Presumed Dead - US publication

Presumed Dead is published this week in the USA, available in paperback, ebook and audio.  A change of publisher means the ebook should be a little less expensive than previous ones, which I hope means more readers will pick it up!

I hope you like this one. I think this might be my favourite of the Carter Blake series, and it's certainly my best reviewed. If you do like it, I'd love it if you would post a short review too.

Get it in all the usual places, and scroll down to check out the blurb...

Trade paperback

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Indiebound

ebook

Kindle

Nook

iBook

Kobo

Audio

Audible

THEN

Adeline Connor was the Devil Mountain Killer's final victim. After she was gunned down, the murderer disappeared and the killing spree ended.

NOW

Carter Blake has been hired to do what he does best: to find someone. But this time he's hunting a dead girl - Adeline Connor's brother is convinced she's still alive.

But this town doesn't want an outsider digging up old business. And as Blake gets deeper into the case, it starts to become clear that the murders didn't just stop fifteen years ago.

The killer is on the hunt again.

***************

Praise for Mason Cross:

"My kind of book" - Lee Child

"Not to be missed" - Daily Mail

"Mason Cross is a thriller writer for the future who produces the kind of fast-paced, high octane thrillers that I love to read." - Simon Kernick

"Engrossing" - Publishers Weekly

"Terrific stuff!" - Ian Rankin

"So pacy I'm exhausted! Definitely one to read if you like your thrillers thrilling" - Emma Kavanagh

Buy Presumed Dead here

Presumed Dead paperback out today! And author copies unboxing!

Hot on the heels of my cover reveal for next year's book, my 2018 book Presumed Dead, longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, is out in UK mass-market paperback today. Here's where you can get it:

UK paperback

Waterstones

Amazon

WHSmith

Hive

UK ebook

Kindle

Kobo

Google Play

iBook

UK audio

Audible

Kobo Audio

Readers in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can click here for their local store.

I received my author copies last week, and opening a new box of your own books never stops being exciting.

You can see more pics from the unboxing over on my Instagram page.

If you haven't bought it yet, publication week is a very good time for the author and publisher to do so, so we would be very grateful if you make it your book purchase this week. And if you like it, a quick revew makes all the difference.

And to finish, here's some of the nice things authors, reviewers and readers said about it:

"I absolutely LOVED it." - Jenny Blackhurst

"A driving thriller about loyalty and lies in small town America." - Eva Dolan

"The final twist knocked me sideways!" - Peterborough Evening Telegraph

"Multi-layered deceptions slowly unravel, and the suspect spotlight falls on a number of people towards the end of what is an atmospheric, brooding and compelling thriller." - Tony Forder

"It’s quite the rollercoaster ride let me tell you. Add to that small town blues, a suspicious Sheriff, more death, a bit of action and some cliff hanging shenanigans and you are onto a good thing. Then we have perhaps one of the best endings in a thriller novel I’ve come across for AGES." - Liz Loves Books

"Carter Blake is an excellent character – plausible without being a parody, with enough skills to be excellent at his chosen role and a back story in the shadows which is alluded to but never quite revealed." - Crime Fiction Lover

"Brilliant, brilliant story telling from Mason Cross. If you have not yet discovered the Carter Blake books then this is the perfect opportunity to find out why readers look forward to each new release." - Grab This Book

"I read it very quickly because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next, but then was sad when I finished it cos it was over! But I wasn't disappointed by the ending. OMG, the last couple of chapters! Wow! Absolutely fantastic." - Suze Reviews

Readers Club competition winners

A big thanks to everyone who entered both the Facebook and the Readers Club competitions to win Written in Blood bookmarks and other goodies.

Winners came from as far afield as Singapore and the Netherlands - one of the best things about this gig is finding out you have readers in places you've never been.

The Facebook winners were posted earlier this week on my page - incidentally, go like the page, if you haven't already.

Members of my Readers Club who won a signed deleted scene from Presumed Dead and a set of snazzy Written in Blood bookmarks were:

Alec Hooke

Gina Rae

Lisa Gray

Malcolm Gillies

Tasha Tay

Tim Windram

Amy Beth Marantino

Anne Carlin

Esmie Langston

Mariandel Vlemmix

...and the winner of the special, Readers Club-only grand prize of the bookmarks, deleted scene and a signed US hardcover edition of The Samaritan was Michael Chapleo.

