Michael Ridpath – författare

Discover the first in a BRAND-NEW series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all.Berlin, 1930.Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering facades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war - where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars - perfect for fans of Philip Kerr's Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris's Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Operation Berlin:'A thrilling cocktail of historical fiction and whodunit noir set in the dark days of the Weimar Republic. Outstanding.' Alex Shaw'A perfectly crafted mystery set in a perfectly rendered inter-war Germany, riven by emergent dark forces and populated with the lost, the damaged and the haunted. Michael Ridpath has created something very special here.' Craig Russell'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit. The edgy atmosphere of Berlin at that time is brilliantly captured and Ridpath marshals a large cast of characters with great skill. A great read' Simon Brett'Thrilling, pacey, witty, richly atmospheric and filled with intrigue, Operation Berlin takes us deep into a fascinating chapter of German history. I look forward to their next adventure!' Sophie Hardach'An intriguing mystery capturing perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s Berlin.' Kate Ellis'A thoroughly absorbing and informative historical thriller, with two beautifully drawn central characters. The book perfectly captures the essence of the menace and fragility at the time of the Weimar Republic.' Chris Lloyd'Evocative and engrossing - superb characters in a fascinating setting. Better still, the solution to the mystery makes perfect, satisfying sense - a genuine achievement in modern crime writing.' TE Kinsey'Brilliant! A vivid murder mystery set in 1930s Germany as Europe recovers from one war while sliding toward another. Intelligent, tense and hauntingly relevant. Michael Ridpath is a substantive, master storyteller.' Humphrew Hawksley'A compelling and atmospheric historical thriller, set in the louche, febrile Berlin of the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and introducing the intriguing partnership of amateur detectives Sir Archibald Laverick, war-damaged veteran, and Emma Carmichael, a sparky American would-be journalist.' Aline Templeton'An engaging and entertaining mystery set in a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s Berlin. A compelling and suspenseful murder plot unfolds against the background of tumultuous historical events as Hitler relentlessly pursues power. I look forward to reading further adventures of the book's likeable main characters, Archie Laverick and Esme Carmichael.' Mark Ellis'Operation Berlin launches Michael Ridpath's new series in style. The blend of immaculate historical research and strong characters is in the classic Len Deighton tradition, with plenty of distinctive detail and an intriguing and nicely contrasted crime-solving duo.' Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of MurderFurther praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart' The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller... The new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done. I read it in one gulp' The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Operation Meltwater: FreeFlow, a group of internet activists committed to the freedom of information have video evidence of a military atrocity in the Middle East and have chosen Iceland as their HQ while they prepare to unleash their greatest coup on the world's media. On the glacial rim of erupting volcano Eyjafjallajökull, they christen their endeavour Operation Meltwater. Minutes later, in the steam and mist, one of them is murdered. The list of people Freeflow has antagonized is long - the Chinese government, Israeli military, a German Bank, Italian politicians, even American College Fraternities. Magnus Jonson has a long list of suspects but he's getting precious little help from FreeFlow - for an organization dedicated to the transparency of information, they're a secretive bunch.But they are not the only ones with secrets. Asta, a newly qualified priest, has contacted FreeFlow with information about a scandal in the church. Her involvement with FreeFlow will cost her dear.And with the return of Magnus's brother Ollie to Iceland, the feud that has haunted their family for three generations is about to reignite.

Conrad de Lancey has seen enough of evil: the shadow of fear on the faces of innocents; the roar of tanks through empty streets; the sudden lull before the slaughter begins. Franco''s bloody insurrection taught this Englishman all about hell. Arriving in his mother''s country, the now Nazi Germany, Conrad is sick at heart. Even Berlin – infamous haven of decadence and vice – salutes fascism. Himmler''s black-shirted troops rule the city, and every German arm bears a Swastika. But does every German heart belong to Hitler? When Conrad is arrested by the Gestapo on suspicion of spying, he is rescued by Theo, an old friend from university, now a lieutenant of the Wehrmacht. Together they are drawn into a world of danger and deceit, of plots, paranoia and intrigue where the brave few are united by a single ambition: to free the fatherland from the Führer.

October, 1939: War has been declared, but until the armies massed on either side of the French–German border engage, all is quiet on the Western Front. There are those who believe the war no one wants to fight should be brought to a swift conclusion, even if it means treachery. A year ago, Conrad de Lancey came within seconds of assassinating Hitler. Now the British Secret Service want him to go back into Europe and make contact with a group of German officers they believe are plotting a coup. But this is the Shadow War, and the shadows are multiplying: it''s not only disaffected Germans who are prepared to betray their country to save it...

'This is international thriller writing at its best, fine characters, page turning suspense and a great, fresh location.' Peter James

From the million-copy bestselling author, perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson, Anne Holt, and The Killing.'Michael Ridpath is trouncing the Scandinavians on their home turf. This is international thriller writing at its best.' Peter James, author of the Roy Grace seriesIceland, 2017: When a young Italian tourist is found brutally murdered at a sacred church in northern Iceland, Magnus Jonson, newly returned to the Reykjavík police force, is called in to investigate. At the scene, he finds a stunned TV crew, there to film a documentary on the life of the legendary Viking, Gudrid the Wanderer. Magnus quickly begins to suspect that there may be more links to the murdered woman than anyone in the film crew will acknowledge. As jealousies come to the surface, new tensions replace old friendships, and history begins to rewrite itself, a shocking second murder leads Magnus to question everything he thought he knew...

