by Matt Johnson
About the Author
Matt Johnson served as a soldier and Metropolitan Police officer for twenty-five years. Blown off his feet at the London Baltic Exchange bombing in 1992, and one of the first police officers on the scene of the 1982 Regent’s Park bombing, Matt was also at the Libyan People’s Bureau shooting in 1984 where he escorted his mortally wounded friend and colleague, Yvonne Fletcher, to hospital. Hidden wounds took their toll. In 1999, Matt was discharged from the police with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While undergoing treatment, he was encouraged by his counsellor to write about his career and his experience of murders, shootings and terrorism. One evening, Matt sat at his computer and started to weave these notes into a work of fiction that he described as having a tremendously cathartic effect on his own condition. His bestselling thriller, Wicked Game, which was longlisted for the CWA John Creasey Dagger, was the result.
Follow Matt on:
www.mattjohnsonauthor.com
Or Twitter:
@Matt_Johnson_UK
PRAISE FOR MATT JOHNSON
Longlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger
‘From a writer at the top of his game. Johnson is a natural. A taut, knife-edge thriller you won’t put down till the last full stop. Bravo!’ M.R. Hall, author of The Coroner
‘Matt Johnson ups the pace for this third and final instalment in the Robert Finlay trilogy. Tense, edge-of-the-seat writing will keep fans frantically turning the pages as they race towards the conclusion’ Amanda Jennings, author of In Her Wake
‘Matt Johnson’s real-life experiences shine through, with vivid plotting and authentic action’ Rob Sinclair, author Dance with the Enemy
‘Robert Finlay is back and his life is as dangerous as ever. Another fast-moving and beautifully detailed page-turner from master thriller writer, Matt Johnson’ Robert Daws, author of The Poisoned Rock
‘Matt Johnson ticks all the boxes, just like Child, Baldacci and McNab: fast-paced, well plotted, knows his stuff and likeable main characters. An emerging winner’ William Horwood, author of Duncton Wood
‘The mark of any good read is one you look forward to picking up and regret having to put down. Matt Johnson fits the bill in some style’ Chief Superintendent John Sutherland, author of Blue – A Memoir
‘Terse, tense and vivid writing. Matt Johnson is a brilliant new name in the world of thrillers’ Peter James
‘Utterly compelling and dripping with authenticity. This summer’s must-read thriller’ J S Law, author of Tenacity
‘From the first page to the last, an authentic, magnetic and completely absorbing read’ Sir Ranulph Fiennes
‘Out of terrible personal circumstances, Matt Johnson has written a barnstormer of a book in Wicked Game – one that fans of Chris Ryan, Andy McNab and Peter James will drool over. His first-hand experience of police work and counter-terrorist operations gives this page-turner a chilling authenticity that few others in the genre can hope to rival. But despite his police pedigree, Johnson also gets inside the terrorists’ heads to give them credible motivation. Nothing is clear-cut in a labyrinthine plot, which is gripping and which – despite thrills and spills aplenty – never falls short of believable. The ending is neatly tied up, but leaves the reader eager to follow lead character Robert Finlay’s further adventures’ David Young, author of Stasi Child
‘The magic mix of jeopardy, emotion and action. I could not put it down’ Louise Voss
‘A book by an ex-cop and -soldier has the potential to go wrong and fall flat due to it being all about inside knowledge that is tough to decipher by the public. This book isn’t like that. It is a genuine page-turner, very well written, and just flows from one scenario to the next. It is clear the author lived through these times and this is evident in knowledge and description. Excellent’ Ian Patrick
‘The Robert Finlay series is turning into something very exciting; I’ll definitely be reading the next one’ Jacob Reviews Books
‘Deadly Game is a fantastic novel. It is a page-turning thriller but so much more. It really made me think about the world, not just terrorism, but the lengths the secret state will go to … I can’t recommend this book enough and can’t wait until the third instalment’ The Crime Novel Reader
‘For anybody wanting an action-packed, explosive read … Deadly Game should definitely be on their shopping list. In fact, it should be moved to the No.1 spot as that’s where it deserves to be … I just hope there’s more of Robert Finlay to come’ Page Turner’s Nook
‘Whilst we all love a good edge-of-the-seat thriller, the kind of novels Matt writes are more in my ballpark; I want that emotive edge and that sense of genuine involvement. Proving that you can give multiple layers to the crime thriller genre and still not lose the thrill aspect (a thing that is not rare but is not common either), Deadly Game comes highly recommended by me … I simply can’t wait for the next one, to see the bigger picture the author is creating here and because seriously, it’s just a damned fine read. Don’t miss it’ Liz Loves Books
‘I can’t recommend this book enough. I think this is a PERFECT read for thriller fans. It has lots of thrilling moments but it also has lots of emotion at its core. Robert is desperately trying to protect his beloved family, he is suffering with PTSD and he is assigned to investigate the horrendous world of sex trafficking. There is so much going on in this book. I loved it. You’ll see when you read it. Just the first chapter is enough to break your heart’ Ronnie Turner
‘Finlay desperately fought to save a colleague. But by the end of the book it felt like there had been a real shift in direction, particularly from where we first met Finlay and Jones, just weeks before, in Wicked Game. There is the promise of so many secrets yet to be revealed; of a story which is not ready to let the reader go just yet, and I for one can’t wait to read more. A tension-filled and heroic deep-sea-diving five stars from me’ Jen Meds Book Reviews
