AMALGAMATED ARTS
Author’s Comments & Reader’s Reviews
THE EXECUTIVE
An intense, exciting thriller with a fast-paced narrative weaving between London and Vienna as journalist Josh Brody seeks the truth behind the covering-up of a murder.
When an African diplomat dies in his hotel room from a heart attack after buying the services of a call girl, the doctor conducting the autopsy is unhappy with his findings but receives pressure from above to ignore his suspicions and close the case. Unable openly to oppose his superiors, he calls freelance journalist Josh Brody and asks him quietly to investigate. Struggling to keep up his alimony payments and trying to be a decent, if absent, father, Brody needs an assignment and so agrees to help.
His initial enquiries produce nothing significant, and he is about to abandon the story, when he unexpectedly discovers there has been a definite attempt at official cover-up. Sensing the possibility of a big story, the journalist begins to dig beneath the apparent facts and starts to uncover the extraordinary truth. His enquiry takes him to Vienna where he finds yet more contradictory evidence and slowly discovers a conspiracy more sinister and far reaching than he could possibly imagine.
Faced with forces he cannot hope to defeat, Brody’s investigation not only puts his own life at risk but places his family and everything he loves in danger.
Michael Heath describes his inspiration and the writing process of this novel –
My usual practice when contemplating a new novel is to spend several weeks merely thinking – refining ideas and possibilities and playing with the scenario until I feel I have the structure and arc of the story.
The genesis of The Executive was strikingly different. With only a vague notion of the theme of the tale I was going to tell, I sat down and wrote the prologue in one sitting. Something in the process of setting that initial scene onto the page began to clarify my thoughts and from that point the story began to flow in something of a flood and I finished the first draft of the book very quickly.
I don’t want to give away the plot – which twists unexpectedly and surprises the reader – so will simply say that this is a thriller that causes one to think and reconsider some of the events of our times that may have very different origins from those we are led to believe.The story is set in both London and Vienna – two cities that I know really well and love – and follows the trail of freelance journalist Josh Brody as his investigations lead him on a terrifying journey into a sinister and covert world.
Reader’s Reviews
“Thoroughly compelling and exciting reading, especially the chase – The whole story is so descriptive you really can picture yourself there as you’re swept along. As with all the author’s books it was hard to stop once started.” – Jillian Turner
“A great read – I found it hard to put this book down. The characters felt so real and the premise of the plot had me really wondering if it might be going on in the real world. A terrific read.” – Boysie
“A terrific thriller with a very unusual plot line – I hope this doesn’t happen in real life – but I’m not so sure.” – Delboy
“Brilliant! – Really enjoyed this book – love the characters and places around Southend and London.” – Amazon Customer
“Couldn’t put it down – Smashing read, thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Amazon Customer
“Brilliant book! – Really gripping thriller….loved the car chase sequence!” – Amazon Customer
“Kept me guessing – loved the suspense.” – Mrs Yvonne Smith