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The Strife of Riley
In this action-packed, modern thriller, based in Scotland, John Riley is tasked by the Glasgow police force to investigate the killing of a man whose computer insists never existed. Unfortunately, Riley discovers his own name is on the killer's hit list, once again providing him with his usual measure of strife. As a historian and cyber sleuth, he's also asked to help investigate the strange murder of a high ranking British politician. When the cases seem to be linked, this results in his past coming back to haunt him.
Riley has a double-edged existence and a dark, adventure filled past. He's a former member of the SBS - the Special Boat Service, one of the most secretive units of the British Special Forces. Comparable to the SAS, the predominantly Royal Navy unit are experts on both land and sea.
Through his special investigations, Riley is drawn into dramatic and dangerous situations that go beyond the confines of his cyber sleuth expertise. Riley's world is inhabited by criminals, politicians, the police and British military - and those with a mind for mystery and deceit.
This is the first book in a series of Riley novels. The second book, Guile, is available now as a script book on Kindle. Further titles in the series Fortune Favours the Brave; The Sealed Book; The Record Keeper; and Beyond This There Be Dragons.
About the
De-ann Black is a bestselling author, traditionally published for over 15 years, with more than 50 books published. She's also a scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist.
New releases for 2013 & 2012
THE BITCH-PROOF BRIDE
THE BITCH-PROOF ROMANCE
THE TEA DRESS SHOP AT CHRISTMAS
SHOPPING FOR MEN
SHOPPING FOR MEN AT CHRISTMAS
OOPS! I'M UP TO MISCHIEF
OOPS! I'M A SECRET AGENT
OOPS! I'M A HOLLYWOOD AGENT
I'M HOLDING OUT FOR A VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND
WHY ARE ALL THE GOOD GUYS TOTAL MONSTERS
And the international thriller ELECTRIC SHADOWS
Plus two new box
THE BITCH-PROOF BOX SET
OOPS! IT'S CHRISTMAS BOX SET
Riley has a double-edged existence and a dark, adventure filled past. He's a former member of the SBS - the Special Boat Service, one of the most secretive units of the British Special Forces. Comparable to the SAS, the predominantly Royal Navy unit are experts on both land and sea.
Through his special investigations, Riley is drawn into dramatic and dangerous situations that go beyond the confines of his cyber sleuth expertise. Riley's world is inhabited by criminals, politicians, the police and British military - and those with a mind for mystery and deceit.
This is the first book in a series of Riley novels. The second book, Guile, is available now as a script book on Kindle. Further titles in the series Fortune Favours the Brave; The Sealed Book; The Record Keeper; and Beyond This There Be Dragons.
About the
De-ann Black is a bestselling author, traditionally published for over 15 years, with more than 50 books published. She's also a scriptwriter and former newspaper journalist.
New releases for 2013 & 2012
THE BITCH-PROOF BRIDE
THE BITCH-PROOF ROMANCE
THE TEA DRESS SHOP AT CHRISTMAS
SHOPPING FOR MEN
SHOPPING FOR MEN AT CHRISTMAS
OOPS! I'M UP TO MISCHIEF
OOPS! I'M A SECRET AGENT
OOPS! I'M A HOLLYWOOD AGENT
I'M HOLDING OUT FOR A VAMPIRE BOYFRIEND
WHY ARE ALL THE GOOD GUYS TOTAL MONSTERS
And the international thriller ELECTRIC SHADOWS
Plus two new box
THE BITCH-PROOF BOX SET
OOPS! IT'S CHRISTMAS BOX SET
350 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2010
About the author
De-ann Black
175 books88 followersDe-ann Black's new books are: Craft Shop by the Loch, Bakery & Spring Ball, Fashion Shows at the Castle, Tea Shop by the Loch, Wedding Waltz, Vintage Ball, Autumn Nature Colouring Book, Autumn Ball Marriage & Music, Design, Dance & Romance, Romance Dancer, Summer Ball Weddings & Waltzing, Quilt Shop by the Seaside, Embroidery Bee, Crafting Bee, Scottish Highlands New Year Ball, Ballroom Dancing Christmas Romance, Christmas Ballroom Dancing, Autumn Romance, Knitting & Starlight, Knitting Bee, The Sweetest Waltz, Sweet Music, Love & Lyrics, Christmas Weddings, Fairytale Christmas on the Island, The Cure for Love at Christmas, Vintage Dress Shop on the Island, Scottish Island Fairytale Castle, Scottish Loch Summer Romance, Scottish Island Knitting Bee, Sewing & Mending Cottage, Knitting Shop by the Sea, Scottish Highlands Christmas Wedding, Colouring Book Cottage, Oops! I'm the Paparazzi, Again, and Knitting Cottage.
Her embroidery pattern books include: Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns, Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns, Sea Theme Embroidery Patterns, and Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns.
De-ann’s colouring books include: Autumn Nature, Summer Nature, Flower Nature, and Christmas Theme Colouring Book.
De-ann is a bestselling author, screenwriter and former newspaper journalist. Traditionally published for over 15 years. De-ann became an Amazon All-Star author in 2014 and 2015, as well as an Amazon All-Stars in 2025 and 2026.
She has over 100 books published. Romance, thrillers, espionage novels, action adventure. And children's books (non-fiction rocket science books, children's fiction and picture books).
She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for the press for three years.
Before being asked to work for the press, De-ann worked in magazine editorial writing everything from fashion features to social news. And was marketing editor of a glossy magazine.
She is also a professional artist and illustrator. Embroidery design, fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting, photography and fashion are part of her work.
Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness and dance, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years.
De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong and Jiu Jitsu.
She splits her time between Scotland and London.
Find out more at: www.de-annblack.com
Her embroidery pattern books include: Floral Garden Embroidery Patterns, Floral Spring Embroidery Patterns, Sea Theme Embroidery Patterns, and Christmas & Winter Embroidery Patterns.
De-ann’s colouring books include: Autumn Nature, Summer Nature, Flower Nature, and Christmas Theme Colouring Book.
De-ann is a bestselling author, screenwriter and former newspaper journalist. Traditionally published for over 15 years. De-ann became an Amazon All-Star author in 2014 and 2015, as well as an Amazon All-Stars in 2025 and 2026.
She has over 100 books published. Romance, thrillers, espionage novels, action adventure. And children's books (non-fiction rocket science books, children's fiction and picture books).
She previously worked as a full-time newspaper journalist for several years. She had her own weekly columns in the press. This included being a motoring correspondent where she got to test drive cars every week for the press for three years.
Before being asked to work for the press, De-ann worked in magazine editorial writing everything from fashion features to social news. And was marketing editor of a glossy magazine.
She is also a professional artist and illustrator. Embroidery design, fabric design, dressmaking, sewing, knitting, photography and fashion are part of her work.
Additionally, De-ann has always been interested in fitness and dance, and was a fitness and bodybuilding champion, 100 metre runner and mountaineer. As a former N.A.B.B.A. Miss Scotland, she had a weekly fitness show on the radio that ran for over three years.
De-ann trained in Shukokai karate, boxing, kickboxing, Dayan Qigong and Jiu Jitsu.
She splits her time between Scotland and London.
Find out more at: www.de-annblack.com
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 24, 2011
My favorite thriller authors are Robert Ludlum (Bourne novels), Ian Fleming (Bond) and now I have another favourite – De-ann Black (Riley novels). Read the first in the Riley series, The Strife of Riley which is a gritty thriller set in Scotland with a great hero, John Riley, and I’m looking forward to the next one – Guile. Definite five star book.
August 23, 2015
This book got off to a slow start but was worth persevering with. At times it almost felt like a boy's own adventure set in the 1940's then there would be a mention of the Scottish Parliament and I would remember that this was a fairly current story. It was a cracking read, full of hunky men rescuing people including a drunken fairy who had been thrown into the Clyde!
It would be great to have a few more stories featuring Riley and his friends.
It would be great to have a few more stories featuring Riley and his friends.
September 26, 2011
Fantastic thriller, loved the setting. Very atmospheric.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews