SHORTLISTED FOR THE STAUNCH PRIZE
The Chemical Reaction
Jaq Silver spicy engineering thriller Book #2
Dr Jaqueline Silver reluctantly accepts a contract in China, but the factory she is due to visit vanishes overnight along with her former student, Dan. After receiving a message in code, Jaq forms an uneasy alliance with a group of athletes daylighting as art thieves. She makes a road trip from the Shaolin Temple – home of Kung Fu – to the rare earth mines of Jiangxi. She outwits corrupt police, duplicitous industrialists, only to come face to face with death near the Banqiao hydroelectric dam, scene of the worst structural failure of the 20th century.
Series: Jaq Silver Thrillers
Formats available: Hardback, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
First published: 16/04/20
Reviews for The Chemical Reaction
The plot is complex, intelligent and carefully developed and features just the right blend of suspense and mystery, explosions and gorgeous male strippers, theft of multi-million dollar artworks and five-star dining in interesting locations…
Forbes
An absolutely fast and furious action adventure story with a stunning female protagonist. Jaq Silver gives Jack Reacher a good run for his money. A rollicking good read.
Staunch Prize Shortlist
‘No one else writes with the knowledge or brio of Erskine.’
Literary Review
‘Never a dull moment, this is a whip-smart, action packed, intriguing read that has the reader rooting for Jaq, a thoroughly modern and engaging warrior… Highly recommended.’
Mystery People
‘The Chemical Reaction – a taut against-the-clock cliffhanging yarn located in China – is every bit as good as its Chernobyl predecessor, with trademark Erskine flourishes augmented by dodgy art auctions and disappearing chemical factories… If you’re looking for a really good thriller that is complex and exciting, get in on the Jaq Silver action now. You won’t be disappointed.’
Swansea Bay magazine
‘The book keeps the reader guessing throughout…and the fast pace of the thriller makes it difficult to put down.’
The Chemical Engineer
Other Editions
Related posts
My visit to Banqiao
Posted on March 7, 2019
Since starting work in China, I have made several attempts to visit the Banqiao Reservoir in Henan Province. My well-intentioned Chinese colleagues always had better suggestions for me: come see …
Read more
Sunny southern sojourn with friends and family and a stonkingly good book. London looking stunning!
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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.
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Competition time!
Celebrating the re-issue of the Jaq Silver thriller quartet – I`ll send a book anywhere in the world to the first person to correctly identify the exact location of the photo(s) after each book title.
Be specific – the country alone is not enough.
Good luck!
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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
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Goodbye #egadiislands and thank you @swimtrek for an amazing week – 24 kilometres with wonderful guides, fellow swimmers and multicoloured fishes!
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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
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August 8th is the 50th Anniversary of the Banqiao Dam disaster.
I went to visit.
https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/beware-sleeping-giants
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Still plenty of events to come!😁 More info and ticket links here: 👉 https://www.carolynkirby.com/blank-page-3
How refreshing to read @Megankstack in the @nytimes
‘A zombie regime, humiliated and crushed? Why do I find myself thinking of Russia’s Soviet Union-to-Vladimir Putin trajectory?’
Top cinema visit #1 was the glorious #HAMNET - a reminder of just how good a movie can be
Movie #2 of #3 - Astonishing #Marama . New Zealand horror is not for the faint hearted, but even if (like me) you close your eyes, the brilliant sound will fill in the gaps. Unforgettably…
Thoroughly enjoyed #3 of 3 cinema visits #WutheringHeightsMovie - a book I have always loathed. Over analysis does it no favours, I was swept away by the sound and visuals… and it’s laugh-out loud funny in places which leavens the grinding grimness.
The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson
@raine_clouds https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8128830782
We're looking forward to being part of Carolyn's tour for 'Ravenglass'! Carolyn will be with us @hull_libraries (Central and online), 11th February 📚
Fantastic to hear @Ofmooseandmen features on @BBCBooks - such a great publisher and @RonanHession1 is one of my favourite authors and a great interviewee. (Ghost Mountain fell in the bath - sorry!)
Saturday 10 January 2026. @TonyKent_Writes will be in @wstonesdurham FREE event. See you there! #RevengeOfOdessa
I have news!
Stellar thanks to @SFcrowsnest for a stirring introduction - to #TheLye and to #agentjarrold for his immense courage. Watch this space…
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