Thursday 28th October 1982 - Hammersmith Odeon, London. Iron Maiden are about to play in front of a sold-out crowd. This engagement is crucial for the band, who have just changed their lead singer and try to face the protests against their latest album, The Number of the Beast, accused with links to Satanism. A tragedy is round the Liam and Rose, who belong to a Catholic sect, are also there, stuffed with enough explosive C4 to cause a terrible massacre.
Six weeks before, a journalist called Luke Wilkinson, is found dead on the banks of the Thames. Everything found at the scene leads to a suicide, but Inspector Andrew Briggs, former victim’s classmate, does not agree. He decides to investigate on his own, but the deeper he digs, the more complicated the mosaic becomes. What is the relationship between Luke’s death and the two terrorists? In a turn of events, intertwined with past and present on the London-Unites States axis, this becomes much more than a simple murder or a terrorist a capillary, worldwide organization willing to go any lengths in the name of God. Iron Maiden will be the key to unravel the mystery, but how?
Antonio Biggio was born in 1970 in Santa Margherita Ligure (GE), Italy. He started writing poems at the age of five. He started performing in theatre at the age of nine, under the guide of his mentor Mario Forella, and ending up with a Diploma in Acting and Directing in 1992, at Starline in Cinecittà (Rome).
He established and directed three theatre companies: the most recent was the Compagnia Stabile del Teatro R&G Govi in Genoa, where he also covered the role of Production Director.
For over 15 years, other than working as actor and director, he used to teach drama at his company Performing Arts Academy, in secondary schools and colleges.
In over thirty years spent performing and directing, he took part in over eighty productions, ranging from comedy, to classic and modern. This huge passion, other than the one for football and Iron Maiden, always characterized him and drives him even to this day. In 2013 he moved to the United Kingdom, where he currently lives with his family.
As an author, in 1991 he published the poetry book Love Theatre Melancony. In 2020 he translated in Italian for Tsunami Edizioni the book Loopyworld – The Iron Maiden Years written by the former band’s roadie Steve “Loopy” Newhouse, out in 2022. His debut novel, Eddie Must Die, will be out in autumn 2021.
Eddie Must Die is the English translation of an Italian thriller set in the early 1980s, inspired by the author’s evident passion for legendary English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. I was a massive fan in my late teens, so when I saw the cover image featuring their sinister mascot Eddie while browsing available ARCs on Reedsy, was intrigued enough to download it. The book features real-life members of the band as minor characters in a plot about a conspiracy to blow them up during a concert. This was a brilliant idea, unfortunately let down by very poor translation, frequent errors, a confusing narrative arrangement and an unlikeable central protagonist.
Andrew Briggs is a frustrated metalhead who ended up working as a London Met police officer when his dreams of rock stardom died. When his best friend body is discovered after an apparent suicide, he refuses to believe it, and initiates an investigation against orders from his seniors. Liam and Rose are young lovers who found religion after surviving heroin addiction, and are willing to die to save the world from Iron Maiden’s apparent satanic influences. Luke is an journalist investigating a building corporation led by a reclusive billionaire - how does he connect to a priest with a shady past? As excitement builds towards a one off concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, can Andrew solve the mystery in time to save the world’s greatest metal band and thousands of innocent headbangers?
So first the positives - this was an original idea, features heavy metal fans as normal people from all walks of life, which makes a nice change, shows a lot of knowledge of the music scene of the time, and delivers a tense and entertaining plot. I also liked all the music lyrics he slips in.
Unfortunately these are outweighed by problems with the writing, that I’m sure would not have been an issue in the Italian version. The author apparently moved to Britain in 2013 - and I thought perhaps the English language mistakes in virtually every paragraph were because he wrote it himself, but apparently not. This needs a line by line rewrite by a native English speaker. It’s not so bad that you can’t follow the story, it’s just horribly distracting. Similarly, the book needed some English beta-readers to pick out all the errors - some Italian ones are thanked, but they couldn’t be expected to know that UK police do not carry guns, UK teenagers don’t go the prom, that London could never be the hottest city in Europe, and how English detectives and clergy are referred to - and much more.
My other big problem with this was the decision to tell the story in a completely jumbled timeline, presumably to introduce some twists. This didn’t work for me at all. Each chapter is given a date, but it was really hard to keep track of what was happening to whom when, made worse by the introduction of multiple minor characters of minimal relevance who are referred to out of context and often only explained later on. I would rather have had many more scenes featuring the musicians themselves. Also, minor character names are repeated eg Chris, Peter, Bob/Bobby/Robert, and many of the more significant characters’ fates are left unresolved.
But wait, there’s more: Andrew, the “hero” is a complete a**e - arrogant, lazy, self-pitying and Too Stupid to Live! Luke was a much more appealing protagonist, so knowing his fate made following his story much more poignant. The only significant female characters are a deluded killer, a feeble love interest and a kindly prostitute. We only meet one female fan! This may have been set in 1982 but it was written recently so there’s no excuse for this.
I received an ARC through the Reedsy Discovery Programme in order to provide an honest review. I’m sorry to be so critical as I really thought I would love this. Eddie Must Die launches on October 20th.
“Eddie deve morire” è un giallo hard boiled/police procedural la cui trama ruota attorno allo straordinario concerto degli Iron Maiden all’Hammersmith Odeon di Londra, tappa del loro tour nel 1982.
Una trama costruita molto bene, avvincente e avvolta dalla musica del gruppo che ha fatto la storia dell’heavy metal. Ogni personaggio coinvolto - e non sono pochi - è ben delineato e realistico. La cura nel raccontare fatti reali riguardanti gli Iron Maiden è davvero maniacale. La linea temporale non è lineare e all’inizio non è facile star dietro ai salti temporali, ma la scrittura di Biggio è molto chiara e immersiva, quindi la matassa si sbroglia presto. Inoltre, questo è un romanzo in cui aleggia il tema del terrorismo, del disagio sociale e i bassifondi di Londra vengono perlustrati da cima a fondo, lasciando trapelare l’oscurità che si annida in quartieri meno conosciuti e distanti dal centro della città, così affollato e caotico. Da leggere assolutamente!
Ho ricevuto una copia di Eddie deve morire in gentile omaggio da parte dell'autore, e non potrei esserne più felice. In questo modo ho avuto la possibilità, infatti, di leggere un bel libro che diversamente forse non avrei conosciuto. Eddie deve morire inizia subito con un picco di adrenalina, presentandoci Rose, una ragazza apparentemente normale, in fila per il concerto degli Iron Maiden, con lo zaino pieno di esplosivo pronto per un attentato. Si viene subito catapultati nell'azione e, un attimo dopo, si viene tirati fuori, perché l'autore ci fa conoscere, uno per uno, i personaggi coinvolti nella trama. Si torna indietro a parecchie settimane prima dell'attentato e si ripercorrono gli eventi. Cosa ha portato una giovane ragazza a pianificare un attentato? Chi altri è coinvolto? Perché? Chi è il poliziotto che indaga? All'inizio sembra che i personaggi non abbiano nulla in comune e che l'unico filo rosso della trama siano gli Iron Maiden: in un modo o nell'altro, tutti hanno un legame con la band inglese. Poi, man mano, tutti i pezzi vanno al loro posto e l'autore costruisce un quadro ben più ampio, in cui ogni cosa trova il suo posto. Il ritmo narrativo è sempre indovinato, studiato per tenere alta la tensione. Leggendo, si partecipa attivamente alle indagini e non si può non sentirsi coinvolti quando tutta una serie di legami, connessioni e intrecci vengono alla luce. Ho molto apprezzato la cura del dettaglio che c'è in queste pagine, dalla descrizione vivida della musica degli Iron Maiden, a quella meticolosa delle strade di Londra. Molta attenzione è stata usata inoltre nella costruzione del background dei personaggi: anche quelli che compaiono più sporadicamente vengono presentati in modo molto particolareggiato, a volte grazie ad alcuni flashback che contribuiscono a renderli più vividi. Il libro è avvincente e la suspense tiene incollati alle pagine. Ma c'è un'altra cosa che ho molto apprezzato, una cosa che va oltre la trama principale. Si tratta di un'attenzione che l'autore ha voluto dedicare a Londra come città, con le sue contraddizioni e la sua dinamicità e, a volte, la miseria che nasconde. Ha poi voluto esplorare personaggi tormentati, insoddisfatti, o vittime delle proprie debolezze, tirando fuori e dando risalto ai lati più in ombra di ognuno. Pensavo che avrei amato questo libro per gli Iron Maiden, ma ho finito per amarlo anche per tutto il resto.
Il libro di Antonio Biggio, Eddie deve morire, è davvero coinvolgente, con descrizioni dettagliate ma non noiose, l'autore è riuscito a creare una storia coinvolgente per i fan dei maiden e non (io ad esempio non lo sono ma), riuscendo ad appassionare il lettore dalla prima all'ultima pagina. Realtà e fantasia si fondono insieme in una storia da leggere e consigliare.
Un bel thriller con la giusta suspence e un bel colpo di scena che ti lascia di stucco! Lo consiglio vivamente, soprattutto a chi ama il metal e in particolare gli iron maiden!
Il concerto degli Iron Maiden a Londra del 1982, una setta di fanatici, un reporter di inchieste, un poliziotto con problemi con le regole: questi gli ingredienti per un thriller heavy metal!
Gli Iron Maiden sono in tour, con un cantante nuovo e molte proteste contro l’album “satanista” The Number of the Beast. La situazione è tesa intorno alla band, ma loro nemmeno immaginano quanto.
Liam e Rose sono ragazzi con un passato di dipendenza che finiscono dritti dritti tra le mani di un prete che si presenta come un salvatore ma in realtà li farà entrare in una setta estremista cattolica che li vuole spedire carichi di esplosivo al concerto degli Iron Maiden in un Hammersmith Odeon gremito, per compiere una strage.
Sei settimane prima l’ispettore Andrew Briggs arriva sulla scena del ritrovamento del cadavere del suo ex compagno di scuola Luke Wilkinson: i due erano accomunati dalla passione per gli Iron Maiden e legati da una profonda amicizia. Quando contro ogni previsione il medico legale stabilisce che Luke si è suicidato, Andrew però non ci sta ed inizia ad indagare andando contro gli ordini del suo capo. Riuscirà a scoperchiare un vaso di pandora dove fanatismo e pazzia si mescolano e intrecciano Un viaggio serrato tra Stati Uniti e Inghilterra in cui due linee temporali parallele ci porteranno a risolvere il caso e a sperare in un lieto fine che non preveda una strage di ragazzi con la voglia di divertirsi
Con un ritmo serrato Biggio ci accompagna nelle due indagini: quella di Luke e quella di Andrew, facendoci entrare nei recessi del fanatismo più estremo, con un susseguirsi di colpi di scena inaspettati. Non ci si può fidare di nessuno, lo sa bene Luke che si lascia dietro piccole briciole: saranno proprio per Andrew?
Review: Eddie Must Die is a captivating story with a huge storyline, multiple subplots, etc.
The release of The Number of the Beast, which took place two months earlier, had aroused indignation among Catholic extremists, especially in America. People started protesting to boycott the band Iron Maiden. When the band's concert was in Odeon, a bomb was planted to blast the band.
Story took a twist when inspector Andrew Briggs received a phone call with code 187 that is for the corpse. Even though the reason of death was told suicide but Andrew didn't agree. He has to dig deep in the case to find the truth.
The backdrop of the story is amazing. Cover photo is nice. Those who love reading stories with many characters should go for it. Narration is so smooth that readers will find this book as unputdownable. I am highly interested to read more of Antonio's work in the future.
Title: Eddie Must Die Author: Antonio Biggio Rating: 4.5/5
Review: I love reading heavy novels. Eddie Must Die is a wonderful story with a vast plotline and many subplots.
Two months ago Iron Maiden released 'The Number of the Beast'. This aroused indignation among Catholic extremists. Heavy protest was held and the crowd was demanding everyone to boycott the band Iron Maiden.
Now, it's time for Iron Maiden's concert in Odeon. A bomb has been planted by the terrorists to harm the band. But innocent lives would also be taken.
Find out will the bomb blast? Inspector Andrew Briggs is one of my favorite characters. He received a call about a corpse. Whose corpse is this? Is it a suicide or a murder? Join the rollercoaster ride with Inspector Andrew Briggs and find out what will happen ultimately.
I am impressed with Antonio's writing style. I am eagerly waiting for the English version of his latest novel. This book caught all my attention. It is one of the best books that I have read this year. If you are a true thriller fan, then you shouldn't miss to read this one.
I love reading thrillers with a vast plotline. This time I got my hands on Eddie Must Die penned by the author Antonio Biggio.
The release of The Number of the Beast, which took place two months earlier, had aroused indignation among Catholic extremists. People protested and wanted others to boycott Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden's concert is there in Odeon. The terrorist have planted a bomb to blast the band and the crowd.
Another major part of the story is when Inspector Andrew Briggs received a call with a code 187 that is for the corpse. The inspector is determined to dig deep in this case and find out the reason of death as he suspects that it's not a suicide. Will Inspector Andrew be able to figure out things?
The twists and turns in the story made it more interesting. Antonio has described the place and dates very well which made the story smooth. Language used in the book is lucid and I was able to follow the plot with ease. Pace of the story is fast and I wasn't bored anytime while reading this book.
Libro fantastico!! Mi ha tenuto in tensione fino all'ultima pagina. Ti trasporta direttamente negli anni 80,gli anni dell'ascesa degli Iron Maiden band di cui lo scrittore è un grande conoscitore oltre che fan. Tante le descrizioni relative alla band che si intrecciano alla storia che risulta essere un thriller mozzafiato!! Libro consigliatissimo
Two terrorists have set the bomb to blow up the band Iron Maiden and its audience. Inspector Andrew Briggs received a call with priority one, code 187 that is for corpse finding. A white male in mid-30's was found on the Thames. From the dead man's wallet, it was discovered that he was Luke Wilkinson. Even though it was suggested as a suicide but the inspector Andrew didn't agree on that completely.
Will Andrew Briggs find any connection between the two events? Readers would enjoy reading and finding out who was behind the attack. Also, get to know more about the murderer by reading this gripping novel.
I am thankful to get my hands on this book. Although I don't always enjoy a book with many subplots, this one won my heart. The author has done fabulous work. Writing is so smooth that it sets the flow of the story. Thriller lovers should read this without missing it.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: Eddie Must Die is a thriller penned by the author Antonio Biggio. Iron Maiden are about to play in front of a sold-out crowd in Hammersmith Odeon, London. Rose, a girl from the attacking group carried the detonator inside her sandwich. She placed the bomb in the ladies room in the cistern of the second cubicle. This attack is linked to a corpse found six weeks ago. Inspector Andrew Briggs from Scotland Yard is working on the case and he doesn't think it as a suicide.
On reaching the crime scene, Andrew got to know that the corpse is of a White man in his mid-30s. The band Iron Maiden is accused of having links to Satanism. Will it be the last concert of the Iron Maiden? Where will Andrew's investigation drive him?
Get a copy of this book and read it to know what will happen next. The story is vast and has multiple subplots. I appreciate the way the author has managed to write them so well. This is a wonderful story and thriller fiction fans would be delighted to read it. The cover of the book is nice. I am looking forward to reading more of the author's work in the future.
Imagine it's 1982, and you’re packed into the legendary Hammersmith Odeon in London. Iron Maiden is about to take the stage, and the air is electric with anticipation. But beyond the thrilling vibe of the concert, a dark plot is unfolding. Antonio Biggio’s “Eddie Must Die” immerses you in this dual world of rock euphoria and sinister conspiracy, blending the intensity of a live performance with the suspense of a high-stakes thriller.
Antonio Biggio might be a new name to some, but in Italy, he’s known for his poetry and theatre work. His transition from the stage to the page is seamless, and “Eddie Must Die” is a testament to his storytelling prowess. If you’re a fan of Iron Maiden or just love a good thriller, this book will hit all the right notes.
So, here’s the scoop: It’s October 28, 1982, and Iron Maiden is facing a crucial gig. They’ve just swapped lead singers and are battling accusations of Satanism. Meanwhile, two members of a religious sect, Liam and Rose, are planning to blow up the venue with C4. Six weeks earlier, journalist Luke Wilkinson is found dead in the Thames, and while it looks like suicide, Inspector Andrew Briggs isn’t buying it. As Briggs digs deeper, he discovers a tangled web that links the journalist’s death to the impending attack. The story jumps between London and the U.S., past and present, with Iron Maiden at the center of this deadly puzzle.