Discover the first in a BRAND-NEW series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all.Berlin, 1930.Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering façades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war – where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars – perfect for fans of Philip Kerr’s Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris’s Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Operation Berlin:‘A thrilling cocktail of historical fiction and whodunit noir set in the dark days of the Weimar Republic. Outstanding.’ Alex Shaw'A perfectly crafted mystery set in a perfectly rendered inter-war Germany, riven by emergent dark forces and populated with the lost, the damaged and the haunted. Michael Ridpath has created something very special here.' Craig Russell'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit. The edgy atmosphere of Berlin at that time is brilliantly captured and Ridpath marshals a large cast of characters with great skill. A great read' Simon Brett'Thrilling, pacey, witty, richly atmospheric and filled with intrigue, Operation Berlin takes us deep into a fascinating chapter of German history. I look forward to their next adventure!' Sophie Hardach'An intriguing mystery capturing perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s Berlin.' Kate Ellis'A thoroughly absorbing and informative historical thriller, with two beautifully drawn central characters. The book perfectly captures the essence of the menace and fragility at the time of the Weimar Republic.' Chris Lloyd'Evocative and engrossing – superb characters in a fascinating setting. Better still, the solution to the mystery makes perfect, satisfying sense – a genuine achievement in modern crime writing.' TE Kinsey'Brilliant! A vivid murder mystery set in 1930s Germany as Europe recovers from one war while sliding toward another. Intelligent, tense and hauntingly relevant. Michael Ridpath is a substantive, master storyteller.' Humphrew Hawksley'A compelling and atmospheric historical thriller, set in the louche, febrile Berlin of the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and introducing the intriguing partnership of amateur detectives Sir Archibald Laverick, war-damaged veteran, and Emma Carmichael, a sparky American would-be journalist.' Aline Templeton'An engaging and entertaining mystery set in a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s Berlin. A compelling and suspenseful murder plot unfolds against the background of tumultuous historical events as Hitler relentlessly pursues power. I look forward to reading further adventures of the book’s likeable main characters, Archie Laverick and Esme Carmichael.' Mark Ellis'Operation Berlin launches Michael Ridpath's new series in style. The blend of immaculate historical research and strong characters is in the classic Len Deighton tradition, with plenty of distinctive detail and an intriguing and nicely contrasted crime-solving duo.’ Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of MurderFurther praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart' The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller… The new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done. I read it in one gulp' The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Discover the first in a BRAND-NEW series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all.Berlin, 1930.Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering façades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war – where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars – perfect for fans of Philip Kerr’s Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris’s Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Operation Berlin:‘A thrilling cocktail of historical fiction and whodunit noir set in the dark days of the Weimar Republic. Outstanding.’ Alex Shaw'A perfectly crafted mystery set in a perfectly rendered inter-war Germany, riven by emergent dark forces and populated with the lost, the damaged and the haunted. Michael Ridpath has created something very special here.' Craig Russell'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit. The edgy atmosphere of Berlin at that time is brilliantly captured and Ridpath marshals a large cast of characters with great skill. A great read' Simon Brett'Thrilling, pacey, witty, richly atmospheric and filled with intrigue, Operation Berlin takes us deep into a fascinating chapter of German history. I look forward to their next adventure!' Sophie Hardach'An intriguing mystery capturing perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s Berlin.' Kate Ellis'A thoroughly absorbing and informative historical thriller, with two beautifully drawn central characters. The book perfectly captures the essence of the menace and fragility at the time of the Weimar Republic.' Chris Lloyd'Evocative and engrossing – superb characters in a fascinating setting. Better still, the solution to the mystery makes perfect, satisfying sense – a genuine achievement in modern crime writing.' TE Kinsey'Brilliant! A vivid murder mystery set in 1930s Germany as Europe recovers from one war while sliding toward another. Intelligent, tense and hauntingly relevant. Michael Ridpath is a substantive, master storyteller.' Humphrew Hawksley'A compelling and atmospheric historical thriller, set in the louche, febrile Berlin of the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and introducing the intriguing partnership of amateur detectives Sir Archibald Laverick, war-damaged veteran, and Emma Carmichael, a sparky American would-be journalist.' Aline Templeton'An engaging and entertaining mystery set in a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s Berlin. A compelling and suspenseful murder plot unfolds against the background of tumultuous historical events as Hitler relentlessly pursues power. I look forward to reading further adventures of the book’s likeable main characters, Archie Laverick and Esme Carmichael.' Mark Ellis'Operation Berlin launches Michael Ridpath's new series in style. The blend of immaculate historical research and strong characters is in the classic Len Deighton tradition, with plenty of distinctive detail and an intriguing and nicely contrasted crime-solving duo.’ Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of MurderFurther praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart' The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller… The new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done. I read it in one gulp' The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Discover the first in a BRAND-NEW series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all.Berlin, 1930.Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering façades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war – where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars – perfect for fans of Philip Kerr’s Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris’s Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Operation Berlin:‘A thrilling cocktail of historical fiction and whodunit noir set in the dark days of the Weimar Republic. Outstanding.’ Alex Shaw'A perfectly crafted mystery set in a perfectly rendered inter-war Germany, riven by emergent dark forces and populated with the lost, the damaged and the haunted. Michael Ridpath has created something very special here.' Craig Russell'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit. The edgy atmosphere of Berlin at that time is brilliantly captured and Ridpath marshals a large cast of characters with great skill. A great read' Simon Brett'Thrilling, pacey, witty, richly atmospheric and filled with intrigue, Operation Berlin takes us deep into a fascinating chapter of German history. I look forward to their next adventure!' Sophie Hardach'An intriguing mystery capturing perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s Berlin.' Kate Ellis'A thoroughly absorbing and informative historical thriller, with two beautifully drawn central characters. The book perfectly captures the essence of the menace and fragility at the time of the Weimar Republic.' Chris Lloyd'Evocative and engrossing – superb characters in a fascinating setting. Better still, the solution to the mystery makes perfect, satisfying sense – a genuine achievement in modern crime writing.' TE Kinsey'Brilliant! A vivid murder mystery set in 1930s Germany as Europe recovers from one war while sliding toward another. Intelligent, tense and hauntingly relevant. Michael Ridpath is a substantive, master storyteller.' Humphrew Hawksley'A compelling and atmospheric historical thriller, set in the louche, febrile Berlin of the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and introducing the intriguing partnership of amateur detectives Sir Archibald Laverick, war-damaged veteran, and Emma Carmichael, a sparky American would-be journalist.' Aline Templeton'An engaging and entertaining mystery set in a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s Berlin. A compelling and suspenseful murder plot unfolds against the background of tumultuous historical events as Hitler relentlessly pursues power. I look forward to reading further adventures of the book’s likeable main characters, Archie Laverick and Esme Carmichael.' Mark Ellis'Operation Berlin launches Michael Ridpath's new series in style. The blend of immaculate historical research and strong characters is in the classic Len Deighton tradition, with plenty of distinctive detail and an intriguing and nicely contrasted crime-solving duo.’ Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of MurderFurther praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart' The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller… The new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done. I read it in one gulp' The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Discover the first in a BRAND-NEW series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city rebuilding from war, truth can be the most dangerous weapon of all.Berlin, 1930.Historian Archie Laverick, scarred mentally and physically by the Great War, travels to Berlin to research a famed Prussian general. His quiet study is shattered when he crosses paths with Esme Carmichael, a spirited young American intent on making her name as a foreign correspondent. When a shooting at a Saxon castle leaves a young Jewish woman accused of murder, Archie and Esme are drawn into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering façades and lingering scars of a nation still reeling from war – where resentment simmers, political alliances shift, and the first shadows of a new conflict fall across Europe. Amid whispers of blackmail and betrayal, the pair must navigate intrigue and danger to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars – perfect for fans of Philip Kerr’s Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris’s Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Operation Berlin:‘A thrilling cocktail of historical fiction and whodunit noir set in the dark days of the Weimar Republic. Outstanding.’ Alex Shaw'A perfectly crafted mystery set in a perfectly rendered inter-war Germany, riven by emergent dark forces and populated with the lost, the damaged and the haunted. Michael Ridpath has created something very special here.' Craig Russell'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit. The edgy atmosphere of Berlin at that time is brilliantly captured and Ridpath marshals a large cast of characters with great skill. A great read' Simon Brett'Thrilling, pacey, witty, richly atmospheric and filled with intrigue, Operation Berlin takes us deep into a fascinating chapter of German history. I look forward to their next adventure!' Sophie Hardach'An intriguing mystery capturing perfectly the atmosphere of 1930s Berlin.' Kate Ellis'A thoroughly absorbing and informative historical thriller, with two beautifully drawn central characters. The book perfectly captures the essence of the menace and fragility at the time of the Weimar Republic.' Chris Lloyd'Evocative and engrossing – superb characters in a fascinating setting. Better still, the solution to the mystery makes perfect, satisfying sense – a genuine achievement in modern crime writing.' TE Kinsey'Brilliant! A vivid murder mystery set in 1930s Germany as Europe recovers from one war while sliding toward another. Intelligent, tense and hauntingly relevant. Michael Ridpath is a substantive, master storyteller.' Humphrew Hawksley'A compelling and atmospheric historical thriller, set in the louche, febrile Berlin of the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and introducing the intriguing partnership of amateur detectives Sir Archibald Laverick, war-damaged veteran, and Emma Carmichael, a sparky American would-be journalist.' Aline Templeton'An engaging and entertaining mystery set in a wonderfully atmospheric 1930s Berlin. A compelling and suspenseful murder plot unfolds against the background of tumultuous historical events as Hitler relentlessly pursues power. I look forward to reading further adventures of the book’s likeable main characters, Archie Laverick and Esme Carmichael.' Mark Ellis'Operation Berlin launches Michael Ridpath's new series in style. The blend of immaculate historical research and strong characters is in the classic Len Deighton tradition, with plenty of distinctive detail and an intriguing and nicely contrasted crime-solving duo.’ Martin Edwards, author of The Golden Age of MurderFurther praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart' The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller… The new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done. I read it in one gulp' The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Don't miss the second in a gripping series of post-WW1 mysteries, from international bestselling author Michael Ridpath. An absolute must-read for fans of Robert Harris, Alan Furst and Robert Goddard.'The perfect marriage of thriller and whodunit' Simon BrettIn a city on the brink of ruin, a single spark could ignite a continent.Vienna, 1931.When a wealthy American is found dead in a burning car in the Vienna Woods, police quickly dismiss it as suicide. But ambitious foreign correspondent Esme Carmichael is tipped off that it was murder. She summons historian Archie Laverick to the Austrian capital, where - still scarred by the Great War and under the guise of researching a famed general - he plunges with Esme into a perilous hunt for the truth.Their investigation cuts through the glittering facades of a fragile nation. As the catastrophic failure of Austria's largest bank threatens to throw Europe into chaos, Archie and Esme must untangle a web of illicit affairs and stolen identities, navigating the treacherous, gossip-fuelled world of Vienna's elite journalists to unmask a cunning killer hiding in plain sight.A tense, atmospheric mystery set in a world between wars - perfect for fans of Philip Kerr's Berlin Trilogy, Robert Harris's Fatherland, and Alan Furst's spy novels.Praise for Michael Ridpath:'Ridpath has that read-on factor that sets bestsellers apart"e; The Guardian'It is the author's insight that gives his novel so much life. And he can write... Yes, he has a winner here' The New York Times'For sheer entertainment, there's nothing in the mystery genre to beat a well-constructed thriller... ...the new book of Michael Ridpath provides a master-class in how it's done The Observer'As slick and compulsive a piece of storytelling as can be found in the best of blockbuster fiction' Sunday Express

