by Stav Sherez
She was sitting on a ledge, smoking a cigarette. The snow had woven ribbons of white through her hair and, unaware that he was there, she was swaying silently to the music, the twirled straps of her earphones framing her neck.
Carrigan felt a rush of heat and memory flood his chest and quickened his step.
Acknowledgements
Lesley Thorne, without whom none of this would exist . . .
Angus Cargill, the best editor any writer could hope for . . .
Rebecca Pearson, Katherine Armstrong, Alex Holroyd, Hannah Griffiths, John Grindrod, Neal Price, Miles Poynton, Alex Kirby, Lisa Baker, and everyone at Faber.
Sally Riley and everyone at Aitken Alexander Associates.
Matt Thorne, Richard Thomas, Alan Glynn, Damian Thompson, Milo Yiannopoulos, Nick Stone, Dreda Say Mitchell, Andrew Benbow, Luke Coppen, Ed West, Madeleine Teahan, Mark Greaves, Ali Karim, Mike Stotter, Mike Ripley, James Sallis, Rhian Davies, Eleanor Rees, Bix (Woof! Woof!)‚ Kevin Conroy Scott, Sean, Chris Simmons, Michael Malone, Daniela Petracco, Kent Carroll, Jake Kerridge, Claire McGowan, Sophie Hannah, Erin Kelly, Chris Ewan, Chris Simms, Luca Veste, Willy Vlautin, Paul Dunn, Robert Clough, Neil Biswas and Jim Butler.
My parents.
Mother Angelica’s calculus is based on William T. Vollmann’s seven-volume meditation on violence, Rising Up and Rising Down, one of the most remarkable books of recent times.
Twitter for finally (virtually) getting me out of my room.
And all the readers and bloggers who were so kind and enthusiastic about A Dark Redemption – thank you! It really does make all the difference.
About the Author
Stav Sherez is the author of three previous novels. The Devil’s Playground (2004), his debut, was described by James Sallis as ‘altogether extraordinary, it introduces a major new talent’, and was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Dagger Award. His second novel, The Black Monastery (2009), was described as ‘dynamite fiction’ in the Independent and ‘truly exceptional’ by Lee Child. A Dark Redemption, the acclaimed first book of his Carrigan and Miller series, was published in 2012. You can find him on Twitter @stavsherez and at www.stavsherez.com
Praise for A Dark Redemption:
‘A compelling crime novel which is honest-to-god unputdownable.’ Crimefictionlover.com
‘Sherez is superb at evoking the unfamiliar world of immigrant communities . . . Although there is nothing more conventional than an unconventional cop, Sherez has beaten the odds and created an original detective in Carrigan.’ Daily Telegraph
‘Fast paced and slick, this is the first in what could well be an outstanding series.’ Guardian
‘Beautifully written and chilling.’ Dreda Say Mitchell
‘[A] riveting, powerful thriller whose subject matter is shocking and brutal yet firmly rooted in the real world. Carrigan and Miller are supremely believable characters and I really look forward to seeing them again.’ Alan Glynn, author of Bloodland
‘This is an outstanding book in every conceivable way. As a crime novel it’s near faultless, marrying a highly original story to a fast-paced narrative steeped in intrigue and surprise. But what really sets it apart is its depiction of twenty-first-century London, the prose equivalent of a Hogarthian nightmare – funny, freakish, disturbing and all too true. Stav Sherez has given his hometown the book it deserves.’ Nick Stone, author of Voodoo Eyes
‘From the outset, A Dark Redemption establishes itself as a gem . . . This is powerful political and social commentary, scalding the search for simple, all-too-often violent solutions to Africa’s problems . . . Expect great things from the Carrigan and Miller series.’ bookgeek.co.uk
‘The interplay of all the characters’ fear, guilt and longing for justice adds both depth and sharpness to the novel. A Dark Redemption is said to be the first of the series, which is welcome news.’ TLS
‘Intriguing and well-written . . . highly recommended.’ Literary Review
‘An intelligent and superb read . . . Do not miss this one.’
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First published in 2013
by Faber and Faber Ltd
Bloomsbury House
74–77 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DA
This ebook edition first published in 2013
All rights reserved
© Stav Sherez, 2013
The right of Stav Sherez to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly
ISBN 978–0–571–29054–3