Breakdown of Integrity COMING SOON!

Mike Stanhope Mysteries 8

Electric vehicles are the future … aren’t they? Well, maybe, but one particular make of electric truck is repeatedly breaking down, and two examples have gone up in flames. Yet the failures aren’t being covered properly in the press. Is there a cover-up? Are some of the imported components faulty? Could someone even be causing the breakdowns on purpose? If so, why?

When journalist Mike Stanhope digs deeper, he’s faced with half-truths and evasion, and soon realises it’s a blame game, with various parties pointing the finger at each other. When one of the broken-down trucks is robbed, he becomes convinced someone is pulling electronic strings to make the failures happen. But who, and how?

Enter Trish, who once nearly derailed Mike’s relationship with his girlfriend. She now works for the truck maker in question, so inevitably they’re thrown together. Will there be a different outcome this time? Does he want it? Does she?

A sudden death gives the story a darker turn, and Mike’s search for the truth starts to feel disturbingly personal.

The obvious target

Chinese component makers feature in this topical tale, reflecting the anxiety felt by western consumers over reliance on technology that might have sinister potential. Could those fears be justified in this case, or is the existence of such an easy target deflecting attention from some other more elusive agenda? 

Proof of delivery

How do you prove you’re the rightful recipient of something bought online? It ought to be easy, but some carriers are introducing tighter checks. In Breakdown of Integrity thieves attempt to play the system. Could it happen in real life?