The Fallen - by Ben Sanders
Harper Collins NZ excited about talented young NZ crime writer's first book

Twenty-year-old Ben Sanders’ fascination with crime fiction has paid off. He has just signed a two-book contract with HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand.
Born and bred on Auckland’s North Shore, Sanders has been hooked on Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Cormac McCarthy and Pete Dexter since the age of thirteen, and now he’s put his interest in these big-selling authors to work.

A keen writer since his teens, Sanders is also passionate about music; he wrote his first novel while listening to the tunes of R.E.M, Nick Cave, Grant-Lee Phillips, and The Mutton Birds and even found time to study engineering at the University of Auckland.

Sanders’ debut novel, The Fallen, will be published at the beginning of August. The story begins with an inquiry into the murder of a 16-year-old girl found in Albert Park and moves quickly into the seedy world of police scams, an ‘underbelly’ kidnapping and unexpected violence.

‘Set in unnervingly familiar surroundings, The Fallen is a superb blend of international-standard crime writing, with a strong local ambience that is an absorbing murder mystery,’ says HarperCollins Commissioning Editor, Tracey Wogan. ‘Ben Sanders’ sophisticated and edgy writing style signals the emergence of a major new talent. We’re thrilled to have secured his first two novels.’

 ‘The inspiration for the book was not so much about wanting to create a story as about wanting to create a character,’ says Sanders. ‘For me, ninety per cent of the appeal of crime fiction is in the quality of the protagonists.’
Sanders’ second novel is due to be published later next year.

Jack Reacher should watch his back!

Release Date:  AUGUST 2010 | RRP: $29.99 | HARPERCOLLINS Publishers