The Castle
Published by Orion 2025
Synopsis
Following the successful conclusion of another immensely demanding negotiation in south London, Superintendent Alex Lewis and his partner Pip head for a much-needed break in the Scottish Highlands. But, the morning after their arrival on the Blane Castle estate, they find themselves caught up in an attempt by an armed gang to kidnap a well-known Scottish Earl.
In the desperate hours that follow, Alex and Pip must call on all their years of negotiating experience to save not only the life of the Earl, but their own lives too.
Praise for “The Castle”
Thrilling… A great read.
Kate London
The Castle is a thriller written by one who knows. It’s authentic, atmospheric, beautifully plotted with characters you want to succeed. If you like Tartan Noir this one’s for you.
Mari Hannah
A lightning paced thriller set in the Scottish Highlands. Akin to a homage to the high octane 70s thrillers of MacLean and Bagley. Great characters, unrelenting tension, and swashbuckling action. A triumph.
Neil Lancaster
The Castle has everything you want in a thriller: great characters, a fabulous setting, heart-stopping jeopardy and twist after twist… a corker.
CJ Wray
Written by someone who has been there, seen it and done it, The Castle is an authentic and gripping thriller with characters that sing off the page. Intricately plotted and expert in its procedure, this is one not to miss.
GD Wright
Sutherland is the master of blending gritty authentic thrillers with deeply sympathetic characters. The Castle drops you in an idyllic setting then hurls you into a nightmare in which Alex, Pip and their old pal Tom seem to stand no chance. Fabulous!
Graham Bartlett
Brilliant
Alexis Conran, Times Radio
Exceptional
Chris McDonald
Full of action and energy, empathy and honour, this absolutely cracking thriller set in Scotland certainly lives up to expectations. Highly recommended.
Liz Robinson (LoveReading)
The third in Sutherland’s well-drawn series… Drawing on his own experiences with the Met, Sutherland reminds us that, beneath the uniform, police officers are as human as the rest of us.
James Owen, The Times
John Sutherland’s latest page turning thriller is a triumph! Set in the Scottish Highlands, The Castle is bursting with authenticity from a writer who understands the world of hostage negotiation better than anyone. A gripping, original novel with an ending that may well have readers reaching for a whisky to calm their nerves.
Christie Watson
Unputdownable
Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5Live
