Thriller set in Bangkok and Ko Samet
GIVEAWAY: a copy each of Oracle (Delphi) and Plague (London)
16th May 2021
We are delighted to be able to offer 3 winners a copy each of Oracle (Delphi) and Plague (London) by Julie Anderson.
UK ONLY
Oracle
Justice will be done, but what kind of justice?
High on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, near the ancient Temple of Apollo, a group of young idealists protest against the despoiling of the planet outside a European governmental conference. Inside, corporate business lobbyists mingle with lawmakers, seeking profit and influence. Then the charismatic leader of the protest goes missing.
Oracle is about justice, from the brutal, archaic form of blood vengeance prevalent in early human societies to modern systems of law and jurisprudence, set in the context of a democracy. This is the law and equality under the law which allows democracy to thrive and underpins the freedoms and safeguards for individuals within it. The story is interlinked with Greece’s past, as the ancient cradle of democracy and source of many of western ideas of government, but also to its more recent and violent past of military strongmen and authoritarianism in the twentieth century.
Oracle also considers, in the form of a crime thriller, the politicisation of the police and the justice system and how that will undermine justice, especially following the banning of Golden Dawn, the now criminal organisation which wrapped itself in the mantle of politics. It touches on the new academic discipline of zemiology, the study of ‘crime’ through the prism of the harm it does to people, especially those without power. (here you can read about her research of locale)
Plague
There are many ways to die. Plague is just one of them.
Work on a London tube line is halted by the discovery of an ancient plague pit and, within it, a very recent corpse. A day later another body is found, killed in the same way, also in a plague pit. This victim is linked to the Palace of Westminster, where rumours swirl around the Prime Minister and his rivals.
As the number of deaths climbs, the media stokes fear. Government assurances are disbelieved. Everyone feels threatened. This has to be resolved and fast.
The Westminster connection enables Detective Inspector Andrew Rowlands, working alone on a series of rapes and murders of vulnerable young people in central London, to finally persuade his superiors that there is a pattern. He is assigned to lead the case. Cassandra Fortune, a disgraced civil servant, is given the uncomfortable task of investigating the investigation, while joining forces with Rowlands to find the killers before Parliament rises for recess.
Together they navigate the arcane world of the Palace of Westminster as the body count grows. But someone is leaking important details about the case to the press and the media ratchets up the pressure. Misinformation and malice online feeds distrust and panic and the Black Death begins to stalk the streets of London once again.
Meanwhile the commercial and political world focuses on the launch of a huge government Thames-side building programme worth billions. Powerful forces, in Parliament and the City, are competing for its spoils. How, if at all, does this link with the killings? Drawn into the melee, Cassandra Fortune finds herself the object of the attentions of one of the major players, wealthy City broker, Lawrence Delahaye. The attraction is mutual. Fortune and Rowlands discover a shadowy underground network of influence and power as they race against the clock to prevent the death of more innocents and the destruction of the Mother of Parliaments itself. Cassandra will be forced to make a terrible decision as she faces ruin. Time is running out and it’s not clear what, or who, is going to survive. (here you can read about her research of locale)
HOW TO ENTER
You must be a member of TripFiction. It is simple to join if you are not already a member. Got to www.tripfiction.com, scroll down until you find the JOIN NOW tab. We do check!
Then in the Comments below simply tell us whether you would prefer a trip to London or a trip to Greece (travel restrictions not being an issue, of course!) and what you would like to see in either place – perhaps you have some top tips, too, that you would like to share with our members? The winners will be chosen at random. UK ONLY and enter by midnight, 29th May. Good luck. If you haven’t had the chance to read Julie’s books, now is your chance!
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The winners are:
Kingfisher33
Shaz162
felixbelix
No-brainer. Sign me up for a Greek island!
A trip to Greece
Greece – I would love to do some island hopping. We have been to Athens and loved it so now would like to spend some time on some of the islands.
A difficult choice. I have always been fascinated by Greek history as well as its myths and legends but am terrified of flying and at 73 I don’t think I will ever be brave enough to get on a plane. I knew London very well as a student in the 1960s and used to visit regularly when treated to shows by my daughter for birthday/ Christmas presents. Seems to be a long time since I saw live theatre (thanks to Covid) so on balance I’d choose London over Greece
Trip to London to see The National Covid Memorial Wall.
Such a difficult choice. Can I do both?
London to catch a show and see the Tower of London
I’d go to London to catch a show and visit the Tower of London
I’d love a trip to Crete, but quite happy at Lion King in the west end!
London. See Les Miserables
London. West end show, breakfast in Covent Garden, stroll along the embankment.
A trip to Greece – rather see a bit of countryside or sea
Greece for the Moussaka.
A trip to London as there’s so much to see and visit without ruining the ozone layer with plane travel
Greece! Looking forward to going back to my favourite place Elounda in Crete to see old friends – and also exploring new islands and making new memories 🙂
trip to greece! love to stroll around the small streets of corfu
a trip to Greece
Would prefer a trip to greece and I would like to see the acropolis in Athens
I would love to visit Greece again after so many years. The people, food and culture are second to none and a wonderful experience. The ancient sites are an experience that brought home to me that the human experience does not change, no matter how many years pass!
I’d love to go to Greece and see all the ancient ruins
Sunny Greece please! Would love to go there!
Love Greece – been such a long time since ive roamed and seen the sights
I’d love to visit London and a trip to the Natural History Museum or The British Musuem would be top of the list for me.
I’d love to win a trip to Greese we’ve never been before
Oh yes please, would love to be your winner x
Hello, while I do love London, I would love to visit Greece. I would visit the village Agia Anna that is the setting for the book ‘Night Of Rain And Stars’ by Maeve Binchy.
I think I would choose Greece – for the sunshine and the views!
I’m familiar with London so I’d love to go to Greece, a country I’ve never visited – in fact I had a holiday there booked before the world went wrong last year, so of course that didn’t happen. The main thing I’d like to experience is the food – in restaurants and cafes of every type, in markets and in homes.
I’d love to visit Greece, warm, welcoming people, fabulous fresh food.
As I live in London, I would choose to revisit Greece – lovely food, lots of interesting places to see – if only!
I pick London as it’s within an hour by train of my mum and dad who I haven’t seen due to Covid since christmas 2019
London – there are so many back streets that I would just love to wander around in, those tiny roads that can only take one car at a time. Fabulous place.
London – not been able to go back home for 18 months due to Covid!
I would love to visit Greece for its ancient sites, soak up the sun and enjoy the food
Would love a trip to Greece, my spiritual home.
I’d go to Greece…already in London .. would love to see ancient sites ,sea and sunshine!!!
I would pick London, I’ve just got a walking book with 5 routes all based on Samuel Pepys, ideal chance to do a couple of the walks.
J
I would prefer a trip to Greece, to see the sea! Am missing my holidays! ♀️
Would have to be Greece for the sunshine and lovely food x