Author Description

<b>A high-stakes thriller that could be ripped from today's headlines – from the bestselling author of <i>The Frenchman</i>.</b><br><br><b>'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut ... This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' - <i>The Australian</i></b><br><br><b>THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS</b><br><br>Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service, is tasked with tracking down an agent of influence sending highly classified material against the Kremlin to embassies all over Europe.<br><br>A deadly conspiracy is aligning the West against Russia. But who is behind it? And to what end?<br><br>The clues lead to a secret meeting of businessmen, terrorists and mercenaries on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, which de Payns must infiltrate. What he discovers sets off a Europe-wide manhunt in a desperate scramble to prevent an international catastrophe.<br><br>Former DGSE spy Jack Beaumont's <i>Dark Arena</i> is another chillingly plausible thriller delivering all the taut plotting, superb action and authentic spycraft that made <i>The Frenchman</i> a critically acclaimed bestseller.<br><br>'If it wasn't for my background, I would have said that this was fiction, but knowing what I know, <i>Dark Arena</i> is as real and as deeply disturbing as a world I once knew.' <b>- Ant Middleton, former UK Special Forces</b><br><br>'A rollicking good read. Espionage skills abound in each fast-paced chapter. Lovers of spy novels are in for a treat – another exciting glimpse into contemporary yet fictional intelligence work.' <b>- Paul Symon AO, former Director-General, Australian Secret Intelligence Service</b><br><br>'An extraordinary story.' - <b>Richard Fidler, <i>Conversations</i></b><br><br>'A sophisticated espionage tale from an author who knows whereof he speaks.' <b>- <i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b><br><br>'French spy turned author Jack Beaumont provides a gripping sequel to his d