Friday 28 June 2013

Welcome

Hi, I've just sold my first novel, The Killing Season, to Orion through my agent. It's an action-packed thriller starring Carter Blake: a conflicted hero with a murky past, who specialises in finding people who don't want to be found.

I set out with a simple goal: to write the kind of book I like to read. It's influenced by the people I admire, from the classics (Chandler, Cain, Ludlum, Forsyth, John D. MacDonald) to the present-day masters (Connelly, Child, Paterson, Coben), but I like to think I've put a spin on the genre that's uniquely mine.

I'm excited about the prospect of seeing my book on the shelves, and particularly pleased that it's going to be published by Orion, who publish so many of my heroes, dead and alive.

The Killing Season will be out in hardback in April 2014, so I expect to be blogging, tweeting and doing everything else that's expected of a rookie novelist as we get closer to publication day.

I'm going to be fairly quiet for the moment, though, because I have something much more important to do first: I have to finish writing the next book.

Press release from Orion

http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/46496/

Debut Author Mason Cross To Orion

Posted at 5:27PM Tuesday 02 Apr 2013

Editor Jemima Forrester has pre-empted World rights for two books in a new American thriller series by debut author Mason Cross from Thomas Stofer at LBA literary agency.

THE KILLING SEASON is the first book in a brand-new series featuring Carter Blake, a bounty hunter with a shady past. Smart, strong and intuitive, Blake is hired by the FBI to help them track down Caleb Wardell, a terrifying serial killer who has escaped from death row. But Wardell is no stranger to Blake. He's met him once before and, what's more, Blake had the chance to take him down then and he didn't. Now, aided only by Special Agent Elaine Banner, Blake must use all of his expertise if he is to track down the calculating killer before it's too late.

With a faultless blend of compelling action, intelligent plotting and well-drawn characters, THE KILLING SEASON is a polished debut thriller with a fantastic new series character.

Jemima Forrester said: 'As a voracious thriller reader I am always on the lookout for an intelligent new series to hook me, and when I first read THE KILLING SEASON I couldn't believe it was a first novel. It's slick, fast-paced and has a central character who could give Jack Reacher, Alex Cross and Jason Bourne a run for their money! We're really excited about building this accomplished debut into an exciting new brand.'

Author Mason Cross said: 'I'm delighted that my first novel will be published by Orion. From the first meeting, I was bowled over by their enthusiasm and vision for the book and the Carter Blake series. When it comes to thrillers, Orion is the best in the business, and I'm honoured to be in the company of so many of my favourite authors.'

THE KILLING SEASON will be published in April 2014 in hardback, trade paperback and ebook. German translation rights have already been sold to Goldmann.