Piccolo

by James Baddock

Overview

This is very much a 21st century thriller, involving 'a new kind of treason'.
Police Inspector Steven Redmond, of Special Branch, is charged with investigating the suspicious deaths by 'accident' or 'suicide' of several Ministry of Defence computer experts. He soon realises that he is expected to deliver a 'whitewash' report and that to buck the system is to put his career on the line. Compelled by his assistant, computer expert Sergeant Gail Harper, and by continued unexplained deaths, Redmond digs deeper. He soon finds out that not only is he under surveillance, but that several of the victims are linked to a top-secret Anglo-American defence project code-named Piccolo. As Redmond and Harper peel away Piccolo's grim secrets, they slowly unearth a massive and deadly conspiracy that encompasses both British and American governments and big business and which threatens to engulf them in a tide of bloody violence. The nonstop action builds as it moves from London to Florida and on to a climactic, vicious firefight where only the winners will survive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782347576
Publisher:	Andrews UK
Publication date:	06/19/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

James Baddock has had six thrillers published in the UK, USA and Canada. Reactions to these have included being described as ‘leading the pack in suspense mystery’ by Clive Cussler, and having ‘much in common with Jack Higgins’ by the Daily Express. His books are all very much fast paced espionage thrillers, with the emphasis on action, although characters are given space to grow and develop; indeed, one of his priorities is to avoid stereotypes and to let their strengths and weaknesses emerge as the story unfolds, especially in terms of how they behave when under extreme pressure. Five of these books (The Dutch Caper, Emerald, Piccolo, The Alaska Project and The Faust Conspiracy) are now being published as ebooks, along with two brand new titles (Berlin Endgame and Servants Of The State).
During a previous life, James taught English and Media Studies at several Secondary and Upper Schools, but still found time to gain an Honours Degree in English Literature and a Masters Degree in Media, Culture and Communications. His interests include reading, rock music, films and Tottenham Hotspur (not necessarily in that order).

Editorial Reviews

A ``new kind of treason'' is afoot in England, and Baddock ( The Faust Conspiracy ) plays it out with his customary power and tension. The brass at Special Branch ask agent Steven Redmond to determine if any pattern links the recent deaths of computer scientists at the Ministry of Defense, but they also make it clear that they want an indeterminate report. While Redmond finds nothing tangible, his ambitious partner taps into a top-secret database and learns that most of the victims had been involved in a mysterious project known as Piccolo. When other Piccolo scientists end up dead, Redmond dives into the case, only to be ordered off by the head of MI5. Soon Redmond is shunted off to the States, where he gathers more information about Piccolo, this time implicating a multinational corporation and an agent of the Ministry of Defense. The plot twists and turns, leaving in its wake an astonishing trail of death. Vivid characters and excellent pacing intensify the punch in this knockout thriller. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly