Paul Finch
Agent: Julian Friedmann (Film and TV) and Kate Burke (Books)
Assistant: Sian Ellis-Martin
Biography: Paul Finch is a number one eBook bestseller and a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller. He first worked as a policeman in the north-west of England and then as a journalist.
His writing career commenced with episodes of the hit television drama The Bill, and since then, he has written extensively in the horror, fantasy, historical epic and sci-fi genres, including for Doctor Who. However, Paul is best known for his dark crime thriller novels, including the Heckenburg and Clayburn series. In this capacity, he has twice been shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards. He is also a two-time winner of the British Fantasy Award and a recipient of the International Horror Guild Award.
THE ISLAND is Paul’s first novel for Thomas & Mercer, and is based on an idea he had while holidaying in the south-west of England. At the time he was contemplating new, different locations in which to set his action thrillers rather than the more familiar inner city, and suddenly found that the answer lay in front of him.
Paul lives in Lancashire with his wife and business partner, Cathy.
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THE ISLAND
Thriller, 347pp, Thomas & Mercer, Aug 2025
A dream holiday. You’d die to be there.
You are offered the getaway of a lifetime on a remote island with a group of strangers. Things have been difficult recently, so you jump at the chance to swim under the summer sun, explore the peaceful woodlands and return to an elegant hotel for a glorious dinner.
As the boat pulls into the harbour, you’re surrounded by crystal-clear water and soon you are alone. Just the peace and quiet you were promised. No phone signal, no internet…no way to call for help. But nothing will go wrong in paradise, right?
As a huge summer storm rolls towards the island, everyone is starting to realise the secrets they’ve been hiding for years seem to have followed them here. And you are no different.
Then one of your group disappears. His body washes up in the picture-postcard harbour, and it’s clearly no accident. Can you survive the getaway of a lifetime?
BATTLE LORD
Historical Fiction, 368 pages, Canelo, January 2024
The battle for England is over. The fight for Wulfbury has just begun.
AD 1066. Cerdic is a prisoner of war. Captured after the Battle of Hastings, his fate is in the hands of the victorious Norman count Cynric, who is in no mood to feed and look after worthless Englishmen as the army moves inland. His survival depends on his ability to convince them of his value.
Cerdic’s sole bargaining chip is his lordship of Wulfbury, a small stronghold in Northumberia, following the deaths of his father, its earl, and elder brother in the invasions. If he can entice them with the lure of this fiefdom, he may yet survive.
But the fortress is held by a ferocious band of Vikings, who will not give it up without a fight. Will Cerdic be able to convince the Norman knights to let him live, or will his fate be the same as so many other Englishmen lying on the battlefield of Senlac Ridge?
USURPER
Historical Fiction, Canelo, April 2023
In 1066, sixteen-year-old Saxon Cerdic lives with his elder brother, Unferth, and his father, Rothgar, Earl of Ripon, in Swaledale. As the younger brother, he studies for the priesthood, while Unferth trains to take on the mantle of earl one day.
When news arrives that the King of Norway, Harald Hardraada, is invading northern England with the treacherous Tostig Godwinson, Earl Rothgar joins the northern nobles to repel them. He takes with him Unferth, their houescarls and the fyrd of Swaledale. Cerdic, keen to go off to war, is left behind, struggling with his anger and shame at not being allowed to fight.
Several days later, a blood-spattered and grimy rider returns from the battlefield. The battle was lost. Earl Rothgar and his men are defeated, and a Viking horde is bearing down on their town. The war has come to Cerdic...
STRANGERS (Lucy Clayburn #1)
Thriller, 416 pages
Avon, Sept 2016
Dark, gritty and always edge-of-your-seat: the NO.1 BESTSELLER is back with a standout new heroine…
As PC Lucy Clayburn is about to find out, going undercover is the most dangerous work there is. But, on the trail of a prolific female serial killer, there's no other option – and these murders are as brutal as they come. Lucy must step into the line of fire – a stranger in a criminal underworld that butchers anyone who crosses the line. And, unknown to Lucy, she's already treading it…