This novel is the third in the Davies King series and whilst it is a 'standalone' tale, it also follows on from the enigmatic and audacious thriller 'Moonlight Shadows'. Whilst the story is fictitious, many will clearly see a close proximity to the reality of life in the twenty-first century. The work describes a couple of megalomaniacs who attempt to blackmail the British Government by a series of threats. When they realise they aren't being taken seriously, the threats are extended and 'go viral'. With both Europe and the United States of America intimidated, the authorities must decide whether an attack will come from either cyberspace or by the deployment of a bombing campaign - perhaps both - and how they will counter it. But once the assault begins, it is obvious these criminals are capable of much more than was ever anticipated. The first stages of dystopia are experienced and leave communities reeling and in fear of a massive cyberspace attack. Neither historic, technocratic or futuristic, this novel delivers one element of the cyberspace war whilst probing the relationships of those involved on both sides of the fence. It's a very modern and up to date story of both personal and international relationships.
Synopsis:
Compromising
photographs discovered in a vacant office in central London are not immediately
connected to a ferocious attack on Davies King. But when the campaign against the
chief of detectives and his closest friends turns to blackmail, it becomes personal.
A series of horrendous bomb
attacks and brutal shootings convince Davies to discharge himself from hospital
and confront the most wanted’ criminals in the United Kingdom.
Disillusioned with a temporary chief constable, and anxious to relieve a stressed out bomb disposal officer, the chess-playing detective joins forces with British Intelligence to challenge the megalomaniacs who are holding the nation to ransom.
Disillusioned with a temporary chief constable, and anxious to relieve a stressed out bomb disposal officer, the chess-playing detective joins forces with British Intelligence to challenge the megalomaniacs who are holding the nation to ransom.
Her Majesty’s
Government announce a Tier One threat level as the lights across the south of
England are extinguished and parts of Europe and North America face the reality
of the first stages of society’s breakdown - Dystopia.
It’s a simple question
for the obstinate detective to answer. Does the country pay the ransom or do the
lights go out?
It’s not rocket
science, but who makes the decision, and why?
Review:
Five stars awarded (amazon)- A well written, bang up to date or even ahead of its time plot, written by an obviously knowledgeable, well informed author.... Peter Baxter, Reader.
Review: Five stars awarded (amazon) - "Behead The Serpent" by the talented author Paul Anthony is a must read. An intriguing cyberspace chess game is being played, where Davies King's mental sharpness, keen intelligence, and physical ability are tested and questioned as he tries to discover in time, who is behind a devious plot threatening his friends, himself, and the world.
Highly recommend by CC Champagne, author of 'That Moment'
Review:
Five stars awarded (amazon)- A well written, bang up to date or even ahead of its time plot, written by an obviously knowledgeable, well informed author.... Peter Baxter, Reader.
Review: Five stars awarded (amazon) - "Behead The Serpent" by the talented author Paul Anthony is a must read. An intriguing cyberspace chess game is being played, where Davies King's mental sharpness, keen intelligence, and physical ability are tested and questioned as he tries to discover in time, who is behind a devious plot threatening his friends, himself, and the world.
Highly recommend by CC Champagne, author of 'That Moment'
REVIEW: This tale is so up to date it is unbelievable. Part mystery, part spy adventure, always a thriller, and at a time when the world's hackers have carried out the biggest ever DDOS (Distributed denial of service) on the world wide web, Paul Anthony's typical multi genre work pre-empts reality with a fascinating story that penetrates the very essence of life in the world of Intelligence. A brilliant piece of fiction aided and abetted by some classic characters.
Dan, Reader... Grange Over Sands...
What are the 'spies' talking about? What are they up to?
What is the next move in the world of covert espionage?
REVIEW: Could a cyberspace war really happen? Read this fascinating novel and you realise, yes it could! Detective Chief Inspector Davies King flies by the seat of his pants taking everyone along with him as he tackles the problem threatening society... ‘Another cracking ‘unputdownable’ read from Paul Anthony.’
Pauline Livingstone, Editor...
REVIEW:
Another fast-paced, action-packed thriller from Paul Anthony. Davies
King, the hard-nosed chess master detective, needs all his cunning, skill, and
nerve to play a megalomanic and a terrorist at their own game. When the very
fabric of not only his personal life, but that of society as we know it, is
threatened, Davies has to be at his masterly best. The consequence of failure
is disaster on an international scale.....
A real page-turner from start
to finish... Meg Johnston, author.
I can’t wait. For more information on Paul Anthony and his books.
Scott Whitmore, Journalist, author, book critic, retired US Navy.
Click on Paul Anthony for copies of this novel in print and Kindle
