Author:Geoffrey Archer
Project Skydancer was the brainchild of the Ministry of Defence. Beautiful and terrifying in its simplicity, DS29 had designed new warheads for Polaris missiles, warheads that with consummate ease could evade the new batteries of anti-ballistic missiles the Russians had set up around their prime military targets. For Aldermaston scientist Peter Joyce, it was the pinnacle of his career. Until his documents from the project turned up one chilly October morning on Parliament Hill, and the Ministry's prime suspect committed suicide leaving him with only two alternatives: write off a billion-pound project, or approve tests which could give Russia the power to wipe out the West at the touch of a button-.
The plotting and timing of this story is absolutely perfect, and the author does an incredible job keeping the reader's interest and making it completely impossible for readers to solve the mystery.
—— Suspense MagazineIntense and suspenseful, with a strong, vulnerable heroine and an intriguing plot, this one will keep readers guessing. A riveting read.
—— Romantic TimesA gripping, expertly told high adrenaline read.
—— Irish IndependentThe best Will Trent novel yet.
—— Daily TelegraphDark, atmospheric tale of murder in a small-town world.
—— StylistA dark but powerful debut novel ... Hoffman maps the atmosphere of paranoia that descends on the formerly tranquil town as she moves deftly between its inhabitants.
—— The New YorkerA skillful, psychologically acute tale of how violence affects a small town
—— Los Angeles Times[A] fearless first novel
—— New York Times Book ReviewThis female-centric thriller gets to grips with financial and familial intrigue: a stylish debut
—— Emma Hagestadt , IndependentFast-paced thriller
—— Big Issue in the NorthTruly deserves the description "a real page-turner"
—— ROBERT GODDARDA deservedly acclaimed read.
—— Time Out LondonA fascinating, funny and memorable read
—— Melvin Burgess , GuardianThe clash between Christopher's view of the world and the way it looks to the rest of us makes this an extraordinarily moving, often blackly funny read. It is hard to think of anyone who would not be moved and delighted by this book, so the decision to publish it simultaneously for older children and adults is certainly well-founded
—— Financial TimesA wonderful first person narrative of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome; funny, sad and extraordinarily original
—— GuardianI'm all for hearing different voices in fiction and I got my wish with this book. The story showed just how someone with Asperger's might view the world. Christopher finds a dead dog and sets about trying to find the dog's killer, but the book is much more than a mystery story... I loved the way Christopher tries to bring order to his world by using Maths which he finds far easier to understand than people
—— Malorie Blackman , Books for KeepsSo genuine...It is chillingly heartbreaking and passionately positive in equal measure
—— Julia Eccleshare , Books for KeepsSo what makes these different to any other set of classics? In a moment of inspiration Random House had the bright idea of actually asking Key stage 2 children what extra ingredients they could add to make children want to read. And does it work? Well, put it this way...my 13-year-old daughter announced that she had to read a book over the summer holiday and, without any prompting, spotted The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas...and proceeded to read it! Now, if you knew my 13-year-old daughter, you would realise that this is quite remarkable. She reads texts, blogs and tags by the thousand - but this is the first book she has read since going to high school, so all hail Vintage Classics!
—— National Association for the Teaching of English