IT’S a simple twist of fate by Philippa Longman and Roisin McAvoy when they save a desperate man at Bridlington and end up in the sights of a sadistic killer. The case also embroils DS McAvoy, who will do anything to keep his wife alive.

Desperate stuff, as they might say in Ireland, but this is a crime thriller which explores the depth and breadth of evil and keeps you guessing and hoping and shows that Mark, who will be appearing at Theakston’s Crime Festival at Harrogate later this year, has the force with him.