Hello from Bournemouth!
I’m excited to announce today some details of my next novel, The Girl on the Burning Boat. Some of you might notice the title shares a few similarities with several other books out there – The Girl on the Train, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and there are plenty more. That’s not exactly a coincidence. This book also shares some of the elements that mark out those books – suspense, twists, unexpected turns…
But it does, ultimately, have one key difference. With a bit of luck you won’t find out what that is until the final page. My hope is, you’ll then realise the biggest surprise of all was hidden in plain sight all the time.
The Setting
Having invented a fictional island off the coast of the USA for my last book, I’ve come a bit closer to home with Burning Boat. The book is set largely in and around Poole Harbour (which is just down the road from me), with sojourns to Africa, the mid-Atlantic, London, and also Exeter Motorway Service Station.
The properties in the Sandbanks area of Poole Harbour are regularly described as the most expensive in the world in terms of the cost per square foot. I don’t know if that’s strictly true (or how anyone really tracks these things) but they’re very lovely homes. The reason they cost so much is because they feature amazing sea views on two sides. Their fronts sit directly over the beach and the open Atlantic, while the backs offer breath-taking views onto Poole Harbour itself – the world’s second largest natural harbour with its many islands and the rolling hills of the Isle of Purbeck beyond. It’s in one of these incredible houses that much of the action of the book takes place.
The Story
With such an exceptional location it’s perhaps no surprise that exceptionally wealthy people live there. Nor that they live exceptional lives – or at least, as a novelist, that I can imagine the exceptional lives they might live. The story charts one such fictional family – the Belhavens – who settle in Sandbanks when Charlie Belhaven begins to outperform the market as an investment banker in the 1980s. Together with his wife Alenka, from Slovakia, they build a beautiful house and bring up their two beautiful daughters. For many years the family appear to lead a perfect life. But a year ago their happiness is shattered when Charlie drowns in the Southern Indian Ocean while taking part in a round-the-world yacht race.
An investigation into his death concludes it’s a tragic accident, and the remaining members of the Belhaven family struggle to get on with their lives. But then a workman discovers something hidden in the house that threatens to blow apart everything they think they know about Charlie, and their own lives.
The Girl on the Burning Boat is part love story, part mystery, part conspiracy and part psychological thriller.
Coming Soon!
I had hoped to bring The Girl on the Burning Boat out during the summer – and that still might happen – but with the kids on holiday next week I rather suspect it will be a little later now. The book is finished, but I’ve asked a few early readers to feedback on what they think, and I’m hoping to use their help to really tighten the story up. It’s a complex plot this one, and I suspect it will benefit from me taking a little more time. When it does come out I hope to have ebook, print and audio versions coming out at roughly the same time. I haven’t decided yet but I’ll probably offer it as a discount to people on the mailing list first…
The blurb for the book is below. I really hope you like it!
The Girl on the Burning Boat
Medical student Jamie takes a casual job in the house of a wealthy family, where two things happen to change his life. He discovers a mysterious computer file hidden inside a secret compartment. And he meets the youngest daughter – Alice.
She’s beautiful, smart, funny, and so full of life that she captivates him, even though she’s still recovering from the untimely death of her father. But even though the attraction seems mutual, she exists in a world of wealth and power, that’s well out of his reach.
But when Jamie opens the file, he discovers something – the shocking secret behind Alice’s family fortune. And when he tells Alice about it, he turns them both into targets. Because someone knows about the file. Someone powerful. And when they discover Jamie and Alice know about it, they will stop at nothing to ensure its secrets stay buried forever.
Because what’s on the file isn’t what Jamie and Alice think it is.
This lovely weather we have been enjoying has seen me out in the garden with feet up, a cold drink and a good book. Your first three books have been quite exceptional so please hurry up and get this next one out on sale as soon as possible. And pleased to see you chose that cover; makes much more of a statement than the other one you were considering.
Ooh, the intensity of waiting for the book to be released. I rarely anticipate in anything let alone a book but for your book, I’m intrigued with the suspense that I can’t wait…love the cover btw.
Happy birthday for yesterday Gregg. Thank you for the preview of your next book which I look forward to devouring! I find your writing easy to read and once “in” to the story I read through the night to finish then feel disappointed that the story has ended! If you wrote faster I’d read more LOL. Have an amazing summer with your kids.
I get so damn excited when I see your name in my emails! Cuz I know it means you have a new book coming out & I absolutely loved your 1st 3 books! I gave them all 5 star ratings. I can’t wait to get my hands on this!
Cannot wait to read this new book.
