News & events

Reviewed by NJ Cooper in Literary Review Nov 2024

Published to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, which was the worst chemical accident in the world, causing thousands of deaths and life-changing complications for many survivors, Fiona Erskine’s terrifying thriller explores the possibility of something similar happening on Teesside. Her exceptionally well-researched novel is led by Detective Inspector Julie Cadell. Single mother to a daughter who has left home and a seventeen-year-old son, Julie is still mourning the death of her eldest son. She is an admirable character, underestimated by many of her colleagues because of her lack of visible ferocity or ambition. But she never lets go, and when her boss closes the murder case she has been working on because a convenient suspect has been found and is now lying in a coma in hospital, she finds ways to continue the investigation. As emotionally intelligent as it is scientifically educational, Losing Control is exciting, persuasive and moving.

November 2024 Crime Round-up

Just my kind of detective novel: good, unflashy writing telling a great story.  A classy thriller that blends strong writing with fascinating science. Ann Cleeves (The Dark Wives)

An apparently run-of-the-mill murder in Teesside rapidly develops into an original and fascinating tale of international skulduggery highlighting one of the worst industrial catastrophes of the 20th century. Erskine is a genius at writing engrossing, pacey thrillers with a scientific element rippling through them. An absolutely must-read for lovers of exciting but intelligent crime fiction! Jane Jesmond (A Quiet Contagion)

A top-notch mystery puzzle introducing a great new detective. It keeps you guessing and builds to an action-packed, emotional climax. Antony Johnston (The Dog Sitter Detective)

What an excellent thriller. It has great characters, a great plot and beyond all that. Erskine’s book shines a light on one of the darkest moments of contemporary history. William Shaw (The Wild Swimmers)

Great plot, fascinating characters. A riveting cyber thriller. Trevor Wood (The Silent Killer)

LOSING CONTROL is an intelligent cyber-thriller with a scientific and human eye on the Bhopal tragedy, but the real heart is Julie Cadell – not just as a tenacious DI, but as a mother, driven by love for her children and grief for a lost child. Dom Nolan (White City)

A convincing web of cybercrime & chemical catastrophe builds to a breathless finale on the banks of the River Tees. Superb descriptions, compelling characters & intricate plotting: don’t miss this! Eve Smith (ONE)