V Books
V Books is the website for the novels of Ian Ridley. For many years, Ian was a sports writer on national newspapers, including The Guardian, The Observer and The Mail on Sunday. After also writing 14 sports books, he now pens crime and thriller fiction. His first novel in the Jan Mason, investigative journalist series, OUTER CIRCLE, was republished by V in June of 2022, with the second book, DON'T TALK , appearing on 8 November 2022. His third novel, in a literary genre and entitled DARK CLOUDS BRING WATERS, was released in November 2023.
We all have questions for the dead…
Comedy writer Luke Jessop’s life is in stasis. He hasn’t written a word since his wife, Billie, died almost three years ago and on finding a pile of old letters from her ex, Adam, he has begun to wonder how well he really knew her. Embarking on a pilgrimage to Italy, Luke determines to piece together the full story about his wild and sometimes secretive love. But with Adam refusing to answer his questions and a flame-haired hotel guest threatening his fragile calm, can Luke finally face the truths of the past and learn to live again?
“I went to Cambridge with the germ of an idea – a premise - for another novel. What would be the consequences if somebody walked into an AA meeting and shared that they might have killed their partner in a drunken blackout? From there, over the next two years of our Covid-interrupted course, DON’T TALK took shape.”
Ian on the new Jan Mason Story, DON'T TALK
read the full notes and acknowledgements here>
A roller coaster of a thriller that grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go… As topical as today’s newspaper, you’ll be convinced it’s actually happened.
STEPHEN LEATHER
WHEN investigative reporter Jan Mason discovers that a young woman found strangled to death in her Chelsea flat is the daughter of a prominent politician, she knows she has a big story on her hands.
What she doesn’t know yet is that a mystery man has just told a stunned Alcoholics Anonymous meeting nearby that he might have killed his partner in a drunken blackout. And that Jan’s old flame, Frank Phillips, the Metropolitan Police’s deputy head of counter terrorism and a recovering alcoholic himself, was in that meeting - bound by its code of confidentiality. Soon, a member of the AA meeting will also be found dead, strangled with the same scarf.
Resourceful, well-connected, and always one step ahead of the police, Jan is willing to put herself in harm’s way if it means catching a killer. And landing a front page exclusive.
When catching a killer means betraying a code…
Book 2 in the Jan Mason series
OUTER CIRCLE –
The story
It’s the morning after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. The city is relaxed as rarely before and all are delighted at how spectacularly a country newly at ease with itself has hosted the uplifting event.
The capital, however, will be rudely and brutally awoken from its self-congratulation by a shocking atrocity committed upon innocent Muslims at the London Central Mosque in Regent’s Park.
How could it happen? Why did it happen? Is this a terrorist attack? Is it political? Or is it personal?
OUTER CIRCLE marks the first appearance of investigative journalist Jan Mason, one of five characters thrown together by this tragic event and the aftermath of anxiety and reprisal as the answers dramatically emerge.
