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Say You're Sorry: Book One

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Sometimes, an apology is all it takes to save your life, no matter who you are!

'SAY YOU'RE SORRY!'

A gripping page-turning crime thriller which will make you think twice about how you treat strangers or ever use the internet or your mobile phone again!

Say You’re Sorry weaves together the lives of four different people in a page-turning modern retelling of the biblical thriller: David versus Goliath. In this thrilling version, David works in a call centre in India, and Goliath is Scottish crime lord Tommy McNunn.

When Scottish crime lord Tommy ‘McNunn’ commits the perfect murder, killing a corrupt policeman and framing his death on a rival, DCI Campbell McKenzie knows there is little he can do to stop a gang war and prevent McNunn taking over the whole of Scotland.

However, when Tommy McNunn accidentally drives into an old age pensioner, destroys the man’s car and refuses to apologise, his ambitions are soon to be thwarted. In a modern day retelling of the biblical story ‘David Versus Goliath’, the meek topple the mighty, brains conquer brawn and good overcomes bad. DCI McKenzie versus his arch rival, Tommy McNunn. Who will win? In another classic IAN CP IRVINE thriller, just when you think you know the truth, your world is turned upside down. Hold on tight, cancel the rest of your day and take a deep, deep breathe. You'll need it.


About the book.

'Say You're Sorry!' is the latest crime thriller written by Ian C.P. Irvine, one of the UK's top cyber security experts.
Based upon real facts, 'Say You're Sorry!' is a page-turning, thrilling and chilling exposé of just how much our daily lives are now controlled by computers, and how an cyber expert with the right knowledge, could, if they wished, ruin your life.

A cyber crime conspiracy thriller at the top its game, after reading this, you'll never want to switch on your mobile phone again.

Read it now, ...or you'll be sorry you missed it!

You can't say you haven't been warned...

Once you've read it, this is the book you will want to recommend to your friends!

The action in the book is split between Scotland and India, so if you are in India, and like crime thrillers, this is the one to read!

Please note: Book One of Two Parts; please note that Book One continues seamlessly into and is concluded in Book Two. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to this new and exciting author!- If you enjoy Book One, to continue the story you may then choose to download Book Two. Alternatively, readers are always recommended to purchase the full omnibus edition containing both Book One and Book Two. Book Two is free with Kindle Unlimited!

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2018

826 people are currently reading
374 people want to read

About the author

Ian C.P. Irvine

64 books145 followers
Ian Irvine was brought up in Scotland, and studied Physics for far too many years, before travelling the world working for high-technology companies. Ian has spent a career helping build the internet and delivering its benefits to users throughout the world,...as well as helping to bring up a family. Ian enjoys writing, painting and composing in his spare time. His particular joy is found in taking scientific fact and creating a thrilling story around it in such a way that readers learn science whilst enjoying the thrill of the ride. It is Ian's hope that everyone who reads an I.C.P.Irvine novel will come away learning something interesting that they would never otherwise have found an interest in. Never Science fiction. Always science fact. With a twist.

The first of Ian's novels is a Genetic Conspiracy Thriller which explores the world of Stem Cell Research and encourages us all to ask some very searching questions about the advances that science is making, and how much we, or others, should let it affect society. A contemporary adventure, "The Orlando File" takes the reader around the world and back, and creates a unique moral dilemma that the reader cannot help but get embroiled in: at the end, the reader must ask themself, what would they do in that situation?

His second novel "The Crown of Thorns" explores the power of genetics, explores the questions that the potential to clone humans will raise, and asks the ultimate question...what would happen if a scientist found a way to clone Jesus Christ?

Ian's third novel "London 2012 : What If?" departs from the world of genetics and explores an interesting possibility that Quantum Physics raises:the possibility for parallel worlds to exist alongside each other...and what would happen if a man who wondered what other types of lives he could be living had he made other choices, where unexpectedly to step from one world into another parallel world. "What If" is also an interesting voyage through human emotions, and many readers will find themselves asking themselves similar questions that the lead character does as they read the book. As with both "The Crown of Thorns" and "The Orlando File", at the end of the book the reader is left thinking...and different readers may take away different views on how the novels did, or should have ended... It is hoped that in this way, the novels will make themselves ideal subjects for reading clubs or book clubs.

Ian hopes that if you honour him by spending the time reading one his novels, that you will find it a positive experience, and enjoy it. He also invites you to email him and let him know if you did or did not enjoy the novel. And if you did, what were your favourite parts?

Happy Reading!

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5 stars
646 (39%)
4 stars
531 (32%)
3 stars
270 (16%)
2 stars
87 (5%)
1 star
82 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Nan Watson .
12 reviews
April 6, 2018
Excellent

Couldn't put this book down, well written and totally believable, definitely recommend this author. Have already downloaded another two books.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Ducie.
Author 35 books98 followers
June 18, 2018
This would be a fairly standard Scottish gangster thriller, following in the wake of Ian Rankin and the like, if it wasn't for the addition of the story about Jonathan Stuart's car accident and the subsequent relationship formed with 'David' in the call centre in Mumbai. This 'underdog' element added an unusual twist that makes me want to go back for more. Not sure the ploy of needing to buy book 2 to find out what happens would have worked if book 1 hadn't have been on permafree. But that's probably because Irvine uses the same title for both books. If he had used a different title and made it a two-part series, the marketing would have seemed less aggressive. This is a very quick, easy read that I finished in a single session. Recommended for anyone who likes gangster stories, but welcomes an unusual twist.
Profile Image for Ted Tayler.
Author 79 books299 followers
August 25, 2018
"If only I'd known..."

The story line was easy to follow. The characters came from all walks of life and felt genuine. I'm not a great fan of books that switch setting and point of view in every chapter to advance the story; it can be confusing, but this one kept my interest throughout. Then came the abrupt ending. Why do author's persist in using this marketing ploy? Why not have the courage of your convictions and write a complete story? If it's destined to be part of a series it might not be exclusively a stand-alone, but at least it brings the vast majority of plot threads to a conclusion. Isn't that preferable for a reader? This had 5* all over it until I realised I'd been misled.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
March 1, 2020
🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (3/1/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Viva.
1,369 reviews4 followers
July 21, 2023
Spoilers ahead.

This is actually a neutral rating from me. I've wished many times there's a way I could review a book without giving it a rating and this is one of them. I dnf'd this for several reasons.

One reason is that I felt that the antagonist (McNunn) was very menacing. I guess that's actually a good thing when you can write a character who is so disturbing it prevents the reader from finishing the book. The second instance is of Stuart, the totally innocent retiree, who got rear ended by McNunn, I just know it isn't going to end well and I didn't want to find out what happened.

The third trifecta of course is the outsourced insurance company helpline. There was a one chapter build up of how bad that insurance company is and of course Stuart is insured by it. I'm pretty sure Stuard is going to be screwed by the insurance company. I don't know what's going to be worse for him, the insurance company or McNunn.

Here's the thing, I came here to read British detective fiction, where a crime occurs and the detective solves it. This type of plot where you're going to see the protagonist get screwed bit by bit isn't my cup of tea, it's almost masochistic, like turning a knife in a wound yourself. The reader almost always identifies with the protagonist and I'm pretty sure I do not want to see how bad that happens.

Then there's the changing POVs, which goes back to my previous paragraph. I do not want to keep switching POVs, it's a huge peeve of mine.

Lastly, this is one of those first book free, pay for the second. I do not really want to read 2 books to find the outcome of the first one. So despite the fact I really liked the first duo book by this author, I'm going to dnf this book and never pick up another book by him.
Profile Image for Mel.
341 reviews3 followers
April 28, 2018
Bloody Brilliant

I truly enjoyed the first part of this series, Say you're sorry. I don't understand why readers writing it's predictable. Of course it is!

Say you're sorry is about what will happened if you are getting hacked, in short words. Getting a Cyber breach. And how it is actually happened, Anand aka David in India felt sorry for Jonathan, and he planned to get the right person to pay for it. Because he himself is a hacker. You cannot preferred a breach, they always find a way, that is the scary part.

Cyber security attack is a big thing, it happens all over the world, every day, every hour and every minute.

I love the storyline and feel truly sorry for Jonathan, he is an honest character and can't believe what has happened, after he has his first accident in his long life, that his car insurance didn't pay him a penny to get his car fixed.
He doesn't now that the insurance he has is a fraud, scam.
This first one is was free as well the second book in this series. I got it already and look forward to find out what Will happened to criminal Tommy, because he will get a taste of his own medicine.

Great writing style, clever plot with a thrilling outcome. Speech on the characters are very well done, same for the monologues. Very detailed in the emotional impact that the characters go through. I really recommend this book!!
Profile Image for Petrina Binney.
Author 13 books24 followers
June 22, 2020
Set in Scotland, this crime thriller follows the lives of disparate characters: Campbell McKenzie - a DCI, leading the investigation into the death of a fellow officer, Thomas McNunn - local underworld crime boss, Ivor Petrovsky - a Russian crime lord and competitor to McNunn, old age pensioner and widower, Jonathan, a competent driver with a broken bumper and Anand, aka David, a call centre telephone operator in India, tasked with hindering Jonathan’s claim.

As the characters’ lives intersect, and drugs, murder and betrayal force them into conflict with each other, the only question is: who will prevail?

And, for the answer, you’ll need to buy book two.

Now, for myself, I must say I admire the author’s chutzpah in cutting the story in two. I’m sure other readers will flock to the internet and click away to find out more. Sadly, I am not in that category.

Although the writing was solid and the characters understandable, even relatable, I don’t think I’m going to lose sleep not knowing what happens next. As much as I have no doubt there is more story there, the ending (although sudden) wasn’t a shock-horror cliffhanger. The splitting of the book seemed - I would be reluctant to use the word ‘gimmicky’ but it certainly felt cynical. A shame.
33 reviews
April 26, 2020
A surprise???

I selected this (free) book to read because it was set in Edinburgh. The story is fine as far as it goes but I cant help but think that it's part of a marketing ploy by the author. Say You're Sorry is only half a story and the author has the cheek to ask if the reader is surprised the book is finished...Well yes I was! There was still 14 minutes of reading time left so I hadn't expected the abrupt ending or the huge sales pitch to buy the follow up or one of his other books.

As a result, I'm quite happy to walk away from this author. I don't care that I won't find out what happens to the characters. Normally when I find a good story (in a full length book ) I am more than happy to buy the rest of a series, but not in this case. I refuse to be manipulated by this author.
Profile Image for Gillian.
357 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2019
Anand lives outside Mumbai but dreams of getting back to his studies in Birmingham. Now stuck in a call centre dedicated to helping not its clients but only the insurance company it serves, Anand's conscience is pricked by one call from Edinburgh, home of the football team he theoretically supports, Hibs. What if he actually helped a customer for once? Mr Stuart wasn't at fault when his car was run into at a red light. Why should he lose his pride and joy because of their immoral system and the lies of the other driver? Why won't the latter admit his error and just say he's sorry?

This is part one of two, so nothing is resolved by the end of her than Anand's determination to fight Mr Stuart's corner.
Profile Image for Bob Hurley.
496 reviews
April 28, 2018
Thrills and Spills throughout

First time I have read an Ian CP Irving book and it was a very enjoyable read. DCI McKenzie and DI Wessex are two interesting characters I suspect destined for a number of books. McKenzie’s history with alcohol I am sure will become a part of his troubled past. Whilst Wessex’s upbringing and her Mentor can only bring conflict to her life and career. Looking forward to the second book having read the first.
30 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2019
Book one - sets the story up perfectly!!!

