John Creasey (New Blood) 2013

Christopher J Yates
Black Chalk
longlisted
Harvill Secker

This novel is in a beguiling tradition of puzzle thrillers that includes The Magus and the David Fincher movie The Game.  It is also reminiscent of some aspects of Donna Tart’s Secret History.  Six students play an elaborate and life-threatening game of dares at Oxford University and in New York.  Beautifully written – a description of fireflies in trees is particularly striking – and confidently plotted.