The Main Man Trilogy
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Harry Flashman, Tom Ripley and Bryce Walker meet in a fictional backwater town in the Wye Valley and morph into a teenager called Darren.
When Leroy mysteriously drowns in the river, the lives of three of his classmates – Darren, Joel and Grace – become inextricably linked.
The Main Man Trilogy, written for the 16+/crossover market, has a Nature or Nurture theme. Darren’s dad, Ronnie, now a successful businessman, escaped his abusive and domineering father by leaving home at sixteen. He was forced to get by on his wits, and the mantra he has instilled into Darren is to look after Number One: to be ruthless in order to succeed, even at the expense of others.
Darren has inherited both his grandfather’s good looks and his psychopathic narcissism. He has no empathy or feelings of guilt – seeking out the company of weaker, vulnerable characters to mould to his will.
Classmates Joel and Grace make for easy prey. Joel is neglected by his single mother, and Grace’s parents, grieving over her brother Leroy’s death, have lost their ability to communicate as a family.
And both Joel and Grace have a crush on Darren.
Book 1: His Willing Marionettes was published in March 2019.
Amazon Reviews:
‘This well written book… introduces us to a young "Flashman" for the 21st century… Black humour and self-justification infused every page.’
‘A page turner to be sure.’
‘It's graphic and explicit and pulls no punches. It's a fascinating read!’
‘From the very start the reader is hooked by the mystery of what has happened to Leroy and fascinated by the obnoxious Darren. Events move quickly so the tension is maintained.'
'Couldn't put it down!’
‘Following the experiences of three friends after the loss of another, "His Willing Marionettes" details the convoluted nature of human relationships to an almost terrifying degree. The author draws her audience into a world where friendship isn't straight-forward and a person's morality isn't so easy to know.’
Book 2: Tightening His Grip was published in June 2019.
Amazon Reviews:
‘I have been eagerly awaiting the second book in the Main Man trilogy and it doesn’t disappoint. Darren is just as manipulative as he was in book one, if not more so.’
‘The Plot Thickens.'
I couldn’t wait to start Tightening His Grip having been left deliciously dangling at the end of Book 1…. Once again we are left with a cliff hanger, let’s hope Book 3 is out soon.’
"Tightening His Grip" is a fantastic sequel to "His Willing Marionettes." The treacherous journey of a narcissist and two 'friends' who are caught in his grasp continues with even more darkness and secrets revealed.
Book 3: The Devil’s Servant was published in March 2021.
Amazon Reviews:
'The author effortlessly explores issues surrounding lack of justice for rape victims, transgender phobia, bullying in school, sexual abuse…'
'The characters continue to be incredibly (and at some points, terrifyingly) realistic.'
…we meet again several from Darren’s past who play a part in the final denouement.'
'The ending was not what I was expecting...'
'The whole story, I was on edge, both hoping for and fearing what the end might be.'
'…the way the author finished the series was awesome… she brings it all together in a beautiful, compassion-inspiring way.'
'This was a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the series...'
Cover design for each book by Iona Adair.
When Leroy mysteriously drowns in the river, the lives of three of his classmates – Darren, Joel and Grace – become inextricably linked.
The Main Man Trilogy, written for the 16+/crossover market, has a Nature or Nurture theme. Darren’s dad, Ronnie, now a successful businessman, escaped his abusive and domineering father by leaving home at sixteen. He was forced to get by on his wits, and the mantra he has instilled into Darren is to look after Number One: to be ruthless in order to succeed, even at the expense of others.
Darren has inherited both his grandfather’s good looks and his psychopathic narcissism. He has no empathy or feelings of guilt – seeking out the company of weaker, vulnerable characters to mould to his will.
Classmates Joel and Grace make for easy prey. Joel is neglected by his single mother, and Grace’s parents, grieving over her brother Leroy’s death, have lost their ability to communicate as a family.
And both Joel and Grace have a crush on Darren.
Book 1: His Willing Marionettes was published in March 2019.
Amazon Reviews:
‘This well written book… introduces us to a young "Flashman" for the 21st century… Black humour and self-justification infused every page.’
‘A page turner to be sure.’
‘It's graphic and explicit and pulls no punches. It's a fascinating read!’
‘From the very start the reader is hooked by the mystery of what has happened to Leroy and fascinated by the obnoxious Darren. Events move quickly so the tension is maintained.'
'Couldn't put it down!’
‘Following the experiences of three friends after the loss of another, "His Willing Marionettes" details the convoluted nature of human relationships to an almost terrifying degree. The author draws her audience into a world where friendship isn't straight-forward and a person's morality isn't so easy to know.’
Book 2: Tightening His Grip was published in June 2019.
Amazon Reviews:
‘I have been eagerly awaiting the second book in the Main Man trilogy and it doesn’t disappoint. Darren is just as manipulative as he was in book one, if not more so.’
‘The Plot Thickens.'
I couldn’t wait to start Tightening His Grip having been left deliciously dangling at the end of Book 1…. Once again we are left with a cliff hanger, let’s hope Book 3 is out soon.’
"Tightening His Grip" is a fantastic sequel to "His Willing Marionettes." The treacherous journey of a narcissist and two 'friends' who are caught in his grasp continues with even more darkness and secrets revealed.
Book 3: The Devil’s Servant was published in March 2021.
Amazon Reviews:
'The author effortlessly explores issues surrounding lack of justice for rape victims, transgender phobia, bullying in school, sexual abuse…'
'The characters continue to be incredibly (and at some points, terrifyingly) realistic.'
…we meet again several from Darren’s past who play a part in the final denouement.'
'The ending was not what I was expecting...'
'The whole story, I was on edge, both hoping for and fearing what the end might be.'
'…the way the author finished the series was awesome… she brings it all together in a beautiful, compassion-inspiring way.'
'This was a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the series...'
Cover design for each book by Iona Adair.