Mason Cross (a.k.a. Gavin Bell) (http://masoncross.net/) was born in Cambuslang and has established himself as a first rate crime writer in a short time. Bell studied English at the University of Stirling and has worked in the voluntary sector, as tax officer, an events coordinator, and a project manager. He has written a number of short stories, including ‘A Living’, which was shortlisted for the Quick Reads ‘Get Britain Reading’ Award. It is always good to be able to recommend a local author.
The Samaritan is the second in the ‘Carter Blake’ detective series, and is the sequel to The Killing Season which was longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Book of the Year 2015.
The summary is as follows. When the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered, LAPD Detective Jessica Allen knows she’s seen this modus operandi before. A sadistic serial killer has been operating undetected for a decade, preying on lone female drivers who have broken down. The press dub the killer ‘the Samaritan’, but with no leads, the police investigation quickly grinds to a halt. That’s when Carter Blake shows up to volunteer his services. He’s a skilled manhunter who shares some uncomfortable similarities to the man Allen and her team are tracking. As the slaughter intensifies, Blake must find a way to stop it . . . even if it means bringing his own past crashing down on top of him. This grisly tale is charged with a sense of fear and trepidation similar to that of the film ‘The Hitcher’ with Rutger Hauer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091209/). Prepare to be thrilled.
The Samaritan has been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club for Spring 2016. Rapidly enquire at your local library or consult http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samaritan-Mason-Cross/dp/1409146170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457259756&sr=8-1&keywords=samaritan+mason+cross for full bibliographic detail.
Mason Cross will appear at The Hamilton Town House Library (http://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/SLLC/info/87/hamilton_town_house_library) to discuss his work on Thursday 24 March 2016, 7.30pm. Entry is £2.00. To reserve a ticket – call 01698 452122
432 pages in Orion
First published 31 December 2015
ISBN 978-1409146179
Mason Cross