The Rogues are delighted to welcome Andrew Grant as a guest on the blog. Andrew’s latest book was released on January 7. The series features a courthouse janitor with a cause. Justice. When Paul McGrath made his debut, in INVISIBLE, Kirkus Reviews said, “Crisp pacing, complex plotting, and a sympathetic good guy all make for a most satisfying read…” Booklist said, “This is Grant’s ninth thriller, and it’s a very good one, suspense tempered throughout with moral dilemmas…. An intelligent, exciting novel.” And Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review and some lofty praise, “Grant capably combines a riveting plot and depth of character. His best outing to date, this standalone marks Grant as a rising genre star.”
An intelligence agent-turned-courthouse janitor, Paul McGrath notices everything and everyone—but no one notices him. It’s the perfect cover for the justice he seeks for both his father and the people who’ve been wronged by a corrupt system. Now he’s discovered a missing file on Alex Pardew—the man who defrauded and likely murdered McGrath’s father but avoided conviction, thanks in large part to the loss of this very file. And what lies behind its disappearance is even worse than McGrath had feared.
We caught up with Andrew recently, and he shared this tale from the road:
I was on the road recently promoting TOO CLOSE TO HOME and I met a reader who asked me to name five books that changed my life. Here’s what I said:
The Little Red Hen and The Grains of Wheat. One of the first books I read on my own, and one that summarises a guiding principle in my life: If you’re not there when the hard work’s being done, you better stay away when the rewards are handed out.
Watership Down, Richard Adams. The book I’ve
Ice Station Zebra, Alistair MacLean. The book that marked my ‘growing up’ as a reader, and which is more responsible than any other for me becoming a thriller-writer. One of my most-prized possessions is a first edition that Tasha bought me a couple of years ago, but I first read it in 1978 thanks to the grade-school teacher I had at the time. One day he caught me with a book under my desk – probably Watership Down! – and this set him off on a bizarre rant: “You think you’re a good reader? Well let me tell you – you’re not. Not unless you can go to any bookcase, pick up any book, and read it without thinking.” Reading
Animal Farm, George Orwell. Even at a young age I viewed the world through the contradictory lenses of hopeless naivety and miserable cynicism so this book – which so elegantly demonstrates how the best of intentions can lead to the worst of outcomes – made me feel like I wasn’t totally out of touch with human nature after all.
Henry V, William Shakespeare. This was the first Shakespeare play I read, and I was instantly hooked by the Prologue’s promise of famine, sword, and fire. I loved Henry’s handling of the scheming bishops and his smiting of the impertinent Dauphin. But seriously, is there anything better in literature than the Southampton plot, when Henry handed the unsuspecting traitors their death warrants in place of their commissions? A twist any thriller-writer would be proud of.
If you haven’t read TOO CLOSE TO HOME, you are in for a treat!
Love your choice of 5 books, from The Little Red Hen to Shakespeare. That's range! Congratulations on TOO CLOSE TO HOME, and your new enterprise with J. Reacher Himself. Thanks for going Rogue, Andy!
Enjoyed seeing your list of books that inspired you to become such a great writer (especially George Orwell's)….now I can't wait to read TOO CLOSE TO HOME. Thanks, Andy, for sharing your list with the Rogues.
Alastair MacLean is one of my absolute favorites—I’ve not only read every book of his, I have a copy of every one.
Great list! Who can forget Bigwig!!! So glad you dropped by Andrew, and can't wait for the newest venture you're about to embark on. Hope you can stop by again when you unveil that exciting project!
Love your list…I am inspired.
Hi Andrew-love the list! I have to admit I haven't read Ice Station Zebra but this reminded me it's high time I did. Congrats on the launch of Too Close To Home!