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Cause and Effect: A compelling eco-thriller full of twists and turns
A crisp autumn morning greets the nation’s commuters.
But one man will stop at nothing to ensure they never complete their journey...
When the multi-millionaire owner of one of the largest transport and logistics companies in the UK attempts to paralyse the country’s motorway network via a co-ordinated terrorist attack, disillusioned police detective, Dan Tyler, must fight his own demons in a bid to prevent the impending disaster.
But with the clock ticking, and the blame being deflected onto an innocent band of environmental activists, will Dan find a way to stop this plot in time?
But one man will stop at nothing to ensure they never complete their journey...
When the multi-millionaire owner of one of the largest transport and logistics companies in the UK attempts to paralyse the country’s motorway network via a co-ordinated terrorist attack, disillusioned police detective, Dan Tyler, must fight his own demons in a bid to prevent the impending disaster.
But with the clock ticking, and the blame being deflected onto an innocent band of environmental activists, will Dan find a way to stop this plot in time?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2026
About the author
Rod Fielding
1 book3 followersI spent many years in an IT Training and Development environment, waiting for the right moment to write a book.
Positively influenced by parents who both worked in the teaching profession, I was always encouraged to push around the boundaries of my own creative imagination. Now retired, a move from writing largely web-based news articles and training support material for a national Care and Retirement Living organisation to a first work of fiction, 'Cause And Effect', has been an ambition nearly three decades in the making.
The attention to detail in my writing comes from a professional need for accuracy that can now be unleashed more liberally, in a world of creative and imaginative writing!
A keen traveller, particularly in the USA where I have ventured extensively, I have visited all of the locations featured in my first book and plan to expand upon this contrasting geography in a second novel. I'm an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction alike and, a live concert and seventies rock music bore with a tendency to collect all manner of things related to that genre! I currently live in Gloucestershire.
Positively influenced by parents who both worked in the teaching profession, I was always encouraged to push around the boundaries of my own creative imagination. Now retired, a move from writing largely web-based news articles and training support material for a national Care and Retirement Living organisation to a first work of fiction, 'Cause And Effect', has been an ambition nearly three decades in the making.
The attention to detail in my writing comes from a professional need for accuracy that can now be unleashed more liberally, in a world of creative and imaginative writing!
A keen traveller, particularly in the USA where I have ventured extensively, I have visited all of the locations featured in my first book and plan to expand upon this contrasting geography in a second novel. I'm an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction alike and, a live concert and seventies rock music bore with a tendency to collect all manner of things related to that genre! I currently live in Gloucestershire.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A beautifully crafted tale. I can’t remember the last time I read a book as well constructed as Rod Fielding’s ‘Cause and Effect’. Thank you Cranthorpe Milner for the ARC.
Starting with an opportunistic burglary, it soon brings us to the main character DS Dan Tyler, tormented by failings in his personal life, and whose career seems to have stalled despite his undeniable ability to bring criminals to justice. Along the way the burglar has been the victim of a suspicious hit and run accident and we have learned that a transport industry magnate is plotting something sinister.
The way the plot develops puts me in mind of Ravel’s Bolero. A hint that something has started turns into a whisper that engages the reader’s attention, the theme is then explored from one character to another. Each iteration adding just enough to build expectation but not giving away too much. As the theme repeats and slowly moves forward, controlled and gently unveiling more, the reader’s attention is seduced, knowing that the plot has started to build towards the inevitable climax. Just what will that climax be, where it will be, how it will happen? The reader has to wait as the story develops incrementally, one small step at a time, each building tension as the characters become more involved and the sinister plot is revealed. Although we don’t know how or where, by now we are ensnared in DS Tyler’s involvement with the security service’s attempt to foil the plan. The suspense continues to develop exquisitely, degree by degree, right to the very end.
As in all great mystery thrillers there is an unexpected twist or two along the way, which in this tale leaves both sides wondering who they can, and who they cannot, trust.
Thoroughly recommended reading. I doubt this is the last we shall hear of DS Dan Tyler, or his author Rod Fielding, and that is something to look forward to.
Starting with an opportunistic burglary, it soon brings us to the main character DS Dan Tyler, tormented by failings in his personal life, and whose career seems to have stalled despite his undeniable ability to bring criminals to justice. Along the way the burglar has been the victim of a suspicious hit and run accident and we have learned that a transport industry magnate is plotting something sinister.