Biggio’s writing style is like a perfect rock song – it’s got rhythm, it’s vivid, and it keeps you hooked. His descriptions bring the 80s rock scene to life, and his knack for creating tension is top-notch. The narrative voice is engaging and makes you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the action. Plus, his background in theater really shines through in the way he handles dialogue and dramatic scenes.
The characters in “Eddie Must Die” are well-developed and believable. Inspector Andrew Briggs is a standout – he’s persistent, smart, and you can’t help but root for him. Liam and Rose are chilling antagonists, their fanaticism adding a layer of real-world horror to the story. The characters grow and reveal themselves in a way that feels natural and keeps you invested.
The plot is a wild ride, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Biggio’s pacing is spot-on, balancing high-tension scenes with quieter, more introspective moments. The way he weaves together different timelines and locations is impressive, making the story feel rich and complex without losing the reader.
Biggio tackles big themes like fanaticism, the power of music, and the clash between good and evil. The book also touches on the hysteria around heavy metal music in the 80s, adding a layer of social commentary. The symbolic use of Iron Maiden’s music as a key to solving the mystery is a clever touch that enriches the narrative.
Reading “Eddie Must Die” is an emotional rollercoaster. There are moments of intense suspense, bursts of action, and quieter, more emotional scenes that really hit home. The atmosphere at the Hammersmith Odeon is particularly vivid – you can almost hear the music and feel the tension.
The book’s strengths lie in its compelling characters, vivid world-building, and gripping plot. Biggio’s ability to create an immersive atmosphere is outstanding, and his passion for the subject matter shines through. Specific scenes, like the concert buildup and the investigation’s twists, are highlights.
If there’s one minor gripe, it’s that some backstory and detailed descriptions can slow the pace a bit. However, these parts still add depth and context to the story, so it’s a small trade-off.
As a fan of both thrillers and rock music, I absolutely loved “Eddie Must Die.” Biggio’s passion for Iron Maiden and his background in drama create a unique and engaging read. The blend of real historical context with fictional intrigue makes the story both entertaining and thought-provoking.
In short, “Eddie Must Die” is a thrilling, original novel that blends the excitement of a rock concert with the suspense of a detective story. Antonio Biggio’s English debut is a hit, offering a gripping narrative that’s sure to appeal to fans of thrillers, music, and well-crafted storytelling. Highly recommended – and I can’t wait to see what Biggio comes up with next!
Thursday 28th October 1982. Hammersmith Odeon, London. Iron Maiden are about to play in front of a sold-out crowd. This engagement is crucial for the band, who have just changed their lead singer and are trying to face the protests against their latest album, The Number of the Beast. They have been accused of having links to Satanism. A tragedy is round the corner: Liam and Rose, who belong to a religious sect, are also there, armed with enough explosive C4 to cause a terrible massacre.
Six weeks previously, the Thames returns the dead body of a journalist named Luke Wilkinson. Everything found at the scene suggests suicide, but Inspector Andrew Briggs is suspicious. He decides to investigate on his own, but the deeper he digs, the more complicated the mosaic becomes. Two events apparently different, but connected by a thin thread. Who is the murderer? And who is behind the attack on the legendary metal band? This page-turning thriller is rich in twisted plots, which intertwine the past and present on a London-Unites States axis. Iron Maiden turn out to be the key to unravel the mystery, but how? The novel is structured to intertwine the characters' stories, finalized to make them all meet, in a way or the other, at the Hammersmith Odeon's venue. A very well-built temporal architecture, which flows very well under the readers' eyes thanks to an efficient exposure. At the beginning it seems all obvious but it's the interweaving itself which won't make clear, until the end, who is the victim and who is the perpetrator.
The Author leads us to the beginning of the worldwide success of the band Iron Maiden, and this is so balanced and discreet, to get curious also the reader who is not a heavy metal fan. For the fans, the experience is so immersive to make them part of the scene and take the stage with their idols.
Title -***Eddie must die*** Author -***Antonio Biggio***
Antonio Biggio might be a new name to some, but in Italy, he’s known for his poetry and theatre work. His transition from the stage to the page is seamless, and “Eddie Must Die” is a testament to his storytelling prowess. If you’re a fan of Iron Maiden or just love a good thriller, this book will hit all the right notes.
