by Kirton, Bill
‘How many times have I told you to keep your bloody legs off the table?’ she said, her tone waspish. ‘And get out and mow that lawn. It’s a disgrace.’
Nathan switched off the videcam. He’d got it all. The flash, the convulsions, the scream. It had happened so quickly. He was helpless to do anything to stop it, didn’t know how to. His eyes filled with tears as he watched. When it was over, he went through to the lab where Joe’s lifeless body was slumped forward on the bench, his dead eyes staring at some beyond which Nathan would never be able to imagine.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
THE JACK CARSTON MYSTERY SERIES
Material Evidence:
“…a fine debut with intense plotting, strong characters and just the right touch of acid in the dialogue … Fine Rendellian touches … a cracking page-turner.” — Aberdeen Press and Journal
“…Add to the cast of characters a good sense of pace and an excellent plot that kept me guessing and you'll see why I liked this book.”— Cathy G. Cole
Rough Justice:
“…a thoughtful and thought-provoking book … It ought to bring Bill Kirton the attention he deserves.” — Sunday Telegraph
The Darkness:
Silver medal, Mystery, 2011 Forward National Literature Awards
“…a wonderful, thrilling, dark, compassionate book”
—Gillian Philip, author of Firebrand
“…clever, tightly constructed, immensely satisfying and peopled with a cast of completely believable characters, who don’t let you go until the final word” —Michael J. Malone
“…a dark, intense ride … a book that keeps you guessing right until the exciting conclusion.” —P. S. Gifford
Shadow Selves
“…a thoroughly engrossing medical mystery with a surprise ending that was totally unexpected.”—Chris Longmuir, award winning author of Dead Wood
Unsafe Acts:
“…a polished and extremely enjoyable thriller. A real page turner.”
—Fleur Smithwick
“Everything you look for in a police procedural is here - tight prose, a tight plot and a set of characters you take "home" with you when life intrudes on your reading of the book. When you buy yourself a Bill Kirton book, quality is assured.”
—Michael J. Malone, author of Blood Tears.
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Figurehead:
Long-listed for the International Rubery Award, 2012.
"Profound, detailed, incredibly written, The Figurehead is definitely a kind of book one wants to go back to again and again…"—Maria K.
“The Figurehead satisfies on every level, giving the reader authenticity, characters to care about, a mystery, and a romance.”—Diane Nelson.
“The Figurehead is a hugely satisfying read, by a writer whose love and knowledge of the sea in all its phases shines through on every page.”
—Myra Duffy
“Bill Kirton weaves a fine net of words that will keep you trapped from the beginning to the end.”—P.D.Allen,
“The Figurehead is a surprising, satisfying book and a memorable read for anyone with an interest in ships and the sea of course, but also for anyone who might want to see how it’s done, the right way.”
—Richard Sutton
SATIRE
The Sparrow Conundrum:
1st Place Winner, Humor, 2011 Forward National Literature Awards
“…The Sparrow Conundrum is the demon love child of Spike Milligan and John Le Carre. I absolutely adore this one—hysterically funny, with this weirdly tender wickedness.”
—Maria Bustillos, author of Dorkismo: the Macho of the Dork and Act Like a Gentleman, Think Like a Woman
“…You have combined the elements of The Tall Blond Man with the One Black Shoe with The Biederbecke Affair and thrown in Happer from Local Hero for good measure. It is killingly funny, and for those who love farce—from Scapin to Noises Off—this is utterly brilliant, divine, and classic, and couldn't be bettered.”
—M.M. Bennetts, author of May 1812 and Of Honest Fame
CHILDREN’S BOOKS (written as Jack Rosse)
The Loch Ewe Mystery
NON-FICTION
Brilliant Study Skills
“This will be a book I refer back to again and again.”
—Dr M. Nikodem
“…an excellent guide for the fresher, but also a learning resource throughout the undergraduate years.” —Dr Max Roach
“…any parent wishing to give their son or daughter a helping hand would be wise to make sure they are equipped with ‘Brilliant Study Skills’.” —Prof J.M.King
Brilliant Essay
Brilliant Dissertation
Brilliant Workplace Skills
Brilliant Academic Writing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Kirton was born in Plymouth, England but has lived in Aberdeen, Scotland for most of his life. He’s been a university lecturer, presented TV programmes, written and performed songs and sketches at the Edinburgh Festival, and had many radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. He’s written five books on study, writing and workplace skills in Pearson’s ‘Brilliant’ series and his crime novels, Material Evidence, Rough Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves, Unsafe Acts and the historical novel The Figurehead, set in Aberdeen in 1840, have been published in the UK and USA.
His spoof crime novel, The Sparrow Conundrum, won gold in the Forward National Literature Awards for Humor (2011) and the Readers’ Choice Award for Satire/Humor on the Big Al’s Books and Pals website (2012).
The Darkness won silver in the Mystery category of the Forward National Literature Awards (2011).
The Figurehead was long-listed for the Rubery Award (2012).
His short stories have appeared in several anthologies and Love Hurts was chosen for the Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 2010.
His website and blog are at www.bill-kirton.co.uk
Twitter: @carver22