Desert Island Crime with Mark Griffin
Welcome to Desert Island Crime, where each week a bestselling crime writer reveals their top chilling titles. This week, we ask Mark Griffin, author of the thrilling Holly Wakefield series to reveal his top picks.
Over to you Mark:
Sparkling cyanide by Agatha Christie – At thirteen years old, this was my first foray into adult fiction and murder mystery. It had me hooked straight away. Webs were weaved and I had no idea who the killer could be.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle – My first introduction to Sherlock Holmes. The bleak setting, the mist-wrapped manor-house, the isolation of Holmes and Watson away from the busy streets of London heightened the stakes and it’s a theme that I still love to this day.
The Name of The Rose by Umberto Eco – I love history and to set a murder mystery in an Italian monastery in the Middle Ages is genius. There is a certain darkness to the novel that permeates every chapter and the final destruction of the abbey is the ultimate finale.
Dissolution by C. J. Sansom – Another historical fiction. It’s grim, unforgiving and I loved it.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – A strong female lead with a harsh past but incredible resilience. There’s a savagery within Lisbeth Salander, but she elicits such sympathy as well, a beautiful and deadly mix.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick – The book is so different to the film (Blade Runner). I was raised in the 70’s and 80’s so was fed a wonderful diet of dystopia with Animal Farm, 1984, Brave New World etc. I do love bleak and despair. Perhaps I needs more greens in my diet.
The Day of The Jackal by Frederick Forsyth – Again, I saw the movie first when I was in my early teens and was gripped. I re-read the book about three months ago and couldn’t put it down. There is very little dialogue. So much action and character work. I could read it again tomorrow.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris – It spawned Hannibal Lector. I thinks that’s all I need to say.
Mark Griffin’s first book When Darkness Calls is out in paperback and ebook now. And you can get your hands on the ebook edition of the second book When Angels Sleep here
'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