Loved the two previous books and I am now looking forward to The Girl on the Burning Boat. The brief previews that have been released only make it more intriguing. Also belated great birthday wishes and happy camping.
I am really looking forward to your new book.
Belated birthday wishes.
Great cover! My book club will love this.
Looking forward to read your new book, sounds intriguing. Happy birthday enjoy your hols.
Great news, I cannot wait. I’ve read all your books so far, I loved the desert run.
It looks like another great read is on its way to us all. I’m sort of even wishing the summer away!!
I hope the birthday weekend went well.
I’m hooked!!! Looking forward to reading the whole book!
I love the cover, by the way!
Looking forward to reading this!
The cover has turned out brilliant no doubt the rest of the book will do justice. Your previous books will be a hard act to follow.
Another Kindle ‘ must have’. I used to live not far from Poole and can’t wait to read this book once it’s released.
You share your birthday with my son so Happy Birthday to you too.
I impatiently wait for your new book to arrive as I have throughly enjoyed your others…
Really enjoyed The Desert Run. Looking forward to your new release.
Happy Birthday Gregg! I have enjoyed reading all of your books and am looking forward to the new release. Thanks for keeping us updated on the latest news, I always enjoy reading your posts!
Dear Gregg
Reading the blurb and so on, I am now really so excited that your book is soon going to be published and am looking forward to reading it. Only problem is that your books make it hard to put down and the book is soon finish. Hope your birthday and camping is all exciting too. Well done on your new book, the cover is great too.
Best wishes
Maria
Really looking forward to reading this one. Sounds intriguing. Glad it’s set closer to home. Good luck with it and happy birthday.
Happy birthday! Can’t wait to get “girl” on my kindle.
Can’t wait for its release. I have read your others and have got on my must read list. Have a very happy birthday too and enjoy your holiday.
I can’t wait for this book to come out! I absolutely loved all of the others! You will have to work really hard to beat them. Happy Birthday and enjoy your Holiday!
Very much looking forward to reading this, Greg. I like your style/ characters/ language/ plots/ suspense … ok I know the kids are off but just get it published, would you? 😄
Oh, and do have a fantastic birthday- you’re allowed a day off for that 😄🥂🍾🎂
Happy Birthday Gregg!
Can’t wait for this book to come out!
Thanx for letting us help with the cover by voting.
Enjoy your holiday!
Happy Birthday Gregg! I am excited to read your next release as the others were all page-turners. I am a huge fan! I also very much enjoyed the settings of previous novels and am sure this will also be fascinating. Wishing you the best of success!
I can’t wait for this book to come out. Every time I read one of your blogs about the book——- it really peaks my interest ——-again and again. I r love the cover page of the book—— the design, alone, makes me want the book——- NOW! Happy vacation for you——
Happy Birthday. I am looking forward to another one of your fantastic books! Have fun with the family
I can’t wait to read this book. And I refuse to read your enticing plot summaries. They tell me too much.
Happy holiday
Happy Birthday Gregg.Looking forward to yet another spectacular read from you with this latest book.Hope the children don’t wear you down this weekend !!
Happy Birthday! I have enjoyed your books, especially The Wave at Hanging Rock. I am looking forward to the release of this one. Love the cover!!!
I endorse all the other comments! Can’t wait for the new book. What a convoluted clever mind you have and congratulations on the good use you put it to!!
Many happy returns of the day xx.
Another difference from other The Girl…. books, is I’m going to read this one. Waiting, trying to be patient lol.
I’ve enjoyed every one of your books, and your brother’s book as well. I’m really looking forward to The Girl….
Being a hopelessly uninformed American, I’ve never heard of Poole Harbour and look forward to learning about it. I live on the shore of the Caribbean and love a good seascape. Not as one of the wealthy, we’ve lived in what you Brits call a caravan (it’s a 5th wheel trailer) for almost 19 years down here. Keep me informed via your mailing list, please!
Happy birthday, enjoy the kids. That Poole Harbour picture looks amazing.ok… so what ideas for the next book after this one…..
Happy Birthday Gregg! And enjoy your holiday 😎.
Looking forward to reading your new book.
Hi Gregg
Have a good break and enjoy your birthday. Looking forward to another great read with The Girl on the Burning Boat as with the other three. It will be interesting to see if I can work out the plot before the last page this time!
All the best
Gordon
Have a good holiday and a happy birthday as well looking forward to new book
Can’t wait to read it. Sounds great and I spent a great deal of my childhood holidays in the area of Poole.
