Scaredy Cat (Tom Thorne Novels)

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Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. The six part series “Thorne”, first broadcast on Sky One, is based on the first two novels in the series ­ Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat ­ and I was thrilled with how it turned out. Aside from the wonderful David Morrissey, who has always been the actor I wanted to play Tom Thorne, the series featured Aiden Gillen, Eddie Marsan, Natascha McElhone and Sandra Oh: an amazing cast! With last year’s auspicious thriller debut (Sleepyhead), Billingham has given himself a tough act to follow. But the return of London detective Tom Thorne is most welcome, and this novel is every bit as intense and creepy as the first. Liz Hoggard, 4 October 2010, Hit men: 24 director and David Morrissey team up for new crime show Thorne, Evening Standard

Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham | Waterstones

Billingham was shortlisted for the 2015 Dagger in the Library UK Crime Writers' Association award for an author's body of work in British libraries. He was shortlisted again in 2019 and won the award in 2022. [19] The Other Half [ edit ] Billingham manipulates his readers as relentlessly as the murderer manipulates both his surrogate in crime, and the police .

Heady psychological suspense runs through the hip, flawlessly plotted Scaredy Cat. Mark Billingham again creates a contemporary twilight zone that feels all too real. Robinson, Lloyd and Billingham remain friends, and Robinson is partially credited for Billingham's literary career on the DVD release of Maid Marian (Series 3), in which the three discuss writing for the series and in general. [6] The trio announced in 2018 that they were working on a stage production of Maid Marian and her Merry Men. [7] [8] Writing [ edit ] Billingham became the first crime writer to win the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award twice when his novel Death Message won in 2009, [10] against Reginald Hill, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and Lee Child. One of the killers is caught after a failed attempt on the life of the son of another victim. He confesses to his crimes, but refuses to identify his partner. Thorne decides to free him in an attempt to force the other killer to come forward. As he explains, they were kept bound and engaged in their hotel room by a trio of masked men who stole credit cards and items from them. Billingham at some point recalls being terrified by the sheer audacity of the criminals who succeeded to instill a feeling of menace and fear into their victims.

SCAREDY CAT by Mark Billingham - Publishers Weekly SCAREDY CAT by Mark Billingham - Publishers Weekly

Around 1987 he decided to pursue a career in comedy, stating:"[The] one great advantage of stand-up comedy [is that] nobody gives a stuff about what you look like – as long as you're funny, and if you can do it, and people laugh, then you'll get bookings." [3] Billingham cites his breaking into stand-up as a simple progression from 5-minute, unpaid "try-out" spots to 10-, 20- and 30-minute paid slots. [3] Billingham has headlined at the Comedy Store, where he also appears regularly as a Master of Ceremonies. [3] But whilst the methods might be the same, the manner of the killings is strikingly different and Thorne comes to realise that he is hunting two very different killers. One is ruthless and in control, while his partner in crime is submissive, compliant, terrified. Readers who like a powerful police procedural with strong characters, will want to read this superb tale. This is a winner. Billingham has received nominations and awards related to all aspects of his various careers. What's That Noise (which he wrote and presented) won the 1995 Royal Television Society award for "Best Entertainment Programme", [9] while Knight School was nominated for the RTS's "Best Children's Drama" award two years running.Like the best of British and American crime writing rolled up together and delivered with the kind of punch you don’t see coming. Lifeless (Little, Brown & Company, May 2005), ISBN 0-316-72752-0; Scorpion Press, June 2005, ISBN 1-873567-70-7; William Morrow US, September 2006, ISBN 0-06-084166-4 How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: - 2000+ (Present)