Ultimatum: A Thriller - Softcover

Kernick, Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1476706255 ISBN 13: 9781476706252

Publisher: Atria, 2014

Synopsis

#1 bestselling author Simon Kernick will leave you breathless with his sheer storytelling power in this race-against-time thriller about a terrorist threat in London.

An explosion blasts through a cafe in Central London. Minutes later, a call from an unknown terror group warns that a far greater attack will be launched in twelve hours’ time.

William Garrett, nicknamed “Fox,” is awaiting trial for mass murder. He claims he can name the bombers—but only at a price.

It’s a terrifying race against time for Detective Inspector Mike Bolt and Deputy Commissioner Tina Boyd as they chase their targets across the city in a desperate bid to prevent a major atrocity before it’s too late...

As shocking revelations are unveiled, you’ll be racing to the last page as fast as the characters in Ultimatum. As #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben says, “Simon Kernick writes with his foot pressed hard on the pedal. Hang on tight!”

About this title

About the Author:

Simon Kernick is a Sunday Times #1 bestselling author and one of the UK’s foremost thriller writers. His twelve novels have been translated into more than twenty languages and have sold more than four million copies worldwide. He lives in London.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Ultimatum

2

08:00

Martha Crossman opened the door to her local coffee shop and stepped inside.

The place was busy with the pre-work crowd—mainly business­people—and a powerful blast of coffee, conversation, and central heating hit her straight away. The normality of the scene filled her with an intense jealousy. When Martha had last been here a few days ago, her life had seemed so normal and straightforward. Not happy—she hadn’t been happy for a long time—but at least back then she hadn’t been burdened by the secret she was now carrying.

She took a deep breath. She wanted to throw up. To run out of the café, find a cold, quiet spot where no one could see her, and vomit up the scrappy contents of her stomach. If it wasn’t for her daughter, she’d end it all. There was no question. What had happened—what she’d found out—was so devastating that, in one single stroke, it had destroyed her will to live. But Lucy—dear, beautiful Lucy—was what kept her going.

That, and the need for justice to be done.

The man she was meeting, Philip Wright, was already there, sitting in a booth in the far corner next to the gleaming silver coffee machines on the counter, facing the door, with a large cup of coffee in front of him. She recognized him from the photos straight away, and it was clear he recognized her too. He gave a small nod, and she tried a smile in return as she walked over.

“Mrs. Crossman, it’s good to meet you,” he said, getting up from his seat and shaking her hand. He was a big man in his early sixties, and his grip was firm.

“Thanks for seeing me,” she said, taking off her coat and sitting down opposite him.

“Can I get you a drink of anything?” he asked. He had a gentle demeanor, and for the first time in days she felt her burden beginning to lighten.

“I’m OK for the moment, thanks.”

“You said on the phone that it was extremely urgent.”

She looked around the room, making sure no one was watching her. “It is.”

“I have to admit, I’m surprised. As you know, my expertise isn’t in an area where urgency tends to be an issue. And as we don’t know each other, I’m assuming this isn’t something to do with my personal life.”

“It’s not. It’s your professional opinion I need.”

He wrinkled his brow, still not quite understanding. “Well, ask away.”

She put down her handbag but kept it close to her. It made her feel sick knowing what it contained, but at some point she was going to have to give it to him; otherwise there was no evidence. She looked him straight in the eye, saw a warm intelligence there, coupled with many years’ experience in what he did, and felt reassured.

Leaning forward in her seat, she started talking, keeping her voice low.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atria
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1476706255
• ISBN 13: 9781476706252
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352