Paul Purnell

Forty years as a barrister in criminal practice have provided me with a rich collection of stories and events which have fired my imagination. I have written ttwo volumes of short stories aimed at a wide spectrum of readers; from romance to thrillers and all short enough for the commuter or the bedtime reader. The first collection is entitled 'Tombola'-you dip in and pull out a treat!

The second called "Sinister Highway" is a medley of Thriller and Magical Realism stories.

Following on from the short stories, the first of a series of thrillers "The Kazak Contract" is based on the work of James Ballantyne, a disgraced ex army officer. It leads the reader on a wild and dangerous adventure in the savage world of Kazakhstan. Greed and violence dominate the underworld which exists in this cross roads of Asia.

The second in the series 'The Tontine Trap' was published on the 5th July 2018. It's an exciting development on the first -'Kazak Contract' and brings Ballantyne into combat with the criminal world and plutocrats dominating trade in essential industries. It's a thrilling rollercoaster of danger as James combats sinister enemies. Their power extends from Russia to the USA and Eastern Europe. How can he engineer a way to neutralise their plans? Treachery and corruption surround him as he brings his own vengeance into the struggle.

The third in the Ballantyne Thriller Series "Ballantyne at Bay" is another great roller-coaster trip. His life has undergone serious changes. He takes his chances on an assignment in Africa with the U.N. The conflict with brutal war lords presents a challenge to democratic government with James thrust into the flames of bitter conflict. There is no place for fair play or mercy. Kill or be killed is the rule of the game.

The fourth in the series (published in2023) brings him right upto date after the Covid Epidemic.He is rejected in his attempt to return to Foreign Office special service and is drawn into the doubtful world of oligarch protection. Dangerous contacts leads him into conflict with a drug cartel and a beautiful heiress. His passion for her is a pathway to trouble and a nerve wracking escape to safety.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has terrible collateral effects on the black economy in arms and military materiel. He seeks to infiltrate the trade to expose it,but faces the sophisticated network of mercenaries and their overlords who control the trade. Is he running out of luck? Can he survive in this increasingly complex world?

Look for it "Ballantyne Betrayed" on Amazon or Google play or Kindle.

Paulpurnell.com