I question your dedication to your readers, this book would have been my perfect beach read!!! I’m obviously kidding but looking forward to reading it. Have a good birthday and holiday
I look forward to your latest book as I really enjoyed the others. I envy you living in that part of the world as Poole is a firm favourite with this family. Hurry and get it to us.
I only really read at night before going to sleep and most books seem to aid me in that, however each of yours have kept me awake till the wee small hours. Looking forward to this one.
So glad the book is nearly here. Have been waiting for it. Living in Spain I recommended your books on Javea Connect a Facebook site as people were asking for good books to read. These sites are good for you to advertise on as they have over 1000 ex pats connected. Also Jalon valley connect. Look them up plus any other connect sites in Spain, and advertise your new book when it is released. Happy Birthday xxx
Can’t wait!!
Welcome to the July birthday club! I also have a birthday in July.
Happy Birthay, and many more to come.
Can’t wait for the book to come out. It gets more exciting every time I read a snippet .
I’ve enjoyed your earlier books and this one sounds very intriguing. I’m looking forward to it’s release and I with you a Happy Birthday!
Massive thanks to everyone for the support (and birthday wishes!). I can’t easily reply to each of these but they mean a lot! thanks! 🙂
I’m so excited about your new book! So looking forward to it! I have read all of your books so far, and I love your work. Happy Birthday Gregg, wishing you all the best and great success! Enjoy your vacation with your family. You deserve it.
I am part way through your third book at the moment, and can’t wait for the next.
Looking forward to reading this. Enjoyed reading your previous ones.
looking forward to the new book
Enjoy your birthday and your holidays.
Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to dive in.
Happy Birthday. I have loved all your books so far. Desert Run had me burning the candle well into the small hours as I couldn’t put it down. I loved the ending and wanted another story regarding what next …
Waiting impatiently for this next book.
Happy Birthday!This book looks to be another Fantastic Excellent read from you, Greg!Can’t wait! Love that cover too.
Happy Birthday, Gregg! Can’t wait to read this one. I’ve loved all your other books, so this one just has to be great. Have fun this weekend!
Your books just keep getting better and better Gregg! You’ve become one of my favourite writers and I am waiting with bated breath for the release of The Girl on the Burning Boat! Congratulations . . . And Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday and I also love the cover and wish you much success with the new book. Sounds incredible! Can’t wait to read!
Looking forward to getting stuck into this
You share a birthday with my sister. Hope you manage to get the book out soon. Xx
Looking forward to this new book Gregg. It sounds intriguing and I’ve enjoyed your other books. Happy Birthday and will watch for your newest endeavour.
Can’t wait to read this. I have enjoyed all your books that I have read.
I really enjoyed your earlier release. I found it slightly quirky being from the perspective of an eleven year old boy. I’m looking forward to this next read and hope that it’s ready for my summer hols!!
I do like the cover of your new book – very eye cetching and intriguing!
Good luck and much success to you!
Sound exciting! Can’t wait to read it Gregg!
Happy Birthday too!
Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to read it. Sure it will be great just like your others!
Have an amazing birthday Gregg! I can’t wait for your new book. I loved The Wave at Hanging Rock so much I spent £16 on a hard copy of it for my daughter who is studying English literature at A level. she loved it too. I enjoyed the Rock Pools story too but I could foresee what was going to happen about half way through. I am excited to see what you do. I know Poole fairly well so am excited by this next book. I live in Lincoln which has a deep and interesting history all of its own with the Castle and Cathedral and all the under ground secret tunnels…. it would be a great setting for your work too. In the meantime I wait patiently!!!
I’m really looking forward to the book coming out it sounds like my sort of read!!! Hope you have a great holiday!
I’m thrilled you will have another book soon. Just discovered you a couple weeks ago when I read “The Things You Find in Rock Pools,” after seeing an ad on Facebook. I read that and “The Desert Run” and “The Wave at Hanging Rock” directly after (I’m on the subway a lot). Anyhow, was bummed when I saw you hadn’t written another one yet. Love your books and am very excited for the next one!!
Have loved all your books so far so cant wait for this one.
Happy Birthday and Happy Holiday.
Looking forward to this. Your books have become a must read in my house!
Hurry up, Mr. Dunnett. The suspense is hurting!
Sounds like a great read. I look forward to it coming out.
Happy Birthday, have great fun with your kids this summer ……and I anticipate another outstanding who-dunnit Dunnett !
Happy Birthday & good luck with your new book. I loved rock pools & expect this will be as good.
Looking forward to reading The Girl on the Burning Boat. I’ve enjoyed reading your previous releases and am waiting with baited breath for your new book to be released.
Happy holidays!
Sounds like another good read! Can’t wait for the release.