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Fiona Erskine

Engineer. Writer. Swimmer.

Book cover showing woman walking through a tropical jungle

Classic 007-style action - a genuine goldmine of a thriller

The Chemical Code

Jaq Silver spicy engineering thriller Book #4

Jaq Silver is back in Brazil and this time she has a single mission—vengeance. When her enemies take what she treasures most, she will do anything to make them pay. A series of betrayals leave her  unsure who to trust.  Jaq becomes increasingly embroiled in a web of international corruption. This is one mission she has to complete alone, but can Jaq be sure she is chasing down the right target? And who is pursuing Jaq?

Book cover showing woman walking through a tropical jungle

Series: Jaq Silver Thrillers

Formats available: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

First published: 29/06/23

Buy Now

Reviews for The Chemical Code

‘A 21st-century reinterpretation of classic 007-style action, villainy, exotic location and pretzel plotting… a genuine goldmine of a thriller.’

Engineering and Technology

‘Erskine’s latest outing for Jaq Silver, an explosives and chemical expert, sees Silver back in Brazil, where the race is on for the country’s vast mineral riches. Jaq is quickly drawn into a vortex of action, danger and exotic locations.’

Financial Times

‘A page-turning rollercoaster. Intelligent, exciting, and so much bang for your buck that it’s scary.’

Jude O'Reilly

‘This book has it all. Phenomenal world-building. Totally original plot. Fascinating and insightful social commentary. Love. Sex. Punch-ups. There’s nothing not to like. Jaq Silver is undoubtedly the best character I’ve met in years.’

Emma Christie




Sunny southern sojourn with friends and family and a stonkingly good book. London looking stunning!


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Sunny southern sojourn with friends and family and a stonkingly good book. London looking stunning!


In Houston for the day job, I went back to visit my old house and primary school from when my dad had a sabbatical at Rice University. Fleming park is much smaller than I remember but the fire ants are still there! Highlight was a full Tex-Mex with Theresa and Bhopal expert Kenneth Bloch – plans afoot for a new book.


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In Houston for the day job, I went back to visit my old house and primary school from when my dad had a sabbatical at Rice University. Fleming park is much smaller than I remember but the fire ants are still there! Highlight was a full Tex-Mex with Theresa and Bhopal expert Kenneth Bloch - plans afoot for a new book.


I swam 24km in 5 days. Hard work?

Try tuna canning, salt drying or sulphur mining…

https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/sulphur-and-salt


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I swam 24km in 5 days. Hard work? Try tuna canning, salt drying or sulphur mining... https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/sulphur-and-salt


Goodbye #egadiislands and thank you @swimtrek for an amazing week – 24 kilometres with wonderful guides, fellow swimmers and multicoloured fishes!


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Goodbye #egadiislands and thank you @swimtrek for an amazing week - 24 kilometres with wonderful guides, fellow swimmers and multicoloured fishes!


This week #PhosphateRocks e-book is only £0.99 in UK

Who doesn`t love a story about a demolition gone wrong? @raine_clouds_writes @lesleykellyauthor

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phosphate-Rocks-Death-Ten-Objects-ebook/dp/B0CTRRXKNY

PS: The audio book narrated by @rain.goblin is pretty special too


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This week #PhosphateRocks e-book is only £0.99 in UK Who doesn't love a story about a demolition gone wrong? @raine_clouds_writes @lesleykellyauthor https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phosphate-Rocks-Death-Ten-Objects-ebook/dp/B0CTRRXKNY PS: The audio book narrated by @rain.goblin is pretty special too


A quarter of my sales this month were overseas for the very first time!

Massive thanks to all those fine Canadians for topping the list. Say Hi if you see this.

https://fionaerskine.com/


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A quarter of my sales this month were overseas for the very first time! Massive thanks to all those fine Canadians for topping the list. Say Hi if you see this. https://fionaerskine.com/


On my way to Harrogate today

https://open.substack.com/pub/fionaerskine/p/harrogate

Say hello if you`ll be there


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On my way to Harrogate today https://open.substack.com/pub/fionaerskine/p/harrogate Say hello if you'll be there


What makes the perfect handbag and how much is it worth?

https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/the-perfect-handbag


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What makes the perfect handbag and how much is it worth? https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/the-perfect-handbag


Follow me on Instagram
erskine_fiona avatar Fiona Erskine @erskine_fiona ·
15 Dec 2000570239801860295

I have news!
Stellar thanks to @SFcrowsnest for a stirring introduction - to #TheLye and to #agentjarrold for his immense courage. Watch this space…

Twitter feed video.
Retweet on Twitter Fiona Erskine Retweeted
NicolaCornick avatar Nicola Cornick @NicolaCornick ·
12 Dec 1999517474824257850

Novelist Carolyn Kirby discusses the apparently radical shift in men’s fashions during the late 18th century and the invention of the ‘masculine’ style that still dominates menswear. https://historiamag.com/invent-masculine-fashion/ via @HistoriaHWA

Image for the Tweet beginning: Novelist Carolyn Kirby discusses the Twitter feed image.
erskine_fiona avatar Fiona Erskine @erskine_fiona ·
12 Dec 1999558731126755508

I have news. Exciting news...
https://fionaerskine.com/news-item/exciting-news/

Image for the Tweet beginning: I have news. Exciting news... Twitter feed image.
Retweet on Twitter Fiona Erskine Retweeted
northodoxpress avatar Northodox Press 📖 @northodoxpress ·
1 Dec 1995418357223334346

Have you had a look at the brilliant Ravenglass by Carolyn Kirby yet?

Following a gender fluid character making their way in 1700s Whitehaven, this emotional and beautifully written globe trotting adventure is available with 25% off this Christmas!
https://share.google/AvrhJUHaVtFa9TVnK

Image for the Tweet beginning: Have you had a look Twitter feed image.
Image for the Tweet beginning: Have you had a look Twitter feed image.
erskine_fiona avatar Fiona Erskine @erskine_fiona ·
29 Nov 1994767285408731213

Happiness is a train journey with a seat and a good book #lner #thesaltoracle

Image for the Tweet beginning: Happiness is a train journey Twitter feed image.
erskine_fiona avatar Fiona Erskine @erskine_fiona ·
17 Nov 1990505455957746104

Excellent post - thank you @GalleyBeggars @GonzaloCGarcia

Image for the Tweet beginning: Excellent post - thank you Twitter feed image.
erskine_fiona avatar Fiona Erskine @erskine_fiona ·
13 Nov 1988969454982865339

Ongoing serialisation of
#PhosphateRocks continues as the mystery deepens
Chapter 27: Broken Sunglasses - Features - The Chemical Engineer - https://goo.gl/alerts/EVCA3x #GoogleAlerts @IChemE

Image for the Tweet beginning: Ongoing serialisation of #PhosphateRocks continues Twitter feed image.
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