Congrats to the winners, thanks to all who entered, and if you'd like to know about my next Readers Club exclusive, you can sign up for free right here.

If you're in the UK, my Written in Blood episode airs on CBS Reality on Tuesday evening - I'll be doing a live Twitter Q&A during the show, so feel free to tweet a question.

Presumed Dead mass-market paperback cover

My publisher has finalised the mass-market paperback cover of Presumed Dead, complete with a fantastic quote from the excellent Jenny Blackhurst. Check it out:

You can preorder the UK paperback in the usual places like Waterstones and Amazon now, and it will be in the stores from 29th November. 

If you absolutely can't wait, you can get the slightly more expensive trade paperback or ebook right now. I won't stand in your way.

Back soon with some information on a slightly different sort of book for 2019...

Labor Day Weekend special offer

It's Labor Day Weekend in the USA, which I have no real clue about other than... something about wearing white?

However, it does mean that PRESUMED DEAD has been selected for a 99¢ Kindle deal, so if you don't have it yet, go get it. If you do have it, tell your friends. If you've already done both of those things and you're feeling generous, write a review!

As usual, the other ebook emporia are matching the deal, so you should be able to get it from your preferred source:

Kindle

Nook

iBook

Kobo

Presumed Dead on sale, and Harrogate

I'm off to the wonderful Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate this weekend, and to join in with the festivities, my publisher is offering my new book for only 99p in UK ebook this weekend.

It's not even out in paperback yet, so this is a big £7 saving, and I hope you'll find it an offer you can't refuse.

You can get it at all the usual ebook outlets:

Kindle

Kobo

Google Play 

iBooks

As for my itinerary at Harrogate, I'll be on a panel on series fiction chaired by Marnie Riches, and taking part in the hungover quiz show on Saturday.

Aside from that, I'll be generally socialising/drinking, so if you're at Harrogate, please come and say hello.

McIlvanney Prize longlisting

So pleased to report that Presumed Dead has been longlisted for the 2018 McIlvanney Prize!

It joins a stellar lineup of books from authors including Craig Robertson, James Oswald, Chris Brookmyre and Caro Ramsay.

You can read the full announcement on the Bloody Scotland website. The shortlist is announced later this summer, but in the meantime I'm very happy that the new book is in such great company. Big congratulations to everyone else who made the list.

Some pics from the launch

Presumed Dead had a brilliant welcome into the world at Waterstones Argyle Street a couple of weeks ago. I've been too busy with next year's book to blog about it, but here are a few snaps of me being quizzed ably by Douglas Skelton.

I've been delighted by the response so far, and it's easily been the best-reviewed of all my books. If you want to see what people love about it, you can get it from all good bookshops.

Presumed Dead - reviews

Presumed Dead has been out for a week and I've been blown away by the response from readers so far! A huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to let me know how much you enjoyed it, or left a review.

It's always scary when something you've spent months working on goes out into the world, and it's a massive boost when people seem to love it.

Here's a roundup of some of the best quotes:


First up, a pair of my fellow crime writers. Both of whom come highly recommended by me too:

Jenny Blackhurst said "I absolutely LOVED it."

Eva Dolan:

Loved this one! A driving thriller about loyalty and lies in small town America. Get entering, folks... https://t.co/1DfdwG2fX5

— eva dolan (@eva_dolan) April 18, 2018

"The final twist knocked me sideways!" - Peterborough Evening Telegraph

"Multi-layered deceptions slowly unravel, and the suspect spotlight falls on a number of people towards the end of what is an atmospheric, brooding and compelling thriller." - Tony Forder

"It’s quite the rollercoaster ride let me tell you. Add to that small town blues, a suspicious Sheriff, more death, a bit of action and some cliff hanging shenanigans and you are onto a good thing. Then we have perhaps one of the best endings in a thriller novel I’ve come across for AGES." - Liz Loves Books

"Carter Blake is an excellent character – plausible without being a parody, with enough skills to be excellent at his chosen role and a back story in the shadows which is alluded to but never quite revealed." - Crime Fiction Lover

"Brilliant, brilliant story telling from Mason Cross. If you have not yet discovered the Carter Blake books then this is the perfect opportunity to find out why readers look forward to each new release." - Grab This Book

"I read it very quickly because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next, but then was sad when I finished it cos it was over! But I wasn't disappointed by the ending. OMG, the last couple of chapters! Wow! Absolutely fantastic." - Suze Reviews


There's also a bunch of great Goodreads and Amazon reviews too. So far, 100% positive (that won't last).