‘I couldn’t put it down! If anything, it slowed down my reading so I could really take in what was happening and as a result I was constantly being pulled further and further into this murky world where it is difficult to trust anyone. A brilliant, credible thriller with a tight, multi-layered, tension-filled plot that comes together brilliantly’ Have Books Will Read
‘Dealing with some extremely hard-hitting subjects, Deadly Game is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who can stomach the grittiest subjects in crime, this is definitely a book you need to add to your TBR pile, and you need to do it now!’ Emma the Little Book Worm
‘Johnson’s writing style is tight, sharp and full of authenticity, based on his own personal history as a police officer. Finlay as a character was well developed and easily likable and the secondary characters were also richly developed, adding fantastic depth. The scariest part of the plot, for me, is that the sex-trade industry is really happening and the scenes with these poor young women were heartbreaking, shocking and harrowing’ Novel Gossip
‘Matt Johnson is an incredible writer, he writes such real, compelling books that deal with incredibly difficult subjects’ Girls v Books
‘Never dull and full of tension, I’m looking forward to the next instalment of Robert’s story. In short: a nail-biting thriller and some great characters and serious issues’ Books, Life & Everything
‘Matt Johnson shows he’s been there, done it and worn the T-shirt in his first novel. Entertaining and gripping throughout, it is authentic writing at its very best. His ability to overlap reality with the fictional characters, from both a soldier’s and cop’s perspective, is uncanny. Top-quality entertainment from a first-class writer’ D.N. Ex-22SAS Regiment
‘The human element of the book appealed to me the most – Finlay’s reaction to events as opposed to gun-toting action; the horrific nature of human trafficking and the ripple effect of PTSD were all true to life and are what attracted me to this book. My head was spinning by the end of it and my paranoia levels were sky-high! This book is going to knock your socks off, blow your
mind and have you reeling!’ Chapter in My Life
‘The plot in this book is absolutely five shining gold stars of brilliant, it really is. There is so much tension and suspense curled around the plot that the reader almost needs reminders to keep breathing. The complexities of the plot make this such a thrilling read, and quite terrifyingly realistic (in a good way!)’ The Quiet Knitter
‘I was quite blown away. As ever, you get the impression Johnson has been there, done it, and got the T-shirt – or scars! – to prove it. Again, there’s no technical overload … Johnson makes a great hero, easygoing and funny. And wife Jenny’s there again, with solid support. Can you tell I enjoyed it?’ Crime Worm
‘Johnson has created a gritty and current novel dealing with, sadly, very real issues. It is disturbing yet credible and has a real intelligence behind it. Days after finishing the book I still find myself worrying about one of the characters, demonstrating just how immersed you become in this book. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. Highly recommended, Deadly Game is tense, topical, exciting and gripping. More than just a detective novel, it really packs a punch and leaves you breathless!’ Bloomin’ Brilliant Books
‘Having read both Wicked Game and Deadly Game I’ve found that the former was more action-packed whilst the latter was more suspenseful. Both are strong, credible thrillers. Through both darkly-lit novels, Finlay’s character shines’ Book Drunk
‘This intelligent plot is amazingly well constructed with multiple layers. It doesn’t just show the dark and disturbing world of criminals but also the games people in government and secret services play … Just like the first book, Deadly Game is gripping, compelling, authentic and highly realistic. It’s a nail-biting ride of a thriller and if this was a movie, I’d be on the edge of my seat’ Novel Delights
‘A stunning thriller, a real page-turner, well researched and written by a brilliant storyteller’ Atticus Finch
‘What starts out slowly, soon explodes into a vibrant and Le Carréesque read that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page’ The Library Door
‘Matt Johnson has once again produced a belting read. I loved the short chapters in the book. To begin with the scenes have a gentle build with them progressing to the more hardcore details much later on, some of which are very harrowing … A brilliant read again, so looking forward to a third book’ Books From Dusk Till Dawn
‘A former SAS officer finds himself a target of a terrorist cell years after he has left the forces, creating a fast-moving storyline. I was so gripped that I could not put it down. I loved the main protagonist, Robert Finlay, but I particularly loved his feisty wife, Jenny. I’ll be looking out for the sequel’ Segnalibro
‘The writing is direct: facts and histories stated, not left for the reader to pick over: there isn’t time to stop and sift the finer aspects of motivation – to do so would only slow the plot. Events cascade, ruthless killers spill into the open, and the agencies who should be tackling them are far less united and coherent than one might expect … You’ll enjoy this book if you’re into thriller and action: even if you think you’re not, the pace of the writing will carry you away. Robert Finlay’s not a man who gives up easily’ Blue Book Balloon