So, here’s the scoop: It’s October 28, 1982, and Iron Maiden is facing a crucial gig. They’ve just swapped lead singers and are battling accusations of Satanism. Meanwhile, two members of a religious sect, Liam and Rose, are planning to blow up the venue with C4. Six weeks earlier, journalist Luke Wilkinson is found dead in the Thames, and while it looks like suicide, Inspector Andrew Briggs isn’t buying it. As Briggs digs deeper, he discovers a tangled web that links the journalist’s death to the impending attack. The story jumps between London and the U.S., past and present, with Iron Maiden at the center of this deadly puzzle.
The plot is a wild ride, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Biggio’s pacing is spot-on, balancing high-tension scenes with quieter, more introspective moments. The way he weaves together different timelines and locations is impressive, making the story feel rich and complex without losing the reader.
In short, “Eddie Must Die” is a thrilling, original novel that blends the excitement of a rock concert with the suspense of a detective story. Antonio Biggio’s English debut is a hit, offering a gripping narrative that’s sure to appeal to fans of thrillers, music, and well-crafted storytelling. Highly recommended – and I can’t wait to see what Biggio comes up with next!
The fictional thriller meets Heavy Metal, but this book is also for who is not a Metal fan. Two terrorists want to blow up Iron Maiden and their audience. A body is found dead in the Thames. Will inspector Andrew Briggs find out the relationship between the two events? And why Iron Maiden will be the key to unravel the mystery?
The novel is structured to intertwine the characters' stories, finalized to make them all meet, in a way or the other, at the Hammersmith Odeon's venue. A very well-built temporal architecture, which flows very well under the readers' eyes thanks to an efficient exposure. At the beginning it seems all obvious but it's the interweaving itself which won't make clear, until the end, who is the victim and who is the perpetrator. The Author leads us to the beginning of the worldwide success of the band Iron Maiden, and this is so balanced and discreet, to get curious also the reader who is not a heavy metal fan. For the fans, the experience is so immersive to make them part of the scene and take the stage with their idols.
Andrew è un poliziotto ma la sua vera passione è la musica: Black Sabbath, Scorpions e…. Iron Maiden. La sua vita viene sconvolta quando, durante una chiamata di routine per un caso di suicidio, apprende che il fiume ha appena restituito il corpo del suo amico di sempre, Luke Wilkinson. Luke era un giornalista musicale, anch’egli fan degli Iron. Andrew rifiuta di credere all’ipotesi del suicidio perché sa che il suo amico non lo avrebbe mai fatto. Si mette ad indagare e scopre tutta una serie di indizi che Luke ha lasciato per lui, messaggi che solo Andrew avrebbe potuto capire.
Questo thriller si snoda fino alla scoperta della verità sulle note delle canzoni degli Iron Maiden fino al 1982. A fare da contorno ci sono proprio loro, gli Iron, oggetto di un progetto di attentato durante il loro concerto all’Odeon. Sì, perché tra i tanti fan si nascono i perbenisti della Chiesa che accusano la band di inneggiare al satanismo… è evidente che non hanno ascoltato i loro pezzi!
Non posso dire altro perché lo spoiler è dietro la porta!
Un thriller ben scritto, scorrevole e intrigante, che si intreccia con gli esordi di una band leggendaria.
🔵 REVIEW: If you love reading thrillers then get your hands on Antonio Biggio's "Eddie Must Die". The story is about a gig booked by Iron Maiden in London in 1982 which has been targeted by a religious group angry about the band’s alleged links to Satanism.
Iron Maiden's concert is there in Odeon. The terrorists have planned an attack to blast the crowd and the band. This attack has some linkage with the dead body found a few days ago by Inspector Andrew Briggs. Although it's being called a suicide, but Andrew is skeptical about it. He feels there is some other angle that needs to be investigated.
Get a copy of this book and read the entire story yourself to know what will happen. Antonio is a master in writing and handling multiple subplots. The backdrop setting is detailed. The narration of the story is so smooth that a flow will be set as you read it. The characters are gonna stay in my mind for a long time. If you have an interest in terrorist fiction and thrillers then this book would be a great pick.
This is more than just a murder mystery or a terrorism thriller—it’s a powerful commentary on belief, identity, and the darkness that can grow in the name of righteousness. A must-read for fans of intelligent thrillers and historical suspense.