Second Split

by Andrew Duff

Penny Aston. Formula 1 driver. Budding superstar. Keeper of a secret that will destroy her. Darkness has followed Penny since the day she was born. It lurks around the corner at every race track. It watches from the shadows behind the glamour of the Formula 1 circus. It waits for her in nightmares. And when she falters for a split second, it pounces. She’s spent a decade fighting her way to the top. Ten years of relentless graft, of triumph and disaster, of picking herself up over and over again. But that was just the start. When a tragic accident leaves her injured and disgraced, everything she fought for is taken from her. She must risk her life, and the lives of those she loves, to defeat those that want her broken.For racing drivers, cheating death is part of the job description. But when Penny’s fight for survival exposes a horrifying decades-old conspiracy, death will seem like the easy way out. Victory always comes at a price. For Penny Aston, the cost may be too terrible to bear.What readers are saying about Second ★★★★★ "Fans of F1 will revel in the detail but don't make the mistake of thinking this is only for fans of motorsport - you couldn't be more wrong. The storyline will appeal to any fan of fast paced thrillers and you will be swept along with the action, and the characters, through increasingly gripping situations that never let up." - Clunes UK★★★★★ "Really enjoyed this book, it was difficult to put down at times." - Alex Wild

470 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2014

About the author

I set out to write thrillers with heart, soul and a touch of wit and humour. Of course, it's up to the reader to decide whether I've succeeded or not.

My Lily Thorne series of heist thrillers follows the antics of a twenty-something florist, her socialite mother and their elite crew of art thieves. Heist Apprentice is a prequel to the original novel and is available for free from andrewduffbooks.com. A third book is in development.

Second Split is first and foremost a story about one woman’s fight against an unstoppable force of darkness. It’s darker than the Lily Thorne books, and stands alone.

Aside from my own experiences I draw inspiration from writers across multiple genres and media, from Harlan Coben to Joss Whedon, John Connolly to Steven Soderbergh, Philip Kerr to Terry Pratchett, Scott Lynch to Mo Hayder. There’s even some Jilly Cooper in there somewhere.

When I’m not writing or reading, I’m often out running, or thinking I should be out running. Or up a mountain, or (more often) wishing I was up a mountain. I watch a lot of motorsport, love cake and wine, try not to consume too much cake and wine.

I live in Hampshire in the UK with my long-suffering wife and daughter.