A Deniable Death

Picking up a novel by Gerald Seymour is like taking a deep breath of fresh air . . . his subject here is the Middle East, presented with a vividness and veracity that makes most of his rivals look footling . . . As always with Seymour, the sense of a minatory foreign landscape is acutely rendered . . . never have the badlands of Iraq been evoked with such oppressive rigour. And how many other writers would have fleshed out the bomb-maker, who would simply represent "evil" in most thrillers? Seymour allows us into the life and consciousness of this man, movingly describing his marriage to a mortally ill woman. When readers get to the nailbiting climax, involving an agonising wait for airborne rescue, they may be wondering why they should bother with any other thriller writer. - IndependentAn extraordinary work of fiction . . . Serious readers will find in A DENIABLE DEATH not only suspense, strong characters and a realistic look at the world of espionage, but a majesty that is rare in fiction. At a certain point, the novel rises to a mythic level, portraying courage and loyalty and sacrifice almost beyond understanding. - Washington PostVeteran thriller writer Seymour's outstanding 26th novel chronicles a British "interdiction" mission in contemporary Iraq and Iran . . . Seymour (Harry's Game) is strong on the details of surveillance and spycraft, but on even surer ground with his characters . . . Once the narrative gains momentum, it's hard to put this one down. - Publishers Weekly Starred ReviewSeymour is a master of the thriller set on the murky edges of modern war . . . As ever he juggles action, context and suspense with a special-forces level of expertise. How long before he turns to Libya? - iGerald Seymour is the grand-master of the contemporary thriller and Deniable Death is his greatest work yet. Gripping, revealing and meticulously researched, this is a page-turning masterpiece that will literally leave you breathless. - Major Chris Hunter, author of Extreme RiskAfter 28 novels, Seymour's empathy for those he ensnares in his moral minefields remains movingly even-handed. - Daily Telegraphgripping thriller - SunMr Seymour is . . . on form . . . The tradecraft of silent watching and the discomfort, thirst and increasing claustrophobia of the hideout are brought very much to life . . . the grim landscape of the border region and the harsh lives of its inhabitants are skilfully evoked - The Economist (Australia)