Blood Ties

by A.J. Quinnell

Book by Quinnell, A.J.

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1985

About the author

A. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.

When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.

Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.

The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.

Reviews

[Bernardas Gailius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trilerių autoriaus bandymas parašyti kažką senoviškesnio, išlaikant šiuolaikišką aplinką. Turbūt reikėtų sakyti, kad tai - nuotykių romanas. Laivas, jūra, kelionė aplink pasaulį. Paslaptingai dingęs sūnus ir motina, įsitikinusi, kad jis gyvas. Kelionėje susiburianti netikėta nuotykių ieškotojų kompanija. Kažkas panašaus į piratus. Meilė, be abejo. Ir kartu pakankamai ryškios XX a. realijos: JAV šnipai ir kraugeriški Afrikos diktatoriai. Trumpai tariant, įdomus kūrybinis eksperimentas, kuriame, vis dėlto, ryškus struktūrinis autoriaus parašas: siužeto linijos tolygiai artėja į kulminacijos tašką pačioje pabaigoje.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is drastically different from, and far less violent than, his other novels, in a story of an American woman mourning her son and an Indian man mourning his mother meeting on a yacht on the Indian Ocean with an interesting collection of diverse sailing companions. There is some credible action around the Maldives and East Africa in quite a captivating adventure.

[Andy Loftus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood Ties by A J Quinnell is the penultimate book from this author that I have left to read. I became a fan after reading Man on Fire, which was made in to a film starring Denzel Washington and is just one of the Creasy series that grabbed my attention. Yes, the books are a little dated now, but that aside they are pretty good thrillers.

Blood Ties is a little different to Quinnell's usual style, but a cracking read in any case. Kirsty hears the news that every mother dreads, that her son has died after falling overboard near Zanzibar, the other side of the world from her in her New York home.

Kirsty however doesn't believe that is the whole story, and her maternal instincts are screaming that her son is still alive and so she embarks upon her quest to cross the globe and hopefully establish that this latest tragedy in her life isn't so.

She meets some amazing individuals along the way and forges some solid friendships also, but will she encounter the positive outcome that she hopes for.

An easy, read it a day, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me. Only one book left from this very talented thriller writer - gutted!!

[Scott S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Ties 5 stars

What a lovely story! With a very poetic ending. Excellent read for the summer...mystery, excitement, intrigue, action and romance all in one book. I'm so glad to have stumbled upon A.J. Quinnell.