The two central characters in the book, outside of the police, are Kipp Brown, (who appears in Need You Dead) a seemingly very wealthy Brighton businessman, his wife, their teenage son, Mungo and their teenage daughter, Fleur. The story begins when Kipp takes Mungo to a football match at the Amex Stadium. As he arrives at the stadium entrance, along with the other 28,000 fans who are pouring in, Kipp bumps into a client. They chat for a couple of minutes then Kipp looks around and his son has vanished...Maybe Mungo has gone to the loo, Kipp wonders? He hangs around for a couple of minutes, but kick-off will be any moment now. Mungo has his ticket so Kipp goes in and takes his seat. The game starts, but still Mungo, a keen supporter, has not appeared. Kipp becomes increasingly concerned. Then there is an emergency security announcement. A suspicious package has been seen in the stadium and they need an immediate evacuation.In the panic that follows, Kipp looks desperately for Mungo, but without success. Then he gets the text that is every parent's nightmare. "We have your son. If you wish to see him alive again you will not contact the police and you will follow our instructions very carefully."But, as we are going to find out, nothing is quite what it seems....
Portrait
Peter James is the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels. His Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, set in Brighton, has been translated into thirty-seven languages with worldwide sales of over eighteen million copies, and has given him eleven consecutive Sunday Times number ones. In 2015 WHSmith customers publicly voted him the Greatest Crime Author of All Time and in 2016 he became the recipient of the coveted CWA Diamond Dagger lifetime achievement award for sustained excellence. Peter has also written a short story collection, A Twist of the Knife, and his standalone titles include Perfect People and The House on Cold Hill. The Perfect Murder, Dead Simple and Not Dead Enough have all been turned into smash-hit stage plays. All his novels reflect his deep interest in the world of the police. Three of his novels have been filmed and before becoming a full-time author he produced numerous films, including The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. He divides his time between his homes in Notting Hill, London and near Brighton in Sussex.
