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IF I SHOULD DIE
… is the debut from British author Matthew Frank, introducing London Metropolitan Police’s newest detective, Joseph Stark.
It begins with vicious, apparently motiveless attacks on down and outs in South London. But when one of the homeless victims dies from his wounds, it’s murder . . .
For the Met investigation team’s newest member, Joseph Stark, death is already all too familiar. Injured in an attack that killed his fellow soldiers and tortured by nightmares since his return, Afghan veteran Stark has enough on his hands just trying to recover without enduring the scrutiny and sideways glances of his new colleagues. The drink and painkillers he’s leaning on to keep going aren’t helping. And there’s only so long he can ignore the efforts of the Ministry of Defence to speak to him.
When one of the victims of the attacks fights back it’s soon clear that there’s much more at stake than gangs preying randomly on society’s weakest members. But as Stark hunts down the truth – and the rotten heart of the crimes – his own strength is fading. It seems that the ex-soldier’s determination to see justice done may not, this time, be enough to carry him through.
Click on this icon 
for a Soundcloud extract from actor, Will Rycroft’s, wonderful reading for the If I Should Die audio-book.
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REVIEWS:
‘A gripping murder story … Frank brilliantly maintains a balance between the demands of a complex plot and his character’s difficulty in returning to civilian life … an accomplished first novel.’ (Sunday Times)
‘Quite simply the best start to a new crime series – and the best debut – I’ve read in years. Joe Stark is such a terrific hero, full of flaws and compassion and the sort of quiet heroism that you rarely see these days, even in fiction. One of those books I want to bulk buy and press into the hands of everyone I know. The writing is top-notch, the action sequences are superlative, the characters crackle off the page and the dialogue whips and zings like bullets in the dust. Read it!’ (Sarah Hillary – bestselling author and Winner of the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2015)
‘Well researched and totally convincing, this is the first of several Stark books. Great news if they’re as good as this!’ (Sunday Mirror)
‘Skilfully plotted, with a great clarity of style. I really enjoyed it.’ (Alison Joseph – bestselling author and Chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association)
‘Truly one of the most well-plotted and compelling crime thrillers I have encountered this year… Highly recommended.’ (Raven Crime Reads)
‘A very powerful novel. The writing is so good that it is difficult to believe that this is a debut.’ (New Books Magazine)
‘If I should Die starts the Joseph Stark series in searing style. Tight, convincing, and powerful – this is a series to watch.’ (LoveReading)
‘Detective Sergeant Fran Millhaven is just one of the best women copper characters you’ll ever meet between the covers of a book . . . but Stark is the heart of this narrative. I am so looking forward to meeting him again . . . the moment Stark crosses over from soldier to CID detective is beautiful to behold. The action scenes, too, are terrific. Riveting!’ (Dana Stabenow – bestselling author of A Cold Day for Murder)
‘A highly assured debut … we’ll look forward to the next.’ (Crime Fiction Lover)
‘A great debut introducing an unusual lead character – I’m looking forward to reading more in the series – 5*s.’ (Novel Heights)
‘Brilliantly written.’ (Oodals Blog)
‘Well recommended.’ (Eurocrime)
‘Very strong. Very well written.’ (Crime Squad)
Click here for more:
My 1st Ever Review – Crime Fiction Lover – May 2014
Brilliant Review – OOdals – June 2014
National Review! – Sunday Times – June 2014
A Writer’s Review! – Goodreads – December 2014
A Soldier/Journalist’s Review! – Crime Review – March 2015
A Review that nails it! – Raven Crime Reads – October 2015
