The Citadel Directive (The Corsham Files)

A razor-sharp British thriller about secrecy, power, and the price of knowing too much.

Jason Harper, a brilliant but introverted cryptographer, thinks he’s found the perfect role when he’s recruited into a classified Ministry of Defence programme in Corsham. But the project is far more extraordinary—and dangerous—than he imagined. Hidden deep beneath Wiltshire: recovered non-terrestrial craft, sleek, silent, and still humming with alien code. His task? Decipher their language.

The oath of secrecy nearly breaks him. It also shatters his relationship with Madison Thorne, an ambitious reporter desperate to escape local news. In a moment of weakness, Jason confides in her.

Months later, a mysterious object crash-lands in a Lincolnshire field. The Ministry scrambles—covert ops, press misdirection, military lockdowns. Torn between her instinct to investigate and her promise, Madison is dragged into the cover-up.

As the State tightens its grip, the pair confront a terrifying truth: some secrets aren’t protected for the public good, but for the power they give those who control them. Exposing the biggest lie of all could cost them everything

The Citadel Directive blends conspiracy, moral conflict, and a charged love story into a gripping, slow-burn thriller.

Perfect for fans of Slow Horses, The Capture, Bodyguard and Age of Disclosure.

Reviews of The Citadel Directive

* * * * * "A plausible and compelling thriller... the very definition of a page turner."

* * * * * "I was gripped by this story from the first page."

* * * * * "An incredible hook from the beginning. A well-paced, strong action thriller."

The Authority: From Code to Classified SitesChris Stokes brings a unique blend of technical expertise and defence knowledge to the thriller genre. With an early background in Computer Science, his career began at ICL's Advanced Technology Centre before moving into Fujitsu's Defence and Security business unit.During this time, much of his work was classified, granting him firsthand experience with the operational culture and physical reality of the UK's secure infrastructure. This intimate knowledge of defence protocol and secure locations directly inspired the meticulously researched world of The Corsham Files.The Precision: A Writer Honed by FactsFor two decades, Chris honed his writing skills not in creative workshops, but in the highly pressurised world of government contract tenders. This experience instilled a necessity for precision, factual accuracy, and disciplined storytelling-traits that now translate into fiction that feels terrifyingly real. After years of telling government agencies only what they needed to know, he has now shifted to telling readers everything they want to know.The Debut: The Citadel DirectiveThe Citadel Directive marks Chris' first venture into fiction, launching a series that promises to blend high-stakes espionage with existential conspiracy.