First Thrills - Hardcover

Twenty-five twisted imaginations... an admirable attempt to give a boost to writers with whom the public may not be familiar... Lee Child, who edited the anthology is a master of the genre, but his choice of opener, by the acclaimed Gregg Hurwitz, is a risk: it is so accomplished and involving that the narratives which follow necessarily struggle to reach the same level. However, none of the 25 is a stinker... There is a whole new lexicon to be learnt from at times but it doesn't take away from the quality of the tales and... it adds authenticity to what is often hardboiled crime fiction. * Independent on Sunday * Hands down one of the best short story collections you're ever likely to read * Booklist *STARRED REVIEW* * This is an incredible lineup of new talent. I'm delighted to be part of their introduction to an eager fan base. Readers will be surprised by just how good they are. -- Lee Child

Con men and killers, aliens and zombies, priests and soldiers - just some of the characters that kill and thrill in this compelling collection of gun-toting, double-crossing, back-stabbing, pulse-pounding stories. Jeffery Deaver investigates the suspicious death of a crime-writer in 'The Plot'; Karin Slaughter's grieving widow takes revenge on her dying ex-husband in 'Cold, Cold Heart'; Stephen Coonts discovers a flying saucer in the depths of the ocean in 'Savage Planet' and John Lescroat's secret field agent finds himself caught up in a complex game of cat-and-mouse in 'The Gate Conundrum'. Handpicked by world number one Lee Child, celebrity authors and stars of the future are brought together, writing brand-new stories, especially commissioned for this must-have collection. Whether you're reading today's bestseller or tomorrow's phenomenon, grisly horror or paranoia thriller, historical suspense or supernatural crime, one thing's for certain. You'll be thrilled to the core.