Publication details:
Published by Quercus
Hardback, paperback & e-book: July 2012
Paperback & e-book reissue: November 2013
Audio book and large print paperback published by Clipper Books July 2012
Published in Germany (Goldmann/Random House): October 2013
Back cover copy:
07:45am
A monk likes dead in Snowdonia, a knife protruding from his throat. A young family is being held at gunpoint in a house in Wimbledon. The mission has begun.
08:56am
A London Underground train lies stationary in a tunnel, four hundred passengers trapped inside. All efforts to communicate with it have been met with silence.
09:15am
DCI Ed Mallory has just started his day. The Met’s top hostage negotiator – despite having been blinded thirteen years earlier – Mallory is about to discover that, today, an underground train is not the only thing on the line.
Press and blog reviews/discussion:
‘The author is a lecturer in Creative Writing at Brunel University and his technical skills are clearly evident in this nerve-racking, impeccably researched and violent thriller. The chapters are very short, switching from George to the terrified passengers (who include George’s wife) to the various people involved in the negotiations, with the time line, precise to the minute, at the head of each chapter. This is a masterly technique which ratchets up the suspense to an almost unbearable level.’ Radmila May, Mystery People Magazine. To read the full review, please go to www.mysterypeople.co.uk.
‘A tense blockbuster with worryingly credible characters’ The Times
‘This thriller has more twists than a bagful of snakes – and as much bite…A must read.’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph
‘A novel of almost unbearable tension…audacious and ambitious’ The Crime Fiction Lover http://www.crimefictionlover.com/2012/08/baptism/
‘From the shocking first chapter, through to the dramatic conclusion, this is a fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants action thriller that had me reading far later into the night than I intended because, quite simply, I couldn’t put it down’ Crime Thriller Girl. http://crimethrillergirl.com/
‘Kinnings imbues his book with the sounds, smells, and heartbeats of human fear. He captures the memories of life people – we – fear to lose. Let’s hope his imagination isn’t ‘one step ahead’ of the terrorists.’ Sophie Scott http://www.e-thriller.com/
‘Baptism is a modern thriller with an innovative setting and some very high stakes…plays out with the fast pace, tension and action that keep the story moving along.’ Margot Kinberg: Confessions of a Mystery Novelist http://margotkinberg.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/in-the-spotlight-max-kinnings-baptism/
‘I was hooked…BAPTISM provides characters to care about and a great scenario. This is a book worth picking up and well worth sticking with.’ Linda Wilson: Reviewing the Evidence http://www.reviewingtheevidence.com/review.html?id=9338
‘A fast moving and enjoyable read’ Sarah Ward http://crimepieces.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/review-max-kinnings-baptism/
“A novel of almost unbearable tension…audacious and ambitious” David Prestidge http://www.crimefictionlover.com/2012/08/baptism/
US mystery novelist and professor, Margot Kinberg discusses Baptism as part of her piece about trains being effective contexts for crime novels on her blog “Confessions of a Mystery Novelist”: http://margotkinberg.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/and-the-rhythm-of-the-rails-is-all-they-dream/
To read the opening to Baptism and buy on-line at Amazon.co.uk, please click on the book cover image above.
Watch the Baptism trailer:
Max Kinnings talks about the plot of Baptism:
Max Kinnings 