James has pursued a varied career - from Wine Merchant to International Carriage Driving Course Builder via Call Centre Operative and professional Sheep Shit Sampler (true). He currently lives in a large caravan inside a Dutch Barn in Fife, with three dogs and two cats. He farms Highland cows and Romney sheep by day, writes disturbing fiction by night.
Saltblood (2024) Francesca De Tores "A wonderful tale and so exquisitely told ... Master and Commander meets Thelma & Louise."
The Hungry Dark (2024) Jen Williams "I was absolutely blown away. This serial killer mystery and thriller fully embraces its folk horror origins. The spooky, sinister setting is superbly drawn. I could almost feel myself shivering in the shadow of Red Rigg Fell."
Alien Clay (2024) Adrian Tchaikovsky "The central concept unravels itself in a manner that is both deeply satisfying and not at all predictable. He truly is one of our finest writers of SF right now. The whole was an excellent story told with Adrian's trademark skill and flair."
The Square of Sevens (2023) Laura Shepherd-Robinson "What a magnificent rollercoaster ride of a book . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson writes with such a fluid, easy style, with a knack for putting in just the right amount of detail to perfectly paint the world she is describing . . . I am in awe."
Beautiful Shining People (2023) Michael Grothaus "A fascinating exploration of what it means to be human in a world where everything can be faked, and an alarming projection into a not-too-distant and all-too-plausible future - wonderful, insightful and thoughtful."
The Next to Die (2023) (Dylan Kasper, book 1) Elliot Sweeney "The Next to Die hooked me immediately with its formidable pace and fluid style. Kasper is a fascinatingly flawed but honourable character very much in the Chandler mould. A wonderfully assured debut, perfect for fans of dark and gritty thrillers."
The Forcing (2023) Paul E Hardisty "An excellent blend of deep suspense, thriller and - to be honest - horror. The message within it is all too plausible, the solution to the problem distinctly chilling. Wonderfully pitched and easily believable."
The Homes (2022) J B Mylet "An extraordinary story quite brilliantly told. Lesley is a wonderful character, and J.B. Mylet catches her voice perfectly. I found myself staying up long after lights out reading 'just another chapter'. And then another, and another."
The Dying Squad (2021) (Dying Squad, book 1) Adam Simcox "Adam has crafted something unique with The Dying Squad, mashing fantasy and crime together in a way I've not seen before . . . I'm sure it will be a huge success."
City of Vengeance (2021) (Cesare Aldo, book 1) D V Bishop "So fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves . . . Aldo is a great creation, resourceful, driven and forced to hide who he really is, but nevertheless is compelled to find justice for those who deserve it."
Body Language (2020) (Cassie Raven, book 1) A K Turner "Hooked from the first chapter and stayed up until the wee small hours to finish Body Language. What a wonderful creation is Cassie Raven! You should all go out and pre-order it right now. Excellent fun, compulsive and Cassie Raven is a protagonist I want to meet again soon. Five stars!"
Cruel Summer (2019) (Anna Scavolini Mystery, book 2) M R Mackenzie "Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir."
She Lies in Wait (2019) (DCI Jonah Sheens, book 1) Gytha Lodge "Most enjoyable - Gytha Lodge is a skilled storyteller and she weaves such an intricate plot. The book hooked me early on and kept me up way past my bedtime on several nights! The team of detectives Gytha has put together is top notch. All in all, a very satisfying read."
Changeling (2018) (Six Stories, book 3) Matt Wesolowski "Wonderfully horrifying-the suspense crackles."
The Hunter (2018) Andrew Reid "TOP DRAWER STUFF, AND SHOULD GIVE LEE CHILD AND SIMON KERNICK A FEW SLEEPLESS NIGHTS."
Turn a Blind Eye (2018) (D.I. Maya Rahman, book 1) Vicky Newham "Maya is wonderfully complex and human, and the tension ratchets up nicely."
The Chalk Man (2018) C J Tudor "It's been a while since I've read such an impressive debut. The pace was perfectly judged, the characters superbly drawn and there's a creeping sense of unease that starts with the prologue and grows throughout the book. And then that ending! It feels so fresh and deserves to be a huge success."
Yesterday (2017) (Hans Richardson, book 1) Felicia Yap "A great murder mystery with a unique and unsettling twist. This book delighted and confounded me in equal measure!"
Ed's Dead (2017) Russel D McLean "Chillingly plausible... a wonderfully dark and disturbing tale of misplaced loyalty and betrayal; a beautifully paced, action-packed thriller of a book."
