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Broken Arrow
The discovery of a disinterred corpse at one of Andalusia’s Spaghetti Western theme parks catapults investigative reporter
Danny Sanchez into a story with potentially earth-shattering consequences…
Initially set on the trail of a brutal killer who burns his first victim alive, Danny soon begins to realise that much more lies behind the killer’s actions than the work of a madman.
He soon starts to question whether the man he is chasing is, after all, the true villain.
As Danny pokes and prods in his quest to get the documents and interviews he needs to prove his story, he unsettles a number of powerful people who would much rather see him dead than let the public know the devastating truth of what’s happening in the urbanisation of Bellavista.
This places not only his own life at risk, but that of his photographer friend and colleague, Paco Pino, and even his girlfriend, Marsha.
Yet even this fails to deter him from his quest to reveal the truth about a corporate cover-up that endangers the lives of thousands…
Based on a real-life accident in which the American Air Force dropped three H-bombs onto southern Spain in 1966, contaminating substantial swathes of arable land with highly dangerous plutonium dust, Broken Arrowkeeps its readers guessing until the end as Danny races to uncover the story that others are willing to kill to keep hidden…
Praise for Broken Arrow
‘Fast paced and compelling. VERDICT: 5/5’ — JC, Daily Express
‘A very enjoyable tale of murder and mayhem and piercingly accurate in its portrayal of Brits abroad, in this case, Spain.’ —Peter Thornton, The Sun
‘Pritchard paces the narrative nicely, and convivial tapas bars, mass unemployment, corrupt bureaucrats, forgotten migrants and petty thugs form an entertaining, vivid backdrop to the lurid crimes and determined clue-gathering.’ —James Smart, Guardian
‘If you’re looking for a great plot, engaging characters, fast pace and a completely different read to the norm, then make sure you get it on your Christmas list — you won’t be disappointed.’ —Steph Roundsmith, Meanstreets
Matthew Pritchard was born and raised in Hampshire, England. He worked as a journalist in Spain for ten years, writing mainly for the ex-pat press and UK nationals. Together with his father and uncle, he has amassed a sizeable collection of WW2 memoirs and memorabilia contemporary to the period. Writing crime fiction allows him to explore society and human interaction that interest him in a recognisable world.
Danny Sanchez into a story with potentially earth-shattering consequences…
Initially set on the trail of a brutal killer who burns his first victim alive, Danny soon begins to realise that much more lies behind the killer’s actions than the work of a madman.
He soon starts to question whether the man he is chasing is, after all, the true villain.
As Danny pokes and prods in his quest to get the documents and interviews he needs to prove his story, he unsettles a number of powerful people who would much rather see him dead than let the public know the devastating truth of what’s happening in the urbanisation of Bellavista.
This places not only his own life at risk, but that of his photographer friend and colleague, Paco Pino, and even his girlfriend, Marsha.
Yet even this fails to deter him from his quest to reveal the truth about a corporate cover-up that endangers the lives of thousands…
Based on a real-life accident in which the American Air Force dropped three H-bombs onto southern Spain in 1966, contaminating substantial swathes of arable land with highly dangerous plutonium dust, Broken Arrowkeeps its readers guessing until the end as Danny races to uncover the story that others are willing to kill to keep hidden…
Praise for Broken Arrow
‘Fast paced and compelling. VERDICT: 5/5’ — JC, Daily Express
‘A very enjoyable tale of murder and mayhem and piercingly accurate in its portrayal of Brits abroad, in this case, Spain.’ —Peter Thornton, The Sun
‘Pritchard paces the narrative nicely, and convivial tapas bars, mass unemployment, corrupt bureaucrats, forgotten migrants and petty thugs form an entertaining, vivid backdrop to the lurid crimes and determined clue-gathering.’ —James Smart, Guardian
‘If you’re looking for a great plot, engaging characters, fast pace and a completely different read to the norm, then make sure you get it on your Christmas list — you won’t be disappointed.’ —Steph Roundsmith, Meanstreets
Matthew Pritchard was born and raised in Hampshire, England. He worked as a journalist in Spain for ten years, writing mainly for the ex-pat press and UK nationals. Together with his father and uncle, he has amassed a sizeable collection of WW2 memoirs and memorabilia contemporary to the period. Writing crime fiction allows him to explore society and human interaction that interest him in a recognisable world.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2017
15 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Pritchard
15 books22 followersMatthew Pritchard worked as a journalist in Spain for ten years.
He has currently written four books: three in the Danny Sanchez crime series, and Werewolf, a standalone historical thriller set in post-war WWII Germany. Two of his Danny Sanchez novels have been published in Germany.
