One death scene in STATION HELIX was written for dramatic effect. I didn’t think much more about it until I neared the end of the book, but then I found myself wondering if the anonymous hitman who had pulled the trigger had his own story to tell. A new plot was born. I was keen to explore the aftermath of that incident.

While Alex Hannay still has a key function in this book, the role of the series protagonist is partly handed to Chris Loner. Whereas Alex was drawn into a dangerous situation in the first book, Chris tries to flee one in THE ELZEVIR COLLECTIVE. But, of course, it’s impossible for him to escape his past.

THE ELZEVIR COLLECTIVE is heavily influenced by David Morrell’s THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE. It was the first of his books I read and it remains a frequently revisited favourite; a true classic in the modern espionage genre which combines elements of British and American thriller styles. My book is a humble tribute to Morrell.

A writer’s second novel can be a challenge but I thoroughly enjoyed inventing the plot for the sequel. Completing a second book proves that the first one wasn’t a fluke. Thankfully, my characters had more to say after STATION HELIX. I’m grateful to them for that. Perhaps it was unfair that I rewarded them with even more peril.

When I started THE ELZEVIR COLLECTIVE I knew there would be a third book in this set; I wanted to conclude Alex Hannay’s story arc while increasing the jeopardy for him and his friends. I decided to delve into the idea of a secret spymaster cabal. The next book in the series is TORUS.

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