Oli and Magnus Jonson have spent years trying to escape from the shadows of their past. Raised by their grandparents in Bjarnarhöfn, a remote farmstead in Iceland, both brothers had to endure brutal violence at the hands of their grandfather - forever paying the price for their mother's alcoholism and untimely death. Now, two decades later, the past has returned to haunt them both. When Constable Páll Gylfason gets a dispatch call to investigate a suspected homicide in a remote farmstead, he is surprised to find that Detective Magnus Jonson is already at the scene. Magnus identifies the dead man as his estranged grandfather. As Páll begins to review the crime scene it becomes apparent that forensic evidence has been tampered with and that Magnus' version of events doesn't add up. Before long, Magnus is arrested for the murder of his grandfather. When it emerges that his younger brother, Oli, is in Iceland after two decades in America, Páll begins to think that Magnus may not be the only family member in the frame for murder...Can Magnus prove his innocence without implicating his brother? And can both men get to the heart of the twisted secrets that blighted their childhoods? What unfolds is a tale of familial ties and bloodthirsty vengeance, of isolated communities scarred by the tragedies of the past - and of a final, painful reckoning.

'Hugely enjoyable and thought-provoking, Launch Code brings to mind the classic thrillers of Alister Maclean and Jack Higgins. A well-crafted ingenious mystery, tightly plotted, compelling and contemporary, this could well be Michael Ridpath's best novel yet.' - Stav Sherez, author of the Carrigan & Miller series1983: Three hundred feet beneath the Atlantic, submarine Lieutenant Bill Guth receives the order he's been dreading: a full nuclear strike against the USSR. Crisis is soon averted, but in the chaos that follows, one crew member ends up dead...2019: Bill's annual family gathering is interrupted when a historian turns up, eager to uncover the truth about the near-apocalyptic Cold War incident. Bill refuses to answer, but that night the man is brutally murdered.What happened all those years ago? How much is Bill to blame for events in the past? And who will stop at nothing to keep the secrets of 1983 where they belong?'Deadly state secrets and deadlier family secrets - perfectly crafted, scrupulously researched Launch Code weaves an ingeniously dark and tangled web that will keep you gripped and guessing to the very end. Ridpath is one of the best thriller writers around.' - Craig Russell, author of The Devil Aspect

Amid Iceland's wild, volcanic landscape, rumours swirl of an eight-hundred-year-old manuscript inscribed with a long-lost saga about a ring of terrible power. A rediscovered saga alone would be worth a fortune, but, if the rumours can be believed, there is something much more valuable about this one. Something worth killing for. Something that will cost Professor Agnar Haraldsson his life.Untangling murder from myth is Iceland-born, Boston-raised homicide detective Magnus Jonson. Seconded to the Icelandic Police Force for his own protection after he runs afoul of a drug cartel back in Boston, Magnus also has his own reasons for returning to the country of his birth for the first time in nearly two decades - the unsolved murder of his father. And as Magnus is about to discover, the past casts a long shadow in Iceland.Binding Iceland's landscape and history, secrets and superstitions in a strikingly original plot that will span several volumes, Where the Shadows Lie is the first in a thrilling new series from an established master.