1889 Books
Writing, Publishing, Ghost-writing, Copy-editing
I wrote this in 2016, then a rather hastily announced General Election spoilt all my planning. So I called a snap publication in response.
All Measures Necessary is a contemporary political thriller based on the what might happen if a left-wing, Labour leader remained popular despite every smear and lie the establishment and their media chums threw at them? What if, as the election approached, he started to gain traction because of a serious downturn in the economy, unrest in the country and corruption revealed at the highest levels? What if the electorate started seeing him as an answer to their problems? How vicious would the right-wing and ultra capitalist reaction be?
Finding himself at the heart of a conspiracy is 30-year-old Health and Safety Inspector, Mitch Miller who falls in love with someone he shouldn’t and gets into very hot water. A modern day Romeo and Juliet, facing car chases through the streets of Sheffield, murder, betrayal, kidnap and the odd explosion.
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The title for the book is taken from the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 2015: "Every operator must take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and to limit their consequences for human health and the environment." But there is also an intentional nod towards the words of Malcolm X: "We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary."
I really enjoyed writing the character, Kate.
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A mate said to me: "I didn't know you knew so much about the tastes of Sloane Rangers."
Not sure I really do- but all that matters is that people find her convincing. Though I suspect those really from that milieu might see through her...