A gripping noir thriller that exposes the dark heart of a nation in turmoil.
Journalist Martin Gillie has vanished, and his wife wants him found. It seems like a straightforward case for newly arrived Ash Carter. But in post-war Philippines, nothing is ever straightforward.
Carter follows a trail that leads from the smoky boxing rings of Manila to the rebel-haunted provinces. And as Carter digs, with each uncovered clue, the stakes rise higher. The police can't be trusted. The military has its own agenda.
Carter begins to wonder: Is Martin Gillie hiding from something—or someone? And if Carter finds him, will either of them live to tell the story?
It is such a pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for No Safe Place to Hide today. Many thanks to Murray Bailey for inviting me and for my advance digital copy of the novel.
Ash Carter was first introduced in the Singapore series, followed by the prequel Near-East books and is Murray Bailey's most enduring character. No Safe Place to Hide is the first book in Murray Bailey's latest series and is set soon after events in Singapore Fire. As all three series have been written to be read in any order, it's the perfect place for new readers to acquaint themselves with both this brilliant character and the talented author behind him.
It's January 1954 and the Philippines has recently sworn in a new president. Ash Carter's boat has been forced to make an unplanned stopover there due to engine trouble. We are given an immediate sense of the man when he engages with a tumultuous protest; despite having no skin in the game, he steps in to protect a woman who is being beaten by the police. Carter can't stand by and watch an injustice, particularly when women and children are involved. After falling foul of the law, it is strongly recommended that he should continue on his way to Hong Kong but his curiosity is piqued when he learns another former Special Investigations Branch MP is in the Philippines and has been causing trouble. Ash is delighted to discover Bill Wolfe is in Manila but he quickly discovers his old friend is in a bad way.
Bill will be familiar to those who have read some of Murray Bailey's previous books and it's fascinating to discover more about him here. Having had some success as a bounty hunter, he bought a bar, The Crazy Bear but things have evidently gone very wrong for Wolfe and he is a bad-tempered drunk who frequently winds up in brawls or in the arms of unsuitable women. This is a tense, exciting thriller but it's also an empathetic exploration of guilt, redemption and perhaps most importantly, friendship. Although Carter is newly arrived, he soon makes his presence felt after a woman desperately begs Bill to search for her missing husband. Bill refuses but she is in luck because Ash is also a private investigator and he agrees to take on the case.
As an investigative journalist, Martin Gillie is bound to have ruffled feathers but it seems he was on the trail of an especially explosive story and has been forced into hiding. Carter is drawn into a dangerous investigation which exposes the corruption at the heart of Philippine politics. This is a complex, challenging case and Ash doesn't know who he can trust. He obviously doesn't yet have any reliable sources to draw on but he does pair up with another reporter, Hilary Wigglesworth and the tantalising chemistry between them was a highlight for me.
As their investigation takes them across the country, the vivid descriptions are superb; Murray Bailey's sense of place is always so impressive and he does a sterling job of capturing the history and culture of 1950s Philippines here too. Whether in his personal or professional life, danger seems to find Ash Carter and he takes some fierce beatings but his almost indefatigable need to pursue the truth and justice keeps him going, even though this is a deeply frustrating case. No Safe Place to Hide is a gripping read throughout but the action really heats up in the final third of the book. An audacious plan leads to some of the most breathtaking scenes and my heart was in my mouth as Carter and his new friends come together to reveal the shocking truth.
This intricately plotted novel also features a compelling subplot which is resolved more quickly; the satisfying conclusion is emotional and sets up the series well for what is to come next – I suspect some of the characters here might make future appearances. No Safe Place to Hide is Murray Bailey at his best and this is a dynamic, compulsive thriller from start to finish. Highly recommended.
No Safe Place to Hide is available to buy in paperback now and will be published for Kindle on 24th October; pre-order here.
Follow the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
Murray is well traveled, having worked in the US, South America and a number of European countries throughout his career as a management consultant. However he also managed to find the time to edit books, contribute to articles and act as a part-time magazine editor.
Murray was born in Manchester and now lives on the south coast of England with his family and two dogs, Teddy and Muffin.
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