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One Step Closer
“A perfectly plotted, tense and gripping thriller!”
– Ann Parker, bestselling author
Two months ago, a man was murdered in his own flat.
Now, Piper is on the run, desperate to stay one step ahead of the police and the truth she’s trying to bury. But when the weight of it all drives her to the edge – literally – she meets Jack, a quiet, shaggy-haired farmer who offers her an unexpected lifeline.
Life on the farm should be her perfect hiding A fresh start in a remote village, far away from any city, where no one asks too many questions.
But when strange letters start arriving, suggesting Piper is hiding far more than she’s letting on, Jack’s trust begins to waver, and suspicion about what Piper is really running away from takes root.
With the police and the media closing in, and her secrets threatening to unravel, Piper must Can she keep running from her truth, or will the truth finally catch up with her?
Alex James Eccleston, author of North Paradise, makes his return to crime in this gripping edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense mystery.
Two months ago, a man was murdered in his own flat.
Now, Piper is on the run, desperate to stay one step ahead of the police and the truth she’s trying to bury. But when the weight of it all drives her to the edge – literally – she meets Jack, a quiet, shaggy-haired farmer who offers her an unexpected lifeline.
Life on the farm should be her perfect hiding A fresh start in a remote village, far away from any city, where no one asks too many questions.
But when strange letters start arriving, suggesting Piper is hiding far more than she’s letting on, Jack’s trust begins to waver, and suspicion about what Piper is really running away from takes root.
With the police and the media closing in, and her secrets threatening to unravel, Piper must Can she keep running from her truth, or will the truth finally catch up with her?
Alex James Eccleston, author of North Paradise, makes his return to crime in this gripping edge-of-your-seat psychological suspense mystery.
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About the author
Alex James Eccleston
11 books9 followersAlex James Eccleston is a bestselling British thriller and suspense author, best known for North Paradise, Forbidden Shores, and Hey, You. Alex loves to write emotionally charged stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats by combining elements of psychological tension, crime, and sometimes, even a bit of romance.
In his most recent work, Nineteen Minutes To Midnight, a teen time travel sci-fi adventure, Alex dives deep into the furthest corners of imagination, uncovering a daring and exciting new side to his storytelling, complete with high-stakes, twists and turns, emotional resonance, and a world unlike any he’s ever created.
Alex knows how to hook you from the first line – and once he does, he doesn’t let go. His characters are messy, flawed, and real, the kind that stay with you long after the final page. His stories twist when you least expect them to, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, he hits you right in the gut.
He’s been obsessed with books for as long as he can remember. Writers like Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Dan Simmons, and James Herbert opened the door – he still remembers the way Pet Sematary and The Rats made his skin crawl. Not just scary, but deeply unsettling in the best way. Those stories didn’t just entertain him; they inspired him, lighting a fresh, creative spark.
When he’s not writing, Alex is probably spending time with his family, lost in a book, or scribbling down the next idea that won’t leave him alone.
His novels take you on a ride – scary one minute, emotional the next – and once you’re in, there’s no getting off.
In his most recent work, Nineteen Minutes To Midnight, a teen time travel sci-fi adventure, Alex dives deep into the furthest corners of imagination, uncovering a daring and exciting new side to his storytelling, complete with high-stakes, twists and turns, emotional resonance, and a world unlike any he’s ever created.
Alex knows how to hook you from the first line – and once he does, he doesn’t let go. His characters are messy, flawed, and real, the kind that stay with you long after the final page. His stories twist when you least expect them to, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, he hits you right in the gut.
He’s been obsessed with books for as long as he can remember. Writers like Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Dan Simmons, and James Herbert opened the door – he still remembers the way Pet Sematary and The Rats made his skin crawl. Not just scary, but deeply unsettling in the best way. Those stories didn’t just entertain him; they inspired him, lighting a fresh, creative spark.
When he’s not writing, Alex is probably spending time with his family, lost in a book, or scribbling down the next idea that won’t leave him alone.
His novels take you on a ride – scary one minute, emotional the next – and once you’re in, there’s no getting off.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 17, 2025
I've read many of this author's books and they are always unique and exciting with many brilliant twists.
This is one of the best. The characters were ones you could get behind, especially Piper and Jack.
If you read One Step Closer you won't be disappointed, just surprised and intrigued.
This is one of the best. The characters were ones you could get behind, especially Piper and Jack.
If you read One Step Closer you won't be disappointed, just surprised and intrigued.
January 5, 2026
brilliant read
Absolutely jaw dropping…what an amazing story! Loved it! Super impressed with every twist and turn in this book! Wow..will definitely look up more books by this author!
Absolutely jaw dropping…what an amazing story! Loved it! Super impressed with every twist and turn in this book! Wow..will definitely look up more books by this author!
January 10, 2026
Brilliantly written ! Although I did struggle a little with the time zone changes, I do realise it was the best way to tell the story. So many twists and turns - kept me guessing until the very end! And what an ending !! Didn’t expect that!
November 1, 2025
OMG, This read was amazing. I couldn’t put my kindle down. I absolutely loved it. What a twist. This is a MUST READ. I’m hoping it will be a movie one day soon. Thank you Alex.
November 3, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Was gripped and couldn’t put it down
November 9, 2025
good story, lots of twists although sone were predictable. a little confusing at times, getting to know which characters pov you were reading, but overall a good read
November 13, 2025
Fabulous book
A tale of love, hate, abuse, fear and very well written. Had me gripped from the start and caused me to be late on an occasion! Highly recommend
A tale of love, hate, abuse, fear and very well written. Had me gripped from the start and caused me to be late on an occasion! Highly recommend
November 24, 2025
Fabtastic
Great story could not put down had tears a few times a really fantastic book can not wait to read more from this author.
Great story could not put down had tears a few times a really fantastic book can not wait to read more from this author.
November 25, 2025
Fabulous!
December 16, 2025
Wow! What an incredible mystery!
This book is definitely for adults but not blatently gratuitis. I read it straight through without being able to stop.
This book is definitely for adults but not blatently gratuitis. I read it straight through without being able to stop.
November 23, 2025
nice job
For me, reading books that hop back and forth between characters for each chapter isn’t to bad ( I can almost tolerate), but jumping from character to character in and out of past and present on top of that, may make an author a skilled writer, - but it is incredibly frustrating. Brain racking. Personally I don’t like that style of reading. However, the story itself was quite good. Connecting the dots, fantastic.
For me, reading books that hop back and forth between characters for each chapter isn’t to bad ( I can almost tolerate), but jumping from character to character in and out of past and present on top of that, may make an author a skilled writer, - but it is incredibly frustrating. Brain racking. Personally I don’t like that style of reading. However, the story itself was quite good. Connecting the dots, fantastic.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews