The Fourth Option

by Matt Hilton

  Author’s Note

  In October of 2018 I was sitting at home relaxing in front of the TV when I was struck by the news that Hurricane Michael had made landfall in the Florida panhandle and devastated the city of Mexico Beach. I admit that my first thought was, ‘Oh no, where’s Joe Hunter going to live now?’ For a number of years I’ve given Hunter a home beside the sea in Mexico Beach, and now his beach house was gone, along with huge portions of the city. Hunter is a fictional character, but being his chronicler, to me he is a living, breathing person that resides not only in my head but also out there on the Gulf coast. I was horrified by the destruction wrought upon Hunter and his friends and neighbours by the hurricane, and that of course extended to the genuine inhabitants whose homes and livelihoods had been devastated. For some years, Hunter has been feeling restless, wondering where he really belongs, and as horrible as the aftermath of the storm was, it gave me a reason to move him forward. Hunter couldn’t just walk away though; he had become a part of his community and wished to assist with its recovery. It is a reason why I set a large part of this tale in and around his hometown post Hurricane Michael, as Hunter would be deeply affected by this traumatic event, and would want to help. I hope I have been respectful to its genuine inhabitants in doing so. I have used locations and premises fictionally, and invented others for the purpose of the story, but have tried to show the true extent of suffering the people of Mexico Beach must have endured during the hurricane and in the aftermath. I do not want what I’ve written to trivialize the disaster and hope the good people of Mexico Beach will grant me the liberties I took to tell what I believe is an important part of Hunter’s story. My heart, and my best wishes for a speedy rebuild and recovery, go out to all those affected by Hurricane Michael.

  About The Author

  Matt Hilton quit his career as a police constable to pursue his love of writing tight, cinematic action thrillers and has now published thirty books. He is best known as the author of the high-octane Joe Hunter thriller series, and the Tess Grey and Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere thriller series. His first book, Dead Men’s Dust, was shortlisted for the International Thriller Writers’ Debut Book of 2009 Award, and was a Sunday Times bestseller, also being named as a ‘thriller of the year 2009’ by The Daily Telegraph, and has been an eBook bestseller on several occasions since. Hilton also writes books in the horror and crime fiction genres.

  He is a high-ranking martial artist and has been a detective and private security specialist, all of which lend an authenticity to the action scenes in his books.

  He currently resides in Cumbria in northern England, with his wife Denise, and two dogs, Spooky and Akisha.

  Books by Matt Hilton

  Joe Hunter thrillers

  Dead Men’s Dust

  Judgement and Wrath

  Slash and Burn

  Cut and Run

  Blood and Ashes

  Dead Men’s Harvest

  No Going Back

  Rules of Honour

  The Lawless Kind

  The Devil’s Anvil

  No Safe Place

  Marked For Death

  The Fourth Option

  —eBook only short stories—

  Six of the Best

  Dead Fall

  Red Stripes

  Hot Property

  Tess Grey and Po Villere thrillers

  Blood Tracks

  Painted Skins

  Raw Wounds

  Worst Fear

  False Move

  Rough Justice

  Collision Course

  Novels

  Preternatural

  The Shadows Call

  Dominion

  Darkest Hour

  Mark Darrow and the Stealer of Souls

  The Phoenix Man

  Darke

  The Girl on Shattered Rock

  Wildfire