OUTSIDE THE WHITE LINES

"A gritty, suspense-filled first novel . . . here is a new crime writer who really knows his stuff—a compulsive and compelling read."--Publishing News

“Simms’ fresh approach, and the way the story weaves between three viewpoints, makes this one of the most promising debuts in crime for some time.”—City Life (Manchester)

“Anyone reading this will do so in one sitting . . . Simms is really a name to watch out for . . . a potential classic.”—Deadly Pleasures

There’s a killer on the roads masquerading as a breakdown rescuer who strikes without warning, killing brutally with no remorse. Roaming the motorways looking for his next victim, even he doesn’t know where and when his next murder will be.

Andy, a young recruit to the traffic police, is determined to hunt the killer down, jeopardizing his own police career in the process. After the third victim is found, he believes he’s seen something crucial—but his more senior partner won’t believe him. Increasingly alienated from his colleagues, Andy becomes obsessed with finding the murderer.

The searcher is an outcast from society: Lonely and misunderstood, he unwittingly links Andy and the killer through his midnight searches of the motorway.

As the police fail in their search for the killer and the murders continue, increasingly savage and unprovoked, Andy is determined to bring them to a halt. The action he takes brings all three together in a chilling finale.

Chris Simms has worked in airports, nightclubs, post offices, and telesales centers. After traveling throughout the world he settled near Manchester, England.