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Mike Stanhope Mysteries #8
Breakdown of Integrity
Vivid characters, topical plot, crackling dialogue, relentless pace
Electric vehicles are breaking down for no apparent reason, and some are catching fire. Lives are at risk, and confidence in the technology is in doubt. Yet the reporter best placed to cover the story is playing it down. Journalist Mike Stanhope is tasked with finding out why.
What he discovers is a blame game of half-truths and evasion. As matters take a darker turn, he has a battle on his hands to ensure that his journalistic voice is heard. His efforts are complicated by the irrepressible Trish, whose involvement threatens to thwart hopes of a reunion with his estranged girlfriend.
All the hallmarks of the Mike Stanhope Mysteries are back in this topical tale – vivid characters, lively dialogue, intricate plot, dry wit, and engrossing, meticulously detailed background. Put aside all distractions as you navigate this complex but rewarding ride!
Electric vehicles are breaking down for no apparent reason, and some are catching fire. Lives are at risk, and confidence in the technology is in doubt. Yet the reporter best placed to cover the story is playing it down. Journalist Mike Stanhope is tasked with finding out why.
What he discovers is a blame game of half-truths and evasion. As matters take a darker turn, he has a battle on his hands to ensure that his journalistic voice is heard. His efforts are complicated by the irrepressible Trish, whose involvement threatens to thwart hopes of a reunion with his estranged girlfriend.
All the hallmarks of the Mike Stanhope Mysteries are back in this topical tale – vivid characters, lively dialogue, intricate plot, dry wit, and engrossing, meticulously detailed background. Put aside all distractions as you navigate this complex but rewarding ride!
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Peter Rowlands
10 books11 followersPeter Rowlands is an author whose mystery thrillers “are about ordinary people getting thrust into challenging, sometimes dangerous situations.” His leading characters don’t have special skills, and are forced to reach deep into themselves and find the resources they need.
He says character and plot have equal importance for him, and he aims to make his main participants jump off the page as believable, fleshed-out individuals. His objective at all times, he says, is to deliver clear, lucid prose and vibrant natural dialogue.
His keynote series of loosely-connected mysteries features downbeat journalist Mike Stanhope, who works in the superficially unpromising world of logistics journalism. However, his job brings him into contact with all kinds of demanding situations, from corporate corruption to kidnapping, theft and even murder. Along the way he has to weave his way through a tangled love life, trying to do the right thing even when he can’t work out quite what that is.
Mike has aspirations to be a thriller-writer himself, so the series also provides some revealing and occasionally ironic insights into the tribulations of a self-published author.
Peter picked up his background knowledge from editing and contributing to UK business magazines covering transport and logistics. He has also achieved a minor status as a photographer of commercial vehicles – especially British buses – and co-published his first hardback book in that field, Twenty Turbulent Years, in 2022.
He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England, but has lived all his adult life in London. He has travelled widely in Europe and North America, and makes use of that experience in some of his novels.
He has also published a thriller under the pen-name Anders Teller.
He says character and plot have equal importance for him, and he aims to make his main participants jump off the page as believable, fleshed-out individuals. His objective at all times, he says, is to deliver clear, lucid prose and vibrant natural dialogue.
His keynote series of loosely-connected mysteries features downbeat journalist Mike Stanhope, who works in the superficially unpromising world of logistics journalism. However, his job brings him into contact with all kinds of demanding situations, from corporate corruption to kidnapping, theft and even murder. Along the way he has to weave his way through a tangled love life, trying to do the right thing even when he can’t work out quite what that is.
Mike has aspirations to be a thriller-writer himself, so the series also provides some revealing and occasionally ironic insights into the tribulations of a self-published author.
Peter picked up his background knowledge from editing and contributing to UK business magazines covering transport and logistics. He has also achieved a minor status as a photographer of commercial vehicles – especially British buses – and co-published his first hardback book in that field, Twenty Turbulent Years, in 2022.
He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England, but has lived all his adult life in London. He has travelled widely in Europe and North America, and makes use of that experience in some of his novels.
He has also published a thriller under the pen-name Anders Teller.
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