It takes a man with no limits to catch a killer with no motive
When ex-Marine Corps Scout Sniper and infamous serial killer Caleb Wardell breaks out from Death Row, logic suggests he will go to ground. But Wardell has never been one to follow rules. He starts to cut a bloody swathe across America, picking up where he left off five years ago.
The FBI are ordered to capture Wardell by any means necessary. With election day approaching, and hunting a skilled serial killer trained in the arts of evasion, they are forced to call in secretive manhunter, Carter Blake – a man with certain specialised talents and a shadowy past. A past that involves Caleb Wardell…
But when the manhunt quickly spirals out of control amidst a media and public frenzy, Blake finds himself sidelined from the case. Aided only by Special Agent Elaine Banner, and racked by guilt, Carter knows that he must use all of his expertise if he is to track down the psychopathic killer before it is too late…
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Longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2015
Praise for The Killing Season
“My kind of book”
– Lee Child
*
“Pulse-pounding. Mason Cross launches into The Killing Season with no-holds barred, as he deftly combines an adrenaline rush plot with one of the best new series characters since Jack Reacher. Prepare to read all night.”
– Lisa Gardner
*
“Mason Cross has created an enigmatic character in Carter Blake, a mystery man who is both cerebral and ruthless, an inexorable protagonist on the trail of an equally relentless and dangerous enemy. The writing is taut, intelligent, oozes suspense, and is an accomplished first book: The Killing Season is a highly impressivedebut novel. Cross is a name to watch, and I eagerly await the next Carter Blake thriller.”
– Matt Hilton
*
“Cross brings his native city’s sharp-edged ferocity to this debut thriller and in the process creates one of the most interesting ‘loner’ heroes to have arrived in recent years…Told with pace and vigour by a writer who seems to have a natural aptitude for thrillers, it is not to be missed.”
*
“An American setting, universal themes, top-class writing, Scottish author – it’s a recipe that makes a deadly impact in this impressively sharp debut.”
– Daily Record
*
“British author Cross makes a spectacular U.S. debut with this harrowing thriller. The gripping, intense pace and the intriguing characters will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Hope for a sequel!”
– Library Journal (starred review)
*
“Cross’s engrossing debut, the first in a new crime series, introduces Carter Blake, a man without a home and with no personal ties, but with a knack for finding people who don’t want to be found…The body count grows as Wardell goes on a rampage in several states. The suspense builds all the way to the breathtaking ending. Readers will look forward to seeing more of Blake. “
*
“Keeps the pace breakneck, the suspense high, and the body-count higher.”
– Booklist
*
“Cross provides a gratifyingly high body count, ruthlessly efficient action sequences and all the other thrills you’d expect of the superior popcorn movie you can expect his first novel to spawn, right down to a nifty extra twist in the tail.”
– Kirkus (starred review)
*
“I cannot sing this novel’s praises highly enough – it’s a joy to read, utterly engaging and kept me hooked right from the first page to the last. There’s high stakes and high tension, and the chemistry between Blake and Banner sizzles off the page. If you love action thrillers, if you love crime fiction, go and read this book. I’m sure you won’t regret it.”
*
“This really is a superb, read in one go novel, and I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of Blake in the future.”
– Crimetime
*
“As I read I could feel myself being manipulated by an efficient player and didn’t mind. For whiling away a sleepless night or an airport delay, this would be ideal.”
*
“I certainly wasn’t disappointed – I devoured The Killing Season over a couple of days and I’m just about getting my breath back.”
*
“A very fine debut penned with the smooth style and skill of a much more experienced writer, this adds a new name to the gamut of special operatives and high-tension characters and plots so loved by thriller readers…I know it’s been said already, but I’ll say it again: this is one to watch out for.”
– Shots
*
“A suspenseful thriller debut introducing Carter Blake, a bullet-proof American hero in the mould of Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne, created by a new British author … A breathless race against time ensues with all the gilt-edge thrills and more. Relentless and no holds barred, a guilty pleasure of a read.”
*
“With a terrific supporting cast, the occasional moment that will have you hyperventilating and a magnificent final showdown – don’t you just love it when a book lives up to its initial promise and doesnt fall flat? – this was brilliantly done. Absolutely.”
*
“Hooked immediately. This guy is as good as David Baldacci.”
– Fiona Sharp
*
“The Killing Season had me intrigued right from the first line and the rest of the book did not disappoint. Action packed and with a clever plot, this thriller was fantastic and flawless.”
*
“In his debut novel, Mason Cross has really hit the ground running, there’s no doubt about that. The Killing Season delivers time and again with smart big-screen thrills.”
*
“Mason Cross has created a new, nameless, fascinating hero who has a great future ahead of him.”
*
“Cross has produced an engaging character whose wit, mysterious background and often dubious moral stance keep the reader coming back for more … A seemingly effortless and assured debut, you’ll be jonesing for your next Mason Cross/Carter Blake fix before you’ve even finished this first helping.”
*
“A great mix of intrigue, strong characters and a thrilling plot which reels you in from the first page. This debut has the feel of an author who is destined to become well practiced in producing best-selling thrillers.”
*
“The anticipation is fantastic and I had me not wanting to put the book down as I just couldn’t wait to read what happened next.”
– Walking With Angels
*
“The Killing Season by Mason Cross is one of those terrific debuts that you almost often never hear about. I loved it for all the aforementioned qualities and if you happen to be a fan of thriller stories by Robert Crais, Lee Child and Jeffrey Deaver, then the first Carter Blake volume is a book you absolutely shouldn’t miss.”
*
“There is plenty of action to be found here, and it’s so intense and well-visualized that I really felt like I was watching a movie.”
*
“This is without doubt one of the best debut thrillers that I’ve read in a long time – a fantastic page turner that left me totally hooked on Carter Blake and Mason Cross has left me wanting more.”
*
“Cross provides plot twists that raise the ante, as well as the suspense. Hard to believe this one’s a debut; I’ll be watching for more of his books.”