A Simple Act of Violence

Washington, embroiled in the mid-term elections, did not want to hear about serial killings. But when the newspapers reported a fourth murder, when they gave the killer a name and details of his horrendous crimes, there were few people that could ignore it.

Detective Robert Miller is assigned to the case and rapidly uncovers a complication. The victims do not officially exist. Their personal details do not register on any known systems. And as Miller unearths ever more disturbing facts, he starts to face truths so far-removed from his own reality that he begins to fear for his life.

Winner of Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2010 (UK)

“'This is a book with everything that a fan of modern mystery fiction could hope for; a labyrinthine plot, unbearable tension, controversy and a social conscience.'”

A stunning work of crime fiction...a gem of a crime novel that should be up there with the best of them. -- Anthony Lund ALLBOOKS REVIEW
A standout thriller...Ellory seamlessly connects this whodunit with a dirty history of the CIA, crafting a tale that grimly makes the personal political. THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

R.J Ellory is the author of the bestselling A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, which was a Richard and Judy Book Club selection in 2008 and was shortlisted for the Barry Award, the 813 Trophy, the Quebec Booksellers' Prize and was winner of the Nouvel Observateur Crime Fiction Prize. His work has been translated into twenty-three languages and he was awarded the Theakston's Crime Novel of the Year for his recent novel, A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE. R.J Ellory currently lives in England.

Washington, embroiled in the mid-term elections, did not want to hear about serial killings. But when the newspapers reported a fourth murder, when they gave the killer a name and details of his horrendous crimes, there were few people that could ignore it.Detective Robert Miller is assigned to the case and rapidly uncovers a complication. The victims do not officially exist. Their personal details do not register on any known systems. And as Miller unearths ever more disturbing facts, he starts to face truths so far-removed from his own reality that he begins to fear for his life.

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