So thanks again to everyone who's read Presumed Dead and said nice things about it - you all rock.

Presumed Dead - publication day

World, please welcome Presumed Dead - be nice to it!

If you're in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ, you can get the new Carter Blake book in all the usual places, but to make it extra easy, here are some links:

Click here to get the trade paperback in your home territory

or

Click here to get the Kindle version

UK trade paperback (large format)

Waterstones

Amazon

WHSmith

Hive

UK ebook

Kindle

Kobo

Google Play

iBook

UK audio

Audible

Kobo Audio

I'm hoping to have an idea of US release date soon, so watch this space. In the meantime, you can get the other four books right now.

Author copies, and the first reviews of Presumed Dead

Author copies! Or, as we call it round these parts, George McFly Day.

I love the cover of Presumed Dead so much - it's easily the best cover I've ever had. Nothing to do with me, other than saying "Yep, that looks just about perfect." 

It's always a thrill to get the pre-publication delivery of a box full of books that you actually wrote, and this time was no exception.

Presumed Dead is published in the UK and associated territories (which means, I think, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland) next week, on April 19th. You can pre-order right now, or if you're going to be near Glasgow on the 18th, there's still tickets for the official book launch.

I've already had some great reviews and blurbs. The excellent Jenny Blackhurst, author of How I Lost You, The Foster Child and other thrillers, all of which you should definitely read, said:

"I absolutely LOVED it, move over Reacher, I have a new favourite hero."

Liz Barnsley is first off the blocks from the blogger scene:

 "It’s quite the rollercoaster ride let me tell you. Add to that small town blues, a suspicious Sheriff, more death, a bit of action and some cliff hanging shenanigans and you are onto a good thing. Then we have perhaps one of the best endings in a thriller novel I’ve come across for AGES. "

Over on Netgalley, Trev T says:

"a fast exciting ride as Blake attempts to be accepted, into this rural community, by a suspicious population and police force who do not welcome the interference of outsiders. It soon becomes clear that a killer is still active and as the body count mounts the lines between the past and present become increasingly blurred. Mason Cross performs the very skilful task of shielding the real killer until the final pages and that disclosure is nothing short of ingenious. "

I'm stoked the book is going down well so far. Can't wait to hear what readers think when it's out for real...

UK trade paperback (large format)
Waterstones
Amazon
WHSmith
Hive

UK ebook
Kindle
Kobo
Google Play
iBook

UK audio
Audible

Visuals

Visuals have always been a big part of my writing process.

Often, the visuals will come to me before almost anything else; like the full moon over rows of fields in Killing Season, or the ghost town in the desert in Don't Look For Me.

When I'm planning a new book, I like to gather images together that will help me get a handle on the place, characters and story I'm dreaming up.

It's really helpful for starting to visualise the locations and the world in which the book takes place. Also, it's a lot easier than writing, so yay for productive procrastination.

I've always done this, but it used to be with a mixture of old-fashioned clippings and pics saved in Word docs. For the last couple of books, I've created Pinterest boards as part of the brainstorming process. Quite often, I'll get an idea for a new story strand from an arresting image.

Here's my Pinterest board for Presumed Dead. I hope it gives you a flavour of the feel of the book.


(Yes, I have a board in progress for my 2019 book. No, I'm not showing anyone yet.)

Readers Club exclusive

A heads up that members of my Readers Club will be getting an exclusive sneak preview of Presumed Dead tomorrow.

You can read the original prologue (deleted from the final book), which introduces one of the main characters and sets up the story.

All you need to do is go here to sign up.

Presumed Dead is published in the UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia on April 19, and you can preorder right now. Watch this space for publication dates in other territories.

Some events...

I have a few bookshop and library events coming up around the release of Presumed Dead.

If you don't live near any of these, I'll also be lining up some more soon, including CrimeFest in Bristol and Bouchercon in sunny Florida.