‘From the first page through to the last, the reader is completely hooked and drawn in by the writing and the descriptions; this is such an absorbing and thrilling read. The authenticity of the writing, and the knowledge of what happens in particular situations raises this above other thrillers. Wicked Game really does give you flash, bang, wallop, and, like bullets, no words are wasted, but hit the target every time’ Library Thing
‘A real cracker of a book and I have no hesitation to give it five stars. I look forward to reading more books from this gifted writer’ Bookworm
‘An action thriller of the highest order that deserves to be read widely. It is hard to believe such an accomplished work is a debut’ Never Imitate
‘Despite having read hundreds of thrillers, it’s rare to find one with this level of authenticity and with some real passion behind the writing … I would describe Wicked Game as a thriller with a heart, and the story behind it and Matt’s own experiences are what makes it beat’ Book Addict Shaun
‘A gripping and quite frantic story of espionage, misplaced loyalties, revenge, retribution and double-crossing. With twists and turns, and red herrings at every corner, Wicked Game is an impressive debut’ Random Things through My Letterbox
‘Wicked Game is a tense, exciting thriller that presents Finlay’s gigantic effort to keep his family safe, trying to rediscover physical and military skills long put to rest, and facing seemingly insurmountable odds. The ending is stunning!’ For Winter Nights
‘Talk about a kick-ass novel! From the very first page, I was shocked into holding my breath. It reads like an action movie, but with all the bubbling tension in between, some of it so quiet and subtle that Matt lulls you into a sense of false security. Then BANG, he thumps you, shocks you, jolts you into submission, before doing it all again’ The Book Trail
‘The sheer dogged determination of Robert Finlay provides one hell of an exhilarating ride, as he dodges bullets, explosives, and the shadows of his past in this Wicked Game of cat and mouse. Expect nothing less than a thrilling journey, where secrets and revenge are delivered with guts and precision and the stakes are as high as they get – Finlay gives new meaning to the SAS motto of “Who dares, wins”’ Little Bookness Lane
‘It’s the first-hand experience of terrible events that really gives Wicked Game an unshakeable feeling of authenticity, which is woven deep into the fabric of the story’ Espresso Coco
‘I’ve always been a fan of thrillers, with the build-up of tension, the action-packed heroics and insane bravery. Wicked Game is a stonkingly accessible British thriller, with its roots firmly set in recent UK history and a strong sense of authenticity running through it’ Northern Crime
‘The story itself is a complex web that the police, security services and Finlay himself are all trying to untangle. It is never clear who can be trusted and what agendas they are trying to move forward, except for Finlay, whose fight for survival we follow most intimately through his own thoughts. The tension takes hold early on and never lets up as the danger gets closer to home and Finlay realises that only he can secure his family’s safety as he is forced to face his past up close and personal’ Live Many Lives
‘Matt Johnson has a very real talent and gift for thriller writing. Wicked Game cracks along at a great pace, with plenty of gripping and original plot twists and turns, and a finale that wouldn’t be out of place in a book with a protagonist called Reacher’ Mumbling about…
‘This is a breathtaking debut novel that will have you on the edge of your seat’ Thrillers, Chillers & Killers
‘With his first-hand real-life experience Johnson has an understanding of what was going on in the minds of his friends, superiors and even terrorists. This is translated into excellent psychological portraits of the main characters. Facts mixed with fiction and unclear boundaries between both are the basis for moving, authentic narration and brilliant storytelling’ Crime Review
‘Wicked Game is an absolutely brilliant new thriller, and the plot is fast-paced, twisted and exciting. Finlay is a man who is prepared to break all the rules to protect his family, but he is also very human and likable. I can’t praise Matt Johnson and Wicked Game too highly’ Promoting Crime Fiction
End Game
Matt Johnson
For all serving and retired members of the emergency services. Those first responders who, without hesitation, head toward the dangers from which we, the public, flee.
For WPC Yvonne Fletcher, killed on duty on 17th April 1984, a crime that remains the only unsolved murder of a UK police officer.
And with thanks to John Murray, whose tireless and dogged determination to see those responsible for Yvonne’s murder brought to justice continues unabated.
‘And maybe just remind the few, if
ill of us they speak, That we are all that stands between the monsters and the weak.’
—Michael Marks
Happy the man, and happy he alone,
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul or rain or shine
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not Heaven itself upon the past has power,
But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
—John Dryden (1631–1700)
Prologue
August 2002
Alone in his car, Grady cracked the knuckles of his free hand before answering the telephone call.
‘Where the hell are you, Cathy?’ He was angry. It was already ten o’clock. If the brief was correct, their target would soon be home.
‘Sorry. You’re on your own for this one, chum,’ she answered. ‘I’m on my way to Belgium.’
‘Is Howard sending a clean-up team?’
‘Negative. Instructions are to make it clean, remove the body and await further instructions.’
‘On my own?’
‘You’re a big boy, Grady.’
He hung up. This wasn’t the first time arrangements had changed at the last minute and he also knew Cathy wouldn’t have let him down if she could have avoided it. If she had to go to Belgium there would be a reason and he knew better than to ask her why.