Third Strike − seventh in the thriller series featuring Charlotte 'Charlie' Fox − is fresh out in UK bookshops this week. The UK version is published by Allison & Busby and the US edition will be available from St Martin's Press in October.

Reviewing the new book, best-selling author Stuart MacBride declared:

'Zoë Sharp is the best kept secret in crime fiction; it's about time that changed . . . There are few writers who go right to the top of my TBR pile − Zoë Sharp is one of them.'

It's a Crime website said:

'Third Strike by title, but the seventh strike in what is proving the most addictive of stories to emerge from the current English contingent of writers. Imaginative plots and a new location each time keeps the series fresh and varied; the jacket blurb promises "super-charged action and a high-speed plot", and Third Strike more than fulfils. If you are already a fan, you will love this new instalment; if Zoë Sharp is a new name for you, miss this one at your peril, as they say!'

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Advance readers of Third Strike have all remarked on the effects this story has on the people closest to Charlie Fox. In particular, her coolly professional father turns out to have a disturbingly ruthless streak of his own . . .

Charlie, now based in New York, is slowly recovering from the wounds suffered during her previous assignment and is itching to prove herself to her new boss. Little does she know there's a personal matter on the horizon that's going to take up all her attention. There's no love lost between Charlie and her disapproving family, but when she realises her father is in trouble, she doesn't think twice before jumping in to help him.

It appears that Richard Foxcroft, highly regarded surgeon and pillar of the community, has upset the wrong crowd and they're using underhand and increasingly violent methods to systematically destroy the man's immaculate reputation. But why? It's up to Charlie to find out; the only trouble is, it means spending quality time with her parents.

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The focus may be on the new book but Second Shot is still storming ahead and attracting critical praise:

'Zoë Sharp has garnered a great following in the US for her novels and it's now time that the UK's crime readership contingent joined the bandwagon in legions.' It's a Crime

'A fast and furious and very good read.' Literary Review

'. . . a pacy thriller with an added dimension. One day soon some big shot producer is going to cotton on to the complex Charlie Fox and put her in the movies. I can't wait!'

Andy Smart, Nottingham Evening Post

There are three new editions out this month:

• CD and cassette audio edition from BBC Audiobooks, read by Clare Corbett
• large-print hardcover from Isis Publishing
• mass market paperback from Allison & Busby

I was recently invited to appear on the Meet the Author website, where I recorded a 60-second video intro to Second Shot.  View it here − it'll only take a minute!

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I am privileged to blog every other Thursday on the Murderati website in the company of a fine bunch of today's liveliest commentators on crime fiction. We've just learned that we've been nominated for an Anthony Award for Best Website 2008. See why at Murderati.

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Book Tour is a brilliant way for you to keep up to date with my events and appearances. You can even sign up to receive an email every time there's an update. It's always a pleasure to meet readers, so if I'm going to be at a bookstore, library or event near you, please do drop in and say hello.

One of the highlights of the UK fiction scene is the annual Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, this year 17th to 20th July. A galaxy of established writers, a sprinkling of rising stars and a first-class program of events. I'll be explaining 'How to Kill Someone with Small Change' on Creative Thursday. See you there!

www.zoesharp.com