Jake Arnott's 'mesmerizing, brilliant' (New York Times Book Review) second novel, a literary thriller that delves into corruption on both sides of the law and at the heart of the state.

During the long hot summer of 1966, a senseless murder shocks the nation and brings the World Cup euphoria to an abrupt end. Yet it marks a beginning for three men, who are inextricably linked to the crime and its consequences: an ambitious detective struggling with his conscience; a tabloid journalist with a nose for a nasty story; and a disaffected thief, haunted by his violent past.

Spanning three decades of profound social change, this gripping novel explores corruption on both sides of the law and at the very heart of the state.

A dazzling successor to The Long Firm

About the Author
Born in 1961, Jake Arnott lives in London. His first novel, The Long Firm, was a major critical and popular success. It was subsequently made into a BBC TV series, which was nominated for two BAFTA awards. His second novel, He Kills Coppers, was also made into a series by Channel 4. He has since published the novels truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and, most recently, The Fatal Tree.

Reviews
Brilliant ... you won't be able to put it down. * Mark Sanderson, Sunday Telegraph Summer Reading *
Mesmerizing. Brilliant. * New York Times Book Review *
Many thought that Jake Arnott's debut, 'The Long Firm', was good but not quite as good as the hype tried to convince us it was. Frankly, Hemingway, Hammett and Greene together would have been hard pressed to come up with anything that good. His eagerly awaited follow-up, 'He Kills Coppers', has arrived - and it's better. * Time Out *
Brilliant ... this bitter tour de force has a feeling of permanence. * Washington Post Book World *
[A] highly impressive thriller; a powerfully organized plot is matched by a steely narrative control that pays out just enough information to keep us on tenterhooks. The unfolding of the murder and cover-up is deftly handled, and there's a nice sideline in pithy historical detail: from the psychedelic 1960s to the uncaring Thatcherite '80s, the panorama is always authentic - and always at the service of the narrative. * Good Book Guide *
Compelling ... Arnott is a writer of many shades and, as in his debut, The Long Firm, shows his penchant for combining challenging storylines with strong storytelling. * Max Davidson, Sunday Telegraph *
Arnott is a craftsman at what he does, a real cabinetmaker of pulp fiction, with everything nicely dovetailed * Sunday Times *
Arnott nails every crunch and splatter of his dirty world ... A wicked delight. * People *
Intoxicating * Scotland on Sunday *
A British version of James Ellroy's L.A. Confidential. * Publishers Weekly *
Propels Arnott further into a league of his own * Independent on Sunday *
Brilliant * Literary Review *
Easily as good, if not better, than the superb Long Firm ... A stylish tour-de-force * Big Issue *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340748800
Author Jake Arnott
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 235g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 26mm