Book one is there to introduce the reader to the characters and the many plots an sub-plots. It's now time to start book two and I can't wait to see how it pans out!
Here we go on another roller coaster ride of emotions and mystery and lawlessness........
Profile Image for Martin Butland.
70 reviews
April 29, 2019
I don’t normally go for books like this but I am glad I did, fantastic story with a good plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was so good I couldn’t put the book down. Downloading the second book as I write this and can’t wait to read it. Looking forward to reading many more books from this author 👏👏👏😁
769 reviews3 followers
June 17, 2019
Super

Another great novel by Ian. I’m sure the second part will be just as compelling. I’m not a fan of profanity at all which spoils it for me as the plot is good, the characters seem so real but as I’ve read The Assassins Gift I know what’ll happen in the next book but not the details so here goes for the continuation.
Profile Image for Fiona.
303 reviews9 followers
August 18, 2019
I love all of Ian Irvines books, all are different and unusual clever plots. This one is about a Scottish crime war, but tied up with call centres and the morality of what insurance companies do. It is a clever twisty plot, but you have to buy book 2 to know what happens!These are all good books and I highly recommend them.
61 reviews
January 11, 2018
Irvine strikes again

Another excellent title by Ian. Had to keep reading this David v Goliath, good v evil. You're not sure who is going to get the edge over the other. A great twist with a lover. Do read.
1 review
February 20, 2018
Crime with a humane twist

The 2 threads to this book keep the reader enthralled. The usual crime story is enlivened by the human interest story running alongside it. Book 2 is next on my 'to read' list.
Profile Image for Trish.
99 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2019
Enjoyed this book till it finished abruptly to find out that you had to buy book two where the story continues and finishes. Not good in my opinion. A book should finish the current story with a teaser of what happens next. I wont be buying book two.
26 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2019
O My

What a marvellous story couldn't put it down, got this book for free on Kindle, going to go back and but book 2. I must say Mr Irvine has done a marvellous job for a new author looking forward to reading other books by him.
Profile Image for james mckillen.
3 reviews
July 28, 2019
Not as great as I thought

A very underwhelming ending. Could not read some parts of the old man's conversation with the insurance person or his thoughts. Those. Chapters were unnecessary and went on for way too long. I did finish the book so that's something
30 reviews
August 16, 2019
More please

This one keeps you on the edge and wanting more and more! I can't wait for the second read and how it will come to the end thanks Ian i have also read "what if" this author makes you want more
124 reviews
August 22, 2019
Disappointing

If you are not prepared to purchase book 2 in the series don't even start to read this one. It jumps around a bit but is an engaging story that unfortunately does not reach a conclusion, that comes in book 2.
49 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2019
Great book

Great book disappointing end. Great characters - some interesting moral dilemmas to ponder. Storyline close to the truth in exposing corruption in the Insurance business, we all know they don’t want to p
151 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2020
Great read. Full of twists and turns. Some you expect, others not so.

Excellent use of words in the book. Fast paced at times with plenty to think about. I would thoroughly recommend that you read this book. Can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Hathim  Ali.
1 review
April 13, 2020
The Best crime thriller I have ever Read.......So good....It catches the attention of the readers and wanting us to to read more.....The story doesn't allow you to even take a glimpse away from the book......Amazing...
130 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2020
Gripping

Yet another fast paced gripping thriller by the author. If you love reading about Scottish low life's and the on going drug battles this is for you. It as enough twists and turns to keep you wanting more.
1 review
March 21, 2021
Very disappointed with this book it was advertised as book 1 of 2 but to be honest it felt like I read only half a book. Unless a prospective reader intends to purchase both books I recommend don't give just book 1 a try as you'll end up disappointed.
Profile Image for Gail.
554 reviews7 followers
November 22, 2021
Warning… this is just the first half of the book. You have to purchase book 2 to get the rest of the story. Clever intersection of people’s lives from a young hacker in India, a crime boss in Scotland, a beautiful female detective and her boss in Scotland.
Profile Image for Geraldine Cullen.
2 reviews
August 27, 2018
Good pageturner

Good plot and the author got straight to the point without the need for endless descriptions. I read both books in two days.
147 reviews
May 7, 2018
Easy read

A quick read. Slightly predictable, will read the second book though to see if the final parts end as I expect
5 reviews
July 3, 2018
Not a bad read

The plot was well thought out and the characters fit well together. A few good twists to keep you thinking. Over all not a bad read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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