The Mayfly: As Chilling as M. J. Arlidge

It's happening again.
A mutilated body discovered in the woods.
A murderous plan conceived in the past.
A reckoning seventy years in the making...

Charlie Priest, ex-detective inspector turned London lawyer, is hired by influential entrepreneur Kenneth Ellinder to investigate the murder of his son. But Priest is no ordinary lawyer. Brilliant yet flawed, this case will push him, and those closest to him, to the edge.

Priest traces the evidence back to the desperate last days of the Second World War. Buried in the ashes of the Holocaust is a secret so deadly its poison threatens to destroy the very heart of the establishment. With more victims going missing, Priest realises that not everyone should be trusted. As he races to uncover the truth, can he prevent history from repeating itself?

About the Author :
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.

Review :
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 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 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. 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 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! 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 '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.' 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 '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..' '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.' '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.' '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 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. 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. 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. 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. '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!'