One under - Graham Hurley

This deal takes forward a trilogy that will actually begin with Graham's next novel (the last of the current contract) published in October 2005.

Three standalone crime novels will be linked by an over-arching story line that takes Faraday into the centre of a political conspiracy; murder at the centre of government. A man has been killed - his body found in the sea at the base of cliffs on the Isle of White.

With fingers and face eaten by crabs and fish identification proves tricky but eventually the body is identified as that of a journalist. A man who was writing a book on a private security firm.

A firm used by the government in the murky world of 'non-attributable operations'. A firm with blood on their hands. A firm with strong links to a current cabinet minister.

Faraday's investigation takes him deep into the world of immigration and international nuclear trading and right up against the stonewall of MI5.

Just how accountable are our leaders? How many lawmakers are above the law? Linked closely to current events and political figures this trilogy will chart 18 months in the life of the nation. It will be Joe Faraday's harshest test yet.