Click on the links for full details:

Friday 13 April | 11:30am

Halfway Library

Tuesday 17 April | 2:30pm

Cambuslang Library

Wednesday 18 April | 7:00pm

Waterstones Argyle Street (official launch)

Monday 23 April | 7:00pm

Motherwell Library (World Book Night)

Tuesday 24 April | 2:00pm

Carluke Library

If you'd like me to visit your local bookshop or library, let them know. I'm on the Scottish Book Trust's Live Literature page for library events.

For more, keep an eye on masoncross.net/events for new dates.

Presumed Dead launch - 18 April

Book launch for

Presumed Dead

Wednesday 18 April, 7pm

Waterstones Argyle Street, Glasgow

Join McIlvanney Prize longlisted author Douglas Skelton (Blood City, Tag - You're Dead) in conversation with Mason Cross for the official launch of his new novel Presumed Dead, published by Orion.

There will be a reading, a Q&A and a signing. More importantly, there will be free wine. The event is free and all are welcome.

You can register for free tickets at Eventbrite.

Presumed Dead - Netgalley

Just a quick heads up for UK bloggers / reviewers etc that Presumed Dead is available for request on Netgalley

Everyone else can preorder from Amazon, Waterstones, Hive etc.

If you're not signed up for my free Readers Club, now's a good time to remedy that, as I'll be sending out an exclusive sneak preview of the new book in the next few weeks. In the meantime, here's the blurb...


'What do you know about the Devil Mountain Killer?'

THEN

Adeline Connor was the Devil Mountain Killer's final victim. After she was gunned down, the murderer disappeared and the killing spree ended.

NOW

Carter Blake has been hired to do what he does best: to find someone. But this time he's hunting a dead girl - Adeline Connor's brother is convinced she's still alive.

But this town doesn't want an outsider digging up old business. And as Blake gets deeper into the case, it starts to become clear that the murders didn't just stop fifteen years ago.

The killer is on the hunt again.

***************

Praise for race against time thriller writer Mason Cross:

'Mason Cross is a thriller writer for the future who produces the kind of fast-paced, high octane thrillers that I love to read.' Simon Kernick

'Terrific stuff!' Ian Rankin

'So pacy I'm exhausted! Definitely one to read if you like your thrillers thrilling' Emma Kavanagh

Presumed Dead UK preorder

Presumed Dead, the next Carter Blake book, is published in the UK on 19 April 2018. You can pre-order at the links below, and scroll down further to find out what it's about.

Trade paperback

Amazon

Waterstones

ebook

Kindle

Kobo

Google Play

iTunes

***

THEN

Fifteen years ago, an unidentified killer terrorised northern Georgia, killing hikers with two shots from a pistol, before disposing of the bodies along the remote trails and in the rivers in the vicinity of Devil Mountain.

The killer was never brought to justice.

NOW

Carter Blake has returned home for the first time in many years. The visit stirs old memories, including a girl from school who vanished without a trace.

Blake runs into the mother of the girl, who mentions a case she's come across in Georgia, where someone is convinced their relative is still alive, fifteen years on.

Adeline Connor was the Devil Mountain Killer's last suspected victim. She vanished without a trace.

So why is her brother so convinced she's still alive?

Published April 19, 2018 (Orion)

Presumed Dead - cover

Book five has a title and a very sexy cover. I think this is my favourite UK cover yet - it's really different to the previous ones, but does a brilliant job of selling the story.

See below for a taster of what the new book is about. Presumed Dead will be published in the UK on 19 April 2018, and you can preorder the trade paperback here (I'll post links to ebook, audio when they become available):

Waterstones

Amazon

THEN

Fifteen years ago, an unidentified killer terrorised northern Georgia, killing hikers with two shots from a pistol, before disposing of the bodies along the remote trails and in the rivers in the vicinity of Devil Mountain.

The killer was never brought to justice.

NOW

Carter Blake has returned home for the first time in many years. The visit stirs old memories, including a girl from school who vanished without a trace.

Blake runs into the mother of the girl, who mentions a case she's come across in Georgia, where someone is convinced their relative is still alive, fifteen years on.

Adeline Connor was the Devil Mountain Killer's last suspected victim. She vanished without a trace.

So why is her brother so convinced she's still alive?