The Mayfly is a high-octane thriller from an exhilarating new voice, perfect for fans of Jeffery Deaver, The Silence of the Lambs and MJ Arlidge.
Before turning his hand to writing, James Hazel was a lawyer in private practice specialising in corporate and commercial litigation and employment law. He was an equity partner in a regional law firm and held a number of different department headships until he quit legal practice to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He has a keen interest in criminology and a passion for crime thrillers, indie music and all things retro. James lives on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds with his wife and three children.
James Hazel grabs you from the off and doesn't let go until the
very end. This is his first novel. It's definitely not his last
*Martyn Waites*
A compelling mystery that has you tearing through the pages.
Charlie Priest is a genius creation. He's brilliant and border-line
dysfunctional but you can't help liking him. Highly recommended
*James Carol, author of the Jefferson Winter series*
Occasionally horrifically shiver inducing, never less than
irresistible, The Mayfly is really top notch. Intelligently
constructed, characters to die for and a truly sterling opening to
what I hope will be a long running series. Charlie Priest. Remember
the name.
*Liz Loves Books*
Addictive. There is something wonderfully macabre about Hazel's
debut thriller. It may well be the motley crew that surrounds
Priest, (who isn't exactly without his own difficulties), who
entranced me . . . With this marvellous cast, Hazel's thriller
certainly keeps rolling along at a cracking pace . . . I can
honestly say that I haven't completed a book in such double quick
time as I did The Mayfly. Having been reviewing for over twelve
years now, I can sense a good thriller. You will be guaranteed to
be on to a winner with The Mayfly
*CrimeSquad*
A compulsive and engaging read. I liked the characters, and the
plot was interesting . . . A little gory, and with plenty to keep
the reader guessing!
*Bibliophile Book Club*
Wow! What a book, I was hooked from page one and didn't put it down
until I had finished it. Dark, gory and compelling . . . The
characters are all good but Charlie and Georgie are two excellent
and likeable people which makes you want to help them and keep them
out of danger. I cannot wait until the next book
*Breakaway Reviewers*
'The Mayfly is a cracking psychological mystery. I loved the
character of Charlie Priest...he quickly grew on me with his quick
thinking, smart wit and sense of humour. The plot hums along at
quite a pace...A sharply told tale - I look forward to seeing what
Mr Priest gets up to next.'
*Espresso Coco*
An impressive debut . . . Hazel has a gift for a gripping plot, an
abundantly more-ish, aphoristic prose style, and a quirky humour
underlying the most violent and excessive set pieces, of which
there are many in this clever debut. He's suitably handy with neat
character description, and also with one disturbing revelation
following another in quick succession, without seeming to be
completely implausible. The Mayfly is what Fleming would have
called an "unashamed thriller", with Hazel adept at giving the
reader those heightened feelings of suspense, excitement and
anxiety. It is a nice hybrid of mystery and horror: monsters,
terror and peril inhabit Priest's world
*The Australian*
'In terms of the plot, you can tell this was really well
researched. The plot, as a whole, is pretty unique, and the ties to
WWII and the Nazis was definitely the reason I picked this one
up..'
*Book Bum*
'Corporate lawyer James Hazel quit his job specialising in
commercial litigation and employment law in order to write and, if
that was a risk, it has paid off as his debut novel sees him as a
welcome addition to the quality British crime-writing market...a
strong debut. Those looking for a new quality crime series and for
some summer chills may wish to seek this out.'
*Reviews Revues*
'What a chilling read this was!! It cleverly mixed the now and then
and seamlessly jumped between the two and made the horrific
incidents seem even more grizzly, the more that you learnt! From
the gruesome first chapter this story had me gripped and the author
does a wonderful job of increasing the tension with each
chapter.'
*Books and Me*
'From the start both storylines steam ahead without ever flagging.
However, this is no flimsy action- packed thriller without
substance. For what separates Hazel's book from many lesser crime
fiction novels is the attention to detail and depth of his
characters. Each character is vividly portrayed, as we delve deeply
into their world and find ourselves rooting for some and detesting
others in equal measure...This is a heart thumping page turner with
a difference. It has depth. The characters are brilliantly
portrayed and the narrative is beautifully paced and written with
intelligence and heart.'
*The Book Club Cafe*
The Mayfly is a cracking psychological mystery. I loved the
character of Charlie Priest...he quickly grew on me with his quick
thinking, smart wit and sense of humour. The plot hums along at
quite a pace...A sharply told tale - I look forward to seeing what
Mr Priest gets up to next.
*Espresso Coco*
In terms of the plot, you can tell this was really well researched.
The plot, as a whole, is pretty unique, and the ties to WWII and
the Nazis was definitely the reason I picked this one up.
*Book Bum*
Corporate lawyer James Hazel quit his job specialising in
commercial litigation and employment law in order to write and, if
that was a risk, it has paid off as his debut novel sees him as a
welcome addition to the quality British crime-writing market...a
strong debut. Those looking for a new quality crime series and for
some summer chills may wish to seek this out.
*Reviews Revues*
What a chilling read this was!! It cleverly mixed the now and then
and seamlessly jumped between the two and made the horrific
incidents seem even more grizzly, the more that you learnt! From
the gruesome first chapter this story had me gripped and the author
does a wonderful job of increasing the tension with each
chapter.
*Books and Me*
'I CERTAINLY couldn't do a top book round up without including
James Hazel's "The Mayfly" which may make you shiver and is
probably my favourite one sitting read of the year. You just can't
look away!'
*Liz Loves Books*
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