If I Should Die (Joseph Stark Book 1)

**WINNER of the 2014-2015 Waverton Good Read Award**
If I Should Die is the astounding debut from British author Matthew Frank.
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When a homeless man walks into Greenwich police station and confesses a killing, it should be the admission that cracks open a murder enquiry. Instead, he stumbles out on to the street and collapses, bleeding from a stab wound he's attempted to repair himself . . .
The newest member of the Met's murder investigation team, twenty-five year-old Afghan veteran Joseph Stark, doesn't believe the man's story. Yet it becomes clear that Stark and the down-and-out share a connection. And that this could provide the key to unlocking the case.
Soon, the young detective and his colleagues are drawn deeper into a dark, disturbing world as dangerous as anything Stark has known on the frontline. And where there's enough at stake for a man to risk everything . . .
If I Should Die is the first title in a new crime series, and outstanding characterization, pitch perfect dialogue and precision plotting mark out Matthew Frank as a debut writer to watch. With the introduction of series character and ex-soldier police detective Joseph Stark, fans of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels will be hooked from the word go.
Praise for If I Should Die:
'Skilfully plotted, with a great clarity of style . . . such an original newcomer' Alison Joseph, Chair of the Crime Writer's Association
'A gripping murder story ... Frank brilliantly maintains a balance between the demands of a complex plot and his character's difficulty in returning to civilian life ... an accomplished first novel' Sunday Times
'Well researched and totally convincing, this is the first of several Stark books. Great news if they're as good as this' Sunday Mirror
'A very powerful novel' New Books Magazine
'Joseph Stark is the heart of this narrative. I am so looking forward to meeting him again . . . Riveting.' Dana Stabenow, author of A Cold Day for Murder
'An astonishingly assured debut novel' We Love This Book
'A highly assured debut' Crime Fiction Lover
'Quite simply the best start to a new crime series - and the best debut - I've read in years. Joe Stark is such a terrific hero, full of flaws and compassion and the sort of quiet heroism that you rarely see these days, even in fiction. One of those books I want to bulk buy and press into the hands of everyone I know. The writing is top-notch, the action sequences are superlative, the characters crackle off the page and the dialogue whips and zings like bullets in the dust. Read it!' Sarah Hilary, author of Under the Skin and No Other Darkness
'Very strong. Very well written' Crime Squad
'A powerful debut ... intensity, outstanding characterisation, passion, perfect dialogue and pinpoint plotting' Crime Review
'A great debut introducing an unusual lead character - I'm looking forward to reading more in the series' 5*s - Novel Heights
'Brilliantly written' Oodals Blog