The way the plot develops puts me in mind of Ravel’s Bolero. A hint that something has started turns into a whisper that engages the reader’s attention, the theme is then explored from one character to another. Each iteration adding just enough to build expectation but not giving away too much. As the theme repeats and slowly moves forward, controlled and gently unveiling more, the reader’s attention is seduced, knowing that the plot has started to build towards the inevitable climax. Just what will that climax be, where it will be, how it will happen? The reader has to wait as the story develops incrementally, one small step at a time, each building tension as the characters become more involved and the sinister plot is revealed. Although we don’t know how or where, by now we are ensnared in DS Tyler’s involvement with the security service’s attempt to foil the plan. The suspense continues to develop exquisitely, degree by degree, right to the very end.
As in all great mystery thrillers there is an unexpected twist or two along the way, which in this tale leaves both sides wondering who they can, and who they cannot, trust.
Thoroughly recommended reading. I doubt this is the last we shall hear of DS Dan Tyler, or his author Rod Fielding, and that is something to look forward to.
June 3, 2026
I bought this book following a "meet the author" session at my local independent book shop. (Warwick Books)
I had already sampled the first chapter and decided it was my usual type of crime book.
The story is well structured and riffs on the theme of what would happen if the motorway network was completely blocked. This is clear from the start - but the writer does not reveal how this is going to be achieved until much later.
During his presentation at the bookshop I asked him, as it's his first book, whether he had received any guidance or attended any writing workshops. His answer was "no - I read a book every week and have done so for some time, so just picked the parts that other authors use as a starting point. The basic story was suggested by a conversation with my father some years ago."
He also received advice from his publishers on editing.
Unfortunately this results in a variety of styles, some elements of Ian Fleming / James Bond - evil villain looking to exploit a weakness - through to Baldacci and Peter James / Grace. Hence my 3 stars.
A competent book but I think the author needs to identify his own style in future.
I had already sampled the first chapter and decided it was my usual type of crime book.
The story is well structured and riffs on the theme of what would happen if the motorway network was completely blocked. This is clear from the start - but the writer does not reveal how this is going to be achieved until much later.
During his presentation at the bookshop I asked him, as it's his first book, whether he had received any guidance or attended any writing workshops. His answer was "no - I read a book every week and have done so for some time, so just picked the parts that other authors use as a starting point. The basic story was suggested by a conversation with my father some years ago."
He also received advice from his publishers on editing.
Unfortunately this results in a variety of styles, some elements of Ian Fleming / James Bond - evil villain looking to exploit a weakness - through to Baldacci and Peter James / Grace. Hence my 3 stars.
A competent book but I think the author needs to identify his own style in future.
March 24, 2026
Great book! From the start it gripped me. Like any good crime novel it’s full of twists and turns and leaves you trying to figure out how it all connects together. I need a follow up book to know how Dan’s story ends.
May 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this book, I wasn’t sure to start with as I wasn’t keen on the initial characters but once Dan Tyler was introduced I was hooked. Looking forward to reading the sequel, hopefully it won’t be too long to wait!
June 11, 2026
I absolutely loved this book, this is an excellent thriller novel with so many twists and turns. I also loved how descriptive the plot was and there are some really great characters. Really hoping there is a second book so we can see more from Rod Fielding!
August 11, 2026
I loved this book! A great thriller with a very likeable main character - I MUST know what happens next!
I liked that the plot was a little different to lots of other thrillers I've read this year, not your typical 'who done it' but a clever plot that I genuinely didn't guess
I liked that the plot was a little different to lots of other thrillers I've read this year, not your typical 'who done it' but a clever plot that I genuinely didn't guess
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story is quite interesting, and the writing is very good, but it is just too longwinded, and it takes a lot of time until it reaches some suspense.
April 4, 2026
Brilliant Read!
I really enjoyed this book! Lots of twists and turns that kept you guessing all the way through. Thoroughly recommend!! When is the next one out?
More from Rod Fielding please!!
I really enjoyed this book! Lots of twists and turns that kept you guessing all the way through. Thoroughly recommend!! When is the next one out?
More from Rod Fielding please!!
August 27, 2026
Fantastic from start to finish. A really gripping novel that keeps you on your toes. A few twists and turns but very well paced. Also very real and relatable characters. Super well researched too. Fingers crossed there is another one in the works!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews