LONDON, CHRISTMAS MORNING. 09:13am. Disgraced hedge fund manager Graham Poynter hides shamefully in his Belgravia mansion. 10:16am. A masked intruder stands over Poynter and his terrified family, while the last remaining security guard hangs impaled on a railing spike outside the house. 10:38am. Surrounding the scene are police helicopters, special forces teams, and Ed Mallory - blind hostage negotiator - who must stop this twisted retribution.

'This thriller has more twists than a bagful of snakes - and as much bite ... A must read' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH on Baptism