Seeds of Vengeance

by Stephen Joyce

A series of grisly murders have occurred across the country and are being sensationalised by the media.
Police forces operating in isolation have been highlighted as being spectacularly ineffective against a devious and brutal adversary, whose M.O. is designed to render forensics almost useless.
Caught in a pincer movement between MI6 and the Home Office, MI5 has been invited to lead the manhunt. However, the higher echelons in MI5 must protect their prestige. They have no appetite to be reduced to mere plods.
This experiment must fail! A scapegoat is required.
Step forward, Ryan Young, a competent and experienced MI5 data analyst but also a socially inept computer nerd; definitely not super sleuth material.
With the cards being stacked against him, what can he hope to achieve as the body count rises and time is running out?

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

Stephen Joyce’s route to becoming an author has been a diverse one. Part of his early career was spent working on a support ship to an aircraft-carrier, providing experiences that proved to be memorable. In the later part of his career, he went on to establish his own cyber security consultancy, working with some of the UK’s largest financial institutions.

Reviews

[Zyanya Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It’s a gripping thriller that keeps the tension high from the beginning.

The storyline feels fresh, especially with the way the killer stays ahead of forensic investigation.

Ryan Young is such an unlikely hero, which made his journey even more satisfying to follow. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys smart, fast paced crime stories.

[Abiola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good. Kept me hooked with the murders and the investigation pressure. I liked how everything escalated.

[katiethebookishworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a straightforward read with an interesting premise. Ryan has been sent in to fail at his task but is adamant that won’t happen. Enjoyed the relationship him and Stan built over the course of the case. While it didn’t completely blow me away or offer major surprises, it’s a solid, stable book that gets the job done.

[Raymond Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen reached out to us to see if we’d read Seeds of Vengeance, a thriller with political undertones and an interesting MI5/spy element and kindly gifted us a copy.

It’s a little outside my usual crime and police procedural reads, but I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I especially liked the spy side of the story and Keavey’s almost femme-fatale character.

Ryan Young is an unlikely hero, with his cords and comfy cardigans, and I couldn’t help but warm to him. I also loved Stan, especially the contrast between Ryan’s computer skills and Stan’s very different knowledge of ‘fireplaces’… IYKYK 😂

The only thing I’d say is at times some conversations felt a little unnatural and think people wouldn’t talk like that and felt a little unnatural. However you can tell a lot of research went into the MI5 and political side of the story, which made it feel completely believable and second guessing till the end.

Overall, this was a great change from my usual reads, with plenty of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this one and was pleasantly surprised.

[Miss E · Rating 4 out of 5]

First i need to say this is not my usual genre, it’s no great secret that I’m a romance/romantasy girl at ❤️ but i can happily say i enjoyed this book!

This is an investigative crime/Thriller with some political involvement too, it’s a good one for anyone who enjoys a classic ‘mystery to be solved’ book.

The messaging from this one for me was to let go of a grudge because holding onto resentment and trying to be vengeful causes more harm than good.

The subject/crime at the centre of this is dark but adds to the deep feelings that i feel this book evokes-The plot is believable which i enjoyed as some thrillers i find can add twists for the sake of it and that makes the story unrealistic-that was not the case here.

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeds of Vengeance is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Stephen Joyce crafts a chilling storyline filled with suspense, political tension, and a cleverly elusive antagonist. The protagonist, Ryan Young, is refreshingly unconventional, his intelligence and awkwardness make him both relatable and compelling. The plot’s twists, combined with the high-stakes pressure from within MI5, add depth beyond a typical crime novel. A dark, engaging read that thriller fans will thoroughly enjoy.

[Alex Gened · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book balances murder mystery, suspense, and character pressure very well. The media attention, failed investigations, and internal politics make the case feel bigger than a normal thriller. Ryan Young is a character you want to see succeed despite the odds. It’s an engaging read without unnecessary exaggeration. Recommended for fans of mystery books, thriller novels, and British detective stories.

[OnlyAkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story hooked me right from the start. The tension between the intelligence agencies and the rising body count creates such a gripping atmosphere. Ryan Young is an unexpectedly relatable character, and watching him get thrown into something way over his head makes the story even more compelling.

[Ellen Townley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a crime thriller without the focus being on the gore and the graphic crime scenes then this one will be for you, it concentrates more on the investigation side of things

It did keep me interested throughout and I kept guessing who was involved, there were some good twists in it also which I enjoyed.

Overall a great solid read with interested characters and some good twists

[Stephenab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, high stakes thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The tension between MI5, MI6, and the Home Office adds a brilliant political edge. Ryan Young is an unconventional but compelling protagonist.

[Amber Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from the outset, this thriller weaves together brutal crimes, media frenzy, and internal power struggles within intelligence agencies. Seeds of Vengeance stands out for its tense atmosphere and clever plotting, with twists that keep the reader guessing.

[FOFOXIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book, since 2025, this a full crime book and solution. it is good for 🕵️‍♂️ detectives.

If you are in search of a book that deals with crime and solution.

Something will make your day...

[Ella Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart and gripping crime thriller with strong suspense. Ryan Young is an interesting lead, and the investigation keeps you hooked. Recommended for fans of British mystery and thriller books.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the slow unraveling of everything. It’s not rushed, but it never drags either. The office politics and hidden agendas made the story feel bigger than just a murder case.

[Akanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, intelligent, and well-paced. The murders are chilling, and the investigation feels realistic. Ryan’s character adds depth, though I wanted a bit more emotional development.

[Pastor Pelengo · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have done a great Job, this reminds of a book i read when I was in college.

Good work Steven Joyce

[Author Sifasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a strong, gripping thriller with a lot of heart. Ryan's struggle against both the system and the killers makes for a truly compelling story.

[Hihohiw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic blend of crime, intelligence work, and internal politics. It feels fresh and exciting.

[Jotehov · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing pulls you in immediately and doesn’t let go. It’s intense, smart, and very well-paced.

[Kedel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan is such a unique protagonist. He’s flawed, awkward, but incredibly capable in his own way.

[Writer Kajep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The killer’s method is chilling, and the investigation feels like a race against time.

[Yetab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got my attention, I like to read crime books to sharp myself.

[Hibin Shelfwriter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice content

[Texe Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

The killer's method is chilling, and the investigation feels like a race

[Lomad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated how complex the situation was. Nothing is simple, and that makes it feel authentic.

[Badgerhole Boko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart and gritty thriller. The killer’s method is terrifyingly clever, and the bureaucratic obstacles make everything even more intense.

[Mapeke Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the concept of a killer who outsmarts forensics. It raises the stakes and makes the investigation feel almost impossible.

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have done well with this book..

[Heyo Paw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging read. The plot twists and political tension keep things interesting throughout.

[Rajej Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that balances action with intelligence. It’s not just about what happens it’s about why.