He now lives in Hampshire, UK, and writes full-time, as well as playing guitar in rock group, The 109s.
He has currently written four books: three in the Danny Sanchez crime series, and Werewolf, a standalone historical thriller set in post-war WWII Germany. Two of his Danny Sanchez novels have been published in Germany.
He now lives in Hampshire, UK, and writes full-time, as well as playing guitar in rock group, The 109s.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 29, 2017
Like Stolen Lives, Broken Arrow combines a real event with a murder mystery. "The military uses the term 'broken arrow' to describe any incident in which a nuclear weapon is lost, stolen or inadvertently detonated." (source)
Drawing again from his journalistic experiences in Spain, Pritchard includes the unemployment and the corruption that plague many countries, but the crux of the plot goes back to an incident in 1966 when a US Air Force accident dropped 3 H bombs on southern Spain. I doubt many Americans remember the Palomares incident, not only because it was so long ago, but also because it happened elsewhere.
"The first weapon to be discovered was found nearly intact. However, the conventional explosives from the other two bombs that fell on land detonated without setting off a nuclear explosion (akin to a dirty bomb explosion). This ignited the pyrophoric plutonium, producing a cloud that was dispersed by a 30-knot (56 km/h; 35 mph) wind. A total of 260 ha (2.6 square kilometres (1.0 sq mi)) was contaminated with radioactive material. This included residential areas, farmland (especially tomato farms) and woods.[22]" (Source)
The mystery plot involves a cover-up attempt involving a residential area with an unusually high rate of cancer. Once again, Pritchard integrates fact and fiction in a compelling adventure that keeps Danny Sanchez attempting to stay a step ahead of disaster.
Corporate greed trumps humane policy. Now that doesn't sound like fiction, does it? Health and safety are disregarded more often than we like to admit when profit is at stake.
NeGalley/Endeavor Press
Mystery/Suspense. March 17, 2017. Print length: 368 pages.
Drawing again from his journalistic experiences in Spain, Pritchard includes the unemployment and the corruption that plague many countries, but the crux of the plot goes back to an incident in 1966 when a US Air Force accident dropped 3 H bombs on southern Spain. I doubt many Americans remember the Palomares incident, not only because it was so long ago, but also because it happened elsewhere.
"The first weapon to be discovered was found nearly intact. However, the conventional explosives from the other two bombs that fell on land detonated without setting off a nuclear explosion (akin to a dirty bomb explosion). This ignited the pyrophoric plutonium, producing a cloud that was dispersed by a 30-knot (56 km/h; 35 mph) wind. A total of 260 ha (2.6 square kilometres (1.0 sq mi)) was contaminated with radioactive material. This included residential areas, farmland (especially tomato farms) and woods.[22]" (Source)
The mystery plot involves a cover-up attempt involving a residential area with an unusually high rate of cancer. Once again, Pritchard integrates fact and fiction in a compelling adventure that keeps Danny Sanchez attempting to stay a step ahead of disaster.
Corporate greed trumps humane policy. Now that doesn't sound like fiction, does it? Health and safety are disregarded more often than we like to admit when profit is at stake.
NeGalley/Endeavor Press
Mystery/Suspense. March 17, 2017. Print length: 368 pages.
May 25, 2017
The third in the Danny Sanchez series, and my personal favourite. Pritchard takes a fascinating real life event (Did you know the American Airforce dropped 4 H-bombs on southern Spain in 1966? I sure didn't?) and uses it to weave a fantastic fictional story. The ending is a cracker and highly original.
May 24, 2017
Nobody remember that the stupid Americans drop 4 H bombs on Spain in 1966. Now, Mathew Pritchard has reminded us all and tell a very good story around it, too.
June 14, 2017
loved the book. Became a fan of Pritchard after reading the second in the series. Fast paced and gives a glimpse of Spanish culture that I find riveting
July 21, 2016
From the point where Varela got involved on the ransom handover I felt the story began to go downhill with key characters acting out of character - Aez & Paco etc . Whilst the money & leaflet release was clever it all felt a little forced. Also although book was about Danny if anything Gabriel was the more sympathetic character more than Danny.
March 14, 2019
Broken Arrow
I've bought and read all three Danny Sanchez books to date. This is a good read but for some reason I preferred the first two. This one got a bit bogged down with all the scientific stuff that while important to the storyline it took u p too many pages imo. I like the way he writes so look forward to more.
I've bought and read all three Danny Sanchez books to date. This is a good read but for some reason I preferred the first two. This one got a bit bogged down with all the scientific stuff that while important to the storyline it took u p too many pages imo. I like the way he writes so look forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews