Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL'Utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA'As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster!' AMY LLOYD

A killer so clever, nobody hears the screams . . .When the mutilated body of a woman is discovered in her home, DCI Bishop from the Met murder squad is called in to oversee the case. The horrific killing bears a striking resemblance to three other murders years before, but the cases were never solved. Bishop knows they need the help of Holly Wakefield, a criminal psychologist who specialises in getting inside the minds of serial killers.The grisly murders occur every three years, but it is the stick-man drawing left at each crime scene that has the police baffled. A post-mortem also detects a cocktail of drugs that can leave a victim screaming in silence. No one would have heard their cries for help.Holly suspects that they are a missing a vital clue that links the victims. But can she discover the link before the killer comes knocking at her door?The twisty, heart-racing new serial killer thriller in the Holly Wakefield series, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.PRAISE FOR THE HOLLY WAKEFIELD THRILLERS:'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMES'Creepy, twisted and gripping' SUN'Dark, compelling' M. W. CRAVEN'Mightily impressive . . . Deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL'Utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA'As many twists and turns as a rollercoaster!' AMY LLOYD

'Truly frightening . . . a British Silence Of The Lambs' DAILY MAIL'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMESOUT OF THE DARKNESS, A KILLER RISES AGAIN . . .Holly Wakefield was just nine years old when her parents were murdered by notorious serial killer The Animal. The devastating event influenced her career as a criminal psychologist and now she helps the Met Police catch the most dangerous psychopaths.But Holly's world is turned upside down when she starts discovering messages at gruesome crime scenes from the person she fears above all else. The world believe The Animal is dead, yet Holly knows he is alive and killing again - and he wants her to know.DI Bishop is the only person who trusts Holly's instinct above reason and the pair embark on a covert investigation as further murders are detected across the country.However The Animal has a more twisted game in store for Holly than they could ever have imagined. And it's one he intends to finish properly this time . . .The heart-racing new serial killer thriller in the Holly Wakefield series, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.Praise for Mark Griffin . . .'Creepy, twisted and gripping' SUN'Mightily impressive . . . deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL'Dark, compelling and expertly paced' M. W. CRAVEN'Meticulously plotted . . . utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA

''Truly frightening . . . a British Silence Of The Lambs'' DAILY MAIL''A thrilling new talent'' PETER JAMES

OUT OF THE DARKNESS, A KILLER RISES AGAIN . . .Holly Wakefield was just nine years old when her parents were murdered by notorious serial killer The Animal. The devastating event influenced her career as a criminal psychologist and now she helps the Met Police catch the most dangerous psychopaths.But Holly''s world is turned upside down when she starts discovering messages at gruesome crime scenes from the person she fears above all else. The world believe The Animal is dead, yet Holly knows he is alive and killing again - and he wants her to know.DI Bishop is the only person who trusts Holly''s instinct above reason and the pair embark on a covert investigation as further murders are detected across the country.However The Animal has a more twisted game in store for Holly than they could ever have imagined. And it''s one he intends to finish properly this time . . .The heart-racing new serial killer thriller in the Holly Wakefield series, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.

Praise for Mark Griffin . . .

''Creepy, twisted and gripping'' SUN''Mightily impressive . . . deviously plotted'' DAILY MAIL''Dark, compelling and expertly paced'' M. W. CRAVEN''Meticulously plotted . . . utterly compelling'' LESLEY KARA

'Truly frightening . . . a British Silence Of The Lambs' DAILY MAIL'A thrilling new talent' PETER JAMESOUT OF THE DARKNESS, A KILLER RISES AGAIN . . .Holly Wakefield was just nine years old when her parents were murdered by notorious serial killer The Animal. The devastating event influenced her career as a criminal psychologist and now she helps the Met Police catch the most dangerous psychopaths.But Holly's world is turned upside down when she starts discovering messages at gruesome crime scenes from the person she fears above all else. The world believe The Animal is dead, yet Holly knows he is alive and killing again - and he wants her to know.DI Bishop is the only person who trusts Holly's instinct above reason and the pair embark on a covert investigation as further murders are detected across the country.However The Animal has a more twisted game in store for Holly than they could ever have imagined. And it's one he intends to finish properly this time . . .The heart-racing new serial killer thriller in the Holly Wakefield series, perfect for fans of Robert Bryndza, Angela Marsons and Stuart MacBride.Praise for Mark Griffin . . .'Creepy, twisted and gripping' SUN'Mightily impressive . . . deviously plotted' DAILY MAIL'Dark, compelling and expertly paced' M. W. CRAVEN'Meticulously plotted . . . utterly compelling' LESLEY KARA

They had no holy book, they had no church, they worshipped in fields and forests, men and women were treated as equals, and though they were known as ‘perfects’, the Cathars were hunted to extinction in the name of God.In the winter of 1243 the last two hundred perfects were forced to retreat with their treasure to their final sanctuary and the seat of their Church of God, the impregnable castle in the foothills of the Pyrenees called Montségur.The Cathar Prophecy tells the extraordinary story of their last stand. It tells of Arnaud de Blanchfort, the dispossessed Knight of St John who stood with them and the ‘perfects’ who changed his life forever.