Mary's Prayer [Paperback]

'Martyn Waites is one of the brightest stars in the British crime writing firmament' John Connolly; 'Waites is shaping up as a compelling and confrontational challenger to the Brit Noir throne... bearing all the hallmarks of a master in the making' Bizarre; 'Waites stands out in the crowded field of young British noir writers' New York Times Book Review; 'An assured, powerful debut' Andrew Vachss; 'Disturbing... the psychological insights are carefully wrought and thoroughly convincing.' Booklist

Sober and disillusioned with London, tabloid journalist Stephen Larkin reluctantly accepts an assignment to cover a gangland funeral back home in Newcastle. Several years earlier he had left sick and disgusted, vowing never to return, but the pull of the city, and the promise of a juicy story, finally persuades him to return. While there, Larkin's old flame Charlotte asks him to check out the alleged suicide of her friend Mary - a course of action that will leave Larkin bruised, battered and with some painful memories of the city he was trying to forget. Dark, compelling and relentless, Mary's Prayer is a razor-edged crime debut from a powerful new voice in crime fiction.

Martyn Waites was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He has tried many different professions: market trader, bar manager, stand-up comic, drama teacher. Following this last job he enrolled at drama school and trained as a professional actor. He started writing in the mid-nineties and now combines his acting and writing careers. He is also currently the Writer in Residence at Huntercombe Young Offenders Institute where he teaches creative writing and runs workshops.