Hell's Fire: A Novel of Suspense [Hardcover]

Christopher Simms (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2009

"A persuasive, original plot. Realism about the underside of modern life is combined with psychological insight in an excellent thriller."—Jessica Mann, Literary Review

The deliberate torching of a church creates outrages across Manchester, and when a charred corpse and satanic symbols are found in the smoking ruins, detective Jon Spicer and the city’s Major Incident Team are called in. Spicer quickly finds himself drawn into the depths of a horrifying religious underworld he didn’t know existed. Soon, fresh killings bring the realization that those responsible for the burnings are prepared to commit even more brutal crimes in their twisted homage to God. As emotions and paranoia flare throughout Manchester, Spicer fears for those closest to him as he struggles to halt the continuing atrocities.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

British author Simms (Shifting Skin) emphasizes action over characterization in his first police thriller to be published in the U.S. When a fourth Manchester church is destroyed in an arson incident involving satanic rituals, Det. Insp. Jon Spicer and his Major Incident Team investigate. In the smoldering ruins of the church is a charred corpse. More murders follow, with evidence that the killer is employing methods used in the Middle Ages to slaughter suspected witches. Other leads involve a death metal band, Satan's Inferno, one of whose members disappeared shortly before the most recent conflagration, and Tristan Arkell, head of the Psychic Academy, whose police record includes a number of allegations of sexual assault. Spicer's own sister, Ellie, who's become a Wiccan, may also have relevant information, even as she reveals a dark secret from Spicer's childhood. The killer's identity will surprise many readers, but this isn't enough to salvage a routine plot. (June)
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Review

"...a persuasive, original plot... Realism about the underside of modern life is combined with psychological insight in an excellent thriller." -- Jessica Mann LITERARY REVIEW "Crime fans should watch out for Simms, he's shaping up to be the Next Big Thing." -- Alex Gordon Peterborough Evening Telegraph "Gritty, grimy and deeply absorbing, Hell's Fire keeps the reputation that Simms is fast earning for himself as one of the UK's finest exponents of the crime writing art firmly intact. This is tight, eminently readable stuff that will have the pages racing by in a whirl." SHOTS "As the novel moves towards its climax, Simms does begin to ratchet up the tension very effectively. The true villain is revealed, the pace builds, and there is a breath-taking finale." THE BOOK BAG "Thoughtful exciting crime fiction at its best." MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Pegasus (July 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605980447
• ISBN-13: 978-1605980447
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,549,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chris Simms has worked in airports, nightclubs, post offices and telesales centres. Along with nominations for Crime Writer's Association Daggers and the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year award, Chris has been selected by Waterstone's as one of their '25 authors for the future'.

Chris says he is drawn to books that give insights into unusual minds. The twisted desires of Frederick in John Fowles', The Collector, the tormented thoughts of Scobie in Graham Greene's Heart of the Matter, the violent urges of Francie in Patrick McCabe's Butcher Boy are all are books Chris states had an influence in shaping him as a writer. The idea for his debut novel, Outside the White Lines, came to him in the early hours of the morning while broken down on the hard shoulder of the M40.

His series of DI Spicer novels - psychological thrillers set very firmly in Manchester - follow the police detective's fortunes as he pursues mad, bad and deadly individuals through the city's ever-changing landscape.