I’m delighted but also aware that it must seem - certainly to those who follow the Heck books - as if it’s been an age in the writing, but that actually isn’t true. It was written as a direct follow-up to KISS OF DEATH, which was published in 2018, but a change of publisher and then the Covid crisis created an interruption to the natural flow of things, which the Heck saga almost didn’t survive.
It was mainly due to my own determination to keep my favourite character going that the concept remained afloat during this period, though it would still have sunk without the strong encouragement of my wife and business partner, Cathy, who considered the million-selling series too worthwhile and valuable to simply abandon (while the persuasive powers of the innumerable fans who sent me emails, pms and texts, begging me to continue - for which I can’t thank them all enough - was instrumental too).
Anyway, I won’t say much more about ROGUE here, as you can all get hold of it yourselves now and make your own judgements. But the meat of today’s blogpost will contain some of the delightful reviews at the book has had so far.
Let’s get on with it ...
What the Heck?
Okay ... so ROGUE is out at last. My best-selling series of crime/thriller novels is back on the road.
As promised, I won’t belabour you with any further snippets of content info. I’ll simply say Happy Publication Day to my ‘stop at nothing’ detective, and now give the floor to a bunch of people whose professional expertise and literary opinions I value very highly indeed, so that they can offer their own views on the matter ...
‘Finch’s original hero returns explosively. As hardboiled as cop fiction gets. Viciously action-packed but layered with feeling and a deep sense of loss. An assault on the senses in book form.’
Helen S Fields
Author of The Institution and the DI Callanach series
‘If any Heck fans were wondering what he’d get up to once the constraints of being a police officer were lifted, wonder no more.
In this fast-moving tale, he takes on ever more dangerous foes as he hunts the people behind the massacre of his closest colleagues.
Now suspended, he can’t rely on backup from his colleagues. Despite this, he won’t back down or take the easy path, even when the odds against him look hopeless.
My mistake was assuming I could read a bit and get on with my work, but each time I picked it up, I didn’t want to stop reading.
Explosive action-packed and gripping. A worthy addition to a great series.’
David Beckler
Author of the Antonia Conti series
‘Need a rest after tearing through ROGUE, the latest Heck novel by Paul Finch. A thrill-per-page ride with action sequences that wouldn't be out of place in a Bond film.’
David Jackson
Author of Don't Make a Sound, The Resident and the Nathan Cody series
‘Author Paul Finch should be a household name. He is the type of author admired by his peers and readers alike. In ROGUE we have an excellent, superbly written action thriller from one of the UK’s best. In Heck’s latest gut-and-heart-wrenching tale we have tough action, intrigue and a revenge driven maverick hero reminiscent (to me) of a northern Luther. I loved this book, I think you will too.’
Matt Hilton
Author of the Grey and Villere series
‘Finch’s ROGUE is utterly unputdownable as it’s the consummate thriller that thrills, excites, exhilarates and catches you off guard with beautifully placed twists. Excuse me while I head off to hammer on Finch’s door to demand the next novel.’
Graham Smith / John Ryder
Author of Watching the Bodies and First Shot
‘Brutal, brilliant contemporary noir with a jet-black heart. Heck is formidable, tough as old boots, and makes for irresistible reading.’
Tom Mead
Author of Death and the Conjuror
‘A gritty, dark, explosive crime thriller. Heck is hard to beat!’
Alex Shaw
Author of the Jack Tate SAS series
‘Paul Finch is one of the best police procedural writers out there. If you’re a fan, don’t miss this page-turner!’
Marnie Riches
Author of the Detective Jackie Cooke series
‘Heck’s return is not only so welcome and anticipated, but so damn thrilling. Finch’s flair for relentless, unputdownable excitement is here in abundance, dragging us lucky readers face first through his trademark grit and darkness. Loving it!’
Rob Parker
Author of the Ben Bracken series
Caroline England
Author of The Stranger Beside Me
‘As packed with twisting mystery, as it is full-throttle action, Paul Finch brings Heck back with a bang! The very definition of a page-turner, it all leads up to a thrilling finale I guarantee you won’t forget in a hurry. Fans really are in for a treat.’
Paul Kane
Author of Her Husband's Grave, The Family Lie and Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell
‘After an absence of several years, Detective Sergeant Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg is back with a bang in this latest action-packed thriller from Standish-based novelist, Paul Finch.
In this latest instalment, Rogue, (already available for pre-order online), Finch’s “lone wolf” hero is up against tougher odds than he’s faced in any of the previous seven books, pursuing a gang of cop-killers all over the country, while being hunted by his own team and several deadly-dangerous hitmen.
All the Wigan-born writer’s trademarks are here: raw, uncompromising action, tough dialogue and a whole host of weird and demented villains.
It also page-flips at a furious pace, including one explosive chase sequence up the M6 from Heck’s hometown of Bradburn (a thinly-veiled Wigan), which literally had this reader on the edge of his seat.
Finch, himself a former police officer, has probably surpassed himself with this latest offering in the Heck canon, delivering a pacy, hardboiled romp of a crime novel, which ends in most satisfying fashion. Highly recommended.’
Wigan Today
No comments:
Post a Comment