The Scarlet Papers
The Times Thriller of the Year 2023
Published on 7. December 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
592 pages
978-1-4059-2483-2 (ISBN)
Description
THE BOOK THOSE IN THE KNOW ARE CALLING THE BEST SPY NOVEL OF THE YEAR
*** One of the 50 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 in the Daily Telegraph ***
*** A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ***
*** A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ***
'Superbly constructed in an elaborate twisty spy yarn. It's highly unlikely that there will be a better espionage novel this year' THE SUNDAY TIMES
'A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making' PETER JAMES
'Hugely impressive and compelling' WILLIAM BOYD
'A natural-born storyteller' JEFFERY DEAVER
___________
London, present day
Historian Max Archer is invited to a clandestine meeting with legendary Cold War spymaster, Scarlet King.
Her offer to share the explosive secrets born of over half a century at the heart of global espionage would be life-changing.
But Max has little reason to trust a woman whose name is a byword for deceit and ruthlessness.
Soon he is on the wrong side of the law and on the run. As the net closes tighter around him he must somehow discover the truth.
Because it's not just his life on the line - but also the fate of the Western world . . .
___________
'Intricate and fast moving, it weaves a thrilling spell' DAILY MAIL
'Smart, slick and totally gripping . . . The Scarlet Papers is always credible, always startling and almost painfully human. A total triumph' TONY PARSONS
'A masterpiece' TIM GLISTER
*** DISCOVER MY NAME IS NOBODY AND THE INSIDER, FURTHER SPY NOVELS BY MATTHEW RICHARDSON ***
*** One of the 50 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 in the Daily Telegraph ***
*** A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ***
*** A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ***
'Superbly constructed in an elaborate twisty spy yarn. It's highly unlikely that there will be a better espionage novel this year' THE SUNDAY TIMES
'A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making' PETER JAMES
'Hugely impressive and compelling' WILLIAM BOYD
'A natural-born storyteller' JEFFERY DEAVER
___________
London, present day
Historian Max Archer is invited to a clandestine meeting with legendary Cold War spymaster, Scarlet King.
Her offer to share the explosive secrets born of over half a century at the heart of global espionage would be life-changing.
But Max has little reason to trust a woman whose name is a byword for deceit and ruthlessness.
Soon he is on the wrong side of the law and on the run. As the net closes tighter around him he must somehow discover the truth.
Because it's not just his life on the line - but also the fate of the Western world . . .
___________
'Intricate and fast moving, it weaves a thrilling spell' DAILY MAIL
'Smart, slick and totally gripping . . . The Scarlet Papers is always credible, always startling and almost painfully human. A total triumph' TONY PARSONS
'A masterpiece' TIM GLISTER
*** DISCOVER MY NAME IS NOBODY AND THE INSIDER, FURTHER SPY NOVELS BY MATTHEW RICHARDSON ***
Reviews / Votes
Chosen by many readers as the best spy novel of this year * Daily Telegraph, 2023 * Superbly constructed and written with flair, it manages to debunk John le Carre's world and to reaffirm its mystique. It's highly unlikely that there will be a better espionage novel this year * Sunday Times * Standout * Guardian, Books of the Year 2023 * A natural-born storyteller * JEFFERY DEAVER * A shot in the arm for thriller fans * THE TIMES * Blissfully ingenious * Daily Telegraph * A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making -- PETER JAMES This is the most impressive espionage debut since Mick Herron's Slow Horses. Filled with fast-moving action and a fine line in threat, it weaves a thrilling spell * DAILY MAIL * Hugely impressive and compelling -- WILLIAM BOYD Look out for The Scarlet Papers . . . Engrossing -- STEVE CAVANAGHMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 132 mm
Thickness: 50 mm
Weight
411 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4059-2483-2 (9781405924832)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2023
Penguin Books Ltd
€8.99
Available for download
Person
Matthew Richardson studied English at Durham University and Merton College, Oxford. After a brief spell as a freelance journalist, he began working as a researcher and speechwriter in Westminster, and has also written speeches for senior figures in the private sector. He is the author of My Name is Nobody and The Insider.